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ADMIRALTY WAR DIARIES of WORLD WAR 2

 

HOME FLEET - July to August 1944

 

Transcribed by Don Kindell

HMS Devonshire, heavy cruiser (Navy Photos, click to enlarge)

on to Home Fleet, September-October 1944
or back to Admiralty War Diaries

 
 

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

 

Home Fleet Operations September 1939 to April 1942

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

Areas of Operations (click to enlarge). Only some locations in text are shown

 

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

 


 

 

WAR DIARY OF THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF, HOME FLEET

 

JULY 1944

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

 

 

1. HMS DUKE OF YORK (Flag of Commander in Chief Home Fleet.

 

1st-14th

Scapa

 

14th

Left Scapa for Operation MASCOT

 

19th

Returned to Scapa

 

19th-31st

Scapa

 

 

 

2. HMS HOWE

 

1st

Arrived Clyde. Left Clyde for Eastern Fleet

 

 

 

3. HMS ANSON

 

1st-31st

Plymouth, refitting

 

 

 

4. HMS KING GEORGE V

 

1st-31st

Liverpool, refitting

 

31st

Left Liverpool for Scapa

 

 

 

5. HMS MALAYA

 

20th

Left Clyde for Scapa to work up for bombardment.

 

21st

Arrived Scapa

 

21st-31st

Scapa, working up.

 

 

 

6. HMS WARSPITE

 

1st-31st

Rosyth, repairing mine damage

 

 

 

7. HMS RODNEY

 

1st-31st

Detached to Allied Naval Commander, Expeditionary Force

 

5th

Administration transferred to Commander in Chief, Portsmouth

 

 

 

8. HMS RAMILLIES

 

1st-31st

Detached to Allied Naval Commander, Expeditionary Force

 

5th

Administration transferred to Commander in Chief, Portsmouth

 

 

 

Aircraft Carriers attached to Second Battle Squadron

 

 

 

9. HMS FURIOUS

 

1st-14th

Scapa

 

14th

Left Scapa for Operation MASCOT

 

19th

Returned to Scapa

 

19th-31st

Scapa

 

 

 

10. HMS FORMIDABLE

 

2nd

Left Clyde for Scapa

 

4th

Arrived Scapa from Clyde

 

14th

Left Scapa for Operation MASCOT. Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron transferred from DEVONSHIRE

 

19th

Returned to Scapa. Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron transferred to DEVONSHIRE

 

19th-31st

Scapa

 

 

 

11. HMS INDEFATIGABLE

 

3rd

Left Belfast for Scapa

 

4th

Arrived Scapa

 

14th

Left Scapa for Operation MASCOT

 

19th

Returned to Scapa

 

19th-31st

Scapa

 

 

 

Escort Carrier Squadron

 

 

 

12. HMS ROYALIST (Flag of Rear Admiral, Escort Carriers)

 

1st-10th

Tyne, docking

 

11th

Left Tyne northabout en route for Mediterranean Transferred to Mediterranean Fleet

 

 

 

13. HMS FENCER

 

1st-6th

Scapa

 

6th

Left Scapa for Clyde

 

7th

Arrived Clyde

 

 

 

14. HMS KHEDIVE

 

1st-6th

Scapa

 

6th

Left Scapa for Clyde

 

7th

Arrived Clyde

 

15th

Left Clyde for Mediterranean

 

 

 

15. HMS STRIKER

 

1st-31st

Clyde

 

27th

Detached to Commander in Chief, Plymouth for Operation KINETIC

 

27th-31st

Detached.

 

 

 

First Cruiser Squadron (Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron)

 

 

 

16. HMS DEVONSHIRE (Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron, 1st-14th and 19th-24th)

 

1st-14th

Scapa

 

14th

Left Scapa for Operation MASCOT. Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding First Cruiser Squadron transferred to FORMIDABLE

 

19th

Returned to Scapa. Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron transferred from FORMIDABLE

 

24th

Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron transferred to KENT

 

25th

Left Scapa. Arrived Loch Ewe

 

25th-31st

Loch Ewe

 

 

 

17. HMS KENT (Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding First Cruiser Squadron 24th-31st)

 

1st-10th

Rosyth, docking

 

10th

Left Rosyth for Scapa

 

11th

Arrived Scapa

 

14th

Left Scapa for Operation MASCOT

 

19th

Returned to Scapa

 

24th

Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron transferred from DEVONSHIRE

 

19th-31st

Scapa

 

 

 

18. HMS BERWICK

 

1st-31st

Scapa

 

 

 

19. HMS NORFOLK

 

1st-31st

Tyne, refitting

 

 

 

Tenth Cruiser Squadron

 

 

 

20. HMS BELFAST (Flag of Vice Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron 1st-15th)

 

1st-9th

Detached to Allied Naval Commander, Expeditionary Force

 

9th

Left Needles for Clyde

 

10th

Arrived Clyde

 

11th

Left Clyde for Scapa

 

12th

Arrived Scapa

 

15th

Flag of Vice Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron transferred to DIADEM

 

27th

Left Scapa for Tyne to refit

 

28th

Arrived Tyne

 

28th-31st

Tyne, refitting

 

 

 

21. HMS SHEFFIELD

 

1st-18th

Clyde, giving leave before leaving for U.S.A. to refit

 

18th

Left Clyde for U.S.A.

