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Notable events involving Carnarvon Castle include:

This page, displaying the wartime history of HMS Carnarvon Castle, was created in August 2024.

This page is last updated in September 2024.

12 Sep 1939
At 1530B/12, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Cdr.(Retd.) C.M. Merewether, RN) is commissioned at the Simonstown Dockyard where she is undergoing conversion to armed merchant cruiser.

It appears the ship was already in the Selborne graving dock at the time she was placed in commission. (1)

25 Oct 1939
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) G.B. Lewis, RN) is undocked. She then conducted compass adjustment, D/F calibration and gunnery trials off Simonstown. On completion of these trials she left False Bay for Durban. (2)

28 Oct 1939
Around 1630B/28, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) G.B. Lewis, RN) arrived at Durban from Simonstown. (2)

31 Oct 1939
Around 1700B/31, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) G.B. Lewis, RN) departed Durban for patrol / exercises. (2)

4 Nov 1939
Around 1000B/4, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) G.B. Lewis, RN) arrived at Port Elizabeth from patrol / exercises. (3)

6 Nov 1939
Around 0915B/6, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) G.B. Lewis, RN) departed Port Elizabeth for Capetown. (3)

8 Nov 1939
Around 0730B/8, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) G.B. Lewis, RN) arrived at Capetown from Port Elizabeth. (3)

9 Nov 1939
Around 1830B/9, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) G.B. Lewis, RN) departed Capetown for patrol in the South Atlantic / passage to Freetown. (3)

17 Nov 1939
Around 0800N/17, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) G.B. Lewis, RN) arrived at Freetown from Capetown. (3)

21 Nov 1939
During the night of 21/22 November 1939, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) G.B. Lewis, RN) conducted exercises off Freetown. (3)

25 Nov 1939

Convoy SLF 10.

This convoy departed Freetown on 25 November 1939.

This convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Apapa (British, 9332 GRT, built 1927), Canonesa (British, 8286 GRT, built 1920), Cortona (British, 7093 GRT, built 1921), Hopecrest (British, 5099 GRT, built 1935), John Holt (British, 4975 GRT, built 1938), Sobo (British, 5353 GRT, built 1937) and William Wilberforce (British, 4013 GRT, built 1930).

On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) G.B. Lewis, RN).

Around 1645N/5, HMS Carnarvon Castle parted company with the convoy to proceed to Plymouth.

Around 0800Z/7, in position 47°40'N, 11°05'W the destroyers HMS Escapade (Cdr. H.R. Graham, RN) and HMS Walpole (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Bowerman, RN) joined the convoy.

HMS Escapade however left the convoy to hunt a reported submarine a little over an hour later.

Around 1500Z/7, HMS Veteran (Cdr. J.E. Broome, RN) and HMS Broke (Cdr. B.G. Scurfield, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 1630Z/7, in position 48°20'N, 09°00'W the Channel section of the convoy parted company. This section was made up of the Canonesa, Hopecrest and Sobo. HMS Veteran and HMS Broke went with them as escorts. The remaining ships and escorts formed the Irish Sea section which all arrived at Liverpool on 9 December 1939.

Of the Channel section HMS Broke parted company around 0230Z/8. The Canonesa arrived at Southampton on 9 December 1939. HMS Veteran arrived at Dover on 9 December 1939. The remaining ships, most likely, proceeded to the Downs. (4)

7 Dec 1939
Around 1500Z/7, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) G.B. Lewis, RN) arrived at Plymouth from convoy escort duty. (5)

9 Dec 1939
Around 1345/9, at Plymouth, HMS Verity (Lt.Cdr. A.R.M. Black, RN) struck HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) G.B. Lewis, RN). HMS Verity sustained some damage.

Around 1700Z/9, HMS Carnarvon Castle departed Plymouth for Freetown. (6)

17 Dec 1939
Around 0930N/17, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) G.B. Lewis, RN) arrived at Freetown from Plymouth. (5)

27 Dec 1939

Convoy SLF 14.

This convoy departed Freetown on 27 December 1939.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Accra (British, 9337 GRT, built 1926), Cambridge (British, 11373 GRT, built 1914), City of Brisbane (British, 8006 GRT, built 1920), Clan Mackinlay (British, 6365 GRT, built 1918), Corinaldo (British, 7131 GRT, built 1921), Port Caroline (British, 8263 GRT, built 1919), Port Wellington (British, 10065 GRT, built 1924) and Seaforth (British, 5459 GRT, built 1939).

On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) G.B. Lewis, RN).

Around 1615N/1, the aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. F.E.P. Hutton, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 0800Z/8, the destroyers HMS Vesper (Lt.Cdr. W.F.E. Hussey, DSC, RN), HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. M.S. Townsend, RN), HMS Windsor (Lt.Cdr. P.D.H.R. Pelly, RN) and HMS Acasta (Cdr. C.E. Glasfurd, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 0900Z/8, in position 48°08'N, 10°17'W, HMS Carnarvon Castle parted company with the convoy to return to Freetown.

Around 1530Z/8, in position 48°35'N, 08°35'W, the convoy split into two sections (Channel and Irish Sea sections) and shortly afterwards HMS Hermes parted company with the convoy to proceed to Plymouth escorted by HMS Windsor and HMS Acasta.

The Channel section was made up of the , and which all arrived at London on 10 January 1940. They were escorted by HMS Vesper and HMS Viscount. HMS Viscount parted company around 1030Z/9 after having been relieved by HMS Acasta and HMS Windsor. HMS Viscount then proceeded to Plymouth where she arrived later the same day. HMS Vesper, HMS Windsor and HMS Acasta arrived at Dover on 10 January 1940.

The remaining ships made up the Irish Sea section which all arrived at Liverpool on 10 January with the exception of the Corinaldo which arrived in the Clyde on 10 January 1940. They appeared not to have been escorted but it seems the convoy was proceeding in close proximity with the Irish Sea section of convoy HG 13.

14 Jan 1940
Around 1745N/14, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) G.B. Lewis, RN) arrived at Freetown from convoy escort duty. (7)

15 Jan 1940
Around 1800N/15, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) G.B. Lewis, RN) departed Freetown for Dakar. (7)

16 Jan 1940

Convoy SL 17.

This convoy departed Freetown on 16 January 1940.

The convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Clumberhall (British, 5198 GRT, built 1930), Harpasa (British, 5082 GRT, built 1932), Hawnby (British, 5380 GRT, built 1936), King Edgar (British, 4536 GRT, built 1927), Loch Ranza (British, 4958 GRT, built 1934), Marconi (British, 7402 GRT, built 1917), Oswerty Grange (British, 4684 GRT, built 1935), River Lugar (British, 5423 GRT, built 1937), Salvus (British, 4815 GRT, built 1928), Stonepool (British, 4803 GRT, built 1928) and Thomas Holt (British, 3585 GRT, built 1929).

Escort was provided on leaving Freetown by the destroyer HMS Dainty (Cdr. F.M. Walton, RN).

Around 0800Z/18, near Dakar, in position 11°24'N, 17°58'W, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) G.B. Lewis, RN) joined. HMS Dainty then left the convoy.

Also on the 18th, the merchant vessel Northmoor (British, 4392 GRT, built 1928) overtook and joined the convoy. She had arrived at Freetown as the convoy was forming up sailing later to overtake and join at sea.

Around 1730N/22, in position 25°31'N, 19°53'W, the Hawnby parted company with the convoy due to engine defects. She arrived at Gibraltar on 30 January 1940.

Around 1530N/31, in position 46°18'N, 13°04'W, the convoy merged with convoy SLF 17. HMS Carnarvon Castle then parted company to proceed to Belfast independently.

Convoy SLF 17 was made up of the following merchant vessels; Afric Star (British, 11900 GRT, built 1926), Anchises (British, 10000 GRT, built 1911), Apapa (British, 9332 GRT, built 1927), City of Canberra (British, 7484 GRT, built 1927), Duquesa (British, 8651 GRT, built 1918) and Sangara (British, 4174 GRT, built 1939).

It was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Jervis Bay (Capt.(Retd.) A.G. Harris, RN) which now became the only escort of the combined convoy after HMS Carnarvon Castle had left.

Around 2200N/1, HMS Jervis Bay parted company to return to Freetown.

On 2 February the convoy was split into the Irish Sea and Channel sections.

Around 1430N/2, in position 49°48'N, 07°00'W, the sloop HMS Rochester (Cdr. G.F. Renwick, RN) joined the Irish Sea section of the convoy.

Around 1530N/2, the destroyer HMS Walker (Lt.Cdr. A.A. Tait, RN) also joined the Irish Sea section of the convoy but at 1730N/2 she was detached to proceed to Liverpool.

The destroyers HMS Wren (Cdr. H.T. Armstrong, RN) and HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. M.S. Townsend, RN) joined the Channel section.

HMS Viscount arrived at Plymouth from this escort duty on 3 February. On 4 February HMS Wren arrived at Dover.

Most ships of the convoy arrived at their destinations on 4 February 1940. (8)

17 Jan 1940
Around 0730N/17, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) G.B. Lewis, RN) arrived at Dakar from Freetown.

She departed again around 1700N/17, to join convoy SL 17 as escort.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy SL 17 ' for 16 January 1940.] (7)

2 Feb 1940
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) G.B. Lewis, RN) arrived at Belfast from convoy escort duty.

At Belfast she was taken in hand for a short refit at the Harland & Wolff shipyard during which the main focus was on engine repairs.

[No logs are available for HMS Carnarvon Castle for the months of February to December 1940 therefore some details for these months might be missing.] (9)

21 Feb 1940
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) G.B. Lewis, RN) departed Belfast for Freetown. (9)

29 Feb 1940
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) G.B. Lewis, RN) arrived at Freetown from Belfast.

She arrived with defects to one of her dynamo's which eventually proved to be beyond repair facilities at Freetown and it was decided she must return to the U.K. to effect repairs. (9)

14 Mar 1940
HMS Maidstone (A/Capt. E.H. Longsdon, RN) departed Freetown for the U.K. She was escorted by HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) G.B. Lewis, RN). Both ships were to refit in the U.K.

Near Freetown they were escorted by HMS Dainty (Cdr. M.S. Thomas, RN) and HMS Diamond (Lt.Cdr. P.A. Cartwright, RN) until 2200N/14 after which the destroyers returned to Freetown. (10)

25 Mar 1940
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) G.B. Lewis, RN) arrived at Belfast from Freetown.

At Belfast she was taken in hand for repairs to her damaged dynamo at the Harland & Wolff shipyard. Also some modifications were to be made including the fitting of degaussing equipment. Also a quick docking was to take place. (9)

7 Apr 1940
Around 1530Z/7, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) G.B. Lewis, RN) departed Belfast for Freetown. (11)

15 Apr 1940
Around 1045N/15, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) G.B. Lewis, RN) arrived at Freetown from Belfast. (11)

20 Apr 1940

Convoy SLF 28.

This convoy departed Freetown on 17 April 1940.

The convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Accra (British, 9337 GRT, built 1926), Cape Clear (British, 5085 GRT, built 1939) and St. Lindsay (British, 5370 GRT, built 1921).

On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) G.B. Lewis, RN).

The convoy merged with convoy SL 28 around 0900N/22 in latitude 27°55'N, except for the St. Lindsay which had straggled from the convoy and joined around 0050Z/23.

HMS Carnarvon Castle was to return to Freetown via Dakar. (12)

26 Apr 1940
Around 1700Z/26, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) G.B. Lewis, RN) arrived at Dakar from convoy escort duty. (10)

27 Apr 1940
Around 1730Z/27, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) G.B. Lewis, RN) departed Dakar for Freetown. (10)

29 Apr 1940
Around 0930N/29, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) G.B. Lewis, RN) arrived at Freetown from Dakar. (10)

1 May 1940

Convoy SL 30.

This convoy departed Freetown on 1 May 1940.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Baronesa (British, 8663 GRT, built 1918), Basil (British, 4913 GRT, built 1928), City of Cardiff (British, 5661 GRT, built 1918), Conakrian (British, 4876 GRT, built 1937), Cortona (British, 7093 GRT, built 1921), Duquesa (British, 8651 GRT, built 1918), English Trader (British, 3953 GRT, built 1934), Helgoy (Norwegian, 7116 GRT, built 1920), Helvig (British (former Danish), 2252 GRT, built 1937), Marconi (British, 7402 GRT, built 1917), Phidias (British, 5623 GRT, built 1913), Rodney Star (British, 11803 GRT, built 1927), Sabor (British, 5212 GRT, built 1920), Shrewsbury (British, 4542 GRT, built 1924), Southern Princess (British, 12156 GRT, built 1915), Stonepool (British, 4815 GRT, built 1928), Terje Viken (British, 20638 GRT, built 1936), Tregarthen (British, 5201 GRT, built 1936), Tymeric (British, 5228 GRT, built 1919), Tyndareus (British, 11361 GRT, built 1916), Umgeni (British, 8180 GRT, built 1938), Umvoti (British, 5167 GRT, built 1903) and Welsh Trader (British, 4974 GRT, built 1938).

On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) G.B. Lewis, RN).

On 4 May 1940 the merchant vessel Ascanius (British, 10048 GRT, built 1910) joined the convoy having departed Freetown on 2 May 1940. Also the Shrewsbury and Tregarthen straggled from the convoy. They were unable to rejoin.

On 7 May 1940, the following merchant vessels, which had made up convoy SL 30F joined; Abosso (British, 11330 GRT, built 1935), Clan MacDougall (British, 6843 GRT, built 1929) and Kaituna (British, 4914 GRT, built 1938). They had departed Freetown on 3 May 1940 to overtake and join the convoy. They had not been escorted.

Around 0630A/15, in position 47°05'N, 10°30'W, the convoy was handed over to the local escort [not known which warships this were]. HMS Carnarvon Castle then parted company and proceeded to Plymouth.

The convoy later split into two sections, the Channel section and the Irish Sea section.

The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 18 May 1940 after the ships proceeded to their destinations.

16 May 1940
Around 0730Z/16, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) G.B. Lewis, RN) arrived at Plymouth from convoy escort duty. (11)

19 May 1940
Around 2020A/19, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt. M.J.C. de Meric, RN) departed Plymouth for Freetown via Dakar. (11)

25 May 1940
Around 1400Z/25, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt. M.J.C. de Meric, RN) arrived at Dakar from Plymouth. (10)

26 May 1940
Around 1330Z/26, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt. M.J.C. de Meric, RN) departed Dakar for Freetown. (10)

27 May 1940
Around 1600N/27, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt. M.J.C. de Meric, RN) arrived at Freetown from Dakar. (10)

31 May 1940

Convoy SL 34.

This convoy departed Freetown on 31 May 1940.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Athenic (British, 5351 GRT, built 1937), Barbara Marie (British, 4223 GRT, built 1928), Bosworth (British, 6672 GRT, built 1919), Clan Murray (British, 5953 GRT, built 1918), Delane (British, 6054 GRT, built 1938), Dunstan (British, 5149 GRT, built 1925), Gorjistan (British, 5888 GRT, built 1929), Hindpool (British, 4897 GRT, built 1928), Inverness (British, 4897 GRT, built 1940), Lornaston (British, 4934 GRT, built 1925), Marquesa (British, 8979 GRT, built 1918), Nagara (British, 8791 GRT, built 1919), Nariva (British, 8714 GRT, built 1920), Orminster (British, 5712 GRT, built 1914), Silversandal (British, 6770 GRT, built 1930), St. Elwyn (British, 4940 GRT, built 1938), Stad Maastricht (Dutch, 6907 GRT, built 1924), Stad Schiedam (Dutch, 6079 GRT, built 1911), Surat (British, 5529 GRT, built 1938), Trevarrack (British, 5270 GRT, built 1919), Umvuma (British, 4419 GRT, built 1914), Waterland (Dutch, 6847 GRT, built 1922), Wellpark (British, 4649 GRT, 1938) and Willowbank (British, 5041 GRT, built 1939).

On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt. M.J.C. de Meric, RN).

During the first night the Athenic and Lornaston straggled from the convoy and never rejoined.

Three ships joined on 1 June, they had sailed late from Freetown, these were Glenogle (British, 9513 GRT, built 1920) and Princesa (British, 8731 GRT, built 1918) around 0700N/1 and the Madura (British, 8975 GRT, built 1921) around 1300N/1.

On 1 June 1940, the merchant vessels Port Fremantle (British, 8072 GRT, built 1927) and Benvorlich (British, 5193 GRT, built 1919) departed Freetown to overtake and join the convoy which they did around 1030N/4 and 1200N/4 respecively.

On 2 June 1940, the merchant vessel Swedru (British, 5379 GRT, built 1937) departed Dakar to join the convoy which she did around 1200N/3.

