Laid down (57)

1912: Battleship Provence

1915: Aircraft Carrier Glorious (77)

1925: Submarine Argonaut (i) (166)

1928: Submarine Luciano Manara - Heavy cruiser Houston (i) (CA 30)

1931: Submarine Galatea

1935: Sloop Swan (L 74 / U 74) - Submarine Rorqual (N 74) - Cutter Campbell (WPG 32) - Cutter Duane (WPG 33) - Cutter Ingham (WPG 35) - Cutter Taney (WPG 37) - Submarine Kalev

1939: Submarine tender Griffin (AS 13)

1940: Boom defence vessel Barsing (Z 75)

1941: Escort destroyer Border (L 67) - Escort destroyer Haydon (L 75) - Escort destroyer Adrias (L 67) - Destroyer Bancroft (ii) (DD 598) - Destroyer Beatty (DD 640) - Destroyer Endicott (DD 495) - Light fleet carrier Independence (CVL 22) - Destroyer Kendrick (DD 612) - Destroyer Laub (ii) (DD 613) - Destroyer McCook (ii) (DD 496) - Patrol craft PC-485 (PC-485) - Destroyer Tillman (ii) (DD 641)

1942: Minesweeper BYMS 2056 (J 856) - Destroyer Whelp (R 37) - Submarine Paddle (263) - Patrol craft PC-549 (PC-549) - Patrol craft PC-594 (PC-594) - Motor torpedo boat PT 82 - Submarine chaser SC-1001 (SC-1001)

1943: Frigate Grou (K 518) - Boom defence vessel Pretext (Z 284) - Destroyer Escort Frament (DE 677) - Tank landing ship LST 244 (LST 244) - Patrol craft PCS-1405 (PCS-1405) - Patrol craft PCS-1421 (PCS-1421) - Motor torpedo boat PT 313 - Motor torpedo boat PT 373

1944: Landing Craft Tank LCT 1154 (LCT 1154) - Destroyer Escort Alvin C. Cockrell (DE 366) - Destroyer Escort French (DE 367) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-1030 (LCI(L)-1030) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-623 (LCI(L)-623) - Landing craft tank LCT 1085 (LCT 1085) - Landing craft tank LCT 1291 (LCT 1291) - Landing craft tank LCT 696 (LCT 696) - Medium landing ship LSM 320 (LSM 320) - Tank landing ship LST 707 (LST 707) - Tank landing ship LST 921 (LST 921) - Submarine Macabi (375) - Aircraft carrier Oriskany (CV 34) - Net tender Waxsaw (AN 91)

1945: Escort carrier Lingayen (CVE 126)

Launched (32)

1911: MS Trawler Lacerta (4.07)

1919: MS Trawler De La Pole (FY 558) - MS Trawler Loch Buie (FY 688) - Destroyer Wanderer (D 74) - Oiler Brazos (AO 4)

1940: Submarine O 25

1942: Patrol craft Goiana (G 6) - Patrol craft Graúna (G 8) - Patrol craft PC-554 (PC-554) - Patrol craft PC-561 (PC-561)

1943: Minesweeper BYMS 2075 (J 875) - Frigate Duckworth (K 351) - Escort carrier Coral Sea (i) (CVE 57) - Destroyer Escort Francis M. Robinson (DE 220) - Minesweeper Gladiator (AM 319) - Dock landing ship Gunston Hall (LSD 5) - Patrol craft PCE-892 (PCE-892) - Motor torpedo boat PT 339 - Submarine chaser SC-1366 (SC-1366) - Submarine chaser SC-993 (SC-993) - Destroyer Escort Weber (DE 675) - Minesweeper YMS-301 (YMS-301) - Minesweeper YMS-316 (YMS-316) - Minesweeper YMS-318 (YMS-318) - Minesweeper YMS-343 (YMS-343)

1944: Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-605 (LCI(L)-605) - Landing craft tank LCT 1139 (LCT 1139) - Medium landing ship LSM 138 (LSM 138) - Medium landing ship LSM 139 (LSM 139) - Tank landing ship LST 563 (LST 563) - Tank landing ship LST 697 (LST 697)

1945: Minesweeper Niger (iii) (J 442)

Commissioned (39)

1916: Battleship Royal Oak (08)

1919: Minesweeper Bagshot (J 57) - MS Trawler James Ludford (T 16) - Minesweeper Grebe (AM 43) - Submarine R-6 (83)

1925: Light cruiser Java

1929: Submarine Oswald (N 58)

1930: Destroyer Forbin - Heavy cruiser York (90) - Submarine B-6

1936: Large destroyer Le Malin

1941: Submarine Grenadier (i) (210)

1942: Corvette Woodstock (K 238) - Submarine chaser SC-525 (SC-525) - Submarine tender Sperry (AS 12) - Minesweeper YMS-4 (YMS-4)

1943: Minesweeper BYMS 2173 (J 973) - Minesweeper BYMS 2189 (J 989) - Motor Torpedo Boat MTB 348 (MTB 348) - Submarine Bowfin (287) - Destroyer Escort Burden R. Hastings (DE 19) - Oiler Cowanesque (AO 79) - Patrol craft PC-612 (PC-612) - Motor torpedo boat PT 333

1944: Harbour Defence Motor Launch HDML 1110 (ML 1110) - Destroyer Escort Abercrombie (DE 343) - Destroyer Escort Holton (DE 703) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-601 (LCI(L)-601) - Tank landing ship LST 556 (LST 556) - Tank landing ship LST 990 (LST 990) - Patrol craft PC-1209 (PC-1209) - Patrol craft PCS-1382 (PCS-1382) - Destroyer Escort Slater (DE 766)

1945: Salvage vessel Bolster (ARS 38) - Medium landing ship LSM 492 (LSM 492) - Tank landing ship LST 1076 (LST 1076) - Motor torpedo boat PT 699 - High speed transport Walter X. Young (APD 131)

1955: Battleship Jean Bart

1940: ASW Trawler St. Goran

1942: Destroyer Punjabi (F 21)

1943: Submarine Regent (N 41) - Submarine ShCh-323

1944: Harbour Defence Motor Launch HDML 1380 (ML 1380)

More information on Allied Warships losses.

1940

Heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland: Around noon, HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) and HMS Hawkins (Capt. E. Rotherham, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral Sir H. Harwood, KCB, OBE, RN) parted company with each other. HMS Cumberland then set course for Montevideo while HMS Hawkins continued to patrol in the River Plate focal area.

Heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland: Convoy US 3. The troopship Andes (British, 25689 GRT, built 1939, 1508 troops) departed Lyttelton Harbour, New Zealand (near Christchurch) on 1 May 1940. She was escorted by the heavy cruiser HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN). Around noon on May, 2nd, in Cook Strait they were joined by the troopships Aquitania (British, 44786 GRT, built 1914, 3627 troops), Empress of Britain (British, 42348 GRT, built 1931, 2047 troops) and Empress of Japan (British, 26032 GRT, built 1930, 1554 troops) and their escorts, the heavy cruiser HMAS Australia (Capt. R.R. Stewart, RN) and light cruiser HMS Leander (from the New Zealand Division) (Capt. H.E. Horan, RN). They came from Wellington. Early on May, 5th, HMS Leander parted company and proceeded to Sydney. During the forenoon the troopship Queen Mary (British, 81235 GRT, built 1936, 5059 troops) came out escorted by the light cruiser HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN). Shortly afterwards HMAS Canberra also entered Sydney harbour to pick up correspondence. Around 1600K/5, HMAS Canberra and HMS Leander came out together with the troopship Mauretania (British, 35739 GRT, built 1939, 2616 troops). The convoy then set course for Fremantle. At 2045K/5, HMAS Perth parted company to return to Sydney where she arrived around 0330K/6. At 1600K/6, off Melbourne, the troopship Empress of Canada (British, 21517 GRT, built 1922, 1615 troops) joined the convoy. At 0630H/10, when 70 nautical miles from Rottness Island, HMS Leander parted company with the convoy to proceed ahead of it to Fremantle. At 0800H/10, the light cruiser HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN), joined the convoy and guided into Gage Roads. The transports berthed alongside Fremantle Harbour as arranged except for the Aquitania and Queen Mary. The other transports fuelled and took in water. All ships of the escort berther alongside except for HMAS Adelaide which patrolled in Gage Roads. At 1200H/12, the convoy started to leave the harbour. On forming up course was set for Colombo. At 2214G/15, the convoy altered course towards the Cape of Good Hope. It had been decided that the convoy was not to pass through the Mediterranean as the situation with Italy was deteriorating. During the night HMS Leander parted company to proceed to Colombo. At 1529D/20, the heavy cruiser HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) joined in position 28°13'S, 60°50'E. HMAS Canberra then parted company to return to Australia. At dawn on May, 26th, the convoy started to pass down the searched channel and entered Table Bay, Capetown. At 0743B/26, HMS Shropshire set course to proceed to Simonstown. The Queen Mary and Aquitania anchored in Table Bay while the other troopships berthed alongside the harbour. At 1350B/26, the heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) arrived from Simonstown. At 0300B/28, the Queen Mary and Aquitania departed Table Bay to proceed to False Bay escorted by HMS Cumberland. At 1000B/31, the ships at Capetown, less the Empress of Japan commenced to leave the Bay led by HMAS Australia. At sea they were joined by the Queen Mary and Aquitania and their escorts HMS Shropshire and HMS Cumberland. They had departed from False Bay around 0815B/31. At the rendezvous HMAS Australia then parted company and proceeded to Simonstown. Course was set for Freetown where the convoy arrived in the morning of June, 7th. The convoy departed Freetown in the morning of the June, 8th. Still escorted by HMS Shropshire and HMS Cumberland but now joined by the aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN). At 0035N/10, HMS Hermes parted company with the convoy and proceeded to Dakar. Around 0900N/12, the heavy cruiser HMS Dorsetshire (Capt. B.C.S. Martin, RN) joined the convoy. Around 0800N/14, the aircraft carrier Argus joined the convoy coming from Gibraltar. Around 1000/14, the battlecruiser HMS Hood (Capt. I.G. Glennie, RN) and the destroyers HMCS Fraser (Cdr. W.B. Creery, RCN), HMCS Restigouche (Lt.Cdr. H.N. Lay, RN), HMCS St. Laurent (Lt.Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN) and HMCS Skeena (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Hibbard, RCN) joined the convoy coming from the U.K. HMS Dorsetshire then parted company. around 1500N/14, the destroyer HMS Wanderer (Cdr. J.H. Ruck-Keene, RN) joined followed around 1600N/14 by the destroyers HMS Broke (Cdr. B.G. Scurfield, RN) and HMS Westcott (Lt.Cdr. W.F.R. Segrave, RN). The convoy arrived in the Clyde in the afternoon of the 16th.

Heavy cruiser HMS Dorsetshire: HMS Dorsetshire (Capt. B.C.S. Martin, RN) arrived at Freetown.

Light cruiser HMS Ceres: HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) relieved HMS Colombo (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) on patrol off Surabaya, Netherlands East Indies.

Light cruiser HMS Cairo: HMS Cairo (Capt. P.V. McLaughlin, RN) is undocked.

Light cruiser HMS Dunedin: HMS Dunedin (Capt. C.E. Lambe, CVO, RN) arrived at Bermuda where she was then taken in hand for refit. [As no log is available no further details are known to us.]

Light cruiser HMS Dragon: HMS Dragon (Capt. R.G. Bowes-Lyon, MVO, RN) arrived at Alexandria from patrol.

Light cruiser HMS Effingham: In the Narvik area, German forces were bombarded by the battleship HMS Resolution (Capt. O. Bevir, RN) and the light cruisers HMS Aurora (Capt. L.H.K. Hamilton, DSO, RN), HMS Effingham (Capt. J.M. Howson, RN, flying the flag of of Admiral of the Fleet W.H.D. Boyle (Lord Cork), GCB, GCVO, RN).

Light cruiser HMAS Sydney: HMAS Sydney (Capt. J.A. Collins, RAN), which is en-route to Fremantle after convoy escort duties, is ordered to proceed to Colombo at best speed. As it was not possible to reach Colombo with the fuel remaining it was decided to proceed to Colombo via Singapore. Course was therefore set towards the Sunda Strait.

Light cruiser HMS Liverpool: Around 1630 hours (zone -3), HMS Liverpool (Capt. P.A. Read, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN), departed Aden for Port Sudan. At the same time HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.L. Howden, RAN) departed Aden for Djibouti. The cruisers then first conducted exercises before going their own way.

Light cruiser HMS Manchester: In the evening, HMS Manchester (Capt. H.A. Packer, RN, flying the flag of Vice Admiral G. Layton, CB, DSO, RN), HMS Birmingham (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN), HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, RN), HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) and HMS Delight (Cdr. M. Fogg-Elliott, RN) arrived off Aandalsnes to evacuate troops. At Aandalsnes they joined the AA cruiser HMS Calcutta (Capt. D.M. Lees, DSO, RN), destroyers HMS Somali (Capt. R.S.G. Nicholson, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Mashona (Cdr. W.H. Selby, RN) and the sloop HMS Auckland (Cdr. J.G. Hewitt, RN).

Light cruiser HMS Southampton: HMS Southampton (Capt. F.W.H. Jeans, CVO, RN) took on board troops near Åfarnes, just north of Åndalsnes. The troops were ferried to her by the destroyers HMS Sikh (Cdr. J.A. Giffard, RN) and HMS Wanderer (Cdr. R.F. Morice, RN). However HMS Wanderer grounded and she had to be towed off by HMS Sikh. HMS Southampton departed from the area around 0220 hours to proceed to the U.K. She took the passage together with the destroyers HMS Walker (Lt.Cdr. A.A. Tait, RN) and HMS Westcott (Lt.Cdr. W.F.R. Segrave, RN). The ships were ordered to proceed to Sullom Voe where they arrived early in the evening. HMS Southampton then transferred troops to HMS Westcott which took them Scapa Flow arriving there around 0800/2. HMS Southampton and HMS Walker were ordered to return to Åndalsnes to evacuate more troop. This order was cancelled around 0445/2 and the ships were ordered to return to Sullom Voe where they arrived early in the afternoon.

Submarine HNMS O 15: HrMs O 15 (Lt. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) shifted from Willemstad, Curacao to Oranjestad, Aruba.

Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Dunvegan Castle: HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) conducted compass swing trials in Belfast Lough on completion of which she departed for Dakar.

Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Alcantara: HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) departed the ' Pernambuco ' focal area for the ' River Plate ' forcal area.

Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Carnarvon Castle: Convoy SL 30. This convoy departed Freetown on 1 May 1940. It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Baronesa (British, 8663 GRT, built 1918), Basil (British, 4913 GRT, built 1928), City of Cardiff (British, 5661 GRT, built 1918), Conakrian (British, 4876 GRT, built 1937), Cortona (British, 7093 GRT, built 1921), Duquesa (British, 8651 GRT, built 1918), English Trader (British, 3953 GRT, built 1934), Helgoy (Norwegian, 7116 GRT, built 1920), Helvig (British (former Danish), 2252 GRT, built 1937), Marconi (British, 7402 GRT, built 1917), Phidias (British, 5623 GRT, built 1913), Rodney Star (British, 11803 GRT, built 1927), Sabor (British, 5212 GRT, built 1920), Shrewsbury (British, 4542 GRT, built 1924), Southern Princess (British, 12156 GRT, built 1915), Stonepool (British, 4815 GRT, built 1928), Terje Viken (British, 20638 GRT, built 1936), Tregarthen (British, 5201 GRT, built 1936), Tymeric (British, 5228 GRT, built 1919), Tyndareus (British, 11361 GRT, built 1916), Umgeni (British, 8180 GRT, built 1938), Umvoti (British, 5167 GRT, built 1903) and Welsh Trader (British, 4974 GRT, built 1938). On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) G.B. Lewis, RN). On 4 May 1940 the merchant vessel Ascanius (British, 10048 GRT, built 1910) joined the convoy having departed Freetown on 2 May 1940. Also the Shrewsbury and Tregarthen straggled from the convoy. They were unable to rejoin. On 7 May 1940, the following merchant vessels, which had made up convoy SL 30F joined; Abosso (British, 11330 GRT, built 1935), Clan MacDougall (British, 6843 GRT, built 1929) and Kaituna (British, 4914 GRT, built 1938). They had departed Freetown on 3 May 1940 to overtake and join the convoy. They had not been escorted. Around 0630A/15, in position 47°05'N, 10°30'W, the convoy was handed over to the local escort [not known which warships this were]. HMS Carnarvon Castle then parted company and proceeded to Plymouth. The convoy later split into two sections, the Channel section and the Irish Sea section. The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 18 May 1940 after the ships proceeded to their destinations.

Submarine HMS Olympus: HMS Olympus (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Dymott, RN) arrived at Port Said.

Submarine HMS Otus: HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) arrived at Port Said.

Submarine HMS Parthian: HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, RN) arrived at Port Said.

Submarine HMS Perseus (i): HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) departed Hong Kong for her 5th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off Vladivostock, Russia to observe naval activity. Before proceeding on patrol A/S exercises were carried out with HMS Thracian (Lt.Cdr. H.G.D. de Chair, RN) and HMS Scout (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Holmes, RN). As no log is available for May 1940 no map can be displayed.

Submarine HMS Phoenix: HMS Phoenix (Lt.Cdr. G.H. Nowell, RN) arrived at Port Said.

Submarine HMS Proteus: HMS Proteus (Lt.Cdr. R.T. Gordon-Duff, RN) arrived at Port Said.

Submarine HMS Narwhal: Between 0727 and 0753 hours HMS Narwhal (Lt.Cdr. R.J. Burch, RN) laid minefield F.D. 6 (50 mines) in the Kattegat in position 57°30'N, 10°43'E. Later the same day HMS Narwhal attacked a German convoy and torpedoed and sank the German troop transport Buenos Aires (6097 GRT, built 1912) and torpedoed and damaged the German troop transport Bahia Castillo (8580 GRT, built 1918) in the Kattegat in position 57°39'N, 11°03'E. The Bahia Castillo reaches port but is declared a total loss. (All times are zone -1) 1725 hours - Sighted 9 or 10 merchant vessels escorted by surface escorts and aircraft. Started attack in which 6 torpedoes were fired from about 1000 yards. All 6 were heard to explode. Several hits must have been obtained for sure. Depth charging started after the 4th torpedo exploded. 75 Charges were dropped during the next 3 hours but they caused no damage to Narwhal.

Submarine HMS Cachalot: HMS Cachalot (Lt.Cdr. S.W.F. Bennetts, RN) departed Sheerness to continue her passage to the Devonport Dockyard.

Submarine HMS Trident: At 1415A/1, while patrolling in the Bjorna Fjord HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) sighted two northbound vessels which were thought to be R-boats (motor minesweepers). Three German S-boats (motor torpedo boats), S 10, S 19 and S 22, were transporting troops from Stavanger to Bergen on this day. Perhaps these were the vessels sighted.

Submarine HMS Taku: HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Rosyth.

Submarine HMS H 43: HMS H 43 (Lt. G.R. Colvin, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Plymouth.

Submarine HMS H 50: HMS H 50 (Lt. A.R. Cheyne, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland.

Light cruiser HMS Neptune: HMS Neptune (Capt. J.A.V. Morse, DSO, RN) arrived at Bizerta where A/Adm. Cunningham departed the ship for a conference with the French. He returned after a few hours and HMS Neptune departed for Malta later in the day.

Destroyer HMS Jaguar: HMS Jaguar (Lt.Cdr. J.F.W. Hine, RN) proceeded from Dundee to Rosyth.

Destroyer HMS Valentine (i): HMS Valentine (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan, RAN) is relieved from AA guard duty near the sinking position of the submarine HMS Unity by HMS Egret (Cdr. E.F.V. Dechaineux, RAN). Valentine then proceeded to escort duty with southbound convoy FS 160.

