uboat.net

  Front page - Fighting the U-boats - Allied Warships

Follow us on Twitter
@uboatnet

Notable events involving Frobisher include:

The page dealing with the wartime history of HMS Frobisher was created in November 2023.

HMS Frobisher at Malta.

4 Jan 1940
The cadets training ship HMS Frobisher, which had been refitting at Portsmouth Dockyard since 1939, departed Portsmouth in tow of HMRT Marauder. They arrived at Plymouth the following day. Frobisher was then taken in hand for rearming and refit for operational deployment at the Devonport Dockyard. She was placed in dockyard control on 22 January 1940. The work, which was expected to be completed around mid-1941 at latest, would however be delayed due to priority being given to other work. (1)

10 Feb 1942
Nearing the completion of rearmament and refit, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) is recommissioned at the Devonport Dockyard. (2)

20 Feb 1942
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) is docked in No.10 Graving Dock at the Devonport Dockyard for a tilt test. (2)

23 Feb 1942
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) is undocked. (2)

25 Feb 1942
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) conducted compass swing trials off Plymouth. (2)

26 Feb 1942
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) conducted D/F calibration trials off Plymouth. (2)

27 Feb 1942
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) conducted full power trials off Plymouth. (2)

28 Feb 1942
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) conducted radar trials off Plymouth. (2)

4 Mar 1942
Around 0730A/4, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) departed Plymouth for Scapa Flow. (3)

5 Mar 1942
Around 2030A/5, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from Plymouth. At Scapa Flow she was then to undergo a work-up programme. (3)

10 Mar 1942
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) conducted close range AA gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (3)

11 Mar 1942
HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) and HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) both conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (4)

17 Mar 1942
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) conducted 7.5" gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (3)

19 Mar 1942
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) and HMS Gambia (Capt. M.J. Mansergh, CBE, RN) conducted range and inclination exercises off Scapa Flow. Before these exercises HMS Frobisher had first conducted speed trials on the measured mile. (5)

24 Mar 1942
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) and HMS Gambia (Capt. M.J. Mansergh, CBE, RN) both conducted exercises off Scapa Flow.

HMS Frobisher had first carried out torpedo firing exercises at Scapa Flow. (5)

26 Mar 1942
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) and HMS Gambia (Capt. M.J. Mansergh, CBE, RN) both conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (5)

27 Mar 1942
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) conducted night 7.5" gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (3)

28 Mar 1942
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. Also a speed trial on the measured mile was conducted. (3)

31 Mar 1942
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) conducted D/G trials at Scapa Flow. (3)

1 Apr 1942
Around 0930A/1, HMS Edinburgh (Capt. H.W. Faulkner, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral S.S. Bonham-Carter, CB, CVO, DSO, RN), HMS Gambia (Capt. M.J. Mansergh, CBE, RN) and HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) departed Scapa Flow to make rendezvous with the US Task Force 39 made up of the heavy cruisers USS Wichita (Capt. H.W. Hill, USN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.C. Griffen, USN), USS Tuscaloosa (Capt. L.P. Johnson, USN) and the destroyers USS Lang (Lt.Cdr. E.A. Seay, USN), USS Sterett (T/Cdr. J.G. Coward, USN), USS Wilson (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Sturges, USN), USS Wainwright (Lt.Cdr. R.H. Gibbs, USN), USS Madison (Lt.Cdr. W.B. Ammon, USN) and USS Plunkett (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Standley, Jr., USN).

They made rendezvous on 3 April 1942 after which HMS Gambia and HMS Frobisher parted company to proceed to the Clyde.

HMS Edinburgh, USS Wichita, USS Tuscaloosa, Lang, Sterett, Wilson, Wainwright, Madison and Plunkett arrived at Scapa Flow on 4 April 1942. (6)

4 Apr 1942
Around 0830A/4, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) and HMS Gambia (Capt. M.J. Mansergh, CBE, RN) arrived at Greenock. (5)

14 Apr 1942
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (7)

15 Apr 1942
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (7)

16 Apr 1942

Convoy WS 18.

This convoy was assembled off Oversay on 16 April 1942.

It was made up of the following (troop) transports; Aorangi (British, 17491 GRT, built 1924), Capetown Castle (British, 27000 GRT, built 1938), City of Capetown (British, 8046 GRT, built 1937), Clan Lamont (British, 7250 GRT, built 1939), Dempo (Dutch, 17024 GRT, built 1931, Duchess of Bedford (British, 20123 GRT, built 1928), Empress of Canada (British, 21517 GRT, built 1922), Empress of Japan (British, 26032 GRT, built 1930), Highland Chieftain (British, 14135 GRT, built 1929), Highland Princess (British, 14133 GRT, built 1930), Maloja (British, 20914 GRT, built 1923), Marnix van St. Aldegonde (Dutch, 19355 GRT, built 1930), Nieuw Zeeland (Dutch, 11069 GRT, built 1928), Orbita (British, 15495 GRT, built 1915), Orduna (British, 15507 GRT, built 1914), Phemius (British, 7406 GRT, built 1921), Rangitata (British, 16737 GRT, built 1929), Reina del Pacifico (British, 17702 GRT, built 1931), Soudan (British, 6677 GRT, built 1931) and Waipawa (British, 12436 GRT, built 1934).

The destroyer tender HMS Hecla (Capt. E.F.B. Law, RN) was also part of the convoy.

On assembly from Oversay the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Gambia (Capt. M.J. Mansergh, CBE, RN, Senior Officer), heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN), destroyers HMS Georgetown (Lt.Cdr. P.G. MacIver, RNR), HMS Lancaster (A/Cdr. N.H. Whatley, RN), HMS Salisbury (Lt.Cdr. M.H.R. Crichton, RN), HMS St. Marys (Lt.Cdr. K.H.J.L. Phibbs, RN), HMS Volunteer (Lt. A.S. Pomeroy, RN), HMS Boadicea (Lt.Cdr. F.C. Brodrick, RN), HrMs Van Galen (Lt.Cdr. F.T. Burghard, RNethN) and the destroyer escorts HMS Badsworth (Lt. G.T.S. Gray, DSC, RN), HMS Lauderdale (Lt. G.D. Pound, DSC, RN) and HMS Tetcott (Lt. R.H. Rycroft, RN).

Around 0700N/19, HMS Badsworth and HMS Lauderdale parted company to return to the U.K.

Around 1900N/19, HMS Lancaster, HMS St. Marys, HMS Boadicea and HMS Volunteer parted company to return to the U.K.

Around 2000N/19, HrMs Van Galen and HMS Tetcott parted company to refuel at Ponta Delgada, Azores and to rejoin the convoy on completion. The departed Ponta Delgada to rejoin the convoy on the 20th.

Around 0915N/21, HMS Georgetown and HMS Salisbury parted company to refuel at Ponta Delgada, Azores.

Around 1900N/22, HrMs Van Galen rejoined.

Around 1030N/23, HMS Tetcott rejoined. Both had been delayed in rejoining the convoy due to them having difficulty finding the convoy.

Around 0930N/26, the destroyers HMS Wild Swan (Lt.Cdr. C.E.L. Sclater, RN), HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN) and the corvette HMS Petunia (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Rayner, RD, RNR) joined.

The convoy arrived at Freetown on 29 April 1942.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The convoy departed Freetown on 3 May 1942 in the same composition with the addition of the troop transport Rimutaka (British, 16576 GRT, built 1923), transport Agwileon (American, 6678 GRT, built 1907) and the seaplane carrier HMS Albatross (A/Capt. F.W.H. Clarke, RN).

Escort on departure from Freetown was provided by the light cruiser HMS Gambia, heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher, destroyers HMS Wivern (Cdr. M.D.C. Meyrick, RN), HMS Boreas, HrMs Van Galen and escort destroyer Tetcott.

Around 1245Z/4, the corvette HMS Hydrangea (A/Lt.Cdr. J.E. Woolfenden, RNR) joined. The corvette FFS Commandant Detroyant was also to have joined the convoy but failed to do so.

Around 1430Z/4, HMS Wivern and HMS Boreas were detached.

Around 1020Z/5, HMS Hydrangea parted company.

In the morning of 8 May 1942, HMS Frobisher fuelled HMS Tetcott and on completion of doing so parted company with the convoy around 1315Z/8 to escort the Agwileon to Walvis Bay. This ship was detached from the convoy as she was unable to keep up.

In the morning of 9 May 1942, HMS Gambia fuelled HrMs Van Galen however after only 57 tons of fuel had been transferred to hose parted due to the bad weather conditions. These two ships then parted company with the convoy to proceed to St. Helena, which was only 52 nautical miles away, where they were able to complete fuelling (another 155 tons was transferred) while at anchor. HMS Gambia rejoined the convoy around 1550A/10. HrMS Van Galen proceeded independently to Capetown arriving there on 22 May 1942.

Late in the morning of the 14th, HMS Gambia transferred 20 tons of fuel to HMS Tetcott which was running low.

Around 1300B/14, the A/S whalers HMS Southern Gem (T/Lt. D.C. Hayes, RNVR) and HMS Southern Pride (T/Lt. F.A. Darrah, RNVR) joined.

Around 0300B/15, the Capetown section parted company. It was made up of the Dempo, Empress of Canada, Marnix van St. Aldegonde, Nieuw Zeeland, Orbita, Orduna, Phemius, Reina del Pacifico, Rimutaka and Waipawa. HMS Albatross, HMS Tetcott, HMS Southern Gem and HMS Southern Pride went with them. The Capetown section arrived there later the same morning.

The remainder of the convoy continued on to Durban escorted by HMS Gambia.

At 1600B/15, HMS Hecla suffered a heavy explosion on the starboard side. Position was to the south of Cape Aghulas, in 36°06'S, 19°55'E. It was though that she had been torpedoed but this was soon changed to being mined. HMS Gambia stood by the stricken vessel. Later it was found out that also the transport Soudan had also been mined and had been sunk as a result of the damage sustained.

HMS Hecla and HMS Gambia arrived off Simonstown around 0800B/16. HMS Hecla was immediately docked in the Selborne dry dock.

The Durban section of convoy WS 18 was then joined around 1000B/16 by the AA cruiser HMS Carlisle (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO, RN). This ship had been en-route from Durban to Simonstown and had now been ordered to escort the Durban section with HMS Gambia absent.

The Durban section arrived at Durban around noon on the 18th.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On 19 May 1942, the Capetown section of the convoy departed from there. It was now made up of the Bulkoil (American (tanker), 8071 GRT, built 1942), Dempo, Empress of Canada, Marnix van St. Aldegonde, Nieuw Zeeland, Orbita, Orduna, Phemius, Reina del Pacifico and Waipawa. HMS Albatross was also with the convoy which was escorted by HMS Frobisher. The Phemus however had to return to Capetown later the same day.

On 23 May 1942, the Durban section of the convoy departed from there. It was made up of the Capetown Castle, City of Capetown, Clan Lamont (British, 7250 GRT, built 1935), Empire Woodlark (British, 7793 GRT, built 1913) and Llandaff Castle (British, 10799 GRT, built 1926). They were escorted by the battleship HMS Resolution (Capt. A.R. Halfhide, CBE, RN).

The two sections then merged, but the Reina del Pacifico was detached to proceed independently to Bombay arriving there on 2 June.

Around 0615C/27, the Phemus rejoined the convoy after having returned to Capetown on the 19th.

Around 2300C/27, the Llandaff Castle parted company with the convoy to proceed to Diego Suarez. HMS Frobisher went with her as escort. They arrived there around 2000C/29.

