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Destroyer HMS Kelly (F 01)

23 Aug 1939
At 1529 hours HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) is commissioned and then immediately departed the Tyne for the Chatham Dockyard. (1)

24 Aug 1939
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, RN) arrived at the Chatham Dockyard around 1000 hours to complete outfitting and provisioning. (1)

28 Aug 1939
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) shifted from the Chatham Dockyard to Sheerness. Later the same day she departed Sheerness for Portsmouth. (1)

29 Aug 1939
Shortly after 1400 hours, HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN), arrived at Portsmouth. (1)

30 Aug 1939
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) departed Portsmouth for Portland. (1)

31 Aug 1939
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) arrived at Portland to commence her working up period. (1)

1 Sep 1939
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) conducted trials and exercises off Portland. (2)

2 Sep 1939
In the evening HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) conducted night exercises off Portland. (2)

6 Sep 1939
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) conducted exercises off Portland. (2)

12 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) departed Portland shortly before noon for Cherbourg, France where she embarked the Duke and Duchess of Windsor and members of their staff. Course was then set for Portsmouth where she arrived in the evening. (2)

13 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) shifted from Portsmouth to Plymouth. (2)

16 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The light cruisers HMS Caradoc (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN), HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) and the destroyer HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) departed Plymouth for a patrol in the Western Approaches. (2)

19 Sep 1939
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) returned to Plymouth. (2)

20 Sep 1939
The aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. F.E.P. Hutton, RN) flew off all her aircraft off Plymouth. During the flying off she was escorted by the destroyers HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) and HMS Ardent (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Barker, RN). Upon completion of the flying off HMS Hermes and HMS Ardent returned to Plymouth while Kelly proceeded to Portland.

HMS Hermes went to the Devonport Dockyard on her return to Plymouth. (2)

21 Sep 1939

Convoy SL 2.

This convoy departed Freetown on 21 September 1939. It was split into several sections at sea at dusk on 7 October 1939 and the ships then proceeded to several ports of arrival in the U.K.

This convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Apapa (British, 9332 GRT, built 1927), Athelduchess (British (tanker), 8940 GRT, built 1929), Athelprincess (British (tanker), 8882 GRT, built 1929), City of Karachi (British, 7140 GRT, built 1937), Clan Macindoe (British, 4635 GRT, built 1920), Clearton (British, 5219 GRT, built 1919), Forresbank (British, 5155 GRT, built 1925), Grangepark (British, 5132 GRT, built 1919), Leonian (British, 5424 GRT, built 1936), Nurtureton (British, 6272 GRT, built 1929), Port Hardy (British, 8705 GRT, built 1923), Shakespear (British, 5029 GRT, built 1926), Urbino (British, 5198 GRT, built 1918) and Warlaby (British, 4876 GRT, built 1927).

Escort was provided on leaving Freetown by the light cruiser HMS Despatch (Commodore 2nd cl. A. Poland, DSO, RN) which remained with the convoy until 28 September (0605A/28). On 21 September A/S escort was provided near Freetown by the destroyer HMS Hunter (Lt.Cdr. L. De Villiers, RN).

When approaching the U.K. the destroyers HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, RN) joined the convoy at dawn on 7 October 1940. They were reinforced by early in the evening by HMS Vanoc (Lt.Cdr. J.G.W. Deneys, RN) and HMS Whirlwind (Lt.Cdr. M.B. Ewart-Wentworth, RN). Shorly afterwards the convoy was split.

22 Sep 1939
HMS Jaguar (Lt.Cdr. J.F.W. Hine, RN), HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, RN) conducted night gunnery exercises off Portland.

Before these exercises the destroyers had been involved in A/S sweeps off the area as an enemy submarine was suspected to be present. (2)

25 Sep 1939
The battleships HMS Resolution (Capt. C.H. Knox-Little, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral L.E. Holland, CB, RN) and HMS Revenge (Capt. E.R. Archer, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Portland during which they were escorted by the destroyers HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN), HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, RN) and HMS Jaguar (Lt.Cdr. J.F.W. Hine, RN).

Following these exercises HMS Jaguar departed Portland for the Humber. (2)

26 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, RN) shifted from Portland to Plymouth. (2)

3 Oct 1939

Convoy OA 14.

This convoy departed Southend on 3 October 1939. It was dissolved at sea on 6 October 1939.

This convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Baron Ailsa (British, 3656 GRT, built 1936), City of Windsor (British, 7218 GRT, built 1923), Clan Lamont (British, 7250 GRT, built 1939), Corfell (British, 1802 GRT, built 1934) (to Porstmouth only), Flimston (British, 4674 GRT, built 1925), Fulham II (British, 1596 GRT, built 1936), Ousebridge (British, 5601 GRT, built 1920) and Troutpool (British, 4886 GRT, built 1927).

Escort was provided by the destroyers HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN), HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, RN) which sailed from Plymouth early in the day and then joined the convoy off the Downs. The next day the convoy was joined by HMS Montrose (Cdr. C.R.L. Parry, RN) coming from Portsmouth.

7 Oct 1939
At dawn HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, RN) joined convoy SL 2 coming from Freetown. [See the event 'Convoy SL 2' for 21 September 1939 for more info on the composition of this convoy'.]

At dawn the convoy was split and HMS Kelly and HMS Kingston went with a section up the English Channel. (3)

9 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, RN) arrived at Plymouth from convoy escort duty. (3)

13 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN), HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, RN) and HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN) departed Plymouth. HMS Kelly and HMS Kingston were to proceed towards the Downs for convoy escort duty. HMS Kandahar soon split off and proceeded to Portland to commence her work-up programme there.

HMS Kelly and HMS Kingston joined a convoy at 0800 hours. They remained with the convoy throughout the day. (3)

14 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN), HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, RN) arrived at Dover. (3)

15 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)

Convoy OA 20G.

This convoy departed Southend on 15 October 1939. It merged with convoy OG 20 into convoy OB 3 on 17 October 1939 in position 49°40’N, 07°00’W.

This convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; African Prince (British, 4653 GRT, built 1939), Anthippi N. Michalos (Greek, 3436 GRT, built 1905), Athelcrown (British (tanker), 11999 GRT, built 1929), Baron Fairlie (British, 6706 GRT, built 1925), Bendoran (British, 5567 GRT, built 1910), Benledi (British, 5943 GRT, built 1930), British Colonel (British (tanker), 6999 GRT, built 1921), British Confidence (British (tanker), 8494 GRT, built 1936), British Councillor (British (tanker), 7048 GRT, built 1922), British Workman (British (tanker), 6694 GRT, built 1922), Camerata (British, 4875 GRT, built 1931), Corhampton (British, 2495 GRT, built 1933), Leadgate (British, 2125 GRT, built 1925), Medjerda (British, 4380 GRT, built 1924), Telesfora de Larrinaga (British, 5780 GRT, built 1920), Uskside (British, 2706 GRT, built 1937), Wisla (Polish, 3108 GRT, built 1928) and Woodlark (British, 1501 GRT, built 1928).

