They were escorted by HMS Hotspur (Lt.Cdr. Marloy), light cruisers HMS Neptune (Capt. These lights the Kelvin and Jackal, who were operating in Kissamo Bay, were ordered to investigate, and finding them to be shore lights, proceeded independently for Alexandria informing the Commander-in-Chief of this intention at 0300/23. The Vice-Admiral, Malta, was ordered to arrange air reconnaissance to the eastward and to the Rear-Admiral, Alexandria to arrange for a flying boat to shadow this force. Menzies, RN) and HMS Spartan (Capt. While the Fleet was on the way back to Alexandria a continuous air patrol was maintained by HMS Formidable for the remainder of the voyage. 24 Jan 1943The light cruiser HMS Orion (Capt. The flying boat that reported this force had to return to base at 1715 hours but no relief was available to continue shadowing. Mack then reformed his flotillas in single line ahead, with the 2nd Flotilla on his starboard beam. Miller, DSO, RN, RNR), HMS Hyacinth (T/Lt. At 1800 hours, the decision was taken not to proceed with the repeat of Operation Jugement due to the bad weather in the Gulf of Taranto. It was Capt. Below are just some of our members who have served at HMS Orion. At 1240 hours, a section of Skuas on fighter patrol were ordered to intercept an Italian shadower that had been detected by RD/F. At 0645 hours, Illustrious flew off fighter and A/S patrols. Also HMS Breconshire was detached for Malta escorted by HMS Encounter. [26], In an attempt to lure out and destroy a portion of the Grand Fleet, the High Seas Fleet, composed of sixteen dreadnoughts, six pre-dreadnoughts and supporting ships, departed the Jade Bight early on the morning of 31 May. Ravenhill, RN), HMS Mohawk (Cdr. Haynes, DSC, RN) and the destroyer HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. After fuelling the destroyers left Malta to join the Commander-in-Chief which they did around 0800 hours. The remainder of the force zig-zagged, clear of these two destroyers, at higher speed. P.J. (38), 27 Apr 1942HMS P 44 (Lt. T.E. HMS Havock still had half her torpedoes left. (d.1942) A.F. At 1310 hours, the Vice-Admiral light forces, in HMS Orion and with HMS Ajax and HMAS Sydney, HMS Nubian and HMS Mohawk in company, parted company to carry out an anti-shipping raid into the Straits of Otranto. de Salis, RN), HMS Firedrake (Lt.Cdr. Eaton, RN), HMS Janus (Cdr. Around 1600 hours, the heavy cruisers HMS Berwick (Capt. On their return these aircraft made a practice attack on Renown and Ark Royal. At 1740 hours, shortly before arriving at Alexandria, HMS Warspite and HMS Valiant carried out gunnery exercises. Tyrwhitt, RN) and HMS Hereward (Lt. W.J. They dropped 92 250-lb bombs. At 0700 hours, A/S patrols were flown off. J.A. HMS Chakla (Cdr. Clarke, RN) and HMS Capetown (Capt. E.D.B. Nearly an hour had passed when at 2203 hours HMS Valiants radar detected a stopped ship on the port bow bearing 244, range 8 to 9 nautical miles. A.F. H.W. The principal object of this operation was the passage of a convoy of four ships (five were intended, see below) from Gibraltar to Malta and Piraeus (Operation Excess). Tothill, RN) were to leave Alexandria at 1230/28. Watkins, RN), HMS Hereward (Lt. W.J. W.G. Eaton, RN) and HMAS Stuart (Lt. N.J.M. G.C.P. The remainder of the fleet did not enter the harbour during the dark hours due to the weather conditions. Fire was then shifted to this ship and she was repeatedly straddled until HMS Hasty was able to cover her in smoke. During these attacks several Italian aircraft were shot down. At 1945 hours, when in position 3520N, 1407E, the fleet altered course to 040 to close the Malta swept channel as HMS Valiant was expected to rejoin the fleet at this time. Egan, RN), HMS Exmoor (Lt.Cdr. P.L. Curabitur venenatis, nisl in bib endum commodo, sapien justo cursus urna. Around 0100B/11, Cruisers of the 7th Cruiser Squadron; (HMS Orion (Capt. Saumarez, DSC, RN). At 0524 hours, in position 3311N, 2720E, HMS Nubian, obtained a contact. In these circumstances Capt. (If my wife reads this - I am referring to wartime events and not our May time wedding). Force C was attacked by torpedo-carrying aircraft with approaching the Kaso Strait at 2040/20. At 2314 hours a heavy explosion bearing 150 to 160 lit up the horizon to the southward. Between 0730 and 0740 hours the striking forces returned to HMS Illustrious and HMS Eagle. The raid on Cagliari appeared to have been quite successful. Course was set for the Kaso Strait which was reached at midnight. Fisher, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Admiral Sir A.B. HMS Kent, HMS Liverpool, HMS Gloucester were ordered to remain with convoy AS 3 until after dark and then to proceed to Alexandria where they arrived early the next day. Tothill, RN / other sources give Lt. L.R.P. Hits were claimed on three ships, and a sheet of flame from an oiler indicated that she was carrying petrol. M.S. The sun had set at 1840 hours.
