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Destroyer HMCS Assiniboine (I 18)

31 Aug 1941
HMCS Assiniboine (A/Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) picks up 3 survivors from the British merchant Embassage that was torpedoed and sunk on 27 August 1941 by German U-boat U-557 about 100 nautical miles west of Achill Island in position 54°00'N, 13°00'W.

9 Jun 1942
The destroyer HMCS Assiniboine (A/Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) picks up 4 survivors from the French corvette FFL Mimosa (K 11) that was sunk by the German U-boat U-124 about 600 nautical miles south-east of Cape Farewell in position 52°12'N, 32°37'W.

6 Aug 1942 (position 54.24, -39.37)
German U-boat U-210 was sunk in the North Atlantic south of Cape Farewell, Greenland, in position 54°24'N, 39°37'W, by depth charges, gunfire and ramming from the Canadian destroyer HMCS Assiniboine (A/Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN).

Destroyer HMCS Athabaskan (i) (G 07)

26 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1630A/26, HMS Oribi (Lt.Cdr. J.C.A. Ingram, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Janus (Lt.Cdr. W.B.R. Morrison, RN) and HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) departed Plymouth to make rendezvous with HMS Renown (Capt. W.E. Parry, CB, RN) coming from Gibraltar.

At 0401A/26, in position 49°36'N, 07°40'W, HMS Oribi collided with HMS LCI(L)-178. This landing craft was part of 'Flight U' which had departed Gibraltar on 20 November. HMS Oribi was ordered to take the damaged landing craft in tow and return to Plymouth. The damaged landing craft was however still seaworthy and did not have to be taken in tow and was escorted by HMS Oribi to D.1 buoy after which it entered Falmouth together with HMS LCI(L)-276 which had remained in company. HMS Oribi then returned to Plymouth.

HMS Janus and HMCS Athabaskan continued on to escort HMS Renown. (1)

1 Dec 1943
After an aircraft had reported a submarine diving in position 49°35'N, 10°22'W., between 1438A/1 and 2100A/1, HMS Janus (Lt.Cdr. W.B.R. Morrison, RN) and HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) made six depth charge attacks on a target on which intermittent contact was obtained.

Due to fuel shortage, HMS Janus had to break off the action to proceed to Plymouth around 1645A/1. HMCS Athabaskan remained searching until 2100A/1 when she too, set course for Plymouth.

Both destroyers arrived at Plymouth in the afternoon of December 2nd. (2)

7 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) proceeded from Plymouth to Falmouth where she commenced HF/DF calibration trials. These were however broken off the next day after HMCS Athabaskan was ordered to proceed to Scapa Flow. (3)

10 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0915A/10, HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) arrived at Scapa Flow from Falmouth. (4)

12 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1700A/12, HMS Milne (Capt. I.M.R. Campbell, DSO, RN) departed Loch Ewe, where Capt. Campbell had attended the convoy conference, for Skaalefjord, Faeroer Islands.

Around the same time HMS Musketeer (Cdr. R.L. Fisher, OBE, RN), HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN), HMS Matchless (Lt. W.D. Shaw, RN), HMS Opportune (Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Virago (Lt.Cdr. A.J.R. White, RN), HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN) and HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) departed Scapa Flow for Skaalefjord. (5)

13 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0900A/13, HMS Milne (Capt. I.M.R. Campbell, DSO, RN), HMS Musketeer (Cdr. R.L. Fisher, OBE, RN), HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN), HMS Matchless (Lt. W.D. Shaw, RN), HMS Opportune (Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Virago (Lt.Cdr. A.J.R. White, RN), HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN) and HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) arrived at Skaalefjord, Faeroer Islands. (5)

14 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0015A/14, HMS Milne (Capt. I.M.R. Campbell, DSO, RN), HMS Musketeer (Cdr. R.L. Fisher, OBE, RN), HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN), HMS Matchless (Lt. W.D. Shaw, RN), HMS Opportune (Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Virago (Lt.Cdr. A.J.R. White, RN), HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN) and HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) departed Skaalefjord, Faeroer Islands to join convoy JW 55A which they did around 1430A/15.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Operation FV, passage of convoys JW 55A and JW 55B to Northern Russia and RA 55A and RA 55B from Northern Russia and the sinking of the German battleship Scharnhorst ' for 12 December 1944.] (5)

