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

NAVAL EVENTS, SEPTEMBER 1940 (Part 2 of 2)
Sunday  15th – Monday 30th

HM S/M United (CyberHeritage, click to enlarge)

on to Naval Events, OCTOBER 1940

 

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 - September-December 1940

U-boat packs in Atlantic, Blitz on Britain, Attack on Taranto, German raiders at sea


 

 

1940

 

                                                           

Sunday,  15 September

 

Destroyer DUNCAN departed Rosyth at 0000/15th after being delayed by weather, and arrived at Scapa Flow at 1830 on the same day.

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Destroyer DOUGLAS departed Scapa Flow during the forenoon to rendezvous with destroyer SOMALI and take over the escort of steamer KYLE FISHER to the Clyde. After  carrying out B.P.T. firing, SOMALI entered the Clyde.

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Convoy OB.214 departed Liverpool escorted by destroyer HURRICANE and corvettes GERANIUM and PERIWINKLE. The destroyer detached on the 17th.

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Convoy FN.281 departed Southend, escorted by destroyers VALOROUS and WINCHESTER, and arrived in the Tyne on the 17th.

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Convoy MT.170 departed Methil, and arrived in the Tyne the next day.

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Convoy FS.282 departed the Tyne, escorted by destroyers VALOROUS and WOLFHOUND, and arrived at Southend on the 16th.

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In attacks on convoy SC.3, U.48 torpedoed sloop DUNDEE (Captain O M F Stokes Rtd) in 56‑45N, 14‑14W, British steamer EMPIRE VOLUNTEER (5319grt) in 56‑43N, 15‑17W, Greek steamer ALEXANDROS (4343grt) in 56‑50N, 15‑04W, and British steamer KENORDOC (1780grt), a straggler, in 57‑42N, 15‑02W. DUNDEE was taken in tow by Canadian destroyer ST LAURENT.

 

Lt Cdr J. A Dennis, S/Lt E. J. D. Huke, Probationary Temporary Lt J. L. Kilburn RNR, Surgeon Lt T. I. David RNVR, Temporary Paymaster S/Lt D. G. Image RNVR, Commissioned Engineer S. C. Pyne, and six ratings were lost on the sloop, and the survivorswere picked up by destroyer WANDERER and Norwegian steamers FIDO (1857grt), VIGSNES (1599grt), and HILD (1356grt).

 

Six crew were lost on the EMPIRE VOLUNTEER. Five crew were missing from steamer ALEXANDROS. Twenty three ALEXANDROS survivors were picked up by destroyer WANDERER. Seven crew were lost on steamer KENORDOC. Destroyer AMAZON and Canadian destroyer ST LAURENT rescued the survivors from steamer KENORDOC. Destroyer ARROW was searching for survivors in the area.

 

U.48 also attacked British steamer EMPIRE SOLDIER (4458grt), which had been damaged in a collision, but did not damage her further.

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U.65 sank Norwegian steamer HIRD (4950grt) in 58‑00N, 12‑20W, 90 miles east of Rockall.

 

The entire crew was rescued.

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British steamer HALLARD (1264grt) was sunk by German bombing eight miles 70° from Dunbar. Seventeen crew were lost.

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British steamer NAILSEA RIVER (5548grt) was sunk by German bombing four miles east of Montrose. The entire crew was rescued.

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British tanker CORONDA (7503grt) was damaged by German bombing in 58‑07N, 09‑24W.

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British tanker REGENT LION (9551grt) was damaged by German bombing in North Channel off the Mull of Kintyre.

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British steamer WEST HARSHAW (5656grt) was damaged by German bombing in North Channel.

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British steamer STANWOLD (1020grt) was damaged by German bombing at Southampton.

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Dutch steamer VEERHAVEN (5291grt) was damaged by German bombing in the Port of London.

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The first group of Lend Lease destroyers departed St Johns.

 

Destroyers CAMPBELTOWN, CASTLETON, CALDWELL, CHELSEA, and CLARE made the voyage to Belfast without incident arriving on the 26th. The destroyers went on to Devonport arriving on the 28th.

 

Destroyer CAMERON sailed from St Johns with the other destroyers, but had to return because of generator problems. She finally arrived at Belfast on 7 November.

 

Destroyers CHURCHILL and CHESTERFIELD were damaged twice in a collision and were unable to sail.

 

Destroyer CHURCHILL sailed from Halifax and arrived at Devonport on 17 November.

 

Destroyer CHESTERFIELD later sailed from Halifax and arrived at Belfast on 18 November and Plymouth on 22 November.

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German torpedo boats T.5, T.6, T.7, and T.8 of the 2nd Torpedo Boat Flotilla laid minefield BERNHARD in the Dover Strait.

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Submarine PANDORA unsuccessfully attacked an Italian steamer off Benghasi.

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The MENACE convoy arrived at Freetown.

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Anti-aircraft cruiser COVENTRY departed Port Sudan with a convoy for Aden. The convoy and its escorts arrived on the 19th. The convoy was bombed on its arrival at Aden.

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Battleship ROYAL SOVEREIGN arrived at Durban.

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Convoy MS of the MENACE operation arrived at Freetown, escorted by French sloop SAVORGNAN DE BRAZZA andescort vessel PRESIDENT HOUDACE.

 

 

Monday,  16 September

 

Destroyer DUNCAN, returning with aircraft carrier FURIOUS from a practice shoot west of the Orkneys, exploded a British mine.

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Destroyers WORCESTER and WILD SWAN were involved in a minor collision in Harwich Harbour. There was no damage to WORCESTER, but WILD SWAN was repaired at Harwich on the 16th and 17th.

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Convoy OA.215 departed Methil.

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Convoy FN.282 departed Southend, escorted by destroyer WINCHESTER and sloop EGRET, and arrived in the Tyne on the 18th.

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Convoy MT.171 departed the Tyne. The convoy arrived in the Tyne on the 17th.

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Convoy FS.283 departed the Tyne, escorted by destroyer VIVIEN and sloop LONDONDERRY, and arrived at Southend on the 19th.

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Submarine H.49 attacked a convoy of eight supply ships in 53-16N, 4-42E.

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In the North Sea, destroyer HOLDERNESS received damage to her turbine feet from a mine exploding close aboard. She was repaired at Sheerness in six days.

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Vichy French steamer TOUAREG (5135grt) was captured by light cruiser DRAGON off the Congo River.

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German armed merchant cruiser PINGUIN captured Norwegian steamer NORDVARD (4111grt) in the Indian Ocean in 30‑31S, 69‑09E. NORDVARD arrived at Bordeaux on 3 December and twenty eight of her crew were repatriated to Norway.

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U.99 sank Norwegian steamer NOTOS (1327grt) 15 miles NE of Rockall. Eight survivors were rescued.

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Steamer ASKA (8323grt), carrying 183 crew, one naval gunner, two naval signalmen, and 358 troops, was sunk by German bombing in 55‑15N, 05‑55W. Eleven crew and nineteen troops were lost, and the survivors rescued by escort vessel JASON. The steamer went ashore off Cara House. JASON was then damaged in collision with tug SCHELDT, and repaired at Rosyth, completing on the 23rd.

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Steamer CITY OF MOBILE (6614grt) was sunk by German bombing in 54‑18N, 05‑16W, but the entire crew was rescued.

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Heavy cruiser CORNWALL departed Freetown to join light cruisers DELHI and DRAGON and intercept French ships attempting to proceed to the Cameroons.

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Vichy French steamer POITIERS (4185grt), en route from Libreville to Dakar, was intercepted by heavy cruiser CUMBERLAND. She was scuttled rather than be captured, and the wreck dispatched by gunfire from CUMBERLAND, which rescued the entire crew.

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Light cruiser DELHI intercepted French steamer TOUAREG and escorted her into Takoradi.

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Aircraft carrier ARK ROYAL and destroyers INGLEFIELD, ESCAPADE, and FORTUNE arrived at Freetown.

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Light cruiser DRAGON arrived at Lagos.

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Dutch light cruiser SUMATRA departed Capetown for Mauritius.

 

 

Tuesday,  17 September

 

Destroyer DOUGLAS arrived at 0700 at Greenock escorting steamer KYLE FISHER.

 

Destroyer DOUGLAS proceeded up river for boiler repairs at Govan. The destroyer ran aground on entering the harbour.

 

Destroyer DOUGLAS was repaired through the end of September.

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Destroyer VERSATILE undocked from the AFD.12 Floating Dock at Scapa Flow after repairs to her stern gland.

 

Destroyer VERSATILE departed Scapa Flow at 2200 for Aberdeen to escort British steamer LADY OF MANN (3104grt) to Lerwick.

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Destroyer CHELSEA, en route to Belfast from Halifax, made an unsuccessful attack on a German submarine.

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Heavy cruiser SUSSEX arrived at Glasgow on the 2nd for a six week turbine repair.

 

On 17 September was damaged in German air attacks on Glasgow when a two hundred and fifty pound bomb penetrated the deck. She was set afire by splinter damage and when the dock was flooded to extinguish the fire, SUSSEX heeled over in dock.

 

Midshipman J. R. L. Cook was wounded and two ratings were killed.

 

The cruiser was badly damaged. She was refloated in October and taken to Stephen's Dry Dock at Linthouse, Greenock. The cruiser had to be rebuilt.

 

Heavy cruiser SUSSEX was repairing from November to 9 August 1942 at the Clyde. The cruiser arrived at Scapa Flow on the 4th 1942 for operations.

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Canadian destroyer MARGAREE (recommissioned on the 6th from Destroyer DIANA) was damaged by splinters in German bombing in the London Docks.

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French torpedo boat BOUCLIER was damaged in a collision.

The torpedo boat was repaired at Devonport from 17 September to 30 September.

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Convoy OB.215 departed Liverpool escorted by destroyer SHIKARI, sloop LOWESTOFT, and corvettes CALENDULA, HEARTSEASE, and LA MALOUINE. The escorted was detached on the 21st.

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Convoy FN.283 departed Southend, escorted by destroyers VANITY, VIMIERA, and WOOLSTON. The convoy arrived at Methil on the 19th.

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Convoy FS.284 departed the Tyne, escorted by destroyer VERDUN, sloop BLACK SWAN, and anti-submarine trawlers BASSET and TOURMALINE. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 19th.

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U.65 in attack on convoy HX.71 sank British steamer TREGENNA (5242grt) in 58‑22N, 15‑42W.

 

Thirty three crew, including a British naval rating, were missing on the British steamer.

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U.99 sank British steamer CROWN ARUN (2372grt), a straggler from convoy HX.71, in 58‑02N, 14‑18W.

 

The entire crew of the steamer was rescued by destroyer WINCHELSEA.

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Greek steamer KALLIOPI S.(5152grt) was sunk by German bombing eleven miles south west of Tory Island.

 

The steamer was abandoned and went onto the rocks at Sheephaven Bay, ten miles east of Tory Island.

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Operation MBD 1 was an attack on Benghazi launched from aircraft carrier ILLUSTRIOUS.

 

Heavy cruiser KENT, light cruisers LIVERPOOL and GLOUCESTER, and destroyers JERVIS and HEREWARD departed Alexandria on the 13th.

 

Aircraft carrier ILLUSTRIOUS, battleship VALIANT, light cruiser ORION, and destroyers HYPERION, HERO, HASTY, MOHAWK, NUBIAN, DAINTY, and DECOY departed Alexandria on the 15th.

 

On 16 September off the west coast of Crete, the two forces rendezvoused with anti-aircraft cruiser CALCUTTA and destroyers JANUS and JUNO.

 

Anti-aircraft cruiser CALCUTTA and destroyers JANUS and JUNO were detached and arrived at Alexandria that night.

 

For the attack, the British ships were divided into three Forces.

 

Force A was light cruiser ORION, aircraft carrier ILLUSTRIOUS, and destroyers NUBIAN, MOHAWK, HERO, and HASTY.

 

Force B was battleship VALIANT and destroyers HYPERION, DECOY, and WATERHEN.

 

Force C was heavy cruiser KENT, light cruisers LIVERPOOL and GLOUCESTER, and destroyers JERVIS and HEREWARD.

 

Destroyer HASTY reported a torpedo track and attacked a submarine contact at 1940/17th.

 

On 17 September, aircraft carrier ILLUSTRIOUS launched an air attack on Benghazi. Nine aircraft from the 815 Squadron attacked shipping in the harbour. Six aircraft from the 819 Squadron laid mines off the harbour.

 

Italian destroyer BOREA was sunk in torpedo plane attack.

 

Destroyer AQUILONE was sunk on a mine dropped by ILLUSTRIOUS aircraft. Italian steamers GLORIA STELLA (5490grt) and MARIA EUGENIA (4702grt) were sunk and Italian torpedo boats CIGNO and COSENZ and three merchant ships were badly damaged.

 

Heavy cruiser KENT and destroyers MOHAWK and NUBIAN were to have bombarded Bardia early on the 18th. However, at 2355 before the bombardment, an Italian torpedo plane torpedoed KENT and badly damaged her.

 

Cdr C. E. F. Hall, Temporary Paymaster S/Lt G. Yealland RNVR, and thirty one ratings were killed on the cruiser.

 

Anti-aircraft cruiser CALCUTTA departed Alexandria to support KENT's retirement.

 

Destroyer VENDETTA was sent from Alexandria to join KENT. Netlayer PROTECTOR and tug ST ISSEY departed Alexandria on the 18th.

 

Heavy cruiser KENT was towed to Alexandria by destroyer NUBIAN and screened by light cruiser ORION, anti-aircraft ship CALCUTTA, and destroyers JERVIS, JANUS, JUNO, MOHAWK, and VENDETTA. The cruiser safely arrived early on the 19th.

 

The dead were buried at sea from netlayer PROTECTOR during the evening of 19 September.