Around 1330C/30, the light cruisers HMS Emerald (Capt. F.C. Flynn, RN) and HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C.A. Annesley, DSO, RN) joined. HMS Resolution, HMS Albatross and the Empire Woodlark then parted company to proceed to Kilindini where they arrived the following morning.

At 0745D/31, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Worcestershire (A/Capt.(Retd.) E.H. Hopkinson, RN) joined. HMS Emerald then parted company.

Around 1530D/2, HMS Worcestershire parted company taking the Bulkoil, Phemius and Waipawa with her to Aden where they arrived around 0900C/4.

The remainder of the convoy continued on towards Bombay escorted by HMS Enterprise. It arrived at Bombay around 1100FG/7. (8)

14 May 1942
Around 0015B/14, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) and the transport Agwileon (American, 6678 GRT, built 1907) arrived at Walvis Bay. (9)

15 May 1942
Around 0800B/15, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) and the transport Agwileon (American, 6678 GRT, built 1907) departed Walvis Bay for Capetown. (9)

18 May 1942
Around 1530B/18, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) and the transport Agwileon (American, 6678 GRT, built 1907) arrived at Capetown from Walvis Bay. (9)

19 May 1942
Around 1500B/19, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) departed Capetown escorting the Capetown section of convoy WS 18.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 18 ' for 16 April 1942.] (9)

29 May 1942
Around 2000C/29, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) and the troop transport Llandaff Castle (British, 10799 GRT, built 1926) arrived at Diego Suarez. (9)

30 May 1942
Around 0830C/30, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) departed Diego Suarez for Durban. (9)

2 Jun 1942
Around 0800C/30, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Durban from Diego Suarez. (10)

2 Jun 1942

Convoy CM 28.

This convoy departed Durban on 2 June 1942.

It was made up of the (troop) transports; Aronda (British, 9031 GRT, built 1941), Ascanius (British, 10048 GRT, built 1910) and Westernland (Dutch, 16479 GRT, built 1918).

On departure from Durban the convoy was escorted by the heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN).

The convoy arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa on 9 June 1942.

On 11 June 1942, the convoy departed Kilindini / Mombasa now escorted by the battleship HMS Resolution (Capt. A.R. Halfhide, CBE, RN), armed merchant cruiser HMS Corfu (Capt.(Retd.) J.P. Landon, RN), netlayer HMS Guardian (A/Capt. H.A.C. Lane, RN) and the destroyers HMS Foxhound (Cdr. G.H. Peters, DSC, RN) and HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Hodges, RN).

Around 0215C/12, the destroyers parted company to return to Kilindini / Mombasa where they arrived around 0900C/12.

Around 0800D/13, the convoy merged with convoy KM 1 coming from Diego Suerez. This convoy was made up of the troopships; HMS Karanja (British, 9891 GRT, built 1931), HMS Keren (British, 9890 GRT, built 1930) and Sobieski (Polish, 11030 GRT, built 1939). The light cruiser Danae (Capt. H.F. Nalder, RN) which had escorted the convoy from Diego Suarez did not join the convoy but set course for Kilindini / Mombasa. Around the same time HMS Guardian parted company with the convoy to proceed to Diego Suarez.

Around 1220DE/16, the Ascanius parted company to proceed to Aden.

The convoy arrived at Bombay on 21 June 1942.

10 Jun 1942
Around 1500C/10, the aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable (Capt. T.H. Troubridge, RN), heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) and the destroyers HMS Foxhound (Cdr. G.H. Peters, DSC, RN) and HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Hodges, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa. The destroyers parted company around 2000C/10 and returned to port. The carrier and heavy cruiser then set course northwards to patrol off the east coast of Africa. (11)

16 Jun 1942
Around 1730C/16, the aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable (Capt. T.H. Troubridge, RN) and heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) returned to Kilindini / Mombasa from patrol. They had been around 0630C/16 by the destroyers HMS Duncan (Capt. H.St.L. Nicolson, DSO, RN) and HMS Active (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, RN) which then escorted them in. (11)

20 Jun 1942

Convoy WS 20.

This convoy was formed of Oversay on 20 June 1942 and arrived at Freetown on 2 July 1942.

It departed Freetown on 6 July 1942 for Capetown / Durban.

It was made up of the troopships / transports; Abosso (British, 11330 GRT, built 1935), Adrastus (British, 7905 GRT, built 1923), Arundel Castle (British, 19118 GRT, built 1921), Awatea (British, 13482 GRT, built 1936), Banfora (British, 9472 GRT, built 1914), Batory (Polish, 14287 GRT, built 1936), Bergensfjord (Norwegian, 11015 GRT, built 1913), Cuba (British, 11420 GRT, built 1923), Duchess of Richmond (British, 20022 GRT, built 1928), Durban Castle (British, 17388 GRT, built 1938), Empire Pride (British, 9248 GRT, built 1941), Empress of Australia (British, 21833 GRT, built 1914), Empress of Russia (British, 16810 GRT, built 1913), Esperance Bay (British, 14204 GRT, built 1922), Leopoldville (Belgian, 11509 GRT, built 1929), Narkunda (British, 16632 GRT, built 1920), Nigerstroom (Dutch, 4639 GRT, built 1939), Orion (British, 23371 GRT, built 1935), Palma (British, 5419 GRT, built 1941), Stirling Castle (British, 25550 GRT, built 1936), Stratheden (British, 23722 GRT, built 1937) and Strathmore (British, 23428 GRT, built 1935).

On forming off Orsay Island the convoy was escorted by the destroyers HMS Beagle (Cdr. R.C. Medley, RN), HMS Boadicea (Lt.Cdr. F.C. Brodrick, RN), HMS Vansittart (Lt.Cdr. T. Johnston, RN), HMS Wolverine (Lt.Cdr. P.W. Gretton, OBE, DSC, RN), HMS Georgetown (Lt.Cdr. P.G. MacIver, RNR), HMS Ripley (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) G.W.E. Castens, RN), HMS Salisbury (Lt.Cdr. H.M.R. Crichton, RN) and HNoMS St. Albans (Lt.Cdr. S.V. Storheill, RNorN).

On 24 June HMS Georgetown and HMS Salisbury were detached.

On 25 June HMS Boadicea and HMS Ripley were detached. At 0900/26, the battleship HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN joined the convoy. She came from Gibraltar and had been escorted by the destroyers HMS Antelope (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Sinclair, RN), HMS Vidette (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Walmsley, DSC, RN) and HMS Wishart (Cdr. H.G. Scott, RN). The troopship Narkunda then parted company with the convoy proceeding to Gibraltar escorted by HMS Beagle, HMS Antelope, HMS Vidette, HMS Wishart and HMS Wolverine.

At 1230/26, HMS St.Albans parted company with the convoy to join northound convoy SL 113.

At 2015/26, the destroyer HMS Brilliant (Lt.Cdr. A.G. Poe, RN) and escort destroyer HMS Blackmore (Lt. H.T. Harrel, RN) joined the convoy.

Between 0700 and 0800/27 HMS Vansittart fuelled from HMS Malaya.

At 1620/27, HMS Vansittart parted company with the convoy to proceed to Ponta Delgada, Azores to fuel and to proceed to Gibraltar afterwards.

At 0600/28, the destroyer HMS Vimy (Lt.Cdr. H.G.D. de Chair, RN) joined the convoy.

Between 0946 and 1023/28, HMS Brilliant fuelled from HMS Malaya. HMS Blackmore was fuelled by HMS Malaya late in the afternoon of the 28th.

At 0800/1, the destroyers HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN) and HMS Wivern (Cdr. M.D.C. Meyrick, RN) joined the convoy. The were to have joined the day before but were unable to find the convoy due to the bad visibility and the convoy, poor fixes and the convoy being a bit ahead of shedule. HMS Vimy parted company with the convoy shortly after these two destroyer had joined.

At 1250/1, the destroyer HMS Velox (Lt. G.B. Barstow, RN) joined the convoy.

The convoy arrived safely at Freetown on 2 July 1942.

----------------------------------------------------

On departure from Freetown on 6 July the convoy, in the same composition as in which it had arrived, was escorted by HMS Malaya, HMS Brilliant, HMS Velox, HMS Wivern and HMS Blackmore.

At 1130/7, the troopship Batory parted company with the convoyto proceed to Takoradi escorted by HMS Blackmore. They arrived at Takoradi on 11 July. HMS Blackmore then departed Takoradi, after fuelling, later the same day to rejoin convoy WS 20.

At 1845/8, HMS Wivern was detached to fuel at Pointe Noire to fuel, then proceed to Walvis Bay to fuel there and then rejoin convoy WS 20.

At 0650/9, HMS Brilliant was detached to fuel at Pointe Noire.

At 1815/9, HMS Boreas joined the convoy coming from Takoradi. HMS Velox was then detached to Lagos.

At 1650/12, HMS Boreas was detached to Pointe Noire.

At 1720/12, HMS Blackmore rejoined coming from Takoradi.

At 1130/13, HMS Brilliant rejoined coming from Pointe Noire.

At 1650/14, HMS Brilliant was detached to Walvis Bay.

At 0715/16, HMS Brilliant and HMS Wivern joined coming from Walvis Bay.

Between 0720 to 0815/16, HMS Blackmore fuelled from HMS Malaya.

At 0705/17, HMS Brilliant and HMS Wivern were detached to Simonstown.

At 0800/17, heavy cruiser HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) joined the convoy to take care of the Durban section. The Capetown section then split off escorted by HMS Malaya and HMS Blackmore. The Capetown section arrived at Capetown later the same day. It was made up of the troopships / transports; Abosso, Adrastus, Banfora, Bergensfjord, Cuba, Duchess of Richmond, Empire Pride, Empress of Australia, Esperance Bay, Leopoldville and Palma.

At 0830/18 (GMT), HMS Brilliant and HMS Wivern departed Simonstown to join the Durban section of the convoy that was being escorted by HMS Shropshire.

The Durban section arrived at Durban in the moning of July, 20th. HMS Shropshire parted company to proceed to Simonstown. HMS Brilliant and HMS Wivern then patrolled off Durban until the last ships of the convoy had entered the harbour. The Durban section had been made up of the troopships / transports; Arundel Castle, Awatea, Durban Castle, Empress of Russia, Nigerstroom, Orion, Stratheden and Strathmore.

----------------------------------------------------

In the morning of 21 July 1942 the troopships / transports Abosso, Adrastus, Bergensfjord, Cuba, Duchess of Richmond, Empire Pride, Empress of Australia, Leopoldville and Palma departed Capetown to the rendez-vous point near Durban. They were escorted by the escort destroyer HMS Blackmore. Around 1600/21 they were joined by the battleship HMS Malaya which had departed Simonstown at 1215/21.

Around 0930/26 the convoy arrived off Durban where it merged with the Durban section.

The Durban section was made up of the troopships / transports; Arundel Castle, Orion, Stirling Castle and Stratheden. They were escorted by the light cruiser HMS Gambia (Capt. M.J. Mansergh, CBE, RN) and the destroyers HMS Brilliant and HMS Wivern.

HMS Malaya split off from the Capetown section to proceed to Capetown escorted by HMS Brilliant and HMS Wivern. HMS Blackmore entered Durban.

----------------------------------------------------

The convoy was now made up of the troopships / transports; Abosso, Adrastus, Arundel Castle, Bergensfjord, Cuba, Duchess of Richmond, Empire Pride, Empress of Australia, Leopoldville, Orion, Palma, Stirling Castle and Stratheden and was being escorted by HMS Gambia.

