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SERVICE HISTORIES of ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS in WORLD WAR 2
by Lt Cdr Geoffrey B Mason RN (Rtd) (c) 2004

 

HMS HAMBLEDON (L 37) - Type I, Hunt-class Escort Destroyer including Convoy Escort Movements

HMS Hambledon (Navy Photos/George Knight, click to enlarge)

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Type I  HUNT Class Escort Destroyer ordered from Swan Hunter, Newcastle under 1939 Programme on 21st March 1939 The ship was laid down on 8th June that year and launched on 12th December 1939. She was the 2nd RN warship to carry the name, that of a Fox-hunt in Hampshire and previously carried by a minesweeper sold in 1922. She was completed 0on 8th June 1940. Following a successful WARSHIP WEEK National Savings campaign in March 1942 this Escort Destroyer was, very appropriately 'adopted’ by the civil community of Hambledon, Hampshire.

 

B a t t l e   Ho n o u r s

 

NORTH SEA 1941-44 - ENGLISH  CHANNEL 1943 - SICILY 1943 - SALERNO 1943  - AEGEAN  1944  - MEDITERRANEAN  1944 - NORMANDY 1944

 

H e r a l d i c   D a t a

Badge: On a Field Red, a fox's mask and in base two foxes

brushes in saltire Gold.

 

 

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 4 0

 

May                        Contractors trials.

 

June                        Commissioned for service in 21st Destroyer Flotilla.

                8th          Build completion and commenced Acceptance Trials

                                (Note: Sister ship HMS HOLDERNESS built in same shipyard completed 2 days later).

                                Took passage to Portland for work-up on completion of trials and storing.

 

July                         Deployed for work-up at Portland.

                10th        Deployed with HM Destroyers INGLEFIELD, IMOGEN, ATHERSTONE and FERNIE for

                                escort of HM Auxiliary Minelayers SOUTHERN PRINCE., PORT NAPIER, PORT QUEBEC

                                and MENESTHEUS of 1st Minelaying Squadron during lay of first section of Northern Barrage

                                north of North Rona (Operation SN1)

                                For details see Naval Staff History (Mining)

                12th        Work-up transferred to Scapa because of increased Channel activity.

                                On completion of working-up joined flotilla at Sheerness for convoy defence and patrol in English

                                Channel and East Coast.

 

August

                31st         Deployed with HM Escort Destroyer GARTH to join ships of 5th Destroyer Flotilla for rescue

                                operations off Dutch coast after ships carrying out minelay had run into an enemy minefield.

                                (Note: HM Destroyer ESK had sunk after striking a mine and HM Destroyer EXPRESS had

                                been very badly damaged losing her bow structure).

                                Remained in area to provide protection until arrival of tug.

 

September             Flotilla deployment in North Sea and Channel in continuation.

 

October                  Nominated for duty in Force B for operation to place fire-ships in Channel ports.

                                (Operation LUCID).

                                (Note: This operation was later aborted.)

                7th          Activated acoustic mine off South Foreland.

                                Sustained major damage to after structure.

                                A-Brackets for both shafts were broken and stem compartments flooded.

                                1 rating was killed and two others injured.

                                Towed to Sheerness by HM Destroyer VESPER.

                8th          Taken in hand for repair at Chatham

 

November              Under repair

to

December

 

1 9 4 1

 

January                  Under repair

to                            Nominated for transfer to 16th Destroyer Flotilla based at Harwich.

April                       (Note: Fire control radar for main armament was fitted (Type 285) .

                                For details of development and use of radar in RN see RADAR AT SEA by D Howse).

 

May                        Post refit trials and prepared for operational service.

                14th        Joined new Flotilla at Harwich for East coast convoy defence and patrol.

 

June                        Flotilla duties in continuation.

to                            Carried out anti-invasion patrols.

December              For details of East Coast convoy defence see THREE CORVETTES by N Monsarrat. BATTLE

                                OF THE NARROW SEAS by P Scott and THE BATTLE OF THE EAST COAST by J P Foynes.)

 

1 9 4 2

 

January                  Deployed with Flotilla for convoy defence and patrol in North Sea.

to                            (Note: During this period Radar Type 271 was fitted for the detection of surface

September             craft. .It was particularly useful for use against E-Boats and for the safe navigation of the

                                ship in the dangerous waters off the east coast during bad weather).

 

October                  Nominated for detached service.

                                (Note: Reduction of East coast convoy traffic was made to provide convoy escorts for use

                                elsewhere).

 

November              Deployed for escort of Atlantic military convoys to Gibraltar before the planned allied landings

                                in North Africa (Operation TORCH)

                                For details of this operation see ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by C Barnett, Naval

                                Staff History and for details of all ships involved BRITISH INVASION FLEETS by J de Winser.)

                12th        Sustained slight damage due to torpedo explosion.

 

December              On release from TORCH convoy escort duty resumed service with Flotilla based at Harwich for

                                service in Home waters.