Escort was provided by the destroyers HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, RN) which joined the convoy in the Downs at shortly after 1600 hours. They escorted the convoy until 0700/17 when they were relieved by HMS Amazon (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Roper, RN) and HMS Antelope (Lt.Cdr. R.T. White, RN).

17 Oct 1939
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, RN) arrived at Plymouth from convoy escort duties. (3)

20 Oct 1939
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, RN) departed Plymouth for Loch Ewe. (3)

21 Oct 1939
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, RN) arrived at Loch Ewe for duty with the Home Fleet. (3)

23 Oct 1939
HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.M. Forbes, KCB, DSO, RN), HMS Rodney (Capt. E.N. Syfret, RN), battlecruiser HMS Hood (Capt. I.G. Glennie, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.J. Whitworth, CB, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Intrepid (Cdr. J.W. Josselyn, RN), HMS Icarus (Lt.Cdr. C.D. Maud, RN), HMS Ivanhoe (Cdr. B. Jones, RN), HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, RN) departed Loch Ewe for operations in the Norwegian Sea.

[See the event 'Convoy Narvik 1' for 26 October 1939 for more details.]

26 Oct 1939

Convoy Narvik 1.

This convoy departed Narvik, Norway on 26 October 1939. It arrived at Methil on 31 October 1939.

This convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Albuera (British, 3494 GRT, built 1921), Alex (British, 3892 GRT, built 1914), Carperby (British, 4890 GRT, built 1928), Cree (British, 5596 GRT, built 1920), Creekirk (British, 3793 GRT, built 1912), Imperial Monarch (British, 5835 GRT, built 1926), Leo Dawson (British, 4734 GRT, built 1918), Lindenhall (British, 5248 GRT, built 1937), Polzella (British, 4751 GRT, built 1929), Riley (British, 4993 GRT, built 1936), Santa Clara Valley (British, 4685 GRT, built 1928) and Starcross (British, 4662 GRT, built 1936).

Escort / cover for this convoy was provided by the battleships HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.M. Forbes, KCB, DSO, RN), HMS Rodney (Capt. E.N. Syfret, RN), battlecruiser HMS Hood (Capt. I.G. Glennie, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.J. Whitworth, CB, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Intrepid (Cdr. J.W. Josselyn, RN), HMS Icarus (Lt.Cdr. C.D. Maud, RN), HMS Ivanhoe (Cdr. B. Jones, RN), HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, RN). These ships sailed from Loch Ewe at 1800A/23.

On the 25th the destroyer HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Thomas, RN) sailed from Scapa Flow to join the force at sea. HMS Kingston had to be detached to Scapa Flow due to defects on the 28th. On the 29th another destroyer joined the force at sea; HMS Firedrake (Lt.Cdr. S.H. Norris, RN).

Light cruiser HMS Edinburgh (Capt. F.C. Bradley, RN) departed Rosyth on 23 October and joined the cover force at sea around 1200A/24. HMS Aurora (Capt. G.B. Middleton, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.H.C. Hallifax, RN) sailed from Loch Ewe on 23 October and joined the convoy itself off the Norwegian coast around 0130A/26. Destroyers HMS Somali (Capt. R.S.G. Nicholson, DSC, RN), HMS Ashanti (Cdr. W.G. Davis, RN), HMS Tartar (Lt.Cdr. D.E. Holland-Martin, RN) and HMS Fame (Cdr. P.N. Walter, RN) also joined the convoy having sailed from Scapa Flow.

HMS Fame was later detached with two of the merchant vessels as these were to join an Atlantic convoy.

28 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, RN) were detached from the cover force for convoy 'Narvik 1'. HMS Kelly arrived at Sullom Voe to fuel while HMS Kingston is to proceed to Scapa Flow to effect repairs. (3)

29 Oct 1939

Search for the American merchant vessel City of Flint.

The destroyers HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN), HMS Bedouin (Cdr. J.A. McCoy, RN), HMS Eskimo (Cdr. St.J.A. Micklethwait, RN), HMS Matabele (Cdr. G.K. Whitmy-Smith, RN), HMS Fearless (Cdr. K.L. Harkness, RN) and HMS Foxhound (Lt.Cdr. P.H. Hadow, RN) departed Sullom Voe to search of the coast of Norway for the seized US merchant vessel City of Flint (4963 GRT, built 1920) that was on passage to Germany. HMS Fearless and HMS Foxhound were later detached to join the main cover force.

This vessel had been seized on 9 October by the German pocket battleship Deutschland in the North Atlantic while en-route from New York to the U.K. A german prize crew was to take the ship to Germany as it was carrying contraband. The ship was refused entrance into Norwegian waters and was taken to Murmansk where it arrived on 23 October. The German prize crew was interned by the Soviet authorities the next day. On 27 October, the City of Flint was returned to German control and she left the following day and set course to Germany.

Close cover for this destroyer force was provided by the light cruisers HMS Glasgow (Capt. F.H. Pegram, RN) and HMS Newcastle (Capt J. Figgins, RN) which had been diverted during their passage from the Channel area to Rosyth on 1 November.

A larger cover force for the entire operation as well as convoy ON 1 (Methil-Norway) sailed from the Clyde in the morning of November 2nd. It was made up of the battleships HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.M. Forbes, KCB, DSO, RN), HMS Rodney (Capt. E.N. Syfret, RN), battlecruiser HMS Hood (Capt. I.G. Glennie, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.J. Whitworth, CB, DSO, RN) escorted by the destroyers HMS Faulknor (Capt. C.S. Daniel, RN), HMS Foresight (Lt.Cdr. G.T. Lambert, RN), HMS Fortune (Cdr. E.A. Gibbs, RN), HMS Icarus (Lt.Cdr. C.D. Maud, RN), HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Thomas, RN), HMS Foxhound (Lt.Cdr. P.H. Hadow, RN), HMS Ivanhoe (Cdr. B. Jones, RN) and HMS Punjabi (Cdr. J.T. Lean, RN).

The captured merchant ship was however not sighted.

5 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The destroyers HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN), HMS Bedouin (Cdr. J.A. McCoy, RN), HMS Eskimo (Cdr. St.J.A. Micklethwait, RN), HMS Matabele (Cdr. G.K. Whitmy-Smith, RN) all arrived at Scapa Flow from a patrol off the Norwegian coast. All had suffered weather damage. (4)

8 Nov 1939
Having effected some temporary repairs at Scapa Flow, HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN), departed Scapa Flow together with HMS Icarus (Lt.Cdr. C.D. Maud, RN) to search for a reported submarine in Yell Sound near Sullom Voe.

