(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

 

SEPTEMBER 1943

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

 

 

1. HMS DUKE OF YORK (Flag of Commander in Chief Home Fleet.
	1st-8th	Scapa
	8th	Left Scapa with Battlefleet in intercept enemy force attacking Spitzbergen
	10th	Returned to Scapa
	10th-30th	Scapa
2. HMS ANSON (Flag of Vice Admiral, Second in Command, Home Fleet)
	1st-8th	Scapa
	8th	Left Scapa with Battlefleet in intercept enemy force attacking Spitzbergen
	10th	Returned to Scapa
	10th-30th	Scapa
3. HMS KING GEORGE V
	1st-30th	Detached to Mediterranean with Force H
4. HMS HOWE
	1st-30th	Detached to Mediterranean with Force H
5. HMS MALAYA
	1st	Left Scapa for the Clyde to give leave and for minor repairs
	2nd	Arrived Clyde, taken in hand
	2nd-30th	Clyde
Battleship temporarily attached to the Home Fleet
6. HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH
	1st-30th	Scapa, working up
Battlecruiser
7. HMS RENOWN
	1st-14th	Halifax for Operation QUADRANT
	14th	Left Halifax with Prime Minister, Chief of Naval Staff and respective staffs for the Clyde
	19th	Arrived Clyde; disembarked passengers
	21st	Left Clyde for Scapa
	22nd	Arrived Scapa
	22nd-30th	Scapa
Aircraft Carriers
8. HMS INDOMITABLE
	1st-30th	Norfolk, U.S.A. for action damage repairs
9. HMS ILLUSTRIOUS
	1st-30th	Detached to Mediterranean for Force H
10. HMS UNICORN
	1st-30th	Detached to Mediterranean for Force H
11. HMS FURIOUS
	1st-30th	Liverpool, refitting
Aircraft carrier temporarily attached to the Home Fleet
12. USS RANGER (Flag of Commander Task Force 121)
	1st-8th	Scapa
	8th	Left Scapa with the Battlefleet to intercept enemy force attacking Spitzbergen
	10th	Returned to Scapa
	16th	Left Scapa with screen of three destroyers for Operation QUADRANT
	19th	Returned to Scapa
	19th-30th	Scapa
First Cruiser Squadron
13. HMS LONDON (Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding First Cruiser Squadron)
	1st-8th	Scapa
	8th	Left Scapa with Battlefleet to intercept enemy force attacking Spitzbergen
	10th	Returned to Scapa
	22nd	Left Scapa for Hvalfiord
	25th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	25th-31st	Hvalfiord
14. HMS KENT
	1st	Arrived Halifax from Argentia for Operation QUADRANT
	14th	Left Halifax for Operation QUADRANT
	19th	Returned to Scapa on completion
	20th	Left Scapa for Chatham for docking and leave
	21st	Arrived Chatham, taken in hand
	21st-30th	Chatham for docking
15. HMS NORFOLK
	1st-3rd	At sea on Operation LORRY
	3rd	Returned to Hvalfiord
	13th	Left Hvalfiord for Operation QUADRANT
	19th	Returned to Scapa
	19th-30th	Scapa
16. HMS BERWICK
	1st-30th	Rosyth, refitting
17. HMS CUMBERLAND
	1st-30th	Tyne, refitting
Tenth Cruiser Squadron
18. HMS BELFAST (Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron)
	1st-3rd	At sea on Operation LORRY
	3rd	Returned to Hvalfiord
	8th	Left Hvalfiord to join the Battlefleet to intercept enemy force attacking Spitzbergen
	10th	Returned to Hvalfiord
	25th	Left Hvalfiord for Scapa
	27th	Arrived Scapa
	27th-30th	Scapa
19. HMS SHEFFIELD
	1st-30th	Detached to Plymouth Command for Operations in the Bay area
20. HMS GLASGOW
	1st-30th	Plymouth, refitting
21. HMS BERMUDA
	1st-30th	Detached to Plymouth Command for Operations in the Bay area
22. HMS NIGERIA
	1st-30th	Chatham, refitting
23. HMS JAMAICA
	1st-6th	Portsmouth, refitting
	6th	Left Portsmouth for Scapa on completion
	8th	Arrived Scapa
	8th-30th	Scapa, working up
Cruisers temporarily attached to the Home Fleet
24. USS AUGUSTA
	1st-8th	Scapa
	8th	Left Scapa with the Battlefleet to intercept an enemy force attacking Spitzbergen
	10th	Returned to Scapa
	23rd	Left Scapa for Hvalfiord
	25th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	25th-30th	Hvalfiord
25. USS TUSCALOOSA
	1st-8th	Scapa
	8th	Left Scapa with the Battlefleet to intercept an enemy force attacking Spitzbergen
	10th	Returned to Scapa
	10th-30th	Scapa
Cruisers attached to the Home Fleet for working up
26. HMS CEYLON
	1st-4th	Scapa, working up
	4th	Left Scapa on completion for Plymouth and for foreign service
	6th	Arrived Plymouth
27. HMS SPARTAN
	1st-23rd	Scapa, working up
	23rd	Left Scapa for the Clyde on completion and for foreign service.
	24th	Arrived Clyde
28. HMS DANAE
	1st-4th	Scapa, working up
	4th	Left Scapa for the Clyde on completion and for the Eastern Fleet
	5th	Arrived Clyde
29. ORP DRAGON
	10th	Arrived Scapa from the Tyne to work up
	10th-30th	Scapa, working up
30. HMS ROYALIST
	15th	Arrived Scapa from the Clyde to work up
	15th-30th	Scapa, working up
31. HMS BIRMINGHAM
	23rd	Arrived Scapa from Plymouth on completion of refit to work up
	23rd-30th	Scapa, working up
Destroyers
Third Destroyer Flotilla
32. HMS MILNE (Captain (D) Third Destroyer Flotilla
	1st-29th	Humber, refitting
	29th	Left Humber on completion for Scapa
	30th	Arrived Scapa
33. HMS MARNE
	1st-30th	Tyne for refit and action damage repairs
34. HMS METEOR
	1st-3rd	Scapa
	3rd	Left Scapa for Operation S F
	6th	Returned to Scapa
	8th	Left Scapa for Skaalefiord, arriving p.m. for Operation S F
	17th	Left Skaalefiord for Scapa, arriving p.m.
	21st	Left Scapa for Tyne for refit
	22nd	Arrived Tyne, taken in hand
	22nd-30th	Tyne, refitting
35. HMS MATCHLESS
	1st-15th	St John's, Newfoundland for Operation QUADRANT
	15th	Left St John's for Operation QUADRANT
	19th	Arrived Clyde, fuelled, and sailed for Scapa
	20th	Arrived Scapa
	29th	Left Scapa for Gibraltar for screen of capital ships to United Kingdom
	29th-30th	On passage to Gibraltar
36. HMS MUSKETEER
	1st-3rd	At sea on passage to Skaalefiord from Kola Inlet
	3rd	Arrived Skaalefiord, fuelled and sailed p.m. for Scapa
	4th	Arrived Scapa, sailing p.m. for Rosyth for boiler cleaning
	5th	Arrived Rosyth, taken in hand
	11th	Left Rosyth on completion for Scapa
	12th	Arrived Scapa
	21st	Left Scapa for Londonderry for support group in Western Approaches Command
	22nd-30th	Detached to Western Approaches for Atlantic Support Group
37. HMS MAHRATTA
	1st-3rd	On passage to Skaalefiord from Kola Inlet (Operation LORRY)
	3rd	Arrived Skaalefiord, fuelled and sailed fro Scapa
	4th	Arrived Scapa
	8th	Left Scapa with screen of the Battlefleet to intercept an enemy force attacking Spitzbergen
	10th	Returned to Scapa
	17th	Left Scapa for Skaalefiord for Operation S F, arriving p.m.
	19th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	23rd	Returned to Skaalefiord, sailing p.m. for Operation S F
	27th	Returned to Scapa
	29th	Left Scapa for Gibraltar for escort of capital ships to United Kingdom
	29th-30th	On passage to Gibraltar
38. HMCS IROQUOIS
	1st-8th	Scapa
	8th	Left Scapa for screen of the Battlefleet to intercept an enemy force attacking Spitzbergen
	10th	Returned to Scapa
	10th-30th	Scapa
39. HMCS ATHABASKAN
	1st-30th	Plymouth for action damage repairs
40. HMCS HURON
	1st-8th	Scapa
	8th	Left Scapa for screen of the Battlefield to intercept an enemy force attacking Spitzbergen
	10th	Returned to Scapa
	10th-30th	Scapa
41. HMCS HAIDA
	18th	Arrived Scapa from the Tyne to work up and join Third Destroyer Flotilla
	18th-30th	Scapa, working up
42. ORP PIORUN
	1st-30th	Detached to Mediterranean Command for Force H
43. ORP ORKAN
	1st-8th	Scapa
	8th	Left Scapa for screen of the Battlefield to intercept an enemy force attacking Spitzbergen
	10th	Returned to Scapa
	21st	Left Scapa for Londonderry for Atlantic Support Group
	22nd	Arrived Londonderry
	22nd-30th	Detached to Western Approaches Command for Atlantic Support Group
44. HMS SCORPION
	1st-13th	Scapa
	13th	Left Scapa for Londonderry for Operation QUADRANT
	14th	Arrived Londonderry, fuelled and sailed for Operation QUADRANT
	19th	Returned to Clyde on completion
	21st	Left Clyde for Scapa with screen of RENOWN
	22nd	Arrived Scapa with RENOWN
	23rd	Left Scapa for the Faroes for Operation F S
	24th	Arrived Skaalefiord
	26th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	29th	Returned to Skaalefiord
	30th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
45. HMS SAVAGE
	1st	Arrived Skaalefiord from Scapa for Operation S F
	12th	Left Skaalefiord for Scapa
	13th	Arrived Scapa
	16th	Left Scapa for Rosyth for boiler cleaning
	17th	Arrived Rosyth, taken in hand
	23rd	Left Rosyth on completion for Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	24th	Arrived Skaalefiord
	25th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	29th	Returned to Skaalefiord
	30th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
46. HMS SAUMAREZ
	1st-30th	Humber for alterations
47. HMS SCOURGE
	1st-13th	Scapa
	13th	Left Scapa for Londonderry for Operation QUADRANT
	14th	Arrived Londonderry, fuelled and sailed for Operation QUADRANT
	19th	Returned to the Clyde on completion
	21st	Left Clyde with screen of RENOWN for Scapa
	22nd	Arrived Scapa with RENOWN
	23rd	Left Scapa for Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	24th	Arrived Skaalefiord
	25th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	29th	Returned to Skaalefiord
	30th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
48. HNorMS STORD
	9th	Arrived Scapa from the Tyne to work up and join the Third Destroyer Flotilla
	29th	Left Scapa for Gibraltar for screen of capital ships to the United Kingdom
	30th	on passage to Gibraltar
Eighth Destroyer Flotilla
49. HMS FAULKNOR (Captain (D), Eighth Destroyer Flotilla
	1st-30th	Detached to Mediterranean Command
50. HMS FURY
	1st-30th	Detached to Mediterranean Command
51. HMS ECHO
	1st-30th	Detached to Mediterranean Command
52. HMS ECLIPSE
	1st-30th	Detached to Mediterranean Command
53. HMS INTREPID
	1st-26th	Detached to Mediterranean Command
	26th	Bombed and sunk during air attack in Leros Harbour
54. HMS INGLEFIELD
	1st-30th	Detached to Mediterranean Command
55. HMS IMPULSIVE
	1st-3rd	At sea with BELFAST and NORFOLK covering Operation LORRY
	3rd	Returned to Hvalfiord
	8th	Left Hvalfiord with BELFAST to join the Battlefleet and to intercept an enemy force attacking Spitzbergen
	10th	Returned to Hvalfiord, sailing p.m. for Scapa
	12th	Arrived Scapa
	23rd	Left Scapa for Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	24th	Arrived Skaalefiord
	25th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	27th	Returned to Skaalefiord
	28th	Left Skaalefiord for Scapa, arriving p.m.
	29th	Left Scapa for Hvalfiord
	30th	At sea on passage to Hvalfiord
Seventeenth Destroyer Flotilla
56. HMS ONSLOW (Captain (D) Seventeenth Destroyer Flotilla)
	1st-2nd	At sea on Operation S F
	2nd	Returned to Skaalefiord, sailing p.m. for Scapa
	3rd	Arrived Scapa
	8th	Left Scapa with screen of the Battlefleet to intercept an enemy force attacking Spitzbergen
	10th	Returned to Scapa
	29th	Left Scapa for Gibraltar for escort of capital ships to the United Kingdom
	30th	On passage to Gibraltar
57. HMS OFFA
	1st-30th	Detached to Mediterranean Command
58. HMS ORIBI
	1st-2nd	At sea on Operation F S
	2nd	Returned to Skaalefiord
	13th	Left Skaalefiord for Scapa
	14th	Arrived Scapa
	21st	Left Scapa for Londonderry for Atlantic Support Group
	22nd	Arrived Londonderry
	22nd-30th	Detached to Western Approaches Command for Atlantic Support Group
59. HMS ONSLAUGHT
	1st-19th	Humber, refitting
	19th	Left Humber on completion for Scapa
	20th	Arrived Scapa
	20th-30th	Scapa
60. HMS OPPORTUNE
	1st-14th	Halifax for Operation QUADRANT
	14th	Left Halifax for Operation QUADRANT
	18th	Returned to Argentia to fuel
	20th	Left Argentia and joined screen of VICTORIOUS for the Clyde
	26th	Detached to Londonderry, arriving p.m.
	27th	Left Londonderry for Scapa
	28th	Arrived Scapa
	29th-30th	Scapa
61. HMS OBDURATE
	1st-14th	Halifax for Operation QUADRANT
	14th	Left Halifax for Operation QUADRANT
