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Light cruiser HMS Durban (D 99)

4 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) departed Singapore to patrol in the Sunda Strait. (1)

14 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) returned to Singapore from patrol. (1)

23 May 1940
During 23/24 May 1940, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN), HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN), HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) and HMS Colombo (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore. (2)

30 May 1940
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) departed Singapore for Labuan. (1)

1 Jun 1940
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) arrived at Labuan. (3)

3 Jun 1940
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) departed Labuan to return to Singapore. (3)

5 Jun 1940
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) returned to Singapore. (3)

7 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) departed Singapore for Penang. (3)

8 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) arrived at Penang. (3)

9 Jun 1940
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) departed Penang for a patrol in the Andaman Sea. (3)

10 Jun 1940
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) anchored off Hastings Island. (3)

11 Jun 1940
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) departed Hastings Island to continue her patrol. (3)

15 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) returned to Penang from patrol. (3)

17 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) departed Penang to patrol in the Andaman Sea. (3)

19 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) anchored off the Nicobar Islands. (3)

20 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) departed the Nicobar Islands to continue her patrol. (3)

25 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) returned to Penang from patrol. (3)

26 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) departed Penang for Singapore. (3)

27 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) arrived at Singapore. (3)

5 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) is taken in hand for refit at Singapore. (4)

9 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) is docked in the floating dock at Singapore. (4)

25 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) is undocked. (4)

19 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) completed her refit at Singapore. (5)

22 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) conducted post refit engine and steering trials at Singapore. On completion of these she ran over the degaussing (DG) range several times. (5)

23 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) conducted D/F calibration trials off Singapore. (5)

26 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) departed Singapore for Hong Kong. (5)

30 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) arrived at Hong Kong. (5)

3 Sep 1940
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) conducted exercises off Hong Kong. These included a range an inclination exercises with HMS Thanet (Lt.Cdr. J. Mowlam, RN). (6)

4 Sep 1940
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) and HMS Thanet (Lt.Cdr. J. Mowlam, RN) conducted exercises off Hong Kong. (6)

5 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) and HMS Thanet (Lt.Cdr. J. Mowlam, RN) conducted exercises off Hong Kong. (6)

11 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) and HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) conducted exercises off Hong Kong. (7)

12 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) and HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) conducted exercises off Hong Kong. (7)

16 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) departed Hong Kong to patrol in the East China Sea. (8)

23 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) returned to Hong Kong from patrol. (8)

1 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 1/2 October 1940, HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) and HMS Thanet (Lt.Cdr. J. Mowlam, RN), conducted a patrol off Hong Kong. (9)

4 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) departed Hong Kong for the Yangtse estuary. (9)

7 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) made rendezvous with the river gunboats Cricket (Lt. J.L. Goatley, RN) and Tern (Lt.Cdr. M.H.R. Crichton, RN) off the Yangtse estuary. They then set course for Hong Kong. (9)

10 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN), Cricket (Lt. J.L. Goatley, RN) and Tern (Lt.Cdr. M.H.R. Crichton, RN) arrived at Hong Kong. (9)

21 Oct 1940
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) departed Hong Kong for Singapore. She is escorting the river gunboat Tarantula (Cdr.(Emgy.) R.C.F. Creer, RAN). (10)

29 Oct 1940
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) and Tarantula (Cdr.(Emgy.) R.C.F. Creer, RAN) arrived at Singapore. (10)

9 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) departed Singapore for Penang. (11)

10 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) arrived at Penang. (11)

11 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) departed Penang to patrol in the Indian Ocean to the west of Northern Sumatra following a signal from the tanker Ole Jacob (Norwegian, 8306 GRT, built 1939), which was en-route from Singapore to Suez, that she was being attacked by an emeny raider (This was Atlantis, which captured the tanker) in position 06°29'N, 90°16'E. The following day a distress message was received from the transport Automedon from approximate position 04°00'N, 90°00'E which was sunk by the same raider. (12)

15 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) arrived at Nancowry Island where she fuelled from the RFA tanker Pearleaf (5911 GRT, built 1917). HMS Durban resumed her patrol in the Indian Ocean, west of Northern Sumatra, the following day. (11)

28 Nov 1940
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) arrived at Penang from patrol. After fuelling she immediately departed again to escort the transport Alipore (British, 5273 GRT, built 1920) part of her way into the Indian Ocean. The Alipore was a valuable cargo of explosives on board.