The submarine was not sighted and both destroyers put into Sullum Voe the following afternoon together with HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN) which had been sent out from Scapa Flow on the 9th to also assist in the hunt. (4)

10 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) and HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN) departed Sullom Voe together shortly before 0900 hours to conduct another search off Yell Sound for the suspected submarine. They sighted nothing and arrived together at Scapa Flow around 0800/11.

HMS Icarus (Lt.Cdr. C.D. Maud, RN) also departed Sullom Voe but slightly earlier then the other two destroyers. She then patrolled of Fair Island and arrived at Scapa Flow around 1230/11. (5)

11 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the afternoon HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) and HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN) together conducted exercises at Scapa Flow. (4)

13 Nov 1939
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) and HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN) together conducted torpedo exercises at Scapa Flow. (4)

14 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) and HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN) together conducted exercises at Scapa Flow. (4)

16 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) conducted exercises at Scapa Flow. (4)

17 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) conducted exercises at Scapa Flow. (4)

19 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Hebburn-on-Tyne. (4)

20 Nov 1939
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) arrived at thevHawthorn Leslie shipyard at Hebburn-on-Tyne for repairs to the weather damage she had sustained in early November. (4)

23 Nov 1939
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) is docked at Hebburn-on-Tyne. (4)

8 Dec 1939
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) is undocked. She then continued her repairs / refit at Hebburn-on-Tyne. (6)

14 Dec 1939 (position 55.05, -1.02)
Shortly after 1600 houts, HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN), is badly damaged by a German mine laid by the German destroyers Z 4 / Richard Beitzen, Z 8 / Bruno Heinemann, Z 14 / Friedrich Ihn, Z 15 / Erich Steinbrinck and Z 19 / Hermann Künne off the Tyne in position 55°05'N, 01°02'W during the night of 12/13 December 1939. Repairs were completed in late February 1940.

HMS Kelly had just completed her repairs and had departed the Tyne with HMS Mohawk (Cdr. J.W.M. Eaton, RN) for an A/S hunt. Shortly before noon, two tankers from convoy FN 54 hit mines and were badly damaged in position 55°05'N, 01°07'W. These were the Inverlane (9141 GRT, built 1938) and Atheltemplar (8992 GRT, built 1930). At first it was thought these ships had been torpedoed by an enemy submarine, and the destroyers were sent out at 1400 hours to hunt for the attacker.

At 1530 hours the M/S trawler James Ludford hit mines and sank. It was then clear that the tankers must also have hit mines.

At 1557 hours, the destroyers arrived near the tankers. At 1612 hours HMS Kelly exploded a mine under her stern. Unable to move she was taken in tow by which was later relieved by a tug. THe escort destroyer HMS Woolston (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Phipps, OBE, RN) and the sloops HMS Grimsby (Cdr. K.J. D'Arcy, RN) and HMS Weston (Cdr.(Retd.) A.G. Davidson, RN) arrived to screen the damaged destroyer during the brief tow back to port.

29 Feb 1940
With her repairs completed HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) departed the Tyne for Scapa Flow. (7)

1 Mar 1940
With her repairs completed HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow. She then continued on to Greenock where she arrived the next day. (7)

2 Mar 1940
At 1600 hours the battlecruiser HMS Hood (Capt. I.G. Glennie, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral W.J. Whitworth, CB, DSO, RN), battleship HMS Valiant (Capt. H.B. Rawlings, OBE, RN) and the destroyers HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN), HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN), HMS Sikh (Cdr. J.A. Giffard, RN), HMS Faulknor (Capt. C.S. Daniel, RN), HMS Fame (Cdr. P.N. Walter, RN) and HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Tancock, RN) departed the Clyde area to provide cover for convoy operations to and from Norway.

3 Mar 1940
At 1330 hours, the force made up of HMS Hood (Capt. I.G. Glennie, RN, flying the flag of W.J. Whitworth, CB, DSO, RN), battleship HMS Valiant (Capt. H.B. Rawlings, OBE, RN) and the destroyers HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN), HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN), HMS Sikh (Cdr. J.A. Giffard, RN), HMS Faulknor (Capt. C.S. Daniel, RN), HMS Fame (Cdr. P.N. Walter, RN) and HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Tancock, RN) was off North Minch when in position 58°27'N, 05°46'W, HMS Forester obtained an A/S contact and attacked it. Four more attacks were made between 1240 and 1500 hours during which HMS Forester was joined by HMS Fame. HMS Forester remained in the area of the attacks for around a day before rejoining the force.

Shorty after 2130 hours HMS Kelly obtained and attacked an A/S contact in position 61°06'N, 03°58'W. Contact was lost after the attack and HMS Kelly immediately rejoined the force.

Only one German U-boat was in the general area, operating to the north of Scotland, this was U-38 but she was not attacked on this day so all the contacts must have been bogus.

7 Mar 1940
Around 1600 hours, the battlecruiser HMS Hood (Capt. I.G. Glennie, RN, flying the flag of W.J. Whitworth, CB, DSO, RN), battleship HMS Valiant (Capt. H.B. Rawlings, OBE, RN) and the destroyers HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN), HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN), HMS Sikh (Cdr. J.A. Giffard, RN), HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.F. de Salis, RN), HMS Fame (Cdr. P.N. Walter, RN) and HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Tancock, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow.

10 Mar 1940
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow having spent the night of 9/10 March making emergency repairs at Lerwick. At Scapa Flow repairs would be undertaken by the destroyer depot ship HMS Greenwich (Cdr.(Retd.) J.H. Pipe, RN) before Kelly would be able to proceed to London for full repairs.

While on passage from Lerwick to Scapa Flow HMS Kelly attacked an A/S contact in position 59°00'N, 02°18'W. This was later classified as being non-sub. (7)

14 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Sheerness. (7)

15 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) arrived at Sheerness. (7)

16 Mar 1940
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) shifted from Sheerness to London where she was taken in hand for repairs by the London Graving Dock Co. at Blackwall. (7)

26 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
With her repairs completed, HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN), shifted from Blackwall, London to Sheerness. (7)

27 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) departed Sheerness for Scapa Flow where she arrived on the 29th having been delayed by fog. (7)

29 Apr 1940

Operation Klaxon, the evacuation of troops from Namsos.

Timespan: 29 April to 5 May 1940.

At 2000A/29 the French armed merchant cruisers El D’Jezair, El Kantara and El Mansour departed Scapa Flow for Namsos, Norway where they were to evacutate troops. They were escorted by the British destroyers HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN), HMS Maori (Cdr. G.N. Brewer, RN), HMS Imperial (Lt.Cdr. C.A.de W. Kitcat, RN) and the French large destroyer Bison (Capt. J.A.R. Bouan).

