I-Class Fleet Destroyer Leader ordered from Cammell Laird at Birkenhead under 1935 Programme and laid down on 29th April 1936. The ship was launched on 15th October the same year and was the 1st RN warship to carry the name of the 19th century Admiral. She was completed an 25 June 1937 and had additional accommodation for use as a Flotilla Leader. Later that year the ship went to Malta and joined the Fleet in the Mediterranean. Following a successful WARSHIP WEEK National Savings campaign in October 1941 she was adopted by the civil community of Argyllshire, Scotland.
HMS Inglefield in film, 1937 on YouTube
B a t t l e H o n o u r s
ATLANTIC 1939-43 - NORTH SEA 1940 - NORWAY 1940-42 - BISMARCK Action 1941 - MALTA CONVOYS 1942 - ARCTIC 1942-43 - SICILY 1943 - SALERNO 1943 - MEDITERRANEAN 1944 - ANZIO 1944
H e r a l d i c D a t a
Badge: On a Field White, a double headed eagle
displayed per pale Blue and Red
(From the crest of Admiral Inglefield).
M o t t o
The sun my compass.
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 as Leader of 3rd Destroyer Flotilla, Mediterranean Fleet.
3rd Based in Malta for interception of blockade runners.
5th Transferred to Home Fleet for anti-submarine patrol and convoy defence duty in
Western Approaches
16th Escorted HM Aircraft Carrier COURAGEOUS during anti-submarine patrol in SW
Approaches.
17th Detached to rescued survivors of ss KAFIRSTAN sunk by U83 and not with the escort
when the aircraft carrier was sunk. Returned to carry out hunt for submarine.
October Deployment in SW Approaches in continuation.
14th Participated in sinking of U45 in position 50.58N 12.07W, SW of Eire with sister
destroyers HMS IVANHOE and HMS INTREPID.
There were no survivors. See U-BOATS DESTROYED by P Kemp.
19th Taken in hand for refit at Cammell Laird shipyard, Liverpool.
November Under refit
11th On completion took passage to Scapa Flow.
12th Rejoined Flotilla for screening duty of Home Fleet major units and convoy escort.
29th Deployed with HM Destroyer MAORI to assist damaged submarine TRIAD returning from
patrol in North Sea.
30th Towed HM Submarine TRIAD to Stavanger.
December Home Fleet deployment with Flotilla In continuation.
For details of naval activities during 1939 see ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by
Corelli Bamett., HITLER’S U-BOAT WAR by C Blair and Naval Staff History).
1 9 4 0
January Home Fleet deployment in continuation.
February Part of escort for Convoy HN14.
25th Detached from convoy after submarine sighted by HM Submarine NARWHAL.
Participated In search for U63 which had submerged.
After two hour hunt with HM Destroyers ESCAPADE, ESCORT and IMOGEN submarine was
forced to surface and abandoned by crew.
U63 was sunk by gunfire and 24 survivors were rescued. See U-BOATS DESTROYED.)
March Part of screen for Home Fleet major units including HM Battlecruiser RENOWN in NW
Approaches with HM Destroyer FORTUNE, ILEX, IMOGEN, ISIS and other destroyers of
Home Fleet.
Refuelled from HMS RENOWN.
31st Nominated as Senior Officer for Force WS to escort HM Auxiliary Minelayer TEVIOT BANK
during minelay off Stadtlandet, Norway as part of Operation WILFRED.
April
5th Sailed with HM Destroyers ISIS, ILEX and IMOGEN for minelay from Scapa Flow.
(Operation WS).
7th Operation cancelled when German warships reported heading for the coast of Norway from
Heligoland Bight.
Re-deployed with Home Fleet units for the support of allied military operations and convoys to
Norway (Operation RUPERT/R4).
10th In action with aircraft during attacks on Fleet units and convoys.
11th Escorted HM Cruiser BERWICK during search for German warships off Norway.
19th Returned to Scapa Flow with Fleet units.
(For details of the disastrous naval operations off Norway see NARVIK by D MacIntyre,
ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY, CARRIER GLORIOUS by John Winter,
BRITAIN AND NORWAY Ed by P Salmon , THE DOOMED EXPEDITION by J Adams
and Naval Staff History (HMSO-2001).
May Pennant Number for visual signalling purposes changed to
I 02.
2nd Assisted in evacuation from Andalsnes with HM Cruisers MANCHESTER, BIRMINGHAM
HM Destroyers DELIGHT, DIANA, SOMALI and MASHONA.