	18th	Returned to Argentia to fuel
	20th	Left Argentia and joined screen of VICTORIOUS for the Clyde
	26th	Detached to Scapa
	27th	Arrived Scapa, sailing p.m. for the Humber for refit
	28th	Arrived Humber, taken in hand
	28th-30th	Humber, refitting
62. HMS ORWELL
	1st-15th	St John's, Newfoundland, for Operation QUADRANT
	15th	Left St John's for Operation QUADRANT
	19th	Detached to Scapa
	20th	Arrived Scapa
	21st	Left Scapa for Londonderry for Atlantic Support Group
	22nd-30th	Detached to Western Approaches Command for Atlantic Support Group
63. HMS OBEDIENT
	1st	Scapa
	2nd	Left Scapa for Rosyth for boiler cleaning
	3rd	Arrived Rosyth, taken in hand
	9th	Left Rosyth on completion for Scapa
	10th	Arrived Scapa
	12th	Left Scapa for Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	13th	Arrived Skaalefiord
	16th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	18th	Returned to Skaalefiord
	19th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	23rd	Returned to Skaalefiord, sailing p.m. for Operation S F
	27th	Returned to Scapa
	29th	Left Scapa for Gibraltar for escort of capital ships to the United Kingdom
	30th	on passage to Gibraltar
Hunt Class Destroyers
64. HMS MIDDLETON
	1st	Arrived Skaalefiord from Scapa for Operation S F
	7th	Left Skaalefiord for Scapa
	8th	Arrived Scapa
	10th	Left Scapa for Hvalfiord
	12th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	12th-30th	Hvalfiord
65. HMS BLANKNEY
	1st-30th	Detached to Mediterranean Command
66. HMS BRECON
	1st-30th	Detached to Mediterranean Command
67. HMS BRISSENDEN
	1st-30th	Liverpool for action damage repairs
Destroyers temporarily attached to the Home Fleet
68. HMS GRENVILLE
	1st-30th	Detached to Plymouth Command for Operations in the Bay area
69. HMS ULSTER
	1st-3rd	Rosyth for boiler cleaning
	3rd	Left Rosyth for Plymouth
	5th	Arrived Plymouth
	5th-30th	Detached to Plymouth Command for operations in the Bay of Biscay area
70. HMS SHIKARI
	1st-5th	Londonderry for repairs
	5th	Left Londonderry for Scapa
	6th	Arrived Scapa
	7th	Left Scapa for Skaalefiord for Operation S F, arriving p m
	16th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	17th	Returned to Faroes
	19th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	22nd	Returned to Skaalefiord
	23rd	Left Skaalefiord for Scapa
	24th	Arrived Scapa with weather damage
	26th	Left Scapa for Londonderry for refit and repairs
	27th	Arrived Londonderry, taken in hand
	27th-30th	Londonderry, refitting
71. HMS SABRE
	1st-5th	Scapa
	5th	Left Scapa for Skaalefiord for Operation S F, arriving p m.
	11th	Left Skaalefiord for Londonderry for boiler cleaning
	12th	Arrived Londonderry, taken in hand
	23rd	Left Londonderry for Scapa
	24th	Arrived Scapa
	25th	Left Scapa for Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	26th	Arrived Skaalefiord
	30th	Left Skaalefiord for Rosyth for alterations and for trials with FOXER apparatus
72. HMS SARDONYX
	1st-7th	At sea on Operation S F
	7th	Returned to Skaalefiord
	16th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	18th	Returned to Skaalefiord
	19th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	22nd	Returned to Skaalefiord with weather damage
	23rd	Left Skaalefiord for Scapa
	24th	Arrived Scapa for repairs
	29th	Left Scapa on completion for Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	30th	Arrived Skaalefiord
73. HMS AMAZON
	15th	Arrived Scapa from Rosyth for Operation S F
	26th	Left Scapa for Rosyth for defects and boiler cleaning
	27th	Arrived Rosyth, taken in hand
	27th-30th	Rosyth for repairs and boiler cleaning
74. USS FORREST (ComDesDiv 20)
	1st-8th	Scapa
	8th	Left Scapa with screen of the Battlefleet to intercept an enemy force attacking Spitzbergen
	10th	Returned to Scapa
	16th	Left Scapa with screen of RANGER for Operation QUADRANT
	19th	Returned to Scapa
	19th-30th	Scapa
75. USS CORRY
	1st-8th	Scapa
	8th	Left Scapa with screen of the Battlefleet to intercept an enemy force attacking Spitzbergen
	10th	Returned to Scapa
	16th	Left Scapa with screen of RANGER for Operation QUADRANT
	19th	Returned to Scapa
	19th-30th	Scapa
76. USS HOBSON
	1st-8th	Scapa
	8th	Left Scapa with screen of the Battlefleet to intercept an enemy force attacking Spitzbergen
	10th	Returned to Scapa
	16th	Left Scapa with screen of RANGER for Operation QUADRANT
	19th	Returned to Scapa
	19th-30th	Scapa
77. USS ISHERWOOD
	1st-8th	Scapa
	8th	Left Scapa with screen of the Battlefleet to intercept an enemy force attacking Spitzbergen
	10th	Returned to Scapa
	14th	Left Scapa for Londonderry on completion of duty with the Home Fleet
	15th	Arrived Londonderry
78. HMS BELL
	1st-8th	Scapa
	8th	Left Scapa with screen of the Battlefleet to intercept an enemy force attacking Spitzbergen
	10th	Returned to Scapa
	14th	Left Scapa for Londonderry on completion of duty with the Home Fleet
	15th	Arrived Londonderry
79. USS CAPPS
	17th	Arrived Scapa from the Clyde to join Task Force 121
	17th-30th	Scapa
80. USS FITCH
	17th	Arrived Scapa from the Clyde to join Task Force 121
	17th-30th	Scapa
Destroyers Attached Temporarily for working up
81. HMS ROCKET
	1st-8th	Scapa, working up
	8th	Left Scapa with screen of the Battlefleet to intercept and enemy force attacking Spitzbergen
	10th	Returned to Scapa
	19th	Left Scapa for Port Z A for screen of 1st Minelaying Squadron
	20th	Arrived Port Z A
	21st	Left Port Z A with the 1st Minelaying Squadron for Operation S N 222 B
	25th	Arrived Skaalefiord, fuelled and sailed to rejoin 1st Minelaying Squadron
	28th	Detached to Scapa, arriving a.m.
	28th-30th	Scapa, working up
82. HMS HARDY
	1st-19th	Scapa, working up
	19th	Left Scapa for Port Z A for screen of 1st Minelaying Squadron
	20th	Arrived Port Z A
	21st	Left Port Z A with the 1st Minelaying Squadron for Operation S N 222 B
	25th	Arrived Skaalefiord, fuelled and sailed to rejoin 1st Minelaying Squadron
	29th	Detached to Scapa, arriving a.m. and sailing p.m. for Gibraltar for escort of capital ships to the United Kingdom
	30th	On passage to Gibraltar
83. HHelMS THEMISTOCLES
	1st-2nd	Scapa, working up
	2nd	Left Scapa on completion of working up for Clyde
	3rd	Arrived Clyde and for foreign service
84. HMS ZETLAND
	1st-6th	Scapa, working up
	6th	Left Scapa on completion for Clyde and for foreign service
	7th	Arrived Clyde
85. HMS BICESTER
	1st-12th	Scapa, working up
	12th	Left Scapa for the Clyde on completion and for foreign service
	13th	Arrived Clyde
86. HMS JANUS
	1st-30th	Scapa, working up
87. HMS MALCOLM
	1st-12th	Scapa, working up
	12th	Left Scapa for the Clyde on completion and for foreign service
	13th	Arrived Clyde
88. HMS VENUS
	4th	Arrived Scapa from Clyde to work up
	29th	Left Scapa for Gibraltar for escort of capital ships to United Kingdom
	30th	On passage to Gibraltar
89. HMS VIGILANT
	14th	Arrived Scapa from the Clyde to work up
	14th-30th	Scapa, working up
90. HMS TEAZER
	17th	Arrived Scapa from the Clyde to work up
	17th-30th	Scapa, working up
First Minesweeping Flotilla
91. HMS HARRIER (Senior Officer, First Minesweeping Flotilla
	1st-3rd	Detached to Western Approaches Command for minesweeping in the Londonderry area
	3rd	Left Londonderry on completion for Scapa
	4th	Arrived Scapa
	12th	Left Scapa for Seidisfiord for Operation S F
	14th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	21st	Left Seidisfiord for Operation S F
	25th	Returned to Seidisfiord
	25th-30th	Seidisfiord
92. HMS SEAGULL
	1st-30th	Humber, refitting
	30th	Left Humber on completion for Scapa
93. HMS BRITOMART
	1st-30th	North Russia
94. HMS HUSSAR
	1st-3rd	Detached to Western Approaches Command for minesweeping in the Londonderry area
	3rd	Left Londonderry on completion for Scapa
	4th	Arrived Scapa
	12th	Left Scapa for Seidisfiord for Operation S F
	14th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	21st	Left Seidisfiord for Operation S F
	25th	Returned to Seidisfiord
	25th-30th	Seidisfiord
95. HMS SPEEDWELL
	1st-30th	Leith, refitting
	30th	Left Leith for Scapa on completion, arriving p.m.
96. HMS GLEANER
	1st-3rd	Detached to Western Approaches Command for minesweeping in the Londonderry area
	3rd	Left Londonderry on completion for Scapa
	4th	Arrived Scapa
	12th	Left Scapa for Seidisfiord for Operation S F
	14th	Arrived Seidisfiord, sailing p.m. for Hvalfiord
	16th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	17th	Left Hvalfiord for Seidisfiord for Operation S F
	19th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	21st	Left Seidisfiord for Operation S F
	25th	Returned to Seidisfiord
	25th-30th	Seidisfiord
97. HMS HALCYON
	1st-30th	Tyne, refitting
98. HMS SALAMANDER
	1st-3rd	Detached to Western Approaches Command for minesweeping in the Londonderry area
	3rd	Left Londonderry on completion for Scapa
	4th	Arrived Scapa
	8th	Left Scapa for Seidisfiord for Operation S F
	10th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	20th	Left Seidisfiord for Reykjavik for boiler cleaning
	21st	Arrived Reykjavik, taken in hand
	27th	Left Reykjavik on completion for Seidisfiord
	29th	Arrived Seidisfiord for Operation S F
	30th	Seidisfiord
99. HMS JASON
	1st-30th	North Russia
Fifteenth Minesweeping Flotilla
100. HMS FRASERBURGH (Senior Officer, Fifteenth Minesweeping Flotilla)
	1st	Left Seidisfiord for Operation S F
	5th	Returned to Seidisfiord
	7th	Left Seidisfiord for Scapa
	10th	Arrived Scapa
	11th	Left Scapa for Aberdeen for boiler cleaning and leave
	12th	Arrived Aberdeen, taken in hand
	24th	Left Aberdeen on completion for Scapa, arriving p.m.
	24th-30th	Scapa
101. HMS BOOTLE
	1st-4th	Reykjavik for boiler cleaning
	4th	Left Reykjavik on completion for Seidisfiord
	6th	Arrived Seidisfiord for Operation F S
	21st	Left Seidisfiord for Scapa
	23rd	Arrived Scapa
	23rd-30th	Scapa
102. HMS BEAUMARIS
	1st	Left Seidisfiord for Operation S F
	5th	Returned to Seidisfiord
	15th	Left Seidisfiord for Scapa
	17th	Arrived Scapa
	24th	Left Scapa for Cardiff for refit
	27th	Arrived Cardiff, taken in hand
	27th-30th	Cardiff, refitting
103. HMS LLANDUDNO
	1st	Left Seidisfiord for Operation S F
	5th	Returned to Seidisfiord
	7th	Left Seidisfiord for Scapa
	10th	Arrived Scapa
	11th	Left Scapa for Aberdeen for boiler cleaning and leave
	12th	Arrived Aberdeen, taken in hand
	23rd	Left Aberdeen on completion for Scapa, arriving p.m.
	23rd-30th	Scapa
104. HMS PETERHEAD
	1st-15th	London, refitting
	15th	Transferred to Nore Command owing to lack of speed
105. HMS ARDROSSAN
	1st-3rd	Aberdeen, refitting
	3rd	Left Aberdeen on completion for Scapa
	4th	Arrived Scapa
	11th	Left Scapa for Seidisfiord for Operation S F
	13th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	21st	Left Seidisfiord for Operation S F
	25th	Returned to Seidisfiord
	25th-30th	Seidisfiord
106. HMS DUNBAR
	1st	Left Seidisfiord for Operation S F
	5th	Returned to Seidisfiord
	14th	Left Seidisfiord for Humber for refit
	17th	Arrived Humber, taken in hand
	17th-30th	Humber, refitting
107. HMS LYME REGIS
	1st	Left Humber for Scapa on completion of refit
	2nd	Arrived Scapa
	11th	Left Scapa for Seidisfiord for Operation S F
	13th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	21st	Left Seidisfiord for Operation S F
	25th	Returned to Seidisfiord
	29th	Left Seidisfiord for Reykjavik for boiler cleaning
	30th	On passage to Reykjavik
108. HMS WORTHING
	1st	Left Seidisfiord for Operation S F
	5th	Returned to Seidisfiord
	7th	Left Seidisfiord for Scapa
	10th	Arrived Scapa, sailing p.m. for Aberdeen for boiler cleaning and leave
	11th	Arrived Aberdeen, taken in hand
	23rd	Left Aberdeen on completion for Scapa, arriving p.m.
	23rd-30th	Scapa
Trawler temporarily attached
109. HMS LORD AUSTIN
	1st-30th	North Russia

