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Notable events involving Havelock include:

28 Feb 1940
HMS H 32 (Lt. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) A/S independent exercises off Portland with HMS Havelock (Capt. E.B.K. Stevens, DSC, RN). (1)

9 Mar 1940
HMS H 32 (Lt. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Portland with HMS Havelock (Capt. E.B.K. Stevens, DSC, RN) and HMS Hesperus (Lt.Cdr. D.G.F.W. MacIntyre, RN). (2)

16 Mar 1940
HMS Tarpon (Lt.Cdr. H.J. Caldwell, RN) departed the Clyde area for Portsmouth. She was escorted by HMS Havelock (Capt. E.B.K. Stevens, DSC, RN) and HMS Havant (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Burnell-Nugent, RN). (3)

17 Apr 1940
HMS Repulse (Capt. E.J. Spooner, DSO, RN), HMS Havelock (Capt. E.B.K. Stevens, DSC, RN), HMS Havant (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Burnell-Nugent, RN) and HMS Fame (Cdr. P.N. Walter, RN) departed Scapa Flow to provide cover for the French troop convoy FP 1 to Narvik.

22 Apr 1940
HMS Repulse (Capt. E.J. Spooner, DSO, RN), HMS Havelock (Capt. E.B.K. Stevens, DSC, RN), HMS Havant (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Burnell-Nugent, RN) and HMS Fame (Cdr. P.N. Walter, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow.

2 May 1940
The battleship HMS Resolution (Capt. O. Bevir, RN) fuelled the following destroyers while anchored in the 'Narvik area'; HMS Campbell (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Aubrey, RN), HMS Witch (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN), HMS Acasta (Cdr. C.E. Glasfurd, RN), HMS Ardent (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Barker, RN), HMS Havant (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Burnell-Nugent, RN) and HMS Havelock (Capt. E.B.K. Stevens, DSC, RN).

In the evening HMS Resolution fired some 6" shells against German troop concentrations. (4)

13 May 1940
French troops were landed at Bjervik, Norway today. This is just to the north of Narvik. The town was captured successfully.

Naval ships involved in landing the troops and to provide cover were; battleship HMS Resolution (Capt. O. Bevir, RN), light cruisers HMS Aurora (Capt. L.H.K. Hamilton, DSO, RN), HMS Effingham (Capt. J.M. Howson, RN) which both landed French troops, repair ship HMS Vindictive (Capt. A.R. Halfhide, RN), netlayer HMS Protector (Capt. W.Y la L. Beverley, RN) and the destroyers HMS Somali (Capt. R.S.G. Nicholson, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Havelock (Capt. E.B.K. Stevens, DSC, RN), HMS Fame (Cdr. P.N. Walter, RN), HMS Basilisk (Cdr. M. Richmond, OBE, RN) and HMS Wren (Cdr. H.T. Armstrong, RN). They had departed Harstad (Tjeldsund) the previous day.

Air cover for this operation was provided, from a distance, by aircraft from HMS Ark Royal (Capt. C.S. Holland, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral L.V. Wells, CB, DSO, RN).

Later this day these ships also bombarded Narvik with the assistance of aircraft from the Ark Royal.

27 May 1940

Assault on Narvik.

The following naval vessels were operating in the Narvik area supporting the assauly by the army; light cruiser HMS Southampton (Capt. F.W.H. Jeans, CVO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral M.L. Clarke, DSC, RN), AA cruisers HMS Coventry (Capt. D. Gilmour, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G.P. Vivian, RN) and HMS Cairo (Capt. P.V. McLaughlin, RN, flying the flag of Admiral of the Fleet W.H.D. Boyle (Lord Cork), GCB, GCVO, RN), destroyers HMS Walker (Lt.Cdr. A.A. Tait, RN), HMS Whirlwind (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Rodgers, RN), HMS Beagle (Lt.Cdr. R.H. Wright, RN), HMS Delight (Cdr. M. Fogg-Elliot, RN), HMS Echo (Cdr. S.H.K. Spurgeon, DSO, RAN), HMS Fame (Cdr. P.N. Walter, RN), HMS Firedrake (Lt.Cdr. S.H. Norris, DSC, RN), HMS Havelock (Capt. E.B.K. Stevens, DSC, RN) and sloop HMS Stork (Cdr. A.C. Behague, RN).

Some of these ships bombarded Narvik very late in the evening following which the final assault by the Allies on Narvik began.

Narvik was captured from the German in the evening of the 28th.

During the 28th multiple ships sustained damage due to German air attacks;

The most serious damage was to AA cruiser HMS Cairo. She was hit by hit by two bombs at 0620/28 and was badly damaged. One bomb struck abaft B gun. It penetrated the deck and exploded among the supply ammunition party. The other bomb hit the starboard .5" anti-aircraft gun mounting. Twelve of the crew were killed.

Light cruiser HMS Southampton was near missed and damaged by bomb splinters. Her Commanding Officer was wounded and two ratings were killed.

AA cruiser HMS Coventry was also near missed and had one rating killed by bomb splinters.

The destroyers HMS Walker, HMS Whirlwind and HMS Havelock all sustained minor damage from near misses. The most serious damage was to Walker. (5)

8 Jun 1940

Evacuation of the 'Narvik / Harstad / Tromso area'.

2nd troop evacuation convoy from Harstad.

From 7 to 8 June 1940 the troopships Arandora Star (15501 GRT, built 1927), Duchess of York (20021 GRT, built 1929), Ormonde (14982 GRT, built 1917), Oronsay (20043 GRT, built 1925), Royal Ulsterman (3244 GRT, built 1936), Ulster Monarch (3791 GRT, built 1929) and Ulster Prince (3791 GRT, built 1930) embarked almost 10000 troops in the Andfiord, near Harstad, Norway. They did this one by one.

They then departed the Harstad area for the U.K. They were escorted by the light cruiser HMS Southampton (Capt. F.W.H. Jeans, CVO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral M.L. Clarke, DSC, RN), AA cruiser HMS Coventry (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMS Beagle (Lt.Cdr. R.H. Wright, RN), HMS Delight (Cdr. M. Fogg-Elliott, RN), HMS Echo (Cdr. S.H.K. Spurgeon, DSO, RAN), HMS Fame (Cdr. P.N. Walter, RN), HMS Firedrake (Lt.Cdr. S.H. Norris, DSC, RN) and HMS Havelock (Capt. E.B.K. Stevens, DSC, RN).

The aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal (Capt. C.S. Holland, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral L.V. Wells, CB, DSO, RN) and her escort, the destroyers HMS Highlander (Cdr. W.A. Dallmeyer, RN), HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) and HMS Acheron (Lt.Cdr. R.W.F. Northcott, RN) initially operated near the convoy but they acted independently to enable flying operations which continued throught the entire day. A/S and most of all fighter patrols were flown.

They were joined in the evening of the 9th by the battleship HMS Valiant (Capt. H.B. Rawlings, OBE, RN) and the destroyers HMS Tartar (Capt. C. Caslon, RN), HMS Mashona (Cdr. W.H. Selby, RN), HMS Bedouin (Cdr. J.A. McCoy, DSO, RN) and HMS Ashanti (Cdr. W.G. Davis, RN).

Around 0930/10, HMS Repulse (Capt. E.J. Spooner, DSO, RN) joined.

Around 2115/10, the destroyers HMS Maori (Cdr. H.T. Armstrong, RN) and HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Tancock, RN) joined.

On the 11th, HMS Valiant, HMS Repulse, HMS Tartar, HMS Bedouin, HMS Maori, HMS Forester, HMS Diana and HMS Acheron were detached to proceed to Scapa Flow.

The convoy arrived in the Clyde very late in the evening of the 12th.

27 Jun 1940
HMS Havelock (Capt. E.B.K. Stevens, DSC, RN) and HMS Hurricane (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Simms, RN) also pick up 27 survivors from the Norwegian merchant Lenda that was sunk about 160 nautical miles south-west of Fastnet, Ireland in position 50°00'N, 13°24'W by gunfire from German U-boat U-47.

1 Jul 1940
Around 0900P/1, the aircraft carrier HMS Furious (Capt. T.H. Troubridge, RN) (loaded with new aircraft for the U.K.), heavy cruiser HMS Devonshire (Capt. J.M. Mansfield, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral J.H.D. Cunningham, CB, MVO, RN) and the troop transport Empress of Australia (British, 21833 GRT, built 1914) departed Halifax for the U.K. or Iceland. They were escorted by the destroyers HMCS Assiniboine (Capt. G.C. Jones, RCN) and HMCS Ottawa (Cdr. E.R. Mainguy, RCN).

Around 0600P/2, HMCS Assiniboine and HMCS Ottawa parted company to return to Halifax.

Around 2000P/3, HMS Furious was detached to proceed to the U.K. while HMS Devonshire and the Empress of Australia set course for Iceland.

Around 0900N/5, the heavy cruiser HMS Sussex (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) joined HMS Furious.

Around 1230N/6, the destroyers HMS Havelock (Capt. E.B.K. Stevens, DSC, RN), HMS Harvester (Lt.Cdr. M. Thornton, RN), HMS Hesperus (Lt.Cdr. D.G.F.W. MacIntyre, RN) and HMS Highlander (Cdr. W.A. Dallmeyer, RN) joined.

Around 0300A/7, HMS Sussex parted company and proceeded to Greenock arriving there around 0730A/7.

Around 1300A/7, HMS Furious, HMS Harvester, HMS Havelock, HMS Hesperus and HMS Highlander arrived at Liverpool.

Meanwhile HMS Devonshire and the Empress of Australia had continued on towards Reykjavik. HMS Devonshire parted company with the troopship around 0945A/7. HMS Devonshire then set course for Scapa Flow where she arrived around 1930A/8. (6)

4 Jul 1940
The battleship HMS Revenge (Capt. E.R. Archer, RN) and the destroyers HMS Havelock (Capt. E.B.K. Stevens, DSC, RN), HMS Hesperus (Lt.Cdr. D.G.F.W. MacIntyre, RN) and HMS Wanderer (Cdr. J.H. Ruck-Keene, RN) departed Plymouth to proceed up north through the Irish Sea to make rendezvous with troopships coming from the Clyde. (7)

5 Jul 1940
The British liner Monarch of Bermuda (22424 GRT, built 1931) and the Polish liners Batory (14387 GRT, built 1936) and Sobieski (11030 GRT, built 1939) departed the Clyde for Halifax Canada. They were escorted by the light cruiser HMS Bonaventure (Capt. H.J. Egerton, RN).

At sea they were joined by the battleship HMS Revenge (Capt. E.R. Archer, RN) and the destroyers HMS Havelock (Capt. E.B.K. Stevens, DSC, RN), HMS Hesperus (Lt.Cdr. D.G.F.W. MacIntyre, RN) and HMS Wanderer (Cdr. J.H. Ruck-Keene, RN).

All ships carried gold from the Bank of England for safekeeping in Canada.

They arrived at Halifax on 12 July 1940 except for the Batory which had developed engine defects and was diverted to St. John's escorted by HMS Bonaventure which released her off the harbour and then continued her passage to Halifax. (8)

9 Jul 1940
HMS Harvester (Lt.Cdr. M. Thornton, RN) and HMS Havelock (Capt. E.B.K. Stevens, DSC, RN) together pick up 35 survivors from the British merchant Aylesbury that was torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-43 about 200 nautical miles south-east of Ireland in position 48°39'N, 13°33'W.

15 Jul 1940
The troop transports and transports Aska (British, 8323 GRT, built 1939), Karanja (British, 9891 GRT, built 1931) and Kenya (British, 9890 GRT, built 1930), Orion (British, 23371 GRT, built 1935) and Reina del Pacifico (British, 17702 GRT, built 1931) and their escorts, the heavy cruisers HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN) and HMAS Australia (Capt. R.R. Stewart, RN) were joined by a local A/S escort made up of the destroyers HMS Havelock (Capt. E.B.K. Stevens, DSC, RN), HMS Harvester (Lt.Cdr. M. Thornton, RN), HMCS St. Laurent (Lt. H.S. Rayner, RCN), HMS Walker (Lt.Cdr. A.A. Tait, RN) and HMS Westcott (Lt.Cdr. W.F.R. Segrave, RN).

The convoy arrived at Liverpool on the 16th minus HMAS Australia which had gone to the Clyde. (9)

6 Aug 1940

Convoy WS 2.

This convoy departed Liverpool / the Clyde on 6 August 1940 for the far east.

The Liverpool section of the convoy was made up of the following troopships / transports; Aska (British, 8323 GRT, built 1939), Batory (Polish, 14287 GRT, built 1936), Clan Macaulay (British, 10492 GRT, built 1936), Empress of Britain (British, 42348 GRT, built 1931), Monarch of Bermuda (British, 22424 GRT, built 1931), Orion (British, 23371 GRT, built 1935), Ormonde (British, 14982 GRT, built 1917), Otranto (British, 20026 GRT, built 1925), Strathaird (British, 22281 GRT, built 1932), Stratheden (British, 23722 GRT, built 1937) and Waiwera (British, 12435 GRT, built 1934).

They were escorted by the heavy cruiser HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN), 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).

The Clyde section of the convoy was made up of the following troopships / transports; Andes (British, 25689 GRT, built 1939), Empress of Canada (British, 21517 GRT, built 1922), Franconia (British, 20175 GRT, built 1923), Lanarkshire (British, 9816 GRT, built 1940), Memnon (British, 7506 GRT, built 1931) and Suffolk (British, 11063 GRT, built 1939).

They were escorted by the heavy cruiser HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN), light cruiser HMS Emerald (Capt. F.C. Flynn, RN) and the destroyers HMS Fortune (Cdr. E.A. Gibbs, DSO, RN), HMS Fury (Lt.Cdr. T.C. Robinson, RN), HMS Vortigern (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Howlett, RN) and HMS Watchman (Lt.Cdr. E.C.L. Day, RN).

Both sections made rendezvous around 1200A/6 and then the convoy was formed in position 55°30'N, 06°00'W.

Around 1430A/6, the troopship Orion, was ordered to proceed to the Clyde as she had developed engine defects.

At 2118A/7, the destroyers HMS Vortigern and HMS Watchman were detached in response to an SOS signal. [This was from the torpedoed Mohamed Ali El-Kebir.]

At 2359A/7, HMS Emerald and the remaining destroyers parted company with the convoy.

Around dawn on the 8th the convoy split up in a 'fast' and a 'slow' section. The fast section was made up of the Andes, Batory, Empress of Britain, Empress of Canada, Monarch of Bermuda, Strathaird and Stratheden. They were escorted by HMS Cornwall. The other ships formed the 'slow' section escorted by HMS Shropshire.

The 'fast' section arrived at Freetown on 15 August 1940. The 'slow' section arrived at Freetown on 16 August 1940.

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On 16 August 1940 the 'fast' section departed Freetown for Capetown. It was now made up of the troopships / transports Andes, Batory, Empress of Britain, Empress of Canada, Strathaird and Stratheden under the escort of HMS Cornwall.

The 'slow' section, now made up of the troopships / transports Clan Macaulay, Franconia, Lanarkshire, Memnon, Ormonde, Otranto, Suffolk and Waiwera under the escort of HMS Shropshire.

The fast section arrived at Capetown on 25 August 1940, the slow section on 28 August 1940.

Both cruisers proceeded to Simonstown after delivering the convoy at Capetown, HMS Cornwall arriving there on 25 August and HMS Shropshire on 28 August.

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On 30 August 1940 the troopships / transports Andes, Clan Macaulay, Empress of Britain, Empress of Canada, Lanarkshire, Memnon, Otranto, Strathaird, Suffolk and Waiwera departed Capetown for Aden / Suez. They were escorted by HMS Shropshire. This convoy was now known as WS 2A.

On 2 September 1940, while off Durban, this convoy was joined by the troopships / transport Franconia and Llangibby Castle (British, 11951 GRT, built 1929) which had been escorted out of Durban by the HMS Kanimbla (A/Capt. F.E. Getting, RAN). These ships had departed Durban the day before.

The Llangibby Castle was detached from the convoy around noon on 7 September for Mombasa where she arrived on 8 September being escorted from them moment she had been detached by the light cruiser HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN).

The convoy arrived near Aden on 12 September 1940 where it split into two sections around 2145C/12. The 'fast' section was escorted by light cruiser HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.L. Howden, RAN), AA cruiser HMS Coventry (Capt. D. Gilmour, RN) and the destroyers HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, RN). HMS Shropshire remained with the 'slow' section but was reinforced by the destroyer HMS Kimberley (Lt.Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson, RN) and sloop HMS Flamingo (Cdr. J.H. Huntley, RN).

