(for more ship information, go to Naval History Homepage and type name in Site Search)

 

Home Fleet Operations September 1939 to April 1942

Click for Convoy Route Codes, Operation Code Names and Home Fleet Minelaying

 

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WAR DIARY OF THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF, HOME FLEET

 

JULY 1943

(n.b. Summary of Operations at end of month)

  

 

1. HMS DUKE OF YORK (Flag of Commander in Chief Home Fleet.
	1st-7th	Scapa
	7th	Left Scapa with the Battlefleet for Operation CAMERA
	9th	Returned to Scapa
	27th	Left Scapa with Force B for Operation GOVERNOR
	29th	Returned to Scapa with Force B
	29th-31st	Scapa
2. HMS ANSON (Flag of Vice Admiral, Second in Command, Home Fleet)
	1st-10th	Scapa
	10th	Left Scapa with ALABAMA, KENT, and screen of 5 U.S. destroyers for Exercise X C K and Hvalfiord
	12th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	19th	Left Hvalfiord for Exercise X C M
	20th	Returned to Hvalfiord
	26th	Left Hvalfiord with Force A for Operation GOVERNOR
	29th	Returned to Scapa with Force A
	29th-31st	Scapa
3. HMS KING GEORGE V
	1st-31st	Detached with Force H in the Mediterranean
4. HMS HOWE
	1st-31st	Detached with Force H in the Mediterranean
5. HMS MALAYA
	1st-22nd	Clyde
	22nd	Left Clyde for Scapa with UNICORN
	23rd	Arrived Scapa
	25th	Left Scapa for Port H H Z for special trials (Operation F K), arriving p.m.
	25th-31st	Port H H Z
Attached Battleships
6. USS SOUTH DAKOTA (Flag of Commander Task Group 92.4)
	1st-7th	Scapa
	7th	Left Scapa with the Battlefleet for Operation CAMERA
	9th	Returned to Scapa
	27th	Left Scapa for Force B for Operation GOVERNOR
	29th	Returned to Scapa with Force B
	29th-31st	Scapa
7. USS ALABAMA
	1st-10th	Scapa
	10th	Left Scapa with ANSON, KENT, and screen of 5 U.S. destroyers for Exercise X C K and Hvalfiord
	12th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	19th	Left Hvalfiord for Exercise X C M
	20th	Returned to Hvalfiord
	26th	Left Hvalfiord with Force A for Operation GOVERNOR
	29th	Returned to Scapa with Force A
	29th-31st	Scapa
Battleship attached for working up
8. HMS RAMILLIES
	1st-9th	Scapa, working up
	9th	Left Scapa for Rosyth for repairs, arriving p.m.
	10th	taken in hand
	30th	Left Rosyth on completion for the Clyde escorted by ROEBUCK and QUALITY
	31st	At sea on passage to the Clyde
Battlecruiser
9. HMS RENOWN
	1st-31st	Scapa, working up
Aircraft Carriers
10. HMS INDOMITABLE
	1st-31st	Detached with Force H in the Mediterranean
	15th	torpedoed during torpedo bomber attack 90 miles east north east of Malta
	16th	Arrived Malta under her own steam for repairs
	16th-31st	Malta for repairs
11. HMS ILLUSTRIOUS
	1st-17th	Clyde, working up
	17th	Left Clyde for Exercise X C L and Scapa
	18th	Arrived Scapa
	23rd	Left Scapa escorted by four destroyers for Hvalfiord
	25th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	26th	Left Hvalfiord with Force A for Operation GOVERNOR
	29th	Returned to Scapa with Force A
	29th-31st	Scapa
12. HMS FURIOUS
	1st-7th	Scapa
	7th	Left Scapa with the Battlefleet for Operation CAMERA
	9th	Returned to Scapa
	15th	Left Scapa for Liverpool escorted by three destroyers for refit
	16th	Arrived Liverpool, taken in hand
	16th-31st	Liverpool, refitting
13. HMS UNICORN
	1st-11th	Belfast for repairs
	11th	Left Belfast on completion for the Clyde, arriving p.m. to continue working up
	22nd	Left Clyde with MALAYA for Scapa
	23rd	Arrived Scapa
	27th	Left Scapa with Force B for Operation GOVERNOR
	29th	Returned to Scapa with Force B
	30th	Left Scapa, escorted by SCORPION and GRENVILLE for the Clyde
	31st	Arrived Clyde
First Cruiser Squadron
14. HMS KENT
	1st-7th	Scapa
	7th	Left Scapa with Force Q for Operation CAMERA
	9th	Returned to Scapa
	10th	Left Scapa with ANSON, ALABAMA and screen of 5 U.S. destroyers for exercise X C K and Hvalfiord
	12th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	19th	Left Hvalfiord for Exercise X C M and Patrol White
	20th	Returned to Hvalfiord
	27th	Left Hvalfiord with Force E for Operation GOVERNOR
	30th	Returned to Hvalfiord with Force E
	30th-31st	Hvalfiord
15. HMS LONDON (Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding First Cruiser Squadron)
	1st-7th	Scapa
	7th	Left Scapa with Force Q for Operation CAMERA
	9th	Returned to Scapa
	17th	Left Scapa for exercise X C L with ILLUSTRIOUS
	18th	Proceeded to Hvalfiord northabout, and for exercise X C M, on completion of Exercise X C L
	20th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	27th	Left Hvalfiord with Force E for Operation GOVERNOR
	30th	Returned to Hvalfiord with Force E
	30th-31st	Hvalfiord
16. HMS NORFOLK
	1st	Left Scapa for Hvalfiord
	4th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	6th	Left Hvalfiord with Force S for Operation CAMERA
	10th	Returned to Hvalfiord
	11th	Left Hvalfiord for Exercise X C K with BERWICK and SCORPION
	12th	Returned to Hvalfiord
	15th	Left Hvalfiord for Akureyri, arriving p.m.
	18th	Left Akureyri for Exercise X C M and Hvalfiord
	20th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	27th	Left Hvalfiord with Force E for Operation GOVERNOR
	30th	Returned to Hvalfiord with Force E
	30th-31st	Hvalfiord
17. HMS BERWICK
	1st	Hvalfiord
	2nd	Left Hvalfiord for exercises with NORFOLK
	4th	Returned to Hvalfiord with NORFOLK
	6th	Left Hvalfiord with Force S for Operation CAMERA
	10th	Returned to Hvalfiord
	11th	Left Hvalfiord with NORFOLK and SCORPION for Exercise X C K and Scapa
	14th	Arrived Scapa, sailing p.m. for Rosyth and docking
	15th	Arrived Rosyth, taken in hand
	24th	taken in hand for full refit
	24th-31st	Rosyth, refitting
18. HMS CUMBERLAND
	1st-3rd	Hvalfiord
	3rd	Left Hvalfiord for Scapa
	5th	Arrived Scapa
	6th	Left Scapa for Tyne for refit
	7th	Arrived Tyne, taken in hand
	7th-31st	Tyne, refitting
Tenth Cruiser Squadron
19. HMS BELFAST (Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron)
	1st	Arrived Scapa from Rosyth on completion of docking
	7th	Left Scapa with Force Q for operation CAMERA
	9th	Returned to Scapa
	27th	Left Scapa with Force D for Operation GOVERNOR
	29th	Returned to Scapa with Force D
	29th-31st	Scapa
20. HMS BERMUDA
	1st-23rd	Detached to Plymouth Command for Operation REGULATION
	23rd	Returned to Scapa
	27th	Left Scapa with Force B for Operation GOVERNOR
	29th	Returned to Scapa with Force B
	29th-31st	Scapa
21. HMS SHEFFIELD
	1st-24th	Scapa
	24th	Left Scapa for Plymouth for Operation REGULATION under Commander in Chief, Plymouth
	26th	Arrived Plymouth
	26th-31st	Plymouth Command for Operations REGULATION, MUSKETRY, and SEASLUG
22. HMS GLASGOW
	1st	Arrived Scapa after covering Operation S N 222 A
	7th	Left Scapa with the Battlefleet for Operation CAMERA
	9th	Returned to Scapa
	16th	Left Scapa for Plymouth and for Operation REGULATION
	18th	Arrived Plymouth
	18th-31st	Plymouth Command for Operations REGULATION, MUSKETRY, and SEASLUG
23. HMS JAMAICA
	1st-6th	Scapa
	6th	Left Scapa for Portsmouth for refit
	8th	Arrived Portsmouth, taken in hand
	8th-31st	Portsmouth, refitting
24. HMS SCYLLA
	1st-17th	Detached to Plymouth for Operation REGULATION
	17th	transferred to Gibraltar Command for protection of convoys
	17th-31st	Gibraltar Command, temporarily
25. HMS CHARYBDIS
	1st-22nd	Detached to Plymouth Command for Operation REGULATION
	22nd	Transferred to Gibraltar Command for convoy protection duties
	22nd	Gibraltar Command, temporarily
Cruisers attached to the Home Fleet for working up
26. HMAS SHROPSHIRE
	1st	Left Southend for Scapa to work up
	2nd	Arrived Scapa
	2nd-31st	Scapa, working up
27. HMS DIOMEDE
	1st-14th	Scapa, working up
	14th	Left Scapa for Rosyth for repairs and for duty as C.W. candidates training ship
	15th	Arrived Rosyth, taken in hand for fitting out
28. HMS DANAE
	24th	Left Tyne for Scapa to work up
	25th	Arrived Scapa
	25th-31st	Scapa, working up
Destroyers
Third Destroyer Flotilla
29. HMS MILNE (Captain (D) Third Destroyer Flotilla
	1st-7th	Scapa
	7th	Left Scapa with the Battlefield for Operation CAMERA
	9th	Returned to Scapa
	11th	Left Scapa for Plymouth for Operation OPPONENT (Foreign Secretary to Lisbon)
	13th	Arrived Plymouth
	17th	Left Plymouth for Scapa (Operation OPPONENT cancelled)
	19th	Arrived Scapa
	23rd	Left Scapa with screen of ILLUSTRIOUS for Hvalfiord
	25th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	26th	Left Hvalfiord with Force A for Operation GOVERNOR
	29th	Returned to Scapa with Force A
	30th	Left Scapa with Group B for Operation S F
	31st	At sea on Operation S F
30. HMS MARNE