 

 

110. Ships detached to other Commands.

(a). The following ships were lent to the Plymouth Command for Operations during the month:

Cruisers:
SHEFFIELD	1st-30th
BERMUDA	1st-30th
GLASGOW	1st-30th	repairs 1st-30th
Destroyers:
ATHABASKAN	1st-30th	repairs 1st-30th
GRENVILLE	1st-30th
ULSTER	5th-30th

 

(b). Lent to Commander in Chief, Western Approaches for 10th Support Group

Destroyers:
ORWELL	21st-30th
ORIBI	21st-30th
MUSKETEER	21st-30th
ORKAN	21st-30th

(c) Lent to the Commander in Chief, Mediterranean, for Force H, Force V, and for Algiers escort force

Battleships:
KING GEORGE V	1st-30th	Force H
HOWE	1st-30th	Force H
Aircraft carriers:
ILLUSTRIOUS	1st-30th	Force H
UNICORN	1st-30th	Force V
Destroyers:
ORP PIORUN	1st-30th	Force H
FAULKNOR	1st-30th	Force H
FURY	1st-30th	Force H
ECHO	1st-30th	Force H
ECLIPSE	1st-30th	Force H
INTREPID	1st-26th	Force H, sunk 26th
INGLEFIELD	1st-30th	Force H
OFFA	1st-30th	Force H
Hunt Class:
BRISSENDEN	1st-30th	Algiers Escort Force
BRECON	1st-30th	Algiers Escort Force

 

111. Patrols Black and White

 

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

 

 

112. Changes of Flag

 

The following changes of Flag have taken place during September:

16th	Flag of Rear Admiral O.M. Hustvedt, U.S.N. hoisted in AUGUSTA
19th	Flag of Rear Admiral A.D. Bernhard, U.S.N., as Commander Task Force 121, struck in RANGER
19th	Flag of Rear Admiral O.M. Hustvedt, U.S.N., as Commander Task Force 121, transferred from AUGUSTA to RANGER

 

113. Task Force 121

 

On 17th the U.S. Destroyers FITCH and CAPPS relieved BELL and ISHERWOOD in Task Force 121

 

On 19th, Rear Admiral O.M. Hustvedt, U.S.N. assumed command of the force vice Rear Admiral A.D. Bernhard, U.S.N.

 

 

114. Operation S.F.

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

 

(ii) The individual movements of the destroyers and minesweepers which took part during September are contained in the foregoing paragraphs. A list of ships concerned and the dates between which they were employed on this operation is shown below.

 

(iii) Patrols throughout the month were uneventful. Air Cooperation was provided by 18 Group.

 

(iv) Details of the ships taking part in this operation are as follows:

Destroyers	Minesweepers
METEOR (3rd-6th)	HARRIER (12th-30th)
MAHRATTA (17th-27th)	HUSSAR (12th- 30th)
SCORPION (23rd-30th)	GLEANER (12th-30th)
SAVAGE (1st-12th; 23rd-30th)	SALAMANDER (8th-30th)
SCOURGE (23rd-30th)	FRASERBURGH (1st-7th)
IMPULSIVE (23rd-28th)	BOOTLE (1st-21st)
ONSLOW (1st-2nd)	BEAUMARIS (1st-15th)
ORIBI (1st-13th)	LLANDUDNO (1st-7th)
OBEDIENT (12th-27th)	ARDROSSAN (11th-30th)
MIDDLETON (1st-7th)	DUNBAR (1st-14th)
SHIKARI (7th-23rd)	LYME REGIS (11th-30th)
SABRE (5th-11th; 25th-30th)	WORTHING (1st-7th)
SARDONYX (1st-23rd; 29th-30th)

 

115. Operation QUADRANT

(i) The Prime Minister, First Sea Lord, and their respective Staffs returned from the Quebec conference in HMS RENOWN, leaving Halifax on 14th September and arrived in the Clyde on the 19th. The Prime Minister's family and a large number of W.R.N.S. Cypher Officers also took passage in RENOWN.