Around 2310C/13, HMS Kandahar parted company with the fast section to proceed to Port Sudan to fuel.

Around 0130C/14, HMS Coventry and HMS Kingston were detached from the fast section, they were also to proceed to Port Sudan to fuel.

Around 0600C/14, HMAS Hobart parted company with the fast section which then continued its passage to Suez unescorted.

Around 1300C/14, HMS Kimberley parted company with the slow section.

Around 1930C/14, HMS Shropshire and HMS Flamingo parted company with the slow section which then continued its passage to Suez unescorted.

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One day later, 31 August 1940, the troopships / transports Batory, Orion (which by now had also arrived at Capetown, Ormonde and Stratheden departed Capetown for Bombay. They were escorted by HMS Cornwall. This convoy was now known as WS 2B.

The escort of convoy WS 2B was taken over by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Kanimbla (A/Capt. F.E. Getting, RAN) in position 35°08'S, 34°27'E at 1200/3. Half an hour later HMS Cornwall parted company with the convoy.

Convoy WS 2B arrived at Bombay in the morning of September 15th. (10)

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.

28 Sep 1940
The British merchant Empire Ocelot is torpedoed and damaged further with gunfire south-west of Rockall in position 54°37'N, 21°30'W by German U-boat U-32. The abandoned vessel sank later in position 54°55'N, 22°06'W. HMS Havelock (Capt. E.B.K. Stevens, DSC, RN) picks up 32 survivors.

30 Sep 1940
Around 0630N/30, the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal (Capt. C.S. Holland, RN), heavy cruiser HMAS Australia (Capt. R.R. Stewart, RN) and the destroyers HMS Greyhound (Cdr. W.R. Marshall A'Deane, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Tancock, RN) and HMS Fortune (Cdr. E.A. Gibbs, DSO, RN) departed Freetown for the Clyde.

Around 1900Z/3, the destroyers parted company to return to Freetown.

At 1525A/4, HMS Ark Royal flew off seven Swordfish aircraft for an air search on the line Azores - Cape Finisterre as reports had been received about a possible German invasion of the Azores. The aircraft returned about two hours later having seen nothing.

Around 2200A/4, HMAS Australia parted company to patrol off the Azores. HMS Ark Royal now proceeded on unescorted.

Around 0830A/6, HMS Ark Royal made rendezvous with the aircraft carrier HMS Argus (Capt. E.G.N. Rushbrooke, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMS Havelock (Lt.Cdr. E.H. Thomas, RN and HMS Highlander (Cdr. W.A. Dallmeyer, RN). Shortly afterwards the destroyers HMS Hurricane (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Simms, RN) and a little later HMS Harvester (Lt.Cdr. C.M. Thornton, RN) also joined company.

Around 2200Z/6, HMS Harvester was detached to go to the aid of the torpedoed British tanker British General. She did however not sight the tanker and the ship was lost with the entire crew.

Around 0500A/8, HMS Argus parted company and proceeded up the Clyde to Greenock taking HMS Hurricane with her.

HMS Ark Royal arrived at Liverpool in the afternoon where she was then immediately docked in the Gladstone Dry Dock for a refit. She had flown off all her aircraft during the day.

HMS Havelock and HMS Highlander then went on to Plymouth where they arrived later on the 8th as did HMS Harvester. (11)

3 Oct 1940

Convoy WS 3A (Slow).

This convoy departed Liverpool on 3 October 1940.

This convoy was made up of the following transport vessels; Clan Cameron (British, 7243 GRT, built 1937), Dorset (British, 10624 GRT, built 1934), Highland Brigade (British, 14134 GRT, built 1929), Oropesa (British, 14118 GRT, built 1920), Perthshire (British, 10496 GRT, built 1936) and Port Chalmers (British, 8535 GRT, built 1933).

Also the destroyer tender HMS Woolwich (Capt.(Retd.) J. Fawcett, RN) was with the convoy.

On departure from Liverpool the convoy was escorted by the destroyers HMS Harvester (Lt.Cdr. C.M. Thornton, RN), HMS Havelock (Lt.Cdr. E.H. Thomas, RN), HMS Highlander (Cdr. W.A. Dallmeyer, RN) and HMS Hurricane (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Simms, RN).

At 1315A/3, the destroyers HMS Witherington (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Palmer, RN), HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. M.S. Townsend, OBE, DSC, RN) and HMS Versatile (Cdr.(Retd.) J.H. Jauncey, RN) joined coming from the Clyde.

Cover for the convoy was provided by the light cruiser HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) which had also departed the Clyde on the 3rd.

[For the moment we have no details regarding the exact movements of the destroyers. HMS Witherington, HMS Viscount and HMS Versatile arrived at Londonderry on 6 October. HMS Harvester, HMS Havelock and HMS Highlander arrived at Plymouth on 8 October. HMS Hurricane arrived at Greenock on the same day].

Around 1645N/9, HMS Sheffield parted company with the convoy to patrol off the Azores due to fear of a German invasion. She parted company after having been relieved by the heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN).

The convoy arrived at Freetown on 16 October 1940.

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The convoy departed Freetown for South Africa on 17 October 1940.

Composition of the convoy was the same. Escort was still HMS Cumberland.

The convoy arrived at Capetown on 27 October 1940. HMS Cumberland then went on to Simonstown but she returned to Capetown the following day.

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The convoy departed Capetown on 29 October 1940 still made up of the same transports with two additions; Erinpura (British, 5143 GRT, built 1911) and Khedive Ismail (British, 7290 GRT, built 1922).

HMS Woolwich did not sail with the convoy.

Escort was still provided by the heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland until she was relieved around 0700C/1 by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Carthage (Capt.(Retd.) B.O. Bell-Salter, RN).

The convoy merged in the morning of 3 November 1940 with convoy WS 3B (Fast). (12)

19 Oct 1940

Convoy OL 8.

This convoy departed Liverpool on 19 October 1940 and was dispersed on 22 October in about 25'W.

The convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Arundel Castle (British, 19118 GRT, built 1921), Cameronia (British, 16297 GRT, built 1920), Jamaica Planter (British, 4098 GRT, built 1936), Port Fairy (British, 10243 GRT, built 1928), Staffordshire (British, 10683 GRT, built 1929) and Troilus (British, 7422 GRT, built 1921).

Escort was provided on departed from Liverpool by the destroyers HMS Havelock (Lt.Cdr. E.H. Thomas, RN) and HMS Hesperus (Lt.Cdr. D.G.F.W. MacIntyre, RN).

The Canadian destroyer HMCS Skeena (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Hibbard, RCN) sailed from the Clyde that day and also joined the escort.

The Canadian destroyer HMCS Margaree (Cdr. J.W.R. Roy, RCN) departed from Londonderry on the 20th. She joined the convoy at sea.

On 21 July Cdr. Roy on board HMCS Margaree (Senior Officer of the escort) was ordered by the Admiralty (in a signal timed 1153 hours) to detach the merchant vessel Arundal Castle and remain with the convoy until 25°00'W and then disperse the convoy.

At 0230/22 the merchant vessel Port Fairy and HMCS Margaree collided. The destroyer was heavily damaged and sank later with heavy loss of life. Port Fairy rescued 32 of the crew.

15 Nov 1940
The aircraft carrier HMS Furious (Capt. T.H. Troubridge, RN) is undocked.

She then departed Liverpool for Freetown. On board were 3 Fulmars and 34 Hurricanes which were to be transported to Takoradi from where they were to be flown overland to Egypt.

In company with HMS Furious was the transport New Zealand Star (British, 10740 GRT, built 1935). They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Havelock (Cdr. E.H. Thomas, RN) and HMS Hesperus (Lt.Cdr. D.G.F.W. MacIntyre, RN).

More ships joined the following day coming from the Clyde. [See the event for 16 November 1940 for more info.] (13)

16 Nov 1940
HMS Manchester (Capt. H.A. Packer, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow. After gunnery exercises she departed for Gibraltar later the same day.

During the passage to Gibraltar she was to act as cover, together with HMS Southampton (Capt. B.C.B. Brooke, RN), for a convoy made up of the British merchants / troopships Clan Forbes (7529 GRT, built 1938), Clan Fraser (7529 GRT, built 1939), Franconia (20175 GRT, built 1923) and New Zealand Star (10740 GRT, built 1935). Other ships of the escort force were aircraft carrier HMS Furious (Capt. T.H. Troubridge, RN), light cruiser HMS Dido (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, RN) that were to proceed to Takoradi. HMS Furious was transporting 34 Hurricane fighters for Egypt. The AA cruiser HMS Cairo (Capt. P.V. McLaughlin, RN) was with the convoy until she was detached on 17 November. Destroyers provided A/S escort, initially by HMS Havelock (Cdr. E.H. Thomas, RN) and HMS Hesperus (Lt.Cdr. D.G.F.W. MacIntyre, RN) these were later joined by HMS Jaguar (Lt.Cdr. J.F.W. Hine, RN) and HMS Kelvin (Cdr. J.H. Allison, DSO, RN).

On 19 November 1940, the light cruiser HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) departed Gibraltar to make rendezvous with the convoy and relieve HMS Southampton. Around 1200A/21 rendezvous was effected. (14)

22 Nov 1940
HMS H 43 (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Holyhead with HMS Havelock (Cdr. E.H. Thomas, RN) and HMS Hurricane (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Simms, RN). (15)

27 Nov 1940
HMS Harvester (Lt.Cdr. M. Thornton, RN) and HMS Havelock (Lt.Cdr. E.H. Thomas, RN) both pick up a survivor from the British merchant Glenmoor that was torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-103 about 167 miles northwest of Sylne Head in position 54°35'N, 14°31'W.

21 Jan 1941

Convoy BHX 104.

This convoy departed Bermuda on 21 January 1941 for the U.K. It was to proceed direct from Bermuda to the U.K. unlike all the other BHX convoys which merged with HX convoys. The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 9 February 1941.

On departure from Bermuda the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Aalsum (Dutch, 5418 GRT, built 1922), Athelempress (British (tanker), 8941 GRT, built 1930), Athelviking (British (tanker), 8779 GRT, built 1926), Athelviscount (British (tanker), 8882 GRT, built 1929), Atlantian (British, 6549 GRT, built 1928), British Resource (British (tanker), 7209 GRT, built 1931), British Venture (British (tanker), 4696 GRT, built 1930), Ceronia (Dutch (tanker), 8096 GRT, built 1939), Clausina (British (tanker), 8083 GRT, built 1938), Davila (British (tanker), 8053 GRT, built 1938), Delphinula (British (tanker), 8120 GRT, built 1939), Diala (British (tanker), 8106 GRT, built 1938), Explorer (British, 6235 GRT, built 1935), G.C. Brovig (Norwegian (tanker), 9718 GRT, built 1930), Ganymedes (Dutch, 2682 GRT, built 1917), Grena (Norwegian (tanker), 8117 GRT, built 1934), Hilda Knudsen (Norwegian (tanker), 9178 GRT, built 1928), Inverilen (British (tanker), 9456 GRT, built 1938), Lochkatrine (British, 9419 GRT, built 1922), Moorby (British, 4992 GRT, built 1936), Novelist (British, 6133 GRT, built 1940), Oakworth (British), 4968 GRT, built 1925), Peder Bogen (British (tanker), 9741 GRT, built 1925), Ranella (British (tanker), 5590 GRT, built 1912), Regent Panther (British (tanker), 9556 GRT, built 1937), San Ambrosio (British (tanker), 7410 GRT, built 1935), San Delfino (British (tanker), 8072 GRT, built 1938), San Ernesto (British (tanker), 8078 GRT, built 1939), Sheaf Holme (British, 4814 GRT, built 1929), Socony (British (tanker), 4404 GRT, built 1936), Storaas (Norwegian (tanker), 7886 GRT, built 1929), Suderholm (Norwegian (tanker), 4908 GRT, built 1917), Toorak (British (tanker), 8627 GRT, built 1927), Treworlas (British, 4692 GRT, built 1922) and Vigrid (British, 4765 GRT, built 1923).

Also part of the convoy was the RFA (Royal Fleet Auxiliary) tanker Darkdale (8145 GRT, built 1940).

On departure from Bermuda the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN).

At 1240Q/24, the merchant vessel Oakworth was ordered to proceed to Halifax as she had developed a serious leak in no.1 hold.

The merchant vessel Treworlas arrived at St. Johns, Newfoundland on 30 January 1941 with weather damage. She had most likely detached from the convoy on 27 or 28 January 1941 after the convoy had encountered heavy weather near Greenland.

At 0900N/31, the battleship HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN) joined the convoy escort.

At 1330N/3, HMS King George V parted company with the convoy.

At 1900N/3, the tanker Athelempress was detached to Reykjavik, Iceland where she arrived on 5 February.

At 0815N/4, HMS Alaunia parted company with the convoy.

The convoy was joined on the 5th by the destroyers HMS Havelock (Cdr. E.H. Thomas, RN), HMS Hesperus (Cdr. D.G.F.W. MacIntyre, RN), HMS Lincoln (Cdr. A.M. Sheffield, RN), HMS Sabre (Lt. P.W. Gretton, DSC, RN), HMS Shikari (Lt.Cdr. H.N.A. Richardson, RN), corvettes HMS Clarkia (Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Jones, RNR), HMS Gladiolus (Lt.Cdr. H.M.C. Sanders, DSC, RNR), A/S trawlers HMS Northern Wave (T/Lt. C. Morrison-Payne, RNVR) and HMS Wellard (Lt.Cdr. A. Johnson, RNVR). [No further details available.]

28 Jan 1941
HMS Prince of Wales (Rear Admiral L.H.K. Hamilton, DSO and Bar, RN) departed Liverpool for Rosyth. She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Highlander (Cdr. S. Boucher, RN), HMS Hesperus (Cdr. D.G.F.W. MacIntyre, RN) and HMS Havelock (Cdr. E.H. Thomas, RN).

At 1825 hours the anti-aircraft cruiser HMS Curacoa (Capt. C.C. Hughes-Hallett, RN) also joined.

At 0850/29 the destroyer HMS Jackal (Cdr. C.L. Firth, MVO, RN) joined until 1253 hours when she departed the screen.

Shortly before 1600/29 light cruiser HMS Nigeria (Capt. J.G.L. Dundas, RN) and the destroyers HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, DSO, RN), HMS Maori (Cdr. H.T. Armstrong, DSC, RN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr M.J. Clark, RAN) joined coming from Scapa Flow. HMS Hesperus and HMS Havelock were then detached. (16)

17 Feb 1941

Convoy TC 9.

This troop convoy departed Halifax on 17 February 1941 and arrived in the Clyde on 27 February 1941.

Is was made up of the troopships: Dempo (Dutch, 17024 GRT, built 1931), Duchess of York (British, 20021 GRT, built 1929), Johan van Oldenbarneveld (Dutch, 19429 GRT, built 1930), Orontes (British, 20097 GRT, built 1925) and Warwick Castle (British, British, 20107 GRT, built 1930).

On departure from Halifax it was escorted by the battleship HMS Royal Sovereign (Capt. H.B. Jacomb, RN) and the armed merchant cruiser HMS Wolfe (A/Capt.(Retd.) W.G.A. Shuttleworth, RN).

HMS Wolfe was detached on 18 February 1941.

On 20 February the light cruiser HMS Edinburgh (Capt. C.M. Blackman, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral L.E. Holland, CB, RN) departed Scapa Flow to join the convoy, She relieved HMS Royal Sovereign on 23 February which then returned to Halifax arriving on 28 February. On 24 February the destroyers HMCS Assiniboine (A/Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN), HMCS Ottawa (Cdr. E.R. Mainguy, RCN), HMCS Restigouche (Cdr. H.N. Lay, OBE, RN) and HMS Havelock (Cdr. E.H. Thomas, DSC, RN) joined the convoy. HMS Havelock was detached on 25 February. The three Canadian destroyers remained with the convoy until 26 February.

On the 25 February, light cruiser HMS Aurora (Capt. W.G. Agnew, RN) and the destroyers HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, DSO, RN), HMS Echo (Lt.Cdr. C.H.deB. Newby, RN), HMS Eclipse (Lt.Cdr. I.T. Clark, RN) and Léopard (Lt.Cdr. J. Evenou) joined the convoy; Léopard already being detached later on the 25th. Destroyer HMS Mistral (Cdr. C.H. Brooks, RAN) joined the convoy on the 26th. Destroyer HMS Churchill (Cdr.(Retd.) G.R. Cousins, RN) also escorted the convoy in the Western Approaches. The convoy reached the Minches in the evening of 26 February. Light cruiser HMS Edinburg with the destroyers HMS Inglefield, HMS Echo and HMS Eclipse then proceeded to Scapa Flow arriving at 0100/27.