At 0900/30, the convoy, now to the east of Madagascar, was joined by the heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) and the armed merchant cruiser HMS Worcestershire (A/Capt.(Retd.) E.H. Hopkinson, RN). The troopship Stirling Castle then split off to proceed to Mauritius escorted by HMS Gambia.

At 1410/31, HMS Worcestershire parted company with the convoy. Her speed had proven to be too low and she had difficulty keeping up.

At 0900/3, the heavy cruiser HMS Devonshire (Capt. R.D. Oliver, CBE, DSC, RN) joined the convoy. Shortly afterwards the convoy split up in two sections, one with the destination Aden (Perim) (WS 20A) and one with the destination Bombay (WS 20B).

22 Jun 1942
During 22/23 June 1942, HMS Royal Sovereign (Capt. R.H. Portal, DSC, RN), HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN), HMS Caledon (A/Capt. H.J. Haynes, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Duncan (Capt. H.St.L. Nicolson, DSO, RN) and HMS Active (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, RN), conducted exercises off Kilindini. (12)

25 Jun 1942
During 25/26 June 1942, HMS Royal Sovereign (Capt. R.H. Portal, DSC, RN), HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN), HMS Caledon (A/Capt. H.J. Haynes, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Duncan (Capt. H.St.L. Nicolson, DSO, RN) and HMS Active (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, RN), conducted exercises off Kilindini.

Around 2100C/25, HMS Frobisher parted company with the other ships and set course for Durban. (12)

29 Jun 1942
Around 0700B/29, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Durban from Kilindini / Mombasa. (10)

1 Jul 1942

Convoy CM 29.

This convoy departed Durban on 1 July 1942 and arrived at Aden on 17 July 1942.

The following transports / troopships were part of this convoy; Dilwara (British, 11080 GRT, built 1936), Diomed (British, 10374 GRT, built 1922), Dunera (British, 11162 GRT, built 1937), Llandaff Castle (British, 10799 GRT, built 1926), Pulaski (Polish, 6516 GRT, built 1912) and Scythia (British, 19761 GRT, built 1920).

On departure from Durban the convoy was escorted by the heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) and the corvette HMS Fritillary (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Barker, RD, RNR).

On 9 July 1942, the netlayer HMS Guardian (A/Capt. H.A.C. Lane, RN) and the troop transport Sobieski (Polish, 11030 GRT, built 1939) departed Diego Suarez to join the convoy. The M/S trawler HMS Hildasay (T/Lt. H.C. Doman, RNVR) had also briefly with them on departure as escort. HMS Guardian and the Sobieski joined the convoy in the evening of the 9th.

on 9 July 1942, the troop transport Khedive Ismael (British, 7290 GRT, built 1922) departed Kilindini / Mombasa to make rendezvous with and then join the convoy. She joined on the 11th. She had been escorted to the rendezvous by the destroyer HMS Arrow (Cdr. A.M. McKillop, RN).

On 10 July the battleship HMS Royal Sovereign (Capt. R.H. Portal, DSC, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa to rendezvous with the convoy. She had been escorted by the destroyers HMS Duncan (Capt. H.St.L. Nicolson, DSO, RN) and HMS Active (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, RN). HMS Royal Sovereign joineed the convoy on 11 July. HMS Frobisher, HMS Fritillary and HMS Guardian then parted company and proceeded to Kilindini / Mombasa arriving on the 12th and 13th. HMS Duncan, HMS Active and HMS Arrow also returned to Kilindini / Mombasa.

On the 14th the armed merchant cruiser HMS Corfu (Capt.(Retd.) J.P. Landon, RN) took over from HMS Royal Sovereign which then set course to return to Kilindini / Mombasa.

Early in the morning of the 16th the Aden section of the convoy parted company. It was made up of the Diomed, Khedive Ismael, Llandaff Castle, Pulaski and Scythia. They proceeded unescorted to Aden arriving there on the 17th.

The Bombay section of the convoy (called CM 29B), made up of Dilwara, Dunera and Sobieski continued on escorted by HMS Corfu. They were joined in late on the morning of the 16th by the damaged light cruiser HMS Newcastle (Capt. P.B.R.W. William-Powlett, DSO, RN). Convoy CM 29B arrived at Bombay on 21 July 1942.

12 Jul 1942
Around 1300C/12, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN), HMS Duncan (Capt. H.St.L. Nicolson, DSO, RN), HMS Active (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, RN) and HMS Arrow (Cdr. A.M. McKillop, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from escort duty. (13)

14 Jul 1942
Around 1100C/14, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa for Durban. (13)

17 Jul 1942
Around 0800B/17, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Durban from Kilindini / Mombasa. (13)

20 Jul 1942

Convoy CM 30.

This convoy departed Durban on 20 July 1942.

It was made up of the following (troop) transports; Charles L.D. (British (former French), 5267 GRT, built 1934), Empire Trooper (British, 14106 GRT, built 1922), Empire Woodlark (British, 7793 GRT, built 1913), James McKay (American, 6762 GRT, built 1941), Sontay (British, 8917 GRT, built 1921) and Yoma (British, 8131 GRT, built 1928).

The RFA supplyship (used as distilling ship) Bacchus (3154 GRT, built 1936) and RFA tanker Easedale (8032 GRT, built 1942) were also part of the convoy.

On departure from Durban the convoy was escorted by the heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) and the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN).

On 21 July 1942, the Sontay was detached with defects and returned to Durban.

Around 1600D/26, HMS Frobisher parted company to proceed to Mauritius.

Around 1600D/27, the light cruiser HMS Caledon (A/Capt. H.J. Haynes, DSO, DSC, RN) joined company coming from Diego Suarez.

Around 0700D/27, HMS Caledon parted company to proceed to Diego Suarez taking the Empire Woodlark and RFA Bacchus and RFA Easedale with her. They arrived at Diego Suarez on 29 July 1942.

The remainder of the convoy arrived at Bombay on 8 August 1942, escorted by HMS Ranchi.

27 Jul 1942
Around 1125D/27, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Mauritius from convoy escort duty. (13)

29 Jul 1942
Around 0615D/29, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) departed Mauritius to join convoy WS 20.

Around 2050D/29, she joined HMS Worcestershire (A/Capt.(Retd.) E.H. Hopkinson, RN) which had already departed Mauritius around 1630D/28 also to join convoy WS 20. Both ships joined the convoy around 0915D/30.

For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 20 ' for 20 June 1942. (14)

6 Aug 1942
Around 1400C/6, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Aden from convoy escort duty. (15)

20 Aug 1942
Around 1500C/20, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) departed Aden. Around 1700C/20, she joined the (troop) transports Bergensfjord (Norwegian, 11015 GRT, built 1913) and Takliwa (British, 7936 GRT, built 1924) to escort them part of their way towards the Persian Gulf.

Around 0600C/24, when off the gulf of Oman, HMS Frobisher parted company with the two ships of the convoy which then proceeded independently to the Persian Gulf. HMS Frobisher set course for Colombo where she was to undergo a short refit including a docking. (15)

27 Aug 1942
Around 1130F/27, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Colombo from escort duty. She is then taken in hand for a short refit. (15)

1 Sep 1942
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) is docked at Colombo. (16)

9 Sep 1942
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) is undocked. (16)

16 Sep 1942
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) is again docked at Colombo. (16)

20 Sep 1942
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) is undocked. (16)

22 Sep 1942
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) conducted post refit trials and exercises, including gunnery exercises, off Colombo. A serious machinery defect had developed requiring further repairs. She was therefore unable to escort convoy US 16 as had originally been intended. (16)

28 Sep 1942
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) conducted exercises off Colombo. (16)

4 Oct 1942
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) conducted exercises off Colombo. (17)

7 Oct 1942
Around 1745FG/7, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) departed Colombo for Kilindini / Mombasa via the Seychelles. (17)

10 Oct 1942
Around 1700DE/10, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Port Victoria from Colombo. (17)

11 Oct 1942
Around 1800D/11, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) departed Port Victoria for Kilindini / Mombasa. (17)

13 Oct 1942
Around 2200D/13, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from Port Victoria. She arrived with engine defects for which she was taken in hand for repairs. (17)

23 Nov 1942
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) conducted engine trials and gunnery exercises off Kilindini / Mombasa. (18)

26 Nov 1942
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) conducted engine trials and torpedo firing exercises off Kilindini / Mombasa. (18)

29 Nov 1942
From 29 November to 1 December 1942, the battleship HMS Warspite (Capt. F.E.P. Hutton, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Eastern Fleet), heavy cruisers HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN), HMS Hawkins (Capt. G.A. French, RN), light cruiser HMS Ceres (Capt. C.C.A. Allen, RN), destroyer HMS Hotspur (Lt. P. Bekenn, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Blackmore (Lt. H.T. Harrel, RN) conducted exercises off Kilindini / Mombasa.

Around 1100C/30, HMS Hawkins parted company to proceed to Diego Suarez and HMS Frobisher parted company to proceed to Durban. (19)

4 Dec 1942
Around 0645C/4, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Durban from Kilindini / Mombasa. (20)

6 Dec 1942

Convoy WS 24B.

This convoy departed Durban on 6 December 1942.

It was made up of the troop transports Athlone Castle (British, 25564 GRT, built 1936) and Striling Castle (British, 25550 GRT, built 1936).

On departure from Durban the convoy was escorted by the heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) and the destroyers HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) and HMAS Nepal (Cdr. F.B. Morris, RAN).

Around 1200C/7, HMAS Norman and HMAS Nepal parted company to return to Durban.

Around 1200E/12, the light cruiser HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) took over the escort duties from HMS Frobisher which then proceeded to Port Victoria, Seychelles to fuel.

The convoy arrived at Bombay on 17 December 1942. (20)

13 Dec 1942
Around 0600D/13, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Port Victoria from convoy escort duty.

After having fuelled from the RFA tanker Olynthus (6888 GRT, built 1918) she departed for Aden around 1615D/13. (20)

16 Dec 1942
Around 1630C/16, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Aden from Port Victoria. (20)

17 Dec 1942

Convoy MC 2.

This convoy departed Aden on 17 December 1942.

The convoy was made up of the troop transports Empire Trooper (British, 14106 GRT, built 1922) and Highland Monarch (British, 14139 GRT, built 1928).

On departure from Aden the convoy was escorted by the cruiser HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) and the minesweepers HMS Poole (Lt. W.L.G. Dutton, RNR) and HMS Romney (Lt. W.E. Halbert, RNR).

Around 1830D/19, HMS Poole and HMS Romney parted company.

Around 1430C/24, the light cruiser HMS Gambia (Capt. M.J. Mansergh, CBE, RN) and the corvette HMS Fritillary (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Barker, RD, RNR) joined the convoy coming from Diego Suarez. HMS Frobisher then parted company to fuel at Diego Suarez and then rejoin the convoy which she did around 1300D/25.

Around 1530D/28, the destroyers HMS Foxhound (Cdr. C.J. Wynne-Edwards, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Inconstant (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Clouston, RN) joined.

The convoy arrived at Durban on 31 December 1942.

9 Jan 1943

Convoy CM 37.

This convoy departed Durban on 9 January 1943.

The convoy was made up of the transports / tankers; British Unity (British (tanker), 8407 GRT, built 1939), Cap Tourane (British, 8009 GRT, built 1923, former French), City of Canterbury (British, 8331 GRT, built 1922), City of London (British, 8956 GRT, built 1907), City of Paris (British, 10902 GRT, built 1922), Devonshire (British, 11275 GRT, built 1939), Dromus (British (tanker), 8036 GRT, built 1938), Eastern Prince (British, 10926 GRT, built 1929) and Elisabethville (Belgian, 8351 GRT, built 1922).