21 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0200C/21, HMS Musketeer (Cdr. R.L. Fisher, OBE, RN), HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN), HMS Matchless (Lt. W.D. Shaw, RN), HMS Opportune (Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Virago (Lt.Cdr. A.J.R. White, RN), HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN), HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN), HMS Harrier (Cdr. H.E.H. Nicholls, RN), HMS Speedwell (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Williams, RD, RNR), HMS Cockatrice (A/Lt.Cdr. C.W. Armstrong, RNR) and HNoMS Acanthus (?) arrived in the Kola Inlet with the Murmansk section of convoy JW 55A. (5)

22 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1100C/22, HMS Milne (Capt. I.M.R. Campbell, DSO, RN), HMS Musketeer (Cdr. R.L. Fisher, OBE, RN), HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN), HMS Matchless (Lt. W.D. Shaw, RN), HMS Opportune (Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Virago (Lt.Cdr. A.J.R. White, RN), HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN), HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN), HMS Beagle (Lt.Cdr. N.R. Murch, RN), HMS Westcott (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) H. Lambton, RN), HMS Wrestler (Lt. R.W.B. Lacon, DSC, RN), HMS Dianella (T/Lt. J.F. Tognola, RNR), HMS Poppy (T/Lt. D.R.C. Onslow, RNR) and HNoMS Acanthus (?) departed the Kola Inlet with convoy RA 55A.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Operation FV, passage of convoys JW 55A and JW 55B to Northern Russia and RA 55A and RA 55B from Northern Russia and the sinking of the German battleship Scharnhorst ' for 12 December 1943.] (5)

29 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2200A/29, HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) and HMS Beagle (Lt.Cdr. N.R. Murch, RN) arrived at Skaalefjord from convoy escort duty with convoy RA 55A. (5)

31 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) proceeded from Skaalefjord, Faeroer Islands to Scapa Flow where she arrived around 1345A/31. (6)

4 Jan 1944
HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) is docked in the floating dock (AFD 12) at Scapa Flow. (7)

8 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) is undocked. (7)

14 Jan 1944
HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN), HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) and HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN) all fuelled at Ponta Delgada, Azores and the left to join HMS King George V (Capt. T.E. Halsey, DSO, RN) coming from Gibraltar.

[For more info see the event for 15 January 1944.] (8)

22 Jan 1944
HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) arrived at Milford Haven.

[She must have departed Plymouth the previous day. We have been unable to find out what duties she had been performing between her departure from Plymouth and arrival at Milford Haven. Most likely it was some sort of escort duty.] (9)

23 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1600A/23, HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) departed Milford Haven and proceeded southwards. [No further details available but most likely it was for some sort of escort duty.] (9)

25 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) arrived at Portsmouth. (8)

25 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) arrived at Portsmouth. (8)

26 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) proceeded from Portsmouth to Plymouth where she arrived around 1400A/26. (10)

1 Mar 1944
Around 2040A/1, 'Force 28', made up of the destroyers HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN), HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN), HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN) and HMCS Huron (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Rayner, DSC, RCN) departed Plymouth to patrol near Ushant but no contact was made with the enemy. They returned to Plymouth around 0740A/2. (11)

13 Mar 1944
Around 1830A/13, HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN), HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) and HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN) departed Plymouth to patrol between positions (AA) 190° - the Lizard - 25 nautical miles and (BB) 270° - position (AA) - 20 nautical miles.

HMCS Haida returned to Plymouth around 0915A/14.

The remaining three destroyers remained on patrol and returned P.M. on the 14th. It looks like HMCS Athabaskan proceeded to Falmouth instead of Plymouth. No contact had been made with the enemy. (11)

14 Mar 1944
Around 1835A/14, ' Force 27 ', made up of the destroyers HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN) and HMCS Huron (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Rayner, DSC, RCN) departed Plymouth for a patrol along a 25 mile line about 29 nautical miles to the south of Land's End to protect the convoy route from possible attack by enemy destroyers or torpedo boats from Brest.

