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  British and Other Navies in World War 2 Day-by-Day
by Don Kindell

NAVAL EVENTS, AUGUST 1940 (Part 1 of 2)
Thursday 1st – Wednesday 14th

HMS Balsam, Corvette (Navy Photos, click to enlarge)

on to AUGUST 1940, Part 2

 

Note: all vessels and aircraft are British unless otherwise identified or implied - click for abbreviations

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

 


Background Events - July-August 1940

Fall of France, Battle of Britain, War in Mediterranean


 

 

1940

 

 

Thursday, 1 August

 

Submarine NARWHAL (Lt Cdr R. J. Burch DSO), which departed the Humber on 22 July to lay mines in operation FD.22, was declared lost after failing to return from a patrol southwest of Stavanger. Her loss most likely took place in a German bombing attack on 23 July in 58‑50N, 02‑20E off Aberdeen. Lt Cdr Burch, Lt Cdr S. R. White, Lt C. S. Green DSC, Lt H. R. W. Twynar, Lt (E) J. E. Ackery DSC, S/Lt J. Cringle RNVR, the fifty four ratings of the crew were lost with NARWHAL.

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Submarine SPEARFISH (Lt Cdr J. H. Forbes DSO), which departed Rosyth on 31 July, was sunk by U.34 off Cape Nose Head west of Stavanger. She was declared lost on the 5th. Lt Cdr Forbes, Lt D. A. Pirie, Lt A. R. Gimblett RNR, S/Lt J. P. Best, Warrant Engineer H. E. Archer, thirty six ratings of the crew were lost with SPEARFISH. U.34 picked up A/B W. V. Pester from the SPEARFISH, the sole survivor.

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Destroyer DUNCAN departed Rosyth at 1500 to rendezvous with destroyer MAORI and escort steamer LOCHNAGAR from Aberdeen to Lerwick. Destroyer MASHONA departed Scapa Flow at 0145 on the 2nd to relieve DUNCAN escorting LOCHNAGAR. DUNCAN proceeded to Scapa Flow, but was delayed entering harbour due to fog. She did arrive at Scapa Flow at 1730/3rd. On arrival at Lerwick at 1300/2nd, destroyers MAORI and MASHONA proceeded to an anti-submarine search in the vicinity of the one hundred fathom line north of the Shetlands. No contact was made.

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Hunt-class destroyer CATTISTOCK was completed. She worked up at Scapa Flow with the 23rd Destroyer Division, and departed on the 30th for the Nore and duty in the 21st Destroyer Flotilla.

_____

 

Temporary S/Lt (A) I. H. Kestin, flying a Hurricane of RAF 145 Squadron Westhampnett, was killed when he was shot down ten miles south of Hastings.

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Dutch submarine O.21 attacked U.62, as she was arriving in the Helgoland from patrol in the North Sea, but without result.

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U.59 sank Swedish steamer SIGYN (1981grt) in 56‑10N, 09‑25W. The entire crew was rescued.

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Steamer CITY OF CANBERRA (7484grt) was damaged on a mine in 52‑06N, 01‑52E.

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Steamer KERRY HEAD (825grt) was damaged by German bombing at four miles east, southeast of Old Head of Kinsale.

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Tanker GOTHIC (2444grt) was damaged by German bombing 12 miles 310° from Flamborough Head.

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Convoy FN.239 departed Southend, escorted by destroyer WINCHESTER, sloop WESTON, patrol sloop MALLARD. Steamer HIGHLANDER (1216grt) was damaged by German bombing in 56‑56N, 02‑04W. One plane shot down crashed on the poop deck of HIGHLANDER. WESTON also shot down a German bomber. The convoy arrived in the Tyne on the 3rd.

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Convoy MT.127 departed Methil. The convoy arrived in the Tyne later that day.

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Submarine OSWALD (Lt Cdr D. A. Fraser) was sunk by Italian destroyer VIVALDI off Calabria. VIVALDI was part of an anti-submarine sweep of destroyers DA NOLI, USODIMARE, DA RECCO, PESSAGNO, which departed Augusta 1 August. Three ratings were lost with OSWALD, but the remainder of the crew, Fraser, Lt G. R. Marsh, Lt M. D. Pope, Lt M. S. Hodson, Warrant Engineer G. Mitchell and forty seven ratings, were rescued by VIVALDI and made prisoners of war.

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Force H departed Gibraltar on 31 July for Operation HURRY with battlecruiser HOOD, battleship VALIANT, aircraft carriers ARK ROYAL and ARGUS, light cruisers ARETHUSA and ENTERPRISE, destroyers FAULKNOR, FORESTER, FEARLESS, ESCAPADE, ACTIVE, WRESTLER, ENCOUNTER, GALLANT, GREYHOUND, HOTSPUR.

 

Light cruiser ENTERPRISE was southeast of Minorca simulating activity in the northern part of the Western Basin in Operation SPARK. The light cruiser was also to have contacted French steamer GENERAL GUEYDON, but contact was not made.

 

Diversion for HURRY was by the Mediterranean Fleet which departed Alexandria on 31 July withlight cruisers NEPTUNE, SYDNEY, ORION, destroyers NUBIAN, JUNO, GARLAND as Force A and battleships ROYAL SOVEREIGN and MALAYA, aircraft carrier EAGLE,HERO, HEREWARD, HOSTILE, HASTY, ILEX, IMPERIAL, JERVIS, VENDETTA as Force B.

 

However, when a mechanical breakdown occurred on battleship MALAYA, Force B returned to Alexandria on the 1st. Force A returned the next day.

 

On the 2nd, HURRY, the flyoff of fighters from aircraft carrier ARGUS to Malta was conducted. While the rest of Force H turned north, aircraft carrier ARGUS, escorted by destroyers ENCOUNTER, GALLANT, GREYHOUND, HOTSPUR, conducted the operation.

 

Aircraft carrier ARK ROYAL, screened by battlecruiser HOOD, light cruiser ENTERPRISE, destroyers FAULKNOR, FOESTER, FORESIGHT, FOXHOUND, launched aircraft to raid Cagliari in Operation CRUSH.

 

Lt J. R. Robins, Lt J. M. M. Tarver, Petty Officer J. Clarke of 810 Squadron were lost when their plane crashed on take off. Lt (A) G. R. Humphries, Lt D. Williams, Leading Airman C. Pendleton in a Swordfish of 820 Squadron were shot down and made prisoners of war.

 

Force H arrived back at Gibraltar on the 4th.

 

After HURRY, Somerville took Force H with battlecruiser HOOD, battleship VALIANT, aircraft carrier ARGUS, light cruiser ARETHUSA, destroyers of the 8th Destroyer Flotilla back to England. Aircraft carrier ARK ROYAL, light cruiser ENTERPRISE, destroyers GREYHOUND, GALLANT, ENCOUNTER, HOTSPUR sailed with Force H, but returned to Gibraltar on the 8th after parting with the rest of Force H

 

On 9 August, Force H was met west of Ireland by destroyers PUNJABI, TARTAR, BEDOUIN which escorted battlecruiser HOOD, light cruiser ARETHUSA, destroyers ESCAPADE and FOXHOUND to Scapa Flow, arriving 0600/10th.

 

Battleship VALIANT, aircraft carrier ARGUS, destroyers FAULKNOR, FORESIGHT, FORESTER arriving at Liverpool at 1530/10th.

 

Destroyer FEARLESS was in a minor collision with Armed patrol trawler FLYING WING (226grt) at 0312 off the Mull of Cantyre in 55‑14N, 5‑58W. Destroyer FAULKNOR stood by to assist.

 

Destroyer FEARLESS proceeded to the Clyde and then was taken to Glasgow where she was under repair until 8 October.

 

Aircraft carrier ARGUS and destroyer FORESTER were detached to enter Liverpool together.

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Italian submarine MAMELI sank Greek steamer ROULA (1044grt) in 34‑06N, 26‑30E. The entire crew was rescued.

 

 

Friday, 2 August

 

At 0800, the destroyers under Rear Admiral Home Fleet destroyers were reorganised.

 

3rd Destroyer Flotilla, destroyers INGLEFIELD, ISIS, DUNCAN, ECHO, ECLIPSE, ELECTRA. (destroyer ENCOUNTER on her return to England).

