1
9 4 3
November Contractors Trials
15th Commissioned for
service in Western Approaches Command.
20th Storing and fuel embarkation began.
29th Commenced
Acceptance Trials in North Sea.
30th Passage to Rosyth
December
2nd Carried out Full Power Trials
3rd Accepted into RN
service.
10th Sailed fro Greenock.
11th Arrived in Clyde,
15th First Deck Landing by an AVENGER
aircraft.
18th 825 Squadron SEA
HURRICANE and SWORDFISH aircraft embarked at sea off Cumbrae
Light.
1 9
4 4
January Nominated for support of anti-submarine operations
in NW Approaches.
20th Flag Officer Carrier Training visited
ship.
(Note : His assessment of the ship was poor..)
22nd Dragged anchor in Clyde
and sustained structural damage in collision with HM Escort Carrier
PURSUER.
February Under repair.
13th Ship docked for examination,
23rd Ship undocked on completion of repair
25th Resumed preparations for operational
service in NW Approaches for support of anti-submarine
operations.
25th Carried out flying exercises during
which two aircraft crashed.
(Note : These crashes were later found to be due to water
infiltration into fuel.)
Other
accidents were also found to be due to this contamination.)
March Ship ready for deployment.
2nd At Larne for meeting relating to
planned operations.
3rd During flying
exercises rating lost overboard by slipstream of aircraft taking-off.
9th Deployed with ships of 6th Canadian
Escort group to carry out antisubmarine operations in NW
Approaches.
(Note :Ships in Group were HM Canadian Destroyer QU’APPELLE,
HM Canadian Frigates
WARKESUI, OUTREMONT, HM Canadian Corvettes PRESCOTT and
EDMUNDSTON.
10th Carried out search
operations in conjunction with Canadian Escort Group.
Aircraft
from ship hit by return fire from U-Boat sighted on surface.
(Note : One of aircrew died from injuries.)
11th Air search
operations in continuation.
Supplied fuel to ships of Escort Group.
12th 6th Escort Group joined by 2nd British
Escort Group
(Note : Ships in Group were HM Sloops STARLING, WHIMBREL,
WILD GOOSE, MAGPIE
and WREN.)
Aircraft
from ship sighted U-Boat bu follow up operations by
HMCS QU’APPELLE not
successful.
13th Under attack by submarine whilst
refuelling HMCS QU’APPELLE but torpedo avoided by
prompt manoeuvring action.
14th Flying operations
in continuation.
SWORDFISH
search aircraft crashed into sea after night take-off due to petrol
contamination,
Aircrew of three rescued by HMCS OUTREMOUNT.
15th Radar contact by search aircraft
reported to ships of EG2 which carried out attask
operation
sinking U653. For details see U-BOATS DESTROYED by P Kemp.
16th Flying operations in continuation
Refuelled ships of Canadian Group.
Under
torpedo attack after submarine contact but this failed,
Weather
deteriorated,
17th Flying operations restricted by weather
conditions
Disquiet
amongst aircrew about frequent failure of depth charges to explode and
continued
concern about petrol contamination.
(Note : Depth charge failures traced to incorrect assembly on
untested weapons of modified
design.. This failure prevented sinking of three more
U-Boats which had been attacked
by 825 Squadron, Only two of the 127 charges dropped had
functioned.)
18th Flying operations
in continuation.
Tests
carried out to investigate depth charge failures,
19th Flying restricted by fog but the only
contact investigated was not found.
SWORDFISH
aircraft crashed due to petrol contamination and aircrew of three lost.
20th Flying restricted due to limitations of
space in hangar to change type of aircraft required
for specific tasks.
21st Weather deteriorated and aircraft
struck down.
22nd Flooding caused power failure and
consequent loss of steering control.
Ship
manoeuvred by main engines
Repair
effected and normal steering possible.
23rd During flying operations SWORDFISH
aircraft overran Flight Deck due to movement of ship
in extreme weather conditions. Crew rescued by HMCS
WASKESUI.