 

Aircraft carrier ILLUSTRIOUS, battleship VALIANT, light cruisers LIERPOOL and GLOUCESTER, and destroyers HASTY, HERO, HYPERION, DECOY, and HEREWARD were detached to Alexandria late on the 18th and arrived on the 19th.

 

After emergency repairs, KENT was sailed on 26 October to Port Said arriving on 27 October. She departed Suez on 28 October in convoy SW 20, Aden on 2 November, and was at Mombasa from 7 to 11 November.

 

She departed Mombasa on 11 November and arrived at Simonstown on 18 November remaining until 25 November. KENT arrived at Freetown on 4 December and departed on 7 December with convoy SL.58.

 

 Heavy cruiser KENT arrived at Plymouth on 27 December for repairs began on 1 January 1941. Repairs were completed on the 20th September 1941.

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Destroyers JANUS and JUNO departed Alexandria on the 17th for Mersa Matruh. They bombarded Sidi Barrani for twenty five minutes beginning at 2300. British gunboat LADYBIRD, which departed Alexandria for Mersa Matruh on the 16th, escorted by destroyer JUNO bombarded Sollum at 2330.

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Battlecruiser RENOWN and destroyers GRIFFIN, ENCOUNTER, WRESTLER, and VIDETTE departed Gibraltar for patrol in the vicinity of the Canary Islands.

 

On 18 September, destroyers GALLANT and FIREDRAKE joined RENOWN and relieved destroyers WRESTLER and VIDETTE which returned to Gibraltar.

 

The ships arrived back on the 20th.

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Heavy cruiser DEVONSHIRE, Australian heavy cruiser AUSTRALIA, and destroyers FURY and ECHO arrived at Freetown.

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Light cruiser DRAGON departed Lagos on patrol.

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Convoy HX.74 departed Halifax at 1230 escorted by Canadian destroyer ASSINIBOINE and armed yacht ELK, and auxiliary patrol boats HUSKY and LAURIER. However, at sea, ELK was ordered to return due to heavy weather.

 

The merchant ships which would have departed Bermuda in convoy BHX.74 were diverted before arrival to Halifax due to a forecast hurricane. Convoy BHX.74 was cancelled.

 

At 1930/18th, destroyer ASSINIBOINE returned to Halifax leaving the convoy to ocean escort, armed merchant cruiser MONTCLARE, which was detached on the 29th.

 

On 28 September, anti-aircraft ship ALYNBANK joined the convoy and was detached the next day. Destroyers SCIMITAR and WINCHELSEA, sloop ABERDEEN, and corvettes GERANIUM, HIBISCUS, and PERIWINKLE joined on the 29th. The convoy arrived at Liverpool on 2 October.

 

 

Wednesday,  18 September

 

Anti-aircraft cruiser CAIRO and destroyers ECLIPSE and FIREDRAKE departed the Clyde for Scapa Flow.

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Hunt-class destroyer CLEVELAND was completed. She departed the Clyde on the 29th for working up in the 23rd Destroyer Division.

 

Destroyer CLEVELAND arrived at Scapa Flow on 3 October to work up.

 

Destroyer CLEVELAND was later attached to the Portsmouth Command for duty in the 1st Destroyer Flotilla.

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Convoy OA.216 departed Methil escorted by corvettes CAMELLIA and FLEUR DE LYS, escort ship GLEANER, and anti-submarine trawlers INDIAN STAR and ULLSWATE from 18 to 21 September.

 

The convoy rendezvoused at sea with OB.216.

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Convoy FN.284 departed Southend, escorted by destroyers WALLACE and WOLFHOUND. The convoy arrived at Methil on the 20th.

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Convoy MT.178 departed Methil. The convoy arrived in the Tyne the next day.

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Convoy FS.285 departed the Tyne, escorted by destroyers VEGA and VORTIGERN. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 21st.

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British steamer LADY OF MANN, on passage to Lerwick, sustained weather damage to her forecastle.

 

Escorting destroyer VERSATILE had damage to her D. G. gear.

 

Both ships returned to Aberdeen.

 

The ships departed Aberdeen at 1800/19th for Aberdeen.

 

After delivering the steamer, destroyer VERSATILE proceeded to Scapa Flow.

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S/Lt P. O. Williams, in a Whitley of RAF 77 Squadron from Linton on Ouse, was killed when the aircraft was shot down near Achter-Ziluwent.

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German steamer JOHANN BLUMENTHAL (1626grt) was sunk by British bombing at Cherbourg.

 

German destroyer LODY rescued the survivors.

 

German torpedo boat T.11, also at Cherbourg, was splinter damaged by near misses.

 

Torpedo boat T.11 received temporary repairs at Cherbourg until 11 October. She proceeded to Wesermunde, arriving on 16 October, and was under repair until 6 June 1941.

 

Minelayer Schiff 23 was damaged by near misses.

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U.48 sank British steamers CITY OF BENARES (11,081grt, Convoy Commodore Rear Admiral E. J. G. MacKinnion DSO Rtd in 56‑43N, 21‑15W and MARINA (5088grt) in 56‑46N, 21‑15W from convoy OB.213.

 

Convoy OB.213 departed Liverpool on the 13th escorted by destroyer WINCHELSEA (Senior Officer) and two sloops.

 

The escort was detached and joined convoy HX.71 on the 17th.

 

Steamer CITY OF BENARES had on board a crew of 207, two naval gunners, which were both lost, and 191 passengers, including children being evacuated to Canada. One hundred and nineteen crew and 134 passengers were lost.

 

Two crew were lost on the steamer MARINA.

 

Destroyer HURRICANE (Senior Officer for OB.214 escort) was detached from her convoy to rescue survivors.

 

Destroyer HURRICANE picked up 117 survivors from CITY OF BENARES and MARINA and arrived at Greenock on the 20th.

 

On 25 September, sixteen survivors from MARINA arrived in their open boat north of Tory Island Light. They were picked up by a steamer and taken to Londonderry.

 

Destroyer ANTHONY picked up another boatload of forty six survivors from CITY OF BENARES on the 25th. She arrived at Gourock on the 26th.

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U.48 sank British steamer MAGDALENA (3118grt) in 57‑20N, 20‑16W.

 

The entire crew of the MAGDALENA was lost.

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British steamer RUDMORE (969grt) was damaged by German bombing at Gravesend Reach.

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British steam barge LING (164grt) was damaged by German bombing at North Morpeth Docks, Liverpool.

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Swedish steamer FRISIA (1059grt) was seized by German forces at Bordeaux.

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Italian submarine BAGNOLINI sank Spanish steamer CABO TORTOSA (3302grt) near Oporto.

 

Spanish steamer MONTE AYALA (2955grt) rescued the entire crew of the Spanish steamer.

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In the Gulf of Guinea, at 0841 on the 18th, Heavy cruiser CORNWALL reported French light cruiser PRIMAUGUET and tanker TARN in 5-16N, 7-16W. The French ships were en route torefuel French Force Y, returning to Dakar from the Cameroons.

The heavy cruiser was ordered to shadow the French ships only on the 18th.

 

Light cruiser DELHI joined heavy cruiser CORNWALL on the 19th.

 

The French light cruiser and tanker were stopped by heavy cruiser CORNWALL at 1229 on the 19th.

 

The French ships were escorted towards Casablanca by the British ships. On 22 September, near Freetown, light cruiser DELHI was detached for refuelling. Heavy cruiser CORNWALL escorted the French ships until 26 September when they were allowed to continue on their own.

 

Light cruiser PRIMAGEUT and tanker TARN arrived at Casablanca on 1 October.

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French light cruisers GEORGES LEYGUES, MONTCALM, and GLOIRE departed Dakar for Libreville.

 

Early on the 19th, Australian heavy cruiser AUSTRALIA, which had departed Freetown on the 18th to relieve Heavy cruiser CUMBERLAND on patrol south of Dakar, sighted the French cruisers.

 

The French cruisers were shadowed by Australian heavy cruiser AUSTRALIA which was joined by heavy cruiser CUMBERLAND at 1152.

 

Heavy cruiser DEVONSHIRE and destroyers INGLEFIELD, GREYHOUND, and ESCAPADE departed Freetown at 1400 to join the two heavy cruisers.

 

Battleship BARHAM and destroyers FORTUNE and FURY followed DEVONSHIRE from Freetown.

 

Aircraft carrier ARK ROYAL was delayed by engine room defects, but was able to sail at 0500/20th.

At 2100/19th, an engine breakdown on light cruiser GLOIRE reduced her speed to fifteen knots, and later four knots, and she was intercepted by heavy cruiser AUSTRALIA. The heavy cruiser escorted the French ship until 21 September towards to Casablanca, where she arrived on the 24th.

 

Heavy cruiser CUMBERLAND, joined by heavy cruiser DEVONSHIRE and destroyer INGLEFIELD, lost touch with the other two French ships in a rain storm and MONTCALM and GEORGES LEYGUES returned to Dakar.

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Heavy cruiser DORSETSHIRE departed Durban for Simonstown.

 

 

Thursday,  19 September

 

Destroyers TARTAR and MAORI, which departed Rosyth on the 18th, escorted the new light cruiser NIGERIA from the Tyne for trials.

 

After the trials, they proceeded to Rosyth.

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Destroyer SOMALI sank four British mines in area "C".

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Anti-aircraft cruiser CAIRO departed Scapa Flow at 2100 to act as anti-aircraft protection for convoy WN.16.

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Minelayer TEVIOTBANK laid minefield ZMD (B) in channels in the Faroes Islands.

 

This minefield was an extension of ZMD (A) laid on the 14th.

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Convoy OL.3 departed Liverpool escorted by destroyers SKATE, SCIMITAR, KEPPEL, and ACTIVE from 19 to 21 September.

 

Destroyers SKATE and SCIMITAR were detached to convoy HX.72. Destroyers KEPPEL and ACTIVE to convoy SC.4.

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Convoy OA.217 departed Methil escorted by sloop FOWEY and corvette PEONY from 19 to 24 September.

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Convoy OB.216 departed Liverpool escorted by destroyer VANQUISHER, sloop SCARBOROUGH, and corvette ARABIS. The convoy was joined on the 21st by escorted ship GLEANER and corvettes CAMELLIA and FLEUR DE LYS. The escort was detached on the 23rd.

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Convoy FN.285 departed Southend, escorted by destroyer VIVIEN and sloop LONDONDERRY. The convoy arrived at Methil on the 21st.

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Convoy MT.174 departed Methil. The convoy arrived in the Tyne later that day.

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British tanker SHELBRIT I (1025grt) was sunk on a mine in 57‑39N, 03‑56W.

 

The entire crew, including a naval rating, of the tanker was lost.

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British steamer WEST KEDRON (5621grt) was damaged by German bombing in North Channel.

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Convoy SC.5 departed Sydney at 0530 escorted locally by Canadian armed yacht LYNX and ocean Sloop FOLKESTONE.

 

The convoy was joined on the 30th by destroyers ARROW and VANQUISHER. On 1 October, destroyer KEPPEL, sloop ROCHESTER, corvette BLUEBELL, and anti-submarine trawlers ELLESMERE and ULLSWASTER. The sloop and the corvette were detached on 2 October. The rest of the escorts arrived with the convoy at Liverpool on 4 October.

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German destroyers LODY, ECKHOLDT, GALSTER, RIEDEL, and IHN departed Cherbourg for a strike for the area between the Lizard and Start Point.

 

The sweep was cancelled due to poor weather.

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German torpedo boat T.3 was sunk by British bombing at Le Havre, with nine men killed and twelve wounded.

 

Torpedo boat T.3 was later salved and returned to service on 12 December 1943.

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Convoy HG.44 of twenty eight ships departed Gibraltar escorted by destroyer VELOX from 19 to 23 September.

 

Sloop LEITH escorted the convoy from 19 September to 4 October.

 

Destroyer SKATE, corvette GLADIOLUS, and anti-submarine trawler LADY LILLIAN (581grt) escorted the convoy after being detached from convoy OB.220 from 1 from 4 October. The convoy arrived at Liverpool on 4 October.

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Italian submarine MARCONI sank Spanish trawler ALMIRANTE JOSE DE CARRANZA (330grt) sixteen miles northwest of Cape Villano.

 

There was only one survivor from the Spanish trawler.

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The Mediterranean Fleet arrived back at Alexandria.

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Italian submarine SERPENTE in error launched a torpedo against Italian submarine COLONNA fifty nine miles south of M. di Leuca. Fortunately, the torpedo did not strike COLONNA.

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Italian submarine FAA DI BRUNO attacked unsuccessfully a steamer in 36N, 22W.

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Italian destroyers LEONE, PANTERA, BATTISTI, and MANIN departed Massawa to operate in the Red Sea searching for convoy BN.5 of twenty three ships escorted by New Zealand light cruiser LEANDER, Sloop AUCKLAND, and Australian sloops YARRA and PARRAMATTA.

 

Italian submarines ARCHIMEDE and GUGLIELMOTTI also searched without success for this convoy.

 

The destroyers arrived back at Massawa on the 21st.

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Convoy SL.48 departed Freetown escorted by armed merchant cruiser MALOJA to 8 October.

 

On 5 October, destroyers WALKER and SABRE, sloop FLEETWOOD, corvette MALLOW, and anti-submarine trawlers SPHENE and ST APOLLO joined the convoy. The trawlers were detached that night, destroeyr SABRE on 7 October, and destroyer WALKER on 9 October. On 8 October, corvette COREOPSIS joined the convoy. The convoy arrived at Liverpool on 9 October.

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British MENACE convoy MS of five mechanical transports OCEAN COAST, NEVADE, CASANANCE, FORT LAMY, and ANADYR departed Freetown escorted by Sloop BRIDGEWATER, boom defence vessel QUANNET, and French patrol ship PRESIDENT HOUDACE.

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Convoy BN.5 A departed Bombay, escorted by light cruiser COLOMBO and armed merchant cruiser KANIMBLA. Armed merchant cruiser ANTENOR was with the convoy on the 20th only. On 25 September, the escort was detached when met by light cruiser AJAX, anti-aircraft cruiser COVENTY, and destroyer KANDAHAR. The escort was detached on the 28th. The convoy arrived at Suez on the 29th.