The destroyers of ' Force 27 ' were reinforced around 2030A/14, in position 130° - the Lizard - 18 nautical miles , by their sister ship, HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN), which came from Falmouth.

No contact was made with the enemy and they arrived at Plymouth around 0900A/15. (11)

16 Mar 1944
Around 1800A/16, ' Force 27 ' made up of the destroyers HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN), HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) and HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN) departed Plymouth to patrol between positions (CC) 150° - Bishop Rock - 8 nautical miles and (DD) 125° - Position CC - 20 nautical miles.

At 2200A/16, aircraft 512Sq./C, a Halifax, which was on patrol between the Scillies and Brest reported the position of a possible enemy motor torpedo boat as 49°06'N, 06°02'W.

' Force 113 ', made up of the (French) motor torpedo boats MTB 96 (?), MTB 98 (?) and MTB 91 (?) were ordered to proceed to position 130° - the Lizard - 10 nautical miles. ' Force 113 ', which had been patrolling off Eddystone was at that moment already en-route towards the Lizard.

At 2240A/16, ' Force 27 ' was in contact with the aircraft that had made the report.

At 0130A/17, a group of two possible enemy motor torpedo boats were plotted in position 095° - the Lizard - 8 nautical miles and at 0214A/17 ' Force 113 ' was sent to investigate. Subsequently two more groups of enemy motor torpedo boats were plotted intermittently south-east of Dodman point and the Falmouth shore batteries opened fire on the southernmost group which then moved eastwards.

At 0240A/17, all groups moved to the south-east at high speed.

' Force 27 ' proceeded at high speed on an easterly course to attempt to intercept the enemy should they double back to Brest. ' Force 113 ' endeavoured to intercept the northernmost group but both forces were too far to the west to make contact.

Minelaying was suspected off Dodman Point and at first light minesweeping trawlers searched the convoy routes between Plymouth and Falmouth.

' Force 113 ' returned to Dartmouth around 0755A/17. MTB 91, which had engine defects, had already returned around 0335A/17.

' Force 27 ' arrived at Plymouth around 0800A/17.

The enemy motor torpedo boats must have been part of the 5th and 9th S-boat flotillas which had been operating in the area during this night. This were S 84, S 112, S 139, S 140, S 141, S 143, S 144, S 145, S 146 and S 150. They had departed Brest around 2000B/16 and arrived at Cherbourg around 0630A/17 - 0700A/17. (12)

24 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2045A/24, ' Force 27 ', made up of the destroyers HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN), HMCS Huron (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Rayner, DSC, RCN) and HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) departed Plymouth for a patrol to the south of Start Point to cover forces participating in exercise ' Muskrat II '.

' Force 27 ' returned to Plymouth around 0900A/25. (11)

29 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1930A/29, the destroyers HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN) and HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) departed Plymouth to patrol between positions 087° - Start Point - 24 nautical miles and 130° - Start Point - 20 nautical miles so as to cover forces taking part in exercise ' Beaver '.

They returned to Plymouth the following morning. (11)

6 Apr 1944
Around 2030B/6, ' Force 26 ', made up of the destroyers HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN), HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) and HMCS Huron (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Rayner, DSC, RCN), departed Plymouth to patrol off coast of Brittany.

They were to sweep from the vicinity of Ile Vierge as far east as 04°00'W and then return to Plymouth.

They returned to Plymouth the following morning having made no contact with the enemy. (11)

14 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) is taken in hand for repairs at the Devonport Dockyard. The repair period included a docking. (8)

22 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)

Minelaying operation Hostile 30.

The object of this minelaying operation was to lay a minefield off Ile Vierge.

Around 1515B/22, the fast minelayer HMS Apollo (Capt. J.A. Grindle, CBE, RN) departed Milford Haven to lay this minefield.

Around 2245B/22, she was joined off Longships by the destroyers HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN), HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) and HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN) coming from Plymouth.

