(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

 

APRIL 1945

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

 

1. HMS RODNEY (Flag of Commander in Chief Home Fleet.
	1st-30th	Scapa
2. HMS RENOWN
	1st	Left Far East for Scapa
	14th	Arrived Scapa from Far East
	15th	Left Scapa. Arrived Rosyth to give leave
	15th-30th	Rosyth
Battleships attached to Second Battle Squadron for working up
3. HMS ANSON
	1st	Sea – on passage to Scapa from Plymouth
	2nd	Arrived Scapa to do preliminary work up
	25th	Left Scapa for Mediterranean
4. HMS DUKE OF YORK
	1st-4th	Liverpool
	4th	Left Liverpool for Scapa
	5th	Arrived Scapa to do preliminary work up
	25th	Left Scapa for Mediterranean
ESCORT CARRIERS, ADMINISTERED BY REAR ADMIRAL COMMAND, FIRST CRUISER SQUADRON
5. HMS CAMPANIA
	1st-6th	Scapa
	6th	Left Scapa for Clyde
	7th	Arrived Clyde for docking and leave, then to continue squadron Training under Flag Officer Carrier Training
6. HMS NAIRANA
	1st	Scapa
	1st-30th	Clyde. Reduced to 3/5 complement
7. HMS PREMIER
	1st-17th	Clyde, boiler cleaning
	17th	Left Clyde for Operation ROUNDEL
	26th	Arrived Kola
	29th	Left Kola for United Kingdom
	29th-30th	At Sea
8. HMS PUNCHER
	1st-6th	Scapa
	6th	Left Scapa for Operation NEWMARKET
	12th	Returned to Scapa
	20th	Left Scapa for Clyde
	21st	Arrived Clyde for docking and leave
	21st-30th	Clyde
9. HMS QUEEN
	1st-6th	Scapa
	6th	Left Scapa for Operation NEWMARKET
	12th	Returned to Scapa
	12th-30th	Scapa
10. HMS SEARCHER (Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron)
	1st-6th	Scapa
	6th	Left Scapa for Operation NEWMARKET
	12th	Returned to Scapa
	16th	Flag of Vice Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron transferred to HMS NORFOLK.
	12th-30th	Scapa
11. HMS TRUMPETER
	1st-6th	Scapa
	6th	Left Scapa for Operation NEWMARKET
	12th	Returned to Scapa
	12th-30th	Scapa
12. HMS VINDEX
	1st-5th	Clyde, refitting
	5th	Proceeded to Tail of Bank
	17th	Flag of Rear Admiral Tenth Cruiser Squadron transferred from HMS DIADEM. Left Clyde for Operation ROUNDEL
	26th	Arrived Kola
	29th	Left Kola for United Kingdom
	29th-30th	At sea
First Cruiser Squadron
13. HMS NORFOLK (Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron)
	1st-12th	Rosyth, docking
	12th	Left Rosyth for Scapa
	13th	Arrived Scapa
	16th	Flag of Vice Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron transferred from HMS SEARCHER
	13th-30th	Scapa
14. HMS BERWICK
	1st-15th	Scapa
	15th	Left Scapa for Rosyth for docking and leave. Arrived Rosyth
	15th-30th	Rosyth
15. HMS DEVONSHIRE
	1st-30th	Scapa
Cruiser Attached to First Cruiser Squadron for working up
16. HMS SUSSEX
	1st-5th	Chatham
	5th	Left Chatham for Scapa
	6th	Arrived Scapa to do preliminary work up
	25th	Left Scapa for Mediterranean
Tenth Cruiser Squadron
17. HMS DIADEM (Flag of Vice Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron
	1st-5th	Scapa
	5th	Left Scapa for Clyde
	6th	Arrived Clyde
	8th	Left Clyde
	9th	Arrived Scapa
	13th	Left Scapa for Clyde
	14th	Arrived Clyde
	17th	Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron transferred to HMS VINDEX for Operation ROUNDEL.
	21st	Left Clyde
	22nd	Arrived Scapa
	22nd-30th	Scapa
18. HMS BIRMINGHAM
	1st-6th	Scapa
	6th	Left Scapa for Operation NEWMARKET
	12th	Returned to Scapa
	17th	Left Scapa to support destroyers in Operation INVECTIVE.
	18th	Returned to Scapa
	18th-30th	Scapa
19. HMS BELLONA
	1st-6th	Scapa
	6th	Left Scapa for Operation NEWMARKET
	12th	Returned to Scapa
	18th	Left Scapa for Operation ROUNDEL
	26th	Arrived Kola
	29th	Left Kola for United Kingdom
	29th-30th	At sea
20. HMS DIDO
	1st	Scapa
	3rd	Left Scapa to cover Operation FOXCHASE
	4th	Arrived Scapa
	17th	Left Scapa for Operation TRAMMEL
	21st	Arrived Kola
	23rd	Left Kola
	26th	Arrived Scapa
	28th	Left Scapa for Rosyth for docking and leave
	29th	Arrived Rosyth
	29th-30th	Rosyth
21. HMS MAURITIUS
	1st-30st	Liverpool, refitting
Polish Cruiser attached to Tenth Cruiser Squadron
22. ORP CONRAD
	1st-6th	Scapa
	6th	Left Scapa for Chatham for docking
	7th	Arrived Sheerness
	7th-30th	Sheerness
Cruisers attached for working up
23. HMS BERMUDA
	1st-11th	Clyde, refitting
	11th	Left Clyde
	12th	Arrived Scapa to work up
	12th-30th	Scapa
24. HMS CLEOPATRA
	1st-22nd	Clyde
	22nd	Left Clyde for Scapa to do preliminary work up
	23rd	Arrived Scapa
	23rd-30th	Scapa
Fast minelayer temporarily attached for Operations
25. HMS APOLLO
	4th	Left Milford Haven for Scapa
	5th	Arrived Scapa
	7th	Left Scapa for minelaying near Oversay thence to Milford Haven
	8th	Milford Haven, arrived
	15th	Left Milford Haven for Scapa
	16th	Arrived Scapa
	17th	Left Scapa for Operation TRAMMEL
	21st	Arrived Kola
	23rd	Left Kola
	26th	Arrived Faroes to fuel. Left Faroes
	27th	Arrived Milford Haven
Destroyers
Second Destroyer Flotilla
26. HMS ZAMBESI (Captain (D) Second Destroyer Flotilla
	1st-6th	Scapa
	6th	Left Scapa for Operation NEWMARKET
	12th	Returned to Scapa
	17th	Left Scapa for Operation INVESTIVE
	18th	Returned to Scapa
	18th-30th	Scapa
27. HMS ZEPHYR
	1st-11th	Dundee, repairs
	11th	Left Dundee for Scapa
	12th	Arrived Scapa
	13th	Left Scapa for Clyde
	14th	Arrived Clyde
	17th	Left Clyde for Operation ROUNDEL
	26th	Arrived Kola
	29th	Left Kola for United Kingdom
	29th-30th	At sea
28. HMS ZEALOUS
	1st	Scapa
	3rd	Left Scapa for Operation FOXCHASE
	4th	Arrived Scapa
	6th	Left Scapa for Operation NEWMARKET
	12th	Returned to Scapa
	14th	Left Scapa for U-boat hunt in Minches, thence Clyde
	15th	Arrived Clyde
	17th	Left Clyde for Operation ROUNDEL
	26th	Arrived Kola
	29th	Left Kola for United Kingdom
	29th-30th	At sea
29. HMS ZEBRA
	1st-30th	Liverpool, docking
30. HMS ZENITH
	1st-30th	Clyde, repairs
31. HMS ZEST
	1st	Scapa
	3rd	Left Scapa for Operation FOXCHASE
	4th	Arrived Scapa
	6th	Left Scapa for Operation NEWMARKET
	12th	Returned to Scapa
	14th	Left Scapa for Clyde, carrying out U-boat hunt in Minches en route, thence Moville for fuel
	15th	Arrived Clyde
	17th	Left Clyde for Operation ROUNDEL
	26th	Arrived Kola
	29th	Left Kola for United Kingdom
	29th-30th	At sea
32. HMS ZODIAC
	2nd	Arrived Scapa from Plymouth
	10th	Left Scapa for U-boat hunt
	11th	Returned Scapa
	14th	Left Scapa for Clyde carrying out U-boat hunt en route
	15th	Arrived Clyde
	17th	Left Clyde for Operation ROUNDEL
	26th	Arrived Kola
	29th	Left Kola for United Kingdom
	29th-30th	At sea
Sixth Destroyer Flotilla
33. HMS CAESAR (Captain (D) Sixth Destroyer Flotilla)
	1st-30th	Detached to Commander in Chief, Western Approaches, and docking
34. HMS CAMBRIAN
	1st-30th	Detached to Commander In Chief, Western Approaches
	10th	Left Clyde to escort RENOWN to Scapa
	14th	Arrived Scapa. Left Scapa for Greenock
	15th	Arrived Clyde
35. HMS CAPRICE
	1st-30th	Detached to Commander in Chief, Western Approaches
	24th	Left Clyde for Scapa. Arrived Scapa
	25th	Left Scapa escorting ANSON, DUKE OF YORK, and SUSSEX, thence to Falmouth, being detached.
36. HMS CARRON
	1st	Detached to Commander in Chief, Western Approaches
	4th	Left Liverpool with DUKE OF YORK for Scapa
	5th	Arrived Scapa
	6th	Left Scapa escorting CAMPANIA to Clyde
	7th	Arrived Clyde
