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Career information

Capt Wilfrid Rupert Patterson was Cdre2 Cdg Australian Squadron 2/9/39-31/10/39.

Heavy cruiser HMAS Canberra (D 33)

2 Sep 1939
At 1030K/2, Rear-Admiral W.N. Custance, CB, RN, struck his flag in HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN). He was the Rear Admiral Commanding HM Australian Squadron but had to relinquish the command due to ill health. He died at sea en-route back the the U.K. onboard the liner Orontes (British, 20097 GRT, built 1929) on 13 December 1939.

On Rear-Admiral Custance's flag being struck, Capt. W.R. Patterson then hoisted his broad pendant as Commodore. He was now temporary in command of the Australian Squadron. (1)

3 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2315K/3, HMAS Canberra (Commodore W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN) departed Sydney to patrol off the Australian south-east coast. (1)

13 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1130K/13, HMAS Canberra (Commodore W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN) returned to Sydney from exercises. (1)

30 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2100K/30, HMAS Canberra (Commodore W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN) departed Sydney for exercise OY 1.

[For more info see the event ' Operation OY 1 ' for 1 October 1939.] (1)

11 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1500K/11, HMAS Canberra (Commodore W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN) departed Sydney after a possible warship had been reported near Gabo Island. She was sent out to investigate. (1)

12 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Canberra (Commodore W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN) and HMAS Australia (Capt. R.R. Stewart, RN) made rendezvous near Gabo Island to investigate the possible warship reported in that area the previous day.

As no warship was sighted, they proceeded towards Sydney, conducting exercises en-route. (1)

22 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Canberra (Commodore W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN) departed Sydney for Port Melbourne. (1)

24 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Canberra (Commodore W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN) arrived at Port Melbourne from Sydney. (1)

27 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Canberra (Commodore W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN) departed Port Melbourne for Sydney. (1)

29 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Canberra (Commodore W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN) arrived at Sydney from Port Melbourne. (1)

1 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0930K/1, Commodore W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN, struck his broad pendant on board HMAS Canberra. He remained in command of the ship reverting to the rank of Captain.

Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN, then hoisted his flag in HMAS Canberra and took command of the Australian Squadron. (1)

10 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN), HMAS Australia (Capt. R.R. Stewart, RN) returned to Sydney from exercises. (1)

14 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN), HMAS Australia (Capt. R.R. Stewart, RN) departed Sydney for exercises and then to patrol to the southwards. (1)

15 Nov 1939
HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN), HMAS Australia (Capt. R.R. Stewart, RN) arrived at Jervis Bay from exercises and patrol.

Around 1345K/15, they departed again as two unidentified ships had been reported on the 13th near Archer Point and Double Island.

HMAS Canberra then proceeded northwards while HMAS Australia proceeded southwards. It was however soon apparent from air searches that no unidentified (enemy) ships were operating off the Australian east coast. HMAS Australia then also turned to the north. (1)

22 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1100K/22, HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN), HMAS Australia (Capt. R.R. Stewart, RN) arrived at Port Melbourne from Sydney. (2)

25 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1430K/25, HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN), HMAS Australia (Capt. R.R. Stewart, RN) departed Port Melbourne for Albany. (2)

28 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1100K/28, HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN), HMAS Australia (Capt. R.R. Stewart, RN) arrived at Albany from Port Melbourne.

They both fuelled from the Australian Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker Kurumba (3798 GRT, built 1916) and then departed independently for patrol and subsequent exercises on 2 December. (2)

3 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1100K/28, HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN), HMAS Australia (Capt. R.R. Stewart, RN) arrived at Albany from patrol and exercises.

They both fuelled from the Australian Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker Kurumba (3798 GRT, built 1916).

Around 1400H/3, HMAS Canberra departed for Williamstown followed by HMAS Australia around 1.5 hours later.

The cruisers joined company around 0800H/4 and then proceeded to Williamstown where they arrived around 1545K/6. (3)

7 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN), HMAS Australia (Capt. R.R. Stewart, RN) departed Williamstown for Sydney where they arrived around 1100K/8. (3)

9 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN) is taken in hand for a short refit at Sydney. (1)

19 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN) completed her short refit at Sydney. (1)

21 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1300K/21, HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN), HMAS Australia (Capt. R.R. Stewart, RN) departed Sydney to proceed to Jervis and for patrol respectively.

HMAS Canberra stayed at Jervis Bay overnight before proceeding to make rendezvous with HMAS Australia off Sydney the following day.

HMAS Australia proceeded to a position 90 nautical miles to the south-east of Sydney after which she commenced to patrol to the north-north-east until it was time to proceed to the rendezvous with HMAS Canberra off Sydney.

After having made rendezvous on 22 December the heavy cruisers conducted exercises until entering Sydney harbour around 2200K/22. (3)

1 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN) departed Sydney for Wellington. (1)

4 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN) arrived at Wellington from Sydney. (1)

20 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN), HMAS Australia (Capt. R.R. Stewart, RN) departed Fremantle to patrol in the area.