She parted company with the Alipore at 2000 hours (zone -7 1/3) on 30 November in position 06°45'N, 92°00'E (11)

3 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) arrived at Singapore. (13)

5 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) is docked in the floating dock at Singapore. (13)

7 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) is undocked. (13)

12 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore. (13)

13 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore. (13)

23 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore. (13)

24 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) conducted full power trials off Singapore. (13)

2 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) departed Singapore for Penang. (14)

3 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) arrived at Penang. (14)

5 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) departed Penang for Rangoon. (15)

8 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) arrived at Rangoon. (15)

13 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) departed Rangoon for patrol in the Andaman Sea. (15)

15 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) arrived at Port Blair. (14)

16 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) departed Port Blair to resume her patrol. (14)

18 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) anchored off Nancowry Island. (14)

21 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) departed Nancowry for Penang. (14)

23 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) arrived at Penang. (14)

25 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) departed Penang to patrol in the Indian Ocean to the west of Northern Sumatra. (15)

2 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) arrived at Singapore from patrol. (16)

11 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) departed Singapore escorting the troopship Queen Elizabeth (British, 83673 GRT, built 1939) from Singapore until 08°00'S. (16)

13 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1915 hours (zone -7u20min), HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN), parted company with the troopship Queen Elizabeth (British, 83673 GRT, built 1939) in approximate position 08°40'S, 105°30'E. (17)

14 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) made a short stop off Flying Fish Cove, Christmas Island. (17)

16 Feb 1941
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) made rendezvous with convoy US 9 and the troopship Queen Mary (British, 81235 GRT, built 1936) then parted company with the convoy to proceed to Singapore escorted by HMS Durban.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy US 9 ' for 4 February 1941.] (17)

18 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) and the troopship Queen Mary (British, 81235 GRT, built 1936) arrived at Singapore. (17)

27 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) and HMS Tenedos (Lt.Cdr. J.O'B. Milner-Barry, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore. (17)

28 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) and HMS Tenedos (Lt.Cdr. J.O'B. Milner-Barry, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore. (17)

3 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) departed Singapore to make rendezvous with convoy WS 5BX and take over the escort.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 5B ' for 4 January 1941.] (18)

11 Mar 1941
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) arrived at Penang after convoy escort duty.

After fuelling she departed again to make rendezvous with convoy BM 4.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy BM 4 ' for 8 March 1941. (18)

17 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) arrived at Penang with the ' Penang section ' of convoy BM 4. (19)

17 Mar 1941

Convoy BM 5.

This troop convoy departed Bombay on 17 March 1941 and arrived at Singapore on 27 March 1941.

The following transports / troopships were part of this convoy; Devonshire (British, 11275 GRT, built 1939), Jalakrishna (British, 4991 GRT, built 1937), Jalapadma (British, 3935 GRT, built 1929) and Neuralia (British, 9182 GRT, built 1912).

On departure from Bombay the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Hector (Capt.(Retd.) F. Howard, DSC, RN).

On the 20th, HMS Hector was relieved by the light cruiser HMS Emerald (Capt. F.C. Flynn, RN) in position 06°30'N, 77°35'E.

On 22 March 1941 the light cruiser HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) joined the convoy in position 07°10'N, 84°55'E. HMS Enterprise parted company with the convoy the following day.

The convoy arrived at Singapore on 25 March 1941. (20)

19 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) departed Penang for escort duty with convoy BM 5.

[See the event ' Convoy BM 5 ' for 17 March 1941 for more info on this convoy.] (18)

27 Mar 1941
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) arrived at Singapore with convoy BM 5. (18)

7 Apr 1941

Convoy US 10.

This convoy departed Wellington, New Zealand on 7 April 1941. It arrived at Colombo / Trincomalee on 26 April 1941.