	10th	Left Clyde to escort RENOWN to Scapa
	14th	Arrived Scapa. Left Scapa for Liverpool.
	15th	Arrived Liverpool.
	24th	Left Clyde for Scapa. Arrived Scapa
	25th	Left Scapa escorting ANSON, DUKE OF YORK, and SUSSEX thence to Falmouth on being detached
37. HMS CASSANDRA
	1st-30th	Kola, repairs
38. HMS CAVALIER
	1st-30th	Detached to Commander in Chief, Western Approaches
39. HMS CAVENDISH
	1st-30th	Detached to Commander in Chief, Western Approaches
	4th	Left Liverpool with DUKE OF YORK for Scapa
	5th	Arrived Scapa
	6th	Left Clyde escorting CAMPANIA to Clyde
	7th	Arrived Clyde
	10th	Left Clyde to escort RENOWN to Scapa
	14th	Arrived Scapa. Left Scapa for Liverpool.
	15th	Arrived Liverpool
	24th	Left Clyde for Scapa. Arrived Scapa
	25th	Left Scapa escorting ANSON, DUKE OF YORK, and SUSSEX thence to Falmouth on being detached.
Seventeenth Destroyer Flotilla
40. HMS ONSLOW (Captain (D) Seventeenth Destroyer Flotilla)
	1st-3rd	Scapa
	3rd	Left Scapa for Operation FOXCHASE
	4th	Arrived Scapa
	6th	Left Scapa for Operation NEWMARKET
	12th	Returned to Scapa
	13th	Left Scapa for Sheerness
	14th	Arrived Sheerness
	14th-30th	Refitting
41. HMS OBDURATE
	1st-10th	Tyne, refitting
	10th	Left Tyne for Scapa
	11th	Arrived Scapa to work up
	11th-30th	Scapa
42. HMS OBEDIENT
	1st-4th	Humber, refitting
	4th	Left Humber for Rosyth
	5th	Arrived and left Rosyth
	6th	Arrived Scapa
	7th	Left Scapa for minelaying near Oversay
	8th	Returned to Scapa
	10th	Left Scapa for U-boat hunt
	11th	Returned to Scapa
	13th	Left Scapa for Milford Haven to embark mines
	14th	Arrived Milford Haven
	15th	Left Milford Haven for Scapa
	16th	Arrived Scapa
	17th	Left Scapa for Operation TRAMMEl.
	21st	Arrived Kola
	23rd	Left Kola
	26th	Arrived Scapa
	26th-30th	Scapa
43. HMS OFFA
	2nd	Arrived Scapa from Plymouth
	6th	Left Scapa for Operation NEWMARKET
	12th	Returned to Scapa
	14th	Left Scapa for Clyde, carrying out U-boat hunt en route
	15th	Arrived Clyde
	17th	Left Clyde for Operation ROUNDEL
	19th	Arrived Faroes to fuel. Left Faroes to rejoin convoy
	26th	Arrived Kola
	29th	Left Kola for United Kingdom
	29th-30th	At sea
44. HMS ONSLAUGHT
	1st-30th	Belfast, repairs
45. HMS OPPORTUNE
	1st	Left Clyde for Scapa
	2nd	Arrived Scapa
	3rd	Left Scapa for Rosyth. Arrived Rosyth
	5th	Left Rosyth for Scapa laying mines en route
	6th	Arrived Scapa
	7th	Left Scapa for minelaying near Oversay
	8th	Returned to Scapa
	13th	Left Scapa for Milford Haven to embark mines
	14th	Arrived Milford Haven
	15th	Left Milford Haven for Scapa
	16th	Arrived Scapa
	17th	Left Scapa for Operation TRAMMEL
	21st	Arrived Kola
	23rd	Left Kola
	26th	Arrived Scapa
	26th-30th	Scapa
46. HMS ORIBI
	1st-30th	Humber, refitting
47. HMS ORWELL
	1st	Left Clyde for Scapa
	2nd	Arrived Scapa
	3rd	Left Scapa for Rosyth. Arrived Rosyth
	5th	Left Rosyth for Scapa laying mines en route
	6th	Arrived Scapa
	7th	Left Scapa for minelaying near Oversay
	8th	Returned to Scapa
	13th	Left Scapa for Milford Haven to embark mines
	14th	Arrived Milford Haven
	15th	Left Milford Haven for Scapa
	16th	Arrived Scapa
	17th	Left Scapa for Operation TRAMMEL
	21st	Arrived Kola
	23rd	Left Kola
	26th	Arrived Scapa
	26th-30th	Scapa
Twenty-third Destroyer Flotilla
48. HMS MYNGS (Captain (D) Twenty-third Destroyer Flotilla)
	1st	Left Scapa for Portsmouth for completion of D.C.T. and Fire Control.
	3rd	Arrived Portsmouth
	3rd-30th	Refitting
49. HMS SAVAGE
	1st-17th	Scapa
	17th	Left Scapa for Operation INVECTIVE
	18th	Returned to Scapa
	20th	Left Scapa to escort PUNCHER to Clyde
	21st	Arrived Clyde
	22nd	Left Clyde for Scapa
	23rd	Arrived Scapa
	23rd-30th	Scapa
50. HMS SCORPION
	1st-6th	Scapa
	6th	Left Scapa for Operation NEWMARKET
	12th	Returned to Scapa
	17th	Left Scapa for Operation INVESTIVE
	18th	Returned to Scapa
	19th	Left Scapa for Hull to refit
	20th	Arrived Hull
	20th-30th	Refitting
51. HMS SCOURGE
	1st-6th	Scapa
	6th	Left Scapa for Operation NEWMARKET
	12th	Returned to Scapa
	15th	Left Scapa escorting RENOWN to Rosyth
	16th	Returned to Scapa
	17th	Left Scapa for Operation INVECTIVE
	18th	Returned to Scapa
	20th	Left Scapa to escort PUNCHER to Clyde
	21st	Arrived Clyde
	22nd	Left Clyde for Scapa
	23rd	Arrived Scapa
	23rd-30th	Scapa
52. HMS SERAPIS
	1st-30th	Humber, refitting
53. HNorMS STORD
	1st-13th	Scapa
	14th	Left Scapa for Clyde, carrying out U-boat hunt in Minches en route
	15th	Arrived Clyde
	17th	Left Clyde for Operation ROUNDEL
	26th	Arrived Kola
	29th	Left Kola for United Kingdom
	29th-30th	At sea
54. HMCS ALGONQUIN
	1st-30th	Canada, refitting
55. HMCS SIOUX
	1st-6th	Scapa
	6th	Left Scapa escorting ORP CONRAD as far as Moray Firth, returning with SUSSEX to Scapa
	6th	Arrived and left Scapa for Greenock
	7th	Arrived Greenock
	15th	Left Greenock for Canada to refit
	19th	Arrived Canada
	29th-30th	Refitting
Destroyers Temporarily Attached for working up
56. HMS BARFLEUR
	22nd	Left Portsmouth for Scapa
	23rd	Arrived Scapa
	25th	Left Scapa for Mediterranean
57. HMS TUSCAN
	22nd	Left Portsmouth for Scapa
	23rd	Arrived Scapa
	25th	Left Scapa for Mediterranean
58. HMS TYRIAN
	19th	Left Sheerness to shake down
	20th	Arrived Scapa
	25th	Left Scapa for Mediterranean
59. HMCS HAIDA
	1st	Liverpool
	4th	Left with DUKE OF YORK for Scapa
	5th	Arrived Scapa
	7th	Left Scapa for Greenock
	8th	Arrived Greenock to embark Russian Liaison Party for sub chaser group sailing with JW 66.
	11th	Left Clyde with U.S.S.R. sub chaser group for Faroes
	13th	Arrived Aultbea to fuel
	14th	Left Aultbea to join JW 66 but was diverted to Scapa owing to weather.
	15th	Left Scapa
	16th	Arrived Faroes with Submarine Chasers
	19th	Left Faroes to join JW 66
	23rd	Arrived Kola
	29th	Left Kola for United Kingdom
	29th-30th	At sea
60. HMCS HURON
	2nd	Arrived Scapa from Plymouth
	14th	Left Scapa for Clyde, carrying out U-boat hunt en route
	15th	Arrived Clyde
	17th	Left Clyde for Operation ROUNDEL
	19th	Arrived Faroes to fuel. Left Faroes
	26th	Arrived Kola
	29th	Left Kola for United Kingdom
	29th-30th	At sea
61. HMCS IROQUOIS
	1st-3rd	Scapa
	3rd	Left Scapa for Operation FOXCHASE
	4th	Arrived Scapa
	8th	Left Scapa. Arrived Rosyth to embark Russian Liaison Party for subchaser group sailing in JW 66
	12th	Left Rosyth with U.S.S.R. subchaser group for Faroes
	14th	Arrived Faroes
	19th	Left Faroes to join JW 66
	25th	Arrived Kola
	29th	Left Kola for United Kingdom.
	29th-30th	At sea
Destroyers temporarily attached for working up, etc.
62. HMS CARYSFORT
	1st-6th	Left Scapa for Operation NEWMARKET
	12th	Returned to Scapa
	15th	Left Scapa escorting BERWICK to Rosyth
	16th	Returned to Scapa
	16th-30th	Scapa
63. HMS PETARD
	1st	Scapa
	2nd	Left Scapa for Tyne – defects
	3rd	Arrived Tyne
	3rd-30th	Tyne
Polish destroyers attached to the Home Fleet for working up
64. ORP GARLAND
	2nd	Arrived Scapa from Plymouth to work up
	15th	Left Scapa escorting RENOWN to Rosyth
	16th	Returned to Scapa
	27th	Left Scapa for Plymouth
	29th	Arrived Plymouth
65. ORP PIORUN
	1st-28th	Milford Haven, refitting
	28th	Left Milford Haven for Londonderry for H/F D/F Calibration
	30th	Left Londonderry for Scapa to work up.

