17th - Commissioned for service in Home
Fleet. Commanding Officer: Captain H C L Woodhouse, RN. Minimum manning for
trials.
28th - Passage to Rosyth for completion
of radar outfit installation work.
July
Completion of radar fit at Rosyth in
continuation.
August
Radar equipment fit completed. A total
of 14 radar sets were fitted.
26th - Contractors Sea Trials.
29th - Build completion date. (Note:
Some of the delay in completion was due to changes made following the loss of
battleship PRINCE OF WALES. See BRITISH BATTLESHIPS by Raven and Roberts. Total
build time was 5 years and 2 months.)
30th - Commenced work-up with Home
Fleet at Scapa Flow.
September
2nd - Carried out Full Power Trials and
achieved 27.5 knots.
October
Work-up at Scapa Flow in continuation.
November
Continuation of working up exercises
but was available for deployment with the Home Fleet to carry out patrol duties
or interception of surface warships attempting to break out in Atlantic for
attacks on convoy routes.
December
Continuation of working up exercises
but was available for deployment with the Home Fleet to carry out patrol duties
or interception of surface warships attempting to break out in Atlantic for
attacks on convoy routes.
31st - On receiving news of the attack
by the German Pocket Battleship LUTZOW and the cruiser HIPPER and 6 destroyers
on convoy JW51B (What became known as the Battle of the Barents Sea). The CinC
Home Fleet flying his flag in battleship KING GEORGE V with battleship HOWE and
cruiser BERMUDA screened by destroyers MONTROSE, MUSKETEER, QUEENBOROUGH,
RAIDER, WORCESTER and Polish ORP PIORUN sailed from Scapa Flow. The objective
was to provide cover for the returning Convoy RA51 and to attempt to catch
LUTZOW which it was thought might attempt to break out into the Atlantic. (For
details of all Russian Convoy operations and naval deployments in the NW
Approaches see CONVOYS TO RUSSIA by R. Ruegg, CONVOY! by P Kemp, THE RUSSIAN
CONVOYS by B. Schoefield, and ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by C. Barnett).
1 9 4 3
January
3rd - Resumed working up exercises at
Scapa Flow but remained available for interception patrol and convoy defence in
NW Approaches.
February
1st to 12th - Continuation of working
up exercises at Scapa Flow during which she was screened by destroyers ECLIPSE
and FAULKNER.
24th - Covered passage of Russian
Convoy JW53 and returning RA53 with KING GEORGE V and cruiser BERWICK screened
by destroyers ICARUS, METEOR, MUSKETEER, OFFA, ONSLAUGHT and Polish ORP PIORUN
March
10th - Resumed interception and convoy
defence duty in NW Approaches.
April
Deployed with Home Fleet in
continuation.
May
Nominated for support of Allied
landings in Sicily after docking at Rosyth. (Note: Close range AA defence was
supplemented by provision of 20mm Oerlikon guns which were fitted during passage
to Gibraltar by ship's staff.) Whilst at Scapa Flow she was visited by Churchill
followed a few days later by King George VI during a royal visit to the Home
Fleet at Scapa Flow.
21st - Passage from Rosyth to Gibraltar
screened by destroyers ONSLOW and ORWELL. (Note: Carried out bombardment
exercises during passage in NW Approaches.)
26th - Arrived at Gibraltar and joined
Force H and prepared for support of Allied landings in Sicily. (Operation HUSKY
- See Naval Staff History and ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by C Barnett.).
June
Force H including HOWE transferred to
Algiers
12th - Present at Algiers during a
visit by King George VI who came on board.
July
Nominated with KING GEORGE V for duty
in Reserve Force to be deployed west of Sicily to prevent interference during
landings by Italian warships.
5th - In company with KING GEORGE V she
sailed from Gibraltar for Algiers screened by destroyers ARROW, JERVIS, PALADIN,
PANTHER, PATHFINDER, PENN, PETARD and TYRIAN. Off Oran the Force was joined by
battleships NELSON and RODNEY and aircraft carrier INDOMITABLE.
8th - The Force arrived at Algiers.
9th - Passage to take up station with
KING GEORGE V screened by six destroyers.
10th - Deployed south of Sardinia as
part of the Reserve Covering Force with KING GEORGE V, cruisers DIDO and SIRIUS,
screened by destroyers JERVIS, PANTHER, PATHFINDER, PENN, PALADIN and PETARD
during the landings in Sicily.
12th - Bombarded Trapani and the
islands of Favignana and Levanzo with KING GEORGE V as a deception to suggest
landings on west coast of Sicily (Operation FRACTURE). On release from HUSKY
returned to Algiers.
August
4th - At Algiers when destroyer ARROW
was badly damaged whilst assisting to fight fires on the British mercantile SS
Fort Le Montee carrying explosives. After the explosion parties were sent to
help in rescue work and dealing with casualties. (Note: Over 100 of the crew of
ARROW were killed.)
September
Based at Algiers for future support
deployments.