 

4th Destroyer Flotilla, destroyers COSSACK, ZULU, SIKH, MAORI, FAME, FORTUNE. Temporarily attached destroyers FURY and FIREDRAKE. (on return to England, destroyer FOXHOUND).

 

6th Destroyer Flotilla, destroyers TARTAR, ASHANTI, MATABELE, MASHONA, BEDOUIN, PUNJABI, ESKIMO, SOMALI.

 

12th Destroyer Flotilla, destroyers KEPPEL, DOUGLAS, ARROW, ACHATES, ACTIVE, ANTHONY, AMAZON. Temporarily attached destroyers VORTIGERN and WATCHMAN.

_____

 

Destroyers MAORI and MASHONA departed Lerwick for an anti-submarine sweep north of the Shetlands.

 

No contact was made.

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Destroyers BEDOUIN and PUNJABI departed Scapa Flow at 1315 to search in the area of North Minch, then join convoy WN.4.

 

The destroyers would stay with WN.4 until Rattray Head when they were detached to join convoy OA.193.

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British minefield BS.30 was laid by minelayers PLOVER and WILLEM VAN DER ZAAN and destroyers EXPRESS, ESK, ICARUS, INTREPID, IMPULSIVE.

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Anti-submarine trawler CAPE FINISTERRE (590grt) was sunk by German bombing off Harwich.

 

One rating was lost in the trawler.

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Convoy OG.40 of twenty one ships departed Liverpool. The convoy was escorted by sloop ENCHANTRESS from 2 to 14 August.

 

Destroyer WESTCOTT escorted the convoy from 2 to 7 August when she was detached to convoy HG.40. The convoy arrived at Gibraltar on the 14th.

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Convoy FN.240 departed Southend. The convoy arrived at the Tyne on the 4th.

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Convoy MT.128 departed Methil. The convoy arrived in the Tyne on the 2nd.

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Convoy FS.239 departed the Tyne, escorted by destroyers VEGA and WESTMINSTER. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 3rd.

 

Convoy FS.240 was cancelled.

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Dutch submarine O.22 attacked a U.37 or U.38, which had set out on patrol from Wilhelmshaven on the 1st, in the North Sea without result.

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British steamer CITY OF BRISBANE (8006grt) was sunk by German bombing off South Longsand Buoy, Thames Estuary in 51-32-30N, 1-23-30E.

 

The steamer went ashore at South Longsand. Steamer CITY OF BRISBANE was still afire on the 5th.

 

Eight crew were lost on the British steamer.

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U.99 damaged Norwegian tanker STRINDA (10,973grt) in 55‑10N, 17‑16W and British tankers LUCERNA (6556grt) in 55‑18N, 16‑39W and ALEXIA (8016grt) in 55‑30N, 15‑30W.

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British drifter EMBRACE (94grt) was lost after stranding at Loch Alsh.

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German armed merchant cruiser ATLANTIS captured Norwegian steamer TALLYRAND (6732grt) in 30S, 67E.

 

Steamer TALLYRAND was scuttled on the 3rd in 32‑03S, 66‑36E.

 

The crew were transferred to steamer TIRRANNA. When TIRRANNA was lost, three of the steamer TALLYRAND crew was lost.

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Convoys SL.42 and SLF.42 departed Freetown escorted by light cruiser DELHI to 8 August when she was relieved by armed merchant cruiser MALOJA. The light cruiser refuelled at St Vincent on the 11th and arrived at Freetown on the 20th, patrolling en route.

 

On 18 August corvettes BLUEBELL and CLARKIA and escort vessel GLEANER joined the convoy. on the 19th, destroyer VISCOUNT joined.

 

Armed merchant cruiser MALOJA was detached on the 20th. The convoy arrived on the 21st at Liverpool.

 

 

Saturday, 3 August

 

Minelayers SOUTHERN PRINCE, PORT QUEBEC, PORT NAPIER departed Loch Alsh at 1130/3rd and laid minefield SN.32 in St Georges Channel screened by Anti-aircraft cruiser CALCUTTA on the night of 4/5 August.

 

Survey ship SCOTT laid the marker buoys for this minefield.

 

They were escorted by destroyers ECHO, GARTH, BERKELEY which departed Scapa Flow at 2050/2nd for this operation, and destroyer INGLEFIELD, which departed Greenock at 1830/2nd.

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Heavy cruiser SUSSEX was taken in hand for repair to turbine defects at the Clyde.

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Light cruiser CARDIFF, destroyers VENOMOUS, VERITY, WILD SWAN, WIVERN, patrol sloops PUFFIN, SHEARWATER, SHELDRAKE operated from Harwich on anti-invasion patrol during the night of 3/4 August.

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Destroyer DUNCAN arrived at Scapa Flow at 1730 after completing repairs of her 15 January collision damage.

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Destroyer KEPPEL arrived at Scapa Flow at 1930 to join the Home Fleet.

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Destroyers SIKH and AMAZON arrived at Scapa Flow in company from Greenock.

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Hunt-class destroyer QUORN was completed.

 

Destroyer QUORN worked up at Scapa Flow in the 23rd Destroyer Division. She was then transferred to the Nore for duty in the 2lst Destroyer Flotilla.

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Convoy OA.193 departed Methil escorted by destroyer RESTIGOUCHE and sloop DEPTFORD from 3 to 7 August. The escorts were then detached to convoy HX.61. Escort vessel VERDUN escorted the convoy on the 3rd and destroyers PUNJABI and BEDOUIN escorted the convoy on the 4th.

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Convoy FN.241 departed Southend, escorted by destroyer WOOLSTON, sloop FLEETWOOD, patrol sloop PINTAIL. The patrol sloop was detached on the 4th. Destroyers JAGUAR and JAVELIN joined the convoy on the 4th and were detached on the 5th. The convoy arrived in the Tyne on the 5th.

 

Convoy FN.242 did not sail.

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Convoy MT.129 departed Methil. The convoy arrived at the Tyne on the 3rd.

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Convoy FS.241 departed the Tyne, escorted by destroyer VIVIEN and sloop LOWESTOFT. The convoy arrived at Southend O.5 August.

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U.25 was mined and sunk off Terschelling in 54‑00N, 5‑00E.

 

All forty nine crew were lost on the submarine.

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German aircraft were over Scapa Flow and convoy WN.4 between midnight and 0100.

 

British steamer STATIRA (4852grt) in convoy WN.4 was badly damaged by German bombing thirty eight miles north of Stornoway.

 

Anti-submarine trawler ARAB (531grt) assisted the steamer.

 

The entire crew was taken off by destroyers PUNJABI and BEDOUIN.

 

The steamer was taken in tow on fire to Stornoway by British tug THAMES and escorted by destroyer PUNJABI, which was later relieved by destroyer SIKH.

 

The steamer later left Stornoway and put in Rothesay Bay. Steamer STATIRA was later taken to Glasgow where her cargo was unloaded. The steamer was then broken up.

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U.A sank Yugoslavian steamer RAD (4201grt) at 11‑20N, 21W.

 

On 5 August, British steamer CAPE ST GEORGE in convoy SL.42 collided with the sunken wreck of steamer RAD. Twenty nine crew from steamer RAD were rescued by steamer GRODNO, which also stood by steamer CAPE ST GEORGE, which later sank from the damage.

 

The crew of sixty five from the British steamer were all rescued by steamer GRODNO.

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U.57 sank Swedish steamer ATOS (2161grt) in 56N, 07W.

 

One crew on the Swedish steamer was lost.

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British steamer WYCHWOOD (2794grt) was sunk on a mine in 52‑00N, 01‑48E, four miles north west, one quarter mile west of Shipwash Light Vessel.

 

Patrol sloop MALLARD took off the twenty two survivors.

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Because of the lack of anti-aircraft armament, light cruiser CAPETOWN and CALEDON left the Mediterranean for duty in the Indian Ocean.

 

Light cruiser CAPETOWN departed Alexandria on the 3rd for the East Indies Station.

 

The light cruiser engaged in a battle practice target shoot. After light cruiser CAPETOWN had completed, destroeyrs DAINTY, VENDETTA, DEFENDER and destroyers JERVIS, JUNO, JANUS participated.

 

Light cruiser CALEDON departed Alexandria on the 10th.

