| Navy | The Royal Navy |
| Type | Minelayer |
| Class | Abdiel |
| Pennant | M 76 |
| Built by | Thornycroft (Southampton, U.K.) |
| Ordered | 23 Dec 1938 |
| Laid down | 4 Apr 1939 |
| Launched | 20 Aug 1940 |
| Commissioned | 4 May 1941 |
| Lost | 25 Oct 1941 |
| Loss position | 32° 15'N, 24° 14'E |
| History | HMS Latona (Capt. Stuart Latham Bateson, RN) was taking part in operation "Cultivate", the
purpose of which was to replace the 9th Australian Division garrisoning Tobruk with British soldiers during several transport runs.
On this run, HMS Latona was accompanied by the destroyers HMS Hero (Cdr. H.W. Biggs, DSO, RN), HMS Encounter (Lt.Cdr. E.V.St.J. Morgan,RN) and HMS Hotspur (Lt. T.D. Herrick, DSC, RN) In the evening of 25 Ocotber she was about 20 nautical miles north of Ras Azzaz, and around 2000B/25, HMS Latona sustained a bomb hit in the after engine room, dropped by a plane unseen in the darkness. At that time, the British ship had been taken under attack by a group of 10 German Stuka's from I/St,G.1 belonging to the Fliegerführer Afrika and 2 Italian S.79 3-engined bombers belonging to the 279th Torpedo Sqn, 5th Air Fleet. The formation was under the overall command of Italian Air Force Lt. Guglielmo Ranieri and Sub.Lt Aligi Strani. Both Italians and Germans believed to have scored hits, but were unable to ascertain for sure. In reality, as confirmed from British sources, the damage to HMS Latona, was caused by a 500-kg bomb dropped from close range by a Stuka piloted by Major Sorge, who was able to witness the fireball at the stern of his target immediately after releasing. A second bomb, dropped by Sub.Lt Steinhagen, near-missed the destroyer HMS Hero, causing serious structural damage, while she was alongside HMS Latona, which had gone dead in the water due to destruction of the after engine room. Aboard HMS Latona, which remained afloat for another 2 hours, there was a further heavy explosion, caused by the ammunition on deck, touched by a fire started by the hit. Abandoned by crew and passengers, Latona was scuttled by a torpedo from HMS Encounter, sinking around 2230 hours in position 32°15'N, 25°14'E. In the sinking of HMS Latona, 4 officers, 16 crew and 7 Australian soldiers lost their life. The survivors, including 4 badly wounded, were rescued by HMS Hero and HMS Encounter. |
Commands listed for HMS Latona (M 76)
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and that we only list Commanding Officers for the duration of the Second World War.
| Commander | From | To | |
| 1 | Capt. Stuart Latham Bateson, RN | 15 Jan 1941 | 25 Oct 1941 |
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Notable events involving Latona include:
The page dealing with the wartime history of HMS Latona was created in June 2023.
The page of HMS Latona was last revised (also) in June 2023.
21 Apr 1941
Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) is commissioned for trials. (1)
4 May 1941
HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) successfully completed her acceptance trials and is taken over from her builders. (1)
6 May 1941
HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) departed Spithead for the Clyde where she is to conduct a short work-up programme. (1)
16 May 1941
HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) departed the Clyde for Gibraltar.
