SERVICE HISTORIES of ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS in WORLD WAR 2

by Lt Cdr Geoffrey B Mason RN (Rtd) (c) 2003

HMS CARLISLE  -  World War 1 C-type Light Cruiser
including Convoy Escort Movements

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above left and below  - HMS Carlisle

(NP, click photographs for enlargements)

 
 

H.  M.  S.   C A R L I S L E.

 

"CARLISLE" Class Light Cruiser  ordered from Fairfields of Govan, Glasgow in April 1916 under an Emergency War Programme and laid down in October 1917- The ship was launched on 9th July 1918 as the 3rd RN ship to carry this name which was introduced in 1693 for a 4th Rate. It may nave been named as a compliment to Charles  Howard, 1st Earl of Carlisle. The last warship to carry this name name was another 4th Rate in 1698 which was blown up in 1700. Her build was completion date was 11th November 1918. She served on the China Station until 1928 and then was recommissioned for service on the Africa Station before going into Reserve at Devonport in 1937. Her conversion to an Anti- Aircraft Cruiser was approved in 1937 but the work did not begin until January 1939 by HM Dockyard, Devonport. After a successful WARSHIP WEEK National Savings campaign in March 1942 this cruiser was adopted by the civil community of Carlisle, Cumbria.

 

B a t t l e   H o n o u r s

NORWAY 1940 - GREECE 1941 - CRETE 1941 - LIBYA 1941-42 - SIRTE 1941 - MALTA CONVOYS 1941-42 - SICILY 1943 - AEGEAN 1943

H e r a l d i c   D a t a

Badge:  on a Field Gold, a cross pate red thereon a rose Gold.

 

M o t t o

'Be just and fear not'

 

S u m m a r y   of   P r e-W a r   S e r v i c e

 

1 9 1 8

 

November        Contractors trials

      18th            Build completion and commenced Acceptance Trials

 

December         On completion commissioned for  service in Harwich Force

 

1 9 1 9

 

January             Paid off and reduced to Care and Maintenance.

 

February           Nominated for Foreign service on China Station in 5th Light Cruiser Squadron.

 

March

        1st             Commissioned at Chatham.

 

April                 Passage to China Station

to May

 

June                  Deployed with 5th LCS and carried out programmed visits and exercises

to December

 

1 9 2 0

 

                          China Station service in continuation.

                          Returned to UK to recommission.

 

1 9 2 1

 

January

        1st             Re-commissioned at Chatham for further service on China Station.

                          Prepared for foreign service

 

February            Passage to China Station

to March

 

April                  Deployed with Squadron on China Station.

to December

 

1 9 2 2

 

                          China Station deployment in continuation.

 

1 9 2 3

 

January             Return passage to UK

 

February

        3rd            Re-commissioned for service on China Station

 

March               Passage to resume foreign service

to April

 

May                  Deployed with Squadron on China Station.

to December

 

1 9 2 4

 

                         China Station deployment with Squadron

                         Nominated to recommission on Station.

                         (Note:  Ships company took passage in commercial ship to Hong Kong.

 

1 9 2 5

 

January             Deployed with Squadron on China Station.

to September

 

October

       22nd          Re-commissioned at Hong Kong for further service in LCS5.

 

November        Deployed with Squadron on China Station

to December

 

1 9 2 6   to   1 9 2 7

 

                         China Station deployment with LCS5 in continuation.

 

1 9 2 8

 

January             China Station deployment in continuation.

to June              Nominated for return to UK to refit and recommission.

 

July

       16th           Sailed from Hong Kong to Chatham to refit

 

August

       31st           Arrived at Chatham.

 

 

September        Paid off.

       12th           Taken in hand for refit by HM Dockyard, Chatham

 

October            Under refit

to December

 

1 9 2 9

 

January             Under refit

to August          Nominated for further foreign service.

                          Manning Division changed to Devonport.

 

September         New ships company joined from Devonport Division

         3rd            Re-commissioned for service in 6th Light Cruiser Squadron on South African Station.

                          Refit work completed and commenced post refit trials in Thames area.

