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SERVICE HISTORIES of ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS in WORLD WAR 2

by Lt Cdr Geoffrey B Mason RN (Rtd) (c) 2001

HMS KEMPENFELT, later HMCS ASSINIBOINE (D 18) -  C-class Flotilla Leader including Convoy Escort Movements

HMCS Ottawa, sister ship (Navy Photos, click to enlarge)

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Flotilla Leader for C-Class Destroyers ordered from J S White at Cowes, IoW under  the1929 Build Programme and laid down in October 1930. The ship was launched on 29th October  1931 as the 2nd RN ship to carry the name, previously used by a Flotilla Leader sold in  1921.  Build was completed on 30th May 1932 and the ship served continuously until the outbreak of war  in September 1939 when she began war service in the Plymouth Local Flotilla. Transferred to RCN in October 1939 and renamed HMCS ASSINIBOINE.

 

B a t t l e   H o n o u r s

 

JUTLAND 1916

 

H e r a l d i c  D a t a

B a d g e: On a field Black a Sword proper between two wings green

over two wavelets Silver and Blue.

 

M o t t o

Fideliter: 'Faithfully'

 

 

D e t a i l s   o f   W a r   S e r v i c e

 

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

 

 

1 9 3 9

 

September

 

Took up war station at Plymouth with 18th Destroyer Flotilla for convoy defence and anti-submarine patrol in Channel and SW Approaches.

 

3rd - Deployed with HM Destroyers ACASTA, ACHERON, ANTELOPE and ARDENT based at Portland.

 

9th - Escorted HM Aircraft Carrier COURAGEOUS with HMS ARDENT and HM Destroyer ECHO during anti-submarine operation (Operation AS2).

 

14th - Returned to Plymouth to prepare for transfer to Royal Canadian Navy.

 

October

 

Transfer to RCN approved.

 

19th - Formal transfer at Devonport and renamed HMCS ASSINIBOINE.

 

 

S e r v i c e   a s   H M C S    A S S I N I B O I N E

 

B a t t l e   H o n o u r s   a s   H M C S   A S S I N I B O I N E

 

ATLANTIC 1939-45 - NORMANDY 1944

 

 

November

 

Passage to Canada from Plymouth.

 

17th - Arrived at Halifax and nominated for service in West Indies.

 

18th - Sailed for convoy defence of east coast of Canada.

 

December

 

Convoy defence deployment in continuation.

 

5th - Took passage to Bermuda from Halifax.

 

Deployed in Caribbean area for convoy defence and interception patrol to enforce blockade.

 

 

1 9 4 0

 

January to February

 

West Indies deployment in continuation. (Note: German ships in US ports were targeted for interception and capture as part of the blockade.)

 

March

 

8th - Assisted HM Cruiser DUNEDIN which had intercepted German freighter HANNOVER in Mona Passage off Dominica. Took burning enemy ship in tow to open sea and provided fire-fighting party whilst tow taken over by HMS DUNEDIN.

 

9th - Passage to Kingston with captured ship. (Note: This Prize was later converted for use as a prototype Escort Aircraft Carrier and renamed HMS AUDACITY. She was sunk in defence of a convoy off Spain in December 1941.)

 

13th - Arrived at Kingston and despite lack of assistance from tugs ship was taken safely into harbour.

 

Released from Caribbean duty and took passage to Halifax.

 

31st - Arrived at Halifax.

 

April

 

Deployed for convoy defence at Halifax.

 

May to June

 

Taken in hand for refit at Halifax. Pennant Number for visual signalling purposes changed to I18.

 

July to November

 

On completion of post refit trials resumed convoy defence duties off eastern coast of North America including traffic to and from Bermuda.

 

December

 

Nominated for transfer to UK for convoy defence in NW Approaches.

 

 

1 9 4 1

 

January

 

Passage to join Western Approaches Command.

 

31st - Arrived in UK.

 

February

 

Deployed in NW Approaches for convoy defence.

 

28th - Rescued survivors from ss ANCHISES which had sunk after air attacks.

 

March

 

Deployed at Greenock with 10th Escort Group for Atlantic convoy defence.

 

April

 

5th - Involved in collision with ss LAIRDSWOOD.

 

7th - Taken in hand for damage repair in Clyde shipyard.