In the evening of 12 June 1940, the convoy was attacked by the German submarine U-46 which managed to sink the Barbara Marie and Willowbank.

At 0500A/14, in position 47°05'N, 10°30'W, the convoy was turned over to the local, A/S escort which was made up of the sloop HMS Leith (Cdr. G.R. Waymouth, RN) and the sloop HMS Hibiscus (Lt.Cdr. R. Phillips, RNR). HMS Carnarvon Castle then set course to return to Freetown via Dakar.

Around 1400A/15, in position 51°12'N, 06°30'W, the convoy split into two sections, the English Channel section was escorted by HMS Hibiscus and the Irish Sea section was escorted by HMS Leith.

The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 16 June 1941 after the ships proceeded to their destinations. (12)

16 Jun 1940

Dakar, the French battleship Richelieu
and the fall of France
Timespan; 16 June to 7 July 1940.

The fall of France, 16 June 1940.

On 16 June 1940, less then six weeks after the invasion of France and the low countries had started on May 10th, all military resitance in France came to an end. The question of control of the French fleet had thus become, almost overnight, one of vital importance, for if it passed into the hands of the enemy the whole balance of sea power would be most seriously disturbed. It was therefore policy of H.M. Government to prevent, at all costs, the French warships based on British and French harbours overseas from falling into the hands of Germany.

The bulk of the French fleet was at this time based in the Mediterranean. There drastic steps were taken to implement this policy. Elsewhere the most important units were the two new battleships completing, the Jean Bart at St. Nazaire and more importantly as she was almost complete, the Richelieu, at Brest.

Events during the Franco-German negotiations 17-25 June 1940 and politics.

It was on the 17th of June 1940, when the newly-formed Pétain Cabinet asked the Germans to consider ‘honourable’ peace terms in order to stop the fighting in France. At 1516 (B.S.T.) hours that day the Admiralty issued orders that British ships were not to proceed to French ports. On receipt of these orders Vice-Admiral George D’Oyly Lyon, Commander-in-Chief South Atlantic, ordered the aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) then on her way to Dakar after a patrol off the Canary Islands to proceed to Freetown instead at her best speed. At the same time he recalled the British SS Accra which had sailed from Freetown for Dakar at 1730 hours (zone +1) with 850 French troops on board. She returned to Freetown at 0800/18. The British transport City of Paris with 600 French troops on board from Cotonou was ordered to put into Takoradi. On the 18th the Commander-in-Chief was also informed by Commander Jermyn Rushbrooke, RN, the British Naval Liaison Officer at Dakar that the Commander-in-Chief of the French Navy, Admiral Darlan had ordered Admiral Plancon at Dakar to continue fighting and also that the shore batteries and AA personnel there had declared for the British. At 0245/18 Vice-Admiral Lyon passed this information to the Admiralty, cancelled his orders to HMS Hermes to proceed to Freetown and directed her with the armed merchant cruisers HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt. M.J.C. de Meric, RN) and HMS Mooltan (Capt.(Retd.) G.E. Sutcliff, RN), which were on passage to Freetown from the Western Approaches, to proceed to Dakar at full speed in order to strengthen the French morale. That afternoon the Admiralty ordered HMS Delhi (Capt. A.S. Russell, RN) to leave Gibraltar and proceed to Dakar and join the South Atlantic Station. She left Gibraltar on the 19th with an arrival date of the 23rd. In the morning of the 18th the French troopship Banfora reached Freetown, from Port Bouet, Ivory Coast with 1000 troops on board, and sailed for Dakar without delay. The French armed merchant cruiser Charles Plumier, which had been on patrol south of the Cape Verde Islands reached Dakar at 1015/18.

Meanwhile the British Naval Liaison Officer, Dakar’s signal had been followed by a report from the Naval Control Service Officer at Duala that an overwhelming spirit existed amongst the military and civilian population of the French Cameroons to continue fighting on the British side, but that they required lead, as the Governer was not a forceful character; but that morning the Governor of Nigeria informed the Commander-in-Chief that he considered steps to be taken to prevent a hostile move from Fernando Po (off the entrance to the Cameroon River). Accordingly, at 1845/18, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Bulolo (A/Capt. C.H. Petrie, RN) sailed from Freetown at 14 knots to show herself off San Carlos on the morning of the 23rd, and thence to anchor of Manoka in the Cameroon River the next day (her draught prevented her from reaching Duala). A/Capt. Petrie was then to proceed to Duala and call a conference.

It was difficult to arrive at a clear appreciation of the situation in French West-Africa but on the morning of the 19th June the Commander-in-Chief informed the Admiralty that, as the evidence pointed to an established resolve on the part of the West-African Colonies to join Great Britain whatever happened, he intended to allow French troop movements to continue. This he anticipated would avoid French exasperation and mistrust. During the early afternoon he heard from the Governors of Nigeria and the Gold Coast that French officers and non-commissioned officers were planning to leave the Cameroons and to join the British forces in Nigeria. At 1900/19 the Commander-in-Chief held a conference with the Governor of Sierra Leone at which it was decided that the Governor should cable home urging immediate action to persuade the French colonial troops and authorities to remain in their territories and hold their colonies against all attacks. In the evening the Commander-in-Chief reported to the Admiralty that French Guinea was determined to keep fighting on the British side. Meanwhile the Governor-General of French Equatorial Africa at Brazzaville was wavering and suggested leading his troops to the nearest British Colony. Late that night, still on the 19th, the Commander-in-Chief informed him that it was essential that he should remain at his post and that it was the expressed intention of French West Africa to fight on to victory.

Next morning, on the 20th, the Admiralty informed the Commander-in-Chief that the new French battleship Richelieu (about 95% complete) had departed Brest for Dakar on the 18th. Her sister ship, Jean Bart (about 77% complete) had left St. Nazaire for Casablanca on the 19th. During the afternoon of the 20th the British Liaison Officer at Dakar reported that according to the French Admiral at Dakar the French Government had refused the German armistice terms and would continue the fight in France. This was entirely misleading. For nearly two days the Commander-in-Chief had no definite information till at noon on 22 June when a BB C broadcast announced the signing of a armistice between France and Germany, which was to followed by one between France and Italy. Still there was much uncertainty, and the rest of the day was apparently spent in waiting for news. Early next morning, the 23rd June, the Admiralty informed the Commander-in-Chief that the French Bordeaux Government had signed an armistice with Germany. As the terms were not fully known the attitude of the French Navy remained uncertain. Shortly after 0200/23 the Admiralty gave orders that HMS Hermes was to remain at Dakar, and gave the Commander-in-Chief the text of the British Government’s appeal to the French Empire and to Frenchmen overseas to continue the war on the British side. The final collapse of France naturally exercised an important influence on the dispositions and movements of the South Atlantic forces. Also on the 23rd the cruiser HMS Dorsetshire (Capt. B.C.S. Martin, RN) and the destroyer HMS Watchman (Lt.Cdr. E.C.L. Day, RN) departed Gibraltar for Dakar and Casablanca respectively, and the same morning HMS Bulolo arrived off Fernando Po and showed herself of San Carlos and Santa Isabel. At noon she anchored off Manoka, in the Cameroon River, in the hope of restoring morale at Duala. Meanwhile HMS Mooltan had arrived at Freetown from Dakar and the United Kingdom, and during the afternoon (1500/23) the armed merchant cruiser HMS Maloja (A/Capt. V. Hammersley-Heenan, RN) reached Dakar from the Northern Patrol to join the Freetown escort force. Half an hour later the Richelieu and escorting destroyer Fleuret arrived at Dakar.

For a time the attitude of the French Governor-General at Dakar, the French North African colonies and the French Mediterranean Fleet, and the battleship Richelieu remained in doubt. Then owning to the anticipated difficulty of maintaining French salaries and supplies if the French did not accept the British offer, the situation at Dakar rapidly deteriorated, and by the evening of the 23rd reached a critical state. Early on the 24th, therefore, the Admiralty ordered the Commander-in-Chief to proceed there as soon as possible. The Commander-in-Chief replied that he intended to proceed there in the ex-Australian seaplane carrier HMS Albatross (Cdr. W.G. Brittain, RN), which was the only available ship, and expected to reach Dakar around noon on the 25th. At 1015/24 he left Freetown and reached Dakar around 1600/25. Meanwhile the Richelieu had put to sea. From then on the naval operations centred mainly on the battleship.

The problem of the Richelieu, 25-26 June 1940.

The Richelieu which had been landing cadets at Dakar, had sailed with the Fleuret at 1315/25 for an unknown destination. She was shadowed by an aircraft from HMS Hermes until 1700 hours. She was reported to be steering 320° at 18 knots. At 1700 hours the Admiralty ordered HMS Dorsetshire to shadow her, and at 2200 hours HMS Dorsetshire reported herself as being in position 16°40’N, 18°35’W steering 225° at 25 knots, and that she expected to make contact with the Richelieu at midnight. At 2126 hours, the Admiralty ordered the Vice-Admiral aircraft carriers (Vice-Admiral L.V. Wells, CB, DSO, RN) in HMS Ark Royal (Capt. C.S. Holland, RN) to proceed with dispatch to the Canary Islands with HMS Hood (Capt. I.G. Glennie, RN) and five destroyers (actually only four sailed with them; HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.F. de Salis, RN), HMS Fearless (Cdr. K.L. Harkness, RN), HMS Foxhound (Lt.Cdr. G.H. Peters, RN) and HMS Escapade (Cdr. H.R. Graham, RN)). They departed Gibraltar in the morning of the 26th.

Early on the 26th, the Admiralty informed the Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic, and the Vice-Admiral, aircraft carriers, that His Majesty’s Government had decided that the Richelieu was to be captured and taken into a British port. They were to take every step to avoid bloodshed and to use no more force then was absolutely necessary. It was understood that the French battleship had H.A. ammunition on board but no main armament ammunition, that forenoon however, the British Liaison Officer Brest reported that she had embarked 15” ammunition before leaving there. HMS Hood was to perform this task if possible but that there were a risk that the Richelieu might get away before her arrival, or if she tried to enter a neutral port such as La Luz in the Canaries, HMS Dorsetshire was to take action. After the capture she was to be taken to Gibraltar. The battleship HMS Resolution (Capt. O. Bevir, RN), which was at Gibraltar, was detailed to intercept the Jean Bart in case she would depart Casablanca and deal with her in the same way.

Vice-Admiral Wells reported that HMS Ark Royal, HMS Hood and their escorting destroyers would pass through position 36°00’N, 06°35’W at 0300/26, steering 225° at 20 knots. HMS Dorsetshire, meanwhile, having seen nothing of the Richelieu by 0015/26, had proceeded to the northwestward, and then at 0230/26 turned to course 030°. At 0530/26 she catapulted her Walrus aircraft to search to the northward, and at 0730 hours it sighted the Richelieu in position 19°27’N, 18°52’W on course 010°, speed 18.5 knots. Eleven minutes later she altered course to 195°. The aircraft proceeded to shadow, but missed HMS Dorsetshire when it tried to return and in the end was forced to land on the sea at 0930 hours about 50 nautical miles to the southward of her. The Dorsetshire which had turned to 190° at 0905 hours was then in position 18°55’N, 17°52’W. She turned to search for her aircraft. Around noon she abandoned the search and steered 245° at 25 knots to intercept the Richelieu, which she correctly assumed to be continuing to the southward. She made contact soon after 1430 hours and at 1456 hours reported that she was shadowing the battleship from astern.

In the meantime the French Admiral at Dakar had informed Vice-Admiral Lyon that the ‘Admiral Afrique’ had ordered the Richelieu and the Fleuret to return to Dakar. At 1512 hours the Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic asked the Admiralty whether, under these circumstances, HMS Dorsetshire was to attempt to capture the Richelieu. He was confident that any interference would antagonise all the local authorities and the French people in general. He also pointed out that His Majesty’s ships at Dakar would be placed in a most difficult position.

At 1630/26, HMS Dorsetshire, reported that she was in position 17°21’N, 18°22’W with the Richelieu within easy visual distance. Relations between the two ships remained cordial. The French ship had not trained her guns when she sighted the Dorsetshire, and she expressed regret that, having no aircraft embarked, she was unable to co-operate in the search for her missing Walrus aircraft but she signalled to Dakar for a French plane to assist. In view of her declared intention to return to Dakar, Capt. Martin took no steps to capture her and at 1700 hours he was ordered by the Admiralty to only shadow the Richelieu. At the same time HMS Hermes left Dakar to search for HMS Dorsetshire’s Walrus.

Shortly after 1900/26, the Admiralty ordered Ark Royal, HMS Hood and their four escorting destroyers to return to Gibraltar. At 2015 hours, the Admiralty ordered HMS Dorsetshire to cease shadowing the Richelieu and to search for her missing Walrus. On receipt of these orders she parted company with the Richelieu and Fleuret at 2300/26, being then some 70 nautical miles from Dakar. HMS Dorsetshire then proceeded to the north-north-eastward at 23 knots.

At first light on the 27th, HMS Hermes, then some 30 nautical miles to the southward, flew off seven aircraft to assist in the search. It was however HMS Dorsetshire herself which eventually found and recovered her aircraft at 1107/27. Meanwhile the Richelieu had arrived off Dakar at 0900/27 but did not enter the port. Shortly afterwards she made off the the north yet again. HMS Hermes then steered to the northward to be in a position to intercept if needed. Nothing was seen of the Richelieu until she was again located off Dakar at 0500/28. HMS Hermes, by that time about 400 nautical miles north of Dakar, was ordered to proceed southwards and return to Dakar.

The Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic, at Dakar 26-29 June 1940.

While these movements were going on at sea, the position at Dakar was steadily deteriorating. At about 1830/26, the Commander-in-Chief had reported to the Admiralty that the French Admiral at Dakar had informed him, on Admiral Darlan’s instructions, that the presence of British warships at Dakar was in contrary to the terms of the Franco-German armistice. At 1700/26 (zone -1) however, the Admiralty had signalled to the Commander-in-Chief that, as the French codes were compromised, that French authorities could no longer be sure that orders came from Admiral Darlan but Admiral Plancon refused to question the authenticity of any signal he received. During the night the appointment of the British Liaison Officer at Dakar was terminated.

At 0500/27 the Richelieu was seen approaching Dakar, but 25 minutes later she turned to seaward again and the Commander-in-Chief ordered a Walrus aircraft from HMS Albatros to shadow her. That afternoon he informed the Admiralty that the Richelieu had put to sea to escort five French armed merchant cruisers [according to another source these were the armed merchant cruisers (four in number and not five) El D’Jezair, El Kantara, El Mansour, Ville d’Oran and the large destroyers Milan and Epervier which came from Brest] to Dakar. The Admiralty was clearly anxious that the Richelieu should not escape and at 0021/28, they ordered Vice-Admiral Wells with HMS Ark Royal, HMS Hood escorted by four destroyers (HMS Faulknor, HMS Fearless, HMS Foxhound and HMS Vidette (Cdr.(Retd.) D.R. Brocklebank, RN) to proceed to the Canaries to intercept her if she continued to steam to the northward. These ships (with HMS Escapade instead of HMS Vidette) had only returned to Gibraltar late the previous evening from their first sortie to intercept the Richelieu. Now they left again around 0600/28 but were quickly ordered to return to Gibraltar and were back in port around noon.

Around 0500/28 HMS Dorsetshire, proceeding back towards Dakar after having picked up her lost aircraft encountered the Richelieu about 10 nautical miles north of Dakar. Admiral Wells was then ordered by the Admiralty to return to Gibraltar. The rapid deterioration of the situation in West Africa is clearly shown in a series of signals which passed between the Commander-in-Chief South Atlantic and the Admiralty on 28 June. At 1100 hours, the Commander-in-Chief signalled that the French had refused HMS Dorsetshire permission to enter Dakar and that she was therefore proceeding to Freetown with all dispatch to fuel and return to the Dakar area as soon as possible. HMS Dorsetshire arrived at Freetown at 0545/29. At 1415/28 the Commander-in-Chief informed the Admiralty that the French Admiral at Dakar had issued orders to prevent H.M. ships from communicating with, or receiving stores, from the shore. In reply he had told the French Admiral that HMS Hermes would enter Dakar on the 29th to embark aircraft stores and fuel, and that he himself would sail from there in HMS Albatros after seeing the commanding officer of HMS Hermes. At 1515/28 the Commander-in-Chief informed the Admiralty of the steps he would take in case the Richelieu would proceed to sea again. The Admiralty then issued orders that Dakar was to be watched by an 8” cruiser within sight of the French port by dayand within three miles by night. HMS Hermes was to remain off Dakar until relieved by HMS Dorsetshire after this ship had returned from fueling at Freetown.