                          Took passage to Devonport to prepare for foreign service.

       20th            Sailed from Devonport to join Squadron at Simonstown as replacement for HM Sloop

                          LOWESTOFT.

 

October             On arrival deployed with Squadron for visits and exercises in South Atlantic and

                          Indian Ocean.

 

November         Squadron duties based at Simonstown in continuation.

to December

 

1 9 3 0   t o 1 9 3 1

 

                          Deployed with ships of LCS6 for Squadron duties on Station.

 

1 9 3 2

 

January              Prepared for return passage.

                          Took passage to Devonport.

 

February            Arrived at Devonport.

                           Nominated for further service on South African Station with newly designated

                           6th Cruiser Squadron.

 

March

         1st             Re-commissioned for service in CS6

 

April                  Passage to Simonstown to join Squadron

 

May                   Deployed with Squadron on Station

to December

 

1 9 3 3

 

                          Squadron deployment on Station in continuation.

 

1 9 3 4

 

January              Deployed with Squadron on Station.

to July                Nominated for further foreign service on South Africa Station

 

August               Passage to Devonport

 

September

           5th           Re-commissioned for service in CS6 on South Africa Station.

 

October              Passage to Simonstown for Squadron duties on Station.

to December      Deployed with Squadron on arrival.

 

1 9 3 5   t o   1 9 3 6

 

                           Squadron deployment in continuation.

 

1 9 3 7

 

January               Deployed with Squadron on Station.

to  February        Nominated for reduction to Reserve status on relief by HM Cruiser NEPTUNE

 

March

       16th              Sailed from Capetown on relief by HMS NEPTUNE.

 

April                    Passage to Devonport to Pay-off

 

March                  Paid-off and destored at Devonport

to August

 

September           Laid up in Reserve at Devonport.

to October

 

November

         4th              Approved for conversion to Anti-aircraft cruiser.

 

December            Laid-up at Devonport.

 

1 9 3 8

 

                             Deployed at Devonport as Boys Training Ship.

                             Conversion by HM Dockyard Devonport to commence in January 1939

 

1 9 3 9

 

January                 Taken in hand for conversion.

to August

 

 

D e t a i l s   o f   W a r   S e r v i c e

 

September

        3rd                 Under conversion at HM Dockyard Devonport for use as an Anti-aircraft cruiser.

                              (Note: Being  fitted with an Army Type GL Mark 2 radar for detection of

                                          aircraft at long ranges. This equipment was designated Radar Type 280

                                          when used by the RN. Only two other warships, both Auxiliaries, had this

                                          particular equipment. For details of development and use of radar in RN

                                          see RADAR AT SEA by D Howse)

 

October                 Under conversion

to November         Nominated for service in Home Fleet as an AA ship

 

December              Post refit trials and commissioning.

 

1 9 4 0

 

January

      12th                 Conversion completed and carried out sea trials.

                              Prepared for radar trials in Mediterranean based in Malta.

 

February

        1st                 Took passage to Malta for work-up and to carry out sea trials on the new radar

                              outfit. See above reference.

                              (Note:  This equipment was found to be very suitable for shipborne detection

                                           of aircraft at long ranges).

 

March                    On completion  of radar trials took passage to return to Scapa Flow.

                              Joined 1st AA Squadron and deployed in Humber Force, Home Fleet.

 

April                      Deployed in North Sea for AA defence.

       9th                  After German invasion of Norway deployed with Home Fleet in support of allied

                              military operations (Operation RUPERT/R4).

     17th                  Sailed from Rosyth with troops of MAURICE FORCE for passage to Andalsnes

                              with HM Cruisers  GALATEA, ARETHUSA and CURACOA

                              (Operation SICKLE).

     18th                  After landing troops relieved the Sloop HMS  BLACK SWAN as AA Guardship in

                              Romdalsjord.  Later shared AA guard duties at Molde with H M Cruiser CURACOA

                              HM Sloops BLACK  SWAN and BITTERN.

      20th                 Arrived at Andalsnes for AA Guardship duties.

      22nd                Transferred to Namsos in continuation.