19th Under refit at Devonport.
June
3rd On completion resumed operational deployment with Home Fleet.
4th Deployed as screen for Fleet units and for patrol duties in North Sea and NW Approaches
14th Escorted HM Destroyers ELECTRA and ANTELOPE which had collided whilst acting as
screen for HM Aircraft Carrier ARK ROYAL during air attacks on Trondheim.
(Operation DX).
July
10th Detached for escort of ships of 1st Minelaying Squadron for first minelay in the Northern
Barrage between Faeroes and Orkneys (Operation SN1).
For details of all minelaying activities see Naval Staff History (Mining).
20th Part of destroyer screen with HM Destroyer ZULU for HM Battlecruisers RENOWN and
REPULSE during search for German battleship SCHARNHORST in North Sea.
August
5th Detached for escort of ships of 1st Minelaying Squadron during minelay in the SW Approaches
(Operation SN32).
17th Detached for escort minelayers during minelay of East Coast Barrage across Moray Firth
(Operation SN12).
21st Detached for escort during further minelay in Northern Barrage (Operation SN2).
September Nominated for escort of military convoy for proposed landing at Dakar.
(Operation MENACE - For details see MENACE by A Harder).
Part of destroyer screen for HM Battleship BARHAM during passage to Gibraltar.
20th Intercepted French cruiser GLOIRE off Morocco and escorted her to Casablanca.
23rd Engaged French submarine PERSEE and under fire from shore batteries off Dakar.
Hit by 7.5in shell which caused structural damage and some casualties.
24th Engaged French destroyer L'AUDACIEUSE off Rufisque with two other destroyers and
inflicted damage which caused fires on enemy ship.
October After abandonment of MENACE deployed on convoy escort duty based at Freetown.
November Escorted convoy HG46 from Gibraltar to UK.
December Under refit in commercial shipyard in London.
1 9 4 1
January
20th On completion of post refit trials took passage to Scapa Flow.
21st Worked-up at Scapa Flow with ships of Home Fleet.
On completion rejoined Flotilla for Home Fleet screening and convoy escort duty.
February
6th Escorted HM Battleship RODNEY during cover for minelay by 1st Minelaying Squadron in
Northern Barrage between Faeroes and Iceland (Operation SN7A).
March Home Fleet duties with Flotilla in continuation.
2nd Supported Commando raid on Lofotens (See WATERY MAZE by B. Fergusson).
19th Part of screen for Home Fleet ships during search for SCHARNHORST and GNEISENAU.
April Home Fleet duties with Flotilla in continuation.
Escorted Convoy HX121 in NW Approaches.
Depth charge attacks on U552 with HM Destroyer MAORI failed.
May
11th Passage to Iceland the HM Destroyers INTREPID, IMPULSIVE and ESCAPADE for escort
of Convoy HX125.
22nd Joined escort for HM Battleship KING GEORGE V and HMS REPULSE during Fleet search
for German battleship BISMARCK known to be on passage into Atlantic.
(For details see PURSUIT by L Kennedy and Naval Staff History).
24th Detached to refuel.
June Home Fleet duties in continuation
July
23rd Joined screen for HM Cruisers DEVONSHIRE, SUFFOLK, HM Aircraft Carriers FURIOUS,
VICTORIOUS with six other destroyers of Hone Fleet during air attacks on the Norwegian coast
(Operation EF).
August
7th Returned to Scapa Flow with Fleet units.
8th Present at Scapa Flow for visit to Hone Fleet by HM King George VI. (Operation FC).
9th Embarked His Majesty for review of anchorage and then for return passage to mainland.
20th Escorted Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker BLACK RANGER to Spitzbergen to provide fuel for
ships deployed for operations in Arctic area.
On arrival struck submerged pinnacle in Sassen Bay and damaged underwater ASDIC Dome.
24th Joined destroyer screen for HM Aircraft Carrier VICTORIOUS, HM Cruiser DEVONSHIRE
and HM Cruiser SUFFOLK with HM Destroyers ECLIPSE and ESCAPADE to cover passage
of first Russian convoy (Operation DERVISH).
31st Deployed as screen for same ships in continuation to cover passage of HM Aircraft Carrier
ARGUS and HM Cruiser SHROPSHIRE taking aircraft and personnel to Murmansk
(Operation STRENGTH).
