British and Other Navies in World War 2 Day-by-Day by Don Kindell ROYAL, DOMINION and INDIAN NAVY SHIPS, 1  JANUARY 1941, Part 2 of 2

HMAS Hobart, light cruiser (NP/Mark Teadham click photographs for enlargements)

on to British Construction Programmes, 1 January 1941 or back to Naval-History.Net

Contents  Part 2 of 2 2. FOREIGN STATIONS 3. DOMINION and INDIAN NAVIES Background Events January-May 1941 Battle of Cape Matapan, Battles for Greece & Crete, Capture of U.110, Enigma codes, Loss of 'Hood', sinking of 'Bismarck'

2. FOREIGN STATIONS

Some warships are listed with their own unit and again when detached to another

NORTH ATLANTIC COMMAND

Vice Adm Sir G Frederick B Edward-Collins KCB, KCVO

Base ship, Gibraltar - CORMORANT

Battleship - RESOLUTION (Capt A R Halfhide CBE) arr Gibraltar 16 Dec from Freetown.

Heavy cruiser - BERWICK (Capt G L Warren) arr Gibraltar 31 Dec

13th Destroyer Flotilla

25th Division - DUNCAN (Capt A D B James Actg, Lt Cdr A N Rowell from 13 Feb) dep Gibraltar 31 Dec, ENCOUNTER (Lt Cdr E V St J Morgan) arr Freetown 31 Dec, ISIS (Cdr C S B Swinley DSC) arr Freetown 31 Dec

26th Division - VIDETTE (Lt E N Walmsley) dep Gibraltar 31 Dec, VELOX (Lt Cdr E G Roper DSC) dep Gibraltar 31 Dec, WISHART (Cdr E T Cooper) arr Gibraltar 29 Dec, WRESTLER (Lt E L Jones DSC) at Portsmouth repairing to comp 30 Jan.

8th Submarine Flotilla - shore establishment PIGMY (Cdr G B H Fawkes) at Gibraltar, submarines OLYMPUS (Lt Cdr H G Dymott) arr Gibraltar 29 Dec, OTUS (Lt Cdr E C F Nicolay) arr Gibraltar 4 Jan, PANDORA (Lt Cdr J W Linton) arr Gibraltar 14 Jan.

7th Anti-Submarine Group - anti-submarine trawlers ARCTIC RANGER (SO, Cdr J H Young Rtd), ERIN (Actg Cdr J O Davies RNR), HAARLEM (Ty Lt L B Merrick RNVR), KINGSTON CHRYSOLITE (Ty Lt R L Green, RVR) dep 29 Dec for Liverpool, LEYLAND (Lt Cdr A Wilkinson RNR), LORD HOTHAM (Sk J W Morris RNR), all at or dep Gibraltar

92nd Minesweeping Group - minesweeping trawlers CLYNE CASTLE (Lt T Fraser RNR), HONJU (Ch Sk J Bowie RNR), both at Gibraltar

Contraband Control Service - armed boarding vessels ACHROITE (Sk G W H Mortlock RNR), ALOUETTE (Lt Lord Churston RNVR), ANGLIA (Lt R McCready RNR), CHARLES McIVER (Lt B T R Russell RNR), FEASIBLE (Sk C C Findlay RNR), IMPERIALIST (Pbty Ty Lt P E Kitto RNR), KINGSTON JACINTH (Lt Cdr A Ayre Rtd) dep 29 Dec for Liverpool, KINGSTON TOPAZ (Cdr W L Smith RNR), KINGSTON TURQUOISE (Lt L A White RNR) dep 29 Dec for Liverpool, LOCH OSKAIG (Lt Cdr S Darling RANR), LORNA (Actg Lt R Atkinson RNR), ROSABELLE (Lt H H Brown RNR), SAYONARA (Cdr H Hamilton Rtd), SCOTTISH (Cdr S A Brooks OBE Rtd), TIERCEL (Lt R R L Rosoman RNR Rtd) at Greenock, otherwise all at or dep Gibraltar

Tugs - ST DAY (Lt Cdr J Sharples RNR Rtd), ST OMAR (no CO listed), both at Gibraltar

FORCE H

Vice Adm Sir James F Somerville KCB, DSO

Battlecruiser - RENOWN (Flag, Somerville, Capt C E B Simeon, Capt R R McGrigor from 23 Jan) arr Gibraltar 30 Dec

Battleship - MALAYA (Capt A F E Palliser DSC) arr Gibraltar 24 Dec

Aircraft carrier - ARK ROYAL (Capt C S Holland) at Gibraltar on eight hours notice.

