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  British and Other Navies in World War 2 Day-by-Day
by Don Kindell

NAVAL EVENTS, JUNE 1940 (Part 4 of 4)
Saturday 22nd - Sunday  30th

HMS Pegasus, seaplane carrier (Navy Photos/Mark Teadham, click to enlarge)

on to Naval Events, JULY 1940

 

Note: all vessels and aircraft are British unless otherwise identified or implied - click for abbreviations

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

 


Background Events - June 1940

 Evacuation of Dunkirk ends, Italy at war, Action at sea in the Mediterranean, France falls


 

 

1940

           

 

Saturday,  22 June

 

Heavy cruiser SUSSEX and light cruiser NEWCASTLE arrived at Scapa Flow.

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Light cruiser SOUTHAMPTON departed the Clyde for Scapa Flow where she arrived on the 23rd.

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Destroyers ATHERSTONE and WANDERER arrived in the Clyde.

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British troopships AQUITANIA (45,647grt) and MAURETANIA (35,738grt) departed the Clyde for Liverpool escorted by destroyers WINCHESTER and WITHERINGTON.

 

The ships arrived safely later the same day.

 

Destroyer WINCHESTER then departed Liverpool for Rosyth where she arrived on the 24th.

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British troopship EMPRESS OF CANADA (21,517grt) escorted by destroyer WANDERER departed the Clyde for Liverpool.

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British oilers CLAM, CONCH, ROSEWOOD departed Scapa Flow escorted by anti-submarine trawlers IMPERIALIST, CAPE WARWICK, ELM for passage through the Minches and onward passage to Curacoa and Port of Spain.

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Destroyer WALPOLE departed Scapa Flow at 1400 escorting British trawler SEA MONARCH (329grt) to Aberdeen.

 

Destroyer WALPOLE then escorted British steamers DEVON CITY (4928grt) and ARBROATH (553grt) from Aberdeen to Scapa Flow, arriving on the 23rd.

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Anti-submarine yacht CAMPEADOR V (195grt, Cdr C H Davey OBE Rtd) was mined and sunk three miles 310° from Nab Tower off Portsmouth. Davey, Temporary Lt J R Muir RNVR, Temporary Lt V W M Macandrew RNVR, Temporary Lt C E Turner RNVR, and fifteen ratings were lost. There were only two survivors.

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British-built French Flower Class corvette LA BASTIAISE was mined and sunk on trials off Hartlepool. Losses included the French Captain and a number of crew and shipyard employees.

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French auxiliary patrol vessel HEUREUX and tugs ABEILLE 8 and ABEILLE 22 departed Plymouth to attempt to recover an incomplete 15,000 tons tanker at La Falaise.

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As Submarine TRIBUNE was leaving her patrol area to return to Rosyth, she sighted a German steamer. At 0136, submarine TRIBUNE fired torpedoes at a 7000 to 8000 ton merchant ship near Stadlandet.

 

There was no damage.

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Submarine SNAPPER departed Rosyth on patrol.

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Convoy FN.202 departed Southend, escorted by sloops BLACK SWAN and HASTINGS. The convoy arrived at the Tyne on the 24th.

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Convoy FS.202 departed the Tyne, escorted by destroyers WALLACE and WOLFHOUND. Patrol sloop SHEARWATER from convoy FN.201 joined on the 22nd. The convoy arrived in the Tyne on the 24th.

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Convoy FS.202 departed the Tyne, escorted by destroyers WALLACE and WOLFHOUND. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 24th.

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Light cruiser GALATEA and Canadian destroyer FRASER operated off St Jean de Luz.

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British liner ETTRICK (11,279grt) embarked 2000 troops and King Zog of Albania from St Jean De Luz.

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French steamer AMIENOIS (3713grt) was sunk by German bombing off Le Verdon.

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British Trinity House Light Vessel VESTAL evacuated light house personnel and civilians from Alderney.

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French light cruiser EMILE BERTIN departed Halifax with the 300 tons of gold brought there from Brest to proceed to Fort de France.

 

Heavy cruiser DEVONSHIRE shadowed the French light cruiser, but lost touch with her.

 

Light cruiser EMILE BERTIN arrived at Martinique on the 24th.

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German armed merchant cruiser PINGUIN, carrying 300 moored mines and 25 torpedoes and 80 mines to replenish U boats at sea, departed Bergen to raid in the Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Antarctic.

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U.30 sank Norwegian motor ship RANDSFJORD (3999grt) from convoy HX.49 seventy miles south, southeast of Queenstown.

 

Four crew were missing from the Norwegian ship. The survivors were picked up on the 23rd.

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U.32 badly damaged Norwegian motor tanker ELI KNUDSEN (9026grt) from convoy HX.49 in 50‑36N, 08‑44W. The entire crew was saved - 38 crew by sloop SANDWICH and 14 by anti-submarine trawler AGATE (627grt) . Destroyers IMOGEN, GRIFFIN, ST LAURENT, SKEENA and corvettes ARABIS and HEARTSEASE searched for the submarine. Destroyers WARWICK and WINCHELSEA were nearby searching for U.47 which sank steamer SAN FERNANDO on the 21st. The tanker was taken in tow on the 23rd, but sank later that day in 50-36N, 7-51W.

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U.38 sank Greek steamer NEION (5154grt) in 47‑09N, 04‑17W. One crewman was missing.

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U.46 made an unsuccessful torpedo attack on aircraft carrier ARK ROYAL southwest of Ireland as she and other units were en route to Gibraltar to form Force H.

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U.65 sank Dutch steamer BERENICE (1177grt) in 47‑10N, 03‑35W. Eighteen crew and 21 passengers were lost.

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The Mediterranean Fleet began to sortie from Alexandria to bombard Augusta and raid in the Messina area in Operation BQ. A number of steamers were to departed Malta and proceed to Alexandria during this operation.

 

At 1700, aircraft carrier EAGLE and destroyers HYPERION, HOSTILE, HASTY, HEREWARD, HAVOCK, HERO, IMPERIAL, ILEX of the 2nd Destroyer Flotilla of Force C departed. At 2000, battleships ROYAL SOVEREIGN and RAMILLIES, also of Force C, departed Alexandria.

 

Force B with light cruisers ORION (VAD), LIVERPOOL, GLOUCESTER with destroyers JUNO and JANUS departed Alexandria at 2130.

 

At 2200, battleship WARSPITE, light cruisers NEPTUNE and SYDNEY, destroyers NUBIAN, MOHAWK, DAINTY, DEFENDER, DECOY of Force A were to sail.

 

However, at 2153 the operation was cancelled due to the French Armistice.

 

French heavy cruisers TOURVILLE and DUQUESNE (VAX), light cruiser DUQUAY TROUIN, destroyers STUART and VAMPIRE of Force D did not cast off.

 

Force A returned to Alexandria immediately. Forces B and C returned to Alexandria the next day.

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Italian Cruiser Squadron 7 (Sansonietti) with light cruisers EUGENIO, D'AOSTA, ATTENDELO, MONTECUCCOLI escorted by destroyer Division 13 sortied from Messina westward as far west of Minorca to interfere with French convoys which were being escorted by French Cruiser Division 4 (Contre Amiral C. J. L. Bourrague, light cruisers GEORGES LEYGUES and MONTCALM) and destroyers between Marseilles and Oran.

 

Destroyers INDOMPTABLE and MALIN were on patrol off Minorca.

 

On convoy duty and at sea were destroyers GERFAUT, KERSAINT, TRAMONTANE, BOULONNAIS, TYPHON, BORDELAIS, TROMBE, BALISTE, submarines HENRI POINCARE, LE CENTAURE, PEGASE, NARVAL, CAIMAN, aircraft tender COMMANDANT TESTE.

 

French Cruiser Division 3 (Contre Amiral A. A. A. Marquis, light cruisers MARSEILLAISE, LA GALISSONIERE, JEAN DE VIENNE) sortied from Algiers on the 23rd to intercept the Italian force, but Sansonietti returned to base before the French Force made contact.

 

At 0800/22nd, battleships DUNKERQUE, STRASBOURG, PROVENCE, BRETAGNE, light cruisers GEORGES LEYGUES and MONTCALM, destroyers MOGADOR, VOLTA, LE FANTASQUE, L'AUDACIEUX, LE TERRIBLE, TIGRE, LYNX, BRESTOIS, TORNADE were at Oran.