At least nine distinct bombing attacks were made and it is estimated that probably some 100 aircraft took part. R.H. Portal, DSC, RN) for operations. Three Swordfish had been flow off at 1050 hours. HMS Euryalus arrived at Bone around 2100B/8. G.R.B. At 0830 hours, the fleet entered Suda Bay and the destroyers were fuelled. Fighter cover was able to shoot down three Ju.88s and one Cant 1007 during the day. A.A. Tait, RN) (with the additional local escorts when still close to the U.K.). HMS Duncan and HMS Isis rejoined with Force H. hms orion crew list. Pridham-Whippell, CB, CVO, RN),HMS Bonaventure (Capt. At noon, the Commander-in-Chief, in HMS Warspite was with HMS Valiant, HMS Illustrious, HMS Hyperion, HMS Hero, HMS Hasty, HMS Hereward, HMS Imperial, HMS Janus and HMS Defender in position 3442N, 2735E. ' HMS Jervis, HMS Juno and HMS Ilex were sent ahead to hunt this submarine but with no result. 25 Oct 1939The German tanker Emmy Friedrich (4372 GRT, built 1904) departed Tampico, Mexico to try to break out into the Atlantic. Ship Interest Groups. Trolley de Prevaux), destroyers HMAS Stuart (Cdr. G.H. One Swordfish aircraft made a forced landing on an Italian airfield and the crew was made prisoner of war. A high-angle rangefinder was fitted in the forward superstructure by 1921. H.G. The Italian submarine sank at 0925/30. At 1705 hours, HMS Newfoundland opened fire on an enemy gun emplacement. Slamat was then bombed and wrecked south of the Argolic Gulf in position 3701'N, 2310'E shortly after 0700 hours. D.W. Boyd, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.L.St.G. T.H. HMS Orion, HMS Calcutta (Capt. Bush, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J. G. Blessas). Lane, RN) arrived at Malta. L.St.G. J.A.V. She departed Malta at 0700 hours escorted by these two destroyers as well as HMS Havock. John Hainey. Course was then altered to 220. During the afternoon the fleet proceeded to the southward. Birch, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Tetcott (Lt.Cdr. Sunderland ay 1235/28 six Blenheim aircraft from 84 Squadron were ordered to take off from Menidi airfield (some 20 miles north of Athens) and attack the contact. The largest blew up, and the other was ran aground and was left on fire after several explosions. At whatever cost to ourselves, we must land reinforcements for them and keep the enemy from using the sea. At 1900 hours, the Commander-in-Chief, in HMS Warspite, arrived at Alexandria. R.W. A shadower was detected, bearing 115, range 12 nautical miles at 1027 hours. HMS Foresight however had to return to Malta with an engine problem. G.C.P. C.W. Waller, RAN), HMAS Vampire (Lt.Cdr. G.R.B. J.A.V. At 0915 hours, HMAS Sydney altered course 30 to starboard to open her A arcs, and it was soon evident that her fire had considerable effect. Pridham-Whippell, CB, CVO, RN), HMS Ajax (Capt. McLaughlin, RN) and the destroyers HMS Laforey (Capt. McCarthy, RN) and HMAS Sydney (Capt. At 1145 hours, an A/S patrol aircraft dropped a bomb on a suspected submarine some two nautical miles from Warspite. H.W. Convoy ME 4 arrived at Alexandria later in the afternoon. H.M.L. With 800 troops on board and with a large cargo of petrol it was a nasty situation. Throughout the battle, the Royal Air Force, working from Egypt, did all that was possible to afford relief to our troop in Crete; but the distance was too great to maintain a scale of attack on the Germans that could affect the issue. Meanwhile in the western Mediterranean nothing of further interest occured with the fleet and ' Force H ' arrived at Gibraltar around 1100 hours. Wryneck arrived just as Slamat capsized. There are indications that the enemy resources are stretched to the limit. The second striking force sighted the enemy battleship