HMS Hermes arrived at Dakar at 0900/29. During the day she embarked Fleet Air Arm personnel and stores which had been landed there earlier. She then completed with fuel and sailed at 1800/29. She then patrolled off Dakar until she was relieved by HMS Dorsetshire at 1800/30. The Commander-in-Chief had sailed from Dakar in HMS Albatros at 1030/29. He arrived at Freetown at 1800/30 and transferred his flag to the accommodation ship Edinburgh Castle.

Deterioration of Franco-British relations, 1 – 3 July 1940.

The first few days of July saw a swift deterioration of Franco-British relations everywhere. The paramount importance of keeping the French fleet out of the hands of the enemy forced the British Government to take steps. According to the armistice terms the French fleet had to assemble at ports under German or Italian control and be demilitarized. To the Government it was clear that this would mean that the French ships would be brought into action against us. The Government therefore decided to offer the French naval commanders the following options; - to continue the fight against the Axis, to completely immobilization in certain ports or to demilitarize or sink their ships.

Already a powerful squadron, known as ‘Force H’ had been assembled at Gibraltar, in order to fill the strategic naval vacuum in the Western Mediterranean caused by the defection of the French fleet, and on 30 June Vice-Admiral J.F. Somerville hoisted his flag in HMS Hood. His first task was to present the British alternatives to the Admiral commanding the French ships at Oran, failing the acceptance of one of them, he was to use force.

To return to West-Africa, HMS Hermes reached Freetown with the Fleet Air Arm passengers and stores from Dakar on 2 July. Early that afternoon the Commander-in-Chief asked the Consul General at Dakar to obtain, if possible, assurance from the French Admiral there that if British warships were not allowed to use Dakar, enemy men-of-war should also be forbidden to use it. At 1915/2, the ex-British Liaison Officer, who had not yet left Dakar, reported the arrival of a British merchant ship which had not been diverted. He also reported that the French ships Katiola and Potiers might be sailing for Casablanca, escorted by armed merchant cruisers and destroyers. The Admiralty however ordered HMS Dorsetshire, which was maintaining the watch on Dakar, to take no action. At 2310/2 the Commander-in-Chief asked the Consul-General whether there was any chance of the Polish and Belgian bullion which was in the armed merchant cruiser Victor Schoelcher being transferred to either the Katiola or Potiers. He received no reply, and the continued silence of the British Consul led him to believe that the Consul’s signals were either being held up or mutilated.

Next forenoon, 3 July, the Commander-in-Chief informed the Admiralty that he intended to divert all British shipping in the South Atlantic from all French ports. Early that morning Vice-Admiral Somerville’s Force H had arrived off Oran. For the next ten hours strenuous efforts were made to persuade the French Admiral to accept one of the British alternatives, but without success. At 1554 hours (zone -1) Force H sadly opened fire on the ships of their former ally at Mers-el-Kebir, inflicting heavy damage and grievous loss of life. None could predict the result of these measures on the Franco-British relations, but it was sure they would not be improved.

During the afternoon of July 3rd the Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic, on Admiralty instructions, directed all British Naval Control Officers and Consular Shipping Advisers to order all Biritsh and Allied ships to leave French ports as soon as possible, if necessary disregarding French instructions. All British warships in French ports were to remain at short notice and to prepared for every eventuality. The only warship in a French port within the limits of the South Atlantic Station at the time was HMS Bulolo, which was at Manoka in the Cameroons. At 2048 hours (B.S.T.) the Admiralty ordered all British warships in French ports to proceed to sea and at 2223 hours the Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic ordered HMS Bulolo to proceed to Lagos, where she was to remain with HMS Dragon (Capt. R.G. Bowes-Lyon, MVO, RN) until further orders.

HMS Dorsetshire off Dakar, 3-7 July 1940.

Meanwhile HMS Dorsetshire had continued her watch off Dakar. On 3 July 1940 there were sixteen French warships and seven auxiliaries in the harbour. This number included the battleship Richelieu, the large destroyers Fleuret, Milan, Epervier, the armed merchant cruisers El D’Jezair, El Kantara, El Mansour, Ville d’Oran, Ville d’Alger, Victor Schoelcher and Charles Plumier, the colonial sloop Bougainville, the submarines Le Heros and Le Glorieux. At 0917/3 the Admiralty asked the Commander-in-Chief for the Richelieu’s berth at Dakar. HMS Dorsetshire informed him that at 1125/3 she was in position 045°, Cape Manuel lighthouse, 2.6 nautical miles, ships head 230°. Captain Martin seems to have drawn his own conclusions from this question and at 1350 hours he signalled to the the Commander-in-Chief his opinion that the Richelieu’s propellers could be severely damaged by depth charges dropped from a fast motor dinghy, and he asked permission to carry out such an attack about 2300 hours that night. Vice-Admiral Lyon replied that he had no instructions from the Admiralty to take offensive action against the Richelieu. At 1625 hours, however, the Admiralty ordered HMS Dorsetshire to get ready, but to await approval before actually carrying out an attack. This was followed at 1745 hours by a signal that the proposed attack was not approved as it was feared to be ineffective and for the time being the idea was ‘shelved’. [More on this idea later on.]

At 1904/3, the Admiralty ordered HMS Hermes to leave Freetown with all despatch to join HMS Dorsetshire off Dakar at 0500/5. At 2112/3 the Admiralty ordered HMS Dorsetshire to shadow the Richelieu if she sailed and proceeded northwards. If the vessel however made for the French West Indies, the Dorsetshire was to make every effort to destroy her by torpedo attack, and, if that failed, by ramming [ !!! ]. Late that evening the French Government decreed that all British ships and aircraft were forbidden, under penalty of being fired upon without warning, to approach within 20 nautical miles of French territory at home or overseas. Just before midnight the Admiralty gave orders that HMAS Australia (Capt. R.R. Stewart, RN), after refueling at Freetown, was to join HMS Dorsetshire off Dakar. At 0926/4, the Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic ordered HMS Hermes and HMAS Australia to rendez-vous with HMS Dorsetshire 21 nautical miles from Dakar instead of the 15 nautical miles previously arranged and at 1037 hours he informed all three ships that as the French Air Force and submarines had orders to attack British ships off Casablanca and Dakar. He therefore issued orders that French aircraft and submarines were to be attacked and destroyed on sight. During that afternoon the Prime Minister announced in the House of Commons that, as an alternative to the German demands, French warships might proceed to the West Indies. At 2041 hours the Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic asked whether, in view of this, the Admiralty intended that the Richelieu should be attacked if she was to proceed to the West Indies. Before this message was received, a signal was sent at 2050 hours cancelling the orders for the Richelieu’s destruction and at about midnight the Admiralty directed that she should be shadowed only.

Early on the 5th the Consul-General at Dakar reported that the merchant vessel Argyll with Commander J. Rushbrooke, RN, the ex-British Naval Liaison Officer, Dakar and his staff onboard, had, in accordance with instructions from the French authorities left Dakar the previous day but that she was recalled on reaching the outer boom, an order which had led the Consul-General to make a protest. Soon after midnight 4/5 July orders were received from the Admiralty that the sloop HMS Milford (Capt. R.J. Shaw, MBE, RN) should be sent to join the patrol off Dakar to provide A/S protection. She left Freetown for Dakar at 1000/5.

At 0723/5, in view of the French order forbidding the approach of British vessels and aircraft within 20 nautical miles from French territory at home and overseas, the Commander-in-Chief ordered his ships off Dakar not to approach within 20 nautical miles of the shore and replied in the affirmative when HMS Dorsetshire asked whether this rule also applied by night. During the afternoon he informed his command that French warships was orders not to attack the British unless they were within these 20 nautical miles. He later added that also submarines had the same orders.

At 1853/5, the Commander-in-Chief ordered HMS Dorsetshire, HMAS Australia, HMS Hermes and HMS Milford not to attack French submarines outside the 20 mile zone unless they were obviously hostile. An Admiralty report then came in the the Richelieu was reported to have put to sea but HMS Dorsetshire quickly contradicted that report.

Dispositions off Dakar at 0300 on 7 July 1940.

At 0300/7, two of the British warships off Dakar which were under the command of Capt. Martin (being the senior officer) were patrolling of Dakar (HMS Dorsetshire and HMS Hermes). The third ship (HMAS Australia) was patrolling about 35 to 40 nautical miles further to the north. The fourth ship HMS Milford was approaching Dakar from the south. At 0307 hours a signal from the Admiralty was received which gave a completely different complexion to their operations.

More on this in the event for 7 July 1940,
The attack on the Richelieu..
This event can be found on the pages of the ships involved; HMS Hermes, HMS Dorsetshire, HMAS Australia and HMS Milford. (13)

20 Jun 1940
Around 0900Z/20, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt. M.J.C. de Meric, RN) arrived at Dakar from convoy escort duty. (10)

27 Jun 1940
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Rear-Admiral M.J.C. de Meric, RN) departed Dakar for Freetown. (10)

29 Jun 1940
Around 0900N/29, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Rear-Admiral M.J.C. de Meric, RN) arrived at Freetown from Dakar. (10)

1 Jul 1940

Convoy SL 38.

This convoy departed Freetown on 1 July 1940.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Algenib (Dutch, 5483 GRT, built 1937), Birchbank (British, 5151 GRT, built 1924), British Genius (British (tanker), 8553 GRT, built 1939), Cape Race (British, 3807 GRT, built 1930), Cefn-Y-Bryn (British, 5164 GRT, built 1939), City of Guildford (British, 5157 GRT, built 1919), City of Shanghai (British, 5828 GRT, built 1917), Clan Cameron (British, 7243 GRT, built 1937), Congonian (British, 5065 GRT, built 1936), Dagrun (Norwegian, 4562 GRT, built 1928), Dumfries (British, 5149 GRT, built 1935), Halizones (British, 3298 GRT, built 1920), Harmatris (British, 5395 GRT, built 1932), Haughton Hall (British, 5103 GRT, built 1937), Laplace (British, 7327 GRT, built 1919), Lima (Swedish, 3762 GRT, built 1918), Nebraska (British, 8261 GRT, built 1920), Pearlmoor (British, 4851 GRT, built 1923), Pontypridd (British, 4458 GRT, built 1924), Ramon de Larrinaga (British, 5701 GRT, built 1920), Randfontein (Dutch, 5059 GRT, built 1920), Serbino (British, 4099 GRT, built 1919), Silvercedar (British, 4354 GRT, built 1924), Statira (British, 4852 GRT, built 1937), Suecia (Swedish, 3730 GRT, built 1912), Telesfora de Larrinaga (British, 5780 GRT, built 1920), Thalatta (Norwegian, 5671 GRT, built 1922), Thomas Holt (British, 3585 GRT, built 1929) and Tribesman (British, 6242 GRT, 1937).

On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Carnarvon Castle (Rear-Admiral M.J.C. de Meric, RN).

During the night of 1/2 July 1940, the merchant vessel Nela (British, 7220 GRT, built 1916), which had been unable to depart from Freetown on time, overtook and joined the convoy.

On 7 July 1940, in position 23°23'N, 22°04'W, the Pearlmoor straggled from the convoy due to defective boilers. She did not rejoin the convoy.

Around 0800Z/17, in position 54°30'N, 18°45'W, the convoy was turned over by HMS Carnarvon Castle to the local (A/S) escort which was made up of the destroyer HMS Vanquisher (Cdr. C.B. Alers-Hankey, RN), sloop HMS Fowey (Cdr. H.B. Ellison, RN) and the corvettes HMS Camellia (Lt.Cdr. E.M. Mackay, RNR) and HMS Clarkia (Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Jones, RNR). HMS Vanquisher however quickly parted company again to search for and join convoy SLF 38. HMS Carnarvon Castle proceeded independently to Belfast.

Around 2300Z/17, to the west of Ireland, in position 54°20'N, 15°40'W, the convoy was joined by convoy SLF 38, which was made up of the following merchant vessels; Abbekerk (Dutch, 7889 GRT, built 1939), Baltistan (British, 6083 GRT, built 1937), Burma (British, 7821 GRT, built 1914), Canonesa (British, 8286 GRT, built 1920), Fernbrook (Norwegian, 4633 GRT, built 1932), Gleniffer (British, 9559 GRT, built 1919), Idomeneus (British, 7792 GRT, built 1926), Maron (British, 6487 GRT, built 1930), Mulbera (British, 9100 GRT, built 1922), Philoctetes (British, 11446 GRT, built 1922), Sarpedon (British, 11321 GRT, built 1923) and Tacoma Star (British, 7924 GRT, built 1919). With them HMS Vanquisher also rejoined the convoy.

A straggler from convoy SLF 38, the merchant vessel Mary Kingsley (British, 5021 GRT, built 1930) joined the convoy around 0700Z/18.

At 1130A/19, 11 ships for east coast ports parted company with the convoy. These ships were the following; Baltistan, British Genius, Canonesa, City of Shanghai, Dumfries, Gleniffer, Harmatris, Lima, Nebraska, Randfontein and Sarpedon. They took HMS Fowey and HMS Clarkia with them as escorts.

At 2100A/19, 2 ships for the Clyde parted company with the convoy. These ships were the following; Cape Race and Philoctetes.

At 2300A/19, 8 ships for Belfast parted company with the convoy. These ships were the following; Abbekerk, Algenib, Dagrun, Haughton Hall, Pontypridd, Ramon de Larrinaga, Satira and Telesfora de Larrinaga.

At 0715A/20, 2 ships for the Bristol Channel parted company with the convoy. These ships were the following; Birchbank and Thalatta.

The remainder of the convoy arrived at Liverpool on 20 July 1940. (14)

18 Jul 1940
Around 1500Z/18, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Rear-Admiral M.J.C. de Meric, RN) arrived at Belfast from convoy escort duty.

At Belfast she was taken in hand at the Harland & Wolff shipyard for refit, docking and modifications. (15)

28 Aug 1940
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) proceeded from Belfast to Greenock. (9)

31 Aug 1940
Around 0500A/31, the armed merchant cruisers HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) and HMS Forfar (Capt. N.A.C. Hardy, RN) departed Greenock. HMS Carnarvon Castle was to proceed to Freetown. HMS Forfar was to patrol in the North Atlantic.

On departure from Greenock they were escorted by the destroyers HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. N.V.J.T. Thew, RN) and HMS Amazon (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Roper, RN).

Around 0945A/31, they were joined by the armed merchant cruisers HMS Laurentic (Capt.(Retd.) E.P. Vivian, RN) and HMS Mooltan (Capt.(Retd.) G.E. Sutcliff, RN) coming from Liverpool. HMS Laurentic was to patrol in the North Atlantic. HMS Mooltan was to proceed to Freetown.

Around 0900A/1, HMS Anthony parted company for a few hours to pick up the survivors of the merchant vessel Efploia that had been torpedoed and heavily damaged by the German submarine U-101. HMS Anthony sank the wreck of the Efploia with gunfire before rejoining the armed merchant cruisers around 1545A/1.

Around 1610A/1, HMS Carnarvon Castle parted company followed aboutt 20 minutes later by HMS Mooltan.

The remaining ships all parted company around 1200A/2. (16)

9 Sep 1940
Around 1100N/9, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) arrived at Freetown from Greenock. (17)

10 Sep 1940

Convoy SL 47.

This convoy departed Freetown on 10 September 1940.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Baron Belhaven (British, 6591 GRT, built 1925), British Engineer (British (tanker), 6993 GRT, built 1922), British Science (British, 7138 GRT, built 1931), City of Exeter (British, 9654 GRT, built 1914), Clan MacNab (British, 6076 GRT, built 1920), Clan Skene (British, 5214 GRT, built 1919), Conakrian (British, 4876 GRT, built 1937), Coracero (British, 7252 GRT, built 1923), Corinaldo (British, 7131 GRT, built 1921), Dionyssios Stathatos (Greek, 5168 GRT, built 1919), Egyptian Prince (British, 3490 GRT, built 1922), Empire Success (British, 5988 GRT, built 1921), Gemstone (British, 4986 GRT, built 1938), Hartlebury (British, 5082 GRT, built 1934), Jedmoor (British, 4392 GRT, built 1928), Kerma (British, 4333 GRT, built 1928), Langleecrag (British, 4909 GRT, built 1929), Lynton Grange (British, 5029 GRT, built 1937), Malancha (British, 8124 GRT, built 1937), Michael Jebsen (British, 2323 GRT, built 1927), Mountpark (British, 4648 GRT, built 1938), Nagara (British, 8791 GRT, built 1919), Oswestry Grange (British, 4684 GRT, built 1935), Panama (British, 6650 GRT, built 1915), Peisander (British, 6225 GRT, built 1925), Shrewsbury (British, 4542 GRT, built 1924), Skaraas (Norwegian (tanker), 9826 GRT, built 1936), Temple Yard (British, 5205 GRT, built 1937), Thode Fagelund (Norwegian, 5757 GRT, built 1920), Tymeric (British, 5228 GRT, built 1919), Volturno (British, 3420 GRT, built 1914), Welsh Trader (British, 4974 GRT, built 1938) and West Wales (British, 4353 GRT, built 1925).