 

 

Friday,  20 September

 

In Operation DT, aircraft carrier FURIOUS, heavy cruisers BERWICK and NORFOLK, and destroyers SOMALI, MATABELE, and ESKIMO departed Scapa Flow at 1230.

 

At 0300/22nd in 64‑30N, 07‑50E, aircraft carrier FURIOUS flew off eleven Swordfish of 816 and 825 Squadrons and six Skuas of 801 Squadron to attack Trondheim.

 

Bad weather spoiled the operation and no results were observed. Five Swordfish and one Skua were lost; of these, one Swordfish and one Skua landed in Sweden. Lt (A) M. A J. J. Hanrahan, Midshipman (A) A O. Atkins, and Naval Airman A R. Purchase of one Swordfish of 816 Squadron, Acting S/Lt (A) H. A Cheetham and S/Lt (A) H. N. C. Hearn, air gunner Naval Airman C. D. Jago in a Swordfish of 825 Squadron, and Temporary Lt (A) H. Detering RNVR, Acting S/Lt (A) D. A Poynter, and Naval Airman H. W. Brown of another Swordfish of 825 Squadron were captured. Temporary S/Lt (A) R. L. R. Morgan RNVR, Acting S/Lt (A) I. M. MacLeod Rees, and Leading AirmanB R. Laing of one Swordfish of 825 Squadron and Probationary S/Lt (A)B F. Wigginton RNVR, and Naval Airman K. R. King of 801 Squadron were interned.

 

Lt (A) J. Read, Probationary Temporary S/Lt (A) G. A Busby RNVR, and Leading Airman L. A Webber of 816 Squadron were lost when their Swordfish crashed into the sea after failing to locate the aircraft carrier.

 

The ships arrived back at Scapa Flow at 1100/23rd, except heavy cruiser NORFOLK which arrived at 1300/23rd.

_____

 

Anti-aircraft cruiser CAIRO covered convoy OA.217 to Pentland Firth where she joined convoy HX.71A.

 

Anti-aircraft cruiser CAIRO remained with convoy HX71 A until dark when she returned to Scapa Flow.

_____

 

Destroyer ISIS departed Devonport at 1100. After carrying out a full caliber shoot, she then proceeded to Scapa Flow to work up.

_____

 

Destroyer VIMY departed Scapa Flow for Lerwick arriving at 2330.

 

From Lerwick, destroyer VIMY escorted British steamer LADY OF MANN to Aberdeen.

 

Destroyer VIMY arrived back at Scapa Flow at 1900/21st.

_____

 

Convoy FN.286 departed Southend. The convoy arrived at Methil on the 22nd.

_____

 

Convoy MT.175 departed the Methil. The convoy arrived in the Tyne the next day.

_____

 

Convoy FS.286 departed the Tyne, escorted by destroyers VIVACIOUS and WOOLSTON. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 21st.

_____

 

Convoy FS.287 departed Methil, escorted by destroyer WINCHESTER and sloop EGRET. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 22nd.

_____

 

U.138 in attacks on convoy OB.216 sank British steamer EMPIRE ADVENTURE (5145grt) off Islay, British tanker NEW SEVILLA (13,801grt) in 55‑48N, 07‑22W, and Panamanian steamer BOKA (5560grt) in 55‑54N, 07‑24W.

 

Steamer EMPIRE ADVENTURE was first taken in tow by British tug SUPERMAN, but sank on the 23rd. Twenty one crew were lost on steamer EMPIRE ADVENTURE. The survivors were rescued by corvette ARABIS.

 

Destroyer ISIS en route to Scapa Flow assisted tug SUPERMAN before arriving at Scapa Flow at 0600/22nd.

 

Steamer NEW SEVILLA was taken in tow, but sank on the 21st, nine miles 208° from the Mull of Kintyre. Two crew were lost on the steamer.

 

Twenty six survivors from steamer BOKA were landed at Londonderry by corvette ARABIS. Eight crew were missing.

_____

 

Dutch steamer TRITO (1057grt) was sunk by German bombing in 50‑23N, 02‑43W.

 

Three crew were rescued from the Dutch steamer. Two British naval ratings were lost with the crew.

 

British drifter INNISDHU (96grt) was sunk by German bombing one hundred yards west of Westward mine marking buoy, itself S 16° W from Hole Haven Signal Tower.  The crew of four was lost.

_____

 

U.58, leaving Lorient, was attacked by a submarine.

_____

 

Convoy OG.43 of forty six ships departed Liverpool. The convoy was given escort in the Liverpool approaches by anti-submarine trawlers DRANGEY (434grt) and SOUTHERN PRIDE (582grt).

 

Sloop FOWEY and corvettes ANENOME, MALLOW, and PEONY escorted the convoy from 20 to 24 September.

 

Destroyers HIGHLANDER and HARVESTER escorted the convoy from 20 to 25 September. Destroyer HURRICANE joined the escort on the 21st and departed on the 25th.

 

Escort vessel GLEANER joined the convoy from OA.216 and escorted the convoy from 24 September to 3 October.

 

Destroyer VIDETTE joined the convoy on the 30th and remained with it until its arrival at Gibraltar on 3 October.

 

On arrival, destroyer VIDETTE escorted three ships of the convoy to Melilla.

_____

 

Anti-aircraft cruiser COVENTRY departed Aden with a northbound convoy. She was detached at Bab el Mandeb for patrol between Perim and Massawa.

 

The cruiser arrived back at Aden on the 22nd.

_____

 

Submarine TETRACH departed Gibraltar for patrol off Gibraltar.

_____

 

Destroyer WISHART departed Gibraltar to land French officers four miles outh of Agadir.

_____

 

Battleship BARHAM and destroyers FORTUNE and FURY arrived at Freetown at 0600.

 

Heavy cruiser DEVONSHIRE and destroyers INGLEFIELD, GREYHOUND, and ESCAPADE arrived at Freetown at 0800.

_____

 

Light cruiser DRAGON arrived at Freetown.

_____

 

Following repairs at Singapore, submarine ROVER departed Singapore on 22 August and arrived at Aden on the 7th.

 

Submarine ROVER departed Aden on the 9th and departed Port Said on the 18th arriving at Alexandria on the 20th for duty with the Mediterranean Fleet.

_____

 

German armed merchant cruiser ATLANTIS sank French liner, under British control, COMMISSAIRE RAMEL (10,061grt) in the Indian Ocean in 28‑25S, 74‑27E.

 

Three crew from the French liner were lost. Sixty three crew were interned in Italian Somaliland.

 

A British hunter group was formed to locate the German armed merchant cruiser ATLANTIS. The group was composed of Australian heavy cruiser CANBERRA, light cruisers CAPETOWN and DURBAN, and armed merchant cruiser WESTRALIA.

_____

 

British steamer BHIMA (5280grt) was damaged near misses from Italian bombing at 13‑57N, 42‑53E and grounded to prevent sinking. She was later taken in tow by British steamer ASHBURY (3901grt) and taken to Aden and beached.

 

Steamer BHIMA was in Convoy BN.5 being sought after by the Italian forces in the Red Sea. Light cruiser LEANDER escorting the convoy was unsuccessfully attacked by Italian bombers.

_____

 

Convoy BS.5 departed Suez, escorted by sloops CLIVE and GRIMSBY. These sloops were relieved on the 23rd by light cruiser LEANDER and sloops AUCKLAND, PARRAMATTA, and SHOREHAM. The convoy was dispersed off Aden on the 28th.

 

 

Saturday,  21 September

 

Destroyer PUNJABI departed Rosyth during the afternoon for the Tyne to escort British troopship EMPIRE TROOPER (13,994grt) to Liverpool.

 

However, the troopship's boilers would not hold water and they returned to the Tyne, arriving on the 22nd.

 

Destroyer PUNJABI then proceeded to Scapa Flow for repairs to her rudder, arriving at 0600/23rd.

_____

 

Destroyer WOOLSTON's engines were damaged by the explosion of a mine close aboard in the Thames.

 

The destroyer proceeded to the Humber for repairs.

_____

 

Convoy OB.217 departed Liverpool escorted by destroyer WALKER and anti-submarine trawlers ARCTIC EXPLORER and MAN O WAR. The trawlers were detached that day. Destroyer OTTAWA joined the escort on the 22nd. Destroyer WALKER was detached on the 24th and destroyer OTTAWA on the 25th.

_____

 

Convoy FN.287 departed Southend, escorted by destroyers VEGA and VORTIGERN. The convoy arrived at Methil on the 23rd.

_____

 

Convoy FS.288 departed Methil, escorted by destroyers VALOROUS and WESTMINSTER. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 23rd.

_____

 

U.138 sank British steamer CITY OF SIMLA (10,138grt) from convoy OB.216 in 55‑55N, 08‑20W.

 

One crewman and two passengers were lost on the British steamer. Destroyer VANQUISHER picked up some of her survivors.

 

One hundred and eighty two crew and one hundred and sixty five passengers were picked up by British steamer GUINEAN (5205grt).

_____

 

In attacks on convoy HX.72, which was escorted by Sloop LOWESTOFT and corvettes HEARTSEASE and LA MALOUINE, U.47, U.48, U.99, and U.100 made successful attacks.

 

Destroyers SCIMITAR, SKATE, KEPPEL, and ACTIVE joined the convoy escort on the 21st.

 

U.48 sank British steamer BLAIRANGUS (4409grt) in 55‑18N, 22‑21W.

 

Seven crew were lost on steamer BLAIRANGUS. The survivors were rescued by destroyer SHIKARI.

 

U.48 damaged British steamer BROOMPARK (5136grt) in 55‑08N, 18‑30W.

 

U.99 damaged British steamer ELMBANK (5156grt) in 55‑20N, 22‑30W.

 

Steamer ELMBANK was damaged further by gunfire by U.99. Later, she was damaged further by U.47 gunfire and finally sunk by U.99 gunfire.

 

One crewman was lost on the steamer ELMBANK. The survivors were rescued by destroyer SHIKARI.

 

U.99 sank British tanker INVERSHANNON (9154grt) in 55‑40N, 22‑04W.

 

Sixteen crew from tanker INVERSHANNON and one crewman from steamer BARON BLYTHSWOOD was lost on tanker INVERSHANNON. The survivors from INVERSHANNON were rescued by anti-submarine trawler FANDANGO eight days later from an open boat.

 

U.99 sank British steamer BARON BLYTHSWOOD (3668grt) in 56‑00N, 23‑00W.

 

There was only one survivor from BARON BLYTHSWOOD. He was picked up by U.99 and placed in an INVERSHANNON lifeboat. The survivor was rescued by destroyer SHIKARI.

 

U.100 sank British steamer CANONESA (8286grt) in 54‑55N, 18‑25W.

 

One crewman was lost on the steamer CANONESA.

 

Survivours from CANONESA were picked up by corvette LA MALOUINE.

 

U.100 sank British tanker TORINIA (10,364grt) in 54-55N, 18-17W.

 

Five crew were lost on the British tanker. Fifty seven destroyers were rescued by destroyer SKATE.

 

U.100 sank British steamer DALCAIRN (4608grt) in 55‑00N, 19‑00W.

 

The entire crew of the British steamer was rescued.

 

U.100 attacked and claimed sinking another tanker at the same location as DALCAIRN, but no confirmation is available.

_____

 

British steam barge ENCHANTRESS (56grt) was damaged by German bombing in the London Victoria Dock.

_____

 

Convoy HX.75 departed Halifax at 1340 escorted by Canadian destroyers ASSINIBOINE and SAGUENAY and auxiliary patrol boats ELK and HUSKY.

 

At 1930/22nd, the destroyers departed the convoy and left it to the ocean escort, armed merchant cruiser AURANIA, which was detached on 3 October.

 

Convoy BHX.75 departed Bermuda on the 20th escorted by ocean escort armed merchant cruiser VOLTAIRE. The convoy rendezvoused with convoy HX.75 on the 25th and the armed merchant cruiser was detached.

 

Destroyers AMAZON and ANTHONY, corvettes ARABIS, CALENDULA, and CLEMATIS, escort ship JASON, and anti-submarine trawler LADY ELSA joined on 3 October. The escort ship was detached later that day and the trawler the next day. The remainder of the escort arrived with the convoy at Liverpool on 7 October.

_____

 

Submarine TRITON departed Gibraltar for patrol off Gibraltar.

_____

 

Submarine RORQUAL attacked two Italian transports off Ras el Hilal and claimed sinking them, although no damage is recorded.

_____

 

Heavy cruiser CUMBERLAND arrived at Freetown.

_____

 

At 0645, Heavy cruiser DEVONSHIRE, destroyers FAULKNOR, FORESTER, and FURY, sloop MILFORD, with transports ETTRICK, KENYA, SOBIESKI, and KARANJA departed Freetown on Operation MENACE at 0645.

 

French sloops COMMANDANT DOMINE, COMMANDANT DUBOC, and SAVORGNAN DE BRAZZA departed Freetown at the same time with transports WESTERNLAND and PENNLAND and foot ship BELGRAVIAN.

 

At 0930, aircraft carrier ARK ROYAL, battleships BARHAM and RESOLUTION, and destroyers INGLEFIELD, FORTUNE, FORESIGHT, GREYHOUND, ECHO, and ESCAPADE.

 

Heavy cruiser CUMBERLAND departed Freetown at 1430.

 

Early on the 22nd, the MENACE convoys were joined at sea by heavy cruisers CUMBERLAND and AUSTRALIA and light cruiser DRAGON.

_____

 

Heavy cruiser HAWKINS arrived at Simonstown from Montevideo.

_____

 

Heavy cruiser DORSETSHIRE departed Simonstown for Freetown.