They returned to Fremantle the following day. (1)

30 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN) departed Fremantle for Portland. (1)

3 Feb 1940
HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN) arrived at Portland from Fremantle. She departed for Melbourne later the same day. (1)

4 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN) arrived at Port Melbourne from Portland. (1)

7 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1400K/7, HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN) departed Port Melbourne for Sydney but first some exercises were carried out in Port Phillip. (1)

9 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN) arrived at Sydney from Port Melbourne. (1)

15 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN), HMAS Australia (Capt. R.R. Stewart, RN) departed Sydney for exercises and a short patrol. They returned the following day. (1)

29 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2100K/29, HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN) departed Sydney and then proceeded northwards to make rendezvous with HMAS Australia (Capt. R.R. Stewart, RN) which had departed Moreton Bay (near Brisbane) around 1630K/28.

Rendezvous was affected around 0300K/1 and both cruisers then proceeded southward to join other RAN ships for exercises. (4)

7 Mar 1940
Around 0700K/7, HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN) arrived at Westernport.

Around 1800K/7, HMAS Canberra departed Westernport for Port Phillip anchoring off Williamstown around 2300K/7. (1)

8 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0630K/8, HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN) weighed anchor and proceeded to Port Melbourne. (1)

11 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
around 0930K/11, HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN) departed Port Melbourne for Sydney. Shortly after departure she first conducted some exercises in Port Phillip. (1)

17 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1900K/17, HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN) departed Sydney for Twofold Bay to observe minesweeping training there. On completion of the minesweeping exercises HMAS Canberra anchored in Twofold Bay.

Around 2230K/18, HMAS Canberra weighed anchor to return to the Sydney area for exercises. (1)

15 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN) conducted exercises off Sydney. (1)

24 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0920K/24, HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN), HMAS Australia (Capt. R.R. Stewart, RN) departed Sydney for exercises.

On completion of the exercises, HMAS Australia returned to harbour around 1345K/24, while HMAS Canberra set course for Wellington. (5)

27 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1000M/27, HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN) arrived at Wellington from Sydney. (1)

29 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1700M/29, HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN) departed Wellington for Lyttleton. (1)

30 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0700M/30, HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN) arrived at Lyttleton from Wellington. (1)

27 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0930H/27, HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN) arrived at Fremantle from convoy escort duty. (1)

28 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0930H/28, HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN) departed Fremantle for Melbourne. (1)

1 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0745K/1, HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN) arrived at Port Melbourne from Fremantle. (1)

Battleship HMS King George V (41)

1 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0900A/1, HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN) is commissioned for trials. (6)

19 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN) is docked in No.1 Dock at the Rosyth Dockyard. (6)

25 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN) is undocked. (7)

2 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1445A/2, the battleship HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN) departed Rosyth for trials in the Pentland Firth. She is escorted by the destroyers HMS Somali (Capt. C. Caslon, RN), HMS Mashona (Cdr. W.H. Selby, RN), HMS Beagle (Lt.Cdr. R.H. Wright, RN) and HMS Bulldog (Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Hewitt, RN).

Around 0350A/3, the destroyers HMS Somali and HMS Mashona parted company and were replaced by the destroyers HMS Brilliant (Lt.Cdr. F.C. Brodrick, RN) and HMS Escapade (Cdr. R.E. Hyde-Smith, RN).

Around 1500A/4, HMS King George V and her escorting destroyers arrived at Scapa Flow having completed her initial sea trials. Serious problems were encountered during the main armament gunnery trials. (8)

5 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN) conducted D/G and aircraft lauching and recovering trials at Scapa Flow. (9)

7 Dec 1940
HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN) conducted compass swing, steering and gunnery trials at Scapa Flow. (9)

8 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The battleship HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN), heavy cruiser HMS Norfolk (Capt. A.J.L. Phillips, RN), destroyers HMS Matabele (Cdr. R.St.V. Sherbrooke, DSO, RN), HMS Beagle (Lt.Cdr. R.H. Wright, RN), HMS Bulldog (Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Hewitt, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Pytchley (Lt.Cdr. H. Unwin, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (10)

9 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 9/10 December 1940, the battleship HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. These included night exercises. She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Matabele (Cdr. R.St.V. Sherbrooke, DSO, RN), HMS Electra (Lt.Cdr. S.A. Buss, MVO, RN) and HMS Bulldog (Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Hewitt, RN). (9)

12 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN) conducted gunnery trials at Scapa Flow. (9)

13 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN) conducted gunnery trials at Scapa Flow. (9)

14 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN) conducted radar calibration trials at Scapa Flow. (9)

16 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN) conducted radar calibration trials at Scapa Flow. (9)

23 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The battleship HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN), light cruiser HMS Phoebe (Capt. G. Grantham, RN), destroyers HMS Churchill (Cdr.(Retd.) G.R. Cousins, RN), HMS Lincoln (Cdr. A.M. Sheffield, RN) and the escort destroyers HMS Blencathra (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, RN) and HMS Southdown (Cdr. E.R. Condor, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted trials and exercises off Scapa Flow. (11)

2 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (12)

5 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN) conducted turning trials at Scapa Flow. (12)

7 Jan 1941
HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow.

[Presumably she was escorted but no details available.] (12)

15 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Early in the afternoon the destroyer HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, RN), which had on board Prime Minster Churchill and Lord Halifax, having picked them up at Scrabster, came alongside the battleship HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN). Mr. Churchill and Lord Halifax the boarded the battleship. The minesweepers HMS Sharpshooter (Lt.Cdr. D. Lampen, RN) and HMS Speedy (Lt. A.E. Doran, RN) also went alongside with Halifax's staff and luggage. The visitors then had lunch aboard HMS King George V. After lunch Mr. Churchill disembarked. Around 1630A/15, HMS King George V, with Lord Halifax and his staffs still embarked, and escorted by destroyers HMS Somali (Capt. C. Caslon, RN), HMS Bedouin (Cdr. J.A. McCoy, DSO, RN), HMS Matabele (Cdr. R.St.V. Sherbrooke, DSO, RN) and HMS Tartar (Cdr. L.P. Skipwith, RN) departed from Scapa for the Atlantic.