A cover force departed Scapa Flow one hour later. It was made up of the British heavy cruisers HMS Devonshire (Capt. J.M. Mansfield, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral J.H.D. Cunningham, CB, MVO, RN), HMS York (Capt. R.H. Portal, DSC, RN), the French light cruiser Montcalm (Capt. J.L. de Corbiere, flying the flag of Commodore (Contre-Admiral) E.L.H. Derrien) and the British destroyers HMS Grenade (Cdr. R.C. Boyle, RN) and HMS Griffin (Lt.Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, RN) and HMS Hasty (Lt.Cdr. L.R.K. Tyrwhitt, RN).

These forces were later reinforced by the British destroyers HMS Afridi (Capt. P.L. Vian, RN), HMS Nubian (Cdr. R.W. Ravenhill, RN) and the French destroyer Foudroyant Foudroyant (Cdr. P.L.A. Fontaine)

The force lead by Vice-Admiral Cunningham arrived off the Norwegian coast near Namsos on May 1st.

HMS Maori had been sent on ahead and reported fog. HMS Kelly, HMS Grenade, HMS Griffin and Bison were ordered to join her.

When entering the Namsenfjord in fog on 2 May 1940, HMS Maori is bombed and damaged from near misses. She had to retire for temporary repairs but was able to participate in the evacuation during the next night. The evacuation attempt was then postponed to the night of 2/3 May.

On 2 May the force was reinforced by the AA cruiser HMS Carlisle (Capt. G.M.B. Langley, OBE, RN).

In the evening of 2 May the force entered the Fjord to embark troops except HMS Devonshire, Montcalm, HMS Grenade, HMS Griffin, HMS Hasty and HMS Imperial which remained at sea to cover the operation.

A total of 1850 British, 2345 French, some Norwegian troops and 30 German prisoners were evacuated. The evacuation was completed around 0445A/3.

Heavy German air attacks developed when the Force was leaving the area. The attacks concentrated on the Devonshire and Montcalm but they were not hit.

The French destroyer Bison was hit at 1010 hours in position 65°42'N, 07°17'E and her forward magazine exploded blowing off the fore part of the ship.The survivors were rescued by HMS Grenade, HMS Imperial and HMS Afridi The wreck was then scuttled by HMS Afridi.

But the attacks continued and at 1400 hours HMS Afridi was hit in position 66°14'N, 05°45'E and sank around 1445 hours. Her survivors were picked up by HMS Griffin and HMS Imperial.

The destroyers with the survivors; HMS Grenade, HMS Griffin and HMS Imperial were detached to land these at Sullom Voe where they arrived around 1700A/4. They departed again around 2130A/4 for Scapa Flow where they arrived around 0730A/5.

Reinforcements had meanwhile been sent out from Sullom Voe these were the light cruiser HMS Southampton (Capt. F.W.H. Jeans, CVO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Beagle (Lt.Cdr. R.H. Wright, RN), HMS Hereward (Lt.Cdr. C.W. Greening, RN) and HMS Hyperion (Cdr. H.St.L. Nicholson, RN). They had departed Sullom Voe late in the evening of May, 2nd with orders to give support to the forces operating in the Namsos area.

Shortly before midnight during the night of 3/4 May, four more destroyers were sent out, these were; HMS Antelope (Lt.Cdr. R.T. White, DSO, RN), HMS Acheron (Lt.Cdr. R.W.F. Northcott, RN), HMS Foresight (Lt.Cdr. G.T. Lambert, RN) and HMS Fury (Cdr. E.W.B. Sim, RN).

All forces arrived at Scapa Flow in the evening of May 4th or the early hours of May 5th. (8)

4 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 2130 hours the French armed merchant cruiser El Mansour arrived at Scapa Flow from Namsos escorted by the British destroyers HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) and HMS Hasty (Lt.Cdr. L.R.K. Tyrwhitt, RN).

5 May 1940
Around 1800A/5 the French armed merchant cruisers El D’Jezair, El Kantara, El Mansour, the French troopships Djenne, President Doumer, the British troopships Duchess of Atholl and Reina del Pacifico departed Scapa Flow for the Clyde. They made the passage together with the damaged British heavy cruiser HMS Suffolk (Capt. J.W. Durnford, RN). They were escorted by the British destroyers HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN), HMS Grenade (Cdr. R.C. Boyle, RN) and HMS Griffin (Lt.Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, RN), HMS Imperial (Lt.Cdr. C.A.de W. Kitcat, RN), the French large destroyers Chevalier Paul (Cdr. M. L. Bonnot), Tartu (Capt. J.M. Chomel) and Milan (Cdr. L.M.E. Plumejeaud).

They arrived in the Clyde the next day.

8 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) and HMS Kimberley (Lt.Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson, RN) departed the Clyde for Rosyth.

9 May 1940
A group of German auxiliary minelayers with escorts has been reported to be west of Jutland, Denmark in position 56°39'N, 03°37'E. At 0900A/9 the light cruiser HMS Birmingham (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN) and the destroyers HMS Hyperion (Cdr. H.St.L. Nicolson, RN), HMS Hereward (Lt.Cdr. C.W. Greening, RN), HMS Havock (Lt.Cdr. R.E. Courage, RN) and HMS Janus (Cdr. J.A.W. Tothill, RN) departed Rosyth to intercept and attack them. Off Rosyth they were joined by four more destroyers; HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN), HMS Kimberley (Lt.Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson, RN), HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN) and HMS Hostile (Cdr. J.P. Wright, RN). HMS Kimberley however was short of fuel and she was soon sent to Rosyth.

At 1200A/9 the destroyers HMS Mohawk (Cdr. J.W.M. Eaton, RN), HMS Gallant (Lt.Cdr. C.P.F. Brown, RN), HMS Fury (Cdr. E.W.B. Sim, RN), HMS Foresight (Lt.Cdr. G.T. Lambert, RN) and HMS Bulldog (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Wisden, RN) were sent from Scapa Flow to proceed to position 57°21'N, 02°33'E to intercept a group of German motor torpedo boats that had been reported and then join the 'Rosyth force'.

When HMS Kandahar obtained an A/S contact she and HMS Kelly were ordered to hunt it down. They were later joined by HMS Bulldog who had lost touch with her group.

At 2230A/9 HMS Kelly was torpedoed and badly damaged by the German motor torpedo boat S 31 in position 56°48'N, 05°09'E. She was taken in tow by HMS Bulldog.

Shortly after midnight on the 10th the German motor torpedo boat S 33 collided in thick fog with HMS Bulldog and HMS Kelly. She was not able to inflict damage to the destroyers but she sustained heavy damage herself from the collision.

The destroyers HMS Kandahar, HMS Gallant and HMS Fury were ordered to escort HMS Bulldog and HMS Kelly.