20 May 1941
HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN), loaded with stores and personnel for the Eastern Mediterranean, arrived at Gibraltar from the U.K. (2)
21 May 1941
After having taken on board Oerlikon 20mm AA guns from HMS Furious, HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) departed Gibraltar for Freetown. (2)
25 May 1941
HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) arrived at Freetown from Gibraltar. She departed Freetown for Simonstown via St. Helena later the same day. (3)
27 May 1941
The Admiralty ordered HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) to return to Gibraltar at 20 knots instead of proceeding to Simonstown via St. Helena. She was to fuel at Freetown before proceeding to Gibraltar. (3)
29 May 1941
The Admiralty ordered HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) to continue her originally intended passage to Simonstown via St. Helena. If she had not sufficient fuel to reach St. Helena she was to return to Freetown first to fuel there and then resume her passage. (3)
2 Jun 1941
HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) fuelled at St. Helena before resuming her passage to Simonstown. (3)
6 Jun 1941
Around 0540Z/6, HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) arrived at Simonstown from Freetown via St. Helena. (3)
7 Jun 1941
Around 1415Z/7, HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) departed Simonstown for Durban. Speed of advance was to be 29 knots. (1)
9 Jun 1941
HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) arrived at Durban from Simonstown. (1)
10 Jun 1941
HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) departed Durban for Kilindini / Mombasa. (4)
13 Jun 1941
HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from Durban. (4)
14 Jun 1941
HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa for Aden. (4)
17 Jun 1941
HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) arrived at Aden from Kilindini / Mombasa. She departed for Suez later the same day. (1)
19 Jun 1941
HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) arrived at Suez from Aden. (1)
20 Jun 1941
HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) arrived at Port Said after having proceeded through the Suez Canal northbound. She departed for Alexandria later the same day. (1)
21 Jun 1941
HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) arrived at Alexandria and joined the Mediterranean Fleet. (5)
26 Jun 1941
The battleships HMS Queen Elizabeth (Capt. C.B. Barry, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral H.D. Pridham-Whippell, KCB, CVO, RN), HMS Warspite (Capt. D.B. Fisher, CBE, RN), HMS Valiant (Capt. C.E. Morgan, DSO, RN), light cruiser HMS Ajax (Capt. E.D.B. McCarthy, RN), fast minelayer HMS Abdiel (Capt. E. Peydell-Bouverie, MVO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Defender (Lt.Cdr. G.L. Farnfield, RN), HMS Griffin (Lt.Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO, RN), HMS Hasty (Lt.Cdr. L.R.K. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), HMS Hero (Cdr. H.W. Biggs, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Jaguar (Lt.Cdr. J.F.W. Hine, RN), HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, DSO, RN) and HMS Kimberley (Lt.Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson, DSO, RN) departed Alexandria for exercises between Alexandria and Port Said.
HMS Warspite was later detached to Port Said. She was to proceed to the USA for repairs and refit. She was escorted to Port Said by HMS Griffin, HMS Kandahar and HMS Kimberley. After delivering the battleship at Port Said, Griffin and Kandahar proceeded to Haifa, where they arrived on 27 June, to operate off the Syrian coast while Kimberley rejoined the Fleet.
The light cruiser HMS Phoebe (Capt. G. Grantham, RN) and the fast minelayer HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) also joined the Fleet for the exercises on the 27th.
The Fleet returned to Alexandria the next day (27th). (5)
17 Jul 1941
Around 0900C/17, the fast minelayers HMS Abdiel (Capt. E. Peydell-Bouverie, MVO, RN) and HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) departed Alexandria for exercises. (6)
18 Jul 1941
The battleships HMS Queen Elizabeth (Capt. C.B. Barry, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral H.D. Pridham-Whippell, KCB, CVO, RN), HMS Warspite (Capt. D.B. Fisher, CBE, RN), HMS Valiant (Capt. C.E. Morgan, DSO, RN), light cruiser HMS Phoebe (Capt. G. Grantham, RN) and the destroyers HMS Havock (Lt. G.R.G. Watkins, RN) and HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St. Clair-Ford, RN) departed Alexandria for exercises. At sea they were joined by the fast minelayers HMS Abdiel (Capt. E. Peydell-Bouverie, MVO, RN) and HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) which had already departed Alexandria for exercises the previous day. Also at sea joined the destroyers HMS Hasty (Lt.Cdr. L.R.K. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) which came from Haifa. (5)
19 Jul 1941
Having completed their exercises, the battleships HMS Queen Elizabeth (Capt. C.B. Barry, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral H.D. Pridham-Whippell, KCB, CVO, RN), HMS Warspite (Capt. D.B. Fisher, CBE, RN), HMS Valiant (Capt. C.E. Morgan, DSO, RN), light cruiser HMS Phoebe (Capt. G. Grantham, RN), fast minelayer HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) and the destroyers HMS Hasty (Lt.Cdr. L.R.K. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), HMS Havock (Lt. G.R.G. Watkins, RN), HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN), HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St. Clair-Ford, RN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) returned to Alexandria around noon. (5)
20 Jul 1941
Around 1005C/20, the fast minelayer HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) and destroyer HMAS Stuart (Capt. H.M.L. Waller, DSO, RAN) departed Alexandria for Tobruk. On board were troops, ammunition and stores.