	1st-31st	Tyne for refit and action damage repairs (Care and Maintenance)
31. HMS METEOR
	1st-3rd	Hvalfiord
	3rd	Left Hvalfiord for Scapa with CUMBERLAND
	5th	Arrived Scapa
	7th	Left Scapa with the Battlefleet for Operation CAMERA
	9th	Returned to Scapa
	23rd	Left Scapa with screen of ILLUSTRIOUS for Hvalfiord
	25th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	26th	Left Hvalfiord with screen of Force A for Operation GOVERNOR
	29th	Returned to Scapa with Force A
	29th-31st	Scapa
32. HMS MATCHLESS
	1st-25th	Humber, refitting
	25th	Left Humber on completion for Scapa
	26th	Arrived Scapa
	27th	Left Scapa with screen of Force B for Operation GOVERNOR
	29th	Returned to Scapa with Force B
	29th-31st	Scapa
33. HMS MUSKETEER
	1st-7th	Scapa
	7th	Left Scapa with the Battlefleet for Operation CAMERA
	9th	Returned to Scapa
	23rd	Left Scapa with screen of ILLUSTRIOUS for Hvalfiord
	25th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	26th	Left Hvalfiord with Screen of Force A for Operation GOVERNOR
	29th	Returned to Scapa with Force A
	30th	Left Scapa with Group B for Operation S F
	31st	At sea on Operation S F
34. HMS MAHRATTA
	1st-7th	Scapa
	7th	Left Scapa with the Battlefleet for Operation CAMERA
	9th	Returned to Scapa
	14th	Left Scapa for Rosyth for boiler cleaning
	15th	Arrived Rosyth, taken in hand
	22nd	Left Rosyth on completion for Scapa, arriving p.m.
	23rd	Left Scapa with screen of ILLUSTRIOUS for Hvalfiord
	25th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	26th	Left Hvalfiord with Screen of Force A for Operation GOVERNOR
	29th	Returned to Scapa with Force A
	30th	Left Scapa with Group B for Operation S F
	31st	At sea on Operation S F
35. HMCS IROQUOIS
	1st-28th	Detached to Plymouth Command for Operation REGULATION, MUSKETRY, and SEASLUG
	28th	Left Plymouth for Scapa
	29th	Damaged in collision with trawler, proceeded to Clyde for repairs, arriving p.m.
	29th-31st	Clyde, repairs
36. HMCS ATHABASKAN
	1st-17th	Plymouth for collision damage repairs
	17th-31st	Detached to Plymouth Command on completion for Operations REGULATION, MUSKETRY, and SEASLUG
37. ORP PIORUN
	1st-31st	Detached with Force H in the Mediterranean
38. ORP ORKAN
	1st-27th	Detached to Plymouth Command for Operation REGULATION
	27th	Left Plymouth for Portsmouth en route for Humber for refit, arriving p.m. and sailing p.m. for the Humber
	28th-31st	Humber, refitting
39. HMS SCORPION
	1st-3rd	Scapa
	3rd	Left Scapa for Hvalfiord
	5th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	6th	Left Hvalfiord with Force S for Operation CAMERA
	10th	Returned to Hvalfiord
	11th	Left Hvalfiord with BERWICK and NORFOLK for exercise X C K
	12th	Returned to Hvalfiord
	14th	Left Hvalfiord for Scapa
	16th	Arrived Scapa
	25th	Left Scapa with screen of MALAYA for Port H H X, returning to Scapa p.m.
	27th	Left Scapa with screen of Force B for Operation GOVERNOR
	29th	Returned to Scapa with Force B
	30th	Left Scapa with screen of UNICORN to the Clyde
	31st	Arrived Clyde with UNICORN, sailing p.m. for Scapa
40. HMS SAVAGE
	1st-25th	Scapa, working up
	25th	Left Scapa as Senior Officer Force C for Sullom Voe for Operation GOVERNOR
	26th	Arrived Sullom Voe with Force C
	27th	Left Sullom Voe with Force C for Operation GOVERNOR
	29th	Returned to Sullom Voe with Force C on completion, sailing p.m. for Scapa with Force C
	30th	Arrived Scapa
	31st	Scapa
41. HMS SAUMAREZ
	1st	Left Tyne for Rosyth
	2nd	Arrived Rosyth
	5th	Left Rosyth for Scapa, arriving p.m. to work up and join the 3rd Destroyer Flotilla
	25th	Left Scapa with screen of MALAYA for Port H H Z, returning to Scapa p.m.
	27th	Left Scapa with screen of Force B for Operation GOVERNOR
	29th	Returned to Scapa with Force B
	29th-31st	Scapa
42. HMS SCOURGE
	20th	Left Clyde for Scapa to work up and join the 3rd Destroyer Flotilla
	21st	Arrived Scapa
	21st-31st	Scapa, working up
Eighth Destroyer Flotilla
43. HMS FAULKNOR (Captain (D), Eighth Destroyer Flotilla
	1st-31st	Detached with Force H in the Mediterranean
44. HMS FURY
	1st-31st	Detached with Force H in the Mediterranean
45. HMS ECLIPSE
	1st-31st	Detached with Force H in the Mediterranean
46. HMS ECHO
	1st-31st	Detached with Force H in the Mediterranean
47. HMS INTREPID
	1st-31st	Detached with Force H in the Mediterranean
48. HMS INGLEFIELD
	1st-31st	Detached with Force H in the Mediterranean
49. HMS IMPULSIVE
	1st-22nd	Humber, refitting
	22nd	Left Humber on completion for Scapa
	23rd	Arrived Scapa
	25th	Left Scapa with screen of MALAYA to Port H H Z, returning to Scapa p.m.
	27th	Left Scapa with screen of Force B for Operation GOVERNOR
	29th	Returned to Scapa with Force B
	30th	Left Scapa for Hvalfiord
	31st	At sea on passage to Hvalfiord
Seventeenth Destroyer Flotilla
50. HMS ONSLOW (Captain (D) Seventeenth Destroyer Flotilla)
	1st-3rd	Scapa
	3rd	Left Scapa with OBDURATE and ORWELL for Skaalefiord for Operation S F, arriving p.m.
	5th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	8th	Returned to Skaalefiord
	10th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	11th	Returned Scapa
	27th	Left Scapa with screen of Force B for Operation GOVERNOR
	29th	Returned to Scapa with Force B, sailing p.m. for Rosyth for boiler cleaning
	30th	Arrived Rosyth, taken in hand
	31st	Rosyth
51. HMS OFFA
	1st-31st	Detached with Force H in the Mediterranean
52. HMS ORIBI
	1st-8th	At sea with screen of QUEEN ELIZABETH for Plymouth
	8th	Arrived Plymouth with QUEEN ELIZABETH
	9th	Left Plymouth for Scapa
	11th	Arrived Scapa
	15th	Left Scapa with screen of FURIOUS for Liverpool
	16th	Arrived Liverpool with FURIOUS, sailing p.m. for Clyde
	17th	Left Clyde with screen of ILLUSTRIOUS for Scapa
	18th	Arrived Scapa with ILLUSTRIOUS
	21st	Left Scapa for the Clyde for escort of MALAYA and UNICORN
	22nd	Joined MALAYA and UNICORN for escort to Scapa
	23rd	Arrived Scapa
	26th	Left Scapa with ORWELL escorting BLUE RANGER to Skaalefiord
	27th	Arrived Skaalefiord with BLUE RANGER
	28th	Left Skaalefiord with ORWELL and Joined Force D for Operation GOVERNOR
	29th	Returned to Skaalefiord, on being detached from Force D, sailing p.m. for Operation S F
	29th-31st	At sea on Operation S F with Group A
53. HMS ONSLAUGHT
	1st-7th	Scapa
	7th	Left Scapa with Force Q for Operation CAMERA
	9th	Returned to Scapa
	11th	Left Scapa for Hvalfiord
	12th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	13th	Left Hvalfiord for Scapa
	14th	Arrived Scapa
	15th	Left Scapa with screen of FURIOUS for Liverpool
	16th	Arrived Liverpool with FURIOUS, sailed for Clyde
	17th	Left Clyde with screen of ILLUSTRIOUS for Scapa
	18th	Arrived Scapa with ILLUSTRIOUS, sailing p.m. For Humber for refit.
	19th	Arrived Humber, taken in hand
	19th-31st	Humber, refitting
54. HMS OPPORTUNE
	1st-7th	Scapa
	7th	Left Scapa with Force R for Operation CAMERA
	9th	Arrived Sullom Voe with Force R, sailing p.m. for Scapa on completion of Operation CAMERA
	10th	Arrived Scapa with Force R
	12th	Left Scapa for Skaalefiord, sailing p.m. for Operation S F
	15th	Returned to Skaalefiord
	17th	Operation temporarily suspended left Skaalefiord for Scapa, escorting oiler
	18th	Arrived Scapa
	23rd	Left Scapa for Rosyth for boiler cleaning and repairs
	24th	Arrived Rosyth, taken in hand
	30th	Left Rosyth on completion for Scapa
	31st	Arrived Scapa
55. HMS OBDURATE
	1st-3rd	Scapa
	3rd	Left Scapa with ONSLOW and ORWELL for Skaalefiord for Operation S F, arriving p.m.
	5th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	7th	Returned to Skaalefiord, fuelled and sailed to join Force Q from Scapa for Operation CAMERA
	8th	Joined Force Q
	9th	Detached to Skaalefiord for Operation S F, arriving a.m.
	10th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	11th	Returned to Skaalefiord
	12th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	15th	Returned to Skaalefiord
	17th	Operation temporarily suspended, left Skaalefiord for Scapa, escorting oiler
	18th	Arrived Scapa
	27th	Left Scapa with Screen of Force B for Operation GOVERNOR
	29th	Returned to Scapa with Force B
	29th-31st	Scapa
56. HMS ORWELL
	1st-3rd	Scapa
	3rd	Left Scapa with ONSLOW and OBDURATE for Skaalefiord for Operation S F, arriving p.m.
	5th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	8th	Returned to Skaalefiord
	10th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	11th	Returned to Skaalefiord
	12th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	15th	Returned to Skaalefiord
	17th	Operation temporarily suspended, left Skaalefiord for Scapa, escorting oiler
	18th	Arrived Scapa
	21st	Left Scapa for the Clyde for escort of MALAYA and UNICORN
