Naval History Homepage and Site Search

 

 

SERVICE HISTORIES of ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS in WORLD WAR 2

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

HMS DELHI  -  World War 1 D-type Light Cruiser
including Convoy Escort Movements

HMS Delhi in 1942 with US 5in gun turrets (Navy Photos, click to enlarge) return to Contents List 
 

D-Class Cruiser ordered from Armstrong's High Walker Shipyard at Elswick  with sister ships  HMS DUNEDIN  and HMS DURBAN in July 1917 as the second group of the Class. The ship was laid down on 29th  October 1917  and was launched on23rd August 1918 as the first RN ship to carry this name. Build was completed on 7th June 1919.  She  was adopted by the civil community of Sunderland, County Durham following a WARSHIP WEEK campaign  for  National Savings held during February 1942.

 

B a t t l e   H o n o u r s 

ATLANTIC 1940 - NORTH AFRICA 1942 - SICILY 1943 - SALERNO 1943 - ANZIO 1944 - SOUTH FRANCE 1944 - ADRIATIC 1944

C r e s t

Field:  Red.

Badge: An Elephant caparisoned gold.

 

M o t t o

Dilecta non deleta: 'Chosen not destroyed'

 

 

S u m m a r y   o f   P r e - War   S e r v i c e

 

1 9 1 9

 

May                        Contractors Trials

 

June                        Commissioned for service in 1st Light Cruiser Squadron Atlantic Fleet

                                Nominated for service in Baltic to replace HM Cruiser CURACOA which had been damaged by a mine.

                7th          Build completion date and commenced Acceptance trials.

                                On completion completed storing and took passage to join RN ships deployed in Baltic to assist in the

                                defence of countries under attack from Soviet army.

 

July                         Baltic deployment in continuation.

to

December

 

1 9 2 0

 

                                On release from Baltic service joined Squadron in Atlantic Fleet.

                                Took part in Fleet exercises including those with ships of Mediterranean Fleet.

 

1 9 2 1

 

                                Atlantic Fleet deployment with Squadron in continuation.

 

1 9 2 2

 

                                Recommissioned for service in Atlantic Fleet

                                Took part in exercise and visits programme.

 

1 9 2 3

 

                                Atlantic Fleet deployment in continuation

October                  Prepared for World cruise.

                                Nominated for service in special Squadron for visits to British Empire territories and also

                                countries in South America.

 

November              Deployed at Devon port and joined HM Cruisers DANAE, DRAGON, DAUNTLESS and

                                DUNEDIN as escort for HM Battlecruisers HOOD and REPULSE.

                27th        Sailed from Plymouth with ships of World Cruise Squadron.

 

December

                21st         Arrived at Cape Town after call at Freetown during Atlantic passage.

                                Took passage to Durban

                30th        Passage from Durban to Zanzibar.

 

1 9 2 4

 

January                  Arrived at Durban after calls at Port Elizabeth, East London and Mossel Bay

                1st           Arrived at Zanzibar,

                17th        Took passage from Zanzibar for Fremantle, Australia.

 

February                Exercised on passage in Indian Ocean.

                28th        Arrived at Fremantle.

 

March                    Passage from Fremantle for visits to Albany, Adelaide and Melbourne.

 

 April                      Passage from Melbourne to Hobart.

                3rd          At Hobart, Tasmania.

                6th          Sailed from Hobart.

                9th          Arrived at Sydney.

                20th        Took passage from Sydney with ships of Squadron for visits in New Zealand.

                23rd        Arrived at Wellington.

 

May

                5th          Deployed in New Zealand coastal waters for visits.

                16th        Took passage for visits to Empire territories in Pacific Ocean.

                                (Note: Visits were paid to Suva, Samara, Fiji Islands, Apia, West Samoa.)

                                Passage to Victoria, Canada with call at Pearl Harbour for visit to US Naval Base.

 

June                        Deployed at Victoria.

