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SERVICE HISTORIES of ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS in WORLD WAR 2

by Lt Cdr Geoffrey B Mason RN (Rtd) (c) 2004

HMS INGLEFIELD (D 02) -  I-class Flotilla Leader
including Convoy Escort Movements

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

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I-Class Fleet Destroyer Leader ordered from Cammell Laird at Birkenhead under 1935 Programme and laid down on 29th April 1936. The ship was launched on 15th October the same year and was the 1st RN warship to carry the name of the 19th century Admiral. She was completed an 25 June 1937 and had additional accommodation for use as a Flotilla Leader. Later that year the ship went to Malta and joined the Fleet in the Mediterranean. Following a successful WARSHIP WEEK National Savings campaign in October 1941 she was adopted by the civil community of Argyllshire, Scotland.

 

HMS Inglefield in film, 1937 on YouTube

 

B a t t l e   H o n o u r s

 

ATLANTIC 1939-43 - NORTH SEA 1940 - NORWAY 1940-42 - BISMARCK Action 1941 - MALTA CONVOYS 1942 - ARCTIC 1942-43 - SICILY 1943 - SALERNO 1943 - MEDITERRANEAN 1944 - ANZIO 1944

 

H e r a l d i c   D a t a

Badge: On a Field White, a double headed eagle

displayed per pale Blue and Red

(From the crest of Admiral Inglefield).

 

M o t t o

The sun my compass.

 

 

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 3 9

 

September             Deployed as Leader of 3rd Destroyer Flotilla, Mediterranean Fleet.

                3rd          Based in Malta for interception of blockade runners.

                5th          Transferred to Home Fleet for anti-submarine patrol and convoy defence duty in

                                Western Approaches

                16th        Escorted HM Aircraft Carrier COURAGEOUS during anti-submarine patrol in SW

                                Approaches.

                17th        Detached to rescued survivors of ss KAFIRSTAN sunk by U83 and not with the escort

                                when the aircraft carrier was sunk. Returned to carry out hunt for submarine.

 

October                  Deployment in SW Approaches in continuation.

                14th        Participated in sinking of U45 in position 50.58N 12.07W, SW of Eire with sister

                                destroyers HMS IVANHOE and HMS INTREPID.

                                There were no survivors. See U-BOATS DESTROYED by P Kemp.

                19th        Taken in hand for refit at Cammell Laird shipyard, Liverpool.

 

November              Under refit

                11th        On completion took passage to Scapa Flow.

                12th        Rejoined Flotilla for screening duty of Home Fleet major units and convoy escort.

                29th        Deployed with HM Destroyer MAORI to assist damaged submarine TRIAD returning from

                                patrol in North Sea.

                30th        Towed HM Submarine TRIAD to Stavanger.

 

December              Home Fleet deployment with Flotilla In continuation.

                                For details of naval activities during 1939 see ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by

                                Corelli Bamett., HITLER’S U-BOAT WAR by C Blair and Naval Staff History).

 

1 9 4 0

 

January                  Home Fleet deployment in continuation.

 

February                Part of escort for Convoy HN14.

                25th        Detached from convoy after submarine sighted by HM Submarine NARWHAL.

                                Participated In search for U63 which had submerged.

                                After two hour hunt with HM Destroyers ESCAPADE, ESCORT and IMOGEN submarine was

                                forced to surface and abandoned by crew.

                                U63 was sunk by gunfire and 24 survivors were rescued. See U-BOATS DESTROYED.)

 

March                    Part of screen for Home Fleet major units including HM Battlecruiser RENOWN in NW

                                Approaches with HM Destroyer FORTUNE, ILEX, IMOGEN, ISIS and other destroyers of

                                Home Fleet.

                                Refuelled from HMS RENOWN.

                31st         Nominated as Senior Officer for Force WS to escort HM Auxiliary Minelayer TEVIOT BANK

                                during minelay off Stadtlandet, Norway as part of Operation WILFRED.