On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN).

At daylight on the 11th the following merchant vessels joined the convoy. They had sailed later from Freetown with orders to overtake and join the convoy at sea; Baron Graham (British, 3242 GRT, built 1925), British Gunner (British (tanker), 6894 GRT, built 1922), British Power (British (tanker), 8451 GRT, built 1936), Hopecastle (British, 5178 GRT, built 1937), Neleus (British, 6685 GRT, built 1911) and Tabaristan (British, 6251 GRT, built 1914).

Around 1450N/14, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Mooltan (Capt.(Retd.) G.E. Sutcliff, RN) joined and took over from HMS Carnarvon Castle which then left the convoy around 1530N/14 and proceeded to patrol to the north-west of Dakar.

Around 1700N/25, the destroyers HMS Highlander (Cdr. W.A. Dallmeyer, RN), HMS Harvester (Lt.Cdr. C.M. Thornton, RN) and HMS Hurricane (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Simms, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 0900Z/27, the sloop HMS Weston (Cdr.(Retd.) J.G. Sutton, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 1135Z/27, the destroyer HMS Shikari (Lt.Cdr. H.N.A. Richardson, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 2000Z/27, the east coast section of the convoy parted company.

The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 28 September after which thee ships proceeded to their destinations in several sections. (18)

10 Sep 1940

Convoy AP 3.

This convoy departed Liverpool on 10 September 1940 for Suez where it arrived on 22 October 1940.

The convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Athlone Castle (British, 25564 GRT, built 1936), Brisbane Star (British, 12791 GRT, built 1937), Brittanic (British, 26943 GRT, built 1930), Clan Campbell (British, 7255 GRT, built 1937), Clan MacArthur (British, 10528 GRT, built 1936), Dominion Monarch (British, 27155 GRT, built 1939), Durban Castle (British, 17388 GRT, built 1938), Glaucus (British, 7596 GRT, built 1921), Imperial Star (British, 12427 GRT, built 1935) and Ulster Prince (British, 3791 GRT, built 1930).

On departure from the U.K. the convoy was escorted by the destroyers HMS Havelock (Capt. E.B.K. Stevens, DSC, RN), HMS Harvester (Lt.Cdr. M. Thornton, RN), HMS Highlander (Cdr. W.A. Dallmeyer, RN) and HMS Hurricane (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Simms, RN), HMS Volunteer (Lt.Cdr. N. Lanyon, RN) and HMS Wolverine (Cdr. R.H. Craske, RN). They remained with the convoy until 12 September.

In the morning of 11 September the light cruiser HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) joined the convoy until 0745/12 when she returned to the Clyde after having been ordered to do so.

Ocean escort joined around the time the destroyers left and was made up of the armed merchant cruisers HMS Cilicia (Capt.(Retd.) V.B. Cardwell, OBE, RN) and HMS Wolfe (A/Capt.(Retd.) W.G.A. Shuttleworth, RN). They remained with the convoy until it arrived at Freetown on 23 September 1940.

On 25 September 1940 the convoy departed Freetown escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN).

Around noon on the 27th, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Canton (Capt. G.D. Belben, DSC, AM, RN) also joined coming from Freetown.

The convoy arrived at Capetown on 4 October 1940

On departure from Capetown on 6 October 1940, the convoy was escorted by HMS Canton until 1140B/9 when she was relieved by HMS Carthage (Capt.(Retd.) B.O. Bell-Salter, RN) which had joined the convoy around 0900B/9. This armed merchant cruiser remained with the convoy until 1220C on 15 October when she was relieved by the heavy cruiser HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) which remained with the convoy until 20 October.

On 18 October the convoy was near Aden and the AA cruiser HMS Carlisle (Capt. G.M.B. Langley, OBE, RN), destroyers HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN), HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, RN) and sloop HMS Flamingo (Cdr. J.H. Huntley, RN) joined.

The escort parted company with the convoy on 20 October except HMS Kandahar which remained with the convoy until it's arrival at Suez two days later. On arrival at Suez two more ships were escorting the convoy, these were the sloop HMIS Clive (Cdr. H.R. Inigo-Jones, RIN) and the minesweeper HMS Stoke (Cdr.(Retd.) C.J.P. Hill, RN). Presumably these had joined on 20 October.

14 Sep 1940
Around 1530N/14, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) parted company with convoy SL 47 and proceeded to patrol to the north-west of Dakar within a 30 mile radius of position 16°20'N, 19°20'W. (19)

15 Sep 1940
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) is ordered to leave patrol off Dakar and to proceed to position 10°00'N, 20°00'W, patrol towards position 10°00'S and 20°00'W and then proceed to Freetown so as to arrive around 0600N/23.

Later she was ordered to sent the Spanish passenger / cargo vessel Domine (6914 GRT, built 1935) to Freetown in case this ship was met. (19)

20 Sep 1940
The C-in-C South Atlantic, ordered HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) to proceed at 18 knots toward position 04.10'N, 17.30'W as German surface units had been D/F'd in that area. After having searched this position she was to proceed to Freetown so as to arrive around 0800N/23. (17)

23 Sep 1940
Around 1000N/23, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) arrived at Freetown from patrol. (20)

25 Sep 1940
Around 1000N/25, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) with convoy AP 3.

Around 2200N/25, HMS Canton (Capt. G.D. Belben, DSC, AM, RN) departed Freetown to overtake and join convoy AP 3.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy AP 3 ' for 10 September 1940.] (21)

4 Oct 1940
Around 1730B/4, HMS Canton (Capt. G.D. Belben, DSC, AM, RN) arrived at Simonstown from convoy escort duty with convoy AP 3.

HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) had arrived at Capetown earlier that afternoon with convoy AP 3. (22)

7 Oct 1940
Around 0900B/7, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) left Capetown escorting the transport Clan MacArthur (British, 10528 GRT, built 1936) to Durban. This transport had been unable to depart the previous day with convoy AP 3 due to engine defects. (23)

10 Oct 1940
The transport Clan MacArthur (British, 10528 GRT, built 1936) arrived at Durban from Capetown. Her escort, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) did not enter Durban harbour but turned back to return to Capetown. (23)

11 Oct 1940
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) is ordered to proceed to position 28°56'S, 13°25'E where the transport Clan MacDougall (British, 6843 GRT, built 1929) is laying disabled with engine defects.

The tug HMS St. Dogmael is sent from Simonstown to assist.

The transport Clan MacNeill (British, 6111 GRT, built 1922) also proceeded to the scene and eventually took the stricken ship in tow.

The tow, escorted by HMS Carnarvon Castle arrived at Simontown around 1545B/19. (23)

24 Oct 1940
Around 1230B/24, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) departed Capetown for Takoradi. (23)

31 Oct 1940
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) arrived at Takoradi from Capetown. (23)

1 Nov 1940
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) departed Takoradi for Capetown. She is escorting the troop transport Westernland (Dutch, 16479 GRT, built 1918). (23)

9 Nov 1940
Around 1130B/9, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) and the troop transport Westernland (Dutch, 16479 GRT, built 1918) arrived at Capetown from Takoradi. (23)

12 Nov 1940
Around 0700B/12, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) departed Capetown to patrol in the South Atlantic and temporary duty with the South America Division. (23)

19 Nov 1940
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) arrived in her patrol area (Area K 33 in the Rio de Janeiro focal area). (23)

22 Nov 1940
Around noon, in approximate position 28°00'S, 38°00'W, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) and HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) made rendezvous. A draft was then transferred from to HMS Queen of Bermuda before both armed merchant cruisers resumed patrol with HMS Carnarvon Castle taking over the area of HMS Queen of Bermuda which the proceeded southwards to area L 32 in the River Plate focal area. (24)

1 Dec 1940
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) reported by signal that she had removed 22 German nationals from the Brazilian passenger / cargo ship Itape (4978 GRT, built 1927).

The next day she was ordered to make rendezvous with HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) to transfer the prisoners to her. (25)

4 Dec 1940
Around 0930O/4, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) and HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) made rendezvous in approximate position 28.00'S, 45.00'W. 22 German Pow's were then transferred by HMS Carnarvon Castle to HMS Queen of Bermuda.

HMS Carnarvon Castle then set course for Montevideo while HMS Queen of Bermuda set course to patrol in area K 32 (Rio de Janeiro focal area). (26)

5 Dec 1940
HMS Carnavon Castle (Capt. H.V.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) had a gun duel with the German auxiliary cruiser (raider) Schiff 10 / Thor (Kpt.z.S. Kähler) south of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in position 30°52'S, 42°53'W and was badly damaged, while the German ship escaped.

At 0642O/5, when in position 30°52'S, 42°53'W, HMS Carnavon Castle, which was proceeding on course 215° at a little over 18 knots with orders to arrive at Montevideo to fuel on 9 December, sighted a suspicious vessel at a range of 19000 yards which was the extreme limit of visibility. The vessel was steaming directly away from the armed merchant cruiser. Speed was then increased and a signal was made to the other ship to stop her engines. She failed to do so and at 0757O/5 a single round was fired near her.

The suspicious vessel replied, within 30 seconds, with a four or five gun salvo from approximately 17000 yards.

HMS Carnavon Castle was outranged by about 3000 yards. HMS Carnavon Castle altered course to port to bring the entire starboard battery to bear. The enemy meanwhile altered to port but soon turned to starboard.

These course changes reduced the range, after some 20 minutes, to about 14000 yards. Several hits were obtained on the enemy, which, for some time, fired only one gun. The enemy was apparently on fire aft.

Behind a smoke screen the enemy altered course to starboard and then re-appeared firing her starboard battery, in four-gun salvoes.

At 0838O/5, the tracks of two torpedoes were observed approaching on slightly diverging courses, but by turning under full helm to starboard, HMS Carnavon Castle was brought between the torpedoes, which passed about 50 yards on either side.

At 0844O/5, the range having been reduced to 8000 yards, the enemy brought her port battery to bear and HMS Carnavon Castle was hit repeatedly. Reports were received by Capt. Hardy of fires amidships and in No.2 hold. This latter report was incorrect, the fumes of two shells which had hit this hold were escaping by the ventilators and were mistaken for a fire. The basis of two shells were subsequently found in this hold.

By this time only some 40 rounds were left forward and the ammunition party aft incorrectly reported that they had none left so some rounds were transports from the forward supply to the after battery.

Meanwhile the AA magazine was flooded by a damaged fire mains.

The fire amidships was the whole of the fixed ammunition and the ready-use locker for the 3" HA guns. It burned freely but it did not explode. The fire had been hit by a direct hit on a ready-use locker.

About this time there was also a cordite fire at No. 3, 4 and 6 guns. A cartridge, while being inserted into the breech, caught fire and caused several casualties.

A shell cut the exhaust pipe from the main engines, inside the funnel. A very troublesome fire was started inside the funnel casing, giving a considerable amount of toxic fumes which gassed two of the fire party slightly, and they temporarily became casualties.

At 0900O/5, Capt. Hardy decided to lengthen the range, and, under the cover of a smoke screen, get the fires under control.

HMS Carnavon Castle's last hit on the enemy was obtained at the extreme range of 14000 yards. The shell was seen to burst onto the enemy's bridge.

By this time all the fire control communications had been disabled and guns were under individual control. The enemy was frequently turning smoke on and off.

The enemy continued firing, and, even when the range had opened to 18000 yards, was making good shooting.

Once out of range course was altered in an attempt to keep in touch with the enemy, but he again made smoke and disappeared in the increasing haze behind a further smoke screen, at a speed of estimated to be 18 knots in a north-easterly direction.

HMS Carnavon Castle had sustained serious damage and course was set to Montevideo to make emergency repairs. Six ratings had been killed in the action and three officers and seventeen ratings were wounded. (27)

7 Dec 1940
Around 1900O/7, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) arrived at Montevideo. She was granted 72 hours by the Uruguayan authorities to make emergency repairs to make her seaworthy. (25)

10 Dec 1940
P.M., HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) departed Montevideo for San Borombon Bay. (28)

10 Dec 1940
Around 0930O/10, HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN), dropped anchor in San Borombon Bay. There she fuelled from the RFA tanker Arndale (8296 GRT, built 1937) which arrived around 1620O/10.

Around 0615O/11, the damaged HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) joined coming from Montevideo where she had been making repairs. The 22 German Pow's which had been transferred from the Carnarvon Castle a week before were then put back on her for passage to South Africa where the Carnarvon Castle was to undergo battle damage repairs and refit.

Around 0745O/11, both armed merchant cruisers then proceeded, HMS Queen of Bermuda was to patrol in area L 32 in the River Plate focal area. (26)

20 Dec 1940
The damaged HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) arrived at Capetown.

Due to congestion in British shipyards it was decided that HMS Carnarvon Castle was to be repaired in South Africa despite the fact that this would take a considerable time as spare parts had to be sent out from the U.K. (23)

1 Mar 1941
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) G.B. Lewis, RN) is fumigated at Capetown. The crew is allowed to return to the ship after 24 hours. (29)

10 Apr 1941
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) G.B. Lewis, RN) is again fumigated at Capetown. The crew is allowed to return to the ship only on 15 April 1941. (30)

12 May 1941
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) G.B. Lewis, RN) proceeded from Capetown to Simonstown. (31)

13 May 1941
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) G.B. Lewis, RN) is docked in the Selborne graving dock at the Simonstown Dockyard. (31)

24 May 1941
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) G.B. Lewis, RN) is undocked. (31)

25 May 1941
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) G.B. Lewis, RN) conducted post refit trials in False Bay. (31)

26 May 1941
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) G.B. Lewis, RN) conducted post refit trials in False Bay. (31)

28 May 1941
Around 1750B/28, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) G.B. Lewis, RN) and HMS Cilicia (Capt.(Retd.) V.B. Cardwell, OBE, RN) departed Simonstown for patrol in the South Atlantic (Area K 1).

HMS Carnarvon Castle was also to rejoin the South American Division. During her patrol she was however retained longer then originally intended by the C-in-C South Atlantic given German raider movements.

At 1910A/4, HMS Cilicia parted company with HMS Carnarvon Castle in approximate position 24°48'S, 01°23'E. HMS Cilicia then set course for Freetown. HMS Carnarvon Castle then patrolled in area K1B.

HMS Carnarvon Castle eventually left patrol to join the South American Division on 10 June. (31)

17 Jun 1941
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) G.B. Lewis, RN) joined the South American Division and commenced to patrol in zone L 32 in the River Plate focal area. (28)

17 Jun 1941
HMS Asturias (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) on patrol in the River Plate focal area is relieved by HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN). HMS Asturias then left patrol to proceed to Newport News, Virginia, USA where she is to refit. (28)

23 Jun 1941
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) G.B. Lewis, RN) is ordered to shift patrol to the Rio de Janeiro focal area. (28)

27 Jun 1941
Around 0900OP(+2.5)/27, HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) made rendezvous with HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) off Sao Sebastiao Island (east of Santos, Brazil). Mails and other correspondence was transferred before both ships proceeded to patrol off Rio de Janeiro as it was expected that German merchant vessels might attempt to break out into the Atlantic. (32)

4 Jul 1941
Around 1000P/4, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) arrived at Rio de Janeiro from patrol. (33)

5 Jul 1941
Around 0830P/5, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) departed Rio de Janeiro for patrol. She is to patrol in the River Plate focal area. (34)

14 Jul 1941
Around 1000PQ(+3.5)/14, HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) made rendezvous with HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN). Both ships remained in company on patrol until around 1730PQ/15. In the meantime multiple exercises had been carried out.

In the upcoming days the ships sighted / or were in company with each other during daytime while patrolling the River Plate area. (35)

27 Jul 1941
Around 0830PQ(+3.5)/27, HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) made rendezvous with HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) in approximate position 40°00'S, 53°00'W. Both ships then proceeded in company to Samborombón Bay, River Plate area. (35)

28 Jul 1941
HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) and HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) arrived in Samborombón Bay, River Plate area. There HMS Newcastle transferred the German prisoners from the Erlangen to HMS Carnarvon Castle.

Also both ships fuelled from the RFA tanker Broomdale (8334 GRT, built 1937). (35)

29 Jul 1941
On completion of fuelling (300 tons of diesel oil), around 0330P/29, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) departed Samborombón Bay for patrol. She is to patrol in the Rio de Janeiro focal area. (36)

2 Aug 1941

Convoy WS 10

This convoy assembled in the Clyde area on 2 August 1941 destined for the middle east area.

