uboat.net

  Front page - Fighting the U-boats - Allied Warships

Follow us on Twitter
@uboatnet

Notable events involving Shropshire include:

21 Jul 1943
HMS Renown (Capt. W.E. Parry, CB, RN), HMAS Shropshire (Capt. J.A. Collins, CB, RAN) and HMS Belfast (Capt. F.R. Parham, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (1)

17 Aug 1943

Combined convoy WS 33 / KMF 22.

This convoy was assembled off Oversay on 18 August 1943.

On assembly the combined convoy was made up of the following (troop) transports; Antenor (British, 11174 GRT, built 1925), Arundel Castle (British, 19118 GRT, built 1921), Boissevain (Dutch, 14134 GRT, built 1937), Cameronia (British, 19297 GRT, built 1920), Duchess of Bedford (British, 20123 GRT, built 1928), Duchess of Richmond (British, 20022 GRT, built 1928), Durban Castle (British, 17388 GRT, built 1938), Empress of Australia (British, 21833 GRT, built 1914), Glenartney (British, 9795 GRT, built 1940), Indrapoera (Dutch, 10825 GRT, built 1925), Johan de Witt (Dutch, 10474 GRT, built 1920), Marnix van St. Aldegonde (Dutch, 19355 GRT, built 1930), Monarch of Bermuda (British, 22424 GRT, built 1931), Orduna (British, 15507 GRT, built 1914), Ormonde (British, 14982 GRT, built 1917), Otranto (British, 20026 GRT, built 1925) and Tegelberg (British, 14150 GRT, built 1937).

The convoy was escorted by the escort carrier HMS Hunter (Capt. H.H. McWilliam, RN), heavy cruiser HMAS Shropshire (Capt. J.A. Collins, CB, RAN), destroyer HMS Wrestler (Lt. R.W.B. Lacon, DSC, RN), sloops HMS Weston (Lt.Cdr. E. Gleave, RNR), HMS Chanticleer (Lt.Cdr. R.H. Bristowe, DSO, RN), HMIS Narbada (A/Cdr. A.W. Beeton, RIN), cutter HMS Totland (T/A/Lt.Cdr. H.E. Tourtel, RNR) and the frigates HMS Barle (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Davies, RNVR), HMS Ettrick (Lt.Cdr. J.E. Woolfenden, RD, RNR) and HMS Usk (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Pattinson, DSC, RNR).

The AA cruiser HMS Charybdis (Capt. G.A.W. Voelcker, RN) joined the convoy around 0955B/20.

HMS Charybdis parted company with the convoy around 2210B/21 and proceeded to Gibraltar arriving there on 22 August.

The entire combined convoy arrived at Gibraltar on 24 August 1943.

From Gibraltar the convoys continued on as KMF 22 and WS 33.

7 Mar 1945
Task Unit 74.1.1, made up of the heavy cruiser HMAS Shropshire (Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, DSO, RN, flying the broad pendant of Commodore H.B. Farncomb, DSO, MVO, RAN), light cruiser HMAS Hobart (Capt. R.S. Dowling, RAN) and the destroyers HMAS Arunta (Cdr. A.E. Buchanan, DSO, RAN) and HMAS Warramunga (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Alliston, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Manus. (2)

10 Mar 1945
Task Unit 74.1.1, made up of the heavy cruiser HMAS Shropshire (Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, DSO, RN, flying the broad pendant of Commodore H.B. Farncomb, DSO, MVO, RAN), light cruiser HMAS Hobart (Capt. R.S. Dowling, RAN) and the destroyers HMAS Arunta (Cdr. A.E. Buchanan, DSO, RAN) and HMAS Warramunga (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Alliston, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Manus.