	22nd	Arrived Clyde, joined MALAYA and UNICORN for escort to Scapa
	23rd	Arrived Scapa
	26th	Left Scapa with ORIBI escorting tanker BLUE RANGER for Skaalefiord
	27th	Arrived Skaalefiord with BLUE RANGER
	28th	Left Skaalefiord with ORIBI and joined Force D for Operation GOVERNOR
	29th	Returned to Skaalefiord, on being detached from Force D, sailing p.m. for Operation S F
	29th-31st	At sea on Operation S F with Group A
57. HMS OBEDIENT
	1st-7th	Scapa
	7th	Left Scapa with Force R for Operation CAMERA
	9th	Arrived Sullom Voe with Force R, sailing p.m. for Scapa
	10th	Arrived Scapa with Force R
	15th	Left Scapa with screen of FURIOUS for Liverpool.
	16th	Arrived Liverpool with FURIOUS, sailing for the Clyde
	17th	Left Clyde with screen of ILLUSTRIOUS for Scapa
	18th	Arrived Scapa with ILLUSTRIOUS
	21st	Left Scapa for the Clyde for escort of MALAYA and UNICORN
	22nd	Arrived Clyde, joined MALAYA and UNICORN for escort to Scapa
	23rd	Arrived Scapa
	27th	Left Scapa with screen of Force B for Operation GOVERNOR
	29th	Returned to Scapa with Force B
	29th-31st	Scapa
Hunt Class Destroyers
58. HMS MIDDLETON
	1st-4th	Scapa
	4th	Left Scapa for Humber for refit
	5th	Arrived Humber, taken in hand
	5th-31st	Humber, refitting
59. HMS BLANKNEY
	1st-31st	Detached with Group V in the Mediterranean
60. HMS BRECON
	1st-31st	Detached with Group V in the Mediterranean
61. HMS BRISSENDEN
	1st-31st	Detached with Group V in the Mediterranean
	15th	Badly damaged in collision and towed to Malta for repairs
Destroyers attached for temporary duty with the Home Fleet
62. HMS QUALITY
	1st-30th	Rosyth for collision damage repairs and refit
	30th	Left Rosyth on completion with screen of RAMILLIES for the Clyde
	31st	At sea on passage to the Clyde
63. USS ELLYSON (ComDesRon 10)
	1st-7th	Scapa
	7th	Left Scapa with screen of the Battlefleet for Operation CAMERA
	9th	Returned to Scapa
	10th	Left Scapa with screen of ANSON, ALABAMA, and KENT for Exercise X C K and for Hvalfiord
	12th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	19th	Left Hvalfiord for Exercise X C M
	20th	Returned to Hvalfiord with damaged bows (ice) for repairs
	26th	ComDesRon 10 transferred to MACOMB
	30th	Left Hvalfiord on completion of repairs for Scapa
	31st	Arrived Scapa
64. USS RODMAN
	1st-7th	Scapa
	7th	Left Scapa with screen of the Battlefleet for Operation CAMERA
	9th	Returned to Scapa
	10th	Left Scapa with screen of ANSON, ALABAMA, and KENT for Exercise X C K and for Hvalfiord
	12th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	19th	Left Hvalfiord for Exercise X C M
	20th	Returned to Hvalfiord
	26th	Left Hvalfiord with screen of Force A for Operation GOVERNOR
	29th	Returned to Scapa with Force A
	29th-31st	Scapa
65. USS EMMONS
	1st-7th	Scapa
	7th	Left Scapa with screen of the Battlefleet for Operation CAMERA
	9th	Returned to Scapa
	10th	Left Scapa with screen of ANSON, ALABAMA, and KENT for Exercise X C K and for Hvalfiord
	12th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	19th	Left Hvalfiord for Exercise X C M
	20th	Returned to Hvalfiord
	26th	Left Hvalfiord with screen of Force A for Operation GOVERNOR
	29th	Returned to Scapa with Force A
	29th-31st	Scapa
66. USS MACOMB
	1st-7th	Scapa
	7th	Left Scapa with screen of the Battlefleet for Operation CAMERA
	9th	Returned to Scapa
	10th	Left Scapa with screen of ANSON, ALABAMA, and KENT for Exercise X C K and for Hvalfiord
	12th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	19th	Left Hvalfiord for Exercise X C M
	20th	Returned to Hvalfiord
	26th	ComDesRon 10 transferred from ELLYSON
		Left Hvalfiord with screen of Force A for Operation GOVERNOR
	29th	Returned to Scapa with Force A
	29th-31st	Scapa
67. USS FITCH
	1st-7th	Scapa
	7th	Left Scapa with screen of the Battlefleet for Operation CAMERA
	9th	Returned to Scapa
	10th	Left Scapa with screen of ANSON, ALABAMA, and KENT for Exercise X C K and for Hvalfiord
	12th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	19th	Left Hvalfiord for Exercise X C M
	20th	Returned to Hvalfiord
	26th	Left Hvalfiord with screen of Force A for Operation GOVERNOR
	29th	Returned to Scapa with Force A
	29th-31st	Scapa
Destroyers Temporarily Attached for working up
68. HMS TALYBONT
	1st	Left Scapa on completion of working up for Portsmouth to join Portsmouth Command
	4th	Arrived Portsmouth
69. HMS GRENVILLE
	1st-10th	Scapa, working up
	10th	Left Scapa for Clyde for boiler cleaning and minor repairs
	11th	Arrived Clyde, taken in hand
	17th	Left Clyde on completion for Scapa
	18th	Arrived Scapa
	27th	Left Scapa with screen of Force B for Operation GOVERNOR
	29th	Returned Scapa with screen of Force B
	30th	Left Scapa with screen of UNICORN for the Clyde
	31st	Arrived Clyde with UNICORN, sailing p.m. for Plymouth for Operations REGULATION, MUSKETRY, and SEASLUG
70. HMS ULSTER
	3rd	Left Rosyth for Scapa to work up, arriving p.m.
	27th	Left Scapa with screen of Force B for Operation GOVERNOR
	29th	Returned to Scapa with Force B
	29th-31st	Scapa
71. HMS ROEBUCK
	1st-9th	Scapa, working up
	9th	Left Scapa with screen of RAMILLIES for Rosyth, arriving p.m. and returning to Scapa, arriving p.m. to continue working up
	17th	Left Scapa on completion of working up for Sheerness for alterations
	18th	Arrived Sheerness, taken in hand
	29th	Left Sheerness on completion for Rosyth
	30th	Arrived Rosyth, sailing with screen of RAMILLIES for the Clyde
	31st	At sea on passage to the Clyde
72. HMS BEAGLE
	1st-12th	Scapa, working up
	12th	Left Scapa for the Clyde for boiler cleaning and foreign service
	13th	Arrived Clyde, taken in hand
73. HMS BRILLIANT
	1st-9th	Scapa, working up
	9th	Left Scapa with screen of RAMILLIES for Rosyth, arriving p.m. and sailing again for Scapa arriving p.m. to continue working up
	23rd	Left Scapa for the Clyde, on completion of working up for boiler cleaning, repairs, and foreign service
	24th	Arrived Clyde, taken in hand
74. HMS ICARUS
	1st-27th	Arrived Scapa from the Humber, on completion of refit, to work up
	27th	Left Scapa for Londonderry, on completion of working up, to join Western Approaches Command
	27th	Arrived Londonderry
First Minesweeping Flotilla
76. HMS HARRIER (Senior Officer, First Minesweeping Flotilla
	1st-31st	Detached to Western Approaches Command for minesweeping in the Londonderry area
77. HMS SEAGULL
	1st-31st	Detached to Western Approaches Command for minesweeping in the Londonderry area
78. HMS BRITOMART
	1st-31st	North Russia
79. HMS GLEANER
	1st-22nd	Humber, refitting
	22nd	Left Humber on completion for Scapa
	24th	Arrived Scapa
	28th	Left Scapa for Londonderry
	29th	Arrived Londonderry
	29th-31st	Detached to Western Approaches Command for minesweeping in the Londonderry area
80. HMS HALCYON
	1st-31st	Detached to Western Approaches Command for minesweeping in the Londonderry area
81. HMS SALAMANDER
	1st-31st	Detached to Western Approaches Command for minesweeping in the Londonderry area
82. HMS JASON
	1st-31st	North Russia
83. HMS HUSSAR
	1st-31st	Humber, refitting
84. HMS SPEEDWELL
	1st-31st	Leith, refitting
Fifteenth Minesweeping Flotilla
85. HMS FRASERBURGH (Senior Officer, Fifteenth Minesweeping Flotilla)
	1st-3rd	Scapa, working up
	3rd	Left Scapa for Hvalfiord
	6th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	6th-31st	Hvalfiord
86. HMS BEAUMARIS
	1st-31st	Hvalfiord
87. HMS BOOTLE
	1st-31st	Hvalfiord
88. HMS LLANDUDNO
	1st-31st	Hvalfiord
89. HMS PETERHEAD
	1st-18th	Hvalfiord
	18th	Left Hvalfiord with R U 82 for London for refit
	26th	Arrived London, taken in hand
	26th-31st	London, refitting
90. HMS ARDROSSAN
	1st-31st	Aberdeen, refitting
91. HMS DUNBAR
	1st-31st	Hvalfiord
92. HMS LYME REGIS
	1st	Hvalfiord
	9th	Left Hvalfiord for Scapa and for Hull for refit
	12th	Arrived Scapa, sailing a.m. for Hull for refit
	13th	Arrived Humber, taken in hand
	13th-31st	Humber, refitting
93. HMS WORTHING
	1st-31st	Hvalfiord
Sloops attached temporarily for working up
94. HMIS NARBADA
	1st-4th	Scapa, working up
	4th	Left Scapa for the Clyde on completion of working up and for boiler cleaning and foreign service
	5th	Arrived Clyde
95. HMIS GODAVARI
	14th	Left Portsmouth for escort duty and for Scapa
	17th	Arrived Scapa to work up
	17th-31st	Scapa, working up
Corvette temporarily attached for working up
96. HMS REDPOLE
	20th	Left Tobermory for Scapa to work up
	21st	Arrived Scapa
	21st-31st	Scapa, working up
Trawler attached for temporarily duty with the Home Fleet
97. HMS LORD AUSTIN (n.b. text reads LORD MIDDLETON, but LORD AUSTIN in other months)
	1st-31st	North Russia