HM
Canadian Frigates CAPE BRETON and GROU joined Canadian
Escort Group.
24th During continued flying operations with
ship pitching heavily SWORDFISH aircraft crashed
on landing with two depth charges on racks. Crew able to
escape from wrecked aircraft
before petrol ignited and depth charges exploded. One rating
was killed by a splinter whilst
asleep n a compartment before the Flight Deck.
Flying
delayed whilst deck cleared. but restricted by weather
conditions.
25th Resumed flying in
deteriorating conditions.
One
aircraft crashed into barrier on return.
(Note : Returning aircraft jettisoned depth charges before
landing to prevent a repetition of
the explosion on 24th,)
26th Flying operations continued in rough
weather which presented difficult landings,
One
aircraft hit bridge on landing and was able to maintain control over the
damaged aircraft
and land satisfactorily the second time.
Two
further barrier crashes due to weather conditions
27th Ship withdrew from operations in late
afternoon and took passage to Clyde
(Note : Weather conditions were unsatisfactory and loss of
four aircraft as well as aircrew
together with the availability of fewer aircraft made the
return necessary although it
had been intended that operations would continued for three
weeks,)
28th Arrived in Clyde
(Statistics
of air operations : 825 Squadron
SWORDFISH : 100
Deck Landings (Day). 235 hours Flown
22
Deck Landings (Night) 40 hours Flown
SEA
HURRICANE 46 Deck Landings
(Day 36 Sorties
3
Sorties (Night) 1.5 hours
April Deployed for replenishment in Clyde.
16th Carried out price
shoot.
17th Commenced Flying training
(Note : Aircraft hit bridge in during take-off
HURRICANE
aircraft fitted with Rocket Projectiles to assist take-off. (RATOG)
During
flying training SWORDFISH aircraft recently repaired after earlier damage, had
an
engine failure after launch and ditched.
Aircrew
were rescued by attendant destroyer,
24th Deployed for anti-submarine operations
and sailed from Clyde escorted by HM Canadian
Frigates MANTANE, STORMONT of 9th Escort Group.
27th Commenced anti-submarine air search
operations in conjunction with HM Frigates
BICKERTON, AYLMERA and BLIGH of 5th Escort Group.
(Note : Group had been supporting passage of Outward Convoy
ONS233 and detached
to join ship for anti-submarine operations,
These
ships were refuelled during subsequent joint operations.).
28th HM Canadian Frigates KEATS, KEMPTHORNE
and GOODSON of 5th Escort Group
joined.
29th SWORDFISH aircraft made force landing in
sea after petrol failure/
Aircrew
rescued by HMCS AYLMER/
30th Flying operations
restricted by weather.
May Operation
area transferred to new area where U-Boat was know to be deployed for
weather reporting.
(Note : This was directed by Admiralty as a result of
interception of wireless transmissions.
2nd Arrived in designated area and carried
out flying operations based on interception
of wireless traffic by ships of Escort Group.
(Note : These proved to be erroneous and saturation air
search operations failed.
3rd Weather conditions restricted use of
SWORDFISH aircraft for searches.
4th Flying operations continued and some
escorts refuelled.
5th Successful trials established that
landing of aircraft could be carried during
refuelling of escorts,
Air search for U-Boat in continuation.
HURRICANE
aircraft forced to ditch after engine failure. Despite drop of dinghies
and gallant attempts to effect a rescue neither of the crew
survived one of whom.
died on board HMCS GOODSON after recovered unconscious from
the sea.
6th U-Boat sighted after radar contact
during intensive air operations nut target submerged
In
low visibility conditions One SWORDFISH aircraft short of fuel managed to
land with desperate shortage of fuel.
Frigates
of 5th Escort Group began search supported by air operations resulting in
sinking of U785 by HM Frigates BICKERTON, KEATS, AYLMER
and BLIGH.
