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SERVICE HISTORIES of ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS in WORLD WAR 2

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

HMS FURY (H 76) -  F-class Destroyer including Convoy Escort Movements

Edited by Gordon Smith, Naval-History.Net

HMS Faulknor, leader, same class (Navy Photos/Peter Crocker, click to enlarge)

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F-Class Fleet Destroyer ordered on 17th March 1933 from JS White at Cowes, IoW under 1932 Programme. The ship was laid down on 19th May that year and launched on 10th September 1934 as the 11th RN ship to bear this name, introduced in 1779 for a Sloop broken up in 1789. The last warship with this name was a destroyer built in 1911 and sold in 1921. Build of this destroyer was completed on 18 May 1933.  On completion of trials and work-up she served in the 6th Destroyer Flotilla Home Fleet and deployed for Non-Intervention patrols in Bay of Biscay and Mediterranean during Spanish civil war. On 11th December 1936 after his abdication broadcast to the nation this destroyer embarked HRH The Duke of Windsor for passage to Boulogne. When not detached from Flotilla took part in Home Fleet exercise and Visits programmes. .The Flotilla was renumbered 8th in April 1941.  Following a successful WARSHIP WEEK National Savings campaign held in January 1942 she was adopted by the civil community of West Bridgeford, Nottinghamshire.

 

B a t t l e   H o n o u r s

 

ST LUCIA 1796 - EGYPT 1801 - ALGIERS 1816 - KUA KAM 1649 - CRIMEA 1854  - CHINA 1856-60 - DARDANELLES 1915-16 - SPARTIVENTO 1940 - MEDITERRANEAN. 1941 - MALTA CONVOYS 1941-42 - ATLANTIC 1941-43 - ARCTIC 1942-43 -  SICILY 1943 - SALERNO 1943 - AEGEAN 1943 - NORMANDY 1944

 

H e r a l d i c   D a t a

Badge: On a field Red, a dragon’s head White

langued White, armed Gold.

 

M o t t o

Sic ad hostem: 'Thus (Fury) to the enemy’

 

 

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             Deployed with 8th Destroyer Flotilla and took –up war station

                3rd          Fleet screening duties in continuation based at Scapa Flow.

                                (Note: Other ships in 6th Destroyer Flotilla, renamed 8th in March 1939 comprised HM

                                Destroyers FAULKNOR (Leader), FAME, FEARLESS, FIREDRAKE, FORESTER,

                                FORTUNE, FOXHOUND.

                                Some ships of Flotilla were deployed as anti-submarine screen for HM Aircraft Carrier

                                COURAGEOUS when sunk by U 29 in English Channel. Two of them were detached

                                to assist a mercantile. One of these may have been this destroyer. To be confirmed)

 

October                  Home Fleet screening and anti-submarine patrol duties in North Sea and NW Approaches.

to                            (Note: Major units of Home Fleet with destroyer screens were deployed in search

December              operations to intercept commerce raiders on passage to and from the Atlantic.

                                After the loss of HM Battleship ROYAL OAK in Scapa Flow, Home Fleet

                                ships transferred to Clyde and continued interception duties as well as

                                escort of military convoys bring Canadian personnel to UK. For details of

                                naval activities in Home waters see ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY

                                by C Barnett and Naval Staff History.

 

1 9 4 0

 

January                  Deployed with Flotilla for Fleet screening and patrol duties based at Scapa Flow

to

March

 

April                       Deployed at Scapa Flow for screening duties.

                                Nomination for escort of military convoy NP1 to be investigated.

                                (For details of Home Fleet deployments after invasion of Norway see NAVAL

                                OPERATIONS OF THE CAMPAIGN IN NORWAY, April to June 1940 (HMSO,

                                NARVIK by D MacIntyre, THE DOOMED EXPEDITION by J Adams, Naval Staff

                                History and CARRIER GLORIOUS by J Winton.)

                17th        Deployed as part of escort for damaged cruiser HMS SUFFOLK during passage

                                to Scapa Flow after damage during air attacks at Stavanger (Operation DUCK).