On departure from Durban the convoy was escorted by the cruisers HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN), HMS Gambia (Capt. M.J. Mansergh, CBE, RN), destroyers HMS Foxhound (Cdr. C.J. Wynne-Edwards, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Inconstant (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Clouston, RN) and the corvette HMS Nigella (T/Lt. L.J. Simpson, RNR).

Around 0645C/10, the corvettes HMS Jasmine (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) C.D.B. Coventry, RNR) and HMS Thyme (Lt. H. Roach, RNR) joined the convoy.

Around 1710C/11, the convoy split into two sections;
Convoy CM 37A bound for Aden was made up of the British Unity, Cap Tourane, City of Canterbury, Dromus and Elisabethville escorted by HMS Gambia and possible briefly the three corvettes but it is also possible they were detached around this time.

Around 0800C/17, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranpura (Capt.(Retd.) H.T.M. Pawsey, RN) relieved HMS Gambia which then set course to proceed to Kilindini / Mombasa. The minesweeper HMAS Ipswich (T/Lt.Cdr. J.S. McBryde, RANR(S)) also joined the convoy.

Convoy CM 37A arrived at Aden on 24 January 1943.

Convoy CM 37B bound for Bombay was made up of the City of London, City of Paris, Devonshire and Eastern Prince escorted by HMS Frobisher, HMS Fortune and HMS Inconstant . The two destroyers parted company around 0100C/12.

Around 1100D/16, the cruiser HMS Hawkins (Cdr. M. Everard, RN) took over from HMS Frobisher which then set course to proceed to Kilindini / Mombasa.

Convoy CM 37B arrived at Bombay on 25 January 1943.

18 Jan 1943
Around 1600C/18, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from convoy escort duty. Before entering harbour AA gunnery exercises were carried out, however the target aircraft crashed and the exercises were broken off. HMS Frobisher managed to pick up the crew of the aircraft. (21)

20 Jan 1943
From 20 to 22 January 1943, the battleships HMS Warspite (Capt. F.E.P. Hutton, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Eastern Fleet), HMS Resolution (Capt. J.W. Durnford, RN), heavy cruisers HMS Devonshire (Capt. D. Young-Jamieson, RN), HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN), light cruisers HMS Gambia (Capt. M.J. Mansergh, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN), HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN), destroyers HMS Rotherham (Capt. F.S.W. de Winton, RN), HMAS Nizam (Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN), HMS Foxhound (Cdr. C.J. Wynne-Edwards, DSC and Bar, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Catterick (Lt. A. Tyson, RN) conducted exercises off Kilindini / Mombasa.

Shortly before commencement of the exercises Rear Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN had hoisted his flag in HMS Gambia. (22)

24 Jan 1943

Combined convoy WS 26 / KMF 8.

This combined convoy was formed off Oversay on 24 January 1943. The convoy was divided into convoys WS 26 and KMF 8 at sea on 29 January 1943.

The combined convoy was made up of the following (troop) transports; Antenor (British, 11174 GRT, built 1925), Arundel Castle (British, 19118 GRT, built 1921), California (British, 16792 GRT, built 1923), Chyebassa (British, 7043 GRT, built 1942), Circassia (British, 11136 GRT, built 1937), Dempo (Dutch, 17024 GRT, built 1931), Dominion Monarch (British, 27155 GRT, built 1939), Duchess of Richmond (British, 20022 GRT, built 1928), Duchess of York (British, 20021 GRT, built 1929), Dunnottar Castle (British, 15007 GRT, built 1936), Durban Castle (British, 17388 GRT, built 1938), Empire Pride (British, 9248 GRT, built 1941), Empress of Canada (British, 21517 GRT, built 1922), Highland Chieftain (British, 14135 GRT, built 1929), Letitia (British, 13595 GRT, built 1925), Maloja (British, 20914 GRT, built 1923), Mooltan (British, 20952 GRT, built 1923), Orduna (British, 15507 GRT, built 1914), Rembrandt (Dutch, 8126 GRT, built 1941), Ruys (British, 14155 GRT, built 1937), Samaria (British, 19597 GRT, built 1921), Sibajak (British, 12226 GRT, built 1927), Stratheden (British, 23722 GRT, built 1937), Strathnaver (British, 22283 GRT, built 1931), Tiwali (British, 8178 GRT, built 1931) and Volendam (Dutch, 15434 GRT, built 1922).

The aircraft carrier HMS Argus (Capt. H.L.St.J. Fancourt, RN) was also part of the convoy.

On assembly off Oversay the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruisers HMS Canton (A/Capt. G.N. Loriston-Clarke, RN), HMS Cilicia (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Scott, RN), destroyers HMS Relentless (Lt.Cdr. R.A. Fell, RN), HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Farrington, RN), HMS Clare (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Stewart, DSC, RNR), escort destroyers RHS Adrias, RHS Miaoulis, sloops HMS Egret (Cdr. C.R.S. Farquhar, RN), Savorgnan de Brazza, cutters HMS Banff (Lt. P. Brett, RNR), HMS Fishguard (Lt.Cdr. H.L. Pryse, RNR) and the frigate HMS Test (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) F.B. Collinson, RD, RN).

On 25 January 1943 the destroyer HMS Clare parted company to return to Londonderry. The escort destroyer RHS Miaoulis had lost touch with the convoy during the night of 24/25 January 1943. She was unable to regain touch and was also ordered to return to Londonderry. Her sister ship RHS Adrias had also lost touch but apparently was able to regain contact.

Around 1730A/26, the Antenor parted company with defects to return to the Clyde. It appears that she was escorted back to the Clyde by the sloop Savorgnan de Brazza.

Around 1630A/29, the convoy split into two parts.

Convoy KMF 8 continued on towards the Mediterranean and was made up of the transports Circassia, Duchess of York, Dunnottar Castle, Empire Pride, Letitia, Samaria, Strathnaver, Tawali and the aircraft carrier HMS Argus. They were escorted by HMS Egret, HMS Banff, HMS Fishguard and HMS Test.

Around 1630A/30, HMS Argus and the transport Letitia parted company with convoy KMF 8 to proceed to Gibraltar. They entered Gibraltar Bay around 0330A/31. Presumably they were escorted by the frigate HMS Test which also arrived at Gibraltar on this day.

On 31 January the destroyer HMS Verity, (Lt.Cdr. R. Horncastle, RN) and sloop HMS Enchantress (Lt.Cdr. A.E.T. Christie, OBE, RN) joined convoy KMF 8 having departed Gibraltar on 30 January.

Later on 31 January the destroyers HMS Laforey (Capt. R.M.J. Hutton, DSO, RN), HMS Lookout (Lt.Cdr. A.G. Forman, DSC, RN) and the corvettes HMCS Alberni (Lt. I.H. Bell, RCNVR), HMCS Baddeck (T/Lt. J. Brock, RCNVR), HMCS Lunenburg (T/Lt. W.E. Harrison, RCNVR), HMCS Port Arthur (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E.T. Simmons, DSC, RCNVR) and HMCS Summerside (T/A/Lt.Cdr. F.O. Gerity, RCNR) joined the escort of convoy KMF 8. They had departed Mers-el-Kebir earlier on 31 January. On the joining of HMS Laforey and HMS Lookout, HMS Verity was detached to join convoy GUF 4 as was the corvette HMCS Port Arthur.

The transport Strathnaver was detached to proceed to Oran escorted by HMCS Alberni, HMCS Baddeck, HMCS Luneburg and HMCS Summerside.

The remainder of convoy KMF 8 arrived at Algiers on 1 February escorted by HMS Laforey, HMS Lookout, HMS Egret, HMS Enchantress, HMS Banff and HMS Fishguard.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When the convoys split up, WS 26 continued on to Freetown. It was made up of the transports . They were escorted by the armed merchant cruisers HMS Canton, HMS Cilicia, destroyers HMS Quadrant, HMS Relentless and the escort destroyer RHS Adrias.

On 31 January, the repair ship HMS Wayland (A/Capt.(Retd.) W.S. Carson, RN) and the transport Leopoldville (Belgian, 11509 GRT, built 1929) escorted by the destroyers HMS Racehorse (Cdr. A.F. Burnell-Nugent, DSC, RN), HMS Redoubt (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Ropner, DSO, RN) and HMAS Quickmatch (Lt.Cdr. R. Rhoades, DSC, RAN) joined. They had departed Gibraltar on 29 January. Also on 31 January the destroyers HMS Quality (Lt.Cdr. G.L. Farnfield, DSO, RN) and HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. G.S. Stewart, RAN) joined. They had departed Gibraltar on 30 January.

The destroyers HMS Quadrant, HMS Relentless and escort destroyer RHS Adrias parted company on 31 January to fuel at Casablanca from where they departed again on 1 February to rejoin the convoy. HMS Quadrant and HMS Relentless rejoined on 3 February. RHS Adrias only rejoined on 5 February.

On 4 February the transport Leopoldville parted company with the convoy escorted by the destroyer HMS Redoubt. They arrived at Bathurst on 5 February.

Convoy WS 26 arrived at Freetown on 6 February 1943 escorted by the armed merchant cruisers HMS Canton, HMS Cilicia, destroyers HMS Quality, HMS Quadrant, HMAS Quiberon, HMAS Quickmatch, HMS Racehorse, HMS Relentless and the escort destroyer RHS Adrias.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Convoy WS 26 departed Freetown on 9 February for South Africa. It was made up of the transports Arundel Castle, California, Chyebassa, Dempo, Dilwara (British, 11080 GRT, built 1936), Dominion Monarch, Duchess of Richmond, Empress of Canada, Highland Chieftain, Maloja, Mooltan, Orduna, Rembrandt, Ruys, Sibajak, Stratheden, Volendam and the repair ship HMS Wayland.

On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruisers HMS Canton, HMS Cilicia, armed boarding vessel HMS Corinthian (Cdr. E.J.R. Pollitt, RNR), destroyers HMS Quality, HMAS Quiberon, HMAS Quickmatch, HMS Racehorse and the escort destroyer RHS Adrias.

On 12 February HMS Corinthian and RHS Adrias parted company with the convoy.

At 1145AB(-1.5)/13, the destroyer HMS Relentless joined the convoy coming from Lagos having departed there on 12 February immediately after being undocked.

Also on the 13th the corvette FFS Commandant d'Estienne d'Orves joined the convoy escort.

In the morning and early afternoon of the 14th, HMS Racehorse and HMAS Quickmatch fuelled from HMS Canton.

Around 0900AB/15 the destroyers HMS Quality and HMAS Quiberon arrived at Porte Noire to fuel after having parted company with the convoy around 2300AB/14. After doing so they departed again around 1230AB/15 to rejoin the convoy which they did around 1700AB/15. Also on the 15th the Commandant d'Estienne d'Orves fuelled from HMS Canton.

Around 2215B/20, the escort destroyer HMS Blackmore (Lt. H.T. Harrel, RN) joined the convoy coming from Saldanha Bay.

Around 0630B/21, HMAS Quiberon and HMAS Quickmatch parted company with the convoy to proceed to Capetown where they arrived around 2100C/21. They departed again around 0730C/22 to rejoin the convoy which they did around 1000C/22.

Around 1000C22, the Capetown section of the convoy, made up of Arundel Castle, California, Cheyebassa, Duchess of Richmond, Highland Chieftain, Orduna, Ruys, Sibajak and HMS Wayland parted company with the convoy to proceed to Capetown. Part of the escort, HMS Racehorce, HMS Relentless, HMAS Quiberon and FFS Commandant d'Estienne d'Orves went with them, some of which then went on to Simonstown.