Light cruiser HMS Aurora with the destroyers Mistral and HMS Churchill took the convoy into the Clyde and arrived at Greenock on the 27th.

19 Feb 1941

Convoy HX 110.

This convoy departed Halifax on 19 February 1941.

On departure from Halifax the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Alchiba (Dutch, 4427 GRT, built 1920), Almaha (British, 1352 GRT, built 1938), Asbjorn (British, 4387 GRT, built 1935), Atlantic (British, 5414 GRT, built 1939), Barnby (British, 4813 GRT, built 1940), British Faith (British (tanker), 6955 GRT, built 1928), Brockley Hill (British, 5287 GRT, built 1918), Cetus (Norwegian, 2614 GRT, built 1920), Charles Racine (Norwegian (tanker), 9957 GRT, built 1937), Drammensfjord (Norwegian, 5339 GRT, built 1920), Empire Meteor (British, 7457 GRT, built 1940), Generton (British, 4797 GRT, built 1936), Grayburn (British, 6342 GRT, built 1938), Hektoria (British, (whale factory ship / tanker), 13834 GRT, built 1899), Kirkpool (British, 4840 GRT, built 1928), Leiv Eiriksson (Norwegian (tanker), 9952 GRT, built 1936), Montreal City (British, 3066 GRT, built 1920), Nailsea Meadow (British, 4962 GRT, built 1937), Prince de Liege (Belgian, 2588 GRT, built 1938), Scorton (British, 4813 GRT, built 1939), Skiensfjord (Norwegian, 5922 GRT, built 1922), Stad Haarlem (Dutch, 4518 GRT, built 1929), Stigstad (British, 5964 GRT, built 1927), Tacoma City (British, 4738 GRT, built 1929) and Wentworth (British, 5212 GRT, built 1919).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was not escorted.

Shortly after departure the Empire Meteor returned to Halifax arriving there on 20 February.

In the evening of the 19th, the Stad Haarlem had to hove to due to damaged boats that needed to be secured. She was not seen again and she returned to Halifax for repair arriving there on 20 February.

Around 1300P/21, in position 42°51'N, 55°46'W, the battleship HMS Ramillies (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 1730P/23, in position 43°31'N, 48°03'W, convoy BHX 110, coming from Bermuda merged with convoy HX 110. This convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Athelcrown (British (tanker), 11999 GRT, built 1929), Athelnight (British (tanker), 8940 GRT, built 1930), Baron Elphinstone (British, 4635 GRT, built 1937), Bente Maersk (British (tanker), 5772 GRT, built 1928), Brasil (Norwegian (tanker), 8130 GRT, built 1935), British Fusilier (British (tanker), 6943 GRT, built 1923), Clavella (British (tanker), 8097 GRT, built 1939), El Grillo (British (tanker), 7264 GRT, built 1922), Elusa (Dutch (tanker), 6235 GRT, built 1936), F.J. Wolfe (British (tanker), 12190 GRT, built 1932), Ferncourt (British (tanker), 9918 GRT, built 1938), Hindustan (British, 5245 GRT, built 1940), Holmside (British, 3433 GRT, built 1930), Juno (Dutch, 1753 GRT, built 1908), Koenjit (Dutch, 4551 GRT, built 1929), Lavington Court (British, 5372 GRT, built 1940), Torvanger (Norwegian, 6564 GRT, built 1920), Trader (British, 6087 GRT, built 1940) and Vimeira (British, 5728 GRT, built 1927).

Convoy BHX 110 had been escorted from Bermuda to the rendezvous position by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) which then parted company to proceed to Halifax.

During the night of 26 February 1941 the Clavella dropped out of the convoy due to unknown reasons. She subsequently proceeded to Halifax arriving there on 2 March 1941. She reported having dropped out of the convoy due to engine trouble.

Around 1515O/3, in position 59°15'N, 33°50'W, HMS Ramillies parted company to join a westbound special convoy.

At 1230Z/7, in position 61°53'N, 12°45'W, the merchant vesssel Silverlarch (British, 5064 GRT, built 1924) joined the convoy coming from Reykjavik. with her were the destroyers HMS Havelock (Cdr. E.H. Thomas, DSC, RN), HMS Harvester (Lt.Cdr. M. Thornton, DSC, RN) and HMS Hesperus (Lt.Cdr. A.A. Tait, RN) which now joined the convoy as A/S escorts.

The destroyer HMS Hurricane (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Simms, RN) joined on the 8th. She came from the Clyde but had been diverted en-route to pick up survivors from the whale factory ship Terje Viken (British, 20638 GRT, built 1936) and was thus late in joining.

The Brockley Hill arrived at Stornoway on 9 March 1941.

The following ships arrived at Loch Ewe on 9 March 1941; Athelcrown, Athelknight, Atlantic, Barnby, Baron Elphinstone, British Fusilier, Cetus, Hindustan, Kirkpool, Nailsea Meadow, Prince de Liege, Scorton, Vimeira and Wentworh.

The following ships arrived in the Clyde on 11 March 1941; F.J. Wolfe, Generton, Grayburn, Juno and Leiv Eiriksson.

The Brasil arrived at Belfast on 10 March 1941.

The Alhama arrived at Larne on 10 March 1941.

The following ships arrived at Liverpool on 11 March 1941; Asbjorn, Bente Maersk, British Faith, Charles Racine, El Grillo, Elusa, Hektoria, Holmside, Koenjit, Lavington Court, Silverlarch, Stigstad, Tacoma City, Torvanger and Trader. The Tacoma City was mined in the Mersey River on 13 March 1941.

The following ships arrived in Barry Roads on 12 March 1941; Alchiba, Drammensfjord, Montreal City and Skiensfjord.

The escort vessels arrived in U.K. ports as follows; HMS Hurricane arrived at Greenock on 10 March 1941 and HMS Havelock, HMS Harvester and HMS Hesperus arrived at Liverpool on 11 March 1941. (17)

22 Feb 1941
HMS H 44 (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Havelock (Cdr. E.H. Thomas, DSC, RN). (18)

27 Feb 1941
Around 1330A/27, the troop transport Rimutaka (British, 16576 GRT, built 1923) departed Liverpool for Trinidad. She was escorted by the destroyer HMS Harvester (Lt.Cdr. M. Thornton, DSC, RN).

Around 2300A/27, the submarine depot ship HMS Forth (Capt. G.C.P. Menzies, RN) and the troop transport Batory (Polish, 14287 GRT, built 1936) departed Greenock for Halifax. They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Hesperus (Lt.Cdr. A.A. Tait, RN) and HMS Hurricane (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Simms, RN).

The two groups joined company off Oversay around 0745A/28. They then set course to proceed northwards through the Hebrides.

Around 1900A/28, the destroyer HMS Havelock (Cdr. E.H. Thomas, DSC, RN) joined coming from Loch Ewe.

The destroyers parted company around 1930Z/2 to the south of Iceland in approximate position 61°55'N, 23°40'W. (19)

1 Mar 1941

Convoy SL 67.

This convoy departed Freetown on 1 March 1941 and arrived at Liverpool on 26 March 1941.

This convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Alphard (Dutch, 5483 GRT, built 1937), Anadyr (British, 5321 GRT, built 1930), Ashworth (British, 5227 GRT, built 1920), Banffshire (British, 6479 GRT, built 1912), Baron Belhaven (British, 6591 GRT, built 1925), Baron Cawdor (British, 3638 GRT, built 1935), Beaconstreet (Detached to Gibraltar on 11 March) (British, 7467 GRT, built 1927), Bolton Castle (British, 5203 GRT, built 1939), British Captain (British (tanker), 6968 GRT, built 1923), British Diligence (British (tanker), 8408 GRT, built 1937), British Hope (Detached to Gibraltar on 11 March) (British (tanker), 6951 GRT, built 1928), British Integrity (British (tanker), 8412 GRT, built 1927), British Security (British (tanker), 8470 GRT, built 1937), Celtic Monarch (British, 5824 GRT, built 1929), City of Cairo (British, 8034 GRT, built 1915), City of Dunkirk (British, 5861 GRT, built 1912), City of Kimberley (British, 6169 GRT, built 1925), City of Nagpur (British, 10146 GRT, built 1922), City of Rangoon (British, 6635 GRT, built 1914), Clan Macbean (British, 5000 GRT, built 1918), Copeland (British (rescue vessel), 1526 GRT, built 1923), Deebank (British, 5060 GRT, built 1929), Defender (British, 8258 GRT, built 1915), Dunkwa (British, 4752 GRT, built 1927), Friesland (Dutch, 2662 GRT, built 1930), Godfrey B. Holt (British, 3585 GRT, built 1929), Guido (British, 3921 GRT, built 1920), Harmodius (British, 5229 GRT, built 1919), Harpefjell (Norwegian, 1333 GRT, built 1939), Helder (Dutch, 3629 GRT, built 1920), Henrik Ibsen (British, 4671 GRT, built 1906), Hindpool (British, 4897 GRT, built 1928), Inneroy (Norwegian (tanker), 8260 GRT, built 1936), King Edwin (British, 4536 GRT, built 1927), Lahore (British, 5304 GRT, built 1920), Llangollen (British, 5056 GRT, built 1928), Martaban (British, 4161 GRT, built 1934), Mendoza (British, 8233 GRT, built 1919), Nagina (British, 6551 GRT, built 1921), Nardana (British, 7974 GRT, built 1919), Nebraska (British, 8261 GRT, built 1920), Ogmore Castle (British, 2481 GRT, built 1919), Peisander (British, 6225 GRT, built 1925), Queen Anne (British, 4937 GRT, built 1937), Recorder (British, 2276 GRT, built 1902), Roxane (British (tanker), 7813 GRT, built 1929), Sansu (British, 5446 GRT, built 1939), Sire (British, 5664 GRT, built 1938), Solfonn (Norwegian (tanker), 9925 GRT, built 1939), Taxiarchis (Greek, 4221 GRT, built 1913), Tielbank (British, 5084 GRT, built 1937), Tunisia (British, 4337 GRT, built 1927), Turkistan (British, 6935 GRT, built 1939), Umberleigh (British, 4950 GRT, built 1927), Urbino (British, 5198 GRT, built 1918), Winsum (Dutch, 3224 GRT, built 1921) and Zamalek (British (rescue vessel), 1567 GRT, built 1921).

[It is possible some of these ships did not sail from Freetown but joined the convoy at sea.]

On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Cilicia (Capt.(Retd.) V.B. Cardwell, OBE, RN), corvette HMS Asphodel (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) K.W. Stewart, RN) and the auxiliary A/S trawlers HMS Kelt (T/Lt. W.T. Hodson, RNVR), HMS Spaniard (Lt.Cdr. F.J. Webster, RNR) and HMS Turcoman (Skr. A.G. Day, RNR).

At 1700/3 the battleship HMS Malaya (Capt. A.F.E. Palliser, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.F. de Salis, RN) and HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Tancock, DSC and Bar, RN) joined the escort of the convoy.

At 1800/4 the three A/S trawlers parted company with the convoy.

In the early morning hours of 8 March 1941 the convoy was attacked by the German submarines U-105 and U-124. Five ships of the convoy were sunk, these were the Harmodius, Hindpool, Lahore, Tielbank and Nardana.

At 1330/8 HMS Forester, which was well to the west of the convoy, briefly sighted the German battlecruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau steaming towards the convoy. The German ships were also sighted around the same time by HMS Malaya's Swordfish aircraft. Following the report of the sighting HMS Malaya and HMS Faulknor left the convoy to join HMS Forester to put themselves between the convoy and the enemy.

At 1645/8 hours HMS Malaya and the Scharnhorst sighted each other and the German battlecruisers turned away being chased briefly by HMS Malaya and the destroyers. As Malaya's speed was much lower contact was soon lost and the battleship and the destroyers then returned to the convoy. At 1900 hours they rejoined the convoy

In the afteroon of March, 10th, the battlecruiser HMS Renown (Capt R.R. McGrigor, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, DSO, RN) and aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal (Capt. C.S. Holland, RN) joined the escort of the convoy. HMS Malaya then parted company with the convoy and set course for Gibraltar.

At 1730/11, HMS Asphodel parted company with the convoy with the tankers Beaconstreet and British Hope which she then escorted to Gibraltar.

At 1000/13, HMS Faulknor and HMS Foresight parted company with the convoy and set course for Gibraltar.

At 1000/19, HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) joined the convoy to take over the escort. At 1600/19, HMS Renown, HMS Ark Royal and HMS Cilicia parted company with the convoy.

On 21 March the escort of the convoy was reinforced with the destroyers HMS Havelock (Cdr. E.H. Thomas, DSC, RN), HMS Hesperus (Lt.Cdr. A.A. Tait, RN), HMS Hurricane (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Simms, RN), HMS Veteran (Cdr. W.T. Couchman, OBE, RN), HMS Verity (Cdr. R.H. Mills, RN), HMS Wolsey (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Campbell, DSC, RN), HMS Salisbury (Lt.Cdr. H.M.R. Crichton, RN), HNoMS Mansfield (Cdr. F. Ulstrup, RNorN), the corvettes HMS Arbutus (T/Lt. A.L.W. Warren, RNR), HMS Camellia (Lt.Cdr. A.E. Willmott, RNR) and the catapult ship HMS Pegasus (Capt.(Retd.) P.G. Wodehouse, RN). HMS Kenya parted company with the convoy in the afternoon and proceeded to join convoy HG 56.

HMS Havelock and HMS Verity parted company with the convoy on 24 March as did HMS Veteran on the 25th.

3 Apr 1941
HMS Havelock (Cdr. E.H. Thomas, DSC, RN) picks up 20 survivors from the British tanker British Viscount and 4 survivors from the Belgian merchant Indier that were torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-73 in the North Atlantic, south-south-west of Iceland.

4 Apr 1941
HMS Havelock (Cdr. E.H. Thomas, DSC, RN) picks up 21 survivors from the British tanker Welcombe that was torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-98 in the North Atlantic, south-south-west of Iceland, in position 59°09'N, 23°40'W.

6 Apr 1941

Convoy HX 119

This convoy departed Halifax on 6 April 1941 in two sections, convoy HX 119A and convoy HX 119B. They merged in the morning of April 13th.

Convoy HX 119A was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Argos Hill (British, 7178 GRT, built 1922), Bendoran (British, 5567 GRT, built 1910), Bra-Kar (Norwegian, 3778 GRT, built 1928), British Consul (British (tanker), 6940 GRT, built 1924), British Tenacity (British (tanker), 8439 GRT, built 1939), Brittany (British, 4772 GRT, built 1928), Ceronia (British (tanker), 4955 GRT, built 1929), Clan MacIlwraith (British, 4839 GRT, built 1924), Cliona (British (tanker), 8375 GRT, built 1931), Curacao (British, 8269 GRT, built 1930), Cymbula (British (tanker), 8082 GRT, built 1938), Davila (British (tanker), 8053 GRT, built 1938), Dolius (British, 5507 GRT, built 1924), Dromus (British (tanker), 8036 GRT, built 1938), Goolistan (British, 5851 GRT, built 1929), Induna (British, 5086 GRT, built 1925), Kentar (British, 5878 GRT, built 1920), Lista (British, 3671 GRT, built 1920), Lobos (British, 6479 GRT, built 1921), Mangkalihat (Dutch, 8457 GRT, built 1928), Mount Helmos (Greek, 6481 GRT, built 1923), Oscilla (Dutch (tanker), 6341 GRT, built 1939), Port Auckland (British, 8789 GRT, built 1922), Port Sydney (British, 9129 GRT, built 1914), Radmanso (Swedish, 4280 GRT, built 1914), Reaveley (British, 4998 GRT, built 1940), Robert Maersk (British, 2290 GRT, built 1937), San Eliseo (British (tanker), 8042 GRT, built 1939), Schuylkill (British (tanker), 8965 GRT, built 1928), Spondilus (British (tanker), 7402 GRT, built 1927), Toorak (British (tanker), 8627 GRT, built 1927), Trevalgan (British, 5299 GRT, built 1937), Tucurinca (British, 5412 GRT, built 1926) and West Totant (British, 5628 GRT, built 1919).

