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Career information

Transferred to the Emergency List on 3 October 1949.

Light cruiser HMAS Adelaide (D 47)

3 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) is docked at the Morts Dock Shipyard at Woolwich, Sydney. (1)

7 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) is undocked. (1)

8 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) is depermed at Sydney. (1)

10 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) conducted degausing trials at Sydney. (1)

11 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) conducted trials and gunnery exercises off Sydney. (1)

13 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) conducted gunnery exercises off Sydney. (1)

15 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) conducted gunnery exercises off Sydney. (1)

16 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) conducted gunnery exercises off Sydney. (1)

20 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) conducted degaussing trials at Sydney. (1)

31 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) conducted gunnery exercises off Fremantle. (1)

7 Aug 1942
Around 1720H/7, HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) departed Fremantle to make rendezvous with the troopsship Stirling Castle (British, 25550 GRT, built 1936) and her current escort, HrMs Tromp (Cdr. J.B. de Meester, RNethN). (2)

13 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1050K/13, HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) and the troopsship Stirling Castle (British, 25550 GRT, built 1936) arrived at Melbourne. (2)

27 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0930K/27, HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) departed Williamstown to join convoy US 17 at sea. She first conducted gunnery exercises inside Port Phillip.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoys US 16 and US 17 ' for 23 August 1942.] (2)

4 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0630H/4, HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) and HMAS Manoora (A/Capt. J.M. Armstrong, RAN) arrived at Fremantle with convoy US 17. (3)

6 Oct 1942
Around 1340H,6, HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) and HrMs Tromp (Capt. J.B. de Meester, RNethN) departed Fremantle for exercises.

These were completed around 1000H/7, when HrMs Tromp parted company to proceed to Melbourne.

HMAS Adelaide then conducted some more exercises and returned to Fremantle around 0715H/6. (4)

21 Oct 1942
Around 1740H/21, HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) departed Fremantle to make rendezvous with USS Pelias (T/Capt. W. Wakefield, USN), HMAS Cessnock (A/Lt.Cdr. T.S. Marchington, RANR(S)) and USS Whippoorwill (T/Cdr. C.A. Ferriter, USN).

Rendezvous was affected around 0830H/23.

Around 1500H/23, HMAS Cessnock and USS Whippoorwill parted company to proceed to Albany.

USS Pelias and HMAS Adelaide arrived at Fremantle around 2000H/24. (4)

5 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0850H/5, HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) departed Fremantle for exercises and patrol from which she retuned around 1530H/6. (5)

24 Nov 1942

Convoy OW 1.

This convoy departed Fremantle on 24 November 1942.

It was made up of the following transports;
Agwiprince (American, 6679 GRT, built 1941), Tarakan (Dutch, 8704 GRT, built 1930) and Tatra (Norwegian, 4766 GRT, built 1937).

On departure from Fremantle, around 1730H/24, the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN), AA cruiser HrMs Jacob van Heemskerck (Capt. E.J. van Holthe, RNethN) and the destroyer HrMs Van Galen (Lt.Cdr. F.T. Burghard, RNethN).

Around 2030I/25, HrMs Van Galen parted company to return to Fremantle.

Around 1740I/25, the tanker Goldmouth (British (tanker), 7402 GRT, built 1927) and the minesweepers HMAS Cessnock (A/Lt.Cdr. T.S. Marchington, RANR(S)) and HMAS Toowoomba (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Simpson, RANR(S)) joined the convoy.

Around 1416GH/28, HMAS Adelaide sighted a ship two points on the starboard bow. Commenced to close to investigate as did HrMs Jacob van Heemskerck.

Around 1450GH/28, the ship was considered suspecious. Continued to close and came to first degree of readiness.

Around 1543GH/28, an explosion was observed on the ship. Opened fire on the enemy.

Around 1552GH/28, the enemy ship was seen to sink. Position was 23°46'S, 99°05'E. Closed to pick up survivors. HrMs Jacob van Heemskerck was now ordered to return to the convoy.