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Submarine PERSEUS, which departed Hong Kong on 18 June and arrived at Colombo on 30 June and Aden on 24 July, arrived at Alexandria.

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Italian steamer LODOLETTA (2822grt) was sunk by British bombing at Derna.

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Australian light cruiser HOBART made a reconnaissance of Cape Guardafui from 3 to 5 August.

 

The cruiser then returned to Berbera.

 

 

Sunday, 4 August

 

Heavy cruiser BERWICK departed Liverpool after refitting on the 3rd.

 

In a fog at 0034 on the 4th, heavy cruiser BERWICK was in a collision in 55-32N, 6-27W with an unknown ship. There was no damage to the cruiser below the water line.

 

Heavy cruiser BERWICK was repaired at Glasgow from to 7 to 22 August. The cruiser arrived in the Clyde on the 25th.

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Destroyers ACHATES and FIREDRAKE departed Scapa Flow at 0730 to search for a German submarine bombed by aircraft at 0510 in 59‑48N, 5‑30W.

 

This may have been the submarine Destroyers MAORI and MASHONA were searching for on the 3rd north of the Shetlands.

 

Destroyers MAORI and MASHONA arrived at Scapa Flow at 2200/4th.

 

After an unsuccessful search, destroyers ACHATES and FIREDRAKE swept towards Fair Island Channel to reach 59-10N, 5-00W by 0600/5th.

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Destroyers BEDOUIN and PUNJABI departed convoy OA.193 on its arrival at Cape Wrath at 2200.

 

The destroyers arrived at Scapa Flow at 0400/5th.

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Submarine SEALION sank Norwegian steamer TORUN (3318grt) in Homborsund southwest of Stavanger in 58-17N, 8-38E.

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Destroyers FORTUNE and FURY departed Scapa Flow at 1050 for escort duty in the Clyde.

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Anti-submarine trawler KINGSTON CHRYSOBERYL (448grt) engaged a German motor torpedo boat off St Catherine.

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Minesweeping trawler DRUMMER (297grt, Temporary Skipper H. C. Hall RNR) was sunk on a mine off Brightlingsea, Essex.

 

Two ratings were lost in the trawler.

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Minesweeping trawler MARSONA (276grt, Chief Skipper A. W. Ellis RNR) of Minesweeper Group 43 was sunk on a mine off Cromarty.

 

Ellis, Temporary S/Lt I. S. I. Trehearne RNVR, ten ratings were lost in the trawler.

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Minesweeping trawler OSWALDIAN (260grt, Temporary Skipper J. Darkins RNR) was sunk on a mine off Breaksea Light Vessel in Bristol Channel.

 

Twelve ratings were lost in the trawler. Seven survivors from the trawler were landed at Barry.

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In a British raid on oil tanks and barges at Rotterdam, S/Lt R. C. Eborn and Lt T. A. Johnston RM, were killed when their Swordfish of 812 Squadron was shot down off Noorwijk.

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British steamer WHITE CREST (4365grt) was damaged by German bombing off Cape Wrath.

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Convoy OB.193 departed Liverpool escorted by destroyers VANQUISHER and VISCOUNT from 4 to 7 August. The escorts were detached to convoy HX.61.

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Convoy MT.130 departed Methil. The convoy arrived in the Tyne on the 4th.

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Convoy FS.242 departed the Tyne, escorted by destroyers VIMIERA and WOLFHOUND. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 6th.

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On attacks on convoy HX.60, U.52 sank British steamers KING ALFRED (5272grt) and GOGOVALE (4586grt) in 56‑59N, 17‑38W and GERALDINE MARY (7244grt) in 56‑46N, 15‑48W.

 

That evening U.58 sank Greek steamer PINDOS (4360grt) in 55‑22N, 08‑50 from convoy HX.60.

 

Four crew were lost on the steamer KING ALFRED. Two crew and one gunner were lost on the steamer GOGOVALE. Two crew and one passenger were lost on the steamer GERALDINE MARY. Three crew were killed on the steamer PINDOS.

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U.56 sank British steamer BOMA (5408grt) from convoy OB.193 in 55‑44N, 08‑04W.

 

Three crew were missing from the British steamer.

 

Survivors from the steamer were rescued by Norwegian steamer VILJA (6672grt).

 

The steamer was still afloat on the 5th, but sank before the tug arrived.

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German auxiliary submarine chaser UJ.175 (trawler PERSEUS, 428grt) was sunk on a mine north of Ameland.

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Convoy HX.63 departed Halifax escorted by Canadian destroyers ASSINIBOINE, OTTAWA, SAGUENAY at 0630.

 

At 2100, the Canadian destroyers turned the convoy over to the ocean escort, armed merchant cruiser ASCANIA, turned back towards Halifax. Destroyers ASSINIBOINE and SAGUENAY were detached on the 5th and destroyer OTTAWA on the 6th. The armed merchant cruiser was detached on the 16th.

 

Convoy BHX.63 departed Bermuda on the 3rd with an ocean escort of armed merchant cruiser ALAUNIA. The convoy rendezvoused with convoy on the 8th when the armed merchant cruiser was detached.

 

On 16 August, destroyer MACKAY, sloop LEITH, corvettes HEARTSEASE and HIBISCUS joined the convoy and remained with the convoy until its arrived at Liverpool on the 19th.

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Destroyers HERO, HEREWARD, IMPERIAL departed Alexandria for an anti-submarine sweep along the Nile Delta, up the Palestine coast and Syrian coast, along the north coast of Cyprus to the west before returning to Haifa.

 

Destroyer HEREWARD returned to Alexandria on the 5th with defects.

 

Destroyer HASTY was sent to replace HEREWARD in the sweep.

 

Light cruisers LIVERPOOL and GLOUCESTER with destroyers JERVIS and HOSTILE departed Alexandria during the afternoon of 4 August to sweep in the Aegean. They were also to cover the movement of Danube barges from Athens to Alexandria.

 

Destroyers HERO, HASTY, IMPERIAL arrived at Haifa on the 7th.

 

The light cruiser force arrived back at Alexandria on the 8th. Destroyers JERVIS and HOSTILE arrived at Alexandria on the 10th with four Danube barges and a tug.

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Australian heavy cruiser CANBERRA departed Simonstown for Freemantle to effect repairs to A brackets and propeller shaft.

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German armed merchant cruiser WIDDER sank Norwegian tanker BEAULIEU (6114grt) in the Central Atlantic at 25‑46N, 48‑44W.

 

Three crew were killed on the Norwegian tanker.

 

 

Monday, 5 August

 

Destroyers ACHATES and FIREDRAKE patrolled in the area of Cape Wrath-North Rona-Butt of Lewis area after a submarine was reported in the area.

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Destroyers ASHANTI and MASHONA proceeded to Lerwick to escort British steamer LOCHNAGAR which departed Lerwick at 1705 for Aberdeen.

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Due to heavy losses to shipping by submarine attacks, destroyers KEPPEL and the A class destroyers were to be transferred to the Commander in Chief Western Approaches.

 

A division of the J and K destroyers were to join the Nore Command.

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Minesweeping trawler RIVER CLYDE (276grt, Temporary Skipper J. Grant RNR) of Minesweeper Group 6 was sunk on a mine off Aldeburgh Light Float.

 

Eleven ratings were killed and one died of wounds in the trawler. Skipper Grant was wounded.

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Convoy OA.194 departed Methil escorted by destroyer HESPERUS and sloop HASTINGS.

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Convoy FN.243 departed Southend. The convoy arrived in the Tyne on the 7th.

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Convoy MT.131 departed Methil. The convoy arrived in the Tyne on the 5th.

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Convoy FS.243 departed the Tyne, escorted by sloops BLACK SWAN and HASTINGS and patrol sloop KITTIWAKE. The convoy arrived in the Tyne on the 7th.

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American heavy cruisers WICHITA and QUINCY departed Bahia for Perambuco, arriving on the 9th.

 

The cruisers departed on 13 September and arrived at Montevideo 23 August. Departing on the 28th, they arrived at Buenas Aires on the 29th.

 

Cruisers WICHITA and QUINCY departed Buenas Aires on 3 September and arrived at Rio de Janiero on 6 Serptember. They departed Rio on 10 September and arrived back at Norfolk, Virginia on 24 September.

