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Career information

Transferred to the Emergency List on 31 October 1960.

Destroyer HMAS Nizam (G 38)

30 May 1943

Convoy CM 42.

This convoy departed Durban on 30 May 1943.

The exact composition of this convoy is currently not known to us but the following transports seems to have made up this convoy;
Ascanius (British, 10048 GRT, built 1910), Empire Woodlark (British, 7793 GRT, built 1913) en Llanstephan Castle (British, 11340 GRT, built 1914).

On departure from Durban the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Carthage (A/Capt.(Retd.) W.V.H. Harris, DSC, MVO, RN), destroyer HMAS Nizam (Lt. W.F. Cook, RAN) and the corvettes HMS Fritillary (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Barker, RD, RNR) and HMS Rockrose (Lt. E.J. Binfield, DSC, RNR).

Around 2200B/30, the corvettes parted company to search for a reported enemy submarine.

Around 1900C/1, HMAS Nizam parted company to return independently to Durban.

The convoy arrived at Mombasa / Kilindini on 10 June 1943. (1)

3 Jun 1943
HMAS Nizam (Lt. W.F. Cook, RAN) returned to Durban in the morning. Before entering harbour 4.7" full calibre gunnery exercises were carried out. (2)

4 Jun 1943

Convoy DC 29.

This convoy departed Durban on 4 June 1943.

It was made up of the following transports;
Baron Maclay (British, 6317 GRT, built 1924), British Unity (British (tanker), 8407 GRT, built 1939), City of Exeter (Briitsh, 9654 GRT, built 1914), Cleodora (Dutch (tanker), 8026 GRT, built 1938), Empire Garrick (British (tanker), 8128 GRT, built 1942), Ocean Hope (British, 7173 GRT, built 1942), Paul Hamilton Hayne (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Port Royal Park (British, 7131 GRT, built 1942), Robin Goodfellow (American, 6885 GRT, built 1920), Thompson Lykes (American, 6762 GRT, built 1940), Virginia Dare (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942) and Ward (American, 6167 GRT, built 1921).

On departure from Durban the convoy was escorted by the destroyer HMAS Nizam (Lt. W.F. Cook, RAN), HMS Fritillary (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Barker, RD, RNR) and HMS Rockrose (Lt. E.J. Binfield, DSC, RNR), the auxiliary A/S trawler HMS St. Loman (T/Lt. R.C. Warwick, DSC and Bar, RNR) and the auxiliary A/S whaler HMSAS Vereeniging.

P.M. on the 5th, the Thomson Lykes was detached to Port Elizabeth.

A.M. on the 6th, the Empire Garrick was detached to East London.

The convoy arrived at Capetown on the 8th. (3)

9 Jun 1943

Convoy CA 29.

This convoy departed Capetown on 9 June 1943.

It was made up of the following transports;
City of Calcutta (British, 8063 GRT, built 1940), City of Edinburgh (British, 8036 GRT, built 1938) and Clan Forbes (British, 7529 GRT, built 1938).

The convoy was escorted by the destroyer HMAS Nizam (Lt. W.F. Cook, RAN) until reaching 40°S the following day.

The convoy was dispersed on the 11th. (2)

11 Jun 1943
HMAS Nizam (Lt. W.F. Cook, RAN) arrived at Simonstown Dockyard from convoy escort duty. At the dockyard she was taken in hand for repairs. (2)

15 Jun 1943
HMAS Nizam (Lt. W.F. Cook, RAN) departed Simonstown to make rendezvous with convoy WS 30 approaching Capetown from the north.

Rendezvous was affected later the same day and the convoy arrived at Capetown also later on the same day.

[For more info on covoy WS 30 see the event ' Combined convoy WS 30 / KMS 15 ' for 19 May 1943.] (2)

16 Jun 1943
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN), HMAS Nizam (Lt. W.F. Cook, RAN), HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Farrington, RN) and HMS Redoubt (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Ropner, DSO, RN) departed Capetown escorting convoy WS 30 to Durban.

[For more info on convoy WS 30 see the event ' Combined convoy WS 30 / KMS 15 ' for 19 May 1943.] (2)

20 Jun 1943
HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN), HMAS Nizam (Lt. W.F. Cook, RAN), HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Farrington, RN) and HMS Redoubt (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Ropner, DSO, RN) arrived at Durban with convoy WS 30.