 

Submarine LE REDOUBTABLE was at Bone.

 

Destroyer L'ALCYON and submarines LE TONNANT, FRESNEL, PASCAL, MONGE, VENGEUR, TURQUOISE were at Bizerte.

 

Submarines MARSOUIN and REQUIN were at Sousse.

 

Submarines NAUTILUS and SOUFFLEUR were at Sfax.

 

Heavy cruisers ALGERIE, DUPLEIX, FOCH, COLBERT, destroyers VAUBAN, LION, AIGLE, GUEPARD, VERDUN, VALMY, VAUTOUR, CASSARD, escort vessels LES EPARGES and YSER, submarines VENUS, IRIS, AURORE, CERES, PALLAS, submarines LE CONQUERANT, GALATEE, LE DIAMANTE, PERLE at Hyeres, refitting submarines NAIADE, ARCHIMEDE, L'ESPOIR, ARGONAUTE, ATALANTE, ARETHUSE were at Toulon.

 

Destroyers TARTU and CHEVALIER PAUL were at Sete.

 

Destroyers LA PALME, MARS, TEMPETE were at Port Vendres.

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Italian submarine ASCIANGHI fired four torpedoes at a steamer south of Balearic Islands. She then fired several rounds from her deck gun but was forced to retire after several hits before sinking the steamer.

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Italian submarine CAPPONI sank Swedish steamer ELGO (1888grt) north of Sfax.

 

One crewman was lost from the Swedish steamer.

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Light cruiser DANAE departed Penang for Singapore.

 

 

Sunday,  23 June

 

Italian submarine TORICELLI, which had departed Massawa on the 14th, engaged Sloop SHOREHAM at 0530 in the Red Sea north of Perim, approximately 13N, 43E. SHOREHAM was hit by a shell from TORICELLI and was later repaired at Aden.

 

Destroyers arrived on the scene, joined also by Indian sloop INDUS,and TORICELLI was sunk by the combined gunfire of destroyers KINGSTON, KHARTOUM, KANDAHAR and sloops SHOREHAM and INDUS north of Perim at 12‑34N, 43‑16E.

 

The survivors from submarine TORICELLI were taken by destroyers KINGSTON and KANDAHAR to Aden.

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Destroyer KHARTOUM was detached to patrol in the area. At 1400, destroyer KHARTOUM (Cdr D. T. Dowler) was badly damaged by the explosion of one of her torpedoes on her deck. She ran herself aground near Perim to prevent sinking.

 

One rating was killed and Lt Cdr (E) A. C. Reed and three ratings were injured.

 

Destroyer KHARTOUM was a total loss and was never repaired.

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Heavy cruiser DORSETSHIRE departed Freetown and joined Aircraft carrier HERMES off Dakar to watch French battleship RICHELIEU, escorted by destroyer FLEURET, which arrived at Dakar on the 23rd.

 

Armed merchant cruiser MALOJA was already patrolling off Dakar.

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Late on the 23rd, Italian light cruisers EUGENIO, MONTECUCCOLI, D'AOSTA, ATTENDOLO of the 7th Cruiser Division and destroyer Division 13 patrolled between Sardinia and the Balearic Islands to intercept French traffic en route to Algerian ports.

 

Off western Sardinia, heavy cruisers ZARA, FIUME, GORIZIA of the 1st Cruiser Division, heavy cruisers POLA, BOLZANO, TRENTO of the 3rd Cruiser Division, light cruisers COLLEONI and BANDE NERE of the 2nd Cruiser Division with Destroyer Divisions 9, 10, 12 waited in support for Cruiser Division 7.

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French Amiral Darlan ordered the French aircraft carrier BEARN, which had put to sea from Halifax on the 16th, to proceed to the West Indies.

 

French destroyers FORTUNE, BASQUE, FORBIN departed Haifa for Alexandria.

 

The next day, Amiral Godfroy at Alexandria was ordered to take his force to Beirut, but Admiral Cunningham informed Amiral Godfroy that he would not be allowed to comply.

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Aircraft carrier ARK ROYAL and destroyers FEARLESS, FAULKNOR, FOXHOUND, ESCAPADE departed Scapa Flow at 0400/17th.

 

Destroyer FOXHOUND was detached at Milford Haven to refuel and did not rejoin.

 

Battlecruiser HOOD departed the Clyde on the 18th with destroyers WANDERER, ST LAURENT, FRASER, RESTIGOUCHE, SKEENA at 0400. Destroyer ATHERSTONE sailed at 0520 and relieved destroyer WANDERER in the escort. The two forces joined at sea on the 19th at 1530.

 

Destroyer ATHERSTONE was detached late on the 19th and returned to Liverpool. The Canadian destroyers joined convoy TC.5.

 

En route Aircraft carrier ARK ROYALwas unsuccessfully attacked by U.46 on the 22nd, but all ships safely arrived at Gibraltar on the 23rd.

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Heavy cruiser NORFOLK departed the Clyde after repairs for Scapa Flow.

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Light cruiser NEWCASTLE and destroyer ECHO departed Scapa Flow to investigate an enemy destroyer force reported in the North Sea and cover Polish submarine WILK, damaged on the 20th.

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Light cruiser EMERALD (Captain F. C. Flynn) departed Greenock at 2330 on Operation FISH escorted by destroyers COSSACK and ATHERSTONE.

 

In heavy weather the destroyers were detached outside the local approaches at 12W on the 25th.

Destroyer COSSACK arrived at Scapa Flow on the 26th at 1720 and destroyer ATHERSTONE arrived in the Clyde.

 

Light cruiser EMERALD arrived at Halifax on the 29th carrying 2229 cases of gold for safekeeping.

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Destroyers JACKAL and JAGUAR departed the Humber to patrol in the North Sea.

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British steamer HORSA, with government stores, escorted by armed boarding vessels NORTHERN ISLE and NORTHERN SUN departed Scapa Flow for Iceland.

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In Operation ROBIN, patrol sloop PUFFIN escorted salvage ship TEDWORTH, carrying out diving operations on sunken U.13 north of Lowestoft.

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British steamers ISLE OF SARK (2211grt), ALDERNEY QUEEN (633grt), SHERINGHAM (1088grt), three others escorted by destroyer SABRE evacuated Alderney.

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Destroyer KEPPEL departed Port Vendres for Sete to organize the evacuation of Czech and Polish troops. Destroyer VELOX was sent to Port Vendres from Gibraltar.

 

Destroyer VELOX entered Vendres at 0600/23rd.

 

Destroyer KEPPEL arrived Sete at 0740/23rd and found French destroyers TARTU, CHEVALIER PAUL, CASSARD in harbour.

 

At 1345, the French destroyers departed Sete. At 1830, French destroyer PALME and tanker LA RANCE arrived.

 

During the afternoon of 24 June, British steamers OAKCREST (5407grt), BRITANNIC (26,943grt), LORD COCHRANE (4157grt) arrived at Sete.

 

Involved in the evacuation of Port Vendres and Sete were British steamers APAPA (9333grt), COULTARN (3759grt), GARTBRATTAN (1811grt), VICEROY OF INDIA (19,627grt), ASHCREST (5652grt), SALTERSGATE (3940grt), NORTHMOOR (4392grt), NEURALIA (9182grt) and Egyptian steamers MOHAMED ALI EL KEBIR (7290grt) and ROD EL FARAG (6369grt) . Thirty nine ships in all were employed.

 

12,832 troops were evacuated from Sete, Vendres, Marseilles.

 

Destroyer KEPPEL departed Sete with Egyptian steamer MOHAMED ALIEL KEBIR and joined destroyer VELOX which departed Vendres at 0300/26th with British steamer APAPA. The ships travelled in company to Gibraltar. They arrived at Gibraltar later on the 26th.

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Canadian destroyer FRASER evacuated personnel, including the British Ambassador to France, off Arachon at noon on the 23rd and these personnel were transferred to light cruiser GALATEA.

 

Late on the 23rd, light cruiser GALATEA evacuated British and Canadian diplomatic personnel from Bordeaux.

 

The warships arrived at Plymouth on the 24th.

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French destroyer LANSQUENET, which was nearing completion and indrydock at Bordeaux for painting and outfitting, was floated out and towed to Pauillac where she was fuelled. She departed the Gironde early on the 23rd and arrived at Casablanca on the 27th.