Light cruiser - SHEFFIELD (Capt C A A Larcom) arr Gibraltar 30 Dec

8th Destroyer Flotilla (Capt A F de Salis) - FAULKNOR (de Salis) arr Gibraltar 30 Dec, FEARLESS (Cdr A F Pugsley) Troon, FIREDRAKE (Lt Cdr S H Norris DSO, DSC) dep Gibraltar 31 Dec, FORESIGHT (Lt Cdr G T Lambert, Cdr J S C Salter from 14 Jan) at Liverpool, FORESTER (Lt Cdr E B Tancock DSC) arr Gibraltar 31 Dec, FORTUNE (Lt Cdr E N Sinclair) arr Gibraltar 29 Dec, FOXHOUND (Lt Cdr G H Peters DSC) dep Gibraltar 31 Dec, FURY (Lt Cdr T C Robinson) arr Gibraltar 31 Dec

MEDITERRANEAN FLEET

Vice Adm Sir Andrew B Cunningham KCB, DSO on WARSPITE,

promoted to Admiral 3 Jan 1941

Base ship - NILE (Rear Adm F Elliott OBE Rtd, Actg Rear Adm G H Creswell DSO, DSC from 5 Feb)

1st Battle Squadron (Rear Adm H B Rawlings OBE on BARHAM) - battleships BARHAM (Capt G C Cooke), VALIANT (Capt C E Morgan DSO) arr 24 Dec, WARSPITE (Capt D B Fisher CBE) arr 24 Dec, all arr or at Alexandria

Aircraft carriers (Rear Adm A L St G Lyster CB, CVO, DSO on ILLUSTRIOUS) - EAGLE (Capt A R M Bridge CBE) at Alexandria, ILLUSTRIOUS (Capt D W Boyd CBE, DSC) arr Alexandria 24 Dec

3rd Cruiser Squadron (Rear Adm R de F Renouf DSO) - heavy cruiser YORK (Capt R H Portal DSC) dep Suda Bay 30 Dec, light cruisers GLASGOW (Capt J W Cuthbert Actg) at Alexandria undergoing temporary repairs. GLOUCESTER (Flag, Capt H A Rowley) dep Suda Bay 30 Dec

7th Cruiser Squadron (Rear Adm Light Forces, Rear Adm H D Pridham-Wippell CB, CVO, promoted to Vice Adm on 3 Jan 1941) - light cruisers AJAX (Capt E D B McCarthy) arr Suda Bay 1 Jan, LIVERPOOL (Capt A L Poland DSO, DSC) at Alexandria undergoing temporary repairs, ORION (Flag, Capt G R B Back) arr Alexandria 23 Dec, Australian PERTH (Capt Sir Philip W Bowyer-Smith Bt) arr Suda Bay 1 Jan, SYDNEY (Capt J A Collins CB RAN) at Malta

Attached cruiser - light cruiser SOUTHAMPTON (Capt B C B Brooke) dep Aden on 25 Dec, arr Alexandria 30 Dec

Anti-aircraft ships - anti-aircraft cruiser CALCUTTA (Capt D M Lees DSO) dep Suda Bay 30 Dec, COVENTRY (Capt D Gilmour) at Alexandria, damaged, repairs comp 20 Jan, destroyer WRYNECK (Lt Cdr R H D Lane) arr Alexandria 23 Dec

2nd Destroyer Flotilla (Capt H St L Nicolson DSO) - HASTY (Lt Cdr L R K Tyrwhitt) arr Gibraltar 24 Dec, HAVOCK (Cdr R E Courage DSO, DSC) at Malta, HEREWARD (Cdr C W Greening) dep Gibraltar 25 Dec, HERO (Cdr H W Biggs DSO) dep Gibraltar 31 Dec, HOTSPUR (Cdr H F H Layman DSO) at Malta, ILEX (Nicolson) arr Alexandria 24 Dec, IMPERIAL (Lt Cdr C A De W Kitcat) at Malta

