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Notable events involving Athabaskan (i) include:

This page, displaying the wartime history of HMCS Athabaskan was created in April 2024.

15 Feb 1943
HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN) completed her trials programme.

She then left North Shields around 1930A/15 for Scapa Flow. (1)

16 Feb 1943
Shortly before 1100A/16, HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN) arrived at Scapa Flow from North Shields. She then started her work-up period.

[As there are no logbooks available for HMCS Athabaskan details regarding, for instance, exercises will be missing]. (2)

20 Feb 1943
HMS Ullswater (Lt. L.E. Herrick, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises at / off Scapa Flow. HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN) was most likely one of the ships participating in the A/S exercises. (3)

22 Feb 1943
Around 0730A/22, HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Greenock. She was escorted by HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN), HMS Eggesford (Lt.Cdr. D.W. Austin, RN) and FFS La Combattante (Lt.Cdr. A. Patou).

They arrived at Greenock on around 0900A/23 February 1943.

The destroyer escort then returned to Scapa Flow arriving back around 0800A/24. (4)

25 Feb 1943
Around 1100A/25, HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN) departed Scapa Flow for Scrabster where she picked up the Rear-Admiral Destroyers, Home Fleet, Rear-Admiral, I.G. Glennie, RN. She arrived back at Scapa Flow around 1745A/25. (5)

3 Mar 1943
The aircraft carrier HMS Furious (Capt. G.T. Philip, DSC, RN) conducted flying operations off Scapa Flow. She was escorted by the destroyer HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN) and the escort destroyer HMS Eggesford (Lt.Cdr. D.W. Austin, RN). (6)

5 Mar 1943
HMS Anson (Capt. H.R.G. Kinahan, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral B.A. Fraser, CB, KBE, RN), HMS Furious (Capt. G.T. Philip, DSC, RN), HMS Bermuda (Capt. T.H. Back, RN), HMS Newfoundland (Capt. W.R. Slayter, DSC, RN), HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN), HMS Rapid (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Matchless (Lt.Cdr. J. Mowlam, DSO, RN), HMS Charlestown (Lt. W.F.B. Webb, DSC, RN) and FFS La Combattante (Lt.Cdr. A. Patou) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow.

Upon completion of the exercises HMS Furious, HMS Matchless and HMS Rapid proceeded to the Clyde while the other ships returned to Scapa Flow. (7)

6 Mar 1943
HMS Trespasser (Lt. R.M. Favell, RN) started the day with A/S exercises with the Canadian destroyer HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN) and the Free French escort destroyer La Combattante (Lt.Cdr. A. Patou).

After dinner A/S exercises continued but now with HMS Salamander (Lt. W.R. Muttram, RN) and HMS Middleton (Lt. C.S. Battersby, RN). (8)

9 Mar 1943
HMS Usurper (Lt. D.R.O. Mott, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Scapa Flow with HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN), HMS Rapid (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Blankney (Cdr. P.F. Powlett DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) and HMS Brissenden (Lt. D.C. Beatty, RN).

When going alongside the hulked tanker Denmark at Scapa Flow, on completion of the exercises, HMCS Athabaskan sustained hull damage for which she was to be sent to the Clyde for repairs. (9)

11 Mar 1943
Around 0800A/11, HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN) departed Scapa Flow for the Clyde where repairs were to be made.

She arrived at Greenock the following day. (10)

20 Mar 1943
Around 0800A/20, with her hull repairs completed, HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN) departed Greenock for Scapa Flow. (11)

21 Mar 1943
Around 0700A/21,HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN) arrived at Scapa Flow from Greenock. (11)

22 Mar 1943
HMS Usurper (Lt. D.R.O. Mott, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Scapa Flow with HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN), HMS Obdurate (Lt.Cdr. C.E.L. Sclater, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Rapid (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Brissenden (Lt. D.C. Beatty, RN). (12)

23 Mar 1943
In the morning HMS Cumberland (Capt. A.H. Maxwell-Hyslop, AM, RN) conducted an underway refuelling exercise at Scapa Flow during which HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN) was fuelled.

Around noon HMS Cumberland departed Scapa Flow for exercises with HMS Duke of York (Capt. G.E. Creasy, DSO, RN), which had also departed around noon, which continued until late in the evening when all ships returned to Scapa Flow. During the exercises HMS Duke of York was escorted by HMS Rapid (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Penn (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, DSO, RN) and HMS Obdurate (Lt.Cdr. C.E.L. Sclater, DSO and Bar, RN). (13)

25 Mar 1943
The battleship HMS Duke of York (Capt. G.E. Creasy, DSO, RN) conducted exercises near Scapa Flow during which she was escorted by the destroyers HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN), HMS Pathfinder (Cdr. E.A. Gibbs, DSO and 2 Bars, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Middleton (Lt. C.S. Battersby, RN). (14)

26 Mar 1943
HMS Usurper (Lt. D.R.O. Mott, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Scapa Flow with HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN), HMS Pathfinder (Cdr. E.A. Gibbs, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. John Henry Wallace, DSC, RN) and HMS Lewes (Lt.Cdr. M.V. Thorburn, DSC, RNVR). (12)

29 Mar 1943
Around 2030A/29, the escort destroyer HMS Brecon (Lt.Cdr. T.D. Herrick, DSC and Bar, RN) departed Hvalfjord for ' Patrol Black ', an anti-blockade breaker patrol in the Iceland - Faeroer gap.