By 1650GH/28, 91 survivors had been picked up. 78 Germans and Finns as well as 10 Norwegian and 3 Danes which had been on board as POW's. The ship had been the German Ramses (7983 GRT, built 1926) en-route from Japan to France.

Around 1816GH/28, HMAS Adelaide was back in station on the convoy.

Around 1300GH/29, HMAS Adelaide and HrMs Jacob van Heemskerk parted company with the convoy to return to Fremantle after the light cruiser HMS Gambia (Capt. M.J. Mansergh, CBE, RN) had joined in position 21°24'S, 95°07'E. The armed merchant cruiser HMS Kanimbla (A/Capt. W.L.G. Adams, RN) was also briefly at the rendezvous position before continuing her patrol.

Around 0630F/5, the Goldmouth, HMAS Cessnock and HMAS Toowoomba parted company with the convoy to proceed to Kilindini via first Diego Garcia and then the Seychelles.

Around 1830F/6, HMS Gambia parted company to proceed to Addu Atoll after the sloops HMIS Sutlej (Capt. P.A. Mare, RIN) and HMIS Jumna (Cdr. J.E.N. Coope, RIN) had joined coming from Addu Atoll.

Around 1615F/11, the minelayer HrMs Willem van der Zaan (Lt.Cdr. G.P. Küller, RNethN) joined coming from Bombay. HMIS Jumna parted company on this day to proceed to Bombay.

The convoy arrived in the Persian Gulf on 13 December 1942. (6)

28 Nov 1942 (position -23.46, 99.05)
While escorting convoy OW 1, the Australian light cruiser HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) and the Dutch AA cruiser HrMs Jacob van Heemskerck (Capt. E.J. van Holthe, RNethN) intercept the German blockade runner Ramses (7983 GRT, built 1926) in the Indian Ocean about 830 nautical miles west-south-west of North West Cape, Australia in position 23°46'S, 99°05'E. However before the German ship can be captured she is scuttled by her own crew.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy OW 1 for 24 November 1942.]

2 Dec 1942
Around 0915I/2, HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) and HrMs Jacob van Heemskerck (Capt. E.J. van Holthe, RNethN) arrived at Fremantle from convoy escort duty. (7)

5 Dec 1942
Around 0530I/5, the light cruiser HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) and the destroyer HrMs Van Galen (Lt.Cdr. F.T. Burghard, RNethN) departed Fremantle escorting the troopship Mauretania (British, 35739 GRT, built 1939).

Around 2100I/5, HrMs Van Galen parted company to return to Fremantle. (7)

8 Dec 1942
Around 1800KL/8, the light cruiser HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) was relieved of the escort of the troopship Mauretania (British, 35739 GRT, built 1939) by the light cruiser HrMs Tromp (Capt. J.B. de Meester, RNethN). (7)

9 Dec 1942
Around 1500L/9, HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) arrived at Williamstown from escort duty. (7)

10 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) shifted from Williamstown to Port Melbourne. (7)

15 Dec 1942
Around 1300L/15, HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) departed Port Melbourne to make rendezvous to the west of Tasmania with convoy US 18.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy US 18 ' for 11 December 1942.] (7)

20 Dec 1942
Around 0730I/20, HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) and HrMs Van Galen (Lt.Cdr. F.T. Burghard, RNethN) arrived at Fremantle with convoy US 18. (7)

13 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1630I/13, HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) arrived at Fremantle from escort duty. (8)

19 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) conducted D/G trials and gunnery exercises off Fremantle. (8)

22 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) conducted gunnery exercises off Fremantle. (8)

15 Feb 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0800I/15, HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) arrived at Fremantle from escort duty. (9)

20 Feb 1943
Around 1800I/20, the Pamphlet convoy departed Fremantle escorted by the light cruiser HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN), AA cruiser HrMs Jacob van Heemskerck (Capt. E.J. van Holthe, RNethN) and the destroyers HrMs Van Galen (Lt.Cdr. F.T. Burghard, RNethN) and HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Kruys, RNethN).