 

May

 

Under repair. (Note: Two 20mm Oerlikon guns fitted to improve AA defence. Warning Radar Type 286 fitted (Modified RAF Outfit) - See RADAR AT SEA by D Howse. Degaussing cables installed to provide protection against magnetic mines.)

 

22nd - Rejoined Group on completion of repair and deployed with HM Destroyers LEGION and SAGUENAY (RCN) as screen for HM Battlecruiser REPULSE during passage from Clyde to join Home Fleet ships prior to search for the German battleship BISMARCK.

 

23rd - Joined screen for HM Battleship KING GEORGE V in Butt of Lewis.

 

24th - Detached from Home Fleet screen to refuel in Iceland. Transferred to Newfoundland Escort Force and took passage to join RCN Group at St Johns.

 

June to July

 

Deployed for convoy defence based in Newfoundland.

 

August

 

6th - Passage to join HM Battleship PRINCE OF WALES with HM Destroyer RIPLEY. (Note: HMS PRINCE OF WALES was taking Prime Minister to Argentia Bay for meeting with US President.)

 

7th - Relieved HM Destroyers HARVESTER, HESPERUS and HAVELOCK as screen during passage to Newfoundland for Atlantic Charter Meeting.

 

12th - Deployed with HMS RIPLEY, HM Destroyers RESTIGOUCHE (RCN) and READING, US destroyers MAYRANT and RHIND as screen for HMS PRINCE OF WALES during passage to Iceland after meeting.

 

September to December

 

Deployed with 14th Escort Group of Newfoundland Escort Force for convoy defence. (For details of Atlantic convoy defence and enemy tactics see HITLER'S U-BOAT WAR by C Blair, THE BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC by D. Macintyre and U-BOAT WAR IN THE ATLANTIC (HMSO).)

 

 

1 9 4 2

 

January to April

 

Atlantic deployment with 1st Canadian Escort Group.

 

May

 

Deployed with HM Canadian Destroyer ST CROIX , HM Canadian Corvettes CHAMBLY and BUCTOUCHE, HM Corvettes DIANTHUS and NASTURTIUM, Free French Corvettes ACONIT and MIMOSE as escort for Convoy HX189 during Atlantic passage.

 

10th - Under sustained attacks by HECHT Group of U-Boats.

 

June

 

Escorted Convoy ONS100 with HMCS BUCHTOUCHE , HMCS CHAMBLY, FS ACONIT and FS MIMOSE.

 

9th - Convoy under attack by HECHT Group during which FS MIMOSE was sunk by torpedo from U124.

 

July

 

Atlantic convoy defence with 1st Canadian Escort Group in continuation.

 

August

 

Deployed with HM Corvettes CHILLIWACK (RCN), HMCS ORILLIA, HMS DIANTHUS, HMS NASTURTIUM and HMS PRIMROSE of Group for escort of Convoy SC94.

 

5th - Under sustained attacks by STEINBRINK Group of U-Boats.

 

6th - Took part in search with HMS DIANTHUS for submarine after radar contact in poor visibility. After search lasting over five hours sighted surfaced U210 and engaged with 4.7in armament before ramming the submarine. Despite damage from return fire made second ramming and sank U210 by depth charge attacks in position 40.15N 39.37W. 37 survivors from U210 were rescued. (For details see HITLER'S U-BOAT WAR by C Blair and U-BOATS DESTROYED by P Kemp.)

 

Withdrew from escort and took passage to Canada for repair.

 

29th - Taken in hand for repair.

 

September to November

 

Under repair.

 

December

 

On completion of post repair trials prepared for work-up.

 

 

1 9 4 3

 

January

 

Worked-up for operational service.

 

February

 

Resumed convoy escort duty with Group. Nominated for transfer to Western Approaches Command and took passage to UK as part of escort for Atlantic convoy.

 

March

 

3rd - Sustained serious damage to stern structure when carrying out depth charge attack during defence of convoy. (Note: This was caused by incorrect setting of depth charges which exploded near surface.)

 

7th - Taken in hand for repair at Liverpool shipyard.

 

April to June

 

Under repair.

 

July

 

Post repair trials.

 

13th - Rejoined 1st Canadian Escort Group to resume Atlantic convoy escort duty. (Note: Group comprised HM Destroyer SKEENA (RCN), HM Destroyer BURNHAM and five FLOWER Class Corvettes.)