 

 

Tuesday, 6 August

 

Destroyers EXPRESS, ESK, ICARUS, IMPULSIVE, INTREPID of the 20th Destroyer Flotilla departed Immingham on the 5th and met their motor torpedo boat escort.

 

Early on the 6th, the destroyers laid minefield CBX.4 off the Dutch coast in the Schoonveld and West Pit Passages off Thornton Ridge.

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The Clyde section of Convoy WS.2 of British steamers EMPRESS OF CANADA (21,517grt), ES (25,689grt), FRANCONIA (20,175grt), SUFFOLK (11,063grt), MEMNON (7506grt), LANARKSHIRE (9816grt) departed at 0630 escorted by heavy cruiser SHROPSHIRE, light cruiser EMERALD, destroyers FORTUNE, FURY, WATCHMAN, VORTIGERN.

 

The Liverpool section of Convoy WS.2 of British steamers CLAN MACAULEY (10492grt), WAIWERA (10792grt), ASKA (8323grt), ORMONDE (14982grt), MONARCH OF BERMUDA (22424grt), ORION (23,371grt), OTRANTO (20032grt), STRATHEDEN (23772grt), BATORY (14287grt), EMPRESS OF BRITAIN (42348grt), STRAITHARD (22284grt) departed escorted by heavy cruiser CORNWALL and destroyers HIGHLANDER, HAVELOCK, HURRICANE, HARVESTER. Steamer ORION was forced to put into the Clyde the same day with engine defects.

 

Both sections rendezvoused on the 6th and traveled together at sea.

 

Various ships were detached en route and the troopships arrived safely at Capetown. on the 31st, the "slow group" WS.2 B of liners ORION, STRATHEDEN, ORMONDE, BATORY departed Capetown for Bombay. On 12 September, the "fast group" WS.2 A of liners EMPRESS OF BRITAIN, EMPRESS OF CANADA, ANDES departed Capetown.

 

Heavy cruiser SHROPSHIRE arrived at Simonstown on the 28th and joined the East Indies Command.

 

Heavy cruiser CORNWALL arrived at Simonstown on the 30th.

 

In the Indian Ocean,WS 2 A was escorted by cruisers HOBART and CARLISLE and destroyers KANDAHAR and KINGSTON and WS.2 B was escorted by heavy cruiser CORNWALL and armed merchant cruiser KANIMBLA.

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Destroyers ACHATES and FIREDRAKE patrolling off Cape Wrath joined convoy HX.60 A to give anti-submarine protection in Pentland Firth at 2200.

 

The destroyers arrived at Scapa Flow at 1000/7th after escorting the convoy to Pentland Firth.

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Destroyer INGLEFIELD (D.3), on passage from Loch Alsh to Scapa Flow, destroyer ANTHONY, escorting aircraft carrier FURIOUS on practices, proceeded to intercept two Dutch motor coasting vessels proceeding westward through the Pentland Firth.

 

The Dutch ships were intercepted. They were turned over to anti-submarine trawler REGAL (409grt) which brought them to port for examination.

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Destroyers COSSACK and SIKH departed Scapa Flow to carry out anti-submarine patrols from 1700 in Fair Island Channel. No contact was made.

 

The destroyers met convoy WN.5 on the 7th in the Minches near Trodday Island and escorted it to Pentland Firth.

 

The destroyers were relieved at 0400 in convoy WN.5 off Cape Wrath by destroyer BERKELEY, which departed Scapa Flow at 2015 on the 8th. Destroyer BERKELEY continued south with the convoy to join the Nore Command.

 

Destroyers COSSACK and SIKH joined convoy OA.195 at 1515 on the 8th and escorted it to Cape Wrath.

 

Destroyers COSSACK and SIKH arrived at Scapa Flow at 0240.

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Destroyer AMAZON departed Scapa Flow to investigate a suspicious merchant ship report two miles 080° from Wick.

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Destroyer KEPPEL (D.12), ANTHONY, AMAZON departed Scapa Flow at 2200 and with destroyer ACHATES of convoy HX.60A proceeded to the Clyde to join the Western Approaches Command.

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Submarine SEALION was rammed at periscope depth by German auxiliary anti-submarine vessel UJ.123 while attacking a convoy southwest of Stavanger in 57-51N, 7-24E.

 

The submarine's periscopes, masts, aerials were wrecked.

 

German steamer CLARE HUGO STINNES (5295grt) was missed by torpedoes and not damaged.

 

Submarine SEALION arrived at Rosyth on the 10th. She was repaired in the Tyne from 15 August to 23 October.

_____

 

Convoy OB.194 departed Liverpool escorted by destroyers WARWICK and HARVESTER and corvette CLARKIA from 6 to 9 August. Destroyer WARWICK and the corvette were detached to convoy SL.41.

_____

 

Convoy FN.244 departed Southend, escorted by destroyer VIVIEN, sloop LOWESTOFT, patrol sloop GUILLEMOT. The convoy arrived in the Tyne on the 8th.

_____

 

Convoy MT.132 departed Methil. The convoy arrived in the Tyne later that day.

_____

 

Convoy FS.244 departed the Tyne, escorted by destroyer WINCHESTER and sloop WESTON. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 8th.

_____

 

Italian light cruisers BARBIANO and GUISSANO with destroyers PIGAFETTA and ZENO laid mines near Pantelleria escorted by torpedo boats CASSIOPEA, CIGNO, PLEIAI, ALDEBARAN.

_____

 

In Operation TUBE, submarine PANDORA, which departed Gibraltar on 31 July, arrived at Malta with supplies of spares and ground equipment for the Hurricanes aircraft carrier ARGUS delivered in HURRY.

_____

 

Convoy BN2A departed Aden, escorted by light cruiser CERES and sloop PARRAMATTA. The convoy arrived at Suez on the 12th.

_____

 

German steamer FULDA (7744grt) at Dairen was sold to Japan as TAKAI MARU.

 

 

Wednesday, 7 August

 

Destroyers TARTAR (D.6), BEDOUIN, ASHANTI departed Scapa Flow at 2000 to carry out an anti-submarine sweep northward of North Rona mined area to Rockall.

 

The destroyers then joined battlecruiser HOOD, light cruiser ARETHUSA, destroyer FOXHOUND to escort them to Scapa Flow.

 

Destroyers TARTAR, BEDOUIN, ASHANTI with battlecruiser HOOD, light cruiser ARETHUSA, destroyers FOXHOUND and ESCAPADE arrived at Scapa Flow at 0600/10th.

_____

 

Destroyers JAVELIN and JAGUAR, en route from the Humber to join the Home Fleet, were diverted to meet British steamers ST MAGNUS and ROGNVALD off Aberdeen at 1400 for escort to Kirkwall and Lerwick, respectively.

 

On 8 August, on their arrival at Lerwick, the destroyers embarked ten officers and one hundred and fifteen ranks of the British Army repatriated from Petsamo, Finland on the Swedish steamer GOTEBORG (880grt).

 

The British Army personnel were landed at Scrabster and the destroyers arrived at Scapa Flow.

_____

 

Convoy OA.195 departed Methil escorted by sloop FOWEY.

_____

 

Convoy OB.195 departed Liverpool escorts by destroyer VANOC and corvettes PERIWINKLE and GERANIUM from 8 to 12 August.

_____

 

Convoy FN.245 departed Southend. The convoy arrived in the Tyne on the 9th.

_____

 

Convoy MT.133 departed Methil. The convoy arrived in the Tyne later that day.

_____

 

Convoy FS.245 departed the Tyne, escorted by destroyer WOOLSTON, sloop FLEETWOOD, patrol sloop MALLARD. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 9th.

_____

 

German minelayers ROLAND, COBRA, BRUMMER laid mines in the southwest North Sea for minefield "SW 1" escorted by torpedo boats T.2 of the 1st Torpedo Boat Flotilla, T.7 of the 2nd Torpedo Boat Flotilla, FALKE, KONDOR, JAGUAR of the 5th Torpedo Boat Flotilla.

 

It was on this minefield that Destroyers ESK and IVANHOE were lost and destroyer EXPRESS was badly damaged at the end of the month.

_____

 

German auxiliary submarine chaser Vp.1501 (trawler WIKING 7, 381grt) was sunk on a mine near Frederickshavn.

 

Trawler WIKING 7 was later salved in 1940 and restored to duty as Vp.1501.