_____

 

Convoy BM.1 departed Bombay with steamers BATORY (14,287grt), ORCADES (23,456grt), and STRATHDEN (23,722grt), escorted by armed merchant cruiser WESTRALIA. The convoy arrived at Colombo on the 24th. The convoy set off on the 28th, joined by steamer ELLENGA (5196grt), and escorted again by armed merchant cruiser WESTRALIA and light cruiser CAPETOWN and armed merchant cruiser ARAWA. The convoy arrived at Singapore on 1 October.

 

 

Sunday,  22 September

 

Destroyers INTREPID, ICARUS, and IMPULSIVE of the 20th Flotilla departed Immingham on the 22nd to lay mines in Operation P R off Oost Gat on the Dutch coast near Borkum.

 

This operation was screened by destroyers VETERAN, VENOMOUS, and WILD SWAN, which patrolled off Dogger Bank.

 

Destroyer VETERAN sank German auxiliary minesweeper M.1604 (trawler OESTERREICH: 474grt) forty miles west of the Hook of Holland

 

The operation was suspended while German motor torpedo boats attacked Patrol sloops MALLARD and SHELDRAKE which were also screening the operation.

 

The minelay was successfully completed during the night of 23/24 September.

_____

 

Anti-aircraft cruiser CAIRO departed Scapa Flow at 1200 to give cover to convoy OA.218 from Buchan Ness to Duncansby Head.

_____

 

Convoy OA.218 departed Methil escorted by sloop WESTON and corvette PRIMROSE.

 

Anti-air craft cruiser CAIRO provided support for this convoy. The corvette was detached on the 26th and the sloop on the 28th.

_____

 

Convoy FN.288 departed Southend, escorted by destroyers VIVACIOUS, WALLACE, and WOOLSTON. The convoy arrived at Methil on the 24th.

_____

 

Destroyer VERSATILE departed Scapa Flow at 2000 to search for a Swordfish from Hatston down in the sea west of Fair Isle Channel.

 

The search was unsuccessful and the destroyer arrived back at Scapa Flow at 1030/23rd.

 

Lt F. C. Saunders DSC, Probationary Temporary S/Lt (A) D. J. T. Marais RNVR, and Naval Airman G. H. Gaynon of 821 Squadron were were lost when their Swordfish of 812 Squadron ditched on anti-submarine patrol in 60-08N, 3-23W.

_____

 

Destroyer EGLINGTON and monitor EREBUS departed Scapa Flow after working up.

 

Monitor EREBUS proceeded to Sheerness and EGLINGTON to Harwich.

_____

 

Destroyer VIVACIOUS was damaged by the near explosion of a mine at Rosyth.

_____

 

In continued attacks on HX.72, German submarines U.32 and U.100 made successful attacks.

 

U.32 damaged British steamer COLLEGIAN (7886grt) at 320 miles west of Malin Head.

 

Sloop LOWESTOFT was sent to assist steamer COLLEGIAN.

 

Sloop LOWESTOFT was reinforced by corvette HEARTSEASE and later by destroyers SKATE and SHIKARI.

 

U.100 sank British steamer EMPIRE AIRMAN (6586grt) in 54‑00N, 18‑00W.

 

Thirty three crew were lost on the steamer EMPIRE AIRMAN.

 

U.100 badly damaged British steamer SCHOLAR (3940grt) in 55‑11N, 17‑58W. The steamer was taken in tow by British tug MARAUDER.

 

Steamer SCHOLAR sank on the 24th in 54‑38N, 16‑40W.

 

There were no casualties on the steamer SCHOLAR and the crew was picked up by destroyers SKATE and SCIMITAR.

 

U.100 sank British tanker FREDERICK S. FALES (10,525grt) in 55‑30N, 13‑40W.

 

Two crew were lost on the British tanker.

 

U.100 sank Norwegian steamer SIMLA (6031grt) in 55‑11N, 17‑58W.

 

Five crew were lost on the Norwegian steamer.

_____

 

U.31 sank Faroes trawler UNION JACK (81grt) one hundred miles northwest, north of Butt of Lewis, in 59-50N, 7-40W.

 

The entire crew was rescued.

_____

 

Dutch tanker BARENDRECHT (9385grt) was damaged by German bombing at Long Reach, River Thames.

_____

 

German destroyers STEINBRINCK and JACOBI departed Wilhelmshaven for Brest, where they arrived on the 23rd.

_____

 

Destroyers JERVIS, JANUS, JUNO, and MOHAWK, which departed Alexandria on the 21st for Mersa Matruh, bombarded the airfield at Sidi Barrani early on the 22nd.

 

After the attack, the destroyers returned to Alexandria.

_____

 

Submarine TRUANT sank Italian steamer PROVVIDENZA (8459grt) 3.5 miles 150° from Punta Imperatore off Ischina.

_____

 

Submarine OSIRIS, which departed Malta on patrol on the 9th, sank Italian destroyer PALESTRO in the southern Adriatic off Durazzo in 41‑16N, 18‑36E.

_____

 

Light cruiser DELHI arrived at Freetown at 1700. After refuelling, she sailed at 2225 to rejoin heavy cruiser CORNWALL escorting the French light cruiser and tanker.

_____

 

Light cruiser CERES arrived at Durban from Mombasa.

_____

 

Australian troop convoy US 5 departed Fremantle with Dutch liners CHRISTIAAN HUYGENS (16,287grt), INDRAPOERA (10,825grt), NIEUW HOLLAND (11,066grt), and SLAMAT (11,636grt). 4262 troops were carried in this convoy. The convoy was escorted by heavy cruiser AUSTRALIA from 22 September to 2 October. The convoy departed Colombo on 1 October.

 

Heavy cruiser SHROPSHIRE relieved the Australian heavy cruiser on 2 October and remained with the convoy until 8 October.

 

On 8 October, the convoy was joined by light cruiser HOBART, anti-aircraft cruiser CARLISLE, destroyers KANDAHAR and VOYAGER, and sloop FLAMINGO.

 

Convoy US 5 arrived at Suez on 12 October.

_____

 

New Caledonia ascended to Free French rule after Australian light cruiser ADELAIDE arrived at Noumea on the 19th.

 

The only Vichy ship there was sloop DUMONT D' URVILLE which escaped to Saigon, departing Noumea on the 25th.

 

The light cruiser patrolled in the area until 5 October.

 

Light cruiser ADELAIDE arrived at Sydney on 8 October.

_____

 

Norwegian steamer TIRRANA (7230grt), which was captured by German armed merchant cruiser ATLANTIS on 10 June, was sunk by Submarine TUNA near the mouth of the Gironde River, ten miles south of Bordeaux.

 

One hundred and eighty seven were killed on the loss of the Norwegian steamer. Among these were three crew from the steamer TALLYRAND, eighteen crew, eleven passengers, and one DBS from steamer KEMMENDINE, and some crew from steamer SCIENTIST.

 

 

Monday,  23 September

 

Light cruiser NIGERIA was completed. She arrived at Scapa Flow on the 29th for working up and duty with the 10th Squadron.

_____

 

Anti-aircraft ship ALYNBANK arrived at Scapa Flow from the Clyde to operate with the Home Fleet to provide anti-aircraft protection to convoys between Pentland Firth and Methil.

_____

 

Destroyers BROKE, VANSITTART, and WHITEHALL and Polish destroyers BLYSKAWICA, GARLAND, and BURZA departed the Lizard at 2030/23rd on operation GL. They swept north off the French coast north from Ushant.

 

Destroyer BLYSKAWICA sank a French cutter.

_____

 

During the night of 23/24 September, destroyers WOLVERINE, VISCOUNT, WITHERINGTON, and BRILLIANT attempted to intercept a German merchant ship going down Channel.

 

The destroyers did not contact the merchant ship.

_____

 

German steamer HEIMDAL (2186grt) was sunk seven miles northwest of Terschelling by Submarine H.49 (Lt M. A Langley).

_____

 

Submarine CACHALOT laid minefield FD.27. This minefield was 50 mines in a one and a half mile line from 47‑48N, 4‑33W extending the 19/20 August FD.24 minefield.

 

Due to demands for submarines for patrol duties, the minelaying submarines were returned to patrol duties on the 26th.

_____

 

Convoy FN.289 departed Southend, escorted by destroyer WINCHESTER and sloop EGRET. The convoy arrived at Methil on the 25th.

_____

 

British steamer CORINIA (870grt) was damaged by German bombing at Gravesend Reach.

_____

 

British steamer PACIFIC GROVE (7117grt) was damaged by German bombing five miles northwest of Tory Island.

_____

 

Convoy OB.216 was dispersed at 17W.

 

Sloop SCARBOROUGH and other escorts joined other convoys.

_____

 

US destroyers of Destroyer Divisions 76 and 79 were transferred under Lend Lease to the Royal Navy at Halifax.

 

US Name

 

British Name

Commanding Officer

USS THOMAS (DD.182)

 

HMS ST ALBANS

 

Cdr F E Wilmot-Sitwell Rtd

USS COWELL (DD.167)

 

HMS BRIGHTON

 

Cdr C W V T S Lepper

Rtd

USS MADDOX (DD.168)

 

HMS GEORGETOWN

 

Lt Cdr A G Poe

USS FOOTE (DD.169)

 

HMS ROXBOROUGH

 

Lt V A Wight-Boycott OBE

USS KALK (DD.170)

 

HMS HAMILTON

 

Cdr L M Shadwell

USS HOPEWELL (DD.181)

 

HMS BATH

 

Cdr A V Hemming Rtd

USS ABBOTT (DD.184)

 

HMS CHARLESTON

 

Lt Cdr T Johnston

USS DORAN (ex-BAGLE, DD 185)

 

HMS ST MARYS

 

Lt K H J L Phibbs

 

Later, on the 29th when ROXBOROUGH, BRIGHTON, BATH, ST ALBANS, ST MARYS, and CHARLESTON departed St Johns, all but ROXBOROUGH which had to turn about with excess fuel consumption, reached Belfast on 8 October and Devonport on 12 October.

 

Destroyers ST ALBANS, ST MARYS, BATH, and CHARLESTON were permanently assigned to the 1st Minelaying Squadron.

 

Destroyer ROXBOROUGH departed Halifax on 7 December for Belfast.

 

The other two destroyers of this group GEORGETOWN and HAMILTON damaged their propellers in a collision on 1 October while preparing to fuel at St Johns.

 

Destroyer GEORGETOWN arrived at Devonport on 13 November.

 

Destroyer HAMILTON undocking from repairs at St Johns ran aground and broke her back on 26 October.

 

Destroyer HAMILTON was transferred to the Canadian Navy in late October and was under repairs under June 1941.

 

She was formally commissioned HMCS HAMILTON on 6 July 1941.

_____

 

The store ships and British tanker OCEAN COAST departed Freetown for MENACE operations on the 18th.

 

On 21 September, British Force M.and the troopships for MENACE departed Freetown.

 

Aircraft carrier ARK ROYAL, battleships BARHAM and RESOLUTION, heavy cruisers CUMBERLAND, AUSTRALIA, and DEVONSHIRE, light cruiser DRAGON (DRAGON was a replacement for destroyer ECLIPSE which developed engine problems), destroyers GREYHOUND, INGLEFIELD, FORESIGHT, FORESTER, FORTUNE, FAULKNOR, FURY, ESCAPADE, ECHO, and ECLIPSE, French sloops SAVORGNAN DE BRAZZA, COMMANDANT DUBOC, and COMMANDANT DOMINE, armed trawlers VAILLANT (943grt) and VIKINGS (1150grt), Dutch liners PENNLAND (16,082grt) and WESTERNLAND (16,479grt), transports KENYA, SOBIESKI, KARANJA, and ETTRICK, cargo ships carrying tanks, crated aircraft, guns, et al, ANADYR (5278grt), CASAMANCE (5817grt), FORT LAMY (5234grt), and NEVADA (5693grt), and British tanker OCEAN COAST (1173grt) comprised the allied ships for MENACE.

 

At Dakar opposing the Anglo French force were battleship RICHELIEU, light cruisers MONTCALM and GEORGES LEYGUES, large destroyers AUDACIEUX, FANTASQUE, and MALIN, destroyer LE HARDI, sloops GAZELLE, SURPRISE, ANNAMITE, D'IBERVILLE, and COMMANDANT RIVIERE, and submarines PERSEE and AJAX with submarine BEVEZIERS in dock.

 

The French light cruisers attempted to leave Dakar when the allied attack began.

 

The Free French sloops SAVORGNAN DE BRAZZA, COMMANDANT DUBOC, and COMMANDANT DOMINE attempted to land troops without success and COMMANDANT DUBOC was damaged.

 

Vichy French submarine PERSEE attempted to torpedo Light cruiser DRAGON, but was sunk by DRAGON and destroyers FORESIGHT and INGLEFIELD.

 

Vichy French large destroyer AUDACIEUX was hit by gunfire from Heavy cruiser AUSTRALIA and destroyers GREYHOUND and FURY and set afire. Eighty one crew were killed or missing.

 

One hundred and eighty six survivors from AUDACIEUX were rescued by Vichy sloop SURPRISE.

 

After emergency repairs, destroyer AUDACIEUX departed Dakar on 7 August 1941 and arrived at Casablanca on 11 August. She departed on 17 August and arrived at Oran on 18 August. Departing on 20 August, she arrived at Bizerte on 22 August.

 

Heavy cruiser CUMBERLAND was hit in the engine room by a 9. 4 inch shell. The shell severed a steam pipe which temporarily cut off all electrical power to the ship. Commissioned Electrician J. W. Dowthwaite was killed. CUMBERLAND was forced to retire at 10 knots to Bathurst for repairs, arriving on the 24th. She left Bathurst on the 26th and arrived at Freetown on the 27th.

 

Light cruiser DRAGON was damaged by splinters from French gunfire. Commissioned Schoolmaster H. G. Middleton was wounded.