 

August to December

 

Atlantic convoy escort with Group in continuation.

 

 

1 9 4 4

 

January to February

 

Atlantic deployment in continuation. (Note: For details of development of new tactics for attack and defence of Atlantic convoys see SEEK AND STRIKE by W Hackmann and above references.)

 

 Nominated for refit in Canada.

 

March

 

Deployed with HM Destroyers FORESTER, ST LAURENT (RCN), HM Canadian Frigates SWANSEA, VALLEYFIELD and five RCN Corvettes as escort for Convoy SC154.

 

10th - Convoy under threat from U485 which was located after making radio transmissions and attacked away from convoy by HMCS ST LAURENT. (Note: Remained with convoy and did not take part in later sinking of this submarine. See above references.)

 

April

 

Deployed in Canadian waters and prepared for refit.

 

May to June

 

Under refit at Shelburne, Nova Scotia. Nominated for service in 12th Escort Group deployed at Londonderry.

 

July

 

Post refit trials and passage to Londonderry to join Group.

 

August

 

1st - Arrived at Londonderry for service in SW Approaches and Channel. for anti-submarine operations and interception of coastal convoys.

 

8th - In action with trawlers in Audierne Bay south of Brest.

 

12th - Damaged by return fire from shore battery.

 

September

 

Channel deployment with Group in continuation.

 

October

 

Transferred to 11th Canadian Escort Group in continuation. (Note: Increased activity by SCHNORKEL fitted U-Boats required the reinforcement of convoy escorts and patrols in Channel and SW Approaches. See references.)

 

November

 

Channel deployment in continuation.

 

December

 

Transferred to 14th Canadian Escort Group based at Liverpool for Atlantic convoy defence.

 

 

1 9 4 5

 

January

 

Deployed with Group in UK coastal waters for convoy defence against increased use of SCHNORKEL-fitted submarines.

 

February

 

14th - Involved in collision with ss EMPIRE BOND in English Channel. Taken in hand for repair.

 

March

 

Resumed duty with Group on completion of repair.

 

April

 

Coastal convoy escort and patrol in continuation.

 

May

 

8th - Nominated for duty as a troop transport.

 

June to July

 

Deployed to carry returning Canadian service personnel back to Canada.

 

August

 

Nominated for disposal and to be paid-off.

 

8th - Paid-off and destored. Placed on the Disposal List

 

 

P o s t   W a r   N o t  e s

 

HMCS ASSINIBOINE was sold for demolition at Baltimore USA in November 1945 and taken in tow to breakers yard. The ship broke from tow during passage on 10th November and was driven ashore. She was wrecked near East Point, Prince Edward Island. The hulk was later sold to Guard Salvage Co of Halifax and broken up in situ during 1952.

 


 

Addendum

 

CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS of  HMS KEMPENFELT

by Don Kindell

 

These convoy lists have not been cross-checked with the text above 

 

 

 

 

 

Date convoy sailed

Joined convoy as escort

Convoy No.

Left convoy

Date convoy arrived

 

 

 

 

 

27/09/39

27/09/39

OA 011

28/09/39

30/09/39

   

   

 

 

 

 

 

as HMCS ASSINIBOINE

 

 

 

 

 