On completion of the exercises HMAS Shropshire and HMAS Arunta set course for Sydney while HMAS Hobart and HMAS Warramunga set course for Leyte to report to CTF 74. (2)

17 Jun 1945
Around 1000I/17, HMAS Shropshire (Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, DSO, RN) arrived off Labuan Island. Commodore Farncomb took over the fire support duties for which HMAS Hobart (Capt. R.S. Dowling, RAN), HMAS Arunta (Cdr. A.E. Buchanan, DSO, RAN), USS Hart (T/Cdr. W.D. Coleman, USN) and USS Metcalf (T/Cdr. D.L. Martineau, USN) remained with him. He hoisted his broad pendant in HMAS Shropshire. CTG 74.3 then left the area around 1720I/17 for Tawi Tawi.

On 18 June, HMAS Shropshire conducted a bombardment of the Japanese stronghold on Labuan Island between 1455I/18 and 1550I/18.

At 1655I/19, Commodore Farncomb transferred his flag from HMAS Shropshire to HMAS Arunta for the upcoming landings at Lutong (just north of Miri). (3)

20 Jun 1945

Landings at Lutong.

Composition of the forces taking part was as follows;
Task Group 74.1 was the Fire Support Group under Commodore Commodore H.B. Farncomb, DSO, MVO, RAN made up of the heavy cruiser HMAS Shropshire (Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, DSO, RN), light cruiser HMAS Hobart (Capt. R.S. Dowling, RAN) and destroyers HMAS Arunta (Cdr. A.E. Buchanan, DSO, RAN), USS Hart (T/Cdr. W.D. Coleman, USN) and USS Metcalf (T/Cdr. D.L. Martineau, USN).
Task Unit 76.20.50 was the Lutong Assault Unit under T/Capt. F.B.C. Martin, USN (COMLCI(L)FLOT 8) which flew his flag in USS LCI(L)-546 (Lt.(jg) H.K. Wells, USNR).
Task Unit 76.20.51 was the LSM Unit under T/Cdr. W.E. Verge, USN (COMLSMFLOT 7) which was made up of the following LSM's; USS LSM-54 (Lt. D.L. Newborg, USNR, with T/Cdr. W.E. Verge, USN on board), USS LSM-133 (Lt. C.D. Davis, USNR) and USS LSM-269 (Lt. H.T. Turner, Jr. USNR).
Task Unit 76.20.52 was the LST Unit under Lt. F.P. Lawrence, USNR and was made up of the following LST's; USS LST-562 (Lt. F.P. Lawrence, USNR), USS LST-573 (Lt. G.W. Hessemer, USNR) and USS LST-667 (Lt. W.S. Biernat, USN).
Task Unit 76.20.53 was the LCT / LCM Unit under Lt. DeMoss, USNR (COMLCTGR 74), which was made up the following LCT's; USS LCT-1310, USS LCT-1312, USS LCT-1317 and USS LCT-1331. Also one LCM was attached to this unit.
Task Unit 76.20.54 was the Control Unit under Lt. J.R. Goodrich, USNR. It was made up of the patrol vessels USS PC-1120 (Lt. J.R. Goodrich, USNR) and USS SC-732 (Lt.(jg) I.L. Mann, Jr., USNR).
Task Unit 76.20.55 was the Support Unit under Lt.Cdr. R.E. Sargent, USNR, which was made up of the following LCS(L)'s; USS LCS(L)-46 (Lt. W.P. McCarthy, USNR), USS LCS(L)-58 (Lt. D. Gregory, USNR), USS LCS(L)-60 (Lt. W.H. White, Jr., USNR), LCI(R)'s; USS LCI(R)-71 (Lt.(jg) C.C. Benson, USNR), USS LCI(R)-72 (Ens. C.R. Weiner, USNR), USS LCI(R)-74 (Ens. V.J. Goerke, USNR), LCI(M)'s USS LCI(M)-359 (Ens. T.S. Adair, USNR), USS LCI(M)-431 (Lt.(jg) J.C. Elkins, USNR) and LCS(L)(S)'s USS LCS(L)-961 (?) and USS LCS(L)-985 (?).

Around 1530I/19, the Lutong Assault Unit departed Brunei Bay for the operation. Escort was proviced by the three destroyers from Task Group 74.1. Commodore Farncomb flew his flag in HMAS Arunta. HMAS Shropshire and HMAS Hobart remained standy-by at Brunei Bay and would be called upon for bombardment duties if needed.