 

24th

Arrived Boston, Massachusetts

 

24th-31st

Boston, refitting

 

 

 

22. HMS BERMUDA

 

1st-31st

Clyde, refitting

 

 

 

23. HMS JAMAICA

 

1st-3rd

Loch Erribol

 

3rd

Left Loch Erribol, arrived Scapa

 

5th

Left Scapa, arrived Loch Erribol

 

13th

Left Loch Erribol, arrived Scapa

 

14th

Left Scapa for Operation MASCOT

 

19th

Returned to Scapa

 

19th-31st

Scapa

 

 

 

24. HMS BELLONA

 

1st-14th

Scapa

 

14th

Left Scapa for Operation MASCOT

 

19th

Returned to Scapa

 

26th

Left Scapa with Vice Admiral Commanding Tenth Cruiser Squadron for Operation KINETIC under Commander in Chief Plymouth

 

28th

Arrived Plymouth

 

28th-31st

Detached to Commander in Chief, Plymouth

 

 

 

25. HMS BLACK PRINCE

 

1st

Arrived Tyne

 

2nd-27th

Tyne, refitting

 

5th

Administration transferred to Flag Officer in Charge, Tyne

 

27th

Left Tyne to rendezvous with SIRIUS thence to Scapa

 

28th

Arrived Scapa

 

29th

Left Scapa for Gibraltar

 

29th-31st

Detached to Commander in Chief, Mediterranean

 

 

 

26. HMS DIADEM (Flag of Vice Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron 15th-31st)

 

1st-13th

Portsmouth

 

13th

Left Portsmouth for Scapa

 

15th

Arrived Scapa

 

 

Flag of Vice Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron from BELFAST

 

26th

Left Scapa for Operation KINETIC under Commander in Chief, Plymouth

 

28th

Arrived Plymouth

 

28th-31st

Detached to Commander in Chief, Plymouth

 

 

 

27. HMS GLASGOW

 

1st

Arrived and left Belfast en route for Tyne

 

3rd

Arrived Tyne

 

3rd-31st

Tyne, refitting

 

5th

Administration transferred to Flag Officer in Charge, Tyne

 

 

 

28. HMS SIRIUS

 

1st-27th

Chatham, refitting

 

5th

Administration transferred to Commander in Chief, The Nore

 

27th

Left Chatham to rendezvous with BLACK PRINCE, then to Scapa

 

28th

Arrived Scapa

 

29th

Left Scapa for Gibraltar

 

29th-31st

Detached to Commander in Chief, Mediterranean

 

 

 

29. HMS ACHILLES

 

1st

Left Clyde for Scapa

 

2nd

Arrived Scapa

 

2nd-31st

Scapa, working up

 

 

 

30. HMS ARGONAUT

 

1st-16th

Plymouth, refitting

 

16th

Left Plymouth for Scapa

 

18th

Arrived Scapa

 

25th

Left Scapa for Clyde

 

26th

Arrived Clyde

 

27th

Left Clyde for Mediterranean

 

27th-31st

Detached to Commander in Chief, Mediterranean

 

 

 

Cruiser temporarily attached to Home Fleet Training Squadron

 

 

 

31. HMS DAUNTLESS

 

18th

Left Cromarty for Scapa

 

19th

Arrived Scapa

 

20th

Left Scapa

 

21st

Arrived Rosyth

 

 

 

32. HMS CORINTHIAN

 

18th

Left Cromarty for Scapa

 

19th

Arrived Scapa

 

20th

Left Scapa

 

21st

Arrived Rosyth

 

 

 

33. HMS EURYALUS

 

1st-19th

Refitting, Clyde

 

19th

Completed and proceeded to Tail of the Bank

 

22nd

Returned to Glasgow for tilt tests

 

24th

Proceeded down river for trials

 

24th-31st

Clyde

 

 

 

34. HMS ENTERPRISE (Bombarding Squadron)

 

26th

Left Portsmouth for Scapa

 

27th

Arrived Scapa

 

27th-31st

Scapa

 

 

 

35. HMS SWIFTSURE

 

1st-31st

Scapa, working up

 

 

 

Allied Warships

 

 

 

36. USSR.S. ARCHANGEL (Flag of Vice Admiral Levchenko)

 