 

 

Changes of Flag

 

The Commander in Chief, Home Fleet, Acting Admiral Sir H.R. Moore, KCB, CVO, DSO, was promoted to Admiral on 15th April.

 

The Rear Admiral Command, First Cruiser Squadron, Rear Admiral R.R. McGrigor, CB, DSO, was promoted to Vice Admiral on 1st April

 

The Flag of Rear Admiral A.E.M. Cunninghame Graham, CBE was hoisted in BERMUDA at 0800 on 7th April.

 

The Flag of Vice Admiral Sir F.H.G. Dalrymple-Hamilton, CB, was struck in DIADEM at sunset on 7th April at which time Rear Admiral Cunninghame Graham assumed command of the Tenth Cruiser Squadron; his flag being transferred to DIADEM at 0800 8th April.

 

Vice Admiral R.R. McGrigor assumed command as Second in Command Home Fleet.

 

First Cruiser Squadron - Flag of Vice Admiral Commanding First Cruiser Squadron was transferred from SEARCHER to NORFOLK on the 16th

 

Tenth Cruiser Squadron - Flag of Vice Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron was transferred on 6th from DIADEM to VINDEX for Operation ROUNDEL.

 

 

Operations

 

Operation FOXCHASE, 3rd – 4th April

Object: The destruction of enemy shipping off S. West Norwegian coast between Lister Light and Stavanger

 

Forces taking part: (D 17) ONSLOW, ZEALOUS, ZEST, IROQUOIS, DIDO (A.A. support on return trip,)

 

Remarks: Convoy of 4 merchant ships with 3 escorts and 2 U-boats engaged. 1 M.V. probably torpedoed, 1 left on fire, 1 escort damaged.

 

Operation NEWMARKET, 6th-12th April

Object: The destruction of U-boat Depot ships at Kilbotn.

 

Forces taking part:

(C S 1) SEARCHER, PUNCHER, TRUMPETER, QUEEN, BIRMINGHAM, BELLONA

(D 17) ONSLOW, OFFA, SCORPION, SCOURGE, CARYSFORT, ZAMBESI, ZEALOUS, ZEST

 

Remarks: Bad weather at flying off position prevented strike taking place.

 

Operation ROUNDEL, 16th April – 6th May

Object: Safe passage of convoys JW and RA 66 to and from North Russia

 

Forces taking part:

(CS 10) VINDEX, PREMIER, BELLONA

(D 2) ZEPHYR, ZEALOUS, ZODIAC, ZEST, OFFA, STORD, HAIDA, HURON, IROQUOIS

7th Escort group CYGNET, LOTUS, OXLIP, BAMBOROUGH CASTLE, ALNWICK CASTLE, FARNHAM CASTLE, HONEYSUCKLE, RHODODENDRON

19th Escort group LOCH SHIN, LOCH INCH, GOODALL, ANGUILLA, COTTON

16 Russian Submarine Chasers

 

Remarks:

JW 66 arrived intact. 1 U-boat sunk by 19th Escort Group

RA 66 1 U-boat sunk – 1 probably sunk. GOODALL torpedoed and sunk.

 

Operation TRAMMEL, 17th-26th April

Object: To lay a deep minefield in the Approaches to Kola Inlet against U-boats lurking in the area for JW/RA convoys

 

Forces Taking part: APOLLO, OPPORTUNE, OBEDIENT, ORWELL, DIDO (A.A. escort)

 

Remarks: Mines successfully laid before arrived of JW 66. 1 U-boat sunk probably as a result of this minefield during departure of RA 66.

 

Operation INVECTIVE, 17-18th April

Object: To sweep through Leads between 58-06N – 58-55N, 06-10E. If no shipping encountered Radar Station in 58-37N 5-37E to be bombarded.

 

Forces Taking Part: SCORPION, SCOURGE, SAVAGE, ZAMBESI, BIRMINGHAM (support on return )

 

Remarks: No shipping encountered. Shore searchlights engaged with gun fire.

 

 

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WAR DIARY OF THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF, HOME FLEET

 

MAY 1945

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

 