      28th                 Deployed at Namsos as AA Guardship.

                              (For details of the disastrous naval operations off Norway see the Naval Staff

                              History, THE DOOMED EXPEDITION by J Adams, NARVIK by D. MacIntyre

                              and CARRIER GLORIOUS by J Winton).

       29th                Passage to Skel Fjord to refuel

       30th                Resumed AA Guardship duties at Namsos

                              (Note:  HM Sloop BITTERN deployed for AA defence had to be sunk after

                                           sustaining major damage in air attacks.)

 

May

         1st                Flagship and AA Guardship during Namsos evacuation with H M Cruisers

                              DEVONSHIRE and YORK,

                              Ordered to sea to ensure available for evacuation duty.:

        2nd                Unable to re-enter Namsos by fog and sailed to join HMS DEVONSHIRE on

                              passage off Norway for evacuation.

                              Embarked troops after nightfall. For details see Naval Staff History.

        3rd                 Sailed for UK with HMS DEVONSHIRE, HM Destroyers AFRIDI, GRENADE,

                              IMPERIAL and French destroyer BISON.

                              Under heavy and sustained air attacks during which BISON was sunk

.                             See Naval Staff History for details.

        5th                 Arrived at Scapa Flow,

      11th                 Returned to Norwegian coast with H M Destroyer ZULU to intercept ship reported

                              taking German reinforcement troops to Narvik area but failed to arrive in time

                              to take any action.

      18th                 Transferred to Mediterranean Fleet.

                              Took passage to Malta from Devonport with HM Destroyers JAGUAR and JAVELIN

                              for service with 4th Cruiser Squadron.

      24th                 Passage to Alexandria from Malta with 4 "K" Class destroyers.

 

June                       Nominated for AA defence of Red Sea convoys in view of threat of attacks from

                              Italian aircraft during hostilities.

                              Passage to Aden for duty as Flag Officer Red Sea Force.

      11th                 In action with Italian aircraft during air raid at Aden.9 aircraft destroyed by ship

                              and shore defences.

 

July                       Deployed on convoy escort between Aden and Port Sudan.

                              Visited Djibouti, French Somaliland..

 

August

       15th.               Assisted with the evacuation of troops and civilians from Berbera with other

                              warships including H M Cruisers HOBART (RAN), CALEDON, CERES and

                              H M  Destroyer KANDAHAR.

       18th                Passage to Aden with passengers.

 

September             Under refit at Colombo.

 

October                 Returned to Aden for AA Guardship duty and convoy escort.

 

November             Red Sea deployment in continuation.

      12th                 Escorted ss CITY OF LILLE with H M Sloops AUCKLAND and PARRAMATTA

                              (RAN) to join military convoy WS3 off the port.

                              Joined Ocean Escort HM Cruiser DORSETSHIRE with the two Sloops to provide

                              anti- aircraft defence during passage of WS3 in Red Sea.

      14th                 Detached from WS3 with HMS DORSETSHIRE during passage after vulnerability

                              to air attack was no longer likely. Took passage to Aden.

 

December              Deployed at Aden.

      18th                 Joined military convoy WS4 at Aden with H M Cruiser PERTH (RAN), H M Sloops

                              INDUS (RIN), YARRA (RAN) and HM Destroyer KINGSTON as escort during

                              passage in Red Sea.

      20th                 Detached from WS4 with HMIS INDUS and returned to Aden.

                              (Note:  HMS PERTH and HMS KINGSTON remained with convoy.

      25th                 Joined military convoy WS4B at Aden with HM Destroyers KANDAHAR and

                              KIMBERLEY for escort during passage in Red Sea.

                              (Note:  H M Cruiser SOUTHAMPTON which had been part of Ocean Escort from

                                           Durban remained with convoy until arrival at Suez on 28th.)

      27th                 Detached from WS4B with HMS KIMBERLEY and returned to Aden.

                              (Note:  During this period defect developed in propeller shaft which reduced the

                                           speed normally possible.)

 

1 9 4 1

 

January                  Red Sea Force deployment in continuation.

                               Defect in one propeller shaft and repair arranged at Bombay.