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French patrol boat LA CHERBOURGEOISE was scuttled at Le Verdon.

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Destroyer BROKE assisted British troopship ORMONDE under air attack at Bayonne.

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Submarine H.32 departed Dover escorted by destroyer VIVACIOUS to Portsmouth.

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Convoy FN.203 departed Southend, escorted by destroyer VIMIERA, sloop LONDONDERRY, patrol sloop GUILLEMOT. The convoy arrived at the Tyne on the 25th.

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Convoy MT.94 departed Methil, escorted by destroyer WOOLSTON and sloop FLEETWOOD. The convoy arrived in the Tyne the next day.

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Tug CORINGA (294grt) was lost in the Atlantic to unknown agent.

 

Lt (E) W. H. Inson RNR, was lost in the tug.

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Heavy cruiser DORSETSHIRE and destroyer WATCHMAN departed Gibraltar for Dakar and Casablanca, respectively.

 

Destroyer WATCHMAN was to consult with British consul and impress upon the French the British intention of continuing the war.

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Indian patrol vessel PATHAN (Lt Cdr K. Durston RIN) was badly damaged at 0100/23rd and sank the next day off Bombay at 18‑56N, 72‑45E.

 

Although contemporary sources stated that PATHAN was a victim of an enemy mine or torpedo from Italian submarine GALVANI, sloop PATHAN was lost through the explosion of her own depth charges.

 

Lt Cdr Durston, S/Lt D. V. R. Curry RINVR, three ratings were killed and one officer and sixteen ratings, one of which later died of wounds, were wounded.

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Australian heavy cruiser CANBERRA (Captain H.B. Farncomb, CB DSO, MVO) departed Fremantle and relieved light cruiser PERTH of the escort of British liner STRATHMORE (23,428grt) en route to Colombo.

 

Both ships departed Adelaide for Capetown on the 29th.

 

Heavy cruiser CANBERRA and liner STRATHMORE safely arrived at Capetown on 11 July. The heavy cruiser was assigned to the South Atlantic Command.

 

Heavy cruiser CANBERRA's duty in the South Atlantic was cut short when she had to depart on 4 August from Simonstown for Sydney to repair defects to one of her propeller shafts. This repair was completed in August.

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Convoy BN.1 of nine ships departed Bombay. The convoy was escorted by light cruiser CERES and armed merchant cruiser CATHAY from 23 June to 4 July.

 

Light cruiser LEANDER escorted the convoy from 2 to 10 July.

 

Indian sloop HINDUSTAN escorted the convoy from 2 to 5 July.

 

Sloop SHOREHAM was with the convoy on 2 July.

 

Destroyer KINGSTON escorted the convoy from 5 to 10 July.

 

Anti-aircraft cruiser CARLISLE, destroyer KANDAHAR, sloop FLAMINGO escorted the convoy from 6 to 10 July.

 

Sloops GRIMSBY and CLIVE escorted the convoy from 10 to 12 July when the convoy arrived at Suez.

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Light cruiser DAUNTLESS departed Singapore for Penang, arriving on the 25th.

 

 

Monday,  24 June

 

Heavy cruiser NORFOLK arrived at Scapa Flow after completing repairs in the Clyde of her 19 March bombing damage.

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Light cruiser NEWCASTLE and destroyer ECHO arrived at Scapa Flow at 0445.

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Destroyers FIREDRAKE and PUNJABI departed the Clyde at 0100/24th to escort aircraft carrier ARGUS and liner ANDES (25689grt) to Iceland where they safely arrived at Reykavik at 2015/26th and Seidisfjord on the 30th.

 

The ships departed Reykavik at 1900/27th and arrived at Akreyri at 1320/28th. Troops were landed at Akreyri on the 28th.

 

Destroyers FIREDRAKE and PUNJABI and liner ANDES departed Akreyri at 1020/29th for Seidisfjord. Fog delayed the passage and the ships arrived in the Fjord at 1030/30th. Troops were landed at Seidisfjord on 1 July.

 

The British ships completed their mission and departed Seidisfjord at 1400 on 1 July.

 

The ships arrived in the Clyde at 1030 on 3 July.

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Destroyer FORESIGHT departed Scapa Flow at 0615 for Sullom Voe to escort minelayer ATREUS.

 

Destroyer FORESIGHT and minelayer ATREUS departed Sullom Voe at 1715 for Scapa Flow. They arrived at Scapa Flow at 0500/25th.

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Destroyers BEDOUIN and ASHANTI arrived at Scapa Flow from Iceland.

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Destroyer DIANA departed Scapa Flow at 2000/24th for Aberdeen.

 

At Aberdeen, destroyer DIANA and minesweeping trawler WHITETHORN (515grt) and anti-submarine trawler STOKE CITY (422grt) escorted British steamer LOCHNAGAR (1619grt) and store carrier KYLEBROOK to Lerwick and Scapa Flow, respectively.

 

Store carrier KYLEBROOK and minesweeping trawler WHITETHORN were detached to Scapa Flow on the 25th.

 

Destroyer DIANA, anti-submarine trawler STOKE CITY, steamer LOCHNAGAR arrived at Lerwick at 1440.

 

Destroyer DIANA proceeded to Scapa Flow arriving at 2130.

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Destroyer AMAZON departed Scapa Flow for repairs at Chatham.

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At 0332, submarine TRIDENT fired four torpedoes at German tanker DITHMARSCHEN, escorted by destroyers IHN and GALSTER, in 64-21N, 09-12E.

 

All torpedoes missed.

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Submarine H.28 arrived at Blyth after patrol.

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Submarines SEAWOLF, SEALION, SHARK exercised in the Firth of Forth.

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Minelayers TEVIOTBANK and PLOVER and destroyers INTREPID, ICARUS, EXPRESS, which departed the Humber on the 24th, laid minefield BS.18 during the night of 24/25 June.

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Destroyer BOREAS on OD 2 (South Goodwins Patrol) was ordered to investigate a surface craft steering in circles.

 

(Note:OD 1 was North Goodwins Patrol. OD 3 was the Dungeness Patrol. )

 

Destroyer CODRINGTON was sent to support destroyer BOREAS.

 

Destroyer BOREAS proceeded within three and a half miles off Boulogne. She reported no ships underway. The destroyer experienced considerable artillery fire, but no damage was sustained.

 

Later, destroyer CODRINGTON brought British whale factory ship SVEND FOYN (14,795grt) to anchorage west of Dungeness.

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British steamer ALBUERA (3477grt) was sunk by German motor torpedo boat S.36 at two miles south west of Lydd Light Float off Dungeness.

 

Seven crew were lost on the British steamer. Twenty nine survivors from steamer ALBUERA were rescued by a Dutch steamer MEROPE (1162grt) which transferred them to Anti-submarine trawler GRIMSBY TOWN (422grt) .

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British steamer KINGFISHER (276grt) was sunk by German motor torpedo boat S.19 in 50‑30N, 00‑28E off Beachy Head.

 

One crewman was lost on the British steamer.

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British steamers GLENAFFARIC (7782grt), CYCLOPS (9076grt), CLAN ROSS (5897grt) were off St Jean de Luz to join British liner ETTRICK (11,279grt) embarking troops at St Jean de Luz.

 

British liner ARANDORA STAR (15,501grt) also joined for the evacuation.

 

British steamer CLAN ROSS (5897grt) was damaged by German bombing in 43‑54N, 1‑53W off St Jean de Luz.

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Convoy FN.204 departed Southend, escorted by destroyer VALOROUS, sloop EGRET, patrol sloop SHELDRAKE. The convoy arrived in the Tyne on the 26th.

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Convoy FS.203 departed the Tyne, escorted by sloops FLEETWOOD and WESTON and patrol sloop PINTAIL. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 26th.

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Convoy MT.95 departed Methil, escorted by destroyers VEGA and VIVIEN. The convoy arrived at the Tyne the next day.

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U.47 sank Panamanian steamer CATHRINE (1885grt) in 50‑08N, 14W.

 

Nineteen survivors were landed at Milford Haven.

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Italian submarine GALVANI, which departed Massawa on the 10th,was rammed and sunk by sloop FALMOUTH in the Gulf of Oman at 25‑55N, 56‑55E.