_____

 

U.38 sank Egyptian steamer MOHAMED ALI EL KEBIR (7527grt) from convoy HX.61 in 55‑22N, 13‑18W.

 

There were 162 crew, one gunner, 697 troops on the steamer. Ten crew and fifty troops were lost. The survivors from this steamer were picked up by destroyer GRIFFIN.

 

 

Thursday, 8 August

 

Destroyers EXPRESS, ESK, ICARUS, IMPULSIVE, IVANHOE departed Immingham and joined four motor anti-submarine boats from Harwich.

 

During the night of 8/9 August, the destroyers laid minefield MP (A), an extension of the MN minefield to Falls Bank and to back up the MN minefield.

 

During the night of 10/11 August, the same destroyers conducted MP (B).

 

After MP (B), the destroyers returned to Immingham.

_____

 

Polish destroyer BURZA made three attacks at 1410 on a submarine contact in 52‑21N, 5‑06. 5W.

 

Destroyer BURZA was en route to Scapa Flow to work up after repairs. She arrived on the 9th at 1900.

_____

 

Destroyers BULLDOG of the 1st Destroyer Flotilla and FERNIE departed Portsmouth to support Convoy CW.9.

 

In convoy CW.9 British steamers HOLME FORCE (1216grt) off Newhaven and FIFE COAST (367grt) ten to fifteen miles west of Beachy Head were sunk by German motor torpedo boats S.21 and S.27.

 

The Master, two crew, three gunners were lost on the steamer HOLME FORCE. Four crew and one naval rating were lost on the steamer FIFE COAST.

 

In addition to S.21 and S.27, S.20 and S.25, all of the 1st Flotilla made attacks on this convoy.

 

British steamers JOHN M (500grt) ten miles south of Needles, IOW and POLLY M (380grt) 15 miles 190° from Cape Wrath were damaged by German motor torpedo boat attacks.

 

British steamer OUSE (1004grt) was sunk off Newhaven in a collision with British steamer RYE (1048grt) while avoiding a torpedo from one of the motor torpedo boats.

 

Twenty three survivors were rescued from steamer OUSE.

 

In air attacks on convoy CW.9, British steamers COQUETDALE (1597grt) and EMPIRE CRUSADER (1042grt) were sunk fifteen miles west of St Catherine's Point.

 

The entire crew of steamer COQUETDALE was rescued. The Master, two crew, two naval gunners were lost on the steamer EMPIRE CRUSADER.

 

Dutch steamer AJAX (942grt) was sunk by German bombing fifteen miles west of St Catherine's Point.

 

Four crew on the Dutch steamer were lost.

 

Dutch steamers VEENENBURGH (433grt), OMLANDIA (400grt), SURTE (244grt) were damaged by German bombing fifteen miles west of St Catherine's Point.

 

British steamers SCHELDT (497grt) and BALMAHA (1428grt) were damaged by German bombing fifteen miles west of St Catherine's Point.

 

Norwegian steamer TRES (946grt) was damaged by German bombing 1950 yards 036° from Nodes Point, St Helen's Roads.

 

Steamer TRES later sank in St Helens Bay.

 

During these attacks, anti-submarine yachts WILNA and RION and anti-submarine trawlers CAPE PALLISER, KINGSTON CHRYSOBERYL, KINGSTON OLIVINE, STELLA CAPELLA were damaged by German bombing in the area.

 

In the RION, Cdr J. K. B. Birch was wounded and died of wounds on the 14th. In the WILNA, Temporary Lt S. Behennah RNVR, Temporary Lt H. H. Dimmick RNVR, were wounded.

_____

 

S/Lt F. A. Smith, flying a Hurricane of RAF 145 Squadron Westhampnett, was killed when he was shot down over convoy CW.9 south of South Catherine's Point.

_____

 

Convoy FN.246 departed Southend, escorted by sloops BLACK SWAN and HASTINGS and patrol sloop SHEARWATER. The convoy arrived in the Tyne on the 10th.

_____

 

Convoy MT.134 departed Methil. The convoy arrived in the Tyne later that day.

_____

 

Convoy FS.246 departed the Tyne, escorted by destroyer VALOROUS and sloop STORK. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 10th.

_____

 

Convoy HX.64 departed Halifax escorted by Canadian destroyer ASSINIBOINE and auxiliary patrol boat FRENCH at 1630. Destroyer SAGUENAY and auxiliary patrol boat LAURIER departed escorted SHX.64 and joined at sea

 

Patrol boat FRENCH returned to Halifax after dark on the 8th and destroyer ASSINIBOINE remained with the convoy until 2030/9th leaving the convoy to ocean escort, armed merchant cruiser RAJPUTANA. The armed merchant cruiser was detached on the 20th.

 

Convoy BHX.64 departed Bermudaon 7 August escorted by her ocean escort of light cruiser CARADOC. The convoy rendezvoused with convoy HX.64 on the 12th and the light cruiser was detached.

 

On the 20th, destroyer WARWICK, sloop SANDWICH, corvettes GARDENIA and MALLOW joined the convoy. They arrived with the convoy at Liverpool on the 23rd.

_____

 

U.37 sank British steamer UPWEY GRANGE (9130grt) in 54‑20N, 15‑28W.

 

Thirty three crew and three passengers were missing from the British steamer.

 

The survivors were rescued by British trawler NANIWA (340grt).

_____

 

Three Italian air raids were launched on Berbera. Australian light cruiser HOBART, sloop AUCKLAND, anti-submarine trawler AMBER, several steamers were in port.

 

Light cruiser HOBART and armed boarding vessel CHAKDINA were damaged by splinters from near misses.

_____

 

Destroyers HERO, HASTY, IMPERIAL departed Haifa to east east and north of Cyprus.

 

Destroyer HASTY was detached off Haifa to escort a local convoy.

 

Destroyers IMPERIAL and HERO arrived back at Alexandria on the 10th. Destroyer HASTY arrived later on the 10th.

_____

 

In Operation TUBE, submarine PROTEUS, which departed Gibraltar on the 1st, arrived at Malta with spares and ground equipment for the Hurricanes brought to Malta by HURRY.

 

In harbour, submarine PROTEUS was in a collision with British tug ANDROMEDA. The submarine was repairing until 22 August.

_____

 

Light cruiser DURBAN completed her refitting begun at Singapore in July.

_____

 

Light cruiser DRAGON arrived at Lobito to refuel prior to joining convoy RS.5.

 

The cruiser departed the next day and joined the convoy on the 11th.

_____

 

American destroyers WALKE and WAINWRIGHT departed Santos for Rio de Janiero.

_____

 

German armed merchant cruiser WIDDER sank Dutch steamer OOSTPLEIN (5095grt) in the Central Atlantic 200 miles south of the Azores.

 

The crew were made prisoners of war and were landed at St Nazaire on 9 October.

_____

 

Italian minelayer SCILLA escorted by torpedo boats ANTARES and SAGITARIO laid mines off Pantelleria.

 

Destroyer HOSTILE was lost later this month on this minefield.

 

 

Friday, 9 August

 

Destroyer JAVELIN departed Scapa Flow at 1415 for Lerwick to escort British steamer ROGNVALD to Aberdeen.

 

At Aberdeen, destroyer JAVELIN meet LOCHNAGAR and escorted her to Lerwick, arriving at 1545 on the 11th.

 

Destroyer JAVELIN then arrived at Scapa Flow.

_____

 

Convoy OA.196 departed Methil escorted by sloop ROCHESTER and corvette PRIMROSE on the 9th. Anti-submarine trawlers KING SOL and AYRSHIRE escorted the convoy on the 11th.

_____

 

Convoy FN.247 departed Southend, escorted by destroyer WINCHESTER, sloop WESTON, patrol sloop SHELDRAKE. The convoy arrived in the Tyne on the 11th.

_____

 

Convoy MT.135 departed Methil. The convoy arrived in the Tyne later that day.

_____

 

Convoy FS.247 departed the Tyne, escorted by destroyers VEGA and WESTMINSTER. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 11th.

_____

 

U.30 sank Swedish steamer CANTON (5779grt) seventy miles west of Tory Island.

 

Sixteen crewmembers were missing in the loss of the steamer.

_____

 

Italian destroyers MAESTRALE, GRECALE, LIBECCIO, SCIROCCO laid mines off Pantelleria.