                               Repair deferred and required for service in Mediterranean

 

February                Passage to Mediterranean.

                               Remained at Suez as FO Suez Area until aircraft laid mines in Suez Canal were

                               cleared.

 

March                    Deployed at Suez pending completion of minesweeping operation to allow transit

                               through Suez Canal.

        7th                  Passage to Great Bitter Lake and experienced further delay.

        8th                  Resumed transit with HM Aircraft Carrier FORMIDABLE, HM Destroyers

                               JANUS, GRIFFIN and HM Sloop GRIMSBY.

      10th                  Arrived at Alexandria.

                               Taken in hand for repair after arrival at Alexandria

                                (Note:  Defective shaft was taken to Malta by submarine for repair in HM Dockyard.)

      20th                   Deployed for escort of Convoy MW6 with HM Cruisers BONAVENTURE,

                                CALCUTTA and COVENTRY during passage to Malta (Operation MC9)

                                (Note:  Ship was without one shaft,

                                             Cover was provided for transit by HM Battleships BARHAM, VALIANT

                                             and WARSPITE, HMS FORMIDABLE, HM Cruisers GLASGOW and

                                             YORK with screen of nine Fleet destroyers.)

       23rd                  Under heavy and sustained air attacks on arrival in Malta with MW6.

       24th                  Passage to Suda Bay for AA Guardship duties.

       26th                  Arrived at Suda Bay.

                                (Note:  In an attack by Italian explosive motor boats HM Cruiser YORK was hit

                                             and sustained serious damage on 25th)

March                      Deployed at Suda by for defence of military convoys on passage between Egypt

                                and Greek ports for transfer of British personnel and stores for defence against

                                invasion of Greece (Operation LUSTRE – See Naval Staff History.)

                                (Note:  Did not take part in the Battle of Cape Matapan as not operationally

                                             available for Fleet duties involving major units.)

 

April                       Returned to Alexandria.

        24th                 Sailed from Alexandria as escort for Convoy AG14 to Greece with HMS KINGSTON

                                and HMS KANDAHAR.

        25th                 Diverted from escort of Convoy AG14 to evacuate allied troops from Greece.

                                (Operation DEMON - See Naval Staff History and ENGAGE THE ENEMY

                                MORE CLOSELY by Corelli Barnett).

        26th                 Assisted with the evacuation of NZ troops and some civilians from Greek port of

                                 Raphtis with HMS KANDAHAR, HMS KINGSTON and ss SALWEEN

.                                Because of a machinery defect secured alongside HMS KANDAHAR.

                                 1,410 passengers were taken to Suda Bay although only 500 had been expected.

                                 (Note:  For full details of Raphtis evacuation with names of all ships involved

                                             with totals see Naval Staff History.)

        29th                  Sailed from Greek waters-as escort for Convoy GA15 (6 ships) with HM Australian

                                 Cruiser PERTH, HM Sloop AUCKLAND, HM Destroyers DECOY, DEFENDER

                                  and KANDAHAR.

                                  Passage to Alexandria.

 

May

          1st                   Arrived at Alexandria with GA15.

          5th                   Deployed with HM Cruiser COVENTRY, HM Corvette GLOXINIA, HM Whaler

                                  SWONA (SANF) and HM Tug ST ISSEY as escort for Convoy MW7A to Malta.

                                  (Operation MD4)

                                  (Note:  Part of Operation TIGER involving ships of Force H at Gibraltar to pass

                                               a military convoy from Gibraltar and passage of convoys MW7A and

                                               MW7B from Egypt to Malta. For details see THE BATTLE FOR THE

                                               MEDITERRANEAN and Naval Staff History.).

          6th                   Remained with escort when Convoy MW7B merged with Convoy MW7A.

          9th                   After arrival of Convoy MW7 in Malta formed part of escort for TIGER convoy  to

                                  Alexandria with HM Cruisers CALCUTTA, COVENTRY, DIDO, NAIAD

                                  PHOEBE and HMS ST. ISSEY screened by destroyers of Mediterranean Fleet..

         12th                  Arrived in Alexandria.