 

April

                5th          Sailed with HM Destroyers ISIS, ILEX and IMOGEN for minelay from Scapa Flow.

                                (Operation WS).

                7th          Operation cancelled when German warships reported heading for the coast of Norway from

                                Heligoland Bight.

                                Re-deployed with Home Fleet units for the support of allied military operations and convoys to

                                Norway (Operation RUPERT/R4).

                10th        In action with aircraft during attacks on Fleet units and convoys.

                11th        Escorted HM Cruiser BERWICK during search for German warships off Norway.

                19th        Returned to Scapa Flow with Fleet units.

                                (For details of the disastrous naval operations off Norway see NARVIK by D MacIntyre,

                                ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY, CARRIER GLORIOUS by John Winter,

                                BRITAIN AND NORWAY Ed by P Salmon , THE DOOMED EXPEDITION by J Adams

                                and Naval Staff History (HMSO-2001).

 

May                        Pennant Number for visual signalling purposes changed to I 02.

                2nd         Assisted in evacuation from Andalsnes with HM Cruisers MANCHESTER, BIRMINGHAM

                                HM Destroyers DELIGHT, DIANA, SOMALI and MASHONA.

                19th        Under refit at Devonport.

 

June

                3rd          On completion resumed operational deployment with Home Fleet.

                4th          Deployed as screen for Fleet units and for patrol duties in North Sea and NW Approaches

                14th        Escorted HM Destroyers ELECTRA and ANTELOPE which had collided whilst acting as

                                screen for HM Aircraft Carrier ARK ROYAL during air attacks on Trondheim.

                                (Operation DX).

 

July

                10th        Detached for escort of ships of 1st Minelaying Squadron for first minelay in the Northern

                                Barrage between Faeroes and Orkneys (Operation SN1).

                                For details of all minelaying activities see Naval Staff History (Mining).

                20th        Part of destroyer screen with HM Destroyer ZULU for HM Battlecruisers RENOWN and

                                REPULSE during search for German battleship SCHARNHORST in North Sea.

 

August

                5th          Detached for escort of ships of 1st Minelaying Squadron during minelay in the SW Approaches

                                (Operation SN32).

                17th        Detached for escort minelayers during minelay of East Coast Barrage across Moray Firth

                                (Operation SN12).

                21st         Detached for escort during further minelay in Northern Barrage (Operation SN2).

 

September             Nominated for escort of military convoy for proposed landing at Dakar.

                                (Operation MENACE - For details see MENACE by A Harder).

                                Part of destroyer screen for HM Battleship BARHAM during passage to Gibraltar.

                20th        Intercepted French cruiser GLOIRE off Morocco and escorted her to Casablanca.

                23rd        Engaged French submarine PERSEE and under fire from shore batteries off Dakar.

                                Hit by 7.5in shell which caused structural damage and some casualties.

                24th        Engaged French destroyer L'AUDACIEUSE off Rufisque with two other destroyers and

                                inflicted damage which caused fires on enemy ship.

 

October                  After abandonment of MENACE deployed on convoy escort duty based at Freetown.

 

November              Escorted convoy HG46 from Gibraltar to UK.

 

December              Under refit in commercial shipyard in London.

 

1 9 4 1

 

January

                20th        On completion of post refit trials took passage to Scapa Flow.

                21st         Worked-up at Scapa Flow with ships of Home Fleet.

                                On completion rejoined Flotilla for Home Fleet screening and convoy escort duty.

 

February

                6th          Escorted HM Battleship RODNEY during cover for minelay by 1st Minelaying Squadron in

                                Northern Barrage between Faeroes and Iceland (Operation SN7A).

 

March                    Home Fleet duties with Flotilla in continuation.

                2nd         Supported Commando raid on Lofotens (See WATERY MAZE by B. Fergusson).

                19th        Part of screen for Home Fleet ships during search for SCHARNHORST and GNEISENAU.