At 0701I/20, the order 'Deploy' was given.

At 0738I/20, USS PC-1120 reported that the ' Line of Departure ' had been established.

At 0830I/20, the destroyers began their bombardment duties.

At 0911I/20, wave 1 departed for the beach led by the Support Craft. Mortar ships began their bombardment duties.

At 0914I/20, the 2nd wave departed for the beach.

At 0917I,20, the 3rd wave departed for the beach.

At 0921I/20, support craft began firing a rocket barrage.

At 0925I/20, the rocket bomberdment ceased.

At 0926I/20, the 4th wave departed for the beach.

At 0930I/20, wave 1 landed.

At 0932I/20, wave 2 landed.

At 0935I/20, wave 3 landed. Also the destroyers ceased their bombardment.

At 0942I/20, wave 4 landed.

at 1014I/20, the Beachmaster requisted that the second assault force be landed.

At 1017I/20, CTU 76.20.50 ordered the second assault for be landed. These troops were were taken in by LCVPs as they became available.

At 1024I/20, LCT's and LCM's were ordered to get underway and beach.

At 1043I/20, USS LCM-269 was sent in to beach and test conditions for unloading.

At 1102I/20, USS LCS(L)-961 and USS LCS(L)-985 were ordered to help broached LCVP's.

At 1123I/20, all troops of the second assault had been landed.

At 1132I/20, the beachmaster reported that an LCVP from USS LST-667 was sunk 15 yards from the beach.

At 1317I/20, LVT's commenced reloading on USS LST-573 and USS LST-562.

At 1415I/20, CTU 76.20.53 reported that USS LCT-1317 completed unloading at 1119I/20, USS LCT-1312 at 1145I/20 and USS LCT-1310 at 1152I/20.

At 1530I/20, the ' Line of Departure ' was dissolved by CTU 76.20.50.

At 1740I/20, USS LCT-1331 completed unloading.

At 1915I/20, USS LSM-54 and USS LSM-133 beached.

At 0400I/21, USS Hart was detached to make rendezvous with HMAS Shropshire and HMAS Hobart in position 05°30'N, 114°45'E. The cruisers departed Brunei Bay around 0630I/21. Rendezvous was effected around 0900I/21 but by then they had been ordered to return to Brunei Bay taking USS Hart with them.

At 0930I/21, CTU 76.20.50 went ashore to observe unloading and to arrange for the return of released POW's to Brunei Bay.

At 1050I/21, the Beachmaster informed CTU 76.20.50 that the reserves would not be needed and may return to Brunei Bay.

At 1325I/21, all LSM's were unloaded and retracted from the beach.

At 1800I/21, Task Unit 76.20.50 got underway to return to Brunei Bay. They were screened by USS Metcalf, USS PC-1120, SC-732 and the minesweepers USS YMS-4 (Lt.(jg) F.D. Bender, USNR), USS YMS-6 (Lt. M. McVickar, USNR), USS YMS-51 (Lt.(jg) A.L. Giesenschlag, USNR), USS YMS-68 (Lt. G.L. O'Neil, USNR), USS YMS-259 (Lt. M. Goedjen, USNR), USS YMS-313 (Lt.(jg) W.H. Reibold, USNR) and USS YMS-340 (Lt. P. Schminke, USNR).

USS LCS(L)-46 and USS LCS(L)-58 remained at Lutong.

At 0645I/22, HMAS Arunta returned to Brunei Bay. Commodore Farncomb then left the destroyer and re-hoisted his broad pendant in HMAS Shropshire.

Task Unit 76.20.50 returned to Brunei Bay in the morning of the 22nd, around 0900I/22.