                                  Taken in hand for repair in Dry Dock at Alexandria.

         21st                   Undocked before completion of work to rejoin Fleet in defence of Crete.

                                   Speed restricted because of lack of shaft awaiting installation.

                                   Deployed for offensive patrols off Crete to intercept invasion craft with H M

                                  Cruisers NAIAD, PERTH (RAN), CALCUTTA and Fleet destroyers (Force "C").

                                   Came under heavy air attacks.

         22nd                  Supplemented AA defence for HMS NAIAD which was short of ammunition.

                                   Subjected to dive bombing attacks causing some damage and casualties including

                                   Captain who was killed.

         23rd                   On arrival at Alexandria had little ammunition left.

         25th                   Resumed repair at Port Said with No 2 AA mounting replaced.

                                   (Note:  Repaired shaft had been delivered by submarine from Malta.)

 

June                            Under repair during which shaft was replaced.

 

July                             On completion of repair deployed as AA Guardship at Haifa and with Fleet  units

                                    operating off Syrian coast (Operation EXPORTER)

                                    (See RELUCTANT ENEMIES by W Tute and Naval; Staff History for details).

          6th                     Carried out bombardment near Damur in support of military operations with

                                    six destroyers

        18th                     At Beirut with HMS COVENTRY

                                    Deployed at Suez for AA defence

                                    (Note:  This was required following increase in enemy air raids during period

                                                when reinforcements were arriving for 8th Army. See Naval Staff History.)

 

August

        29th                    Relieved HMS COVENTRY as AA Guardship to provide defence at anchorages

                                   "F" and "H" in Suez Bay used by troopships.

 

September                  Deployed for escort of convoys in support of Tobruk garrison.

to October                  Transferred to Suez for AA defence with HMS COVENTRY.

 

November                  Returned to Alexandria for Fleet duties in support of Tobruk garrison

                                   (Operation  AGGRESSION) 

       22rd                     Sailed from Alexandria with three destroyers as escort for HM Supply Ship

                                   GLENROY taking military personnel with stores for passage toTobruk.

       23rd                     Under air attack on passage.

                                   HMS GLENROY hit by torpedo and seriously damaged.

                                   Took HMS GLENROY in tow which was later transferred to HM Escort

                                   Destroyer FARNDALE.

                                   (Note:  HMS GLENROY was beached west of Mersa Matruh and later

                                                refloated and taken in tow by Tugs from Alexandria.)

 

December

         7th                    Deployed with HM Cruisers HOBART  (RAN) and GALATEA with two

                                  destroyers to meet HMS BRECONSHIRE in eastern Mediterranean as relief

                                  for escort from Malta, covered by HM Cruisers NEPTUNE and AJAX. during

                                  passage to Alexandria.

         8th                   Arrived in Alexandria with HMS BRECONSHIRE.

       15th                    Escorted Supply Ship HMS BRECONSHIRE taking relief supplies to Malta

                                  with HMS NAIAD, HMS EURYALUS, HM Destroyers DECOY, HASTY,

                                  HAVOCK, JERVIS, KIMBERLEY, KIPLING and NIZAM deployed as Force C

       16th                    Detached. from Force C when operation under threat of attack by Italian major

                                  warships and made radio transmissions to suggest presence of Major Fleet

                                  units available for cover of this operation.

                                  Returned to Alexandria.

                                  (Note:  Ships of Force C later took part in brief engagement with Italian units which

                                              withdrew after threat of torpedo attacks.

                                              1st Battle of Sirte. See Naval Staff History, BATTLE FOR THE

                                              MEDITERRANEAN by D MacIntyre and NAVAL WAR IN THE

                                              MEDITERRANEAN by J Green and A Massignani.)

 

1 9 4 2

 

January

       16th                    Joined H M Destroyers ARROW, GRIFFIN, HASTY and HERO as escort for

                                  Convoy  MW8A, ss AJAX and ss THERMOPYLAE, covered by HM Cruisers

                                  DIDO, EURYALUS and NAIAD with destroyer screen (Operation MF3)

       18th                    After Convoys MW8A and MW8B merged came under air attacks.