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' 'Pamphlet' convoy, Suez - Sydney, 1 February to 27 February 1943 ' for 1 February 1943.] (9)

25 Feb 1943
Around 1000L/25, HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN), HrMs Jacob van Heemskerck (Capt. E.J. van Holthe, RNethN) and HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Kruys, RNethN) arrived in Port Phillip together with the troopship Nieuw Amsterdam (Dutch, 36287 GRT, built 1938). (9)

25 Feb 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1335L/25, HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) is docked in the Alfred Graving Dock at Williamstown. (9)

2 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) is undocked. (10)

3 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) shifted from Williamstown to Port Melbourne. (10)

4 Mar 1943
Around 0840L/4, the submarine tender USS Otus (Cdr. J. Newsom, USN) departed Melbourne for Fremantle. She was escorted by the light cruiser HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN).

Around 0645I/9, the destroyer HrMs Van Galen (Lt.Cdr. F.T. Burghard, RNethN) joined as A/S escort. (10)

20 Mar 1943

Convoy OW 3.

This convoy departed Fremantle on 20 March 1943.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Harrison Gray Otis (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Lowlander (British, 8059 GRT, built 1925), Montanan (American, 6415 GRT, built 1917), Winslow Homer (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942) and Zane Grey (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943).

On departure from Fremantle, around 0830I/20, the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN), destroyer HrMs Van Galen (Lt.Cdr. F.T. Burghard, RNethN) and the minesweepers HMAS Dubbo (T/Lt. N.G. Weber, RANR(S)) and Wallaroo (T/Lt. Eric Sinclair Ross, RANR(S)).

Around 0700H/21, HMAS Dubbo and HMAS Wallaroo were detached to return to Fremantle.

Around 1750GH/21, HrMs Van Galen was detached to return to Fremantle.

Around 1320FG/25, the convoy was turned over by HMAS Adelaide to the armed merchant cruiser HMS Worcestershire (A/Capt.(Retd.) E.H. Hopkinson, RN). HMAS Adelaide then set course to return to Fremantle.

The convoy arrived at Colombo on 2 April 1943. (11)

28 Mar 1943
Around 1700H/28, HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) arrived at Fremantle from convoy escort duty.

[Note: no report of proceedings of HMAS Adelaide is available for the month of April 1943, so some details for this month might be missing.] (10)

11 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1340K/11, HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) arrived at Melbourne from Fremantle. (12)

16 May 1943
Around 1355K/16, HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) departed Melbourne to make rendezvous with the troop transport Dominion Monarch (British, 27155 GRT, built 1939) to the west of Tasmania.

Rendezvous was to be affected on the 18th, but the troopship was not sighted. HMAS Adelaide then proceeded along the track of the troopship towards Fremantle.

Around 0700K/19, the troopship was sighted and HMAS Adelaide then commenced her escort duties.

Around 1440H/22, HrMs Tromp (Capt. J.B. de Meester, RNethN) joined as A/S escort.

Around 1500H/23, the Dominion Monarch, HMAS Adelaide and HrMs Tromp arrived at Fremantle. (12)

25 May 1943
Around 1400H/25, HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) departed Fremantle for exercises and then to proceed to make rendezvous with the troopship USS Hermitage (23254 GRT, built 1925).

Rendezvous was affected around 1030H/27 in approximate position 32°50'S, 109°40'E.