At daylight on the 10th Kelly's wounded were transferred to HMS Kandahar. She had also suffered 27 casualties during the attack.

The light cruisers HMS Manchester (Capt. H.A. Packer, RN, flying the flag of Vice Admiral G. Layton, CB, DSO, RN) and HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) departed Scapa Flow at 0330A/10 to provided cover for the damaged destroyer and her escorts. They joined at 1400A/10. By that time also coastal command Hudson aircraft were patrolling overhead.

Shorlty before 0930A/10, HMS Birmingham, HMS Hyperion, HMS Hostile, HMS Hereward, HMS Havock, HMS Foresight and HMS Kimberley (this last one had apparently joined by this time having fuelled at Rosyth).

HMS Kandahar was detached to refuel and land the wounded at Rosyth before sailing again to rejoin the damaged destroyer. She arrived at Rosyth of the 11th and departed again later the same day.

Shortly after 1600A/11, HMS Manchester and HMS Sheffield parted company and proceeded to Rosyth where they arrived very early the following day.

At 0500A/12 the tugs Watermeyer and Brahman arrived at relieved HMS Bulldog from towing the damaged destroyer about two hours later.

HMS Kelly in tow of the Watermeyer and Brahman and screened by HMS Bulldog, HMS Fury, HMS Gallant and HMS Kandahar arrived at the Tyne at 1730A/13.

She was then sent to her builders yard at Hebburn-on-Tyne for major repairs. This was now the third time in a little over 8 months that HMS Kelly was at a dockyard for major repairs. (9)

19 Dec 1940
With her repairs and trials completed, HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN), departed the Tyne for Scapa Flow.

While undergoing trials at the Tyne she had been slightly damaged. This had delayed her sailing by three days due to repairs that had to be made. (7)

20 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow to work up. (7)

24 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1530 hours a walrus aircraft reported having attacked a surfaced U-boat west of the Shetland Islands in position 60°25'N, 02°34'W. The destroyer HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) and the escort destroyers HMS Blencathra (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, RN) and HMS Tynedale (Lt.Cdr. H.E.F. Tweedie, RN) departed Scapa Flow in the early evening to hunt down the enemy submarine. No submarine could be detected thought, which is not surprising as no German submarine reported the aircraft attack which therefore must have been against a non-sub target.

26 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0730 hours HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) returned to Scapa Flow.

7 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Having completed her work-up programme, HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN), departed Scapa Flow for the Clyde. (7)

8 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN) arrived at the Clyde. (7)

10 Jan 1941
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN), HMS Kelvin (Cdr. J.H. Allison, DSO, RN), HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St. Clair-Ford, RN) and HMS Punjabi (Cdr. J.T. Lean, DSO, RN) departed Greenock. They escorted the battleship HMS Ramillies (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) and troopship Duchess of York (20021 GRT, built 1929) in the Clyde area until late afternoon when they separated and proceeded to sea. They were to rendez-vous with several warships that were approaching the U.K. from the west and south.

Rendez-vous was effected around 0800 / 0900 hours on the 12th when the battleship HMS Revenge (Capt. E.R. Archer, RN), aircraft carrier HMS Argus (Capt. E.G.N. Rushbrooke, DSC, RN), light cruiser HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN), armed merchant cruiser HMS California (Capt. C.J. Pope, RAN) and the destroyers HMS Kelly, HMS Kelvin, HMS Kipling all arrived in approximate position 60°50'N, 09°50'W.

HMS Kenya, which had been escorting HMS Argus did not join. She set course for Plymouth where she arrived on the 14th.

HMS Punjabi arrived at Scapa Flow on 14 January 1941. It seems likely she had already been detached before the rendez-vous was effected.

On the 14th HMS Argus, HMS California escorted by HMS Kelvin split off for the Clyde where they arrived later the same day. HMS Kelvin was then ordered to proceed to the Humber to refit for which she departed the next day.

HMS Revenge set course for Portsmouth escorted by HMS Kelly, HMS Kipling.

At 1615/15 HMS Revenge, HMS Kelly and HMS Kipling were joined by HMS Jersey (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Burnell-Nugent, DSC, RN) which had departed Plymouth at 1030/15.

HMS Revenge and her three escorting destroyers arrived at Portsmouth on the 16th.

17 Jan 1941
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN), HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St. Clair-Ford, RN) and HMS Jersey (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Burnell-Nugent, DSC, RN) departed Portsmouth in the late afternoon of early evening to conduct a patrol in the western Channel as far as the Scilly Isles. They were to return to Plymouth at 1030/18.

22 Jan 1941
During the night of 22/23 January 1941 HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN), HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN), HMS Jersey (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Burnell-Nugent, DSC, RN) and HMS Jupiter (Lt.Cdr. N.V.J.T. Thew, RN) conducted a patrol between Land's End and Start End.

They had departed Plymouth at 1630A/22 and were ordered to return around 1030/23 but they actually returned shortly before 1300A/23.

24 Jan 1941
During the night of 24/25 January 1941 HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN) and HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN) conducted a patrol between Land's End and Start End.

They had departed Plymouth shortly after 2000/24. They returned to Plymouth at 1110/25.

26 Jan 1941
Around 2300A/26, HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN), HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN) and HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN) departed Plymouth for a sweep towards Ushant. It was feared the German heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper might depart Brest for the Atlantic as she had recently been undocked. (10)

27 Jan 1941
Around 1130A/27, HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN), HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN) and HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN), returned to Plymouth. They had sighted nothing.

They were ordered to be able to raise steam in one hour as to be able to depart almost immediately if required. (10)

29 Jan 1941
Between 1605A/29 and 1630A/29, HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN), HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN) and HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN) departed Plymouth.

HMS Kenya was ordered to return to Plymouth shortly after departure. She passed the breakwater at 1805A/29.

The destroyers went on patrol in the western Channel and returned early the next day.

30 Jan 1941
HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) departed Plymouth for the Clyde at 1015A/30. She was escorted out by the destroyers HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN) and HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St. Clair-Ford, RN). The destroyers turned back around 1345A/30 hours when off Land's End and returned to Plymouth. (10)

31 Jan 1941
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN) and HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St. Clair-Ford, RN) departed Plymouth at 1912 hours. They made rendez-vous around 1500/1 with the armed merchant cruiser HMS Pretoria Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.J. Shelly, RN) which came from Belfast and was to proceed to Portsmouth.

2 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Pretoria Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.J. Shelly, RN), HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN) and HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St. Clair-Ford, RN) arrived at Portsmouth.