The light cruiser HMS Ceres (Capt. C.C.A. Allen, RN) joined the Durban section as did the corvette HMS Genista (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Pattinson, DSC, RNR). This corvette was later detached around 1000C/24 and arrived at Port Elizabeth on later 24 February. Around 1200C/22, HMS Racehorce later rejoined after having fuelled at Capetown. HMS Blackmoor then parted company.

HMS Canton proceeded to Simonstown where she arrived around 1530C/22.

The remaining ships proceeded to Durban arriving there on 25 February escorted by HMS Ceres, HMS Cilicia, HMAS Quiberon, HMAS Quickmatch and HMS Racehorse.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On 26 February 1943 the Capetown section departed there to proceed towards Durban. It was now made up of the transports Arundel Castle, California, Cheybassa, Highland Chieftain, Orduna and HMS Wayland. The convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Canton, destroyer HMS Relentless and the escort destroyers HMS Catterick (Lt. A. Tyson, RN) and HMS Blackmore.

At 0115C/1, HMS Relentless was detached to proceed ahead to Durban to fuel.

On completion of fuelling she returned from Durban together with the corvette HMS Freesia (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.A. Cherry, RNR), and the minesweepers HMIS Carnatic (Lt. H.J.D. Hamilton, RIN) and Commandant Duboc.

Meanwhile the corvette HMS Jasmine (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) C.D.B. Coventry, RNR) had also joined the convoy escort.

HMS Blackmore and HMS Catterick also went to Durban to fuel. They returned later together with the light cruisers HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.B. Crane, RN) and HMS Ceres.

HMS Canton parted company with the convoy and entered Durban.

Transports that joined coming from Durban were the City of Paris (British, 10902 GRT, built 1922), Dempo, Dilwara, Dominion Monarch, Lancashire (British, 9445 GRT, built 1917), Maloja, Mooltan, Rembrandt, Selandia (South African, 8482 GRT, built 1938) and Stratheden. The repair ship HMS Resource (Capt.(Retd.) D.B. O’Connell, RN) also joined the convoy. The Dilwara however returned to Durban with defects shortly after sailing.

Around 1830C/3, HMS Jasmine and HMS Freesia parted company.

Around 0530C/4, HMS Relentless, HMS Blackmore and HMS Catterick parted company.

Around 1500D/6, the Lancashire was detached to Tamatave escorted by the Commandant Duboc.

Around 0300C/8, HMS Ceres parted company with the convoy to proceed to Diego Suarez.

Around 0800CD(-3.5)/9, HMS Resource was detached from the convoy to proceed to Kilindini escorted by HMS Birmingham. The heavy cruiser HMS Hawkins (Capt. G.A. French, RN) had joined just before.

Around 1200D/10, the heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 0700D/11, the convoy split up into the Aden section and the Bombay section.

The Aden section was made up of the Arundel Castle, City of Paris, Highland Chieftain, Maloja, Orduna, Rembrandt and Selandia. They were escorted by HMS Frobisher. They arrived off Aden on 15 March 1943 where the convoy was dispersed.

The Bombay section was made up of the California, Chyebassa, Dempo, Dominion Monarch, Mooltan and Stratheden. They were escorted by HMS Hawkins. They arrived at Bombay on 17 March 1943.

28 Jan 1943
During 28/29 January 1943, the battleship HMS Revenge (A/Capt. St.J. Cronyn, DSO, RN), heavy cruisers HMS Devonshire (Capt. D. Young-Jamieson, RN), HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN), light cruisers HMS Gambia (Capt. M.J. Mansergh, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN), HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN), destroyers HMS Rotherham (Capt. F.S.W. de Winton, RN), HMAS Nizam (Cdr. C.H. Brooks, RAN) and HMS Foxhound (Cdr. C.J. Wynne-Edwards, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Kilindini / Mombasa.

On completion of the exercises HMS Devonshire set course to Aden while the other ships returned to Kilindini / Mombasa. (23)

1 Feb 1943

Convoy CM 38.

This convoy departed Durban on 1 February 1943 and arrived at Bombay on 20 February 1943.

The convoy was made up of the transports Aronda (British, 9031 GRT, built 1941), Ascanius (British, 10048 GRT, built 1910), Ekma (British, 5108 GRT, built 1911) and Pulaski (Polish, 6345 GRT, built 1912).

On departure from Durban the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.B. Crane, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Catterick (Lt. A. Tyson, RN).

At 1400CD(-3.5)/3, HMS Catterick parted company to return to Durban.

Around 0745D/9, HMS Birmingham turned the convoy over to the heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN). HMS Birmingham then set course to proceed to Kilindini.

The convoy made a short stop at Diego Suarez on 11 February 1943.

The convoy arrived at Bombay on 20 February 1943.

6 Feb 1943
Around 1100C/6, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa to join convoy CM 38 at sea.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy CM 38 ' for 1 February 1943.] (24)

20 Feb 1943
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Bombay with convoy CM 38. (24)

25 Feb 1943
Around 1015FG/25, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) departed Bombay for Kilindini / Mombasa. (24)

3 Mar 1943
Around 0615C/3, the heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) was joined by the destroyers HMS Foxhound (Cdr. C.J. Wynne-Edwards, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMAS Nepal (Cdr. F.B. Morris, RAN).

Exercises were then carried out later in the morning and in the afternoon.

HMS Frobisher then entered Kilindini / Mombasa around 1600C/3, the two destroyers around 1745C/3. (25)

9 Mar 1943
Around 0600C/9, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa for escort duty with convoy WS 26.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Combined convoy WS 26 / KMF 8 ' for 24 January 1943.] (26)

15 Mar 1943
Around 1030C/15, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Aden from convoy escort duty. (26)

16 Mar 1943
Around 1015C/16, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) departed Aden for Kilindini / Mombasa. (26)

20 Mar 1943
Around 0845C/20, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from Aden. (26)

23 Mar 1943
Around 1645C/23, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa for Durban. (26)

26 Mar 1943

Convoy WS 27.

Part of the convoy that proceeded from South Africa to the Gulf of Aden.

A part of the convoy departed Capetown on 26 March 1943.

The composition of the convoy on departure from Capetown was as follows; Bergensfjord (Norwegian, 11015 GRT, built 1913), Duchess of Richmond (British, 22022 GRT, built 1928), Leopoldville (Belgian, 11509 GRT, built 1929), Orbita (British, 15495 GRT, built 1915), Ruys (Dutch, 14155 GRT, built 1937) and Sibajak (Dutch, 12226 GRT, built 1927).

On departure from Capetown the convoy was escorted by the destroyers HMS Quail (Lt.Cdr. R.F. Jenks, RN), HMS Queenborough (Cdr. E.P. Hinton, DSO and Bar, MVO, RN) and HMS Raider (Lt.Cdr. K.W. Michell, RN).

On 29 March 1943 the ' Durban section ' of the convoy departed Durban, it was made up of the; Capetown Castle (British, 27002 GRT, built 1938), Christiaan Huygens (Dutch, 16287 GRT, built 1927), Strathaird (British, 22281 GRT, built 1932) and Strathmore (British, 23428 GRT, built 1935).

On departure from Durban this section was escorted by the heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) and the destroyers HMS Rotherham (Lt. J.R.L. Moore, RN), HMAS Napier (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Green, DSC, RAN), HMS Foxhound (Cdr. C.J. Wynne-Edwards, DSC and Bar, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Catterick (Lt. A. Tyson, RN). The destroyers which had escorted the ' Capetown section ' then went to Durban.

The four destroyers parted company at 2100C/1 to return to Durban.

Around 1500C/3, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Carthage (A/Capt.(Retd.) W.V.H. Harris, DSC, MVO, RN) joined.

On the 4th the transport Bergensfjord was detached to Kilindini.

Around 0930D/5, the light cruiser HMS Durban (Capt. G.F. Stevens-Guille, DSO, OBE, RN) took over the escort duty from HMS Frobisher which then set course for Kilindini.

On 9 April 1943 the convoy was dispered in the Gulf of Aden.

27 Mar 1943
Around 0730C/27, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Durban from Kilindini / Mombasa. (26)

29 Mar 1943
Between 0855B/29 and 1150B/29, the heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN), destroyers HMS Rotherham (Lt. J.R.L. Moore, RN), HMAS Napier (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Green, DSC, RAN), HMS Foxhound (Cdr. C.J. Wynne-Edwards, DSC and Bar, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Catterick (Lt. A. Tyson, RN) departed Durban with the Durban section of convoy WS 27. They then joined the section coming from Capetown at sea.

[For more info see the event ' Convoy WS 27 / Part of the convoy that proceeded from South Africa to the Gulf of Aden ' for 27 March 1943.] (27)

6 Apr 1943
Around 1530C/6, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from convoy escort duty. (28)

12 Apr 1943
From 12 to 16 April 1943, the battleship HMS Revenge (Capt. G.B. Middleton, CBE, RN), heavy cruisers HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN), HMS Hawkins (Capt. G.A. French, RN), light cruisers HMS Gambia (Capt. M.J. Mansergh, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN), HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) and the destroyers HMAS Nizam (Cdr. C.H. Brooks, RAN) and HMAS Quickmatch (Lt.Cdr. R. Rhoades, DSC, RAN) conducted exercises off Kilindini / Mombasa. (29)

21 Apr 1943
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa for exercises followed shortly afterwards by HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) and HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN).

Excercises were carried out during the afternoon and the evening. Shortly after midnight HMS Frobisher parted company to proceed to Diego Suarez.

HMS Mauritius arrived at Manza Bay on the 22nd, while HMS Caradoc retuned to Kilindini / Mombasa. (30)

23 Apr 1943
Around 0730C/23, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Diego Suarez from Kilindini / Mombasa. (28)

25 Apr 1943
Around 1315C/25, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) departed Diego Suarez for Simonstown. (28)

1 May 1943
Around 0900B/1, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Simonstown from Diego Suarez. At Simonstown she was taken in hand for a short refit including a docking. (31)

17 May 1943
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) is docked in the Selborne graving dock at the Simonstown Dockyard. (31)

31 May 1943
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) is undocked. (31)

10 Jun 1943
Around 1000B/10, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) departed Simonstown for Durban. On departure she first carried out gunnery exercises. (32)

13 Jun 1943
Around 0800B/13, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Durban from Simontown. (33)

14 Jun 1943
Around 0830B/14, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) departed Durban for Kilindini / Mombasa. (32)

18 Jun 1943
Around 0900C/18, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from Durban. (32)

20 Jun 1943

Combined convoy WS 31 / KMS 17.

This combined convoy was formed off Oversay on 20 June 1943. The convoy was divided into convoys WS 31 and KMS 17 at sea on 26 June 1943.

The combined convoy was made up of the following (troop) transports; Britannic (British, 26943 GRT, built 1930), City of Lincoln (British, 8039 GRT, built 1938), Clan Macarthur (British, 10528 GRT, built 1936), Clan Macaulay (British, 10492 GRT, built 1936), Cristobal (American, 10021 GRT, built 1939), General George W. Goethals (American, 12093 GRT, built 1942), John Ericsson (American, 16552 GRT, built 1928), J.W. McAndrew (American, 7997 GRT, built 1940), Largs Bay (British, 14182 GRT, built 192), Rangitiki (British, 16698 GRT, built 1928), Samaria (British, 19597 GRT, built 1921), Santa Rosa (American, 9135 GRT, built 1932), Silverteak (British, 6770 GRT, built 1930), Stratheden (British, 23722 GRT, built 1937) and Tamaroa (British, 12405 GRT, built 1922).

Also the netlayer HMS Guardian (Capt.(Retd.) H.A.C. Lane, OBE, RN) was part of the convoy.