On departure from Halifax convoy HX 119A was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Aurania (A/Capt. I.W. Whitehorn, RN) and the corvettes HMCS Chambly (T/A/Cdr. J.D. Prentice, RCN) and HMCS Orillia (T/Lt.Cdr. W.E.S. Briggs, RCNR). The corvettes were detached to return to Halifax the next day.

The convoy was joined by the battleship HMS Revenge (Capt. E.R. Archer, RN) around 0900Q/8.

Around 1400P/11, HMS Revenge parted company with the convoy to return to Halifax.

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Convoy HX 119B was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Alphacca (British, 5759 GRT, built 1928), Barberrys (British, 5170 GRT, built 1920), Braddock (British, 6619 GRT, built 1919), Edward Blyden (British, 5003 GRT, built 1930), Gard (Norwegian (tanker), 8259 GRT, built 1938), Glaiglas (British, 4312 GRT, built 1940), Hermiston (British, 4813 GRT, built 1939), Idefjord (Norwegian, 4287 GRT, built 1921), Kars (British (tanker), 8888 GRT, built 1939), Leerdam (Dutch, 8815 GRT, built 1921), Maasdam (Dutch, 8812 GRT, built 1921), Maihar (British, 7563 GRT, built 1917), Merchant Prince (British, 5229 GRT, built 1939), Mercier (Belgian, 7556 GRT, built 1915), Peder Bogen (British (tanker), 9741 GRT, built 1925), Rio Azul (British, 4088 GRT, built 1921), San Ernesto (British (tanker), 8078 GRT, built 1939), Soekaboemi (Dutch, 7051 GRT, built 1923), Southgate (British, 4862 GRT, built 1926) and Tureby (British, 4372 GRT, built 1936).

On departure from Halifax convoy HX 119B was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Montclare (Capt.(Retd.) H.M. Spreckley, RN) and the corvettes HMCS Cobalt (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.B. Campbell, RCNR) and HMCS Collingwood (T/Lt. W. Woods, RCNR). The corvettes were detached to return to Halifax the next day.

Around 0900P/13, Convoy HX 119B merged with convoy HX 119A.

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At 1215Z/14, the convoy was joined by the heavy cruiser HMS Norfolk (Capt. A.J.L. Phillips, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.F. Wake-Walker CB, OBE, RN).

At 1210Z/15, the armed merchant cruisers HMS Aurania and HMS Montclare parted company with convoy HX 119 (now combined).

At 1815Z/15, the destroyers HMS Havelock (Cdr. E.H. Thomas, RN) and HMS Hurricane (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Simms, RN) joined the convoy. Followed during the night of 15/16 April by the destroyers HMCS Restigouche (Cdr. H.N. Lay, OBE, RN) and HMCS Saguenay (Lt. P.E. Haddon, RCN).

At 2130Z/16, HMS Norfolk parted company with the convoy to proceed to Hvalfjord.

On the 17th, destroyer HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. M.S. Townsend, OBE, DSC and Bar, RN), sloop HMS Scarborough (Lt. A.P. Northey, DSC, RN) and corvettes HMS Auricula (T/Lt. W.W. White, RNR), HMS Campanula (Lt.Cdr. R.V.E. Case, DSC and Bar, RD, RNR), HMS Hibiscus (Lt. H. Roach, RNR), HMS Pimpernel (Lt. F.H. Thornton, RNR) and HMS Rhododendron (Lt.Cdr. W.N.M. Faichney, DSO, RNR) joined the convoy.

On the 18th, destroyer HMS Rockingham (Lt. A.H.T. Johns, RN) and corvette HMS Freesia (Lt.Cdr. T.P.G. Crick, RN) joined the convoy.

On the 19th, corvette HMS Hollyhock (Lt. T.E. Davies, OBE, RNR) joined the convoy

On the 20th, HMS Havelock, HMS Hurricane, HMS Restigouche and HMS Saguenay parted company with the convoy.

On the 21st, HMS Viscount and corvette HMS Freesia parted company with the convoy.

The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 22 April.

26 Apr 1941

Convoy WS 8A

This convoy departed the Clyde on 26 April 1941 for various ports in the Far East and Mediterranean (see below).

The convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels and troop transports; Abbekerk (Dutch, 7889 GRT, built 1939), Aronda (British, 8328 GRT, built 1941), Clan Campbell (British, 7255 GRT, built 1937), Clan Chattan (British, 7262 GRT, built 1937), Clan Lamont (British, 7250 GRT, built 1939), Dominion Monarch (British, 27155 GRT, built 1939), Empire Song (British, 9228 GRT, built 1940), Empress of Asia (British, 16909 GRT, built 1913), Empress of Russia (British, 16810 GRT, built 1913), Highland Chieftain (British, 14135 GRT, built 1929), New Zealand Star (British, 12436 GRT, built 1935), Reina del Pacifico (British, 17702 GRT, built 1931), Sobieski (Polish, 11030 GRT, built 1939) and Strathaird (British, 22281 GRT, built 1932).

The armed merchant cruiser HMS Pretoria Castle (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.V. Hemming, RN) also took passage in the convoy.

On departure from the Clyde the convoy was escorted by the battlecruiser HMS Repulse (Capt. W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN), light cruiser HMS Naiad (Capt. M.H.A. Kelsey, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral E.L.S. King, CB, MVO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Harvester (Lt.Cdr. M. Thornton, DSC, RN), HMS Havelock (Cdr. E.H. Thomas, DSC, RN) and HMS Hesperus (Lt.Cdr. A.A. Tait, RN), HMS Hurricane (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Simms, RN), HMS Legion (Cdr. R.F. Jessel, RN), HMS Beagle, (Lt.Cdr. R.T. White, DSO and Bar, RN), HMCS Ottawa (Cdr. E.R. Mainguy, RCN), HMCS Restigouche (Cdr. H.N. Lay, OBE, RN), HMCS Saguenay (Lt. P.E. Haddon, RCN), ORP Piorun (Kmdr.por. (Cdr.) E.J.S. Plawski) and the escort destroyer HMS Eridge (Lt.Cdr. W.F.N. Gregory-Smith, RN).

Around 1015A/30, in position 53°46'N, 25°30'W, HMS Beagle and HMS Eridge were detached to join the escort of convoy SL 71.

Around 1100A/29, HMS Hurricane was detached to search for the survivors of the liner City of Nagpur that had been torpedoed and sunk earlier that day.

Around 0400A/30, HMCS Ottawa, HMCS Restigouche, HMCS Saguaenay, HMS Legion and ORP Piorun parted company.

At 0850A/4, HMS Repulse, HMS Harvester, HMS Havelock and HMS Hesperus had parted company with the convoy taking the transports Clan Campbell, Clan Chattan, Clan Lamont, Empire Song and New Zealand Star with them to Gibraltar.

Around 1300A/2, the light cruiser HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) joined north of the Azores in position 40°17'N, 24°18'W. HMS Naiad was then detached and proceeded to Gibraltar where she arrived around 0900A/4.

The remainder of the convoy continued southwards escorted by HMS Mauritius and HMS Pretoria Castle (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.V. Hemming, RN).

Around 1645A/5, in position 23°20'N, 22°55'W, the destroyers HMS Duncan (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Rowell, RN) and HMS Wishart (Cdr. E.T. Cooper, RN) joined.

Around 1430A/6, in position 18°10'N, 20°52'W, two more destroyers; HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. D.H. Maitland-Makgill Crichton, DSC, RN) and HMS Hurricane (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Simms, RN).

The convoy arrived at Freetown in the morning of 9 May 1941.

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The convoy departed Freetown on 14 May having been joined by the Imperial Star (British, 12427 GRT, built 1934). The Highland Chieftain was unable to depart on the 14th. She sailed one day later to overtake the convoy. She was being escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Cilicia (Capt.(Retd.) V.B. Cardwell, OBE, RN).

On leaving Freetown A/S protection was given by the destroyers Highlander, HMS Duncan, HMS Boreas and HMS Wishart.

Around 0810N/15, in position 04°55'N, 11°32'W, HMS Boreas stopped due to engine defects. HMS Wishart was ordered to stand by the stricken ship.

Around 1700N/15, HMS Wishart rejoined the convoy but after about an hour she too had to be detached with engineering defects.

Around 0815N/16, in position 01°36'N, 07°53'W, Highlander and HMS Duncan were detached to return to Freetown with orders to investigate the area near position 05°03'N, 19°02'W where an enemy U-boat attack had been reported earlier that morning. [This referred to the Rodney Star which had been sunk by U-105.]

Around 1930AB/23, in approximate position 31°30'S, 15°15'E, the Strathaird was detached to proceed ahead of the convoy to Capetown.

Around 1405AB/24, in position 35°14'N, 17°10'E, HMS Mauritius was relieved by HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN). HMS Mauritius then set course for Simonstown.

The convoy arrived at Durban on 27 May minus the Empress of Asia, Imperial Star and Strathaird that had been detached to Capetown on the 23rd or 24th. The Strathaird departed Capetown on the 25th to rejoin the convoy off Durban.

The remainder of the convoy arrived at Durban on 27 May escorted by HMS Hawkins.

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On 31 May the Abbekerk, Aronda, Empress of Russia, Sobieski and Strathaird departed Durban escorted by HMS Hawkins. They arrived at Aden on 10 June after which the troopships / transports proceeded to Suez independently. (20)

5 May 1941

Operation Tiger, supply convoy from Gibraltar to Alexandria and reinforcements for the Mediterranean Fleet and Operation MD 4, supply convoy from Alexandria to Malta and taking up the reinforcements for the Mediterranean Fleet.

Timespan: 5 to 12 May 1941.

5 May 1941.

Western Mediterranean.

Part of Convoy WS 8A was approaching Gibraltar from the west. This part of convoy WS 8A was to proceed to Malta during operation ‘Tiger’.

It was made up of five transports; Clan Campbell (7255 GRT, built 1937), Clan Chattan (7262 GRT, built 1937), Clan Lamont (7250 GRT, built 1939), Empire Song (9228 GRT, built 1940) and New Zealand Star (10740 GRT, built 1935). During the passage from the U.K. it had been escorted by the battlecruiser HMS Repulse (Capt. W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN), light cruiser HMS Naiad (Capt. M.H.A. Kelsey, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral E.L.S. King, CB, MVO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Harvester (Lt.Cdr. M. Thornton, DSC, RN), HMS Havelock (Cdr. E.H. Thomas, DSC, RN) and HMS Hesperus (Lt.Cdr. A.A. Tait, RN) (with the additional local escorts when still close to the U.K.)

Around 0700A/5, HMS Repulse, HMS Harvester, HMS Havelock and HMS Hesperus were relieved from the escort by the battleship HMS Queen Elizabeth (Capt. C.B. Barry, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Fearless (Cdr. A.F. Pugsley, RN) , HMS Foresight (Cdr. J.S.C. Salter, RN) , HMS Fortune (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Sinclair, RN) and HMS Velox (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Roper, DSC, RN). The Repulse and the three H-class destroyers then proceeded to Gibraltar to refuel where they arrived shortly before 1800 hours. It had originally been intended to include Repulse in the upcoming operation but she was left at Gibraltar due to her inadequate anti-aircraft armament.

HMS Naiad had already arrived at Gibraltar around 0900/4, having been relieved shortly after noon on the 2nd of May by HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN). Around the same time HMS Naiad arrived at Gibraltar the cruiser HMS Fiji (Capt. P.B.R.W. William-Powlett, RN) arrived, she had been part of the escort of convoy SL 72.

Around 0930A/5, the battlecruiser HMS Renown (Capt. R.R. McGrigor, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, DSO, RN), aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal (Capt. L.E.H. Maund, RN), light cruisers HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN), HMS Fiji and the destroyers HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN), HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St. Clair-Ford, RN) and HMS Wrestler (Lt. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN). Kashmir and Kipling had departed a little earlier and carried out an A/S sweep in Gibraltar Bay first.

For the upcoming operation two groups were formed; The cover force which was formed on Renown was group I, the close escort, which was to remain with the transports was group II. When they arrived near the convoy at 1800A/5, group I was formed and was made up of Renown, Queen Elizabeth, Ark Royal, Sheffield, Fiji, Kashmir and Kipling. Group II remained with the convoy and was (for the moment) made up of Fearless, Foresight, Fortune, Velox and Wrestler. Group II and the convoy proceeded towards the Straits of Gibraltar at 13 knots while Group I proceeded to the south until 2130 hours when course was changed to 074°. At 1930 hours, Group I, had been joined by HMS Naiad. This cruiser had sailed from Gibraltar at 1300 hours.

Eastern Mediterranean.

Convoy MW 7B departed Alexandria for Malta this day. It was made up of the Norwegian tankers Hoegh Hood (9351 GRT, built 1936) and Svenor (7616 GRT, built 1931). These tankers were able to proceed at 10 knots. Escort was provided by the AA-cruisers HMS Carlisle (Capt. T.C. Hampton, RN), HMS Coventry (Capt. D. Gilmour, RN), destroyers HMS Defender (Lt.Cdr. G.L. Farnfield, RN), HMS HMS Greyhound (Cdr. W.A. Marshall-A’Deane, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Hasty (Lt.Cdr. L.R.K. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN). Also part of the escort of this convoy was the corvette HMS Gloxinia (Lt.Cdr. A.J.C. Pomeroy, RNVR) which was to serve as minesweeper at Malta and the whaler HMS Swona which was to be outfitted as minesweeper (LL-sweep) at the Malta Dockyard.

6 May 1941.

Western Mediterranean.

The convoy with Group II passed through the Straits of Gibraltar between 0130 and 0330 hours followed by Group I between 0300 and 0430 hours. Although the moon did not set until 0314 hours the sky was completely overcast and visibility was low.

At 0330 hours, HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.F. de Salis, RN), HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Tancock, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Fury (Lt.Cdr. T.C. Robinson, RN), HMS Harvester, HMS Havelock and HMS Hesperus departed Gibraltar followed at 0420 hours by HMS Gloucester (Capt. H.A. Rowley, RN) which had completed her repairs and undocking shortly before.

By 0550 hours, Group I was about 32 miles to the east of Gibraltar with the convoy and Group II 10 miles to the north. At this time Faulknor, Forester and Fury joined Group I. At 0615 hours Queen Elizabeth with Kashmir and Kelvin was detached to join Group II, followed thirty minutes later by Naiad.

At 0625 hours, Gloucester joined Group I and speed was then increased to 24 knots to draw well ahead of the convoy. During the day Group I steered 060°. Group II was steering parallel to the Spanish coast at 13 knots. Velox and Wrestler were detached from Group II to arrive at Gibraltar after dark to avoid being sighted returning from the East.

At 1740 hours Renown, in position 37°05’N, 00°21’W sighted a French merchant ship most likely en-route to Oran. On sighting the British ships she immediately steered clear to the westward. Shorty afterwards Group I reduced speed to 17 knots as to not get too far ahead of Group II and the convoy.

By midnight Group I was about 150 nautical miles east-north-east of Group II.

Eastern Mediterranean.

The Mediterranean Fleet departed Alexandria in the forenoon, it was made up of the battleships HMS Warspite (Capt. D.B. Fisher, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Admiral Sir A.B. Cunningham, GCB, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Barham (Capt. G.C. Cooke, RN), HMS Valiant (Capt. C.E. Morgan, DSO, RN), aircraft carrier HMS Formidable (Capt. A.W.la T. Bisset, RN), light cruisers HMS Orion (Capt. G.R.B. Back, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral H.D. Pridham-Whippell, CB, CVO, RN), HMS Ajax (Capt. E.D.B. McCarthy, RN), HMAS Perth (Capt. P.W. Bowyer-Smith, RN), destroyers (D.14) HMS Jervis (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO, RN), HMS Jaguar (Lt.Cdr. J.F.W. Hine, RN), HMS Juno (Cdr. St. J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, RN), HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, DSO, RN), HMS Kimberley (Lt.Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson, DSO, RN), HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, DSC, RN), (D.7) HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, RN), HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN), HMS Imperial (Lt.Cdr. C.A.de W. Kitcat, RN), HMS Havock (Lt. G.R.G. Watkins, RN), HMS Hotspur (Lt.Cdr. C.P.F. Brown, DSC, RN) and HMS Griffin (Lt.Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO, RN). The fast minesweeper HMS Abdiel (Capt. E. Pleydell-Bouverie, MVO, RN) and the naval transport HMS Breconshire (9776 GRT, built 1939) also sailed with the Fleet. HMS Abdiel was to lay a minefield off Lampedusa. HMS Breconshire had on board oil and petrol for Malta as well as oil to supply this to destroyers at sea. Abdiel took station in the destroyer screen while Breconshire took station in the battleship line. After sailing the fleet proceeded to the northwest. No aircraft were flown off by HMS Formidable due to a dust storm and very limited visibility.