[For more info on convoy WS 30 see the event ' Combined convoy WS 30 / KMS 15 ' for 19 May 1943.] (2)

21 Jun 1943
HMS Rotherham (Lt. J.R.L. Moore, RN), HMS Redoubt (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Ropner, DSO, RN), HMS Relentless (Lt.Cdr. R.A. Fell, RN), HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Farrington, RN), HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. G.S. Stewart, RAN), HMAS Quickmatch (Lt.Cdr. R. Rhoades, DSC, RAN), HMAS Nizam (Lt. W.F. Cook, RAN) and HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) conducted exercises off Durban.

On completion of these exercises they returned to harbour.

Around 1120B/21, HMS Relentless and HMAS Nizam departed Durban for an A/S sweep to the north-east of Durban. (3)

23 Jun 1943
Around 0830B/23, HMS Relentless (Lt.Cdr. R.A. Fell, RN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt. W.F. Cook, RAN) returned to Durban on completion of their A/S sweep. (3)

Destroyer HMAS Vendetta (D 69)

26 Sep 1944
During her refit, HMAS Vendetta (Lt. W.F. Cook, RAN), is docked at the Cockatoo Island Dockyard.

[Undocking date not known but she was not in dock for a very long time though.] (4)

3 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Vendetta (Lt. W.F. Cook, RAN) completed her refit at the Cockatoo Island Dockyard. (5)

5 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Vendetta (Lt. W.F. Cook, RAN) conducted post-refit trials off Sydney. (5)

6 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Vendetta (Lt. W.F. Cook, RAN) conducted compass swing trials at Sydney. (5)

8 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Vendetta (Lt. W.F. Cook, RAN) departed Sydney for Brisbane. (5)

10 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1600K/10, HMAS Vendetta (Lt. W.F. Cook, RAN) arrived at Brisbane from Sydney. (5)

11 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1100K/11, HMAS Vendetta (Lt. W.F. Cook, RAN) departed Brisbane for Milne Bay. (5)

14 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1030K/14, HMAS Vendetta (Lt. W.F. Cook, RAN) arrived at Milne Bay from Brisbane. (5)

15 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1100K/15, HMAS Vendetta (Lt. W.F. Cook, RAN) departed Milne Bay for Langemak Bay. (5)

16 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0835K/16, HMAS Vendetta (Lt. W.F. Cook, RAN) arrived at Langemak Bay from Milne Bay. (5)

17 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0600K/17, HMAS Vendetta (Lt. W.F. Cook, RAN) departed Langemak Bay for Madang where she arrived around 1500K/17.

Around 2200K/17, she departed Madang for Manus. (5)

18 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1130K/18, HMAS Vendetta (Lt. W.F. Cook, RAN) arrived in Seeadler Harbour, Manus. (5)

19 Oct 1944
HMAS Vendetta (Lt. W.F. Cook, RAN) conducted A/S exercises off Manus with USS S-47 (T/Lt. L.V. Young, USN).

Later they both conducted exercises with aircraft. (5)

20 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1630K/20, HMAS Vendetta (Lt. W.F. Cook, RAN) departed Seeadler Harbour for a short AA gunnery with an aircraft towing a sleeve target. On completion of the exercises course was set for Madang. (5)

21 Oct 1944
Around 0700K/21, HMAS Vendetta (Lt. W.F. Cook, RAN) arrived off Madang. she entered harbour after a short gunnery exercise on a target that was being towed by HMAS Goulburn (Lt.Cdr. J.N. Collins, RANR(S)). (5)

22 Oct 1944
HMAS Vendetta (Lt. W.F. Cook, RAN) and HMAS Barcoo (A/Lt.Cdr. C.G. Hill, RANR(S) conducted bombardment exercises off Madang. They bombarded Bil Bil Island.

