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Allied Warships

HMS Blanche (H 47)

Destroyer of the B class


HMS Blanche before World War Two

NavyThe Royal Navy
TypeDestroyer
ClassB 
PennantH 47 
Built byHawthorn Leslie & Co. (Hebburn-on-Tyne, U.K.) 
Ordered 
Laid down29 Jul, 1929 
Launched29 May, 1930 
Commissioned14 Feb, 1931 
Lost13 Nov, 1939 
Loss position51.29N, 01.30E (See a map)
 
HistoryDuring the night of 12/13 November 1939 the German destroyers Karl Galster, Wilhelm Heidkamp, Hermann Kunne and Hans Ludemann lay a minefield in the South and Edinborough channels. Soon after the minefield had been laid the minelaying cruiser HMS Adventure (Capt. A.R. Halfhide, RN) ran into a mine. Temporally disabled the injured were transferred to the destroyer HMS Basilisk (Cdr. M. Richard, RN) while the destroyer HMS Blanche (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Aubrey, RN) stood by. As the force made its way towards safety HMS Blanche was mined and settled by the stern. The tug Fabia went to the destroyers assistance but as she was towed the destroyer capsized and sank in position 51º29'N, 01º30'E. HMS Blanche lost two crew killed and twelve injured.

See this website (offsite link) for a detailed account of the mining of HMS Adventure and HMS Blanche.

Commanding Officer:
Lt.Cdr. Robert Marriott Aubrey, RN
27 June 1939 - 13 November 1939 

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