See
U-BOATS DESTROYED by P Kemp and HITLER’S U-BOAT WAR by P Kemp.
7th Despite extreme weather conditions
further search operations for a second submarine
were flown until conditions force their suspension.
When
flying resumed possible contact was made but subsequent attacks by ships of
Escort
Group
were unsuccessful.
8th Flying operations delayed when Lift to
Flight Deck from hangar had a major defect.
Manual
operation of lift used to transfer aircraft and limited flying resumed.
9th Despite poor weather conditions air
search operations continued.
Ships
of EG5 refuelled.
10th Three ships of EG5 detached and replaced
by EG2 Sloops.
11th Air search operations in continued in
support surface anti-submarine operations.
SWORDFISH
aircraft crashed on landing and went overboard due to erratic ship
movement. Despite rescue attempt by HMCS GOODSON there were
no survivors.
12th Took passage to Clyde
on completion of overnight air patrols.
14th Arrived in Clyde.
15th Began routine maintenance which included
major investigation of the reasons
for petrol contamination.
(Note : This was successful and use of sea water instead of
compressed air which had
caused contamination of the petrol due to temperature
increase
June Clyde maintenance in
continuation
Nominated for further anti-submarine support operation in NW
Approaches.
21st Modified design SWORDFISH Mk III
embarked from shore.
(Note : These aircraft were fitted with new design centimetric ASV Mk III
radar
and Rocket Assisted Take-off Gear (RATOG) to improve
take-off performance
and allow four depth charges to be mounted in good weather
conditions.)
28th Prepared to resume
anti-submarine operations.
29th Passage to Londonderry for deployment
with 5th Escort Group.
July 1st Sailed
from Moville with HM Frigates AWE, BULLEN,
GOODALL and HM Canadian
Corvette
ST THOMAS.
2nd Flying operations commenced.
3rd Rain and low visibility prevented
flying.
HM
Destroyer BULLDOG joined supporting warships.
4th Flying operations resumed during
afternoon but marred by failures inn new radar sets.
(Note : This was due to poor design of cabling used for
interconnection between units
and
need for repair reduced availability of aircraft for search operations.)
5th Flying resumed in
early afternoon.
Ship
diverted to carry out out search for U-Boat which had
attacked fishing trawlers
in position west of Cape Wrath about
870 miles from current search area.
(Note : Submarine involved was U11. For details see HITLER’S
U-BOAT WAR.)
Two
HURRICANE aircraft launched to carry out search of area where submarine was
likely
to be on passage away from the trawler attacks,
(Note : These two were unable to return because of lack of
fuel and landed near Thurso.
6th Air search operations in continuation..
Rocket
projectile accidentally fired during testing by aircraft on Flight Deck
One
rating was killed and another HURRICANE aircraft damaged.
Later
another aircraft was unable to take-odd because of Water contamination in fuel.
(Note : This was traced to human error when water sea was
directly fed into supply tanks.)
7th Flying operations resumed when 500
gallons of contaminated petrol had been removed and
had to be ditched.
One
suspected contact was never confirmed.
8th Search area changed
9th Carried out air search operations
until these were suspended due to weather conditions.
10th Supply hose parted during refuelling of
HMS BULLEN.
Frigates
of 5th EG detached.
HM
Escort Carrier STRIKER joined to assist in search operations.
11th Air searches in continuation with HMS
STRIKER
12th During air patrol submarine sighted and
position passed to supporting corvette.
Landing
conditions for return of SWORDFISH aircraft made difficult by poor visibility
One
aircraft crashed on Flight Deck whilst landing and the fifth had to ditch due
to lack
of petrol.. The aircrew were rescued by HM Frigate MANNERS
after complex guidance
from ship.
14th Arrived at Greenock.
15th Deployed in Clyde
August
4th Sailed from Clyde
to carry out flying exercises.