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Destroyer DOUGLAS of the 13th Destroyer Flotilla, with Sir Dudley North aboard, departed Gibraltar for Mer el Kebir to learn the terms of the French Armistice.

 

Destroyer DOUGLAS arrived back at Gibraltar later that same day.

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British liaison officers departed Oran on French destroyer TYPHON for Gibraltar, arriving on the 25th. The destroyer returned to Oran that day.

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Convoy HGZ (formed as HG.36) departed Gibraltar with twenty four ship sescorted by destroyer WISHART and anti-submarine trawler LORD HOTHAM as local escort.

 

Destroyer WISHART remained with the convoy until 28 June when she was detached to convoy OG.35.

 

Sloop FOWEY joined from convoy OG.35 and escorted the convoy from 28 June to 4 July when the convoy arrived at Liverpool.

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Heavy cruiser KENT was attached to the 3rd Cruiser Squadron, Mediterranean Fleet.

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Heavy cruiser CORNWALL departed Simonstown for Liverpool to refit completing on 5 August.

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New Zealand light cruiser ACHILLES departed Auckland for anti raider patrol around Curtis and Macauley Islands.

 

The light cruiser arrived back at Auckland on the 28th.

 

 

Tuesday,  25 June

 

Light cruiser NEWCASTLE departed Scapa Flow at 0800 for Rosyth where she arrived later the same day.

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British repair ship VINDICTIVE departed Scapa Flow for the Clyde, but was recalled before arriving.

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Destroyers JACKAL and JAGUAR departed the Humber for Rosyth.

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Destroyer FURY departed Sheerness for Rosyth.

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Destroyer WINCHESTER departed Rosyth for the Tyne.

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Destroyer AMAZON joined convoy FS.5 off the Tyne for passage to Chatham. Because she could not steam more than fifteen knots, she was not regarded as part of the escort.

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At 1535, submarine SNAPPER fired three torpedoes at a convoy in 58-54N, 5-05. 5E. German auxiliary patrol vessel V p 1107 (trawler PORTLAND: 295grt) was sunk in this attack.

 

At 1604, submarine SNAPPER fired three torpedoes at a merchant ship in this convoy, but missed.

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Submarine TRIBUNE arrived at Rosyth after patrol.

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Submarine PORPOISE arrived at Blyth after patrol.

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Submarine SEALION departed Rosyth on patrol.

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Submarines SEAWOLF and SHARK exercised in the Firth of Forth.

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Rear Admiral F. B. Burgess-Watson DSO Rtd in destroyer BROKE departed Plymouth with destroyers VANQUISHER and WINCHELSEA for Gironde.

 

Destroyer HIGHLANDER and another destroyer were to join Burgess-Watson's command.

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Anti-aircraft cruiser CALCUTTA (Flag Rear Admiral Curteis, 2nd Cruiser Squadron) and Canadian destroyers FRASER and RESTIGOUCHE patrolled off Bordeaux covering the evacuation of St Jean De Luz where troopships ETTRICK (11,279grt), ARANDORA STAR (15,501grt), BATORY (14,287grt), SOBIESKI (11,030grt) were lifting troops from 22 to 24 June. The convoy departed St Jean De Luz at 1300/24th escorted by destroyers MACKAY and WREN.

 

Searching for French steamer DE LASALLE (8400grt) in the area, CALCUTTA accidently ran down FRASER (Cdr W. B. Creery, RCN) at 2000 cutting her in half in 45‑44N, 1‑31W. CALCUTTA and RESTIGOUCHE picked up the survivors and a boarding party at 0001/26th scuttled the stern half which had not yet sunk.

 

Forty five Canadian ratings and fourteen British ratings were lost with FRASER. One rating from destroyer RESTIGOUCHE was lost in the rescue efforts. Eleven officers, including Lt E. P. Tisdall, Lt R. C. Pope, RCNVR, Lt C. A. Rutherford, Lt W. M. Landymore, Lt (E) A. C. K. Layman, RN, Temporary S/Lt A. E. McMurtry, RCNVR, Acting Temporary Surgeon Lt T. B. McLean, RCNVR,which was injured, Gunner (T) B. A. Lewis, one hundred and four ratings were rescued by destroyer RESTIGOUCHE. Destroyer RESTIGOUCHE also had Captain CC A. Allen and two other officers embarked in France and six ratings from CALCUTTA's whaler. Anti-aircraft cruiser CALCUTTA rescued three officers, Creery, Acting LCR F. C. Smith, RCNR, Lt H.V. W. Groos, thirty ratings (eight injured) . Destroyer RESTIGOUCHE arrived at Plymouth at 1715/26th.

 

Cruiser CALCUTTA and arrived at Plymouth for repairs at 0932/27th. Repairs were completed in late July.

 

Destroyers HARVESTER and HIGHLANDER, also in the area, continued on to search for the French ship.

_____

 

Destroyer ESK was damaged in a collision with the Sheringham Light Float.

 

The destroyer's maximum speed was reduced to eighteen knots and the destroyer returned to the Humber for repairs. The destroyer was under repair from 25 June to 8 July.

_____

 

Convoy OA.174 departed Southend escorted by corvette HIBISCUS from 25 to 27 June. The convoy was escorted by sloop ABERDEEN and corvette CALENDULA on 27 to 28 June. Convoy OA.174 included steamer SAN ANDREAS carrying the Norwegian gold to Montreal.

_____

 

Convoy OB.174 departed Liverpool escorted by sloop SANDWICH from 25 to 28 June.

_____

 

Convoy FN.205 departed Southend, escorted by destroyers WALLACE and WOLFHOUND and patrol sloop MALLARD. The convoy arrived at the Tyne on the 27th.

_____

 

Convoy FS.204 departed the Tyne, escorted by destroyers VEGA and VIVIEN and patrol sloop GUILLEMOT. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 27th.

_____

 

On 25 June, convoy HX.52 was ordered routed through the Irish Sea to Liverpool.

 

Up to this point, the convoys had been going to Plymouth.

 

Convoy HX.52 arrived on 4 July.

_____

 

French auxiliary patrol vessel SAINT MARGUERITE (48grt) was scuttled at Le Verdon.

_____

 

U.30 refuelled from German tanker MAX ALBRECHT (5824grt) at El Ferrol.

_____

 

U.53 sank British steamers WINDSORWOOD (5395grt) in 48‑31N, 14‑50W and SARANAC (12,049grt) in 48‑24N, 15‑05W.

 

The entire crew of the steamer WINDSORWOOD was rescued.

 

Two crew were killed and two were missing from the steamer SARANAC. Seventeen survivors were rescued by destroyer HURRICANE. The remaining survivors were picked up on the 29th fourteen miles

from Castletown by British steamer AINDERBY (4860grt) .

_____

 

French Amiral Gensoul was to have bombarded Genoa on this date, but the operation was cancelled on the 24th due to the Armistice.

_____

 

British steamers were seized by French forces at Casablanca. The steamers were renamed for French service.

 

British name

 

B. R. T.

French name

STORAA

 

1967

ST EDMOND

PENGREEP

 

4806

STE JACQUELINE

TOUSSIKA

 

1828

ST HUGHES

HILDE

 

1595

ST BENOIT

BELGIEN

 

1979

not renamed

 

The first escorted Italian convoy departed Naples for Tripoli with troopships ESPERIA (11,398grt) and VICTORIA (13,098grt) escorted by armed merchant cruiser RAMB II and torpedo boats ORSA and PROCIONE.

_____

 

Italian submarine BRAGADIN, which departed Taranto on the 24th, arrived at Tobruk with supplies for the airport.

_____

 

French battleship RICHELIEU and destroyer FLEURET departed Dakar for Casablanca but returned when she found that Heavy cruiser DORSETSHIRE was shadowing her.

 

Seaplane tender ALBATROSS, carrying Admiral D'Oyly Lyon, had departed Freetown for Dakar, but did not arrive until after RICHELIEU had departed.

 

Aircraft carrier ARK ROYAL, battlecruiser HOOD, anddestroyers FAULKNOR, FEARLESS, FOXHOUND, ESCAPADE departed Gibraltar to intercept towards the Canary Islands.

 

While at sea, aircraft carrier ARK ROYAL embarked ten Swordfish from Rabat.

