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Light cruiser HNMS Tromp ()

13 Oct 1943
HrMs Tromp (Cdr. F. Stam, RNN) was undocked. (1)

25 Oct 1943
HrMs Tromp (Cdr. F. Stam, RNN) departed Melbourne for Sydney. (1)

27 Oct 1943
HrMs Tromp (Cdr. F. Stam, RNN) arrived at Sydney. (1)

6 Nov 1943
HrMs Tromp (Cdr. F. Stam, RNN) was fumigated at Sydney. (1)

25 Nov 1943
HrMs Tromp (Cdr. F. Stam, RNN) departed Sydney for Melbourne.

For the daily positions during the period of 25 November 1943 to 6 December 1943, see the map below.

(1)

27 Nov 1943
HrMs Tromp (Cdr. F. Stam, RNN) arrived at Melbourne. (1)

29 Nov 1943
HrMs Tromp (Cdr. F. Stam, RNN) conducted exercises off Melbourne. (1)

30 Nov 1943
HrMs Tromp (Cdr. F. Stam, RNN) conducted exercises off Melbourne. (1)

1 Dec 1943
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) conducted exercises off Melbourne. (1)

2 Dec 1943
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) departed Melbourne for Fremantle. (1)

6 Dec 1943
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) arrived at Fremantle. (1)

10 Dec 1943
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) departed Fremantle to make rendes-vous with the US Army transport (troopship) Uruguay (20325 GRT, built 1928). (1)

11 Dec 1943
Around 1300 hours, in position 06°29'S, 116°51'E, HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN), made rendez-vous with the US Army transport (troopship) Uruguay (20325 GRT, built 1928). (1)

12 Dec 1943
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) returned to Fremantle. (1)

15 Dec 1943
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Fremantle together with the US submarine USS Rasher (Lt.Cdr. W.R. Laughon, USN). (1)

16 Dec 1943
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) conducted exercises off Fremantle. (1)

20 Dec 1943
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) departed Fremantle to make rendes-vous with the British liner (troopship) Mooltan (20847 GRT, built 1923). (1)

21 Dec 1943
Around 1230 hours, in position 30°30'S, 109°09'E, HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN), made rendez-vous with the the British liner (troopship) Mooltan (20847 GRT, built 1923). (1)

22 Dec 1943
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) returned to Fremantle. (1)

23 Dec 1943
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) departed Fremantle to escort the British liner (troopship) Mooltan (20847 GRT, built 1923) southwards until 0700/24. (1)

24 Dec 1943
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) returned to Fremantle. (1)

4 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)

For the daily positions of HrMs Tromp during the period of 4 January 1944 to 13 January 1944, see the map below.

(1)

4 Jan 1944
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) departed Fremantle for Colombo where she was to join the Eastern Fleet. During the passege Tromp acted as escort for the British escort carrier HMS Patroller (Capt. A.I. Robertson, RNR). (1)

12 Jan 1944
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) and the British escort carrier HMS Patroller (Capt. A.I. Robertson, RNR) were joined around 1300FG/12 by the Australian destroyers HMAS Napier (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Green, DSC, RAN) and HMAS Nizam (Cdr. C.H. Brooks, RAN).

Around 0800FG/13, HrMs Tromp parted company to proceed to Colombo where she arrived around 1500C/13. (2)

19 Jan 1944
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) departed Colombo for Trincomalee. (1)

20 Jan 1944
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) arrived at Trincomalee. (1)

25 Jan 1944
During 25/26 January 1944, HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN), conducted exercises off Trincomalee together with the British light cruiser HMS Emerald (Capt. F.J. Wylie, RN). (1)

31 Jan 1944
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Trincomalee together with the British submarine HMS Trespasser (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Favell, RN). (1)

1 Feb 1944
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) returned to Trincomalee. (1)

3 Feb 1944
During 3/4 February 1944, HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN), conducted exercises off Trincomalee together with the British destroyers HMS Racehorse (Cdr. J.J. Casement, DSC, RN), HMS Rocket (Lt.Cdr. H.B. Acworth, OBE, RN), HMS Paladin (Lt. E.A.S. Bailey DSC, MBE, RN) and HMS Pathfinder (Lt.Cdr. T.F. Hallifax, RN). (1)

8 Feb 1944
During 8/9 February 1944, HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN), HMS Roebuck (Cdr. J.T. Lean, DSO, RN) and the Australian destroyers HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. G.S. Stewart, RAN) and HMAS Napier (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Green, DSC, RAN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. (1)

9 Feb 1944
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) returned to Trincomalee.

She departed again later the same day for high speed runs near Trincomalee. During one of these runs Trump hit a submerged object with her propellers.

After Tromp had returned to Trincomalee upon completing her high speed runs a diver was sent down to have a look at the propellers which were found to be damaged. (1)

10 Feb 1944
The battlecruiser HMS Renown (Capt. B.C.B. Brooke, RN and flagship of Vice Admiral A.J. Power, KCB, CVO, RN and second in command of the Eastern Fleet), aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious (Capt. R.L.B. Cunliffe, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C. Moody, CB, RN), light cruisers HMS Emerald (Capt. F.J. Wylie, RN), HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) and destroyers HMS Rotherham (Capt. F.S.W. de Winton, RN), HMS Racehorse (Cdr. J.J. Casement, DSC, RN), HMS Roebuck (Cdr. J.T. Lean, DSO, RN), HMS Pathfinder (Lt.Cdr. T.F. Hallifax, RN), HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. G.S. Stewart, RAN), HMAS Napier (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Green, DSC, RAN) and HMAS Nizam (Cdr. C.H. Brooks, RAN) departed Trincomalee and then proceeded to the north-east to give the Japanese the impression that they were to preform a raid against the coast of Burma towards Ramree Island. A fake signal was sent to bolster this. Course was reversed the next day and exercises were then carried out during that day and the next days.

They returned to Trincomalee in the morning of the 14th. Various exercises had been carried out while at sea.

10 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)

For the daily positions of HrMs Tromp during the period of 10 February 1944 to 14 February 1944, see the map below.