10th Destroyer Flotilla (Capt H M L Waller DSO)

Division 19 - Australian destroyers STUART (Capt Waller RAN) at Malta to comp 31 Dec, VAMPIRE (temporarily Waller while STUART repairing, Cdr J A Walsh RAN) arr Alexandria 20 Dec, VENDETTA (Lt Cdr R Rhoades RAN) dep Alexandria 23 Dec, VOYAGER (Cdr J C Morrow DSO RAN) arr Alexandria 22 Dec with WATERHEN, WATERHEN (Lt Cdr J H Swain) arr Alexandria 1 Jan damaged

Division 20 - DAINTY (Cdr M S Thomas DSO) dep Alexandria 31 Dec, DECOY (Cdr E G McGregor DSO) at Malta, DEFENDER (Lt Cdr G L Farnfield) dep Suda Bay 24 Dec, DIAMOND (Lt Cdr P A Cartwright) arr Alexandria 31 Dec

14th Destroyer Flotilla (Capt P J Mack DSO)

Division 27 - JANUS (Cdr J A W Tothill) arr Alexandria 24 Dec, JERVIS (Mack) arr Alexandria 30 Dec, JUNO (Cdr St J R J Tyrwhitt) arr Alexandria 24 Dec, MOHAWK (Cdr J W M Eaton) arr Alexandria 1 Jan, escorting WATERHEN, NUBIAN (Cdr R W Ravenhill) arr Alexandria 30 Dec with MOHAWK

Division 28 - GALLANT (Lt Cdr C P F Brown DSC) dep Port Said 31 Dec, GREYHOUND (Cdr W R Marshall A'Deane DSC) arr Alexandria 30 Dec, GRIFFIN (Lt Cdr J Lee-Barber DSO) dep Suda Bay 30 Dec

1st Submarine Flotilla (Capt S M Raw) - depot ship MEDWAY (Raw) at Alexandria, submarines OSIRIS (Lt Cdr J R G Harvey) dep Alexandria 22 Dec for Gibraltar, arr Malta 29 Dec, OTUS (Lt Cdr E C F Nicolay) dep Alexandria 21 Dec for Gibraltar, arr Malta 29 Dec, PANDORA (Lt Cdr J W Linton) arr Alexandria 28 Dec, PARTHIAN (Cdr M G Rimington DSO) dep Malta 29 Dec, PERSEUS (Lt Cdr P J H Bartlett) at Malta repairing to comp 18 Mar, REGENT (Lt Cdr H C Browne) arr Malta 25 Dec, RORQUAL (Cdr R H Dewhurst DSO) arr Alexandria 17 Dec, ROVER (Lt Cdr H A L Marsham) arr Alexandria 22 Dec, TETRARCH (Lt Cdr R M T Peacock) dep Malta 28 Dec, TRIUMPH (Lt Cdr W J W Woods) dep Gibraltar 27 Dec, TRUANT (Lt Cdr H A V Haggard) dep Malta 28 Dec, UNIQUE (Lt A F Collett) dep Gibraltar 27 Dec on patrol, UPHOLDER (Lt M D Wanklyn) dep Gibraltar 27 Dec on patrol, arr Malta 14 Jan, UPRIGHT (Lt E D Norman) arr Malta 24 Dec, URSULA (Lt A J MacKenzie) at Gibraltar repairing to comp 16 Jan, USK (Lt P R Ward) arr Gibraltar 23 Dec, UTMOST (Lt Cdr J H Eaden DSC, Lt R D Cayley on 31 Jan) at Malta repairing to comp 2 Feb

On 8 Jan, Cdr G W G Simpson arrived at Malta to command the U-class submarines, designated 10th Submarine Flotilla on 1 September and based at Malta

Corvettes - GLOXINIA (Lt Cdr A J C Pomeroy RNVR) at Malta repairing, HYACINTH (Actg Lt Cdr F C Hopkins RNR), PEONY (Lt Cdr M B Sherwood DSO Rtd), SALVIA (Lt Cdr J I Miller DSO RNR), all but one arr Alexandria 31 Dec