 

The British force was ordered back to Gibraltar at 1900/26th, arriving on the 27th.

 

Battleship RICHELIEU arrived back off Dakar at 0500/27th with French armed merchant cruisers EL D'JEZAIR, EL KANTARA, EL MANSOUR, VILLE D'ORAN and large destroyers MILAN and EPERVIER.

 

However, the battleship and destroyer did not enter port. They turned back north again. They finally arrived at Dakar at 0500/28th.

_____

 

Light cruiser DUNEDIN arrived at Martinique to watch the French warships there.

 

Light cruiser FIJI departed Bermuda on the 24th and joined DUNEDIN.

 

Light cruiser DIOMEDE was also on this patrol.

 

The British ships were ordered to neutralize the French warships in CATAPULt operations, but negotiations averted an armed encounter.

 

Light cruiser FIJI departed Martinique on the 30th to refit at St Lucia. Light cruiser DUNEDIN remained off Fort de France.

 

After CATAPULt operations in Africa, the British warships were ordered to leave French waters and the patrol was terminated on 12 July.

_____

 

Dutch light cruiser HEEMSKERCK departed Halifax for Falmouth. The cruiser returned to Portsmouth for conversion to an anti-aircraft cruiser completed on 17 February 1941.

_____

 

Australian heavy cruiser AUSTRALIA, which had just escorted British steamer ULYSSES (14,652grt) from Capetown to Durban and returned escorting troopship STRATHEDEN, departed Capetown with troopships ORION (23,371grt), REINA DEL PACIFICO (17,702grt), STRATHEDEN (23,722grt) .

 

All ships arrived at Freetown without event on 3 July.

 

Seaplane carrier ALBATROS was at Freetown at that time.

_____

 

Convoy HX.53 departed Halifax escorted by Canadian destroyers ASSINIBOINE and OTTAWA. On 26 June, they turned the convoy over to the ocean escort, armed merchant cruiser ALAUNIA, which was detached on 7 July.

 

Convoy BHX.53 departed Bermuda on the 24th escorted by ocean escort armed merchant cruiser COMORIN. The convoy rendezvoused with HX.53 on the 29th and the armed merchant cruiser was detached.

 

On 7 July, destroyers SABRE and SCIMITAR, sloop LEITH, corvette CLARKIA joined the convoy. On 8 July, destroyers HURRICANE, VANQUISHER, WINCHELSEA joined; they were detached the next day. On 10 July, the convoy arrived at Liverpool with the earlier escort ships.

_____

 

Convoy SL.37 departed Freetown escorted by armed merchant cruiser MOOLTAN to 9 July.

 

On 9 July, destroyer WALKER and sloop DEPTFORD joined the convoy and escorted it to arrival on 12 July.

 

 

Wednesday,  26 June

 

 

Battleship VALIANT and destroyers FORESTER, FORESIGHT, ESCORT departed Scapa Flow at1900 for Gibraltar where they arrived on the 30th.

_____

 

Destroyer ASHANTI departed Scapa Flow at 0940 to search for a Gladiator of 804 Squadron down two miles southeast of Pentland Skerries.

 

The search was unsuccessful and the destroyer returned to Scapa Flow at 1410. Temporary Lt (A) H.C. Maudslay RNVR, was lost in the aircraft.

_____

 

Destroyer MASHONA departed Scapa Flow for Rosyth.

_____

 

Destroyers FERNIE and ATHERSTONE arrived in the Clyde.

_____

 

Destroyers FURY, VANSITTART, JACKAL, JAGUAR arrived at Rosyth.

_____

 

Destroyers FURY and VANSITTART escorting minelayers PORT NAPIER and PORT QUEBEC departed Rosyth for Loch Alsh, where they arrived on the 28th.

_____

 

Destroyer IMOGEN and submarine TALISMAN departed Liverpool for the Clyde, arriving at 1030/27th.

_____

 

Submarine STURGEON departed Blyth on patrol.

_____

 

French submarine RUBIS, which departed Dundee on the 20th, laid mines at 0300 in Trondheimsfjord in minelaying mission FD.20.

_____

 

Convoy FS.205 departed the Tyne, escorted by sloops LOWESTOFT, STORK, WESTON and patrol sloop SHELDRAKE. Destroyer AMAZON was in the convoy and as she could not steam more than 15 knots was not considered an escort. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 28th.

_____

 

Convoy MT.96 departed Methil, escorted by destroyer VIMERIA and sloop LONDONDERRY. The convoy arrived in the Tyne the next day.

_____

 

French submarine NARVAL (Lieutenant de Vaisseau F. Drogou) of the 11th Submarine Division, refusing to be demilitarised at Bizerte, arrived at Malta to join British forces.

_____

 

Italian submarine GUGLIEMOTTI ran aground on a shoal in the Red Sea.

 

The grounding left GUGLIEMOTTI badly damaged, but she was soon salved.

_____

 

German armed merchant cruiser WIDDER captured Norwegian tanker KROSSFONN (9323grt) at 21‑55N, 45‑00W on the Trinidad-Azores track in the South Atlantic.

 

Two crew members of the tanker were made prisoners of war.

 

The tanker was renamed SPICHERN for German use.

_____

 

U.A sank Norwegian steamer CRUZ (3828grt) in convoy OG.34 in 36‑53N, 14W.

 

The entire crew was rescued.

_____

 

U.29 sank Greek steamer DIMITRIS (5254grt) in 44‑23N, 11‑41W.

 

The entire crew was rescued.

_____

 

U.62 sank British trawler CASTLETON (211grt) off the Orkneys.

_____

 

Italian submarine GLAUCO attacked an allied steamer off Cape Corbelin in the Mediterranean.

_____

 

Italian steamer LOASSO (5968grt) was sunk on a mine laid by submarine RORQUAL on the 14th off Testa del Gargano, north of Brindisi in the Adriatic.

 

Italian steamer RINA CROCE (569grt) was lost on a mine two and half mines off Brindisi on 25 September on this minefield.

 

 

Thursday,  27 June

 

Light cruiser BIRMINGHAMwas boiler cleaning and refitting at Rosyth from 27 to 30 June.

_____

 

Destroyers ASHANTI and COSSACK arrived at Scapa Flow.

_____

 

Destroyer MASHONA arrived at Rosyth.

_____

 

Destroyer FORTUNE departed Sheerness for Rosyth, arriving on the 28th.

_____

 

British steamer CAIRNDALE (8129grt) escorted by submarine tenders BREDA (1431grt) and WHITE BEAR (1822grt) departed the Clyde for Scapa Flow.

_____

 

Destroyers MAORI and ECHO departed Scapa Flow at 1300 to hunt for a German submarine north of Muckle Flugga in 60‑24N, 5‑59W, reported damaged at 0700 in an air attack. The submarine was on course 030, apparently homebound.

 

This was U.32 which had not been damaged.

 

Armed boarding vessels NORTHERN SUN and NORTHERN ISLES, submarine L.23, which had been on exercises, four Swordfish from Hatston were also ordered to search.

 

The destroyers were recalled at 1030/28th after failing to make contact and arrived at Scapa Flow later that day.

 _____

 

Destroyers ATHERSTONE and FERNIE and escort vessel GLEANER departed the Clyde to search for a submarine in the Clyde approaches.

 

The ships were advised to return if no contact was made by 0600/28th. The ships arrived back at Greenock at 1130/28th.

_____

 

Destroyer BOREAS and Anti-submarine trawler GRIMSBY TOWN were ordered to investigate a submarine contact three miles southeast of Dover.

 

This contact was later found to be the wreck of steamer ALBUERA lost on the 24th.

_____

 

Submarines SUNFISH, TRUANT, SALMON arrived at Rosyth after patrol.

_____

 

Submarine TRIAD departed Rosyth on patrol.

_____

 

Destroyer HARVESTER and troopship ARANDORA STAR arrived at Liverpool.

_____

 

Destroyer HIGHLANDER arrived at Plymouth after operations off southern France.

_____

 

Convoy OB.173GF departed Liverpool on the 24th escorted by destroyer WITHERINGTON on 24 to 27 June,and merged on the 27th with convoy OA.173GF, which departed Southend on the 24th, as convoy OG.35 with fourteen ships. Convoy segments which departed Plymouth and Falmouth on 25 and 26 June also joined.