_____

 

Dutch light cruiser SUMATRA departed Trinidad for Freetown.

 

The light cruiser arrived on the 20th, en route to the Dutch East Indies.

 

 

Saturday, 10 August

 

Destroyers COSSACK, SIKH, MAORI, DUNCAN departed Scapa Flow at 0830 to join convoy OA.196 which was escorted by sloop ROCHESTER and corvette PRIMROSE.

 

The destroyers stayed with the convoy as far as Cape Wrath, then proceeded to Loch Alsh for minelaying operation SN.13.

_____

 

Destroyers JAGUAR and CATTISTOCK were to join convoy HX.61 from Cape Wrath to Pentland Firth, but were unable to do so.

 

Convoy HX.61 was delayed by a full northerly gale in the Minches.

 

Destroyer JAGUAR rescued the crew of British steamer ALBULA (329grt) of convoy OA.196. The steamer had been abandoned in a sinking condition after a collision in 58‑38N, 4‑35. 5W.

 

Destroyer CATTISTOCK was unable to make headway against seas experienced to the westward of Pentland Firth.

 

Destroyers JAGUAR and CATTISTOCK arrived at Scapa Flow at 0900/11th.

_____

 

Destroyer ARROW departed Scapa Flow at 2200 to return to the Western Approaches Command.

_____

 

S/Lt F. Combes RNR, was lost overboard from Destroyer ANTHONY at sea.

_____

 

British Hunt destroyer HOLDERNESS was completed.

 

Destroyer HOLDERNESS arrived at Scapa Flow on the 12th for working up at Scapa Flow in the 23rd Destroyer Division. She departed on 2 September for duty in the Nore with the 21st Destroyer Flotilla.

_____

 

Armed merchant cruiser TRANSYLVANIA (Captain F. N. Miles Rtd), which departed the Clyde on the 9th, was sunk at 0011 by U.56 west of Ireland in 55‑50, 08‑03W.

 

Temporary Lt Cdr J. A. Lefevre RNR, Lt (E) R. W. Calderwood RNR, Gunner H. H. Buckley Rtd and thirty two ratings were lost on the armed merchant cruiser.

 

At 0215, destroyer ASHANTI, on passage to the Clyde, was ordered to assist the armed merchant cruiser.

 

Destroyers HAVELOCK and FORTUNE were ordered to assist TRANSYLVANIA.

 

Destroyer HAMBLEDON put to sea escorting tugs SALVONIA and ENGLISHMAN to assist the armed merchant cruiser, but this was cancelled when it was found she was found beyond salving.

 

Destroyers HAVELOCK, FORTUNE, ASHANTI, ACHATES, ANTHONY conducted an anti-submarine search for the submarine responsible.

 

Destroyers ASHANTI, FORTUNE, ACHATES, ANTHONY, HAVELOCK proceeded to Greenock after the anti-submarine patrol and arrived at 1915 on the 10th.

_____

 

British steamers CITY OF DUNDEE (5273grt) and CITY OF BRISBANE (8006grt) in convoy FS.247 were lost when grounded near Southend in 51-32-30N, 1-23-30E.

_____

 

Convoy FN.248 departed Southend, escorted by destroyer WOOLSTON and sloop FLEETWOOD. Patrol sloop PINTAIL joined on 11 and was detached later that day. The convoy arrived in the Tyne on the 12th.

_____

 

Convoy MT.136 departed Methil. The convoy arrived in the Tyne later that day.

_____

 

Convoy FS.248 departed the Tyne, escorted by destroyer WOLSEY and sloop EGRET. Patrol sloop PINTAIL joined on the 11th and was detached on the 12th.

_____

 

Swedish steamer VARIA (929grt) was sunk by German bombing sixty miles southeast of Fastnet.

 

Seven crew were missing on the Swedish steamer.

_____

 

British steamer BLAIRCLOVA (5083grt) was damaged by German bombing twenty miles north, northeast of Holyhead.

_____

 

Dutch steamer HAULERWIJK (3278grt) was damaged by German bombing in 51‑54N, 05‑45W.

_____

 

British drifter YOUNG SID (100grt) was sunk in a collision in Moray Firth with a collier.

_____

 

Danish steamer KIRSTEN (1196grt) was sunk on a mine off the Danish coast.

_____

 

Convoy BN.3 departed Bombay carrying the troops brought to India in convoy WS.1.

 

Troopships TALMABA (8018grt), TAKLIWA (7936grt), DEVONSHIRE (11,275grt), DILWARA (11,080grt), LANCASHIRE (9557grt), KHEDIVE ISMAEL (7290grt), RAJULA (8478grt), ROHNA (8602grt) comprised the convoy.

 

Armed merchant cruisers RANCHI and ANTENOR escorted the convoy from 10 to 15 August.

 

Light cruiser LEANDER escorted the convoy from 15 to 21 August.

 

Sloop HINDUSTAN escorted the convoy from 16 to 17 August.

 

At Aden, destroyers KINGSTON and KIMBERLEY and sloop PARRAMATTA joined the convoy and continued with it until 21 August.

 

On the 21st, sloops GRIMSBY and CLIVE joined the convoy and continued with it until arriving at Suez on the 23rd.

_____

 

British troopship NEURALIA with evacuees from Gibraltar sailed for Madeira, escorted locally by destroyer GALLANT.

_____

 

German armed merchant cruiser WIDDER sank Finnish barque KILLORAN (1817grt) south, southwest of the Azores in the Central Atlantic, in 32-30N, 34W.

 

The Finnish crew was returned to Abo.

 

Three Argentines were returned to Argentina.

 

Some of the crew were interned.

 

 

Sunday, 11 August

 

Battleship REVENGE, carrying £14.5 million pounds in gold being transferred to Canada, armed merchant cruiser ASTURIAS, steamers EMPRESS OF AUSTRALIA (21,833grt), ORONSAY (20,043grt), SAMARIA (19,597grt), ANTONIA (13,867grt), DUCHESS OF YORK (20,021grt), GEORGIC (27,759grt) departed the Clyde at 1030 escorted by destroyers ASHANTI, which departed Scapa Flow at 1000/9th, GRIFFIN, WATCHMAN, VORTIGERN.

 

The gold transfer and convoy was designated convoy "ZA".

 

Steamer ORION (23,371grt) departed the Clyde at the same time as this convoy. She was joined at sea by armed merchant cruiser ASTURIAS which escorted her to Freetown. The steamer was taken by Dutch light cruiser SUMATRA to Capetown to rejoin convoy WS.2 B.

_____

 

Destroyers COSSACK (D.4), SIKH, MAORI, DUNCAN joined Rear Admiral Minelaying on minelayer SOUTHERN PRINCE with minelayers PORT QUEBEC, PORT NAPIER, MENESTHEUS, which departed Loch Alsh at 0230/11th to lay minefield SN.13.

 

Survey ship SCOTT laid the navigational buoys.

 

The minefield was laid and the destroyers arrived back at Scapa Flow at 0700/13th.

_____

 

Destroyer HOLDERNESS, on passage north to Scapa Flow, was diverted to Rosyth to act as part of the escort for submarine depot ship TITANIA to Belfast.

_____

 

Light cruiser ARETHUSA and destroyer FOXHOUND departed Scapa Flow at 0630 for repairs and refitting at Chatham.

 

Light cruiser ARETHUSA was under repair from 17 August to 30 September at Chatham.

 

Destroyer FOXHOUND was under repair at London until 12 October.

_____

 

Destroyer WINDSOR was damaged by German bombing off Botany Buoy in the Thames Estuary.

 

Destroyer WINDSOR was taken to London for repairs, completed at the end of October.

_____

 

Destroyer ESK was damaged by German bombing at Harwich. She was repaired in one week.

_____

 

Destroyer SCIMITAR was damaged by near misses while in Portland Harbour. Destroyer SCIMITAR was repaired in four days.

_____

 

While in Portland Harbour, destroyer SKATE was damaged by near misses which wrecked her bridge. She did not require immediate repair for the damage.

_____

 

S/Lt H. W. Isherwood was killed when his Fulmar of 806 Squadron crashed near Aberdour.

_____

 

Convoy OA.197 departed Methil. No escorts were listed.