The convoy was made up of the following troop transports; Andes (25689 GRT, built 1939), Britannic (26943 GRT, built 1930), Cameronia (16297 GRT, built 1920), Highland Monarch (14139 GRT, built 1928), Indrapoera (Dutch, 10825 GRT, built 1925), Nea Hellas (16991 GRT, built 1922), Orcades (23456 GRT, built 1937), Rangitiki (16698 GRT, built 1928), Reina del Pacifico (17702 GRT, built 1931), Stirling Castle (25550 GRT, built 1936), Strathallan (23722 GRT, built 1938), Volendam (Dutch, 15434 GRT, built 1922), Warwick Castle (20107 GRT, built 1930), Windsor Castle (19141 GRT, built 1922) and the following transports; Diomed (10374 GRT, built 1922), Indian Prince (8587 GRT, built 1926), Manchester Port (7071 GRT, built 1935), Nigerstroom (Dutch, 4639 GRT, built 1939) and Phemius (7406 GRT, built 1921),

Escort was initially provided by the heavy cruiser HMS London (Capt. R.M. Servaes, CBE, RN) (2 – 10 August), armed merchant cruiser HMS Worcestershire (A/Capt.(Retd.) E.H. Hopkinson, RN) (2 – 6 August), the light cruiser HMS Cairo (A/Capt. I.R.H. Black, RN) (2 – 5 August), the destroyers HMS Winchelsea (Lt.Cdr. W.A.F. Hawkins, OBE, DSC, RN) (2 – 5 August), HMS Witch (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Holmes, RN) (2 – 5 August), HMS Whitehall (Lt.Cdr. A.B. Russell, RN) (2 – 5 August), HMS Broadway (Lt.Cdr. T. Taylor, RN) (2 – 6 August), HMS Gurkha (Cdr. C.N. Lentaigne, RN) (2 – 6 August), HMS Lance (Lt.Cdr. R.W.F. Northcott, RN) (2 – 6 August), HMS Legion (Cdr. R.F. Jessel, RN) (2 – 6 August), HrMs Isaac Sweers (Cdr. J. Houtsmuller, RNN) (2 – 6 August), ORP Piorun (Cdr. S. Hryniewiecki) (2 – 6 August) and HMS Jupiter (Lt.Cdr. N.V.J.T. Thew, RN) (2 August – 17 August).

On 5 August, around 2200 hours, HMS Cairo, HMS Winchelsea, HMS Witch and HMS Whitehall parted company with the convoy.

On 6 August, around 2300 hours, HMS Worcestershire, HMS Broadway, HMS Gurkha, HMS Lance, HMS Legion, HrMs Isaac Sweers and ORP Piorun parted company with the convoy. Shorty afterwards the troopships Warwick Castle and Windsor Castle collided. Due to this the Warwick Castle was detached and was escorted to Halifax, Nova Scotia by HMS Worcestershire. Windsor Castle dropped astern and was brought back to the convoy the next day by HMS Jupiter who had been despached to search for her.Jupiter

Very early on the 9th HMS Jupiter was detached to fuel at Ponta Delgada, Azores. HMS Jupiter re-joined the convoy around 0700 on the 10th.

Around noon on 10 August, HMS London, was relieved by the light cruiser HMS Edinburgh (Capt. H.W. Faulkner, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral E.N. Syfret, RN) which had departed Gibraltar on the 8th. HMS Edinburgh remained with the convoy until it reached Freetown on the 17th.

When approaching Freetown A/S escorts joined the convoy. On 14 August 1941 two destroyers and a corvette joined, these were; HMS Velox (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Roper, DSC, RN), HMS Wrestler (Lt. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN) and HMS Bergamot (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.P. Chapman, RNR). The next day the corvette HMS Cyclamen (Lt. H.N. Lawson, RNR) also joined.

On 21 August 1941 the convoy departed Freetown for South Africa. Escort was provided by the light cruiser HMS Edinburgh until 2 September 1941, when part of the convoy (Troopships Britannic, Indrapoera, Reina Del Pacifico, Striling Castle, Strathallan, Volendam, Windsor Castle and the transports Nigerstroom and Phemius) arrived at Capetown. HMS Edinburgh then went to Simonstown. On departure from Freetown A/S escort was provided until dawn on the 24th by the destroyer HMS Jupiter and the corvettes HMS Anchusa (Lt. J.E.L. Peters, RNR), HMS Clematis (Cdr. Y.M. Cleeves, DSO, DSC, RD, RNR), HMS Crocus (Lt.Cdr. E. Wheeler, RNR) and HMS Cyclamen (Lt. H.N. Lawson, RNR). The corvettes then returned to Freetown while HMS Jupiter proceed to St. Helena.

The light cruiser HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) then took over the remainer of the convoy and took these towards Durban were they arrived on 5 September 1941. These were the troopships Andes, Cameronia, Highland Monarch, Nea Hellas, Rangitiki and the transports Diomed, Indian Price and Manchester Port.

On 6 September 1941 the part of the convoy (minus Reina del Pacifico) that had entered Capetown on 2 September departed from Capetown escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN). On 8 September the Britannic split off and proceeded to Durban to embark troops that had been on the Cameronia. Britannic rejoined the next day escorted by Hawkins. The troop transport Aronda (9031 GRT, built 1941) was also with them and joined the convoy. After these ships had joined HMS Carnavon Castle then split off with the Indrapoera, Volendam, Nigerstroom and Phemius and took these ships to Durban.

The convoy (by now called WS 10B), now made up of the troopships Aronda, Britannic, Stirling Castle, Strathallan and Windsor Castle, and escorted by HMS Hawkins proceeded to Bombay where it arrived on 20 September 1941. En-route, in position 03.25’S, 51.12’E and on September 13th, HMS Hawkins had been relieved by the light cruiser HMS Emerald (Capt. F.C. Flynn, RN).

[Other ships that had been part of convoy WS 10 later proceeded to their destinations in other convoys.]

18 Aug 1941
HMS Birmingham (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) and HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) made rendezvous around 0630P/18, in approximate position 24°16'S, 45°18'W with HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN). HMS Newcastle then took over German prisoners from the Carnarvon Castle for transportation to Freetown.

The cruisers parted company with the armed merchant cruiser around 1000P/18. HMS Carnarvon Castle then set course to proceed to Montevideo. (37)

22 Aug 1941
Around 0945P/22, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) arrived at Montevideo from patrol. (34)

23 Aug 1941
Around 1015P/23, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) departed Montevideo for patrol. She is to patrol in the Rio de Janeiro focal area. (34)

26 Aug 1941
Around 1200P/26, HMS Birmingham (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) made rendezvous in position 25°10'S, 40°12'W, with HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN). After transferring mails HMS Birmingham resumed patrol and HMS Carnarvon Castle set course for Capetown ending her deployment with the South American Division. (38)

3 Sep 1941
Around 1900B/3, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) arrived at Capetown from duty with the South American Division. (39)

6 Sep 1941
Around 1145B/6, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) departed Capetown for escort duty with convoy WS 10.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 10 ' for 2 August 1941.] (39)

9 Sep 1941
Around 1845B/9, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) arrived at Durban from convoy escort duty. (40)

15 Sep 1941
Around 0820B/15, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) departed Durban for Capetown. She is escorting the troop transport Cameronia (British, 16297 GRT, built 1920). (41)

18 Sep 1941
Around 1500B/18, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) and the troop transport Cameronia (British, 16297 GRT, built 1920) arrived off Capetown from Durban. HMS Carnarvon Castle did not enter harbour but proceeded to Simonstown where she arrived around 1840B/18. (41)

20 Sep 1941
Around 1730B/20, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) departed Simonstown for Capetown where she arrived around 0520B/21. At Capetown she is taken in hand for engine repairs. (42)

25 Oct 1941
Around 0945B/25, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) departed Capetown to patrol in the South Atlantic to the south of St. Helena.

She was however recalled on the 27th. (43)

29 Oct 1941
Around 0615B/29, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) arrived at Capetown from patrol. On arrival she conducted D/G trials. (43)

30 Oct 1941
Around 1000B/30, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) departed Capetown for Simonstown where she arrived around 1530B/30. (43)

1 Nov 1941
Around 1000B/1, the heavy cruiser HMS Devonshire (Capt. R.D. Oliver, DSC, RN) and the armed merchant cruiser HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) departed Simonstown for operation Bellringer.

[For more info on this operation see the event ' Operation Bellringer ' for 2 November 1941.] (44)

2 Nov 1941

Operation Bellringer.

Interception of a Vichy-French convoy off South Africa.

Around 1800B/1, a Vichy French convoy of 5 ships and one escort was sighted in position 36°04'S, 34°44'E by the South African minesweeping whaler HMSAS Southern Barrier (T/Lt.Cdr. R.L.V. Shannon, SDF).

The Vichy French convoy, en route from Madagascar to Dakar, was then intercepted in the afternoon of the 2nd in position 37°43'S, 30°16'E by the heavy cruiser HMS Devonshire (Capt. R.D. Oliver, DSC, RN), light cruiser HMS Colombo (Capt. C.C.A. Allen, RN), armed merchant cruisers HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) and HMS Carthage (Capt.(Retd.) H.L.I. Kirkpatrick, OBE, RN). The convoy was made up of the merchant vessels Bangkok (8056 GRT, built 1919), Cap Padaran (8009 GRT, built 1922), Cap Touraine (8009 GRT, built 1924), Commandant Dorise (5529 GRT, built 1917) and Compiègne (9986 GRT, built 1923). They were escorted by the sloop D'Iberville.

Five more South African minesweeping whalers were also on the scene, these were the HMSAS Florida (T/Lt. J.V. Ingram, RNVR(SA)), HMSAS Nigel (T/Lt. W.D. de la Bat van Alphen, SDF), HMSAS Steenberg (T/Lt. S.B. Petzer, SDF), HMSAS Stellenberg (T/Lt. W. Taylor, SDF) and HMSAS Terje (T/Lt. H.G. Amor, SDF).

The Vichy French escort vessel refused to divert the convoy to South Africa so the merchant vessels were boarded the following morning. The Vichy French sloop then made off being unable against the more powerful British ships to prevent the seizure of the convoy.

The crew of the Bangkok set the ship on fire and then abandoned the ship. They were picked up by HMS Colombo and HMSAS Nigel.

The Cap Padaran was immobilised by her crew which sabotaged the ships engines. She was taken in tow by HMS Carthage which took her to Port Elizabeth with HMSAS Stellenberg. They arrived there on 7 November. HMS Carthage did not enter the port though, she went on to Durban arriving there on 8 November.

The Cap Touraine was escorted by HMS Devonshire and HMSAS Steenberg to Port Elizabeth where they arrived on 6 December. HMS Devonshire only briefly anchored off Port Elizabeth but quickly left to return to Durban.

The Commandant Dorise was escorted to East London by HMS Carnarvon Castle and HMSAS Florida. The Compiègne was escorted by HMS Colombo and HMSAS Nigel also to East London where they arrived on 5 November and 6 November respectively. (45)

5 Nov 1941
Around 1530B/5, the Vichy-French merchant vessel Commandant Dorise (5529 GRT, built 1917) and the armed merchant cruiser HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) arrived at East London. (43)

6 Nov 1941
Around 1340B/6, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) departed East London for Capetown. (43)

8 Nov 1941
Around 0600B/8, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) arrived at Capetown from East London. (46)

10 Nov 1941
Around 1830B/10, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) departed Capetown to proceed to position 29°50'S, 08°30'W where she is to make rendezvous with the RFA tanker Derwentdale (8398 GRT, built 1941) coming from Trinidad.

Rendezvous was effected around 1215B/14 in approximate position 29°52'N, 08°23'W and course was set for Simontown where they arrived PM on the 19th. (43)

14 Nov 1941

Convoy CF 3 (2).

This convoy departed Durban on 14 November 1941.

It was made up of only one ship, the troop transport Ormonde (British, 14982 GRT, built 1917).

On leaving Durban the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Dunnottar Castle (Capt.(Retd.) C.T.A. Bunbury, RN).

The convoy arrived at Capetown on 17 November 1941. HMS Dunnottar Castle did not enter Capetown but proceeded to Simonstown.

The convoy departed Capetown on 22 November but now escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN).

The convoy arrived at Takoradi on 1 December 1941. (46)

19 Nov 1941
Around 1830B/19, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) and the RFA tanker Derwentdale (8398 GRT, built 1941) arrived at Simonstown. (43)

20 Nov 1941
Around 1340B/20, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) departed Simonstown for Capetown where she arrived around 1735B/20. (46)

22 Nov 1941
Around 0750B/22, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) departed Capetown escorting convoy CF 3 (2).

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy CF 3 (2) ' for 14 November 1941.] (46)

3 Dec 1941
Around 0930N/3, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) arrived at Freetown from convoy escort duty. (47)

6 Dec 1941
Around 1030N/6, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) departed Freetown for Trinidad. She is to proceed through position 10°00'N, 36°00'W and then direct to Trinidad.

HMS Carnarvon Castle is to proceed to Norfolk, Virginia, USA wehre she is to refit at the Newport News shipyard. (47)

14 Dec 1941
Around 0850Q/14, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) arrived at Trinidad from Freetown.

She departed for Norfolk, Virginia around 1645Q/14. She was ordered to pass through the Mona Passage en-route. (48)

20 Dec 1941
Around 1030R/20, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) arrived off Norfolk, Virginia from Trinidad. She then commenced de-ammunitioning. (48)

22 Dec 1941
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) is taken in hand for refit at the Newport News shipyard. (49)

24 Feb 1942
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) is undocked.

[We have been unable to determine when she was docked.] (50)

14 Mar 1942
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) conducted post refit trials in Chesapeake Bay. (50)

15 Mar 1942
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) conducted post refit trials in Chesapeake Bay. (50)

20 Mar 1942
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) conducted post refit trials in Chesapeake Bay. (50)

21 Mar 1942
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) conducted post refit trials in Chesapeake Bay. (50)

22 Mar 1942
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) conducted post refit trials in Chesapeake Bay. (50)

27 Mar 1942
Around 0700Q/27, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) departed Norfolk, Virginia for Greenock. She was escorted until 2030Q/27 by USS Greer (Lt.Cdr. L.H. Frost, USN, with COMDESDIV 61, Cdr. G.W. Johnson, USN, on board). (50)

6 Apr 1942
Around 1645A/6, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) arrived at Greenock from Norfolk, Virginia, USA.

She was then taken in hand for the fitting of new equipment (including radar) that had not been possible in the U.S.A. (51)

5 May 1942
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) conducted D/G trials off Helensburg. (52)

6 May 1942
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) conducted gunnery trials / exercises in the Clyde area. (52)

11 May 1942

Convoy WS 19.

This convoy was assembled off Oversay on 11 May 1942.

It was made up of the following (troop) transports; Akaroa (British, 15130 GRT, built 1914), Athlone Castle (British, 25565 GRT, built 1936), Borinquen (American, 7114 GRT, built 1931), Clan MacArthur (British, 10528 GRT, built 1936), Highland Brigade (British, 14134 GRT, built 1929), Highland Monarch (British, 14139 GRT, built 1928), Lanarkshire (British, 9816 GRT, built 1940), Monarch of Bermuda (British, 22424 GRT, built 1931), Mooltan (British, 20952 GRT, built 1923), Moreton Bay (British, 14193 GRT, built 1921), USS Orizaba (American, 6937 GRT, built 1918), Ormonde (British, 14982 GRT, built 1917), Pasteur (British, 29253 GRT, built 1938), Scythia (British, 19761 GRT, built 1920), Strarthaird (British, 22281 GRT, built 1932), Strathnaver (British, 22283 GRT, built 1931) and Sussex (British, 13647 GRT, built 1937).

On assembly the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN), armed merchant cruiser HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN), destroyers HMS Keppel (Cdr. J.E. Broome, RN), HMS Volunteer (Lt. A.S. Pomeroy, RN), HMS Castleton (Lt.Cdr. R.H. Bristowe, DSO, RN), HMS Leamington (Lt. B.M.D. I'Anson, RN), HMS St. Marys (Lt.Cdr. K.H.J.L. Phibbs, RN) and the escort destroyers HMS Belvoir (Lt. J.F.D. Bush, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Hursley (Lt. W.J.P. Church, DSC, RN).

Around 0400Z/14, HMS Keppel, HMS Volunteer and HMS Leamington parted company with the convoy in approximate position 46°00'N, 21°40'W.

Around 1600Z/14, HMS Belvoir and HMS Hursley parted company in approximate position 43°40'N, 22°40'W. They were to fuel at Ponta Delgada, Azores.