They arrived late at Tobruk, early on 21 July instead of late on the 20th, and were unable to unload all the ammunition and stores before they had to depart to be well enough clear of Tobruk at daybreak.
They returned to Alexandria around 1400C/21. (7)
22 Jul 1941
Around 2100C/22, the Mediterranean Fleet, made up of the battleships HMS Queen Elizabeth (Capt. C.B. Barry, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral H.D. Pridham-Whippell, KCB, CVO, RN), HMS Valiant (Capt. C.E. Morgan, DSO, RN), light cruisers HMS Naiad (Capt. M.H.A. Kelsey, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral E.L.S. King, CB, MVO, RN), HMS Phoebe (Capt. G. Grantham, RN), HMS Neptune (Capt. R.C. O'Conor, RN), HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.L. Howden, CBE, RAN), fast minelayers HMS Abdiel (Capt. E. Peydell-Bouverie, MVO, RN), HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) and the destroyers HMS Griffin (Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO, RN), HMS Hasty (Lt.Cdr. L.R.K. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), HMS Havock (Lt. G.R.G. Watkins, RN), HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN), HMS Kimberley (Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson, DSO, RN), HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St. Clair-Ford, RN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) departed Alexandria to proceed to a position to the west of Crete.
Around 1400C/22, the light cruisers HMS Ajax (Capt. E.D.B. McCarthy, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.B. Rawlings, OBE, RN), HMS Leander (New Zealand Division) (Capt. R.H. Bevan, RN) and the destroyers HMS Jervis (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO, RN), HMS Jaguar (Lt.Cdr. J.F.W. Hine, RN), HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, DSO, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, DSC, RN) had departed Haifa to rendez-vous with the fleet at 0600C/23.
At daylight on 23 July the AA cruiser HMS Carlisle (A/Cdr. W. Pope, RN) also joined the fleet.
After dark on 23 July the fleet turned eastwards. HMS Neptune, HMS Abdiel and HMS Kimberley were then detached with orders to proceed to Port Said where they arrived on 24 July.
HMS Latona, HMS Jervis, HMS Jaguar and HMS Kandahar were detached on the 24th to make rendezvous off Alexandria with the damaged aircraft carrier HMS Formidable (Capt. A.W.la T. Bisset, RN) and escort her to Port Said. A/Rear-Admiral D.W. Boyd, CBE, DSC, RN had struck his flag in HMS Formidable before departure. HMS Formidable arrived at Port Said on the 25th and immediately entered the Suez Canal for a southbound passage. She arrived at Ismalia early in the evening of the 25th. HMS Formidable is to proceed to the U.S.A. for repairs. HMS Latona and the destroyers then proceeded to Haifa.
On the 24th HMS Leander was also detached with orders to proceed to Port Said where she arrived on 25 July to embark troops together with HMS Latona and HMS Jaguar.
The bulk of the fleet returned to Alexandria around 1800C/24. (5)
25 Jul 1941
HMNZS Leander (Capt. R.H. Bevan, RN), HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) and HMS Jaguar (Lt.Cdr. J.F.W. Hine, RN) embarked troops for Famagusta at Port Said. The troops were landed there during the night of 25/26 July. At Famagusta HMS Jaguar and HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) collided.
After disembarking the troops HMS Latona and HMS Jaguar departed Famagusta for Haifa while HMNZS Leander proceeded to Alexandria where she arrived at 1715C/26. (5)
26 Jul 1941
HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) and HMS Jaguar (Lt.Cdr. J.F.W. Hine, RN) arrived at Haifa from operations.
28 Jul 1941
Around 1800C/28, the light cruiser HMS Neptune (Capt. R.C. O'Conor, RN), fast minelayer HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) and the destroyers HMS Jervis (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO, RN) and HMS Jaguar (Lt.Cdr. J.F.W. Hine, RN) departed Haifa for Alexandria. At sea they were joined by the fast minelayer HMS Abdiel (Capt. E. Peydell-Bouverie, MVO, RN). All ships arrived at Alexandria around 1000C/29. (8)
20 Aug 1941
Around 0830C/20 the fast minelayer HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) and the destroyers HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St.Clair Ford, RN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) departed Alexandria with troops and supplies for Tobruk. Cover was provided by the light cruisers HMS Ajax (Capt. E.D.B. McCarthy, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.B. Rawlings, OBE, RN) and HMS Neptune (Capt. R.C. O'Conor, RN) which departed Alexandria at the same time.
