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) 2005

HMS EURYALUS  -  Dido-class  AA Cruiser  
including Convoy Escort Movements

HMS Euryalus (Navy Photos/Mark Teadham, click to enlarge)

return to Contents List   
 

DIDO-Class cruiser ordered under the 1936 Build Programme from HM Dockyard Chatham on 21st March 1937. The ship was laid down on 21st October 1937 and launched on 6th June 1939 as the fifth R N warship to carry this name which dates from 1803. Build was completed in June 1941 and this cruiser was adopted by the civil community of Windsor Rural District, Berkshire in March 1942 after a successful WARSHIP WEEK National Savings campaign.

 

B a t t l e   H o n o u r s

TRAFALGAR 1805 - BALTIC  1854-55 - KAGOSHIMA 1863 - SIMONOSEKI 1864 - SATSUMA 1864 - EGYPT  1882 - HELIGOLAND 1914  - DARDANELLES 1915  - MALTA  CONVOYS 1941-42 - MEDITERRANEAN 1941-43 - SIRTE 1942 - SICILY 1943 - SALERNO 1943 - OKINAWA 1945

H e r a l d i c   D a t a

Badge:  On a Field Blue, the head and shoulders of a Greek warrior gold.

 

M o t t o

Omnia audax:  'Bold in all things'

 

 

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

 

 

1 9 4 1

 

June                        Contractors trials and commissioning.

                30th        Build completed and commenced Acceptance Trials escorted by HM Destroyer WORCESTER.

                                Nominated for service in the Mediterranean.

 

July                         On completion of trials and storing took passage to Scapa Flow.

                                Worked-up with Home Fleet.

 

August                  On completion of work-up taken in hand for refit to replace damaged propellers and improve AA

                                defence.

                                (Note: Quadruple machine gun mountings replaced by five single 20mm Oerlikon guns.)

                                Nominated for escort of military convoy WS11X during passage to Gibraltar.

                                (Note: This identity was later allocated to ships Bombay section of a military convoy also identified

                                as WSX11 during its passage from Glasgow to the Indian Ocean.)

 

September             Embarked 300 RAF personnel and took passage to join escort for WS11X

                                (Operation HALBERD – For details of ships involved see THE MALTA CONVOYS by

                                R Woodman, THE BATTLE FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN by D Macintyre, THE NAVAL

                                WAR IN THE MEDITERRANEAN 1940-43 by Greene and Massignani and The Naval Staff

                                History (HMSO).

                17th        Joined escort for WS11X

                24th        Deployed with HM Cruisers KENYA, EDINBURGH, SHEFFIELD and HERMIONE

                                screened by HM Destroyers COSSACK, ZULU, FORESIGHT, FORESTER, FARNDALE,

                                HEYTHROP,

                                ORIBI, LAFOREY and LIGHTING as Force X for escort of Malta relief convoy.

                                (Note: Ships of Force H provided cover for passage of this convoy in western

                                Mediterranean.)

                27th        Escorted HM Aircraft Carrier ARK ROYAL with HMS HERMIONE during air operations.

                                Under sustained air attacks.

                28th        Detached from Force H ships for passage through Sicilian Channel with Force X as escort into

                                Malta

                                Sailed from Malta with Force X after arrival of mercantiles in Grand Harbour and took passage to

                                rejoin covering Force.

 

October

                1st           Arrived at Gibraltar as part of Force W.

                                Took passage from Gibraltar to Alexandria via Cape of Good Hope with call at St. Helena.

 

November              Passage in Indian Ocean and Red Sea

                11th        Joined 15th Cruiser Squadron at Alexandria for service in Mediterranean Fleet.

                18th        Carried out bombardment of Bardia with HM Cruisers NAIAD and GALATEA in support of

                                military operation.

                24th        Deployed with HM Cruisers AJAX, GALATEA, NAIAD and NEPTUNE as Force B in search

                                for convoys on passage to Benghazi.

                                Cover was provided by Force A made up of HM Battleships QUEEN ELIZABETH, BARHAM,

                                and VALIANT.

                                HM Battleship BARHAM was torpedoed and sunk as Force A was returning after this sortie

                                (See ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY, THE BATTLE FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN

                                and TUBAL CAIN by D Muskett).