 

(ii) The following Home Fleet ships were detached as shown below to provide escort for the RENOWN

Ship	sailed from	date	Returned to	date
RENOWN	Halifax	14th	Clyde	19th
KENT	Halifax	14th	Scapa	19th
NORFOLK	Hvalfiord13th	Scapa	19th
USS RANGER	Scapa	16th	Scapa	19th
USS FORREST	Scapa	16th	Scapa	19th
USS CORRY	Scapa	16th	Scapa	19th
USS HOBSON	Scapa	16th	Scapa	19th
MATCHLESS	St John's	15th	Clyde	19th
ORWELL	St John's	15th	Scapa	20th
OBDURATE	Halifax	14th	Argentia	18th
OPPORTUNE	Halifax	14th	Argentia	18th
SCORPION	Londonderry	14th	Clyde	19th
SCOURGE	Londonderry	14th	Clyde	19th

 

116. Enemy attack on Spitzbergen

(i) On 8th September a report was received from the garrison at Spitzbergen that 3 enemy cruisers and 7 destroyers were in the vicinity in Icefiord.

 

(ii) No further signals were received from Spitzbergen but it was assumed that the enemy had made a seaborne landing with the object of destroying the garrison, after which the Naval force would probably return as quickly as possible to Altenfiord. Photographic reconnaissance of Altenfiord on 7th showed only LUTZOW and 2 destroyers present which indicated that TIRPITZ and SCHARNHORST were probably in the attacking force.

 

(iii) The Battlefleet (DUKE OF YORK, ANSON, RANGER, LONDON, AUGUSTA and TUSCALOOSA, screened by ONWLOW, HURON, ROCKET, ORKEN, IROQUOIS, MAHRATTA, BELL, ISHERWOOD, FORREST, CORRY, and HOBSON) left Scapa p.m. and BELFAST and IMPULSIVE left Hvalfiord at the same time to rendezvous North East of Iceland and proceed to intercept the enemy force. On 10th, however, photographic reconnaissance showed that the enemy force had returned there and the Battlefleet accordingly proceeded back to Scapa, BELFAST and IMPULSIVE returning to Hvalfiord.

 

(iv) Reconnaissance of Icefiord showed the settlements at Barentsburg, Longyearby, and Sassenfiord completely destroyed, burning and with no signs of life.

 

(v) At the end of the month the submarine SEADOG carried a small relief expedition of 5 Norwegian officers and medical stores to Spitzbergen where, before returning to the United Kingdom, she made contact with the survivors of the garrison and learnt 5 Norwegians had been killed, 20 captured, and about 60 escaped into the country.

 

(vi) Replacement W/T stores and personnel were also ferried to Spitzbergen towards the end of the month and an Allied base established there again.

 

117. Passage of LUTZOW

 

On the morning of the 26th the pocket battleship LUTZOW which had spent a year in North Norway and was, presumably, due to refit was sighted by a Beaufighter on patrol off Trondheim. She was steaming south accompanied by 5 destroyers. Early on 27th a striking force of Naval Tarpon torpedo aircraft took off from Sumburgh to intercept her, but failed to locate her and eventually turned back owing to absence of fighter cover. It is estimated that when the Tarpons arrived over the Norwegian coast off Stadlandet before sweeping northward up the coast, LUTZOW was probably then some 30 miles to the southward of this point. On the morning of the 29th, LUTZOW was seen steaming through the Sound.

 

 

---

 

 

 

WAR DIARY OF THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF, HOME FLEET

 

OCTOBER 1943

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

 