 

July

                6th          Visited Vancouver

                                On completion of visits to ports on west coast of North America detached from HMS HOOD

                                and HMS REPULSE with HM Cruisers DANAE, DRAGON, DAUNTLESS and DUNEDIN for

                                visits to ports in South America.

 

August                  South American visits programme in continuation.

to

October

 

November              Return passage to UK

 

December              Paid off and re-commissioned for service in 1st Cruiser Squadron, Mediterranean Fleet

 

1 9 2 5

 

January                  Prepared for foreign service and took passage to Malta to join Squadron

to

February

 

March                    Deployed with Squadron in Mediterranean and took part in exercise and visits programme.

 

1 9 2 6

 

                                Mediterranean deployment with Squadron in continuation.

                                Took part in Fleet exercises and visits programmes.

 

1 9 2 7

 

January                  Squadron deployment in continuation.

                                Nominated for detached duty on China Station.

 

February                Passage to Hong Kong.

 

March                    Deployed at Hong Kong.

                21st         Following capture by pirates of ss HOPSANG, a British flagged merchant ship owned by the China

                                Steam Navigation Company, despatched with HM Aircraft Carrier HERMES, HM Cruiser

                                FROBISHER and HM Sloop FOXGLOVE to Bias Bay to recover the vessel.

                22nd       Provided Landing Party at Bias Bay search for pirates.

                                (Note: Pirates had left ss HOPSANG at Bias Bay. Landing Parties destroyed junks and sampans

                                used for piracy.)

                                Returned to Hong Kong.

 

April                       Detached service on China Station in continuation.

to

December

 

1 9 2 8

 

January                  Returned to Mediterranean and rejoined 1st Cruiser Squadron.

to                            Nominated for refit in UK

June

 

July                         Paid off and taken in hand for refit.

to

December

 

1 9 2 9

 

January                  Under refit

to                            Nominated for service in 8th Cruiser Squadron, America and West Indies Station.

June

 

July                         Deployed in West Indies

to

December

 

1 9 3 0

 

                                Deployed in West Indies and visited ports in South America and USA.

 

1 9 3 1

 

                                West Indies Station deployment in continuation.

 

1 9 3 2

 

                                8th Cruiser Squadron deployment in continuation.

                                Joined HMS HOOD, HMS REPULSE, HM Cruisers NORFOLK and DORSETSHIRE

                                for visits to Madeira and West Indies.

                                Deployed as Flagship of 8th Cruiser Squadron before return to UK

 

1 9 3 3

 

                                Returned to UK and recommissioned for further service in West Indies

                                Transferred to 3rd Cruiser Squadron, Mediterranean Fleet.

 

1 9 3 4

 

                                Deployed in Mediterranean as Flagship 3td Cruiser Squadron.

                                Took part in Fleet exercises and visits.

 

1 9 3 5

 

                                Mediterranean deployment with Squadron in continuation.

 

1 9 3 6

 

                                Re-commissioned for further Mediterranean Fleet service in 3rd Cruiser Squadron.

 

1 9 3 7

 

                                Mediterranean Fleet deployment with Squadron in continuation.

                                Nominated for reduction to Reserve status.

 

1 9 3 8

 

January                  Prepared for return to UK

 

February                Passage to Devonport to Pay-Off.

 

March                    Paid-Off and destored.

 

April                       Reducing to Reserve status.

to

June

 

July                         Laid up in Reserve Fleet at Devonport

to

December

 

1 9 3 9

 

January                  Laid up at Devonport

to                            Nominated for transfer to Reserve Fleet at Chatham.

June                        Towed to Chatham.

 

July                         Laid up at Chatham

                                War Station allocated for service in 12th Cruiser Squadron for trade defence and interception

                                of blockade runners.

 

August                  (Note: It is assumed that when Fleet was mobilised this ship was manned with Reservists.

                                In most cases the ships brought forward and manned by RNR and RNVR personnel

                                attended the Royal Review held in Weymouth Bay at the end of this month.

                                However no record of attendance at the Review has been found.

                                After re-commissioning took passage to Scapa Flow to join Squadron.