The destroyers departed Portsmouth later the same day for Plymouth

3 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN) and HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St. Clair-Ford, RN) arrived at Plymouth. (7)

4 Feb 1941
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN) and HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St. Clair-Ford, RN) shifted from Plymouth to Dartmouth for exercises. (11)

6 Feb 1941
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN) and HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St. Clair-Ford, RN) departed Dartmouth for a patrol between Start Point and Lizard Head. They were joined by HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN) which came from Plymouth.

On completion of the patrol they were to proceed to Plymouth arriving at 1000/7.

8 Feb 1941
At 2135/8, HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN), HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN) and HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St. Clair-Ford, RN), departed Plymouth with despatch to join the Home Fleet. They were initially ordered to proceed to Scapa Flow.

HMS Jackal (Cdr. C.L. Firth, MVO, RN) was unable to sail with the other three destroyers. She sailed later, at 0819/9 for Skaale Fiord, Faroes where the other three destroyers meanwhile had also been ordered to proceed to.

10 Feb 1941
Around 1800/10, HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN), HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN) and HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St. Clair-Ford, RN), arrived at Skaale Fiord, Faroes where they embarked fuel.

They departed again around 2200 hours to search for a submarine reported by HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN) to the west of the Faroes in position 60°59'N, 12°44'W. HMS Jackal (Cdr. C.L. Firth, MVO, RN) is ordered to also proceed to that position to join them there. Later this was changed to position 59°25'N, 09°07'W where a merchant vessel had reported being chased by a submarine.

In the evening the light cruiser HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) reported attacking a submarine in position 60°59'N, 12°44'W. HMS Kelly and HMS Jackal, which had not joined the other destroyers yet, were ordered to proceeded to that position.

On the 11th the destroyers were joined by the destroyer HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. D.H. Maitland-Makgill Crichton, DSC, RN) and in the evening HMS Jackal was ordered to proceed to Scapa Flow to refuel as she had not done so since leaving Plymouth.

12 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
On February 12th, HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN), HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN), HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St. Clair-Ford, RN) and HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. D.H. Maitland-Makgill Crichton, DSC, RN), were submarine hunting near position 59°23'N, 08°45'W. HMS Boreas developed engine troubles and was detached to Scapa Flow escorted by HMS Kipling. Eventually Kipling had to take Boreas in tow until relieved by a tug.

13 Feb 1941
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN) and HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN) arrived at Londonderry, Northern Ireland.

16 Feb 1941
Around 1800/16, HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN), HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN), HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St. Clair-Ford, RN), departed Londonderry for Plymouth. ETA at Plymouth was 1700/17 but apparently they were delayed (see 18 February 1941).

18 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Shortly after 1000 hours HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN), HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN), HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St. Clair-Ford, RN) arrived at Plymouth.

19 Feb 1941
Shortly before 1700 hours the minelaying destroyers HMS Icarus (Lt.Cdr. C.D. Maud, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Thomas, DSC, RN) and HMS Intrepid (Cdr. R.C. Gordon, DSO, RN) departed Plymouth for a minelaying mission near Brest, France. They were being escorted by the destroyers HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN), HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN), HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St. Clair-Ford, RN) and HMS Jackal (Cdr. C.L. Firth, MVO, RN). (12)

20 Feb 1941
HMS Icarus (Lt.Cdr. C.D. Maud, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Thomas, DSC, RN) and HMS Intrepid (Cdr. R.C. Gordon, DSO, RN), HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN), HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN), HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St. Clair-Ford, RN) and HMS Jackal (Cdr. C.L. Firth, MVO, RN) returned to Plymouth shortly after 1000 hours. (12)

1 Mar 1941
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN), HMS Kelvin (Cdr. J.H. Allison, DSO, RN) departed Plymouth at 1912A/1. They were to rendez-vous with the battleship HMS Resolution (Capt. A.R. Halfhide, CBE, RN) that was en-route from Gibraltar to Portsmouth.

2 Mar 1941
Around 0900A/2, off Bishops Rock, HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN), HMS Kelvin (Cdr. J.H. Allison, DSO, RN), HMS Cleveland (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Clouston, RN) and HMS Tynedale (Lt.Cdr. H.E.F. Tweedie, RN) joined the escort of the battleship HMS Resolution (Capt. A.R. Halfhide, CBE, RN). (13)

3 Mar 1941
Around 1000A/3, HMS Resolution (Capt. A.R. Halfhide, CBE, RN), and her escorting destroyers / escort destroyers, HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, 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 (Cdr. C.L. Firth, MVO, RN), HMS Jersey (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Burnell-Nugent, DSC, RN) and HMS Jupiter (Lt.Cdr. N.V.J.T. Thew, RN), HMS Cleveland (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Clouston, RN) and HMS Tynedale (Lt.Cdr. H.E.F. Tweedie, RN) arrived at Spithead / Portsmouth.

HMS Kelly, HMS Kashmir, HMS Kelvin, HMS Kipling, HMS Jackal and HMS Jupiter departed Portsmouth for exercises off Dartmouth. They were later ordered to patrol between Ushant and Land's End. HMS Jersey was also to have sailed with them but was unable to do so due to a damaged rudder. She remained at Portsmouth for repairs which were estimated to take two weeks to complete. (13)

4 Mar 1941
The destroyers of the 5th Destroyer Flotilla did not sight the enemy ships that had been reported. They all arrived at Plymouth in the afternoon.

HMS Jackal (Cdr. C.L. Firth, MVO, RN) and HMS Jupiter (Lt.Cdr. N.V.J.T. Thew, RN) arrived at 1320 hours.

HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN) arrived at 1516 hours.

HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN) arrived at 1545 hours.

And finally HMS Kelvin (Cdr. J.H. Allison, DSO, RN) and HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St. Clair-Ford, RN) arrived at 1625 hours.

HMS Jupiter was then taken in hand for a refit at the Devonport Dockyard.

5 Mar 1941
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN), HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN), HMS Kelvin (Cdr. J.H. Allison, DSO, RN) departed Plymouth at 1940 hours. [We have been unable to find out the purpose of their sailing, presumably a patrol in the western Channel.]

They returned to Plymouth the next day.

9 Mar 1941
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN), HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN), HMS Kelvin (Cdr. J.H. Allison, DSO, RN), HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St. Clair-Ford, RN) departed Plymouth. [No further details currently known to us, but presumably for a patrol in the western Channel.]

10 Mar 1941
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN), HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN), HMS Kelvin (Cdr. J.H. Allison, DSO, RN), HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St. Clair-Ford, RN) arrived at Dartmouth.

They departed again Dartmouth early in the evening to patrol between Eddystone and the Scilly Isles.

11 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN), HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN), HMS Kelvin (Cdr. J.H. Allison, DSO, RN), HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St. Clair-Ford, RN) are ordered to be in position 48°00'N, 06°30'W (west-south-west of Ushant) by 2200/11 so as to intercept the German heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper if she should leave Brest the coming night.