18/11/39

18/11/39

HX 009

20/11/39

02/12/39

26/11/39

26/11/39

HX 010

28/11/39

10/12/39

09/06/40

09/06/40

HX 049

10/06/40

24/06/40

11/06/40

11/06/40

TC 005

13/06/40

21/06/40

13/06/40

13/06/40

HX 050

14/06/40

30/06/40

25/06/40

25/06/40

HX 053

26/06/40

10/07/40

29/06/40

29/06/40

HX 054

30/06/40

14/07/40

03/07/40

03/07/40

HX 055

04/07/40

18/07/40

11/07/40

11/07/40

HX 057

12/07/40

26/07/40

15/07/40

15/07/40

HX 058

16/07/40

31/07/40

04/08/40

04/08/40

HX 063

05/08/40

19/08/40

08/08/40

08/08/40

HX 064

09/08/40

23/08/40

12/08/40

12/08/40

HX 065

13/08/40

27/08/40

16/08/40

16/08/40

HX 066

17/08/40

31/08/40

20/08/40

20/08/40

HX 067

20/08/40

04/09/40

24/08/40

24/08/40

HX 068

25/08/40

08/09/40

27/08/40

27/08/40

TC 007

28/08/40

04/09/40

28/08/40

28/08/40

HX 069

29/08/40

12/09/40

05/09/40

05/09/40

HX 071

06/09/40

20/09/40

01/09/40

10/09/40

HX 070

02/09/40

16/09/40

13/09/40

13/09/40

HX 073

14/09/40

28/09/40

17/09/40

17/09/40

HX 074

18/09/40

02/10/40

21/09/40

21/09/40

HX 075

22/09/40

07/10/40

30/09/40

30/09/40

HX 077

01/10/40

15/10/40

04/10/40

04/10/40

HX 078

05/10/40

18/10/40

24/10/40

24/10/40

HX 083

25/10/40

07/11/40

01/11/40

01/11/40

HX 085

02/11/40

06/11/40

11/11/40

11/11/40

HX 086

11/11/40

26/11/40

14/11/40

14/11/40

HX 088

15/11/40

30/11/40

21/11/40

21/11/40

HX 090

22/11/40

05/12/40

25/11/40

25/11/40

HX 091

26/11/40

11/12/40

06/12/40

06/12/40

HX 094

07/12/40

22/12/40

03/12/40

13/12/40

HX 093

04/12/40

18/12/40

16/12/40

16/12/40

TC 008

21/12/40

25/12/40

22/12/40

22/12/40

HX 098

23/12/40

29/12/40

17/02/41

24/02/41

TC 009

26/02/41

27/02/41

22/05/41

23/05/41

OB 326

26/05/41

29/05/41

08/06/41

08/06/41

OB 331

18/06/41

19/06/41

21/06/41

21/06/41

TC 011

24/06/41

30/06/41

27/06/41

03/07/41

OB 340

13/07/41

13/07/41

07/07/41

15/07/41

OB 344

17/07/41

16/07/41

21/07/41

21/07/41

TC 012

23/07/41

29/07/41

26/08/41

27/08/41

TC 012B

01/09/41

01/09/41

08/09/41

08/09/41

CT 002

14/09/41

14/09/41

27/12/41

30/12/41

SC 062

08/01/42

12/01/42

10/02/42

13/02/42

SC 069

23/02/42

27/02/42

09/03/42

10/03/42

ON 074

20/03/42

25/03/42

30/03/42

03/04/42

SC 077

12/04/42

16/04/42

21/04/42

22/04/42

ON 088

03/05/42

08/05/42

10/05/42

14/05/42

HX 189

20/05/42

20/05/42

02/06/42

03/06/42

ON 100

13/06/42

19/06/42

21/06/42

24/06/42

HX 195

01/07/42

02/07/42

13/07/42

14/07/42

ON 112

25/07/42

30/07/42

31/07/42

02/08/42

SC 094

06/08/42

13/08/42

29/12/42

05/01/43

HX 221

13/01/43

14/01/43

24/01/43

25/01/43

ON 163

08/02/43

16/02/43

31/07/43

01/08/43

ON 195

08/08/43

13/08/43

14/08/43

20/08/43

HX 252

27/08/43

28/08/43

08/09/43

10/09/43

ON 201

18/09/43

24/09/43

22/09/43

28/09/43

HX 258

05/10/43

06/10/43

18/10/43

19/10/43

ON 207

28/10/43

04/11/43

31/10/43

06/11/43

HX 264

16/11/43

17/11/43

26/11/43

28/11/43

ON 213

07/12/43

14/12/43

10/12/43

15/12/43

HX 270

25/12/43

26/12/43

08/01/44

09/01/44

ON 219

20/01/44

27/01/44

22/01/44

28/01/44

HX 276

06/02/44

07/02/44

14/02/44

15/02/44

ON 224

26/02/44

02/03/44

28/02/44

02/03/44

SC 154

15/03/44

15/03/44

28/03/44

29/03/44

ONS 032

13/04/44

18/04/44

10/09/44

15/09/44

SL 169MK

16/09/44

17/09/44

08/01/45

unknown

HX 331

unknown

22/01/45

23/01/45

unknown

HX 334

unknown

06/02/45

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Note on Convoys)

 

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revised 25/6/11
further editing is required