1. HMS RODNEY (Flag of Commander in Chief Home Fleet.
	1st-22nd	Scapa
	22nd	Left Scapa for Rosyth
	23rd	Arrived Rosyth
	23rd-31st	Rosyth
2. HMS RENOWN
	1st-12th	Rosyth, giving leave
	12th	Left Rosyth for Portsmouth to refit
	14th	Arrived Portsmouth
	14th-31st	Portsmouth
ESCORT CARRIERS, ADMINISTERED BY REAR ADMIRAL COMMAND, FIRST CRUISER SQUADRON. Administration transferred to Flag Officer, Carrier Training on 21st
3. HMS CAMPANIA
	1st-4th	Clyde
	4th	Left Clyde for Scapa
	5th	Arrived Scapa
	6th	Left Scapa for operation CLEAVER
	8th	Returned to Scapa
	20th	Left Scapa
	21st	Arrived Clyde. Transferred to administration of Flag Officer Carrier Training
4. HMS NAIRANA
	1st-15th	Clyde
	15th	Transferred to administration of Flag Officer Carrier Training
5. HMS PREMIER
	1st-6th	At sea with RA 66
	6th	Arrived Scapa from Kola
	20th	Left Scapa
	21st	Arrived Clyde. Transferred to administration of Flag Officer Carrier Training
6. HMS PUNCHER
	1st-15th	Clyde, docking
	15th	Transferred to administration of Flag Officer Carrier Training
7. HMS QUEEN
	1st	Left Scapa for operations JUDGEMENT and CLEAVER
	10th	Returned to Scapa
	14th	Left Scapa to join JW 67 to Kola (Operation TIMELESS)
	21st	Arrived Kola
	23rd	Left Kola for the United Kingdom with RA 67
	30th	Arrived Clyde. Transferred to the Administration of Flag Officer Training
8. HMS SEARCHER
	1st	Left Scapa for Operations JUDGEMENT and CLEAVER
	10th	Returned to Scapa
	14th	Left Scapa for Clyde
	15th	Arrived Clyde to come under administration Flag Officer, Carrier Training
9. HMS TRUMPETER
	1st	Left Scapa for Operations JUDGEMENT and CLEAVER
	10th	Returned to Scapa
	14th	Left Scapa for Clyde.
	15th	Arrived Clyde to come under administration Flag Officer, Carrier Training
12. HMS VINDEX (Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding Tenth Cruiser Squadron
	1st-6th	At sea with RA 66 (wearing flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron)
	6th	Arrived Scapa from Kola
	7th	Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron transferred to DIADEM
	14th	Left Scapa for Clyde
	15th	Arrived Clyde to come under administration Flag Officer, Carrier Training
First Cruiser Squadron
11. HMS NORFOLK (Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron)
	1st	Left Scapa for Operation JUDGEMENT
	6th	Returned to Scapa
	7th	Left Scapa for Operation CLEAVER
	10th	Returned to Scapa
	14th	Left Scapa for Bergen
	15th	Arrived Bergen
	21st	Left Bergen for Scapa
	22nd	Arrived Scapa. Left Scapa for Rosyth
	23rd	Arrived Rosyth
	29th	Left Rosyth for Trondheim carrying troops
	31st	Arrived Trondheim
12. HMS BERWICK
	1st	Rosyth, docking
	10th	Left Rosyth for Scapa
	11th	Arrived Scapa from Rosyth
	16th	Left Scapa for Trondheim
	17th	Arrived Trondheim
	24th	Left Trondheim
	26th	Arrived Rosyth
	29th	Left Rosyth for Bergen carrying troops
	30th	Arrived Bergen
13. HMS DEVONSHIRE
	1st-9th	Scapa
	9th	Left Scapa for Rosyth
	10th	Arrived Rosyth
	11th	Left Rosyth for Operation KINGDOM
	13th	Arrived Oslo
	18th	Left Oslo for Copenhagen
	19th	Arrived Copenhagen
	24th	Left Copenhagen escorting PRINZ EUGEN and NURNBERG to vicinity of Heligoland
	27th	Arrived Rosyth
	27th-31st	Rosyth
Tenth Cruiser Squadron
14. HMS DIADEM (Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron
	1st	Left Scapa for Operation JUDGEMENT
	6th	Returned to Scapa
	7th	Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron transferred from VINDEX
	9th	Left Scapa for Rosyth
	10th	Arrived Rosyth
	21st	(Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron transferred to BELFAST.
		Left Rosyth for Copenhagen
	23rd	Arrived Copenhagen
	23rd-31st	Copenhagen
15. HMS BELFAST
	1st-6th	Tyne, refitting
	6th	Left Tyne for Rosyth, arrived Rosyth
	6th-31st	Rosyth
	21st	Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron transferred from DIADEM
	22nd	Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron transferred to BIRMINGHAM.
16. HMS BIRMINGHAM (Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron)
	1st-5th	Scapa
	5th	Left Scapa for Rosyth
	6th	Arrived Rosyth. Left Rosyth for Operation CLEAVER
	7th	Detached to Copenhagen
	9th	Arrived Copenhagen
	19th	Left Copenhagen
	21st	Arrived Rosyth
	22nd	Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron transferred from BELFAST.
	23trd	Left Rosyth for Bergen
	24th	Arrived Bergen
	24th-31st	Bergen
17. HMS BELLONA
	1st-5th	At sea with RA 66
	5th	Arrived Scapa
	6th	Left Scapa for Rosyth. Arrived Rosyth
	16th	Taken in hand for docking
	16th-31st	Rosyth
18. HMS DIDO
	1st	Rosyth. Left Rosyth for Operation CLEAVER
	7th	Detached to Copenhagen
	9th	Arrived Copenhagen
	24th	Left Copenhagen escorting PRINZ EUGEN and NURNBERG to the vicinity of Heligoland
	27th	Arrived Rosyth
	27th-31st	Rosyth
19. HMS MAURITIUS
	1st-31st	Liverpool, refitting
Polish Cruiser attached to Tenth Cruiser Squadron
20.ORP CONRAD
	1st-30th	Sheerness, docking
	30th	Left Southend
	31st	Arrived Scapa
Cruisers attached for working up
21. HMS BERMUDA
	1st-3rd	Scapa
	3rd	Left Scapa for Mediterranean
22. HMS CLEOPATRA
	1st-3rd	Scapa
	3rd	Left Scapa for Mediterranean
Destroyer Depot Ships
23. HMS VINDICTIVE (Commodore (D)
	1st-31st	Scapa
24. HMS GREENWICH
	1st-31st	Scapa
Destroyers
Second Destroyer Flotilla
25. HMS ZEPHYR (Captain (D) Second Destroyer Flotilla
	1st-5th	At sea with RA 66
	5th	Arrived Scapa
	6th	Left Scapa – arrived Rosyth. Left Rosyth for Operation CLEAVER
	7th	Detached to Copenhagen
	9th	Arrived Copenhagen
	19th	Left Copenhagen
	21st	Arrived Rosyth
	29th	Left Rosyth for Trondheim escorting NORFOLK
	31st	Arrived Trondheim
26. HMS ZAMBESI
	1st	Left Scapa for Operation JUDGEMENT
	6th	Returned to Scapa
	7th	Left Scapa for Operation CLEAVER
	10th	Returned to Scapa
	14th	Left Scapa for Bergen
	15th	Arrived Bergen
	21st	Left Bergen for Scapa
	22nd	Arrived Scapa
	24th	Left Scapa to rendezvous with BIRMINGHAM thence to Bergen. Arrived Bergen
	24th-31st	Bergen
27. HMS ZEALOUS
	1st-5th	At sea with RA 66
	5th	Arrived Scapa
	6th	Left Scapa. Arrived Rosyth. Left Rosyth on Operation CLEAVER
	7th	Detached to Copenhagen
	9th	Arrived Copenhagen
	15th	Left Copenhagen for Kiel
	16th	Arrived Kiel
	22nd	Left Kiel for Flensburg. Arrived Flensburg
	27th	Left Flensburg for Rosyth via Kiel Canal
	29th	Arrived Rosyth from Brunsbuttel
	29th-31st	Rosyth
28. HMS ZEBRA
	1st-24th	Liverpool, docking
	24th	Left Liverpool for Scapa
	26th	Arrived Scapa
	26th-31st	Scapa
29. HMS ZENITH
	1st-31st	Clyde, repairs
30. HMS ZEST
	1st-5th	At sea with RA 66
	5th	Arrived Scapa
	6th	Left Scapa for Operation CLEAVER
	7th	Detached to Copenhagen
	9th	Arrived Copenhagen
	19th	Left Copenhagen
	21st	Arrived Rosyth
	29th	Left Rosyth for Bergen escorting BERWICK
	30th	Arrived Bergen
31. HMS ZODIAC
	1st-5th	At sea with RA 66
	5th	Arrived Scapa
	6th	Left Scapa. Arrived Rosyth. Left Rosyth for Operation CLEAVER
	7th	Detached to Copenhagen
	8th	Arrived Copenhagen
	15th	Left Copenhagen for Kiel
	17th	Arrived Kiel
	23rd	Left Kiel for Flensburg
	27th	Left Flensburg for Rosyth via Kiel Canal
	29th	Arrived Rosyth from Brunsbuttel
	29th-31st	Rosyth
Sixth Destroyer Flotilla
32. HMS CAESAR (Captain (D) Sixth Destroyer Flotilla)
	1st-30th	Detached to Commander in Chief, Western Approaches, Refitting
33. HMS CAMBRIAN
	1st-5th	Detached to Commander In Chief, Western Approaches
	5th-31st	Leith, refitting
34. HMS CAPRICE
	1st-11th	Detached to Commander in Chief, Western Approaches
	11th-31st	Portsmouth, refitting
35. HMS CARRON
	1st-31st	Detached to Commander in Chief, Western Approaches
36. HMS CASSANDRA
	1st-31st	Kola, repairs
37. HMS CAVALIER
	1st-30th	Detached to Commander in Chief, Western Approaches
38. HMS CAVENDISH
	1st-11th	Detached to Commander in Chief, Western Approaches
	11th-31st	Devonport, refitting
39. HMS CARYSFORT
	1st	Left Scapa for Operation JUDGEMENT
	6th	Returned to Scapa
	7th	Left Scapa for Operation CLEAVER
	10th	Returned to Scapa
	11th	Left Scapa for Rosyth
	12th	Arrived Rosyth. Left Rosyth escorting RENOWN to Portsmouth
	14th	Arrived Portsmouth
	17th	Left Portsmouth for Scapa
	18th	Arrived Scapa
	20th	Left Scapa escorting CAMPANIA and PREMIER to Clyde
	21st	Arrived Clyde
	22nd	Left Clyde for Tromso escorting LARGS BAY
	26th	Arrived Tromso
	29th	Left Tromso for Scapa
	31st	Arrived Scapa
Seventeenth Destroyer Flotilla
40. HMS ONSLOW (Captain (D) Seventeenth Destroyer Flotilla)
	1st-5th	Sheerness, refitting
	5th	Left Nore for Rosyth
	6th	Arrived Rosyth
	7th	Left Rosyth for Scapa
	8th	Arrived Scapa
	10th	Left Scapa for Clyde
	11th	Arrived Clyde
	12th	Left Clyde escorting JW 67 to Kola (Operation TIMELESS)
	21st	Arrived Kola
	23rd	Left Kola, escorting RA 67
	28th	Arrived Scapa
	28th-31st	Scapa
41. HMS OBDURATE
	1st- 6th Scapa
	6th	Left Scapa for Operation CLEAVER
	8th	Returned to Scapa
	10th	Left Scapa for Clyde
	11th	Arrived Clyde
	12th	Left Clyde escorting JW 67 to Kola (Operation TIMELESS)
	14th	Arrived Aultbea for fuel and left to rejoin convoy
	21st	Arrived Kola
	23rd	Left Kola escorting RA 67
	28th	Arrived Scapa
	28th-31st	Scapa
42. HMS OBEDIENT
	1st	Left Scapa for Operation JUDGEMENT
	5th	Returned to Scapa
	6th	Left Scapa ; arrived Rosyth
	10th	Returned to Scapa
	14th	Left Scapa for Bergen
	15th	Arrived Bergen
	21st	Left Bergen for Scapa
	22nd	Arrived Scapa. Left Scapa for Rosyth
	23rd	Arrived Rosyth
	24th	Left Rosyth for Kiel
	26th	Arrived Kiel
	26th-31st	Kiel
43. HMS OFFA
	1st-5th	At sea with RA 66
	5th	Arrived Scapa
	6th	Left Scapa for Operation CLEAVER
	10th	Returned to Scapa
	14th	Left Scapa escorting QUEEN to join JW 67
	16th	Returned to Scapa
	24th	Left Scapa, Arrived Rosyth, Left Rosyth for Kiel
	26th	Arrived Kiel
	27th	Left Kiel, arrived Flensburg
	27th-31st	Flensburg
44. HMS ONSLAUGHT
	1st-31st	Belfast, repairs
45. HMS OPPORTUNE
	1st	Left Scapa for Operation JUDGEMENT
	6th	Returned to Scapa
	7th	Left Scapa for Operation CLEAVER
	10th	Returned to Scapa
	11th	Left Scapa for Rosyth
	12th	Arrived Rosyth for boiler clean
	18th	Left Rosyth for Scapa
	19th	Arrived Scapa
	22nd	Left Scapa for Rosyth
	23rd	Arrived Rosyth
	24th	Left Rosyth for Kiel
	26th	Arrived Kiel
	27th	Left Kiel; arrived Flensburg
	27th-31st	Flensburg
46. HMS ORIBI
	1st-6th	Humber, refitting
	8th	Left Humber for Scapa
	9th	Arrived Scapa
	14th	Left Scapa escorting QUEEN to join JW 67
	16th	Returned to Scapa
	20th	Left Scapa for Rosyth
	21st	Arrived and left Rosyth for Copenhagen
	23rd	Arrived Copenhagen
	23rd-31st	Copenhagen
47. HMS ORWELL
	1st	Left Scapa for Operation JUDGEMENT
	8th	Arrived Scapa escorting BLACK RANGER and BLUE RANGER. Left Scapa for Sheerness for docking and defects
	9th	Arrived Sheerness
	9th-31st	Sheerness
Twenty-third Destroyer Flotilla
48. HMS MYNGS (Captain (D) Twenty-third Destroyer Flotilla)
	1st-31st	Portsmouth, refitting. Captain D 23 embarked in SCOURGE for Operation CLEAVER
49. HMS SCOURGE
	1st	Left Scapa for Operation JUDGEMENT
	6th	Returned to Scapa
	7th	Left Scapa for Operation CLEAVER. Captain (D) 23 embarked for this operation
	9th	Arrived Scapa
	10th	Captain (D) 23 rejoined MYNGS
	12th	Left Rosyth escorting RENOWN to Portsmouth
	14th	Arrived Portsmouth
	17th	Left Portsmouth for Scapa
	18th	Arrived Scapa
	20th	Left Scapa escorting CAMPANIA and PREMIER to Clyde
	21st	Arrived Clyde
	22nd	Left Clyde for Tromso escorting LARGS BAY
	26th	Arrived Tromso
	29th	Left Tromso for Leith escorting LARGS BAY
	29th-31st	At sea
50. HMS SAVAGE
	1st	Left Scapa for Operation JUDGEMENT
	6th	Returned to Scapa
	7th	Left Scapa for Operation CLEAVER
	9th	Arrived Rosyth
	11th	Left Rosyth for Operation KINGDOM
	13th	Arrived Oslo
	18th	Left Oslo for Copenhagen
	19th	Arrived Copenhagen
	24th	Left Copenhagen escorting PRINZ EUGEN and NURNBERG to Wilhelmshaven
	26th	Left Wilhelmshaven
	29th	Arrived Scapa
	31st	Left Scapa for Sheerness to refit
51. HMS SCORPION
	1st-31st	Hull, refitting
52. HMS SERAPIS
	1st-31st	Humber, refitting
53.H.No.M.S. STORD
	1st-5th	At sea with RA 66
	5th	Arrived Scapa
	6th	Left Scapa for Operation CLEAVER
	7th	Arrived Rosyth
	13th	Left Rosyth for Lerwick, thence to Tromso with Norwegian party
	14th	Arrived Lerwick to fuel. Left Lerwick for Tromso
	17th	Arrived Tromso
	24th	Left Tromso for Bear Island to land meteorological Party
	25th	Arrived Bear Island
	26th	Left Bear Island. Arrived Tromso
	26th-31st	Tromso
54.HMCS ALGONQUIN
	1st-31st	Halifax, refitting
55.HMCS SIOUX
	1st-31st	Halifax, refitting
56.HMCS HAIDA
	1st-6th	At sea with RA 66
	6th	Arrived Scapa from Kola
	16th	Left Scapa for Trondheim
	17th	Arrived Trondheim
	24th	Left Trondheim
	25th	Arrived Scapa
	26th	Left Scapa
	27th	Arrived Clyde
	28th	Left Clyde for Moville
	29th	Arrived and left Moville for Newfoundland for fuel; thence to Halifax for refit
57.HMCS IROQUOIS
	1st- 6th	At sea with RA 66
	6th	Arrived Scapa from Kola
	9th	Left Scapa for Rosyth
	10th	Arrived Rosyth
	11th	Left Rosyth for Operation KINGDOM
	13th	Arrived Oslo
	18th	Left Oslo for Copenhagen
	19th	Arrived Copenhagen
	24th	Left Copenhagen escorting PRINZ EUGEN and NURNBERG to Wilhelmshaven
	26th	Arrived Wilhelmshaven
	27th	Left Wilhelmshaven
	29th	Arrived and left Scapa
	30th	Arrived Clyde; thence to Halifax to refit
58.HMCS HURON
	1st-6th	At sea with RA 66
	6th	Arrived Scapa from Kola
	16th	Left Scapa for Trondheim
	17th	Arrived Trondheim
	24th	Left Trondheim
	25th	Arrived Scapa
	26th	Left Scapa
	27th	Arrived Clyde
	28th	Left Clyde for Moville
	29th	Arrived and left Moville for Newfoundland for fuel; thence to Halifax for refit
Destroyers Temporarily Attached for working up
59. HMS PETARD
	1st-31st	Tyne, refitting
60. HMS WIZARD
	1st-28th	Tees, repairing damage
	28th	Left Tees. Arrived Scapa to work up
	28th-31st	Scapa
Polish destroyers attached Twenty-Third Destroyer Flotilla
61.ORP PIORUN
	1st	Arrived Scapa from Londonderry for work up
	6th	Left Scapa for Operation CLEAVER
	8th	Returned to Scapa
	25th	Left Scapa.Arrived Rosyth
	26th	Left Rosyth to take U-boat prize crews to Horten
	27th	Arrived Horten
	27th-31st	Horten