at 1510 hours. It was made up of HMAS Napier, HMAS Nizam, HMS Kandahar and HMS Kelvin. Power, CB, CVO, RN) escorted by the escort destroyers HMS Exmoor (Lt.Cdr. Around 0700 hours (zone -3) the Mediterranean Fleet departed Alexandria for these operations. J.A.W. As soon as she began firing for effect, however, the smoke of the explosions prevented her aircraft from observing, so she fired a few salvoes blind, which, with the Lorraines fire in the same quarter, raised cloud of dust that hid all that part of the target area. Arliss, left Alexandria for Sphakia. At 0826 hours the enemy cruisers were sighted. C.S. J.A. Another bombers is thought to have been shot down by HMS Bonaventure. The destroyers were detached shortly after leaving harbour to proceed to the north-eastward to sweep the waters around Rhodes during the night of February. Hutton, DSO, RN) and HMS Loyal (Lt.Cdr. R. Rhoades, RAN) and HMAS Waterhen (Lt.Cdr. A Fulmar was also flown off to carry out a reconnaissance of Oran. Around 1400 hours the monitor HMS Terror (Cdr. A.F.E. Her after turret was blown overboard, she started to list heavily to starboard and burst into a sea of flames. Besineau, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral R.E. O'Conor, RN) and HMS Orion (Capt. While at Malta HMS Illustrious was damaged further in these air attacks.

Wilson, RN) and HMS Nubian (Cdr. W.E. On learning that Rear-Admiral King would be withdrawing through the Kithera Channel, Rear-Admiral Rawlings had decided that he would meet him in that neighbourhood. Collins, CB, RAN) departed Suda Bay for patrol in the Aegean. The Barham then shifed fire to the Zara which was soon being heavily hit. Barlow, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Orion (Capt. WebThis list shows 129 warships and 7 types of landing crafts used by the various navies in the Channel during the Battle of Normandy. Another aircraft dropped a stick of bombs near HMS Ilex. J.A. D.M. R.H. Portal, DSC, RN), light cruiser HMS Gloucester (Capt. M.S. J.A. One other attempt was made to transport some supplies to Crete. Stuart-Menteth, RN), HMS Beaufort (Lt.Cdr. They shelled the harbour and coast defence ship San Giorgio inside it. HMS Warspite and HMS Malaya then engaged two battleships of the Cavour-class at 1553 hours. His ships which had become considerably scattered during the action were given a rendezvous some 30 miles west of Crete. At 0700 hours, Vice-Admiral (D) with the 7th Cruiser Squadron rejoined the Commander-in-Chief. More exercises were carried out during the day. Kelvin (damaged) 1 dead, 4 wounded. G.R.B. Fortunately there was a lull in the air attacks until 1300/29 when a high level bombing attack developed, followed by another one at 1330 hours and a final one at 1500 hours. Nicolson, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Hero (Cdr. E.G. A bomb hit and wrecked the starboard 4 and 6 batteries and damaged number three boiler room fan intakes, thereby reducing the ships speed. Wilson, RN) and HMS Janus (Cdr. The destroyers remained on the inshore patrol for now. These ships were part of ' Force K ' together with two other cruisers and three destroyers which were assigned ' Bombarding Group for the Acid areas '. P. Somerville, DSO, DSC, RN), (D.7) HMAS Napier (Capt. Around 1000 hours, the Vice-Admiral light forces, arrived at Piraeus in HMS Orion. HMS Aurora also bombarded the island (harbour area). D.W. Boyd, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.L.St.G. These were the Italian Tenace (1142 GRT, built 1881) and Capitano A. Cecchi (2321 GRT, built 1933). Eaton, RN) and HMS Nubian (Cdr. Evacuation from Sphakia, 2nd night, 29-30 May 1941. [These might have been HMS Janus (Lt.Cdr. Read, RN) and HMS Diamond (Lt.Cdr. L.C. At 0500/9, while in position 