If the enemy was not sighted by 0100/12 the destroyers were to proceed to Plymouth.

12 Mar 1941
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN), HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN), HMS Kelvin (Cdr. J.H. Allison, DSO, RN), HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St. Clair-Ford, RN) arrived at Plymouth at 0845 hours.

13 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN), HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN), HMS Kelvin (Cdr. J.H. Allison, DSO, RN), HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St. Clair-Ford, RN) and HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) departed Plymouth at 1920 hours for Portsmouth.

14 Mar 1941
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN), HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN), HMS Kelvin (Cdr. J.H. Allison, DSO, RN), HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St. Clair-Ford, RN) and HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) arrived at Portsmouth in the early morning hours. [Their arrival was reported at 0903/14 by the C. in C. Portsmouth.]

15 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN), HMS Kelvin (Cdr. J.H. Allison, DSO, RN) and HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) were detached from the escort of the battleship HMS Revenge (Capt. E.R. Archer, RN). The destroyers were ordered to patrol between Wolf Rock and Eddystone as of 2100/15 to provide protection for shipping sailing westwards from Plymouth.

16 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN), HMS Kelvin (Cdr. J.H. Allison, DSO, RN) and HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) returned to Plymouth from patrol. They all arrived around noon; HMS Kelly at 1100 hours, HMS Kelvin at 1135 hours and finally HMS Jackal at 1240 hours.

18 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In a signal timed 1958/18 the C.in C. Plymouth mentions the sailing of HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN), HMS Kelvin (Cdr. J.H. Allison, DSO, RN) and HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) for a patrol in the western Channel.

19 Mar 1941
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN), HMS Kelvin (Cdr. J.H. Allison, DSO, RN) and HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) returned to Plymouth from patrol at 0745 hours.

They departed again later the same day to provide cover for the minelaying destroyers HMS Icarus (Lt.Cdr. C.D. Maud, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Thomas, DSC, RN) and HMS Intrepid (Cdr. R.C. Gordon, DSO, RN) that had departed Dartmouth also on this day. These minelaying destroyers were to lay a minefield during the night of 19/20 March off Ile de Batz (Operation G.U.).

20 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN), HMS Kelvin (Cdr. J.H. Allison, DSO, RN) and HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) returned to Plymouth from covering operation G.U. in the early morning.

21 Mar 1941
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN), HMS Kelvin (Cdr. J.H. Allison, DSO, RN) and HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) departed Plymouth at 1350 hours to proceed to position 40'N, 15'W (west of Portugal) to make rendez-vous with Force H ( HMS Renown (Capt. R.R. McGrigor, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, DSO, RN), aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal (Capt. C.S. Holland, RN) ).

At 2049 hours the destroyers were however ordered to try to intercept the German battlecruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau which had been spotted making for Brest, France after their operations in the Atlantic. (12)

22 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN), HMS Kelvin (Cdr. J.H. Allison, DSO, RN) and HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) are ordered to be clear of the French coast by daylight and if not in contact with the enemy battlecruisers to return to Plymouth.

At 0803 hours, Capt. Mountbatten (Capt. D.5) reported having patrolled off Brest between 0150 and 0600 hours but that nothing had been sighted.

The destroyers arrived at Plymouth at 1150 hours. (12)

25 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0722 hours, HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN), HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN), arrived at Plymouth.

27 Mar 1941
The minelaying destroyers HMS Icarus (Lt.Cdr. C.D. Maud, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Thomas, DSC, RN) and HMS Intrepid (Cdr. R.C. Gordon, DSO, RN) departed Plymouth at 1736 hours for a minelaying mission off Brest (Operation G.X.). During this mission they were escorted by the destroyers HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN), HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN), HMS Kelvin (Cdr. J.H. Allison, DSO, RN) and HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN). (12)

28 Mar 1941
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN), HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN), HMS Kelvin (Cdr. J.H. Allison, DSO, RN) and HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) returned to Plymouth in the morning on completion last night's mission.

They departed again at 1645A/28 to make rendez-vous at 2015A/28 off Wolf Rock with the fast minelayer HMS Abdiel (Capt. E. Pleydell-Bouverie, MVO, RN) which was to lay another minefield off Brest (Operation GY). HMS Abdiel had sailed from Milford Haven. (12)

29 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN), HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN), HMS Kelvin (Cdr. J.H. Allison, DSO, RN) and HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) returned to Plymouth in the morning on completion last night's mission.

30 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The minelaying destroyers HMS Icarus (Lt.Cdr. C.D. Maud, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Thomas, DSC, RN) and HMS Intrepid (Cdr. R.C. Gordon, DSO, RN) departed Milford Haven at 1404 hours for a minelaying mission off Brest (Operation G.Z.). During this mission they were escorted by the destroyers HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN), HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN), HMS Kelvin (Cdr. J.H. Allison, DSO, RN) and HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) which had departed Plymouth at 1730 hours to effect a rendez-vous of Wolf Rock at 2000 hours. (12)

31 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Having completed last night's mission, the minelaying destroyers HMS Icarus (Lt.Cdr. C.D. Maud, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Thomas, DSC, RN) and HMS Intrepid (Cdr. R.C. Gordon, DSO, RN), and their escorts, the destroyers HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN), HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN), HMS Kelvin (Cdr. J.H. Allison, DSO, RN) and HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN), arrived at Plymouth in the morning.

1 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN), HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN), HMS Kelvin (Cdr. J.H. Allison, DSO, RN) and HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) departed Plymouth for Portsmouth.

2 Apr 1941
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN), HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN), HMS Kelvin (Cdr. J.H. Allison, DSO, RN) and HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) arrived at Portsmouth early in the morning.

3 Apr 1941
At 1930 hours, when off the Bristol Channel, HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN) and HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN), parted company with HMS Resolution (Capt. A.R. Halfhide, CBE, RN). The destroyers then set course for Plymouth while the battleship continued with the other escorts towards the Clyde.

HMS Kelly and HMS Kashmir were ordered to arrive at Plymouth at 0730/4 covering westbound shipping from Falmouth en-route.

4 Apr 1941
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN) and HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN) arrived at Plymouth.

HMS Kashmir was then taken in hand at the Devonport Dockyard for repairs

6 Apr 1941
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN) and HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St. Clair-Ford, RN) departed Plymouth at 0012/6 to make rendez-vous near Wolf Rock with HMS Kelvin (Cdr. J.H. Allison, DSO, RN) and HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) which came from Greenock.

They were to operate against six German destroyers that had been reported passing the Dover Strait westbound and most likely proceeding to Brest.

No contact was made with the German ships and the destroyers returned to Plymouth at 0806 hours.

HMS Kelly, HMS Kelvin, HMS Kipling and HMS Jackal departed again at 1855/6 to patrol to the west of Brest. The Admiralty feared that the movement of the six German destroyers to Brest indicated that the German battlecruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau might leave Brest soon.