 

Destroyer WITHERINGTON was then detached to convoy HG.35. Corvette GARDENIA escorted the convoy from 28 June to 1 July.

 

Sloop FOWEY escorted the convoy segment from 25to 26 June when she was detached to convoy HGZ. The convoy was joined by destroyer WISHART from convoy HGZ on the 28th.

 

Convoy OG.35 arrived at Gibraltar on 1 July, escorted by destroyer WISHART.

_____

 

Briish convoy OA.174 departed Southend on the 27th escorted by destroyer VANESSA on 26 and 27 June and corvette CLARKIA on the 27th.

_____

 

Convoy OB.174 departed Liverpool escorted by sloop ROCHESTER from 27 to 30 June.

_____

 

Convoy FN.206 departed Southend, escorted by destroyer WOOLSTON, sloop FLEETWOOD, patrol sloop SHEARWATER. Norwegian destroyer SLEIPNER from the Tyne joined this convoy en route. The convoy arrived at Rosyth on the 29th.

_____

 

Convoy FS.206 departed the Tyne, escorted by destroyer VIMIERA, sloop LONDONDERRY, patrol sloop MALLARD. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 29th.

_____

 

Convoy MT.97 departed Methil, escorted by WINCHESTER and WOLSEY and sloop EGRET. The convoy arrived in the Tyne the next day.

_____

 

U.47 sank Norwegian steamer LENDA (4005grt) 160 miles southwest of Fastnet in 50-12N, 13-18W and Dutch steamer LETICIA (2580grt) in 50‑11N, 13‑15W.

One crewman was killed on the Norwegian steamer. Destroyer HURRICANE rescued nineteen survivors.

 

Two crew were killed on the Dutch steamer. Destroyer HURRICANE rescued thirty survivors.

 

Destroyers HAVELOCK and HURRICANE were searching in the area.

_____

 

German steamer KOLN (7881grt) was lost in stranding near Gefle.

_____

 

Destroyers DAINTY (Cdr M. S. Thomas, Cdr D), DECOY, DEFENDER, ILEX, VOYAGER departed Alexandria on an anti-submarine sweep to be followed by a voyage to Malta to escort convoy MA 3 back to Alexandria. Destroyers DECOY, DEFENDER, ILEX carried stores for Malta. Destroyer DIAMOND would sail from Malta with this group and escort the two convoys.

 

However, the second half of the operation was cancelled and the convoys were brought away early in early July.

 

Italian submarine CONSOLE GENERALE LUIZZI was sunk by destroyers DAINTY, DEFENDER, ILEX south of Crete in 33-36N, 27-27E.

 

Destroyers VOYAGER and DAINTY rescued the survivors.

 

Thirteen ratings were rescued by destroyer VOYAGER. The destroyer was ordered to return to Alexandria and destroyers HOSTILE and STUART departed to join the hunt. were taken by destroyer VOYAGER from submarine LUIZZI. The destroyer was ordered to return to Alexandria and destroyers HOSTILE and STUART departed to join the hunt.

 

From this submarine and submarine UEBI SCEBELI, which was sunk by the same group on the 29th, ten officers and seventy two ratings were rescued by destroyer DAINTY. Destroyers DECOY and ILEX had three more ratings between them.

_____

 

British steamer CITY OF CAIRO, carrying Anti-aircraft guns and troops, arrived at Gibraltar, escorted by destroyers WITCH and VISCOUNT.

_____

 

Off the coast of Eritrea near Port Sudan, New Zealand light cruiser LEANDER and destroyers KANDAHAR and KINGSTON shelled beached Italian submarine MACALLE and LEANDER's aircraft dropped four bombs on the submarine.

 

Submarine MACALLE was lost.

 

Light cruiser LEANDER and destroyer KINGSTON arrived at Aden on the 28th.

_____

 

Italian destroyers ESPERO, OSTRO, ZEFFIRO departed Taranto for Tripoli with 120 tons of ammunition, ten anti tank guns, 160 artillerymen.

 

Later that day, destroyers PILO and MISSORI departed Taranto for Tripoli with supplies and fifty two soldiers.

_____

 

Light cruiser DURBAN arrived at Singapore.

 

 

Friday,  28 June

 

Aircraft carrier ARGUS was damaged in heavy weather when she was dragged ashore at Reykavik.

 

The aircraft carrier was refloated on the 29th with no apparent damage.

 _____

 

Destroyers FURY and VANSITTART escorting Minelayers PORT QUEBEC and PORT NAPIER arrived at Loch Alsh.

_____

 

Destroyer CODRINGTON was ordered to pick up a Hurricane pilot seven miles 270° from Boulogne. The destroyer was taken under fire from German guns at Boulogne, but no damage was done. The pilot was not located.

_____

 

During the night of 28/29 June, two motor torpedo boats from Dover were damaged when they struck wreckage.

_____

 

Destroyer FORTUNE and minesweeping trawler HAZEL (530grt) departed Methil escorting Aircraft transport ship FOSSBECK and cable ship ARIEL at 1200.

 

The British ships arrived at Scapa Flow at 1500/29th.

_____

 

Armed patrol yacht WHITE BEAR, escorting steamer SHOALFISHER and oiler CAIRNDALE, attacked a submarine contact in 58‑23N, 5‑33W at 2300/28th. The patrol yacht expended all her depth charges and claimed sinking the contact.

 

Destroyer FORTUNE arrived at Scapa Flow at 1500/29th. She joined the hunt later on the 29th.

 

Destroyer FORTUNE fired three patterns of depth charges on this contact before being recalled to Scapa Flow.

_____

 

Submarine TAKU departed Rosyth on patrol after exercising in the Firth of Forth.

_____

 

Submarine L.26, escorted by Dutch torpedo boat Z.5, arrived at Scapa Flow. Submarine L.26 relieved submarine L.23.

 

Submarine L.23 and torpedo boat Z.5 departed Scapa Flow for Rosyth later that day.

_____

 

Destroyer IMOGEN and submarine TALISMAN exercised in the Firth of Clyde.

_____

 

Convoy FN.207 departed Southend, escorted by destroyers VEGA and VIVIEN and patrol sloop PUFFIN. The convoy arrived at the Tyne on the 30th.

_____

 

Convoy FS.207 departed the Tyne, escorted by destroyers WOLSEY and WINCHESTER, sloop EGRET, patrol sloop SHEARWATER.

 

The convoy arrived at Southend on the 30th.

_____

 

Convoy MT.98 departed Methil, escorted by destroyers WALLACE and WOLFHOUND. The convoy arrived in the Tyne the next day.

_____

 

U.30 sank British steamer LLANARTH (5053grt) in 47‑30N, 10‑30W.

 

The entire crew from the steamer were rescued by Corvette GLADIOLUS.

_____

 

British Force H.was formed under the command of Vice Admiral Sir James F. Somerville at Gibraltar.

 

Battleship RESOLUTION, which had departed Scapa Flow on the 4th, arrived off Gibraltar on the 10th and was escorted into port by destroyers DOUGLAS and VIDETTE.

 

Aircraft carrier ARK ROYAL, battlecruiser HOOD, destroyers FOXHOUND, FEARLESS, FAULKNOR, ESCAPADE departed Scapa Flow on the 17th arrived at Gibraltar on the 23rd.

 

Destroyer JERVIS which departed Plymouth on the 26th, en route to the Mediterranean Fleet arrived at Gibraltar on the 29th and sailed for Malta on the 30th.

 

Battleship VALIANT departed Scapa Flow at 1900/26th with destroyers ESCORT, FORESTER, FORESIGHT and arrived at Gibraltar on 2 July.

 

Light cruiser ARETHUSA departed Portsmouth on the 28th with Admiral Somerville embarked and arrived at Gibraltar at 1745/30th.

 

Light cruiser ENTERPRISE departed Plymouth on the 29th and arrived at Gibraltar on 1 July.

 

At Gibraltar was the 13th Destroyer Flotilla which was composed of Destroyers ACTIVE, WRESTLER, VIDETTE, DOUGLAS, KEPPEL, VORTIGERN, WISHART, VELOX, WATCHMAN which were attached to Force H as required.

 

In July, destroyers KEPPEL, DOUGLAS, ACTIVE, WATCHMAN, VORTIGERN, VIDETTE, VELOX departed Gibraltar on 14 July and arrived at Liverpool on 20 July.

