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Career information

Rear-Admiral Mack died in an air crash.

Destroyer HMS Jervis (F 00)

6 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1315/6, HMS Jervis (Capt. P.J. Mack, RN) and HMS Javelin (Cdr. A.F. Pugsley, RN), departed Invergordon for Rosyth where they arrived around 0030/7. (1)

3 Aug 1940
HMS Jervis (Capt. P.J. -Mack, DSO, RN), HMS Janus (Cdr. J.A.W. Tothill, RN), HMS Juno (Cdr. W.E. Wilson, RN), HMS Dainty (Cdr. M.S. Thomas, RN), HMS Defender (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, RN) and HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. R. Rhodes, RAN) all conducted gunnery exercises off Alexandria. (2)

19 Aug 1941
At 0840/19, HMS Jervis (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO, RN), HMS Kimberley (Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson, DSO, RN) and HMS Hasty (Lt.Cdr. L.R.K. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), departed Alexandria for a troop and supply run to Tobruk. They returned to Alexandria at 1410/20 having taken some wounded soldiers out of Tobruk on the way back.

[The personal diary of a crewmember of HMS Jervis mentions an attack on them by enemy torpedo bombers which had no result. We have so far not been able to find any mention of this in the offical records.] (3)

20 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The damaged, HMS Jervis (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO and Bar, RN), is docked in the Gabbari Dock at Alexandria. (4)

28 Jan 1942
HMS Jervis (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO and Bar, RN) is undocked. (5)

Battleship HMS King George V (41)

8 May 1942
At Scapa Flow, A/Admiral J.C. Tovey, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet, transferred his flag from HMS King George V (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO and Bar, RN) to HMS Duke of York (Capt. C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN).

HMS King George V then departed Scapa Flow for Liverpool where she was to undergo repairs and a refit. She was escorted by the escort destroyers HMS Blankney (Lt.Cdr. P.F. Powlett, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Middleton (Lt.Cdr. D.C. Kinloch, RN).

HMS King George V arrived at Liverpool in the evening of the 9th. The escort destroyers had parted company around 1530B/9 to return to Scapa Flow where they arrived around 1245B/10. (6)

16 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS King George V (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO and Bar, RN) is docked in the Gladstone Dock at Liverpool and taken in hand for repairs and refit. (7)

29 Jun 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS King George V (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO and Bar, RN) is undocked. (8)

10 Jul 1942
Around 1100B/10, the battleship HMS King George V (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO and Bar, RN) and the destroyers HMS Martin (Cdr. C.R.P. Thomson, RN), HMS Marne (Lt.Cdr. H.N.A. Richardson, DSC, RN) and HMS Escapade (Lt.Cdr. E.N.V. Currey, DSC, RN).

At 0820B/10, HMS King George V worked up for full power trials.

Around 1000B/11, they were joined by the heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland (Capt. A.H. Maxwell-Hyslop, AM, RN) for RDF trials for King George V's new 'state of the art' radar outfit. Before joining HMS King George V and her escort HMS Cumberland had been conducting 4" HA gunnery exercises.

They arrived at Scapa Flow around 1530B/11. (9)

13 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The battleship HMS King George V (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted RDF exercises off Scapa Flow with the submarine HNoMS Uredd (Lt. R.Q. Røren). During the exercises HMS King George V was most likely escorted by the destroyer HMS Petard (Lt.Cdr. M. Thornton, DSC, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Catterick (Lt. A. Tyson, RN). (10)

16 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS King George V (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted aircraft launching and recovering and gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. These were followed by D/F calibration trials. (10)

17 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS King George V (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted D/G trials at Scapa Flow. She also conducted engine trials with several runs over the measured mile. (10)

23 Jul 1942
HMS King George V (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Hawkins (Capt. G.A. French, RN) and HMS Aurora (Capt. W.G. Agnew, CB, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow.