 

 

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

 

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

 

 

September

                3rd          At Scapa Flow

                5th          Passage to Portland.

                6th          At Portland.

                10th        Deployed for interception patrol.

                13th        At Scapa Flow.

                14th        Interception patrol in continuation.

                18th        Returned to Scapa Flow.

                20th        Deployed for patrol.

                22nd       At Scapa Flow.

                25th        Deployed for patrol.

 

October

                1st           At Scapa Flow.

                6th          Deployed for patrol.

                13th        Transferred to 11th Cruiser Squadron in continuation of interception duties.

                14th        Sailed from Scapa Flow for patrol

                                (Note: HM Battleship ROYAL OAK was sunk at Scapa Flow by U47.

                                Fleet units were transferred to Loch Ewe and ships deployed for interception duties

                                returned to Sullom Voe.

                20th        Returned to Sullom Voe.

                22nd       Sailed for patrol between Faeroes and Iceland.

                25th        Intercepted German freighter REINGOLD SE of Iceland which was captured and taken to Kirkwall.

                                (Note: This ship was later taken into service by the Ministry of War Transport and renamed

                                EMPIRE MARINER.)

                28th        Returned to Sullom Voe.

                31st         Deployed for patrol.

 

November

                6th          At Sullom Voe.

                8th          Sailed for patrol.

                12th        Intercepted German freighter MECKLENBURG SW of Faeroes which scuttled on approach and

                                was abandoned by crew. Boarding impracticable due to weather conditions and mercantile was

                                sunk by gunfire.

                15th        Returned to Scapa Flow.

                23rd        Deployed with HM Cruisers NEWCASTLE, CALEDON, CARDIFF and HM Armed Merchant

                                Cruiser RAWALPINDI for patrol in Faeroes-Iceland Gap in search for the German SCHARNHORST

                                and GNEISENAU known to be on passage to Atlantic for attacks on convoys.

                                Detached with HMS NEWCASTLE to intercept German ships after loss of HMS RAWALPINDI.

                24th        Sighted German ships and ordered to shadow but lost contact in poor weather.

                                (Note: Neither British ship had surface warning radar.)

                                Returned to Scapa Flow.

                25th        Sailed for patrol.

 

December

                2nd         Returned to Sullom Voe.

                8th          Resumed Patrol duties.

                16th        Returned to Scapa Flow.

                17th        Sailed for patrol.

                20th        On relief took passage to Belfast for refit and docking.

                21st         Taken in hand at commercial shipyard.

 

1 9 4 0

 

January

                10th        On completion took passage to Scapa Flow for patrol and interception duties.

                12th        Deployed for patrol

                17th        Returned to Scapa Flow.

                                (Note: Following representation by the Senior Officer, Northern Patrol this Class of ship was

                                withdrawn from service in the North Atlantic.)

                                Nominated for duty in Mediterranean as Flagship of Destroyer Command at Malta.

                18th        Carried out last patrol in NW Approaches.

                19th        Returned to Scapa Flow.

                20th        Took passage to Portsmouth to prepare for foreign service.

                31st         Sailed from Portsmouth to Gibraltar.

 

February

                1st           Part of escort for convoy during passage.

                                (Note: One source suggests ship was deployed in Atlantic before joining Fleet in Malta.)

 

March                    Joined Destroyer Command and deployed in Mediterranean

 

April                       Mediterranean Fleet deployment in continuation as Flagship for Rear Admiral (Destroyers).

                                (Note: During this period the Mediterranean Fleet was preparing for war with Italy)

 

May                        Under refit in Malta.

 

June                        On completion transferred to 9th Cruiser Squadron for convoy defence duty in Atlantic based

                                at Gibraltar.

 

July                         Deployed at Gibraltar and attached to newly formed Force H.

                                (Note: Not directly involved in the action against French warships at Oran by Force H.

                                (Operation CATAPULT.)