1. HMS DUKE OF YORK (Flag of Commander in Chief Home Fleet.
	1st-2nd	Scapa
	2nd	Left Scapa with the Battlefleet for Operation LEADER
	6th	Returned to Scapa on completion, sailing p.m. for Rosyth for docking and leave
	7th	Arrived Rosyth, taken in hand
	19th	Left Rosyth on completion for Scapa
	20th	Arrived Scapa
	20th-31st	Scapa
2. HMS ANSON (Flag of Vice Admiral, Second in Command, Home Fleet)
	1st-2nd	Scapa
	2nd	Left Scapa with the Battlefleet for Operation LEADER
	6th	Returned to Scapa on completion
	14th	Left Scapa with the Battlefleet for Operation F Q
	16th	Arrived Akureyri
	17th	Left Akureyri with Battlefleet to cover Operation F Q
	22nd	Returned to Scapa
	29th	Left Scapa with Battlefleet for Akureyri for Operation F S
	29th-31st	At sea on passage to Akureyri
3. HMS KING GEORGE V
	1st-13th	Detached with Force H in the Mediterranean
	13th	Left Gibraltar with HOWE and two carriers for United Kingdom
	19th	Arrived Rosyth for docking and leave, taken in hand
	19th-31st	Rosyth for docking
4. HMS HOWE
	1st-13th	Detached with Force H in the Mediterranean
	13th	Left Gibraltar with KING GEORGE V and two carriers for United Kingdom
	18th	Arrived Scapa
	18th-31st	Scapa
5. HMS MALAYA
	1st-4th	Clyde
	4th	Left Clyde for Plymouth to exchange ship's companies with VALIANT
	5th	Arrived Plymouth
	5th-31st	Plymouth to pay off
Battleships temporarily attached to the Home Fleet
6. HMS VALIANT
	5th	Left Gibraltar for Plymouth
	10th	Arrived Plymouth to exchange ship's companies with MALAYA and to be taken in hand for alterations.
	10th-31st	Plymouth for short refit
7. HMS NELSON
	1st-29th	Detached to Mediterranean Command
	29th	Left Algiers with RODNEY for the United Kingdom
	29th-31st	on passage to United Kingdom
8. HMS RODNEY
	1st-29th	Detached to Mediterranean Command
	29th	Left Algiers with NELSON for the United Kingdom
	29th-31st	on passage to United Kingdom
9. HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH
	1st-31st	Scapa, working up
Aircraft Carriers
10. HMS FURIOUS
	1st-4th	Liverpool, refitting
	4th	Left Liverpool for Clyde on completion of refit, to work up, arriving p.m.
	4th-31st	Clyde, working up
11. HMS FORMIDABLE
	13th	Left Gibraltar with carrier and capital ship force for the Clyde
	17th	Arrived Clyde, temporarily attached to the Home Fleet
	24th	Left Clyde, unescorted, for Scapa
	25th	Arrived Scapa
	29th	Left Scapa with Battlefleet for Akureyri for Operation F S
	29th-31st	on passage to Akureyri
Aircraft carrier temporarily attached to the Home Fleet
12. USS RANGER (Flag of Commander Task Force 121)
	1st-2nd	Scapa
	2nd	Left Scapa with the Battlefleet for Operation LEADER
	6th	Returned to Scapa on completion
	14th	Left Scapa with the Battlefleet for Akureyri and for Operation F Q
	16th	Arrived Akureyri
	17th	Left Akureyri with the Battlefleet for Operation F Q
	22nd	Returned to Scapa
	24th	Left Scapa for Rosyth for docking
	25th	Arrived Rosyth, taken in hand
	25th-31st	Rosyth for docking and leave
Battlecruiser
13. HMS RENOWN
	1st-31st	Scapa
First Cruiser Squadron
14. HMS LONDON (Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding First Cruiser Squadron)
	1st	Hvalfiord
	2nd	Left Hvalfiord with AUGUSTA and IMPULSIVE for Operation HOLDER
	10th	Returned to Hvalfiord
	18th	Left Hvalfiord for Akureyri with AUGUSTA and MIDDLETON
	19th	Arrived Akureyri
	25th	Left Akureyri with AUGUSTA to cover Operation F R
	30th	Returned to Scapa
	30th-31st	Scapa
15. HMS KENT
	1st-6th	Chatham for docking
	6th	Left Chatham on completion for Scapa
	7th	Arrived Scapa
	29th	Left Scapa with BELFAST and NORFOLK for Seidisfiord for Operation F S
	31st	Arrived Seidisfiord
16. HMS NORFOLK
	1st-14th	Scapa
	14th	Left Scapa with the Battlefleet for Akureyri and for Operation F Q
	16th	Arrived Akureyri
	17th	Left Akureyri with the Battlefleet to cover Operation F Q
	22nd	Returned to Scapa
	29th	Left Scapa with BELFAST and KENT for Seidisfiord for Operation F S
	31st	Arrived Seidisfiord
17. HMS BERWICK
	1st-31st	Rosyth, refitting
18. HMS CUMBERLAND
	1st-31st	Tyne, refitting
Tenth Cruiser Squadron
19. HMS BELFAST (Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron)
	1st-2nd	Scapa
	2nd	Left Scapa with the Battlefleet for Operation LEADER
	6th	Returned to Scapa on completion
	12th	Left Scapa for the Clyde for combined operations fire support demonstration
	13th	Arrived Clyde
	15th	Left Clyde on completion of firings for Scapa
	16th	Arrived Scapa
	29th	Left Scapa for Seidisfiord with KENT and NORFOLK for Operation F S
	31st	Arrived Seidisfiord
20. HMS SHEFFIELD
	1st-31st	Detached to Mediterranean Command
21. HMS GLASGOW
	1st-6th	Plymouth, refitting
	6th	Plymouth Command on completion for Operations in Bay of Biscay area
	6th-31st	Plymouth Command
22. HMS BERMUDA
	1st-17th	Lent to Plymouth Command for operations in the Bay area
	17th	Left Plymouth for patrol and Scapa on completion of duty in Plymouth Command
	25th	Arrived Scapa
	25th-31st	Scapa
23. HMS NIGERIA
	1st-31st	Chatham, refitting
24. HMS JAMAICA
	1st-29th	Scapa
	29th	Left Scapa for Akureyri for Operation F S
	29th-31st	on passage to Akureyri
25. HMNZS GAMBIA
	1st-11th	Liverpool, refitting
	11th	Left Liverpool for Clyde to commence working up, arriving p.m.
	19th	Left Clyde for Scapa to continue working up and join 10th Cruiser Squadron temporarily
	20th	Arrived Scapa
	20th-31st	Scapa, working up
Cruisers temporarily attached to the Home Fleet
26. USS AUGUSTA
	1st	Hvalfiord
	2nd	Left Hvalfiord with LONDON and IMPULSIVE to cover Operation HOLDER
	10th	Returned to Hvalfiord
	18th	Left Hvalfiord with LONDON and MIDDLETON for Akureyri
	19th	Arrived Akureyri
	25th	Left Akureyri with LONDON to cover Operation F R
	29th	Arrived Hvalfiord to pick up aircraft, sailing p.m. for Scapa
	31st	Arrived Scapa
27. USS TUSCALOOSA
	1st-2nd	Scapa
	2nd	Left Scapa with the Battlefleet for Operation LEADER
	6th	Returned to Scapa on completion
	12th	Left Scapa for Clyde to load for Operation F Q
	13th	Arrived Clyde, loaded, and sailed p.m. for Seidisfiord
	16th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	17th	Left Seidisfiord with Force One for Operation F Q
	19th	Arrived Spitzbergen, sailing p.m. for Seidisfiord
	22nd	Arrived Seidisfiord
	23rd	Left Seidisfiord for the Clyde
	25th	Arrived Clyde to disembark passengers
	28th	Left Clyde for Hvalfiord
	30th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	30th-31st	Hvalfiord
Cruisers attached to the Home Fleet for working up
28. HMS ROYALIST
	1st-31st	Scapa, working up
29. HMS BIRMINGHAM
	1st-31st	Scapa, working up
30. ORP DRAGON
	1st-7th	Scapa, working up
	7th	Left Scapa for the Tyne for repairs
	8th	Arrived Tyne, taken in hand
	8th-31st	Tyne for repairs
Fast Minelayer attached to the Home Fleet for working up
31. HMS ARIADNE
	1st-23rd	Clyde for trials
	23rd	Left Clyde for port Z A, arriving p.m.
	25th	Left Z A for Scapa to work up, arriving p.m.
	25th-31st	Scapa, working up
Destroyers
Third Destroyer Flotilla
32. HMS MILNE (Captain (D) Third Destroyer Flotilla
	1st-2nd	Scapa
	2nd	Left Scapa with screen of the Battlefleet for Operation LEADER
	6th	Returned to Scapa
	18th	Left Scapa for Seidisfiord
	19th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	23rd	Left Seidisfiord for Skaalefiord for Operation F R
	24th	Arrived Skaalefiord
	25th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation F R
	28th	Arrived Kola Inlet
	28th-31st	Kola Inlet
33. HMS MARNE
	1st-31st	Tyne, refitting
34. HMS METEOR
	1st-31st	Tyne, refitting
35. HMS MATCHLESS
	1st-4th	On passage to Gibraltar
	4th	Arrived Gibraltar
	5th	Left Gibraltar with screen of VALIANT and UNICORN for Plymouth
	7th	broken down in 41-15N, 15-55W; taken in tow by MAHRATTA
	8th	defects made good, rejoined screen of VALIANT
	10th	Arrived Plymouth with screen of VALIANT, taken in hand for repairs
	20th	Left Plymouth on completion for Scapa
	22nd	Arrived Scapa
	23rd	Left Scapa for Skaalefiord for Operation F R
	24th	Arrived Skaalefiord
	25th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation F R
	28th	Arrived Kola Inlet
	28th-31st	Kola Inlet
36. HMS MUSKETEER
	1st-12th	Detached to Western Approaches Command
	12th	Left Clyde for Scapa on completion of duty in Western Approaches Command
	13th	Arrived Scapa
	23rd	Left Scapa for Skaalefiord for Operation F R
	24th	Arrived Skaalefiord
	25th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation F R
	28th	Arrived Kola Inlet
	28th-31st	Kola Inlet
37. HMS MAHRATTA
	1st-4th	On passage to Gibraltar
	4th	Arrived Gibraltar
	5th	Left Gibraltar with screen of VALIANT and UNICORN for Plymouth
	10th	Arrived Plymouth with screen of VALIANT
	11th	Left Plymouth for Scapa
	13th	Arrived Scapa
	23rd	Left Scapa for Skaalefiord for Operation F R
	24th	Arrived Skaalefiord
	25th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation F R
	28th	Arrived Kola Inlet
	28th-31st	Kola Inlet
38. HMCS IROQUOIS
	1st	Left Scapa with HURON and ONSLAUGHT for Skaalefiord to fuel
	2nd	Arrived Skaalefiord, sailing p.m. for North Russia (Operation HOLDER)
	6th	Arrived Kola Inlet, sailing p.m. for Skaalefiord
	10th	Arrived Skaalefiord, sailing p.m. for Scapa
	11th	Arrived Scapa
	14th	Left Scapa with screen of the Battlefleet for Akureyri and Operation F Q
	16th	Arrived Akureyri
	17th	Left Akureyri with screen of the Battlefleet to cover Operation F Q
	22nd	Returned to Scapa
	27th	Left Scapa for Clyde for escort of TYNE to Scapa
	28th	Arrived Clyde and joined screen of TYNE
	30th	Arrived Scapa with TYNE
	30th-31st	Scapa
39. HMCS ATHABASKAN
	1st-31st	Plymouth for action damage repairs
40. HMCS HURON
	1st	Left Scapa with ONSLAUGHT and IROQUOIS for Skaalefiord to fuel
	2nd	Arrived Skaalefiord, sailing p.m. for North Russia (Operation HOLDER)
	6th	Arrived Kola Inlet, sailing p.m. for Skaalefiord
	10th	Arrived Skaalefiord, sailing p.m. for Scapa
	11th	Arrived Scapa, sailing p.m. for Rosyth for boiler cleaning
	12th	Arrived Rosyth, taken in hand
	19th	Left Rosyth on completion for Scapa
	20th	Arrived Scapa
	21st	Left Scapa for Rosyth for collision damage repairs
	29th	Left Rosyth on completion for Scapa
	30th	Arrived Scapa
	30th-31st	Scapa
41. HMCS HAIDA
	1st-14th	Scapa, working up
	14th	Left Scapa with screen of the Battlefleet for Akureyri and Operation F Q
	16th	Arrived Akureyri
	17th	Left Akureyri with screen of the Battlefleet to cover Operation F Q
	22nd	Returned to Scapa
	25th	Left Scapa and joined FORMIDABLE off Cape Wrath returning with her to Scapa p.m.
	29th	Left Scapa with screen of the Battlefleet for Akureyri for Operation F S
	29th-31st	on passage to Akureyri
42. ORP PIORUN
	1st-31st	Detached to Mediterranean Command
43. ORP ORKAN
	1st-8th	Detached to Western Approaches Command
	8th	Torpedoed and sunk while operating with support group to SC 143
44. HMS SCORPION
	1st	At sea on Operation S F
	2nd	Returned to Skaalefiord, sailing p.m. and joining the screen of the Battlefleet for Operation LEADER
	5th	Detached from screen of the Battlefleet for Skaalefiord for Operation S F, on completion of Operation LEADER, arriving p.m.
	8th	Left Skaalefiord for Scapa
	9th	Arrived Scapa, sailing p.m. for Rosyth for boiler cleaning
	10th	Arrived Rosyth, taken in hand
	16th	Left Rosyth on completion for Scapa
	17th	Arrived Scapa
	23rd	Left Scapa for Skaalefiord to Operation F R
	24th	Arrived Skaalefiord
	25th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation F R
	28th	Arrived Kola Inlet
	28th-31st	Kola Inlet
45. HMS SAVAGE
	1st	At sea on Operation S F
	2nd	Returned to Skaalefiord, sailing p.m. and joining the screen of the Battlefleet for Operation LEADER
	5th	Detached from screen of the Battlefleet for Skaalefiord for Operation S F, on completion of Operation LEADER, arriving p.m.
	6th	Left Skaalefiord to Scapa, arriving p.m.
	7th	Left Scapa for Gibraltar for screen of capital ships and carriers to United Kingdom
	12th	Arrived Gibraltar
	13th	Left Gibraltar with screen of capital ships and carriers for the United Kingdom
	18th	Arrived Scapa with HOWE
	23rd	Left Scapa for Skaalefiord for Operation F R
	24th	Arrived Skaalefiord
	25th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation F R
	28th	Arrived Kola Inlet
	28th-31st	Kola Inlet
46. HMS SAUMAREZ
	1st-8th	Humber for alterations
	8th	Left Humber on completion for Scapa
	9th	Arrived Scapa
	11th	Left Scapa for air/sea rescue duty off Shetlands
	12th	Returned to Scapa
	23rd	Left Scapa for Skaalefiord for Operation F R
	24th	Arrived Skaalefiord
	25th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation F R
	28th	Arrived Kola Inlet
	28th-31st	Kola Inlet
47. HMS SCOURGE
	1st	At sea on Operation S F
	2nd	Returned to Skaalefiord, sailing p.m. and joining the screen of the Battlefleet for Operation LEADER
	5th	Detached from screen of the Battlefleet to Skaalefiord for Operation S F on completion of Operation LEADER, arriving p.m.
	8th	Left Skaalefiord for Scapa
	9th	Arrived Scapa
	10th	Left Scapa with screen of TYNE for the Clyde
	11th	Arrived Clyde with TYNE, taken in hand for boiler cleaning
	18th	Left Clyde on completion for Scapa
	19th	Arrived Scapa
	23rd	Left Scapa for Skaalefiord for Operation F R
	24th	Arrived Skaalefiord
	25th	Left Skaalefiord for Operation F R
	28th	Arrived Kola Inlet
	28th-31st	Kola Inlet
48. HNorMS STORD
	1st-4th	At sea on passage to Gibraltar
	4th	Arrived Gibraltar
	13th	Left Gibraltar with screen of capital ships and carriers for the United Kingdom
	18th	Arrived Scapa with HOWE
	21st	Left Scapa and joined screen of RESOLUTION, detached p.m. off Cape Wrath and returned to Scapa
	29th	Left Scapa with screen of the Battlefleet for Akureyri for Operation F S
	29th-31st	on passage to Akureyri
Eighth Destroyer Flotilla
49. HMS FAULKNOR (Captain (D), Eighth Destroyer Flotilla
	1st-31st	Detached to Mediterranean Command
50. HMS FURY
	1st-31st	Detached to Mediterranean Command
51. HMS ECHO
	1st-31st	Detached to Mediterranean Command
52. HMS ECLIPSE
	1st-23rd	Detached to Mediterranean Command
	23rd	Mined and sunk off Kalymnos on passage to Leros
53. HMS INGLEFIELD
	1st-13th	Detached to Mediterranean Command
	13th	Left Gibraltar with screen of capital ships and carriers for United Kingdom
	17th	Arrived Clyde with carriers, taken in hand for boiler cleaning
	17th-31st	Clyde
54. HMS IMPULSIVE
	1st	Arrived Hvalfiord from Scapa
	2nd	Left Hvalfiord with LONDON and AUGUSTA to cover Operation HOLDER
	10th	Returned to Hvalfiord on completion
	20th	Left Hvalfiord for Skaalefiord
	21st	Arrived Skaalefiord
	22nd	Left Skaalefiord to rendezvous with the Battlefleet, joining a.m. and arriving Scapa p.m. with the Battlefleet.
	27th	Left Scapa for Clyde for screen of TYNE to Scapa
	28th	Arrived Clyde, joined screen of TYNE
	30th	Arrived Scapa with TYNE
	30th-31st	Scapa
Seventeenth Destroyer Flotilla
55. HMS ONSLOW (Captain (D) Seventeenth Destroyer Flotilla)
	1st-4th	on passage to Gibraltar
	4th	Arrived Gibraltar
	5th	Left Gibraltar with screen of UNICORN and VALIANT for United Kingdom
	10th	Arrived Clyde with UNICORN, taken in hand for boiler cleaning
	17th	Left Clyde on completion for Scapa
	18th	Arrived Scapa
	29th	Left Scapa with screen of the Battlefleet for Akureyri for Operation F S
	29th-31st	on passage to Akureyri
56. HMS OFFA
	1st-29th	Detached to Mediterranean Command
	29th	Left Algiers with screen of NELSON and RODNEY for United Kingdom
	30th	Detached to Gibraltar to fuel, arriving p.m.
	31st	Left Gibraltar and rejoined screen of NELSON and RODNEY for United Kingdom
57. HMS ORIBI
	1st-11th	Detached to Western Approaches Command
	11th	Left Clyde for Scapa on completion of duty in Western Approaches Command
	12th	Arrived Scapa
	14th	Left Scapa with Force 1 for Seidisfiord and for Operation F Q
	16th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	17th	Left Seidisfiord with Force 1 for Operation F Q