Around 2200A/29, the light cruiser HMS Bermuda (Capt. T.H. Back, RN) and the destroyer HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN) departed Scapa Flow to join HMS Brecon on patrol.

Heavy weather was encountered during the patrol and both HMS Brecon and HMCS Athabaskan sustained weather damage.

Also HMS Bermuda and HMCS Athabaskan failed to find HMS Brecon.

Around 1930Z/31, HMS Brecon had to leave patrol for Scapa FLow due to the weather damage she had sustained.

On 1 April, HMS Bermuda and HMCS Athabaskan were also ordered to return to Scapa Flow where they arrived around 1400A/2.

HMS Brecon had arrived around 1030A/2. She was docked in the floating dock later the same day. (15)

29 Mar 1943
HMS Usurper (Lt. D.R.O. Mott, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Scapa Flow with HMS Jamaica (Capt. J.L. Storey, DSO, RN), HMS Newcastle (Capt. P.B.R.W. William-Powlett, DSO, RN), HMS Stevenstone (Lt. P.B.N. Lewis, DSC, RN), HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN) and HMS Brissenden (Lt. D.C. Beatty, RN). (12)

8 Apr 1943
Around 1900A/11, HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN) departed Scapa Flow for the Tyne. (1)

9 Apr 1943
HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN) arrived in the Tyne from Scapa Flow. She is to be taken in hand for repairs and strengthening at the Middle Docks & Engineering Company Ltd. at South Shields. (1)

17 May 1943
HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN) completed hull and structural repairs at the Middle Docks & Engineering Company Ltd. at South Shields. (1)

19 May 1943
Around 1600B/19, HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN) departed the Tyne for Scapa Flow. (1)

20 May 1943
Around 0600B/20, HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN) arrived at Scapa Flow from the Tyne. (16)

25 May 1943
During 25/26 May 1943, the battleship HMS Valiant (Capt. L.H. Ashmore, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow during which she was escorted by the destroyers HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN), HMS Matchless (Lt.Cdr. J. Mowlam, DSO, RN) and HMS Obedient (Lt.Cdr. H. Unwin, DSC and Bar, RN). (17)

30 May 1943
Around 0700B/30, HMS Scylla (Capt. I.A.P. Macintyre, CBE, DSO, RN) and HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN) departed Scapa Flow for Greenock where they arrived at following day. (11)

31 May 1943
Around 1300B/31, the aircraft carrier HMS Furious (Capt. G.T. Philip, DSO, DSC, RN), heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland (Capt. A.H. Maxwell-Hyslop, AM, RN), light cruiser HMS Bermuda (Capt. T.H. Back, RN), AA cruiser HMS Scylla (Capt. I.A.P. Macintyre, CBE, DSO, RN), destroyers HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN), HMS Echo (Lt. R.H.C. Wyld, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Middleton (Lt. C.S. Battersby, RN) departed Greenock for Akureyri, Iceland. (18)

2 Jun 1943
The aircraft carrier HMS Furious (Capt. G.T. Philip, DSO, DSC, RN), AA cruiser HMS Scylla (Capt. I.A.P. Macintyre, CBE, DSO, RN), destroyers HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN), HMS Echo (Lt. R.H.C. Wyld, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Middleton (Lt. C.S. Battersby, RN) are ordered to proceed to Hvalfjord instead of Akureyri.

Heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland (Capt. A.H. Maxwell-Hyslop, AM, RN) and light cruiser HMS Bermuda (Capt. T.H. Back, RN) continued their passage to Akureyri. (11)

2 Jun 1943
Around 1900B/2, HMS Furious (Capt. G.T. Philip, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Scylla (Capt. I.A.P. Macintyre, CBE, DSO, RN), HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN), HMS Echo (Lt. R.H.C. Wyld, RN) and HMS Middleton (Lt. C.S. Battersby, RN) arrived at Hvalfjord from the Clyde. (19)

5 Jun 1943
Around 0100Z/5, HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN) and HMS Eclipse (Lt.Cdr. E. Mack, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Hvalfjord for Akureyri where they arrived around 2100Z/5. (11)

7 Jun 1943

Operation FH.

This operations had three objectives;
a) Carrying relief personnel and stores to the Norwegian Garrison in Spitsbergen.
b) Bringing back two corvettes from North Russia.
c) Carrying mail and stores to HM ships and establishments in North Russia.

The ships taking part in the operation were covered by a large battleforce which took station about 200 miles south-west of Bear Island.

The detailed movements taking part in the operation were as follows.

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' Force R ' was deployed for the relief of the garrison at Spitsbergen (Operation Gearbox III).

It was made up of the heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland (Capt. A.H. Maxwell-Hyslop, AM, RN), light cruiser HMS Bermuda (Capt. T.H. Back, RN) and the destroyers HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN) and HMS Eclipse (Lt.Cdr. E. Mack, DSO, DSC, RN).

They departed Akureyri, Iceland around 1900B/7 for Spitsbergen where they arrived around 1345B/10. The cruisers commenced unloading while the destroyers conducted an A/S patrol off the entrance of the fjord. Also HMCS Athabaskan fuelled from HMS Cumberland and HMS Eclipse from HMS Bermuda.