                27th        Escorted HM Cruisers NEPTUNE and AJAX, HM Destroyers KIMBERLEY and KINGSTON

                                with HMS NAIAD, HM Destroyer GRIFFIN and HM Destroyer HOTSPUR for part of passage to

                                join Force K in Malta.

                                Carried out interception sweep off Cyrenaica.

                                See Naval Staff History (HMSO) for details

 

December

                8th          Deployed with HM Cruisers NAIAD and GALATEA, HM Destroyers GRIFFIN and HOTSPUR

                                to cover destroyer attacks en convoys.

                9th          Bombarded enemy positions at Derna.

                13th        Deployed with HM Cruisers GALATEA and NAIAD to intercept enemy convoys to ports in North

                                Africa.

                14th        Returned to Alexandria when Italian convoys recalled.

                15th        Provided cover for passage of HM Supply Ship BRECONSHIRE to Malta and returning convoy

                                to Alexandria with HM Cruisers NAIAD and CARLISLE.

                17th        Briefly engaged Italian warships LITTORIO, DORIA, CESARE and destroyer screen.

                                (1st Battle of Sirte - See BATTLE FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN) and above references.

                19th        At Alexandria when Italian frogmen placed limpet mines on HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH and

                                HMS VALIANT.

 

1 9 4 2

 

January

                4th          Escorted H M Supply Ship GLENGYLE to Malta and H M Supply Ship BRECONSHIRE to

                                Alexandria with HM Cruisers NAIAD and DIDO as Force B.

                                (Operation MF2)

                9th          Arrived at Alexandria

                16th        Deployed with HMS NAIAD and HMS DIDO to cover convoy to Malta escorted by HM AA

                                Cruiser CARLISLE and HM Destroyers KELVIN, KIPLING, HAVOCK, HOTSPUR and

                                FOXHOUND.

                24th        Escorted HMS BRECONSHIRE to Malta and return of empty ships HMS GLENGYLE and

                                mv ROWALLAN CASTLE

                                (Note: Convoy MF4) with HMS DIDO and HMS NAIAD screened by 8 destroyers.

                                (For details see above references).

 

February

                12th        Provided cover for Convoys MW9A and MW9B to Malta with HMS NAIAD and HMS DIDO

                                screened by eight Fleet destroyers.

                                (Note: After heavy air attacks and loss of merchant ships returned to Alexandria with a convoy

                                from Malta (See above references.).

 

March

                10th        Deployed with HMS DIDO, HMS NAIAD and screen of ten destroyers in search for an Italian

                                cruiser damaged in a torpedo attack.

                11th        After unsuccessful search came under air attack during return to Alexandria.

                                (Note: HMS NAIAD was sunk by U-Boat torpedo during this operation).

                15th        Bombarded Rhodes with HMS DIDO and 6 destroyers.

                20th        Provided cover for Convoy MW10 to Malta with HM Cruisers CLEOPATRA, DIDO and four

                                Fleet destroyers. (Operation MG1).

                22nd       Took pert in engagement with Italian Fleet in defence of convoy.

                                Damaged by splinters from 15in shell which burst alongside.

                                (2nd Battle of Sirte - For full details see above references and MEDITERRANEAN

                                MAELSTROM by G. C. Cornell.

 

April                       Deployed with Mediterranean Fleet in support of military operations and for interception of

                                shipping.

 

May                        Deployed in Eastern Mediterranean.

 

June

                13th        Escorted Convoy MW11 with H M Cruisers CLEOPATRA, DIDO, COVENTRY and

                                BIRMINGHAM (Operation VIGOROUS)

                                (For full details of this disastrous and ill directed see ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY

                                by C Barnett and above references.)

                14th        Returned to Alexandria after heavy air attacks, by E- Boats and threat from major Italian units.

                                (Note: This operation was a failure and misdirected by Cin C ashore at Alexandria.)

                27th        Escorted HM Battleship QUEEN ELIZABETH from Alexandria

 

July

                19th        Carried cut bombardments of Mersa Matruh with HMS DIDO and four Fleet. destroyers.

                                (Note: Operations in eastern Mediterranean were restricted by losses incurred in VIGOROUS.)

 

August                  Nominated for deployment in diversionary Fleet operation in eastern Mediterranean during

                                passage of relief convoy to Malta from Gibraltar (Operation PEDESTAL).