1st-31st

Scapa, working up

 

 

 

37. On 16th the following H.M. Destroyers were transferred to USSR. and renamed

 

 

 

 

English Name

Russian Name English translation

 

ST ALBANS

DOSTOINYI (WORTHY)

 

BRIGHTON

JARKYI (FIERY)

 

CHELSEA

DERKYI (SAUCY)

 

CHURCHILL

DEIATEZNYI (ACTIVE)

 

LEAMINGTON

JGOOCHYI (SCORCHER)

 

RICHMOND

JIVOOCHYI (LIVELY)

 

 

 

 

They were sailed for Scapa on 19th, arriving on 20th to work up, and on 1 August the following were transferred and sailed for Scapa

 

GEORGETOWN

DOBLESTNYI (GLORIOUS)

 

ROXBURGH

JESTKYI (HARDY)

 

 

 

Destroyer Depot Ships

 

 

 

38. HMS TYNE (Flag of Commodore (D), Home Fleet 1st-17th

 

1st-20th

Detached to Allied Naval Commander, Expeditionary Force

 

20th

Left Portsmouth for Scapa

 

23rd

Arrived Scapa

 

23rd-31st

Scapa

 

 

 

39. HMS GREENWICH

 

18th

Arrived Scapa from Iceland (C)

 

18th-31st

Scapa

 

 

 

Destroyers

 

 

 

Third Destroyer Flotilla

 

 

 

40. HMS MILNE (Captain (D) Third Destroyer Flotilla)

 

1st-6th

Scapa

 

6th

Left Scapa with MARNE and VERULAM to hunt U-boat off Cape Wrath

 

 

Escorted KHEDIVE and FENCER to Minches

 

7th

Returned to Scapa

 

13th

Left Scapa for Faroes (Operation MASCOT)

 

14th

Arrived and Left Faroes. Join the Fleet at sea

 

19th

Arrived Faroes to fuel and left for Scapa. Arrived Scapa

 

26th

Left Scapa. Arrived Dundee for exercises with 9th Submarine Flotilla

 

28th

Left Dundee for Rosyth

 

29th

Arrived Rosyth to boiler clean

 

29th-31st

Rosyth

 

 

 

41. HMS MARNE

 

1st-6th

Scapa

 

6th

Left Scapa to hunt U-boat off Cape Wrath

 

 

Escorted KHEDIVE and FENCER to Minches

 

7th

Returned to Scapa

 

13th

Left Scapa for Faroes (Operation MASCOT)

 

14th

Arrived and left Faroes. Joined the Fleet at sea

 

19th

Arrived Faroes to fuel and left for Scapa. Arrived Scapa

 

19th-31st

Scapa

 

 

 

42. HMS METEOR

 

1st-3rd

On passage to Kola (Operation D.C.)

 

3rd

Arrived Kola

 

4th

Left Kola

 

8th

Arrived Scapa. Left Scapa for Dundee for exercises with Ninth Submarine Flotilla

 

9th

Arrived Dundee

 

10th

Left Dundee. Arrived Rosyth to boiler clean

 

17th

Left Rosyth for Scapa

 

18th

Arrived Scapa, escorting PRETORIA CASTLE

 

20th

Left Scapa to rendezvous with TYNE in vicinity of the Smalls and escort her to Scapa

 

23rd

Returned to Scapa

 

23rd-31st

Scapa

 

 

 

43. HMS MATCHLESS

 

1st-3rd

On passage to Kola (Operation D.C.)

 

3rd

Arrived Kola

 

4th

Left Kola

 

8th

Arrived Scapa

 

13th

Left Scapa for Faroes (Operation MASCOT)

 

14th

Arrived and left Faroes. Joined the Fleet at sea

 

19th

Arrived Faroes to fuel and left for Scapa. Arrived Scapa

 

20th

Left Scapa for Hull to refit.

 

21st

Arrived Hull.

 

21st-31st

Hull, refitting

 

 

 

44. HMS MUSKETEER

 

1st-3rd

On passage to Kola (Operation D.C.)

 

3rd

Arrived Kola

 

4th

Left Kola

 

8th

Arrived Scapa

 

13th

Left Scapa for Faroes (Operation MASCOT)

 

14th

Arrived and left Faroes. Joined the Fleet at sea

 

19th

Arrived Faroes to fuel and left for Scapa. Arrived Scapa

 

26th

Left Scapa. Arrived Dundee for submarine exercise with Nine Submarine Flotilla

 

28th

Left Dundee for Scapa

 

29th

Arrived Scapa

 

29th-31st

Scapa

 

 

 

45. HMS WAKEFUL

 

1st-26th

Clyde

 

18th

Attached to 27th Destroyer Flotilla

 

26th

Left Clyde for Mediterranean

 

 

 

46. HMS WAGER

 

