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SERVICE HISTORIES of ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS in WORLD WAR 2

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

HMS SAVAGE (G 20) -  S-class Destroyer
including Convoy Escort Movements 

Edited by Gordon Smith, Naval-History.Net

HMS Savage (Navy Photos/George Knight, click to enlarge)

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S or SAVAGE-Class Destroyer ordered on 9th January 1941 from Hawthorn Leslie of Newcastle with 5th Emergency Flotilla. The ship was laid down on 7th December 1941 and launched on 24th September 1942 and was the seventh ship to bear this name previously used in 1910. Her main armament differed from the other ships of this Class and comprised a twin 4.5in and 2 single 4.5in mountings that were prototypes for fitting in future Fleet destroyers. Following a successful WARSHIP WEEK National Savings campaign held in March 1942 she was adopted by the civil community of Buxton.

 

B a t t l e   H o n o u r s

 

GUADALOUPE 1810 - DARDANELLES 1914-15 - ARCTIC 1943-45 - NORTH CAPE 1943

 

H e r a l d i c   D a t a

Badge: On a Field White a savage affronte holding a club Proper.

 

 

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 3

 

June                        Commissioned after acceptance trials

                8th          Passage for work-up at Scapa Flow.

                11th        Joined 23rd Destroyer Flotilla, Home Fleet.

                                On arrival. commenced work-up.

 

July                         Deployed with Flotilla in Home Fleet on completion.

                 8th         Joined HM Battleships ANSON, DUKE OF YORK and MALAYA, HM Aircraft

                                Carrier FURIOUS for demonstration off Norwegian coast, with Home Fleet cruisers

                                and destroyer flotillas. US Navy Task Force attached to Home Fleet also took part.

                                Note: These were battleships USS ALABAMA and SOUTH DAKOTA, cruisers

                                USS AUGUSTA and USS TUSCALOOSA and five destroyers.

                                (Operation CAMERA).

                                (Note: This operation was intended as a diversion during the allied landings in Sicily

                                and was not detected by German aircraft).

                25th        Joined Home Fleet ships including HM Aircraft Carriers ILLUSTRIOUS and UNICORN

                                for offensive sweep off Norway (Operation GOVERNOR)

 

August

                11th        Escorted HM Aircraft Carriers ILLUSTRIOUS and UNICORN, with HM Cruiser

                                SCYLLA and HM Destroyers SCORPION, OPPORTUNE, OBDURATE and

                                OBEDIENT during passage from the Clyde to Gibraltar.

                                (Note: The two aircraft carriers were being deployed in the Mediterranean to support

                                the allied landings at Salerno (Operation AVALANCHE).

.               18th        Passage to Scapa Flow with HMS SCORPION to rejoin Flotilla.

                31st         Deployed in NW Approaches.

 

September

                17th        Under repair at Rosyth.

                23rd        On completion resumed duty in NW Approaches

 

October                  NW Approaches deployment in continuation.

                7th          Detached for escort of HM Battleship KING GEORGE V from Gibraltar to Scapa

                                Flow after duty in Mediterranean. Took passage to Gibraltar.

                13th        Part of escort for HMS KING GEORGE V.

                18th        On arrival deployed for escort of merchant ships left in North Russia during the

                                summer months.

                                Took passage to Kola Inlet with HMS SCORPION.

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

                                Ruegg, THE RUSSIAN CONVOYS by B Schoefield and CONVOY ! by P Kemp

 

November

               1st           Arrived at Kola Inlet with HM Destroyers SCORPION and SCOURGE.

                3rd          Joined the Ocean Escort for returning Convoy RA54A with HM Destroyers

                                MAHRATTA, MILNE, MATCHLESS, MUSKETEER, SAUMAREZ, SCORPION

                                and SCOURGE.

                9th          Detached from RA54.

                23rd        Joined escort for Russian Convoy JW54B with HM Destroyers HARDY, SAUMAREZ

                                VENUS, SCORPION, SCOURGE, VIGILANT and the Norwegian destroyer STORD

                                (Ex HMS SUCCESS) until arrival off Archangel.

 

December

                3rd          Independent passage to rejoin Home Fleet at Scapa Flow.

                                Seaman lost overboard.

                8th          Rejoined Flotilla on arrival at Scapa Flow.

                12th        Joined destroyer screen for H M Battleship DUKE OF YORK and H M Cruiser

                                JAMAICA to provide Distant Cover for Russian Convoys JW55A and JW55B.

                                (See ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by Corelli Barnett).

                26th        In action against SCHARNHORST at Battle of North Cape and took part with

                                HMS SAUMAREZ, HMS SCORPION and the Norwegian Destroyer STORD

                                in the torpedo attacks which slowed and finally stopped the enemy ship.