After the Fleet sailed, convoy MW 7A departed Alexandria. It was made up of four transport vessels; Amerika (10218 GRT, built 1930), Settler (6202 GRT, built 1939), Talabot (6798 GRT, built 1936) and Thermopylae (6655 GRT, built 1930). These were able to proceed at 14 knots. Escort was provided by the light cruisers HMS Dido (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, RN), HMS Phoebe (Capt. G. Grantham, RN), AA-cruiser HMS Calcutta (Capt. D.M. Lees, DSO, RN) and the destroyers (D.2) HMS Ilex (Capt. H.St.L. Nicholson, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Isis (Cdr. C.S.B. Swinley, DSC, RN), HMS Hereward (Lt. W.J. Munn, RN) and HMS Hero (Cdr. H.W. Biggs, DSO, RN).

One of the destroyers from the escort of convoy MW 7B, HMS Defender, that had sailed on the 5th had to return to Alexandria due to condenser problems.

7 May 1941.

Western Mediterranean.

At 0400 hours, Group II, which was approximately 30 nautical miles east of Cape Palos, altered course to the south for about two hours before turning eastwards for the run to Malta.

Group I meanwhile had altered course to the northward at 0130 hours to pass between Ibiza and Majorca in order to carry out a diversion to the north of the Baleares during the day should this appear desirable.

By 0715 hours there was no indication that Group I had been sighted, and as visibility varied from poor to moderate, course was altered to pass again between Ibiza and Majorca to reach a position well ahead of Group II so as to divert any attention of any enemy aircraft from Group II and the convoy.

At 1000 hours, when 33 nautical miles south-west of Malta, Group I encountered a small Spanish fishing vessel which was seen to proceed towards Palma de Majorca.

At noon, Group I altered course to 140°. At 1630 hours course was altered to 100° to keep about 40 nautical miles to the eastward of Group II. Group I streamed paravanes at 1800 hours.

At 1945 hours, two Sunderland flying boats flying east passed north of the force and did not identify themselves till challenged. At the same time smoke was sighted astern and shortly afterwards a fighter aircraft reported that it was the convoy at a distance of 26 nautical miles.

At 2100 hours, Group I altered course to the north-east until dark in order to mislead any hostile aircraft. The sky had been overcast all day but towards the evening the visibility improved considerably and the convoy was clearly visible to the southwestward making a great deal of smoke.

At 2225 hours, RD/F in Fiji detected a group of aircraft bearing 170°, range 30 miles. The bearing changed to 154° and the range opened to 40 miles until the echo faded at 2230 hours. Group I altered course to 080° at 2300 hours.

Eastern Mediterranean.

All forces continued on their way during the day without incident. Destroyers were being fuelled from Breconshire one at a time.

The submarine HMS Triumph reported three transports proceeding towards Benghazi. Accordingly HMS Ajax, HMS Havock, HMS Hotspur and HMS Imperial were detached to attack Benghazi during the night of 7/8 May.

The Vice-Admiral Malta reported that the harbour had been mined and that the destroyers based at Malta were therefore unable to leave the harbour and participate in the convoy operations.

8 May 1941.

Western Mediterranean.

Soon after midnight Group I had to alter course to avoid being sighted by a lighted merchant ship steering a course of 110°.

At 0535 hours, HMS Ark Royal launched three reconnaissance A.S.V. aircraft in position 38°06’N, 06°26’E to search to the eastward south of Sardinia. At 0700 hours a fourth aircraft was flown off to search to the west of Sardinia. These aircraft returned at 0800 hours and had nothing to report. They had covered 140 miles to the eastward and 50 miles to the westward. Group I then proceeded to join the convoy. The first fighter patrol was flown off by Ark Royal at 0830 hours.

By 1000 hours, Group I had joined the convoy, which was proceeding on a course of 085° at 14 knots. This was the Clan Campbell’s best speed. Renown and Ark Royal took station on the starboard side of the convoy in order to facilitate flying operations and at the same time provide AA protection for the convoy. Queen Elizabeth took station astern of Ark Royal to provide AA protection for this vulnerable ship. Gloucester and Fiji formed on the transport ships.

At 1115 hours an enemy signal was intercepted that our forces had been sighted at 0800 hours. Naiad detected an enemy aircraft approaching at 1133 hours and three minutes later a large float-plane emerged from the clouds ahead of the convoy. Naiad opened fire and the aircraft retreated into the clouds. Fighters were sent in pursuit but failed to intercept. At noon a full and accurate report was made by this float-plane on the composition of our forces.

The sky cleared to some extent at noon, it had been overcast all morning. Visibility continued to improve all day although considerable cloud prevailed until the evening.

At 1345 hours, eight aircraft were seen approaching very low, fine on the starboard bow. These were engaged as they approached, but the AA fire appeared to be not very well directed. Torpedoes were dropped from outside the destroyer screen, which was roughly 3000 yards ahead of the convoy and extended to starboard to cover Renown, Ark Royal and Queen Elizabeth. The four Fulmar fighters on patrol at this time were engaging CR. 42 fighters that had accompanied these torpedo aircraft.

Torpedoes were evidently aimed at Renown and Ark Royal but by very skilful handling by the Commanding Officers of these two ships all tracks were combed or avoided. Two torpedoes passed close to Renown. A third which was being successfully combed made a sudden alteration of 60° towards Renown and a hit forward seemed inevitable when the torpedo reached the end of it’s run and sank. Two torpedoes passed to port and two to starboard of Ark Royal.

Of the eight aircraft which attacked one was brought down during the approach, probably by AA fire from the destroyers. Two others were seen to fall from the sky during their retirement. The destroyers were disappointingly slow in opening fire on the approaching torpedo-bombers and a full barrage never developed. During the action between the Fulmar’s and the CR. 42’s one Fulmar was brought down and the crew of two was lost.

At 1400 hours a few bomb splashes were observed on the horizon to the northwestward.

At 1525 hours, two sections of Fulmar’s attacked and shot down in flames an S.79 shadower. On returning from this attack one Fulmar had to make a forced landing on the water about 9 nautical miles from the fleet. HMS Foresight closed the position and was able to pick up the crew of two. At this time the fleet was about 28 nautical miles north of Galita Island.

At 1600 hours, as the wind had backed from south of east to north of east. The starboard column; Renown, Ark Royal and Queen Elizabeth, was moved over to the port quarter of the convoy and the destroyer screen was readjusted accordingly. This allowed freedom of manoeuvre for flying operations and enabled the column to increase speed and snake the line whenever a bombing attack developed, in order to hamper the bombers and at the same time remain in a position to afford full AA support of the convoy.

The first high level bombing attack of the day developed at 1622 hours when three S.79’s approached from astern at about 5000 feet, i.e. just under the cloud level. One, diverted by AA fire, jettisoned his bombs and subsequently crashed astern of the Fleet. The other two dropped twelve bombs close ahead of Ark Royal and escaped into the clouds. It is probable that both of these were hit by the concentrated AA fire with which they were met. About 10 minutes later a single aircraft approached from astern and encountering heavy AA fire turned across the stern of the Fleet, dropping its bombs well clear.

At 1710 hours, another S.79 shadower was shot down in flames on the port quarter of the Fleet by a Fulmar fighter. Twenty minutes later five S.79’s attacked the fleet from south to north. Two broke formation under gunfire and the remainder delivered a poor attack, bombs falling near the destroyer screen. A similar attack by three S.79’s took place at 1800 hours, when bombs were again dropped near the destroyer screen.

The provision a adequate fighter protection for the Fleet was a difficult problem with the small numbers of fighters available. Aircraft returned to the carrier at various times with damage and failure of undercarriage, and every opportunity was taken, whenever the RD/F screen cleared to land on, refuel and rearm the Fulmars, sometimes singly and sometimes two or three at a time. There were occasions when no more then two fighters were in the air, but whenever an attack appeared to be impending every fighter that could be made serviceable was sent up.

At 1910 hours enemy aircraft were detected at a range of 70 miles approaching from Sicily. At this time only seven Fulmars remained serviceable of which only three were in the air. The other four were immediately flown off. The total number of hostile aircraft is uncertain, but the Fulmars sighted three separate formations of sixteen Ju.87’s, twelve Ju.87’s and six Me.110’s. One formation was seen from Renown for a short time at 1933 hours in a patch of clear sky. RD/F indicated several formations circling to the northwest of the Fleet for nearly one hour and several bomb splashes were seen well away to the northward and northwestward. During this period Fulmars intercepted the enemy and, although greatly outnumbered, fought several vigorous and gallant actions, resulting in the certain destruction of one Ju.87 and damage to several others, including at least one Me.110. These attacks disorganised the enemy and forced them to the northward with the result that they probably missed sighting the Fleet. They then entered thick cloud and it is possible that the groups became separated and all cohesion in the attack disappeared. Whatever the reason RD/F showed these groups retiring to the northward and no attack on the Fleet developed.

The Fleet reached the entrance to the Skerki Channel at 2015 hours. ‘Force B’ then turned westwards. It was made up of Renown, Ark Royal, Sheffield, Harvester, Havelock and Hesperus. Queen Elizabeth was ordered to join ‘Force F’.

The turn to the west was just being completed when ‘Force B’ was attacked at 2030 hours by three torpedo-bombers which came from right ahead. The destroyers were still manoeuvering to take up their screening positions and did not sight the enemy aircraft in time to put up a barrage of AA fire. This attack was pressed home by the enemy with great determination. All three aircraft were heavily engaged and two were seen to be hit. Renown combed the torpedo tracks, two passing close down the port side and one down the starboard side.

During this attack No. P (port) 3, 4.5” gun turret in Renown malfunctioned and fired two round into the back of No. P 2 gun turret. This resulted in five ratings killed, five seriously wounded of which one later died and one officer and twenty-five ratings wounded.

Speed was increased to 24 knots at 2038 hours and a westerly course was maintained throughout the night.

As a result of the day’s air attacks, seven enemy aircraft were destroyed, two probably destroyed and at least three, probably more, damaged. Of the seven destroyed AA fire accounted for four and feighters for three. No hits, either by bomb or torpedo were obtained on our ships, nor were there any casualties besides than caused by the accident in Renown. Two Fulmars were lost, the crew of one of them was saved.

Meanwhile the convoy continued eastwards escorted now by HMS Queen Elizabeth, HMS Naiad, HMS Gloucester, HMS Fiji, HMS Faulknor, HMS Fearless, HMS Foresight, HMS Forester, HMS Fortune, HMS Fury, HMS Kashmir and HMS Kipling.

Eastern Mediterranean.

Visibility was still poor with patches of heavy rain. This helped the Fleet and convoy from being detected by the enemy and attacked by aircraft. On the other hand it resulted in the loss of two Albacore aircraft. One Fulmar was lost in combat with enemy aircraft.

HMS Ajax, HMS Havock, HMS Hotspur and HMS Imperial rejoined the Fleet at 1700 hours. Their attack on Benghazi had been successful although there was little shipping in the harbour two transports were intercepted after the bombardment. The largest blew up, and the other was ran aground and was left on fire after several explosions. These were the Italian Tenace (1142 GRT, built 1881) and Capitano A. Cecchi (2321 GRT, built 1933).

The Fleet remained with convoy MW 7A during the day and at dark moved to the southward. HMS Dido, HMS Phoebe, HMS Calcutta, HMS Carlisle and HMS Coventry were detached from their convoy’s to join the Tiger convoy coming from Gibraltar.

Both MW convoy’s made direct for Malta escorted by HMS Hotspur, HMS Havock and HMS Imperial. All other destroyers had been oiled from Breconshire during the past two days.

9 May 1941.

Western Mediterranean.

Further torpedo-bomber attacks were expected and a screen made up of Sheffield and the three destroyers was stationed ahead, astern and on either beam of Renown and Ark Royal at 5000 yards. The night was however uneventful and at 0800 hours speed was reduced to 20 knots and screening diagram no.4 was resumed by the escorts.

A shadower was detected, bearing 115°, range 12 nautical miles at 1027 hours. Two fighters were flown off but failed to intercept the enemy. An enemy sighting report was intercepted in Renown.

At 1100 hours a merchant vessel was sighted in position 37°54’N, 03°30’E about 8 nautical miles to the northward. At the same time Ark Royal reported that a periscope had been sighted about 4000 yards away. No further action was taken as detaching a single destroyer to search for the submarine was thought to be of little use and it was not thought wise to detach more then one destroyer as there were only three present.

At 1300 hours course was altered to 145° and speed reduced to 16 knots to conserve fuel in the destroyers.

At 1700 hours five search aircraft were flown off from position 37°27’N, 01°29’E to search between bearings 045° and 340° from Oran and south of parallel 38°45’N. Nothingwas sighted except for a merchant vessel. A Fulmar was also flown off to carry out a reconnaissance of Oran. This aircraft took photographs and reported the battlecruiser Dunkerque in her usual position at Mers-el-Kebir surrounded by nets, with lighters alongside and a pontoon gangway to the shore. One large and two small destroyers were sighted inside Oran harbour and probably six or seven submarines.

The six destroyers from the 8th Destroyer Flotilla which had taken part in getting the ‘Tiger’ convoy to as far as Malta sailed from there at 2000B/9 for their return passage to Gibraltar. HMS Foresight however had to return to Malta with an engine problem.

At 2200 hours ‘Force B’ altered course to the eastward as to be in a position to support the destroyers during their passage west at daylight the next day when they were passing south of Sardinia.

The Tiger convoy and it’s escort.

Shortly after midnight the transport Empire Song was mined and damaged. Initially she was able to remain with the convoy but around 0140 hours she was slowly sinking having also been on fire. The destroyers HMS Foresight and HMS Fortune were detached to stand by her. In the end Empire Song blew up during which Foresight was damaged.

The transport New Zealand Star was also damaged but she was able to remain with the convoy as her speed was not affected.

The convoy was attacked by torpedo-bombers early in the night but no damage was done by them. One torpedo passed very close to HMS Queen Elizabeth.

Around 0700 hours the Tiger convoy was joined by HMS Dido and HMS Phoebe. An hour later HMS Calcutta, HMS Carlisle and HMS Coventry also joined.

At 1515 hours the Tiger convoy made rendez-vous with the Mediterreanean Fleet about 50 nautical miles south of Malta.

Eastern Mediterranean.

Convoy’s MW 7A and MW 7B both arrived safely at Malta. Both were swept in by HMS Gloxinia who succeeded in exploding a number of mines. The 5th Destroyer Flotilla was then also able to leave the harbour and they joined the Mediterranean Fleet; these were HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN), HMS Kelvin (Cdr. J.H. Allison, DSO, RN) , HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) and HMS Janus (Cdr. J.A.W. Tothill, RN)

Also Breconshire arrived at Malta where she fuelled HMS Hotspur, HMS Havock and HMS Imperial.

As said above, at 1515 hours the Tiger convoy made rendez-vous with the Mediterreanean Fleet about 50 nautical miles south of Malta. HMS Queen Elizabeth then joined the battleship column. The Fleet then turned eastward but remained near the convoy for the remainder of the day. During the night he Fleet covered the convoy from a position to the north-eastward of it.

10 May 1941.

Western Mediterranean.

At 0700 hours, when in position 37°35’N, 03°02’E, course was altered to the westward at 15 knots. This being the most comfortable speed for the destroyers in the rising westerly gale.

At 1000 hours, the Capt. (D) 8th Destroyer Flotilla, reported he was in position 37°18’N, 08°45’E steering 275° at 28 knots. He also reported hat his ships were being shadowed by enemy aircraft. The enemy aircraft report was intercepted at 1025 hours. Course was then altered by ‘Force B’ to the eastward to reduce the distance between the two forces.

At 1100 hours, the Capt. (D) 8th Destroyer Flotilla, reported he was in position 37°22’N, 07°54’E, still steering 275° at 28 knots. The destroyers were still being shadowed.

At noon ‘Force B’ altered course to the westward. The wind was by then force 8 with a rising sea. Ten minutes later the enemy aircraft was again heard to report the position of the 8th Destroyer Flotilla and it’s course and speed.

At 1300 hours, the Capt. (D) 8th Destroyer Flotilla, reported he was in position 37°25’N, 07°01’E, steering 270° at 28 knots and that his ships were still being shadowed. At this time ‘Force B’ was 134 nautical miles to the westward and they could only maintain 13 knots in the sea without suffering damage. In view of the weather conditions and the fact that HMS Ark Royal had now only four serviceable fighters available it was not possible to afford the 8th Destroyer Flotilla any fighter protection without hazarding Ark Royal unduly. It was hoped that if an attack would develop the destroyers were able to avoid damage by high speed manoeuvring.