 

 

98. Operations REGULATION, MUSKETRY, and SEASLUG

 

The following Home Fleet ships were detached to the Plymouth Command during the periods shown in July for Operations REGULATION (interception of inward and outward blockade runners and protection of Allied convoys in the Bay of Biscay area) and Operations MUSKETRY and SEASLUG ( anti U-boat sweepers in the Bay of Biscay). No Blockade runners or U-boats have been sunk in this area by Home Fleet ships during July

Cruisers
BERMUDA	12th-23rd
SHEFFIELD	26th-31st
GLASGOW	18th-31st
SCYLLA	1st-17th (transferred to Gibraltar Command)
CHARYBDIS	1st-22nd (transferred to Gibraltar Command)
Destroyers
IROQUOIS (R.C.N.	1st-28th
ATHABASKAN (R.C.N.)	1st-31st
ORKAN (ORP)	1st-27th

 

99. Ships lent to Mediterranean Command for Operation HUSKY

 

The following ships were detached temporarily to the Mediterranean Command for Operation HUSKY (landings in Sicily) during July

Lent to Force H
Battleships:	KING GEORGE V and HOWE
Aircraft Carrier	INDOMITABLE (Rear Admiral Aircraft Carriers) (torpedoed 15th July, repairing at Malta
Destroyers:	ORP PIORUN, OFFA, FAULKNOR, FURY, ECHO, ECLIPSE, INTREPID, INGLEFIELD, OFFA
Lent to Force V
Hunt Class	BLANKNEY, BRECON, and BRISSENDEN (damaged in collision, repairing at Malta)

 

100. Patrols Black and White

 

There were no Home Fleet ships other than those on passage and those engaged in Exercises X C K, X C L, and X C M, on patrols in the Denmark Straits (WHITE) or between Iceland and the Faroes (BLACK) during July.

 

 

101. Changes of Flag

 

There were no changes of Flag in the Home Fleet during July

 

 

102. Operation OPPONENT

 

On 11 July, HMS MILNE proceeded to Plymouth whence it was intended that the Foreign Secretary, Mr. Anthony Eden, should take passage in her to Lisbon. After remaining four days at Plymouth, this operation was cancelled and HMS MILNE returned to Scapa.

 

 

103. Operation S F

 

This operation has been conducted by Commander in Chief, Rosyth for ease of co operation with 18 Group. It consists of anti U-boat sweeps by a force of three Home Fleet destroyers based on Skaalefiord against U-boats passing to and from the Atlantic through the Iceland – Faroes passage; she ships are assisted in their hunt by aircraft from 18 Group

 

ONSLOW (Senior Officer), ORWELL, and OBDURATE escorted an oiler to Skaalefiord and commenced the operation on 5th July. The detailed movements of these ships engaged on the operation are shown in the foregoing paragraphs, ONSLOW was relieved by OPPORTUNE was Senior Officer of the Force on 12th July.

 

The first fortnight of the operation was unsuccessful and, owing to other operations, the scarcity of U-boats and the shortage of destroyers, the operation was temporarily suspended on 17th July and OPPORTUNE, ORWELL, and OBDURATE returned to Scapa with the oiler.

 

With the intention of resuming this operation, the oiler BLUE RANGER was escorted to Skaalefiord by ORIBI and ORWELL on 27th July. ORIBI and ORWELL (as Group A) resumed the operation from Skaalefiord on 29th and MILNE, MUSKETEER, and MAHRATTA (Group B) sailed from Scapa the following day to join them. Both these groups remained at sea on Operation S F for the rest of the month.

 

 

104. Operation F K

 

HMS MALAYA was detached to Port H H Z for Special trials on 25th July. She remained there engaged on this duty for the rest of the month.

 

 

105. Operation CAMERA

(i) The object of this operation was to arouse enemy interest and focus attention on the South Norwegian coast by a simultaneous converging movement on that area by a number of forces, designed to simulate a large scale raid. By achieving this object it is hoped to increase the growing Òwar of nervesÓ against Germany and to pin down enemy forces in Norway before the launching of the Sicilian campaign.

 

(ii) Use was made of the route German reconnaissance and Zenit flights to report the four separate forces taking part. The operation was carried according to plan and was considered to have been successful as all forces were shadowed and probably reported by enemy aircraft. One B V 138 was shot down by Martlets from FURIOUS (with the Battlefleet), there were no survivors.

 

(iii) The following ships took part in the operation

(a) The Battlefleet:	DUKE OF YORK (Flag of Commander in Chief, Home Fleet), SOUTH DAKOTA (Commander, Task Group 92.4), FURIOUS, GLASGOW, ELLYSON (ComDesRon 10), RODMAN, EMMONS, MACOMB, FITCH, MILNE (Captain (D) 3rd Destroyer Flotilla), MUSKETEER, MAHRATTA, and METEOR
(b) Force Q:	BELFAST (Flag Officer, Force Q), KENT, LONDON (Rear Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron), OBDURATE, and ONSLAUGHT
(c) Force R :	(representing a convoy) OPPORTUNE (Senior Officer), OBEDIENT, trawlers MACBETH, SKY, BRESSAY, HAMLET, CAPE NYEMETZKI, CAPE BARRACUTA, OAK, LARCH, HAWTHORNE, SYCAMORE, MLs 466, 276, 286, 345, 445, 452
(d) Force S:	BERWICK (Senior Officer), NORFOLK, and SCORPION

(iv). Details of the movements during this operation are as follows:

6th	Force S left Hvalfiord for positions A (66-13N, 12-05W) and B (66-40N, 10-01W)
7th	Force R left Scapa for positions W (61-15N, 01-25W) and X (61-40N, 01-00E
	Force Q (less OBDURATE) left Scapa for positions T (62-20N, 5-30W) where the forces was joined by OBDURATE from Skaalefiord and V (62-20N, 01-00E
	The Battlefleet left Scapa for positions Y (62-52N, 1-45W) and Z (61-20N, 01-00E)
8th	All forces commenced to withdraw p.m. having been sighted by enemy aircraft
	Martlets from FURIOUS shot down one B V 138 shadowing the Battlefleet and Force R
9th	OBDURATE was detached from Force Q to Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	The Battlefleet arrived Scapa
	Force Q arrived Scapa
	Force R arrived Sullom Voe, sailing p.m. for Scapa
10th	Force S arrived Hvalfiord
	Force R arrived Scapa

 

106. Operation GOVERNOR

(i) The object of Operation GOVERNOR was the same as that of Operation CAMERA (see preceding paragraph).

 

(ii) Use was again made of routine German reconnaissance and Zenit flights to sight and report the forces involved which were slightly larger than on the previous occasion. Again the Operation was carried out according to plan and is considered to have been successful. Only one force (Force D) was shadowed for certain but four B V 138s were shot down during the operations, two by Martlets from ILLUSTRIOUS (Force A) and two by Beaufighters from 18 Group. Two other enemy aircraft (B V 138s) are believed to have been damaged by Beaufighters.

 

(iii) The following ships took part in the Operation:

Force A:	ANSON (Vice Admiral, Second in Command, Home Fleet and Senior Officer, Force A), USS ALABAMA, ILLUSTRIOUS, USS RODMAN, USS MACOMB, USS EMMONS, USS FITCH, MILNE, MUSKETEER, METEOR, MAHRATTA
Force B:	DUKE OF YORK (Commander in Chief, Home Fleet and Senior Officer, Force B), USS SOUTH DAKOTA (Commander, Task Group 92.4), UNICORN, BERMUDA, ONSLOW, OBDURATE, OBEDIENT, ULSTER, GRENVILLE, MATCHLESS, SAUMAREZ, SCORPION, IMPULSIVE
Force C:	(representing a convoy), SAVAGE (Senior Officer), RIPLEY, trawlers SKY, SWITHA, CEDAR, LARCH, OAK, WILLOW, HAWTHORNE, LILAC, MLs 252, 286, 442, 473, and 445, L C I (L) 167
Force D:	BELFAST (Rear Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron and Flag Officer Force D), ORWELL, ORIBI
Force E:	LONDON (Rear Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron and Flag Officer Force E), KENT, NORFOLK

(iv) Detailed movements during this operation are as follows:

25th	Force C left Scapa for Sullom Voe
26th	Force A left Hvalfiord for positions N (66-30N, 08-00W) and P (66-00N, 01-30E)
	Force C arrived Sullom Voe
27th	Force E left Hvalfiord for positions M (67-20N, 02-00W)
	Force B left Scapa for positions W (61-40N, 4-40W) and T (61-30N, 1-30E)
	Force C left Sullom Voe for positions U (61-45N, 00-50W) and S (61-50N, 01-00E)
	Force D (less destroyers) left Scapa for positions V (62-15N, 5-20W – to rendezvous with destroyers from Skaalefiord and R (62-00N, 00-30E).
28th	Two destroyers from Skaalefiord joined Force D
	Force D sighted and reported by enemy aircraft
	Beaufighters from 18 Group shot down two B V 138s in the vicinity of Force D and damaged two others.
	Martlets from ILLUSTRIOUS shot down two B V 138s in the vicinity of Force A and D
	Force D joined Force A in position Q (63-10N, 1-30E), destroyers from Force D detached to Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	All forces commenced to withdraw.
29th	Destroyers of Force D arrived Skaalefiord
	Force C arrived Sullom Voe, sailing p.m. for Scapa
	Force B arrived Scapa
	Forces A and D (less destroyers) arrived Scapa
30th	Force C arrived Scapa
	Force E arrived Hvalfiord.

