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Light cruiser HMS Curacoa (D 41)

24 Apr 1940
After four days serving as AA protection off Aldansnes, Norway HMS Curacoa (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) is seriously damaged by bombs from German aircraft. Repairs lasted into August. (1)

Light cruiser HMS Newcastle (76)

18 Aug 1940
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) made six runs over the DG range in Cawsand Bay. (2)

22 Aug 1940
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN), HMS Volunteer (Lt.Cdr. N. Lanyon, RN) and HMS Wolverine (Cdr. R.H. Craske, RN) conducted exercises off Plymouth. (2)

23 Aug 1940
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN), HMS Volunteer (Lt.Cdr. N. Lanyon, RN) and HMS Wolverine (Cdr. R.H. Craske, RN) conducted exercises off Plymouth.

In the evening night exercises were carried out by HMS Newcastle, HMS Vansittart (Lt.Cdr. W. Evershed, RN) and HMS Wolverine. (2)

11 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN), ORP Burza (Lt.Cdr. W. Francki) and ORP Blyscawica (Lt.Cdr. S. Hryniewiecki) conducted exercises off Plymouth. (3)

18 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN), ORP Burza (Lt.Cdr. W. Francki), HMS Mackay (Cdr. G.H. Stokes, RN) and HMS Vansittart (Lt.Cdr. R.L.S. Gaisford, RN) conducted exercises off Plymouth. In the evening the went to sea again for night exercises. (3)

26 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN), ORP Garland (Lt.Cdr. A. Doroszkowski) and ORP Blyscawica (Lt.Cdr. S. Hryniewiecki) conducted exercises off Plymouth. (3)

23 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
From 23 October to 26 October 1940, HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN), was at the Devonport Dockyard to repair some defects. (4)

16 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (5)

17 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) departed Gibraltar for Malta. (5)

19 Nov 1940
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) arrived at Malta where the RAF personnel and stores were disembarked. (5)

1 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) departed Gibraltar for Freetown. She was now assigned to the South Atlantic Station. (6)

6 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) arrived at Freetown. (6)

10 Dec 1940
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) departed Freetown for patrol in the South Atlantic (Rio de Janeiro area). (6)

21 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During the afternoon, HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN), fuelled from the RFA tanker Arndale (8296 GRT, built 1937) off São Sebastião, Brazil. On completion she resumed her patrol. (7)

3 Jan 1941
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) arrived at Samborombón Bay, River Plate area where she fuelled from the RFA tanker Arndale (8296 GRT, built 1937). She also received stores from the chartered transport Baltavia (2461 GRT, built 1924). (7)

4 Jan 1941
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) departed Samborombón Bay, River Plate area to continue her patrol in the South Atlantic near the Plate area.

At 1920N/4 HMS Newcastle made rendezvous with HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the flag of Commodore F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) in approximate position 36°30'S, 53°00'W after which they proceeded on patrol in company with each other.

The next day HMS Cumberland proceeded to Samborombón Bay to fuel from the RFA tanker Arndale (8296 GRT, built 1937). (8)

7 Jan 1941
Around 0700N/7, HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the flag of Commodore F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN), having completed fuelling, made rendezvous in approximate position 35°20'S, 53°06'W with HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN). The cruisers then proceeded on patrol in company with each other. (8)

11 Jan 1941
At 1800N/11, HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the flag of Commodore F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) and HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN), parted company with each other in approximate position 35°48'S, 55°00'W.

HMS Cumberland continued the patrol while HMS Newcastle proceeded to the rendezvous to fuel. (8)

12 Jan 1941
During the day, HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN), fuelled in Samborombón Bay, River Plate area from the RFA tanker Arndale (8296 GRT, built 1937). (9)

13 Jan 1941
Around 2030N/13, HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the flag of Commodore F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) and HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) made rendezvous in approximate position 34°55'S, 53°48'W. The cruisers then proceeded on patrol in company with each other. (8)

15 Jan 1941
Around 0100Z/15, a Walrus aircraft from HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) force landed near Punta del Elste, Uruguay. The aircraft sank on landing and its crew were rescued but interned.