1st-26th

Clyde

 

18th

Attached to 27th Destroyer Flotilla

 

26th

Left Clyde for Mediterranean

 

 

 

47. HMS WHELP

 

1st-3rd

Scapa

 

3rd

Left Scapa to rendezvous with FORMIDABLE in 58-15N

 

4th

Arrived Clyde

 

4th-31st

Clyde

 

18th

Attached to 27th Destroyer Flotilla

 

 

 

48. HMS WESSEX

 

1st

Arrived Scapa with Admiral Commanding Orkney and Shetland from Faroes and Shetlands

 

2nd

Left Scapa to escort LOTHIAN en route from Rosyth, to Clyde

 

3rd

Arrived Clyde

 

3rd-31st

Clyde

 

18th

Attached to 27th Destroyer Flotilla

 

49. HMS WIZARD

 

1st-31st

Tees, repairing damage

 

18th

Attached to 27th Destroyer Flotilla

 

 

 

Twenty-sixth Destroyer Flotilla

 

 

 

50. HMS KEMPENFELT (Captain (D) Twenty-sixth Destroyer Flotilla, Captain (D) Twenty-seventh Destroyer Flotilla)

 

1st

Arrived Tyne

 

2nd-31st

Tyne, refitting

 

8th

Officer of Captain (D) 26th Destroyer Flotilla transferred to MYNGS

 

18th

Attached to 27th Destroyer Flotilla (Captain (D) 27th Destroyer Flotilla)

 

 

 

51. HMS MYNGS (Captain (D) Twenty-sixth Destroyer Flotilla)

 

1st-3rd

Clyde

 

3rd

Left Clyde for Scapa

 

4th

Arrived Scapa

 

4th-7th

Scapa working up

 

7th

Left Scapa for Tyne

 

8th

Arrived Tyne. Office of Captain (D) 26th Destroyer Flotilla Transferred from KEMPENFELT

 

9th

Left Tyne for Scapa

 

10th

Arrived Scapa

 

10th-31st

Scapa, working up

 

 

 

52. HMS VOLAGE

 

1st-14th

Scapa, working up

 

14th

Left Scapa for operation MASCOT

 

19th

Returned to Scapa

 

20th

Left Scapa to rescue airmen from Coastal Command Liberator In sea off Norwegian coast

 

22nd

Returned to Scapa

 

 

 

53. HMS VIGILANT

 

1st-3rd

Detached to Allied Naval Commander, Expeditionary Force

 

3rd

Arrived Rosyth to boiler clean

 

11th

Left Rosyth, arrived Scapa

 

14th

Left Scapa for Operation MASCOT

 

19th

Returned to Scapa

 

20th

Left Scapa to rendezvous with MALAYA in Minches escorting her to Scapa

 

21st

Returned Scapa

 

 

 

54. HMS VIRAGO

 

8th

Arrived Scapa for Portsmouth

 

14th

Left Scapa for Operation MASCOT

 

19th

Returned to Scapa

 

20th

Left Scapa to rescue airmen from Coastal Command Liberator In sea off Norwegian coast

 

22nd

Returned to Scapa

 

28th

Left Scapa for Rosyth

 

29th

Arrived Rosyth

 

 

 

55. HMS VERULAM

 

1st-3rd

Detached

 

4th

Arrived Scapa

 

6th

Left Scapa to hunt U-boat off Cape Wrath

 

 

Escorted KHEDIVE and FENCER to Minches

 

7th

Returned to Scapa

 

13th

Left Scapa for Faroes (Operation MASCOT)

 

14th

Arrived and left Faroes. Joined Fleet at sea

 

19th

Returned Scapa

 

20th

Left Scapa. Arrived Rosyth for boiler clean

 

29th

Left Rosyth, arrived Scapa

 

 

 

56. HMCS ALGONQUIN

 

1st-3rd

Detached to Allied Naval Commander, Expeditionary Force

 

3rd

Arrived Rosyth

 

11th

Left Rosyth, arrived Scapa

 

14th

Left Scapa for Operation MASCOT

 

19th

Returned to Scapa

 

20th

Left Scapa to rendezvous with MALAYA in Minches, escorting her to Scapa

 

21st

Returned Scapa

 

 

 

57. HMCS SIOUX

 

1st-3rd

Detached

 

4th

Arrived Scapa

 

13th

Left Scapa for Faroes (Operation MASCOT)

 

14th

Arrived and left Faroes

 

19th

Returned to Scapa

 

20th

Left Scapa. Arrived Rosyth to boiler clean

 

29th

Left Rosyth, arrived Scapa

 

 

 

57a. HMS VENUS

 

 (n.b. No entry. At bottom of page, perhaps not copied)

 

Unattached Destroyers

 

 

 

58. HMCS IROQUOIS

 