 

 

---

 

 

WAR DIARY OF THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF, HOME FLEET

 

AUGUST 1943

(n.b. Summary of Operations at end of month)

 

 

1. HMS DUKE OF YORK (Flag of Commander in Chief Home Fleet.
	1st-31st	Scapa
2. HMS ANSON (Flag of Vice Admiral, Second in Command, Home Fleet)
	1st-31st	Scapa
3. HMS KING GEORGE V
	1st-31st	Detached with Force H
4. HMS HOWE
	1st-31st	Detached with Force H
5. HMS MALAYA
	1st-9th	Port H.H.Z. for special trials
	9th	Left Port H.H.Z. with screen of three destroyers for Scapa, arriving p.m.
	9th-31st	Scapa
Attached Battleships
6. USS SOUTH DAKOTA (Flag of Commander Task Group 92.4)
	1st	Scapa, sailing p.m. for Norfolk, U.S.A. with Task Group 92.4 on completion of duty with the Home Fleet
	9th	Arrived Norfolk, U.S.A.
7. USS ALABAMA
	1st	Scapa, sailing p.m. for Norfolk, U.S.A. with Task Group 92.4 on completion of duty with the Home Fleet
	9th	Arrived Norfolk, U.S.A.
Battleship temporarily attached for working up
8. HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH
	28th	Left Plymouth on completion of refit with screen for Scapa to work up
	30th	Arrived Scapa
	31st	Scapa, working up
Battlecruiser
9. HMS RENOWN
	1st-24th	Scapa
	24th	Left Scapa for Halifax with screen of MATCHLESS and ORWELL for Operation QUADRANT
	29th	Arrived Halifax
	29th-31st	Halifax
Aircraft Carriers
10. HMS INDOMITABLE
	1st-21st	Gibraltar for temporary repairs to torpedo damage.
	21st	Left Gibraltar with escort of three destroyers for U.S.A. for repairs
	27th	Arrived Norfolk, U.S.A.
	27th-31st	Norfolk, U.S.A. for action damage repairs
11. HMS ILLUSTRIOUS
	1st-3rd	Scapa
	3rd	Left Scapa with screen of 6 destroyers for the Clyde
	4th	Arrived Clyde
	5th	Left Clyde with screen of three destroyers for Operation QUADRANT
	8th	Returned to Clyde with screen
	13th	Left Clyde with UNICORN and screen of five destroyers for the Mediterranean
	17th	Arrived Gibraltar for duty with the Mediterranean Fleet
	17th-31st	Detached with Force H in the Mediterranean
12. HMS FURIOUS
	1st-31st	Liverpool, refitting
13. HMS UNICORN
	1st-12th	Clyde
	13th	Left Clyde with ILLUSTRIOUS and five destroyers for the Mediterranean
	17th	Arrived Gibraltar for duty with the Mediterranean Fleet
	17th-31st	Detached with the Mediterranean Fleet
Aircraft carrier temporarily attached to the Home Fleet
14. USS RANGER (Flag of Commander Task Group 121.1)
	11th	Left Halifax with Task Group 112.1 for Scapa for temporary duty with the Home Fleet
	19th	Arrived Scapa
	19th-31st	Scapa
First Cruiser Squadron
15. HMS LONDON (Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding First Cruiser Squadron)
	1st-8th	Hvalfiord
	8th	Left Hvalfiord for Scapa
	10th	Arrived Scapa
	10th-31st	Scapa
16. HMS KENT
	1st-5th	Hvalfiord
	5th	Left Hvalfiord for Operation QUADRANT
	9th	Arrived Argentia
	10th	Left Argentia for Hvalfiord
	13th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	26th	Left Hvalfiord for Argentia for Operation QUADRANT
	29th	Arrived Argentia
	31st	Left Argentia for Halifax
17. HMS NORFOLK
	1st-15th	Hvalfiord
	15th	Left Hvalfiord to cover Rear Admiral (Minelayers) and 1st Minelaying Squadron during operation S N 74
	17th	Returned to Hvalfiord on completion
	28th	Left Hvalfiord with BELFAST and IMPULSIVE for Operation LORRY
	28th-31st	At sea for Operation LORRY
18. HMS BERWICK
	1st-31st	Rosyth, refitting
19. HMS CUMBERLAND
	1st-31st	Tyne, refitting
Tenth Cruiser Squadron
20. HMS BELFAST (Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron)
	1st-5th	Scapa
	5th	Left Scapa for Operation QUADRANT
	8th	Returned to Scapa on completion
	15th	Left Scapa with ONSLOW and ORWELL for Operation F N
	17th	Returned to Skaalefiord on completion
	19th	Left Skaalefiord for Scapa
	20th	Arrived Scapa
	22nd	Left Scapa for Hvalfiord with IMPULSIVE
	24th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	28th	Left Hvalfiord with NORFOLK and IMPULSIVE for Operation LORRY
	28th-31st	At sea for Operation LORRY
21. HMS BERMUDA
	1st-5th	Scapa
	5th	Left Scapa for Operation QUADRANT
	9th	Returned to Scapa on completion
	10th	Left Scapa for Plymouth for Operations REGULATION, MUSKETRY, and SEASLUG
	12th	Arrived Plymouth
	12th-31st	Detached to Plymouth Command
22. HMS SHEFFIELD
	1st-5th	Detached to Plymouth Command, for Operations REGULATION, MUSKETRY, and SEASLUG
	5th	Taken in hand for repairs at Plymouth
	5th	Plymouth for repairs
23. HMS GLASGOW
	1st-4th	Detached to Plymouth Command, for Operations REGULATION, MUSKETRY, and SEASLUG
	4th	Left Plymouth for Operation QUADRANT
	10th	Returned to Plymouth with defects, taken in hand for repairs
	15th	Detached to Plymouth Command, on completion of repairs, for Operations REGULATION, SEASLUG, and MUSKETRY
	21st	Taken in hand again at Plymouth for repairs
	21st-31st	Plymouth for repairs
24. HMS JAMAICA
	1st-31st	Portsmouth, refitting
25. HMS NIGERIA
	1st-31st	Sheerness, refitting
Cruisers temporarily attached to the Home Fleet
26. USS AUGUSTA
	11th	Left Halifax with Task Group 112.1 for Scapa for temporary duty with the Home Fleet
	19th	Arrived Scapa
	19th-31st	Scapa
27. USS TUSCALOOSA
	11th	Left Halifax with Task Group 112.1 for Scapa for temporary duty with the Home Fleet
	19th	Arrived Scapa
	19th-31st	Scapa
Cruisers attached to the Home Fleet for working up
28. HMAS SHROPSHIRE
	1st-13th	Scapa, working up
	13th	Left Scapa on completion for the Clyde and foreign service
	14th	Arrived Clyde
	16th	Left Clyde with ocean escort of W S 33 and K M F 22 and for Royal Australian Navy
29. HMS CEYLON
	2nd	Left Clyde for Scapa to work up
	3rd	Arrived Scapa
	3rd-31st	Scapa, working up
30. HMS SPARTAN
	14th	Left Clyde for Scapa to work up
	15th	Arrived Scapa
	15th-31st	Scapa, working up
31. HMS PHOEBE
	2nd	Left Barrow on completion of repairs for Scapa to work up, arriving p.m.
	18th	Left Scapa to meet Task Group 112.1 and escort to Scapa (Operation F O)
	19th	Arrived Scapa with Task Group 112.1
	31st	Left Scapa for Plymouth on completion of working up
32. HMS DANAE
	1st-31st	Scapa, working up
Destroyers
Third Destroyer Flotilla
33. HMS MILNE (Captain (D) Third Destroyer Flotilla
	1st	At sea with Group B for Operation S F
	2nd	Left Faroes for Scapa
	3rd	Arrived Scapa
	4th	Left Scapa for Humber for refit
	5th	Arrived Humber, taken in hand
	5th-31st	Humber, refitting
34. HMS MARNE
	1st-31st	Tyne for refit and action damage repairs (Care and Maintenance)
35. HMS METEOR
	1st-3rd	Scapa
	3rd	Left Scapa for Skaalefiord escorting tanker for Operation S F
	4th	Arrived Skaalefiord with tanker, sailing p.m. for Operation S F
	7th	Returned to Skaalefiord
	9th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	13th	Returned to Skaalefiord
	15th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	19th	Returned to Scapa on completion
	19th-31st	Scapa
36. HMS MATCHLESS
	1st-4th	Scapa
	4th	Left Scapa with SCORPION for Londonderry for Operation QUADRANT, arriving p.m.
	5th	Left Londonderry with SCORPION for Operation QUADRANT
	9th	Returned to Scapa on completion
	16th	Left Scapa with ULSTER for Skaalefiord, arriving p.m.
	20th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	22nd	Arrived Scapa with ORWELL on completion
	23rd	Left Scapa with ORWELL for screen of RENOWN and for Operation QUADRANT
	29th	Arrived St John's, Newfoundland
	29th-31st	St John's, Newfoundland
37. HMS MUSKETEER
	1st	At sea with Group B for Operation S F, returning to Skaalefiord p.m.
	2nd	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	7th	Returned to Skaalefiord
	9th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	13th	Returned to Skaalefiord
	15th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	19th	Returned to Scapa on completion
	26th	Left Scapa with MAHRATTA for Skaalefiord
	27th	Arrived Skaalefiord, fuelled, and sailed for Kola Inlet and for Operation LORRY
	31st	Arrived Kola Inlet, unloaded and sailed p.m. with MAHRATTA for Skaalefiord
38. HMS MAHRATTA
	1st	At sea with Group B for Operation S F, returning to Skaalefiord p.m.
	2nd	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	7th	Returned to Skaalefiord
	9th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	11th	Returned to Skaalefiord with hospital case from DUNBAR, arriving p.m. and sailing again for Operation S F
	13th	Returned to Skaalefiord
	15th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	19th	Returned to Scapa on completion
	24th	Left Scapa for Rosyth to load for Operation LORRY
	25th	Arrived Rosyth, loaded and sailed p.m. for Scapa
	26th	Arrived Scapa, sailing p.m. for Skaalefiord with MUSKETEER
	27th	Arrived Skaalefiord, fuelled and sailed p.m. for Kola Inlet and for Operation LORRY
	31st	Arrived Kola Inlet, unloaded and sailed p.m. for Skaalefiord
39. HMCS HURON
	1st-28th	Scapa, working up