Later around 0400Z/15, HMS Newcastle and HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) parted company. (10)

20 Jan 1941
Around 0900N/20, HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) and HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) made rendezvous in approximate position 29°03'S, 42°24'W. The cruisers then proceeded on patrol in company with each other. (11)

21 Jan 1941
At 1420N/21, HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) and HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) parted company with each other. (8)

23 Jan 1941
During the day, HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN), fuelled in Samborombón Bay, River Plate area from the RFA tanker Arndale (8296 GRT, built 1937). Upon completion of fuelling course was set to proceed to Buenos Aires, Argentina. (9)

24 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) arrived at Buenos Aires, Argentina. (9)

25 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) departed Buenos Aires, Argentina for patrol. (9)

30 Jan 1941
In the evening, HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) and HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) made rendezvous in approximate position 35°27'S, 52°55'W. The cruisers then proceeded on patrol in company with each other. (8)

6 Feb 1941
During the night of 6/7 February 1941, HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) fuelled from HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) near São Sebastião, Brazil.

Upon completion they resumed their patrol. (12)

12 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0730ON(+1.5)/12, HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) and HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) arrived in Samborombón Bay, River Plate area to fuel and store from the RFA tanker Arndale (8296 GRT, built 1937).

The cruisers departed again around 0700ON/13, to resume their patrol. (12)

21 Feb 1941
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) and HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) arrived in Samborombón Bay, River Plate area to fuel from the RFA tanker Arndale (8296 GRT, built 1937). (12)

22 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) proceeded from Samborombón Bay to Montevideo. (13)

23 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) departed Montevideo for patrol.

Around 1700O/23 she made rendezvous with HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN). The two cruisers then continued their patrol in company with each other. (12)

26 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2200O/26, HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) and HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) parted company.

HMS Cumberland set course for Port Stanley, Falkland Islands. HMS Newcastle continued her patrol. (12)

4 Mar 1941
During the day, HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN), fuelled in Samborombón Bay, River Plate area from the RFA tanker Arndale (8296 GRT, built 1937). On completion of fuelling she departed again to resume her patrol off the River Plate. (14)

7 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) arrived at Montevideo, Uruguay. (14)

8 Mar 1941
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) proceeded from Montevideo to Samborombón Bay where she was joined by HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) returning from the Falkland Islands.

They departed late in the evening for patrol. (15)

13 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During the day, HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) and HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN), fuelled from the RFA tanker Broomdale (8334 GRT, built 1937) in Samborombón Bay, River Plate area. They departed for patrol early the following day. (12)

17 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) and HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) made rendezvous north-east of the River Plate with HMS Asturias (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN). HMS Cumberland and HMS Newcastle then transferred some personnel and mail to HMS Asturias. A tactical exercise was then carried out on completion of which HMS Asturias parted company to proceed to Beunos Aires. (16)

24 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1600O/24, HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) and HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) parted company. HMS Newcastle then joined the RFA tanker Arndale (8296 GRT, built 1937) and escorted her to the anchorage near São Sebastião, Brazil where they arrived shortly before midnight. HMS Cumberland remained on patrol in the area. (15)

25 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0520O/24, HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) commenced fueling from the RFA tanker Arndale (8296 GRT, built 1937) off São Sebastião, Brazil. Shortly afterwards HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) also arrived she fuelled after HMS Newcastle had completed doing so.

Both cruisers departed for patrol (in company) late in the evening. (15)

25 Mar 1941

Convoy WS 7.

This convoy was assembled off Oversay on 25 March 1941 for several destinations in the Middle and Far East.

This convoy was made up of the following troopships / transports; Andes (British, 25689 GRT, built 1939), Dempo (Dutch, 17024 GRT, built 1931), Denbighshire (British, 8983 GRT, built 1938), Duchess of Atholl (British, 20119 GRT, built 1928), Duchess of York (British, 20021 GRT, built 1929), Empress of Canada (British, 21517 GRT, built 1922), Georgic (British, 27759 GRT, built 1932), Glenorchy (British, 8982 GRT, built 1939), Johan van Oldenbarnevelt (Dutch, 19429 GRT, built 1930), Orcades (British, 23456 GRT, built 1937), Orion (British, 23371 GRT, built 1935), Otranto (British, 20026 GRT, built 1925), Pasteur (British, 29253 GRT, built 1938), Stirling Castle (British, 25550 GRT, built 1936), Strathaird (British, 22281 GRT, built 1932), Strathallan (British, 23722 GRT, built 1938), Stratheden (British, 23722 GRT, built 1937), Strathmore (British, 23428 GRT, built 1935), Strathnaver (British, 22283 GRT, built 1931), Viceroy of India (British, 19627 GRT, built 1929) and Warwick Castle (British, 20107 GRT, built 1930).