(4)

22 Jun 1945
Around 1800I/22, HMAS Shropshire (Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, DSO, RN, flying the broad pendant of Commodore H.B. Farncomb, DSO, MVO, RAN), HMAS Hobart (Capt. R.S. Dowling, RAN), HMAS Arunta (Cdr. A.E. Buchanan, DSO, RAN), USS Hart (T/Cdr. W.D. Coleman, USN) and USS Metcalf (T/Cdr. D.L. Martineau, USN) departed Brunei Bay for Tawi Tawi where they arrived around 0800I/24. (3)

27 Jun 1945
In the morning HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) bombarded Japanese shore guns off Balikpapan.

Later that day Tromp joined Task Force 74.1 which was made up of the Australian heavy cruiser HMAS Shropshire (Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, DSO, RN), the Australian light cruiser HMAS Hobart (Capt. R.S. Dowling, RAN), the Australian destroyer HMAS Arunta (Cdr. A.E. Buchanan, DSO, RAN) and the US destroyers USS Hart (Cdr. W.D. Coleman, USN) and USS Metcalf (Cdr. D.L. Martineau, USN). (5)

12 Aug 1945
After fuelling, and with the bulk of Task Force 37 being sent to Manus, Vice-Admiral Rawlings had the following ships left; battleship HMS King George V (Capt. T.E. Halsey, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral H.B. Rawlings, KCB, OBE, RN, 2nd in command British Pacific Fleet), aircraft carrier HMS Indefatigable (Capt. Q.D. Graham, CBE, DSO, RN), light cruisers HMS Newfoundland (Capt. R.W. Ravenhill, CBE, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral E.J.P. Brind, CBE, CB, RN), HMNZS Gambia (Capt. R.A.B. Edwards, CBE, RN), destroyers HMS Troubridge (Capt. G.F. Burghard, RN, Capt. D 24), HMS Teazer (Lt.Cdr. T.F. Taylor, DSC, RN), HMS Tenacious (Lt.Cdr. D.F. Townsend, RN), HMS Termagent (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Scatchard, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Terpsichore (Cdr. R.T. White, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Wakeful (Lt.Cdr. G.D. Pound, DSC, RN), HMS Wrangler (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Warren, RN), HMS Barfleur (Cdr. M.S. Townsend, DSO, DSC and Bar, OBE, RN), HMAS Napier (Capt. H.J. Buchanan, DSO, RAN) and HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN).

This force was now named Task Group 38.5 and was to operate as in integrated unit of the American Task Force 38. As the British Fleet Train had now been streched to the limit and the British had to depend on the Americans for fuel.

Also on this day the battleship HMS Duke of York (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Admiral B.A. Fraser, GCB, KBE, RN, C-in-C British Pacific Fleet) and the destroyers HMS Wager (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Watkin, RN) and HMS Whelp (Cdr. G.A.F. Norfolk, RN) departed Guam to join Task Group 38.5 off Japan.

At 0815/13, HMS Indefatigable launched her first strike aircraft to attack targets in the Tokyo area. A second strike was flow off at 1315/13 but the selected targets could not be attacked due to the unsuitable weather conditions.

On this day only 4 luggers were claimed sunk. Some buildings, locomotives and other rolling stock were claimed to have been damaged.

During the day a total of 21 enemy aircraft were shot down by the Combat Air Patrol while trying to approach the fleet.

At 1815/13 flying operations had ceased and course was set to position 31°45'N, 144°00'E to refuel.

During the 14th, Task Group 38.5 fuelled from American tankers. At 1710/14, they set course to return to the operations area. It was noted by Vice-Admiral Rawlings that the state of equipment and efficiency of American tankers was much higher then the British ones. The Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary had much to learn on this subject.

At 0400/15, HMS Indefatigable launched her first strike aircraft from position 34°00'N, 142°00'E to attack targets in the Tokyo area. They were unable to attack the selected target due to bad weather in that erea but they spotted a camouflaged factory so it was decided to attack this factory instead. It was successfully bombed. The strike aircraft were intercepted by 12 Japanese fighters but 4 of these were shot down by the escorting fighters while 4 more were probably shot down. One Seafire did not return and one Avenger had to ditch due to being heavily damaged.