	28th	Left Scapa to join the escort of QUEEN ELIZABETH from Plymouth to Scapa
	29th	Joined escort of QUEEN ELIZABETH in 55-04N, 5-30W
	30th	Arrived Scapa
	31st	Scapa
40. HMCS IROQUOIS
	1st-25th	Clyde for collision damage repairs
	25th	Left Clyde on completion for Scapa
	26th	Arrived Scapa
	26th-31st	Scapa
41. HMCS ATHABASKAN
	1st-27th	Lent to Plymouth command for Operations REGULATION, SEASLUG, and MUSKETRY
	27th	Damaged by air attack in 42-08N, 0-22W
	28th	Arrived Plymouth for repairs
	28th-31st	Plymouth for repairs
42. ORP ORKAN
	1st-29th	Humber, refitting
	29th	Left Humber on completion for Scapa
	30th	Arrived Scapa
	31st	Scapa
43. ORP PIORUN
	1st-31st	Detached with Force H
44. HMS SCORPION
	1st-4th	Scapa
	4th	Left Scapa for Londonderry with MATCHLESS, arriving p.m.
	5th	Left Londonderry with MATCHLESS for Operation QUADRANT
	8th	Returned to Clyde on completion for screen of ILLUSTRIOUS and UNICORN
	13th	Left Clyde with screen of ILLUSTRIOUS and UNICORN for Gibraltar
	17th	Arrived Gibraltar
	18th	Left Gibraltar for the Clyde with SAVAGE and OBEDIENT
	22nd	Arrived Clyde for boiler cleaning
	29th	Left Clyde and joined the screen of QUEEN ELIZABETH from Plymouth for escort to Scapa
	30th	Arrived Scapa with QUEEN ELIZABETH
	31st	Scapa
45. HMS SAVAGE
	1st-9th	Scapa
	9th	Left Scapa with MIDDLETON for Port H H Z, returning p.m. to Scapa as screen for MALAYA, arriving Scapa p.m.
	10th	Left Scapa for the Clyde to join screen of ILLUSTRIOUS and UNICORN
	11th	Arrived Clyde
	13th	Left Clyde with screen of ILLUSTRIOUS and UNICORN for Gibraltar
	17th	Arrived Gibraltar
	18th	Left Gibraltar for Scapa with SCORPION and OBEDIENT
	22nd	Arrived Scapa
	31st	Left Scapa for Skaalefiord for Operation S F
46. HMS SAUMAREZ
	1st-2nd	Scapa
	2nd	Left Scapa for Londonderry for Operation QUADRANT
	3rd	Arrived Londonderry
	4th	Left Londonderry for Operation QUADRANT
	9th	Arrived Argentia on completion
	11th	Left Argentia
	15th	Arrived Scapa
	22nd	Left Scapa for Humber for alterations
	23rd	Arrived Humber, taken in hand
	23rd-31st	Humber for alterations
47. HMS SCOURGE
	1st-2nd	Scapa, working up
	2nd	Left Scapa for Londonderry for Operation QUADRANT
	3rd	Arrived Londonderry
	4th	Left Londonderry for Operation QUADRANT
	9th	Arrived Argentia on completion
	11th	Left Argentia
	15th	Arrived Scapa
	15th-31st	Scapa
Eighth Destroyer Flotilla
48. HMS FAULKNOR (Captain (D), Eighth Destroyer Flotilla
	1st-31st	Detached with Force H
49. HMS FURY
	1st-31st	Detached with Force H
50. HMS ECHO
	1st-31st	Detached with Force H
51. HMS ECLIPSE
	1st-31st	Detached with Force H
52. HMS INTREPID
	1st-31st	Detached with Force H
53. HMS INGLEFIELD
	1st-31st	Detached with Force H
54. HMS IMPULSIVE
	1st	Arrived Hvalfiord from Scapa
	8th	Left Hvalfiord for ice reconnaissance in the Denmark Strait for S N 74
	10th	Returned to Hvalfiord
	15th	Left Hvalfiord to join the screen of Rear Admiral (Minelayers) and the 1st Minelaying Squadron for Operation S N 74
	17th	Returned to Hvalfiord on completion of the operation, sailing p.m. for Scapa
	19th	Arrived Scapa
	22nd	Left Scapa with BELFAST for Hvalfiord
	24th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	28th	Left Hvalfiord with BELFAST and NORFOLK for Operation LORRY
	28th-31st	At sea on Operation LORRY
Seventeenth Destroyer Flotilla
55. HMS ONSLOW (Captain (D) Seventeenth Destroyer Flotilla)
	1st-5th	Rosyth for boiler cleaning and repairs
	5th	Left Rosyth on completion for Scapa
	6th	Arrived Scapa
	15th	Left Scapa with BELFAST and ORWELL for Operation F N
	17th	Returned to Skaalefiord on completion and for Operation S F
	20th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	23rd	Returned to Skaalefiord
	24th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	26th	Returned to Skaalefiord
	30th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	31st	At sea on Operation S F
56. HMS OFFA
	1st-31st	Detached with Force H
57. HMS ORIBI
	1st	At sea with Group A on Operation S F, returning to Skaalefiord p.m.
	2nd	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	7th	Returned to Skaalefiord
	9th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	13th	Returned to Skaalefiord
	15th	Left Skaalefiord for Scapa, arriving p.m. and sailing for Rosyth for boiler cleaning
	16th	Arrived Rosyth, taken in hand
	22nd	Left Rosyth for Scapa
	23rd	Arrived Scapa
	24th	Left Scapa for Skaalefiord, arriving p.m. for Operation S F
	25th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	26th	Returned to Skaalefiord
	30th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	31st	At sea on Operation S F
58. HMS ONSLAUGHT
	1st-31st	Humber, refitting
59. HMS OPPORTUNE
	1st-3rd	Scapa
	3rd	Left Scapa with screen of ILLUSTRIOUS to Clyde
	4th	Arrived Clyde with ILLUSTRIOUS
	5th	Left Clyde with screen of ILLUSTRIOUS for Operation QUADRANT
	8th	Returned to Clyde with ILLUSTRIOUS
	13th	Left Clyde with screen of ILLUSTRIOUS and UNICORN for Gibraltar
	17th	Arrived Gibraltar
	21st	Left Gibraltar with screen of INDOMITABLE for U.S.A.
	27th	Arrived Norfolk, U.S.A. with INDOMITABLE
	30th	Left Norfolk for Halifax for Operation QUADRANT
	31st	Arrived Halifax
60. HMS OBDURATE
	1st-3rd	Scapa
	3rd	Left Scapa with screen of ILLUSTRIOUS to Clyde
	4th	Arrived Clyde with ILLUSTRIOUS
	5th	Left Clyde with screen of ILLUSTRIOUS for Operation QUADRANT
	8th	Returned to Clyde with ILLUSTRIOUS
	13th	Left Clyde with screen of ILLUSTRIOUS and UNICORN for Gibraltar
	17th	Arrived Gibraltar
	21st	Left Gibraltar with screen of INDOMITABLE for U.S.A.
	27th	Arrived Norfolk, U.S.A. with INDOMITABLE
	30th	Left Norfolk for Halifax for Operation QUADRANT
	31st	Arrived Halifax
61. HMS ORWELL
	1st	At sea with Group A on Operation S F, returning to Skaalefiord p.m.
	2nd	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	5th	Arrived Scrabster with prisoners of war from sunken U-boat, returning to Scapa p.m.
	6th	Left Scapa for Rosyth for boiler cleaning
	7th	Arrived Rosyth, taken in hand
	13th	Left Rosyth on completion for Scapa, arriving p.m.
	15th	Left Scapa with BELFAST and ONSLOW for Operation F N
	17th	Returned to Skaalefiord on completion and for Operation S F
	20th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	22nd	Arrived Scapa on completion with MATCHLESS
	23rd	Left Scapa with MATCHLESS for screen of RENOWN and for Operation QUADRANT
	29th	Arrived St John's, Newfoundland
	29th-31th	St John's, Newfoundland
62. HMS OBEDIENT
	1st-3rd	Scapa
	3rd	Left Scapa with screen of ILLUSTRIOUS to Clyde
	4th	Arrived Clyde with ILLUSTRIOUS
	5th	Left Clyde with screen of ILLUSTRIOUS for Operation QUADRANT
	8th	Returned to Clyde with ILLUSTRIOUS
	13th	Left Clyde with screen of ILLUSTRIOUS and UNICORN for Gibraltar
	17th	Arrived Gibraltar
	18th	Left Gibraltar for Scapa with SAVAGE and SCORPION
	22nd	Arrived Scapa
	22nd-31st	Scapa
Hunt Class Destroyers
63. HMS MIDDLETON
	1st-4th	Humber, refitting
	4th	Left Humber on completion for Scapa
	5th	Arrived Scapa
	9th	Left Scapa with SAVAGE for Port H H Z returning p.m. as screen for MALAYA, arriving Scapa p.m.
	10th	Left Scapa for Skaalefiord en route to Hvalfiord
	11th	Arrived Skaalefiord, sailing p.m. for Hvalfiord
	12th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	15th	Left Hvalfiord to join screen of Rear Admiral (Minelaying) and 1st Minelaying Squadron for Operation S N 74
	17th	Returned to Hvalfiord on completion
	22nd	Left Hvalfiord to Scapa
	24th	Arrived Scapa
	31st	Left Scapa for Skaalefiord for Operation S F
64. HMS BLANKNEY
	1st-31st	Detached with Group V in the Mediterranean
65. HMS BRECON
	1st-31st	Detached with Group V in the Mediterranean
66. HMS BRISSENDEN
	1st-19th	Detached with Group V in the Mediterranean – Malta for temporary repairs to collision damage
	19th	Arrived Liverpool, taken in hand for repairs
	19th-31st	Liverpool for action damage repairs
Destroyers temporarily attached to the Home Fleet
67. HMS GRENVILLE
	1st	Arrived Plymouth for temporary duty in the Plymouth Command for Operations REGULATION, MUSKETRY, and SEASLUG
	1st-31st	Detached to Plymouth Command
68. HMS ROEBUCK
	1st	Arrived Clyde with screen of RAMILLIES and with defects; taken in hand for repairs
	8th	Left Clyde for Casablanca on completion
	11th	Arrived Casablanca and for Eastern Fleet
69. HMS CASTLETON
	2nd	Left Port Z A for Hvalfiord
	3rd	Detached for Operation S F with Group C
	4th	Arrived Hvalfiord for Operation S F with prisoners from U-boat sunk
	5th	Left Hvalfiord with screen of BLENHEIM for the Clyde
	9th	Arrived Clyde with BLENHEIM, proceeding to Port Z.A.
	10th	Arrived Port Z A
70. HMS WELLS
	2nd	Left Port Z A for Hvalfiord
	3rd	Detached for Operation S F with Group C
	4th	Arrived Hvalfiord for Operation S F
	5th	Left Hvalfiord with screen of BLENHEIM for the Clyde
	9th	Arrived Clyde with BLENHEIM, proceeding to Port Z.A.
	10th	Arrived Port Z A