                10th        Joined HM Cruiser ARETHUSA, HM Destroyers JERVIS, PAKENHAM, PALADIN,

                                HM Escort Destroyers ALDENHAM, BEAUFORT, DULVERTON, ERIDGE, HURSLEY,

                                HM Corvette HYACINTH and HM Auxiliary Escort ANTWERP at Port Said

                                Sailed as escort for three supply ships as decoy convoy for cruise in eastern Mediterranean

                12th        Met HM Cruisers CLEOPATRA and DIDO deployed with HM Destroyers JAVELIN, SIKH

                                and ZULU as escort for single supply ship from Haifa to form joint Convoy MW12.

                                Continued westward passage during PEDESTAL until nightfall.

                13th        Took return passage with MW12 to Port Said.

                14th        Deployed at Alexandria.

 

September             Alexandria deployment in continuation

                                (Note: Ship was awaiting docking for examination of propulsion machinery

 

October                  Under self refit and docking at Massawa

                14th        Rejoined Squadron at Alexandria to resume Fleet service.

 

November

                16th        Deployed with HM Destroyers JAVELIN, JERVIS, KELVIN, NUBIAN, PAKENHAM,

                                PALADIN and PETARD as escort for Convoy MW13 during passage to Malta.

                                (Operation STONEAGE.)

                17th        Fleet destroyers detached when relieved by ten escort destroyers.

                18th        Covering force comprising HM Cruisers ARETHUSA, DIDO, ORION and CLEOPATRA

                                joined from Alexandria with same Fleet destroyers

                                Under air attacks during which HMS ARETHUSA was hit and had to return to Alexandria

                                See above references.

                20th        Returned to Alexandria with Fleet units after MW13 arrived in Malta

                25th        Deployed with HM Cruiser NAIAD and two destroyers as escort for HM Cruisers AJAX and

                                NEPTUNE to Malta for service as Force K to intercept enemy supply shipping in central

                                Mediterranean,

 

December

                1st           Escorted Malta relief convoy with HM Cruisers NAIAD, DIDO and CLEOPATRA screened

                                by Fleet destroyers (Operation PORTCULLIS).

                                (Note: This was the last westward convoy requiring protection due to the advance of the 8th

                                Amy towards Tunisia).

                13th        Attacked convoy off Tunisia with HMS DIDO, HMS CLEOPATRA and four destroyers

                                sinking three. ships.

 

1 9 4 3

 

January

                22nd       Bombarded Zuara, Libya with HM Cruiser CLEOPATRA, HM Destroyers JERVIS, JAVELIN,

                                KELVIN and NUBIAN.

 

February                Eastern Mediterranean convoy defence and interception duties

 

March                    In action against supply convoy with HM Destroyers JAVELIN

 

April                       Under refit at Alexandria.

                                Radar equipment changes made.

                                (Note: Type 285 fitted for AA armament fire-control and Type 279 for air warning radar was

                                replaced by Type 281.

                20th        Passage to Malta to resume interception duties.

                23rd        Interception and escort duty in continuation.

 

May                        Based in Malta for interception of supply and evacuation craft.

 

June                        Nominated for support of planned allied military operations.

                5th          Escorted convoy through Sicilian Narrows with HM Destroyer TROUBRIDGE

                8th          Covered landings on Pantellaria by 1st British Division with HM Cruisers AURORA,

                                NEWFOUNDLAND, ORION and PENELOPE screened by Fleet destroyers.

                                (Operation CORKSCREW).

                                Prepared for support of planned allied landings in Sicily based at Oran.

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

                                History.)

 

July                         Transferred to 10th Cruiser Squadron

                7th          Sailed from Oran with HM Battleships NELSON, RODNEY, HM Cruiser CLEOPATRA and

                                screen of eight Fleet Destroyers to cover landings.

                9th          Joined HM Battleships WARSPITE, VALIANT, HM Aircraft Carrier FORMIDABLE, HM

                                Cruisers AURORA and PENELOPE in Gulf of Sirte.

                10th        Deployed on patrol off Cape Passaro to intercept any shipping

                11th        Involved in friendly fire incident with HMS CLEOPATRA.

                14th        Deployed with HMS CLEOPATRA, HM Destroyers QUAIL and QUILLIAM after return

                                from Malta to refuel.