Around 0100Z/15, the Akaroa was detached to proceed to Bermuda independently.

Around 2100Z/15, HMS St. Marys parted company in approximate position 37°25'N, 23°30'W.

Around 1600Z/16, HMS Castleton parted company in approximate position 33°08'N, 23°46'W.

Around 1800Z/17, HMS Belvoir and HMS Hursley rejoined in approximate position 27°43'N, 24°24'W.

Around 1030Z/19, the destroyer HMS Velox (Lt. G.B. Barstow, RN) joined in approximate position 19°45'N, 20°40'W. She came from convoy SL 110.

Around 0845Z/20, the destroyers HMS Wild Swan (Lt.Cdr. C.E.L. Sclater, RN) and HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN) joined, coming from Bathurst, in approximate position 15°27'N, 20°40'W.

The convoy arrived at Freetown on 22 May 1942.

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The convoy departed Freetown on 26 May 1942.

It was now escorted by the light cruiser HMS Mauritius, armed merchant cruiser HMS Alcantara (A/Capt.(Retd.) J.D. Harvey, RN), destroyers HMS Boreas, HMS Velox, escort destroyers HMS Belvoir, HMS Hursley and the sloop HMS Milford (Cdr.(Retd.) the Hon. V.M. Wyndham-Quin, RN).

Around 1900Z/28, HMS Boreas and HMS Velox parted company in approximate position 01°07'S, 13°43'W. HMS Velox was to return to Freetown while HMS Boreas was to proceed to Takoradi taking the Highland Monarch from the convoy with her. The Highland Monarch was later to proceed to the River Plate area.

Around 0800Z/29, HMS Alcantara and HMS Milford parted company with the convoy so that the armed merchant cruiser could top off the sloop with fuel. They rejoined around 1630Z/29. HMS Alcantara then immediately left the convoy again in position 05°18'S, 10°38'W to proceed to St. Helena. HMS Belvoir and HMS Hursley went with her so that they could fuel in the lee of St. Helena from HMS Alcantara

Around 2000Z/31, HMS Alcantara, HMS Belvoir and HMS Hursley rejoined the convoy in approximate position 15°48'S, 06°02'W

Around 1600A/1, HMS Alcantara parted company with the convoy in approximate position 18°05'S, 02°20'W. She was to patrol in the South Atlantic.

Around 1230B/5, the heavy cruiser HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) joined the convoy in approximate position 32°25'S, 14°20'E.

Around 1700B/5, in approximate position 32°55'S, 14°59'E, HMS Shropshire parted company taking the Clan MacArthur, Moreton Bay, USS Orizaba, Ormonde, Pasteur and Strathaird with her to Durban where they arrived on 9 June. HMS Shropshire then turned back towards the Capetown area to make rendezvous with the Capetown section of the convoy and then escort it eastwards.

The remainder of the convoy proceeded to Capetown where it arrived on 6 June. HMS Mauritius then went on to Simonstown as did the A/S escorts later.

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On 11 June the Athlone Castle, Borinquen, Lankashire, Monarch of Bermuda, Mooltan, Strathnaver, Sussex departed Capetown to continue their voyage. With them was now also the transport Takliwa (British, 7936 GRT, built 1924).

They were escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Cheshire (A/Capt. H.G. Hopper, RN).

Around 1200B/12, HMS Shropshire joined them in approximate position 37°10'S, 19°56'E.

Around 0900C/14, the escort destroyers HMS Belvoir and HMS Hursley joined.

Around 1100C/15, HMS Cheshire parted company with the convoy off Durban.

Around 1200C/15, the Durban section of the convoy joined. They were being escorted by the light cruiser HMS Emerald (Capt. F.C. Flynn, RN). The Durban section was made up of the Clan Macarthur, Moreton Bay, USS Orizaba and Strathaird. With them were now also the Clan MacInnes (British, 4672 GRT, built 1920), Clan MacTavish (British, 7631 GRT, built 1921), Empire Trooper (British, 14106 GRT, built 1922) and Empire Woodlark (British, 7793 GRT, built 1913).

Around 1100D/18, the light cruiser HMS Mauritius joined the convoy in approximate position 27°28'S, 43°05'E. HMS Shropshire then parted company.

Around 0900C/23, the Clan MacInnes, Clan MacTavish, Empire Trooper, Empire Woodlark and Moreton Bay parted company with the convoy in approximate position 13°51'S, 53°03'E to proceed to Diego Suarez where they arrived on 24 June. They were escorted by HMS Emerald, HMS Belvoir and HMS Hursley.

Around 2000E/26, in approximate position 00°50'S, 51°25'E, the heavy cruiser HMS Devonshire (Capt. R.D. Oliver, CBE, DSC, RN) joined coming from Kilindini/Mombasa. She relieved HMS Mauritius which then parted company with the convoy to proceed to Kilindini/Mombasa.

Around 1700E/26, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Corfu (Capt.(Retd.) J.P. Landon, RN) joined the convoy in in approximate position 05°26'N, 52°16'E, The Athlone Castle, USS Orizaba and Strathaird parted company with the convoy to proceed to Bombay where they arrived on 1 July. They were escorted by HMS Devonshire.

The remainder of the convoy proceeded towards Aden escorted by HMS Corfu. They arrived off Aden on 30 June. (53)

22 May 1942
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN), HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN), HMS Velox (Lt. G.B. Barstow, RN), HMS Wild Swan (Lt.Cdr. C.E.L. Sclater, RN), HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN), HMS Belvoir (Lt. J.F.D. Bush, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Hursley (Lt. W.J.P. Church, DSC, RN) arrived at Freetown with convoy WS 19. (53)

27 May 1942
Around 1530Z/27, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) departed Freetown to patrol in the South Atlantic. (54)

28 May 1942
Around 0700Z/28, west-south-west of Freetown, in position 06°40'N, 16°50'W, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) encountered a Vichy-French convoy made up of the merchant vessels Chelma (4968 GRT, built 1920), Fort de Souville (5229 GRT, built 1918), Tours (4158 GRT, built 1920) and Ville d'Oran (10172 GRT, built 1936). They were escorted by the minesweeping sloop Annamite.

The convoy was left alone and was allowed to continue on its voyage. (54)

1 Jun 1942

Convoy WS 19P.

This convoy was assembled off Oversay on 1 June 1942.

This convoy was made up of the following troopships / transports; Andes (British, 25689 GRT, built 1939), Aquitania (British, 44786 GRT, built 1914) Arawa (British, 14462 GRT, built 1922), Britannic (British, 26943 GRT, built 1930), Cathay (British, 15225 GRT, built 1925), Christiaan Huygens (Dutch, 16287 GRT, built 1927), Cristobal (American, 10021 GRT, built 1939), J.W. McAndrew (American, 7997 GRT, built 1940), Java (Dutch, 9250 GRT, built 1939), Laconia (British, 19695 GRT, built 1922), Mexico (American, 5236 GRT, built 1932), New Zealand Star (British, 12436 GRT, built 1935), Orcades (British, 23456 GRT, built 1937), Orontes (British, 20097 GRT, built 1929), Otranto (British, 20026 GRT, built 1925), Poelau Roebiah (Dutch, 9251 GRT, built 1928), Santa Elena (American, 9135 GRT, built 1933), Santa Rosa (American, 9135 GRT, built 1932), Staffordshire (British, 10683 GRT, built 1929), Strathallan (British, 23722 GRT, built 1938), Talisse (Dutch, 8169 GRT, built 1930), Viceroy of India (British, 19627 GRT, built 1929) and Warwick Castle (British, 20107 GRT, built 1930).

On assembly the convoy was escorted by the battleship HMS Nelson (Capt. H.B. Jacomb, RN), aircraft carrier HMS Argus (Capt. G.T. Philip, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMS Keppel (Cdr. J.E. Broome, RN), HMS Douglas (Lt.Cdr. R.B.S. Tennant, RN), HMS Charlestown (Lt.Cdr. N.R. Murch, RN) [Check if this destroyer was indeed with this convoy], HMS Leamington (Lt. B.M.D. L’Anson, RN), HMS Wells (Lt. L.J. Pearson, RN), HMS Beagle (Cdr. R.C. Medley, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Derwent (Cdr. R.H. Wright, DSC, RN).

The destroyers HMS Buxton (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) W.A. Moens, RN), HMS Mansfield (Lt.Cdr. L.C. Hill, OBE, RNR), HMS Salisbury (Lt.Cdr. H.M.R. Crichton, RN) had escorted portions of the convoy to the rendezvous and on assembly of the convoy they proceeded to Londonderry / Moville to fuel on completion of which they were to join the convoy. Only HMS Buxton managed to do so around 0200A/3. The other two destroyers failed to overtake the convoy as they were unable to make sufficient speed due to the bad weather conditions.

Around 0800Z/4, HMS Wells parted company with the convoy.

Around 1815Z/4, HMS Keppel and HMS Leamington parted company with the convoy.

Around 0520Z/5, HMS Argus parted company with the convoy to proceed to Gibraltar. She took the destroyers HMS Beagle and HMS Wild Swan (Lt.Cdr. C.E.L. Sclater, RN) as escorts with her. HMS Wild Swan had joined the convoy just before.

Around 0930Z/5, HMS Derwent was detached to fuel at the Azores. She rejoined the convoy around 1515Z/6.

Around 1215Z/6, the destroyer HMS Wivern (Cdr. M.D.C. Meyrick, RN) joined the convoy coming from Ponta Delgada.

Around 1300Z/6, HMS Douglas parted company with the convoy.

Around 2200Z/6, HMS Buxton parted company with the convoy.

Around 1200Z/7, the Aquitania parted company with the convoy to proceed independently to Freetown where she arrived on the 11th.

In the late morning of the 10th, HMS Wivern fuelled from HMS Nelson. 90 Tons was transferred which enabled the destroyer to remain with the convoy until its arrival at Freetown.

Around 0800Z/11, the destroyer HMS Velox (Lt. G.B. Barstow, RN) joined the convoy coming from Bathurst.

The convoy arrived at Freetown on 13 June 1942.

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The convoy departed Freetown on 19 June 1942.

The composition of the convoy was the same as in which it had arrived but there were three additional ships present in the convoy, these were the following; Chateau Thierry (American, 7555 GRT, built 1920), Mariposa (American, 18152 GRT, built 1931) and Santa Paula (American, 9135 GRT, built 1932).

On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the battleships Nelson, HMS Rodney (Capt. J.W. Rivett-Carnac, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMS Pathfinder (Cdr. E.A. Gibbs, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Penn (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN), HMS Quentin (Lt.Cdr. A.H.P. Noble, DSC, RN), HMS Velox and the escort destroyer HMS Derwent.

Around 1030A/21, HMS Velox was detached to return to Freetown.

At 1645A/24, HMS Derwent was detached to fuel at Pointe Noirse.

On the 25th, HMS Nelson fuelled HMS Pathfinder while HMS Rodney fuelled HMS Penn and HMS Quentin.

At 1100A/26, the escort of the convoy was turned over to the heavy cruiser HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) in approximate position 12°00'S, 08°00'E. The Admiralty had decided to cancel the deployment of HMS Nelson and HMS Rodney with the Eastern Fleet as they would be required in August for a supply mission to Malta that was being planned.

So the battleships and their escorting destroyers parted company with the convoy to return to Freetown. HMS Derwent was ordered to join them after completion of her fuelling at Pointe Noire.

The convoy meanwhile continued its passage to South Africa.

Around 1000A/30, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Cheshire (A/Capt. H.G. Hopper, RN) joined the convoy in position 31°50'S, 15°43'E.

Around 1700A/30, when in position 33°30'S, 16°47'E, HMS Cheshire took the Capetown section of the convoy with her. This section was made up of the Cathay, J.W. McAndrew, Java, Laconia, Mariposa, Mexico, New Zealand Star, Orontes, Santa Elena, Santa Rosa, Staffordshire and Strathallan. These ships arrived at Capetown on 1 July 1942.

HMS Shropshire continued on with the remaining 13 ships towards Durban where they arrived on 4 July 1942.

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The fast ships of this convoy departed from South Africa in a separate convoy, WS 19L and will not be dealt with here.

On 4 July 1942 the Capetown section of convoy WS 19P departed from Capetown. It was made up of the transports Cathay, Java, Mariposa, New Zealand Star and Staffordshire. The convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN).

They were joined off Durban on the 8th by the Durban section of the convoy which was made up of the transports; Chateau Thierry, Christiaan Huygens, Otranto, Poelau Roebiah, Santa Paula, Talisse.

Around 1230B/9, in position 28°44'S, 37°05'E, the convoy was joined by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Chitral (A/Capt.(Retd.) G.W. Hoare-Smith, RN). HMS Carnarvon Castle was then detached. In the afternoon the AA cruiser HrMs Jacob van Heemskerck (Cdr. E.J. van Holte, RNethN) also joined the convoy.

In the morning of the 12th, around dawn, the transport Laconia joined the convoy. She had been detached the day before by the faster convoy (WS 19L) as she had been unable to keep up with this convoy.

Around 1500D/16, in position 02°04'S, 48°11'E, the light cruiser HMS Enterprise (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 0700D/17, HrMs Jacob van Heemskerck left the convoy to proceed to Kilindini / Mombasa.

Around 1835D/17, the convoy was split into two sections; Convoy WS 19PA was to proceed to the Gulf of Aden and was made up of the transports; Chateau Thierry, Christiaan Huygens, Poelau Roebiah, New Zealand Star and Talisse. They were escorted by HMS Chitral. This convoy was dispersed in the Gulf of Aden on 20 July 1942.

The remaining ships made up convoy WS 19PB and proceeded to Bombay escorted by HMS Enterprise. This convoy arrived at Bombay on 23 July 1942 but on 21 July 1942 the transports Mariposa and Santa Paula had been detached to proceed independently to Karachi. (53)

4 Jun 1942
At 1006Z/4, the British merchant vessel Gemstone (British, 4986 GRT, built 1938) reported being shelled by an enemy raider in position 01°52'N, 26°38'W.

The armed merchant cruisers HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) and HMS Pretoria Castle (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.V. Hemming, RN), both on patrol in the South Atlantic were ordered to investigate. (55)

16 Jun 1942
In a signal timed 0845Z/16, the Rear Admiral Commanding West Africa Station, ordered HMS Asturias (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) and HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) to leave patrol and return to Freetown with all despatch. (56)

20 Jun 1942
Around 1530Z/20, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) arrived at Freetown from patrol. (57)

24 Jun 1942
Around 1730Z/24, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) departed Freetown for patrol in the South Atlantic and passage to Capetown. (57)

3 Jul 1942
In the afternoon, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) arrived at Capetown from patrol / Freetown. (58)

4 Jul 1942
In the afternoon, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) departed Capetown escorting the Capetown section of convoy WS 19P.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 19P ' for 1 June 1942.] (57)

12 Jul 1942
Around 1200B/12, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) arrived at Capetown from convoy escort duty. (59)

15 Jul 1942
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) proceeded from Capetown to Simonstown. She was then taken in hand for main engine repairs. (58)

24 Jul 1942
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) conducted post repair trials in False Bay. (58)

25 Jul 1942
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) proceeded from Simonstown to Capetown. (58)

29 Jul 1942
In the afternoon, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) departed Capetown for Port Stanley, Falkland Islands. She is escorting the troop transport Esperance Bay (British, 13837 GRT, built 1922) which personnel for the garrison. (59)

11 Aug 1942
Around 1015Q/11, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) and the troop transport Esperance Bay (British, 13837 GRT, built 1922) arrived at Port Stanley from Capetown.

Around 1615Q/11, HMS Carnarvon Castle departed Port Stanley for Freetown. (58)

23 Aug 1942
Around 1000Z/23, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) arrived at Freetown from Port Stanley. (58)

29 Aug 1942
Around 1830Z/29, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) departed Freetown for patrol. She is to patrol in the South Atlantic. (58)

1 Sep 1942
Around 1200Z/1, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) and HMS Asturias (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) made rendezvous in position 03°35'S, 17°27'W. They then continued their patrol in areas I 35A and I 35B but now in company.

They remained in company until around 1900Z/9. HMS Carnarvon Castle proceeded to patrol in areas H 34C and H 34D. HMS Asturias was to proceed to Freetown. (60)

18 Sep 1942
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) was joined on patrol by HMS Carthage (A/Capt.(Retd.) W.V.H. Harris, DSC, MVO, RN). They then operated in close company until 24 September. (61)

4 Oct 1942
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) left patrol to return to Freetown. (62)

5 Oct 1942
Around 1600Z/5, in approximate position 08°00'N, 24°50'W, HMS Asturias (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) and HMS Brilliant (Lt.Cdr. A.G. Poe, RN) were joined by HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN).