After assembly of Oversay the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Uganda (Capt. W.G. Andrewes, RN), destroyers HMS Arrow (Lt.Cdr. W.W. Fitzroy, RN), HMS Amazon (Lt.Cdr. D.H.P. Gardiner, DSC, RN), HMS Witherington (Lt.Cdr. R.B.S. Tennant, RN) and the escort destroyers HMS Viceroy (Lt. T.F. Hallifax, RN), HMS Wallace (Lt. D. Carson, RN), HMS Woolston (Lt. F.W. Hawkins, RN), HMS Hambledon (Lt.Cdr. G.W. McKendrick, RN), HMS Mendip (Capt. C.R.L. Parry, RN), HMS Blankney (Lt.Cdr. D.H.R. Bromley, RN), HMS Blencathra (Lt. E.G. Warren, RN), HMS Ledbury (Lt. D.R.N. Murdoch, RN), HMS Brecon (Lt.Cdr. T.D. Herrick, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Brissenden (Lt. D.C. Beatty, RN).

On 25 June HMS Arrow and HMS Amazon parted company with the combined convoy to proceed to Casablanca to fuel. They arrived at Casablanca around 1730A/25.

Around 1730B/25, the destroyers HMS Foxhound (Cdr. C.J. Wynne-Edwards, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Bulldog (Lt.Cdr. E.J. Lee, RN) and escort destroyer HMS Blackmore (Lt. H.T. Harrel, RN) were to join the combined convoy in position 36°05'N, 07°54'W. They had departed Gibraltar earlier on the 25th.

When these destroyers joined the destroyer HMS Witherington and escort destroyer HMS Ledbury were to proceed to Casablanca.

Also the convoy was to split. Convoy KMF 17, made up of the transports Britannic, Cristobal, J.W. McAndrew, Largs Bay, Samaria, Santa Rosa, Silverteak, Tamaroa and the netlayer HMS Guardian. They were escorted by the light cruiser HMS Uganada and the escort destroyers HMS Viceroy, HMS Wallace, HMS Woolston, HMS Hambledon, HMS Mendip, HMS Blankney, HMS Blencathra, HMS Brecon and HMS Brissenden proceeded towards the Mediterranean.

On the 26th, HMS Uganda, HMS Guardian, HMS Viceroy and one of the transports arrived at Gibraltar.

On the 27th, HMS Uganda, which had rejoined the convoy after a brief stopover at Gibraltar, 7 of the transports and HMS Wallace, HMS Woolston, HMS Hambledon, HMS Mendip, HMS Blankney, HMS Blencathra, HMS Brecon and HMS Brissenden arrived at Algiers.

Meanwhile Convoy WS 31, made up of the transports City of Lincoln, Clan Macarthur, Clan Macaulay, General George W. Goethals, John Ericsson, Stratheden and Tamaroa continued on to Freetown.

The convoy was now escorted by the destroyers HMS Foxhound, HMS Bulldog and the escort destroyer HMS Blackmore.

The destroyer HMS Amazon also rejoined after fuelling at Casablanca. It had originally been the intention that HMS Arrow was also to rejoin the convoy but while at Casablanca orders had been received that she was to proceed to Gibraltar instead.

On 1 July the French armed merchant cruiser Quercy joined the convoy.

Convoy WS 31 arrived at Freetown on 4 July 1943.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Convoy WS 31 departed Freetown on 6 July 1943.

It was now made up of the transports City of Lincoln, Clan Macarthur, Clan Macaulay, General George W. Goethals, John Ericsson, Rangitiki, Stirling Castle (British, 25550 GRT, built 1936) and Stratheden.

The convoy was now escorted by the light cruiser HMS Despatch (Capt. W.R.C. Leggatt, RN), armed merchant cruisers HMS Corfu (Capt.(Retd.) C.C. Bell, DSO, RN), Quercy, destroyers HMS Foxhound, HMS Bulldog, HMS Wolverine (Lt. I.M. Clegg, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Blackmore.

in the early afternoon of the 7th, in approximate position 03°15'N, 14°54'W the Rangitiki was to be detached to proceed independently to Montevideo.

HMS Despatch was to arrived at Takoradi late in the afternoon of the 9th to fuel and after completion of this on the 10th she was to rejoin the convoy. HMS Wolverine also made a short call at Takoradi on the 10th to fuel and then rejoin the convoy.

On the 10th HMS Bulldog and HMS Blackmore were detached to proceed to Lagos to fuel and then escort transports from there to join the convoy. HMS Corfu was also detached on the 10th to proceed to Ascencion after first calling at Takoradi.

The destroyer HMS Witch (Lt.Cdr. S.R.J. Woods, RNR) and corvette HMS Armeria (Lt. M. Todd, RNR) had joined the convoy on the 10th.

On the 11th the transports Arawa (British, 14462 GRT, built 1922), Highland Brigade (British, 14134 GRT, built 1929), Highland Monarch (British, 14139 GRT, built 1928) and Staffordshire (British, 10683 GRT, built 1929) joined the convoy coming from Lagos. They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Rapid (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Bulldog and the escort destroyer HMS Blackmore.

When these ships joined HMS Foxhound, HMS Witch and HMS Armeria then parted company and proceeded to Lagos arriving there also on the 11th.

HMS Despatch and HMS Rapid arrived at Pointe Noire to fuel at 0700Z/14. They departed again to rejoin the convoy at 1430Z/14.

Meanwhile the destroyers HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Farrington, RN) and HMS Redoubt (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Ropner, DSO, RN) had departed Pointe Noire at 0900Z/14 to join the convoy.

At 1800Z/14, the Quercy, HMS Bulldog and HMS Blackmore arrived at Pointe Noire.

At 0600Z/15, HMS Wolverine arrived at Pointe Noire.

The convoy arrived at Capetown on 21 July 1943. HMS Despatch, HMS Quadrant, HMS Rapid and HMS Redoubt then continued on to Simonstown arriving there later the same day.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A much reduced convoy WS 31 departed Capetown on 26 July 1943. It was now made up of the transports Arawa, Highland Brigade, Highland Monarch, Staffordshire, Stirling Castle and Stratheden. The convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Despatch and the destroyers HMS Quadrant and HMS Redoubt.

They were relieved near Mauritius on 4 August 1943 by the heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) which took the convoy to Bombay where it arrived on 13 August 1943.

HMS Despatch, HMS Quadrant and HMS Redoubt arrived at Mauritius on 5 August 1943.

23 Jun 1943
The battleship HMS Resolution (Capt. J.W. Durnford, RN), heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN), light cruiser HMS Newcastle (Capt. P.B.R.W. William-Powlett, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN), armed merchant cruiser HMS Alaunia (Capt. R.H.C. Crawford, OBE, RNR), HMS Canton (A/Capt. G.N. Loriston-Clarke, RN) and the destroyers HMAS Napier (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Green, DSC, RAN) and HMS Racehorse (Cdr. A.F. Burnell-Nugent, DSC, RN) departed Kilindini for exercises. They returned Kilindini on 25 June 1943. HMS Frobisher proceeded to Manza Bay instead. (34)

29 Jun 1943
During daytime, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN), proceeded from Manza Bay to Kilindini / Mombasa. En-route 4" gunnery exercises were carried out. (32)

14 Jul 1943
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) conducted exercises off Kilindini / Mombasa. (35)

20 Jul 1943
HMS Newcastle (Capt. P.B.R.W. William-Powlett, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN), HMS Suffolk (Capt. R. Shelley, CBE, RN), HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) and HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) departed Kilindini for a few days of exercises. (36)

22 Jul 1943
HMS Newcastle (Capt. P.B.R.W. William-Powlett, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN), HMS Suffolk (Capt. R. Shelley, CBE, RN), HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) and HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) returned to Kilindini from exercises.

HMS Newcastle departed Kilindini for Colombo, via Port Victoria, Seychelles, later the same day. (36)

28 Jul 1943
Around 1000C/28, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa for Diego Suarez. (35)

30 Jul 1943
Around 0700C/30, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Diego Suarez from Kilindini / Mombasa. (35)

1 Aug 1943
Around 1130C/1, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) departed Diego Suarez for Mauritius. (37)

3 Aug 1943
Around 0800D/3, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Mauritius from Diego Suarez.

Around 1245D/3, she departed Mauritius to join convoy WS 31.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Combined convoy WS 31 / KMS 17 ' for 20 June 1943.] (37)

13 Aug 1943
Around 1200FG/13, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Bombay with the Bombay section of convoy WS 31. (37)

15 Aug 1943
Around 1700FG/15, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) departed Bombay for Aden. (37)

19 Aug 1943
Around 1030FG/19, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Aden from Bombay. (37)

20 Aug 1943
Around 1845C/20, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) departed Aden for Bombay. She is escorting the troop transport Ascanius (British, 10048 GRT, built 1910). (37)

26 Aug 1943
Around 1930FG/26, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) and the troop transport Ascanius (British, 10048 GRT, built 1910) arrived at Bombay from Aden. (37)

28 Aug 1943
Around 0800FG/28, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) departed Bombay for Colombo. (37)

30 Aug 1943
Around 0730FG/30, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Colombo from Bombay. (37)

3 Sep 1943
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) is docked at Colombo. (38)

8 Sep 1943
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) is undocked. She then departed Colombo around 1445FG/8 for Kilindini / Mombasa. (38)

14 Sep 1943
Around 1445C/14, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from Colombo. (38)

14 Sep 1943

Convoy CM 45.

This convoy departed Durban on 14 September 1943.

The convoy was made up of the troop transports; Highland Brigade (British, 14134 GRT, built 1929), Nea Hellas (British, 16991 GRT, built 1922), Sibajak (Dutch, 12226 GRT, built 1927), Stirling Castle (British, 25550 GRT, built 1936) and Stratheden (British, 23722 GRT, built 1937).

On departure from Durban the convoy was escorted by the battleship HMS Ramillies (Capt. G.B. Middleton, CBE, RN) and the destroyers HMS Roebuck (Cdr. J.T. Lean, DSO, RN), HMS Relentless (Lt.Cdr. R.A. Fell, RN), HMAS Quickmatch (Lt.Cdr. R. Rhoades, DSC, RAN), HMAS Napier (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Green, DSC, RAN) and HMAS Nepal (Cdr. F.B. Morris, RAN).

Around 1330C/19, HMAS Quickmatch parted company with the convoy to proceed ahead to Kilindini / Mombasa where she arrived around 0715C/20. After fuelling she departed again around 1220C/20 to rejoin the convoy which she did around 0700C/21.

Around 1700C/19, the troop transports Nieuw Holland (Dutch, 11066 GRT, built 1927), and Salween (British, 7063 GRT, built 1937) departed Kilindini / Mombasa to join the convoy. They were escorted by the heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) and the destroyer HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Farrington, RN). They joined the convoy around 1600C/20.

On these ships joining HMS Ramillies, HMS Roebuck, HMS Relentless and HMAS Napier parted company to proceed to Kilindini / Mombasa where they arrived around 0800C/21.

HMS Roebuck and HMS Relentless departed again around 1625C/21 to rejoin the convoy.

HMAS Nepal arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa around 1010C/22, presumably having parted company with the convoy, most likely on HMS Roebuck and HMS Relentless rejoining.

Around 1500CD/24, the convoy split into two sections. Convoy CM 45A proceeded towards Aden and was made up of the troop transports Nieuw Holland, Salween, Sibajak and Stratheden and escorted by HMS Roebuck, HMS Relentless, HMS Quadrant and HMAS Quickmatch. This section arrived at Aden on 26 September 1943.