5th Diverted to take part in
anti-submarine operations as Force 31 and deployed with HM
Corvette
MORPETH CASTLE
(Note : One source records HM Minesweeper PETROLA but this
ship did not commission
in Canada
as HMS LIONESS until December 1944.)
6th Joined by HM Frigates BAZELY, BURGESS,
TILLSOMBEUGH and HM Trawler
THIRLMERE
Flying
operations restricted by bad visibility with landings controlled by an
extempore
approach control radar system.
(Note : No positive submarine sighting was made.)
7th Returned to Clyde on release from search.
Passage to Scapa Flow to join Home Fleet.
(Note : Nominated for provision of air cover during passage
of Russian Convoy JW 59 to
Kola
Inlet and return Convoy RA59 from Kola Inlet to UK
(Operation VICTUAL)
13th Deployed at Scapa Flow
and took part in whaler races.
16th Flag of CS10 transferred to ship from HM
Cruiser JAMAICA.
Sailed from Scapa
Flow to join JW69 during passage from Loch Ewe with HM Cruiser
JAMAICA
and HM Escort Carrier STRIKER sreened by HM
Destroyers VOLAGE,
VERULAM,
VIRAGO, WHIRLWIND, WRANBGLER, SCOURGE and Canadian
ALGONQUIN.
HM
Destroyers CAPRICE, MARNE, MILNE, METEOR and MUSKETEER,
joined.
(Note ; For details of all Russian convoy operations with
details of all mercantiles and
warships involved see CONVOYS TO RUSSIA by R A Ruegg, THE RUSSIAN
CONVOYS
by B Schoefield, CONVOY ! by P Kemp, ARCTIC CONVOYS by
R Woodman and for submarine deployments HITLER’S U-BOAT WAR.)
Carried out flying exercises with HMS STRIKER.
17th Met JW59 and
deployed within convoy.
(Note:
Battleship ARCHANGELSK (Ex HM Battleship ROYAL SOVEREIGN on
passage to join Russian Northern Fleet was also included in
the convoy.)
18th Carried out air patrols to intercept any
enemy reconnaissance aircraft
19th Launched HURRICANE aircraft to intercept
radar contact with WILDCAT fighters from
HMS STRIKER. No sighting made.
Nominated
for provision of night air cover using ASV Mk III Hurricane
aircraft with
improved radar performance.
20th Air search launched for interception of
reconnaissance aircraft which was unsuccessful,
but sighted nine Russian ships on passage to join Northern
Fleet based at Murmansk.
(Note : These ships were on Lend/Lease from USA
and comprised Ex battleship
HMS
ROYAL SOVEREIGN) and eight Ex USN destroyers which had been
on Lend/Lease to RN)
Russian
ships joined JW59.
First indications of U-Boat activity by wireless transmissions.
21st HM Sloop KITE deployed for
anti-submarine support sunk by torpedo from U344
14
survivors rescued by HM Destroyer KEPPEL but five died on board.
Intensive
air search operations carried out with HMS STRIKER in support of surface
Anti-submarine deployments of escorts.
German
flying boat intercepted and destroyed by STRIKER aircraft.
22nd Anti submarine patrol continued..
U344
sighted on surface by SWORDFISH aircraft and sunk by depth charge attack.
Several
attacks made by patrolling aircraft despite intense return fire.
Neither rocket, depth charge or acoustic torpedo attacks by
aircraft from both carriers
were successful
23rd Presence of several of submarines
confirmed by aircraft searches after detection of
of transmitted radio signals.
Extensive
patrols maintained with aircraft from HMS STRIKER.
Russian
ships detached to make independent passage
24th Rocket hits during attacks by SWORDFISH
from ship forced surface submarine to dive
and hunt continued by surface vessels.
Sonar
contact established by HM Sloop MERMAID which resulted in the sinking of
concentrated depth charge operations by HM Sloop PEACOCK, HM
Frigate LOCH
DUNVEGAN and HM Destroyer KEPPEL.
The
submarine U344 never surfaced and was sunk by these attacks
For details see above references and U-BOATS DESTROYED.