These ships had come from Liverpool and from the Clyde. While proceeding to the Oversay rendezvous (from the Clyde) the Strathaird collided with the Stirling Castle and was forced to return due to the damage sustained. The Stirling Castle also had damage but was able to continue.

On departure from the U.K. waters the convoy was escorted by the battleships HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN) (came from Scapa Flow), HMS Revenge (Capt. E.R. Archer, RN) (came from the Clyde), light cruiser HMS Edinburgh (Commodore C.M. Blackman, DSO, RN) (came from the Clyde), AA cruiser HMS Cairo (A/Capt. I.R.H. Black, RN) (came from Moelfre Bay) and the destroyers HMS Somali (Capt. C. Caslon, RN), HMS Bedouin (Cdr. J.A. McCoy, DSO, RN), HMS Mashona (Cdr. W.H. Selby, RN), HMS Matabele (Cdr. R.St.V. Sherbrooke, DSO, RN), HMS Legion (Cdr. R.F. Jessel, RN), ORP Piorun (Kmdr.por. (Cdr.) E.J.S. Plawski), HMS Broadwater (Lt.Cdr. W.M.L. Astwood, RN) (these destroyers came with the Clyde section of the convoy), HMS Whitehall (Lt.Cdr. A.B. Russell, RN), HMS Winchelsea (Lt.Cdr. W.A.F. Hawkins, DSC, RN) (came with the Liverpool section of the convoy), HMS Viceroy (Lt.Cdr. D.P. Trentham, RN), HMS Rockingham (Lt. A.H.T. Johns, RN), Léopard (Lt.Cdr. J. Evenou) (came from Londonderry), HMS Arrow (Cdr. R.E. Hyde-Smith, RN), HMS Eclipse (Lt.Cdr. I.T. Clark, RN), HMS Eskimo (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) (had come from Scapa Flow with HMS Nelson) and HMCS St. Clair (Lt.Cdr. D.C. Wallace, RCNR) (came from Tobermory).

On assembly of the convoy, around 0800A/25, the destroyers HMS Winchelsea, HMS Arrow, HMS Eclipse and HMS Eskimo first proceeded to Londonderry to fuel. All rejoined the convoy later the same day, HMS Winchelsea at 1330A/25, at the same time HMCS St. Clair also joined. HMS Arrow, HMS Eclipse and HMS Eskimo rejoined around 1830A/25.

Around 2130A/26, HMS Winchelsea, HMS Viceroy, HMS Rockingham, HMS Legion, ORP Piorun and Léopard parted company with the convoy in position 54°05'N, 20°41'W.

Around 2200A/26, HMS Cairo also parted company with the convoy.

Around 2130A/27, HMS Arrow and HMS Eclipse parted company with the convoy to return to Scapa Flow via Londonderry. They arrived at Londonderry to fuel on the 29th and then left at 1100A/30 for Scapa Flow where they arrived around 0400A/31.

Around 0830A/28, HMS Broadwater and HMCS St. Clair parted company with the convoy in position 52°52'N, 23°54'W.

Around 1200A/28, HMS Somali, HMS Bedouin,HMS Eskimo, HMS Mashona and HMS Matabele parted company with the convoy in position 46°54'N, 27°50'W. They then set course to proceed to Scapa Flow where they arrived around 1425A/31.

Around 1230A/28, HMS Revenge parted company taking Georgic with her to escort her to Halifax.

Around 2200A/29, HMS Edinburgh parted company with the convoy to proceed to Gibraltar.

Around 1000A/1, the destroyers HMS Duncan (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Rowell, RN) and HMS Foxhound (Cdr. G.H. Peters, DSC, RN) joined the convoy coming from Bathurst.

Around 1350A/2, the destroyers HMS Wishart (Cdr. E.T. Cooper, RN) and HMS Vidette (Lt. E.N. Walmsley, RN) joined the convoy also coming from Bathurst.

The convoy arrived at Freetown on 4 April 1941.

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The convoy departed Freetown for South Africa (Capetown and Durban) on 7 April 1941. The composition of the convoy was the same in which it had arrived at Freetown.

Escort on departure was also the same as on the convoy's arrival, battleship HMS Nelson, HMS Foxhound, HMS Duncan, HMS Wishart and HMS Vidette.