	19th	Arrived Spitzbergen, sailing p.m. for Seidisfiord
	22nd	Arrived Seidisfiord, sailing p.m. with ORWELL for Scapa
	24th	Arrived Scapa
	25th	Left Scapa for Clyde for boiler cleaning
	26th	Arrived Clyde, taken in hand
	26th-31st	Clyde, boiler cleaning
58. HMS ONSLAUGHT
	1st	Left Scapa for Skaalefiord with IROQUOIS and HURON to fuel
	2nd	Arrived Skaalefiord, fuelled and sailing p.m. for North Russia (Operation HOLDER)
	6th	Arrived Kola Inlet, sailing p.m. for Skaalefiord
	10th	Arrived Skaalefiord, sailing p.m. for Scapa
	11th	Arrived Scapa
	14th	Left Scapa with Force 1 for Seidisfiord and for Operation F Q
	16th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	17th	Left Seidisfiord with Force 1 for Operation F Q
	19th	Arrived Spitzbergen, rammed U-Boat in Icefiord, sailing p.m. for Seidisfiord
	22nd	Arrived Seidisfiord
	23rd	Left Seidisfiord with FITCH for Scapa
	25th	Arrived Scapa with FITCH
	25th-31st	Scapa for action damage repairs
59. HMS OPPORTUNE
	1st-2nd	Scapa
	2nd	Left Scapa with screen of the Battlefleet for Operation LEADER
	6th	Returned to Scapa, sailing p.m. with screen of DUKE OF YORK to Rosyth
	7th	Detached from screen of DUKE OF YORK to Humber for refit, arriving p.m. and taken in hand
	7th-31st	Humber, refitting
60. HMS OBDURATE
	1st-31st	Humber, refitting
61. HMS ORWELL
	1st-11th	Detached to Western Approaches Command
	11th	Left Clyde for Scapa on completion of duty in Western Approaches Command
	12th	Arrived Scapa
	14th	Left Scapa with Force 1 for Seidisfiord and Operation F Q
	16th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	17th	Left Seidisfiord with Force 1 for Operation F Q
	19th	Arrived Spitzbergen, sailing p.m. for Seidisfiord
	22nd	Arrived Seidisfiord, sailing p.m. with ORIBI for Scapa
	24th	Arrived Scapa
	25th	Left Scapa for the Clyde for boiler cleaning
	26th	Arrived Clyde, taken in hand
	26th-31st	Clyde, boiler cleaning
62. HMS OBEDIENT
	1st-4th	On passage to Gibraltar
	4th	Arrived Gibraltar
	13th	Left Gibraltar with screen of capital ships and carriers for United Kingdom
	18th	Arrived Scapa
	20th	Left Scapa to join screen of RESOLUTION from Rosyth to Southampton Northabout, joining p.m.
	21st	Detached from screen of RESOLUTION, returned to Scapa a.m.
	24th	Left Scapa with TEAZER for Gibraltar
	29th	Arrived Gibraltar
	30th	Left Gibraltar and joined screen of NELSON and RODNEY for the United Kingdom
	30th-31st	on passage to United Kingdom
Hunt Class Destroyers
63. HMS MIDDLETON
	1st	Hvalfiord, sailing p.m. for Scapa
	3rd	Arrived Scapa
	10th	Left Scapa with screen of TYNE for Clyde
	11th	Arrived Clyde with TYNE
	12th	Left Clyde for Scapa
	13th	Arrived Scapa
	15th	Left Scapa for Hvalfiord
	17th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	18th	Left Hvalfiord with LONDON and AUGUSTA for Akureyri
	19th	Arrived Akureyri
	25th	Left Akureyri for Hvalfiord
	26th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	30th	Left Hvalfiord for Akureyri
	31st	Arrived Akureyri
64. HMS BLANKNEY
	1st-31st	Detached to Mediterranean Command
65. HMS BRECON
	1st-31st	Detached to Mediterranean Command
66. HMS BRISSENDEN
	1st-9th	Liverpool for action damage repairs
	9th	Left Liverpool on completion for Scapa
	10th	Arrived Scapa
	10th-31st	Scapa
Destroyers temporarily attached to the Home Fleet
67. HMS GRENVILLE
	1st-4th	Plymouth Command for Operations in the Bay area
	4th	Damaged in engagement with four or five enemy destroyers off Island of Triagoz, returned to Plymouth and taken in hand for repairs.
	25th	Sailed on completion of repairs with ROCKET for Gibraltar and for the Mediterranean Fleet
	29th	Arrived Gibraltar
	29th-31st	Mediterranean Fleet
68. HMS ULSTER
	1st-4th	Plymouth Command for Operations in the Bay area
	4th	Damaged in engagement with four or five enemy destroyers off Island of Triagoz, returned to Plymouth and taken in hand for repairs.
	4th-31st	Plymouth for action damage repairs.
69. HMS TARTAR
	29th	Left Algiers with screen of NELSON and RODNEY for United Kingdom
	30th	Detached to Gibraltar, arriving p.m. to refuel
	31st	Sailed from Gibraltar and rejoined screen of NELSON and RODNEY for United Kingdom
70. USS FORREST (ComDesDiv 20)
	1st-2nd	Scapa
	2nd	Left Scapa with screen of the Battlefleet for Operation LEADER
	6th	Returned to Scapa on completion
	7th	Left Scapa for Gibraltar for screen of capital ships to United Kingdom
	12th	Arrived Gibraltar
	13th	Left Gibraltar with screen of capital ships and carriers for United Kingdom
	19th	Arrived Rosyth with KING GEORGE V, sailing p.m. with screen of DUKE OF YORK for Scapa
	20th	Arrived Scapa with DUKE OF YORK
	24th	Left Scapa with screen of RANGER for Rosyth
	25th	Arrived Rosyth with RANGER
	29th	Left Rosyth for Scapa
	30th	Arrived Scapa
	30th-31st	Scapa
71. USS CORRY
	1st-2nd	Scapa
	2nd	Left Scapa with screen of the Battlefleet for Operation LEADER
	6th	Returned to Scapa on completion
	14th	Left Scapa with screen of the Battlefleet for Akureyri and Operation F Q
	16th	Arrived Akureyri
	17th	Left Akureyri with screen of the Battlefleet to cover Operation F Q
	22nd	Returned to Scapa
	24th	Left Scapa with screen of RANGER for Rosyth
	25th	Arrived Rosyth with RANGER
	29th	Left Rosyth with FORREST for Scapa
	30th	Arrived Scapa
	30th-31st	Scapa
72. USS HOBSON
	1st-2nd	Scapa
	2nd	Left Scapa with screen of the Battlefleet for Operation LEADER
	6th	Returned to Scapa on completion
	7th	Left Scapa for Gibraltar for screen of capital ships to United Kingdom
	12th	Arrived Gibraltar
	13th	Left Gibraltar with screen of capital ships and carriers for United Kingdom
	18th	Detached to Londonderry for boiler cleaning and repairs, arriving p.m.
	24th	Left Londonderry on completion for Scapa
	25th	Arrived Scapa
	29th	Left Scapa with screen of the Battlefleet for Akureyri for Operation F S
	29th-31st	on passage to Akureyri
73. USS CAPPS
	1st-2nd	Scapa
	2nd	Left Scapa with screen of the Battlefleet for Operation LEADER
	6th	Returned to Scapa on completion
	7th	Left Scapa for Gibraltar for screen of capital ships to United Kingdom
	12th	Arrived Gibraltar
	13th	Left Gibraltar with screen of capital ships and carriers for United Kingdom
	19th	Arrived Rosyth with KING GEORGE V, sailing p.m. with screen of DUKE OF YORK for Scapa
	20th	Arrived Scapa with DUKE OF YORK
	29th	Left Scapa with screen of the Battlefleet for Akureyri for Operation F S
	29th-31st	on passage to Akureyri
74. USS FITCH
	1st-2nd	Scapa
	2nd	Left Scapa with screen of the Battlefleet for Operation LEADER
	6th	Returned to Scapa on completion
	14th	Left Scapa with Force 1 for Seidisfiord and Operation F Q
	16th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	17th	Left Seidisfiord with Force 1 for Operation F Q
	19th	Arrived Spitzbergen, sailing p.m. for Seidisfiord
	22nd	Arrived Seidisfiord
	23rd	Left Seidisfiord with ONSLAUGHT for Scapa
	25th	Arrived Scapa
	25th-31st	Scapa
75. HMS SARDONYX
	1st-4th	Skaalefiord for Operation S F
	4th	Left Skaalefiord for Londonderry for duty in the Western Approaches Command on completion of temporary duty in Home Fleet
	5th	Arrived Londonderry
Destroyers Attached Temporarily for working up
76. HMS ROCKET
	1st	Scapa, working up
	2nd	Left Scapa for Clyde on completion of working up for boiler cleaning
	3rd	Arrived Clyde, taken in hand
	12th	Left Clyde for Plymouth for duty with Plymouth Command for operations in the Bay area
	13th	Arrived Plymouth
	25th	Left Plymouth for Gibraltar for screen of NELSON and RODNEY to United Kingdom
	29th	Arrived Gibraltar
	30th	Left Gibraltar and joined screen of NELSON and RODNEY for United Kingdom
	30th-31st	At sea passage to United Kingdom
77. HMS HARDY
	1st-4th	On passage to Gibraltar
	4th	Arrived Gibraltar
	5th	Left Gibraltar with screen of VALIANT and UNICORN for United Kingdom
	10th	Arrived Clyde with UNICORN
	11th	Arrived Scapa
	14th	Left Scapa with screen of the Battlefleet for Akureyri and Operation F Q
	16th	Arrived Akureyri
	17th	Left Akureyri with screen of the Battlefleet to cover Operation F Q
	22nd	Returned to Scapa
	23rd	Left Scapa with JANUS for Rosyth for boiler cleaning
	24th	Arrived Rosyth, taken in hand
	30th	Left Rosyth on completion for Scapa
	31st	Arrived Scapa
78. HMS VENUS
	1st-4th	On passage to Gibraltar
	4th	Arrived Gibraltar
	13th	Left Gibraltar with screen of capital ships and carriers for United Kingdom
	17th	Arrived Clyde with carriers, taken in hand for boiler cleaning
	25th	Left Clyde on completion for Scapa
	29th	Left Scapa with screen of the Battlefleet for Akureyri for Operation F S
	29th-31st	At sea on passage to Akureyri
79. HMS VIGILANT
	1st	Scapa, working up
	2nd	Left Scapa with screen of the Battlefleet for Operation LEADER
	6th	Returned to Scapa
	14th	Left Scapa with screen of the Battlefleet for Akureyri and Operation F Q
	16th	Arrived Akureyri
	17th	Left Akureyri with screen of the Battlefleet to cover Operation F Q
	22nd	Returned to Scapa
	25th	Left Scapa and joined FORMIDABLE off Cape Wrath, returning with her to Scapa p.m.
	30th	Left Scapa for Rosyth for boiler cleaning
	31st	Arrived Rosyth, taken in hand
80. HMS TEAZER
	1st	Scapa working up
	2nd	Left Scapa with the screen of the Battlefleet for Operation LEADER
	6th	Returned to Scapa, sailing p.m. with screen of DUKE OF YORK for Rosyth
	7th	Arrived Rosyth with DUKE OF YORK, sailing a.m. for Scapa, arriving p.m.
	24th	Left Scapa with OBEDIENT for Gibraltar
	29th	Arrived Gibraltar for screen of RODNEY and NELSON to United Kingdom
	30th	Left Gibraltar and joined screen of NELSON and RODNEY for United Kingdom
	30th-31st	On passage to United Kingdom
82. HMS JANUS
	1st-14th	Scapa, working up
	14th	Left Scapa with screen of the Battlefleet for Akureyri and Operation F Q
	16th	Arrived Akureyri
	17th	Left Akureyri with screen of the Battlefleet to cover Operation F Q
	22nd	Returned to Scapa
	23rd	Left Scapa with HARDY for Rosyth for boiler cleaning
	24th	Arrived Rosyth, taken in hand
	30th	Left Rosyth on completion for Scapa
	31st	Arrived Scapa
83. HMS URCHIN
	13th	Left Clyde for Scapa to work up
	16th	Arrived Scapa
	16th-31st	Scapa, working up
83. HMS TERMAGANT
	20th	Left Clyde for Scapa to work up
	21st	Arrived Scapa
	21st-31st	Scapa, working up
First Minesweeping Flotilla
85. HMS HARRIER (Senior Officer, First Minesweeping Flotilla
	1st	Seidisfiord for Operation S F
	2nd	Left Seidisfiord for Operation S F
	8th	Returned to Scapa
	17th	Left Scapa for Seidisfiord and for Operation F R with SEAGULL
	20th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	23rd	Left Seidisfiord with screen of the Russian light craft for Operation F R
	30th	Arrived Kola Inlet
	30th-31st	Kola Inlet
86. HMS SEAGULL
	1st	Arrived Scapa from Humber to work up on completion of refit
	17th	Left Scapa with HARRIER for Seidisfiord for Operation F R
	20th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	23rd	Left Seidisfiord with screen of Russian light craft for Operation F R
	30th	Arrived Kola Inlet
	30th-31st	Kola Inlet
87. HMS BRITOMART
	1st-31st	North Russia
88. HMS HUSSAR
	1st	Seidisfiord for Operation S F
	2nd	Left Seidisfiord for Operation S F
	7th	Returned to Seidisfiord
	9th	Left Seidisfiord for Operation S F
	12th	Returned to Seidisfiord
	18th	Left Seidisfiord for Operation S F
	25th	Returned to Scapa
	26th	Left Scapa for Aberdeen for boiler cleaning, arriving p.m.
	26th-31st	Aberdeen, boiler cleaning
89. HMS SPEEDWELL
	1st-9th	Scapa
	9th	Left Scapa for Hvalfiord
	12th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	13th	Left Hvalfiord for Akureyri escorting oiler CULPEPER
	16th	Arrived Akureyri
	25th	Left Akureyri with oiler CULPEPER for Hvalfiord
	27th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	28th	Left Hvalfiord
	31st	Arrived Scapa
90. HMS GLEANER
	1st	Seidisfiord for operation S F
	2nd	Left Seidisfiord for Operation S F
	8th	Returned to Scapa, sailing p.m. for London for refit
	14th	Arrived London, taken in hand
	14th-31st	London, refitting
91. HMS HALCYON
	1st-31st	Tyne, refitting
92. HMS SALAMANDER
	1st	Seidisfiord for Operation S F
	2nd	Left Seidisfiord to Operation S F
	4th	Returned to Seidisfiord
	9th	Left Seidisfiord for Operation S F
	13th	Returned to Scapa
	18th	Left Scapa for Tyne for refit
	19th	Arrived Tyne, taken in hand
	19th-31st	Tyne, refitting
93. HMS JASON
	1st-31st	North Russia
Fifteenth Minesweeping Flotilla
94. HMS FRASERBURGH (Senior Officer, Fifteenth Minesweeping Flotilla)
	1st	Scapa
	2nd	Left Scapa for Seidisfiord
	7th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	9th	Left Seidisfiord for Operation S F
	12th	Returned to Seidisfiord
	18th	Left Seidisfiord for Operation S F
	24th	Returned to Seidisfiord
	24th-31st	Seidisfiord
95. HMS BEAUMARIS
	1st-31st	Cardiff, refitting
96. HMS BOOTLE
	1st	Scapa, sailing p.m. for Aberdeen for boiler cleaning
	2nd	Arrived Aberdeen, taken in hand
	13th	Left Aberdeen on completion for Scapa
	14th	Arrived Scapa
	16th	Left Scapa for Seidisfiord for Operation S F
	18th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	19th	Left Seidisfiord for Operation S F
	24th	Returned to Seidisfiord
	24th-31st	Seidisfiord
97. HMS LLANDUDNO
	1st	Left Aberdeen for Scapa on completion of boiler cleaning, arriving p.m.
	9th	Left Scapa for Seidisfiord for Operation S F
	12th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	18th	Left Seidisfiord for Operation S F
	24th	Returned to Seidisfiord
	24th-31st	Seidisfiord
98. HMS ARDROSSAN
	1st	Seidisfiord for operation S F
	2nd	Left Seidisfiord for Operation S F
	4th	Returned to Seidisfiord
	9th	Left Seidisfiord for Hvalfiord for boiler cleaning
	11th	Arrived Hvalfiord, taken in hand
	18th	Left Hvalfiord on completion for Seidisfiord to continue Operation S F
	20th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	20th-31st	Seidisfiord
99. HMS DUNBAR
	1st-28th	Humber, refitting
	28th	Left Humber on completion for Scapa to work up
	30th	Arrived Scapa
	30th-31st	Scapa, working up
100. HMS LYME REGIS
	1st	Arrived Reykjavik for boiler cleaning
	8th	Left Reykjavik on completion for Seidisfiord
	9th	Arrived Seidisfiord, sailing p.m. for Operation S F
	12th	Returned to Seidisfiord
	14th	Left Seidisfiord for Reykjavik for repairs
	15th	Arrived Reykjavik, taken in hand
	17th	Left Reykjavik on completion for Seidisfiord to continue Operation S F
	18th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	19th	Left Seidisfiord for Operation S F
	24th	Returned to Seidisfiord
	24th-31st	Seidisfiord
101. HMS WORTHING
	1st	Scapa
	2nd	Left Scapa for Seidisfiord for Operation S F
	7th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	9th	Left Seidisfiord for Operation S F
	12th	Returned to Seidisfiord
	18th	Left Seidisfiord for Operation S F
	19th	Returned to Seidisfiord with defects
	21st	Left Seidisfiord to Hvalfiord for boiler cleaning
	22nd	Arrived Hvalfiord, taken in hand for repairs
	31st	Left Hvalfiord for Seidisfiord
Corvettes temporarily attached
102. HMS WESTCOTT
	17th	Left Liverpool with EGLANTINE for Seidisfiord for Operation F R
	20th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	23rd	Left Seidisfiord with screen of Russian light craft for Operation F R
	30th	Arrived Kola Inlet
	30th-31st	Kola Inlet
103. HMS EGLANTINE
	17th	Left Liverpool with WESTCOTT for Seidisfiord for Operation F R
	20th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	23rd	Left Seidisfiord with screen of Russian light craft for Operation F R
	30th	Arrived Kola Inlet
	30th-31st	Kola Inlet
Sloops temporary attached for working up
104. HMIS KISTNA
	1st-12th	Scapa, working up
	12th	Left Scapa for Londonderry on completion of working up
	13th	Arrived Londonderry
105. HMS MAGPIE
	1st-12th	Scapa, working up
	12th	Left Scapa for Londonderry on completion of working up
	13th	Arrived Londonderry
Trawler temporarily attached
106. HMS LORD AUSTIN
	1st-31st	North Russia