Destroyer HMS Valentine (i): Convoy FS 160. Convoy FS 160 departed the Tyne on 1 May 1940 for Southend where it arrived on 3 May 1940. It was made up of the following merchant ships; Angelo (British, 2199 GRT, built 1940), Baron Lovat (British, 3395 GRT, built 1926), Bizon (British, 783 GRT, built 1907), Blacktoft (British, 1109 GRT, built 1910), Bovey Tracey (British, 1212 GRT, built 1930), Brockley (British, 1564 GRT, built 1920), Cairnvalona (British, 4929 GRT, built 1918), Corferry (British, 1788 GRT, built 1937), Corfirth (British, 1803 GRT, built 1934), Cormorant (British, 1220 GRT, built 1927), Dagenham (British, 2178 GRT, built 1919), Dorothy Rose (British, 1600 GRT, built 1929), Duncarron (British, 478 GRT, built 1914), Ester Thorden (Finnish, 1940 GRT, built 1921), Fircrest (British, 5394 GRT, built 1907), Friesland (Dutch, 2662 GRT, built 1930), Greyfriars (British, 1142 GRT, built 1923), Helmwood (British, 2156 GRT, built 1923), Hindpool (British, 4897 GRT, built 1928), Hjalmar Wessel (Norwegian, 1742 GRT, built 1935), Hoogland (Dutch, 1298 GRT, built 1916), Jersey Queen (British, 910 GRT, built 1936), John Charrington (British, 1576 GRT, built 1929), Joseph Swan (British, 1571 GRT, built 1938), Kylebank (British, 969 GRT, built 1925), Lady Olga (British, 1266 GRT, built 1927), Lanrick (British, 1276 GRT, built 1920), Nephrite (British, 927 GRT, built 1927), Newton Pine (British, 4212 GRT, built 1925), Nyanza (British, 4974 GRT, built 1928), Phaeacian (British, 480 GRT, built 1920), Polglen (British, 795 GRT, built 1915), Reias (Norwegian, 1128 GRT, built 1918), Robert (British, 1272 GRT, built 1924), Roy (Norwegian, 1768 GRT, built 1921), Schieland (Dutch, 2249 GRT, built 1916), St. Agnes (British, 5199 GRT, built 1918), Star (Norwegian, 1531 GRT, built 1922), Torkel (Swedish, 1236 GRT, built 1903), Wandle (British, 1482 GRT, built 1932), Westmoor (British, 4359 GRT, built 1924) and Westwood (British, 1040 GRT, built 1935). Escort was provided by the (AA) destroyer HMS Valentine (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan, RAN) and the sloop HMS Weston (Lt.Cdr. S.C. Tuke, RN).

Destroyer HMS Jackal: Around 1930A/1, HMS Glasgow (Capt. F.H. Pegram, RN), HMS Jackal (Cdr. T.M. Napier, RN) and HMS Javelin (Cdr. A.F. Pugsley, RN) arrived in the Malangen Fjord near Tromso.

Destroyer ORP Burza: The Polish destroyer Burza reached Harstad and took part in the AA defence of this harbour.

Heavy cruiser HMS Shropshire: Around 0800N/1, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) departed Freetown for Simonstown.

1941

Heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland: HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) arrived at San Borombon Bay, River Plate area. The next day she fuelled from the RFA tanker Abbeydale (8299 GRT, built 1937) and then departed to resume patrol on the 3rd.

Heavy cruiser HMS London: HMS London (Capt. R.M. Servaes, CBE, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow after convoy escort duty.

Light cruiser HMS Ceres: HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived back at Aden.

Light cruiser HMS Ceres: Convoy SW 6. This convoy departed Suez on 1 May 1941 for Durban where it arrived on 16 May 1941. The convoy was made up of the following (troop) transports; Bergensfjord (Norwegian, 11015 GRT, built ), Cameronia (British, 16297 GRT, built 1920), Leopoldville (Belgian, 11509 GRT, built 1929), Nova Scotia (British, 6796 GRT, built 1926), Scythia (British, 19761 GRT, built 1920) and Talamba (British, 8018 GRT, built 1924). Three ships of the convoy carried about 3900 POW's to South Africa. On departure from Suez the convoy was not escorted. At 0925C/6, the light cruiser HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) joined coming from Aden. Off Aden the Nova Scotia parted company and proceeded to that port. Around 0830C/11, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Hector (Capt.(Retd.) F. Howard, DSC, RN) joined and HMS Ceres parted company with the convoy to proceed to Mombasa where she arrived later the same day. She took the transport Cameronia with her. Around 0735B/13, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) took over the convoy from HMS Hector which then set course for Mombasa. The convoy arrived at Durban on 16 May 1941.

Light cruiser HMS Despatch: HMS Despatch (Commodore 2nd cl. C.E. Douglas-Pennant, DSC, RN) is docked in the floating dock at Bermuda.

Light cruiser HMS Dunedin: HMS Dunedin (Capt. R.S. Lovatt, RN) arrived at Freetown with convoy CF 1.

Light cruiser HMS Durban: HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore.

Light cruiser HMAS Perth: Around 0830B/1, HMAS Perth (Capt. P.W. Bowyer-Smith, RN) and HMS Nubian (Cdr. R.W. Ravenhill, RN) arrived at Alexandria from operations.

Light cruiser HMS Gloucester: HMS Gloucester (Capt. H.A. Rowley, RN) and the 5th Destroyer Flotilla; HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, DSO, GCVO, RN), HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN), HMS Kelvin (Cdr. J.H. Allison, DSO, RN), HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St. Clair-Ford, RN), HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) and HMS Jersey (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Burnell-Nugent, DSC, RN) departed Malta to intercept an important Axis convoy off the Kerkenah Bank. They however could not do so and the convoy arrived safely at Tripoli. This Axis convoy was made up of the German transports Marburg (7564 GRT, built 1928), Kybfels (7764 GRT, built 1937), Reichenfels (7744 GRT, built 1936) and the Italian transports Birmania (5305 GRT, built 1930) and Rialto (6099 GRT, built 1927). Close escort for this convoy was provided by escorted by the Italian destroyers Fulmine and Euro and the torpedo boats Canopo, Castore, Orsa and Procione. Distant cover for this convoy was provided by two heavy cruiser from the Italian 3rd Cruiser Division; Trieste and Bolzano, the light cruiser Eugenio di Savoia (from the 7th Cruiser Division) and the destroyers Ascari, Carabiniere and Vincenzo Gioberti. Another convoy was reported to the northward but a heavy head sea made it's interception impossible. This convoy was probably the one made up of the German transport Tilly M. Russ (1600 GRT, built 1926), Brook (1225 GRT, built 1927), and the Italian Bainsizza (7933 GRT, built 1930), San Andrea (?) and tug Max Behrendt escorted by the torpedo-boats Generale Carlo Montanari, Clio, Centauro and Polluce and the armed merchant cruiser Ramb III, they were on passage Trapani to Tripoli.

Submarine HNMS O 21: HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) carries out exercises off Gibraltar with HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.F. de Salis, RN) and HMS Azalea (Lt. G.C. Geddes, RNR). Later exercises are carried out with aircraft from HMS Ark Royal (Capt. L.E.H. Maund, RN).

Submarine HNMS O 24: Around 1000A/1, HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) arrived at Gibraltar.

Submarine HNMS O 10: HrMs O 10 (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle together with HMS Newmarket (Lt.Cdr. G.B. O'Brien Harding, RN) and HMS Clarkia (Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Jones, RNR).

Submarine HMS Oberon: During 1/2 May 1941, HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Pizey, DSO, RN), conducted exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) with HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A. E. Johnston, RN). These included night exercises.

Submarine HMS Seawolf: HMS Seawolf (Lt. P.L. Field, RN) participated in A/S exercises at Scapa Flow.

Submarine HMS Triumph (i): A 2500 ton merchant ship was seen entering Benghazi and it was intended to launch the Folbot with Lt. Wilson the same evening but large fires illuminated the scene and the operation was again cancelled.

Submarine HMS Truant: Around 0800B/1, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) ended her 18th war patrol (8th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. Around 2015B/1, departed from Malta again for her 19th war patrol (9th in the Mediterranean). She is to proceed to Gibraltar (and then onwards to the United States for a refit). While en-route to Gibraltar she is to patrol off Sardinia for two days. For the daily and attack positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.

Submarine HMS Tetrarch: HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) was docked in the Gabbari Dry Dock at Alexandria.

Submarine HMS Upholder: HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) torpedoed and sank the German transport Arcturus (2576 GRT, built 1937) and torpedoed and damaged the German transport Leverkusen (7382 GRT, built 1928) off Kerkennah, Tunisia. Later the same day Upholder again torpedoed the Leverkusen finally sinking her. The convoy attacked by HMS Upholder was, besides the two above mentioned ship, made up of the German transports Castellon (2086 GRT, built 1935), Wachtfels (8467 GRT, built 1928) and the Italian transport Giulia (5921 GRT, built 1926). They were escorted by the Italian destroyers Turbine, Folgore, Saetta and Strale. (All times are zone -2) 1108B/1- In position 34°38'N 11°39'E sighted a convoy of five merchant vessels and four destroyers to the Westward. Closed at full submerged speed to attack. 1131B/1 - The convoy was seen to be disposed in two columns. Two Dardo-class destroyers were seen ahead and two Turbine-class destroyers were seen on the Starboard beam and quarter. 1132B/1 - Fired four torpedoes at the leading ship in the near column, whose bow overlapped with the stern of the leading ship in the far column. Range was 2800 yards. Upon firing Upholder retired to the South. 1141B/1 - Three explosions were heard. 1155B/1 - Sighted a 'Fels line' ship of over 6000 tons sink rapidly by the stern. Another large ship was seen to be listing heavily and down by the bow. 1445B/1 - The damaged ship was seen to be still afloat and on an even keel. She was underway slowly with one of the destroyers nearby. She was dropped depth charges at random. ------------------------------------- 1730B/1 - Surfaced and sent out an enemy report. The damaged merchant was in sight in position 34°45'N, 11°42'E. 1755B/1 - Dived at a range of 16000 yards to attack and finish off the damaged ship. 1901B/1 - Fired two torpedoes from 1200 yards. Both appeared to hit the target. 1915B/1 - Depth charging started but it could also be the ships boilers exploding in the case she was not diesel driven. 1940B/1 - Only the ships stern was now out of the water. The destroyer was standing by. 1945B/1 - The ship sank. 2100B/1 - Surfaced. As Upholder was now out of torpedoes course was set to Malta. A report was passed to Alexandria to report the situation.

Submarine HMS H 28: HMS H 28 (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, RN) shifted from Oban to Tobermory.

Submarine HMS H 33: HMS H 33 (Lt. C.H. Rankin, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

Submarine HMS H 34: HMS H 34 (Lt. C.P. Norman, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Ardrishaig.

Light cruiser HMS Hermione: HMS Hermione (Capt. G.N. Oliver, RN) conducted exercises at Scapa Flow.

Battleship HMS Royal Sovereign: HMS Royal Sovereign (Capt. H.B. Jacomb, RN) departed Halifax to overtake and join convoy HX 124 and to act as ocean escort. [For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy HX 124 ' for 30 April 1941.]

Battleship HMS Prince of Wales: HMS Prince of Wales (Capt. J.C. Leach, MVO, RN) conducted DG trials inside Scapa Flow.

Submarine HMS Undaunted (i): HMS Undaunted (Lt. J.L. Livesey, RN) sent her last signal at 1244B/1 May when she reported a large escorted convoy in position 34°40'N, 12°20'E, course 205°, speed 8 knots. This was the 23rd Seetransportstaffel consisting of the Italian troop transport Marco Polo (12567 GRT, built 1912) and the German transports Marburg (7564 GRT, built 1928), Kibfels (7764 GRT, built 1937), Reichenfels (7744 GRT, built 1936) and the Italian transports Birmania (5305 GRT, built 1930) and Rialto (6099 GRT, built 1927) escorted by the Italian destroyers Fulmine, Euro and the torpedo boats Canopo, Castore, Orsa and Procione. This convoy was on passage from Messina to Tripoli where they arrived at 2300B/1. Rialto reported being narrowly missed by torpedo astern at 1251B/1. This was also seen from Marburg which was stationed behind Rialto and also by Fulmine and Canopo so this was undoubtedly an attack carried out by HMS Undaunted.

Submarine HMS Undaunted (i): On 1 May 1941, the Italian light cruisers Eugenio di Savoia, Duca D'Aosta, Muzio Attendolo and the destroyers Antonio Pigafetta, Nicolo Zeno, Alvise da Mosto, Giovanni da Verrazzano, Nicoloso Da Recco and Emanuele Pessagno laid four minefields near Tripoli. Minefield AS (anti-submarine) "I": 200 UMA mines from 33°03'5"N, 13°05'2"E to 33°04'N, 12°58'7"E. Minefield AN (anti-naval) "F": 140 EMC mines from 33°04'5"N, 13°09'E to 33°07'1"N, 13°06'E. Minefield AN "E": 140 EMC mines from 33°08.3' N, 13°14.4' E to 33°05.3' N, 13°11.8' E. Minefield AN "D": 140 EMC mines from 33°06'N, 13°20'3"E to 33°09'N, 13°17'5"E. Possibly HMS Undaunted (Lt. J.L. Livesey, RN) was lost in one of these minefields, with minefield 'I' being the most likely candidate.

Destroyer HMS Westcott: The destroyer was chosen for the first test installation of the new anti-submarine weapon called Hedgehog then in development. The trials took place in Liverpool Bay against a known wreck. 9 months later the weapon entered production.

Destroyer HMAS Nestor: HMAS Nestor (Cdr. G.S. Stewart, RAN) departed Greenock for Scapa Flow.

Destroyer HMS Veteran: HMS Veteran (Cdr. W.T. Couchman, OBE, RN) picks up 91 survivors from the British passenger ship Nerissa that was torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-552 south-east of Rockall in position 55°57'N, 10°08'W.

Submarine HMS L 27: HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth.

1942

Heavy cruiser HMS Norfolk: HMS Norfolk (Capt. E.G.H. Bellars, RN) returned to Hvalfjord from patrol.

Light cruiser HMS Caradoc: With her refit completed, HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN), departed Plymouth for the Clyde.

Light cruiser HMS Cardiff: HMS Cardiff (Capt. G.F. Stevens-Guille, DSO, OBE, RN) conducted gunnery exercises for the gunnery school in the Clyde area.

Light cruiser HMS Colombo: Around 0900B/1, HMS Colombo (Capt. W.P. Carne, RN) arrived at Simonstown from Durban.

Light cruiser HMS Danae: Around 1110D/1, HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) arrived at Dubai from Khor Kuwai. Around 1910D/1, she departed Dubai for Bahrein.

Light cruiser HMS Diomede: Around 1000P/1, HMS Diomede (Capt. D. Orr-Ewing, RN), departed Montevideo to patrol to the east of the Rio de la Plata. She was to return around 7 May but this was later amended to 11 May.

Light cruiser HMAS Hobart: A.M. on 1 May 1942 HMAS Australia (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, CB, RN) and HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.L. Howden, CBE, RAN) departed Sydney for passage to Hervey Bay at high speed.

Light cruiser HMS Liverpool: HMS Liverpool (Capt. W.R. Slayter, DSC, RN) and HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. In the morning, HMS Mauritius had already conducted an underway refuelling exercise during which she fuelled from the RFA tanker Black Ranger (3417 GRT, built 1941).

Destroyer HNMS Isaac Sweers: HrMs Isaac Sweers (Cdr. W. Harmsen, RNN) arrived at Mombasa.

Submarine HNMS O 23: Around 0800C/1, HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. A.M. Valkenburg, RNN) arrived at Aden from Alexandria.

Submarine HNMS O 9: HrMs O 9 (Lt. J.F. Drijfhout Van Hooff, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle together with HMCS Rosthern (Cdr. P.B. Cross, RCNVR), USS Niblack (Lt.Cdr. E.R. Durgin, USN), HMS Lowestoft (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) F.B. Proudfoot, RN) and HMS Pelican (Cdr. G.V. Gladstone, RN).

Submarine HNMS O 10: HrMs O 10 (Lt. Baron D.T. Mackay, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Shemara (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Buckle, RN) and HMS St. Modwen (Lt.Cdr. F.J. Webster, RNR).

Submarine USS Triton: USS Triton (Lt.Cdr. C.C. Kirkpatrick) torpedoed and sank the Japanese transport ship Calcutta Maru (5338 GRT) about 180 nautical miles north-north-west of Formosa in position 28°06'N, 123°47'E.

Submarine USS Grenadier (i): USS Grenadier (Lt.Cdr. W.A. Lent) mistakenly torpedoed and sank the Russian merchant ship Angarstroi (4760 GRT) about 90 nautical miles west-south-west of Nagasaki, Japan in position 32°00'N, 129°25'E.

Submarine USS Swordfish: USS Swordfish (Lt.Cdr. C.C. Smith, USN) ended her 3rd war patrol when she returned to Fremantle. The patrol had been uneventful. At Fremantle she was refitted by USS Otus.

Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Canton: HMS Canton (A/Capt. G.N. Loriston-Clarke, RN) is undocked.

Submarine HMS Ursula: HMS Ursula (Lt. R.B. Lakin, DSC, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Ardrossan for a battery change.

Submarine HMS Otway: HMS Otway (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) with HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A. E. Johnston, RN).

Submarine HMS Sturgeon: HMS Sturgeon (Lt. M.R.G. Wingfield, RN) left convoy PQ 15 to take up a patrol position off northern Norway.

Submarine HMS Safari: HMS P 211 (Cdr. B. Bryant, DSC, RN) was docked in No.1 dock at the Elderslie shipyard at Scotstoun, Scotland.

Submarine HMS Thorn: At 1900C/1, off Ras Tayones, just south of Benghazi, HMS Thorn (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Norfolk, RN) sighted what is thought to be an MASB. She was proceeding on a course of 200° at a speed of 10 to 12 knots. She passed at a range of 1500 yards. At 2330C/1, in position 31°56'N, 19°44'E, a small vessel was sighted bearing 110° at a range of 4000 yards (up moon). HMS Thorn turned away but the vessel closed and HMS Thorn dived five minutes later. It is considered this may have been the same vessel sighted earlier in the day. This was possibly motorboat Cotugno proceeding for patrol near the beached transport Salona (664 GRT, built 1913) about 12 miles farther to the south [see also the event for 29 April 1942.].

Submarine HMS Turbulent: Around 1545C/1, HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSC, RN) departed from Alexandria for Port Said.

Submarine HMS Utmost: HMS Utmost (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth.

Submarine HMS Unbending: HMS P 37 (Lt. H. Winter, RN) was undocked.

Submarine HMS Unbroken: HMS P 42 (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, RN) fired three torpedoes at the German submarine U-74 about 30 nautical miles south-east of Almeria, Spain. No hits were obtained. The U-boat had been ordered to the assistance of U-573, disabled by aircraft bombs, which took refuge in Spanish waters and was interned. (All times are zone -1) 2318 hours - In position 36°32'N, 02°01'W sighted a U-boat at a range of 1300 yards bearing 210°. Fired three torpedoes but the U-boat was already turing when the torpedoes were being fired so P 42 also turned and fired the torpedoes on the swing. When the 3rd torpedo was fired range had decreased to 600 yards. No hits were obtained. All three torpedoes were heard to explode at the end of their run. P 42 dived to 80 feet after firing the torpedoes.

Submarine HMS United: At 1930 hours, HMS P 44 (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN), parted company with her escort HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) C.C. Flemming, RN) in position 270°, Wolf Rock, 4 nautical miles.