In the evening of April 7th, HMS Foxhound, picked up three crewmembers from the merchant vessel Umona that had been torpedoed and sunk on 30 March 1941 by the German submarine U-124.

At 0830Z/8 HMS Foxhound parted company with the convoy to return to Freetown due to defects.

The remaining three destroyers parted company at 1800Z/9 to return to Freetown.

Around 1430B/15, the light cruiser HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) joined the convoy in position 30°30'S, 14°23'E and took over the escort. HMS Nelson then parted company to proceed to Capetown to fuel and then on to Simonstown for repairs to her leaking hull.

At 0900B/16, the convoy split up in position 33°53'S, 17°47'E in a Capetown portion and a Durban portion.

The Durban position was made up of the Denbighshire, Glenorchy, Johan van Oldenbarnevelt, Orontes, Otranto, Stirling Castle, Strathnaver, Viceroy of India and Warwick Castle. HMS Newcastle remained with this section until its arrival at Durban on 19 April 1941.

The remaining ships made up the Capetown section and arrived there on 16 April 1941. Dempo later went on independently to Durban arriving there on 20 April 1941.

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On 20 April 1941 the Capetown portion of the convoy departed. It was made up of the Andes, Duchess of Athol, Duchess of York, Empress of Canada, Orcades, Orion, Pasteur, Strathallan, Stratheden, and Strathmore. They were escorted by the cruiser HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN).

On 23 April 1941 the Durban portion of the convoy departed. It was made up of the Dempo, Denbighshire, Empress of Australia, Glenorchy, Johan van Oldenbarnevelt, Orontes, Otranto, Strathnaver, Viceroy of India and Warwick Castle. They were escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Carthage (Capt.(Retd.) H.L.I. Kirkpatrick, OBE, RN). The Stirling Castle which had arrived with the Durban section sailed on 26 April indepedently to Melbourne, Australia where she arrived on 10 May 1941.

These groups made rendezvous at 0900C/24 after which HMS Carthage parted company while HMS Hawkins continued on with the convoy.

Around 1600C/28, HMS Hawkins was relieved by the light cruisers HMS Glasgow (Capt. H. Hickling, RN) and HMS Colombo (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) which both had departed Mombasa earlier that day.

On 1 May the Bombay section of the convoy split off. it was made up of the Duchess of York, Johan van Oldebarnevelt, Strathmore and Warwick Castle. HMS Colombo went with them as escort. They arrived at Bombay on 5 May 1941.

The remainder of the convoy continued on, escorted by HMS Glasgow until it was dispersed on 3 May after which the ships proceeded independently to Suez. (17)

1 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1645PO(+2.5)/1, HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) and HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) parted company.

HMS Cumberland then set course to proceed to Montevideo, Uruguay while HMS Newcastle remained on patrol. (18)

3 Apr 1941
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) arrived at Samborombón Bay where she fuelled from the RFA tanker Broomdale (8334 GRT, built 1937).

Very late in the evening she departed for patrol in company with HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN). (19)

8 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1815ON(+1.5)/8, HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) and HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN), parted company with each other.

HMS Cumberland is to continue her patrol while HMS Newcastle is to proceed to St. Helena to fuel and then proceed on convoy escort duty. (18)

12 Apr 1941
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) arrived at St. Helena to fuel. She departed later the same day to join convoy WS 7.

For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 7 ' for 25 March 1941.] (19)

21 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) arrived at Simonstown for refit. (19)

26 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) is docked in the Selborne graving dock at the Simonstown Dockyard. (19)

12 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) is undocked. (20)

13 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) conducted 4" gunnery exercises in Flase Bay. (20)

14 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) departed Simonstown for a patrol in the South Atlantic which was to end at Freetown. (20)

18 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0918N/18, while in position 21°31'S, 05°56'W, HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) sighted a merchant vessel ahead which turned out to be the Vichy-French Lieutenant St.Loubert Bie (5878 GRT, built 1911) en route from France to Indo-China. The French ship is ordered to stop and a round had to be fired across her bow to make her do so. She was then boarded and placed under armed guard. Capt. Aylmer decided to escort the ship to Freetown.

Later the same day HMS Newcastle was ordered to take the Vichy ship to Simonstown. The armed merchant cruiser HMS Pretoria Castle (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.V. Hemming, RN) was ordered to make rendezvous with HMS Newcastle and take over the escort of the Vichy ship.

Around 0640N/19, the Vichy ship was turned over to HMS Pretoria Castle in position 22°18'S, 04°15'W.