The destroyers were detached around 0145B/23 and between 0201B/23 and 0227B/23, HMS Apollo laid 100 MK XVII (49/50) / MK XVIII units, 40 MK 1 / XVII units and 16 MK 1 obstructors in three lines on headings of 125°, 185° and 305° within an area enclosed by lines joining positions;
A) 48°45'7"N, 04°38'5"W,
B) 48°41'1"N, 04°35'4"W,
C) 48°40'0"N, 04°39'5"W,
D) 48°44'4"N, 04°42'7"W.

Mines were set at a depth of 20 feet, with flooders to operate by 10 June 1944. Delay release was arranged for 22nd, 27th and 31st May.

On completion, HMS Apollo returned to Milford Haven. The destroyers returned to Plymouth arriving around 0730B/23. (13)

24 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1930B/24, ' Force 26 ', made up of the light cruiser HMS Black Prince (Capt. D.M. Lees, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN), HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) and HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN) departed Plymouth to proceed to position (SS) 49°30'N, 04°27'W so as to arrive in that position around 0130B/25 and then patrol eastward as far as 03°30'W after which they were to return to Plymouth.

No contact was made with the enemy and ' Force 26 ' returned to Plymouth around 0830B/25. (14)

25 Apr 1944
Around 2105B/24, ' Force 26 ', made up of the light cruiser HMS Black Prince (Capt. D.M. Lees, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN), HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN), HMCS Huron (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Rayner, DSC, RCN) and HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN) departed Plymouth.

They were to proceed to position (SS) 48°49'5"N, 04°27'W and then sweep eastwards.

At 0200B/26, in position 312° - Ile de Batz - 10 nautical miles, ' Force 26 ' made contact with an enemy force which was believed to be made up of three or four Elbing-class torpedo boats. The enemy was on a westerly course but immediately endeavoured to alter course away and escape under the cover of smoke.

At 0219B/26, HMS Black Prince opened fire with star shell at a range of 13000 yards. The remainder of ' Force 26 ' then also opened fire on the enemy as they became visible through the smoke, claiming several hits.

About half an hour later, torpedoes were sighted by HMS Black Prince approaching from starboard. HMS Black Prince immediately altered course away but the result was that the enemy was no longer within star shell range. HMS Black Prince then dropped out of the action as she was unable to overtake the destroyers.

The destroyers meanwhile continued to engage the enemy providing their own illumination. At 0325B/26, HMCS Haida sighted and Elbing-class torpedo boat trying to double back to the westward. This Elbing, thought to have been damaged earlier in the action, was at once engaged by both HMCS Haida and HMCS Athabaskan followed shortly afterwards by HMCS Huron and HMS Ashanti. At 0341B/26, HMCS Haida reported that the enemy was on fire and she subsequently sank at 0421B/26 in position 267° - Les Heaux - 7 nautical miles. It was thought one Elbing-class torpedo boat escaped to the west and one Elbing-class torpedo boat escaped to the east.

Whilst forming up to return to Plymouth, HMS Ashanti collided with HMCS Huron resulting in hull damage to both ships. During the action with the enemy one rating was killed on board HMCS Huron while two were wounded. In HMCS Haida one officer was killed and one rating slightly wound. In HMCS Athabaskan one ratting was slightly wounded.

' Force 26 ', off which all ships except HMS Black Prince all had suffered some minor action damage, returned to Plymouth around 0825B/26.

The enemy that had been encountered were the German torpedo boats T 29, T 27 and T 24 which had just completed laying a minefield north-west of Les Sept Isles. They had departed Saint Malo around 2130B/25. During the action T 29 was sunk, T 27 was detached to Morlaix around 0300B/26 after having been damaged early in the action reducing her speed to only 12 knots. T 24 managed to escape to the westwards and returned to Saint Malo around 0715B/26. (15)

26 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the evening, ' Force 27 ', made up of the destroyers HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN) and HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN), departed Plymouth to patrol between positions (B) 50°18'N, 02°35'W and 50°06'N, 02°50' to provide cover for bombardment exercises of other ships.

They returned to Plymouth around 0850B/27. (16)

28 Apr 1944

Minelaying operation Hostile 26.

The object of this minelaying operation was to lay a minefield to the north-east of Ile de Batz.