25th Detached from JW59 on arrival at Kola
Inlet and anchored off Vaenga
Island
Flag
or CS10 transferred to HMS JAMAICA
28th Flag of CS10 returned to ship.
Sailed
from Vaenga with HMS JAMAICA and HMS STRIKER screened
by HM
Destroyers
MILNE, MARNE, METEOR, MUSKETEER and CAPRICE
Joined
inward Convoy RA59A which had sailed earlier from Kola Inlet
(Note : Convoy Escort included HM Destroyers KEPPEL. WHITEHALL,
HM Sloops
MERMAID
and PEACOCK as Anti-submarine Striking Force with HM Frigate
LOCH
DUNVEGAN, HM Sloop CYGNET, HM Corvettes CAMELLIA,
CHARLOCK
and OXLIP to be DEPLOYED AS OUTER SCREEN..
29th Commenced flying operations after delay
due to fog.
SWORDFISH
patrol had radar contact and passed details to Striking Group.
30th Air search operations in continuation
and followed up detection of submarine
wireless transmissions.
(Note : Two returning aircraft crashed into Barrier.)
September
1st Aircraft from HMS STRIKER sighted
submarine on surface in snow shower
Further indication of U-Boat deployments in vicinity of convoy.
2nd Patrol of three SWORDFISH aircraft
sighted surfaced submarine and directed
Striking Group to position. Under fire from submarine and
carried out rocket attacks
Followed
up with depth charges but these failed to explode,
Ships
of Striking Group carried out sustained anti-submarine attacks resulting in
sinking
of U394. See U-BOATS DESTROYED and above references for
details.
3rd No further U-Boat attacks but air
search operations continued.
Ju88
German reconnaissance aircraft sighted by HURRICANE interception flight but
escaped.
One
SWORDFISH aircraft crashed into sea on fire after hitting bridge structure on
landing
. Aircrew
rescued by ships seaboat
4th HURRICANE aircraft crashed after being
hit by stern of ship and hitting Barrier on landing
(Note : HURRICANE broke in two and hit other parked which
were damaged.0
5th Detached from RA59A and returned to Scapa
Flow.
Took
passage to Return to Greenock,.
6th Two SWORDFISH launched to carry out
unsuccessful search for U-Boat reported in vicinity.
(Note : Only one was able to land on board and the other was
diverted to land ashore.)
7th Arrived in Clyde
after Squadron aircraft landed at Machrinhannish.
8th Deployed at Greenock.
825
Squadron left ship.
26th Ship dragged anchors and sustained
damage to upper deck fittings after collision with
rms QUEEN MARY
(Note : This well known liner had just returned from USA
with Winston Churchill and was
anchored down stream from ship.)
Docking
for repair arranged in Clyde commercial shipyard
October 811 Squadron nominated for service on board in
place of 825 Squadron.
(Note : Work-up flying programme for new Squadron had to be
reduced until repair completed.)
Nominated
for further detached service in Home Fleet for air support during passage
of Russian Convoy JW61 to Kola Inlet and return Convoy RA61
to UK
(Operation
TRIAL).
10th After repair completed deployed to carry
out flying exercises for 811 Squadron in Clyde.
(Note : 813 Squadron included WILDCAT aircraft instead of
HURRICANE fighters.)
21st Sailed from Clyde for Scapa Flow to rejoin Home
Fleet for TRIAL.
22nd Flag of CS10 transferred and took passage
from Scapa Flow with Flag of CS10
embarked to join JW61
HM
Cruiser DIDO, HM Escort Carriers NAIRANA, TRACKER, Frigates of 21st and
24th
Escort Group with screened provided by HM Destroyers NUBIAN and
UNDAUNTED of Home Fleet in company.
23rd Joined JW61
For
details of main escorts see above references.
Six
Ex US Navy PC Boats also took passage with JW61.