14 Feb 1944
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) returned to Trincomalee. (1)

21 Feb 1944
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) departed Trincomalee for Colombo where she was to dock to repair the damage to her propellers. (1)

22 Feb 1944
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) arrived at Colombo. (1)

1 Mar 1944
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) is docked at Colombo. (1)

7 Mar 1944
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) is undocked. (1)

8 Mar 1944
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) conducted trials off Colombo. (1)

10 Mar 1944
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) departed Colombo for Trincomalee. (1)

11 Mar 1944
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) arrived at Trincomalee. (1)

15 Mar 1944
During 15/16 March 1944, HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNethN), HMS Rotherham (Capt. F.S.W. de Winton, RN), HMS Quality (Lt.Cdr. G.L. Farnfield, DSO, RN), HMAS Quickmatch (Lt.Cdr. O.H. Becher, DSC, RAN), HMAS Napier (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Green, DSC, RAN), HMAS Nepal (Cdr. F.B. Morris, RAN), HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN), HrMs Van Galen (Lt.Cdr. F.T. Burghard, RNethN) and HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. G.A. Cox, RNethN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. These included night exercises. (1)

19 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)

For the daily positions of HrMs Tromp during the period of 19 March 1944 to 2 April 1944, see the map below.

(3)

19 Mar 1944

Operation Diplomat

On 19 March the light cruiser HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNethN) departed Trincomalee to escort the Royal Fleet Auxiliary tankers Arndale (8296 GRT, built 1937), Eaglesdale (8032 GRT, built 1942) and Easedale (8032 GRT, built 1942).

These tankers were to refuel the ships from the Eastern Fleet that were to participate in operation Diplomat. During operation Diplomat the Eastern Fleet proceeded to the south-west of Cocos Island where the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (T/Commodore. J.H. Cassady, USN) and the destroyers USS Cummings (T/Cdr. P.D. Williams, USN), USS Dunlap (T/Cdr. C. Iverson, USN) and USS Fanning (T/Cdr. R.M. MacKinnon, USN).

Ships from the Eastern Fleet departed Trincomalee on 21 March, these were the battleship HMS Queen Elizabeth (Capt. H.G. Norman, CBE, RN), battlecruiser HMS Renown (Capt. B.C.B. Brooke, RN, flying the flag of Vice Admiral A.J. Power, KCB, CVO, RN and second in command of the Eastern Fleet), aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious (Capt. R.L.B. Cunliffe, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C. Moody, CB, RN), heavy cruisers HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN), HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN), light cruisers HMS Ceylon (Capt. G.B. Amery-Parkes, RN), HMNZS Gambia (Capt. N.J.W. William-Powlett, DSC, RN), destroyers HMS Quilliam (Capt. R.G. Onslow, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Pathfinder (Lt.Cdr. T.F. Hallifax, RN), HMAS Napier (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Green, DSC, RAN), HMAS Nepal (Cdr. F.B. Morris, RAN), HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN), HrMs Van Galen (Lt.Cdr. F.T. Burghard, RNethN) and HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. G.A. Cox, RNethN).

The battleship HMS Valiant (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Quality (Lt.Cdr. G.L. Farnfield, DSO, RN), HMS Queenborough (Cdr. E.P. Hinton, DSO and Bar, MVO, RN), HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. G.S. Stewart, RAN) departed Colombo on the same day. They made rendezvous with the other ships the following day.

On 24 March 1944, the Eastern Fleet met HrMs Tromp and the tankers at 0930 hours in position 07°57'S, 82°14'E and during the next three days they experienced good weather. Ships were fuelled as follows;

24 March 1944
Easedale - HMS Renown
Arndale - HMS Valiant and HMS Ceylon
Eaglesdale - HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMNZS Gambia

25 March 1944
Easedale - HMS Quilliam, HMS Queenborough, HMAS Quiberon, HMS Quality and HMS Pathfinder
Arndale - HMS Illustrious and HrMs Tromp
Eaglesdale - HMS London, HMS Cumberland, HMAS Napier, HMAS Nepal and HMAS Norman

26 March 1944
Easedale - HMS Pathfinder, HrMs Van Galen, HMAS Quiberon and HMAS Norman
Eaglesdale - HMAS Napier, HMS Quilliam, HMS Queensborough, HMS Quality and HMAS Nepal

Tanker Arndale had been detached after fuelling on the 25th escorted by HrMS Tjerk Hiddes which was suffering from defects. The other two oilers were detached after fuelling on the 26th still escorted by HrMs Tromp.

HrMs Ceylon and HMS Napier arrived at Colombo on 31 March. All the other ships arrived at Trincomalee on the same day except HrMs Tromp which arrived at Trincomalee with the tankers on 2 April. (3)

2 Apr 1944
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) returned to Trincomalee. (1)

11 Apr 1944
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) conducted A/S exercises together with HMS Taurus (Lt.Cdr. M.R.G. Wingfield, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN).

Later the same day (actually until 0700/12) HrMs Tromp carried out exercises together with the British heavy cruisers HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN), HMS Cumberland (Capt. F.J. Butler, RN) and the British light cruisers HMS Newcastle (Capt. P.B.R.W. William-Powlett, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.D. Read, CB, RN), HMS Nigeria (Capt. S.H. Paton, RN) and the New Zealand light cruiser HMNZS Gambia (Capt. N.J.W. William-Powlett, DSC, RN).

HMS Taurus also carried out noise trials and gunnery exercises on this day. (4)

12 Apr 1944
After completing exercises off Trincomalee, HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN), returned to that harbour. (1)

16 Apr 1944

Operation Cockpit

Carrier raid against Sabang by the Eastern Fleet.

On 16 April 1944 the Eastern Fleet put to sea from Trincomalee, Ceylon in two task forces;
Task Force 69, which was made up of the battleships HMS Queen Elizabeth (Capt. H.G. Norman, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Eastern Fleet), HMS Valiant (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN), Richelieu (Capt. Lambert), the light cruisers HMS Newcastle (Capt. P.B.R.W. William-Powlett, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.D. Read, CB, RN), HMS Nigeria (Capt. S.H. Paton, RN), HMS Ceylon (Capt. G.B. Amery-Parkes, RN), HMNZS Gambia (Capt. N.J.W. William-Powlett, DSC, RN), HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNethN) and the destroyers HMS Rotherham (Capt. F.S.W. de Winton, RN), HMS Racehorse (Cdr. J.J. Casement, DSC, RN), HMS Penn (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Petard (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Egan, DSO, RN), HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. G.S. Stewart, RAN), HMAS Napier (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Green, DSC, RAN, with Commodore S.H.T. Arliss, DSO, RN, on board), HMAS Nepal (Lt.Cdr. J. Plunkett-Cole, RAN), HMAS Nizam (Cdr. C.H. Brooks, RAN), HrMs Van Galen (Lt.Cdr. F.T. Burghard, RNethN).