16th

Left Liverpool after refit

 

17th

Arrived Scapa

 

17th-31st

Scapa

 

 

 

59. HMS CAPRICE

 

8th

Arrived Scapa from Clyde

 

16th

Left Scapa to escort PRETORIA CASTLE from Clyde

 

18th

Returned to Scapa

 

20th

Left Scapa to rendezvous with TYNE in vicinity of the Smalls and escort her to Scapa

 

23rd

Returned to Scapa

 

23rd-31st

Scapa

 

 

 

60. HMS CAMBRIAN

 

17th

Accepted after trials

 

26th

Left Clyde for Scapa

 

27th

Arrived Scapa

 

27th-31st

Scapa

 

 

 

61. HMS NUBIAN

 

1st-6th

Scapa

 

6th

Left Scapa to rendezvous with WOLFE off Dunnet Head, escorting her to Minches

 

7th

Returned to Scapa

 

13th

Left Scapa for Faroes (Operation MASCOT)

 

14th

Arrived and left Faroes. Joined the Fleet at sea

 

19th

Arrived Faroes to fuel and left for Scapa. Arrived Scapa

 

19th-31st

Scapa

 

 

 

62. HMS SCOURGE

 

1st-7th

Detached to Allied Commander in Chief, Expeditionary Force

 

7th

Left Portsmouth for Scapa

 

9th

Arrived Scapa

 

13th

Left Scapa for Faroes (Operation MASCOT)

 

14th

Arrived and left Faroes. Joined the Fleet at sea

 

19th

Returned to Scapa

 

22nd

Left Scapa escorting PRETORIA CASTLE to Clyde

 

23rd

Returned to Scapa

 

23rd-31st

Scapa

 

 

 

63. HMS WRANGLER

 

17th

Left Barrow for Clyde

 

18th

Attached to 27th Destroyer Flotilla

 

 

Arrived Clyde

 

20th

Left Clyde for Scapa

 

21st

Arrived Scapa to work up

 

21st-31st

Scapa, working up.

 

 

 

64. HMS CASSANDRA

 

30th

Left Clyde for Scapa to work up

 

31st

Arrived Scapa

 

 

 

65. HMS WHIRLWIND

 

20th

Left Tyne for Scapa to work up

 

21st

Arrived Scapa

 

21st-31st

Scapa, working up

 

 

 

66. HMS ZAMBESI

 

21st

Arrived Clyde from Liverpool

 

30th

Left Clyde for Scapa to work up

 

31st

Arrived Scapa

 

 

 

67. HMS ZEST

 

24th

Arrived Holyhead from Portsmouth

 

29th

Left Holyhead for Scapa

 

30th

Arrived Scapa to work up

 

30th-31st

Scapa, working up

 

 

 

Frigates

 

 

 

Twentieth Escort Group (lent by Commander in Chief Western Approaches for Operation MASCOT)

 

 

 

68. HMS BULLDOG

 

6th

Arrived Scapa from Western Approaches for Operation MASCOT

 

12th

Senior Officer, Twentieth Escort Group transferred to BURGES

 

14th

Left Scapa for Operation MASCOT

 

17th

To Skaalefiord to fuel

 

18th

Left Skaalefiord Fleet

 

19th

Detached to Commander in Chief, Western Approaches.

 

 

 

69. HMS INMAN

 

11th

Arrived Scapa from Western Approaches for Operation MASCOT

 

14th

Left Scapa for Operation MASCOT

 

18th

Detached to Commander in Chief, Western Approaches

 

 

 

70. HMS BURGES

 

10th

Arrived Scapa from Western Approaches for Operation MASCOT

 

12th

Senior Officer, Twentieth Escort Group transferred from BULLDOG

 

14th

Left Scapa for Operation MASCOT

 

18th

Detached to Commander in Chief, Western Approaches

 

 

 

71. HMS HOSTE

 

10th

Arrived Scapa from Western Approaches for Operation MASCOT

 

14th

Left Scapa for Operation MASCOT

 

18th

Detached to Commander in Chief, Western Approaches

 

 

 

Sloops (Attached for working up)

 

 

 

72. HMS PEACOCK

 

4th

Arrived Scapa to work up

 

4th-17th

Scapa

 

17th

LeftScapa for Northern Ireland

 

 

 

73. HMS MERMAID

 

1st-17th

Scapa, working up

 

17th

LeftScapa for Northern Ireland

 

 

74. Ships temporarily detached to Other Commands

 

Following ships were detached to Allied naval Commander, Expeditionary Force and formed the Bombarding Squadron; on 5th July their administration was transferred to Commander in Chief, Portsmouth

Battleship:

RODNEY (Senior Officer of the Bombarding Squadron on withdrawal of Vice Admiral Commanding Tenth Cruiser Squadron in BELFAST)

Monitors:

ROBERTS, EREBUS

Cruisers:

MAURITIUS, EMERALD, ENTERPRISE, DRAGON (torpedoed on 8th July and beached, but considered a total loss), BELFAST (Flag of Vice Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron) was also detached from the 1st-9th when she returned to the Home Fleet.