Carrier
aircraft carried out anti-submarine patrols
26th Two SWORDFISH aircraft delayed in
landing by weather conditions.
WILDCAT
aircraft launched to intercept unknown aircraft which was found to be friendly.
28th SWORDFISH aircraft crashed into sea on
return to ship..
Despite
rescue attempts both of crew lost their lives.
Detached from JW61 on arrival at Kola Inlet after unscathed
passage.
November
2nd Sailed from Kola Inlet to join return
Convoy RA61 which had left previously
Avoided
torpedo by speedy manoeuvre.
3rd SWORDFISH aircraft crashed into sea on
landing
Only
one of the two aircrew was rescued .
7th SWORDFISH aircraft using RATOG crashed
into sea after take-off.
Aircrew
were rescued.
(Note : One of RATOG rockets had not fired which caused
crash.
Two
WILDCAT aircraft broke loose from Lashings on Flight Deck due to violent
ship movement in sever roll of ship. One went overboard. and the other was damaged.
As
a result further landings were restricted but two aircraft crashed during their
return.
8th Detached from JW61 and returned to Clyde
and Squadron aircraft flown ashore
(Note : It was decided that 811 Squadron required further
work-up to improve their
night flying.)
Deployed on Clyde.
December Clyde deployment for flying
training in continuation.
825
Squadron nominated to return to ship.
11th Squadron aircraft returned ship,
12th Deployed for flying exercises in Clyde
area..
Nominated
for detached service in Home Fleet in support of passage of Russian
Convoy
JW63 to Kola Inlet and return Convoy to UK Operation GREYSTOKE).
(Note : No other aircraft carrier was deployed and
availability of the ship was vital
to ensure safety of these two convoy
24th Fog delayed return to land Christmas
Leave parties after exercises..
Arrived at berth despite weather conditions by skilful navigation.
28th Sailed from Clyde for Scapa Flow after problems in
releasing cables.
31st Flag of CS10 transferred at Scapa
Flow.
Took
passage from Scapa Flow to join JW63 with HM Cruiser
DIADEM and
destroyers of 23rd Flotilla.
Launched
SWORDFISH aircraft for anti-submarine search after U-Boat reported
near Scapa Flow.
1 9
4 5
January
1st Joined JW63 and tok up station within Box.
3rd Launched two aircraft to intercept
unknown aircraft detected approaching JW63.
This
later was identified as a seaplane but not found.
WILDCAT
aircraft launched for another search but not found.
(Note : Extempore aircraft radar equipment fitted for ship
use to reduce risk of
collision whilst manoeuvring within convoy.).
6th Intensive search patrols flown in view
of likely assembly of U-Boats near
7th Detached from
JW63 on arrival off Kola Inlet after unscathed transit.
Took
passage with destroyer escort to Vaenga
Bay..
CS10
Flag transferred to HMS DIADEM
11th Flag returned to ship before sailing to
join return Convoy RA63 escorted by HM Destroyers
ZAMBESI, ZEBRA, WALKER and WESTCOTT.
Launched aircraft to carry out anti-submarine search operations.
12th Air patrols
maintained overnight in deteriorating weather conditions.
Aircraft
crash on landing damaged barrier which prevented flying till repaired.
(Note : Heavy weather made steel deck dangerous for working
parties and
accumulation of snow with ice made clearance essential.
13th Weather condition made flying impossible
Sustained
slight damage to upper deck fittings in heavy weather
15th SWORDFISH aircraft launched during night
to locate reported U-Boat without success,
16th Heavy gale caused some damage and
flooding in ship.
Ships
of convoy dispersed owing to weather conditions.
17th Made course for Thorshvn,
Faeroes escorted by HM Destroyers SCORPION and SCOURGE.
(Note : Many ships of escort also sustained major weather
damage with loss
serviceable equipment as well as structural damage.)
20th Flag transferred to HMS DIADEM.
Sailed from Thorshvn with HMS DIADEM and
three destroyers.