Having unloaded at Tobruk, HMS Latona, HMS Kingston, HMS Kipling and HMAS Nizam departed there around 0050C/21.
On the return trip they were attacked by German Ju-88 bombers. HMAS Nizam was near missed in position 31°45'N, 26°09'E (north-east of Sidi Barani) and sustained some hull damage.
All ships returned to Alexandria around 1810C/21. (9)
24 Aug 1941
Around 0830C/24, the fast minelayer HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) and the destroyers HMS Griffin (Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO, RN), HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St.Clair Ford, RN) departed Alexandria with troops and supplies for Tobruk. Cover was provided by the light cruisers HMS Ajax (Capt. E.D.B. McCarthy, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.B. Rawlings, OBE, RN) and HMS Neptune (Capt. R.C. O'Conor, RN).
All ships returned to Alexandria around 1330C/25. (5)
26 Aug 1941
Around 0900C/26, the fast minelayer HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) and the destroyers HMS Jervis (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO and Bar, RN with Rear-Admiral I.G. Glennie, RN on board), HMS Griffin (Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO, RN) and HMS Havock (Lt. G.R.G. Watkins, DSC, RN) departed Alexandria for Tobruk. Cover for these ships was provided by the light cruisers HMS Ajax (Capt. E.D.B. McCarthy, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.B. Rawlings, OBE, RN) and HMS Neptune (Capt. R.C. O'Conor, RN).
The ships arrived back at Alexandria around 1500C/27. (5)
28 Aug 1941
Around 0845C/28, the fast minelayer HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) and the destroyers HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, RN), HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) and
HMS Decoy (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Alliston, RN) departed Alexandria for Tobruk. They were covered by the light cruisers HMS Ajax (Capt. E.D.B. McCarthy, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.B. Rawlings, OBE, RN) and HMS Neptune (Capt. R.C. O'Conor, RN).
All ships returned to Alexandria around 1500C/29. (5)
9 Sep 1941
HMS Barham (Capt. G.C. Cooke, RN), HMS Neptune (Capt. R.C. O'Conor, RN), HMS Abdiel (Capt. E. Peydell-Bouverie, MVO, RN), HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN), HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, RN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) conducted exerises off Alexandria.
Shorty after noon they were joined by the light cruisers HMS Ajax (Capt. E.D.B. McCarthy, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.B. Rawlings, OBE, RN) and HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.L. Howden, CBE, RAN).
HMS Barham, HMS Neptune, HMS Ajax and HMAS Hobart returned to Alexandria early in the evening and HMS Napier returned to Alexandria late in the evening. The other ships remained at sea. (10)
10 Sep 1941
Around 1215C/10 the battleship HMS Queen Elizabeth (Capt. C.B. Barry, DSO, RN flying the flag of Admiral Sir A.B. Cunningham, GCB, DSO and 2 Bars, RN) and the destroyer HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) departed Alexandria to join the fast minelayers HMS Abdiel (Capt. E. Peydell-Bouverie, MVO, RN), HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) and the destroyer HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) at sea for exercises.
They all returned to Alexandria around 1720C/10. (11)
18 Sep 1941
Around 0800B/18, the fast minelayer HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) and the destroyers HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, RN), HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) and HMS Havock (Lt. G.R.G. Watkins, DSC, RN) departed Alexandria with troops and supplies for Tobruk where they arrived very late on the same day
After having unloaded they departed Tobruk around 0115B/18. While berthing at Tobruk, HMAS Nizam was damaged which would require about two weeks of repairs on after her return to Alexandria.
They returned to Alexandria around 1225B/19. (12)
21 Sep 1941
Around 0830B/21, the fast minelayer HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) and the destroyers HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, RN), HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Hotspur (Lt. T.D. Herrick, DSC, RN) departed Alexandria with troops and supplies for Tobruk.