They arrived at Melbourne around 1000K/1. (13)

2 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) commenced to de-ammunition the ship preparatory to refit. (14)

9 Jun 1943
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) commenced a refit at Melbourne / Williamstown. (14)

24 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) is docked in the Alfred Graving Dock at Williamstown. (14)

17 Jul 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) is undocked. She then continued her refit at Williamstown. (15)

25 Aug 1943
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) is docked in the Alfred Graving Dock at Williamstown for a tilt test. (16)

26 Aug 1943
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) is undocked. Her refit is now completed. (16)

28 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) conducted gunnery trials in Port Phillip. (16)

3 Sep 1943
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) conducted A/S trials in Port Phillip. (17)

4 Sep 1943
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) conducted A/S trials in Port Phillip. (17)

7 Sep 1943
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) conducted gunnery exercises in Port Phillip. (17)

8 Sep 1943
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) conducted exercises in Port Phillip. (17)

9 Sep 1943
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) conducted gunnery exercises in Port Phillip. (17)

10 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) conducted gunnery exercises in Port Phillip. On completion of these exercises course was set for Fremantle. (17)

15 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1830H/15, HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) dropped anchor in Gage Roads, Fremantle. She entered harbour the following morning. (17)

19 Sep 1943
Around 0920H/19, the transport Sambridge (British, 7176 GRT, built 1943) departed Fremantle for Trincomalee.

On departure from Fremantle she is escorted by the light cruiser HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) and the destroyer HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Kruys, RNethN).

Around 0800H/20, HrMs Tjerk Hiddes is detached to return to Fremantle where she arrived around 1650H/20.

Around 1145G/25, in position 20°15'S, 91°55'E, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Canton (A/Capt. G.N. Loriston-Clarke, RN) takes over the escort duties from HMAS Adelaide which then set course to return to Fremantle where she arrived on 29 September 1943.

Around 0740FG/2, in position 05°26'N, 81°56'E, HMS Canton parted company with the Sambridge after the destroyer HMS Scout (Lt. R.G. Woodward, RN) had joined.

The Sambridge and HMS Scout then proceeded to Colombo arriving on 3 October. HMS Canton also arrived at Trincomalee on 3 October, around 1115FG. (18)

29 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) returned to Fremantle from escort duty. (17)

5 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) conducted D/G trials at Fremantle. (19)

7 Oct 1943
Around 0920H/19, the troop transport George Washington (American, 25570 GRT, built 1909) departed Fremantle for Bombay.

On departure from Fremantle, around 1030H/7, she is escorted by the light cruiser HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) and the destroyer HrMs Van Galen (Lt.Cdr. F.T. Burghard, RNethN).

Around 1900H/8, HrMs Van Galen was detached to return to Fremantle.

Around 1000G/11, the heavy cruiser HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) took over the escort duties from HMAS Adelaide which was then detached to return to Fremantle.

Around 1300FG/15, near Addu Atoll, the heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) took over from HMS Hawkins which then proceeded to Addu Atoll to fuel.

Around 0730F/19, in approximate position 16°43'N, 68°45'E, the destroyers HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) and HMAS Nepal (Cdr. F.B. Morris, RAN) joined.

The George Washington, HMS Frobisher, HMAS Nepal and HMAS Norman arrived at Bombay around 0930F/20. (20)

15 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0700H/15, HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) dropped anchor in Gage Roads, Fremantle. She entered harbour later the same day. (19)

23 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) conducted A/S exercises off Fremantle with USS Bluefish (T/Cdr. G.E. Porter, Jr., USN). (19)

26 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) conducted A/S exercises off Fremantle with USS Bluefish (T/Cdr. G.E. Porter, Jr., USN). (19)

28 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) and HMAS Nizam (Cdr. C.H. Brooks, RAN) conducted A/S exercises off Fremantle with USS Billfish (Cdr. F.C. Lucas, Jr., USN) and USS Bowfin (T/Lt.Cdr. W.T. Griffith, USN). (19)

29 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) conducted gunnery exercises off Fremantle. (19)

2 Nov 1943
During 2/3 November 1943, HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN), HrMs Van Galen (Lt.Cdr. F.T. Burghard, RNethN) and HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Kruys, RNethN) conducted exercises off Fremantle. (21)

18 Nov 1943
From 18 to 20 November 1943, HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) conducted exercises off Fremantle. (22)

25 Nov 1943
On 25 November, HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) conducted A/S exercises off Fremantle with USS Pompon (T/Cdr. E.C. Hawk, USN) and USS Cabrilla (T/Cdr. D.T. Hammond, USN). Most of the time however, HMAS Adelaide acted as target ship for the submarines.