HMS King George V was most likely escorted by the escort destroyers HMS Chiddingfold (Lt.Cdr. L.W.L. Argles, RN) and HMS Lamerton (Lt.Cdr. C.R. Purse, DSC, RN). (10)

24 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
A/Admiral J.C. Tovey, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet, transferred his flag from HMS Duke of York (Capt. C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN) to HMS King George V (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO and Bar, RN). (11)

27 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS King George V (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO and Bar, RN, flying the flag of A/Admiral J.C. Tovey, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet) conducted aircraft launching and recovering and gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. Later underway refuelling exercises were carried out with HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Roper, DSC, RN). (10)

17 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS King George V (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO and Bar, RN, flying the flag of A/Admiral J.C. Tovey, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet) conducted exercises at Scapa Flow. (12)

18 Aug 1942
HMS King George V (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO and Bar, RN, flying the flag of A/Admiral J.C. Tovey, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Eclipse (Lt.Cdr. E. Mack, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Windsor (Lt.Cdr. D.H.F. Hetherington, DSC, RN) and HMS Worcester (Lt.Cdr. W.A. Juniper, RN). These exercises included a range and inclination exercise during which HMS Sheffield (Capt. A.W. Clarke, RN), which was also out exercising, acted as target. (12)

1 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 1/2 September 1942, the battleship HMS King George V (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO and Bar, RN, flying the flag of A/Admiral J.C. Tovey, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet), conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. She was, most likely, escorted by the destroyers HMS Intrepid (Cdr. C.A.deW. Kitcat, RN), HMS Echo, HMS Eclipse (Lt.Cdr. E. Mack, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Windsor (Lt.Cdr. D.H.F. Hetherington, DSC, RN).

In the evening the destroyers HMS Milne (Capt. I.M.R. Campbell, RN) and HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN) made exercises torpedo attacks on her. Also a night encounter exercise was carried out with the light cruiser HMS Sheffield (Capt. A.W. Clarke, RN). (13)

24 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS King George V (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO and Bar, RN, flying the flag of A/Admiral J.C. Tovey, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (13)

2 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 2/3 October 1942, the battleships HMS King George V (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO and Bar, RN, flying the flag of A/Admiral J.C. Tovey, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet) and HMS Duke of York (Capt. G.E. Creasy, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. These included night exercises.

[No details available on their destroyer escort.] (14)

15 Oct 1942
A/Admiral J.C. Tovey, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet, struck his flag on board HMS King George V (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO and Bar, RN) and then hoisted it in the base ship HMS Dunluce Castle.

Vice-Admiral B.A. Fraser, CB, KBE, RN, second in Command Home Fleet, struck his flag on board HMS Rodney (Capt. J.W. Rivett-Carnac, DSC, RN) and hoisted it in HMS King George V. (15)

17 Oct 1942
The battleships HMS King George V (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO and Bar, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral B.A. Fraser, CB, KBE, RN, second in Command Home Fleet) and HMS Howe (Capt. C.H.L. Woodhouse, CB, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow.

[No details available on their destroyer escort.] (16)

29 Oct 1942
The battleships HMS King George V (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO and Bar, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral B.A. Fraser, CB, KBE, RN, second in Command Home Fleet), HMS Anson (Capt. H.R.G. Kinahan, CBE, RN) and HMS Howe (Capt. C.H.L. Woodhouse, CB, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. They were escorted by eight destroyers which were, most likely, HMS Onslaught (Cdr. W.H. Selby, RN), HMS Orwell (Lt.Cdr. N.H.G. Austen, DSO, RN), HMS Redoubt (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Ropner, DSO, RN), HMS Icarus (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Walmsley, DSC, RN), HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Roper, DSC, RN), HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. J.A. Burnett, DSC, RN), HMS Echo (Lt.Cdr. N. Lanyon, RN) and HMS Melbreak (Lt. G.E.C.G. Baines, RN). (17)