After some gunnery exercises they parted company about two hours later with HMS Carnarvon Castle setting course for Freetown escorted by HMS Brilliant. (63)

7 Oct 1942
Around 1630Z/7, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) and HMS Brilliant (Lt.Cdr. A.G. Poe, RN) arrived at Freetown. (64)

19 Oct 1942
HMS Decoy (Lt.Cdr. G.I.M. Balfour, RN) departed Bathurst to make rendez-vous with the armed merchant cruiser HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) and the troopship Nea Hellas (British, 16991 GRT, built 1922) that are en-route to the U.K. from Freetown, having departed there on 18 October, escorted by HMS Brilliant (Lt.Cdr. A.G. Poe, RN) and HMS Wivern (Cdr. M.D.C. Meyrick, RN).

After HMS Decoy had joined HMS Carnarvon Castle in the afternoon of the 19th, HMS Brilliant parted company and returned to Freetown, arriving on 21 October.

HMS Wivern parted company with HMS Carnarvon Castle early on the 20th and proceeded to Bathurst, arriving there later the same day. (65)

23 Oct 1942
In the afternoon of 23 October, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) and troopship Nea Hellas (British, 16991 GRT, built 1922) and their escort, the destroyer HMS Decoy (Lt.Cdr. G.I.M. Balfour, RN) were joined by the destroyer HMS Griffin (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Rowell, RN) coming from Ponta Delgada, Azores. HMS Decoy was then detached to fuel at Ponta Delgada. She returned on the 25th. (66)

29 Oct 1942
The armed merchant cruiser HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) and troopship Nea Hellas (British, 16991 GRT, built 1922) and one their escorting destroyers HMS Decoy (Lt.Cdr. G.I.M. Balfour, RN) arrived in the Clyde. The other escorting destroyer, HMS Griffin (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Rowell, RN), had been detached earlier in the day with orders to proceed to Londonderry. (66)

30 Oct 1942
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) proceeded from Greenock to Belfast where she is taken in hand for engine repairs at the Harland & Wolff shipyard. (66)

11 Nov 1942
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) is docked at Belfast. (67)

16 Nov 1942
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) is undocked. (67)

11 Dec 1942
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) conducted D/G trials off Belfast. (68)

12 Dec 1942
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) conducted RDF calibration trials off Belfast. (68)

13 Dec 1942
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) proceeded from Belfast to Greenock. (68)

18 Dec 1942

Convoy WS 25.

The convoy was assembled off Oversay on 18 December 1942.

It was made up of the following (troop) transports; Britannic (British, 26943 GRT, built 1930, 4955 troops), City of Lincoln (British, 8039 GRT, built 1938), Esperance Bay (British, 14204 GRT, built 1922, 1805 troops), Highland Brigade (British, 14134 GRT, built 1929, 1882 troops), Highland Princess (British, 14133 GRT, built 1930, 1930 troops), Mataroa (British, 12390 GRT, built 1922, 1897 troops), Orion (British, 23371 GRT, built 1935, 5335 troops), Rangitiki (British, 16698 GRT, built 1928, 2598 troops) and Tarifa (Norwegian, 7229 GRT, built 1936).

On assembly the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruisers HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN), HMS Cheshire (A/Capt.(Retd.) R.D. King-Harman, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), destroyers HMS Quilliam (Capt. S.H. Carlill, DSO, RN), HMS Wolverine (Lt. I.M. Clegg, RN), escort destroyer HMS Badsworth (Lt. G.T.S. Gray, DSC, RN), HMS Haydon (Lt. R.C. Watkin, RN) and HMS Rockwood (Lt. S.R. Le H. Lombard-Hobson, RN).

Around 1700Z/24, HMS Wolverine, HMS Badsworth and HMS Haydon parted company with the convoy to fuel at Ponta Delgada, Azores. They were not to rejoin the convoy. HMS Quilliam and HMS Rockwood had returned from fuelling at Ponta Delgada in the afternoon of the 24th, These two ships were to continue with the convoy to Freetown.

At 1225Z/26, the destroyer HMS Ilex (Lt.Cdr. V.A. Wight-Boycott, OBE, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 2005Z/28, HMS Rockwood parted company to fuel at Bathurst. She rejoined the convoy around 1100Z/30.

At 0900Z/29, HMS Ilex parted company with the convoy to proceed to Freetown. She rejoined around around 0900Z/31.

At 0545Z/30, the corvettes HMS Crocus (T/Lt. J.F. Holm, RNZNR) and HMS Woodruff (A/Lt.Cdr. F.H. Gray, RNR) joined the convoy.

The convoy arrived at Freetown in the afternoon of 31 December 1942.

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The convoy departed Freetown in the same composition on 3 January 1943.

The convoy was now escorted by the armed merchant cruisers HMS Alcantara (A/Capt.(retd.) J.D. Harvey, RN), HMS Cheshire destroyer HMS Quilliam, escort destroyer HMS Rockwood, corvette HMS Crocus and the minesweeper HMIS Baluchistan (Lt. D.A. McDonald, RIN).

Around 0715A/6, the corvette Commandant d'Estienne d'Orves joined the convoy coming from Takoradi.

Around 1900A/6, the Highland Brigade was detached to Takoradi escorted by the Commandant d'Estienne d'Orves and HMIS Baluchistan. they arrived at Takoradi on the 7th.

Between 0850A/9 and 1300A/9, HMS Quilliam was fuelled by HMS Alcantara.

At 1000A/9, HMS Crocus was detached to Pointe Noire.

Between 1330A/9 and 1915A/9, HMS Rockwood was fuelled by HMS Alcantara.

Around 1920A/9, HMS Alcantara parted company with the convoy to return to Freetown.

Around 1830C/14, the destroyer HMS Express (Lt.Cdr. F.J. Cartwright, RN) joined the convoy. HMS Quilliam then parted company to proceed to Simonstown.

Around 1600C/14, HMS Quilliam rejoined the convoy after having fuelled at Simonstown. By now HMS Rockwood had also parted company with the convoy to proceed to Simonstown after having been relieved by the corvette HMS Genista (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Pattinson, DSC, RNR). On HMS Quilliam rejoining the convoy HMS Genista was detached.

The convoy arrived at Durban on 18 January 1943. (53)

3 Jan 1943
Around 1300Z/3, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) departed Freetown for an anti blockade runner patrol in the Central / South Atlantic. She is also to try to intercept the Portugese passenger / cargo vessel Quanza (6657 GRT, built 1929) that was on passage from Luanda (departed 25 December 1942) to Fuchal. (69)

9 Jan 1943
In a signal timed 1615Z/9 from the Flag Officer Commanding West Africa Station, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) is ordered to leave patrol and proceed to Rio de Janeiro. (70)

15 Jan 1943
Around 1500P/15, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) arrived at Rio de Janeiro from patrol. (71)

18 Jan 1943
Around 1100P/18, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) departed Rio de Janeiro for Port Stanley, Falkland Islands. (71)

24 Jan 1943
Around 1000P/18, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) arrived at Port Stanley from Rio de Janeiro. (71)

26 Jan 1943
Around 0830O/26, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) departed Port Stanley for patrol. She is ordered to patrol off the South Shetland and Orkney Islands. (72)

11 Feb 1943
Around 1800O/11, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) returned to Port Stanley from patrol. (73)

15 Feb 1943
Around 0930P/15, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) departed Port Stanley for Montevideo. (74)

18 Feb 1943
Around 1145OP/18, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) arrived at Montevideo from Port Stanley. (74)

22 Feb 1943
Around 1045OP/22, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) departed Montevideo for patrol. She is to conduct an anti blockade runner patrol in the South and Mid Atlantic. (73)

11 Mar 1943
At 0428Z/11, in position 05°35'S, 11°48'W, HMS Cilicia (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Scott, RN) sighed a ship which she lost sight of at 0450Z/11. Course of this ship had been approximately 340°. It was though to be a suspicious vessel and thus possibly an enemy blockade breaker. No allied or neutral vessel was known to be in that position proceeding to the north-north-west.

HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) and Gloire (?), both also on anti blockade breaker patrol were ordered to join HMS Cilicia in the search for the suspicious vessel. Also an air search by American aircraft from Ascension was arranged.

HMS Despatch (Capt. W.R.C. Leggatt, RN) departed Freetown on the 12th to join the search.

The following patrol positions were ordered;
HMS Cilicia proceed to arrive position 01°09'S, 15°31'W at 0500Z/12 and search westward, with an estimated speed of advance of unidentified ship as 12 knots.
HMS Carnarvon Castle search from westward to arrive position equator, 16°00'W at 2000Z/12 with an estimated speed of advance of unidentified ship as 12 knots.
Search by aircraft will be carried out during daylight in this area.

Later new orders were given as follows;
HMS Carnarvon Castle commence in position 00°48'S, 18°15'W at 0500Z/13 proceeding to arrive position 02°55'N, 17°40'W. at 2000Z/13th.
Cilicia commence in position 00°55'N, 14°10'W at 0500Z/13 proceeding to arrive in position 00°58'N, 017°14'W at 2000Z/13.
Gloire commence in position equator, 20°10'W. at 0600Z/13th and proceed to arrive in position 05°00'N, 19°32'W at 2000Z/13.
HMS Despatch commence in position 03°05'N, 16°26'W. at 0700Z/13 proceeding to arrive in position 05°08'N, 20°55'W at 2000Z/13.
Aircraft will carry out cross-over patrol to cover estimated a speed of advance of the unidentified ship of 10.5 knots to 12.5 knots.

For the 14th patrols were ordered as follows;
HMS Despatch commences to search in position 07°35'N, 22°01'W at 0700Z/14 and proceed to arrive in position 007°42'N, 25°59'W at 1900Z/14.
Gloire commences in position 08°20'N, 21°51'W at 0700Z/14 and proceed to arrive in position 08°34'N, 25°51' W at 1900Z/14.
HMS Carnarvon Castle commences in position 05°17'N, 20°13'W at 0800Z/14 and proceeds to arrive in position 05° 22'N, 23°19'W at 2000Z/14.
HMS Cilicia commence in position 00°59'N, 20°28'W at 0800Z/14 and than steer a course of 299° at 14 knots. From 2000Z/14, HMS Cilicia was to proceed from position 02°20'N, 22°53'W to Freetown.

For the evening of the 14th and the 15th patrol orders were as follows;
HMS Carnarvon Castle proceed from position 05°22'N, 23°19'W at 2000Z/14 to patrol the area bounded by the following points:
A.) 08°46'N, 31°28'W.
B.) 10°54'N, 27°28'W.
C.) 13°01'N, 29°32'W.
D.) 10°31'N, 32°28'W.
Commencing at point A. Speed making good 15.5 knots.
HMS Despatch recommence search in position 05°50'N, 28°08'W at 0500Z/15 and then towards 10°15'N, 28°30'W as far as endurance permitted and thence to proceed to Bathurst. She was to report her position and speed at 0800Z/16 and also her E.T.A. at Bathurst.
Gloire will recommence search in position 07° 54'N, 28°12'W at 0500Z/15 and proceed northward at 20 knots to the limit of her endurance and then onward to Dakar. (75)

21 Mar 1943
In a signal timed 1529Z/21, the Flag Officer Commanding West Africa Station, ordered HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) to commence a patrol from 1200Z/22 bounded by the following points;
E) 09°02'N, 27°54'W.
F) 10°01'N, 27°01'W.
G) 08°12'N, 23°21'W.
H) 06°10'N, 24°22'W.

She is to try to intercept the Portugese merchant vessel Mello (3900 GRT, built 1915) that had departed Buenos Aires on 6 March for Lisbon and had reported that four German naval machinists were found as stowaways on board.

She was also ordered to leave patrol at 'position G' (see above) at 2359Z/24 and proceed to Freetown.

On 23 March it was however found out that the Mello had already been boarded by the US destroyer USS Livermore (T/Cdr. H.E. Seidel, Jr., USN) to the east of Pernambuco on 17 March and that no German stowaways had been found. If the ship would needed to be more thoroughly searched it would be necessary to sent her into port but this had been deemed not 'politically correct'. It was therefore decided to let the ship proceed to Lisbon. (76)

26 Mar 1943
Around 1115Z/26, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) arrived at Freetown from patrol. (77)

2 Apr 1943
Around 1615Z/2, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) departed Freetown for an anti blockade runner patrol in the Mid Atlantic. (78)

23 Apr 1943
In a signal timed 1717Z/23, the Flag Officer Commanding West Africa Station, ordered HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) to leave patrol and proceed to Freetown proceeding through position 12°00'N, 19°00'W. (79)

27 Apr 1943
In the morning, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) arrived at Freetown from patrol. (78)

6 May 1943
Around 0945Z/6, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) departed Freetown for an anti blockade runner patrol in the Mid Atlantic. On departure D/G trials were carried out. (80)

19 May 1943

Combined convoy WS 30 / KMS 15.

This combined convoy was formed off Oversay on 19 May 1943. The convoy was divided into convoys WS 30 and KMS 15 at sea on 25 May 1943.

The combined convoy was made up of the following (troop) transports; Arawa (British, 14462 GRT, built 1922), Argentina (American, 20614 GRT, built 1929), Boissevain (Dutch, 14134 GRT, built 1937), Brisbane Star (British, 12791 GRT, built 1937), Deseado (British, 9641 GRT, built 1942), Duchess of York (British, 20021 GRT, built 1929), Franconia (British, 20175 GRT, built 1923), H.F. Alexander (American, 8357 GRT, built 1915), Indrapoera (Dutch, 10825 GRT, built 1925), Johan van Oldenbarnevelt (Dutch, 19429 GRT, built 1930), Letitia (British, 13595 GRT, built 1925), Mataroa (British, 12390 GRT, built 1922), Ormonde (British, 14982 GRT, built 1917), Samaria (British, 19597 GRT, built 1921), Siboney (American, 6938 GRT, built 1918), Sloterdijk (Dutch, 9230 GRT, built 1940), Staffordshire (British, 10683 GRT, built 1929) and Stirling Castle (British, 25550 GRT, built 1936).

The landing ships HMS Royal Scotsman (Lt.Cdr. J.D. Armstrong, DSC, RD, RNR) and HMS Royal Ulsterman (Lt.Cdr. W.R.K. Clark, DSC, RD RNR) were also part of the convoy.

On formation off Oversay the convoy was escorted by the aircraft carrier HMS Unicorn (Capt. Q.D. Graham, CBE, DSO, RN), heavy cruiser HMS Suffolk (Capt. R. Shelley, CBE, RN), armed merchant cruiser HMS Corfu (Capt.(Retd.) C.C. Bell, DSO, RN), destroyers HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. A.F.C. Gray, RD, RNR), HMS Active (Lt.Cdr. P.G. Merriman, RN), HMS Boadicea (Lt.Cdr. F.C. Brodrick, RN), escort destroyers HMS Cleveland (Lt. J.K. Hamilton, RN), ORP Slazak (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) R. Nalecz-Tyminski), sloops HMS Lowestoft (A/Cdr.(Retd.) L.H. Phillips, RN), HMS Wellington (Lt.Cdr. J.T. Jones, RD, RNR), HMS Weston (Cdr. L.F. Durnford-Slater, RN), Cutters HMS Gorleston (Cdr.(Retd.) R.W. Keymer, RN), HMS Totland (Lt.Cdr. L.E. Woodhouse, RN) and the frigates HMS Exe (A/Cdr. M.A.O. Biddulph, DSC, RN) and HMS Ness (A/Cdr. T.G.P. Crick, DSC, RN).

The destroyer HMS Sardonyx apparently parted company on 20 May.

HMS Cleveland fuelled from HMS Suffolk during the morning of 21 May.

At 1130Z/23, HMS Active sighted a surfaced submarine in position 42°16'N, 15°40'W at a range of about 6000 yards. Shortly afterwards HMS Ness also sighted this submarine. Both ships rushed towards to attack and the submarine was seen to crash dive. When the range was down to 2900 yards HMS Active obtained contact on the target with her Asdic. At 1143Z/23, HMS Active dropped a pattern of ten depth charges set at 150 and 300 feet. At 1150Z/23, HMS Ness dropped ten depth charges (150 and 300 feet). At 1158Z/23, HMS Active came back for another pattern of ten depth charges (350 and 550 feet). At 1212Z/23, HMS Ness dropped ten depth charges (350 and 550 feet). A double explosion was then heard by the two escorts. At 1223Z/23, HMS Active dropped ten depth charges (350 and 550 feet). At 1240Z/23, a small amount of wood and cork wreckage came to the surface as well as life-jackets, coffee tins marked 'Napoli' and a pair of fresh human lungs. At 1305Z/23, HMS Ness dropped a final pattern of ten depth charges (500, 550 and 700 feet). It is believed that the Italian submarine Leonardo Da Vinci was sunk in this attack. The most succesful Italian submarine of the Second World War disappeared with all hands. Nine officers and fifty-four ratings perished.