 

 

Changes of Flag

 

Tenth Cruiser Squadron

 7th Flag of CS 10 transferred from VINDEX to DIADEM

 21st Flag of CS 10 transferred from DIADEM to BELFAST

 22nd Flag of CS 10 transferred from BELFAST to BIRMINGHAM

 

 

Operations

 

Operation JUDGEMENT, 1st-6th May

Object: 1.The destruction of U-boat depot ships at Kolbotn

2: To destroy shipping anchored of Sandnesjoen

 

Forces taking Part: (C.S.1) NORFOLK, DIADEM, SEARCHER, TRUMPETER, QUEEN, OPPORTNE, SCOURGE, ZAMBESI, SAVAGE, CARYSFORT, OBEDIENT, ORWELL BLUE RANGER

 

Remarks: U-boat Depot ship BLACKWATCH and 1 U-boat sunk. One tanker sunk. Flak ship HAROLD HAARFAGRE hit. Two own A/C lost. This was the last Home Fleet Operation against Germans in the war.

 

Operation CLEAVER, 6th-9th May

Object: Entry of Naval surface force into Skagerrak and Kattegat

 

Forces Taking Part:

Force 5. BIRMINGHAM, DIDO (D 2) ZEPHYR, ZEALOUS, ZODIAC, ZEST

Force 6. (C.S. 1) NORFOLK, SEARCHER, TRUMPETER, QUEEN, (D 23) SCOURGE, SAVAGE, OPPORTUNE, OFFA, CARYSFORT, ZAMBESI, OBEDIENT

40th Minesweeping Flotilla: CATHERINE, ELFRIDA, GRECIAN, GAZELLE, TABOO, STEADFAST, MAENAD, CYNTHIA

 

Remarks: Force 5 arrived Copenhagen on 9th, being the first Allied naval force to enter Skagerrak. 40th M/S Flotilla swept Force through minefields. Force provided cover.

 

Operation KINGDOM, 11th-13th May

Object: To conduct H.R.H. the Crown Prince of Norway to Oslo, together with Government officials and Joint Commanders and SHAEF mission.

 

Forces taking part: DEVONSHIRE, APOLLO, ARIADNE, SAVAGE, IROQUOIS, ARENDAL, CAMPBELL, 40th Minesweeping Flotilla

 

Remarks: Operation planned by Commander in Chief, Rosyth. H.R.H. arrived in DEVONSHIRE.

 

Operation TIMELESS, 12th-30th May

Object: Safe Passage of convoys JW and RA 67 to and from North Russia.

 

Forces taking part:

(D 17) ONSLOW, QUEEN

(E.G.4) BENTICK, OBDURATE, BYARD, PASLEY, BAZELEY, DRURY

(E.G.9) MATANE, LOCH ALVIE, ST PIERRE, MONNOW, NENE

 

Remarks:

Both convoys arrived without incident. 9 E.G. detached to escort 16 U-boats from Norwegian coast to Loch Eriboll.

 

 

---

 

 

WAR DIARY OF THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF, HOME FLEET

 

1st JUNE – 12th JULY 1945

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

 