7 Apr 1941
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN), HMS Kelvin (Cdr. J.H. Allison, DSO, RN), HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St. Clair-Ford, RN) and HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) arrived at Plymouth at 0855/7.

HMS Kelly, HMS Kelvin, HMS Kipling, HMS Jackal and HMS Jersey (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Burnell-Nugent, DSC, RN) were ordered to depart Plymouth at 1700/7 to again patrol to the west of Brest during the night.

8 Apr 1941
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN), HMS Kelvin (Cdr. J.H. Allison, DSO, RN), HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St. Clair-Ford, RN),vHMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) and HMS Jersey (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Burnell-Nugent, DSC, RN) returned to Plymouth at 1128 hours. They had sighted nothing during their patrol west of Brest except for a large number of fishing vessels off Ushant.

9 Apr 1941
At 1641 hours, HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, 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) are ordered to depart Plymouth and try to intercept a large German transport ship and three escorts off Les Casquests (west of Alderney Island). If they were not in contact with the enemy by 0300/10 they were to return to Plymouth.

10 Apr 1941
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, 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) returned to Plymouth having sighted nothing.

HMS Kelly and HMS Kelvin were then taken in hand at the Devonport Dockyard for repairs. HMS Kelvin also had a docking.

21 Apr 1941
The destroyers HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN), HMS Kelvin (Cdr. J.H. Allison, DSO, RN), HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St. Clair-Ford, RN) and HMS Jersey (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Burnell-Nugent, DSC, RN) departed Plymouth for Gibraltar.

They then made rendezvous with the light cruiser HMS Dido (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, RN) and fast minelayer HMS Abdiel (Capt. E. Pleydell-Bouverie, MVO, RN) which were also to proceed to Gibraltar and had departed the Clyde on 20 April.

24 Apr 1941
HMS Dido (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, RN), HMS Abdiel (Capt. E. Pleydell-Bouverie, MVO, RN), HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN), HMS Kelvin (Cdr. J.H. Allison, DSO, RN), HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St. Clair-Ford, RN) and HMS Jersey (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Burnell-Nugent, DSC, RN) arrived at Gibraltar.

24 Apr 1941

Operations Dunlop and Salient.

Transfer of fighter aircraft to Malta and reinforcements for the Mediterranean Fleet.

Timespan: 24 to 28 April 1941.

24 April 1941.

At 2200/25, ‘Force S’, made up of the light cruiser HMS Dido (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, RN, Senior Officer), fast minelayer HMS Abdiel (Capt. Hon. E. Pleydell-Bouverie, MVO, RN), destroyers HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, 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 Gibraltar westwards but they soon turned eastwards again to pass Gibraltar eastwards after dark. The ships also had on board stores for Malta. Most of these on HMS Dido and HMS Abdiel.

They were followed one hour later, at 2300/25, by ‘Force H’. They departed Gibraltar and immediately turned eastwards. ‘Force H’ for this occasion was made up of the battlecruiser HMS Renown (Capt. R.R. McGrigor, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, DSO, RN), aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal (Capt. L.E.H. Maund, RN), light cruiser HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) and the destroyers HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.F. de Salis, RN), HMS Fearless (Cdr. A.F. Pugsley, RN), HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Tancock, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Fortune (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Sinclair, RN) and HMS Fury (Lt.Cdr. T.C. Robinson, RN).

25 April 1941.

On 26 April 1941 both forces proceeded to the east independently. At 2050 hours ‘Force H’ altered course and increased speed to reach the flying off position for the Hurricanes for Malta. They were to reach approximate position 37°40’N, 06°10’E at dawn the next day.

At 2120 hours a signal was received from Malta reporting that the weather was unsuitable and that the flying off had to be postponed for 24 hours. Speed was then reduced and at 2300 hours ‘Force H’ altered course to the westwards for an area to the south-west of Ibiza.

26 April 1941.

In the morning weather reports came in from Malta which were favourable. ‘Force H’ then altered course to 220° and at 1100 hours course was altered to the north-east. The object was to remain unsighted throughout the day. This was successful due to the poor visibility. Two more favourable weather reports came from Malta throughout the day.

In the evening a signal was received from HMS Dido stating that ‘Force S’ had also postponed their passage to Malta by 24 hours.

At 2100 hours ‘Force H’ was in position 38°35’N, 02°14’E. They then altered course to 106° and increased speed to 24 knots to again reach the flying off position for the Hurricanes at dawn.

27 April 1941.

Two more favourable weather reports were received during the early hours of the night. Weather in ‘Force H’ position was however not so good and at 0445 hours, in position 37°40’N, 05°55’E the destroyers had to be detached as they had difficulty keeping up with the other ships in the rising sea.

Flying off started at 0515 hours and was completed at 0613 hours. A total of 23 Hurricanes were flown off in two batches of eight and one of seven. These were all led by a Fulmar. On completion of flying off the Hurricanes an A/S patrol was launched as well as some Fulmars for fighter protection while the ships retired to the northwest on course 300° at 27 knots.

Though visibility was poor, a lone Heinkel appeared from the clouds over HMS Renown at 0850 hours and fire was opened on it. The enemy aircraft then made off the north-east with some of the Fulmars chasing it. The enemy was able to get back in the clouds before the Fulmars could overtake it. This aircraft reported the position, course and speed of the formation.

At 1000 hours a new section of Fulmars was flown off to relieve the others and at 1036 hours a signal was received from Malta that all the Hurricanes and their escorting Fulmars had landed safely.

At noon the destroyers rejoined and formed an A/S screen. Speed was reduced to 18 knots. ‘Force H’ remained in a position to support ‘Force S’ if needed. Aircraft for A/S and fighter protection were flown off during the day.

By 2000 hours all aircraft had returned to HMS Ark Royal and course was set to return to Gibraltar.

28 April 1941.

At dawn nine Swordfish were flown off for a practice attack on ‘Force H’. However one of the Swordfish hit the bridge of HMS Ark Royal and crashed into the sea. HMS Sheffield was able to pick up two of the three crew members. There was now sign of the air gunner and he was missing, presumed killed in the crash.

More air exercises were carried out during the day.

At 1130 hours, HMS Sheffield was detached to proceed to Gibraltar for a docking.

All ships of ‘Force H’ arrived at Gibraltar later on the day.

The ships of ‘Force S’ arrived safely at Malta on the 28th. (14)

12 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN), HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN), HMS Kelvin (Cdr. J.H. Allison, DSO, RN), HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St. Clair-Ford, RN) and HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) returned to Malta in the morning.

On the return trip from their bombardment of Benghazi they have been dive bombed the previous day. All destroyers had been near missed except for HMS Kipling.

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