The following depot ships were detached to Allied Naval Commander, Expeditionary Force and their administration transferred on 5th July to Commodore:

Depot Ships:

DANAE, FROBISHER, HAWKINS

 

75. Changes of Flag

20th

Vice Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron appointed Vice Admiral, Second in Command , Home Fleet

14th

Flag of Vice Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron transferred from BELFAST to DIADEM

14th

Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron transferred from DEVONSHIRE to FORMIDABLE for Operation MASCOT

19th

Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron transferred tom FORMIDABLE to DEVONSHIRE

24th

Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron transferred from DEVONSHIRE to KENT

 

76. Operation D.C. (29th June to 8 July)

See War Diary for June 1944

 

77. Operation MASCOT (14th-19th July)

Object: To cripple TIRPITZ in Kaa Fiord by bombing attacks

 

Forces taking part: Commander in Chief, Home Fleet in DUKE OF YORK, Rear Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron in FORMIDABLE, INDEFATIGABLE, FURIOUS, DEVONSHIRE, KENT, JAMAICA, BELLONA, Captain (D) Third Destroyer Flotilla in MILNE, MARNE, MATCHLESS, MUSKETEER, SIOUX, SCOURGE, VERULAM, NUBIAN, VOLAGE, VIRAGO, VIGILANT, ALGONQUIN, Senior Officer, Twentieth Escort Group in BURGES, BULLDOG, INMAN, HOSTE

 

Remarks: Thick smoke obscured the target and bombing was consequently ineffective. A destroyer was attacked and damaged by a single Barracuda and a tanker and gun positions were also attacked. Fighters also attacked secondary targets.

 

A second strike was cancelled owing to thick fog.

 

One Corsair made a forced landing

 

 


 

 

 

WAR DIARY OF THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF, HOME FLEET

 

AUGUST 1944

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

 

 

1. HMS DUKE OF YORK (Flag of Commander in Chief Home Fleet)

 

1st-18th

Scapa

 

18th

Left Scapa for Operation GOODWOOD

 

26th

Arrived Faroes to fuel

 

27th

Left Faroes for sea

 

27th-31st

At sea

 

 

 

2. HMS KING GEORGE V

 

1st

Arrived Scapa to work up

 

1st-31st

Scapa

 

 

 

3. HMS MALAYA

 

1st-7th

Scapa, working up

 

8th

Left Scapa for Clyde

 

9th

Arrived Clyde for bombardment practices

 

27th

Left Clyde for Portsmouth

 

29th

Arrived Portsmouth

 

29th-31st

Portsmouth

 

 

 

4. HMS WARSPITE

 

1st-11th

Rosyth for action damage repairs

 

11th

Left Rosyth for Scapa practice area

 

12th

Arrived Scapa practice area

 

 

Left for Clyde

 

13th

Arrived Clyde

 

22nd

Left Clyde for Plymouth

 

23rd-31st

Detached

 

 

 

5. HMS ANSON

 

1st-31st

Plymouth, refitting

 

 

 

6. HMS. RODNEY

 

27th

Left Portsmouth

 

 

Arrived Plymouth

 

27th-31st

Plymouth

 

 

 

Fleet Carriers

 

 

 

7. HMS FURIOUS

 

1st

Scapa

 

2nd

Left Scapa for Operation TURBINE

 

4th

Returned Scapa

 

18th

Left Scapa for Operation GOODWOOD

 

26th

Arrived Faroes to fuel

 

28th

Left Faroes. Arrived Scapa

 

28th-31st

Scapa

 

 

 

8. HMS FORMIDABLE

 

1st-6th

Scapa

 

6th

Left Scapa for Belfast

 

7th

Arrived Belfast

 

8th

Left Belfast. Arrived Lamlash

 

9th

Left Lamlash. Arrived Belfast

 

10th

Left Belfast

 

11th

Arrived Scapa

 

18th

Left Scapa for Operation GOODWOOD

 

18th-31st

At sea

 

 

 

9. HMS INDEFATIGABLE

 

1st

Scapa

 

2nd

Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron transferred from KENT

 

 

Left Scapa on Operation TURBINE

 

4th

Returned Scapa. Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron transferred to KENT

 

8th

Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron transferred from KENT

 

 

Left Scapa for Operation OFFSPRING

 

11th

Returned to Scapa. Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron transferred to KENT

 

15th

Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron transferred from KENT

 

18th

Left Scapa on Operation GOODWOOD

 

29th

Detached to return to Scapa

 