71. HMS ST MARY'S
	2nd	Left Port Z A for Hvalfiord
	3rd	Detached for Operation S F with Group C
	4th	Arrived Hvalfiord for Operation S F
	5th	Left Hvalfiord with screen of BLENHEIM for the Clyde
	9th	Arrived Clyde with BLENHEIM, proceeding to Port Z.A.
	10th	Arrived Port Z A
72. HMS SHIKARI
	11th	Arrived Scapa from the Clyde, for temporary duty with the Home Fleet, with SABRE
	12th	Left Scapa with SABRE for Skaalefiord
	13th	Arrived Skaalefiord
	15th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	18th	Returned to Skaalefiord to fuel, sailing p.m. for Scapa
	19th	Arrived Scapa for repairs
	22nd	Left Scapa for Londonderry for repairs
	24th	Arrived Londonderry, taken in hand
	24th-31st	Londonderry for repairs
73. HMS SABRE
	11th	Arrived Scapa from the Clyde, for temporary duty with the Home Fleet, with SHIKARI
	12th	Left Scapa with SHIKARI for Skaalefiord
	13th	Arrived Skaalefiord, sailing p.m. to join Rear Admiral (Minelaying) and 1st Minelaying Squadron during Operation S N 74
	14th	Joined escort of 1st Minelaying Squadron
	19th	Returned to Skaalefiord on completion
	21st	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	22nd	Returned to Skaalefiord
	24th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	26th	Returned to Skaalefiord
	28th	Left Skaalefiord to Scapa for repairs; arrived p.m., taken in hand
	28th-31st	Scapa for repairs
74. HMS SARDONYX
	21st	Left Londonderry for Scapa
	22nd	Arrived Scapa
	23rd	Left Scapa for Skaalefiord
	24th	Arrived Skaalefiord for Operation S F, sailing p.m.
	26th	Returned to Skaalefiord
	30th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	31st	At sea on Operation S F
75. USS MACOMB (ComDesRon 10)
	1st	Scapa
		ComDesRon 10 transferred to ELLYSON
		Sailed p.m. for Norfolk, U.S.A. with Task Group 92.4 on completion of duty with the Home Fleet
	9th	Arrived Norfolk, U.S.A. with Task Group 92.4
76. USS ELLYSON
	1st	Scapa
		ComDesRon 10 transferred from MACOMB
		Sailed p.m. for Norfolk, U.S.A. with Task Group 92.4 on completion of duty with the Home Fleet
	9th	Arrived Norfolk, U.S.A. with Task Group 92.4
77. USS RODMAN
	1st	Scapa, sailed p.m. for Norfolk, U.S.A. with Task Group 92.4 on completion of duty with the Home Fleet
	9th	Arrived Norfolk, U.S.A. with Task Group 92.4
78. USS EMMONS
	1st	Scapa, sailed p.m. for Norfolk, U.S.A. with Task Group 92.4 on completion of duty with the Home Fleet
	9th	Arrived Norfolk, U.S.A. with Task Group 92.4
79. USS FITCH
	1st	Scapa, sailed p.m. for Norfolk, U.S.A. with Task Group 92.4 on completion of duty with the Home Fleet
	9th	Arrived Norfolk, U.S.A. with Task Group 92.4
80. USS FORREST (ComDesDiv 20)
	11th	Left Halifax with Task Group 112.1 for Scapa for temporary duty with the Home Fleet
	19th	Arrived Scapa
	19th-31st	Scapa
81. USS BELL
	11th	Left Halifax with Task Group 112.1 for Scapa for temporary duty with the Home Fleet
	19th	Arrived Scapa
	19th-31st	Scapa
82. USS CORRY
	11th	Left Halifax with Task Group 112.1 for Scapa for temporary duty with the Home Fleet
	19th	Arrived Scapa
	19th-31st	Scapa
83. USS ISHERWOOD
	11th	Left Halifax with Task Group 112.1 for Scapa for temporary duty with the Home Fleet
	19th	Arrived Scapa
	19th-31st	Scapa
84. USS HOBSON
	11th	Left Halifax with Task Group 112.1 for Scapa for temporary duty with the Home Fleet
	19th	Arrived Scapa
	19th-31st	Scapa
Destroyers Temporarily Attached for working up
85. HMS ULSTER
	1st-4th	Scapa, working up
	4th	Left Scapa for escort duty from Faroes to Invergordon, sailing p.m. for Faroes
	6th	Arrived Invergordon, sailing p.m. for Scapa
	7th	Arrived Scapa to continue working up
	16th	Left Scapa on completion of working up with MATCHLESS for Skaalefiord for Operation S F, arriving p.m.
	20th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	23rd	Returned to Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	25th	Left Skaalefiord for Scapa on relief by ORIBI
	26th	Arrived Scapa, sailing p.m. for Rosyth for boiler cleaning
	27th	Arrived Rosyth, taken in hand
	27th-31st	Rosyth for boiler cleaning
86. HMS ROCKET
	11th	Left Clyde for Scapa to work up
	12th	Arrived Scapa
	12th-31st	Scapa, working up
86. HMS JANUS
	24th	Left Tyne on completion of refit for Scapa to work up and for Type 293 X trials
	25th	Arrived Scapa
	25th-31st	Scapa, working up
88. HMS HARDY
	21st	Left Clyde for Scapa to work up
	22nd	Arrived Scapa
	22nd-31st	Scapa, working up
89. HMS MALCOLM
	27th	Left Portsmouth for Scapa to work up
	29th	Arrived Scapa
	29th-31st	Scapa, working up
90. HMS ZETLAND
	20th	Left Tyne for Scapa to work up
	21st	Arrived Scapa
	21st-31st	Scapa, working up
91. HMS CHIDDINGFOLD
	28th	Left Tyne on completion of refit for Scapa to work up
	29th	Arrived Scapa
	29th-31st	Scapa, working up
92. HMS BICESTER
	23rd	Arrived Scapa from Plymouth to work up on completion of refit
	23rd-31st	Scapa, working up
93. HHelMS THEMISTOCLES
	2nd	Arrived Scapa from Tyne to work up
	2nd-31st	Scapa, working up
Sloop attached temporarily for working up
94. HMIS GODAVARI
	1st-23rd	Scapa, working up
	23rd	Left Scapa for the Clyde on completion and for foreign service
	24th	Arrived Clyde
First Minesweeping Flotilla
95. HMS HARRIER (Senior Officer, First Minesweeping Flotilla
	1st-31st	Detached to Western Approaches Command for minesweeping in the Londonderry area
96. HMS SEAGULL
	1st-12th	Detached to Western Approaches Command for minesweeping in the Londonderry area
	12th	Left Londonderry for Humber for refit and repairs
	15th	Arrived Humber, taken in hand
	15th-31st	Humber, refitting
97. HMS BRITOMART
	1st-31st	North Russia
98. HMS GLEANER
	1st-31st	Detached to Western Approaches Command for minesweeping in the Londonderry area
99. HMS HALCYON
	1st-21st	Detached to Western Approaches Command for minesweeping in the Londonderry area
	21st	Left Londonderry for Tyne to refit
	23rd	Arrived Tyne, taken in hand
	23rd-31st	Tyne, refitting
100. HMS SALAMANDER
	1st-31st	Detached to Western Approaches Command for minesweeping in the Londonderry area
101. HMS JASON
	1st-31st	North Russia
102. HMS HUSSAR
	1st-16th	Humber, refitting
	16th	Left Humber on completion for Scapa to work up
	17th	Arrived Scapa
	26th	Left Scapa for Londonderry for minesweeping duty in the Western Approaches Command
	27th	Arrived Londonderry
	27th-31st	Detached to Western Approaches Command
103. HMS SPEEDWELL
	1st-31st	Leith, refitting
Fifteenth Minesweeping Flotilla
104. HMS FRASERBURGH (Senior Officer, Fifteenth Minesweeping Flotilla)
	1st	Hvalfiord
	2nd	Left Hvalfiord for Seidisfiord for minesweeping on East Coast of Iceland
	3rd	Arrived Seidisfiord
	8th	Left Seidisfiord with 15th Minesweeping Flotilla for Operation S F
	14th	Returned to Skaalefiord
	20th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	25th	Returned to Seidisfiord
	25th-31st	Seidisfiord
105. HMS BOOTLE
	1st	Hvalfiord
	2nd	Left Hvalfiord for Seidisfiord for minesweeping on East Coast of Iceland
	3rd	Arrived Seidisfiord
	8th	Left Seidisfiord with 15th Minesweeping Flotilla for Operation S F
	14th	Returned to Skaalefiord
	19th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	25th	Returned to Seidisfiord
	26th	Left Seidisfiord for Reykjavik for boiler cleaning
	28th	Arrived Reykjavik, taken in hand
	28th-31st	Reykjavik, boiler cleaning
106. HMS BEAUMARIS
	1st-6th	Hvalfiord, boiler cleaning
	6th	Left Hvalfiord for Seidisfiord on completion
	8th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	20th	Left Seidisfiord for Operation S F
	25th	Returned to Seidisfiord
	25th-31st	Seidisfiord
107. HMS PETERHEAD
	1st-31st	London, refitting
108. HMS LLANDUDNO
	1st	Hvalfiord
	2nd	Left Hvalfiord for Seidisfiord for minesweeping on East Coast of Iceland
	3rd	Arrived Seidisfiord
	8th	Left Seidisfiord with 15th Minesweeping Flotilla for Operation S F
	14th	Returned to Skaalefiord
	20th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	25th	Returned to Seidisfiord
	25th-31st	Seidisfiord
109. HMS DUNBAR
	1st	Hvalfiord
	2nd	Left Hvalfiord for Seidisfiord for minesweeping on East Coast of Iceland
	3rd	Arrived Seidisfiord
	8th	Left Seidisfiord with 15th Minesweeping Flotilla for Operation S F
	14th	Returned to Reykjavik for boiler cleaning
	22nd	Left Reykjavik for Seidisfiord
	23rd	Arrived Seidisfiord
	23rd-31st	Seidisfiord
110. HMS ARDROSSAN
	1st-31st	Aberdeen, refitting
111. HMS LYME REGIS
	1st-31st	Humber, refitting
112. HMS WORTHING
	1st	Hvalfiord
	2nd	Left Hvalfiord for Seidisfiord for minesweeping on East Coast of Iceland
	3rd	Arrived Seidisfiord
	8th	Left Seidisfiord with 15th Minesweeping Flotilla for Operation S F
	14th	Returned to Seidisfiord
	20th	Left Seidisfiord for Operation S F
	25th	Returned to Seidisfiord
	25th-31st	Seidisfiord
Trawler attached for temporarily duty with the Home Fleet
113. HMS LORD AUSTIN
	1st-31st	North Russia