Submarine HMS H 32: HMS H 32 (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

Submarine HMS H 33: HMS H 33 (Lt. M.E. Faber, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

Submarine HMS H 44: HMS H 44 (Lt. R.P. Webb, RN) shifted from Tobermory to Oban. She returned to Tobermory later the same day.

Submarine HMS H 50: HMS H 50 (Lt. M.L.C. Crawford, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle.

Submarine HMS P 552: P 552 (Lt. A.R. Daniell, DSC, RN) picks up 3 survivors from the Norwegian merchant Taborfjell that was torpedoed and sunk the previous day by German U-boat U-576 about 95 nautical miles east of Cape Cod in position 41°52'N, 67°43'W.

Minelayer HMS Welshman: Around 1600A/1, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) departed Plymouth for Gibraltar. She was carrying stores, ammunition and personnel for Malta.

Light cruiser HMS Charybdis: HMS Charybdis (Capt. L.D. Mackintosh, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Gibraltar.

Battleship HMS Malaya: Around 1530 hours HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) is joined by the destroyers HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN) and HMS Wild Swan (Lt.Cdr. C.E.L. Sclater, RN) which were to escort the battleship to Freetown.

Battleship HMS Nelson: The battleship HMS Nelson (Capt. H.B. Jacomb, RN) conducted exercises in the Pentland Firth. She was, most likely, escorted by the escort destroyers HMS Middleton (Lt.Cdr. D.C. Kinloch, RN), HMS Lamerton (Lt.Cdr. C.R. Purse, DSC, RN) and HMS Hursley (Lt. W.J.P. Church, DSC, RN).

Battleship HMS Duke of York: Around 2045B/1, the battleship HMS Duke of York (Capt. C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN, second in command Home Fleet) departed from Hvalfiord for convoy cover operations. She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.K. Scott-Moncrieff, RN) and HMS Escapade (Lt.Cdr. E.N.V. Currey, DSC, RN). [For more info see the event ' Convoys PQ 15 and QP 11 and the sinking of HMS Edinburgh and HMS Punjabi ' for 26 April 1942.]

Destroyer HMS Punjabi: I was a Telegraphist on Punjabi from its retrofit in January, 1942, until she was sunk by KGV in a thick fog on May 1, 1942, while part of a distant escort to convoy PQ15. Fortunately, I was in the forepart of the ship, waiting to go on watch at 1600 hours, in the aft part of Punjabi. Miraculously, due to HMS Martin and HMS Marne coming to our rescue, 206 crew members survived.Ironically, we made the trip back to Scapa Flow from Iceland aboard the ship that sank us, KGV. She had a bad gash in her bow.

Destroyer HMS Jackal: HMS Jackal (Cdr. C.T. Jellicoe, DSC, RN) and HMS Janus (Cdr. J.A.W. Tothill, DSC, RN) departed Alexandria at 0730 hours. Presumably for exercises. They returned to Alexandria between 1700 and 1715 hours.

Destroyer HMS Kipling: HMS Coventry (Capt. R.J.R. Dendy, RN), HMS Sikh (Capt. St.J.A. Micklethwait, DSO and Bar, RN) and HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St. Clair-Ford, DSO, RN) arrived at Alexandria from Port Said.

Submarine USS R-1: USS R-1 (Lt. J.D.L. Grant, USN) conducted exercises off Bermuda.

Submarine USS R-4: USS R-4 (Lt. P.W. Garnett, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-10: USS R-10 (Lt. B.E. Lewellen, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-14: USS R-14 (Lt. G.W. Kehl, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine ORP Jastrzab: The submarines HMS P 43 (Lt. A.C. Halliday, RN), ORP Jastrzab (Lt.Cdr. B. Romanowski), HNoMS Uredd (Lt. Røren) and FFS Minerve (Lt. P.M. Sonneville) arrived in Zones K 30, K 28, K 26, K 24 respectively to provide cover for the passage of convoys PQ 15 and QP 11.

Destroyer HMS Decoy: 'Force A', made up of the battleship HMS Warspite (Capt. F.E.P. Hutton, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN), aircraft carrier HMS Formidable (Capt. A.W.LaT. Bisset, RN), light cruisers HMS Newcastle (Capt. P.B.R.W. William-Powlett, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN), HMS Emerald (Capt. F.C. Flynn, RN), HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C.A. Annesley, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, DSO and Bar, RAN), HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN), HMS Foxhound (Cdr. G.H. Peters, DSC, RN) and HMS Decoy (Lt.Cdr. G.I.M. Balfour, RN) had completed fuelling in the Seychelles and now set course to provide cover for the upcoming landings in Madagascar. Force A' was to reach position 12°00'S, 59°50'E at 0900/3. During the forenoon of the 3rd an air search was conducted by aircraft from HMS Formidable. These reported having sighted nothing on their return. Course was then set to proceed to the northwest to a rendez-vous position for the following forenoon.

ASW Trawler HMS Lord Middleton: The Soviet merchant Tsiolkovskij that was torpedoed and damaged by German U-boat U-589 in the Arctic Ocean in position 71°46'N, 34°30'E. The damaged Soviet ship was later sunk by the German destroyers Z-24 and Z-25. HMS Lord Middleton (T/Lt. R.H. Jameson, RNR) later picked up 14 survivors.

Submarine HMS L 23: HMS L 23 (Lt. E.J.D. Turner, DSC, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Blyth. She is escorted by HMS Scalby Wyke (Skr. C.A. Grimmer, RNR).

Submarine HMS L 26: HMS L 26 (Lt. H.D. Verschoyle, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with a training class of new submariners.

Submarine HMS Graph: HMS Graph (Lt.Cdr. E.D. Norman, DSC, RN) arrived at Sheerness. She later makes the short trip to Chatham Dockyard.

Submarine HMS P 612: HMS P 612 (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) arrived at Alexandria.

Submarine HMS P 614: HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.

Submarine HMS P 615: Having completed her torpedo trials, HMS P 615 (Lt. P.E. Newstead, RN), returned to Holy Loch.

1943

Light cruiser HMS Dauntless: HMS Dauntless (Capt. N.J.W. William-Powlett, DSC, RN) departed Khor Kuwai for Aden.

Light cruiser HMS Durban: HMS Durban (Capt. G.F. Stevens-Guille, DSO, OBE, RN) departed Bahrein for Shatt-al-Arab.

Heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher: Around 0900B/1, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Simonstown from Diego Suarez. At Simonstown she was taken in hand for a short refit including a docking.

Submarine HNMS K XII: HrMs K XII (Lt.Cdr. T. Brunsting, RNN) arrived at a rendez-vous at the Pang Pang Bay on the South-East coast of Java. Again nothing was sighted.

Submarine USS Nautilus: USS Nautilus (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Brockman) departed from Dutch Harbour bound for Attu. Aboard were 109 Scouts to be landed at Attu.

Submarine USS Hoe: USS Hoe (Lt.Cdr. V.B. McCrea, USN) transited the Panama Canal.

Submarine USS Pogy: USS Pogy (Lt.Cdr. G.H. Wales) torpedoed and sank the Japanese auxiliary gunboat Keishin Maru (1434 GRT) off Iwaki, Japan in position 37°04'N, 141°06'E.

Escort Carrier HMS Fencer: HMS Fencer (Capt. E.W. Anstice, RN) departed Norfolk for New York. Before departure D/F and RDF calibration trials were carried out as were AA gunnery exercises.

Submarine HMS Oberon: HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. J.W. McCoy, DSC, RN) conducted special A/S trials in the Clyde area with HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN) and HMS Kingfisher (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) G.H. Gandy, RN).

Submarine HMS Regent: At 1640 hours, a body of a British sailor was found near Brindisi. He was wearing a Davis apparatus and had apparently been in the water for 8 to 10 days. It is believed that HMS Regent was probably mined near Monopoli on 18 or 19 April. Since no other attacks were reported after the Balcic one, it must be assumed that the mining occurred within a day or two and that some of the crew members managed to make an ascent from the wreck but perished either from embolism or from drowning.

Submarine HMS Sceptre: HMS Sceptre (Lt. I.S. McIntosh, MBE, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar.

Submarine HMS Surf: HMS Surf (Lt. D. Lambert, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises at Scapa Flow.

Submarine HMS Syrtis: HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar.

Submarine HMS Tribune: HMS Tribune (Lt. S.A. Porter, RN) conducted engine trials off Algiers.

Submarine HMS Trident: Around 1830A/1, HMS Trident (Lt. P.E. Newstead, RN) departed from Algiers for her 34th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean). She is to perform two special missions ('Etna' and 'Leg') and afterwards patrol in the Gulf of Genoa. For the daily and attack positions of HMS Trident during this patrol see the map below.

Submarine HMS Trespasser: Around 1815B/1, HMS Trespasser (Lt. R.M. Favell, RN) departed from Gibraltar for her 3rd war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean). She is to patrol off Southern France. On departure exercises were carried out, first A/S exercises with HMS Eggesford (Lt.Cdr. D.W. Austin, RN) and later exercises with aircraft.

Submarine HMS Trespasser: For the daily positions of HMS Trespasser during her 3rd war patrol see the map below.

Submarine HMS Tally-Ho: HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil.

Submarine HMS Unrivalled: HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) departed Malta for her 11th war patrol (9th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol north of Sicily. No log is available for this period so no map can be displayed.

Submarine HMS Unruly: HMS Unruly (Lt. J.P. Fyfe, RN) arrived at Malta where she joined the 10th Submarine Flotilla.

Submarine HMS H 34: HMS H 34 (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) shifted from Campbeltown to Rothesay.

Submarine HMS H 50: HMS H 50 (Lt. J.M. Michell, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Volunteer (Lt.Cdr. G.J. Luther, RN) and HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. A.F.C. Gray, RD, RNR).

Submarine HMS P 511: HMS P 511 (Lt. J.S. Launders, RN) shifted from Rothesay to Campbeltown.

Sloop HMS Wren (ii): The British merchant Port Victor is torpedoed and sunk north-east of the Azores in position 47°49'N, 22°02'W by German U-boat U-107. HMS Wren (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Aubrey, RN) later picks up 145 survivors.

Minelayer HMS Abdiel: Around 1940C/1, HMS Abdiel (Capt. D. Orr-Ewing, RN) departed Alexandria for Haifa.

Battleship HMS King George V: HMS King George V (Capt. T.E. Halsey, DSO, RN), HMS Mahratta (Lt.Cdr. E.A.F. Drought, DSC, RN), HMS St. Marys (Lt. D.B.G. Dumas, RN) and HMS Stevenstone (Lt. P.B.N. Lewis, DSC, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from Rosyth. HMS King George V departed Scapa Flow for Gibraltar later the same day. She is now escorted by the destroyers HMS Troubridge (Capt. C.L. Firth, MVO, RN), HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. G.I.M. Balfour, RN) and HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN).

Destroyer HMAS Vendetta: HMAS Vendetta (Lt.(Emgy.) D. Logan, RAN) and the transport Taroona (Australian, 4286 GRT, built 1935) arrived at Townsville from Fall River (Milne Bay).

Destroyer HMAS Stuart: HMAS Stuart (Lt.Cdr. N.A. Mackinnon, RAN) is docked in the Fitzroy Dock at the Cockatoo Island Dockyard.

Destroyer HMS Javelin: Convoy escort from Alexandria to Tripoli, attacked by enemy dive bombers off Benghazi two merchant ships sunk and one damaged.

Submarine USS R-2: USS R-2 (Lt. A.K. Tyree, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-4: USS R-4 (Lt.Cdr. P.W. Garnett, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-11: USS R-11 (Lt.Cdr. W.B. Parham, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-12: USS R-12 (Lt.Cdr. E.E. Shelby, USN) departed New London, Connecticut for Key West, Florida.

Submarine USS R-13: USS R-13 (Lt. D.L. Mehlop, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-20: USS R-20 (Lt.Cdr. E.T. Shepard, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USSR M-119: M-119 fires two torpedoes against ' what is identified as ' a merchant of 10000 tons off the Bosfjord. Both torpedoes missed their target.

Destroyer HNMS Van Galen (ii): Convoy CO 92. This convoy departed Newcastle, NSW, on 1 May 1943. It was made up of 12 merchant vessels. On departure from Newcastle the convoy was escorted by the sloop HMAS Moresby (T/A/Lt.Cdr. C.H. Brown, RANR(S)), minesweeper HMAS Warrnambool (Lt.Cdr. N.R. Read, RAN) and the auxiliary A/S vessel HMAS Bingera (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Little, RANR(S)). Later the same day the Sydney section of 9 merchant vessels joined. As did their escort, the minesweepers HMAS Ballarat (T/Lt. D. MacLeman, RANR(S)) and HMAS Bundaberg (Lt.Cdr. N.D. Pixley, RANR). The convoy now was made up of the following transports; Age (Australian, 4734 GRT, built 1936), Carlisle (Australian, 1861 GRT, built 1919), Corinda (Australian, 3376 GRT, built 1937), Dan Beard (British, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Doris (Greek, 4604 GRT, built 1917), Evi Livanos (Greek, 4839 GRT, built 1937), Iron Warrior (British, 3345 GRT, built 1923), Kooyong (Australian, 2296 GRT, built 1907), Lansing (British, 4422 GRT, built 1890), Maria Mitchell (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Mary Livanos (Greek, 4771 GRT, built 1938), Michael J. Goulandris Greek, 6669 GRT, built 1921), Michael L. Embriricos (Greek, 5202 GRT, built 1918), Mount Robson Park (American, 7132 GRT, built 1942), Murada (Australian, 3345 GRT, built 1921), Pegasus (Swedish, 9583 GRT, built 1930), Rahmani (British, 5463 GRT, built 1928), Tanda (British, 7174 GRT, built 1914), Wear (Australian, 1869 GRT, built 1911), William B. Ogden (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and William McArthur (Australian, 2393 GRT, built 1924). During the night of 2/3 May the destroyer HrMs Van Galen (Lt.Cdr. F.T. Burghard, RNethN) joined as reinforcement for the escort. She had departed Sydney on 2 May 1943. Around 1230K/3, the merchant vessel Lansing parted company with to convoy to proceed independently to Hobart. Around 1042K/3, convoy OC 92 was encountered and the escorts, except HrMs Van Galen, changed over from one convoy to the other. The original escort of convoy OC 92 therefore now joined convoy CO 92. This was the A/S patrol vessel HMAS Doomba (T/A/Lt.Cdr. F.J. Reading, RANR(S)). Convoy CO 92 arrived in Port Phillip on 4 May 1943.

Destroyer HNMS Tjerk Hiddes (ii): Around 1830H/1, the submarine tender USS Pelias (T/Capt. W. Wakefield, USN), destroyer HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Kruys, RNethN), minesweeper USS Whippoorwill (T/Lt. C.L. Knopp, USN) and the auxiliary patrol vessel USS Isabel (T/Lt. F.D. Buckley, USN) departed Fremantle to establish an advanced base at Exmouth Gulf.

MS Trawler HMS Arran: HMS Arran (T/Lt. D.S. Hutton, RNR) picks up 136 survivors from the British merchant Clan Macpherson that was torpedoed and damaged by German U-boat U-515 about 75 nautical miles southwest of Freetown in position 07°58'N, 14°14'W. The Clan Macpherson finally foundered in position 08°04'N, 14°12'W.

1944

Heavy cruiser HMS Sussex: HMS Sussex (A/Capt. M. Everard, RN) arrived at Trincomalee.

Light cruiser HMS Dauntless: HMS Dauntless (Cdr. D.C. Kinloch, DSO, RN) and HMS Diomede (Cdr. R.A. Ewing, DSC, RN) departed Rosyth for exercises upon completion of which they proceeded to Methil.

Battleship USS Iowa: USS Iowa (Capt. J.L. McCrea, USN) was ordered to bombard Ponape. She was ordered to form Task Unit 58.7.1 together with her sister ship USS New Jersey (Capt. C.F. Holden, USN) and the destroyers (DesDiv 103) USS Owen (Cdr. R.W. Wood, USN), USS Miller (Cdr. T.H. Kobey, USN), USS The Sullivans (Cdr. K.M. Gentry, USN), USS Stephen Potter (Cdr. C.H. Crichton, USN) and USS Tingey (Cdr. J.O. Miner, USN). The following is an extract from the action report of USS Iowa. 1400 hours - Formed up with the other ships of the Task Unit and set course towards Ponape. 1448 hours - Catapulted two aircraft for gunnery observation. 1532 hours - Opened fire with the 16" armament on the south-west slope of Tolen Palikir. Two 3-gun salvoes were fired from a range of 19600 yards. The spotting plane reported no evidence of enemy installations there so fire was shifted to airstrip number one at a range of 23000 yards. Two salvoes were fired in this area. The last one landing in the intersection area between two runways. 1557 hours - Two salvoes were then fired at the barracks and stores area near airstrip number one. The air spotter reported that five fires were started. 1614 hours - Fired six three-gun salvoes from 20000 to 22000 yards at Jakoj Island and Ponape town. The first of this group landed about 300 feet below the summit of Jokaj ridge, the second at the base of the ridge, the thrid straddled the ridge with one shot observed near the top of the ridge and one landing on the eastern shore of Jokaj Island. The last three landed in Ponape town and waterfrond area and stated several fires. 1630 hours - Fired nine salvoes at air strip number two butnot much damage was done. 1648 hours - The Task Unit retired to the northward. A total of 69 rounds of 16" had been fired in 23 salvoes.

Submarine HNMS K XV: HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) ended her 8th war patrol at Darwin.

Submarine HNMS O 15: HrMs O 15 (Lt. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Camellia (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.H. Lyons, RNVR) and HMS Charlock (T/Lt. J.E.B. Healy, RNVR).

Submarine HNMS O 9: HrMs O 9 (Lt. R.W. van Lynden, RNN) departed Londonderry for Rothesay. She was escorted by HMS Kihna (A/Cdr.(Retd.) A.R.W. Sayle, RD, RNR).

Submarine USS Searaven: USS Searaven (T/Cdr. M.H. Dry, USN) claims the sinking of a yacht type escort vessel south-east of Hahajima in position 25°43'N, 142°41'E. 0912K/1, east of Iwo Jima, in position 24°35'N, 143°00'E, the high periscope watch of USS Searaven sighted smoke on the horizon bearing 298°(T). Range was about 22000 yards. Commenced an end around at full speed. Contact was lost at 0941K/1. Enemy course was to the north-north-west. 1650K/1, Regained contact bearing 120°(T). Commenced another end around to gain a position ahead. 1734K/1, The target was now almost dead astern bearing 165°(T). Submerged. 1813K/1, Heading of the target now 160°(T), range about 12000 yards. 1835K/1, Targets course now 340°(T), speed 7 knots. The target is thought to be not very big. 1851K/1, With the range estimated at 4000 yards, came left for a stern tube shot. Unable to determine the type of ship the target is. 1856K/1, Tracking the target by sound. Set the torpedoes to four feet to ensure hitting. 1902K/1, In position 25°43'N, 142°41'E, fired three stern torpedoes. The condition of the sea permitted only one look through the periscope and it was then seen that the target was a yacht type escort vessel of about 1000 tons. Average run of the torpedoes was 850 yards. 1903K/1, The second torpedo was seen to hit and the target blew up, and except for the clipper bow, sank immediately. 1905K/1, Two of the targets ready depth charges went off and caused the bow also to sink.

Submarine USS Finback: USS Finback (Lt.Cdr. J.A. Tyree, Jr.) ended her 8th war patrol at Pearl Harbor.

Submarine USS Kingfish: USS Kingfish (Lt.Cdr. H.L. Jukes) departed from Majuro for her 8th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the Bonin Islands.

Submarine USS Redfin: USS Redfin (Lt.Cdr. M.H. Austin) ended her 2nd war patrol at Fremantle.