At 0700/15, a signal was received that all further strikes were cancelled for the moment.

Four hours later news was received that the Japanese had accepted the Allied peace terms and that all offensive operations had to cease.

At 1120/15, two bombs fell close to HMS Indefatigable as a Japanese aircraft had penetrated the defences unnoticed.

Task Force 38 then set course to proceed to position 32°45'N, 143°20'E to await further instructions.

On the 16th HMS Duke of York, HMS Wager and HMS Whelp joined Task Group 38.5. Vice-Admiral Rawlings however remained in tactical command of the Task Force.

On the 17th, Task Group 38.5 set course to proceed to position ' British Drink ' (32°25'N, 143°30'E) for an underway replenishment by ships from the British Fleet Train.

At 0200/18, they made rendezvous with the tankers San Adolpho (7365 GRT, built 1935), San Ambrosio (7410 GRT, built 1935) and Wave Governor (8190 GRT, built 1945), stores ship Fort Wrangell (7213 GRT, built 1944), escort carrier HMS Ruler (Capt. H.P. Currey, OBE, RN) and their escorts, the sloop HMS Ruler (Capt. H.P. Currey, OBE, RN), frigates HMS Odzani (A/Lt.Cdr. J.N. Burgess, RANVR), HMS Usk (T/A/Lt.Cdr. G.B. Medlycott, RNR) and the minesweepers/corvettes HMAS Ballarat (A/Cdr. N.R. Read, RAN) and HMAS Burnie (Lt.Cdr. E.M. Andrewartha, RANR).

Fuelling commenced at daylight and continued until 1700/18. The tankers San Adolpho (7365 GRT, built 1935) and San Ambrosio (7410 GRT, built 1935) were empty now and were ordered to proceed to Leyte to refil escorted by HMS Usk and HMAS Burnie.

At dawn on the 19th fuelling continued but now only from the Wave Governor.

Replenishment continued during the 20th. During the day the escort carrier HMS Speaker (A/Capt. U.H.R. James, RN) arrived with aircraft replenishments. She was being escorted by the destroyer HMS Queenborough (Cdr. P.L. Saumarez, DSC and Bar, RN). The escort carrier was ordered to transfer all possible aircraft to HMS Indefatigable and HMS Ruler and then prepare to embark Allied POW's from when the Fleet was able to put into Tokyo Bay.

Also the tanker Carelia (8082 GRT, built 1938) joined the Logistics Group. She was being escorted by the minesweepers/corvettes HMAS Cessnock (Lt. A.G. Chapman, RANR(S)) and HMAS Pirie (Lt. C.K. Mackenzie, RANVR). The tanker Wave Governor was then ordered to proceed to Ulithi for rapid refilling and return as soon as possible. She was being escorted by HMS Odzani.

In the afternoon Task Group 38.5 was disbanded and the ships were diveded over two American Task Forces; HMS Indefatigable, HMS Troubridge, HMS Teazer, HMS Tenacious, HMS Termagent, HMS Terpsichore, HMS Wakeful, HMS Wrangler and HMS Barfleur were ordered to join Task Group 38.3 while HMS Duke of York, HMS King George V, HMS Newfoundland, HMNZS Gambia, HMAS Napier, HMAS Nizam, HMS Wager and HMS Whelp joined Task Group 38.4.

On 21 August, Task Force 38, proceeded to the south-west to position 30°30'N, 142°00'E to continue replenishment with typhoon warnings meanwhile coming in. The Logistics Group remained near area ' British Drink ' though. HMS Queenborough had collected mails and was ordered to proceed to Manus via Ulithi.

On 22 August, the destroyers were topped up with fuel and aerial photogaphs were taken off the fleet.

At daylight on 23 August, the British destroyers were topped up with fuel by HMS Duke of York and HMS King George V. At noon the fleet was now in position 33°35'N, 144°08'E. In the afternoon the plan to enter Japanese waters was received and as a consequence HMS Duke of York was detached with HMS Wager and HMS Whelp to form Task Group 30.2 and join the US flagship USS Missouri which formed Task Group 30.1 together with some destroyers.