 

1 9 4 3

 

January                  Deployed with Flotilla for East Coast and Channel convoy escort.

to                            Carried out patrols for interception of E-Boats attempting to attack convoys and enemy coastal

May                        traffic.

                                For details of naval activities in Channel area see HOLD THE NARROW SEA by Peter C Smith.

 

June                        Nominated for detached service in support of planned allied landings in

                                Sicily and transferred to 58th Destroyer Division.

                                Passage to Clyde from Harwich.

                21st         Joined HM Cruiser UGANDA, HM Escort Destroyers ARROW, BLANKNEY,

                                BLENCATHRA, BRECON, BRISSENDEN, LEDBURY, MENDIP, HM Destroyers VICEROY,

                                WALLACE, WITHERINGTON and WOOLSTON as escort for joint military convoy WS31/KMF17

                                during Atlantic passage.

                26th        On relief by HM Destroyer AMAZON, BULLDOG, FOXHOUND and HM Escort Destroyer

                                BLACKMORE detached with same ships as escort for

                                Passage to Gibraltar with KMF17.

                28th        Deployed at Gibraltar and nominated for service with Escort Group V for escort and support of

                                landings in Sicily.

                                (Operation HUSKY – For details see Naval Staff History and BRITISH INVASION FLEETS by

                                J de Winser.)

 

July

                7th          Deployed as escort for military convoy KMF18 during passage in western Mediterranean with

                                HM Escort Destroyers BLANKNEY, BRECON, BLENCATHRA and BRISSENDEN of Escort

                                Group V.

                9th          Detached from KMF18 to refuel and rejoined on completion.

                10th        Detached from KMF18 on arrival in BARK WEST Assault area and deployed for escort and

                                patrol in support of HUSKY.

                                See above references for details.

                31st         Released from HUSKY support and deployed with 58th Division based in Malta for convoy

                                defence and patrol.

 

August                  Nominated for to embark Admiral Cunningham during planned landings on

                                Italian mainland at Salerno (Operation AVALANCHE).

                                (Note: Admiral Cunningham was Commander Designate for Western Task Force)

 

September

                9th          Embarked Admiral Cunningham and General Eisenhower at Bizerta for passage to witness

                                surrender of Italian Fleet.

                10th        Present at entry into Malta of surrendered Italian warships

                                Passage to Salerno for support of landings

                                (For details of AVALANCHE see ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY, Naval Staff

                                History and BRITISH INVASION FLEETS.)

 

October                  On release from AVALANCHE duties deployed in Eastern Mediterranean for support of

                                military operations in defence of Leros and Cos after the Italian surrender.

                                (Note: German troops were landed to hold these islands which had been garrisoned by Italians..

                                See WAR IN THE AEGEAN by P Smith and E Gray.

                                Battle Honour was awarded but no trace of specific mention of action with invasion craft.

                                has been found.

                                RN ships were extensively used to land troops and stores).

 

November              Aegean islands defence in continuation.

                                Resumed convoy defence and patrol in central Mediterranean based in Malta when operations

                                off Cos and Leros ended.

 

December              Deployed in central Mediterranean.

                                (For details of naval activities in Mediterranean see Official War History WAR IN THE

                                MEDITERRANEAN (HMSO) and Naval Staff History.).

 

1 9 4 4

 

January                  Deployment in central Mediterranean with 58th Division in continuation.

to                            Transferred to Naples.

February                Supported military operations on west coast of Italy and carried cut patrols.

 

March

                29th        Despatched from Naples with HM Escort Destroyer BLENCATHRA to assist in hunt for U-Boat

                                in position NE of Palermo.

                                Joined hunt near Filicudi island 135 miles south of Naples.

                                Ceased depth charge firings as ordered by HMS LAFOREY

                                Continued surveillance of target whose position was known.

                                Illuminated submarine when it surfaced after several hours of surveillance.

                                Took part in destruction of U223 by surface gunfire of with other ships but before its sinking

                                the submarine fired a torpedo which hit and sank HMS LAFOREY.

                                After rescue of survivors from HMS LAFOREY picked up German sailors.

                                See U-BOATS DESTROYED by P Kemp for details.

                                Carried out funerals of British and German dead before return to Naples.

                                (Note: Only 69 of the ship's company survived the loss of HMS LAFOREY.

                                182 lives were lost.

                                14 Germans were rescued of whom two died during return passage.

 

April                       Central Mediterranean deployment in continuation.

                                Nominated with HM Escort Destroyers BLENCATHRA and MENDIP of 58th Division

                                to return to UK for support of planned landings in Normandy (Operation NEPTUNE).

                                For details of naval activities before and during landings see OPERATION NEPTUNE

                                by K Edwards, LANDINGS IN NORMANDY JUNE 1944 (HMSO) and Naval Staff History).

 

May                        Passage to UK to join 21st Destroyer Flotilla at Sheerness.

                                Allocated for escort of assault Convoy G16 for passage to beach head head and for duty

                                in Eastern Task Force area after assault phase.