                23rd        Sailed from Scapa Flow with HM Destroyers HYPERION, HEREWARD, HASTY,

                                FEARLESS and JUNO as escort for HM Aircraft Carriers ARK ROYAL and GLORIOUS

                                during passage to southern Norway to provide fighter protection to military operations,

                                land RAF aircraft for air support and carry out air attacks on Trondheim (Operation DX)

                                (Note: This was the first RN operation with deployment of two aircraft carriers for

                                dual operations. See above references.)

                                On release from DX returned to Scapa Flow.

 

May

                7th          Nominated for transfer to Nore Command with HM Destroyers FORTUNE and FORESIGHT

                                of 8th Flotilla for duty at Harwich in view of threat imposed by German advance into the Low

                                Countries.

                9th          Sailed from Scapa Flow with HM Destroyers FORESIGHT, MOHAWK, BULLDOG and

                                GALLANT to intercept E-Boats on passage to carry out minelaying in North Sea and later to

                                join HM Cruiser BIRMINGHAM and destroyer screen already deployed in sweep for

                                minelaying activities.

                                After an attack by E Boats on HM Destroyer KELLY which was badly damaged joined escort

                                to ensure her safe passage to Tyne for repair with cover by Home Fleet cruiser

                                (Note: HM Destroyers KELLY, KIMBERLEY and KANDAHAR were on passage in North Sea

                                from Norway and had been directed to join HMS BIRMINGHAM and her escorting

                                destroyers to assist in search.)

                10th        Under air attacks during passage. For details see THE KELLY by K Poolman.

                12th        Took passage to Harwich after release from escort of HMS KELLY.

                20th        Deployed at Harwich for patrol and support of military operations

                                (Note: Did not take direct part in evacuation of troops from Dunkirk. (Operation DYNAMO.)

 

June                        Repair to be confirmed

to                            See Naval Staff History MEDITERRANEAN, Volume 1 (HMSO –2002)

July                         Nominated for service with 8th Destroyer Flotilla at Gibraltar.

                                (Note: 8th Destroyer Flotilla had joined Force H in June 1940 and was based at Gibraltar.

                                The ships had returned to UK in July and were to returning from Scapa Flow to

                                resume duty in the western Mediterranean. See MALTA CONVOYS by R Woodman))

 

August                  On completion of post repair trials resumed operational duties.

                22nd       Deployed with escort for military convoy during passage to Gibraltar.

                29th        Rejoined Flotilla at Gibraltar.

                                (Note: Force H ships including Flotilla had met convoy in Atlantic.)

                30th        Sailed from Gibraltar with HM Destroyers FAULKNOR, FIREDRAKE, FORESIGHT,

                                FORESTER, FORTUNE of Flotilla, HM Destroyers ENCOUNTER, VELOX and WISHART

                                as escort for warships ships of Force H providing cover for passage of mercantiles in

                                western Mediterranean to Sicilian Narrows (Operation HATS)

                                (Note: Major ships in Force H were HM Battlecruiser RENOWN, HM Aircraft Carrier

                                ARK ROYAL and HM Cruiser SHEFFIELD.

                                In addition to mercantiles taking stores to Egypt reinforcement warships were taking

                                passage to join the Mediterranean Fleet based at Alexandria. These were HM

                                Battleship VALIANT, HM Air craft Carrier ILLUSTRIOUS, HM Cruiser CALCUTTA

                                COVENTRY and four Fleet Destroyers.)

                                For details of operations in Mediterranean in 1940 see Naval Staff Histories,

                                MEDITERRANEAN, Volumes 1 and 2 (HMSO 2002.), THE BATTLE FOR THE

                                MEDITERRANEAN by D MacIntyre and ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY.)

 

September

                3rd          Returned to Gibraltar with ships of Force H

                6th          Detached for duty with Dakar invasion Force (Operation MENACE).

                11th        Participated in defence of Fleet units engaged in preparation for landing by Free

                to            French troops at Dakar.