Around 2230B/10, ' Force R ' departed Spitsbergen for Scapa Flow where they arrived around 1600B/14.

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Around 1900B/8, the destroyers HMS Mahratta (Lt.Cdr. E.A.F. Drought, DSC, RN), HMS Musketeer (Cdr. E.N.V. Currey, DSC, RN) and HMS Onslaught (Cdr. W.H. Selby, DSC, RN) departed Seidisfjord. HMS Mahratta and HMS Musketeer were to proceed to the Kola Inlet. HMS Onslaught was to make rendezvous with the corvettes HMS Bluebell (Lt. G.H. Walker, RNVR) and HMS Camellia (T/Lt. R.F.J. Maberley, RNVR) which departed the Kola Inlet for the U.K. on 9 June.

Around 0600B/12, HMS Mahratta and HMS Musketeer arrived in the Kola Inlet where they unloaded, fuelled and departed to return to Seidisfjord around 2100B/12.

Around 2000B/13, HMS Onslaught returned to Seidisfjord having failed to meet the corvettes which passed to the south of Bear Island.

On 14 June, HMS Bluebell arrived at Aultbea.

On 15 June, HMS Camellia arrived at Liverpool.

Also on 15 June, HMS Mahratta and HMS Musketeer arrived at Seidisfjord from the Kola Inlet.

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Around 0800B/9, the battlefleet, made up of the battleships HMS Duke of York (Capt. G.E. Creasy, DSO, RN, flying the flag of A/Admiral B.A. Fraser, KCB, KBE, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet), USS South Dakota (Capt. L.D. McCormick, USN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral O.M. Hustvedt, USN), USS Alabama (Capt. F.D. Kirtland, USN), aircraft carrier HMS Furious (Capt. G.T. Philip, DSO, DSC, RN), heavy cruiser HMS Berwick (Capt. H.J. Egerton, RN), AA cruiser HMS Scylla (Capt. I.A.P. Macintyre, CBE, DSO, RN), destroyers HMS Milne (Capt. I.M.R. Campbell, DSO, RN), HMS Obdurate (Lt.Cdr. C.E.L. Sclater, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Obedient (Lt.Cdr. H. Unwin, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Opportune (Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Orwell (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Hodges, DSO, RN), USS Ellyson (T/Cdr. E.W. Longton, USN), USS Rodman (T/Cdr. J.F. Foley, USN), USS Emmons (T/Cdr. E.B. Billingsley, USN), USS Macomb (T/Cdr. J.C. South, USN) and USS Fitch (T/Cdr. K.C. Walpole, USN) departed Akureyi to proceed to their cover position about 200 miles south-west of Bear Island where they arrived on the 11th.

Around 1000B/12, USS South Dakota, USS Alabama, HMS Berwick, USS Ellyson, USS Rodman, USS Emmons, USS Macomb and USSFitch were detached to proceed to Hvalfjord where they arrived around 2230A/13. The remaining ships set course for Scapa Flow.

Around 2200B/13, HMS Duke of York, HMS Furious, Scylla, HMS Milne, HMS Obdurate, HMS Obedient, HMS Opportune and HMS Orwell arrived at Scapa Flow. (11)

14 Jun 1943
Around 1600B/14, HMS Cumberland (Capt. A.H. Maxwell-Hyslop, AM, RN), HMS Bermuda (Capt. T.H. Back, RN), HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN) and HMS Eclipse (Lt.Cdr. E. Mack, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from operations. (20)

18 Jun 1943
During the morning HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) carried out A/S exercises at Scapa Flow with HMS Onslaught (Cdr. W.H. Selby, DSC, RN) and HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN).

During the afternoon A/S exercises were carried out with HMS Roebuck (Cdr. J.T. Lean, DSO, RN) and HMS Onslaught (Cdr. W.H. Selby, DSC, RN).

At 1828B/18, while entering harbour on return from exercises, HMCS Athabaskan collided with a gate vessel sustaining structural damage. (21)

22 Jun 1943
Around 1000B/22, HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN) departed Scapa Flow for Plymouth. (11)

24 Jun 1943
Around 1500B/24, HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN) arrived at Plymouth from Scapa Flow. She was taken in hand for repairs at the Devonport Dockyard the following day. (11)

19 Jul 1943
Around 1800B/19, ' Force W ', made up of the destroyers HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN), HMCS Iroquois (Lt. E.T.G. Madgwick, RCN) and ORP Orkan (Kmdr.por. (Cdr.) S. Hryniewiecki) departed Plymouth as part of operation ' Musketry / Seaslug '. They were to conduct an A/S patrol off and in the Bay of Biscay.

They were to proceed trough positions (F) 180° - Bishop Rock - 10 nautical miles, (G) 48°58'N, 10°21'W to reach position (H) 45°01'N, 10°21'W around 0800B/21 and then carry out an A/S patrol in area ' Musketry South-East '.

Around 0900B/20, the light cruiser HMS Glasgow (Capt. E.M. Evans-Lombe, RN) departed Plymouth to patrol off the Bay of Biscay to provide cover for the A/S forces operating off the Bay of Biscay and also for convoys passing through the area further to the westward.