HMAS Adelaide remained out for more exercises. (21)

27 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0810H/27, HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) returned to Fremantle from exercises.

[Note: no detailed report of proceedings is available for December 1943, during this month she only conducted exercises off Fremantle with American submarines, mostly acting as target for them.] (21)

3 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1100H/3, HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) departed Fremantle to make rendezvous with the submarine tender USS Orion (T/Capt. C.S. Isgrig, USN).

Rendezvous was affected around 0930H/4.

USS Orion and HMAS Adelaide arrived at Fremantle around 0900H/5. (23)

7 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1330H/7, HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) departed Fremantle for Melbourne.

On leaving harbour she acted as target for the submarine USS Cod (T/Cdr. J.C. Dempsey, USN). (23)

12 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0900L/12, HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) arrived at Port Melbourne from Fremantle. (23)

12 Jan 1944

Convoy US 23A.

This convoy departed Wellington on 12 January 1944.

It was made up of the troop transport Mooltan (British, 20952 GRT, built 1923).

On departure from Wellington the convoy was escorted by the destroyer USS Sampson (T/Cdr. T.M. Fleck, USN).

Around 0600L/15, the light cruiser HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) took over the escort duties from the USS Sampson (T/Cdr. T.M. Fleck, USN) which then parted company.

Around 1650H/23 the convoy arrived at Fremantle.

The convoy departed Fremantle for Bombay around 1000H/26. It was now escorted by the heavy cruiser HMS Sussex (A/Capt. M. Everard, RN).

Around 1230FG/4, in approximate position 02°00'S, 73°00'W the convoy was turned over to the destroyer HMS Redoubt (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Ropner, DSO, RN). HMS Sussex then parted company to proceed to Colombo.

The convoy arrived at Bombay on 9 February 1944.

13 Jan 1944
Around 1100L/13, HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) departed Port Melbourne to make rendezvous with convoy US 23A.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy US 23A ' for 12 January 1944.] (23)

31 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1100H/31, HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) departed Fremantle to make rendezvous with the transport Mariposa (American, 18017 GRT, built 1931). (23)

5 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0700L/5, HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) and the transport Mariposa (American, 18017 GRT, built 1931) entered Port Phillip. (24)

6 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1430L/6, HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) and the transport Mariposa (American, 18017 GRT, built 1931) departed Port Phillip for Wellington. (24)

8 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1930L/8, HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) parted company with the transport Mariposa (American, 18017 GRT, built 1931) and set course to return to Melbourne. (24)

11 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0545L/11, HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) arrived at Williamstown.

She was docked in the Alfred Graving Dock at Williamstown later the same day. (24)

18 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) is undocked. (24)

21 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1440L/21, HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) departed Williamstown for Fremantle. (24)

26 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0715H/26, HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) arrived at Fremantle from Williamstown. (24)

9 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) anchored in Gage Roads to provide AA cover for merchant shipping in the anchorage. Apparently a Japanese air attack was expected.

At 1552H/10, air raid warning 'RED' was given followed by the all clear at 1610H/10. (25)

11 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1705H/11, HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) weighed anchor and set course for Albany. (25)

12 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1755H/12, HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) arrived at Albany. (25)

13 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1345H/13, the submarine tenders USS Orion (T/Capt. C.S. Isgrig, USN) and USS Pelias (T/Capt. W. Wakefield, USN) departed Albany to return to Fremantle. They were escorted by the light cruiser HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN). The submarine rescue vessel USS Chanticleer (T/Cdr. R.E. Hawes, USN) was also with them.