HMS King George V has to take Lord Halifax to the USA where she was to pick up his post as the new British Ambassador at Washington.

Around 1000N/17, in approximate position 61°40'N, 25°50'W the destroyer were detached to return to Scapa Flow conducting an A/S sweep to the north of Rockall on the way back.

HMS King George V then continued her passage to the USA unescorted. (13)

21 Jan 1941

Convoy BHX 104.

This convoy departed Bermuda on 21 January 1941 for the U.K. It was to proceed direct from Bermuda to the U.K. unlike all the other BHX convoys which merged with HX convoys. The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 9 February 1941.

On departure from Bermuda the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Aalsum (Dutch, 5418 GRT, built 1922), Athelempress (British (tanker), 8941 GRT, built 1930), Athelviking (British (tanker), 8779 GRT, built 1926), Athelviscount (British (tanker), 8882 GRT, built 1929), Atlantian (British, 6549 GRT, built 1928), British Resource (British (tanker), 7209 GRT, built 1931), British Venture (British (tanker), 4696 GRT, built 1930), Ceronia (Dutch (tanker), 8096 GRT, built 1939), Clausina (British (tanker), 8083 GRT, built 1938), Davila (British (tanker), 8053 GRT, built 1938), Delphinula (British (tanker), 8120 GRT, built 1939), Diala (British (tanker), 8106 GRT, built 1938), Explorer (British, 6235 GRT, built 1935), G.C. Brovig (Norwegian (tanker), 9718 GRT, built 1930), Ganymedes (Dutch, 2682 GRT, built 1917), Grena (Norwegian (tanker), 8117 GRT, built 1934), Hilda Knudsen (Norwegian (tanker), 9178 GRT, built 1928), Inverilen (British (tanker), 9456 GRT, built 1938), Lochkatrine (British, 9419 GRT, built 1922), Moorby (British, 4992 GRT, built 1936), Novelist (British, 6133 GRT, built 1940), Oakworth (British), 4968 GRT, built 1925), Peder Bogen (British (tanker), 9741 GRT, built 1925), Ranella (British (tanker), 5590 GRT, built 1912), Regent Panther (British (tanker), 9556 GRT, built 1937), San Ambrosio (British (tanker), 7410 GRT, built 1935), San Delfino (British (tanker), 8072 GRT, built 1938), San Ernesto (British (tanker), 8078 GRT, built 1939), Sheaf Holme (British, 4814 GRT, built 1929), Socony (British (tanker), 4404 GRT, built 1936), Storaas (Norwegian (tanker), 7886 GRT, built 1929), Suderholm (Norwegian (tanker), 4908 GRT, built 1917), Toorak (British (tanker), 8627 GRT, built 1927), Treworlas (British, 4692 GRT, built 1922) and Vigrid (British, 4765 GRT, built 1923).

Also part of the convoy was the RFA (Royal Fleet Auxiliary) tanker Darkdale (8145 GRT, built 1940).

On departure from Bermuda the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN).

At 1240Q/24, the merchant vessel Oakworth was ordered to proceed to Halifax as she had developed a serious leak in no.1 hold.

The merchant vessel Treworlas arrived at St. Johns, Newfoundland on 30 January 1941 with weather damage. She had most likely detached from the convoy on 27 or 28 January 1941 after the convoy had encountered heavy weather near Greenland.

At 0900N/31, the battleship HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN) joined the convoy escort.

At 1330N/3, HMS King George V parted company with the convoy.

At 1900N/3, the tanker Athelempress was detached to Reykjavik, Iceland where she arrived on 5 February.

At 0815N/4, HMS Alaunia parted company with the convoy.

The convoy was joined on the 5th by the destroyers HMS Havelock (Cdr. E.H. Thomas, RN), HMS Hesperus (Cdr. D.G.F.W. MacIntyre, RN), HMS Lincoln (Cdr. A.M. Sheffield, RN), HMS Sabre (Lt. P.W. Gretton, DSC, RN), HMS Shikari (Lt.Cdr. H.N.A. Richardson, RN), corvettes HMS Clarkia (Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Jones, RNR), HMS Gladiolus (Lt.Cdr. H.M.C. Sanders, DSC, RNR), A/S trawlers HMS Northern Wave (T/Lt. C. Morrison-Payne, RNVR) and HMS Wellard (Lt.Cdr. A. Johnson, RNVR). [No further details available.]

24 Jan 1941
HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN) arrived in Chesapeake Bay where Lord Hallifax and his staff disembarked.

The battleship had been escorted in by the US destroyer USS Lansdale (Lt.Cdr. J. Connor, USN). (12)

25 Jan 1941
HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN) departed Chesapeake Bay for the U.K. She had on board a naval delegation of cypher specialists and a copy of a Japanese Cypher machine for Bletchley Park. HMS King George V was escorted out by USS Lansdale (Lt.Cdr. J. Connor, USN).

En-route to the U.K, HMS King George V, was to give protection to a large tanker convoy (BHX 104) that was on passage from Bermuda to the U.K.