On departure from Wellington, around 1620M/7, the convoy was made up of the troopships; Mauretania (British, 35739 GRT, built 1939) and Nieuw Amsterdam (Dutch, 36287 GRT, built 1938).

They were escorted by the heavy cruiser HMAS Australia (Capt. R.R. Stewart, RN) and the light cruiser HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.L. Howden, CBE, RAN) and HMS Achilles (from the New Zealand Division) (Capt. H.M. Barnes, RN).

Around 0430K/10, HMS Achilles parted company in position 35°15'S, 152°45'E and proceeded to Jervis Bay where the troopship Queen Mary (British, 81235 GRT, built 1936) is anchored under the protection of the light cruiser HMAS Sydney (Capt. J.A. Collins, CB, RAN). When HMS Achilles arrived HMAS Sydney departed Jervis Bay for Sydney.

The remainder of the convoy meanwhile went to Sydney where they arrived around 1000K/10.

Around 0830K/11, the convoy departed Sydney with two more troopships in it, these were the Ile de France (British, 43450 GRT, built 1926) and Queen Elizabeth (British, 83673 GRT, built 1939). Escort was HMAS Australia.

In the afternoon of the 11th they were joined in position 35°24'S, 152°05'E by the Queen Mary and HMS Achilles. HMS Achilles then parted company to proceed to Sydney.

The convoy arrived at Fremantle on 16 April and departed from there in the same composition on 19 April.

In the afternoon of 22 April the convoy made rendezvous in position 08°30'S, 104°45'E with the light cruiser HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) which then took the Nieuw Amsterdam with her to Singapore. They arrived at Singapore on 24 April.

In the afteroon of the 25 April the convoy made rendezvous in position 03°00'N, 84°45'E with the heavy cruiser HMAS Canberra (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) which then took the Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary with her to Trincomalee where they arrived on 26 April.

HMS Australia with the Ile de France and Mauretania proceeded to Colombo where they arrived on 26 April. (20)

9 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) departed Singapore to patrol off Phuket where three Italian merchant vessels are though to be making preparations to escape.

The next day, the 10th, HMS Durban was joined by HMS Tenedos (Lt.Cdr. J.O'B. Milner-Barry, RN) coming from Penang.

They arrived off Phuket in the evening.

They remained on patrol until 13 April after which HMS Tenedos returned to Penang and HMS Durban to Singapore. (21)

14 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) arrived at Singapore from patrol. (22)

18 Apr 1941
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) departed Singapore to make rendezvous with convoy US 10 in the Indian Ocean.

Rendezvous was effected in the afternoon of 22 April and HMS Durban then took the troopship Nieuw Amsterdam (Dutch, 36287 GRT, built 1938) with her to escort this ship to Singapore where they arrived on 24 April.

[For more information on this convoy see the event ' Convoy US 10 ' for 7 April 1941.] (22)

29 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore. (22)

30 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore. (22)

1 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore. (23)

6 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) departed Singapore for Penang. (23)

7 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) arrived at Penang. (23)

9 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) departed Penang to make rendezvous with the troopship Nieuw Amsterdam (Dutch, 36287 GRT, built 1938) which departed Singapore on the same day.

They made rendezvous in the morning of the 10th in approximate position 06°35'N, 96°46'E. They parted company with each other in the afternoon of the 11th. (23)

13 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) returned to Penang. (23)

15 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) conducted trials of Penang. (23)

25 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) departed Penang to make rendezvous with the troopship Duchess of York (British, 20021 GRT, built 1929) later in the day and then escort her to Colombo. (23)

29 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) and the troopship Duchess of York (British, 20021 GRT, built 1929) arrived at Colombo. (23)

31 May 1941
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) departed Colombo for Penang.

[No logbooks are available for June, July and August so some datails might (and will) be missing for these months.] (23)

4 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) arrived at Penang. (24)

21 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) departed Penang together with the transport Ellenga (British, 5196 GRT, built 1911). HMS Durban was to escort this ship until about 85°E. (25)

29 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) arrived at Singapore. (24)