At 0630Z/24, the transports Brisbane Star and Deseado were detached from the convoy.

Around 1530Z/24 a German Focke Wulf aircraft attacked and dropped some bombs near HMS Unicorn but no damage was done.

At 1040Z/25 the convoy split up. All escorts proceeded with convoy KMF 15 except for HMS Suffolk, HMS Corfu which went along with WS 30. Convoy KMF 15 was made up of the transports Arawa, Boissevain, Duchess of York, Franconia, Indrapoera, Johan van Oldenbarnevelt, Letitia, Ormonde, Samaria, Staffordshire and Stirling Castle. HMS Royal Scotsman and HMS Royal Ulsterman were also part of this convoy.

On the 26th, the transport Letitia proceeded to Gibraltar as did HMS Unicorn which had on board Beaufighter aircraft and aircraft spares besides two operational squadrons which she had been able to operate during the passage. The escort destroyers HMS Farndale (Cdr. D.P. Trentham, RN), HMS Haydon (Lt. R.C. Watkin, RN) and HMS Tynedale (Lt. J.J.S. Yorke, DSC, RN) had come out to escort them in although HMS Haydon was later detached to proceed to the assistance of an aircraft that had crashed into the sea. HMS Active, HMS Cleveland and ORP Slazak also put into Gibraltar.

The transports Staffordshire and Stirling Castle were detached and arrived at Oran on 26 May.

The remainder of convoy KMF 15 arrived at Algiers on 27 May.

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Convoy WS 30 continued on to Freetown and was made up of Argentina, Brisbane Star, Deseado, H.F. Alexander, Mataroa, Siboney and Sloterdijk. Their escort of HMS Suffolk and HMS Corfu was joined by the destroyers HMS Antelope (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Sinclair, RN), HMS Foxhound (Cdr. C.J. Wynne-Edwards, DSC and Bar, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Catterick (Lt.Cdr. A. Tyson, RN) which all came from Gibraltar. HMS Boadicea also rejoined after fuelling at Casablanca.

In the morning of May 27th, HMS Antelope fuelled from HMS Suffolk.

The convoy arrived at Freetown on 31 May 1943.

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On 3 June 1943 the convoy departed Freetown now made up of the transports Argentina, H.F. Alexander, Mataroa, Nieuw Holland (Dutch, 11066 GRT, built 1927), Siboney and Sloterdijk.

On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the heavy cruiser HMS Suffolk, armed merchant cruisers HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN), HMS Corfu, destroyers HMS Wolverine (Lt. I.M. Clegg, RN), HMS Boardicea, HMS Rapid (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, DSC and Bar, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Catterick.

At 1500Z/6, the transport Cuba (British, 11420 GRT, 1923) and the destroyer HMS Witch (Lt.Cdr. S.R.J. Woods, RNR) joined the convoy coming from Takoradi.

At 1950Z/6, HMS Corfu and HMS Boadicea parted company with the convoy to proceed to Takoradi.

At 1445Z/9, the destroyers HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN), HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Farrington, RN) and HMS Redoubt (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Ropner, DSO, RN) joined the convoy coming from Pointe Noire.

At 1517Z/9, HMS Witch, HMS Wolverine and HMS Rapid parted company with the convoy to proceed to Pointe Noire.

Around 0730A/13, the transports Exceller (American, 6597 GRT, built 1941) and Santa Barbara (American, 6507 GRT, built 1943) joined the convoy as did the sloop Savorgnan de Brazza which had been escorting them.

On 15 June 1943 the convoy arrived at Capetown. HMS Suffolk and HMS Carnarvon Castle then went on to Simonstown. In the approaches to Capetown the destroyer HMAS Nizam (Lt. W.F. Cook, RAN) joined the escort as an enemy submarine had been reported to be operating in the area.

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On 16 June 1943, the convoy departed Capetown for Durban. It was now made up of the transports Argentina, Cuba, Exceller, Exiria (American, 6533 GRT, built 1941), H.F. Alexander, Mataroa, Nieuw Holland, Santa Barbara, Siboney and Sloterdijk.

The convoy was escorted by the destroyers HMAS Nizam, HMAS Norman, HMS Quadrant and HMS Redoubt.

On 18 June, the transport Sibajak (Dutch, 12226 GRT, built 1927) joined the convoy presumebly coming from Port Elizabeth or East London.

The convoy arrived at Durban on 20 June.

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On 25 June 1943, the convoy departed Durban for Aden / Bombay, now made up of the transports Cuba, General Fleischer (Norwegian, 5138 GRT, built 1943), Karagola (British, 7053 GRT, built 1917), Nieuw Holland, Sagoland (American, 5334 GRT, built 1913), Santa Barbara and Sibajak.

The convoy was now escorted by the destroyers HMAS Norman (now commanded by Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN), HMAS Quickmatch (Lt.Cdr. R. Rhoades, DSC, RAN) and HMS Rotherham (Lt. J.R.L. Moore, RN).

The armed mercant cruiser HMS Canton (A/Capt. G.N. Loriston-Clarke, RN) joined the convoy around 0900C/28 having departed Kilindini around 1745C/25.

Around 2000C/29, HMAS Norman parted company with the convoy to return to Durban via Tulear, Madagascar. HMS Rotherham and HMAS Quickmatch remained with the convoy for another 150 miles and then parted company to rejoin HMAS Norman and then proceed to Tulear.

Around 0900C/1, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alaunia (Capt. R.H.C. Crawford, OBE, RNR), which came from Kilindini / Mombasa, joined the convoy. HMS Canton then parted company with the convoy to proceed to Kilindi taking the transports Karagola and Sagoland with her. They arrived at Kilindini around 1200C/2.

At 0310C/3, the transport Santa Barbara was detached to proceed independently to Colombo.

At 1115C/4, the transports General Fleischer and Sibajak were detached to proceed independently to Aden.

The transports Cuba and Nieuw Holland and their escort, HMS Alaunia arrived at Bombay around 1000FG/9.

28 May 1943
Around 1630Z/28, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) arrived at Freetown from patrol.

She arrived with a defective lubrication oil pump. As the other three pumps have been found to be also in a bad state it had been decided that she would proceed to the Cape to effect repairs. (81)

3 Jun 1943
The heavy cruiser HMS Suffolk (Capt. R. Shelley, CBE, RN), armed merchant cruisers HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN), HMS Corfu (Capt.(Retd.) C.C. Bell, DSO, RN), destroyers HMS Wolverine (Lt. I.M. Clegg, RN), HMS Boadicea (Lt.Cdr. F.C. Brodrick, RN), HMS Rapid (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, DSC and Bar, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Catterick (Lt.Cdr. A. Tyson, RN) departed Freetown escorting convoy WS 30.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 30 ' for 19 May 1943.]

15 Jun 1943
Around 1800B/15, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) arrived at Simonstown from convoy escort duty. (82)

16 Jun 1943
Around 1300B/16, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) departed Simonstown for Port Elizabeth. (82)

18 Jun 1943
Around 0900B/18, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) arrived at Port Elizabeth from Simonstown. She is than taken in hand for repairs to her lubrication pumps. (82)

7 Aug 1943
Around 1030B/7, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) departed Port Elizabeth for Capetown. (83)

8 Aug 1943
Around 1400B/8, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) arrived at Capetown from Port Elizabeth. (83)

9 Aug 1943
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) proceeded from Capetown to Simonstown. (83)

10 Aug 1943
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) conducted gunnery exercises in False Bay. (83)

11 Aug 1943
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) conducted gunnery exercises in False Bay. (83)

12 Aug 1943
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) conducted gunnery exercises in False Bay. (83)

13 Aug 1943
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) proceeded from Simonstown to Capetown. On entering harbour D/G trials were carried out. (83)

14 Aug 1943
Around 1515B/14, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) departed Capetown for Freetown. (83)

23 Aug 1943
Around 0830Z/23, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) arrived at Freetown from Capetown. (83)

3 Sep 1943
Around 2200Z/3, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) departed Freetown for an anti blockade runner patrol in the Mid Atlantic.

The next afternoon she however set course to return to Freetown. [unable to find out the reason, either recalled or returned due to defects.] (84)

5 Sep 1943
Around 1030Z/5, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) returned to Freetown. (84)

27 Sep 1943
HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) conducted compass adjustment trials at Freetown. (84)

28 Sep 1943
Around 1030Z/28, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) and the frigate HMS Ness (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.H. Marchington, RNVR) departed Freetown for patrol. They were to patrol in the South Atlantic. (85)

8 Oct 1943
Around 1630Z/8, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) and HMS Ness (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.H. Marchington, RNVR) returned to Freetown from patrol. (86)

11 Oct 1943
Around 1800Z/11, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) G.B. Lewis, RN) and the 37th Escort Group made up of the sloops HMS Fowey (Cdr.(Retd.) L.B.A. Majendie, RN), HMS Stork (Cdr.(Retd.) G.W.E. Castens, RN), frigate HrMs Johan Maurits van Nassau (Cdr. A. de Booy, RNethN) and the corvettes HMS Campion (T/A/Lt.Cdr. H.T.S. Clouston, RNVR), HMS Myosotis (T/Lt. R. Lugg, RNR) and HrMs Friso (Lt.Cdr. Goslings, RNethN) departed Freetown to patrol in the Mid Atlantic south of the Cape Verde Islands. They were to intercept the Spanish merchant vessel Habana (8279 GRT, built 1929) which had departed Rio de Janeiro for Las Palmas. The ships radio operator was thought to be a German agent which was carrying contraband (Platinum) and secret codes. In the search area the ships were spread out in a line with HMS Fowey remaining with HMS Carnarvon Castle for A/S protection.

Around 0845FG/19, HrMs Johan Maurits van Nassau intercepted the Habana in approximate position 08°45'N, 24°20'W. A boarding party was put onboard which placed the radio operator under arrest. Later HMS Carnarvon Castle replaced the Dutch boarding party with her boarding party with proceeded with the Spanish ship to Gibraltar for inspection.

With the operation now completed, HMS Carnarvon Castle proceeded on patrol in the South Atlantic while the 37th Escort Group set course to return to Freetown carrying out an A/S sweep en-route.

(87)

25 Oct 1943
Around 1300Z/25, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) arrived at Freetown from patrol. (88)

5 Nov 1943

Convoy SR 7.

This convoy departed Freetown on 5 November 1943.

It was made up of the troop transport Orbita (British, 15495 GRT, built 1915).

The armed merchant cruiser HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) were also part of the convoy.

On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the destroyers HMS Isis (Cdr. B. Jones, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Malcolm (Lt. I.M. Clegg, RN) and the frigate HMS Ness (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.H. Marchington, RNVR).

The convoy arrived at Dakar on the 7th and departed from there after having spent a few hours in port but now joined by the battleship Lorraine.

Around 1630Z/11, the Lorraine was detached to Casablanca. The destroyer Simoun and La Grandiere had come out from Casablanca to escort her in.

The remainder of the convoy arrived at Gibraltar on 12 November 1943. (89)

9 Nov 1943

Convoy MKF 25A.

The Naples section of this convoy departed that place on 9 November 1943. It was made up of the following (troop) transports; John Ericsson (American, 16552 GRT, built 1928), Monterey (American, 148017 GRT, built 1932) and Thurston (American, 6509 GRT, 1942). They were escorted by the AA cruiser HMS Colombo (Capt. D.H. Hall-Thompson, RN), destroyers USS Davison (T/Cdr. J.D. Collett, USN, with COMDESRON 15, T/Capt. C.C. Hartman, USN on board), USS McLanahan (T/Lt.Cdr. N.C. Johnson, USN) and the destroyer escorts USS Frederick C. Davis (Lt.Cdr. O.W. Goepner, USNR) and USS Herbert C. Jones (Lt.Cdr. A.W. Gardes, Jr., USN).

They all arrived at Palermo later the same day.

On 11 November 1943, the Palermo section of the convoy departed that place. It was made up of the three (troop) transports that had earlier made up the Naples section as well as the Hawaiian Shipper (American, 7775 GRT, built 1941), Henry Gibbons (American, 12097 GRT, built 1943), James Parker (American, 10021 GRT, built 1939), Santa Paula (American, 9135 GRT, built 1932), Santa Rosa (American, 9135 GRT, built 1932) and Sloterdijk (Dutch, 9230 GRT, built 1940). Escort was provided by the AA cruiser HMS Colombo, destroyers USS Davison, USS Parker (T/Cdr. J.W. Bays, USN, with COMDESRON 16, T/Capt. C.J. Cater, USN on board), USS Mervine (T/Cdr. D.R. Frakes, USN), USS Laub (T/Lt.Cdr. A.G. Hay, USN), USS McLanahan, USS Tillman (T/Cdr. C.S. Hutchings, USN), USS Edison (T/Cdr. H.A. Pearce, USN) and USS Wainwright (T/Cdr. W.W. Strohbehn, USN).

Also on 11 November 1943, the Augusta section departed that place. It was made up of the (troop) transports Aronda (British, 9031 GRT, built 1941), Derbyshire (British, 11660 GRT, built 1935), Dominion Monarch (British, 27155 GRT, built 1939), Edmund B. Alexander (American, 21329 GRT, built 1905), Leopoldville (11509 GRT, built 1929), Nea Hellas (British, 16991 GRT, built 1922) and Ville d'Oran (British, 10172 GRT, built 1936).

They were escorted by the escort destroyers ORP Slazak (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) R. Nalecz-Tyminski, ORP), HMS Atherstone (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Wood, DSC, RNVR), HMS Catterick (Lt.Cdr. A. Tyson, RN) and HMS Cleveland (Lt.Cdr. J.K. Hamilton, RN).

The two sections joined company around 1100A/12.

At 0120A/13, the Derbyshire parted company to proceed to Philippeville escorted by USS Laub. The destroyer rejoined around 0800A/13, having taken with her the Thomas H. Barry (American (tanker), 11250 GRT, built 1930).

Around 0900A/13, USS Parker and USS McLanahan parted company to proceed ahead to Algiers to fuel.

Around 1200A/13, USS Mervine and USS Laub parted company to proceed to Algiers.

Around 1530A/13, USS Tillman parted company to proceed to Algiers.

Around 1615A/13, the (troop) transports Ancon (American, 10021 GRT, built 1939), Anne Arundel (American, 7796 GRT, built 1941) and Argentina (American, 20614 GRT, built 1929). Also joining the convoy were the destroyers USS Nields (T/Cdr. A.R. Heckey, USN), USS Ordronaux (T/Cdr. R. Brodie, Jr., USN) and the destroyer escorts USS Frederick C. Davis and USS Herbert C. Jones.

Around the same time the Aronda and Ville d'Oran parted company and proceeded to Algiers.

Around 1645A/13, USS Parker rejoined the convoy.

Around 2020A/13, USS Mervine and USS Tillman rejoined the convoy. ORP Slazak and HMS Cleveland then parted company to proceed to Algiers.

Around 2045A/13, HMS Atherstone and HMS Cattistock parted company to proceed to Algiers.

Around 2315A/13, USS Laub rejoined the convoy.

Around 0820A/14, the Oran section of the convoy joined. It was made up of the following (troop) transports; Dorothea L. Dix (American, 6736 GRT, built 1940) and Orontes (British, 20097 GRT, built 1929). Also the destroyers USS Boyle (T/Cdr. B.P. Field, Jr., USN) and USS Champlin (T/Cdr. C.L. Melson, USN) joined. USS Wainwright, USS Edison, USS Frederick C. Davis and USS Herbert C. Jones were then detached and proceeded to Oran.

Around 2010A/14, USS Davison parted company with the convoy to proceed ahead of it to Gibraltar to fuel.

Around 0500A/15, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) and the troop transport Orbita (British, 15495 GRT, built 1915) departed Gibraltar to join the convoy which they did around 0600A/15.

Around 0615A/15, USS Davison departed Gibraltar to rejoin the convoy which she did around 0745A/15.

Around 0645A/15, HMS Colombo arrived at Gibraltar after having been detached from the convoy.

The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 23 November 1943.

15 Nov 1943
Around 0500A/15, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) and the troop transport Orbita (British, 15495 GRT, built 1915) departed Gibraltar to join convoy MKF 25A which they did around 0600A/15.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy MKF 25A ' for 9 November 1943.] (90)

24 Nov 1943
Around 1700A/24, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) arrived at Swansea. (90)

13 Dec 1943
HMS Carnarvon Castle (A/Cdr.(Retd) E.A.E. McGlashan, RN) is decommissioned at Swansea. (91)