HMS King George V, HMS Newfoundland, HMNZS Gambia, HMAS Napier and HMAS Nepal formed Task Force 37 again. They were reinforced by two US destroyers, USS Uhlmann (T/Cdr. S.C. Small, USN) and USS Benham (T/Lt.Cdr. W.L. Poindexter, USN).

On August 24th, the ships upperworks were painted and some efforts were made to remove the signs that the ships had been at sea for a long time. The destroyers conducted some exercises.

At daylight on August 25th, the destroyers, including the two US destroyers, were topped up by HMS King George V, HMS Newfoundland and HMNZS Gambia. In the late afternoon or early evening HMAS Quickmatch (Cdr. J.K. Walton, RAN) arrived from Manus with mail and fuelled from HMS King George V while transferring the mail. Later a signal was received to close the Japanese Coast.

On the 26th a signal was received to return to the previous area as weather was still unsuitable to enter Japanese waters. HMAS Quickmatch was ordered to join the Logistics Group and transfer and collect their mails and then return to the southwards. In the afternoon a signal was received to enter Japanese waters (Sagami Wan) on 27 August and Tokyo Bay on 30 August so course was set to get closer to the coast.

On the 27th Task Force 37 entered Sagami Wan and around 1450/27 anchored in their assigned berths. The two US destroyers were ordered to rejoin the US Fleet.

The 28th was spent painting and cleaning the ships. Also the hospital ship Tjitjalengka (10972 GRT, built 1939) arrived and anchored in Sagami Wan. She was being escorted by the sloop HMS Crane (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Jenkins, DSC, RN).

On the 29th Task Goups 30.1 and 30.2, the American and British flagship groups entered Tokyo Bay at daylight, so HMS Duke of York, HMS Wager and HMS Whelp were the first British ships to enter Tokyo Bay.

On 30 August, HMS Teazer and HMS Terpsichore, which both had minor defects, entered Sagami Wan and joined Task Force 37. Also the destroyer HMS Quality (Cdr. the Viscount Jocelyn, RN) joined at daylight, coming from Manus. She was the first destroyer to arrive from the destroyers sent to relieve those still at sea with HMS Indefatigabele.

Later on the day, HMS King George V, HMS Quality, HMAS Napier and HMAS Nizam were ordered to enter Tokyo Bay. They anchored off Yokohama. HMS Teazer and HMS Terpsichore also entered Tokyo Bay and secured alongside the battleships to make good their defects. HMS Quality, after having fuelled was sent out to sea to join HMS Indefatigable while HMS Speaker, now fitted out to embark POW's, entered Tokyo Bay.

On 31 August 1945, more British and Commonwealth ships entered Tokyo Bay, these were HMS Newfoundland, HMNZS Gambia from Sagami Wan and HMAS Shropshire (Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, DSO, RN), HMAS Hobart (Capt. R.S. Dowling, RAN), HMAS Warramunga (Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) and HMAS Bataan (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) which came from Okinawa.

Also ships from the Logistics Group entered Tokyo Bay, these were the tankers Carelia, Dingledale (8145 GRT, built 1941), Wave King (8159 GRT, built 1944), stores ship Fort Wrangell, escort carrier HMS Ruler, sloop HMS Crane, HMS Pheasant (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Palmer, RN), HMS Woodcock (A/Lt.Cdr. S.J. Parsons, DSC, RN), frigate HMS Derg (Lt.Cdr. N.B.J. Stapleton, RD, RNR) and the minesweepers/corvettes HMAS Cessnock, HMAS Pirie and HMAS Ipswich (T/Lt. R.H. Creasey, RANR(S)).

On September 1st, HMS Tenacious entered Tokyo Bay having been relieved by HMS Quality. HMS Speaker reported that she had 35 officers and 340 other ranks of former POW's that had already arrived on board. Most of them were in bad shape.

At 0930 hours on 2 September the formal ceremony of surrender took place on board USS Missouri. The war had ended.