11 Jul 1941
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) departed Singapore to make rendezvous in the Indian Ocean between Ceylon and Northern Sumatra with HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) escorting the troop transport Sibajak (Dutch, 12226 GRT, built 1927) and the RAF tender Shengking (British, 2999 GRT, built 1931). (26)

19 Jul 1941
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) arrived at Singapore escorting the troop transport Sibajak (Dutch, 12226 GRT, built 1927) and the RAF tender Shengking (British, 2999 GRT, built 1931). (24)

28 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) departed Singapore for Miri. (27)

30 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) arrived at Miri. (27)

31 Jul 1941
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) departed Miri for Singapore.

2 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) arrived at Singapore from Miri. (27)

2 Aug 1941
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) departed Singapore to make rendezvous near northern Sumatra with HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) escorting convoy WS 9AX.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 9AX for 27 July 1941.] (28)

5 Aug 1941
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) arrived at Singapore with convoy WS 9AX.

Subsequently HMS Durban is then taken in hand for refit. [As no log is available for August 1941, no further details are known.] (25)

29 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) completed her refit at Singapore. Ammunitioning of the ship then began. (29)

30 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) conducted full power trials off Singapore. She also ran over the degaussing range eight times. (29)

3 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) and HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) G.R. Pretor-Pinney, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore.

HMS Durban also conducted D/F calibration trials. (29)

4 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) and HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) G.R. Pretor-Pinney, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore. (29)

5 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) and HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) G.R. Pretor-Pinney, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore. (29)

6 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) departed Singapore for Penang. (29)

7 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) arrived at Penang. (29)

Aircraft Carrier HMS Indomitable (92)

24 Mar 1944
During 24/25 March 1944, the aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) conducted post repair trails off Chesapeake Bay. She was escorted by USS Satterlee (T/Cdr. R.W. Leach, USN) and USS Thompson (T/Cdr. A.L. Gebelin, USN). (30)

11 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 11 to 15 April 1944, the aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) conducted trails and exercises off Chesapeake Bay. She was escorted by the destroyer USS Robinson (T/Cdr. E.B. Grantham, Jr., USN), destroyer escort USS Buckley (Lt.Cdr. B.M. Abel, USNR) and the frigate HMS Holmes (Lt. D.B.G. Dumas, RN). (31)

20 Apr 1944
Around 1515Q/20, the aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) departed Norfolk, Virginia for Rosyth.

Around 2000Q/20, on leaving Chesapeake Bay, she was joined by the frigates HMS Riou (Cdr. C.H. Campbell, DSC, RN), HMS Inman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Evans, RN), HMS Hotham (A/Lt.Cdr. S. Ayles, RNR) and HMS Holmes (Lt. D.B.G. Dumas, RN).

Around 1030O/24, HMS Riou parted company due to flooding in two compartments due to a defective fire main.

Around 2015N/26, HMS Riou rejoined after having effected repairs.

Around 1610N/27, HMS Riou and HMS Inman were detached to Horta, Azores to fuel. They rejoined around 2345N/27. On these two frigates rejoining, HMS Hotham and HMS Holmes parted company to refuel at Horta, Azores. They rejoined around 0730N/28.

Around 1300N/27, HMS Inman was detached as she was unable to keep up due to engine trouble

Around 1215B/1, the remaining escort was detached in position 55°36'N, 09°20'W. HMS Indomitable then proceeded, unescorted, at high speed through the Hebrides and she arrived at Rosyth around 1015B/2. On arrival D/G trials were carried out. (31)

3 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) is docked in No.2 graving dock at the Rosyth Dockyard. (32)

17 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) is undocked. (32)

19 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0530B/19, HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) departed Rosyth to proceed to Scapa Flow. She was not escorted.

On departure D/G trials were carried out.