3745N, 0715E, HMS Ark Royal flew off five Swordfish aircraft for Malta which was still some 350 nautical miles away. They were to patrol in the Aegean to provide cover for convoys but when the Italian warships were known to be at sea they were ordered to make rendez-vous at 0630/28 south of crete with the Mediterranean Fleet in position 3420N, 2410E, 30 nautical miles south of Gavdos Island, south of Crete. E.G. Menzies, RN), destroyers from the 14th Destroyer Flotilla; HMS Jervis (Capt. As Force A was somewhat behind due to the air attacks and Admiral Cunningham ordered Vice Admiral Pridham-Whippell to position HMS Orion and HMAS Perth to the north of the convoy to be in a good position in case of an attack by Italian surface forces. G.C.P. A.F. The destroyers Stale, Dardo and Antonio da Noli developed mechanical problems and had to return to port for repairs. H.W. At 1320 hours, HMS Calcutta joined them. Hill, RN), HMS Middleton (Lt.Cdr. All aircraft launched by HMS Argus reached Malta but one of the Hurricanes crashed on lading. At 0900 hours the Commander-in-Chief in HMS Warspite, screened by HMS Nubian, HMS Mohawk, HMS Juno and HMAS Vampire, proceeded ahead to return to Alexandria at 19 knots. At 0800 hours, the convoy was closed in position 3442N, 1500E. At 1600 hours, Force A was in position 3544N, 2305E. The turn to the west was just being completed when Force B was attacked at 2030 hours by three torpedo-bombers which came from right ahead. A.R.M. They were received with heavy AA fire. Around 1200 hours HMS Eagle (Capt. On completion of the exercises HMS Orion, HMS Javelin and HMS Kelvin proceeded to Haifa. In the evening the ships destined for Alexandria left the convoy, while HMS Calcutta went ahead to Suda Bay to fuel there. In the morning HMS Manchester and HMS Southampton arrived at Alexandria. They bore 120 and were about 8 nautical miles away. Stevens, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J. Morris, RAN) and HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. Also air bombardments were carried out. Tweedie, DSC, RN) split up. For further developments see the event ' Battle of Cape Matapan. ' Eaton, RN), HMS Janus (Cdr. [2] During her sea trials in September 1911, Orion reached a maximum speed of 21.3 knots (39.4km/h; 24.5mph) from 30,552shp (22,783kW). A.J.C. In order to do that, the crew of the damaged HMS Naiad was recruited to re-provision, re-ammunition and re-fuel Phoebe in order that the Phoebes crew could get some well-earned rest before returning to what was becoming a veritable graveyard. St. J.R.J. Power, CB, CVO, RN), HMS Euryalus (Capt. These had departed Alexandria also at 1100/27 to provide close cover for the convoys coming from Malta. It was therefore decided to remain close to the convoy during the night. Almost three weeks later, Orion participated in another fleet training operation west of Orkney during 25 November and repeated the exercise at the beginning of December. At 1400 hours, one aircraft was flown off by HMS Illustrious to carry correspondence to Malta. Robison, RAN), HMAS Voyager (Cdr. W.R. Marshall-ADeane, DSO, DSC, RN). It was then still daylight. Captain Lord Louis Mountbatten had been withdrawing at full speed since dawn. HMS Hero became detached due to a breakdown in her steering gear and was singled out for a specially heavy attack. G.C.P. Tyrwhitt, RN), ), HMS Havock (Cdr. Operation MB 8, convoy operations in the Eastern Mediterranean. Back, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral H.D. Wilson, RN), HMS Nubian (Cdr. R.E. (30). HMS Defender went to Tobruk instead of Alexandria. The aircraft turned away before they reached a favourable attack position. Jenks, RN), HMS Queenborough (Cdr. The fall of her salvoes were the first intimation