7th - Sailed for Malta with KING GEORGE
V screened by destroyers Jervis, PALADIN, PANTHER, PATHFINDER and PENN.
8th - With KING GEORGE V she stood off
Malta whilst the destroyers went in to refuel. Whilst off Malta news came
through of the formal surrender of Italy (actual surrender date had been 3
September 1943). The CinC Malta Vice Admiral A J Power was ordered to hoist his
flag in HOWE and to take under his command cruisers AURORA, PENELOPE, DIDO,
SIRIUS, Minelaying cruiser ABDIEL and the US cruiser USS BOISE (the cruisers and
the minelayer had embarked the 1st British Airborne Division) and proceed with
all dispatch to seize the Italian naval base of Taranto. En route to Taranto the
Force encountered the Italian Battleships ANDREA DORIA and CAIO DUILIO, the
cruisers LUIGI CADORNA and POMPEO MAGNO and the destroyer NICOLOSO Da RECCO
steaming to Malta to surrender. KING GEORGE V detached from the Force to escort
the Italian squadron to Malta.
9th - Covered landing of 1st British
Airborne Division at Taranto by cruisers AURORA PENELOPE, DIDO, SIRIUS and
Minelaying cruiser ABDIEL. (Operation SLAPSTICK) (Note: Minelaying cruiser
ABDIEL sank after being mined when entering harbour. See Naval Staff History
(Mining)).
14th - Deployed with battleship KING
GEORGE V for escort of the surrendered Italian warships during passage to
Alexandria from Malta. (Note: These included battleships ITALIA and VITTORIO
VENETO, four cruisers and four destroyers)
16th - Arrived at Alexandria with
Italian warships and met by minesweeper DERBY with CinC Levant embarked. Passage
from Alexandria to Algiers.
October
1st - Arrived at Algiers and rejoined
KING GEORGE V.
Recalled to Scapa Flow to resume Home
Fleet duties. Took passage escorted by destroyers FOXHOUND, ECLIPSE, FURY and
ECHO. On arrival deployed with Home Fleet on interception and convoy defence.
November
Nominated for service in Far East after
refit. To be paid off and recommissioned on completion.
Passage to Devonport. Paid-off and
taken in hand for refit by Dockyard, Devonport.
December
Taken in hand for refit prior to
service in Pacific.
1 9 4 4
January
to February
Under refit and routine docking. (Note:
Radar Type 276 fitted to give improved air and surface warning capability. New
design fire control radar Type 274 replaced original Type 284 for main armament.
Aircraft facilities were removed during this period. For details of development
and use of radar during WW2 see RADAR AT SEA by D Howse.)
March
Undocked.
April
Refit in continuation. Recommissioned
for service in British Pacific Fleet. Commanding Officer: Captain H McCall, RN.
11th - Carried out Full Power Trial.
Returned to Devonport on completion
May
Refit complete.
10th - Took passage to Scapa Flow.
12th - Arrived at Scapa Flow for
work-up with - Home Fleet.
June
30th - On completion of work-up took
passage from Scapa Flow to Mediterranean.
July
7th - Arrived at Algiers.
9th - Took passage from Algiers for
Port Said.
22nd - Took passage from Port Tewfik
for Aden
28th - Took passage from Aden for
Colombo. En Route see was joined by cruisers CEYLON and KENYA and destroyers
RAPID, RAIDER, REDOUBT, ROCKET and ROTHERHAM.
August
3rd Arrived at Colombo.
9th - Arrived at Trincomalee and joined
the Eastern Fleet for deployment pending the formation of British Pacific Fleet.
(Note: battleship VALIANT sustained major damage when the Floating Dock AFD 28
in which she being refitted collapsed. This ship was then withdrawn from
operations.)
24th - Covered aircraft carriers
VICTORIOUS and INDOMITABLE with two cruisers and five destroyers of the Eastern
Fleet during air attacks on Padang, Sumatra (Operation BANQUET). One Japanese
freighter sunk and two damaged.
28th - Provided air-sea rescue and
fighter cover for attacks by US XX Bomber Command B29 aircraft on targets in NW
Sumatra from Ceylon. In company with battleship QUEEN ELIZABETH, Free French
Battleship RICHELIEU, battlecruiser RENOWN, aircraft carriers INDOMITABLE,
ILLUSTRIOUS and VICTORIOUS, cruisers CEYLON and KENYA and destroyers RACEHORSE,
RAPID, RELENTLESS, ROCKET and ROTHERHAM the Eastern Fleet. (Operation
BOOMERANG).
September
16th - Covered air attacks by
INDOMITABLE and VICTORIOUS on Sigli, Sumatra and a series of
photo-reconnaissance flights on Nicobars, with cruisers CUMBERLAND and KENYA and
destroyers RACEHORSE, RAPID, RAIDER, REDOUBT, RELENTLESS, ROCKET and ROTHERHAM
of Eastern Fleet (Operation LIGHT). (For details of Eastern Fleet operations see
OPERATION PACIFIC by Edwin Gray, THE FORGOTTEN FLEET by J Winton, and Naval
Staff History).