29th-31st

At sea

 

 

 

Western Approaches Escort Carriers Lent for Operations

 

 

 

10. HMS STRIKER

 

1st-3rd

Detached to Commander in Chief, Plymouth

 

3rd

Left Plymouth for Scapa

 

7th

Arrived Scapa

 

16th

Left Scapa for Operation VICTUAL (passage of JW 59 to North Russia)

 

25th

Arrived Kola

 

28th

Left Kola with RA 59 A

 

28th-31st

At sea

 

 

 

11. HMS FENCER

 

7th

Left Scapa for Stornoway to disembark A/S Squadron

 

8th

Arrived Stornoway. Left Stornoway for Scapa

 

9th

Arrived Scapa

 

10th

Left Scapa. Arrived Stornoway. Left Stornoway. Arrived Loch Ewe

 

10th-31st

Detached

 

 

 

12. HMS TRUMPETER

 

1st

Arrived Scapa from Clyde

 

8th

Left Scapa for Operation OFFSPRING

 

12th

Arrived Rosyth to embark mines for Operation GOODWOOD

 

13th

Left Rosyth, arrived Scapa

 

18th

Left Scapa for Operation GOODWOOD

 

22nd

Left vicinity of North Cape escorting NABOB

 

27th

Arrived Scapa

 

27th-31st

Scapa

 

 

 

13. HMS NABOB

 

1st

Arrived Scapa from Clyde

 

8th

Left Scapa for Operation OFFSPRING

 

12th

Arrived Rosyth to embark mines for Operation GOODWOOD

 

13th

Left Rosyth, arrived Scapa

 

18th

Left Scapa for Operation GOODWOOD

 

22nd

Hit by a Gnat off North Cape

 

 

Proceeded to Scapa

 

27th

Arrived Scapa

 

27th-31st

Scapa

 

 

 

14. HMS VINDEX (Flag of Vice Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron 15th-31st)

 

10th

Left Loch Ewe, arrived Stornoway

 

 

Left Stornoway

 

11th

Arrived Scapa

 

15th

Flag of Vice Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron transferred from JAMAICA

 

16th

Left Scapa for Operation VICTUAL (Passage of JW 59 to North Russia)

 

25th

Arrived Kola

 

28th

Left Kola with RA 59 A

 

28th-31st

At sea

 

 

 

Carriers working up

 

 

 

15. HMS IMPLACABLE

 

16th

Left Rosyth for Clyde

 

17th

Arrived Clyde

 

17th-31st

Clyde

 

28th

Accepted after trials

 

 

 

First Cruiser Squadron (Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron)

 

 

 

16. HMS KENT

 

1st-8th

Scapa. Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron transferred to INDEFATIGABLE 2nd-4th and 8th-11th

 

8th

Left Scapa for Operation OFFSPRING

 

11th

Returned to Scapa

 

15th

Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron transferred to INDEFATIGABLE

 

18th

Left Scapa for Operation GOODWOOD

 

26th

Detached to Scapa

 

28th

Arrived Scapa

 

28th-31st

Scapa

 

 

 

17. HMS BERWICK

 

1st

Scapa

 

2nd

Left Scapa for Operation TURBINE

 

4th

Scapa

 

5th

Left Scapa, arrived Loch Ewe

 

8th

Left Loch Ewe, arrived Scapa

 

11th

Left Scapa, arrived Loch Eriboll

 

17th

Left Loch Eriboll, arrived Scapa

 

18th

Left Scapa for Operation GOODWOOD

 

26th

Detached to Scapa

 

28th

Arrived Scapa

 

28th-31st

Scapa

 

 

 

18. HMS DEVONSHIRE

 

1st

Left Loch Ewe, arrived Scapa

 

8th

Left Scapa for Operation OFFSPRING

 

11th

Returned to Scapa

 

18th

Left Scapa for Operation GOODWOOD

 

26th

Arrived Faroes to fuel.

 

27th

Left Faroes for sea

 

27th-31st

At sea

 

 

 

19. HMS NORFOLK

 

1st-31st

Tyne, refitting

 

 

 

20. HMS ENTERPRISE

 

1st-7th

Scapa

 

7th

Left Scapa, arrived Rosyth to change guns

 

7th-31st

Rosyth

 

 

 

21. HMS ACHILLES

 

1st-3rd

Scapa, working up

 

3rd

Left Scapa for Clyde for docking and bombardment practices

 

4th

Arrived Clyde

 

16th

Left Clyde for Mediterranean to come under the orders of the Commander in Chief, Mediterranean

 

 

 

Tenth Cruiser Squadron

 

 

 

22. HMS DIADEM (Flag of Vice Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron 1st-8th)

 

1st-6th

Detached to Commander in Chief, Plymouth for operations in Bay of Biscay area

 

6th

Left Plymouth for Scapa

 

7th

Arrived Scapa

 

8th

Flag of Vice Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron transferred to JAMAICA.