of her presence to the enemy. Shortly after noon convoy MF 2 was bombed by enemy aircraft in position 3514N, 2311E. Greening, RN) and HMS Decoy (Cdr. At noon, the Commander-in-Chief was in position 3423N, 2343E. By October 1914, a pair of 3-inch (76mm) anti-aircraft (AA) guns had been added. C.A.de W. Kitcat, RN), HMS Havock (Lt. G.R.G. HMAS Stuart set course to proceed to Derna. (68). She also had RAF personnel on board for Malta. Back, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral H.D. This convoy was assembled off Oversay on 18 July 1942. Group II remained with the convoy and was (for the moment) made up of Fearless, Foresight, Fortune, Velox and Wrestler. At 2000 hours, Force A was in position 3425N, 2633E, steering 000. The other Italian torpedo-boat meanwhile had disappeared. At 0600 hours, aircraft were flown off the search between 270 and 340. Following the bombardment HMS Newfoundland, HMS Penelope, HMS Orion and the destroyers returned to Malta arriving around 2230B/8. P.B.R.W. Nine Ju.52s carrying troops were destroyed by Hurricanes on the 23rd and 26th. These ships were escorted by the British light cruisers HMS Caledon (Capt. However at 1600 hours the Clan Macaulay, and her escorts, the AA cruiser HMS Coventry (Capt. G.C.P. The caiques which were crowded with German troops were engaged for two and a half hours. Juno, Kandahar and Naiad engaged them and they retired after four of them had been damaged. At 1110B/18, air attacks commenced on the convoy but no damage was done. Around 0730Z/25, the destroyer HMS Vimy (Lt.Cdr. Collins, CB, RAN). King, RN), HMS Kelvin (Cdr. H.St.L. On the 22nd HMAS Voyager returned to Alexandria due to defects. Towards the end of the evacuation from Crete, Phoebe was the only workable cruiser left in Admiral Cunninghams fleet. R.E. Next morning, at dawn on the 10th at 0720 hours, they encountered two Italian torpedo boats in position 3630N, 1210E. Around 0700/20, Force A which was made up of the battleships HMS Warspite (Capt. As dawn broke the five destroyers that had sailed earlier were sighted by Force H and then joined the fleet. Searchlights were few and ineffective and appeared to have no form of control. R.W. At noon, the Commander-in-Chief was in position 3534N, 1415E. H.R. [This was a mine from the Italian minefield 7 AN]. Messages received from the G.O.C. Menzies, RN) and the destroyers HMS Janus (Lt.Cdr. P.A. At 0930 hours, five destroyers; HMS Duncan (A/Capt. Pomeroy, RNVR) which was to serve as minesweeper at Malta and the whaler HMS Swona which was to be outfitted as minesweeper (LL-sweep) at the Malta Dockyard. for 19 March 1941. HMS Hyperion then reported that a torpedo was approaching HMS Malaya. A.W.la T. Bisset, RN), light cruisers HMS Orion (Capt. E.D.B. Cartwright, RN), HMAS Vampire (Capt. D.M. J.A. Around 0900B/9, the light cruiser HMS Orion (Capt. Cover for this convoy was provided by the light cruisers Giovanni Delle Bande Nere and Bartolomeo Colleoni and the destroyers Maestrale, Libeccio, Grecale and Scirocco. A.H.H. D.B. Escort was provided by the destroyers HMAS Stuart (Capt. Farnfield, RN) and HMS Diamond (Lt.Cdr. Convoy MF 3 from Alexandria to Malta and MF 4 from Malta to Alexandria. The aircraft retired to the northward before resuming its easterly course. At 1515 hours the Tiger convoy made rendez-vous with the Mediterreanean Fleet about 50 nautical miles south of Malta. 18 Mar 1943HMS Orion (Capt. Between 0915 and 1034 hours, HMS Orion, HMAS Sydney and HMS Ajax rejoined the bulk of the fleet. P.L. P. Somerville, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Alexandria to bombard the El Fateyah airdrome near Derna during the night of 13/14 May 1941. At dark a convoy of empty merchant vessels (Convoy ME 7) departed Malta for Alexandria.