 

Destroyers VIDETTE and VELOX were in England for refitting and eventual return to Gibraltar, but the rest were taken and formed into the 12th Destroyer Flotilla for service with the Home Fleet.

_____

 

Destroyer VELOX departed Gibraltar to relieve destroyer WATCHMAN on patrol duty off Casablanca. Destroyer VELOX was relieved by armed yacht SAYONORA which departed Gibraltar on 2 July.

_____

 

Italian destroyers ESPERO (Captain Baroni, D1), ZEFFIRO, OSTRO were sighted by air reconnaissance.

 

At 1100/27th, light cruisers GLOUCESTER, LIVERPOOL, NEPTUNE, ORION, SYDNEY departed Alexandria.

 

At 1800, light cruisers GLOUCESTER and LIVERPOOL, supported by the other light cruisers, contacted the Italian force.

 

Destroyer ESPERO was sunk in the Ionian Sea in 35‑18N, 20‑12E, but the other two destroyers were able to escape and continue to Tripoli.

 

Light cruiser LIVERPOOL was struck by a single 4. 7 inch shell which cut the degaussing wire.

 

Australian light cruiser SYDNEY attempted to rescue survivors, but Italian air attacks cancelled the effort. Only forty four crew were picked up by the cruiser.

_____

 

The light cruisers that sank Italian destroyer ESPERO were covering allied convoy AS.1 of eleven merchant ships that had departed Port Helles on the 28th en route from the Dardanelles and Greek ports to Port Said. The convoy was escorted by light cruiser CALEDON and destroyers GARLAND and VAMPIRE which departed Alexandria at 1800/26th and light cruiser CAPETOWN and destroyers NUBIAN and MOHAWK which departed Port Said on the 27th. The convoy was covered by battleships ROYAL SOVEREIGN and RAMILLIES, aircraft carrier EAGLE, destroyers HAVOCK, HASTY, HERO, HEREWARD, HYPERION, JUNO, JANUS of the 2nd Flotilla, all of which departed Alexandria on the 28th.

 

On 29 June, destroyer IMPERIAL departed Alexandria to escort oilers between Alexandria, Port Said, Haifa.

 

During the afternoon of 30 June, the 7th Cruiser Squadron with the convoy was attacked by Italian bombers. Light cruiser NEPTUNE suffered some splinter damage and had three crew wounded.

 

After the escort brought the convoy from Cape Helles, the British 7th Cruiser Squadron arrived at Alexandria on the 30th. The battleships, aircraft carrier EAGLE, their destroyers arrived at Alexandria on 2 July. The convoy arrived that afternoon.

_____

 

Convoy HG.36 departed Gibraltar with twelve ships, escorted by destroyer DOUGLAS which was detached on 2 July. The convoy was escorted by sloop WELLINGTON from 28 June to 7 July.

 

Convoy HG.36 arrived at Liverpool on 8 July.

_____

 

Italian submarine ANFITRITE was bombed by aircraft of RAFT 230 Squadron and damaged off Tobruk.

_____

 

Italian submarine ARGONAUTA was sunk in 35-24N, 20-10E by the Destroyers of Cdr Thomas' group.

_____

 

Italiansteamer MARIA (440grt) was sunk by British bombing thirteen miles north of Tobruk.

_____

 

Italian steamer ALESSANDRO PODESTA (663grt) was sunk on a mine in 40‑59N, 08‑34E in Asinara Gulf.

_____

 

Italian steamer PAGANINI (2427grt) was lost in the Adriatic in 41-47N, 19-11E in a fire.

 

 

Saturday,  29 June

 

Battleship NELSON departed the Clyde escorted by destroyers FURY and FAME and Canadian destroyers ST LAURENT and SKEENA for Gibraltar.

 

On 1 July at 0251, the ships were ordered to return to Scapa Flow.

 

The ships, less destroyer ST LAURENT which was assisting British steamer ARANDORA STAR, arrived at Scapa Flow at 0530 on 3 July.

_____

 

At 2024, the ships at Scapa Flow were brought to immediate notice.

 

Destroyer FORTUNE was recalled to Scapa Flow.

 

At 2121, notice was brought to one hour's notice.

 

At 0110/30th, the ships at Scapa Flow returned to normal notice.

_____

 

Anti-aircraft cruiser COVENTRY departed the Tyne for Scapa Flow where she arrived on the 30th.

_____

 

Destroyer IMOGEN departed the Clyde for Liverpool arriving on the 30th.

_____

 

Destroyers JAVELIN and JUPITER arrived in the Humber.

_____

 

Escort vessel GLEANER arrived at Belfast.

_____

 

Destroyer WALKER departed Greenock at 1400 with British steamers CITY OF AUCKLAND (8336grt), CITY OF FLORENCE (6862grt), MARINA (5088grt), DALLINGTON COURT (6889grt), LYCAON (7350grt) for Belfast.

 

Destroyer WALKER then returned to the Clyde.

_____

 

Dutch submarines O.21 and O.22 arrived at Rosyth from Dundee.

_____

 

Submarine L.23 and Dutch torpedo boat Z.5 arrived at Dundee from Scapa Flow.

_____

 

Submarine TALISMAN completed diving trials.

_____

 

Submarine NARWHAL departed Blyth for Immingham.

_____

 

Destroyer GRIFFIN arrived at Dover at 0618 to join the 1st Destroyer Flotilla.

_____

 

Anti-submarine trawler WELLARD (514grt) was attacked by German motor torpedo boats fourteen miles east of Beachy Head at 0200.

 

Destroyer CODRINGTON was ordered to search for these boats.

 

At 0658, destroyer CODRINGTON one mile 10° from Folkestone Gate Light Vessel was attacked by a single German Heinkel bomber.

 

No damage or casualties were sustained by the destroyer.

_____

 

At 0430, destroyer BRILLIANT on OD.3 (Dungeness Patrol) investigate Very Lights four miles 135° from the Coast Guard Station at Sandgate.

_____

 

Destroyers EXPRESS, INTREPID, ICARUS with minelayers TEVIOTBANK and PLOVER departed the Humber and conducted minelaying operation BS.19 during the night of 29/30 June.

_____

 

Convoy FN.208 departed Southend, escorted by sloops LOWESTOFT, STORK, WESTON, patrol sloop GUILLEMOT. The convoy arrived at the Tyne on 1 July.

_____

 

Convoy FS.208 departed the Tyne, escorted by destroyers WALLACE and WOLFHOUND. The convoy arrived at Southend on 1 July.

_____

 

U.47 sank British steamer EMPIRE TOUCAN (4421grt) in 49‑20N, 13‑52W.

 

Three crew were missing from the steamer.

 

The bow section of the steamer was sunk on the 29th by destroyer HURRICANE which also rescued the survivors.

_____

 

U.51 sank special service vessel WILLAMETTE VALLEY (acting Cdr R. E. D. Ryder), which was disguised as RFA EDGEHILL (4724grt), southwest of Ireland.

 

Lt E. F. M. Seymour, Temporary Lt Cdr W. Thomson RNR, Lt F. F. Balchin RNR, Lt D. G. Collins RNR, Temporary Lt Cdr (E) R. P. Beatty RNR, Temporary Lt (E) W. J. Walker RNR, Temporary Paymaster Lt L.W. Williams RNR, Temporary Lt J. H. Martin RNVR, Temporary S/Lt E. A. Dicks RNVR, Temporary Surgeon Lt H.A. Wallace, MRCS, LRCP RNVR, fifty six ratings were lost in the ship.

 

Twenty seven survivors were picked up by British tanker INVERLEE (9158grt) on 3 July.

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Convoy WS.1, consisting of liners AQUITANIA (45,647grt) and MAURETANIA (35,738grt) departed Liverpool for the Indian Ocean and ultimately North Africa, via Capetown, escorted by heavy cruiser CUMBERLAND.

 

Liner QUEEN MARY (80,774grt) departed the Clyde at 1050 escorted by destroyers ATHERSTONE and FERNIE and joined the convoy at sea. The two destroyers returned to Liverpool.

 

Local escort was given by destroyers HIGHLANDER, HARVESTER, VOLUNTEER, WHIRLWIND. The two H's were detached to Plymouth and the two V's to Liverpool. The convoy arrived at Freetown on 8 July and departed on 9 July. The convoy safely arrived at Capetown on 16 July and departed Simonstown on 19 July.