1. HMS RODNEY (Flag of Commander in Chief Home Fleet.
	June 1-30	Rosyth
	July 1-12	Rosyth
First Cruiser Squadron
2. HMS NORFOLK (Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron)
	June 1	Left Trondheim
	June 2	Arrived Rosyth
	June 3	Flag of Vice Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron transferred to HMS DEVONSHIRE.
		Left Rosyth for Operation INDESTRUCTIBLE wearing the flag of H. Norwegian Majesty King Haakon VII.
	June 7	Arrived Oslo. Flag of Vice Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron transferred from HMS DEVONSHIRE
	June 12	Left Oslo
	June 13	Arrived Rosyth
	June 16	Flag of Vice Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron transferred to HMS DIDO. Left Rosyth
	June 18	Arrived Devonport for docking and leave
	June 18-30	Devonport
	July 10-15	Devonport
	July 2	Flag of Vice Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron rehoisted
	July 15	Flag of Vice Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron struck.
		The Administration of HMS NORFOLK transferred to Command in Chief, Plymouth
3. HMS BERWICK
	June 1	Left Bergen
	June 2	Arrived Rosyth
	June 9	Left Rosyth
	June 10	Arrived Clyde to embark stores and personnel for Spitzbergen
	June 13	Left Clyde for Operation PAMPERO
	June 17	Arrived Spitzbergen. Left Spitzbergen
	June 21	Arrived Iceland to embark stores
	June 22	Left Iceland
	June 25	Arrived Clyde
	June 26	Left Clyde
	June 28	Arrived Portsmouth. Administration transferred to Commander in Chief, Portsmouth
4. HMS DEVONSHIRE
	June 1-5	Rosyth
	June 5	Flag of Vice Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron transferred from HMS NORFOLK.
		Left Rosyth on Operation INDESTRUCTIBLE
	June 7	Arrived Oslo. Flag of Vice Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron transferred toHMS NORFOLK
	June 12	Left Oslo
	June 15	Arrived Plymouth. Administration transferred to the Commander in Chief, Plymouth
Tenth Cruiser Squadron
5. HMS BIRMINGHAM (Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron)
	June 1	Left Bergen
	June 2	Arrived Lerwick to fuel. Left Lerwick
	June 3	Arrived Rosyth
	June 11	Left Rosyth
	June 12	Arrived Portsmouth to give leave
	June 12-30	Portsmouth
	July 1-11	Portsmouth
	July 11	Left Portsmouth
	July 12	Arrived Plymouth to escort the President of the United States of America to Antwerp.
6. HMS BELLONA
	June 1-10	Rosyth, docking
	June 10	Left Rosyth. Arrived Scapa for practices
	June 19	Left Scapa
	June 20	Arrived Rosyth
	June 27	Left Rosyth
	June 29	Arrived Oslo for Victory celebration
	July 1	Left Oslo
	July 2	Arrived Bergen for a court martial
	July 5	Left Bergen
	July 6	Arrived Rosyth
	July 6-12	Rosyth
7. HMS DIADEM
	June 1-5	Copenhagen
	June 6	Left Copenhagen escorting NORDMARK
	June 8	Arrived Rosyth
	June 27	Left Rosyth
	June 29	Arrived Oslo For Victory celebration
	July 2	Left Oslo
	July 4	Arrived Scapa
	July 9	Left Scapa
	July 11	Arrived Portsmouth to give leave
	July 11-12	Portsmouth
8. HMS DIDO
	June 1-25	Rosyth
	June 16	Flag of Vice Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron transferred from HMS NORFOLK
	June 22	Flag of Vice Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron hauled down
	June 25	Left Rosyth
	June 26	Arrived Scapa for practices
	June 26-30	Scapa
	July 1	Left Scapa
	July 2	Arrived Liverpool to convey Their Majesties to the Isle of Man.
	July 3	Left Liverpool
	July 4	Arrived Isle of Man. Royal Party disembarked.
	July 6	Left Isle of Man. Arrived Liverpool.
	July 9	Left Liverpool. Arrived Stranraer
	July 9-12	Stranraer
9. HMS MAURITIUS
	June 1-30	Liverpool, refitting
	July 1-12	Liverpool, refitting
Polish Cruiser attached to Tenth Cruiser Squadron
10. ORP CONRAD
	June 1-4	Scapa
	June 4	Left Scapa
	June 5	Arrived Rosyth. Left Rosyth
	June 7	Arrived Wilhelmshaven
	June 14	Left Wilhelmshaven
	June 15	Arrived Rosyth
	June 27	Left Rosyth. Arrived Scapa for practices
	June 27-30	Scapa
	July 1	Left Rosyth with Red Cross Stores
	July 3	Arrived Oslo
	July 8	Left Oslo
	July 10	Arrived Rosyth
	July 10-12	Rosyth
11. HMCS ONTARIO
	June 1-17	Liverpool
	June 17	Left Liverpool
	June 19	Arrived Scapa to shake down
	June 29	Left Scapa
	June 30	Arrived Liverpool to fit pom pom director. Left Liverpool for Clyde for completion.
	July 2	Left Clyde for Mediterranean to complete work up.
Cruisers temporarily attached
12. HMS BELFAST
	June 1-11	Rosyth
	June 11	Left Rosyth
	June 12	Arrived Scapa for Shake down
	June 17	Left Scapa for Gibraltar to work up in the Mediterranean
	June 21	Arrived Gibraltar. Left for Malta
Destroyer Depot Ships
13. HMS VINDICTIVE (Commodore (D)
	June 1-18	Scapa
	June 12	Broad pendant of Commodore (D) transferred to HMS GREENWICH
	June 18	Left Scapa
	June 20	Arrived Sheerness for reserve
14. HMS GREENWICH
	June 1-30	Scapa
	June 18	Broad pendant of Commodore (D) transferred fromHMS VINDICTIVE
	July 1-16	Scapa. Officer and staff of Destroyer Command transferred to HMS RODNEY
	July 18	Left Scapa. Broad pendant of Commodore (D) transferred to HMS PROSERPINE
Destroyers
Second Destroyer Flotilla
15. HMS ZEPHYR (Captain (D) Second Destroyer Flotilla
	June 1	Left Trondheim
	June 2	Arrived Rosyth
	June 5	Left Rosyth
	June 7	Arrived Wilhelmshaven
	June 19	Left Wilhelmshaven
	June 20	Arrived Rosyth
	June 25	Captain (D) Second Destroyer Flotilla left HMS ZEPHYR which became a private ship.
		HMS MYNGS became Flotilla Leader
	June 28	Left Rosyth
	June 30	Arrived Kiel
	July 1-8	Kiel
	July 8	Left Kiel
	July 10	Arrived Rosyth
	July 11	Left Rosyth
	July 12	Arrived Plymouth to escort the President of the United States to Antwerp.
16. HMS MYNGS (Captain (D) Twenty-third Destroyer Flotilla and Captain (D) Second Destroyer Flotilla)
	June 1-14	Portsmouth, refitting
	June 14	Left Portsmouth
	June 16	Arrived Scapa to work up
	June 16-30	Scapa
	July 1	Left Scapa
	July 2	Arrived Rosyth
	July 9	Captain (D) Twenty-third Destroyer Flotilla went to HMS SERAPIS
	July 11	Captain (D) Second Destroyer Flotilla joined. HMS MYNGS became leader of the Second Destroyer Flotilla
	July 16	Left Rosyth for Mediterranean for onward routeing to East Indies Fleet
17. HMS ZAMBESI
	June 1	Left Bergen
	June 2	Arrived Rosyth to give leave
	June 23	Left Rosyth
	June 25	Arrived Plymouth for docking and leave
	June 25-30	Plymouth
	July 1-12	Plymouth
18. HMS ZEALOUS
	June 1-16	Rosyth, boiler cleaning
	June 17	Left Rosyth
	June 18	Arrived Wilhelmshaven
	June 18-30	Wilhelmshaven
	July 1	Left Wilhelmshaven
	July 2	Arrived Rosyth
	July 6	Left Rosyth
	July 7	Arrived Humber. Left Humber escorting German destroyers
	July 8	Arrived Portsmouth. Left Portsmouth. Arrived Plymouth
	July 8-12	Plymouth
19. HMS ZEBRA
	June 1-4	Scapa
	June 4	Left Scapa. Arrived Rosyth
	June 9	Left Rosyth
	June 10	Arrived Clyde
	June 13	Left Clyde for Operation PAMPERO
	June 17	Arrived Spitzbergen. Left Spitzbergen
	June 21	Arrived Iceland
	June 22	Left Iceland
	June 25	Arrived Clyde
	June 26	Left Clyde
	June 27	Arrived and left Scapa
	June 28	Arrived Trondheim
	June 28-30	Trondheim
	July 1-12	Trondheim
20. HMS ZENITH
	June 1-30	Clyde, repairs
	July 1-12	Clyde, repairs
21. HMS ZEST
	June 1	Left Bergen
	June 2	Arrived Lerwick to fuel. Left Lerwick
	June 3	Arrived Scapa. Left Scapa
	June 4	Arrived Rosyth
	June 5	Left Rosyth
	June 7	Arrived Kiel
	June 18	Left Kiel
	June 20	Arrived Rosyth
	June 28	Left Rosyth
	June 29	Arrived Wilhelmshaven
	June 29-30	Wilhelmshaven
	July 1-12	Wilhelmshaven
22. HMS ZODIAC
	June 1-5	Rosyth
	June 5	Left Rosyth
	June 7	Arrived Kiel
	June 18	Left Kiel. Arrived Rosyth
	June 21	Left Rosyth
	June 22	Arrived Scapa