October
Deployed with Eastern Fleet in Ceylon.
November
22nd - Joined British Pacific Fleet on
formation in Ceylon with KING GEORGE V, INDEFATIGABLE, ILLUSTRIOUS, VICTORIOUS,
INDOMITABLE, cruisers BLACK PRINCE, SWIFTSURE, ARGONAUT and two destroyer
Flotillas.
26th - Carried out Full Power Trial.
December
4th - Took passage from Trincomalee
escorted by destroyers QUADRANT, QUALITY and QUILLIAM.
6th - Crossing the Line ceremonials.
11th - Arrived at Fremantle. Took
passage later in the day for Sydney.
1 9 4 5
January
18th - Arrived at Sydney.
February
2nd - Took passage from Sydney for
Auckland flying the flag of the CinC British Pacific Fleet, Admiral Sir Bruce
Austin Frazer escorted by cruisers HMNZS's ACHILLES and GAMBIA and destroyers
QUADRANT, QUEENBOROUGH and QUIBERON. For independent visit by CinC to RNZN and
discussions with the NZ War Cabinet.
5th - The Force arrived at Auckland.
10th - The Force sailed from Auckland.
After clearing Auckland harbour and in sight of the coast she gave a gunnery
demonstration by firing her 14in guns. She then took passage to Sydney to join
the British Pacific Fleet for operations with the US 5th Fleet.
28th - Sailed from Sydney with BPF
ships for passage to Forward Base at Manus in the Admiralty Islands.
March
7th - At Manus, British Fleet base in
Admiralty Islands.
8th - Delayed at Manus pending approval
by US Naval CinC Admiral King for deployment of to BPF in Pacific naval
operations.
14th - (Note: RN ships had been
re-designated Task Force 113).
15th - Deployment in US 5th Fleet
approved.
18th - Took passage from Manus to
Ulithi prior to joining 5th Fleet in operational area.
20th - Arrived at Manus with ships of
TF113.
23rd - Part of Re-designated Task Force
57 and sailed for Sakishima Gunto Group.
(Note: Task Force 57 comprised:
Task Group 57.1 - HOWE and KING GEORGE V (1st Battle Sqdn.)
Task Group 57.2 - aircraft carriers ILLUSTRIOUS, INDEFATIGABLE, INDOMITABLE,
VICTORIOUS (1st aircraft carrier Sqdn).
Task Group 57.5 - cruisers ARGONAUT, BLACK PRINCE, GAMBIA (RNZN) and
SWIFTSURE (4th cruiser Sqdn.)
Task Group 57.8 - cruiser EURYALUS (RA(D)) and destroyers of 4th, 25th and
27th Flotillas).
26th - Joined ships of Task Force 58
for operations to neutralise airfields in Sakishima Gunto Group (Operation
ICEBERG ONE).
April
Deployment off Sakishima Gunto in
continuation. Operation continued in conjunction with TF58 with Replenishment
periods from ships of Fleet Train. For details see WAR WITH JAPAN (O) and above
references.
21st - Withdrew from operational area
with Task Force 57.
23rd - Arrived at Leyte for
replenishment and repair period.
May
1st - Sailed with Task Force 57 to
continue operations with US Navy off Sakishima Gunto. (Operation ICEBERG TWO).
(Note: ILLUSTRIOUS did not rejoin Task Group 57.2. Task Group organisation
otherwise as for ICEBERG ONE).
4th - Rejoined US Task Force 58 with
Task Force 57 for further joint operations in the Sakishima Gunto Group.
Detached to carry out bombardment of airfield at Hiara, Miyako Shima with KING
GEORGE V, SWIFTSURE, BLACK PRINCE, EURYALUS, GAMBIA (RNZN) and UGANDA (RCN)
screened by 25th destroyer Flotilla. Returned to rejoin other ships which were
under KAMIKAZE attacks during which FORMIDABLE was hit and sustained serious
damage with many casualties.
5th - Deployed with Task Force and
provided defence against conventional and KAMIKAZE to air attacks. See following
references for details.
24th - Replenished periodically from
Fleet Train with Task Force.
25th - Withdrew for replenishment
before taking passage to Sydney via Manus. (Note: KING GEORGE V detached from
Task Group 57.1 to visit Guam.) (For details of operations by British Pacific
Fleet see OPERATION PACIFIC by Edwyn Gray, THE FORGOTTEN Fleet by J Winton,
ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by C. Bamett, TASK FORCE 57 by J Winton, WAR WITH
JAPAN (O) and the Naval Staff History).
30th - Arrived at Manus.
June
2nd - Took passage from Manus for
Sydney.
5th - Arrived at Sydney. Withdrawn from
service with British Pacific Fleet
8th - Took passage from Sydney for
Durban with call at Fremantle to refuel, to refit in Durban because no suitable
facilities were available in Australia.
27th - Arrived at Durban and commenced
refit.
July
to September
Under Refit.
10th - On completion of refit took
passage to Cape Town.