Task Force 70, which was made up of the battlecruiser HMS Renown (Capt. B.C.B. Brooke, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral A.J. Power, KCB, CVO, RN, second in command of the Eastern Fleet), the British aircraft carriers HMS Illustrious (Capt. R.L.B. Cunliffe, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C. Moody, CB, RN), USS Saratoga (Capt. J.H. Cassady, USN), heavy cruiser HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMS Quilliam (Capt. R.G. Onslow, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Farrington, RN), HMS Queenborough (Cdr. E.P. Hinton, DSO and Bar, MVO, RN), USS Cummings (Cdr. P.D. Williams, USN), USS Dunlap (Cdr. C. Iverson, USN) and USS Fanning (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Bentley, USN).

During the forenoon of the 17th the four 'N' class and two 'P' class destroyers of Force 69 were fuelled by HMS Newcastle, HMS Nigeria, HMS Ceylon, HMNZS Gambia. The three 'Q' class destroyers from Force 70 were fuelled by HMS Renown and HMS London.

On the 18th HMS Ceylon and HMNZS Gambia were transferred from Force 69 to Force 70 to bolster the latters AA defence. (On the 19th HMS Nigeria replaced HMS Ceylon in this force as HMS Ceylon had problems with one shaft and could only make 24 knots.) At sunset Force 70 was detached so as to arrive at the flying off position for the aircraft at 0530/19.

At 0530/19 the carriers launched 46 bombers and 37 fighters (17 Barracudas and 13 Corsairs from HMS Illustrious and 11 Avenges, 18 Dauntless and 24 Hellcats from USS Saratoga) to attack Sabang and nearby airfields. Besides that 12 fighters were launched to patrol overhead of both Task forces.

The enemy was taken completely by surprise and 24 Japanese aircraft were destroyed on the ground. Only 1 fighter, a Hellcat from the Saratoga, was lost on the Allied side and it's pilot was rescued out of the water by the British submarine HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN). All aircraft, except the one lost, had returned to the carriers by 0930 hours after which both task forces retired to the west. The Japanese tried to attack the Allied task force with three torpedo bombers but these were shot down by Allied fighter aircraft at 1010 hours.

At Sabang the Japanese merchants Kunitsu Maru (2722 GRT, built 1937) and Haruno Maru (775 GRT, built 1927, former Dutch Kidoel) were sunk by the Allied aircraft while the Japanese minelayer Hatsutaka was damaged.

At 0800 hours on the 20th the fleet set course to return to Trincomalee. The cruisers and destroyer meanwhile carried out attack exercises.

The fleet returned to Trincomalee on 21 April. (5)

16 Apr 1944

For the daily positions of HrMs Tromp during the period of 16 April 1944 to 21 April 1944, see the map below.

(5)

21 Apr 1944
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) returned to Trincomalee. (1)

24 Apr 1944
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Trincomalee together with HMS Templar (Lt. T.G. Ridgeway, RN).

Later the same day (actually until the morning of the next day) HrMs Tromp carried out exercises together with HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN), HMS Nigeria (Capt. S.H. Paton, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.D. Read, CB, RN) and HMNZS Gambia (Capt. N.J.W. William-Powlett, DSC, RN) which were also out exercising during 24/25 April 1944. These included night exercises. (6)

25 Apr 1944
After completing exercises off Trincomalee, HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN), returned to that harbour. (1)

4 May 1944
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) conducted gunnery and A/S exercises off Trincomalee. The A/S exercises were together with the British submarine HMS Storm (T/Lt. E.P. Young, DSC, RNVR). (1)

6 May 1944

For the daily positions of HrMs Tromp during the period of 6 May 1944 to 27 May 1944, see the map below.

(7)

6 May 1944

Operation Transom.

Carrier raid against Surabaya by the Eastern Fleet.

On 6 May 1944 the Eastern Fleet put to sea from Trincomalee or Colombo in two task forces;
Task Force 65, which was made up of the battleships HMS Queen Elizabeth (Capt. H.G. Norman, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Eastern Fleet), HMS Valiant (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN), Richelieu (Capt. G.M.J. Merveilleux du Vignaux), the light cruisers HMS Kenya (Capt. C.L. Robertson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.D. Read, CB, RN), HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNethN) and the destroyers HMS Rotherham (Capt. F.S.W. de Winton, RN), HMS Racehorse (Cdr. J.J. Casement, DSC, RN), HMS Penn (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, DSO, DSC, RN), HMAS Napier (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Green, DSC, RAN, with Commodore S.H.T. Arliss, DSO, RN, on board), HMAS Nepal (Lt.Cdr. J. Plunkett-Cole, RAN), HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. G.S. Stewart, RAN), HMAS Quickmatch (Lt.Cdr. O.H. Becher, DSC, RAN) and HrMs Van Galen (Lt.Cdr. F.T. Burghard, RNethN).

Task Force 66, which was made up of the battlecruiser HMS Renown (Capt. B.C.B. Brooke, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral A.J. Power, KCB, CVO, RN, second in command of the Eastern Fleet) (went to Task Force 65 the next day), the aircraft carriers HMS Illustrious (Capt. R.L.B. Cunliffe, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C. Moody, CB, RN), USS Saratoga (T/Commodore J.H. Cassady, USN), light cruisers HMS Ceylon (Capt. G.B. Amery-Parkes, RN), HMNZS Gambia (Capt. N.J.W. William-Powlett, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMS Quilliam (Capt. R.G. Onslow, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Farrington, RN), HMS Queenborough (Cdr. E.P. Hinton, DSO and Bar, MVO, RN), USS Cummings (T/Cdr. P.D. Williams, USN), USS Dunlap (T/Cdr. C. Iverson, USN) and USS Fanning (T/Cdr. J.C. Bentley, USN).

On 10 May 1944, the Dutch light cruiser Tromp and the destroyers were fuelled at sea by the capital ships and the cruisers. During fuelling from HMS Valiant the Dutch destroyer HrMs Van Galen sustained some minor damage (fractured hull plate on her port side) but the crew of the Van Galen was able to effect emergency repairs.

On 15 May 1944, task forces 65 and 66 were fuelled at Exmouth Gulf, Australia by Task Force 67 which was made up of of six Royal Fleet Auxiliary tankers; Eaglesdale (8032 GRT, built 1942), Echodale (8150 GRT, built 1941), Easedale (8032 GRT, built 1942), Arndale (8296 GRT, built 1937), Pearleaf (5911 GRT, built 1917), Appleleaf (5891 GRT, built 1917) and supplyship (used as distilling ship) Bacchus (3154 GRT, built 1936). This force had already left Trincomalee on 30 April and was escorted by the heavy cruisers HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN), HMS Suffolk (A/Capt. W.F.H.C. Rutherford, RN). They had also been escorted near Ceylon by a local escort for A/S purposes, this local escort had been made up of the destroyers HMS Rotherham, HrMs Van Galen and the frigate HMS Findhorn (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Dawson, RD, RNR). The local escort returned to Ceylon on 5 May 1944. The two cruisers mentioned above now joined Task Force 66. Later this day Task Forces 65 and 66 went to sea again for the actual attack on Surabaya. On leaving Exmouth Gulf the fleet was spotted by the merchant vessel Aroona. This ship was now instructed to put into Exmouth Gulf and was held there by HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdale, OBE, RAN) for 24 hours and to impress on the master and crew of this vessel the necessity of not disclosing any information concerning the Fleet on the arrival of their ship at Fremantle (their next port of call).