At dark on 21 July ' Force W ' was to sweep eastwards to reach position (L) 44°05'N, 06°01'W at first light on 22 July and the sweep westwards to return to area ' Musketry South-East '.

' Force W ' was also ordered to discontinue patrol when fuel required and return to Plymouth through positions (G) and (F). (22)

20 Jul 1943
In a signal timed 1615B/20, the C-in-C, Plymouth, ordered ' Force W ', which was made up of the destroyers HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN), HMCS Iroquois (Lt. E.T.G. Madgwick, RCN) and ORP Orkan (Kmdr.por. (Cdr.) S. Hryniewiecki), to search at daylight on 21 July for a dinghy with survivors from an enemy submarine, that had been sunk by Allied aircraft [this was U-558], an was reported in position 45°32'N, 09°26'W at 1313B/20. They dinghy was however not found. (23)

21 Jul 1943
Around 2220B/21, ' Force W ', which was made up of the destroyers HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN), HMCS Iroquois (Lt. E.T.G. Madgwick, RCN) and ORP Orkan (Kmdr.por. (Cdr.) S. Hryniewiecki), encountered a small vessel at a range of 2 nautical miles.

Around 2245B/21, this vessel was boarded by the boarding party of HMCS Iroquois. The vessel, which was in the ' forbidden area ' turned out to be the Spanish fishing vessel Manolo. The crew of 14 was taken off and the vessel was then taken under fire at 2315B/21 by HMCS Iroquois and left in a sinking condition.

The Spanish fishing vessel however did not sink and was later towed back to Spain and repaired. (24)

22 Jul 1943
Around 0830B/22, ' Force W ', which was made up of the destroyers HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN), HMCS Iroquois (Lt. E.T.G. Madgwick, RCN) and ORP Orkan (Kmdr.por. (Cdr.) S. Hryniewiecki), encountered another Spanish fishing vessel in the ' forbidden area '. This was the Isolina Costas. HMCS Iroquois took of the 15 crewmembers and the fishing vessel was then sunk by gunfire.

Around 0925B/22, the Spanish fishing vessel Mascote was sighted which was sunk with a scuttling charge at 0930B/22 by ORP Orkan after she had taken off the 10 crewmembers.

In a signal timed 1217B/22, the C-in-C, Plymouth, ordered ' Force W ' to repeat the sweep that was made on 21/22 July.

So at dark on 22 July ' Force W ' was to sweep eastwards to reach position (L) 44°05'N, 06°01'W at first light on 23 July and the sweep westwards to return to area ' Musketry South-East '.

In a signal timed 1741B/22, the C-in-C, Plymouth, ordered ' Force W ', to conduct the sweep 30 miles further north. Position (L) was now 44°35'N, 06°01'W. (23)

24 Jul 1943
Around 1015B/24, ' Force W ', made up of the destroyers HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN), HMCS Iroquois (Lt. E.T.G. Madgwick, RCN) and ORP Orkan (Kmdr.por. (Cdr.) S. Hryniewiecki), was apparently attacked by enemy aircraft which were not seen. A bomb hit the water ahead of HMCS Athabaskan.

' Force W ' left patrol around 1900B/24.

Around 1850B/24, HMCS Athabaskan picked up 2 officers (including the Commanding Officer) and 3 ratings from U-558 that had been sunk on 20 July and ' Force W ' had been searching for before [see 20 July.]

The German submarine U-459 was sunk in position 45°53'N, 10°38'W by Allied aircraft on this day. Survivors were reported in the water and ' Force W ' was ordered to pick them up. ORP Orkan picked up 41 German survivors (5 officers and 36 ratings) around 0230B/25. HMCS Iroquois picked up the sole survivor from Wellington Q from 172 Sq. RAF that had been shot down by U-459 around the same time. (25)

26 Jul 1943
Around 0800B/26, ' Force W ', made up of the destroyers HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN), HMCS Iroquois (Lt. E.T.G. Madgwick, RCN) and ORP Orkan (Kmdr.por. (Cdr.) S. Hryniewiecki), arrived at Plymouth from patrol / operations. (26)

1 Aug 1943
Around 1700B/1, the destroyers HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN) and HMS Grenville (Lt.Cdr. R.P. Hill, DSO, RN) departed Plymouth. They were to patrol on longitude 14°W to provide cover for convoy OG 91 / KMS 22G.

They were to pass through positions (K) 180° - Bishops Rock - 10 nautical miles, (L) 48°40'N, 11°01'W to position (M) 45°01'N, 14°01'W. They were then to patrol on longitude 14°W to provide cover for convoy OG 91 / KMS 22G. After the convoy had crossed 45°N they were to return to Plymouth by reverse route.

In a signal timed 0925B/2, the C-in-C Plymouth ordered HMCS Athabaskan and HMS Grenville to proceed forthwith at best speed to position 47°01'N, 08°01'W to act in support of the 40th Escort Group which is on A/S patrol off the Bay of Biscay. The 40th Escort Group is made up of the sloops HMS Landguard (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) T.S.L. Fox-Pitt, RN), HMS Hastings (Lt.Cdr. L.B. Philpott, DSC, RD, RNR), HMS Bideford (Lt.Cdr. W.F. Hollins, RN) and frigate HMS Waveney (Lt.Cdr. A.E. Willmott, DSC, RNR).