4th Anti-Submarine Group - anti-submarine trawlers BERYL (Cdr J C Bird Rtd), CORAL (Mid F H Walton RNR), JADE (Btswn J Hughes), all at Malta

5th Anti-Submarine Group - anti-submarine trawlers BANDOLERO (SO, Lt Cdr F M W Harris RNR) lost 30 Dec, LOCH MELFORT (Pbty Ty Lt F Graham-Browne RNR) dep Haifa 17 Dec, LYDIARD (Lt D M Gibb RNR) arr Alexandria 25 Dec, SINDONIS (Ch Sk G Rawding RNR) at Alexandria, VICTORIAN (Ch Sk M A Smith RNR) arr Suez 21 Dec

16th Anti-Submarine Group - anti-submarine whalers KOS.19 (Lt I H Davis RNR), KOS.21 (Ty Lt Cdr I F H Wilson RNVR), KOS.22 (Lt H D Foxon RNR), KOS.23 (Lt Cdr J J Reid RNVR), SYVERN (Lt Cdr R E Clarke RNR), all at Durban fitting ASDICs

28th Anti-Submarine Group - anti-submarine trawlers KINGSTON CORAL (Sk W Kirman RNR) arr Alexandria 27 Nov from Suda Bay, KINGSTON CRYSTAL (Lt Cdr G H P James RNR) dep Alexandria 14 Dec, KINGSTON CYANITE (Sk F A Yeomans RNR) arr Alexandria 6 Nov, WOLBOROUGH (SO, Lt F A W Ramsey Rtd) dep Alexandria on 20 Dec

Minesweeping Flotilla - minesweepers ABINGDON (Lt G A Simmers RNR) at Malta, BAGSHOT (Lt Cdr J F B Cage RNVR) dep Alexandria 7 Dec, DERBY (Lt F C V Brightman) arr Alexandria 19 Dec, FAREHAM (SO, Lt W J P Church) at Piraeus, FERMOY (Lt Cdr J G D Wetherfield) at Malta, HUNTLEY (Lt Cdr H R A King RNR) arr Alexandria 27 Dec, STOKE (Cdr C J P Hill Rtd) at Alexandria.

91st Minesweeping Group - minesweeping trawlers ARTHUR CAVANAGH (Ty Sk T W Kirby RNR), MILFORD COUNTESS (Ty Sk E W Oxborough RNR), both at Alexandria, MUROTO (Ty Sk J Willis RNR), RAGLAN CASTLE (Sk G Buchan RNR) both at Port Said

109th Minesweeping Group - minesweeping whalers SKUDD III (Lt A F Harkness RNR), SKUDD IV (Ty Lt (E) T Holm RNR), SKUDD V (S/Lt R A N Cox RNR), SWONA (Lt W F Duffy RCNVR) all dep Freetown 21 Dec for Simonstown via St Helena

142nd Minesweeping Group - minesweeping whalers SARNA (Ty Sk W T Allen RNR), SOIKA (Ty Lt (E) L Olsen RNR), SOTRA (Actg Lt J M Davies RCNVR), SVANA (Ty Lt (E) T Olsen RNR) all arr Durban 22 Dec

Minesweeping trawlers - EMPYREAN (Pbty Ty Sk W F Salenius RNR), RETURNO (Ty Lt E R Crane RNVR), both at Gibraltar

Minesweeping drifters - GIRL MARGARET, PLOUGH BOY (no COs listed) both at Malta

Auxiliary minesweepers - BLUE DANUBE (Lt Cdr N D Watts-Russell Rtd) at Port Said, No.1 and No.2 (no COs listed), both at Haifa

Gunboats (administered by Captain Submarines, Med) - APHIS (Lt Cdr J O Campbell DSO Rtd) dep Alexandria 31 Dec for Sollum, CRICKET (Lt Cdr E B Carnduff from 11 Jan) at Bombay, LADYBIRD (Lt Cdr J F Blackburn Rtd) dep Alexandria 31 Dec for Sollum

Motor Anti-Submarine Boats - MA/SB.2 (Lt Cdr R M Prior DSC Emgcy) at Alexandria, MA/SB.3 (Lt J C LaPage) at Alexandria