At 1430 hours a signal was received that the 8th Destroyer Flotilla was being bombed in position 37°25’N, 06°18’E and that HMS Fortune had been hit and her speed had been reduced to 8 knots. ‘Force B’ immediately altered course to the eastward and ran before the sea at 24 knots the maximum safe speed for the destroyers in the prevailing weather conditions.

An unidentified aircraft that had been detected by RD/F overtook the force at 1530 hours and was fired at by HMS Sheffield. The aircraft retired to the northward before resuming it’s easterly course. A reconnaissance of three aircraft was flown off at 1600 hours to cover the area to the northward and eastward of the 8th Destroyer Flotilla to maximum depth, in case enemy surface units were out in pursuit. These aircraft reported having sighted nothing on their return.

At 1750 hours a signal was received that the 8th Destroyer Flotilla had been subjected to another bombing attack but that no damage had been done. ‘Force B’ continued eastwards to provide close support in case of more air attacks.

At 1820 hours rendes-vous was made with the 8th Destroyer Flotilla and all ships proceeded westwards steering 280° at 12 knots. This was the best course and speed HMS Fortune could maintain. By this time this destroyer was down by the stern with seas breaking continually over her quarterdeck.

Five search aircraft were flown off by Ark Royal to search to maximum depth between 025° and 090°. Nothing was sighted except for one enemy aircraft. By 2030 hours all aircraft had returned.

As a speed of 12 knots subjected Fortune’s bulkhead to undue strain, HMS Fury was ordered to escort Fortune and proceed at 8 knots for the night. The remainder of the force zig-zagged, clear of these two destroyers, at higher speed.

It became also clear that Fortune had not received a direct hit but that five near misses had bent one shaft and caused flooding in several compartments aft, and minor flooding in the engine room.

Eastern Mediterranean.

The Battlefleet remained near the convoy for the entire day. Visibility improved throughout the day although conditions were still difficult for the enemy to attack from the air. One Ju.88 aircraft was shot down and another one was damaged. One Fulmar was lost when taking off from Formidable.

No enemy air attacks developed until dark when a number of aircraft, probably torpedo bombers, endeavoured to attack the convoy and battlefleet. A very heavy blind barrage of AA fire however kept them off and no torpedoes were seen.

At 1700 hours, Capt. D.5 in HMS Kelly was detached with the ships of the 5th Destroyer Flotilla (besides Kelly these were Kashmir, Kelvin, Kipling and Jackal) to bombard Benghazi before returning to Malta. The bombardment was carried out successfully. Following the bombardment they were dive bombed by German aircraft and all but Kipling were near missed. The Flotilla reached Malta p.m. on the 11th.

11 May 1941.

Western Mediterranean.

At 0532 hours, Vice-Admiral Somerville sent a signal to the Vice-Admiral commanding the North Atlantic station at Gibraltar reporting the position, course and speed of his forces. He also requested a tug to be sent for the assistance of HMS Fortune.

The wind eased considerably during the morning and at daylight Fortune and Fury were sighted about 4 nautical miles in advance of the Fleet and making good about 10 knots.

A reconnaissance of six aircraft were flown off at 0700 hours. These searched for a depth of about 140 miles between 030° and 085°. Visibility was reported as being 10 to 20 miles. Also a search was conducted for a depth of about 100 miles between 085° and 110° with a visibility of 3 to 5 miles. Only a few French merchant vessels were sighted.

Nothing happened during the day.

At 1700 hours a reconnaissance was flown of from position 36°54’N, 01°11’E to a depth of 180 nautical miles between north and east and to a depth of 90 nautical miles between north and 290°. The visibility was reported as being 10 to 15 nautical miles. Nothing was sighted.

The Fleet turned to the eastward for an hour before dark to take up a position well astern of Fortune and Fury during the night.

Eastern Mediterranean.

The Tiger convoy and the Fleet continued eastwards. Enemy aircraft were in the vicinity all day but no attacks developed. One Ju.88 was shot down and another one was damaged, one Fulmar was lost. At dark the cruisers were detached to proceed to Alexandria and the Fleet went on ahead of the convoy.

12 May 1941.

Western Mediterranean.

Just before daylight contact was made by the Fleet with Fortune and Fury. At dawn the tug HMS St. Day and four ML’s arrived from Gibraltar.

HMS Sheffield, HMS Harvester, HMS Hesperus and the four ML’s then remained with HMS Fortune and HMS Fury. Fortune was now able to make 12 knots.

HMS Renown and HMS Ark Royal, screened by HMS Faulknor, HMS Fearless, HMS Forester, HMS Foresight and HMS Havelock, then proceeded ahead to conduct flying exercises east of Gibraltar before entering harbour.

A reconnaissance was flown off at 0800 hours to search to the east but nothing was sighted. On their return these aircraft made a practice attack on Renown and Ark Royal. More exercises were carried out during the day.

The Fleet arrived at Gibraltar at 1800 hours. Renown berthed in no.1 dock to enable her damaged 4.5” gun turret to be hoised out.

HMS Sheffield entered harbour at 2030 hours followed shortly afterwards by the damaged Fortune and her escorts.

Eastern Mediterranean.

The bulk of the Fleet arrived at Alexandria around 1000 hours. The convoy arrived later, around 1300 hours. Some ships had been detached from the fleet to arrive early, fuel and then depart again for escort duties. (21)

5 May 1941
Around 1730 hours, HMS Repulse (Capt. W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN), HMS Harvester (Lt.Cdr. M. Thornton, DSC, RN), HMS Havelock (Cdr. E.H. Thomas, DSC, RN) and HMS Hesperus (Lt.Cdr. A.A. Tait, RN), arrived at Gibraltar.

12 May 1941
Around 2000B/12, the aircraft carrier HMS Furious (Capt. A.G. Talbot, DSO, RN) and the dummy battleship HMS Centurion (resembling HMS Anson, King George V-class, Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) R.W.J. Martin, RN) departed Greenock for Gibraltar. They were escorted by the heavy cruiser HMS London (Capt. R.M. Servaes, CBE, RN) and the destroyers HMS Mashona (Cdr. W.H. Selby, RN), HMS Tartar (Cdr. L.P. Skipwith, RN), HMS Legion (Cdr. R.F. Jessel, RN) and HMS Brilliant (Lt.Cdr. F.C. Brodrick, RN).

Around 0755B/15, HMS Mashona, HMS Tartar and HMS Legion were detached. HMS Mashona and HMS Tartar were to act as an A/S force to operate near convoy OB 321. They both arrived at Greenock on the 18th. HMS Legion arrived at Greenock on 20 May 1941.

Around 0730B/17, the destroyers HMS Harvester (Lt.Cdr. M. Thornton, DSC, RN), HMS Havelock (Cdr. E.H. Thomas, DSC, RN) and HMS Hesperus (Lt.Cdr. A.A. Tait, RN) joined.

HMS Furious, HMS Centurion, HMS London, HMS Harvester, HMS Havelock, HMS Hesperus and HMS Brilliant arrived at Gibraltar around 2130B/18. (22)

23 May 1941
The heavy cruiser HMS London (Capt. R.M. Servaes, CBE, RN) and the destroyers HMS Harvester (Lt.Cdr. M. Thornton, DSC, RN) and HMS Havelock (Cdr. E.H. Thomas, DSC, RN) departed Gibraltar escorting the troopship Arundel Castle (British, 19118 GRT, built 1921). They were to make rendezvous and join convoy SL 75 proceeding from Freetown to the UK.

This did not materialise, HMS London parted company on the 24th to join the hunt for the German battleship Bismarck and heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen. However as HMS London had 471 passengers on board from Gibraltar this was considered to dangerous and she was ordered to search for German supply ships south of the Azores / west of the Canary Islands. Intially she was ordered to proceed to position 25°30'N, 42°00'W but she never got further West then 26°00'W.

The Arundel Castle arrived at Avonmouth on 1 June, HMS Harvester and HMS Havelock having arrived at Belfast on 30 May after having been detached.

HMS London arrived at Bathurst to fuel on 31 May. She had also been near convoy SL 75 briefly to provide cover for this convoy. (23)

21 Jun 1941

Convoy TC 11.

This troop convoy departed Halifax on 21 June 1941.

Is was made up of the troopships Andes (British, 25689 GRT, built 1930), Britannic (British, 26943 GRT, built 1930), Indrapoera (Dutch, 10825 GRT, built 1925), Pasteur (British, 29253 GRT, built 1938), Stirling Castle (British, 25550 GRT, built 1936) and Windsor Castle (British, 19141 GRT, built 1922).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the battleship HMS Ramillies (Capt. A.D. Read, RN), battlecruiser HMS Repulse (Capt. W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Havelock (Cdr. E.H. Thomas, DSC, RN), HMS Harvester (Lt.Cdr. M. Thornton, DSC, RN), HMCS Assiniboine (A/Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN), HMCS St. Laurent (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Rayner, RCN), HMCS Skeena (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Hibbard, RCN).

Around 1245Z/21, HMCS St. Laurent and HMCS Skeena parted company with the convoy and proceeded to St. John's.

Shortly after 1900B/26, the destroyers HMS Cossack (Capt. E.L. Berthon, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Sikh (Cdr. G.H. Stokes, RN), HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, DSO, RN), HMS Icarus (Lt.Cdr. C.D. Maud, DSO, RN), HMS Achates (Lt.Cdr. Viscount Jocelyn, RN), HMS Active (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, RN), HMS Antelope (Lt.Cdr. R.B.N. Hicks, DSO, RN) and HMS Sherwood (Lt.Cdr. S.W.F. Bennetts, RN) joined the convoy coming from Hvalfjord, Iceland.

Around 1200B/27, HMS Ramillies, HMS Harvester, HMS Havelock and HMCS Assiniboine parted company with the convoy and proceeded to Reykjavik, Iceland.

Around 0345B/28, HMS Sherwood was detached to return to Hvalfjord due to defects.

Around 0900B/28, the AA cruiser HrMs Jacob van Heemskerck (Cdr. E.J. van Holthe, RNN) joined the convoy.

The convoy arrived in the Clyde in the morning of June, 30th. (24)

28 Jun 1941
Around 0500Z/28, the battleship HMS Ramillies (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) and the destroyers HMS Havelock (Cdr. E.H. Thomas, DSC, RN), HMS Harvester (Lt.Cdr. M. Thornton, DSC, RN) and HMCS Assiniboine (A/Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) arrived at Hvalfjord from convoy escort duty. (25)

21 Jul 1941

Convoy TC 12.

This troop convoy departed Halifax on 21 July 1941 and arrived in the Clyde on 28 July 1941.

Is was made up of the troopships Duchess of York (British, 20021 GRT, built 1929), Empress of Canada (British, 21517 GRT, built 1922), Orion (British, 23371 GRT, built 1935), Strathmore (British, 23428 GRT, built 1935) and Strathnaver (British, 22283 GRT, built 1931).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the battleship HMS Malaya (Capt. C. Coppinger, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMS Havelock (Cdr. E.H. Thomas, DSC, RN), HMS Hesperus (Lt.Cdr. A.A. Tait, RN), HMS Buxton (Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) Earl Beattie, RN), HMCS Assiniboine (A/Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN), HMCS Restigouche (Cdr. H.N. Lay, RCN) and HMCS Columbia (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) S.W. Davis, RN).

On 23 July the destroyers HMS Harvester (Lt.Cdr. M. Thornton, DSC, RN) and HMS Ripley (Lt.Cdr. J.A. Agnew, RN) joined the escort taking over from HMCS Columbia and HMS Buxton.

The other four destroyers remained with the convoy until 26 July and on this day the convoy was joined by the destroyers HMS Gurkha (Cdr. C.N. Lentaigne, RN), HMS Lance (Lt.Cdr. R.W.F. Northcott, RN), HMS Legion (Cdr. R.F. Jessel, RN), ORP Piorun (Cdr. E.J.S. Plawski), HMS Salisbury (Lt.Cdr. H.M.R. Crichton, RN), HMS Vanquisher (Cdr. N.V. Dickinson, DSC, RN) and HMS Winchelsea (Lt.Cdr. W.A.F. Hawkins, DSC, RN).

Around 2000/28, HMS Malaya parted company with the convoy to proceed to Scapa Flow. The destroyer HrMs Isaac Sweers (Cdr. J. Houtsmuller, RNN) and escort destroyers HMS Heythrop (Lt.Cdr R.S. Stafford, RN) and HMS Croome (Lt.Cdr. J.D. Hayes, RN) had come out of Scapa Flow to escort her in.

4 Aug 1941
HMS Prince of Wales (Capt. J.C. Leach, MVO, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Placentia Bay, Newfoundland. On board was the Prime Minister who was proceeding to a meeting with the US President.

Prince of Wales was escorted by the destroyers HMS Harvester (Lt.Cdr. M. Thornton, DSC, RN), HMS Havelock (Cdr. E.H. Thomas, DSC, RN) and HMS Hesperus (Lt.Cdr. A.A. Tait, RN) until 0100/05 when they parted company as they could not keep up with Prince of Wales in the heavy seas.

Shortly before 1200 hours on the 6th Prince of Wales made rendes-vous with the destroyers HMCS Assiniboine (A/Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN), HMCS Restigouche (Lt. D.W. Piers, RCN) and HMS Ripley (Lt.Cdr. J.A. Agnew, RN). (26)

17 Sep 1941

Convoy WS 11X,
Troop convoy from Liverpool / Clyde to Gibraltar.

On 16 September 1941 the ships Ajax (7797 GRT, built 1931), City of Lincoln (8039 GRT, built 1938) departed from Liverpool to make rendes-vous the following day off Orsay Island with the following ships that had departed the Clyde on the 17th; City of Calcutta (8063 GRT, built 1940), Clan Ferguson (7347 GRT, built 1938), Clan Macdonald (9653 GRT, built 1939), Dunedin Star (11168 GRT, built 1936), Imperial Star (12427 GRT, built 1934), Rowallan Castle (7801 GRT, built 1939), HMS Breconshire (9776 GRT, built 1939) (Capt.(ret.) C.A.G. Hutchison, RN), HMS Princess Beatrix (4136 GRT, built 1939) (Cdr.(ret.) T.B. Brunton, RN), HMS Queen Emma (4136 GRT, built 1939) (Capt.(ret.) G.L.D. Gibbs, DSO, RN), HMS Royal Scotsman (3288 GRT, built 1936) (T/Cdr. J.W. Peters, RNR), HMS Ulster Monarch (3791 GRT, built 1929) (T/Cdr. J. Wilson, RNR) and Leinster (4302 GRT, built 1937).

Most of the ships of this convoy were to form the convoy for operation Halberd from Gibraltar to Malta. The following ships made only the passage to Gibraltar with convoy WS 11X; HMS Princess Beatrix, HMS Queen Emma, HMS Royal Scotsman, HMS Ulster Monarch and Leinster.

Escort for this convoy was provided by; battleship HMS Prince of Wales (Capt. J.C. Leach, MVO, RN), light cruisers HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN), HMS Euryalus (Capt. E.W. Bush, DSO, DSC, RN), destroyers HMS Laforey (Capt. R.M.J. Hutton, DSO, RN), HMS Lightning (Cdr. R.G. Stewart, RN), HMS Oribi (Lt.Cdr. J.E.H. McBeath, DSO, RN), HMS Havelock (Cdr. E.H. Thomas, DSC, RN), HMS Harvester (Lt.Cdr. M. Thornton, DSC, RN), HMS Whitehall (Lt.Cdr. A.B. Russell, RN), HMS Witch (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Holmes, RN), HMS Blankney (Lt.Cdr. P.F. Powlett, DSC, RN), ORP Piorun (Cdr. E.J.S. Plawski), ORP Garland (Lt.Cdr. K.F. Namiesniowski, ORP) and HrMs Isaac Sweers (Cdr. J. Houtsmuller, RNethN).

In the evening of the 19th (2115 hours, B.S.T.) the destroyers HMS Havelock and HMS Harvester were detached from the convoy to escort the liner (troopship) Stratheden (23722 GRT, built 1937) all the way to Halifax. Until that moment the Stratheden had also been part of convoy WS 11X. The position in which these ships were detached was 50°57'N, 24°55'E.