                22nd       (See RELUCTANT OBOES by W Tute, ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY

                                and the Naval Staff History).

                23rd        During operations off Dakar in action with HM Australian Cruiser AUSTRALIA and

                                HM Destroyer GREYHOUND against French destroyer L'AUDACIACE which was

                                set on fire and beached.

                25th        Operation MENACE abandoned.

                26th        Remained in West African waters for convoy escort duty.

 

October                  Deployed off West African coast in continuation.

                9th          Provided cover for French landings in Cameroons

 

November              Returned to Gibraltar to rejoin Flotilla in Force H.

                7th          Escorted reinforcement convoy to Malta with ships of Force H (Operation COAT).

                11th        Returned to Gibraltar.

                15th        Escorted HM Aircraft Carrier ARK ROYAL during Malta aircraft delivery mission

                                (Operation WHITE)

                19th        Returned to Gibraltar.

                25th        Part of escort for ships of Force H covering transit of convoy to Malta and Alexandria.

                                (Operation COLLAR).

                27th        Escorted HM Battlecruiser RENOWN during action with Italian Fleet units trying to

                                intercept the convoy off Spartivento

                                (Battle of Spartivento – See ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY end THE BATTLE

                                FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN by D. MacIntyre).

 

December              Deployed with Force H at Gibraltar.

 

1 9 4 1

 

January

                6th          Part of Force H escort during provision of cover for passage in western Mediterranean

                                of convoy to Malta and Piraeus (Operation EXCESS).

                11th        Returned to Gibraltar with Force H.

 

February

                9th          Escorted Fleet units taking part in bombardment of Genoa (Operation GROG)

 

March                    Under refit at Gibraltar.

                                Rejoined Force H on completion.

 

April

                2nd         Escorted HMS ARK ROYAL during delivery of HURRICANE aircraft to Malta.

                                (Operation WINCH).

                4th          Returned to Gibraltar.

                24th        Escorted HMS ARK ROYAL during repeat HURRICANE delivery

                                (Operation DUNLOP)

                                (Note: This operation also included transfer of reinforcement ships to Alexandria with

                                cover from ships of Force H - See above references).

                28th        Returned to Gibraltar.

May

                6th          Part of Escort for Force H units providing defence for military convoy taking tanks to

                                Egypt for Eighth Army (Operation TIGER).

                12th        Returned to Gibraltar with ships of Force H.

                24th        Deployed with Force H to cover passage of Atlantic military convoy with ships of 8th

                                Destroyer Flotilla in view of possible attack by German Battleship BISMARCK.

                25th        Diverted to join in search for BISMARCK as screen for Force H ships.

 

June                        On release from BISMARCK operation deployed with ships of 8th Flotilla and HM

                                Ocean Boarding Vessel MARSDALE in search for German Supply ship in Atlantic.

                                (Note: This was part of an extensive operation to intercept and sink ships that had

                                been deployed to support BISMARCK and was based on decryption of German

                                radio traffic by GCHQ at Bletchley Park.

                23rd        Intercepted the German mercantile ALSTERTOR which scuttled on approach.

                                Rescued British seamen captured during commerce raiders activities.

                                Took passage to Gibraltar with ships of Flotilla

 

July                         Resumed duties with Force H at Gibraltar.

                21st         Escorted Force H ships providing cover for passage of a convoy to reinforce Malta garrison

                                (Operation SUBSTANCE – For details, see above references.)

 

August                  Force H deployment with Flotilla In continuation.

 

September

                24th        Escorted Force H ships during passage of Malta supply convoy.

                                (Operation HALBERD – See above references)

 

October                  Transferred to Home Fleet for Atlantic convoy defence.

                                Passage to UK.

 

November              Joined Greenock Special Escort Division.

 

December              Rejoined 8th Destroyer Flotilla for Hone Fleet for Fleet escort duties.

 

1 9 4 2

 

January                  Refitted in Humber shipyard and AA armament Increased.

 

February

                15th        On completion worked-up before rejoining Flotilla at Scapa Flow for service in defence of

                                Russian convoys.