                                (For full details see FRASER OF NORTH CAFE by Humble and Naval Staff

                                History)

                27th        Escorted damaged HMS SAUMAREZ to Kola Inlet.

                28th        Passage to Scapa Flow with HMS SCORPION and Norwegian destroyer STORD.

 

1 9 4 4

 

January

                1st           On arrival at Scapa Flow began Boiler clean.

                12th        Resumed Fleet duties.

                16th        Joined escort for Russian Convoy JW56A with Norwegian destroyer STORD.

                21st         Part of escort for JW56A from Iceland to Kola Inlet with H M Destroyers HARDY,

                                INCONSTANT, OBDURATE, OFFA, VENUS, VIGILANT, VIRAGO and

                                Norwegian destroyer STORD.

                27th        Detached on arrival of local escort.

                29th        Joined escort for Russian Convoy JW56B to reinforce defence till arrival at

                                Kola Inlet.

 

February

                1st           Detached from JW54B on arrival.

                3rd          Joined destroyer escort for returning Convoy RA56 with H M Destroyers

                                OPPORTUNE, OFFA, VENUS and VIGILANT

                9th          Detached from Convoy RA56 after enemy submarines failed to intercept due to an

                                incorrect sighting report by Luftwaffe.

                12th        Under repair in Hull shipyard.

                16th        Resumed Home Fleet duties on completion.

                22nd       Joined escort for Russian Convoy JW57 with HM Cruiser BLACK PRINCE and

                                12 other Home Fleet destroyers. HM Escort Carrier CHASER and its escort joined

                                at the same time (See above references).

                28th        Detached with other escorts on arrival at Kola Inlet.

 

March

                2nd         Part of destroyer escort with BLACK PRINCE for returning Convoy RA57.

                8th          Detached with HMS CHASER and other Home Fleet destroyers.

                16th        Part of escort for H M Battleship DUKE OF YORK with H M Destroyers

                                MATCHLESS, OFFA, OBEDIENT and Norwegian destroyer STORD.

                21st         Taken in hand for refit at Immingham shipyard.

 

April                       Under refit.

 

May                        Resumed Fleet duties with Flotilla on completion.

                8th          Escorted HM Aircraft Carriers FURIOUS and SEARCHER with HM Cruiser

                                BERWICK, H M Destroyers WIZARD, WAKEFUL, ALGONQUIN (RCN),

                                Polish destroyer PIORUN and the Polish destroyer BLYSKAWICA during two

                                successful air strikes on convoys off Kristandsund North.

                June        Detached for duty in Dover Command with H M Destroyers OPPORTUNE,

                                OBEDIENT and ORWELL for patrol duty between Dungeness and Worthing

                                support of the allied landings in Normandy.

                                (See Operation NEPTUNE-See LANDINGS IN NORMANDY (HMSO) and

                                OPERATION NEPTUNE by K Edwards).

                6th          Deployed in Channel to prevent enemy surface warship attacks during the assault

                                and build-up phases.

 

                July         Deployment in English Channel in continuation.

                26th        In action with 6th German MTB Flotilla off Dungeness with HMS OBEDIENT

                                and HMS OPPORTUNE which had attacked a west bound coastal convoy.

 

August                  Rejoined Home Fleet when released from Dover Command.

 

September             Deployed with Home Fleet in NW Approaches. October

                24th        Part of screen for HM Aircraft Carrier IMPLACABLE and HM Cruiser BELLONA

                                with HM Destroyers VENUS, SCOURGE, VERULAM, CAPRICE, CASSANDRA,

                                CAMBRIAN and ZAMBESI during air attacks on Sorreisa and Bardufoss airfield.

 

November

                3rd          Independent passage to Kola with HMS SCORPION to take Norwegian troops for

                                an attack on Norway with Russian troops (Operation FREEMAN)

                6th          Arrived at Kola Inlet.

                11th        Escorted ss EMPRESS OF AUSTRALIA and ss SCYTHIA to UK (Convoy RA61A)

                17th        Resumed Home Fleet duties after arrival at Greenock.

 

December

                7th          Deployed in Force 1 with HM Aircraft Carriers IMPLACABLE, TRUMPETER and

                                PREMIER, HM Cruiser DIADEM and HM Destroyers ZEALOUS, ZAMBESI,

                                VIGILANT, SERAPIS, SIOUX (RCN), ALGONQUIN (RCN) and the Norwegian

                                destroyer STORD for a joint aircraft minelay in Karmsund and a shipping strike

                                between Bergen and Stavanger. (Operation URBANE).