 

While pursuing French submarines AJAX and PERSEE, destroyers INGLEFIELD and FORESIGHT were hit by shore gunfire, but neither required immediate repair. Temporary Surgeon Lt M. R. J. Behrendt RNVR, and six ratings were wounded on destroyer INGLEFIELD. Three ratings were killed in destroyer FORESIGHT.

 

Destroyer INGLEFIELD departed Gibraltar on 31 October for London where she was under refit and repair until 20 January 1941.

 

Destroyer FORESIGHT departed Gibraltar on 31 October for Liverpool where she was under refit and repair until 30 December.

 

S/Lt (A) G. W. Brokensha of 803 Squadron, returning to aircraft carrier ARK ROYAL, crashed landed his Skua at sea and was rescued by destroyer GREYHOUND.

 

Danish steamer TACOMA (5905grt), which had been captured by Vichy forces in July, was sunk at Dakar. French steamer PORTHOS (12,692grt) and Swedish steamers KORSHOLM (2647grt) and TAMARA (6390grt) were damaged.

_____

 

While examining an Italian torpedo found ashore six miles west of Agami, the Torpedo Officer Lt Cdr J. G. S. Cunningham, Gunner (T) E. G. Lee, and two ratings of depot ship MEDWAY were killed when the torpedo exploded.

_____

 

Australian light cruiser SYDNEY completed a refit at Alexandria begun earlier in the month.

_____

 

British gunboat LADYBIRD, which had departed Alexandria for Mersa Matruh on the 20th, bombarded Sidi Barrani.

_____

 

Light cruiser DURBAN arrived at Hong Kong.

_____

 

Convoy BN.6 departed Bombay, escorted by armed merchant cruiser HECTOR. The convoy was joined on the 25th by armed merchant crtuiser ANTENOR. Both were detached on 1 October when light cruiser HOBART joined the convoy.

 

Sloops HINDUSTAN and PARRAMATTA joined on 3 October and destroyer KINGSTON and sloop AUCKLAND on 4 October. Light cruiser HOBART was detached on 4 October and sloop HINDUSTAN was detached on 8 October. The remainder of the escort was detached on 9 October when sloops CLIVE and GRIMSBY joined. The convoy arrived at Suez on 11 October.

 

 

Tuesday,  24 September

 

Rear Admiral (Destroyers) Home Fleet transferred from battlecruiser REPULSE to depot ship MAIDSTONE at 1500.

_____

 

Light cruiser GLASGOW departed Scapa Flow at 2030 for the Humber to join the Nore Command.

_____

 

Destroyers DUNCAN and ISIS departed Scapa Flow at 1200 for Skolpenfjord, Faroes, to meet British troopship ULSTER MONARCH (3791grt) and escort her to Invergordon.

 

The ships arrived at Invergordon at 0815 on the 26th. The destroyers proceeded to Scapa Flow.

_____

 

Destroyers ASHANTI and BEDOUIN departed Rosyth at 2300 to search Dogger Bank for a downed Blenheim air crew in 55‑00N, 10‑30E.

 

The RAF dinghy was not located, but three Norwegian aviators in an open boat were rescued on the 26th.

 

The destroyers later located the dinghy and rescued one alive and one dead airman in 54-12N, 1-58E.

 

The survivors were landed at Newcastle and the destroyers then proceeded to Rosyth.

 

Both destroyers arrived back at Rosyth at 0800/28th.

_____

 

Convoy OA.219 departed Methil escorted by sloop ABERDEEN from 24 to 28 September and destroyer SCIMITAR from 25 to 28 September.

_____

 

 

Convoy OB.218 departed Liverpool escorted by destroyer SABRE, corvettes ERICA, GLOXINIA, and PICOTEE, and anti-submarine trawlers FANDANGO and WOLVES.

 

Corvette ERICA was detached on the 24th and corvette GLOXINIA on the 26th. Destroyer SABRE left the convoy on the 27th and corvette PICOTEE and the two trawlers were detached on the 28th.

_____

 

Convoy FN.290 departed Southend, escorted by destroyers VALOROUS and WESTMINSTER. The convoy arrived at Methil on the 26th.

_____

 

Convoy FS.289 departed the Tyne, escorted by destroyer VIMIERA and sloop PUFFIN. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 25th.

_____

 

Anti-submarine trawler LOCH MONTEITH was damaged by German bombing in the English Channel.

 

Six ratings were killed and another died of wounds.

_____

 

Due to floating mines west of the Orkneys, it was no longer practical to conduct anti-submarine exercises in the usual area.

 

Restructured exercises were conducted inside the Flow.

_____

 

Convoy OL.4 departed Liverpool escorted by destroyers HAVELOCK and SABRE from 24 to 27 September. The convoy was dispersed on the 27th.

_____

 

German steamer OSTMARK (1280grt) was sunk by Submarine TUNA in 47‑01N, 03‑02W, off Belle Ile.

_____

 

Submarine CACHALOT attacked a German submarine in 46-58N, 5-56W without success.

_____

 

British steamer CONTINENTAL COASTER (555grt) was sunk by a German motor torpedo boat S.30 in 52‑59N, 02‑10E.

 

Four crew were lost on the British steamer.

_____

 

Motor torpedo boats MTB.14, MTB.15, MTB.16, and MTB.17 were returning from a raid against German shipping between Ostend and Dunkirk.

 

Motor torpedo boat MTB.15 (Lt L. J. Gamble) was sunk by a mine thirty miles northeast of North Foreland.

_____

 

Armed patrol trawler LOCH INVER (356grt, Probationary Temporary Skipper T. Hardcastle RNR) was sunk by a mine in the Harwich area.

 

Hardcastle and fourteen ratings were lost in the trawler.

_____

 

British trawler BASS ROCK (169grt) was sunk by German bombing 23 miles S by W of Old Head of Kinsale.

 

Four crew were lost on the British trawler.

_____

 

US Destroyer Division 69 and the first section of Division 73 were transferred to the Canadian Navy at Halifax under Lend Lease.

 

US name

Canadian name

 

Commanding Officer/Comments

USS WILLIAMS (DD.108)

 

HMCS ST CLAIR

Lt Cdr D.C Wallace RCNR

 

USS THATCHER (DD.162)

 

HMCS NIAGARA

A/Cdr E. L. Armstrong Rtd

 

USS MACKENZIE (DD.175)

 

HMCS ANNAPOLIS

A/Cdr H Kingsley RCN from 24 September to 10 October, and Cdr C. D. Donald from 11 October. In late October, she burnt out a boiler and was under repair at Halifax until February 1941

 

USS HARADEN (DD.183)

 

HMCS COLUMBIA

Lt Cdr S W Davis Rtd

 

USS MCCOOK (DD.252)

 

HMCS ST CROIX

Lt M A Medland RCN from 25 September to 10 October, Cdr H Kingsley RCN from 11 October.

 

USS BANCROFT (DD.256)

 

HMCS ST FRANCIS

A/Cdr H F Pullen RCN

 

 

On 30 November, ST CLAIR, ST CROIX, and NIAGARA departed St Johns for England.

 

Destroyer ST CROIX broke down en route when she had insufficient suction on her fuel lines and had to return to St Johns. She was taken under repair at Halifax and did not enter service until March 1941. Destroyer ST CROIX remained in Canadian waters for her service.

 

Destroyers ST CLAIR and NIAGARA arrived the Clyde on 11 December and were assigned to the 4th Escort Group.

_____

 

German heavy cruiser ADMIRAL HIPPER departed Kiel to raid in the Atlantic, but returned on the 30th with engine problems developed on the 27th.

_____

 

In MENACE operations.

 

At 0700, Vichy French submarine AJAX was bombed at periscope depth by ARK ROYAL aircraft and badly damaged. She surfaced before sinking and her crew, five officers and fifty six ratings, were taken aboard Destroyer FORTUNE, later transferred to battleship BARHAM.

 

Battleships BARHAM and RESOLUTION engaged French battleship RICHELIEU at 13, 500 yards.

 

Shortly later, Heavy cruisers DEVONSHIRE and AUSTRALIA engaged a cruiser and a destroyer, damaging the destroyer.

 

Australian heavy cruiser AUSTRALIA, Heavy cruiser DEVONSHIRE. and destroyers FORESTER, INGLEFIELD, and FORESIGHT bombarded Vichy positions in Goree Bay.

 

French battleship RICHELIEU was damaged by a hit of a 15 inch shell and the near misses of two air bombs.

 

Battleship BARHAM received medium damage from four shell hits.

 

In British air attacks during the day, three Swordfish and three Skuas aircraft from aircraft carrier ARK ROYAL were lost to French fighters and two aircraft to French anti-aircraft fire. Lt Cdr A Yeoman, leading a strike of nine Swordfish of 810 and 820 Squadrons, escorted by three Skuas, forced landed his Swordfish en route due to engine failure and was picked up by destroyer ESCAPADE. On the return, Acting Lt R. S. Hankey of 810 Squadron was able to land his anti-aircraft damaged Swordfish in the water and was picked up by destroyer ECHO. Lt N. R. Corbet-Milward and LtB J. Prendergast of 810 Squadron landed in the water and were picked up by destroyer ESCAPADE. One Skua crew of 800 Squadron was picked up by destroyer ECHO and another from 803 Squadron by destroyer FORESTER.

 

In Swordfish of 810 Squadron, Acting S/Lt (A) I. H.B England and Naval Airman F. C. Moore of one Swordfish, S/Lt (A) A L. Cross and S/Lt (A) G. M. M. C. Wheeler of another were lost. Naval Airman G. P. Dawson of the Wheeler Swordfish and and Acting S/Lt (A) D. G. Richardson of the England Swordfish were taken prisoner. Lt J. S. L. Crabb, Lt (A) H. H. Jackson, and Naval Airman N. Jarvis of aircraft carrier HERMES's 814 Squadron were shot down and taken prisoner.

_____

 

Australian light cruiser SYDNEY departed Alexandria to patrol off Cyprus.

 

Light cruiser SYDNEY covered British netlayer PROTECTOR on patrol near Beirut from 24 to 26 September searching for French steamer THEOPHILE GAUTIER, which was depart Beirut for Marseilles.

 

The Australian light cruiser arrived back at Alexandria on the 26th after it was learned that the French ship was dalyed insailing.

_____

 

Heavy cruiser YORK arrived at Suez and departed for Alexandria on the 25th. The cruiser departed Port Said on the 26th and arrived at Alexandria on the 27th.

_____

 

Destroyers HASTY and HAVOCK departed Alexandria for Port Said to escort convoy AN.4 of four steamers, which departed on the 27th.

 

Anti-aircraft ship CALCUTTA departed Alexandria on 28 Septembr to join this convoy. The convoy arrived on 2 October.

_____

 

Convoy BS.5, escorted by New Zealand light cruiser LEANDER and Australian sloop PARRAMATTA, was attacked by Italian aircraft in the Red Sea.

_____

 

Convoy BN.5B with troopships EMPRESS OF JAPAN (26, 032grt) and ORION (23,371grt) departed Bombay on the 19th with convoy US 4 troops. The convoy was escorted by light cruiser COLOMBO and armed merchant cruiser KANIMBLA.

 

Troopship ORMONDE (14,982grt) departed Bombay on the 20th escorted by armed merchant cruiser ANTENOR and overtook the convoy. The convoy arrived at Aden on the 24th.

 

The troopships departed Aden at 1000/25th and was given anti-aircraft support in the Red Sea by anti-aircraft cruiser COVENTRY which was detached from the Mediterranean Fleet. The convoy was covered by light cruiser AJAX, which was en route to the Mediterranean Fleet, and destroyer KANDAHAR.

 

The Red Sea anti-aircraft cruiser CARLISLE was refitting at Colombo.

 

New Zealand light cruiser LEANDER was unsuccessfully attacked by Italian bombers in the Red Sea on the 24th.

 

Anti-aircraft cruiser COVENTRY was detached on the 27th to Port Tewfik. Cruiser COVENTRY and British gunboat GNAT passed through the Suez Canal and arrived at Alexandria on the 30th. The convoy and light cruiser AJAX safely arrived at Suez on the 29th.

_____

 

In French air attacks on Gibraltar from 1250 to 1439, battlecruiser RENOWN was near missed by two bombs, but was not damaged.

 

Battlecruiser RENOWN with destroyers HOTSPUR, FIREDRAKE, GRIFFIN, and ENCOUNTER sortied from Gibraltar at 1550 to avoid further air attack.

 

French Vichy destroyers EPEE, FLEURET, FOUGUEUX, and FRONDEUR departed Casablanca on the 24th to demonstrate off Gibraltar for MENACE.

 

Following a contact report by armed boarding vessel CHARLES MCIVER (428grt), destroyer WRESTLER contacted the French destroyers at 0500/25th.

 

Destroyer EPEE opened fire at 0518 on the 25th on Destroyer WRESTLER off Gibraltar.

 

Destroyer EPEE fired fourteen rounds, destroyer FLEURET was able to fire due to fire control equipment defects, and destroyers FOUGUEUX and FRONDEUR fired six rounds between them. The Destroyer sustained no damage.

 

Destroyers WRESTLER and WISHART pursued the withdrawing French destroyers.

 

Battlecruiser RENOWN with her destroyers proceeded in support, but made no contact. Destroyers FIREDRAKE and WISHART joined on the 27th, relieving destroyers HOTSPUR and GALLANT which returned for refuelling. Destroyer WISHART was detached on the 28th to investigate a submarine contact near battlecruiser RENOWN. The RENOWN force arrived back at Gibraltar at 1745 on the 28th. Destroyer GRIFFIN was detached and returned to assist destroyer WISHART.

 

All four French destroyers returned to Casablanca on the 25th.

 

 

Wednesday,  25 September

 

Anti-aircraft cruiser CAIRO arrived at Scapa Flow at 1006 after covering convoy OA.219 on the east coast of Scotland.

_____

 

Destroyer VERSATILE departed Scapa Flow for Middlesbrough to refit and correct defects.