30 Oct 1942
During 30/31 October 1942, the battleships HMS King George V (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO and Bar, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral B.A. Fraser, CB, KBE, RN, second in Command Home Fleet), HMS Anson (Capt. H.R.G. Kinahan, CBE, RN) and HMS Howe (Capt. C.H.L. Woodhouse, CB, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. These included night exercises. They were, most likely, escorted by HMS Onslaught (Cdr. W.H. Selby, RN), HMS Orwell (Lt.Cdr. N.H.G. Austen, DSO, RN), HMS Redoubt (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Ropner, DSO, RN), HMAS Quickmatch (Lt.Cdr. R. Rhoades, DSC, RAN), HMS Icarus (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Walmsley, DSC, RN), HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Roper, DSC, RN), HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. J.A. Burnett, DSC, RN) and HMS Melbreak (Lt. G.E.C.G. Baines, RN). (17)

1 Nov 1942
Vice-Admiral B.A. Fraser, CB, KBE, RN, second in Command Home Fleet transferred his flag from HMS King George V (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO and Bar, RN) to HMS Anson (Capt. H.R.G. Kinahan, CBE, RN).

Admiral J.C. Tovey, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet then transferred his flag from the base ship Dunluce Castle to HMS King George V. (18)

7 Nov 1942
HMS King George V (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO and Bar, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.C. Tovey, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow.

[No details available on her destroyer escort.] (19)

12 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS King George V (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO and Bar, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.C. Tovey, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet) conducted exercises at Scapa Flow. (19)

27 Nov 1942
During 27/28 November 1942, the battleships HMS King George V (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO and Bar, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.C. Tovey, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet), heavy cruiser HMS Kent (Capt. A.E.M.B. Cunninghame-Graham, RN) and the fast minelayer HMS Abdiel (Capt. D. Orr-Ewing, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. These included night exercises.

Escorting destroyers for HMS King George V were most likely HMS Quilliam (Capt. S.H. Carlill, DSO, RN), HMS Oribi (Cdr. J.E.H. McBeath, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Lightning (Cdr. H.G. Walter, DSC, RN). HMS Loyal (Lt.Cdr. H.E.F. Tweedie, DSC, RN) is also a possibility. (20)

10 Dec 1942
During 10/11 December 1942, the battleships HMS King George V (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO and Bar, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.C. Tovey, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet), HMS Anson ((Capt. H.R.G. Kinahan, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral Sir B. Fraser, CB, KBE, RN), light cruiser HMS Sheffield (Capt. A.W. Clarke, RN) and the destroyers HMS Onslow (Capt. R.St.V. Sherbrooke, DSO, RN), HMS Obedient (Lt.Cdr. D.C. Kinloch, RN), HMS Opportune (Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Inglefield (Cdr. A.G. West, RN) and HMS Eclipse (Lt.Cdr. E. Mack, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. These included night exercises.

The following morning they were joined for a few hours by the light cruiser HMS Penelope (Capt. G.D. Belben, DSC, AM, RN). (21)

15 Dec 1942

Convoy JW 51A.

This convoy departed Loch Ewe on 15 December 1942.

The convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Beauregard (American, 5976 GRT, built 1920), Briarwood (British, 4019 GRT, built 1930), Dynastic (American, 5773 GRT, built 1919), El Almirante (Panamanian, 5248 GRT, built 1917), El Oceano (Panamanian, 6767 GRT, built 1925), Empire Meteor (British, 7457 GRT, built 1940), Gateway City (American, 5432 GRT, built 1920), Greylock (American, 7460 GRT, built 1921), J.L.M Curry (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Oremar (American, 6854 GRT, built 1919), Richard Bassett (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Richard Bland (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), San Cipriano (British (tanker), 7966 GRT, built 1937), West Gotomska (American, 5728 GRT, built 1918) and Wind Rush (American, 5586 GRT, built 1918).

The RFA (Royal Fleet Auxiliary) tanker Oligarch (6894, built 1918) was also part of the convoy.