Escort Carrier HMS Fencer: German U-boat U-277 was sunk in the Arctic Ocean south-west of Bear Island, Norway, in position 73°24'N, 15°32'E, by depth charges from a British Swordfish aircraft (Sqdn. 842/C) from the British escort carrier HMS Fencer.

Escort Carrier HMS Trouncer: HMS Trouncer (Cdr. B.J. Fisher, DSO, RN) arrived at Bremerton from Vancouver. En-route some trials had been carried out.

Submarine HMS Oberon: HMS Oberon (Lt. M.L.C. Crawford, DSC, RN) arrived at Blyth.

Submarine HMS Otway: HMS Otway (Lt. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Caprice (Lt.Cdr. G.W. McKendrick, RN) and HMS Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.D. O'Driscoll, RNR). These included night exercises.

Submarine HMS Sealion: HMS Sealion (Lt. P.E. Newstead, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS St. Modwen (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Lycett, DSC, RD, RNR) and HMS La Cordeliere (Lt.Cdr. A.J.G. Barff, RNR).

Submarine HMS Seraph: HMS Seraph (Lt. T. Russell-Walling, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Plymouth with HMS ML 186 (T/Lt. F.O.S. Man, RNVR), HMS ML 189 (T/Lt. W.J. Court, RNVR), HMS ML 181 (T/Lt. H.T. Kemsley, RNVR) and HMS ML 481 (T/Lt. W.A.N. Fell-Smith, TRNVR).

Submarine HMS Sirdar: HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted exercises off Aden.

Submarine HMS Shalimar: HMS Shalimar (Lt. W.G. Meeke, DSC, MBE, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to the torpedo firing range at Arrochar.

Submarine HMS Spirit: HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) arrived at Port Said.

Submarine HMS Tribune: HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. W.N. Eade, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners.

Submarine HMS Truant: HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Larne.

Submarine HMS Tuna: HMS Tuna (A/Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth.

Submarine HMS Tally-Ho: Around 0920FG/1, HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) arrived at Trincomalee from Colombo.

Submarine HMS Uproar: HMS Uproar (Lt. L.E. Herrick, DSC, RN) arrived at Portland but shortly afterwards continued her passage to Portsmouth where she arrived later the same day. She then departed Portsmouth for Sheerness.

Submarine HMS Ultimatum: HMS Ultimatum (Lt. W.H. Kett, DSC, RNR) sank the small Greek sailing vessel MYT 687 / Elevtheria with gunfire off Cape Matapan, Greece. (All times are zone -2) 2141 hours - Sighted a dark object. Closed. 2201 hours - In position 36°21'N, 22°35'E opened fire on a caique. 2223 hours - Took three survivors on board. The caique sank. Set course towards Levadia Point.

Submarine HMS Unrivalled: HMS Unrivalled (Lt. D.S. Brown, RNVR) arrived at Rothesay. She was now assigned to training duties.

Submarine HMS Untiring: HMS Untiring (Lt. R. Boyd, DSC, RN) torpedoed and sank the German merchant Astrée (2147 GRT, former French) (2147 GRT, built 1921) off Port Vendres, southern France. (All times are zone -2) 0348 hours - In position 115°, Cape l'Abeille, 4 nautical miles heard HE bearing 300°. Radar gave a contact at 3000 yards. 0410 hours - The target drew clear of Cape Bear and was seen to be a merchant vessel of about 2000 tons. Started attack. 0444 hours - In position 040°, Cape Bear Lighthouse, 5 cables, fired four torpedoes from 800 yards. One torpedo hit the target amidships. The target was seen to settle on an even keel. The remaining torpedo was now being loaded just in case it would be needed to finish this ship off. 0509 hours - The target was now seen to be very low in the water. 0525 hours - The target had now disappeared. Shortly afterwards an E-boat, R-boat or motor launch was seen near the position where the ship had sunk. Untiring then set course to return to La Maddalena.

Submarine HMS Varangian: HMS Varangian (Lt. S.J. Fovargue, RN) shifted from Rothesay to Londonderry.

Submarine HMS Upstart: HMS Upstart (Lt. P.C. Chapman, DSC and Bar, RN) bombarded what is thought to be an olive oil refinery off Oneglia, Italy. (All times are zone -2) 2041 hours - Surfaced in position 130°, Oneglia lighthouse, 1 nautical mile. 2046 hours - Opened fire on what is thought to be an olive oil refinery. After 23 rounds the gun jammed and the action had to be broken off. 20 Rounds had landed in the target area.

Submarine HMS Virtue: HMS Virtue (Lt. R.D. Cairns, DSC. RN) participated in exercises off Larne.

Submarine HMS Visigoth: HMS Visigoth (Lt. J.R.H. Haddow, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises at / off Scapa Flow.

Submarine HMS Vivid: HMS Vivid (Lt. J.C. Varley, RN) is ordered to patrol off the Portugese coast making the passage to Gibraltar her 2nd war patrol.

Submarine HMS Voracious: HMS Voracious (Lt. F.D.G. Challis, DSC, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil.

Submarine HMS Vox: HMS Vox (Lt. J.M. Michell, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Gibraltar.

Submarine HMS H 32: HMS H 32 (Lt. M.D. Hutley, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Stornoway with HMS Lord Nuffield (A/Skr.Lt. C.L. Buchan, RNR).

Submarine HMS H 34: HMS H 34 (Lt. R.L. Jay, RN) is undocked.

Submarine HMS H 44: HMS H 44 (Lt. P.N. Joyce, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Ardrishaig.

Submarine HMS H 50: HMS H 50 (T/Lt. A.F. Wicker, RNVR) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with ships from Escort Group B 4.

Submarine HMS P 511: HMS P 511 (Lt. E.A. Hobson, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

Submarine HMS P 512: HMS P 512 (Lt. J.A. Wingate, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Bermuda.

Light cruiser HMS Phoebe: HMS Phoebe (Capt. C.P. Frend, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Alexandria.

Destroyer HMAS Vendetta: Around 0805K/1, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) departed Langemak Bay for Madang. On board were Australian troops and stores. She arrived at Madang around 1540K/1. After disembarking she immediately departed again to return to Langemak Bay with a short fuel stop at Dreger Harbour to fuel where she arrived around 0630K/2. On completion of fuelling she returned to Langemak Bay.

Submarine USS R-4: USS R-4 (Lt.Cdr. W.L. Fey, Jr., USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-11: USS R-11 (Lt.Cdr. W.B. Parham, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-13: USS R-13 (Lt.Cdr. D.L. Mehlop, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-14: USS R-14 (Lt.Cdr. R. Holden, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-20: USS R-20 (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Dudley, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Destroyer HNMS Tjerk Hiddes (ii): Around 1725FG/1, HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. N.W. Sluijter, RNethN) departed Trincomalee for Bombay. One of her boilers was damaged and could not be used. She made the passage on one engine only.

1945

Heavy cruiser HMS Norfolk: Operation Judgement. The main object of the operastion was the destruction of U-boat depot ships at Kolbotn. The secondary object was to destroy enemy shipping anchored of Sandnesjoen. The Force deployed for this operation departed Scapa Flow around 1130B/1 and was made up of the heavy cruiser HMS Norfolk (Capt. J.G.Y. Loveband, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral R.R. McGrigor, CB, DSO, RN), light cruiser HMS Diadem (Capt. A.M. Knapp, RN), escort carriers HMS Queen (A/Capt. K.J. D'Arcy, DSO, RN), HMS Searcher (Capt. J.W. Grant, DSO, RN), HMS Trumpeter (A/Capt. K.S. Colquhoun, RN) and the destroyers HMS Carysfort (Lt.Cdr. L.St.G. Rich, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Zambesi (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Palmer, RN), HMS Savage (Lt.Cdr. C.W. Malins, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Scourge (Lt.Cdr. C.G.H. Brown, DSC, RN), HMS Opportune (Cdr. R.E.D. Ryder, VC, RN), HMS Orwell (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Gower, DSC, RN) and HMS Obedient (Lt.Cdr. H. Kirkwood, DSC and Bar, RN). In the early morning of 3 May the destroyers were fuelled by HMS Norfolk, HMS Searcher, HMS Trumpeter and the RFA tanker Blue Ranger (3417 GRT, built 1941) which had also been deployed. At 1020B/3, the Blue Ranger parted company escorted by HMS Obedient and HMS Orwell. HMS Orwell escorting the Blue Ranger arrived at Scapa Flow on 7 May. HMS Obedient had been detached to join convoy RA 66. Around 1600B/4, the escort carrier commenced flying off aircraft to attack the German base at Kilbotn, just south of Harstad. During the attacks the depot ships Black Watch (5035 GRT, built 1939) and Senja (858 GRT, built 1938). Also sunk was the submarine U-711 which was alongside the Black Watch. Aircraft involved were eight Avengers and four Wildcats from 846 Squadron in HMS Trumpeter, eight Avengers and four Wildcats from 853 Squadron in HMS Queen, and twenty Wildcats from 882 Squadron in HMS Queen. By 1809B/4, all aircraft had landed on except for one Avenger and one Wildcat. All crews were lost. At 0700B/5, HMS Norfolk and HMS Diadem parted company to proceed ahead to Scapa Flow where they arrived around 0800B/6. The destroyers HMS Carysfort, HMS Zambesi, HMS Savage, HMS Scourge and HMS Opportune also arrived at Scapa Flow, most likely late on the 6th. The three escort carriers remained at sea and were joined around 2359B/6 by the escort carrier HMS Campania (Capt. C.B. Alers-Hankey, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMS Obdurate (Lt.Cdr. R.D. Franks, DSO, DSC, OBE, RN), HNoMS Stord (Lt.Cdr. H. Øi) and ORP Piorun (Lt.Cdr. J. Tchorznicki, ORP).

Heavy cruiser HMS Sussex: HMS Sussex (Capt. A.F. de Salis, DSO, RN) departed Gibraltar for Bermuda. Her destination had been changed.