She joined the convoy on 31 January 1941 and parted company with it on 3 February 1942 to proceed to Scapa Flow.

[For more info on this convoy see the event convoy ' BHX 104 ' for 21 January 1941.] (14)

3 Feb 1941
At 1550O/3, the battleship HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN), which had parted company with convoy BHX 104 around noon and was now en-route to Scapa Flow, was joined by the destroyers HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, RN), HMS Somali (Lt.Cdr. T.H.B. Shaw, DSC, RN), HMS Eskimo (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) and HMS Eclipse (Lt.Cdr. I.T. Clark, RN). These destroyer had departed Scapa Flow in the morning of 1st, February.

Between around 0800N/4 and 1455Z/5, HMS Eclipse had not been in company.

HMAS Napier parted company in the morning of the 6th to proceed to the Clyde.

HMS King George V, HMS Somali, HMS Eskimo and HMS Eclipse arrived at Scapa Flow around 1345A/6, having carried out an exercise with the light cruiser HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.K.D. Dowding, RN) first. (15)

1 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN) conducted AA gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (16)

15 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN) arrived at Halifax from Scapa Flow. (16)

16 Mar 1941
Around 1245Q/16, the battleship HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN) passed through the gate at Halifax, having been ordered to proceed with all despatch to position 41°12'N, 49°00'W later changed to 42°40'N, 45°20'W, and then sweep to the south-west to search for enemy raidars which were operating in the North Atlantic.

Late in the afternoon she was ordered to proceed towards a position to the west of position 56°00'N, 35°00'W to provide cover to ships from the dispersed convoy OB 295 which were now proceeding to (North America) independently.

In the afternoon of the 17th, the Admiralty signalled new orders to HMS King George V who was now join convoy HX 115 and escort it to the U.K.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy HX 115 ' for 17 March 1941.]

Around 1000O/20, HMS King George V joined convoy HX 115 in approximate position 42°42'N, 50°56'W. She parted company with the convoy around 2130Z/28. After detaching she set course towards Iceland and launched a Walrus aircraft which was to join the heavy cruiser HMS Norfolk.

Around 0730Z/29, HMS King George V was joined by the destroyers HMS Cossack (Capt. P.L. Vian, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Maori (Cdr. H.T. Armstrong, DSC, RN) and HMS Zulu (Cdr. H.R. Graham, DSO, RN).

Around 1430A/31, HMS King George V, HMS Cossack, HMS Maori and HMS Zulu arrived at Scapa Flow. (17)

17 Mar 1941

Convoy HX 115.

This convoy departed Halifax on 17 March 1941.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Arabian Prince (British, 1960 GRT, built 1936), Athelduchess (British (tanker), 8940 GRT, built 1929), Athelprince (British (tanker), 8782 GRT, built 1926), Boston City (British, 2870 GRT, built 1920), Bridgepool (British, 4845 GRT, built 1924), British Reliance (British (tanker), 7000 GRT, built 1928), British Statesman (British (tanker), 6991 GRT, built 1923), British Valour (British (tanker), 6952 GRT, built 1927), British Viscount (British (tanker), 6895 GRT, built 1921), Buesten (Norwegian, 5187 GRT, built 1927), Cape Verde (British, 6914 GRT, built 1941), City of Johannesburg (British, 5669 GRT, built 1920), Cowrie (British (tanker), 8197 GRT, built 1931), Eulima (British, 6207 GRT, built 1937), Gand (Belgian, 5086 GRT, built 1919), Germanic (British, 5352 GRT, built 1936), Hylton (British, 5197 GRT, built 1937), Iroquois (British (tanker), 8937 GRT, built 1907), Ittersum (Dutch, 5199 GRT, built 1938), Limbourg (Belgium, 2396 GRT, built 1938), Malaya II (British, 8651 GRT, built 1921), Masunda (British, 5250 GRT, built 1929), Moveria (British, 4867 GRT, built 1925), Norman Prince (British, 1913 GRT, built 1940), Norwegian (British, 6366 GRT, built 1921), Oakworth (British, 4968 GRT, built 1925), Peleus (Greek, 4695 GRT, built 1928), Prins Willem III (Dutch, 1524 GRT, built 1939), Ringstad (Norwegian, 6366 GRT, built 1921), San Cirilo (British (tanker), GRT, built 1937), Trefusis (British, 5299 GRT, built 1918), Treverbyn (British, 5281 GRT, built 1920) and Willesden (British, 4653 GRT, built 1925).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS California (Capt. C.J. Pope, RAN), destroyer HMCS St Croix (Cdr. H. Kingsley, RCN) and the corvette HMCS Orillia (T/Lt.Cdr. W.E.S. Briggs, RCNR). The destroyer and the corvette were detached on the 18th to return to Halifax.

Battleship HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN) and submarine HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) joined the escort in the morning of the 20th.

Around 1450Z/28, in position 60°49'N, 26°00'W, the tanker Cowrie parted company with the convoy to proceed to Reykjavik, Iceland.

Around 1840Z/28, in position 60°55'N, 24°57'W, HMS California and HMS Thunderbolt parted company to proceed to Reykjavik.

Around 2130Z/28, in position 60°56'N, 24°00'W, HMS King George V parted company with the convoy.