She arrived at Scapa Flow around 2000B/19. (32)

26 May 1944
HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) conducted D/G trials at Scapa Flow. These were followed by gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. She was escorted by HMS Musketeer (Cdr. R.L. Fisher, OBE, DSC, RN). (32)

27 May 1944
HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) conducted radar calibration trials off Scapa Flow during which HMS Whelp (Cdr. G.A.F. Norfolk, RN) acted as target. On completion of these exercises gunnery exercises were carried out off Scapa Flow. (32)

29 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) conducted flying exercises off Scapa Flow. She was escorted by HMS Wessex (Lt.Cdr. R. Horncastle, RN). (32)

1 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) conducted flying exercises off Scapa Flow. (33)

2 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. Also full speed and turning trials were carried out. (33)

3 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. These included gunnery exercises. (33)

9 Jun 1944
Around 2145B/9, the aircraft carriers HMS Victorious (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, CBE, RN) and HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Greenock. They were escorted by the destroyer HMS Nubian (Lt.Cdr. T.A. Pack-Beresford, RN). (34)

10 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1700B/10, HMS Victorious (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, CBE, RN), HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) and HMS Nubian (Lt.Cdr. T.A. Pack-Beresford, RN) arrived at Greenock from Scapa Flow. (34)

12 Jun 1944
Around 1345B/12, the aircraft carriers HMS Victorious (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, CBE, RN) and HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) departed Greenock for Algiers. Both were to join the Eastern Fleet.

Around 2145B/12, near Oversay, they were joined by the destroyers HMS Undine (Cdr. T.C. Robinson, RN), HMS Urchin (Lt.Cdr. J.T.B. Birch, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Undaunted (Lt.Cdr. A.A. Mackenzie, RD, RNR) and HMS Vigilant (Lt.Cdr. L.W.L. Argles, RN).

These destroyers parted company around 1030B/17 off Gibraltar when they were relieved by HMS Active (Cdr. J. Pringle, RN), HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Wallace, DSC, RN), HMS Brilliant (Lt.Cdr. J. Smallwood, RN) and HMS Vanoc (Lt.Cdr. P.R. Ward, RN).

The original screen then entered Gibraltar. (34)

18 Jun 1944
Around 0830B/18, the aircraft carriers HMS Victorious (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, CBE, RN), HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) and the destroyers HMS Active (Cdr. J. Pringle, RN), HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Wallace, DSC, RN), HMS Brilliant (Lt.Cdr. J. Smallwood, RN) and HMS Vanoc (Lt.Cdr. P.R. Ward, RN) arrived at Algiers. (34)

19 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1600B/19, the aircraft carriers HMS Victorious (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, CBE, RN) and HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) departed Algiers for Alexandria. They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Troubridge (Capt. C.L. Firth, DSO, MVO, RN), HMS Tyrian (Cdr. R.H. Mills, RN), HMS Teazer (Lt.Cdr. A.A.F. Talbot, DSO and Bar, RN) and HMS Termagant (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Scatchard, DSC, RN). (34)

22 Jun 1944
Around 1830C/22, the aircraft carriers HMS Victorious (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, CBE, RN) and HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) and the destroyers HMS Troubridge (Capt. C.L. Firth, DSO, MVO, RN), HMS Tyrian (Cdr. R.H. Mills, RN), HMS Teazer (Lt.Cdr. A.A.F. Talbot, DSO and Bar, RN) and HMS Termagant (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Scatchard, DSC, RN) arrived at Alexandria from Algiers. (34)

24 Jun 1944
Around 1100C/24, the aircraft carriers HMS Victorious (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, CBE, RN) and HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) departed Alexandria for Aden. They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Troubridge (Capt. C.L. Firth, DSO, MVO, RN), HMS Tyrian (Cdr. R.H. Mills, RN) and HMS Teazer (Lt.Cdr. A.A.F. Talbot, DSO and Bar, RN).

The destroyers parted company around 1945C/24 to return to Alexandria. The carriers then commenced the southbound passage of the Suez Canal. The next day, around noon the carriers had a very short stop at Suez before continuing their passage to Aden unescorted. (34)

24 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1120FG/24, the aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) departed Colombo for Trincomalee. On departure she carried out D/G trials. She was escorted by the destroyers HMAS Nepal (Lt.Cdr. J. Plunkett-Cole, RAN), HMS Pathfinder (Lt.Cdr. T.F. Hallifax, RN) and HMS Redoubt (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Ropner, DSO, RN). (35)

25 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1550FG/25, HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN), HMS Pathfinder (Lt.Cdr. T.F. Hallifax, RN) and HMS Redoubt (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Ropner, DSO, RN) arrived at Trincomalee from Colombo.