 

 

107. Ships detached to other Commands.

(a). The following ships were lent to the Plymouth Command for Operations during the month

 

Cruisers:
GLASGOW	1st-30th	repairs 1st-6th
BERMUDA	1st-25th
Destroyers:
GRENVILLE	1st-29th	repairs 4th-25th
ULSTER	1st-31st	repairs 4th-31st
ROCKET	13th-31st

 

(b). Lent to Commander in Chief, Western Approaches for 10th Support Group

 

Destroyers:
ORWELL	1st-11th
ORIBI	1st-11th
MUSKETEER	1st-12th
ORKAN	1st-8th, sunk 8th

 

(c) Lent to the Commander in Chief, Mediterranean, for Force H and for Algiers escort force

 

Battleships:
KING GEORGE V	1st-13th
HOWE	1st-13th
Cruiser:
SHEFFIELD	1st-31st
Destroyers:
ORP PIORUN	1st-31st
FAULKNOR	1st-31st
FURY	1st-31st
ECHO	1st-31st
ECLIPSE	1st-23rd, sunk 23rd
BRISSENDEN	1st-31st
BRECON	1st-31st

 

108. Patrols Black and White

 

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

 

 

109. Changes of Flag

 

The following changes of Flag have taken place during October:

9th	Flag of Rear Admiral (D) transferred from TYNE to DUNLUCE CASTLE
30th	Flag of Rear Admiral (D) transferred from DUNLUCE CASTLE to TYNE

 

110. Operation S.F.

 

Operation S F continued throughout October but on a reduced scale owing to the withdrawal of all destroyers after the first week. No Fleet destroyers could be made available owing to increasing commitments elsewhere and the Western Approaches. 'S' class which had been lent for this operation were required for miscellaneous duties in their own command and for trials

 

This reduction left the minesweepers, operating under Commander in Chief, Rosyth, from Seidisfiord, to carry on the patrols to which the 15th Flotilla contributed the majority of ships.