                                (For details of all Russian Convoys see CONVOYS TO RUSSIA by R A Ruegg, THE

                                RUSSIAN CONVOYS by B Schoefield and CONVOY I by P. Kemp).

 

March                    Escorted Fleet units providing Distant Cover for passage of returning Convoy QP6 and

                                outward PQ12.

                23rd        Joined escort for Convoy PQ13 with HM Cruiser TRINIDAD and HM Destroyer

                                ECLIPSE.

                27th        Detached to search for stragglers and returned with ss HARPALION.

                28th        In action against German Destroyers attacking PQ13 with HM Cruiser TRINIDAD and

                                HM Destroyer ECLIPSE. Escorted HMS TRINIDAD to Kola Inlet after she had been

                                damaged after hit from one of her own torpedoes which malfunctioned.

                29th        Unsuccessful attack made on U378 on 29th which was recorded as a sinking.

                                (Note: Post war analysis showed U378 was escaped and that U585 had been mined

                                on 30th March. See U-BOATS DESTROYED by P Kemp and HITLER’S

                                U-BOAT WAR by C Blair.)

 

April

                10th        Joined Ocean Escort of returning Convoy QP10 on sailing from Murmansk.

                12th        Escorted Home Fleet units providing cover for return of damaged HMS TRINIDAD.

                15th        Resumed Home Fleet escort after HMS TRINIDAD sank.

                22nd       Escorted Home Fleet units providing distant cover for Convoy PQ16 and returning Convoy

                                QP12.

                27th        Joined Ocean Escort for QP17 until dispersal on 4/7.

 

July

                2nd         Carried out unsatisfactory anti-submarine operations with HMS WILTON, HMS

                                LOTUS and HM Corvette LOTUS against U456 after torpedo attack on convoy.

                4th          Detached when convoy was scattered (See above references and ENGAGE THE ENEMY

                                MORE CLOSELY).

 

August

                3rd          Detached for escort duty with military relief convoy (WS21) from UK to Malta.

                                (Operation PEDESTAL - See PEDESTAL by C. Smith and above references).

                10th        Escorted Fleet units providing defence for PEDESTAL convoy..

                13th        Minesweeping duty in Skerki Channel approach to Malta.

                14th        Minesweeping gear carried away.

                17th        Passage to UK to rejoin Flotilla in Home Fleet.

 

September

                9th          Joined Fighting Escort for Convoy PQ18.

                17th        Detached from PQ18 and joined return convoy QP14 with Fighting Escort.

                18th        Detached from QP14 with HM Destroyer IMPULSIVE and took passage to

                                Spitzbergen to collect RFA OLIGARCH on completion of refuelling escorts.

                19th        Rejoined QP14 with HMS IMPULSIVE and RFA OLIGARCH.

                20th        Detached from QP14 as escort for HM Cruiser SCYLLA and HM Escort Aircraft

                                Carrier AVENGER with HM Escort Destroyers WHEATLAND and WILTON

                                because of increasing threat of submarine attack

                                (Note: Flag transferred to HM Destroyer MILNE.)

                                Took passage to land survivors at Akureri , Iceland

 

October                  Deployed with Home Fleet.

 

November              Home Fleet duty in continuation.

 

December

                18th        Joined escort of Russian Convoy JW51A

                25th        Detached from JW51A escort.

                30th        Joined escort for returning RA51

 

1 9 4 3

 

January

                6th          Detached from RA51 and rejoined Flotilla in Home Fleet.

 

February                Deployed with Home Fleet.

                21st         Escorted HM Cruiser SCYLLA to reinforce defence for Convoy JW53

                27th        Detached from escort of HMS SCYLLA.

 

March

                1st           Joined escort for returning convoy RA53

                11th        Detached from RA53 and rejoined Home Fleet.

                                Transferred to Home Fleet and deployed with 4th Escort Group for defence of Atlantic

                                convoys. For details of Atlantic convoy defence in 1943-44 see ENGAGE THE

                                ENEMY MORE CLOSELY, THE BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC by D. MacIntyre,

                                CONVOY ESCORT COMMANDER by P Gretton and SEEK AND STRIKE by W

                                Hackmann).