Destroyers HMS Venomous (Cdr. H.P. Henderson, RN), HMS Sabre (Lt. P.W. Gretton, DSC, RN), HMS Reading (Lt.Cdr. D.V. Clift, RN), sloop HMS Wellington (Lt.Cdr. W.F.R. Segrave, RN), corvettes HMS Alisma (A/Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rose, RANVR), HMS Dianella (T/Lt. J.G. Rankin, RNR) and HMS Kingcup (Lt. R.A.D. Cambridge, RNR) joined on the 29th in approximate position 61°15'N, 21°31'W.

Also on the 29th the destroyers HMAS Nestor (Cdr. G.S. Stewart, RAN) and HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Hodges, RN) joined. They remained with the convoy until 1 April 1941 when they were detached to Scapa Flow arriving there later the same day.

Also on the 29th the German submarine U-48 attacked the convoy and managed to torpedo and sink three of the merchant vessels; Hylton, Germaninc and Limbourg.

The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 3 April 1941.

1 Apr 1941
The Commander-in-Chief of the Home Fleet, A/Adm. J.C. Tovey, KCB, DSO, RN, transferred his flag from HMS Queen Elizabeth (Capt. C.B. Barry, DSO, RN) to HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN). (18)

2 Apr 1941
Around 1100A/2, the battleship HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN, flying the flag of A/Adm. J.C. Tovey, KCB, DSO, RN), heavy cruiser HMS London (Capt. R.M. Servaes, CBE, RN) and the destroyers HMS Somali (Capt. C. Caslon, RN), HMS Bedouin (Cdr. J.A. McCoy, DSO, RN), HMS Mashona (Cdr. W.H. Selby, RN) and HMS Matabele (Cdr. R.St.V. Sherbrooke, DSO, RN) departed Scapa Flow to patrol off the Bay of Biscay.

At 1215Z/4, the destroyers were detached to refuel at Londonderry where they arrived at 0600A/6.

At 1845Z/6, HMS London was detached for other duties.

At 0430A/8, the light cruiser HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) joined coming from Greenock.

Around 0945A/8, the destroyers HMS Somali, HMS Bedouin, HMS Mashona and HMS Matabele rejoined from fuelling at Londonderry.

At 2000Z/8, HMS King George V, HMS Somali, HMS Bedouin, HMS Mashona and HMS Matabele departed patrol to return to Scapa Flow. HMS Kenya was ordered to make rendezvous with the 'Hood-Group'.

At 0600A/10, HMS Matabele was detached to proceed to Barrow-in-Furness for repairs.

At 1542A/10, HMS Bedouin is ordered to proceed to position 58°42'N, 09°41'W, to the north-west of St.Kilda, where a merchant vessel was reported to be on fire with survivors abandoning ship. HMS Bedouin did not find anything however and arrived at Scapa Flow on the 12th.

Around 1830A/10, HMS King George V, HMS Somali and HMS Mashona arrived at Scapa Flow. (19)

13 Apr 1941
Around 0100A/13, the battleship the battleship HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN, flying the flag of A/Adm. J.C. Tovey, KCB, DSO, RN), light cruiser HMS Nigeria (Capt. J.G.L. Dundas, RN) and the destroyers HMS Mashona (Cdr. W.H. Selby, RN), HMS Electra (Cdr. C.W. May, RN) and HMS Escapade (Lt.Cdr. E.N.V. Currey, DSC, RN) departed Scapa Flow to patrol off the Bay of Biscay.

Around 1055A/15, HMS Mashona, HMS Electra and HMS Escapade were detached to Londonderry.

Early on the 19th, HMS King George V and HMS Nigeria set course to the north to return to Scapa Flow.

Around 0900A/20, HMS Mashona, HMS Electra and HMS Escapade rejoined HMS King George V and HMS Nigeria.

Around noon on 21 April they were spotted by a German Focke Wolk reconnaissance aircraft. Fire was opened on it by (at least) HMS King George V and HMS Nigeria.

HMS King George V, HMS Nigeria, HMS Mashona, HMS Electra, HMS Escapade arrived at Scapa Flow around 1600A/22. Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN then hoisted his flag in HMS Nigeria. (20)

29 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN, flying the flag of A/Adm. J.C. Tovey, KCB, DSO, RN) conducted radar and gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (18)

8 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN, flying the flag of A/Adm. J.C. Tovey, KCB, DSO, RN) conducted aircraft launching and recovering exercises at Scapa Flow. (21)

12 May 1941
During 12/13 May 1941, the battleship HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN, flying the flag of A/Adm. J.C. Tovey, KCB, DSO, RN), battlecruiser HMS Hood (Capt. R. Kerr, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral L.E. Holland, CB, RN) and the destroyers HMS Somali (Capt. C. Caslon, RN), HMS Bedouin (Cdr. J.A. McCoy, DSO, RN), HMS Eskimo (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) and HMAS Nestor (Cdr. G.S. Stewart, RAN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. These included night exercises. (22)

21 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN, flying the flag of A/Adm. J.C. Tovey, KCB, DSO, RN) conducted D/G trials at Scapa Flow. These were followed by AA gunnery exercises. (21)

10 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN, flying the flag of A/Adm. J.C. Tovey, KCB, DSO, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (23)

12 Jun 1941
Around 0120B/12, the battleship HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN, flying the flag of A/Adm. J.C. Tovey, KCB, DSO, RN), light cruiser HMS Aurora (Capt. W.G. Agnew, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral K.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN) and the destroyers HMS Bedouin (Cdr. J.A. McCoy, DSO, RN), HMS Eskimo (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN), HMS Punjabi (Cdr. S.A. Buss, MVO, RN) and HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, RAN) departed Scapa Flow to proceed to position 64°00'N, 28°30'W so as to provided distant cover for ships of the Northern Patrol.