                8th          Joined HM Battlecruiser HOOD, HM Battleships VALIANT and RESOLUTION, HM Cruisers

                                ARETHUSA and ENTERPRISE to provide cover for air attacks on Cagliari airfield in Sardinia

                                by HM Aircraft Carrier ARK ROYAL (Operation MA5)

                                (Note: HM Destroyer ESCORT was torpedoed by Italian submarine MARCONI and sustained

                                major damage. Although taken in tow the ship foundered three days later.)

                9th          Under high level bombing attack by Italian aircraft

                                Operation cancelled after these attacks since element of surprise had been lost.

                                (For details of operations in Mediterranean in 1940-41 see Naval Staff History and ENGAGE

                                THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by C Barnett.)

                31st         Deployed with HMS HOOD, HMS VALIANT, HMS ARETHUSA and HMS ENTERPRISE to

                                provide cover by Force H for HM Aircraft Carrier ARGUS during Malta aircraft delivery and

                                air attacks on the airfield at Cagliari (Operation HURRY)

                                (Note: This information was only found in one source and further confirmation is needed.)

 

August                  Deployed interception of Vichy French ships during for operations in West Africa.

 

                6th          At Pointe Noire, but Vichy ships had sailed.

                19th        Deployed with HM Cruiser CORNWALL and intercepted Vichy French cruiser PRIMAGUET

                                and tanker TARN in Gulf of Guinea on passage to Libreville

                                After negotiation French ships accepted escort to Casablanca instead of being engaged in action

                                by British warships.

                24th        Arrived at Casablanca and French ships detached for entry.

                                Took passage to join HM Battleships BARHAM and RESOLUTION, HMS ARK ROYAL, HM

                                Cruisers DEVONSHIRE, AUSTRALIA and DRAGON in Force M for support of landings by Free

                                French troops at Dakar (Operation MENACE).

                                (For details of operations in West Africa see MENACE by Arthur Marder and RELUCTANT

                                ENEMIES by N Tute.)

                25th        Took part in bombardment of ships at Dakar and damaged by return fire (Operation NASTY).

                                Returned to Freetown with ships of Force M when operation MENACE abandoned.

 

October                  Resumed trade defence role in South Atlantic.

                                Called at Cameroons.

November              Deployed for support of Free French attack on Libreville.

                7th          Carried out blockade duty with HMS DEVONSHIRE. to prevent interference by Vichy French.

                29th        Embarked survivors from Vichy French submarine PONCELOT from HM Sloop MILFORD.

                                (Note: PONCELOT had been sunk by HMS MILFORD on 8th November.)

 

December              Resumed trade defence deployment in South Atlantic.

 

1 9 4 1

 

January                  Atlantic deployment in continuation.

                                Nominated for refit in USA.

 

February                Passage to New York.

 

March                    Under refit at US Navy Yard, Brooklyn for conversion to an Anti-Aircraft Cruiser

to                            (Note: The two forward and two after 6in mountings were replaced by US Navy 5in mountings which

November              had an anti-aircraft capability controlled by MK 37 USN Directors. No 3 midships 6in mounting

                                was retained. Additional weapons were fitted for close range defence against aircraft.

                                The 6in mountings were later fitted in HM Armed Merchant Cruiser ASTURIAS.

                                This ship was the only RN ship to be fitted with US destroyer gun mountings.

                                Bridge structure was also modified and tripod masts were fitted

                                In addition preparations were made to install British radar equipment including

                                changes to the new main armament fire control directors and provision of new

                                compartments for the radar outfits with the new electric cabling.

 

December              Post refit sea trials.

 

1 9 4 2

 

January

                12th        Refit work and trials completed..

                21st         Arrived at Norfolk Virginia prior to return passage to UK

 

February

                4th          Took passage to Plymouth.

                15th        Installation work for new radar outfits in hand by HM Dockyard Devonport.

                                (Note: Two Type 285 Fire control radar outfits fitted for forward and after main armament

                                Type 282 Fire control radar was fitted for close range weapons mounted on either beam.

                                Surface warning radar Type 271 sited forward of mainmast.