                                  Detached with HM Destroyers FOXHOUND and HOTSPUR to escort

                                  ss THERMOPYLAE because of machinery defects. Destination was later

                                  changed to Alexandria.

       19th                    HM Corvette GLOXINIA joined escort.

                                  In action against aircraft which sank THERMOPYLAE off Derna.

       21st                    Arrived at Alexandria.

       24th                    Escorted HMS BRECONSHIRE with HM Cruisers NAIAD, DIDO and

                                  EURYALUS screened by eight destroyers for passage to Malta as Force B.

       26th                    After HMS BRECONSHIRE escort was handed to Force K from Malta returned

                                  with the ships of Force B escorting two empty merchantiles to Alexandria.

       28th                    Arrived at Alexandria

 

 February

       12th                    Joined HM Destroyers LANCE, AVONVALE, ERIDGE and HEYTHROP as

                                  escort for Convoy MW9A, ss CLAN CAMPBELL and ss CLAN CHATTAN)

                                  to Malta from Alexandria.

                                  (Operation MF5 covered by HM Cruisers EURYALUS, NAIAD and destroyer

                                  screen).

      13th                    Convoys MW9A and MW9B merged.

                                  Under air attacks during which CLAN CAMPBELL was damaged and sent to Tobruk.

                                  In later air attacks CLAN CHATTAN was sunk by HM Destroyer DECOY after

                                  she had caught fire and been abandoned.

                                  (Note:  For details of this disastrous operation in which no merchant ship was

                                              able to reach Malta see above references).

                                  After the operation was cancelled escorted return Convoy ME10 from Malta to

                                  Alexandria with HM Cruisers NAIAD, DIDO and EURYALUS. During  passage

                                  The main steam pipe in the Engine Room fractured disabling ship.

                                  During the repair work AA defence was provided by 3 HUNT Class destroyers.

                                  Near missed in later air attacks.

       15th                    Rejoined convoy and returned to Alexandria.

 

March

       20th                    Part of close escort for Malta supply convoy MW10 with HM Destroyers

                                  HASTY, HERO, HAVOCK, LIVELY, SIKH and ZULU of 22nd Destroyer

                                  Flotilla.

                                  (Note:  Convoy comprised HMS BRECONSHIRE, ss CLAN CAMPBELL,

                                              ss PAMPAS and ss TALABOT).

                                              Cover provided by HM Cruiser CLEOPATRA, DIDO and EURYALUS

                                              screened by HM Destroyers JERVIS, KIPLING, KELVIN and KINGSTON

                                              of 5th Destroyer Flotilla (Operation MG1).)

       22nd                   Under attack from torpedo and bomber aircraft after escort reinforced by Force

                                  “K” from Malta.

                                  After Italian battle squadron comprising the battleship LITTORIO and 3 cruisers

                                  with ten escorting destroyers, intercepted MW10,

                                  Detached with 7 HUNT Class Escort Destroyers as escort for mercantiles and

                                  positioned to SW of covering warships which engaged the Italian cruisers.

                                  (Note:  The aggressive action by British destroyers resulted in the withdrawal of

                                               the Italian major ships which did not relish any night attacks by a radar

                                               fitted enemy.

                                               2nd Battle of Sirte. For- Full details see MEDITERRANEAN MAELSTROM

                                               by GC Connell and above references).

        23rd                   Detached with HM Destroyers BEAUFORT and SOUTHWOLD to escort HMS

                                  BRECONSHIRE into Malta.

                                  Under synchronised air attacks by torpedo and dive bombers. Collided with HM

                                  Destroyer HMS AVON VALE whilst taking avoiding action against aircraft in a

                                  smoke screen. Attempt to tow damaged HMS BRECONSHIRE called off because

                                  of the shortage of fuel and ammunition. One rating killed during an air attack by

                                  an Me 109 fighter when entering Valetta.

        25th                   Passage to Alexandria with HM Escort Destroyers BEAUFORT, DULVERTON,

                                  ERIDGE and HURWORTH

        28th                   Arrived at Alexandria.