Light cruiser HMAS Hobart: Operation Oboe I, Allied landings at Tarakan. The Cruiser Covering Group and Fire Support Group (Rear-Admiral R.S. Berkey, USN), known as Task Group 74.3, was made up of the light cruisers USS Phoenix (T/Capt. J.H. Duncan, USN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.S. Berkey, USN), USS Boise (T/Capt. W.M. Downes, USN), HMAS Hobart (Capt. R.S. Dowling, RAN) and the destroyers USS Nicholas (T/Cdr. D.C. Lyndon, USN, with COMDESRON 21, T/Capt. J.K.B. Ginder, USN on board), USS Fletcher (T/Lt.Cdr. R.R. Green, USN), USS Jenkins (T/Cdr. P.D. Gallery, USN), USS O'Bannon (T/Lt.Cdr. J.A. Pridmore, USN), USS Taylor (T/Lt.Cdr. H.H. de Laureal, USN) and HMAS Warramunga (Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN). The Tarakan Attack Group (Rear-Admiral F.B. Royal, USN) was made up of the following units; Task Group 78.1 was made up of the Amphibious Force Command Ship USS Rocky Mount (T/Capt. F.A. Hardesty, USN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.B. Royal, USN). Task Group 70.1.9 was the MTB support unit, which was made up the Motor Torpedo Boat Tender USS Wachapreague (Lt.Cdr. H.A. Stewart, USNR, with COMMTBRON 36, Lt.Cdr. F.D. Tappaan, USNR on board) and the following Motor Torpedo Boats, MTBRON 9 made up of USS PT-156, USS PT-157, USS PT-159, USS PT-160, USS PT-161, USS PT-162, USS PT-187, USS PT-318 and USS PT-319 as well as MTBRON 36 made up of USS PT-522, USS PT-523, USS PT-524, USS PT-525, USS PT-526, USS PT-527, USS PT-528, USS PT-529, USS PT-530, USS PT-531 and USS PT-532. MTB RON 9 was to operate from Malamaui and MTB RON 36 was to operate from Tawi Tawi. Task Group 78.1.11 was the transport unit made up of Landing Ships HMAS Manoora (A/Capt. A.P. Cousin, RANR(S)), HMAS Westralia (A/Cdr. E.W. Livingston, RANR(S)), Landing Ship Dock USS Rushmore (Lt.Cdr. E.A. Jansen, USNR) and the Attack Cargo Ship Titania (T/Cdr.(Retd.) M.W. Callahan, USN). Task Group 78.1.12 was the LST unit, which was made up the following LST's; USS LST-466 (Lt. B.M. Bryant, Jr. USCG, with COMLSTFLOT 7, T/Capt. G.A. Sinclair, USN, on board), USS LST-67 (Lt. R.L. McGirl, USNR), USS LST-171 (Lt. M.B. Taylor, USNR), USS LST-467 (Lt. M.B. Taylor, USNR), USS LST-562 (Lt. F.P. Lawrence, USNR), USS LST-584 (Lt. D.B. Russell, USNR), USS LST-585 (Lt. A.P. Morse, USNR), USS LST-590 (Lt. B.J. Arnett, USN), USS LST-613 (Lt. H.P. Rollinck, USNR), USS LST-626 (Lt. M.J. Codoner, Jr., USNR), USS LST-637 (Lt. R.A. Vielhaber, USNR), USS LST-667 (Lt. W.S. Biernat, USN), USS LST-697 (Lt. J.E. Tanner, USNR), USS LST-711 (Lt. F.C. Huntley, USNR), USS LST-742 (Lt. W.W. Holmes, USNR), USS LST-743 (Lt. F.H. Emerick, USNR), USS LST-924 (Lt. L. Tinsley, USN), USS LST-993 (Lt. A.W. Bates, USNR), USS LST-1025 (Lt. C.L. Curfman, USNR), USS LST-1027 (Lt. P.J. Shropshire, Jr., USNR) and USS LST-1035 (Lt. M. Perry, USNR). Task Group 78.1.13 was the LSI unit, which was made up the following LSI(L)'s; USS LCI(L)-624 (Lt. E.F. Harris, USNR, with COMLCIFLOT 24, Cdr. A.V. Jannotta, USNR, on board), USS LCI(L)-625 (Lt.(jg) C.E. Bole, USNR), USS LCI(L)-626 (Lt.(jg) L.H. Keckler, USNR), USS LCI(L)-634 (Lt.(jg) A. Gain, USNR), USS LCI(L)-655 (Lt.(jg) E. Kingdon Hurlock, USNR), USS LCI(L)-699 (Lt.(jg) P.B. Gates, USNR), USS LCI(L)-700 (Lt.(jg) J.E. Howe, USNR), USS LCI(L)-712 (), USS LCI(L)-1008 (Lt.(jg) R.I. Basch, USNR), USS LCI(L)-1025 (Lt.(jg) W.C. Kingsley, USNR), USS LCI(L)-1072 (Lt.(jg) M.B. Kirby, USNR) and USS LCI(L)-1076 (Lt.(jg) H.S. Fish, USNR). Task Group 78.1.14 was the LSM unit, which was made up the following LSM's; USS LSM-269 (Lt. H.T. Turner, Jr., USNR, with COMLSMGR 19, T/Lt.Cdr. W.A. Burgett, USN, on board), USS LSM-151 (Lt. W.H. Fitzgerald, USNR), USS LSM-224 (Lt. D.B. Wrensch, USNR) and USS LSM-267 (Lt. R.F. Ruben, USNR). Task Group 78.1.15 was the LCT unit, which was made up the following LCT's; USS LCT-1317 (With COMLCTgR 74, Lt. DeMoss, USNR on board), USS LCT-1310, USS LCT-1312, USS LCT-1314, USS LCT-1316, USS LCT-1319, USS LCT-1321, USS LCT-1323, USS LCT-1325, USS LCT-1327, USS LCT-1329 and USS LCT-1331. [LCT's were being towed to the landing area.] Task Group 78.1.21 was the Screen, which was made up of the destroyers USS Waller (T/Cdr. H.leR. Thompson, Jr., USN), USS Philip (T/Cdr. J.B. Rutter, Jr., USN), USS Bailey (T/Lt.Cdr. A.F. Johnson, USN), USS Bancroft (T/Lt.Cdr. C.E. Pond, USN), USS Caldwell (Lt.Cdr. D.R. Robinson, USNR), USS Drayton (T/Lt.Cdr. V.A. Dybdal, USN), USS Smith (T/Lt.Cdr. E.H. Huff, USN). and the frigates HMAS Barcoo (A/Lt.Cdr. C.G. Hill, RANR(S)), HMAS Burdekin (Lt.Cdr. T.S. Marchington, RD, RANR(S)) and HMAS Hawkesbury (Lt.Cdr. H.J. Weston, RANR(S)). Task Group 78.1.22 was the Destroyer Escort Unit, made up of the escort destroyers USS Formoe (T/Lt.Cdr. J.C. Spencer, USN) and USS Charles E. Brannon (Lt.Cdr. O.M. Shirey, Jr., USNR). Task Group 78.1.3 was the Support Unit which was made up of the following units. Task Group 78.1.31 was the LCS Unit and was made up of the following LCS's; USS LCS(L)-50 (Lt. B.T. Clark, USNR, with T/Cdr. D.H. Day, USN on board), USS LCS(L)-8 (?), USS LCS(L)-28 (Lt. R.H. Bost, USNR), USS LCS(L)-43 (Lt.(jg) E.A. Blakley, USNR), USS LCS(L)-44 (J.M. Leggat, USNR) and USS LCS(L)-48 (Lt. D.E. Widel, USNR). Task Group 78.1.32 was the LCI(R) Unit and was made up of the following LCI(R)'s; USS LCI(R)-71, USS LCI(R)72, USS LCI(R)74 and USS LCI(R)338. Task Group 78.1.33 was the LCI(M) Unit and was made up of the following LCI(M)'s; USS LCI(M)-359 (Ens. T.S. Adair, USNR) and USS LCI(M)-362 (Lt.(jg) R.W. Kearns, USNR). Task Group 78.1.34 was the Demolition Unit and was made up of the following USS LCI(D)-29 (Lt. J.F. McNamara, USNR) and USS LCI(D)-228 (Lt.(jg) R.W. Kearns, USNR). Task Group 78.1.41 was Control Unit Red and was made up of; USS PC-1120 (Lt. J.R. Goodrich, USNR) and USS LCI(L)-624 (this last was assigned to this unit for the assault only). Task Group 78.1.42 was Control Unit Green and was made up of; USS SC-698 (?) and USS SC- 746 (?). Task Group 78.1.5 was the minesweeping unit and was made up of the high speed transport USS Cofer (Lt. H.C. McClees, USNR) and the minesweepers (YMS's) USS YMS-51 (Lt.(jg) A.L. Giesenschlag, USNR), USS YMS-68 (Lt. G.L. O'Neil, USNR), USS YMS-73 (Lt. J.H. Frederick, USNR), USS YMS-313 (Lt.(jg) W.H. Reibold, USNR), USS YMS-314 (Lt.(jg) J.W. Easton, USNR), USS YMS-329 (Lt. W.L. Ballew, USNR), USS YMS-334 (Lt.(jg) P.G. Rafferty, USNR), USS YMS-340 (Lt. P. Schminke, USNR), USS YMS-363 (Lt. F.A. Struve, Jr., USNR), USS YMS-364 (Lt. C.K. Soper, USNR) and USS YMS-481 (Lt.(jg) t.D. Anglin, USNR). These were split up into four Task Groups; Task Unit 78.1.51 was made up of four of the YMS's, Task Unit 78.1.52 was also made up of four of the YMS's, Task Unit 78.1.53 was made up of three of the YMS's and Task Unit 78.1.54 was made up of the USS Cofer and four LCVP's. Task Group 78.1.6 was the Service Unit, made up of Task Unit 78.1.61 (the Survey Unit) made up of the survey vessel (frigate) HMAS Lachlan (Lt.Cdr. G.D. Tancred, RAN, with Cdr. K.E. Oom, RAN on board) and the net tender USS Satinleaf (Lt. Lt. P.F. Taylor, USN). Task Unit 78.1.62 (the Salvage Unit) made up of the tugs USS ATR-61 (Lt. W.M. Heywood, USNR) and USS Vireo (Lt.(jg) M.E. Seymour, USNR). Task Unit 78.1.63 (the Fire Fighting Unit) made up of the LCI(L)'s, LCI(L)-185 [this can't be correct as this LCI had been transferred to the Royal Navy on completion and was sunk of Normandy on 6 June 1944.], USS LCS(L)-961 (?), USS LCS(L)-1000 (?) and USS LCS(L)-1071 (?). Task Group 78.1.7 was the Press Unit, which was made up of the patrol vessel USS PCE(R)-849 (Lt. C. Sanders, USNR), USS LCI(L)-635 (Lt. H. Hopkins, USNR) and the small army cargo ship FP 47. The Cruiser Covering Force and Fire Support Group departed Subic Bay on 24 April 1945. The minesweeping and hydrographic groups left Leyte on 22 April, joined at Zamboanga with other units coming from Malabang, Mindanao, and arrived at the objective on 27 April, and commenced minesweeping and hydrographic survey. Minesweeping was difficult, because the many types of mines encountered and water conditions. The approach of the main force through preferred ' Track Baker ', south of Menoeloen Island, had to be abandoned because of the possibility that mines there had not yet been swept. This necessitated approaching though ' Track Able ' which afforded deeper water, but was much less in width. A red conical top buoy and a black top buoy of Japanese origin were found by the Hydrographic Group and left remaining, the latter buoy being the mid-channel. A buoy was planted at Point Whirlaway, buoy 2 south of Point Equinox, and buoy 3 was planted marking the break-off point for Tracks Able and Baker. Buoys 1 and 4 were also planted, as ordered, in positions as previously charted. The Hydrographic Group on the afternoon of ' Peter minus One day ' [Peter Day was 1 May 1945] installed fixed whire lights on the mid-channel buoy (Point Whirlaway) and numbers 2 and 4 buoys to aid the approach of the Attack Group. The harbour entrance range was lighted. Beach reconnaissance and marking of gaps through obstacles for assault waves and slots for LST's were completed on 30 April, without casualties, despite enemy mortar and machine gun fire from the beach. These groups retired each night prior to ' Peter Day ' at the objective. On 27 April, ten motor torpedo boats arrived at Tawi Tawi and commenced operations on the east coast of northern Borneo the following day. On 26 April 1945, the ' Pulau Sadau ' attack echolon daparted Morotai Straits. The Sadau attack echolon was known as Task Group 78.1.16 and was made up from ships from other units which were to rejoin their repective units on ' Peter Day '. The following ships were part of Task Group 78.1.16; USS Philip, USS PC-1120, USS LST-667 with USS LCT-1331 in tow, USS LSM-151, USS LSM-359, USS LSM-362, USS LCI(L)-172, USS LCI(L)-185 [???], USS LCI(L)-961, USS LCI(L)-1000, USS LCI(L)-1071, USS LCS-8 and USS LCS-48. The main assault force departed on the 27th. Both echolons involved in the two separate assaults arrived in their respective areas off the designated beaches on time, the main assault force arriving one hour ahead of time to allow for the transit to the anchorage area of the last ships of the strung out approach formation through the narrow track ' Able '. The landings proceeded exactly as had been planned. The preliminary naval bombardment was conducted by the Cruiser Covering Group on ' Peter Day ' [1 May 1945] with only the destroyers participating. This Group had also covered the Minesweeping Group in their activities from 27 April to 1 May. The Minesweeping Group on 27 April first made exploratory sweeps from the hundred fathom curve to ' Point Whirlaway ' with negative results. They then next obtained negative results in sweeps of Areas ' Fork ', ' Spoon ' and ' Knife ' to Point ' Baker '. One thousand yards north and south of the sides of Area ' Knife ', west of Point ' Baker ', four magnetic mines were swept. LCVP sweeps, the same day, explored Spatula and swept two chemical horned type mines south-west of Menoeloen Island, apparently newly laid. The Covering Force could not safely proceed west of ' Point Baker ', so did not. On 28 April, three magnetic mines in area ' Knife ', and seven enemy horned mines were swept in area ' Spatula ', south-west of Menoeloen Island. Two magnetic mines were still known to be in area ' Spatula ' and not yet swept. One of these magnetic mines self detonated near a YMS in area ' Knife ', west of ' Point Baker ', approach ' Track Baker ', after two days of sweeping, was still not considered safe for the passage of the Cruiser Covering Force. On 29 April, magnetic sweeps were negative in areas ' Knife ' and ' Spatula '. A floating mine was sunk by gunfire four miles east of No.2 buoy. Nine additional enemy contact mines were swept south-west of Menoeloen Island. A one-thousand yard check sweep was made on both sides of ' Approach Track Baker '. Area ' Plate ' was swept within 1200 yards of the beaches and the LCVP's made two sweeps within 400 yards of the pier, all negative. By this time, five magnetic mines in area ' Knife ' were still unaccounted for, as well as two west of the southern tip of Tarakan. Sweepers on 30 April were to continue their magnetic and acoustic sweeps in areas ' Knife ', ' Spatula ' and ' Plate ' and leave by the north channel (' Track Able ') alone. The cruisers could not yet safely venture into area ' Knife '. On 30 April, two influence mines were swept west of the south tip of Tarakan, and two additional enemy mines south-west of Menoeloen Island were swept after the landing and fire support parties had passed through route ' Baker '. Later, one of the fire support destroyers, USS Jenkins, on retiring, struck a mine 1000 yards off the center of ' Track Baker '. The sweepers swept two more mines in ' Approach Track Baker ' immediately after this incident. Five ' influence ' mines were reported removed at an unknown location. Because ' Track Baker ' was now not considered safe, the sweepers concentrated on ' Track Able ' which was still found negative. That night the Attack Group safely transited ' Track Able ', as had been recommended, and began the assault on ' Peter Day ', 1 May 1945. The Sadau Attack Force meanwhile had landed around 0800I/30 which was on shedule. They landed without opposition. The landings were completed two hours later. At 1527I/30, the Commander Task Group 74.3, reported the USS Jenkins having been mined. Casualties were light despite the destroyer being extensively damaged. Around 1730I/30, two mines were reported swept in the area where USS Jenkins had been mined. This was on ' Approach Track Baker '. Around 1900I/30, USS Wachapreague and MTBRON 36 (minus six of the MTB's) departed Tawi Tawi for the objective area. Around 2000I/30, USS Jenkins was reported to be dead in the water and leaking. At 2010I/30, USS Waller reported hearing a torpedo noise and went on to investigate. Four minutes later she attacked a good sound contact with depth charges. Half an hour later she reported oil on the water and then delivered another depth charge attack on that spot. At 2045I/30, she lost contact. USS Formoe was then ordered to remain in the area and conduct an A/S search. At 0520I/1, the order ' Deploy ' was given to go ahead with the landings. Ten minutes later USS Rocky Mount anchored in berth 4 in Area ' Mike '. At 0630I/1, USS LST-562 reported a torpedo passing underneath her bow. The torpedo came from the direction off Cape Pasir. Nine minutes later destroyers opened fire at the mouth of the river near Cape Pasir as it was considered likely the torpedo had been fired from here. At the same time USS LST-562 reported a small submarine surfacing astern of her which immediately submerged again. HMAS Barcoo was ordered to investigate. At 0646I/1, USS LST-637 launched the first LVT [Landing Vehicle Tracked] as the landing operations commenced. By 0705I/1, all LVT's from various ships had been launched. At 0651I/1, USS Rushmore launched LCM's and USS Titania had launched all her boats. At 0654I/1, HMAS Manoora reported her boats in the water. At the same time USS Rushmore reported a torpedo glanced off her port beam without damage. It came from the direction of Cape Pasir. At 0655I/1, the dawn Combat Air Patrol arrived on station. At the same time USS LST-467 launched LVT's. All LVT's was launched by 0659I/1. At 0700I/1, All assault causeway LST's and USS Rushmore on station in ' LST Area Two '. HMAS Manoora, HMAS Westralia and USS Titania were all on station in ' Transport Area Mike '. At 0702I/1, USS LST-1027 launched the first causeway. At 0705I/1, CTU 78.1.12 (LST Unit) reported all LVT's to have been launched. At 0707I/1, the Support Line formed up. At 0712I/1, USS Rushmore reported all her boats to have been launched while boat waves from HMAS Manoora were observed proceeding to the Line of Depature. At 0714I/1, LCM's from USS Rushmore were observed forming up well behind ' LST Area ' so as to remain out of the way. At 0722I/1, USS SC-746 reported to be on station on the ' Line of Departure '. At 0724I/1, All waver for landing area ' Green ' were formed up. At 0725I/1, USS LST-637 stood out beyond ' LST Area Two ' to clear the area. At 0726I/1, USS LST-584 and USS LST-585 launched causeways. The causeways from USS LST-590, USS LST-711, USS LST-743, USS LST-993 and USS LST-1027 had meanwhile also been launched. At 0731I/1, the ' Line of Departure ' was formed. At 0733I/1, waves 1, 2 and 3 for ' Red Beach ' were formed up and were moving to the ' Line of Departure '. At 0736I/1, the LCS Support Group was ordered into position ahead of the ' Line of Departure '. At 0738I/1, CTG 78.1 ordered CTU 78.1.5 to resweep area ' Spatula ' in ordered that ' Track Baker ' may be made safe. Area ' Platter ' also was to be swept for mines. At 0739I/1, B-24's were observed coming in for air strikes on the beach area. At the same time the Engineer Demolition Party was dispatched from USS LST-667. At 0742I/1, all waves for ' Red Beach ' were formed up. At 0747I/1, CTU 78.1.3 reported all ships of the Support Unit ready and on station. At 0750I/1, air strikes on the beach area commenced, though this was a little late. at 0756I/1, the first wave was dispatched to ' Red ' and ' Green ' beaches. LCI(M)'s opened mortar fire. At the same time four B-24's came over for an air strike on the beach area. At 0800I/1, LCS(L)'s opened fire with 3" and 40mm guns. At 0801I/1, the second wave was dispatched to ' Red ' and ' Green ' beaches. At 0802I/1, six B-24's came over for an air strike on the beach area. Their bombs landed right on the target. At 0806I/1, the third wave was dispatched to ' Red ' and ' Green ' beaches. At 0809I/1, Red flares were sent up by support craft, to direct naval gunfire to shift inland. At 0811I/1, wave four was dispatched to ' Green ' beach. At 0815I/1, the first wave landed on ' Green ' beach followed one minute later by the first wave on ' Red ' beach. At 0818I/1, the second wave landed on ' Green ' beach. At 0819I/1, the Reserve Battalion from HMAS Westralia was observed moving up to the ' Line of Departure '. At 0820I/1, the second wave landed on ' Red ' beach. At 0822I/1, CTG 78.1 directed the reserves to be held at the ' Line of Departure '. At 0824I/1, USS LST-590 moved up to the ' Line of Departure '. At 0825I/1, the third wave landed on ' Green ' beach followed one minute later by the third wave on ' Red ' beach. At 0826I/1, the fifth wave was despatched to ' Red ', ' Yellow ' and ' Green ' beaches. Also the fourth wave landed on ' Green ' beach. At 0829I/1, USS LST-697 and USS LST-711 moved up to the ' Line of Departure ' with causeways. At 0831I/1, the sixth waves were dispatched to ' Red ' and ' Green ' beaches. Also USS LST-993 moved up to the ' Line of Departure '. At 0833I/1, Task Unit 78.1.3 ceased immediate gunfire support scheduled firings. At 0836I/1, troops reported covering positions were taken without opposition. Bridge was intact and landings were made practically dry. At 0839I/1, the fifth wave landed on ' Red ', ' Yellow ', and ' Green ' beaches. At 0844I/1, the sixth wave landed on ' Green one ' beach followed one minute later by the sixth wave on ' Red two ' beach. At 0845I/1, Red Beachmaster Unit reported ' Red two ' beach to be obstructed, with large logs and a defensive wall on the beach. At 0847I/1, haze, smoke and dust obscured the beach area. At 0848I/1, the Air Force requisted permission to make another air strike. At 0850I/1, the Australian Principal Beachmaster Advanced Command Post indicated the condition of LST slots on ' Yellow ' beach. Extensive bull-dozing was required on some slots. He also indicated that ' Red ' beach was not ready for LST's. Also at this time all causeway LST's were observed on the ' Line of Departure '. At 0906I/1, CTG 78.1 ordered CTU 78.1.4 to ' land the reserves '. At 0907I/1, USS LST-584 was ordered to beach. At 0915I/1, the seventh wave, containing the reserves was sent into ' Green ' beaches. Also USS Rushmore reported that her LCM's were completely unloaded. At 0918I/1, USS LST-584 beached on ' Red ' beach slot 1 with causeway beached dry. At 0920I/1, the eight wave was dispatched to ' Green ' beach. At 0921I/1, USS LST-585, with causeways, beached on ' Red ' beach slot 2. At 0923I/1, USS LST-590 was ordered to beach. At 0925I/1, the ninth and last wave was dispatched to ' Green ' beach. At 0927I/1, a B-25 strike on enemy barracks commenced. Also the seventh wave landed. At 0930I/1, USS LST-171 was ordered to beach. At 0931I/1, USS LST-743, with causeways, beached on ' Yellow ' beach slot 5. At 0932I/1, the eight wave landed. At 0936I/1, USS LST-590, with causeways, beached on ' Red ' beach slot 3. At 0937I/1, CTG 78.1 ordered general unloading. At 0939I/1, the ninth wave landed. At 0941I/1, USS LST-711, with causeways, beached on ' Yellow ' beach slot 4. At 0955I/1, USS LST-993, with causeways, beached on ' Yellow ' beach slot 6. At 1001I/1, USS LST-1027, with causeways, beached on ' Yellow ' beach slot 7. The line up of LST's was now as follows; Slot 1, Red Beach, USS LST-584, Slot 2, Red Beach, USS LST-585, Slot 3, Red Beach, USS LST-590, Slot 4, Yellow Beach, USS LST-711, Slot 5, Yellow Beach, USS LST-743, Slot 6, Yellow Beach, USS LST-993, Slot 7, Yellow Beach, USS LST-1027. At 1020I/1, CTU 78.1.4 directed LCI's to proceed to north pier and unload two at a time. At 1022I/1, enemy mortar fire landed in the water off ' Green Two ' beach. At 1024I/1, USS LCI(L)-625 and USS LCI(L)-1025 were observed alongside USS LST-590 on the beach. At 1025I/1, artillery fire was observed near ' Green Two ' beach. At 1030I/1, USS LST-584 and USS LST-590 started unloading. At 1034I/1, LCI Fire Support Craft observed heading back from the beach to form a picket line. Also Brigadier Whitehead and his staff went ashore. At 1035I/1, USS SC-698 directed USS Titania and HMAS Westralia to head towards ' Green Two ' beach. At 1042I/1, HMAS Manoora ordered to direct small craft with cargo to ' Green Two ' beach for unloading. At 1104I/1, USS LCI(L)-634 and USS LCI(L)-1076 were observed alongside USS LST-584 on ' Red ' beach. At 1106I/1, Captain Dugan, Chief of Staff, and party left USS Rocky Mount for an inspection of the beaches. At 1125I/1, a huge explosion was observed to the right of ' Green ' beach. At 1142I/1, mortar fire was observed falling on the beachhead area. At 1143I/1, USS LCI(L)-1076 was unloaded and retracted from the beach. At 1145I/1, USS LST-742 ordered to beach on the starboard side of USS LST-584. At 1150I/1, nine LCI(L)'s have unloaded. USS LCI(L)-699 was awaiting instructions. At 1154I/1, USS LST-171 beached 650 feet off the beach aft of USS LST-584 and USS LST-585 on ' Red ' beach. At 1157I/1, USS LCS-44 was fired upon by enemy mortar one mile south of ' Green Two ' beach. At 1204I/1, the Commander 26th Brigade, 9th Australian Division, assumed command ashore of his troops. At 1216I/1, USS LST-171 retracted from ' Red ' beach still unable to beach in a cleared area. At 1230I/1, the ' Line of Departure ' was dissolved. At 1308I/1, USS O'Bannon was relieved of fire support duties and was ordered to stand by USS Jenkins. At 1315I/1, USS Wachapreague and MTB RON 36 (minus 6 PT boats) stood in and reported to CTG 78.1 for duty. At 1325I/1, the Principal Beachmaster indicated that it was now impossible to unload more LCM's and LCT's. At 1339I/1, it was reported that the docks ware usable by hand labor only. The crane on the long pier was reported to be unserviceable. At 1349I/1, the unloading of LCVP's and LCM's stopped due to the rapid falling of the tide and consequent stranding of the boats. At 1356I/1, the unloading of LCT's bogged down by mud. At 1401I/1, it was reported that unloading at the piers was limited to the landing of bulk stores. Damage hindered unloading at the southern pier. At 1437I/1, it was reported that the northern pier was found to be intact but that the tide was hindering unloading. at 1454I/1, CTG 78.1 directed no night retirement from the objective area because of the slowness in unloading and so that good advantage might be taken of the high tide. No real enemy opposition had been encountered so far. At 1500I/1, USS Cofer and the YMS minesweepers reported to CTU 78.1.2 in USS Waller for duty as A/S screen for the night. At 1524I/1, CTG 78.1 ordered all ships to maintain sufficient armed sentries for protection against hostile small craft and swimmers. At 1538I/1, Captain Dugan and party returned to USS Rocky Mount after inspecting beachhead and conferring with Landing Craft Control Officer, Beach Group Commander and the Commander, 26th Infantery Bridgade. At 1539I/1, USS SC-746 reported that there was a possible ' Q ' boat unmannned in bushes north of Cape Karis. At 1557I/1, Rear-Admiral Berkey came aboard USS Rocky Mount. At 1600I/1, HMAS Hobart and HMAS Warramunga were released by CTG 78.1 and departed the Tarakan area for Hollandia via Morotai. At 1610I/1, USS ATR-61 ordered to tow USS Jenkins alongside USS Phoenix and remain to assist. At 1715I/1, Rear-Admiral Berkey left USS Rocky Mount. At 1736I/1, two LCS's were stationed off Sadau to prevent movement of enemy craft into the anchorage during the night. At 1942I/1, CTG 78.1 advised all ships that general unloading would continue during the night and that recognition of our own small craft was mandatory. At 2008I/1, all beached LST's turned on lights and illuminated the beach and docks. At 2044I/1, USS LST-697 was ordered to proceed to Causeway 1. At 2045I/1, USS LST-924 was ordered to proceed to Causeway 6. At 2047I/1, all ships and craft were ordered to use full running lights in the Transport Area. At 2052/1, USS LST-613 was ordered to proceed to Causeway 4. At 2100I/1, USS LST-171 was ordered to proceed to Causeway 2. At 2120I/1, USS LST-626 was ordered to proceed to Causeway 4. At 2130I/1, USS LST-171 beached. At 2137I/1, USS LST-613 beached. By 2200I/1, USS LST-626, USS LST-697 USS LST-924 were also beached. At 0048I/2, the beach was reported to be under mortar fire. At 0155I/2, HMAS Manoora reported that she was completely unloaded. At 0653I/2, CTG 78.1 ordered USS Vireo

Light cruiser HMS Belfast: HMS Belfast (Capt. R.M. Dick, CBE, DSC, RN) conducted gunnery trials off the Tyne.

Destroyer USS Hank: With her repairs completed USS Hank rejoins TF 58 off Okinawa.

Destroyer USS Laffey (ii): After some more repairs USS Laffey (Cdr. F.J. Beston) departed from Saipan bound for Eniwetok.