_____

 

Convoy OB.197 departed Liverpool escorted by destroyer WINCHELSEA from 11 to 14 August,sloop SCARBOROUGH from 11 to 15 August, destroyers ARROW and ANTHONY on the 12th.

_____

 

Convoy FN.249 departed Southend, escorted by destroyer VALOROUS and sloop STORK. The convoy arrived in the Tyne on the 13th.

_____

 

Convoy MT.137 departed Methil. The convoy arrived in the Tyne later that day.

_____

 

Convoy FS.249 departed the Tyne, escorted by destroyers VIMIERA and WOLFHOUND and sloop LONDONDERRY. The convoy arrived in the Tyne on the 14th.

_____

 

U.38 sank British steamer LLANFAIR (4966grt) in 54‑48N, 13‑46W.

 

Two crew were killed and one died later from the British steamer. Thirty survivors were picked up by Armed merchant cruiser CALIFORNIA.

_____

 

British trawler EDWARDIAN was damaged by bombing off Kent. Three crew were killed and three wounded. The trawler was run agroun at North Foreland to prevent sinking.

_____

 

British steamer KIRNWOOD (3829grt) was damaged by German bombing in 52‑27N, 02‑10E.

_____

 

British tanker OIL TRADER (5550grt) was damaged by German bombing 3½ miles 071° from Shipwash Light Vessel.

_____

 

Convoy HG.41 with 45 ships departed Gibraltar escorted by destroyer VELOX from 11 to 15 August.

 

Sloop FOLKESTONE escorted the convoy from 11 to 24 August.

 

Destroyers RESTIGOUCHE and VANOC escorted the convoy from 22 to 24 August.

 

Destroyer WALKER and corvette ARABIS from convoy OB.200 escorted the convoy from 22 August to 24 and 25 August, respectively. The convoy arrived at Liverpool on the 26th.

_____

 

Heavy cruiser DORSETSHIRE arrived at Freetown from patrol in the northern half of the South Atlantic.

_____

 

Britihs convoy SL.43 departed Freetown escorted by armed merchant cruiser DUNVEGAN CASTLE to 27 August and sloop MILFORD to 13 August.

 

Due to the lack of escorts,Convoy SLF.43 departed Freetown at the same time. The convoy was joined by light cruiser DELHI, after refuelling at St Vincent and departing the evening of 10 August, to 16 August, when the convoy rendezvoused with convoy SL.43.

 

Sloop MILFORD escorted the Polish steamer CIESZYN to Bathurst, then returned to Freetown, arriving on the 15th.

 

Included in the convoy was steamer STAFFORDSHIRE, carrying the survivors from sunken steamer CAPE ST GEORGE.

 

Light cruiser DELHI arrived back at Freetown on the 20th.

 

On 26 August, sloop FOWEY and corvette PERWINKLE joined the convoy. on the 27th, destroyer WINCHELSEA and corvette PRIMROSE joined the convoy. The convoy arrived on the 31st.

_____

 

British steamers CERAMIC and TESTBANK collied at 27-15S, 10-00E.

 

Heavy cruiser CUMBERLAND took steamer CERAMIC in tow, but it was not successful and the tow was later slipped. Steamer British VISCOUNT was in company.

 

The passengers in steamer CERAMIC were transferred to VICEROY OF INDIA.

 

Tug MCEWEN took steamer CERAMIC in tow and the heavy cruiser proceed to Simonstown for refuelling, arriving on the 17th.

 

Steamer TESTBANK proceeded to Capetown with damaged bows, accompanied by steamer British VISCOUNT.

 

Steamer TESTBANK arrived at Capetown on the 15th and steamer CERAMIC at Walvis Bay on the 16th.

_____

 

Convoy BS.2A departed Suez, escorted by sloop GRIMSBY. Light cruiser CALEDON joined on 13 September. The convoy arrived at Aden on the 17th.

 

 

Monday, 12 August

 

Heavy cruiser NORFOLK and Australian heavy cruiser AUSTRALIA departed Scapa Flow to patrol north of the Faroes for German shipping.

 

The cruisers were relieved by anti-aircraft cruisers NAIAD and BONAVENTURE and returned to Scapa Flow after an uneventful patrol on the 16th.

 

The anti-aircraft cruisers patrolled until returning to Scapa Flow on the 20th.

_____

 

The Home Fleet at Scapa Flow was brought to two and a half hour's notice at 2217.

_____

 

Destroyer WATCHMAN was damaged by near misses of air bombs north of Ireland. She spent no time out of service, but proceeded later in the month to Hull for refitting.

_____

 

Destroyer GARTH departed Greenock at 1750 to join convoy WN.7 and proceed with it to Methil.

_____

 

Destroyer VANITY completed her conversion to escort vessel.

_____

 

Minesweeping trawlers PYROPE (295grt, Temporary Skipper A. J. Folkard RNR) and TAMARISK (545grt, Skipper S. C. W. Bavidge RNR) of Minesweeper Group 2 were sunk by German bombing off North East Spit Buoy in the Thames Estuary.

 

Six ratings were lost on trawler PYROPE. Seven ratings were lost on the trawler TAMARISK.

_____

 

British trawlers ERMINE (181grt), KERNEVAL (172grt), RIVER YTHAN (161grt) were damaged by German bombing off Smalls.

_____

 

Convoy OB.197 departed Liverpool escorted by destroyer MACKAY, sloop LEITH, corvette HEARTSEASE from 13 to 16 August. The destroyer and the corvette were detached to convoy HX.63.

_____

 

Convoy FN.250 departed Southend. The convoy arrived in the Tyne on the 14th.

_____

 

Convoy MT.138 departed Methil. The convoy arrived in the Tyne later that day.

_____

 

Convoy FS.250 departed the Tyne, escorted by sloops BLACK SWAN and HASTINGS. Patrol sloop GUILLEMOT joined on the 13th. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 14th.

_____

 

Convoy HX.65 departed Halifax escorted by Canadian destroyer ASSINIBOINE and auxiliary patrol boat FRENCH at 1540.

 

Convoy SHX.65 departed Sydney, CB escorted by Canadian destroyer SAGUENAY and auxiliary patrol boat LAURIER. They joined HX.65 at sea.

 

At 1940, FRENCH was ordered to return to Halifax.

 

Destroyer ASSINIBOINE arrived back at Halifax at 0645 on the 14th after turning over the convoy to armed merchant cruiser VOLTAIRE. The armed merchant cruiser was detached on the 23rd.

 

Convoy BHX.65 departed Bermuda on the 11th escorted by ocean escort armed merchant cruiser MONTCLARE. The convoy rendezvoused with convoy HX.65 on the 16th and the armed merchant cruiser was detached.

 

On 24 August, destroyers SKEENA and WESTCOTT and corvette GODETIA joined the convoy. Sloop LOWESTOFT joined on the 26th. They arrived with the convoy on the 27th at Liverpool.

_____

 

Italian submarine MALASPINA sank British tanker British FAME (8406grt), which had been dispersed from convoy OB.193, in 37‑44N, 22‑56W.

 

Three crew were lost and one was taken prisoner from the British tanker. Portuguese destroyer DAO proceeded to assist.

_____

 

Destroyers NUBIAN, MOHAWK, IMPERIAL, HOSTILE departed Alexandria at 0600 on an anti-submarine sweep MD 6.

 

Light cruiser NEPTUNE and Australian light cruiser SYDNEY departed Alexandria at 0700 on an anti shipping sweep and to provide cover for the destroyers.

 

Light cruisers NEPTUNE and SYDNEY and destroyer IMPERIAL arrived back at Alexandria on the 14th. Destroyers NUBIAN and HOSTILE remained at sea to search for submarine MICCA which unsuccessfully attacked light cruisers in 32-06N, 28-31E.

 

Destroyers NUBIAN and HOSTILE arrived back at Alexandria on the 15th.

_____

 

German steamers QUITO (1230grt) and BOGOTA (1230grt) arrived at Yokohama.

 

 

Tuesday, 13 August

 

Vice Admiral Somerville departed Scapa Flow at 1600 to return to Gibraltar with battlecruiser RENOWN, escorted in the local approaches by destroyers TARTAR, BEDOUIN, PUNJABI, MASHONA.

 

Returning to Scapa Flow, the destroyers carried out an anti-submarine sweep.