	June 30	Left Scapa
	July 2	Arrived Chatham to act under the order of the Commander in Chief, The Nore
	July 3	Arrived Wilhelmshaven
	July 6	Left Wilhelmshaven escorting German destroyers
	July 7	Arrived Rosyth
	July 11	Left Rosyth
	July 12	Arrived Plymouth to escort the President of the United States of America to Antwerp
Sixth Destroyer Flotilla
23. HMS CAESAR (Captain (D) Sixth Destroyer Flotilla)
	June 1-9	Plymouth, refitting
	June 9	Left Plymouth
	June 11	Arrived Scapa to work up
	June 11-30	Scapa
	July 1-7	Scapa
	July 7	Left Scapa. Arrived Rosyth
	July 7-12	Rosyth
24. HMS CAMBRIAN
	June 1-30	Leith, refitting
	July 1-12	Leith, refitting
25. HMS CAPRICE
	June 1-30	Portsmouth, refitting
	July 1-12	Portsmouth, refitting
26. HMS CARRON
	June 1-6	Detached to Commander in Chief, Western Approaches
	June 6	Arrived Scapa
	June 19	Left Scapa
	June 21	Arrived Plymouth to refit
	June 21-30	Plymouth
	July 1-12	Plymouth
27. HMS CARYSFORT
	June 1-2	Scapa
	June 2	Left Scapa
	June 3	Arrived Rosyth for boiler clean
	June 14	Left Rosyth
	June 15	Arrived Portsmouth to refit
	June 15-30	Portsmouth
	July 1-12	Portsmouth
28. HMS CASSANDRA
	June 1-14	Kola, repairs
	June 14	Left Kola
	June 15	Arrived Rosyth
	June 15-30	Rosyth
	July 1-12	Rosyth
29. HMS CAVALIER
	June 1-6	Detached to Commander in Chief, Western Approaches
	June 6	Arrived Scapa
	June 17	Left Scapa
	June 18	Arrived Rosyth to refit
	June 18-30	Rosyth
	July 1-12	Rosyth
30. HMS CAVENDISH
	June 1-30	Devonport
	July 1-12	Devonport
Seventeenth Destroyer Flotilla
31. HMS ONSLOW (Captain (D) Seventeenth Destroyer Flotilla)
	June 1-4	Scapa
	June 4	Left Scapa. Arrived Rosyth
	June 5	Left Rosyth for Operation INDESTRUCTIBLE
	June 7	Arrived Oslo
	June 11	Left Oslo
	June 12	Arrived Copenhagen
	June 21	Left Copenhagen
	June 22	Arrived Rosyth
	June 23	Left Rosyth
	June 25	Arrived Plymouth for docking and leave
	June 25-30	Plymouth
	July 1-12	Plymouth
32. HMS OBDURATE
	June 1-4	Scapa
	June 4	Left Scapa. Arrived Rosyth
	June 5	Left Scapa for Operation INDESTRUCTIBLE
	June 7	Arrived Oslo
	June 12	Left Oslo
	June 13	Arrived Rosyth
	June 17	Left Rosyth
	June 19	Arrived Kiel
	June 29	Left Kiel
	June 30	Arrived Brunsbuttel
	July 1	Left Brunsbuttel escorting German troopship UBENA
	July 3	Arrived Methil. Left Methil. Arrived Rosyth
	July 11	Left Rosyth
	July 12	Arrived Plymouth to escort the President of the U.S.A. to Antwerp
33. HMS OBEDIENT
	June 1-7	Kiel
	June 7	Left Kiel
	June 9	Arrived Rosyth
	June 17	Left Rosyth
	June 19	Arrived Kiel
	June 20	Left Kiel. Arrived Lubeck
	June 20-30	Lubeck
	July 1-3	Lubeck
	July 3	Left Lubeck
	July 4	Arrived Rosyth
	July 6	Left Rosyth
	July 7	Arrived Humber
	July 8	Left Humber escorting German destroyers
	July 9	Arrived Plymouth
	July 9-12	Plymouth
34. HMS OFFA
	June 1-7	Flensburg
	June 7	Left Kiel
	June 9	Arrived Rosyth
	June 14	Left Rosyth. Arrived Leith. Left Leith escorting Apostle convoy to Norway under orders of the Commander in Chief, Rosyth
	June 20	Arrived Rosyth
	June 23	Left Rosyth
	June 25	Arrived Copenhagen
	June 29	Left Copenhagen escorting German convoy
	July 3	Arrived Rosyth
	July 4	Left Rosyth for escort duties in Norway
	July 4-12	Norway
35. HMS ONSLAUGHT
	June 1-6	Belfast, repairs
	June 6	Left Belfast
	June 7	Arrived Scapa. Left Scapa
	June 13	Arrived Kola
	June 14	Left Kola, escorting HMS CASSANDRA
	June 18	Arrived Rosyth
	June 27	Left Rosyth
	June 29	Arrived Oslo for Victory celebrations
	July 2	Left Oslo
	July 4	Arrived Scapa
	July 7	Left Scapa
	July 9	Arrived Kiel
	July 9-12	Kiel
36. HMS OPPORTUNE
	June 1-7	Flensburg
	June 7	Left Flensburg
	June 9	Arrived Rosyth
	June 15	Left Rosyth. Arrived Leith
	June 16	Left Leith escorting APOSTLE convoy to Norway under the orders of the Commander in Chief, Rosyth
	June 22	Arrived Oslo
	June 23	Left Oslo
	June 25	Arrived Rosyth
	June 26	Left Rosyth
	June 27	Arrived Chatham for refit and leave
	June 27-30	Chatham
	July 1-12	Chatham
37. HMS ORIBI
	June 1-5	Copenhagen
	June 6	Left Copenhagen escorting NORDMARK
	June 8	Arrived Rosyth
	June 13	Left Rosyth. Arrived Scapa to exercise with cruisers
	June 20	Left Scapa
	June 27	Arrived Rosyth
	June 28	Left Rosyth
	June 29	Arrived Brunsbuttel
	June 30	Left Brunsbuttel. Arrived Kiel
	July 1	Left Kiel. Arrived Lubeck.
	July 1-12	Lubeck
39. HMS ORWELL
	June 1-3	Sheerness
	June 3	Left Sheerness
	June 4	Arrived Rosyth
	June 5	Left Rosyth for Operation INDESTRUCTIBLE
	June 7	Arrived Oslo
	June 12	Left Oslo
	June 13	Arrived Rosyth
	June 19	Left Rosyth
	June 20	Arrived Chatham for self refit and to give leave.
	June 20-30	Chatham
	July 1-12	Chatham
Twenty-third Destroyer Flotilla
39. HMS SERAPIS (Captain (D) Twenty-third Destroyer Flotilla
	June 1-17	Humber, refitting
	June 17	Left Humber
	June 29	Arrived Clyde for trials
	June 30	Arrived and left Scapa
	July 2	Arrived Chatham to act under orders of the Commander in Chief, The Nore. Left Chatham
	July 3	Arrived Wilhelmshaven
	July 6	Left Wilhelmshaven escorting German destroyer
	July 7	Arrived Rosyth
	July 9	Captain (D) Twenty-third Destroyer Flotilla embarked from HMS MYNGS
	July 11	Left Rosyth
	July 12	Arrived Plymouth to escort the President of the United States of America to Antwerp
40. HMS SAVAGE
	June 1	Arrived Chatham from Scapa to refit
	June 1-30	Chatham
	July 1-12	Chatham, refitting
41. HMS SCORPION
	June 1-30	Hull, refitting
	July 1-12	Hull, refitting
42. HMS SCOURGE
	June 1	Arrived Rosyth from Tromso to give leave
	June 23	Left Rosyth
	June 25	Arrived Copenhagen
	June 29	Left Copenhagen escorting German convoy
	July 3	Arrived Rosyth
	July 6	Left Rosyth
	July 7	Arrived Stavanger
	July 7-12	Stavanger
43.H.No.M.S. STORD
	June 1	Left Tromso
	June 2	Arrived Scapa
	June 3	Left Scapa. Arrived Rosyth
	June 5	Left Rosyth for Operation INDESTRUCTIBLE
	June 7	Arrived Oslo
	June 12	Left Oslo
	June 13	Arrived Scapa for boiler cleaning
	June 19	Left Scapa. Arrived Rosyth. Left Rosyth
	June 22	Arrived Oslo to give leave
	June 22-30	Oslo
	July 1-11	Oslo
	July 11	Left Oslo
	July 12	Arrived Bergen
Polish destroyers attached Twenty Third Destroyer Flotilla
44.ORP PIORUN
	June 1-11	Convoy escort work with Apostle convoys under Commander in Chief Rosyth
	June 11-17	Rosyth
	June 17	Convoy escort work under Commander in Chief, Rosyth
	July 5	Left Rosyth. Arrived Oslo
45.ORP GARLAND
	June 1-15	Plymouth
	June 15	Left Plymouth
	June 17	Arrived Scapa to work up
	July 1	Left Scapa
	July 2	Arrived Rosyth
	July 4	Left Rosyth. Arrived Copenhagen
	July 7	Left Copenhagen escorting German convoy
	July 10	Arrived Rosyth
Destroyers Temporarily Attached for working up
46. HMS PETARD
	June 1	Left Tyne
	June 3	Arrived Scapa to work up
	June 10	Left Scapa
	June 11	Arrived Clyde for repairs
	June 26	Left Clyde for Mediterranean to complete work up
47. HMS CHEVRON
	June 13	Arrived Scapa to shake down
	June 22	Left Scapa
	June 23	Arrived Clyde
	June 24	Left Clyde for Mediterranean to complete work up
48. HMS COMET
	June 13	Arrived Scapa to work up
	June 26	Left Scapa. Arrived Clyde for trials
	June 26-30	Clyde
	July 1-12	Clyde
	N.B. COMET subsequently joined 17th Destroyer Flotilla
49.H.Neth.M.S. VAN GALEN
	June 1-24	Portsmouth
	June 24	Left Portsmouth
	June 26	Arrived Scapa to work up
	June 26-30	Scapa
	July 1-12	Scapa
50. HMS WIZARD
	June 1-10	Scapa, working up
	June 10	Left Scapa
	June 11	Arrived Clyde for onward routeing to British Pacific Fleet
51. HMS DUNLUCE CASTLE (Accommodation Ship)
	June 25	Left Scapa under own steam, having been accommodation ship. There since early 1940
	June 26	Arrived Rosyth to pay off.