 

All patrols throughout the month were uneventful but Commander in Chief, Rosyth, informed the ships of the effect which their patrols were having in other areas. Air cooperation throughout October was provided by 18 Group.

 

Details of ships taking part in this operation are as follows:

Destroyers
SCORPION (1st-2nd, 5th-8th)	SAVAGE (1st-2nd, 5th-6th)	SCOURGE (1st-2nd, 5th-8th)	SARDONYX (1st-4th)
Minesweepers
HARRIER (1st-8th)	HUSSAR (1st-25th)	GLEANER (1st-8th)	SALAMANDER (1st-13th)
FRASERBURGH (7th-31st)	BOOTLE (16th-31st)	LLANDUDNO (9th-31st)	ARDROSSAN (1st-31st)
LYME REGIS (1st-31st)	WORTHING (2nd-31st)

 

111. Operation HOLDER

(i) This operation, the object of which was to pass stores, mails and personnel to North Russia at the same time that the Battlefleet was carrying out Operation LEADER (see following paragraph), went according to plan and no unforeseen incidents occurred.

 

(ii) The three destroyers concerned, ONSLAUGHT, IROQUOIS, and HURON loaded at Scapa and sailed to Skaalefiord on 1st October, arriving the following day to fuel before sailing p.m. for Kola Inlet

 

(iii) Rear Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron in LONDON with AUGUSTA and IMPULSIVE left Hvalfiord on 2nd to cover the passage south west of Bear Island in an area bounded by 76-30N, 74-30N and 01-00W to 03-00E, arriving there early on 5th

 

(iv) The destroyers arrived Kola Inlet early on 6th, unloaded and sailed p.m. for Skaalefiord, arriving there on 10th to fuel, and Scapa the following day to disembark passengers.

 

(v) The cruiser force left the covering position on 7th and returned to Hvalfiord, arriving on 10th.

 

 

112. Operation LEADER

(I) The Battlefleet (DUKE OF YORK, ANSON, RANGER, BELFAST, TUSCALOOSA, screened by MILNE, VIGILANT, OPPORTUNE, TEAZER, FORREST, CORRY, HOBSON, FITCH, and CAPP) left Scapa on 2nd to carry out operation LEADER (attack by RANGER's air group on shipping targets in the Norwegian Leads off Bodo). SAVAGE, SCOURGE, and SCORPION joined the Battlefleet's screen early the following day from Skaalefiord and the force proceeded north eastwards through 66-40N, 2-01W to position 7-17N, 8-20E which was reached shortly before sunrise on 4th

 

(ii) The weather was most favourable for the attack and at this point two air striking forces were flown off from RANGER at approximately half an hour's interval. 20 Dauntless and 8 Wildcats were launched in the first attack group and 10 Avengers and 6 Wildcats in the second.

 

(iii) Both striking groups found numerous targets in the Leads and pressed home their attacks to the full. 14 500 lb and 1000 lb bomb hits were scored on nine merchant ships of three to ten thousand tons including an 8000 ton tanker. Two other small vessels were damaged by hits or near misses and all targets were raked with machine gun and cannon fire which undoubtedly accounted for further damage which cannot be assessed.

 

(iv) Three of RANGER's aircraft were shot down, all by flak. One Dauntless crashed at Bodo and one made a forced landing in the water 12 miles west of Bodo. The third aircraft, an Avenger, was shot down off Alsten. Several members of the crews of these aircraft were seen swimming in the water and it is probable that they have been taken prisoner.

 

(v) The two air attack groups returned to RANGER and landed on, losing one other aircraft during this operation, the Battlefleet then set course for Scapa

vi) During the afternoon of the 4th, two enemy reconnaissance aircraft, a J U 88 and a H E 115, shadowed the Fleet and were promptly shot down by RANGER's fighter patrols. Except for these two aircraft no enemy air opposition was encountered throughout the operation.

 

(vii) The Force withdrew on a course of 260 degrees through 67-10N, 02-01E and 64-10N, 02-18W. SAVAGE, SCOURGE, and SCORPION were detached on the 5th to Skaalefiord for Operation S F and the Battlefleet returned to Scapa early on 6th.

 

113. Operation F Q

 

This operation, whose object was to carry relief personnel and stores to the Norwegian garrison at Spitzbergen and to bring away survivors of the original garrison which was attacked by a German force the previous month, went according to plan.

 

The Operation was carried bout by Force 1 (TUSCALOOSA and four destroyers) whose main danger lay in U-boat attack while the cruiser was unloading in Advent Fiord. U-boats had been seen on several occasion in Icefiord and in fact one was rammed by ONSLAUGHT while on A/S patrol in Advent Fiord. ONSLAUGHT suffered some damage, it is not known whether the U-boat was sunk.

 

Force 1 was covered by Force 2 (the Battlefleet) operating from Akureyri.

 

All ships returned to Scapa (Force 1 via Seidisfiord) except TUSCALOOSA who proceeded to the Clyde to disembark personnel from Spitzbergen.

 

Detailed movements of Forces 1 and 2 were as follows:

Force One
12th	TUSCALOOSA left Scapa for the Clyde to load stores and embark personnel.
13th	TUSCALOOSA arrived Clyde
14th	TUSCALOOSA left Clyde for Seidisfiord
	ONSLAUGHT, ORIBI, ORWELL, and FITCH left Scapa for Seidisfiord
16th	TUSCALOOSA, ONSLAUGHT, ORIBI, ORWELL (Force 1) arrived Seidisfiord
17th	Force 1 left Seidisfiord for Spitzbergen
18th	Force 1 arrived Hiorthamm, Advent Fiord, Spitzbergen
	TUSCALOOSA commenced unloading, destroyers carried out A/S patrol
	ONSLAUGHT rammed a U-boat, suffering some damage and reducing her speed.
	Force 1 left Spitzbergen for Seidisfiord
22nd	Force 1 arrived Seidisfiord
	ORWELL and ORIBI left Seidisfiord for Scapa
23rd	TUSCALOOSA left Seidisfiord for the Clyde
	ONSLAUGHT and FITCH left Seidisfiord for Scapa
24th	ORWELL and ORIBI arrived Scapa
25th	TUSCALOOSA arrived Clyde to disembark passengers
	ONSLAUGHT and FITCH arrived Scapa
Force Two
14th	Force 2 (ANSON, RANGER, NORFOLK, IROQUOIS, HAIDA, JANUS, VIGILANT, HARDY, and CORRY) left Scapa for Akureyri
15th	Force 2 probably reported by enemy aircraft
16th	Force 2 arrived Akureyri
17th	Left Akureyri to cover the operation
20th	IMPULSIVE left Hvalfiord to Skaalefiord
21st	IMPULSIVE arrived Skaalefiord
22nd	IMPULSIVE left Skaalefiord and joined screen of the Battlefleet
	Force 2 with IMPULSIVE returned to Scapa

 

114. Operation F R

 

This movement whose object was to sail certain American built light craft (for the Soviet Navy) to North Russia with the close escort for R A 54 A was also carried out according to plan. Opportunity was taken to send reliefs, mails, and stores to North Russia in the escort.

 

The start of the operation was delayed owing to weather, the general sluggishness of the Russian craft and the usual trouble over visas and passports.

 

The Commanding Officers of the Soviet light craft (minesweepers and MLs) were briefed by Rear Admiral Brykin, of the Soviet Mission in London, who attended the convoy conference at Seidisfiord before the force sailed.

 

Detailed movements of the forces involved are as follows:

Force 3
17th	HARRIER and SEAGULL left Scapa for Seidisfiord
	EGLANTINE and WESTCOTT left Liverpool for Seidisfiord
18th	3 Russian minesweepers and 6 Russian motor launches left Reykjavik for Seidisfiord
20th	HARRIER and SEAGULL arrived Seidisfiord
	EGLANTINE and WESTCOTT arrived Seidisfiord
	Russian minesweepers and MLs arrived Seidisfiord
23rd	Force 3 left Seidisfiord for North Russia
30th	Russian minesweepers and MLs detached with one Russian destroyer to Kola Inlet, arriving a.m.
31st	HARRIER, SEAGULL, WESTCOTT, and EGLANTINE arrived Archangel.
Force 4
18th	MILNE (with Rear Admiral Brykin) left Scapa for Seidisfiord for convoy conference
19th	MILNE arrived Seidisfiord
23rd	SAVAGE, SCORPRION, SCOURGE, SAUMAREZ, MUSKETEER, MAHRATTA, MATCHLESS Left Scapa for Skaalfiord
	MILNE left Seidisfiord for Skaalefiord.
24th	SAVAGE, SCORPRION, SCOURGE, SAUMAREZ, MUSKETEER, MAHRATTA, MATCHLESS arrived Seidisfiord.
	MILNE arrived Seidisfiord
	Force 4 left Seidisfiord for Kola Inlet, covering Force 3 on passage
28th	Force 4 arrived Kola Inlet
Force 5
18th	LONDON, AUGUSTA, MIDDLETON left Hvalfiord to Akureyri
19th	Arrived Akureyri
25th	LONDON and AUGUSTA (Force 5) left Akureyri to cover the operation
29th	AUGUSTA returned to Hvalfiord
30th	LONDON returned to Scapa

 

115. Operation F S

 

The preliminary movements for this operation (the passage of R A 54 A from Archangel to United Kingdom) took placed towards the end of October. A summary of the operation will be included in the War Diary for November 1943.

 

The close escort and destroyer force arrived in North Russian ports from Operation F R (see paragraph 114).

 

The Battlefleet covering force (ANSON, FORMIDABLE, JAMAICA, ONSLOW, STORD, VENUS, HOBSON, CAPPS, and HAIDA) left Scapa for Akureyri, arriving there on 1st November.

 

The cruiser covering force (BELFAST, NORFOLK, and KENT) left Scapa for Seidisfiord on 29th, arriving there on 31st.

 

The convoy was expected to sail from Archangel on 1st November.