In a signal timed 1053B/2, the C-in-C Plymouth ordered HMCS Athabaskan and HMS Grenville to reduce speed so as to join the 40th Escort Group one hour before last light and then remain in company throughout the night.

Also on A/S patrol off the Bay of Biscay was the 2nd Escort Group which was made up of the sloops HMS Kite (Lt.Cdr. W.F.R. Segrave, RN, with Capt. F.J. Walker, DSO and Bar, RN, on board), HMS Wild Goose (Lt.Cdr. D.E.G. Wemyss, RN), HMS Woodcock (Lt.Cdr. C. Gwinner, DSO, RN), HMS Woodpecker (Lt.Cdr. R.E.S. Hugonin, DSC, RN) and HMS Wren (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Aubrey, RN).

In a signal timed 1644B/2, the C-in-C Plymouth, informed HMCS Athabaskan, HMS Grenville 40th Escort Group and the 2nd Escort Group that three enemy destroyers were sighted by an aircraft (228Sq./Z) at 1620B/2 in position 46°13'N, 10°02'W, course possibly 180°. This was augmented by the aircraft in a signal timed 1645B/2 as the enemy being in position 46°23'N, 10°02'W, course 180°, speed 20 knots.

At 1645B/2, aircraft 461Sq./N reported three 'Narvik-class' destroyers in position 46°50'N, 10°10'W, steering 300° at 25 knots.

At 1655B/2, the 2nd Escort Group reported that the ships reported by the aircraft at 1620B/2 and 1645B/2 were ships of his group.

At 1717B/2, aircraft 228Sq./N reported that three 'Narvik-class' destroyers were now in position 47°07'N, 10°05'W, course 270° at 30 knots. At 1733B/2, this aircraft reported that she was shadowing and requisted instructions.

At 1744B/2, aircraft 105Sq./C reported three destroyers in position 46°20'N, 10°13'W, course 270° at 25 knots.

More reports came in during the evening but with the enemy managed to retire to the east.

At 2019B/2, the AA cruiser HMS Charybdis (Capt. G.A.W. Voelcker, RN) was also ordered to attempt to intercept.

The enemy ships sighted were the German torpedo boats T 25, T 24 and T 22 which had departed Brest around 0330B/2 to make rendzvous with the damaged U-boat U-383 and then escort her back to France. The German U-boat was however not sighted and must have gone down as a result of the damage sustained. Around 1200B/2, it became clear to the Germans after U-383 could not be found and also did not answer signals sent to her that she must have been sunk the torpedo boats were ordered to search the area from which she had last reported. No survivors were however found. The torpedo boats were then ordered to make rendezvous with the also damaged U-106 which had also requested an escort to make it back to France. Around 2255B/2, T 25 managed to pick up 19 survivors from this U-boat and T 24 17 survivors. T 22 patrolled around her sister ships during the rescue operations. The three German torpedo boat arrived back in Brest around 1700B/3.

Around 1000B/3, HMS Charybdis was joined by HMCS Athabaskan and HMS Grenville. They provided cover for the A/S operations of the 2nd and 40th Escort Group between 09°30'W and 10°30'W.

Around 1835B/3, HMCS Athabaskan and HMS Grenville parted company with HMS Charybdis.

Around 1000B/4, in position 46°22'N, 10°08'W, HMS Grenville obtained an A/S contact. Several patterns of depth charges were dropped and the 40th Escort Group took over the hunt which was abandoned around 1900B/4 without success.

HMCS Athabaskan and HMS Grenville arrived at Plymouth in the afternoon of August 5th. (27)

1 Aug 1943
HMS Umbra (Lt. P.H. May, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Plymouth with HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN), HMS Cattistock (Lt. R.G.D. Keddie, DSC, RN), HMS Cambridgeshire (T/Lt. H.F.B. Ashby, RNVR), HMS Ambrose Pare (Skr. J.W. Morris, RNR), HMS Victrix (T/Lt. J.D. Craighead, RNR) and HMS Kingston Andalusite (T/Lt. W.S. Lowe, RNVR). (28)

10 Aug 1943
Around 1700B/1, the destroyers HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN) and HMS Grenville (Lt.Cdr. R.P. Hill, DSO, RN) departed Plymouth. They were to provide cover for the 2nd Escort Group during A/S operations off the Bay of Biscay. The 2nd Escort Group was made up of the sloops HMS Starling (Capt. F.W. Walker, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Kite (Lt.Cdr. W.F.R. Segrave, RN), HMS Wild Goose (Lt.Cdr. D.E.G. Wemyss, RN), HMS Woodcock (Lt.Cdr. C. Gwinner, DSO, RN), HMS Woodpecker (Lt.Cdr. R.E.S. Hugonin, DSC, RN) and HMS Wren (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Aubrey, RN).

HMCS Athabaskan and HMS Grenville were to proceed through positions (F) 180° - Bishop Rock - 10 nautical miles, (G) 49°01'N, 10°40'W and then as necessary to provide cover for the 2nd Escort Group.

HMCS Athabaskan and HMS Grenville, which had left patrol around 0800A/15, arrived at Falmouth from patrol in the morning of 16 August 1943. (29)

16 Aug 1943
Around 1420A/16, the destroyers HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN) and HMS Grenville (Lt.Cdr. R.P. Hill, DSO, RN) departed Falmouth to join the light cruiser HMS Glasgow (Capt. E.M. Evans-Lombe, RN) on patrol off the Bay of Biscay to support the 2nd and 40th Escort Groups which were on A/S patrols.