On departure from Loch Ewe the convoy was escorted by the escort destroyers HMS Blankney (Lt.Cdr. P.F. Powlett DSO and Bar, DSC, RN), HMS Chiddingfold (Lt.Cdr. L.W.L. Argles, RN), HMS Ledbury (Lt. D.R.N. Murdoch, RN), minesweeper HMS Seagull (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Pollock, RN), corvettes HMS Honeysuckle (Lt. H.H.D. MacKillican, DSC and Bar, RNR), HMS Oxlip (Lt. C.W. Leadbetter, RNR) and the A/S trawlers Lady Madeleine (T/Lt. W.G.Ogden, DSC, RNVR) and HMS Northern Wave (T/Lt. W.G. Pardoe-Matthews, RNR).

On the 17th the destroyers HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.K. Scott-Moncrieff, RN), HMS Inglefield (Cdr. A.G. West, RN), HMS Fury (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Echo (Lt.Cdr. N. Lanyon, RN), HMS Eclipse (Lt.Cdr. E. Mack, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Beagle (Cdr. R.C. Medley, DSO, RN) and HMS Boadicea (Lt.Cdr. F.C. Brodrick, RN) departed Seidisfjord to join the convoy which they did on the 18th. After the destroyers had joined the convoy the three escort destroyer parted company with the convoy.

On the 24th five of the merchant ships were detached to proceed to Molotovsk. They were escorted by the Russian destroyers Razyarenniy and Valerian Kyubishev.

The Murmansk section of the convoy arrived in the Kola Inlet on the 25th.

The Molotovsk section of the convoy arrived there on the 27th.

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To provide distant cover for the convoy a ' battlefleet ' was deployed which was made up of the battleship HMS King George V (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO and Bar, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.C. Tovey, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet), heavy cruiser HMS Berwick (Capt. G.H. Faulkner, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMS Musketeer (Cdr. E.N.V. Currey, DSC, RN), HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Farrington, RN) and HMS Raider (Lt.Cdr. K.W. Michell, RN). They departed Scapa Flow on 19 December 1942.

On 21 December they reached their covering position and cruiser to the southward of the convoy's route.

They arrived back at Scapa Flow on 25 December 1942.

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To provide close cover for the convoy ' Force R ' a cruiser cover force was deployed. It was made up of the light cruisers HMS Sheffield (Capt. A.W. Clarke, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.L. Burnett, CB, DSO, OBE, RN), HMS Jamaica (Capt. J.L. Storey, RN) and the destroyers HMS Matchless (Lt.Cdr. J. Mowlam, DSO, RN) and HMS Opportune (Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO and Bar, RN). They had departed Scapa Flow on the 16th except for HMS Sheffield which joined them at sea later on the 16th coming from Loch Ewe.

On the 18th, both destroyers entered Seidisfjord to fuel. The cruisers did not do so due to thick fog and proceeded to cover the convoy without the destroyers.

On the 20th, the destroyers finally departed Seidisfjord to join the cruisers. They had been delayed due to defects in HMS Matchless.

On 23 December 1942 the destroyers joined the cruisers.

' Force R ' arrived in the Kola Inlet on 24 December 1942. (22)

19 Dec 1942
The battleship HMS King George V (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO and Bar, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.C. Tovey, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet), heavy cruiser HMS Berwick (Capt. G.H. Faulkner, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMS Musketeer (Cdr. E.N.V. Currey, DSC, RN), HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Farrington, RN) and HMS Raider (Lt.Cdr. K.W. Michell, RN) departed Scapa Flow on 19 December 1942 to provide distant cover for convoy JW 51A.

They returned to Scapa Flow on 25 December 1942.

[For more info this convoy see the event ' Convoy JW 51A ' for 15 December 1942. (23)

30 Dec 1942

Convoy RA 51.

This convoy departed the Kola Inlet on 30 December 1942.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Belorussia (Russian, 2900 GRT, built 1936), Campfire (American, 5671 GRT, built 1919), Empire Galliard (British, 7170 GRT, built 1942), Empire Scott (British, 6150 GRT, built 1941), Hopemount (British, 7434 GRT, built 1929), Hugh Williamson (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), John Walker (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Kotlin (Russian, 2545 GRT, built 1921), Meanticut (American, 6061 GRT, built 1921), Okhta (Russian, 1357 GRT, built 1918), Revolutsioner (Russian, 2900 GRT, built 1936), Richard Halvey (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942) and Volga (Russian, 2847 GRT, built 1935).