September Home Fleet screening duty in continuation.
14th On completion of STRENGTH docked at Scapa Flow for inspection of underwater fittings.
22nd Taken in hand for refit at Humber shipyard.
October Under refit.
Surface warning radar and Direction Finding wireless equipment fitted.
(See RADAR AT SEA by D Hawse and SEEK AND STRIKE by W Hackmann).
November
26th On completion of post refit trials took passage to Scapa Flow.
27th Rejoined Flotilla for Home Fleet duties.
December Nominated for support of Commando raid en Norwegian coast.
Carried cut preparatory exercises with HM Landing Ships, Assault PRINCE CHARLES and
and PRINCESS CHARLOTTE in Shetlands area, based at Lerwick.
(Operation KITBAG - The initial objective was to land men of 6 Commando at Floro,
south of Stadlandet and to carry cut a bombardment of shipping and shore targets,
but the landing had to be cancelled after an accident on board a Landing Ship.
See CAMERA IN CONVOY by I Saull).
1 9 4 2
January Deployed with HMS INTREPID for bombardment at Floro (Operation KITBAG)
Diversionary air attack on Sola airfield carried cut by RAF aircraft.
Two mercantiles and three trawlers alongside the quay were sunk and two factories damaged
(See CAMERA IN CONVOY).
On completion carried out Boiler Clean at Rosyth.
February Home Fleet duties in continuation with Flotilla.
March
10th Part of screen for HM Battleships KING GEORGE V and DUKE OF YORK, HM Battlecruiser
RENOWN, HM Aircraft Carrier VICTORIOUS, HM Cruisers EDINBURGH and KENT with
15 other Home Fleet destroyers to cover passage of Russian convoy PQ13 to Murmansk and
returning Convoy QP9.
(For details of all Russian Convoy operations see CONVOYS TO RUSSIA by R A Ruegg
and ARCTIC CONVOYS by R Woodman).
April Home Fleet screening duties in continuation.
19th Detached for escort of US Aircraft Carrier USS WASP for Malta aircraft delivery.
(Operation CALENDAR - See THE BATTLE FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN by D
Maclntyre).
26th Rejoined Home Fleet for screening duty during cover for Russian convoys.
28th Deployed as screen for HMS KING GEORGE V, US Battleship WASHINGTON and US
cruiser USS WICHITA, US cruiser USS TUSCALOOSA and HM Cruiser KENYA with four
US Navy and ten Royal Navy destroyers to cover Convoy PQ15 and returning QP11.
May
12th Part of screen for HM Battleships KING GEORGE V and DUKE OF YORK, HM Battlecruiser
RENOWN, HM Aircraft Carrier VICTORIOUS, HM Cruisers EDINBURGH and KENT with
15 other Home Fleet destroyers to cover passage of Russian convoy PQ13 to Murmansk and
returning Convoy QP9.
(For details of all Russian Convoy operations see CONVOYS TO RUSSIA by R A Ruegg
and ARCTIC CONVOYS by R Woodman).
April Home Fleet screening duties in continuation.
19th Detached for escort of US Aircraft Carrier USS WASP for Malta aircraft delivery.
(Operation CALENDAR - See THE BATTLE FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN by D Maclntyre).
26th Rejoined Home Fleet for screening duty during cover for Russian convoys.
28th Deployed as screen for HMS KING GEORGE V, US Battleship WASHINGTON and US cruiser
USS WICHITA, US cruiser USS TUSCALOOSA and HM Cruiser KENYA with four US
Navy and ten other Royal Navy destroyers to cover Convoy PQ15 and returning QP11.
May
1st HM Destroyer SOMALI sank after collision with HMS KING GEORGE V in fog.
(Note: HM Battleship DUKE OF YORK replaced HMS KING GEORGE V which was badly
damaged.
10th Deployed as screen for Home Fleet ships covering return of damaged cruiser HMS TRINIDAD
from Murmansk to UK.
14th Detached for passage to Kola Inlet.
21st Joined escort of returning Russian convoy QP12 at Kola Inlet as Senior Officer.
Deployed as Ocean Escort with HM Destroyers ESCAPADE, VENOMOUS, BOADICEA, ST
ALBANS (Nor) and HM Escort Destroyer BADSWORTH.
29th Detached from QP12 and resumed Flotilla duties with Home Fleet.
June Transferred to 8th Destroyer Flotilla as part of reorganisation of Home Fleet.