Supply ship - RELIANT (Master C H Noel) at Alexandria

Repair ship - RESOURCE (Capt D B O'Connell Rtd) at Alexandria

Monitor - TERROR (Cdr H J Haynes DSC) dep Alexandria 22 Dec

Controlled minelayer - MEDUSA (Btswn F Farmer) at Malta

Netlayer - PROTECTOR (Cdr R J Gardner) arr Alexandria 20 Dec

Fleet Target Service - tugs MOY (Lt V G Palmer), OUSE (LR J E Grice), ST ISSEY (Lt J H W Howe RNR), all at Alexandria

Drifters - CRESCENT MOON (no CO listed) at Port Said, EDDY (Ch Sk J Carnie RNR) at Malta, FELLOWSHIP (Ty S/Lt S Barrie RNR) at Suda Bay, LANDFALL (Actg S/Lt M F B Williams RNVR) at Port Said, LANNER (Sk W Stewart RNR) at Suda Bay, SUNSET (Ch Sk R Cowie RNR) at Malta

Contraband Control Service – armed boarding vessels ARPHA (Cdr F M Smith RD RNR) at Port Said, CHAKLA (Cdr L C Bach RD RNR) dep Alexandria 21 Dec, FIONA (Lt J B Shillitoe RNR) arr Alexandria 24 Dec, ROSAURA (Capt R Spencer RD RNR) arr Suda Bay 16 Dec, SURF (Ty Lt D C Wilson RNVR) at Port Said

Tugs - EMILY, WEST COCKER (no COs listed) both at Malta

Boom defence vessels - BARBETTE (Ty Lt E J P Webster RNR) dep Colombo 26 Dec for Port Said, BURGONET (Ty Lt C T Grantley RNR) arr Port Said 22 Dec, MAGNET (Ty Boom Sk J W Hogarth RNR) at Alexandria, WESTGATE (Ty Boom Sk A Stewart RNR) at Malta

Supply ships - BRECONSHIRE (Capt C A G Hutchenson Rtd) arr Alexandria 23 Dec, KNIGHT OF MALTA, arr Alexandria 22 Dec, ULSTER PRINCE (Cdr F A Bond RD RNR Rtd) dep Piraeus 24 Dec

Red Sea Force

Rear Adm A J L Murray DSO, OBE

Depot ship - LUCIA (Flag, Cdr C R de B L Townsend Actg, Rtd)

Light cruisers - CALEDON (Capt C P Clarke) dep Aden 29 Dec, LEANDER (Capt R H Bevan) dep Bombay 27 Dec

Anti-aircraft cruiser - CARLISLE (Capt G M B Langley OBE, Capt T C Hampton in Jan) arr Aden 29 Dec

Destroyers (Cdr W G A Robson) - KANDAHAR (SO, Robson) arr Suez 28 Dec, KIMBERLEY (Lt Cdr J S M Richardson) arr Aden 29 Dec, KINGSTON (Lt Cdr P Somerville DSO) dep Aden 30 Dec for Bombay.

Sloops - AUCKLAND (Cdr J G Hewitt DSO) dep Aden 29 Dec, FLAMINGO (Cdr J H Huntley) arr Aden 26 Dec, GRIMSBY (Cdr K J D'Arcy) arr Suez 25 Dec, SHOREHAM (Cdr G P Claridge) dep Aden 29 Dec, Australian PARRAMATTA (Lt Cdr J H Walker MVO RAN) dep Aden 30 Dec, YARRA (Lt Cdr W H Harrington RAN) arr Port Sudan 27 Dec, Indian CLIVE (Cdr H R Inigo-Jones RIN) dep Port Sudan 27 Dec, Indian HINDUSTAN (Cdr I B W Heanly RIN) arr Aden 30 Dec, Indian INDUS (Cdr E G G Hunt RIN) dep Aden 29 Dec

Indian anti-submarine vessels - NETRAVATI (Lt G P Ranson RIN) dep 20 Dec for Aden, PARVATI (Pbty S/Lt H A Romer RINVR) dep 31 Dec, RATNAGIRI (Lt H M Clark RIN) dep 24 Dec, all dep Bombay