They returned to Scapa Flow around 1320B/14 after having been recalled. (24)

24 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN, flying the flag of A/Adm. J.C. Tovey, KCB, DSO, RN) conducted aircraft launching and recovering exercises and a bombardment exercise at Scapa Flow. (23)

16 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the evening HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN, flying the flag of A/Adm. J.C. Tovey, KCB, DSO, RN) conducted pitometer log trials at Scapa Flow. (23)

17 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Upon completion of last evenings petometer log trials, HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN, flying the flag of A/Adm. J.C. Tovey, KCB, DSO, RN), conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. She then returned to the anchorage.

Later gunnery exercises were carried out in the Pentland Firth during which she was, most likely, escorted by the destroyers HMS Tartar (Cdr. L.P. Skipwith, RN), HMS Punjabi (Cdr. S.A. Buss, MVO, RN) and HMS Echo (Lt.Cdr. C.H.deB. Newby, RN). (23)

24 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN, flying the flag of A/Adm. J.C. Tovey, KCB, DSO, RN) conducted exercises at Scapa Flow. Also D/G trials were carried out. (25)

5 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN, flying the flag of A/Adm. J.C. Tovey, KCB, DSO, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow escorted by the destroyers HMS Oribi (Lt.Cdr. J.E.H. McBeath, DSO, RN), HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Hodges, RN) and HMS Castleton (Cdr. (Retd.) F.H.E. Skyrme, RN).

Later range and inclination exercises were carried out with HMS Berwick (Capt. G.H. Faulkner, DSC, RN). (26)

20 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The battleship HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN, flying the flag of A/Adm. J.C. Tovey, KCB, DSO, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow on completion of which she departed Scapa Flow around 2100A/20 for Rosyth escorted by the destroyers HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, DSO, RN), HMS Punjabi (Cdr. S.A. Buss, MVO, RN) and HMS Lightning (Cdr. R.G. Stewart, RN).

HMS Inglefield and HMS Lightning were detached around 0700A/21 to return to Scapa Flow.

HMS King George V and HMS Punjabi continued on to the Rosyth Dockyard.

On arrival at Rosyth HMS King George V was immediately docked in No.1 Dock. (26)

4 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN, flying the flag of A/Adm. J.C. Tovey, KCB, DSO, RN) is undocked. (27)

5 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0800A/5 the battleship HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN, flying the flag of A/Admiral J.C. Tovey, KCB, DSO, RN) departed Rosyth for Scapa Flow. She passed Oscar Gate an hour later. Around 1140A/5 was joined by her escort, the destroyers HMS Bedouin (Cdr. B.G. Scurfield, OBE, RN), HMS Vivacious (Lt.Cdr. R. Alexander, RN) and the escort destroyer Verdun (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Donald, DSC, RN).

Between 1330A/5 and 1445A/5, while en-route, HMS King George V conducted full power trials.

At 1610A/5, the destroyer HMS Laforey (Capt. R.M.J. Hutton, RN) joined. HMS Verdun was then detached to serve as target for HMS King George V to serve as target for a RIX (Range and Inclination) exercise on completion of which, at 1640A/5, she was detached to return to Rosyth.

HMS King George V, HMS Laforey, HMS Bedouin and HMS Vivacious arrived at Scapa Flow around 2215A/5. (28)

11 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN, flying the flag of A/Adm. J.C. Tovey, KCB, DSO, RN) conducted trials and exercises at Scapa Flow. (27)

12 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN, flying the flag of A/Adm. J.C. Tovey, KCB, DSO, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (27)

23 Sep 1941
Around 1800A/23, the battleship HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN, flying the flag of A/Adm. J.C. Tovey, KCB, DSO, RN), aircraft carrier HMS Victorious (Capt. H.C. Bovell, RN), light cruiser HMS Aurora (Capt. W.G. Agnew, RN) and the destroyers HMS Somali (Capt. D.K. Bain, RN), HMS Ashanti (Cdr. R.G. Onslow, RN), HMS Bedouin (Cdr. B.G. Scurfield, OBE, RN), HMS Eskimo (Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN), HMS Matabele (Cdr. A.C. Stanford, DSC, RN) and HMS Punjabi (Cdr. S.A. Buss, MVO, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Hvalfjord, Iceland. (29)

25 Sep 1941
Around 1300N/23, the battleship HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN, flying the flag of A/Adm. J.C. Tovey, KCB, DSO, RN), aircraft carrier HMS Victorious (Capt. H.C. Bovell, RN), light cruiser HMS Aurora (Capt. W.G. Agnew, RN) and the destroyers HMS Somali (Capt. D.K. Bain, RN), HMS Ashanti (Cdr. R.G. Onslow, RN), HMS Bedouin (Cdr. B.G. Scurfield, OBE, RN), HMS Eskimo (Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN), HMS Matabele (Cdr. A.C. Stanford, DSC, RN) and HMS Punjabi (Cdr. S.A. Buss, MVO, RN) arrived at Hvalfjord, Iceland from Scapa Flow. (29)

13 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
A/Admiral J.C. Tovey, KCB, DSO, RN rehoisted his flag in HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN). (30)