Submarine HNMS Dolfijn: HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Scapa Flow together with HMS Gorse (Skr. F.R. Brown, RNR) and HMS Provost (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.B. Evans, RNVR). HrMs Dolfijn also carried out speed trials on the measured mile as well as gunnery exercises.

Submarine USS Bowfin: USS Bowfin (Cdr. A.K. Tyree, USN) torpedoed and sank the Japanese Naval transport Chowa Maru (2719 GRT, built 1940) south-east of Erimosaki, Hokkaido, Japan in position 41°06'N, 144°28'E. (All times are zone K, -10) 0420 hours - In position 41°08'N, 144°37'E sighted smoke bearing 075°(T). 0421 hours - SJ radar contact bearing 075°(T), range 16590 yards. Commenced tracking. 0435 hours - Contact now bearing 078°(T), range 16115 yards. Best solution for th targets course was 255°(T), speed 13 knots. A second ship was now sighted near the target but smaller. 0441 hours - To avoid being sighted dived and manned battle stations. 0452 hours - Sighted the target with zero angle on the bow, accompanied by one escort. 0502 hours - Targets base course was now 270°(T). She was zig-zagging 25° either side of the base course. The escort was keeping station about 2000 yards ahead. She appeared to be under constant helm. 0518 hours - Commenced pulling off track for a stern tube shot. We were right on track at this time. 0530 hours - The escort passed astern at 600 yards range. 0536 hours - In position 41°06'N, 144°28'E fired four stern torpedoes from 735 yards. Two hits were obtained. 0538 hours - Rigged for silent running. 0542 hours - The target had sunk. 0548 hours - The escort came to life now. 0550 hours - Went to 450 feet. 0556 hours - The escort passed directly overhead but did not drop depth charges. 0614 hours - The escort dropped 21 depth charges in 25 seconds. They gave Bowfin a good jolt. Believed they were all above us. Bowfin was at that time at 560 feet. 0630 hours - The escort again passed directly overhead but did not drop depth charges. 0900 hours - Returned to periscope depth. Nothing in sight.

Submarine USS Devilfish: USS Devilfish (T/Lt.Cdr. S.S. Mann, Jr., USN) conducted post repair trials off Pearl Harbour.

Submarine USS Dragonet: Around 0545K/1, USS Dragonet (T/Capt. J.H. Lewis, USN) and USS Spikefish (T/Lt.Cdr. R.R. Managhan, USN) made rendezvous with their escort to Guam, USS Doneff (Lt.Cdr. T.A. Graham, USNR). They arrived at Guam around 0930K/1, where both submarines were taken in hand for voyage repairs by the submarine tender USS Holland (Capt. C.Q. Wright, Jr., USNR).

Submarine USS Lionfish: At 0940I/1, USS Lionfish (T/Lt.Cdr. E.D. Spruance, USN), a three mast schooner was sighted in the central part of the southern Yellow Sea in position 35°58'N, 124°05'E. Commenced to close. At 1230I/1, the schooner, of about 100 tons, was sunk with gunfire. A total of 44 rounds of 5" were fired for 15 hits. 12 Hits were scored out of 56 rounds of 40mm fired. 180 rounds of 20mm were also fired for many hits but this gunfire was not very destructive. The average range had been 2000 yards for the machine gun fire and 3000 yards for the 5" gunfire. The ship was on fire when Lionfish left the area but she was not sinking as the cargo appeared to be lumber and logs. At 1825I/1, in position 34°40'N, 123°54'E, a small patrol boat was sighted at a range of 16000 yards. she was evaded on the surface. The enemy was proceeding on course 280°(T) at a speed of 12 knots.

Submarine USS Manta: USS Manta (T/Lt.Cdr. E.P. Madley, USN) and USS Quillback (T/Lt.Cdr. R.P. Nicholson, USN) both arrived at Pearl Harbour from Balboa, Panama Canal Zone. At Pearl Harbour they were taken in hand for voyage repairs which was to be followed by a final training period.

Submarine USS Moray: USS Moray (T/Cdr. F.L. Barrows, USN) and USS Runner (T/Cdr. R.H. Bass) conducted exercises in Panama Bay together with USS MacLeish (Lt. D.S. Cramer, USNR), USS McCormick (Lt. T.J. Moriarty, USNR) and USS Bulmer (Lt. T.C. Farrell, USNR).

Submarine USS Carp: USS Carp (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Hunnicutt, USNR) conducted exercises in Panama Bay together with USS MacLeish (Lt. D.S. Cramer, USNR).

Submarine USS Sennet: USS Sennet (Cdr. G.E. Porter) torpedoed and damaged the Japanese corvette Kaibokan 50 (740 tons, offsite link) off Wakayama, Japan in position 33°58'N, 136°17'E.

Aircraft Carrier HMS Implacable: Around 1215H/1, HMS Implacable (Capt. C.C. Hughes-Hallett, RN), HMS Terpsichore (Cdr. R.T. White, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Tumult (Lt.Cdr. A.S. Pomeroy DSC, RN) and HMS Ulysses (Lt.Cdr. B.G.B. Bordes, DSC, RN) arrived at Fremantle from Trincomalee.

Aircraft Carrier HMS Vengeance: During 1/2 May 1945, HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted flying exercises off Malta.

Escort Carrier HMS Battler: HMS Battler (A/Capt. H. Norman, RN) conducted flying training exercises in the Clyde area.

Escort Carrier HMS Fencer: Around 1400K/1, HMS Fencer (A/Cdr.(Emgy.) A.M. Harris, RN) departed Manus for Brisbane. On 2 May 1945 she made a very short stop at Lae, New Guinea to land some personnel before continuing on to Brisbane.

Submarine HMS Safari: HMS Safari (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) conducted attack exercises for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) in the Clyde area during which HMS Uproar (Lt. J.N. Devlin, DSC, RN) served as the target.

Submarine HMS Sea Rover: HMS Sea Rover (Lt. H.S. May, RN) started her refit at the Philadephia Navy Yard. Her refit was completed on 7 September 1945 when she departed for Bermuda.

Submarine HMS Sea Nymph: HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) arrived at Suez.

Submarine HMS Storm: HMS Storm (Lt. R.A.A.C. Ward, DSC, RN) departed Portsmouth for Philadelphia, U.S.A. where she was to refit. For the daily positions of HMS Storm during this passage see the map below.

Submarine HMS Surf: HMS Surf (Lt. H.W. Wilkinson, RN) arrived at Dundee.

Submarine HMS Scotsman: HMS Scotsman (Lt. A.H.B. Anderson, DSC, RNR) shifted from Holy Loch to her builders yard at Greenock for some repairs before she was to be sent to the Far East.

Submarine HMS Spearhead: HMS Spearhead (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.E. Youngman, RNR) departed Gibraltar for Malta.

Submarine HMS Tribune: HMS Tribune (Lt. J.P. Fyfe, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners.

Submarine HMS Tuna: HMS Tuna (Lt.Cdr. E.D. Norman, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.

Submarine HMS Thrasher: HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. M.F.R. Ainslie, DSO, DSC, RN) carries out special operation 'Ballast'. In operation 'Ballast' a party of six was landed at Parker Island in the Mergui Archipaligo. At dawn on 30 April 1945, Thrasher dived to the west of the northern end of Bentinck Island. This was approximately 20 nautical miles from Parker Island. It was intended to arrive off the landing position about one hour before sunset and so reducing the time in the area before surfacing to a minimum, while still allowing ample time for a reconnaissance. Unfortunately, however, the spring tide had been badly underestimated and Parker Island was reached before mid-day. A most uncomfortable afternoon was then spent to the north of the Pickwick Group in a tide running at 3 to 3.5 knots. At 1847FG/30, Thrasher surfaced. The sea was almost flat calm. There was a light westerly breeze resulting in no swell. It was completely overcast, dark clouds and rain in the offing. It was decided to anchor between Parker and Amie Islands. This was needed as it soon started to rain heavily and it would have been impossible to maintain position in the tideway. At 2020FG/30, Thrasher dropped anchor in six fathoms and commenced getting the boats and stores on deck. Thrasher subsequently trimmed down and launched the boats. On completion of storing each boat they lay off on the end of a line awaiting the last boat. At 2205FG/30, the last boat was ready and Thrasher weighed anchor. The intended landing position was in the large bay on the north-west side of the island. The entrance to this bay was one mile from the intended launching position. Owing to the distance involved it was decided that the submarine would accompany the boats as far as possible, partly to show them the way and also to be at hand if something would go wrong. Unfortunately, all boats started up their engines and slipped before the anchor was weighed. It was very soon apparent that the motor canoes were not powerful enough and to make matters even worse their engines failed within a few minutes. By the time the anchor was up all five boats were almost out of sight and still going strong, but in the wrong direction. Eventually, after a quick chase, all boats were rounded up and taken in tow towards a position as close to the landing beach as possible. On reaching that position it was found that the engine of one boat could not be repaired and it had to be towed to the shore by the others. At 0016FG/1, the party signalled having arrived on the beach safely though some boats had to use their paddles instead of engines. The landing had been completed just in time as it now began to rain in earnest. Thrasher then commenced to retire from the area.

Submarine HMS Trusty: HMS Trusty (Lt. W. St.G. Anderson, DSC, RNR) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow.

Submarine HMS Totem: HMS Totem (Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil.

Submarine HMS Trump: HMS Trump (Lt. A.A. Catlow, RN) conducted exercises off Fremantle.

Submarine HMS Uproar: HMS Uproar (Lt. J.N. Devlin, DSC, RN) served as target in the Clyde area for HMS Safari (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN).

Submarine HMS Ultimatum: HMS Ultimatum (Lt. P.D.C. Bennett, RN) arrived at Dundee. HMS Ultimatum was assigned to training duties mainly based at Blyth. After the Japanese surrender she moved to the Scottish west coast and at the close of 1945 she was based in the Channel area.

Submarine HMS Umbra: HMS Umbra (T/Lt. H.C. Parker, DSC, RNVR) conducted exercises off Portsmouth.

Submarine HMS Unruffled: HMS Unruffled (T/Lt. A.H. MacCoy, DSC, SANF(V)) conducted A/S exercises off Bermuda together with HMCS Frontenac (T/Lt. D.R. Baker, RCNVR).

Submarine HMS Unruly: HMS Unruly (T/Lt. D.J. Palmer, RNVR) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Spaniel (T/Skr. J. Bruce, RNR) and HMS La Cordeliere (T/Lt. F.A. Haworth, RNVR).

Submarine HMS Ultor: HMS Ultor (Lt. J.P. Harvey, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory.

Submarine HMS Unshaken: HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) participated in A/S exercises off Newhaven.

Submarine HMS Universal: HMS Universal (Lt. S.S. Brooks, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Loch Alsh with HMS Hart (Lt.Cdr. A.D. White, RD, RNR) and HMS Wren (Cdr. S.R.J. Woods, DSC, RD, RNR).

Submarine HMS Untamed: HMS Vitality (Lt. W.T.J. Fox, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

Submarine HMS Untamed: HMS Vitality (Lt. W.T.J. Fox, RN) participated in exercises off Campbeltown.

Submarine HMS Urtica: HMS Urtica (Lt. R.C. Bucknall, RN) conducted exercises off Moelfre Bay.

Submarine HMS Volatile: HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory with HMCS Assiniboine (Cdr.(Retd.) E.L. Armstrong, RCN), HMCS Kootenay (A/Lt.Cdr. W.H. Willson, DSC, RCN), HMCS Saskatchewan (A/Lt.Cdr. T.C. Pullen, RCN) and HMCS Gatineau (A/Lt.Cdr. G.H. Davidson, RCN).

Submarine HMS Vox: HMS Vox (Lt. W.E.I. Littlejohn, DSC, RANVR) conducted A/S exercises off Sydney with HMAS Kybra (T/Lt. R.V.A. Corbett, RANR(S)) and HMS Troubridge (Capt. G.F. Burghard, RN).

Submarine HMS Amphion: HMS Amphion (Cdr. R.H. Dewhurst, DSO, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials at the torpedo firing range off Arrochar.

Submarine HMS H 34: HMS H 34 (Lt. A.M.B. Buxton, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Ambuscade (A/Lt.Cdr. H.G. Chesterman, DSC and Bar, RNR) and HMS Carnation (T/Lt. W.R. Fowler, RNVR).

Submarine HMS H 50: HMS H 50 (T/Lt. G.P. Christie, DSC, RNR) conducted special trials in the Clyde area.