They unloaded during the night of 21/22 September and returned to Alexandria around 1220B/22. (13)
23 Sep 1941
Around 0800B/23, the fast minelayer HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) and the destroyers HMS Jervis (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Kimberley (Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson, DSO, RN) and HMS Hasty (Lt.Cdr. L.R.K. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN) departed Alexandria with troops and supplies for Tobruk.
They unloaded during the night of 23/24 September and returned to Alexandria around 1145B/24. (11)
26 Sep 1941
Between 0800B/26 and 0815B/26, the fast minelayer HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) and the destroyers HMS Hasty (Lt.Cdr. L.R.K. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) and HMS Kimberley (Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson, DSO, RN) departed Alexandria for a supply run to Tobruk.
They unloaded during the night of 26/27 September and returned to Alexandria around 1300B/27. (11)
14 Oct 1941
Around 0855B/14, HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) proceeded to sea from Alexandria. She returned to the harbour 1745B/14. Presumably she had been at sea for trials and exercises. (14)
17 Oct 1941
Shortly after 0700B/17, the fast minelayer HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) and the destroyers HMS Havock (Lt. G.R.G. Watkins, DSC, RN), HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) departed Alexandria for a supply run to Tobruk. On board were circa 1000 troops and 180 tons of stores.
They unloaded during the night of 17/18 October and returned to Alexandria at 1220B/18. (15)
20 Oct 1941
Around 0555B/20, the fast minelayer HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) and the destroyers HMS Encounter (Lt.Cdr. E.V.St J. Morgan, RN), HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) departed Alexandria for a supply run to Tobruk.
They unloaded during the night of 20/21 October and returned to Alexandria in the afternoon of 21 October. (16)
22 Oct 1941
Around 0700B/22, the fast minelayer HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) and the destroyers HMS Encounter (Lt.Cdr. E.V.St J. Morgan, RN), HMS Hotspur (Lt. T.D. Herrick, DSC, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Alexandria for a supply run to Tobruk.
They unloaded during the night of 22/23 October and returned to Alexandria around 1535B/23. (17)
25 Oct 1941
Around 0545B/25, the fast minelayer HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) and the destroyers HMS Encounter (Lt.Cdr. E.V.St J. Morgan, RN), HMS Hero (Cdr. H.W. Biggs, DSO and Bar, RN) and HMS Hotspur (Lt. T.D. Herrick, DSC, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Alexandria for a supply run to Tobruk.
Around mid afternoon they came under air attack from German and Italian aircraft but escaped damage until around 2000B/25, when HMS Latona was hit by a bomb. HMS Encounter and HMS Hero then took off the crew and soldiers which was completed around 2050B/25. There were 20 casualties amongs the crew of the Latona. Also 7 soldiers lost their live. The destroyers then searched the water nearby. During the process of taking of the crew and soldiers, HMS Hero was damaged aft and was only able to proceed at 10 knots later speed could be increased to around 20 knots. The buring wreck of HMS Latona was scuttled with a torpedo fired by HMS Encounter.
HMS Encounter and HMS Hotspur returned to Alexandria around 0935B/26. The damaged HMS Hero only around 1545B/26. The damaged destroyer had been joined by HMS Jervis (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Jaguar (Lt.Cdr. J.F.W. Hine, RN), HMS Jupiter (Lt.Cdr. N.V.J.P. Thew, RN) and HMS Kimberley (Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson, DSO, RN) which had been detached from another force. (15)
Sources
- ADM 199/2559
- ADM 199/661
- ADM 199/394
- ADM 199/408
- ADM 199/415
- ADM 53/115212 + ADM 199/415
- ADM 53/115212 + Report of proceedings of the 10th Destroyer Flotilla for July 1941
- ADM 53/114776 + ADM 199/415
- ADM 199/415 + Report of proceedings of HMAS Nizam for August 1941
- ADM 199/415 + Report of proceedings of HMAS Hobart for September 1941
- ADM 53/115214 + ADM 199/415
- ADM 53/115214 + War diary of HMAS Nizam for September 1941
- ADM 53/115314 + ADM 199/415
- ADM 53/115215
- ADM 53/115215 + ADM 199/415
- ADM 53/115215 + ADM 199/415 + Report of proceedings of HMAS Nizam for October 1941
- ADM 53/115215 + ADM 199/415
ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.