 

April                          Deployed at Alexandria and prepared for return passage to UK.

                                  Nominated for refit.

 

May                           Passage from Alexandria.

                                  Diverted to provide escort for military convoy W318 that had been subjected to

                                  delay due to damage by mines off the Cape of Good Hope.

        15th                   Joined ships of military convoy WS18 at Capetown as Ocean Escort during passage

                                  in Indian Ocean to Durban

        18th                   Detached from WS18 on arrival at Durban and resumed passage to UK.

 

June                          Called at Simonstown

                                 Called at Freetown..

                                  On arrival at Plymouth taken in hand for refit by HM Dockyard Devonport.

July                           Taken in hand for refit by HM Dockyard Devonport.

 

August                      Under refit.

   to                            (Note:  Work included the replacement of the aircraft warning radar Type 280

November                               by Type 281 and installation of surface warning radar Type 273.

                                                AA fire control radars Type 285 for 4" mountings and Type 282 for

                                                Close Range armament were also fitted. See RADAR AT SEA.).

                                  Nominated for service in Mediterranean.

           .                     Post refit trials.

December                  On completion of post refit trials took passage to Scapa Flow.

          7th                   Arrived at Scapa Flow for work-up with Home Fleet

 

1 9 4 3

 

January                      Developed defects and withdrawn from work-up.

                                  Returned to Devonport for repair.                                        

 

February                    Under repair.

                                  On completion took passage to Scapa Flow to resumed work-up

 

March                        Resumed Work-up in continuation

                                  On completion took passage to Gibraltar.

April

          2nd                  Arrived at Gibraltar and allocated to Force "Q" for attacks on enemy convoys m

                                  central Mediterranean.

May

         19th                  Deployed as escort with four destroyers for first convoy through Mediterranean

                                  to Alexandria since relief of Malta.

         26th                  Arrived in Alexandria.

 

June                           Mediterranean convoy defence in continuation.

 

July                           Transferred to 15th Cruiser Squadron for service in Eastern Mediterranean.

                                  Escorted military convoys to Central Mediterranean prior to Sicily landings

        10th                   Part of Support Force East with HM Cruiser NEWFOUNDLAND, UGANDA,

                                  MAURITIUS, ORION, COLOMBO and DELHI during landings of 1st Airborne

                                  Division SW of Syracuse.

                                  Assisted in rescue of survivors from Hospital Ship TALAMBA.

                                  (Operation HUSKY - See ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY and Naval

                                  Staff History).

        11th                   Attempted tow of ammunition ship BAARN off beaches failed after which it had

                                  to be sunk by HM Destroyer TARTAR.

 

August                      Deployed in support of military operations off Sicily.

 

September                Transferred to Levant Command to reinforce 12th Cruiser Squadron.

          4th                   Deployed with Squadron in Aegean to intercept invasion craft and support the

                                  military operations to occupy islands after Italian surrender.

 

October                     Aegean deployment in continuation.

          7th                   Carried out offensive sweep in Scarpanto Strait with HM Destroyers PANTHER

                                  and PETARD.

                                  Later joined by the destroyers HMS ALDENHAM and Greek THERMISTOCLES

                                  for further sortie in same area. (Operation CREDENTIAL).

          8th.                  HM Destroyer ROCKWOOD and Greek MIAOULIS replaced ALDENHAM and

                                  THERMISTOCLES in for a third offensive sweep as CREDENTIAL Force.

           9th                   Came under air attack by Ju87 's during patrol in Scarpanto Strait with HMS

                                  PANTHER and HMS ROCKWOOD. The ship received four direct hits and

                                  several near misses which caused extensive structural damage and flooding

.                                 Starboard shaft and propeller blown off with Port shaft was buckled.

                                  Disabled with 20 of the ship's company killed and 17 wounded.

                                 (Casualty List - note on casualties)

                                  Stricken vessel was taken in tow to Alexandria by HMS ROCKWOOD.

                                  (Note:  During this operation by CREDENTIAL Force HMS PANTHER was

                                               sunk).

         16th                  Under repair at Alexandria.