Light cruiser HMS Euryalus: The British Pacific Fleet during Operation Iceberg, consolidating the Okinawa area (2nd phase). The British Pacific Fleet, still known as Task Force 57, departed Leyte for the operations area near Okinawa. 1 May 1945. On departure Task Force 57 was made up of the battleships HMS King George V (Capt. T.E. Halsey, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral H.B. Rawlings, KCB, OBE, RN), HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN), aircraft carriers HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN, flying the flag of Rear- Admiral P.L. Vian, KCB, KBE, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN), HMS Victorious (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, CBE, RN) and HMS Indefatigable (Capt. Q.D. Graham, CBE, DSO, RN), light cruisers HMS Swiftsure (Capt. P.V. McLaughlin, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral E.J.P. Brind, CBE, CB, RN), HMNZS Gambia (Capt. R.A.B. Edwards, CBE, RN), HMCS Uganda (Capt. E.R. Mainguy, OBE, RCN), HMS Euryalus (Capt. R. Oliver-Bellasis, RN), the flag of Rear-Admiral J.H. Edelsten, CB, CBE, RN), HMS Black Prince (Capt. D.M. Lees, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Grenville (Capt. H.P. Henderson, RN), HMS Undaunted (Lt.Cdr. C.E.R. Sharp, RN), HMS Undine (Cdr. T.C. Robinson, RN), HMS Urania (Lt.Cdr. D.H.P. Gardiner, DSC, RN), HMS Urchin (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Harkness, DSC, OBE, RD, RNR), HMS Ursa (Cdr. D.B. Wyburd, DSC, RN), HMS Kempenfelt (Capt. E.G. McGregor, DSO, RN), HMS Wessex (Lt.Cdr. R. Horncastle, RN), HMS Whirlwind (Cdr. W.A.F. Hawkins, DSO, DSC, OBE, RN), HMS Quilliam (Capt. R.G. Onslow, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Quality (Lt.Cdr. the Viscount Jocelyn, RN), HMS Queenborough (Cdr. P.L. Saumarez, DSC and Bar, RN), HMAS Quiberon (Lt.Cdr. G.F.E. Knox, RAN) and HMAS Quickmatch (Cdr. O.H. Becher, DSC and Bar, RAN). During the day various exercises were carried out. 2 May 1945. During the day various exercises were carried out. 3 May 1945. At 0600I/1, Task Force 57 made rendezvous in position Mosquito One with the logistic support group made up of the RFA tankers Cedardale (8132 GRT, built 1939), San Ambrosio (7410 GRT, built 1935) and San Adolpho (7365 GRT, built 1935). These tankers were escorted by the sloops HMS Crane (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Jenkins, DSC, RN), HMS Whimbrel (Lt.Cdr. N.R. Murch, RN) and the frigate HMS Avon (Lt.Cdr. P.G.A. King, RD, RNR). All cruisers and destroyers Topped up with fuel. While getting clear of a tanker HMCS Uganda fouled a propeller on an oil hose. It was cleared by making the use of shallow water divers. At 1530I/3, oiling was completed. The Fleet took departure for the operations area and the tanker group for area Cootie. The plan for the opening operations was: 1) To make airfields of the Sakishima Gunto unserviceable by bombing runways and air installations. 2) To conduct an offensive against flak positions and to assist in cratering runways by ship bombardment. 3) To maintain an offensive CAP over the islands. The particular plan for the first day was for the bombarding force to bombard Miyako airfields and flak position at about noon, from medium range, with the carrier force about 30 miles to the southward, so that their radar would no be fouled by land. 4 May 1945. At 0540I/4, the CAP was flown off in position 23°44'N, 125°11'E. At 0550I/4, enemy air activity in the vicinity of Sakishima was detacted, the general trend of traffic being to the eastward. One small group approached the Fleet and Hellcats shot down one Zeke (Mitsubishi A6M 'Zero') before the others escaped into the clouds. At 0605I/4, bomber strikes were flown off for Myako and at 0815I/4, for Ishigaki. At Miyako the weather was good and visibility was excellent. All AA batteries opened fire on our aircraft. Conditions for bombardment appeared good. At Ishigaki the runway of Myara airfield was found serviceable and left well cratered. When taking off for the Ishigaki strike, an Avenger crashed into the sea, the crew being rescued by the safety destroyer. At 0827I/4, an enemy aircraft approached the Force at a great heinght. Out figthers could not get high enough to intercept through lack of oxygen, and the enemy entered the artillery zone. Fire was opened in blind control, but the enemy was never seen and retired to the westward. Before deciding to disengage from the carriers for bombardment Vice-Admiral Rawlings weighted up the following considerations. 1) The need for bombardment in an endeavour to reduce AA fire ashore. 2) Conditions for bombardment near the target had been reported as excellent. 3) The effect on morale of ships of the bombarding force would be most benificial. To be balanced against this he took into consideration the fact that the Fleet had been sighted. That in itself was nothing strange, and had happened several times before without being followed by any attack on the Fleet. After discussing the situation with Rear-Admiral Vian, the bombarding force detached at 1000I/4, in position 23°54'N, 125°10'E and closed Miyako at 24 knots. The carriers provided additional CAP for this force as well as aircraft for spotting. At 1155I/4, the bombarding force passed through position 24°33'5"N, 125°10'E on the bombarding course of 070° at 15 knots. HMS King George V and HMS Howe were in open order line ahead and screened by HMS Euryalus, HMS Black Prince, HMS Grenville, HMS Undaunted, HMS Undine, HMS Urania, HMS Urchin and HMS Ursa. The cruisers occupied the two inshore positions of the screen. HMS Swiftsure, HMNZS Gambia and HMCS Uganda, in open order line ahead, were stationed 270°, 3 miles, i.e. fire of port quarter of the Fleet flagship. Conditions were ideal. At 1205I/4 fire was opened. HMS King George V and HMS Howe bombarded Hirara airfield and the AA. defence area to the north of the airfield, respectively. HMS Euryalus and HMS Black Prince carried out a simultaneous air burst shoot on the AA defence area of Nobara airfield. On completion of the air burst shoot, HMS Swiftsure and HMNZS Gambia bombarded Nobara airfiel while HMCS Uganda bombarded Sukama air strip. In spite of comparatively close ranges, no form of opposition from the shore was encountered. Around 1250/4, fire was checked and the bombarding force rejoined the carriers around 1500I/4. In all 195 round of 14" HE, 598 round of 6" HE and 378 round of 5.25" HE had been fired. Photographs show that the runways at Nobara and Sukuma were well hit and that all rounds from HMS Howe fell in the target area, but no photographs were obtained to show the results by HMS King George V. A few minutes after the bombardment was commenced Vice-Admiral Rawlings received a signal from Rear-Admiral Vian that HMS Formidable had been hit and that her speed had been reduced to 18 knots. Vice-Admiral Rawlings accordingly informed the bombarding force and instructed the ships to speed up the bombardment. As signals were corrupt and the situation not quite clear Vice-Admiral Rawlings ordered the cease fire a little earlier than planned and turned the force to the southward to close the carriers at 25 knots. As soon as the bombarding force had disengaged Rear-Admiral Vian formed the eight destroyers left with him so that two destroyers were equilly speced between each carrier and on the line joining adjacent carriers. This provided the best natural gun support and clear arcs of fire. At about 1100I/4, three small groups of bogeys were detected to the westward, and were soon followed up by a fourth. Probably 16 to 20 enemy aircraft were employed with some acting as decoys. Fighters engaged one group working round to the southward, but one Kamikaze group penetrated to the carriers and was first detected when a plane was seen diving on the carrier force. There were no bandits on the screen within 20 miles when at 1131I/4, a Zeke was seen diving from a great height on to HMS Formidable and engaged by gunfire. Rear-Admiral Vian manoeuvred his force under wheel at high speed by successive emergency turns. Though reported hit by close range weapons from his target, the Kamikaze crashed into the flight deck of HMS Formidable rear the island structure and started a large fire in the deck park of aircraft. Rear-Admiral Vian maoeuvred the formation to keep in close touch with the damaged ship, whose speed was temporarily reduced to 18 knots. The Kamikaze appeared to release his bomb just before the aircraft hit the deck, causing the following damage; caualties 8 killed and 47 wounded. 1 Corsair and 10 Avengers were damaged beyond repair. All Radar, except type 277 put out of action. Both barriers were damaged, the forward one irreparable. The flight deck was holed 2 feet square, indentation 10 feet square and 2 feet deep at the centre. Armoured deck splinter passed through the hangar deck, horizontal partition between down takes, escape hatch which was shut, and so to the centre boiler room where it caused slight damage and loss of steam, and finally pierces the inner bottom. Two minutes later, at 1133I/4, 2 enemy aircraft crashed in flames ten miles to the southward, the result of the CAP. At 1134I/4, a Zeke flying from forward to aft off the starboard bow of HMS Indomitable was engaged by her 4.5" guns and temporarily disappeared in cloud. It soon reappeared diving at the ship as steeply as about 60° from the starboard beam. The force was turning to starboard at the time and HMS Indomitable's wheel was increased to hard over. As the plane approached it was heavily engaged by close range weapons from the ship and set on fire, it flattened out at the last moment, deck landed on the flight deck, and bounded over the side, taking the radar arrays of the port midships directions with it. The bomb appeared to explode shortly after the plane submerged. At 1142I/4, another Zeke dived steeply on HMS Indomitable whose close range weapons and those of HMS Quality hit him hard and often. The aircraft burst into flames and crashed into the sea about 10 yards off the starboard bow of the ship. No damage nor casualties were sustained in either of these two attacks, apart from that caused to the radar arrays. Meanwhile the fires in HMS Formidable were soon under control, and by 1254I/4, the ship was capable of 24 knots. It was estimated that one barrier would be in action by 1600I/4 and that the flight deck hole would be patched by then. At 1215I/4, it became necessary to turn into the wind and land on fighters, although enemy aircraft were known to be still in the vicinity. Aircraft from HMS Formidable were landed on the other carriers. At 1220I/4, a Jill (Nakajima B6N Tenzan) was shot down by fighters from HMS Indomitable and half an hour later a Val (Aichi D3A) met the same fate by Seafires from HMS Indefatigable. By 1420I/4 the Bombarding Force was being manoeuvred close to the Carrier Force, and the Fleet reformed which was completed at 1450I/4. As the strike programme planned for the day had been completed, and as cosiderable reorganisation was necessary with the flight deck of HMS Formidable out of action, the Fleet commenced withdrawing to the south-eastward. By 1700I/4, HMS Formidable was able to receive 13 of her Corsairs. At about 1515I/4, Corsairs from HMS Victorious intercepted and shot down a Judy (Yokosuka D4Y Suisei) to the northward. Although at various times during the afternoon there were enemy aircraft in the vicinity, it was not until 1720I/4, that development of another attack became evident. This was however broken up very satisfactorily by our fighters. At 1721I/4, a Judy, believed to be the 'Gestapo' of the group, was shot down from 24000 feet to the eastward by fighters. A few minutes later Seafires from HMS Indefatigable intercepted 4 Zekes to the southwand and shot down 3 before the other escaped to the northward. At 1732I/4, a Hellcat retuning for an emergency landing was fired on by HMS Formidable and hit. The aircraft crashed but the pilot was rescued unhurt by HMS Undaunted. At 1820I/4, Corsairs from HMS Victorious were sent to intercept a bogey to the northward. They found and shot down a Zeke. Durning the day a total of 14 enemy aircraft, all airborne, were destroyed. 11 by fighters, 2 shot down by gunfire and 1 which had been damaged by gunfire which completed its suicide dive on HMS Formidable. Several small vessels around the islands were damaged. Own losses totalled 15 aircraft. In combat only one Avenger was lost. 11 Avengers, 1 Seafire, 1 Hellcat, 1 Corsair were lost from other causes, these included the ones damaged beyond repair on the light deck of HMS Formidable. 5 May 1945. As the state of affairs on HMS Formidable was not clear, the programme for the day was arrangded on the basis that the ship would keep 8 fighters at readiness to reinforce the CAP if required. At 0420I/5, the ship reported that repairs to her centre boiler room were complete and that full speed was available. At 0545I/5, the first CAP was flown off from position 23°10'N, 125°29'E. Runways on Miyako and Ishigaki were well bombed again, and all of them left unserviceable by the end of the day. A CAP was maintained over each island. Three operational aircraft were found on the ground and destroyer and a petrol dump was left blazing. It was noteworthy that no flack at all was encountered over Miyako and it is hoped that the previous day's bombardment was responsable for this at least temporary change for the airmen. A high snooper was detected at about 0730I/5 and a long chase of 300 miles followed. This eventually finished at 0920I/5 when Corsairs from HMS Formidable, but operating from HMS Victorious, splashed the Zeke 80 miles from the Fleet and from 30000 feet. During the day 2 Avengers escorted by fighters were sent to Keramo Retto with press material and Cdr. A. Kimmins, RN. Enemy losses were 4 aircraft destroyed, 1 in the air and 3 on the ground. Also 2 aircraft were thought to have been damaged on the ground. Own losses were 1 Corsair and 2 Seafires. At 1905I/5, the Fleet withdew and set course for area Cootie. 6 May 1945. At 0640I/6, Task Force 57 made rendezvous in area Cootie the Fleet Train made up of the tankers Wave King (8159 GRT, built 1944), Wave Monarch (8159 GRT, built 1944), Cedardale (8132 GRT, built 1939), San Ambrosio (7410 GRT, built 1935) and San Adolpho (7365 GRT, built 1935). Also present were the escort carriers HMS Ruler (Capt. H.P. Currey, OBE, RN) (for fighter protection of the Fleet Train) and HMS Striker (Capt. W.P. Carne, RN) (with replacement aircraft for Task Force 57). The Fleet Train was escorted by the destroyers HMAS Napier (Capt. H.J. Buchanan, DSO, RAN), HMAS Nepal (Lt.Cdr. C.J. Stephenson, RAN), HMAS Norman (Cdr. J. Plunkett-Cole, RAN), sloops HMS Crane, HMS Pheasant (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Palmer, RN), HMS Whimbrel and the frigate HMS Avon. HMAS Napier joined Task Force 57 to replace HMS Kempenfelt which had reported defects. Casualties from HMS Formidable were transferred to HMS Striker who in company with HMS Kempenfelt, took departure at 1915I/6 for Leyte. At 1534I/6, CAP aircraft were sent to investigate a surface radar contact to the north-eastward and identified a north bound US armed merchant vessel in company with a US hospital ship. At 1845I/6, the Fleet detached from the tanker group for the night. During the refuelling period of Task Force 57, US Task Group 52.1 covered Sakishima. 7 May 1945. At 0615I/7, fuelling recommenced. By 1400I/7, fuelling and exchange of stores, mail and correspondence were completed, when the Fleet disengaged from the tankers. HMAS Norman was ordered to escort the tankers Wave King and Wave Monarch to Leyte, and HMS Whimbrel and HMS Avon similarly escorted Cedardale, San Ambrosio and San Adolpho. During the last two days HMS Formidable was busy making good bomb damage and in the end became fully operational again. At 1400I/7, Task Force 57 took departure to return to the operations area. 8 May 1945. The plan for the day was to bomb Miyako and Ishigaki, to maintain the usual island CAP's, and also to bombard Ishigaki runways and AA positions with the battleships and 6" cruisers. The carrier squadron, supported by both 5.25" cruisers and 8 destroyers were to close Ishigaki behind the bombarding force until such time as land echoes would just not interfere with air warning. The weather deteriorated during the night, and at 0400I/8 the forecast gave no hope of improvenemt, the pan to bombard was cancelled in favour of one to carry out four bomber strikes following previous patterns. At 0600I/8, CAP's for the islands and the Fleet were flown off in position 22°53'N, 125°40'E. The weather was overcast and raining at the time, and the island CAP's soon reported similar conditions with the islands difficult to locate. The first strike was therefore cancelled. It was decided to remain in the operating area to await better weather, but at 1015I/8 the island CAP's reported no improvement and rthe meteorological chart showed Formosa to be shut down by similar weather. Since it was thus evident that Sakishima could be of no use to the enemy in such conditions, at 1050I/8 the Fleet withdrew to the south-eastward, maintaining a reduced CAP. Although the weather forecast for the following day promised deterioration rather then improvement, Vice-Admiral Rawlings imformed the Commander 5th Fleet of the withdrawal due to weather and that he intended to strike on 9 and 10 May. Plans for a bombardment on 9 May were abandoned. At 1805I/8, just after the last CAP for the day had been flown off, visibility shut down completely with continuous heavy rain. Course was shaped to the westward in search of better weather. It was with difficulty that fighters were vectored back to the Fleet and searchlights were burned to aid them. At 1905I/8, the fighters at sea level, having sighted the searchlights, reached the Fleet and were flown on. 9 May 1945. The weather, although showery, was much improved and continued to do so during the day. At 0545I/9, the CAP's were flown off in position 23°06'N, 126°00'E. Weather over the targets was reported as sitisfactory. All runways at Hirara were reported as serviceable. Four bomber strikes were flown off during the day, two to each island, the first being launched at 0830I/9 in position 23°40'N, 125°34'E. All runways were recratered and a direct hit was scored on one aircraft on the ground at Miyako. A motor transport park at Ishigaki was attacked, three vehicles being destroyed for certain. Low flying fighters discovered a Val hidden in a cave. Firing through the entance to the cave they destroyed the enemy in flames. At 1145I/9, the Fleet was sighted by a bogey which approached within 30 miles. Fighters drove it off but were unable to catch it. At 1645I/9, bogeys were detected very low 22 miles to the westward, coming in fast. Four Seafires intercepted at 15 miles, but allowed themselves to be all decoyed away by one aircraft which they shot down. Meanwhile four other enemy planes evaded another division of Seafires and after climbing to about 3000 feet penetrated to the Fleet. From 1650I/9, onwards the Fleet was redically manoeuvred by emergency turns at 22 knots. One minute after such a turn of 60° to starboard was executed, a suicider made a 10° angle dive onto HMS Victorious from her starboard quarter. The enemy was well hit by close range weapons but crashed onto the flight deck near the forward lift. The resulting fire was quickly brought under control but the bomb explosion holed the flight deck, put the accelerator out of action, rendered one 4.5" gun unserviceable, and damaged one lift hoisting motor. At 1656I/9, another Kamikaze made a shallow power glide from astern on HMS Victorious. Though hit hard by gunfire, and well on fire, it hit the flight deck aft a glancing blow, and burning furiously passed over the side. Damage to the ship was confined to one arrester unit out of action, a 40mm gun director destroyer, and four Corsairs on deck damaged beyond repair. Casualties from both these attacks were 3 killed, 4 seriously injured and 15 wounded. At 1657I/9, a third suicider made a pass at HMS Victorious but then shifted target to HMS Howe furher ahead, and approached her from the starboard quarter in a long shallow dive. This time the attacker was hit at a more reasonable range, and continued to be so until he crashed in flames 100 yards from HMS Howe after passing over the quarterdeck. At 1705I/9, a fourth Kamikaze approached HMS Formidable and then HMS Indomitable, being engaged by both ships without apparent result. It then turned and dived into the after deck park of HMS Formidable. There was a large explosion and fire and a great deal of smoke. Speed was reduced to 15 knots to aid control of the fire which was extinguished at 1720I/9. Six Corsairs and one Avenger were destroyed by fire on deck. The explosion blew out a flight deck rivet and thus allowed buring petrol to fall into the hanger which had to be strayed. As a result three further Avengers and eight Corsairs were damaged. The total replacement required were therefore four Avengers and fourteen Corsairs. Casualties were fortunately light, one killed and a few injured. At 1755I/9, HMS Formidable reported being fit to land on aircraft and that during the engagement she had definately shot down one enemy by gunfire. The state of the Carrier Squadron was as follows; HMS Formidable and HMS Victorious could operate, but the former had only four bombers and eleven fighters serviceable and had two Pom Poms mountings out of action. HMS Victorious could operate a few aircraft at a time, but the damage to her lift seriously reduced her speed of handling. In the circumstances Vice-Admiral Rawlings concurred with Vice-Admiral (promoted on the 8th) Vian's suggestion that the Fleet should withdraw to fuel, sort out and made good the damage, etc, and then return to strike on 12 and 13 May. The commander 5th Fleet was informed of this intention and at 1950I/9 the Fleet set course for area Cootie. During the day 8 enemy aircraft were destroyed, 2 on the ground, 3 by suicide, 2 by gunfire and 1 by fighters. Also on the ground 1 was probably destroyed and 1 probably damaged. Own losses were 1 Corsair lost in combat and by bomb damage, 10 Corsairs destroyed, 7 Corsairs and 1 Avenger damaged, probably beyond repair. Several small craft near Ishigaki suicide boat base were damaged, and one was sunk. 10 May 1945. At 0610I/10, Task Force 57 made rendezvous with the tanker group consisting of the escort carriers HMS Speaker (A/Capt. U.H.R. James, RN) (with replacement aircraft), tankers Arndale (8296 GRT, built 1937), Dingledale (8145 GRT, built 1941), Aase Maersk (6184 GRT, built 1930) and San Amado (7316 GRT, built 1935) and tug HMS Weazel. They were escorted by the escort carrier HMS Ruler (for CAP and A/S services), destroyer HMAS Nepal, sloops HMS Crane, HMS Pheasant, HMS Woodcock (A/Lt.Cdr. S.J. Parsons, DSC, RN) and the minesweepers/corvettes HMAS Ballarat (Cdr. F.B. Morris, RAN) and HMAS Whyalla (A/Cdr. N.R. Read, RAN). The usual fuelling, exchange of mail and stores as well as the replenishment of aircraft continued throughout the day. Vice-Admiral Vian visited HMS Formidable and HMS Victorious to inspect the damage and found that temporary repairs being carried out showed that both ships would be sufficiently operational to continue the programme of strikes. Vice-Admiral Vian and Rear-Admiral Brind also visited Vice-Admiral Rawlings for discussions on the operation stratigy. At 1915I/10 the Fleet disengaged from the Tanker Group for the night. 11 May 1945. At 0640I/11, the Tanker Group was met again and resupply was completed at 1640I/11. HMS Kempenfelt rejoined the Fleet having made repairs at Leyte. HMAS Nepal also joined the Fleet. HMS Speaker parted company in the afternoon to return to Leyte. She was escorted by HMS Queenborough which had developed shaft vibration and was to return to Leyte for repairs. Also returning to Leyte were the tankers Aase Maersk and San Amado escorted by HMAS Ballarat and HMAS Whyalla. American Task Unit 52.1.3 covered Sakishima during 10 and 11 May and reported the result of their neutralising operations there. 12 May 1945. At 0520I/12, four counter Kamikaze destroyers took station one close astern of each of the four carriers. The radar pickets, HMS Swiftsure and HMS Kempenfelt and HMCS Uganda and HMS Wessex were stationed 315° and 225° respectively from the Fleet centre. This were measurements taken against the Kamikaze threat. In overcast weather the Fleet and Island CAP's and the first bomber strike were flown off at 0540I/12, twelve minutes before sunrise, from position 23°40'N, 126°51'E. Four bomber strikes were flown off during the day. One attacked Ishigaki and three Miyako. A second strike on Ishigaki had been planned but had to be cancelled owing to weather conditions. At Ishigaki and Myara runways were found to be serviceable, were again put out of action and AA and dispersal areas were straffed. No new aircraft nor activity were found. The Squadron Leader of 1844 Squadron was unfortunately lost in his Hellcat to AA fire when bombing AA positions. At Miyako, one runway at Hirara and both at Nobara were found to be serviceable. By the end of the first strike this position was reversed, and subsequent strikes attacked AA positions and installations. A large oil fire was started, a direct hit made on a 4" AA battery, Hirara barracks hit, and three aircraft found on the ground were probably damaged. An Avenger with engine trouble ditched 75 miles west of the Fleet at 0805I/12. The submarine USS Bluefish proceeded to the position and at 1515I/12 rescued the crew. A CAP of four Corsairs was sent to cover the submarine. At 0937I/12, another Avenger was forced to ditch, giving a position 100 miles in error from the actual position. The helio flashing of the crew at 1540I/12 was fortunately seen by Fireflies returning to the Fleet, and HMS Kempenfelt was led to the spot and rescued them. No enemy aircraft were airborne in the vicinity of the Fleet or islands during the day. At 1915I/12 the radar pickets rejoined. At 1930I/12 the dusk CAP was landed on an the Fleet withdrew to the southward for the night. The score for the day was, 3 enemy aircraft probably damaged on the ground. 65.5 tons of bombs and 32 rockets were directed at targets. A 200 ton coaster was claimed to have been damaged. Own losses were 1 Hellcat, 2 Avengers, 1 Corsair and 1 Seafire. 13 May 1945. Radar pickets and counter Kamikaze destroyers were stationed and at 0540I/13, Fleet and island CAP's were flown off in position 24°20'N, 126°55'E in fine weather. The island CAP's reported that Ishigaki runwatts were again serviceable and a thin strip of Miyara runway had been repaired. At Miyako one runway at Hirara and both at Nobara had been made possibly serviceable. Four bomber strikes were flown during the day, three to Miyako and one to Ishigaki. At Miyako all runways were left unserviceable, a barracks was straffed, 8 barges were hit, and 3 major oil fires started. The position of a new, revetted dispersal area discovered at Hirara was reported to the Commander 5th Fleet and other interested US Authorities. At Ishigaki camouflaged buildings and storage dumps were hit, as were two radio stations one of which was left in flames. At 0948I/13, a possible S/M contact was obtained close to the Fleet in position 24°20'N, 126°48'E. Three destroyers were detached with a CAP of 4 Corsairs. At 1203I/13, a possible contact was attacked with depth charges and 2 Avengers were flown off for Fleet ASP and another armed with depth charges was sent to assist the hunt. The possible contact was later reported as stationary, and although the hunt was continued throughout the afternoon no submarine contact was found, nor is it afterwards considered that a submarine was ever present. An Avenger returning to land on HMS Formidable was unable to lower flaps and one wheel. As it was undesirable to risk damage to the only remaining barrier in HMS Formidable the aircraft was ordered to land on HMS Indomitable. This the pilot did with skipp and judgement and with very minor damage to his aircraft. Again there was no enemy air activity near the Fleet or islands. At 1920I/13 the dusk CAP was landed on and the Fleet withdrew to fuel in area Cootie. The score for the day was no enemy aircraft destroyed or damaged. 62.25 tons of bombs were dropped on targets as well as 34 rockets. 9 camouflaged barges and a few small craft were damaged. One own Seafire was lost. 14 May 1945. At 0630I/14, in area Cootie the RFA tankers Arndale, Dingledale and tug HMS Weazel were met and fuelling commenced. These two tankers were escorted by HMS Ruler, HMS Crane, HMS Pheasant and HMS Woodcock The incoming Tanker Group was late at the rendezvous. They were found by search aircraft from the CAP and directed to the Fleet and consisted of the RFA tankers Wave King and Wave Monarch as well as HMS Striker with replacement aircraft. They were escorted by the destroyer HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN). They were in station at 1100I/14. Fourty tons of bombs were transferred by HMS Black Prince from HMS Formidable to HMS Indefatigable. This was necessary because the dimensions of American boms supplied to the ships at Leyte had prevented the full number required being stowed in HMS Indefatigable. During the forenoon, search aircraft were sent to direct the hospital ship Tjitjalenka (Dutch, 10972 GRT, built 1939) to the Fleet. This ship had been sent as requisted by Vice-Admiral Rawlings to remain at call within 30 miles of a position 85 miles to the eastward of the normal dawn position of the Fleet in the fuelling area. Casualties by now fit to be moved were transferred to the hospital ship by destroyer in the afternoon. During the day Sakishima was covered by US Task Unit 52.1.3. At 1910I/14, the Fleet disengaged from the tanker group for the night. 15 May 1945. The Fleet reformed on the Tanker Group at 0630I/15 and fuelling and exchange of stores, aircraft and correspondence was continued. This was completed at 1700I/15. Two destroyers joined Task Force 57, these were HMS Troubridge (Capt. G.F. Burghard, RN) and HMS Tenacious (Lt.Cdr. D.F. Townsend, RN). HMAS Nepal from the Tanker Force also joined Task Force 57. HMS Grenville then joined the Tanker Group. In the afternoon HMS Striker was detached to Leyte escorted by HMAS Napier. As were the Wave King and Wave Monarch escorted by HMAS Nizam and the Arndale and Dingledale escorted by HMS Pheasant and HMS Woodcock. It had been hoped that HMAS Nizam would join Task Force 57 for the next two strike periods, but she was not fit for operations owing to a small number of cases of Ingantile Paralysis, for which she remained in quarantine. American Task Unit 52.1.3 again covered Sakishima on this day. 16 May 1945. At 0510I/16, radar pickets were sent out and counter Kamikaze destroyers closed their carriers to take up their stations behind each of the four carriers. At 0540I/16, in position 23°40'N, 126°51'E the Fleet and island CAP's and the first bomber strike for Miyako were flown off. Five bomber strikes were sent to the islands during the day. Three to Miyako and two to Ishigaki. As the result of these and the efforts of the CAP's, all runways were made unserviceable. Four new aircraft which appeared operational were straffed but did not burn, three others were damaged. Ten small craft of various classes were damaged and four of the were left in a sinking condition. Four lorry loads of Japanese troops were exterminated. A large explosion was caused in Ohama town. Five direct hits with SAP bombs were made on a large cave shelter. Several of the British planes were damaged by flak. One Avenger taking off from HMS Formidable ditched, HMS Quality rescued the crew one of whom was injured. A Corsair from HMS Victorious developed engine trouble at 20000 feet and was forced to ditch near the fleet. HMS Tenacious rescued the pilot. At 1735I/16, a Corsair from HMS Victorious ditched 3 miles from Miyako. The lifeguard submarine USS Bluefish was informed and made another skilful rescue by picking up this pilot during the night. An aircraft carried out a search for this pilot the next morning as Vice-Admiral Vian had been unaware of the rescue. Owing to the shortage of bombs in the foward area, bombers strikes were partly armed with SAP bombs to conserve other types. The Rear-Admiral commanding the Fleet Train had been requised to sent two transports with 2000 bombs to the fuelling area, but this signal had been delayed in transit. The Rear-Admiral answered that only one transport with 477 bombs could be sent as this was all that were available. The dusk CAP landed on at 1935I/16 and the Fleet withdrew to the southward for the night. No enemy had been airborne in the vicinity during the day. A total of 7 enemy aircraft had been damaged on the ground. 77.25 tons of bombs and 112 rockets were expended on targets. 2 suicide type boats were sunk, 2 small craft were probably sunk, and a large numer of assorted types of barge and small craft were damaged several being left in flames. Own losses were 3 Corsairs, 1 Avenger and 1 Seafire. 17 May 1945. At 0510I/17, the usual picket and counter kamikaze destroyers were stationed. The day broke with very light winds of one one or two knots a state of affairs which persisted and proved a handicap throughout the day. The state of boiler brickwork in several ships, and the defective centre stern tube bush in HMS Indomitable made high speeds most undesirable. Without high speed, little safety margin was left for operating aircraft. At 0540I/17, the Fleet and island CAP's were flown off from a position 85 miles 110° from Miyako. It had been planned to send in four bomber strikes, two to each island, but the second strike to Ishigaki was cencelled owing to damage to HMS Victorious barriers by deck crashes, and the very light winds accentuating the defective stern bush in HMS Indomitable. All airfields were left unserviceable except Myara which may not have been sufficiently cratered. Ohama and Hirara towns were bombed, and barges and small craft were well straffed. A number of Japanese soldiers were discovered, and taken 'care' off. At 0742I/17, a Corsair making an emergency landing on HMS Victorious remover two arrester wires, crashed through both barriers, burst into flames and passed over the side. On its way it seriously damaged two Corsairs and an Avenger in the deck park. One officer and one rating were mortally injured, two ratings seriously injured and two others slighty hurt. HMS Victorious reported that 2 jury barriers would be rigged but that it would take some time to do so. It became necessary therefore to distribute the ship's airborne aircraft to other carriers. At 1145I/17, HMS Victorious reported that the two jury barriers were ready, and arrangements were therefore made to land on her aircraft. Though the first landed on safely, the second aircraft bounced om the gap left by the removal of the 2 arrester wires and demolished one of the jury barriers. The second jury barrier was remover 2 hours later by a similar cause. As a result 20 aircraft from the ship had to be accomodated in other carriers, causing congestion and offering three attractive targets of dock parked aircraft to any Kamikaze. Fortunately enemy aircraft were conspicuous by their absence throughout the day. At 1200I/17, a Hellcat from HMS Indomitable was ordered to bale out just ahead of the Fleet as the pilot was unable to release an armed bomb. The pilot was picked up by HMS Troubridge. At 1715I/17, HMS Victorious had once again rigged jury barriers and was able to accept some of her aircraft from other carriers. CAP's were maintained until 1915I/17, when radar pickets were recalled and the Fleet withdrew to area Cootie to fuel. No enemy aircraft were destroyed on this day. 56 tons of bombs and 30 rockets were expended on targets. Many barges a and small craft were damaged and several were left burning. Own losses were 2 Corsairs, 1 Hellcat, 1 Avenger and 1 Seafire. 18 May 1945. At 0545I/18, the Fleet Train was met in area Cootie. It was made up of the escort carrier HMS Chaser (Capt. R.G. Poole, RN) (with replacement aircraft) and the RFA tankers Cedardale, San Ambrosio and San Adolpho. Tug HMS Weazel was still present. Escort was provided by the escort carrier HMS Ruler (for CAP and ASP purposes), destroyers HMS Grenville, HMAS Norman, sloops HMS Crane, HMS Whimbrel, frigate HMS Parrett (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) T. Hood, RNR) and the minesweeper/corvette HMAS Bendigo (Lt. W. Jackson, RANVR). After forming up fuellinh and exchange of aircraft and stores commenced. HMS Black Prince transferred bombs from HMS Formidable to HMS Indefatigable. At 1103I/18, HMS Formidable was observed to be on fire, caused by a Corsair in the hangar accidentally firing her guns into an Avenger, the latter exploded. Fighting this serious fire was difficult by the fact that the fire curtains were out of action due to earlier enemy suicide attacks. It was extinguished by drenching the hangar, but at a cost of 7 Avengers and 21 Corsairs in coditions varying from complete loss to flyable duds. By the evening the Commanding Officer reported tht he consudered his ship capable of operating this jury lighting in the hangar. Arrangements were therefore made to replace her damaged aircraft as far as possible, and for the ship to continue operations at any rate for the next strike period. As the repaired barriers in HMS Victorious could not be guaranteed to to stand up to further barrier crashes or enemy damage the availability of HMS Formidable's flight deck was an important factor, and in any case, it would only lower her morale were she unable to continue in the Fleet. Owing to very light winds, HMS Ruler was unable to fly off aircraft until the afternoon. At 1800I/18, the Tanker Group reversed course to enable them to rendezvous with the ammunition ship Robert Maersk (2290 GRT, built 1937) expected in position Cootie One at 0600I/19. Meanwhile the transfer of bombs by HMS Black Prince continued on until dark. HMS Whimbrel was detached with mails to Leyte. In the meantime US Task Group 52.1 covered Sakishima. 19 May 1945. At 0645I/19, the Fleet again formed on the Tanker Group which now indeed included the Robert Maersk with supplies of bombs. She had been escorted from Leyte by the minesweeper/corvette HMAS Cairns (T/Lt. N.G. Weber, RANR(S)). The transfer of bombs, fuel and stores was continued. HMS Victorious and later HMS Indomitable went alongside the Robert Maersk and embarked bombs by whip and inhaul method. The rate of transfer being about 75 bombs an hour. Continous rain and low visibility in the afternoon prevented flying seriously upset the numbers of replenishment aircraft to be flown in to HMS Formidable and the flyable duds which were to be flown from her to HMS Chaser. Hospital ship Tjitjalenka was contacted by aircraft and directed to the Fleet. She then embarked a few sick and casualties. HMAS Norman joined Task Force 57 replacing HMAS Nepal At 1800I/19, the tankers Cedardale, San Adolpho and San Ambrosio were detached to proceed to Manus escorted by HMAS Bendigo and HMAS Cairns. HMS Parrett was with them until dusk on 21 May when she was to detach to proceed to Leyte. At 1930I/19, HMS Nepal was detached to proceed direct to Leyte. The Fleet also took departure for the operations area to take over from US Task Force 52.1 which was still in the area. 20 May 1945. The flying off position for the day was to be 23°39'N, 126°40'E. First light was at 0548I/20 when clouds were low but the horizon was clear. At 0500I/20, the four counter Kamikaze destroyers left the screen to take up their positions behind the four carriers. At 0515I/20, the Fleet ran into dense fog and at 0524I/20, HMS Quilliam, endeavouring to form astern of HMS Indomitable, collided with her. Fortunately no casualties were sustained, but superficial above water damage was caused to HMS Indomitable and serious damage to the bow of HMS Quilliam. As soon as the damaged destroyer was clear of the screen, HMAS Norman was ordered to take her in tow. At 0615I/20, HMS Black Prince was sent to stand by both ships and escort them to area Cootie. The tug HMS Weazel was ordered to tow and HMS Ruler was ordered to provide air cover. HMAS Norman experienced considerable difficulty in towing HMS Quilliam stern first, as the wrecked bow hanging in the water acted as a formidable hard over rudder. By 1300I/20, HMS Black Prince had taken over the tow, but the same difficulty restricting the towing speed to 3 and later to 5.5 knots. As the weather remained unsuitable for flying the Fleet was manoeuvred until 0745I/20 so as to cover the damaged destroyer. At 1210I/20, two bogeys were detected 50 miles to the westward tracking 040°. Fighters sent to intercept found both aircraft to be friendly bombers. Neither was showing IFF and no information on their presence nor mission was known. At 1000I/20, A Corsair of HMS Victorious, heavily hit by flak, was reported to have ditched. Fellow Corsairs searched without success for the pilot which they consider could not have survived. At 1529I/20, a Corsair ditched on taking off from HMS Formidable. The pilot was recovered unhurt by her attendant destroyer. At 1845I/20, the usual radar pickets were recalled and by 1900I/20 all capts had landed on. The Fleet then withdrew to the southward for the night. At 2100I/20, the Fleet passed close to HMS Black Prince which reported that HMS Quilliam was satisfactory in tow. No enemy aircraft were destroyed on this day. 1 Junk and 3 barges were damaged. Own losses were 2 Corsairs, 1 Hellcat and a Seafire. 21 May 1945. Flying off had been planned for 0540I/21 from a position 85 miles 110° from Miyako. The weather at dawn was similar to the previous day except that the Fleet was clear of fog patches. Flying off was therefore postponed. Four Hellcats were flown off at 0600I/21 to investigate the weather within a 30 miles radius. They reported clear weather to the Northward. Acting on this information the first strike was flown off at 0655I/21. Five bomber strikes were sent in three to Miyako and two to Ishigaki. Strikes for Miyako were flown off at 0655I/21, 1210I/21 and 1610I/21. Nobara and Hirara runways were well plastered with bombs. Two fires were started in the warehouse area of Hirara town, and a radio weather station was hit. A tented camp was straffed. The Ishigaki strikes took off at 0855I/21 and 1440I/21. Both runways at Ishigaki airfield were left unserviceable and Myara airfield was also hit. Low cloud made bombing difficult at both islands. At 1423I/21, a high snooper was detected approaching the Fleet from the westward. Fighters were ordered to 30000 feet and at 1442I/21 intercepted 36 miles to the southwestward at 26000 feet. The enemy, a Myrt (Nakajima C6N), was shot down 4 minutes later by Hellcats from HMS Indomitable. The total of the day was one airborne enemy aircraft was shot down and several barges damaged. A total of 55.25 tons of bombs plus 95 rockets had been dropped / fired at targets. Own losses were 1 Avenger and 2 Seafires. 22 May 1945. At 0700I/22, in position Cootie One the following ships were met; a) tug HMS Weazel towing the damaged destroyer HMS Quilliam and escorted by the escort carrier HMS Ruler (for CAP and A/S patrol purposes, light cruiser HMS Black Prince and the destroyers HMS Grenville and HMAS Norman. b) Escort carriers HMS Chaser, HMS Speaker (with replacement aircraft), RFA tankers Wave King, Wave Monarch, Aase Maersk, San Amado, ammunition ship Robert Maersk. They were escorted by the destroyer HMAS Napier, sloop HMS Crane and the frigates HMS Avon and HMS Findhorn (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J.P. Burnett, RNVR). Also present were the destroyers HMS Termagant (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Scatchard, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. P.C. Hopkins, RN) which joined Task Force 57. Also HMS Grenville rejoined Task Force 57 being substituted by HMS Wessex. Fuelling, exchange of aircraft, stores and bombs were carried out throughout the day. After receiving mails and and discharging excess complement, the damaged HMS Quilliam proceeded in tow of HMS Weazel to Leyte. HMAS Norman acted as escort. The American tug USS Turkey was sent out from Leyte to assist. They arrived at Leyte on 28 May 1945. At 1800I/22, HMS Formidable was detached to proceed to Manus and then on to Sydney. She was escorted by HMS Kempenfelt and HMS Whirlwind which were both due for refit. During the refuelling period Task Force 57 was replaced in the Sakishima area by the American Task Unit 52.1.3. At 1915I/22, Task Force 57 disengaged from the Tanker Group for the night. 23 May 1945. At 0745I/23, Task Force 57 reformed on the Tanker Group and fuelling and exchange of stores were continued. The newly arrived light cruiser HMNZS Achilles (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) joined Task Force 57. During the day 2 Hellcats from HMS Chaser crashed into the sea. Neither pilot was recovered. At 1800I/23, HMS Chaser, HMS Speaker were detached to proceed to Manus escorted by HMAS Napier. At 1815I/23, the Fleet detached from the Tanker Group taking departure for the operations area with only 3 carriers in company now. 24 May 1945. In view of the absence of HMS Formidable it was planned to send in only 4 strikes each day, the first to be flown off 2 hours later then normal so as to provide late afternoon strikes as desired by the Commander Task Force 51. At dawn visibility was low, the sky overcast with rain and drizzle. Flying off was postponed. At 0900I/24, four fighters flown off reported weather improving slowly in the vicinity and at 1000I/24 it was decided to make 3 strikes during the day. The flying off position being 23°40'N, 126°52'E. Strikes on Miyako were flown off at 1045I/24 and 1515I/24. Nobara runways were left unserviceable and Hirara runways were also hit. Hirara town and Hishibara were hit by 12 and 4 bombs respectively. A radio station was rocketed, as were camouflaged buildings in the wooded area near Hirara where on large explosion was observed. The Ishigaki strike took off at 1245I/24. All runways at Ishigaki airfield were left unserviceable. Three hits with 1600lb bombs were observed on a suspected aircraft storage in a low cliff on the north side of Ishigaki east-west runway. The CAP over Ishigaki found on the ground and probably damaged 2 aircraft believed to be operational. After a day with no enemy air activity om the vicinity the last CAP was landed on at 1907I/24 and radar pickets were recalled. The Fleet withdrew to the southward for the night. Total total for the day was 2 enemy aircraft probably damaged on the ground. A total of 31 tons of bombs and 40 rockets were fired at targets. No own aircraft were lost on this day. 25 May 1945. At dawn weather was very much like the previous day, however it soon cleared and the first strike was able to be flown off at 0600I/25 in position 23°40'N, 126°52'E. Three strikes were sent to Miyako, flying off at 0600I/25, 1115I/25 and 1400I/25. Results of the last strike could not be observed owing to low cloud. 26 hits were observed on Nobara runways which were left unserviceable and 14 hits were made on Hirara runways. The amphibious tank bases, a barracks and barges at Osaki were attacked. A fire was started at Sukama town and the suicide boat base was rocketed. At Ishigaki 8 bomb hits were made on each of the main Ishigaki and Miyara airfield runways. It was observed tat progress was being made in levelling a new airstrip near Hegina airfield. Details of this strip were forwarded to the American authorities concerned. The returning strike from Ishigaki made contact with HMS Bluefish which reported that during the previous night lights had been observed on Ishigaki airfield. The Commanding Officer of the submarine therefore had bombarded the airfield. At about 1700I/25, a Corsair returning to the Fleet ditched near her carrier. The pilot was picked up by her attendent destroyer. There was no enemy air activity in the vicinity all day. All aircraft were flown on by 1910I/25 and the Fleet withdrew for the night. At 2200I/25, Vice-Admiral Rawlings in HMS King George V parted company to proceed to Guam escorted by HMS Troubridge, HMS Tenacious and HMS Termagant. They arrived at Guam in the morning of May 28th. The remainder of the Fleet, now commanded by Vice-Admiral Vian, set course for area Cootie to top off ships with fuel as necessary for them to reach Manus, and thence to disperse to their rear bases for major storing and repairs. They arrived at Manus on 30 May 1945.