SOUTH ATLANTIC COMMAND

Vice Adm R H T Raikes CB, CVO, DSO

Base and Accomodation ship - EDINBURGH CASTLE (Capt E M Palmer OBE Rtd) at Freetown

Force K

Rear Adm W F Wake-Walker CB, OBE

Aircraft carrier - FORMIDABLE (Capt A W La T Bisset) dep Scapa Flow 18 Dec

Heavy cruisers - DORSETSHIRE (Capt B C S Martin) dep Freetown 27 Dec, NORFOLK (Flag, Wake-Walker, Capt A J L Phillips) dep Scapa Flow 18 Dec

Force L

Aircraft carrier - HERMES (Capt R F J Onslow MVO, DSC) dep Freetown on patrol 3 Dec

Light cruiser - DRAGON (Capt R J Shaw MBE) dep Freetown 3 Dec on patrol.

____________________

Seaplane carrier - ALBATROSS (Actg Capt W G Britain) at Freetown

Attached cruisers - heavy cruisers CORNWALL (Capt P C W Manwaring) arr Simonstown 28 Dec for refitting, comp 22 Feb, dep 28 Feb, CUMBERLAND (Capt Hon. C H E Russell) dep Freetown 1 Dec, DEVONSHIRE (Capt R D Oliver DSC) arr Simonstown 26 Dec, cruiser HAWKINS (Capt H P K Oram) arr Freetown 30 Dec, light cruisers DELHI (Capt A S Russell) dep Lagos 23 Dec for Manoca, DUNEDIN (Capt R S Lovatt) dep Gibraltar 29 Dec, ENTERPRISE (Capt J C Annesley DSO) dep Montevideo 15 Dec, NEPTUNE (Capt R C O'Conor) dep Freetown 28 Dec, NEWCASTLE (Capt E A Aylmer DSC) dep Freetown 10 Dec

Sloops - BRIDGEWATER (Cdr H F C Leftwich Rtd) arr Freetown 28 Dec, MILFORD (Capt S K Smyth Rtd) arr Freetown 20 Dec, French sloop SAVORGNAN DE BRAZZA (CC Roux) at Durban refitting to comp 17 Jan, French patrol boat PRESIDENT HOUDUCE at Duala

Corvettes - ASPHODEL (Lt Cdr K W Stewart Rtd) dep Freetown 29 Dec, CALENDULA (Lt Cdr A D Bruford RNVR) at Freetown repairing, CLEMATIS (Cdr Y M Cleeves DSO, DSC, RD RNR), CYCLAMEN (Lt H N Lawson RNR), GERANIUM (Lt Cdr A Foxall RNR Actg), JONQUIL (Lt Cdr R E H Partington RNR), last four dep Ponta Delgada 29 Dec

Armed merchant cruisers - ALCANTARA (Capt J G P Ingham DSO Rtd) at Southampton repairing, ASTURIAS (Capt H Ardill Rtd) dep Capetown 13 Dec, QUEEN OF BERMUDA (Capt G A B Hawkins MVO, DSC, Capt A T G C Peachey from 1 Feb) arr Montevideo 18 Dec

Freetown Convoy Escort Force – armed merchant cruisers ARAWA (Actg Capt G R Deverell Rtd) at Belfast repairing to comp 3 Jan, BULOLO (Capt R L Hamer DSO Rtd) arr Freetown 28 Dec, CANTON (Capt C P Frend) at Freetown, CARNARVON CASTLE (Capt H N M Hardy DSO Rtd) arr Capetown 20 Dec, CATHAY (Capt C McC Merewether Rtd) dep Freetown 16 Dec for Clyde, CORFU (Capt J P Landon Rtd) at Freetown in damaged state, ESPERANCE BAY (Capt G S Holder Rtd) dep Freetown 22 Dec, MOOLtAN (Capt C G Sutclif Rtd) at Tyne repairing, MORETON BAY (Actg Capt E M Haes, Capt C C Bell Rtd from 5 Jan) at Tyne repairing to comp end of Feb, PRETORIA CASTLE (Capt E J Shelley Rtd) dep Simonstown 14 Dec