 

Destroyer VERSATILE arrived at 0930/26th, but was ordered to return to Rosyth, arriving at 1700/26th.

_____

 

Destroyers SOMALI and ESKIMO departed Scapa Flow at 0220 to search for a German plane, which crashed in the sea at 2000/24th, 22 miles 90° from Kinnaird Head.

 

A German safety boat departed Stavanger at 2100/24th. The German crew was rescued before the British ships arrived and the destroyers arrived back at Scapa Flow at 2300/25th

_____

 

Convoy OB.219 departed Liverpool escorted by destroyer WINCHELSEA and corvette PERIWINKLE. The convoy was joined the next day by corvette GERANIUM and anti-submarine trawlers INDIAN STAR and ST ZENO. The trawlers were detached on the 28th and the remainder of the escort on the 29th.

_____

 

Convoy FS.290 departed the Tyne, escorted by destroyers VANITY and WOLFHOUND. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 26th.

_____

 

Convoy FN.291 departed Methil, escorted by destroyers VEGA and WATCHMAN. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 27th.

_____

 

In operation LUCID, sending fire ships to French ports to destroy German landing craft, forces departed on the 25th.

 

Force A, old tanker WAR NIZAM (5605grt) and destroyers CAMPBELL (Captain A W. S. Agar embarked) and GARTH, minesweepers SUTTON, SALAMANDER, and SELKIRK, and MTBs departed Sheerness.

 

ForceB, old tanker WAR NAWAB (5516grt), destroyers BEAGLE and WOLVERINE, minesweepers NIGER and ELGIN, and MTBs departed Portsmouth early on the 25th, but was recalled when WAR NAWAB was found unfit for the trip.

 

Force C was a covering force of destroyers VETERAN, VENOMOUS, and WILD SWAN which departed Sheerness.

 

The operation was cancelled late on the 25th when the second tanker, WAR NIZAM, broke down.

_____

 

For British minefield MU, minelayers PLOVER and WILLEM VAN DER ZAAN departed Immingham and arrived at Sheerness at noon on the 26th.

 

At 2200/26th, the minelayers departed Sheerness for MU. However, en route both minelayers ran aground at the northern end of the Goodwins. Tug LADY BRASSEY got the minelayers off and they arrived back at Sheerness at 0600/27th.

_____

 

Submarine UTMOST departed Portsmouth for patrol in Biscay.

 

The submarine arrived back on 5 October with propeller defects. The submarine was under repair from 6 October to 26 October.

_____

 

U.138, leaving Lorient, was attacked off Penmarch in 46-58N, 05-56W by Submarine CACHALOT.

_____

 

U.29 badly damaged British steamer EURYMEDON (6223grt) from the dispersed OB.217 convoy in 53‑34N, 20‑23W.

 

Steamer EURYMEDON sank on the 27th.

 

Twenty crew and nine passengers were missing from the British steamer. Canadian destroyer OTTAWA and Corvette PRIMROSE rescued the survivors from steamer EURYMEDON.

_____

 

U.32 sank British steamer MABRITON (6694grt) in 56‑12N, 23‑00W.

 

Twelve crew were lost on the British steamer.

_____

 

U.43 sank British steamer SULAIRIA (5802grt) from the dispersed OB.217 convoy in 53‑43N, 20‑10W.

 

One crewman was lost from the steamer. Canadian destroyer OTTAWA rescued the survivors from steamer SULAIRIA.

_____

 

British drifter WHITE DAISY (79grt) was lost near Lerwick in heavy weather.

_____

 

French trawler FINDLANDE (1344grt) was seized by Canadian forces in the Newfoundland area.

 

The trawler was intended for use by Free French forces, but she was laid up until April 1941 when she was transferred to the Ministry of War Transportation.

_____

 

In MENACE operations, Australian heavy cruiser AUSTRALIA was damaged by two six inch shell hits, but the damage did not require her withdrawal from the operation.

 

Battleship BARHAM was hit by a 15 inch shell.

 

A Walrus from heavy cruiser AUSTRALIA was shot down astern of battleship BARHAM by French fighters. Flight Lt G. J. I. Clarke, RAAF, Lt Cdr W. G. Fogarty, RAN, and Petty Officer Telegraphist C. K. Bunnett were killed. Destroyer FORESTER was sent to pick up the survivors, but came under heavy shore fire and was forced to withdraw.

 

After MENACE, cruiser AUSTRALIA proceeded to Liverpool to correct defects. She was in the Clyde at the end of October with turbine problems. She was refitting at the Clyde from 22 November to 29 December.

 

French Vichy submarine BEVEZIERS torpedoed battleship RESOLUTION off Dakar. There were no crew killed in the battleship. Destroyers FORESTER and INGLEFIELD laid a smoke screen. Battleship RESOLUTION was taken in tow late on the 26th by Battleship BARHAM to Freetown arriving early on the 29th.

 

French submarine SIDI FERRUCH from Konakry tried to intercept the British ships, but ARK ROYAL air forced the submarine to submerge ten miles short of the British ships.

 

After temporary repairs at Freetown, battleship RESOLUTION arrived at Gibraltar on 16 December. She departed Gibraltar in March 1941 for Portsmouth, but due to heavy bombing on Portsmouth, she was sent on to the United States. Battleship RESOLUTION was repaired at Philadelphia from April to September 1941.

_____

 

In a French air attack on Gibraltar on the 25th, three bombs fell in the Dockyard. Paymaster Cdr J. E. Davie - Smith and a rating of CORMORANT were killed.

 

Anti-submarine trawler STELLA SIRIUS (550grt, Lt Cdr A N. Benson RNVR) of 7th Anti Submarine Group was sunk by French bombing at Gibraltar.

 

The survivors were rescued by anti-submarine trawler ARCTIC RANGER (493grt). One rating was killed in trawler ARCTIC RANGER.

 

Temporary S/Lt K. F. W. Wilcox RNVR, and eleven ratings of trawler STELLA SIRIUS, was killed.

_____

 

Aircraft carrier ARGUS departed Freetown for the UK, escorted by armed merchant cruiser CICILIA.

 

On 28 September, the aircraft carrier was escorted by destroyer WISHART.

 

The destroyer was detached to hunt a submarine in 36-04N, 8-06W.

_____

 

Destroyers HEREWARD, HYPERION, JUNO, and MOHAWK, which departed Alexandria on the 24th for Mersa Matruh, bombarded a motor convoy west of Sidi Barrani at 0336.

_____

 

Italian steamer RINA CROCE (569grt) was lost on a mine two and half mines off Brindisi on a mine laid by submarine ROQUAL on 14 June.

_____

 

Convoy SLS.49 departed Freetown escorted by armed merchant cruiser CILICIA to 12 October, when it rendezvoused with convoy SL.49. The convoys arrived at Liverpool on 17 October.

_____

 

Light cruiser DANAE arrived at Penang.

_____

 

German steamer SAARLAND (6725grt) at Dairen was sold to Japan as TEIYO MARU.

 

 

Thursday,  26 September

 

Destroyer VETERAN, returning to Harwich after the aborted LUCID operation, was damaged by a mine exploding close aboard off Barrow Deep Light Vessel. The feet of the starboard turbine snapped and the steering engine was damaged.

 

Destroyer VETERAN was repaired at Chatham in eight days.

_____

 

Destroyers BEDOUIN and ASHANTI rescued three Norwegian airmen in an open boat in the North Sea.

_____

 

Convoy OA.220 departed Methil escorted by sloop ROCHESTER, corvette BLUEBELL, and anti-submarine trawlers CAPE ARGONA, HORNPIPE, and PENTLAND FIRTH from 26 to 28 September.

 

Anti-aircraft cruiser CURACOA provided support for the convoy on 26 and 27 September.

_____

 

Convoy FN.291 departed Southend, escorted by destroyers VIMIERA and WOLSEY. The convoy arrived at Methil on the 28th.

_____

 

Convoy FS.292 departed Methil, escorted by destroyers VERDUN and VIVIEN. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 28th.

_____

 

S/Lt H. W. Richardson and Probationary Temporary Midshipman (A) D. S. T. Wells RNVR, were killed when their Miles Master of 759 Squadron crashed near Martock.

_____

 

U.32 torpedoed and badly damaged British steamer CORRIENTES (6863grt) from dispersed convoy OB.217 in 53‑49N, 24‑19W.

 

On 28 September, U.37 sank steamer CORRIENTES.

 

The entire crew of the British steamer was rescued.

_____

 

U.32 sank British steamer DARCOILA (4084grt) from dispersed convoy OB.217 west of Ireland.

_____

 

U.32 sank Norwegian steamer TANCRED (6094grt) from the dispersed convoy OB.217 in 53‑32N, 24‑35W.

 

The entire crew of the steamer was rescued.

_____

 

U.46 sank Norwegian steamer SILJAN (3058grt) three hundred fifty miles southwest of Ireland.

 

Nine crew were lost on the Norwegian steamer.

_____

 

U.46 sank British steamer COAST WINGS (862grt) which was a straggler from convoy OG.43 in the North Atlantic, southwest of Ireland.

_____

 

In attacks on convoy OB.218, U.137 sank British steamer MANCHESTER BRIGADE (6042grt, Convoy Commodore H. H. Smith DSO Rtd in 54‑53N, 10‑22W.

 

Four crew from the British steamer were rescued. The rest, including four British naval ratings, were lost.

 

U.137 sank British tanker STRATFORD (4753grt) in 54‑50N, 10‑40W.

 

Two crew were lost on the British tanker. Corvette GLOXINIA assisted in the rescue of survivors.

 

U.137 damaged British steamer ASHANTIAN (4917grt) in 55‑10N, 11‑00W.

 

British steamer ASHANTIAN was escorted to Glasgow by Corvette GLOXINIA and anti-submarine trawler WOLVES.

_____

 

U.137 sank Norwegian steamer ASGERD (1308grt) in 56‑34N, 09‑10W.

_____

 

Anti-aircraft cruiser CURACOA departed Scapa Flow at 1100/26th to support convoy OA.220.

 

In German air attacks on convoy OA.220 at 2000, British steamer PORT DENISON (8043grt, Convoy Commodore) was damaged by German bombing six miles northeast of Peterhead.

 

Steamer PORT DENISON sank on the 27th, seven miles 260° from Rattray Head.

 

Sixteen crew, including a naval rating, were lost on the British steamer.

 

Survivours from steamer PORT DENISON were rescued by anti-submarine trawler PENTLAND FIRTH (485grt).

 

British steamer WELSH PRINCE (5148grt) was damaged by a near miss of German bombing in 57‑37N, 01‑34W.

 

British steamer SUVA (4873grt) was damaged by German bombing in 57‑30N, 01‑32W.

 

After escorting convoy OA.220, anti-aircraft cruiser CURACOA arrived at Scapa Flow at 1200/27th.

_____

 

In German air attacks on Liverpool, British steamers DIPLOMAT (8240grt) and PETERTON (5221grt) were damaged by German bombing at Brunswick Dock, Liverpool.

 

British steamer WEST KEDRON (5621grt) and tug WELLINGTON (285grt) were damaged by German bombing at Liverpool.

_____

 

Convoy HX.76 departed Halifax at 1715 escorted by Canadian destroyer SAGUENAY, armed patrol boat FRENCH, and auxiliary patrol boats HUSKY and REINDEER in the harbour.

 

Patrol boat FRENCH returned to harbour after dark. At 1930/27th, Canadian destroyer SAGUENAY departed the convoy leaving the ocean escort, armed merchant cruiser AUSONIA as the ocean escort.

 

Convoy BHX.76 departed Bermuda on the 24th escorted by ocean escort armed merchant cruiser ALAUNIA. The convoy rendezvoused with convoy HX.76 on the 29th and the armed merchant cruiser was detached.

 

Destroyer SCMIITAR, corvettes FLEUR DE LYS, HEARTSEASE, and HELIOTROPE, and ant submarine trawlers HUDDERSFIELD TOWN, KING SOL, and ST ZENO joined on 7 October. Trawler ST ZENO was detached on 8 October and corvette FLEUR DE LYS and trawler KING SOL were detached on 9 October. The convoy arrived at Liverpool on 10 October.

_____

 

Australian destroyer WATERHEN departed Alexandria to relieve destroyer ILEX in convoy LW 17 from Haifa to Port Said.

 

Destroyer ILEX arrived at Alexandria on the 27th.

_____

 

Light cruiser ENTERPRISE arrived at Rio de Janiero.

_____

 

Light cruiser NEPTUNE arrived at Durban.

_____

 

Destroyer FURY arrived at Freetown after MENACE operations and departed later that day to rejoin the MENACE force returning to Freetown.

_____

 

German armed merchant cruiser THOR sank Norwegian tanker KOSMOS (17,801grt) in the South Atlantic at 00‑30S, 32‑06W.

_____

 

German steamer WESER (9179grt), which was to supply German armed merchant cruiser ORION, was captured as she departed Manzanillo, Peru, by Canadian armed merchant cruiser PRINCE ROBERT.

 

Steamer WESER was renamed VANCOUVER ISLAND for use by Canadian forces.

 

 

Friday,  27 September

 

Light cruiser KENYA was completed.

 

Light cruiser KENYA arrived at Scapa Flow on the 29th for working up and assignment with the 10th Cruiser Squadron. Light cruiser KENYA was sent to Freetown for working up and departed Freetown on 27 October for Plymouth arriving on 5 November.

_____

 

Anti-aircraft cruiser PHOEBE was completed.

 

Light cruiser PHOEBE departed the Clyde on 2 October to work up at Scapa Flow. She arrived at Scapa Flow on 4 October. She worked up at Scapa Flow and was assigned to the 15th Cruiser Squadron.

_____

 

Anti-aircraft cruiser CAIRO departed Scapa Flow at 1600 to meet convoy WN.18 and escort the convoy through to Methil.

 

Anti-aircraft cruiser CAIRO then corrected defects at Rosyth.