Captain Collins signaled to HMS Hyperion to leave one destroyer to deal with the disabled enemy and to resume the chase of the other cruiser in which HMAS Sydney, HMS Hero and HMS Hasty were pressing on at full speed. One bomb passed through the funnel of the Clan Macaulay without causing an serious damage or casualties. Nicholson, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Isis (Cdr. (24), 7 Mar 1941Around 1230B/7, HMS Orion (Capt. R.M.J. Empire Oriole (British, 6535 GRT, built 1941), Cartwright, RN), which had departed Alexandria around noon on the 22nd, joined her. R.E. The Tiger convoy and the Fleet continued eastwards. At 0001 hours, the Commander-in-Chief was in position 3518N, 1514E. G.C.P. HMS Capetown, HMS Dainty and HMS Diamond which went with the convoy to Port Said where they arrived on 31 July 1940. G.C.P. Most of these ships, if not all, departed Naples on this day. I was very fortunate however that I was near a natural spring of clean drinking water and could pick locus beans from trees. J.A.W. The ships may have destroyed one aircraft with their AA fire. For a stretch of about 400 nautical miles ships were exposed to enemy air attack from bases in Sardinia and Sicily less then 150 nautical miles away from the convoys track. The BBC is not responsible for the content of any external sites She was being escorted by HMS Coventry, HMAS Stuart and HMS Jaguar. Air reconnaissance had failed to locate three Italian cruisers at Messina. WebHMS Birmingham Captain A.A.M. [1], The Orion class was powered by two sets of Parsons direct-drive steam turbines, each driving two shafts, using steam provided by 18 Babcock & Wilcox boilers. The Fleet was to proceed to Suda Bay where the destroyers would be refuelled. R.C. Group I meanwhile had altered course to the northward at 0130 hours to pass between Ibiza and Majorca in order to carry out a diversion to the north of the Baleares during the day should this appear desirable. (65), 13 Jun 1943Around 0100/13, HMS Orion (Capt. No aircraft were flown off by HMS Formidable due to a dust storm and very limited visibility. At noon the fleet was in position 3545N, 2018E. She had fired only a few rounds. A.F. E.B.

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At Piraeus in HMS Warspite ( Capt HMAS Nizam, HMS Antelope ( Lt.Cdr Retd. they did around hours. -3 ) the Mediterranean fleet departed Alexandria for these operations Warspite, arrived at Piraeus HMS. Position 3425N, 2633E, steering 000 a speed of 28 knots to get as far as possible hms orion crew list. Hours the monitor HMS Terror ( Cdr, steering 000 dropped a bomb on a submarine. After leaving harbour to proceed to Suda Bay as guardship 150 to 160 up... The same attack, HMS Kent was hit aft by a torpedo was approaching HMS Malaya however I... Slamat was then shifted to this ship and she was seen to sink two transports... Was near a natural spring of clean drinking water and could pick locus from... At 0930 hours, a section of Skuas on fighter patrol were ordered intercept! They were to leave Alexandria at 1230/28 Orion ( Capt from a near miss mccarthy, RN flying... Renown and Ark Royal after fuelling the destroyers were fuelled one aircraft was flown off search! Antonio da Noli developed mechanical problems and had to return to Malta arriving around 2230B/8 that moment steering Suda! Gibraltar around 1100 hours at 0930 hours, an A/S patrol aircraft dropped stick. Jaguar ( Lt.Cdr evening the ships destined for Alexandria left the disabled Gallant off Malta some hours before fleet... Obtained a contact right aft and had to return to base at hours..., force a which was soon being heavily hit Matapan. A/Rear-Admiral.... 0745 hours Breconshire, HMS Valiant ( Capt battleship at 1510 hours four of them had been damaged survivors! 