The RFA (Royal Fleet Auxiliary) tanker Oligarch (6894 GRT, built 1918) was also part of the convoy.

On departure from the Kola Inlet the convoy was escorted by the destroyers HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.K. Scott-Moncrieff, RN), HMS Inglefield (Cdr. A.G. West, RN), HMS Fury (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Echo (Lt.Cdr. N. Lanyon, RN), HMS Eclipse (Lt.Cdr. E. Mack, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Beagle (Cdr. R.C. Medley, DSO, RN), minesweeper HMS Gleaner (Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Hewitt, DSC, RN) and the A/S trawlers HMS Cape Argona (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E.R. Pate, RNR), HMS Cape Mariato (T/Lt. H.T.S. Clouston, RNVR), HMS Daneman (T/Lt. G.O.T.D. Henderson, RNVR), HMS St. Kenan (Lt. J. Mackay, RNR).

On 31 December 1942, the convoy was spotted by German air reconnaissance.

The destroyer HMS Montrose (A/Cdr. W.J. Phipps, OBE, RN) and the escort destroyers HMS Blankney (Lt.Cdr. P.F. Powlett DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) and HMS Ledbury (Lt. D.R.N. Murdoch, RN) departed Seidisfjord to join the convoy which they did the following day.

HMS Faulknor, HMS Inglefield, HMS Fury, HMS Echo, HMS Eclipse and HMS Beagle were then detached to proceed to Seidisfjord.

Also the RFA tanker Oligarch was detached to Hvalfjord escorted by HMS Cape Mariato and HMS St. Kenan. They arrived at Hvalfjord on the 8th.

On the 7th, HMS Daneman had to be detached to Seidisfjord due to engine trouble.

The destroyer HMS Worcester (Lt.Cdr. W.A. Juniper, RN) left Seidisfjord and joined the convoy.

On the 9th, HMS Blankney was detached from the convoy to proceed to Scapa Flow arriving later the same day.

On the 10th, HMS Worcester was detached from the convoy to Stornoway due to condenser trouble.

HMS Montrose, HMS Ledbury and HMS Gleaner were detached from the convoy to Scapa Flow where they arrived on the 11th.

On the 11th, the convoy arrived at Loch Ewe escorted by HMS Cape Argona.

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A close cover force ' Force R ' was deployed. It was made up of the light cruisers HMS Sheffield (Capt. A.W. Clarke, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.L. Burnett, CB, DSO, OBE, RN) and HMS Jamaica (Capt. J.L. Storey, RN) which had departed the Kola Inlet on 27 December to provide cover, first for eastbound convoy JW 51B and then for westbound convoy RA 50.

They had engaged enemy surface forces on 31 December 1942 during the defence of convoy JW 51B and then had turned west to provide cover for convoy RA 51.

On 2 January 1943 they set course to proceed to Seidisfjord where they arrived on 4 January.

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A battleforce, made up of the battleships HMS King George V (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO and Bar, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.C. Tovey, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet) and HMS Howe (Capt. C.H.L. Woodhouse, CB, RN), heavy cruisers HMS Kent (Capt. A.E.M.B. Cunninghame-Graham, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral L.H.K. Hamilton, DSO and Bar, RN) and HMS Berwick (Capt. G.H. Faulkner, DSC, RN), light cruiser HMS Bermuda (Capt. T.H. Back, RN) and the destroyers HMS Raider (Lt.Cdr. K.W. Michell, RN), HMS Queenborough (Cdr. E.P. Hinton, DSO and Bar, MVO, RN), HMS Musketeer (Cdr. E.N.V. Currey, DSC, RN), ORP Piorun (Cdr. T. Gorazdowski), HMS Montrose and HMS Worcester departed Scapa Flow on 31 December 1942 and steered north to cover the passage of convoy RA 51 between latitudes 70°00'N and 71°30'N and longitude 01°00'E to 05°00'E.