Light cruiser HMS Phoebe: Around 2140FG/1, HMS Phoebe (Capt. S.M. Raw, CBE, RN) dropped anchor off Rangoon to cover the landings and provide fighter direction duties.

Submarine USS R-1: USS R-1 (Lt. W.A. Schoenfeld, USN) conducted A/S exercises off Casco Bay, Maine together with USS Clark (Lt.Cdr. R.H. Hopkins, USNR) and USS Phelps (Lt.Cdr. R.B. Erly, USN).

Submarine USS R-2: USS R-2 (Lt.Cdr. L.G. Bernard, USN) arrived at the Philadelphia Navy Yard for decomissioning.

Submarine USS R-4: USS R-4 (Lt. D.C. Peto, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-14: USS R-14 (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Cunningham, Jr., USNR) arrived at the Philadelphia Navy Yard for decomissioning.

Submarine USS R-18: USS R-18 conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-20: USS R-20 (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Dudley, USN or Lt. R.G. Black, USNR) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS Argonaut (ii): USS Argonaut (ii) conducted exercises off Key West.

Destroyer HMAS Norman: Around 1200I/1, HMAS Napier (Capt. H.J. Buchanan, DSO, RAN), HMAS Nepal (Lt.Cdr. C.J. Stephenson, RAN) and HMAS Norman (Cdr. J. Plunkett-Cole, RAN) departed San Pedro Bay for exercises in Leyte Gulf. HMAS Norman returned to San Pedro Bay around 2000I/1. The other two destroyers returned to San Pedro Bay late in the morning of 2 May.

Submarine HMS L 23: HMS L 23 (Lt. R.T. Sallis, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Digby.

Medium landing ship USS LSM 419: Arrived Malianas Group, Saipan