HMCS Athabaskan and HMS Grenville were to proceed through positions (J) 180° - Bishop Rock - 15 nautical miles, (K) 48°49'N, 10°15'W and then to rendezvous with HMS Glasgow at 2030A/17 in position 45°50'N, 12°15'W. (30)

17 Aug 1943
Around 2025A/17, in approximate position 45°50'N, 12°18'W, HMS Glasgow (Capt. E.M. Evans-Lombe, RN) was joined by HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN) and HMS Grenville (Lt.Cdr. R.P. Hill, DSO, RN).

The destroyers parted company around 2110A/18 and then set course to proceed to Plymouth. This was later changed to Falmouth. (31)

19 Aug 1943
In the morning, HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN) and HMS Grenville (Lt.Cdr. R.P. Hill, DSO, RN) arrived at Falmouth from patrol. (30)

25 Aug 1943
Around 2000A/25, HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN) and HMS Grenville (Lt.Cdr. R.P. Hill, DSO, RN) departed Falmouth for patrol.

They were to proceed through positions (K) 180° - Bishop Rock - 10 nautical miles, (L) 48°52'N, 08°22'W and then to a position from where they can give support to the 1st and 5th Escort Groups which were on A/S patrol off the Bay of Biscay.

The 1st Escort Group was made up of the sloop HMS Egret (A/Cdr. J.V. Waterhouse, DSO, RN, with Capt. G.N. Brewer, RN, on board) and the frigates HMS Jed (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Freaker, DSO, RD, RNR) and HMS Rother (Lt.Cdr. R.V.E. Case, DSO, DSC and Bar, RD, RNR). The 5th Escort Group was made up of the frigates HMS Nene (Cdr. J.D. Birch, RD, RNR), HMS Tweed (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Miller, DSC, RNR) and the corvettes HMCS Edmundston (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.D. Barrett, RCNR) and HMCS Snowberry (T/Lt. J.B. O'Brien, RCNVR).

HMCS Athabaskan and HMS Grenville joined the 1st Escort Group around 0700B/27 north of Cape Vilan after which they were to patrol to the south-westward of Cape Finisterre and then search to the southward on approximately the 100 fathom line until reaching 42°N. They were then to sweep north inside the 100 fathom line to reach Cape Prior at last light. They were then to sweep from Cape Prior to the south-westward between the 100 fathom line and the shore and then start another sweep from Cape Finisterre at daylight on the 28th.

However, at 1245A/27, east of Vigo, in position 42°10'N, 09°18'W, while proceeding on course 180° at 15 knots the formation was sweeping in line abreast in the order HMS Grenville, HMS Rother, HMS Egret, HMS Jed and HMCS Athabaskan reading from starboard to port.

At 1255A/27, a formation of 20 enemy aircraft were sighted approaching from astern. Capt. Brewer ordered ' repel air attack ' and the ships closed to form two columns in line ahead, two miles apart with HMS Grenville and HMS Rother in the starboard column and HMCS Athabaskan and HMS Jed in the port column. HMS Egret, with the best AA armament, was free to move across the rear of the columns to support whichever flank was threatened.

HMS Egret then proceeded to the rear of the port column while the enemy kept at a respectful distance on the port quarter and reconnoitred the Allied force.

At 1305A/27 the attack started. Four aircraft came up the port side while the remainder of the enemy broke off on a south-westerly course with the obvious intention to attack the starboard column. Those on the port side came into gun range first and were engaged by HMCS Athabaskan and HMS Egret. When approximately three miles on the port beam of HMS Egret each aircraft released a single rocket propelled bomb directed against HMCS Athabaskan. Three of these fell straight into the sea while the fourth hit HMCS Athabaskan at 1513A/27.

After the enemy on the port side, struck his blow, HMS Egret proceeded to support the starboard column. Seven or eight enemy aircraft were now engaged. These aircraft now engaged HMS Egret with rocket bombs. HMS Egret went to full speed and the wheel was put hard to starboard in an endeavour to present the smallest possible visual target. Two of the rocket bombs passed close astern and a third fell into the sea within 30 feet of the starboard side amidships. Only some superficial damage was sustained.

Two more rocket bombs were then approaching HMS Egret from just before and just abaft the starboard beam. One of these hit HMS Egret between the funnel and the Oerlikon gun on the starboard side abaft the boats. The explosion was tremendous. The port side of the ship over a long area of the boiler and engine rooms were blown out. The bridge was wrecked and abaft the bridge nothing was visible except for a pall of yellow smoke and occasional tongues of flame.

The ship took a list to port at such a rate that there was no doubt she would soon capsize. The order 'abandon ship' was then given. Within 40 seconds of the explosion the ship turned bottom up. HMS Egret floated upside down for a while before finally sinking around 1430A/27.

By 1415A/27, after the attack had ceased HMS Grenville and HMS Jed picked up 40 survivors. Four of the survivors picked up by HMS Jed however soon died from their wounds and were buried at sea the same day.

During the attack, HMS Grenville evaded three torpedoes fired by some of the aircraft.