In the early morning hours of the 17th the carriers launched 45 dive bombers and 40 fighters for an attack on the harbour and oil installations (Wonokromo oil refeniry) of Surabaya, Netherlands East Indies. (USS Saratoga: 12 Avengers (1 had to return with engine trouble shortly after being launched), 18 Dauntless, 24 Hellcats; HMS Illustrious: 18 Avengers (2 of which force landed in the sea shortly after being launched), 16 Corsairs). On the ground they destroyed 12 enemy aircraft (20 were claimed). The damage to the harbour and shipping were over estimated (10 ships were thought to have been hit) as in fact only the small transport ship Shinrei Maru (987 GRT, built 1918) was sunk and patrol vessel P 36, auxiliary submarine chasers CHa-107 and CHa-108, tanker Yosei Maru (2594 GRT, built 1928, former Dutch Josefina) and cargo ships Choka Maru (???? GRT, built ????) and Tencho Maru (2716 GRT, built 1919) were damaged.

On the 18th the US ships were released. The other ships then proceeded to Exmouth Gulf where they arrived to fuel the next day before starting on the return trip to Ceylon less destroyer HMAS Quiberon which was to refit in Australia and was sent to Fremantle.

On 23 May 1944, the Dutch light cruiser Tromp and the destroyers were fuelled at sea by the capital ships and the cruisers.

The ships of Task Force 65 and 66 arrived back at Colombo or Trincomalee on the 26 or 27th.

On 1 June 1944, Task Force 67 arrived at Trincomalee from Exmouth Gulf having been escorted by HMS London and HMS Suffolk until 1700FG/31. On arrival at Trincomalee Task Force 67 had an A/S escort made up of the destroyers HMAS Nizam (Cdr. C.H. Brooks, RAN), HMAS Quickmatch, HMS Raider (Lt.Cdr. K.W. Michell, DSC, RN), HMS Roebuck (Cdr. J.T. Lean, DSO, RN) and corvette HMS Burnet (Lt. D.S. Charles, RNR). These ships had joined at 2300FG/28 (HMAS Nizam, HMS Roebuck and HMS Burnet) and 0630FG/30 (HMAS Quickmatch and HMS Raider).

During this operation several US Submarine guarded the passages to the Indian Ocean to spot a possible Japanese counter attack. The submarines deployed for this purpose were the following; In the Sunda Strait from 12 to 23 May 1944; USS Angler (T/Cdr. R. I. Olsen, USN) and USS Gunnel (T/Cdr. J.S. McCain, Jr., USN).
South of Lombok Strait from 13 to 20 May 1944; USS Cabrilla (T/Cdr. W.C. Thompson, Jr., USN) and also the USS Bluefish (T/Cdr. C.M. Henderson, USN) from 13 May until the night of the 16th.
South of Bali Strait from 17 to 20 May; USS Bluefish.
North of Bali Strait; USS Puffer (Cdr. F.G. Selby, USN) during the night of 16/17 May.

The following US Submarines were deployed in the Surabaya area for air/sea rescue duties; USS Puffer in the Madura Strait about 40 miles to the east of Surabaya.
USS Rasher (Cdr. W.R. Laughton, USN) in the Java Sea about 40 miles to the north of Surabaya. (7)

27 May 1944
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) returned to Trincomalee. (1)

5 Jun 1944
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) departed Trincomalee for Colombo. (1)

6 Jun 1944
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) arrived at Colombo. (1)

16 Jun 1944
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) departed Colombo for Trincomalee. (1)

17 Jun 1944
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) arrived at Trincomalee. (1)

23 Jun 1944
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) and HMS Petard (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Egan, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. These included A/S exercises with the submarine HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO and Bar, DSC and Bar, RN).

The exercises with HMS Petard were completed at 0600/24 and then HrMs Tromp returned to Trincomalee. (8)

29 Jun 1944
During 29/30 June 1944 HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) was exercises off Trincomalee. Amonst the exercises were A/S exercises with the British submarine HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) and the British destroyer HMS Rotherham (Capt. F.S.W. de Winton, RN). (9)

4 Jul 1944
During 4/5 July 1944, HMS Nigeria (Capt. H.A. King, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.D. Read, CB, RN), HMS Kenya (Capt. C.L. Robertson, RN), HMNZS Gambia (Capt. N.J.W. William-Powlett, DSC, RN), HMS Phoebe (Capt. C.P. Frend, RN) and HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN). Later the destroyers HMS Rotherham (Capt. F.S.W. de Winton, RN), HMS Relentless (Lt.Cdr. R.A. Fell, RN), HMS Rapid (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Quality (Lt.Cdr. the Viscount Jocelyn, RN) also joined.

The exercises included night exercises.

On completion of the exercises, HMS Kenya set course to proceed to Colombo. (9)

5 Jul 1944
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) returned to Trincomalee upon completion of the exercises. (9)

11 Jul 1944
During 11/12 July 1944, HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) and HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. These included night exercises. (10)

19 Jul 1944
During 19/20 July 1944, HMS Nigeria (Capt. H.A. King, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.D. Read, CB, RN), HMS Kenya (Capt. C.L. Robertson, RN), HMS Ceylon (Capt. G.B. Amery-Parkes, RN), HMNZS Gambia (Capt. N.J.W. William-Powlett, DSC, RN) and HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN), all conducted exercises off Trincomalee. These included night exercises. (9)

22 Jul 1944

Operation Crimson.

Carrier raid and surface bombardment against Sabang, Netherlands East Indies by the Eastern Fleet.