10th Embarked stores and ammunition for escorts at Kola. Passage with HMS INTREPID.
26th Joined Ocean Escort of returning Russian convoy QP13 as Senior Officer with HM Destroyers
INTREPID, ACHATES, VOLUNTEER and Polish ORP GARLAND.
Survivors from HM Cruiser EDINBURGH sunk on 2nd May were embarked for the return
passage to UK.
July
3rd Detached on Admiralty instructions with HMS INTREPID and Polish ORP GARLAND to carry
out search for German battleship TIRPITZ reported missing from normal anchorage.
(Note: This was part of the confused policy relating to defence of Convoy PQ17
See THE CONVOY IS TO SCATTER by J Broom and above references).
4th Rejoined QP13.
7th Detached to refuel in Iceland.
10th Resumed Home Fleet duty with Flotilla at Scapa Flow.
31st Taken in hand for refit at Humber shipyard.
August Under refit.
to
October
November Post refit trials
8th Passage to Scapa Flow.
9th Rejoined Flotilla.
December
18th Joined Fighting Escort. for Russia convoy JW51A to Kola Inlet with HM
Destroyers FAULKNOR, BOADICEA, ECHO, ECLIPSE and FURY.
19th HM Destroyer BEAGLE joined escort.
25th Detached on arrival at Kola Inlet after undetected passage.
30th Part of escort for return Convoy RA51 with same ships except HMS BOADICEA.
1 9 4 3
January
6th Detached from RA51
23rd Part of screen for HM Battleship ANSON and HM Cruiser SHEFFIELD covering passage of
Russian convoy JW52 and returning convoy RA52 with other Fleet destroyers.
February Home Fleet screening duty in continuation.
19th Joined Ocean Escort for Russian convoy JW53 with six other Fleet destroyers.
27th Detached from JW53- Passage in extreme weather which reduced enemy activities.
March
1st Returned as part of escort for returning convoy RA53 with HM Cruiser SCYLLA and same
destroyers.
12th Detached from RA53 and nominated for Atlantic convoy defence duty with 3rd Escort Group as
Leader.
Group included HM Escort Carrier BITER. Deployed with Group in NW Approaches.
April
3rd Transferred to 4th Escort Group as Leader on formation with HM Destroyers ECLIPSE FURY
and ICARUS,
6th Deployed in support of escort for convoy HX231 with HM Destroyers FURY, ECLIPSE and
ICARUS
Drove off contact keeping submarines.
May Atlantic convoy defence duty in continuation.
15th Rejoined Flotilla in Home Fleet.
17th Escorted HM Battleship HOWE to Gibraltar for support of military operations in Mediterranean.
Returned to UK as escort for HM Battleship NELSON.
June Home Fleet duty with Flotilla in continuation.
July Detached for duty in Mediterranean to reinforce Fleet for Sicily landings.
Passage to Alexandria to join Mediterranean Fleet
7th Sailed from Alexandria for AVALANCHE.
9th Deployed with screen for HM Cruisers AURORA and PENELOPE.
10th Deployed as part of screen for HM Battleships NELSON, RODNEY, WARSPITE and
VALIANT, HM Aircraft Carriers INDOMITABLE and FORMIDABLE with 4 cruisers and 17
other RN, Greek and Polish destroyers in Ionian Sea during Sicily landings.
Bombarded Catania with HM Destroyer OFFA. HI Cruisers PENELOPE, ARETHUSA.
(Operation ARSENAL)
(Operation HUSKY - See ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY and Naval Staff
History)..
11th Provided gunfire support to military operations ashore.
Carried out anti-submarine patrol off beach head.
23rd Attacked Italian submarine ASCIANGHI without success.
(Note: This submarine was later sunk by HM Destroyers LAFOREY and ECLIPSE).
August Based in Malta for patrol duty in Strait of Otranto and support of operations in Sicily.
September Nominated as DESDRON8 for screening duties during landings at Salerno.
(Operation AVALANCHE - See above references).
7th Part of screen for ships of Force H during landings at Salerno.
25th Part of screen for Home Fleet ships returning to Scapa Flow after service in the Mediterranean
with Force H.
October Deployed for Flotilla duties in Home Fleet
Nominated for further detached service in Mediterranean for support of planned allied landings
in Italy.
During passage to Mediterranean carried cut anti-submarine patrol in Bay of Biscay and SW
Approaches.
November
Joined Fleet at Algiers.