 

April

                5th          Escorted Convoy HX329 and drove off attacking U-Boat Group.

                25th        Reinforced escort for Convoys HX234 and ONS5.

 

May

                5th          Escorted 1st Minelaying Squadron for minelay in Northern Barrage.

                                (Operation SN111A).

                22nd       Escorted Convoy SC130

                28th        Under repair in Humber shipyard.

 

June                        Nominated for duty in support of Sicily landings (Operation HUSKY).

                17th        Escorted Home Fleet units to reinforce Mediterranean Fleet for Sicily landings.

                                Joined escort for military convoys on arrival in Mediterranean.

                                (See ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY and Naval Staff History).

 

July                         Deployed with Fleet units covering landings

                10th        Part of Covering Force during landings.

 

August                  Deployed with Force H in Mediterranean.

 

September

                10th        Escorted Italian Fleet units into Malta for surrender.

 

                12th        Joined Covering Force at Salerno for landing support duty.

                                (Operation AVALANCHE - See above references).

October                  Deployed in Aegean for interception of invasion convoys.

                7th          Intercepted convoy at Stampalia with HM Cruiser PENELOPE and HM Destroyer

                                FAULKNOR

                8th          Searched for landing craft with HM Escort Destroyers EXMOOR and

                                BLENCATHRA.

                15th        In action with aircraft during search for Invasion convey and had abandoned

                                the operation in view of lack of air cover.

                                (For details of operations in the Aegean see WAR IN THE AEGEAN by P. Smith

                                F E Walker, FIGHTING DESTROYER by G Cornell and THE LAST DESTROYER

                                by F A Mason.)

 

November              Aegean defence operations in continuation.

                15th        Bombarded Leros with HMS EXMOOR and the Polish destroyer ORP

                                KRAKOWIAK.

                16th        Further bombardment of Leros with HM Destroyers ALDENHAM and PENN.

 

December              Refitted at Gibraltar and converted for duty as a Convoy Escort.

                                One 4in mounting and the 3in AA gun removed and replaced by Oerlikons.

                                Depth Charge facilities increased

 

1 9 4 4

 

January                  Under refit.

to

February

 

March                    On completion of post refit trials joined Home Fleet at Scapa Flow.

 

April                       Nominated for support of Atlantic convoy escorts with HMS FAULKNOR,

.                               HMS ISIS and HMS JERVIS of 8th Flotilla

                                Deployed with HM Destroyers ICARUS, INGLEFIELD and ECLIPSE

                                as 4th Support Group.

                                See above references and HITLER’S U-BOAT WAR by C Blair.

                6th          Took passage to join Convoy HX231.

                7th          Joined HX231 after delay due to extreme weather conditions.

                                Provided support against attacks by LOWENHERTZ U-Boat Group

                                during whose passage six mercantiles were sunk. See above reference.

 

May                        Nominated for detached service in support of planned allied landings in Normandy

                                (Operation NEPTUNE)

                                (Note: HMS FAULKNOR of 8th Flotilla was also nominated for detached service

                                in Force J)

                13th        Arrived at Scapa Flow for deployment with Force J.

                                Passage to Portsmouth to join Force J.

                                Took part in final series of exercises with ships of Force J

                                (Note: These included loading and departure procedures with special convoy

                                defence exercise against E-Boat attacks. See ENGAGE THE ENEMY

                                MORE CLOSELY, OPERATION NEPTUNE by K Edwards and

                                LANDINGS IN NORMANDY, June 194 (HMSO).

 

June                        Joined Bombardment Force E to provide naval Gunfire Support to military operations

                                in Eastern (British) Task Force area.

                                (Bombardment Force E also included HM Cruisers BELFAST, DIADEM, HM

                                Destroyers KEMPENFELT, FAULKNOR, VENUS, VIGILANT, HM Canadian

                                Destroyers ALGONQUIN, SIOUX, HM Escort Destroyers GLAISDALE,

                                STEVENSTONE and Free French Escort Destroyer LA COMBATTANTE.)