 

 

Left Scapa for Plymouth to operate under Commander in Chief, Plymouth

 

10th

Arrived Plymouth

 

10th-31st

Operating under orders of Commander in Chief, Plymouth

 

 

 

23. HMS JAMAICA (Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron 8th-15th)

 

1st

Scapa

 

2nd

Left Scapa for Operation TURBINE

 

4th

Returned to Scapa

 

5th

Left Scapa, arrived Loch Eriboll

 

7th

Left Loch Eriboll

 

8th

Arrived Scapa.

 

 

Flag of Vice Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron transferred From DIADEM

 

13th

Left Scapa, arrived Loch Ewe for JW 59 convoy conferences

 

15th

Left Loch Ewe, arrived Scapa

 

 

Flag of Vice Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron transferred to VINDEX for Operation VICTUAL (Passage of JW 59)

 

16th

Left Scapa for Operation VICTUAL

 

25th

Arrived Kola

 

28th

Left Kola with RA 59 A

 

28th-31st

At sea

 

 

 

24. HMS BELLONA

 

1st-31st

Detached to Commander in Chief, Plymouth, for operations in Bay of Biscay area

 

 

 

25. HMS BELFAST

 

1st-31st

Tyne, refitting

 

 

 

26. HMS BERMUDA

 

1st-31st

Clyde, refitting

 

 

 

27. HMS EURYALUS

 

1st-3rd

Clyde

 

3rd

Left Clyde for Scapa to work up

 

4th

Arrived Scapa

 

4th-31st

Working up

 

 

 

28. HMS SWIFTSURE

 

1st-11th

Scapa, working up

 

11th

Left Scapa for Rosyth

 

12th

Arrived Rosyth

 

26th

Left Rosyth for Plymouth

 

28th

Arrived Plymouth

 

28th-31st

Plymouth

 

 

 

Destroyer Depot Ships

 

 

 

29. HMS TYNE (Flag of Commodore (D), Home Fleet 1st-17th)

 

1st-17th

Scapa

 

17th

Flag of Commodore (D) transferred to GREENWICH

 

17th

Left Scapa for Clyde to refit

 

19th

Arrived Clyde

 

19th-31st

Clyde, refitting

 

 

 

30. HMS GREENWICH (Commodore (D), 17th-31st)

 

1st-31st

Scapa

 

17th

Flag of Commodore (D), transferred from TYNE

 

 

 

Destroyers

 

 

 

Third Destroyer Flotilla

 

 

 

31. HMS MILNE (Captain (D) Third Destroyer Flotilla)

 

1st

Rosyth. Boiler cleaning

 

6th

Left Rosyth

 

7th

Arrived Scapa

 

14th

Left Scapa. Arrived Loch Ewe

 

15th

Left Loch Ewe for Faroes (JW 59)

 

16th

Arrived and left Faroes

 

25th

Arrived Kola

 

28th

Left Kola with RA 59 A

 

 

 

32. HMS MARNE

 

1st

Scapa

 

2nd

Left Scapa for Operation TURBINE

 

4th

Arrived Scapa

 

5th

Left Scapa. Arrived Rosyth to boiler clean

 

12th

Left Rosyth escorting two tankers to North Minch

 

13th

Arrived Scapa

 

16th

Left Scapa for Faroes (JW 59)

 

16th

Arrived and left Skaalefiord

 

25th

Arrived Kola

 

28th

Left Kola with RA 59 A

 

28th-31st

At sea

 

 

 

33. HMS METEOR

 

1st

Scapa

 

2nd

Left Scapa for operation TURBINE

 

4th

Returned Scapa

 

8th

Left Scapa escorting MALAYA to North Minch, thence to Stornoway to escort FENCER to Scapa

 

9th

Arrived Scapa

 

15th

Left Scapa for Faroes (JW 59)

 

16th

Arrived and left Skaalefiord

 

25th

Arrived Kola

 

28th

Left Kola with RA 59 A

 

28th-31st

At sea

 

 

 

34. HMS MATCHLESS

 

1st-31st

Hull, refitting

 

 

 

35. HMS MUSKETEER

 

1st

Scapa

 

2nd

Left Scapa for Operation TURBINE

 

4th

Returned Scapa

 

5th

Left Scapa. Arrived Rosyth to boiler clean

 

12th

Left Rosyth. Arrived Scapa

 

14th

Left Rosyth. Arrived Loch Ewe

 

15th

Left Loch Ewe for Faroes (JW 59)

 

16th

Arrived and left Faroes

 

25th

Arrived Kola

 

28th

Left Kola with RA 59 A

 

28th-31st

At sea

 

 

 

Tenth Destroyer Flotilla