Free French Patrol vessels - VIKINGS dep Freetown 29 Dec for Duala, VAILLANT arr Clyde 29 Nov (French crews)

6th Anti-Submarine Group - anti-submarine trawlers BENGALI (Ty Sk E E Barnes RNVR) repairing, KELT (Sk W Mc K Smith RNR), PICT (Lt Cdr W N M Faichney RNR), SPANIARD (Lt Cdr F J Webster RNR), TURCOMAN (Ty S/Lt W T Hodson RNVR) all at Freetown

Norwegian anti-submarine whalers - FALK, HEKTOR VI, KLO, THORBRYN, THORGRIM, TORDONN (no COs listed), all at Capetown

93rd Minesweeping Group - minesweeping sloops COMMMANDANT DUBOC (French crew) at Duala, COMMANDANT DOMINE (French crew) at Lagos, minesweeping trawlers GENERAL BIRDWOOD (Sk W J Taylor RNR) at Freetown, MAPLE (Ty Lt E S Phillips RNR) at Freetown repairing, REDWOOD (Sk T H Kay RNR) at Freetown, ST MINVER (Ch Sk J Duthie RNR) at Freetown

154th Minesweeping Group - minesweeping trawler POLAR V (Ty Lt K Hendriksen RNR), SKUDD VI (Ty Lt (E) O M Amundsen RNR), both arr Ponta Delgada 31 Dec

Controlled minelayer - SNAKEFLY (Lt O H Pullman RNR) at Freetown

Minesweeping trawler - WILLIAM SCORESBY (Cdr H Petit-Dann Rtd) at Port Stanley

Minesweeping drifter (tender to HAWKINS) - ROYDUR (Ty F R Jakeman RNVR) at Port Stanley

Auxiliary minesweeping vessels - ARUM, NERINE, tug NGUVU, all at Capetown

Base repair ship - VINDICTIVE (Actg Capt J B Heath) arr Freetown 31 Dec

Boom defence vessels - BARBROOK (Ty Lt S Wardell RNR), BARCASTLE (Actg Ty Warrant Mech A Burchell RNR), QUANNET (Ty Lt W P Jones RNR), all at Freetown

AMERICA AND WEST INDIES STATION

Base ships - BUZZARD (Cdr (A) J F W C Hawkins) at Jamaica, GOSHAWK (Capt (A) R de H Burton) at Trinidad, MALABAR (Vice Adm Charles E Kennedy-Purvis KCB) at Bermuda, PURSUIVANT (Cdr R B Martin Rtd) at Port Stanley

8th Cruiser Squadron - light cruisers CARADOC (Capt J S Bethell) arr Bermuda 27 Dec, DESPATCH (Capt C E Douglas-Pennant DSC, Cdre 2/c) arr Nassau 30 Dec, DIOMEDE (Capt J W Farquhar) dep Kingston 20 Dec, DUNEDIN (Capt R S Lovatt) det to South Atlantic Command (q.v.)

Submarine - PORPOISE (Lt Cdr J G Hopkins) dep Halifax 26 Dec

Attached Dutch sloop - VAN KINSBERGEN (Dutch crew) dep Nassau 9 Dec

Ocean boarding vessel - LADY SOMERS (Cdr G L Dunbar RNR) fitting out Quebec

Halifax Escort Force

Depot ship - trawler SEABORN (Rear Adm S S Bonham-Carter CB, CVO, DSO) at Halifax

Battleships - REVENGE (Capt E R Archer) arr 26 Dec, ROYAL SOVEREIGN (Capt H B Jacomb) arr 28 Dec, both arr Halifax

Canadian destroyers - ASSINIBOINE (Capt G C Jones, Cdre 2/c RCN), RESTIGOUCHE (Cdr H N Lay RCN), both arr Halifax 26 Dec