Convoy CM 45B was the Bombay section and was made up of the troop transports Highland Brigade, Nea Hellas and Stirling Castl. They were escorted by HMS Frobisher. This section arrived at Bombay on 28 September 1943.

19 Sep 1943
Around 1700C/19, the troop transports Nieuw Holland (Dutch, 11066 GRT, built 1927), and Salween (British, 7063 GRT, built 1937) departed Kilindini / Mombasa to join convoy CM 45. They were escorted by the heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) and the destroyer HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Farrington, RN). They joined the convoy around 1600C/20.

[For more info on this convoys see the event ' Convoy CM 45 ' for 14 September 1943.] (39)

28 Sep 1943
Around 0900FG/28, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Bombay with convoy CM 45B.

Before entering harbour HMS Frobisher conducted a bombardment exercise. (38)

2 Oct 1943
Around 1130FG/2, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) departed Bombay for Colombo. (40)

4 Oct 1943
Around 1130FG/4, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Colombo from Bombay. (40)

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. (41)

9 Oct 1943
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Colombo. (40)

12 Oct 1943
Around 1630FG/12, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) departed Colombo for Addu Atoll. (40)

14 Oct 1943
Around 0830FG/14, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Addu Atoll from Colombo. (40)

15 Oct 1943
Around 0645FG/15, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) departed Addu Atoll to join the troop transport George Washington (American, 25570 GRT, built 1909) which was en-route from Fremantle to Bombay. She joined around 1300FG/15. (40)

20 Oct 1943
Around 0800FG/20, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN), HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN), HMAS Nepal (Cdr. F.B. Morris, RAN) and the troop transport George Washington (American, 25570 GRT, built 1909) arrived at Bombay.

The destroyers had departed Bombay around 0930FG/18 and had joined the other two ships around 0730F/19. (42)

25 Oct 1943
Around 1115FG/25, the troop transport George Washington (American, 25570 GRT, built 1909) departed Bombay for South Africa via the Seychelles. She was escorted by the heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) and the destroyers HMAS Nepal (Cdr. F.B. Morris, RAN) and HMAS Napier (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Green, DSC, RAN).

Around 2030EF/26, the destroyers parted company to return to Bombay.

Around 1215D/30, the George Washington and HMS Frobisher arrived at the Seychelles where HMS Frobisher fuelled. They departed around 2015D/30 to continue their passage.

HMS Frobisher parted company with the troopship off Durban and then entered Durban around 0600B/6. The troopship continued on towards Capetown. (40)

18 Nov 1943
Around 1305C/18, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) departed Durban for Kilindini / Mombasa. She has a gunnery target in tow. (43)

23 Nov 1943
Around 1430C/23, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from Durban. (44)

24 Nov 1943
From 24 to 26 November 1943, HMS Ramillies (Capt. G.B. Middleton, CBE, RN), HMS Newcastle (Capt. P.B.R.W. William-Powlett, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.D. Read, CB, RN), HMS Kenya (Capt. C.L. Robertson, RN), HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN), HMS Roebuck (Cdr. J.T. Lean, DSO, RN) and HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Farrington, RN) conducted exercises off Kilindini. On the 24th HMAS Napier (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Green, DSC, RAN, with Commodore S.H.T. Arliss, DSO, RN on board) also joined for the remainder of the exercises.

On 25 November 1943 the submarine HMS Osiris (T/Lt. M.H. Atkinson, RNR) also came out to participate in the exercises.

On completion of the exercises on the 26th, HMS Ramilles, HMS Kenya and HMS Frobisher returned to Kilindini while HMS Newcastle proceeded to Manza Bay, Tanzania. (45)

30 Nov 1943
HMS Newcastle (Capt. P.B.R.W. William-Powlett, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.D. Read, CB, RN) proceeded from Manza Bay to Kilindini / Mombasa. En-route gunnery exercises were carried out as well as exercises with aircraft. The destroyers HMAS Napier (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Green, DSC, RAN, with Commodore S.H.T. Arliss, DSO, RN, on board) and HMAS Nizam (Cdr. C.H. Brooks, RAN) had come from Kilindini / Mombasa and were with the cruiser.

HMS Newcastle entered Kilindini / Mombasa later in the afternoon. The destroyers remained out for exercises and joined HMS Ramillies (Capt. G.B. Middleton, CBE, RN), HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) and HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Farrington, RN) which had also come out from Kilindini / Mombasa for exercises. (46)

1 Dec 1943
HMS Roebuck (Cdr. J.T. Lean, DSO, RN), HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. G.S. Stewart, RAN) and HMS Quality (Lt.Cdr. G.L. Farnfield, DSO, RN) departed Kilindini in the afternoon and at sea joined HMS Ramillies (Capt. G.B. Middleton, CBE, RN), HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN), HMAS Napier (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Green, DSC, RAN, with Commodore S.H.T. Arliss, DSO, RN on board), HMAS Nizam (Cdr. C.H. Brooks, RAN) and HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Farrington, RN) which were already out exercising.

Exercises were then carried out until 0100C/2. HMS Ramillies, HMS Frobisher, HMAS Napier, HMAS Nizam and HMS Quadrant returned to harbour on 2 December while HMS Roebuck, HMAS Quiberon and HMS Quality set course for Diego Suarez. (47)

3 Dec 1943
Around 0800C/3, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa for Trincomalee via Port Victoria, Seychelles. (48)

5 Dec 1943
Around 1045D/5, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Port Victoria from Kilindini / Mombasa. After fuelling she departed for Trincomalee via Addu Atoll shortly after 1700D/5. (48)

7 Dec 1943
Around 1045F/7, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Addu Atoll from Port Victoria. (48)

8 Dec 1943
Around 0320F/8, the heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) departed Addu Atoll to make rendezvous with the disabled French light cruiser (large destroyer) Le Triomphant which had sustained heavy damage during a cyclone and was currently in tow of the tanker Cedar Mills (American, 10172 GRT, built 1943). At 0530Z/6, their position had been 16°32'S, 82°30'E. On making rendezvous HMS Frobisher is to take over the tow and then proceed to Diego Suarez with the disabled ship. (49)

10 Dec 1943
Around 0800F/10, the heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) made rendezvous in position 09°40'S, 78°09'E with the disabled French light cruiser (large destroyer) Le Triomphant that was being towed by tanker Cedar Mills (American, 10172 GRT, built 1943). During the day evacuated crew members from the disabled French ship which had been on board the Cedar Mills transferred to HMS Frobisher. Also the tow was transferred and the Cedar Mills parted company to proceed to her own destination.

HMS Frobisher with the Le Triomphant in tow then set course for Diego Suarez.

Around 2045E/14, in approximate position 11°57'S, 63°00'E, the sloop Savorgnan de Brazza joined coming from Diego Suarez.

Around 1500DE/15, the rescue tug HMRT Prudent joined and took over the tow. HMS Frobisher then parted company with the other ships around 1620DE/15. She arrived at Diego Suarez around 1515C/16. The other three ships arrived at Diego Suarez in the evening of 19 December 1943. (48)

21 Dec 1943
Around 1415C/21, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) departed Diego Suarez for Durban. (50)

24 Dec 1943
Around 1100C/24, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Durban from Diego Suarez. At Durban she is then taken in hand for a short refit. (50)

18 Jan 1944
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) is docked in the graving dock at Durban. (51)

28 Jan 1944
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) is undocked. (51)

2 Feb 1944
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) conducted full power trials and gunnery exercises off Durban. (52)

4 Feb 1944
Around 1950C/4, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) departed Durban for Kilindini / Mombasa. (52)

8 Feb 1944
Around 0945C/8, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from Durban. (52)

10 Feb 1944
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) conducted radar calibration trials and gunnery exercises off Kilindini / Mombasa. (52)

17 Feb 1944
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) conducted exercises off Kilindini / Mombasa. These included A/S exercises with HMS Osiris (T/Lt. M.H. Atkinson, RNR). (52)

24 Feb 1944

Convoy KR 9.

This convoy departed Kilindini on 24 February 1944.

It was made up of the following transports; Banfora (British, 9472 GRT, built 1914), City of London (British, 8956 GRT, built 1907), Egra (British, 5108 GRT, built 1911), Pulaski (Polish, 6345 GRT, built 1912) and Rajula (British, 8478 GRT, built 1926).

On departure from Kilindini the convoy was escorted by the heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN), destroyer HMS Relentless (Lt.Cdr. R.A. Fell, RN), sloops HMS Landguard (Lt. B.M. Skinner, RN), HMS Lulworth (Lt.Cdr. R.C.S. Woolley, RNR) and the corvettes HMS Freesia (T/Lt.Cdr. G.M. Berlyn, SANF(V)) and HMS Snowflake (Lt. E.J. Powell, RNR).

Around 1700C/26, HMS Relentless parted company to fuel at Port Victoria, Seychelles.

Around 1730D/27, HMS Relentless rejoined.

Around 0930D/1, the destroyers HMS Rotherham (Capt. F.S.W. de Winton, RN), HMS Petard (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Egan, RN) and HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. G.A. Cox, NethN) joined the convoy coming from Addu Atoll. HrMs Tjerk Hiddes then received some fuel HMS Frobisher. HMS Landguard, HMS Lulworth and HMS Freesia were then detached to Port Victoria, Seychelles.

Around 0715FG/5, the destroyers HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) and HMS Pathfinder (Lt.Cdr. T.F. Hallifax, RN) joined coming from Colombo.

The convoy was then split into two sections;
The Colombo section was made up of the City of London, Egra and Pulaski, escorted by HMS Frobisher, HMS Petard, HrMs Tjerk Hiddes and HMS Snowflake. It arrived at Colombo on 5 March 1944.

The Trincomalee section was made up of the Banfora and Rajula and was escorted by HMS Rotherham, HMS Relentless, HMS Pathfinder and HMAS Norman. It arrived at Trincomalee on 6 March 1944.

5 Mar 1944
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN), HMS Petard (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Egan, RN), HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. G.A. Cox, NethN) and HMS Snowflake (Lt. E.J. Powell, RNR) arrived at Colombo with the 'Colombo section' of Convoy KR 9. (53)

7 Mar 1944
Around 1500FG/7, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) departed Colombo for Trincomalee. (54)

8 Mar 1944
Around 1045FG/8, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Trincomalee from Colombo. (54)

9 Mar 1944
Around 1230FG/9, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) departed Trincomalee for Colombo. (54)

10 Mar 1944
Around 0930FG/10, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Colombo from Trincomalee. (54)

12 Mar 1944
Around 1445FG/12, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) departed Colombo for Aden. She is to proceed to the U.K. (54)

17 Mar 1944
Around 0630C/17, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Aden from Colombo.

Around 1800C/17, she departed Aden for Suez. (54)

20 Mar 1944
Around 0600B/20, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Suez from Aden. (54)

21 Mar 1944
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) transited the Suez Canal northbound and arrived at Port Said.

She departed Port Said for Alexandria around 2045B/21. (54)

22 Mar 1944
Around 0715B/22, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Alexandria from Port Said. (54)

23 Mar 1944

Convoy XIF 12.

This convoy departed Port Said on 23 March 1944.

It was made up of the (troop) transports; Cameronia (British, 16297 GRT, built 1920), Circassia (British, 11136 GRT, built 1937), Derbyshire (British, 11660 GRT, built 1935), Empire Pride (British, 9248 GRT, built 1941), Franconia (British, 20175 GRT, built 1923), Strathnaver (British, 22283 GRT, built 1931) and Volendam (Dutch, 15434 GRT, built 1922).