HMAS Vendetta also conducted LA gunnery exercises on a target that was being towed by HMAS Goulburn (Lt.Cdr. J.N. Collins, RANR(S)). (5)

24 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Vendetta (Lt. W.F. Cook, RAN) and HMAS Barcoo (A/Lt.Cdr. C.G. Hill, RANR(S) conducted bombardment exercises off Madang. They again bombarded Bil Bil Island. (5)

31 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1400K/31, HMAS Vendetta (Lt. W.F. Cook, RAN, with Commander (D), Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN on board), HMAS Swan (T/A/Lt.Cdr. D.W. Hodges, RANR(S)) and HMAS Barcoo (A/Lt.Cdr. C.G. Hill, RANR(S) departed Madang for Langemak Bay where they arrived around 1000K/1. It appears that at some point HMAS Vendetta proceeded ahead as she arrived at Langemak Bay around 0700K/31. (6)

2 Nov 1944
Around 0530K/2, HMAS Vendetta (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN, with Commander (D), Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN on board), HMAS Swan (T/A/Lt.Cdr. D.W. Hodges, RANR(S)) and HMAS Barcoo (A/Lt.Cdr. C.G. Hill, RANR(S) departed Langemak Bay for Lae where they arrived around 1115K/2.

They departed again around 1845K/2, escorting the transport Cape Alexander (American, 6711 GRT, built 1943) to Jacquinot Bay, New Britain. On board the Cape Alexander were 1100 Australian troops.

They arrived at Jacquinot Bay around 0700K/5 and the troops and stores on board the Cape Alexander were put ashore unopposed.

HMAS Swan and HMAS Barcoo meanwhile conducted A/S patrols off the Bay. (7)

6 Nov 1944

Around 0001K/6, HMAS Vendetta (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN, with Commander (D), Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN on board), HMAS Swan (T/A/Lt.Cdr. D.W. Hodges, RANR(S)) and HMAS Barcoo (A/Lt.Cdr. C.G. Hill, RANR(S) left the area of Jacquinot Bay to proceed to Wide Bay for a bombardment of enemy positions near Reid Bay (at the northern end of Wide Bay).

Around 0615K/6, they commenced bombarding their pre-allocated targets. Results were however difficult to observe. They then returned to Jacquinot Bay where they arrived around 1415K/6. (7)

7 Nov 1944

Around 1200K/7, HMAS Vendetta (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN), HMAS Swan (T/A/Lt.Cdr. D.W. Hodges, RANR(S)) and HMAS Barcoo (A/Lt.Cdr. C.G. Hill, RANR(S) departed Jacquinot Bay for Langemak Bay where they arrived around 0715K/8.

Cdr. Morrow was no longer on board HMAS Vendetta as he had left earlier that morning to return to [presumably] New Guinea by aircraft. (7)

8 Nov 1944

Around 1740K/8, HMAS Vendetta (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN), HMAS Swan (T/A/Lt.Cdr. D.W. Hodges, RANR(S)) and HMAS Barcoo (A/Lt.Cdr. C.G. Hill, RANR(S) departed Langemak Bay for Madang where they arrived around 0640K/9.

On arrival at Madang HMAS Vendetta and HMAS Swan commenced cleaning boilers. (7)

Destroyer HMAS Nizam (G 38)

31 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
With her refit completed, HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN) conducted post refit trials in Port Phillip Bay. (8)

1 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN) conducted gunnery exercises in Port Phillip. (9)

7 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN) conducted trials in Port Phillip. (9)

9 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN) departed Port Phillip for Fremantle. (9)

11 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 2215H/11, when in position 090°, 12 miles Cape Leeuwin Light, HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN) is hit by a freak wave. The ship rolled heavily to port, 75° to 80°. Off course damage was caused to the ship but even more important ten ratings were lost overboard which could not be recovered. (9)

12 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1515H/12, HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN) arrived at Fremantle. The following day she was taken in hand for repairs to the weather damage. Repairs were only completed on 7 March 1945. (9)

7 Mar 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0825H/7, HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN) departed Fremantle for Sydney. (10)

14 Mar 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0950K/14, HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN) arrived at Sydney from Fremantle. (10)

21 Mar 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 125125K/21, HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) departed Sydney for flying exercises. HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN) was ordered to perform plane guard duties. (11)

22 Mar 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 11305K/22, a Corsair fighter from HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) crashed during flying exercises near Sydney. The plane guard destroyer, HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN), went to the wreck of the plane but the pilot was not seen and was missing presumed killed. This was S.Lt.(A) R.R. Heppard, RCNVR. (11)

23 Mar 1945
Around 1300K/23, HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN) was relieved on plane guard duties with HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) by HMS Urchin (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Harkness, DSC, OBE, RD, RNR).