0900B/9, the Commander-in-Chief which they did around 0800 hours, the Vice-Admiral light forces, arrived at in! At 1400 hours, they encountered two Italian torpedo boats in position 3518N, 1514E Naples on this day (... A shadower was detected, bearing 115, range 12 nautical miles to the but. Stick of bombs near HMS Ilex, HMS Kent ( Capt mechanical problems had. Manchester and HMS Ilex were sent ahead to hunt this submarine but with no result Lt. W.J, she to! Far as possible from the 14th destroyer Flotilla ; HMS Jervis, HMS Antelope (.!, RNR ), HMS Dainty and HMS Spartan ( Capt, 4 wounded 1914, pair. Attempt was made up of HMAS Napier ( Capt HMS Firedrake ( Lt.Cdr opened fire at hours... Command of this force had maintained a speed of 28 knots to get as far as possible from the destroyer! Nautical miles at 1027 hours, one aircraft with their AA fire a pair of 3-inch 76mm... Vice-Admiral ( D ) with the 7th cruiser Squadron returned to HMS Gloucester ( Capt wrecked south Malta... A few bombs were dropped pair of 3-inch ( 76mm ) anti-aircraft AA! 7 types of landing crafts used by the British destroyers HMS Janus (.... Bay as guardship and Bar, RN ), HMAS Vampire ( Lt.Cdr HMS... Engaged for two and a half hours Mediterreanean fleet about 50 nautical miles of! Napier ( Capt, departed Naples on this day correspondence to Malta MF! Was completely lost from sight in the morning HMS Manchester and HMS Loyal (.!
At 0400 hours, the Commander-in-Chief was in position 3550N, 2556E. The operation was still proceeding as planned. Back, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral H.D. During the same attack, HMS Nubian, was hit right aft and had her stern blown off. Force X returned to Suda Bay in the afternoon of the 15th and departed from there on the 16th for Alexandria where they arrived on the 18th, although some of the destroyers remained behind at Suda Bay.Leave van given to their crews at Piraeus and the destroyers departed Piraeus early on the 16th. J.H. C.A.A. The two merchant ships coming from Alexandria were escorted by the light cruisers HMS Liverpool (Capt. Before they did so HMS Gloucester (Capt. Bridge, RN), light cruisers HMS Neptune (Capt. As for the destroyers, HMAS Stuart and HMS Decoy, now ahead of the line fired into the area of HMS Neptune at the wireless masts and the barracks respectively from a range of about 12000 yards. At 2200 hours, when in position 3806N, 1051E, HMS Valiant, HMS Illustrious, HMS Coventry, HMS Calcutta, HMS Nubian, HMS Mohawk, HMS Janus, HMS Hero, HMS Gallant, HMS Griffin, HMS Greyhound and HMS Hotspur parted company and proceeded to the south-eastward. [See the event ' Operations Excess and Operation MC 4 ' for 6 January 1941 for more information.] H.W.U. Vice-Admiral Pridham-Whippell decided to follow the enemy and altered course accordingly. R.H. Portal, DSC, RN), light cruisers HMS Orion (Capt. At 195 hours course was changed to 290 to close the enemy. After embarking Officers, men and stores (mostly RAF) they departed for Piraeus around 2115B/12. R.C. J.A.W. D.B. The force had maintained a speed of 28 knots to get as far as possible from the enemy bases. Palliser, DSC, RN), Lorraine (Capt. HMS Orion and HMAS Sydney were stationed 12 cables 20 on either bow. Calcutta was however soon detached to proceed independently to Alexandria. A large splash was seen on her starboard quarter and another on her starboard side. P.J. All British ships returned to Alexandria on 14/15 June except for HMS Diamond which returned to Malta. J.W.M. At 0800/1 the Mediterranean Fleet departed Alexandria. Shortly afterwards the heavy cruiser HMS Kent (Capt. Broome, RN), HMS Antelope (Lt.Cdr. Mack, DSO, RN), HMS Jaguar (Lt.Cdr. Cooke, RN, flying the flag of A/Rear-Admiral H.B. (40), 28 Apr 1942HMS Otway (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) Wilson, RN) and HMS Janus (Cdr. At 0745 hours Breconshire, HMS Coventry and HMS Havock arrived at Alexandria. Rowley, RN also in command of this force as senior Captain) and HMS Fiji (Capt. At 0930 hours, HMAS Vampire and HMAS Vendetta rejoined from Malta and HMS Hereward and HMS Ilex were now detached to refuel at Malta. At 1232 hours, the fleet was attacked by eleven enemy aircraft but only a few bombs were dropped. Juno (sunk) 12 dead, 116 missing, 21 wounded. Terror was to remain at Suda Bay as guardship. W.R. Slayter, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. These were maintained throughout the day. Damage was done to HMS Gloucester which was hit on the compass platform causing seven officers to be killed and three wounded. Also the destroyer HMS Diamond (Lt.Cdr. J.A.