24 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN, flying the flag of A/Admiral J.C. Tovey, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet) conducted trials and exercises off Scapa Flow and later at Scapa Flow. (30)

5 Nov 1941
Around 1800N/5, the battleship HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN, flying the flag of A/Admiral J.C. Tovey, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet), aircraft carrier HMS Victorious (Capt. H.C. Bovell, CBE, RN), heavy cruisers HMS Berwick (Capt. G.H. Faulkner, DSC, RN), HMS Kent (Capt. A.E.M.B. Cunninghame-Graham, RN) and the destroyers HMS Somali (Capt. D.K. Bain, RN), HMS Ashanti (Cdr. R.G. Onslow, RN), HMS Matabele (Cdr. A.C. Stanford, DSC, RN), HMS Punjabi (Cdr. S.A. Buss, MVO, RN), HMS Offa (Lt.Cdr. R.A. Ewing, RN) and HMS Oribi (Lt.Cdr. J.E.H. McBeath, DSO, RN) sailed from Hvalfjord to patrol near position 63°40'N, 35°00'W to cover the British cruiser patrol (patrol White) in the Denmark Strait. This move was made as it was thought a German 'heavy unit' was about to break out into the Atlantic.

Around 2200N/5, they were ordered to return to Hvalfjord as the German 'heavy unit' appeared to be still in the Baltic.

They returned to Hvalfjord around 0100N/6. (31)

28 Nov 1941
Around 1300Z/28, the battleship HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN, flying the flag of A/Admiral J.C. Tovey, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet), aircraft carrier HMS Victorious (Capt. H.C. Bovell, CBE, RN), heavy cruiser HMS Norfolk (Capt. A.J.L. Phillips, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.F. Wake-Walker CB, OBE, RN) and destroyers HMS Somali (Capt. D.K. Bain, RN), HMS Ashanti (Cdr. R.G. Onslow, RN), HMS Eskimo (Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN), HMS Matabele (Cdr. A.C. Stanford, DSC, RN), HMS Tartar (Cdr. L.P. Skipwith, RN), HMS Echo (Lt.Cdr. C.H.deB. Newby, RN) and HMS Escapade (Lt.Cdr. E.N.V. Currey, DSC, RN) departed Hvalfjord for Scapa Flow.

HMS King George V then carried out a RIX (range and inclination) exercise with HMS Norfolk. On completion of the exercises HMS Norfolk returned to Hvalfjord arriving around 2300Z/28.

The other ships proceeded to Scapa Flow arriving around 1200A/30. (32)

15 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN, flying the flag of A/Admiral J.C. Tovey, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (33)

16 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN, flying the flag of A/Admiral J.C. Tovey, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet) conducted D/G trials at Scapa Flow. (33)

27 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN, flying the flag of A/Admiral J.C. Tovey, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (33)

19 Feb 1942

Operation EO.

Object: destruction of enemy shipping off Tromso, Norway.

Around 0600N/19, the battleship HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN, flying the flag of A/Admiral J.C. Tovey, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet), HMS Victorious (Capt. H.C. Bovell, CBE, RN), heavy cruiser HMS Berwick (Capt. G.H. Faulkner, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, DSO, RN), HMS Ashanti (Cdr. R.G. Onslow, RN), HMS Bedouin (Cdr. B.G. Scurfield, OBE, RN), HMS Eskimo (Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN), HMS Icarus (Lt.Cdr. C.D. Maud, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Fury (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Echo (Lt.Cdr. N. Lanyon, RN) departed Hvalfjord.

Around 0845Z/20, they were joined by the destroyers HMS Onslow (Capt. H.T. Armstong, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Punjabi (Lt.Cdr. J.M.G. Waldegrave, DSC, RN) and HMS Tartar (Cdr. R.T. White, DSO, RN) which came from Seidisfjord.

The destroyers HMS Ashanti, HMS Bedouin, HMS Eskimo and HMS Icarus were then detached to Seidisfjord to fuel. They returned around 1630Z/20.

HMS Inglefield, HMS Fury and HMS Echo were then detached to Seidisfjord while the other ships proceeded on the operation.

At noon on 21 February a reconnaissance aircraft reported an enemy force of two battleships and three cruisers (this were actually the heavy cruisers Prinz Eugen, Admiral Scheer and the destroyers Z 4 / Richard Beitzen, Z 5 / Paul Jacobi, Z 7 / Hermann Schoemann, Z 14 / Friedrich Ihn, Z 25) off the south coast of Norway steering north. The Force assigned to operation EO then immediately changed course to the southward in the hope of reaching a position from which HMS Victorious could launch a night torpedo bomber attack. Operation EO was thus abandoned. Coastal and Bomber command aircraft set out to attack and submarines patrolling of the Norwegian coast (HMS Trident, HMS Tuna, HMS P 37 and FFS Minerve) concentrated in the southern approaches to Trondheim.

No further enemy reports were received, but the Fleet continued on a southerly course so that aircraft from HMS Victorious could be launched around 0300 hours on 22 February and sweep down the coast in the vicinity of Stadtlandet in the hope of sighting the enemy force.

Later that day an aircraft report was received showing that the enemy had retired and the operation was therefore postponed. The battlefleet then retired to the north-westward.

On 22 February a further report of the enemy proceeding northwards was received. The battlefleet then steamed south again and after dark closed the Norwegian coast. At 1800A/22, HMS Victorious, HMS Berwick, HMS Bedouin, HMS Eskimo, HMS Punjabi and HMS Icarus were detached to proceed ahead.