 

June                        Joined Force G escorts in West Solent.

                4th          Operation delayed 24 hours because of weather conditions.

                5th          Escorted m Escort Destroyer ALBRIGHTON, nine Landing Craft (Infantry) and two Rescue

                                Craft through swept channel to GOLD Beach Head as Convoy G16.

                                (Note: HMS ALBRIGHTON was HQ Ship for control of landings on GOLD Beach).

                6th          On arrival at Beach Head bombarded beach defences.

                                On release returned to Solent area for Build-up convoy escort.

                                In action with E-Boats attempting to attack convoys in swept Channel south of Isle of Wight.

                7th          Joined HM Sloops MAGPIE, HM Frigates SPRAGGE and STOCKHAM in 112 Escort Group

                                for escort of Convoy EBP2 to Beach Head..

                                (Note: Convoy comprised five Personnel Ships, MULBERRY A HQ Ship and three miscellaneous

                                craft taking pre-loaded US Build-up Division to the Western Task Force area)

                8th          On release from escort duties deployed for defensive patrol and interception off Beach Heads and

                                in English Channel.

 

July                         Nominated for service with 16th Destroyer Flotilla at Harwich.

                                Passage to Harwich to joined Flotilla.

                                Deployed for North Sea and Channel convoy defence.

 

August                  Flotilla duties in continuation.

                8th          Escorted south coast convoy with HM Destroyer- WALPOLE

 

September             Deployed with Flotilla for convoy defence.

to

December

 

1 9 4 5

 

January                  Harwich deployment with Flotilla in continuation.

to                            (Note: An increase in enemy submarine activities concentrating attacks on focal points of convoy

February                by SCHNORKEL fitted submarines and minelay by surface minelayers and submarines

                                made necessary additional patrols in Thames Estuary area.

                                The existing East Coast and Channel Flotillas were reinforced by Escort Groups from

                                Western Approaches Command.

                                See HOLD THE NARROW SEA by P. Smith and SEEK and STRIKE by W Hackmann).

 

March                    Deployed for defence of military conveys to Belgian and Dutch ports and patrol in Nore and

                                Dover  Command areas.

 

April                       Deployed for patrol and convoy defence in southern North Sea and Channel.

                12th        In action against minelaying E-Boats off Flushing with HM Frigate EKINS..

 

May                        After VE Day transferred to Nore Local Flotilla.

 

June                        Deployed in Nore Command for support of re-occupation forces and training.

to

August

 

P o s t   W a r   N o t e s

 

HMS HAMBLEDON remained in Nore Command until Paid-off and reduced to Reserve status in December 1945. She was laid-up in the Harwich Division of Reserve Fleet from 1946 until 1953 when transferred to Barrow. During 1955 she was de-equipped and placed on the Disposal list. In August 1957 the ship was sold to BISCO for demolition by Clayton and Davie at Dunston on Tyne. She arrived in tow at the breaker’s yard in September 1957.

 


 

Addendum

 

CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS of HMS HAMBLEDON

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

 

 

 

 

 

16/05/41

unknown

HX 127

unknown

02/06/41

06/12/42

06/12/42

CW 139

07/12/42

07/12/42

07/12/42

07/12/42

CE 137

08/12/42

08/12/42

15/01/43

15/01/43

CW 149

16/01/43

16/01/43

16/01/43

16/01/43

CE 147

17/01/43

17/01/43

14/02/43

14/02/43

CW 156

15/02/43

15/02/43

16/02/43

16/02/43

CE 154

17/02/43

17/02/43

10/03/43

10/03/43

CW 162

11/03/43

11/03/43

11/03/43

11/03/43

CE 160

12/03/43

12/03/43

18/06/43

26/06/43

KMF 017

27/06/43

27/06/43

28/06/43

28/06/43

MKF 017

30/06/43

30/06/43

13/06/43

02/07/43

UGS 010

06/07/43

10/07/43

28/06/43

07/07/43

KMF 018

10/07/43

11/07/43

17/07/43

17/07/43

KMS 019M

18/07/43

18/07/43

22/07/43

22/07/43

GUS 010X

25/07/43

13/08/43

12/07/43

29/07/43

UGS 012

07/08/43

10/08/43

29/07/43

29/07/43

KMS 021

07/08/43

10/08/43

16/10/43

25/10/43

KMF 025

29/10/43

30/10/43

02/11/43

03/11/43

XIF 003

06/11/43

06/11/43

31/10/43

12/11/43

MKF 025A

14/11/43

24/11/43

03/12/43

unknown

XIF 005

unknown

09/12/43

05/12/43

21/12/43

UGS 026

25/12/43

30/12/43

12/01/44

12/01/44

SNF 012

16/01/44

16/01/44

20/01/44

20/01/44

SNF 013

22/01/44

22/01/44

10/08/44

10/08/44

ETM 059

11/08/44

11/08/44

 

 

 

 

 

(Note on Convoys)

 

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