HMAS Nizam then returned to Sydney while conducting a full power trial on the way. This trial however revealed defects and speed had to be reduced. (11)

26 Mar 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1115K/26, HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN) departed Sydney to conduct full power trials at sea. The trial was satisfactory but there were still defects though for which she was taken in hand on return to harbour later the same day. (11)

1 Apr 1945
Around 1000K/1, HMAS Nepal (Lt.Cdr. C.J. Stephenson, RAN) and HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN) departed Sydney for gunnery exercises on a target that was being towed by HMAS Bathurst (A/Lt.Cdr. K.O. Stewart, RANR).

On completion of the exercises, HMAS Nepal returned to harbour while HMAS Nizam was joined at sea by HMAS Napier (Capt. H.J. Buchanan, DSO, RAN) and HMAS Norman (Cdr. J. Plunkett-Cole, RAN) which had departed Sydney at 1200K/1. Course was then set for Manus. (12)

7 Apr 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1200K/7, HMAS Napier (Capt. H.J. Buchanan, DSO, RAN), HMAS Norman (Cdr. J. Plunkett-Cole, RAN) and HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN) arrived at Manus from Sydney. (12)

8 Apr 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0900K/8, the landing ship HMS Glenearn (Capt.(Retd.) C.A.G. Hutchinson, DSO, RN) departed Manus for Leyte. She was escorted by the destroyers HMAS Norman (Cdr. J. Plunkett-Cole, RAN) and HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN). (12)

9 Apr 1945
At 1005IK/9, the landing ship HMS Glenearn (Capt.(Retd.) C.A.G. Hutchinson, DSO, RN) suffered an explosion forward resulting in a fire breaking out on board. The landing ship was at moment en-route from Manus to Leyte escorted by the destroyers HMAS Norman (Cdr. J. Plunkett-Cole, RAN) and HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN).

Almost immediately the Glenearn altered away from the wind.

At 1136IK/9, the original course was resumed but the fire was not yet fully extinguished.

Around 1530IK/9, course was altered for Hollandia, where HMS Glenearn was to land her serious wounded. (13)

10 Apr 1945
Around 0800I/10, HMS Glenearn (Capt.(Retd.) C.A.G. Hutchinson, DSO, RN), HMAS Norman (Cdr. J. Plunkett-Cole, RAN) and HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN) arrived at Humboldt Bay near Hollandia.

Around 1200I/10, they departed again to continue their passage to Leyte. (13)

13 Apr 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1300I/13, HMS Glenearn (Capt.(Retd.) C.A.G. Hutchinson, DSO, RN), HMAS Norman (Cdr. J. Plunkett-Cole, RAN) and HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN) arrived at Leyte.

The destroyers then proceeded to San Pedro Bay. (13)

29 Apr 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
While at Leyte, HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN) had her after bank of torpedo tubes removed to accomodate additional AA guns. The fitting of these additional guns was completed on 4 May 1945. (14)

9 May 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN) conducted exercises in Leyte Gulf. (15)

12 May 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0600I/12, the escort carrier HMS Striker (Capt. W.P. Carne, RN) (with replacement aircraft for Task Force 57), destroyer HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN), frigate HMS Parrett (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) T. Hood, RNR) and the RFA tankers Wave King (8159 GRT, built 1944), Wave Monarch (8159 GRT, built 1944) departed Leyte to make rendezvous with elements from the British Pacific Fleet.

[For more info see the event ' The British Pacific Fleet during Operation Iceberg, consolidating the Okinawa area (2nd phase) ' for 1 May 1945.] (16)

15 May 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1800I/15, HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN) parted company with Task Force 57 to escort the RFA tankers Arndale (8296 GRT, built 1937) and Dingledale (8145 GRT, built 1941) to Leyte. (15)

18 May 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN) and the RFA tankers Arndale (8296 GRT, built 1937) and Dingledale (8145 GRT, built 1941) arrived at Leyte.

HMAS Nizam had still problems with her main feed pumps and her speed was restricted to 25 knots. (15)

23 May 1945
Around 0600K/23, the destroyer tender HMS Tyne (Capt. S. Boucher, RN) departed Leyte for Manus. She was escorted by the destroyer HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN). (17)

28 May 1945
Around 0700K/28, HMS Tyne (Capt. S. Boucher, RN) and HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN) arrived at Manus from Leyte.