                                Aircraft warning radar Type 281 using both masts.

                                For details of development and use of radar by RN see RADAR AT SEA by D Howse

                                and companion volumes on equipment prepared by The Radar Trust.)

 

March                    Radar equipment installation and trials in continuation.

 

April                       Deployed at Plymouth for radar trials and shakedown..

 

May                        Retained in Plymouth Command for convoy defence in Channel and SW Approaches

 

June                        Deployed with Irish Sea Force.

                17th        Provided AA defence for rms QUEEN ELIZABETH during passage in NW Approaches to the

                                Middle East, escorted by HM Destroyers BOADICEA, LEAMINGTON, KEPPEL, SALISBURY

                                and ST MARYS. Designated as Convoy WS19Y.

                18th        Detached from rms QUEEN ELIZABETH and returned to Clyde with escorting destroyers.

                19th        Deployed in Clyde to work-up for operational service in Mediterranean.

 

July                         On completion resumed deployment with Irish Sea Force for AA defence of convoys in Western

                                Approaches.

 

August                  Irish Sea Force deployment in continuation

to

September

 

October                  Nominated for support of planned allied landings in North Africa (Operation TORCH).

                27th        Took passage from Clyde with HM Battleship RODNEY, HM Aircraft Carrier FURIOUS, HM

                                Escort Aircraft Carriers BITER and DASHER and HM Cruisers JAMAICA and HERMIONE,

                                HM Auxiliary AA Ship ALYNBANK as Force X to join Central Naval Force at Gibraltar for

                                support of Operation TORCH.

November

                5th          Joined Central Naval Force at Gibraltar.

                6th          Sailed from Gibraltar with HMS RODNEY, HMS FURIOUS, HM Escort Carriers BITER and

                                DASHER as escort for Convoy KMF(O)1 for assault at Oran.

                7th          Joined Advance Carrier Force to provide AA defence during Air operations..

                8th          Deployed with HMS RODNEY, HMS FURIOUS, HMS HERMIONE, HM Escort Carriers BITER

                                and DASHER for AA defence during landings.

                                (For details see RELUCTANT ENEMIES, ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY and The

                                Naval Staff History.)

                9th          Central Naval Force duties in continuation.

                                On release too passage to Algiers for AA defence.

                20th        Under air attack whilst under way off Algiers and hit by bomb on Quarterdeck which destroyed

                                stern structure. Fighting efficiency seriously impaired but ship remained on patrol with

                                reduced speed capability and limited steering.

 

December              Passage to Gibraltar for temporary repair by HM Dockyard to allow passage to UK.

 

1 9 4 3

 

January                  On completion of dockyard work took passage to Newcastle for repair by Palmers at Hebburn.

                                Taken in hand on arrival.

 

February                Under repair

to                            Nominated to resume service with 12th Cruiser Squadron in Mediterranean on completion.

March

 

April                       On completion took passage to Plymouth to prepare for operational duty.

 

May                        Retained in Plymouth Command for convoy defence and support of interception patrols off

                                French coast.

                14th        During deployment with HM Destroyer TUSCAN and Polish destroyer ORP ORKAN assisted

                                in operation to save HMS TUSCAN after she struck a mine in Bristol Channel.

                15th        Escorted ORP ORKAN which had taken damaged destroyer in tow.

                                Released from Plymouth Command and took passage to join Squadron at Gibraltar.

 

June                        Deployed with Squadron at Gibraltar

                                Nominated for service in Support Force East during planned assault on Sicily.

                                (Operation HUSKY).

 

July                         Joined HM Cruisers NEWFOUNDLAND, MAURITIUS, ORION, CARLISLE and COLOMBO

                                in Support Force East.

                10th        Deployed with Support Force to cover British landings at Syracuse.

                                (For details see the Naval Staff History and ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY)

                11th        Support deployment off Sicily in continuation.

                                (Replenishment was available in Malta and at Algiers.).

 

September             Nominated for service in Northern Attack Force (TF85) during planned landings at Salerno.