On 21 September the convoy was joined by three destroyers coming from Gibraltar; HMS Zulu (Cdr. H.R. Graham, DSO, RN), HMS Lance (Lt.Cdr. R.W.F. Northcott, RN), HMS Gurkha (Cdr. C.N. Lentaigne, RN). These destroyers had sailed from Gibraltar on the 18th.

Also sailed from Gibraltar on the 18th was the aircraft carrier HMS Furious (Capt. A.G. Talbot, DSO, RN) escorted the destroyers HMS Foresight (Cdr. J.S.C. Salter, RN), HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Tancock, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Fury (Lt.Cdr. T.C. Robinson, RN) and HMS Legion (Cdr. R.F. Jessel, RN) to provide cover for the convoy. Following this HMS Furious was then to proceed to Bermuda and finally to the US for a refit. The destroyers then made rendes-vous with the British battleship HMS Rodney (Capt. J.W. Rivett-Carnac, DSC, RN) coming from a refit in the United States. They then provided cover for the convoy joining it around 1200/21. Shortly after Rodney had joined the convoy HMS Prince of Wales left the convoy for Gibraltar escorted by HMS Laforey, HMS Lightning and HMS Oribi. They arrived at Gibraltar to fuel late on the 23th. They departed Gibraltar around 0400/24 and rejoined the convoy west of Gibraltar around 1200/24. Before HMS Prince of Wales rejoined the convoy HMS Rodney had departed the convoy and also headed for Gibraltar escorted by the destroyers ORP Piorun, ORP Garland and HrMs Isaac Sweers. HMS Rodney and her escorting destroyers arrived at Gibraltar at 0900/24. In the evening of the 24th, HMS Nelson sailed westwards escorted by the same destroyers that had brought HMS Rodney in giving the German and Italian spies across the Bay in Spanish Algeciras the impression that HMS Rodney had just relieved HMS Nelson as flagship of Force H. This diversion seemed to have had the desired effect. During the night HMS Nelson and her escorting destroyers reversed course and passed the Straits of Gibraltar to the eastward unseen after dark.

On the 20th the cruiser HMS Sheffield (Capt. A.W. Clarke, RN) and the destroyer HMS Lively (Lt.Cdr. W.F.E. Hussey, DSC, RN) also departed Gibraltar to provide cover for the convoy.

On the 21th the cruisers HMS Kenya and HMS Euryalus departed the convoy for Gibraltar where they both arrived at 2300/22. After fuelling they departed before daylight on the 23th to rejoin the convoy to the west of Gibraltar. At Gibraltar Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN, had hoised his flag on board HMS Kenya.

On the 23th the destroyer HMS Cossack (Capt. E.L. Berthon, DSC, RN) and escort destroyers HMS Heythrop (Lt.Cdr R.S. Stafford, RN) and HMS Farndale (Cdr. S.H. Carlill, RN) bolstered the escort in the approaches to Gibraltar joining the convoy around 0800/24. Also on the 24th light cruiser HMS Edinburgh (Capt. H.W. Faulkner, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral E.N. Syfret, RN) departed Gibraltar at 1230 hours to join the convoy.

Also on the 24th two groups of destroyers arrived at Gibraltar to refuel. The destroyers HMS Foresight, HMS Forester, HMS Gurkha and HMS Lance arrived at 1600 hours. The destroyers HMS Legion, HMS Lively and HMS Zulu arrived at 1800 hours.

See 25 September 1941 'Convoy operation Halberd' for the continuation of the events..

27 Sep 1941
Around 1545P/27, the troop transport Stratheden (British, 23722 GRT, built 1937) departed Halifax for Trinidad. On board the Stratheden were 3200 military personnel for the Middle East. On departure from Halifax she was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) and the destroyer HMS Havelock (Cdr. E.H. Thomas, DSC, RN).

HMS Havelock parted company around 1900P/27 to return to Halifax. (27)

21 Oct 1941
Around 0800A/21, HMS Eagle (Capt. E.G.N. Rushbrooke, DSC, RN) and HMS Argus (Capt. T.O. Bulteel, RN) departed Gibraltar for the U.K.

They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Foresight (Cdr. J.S.C. Salter, RN) HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Tancock, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Fury (Lt.Cdr. T.C. Robinson, RN), HMS Sikh (Cdr. G.H. Stokes, DSC, RN), HMS Zulu (Cdr. H.R. Graham, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Vidette (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Walmsley, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Lamerton (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Simms, RN).

Around 1140A/21, HMS Vidette parted company.

Around 1400A/21, HMS Lamerton parted company.

Around 1725A/24 - 1735A/24, HMS Sikh and HMS Zulu were detached while HMS Harvester (Lt.Cdr. M. Thornton, DSC, RN) and HMS Havelock (Cdr. E.H. Thomas, DSC, RN) joined.

They all arrived at Greenock around 1130A/26. (28)

22 Oct 1941
Around 1500/22 HMS Malaya (Capt. C. Coppinger, DSC, RN) departed Greenock for Gibraltar. She was escorted by the destroyer HMS Lightning (Cdr. R.G. Stewart, RN). Off the Clyde, at 1945/22, they were joined by the destroyers HMS Harvester (Lt.Cdr. M. Thornton, DSC, RN) and HMS Havelock (Cdr. E.H. Thomas, DSC, RN).

At 1825/24, HMS Harvester and HMS Havelock were detached when HMS Sikh (Cdr. G.H. Stokes, DSC, RN) and HMS Zulu (Cdr. H.R. Graham, DSO, DSC, RN) joined. (29)

5 Nov 1941
At 0900 hours (zone -1), HMS Rodney (Capt. J.W. Rivett-Carnac, DSC, RN) and her escorting destroyers HMS Gurkha (Cdr. C.N. Lentaigne, RN), HMS Lightning (Cdr. R.G. Stewart, RN), HMS Zulu(Cdr. H.R. Graham, DSO, DSC, RN) and HrMs Isaac Sweers (Cdr. J. Houtsmuller, RNN), made rendez-vous in approximate position 41°36'N, 19°54'W with HMS Argus (Capt. G.T. Philip, DSC, RN), HMS Athene (Cdr. R.W. Jones, RD, RNR) and their escorting destroyers HMS Laforey (Capt. R.M.J. Hutton, RN), HMS Harvester (Lt.Cdr. M. Thornton, DSC, RN), HMS Havelock (Cdr. E.H. Thomas, DSC, RN) and HMS Highlander (Cdr. S. Boucher, RN).

HMS Rodney then continued on the the U.K. but with HMS Harvester, HMS Havelock and HMS Highlander as escorts.

HMS Argus and HMS Athene continued their passage to Gibraltar but now escorted by HMS Laforey, HMS Lightning, HMS Gurkha, HMS Zulu and HrMs Isaac Sweers. (30)

8 Nov 1941
At 1050A/7, the destroyers HMS Onslow (Capt. H.T. Armstrong, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Thomas, DSC, RN) and HMS Antelope (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Sinclair, RN) joined HMS Rodney (Capt. J.W. Rivett-Carnac, DSC, RN) coming from Londonderry. They took over the escort duties from HMS Harvester (Lt.Cdr. M. Thornton, DSC, RN), HMS Havelock (Cdr. E.H. Thomas, DSC, RN) and HMS Highlander (Cdr. S. Boucher, RN) which then set course for Scapa Flow.

HMS Rodney, HMS Onslow, HMS Impulsive and HMS Anthony arrived at Loch Ewe at 0830A/9. (30)

28 Dec 1942

Convoy TM 1.

This convoy of tankers departed Trinidad on 28 December 1942.

It was made up of the following tankers;
Albert L. Ellsworth (Norwegian, 8309 GRT, built 1937), British Dominion (British, 6983 GRT, built 1928), British Vigilance (British, 8093 GRT, built 1942), Cliona (British, 8375 GRT, built 1931), Empire Lytton (British, 9807 GRT, built 1942), Minister Wedel (Norwegian, 6833 GRT, built 1930), Norvik (Panamanian, 9555 GRT, built 1938), Oltenia II (British, 6394 GRT, built 1928) and Vanja (Norwegian, 6198 GRT, built 1929).

On departure from Trinidad the convoy was escorted by the destroyer HMS Havelock (Cdr. R.C. Boyle, DSC, RN) and the corvettes HMS Godetia (Lt. A.H. Pierce, OBE, RNR), HMS Pimpernel (Lt.Cdr. F.H. Thornton, RNR) and HMS Saxifrage (Lt. N.L. Knight, RNR).

The convoy was sighted on 3 January 1943 by the German submarine U-514.

It was quickly recognised as an important convoy from the Carribean to North Africa so the BDU decided to go ' all in ' and a patrol line of u-boats was deployed to intercept and destroy this important convoy.

A wolfpack (Delphin) was deployed, made up of the following u-boats; U-134, U-181, U-381, U-436, U-442, U-511, U-522, U-571, U-575 and U-620.

On 3 January 1943, U-514, sighted and reported the convoy which she later attacked damaging the the British Vigilance. Following this attack HMS Havelock engaged the u-boat with gunfire which then evaded and started a new attack but the lone torpedo fired missed. Following this attack she lost contact with the convoy. The British Vigilance was abandoned and the floating wreck was only sunk on 24 January 1943 by the U-105.

On 5 January 1943, the escorts fuelled from the Cliona.

The convoy was again sighted on around 1320A/8 by U-381 which brings on three more boats from the patrol line which were the closest. These were U-571, U-436 and U-575.

At 1810A/8, U-571 also made contact with the convoy.

At 2037A/8, U-436 also made contact with the convoy.

U-436 was the first to attack, at 2137A/8 she managed to torpedo and damage the Albert L. Elsworth and torpedo and sink the Oltenia II.

Following the attack HMS Havelock closed to investigate and spotted the attacker which quickly submerged and was subsequently depth charged sustaining damage.

The Albert L. Elsworth is finally sunk by gunfire from U-436 at 1943A/9.

Shortly after her depth charge attack on U-436, HMS Havelock obtained a radar contact on what was thought to be another enemy submarine. Starshell was fired and when it lit up the sky another surfaced submarine was sighted only about 1000 yards away. The enemy crash dived and was depth charged. This was U-381 which was not damaged.

At 2229A/8, U-575 also made contact with the convoy.

One minute later U-571, which was about to attack, was spotted by HMS Pimpernel and attack with gunfire. The submarine then dived and was attacked with depth charges sustaining no damage.

At 2303A/8, U-575 attacked with five torpedoes claiming three hits but in fact none were obtained.

At 0345A/9, U-442 made contact with the convoy.

At 0519A/9, having made contact with the convoy U-522 attacked with four torpedoes. The Minister Wedel and Norvik were both damaged in this attack.

Around 0530A/9, U-522 was depth charged by HMS Saxifrage and HMS Havelock but she sustained no damage.

At 0535A/9, U-575 attacked again with five torpedoes claiming four hits but in fact again none were obtained.

At 0606A/9, U-571 regained contact on the convoy.

At 0627A/9, U-442 attacked and torpedoed and damaged the Empire Lytton.

At 0709A/9, U-571 was attacked with depth charged by HMS Havelock. She sustained some damage. HMS Havelock had been standing by the crippled Minister Wedel and Norvik when she got an RDF contact at a range of 5000 yards. When she closed to investigate the target disappeared and was almost immediately picked up on Asdic.

At 0738A/9, U-381 attack a stationary damaged tanker but obtained no hits.

Later on the 9th, the damaged Norvik and Minister Wendel were finished off by the U-522 and the Empire Lytton by the U-442.

Two more u-boats had sighted the convoy on this day, U-181 (at 1206A/9) and U-620 (time not known) but were unable to attack.

Meanwhile, at 1143A/9, U-134 had also obtained contact on the convoy and later started a submerged daylight attack.

At 1430A/9, U-134 attacked the Vanja with torpedoes but the tanker was able to evade.

Following this attack HMS Godetia and HMS Pimpernel attacked with depth charges causing considerable damage to the attacker which had to abandon her patrol due to this damage.

At 1154A/10, U-620 obtained contact with the convoy.

At 1200A/10, U-571 regained contact with the convoy but was unable to attack and lost contact again.

At 1830A/10, U-620 attacked with four torpedoes but obtained no hits. She was subsequently depth charged by HMS Saxifrage.

At 2112A/10, U-522 attacked with four torpedoes but no hits were obtained.

At 2318A/10, U-571 again made contact with the convoy and started an attack.

At 2340A/10, U-522 attack with two torpedoes. The British Dominion was damaged.

At 2341A/10, U-522 was spotted and fired up by the Vanja. The u-boat submerged and was then depth charged by HMS Havelock but she sustained no damage.

At 2345A/10, U-571 fired a torpedo at an escort vessel but no hit was obtained.

At 2353A/10, U-571 fired three torpedoes at the Cliona but again no hits were obtained. Following this attack she was depth charged by HMS Havelock but sustained no damage.

At 0232A/11, U-620 fired one torpedo at an escort vessel but it missed. Another torpedo was fired at the damaged British Dominion and the tanker sank soon afterwards.

At 0450A/11, U-511 had obtained contact on the convoy.

At 0630A/11, U-511 attacked with four torpedoes but no hits were obtained.

Around 0700A/11, the destroyer HMAS Quiberon (Capt. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN) joined coming from Gibraltar and soon afterwards a Catalina flying boat was also sighted.

Around 1200A/11, the destroyers HMS Pathfinder (Cdr. E.A. Gibbs, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Penn (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN) also joined.

At 1230A/11, U-511 regained contact with the convoy but was driven off and then lost contact.

Around 0930A/14, what was left of convoy TM 1 arrived at Gibraltar.

8 Jan 1943
The British tanker Oltenia II is torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-436 south-west of the Canary Islands in position 27°59'N, 28°50'W. HMS Havelock (Cdr. R.C. Boyle DSC, RN) later picks up 43 survivors.

HMS Havelock also picks up 42 survivors from the Norwegian tanker Albert L. Ellsworth. that was torpedoed and damaged in the same attack of U-436. The wreck of the Albert L. Ellsworth was sunk the next day by gunfire from U-436.

9 Jan 1943
HMS Havelock (Cdr. R.C. Boyle DSC, RN) picks up 38 survivors from the Norwegian tanker Minister Wedel that was torpedoed and sunk east of the Canary Islands in position 28°08'N, 28°20'W by German U-boat U-522.

18 Jun 1943
HMS H 34 (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Havelock (Cdr. R.C. Boyle, DSC, RN), HMS Exe (A/Cdr. M.A.O. Biddulph, DSC, RN) and HMS Fishguard (Lt.Cdr. H.L. Pryse, RNR). (31)

28 Sep 1943

Operation Alacrity.

The object of this operation was to land at the Azores (Portugese territory) and establish air bases there.

Negotiations with the Portugese were still ongoing to effect this through diplomatic ways and eventually this succeeded and the airbases were established with Portugese consent.

For this operations three convoys left the U.K., these were the following;
Convoy UA 1.
This convoy departed the Clyde on 28 September 1943 and was made up of the following transports / tankers Corfell (British, 1802 GRT, built 1934), Dux (Norwegian, 1590 GRT, built 1934) and Empire Garden (British (tanker), 8966 GRT, built 1920) which were to proceed to Horta and the Corfirth (British, 1803 GRT, built 1934) and Crane (British, 785 GRT, built 1937) as well as the landing ship HMS LST 13 (Lt.Cdr. R.A. Crozier, RD, RNR) which were to proceed to Angra. The Corfith and HMS LST 13 were however unable to sail with the convoy and remained behind.

Escort for this convoy was made up of the destroyer HMS Volunteer (Lt.Cdr. G.J. Luther, RN), corvette HMS Lavender (Lt. L.G. Pilcher, RNR), A/S trawlers HMS Cape Portland (T/Lt. K.F. Rasmussen, RNR), HMS Saon (T/Lt. J.C. Payne, RNVR), HMS Vascama (T/Lt. H.A.R. Twomey, RNR) and the M/S trawlers HMS Bruray (T/Lt. G.H. Clark, DSC, RNVR), HMS Hayling (T/Lt. G.F. Bryant, RNVR), HMS Mangrove (T/Lt. J.K.M. Warde, RNVR) and HMS Whalsay (T/Lt. F.J.S. Crawford, RNVR).

Convoy UA 2.
This convoy departed the Clyde on 30 September 1943 and was made up of the following transports Empire Outpost (British, 6978 GRT, built 1943) and Scottish Monarch (British, 7004 GRT, built 1943). The landing ships HMS Bachaquero (Lt.Cdr. P.G. Britten, RD, RNR) and (RFA) Dewdale (8265 GRT, built 1941) were also part of this convoy.