 

April                       Home Fleet duties with Flotilla in continuation.

                                Escorted Convoy HX121 in NW Approaches.

                                Depth charge attacks on U552 with HM Destroyer MAORI failed.

 

May

                11th        Passage to Iceland the HM Destroyers INTREPID, IMPULSIVE and ESCAPADE for escort

                                of Convoy HX125.

                22nd       Joined escort for HM Battleship KING GEORGE V and HMS REPULSE during Fleet search

                                for German battleship BISMARCK known to be on passage into Atlantic.

                                (For details see PURSUIT by L Kennedy and Naval Staff History).

                24th        Detached to refuel.

 

June                        Home Fleet duties in continuation

 

July

                23rd        Joined screen for HM Cruisers DEVONSHIRE, SUFFOLK, HM Aircraft Carriers FURIOUS,

                                VICTORIOUS with six other destroyers of Hone Fleet during air attacks on the Norwegian coast

                                (Operation EF).

 

August

                7th          Returned to Scapa Flow with Fleet units.

                8th          Present at Scapa Flow for visit to Hone Fleet by HM King George VI. (Operation FC).

                9th          Embarked His Majesty for review of anchorage and then for return passage to mainland.

                20th        Escorted Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker BLACK RANGER to Spitzbergen to provide fuel for

                                ships deployed for operations in Arctic area.

                                On arrival struck submerged pinnacle in Sassen Bay and damaged underwater ASDIC Dome.

                24th        Joined destroyer screen for HM Aircraft Carrier VICTORIOUS, HM Cruiser DEVONSHIRE

                                and HM Cruiser SUFFOLK with HM Destroyers ECLIPSE and ESCAPADE to cover passage

                                of first Russian convoy (Operation DERVISH).

                31st         Deployed as screen for same ships in continuation to cover passage of HM Aircraft Carrier

                                ARGUS and HM Cruiser SHROPSHIRE taking aircraft and personnel to Murmansk

                                (Operation STRENGTH).

 

September             Home Fleet screening duty in continuation.

                14th        On completion of STRENGTH docked at Scapa Flow for inspection of underwater fittings.

                22nd       Taken in hand for refit at Humber shipyard.

 

October                  Under refit.

                                Surface warning radar and Direction Finding wireless equipment fitted.

                                (See RADAR AT SEA by D Hawse and SEEK AND STRIKE by W Hackmann).

 

November

                26th        On completion of post refit trials took passage to Scapa Flow.

                27th        Rejoined Flotilla for Home Fleet duties.

 

December              Nominated for support of Commando raid en Norwegian coast.

                                Carried cut preparatory exercises with HM Landing Ships, Assault PRINCE CHARLES and

                                and PRINCESS CHARLOTTE in Shetlands area, based at Lerwick.

                                (Operation KITBAG - The initial objective was to land men of 6 Commando at Floro,

                                south of Stadlandet and to carry cut a bombardment of shipping and shore targets,

                                but the landing had to be cancelled after an accident on board a Landing Ship.

                                See CAMERA IN CONVOY by I Saull).

 

1 9 4 2

 

January                  Deployed with HMS INTREPID for bombardment at Floro (Operation KITBAG)

                                Diversionary air attack on Sola airfield carried cut by RAF aircraft.

                                Two mercantiles and three trawlers alongside the quay were sunk and two factories damaged

                                (See CAMERA IN CONVOY).

                                On completion carried out Boiler Clean at Rosyth.

 

February                Home Fleet duties in continuation with Flotilla.

 

March

                10th        Part of screen for HM Battleships KING GEORGE V and DUKE OF YORK, HM Battlecruiser

                                RENOWN, HM Aircraft Carrier VICTORIOUS, HM Cruisers EDINBURGH and KENT with

                                15 other Home Fleet destroyers to cover passage of Russian convoy PQ13 to Murmansk and

                                returning Convoy QP9.