21st Arrived at Scapa Flow
and sailed for Greenock same day.
. 23rd Squadron flew off to Machrihannish
25th Began refit and
docking period.
February Under refit.
March
2nd Ship docked for routine examination of
underwater fittings.
Undocked
April Shipyard work completed
5th Carried out post refit trials in Clyde.
8th 813 Squadron rejoined in Clyde
estuary.
9th Commenced work-up for operational
service in Clyde area.
Nominated
fro detached service with Home Fleet in support of passage of Russian
Convoy
JW66 to Kola Inlet and return Convoy RA66 to UK.
17th Flag of CS10 joined at Tail o the Bank
and sailed to join JW66 which had already taken passage
from Clyde. See references.
(Note : Warships in company were :
HM Escort Carrier PREMIER. HM Destroyers ZEALOUS, ZEST,
ZODIAC and
OFFA.)
18th Met JW66 and deployed within convoy
HM
Cruiser BELLONA joined convoy.
Launched
one SWORDFISH and two WILDCAT aircraft to allow ships in convoy to become
familiar with types of aircraft in use for defence during
passage.
22nd Carriers began air patrols after four
days of inactivity
First
anti-submarine patrol launched.
SWORDFISH
RATOG gear failed and aircraft crashed into sea.
Crew
rescued by HM Canadian Destroyer HAIDA.
23rd Patrol aircraft reported presence of
submarine after detection by sonobuoy during patrol.
Later
investigations were unsuccessful. 24th
24th Russian Catalina
aircraft intercepted by fighter response from ship.
25th Detached from JW6 with HMS BELLONA and
HMS PREMIER when Local
Eastern
escort joined and moved to away to provide anti-submarine operations
whilst convoy entered Kola Inlet (Operation SONO-COOKE.)
(Note : FAUST Group of U-Boats was known to be awaiting
arrival .)
Both
carriers launched SWORDFISH aircraft to lay sonobuoys
across the swept Channel and
AVENGER aircraft to patrols ahead of outer screen.
26th Berthed in Vaenga Bay.
29th Sailed from Kola
Inlet with return Convoy RA66.
(Note : Extensive anti-submarine operations were carried out
by ships of 7th and 19th Escort
Groups on 28th to deal with the known assembly of at least 10
U-Boats.
U986
and U307 were sunk during this concentrated deployment to clear submarines
from the approaches.
HM
Frigate GOODALL was sunk after being hit by a torpedo from U986 and had to be
abandoned. See references.)
May During
passage of RA66 air patrols were maintained but there were no enemy air or
submarine
attacks.
3rd One Ju88 aircraft was intercepted by
two WILDCAT fighters and damaged.
6th Detached from RA66 with HMS PREMIER
and returned to Scapa Flow with four destroyers as
screen.
Passage from Scapa Flow to Clyde.
Deployed
in Clyde and prepared for service in British Pacific
Fleet as a Replenishment Carrier
with British Fleet Train.
For
details of use and extent of Fleet Train see THE FORGOTTEN FLEET by J Winton
and
WAR
WITH JAPAN
(HMSO)
June Extensive changes made by reduction in number
of ship’s company as ship was not to be
deployed as an operational aircraft carrier.
3rd Sailed from Clyde
to Belfast to embark SPITFIRE and
BARRACUDA aircraft by crane for
passage to Australia
as deck cargo for replenishment in BPF.
FIREFLY
aircraft were also embarked and stowed in hangar,
7th Returned to Greenock for final storing
before departure.
(Note : Replacement drafts of naval personnel were embarked
for passage to join ships in Far
East , together with staff of Drafting and Pay Office from Liverpool.
July
1st Took passage
from Clyde for Sydney.
5th Entered Mediterranean.
10th Transit of Suez Canal.
14th Passed Aden.
21st Called at Colombo.
24th Called at Trincomalee
August
11th Disembarked BARRACUDA aircraft at Brisbane
and sailed for Sydney.