                16th        Stood by damaged cruiser HMS CLEOPATRA and escorted her to Malta.

                20th        Transferred to Force Q at Bone as relief for HM Cruiser SIRIUS.

                                Deployed with Force Q in support of military operations

                26th        Joined HM Battleships KING GEORGE V and HOWE, HM Aircraft Carrier

                                INDOMITABLE with HMS DIDO off Sicily to provided additional AA defence.

 

August

                1st           Bombarded Vibo Valentia, western Italy with HMS DIDO and HMS SIRIUS escorted by

                                two destroyers.

                16th        Bombarded Scalea with HM Cruiser AURORA, HM Destroyers JERVIS and PALADIN.

                                On return passage to Palermo sank several Siebel ferries off Sicily.

                27th        Transferred to Support Carrier Force V (Task Force 88) as Flagship.

                                Deployed with H M Cruisers SCYLLA and CHARYBDIS as TF88 to cover air operations

                                by HM Escort Carriers UNICORN, BATTLER, ATTACKER, HUNTER and STALKER

                                during the planned allied landings at Salerno (Operation AVALANCHE).

 

September             Passage to Salerno

                9th          Provided cover during carrier operations during initial landings.

                12th        Whilst carriers were replenishing at Palermo diverted to Bizerta with HMS SCYLLA and

                                HMS CHARYBDIS.

                                (For details of Salerno operations see ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY and

                                Naval Staff History).

                13th        Embarked British Troops for passage to Salerno to reinforce military at Salerno.

                15th        After landing troops took passage to Algiers with HMS SCYLLA and HMS CHARYBDIS.

.               16th        Returned to Salerno to assist damaged battleship HMS WARSPITE to Malta after glider

                                bomb attack.

                                Tow attempt failed.

                                Stood by with HMS SCYLLA and HM Cruiser DELHI to provide AA cover until tug

                                arrived.

                20th        Passage to Malta when Force V disbanded and carriers left to return to UK.

                22nd       Embarked CinC Mediterranean for passage to Taranto for meeting with Italians to arrange

                                disposal of Italian Fleet.

                29th        Withdrawn from Mediterranean operations for refit and took passage to UK.

 

October                  On arrival prepared for refit in commercial shipyard.

                                Passage to Clyde and Paid-off.

 

November              Taken in hand for refit at John Brown shipyard, Clydebank.

                                (Note: Work done included

                                Q turret removed to reduce top-weight (See General Introduction)

.                               Modified for use as Escort Carrier Squadron Flagship and fitted with an Aircraft

                                Direction Room.

                                New design radars Types 277 and 293 with Interrogation equipment replaced

                                Type 272 for surface warning and heightfinding.

 

December              Under refit

 

1 9 4 4

 

January                  Under refit

to

May

 

June

                28th        Re-commissioned for service with 10th Cruiser Squadron, Home Fleet.

 

July                         Carried out post refit harbour trials

                10th        Carried out sea trials.

                                On completion took passage to Scapa Flow for work-up with ships of Home Fleet.

 

August                  Work-up in continuation

                19th        Fire in galley.

 

September             Completed work-up and took passage to Humber for repair in commercial shipyard.

                20th        On completion took passage to Scapa Flow to resume service in Squadron.

 

October

                14th        Deployed as Force 9 as Escort for HM Escort Aircraft Carriers TRUMPETER and FENCER

                                with six Fleet destroyers for air minelay between Sandos and Risto islands followed by

                                further minelay in Aarmumsund Leads off Norwat

                                (Operation LUCIDAS. See Naval Staff History (Mining.)

                15th        Deployed as escort during further air minelay in Ramossund and shipping strike in

                                Fro Havet.

 

November              Nominated for service with British Pacific Fleet

                14th        Deployed as escort for HM Escort Aircraft Carrier PURSUER with destroyers during attack

                                on enemy shipping off Trondheim.

                16th        At Rosyth for leave period prior to foreign service.

                                (Note: British Pacific Fleet was formed at Trincomalee on 22nd.)

 

December              Withdrawn from Home Fleet

                                Nominated for special escort duty.

                16th        Took passage from Liverpool as escort for mv RIMUTAKA with HM Destroyers ULSTER

                                and UNDINE.