On 22 July 1944 the Eastern Fleet put to sea from Trincomalee, Ceylon. The ships that participated in this sortie were the battleships HMS Queen Elizabeth (Capt. H.G. Norman, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Eastern Fleet), HMS Valiant (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN), Richelieu (Capt. G.M.J. Merveilleux du Vignaux), battlecruiser HMS Renown (Capt. B.C.B. Brooke, RN, flying the flag of Vice Admiral A.J. Power, KCB, CVO, RN, second in command of the Eastern Fleet), aircraft carriers HMS Illustrious (Capt. C.E. Lambe, CB, CVO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C. Moody, CB, RN), HMS Victorious (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, CBE, RN), heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN), light cruisers HMS Nigeria (Capt. H.A. King, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.D. Read, CB, RN), HMS Kenya (Capt. C.L. Robertson, RN), HMS Ceylon (Capt. G.B. Amery-Parkes, RN), HMS Phoebe (Capt. C.P. Frend, RN), HMNZS Gambia (Capt. N.J.W. William-Powlett, DSC, RN), HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) and the destroyers HMS Rotherham (Capt. F.S.W. de Winton, RN), HMS Relentless (Lt.Cdr. R.A. Fell, RN), HMS Racehorse (Cdr. J.J. Casement, DSC, RN), HMS Rocket (Lt.Cdr. H.B. Acworth, OBE, RN), HMS Raider (Lt.Cdr. K.W. Michell, DSC, RN), HMS Roebuck (Cdr. J.T. Lean, DSO, RN), HMS Rapid (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Quilliam (Capt. R.G. Onslow, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Quality (Lt.Cdr. the Viscount Jocelyn, RN), HMAS Quickmatch (Lt.Cdr. O.H. Becher, DSC, RAN).

The British submarines HMS Templar (Lt. T.G. Ridgeway, RN) and HMS Tantalus (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Mackenzie, DSO and Bar, RN) were deployed for air/sea rescue duties.

In the early hours of the 25th the carriers, HMS Illustrious and HMS Victorious, separated from the fleet under the escort of HMS Phoebe, HMS Roebuck and HMS Raider, and launched a total of 34 fighter aircraft to attack airfields in the area (18 Corsairs from HMS Illustrious and 16 Corsairs from HMS Victorious). One Corsair fighter was damaged by AA fire from the enemy and crashed into the sea, the pilot was picked up by HMS Nigeria. Five other Corsairs were damaged by AA fire but managed to return to the carriers. Two of these could be repaired on board, the other three were too badly damaged for effective repairs.

The battleships HMS Queen Elizabeth, HMS Valiant, Richelieu, battlecruiser HMS Renown, heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland, light cruisers HMS Nigeria, HMS Kenya, HMS Ceylon, HMNZS Gambia and the destroyers HMS Rotherham, HMS Relentless, HMS Racehorse, HMS Rocket and HMS Rapid then commenced a bombardment of the Sabang area. They fired a total of 294 - 15", 134 - 8", 324 - 6", ca. 500 - 4.7" and 123 - 4" shells.

Then the Dutch cruiser HrMs Tromp entered Sabang Bay, her rightful waters, with the destroyers HMS Quilliam, HMS Quality and HMAS Quickmatch. In all these four ships fired a total of 8 Torpedos and 208 - 6", 717 - 4.'7" and 668 x 4" shells. Japanese shore batteries obtained 4 hits on the Tromp while Quilliam and Quality were both hit once. The hit by what was thought to be a 3” shell on Quilliam caused minor structural damage but killed one petty officer and wounded four ratings. Quality was hit by what is thought to be a 5” shell which hit the tripod foremast and HA director. One war correspondent was killed and one officer and eight retings were wounded, some of them seriously. Tromp was hit by two 5” and two 3” shells but was lucky that none of these exploded !!!, she suffered only minor structural damage and no deaths or even wounded amongst her crew !

Later that day 13 fighters from the carriers intercepted a Japanese counter attack with 10 aircraft. 7 of these were shot down for no losses of their own.

The fleet arrived back at Trincomalee on 27 July. (11)

22 Jul 1944

For the daily positions of HrMs Tromp during the period of 22 July 1944 to 27 July 1944, see the map below.

(11)

27 Jul 1944
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) returned to Trincomalee. (9)

17 Aug 1944
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) departed Trincomalee as escort for the British Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker Easedale (8032 GRT, built 1942).

This tanker was put to sea to refuel the ships that were to participate in the upcoming operation 'Banquet'.

For the daily positions of HrMs Tromp during the period of 19 August 1944 to 27 August 1944, see the map below.

(9)

19 Aug 1944

Operation Banquet.

Carrier raid against Padang, Sumatra, Netherlands East Indies by ships of the Eastern Fleet.

Around 1100FG/19, ' Force 64 ' put to sea from Trincomalee. ' Force 64 ' was made up of the following ships; Aircraft carriers HMS Victorious (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, CBE, RN), HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C. Moody, CB, RN), battleship HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN), light cruisers HMS Ceylon (Capt. G.B. Amery-Parkes, RN), HMS Kenya (Capt. C.L. Robertson, RN) and the destroyers HMS Rotherham (Capt. H.W. Biggs, DSO, RN), HMS Raider (Lt.Cdr. K.W. Michell, DSC, RN), HMS Redoubt (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Ropner, DSO, RN), HMS Rapid (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Rocket (Lt.Cdr. H.B. Acworth, OBE, RN).

On the 17th ' Force 67 ' made up of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker Easedale (8032 GRT, built 1942) escorted by the light cruiser HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) had already gone to sea to be in a position to refuel ships from ' Force 64 ' on the 22th.

The submarine HMS Severn (Lt. R.H. Bull, DSC, RN) was in the area for air/sea rescue duties.

On the 24th the carriers launched aircraft to attack Padang. They claimed to have sunk a transport and to have damaged two more transports.

Three aircraft were lost. One on take off, one during the action and one one landing.

' Force 64 ' returned to Trincomalee around 1200FG/27. (12)

27 Aug 1944
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) returned to Trincomalee. (9)

28 Aug 1944
During 28/29 August 1944, the heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland (Capt. P.K. Enright, RN) and the light cruisers HMNZS Gambia (Capt. N.J.W. William-Powlett, DSC, RN) and HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. During the first part of the exercises the light cruisers HMS Kenya (Capt. C.L. Robertson, RN), HMS Ceylon (Capt. G.B. Amery-Parkes, RN) were also present but they parted company around midnight during the night of 28/29 August to proceed to Colombo and Durban respectively. Later the battlecruiser HMS Renown (Capt. B.C.B. Brooke, RN, flying the flag of Vice Admiral A.J. Power, KCB, CVO, RN, second in command of the Eastern Fleet) and the destroyers HMS Quilliam (Capt. R.G. Onslow, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMAS Quickmatch (Lt.Cdr. O.H. Becher, DSC, RAN) and HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) also joined coming from Colombo.