The escort destroyers HMS Chiddingfold (Lt.Cdr. L.W.L. Argles, RN) and HMS Grove (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Rylands, RN) departed Scapa Flow around 1900A/22 for air sea rescue duties for RAF aircraft operating against the German force.

At 0100A/23, ten torpedo aircraft were flown off from HMS Victorious followed by seven more around 0145A/23. All aircraft swept down the Norwegian coast in weather which was rapidly deteriorating. The enemy was not sighted, mainly to due to the very bad visibility. Following the sortie fourteen aircraft landed safely at Sumburgh, Shetland Islands. Three aircraft were lost.

Around 0600A/23, the enemy was spotted again when the submarine HMS Trident attacked them and heavily damaged the Prinz Eugen.

HMS Victorious, HMS Berwick and their four escorting destroyers rejoined HMS King George V and her three escorting destroyers around 0900A/23. Course was then set to Scapa Flow where they arrived around 1630A/23. (34)

20 Mar 1942
The battleships HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN, flying the flag of A/Admiral J.C. Tovey, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet), HMS Duke of York (Capt. C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Bedouin (Cdr. B.G. Scurfield, OBE, RN), HMS Punjabi (Lt.Cdr. J.M.G. Waldegrave, DSC, RN), HMS Icarus (Lt.Cdr. C.D. Maud, DSC and Bar, RN) and the escort destroyers HMS Ledbury (Lt.Cdr. R.P. Hill, RN), HMS Middleton (Lt.Cdr. D.C. Kinloch, RN) and HMS Wheatland (Lt. R.deL. Brooke, RN). (35)

22 Mar 1942
The C-in-C Home Fleet, A/Admiral J.C. Tovey, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet, struck his flag in HMS King George V and hoisted it in HMS Liverpool.

The Second in Command Home Fleet, Vice-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN, struck his flag in HMS Renown and then hoisted it in HMS King George V. (36)

28 Mar 1942
Around 0800A/28, HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN), HMS Duke of York (Capt. C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN), HMS Renown (Capt. C.S. Daniel, CBE, DSO, RN), HMS Victorious (Capt. H.C. Bovell, CBE, RN), HMS Kent (Capt. A.E.M.B. Cunninghame-Graham, RN), HMS Edinburgh (Capt. H.W. Faulkner, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral S.S. Bonham-Carter, CB, CVO, DSO, RN, HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, DSO, RN), HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.K. Scott-Moncrieff, RN), HMS Onslow (Capt. H.T. Armstrong, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Echo (Lt.Cdr. N. Lanyon, RN), HMS Escapade (Lt.Cdr. E.N.V. Currey, DSC, RN), HMS Foresight (Cdr. J.S.C. Salter, OBE, RN), HMS Icarus (Lt.Cdr. C.D. Maud, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Bedouin (Cdr. B.G. Scurfield, OBE, RN), HMS Eskimo (Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN), HMS Punjabi (Lt.Cdr. J.M.G. Waldegrave, DSC, RN) and HMS Marne (Lt.Cdr. H.N.A. Richardson, DSC, RN) returned to Scapa Flow from operations.

The Second in Command Home Fleet, Vice-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN, then struck his flag in HMS King George V and hoisted it in HMS Duke of York.

HMS King George V and HMS Victorious (Capt. H.C. Bovell, CBE, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Rosyth around 2100A/28. They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Faulknor, HMS Echo (Lt.Cdr. N. Lanyon, RN), HMS Escapade (Lt.Cdr. E.N.V. Currey, DSC, RN), HMS Icarus (Lt.Cdr. C.D. Maud, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Eskimo (Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN).

They arrived at Rosyth around noon on the 29th. (37)

30 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN) is docked in No.3 Dock at the Rosyth Dockyard. (38)

3 Apr 1942
The C-in-C Home Fleet, A/Admiral J.C. Tovey, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet, hoisted his flag in HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN). (39)

4 Apr 1942
HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN, flying the flag of A/Admiral J.C. Tovey, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet) is undocked. (39)

5 Apr 1942
Around 1930B/5, the battleship HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN, flying the flag of A/Admiral J.C. Tovey, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet), light cruiser HMS Nigeria (Capt. J.G.L. Dundas, CBE, RN, flying the flag of the Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.K. Scott-Moncrieff, RN), HMS Escapade (Lt.Cdr. E.N.V. Currey, DSC, RN) and HMS Icarus (Lt.Cdr. C.D. Maud, DSC and Bar, RN) departed Rosyth for Scapa Flow where they arrived around 0830B/6. (40)

23 Apr 1942
HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN, flying the flag of A/Admiral J.C. Tovey, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet) conducted D/G and compass swing trials at Scapa Flow. (39)

3 May 1942
After having arrived at Seidisfjord with damage around 1100B/3, HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN, flying the flag of A/Admiral J.C. Tovey, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet), departed from there around 1600B/3. Course was set for Scapa Flow. She was escorted by the escort destroyers HMS Blankney (Lt.Cdr. P.F. Powlett, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Lamerton (Lt.Cdr. C.R. Purse, DSC, RN), HMS Middleton (Lt.Cdr. D.C. Kinloch, RN) and HMS Wheatland (Lt. R.deL. Brooke, RN).

They arrived at Scapa Flow around 1945B/4. (41)

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