                                (Note: RIMATAKA was taking HRH The Duke of Gloucester to Australian to take up his

                                appointment as Governor General.

                                The destroyers were on passage to join BPF.)

                21st         At Gibraltar

                25th        At Malta.

                29th        At Suez.

 

1 9 4 5

 

January

                2nd         At Aden

                5th          Detached from escort of mv RIMUTAKA At Colombo and took passage to join 4th Cruiser

                                Squadron at Trincomalee.

                24th        Deployed with HM Cruisers ARGONAUT, BLACK PRINCE and CEYLON to provide

                                cover during air attacks by HM Aircraft Carriers ILLUSTRIOUS, INDEFATIGABLE and

                                INDOMITABLE on oil refineries at Pladjoe, Sumatra (Operation MERIDIAN I).

                29th        Provided cover during second series of attacks at Soengi-Gerong oil refineries.

                                Under series of air attacks which were repelled by air cover and ship AA barrage.

                                For details see WAR WITH JAPAN (HMSO) and THE FORGOTTEN FLEET by

                                J Winton.)

                                (NOTE:: Two AA shells landed on ILLUSTRIOUS causing 33 casualties, 12 of which were

                                fatal.

                                41 aircraft were lost, 16 by enemy action.)

                30th        Passage to Sydney to join BPF.

 

February

                2nd         Called at Fremantle.

                11th        Arrived at Sydney.

                13th        Docked at Sydney for routine inspection of underwater fittings.

                                (Note: Further exercises were carried out on passage.)

                                Newly introduced US Navy signalling and manoeuvring procedures used.)

                                On completion carried out exercises to prepare for joint RN/USN operations.

                28th        Passage to British Forward Base at Manus. Admiralty Islands with HM Battleship KING

                                GEORGE V.

 

March

                7th          Arrived at Manus. to await approval of US Chiefs of Staff for RN ships to join US

                                Navy operations in SW Pacific.

                17th        Took passage to US Navy Assembly area at Ulithi to join US Naval operations after

                                approval for deployment under overall US Navy command received.

                20th        Arrived at Ulithi to join US 5th Fleet for operations.

                23rd        Sailed from Ulithi as CTU6 with destroyers of 25th, 27th and 4th (RAN) Destroyer Flotillas

                                to join US Navy in the operational area off the Sakishima-Gunto islands group

                                (Operation ICEBERG ONE.

                                (For details of activities of Task Force 57 see TASK FORCE 57 by P Smith and above

                                references.)

                26th        Provided cover for air attacks on Japanese airfields in Sakishima Gunto Group

                                by aircraft from HM Aircraft Carriers INDOMITABLE, ILLUSTRIOUS,

                                INDEFATIGABLE and VICTORIOUS with HMS HOWE, HM Cruisers SWIFTSURE,

                                GAMBIA (RNZN), BLACK PRINCE, ARGONAUT and EURYALUS screened by TF57

                                destroyers (Operation ICEBERG).

                                (Note: The attacks were made in conjunction with those from US Carriers with breaks

                                for replenishment.

 

April

                1st           Under heavy and sustained air attacks.

                11th        Transferred with TF57 carriers for air attacks on Formosa.

                12th        Provided covered during attacks on Shinchiku and Matsugama

                                (Operation ICEBERG OOLONG).

                13th        Rejoined US ships off Sakishima Gunto.

                                Deployed with TF57 during final strike of Phase 1 of Sakishima Gunto attacks.

                                (Note: One source records ship returned to Sydney)

                                Passage to rejoin Task Force 57 at Leyte.

 

May

                1st           Passage from Leyte to rejoin US Task Force 58 with Task Force 57 carriers to continue

                                attacks on Sakishima Gunto.

                4th          Rejoined US Task Force 58 after refuelling in Area MOSQUITO for continuation of

                                Sakishima attacks (Operation ICEBERG TWO - See above references.

                                After first series of air strikes diverted to bombard airfields at Miyako Shima and Nobara

                                with the RN battleships KING GEORGE V, HOWE, HM Cruiser BLACK PRINCE,

                                GAMBIA and UGANDA screened by destroyers of 25th Flotilla.

                                Carried out 4in bombardments of AA batteries at Nobara airfield.

                                (Note: This diversion reduced air defence available for protection of the aircraft

                                carriers deployed for ICEBERG TWO.