All ships entered Trincomalee harbour on the 29th except for HMAS Norman which set course for Colombo. (9)

29 Aug 1944
Upon completion of the exercises, HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN), returned to Trincomalee. (9)

2 Sep 1944
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) returned to Trincomalee. She departed for Colombo later the same day. (9)

3 Sep 1944
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) arrived at Colombo. (9)

14 Sep 1944
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) departed Colombo for Trincomalee. (9)

15 Sep 1944
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) arrived at Trincomalee. (9)

21 Sep 1944
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. (9)

22 Sep 1944
During 22/23 September 1944, HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN), conducted exercises off Trincomalee. (9)

25 Sep 1944
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) departed Trincomalee for Fremantle, Australia.

For the daily positions during the period of 25 September 1944 to 14 October 1944, see the map below.

(9)

5 Oct 1944
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) arrived at Fremantle. (9)

8 Oct 1944
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) departed Fremantle for Sydney. (9)

14 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) arrived at Sydney. (9)

17 Jan 1945
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) is docked at the Cockatoo Island Dockyard. (9)

26 Jan 1945
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) is undocked. (9)

17 Feb 1945
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) is fumigated at Sydney. This completed her refit. (9)

24 Feb 1945
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) departed Sydney for Melbourne. (9)

25 Feb 1945
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) arrived at Melbourne. (9)

28 Feb 1945
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) conducted exercises off Melbourne. Later the same day she departed for Fremantle.

For the daily positions during the period of 28 February 1945 to 14 March 1945, see the map below.

(9)

4 Mar 1945
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) arrived at Fremantle. (9)

6 Mar 1945
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) departed Fremantle for Trincomalee. (9)

14 Mar 1945
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) arrived at Trincomalee. (9)

21 Mar 1945
During 21/22 March 1945, HMS London (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN), HMS Newcastle (Capt. J.G. Roper, OBE, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN), HMS Ceylon (Capt. G.B. Amery-Parkes, RN) and HMS Kenya (Capt. C.L. Robertson, RN) and HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. The cruisers were later joined by three destroyers. (9)

22 Mar 1945
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) returned to Trincomalee. (9)

27 Mar 1945
During 27/28 March 1945 the battleship Richelieu (Capt. G.M.J. Merveilleux du Vignaux), heavy cruiser HMS London (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN), light cruisers HMS Ceylon (Capt. G.B. Amery-Parkes, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN) and HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. (9)

5 Apr 1945
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. (9)

11 Apr 1945
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) departed Trincomalee for Colombo. (9)

12 Apr 1945
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) arrived at Colombo where she was docked later the same day. (9)

20 Apr 1945
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) was undocked and immediately departed Colombo for Trincomalee. (9)

21 Apr 1945
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) arrived at Trincomalee. (9)

27 Apr 1945
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee together with the British heavy cruiser HMS Suffolk (Capt. D. Gilmour, RN). Upon completion of these exercises HrMs Tromp and HMS Suffolk both joined Task Force 63.

For the daily positions of HrMs Tromp during the period of 27 April 1945 to 9 May 1945, see the map below.

(13)

27 Apr 1945

Operation Bishop.

Carrier raid and surface bombardment of Car Nicobar and Port Blair and to provide cover for Operation Dracula which are amphibious landings off Rangoon, Burma.

On 27 April 1945 ships from the Eastern Fleet put to sea from Trincomalee, Ceylon for operation Bishop. These ships formed Task ' Force 63 '. This task force was, at that moment, made up of the following ships: battleships HMS Queen Elizabeth (Capt. R.M. Ellis, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Vice Admiral H.C.T. Walker, CB, RN), Richelieu (Capt. G.M.J. Merveilleux du Vignaux), escort carriers HMS Shah (Capt. W.J. Yendell, RN), HMS Empress (Capt. J.R.S. Brown, RN), heavy cruisers HMS Cumberland (Capt. P.K. Enright, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN), HMS Suffolk (Capt. D. Gilmour, RN), light cruisers HMS Ceylon (Capt. G.B. Amery-Parkes, RN), HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) and the destroyers HMS Rotherham (Capt. H.W. Biggs, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Tartar (Capt. B. Jones, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) and HMS Penn (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Diack, DSC and Bar, RN). Two more destroyers were sent out to join this task force later; HMS Nubian (Lt.Cdr. F.C. Brodrick, RN) and HMS Verulam (Lt.Cdr. D.H.R. Bromley, DSC, RN). These two destroyers actually joined on the 29th.

An oiling force (Task Force 69), made up of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary tankers Olwen (6470 GRT, built 1917) and Easedale (8032 GRT, built 1942) escorted by the destroyer HMS Paladin (Lt. H.R. Hewlett, RN) had departed Trinomalee on the 26th. HrMs Tromp and the destroyers were fuelled from this force on the 29th.

At dawn on the 30th air attacks were carried out against Car Nicobar followed by a bombardment of the airfields At 0600/30, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Cumberland opened fire on the southern and northern airfields respectively from a range of 18000 yards Both ships soon found the range and it was not possible for any aircraft to take off after the bombardment. HMS Suffolk and HMS Ceylon then bombarded enemy AA positions. Shortly after sunrise around 0700 hours the destroyers HMS Rotherham, HMS Nubian and HMS Verulam started to bombard the settlement of Malacca. Soon afterwards a large fire, thought to be petrol, was seen near the jetty and another on one the southern airfield. At 0710 hours cease fire was ordered and a fighter strike was then commenced. They dropped bombs on and then strafed the airfields. At 0735 hours, after the fighter strike was over, the battleshios HMS Queen Elizabeth and Richelieu opened fire to crater the runways. They continued to fire on the runways until 0805 and 0809 respectively. Capt. (D) 11th destroyer flotilla on board HMS Rotherham meanwhile reported that the jetty at Malacca had been severly damaged and that two steam coasters and five small vessels had been destroyed.

At 1530/30, Richelieu, HMS Cumberland and HMS Rotherham were sent ahead to bombard Port Blair while on a northerly course. At 1730 hours Richelieu opened fire on the southern airfield and Cumberland on a coastal battery. Both firings were spotted by Hellcat fighters from the escort carriers. Later HMS Rotherham also engaged coastal batteries but from a closer range. Around 1835 hours these ships completed their bombardment but then HMS Queen Elizabeth, HMS Suffolk, HrMs Tromp, HMS Tartar and HMS Penn took over. Queen Elizabeth engaged the airfields while Suffolk worked over the marine yards with the same aircraft that had spotted for Richelieu and Cumberland. The other three ships engaged shore batteries. By the time the bombardment ceased after about 40 minutes the airfields were well cratered and hits were obtained on a lot of other targets. After the bombardment HrMs Tromp reported that she had seven wounded, two seriously (they both died later) from two near misses, at least that was thought at that moment. Later investigation however showed that the explosion was caused by American manufactured defective ammunition and not by enemy fire. Both bombarding forces then retired to the south an re-joined the escort carriers which had provided them with fighter cover during their bombardments.