 

 

Changes of Flag

 

First Cruiser Squadron (Vice Admiral Sir Rhoderick McGrigor, KCB, DSC)
June 5-7	Flag of Vice Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron transferred from HMS NORFOLK to HMS DEVONSHIRE while the Flag of His Norwegian Majesty King Haakon VII was flying in HMS NORFOLK during passage to Oslo
June 16	Flag of Vice Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron transferred to HMS DIDO
June 22	Flag of Vice Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron hauled down while Vice Admiral McGrigor was on leave
July 2	Flag of Vice Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron re hoisted in HMS NORFOLK
July 15	The First Cruiser Squadron was disbanded and the Flag of Vice Admiral Commanding,
	First Cruiser Squadron was struck at sunset.
Commodore Commanding Home Fleet Destroyer Flotillas (Commodore R.M.J. Hutton, DSC)
June 15	Broad Pendant of Commodore (D) transferred from HMS VINDICTIVE to HMS GREENWICH
July 16	Broad Pendant of Commodore (D) transferred from HMS GREENWICH to HMS PROSERPINE.
July 30	Broad Pendant of Commodore (D) was struck at sunset and the appointment lapsed.

 

 

Operations

 

Operation INDESTRUCTIBLE (5th-7th June)

Object: The return of His Norwegian Majesty King Haakon VII to Norway

 

Ships taking Part: NORFOLK (Vice Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron), DEVONSHIRE, ONSLOW (Captain (D) Seventeenth Destroyer Flotilla), OBDURATE, ORWELL, STORD

 

Remarks: The Royal Party was embarked in HMS NORFOLK which flew His Majesty's Flag. HMS DEVONSHIRE, in which His Majesty had escaped five years before to the day, flew the flag of Vice Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron

 

Operation PAMPERO (16th-25th June)

Object: The relief of the Spitzbergen garrison

 

Ships Taking Part: BERWICK, ZEBRA

 

Remarks: After the garrison was duly relieved, force proceeded to embark stores for passage to Clyde.

 

The end