On departure from Port Said the convoy was escorted by the escort destroyers HMS Aldenham (Cdr. J.G. Farrant, RN) and HMS Liddesdale (Lt. C.J. Bateman, RN).

On 24 March 1944, the heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN), AA cruiser HMS Caledon (Capt. R.F. Nichols, RN) and the escort destroyers HMS Beaufort (Lt. J.R.L. Moore, RN), HMS Croome (A/Lt.Cdr. H.D.M. Slater, RN) and RHS Miaoulis departed Alexandria to join the convoy which they did later on the 24th.

Also joining from Alexandria were the (troop) transports; Batory (Polish, 14287 GRT, built 1936), Devonshire (British, 11275 GRT, built 1939) and Takliwa (British, 7936 GRT, built 1924).

Around 0745A/25, the escort destroyer RHS Pindos joined the convoy coming from Tobruk.

Around 2230A/26, HMS Frobisher parted company with the convoy.

The convoy arrived at Taranto on 28 March 1944 minus the Circassia and Volendam which had been detached to Augusta and Naples respectively. They had been detached around 0600A/27. HMS Croome and HMS Liddesdale went with the Volendam to Napels where they arrived on the 28th.

28 Mar 1944
Around 0730A/28, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Algiers from Alexandria.

Around 1145A/28, she departed Algiers from Gibraltar. (54)

29 Mar 1944
Around 0930A/29, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from Algiers.

Around 1830A/29, she departed Gibraltar for Greenock. (54)

2 Apr 1944
Around 2015A/2, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Greenock from Gibraltar. (55)

11 Apr 1944
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) proceeded from Greenock to Dalmuir. (55)

28 Apr 1944
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) proceeded Dalmuir to Greenock. (55)

29 Apr 1944
Around 1630B/29, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) departed Greenock for Scapa Flow. (55)

30 Apr 1944
Around 1315B/30, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from Greenock. (55)

4 May 1944
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (56)

6 May 1944
Around 0730B/6, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) departed Scapa Flow for the Clyde. (56)

7 May 1944
Around 0615B/7, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Greenock from Scapa Flow. (56)

10 May 1944
HMS Warspite (Capt. M.H.A. Kelsey, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN) and HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) conducted bombardment exercises in the Clyde area. (57)

12 May 1944
HMS Warspite (Capt. M.H.A. Kelsey, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN) and HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) both conducted bombardment exercises in the Clyde area. (57)

18 May 1944
Around 1500B/18, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) departed Greenock for Scapa Flow. (56)

19 May 1944
Around 1120B/19, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from Greenock. (56)

21 May 1944
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. Also speed trials were conducted on the measured mile. (56)

23 May 1944
Around 0740B/23, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) departed Scapa Flow. First exercises were carried out after which course was set for the Clyde in company with HMS Arethusa (Capt. H. Dalrymple-Smith, RN). (58)

24 May 1944
Around 1745B/24, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) and HMS Arethusa (Capt. H. Dalrymple-Smith, RN) arrived at Greenock from Scapa Flow. Before arrival manoeuvring exercises were carried out in the Clyde with HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN) and HMS Danae (Capt. J.R.S. Haines, RN). (59)

26 May 1944
During the night of 26/27 May 1944, the battleships HMS Warspite (Capt. M.H.A. Kelsey, DSC, RN), HMS Ramillies (Capt. G.B. Middleton, CBE, RN), heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) and light cruisers HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN), HMS Arethusa (Capt. H. Dalrymple-Smith, RN), HMS Danae (Capt. J.R.S. Haines, RN) and ORP Dragon (Kmdr.por. (Cdr.) S.T. Dzienisiewicz) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Saumarez (Capt. P.G.L. Cazalet, DSC, RN), HMS Swift (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Gower, RN), HNoMS Stord (Lt.Cdr. S.V. Storheill) and the frigates HMS Holmes (Lt. D.B.G. Dumas, RN) and HMS Rowley (Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Jones, RD, RNR). (60)

29 May 1944
During the night of 29/30 May 1944, the battleships HMS Rodney (Capt. R.O. Fitzroy, RN), HMS Warspite (Capt. M.H.A. Kelsey, DSC, RN), heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN), light cruisers HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN), HMS Arethusa (Capt. H. Dalrymple-Smith, RN), HMS Danae (Capt. J.R.S. Haines, RN), ORP Dragon (Kmdr.por. (Cdr.) S.T. Dzienisiewicz) and escorts and minesweepers [identity not known to us at the moment] conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (61)

2 Jun 1944
Around 1930B/2, ' Bombardment Force D ', made up of the battleships HMS Warspite (Capt. M.H.A. Kelsey, DSC, RN), HMS Ramillies (Capt. G.B. Middleton, CBE, RN), heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN), light cruisers HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN), HMS Arethusa (Capt. H. Dalrymple-Smith, RN), HMS Danae (Capt. J.R.S. Haines, RN), ORP Dragon (Kmdr.por. (Cdr.) S.T. Dzienisiewicz), destroyers HMS Saumarez (Capt. P.G.L. Cazalet, DSC, RN), HMS Swift (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Gower, RN), HNoMS Stord (Lt.Cdr. S.V. Storheill), HNoMS Svenner (Lt.Cdr. T. Holte), frigates HMS Holmes (Lt. D.B.G. Dumas, RN), HMS Rowley (Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Jones, RD, RNR) and minesweepers HMS Catherine (A/Cdr. L.C. Windsor, RN), HMS Cato (Lt. R.W.E. Harris, RN), HMS Combatant (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) G.L. Barwell, RN), HMS Gazelle (Lt. J.D. Sutcliffe, RN), HMS Gorgon (T/A/Lt.Cdr. F. Mugford, RNR), HMS Grecian (A/Cdr.(Emgy.) C.D.A. Irvine, RN), HMS Pique (T/Lt. W.J.C. Fuller, RNR) and HMS Steadfast (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R. Mowbray, RNR) departed the Clyde for operation Neptune, the landings in Normandy, France.

6 Jun 1944
At 0518B/6, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived in her assigned position off Sword Beach.

At 0547B/6, HMS Frobisher opened fire on an enemy shore battery. Six salvoes were fired.

At 0645B/6, fire was opened on a shore target. Two salvoes straddled this targat around 0706B/6.

Around min-morning, HMS Frobisher took off wounded from a damaged LCI. (62)

7 Jun 1944
In the afternoon , HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) conducted two shore bombardments against enemy targets. (62)

8 Jun 1944
Between 0920B/8 and 0950B/8, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) bombarded a concentration of enemy tanks.

Around 1600B/8, HMS Frobisher weighed anchor and set course to conduct more shore bombardments on completion of which she set course for Portsmouth. On board were now also 85 survivors from HMS Lawford that had been sunk by enemy aircraft earlier in the day. Around 1700B/8, she was straddled by a stick of bombs from enemy fighter bombers. (62)

9 Jun 1944
At 0137B/9, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) dropped anchor in Spithead. (62)

12 Jun 1944
Around 1305B/12, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) departed Portsmouth for the operations area off Normandy.

Around 1845B/12, she dropped anchor off Arromanches and commenced service as depot ship off Mulberry B. (62)

18 Jul 1944
At 0846B/12, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) was straddled by a stick of bombs during a German air attack. One bomb was a direct hit on the forecastle though. The ship sustained superficial damage as well as 8 killed and 12 wounded. (63)

23 Jul 1944
Around noon, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) proceeded from Mulberry B near Arromanches to the area off Courseulles-sur-Mer where she dropped anchor off Juno Beach. (63)

9 Aug 1944
At 0717B/9, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) suffered an explosion forward. She sustained damage from bulkhead 49 and then forwards.

The ship had been hit be a German long range 'Dackel' torpedo fired by the German S-boats (motor torpedo boats) S-174, S-180 and S-79. These operated from Le Havre and had launched ten torpedoes into the operations area of Normandy that night. (64)

10 Aug 1944
Around 1315B/10, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) weighed anchor and departed the operations area for the Chatham Dockyard. She is being towed by the tug HMRT Restive.

Around 1530B/10, the escort destroyers HMS Cottesmore (Lt. W.D. O'Brien, DSC, RN) and ORP Krakowiak (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) W. Maracewicz) joined as escorts.

Around 1945B/10, HMS Cottesmore parted company.

Around 2145B/10, the frigate HMS Hotham (A/Lt.Cdr. S. Ayles, RNR) joined.

They arrived off Sheerness around 0650B/12.

HMS Frobisher proceeded to the Chatham Dockyard in the evening. (64)

14 Aug 1944
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) is docked in No.9 Graving Dock at the Chatham Dockyard. (64)

11 Sep 1944
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) is undocked. (65)

14 Sep 1944
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) proceeded from the Chatham Dockyard to Sheerness. (65)

15 Sep 1944
Around 0800B/15, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) departed Sheerness for the Rosyth Dockyard. She was escorted by HMS Campbell (A/Cdr. E.C. Coats, DSO, DSC, RN) until 2300B/15. (65)

16 Sep 1944
Around 1400B/16, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at the Rosyth Dockyard from Sheerness. At the Rosyth dockyard she was then taken in hand for further repairs, refit and modifications to cadet training ship. (66)

10 Nov 1944
HMS Frobisher (Capt. (Retd.) N.B.C. Brock, RN) is docked in No.3 Graving Dock at the Rosyth Dockyard. (67)

1945
HMS Frobisher as seen in 1945 when in use as cadet training ship.
Photograph with thanks to Geoffrey Tarrant whose father Alfred Tarrant served at Frobisher during that time.

30 Mar 1945
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) is undocked.

[No log is available for the month of April 1945 so no details for this month can be given. Likely some trials were carried out on completion of her refit.] (67)

9 May 1945
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off the Firth of Forth on completion of which she proceeded to Leith. (68)

11 May 1945
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off the Firth of Forth on completion of which she proceeded to Rosyth. (68)

15 May 1945
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off the Firth of Forth. (68)

17 May 1945
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off the Firth of Forth. (68)

18 May 1945
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off the Firth of Forth. (68)

23 May 1945
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off the Firth of Forth. (68)

24 May 1945
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off the Firth of Forth. (68)

29 May 1945
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off the Firth of Forth. (68)

31 May 1945
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off the Firth of Forth. (68)

4 Jun 1945
Around 1700B/4, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) departed Rosyth for Ullapool. (69)

5 Jun 1945
Around 1630B/5, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) arrived at Ullapool from Rosyth. (69)

8 Jun 1945
Around 0800B/8, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) departed Ullapool for Ballachulish where she arrived around 1850B/8. (69)

10 Jun 1945
Around 0805B/10, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) departed Ballachulish for Portree where she arrived around 1755B/10. (69)

14 Jun 1945
Around 0700B/14, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) departed Portree for Rosyth. (69)

15 Jun 1945
Around 0725B/15, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) arrived at Rosyth from Portree. (69)

18 Jun 1945
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) proceeded from Rosyth to Leith. (69)

22 Jun 1945
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) proceeded from Leith to Rosyth. (69)

27 Jun 1945
Around 1700B/27, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) departed Rosyth for Invergordon. (69)

28 Jun 1945
Around 0930B/28, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) arrived at Invergordon from Rosyth. (69)

2 Jul 1945
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) departed Invergordon for another tour off the west coast of Scotland where she called at Stornoway and Ullapool. She returned to Rosyth on 20 July.

[As no logs of HMS Frobisher are available after June 1945 some details will be missing from July 1945 onwards.] (1)

21 Jul 1945
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) departed Rosyth for Portsmouth. (1)

22 Jul 1945
HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) arrived at Portsmouth from Rosyth. She remained at Portsmouth until early September 1945. (1)