During the night all ships proceeded southwards so as to bombard Car Nicobar a second time at dawn. At 0720/1 HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Suffolk opened fire on their target. After cratering the northern airfield Queen Elizabeth shifted target to the southern airfield at 0741 hours and carried out yet another effective shoot. At 0755 hours both ships ceased fire. HMS Cumberland and HMS Ceylon then took over. The French battleship Richelieu however did not participate in the bombardment this time as she had already expended her ammunition allowance. Cumberland enganged targets at/near the northern airfield and HMS Ceylon did the same working over the southern airfield. HMS Tartar was sent ahead to bombard the jetty at and targets in the village of Malacca. At 0915 hours all ships were again in one force and course was set to the north to conduct another bombardment of Port Blair but this time approaching from the north.

At 0800/2 HMS Queen Elizabeth opened fire on the runways of the airports and HMS Suffolk on coastal batteries. Again considerable damage was done to the airports and also a large petrol fire was started at one of them. At 0845 hours Richelieu (firing 6” from her secondary armament at the marine jetty) and HMS Cumberland took over. HMS Rotherham was ordered to take out an AA battery that was firing at the spotter aircraft and in this she succeded.

In the afternoon a signal was received that the landing off Rangoon had been successful and without opposition. The force now retired to the north-east for her cover position during operation Dracula.

On 4 May rendes-vous was again made with the oiling force and all ships were fueled by the Olwen. HMS Penn then remained with the Olwen while HMS Paladin joined Task Force 64.

On 6 May bombardments and air strikes were again carried out in the Port Blair area. As of 0700/6 HMS Empress started to launch fourteen Hellcats while HMS Shah launched eight Avengers and four Hellcats. At 0800 hours, HMS Queen Elizabeth, HMS Suffolk, HrMs Tromp and HMS Paladin opened fire on AA and coastal batteries in the vicinity of Phoenix Harbour, Hopetown Island and Ross Island in order to neutralise these defences for the air strike. At 0814 hours the air strike leaded ordered cease fire and a few minutes later the aircraft started attacking shipping inside Port Blair harbour. One aircraft was hit by enemy AA fire and failed to return to it’s carrier. HMS Tartar made a search for it but was unable to locate the aircraft or it’s pilot.

At 1730/6 HMS Queen Elizabeth bombarded a 6” gun known to be at Stewart Sound. The bombardment was completed at 1809 hours. HMS Suffolk meanwhile bombarded a pillbox on Sound Island with her 4” armament and appeared to have set the target on fire.

On 7 May another air attack was made on Car Nicobar by the carriers with a total of 10 Hellcats. With this air attack over course was set to return to Trincomalee.

A part of Task Force 63 returned to Trincomalee on 7 May, these were Richelieu, HMS Cumberland, HMS Ceylon, most likely escorted by HMS Rotherham, HMS Verulam and HMS Penn.

The other ships returned on 9 May. (13)

10 May 1945

For the daily positions of HrMs Tromp during the period of 10 May 1945 to 18 May 1945, see the map below.

(14)

10 May 1945

Operation Dukedom.

Intercepting Japanese surface ships trying to evacuate troops from the Andaman Islands.

On 8 May 1945 a report was received from two British submarines on patrol in the Malacca Strait (HMS Statesman (Lt. R.G.P. Bulkeley, RN) and HMS Subtle (Lt. B.J.B. Andrew, DSC, RN) that they had sighted a Japanese heavy cruiser and a destroyer proceeding to the north-west. The Eastern Fleet was already on alert due to intelligence and ships from the Eastern Fleet immediately (around 0700 hours) put to sea from Trincomalee, Ceylon for operation Dukedom. These ships formed Task Force 61. This task force was, at that moment, made up of the following ships;
British battleship HMS Queen Elizabeth (Capt. R.M. Ellis, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Vice Admiral H.C.T. Walker, CB, RN), the French battleship Richelieu (Capt. G.M.J. Merveilleux du Vignaux), the British escort carriers HMS Hunter (Capt. A.D. Torlesse, RN), HMS Khedive (A/Capt. D.H. Magnay, RN), HMS Shah (Capt. W.J. Yendell, RN), HMS Emperor (Capt. Sir C. Madden, RN), the British heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland (Capt. P.K. Enright, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN), the British light cruiser HMS Royalist (Capt. W.G. Brittain, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Commodore G.N. Oliver, CB, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), the Dutch light cruiser HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) and the British destroyers HMS Saumarez (Capt. M.L. Power, CBE, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Venus (Cdr. H.G.D. De Chair, DSC with Bar, RN), HMS Vigilant (Lt.Cdr. L.W.L. Argles, DSC, RN), HMS Virago (Lt.Cdr. A.J.R. White, DSC, RN), HMS Rotherham (Capt. H.W. Biggs, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Nubian (Lt.Cdr. F.C. Brodrick, RN) and HMS Penn (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Diack, DSC and Bar, RN). This latter destroyer however had to return due to defects.

The British destroyer HMS Verulam (Lt.Cdr. D.H.R. Bromley, DSC, RN) sailed at 1700 hours to overtake and then join the Task Force. She was joined by HMS Tartar (Capt. B. Jones, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) as substitute for HMS Penn whose defects could not be repaired in time. HMS Verulam and HMS Tartar eventually joined the Task Force at 1505FG/11.

Most ships of the Task Force had only returned from the previous operation the day before and for instance HMS Queen Elizabeth had only 50% ammunition for her 15” guns on board. Also HMS Emperor and HMS Khedive were not fully fueled.

The same day the tanker Easedale (8032 GRT, built 1942) departed Trincomalee escorted by the British destroyer HMS Paladin (Lt. H.R. Hewlett, RN) (Force 70) to provide fuel for the smaller ships of Force 61.

At 1940FG/11 a fast attack force, made up of Richelieu, HMS Cumberland and the destroyer of the 26th Destroyer Flotilla; HMS Saumarez, HMS Venus, HMS Verlulam, HMS Viliglant and HMS Virago were ordered to proceed ahead to about 50 miles from the Task Force to be in a better position to intercept the reported Japanese heavy cruiser.

In the early afternoon of the 12th an air strike with four Hellcats was carried out against airfields on Car Nicobar Island. One Japanese aircraft was seen to go up in flames.

Also on the 12th submarine HMS Statesman reported that the Japanese cruiser and it's escort were returning to Singapore most likely to Force 61 being sighted the previous day by a Japanese aircraft.