Around 1945B/28, eight ML's of the 10th ML flotilla left Plymouth for this operation. They had a close escort of two MTB's.

The group was formed into two divisions. The first division was made up of ML 157 (T/Lt. T.B. Gwenlan, DSC, RNVR), ML 180 (T/Lt. R.J. McCullagh, RNVR), ML 184 (T/Lt. R.W.A. Winter, RNVR) and HMS ML 186 (T/Lt. F.O.S. Man, RNVR). HMS MTB 677 (T/Lt. A.H. Clayton, RNVR) was the close escort. The second division was made up of ML 159 (T/Lt. B.D. Gerrans, RNVR), HMS ML 181 (T/A/Lt.Cdr. H.T. Kemsley, RNVR, S.O. 10th ML Flotilla), HMS ML 259 (T/Lt. H.W.E. Johnson, RNVR) and HMS ML 488 (T/Lt. I.H.L. King, RNVR). HMS MTB 717 (T/Lt. B.H.C. Robinson, RNVR) was the close escort.

Cover was provided by the destroyers HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN) and HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN). They departed Plymouth around 2300B/28 and were to patrol 6 nautical miles to the west and east of position (XX) 49°00'N, 04°10'W with the intention to leave around 0345B/29 for the return passage.

The outward passage was uneventful and completed in fine weather.

Between 0314B/29 and 0326B/29, each division laid a line of 14 mines and 2 MK I obstructors within an area enclosed by lines joining the following positions;
A) 48°55'03"N, 03°52'00"W,
B) 48°52'18"N, 03°52'36"W,
C) 48°51'00"N, 03°57'36"W,
D) 48°52'57"N, 04°00'09"W.

The total of 28 mines consisted of 20 MK XVII (49/50) / XVIII set at 20 feet and 8 MK 1/XVII set at 12 feet.

Sinker clocks were set to release on 21 May and flooders were set to operate on 10 June 1944.

Just after the lay had commenced, two signals were received from the C-in-C, Plymouth reporting the presence of an enemy plot to the southward and HMCS Haida and HMCS Athabaskan were ordered to intercept and they then left to proceed to do so at full speed.

On completion of the lay the minelaying force retired to the northward at 14 knots and at 0405B/29 an enemy report was received from HMCS Haida and continuous star shell was seen from that moment to the south-westward.

At 0416B/29 a very heavy explosion was heard and a burst of flame was seen of which it was later found out that this was HMCS Athabaskan being hit. At 0427B/29, another heavy explosion was heard and a large white mushroom shape cloud of smoke was seen which was HMCS Athabaskan blowing up.

At 0505B/29 the MTB's were detached with orders to search for survivors on orders of the C-in-C, Plymouth. This order was cancelled at 0537B/29 and the MTB's rejoined the force at 0838B/29 and they then entered Plymouth at 0955B/29. The destroyers HMS Offa (Lt.Cdr. R.F. Leonard, RN) and HMS Orwell (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Hodges, DSO, RN), which were covering an exercise in Lyme Bay, were withdrawn and sent to cover the minelaying force on their return passage. (17)

29 Apr 1944
At 0322B/29, the C-in-C, Plymouth's signal timed 0307B/29 was received on board HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN) and HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN). This signal stated that enemy vessels had been detected to the south proceeding westwards.

Speed was increased to full and course was changed to 225°. At 0332B/29, course was altered to 205° and at 0343B/29 to 180°. It was estimated that the enemy could be intercepted to the east of Ile de Vierge.

At 0359B/29, radar contact was obtained by HMCS Athabaskan bearing 133° at a range of 14 nautical miles. This was confirmed by HMCS Haida at 0402B/29 and an enemy report was made.

At 0400B/29, course was altered to 160° and at 0408B/29 to 170°. The bearing of the enemy remained steady at about 125°. At 0402B/29, the plot on board HMCS Haida showed an estimated course of the enemy of 280° at 24 knots and this was confirmed by HMCS Athabaskan which reported 278° at 23 knots.

At 0407B/29, the enemy bore 127°, range 13000 yards, enemy course 260° at 24 knots.