HMAS Nepal (Lt.Cdr. J. Plunkett-Cole, RAN) had been detached at 1500FG/25 to return to Colombo. (35)

30 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At Trincomalee, Rear-Admiral C. Moody, CB, RN, transferred his flag from HMS Illustrious (Capt. C.E. Lambe, CB, CVO, RN) to HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) (36)

31 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C. Moody, CB, RN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. She was most likely escorted by HMS Quilliam (Capt. R.G. Onslow, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Pathfinder (Lt.Cdr. T.F. Hallifax, RN) and HMAS Nepal (Lt.Cdr. J. Plunkett-Cole, RAN). (35)

1 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C. Moody, CB, RN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. Escort was provided by HMS Quilliam (Capt. R.G. Onslow, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Pathfinder (Lt.Cdr. T.F. Hallifax, RN) and HMAS Nepal (Lt.Cdr. J. Plunkett-Cole, RAN). (37)

2 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
From 2 to 4 August 1944, HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C. Moody, CB, RN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. Escort was provided by HMS Quilliam (Capt. R.G. Onslow, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMAS Quickmatch (Lt.Cdr. O.H. Becher, DSC, RAN) and HMS Redoubt (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Ropner, DSO, RN). (37)

8 Aug 1944
From 8 to 11 August 1944, the aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C. Moody, CB, RN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. Escort was provided by the destroyers HMS Quilliam (Capt. R.G. Onslow, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Redoubt (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Ropner, DSO, RN) and HMS Relentless (Lt.Cdr. R.A. Fell, RN). (37)

15 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C. Moody, CB, RN) conducted flying exercises off Trincomalee. She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Queenborough (Cdr. E.P. Hinton, DSO and Bar, MVO, RN), HMS Racehorse (Cdr. J.J. Casement, DSC, RN) and HMS Raider (Lt.Cdr. K.W. Michell, DSC, RN). (37)

6 Sep 1944
The aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C. Moody, CB, RN) conducted flying exercises off Trincomalee. She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Quilliam (Capt. R.G. Onslow, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMAS Quickmatch (Lt.Cdr. O.H. Becher, DSC, RAN) and HMS Relentless (Lt.Cdr. R.A. Fell, RN).

Also an underway refuelling exercise was carried out during which HMS Indomitable fuelled the destroyer HMS Redoubt (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Ropner, DSO, RN). (38)

9 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C. Moody, CB, RN) conducted flying exercises off Trincomalee. On leaving harbour she was joined by the destroyers HMS Racehorse (Cdr. J.J. Casement, DSC, RN) and HMS Raider (Lt.Cdr. K.W. Michell, DSC, RN) which had already been out for exercises. (38)

27 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0715FG/27, the aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C. Moody, CB, RN) departed Trincomalee for Colombo. She is escorted by the destroyers HMS Racehorse (Cdr. J.J. Casement, DSC, RN), HMS Redoubt (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Ropner, DSO, RN) and HMS Paladin (Lt.Cdr. M.C. Morris, RN). (39)

28 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1115FG/28, HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C. Moody, CB, RN), HMS Racehorse (Cdr. J.J. Casement, DSC, RN), HMS Redoubt (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Ropner, DSO, RN) and HMS Paladin (Lt.Cdr. M.C. Morris, RN) arrived at Colombo from Trincomalee. (39)

27 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0715FG/27, the aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C. Moody, CB, RN) departed Trincomalee for Colombo. She is escorted by the destroyers HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN), HMS Wakeful (Lt.Cdr. G.D. Pound, DSC, RN) and HMS Wessex (Lt.Cdr. R. Horncastle, RN). (39)

30 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0945FG/30, the aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C. Moody, CB, RN) departed Colombo for Bombay. On departure D/G trials were carried out. She is escorted by the destroyers HMS Whelp (Cdr. G.A.F. Norfolk, RN), HMS Wager (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Watkin, RN). (39)