                3rd          Involved in collision with HM Cruiser UGANDA during operation in Straits of Messina..

                                (Note: Ship was obscured by smoke screen.

                                Temporary repairs were made later with US Navy assistance.

                                Deployed with HM Cruisers MAURITIUS, UGANDA, ORION and HM Monitor ROBERTS

                                to provide naval gunfire support during landings.

                4th          Northern Attack Force deployment off beachhead for fire support and air defence in continuation.

                to            Under air attacks and return fire from shore.

                16th

                17th        Provided AA defence during passage to Malta of HM Battleship WARSPITE for repair.

                                (Note: This battleship had been hit by Glider Bomb off the beachhead and was under tow.)

                                Destroyed FW 90 aircraft during attack whilst on passage.

                19th        Arrived in Malta with HMS WARSPITE.

                                Resumed duty with Northern Attack Force.

 

October

                12th        Under repair in Malta.

 

November              Released from Attack Force.

                2nd         Took passage to Gibraltar.

 

                                Deployed for convoy defence in western Mediterranean and Atlantic.

December              Gibraltar deployment in continuation.

 

1 9 4 4

 

January                  Nominated to provide additional AA defence at Anzio during landings of British 1st

                                Division (Operation SHINGLE).

                                Passage to Naples for briefing

                25th        Joined HM Cruisers DIDO, PHOEBE, MAURITIUS and PENELOPE, HM Auxiliary AA

                                Ship ULSTER QUEEN at Anzio for defence of assembled shipping and to provide naval

                                gunfire support.

                                (Note: Ships had been under attack by aircraft including glider bombs as well as minelaying.

                                HM Destroyer JANUS had been sunk and HM Destroyer JERVIS badly damaged.

                                Submarines had also been carrying out attacks.

                                Took part in bombardment of shore targets at Formia.

 

February                Deployed with HM Cruisers DIDO, PHOEBE, PENELOPE, MAURITIUS, US Cruisers USS

to                            BROOKLYN and USS PHILADELPHIA in support of operations at Nazi and for AA

March                    defence.

                                (Note: Ships were based at Naples and deployed in pairs for these duties.)

                                On release from SHINGLE support took passage to Gibraltar to resume convoy defence duty.

 

April                       Deployed at Gibraltar

                10th        Joined US Task Group 65 ships escorting military convoy UGS37 on passage in western

                                Mediterranean to reinforce AA defence with HM Frigate NADDER, US destroyer USS

                                LANSDALE and HM Corvette JONQUIL.

                11th        Under attack by torpedo aircraft off Cape Bergut, Cyrenaica

                                US destroyer USS HOLDER of original escort hit by torpedo and sustained major damage.

                12th        Under attack by U407 during which one mercantile was sunk and another damaged.

 

May                        Gibraltar deployment in continuation.

                3rd          Joined US Task Force 66 ships escorting military convoy GUS38 during passage in western

                                Mediterranean to Atlantic.

                                Under attack by U371 which is driven off by escort after hit by T5 torpedo on a US destroyer

                                USS MENGES.

                                (Note: U371 was sunk on 4th May in Gulf of Bougie. See U-BOATS DESTROYED by

                                P Kemp)

                5th          Under attack by U567 and US Destroyer FECHTELER sunk by U567 which escapes despite

                                counter attacks.

 

June                        Gibraltar deployment in continuation.

 

July                         Nominated for duty with Task Group 88.1 of Carrier Task Force 88 to provide support during

                                planned landings in South of France (Operation ANVIL/DRAGOON)

 

August                  Passage to join Task Force under over command of US Navy..

                15th        Deployed with HM Cruiser ROYALIST, HM Escort Aircraft Carriers KHEDIVE. EMPEROR

                                SEARCHER, PURSUER and ATTACKER, screened by HM Destroyers TROUBRIDGE,

                                TYRIAN, TUSCAN, TEAZER, TUMULT, WHEATLAND and Greek NAVARINON to

                                provide AA defence during air operations.