At 0412B/29, HMCS Haida gave the order to engage the enemy and opened fire with star shell. The range at moment being 7300 yards. At 0414B/29, two destroyers were in sight bearing 115° and they were identified as Elbing-class (torpedo boats).

The enemy laid smoke and retired to the southward. At 0417B/29, course was altered 30° to port, still keeping ' A ' arcs open and at that moment HMCS Athabaskan was hit aft and a large fire was started. She was observed to slow down and turning to port. HMCS Haida obtained her first hit on the enemy at 0418B/29.

At 0419B/29, HMCS Haida altered course 090° to port to lay a smoke screen for HMCS Athabaskan who appeared to be stopped and badly on fire. ' A ' arcs were opened to starboard. At 0420B/29, HMCS Haida obtained another hit on the enemy.

At 0422B/29, the plot reported the enemy proceeding on course 160° in line abreast. At that moment target was shifted as the first enemy destroyer was disappearing in smoke to the eastward.

At 0427B/29, ' X ' gun reported that all star shell had been expended and at the same time HMCS Athabaskan appeared to blow up. Fortunately at this black moment the engaged enemy was on fire and though hidden by smoke, the glow of the fire was bright enough to provide a point of aim.

During the next five minutes frequent hits were observed but when the smoke cleared at about 0435B/29 the enemy was seen to be aground and half hidden by a ledge of rock and it was obvious that many of the observed ' hits ' must have been on this rock. The enemy was clearly visible in the light of her own fire.

Course was altered to the north and west to clear the ledges and the line of fire, but on reviewing the situation at about 0442B/29 Cdr. de Wolf decided to retire. Contact with the second enemy destroyer had been lost around 0433B/29 at a range of 14000 yards. Course was set to pass through the position where HMCS Athabaskan blew up and preparations were made to pick up survivors.

At 0457B/29, HMCS Haida was stopped amidst a large group of survivors, possibly around 100 in number. All boats and floats were then lowered and were ordered to be left without crews at 0515B/29 which was the latest time HMCS Haida wanted to leave the area. When HMCS Haida left three of her ratings were left in the motor boat and two of her ratings were in the water assisting at the scramble nets. It was communicated to the remaining survivors that motor torpedo boats had been ordered to proceed to the area to continue the rescue operations. This were HMS MTB 677 (T/Lt. A.H. Clayton, RNVR) and HMS MTB 717 (T/Lt. B.H.C. Robinson, RNVR) but these were recalled when it became clear they could not reach the area before daybreak. 38 survivors had been picked up by HMCS Haida. 85 were picked up by the Germans an made POW', 127 men had lost their lives.

At 0517B/29, course was set for Plymouth at 31 knots to clear the area before daylight.

The fire in the grounded enemy destroyer was visible until 0530B/29 and occasional small explosions were observed.

Around 0635B/29, the destroyer HMS Offa (Lt.Cdr. R.F. Leonard, RN) joined followed at 0650B/29 by HMS Orwell (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Hodges, DSO, RN). They remained in company until the vicinity of Eddystone.

HMCS Haida arrived at Plymouth around 0840B/29.

At 1905B/29, the RAF rescue launch HSL 2554 was sent to position 49°35'N, 05°00'W where a small boat with several men had been reported by aircraft. This proved to be the motor boat of HMCS Haida containing the five ratings that had been left behind with the survivors of HMCS Athabaskan. With them were also six survivors from this destroyer. HSL 2554 took the boat in tow and landed the men in Newlyn.

The enemy ships encountered were the German torpedo boats T 27 and T 24 which were on passage from Saint Malo, which they had departed around 2130B/29, to Brest. T 27 was driven ashore and her wreck was finally destroyed on 7 May.

Following the action T 24 proceeded to Morlaix and later returned to the place where T 27 was grounded with boats of the 24th Minesweeper Flotilla. Attempts by a ship from this flotilla to tow off the badly damaged torpedo boat failed. T 24 then proceeded to Brest where she arrived around 1530B/29.

It was a torpedo fired by T 24 which had hit HMCS Athabaskan. (18)

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