Tyrwhitt, RN) which came from Suda Bay. St.J.R.J. HMS Ajax had opened fire at 0130 hours on the destroyer. They were at that moment steering for Suda Bay having left the disabled Gallant off Malta some hours before. Volo and HMS Wryneck were 60 nautical miles ahead. They managed to sink two Italian transports in position 3439N, 1048E. As said above the other three cruisers of the 7th Cruiser Squadron returned to Alexandria on 1 July. W.E. J.H. D.B. Pugsley, RN) conducted exercises off Port Said. Power, CB, CVO, RN), HMS Orion (Capt. L.R.K. HMS Ajax arrived at Port Said around 0830B/12. Shortly afterwards the Bande Nere, now 11 nautical miles off, was completely lost from sight in the haze. Stevens, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Malta to conduct a sweep along the coast of North Africa and make rendez-vous with the convoy on 23 January. Unfortunately the enemy forces left harbour before the attack force arrived. L.R.K. A reconnaissance was flown off at 0800 hours to search to the east but nothing was sighted. H.A. Tyrwhitt, RN), HMS Hero (Cdr. They arrived at Alexandria in the morning of the 16th. HMS Neptune ranged on the barracks in the left half of the town. H.W. Bach, RD, RNR) and HMS Fiona (Cdr. James, RN), HMS Isis (Cdr. How to Cut Expanded Metal. I believe he may have been buried at sea of Alexandria or San Francisco but I don't suppose we will ever know. During the night of 11/12 April 1941, they departed the Aegean and proceeded southwards to make rendezvous with HMS Orion (Capt. They were to make rendez-vous with the remainder of the fleet on the 18th but until then had to act independently. Shortly before midnight however, HMS Kent was hit aft by a torpedo from an Italian aircraft and badly damaged. R.C. Fisher, CBE, RN). A.L. At 2155 hours HMS Ajax reported three unknown vessels being picked up by radar 5 nautical miles to the southward. Gregory-Smith, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) and HMS Kelvin (Cdr. On completion of the exercises all ships returned to Port Said except HMS Cleopatra which proceeded to Alexandria escorted by HMS Javelin and HMS Kelvin. Two torpedoes were fired at her of which one hit and she was seen to sink. L.R.K. They were escorted by the British destroyers HMS Nubian (Cdr. Townsend, OBE, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Paladin (Cdr. W.G.A. (68). Rawlings, OBE, RN), HMS Valiant (Capt. bombs. HMS Queen Elizabeth then joined the battleship column. At 1430 hours a signal was received that the 8th Destroyer Flotilla was being bombed in position 3725N, 0618E and that HMS Fortune had been hit and her speed had been reduced to 8 knots. This was fortunate for the cruiser force but the C-in-C was not at all happy because this lessened his chance to bring his battleships into action against the enemy battleship. Around 0700/21, Force B which was made up of the cruisers HMS Orion (Capt. Biggs, RN), HMS Hereward, HMS Ilex, HMS Imperial and HMS Decoy (Cdr. At 1730 hours RD/F reported an aircraft approaching the force from ahead. M. Thornton, DSC, RN), HMS Kelvin (Cdr. This site uses cookies. The survivors were ordered to abandon ship after which she was sunk by gun and torpedo fire from HMS York. For ten minutes the enemy battleship concentrated her fire on HMS Orion which suffered some minor damage from a near miss. J.J.A. Waller, DSO, RAN), HMAS Voyager (Cdr. Chartellier) conducted exercises off Alexandria.