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Notable events involving Netravati include:

14 Mar 1941

Operation 'Appearance'.

Invasion of occupied British Somaliland.

In the late afternoon of 14 March 1941 the first group of warships; the British destroyer HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN), armed boarding vessels HMS Chakdina (Lt.Cdr. W.R. Hickey, RNR), HMS Chantala (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) C.E.I. Gibbs, RN), patrol vessels HMIS Netravati (Lt. D.A. MacDonald, RIN), HMIS Parvati (Lt. H.M.S. Choudry, RIN) and the cargo ships Beaconsfield (British, 4635 GRT, built 1938) and Tuna (British, 662 GRT, built 1907), carrying troops and towing three tugs and six lighters left Aden for the coast of British Somaliland.

Shortly after leaving however there was a problem with a tow which parted and the rope ending up in a propeller. It was decided that it would take to long to clear and delays loomed. HMS Kandahar then left the tugs and lighters to be towed by the cargo ships and in the afternoon of the 15th HMS Shoreham (Cdr. G.P. Claridge, RN) was sent out to assist.

Also in the afternoon of the 15th a second group of warships left Aden, these were the light cruisers HMS Glasgow (Capt. H. Hickling, RN), HMS Caledon (A/Cdr. C.S. Britton, RN) and the destroyer HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, DSC, RN). They were loaded with troops. They were to make rendez-vous with the first group.

By 0100C/16 the forces were split up as follows; HMS Glasgow, HMS Caledon, HMS Chantala, HMS Chakdina, HMIS Netravati, HMIS Parvati were to land their troop to the west of the Berbera lighthouse while HMS Kandahar and HMS Kingston were to land commando troops to the east of the lighthouse.

At 0358C/16 the gap in the reef to the western beach was found and 0417C/16 HMS Glasgow opened fire with her 4" guns and pompoms after which the landing forces went in.

The gap in the reef to the eastern beach had already been found at 0330C/16 and the landing zone was bombarded for 10 minutes from 0425C/16 by HMS Kandahar following which the commandoes were landed by HMS Kingston.

The landing on both beaches were succesful.

The town of Berbera was captured around mid-morning of the 16th. More troops were then landed as by now the first group had now also arrived.

25 Feb 1942

Convoy C 3.

This convoy departed Cochin on 25 February 1942.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Cape Wrath (British, 4512 GRT, built 1940), Gleniffer (British, 9559 GRT, built 1919), Hadleigh (British, 5222 GRT, built 1930), Nigerstroom (Dutch, 4639 GRT, built 1939), Shillong (British, 5529 GRT, built 1939) and Sophocles (Norwegian, 5184 GRT, built 1939).

On departure from Cochin the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Corfu (Capt.(Retd.) J.P. Landon, RN) and the auxiliary patrol vessels HMIS Netravati (T/Lt. W.J. Newton, RINR) and HMIS Sonavati (T/Lt. G.W. Barnes, RINR).

Around 0200EF/26, HMIS Netravati parted company with the convoy.

Around 2010F/27, HMIS Sonavati parted company with the convoy.

Around 1745F/28, the convoy was dispersed in approximate position 00°40'N, 78°10'E. (1)