Convoy UA 2 was escorted by the destroyers HMS Havelock (Cdr. R.C. Boyle, DSC, RN), HMS Warwick (Cdr. Y.M. Cleeves, DSO, DSC, RD, RNR), corvettes HMS Buttercup (T/Lt. R.J. Jonckheere, RNR), HMS Godetia (T/Lt. M.A.F. Larose, RNR), A/S trawlers HMS Kingston Agate (Lt. J. Simms, RNR), HMS Kingston Amber (T/Lt. R. Adams, RNR), HMS St. Elstan (Lt. R.M. Roberts, RNR) and HMS Vizalma (T/Lt. B. James, RNVR).

Convoy UA 3.
This convoy departed Liverpool on 2 October 1943 and was made up of the troop transport Franconia (British, 20175 GRT, built 1923). She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Inconstant (Cdr. R.H. Mills, RN) and ORP Garland (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) S. Biskupski). These ships were fist to proceed to Belfast Lough were the destroyers were to be fuelled and then on 3 October 1943 they were to rendezvous with the escort carrier HMS Fencer (Capt. E.W. Anstice, RN) and the destroyers ORP Burza (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) F. Pitulko) and HMS Whitehall (Cdr. C.L.de H. Bell, RD, RNR) coming from the Clyde which they had departed also on 3 October 1943. The destroyers HMS Wrestler (Lt. R.W.B. Lacon, DSC, RN) and HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. L.E. Woodhouse, RN) joined coming from Londonderry which they had departed also on 3 October 1943.

The convoys arrived near the Azores on or around 8 October 1943. [Further research is required regarding the exact movements of the convoys and the ships in it.]

30 Nov 1943
HMS Tradewind (Lt.Cdr. S.L.C. Maydon, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HMS Havelock (Cdr. R.C. Boyle, DSC, RN and HMS Vimy (Lt.Cdr. J.N.K. Knight, RN). (32)

12 Jan 1944
HMS H 44 (Lt. P.N. Joyce, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Volunteer (Lt.Cdr. G.J. Luther, RN), HMS Lavender (Lt. L.G. Pilcher, RNR) and HMS Havelock (Cdr. R.C. Boyle, DSC, RN). (33)

13 Jan 1944
HMS H 34 (Lt. R.L. Jay, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Havelock (Cdr. R.C. Boyle, DSC, RN), HMS Volunteer (Lt.Cdr. G.J. Luther, RN), HMS Buttercup (T/Lt. R.J. Jonckheere, RNR) and RHS Kriezis. (34)

11 Apr 1944
HMS United (Lt. N.R. Wood, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory together with HMS Havelock (Lt.Cdr. R. Hart, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Tyler (Lt. C.H. Ranking, RN), HMS Dumbarton Castle (T/A/Lt.Cdr. P.F. Broadhead, RNR) and HMS Berkeley Castle (T/Lt. F.A. Darrah, RNVR). (35)

16 Apr 1944
HMS United (Lt. N.R. Wood, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory together with HMS Monnow (Cdr. E.G. Skinner, DSC, RD, RCNR), HMS Havelock (Lt.Cdr. R. Hart, DSC and Bar, RN), La Surprise. (35)

24 Apr 1944

Combined convoy OS 75 / KMS 49.

This combined convoy was assembled off Oversay on 24 April 1944.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Astrid (Norwegian, 2861 GRT, built 1942), Badjestan (British, 5573 GRT, built 1928), Baron Yarborough (British, 3388 GRT, 1928), Bradburn (British, 4736 GRT, built 1930), Dalcross (British, 4557 GRT, built 1930), Dalmore (British, 5193 GRT, built 1927), David Livingstone (British, 5013 GRT, built 1930), Empire Gale (British, 7089 GRT, built 1941), Empire Gareth (British, 2847 GRT, built 1942), Empire Meteor (British, 7457 GRT, built 1940), Empire Peacock (British, 6098 GRT, built 1919), Hopepeak (British, 5179 GRT, built 1938), Irisbank (British, 5627 GRT, built 1930), Johilla (British, 4042 GRT, built 1937), MacGregor Laird (British, 4992 GRT, built 1930), Marsdale (British, 4890 GRT, built 1940), Norman Star (British, 6817 GRT, built 1919), Palermo (British, 2797 GRT, built 1938), Sarpedon (British, 11321 GRT, built 1923) and Tudor Star (British, 7199 GRT, built 1919).

The rescue ship Zamalek (British, 1567 GRT, built 1921) was also with the convoy. Later, at sea, the escort oiler Scottish American (British (tanker), 6999 GRT, built 1920) also joined after having parted company with northbound combined convoy SL 155 / MKS 46.

On assembly off Oversay the convoy was escorted by the destroyers HMS Hesperus (Cdr. G.V. Legassick, RD, RNR), HMS Havelock (Lt.Cdr. R. Hart, DSC and Bar, RN), frigate HMS Gardiner (Lt. W.G.H. Bolton, DSC, RNR) and the corvettes HMS Flint Castle (T/Lt. N. Harrison, RNVR), HMS Oxford Castle (T/Lt. H.E. Holden, DSC, RNR) and HMS Rushen Castle (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.C. Warwick, DSC, RNR). The M/S trawler HMS Gulland (T/S.Lt. W.G. de Jonge, RNVR (?)) was also with the convoy as was the auxiliary boom defence vessel HMS Basuto (T/Lt. N. Minshull, RNR).

En route the Empire Gareth and HMS Basuto were detached to Azores while the Badjestan earlier had returned to the Clyde arriving on 27 April 1944 as she had been unable to keep up with the convoy. HMS Havelock was detached on 28 April 1944.

On 5 May 1944, the convoy split into convoy OS 75 bound for Freetown and convoy KMS 49 bound for the Mediterranean.

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Convoy OS 75 was made up of the merchant vessels; Astrid, Bradburn, David Livingstone, Empire Peacock, MacGregor Laird, Norman Star and Tudor Star.

On 3 May 1944, the following merchant vessels departed Gibraltar to join the convoy; Baron Inchcape (British, 7005 GRT, built 1917), Briarwood (British, 4019 GRT, built 1930), Fort Remy (British, 7127 GRT, built 1943), Fort St.Regis (British, 7140 GRT, built 1943), Hoperange (British, 5177 GRT, built 1939), Southgate (British, 4862 GRT, built 1926) and Stal (British (former Danish), 2242 GRT, built 1921). They were escorted by the frigates HMS Odzani (Lt.Cdr. L.A. Sayers, RD, RNR), HMS Aire (A/Lt.Cdr. N.K. Boyd, DSC and Bar, RNR) and the corvette HMS Stonecrop (T/Lt. P.N.F. Appleyard, RNVR). These ships joined the combined convoy when it split.

On 4 May 1944, the following transports departed Casablanca to join the convoy; Fauzon (French, 4376 GRT, built 1938), Guinean (British, 5205 GRT, built 1936) and John P. Mitchell (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943). They were escorted by the minesweeping sloop La Boudeuse and the patrol vessels USS PC-472 (Lt.Cdr. P.A. Dallis, Jr., USNR) and USS PC-480 (Lt. J.K. Miller, USNR). La Boudeuse and USS PC-480 then returned to Casablanca arriving on 5 May 1944. On 6 May 1944, USS PC-472 also arrived back at Casablanca having escorted the Empire Peacock to that place.

On 6 May 1944, the transport Empire Darwin (British, 6765 GRT, built 1941) departed Las Palmas, Canary Islands to join the convoy.

On 11 May 1944, the transports Astrid, Fauzon, John P. Mitchell and Southgate arrived at Dakar while the following transports joined the convoy coming from Dakar; Charles H. Cramp (American, 6220 GRT, built 1920), Dunkerque (French, 2477 GRT, built 1925), Fort Fraser (British, 7126 GRT, built 1942) and Newchang (British, 2482 GRT, built 1922).

The convoy arrived at Freetown on 14 May 1944. Some ships of the convoy did not enter Freetown but proceed directly to other destinations.

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Convoy KMS 49, made up of the remaining ships, proceeded towards the Mediterranean with the original escort of the combined convoy. On 6 May 1944, the following transports arrived at Gibraltar; Palermo, Scottish American and Zamalek. Also the current escort arrived at Gibraltar.

The following ships of the convoy meanwhile directly entered the Mediterranean; Baron Yarborough, Dalcross, Dalmore, Empire Gale, Empire Meteor, Hopepeak, Isisbank, Johilla, Marsdale and Sarpedon.

On passing Gibraltar they were joined by the tanker Empire Cavalier (British (tanker), 9891 GRT, built 1942) and transport Port Melbourne (British, 9142 GRT, built 1914). Also a new escort joined for the passage through the Mediterranean, this was made up of the following ships; AA cruiser HMS Colombo (Capt. C.T. Jellicoe, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), frigate HrMs Johan Maurits van Nassau (Cdr. A. de Booy, RNethN), sloop HMS Deptford (Lt.Cdr. H.R. White, RN) and the corvettes HMS Campion (Lt. T.F. Alderman, RNR) and HrMs Friso (Lt.Cdr. L.J. Goslings, RNethN).

On 7 May 1944, the following ships departed Oran to join the convoy; Esek Hopkins (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Facto (Norwegian, 1522 GRT, 1921), Joel Chandler Harris (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), John Blair (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), John M. Morehead (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John Sergeant (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Tabitha Brown (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Titus (Dutch, 1712 GRT, built 1930) and Toltec (Honduran, 5527 GRT, built 1929). The tug USS ATR-1 (Lt.(jg) H.L. MacGill, USN) also joined the convoy.

On 8 May 1944, the following ships arrived at Algiers after having been detached from the convoy; Empire Cavalier, Empire Meteor, Joel Chandler Harris, John Sergeant, Port Melbourne and Tabitha Brown. Also USS ATR-1 was detached to Algiers. The following ships joined the convoy coming from Algiers; Abbazia (Italian, 3706 GRT, built 1912), Archbishop Lamy (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Bourgogne (French (tanker), 9357 GRT, built 1937), Cap-Pinede (French, 1320 GRT, built 1938), Charles Brantley Aycock (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Iceland (British, 1236 GRT, built 1914), James W. Nesmith (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Lucia C. (Italian, 6123 GRT, built 1922), Marathon (Norwegian, 7208 GRT, built 1930) and Samsylvan (British, 7219 grt, built 1943).

On 9 May 1944, the Cap-Pinede was detached to Philippeville while the RFA tanker Prestol (2629 GRT, built 1917) joined the convoy coming from Philippeville.

On 9 May 1944, the following transports / tankers departed Bone to join the convoy; Corfell (British, 1802 GRT, built 1934), Empire Lass (British (tanker), 813 GRT, built 1941), Fort Maisonneuve (British, 7128 GRT, built 1942), Fort Missanabie (British, 7147 GRT, built 1943), Thistledale (British, 7241 GRT, built 1942) and Thistlemuir (British, 7237 GRT, built 1942).

On 10 May 1944, the following ships arrived at Bizerta after having been detached from the convoy; Baron Yarborough, Empire Lass, Esek Hopkins, Facto, John Blair, Prestol, Titus as well as HMS Colombo .0 and Toltec while the following transports departed Bizerta to join the convoy; Edward Burleson (American, 7244 GRT, built 1943) and Joseph H. Nicholson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943). The RFA tanker Celerol (2649 GRT, built 1917) also joined the convoy.

On 10 May 1944, the Lucia C. was detached to Tunis.

On 11 May 1944, the following ships arrived at Malta after having been detached from the convoy; Celerol, Dalmore and Empire Gale while the following transports / tankers departed Malta to join the convoy; Serula (British, 2187 GRT, built 1918).

On 11 May 1944, the following ships departed Augusta to join the convoy; Bantria (British, 2407 GRT, built 1928), British Commodore (British (tanker), 6865 GRT, built 1923), Chertsey (British, 6001 GRT, built 1943), Ekaterini Coumantarou (Greek, 7777 GRT, built 1917), Fort Aklavik (British, 7132 GRT, built 1943), Fort Richelieu (British, 7130 GRT, built 1943), Hjalmar Wessel (Norwegian, 1742 GRT, built 1935), Kiungchow (British, 2653 GRT, built 1921), Morialta (British, 1379 GRT, built 1940), Ocean Vesper (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942) and Vasco (British, 2878 GRT, built 1939).

On 11 May 1944, the following ships arrived at Augusta after having been detached from the convoy; Abbazia, Archbishop Lamy, Bourgogne, Charles Brantley Aycock, Corfell, Edward Burleson, Fort Maisonneuve, Fort Missanabie, Hopepeak, Iceland, James W. Nesmith, John M. Morehead, Joseph H. Nicholson, Marathon, Samsylvan, Thistledale and Thistlemuir.

On 15 May 1944, the following ships arrived at Alexandria after having parted company with the convoy; Dalcross, Fort Aklavik, Fort Richelieu, Johilla, Kiungchow and Ocean Vesper. Also HrMs Johan Maurits van Nassau, Deptford, Campion and arrived at Alexandria.

The remainder of the convoy arrived at Port Said on 16 May 1944 escorted by HrMs Friso.

16 May 1944
HMS H 50 (T/Lt. A.F. Wicker, RNVR) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Icarus (Lt.Cdr. R. Dyer, RN) and HMS Havelock (Lt.Cdr. R. Hart, DSC and Bar, RN). (36)

20 May 1944
HMS H 34 (Lt. R.L. Jay, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Havelock (Lt.Cdr. R. Hart, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Inconstant (Lt.Cdr J.H. Eaden, DSCand 2 Bars, RN). (37)

18 Jun 1944
German U-boat U-767 was sunk in the English Channel south-west of Guernsey, in position 49°03'N, 03°13'W, by depth charges from the British destroyers HMS Fame, HMS Inconstant and HMS Havelock.

6 Oct 1944
HMS Upshot (Lt. H.W. Wilkinson, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Havelock (Lt.Cdr. H.A. Stuart-Menteth, RN) and HMS La Cordeliere (Lt.Cdr. A.J.G. Barff, RNR). (38)

8 Oct 1944
HMS Upshot (Lt. H.W. Wilkinson, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Havelock (Lt.Cdr. H.A. Stuart-Menteth, RN) and HMS La Cordeliere (Lt.Cdr. A.J.G. Barff, RNR). (38)

10 Oct 1944
HMS Upshot (Lt. H.W. Wilkinson, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Shemara (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Buckle, RN) and HMS Havelock (Lt.Cdr. H.A. Stuart-Menteth, RN). (39)

12 Oct 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with ships from the 14th Escort Group, these were the destroyers HMS Duncan (Lt.Cdr. D.G.D. Hall-Wright, RN), HMS Faulknor (Cdr.(Retd.) C.F.H. Churchill, DSC, RN), HMS Forester (Lt. D.C. Beatty, RN), HMS Hotspur (Lt. C.S. Battersby, RN) and HMS Havelock (Lt.Cdr. H.A. Stuart-Menteth, RN). It is possible that the Senior Officer of the 14th Escort Group, Cdr. R.A. Currie, RN, whose own ship was undergoing repairs at Liverpool, was on board one of the destroyers. (40)

28 Dec 1944
HMS Stubborn (Lt. A.G. Davies, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Havelock (Cdr. J.P.de W. Kitcat, RN) and HMS Icarus (Lt.Cdr. D.D. Bone, RN). (41)

29 Dec 1944
HMS Stubborn (Lt. A.G. Davies, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Havelock (Cdr. J.P.de W. Kitcat, RN) and HMS Duncan (Lt.Cdr. D.G.D. Hall-Wright, RN). (41)

10 Apr 1945
HMS Renown (Capt. B.C.B. Brooke, RN) departed Gibraltar for Scapa Flow. She is escorted by the destroyers HMS Havelock (Cdr. R.A. Currie, DSC, RN) and HMS Hesperus (Lt. A.C.D. Leach, RN). (42)

12 Apr 1945
At 0645 hours, HMS Cambrian (Lt.Cdr. H.T. Harrel, RN), HMS Carron (Lt.Cdr. J.V. Wilkinson, DSC, RN) and HMS Cavendish (Cdr. R.H. Maurice, DSO, RN) took over the escort of HMS Renown (Capt. B.C.B. Brooke, RN) from HMS Havelock (Cdr. R.A. Currie, DSC, RN) and HMS Hesperus (Lt. A.C.D. Leach, RN). (42)

29 Apr 1945
HMS Vulpine (Lt. W.D.S. Scott, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Hotspur (Lt.Cdr. D.R. Mallinson, RN) and HMS Havelock (Cdr. R.A. Currie, DSC, RN). (43)

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