Dutch submarine – O.15 (Lt H M L F E van Oostrom Soede) at Halifax

Armed Merchant Cruisers - ALAUNIA (Capt H J Woodward DSO Rtd) dep Halifax 26 Dec, ASCANIA (Capt C H Ringrose-Wharton Rtd) arr Halifax 12 Dec, AURANIA (Actg Capt L W Whiteborn) arr Bermuda 21 Dec, AUSONIA (Capt G H Freyberg CBE Rtd) dep Halifax 10 Dec, CORMORIN (Capt J L Hallett Rtd) arr Halifax 24 Dec, LACONIA (Capt G G P Hewett Rtd) dep Halifax 1 Jan, MALOJA (Actg Capt V Hammersley-Heenan Rtd) dep Halifax 23 Dec, MONTCLARE (Capt H M Spreckley Rtd) dep Bermuda 31 Dec, RAJPUTANA (Capt F H Taylor DSC Rtd) dep Halifax 30 Dec RANPURA (Actg Capt H T W Pawsey) arr Halifax 31 Dec, VOLtAIRE (Actg Capt J A P Blackburn Rtd) dep Bermuda 21 Dec

EAST INDIES COMMAND

Vice Adm R Adm Leatham

Base ship, Ceylon - LANKA

Heavy cruiser - SHROPSHIRE (Capt J H Edelsten) arr Mombasa 31 Dec

Light cruisers - CAPETOWN (Capt P H G James) dep Colombo 29 Dec, CERES (Capt E G Abbott AM, Capt D M L Neame DSO from Feb) dep Mombasa 2 Jan, COLOMBO (Capt C A E Stanfield) dep Mombasa 2 Jan.

Armed Merchant Cruisers - ANTENOR (Capt D I McGillewie Rtd) arr Colombo on 29 Dec, CARTHAGE (Capt H L I Kirkpatrick OBE Rtd) arr Colombo 2 Jan and Bombay on 6 Jan, HECTOR (Capt F Howard DSC Rtd) at Colombo refitting to comp 6 Jan, KANIMBLA (Capt F E Getting) dep Mauritius 26 Dec, RANCHI (Capt C T A Bunbury OBE Rtd) dep Durban 31 Dec

Sloops - FALMOUTH (Cdr C C Hardy, Cdr U H R James from 15 Jan) on patrol in Straits of Hormuz, Indian sloops CORNWALLIS (Cdr H C Beauchamp RIN) at Khor Kuwai, Oman, LAWRENCE (Lt A T J Cole RIN) dep Karachi 21 Dec

Submarine - X.2 (captured Italian GALILEO GALILEI, Lt Cdr P E H Heathfield Rtd) at Suez

Gunboats - COCKCHAFER (Lt Cdr A F Roberton-Aikman) at Basra, GNAT (Lt Cdr S R H Davenport) arr Alexandria 28 Dec, TARANTULA (Cdr R C Creer RAN Rtd at Colombo

Anti-submarine trawlers - AMBER (Actg S/Lt P Le M Andrews RNR) at Aden, MOONSTONE (Lt Cdr P G Britten RNR Rtd) at Bombay refitting to comp 10 Jan.

Minesweepers – minesweeper WIDNES (Lt Cdr R B Chandler), minesweeping trawler OVERDALE WYKE (Ty Lt N M Waldman RNR), both at Colombo

Contraband Control Service vessels - CHAKDINA (Lt Cdr W R Hickey RNR) arr Aden 24 Dec, CHANTALA (Lt Cdr C E I Gibbs Rtd) dep Aden 18 Dec, PERRONELLE (no CO listed) at Aden, SAGITTA (Cdr J O Dunn RD RNR) arr Aden 24 Dec

Boom Defence Vessels - BARNET (Sk W Thompson RNR) dep Colombo 30 Dec, PLANET (Ty Boom Sk D Cowie RNR) at Aden, SANDGATE, SOUTHGATE (no COs listed), both at Trincomalee

Boom Defence Tender - MAJESTIC (no CO listed) at Trincomalee

Boom Carrier - LAOMEDON (Cdr J J E Barclay RD RNR) at Aden

CHINA STATION

Vice Adm Sir Geoffrey Layton

Base ships - SULTAN (Rear Adm T B Drew OBE), TAMAR (Cdre A C Collinson)

5th Cruiser Squadron - light cruisers DANAE (Capt F J Butler MBE Actg) at Hong Kong repairing, DAUNTLESS (Capt G D Moore RAN) arr Penang 21 Dec, DURBAN (Capt J A S Eccles) at Singapore