 

 

114. Operation REGULATION

 

The following Home Fleet ships were detached to the Plymouth Command during the periods shown in August for Operations REGULATION, SEASLUG, and MUSKETRY (protection of British convoys in the Bay Area, interception of inward and outward blockade runners, and anti U-boat sweepers in the Bay of Biscay). No blockade runners were sunk in this area during August, although a U-boat which may have been a blockade runner was sunk by GRENVILLE on the 28th. Frequent air attacks took place on ships escorting convoys and on others carrying out anti U-boat patrols. On 27th ATHABASKAN was hit and damaged by a rocket glider bomb and returned to Plymouth for repairs.

Cruisers
BERMUDA	12th-31st
SHEFFIELD	1st-31st (repairs 5th-31st)
GLASGOW	1st-4th and 10th-31st (repairs 10th-15th and 21st-31st)
Destroyers
ATHABASKAN (R.C.N.)	1st-31st (repairs 28th-31st)
GRENVILLE	1st-31st

 

115. Ships lent to Force H

 

The following ships were detached for temporary duty with Force H and Group V under the Commander in Chief Mediterranean Fleet during August

Battleships:	KING GEORGE V and HOWE with Force H
Destroyers:	ORP PIORUN, FAULKNOR, FURY, ECHO, ECLIPSE, INTREPID, INGLEFIELD, OFFA with Force H
Hunt Class	BRISSENDEN (1st-19th only – damaged), BRECON, and BLANKNEY with Force V

 

116. Patrols Black and White

 

There were no Home Fleet ships on patrols BLACK (between Iceland and the Faroes) or WHITE (in the Denmark Straits) during August.

 

 

117. Changes of Flag

 

29th	Flag of Rear Admiral A.F.E. Palliser, CB, DSC, as Rear Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron hoisted in DUNLUCE CASTLE
	Flag of Rear Admiral L.H.K. Hamilton, CB, DSO, as Rear Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron struck in LONDON
30th	Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron transferred from DUNLUCE CASTLE to LONDON

 

118. Operation S.F.

 

(i) Operation S F (anti U-boat patrols by surface forces and aircraft in the Iceland Faroes passage) continued throughout August, conducted by the Commander in Chief, Rosyth,

 

(ii) The individual movements of the destroyers and minesweepers which took part during August are contained in the foregoing paragraphs. A list of the ships concerned is shown below. Air Cooperation was provided throughout the period by 18 Group.

 

(iii) One U-boat was sunk for certain during August and one was probably sunk.

 

(iv) The U 489 was sunk by a Sunderland aircraft of Coastal Command, assisted by the destroyer CASTLETON on 4th August. In making her attack the Sunderland was herself shot down and CASTLETON and ORWELL picked up survivors from her as well as from U 489, landing them at Reykjavik and Scrabster, respectively. Survivors from U 489 included three airmen from a fifth B V 138 shot down during Operation GOVERNOR. This aircraft had previously only been reported as ÒdamagedÓ by Beaufighters.

 

(v) On 17th a U-boat was probably sunk as a result of careful and prolonged depth charge attacks by SHIKARI

 

(vi) The following ships taking part in this operation during August:

METEOR (3rd-19th)	ORIBI (1st-15th, 24th-31st)	SABRE (19th-28th)
MATCHLESS (16th-22nd)	CASTLETON (3rd-4th)	SARDONYX (23rd-31st)
MUSKETEER (1st-19th)	WELLS (3rd-4th)	ULSTER (16th-26th)
MAHRATTA (1st-9th)	ST MARY'S (3rd-4th)	FRASERBURGH (8th-31st)
ONSLOW (17th-31st)	SHIKARI (12th-19th)	BOOTLE (8th-26th)
ORWELL (1st-5th, 17th-22nd)	LLANDUDNO (8th-31st)	BEAUMARIS (8th-31st)
DUNBAR (8th-14th, 22nd-31st)	WORTHING (8th-31st)

 

119. Operation F K

 

HMS MALAYA at Port H H Z, carrying out special trials, remained there until 9 August when they were completed. She returned to Scapa the same day.

 

 

120. Operation QUADRANT

(i) During the passage of the S.S. QUEEN MARY to Halifax (T A 58) carrying the Prime Minister and the Chiefs for the Quebec Conference, the following Home Fleet Ships were detached for the periods shown to provide escort for the QUEEN MARY

Ship	sailed from	date	Returned to	date
ILLUSTRIOUS	Clyde	5th	Clyde	8th
KENT	Hvalfiord	5th	Hvalfiord (via Argentia)	13th
BELFAST	Scapa	5th	Scapa	8th
BERMUDA	Scapa	5th	Scapa	9th
MATCHLESS	Scapa	4th	Scapa	9th
SCORPION	Scapa	4th	Clyde	8th
SAUMAREZ	Scapa	2nd	Scapa (via Londonderry and Argentia)	15th
SCOURGE	Scapa	2nd	Scapa (via Londonderry and Argentia)	15th
OPPORTUNE	Clyde	5th	Clyde	8th
OBDURATE	Clyde	5th	Clyde	8th
OBEDIENT	Clyde	5th	Clyde	8th
(OPPORTUNE, OBDURATE, and OBEDIENT screen of ILLUSTRIOUS)

(ii) The RENOWN, escorted by MATCHLESS and ORWELL left Scapa on 24th for Halifax to bring the Prime Minister and his party back from America. The RENOWN arrived Halifax on 29th, the destroyers being detached to St John's, Newfoundland arriving there the same day.

 

(iii) The KENT left Hvalfiord for Argentia on 26th, also for escort duty during the return passage. She arrived Argentia on the 29th and proceeded to Halifax on the 31st, arriving the following day.

 

121. Operation F M – Visit of His Majesty The King to the Home Fleet

 

His Majesty the King visited the Home Fleet at Scapa from 12th to 15th August, staying with the Commander in Chief in the DUKE OF YORK during the visit.

 

The following is a brief summary of his visit:

(a) arrived Scapa from Scrabster in ONSLOW with destroyer escort accompanied by Admiral Commanding, Orkney and Shetland, and transferred to the DUKE OF YORK

 

(b) visited SHROPSHIRE and TYNE (including detachments from Home Fleet Destroyers)

 

Friday, 13th August

 

(a) visited RENOWN (including detachment from CEYLON), MALAYA (including detachment from PHOEBE), LONDON (including detachment from DANAE), and ANSON (including THEMISTOCLES alongside)

(b) attended a Fleet concert at the R.N. Theatre, Flotta

(c) visited the Officers' Club at Flotta

(d) visited HMIS GODAVARI and submarine SEA ROVER

 

Saturday, 14th August

 

His Majesty took the Fleet to sea for exercises;ANSON, RENOWN, BELFAST, and PHOEBE were in company with the Fleet Flagship, screened by ONSLOW, MATCHLESS, ULSTER, HURON, ORWELL. The Fleet was led out of the harbour by GODAVARI

 

Sunday, 15th August

 

(a) visited BELFAST

(b) attended a church service at the Flotta Theatre, returning to DUKE OF YORK

(c) proceeded to Scrabster in PHOEBE with destroyer escort.

 

117. Operation F N

(i) The object of this operation was to create a minor diversion off the South Norwegian coast on the same lines as the previous larger operations – CAMERA and GOVERNOR.

 

(ii) BELFAST (Rear Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron) with ONSLOW and ORWELL accordingly left Scapa on 15th August, proceeding through 62-15N, 3-01W early the following day. Soon after this the force was sighted and almost certainly reported by a Stavanger Zenit aircraft.

 

(iii) After proceeding on a course of 100 degrees the force turned back p.m. for Skaalefiord and was probably reported by enemy aircraft again while entering there early on 17th August.

 

(iv) Fighter escort by Beaufighters from 18 Group was arranged for the 16th August, but unfortunately none of the fighters made contact with the force, although their R/T was heard on several occasions.

 

(v) ONSLOW and ORWELL remained at Skaalefiord for Operation S F, BELFAST left Skaalefiord on 19th and arrived back at Scapa the following day.

 

123. Operation F O – Arrival of Task Group 112.1

 

PHOEBE left Scapa on 18th August to meet Task Group 112.1 from Halifax off Cape Wrath the following day and escort them in to Scapa

 

The Task Group composed of the aircraft carrier RANGER (Flag of Commander Task Group 112.1), 8Ó cruisers AUGUSTA and TUSCALOOSA and destroyers FORREST (ComDesDiv 20), BELL, CORRY, ISHERWOOD, and HOBSON with PHOEBE in company duly arrived at Scapa at noon on 19th August for temporary duty with the Home Fleet.

 

 

124. Operation LORRY

(i) The object of this operation was to run two relief destroyers to Murmansk with personnel, stores, mail, and R.A.F. equipment for British aircraft operating from Kola Inlet

 

(ii) According MAHRATTA proceeded to Rosyth on 24th and loaded there the following day, returning to Scapa on 26th where both MAHRATTA and MUSKETEER completed loading stores, mail, and personnel.

 

(iii) The two destroyers left Scapa p.m. on 26th and arrived Skaalefiord the following day, fuelling and proceeding p.m. to Kola Inlet.

 

(iv) BELFAST (Rear Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron), NORFOLK, and IMPULSIVE sailed from Hvalfiord early on 28th to act as a covering force for the operation west of Bear Island

 

(v) The destroyers arrived Kola Inlet early on 31st August, unloaded and sailed p.m. for Skaalefiord. A submarine was sighted and seen to dive in 74-38N, 16-35E the following day, but otherwise the passage was uneventful and the destroyers arrived at Skaalefiord on 3rd September where they fuelled and sailed to arrive Scapa on 4th September.

 

(vi) The cruiser force left the covering area on 1st and returned to Hvalfiord arriving there on 3rd.