In the evening the 36 remaining survivors were transferred by HMS Grenville and HMS Jed to HMCS Athabaskan which then left to proceed to Plymouth where she arrived in the evening of August 30th. On board HMCS Athabaskan there were 2 of the crew killed and 15 wounded. (32)

30 Aug 1943
Around 2130A/30, the damaged HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN) arrived at Plymouth from patrol. She was subsequently taken in hand for repairs and refit by the Devonport Dockyard. (33)

23 Nov 1943
Around 1645B/23, HMS Renown (Capt. W.E. Parry, CB, RN), departed Alexandria to return to the UK. On departure from Alexandria she was escorted by the destroyers HMS Grenville (Lt.Cdr. R.P. Hill, DSO, RN), HMS Ulster (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Donald, DSC, RN), HMS Rocket (Lt.Cdr. H.B. Acworth, OBE, RN) and HMS Echo (Lt.Cdr. R.H.C. Wyld, RN).

On the 25th HMS Echo was detached to Malta.

Around 1100A/26, HMS Renown, HMS Grenville, HMS Ulster and HMS Rocket, arrived at Algiers.

Around 0030A/27, HMS Renown departed Algiers for Gibraltar. She was now escorted by the destroyers HMS Grenville, HMS Ulster and HMS Isis (Cdr. B. Jones, DSO, DSC, RN). They arrived at Gibraltar around 2100A/27.

HMS Renown departed Gibraltar for Rosyth around 2245A/27 now escorted by HMS Rocket, HMS Tumult (Lt.Cdr. N. Lanyon, RN) and HMS Ulster.

Around 1445A/29, HMS Rocket, HMS Tumult and HMS Ulster parted company after HMS Janus (Lt.Cdr. W.B.R. Morrison, RN) and HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) had joined.

Around 1115A/1, HMS Janus and HMCS Athabaskan parted company.

Around 2000A/2, HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN) and HMS Opportune (Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO and Bar, RN) joined.

HMS Renown, HMS Meteor and HMS Opportune arrived at Rosyth around 1200A/3. (34)

26 Nov 1943
Around 1630A/26, HMS Oribi (Lt.Cdr. J.C.A. Ingram, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Janus (Lt.Cdr. W.B.R. Morrison, RN) and HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) departed Plymouth to make rendezvous with HMS Renown (Capt. W.E. Parry, CB, RN) coming from Gibraltar.

At 0401A/26, in position 49°36'N, 07°40'W, HMS Oribi collided with HMS LCI(L)-178. This landing craft was part of 'Flight U' which had departed Gibraltar on 20 November. HMS Oribi was ordered to take the damaged landing craft in tow and return to Plymouth. The damaged landing craft was however still seaworthy and did not have to be taken in tow and was escorted by HMS Oribi to D.1 buoy after which it entered Falmouth together with HMS LCI(L)-276 which had remained in company. HMS Oribi then returned to Plymouth.

HMS Janus and HMCS Athabaskan continued on to escort HMS Renown. (35)

1 Dec 1943
After an aircraft had reported a submarine diving in position 49°35'N, 10°22'W., between 1438A/1 and 2100A/1, HMS Janus (Lt.Cdr. W.B.R. Morrison, RN) and HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) made six depth charge attacks on a target on which intermittent contact was obtained.

Due to fuel shortage, HMS Janus had to break off the action to proceed to Plymouth around 1645A/1. HMCS Athabaskan remained searching until 2100A/1 when she too, set course for Plymouth.

Both destroyers arrived at Plymouth in the afternoon of December 2nd. (36)

7 Dec 1943
HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) proceeded from Plymouth to Falmouth where she commenced HF/DF calibration trials. These were however broken off the next day after HMCS Athabaskan was ordered to proceed to Scapa Flow. (37)

10 Dec 1943
Around 0915A/10, HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) arrived at Scapa Flow from Falmouth. (38)

12 Dec 1943
Around 1700A/12, HMS Milne (Capt. I.M.R. Campbell, DSO, RN) departed Loch Ewe, where Capt. Campbell had attended the convoy conference, for Skaalefjord, Faeroer Islands.

Around the same time HMS Musketeer (Cdr. R.L. Fisher, OBE, RN), HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN), HMS Matchless (Lt. W.D. Shaw, RN), HMS Opportune (Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Virago (Lt.Cdr. A.J.R. White, RN), HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN) and HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) departed Scapa Flow for Skaalefjord. (11)

12 Dec 1943

Operation FV, passage of convoys JW 55A and JW 55B to Northern Russia and RA 55A and RA 55B from Northern Russia and the sinking of the German battleship Scharnhorst.

Convoy JW 55A

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This convoy departed Loch Ewe in the afternoon of 12 December 1943 for Northern Russia.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Collis P. Huntington (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Daniel Willard (American, 7200 GRT, built 1942), Empire Archer (British, 7031 GRT, built 1942), Empire Pickwick (British, 7068 GRT, built 1943), Fort Astoria (British, 7189 GRT, built 1943), Fort Hall (British, 7157 GRT, built 1943), Fort Missanabie (British, 7147 GRT, built 1943), Fort Thompson (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942), George Weems (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), James A. Farrell (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), James Woodrow (American, 7200 GRT, built 1942), Lapland (British, 2897 GRT, built 1942), Lewis Emery Jr. (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Lucerna (British (tanker), 6556 GRT, built 1930), Philip Livingston (American, 7176 GRT, built 1941), San Ambrosio (British (tanker), 7410 GRT, built 1935), Stage Door Canteen (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Thistledale (British, 7241 GRT, built 1942) and Thomas Scott (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942).