They arrived at Fremantle around 1000H/16. (25)

24 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) conducted exercises off Fremantle. (25)

30 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) conducted exercises off Fremantle acting as target for the submarines USS Flasher (T/Cdr. R.T. Whitaker, USN) and USS Crevalle (T/Cdr. F.D. Walker, Jr., USN). (25)

31 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) conducted gunnery exercises off Fremantle. (25)

5 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1430H/5, HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) departed Fremantle for exercises. On completion of these exercises she set course to make rendezvous with the troop transport Ruys (British, 14155 GRT, built 1937).

Rendezvous was affected around 0720H/7.

They arrived at Fremantle around 1320H/8. (26)

20 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) conducted exercises off Fremantle. She acted as target for the submarines USS Lapon (T/Cdr. L.T. Stone, USN) and USS Ray (T/Cdr. B.J. Harral, USN).

HMAS Adelaide also conducted gunnery and a range and inclination exercise. (26)

27 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 27/28 April 1944, HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) conducted exercises off Fremantle with the submarines USS Gunnel (T/Cdr. J.S. McCain, Jr., USN) and USS Puffer (T/Cdr. F.G. Selby, USN). (26)

4 May 1944
Around 0815H/4, HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) departed Fremantle for exercises with the submarines USS Narwhal (T/Cdr. J.C. Titus, USN), USS Bluefish (T/Cdr. C.M. Henderson, USN) and USS Raton (T/Cdr. J.W. Davis, USN).

On completion of the exercises HMAS Adelaide set course to make rendezvous with the submarine tender USS Griffin (T/Capt. W.B. Throp, USN).

Rendezvous was affected around 1330H/6 and they arrived at Fremantle around 2130H/7. (27)

12 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0545H/12, HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) departed Fremantle to participate in operation 'Transom'.

She returned to Fremantle around 1020H/21 with HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. G.S. Stewart, RAN) in company.

[For more info on this operation see the event ' Operation Transom ' for 6 May 1944.] (27)

26 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 226/27 May 1944, HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) conducted exercises off Fremantle with the submarines USS Hake (T/Cdr. J.C. Broach, USN) and USS Redfin (T/Cdr. M.H. Austin, USN). (27)

1 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) conducted exercises off Fremantle with the submarines USS Jack (T/Cdr. A.E. Krapf, USN) and USS Paddle (T/Cdr. B.H. Nowell, USN). (28)

8 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) conducted gunnery exercises off Fremantle. (28)

12 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) conducted navigational trials off Fremantle. (28)

16 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN), HMAS Dubbo (Lt.Cdr. W.J.C. Webb, RANR) and HMAS Horsham (T/A/Lt.Cdr. W.H. Newby, RANR(S)) conducted exercises off Fremantle with the submarines USS Angler (T/Cdr. F.G. Hess, USN), USS Flasher (T/Cdr. R.T. Whitaker, USN) and USS Crevalle (T/Cdr. F.D. Walker, Jr., USN). (28)

22 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN), HMAS Horsham (T/A/Lt.Cdr. W.H. Newby, RANR(S)) and USS Isabel (Lt. E.G. Zacher, USNR) conducted exercises off Fremantle with the submarines USS Cod (T/Cdr. J.A. Adkins, USN), USS Hoe (T/Cdr. V.B. McCrea, USN) and USS Robalo (T/Lt.Cdr. M.M. Kimmel, USN). (28)

23 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) conducted gunnery exercises off Fremantle. (28)

29 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN), HMAS Horsham (T/A/Lt.Cdr. W.H. Newby, RANR(S)) and USS Isabel (Lt. E.G. Zacher, USNR) conducted exercises off Fremantle with the submarines USS Lapon (T/Cdr. L.T. Stone, USN), USS Cabrilla (T/Cdr. W.C. Thompson, Jr., USN) and USS Sand Lance (T/Cdr. M.E. Garrison, USN).

30 Jun 1944
Around 0025H/30, HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) dropped anchor in Gage Roads after having returned from last days exercises.

She entered harbour around 0845H/30.

[Note: no detailed report of proceedings is available for July 1944 so no details for this month can be given. The only times HMAS Adelaide was at sea during the month of July 1944 was for exercises.] (28)

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