 

Heavy cruiser KENT departed Durban on 20 July to rendezvous with the convoy south of Durban. On 21 July, heavy cruiser KENT relieved heavy cruiser CUMBERLAND. The convoy safely arrived at Trincomalee on 28 July.

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Convoy OA.176 departed Southend escorted by destroyer WOLVERINE and corvette GARDENIA on 1 and 2 July when they were detached to convoy HX.52. Corvettes HEARTEASE and ARABIS escorted the convoy on 1 July.

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Convoy OB.176 departed Liverpool escorted by sloop SCARBOROUGH from 29 June to 2 July and destroyer VANOC on the 30th. The convoy was dispersed on 2 July. Destroyer VANOC returned to Liverpool on 1 July and sloop SCARBOROUGH to convoy HX.52.

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Italian submarine RUBINO was sunk by aircraft of RAF 201 Group in the Ionian Sea in 39‑10N, 18‑49E. The flying boat picked up some survivors.

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Italian submarine SIRENA was damaged by aircraft of RAF 230 Squadron off Tobruk.

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Italian submarines UEBI SCEBELI was sunk and SALPAwas damaged by destroyers DAINTY, ILEX, DEFENDER, VOYAGER west of Crete in 35‑29N, 20‑06E.

 

The crew of the sunken submarine was rescued by destroyer DAINTY which arrived in Alexandria at 1934/30th.

 

A large number of secret documents were recovered by destroyer VOYAGER. The destroyer was ordered to return to Alexandria and destroyers HOSTILE and STUART departed to join the hunt.

 

Destroyers STUART and HOSTILE departed Alexandria to hunt submarines north of Derna.

 

Early on 1 July, the destroyers attacked a submarine contact without result. Both destroyers arrived back at Alexandria on 2 July.

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Italian submarine BEILUL conducted a reconnaissance of the Mediterranean Fleet at Alexandria.

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Destroyer DOUGLAS, with convoy HG.36, stopped three French armed trawlers bound for Casablanca, but was unable to persuade them to proceed to Gibraltar. Two French destroyers, apparently for the same destination were also sighted. (all destroyers going to Casablanca, already accounted for - me)

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Convoy HX.54 departed Halifax escorted by Canadian destroyers ASSINIBOINE and OTTAWA which departed Halifax on anti-submarine duties at 0730/29th.

 

The local escort turned the convoy over to Armed merchant cruiser RAJPUTANA at 2115 and arrived back at Halifax 0740/30th. The armed merchant cruiser was detached on 4 July.

 

Convoy BHX.54 departed Bermuda on the 28th escorted by ocean escort armed merchant cruiser ASCANIA. The convoy rendezvoused with HX.54 on 3 July and the armed merchant cruiser was detached.

 

On 11 July, destroyers HARVESTER, HAVELOCK, WANDERER and sloop SANDWICH joined the convoy. Destroyers HARVESTER and WANDERER were detached. Destroyer HAVELOCK was detached on 13 July. Sloop SANDWICH arrived with the convoy at Liverpool on 14 July.

 

 

Sunday,  30 June

 

After temporary repairs at Rosyth, mine damaged light cruiser BELFAST, escorted by destroyers GALLANT and WALPOLE, departed Rosyth on the 28th and arrived at Plymouth on the 30th for repairs.

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Destroyer WALKER arrived in the Clyde.

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Submarine SNAPPER unsuccessfully attacked a German submarine 27 miles 207° from Lister.

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Submarine SEVERN unsuccessfully attacked a northbound German destroyer in 57-28N, 5-31E. The signal was not received until 0030 on 1 July and then it was too late to mount an air attack from Hatston.

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Submarine NARWHAL arrived at Immingham and departed the same day for minelaying operation FD.21 southwest of Trondheim.  The minefield was laid on 4 July, 35° from 63‑14‑52N, 07‑33‑47E.

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French submarine RUBIS arrived at Dundee after minelaying mission FD.20 and a patrol off Peterhead on 29/30 June.

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Acting S/Lt (A) J M P Davies and S/Lt C. A. Conn in a Swordfish of 812 Squadron, based on PEREGRINE, were shot down over Holland on a minelaying mission and taken prisoner.

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Convoy FN.209 departed Southend, escorted by destroyer VIMIERA, sloop LONDONDERRY, and patrol sloop SHELDRAKE. The convoy arrived in the Tyne on 2 July.

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Convoy MT.99 departed Methil, escorted by sloops BLACK SWAN, HASTINGS and patrol sloop GUILLEMOT, and arrived in the Tyne the next day.

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 Major German warships operational at this time were heavy cruiser ADMIRAL HIPPER, light cruisers KOLN and NURNBERG, and destroyers SCHOEMANN, LODY, IHN, GALSTER.

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U.26 sank Greek steamer FRANGOULA GOULANDRIS (6701grt) in 49‑59N, 11‑24W, and six crew drowned.

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U.43 badly damaged steamer AVELONA STAR (Commodore of convoy SL.36 which had departed Freetown on the 16th, 13,376grt) in 46‑46N, 12‑17W and she sank next day, the 1 July, in 46-59N, 11-39W. One crewman was killed and two missing. Survivors were rescued by steamer BEIGNON (5218grt), with two being picked up by escorting armed merchant cruiser DUNVEGAN CASTLE. When BEIGNON was sunk on 1 July, three survivors from AVELONA STAR were missing.

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U.65 damaged steamer CLAN OGLIVY (5802grt) of convoy SL.36 in 46‑17N, 14‑35W. Sher was escorted by destroyer VESPER and corvette GLADIOLUS.

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U.47 sank Greek steamer GEORGIOS KYRIAKIDES (4201grt) in 50‑25N, 14‑33W. The entire crew  were rescued.

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U.102 sank Norwegian steamer BELMOIRA (3214grt) in 48‑15N, 10‑30W and Estonian steamer MERKUR (1291grt) in 48‑26N, 10‑58W. The entire crew of the Norwegian ship were rescued, but four of the Estonian crews were lost.

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Steamer HELDER (979grt) was damaged by German motor torpedo boat S off St Catherine's Point, IOW

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Australian light cruiser HOBART departed Aden escorting armed boarding vessel CHANTALA carrying 690 troops to Berbera where they arrived safely  on 1 July.

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Light cruisers CALEDON, CAPETOWN and destroyers GARLAND, VAMPIRE, NUBIAN, MOHAWK,arrived at Alexandria after covering a convoy from Cape Helles.

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Destroyers FAULKNOR and FEARLESS departed Gibraltar to establish a patrol off Oran to report any French ships attempting to proceed to the west. They were ordered to return to Gibraltar on 1 July.

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Italian submarine CORRIDONI departed Italy with supplies for the Tobruk airport.

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Light cruiser DANAE arrived at Singapore.

 

June, miscellaneous

 

Greek destroyer HYDRA from Melos was bombed by Italian aircraft while investigating an attack on a Greek merchant ship near Crete.

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At the end of June, the following destroyers were under repairs - AMAZON at Chatham repairing, ANTELOPE at Tyne repairing, BOADICEA at Portsmouth repairing, BULLDOG at Portsmouth repairing, DELIGHT at Portsmouth refitting, DUNCAN at Grangemouth repairing, ECLIPSE at Clyde refitting, ELECTRA at Greenock repairing, ENCOUNTER at Chatham repairing, ESKIMO at Barrow repairing, HOTSPUR at Chatham refitting, IMPULSIVE at London repairing, ISIS at Plymouth repairing, IVANHOE at Chatham repairing, JERSEY at Hull repairing, KELLY at Tyne repairing, KIPLING at Southampton refitting, MACKAY at Plymouth boiler cleaning, MATABELE at Falmouth repairing, MONTROSE at Woolwich repairing, SARDONYX at London refitting, SKATE at Portsmouth refitting, SOMALI at Liverpool repairing, STURDY at Portsmouth refitting, VENETIA at Plymouth repairing, WESTMINSTER at Portsmouth repairing, WORCESTER at London repairing, WHITEHALL at Plymouth refitting, Polish BLYSKAWICA and BURZA, both at Portsmouth repairing.

 
 

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revised 7/4/12
further editing is required