                                HMS FORMIDABLE sustained serious damage in KAMIKAZE attacks)

                                Operations ceased and ships of bombardment force returned to flying off area to reinforce

                                AA defences of carriers/.

                                See above references for details

                9th          Commenced cover for air operations in rotation with US carriers until 26th Mau

                                (Note: Deployed with HM Cruiser BLACK PRINCE within main body of Fleet to

                                reinforce close range defence against a series of KAMIKAZE attacks,

                                See references for details.)

                25th        Sailed for Manus on completion of ICEBERG TWO.

                27th        Transferred with other RN ships to US Task Force 37 when US Command changes were

                                made in organisation of US Fleet.

 

June                        Passage from Manus to Sydney for R&R.

                4th          At Brisbane for repair and maintenance.

                                Passage to Sydney to rejoin BPF for deployment during planned attacks on Japanese

                                mainland with US Task Force 37 of US 3rd Fleet.

                28th        Took passage from Sydney with HMS KING GEORGE V, HMS FORMIDABLE,

                                INDEFATIGABLE, HMS VICTORIOUS, ships of 4th Cruiser Squadron screen ed by

                                RN and RAN destroyers of BPF

 

July

                6th          Sailed from Minus for operations in preparation for landings in Japan.

                                (Operation OLYMPIC).

                17th        Deployed as Task Force 37 and joined ships of US Task Force 38 to provide cover during

                                air attacks on targets in Tokyo - Yokohama area including airfields and seaplane base at

                                Kitaura.

                24th        Covered Task Force 37 carriers during air attacks on Osaka and Katori as well as during

                                shipping strikes.

                                (Note: Deployment of BPF ships was restricted to a secondary role to satisfy political

                                constrains imposed of the Commander of US 3rd Fleet. See references.)

August

                9th          Covered Task Force 37 ships during attacks on airfields and shipping in N Honshu and

                                Hokkaido.

                12th        Took passage to Manus with RN ships due to shortage of fuel oil from British support

                                tankers.

                                (Note: A Token Force of BPF ships was retained under US Command as Task Group

                                38.5 in 3rd US Fleet. See references.)

                15th        Transferred to RN control after Japan surrendered.

                18th        Arrived at Manus

                22nd       Took passage to Leyte with HMS INDOMITABLE, HM Escort Carrier VENERABLE,

                                HM Cruiser SWIFTSURE,

                27th        Sailed as Task unit 111.2 with same ships, HM Cruiser BLACK PRINCE, HM Destroyers

                                KEMPENFELT, URSA, WHIRLWIND and quadrant AS Force 111.2 for re-occupation

                                of Hong Kong.

.               29th        Entered Hong Kong with HM Cruiser SWIFTSURE and HM Canadian Landing Ship

                                PRINCE ROBERT.  See THE FORGOTTEN FLEET.

 

P o s t   W a r   N o t e s

 

HMS EURYALUS remained in the BPF until returning to UK in February 1947. The ship arrived at Chatham in February and reduced to Reserve status at Rosyth later mat year. After a refit at Rosyth she was brought forward for service in the Mediterranean to replace HMS AJAX. Re commissioned for further service in 1950 she rejoined the Fleet in Malta and took part in operations in the Persian Gulf in 1951. Her third Mediterranean commission began in 1952 but she transferred to the South Atlantic in March 1953. Paid off in 1954 this cruiser rejoined the Reserve Fleet at Devonport until sold to BISCO for demolition at Blyth in October 1958, arriving at the breaker’s yard in tow on 18th July. 

 


 

Addendum

 

CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS of HMS EURYALUS

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

 

 

 

 

 

24/09/41

25/09/41

HALBERD

27/09/41

27/09/41

07/01/43

10/01/43

MW 019

11/01/43

11/01/43

28/12/42

28/12/43

ME 014

30/12/43

01/01/43

 

 

 

 

 

(Note on Convoys)

 


 

 

LOG OF THE SECOND COMMISSION OF HMS EURYALUS, 1944-47

With thanks to Allen Taylor, whose father served on her during this period.