                                (For details of all Russian Convoy operations see CONVOYS TO RUSSIA by R A Ruegg

                                and ARCTIC CONVOYS by R Woodman).

 

April                       Home Fleet screening duties in continuation.

                19th        Detached for escort of US Aircraft Carrier USS WASP for Malta aircraft delivery.

                                (Operation CALENDAR - See THE BATTLE FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN by D

                                Maclntyre).

                26th        Rejoined Home Fleet for screening duty during cover for Russian convoys.

 

                28th        Deployed as screen for HMS KING GEORGE V, US Battleship WASHINGTON and US

                                cruiser USS WICHITA, US cruiser USS TUSCALOOSA and HM Cruiser KENYA with four

                                US Navy and ten Royal Navy destroyers to cover Convoy PQ15 and returning QP11.

May

                12th        Part of screen for HM Battleships KING GEORGE V and DUKE OF YORK, HM Battlecruiser

                                RENOWN, HM Aircraft Carrier VICTORIOUS, HM Cruisers EDINBURGH and KENT with

                               15 other Home Fleet destroyers to cover passage of Russian convoy PQ13 to Murmansk and

                                returning Convoy QP9.

                                (For details of all Russian Convoy operations see CONVOYS TO RUSSIA by R A Ruegg

                                and ARCTIC CONVOYS by R Woodman).

 

April                       Home Fleet screening duties in continuation.

                19th        Detached for escort of US Aircraft Carrier USS WASP for Malta aircraft delivery.

                                (Operation CALENDAR - See THE BATTLE FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN by D Maclntyre).

                26th        Rejoined Home Fleet for screening duty during cover for Russian convoys.

                28th        Deployed as screen for HMS KING GEORGE V, US Battleship WASHINGTON and US cruiser

                                USS WICHITA, US cruiser USS TUSCALOOSA and HM Cruiser KENYA with four US

                                Navy and ten other Royal Navy destroyers to cover Convoy PQ15 and returning QP11.

 

May

                1st           HM Destroyer SOMALI sank after collision with HMS KING GEORGE V in fog.

                                (Note: HM Battleship DUKE OF YORK replaced HMS KING GEORGE V which was badly

                                damaged.

                10th        Deployed as screen for Home Fleet ships covering return of damaged cruiser HMS TRINIDAD

                                from Murmansk to UK.

                14th        Detached for passage to Kola Inlet.

                21st         Joined escort of returning Russian convoy QP12 at Kola Inlet as Senior Officer.

                                Deployed as Ocean Escort with HM Destroyers ESCAPADE, VENOMOUS, BOADICEA, ST

                                ALBANS (Nor) and HM Escort Destroyer BADSWORTH.

                29th        Detached from QP12 and resumed Flotilla duties with Home Fleet.

 

June                        Transferred to 8th Destroyer Flotilla as part of reorganisation of Home Fleet.

                10th        Embarked stores and ammunition for escorts at Kola. Passage with HMS INTREPID.

                26th        Joined Ocean Escort of returning Russian convoy QP13 as Senior Officer with HM Destroyers

                                INTREPID, ACHATES, VOLUNTEER and Polish ORP GARLAND.

                                Survivors from HM Cruiser EDINBURGH sunk on 2nd May were embarked for the return

                                passage to UK.

 

July

                3rd          Detached on Admiralty instructions with HMS INTREPID and Polish ORP GARLAND to carry

                                out search for German battleship TIRPITZ reported missing from normal anchorage.

                                (Note: This was part of the confused policy relating to defence of Convoy PQ17

                                See THE CONVOY IS TO SCATTER by J Broom and above references).

                4th          Rejoined QP13.

                7th          Detached to refuel in Iceland.

                10th        Resumed Home Fleet duty with Flotilla at Scapa Flow.

                31st         Taken in hand for refit at Humber shipyard.

 

August                  Under refit.

to

October

 

November              Post refit trials

                8th          Passage to Scapa Flow.