 

Destroyers TARTAR, BEDOUIN, PUNJABI, MASHONA arrived at Scapa Flow at 0630/15th.

_____

 

Light cruiser SHEFFIELD and anti-aircraft cruiser CAIRO arrived at Scapa Flow.

_____

 

At 0440, the Home Fleet at Scapa Flow was brought to one hour's notice.

 

At 1031, the Admiralty advised no ship was to be taken in hand for boiler cleaning or refitting until further orders.

_____

 

British minefield BS.31 was laid by minelayers PLOVER and WILLEM VAN DER ZAAN and destroyers INTREPID and IMPULSIVE.

_____

 

Convoy OA.198 departed Methil escorted by sloop DEPTFORD on the 13th and corvette BLUEBELL and escort vessel GLEANER on the 14th. The corvette and the escort vessel were detached to convoy SL.42.

_____

 

Convoy FN.251 departed Southend. The convoy arrived in the Tyne on the 15th.

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Convoy MT.139 departed Methil. The convoy arrived in the Tyne later that day.

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Convoy FS.251 departed the Tyne, escorted by destroyer VIVIEN and sloop FLEETWOOD. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 15th.

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S/Lt (A) P. T. Eckersley RNVR, Naval Airman S. J. Snow were killed when their Proctor of 755 Squadron crashed near Winchester.

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U.60 sank Swedish steamer NILS GORTHON (1787grt), a straggler from convoy HX.62, twenty five miles north, northeast of Malin Head, in 55-45N, 7-30W.

 

Four crew were lost on the Swedish steamer.

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Minesweeping trawler ELIZABETH ANGELA (253grt, Temporary Skipper F. A. Meggitt RNR) was sunk by German bombing in the Downs, in 51-19-57N, 1-33-03E.

 

One crewman was killed on the trawler.

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Destroyer KIMBERLEY and sloop AUCKLAND bombarded El Sheika, forty miles west of Berbera.

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Swedish steamer MONGOLIA (2124grt) was sunk on a mine twelve to fifteen miles from land in Kiel Bay.

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Nine Swordfish of 830 Squadron from Malta attacked Augusta.

 

Midshipman (A) D. S. Edmondson and Naval Airman R. Pearson were lost when their aircraft was shot down. Lt D. W. Waters and Naval Airman S. D. Harris were shot down and captured. A third plane, piloted by Lt Cdr A. F. Hall with Lt B. Walford and Leading Airman F. Pickles,was lost, but the crew was rescued by a British rescue boat.

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American heavy cruisers WICHITA and QUINCY departed Pernambuco for Montevideo.

 

 

Wednesday, 14 August

 

Aircraft carrier ILLUSTRIOUS departed the Clyde for Scapa Flow escorted by destroyers HAMBLEDON, ATHERSTONE, ECLIPSE.

 

These ships arrived at Scapa Flow at 0600/15th.

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At Scapa Flow during a gale, anti-aircraft cruiser NAIAD dragged across the bows of light cruiser AJAX.

 

Light cruiser AJAX's bow was damaged. There was superficial damage to NAIAD.

 

Light cruiser AJAX proceeded to Liverpool for repairs.

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Destroyers ESCAPADE and CATTISTOCK departed Scapa Flow at 0100 to search for a German submarine reported by aircraft in 60-47N, 2-22W at 1803. They were to be in 59‑00N, 5‑30W for an anti-submarine sweep. The search was unsuccessful.

 

British aircraft bombed a contact at 0553 in 60-00N, 4-13W, on course 230. This was determined to probably be the same submarine of the earlier report.

 

Destroyers INGLEFIELD and FIREDRAKE departed Scapa Flow at 1115 to join the search.

 

These four destroyers were ordered to return to harbour if no contact was made by 0800/15th.

 

Destroyers DUNCAN and JAGUAR were exercising to the west of Hoy.

 

At 0854, on her return to Hatston, the same aircraft as had made the attack at 0553, sighted a submarine diving.

 

Destroyers DUNCAN and JAGUAR were sent to search in the area.

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Destroyer KIPLING departed the Humber at 1050 after repairs and arrived at Scapa Flow at 0600/15th.

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Destroyers ASHANTI, just arrived from Loch Alsh, ECHO departed Scapa Flow at 2000 to escort British steamer ULSTER MONARCH (3791grt) to the Faroes.

 

The destroyers arrived back at Scapa Flow at 1615 on the 16th.

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Destroyers WATCHMAN and VORTIGERN arrived at Scapa Flow at 1945 from convoy "ZA" escort.

 

Destroyer VORTIGERN was damaged alongside an oiler in harbour. She was repaired by depot ship WOOLWICH, but was unable to depart with WATCHMAN as planned.

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Lt W. A. F. Fryer, S/Lt (A) A. J. Mourilyan RNVR, Petty Officer A. T. Tyler were killed when their Swordfish of 821 Squadron crashed in 60-00N, 3-06W while on anti-submarine patrol.

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Destroyers WITHERINGTON and VOLUNTEER were escorting a convoy off Portland when it was unsuccessfully attacked by a German submarine.

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Destroyers MALCOLM and VERITY with motor torpedo boats MTB.18, MTB.14, MTB.16 in sweep PO attacked a German convoy of six trawlers escorted by three S.boats off Texel. They claimed sinking one S.boat and one trawler.

 

MTB.18 was damaged when it rammed a motor minesweeper, but was able to return.

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Patrol sloop KINGFISHER and tug CARBON were damaged by German bombing in Portland Harbour.

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Convoy OB.198 departed Liverpool escorted by destroyers VISCOUNT and HESPERUS and corvette CLARKIA from 14 to 17 August. The convoy was dispersed on the 18th.

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Convoy FN.252 departed Southend. The convoy arrived in the Tyne on the 16th.

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Convoy MT.140 departed Methil. The convoy arrived in the Tyne later that day.

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Convoy FS.252 departed the Tyne, escorted by destroyer WOOLSTON and sloop FLEETWOOD. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 16th.

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U.59 sank British steamer BETTY (2339grt) 35 miles 260° from Tory Island.

 

Thirty crew were lost on the British steamer.

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U.60 made an unsuccessful attack on a steamer north of Tory Island.

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U.65 was to land an agent on the Irish coast.

 

However, this operation was cancelled when the agent died en route.

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German minelayers TANNENBURG, COBRA, ROLAND laid mines in the southwest North Sea in "SW.2". The minelayers were escorted by torpedo boats T.2 and T.3 of the 1st Torpedo Boat Flotilla and GREIF, FALKE, KONDOR, ILTIS, JAGUAR of the 5th Torpedo Boat Flotilla.

 

Destroyers JACOBI and GALSTER laid mines in this operation.

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Heavy cruiser KENT departed Colombo on the 4th and arrived Aden on the 11th.

 

Heavy cruiser KENT arrived at Suez on the 14th to join the Mediterranean Fleet.

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Battleship ROYAL SOVEREIGN and destroyers DAINTY, DEFENDER, DECOY departed Alexandria on the 11th for Port Said. They departed Suez on the 12th to depart the Mediterranean through the Red Sea.

 

Battleship ROYAL SOVEREIGN was unsuccessfully attacked in the Red Sea by Italian submarine FERRARIS at 2355 on the 14th.

 

The Destroyers were relieved on the 15th by Australian sloop PARRAMATTA.

 

Battleship ROYAL SOVEREIGN arrived at Durban on 15 September and was repairing and refitting until 15 October. She then proceeded to Gibraltar arriving from Capetown and Freetown on 18 November. The battleship after repairing defects proceeded on 1 December to Halifax.

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Destroyers HOTSPUR, GREYHOUND, ENCOUNTER, GALLANT departed Gibraltar to rendezvous with battlecruiser RENOWN.

 

The next day, the destroyers returned to harbour as the battlecruiser was delayed in Home Waters.

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Sloop BRIDGEWATER departed Lagos for Victoria with the Governor's representatives and one of de Gaulle's mission.

 

The sloop arrived later that day. The sloop arrived back at Lagos on the 18th.

 

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Sloop BRIDGEWATER departed Lagos for Victoria with the Governor's representatives and one of de Gaulle's mission.

 

The sloop arrived later that day. The sloop arrived back at Lagos on the 18th.

 
 

on to Naval Events, AUGUST 1940, Part 2
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revised 7/4/12
further editing is required