_____

 

Destroyer SIKH was damaged by British tug FLAMER, alongside at Rosyth.

 

Destroyer SIKH's temporary repairs were completed at 1200/29th.

_____

 

Destroyer VERSATILE departed Rosyth for the Tyne.

 

At the Tyne, destroyer VERSATILE met troopship EMPIRE TROOPER and escorted her to Pentland Firth.

_____

 

Convoy OB.220 departed Liverpool escorted by destroyer SKATE, sloop WELLINGTON, corvette GLADIOLUS, and anti-submarine trawlers LADY LILLIAN and NORTHERN GEM. All but WELLINGTON was detached on the 30th and the sloop was detached on 1 October.

_____

 

Convoy FN.292 departed Southend, escorted by destroyers VANITY and WOLFHOUND. The convoy arrived at Methil on the 29th.

_____

 

Convoy FS.293 departed Methil, escorted by destroyer WINCHESTER and sloop LONDONDERRY. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 29th.

_____

 

Submarine TRIUMPH, her repairs from the December mining completed, worked up in Holy Loch.

 

Submarine TRIUMPH departed Holy Loch on 6 November for the Mediterranean. The submarine arrived at Gibraltar on 16 November.

_____

 

Minesweeper HALCYON was mined in the mouth of the Tees in the North Sea and badly damaged. Temporary Lt J. D. Worthington DSC RNVR, Paymaster Lt W. A Kibble RNR, and several ratings were wounded.

 

The minesweeper was repaired at Southbank, completed on 30 June 1941.

_____

 

Norwegian steamer DIANA (1155grt) was sunk on a mine between Lizard and Fowey.

_____

 

U.31 sank Norwegian steamer VESTVARD (4319grt) three hundred miles west of Ireland.

 

One crewman was killed on the Norwegian steamer.

_____

 

U.37 sank Egyptian steamer GEORGES MABRO (2555grt) in 52‑00N, 19‑00W.

_____

 

Convoy SC.6 departed Sydney escorted by Canadian armed yacht ELK and ocean escort Sloop ENCHANTRESS.

 

On 9 October, destroyers SKATE, VANQUISHER, and WINCHELSEA, sloop HASTINGS, and anti-submarine yacht PHILANTE joined the convoy. On 11 October, destroyer WINCHELSEA was detached. The remainder of the escort arrived with the convoy at Liverpool on 12 October.

_____

 

U.46 on patrol in the Atlantic lost two crew overboard in heavy weather.

_____

 

At 0530, light cruiser DRAGON with transports KENYA, KARANJA, SOBIESKI, and ETTRICK arrived at Freetown.

 

At 0615, destroyer ESCAPADE arrived at Freetown. She sailed again at 1020 to rejoin the ships at sea.

 

At 0900, transports PENNLAND and WESTERNLAND, escorted by sloops SAVORGNAN DE BRAZZA, COMMANDANT DOMINE, and COMMANDANT DUBOC arrived at Freetown.

 

At 1430, light cruiser DELHI arrived at Freetown

 

At 1700, heavy cruisers CORNWALL and CUMBERLAND arrived at Freetown.

 

At 1815, French armed trawler PRESIDENT HOUDACE escorting OCEAN COAST, CASAMANCE, ANADYR, NEVADA, and FORT LAMY arrived at Freetown.

_____

 

Convoy SL.49 departed Freetown escorted by armed merchant cruiser MORETON BAY to 14 October.

 

On 12 October, convoy SL.49 rendezvoused with convoy SLS.49.

 

On 13 October, destroyer ANTELOPE and sloop ABERDEEN joined the convoy. Corvette GLOXINIA and anti-submarine trawler NORTHERN GEM also escorted the convoy in Home Waters. The convoy arrived on 17 October.

 

 

Saturday,  28 September

 

German destroyers LODY, GALSTER, IHN, and STEINBRINCK departed Brest escorted by destroyers ECKHOLDT and RIEDEL to lay mines in Falmouth Bay.

 

These destroyers, which had been transferred to Brest earlier in September, laid the minefield without interference and returned to Brest on the 29th.

 

Five ships for 2026grt were lost on this minefield.

 

Armed yacht SAPPHO (387grt, Cdr W. Ireland RNR) and minesweeping trawler COMET (301grt, Second Hand R. G. Smith RNR) were lost on this minefield on the 30th off Falmouth, 50-04-30N, 04-57-30W.

 

Ireland, Temporary Lt R. W. Bristow RNVR, Temporary Lt M. G. Cockshott RNVR, Temporary Lt W. A Pain RNVR, Temporary Lt (E) W. A Gow RNR, and twenty four ratings were lost on the yacht.

 

Fifteen ratings were lost in the COMET. There were two survivors.

 

Dutch tug LAUWERZEE (262grt) was towing British cable ship LADY OF THE ISLES (166grt) when both ships were lost on this minefield three miles east of St Anthony Point in 50-10N, 4-24W on 3 October.

 

Twelve crew were lost on the tug and sixteen crew were lost on the cable ship.

 

British steamer JERSEY QUEEN (910grt) was lost on 6 October, one and a half miles 160° from St Anthony Point.

 

Two crew were lost on the British steamer.

_____

 

On a report of a German heavy cruiser escorting a convoy at 1400, possibly escorted by heavy cruiser HIPPER off Norway in 62‑00N, 3‑30E, sixty miles off Stavanger, battlecruiser REPULSE (Flag Rear Admiral Destroyers Home Fleet), heavy cruisers BERWICK and NORFOLK, and destroyers MATABELE, PUNJABI, DUNCAN, SOMALI, and ESKIMO departed Scapa Flow at 2015 to intercept.

 

Battlecruiser HOOD, anti-aircraft cruiser NAIAD, and destroyers ZULU, TARTAR, and ELECTRA departed Rosyth to intercept the German force.

 

No contact was made and the operation as cancelled at 0909 on the 29th.

Destroyer MATABELE was detached at 1130 to the area of Muckle Flugga on the 29th to transmit a message to heavy cruiser NORFOLK which had lost touch. Heavy cruiser NORFOLK was ordered to return to Scapa Flow. Destroyer MATABELE proceeded to Scapa Flow herself, arriving at 2120.

 

Battlecruiser HOOD with destroyers ZULU, TARTAR, and ELECTRA arrived at Scapa Flow at 1920/29th.

 

Battlecruiser REPULSE, heavy cruiser BERWICK, and destroyers SOMALI, PUNJABI, ESKIMO, and DUNCAN arrived Scapa Flow at 2320/29th.

 

Anti-aircraft cruiser NAIAD proceeded to Rosyth.

 

Rear Admiral Destroyers transferred his flag from battlecruiser REPULSE to depot ship MAIDSTONE at 0045 on the 30th.

 

Battlecruiser REPULSE and destroyers DUNCAN, ZULU, and ELECTRA departed Scapa Flow at 0130/30th to return to Rosyth.

 

Destroyer DUNCAN was detached to escort convoy OA.222 in Pentland Firth.

 

Destroyers ZULU and ELECTRA were sent ahead of battlecruiser REPULSE at high speed from Gibra Island as an anti acoustic mine precaution.

 

Battlecruiser REPULSE and destroyers ZULU and ELECTRA arrived at 1300/30th.

 

Rear Admiral Destroyers rehoisted his flag on battlecruiser REPULSE at 1800.

_____

 

Light cruiser NIGERIA (10th Cruiser Squadron Flag) arrived at Scapa Flow at 1015 to join the Home Fleet.

_____

 

Destroyer VIMY departed Scapa Flow and relieved destroyer VERSATILE escorting troopship EMPIRE TROOPER in Pentland Firth at 2359.

 

Destroyer VERSATILE returned to Invergordon.

 

Destroyer VIMY and the troopship arrived at Liverpool at 1830/30th.

_____

 

Anti-submarine trawler RECOIL (344grt) was lost in mining while on patrol off Portland Bill in the English Channel.

 

Lt I. M. Wilson RNVR, Temporary S/Lt R. Phillips RNR, S/Lt A W. Proctor RCNVR, and twenty two ratings were lost in the trawler.

 

Trawler RECOIL was the German trawler BLANKENBURG captured in April off Norway.

_____

 

Convoy OL.5 departed Liverpool escorted by destroyers VANQUISHER and ARROW from 28 to 30 September. The convoy was dispersed on the 30th.

_____

 

Convoy OA.221 departed Methil escorted by escort ship JASON and corvette CLEMATIS from 28 September to 3 October. Anti-air craft ship ALYNBANK was with the convoy on 28 and 29 September.

_____

 

Convoy FN.293 departed Southend, escorted by destroyers VEGA and WATCHMAN. The convoy arrived at Methil on the 30th.

_____

 

German tanker SHELL II (517grt) was sunk by British bombing in the Scheldt.

_____

 

U.32 badly damaged British steamer EMPIRE OCELOT (5759grt) in 54‑37N, 21‑30W.

 

Steamer EMPIRE OCELOT sank in 54‑55N, 22‑06W.

 

Two crew were lost on the British steamer.

_____

 

British steamer DALVEEN (5193grt) in convoy HX.73A was sunk by German bombing in 58‑10N, 02‑19W.

 

Thirty two crew were rescued from the British steamer.

 

British steamer QUEEN CITY (4814grt) in convoy HX.73 A was damaged by German bombing in 58‑10N, 02‑19W.

 

Anti-aircraft ship ALYNBANK departed Scapa Flow at 0500 to support this convoy off Buchan Ness.

 

After escorting this convoy, she screened convoy OA.221 from Buchanness before arriving back at Scapa Flow at 1230/29th.

_____

 

The Mediterranean Fleet departed Alexandria on Malta convoy escort operation MB.5.

 

Battleships WARSPITE and VALIANT, aircraft carrier ILLUSTRIOUS, cruisers YORK, ORION, and SYDNEY departed Alexandria.

 

The ships joined destroyersHYPERION, HEREWARD, HERO, ILEX, IMPERIAL, JERVIS, JUNO, JANUS, NUBIAN, MOHAWK, and STUART which departed Alexandria late on the 28th to sweep for submarines.

 

Light cruisers LIVERPOOL and GLOUCESTER departed Alexandria on the 29th carrying 1200 troops for Malta. The cruisers joined the Main Force before daylight.

 

An Italian submarine reported the Mediterranean Fleet off Sidi Barrani escorting the Malta convoy.

 

Italian submarines SCIRE and GONDAR were at sea to launch SLC's against the British Fleet at Gibraltar and Alexandria, respectively. They were both ordered to return to Spezia when it was learned both Fleets were at sea.

 

A Fulmar from aircraft carrier ILLUSTRIOUS was forced landed on the 29th and its crew was picked up by destroyer STUART.

 

On 29 September, Australian destroyer STUART suffered a broken steam main and was ordered to return to Alexandria alone.

 

En route, destroyer STUART encountered Italian submarine GONDAR, which was returning to Spezia with three SLC's intended for the Mediterranean Fleet.

 

Destroyer STUART damaged GONDAR and summoned destroyer DIAMOND from Alexandria to assist.

 

Destroyer STUART and Alexandria based aircraft sank Italian submarine GONDAR in 31‑33N, 28‑33E. Forty seven crew from GONDAR were picked up by STUART and anti-submarine trawler SINDONIS (440grt) which arrived on the scene.

 

Destroyer DIAMOND arrived as GONDAR was sinking.

 

That evening battleship WARSPITE was straddled by bombing and three crew were wounded.

 

Two Fulmar aircraft failed to return to the aircraft carrier that evening

 

Destroyer STUART rescued S/Lt I. L. F. Lowe and his naval airman from a Fulmar of 806 Squadron which had been shot down in the area.

 

Light cruisers GLOUCESTER and LIVERPOOL were detached to Malta at 1450/30th. Heavy cruiser YORK and destroyer MOHAWK were stationed twenty miles 350° and forty miles 340° from the Main Fleet.

 

Destroyer VOYAGER departed Malta at 0001 on 1 October and light cruisers GLOUCESTER and LIVERPOOL at 0230 to rejoin the Main Fleet.

 

Destroyer VOYAGER joined the Main Fleet at 1245. Anti-aircraft ship CALCUTTA, formerly supporting convoy AN.4, joined at 1545. The destroyers of AN.4, HAVOCK and HASTY, were returning independently to Alexandria. light cruisers LIVERPOOL and GLOUCESTER rejoined at 1745.

 

Light cruisers ORION and SYDNEY were detached at sunset on 1 October to carry out a sweep of the Gulf of Athens, Doro Channel, and towards Tenedos. They were also to conduct a night bombardment of port Maltezana, if possible.

 

In response to the Mediterranean Fleet being at sea, Italian battleships LITTORIO, VENETO, CAVOUR, CESARE, and DUILO, heavy cruisers POLA, ZARA, GORIZIA, FIUME, TRIESTE, TRENTO, and BOLZANO, light cruisers ABRUZZI, GARIBALDI, EUGENIO, and AOSTA, and twenty three destroyers put to sea from Taranto and Messina.

 

On 1 October, Italian reconnaissance sighted the Mediterranean Fleet returning to Alexandria and returned to port.

_____

 

Light cruiser AJAX and anti-aircraft ship COVENTRY departed Port Said for Alexandria, arriving on the 30th.

_____

 

Submarine PANDORA sank Italian steamer FAMIGLIA (813grt) 33-00N, 21-38E north of Ras Aamer.

 

Submarine PANDORA was heavily counterattacked in return by Italian torpedo boat COSENZ.

_____

 

Spanish steamer MONTE MONCAYO (4291grt) was sunk on a mine eight miles off Cagliari.

 

Four crew were lost on the steamer.

_____

 

Heavy cruiser CORNWALL departed Freetown for Manoka at 0600.

 

The heavy cruiser arrived at Manora on 1 October.

 

Heavy cruiser CORNWALL departed Manora on 9 October for Pointe Noire.