                9th          Rejoined Flotilla.

 

December

                18th        Joined Fighting Escort. for Russia convoy JW51A to Kola Inlet with HM

                                Destroyers FAULKNOR, BOADICEA, ECHO, ECLIPSE and FURY.

                19th        HM Destroyer BEAGLE joined escort.

 

                25th        Detached on arrival at Kola Inlet after undetected passage.

                30th        Part of escort for return Convoy RA51 with same ships except HMS BOADICEA.

 

1 9 4 3

 

January

                6th          Detached from RA51

                23rd        Part of screen for HM Battleship ANSON and HM Cruiser SHEFFIELD covering passage of

                                Russian convoy JW52 and returning convoy RA52 with other Fleet destroyers.

 

February                Home Fleet screening duty in continuation.

                19th        Joined Ocean Escort for Russian convoy JW53 with six other Fleet destroyers.

                27th        Detached from JW53- Passage in extreme weather which reduced enemy activities.

 

March

                1st           Returned as part of escort for returning convoy RA53 with HM Cruiser SCYLLA and same

                                destroyers.

                12th        Detached from RA53 and nominated for Atlantic convoy defence duty with 3rd Escort Group as

                                Leader.

                                Group included HM Escort Carrier BITER. Deployed with Group in NW Approaches.

 

April

                3rd          Transferred to 4th Escort Group as Leader on formation with HM Destroyers ECLIPSE FURY

                                and ICARUS,

                6th          Deployed in support of escort for convoy HX231 with HM Destroyers FURY, ECLIPSE and

                                ICARUS

                                Drove off contact keeping submarines.

 

May                        Atlantic convoy defence duty in continuation.

                15th        Rejoined Flotilla in Home Fleet.

                17th        Escorted HM Battleship HOWE to Gibraltar for support of military operations in Mediterranean.

                                Returned to UK as escort for HM Battleship NELSON.

 

June                        Home Fleet duty with Flotilla in continuation.

 

July                         Detached for duty in Mediterranean to reinforce Fleet for Sicily landings.

                                Passage to Alexandria to join Mediterranean Fleet

                7th          Sailed from Alexandria for AVALANCHE.

                9th          Deployed with screen for HM Cruisers AURORA and PENELOPE.

                10th        Deployed as part of screen for HM Battleships NELSON, RODNEY, WARSPITE and

                                VALIANT, HM Aircraft Carriers INDOMITABLE and FORMIDABLE with 4 cruisers and 17

                                other RN, Greek and Polish destroyers in Ionian Sea during Sicily landings.

                                Bombarded Catania with HM Destroyer OFFA. HI Cruisers PENELOPE, ARETHUSA.

                                (Operation ARSENAL)

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

                                History)..

                11th        Provided gunfire support to military operations ashore.

                                Carried out anti-submarine patrol off beach head.

                23rd        Attacked Italian submarine ASCIANGHI without success.

                                (Note: This submarine was later sunk by HM Destroyers LAFOREY and ECLIPSE).

 

August                  Based in Malta for patrol duty in Strait of Otranto and support of operations in Sicily.

 

September             Nominated as DESDRON8 for screening duties during landings at Salerno.

                                (Operation AVALANCHE - See above references).

                7th          Part of screen for ships of Force H during landings at Salerno.

                25th        Part of screen for Home Fleet ships returning to Scapa Flow after service in the Mediterranean

                                with Force H.

 

October                  Deployed for Flotilla duties in Home Fleet

                                Nominated for further detached service in Mediterranean for support of planned allied landings

                                in Italy.

                                During passage to Mediterranean carried cut anti-submarine patrol in Bay of Biscay and SW

                                Approaches.

 

November

                                Joined Fleet at Algiers.

                                Escorted HM Battlecruiser RENOWN during passage to Alexandria via Malta with Prime

                                Minister embarked for meeting In Cairo.

 

December              Passage to Gibraltar via Taranto and Malta.