As the battlefleet proceeded to the north they ran into heavy weather on 1 Janauary 1943 and they had to slow down to enable the destroyers to keep up without sustaining weather damage. HMS Kent and HMS Berwick were then detached to proceed ahead to reach the covering position at the intended time.

On the 2nd, HMS Montrose was detached to Seidisfjord where she arrived on the 3rd.

On the 3rd the battlefleet, minus HMS Kent and HMS Berwick turned back towards Scapa Flow. HMS Worcester was detached to Seidisfjord where she arrived on the 4th.

HMS King George V, HMS Howe, HMS Bermuda, HMS Raider, HMS Queenborough, HMS Musketeer and ORP Piorun returned to Scapa Flow on the 5th.

HMS Kent and HMS Berwick returned to Scapa Flow on the 6th. (24)

31 Dec 1942
Around 1530A/31, the battleships HMS King George V (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO and Bar, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.C. Tovey, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet) and HMS Howe (Capt. C.H.L. Woodhouse, CB, RN), heavy cruisers HMS Kent (Capt. A.E.M.B. Cunninghame-Graham, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral L.H.K. Hamilton, DSO and Bar, RN) and HMS Berwick (Capt. G.H. Faulkner, DSC, RN), light cruiser HMS Bermuda (Capt. T.H. Back, RN) and the destroyers HMS Raider (Lt.Cdr. K.W. Michell, RN), HMS Queenborough (Cdr. E.P. Hinton, DSO and Bar, MVO, RN), HMS Musketeer (Cdr. E.N.V. Currey, DSC, RN), ORP Piorun (Cdr. T. Gorazdowski), HMS Montrose (A/Cdr. W.J. Phipps, OBE, RN) and HMS Worcester (Lt.Cdr. W.A. Juniper, RN) departed Scapa Flow to provide cover for convoy RA 51.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy RA 51 ' for 30 December 1942.] (25)

5 Jan 1943
Around 0900A/5, the battleships HMS King George V (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO and Bar, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.C. Tovey, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet) and HMS Howe (Capt. C.H.L. Woodhouse, CB, RN), light cruiser HMS Bermuda (Capt. T.H. Back, RN) and the destroyers HMS Raider (Lt.Cdr. K.W. Michell, RN), HMS Queenborough (Cdr. E.P. Hinton, DSO and Bar, MVO, RN), HMS Musketeer (Cdr. E.N.V. Currey, DSC, RN) and ORP Piorun (Cdr. T. Gorazdowski) arrived at Scapa Flow from convoy cover operations. (24)

18 Jan 1943
The battleship HMS King George V (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO and Bar, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.C. Tovey, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow during which she was escorted by destroyers (these were possibly HMS Montrose (A/Cdr. W.J. Phipps, OBE, RN), HMS Echo (Lt.Cdr. N. Lanyon, RN) and HMS Raider (Lt.Cdr. K.W. Michell, RN).

The exercises were carried out with the heavy cruiser HMS Kent (Capt. A.E.M.B. Cunninghame-Graham, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral L.H.K. Hamilton, CB, DSO and Bar, RN) and the light cruisers HMS Glasgow (Capt. E.M. Evans-Lombe, RN) and HMS Bermuda (Capt. T.H. Back, RN). Upon completion of the exercises HMS King George V and the destroyers returned to Scapa Flow while the cruisers set course to Seidisfjord, Iceland. (26)

27 Jan 1943
The battleship HMS King George V (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO and Bar, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.C. Tovey, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet) conducted trials and exercises at Scapa Flow. These included an underway refuelling exercise with the escort destroyer HMS Middleton (Lt. C.S. Battersby, RN). Also several runs were made over the measured mile. (27)

5 Feb 1943
The battleship HMS King George V (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO and Bar, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.C. Tovey, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet) conducted underway refuelling exercises with the destroyer HMS Orwell (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Hodges, DSO, RN). (28)

11 Feb 1943
The battleship HMS King George V (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO and Bar, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.C. Tovey, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. She was escorted by three destroyers [unable to identify their identities]. (28)

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