HMS Newcastle then set course to proceed to a rendezvous with HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the flag of Commodore F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) to take over from her in the South America Division. (21)

27 May 1941
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) arrived at Samborombón Bay, River Plate area where she joined HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) and the RFA tanker Abbeydale (8299 GRT, built 1937). Shortly afterwards the armed merchant cruiser HMS Asturias (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) also arrived from Rio de Janeiro.

HMS Newcastle fuelled from the Abbeydale and Rear-Admiral Pegram transferred his flag to her.

Around 2100P, HMS Newcastle and HMS Cumberland proceeded on patrol in company with each other.

One hours later, HMS Asturias also left for patrol in the river plate focal area. (22)

29 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1155P/29, HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) and HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) parted company with each other. HMS Cumberland was to proceed to Freetown and eventually to the U.K. to refit. HMS Newcastle continued her patrol. (23)

31 May 1941
Around noon (zone PO = +2.5), HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) made rendezvous with HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) south-west of Rio de Janeiro in position 25°33'S, 44°31'W. Shortly afterwards they both proceeded to patrol the area but not in company with each other. (24)

3 Jun 1941
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) fuelled from the RFA tanker Abbeydale (8299 GRT, built 1937) near São Sebastião, Brazil.

On completion HMS Newcastle continued her patrol. (25)

5 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) arrived at Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. (25)

7 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) departed Rio de Janeiro to continue her patrol. (25)

10 Jun 1941
During the night of 10/11 June 1941, HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) fuelled from the RFA tanker Abbeydale (8299 GRT, built 1937) near São Sebastião, Brazil. On completion of the fuelling she continued her patrol. (25)

20 Jun 1941
During the afternoon and early evening, HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN), fuelled from the RFA tanker Broomdale (8334 GRT, built 1937) near Armação dos Búzios, Brazil. On completion of the fuelling she continued her patrol. (25)

1 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
in the late afternoon and evening, HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) fuelled from the RFA tanker Abbeydale (8299 GRT, built 1937) near São Sebastião, Brazil. On completion of the fuelling she continued her patrol. (26)

8 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) arrived at Montevideo, Uruguay. (26)

10 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) departed Montevideo, Uruguay for Samborombón Bay, River Plate area. (26)

11 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) fuelled at Samborombón Bay from the RFA tanker Abbeydale (8299 GRT, built 1937). On completion of the fuelling HMS Newcastle proceeded on patrol. (26)

14 Jul 1941
Around 1000PQ(+3.5)/14, HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) made rendezvous with HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN). Both ships remained in company on patrol until around 1730PQ/15. In the meantime multiple exercises had been carried out.

In the upcoming days the ships sighted / or were in company with each other during daytime while patrolling the River Plate area. (27)

20 Jul 1941
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) fuelled at Samborombón Bay from the RFA tanker Broomdale (8334 GRT, built 1937). On completion of the fuelling HMS Newcastle proceeded to continue her patrol in the River Plate area often in company with HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) during daytime. (26)

25 Jul 1941
Around 0945PQ(+3.5)/25, HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) intercepted the German merchant vessel Erlangen (6101 GRT, built 1929) south-east off the River Plate estuary in approximate position 41°00'S, 50°00'W. However before the ship could be captured the ship was set on fire by its own crew. Salavage attempts were undertaken but these were unsuccessful. In the evening sight was lost of the Erlangen due to the bad visibility and as she could not be found the next morning she must have sunk during the night of 25/26 July.

27 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0830PQ(+3.5)/27, HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) made rendezvous with HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) in approximate position 40°00'S, 53°00'W. Both ships then proceeded in company to Samborombón Bay, River Plate area. (27)

28 Jul 1941
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) and HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) arrived in Samborombón Bay, River Plate area. There HMS Newcastle transferred the German prisoners from the Erlangen to HMS Carnarvon Castle.

Also both ships fuelled from the RFA tanker Broomdale (8334 GRT, built 1937). (27)

29 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
On completion of fuelling, HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) departed Samborombón Bay for patrol. (26)

5 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) arrived at Buenos Aires, Argentina. (28)

7 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) departed Buenos Aires for Samborombón Bay. (28)

8 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) fuelled in Samborombón Bay from the RFA tanker Broomdale (8334 GRT, built 1937). On completion of fuelling HMS Newcastle proceeded on patrol. (28)

13 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) arrived in Samborombón Bay where she fuelled from the RFA tanker Broomdale (8334 GRT, built 1937). (28)

14 Aug 1941
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) is joined in Samborombón Bay by her sister ship HMS Birmingham (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN).