Escorted HM Battlecruiser RENOWN during passage to Alexandria via Malta with Prime
Minister embarked for meeting In Cairo.
December Passage to Gibraltar via Taranto and Malta.
14th Taken in hand for repair in Gibraltar.
21st On completion took passage to Malta.
1 9 4 4
January Nominated for duty with Northern Attack Force (Peter) for planned allied assault operation at
Anzio
(Operation SHINGLE - See above references).
Passage to Naples to join support Force.
21st Sailed from Naples for SHINGLE.
22nd Supported landings at Anzio by diversionary bombardment of Civitavecchia with HM Cruiser
DIDO and HM Destroyer KEMPENFELT.
23rd Bombarded coast road at Formia until 24th.
28th Provided gunfire support to military operation at Anzio with HM Cruiser MAURITIUS.
Under shore return fire without damage.
30th Carried out further bombardment in Formia area.
February Embarked General Alexander, Military Commander for passage to beachhead at Anzio.
(Note: This visit was made to assess the military situation which was considered
to be critical)
15th Escorted ammunition ship from Naples to Anzio.
Deployed off beach head for patrol and defence of anchorage, based at Naples.
25th Under dusk attack by radio controlled Hs293 Glider Bombs off Anzio.
Sustained direct hit and sank in position 41.26N 12.38E with loss of 35 lives.
157 survivors were rescued and taken to Naples to await return to UK.
Addendum
CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS of HMS INGLEFIELD
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
28/09/39
|
28/09/39
|
RED 2
|
03/10/39
|
09/10/39
|
19/01/40
|
19/01/40
|
HN 008
|
22/01/40
|
22/01/40
|
24/01/40
|
24/01/40
|
ON 009/1
|
27/01/40
|
27/01/40
|
27/01/40
|
27/01/40
|
HN 009A
|
31/01/40
|
31/01/40
|
13/02/40
|
13/02/40
|
ON 012/1
|
16/02/40
|
16/02/40
|
16/02/40
|
16/02/40
|
HN 012
|
17/02/40
|
19/02/40
|
22/02/40
|
24/02/40
|
HN 014
|
26/02/40
|
26/02/40
|
02/03/40
|
04/03/40
|
HN 016
|
05/03/40
|
05/03/40
|
23/07/40
|
29/07/40
|
TC 006
|
01/08/40
|
01/08/40
|
31/10/40
|
31/10/40
|
HG 046
|
06/11/40
|
19/11/40
|
17/02/41
|
25/02/41
|
TC 009
|
27/02/41
|
27/02/41
|
08/03/41
|
09/03/41
|
OB 295
|
14/03/41
|
14/03/41
|
18/04/41
|
unknown
|
OB 312
|
24/04/41
|
25/04/41
|
16/04/41
|
25/04/41
|
HX 121
|
28/04/41
|
03/05/41
|
06/05/41
|
20/05/41
|
HX 125A
|
21/05/41
|
22/05/41
|
21/06/41
|
26/06/41
|
TC 011
|
30/06/41
|
30/06/41
|
12/08/41
|
24/08/41
|
DERVISH
|
30/08/41
|
31/08/41
|
10/03/42
|
23/03/42
|
PQ 013
|
28/03/42
|
31/03/42
|
21/03/42
|
23/03/42
|
QP 009
|
28/03/42
|
03/04/42
|
10/04/42
|
28/04/42
|
PQ 015
|
05/05/42
|
05/05/42
|
28/04/42
|
28/04/42
|
QP 011
|
05/05/42
|
07/05/42
|
21/05/42
|
21/05/42
|
QP 012
|
29/05/42
|
29/05/42
|
26/06/42
|
26/06/42
|
QP 013
|
04/07/42
|
07/07/42
|
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
|
17/01/43
|
23/01/43
|
JW 052
|
24/01/43
|
27/01/43
|
29/01/43
|
01/02/43
|
RA 052
|
02/02/43
|
09/03/43
|
15/02/43
|
19/02/43
|
JW 053
|
27/02/43
|
27/02/43
|
01/03/43
|
01/03/43
|
RA 053
|
12/03/43
|
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
|
16/04/43
|
16/04/43
|
12/04/43
|
25/04/43
|
HX 234
|
25/04/43
|
29/04/43
|
16/04/43
|
27/04/43
|
SC 127
|
30/04/43
|
03/05/43
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Note on Convoys)