 

At 0635, light cruiser DELHI departed Freetown to join the MENACE forces still at sea.

 

At 1300, Australian heavy cruiser AUSTRALIA arrived at Freetown.

 

At 1400, aircraft carrier ARK ROYAL arrived at Freetown.

 

 

Sunday,  29 September

 

Light cruiser KENYA arrived at Scapa Flow at 1000.

_____

 

Light cruiser EMERALD and destroyers GARLAND, BROKE, VELOX, and BLYSKAWICA departed Plymouth to pursue German destroyers off St Mary's, Scilly Isle.

 

Contact was not made and the ships arrived back at Plymouth on the 30th.

_____

 

Light cruiser DESPATCH departed the Clyde for Portsmouth for refitting and repairs.

_____

 

Convoy OB.221 departed Liverpool with destroyer ANTHONY, corvettes ARABIS, CALENDULA, and COREOPSIS, and ant submarine trawlers BLACKFLY and LADY ELSA. Corvette COREOPSIS was detached that day. The two trawlers departed on the 30th. Corvette ARABIS was detached on 2 October and destroyer ATNHONY and corvette CALENDULA left on 3 October.

_____

 

Convoy FN.294 departed Southend, escorted by destroyers VERDUN and VIVIEN. The convoy arrived at Methil on 1 October.

_____

 

Convoy FS.294 departed the Tyne, escorted by destroyer WESTMINSTER and sloop EGRET. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 30th.

_____

 

Convoy FS.295 departed Methil, escorted by destroyers VALOROUS and WOLSEY. The convoy arrived at Southend on 1 October.

_____

 

Dutch steamer ARIZONA (398grt) was sunk on a mine one mile 204° from Kincraig Signal Tower, Firth of Forth.

 

Three crew survived the loss of steamer ARIZONA.

_____

 

U.32 sank British steamer BASSA (5267grt) in 54‑00N, 21‑00W.

_____

 

Battlecruiser RENOWN and destroyers FIREDRAKE, ENCOUNTER, HOTSPUR, and GALLANT departed Gibraltar at 0715 on the 29th to intercept French battleship RICHELIEU, reportedly en route to a Biscay port.

 

On leaving harbour, French destroyers EPEE and FRONDEUR were sighted passing through the Gibraltar Straits.

 

The British force also conducted patrols off the Azores on the report of German ships with troops, possibly en route to the Azores for occupation.

 

Oiler ORANGELEAF, escorted by destroyer WISHART, departed Gibraltar on the 29th for patrol south of the Azores to refuel RENOWN destroyers.

 

Oiler ORANGELEAF was met by destroyer WRESTLER, which departed Gibraltar on 6 October, and escorted back to Gibraltar.

 

Battlecruiser RENOWN and her four destroyers arrived back at Gibraltar on 7 October.

_____

 

Light cruiser AJAX, anti-aircraft cruiser COVENTRY, and Australian destroyer WATERHEN arrived at Alexandria.

_____

 

Italian steamer CARMEN (1434grt) was sunk in 41‑17N, 19‑11E, east, southeast of Durazzo, probably on a mine.

_____

 

At 0700, battleships BARHAM and RESOLUTION, heavy cruiser DEVONSHIRE, light cruiser DELI, destroeyrs INGLEFIELD, FAULKNOR, ESCAPADE, GREYHOUND, FURY, FORESIGHT, and FORESETER, sloops BRIDGEWATER and MILFORD, and boom defence vessel QUANNET arrived at Freetown.

_____

 

Heavy cruiser DORSETSHIRE arrived at Freetown.

 

 

Monday,  30 September

 

Minelayers SOUTHERN PRINCE, MENESTHEUS, PORT NAPIER, and PORT QUEBEC escorted by destroyers VISCOUNT, WITHERINGTON, VANSITTART, and WHITEHALL departed Loch Alsh to lay mines in SN 42 north of the British Isles.

 

All ships involved arrived back at Loch Alsh on 1 October.

 

Destroyer VANSITTART was sailed to Liverpool for boiler cleaning.

 

There were no minelaying operations in October due to the lack of escort ships.

 

In October, Minelayer ADVENTURE arrived at Loch Alsh on 17 October and minelayer AGAMEMNON departed the Tyne on 30 October for Loch Alsh.

_____

 

Rear Admiral Destroyers Home Fleet took over administration of anti-aircraft cruisers attached to the Home Fleet.

_____

 

Home Fleet ships at Scapa Flow were given orders to be daily at four hours' notice from 0730 to 1930 and one hour's notice from 1930 to 0730.

_____

 

Convoy OA.222 departed Methil escorted by destroyer DUNCAN, sloop FLEETWOOD, corvettes GARDENIA and PRIMULA.

 

Anti-aircraft cruiser CURACOA provided support for the convoy on 1 October.

 

Destroyer DUNCAN and corvette GARDENIA were detached on 1 October. Sloop FLEETWOOD and corvette PRIMULA were detached on 5 October when the convoy rendezvoused with convoy OB.222.

_____

 

Convoy FN.295 departed Southend, destroyer WINCHESTER and sloop LONDONDERRY. The convoy arrived at Methil on 2 October.

_____

 

Convoy FS.296 departed Methil. The convoy arrived at Southend on 2 October.

_____

 

Anti-aircraft cruiser DIDO was completed.

 

Anti-aircraft cruiser DIDO departed the Clyde on 1 October and arrived at Scapa Flow on 3 October to work up. She was assigned to the 15th Cruiser Squadron

_____

 

Destroyer KIPLING departed Rosyth at 0045 for the Humber.

 

The destroyer was in a collision with British steamer QUEEN MAUD (4976grt) in convoy FN.92 at 0301 on the 30th in 56-05-15N, 2-36-52W.

 

The destroyer sustained slight damage and was repaired in the Humber, from 30 September to 2 October. She then proceeded to Plymouth for further repairs from 3 to 10 October.

_____

 

Destroyer JUPITER arrived at Rosyth to join the Home Fleet temporarily.

_____

 

Destroyer QUORN arrived at Scapa Flow at 1600 to work up at Scapa Flow prior to joining the Nore Command.

_____

 

At 2345, destroyers JAGUAR, JAVELIN, KIPLING, and KELVIN were detached for the Nore to join the Western Approaches in view of enemy destroyer activity in the area.

 

The destroyers were replaced by three B-class destroyers of the 1st Destroyer Flotilla.

_____

 

From a position eight miles east of South Goodwin Light Vessel, British monitor EREBUS, escorted by destroyers VESPER and GARTH, bombarded Calais. Seventeen rounds were fired early in the morning of 30 September in Operation MW.

 

Monitor EREBUS had arrived at Dover in late September from Scapa Flow where she had been working up since 12 August.

 

Destroyers MACKAY, WITCH, BULLDOG, and SARDONYX were operating in the area.

_____

 

During the night of 30 September/1 October, German torpedo boats GREIF, KONDOR, FALKE, and SEEADLER of the 5th Torpedo Boat Flotilla laid minefield WERNER off Dover.

 

Destroyers MALCOLM, WIVERN, and VERITY and patrol sloops WIDGEON and SHEARWATER had departed Harwich and destroyers VENOMOUS, WILD SWAN, and EGLINTON departed Sheerness on the 30th and were in patrol in the area, but no contact was made.

 

The ships returned to Harwich on 1 October.

_____

 

Patrol sloops MALLARD and PINTAIL were operating together off Harwich. Sloop MALLARD was badly damaged in a mining off Harwich at 0705.

 

Patrol sloop MALLARD, assisted by tug KENIA, arrived at Harwich later that day and was under repair at Chatham until May 1941.

_____

 

Lt C. S. H. Kennaway, Probationary Temporary Midshipman (A) R. J. Lane RNVR, and Naval Airman G. F. K. How of of 826 Squadron from PEREGRINE were lost when they failed to return from a raid on Vlaardingen.

_____

 

U.37 sank British steamer SAMALA (5390grt) in 46‑00N, 33‑00W.

 

There were no survivors from the steamer.

_____

 

U.37 sank British steamer HEMINGE (2499grt) in 53‑26N, 18‑33W.

 

One crewman was lost on the British steamer.

_____

 

British steamer SUSSEX (11,063grt) was damaged by German bombing in 54‑20N, 15‑32W.

_____

 

Anti-aircraft cruiser CURACOA departed Scapa Flow to cover convoy SL.47 A from Duncansby Head to Buchan Ness.

 

German air attacked convoy SL.47 A off Kinnaird Head from 1955 to 2030. The convoy at that time was escorted by Sloop WESTON.

 

British steamer MOUNTPARK (4648grt) was damaged by German bombing in 57‑24N, 01‑35W.

 

British steamer EMPIRE SUCCESS (6009grt) was damaged by German bombing five miles east of Peterhead.

 

British steamer KERMA (4333grt) was damaged by German bombing in 57‑24N, 01‑35W.

 

At Buchan Ness, cruiser CURACOA transferred to convoy OA.222 which she escorted as far as Pentland Firth before going to convoy WN.19 Fast.

_____

 

British Acting Leading Airman R. Pennington at 1 SFTS Netheravon was killed when his Hart collided with a Blenheim near Bulford.

_____

 

British steamer BARON VERNON (3642grt) in convoy HG.44 was damaged by German bombing in 52‑40N, 17‑56W.

_____

 

British tanker HENRY DUNDAS (10,448grt) was damaged by German bombing in the Mersey River Anchorage.

_____

 

Convoy HX.77 departed Halifax at 1400 escorted by Canadian destroyers ASSINIBOINE and SAGUENAY and auxiliary patrol boats HUSKY and REINDEER in the harbour. The destroyers turned the convoy over ocean escort, armed merchant cruiser RANPURA. The armed merchant cruiser was detached on 10 October.

 

Convoy BHX.77 departed Bermuda on the 28th escorted by ocean escort armed merchant cruiser LACONIA. The convoy rendezvoused with convoy HX.77 on 3 October and the armed merchant cruiser was detached.

 

On 11 October, destroyers SHIKARI, VANSITTART, and WITHERINGTON, sloop WESTON, anti-aircraft ship ALYNBANK, and corvettes CLARKIA, GARDENIA, and PERIWINKLE joined. Destroyer SHIKARI and corvette PERIWINKLE were detached that day. The anti-aircraft ship was detached on 12 October. Destroyer VANSITTART, sloop WESTON, and corvette CLARKIA were detached on 15 October. Destroyer WITHERINGTON and corvette GARDENIA arrived at Liverpool with the convoy on 15 October.

_____

 

Aircraft carrier ARK ROYAL, heavy cruiser AUSTRALIA, and destroyers FORTUNE, GREYHOUND, and FORESTER departed Freetown at 0615for the Clyde.

 

En route, heavy cruiser AUSTRALIA was detached to investigate a rumour of an invasion force heading for the Azores. She joined light cruiser SHEFFIELD on this patrol.

 

Heavy cruiser AUSTRALIA arrived at Gibraltar on 14 October.

 

Heavy cruiser AUSTRALIA proceeded to the Clyde and was in the Clyde on 1 November. She operated with the Home Fleet based at Greenock.

_____

 

Light cruisers LIVERPOOL and GLOUCESTER landed troops at Malta.

 

 The cruisers departed Malta on 1 October with Australian destroyer VOYAGER and rejoined the Mediterranean Fleet at sea.

_____

 

Submarine REGENT in the Ionian Sea sighted two Italian battleships which had departed Taranto earlier in the day.

_____

 

Light cruiser NEPTUNE departed Durban and arrived at Simonstown on 2 October.

 

The light cruiser departed Simonstown on 7 October for Freetown and duty in the South Atlantic Command.

_____

 

Convoy US 5 A departed Sydney on the 30th Dutch liners NIEUW ZEELAND (11069grt) and JOHAN DE WITT (10474grt) with 1908 troops, escorted by heavy cruiser CANBERRA and light cruiser PERTH.

 

British steamers ULSTER PRINCE (3791grt), which carried naval ammunition, VARSOVA (4701grt), and CLAN CAMPBELL (7255grt) were also in the convoy. The convoy departed Fremantle on 7 October.

 

The light cruiser escorted the convoy until 9 October. The heavy cruiser continued with the convoy until 17 October, when the convoy arrived at Colombo.

 

The convoy departed Colombo on 21 October.

 

Light cruiser CALEDON escorted the convoy from 21 to 28 October.

 

Heavy cruiser SHROPSHIRE, anti-aircraft cruiser CARLISLE, destroyer KANDAHAR, sloops FLAMINGO and PARRAMATTA, and British steamer CITY OF CAPE TOWN (8046grt) joined at Aden.

 

Steamer ULSTER PRINCE called at Port Sudan on 30 and 31 October. The convoy arrived at Suez on 2 November.

 

 

September, miscellaneous

 

In early September, four Greek destroyers escorted five troopships to Dedeagach, Thrace.

_____

 

At the end of September, the following destroyers were under repair – ACHATES at Androssan repairing, ACHERON at Portsmouth repairing, ACTIVE at Glasgow repairing, ANTHONY at Greenock repairing, ATHERSTONE at Chatham repairing, BOREAS at London repairing, CAMERON at St Johns repairing, DOUGLAS at Greenock repairing, EXPRESS at Humber repairing, FAME at Rosyth repairing, FEARLESS at Glasgow repairing, FOXHOUND at London refitting, HESPERUS at Liverpool repairing, HOLDERNESS at Sheerness repairing, KELLY at Tyne repairing, MASHONA at Liverpool repairing, MONTROSE at Chatham repairing, VANESSA at Chatham repairing, VETERAN at Chatham repairing, VIVACIOUS at Humber repairing, WARWICK at Liverpool repairing, WESTCOTT at Plymouth refitting, WHITSHED at Chatham repairing, WINDSOR at London repairing, Canadian MARGAREE at London repairing, ST LAURENT at Liverpool repairing, SKEENA at Liverpool repairing, and French OURAGAN at Plymouth refitting.                                                                            

 
 

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