                                (For details of DRAGOON see LANDINGS IN SOUTH FRANCE and above references.

                19th        Detached with ships of Task Group to refuel at Maddalena

                21st         Resumed AA defence duties with Task Group south of Marseilles..

                24th        Returned to Maddalena.

                27th        Detached from Task Group when it was released from DRAGOON and returned to RN control.

 

September             Deployed in western Mediterranean.

                13th        Present at formal re-entry of Free French Navy top naval base at Toulon.

                                Nominated for service to support military operations in Adriatic Sea.

 

October                  Passage to Adriatic.

                                Provided AA defence for convoys and units off Yugoslav coast.

 

November              Adriatic deployment in continuation at Split.

                10th        Formal surrender of German forces at Split carried out on board.

 

December              Deployed at Split for AA defence and support of harbour defences.

 

1 9 4 5

 

January                  Deployment at anchor in harbour at Split for defence against attack by aircraft or small

                                surface craft.

 

February

                12th        Attacked by explosive motor boat at anchor in Split.

                                Despite the defensive boom several enemy craft entered the harbour.

                                Engaged enemy craft with 20mm fire.

                                Landing craft Flak ( LCF8) lying alongside the ship hit by explosive motor boat.

                                The resulting explosion caused damage aft including propeller A-Bracket and Rudder equipment.

                                (Note: Damage was not sufficient to seriously affect fighting efficiency. See report at PRO in in

                                ADM199/890.)

 

March

                12th        Passage to Malta

 

April                       Passage to Sheerness.

 

May                        Underwent survey by HM Dockyard Chatham and permanent repair assessed as uneconomic.

                                Ship to be Paid off and reduced to Reserve status.

 

June                        Destored and reduced to Reserve at Chatham.

to

July

 

P o s t  W a r  N o t e s

 

HMS DELHI was taken in tow to the River Fal after being de-equipped where she was laid-up. After being placed on the Disposal List in 1947 she was sold to BISCO for demolition by J Cashmore on 20th January 1948. In March of that year she was taken in tow to Newport, Mon. and arrived at the breaker's yard on 5th March.

 

 


 

Addendum

 

CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS of HMS DELHI

by Don Kindell

 

These convoy lists have not been cross-checked with the text above  

 

 

 

 

 

Date convoy sailed

Joined convoy as escort

Convoy No.

Left convoy

Date convoy arrived

 

 

 

 

 