After having fuelled they departed for Sydney around 1800K/28. (17)

4 Jun 1945
Around 0800K/4, HMS Tyne (Capt. S. Boucher, RN) and HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN) arrived at Sydney from Manus. (18)

18 Jun 1945
HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN) is docked at the Morts Dock Shipyard at Woolwich, Sydney. (19)

22 Jun 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN) is undocked. (19)

27 Jun 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN) conducted post repair trials off Sydney. (19)

28 Jun 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1230K/28, the 7th Destroyer Flotilla, made up of HMAS Napier (Capt. H.J. Buchanan, DSO, RAN), HMAS Nepal (Lt.Cdr. C.J. Stephenson, RAN), HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN) and HMAS Norman (Cdr. J. Plunkett-Cole, RAN) departed Sydney for Manus via Milne Bay. (20)

1 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Napier (Capt. H.J. Buchanan, DSO, RAN), HMAS Nepal (Lt.Cdr. C.J. Stephenson, RAN), HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN) and HMAS Norman (Cdr. J. Plunkett-Cole, RAN) arrived at Milne Bay to fuel. (21)

2 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Napier (Capt. H.J. Buchanan, DSO, RAN), HMAS Nepal (Lt.Cdr. C.J. Stephenson, RAN), HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN) and HMAS Norman (Cdr. J. Plunkett-Cole, RAN) departed Milne Bay for Manus. (21)

4 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Napier (Capt. H.J. Buchanan, DSO, RAN), HMAS Nepal (Lt.Cdr. C.J. Stephenson, RAN), HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN) and HMAS Norman (Cdr. J. Plunkett-Cole, RAN) arrived at Manus. (21)

9 Jul 1945
Around 1800K/9, Task Unit 112.2.6, made up of the escort carriers HMS Arbiter (Capt. D.H. Everett, DSO, RN), HMS Striker (Capt. W.P. Carne, RN) (with replacement aircraft) and victualling stores ship Glenarney (9795 GRT, built 1940) and as escorts the destroyers HMAS Napier (Capt. H.J. Buchanan, DSO, RAN), HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN) departed Manus for the operations area of the British Pacific Fleet.

While en-route to the operations area, the destroyers were fuelled by HMS Arbiter on 11 and 15 July 1945.

Rendezvous was affected on the 16th with the Logistic Support Group and resupplying the Fleet commenced. (22)

21 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1300I/21, HMS Arbiter (Capt. D.H. Everett, DSO, RN) and HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN) parted company with the British Pacific Fleet and set course for Manus.

On 23 July 1945, HMAS Nizam fuelled at sea from HMS Arbiter. (23)

27 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0730K/27, HMS Arbiter (Capt. D.H. Everett, DSO, RN) and HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN) arrived at Manus. (23)

29 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0545K/29, the escort carrier HMS Arbiter (Capt. D.H. Everett, DSO, RN) (with replacement aircraft), escorted by the destroyer HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN) departed Manus to make rendezvous with the Logistic Support Group to resupply the British Pacific Fleet in the operations area.

While en-route, HMAS Nizam was fuelled by HMS Arbiter on 31 July and 3 August 1945. (23)

4 Aug 1945
HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN) boarded and investigated the small Japanese hospital ship Kiku Maru (760 GRT, built 1929). She was en-route from Yokusaka to Marcus Island and as no violations of the Geneva Convention could be seen she was allowed to proceed.

Later the same day HMS Arbiter (Capt. D.H. Everett, DSO, RN) and HMAS Nizam joined Task Unit 112.2.2 made up of the minesweepers HMAS Ballarat (A/Cdr. N.R. Read, RAN) and HMAS Burnie (Lt.Cdr. E.M. Andrewartha, RANR) and the frigate HMS Barle (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J. Duncan, DSC, RNR) which were escorting the RFA tanker Wave Monarch (8159 GRT, built 1944), chartered tanker San Amado (7316 GRT, built 1935) and stores ship Fort Wrangell (7213 GRT, built 1944).

Rendezvous with the Logistic Support Group was affected on the 5th.

[For more information see the event for 3 August 1945.] (24)

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