2 Nov 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1400FG/2, HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C. Moody, CB, RN), HMS Whelp (Cdr. G.A.F. Norfolk, RN), HMS Wager (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Watkin, RN) arrived at Bombay from Colombo. (40)

4 Nov 1944
HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C. Moody, CB, RN) is docked in the Hughes graving dock at the Bombay Dockyard. (40)

14 Nov 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C. Moody, CB, RN) is undocked. (40)

16 Nov 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0745FG/16, the aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C. Moody, CB, RN) departed Bombay for Colombo. She is escorted by the destroyers HMAS Napier (A/Capt. H.J. Buchanan, DSO, RAN), HMAS Nepal (Lt.Cdr. C.J. Stephenson, RAN) and HMS Paladin (Lt.Cdr. M.C. Morris, RN). (40)

18 Nov 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0930FG/18, HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C. Moody, CB, RN), HMAS Napier (A/Capt. H.J. Buchanan, DSO, RAN) and HMS Paladin (Lt.Cdr. M.C. Morris, RN) arrived at Colombo from Bombay.

The destroyers did not enter harbour but were joined by the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious (Capt. C.E. Lambe, CB, CVO, RN) which they were to escort to Trincomalee.

The third escorting destroyer, HMAS Nepal (Lt.Cdr. C.J. Stephenson, RAN) had parted company with HMS Indomitable at 0650FG/18 to proceed ahead to Colombo to land a suspected case of appendicitis. After doing so she then also joined HMS Illustrious. (40)

27 Nov 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0845FG/27, HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C. Moody, CB, RN) departed Colombo for Trincomalee. On departure D/G trials were carried out. She is escorted by the destroyers HMS Roebuck (Cdr. J.T. Lean, DSO, RN) and HMS Relentless (Lt.Cdr. G.B. Barstow, RN).

They arrived at Trincomalee around 1415FG/29. En-route flying exercises had been carried out. (40)

2 Dec 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 2/3 December 1944, the aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C. Moody, CB, RN) conducted flying exercises off Trincomalee during which she was escorted by the destroyers HMS Roebuck (Cdr. J.T. Lean, DSO, RN) and HMS Relentless (Lt.Cdr. G.B. Barstow, RN). (41)

4 Dec 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C. Moody, CB, RN) conducted flying exercises off Trincomalee during which she was escorted by the destroyers HMS Pathfinder (Lt.Cdr. T.F. Hallifax, RN) and HMS Paladin (Lt.Cdr. M.C. Morris, RN). (41)

7 Dec 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 7/8 December 1944, the aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C. Moody, CB, RN) conducted flying exercises off Trincomalee during which she was escorted by the destroyers HMS Roebuck (Cdr. J.T. Lean, DSO, RN) and HMS Relentless (Lt.Cdr. G.B. Barstow, RN). (41)

9 Dec 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Most likely on this day, Rear-Admiral C. Moody, CB, RN struck his flag on board HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) (41)

28 Dec 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral P.L. Vian, KCB, KBE, DSO and 2 Bars, RN) conducted underway refuelling, gunnery and flying exercises off Trincomalee. She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Kempenfelt (Capt. E.G. McGregor, DSO, RN) and Wrangler (Lt.Cdr. D.W. Austin, RN). Later the destroyer HMS Rocket (Lt.Cdr. H.B. Acworth, OBE, RN) also joined as escort. (41)

6 Jun 1945
HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral P.L. Vian, KCB, KBE, DSO and 2 Bars, RN) is docked in the Captain Cook graving dock at the Naval Base at Sydney. She is taken in hand for refit. (42)

8 Jun 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At Sydney, Vice-Admiral P.L. Vian, KCB, KBE, DSO and 2 Bars, RN, transferred his flag from HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) to HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN). (43)

18 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) is undocked. (44)

23 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
With her refit completed the aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) departed Sydney for Jervis Bay. She is to conduct post repair trials and exercises.

On the 24th, the destroyer HMS Tyrian (Cdr. R.H. Mills, RN) departed Sydney to join her.

They arrived back at Sydney on the 27th. (45)

2 Aug 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) departed Sydney for Jervis Bay for a period of exercises.

She returned to Sydney on the 11th. (46)

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