02/08/40

02/08/40

SL 042

08/08/40

21/08/40

04/06/42

08/06/42

AT 015Z

09/06/42

09/06/42

07/10/42

07/10/42

TA 024

08/10/42

14/10/42

05/10/42

10/10/42

AT 025

11/10/42

11/10/42

17/10/42

17/10/42

TA 025

18/10/42

22/10/42

11/12/42

12/12/42

MKF 004Y

14/12/42

24/12/42

24/05/43

25/05/43

GTX 001

26/05/43

04/06/43

19/05/43

27/05/43

KMF 015

28/05/43

27/05/43

31/05/43

02/06/43

KMS 015

08/06/43

14/06/43

16/06/43

17/06/43

KMS 016

unknown

28/06/43

18/06/43

22/06/43

XTG 002

unknown

29/06/43

30/08/43

30/08/43

KMS 024

05/09/43

10/09/43

06/09/43

06/09/43

TSF 001

09/09/43

09/09/43

04/11/43

24/11/43

UGS 023

25/11/43

01/12/43

22/11/43

unknown

MKS 032

unknown

03/12/43

16/12/43

25/12/43

KMF 027

27/12/43

30/12/43

03/01/44

03/01/44

SNF 011

06/01/44

06/01/44

16/01/44

16/01/44

NSF 013

19/01/44

19/01/44

15/01/44

19/01/44

MKF 027A

20/01/44

27/01/44

15/01/44

25/01/44

KMF 028

26/01/44

29/01/44

07/02/44

07/02/44

SNF 014

11/02/44

11/02/44

13/02/44

03/03/44

UGS 033

06/03/44

12/03/44

11/03/44

11/03/44

NSF 017

14/03/44

14/03/44

15/03/44

15/03/44

SNF 017

18/03/44

18/03/44

23/03/44

23/03/44

NSF 018

27/03/44

27/03/44

28/03/44

31/03/44

SNF 018

31/03/44

31/03/44

24/03/44

10/04/44

UGS 037

15/04/44

19/04/44

09/04/44

17/04/44

MKS 046

21/04/44

21/04/44

22/04/44

22/04/44

MKS 046G

22/04/44

23/04/44

25/04/44

25/04/44

KMS 048

28/04/44

05/05/44

24/04/44

02/05/44

GUS 038

05/05/44

22/05/44

05/05/44

13/05/44

KMF 031

15/05/44

19/05/44

15/05/44

18/05/44

MKF 031

22/05/44

29/05/44

06/06/44

06/06/44

NSF 024

09/06/44

09/06/44

10/06/44

10/06/44

SNF 024

13/06/44

13/06/44

18/06/44

25/06/44

MKS 053

29/06/44

29/06/44

01/07/44

01/07/44

NSF 026

03/07/44

03/07/44

04/07/44

04/07/44

SNF 026

06/07/44

06/07/44

14/07/44

29/07/44

UGS 048

02/08/44

08/08/44

 

 

 

 

 

(Note on Convoys)

 


 

MORE BACKGROUND

 

by Nigel Colebrook (January 2009)

 

(email 1) I was very interested in reading the history of HMS DELHI by Lt. Cdr. Geoffrey B. Mason as my Father, Ch. Shipwright Artificer Ernest Colebrook, served on her for much of his Naval Career. His career on the DELHI started during her passage to America in 1941, where he was part of the team fitting the anti-aircraft guns. He had recently completed his shipwright training with the Royal Navy. With the American guns fitted (5in turrets - see heading photograph) the ship had to be supplied by the Americans and was one reason that the DELHI supported joint operations in the Mediterranean . My Father, who will be 90 years old this year still talks about his experiences on board the DELHI, particularly the incident when the stern was blown off in November of 1942 as he had to patch up the stern to enable it to return to Newcastle. It was during these repairs that my Father took the opportunity to marry his "childhood sweetheart", my mother, in May of 1943. He also remembers the action off Sicily and the collision that took place (with UGANDA) when making smoke to avoid constant air attacks. One of his fondest memories is the time they rescued a group of orphan children who where living on an abandoned boat in the harbour at Split! When the DELHI was attacked in the Harbour by a small motor boat, it was the Captain who fired at the boat and destroyed it.

 

(email 2) My Father  was very interested in the loss of HMS SPARTAN (29th January 1944) during operation "Shingle" as he remembers the incident well. He Says "The ships were anchored off the coast and were very susceptible to air attack, the DELHI was ordered to "make smoke" at the first sighting of enemy aircraft, all ships were at constant action stations and would "slip anchors" and zig-zag under the cover of the smoke screen, the DELHI providing anti-aircraft fire with her radar controlled guns. It was during one of these attacks that the DELHI's bow  was damaged in a collision. As the anti-aircraft cover was essential to the protection of the other ships, the DELHI could not be sent to Malta for repairs until relieved with another anti-aircraft ship. Several attempts were made to relieve her including the despatch of HMS SPARTAN, a relatively newly built ship. We watched the SPARTAN arrive and she immediately dropped anchor. I was friendly with the signalman who said that the captain of the DELHI had signaled a warning to the SPARTAN: "beware sudden air attacks advise anchor ready to be slipped". The reply from the SPARTAN was: "Thank you but know what I am doing". Within minutes the air-raid alarm was sounded and all the ships sailed, the SPARTAN could not raise her anchor and was a sitting target. In the end I had to repair the DELHI's bow as best I could".

 

back to Contents List
or Naval-History.Net

revised 3/6/11
further editing and formatting is required