                14th        Deployed in Force 2 with HM Cruiser DEVONSHIRE, HM Aircraft Carriers

                                TRUMPETER and PREMIER, HM Destroyers ZEALOUS, ZEPHYR, SIOUX (RCN),

                                ALGONQUIN (RCN) and SERAPIS during joint air minelay and air strikes in

                                Ramosund and Skatestronmen. (Operation LACERATE).

 

1 9 4 5

 

January

                1st           Joined escort for Russian Convoy JW63 with HMS DIADEM, HM Escort Carrier

                                VINDEX, HM Destroyers MYNGS, SCOURGE, SERAPIS, ZAMBESI, ZEBRA,

                                Norwegian destroyer STORD and HM Canadian Destroyer ALGONQUIN.

                8th          Arrived at Kola Inlet without enemy detection. 11th     Joined return Convoy RA63

                                with HMS DIADEM, HMS VINDEX and the same Home Fleet destroyers in

                                addition to H M Destroyer SCORPION.

                21st         Arrived at Loch Ewe after delay by wearier and returned to Home Fleet.

 

February

                12th        Joined Force land escorted HM Cruisers NORFOLK and DIDO for a night

                                shipping strike off Bud (Operation SELENIUM).

                                No targets found.

                21st         Joined escort for returning Convoy RA64 for part of passage.

                                (See CONVOYS TO RUSSIA).

                26th        Detached and returned to Home Fleet duties.

 

March

                12th        Escorted HM Escort Carrier TRUMPETER with HMS SCOURGE to provide

                                air cover during the passage of Russian Convoy JW65.

                21st         Detached on arrival at Kola Inlet.

                23rd        Escorted return Convoy RA65 with HMS DIADEM, HM Escort Carriers

                                CAMPANIA and TRUMPETER, HM Destroyers MYNGS, OPPORTUNE,

                                ORWELL, SCORPION, SCOURGE, ZAMBESI, SIOUX (RCN) and Norwegian

                                destroyer STORD.

                30th        Detached and returned to Home Fleet duty.

 

April                       Deployed with Home Fleet in NW Approaches.

 

May

                4th          Escorted HM Escort Carriers SEARCHER, QUEEN and TRUMPETER with HM

                                Cruisers NORFOLK, DIADEM. HM Destroyers CARYSFORT, OPPORTUNE,

                                ORWELL, OBEDIENT, SCOURGE and ZAMBESI during offensive strike

                                against shipping west of Narvik. (Operation JUDGEMENT).

                12th        Escorted H M Cruiser DEVONSHIRE and H M Minelaying Cruisers APOLLO

                                and ARIADNE with HMS IROQUOIS (RCN), HMS SCOURGE and Norwegian

                                destroyer ARENDAL to Oslo.

                                (Note: These ships had the Crown Prince of Norway and the British Flag Officer

                                (Norway) embarked.

 

June                        Taken in hand for refit by HM Dockyard, Chatham

 

July                         Under refit

to August              Nominated for use as Firing Ship attached to HMS EXCELLENT, Gunnery School

                                at Portsmouth on completion.

 

P o s t   W a r   N o t e s

 

HMS SAVAGE was used as a Gunnery Firing Ship at Portsmouth after September 1945 and reduced to Reserve status at Chatham in 1948. The ship re-commissioned for trials using new design types of shafts and propellers in 1950. Although later refitted and modernised she was never deployed in the active Fleet. HMS SAVAGE was placed on the Disposal List in 1960 and arrived at Newport to be broken up on 11th April 1960.

 


 

Addendum

 

CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS of HMS SAVAGE

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

 

 

 

 

 

01/11/43

03/11/43

RA 054A

09/11/43

14/11/43

22/11/43

25/11/43

JW 054B

02/12/43

03/12/43

12/12/43

18/12/43

JW 055A

20/12/43

22/12/43

20/12/43

23/12/43

JW 055B

27/12/43

30/12/43

22/12/43

23/12/43

RA 055A

25/12/43

01/01/44

12/01/44

16/01/44

JW 056A

27/01/44

28/01/44

22/01/44

29/01/44

JW 056B

01/02/44

01/02/44

03/02/44

03/02/44

RA 056

07/02/44

11/02/44

20/02/44

22/02/44

JW 057

28/02/44

28/02/44

02/03/44

02/03/44

RA 057

08/03/44

10/03/44

11/11/44

11/11/44

RA 061A

17/11/44

17/11/44

30/12/44

01/01/45

JW 063

08/01/45

08/01/45

11/01/45

11/01/45

RA 063

18/01/45

21/01/45

17/02/45

21/02/45

RA 064

26/02/45

28/02/45

11/03/45

15/03/45

JW 065

21/03/45

21/03/45

23/03/45

23/03/45

RA 065

30/03/45

01/04/45

 

 

 

 

 

(Note on Convoys)

 

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