                14th        Taken in hand for repair in Gibraltar.

                21st         On completion took passage to Malta.

 

1 9 4 4

 

January                  Nominated for duty with Northern Attack Force (Peter) for planned allied assault operation at

                                Anzio

                                (Operation SHINGLE - See above references).

                                Passage to Naples to join support Force.

                21st         Sailed from Naples for SHINGLE.

                22nd       Supported landings at Anzio by diversionary bombardment of Civitavecchia with HM Cruiser

                                DIDO and HM Destroyer KEMPENFELT.

                23rd        Bombarded coast road at Formia until 24th.

                28th        Provided gunfire support to military operation at Anzio with HM Cruiser MAURITIUS.

                                Under shore return fire without damage.

                30th        Carried out further bombardment in Formia area.

February                Embarked General Alexander, Military Commander for passage to beachhead at Anzio.

                                (Note: This visit was made to assess the military situation which was considered

                                to be critical)

                15th        Escorted ammunition ship from Naples to Anzio.

                                Deployed off beach head for patrol and defence of anchorage, based at Naples.

                25th        Under dusk attack by radio controlled Hs293 Glider Bombs off Anzio.

                                Sustained direct hit and sank in position 41.26N 12.38E with loss of 35 lives.

                                157 survivors were rescued and taken to Naples to await return to UK.

 


 

Addendum

 

CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS of HMS INGLEFIELD

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

 

 

 

 

 

28/09/39

28/09/39

RED 2

03/10/39

09/10/39

19/01/40

19/01/40

HN 008

22/01/40

22/01/40

24/01/40

24/01/40

ON 009/1

27/01/40

27/01/40

27/01/40

27/01/40

HN 009A

31/01/40

31/01/40

13/02/40

13/02/40

ON 012/1

16/02/40

16/02/40

16/02/40

16/02/40

HN 012

17/02/40

19/02/40

22/02/40

24/02/40

HN 014

26/02/40

26/02/40

02/03/40

04/03/40

HN 016

05/03/40

05/03/40

23/07/40

29/07/40

TC 006

01/08/40

01/08/40

31/10/40

31/10/40

HG 046

06/11/40

19/11/40

17/02/41

25/02/41

TC 009

27/02/41

27/02/41

08/03/41

09/03/41

OB 295

14/03/41

14/03/41

18/04/41

unknown

OB 312

24/04/41

25/04/41

16/04/41

25/04/41

HX 121

28/04/41

03/05/41

06/05/41

20/05/41

HX 125A

21/05/41

22/05/41

21/06/41

26/06/41

TC 011

30/06/41

30/06/41

12/08/41

24/08/41

DERVISH

30/08/41

31/08/41

10/03/42

23/03/42

PQ 013

28/03/42

31/03/42

21/03/42

23/03/42

QP 009

28/03/42

03/04/42

10/04/42

28/04/42

PQ 015

05/05/42

05/05/42

28/04/42

28/04/42

QP 011

05/05/42

07/05/42

21/05/42

21/05/42

QP 012

29/05/42

29/05/42

26/06/42

26/06/42

QP 013

04/07/42

07/07/42

15/12/42

18/12/42

JW 051A

25/12/42

25/12/42

30/12/42

30/12/42

RA 051

06/01/43

11/01/43

17/01/43

23/01/43

JW 052

24/01/43

27/01/43

29/01/43

01/02/43

RA 052

02/02/43

09/03/43

15/02/43

19/02/43

JW 053

27/02/43

27/02/43

01/03/43

01/03/43

RA 053

12/03/43

14/03/43

25/03/43

06/04/43

HX 231

08/04/43

10/04/43

01/04/43

12/04/43

HX 232

16/04/43

16/04/43

12/04/43

25/04/43

HX 234

25/04/43

29/04/43

16/04/43

27/04/43

SC 127

30/04/43

03/05/43

 

 

 

 

 

(Note on Convoys)

 

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