During the 13th all destroyers of the Task Force fueled from HMS Emperor, HMS Hunter and HMS Shah. Besides that Task Force 62 was sent out from Trincomalee. This Task Force was made up of the British light cruiser HMS Nigeria (Capt. H.A. King, DSO, RN) and the British destroyers HMS Roebuck (Cdr. C.D. Bonham-Carter, RN), HMS Racehorse (Cdr. J.J. Casement, DSC, RN), HMS Redoubt (Lt.Cdr. F.W.M. Carter, DSC, RN) and HMS Rocket (Lt.Cdr. H.B. Acworth, OBE, RN), which was escorting a convoy, was ordered to leave her convoy and then join this Task Force. Also sailed was Task Force 67, made up of Royal Fleet Auxiliary oiler Olwen escorted by HMS Penn, which by now had completed repairs on her defects.

On the 14th HrMs Tromp was sent ahead to fuel from Task Force 70. Late in the evening the remainder of Task Force 61 arrived at the rendez-vous with Task Force 70.

On the 15th the enemy cruiser and destroyer were sighted by an aircraft from HMS Shah. They were again proceeding to the south-east. Shortly afterwards the enemy was also sighted by a patrolling Liberator aircraft which began shadowing the enemy. At 1500 hours three Avenger aircraft attacked the cruiser.

The 26th destroyer flottila, made up of HMS Saumarez, HMS Venus, HMS Verulam, HMS Vigilant and HMS Vigaro were ordered to intercept the enemy after dark. At 1500 hours they were 85 miles from the position of the enemy.

Around midnight the destroyers made radar contact on the cruiser. They then attacked from all directions with torpedoes. About eight hits were scored and the cruiser was sunk. During the attack HMS Saumarez was hit three times with 8" shells. Two ratings were killed on one boiler room was put out of action. The destroyers rejoined the task force at 1000/16. HMS Virago had only 17% fuel left, the other destroyers between that and 30%. HMS Virago and HMS Venus had to fuel from the escort carriers as they could not make it to the oiling force without doing so.

In the evening of the 16th the Task Force was attacked by Japanese aircraft. HMS Virago was near missed and suffered four ratings killed, five ratings severely wounded and thirteen other casualties. She was also listing slightly due to splinter damage.

At 1000/17 the following ships were detached to return to Trincomalee; Richelieu, HMS Nigeria, HMS Royalist, HrMs Tromp, HMS Khedive, HMS Shah and HMS Racehorce. They arrived at Trincomalee on the 18th, minus HMS Khedive and HMS Shah which went on to Colombo where they arrived on the 19th.

1740 hours, the 26th Destroyer Flotilla was also detached to return to Trincomalee where they arrived late in the afternoon on the 18th. By this time all the destroyers of this flotilla had fueled from Force 70.

The remaining ships were ordered to return to Trincomalee at 2130/19. They arrived back at Trincomalee on 21 May. (14)

18 May 1945
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) returned to Trincomalee. (9)

24 May 1945
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) departed Trincomalee for Fremantle, Australia. This was later changed to Darwin, Australia.

For the daily positions during the period of 24 May 1945 to 14 June 1945, see the map below.

(9)

2 Jun 1945
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) arrived at Darwin. (9)

4 Jun 1945
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) departed Darwin for Manus. (9)

9 Jun 1945
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) arrived at Seeadler Harbour, Manus Island. (15)

11 Jun 1945
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) departed Seeadler Harbour, Manus for Morotai. (15)

14 Jun 1945
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) arrived at Morotai. (15)

17 Jun 1945
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) departed Morotai for Balikpapan.

For the daily positions during the period of 17 June 1945 to 8 July 1945, see the map below.

(15)

19 Jun 1945
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) arrived off Balikpapan where she joined Task Force 74.2 which was made up of the US light cruisers USS Montpelier (Capt. W.A. Gorry, USN), USS Denver (Capt. T.F. Darden, USN), USS Cleveland (Capt. H.G. Hopwood, USN), USS Columbia (Capt. M.E. Curts, USN) escorted by the destroyers USS Conway (Cdr. J.H. Besson, Jr., USN), USS Cony (Cdr. A.W. Moore, USN), USS Eaton (Cdr. C. Brown, USN), USS Stevens (Cdr. G.W. Pressey, USN), USS Albert W. Grant (Cdr. G.S. Higginbotham, USN), USS Killen (Cdr. J.L. Semmes, USN) and HMAS Arunta (Cdr. A.E. Buchanan, DSO, RAN) which was one of the Task Forces that provided cover during the operation off Balikpapan. (16)

21 Jun 1945
During the day HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) four times bombarded Japanese shore guns that had opened fire on US minesweepers off Balikpapan. (16)

25 Jun 1945
During the day HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) three times bombarded Japanese targets on the shore in the Balikpapan area. (16)

27 Jun 1945
In the morning HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) bombarded Japanese shore guns off Balikpapan.

Later that day Tromp joined Task Force 74.1 which was made up of the Australian heavy cruiser HMAS Shropshire (Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, DSO, RN), the Australian light cruiser HMAS Hobart (Capt. R.S. Dowling, RAN), the Australian destroyer HMAS Arunta (Cdr. A.E. Buchanan, DSO, RAN) and the US destroyers USS Hart (Cdr. W.D. Coleman, USN) and USS Metcalf (Cdr. D.L. Martineau, USN). (16)

28 Jun 1945
In the morning HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) bombarded Japanese shore guns off Balikpapan. (16)

30 Jun 1945
In the morning HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) bombarded Japanese shore guns off Balikpapan. (16)

1 Jul 1945
In the morning HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) conducted a shore bombardment shortly before the Allied landings near Balikpapan. (16)

6 Jul 1945
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) conducted a shore bombardment on Japanese troops and a battery to aid Allied troops on land.

Later that day Tromp departed the Balikpapan area for Morotai. (16)

8 Jul 1945
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) arrived at Morotai. (15)

17 Jul 1945
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) departed Morotai for Seeadler Harbour, Manus.

For the daily positions during the period of 17 July 1945 to 20 July 1945, see the map below.

(15)

20 Jul 1945
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) arrived at Seeadler Harbour, Manus. (15)

14 Aug 1945
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) departed Seeadler Harbour, Manus for Tarakan, Borneo, Netherlands East Indies.

For the daily positions during the period of 14 August 1945 to 23 August 1945, see the map below.

(15)

15 Aug 1945
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) is ordered to return to Seeadler Harbour, Manus. (15)

16 Aug 1945
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) arrived back at Seeadler Harbour, Manus. (15)

17 Aug 1945
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) departed Seeadler Harbour, Manus for Sydney, Australia. (15)

23 Aug 1945
HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) arrived at Sydney, Australia.

Early September Tromp departed Sydney for the Dutch East Indies. (15)

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