                                Deployed in Solent with ships of Force J

                                (Note: Final briefings for NEPTUNE were carried out.)

                                Target allocated for Preliminary Bombardment,.

                4th          Operation delayed 24 hours

                5th          Took passage from Solent with HMS FAULKNOR as escort for Convoy J1.

                                (Note Convoy J1 comprised 9th Fleet Minesweeping Flotilla, four Danlayers,

                                3 Minesweeping Motor Launches, 1 Harbour Defence Motor Launch

                                and a BYMS Minesweeping Flotilla.)

                6th          Detached from J1 with BYMS and took passage through Swept Channel to

                                meet Convoy J3 as escort during transit of Swept Channel.

                                On arrival off Beachhead deployed with HMS VENUS in Bombardment position.

                                Carried out preliminary support bombardment west of Courseulles with HMS

                                VENUS.

                                Deployed with Eastern Task Force after initial assault.

                7th          Deployed for support duties and convoy escort in Eastern Task Force Area

                to            (Note returned to Portsmouth to refuel and replenish as required)

                20th

                21st         Mined off beachhead and driven ashore by gale.

                                Salvaged and towed to UK

 

August                  Declared Constructive Total Loss after survey.

 

September             Placed on Disposal List and sold to BISCO for demolition by TW Ward

                                at Briton Ferry

                18th        Arrived in tow at Breaker’s yard for breaking-up.

 


 

Addendum

 

CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS of HMS FURY

by Don Kindell

 

This convoy list has not been cross-checked with the text above

 

 

 

 

 

Date convoy sailed

Joined convoy as escort

Convoy No.

Left convoy

Date convoy arrived

         

30/01/40

05/02/40

TC 003

07/02/40

07/02/40

18/04/40

21/04/40

FP 002

22/04/40

22/04/40

05/08/40

05/08/40

WS 002

07/08/40

08/08/40

06/02/41

20/02/41

HG 053

23/02/41

24/02/41

20/02/41

25/02/41

HG 054

25/02/41

12/03/41

06/05/41

06/05/41

TIGER

12/05/41

12/05/41

29/08/41

08/09/41

OG 073

13/09/41

13/09/41

24/09/41

25/09/41

HALBERD

27/09/41

27/09/41

27/09/41

09/10/41

OG 075

12/10/41

13/10/41

06/11/41

24/11/41

SL 092

25/11/41

01/12/41

01/03/42

06/03/42

PQ 012

11/03/42

12/03/42

10/03/42

23/03/42

PQ 013

30/03/42

31/03/42

10/04/42

10/04/42

QP 010

21/04/42

21/04/42

21/05/42

23/05/42

PQ 016

29/05/42

30/05/42

21/05/42

23/05/42

QP 012

29/05/42

29/05/42

27/06/42

30/06/42

PQ 017

04/07/42

04/07/42

02/09/42

09/09/42

PQ 018

18/09/42

21/09/42

13/09/42

17/09/42

QP 014

20/09/42

26/09/42

03/12/43

unknown

XIF 005

unknown

09/12/43

15/12/42

18/12/42

JW 051A

25/12/42

25/12/42

30/12/42

30/12/42

RA 051

06/01/43

11/01/43

15/02/43

21/02/43

JW 053

27/02/43

27/02/43

01/03/43

01/03/43

RA 053

11/03/43

14/03/43

25/03/43

06/04/43

HX 231

08/04/43

10/04/43

01/04/43

12/04/43

HX 232

15/04/43

16/04/43

04/11/43

29/11/43

UGS 023

30/11/43

01/12/43

16/12/43

26/12/43

KMF 027

29/12/43

30/12/43

29/04/44

29/04/44

XIF 014

04/05/44

04/05/44

13/06/44

13/06/44

FWC 006

14/06/44

14/06/44

 

 

 

 

 

(Note on Convoys)

 

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