Rear-Admiral Pegram then transferred his flag and staff to HMS Birmingham as HMS Newcastle was to proceed to the USA to refit there.

HMS Birmingham also fuelled from the RFA tanker Broomdale (8334 GRT, built 1937).

Both cruisers then departed Samborombón Bay for patrol armound midnight during the night of 14/15 August 1941. (29)

18 Aug 1941
HMS Birmingham (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) and HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) made rendezvous around 0630P/18, in approximate position 24°16'S, 45°18'W with HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN). HMS Newcastle then took over German prisoners from the Carnarvon Castle for transportation to Freetown.

The cruisers parted company with the armed merchant cruiser around 1000P/18. HMS Carnarvon Castle then set course to proceed to Montevideo. (30)

19 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1500O/19, HMS Birmingham (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) and HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) parted company with each other. HMS Birmingham continued her patrol. HMS Newcastle set course to proceed to Freetown. (29)

26 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) arrived at Freetown. (28)

2 Sep 1941
Around 1100ON(+1.5)/2, HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) joined the troopship Durban Castle (17388 GRT, built 1938) and the armed merchant cruiser Queen of Bermuda (Capt. A.T.G.C. Peachey, RN) on their passage to Trinidad.

On board the Durban Castle was the Greek Royal family. (31)

9 Sep 1941
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN), Queen of Bermuda (Capt. A.T.G.C. Peachey, RN) and the troopship Durban Castle (17388 GRT, built 1938), with the Greek Royal family on board, arrived at Trinidad. (31)

10 Sep 1941
The troopship Durban Castle (17388 GRT, built 1938), with the Greek Royal family on board, departed Trinidad for the U.K. She was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) and the armed merchant cruiser Queen of Bermuda (Capt. A.T.G.C. Peachey, RN).

HMS Newcastle was to proceed to Bermuda but was to escort the troopship part of the way. HMS Queen of Bermuda was to escort the troopship a little longer, until being relieved by an escort joining from the U.K. (32)

15 Sep 1941
Around 1430P/10, HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN), parted company in position 34°58'N, 46°30'W, with the troopship Durban Castle (17388 GRT, built 1938) and the armed merchant cruisers Queen of Bermuda (Capt. A.T.G.C. Peachey, RN) and HMCS Prince David (Cdr. K.F. Adams, RCN).

HMCS Prince David had joined them at 1100P/10.

HMS Newcastle then set course for Bermuda while the other ships continued their passage towards the U.K. (32)

17 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) made a short stop at Bermuda where she disembarked her sole remaining Walrus aircraft and landed the crew of the aircraft as wel as FAA personnel.

Later the same day HMS Newcastle departed Bermuda for the Boston Navy Yard where she was to refit. (33)

19 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) arrived at the Boston Navy Yard. (33)

25 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) completed deammunitioning and commenced her refit at the Boston Navy Yard. (33)

31 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) is docked in No.3 Dock at the Boston Navy Yard. (34)

19 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) is undocked. (35)

12 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
With her refit completed, HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN), departed the Boston Navy Yard for Norfolk, Virginia. (36)

14 Dec 1941
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) arrived at Norfolk, Virginia where she ran over the DG range before proceeding to Chesapeake Bay. (36)

15 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) conducted D/F calibration trials in Chesapeake Bay. (36)

16 Dec 1941
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) conducted compass adjustment tests at Chesapeake Bay upon completion of which she set course for Bermuda. (36)

18 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) arrived at Bermuda. (36)

19 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) departed Bermuda for exercises (mostly for gunnery). She returned to Bermuda the following day. (36)

21 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) departed Bermuda for the Devonport Dockyard at Plymouth where new equipment is to be fitted which had not been possible in the USA. (36)

29 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) arrived at the Devonport Dockyard. (36)

27 Jan 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) conducted D/F calibration trials off Plymouth upon completion of which she departed Plymouth for Scapa Flow. (37)

29 Jan 1942
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow for a post-refit work-up period.

[As the logbooks for the period of February to August 1942 are not available for HMS Newcastle some details for these months might be missing.] (37)

13 Feb 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Greenock. (38)

14 Feb 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) arrived at Greenock. (39)

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