 

PORTS OF CALL
PORT
ALONGSIDE
ARRIVED
DEPARTED
COMMENTS
Clyde Bank
22
26/06/44
19/07/44
Working up and Norway Operations
Greenock
14
19/07/44
03/08/44

Scapa Flow
44
03/08/44
17/09/44

Newcastle
2
17/09/44
20/09/44

Rosyth
26
16/11/44
14/12/44
Leave
Liverpool
1
15/12/44
16/12/44
Sailed for Far East escorting S.S.Rimutaka as far as Colombo. H.R.H the Duke of Gloucester on S.S.Rimutaka bound for Australia
Gibraltar
1
21/12/44
22/12/44

Malta
--
25/12/44
Same Day

Port Said
--
26/12/44
Same Day

Suez
--
29/12/44
Same Day

Aden
--
02/01/45
Same Day

Colombo
--
09/01/45
10/01/45

Trincomalee
4
11/01/45
16/01/45

Palembang (Sumatra)
--
24/01/45
29/01/45
Two day Attack
Freemantle
--
04/02/45
05/02/45
With the United States Fleet
Sydney
16
11/02/45
28/02/45

Manus (Admiralty Isles)
10
07/03/45
18/03/45

Ulith (West Carolines)
2
20/03/45
23/03/45

Leyte (Philippines)
7
23/04/45
01/05/45

Manus (Admiralty Isles)
1
30/05/45
01/06/45

Brisbane (Queensland)
28
01/06/45
29/06/45
Leave etc.
Manus (Admiralty Isles)
2
03/07/45
06/03/45
With the United States Fleet
Subic Bay (Philippines)
--
16/08/45
17/08/45

Leyte (Philippines)
--
22/08/45
23/08/45

Subic Bay (Philippines)
2
24/08/45
27/08/45

Hong Kong
16
30/08/45
16/09/45
Re-Occupation of the Colony
Manus (Admiralty Isles)
--
24/09/45
Same Day

Sydney
15
30/09/45
16/11/45

Brisbane (Queensland)
3
17/11/45
21/11/45

Suva (Fiji)
3
26/11/45
30/11/45

Nukualofa (Tonga)
3
01/12/45
05/12/45
Centenary Celebrations. Delivered 4 Saluting guns to Queen Salotte
Apia (Western Somoa)
1
06/12/45
08/12/45

Suva (Fiji)
--
11/12/45
Same Day

Hong Kong
25
24/12/45
20/01/46

Shanghai (China)
41
23/01/46
06/03/46

Hong Kong
25
09/03/46
04/04/46

Labuan (N. Borneo)
3
18/04/46
22/04/46

Saigon (Vietnam)
3
24/04/46
28/04/46

Hong Kong
9
01/05/46
11/05/46

Darwin (Australia)
17/05/46
18/05/46

Great Barrier Reef
3
19/05/46
23/05/46

Port Moresby (Papua-New Guinea)
--
21/06/46
22/06/46

Auckland (New Zealand)
6
07/07/46
14/07/46

Norfolk Island
--
17/07/46
Same Day

Great N/E Channel
--
23/07/46
Same Day

Manila (Philippines)
3
29/07/46
02/08/46

Hong Kong
16
04/08/46
21/08/46

Yokohama (Japan)
6
26/08/46
02/09/46

Yokohama (Japan)
2
06/09/46
09/09/46

Hong Kong
16
04/08/46
17/08/46

Nagasaki (Japan)
--
19/08/46
Same Day

Kobe (Japan)
3
15/09/46
19/09/46

Yokohama (Japan)
3
21/09/46
25/09/46

Yokohama (Japan)
7
29/09/46
07/10/46

Kure (Japan)
4
09/09/46
14/10/46

Shanghai (China)
13
29/10/46
12/11/46

Hong Kong
16
16/11/46
02/12/46
Left the Far East on the way to the UK
Singapore
1
12/01/47
14/01/47

Trincomalee
1
19/01/47
21/01/47

Aden
--
27/01/47
Same Day

Suez
--
01/02/47
Same Day

Port Said
--
02/02/47
Same Day

Malta
1
05/02/47
07/02/47

Gibraltar
2
10/02/47
13/02/47

Sheerness
17/02/47

HOME
 

Away for 2 years and 62 days from the U.K. after leaving Liverpool.

Complete days in Harbour 290.

(days entering and leaving harbour counted as at sea)

Time spent at sea 1 year and 137 days

 

 

back to Contents List
or Naval-History.Net

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