On departure from Loch Ewe the convoy was escorted by the destroyer HMS Westcott (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) H. Lambton, RN), minesweepers HMS Harrier (Cdr. H.E.H. Nicholls, RN), HMS Speedwell (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Williams, RD, RNR), HMS Cockatrice (A/Lt.Cdr. C.W. Armstrong, RNR) and the corvette HNoMS Acanthus (?).

Around 1430A/15, the destroyers HMS Milne (Capt. I.M.R. Campbell, DSO, RN), HMS Matchless (Lt. W.D. Shaw, RN), HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN), HMS Musketeer (Cdr. R.L. Fisher, OBE, RN), HMS Opportune (Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Virago (Lt.Cdr. A.J.R. White, RN), HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN) and HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) joined the convoy coming from Skaalefjord, Faeroer Islands. HMS Harrier and HMS Cockatrice were then detached with orders to proceed to Skaalefjord.

During 16/17 attempts were made to refuel destroyers from the San Ambrosio but the weather conditions were unsuitable.

On 18 December, HMS Musketeer was able to take on board 70 tons of fuel before the hose parted.

At 1605A/18, HMCS Athabaskan obtained a radar contact ahead of the convoy. She proceeded to investigate firing star shell. The radar contact then faded and nothing was disclosed by the illumination.

At 1610A/18, HMCS Athabaskan obtained an A/S contact and attacked it with a full pattern of depth charges. Contact was subsequently lost and not regained. This was indeed a German submarine, the U-354 but she managed to slip away without being damaged.

Around 1100A/20, in position 69°34'N, 35°20'E, and in thick snow, the local escort for the White Sea section joined. This was made up of the minesweepers HMS Hussar (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Biggs, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Halcyon (T/A/Lt.Cdr. L.J. Martin, RNVR), the Russian destroyers Gromkiy, Grozniy, Valerian Kyubishev as well as three Russian minesweepers.

The White Sea section was made up of the following merchant vessels; Empire Archer (destination Molotovsk), Fort Astoria (destination Port Ekonomiya), Fort Missanabie (destination Molotovsk), Fort Thompson (destination Port Ekonomiya), George Weems (destination Molotovsk), James A. Farrell (destination Molotovsk), James Woodrow (destination Molotovsk) and Lucerna (destination Molotovsk). The White Sea section arrived at it's destination on 22 December.

The Murmansk section, made up of the remaining merchant vessels and escorts arrived at its destination during the night of 20/21 December. HMS Milne and HMS Westcot had detached shortly before arrival and had entered port ahead of the convoy.

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Convoy JW 55B

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This convoy departed Loch Ewe in the afternoon of 20 December 1943 for Northern Russia.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Bernard N. Baker (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943), British Statesman (British (tanker), 6991 GRT, built 1923), Brockhorst Livingston (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Cardinal Gibbons (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Fort Kullyspell (British, 7190 GRT, built 1943), Fort Nakasley (British, 7132 GRT, built 1943), Fort Verscheres (British, 7128 GRT, built 1942), Harold L. Winslow (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John J. Abel (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943), John Vining (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), John Wanamaker (British, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Norlys (Panamanian (tanker), 9892 GRT, built 1936), Ocean Messenger (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942), Ocean Pride (British, 7173 GRT, built 1942), Ocean Valour (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942), Ocean Viceroy (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942), Thomas U. Walter (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and Will Rogers (American, 7200 GRT, built 1942).

On departure from Loch Ewe the convoy was escorted by the destroyers HMS Whitehall (Lt.Cdr. P.J. Cowell, DSC, RN), HMS Wrestler (Lt. R.W.B. Lacon, DSC, RN), minesweepers HMS Gleaner (Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Hewitt, DSC and Bar, RN), Hound (A/Cdr.(Retd.) A.H. Wynne-Edwards, RN), Hydra (T/A/Lt.Cdr. C.T.J. Wellard, RNR) and the corvettes HMS Borage (Lt. W.S. MacDonald, DSC, RNVR), HMS Honeysuckle (Lt. H.H.D. MacKillican, DSC, RNR), HMS Oxlip (Lt. C.W. Leadbetter, RNR) and HMS Wallflower (Lt. G.R. Greaves, RNR).

Around 1515A/22, in position 64°28'N, 03°55'W, the destroyers HMS Onslow (Capt. J.A. McCoy, DSO, RN), HMS Onslaught (Cdr. W.H. Selby, DSC, RN), HMS Orwell (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Hodges, DSO, RN), HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. P. Bekenn, RN), HMS Scourge (Lt.Cdr. G.I.M. Balfour, RN), HMCS Iroquois (Cdr. J.C. Hibbard, DSC, RCN), HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN) and HMCS Huron (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Rayner, DSC, RCN) joined the convoy coming from Skaalefjord, Faeroer Islands. HMS Hound, HMS Hydra, HMS Borage and HMS Wallflower were detached to Skaalefjord shortly afterwards.

Around 1600A/22, the merchant vessel Ocean Gipsy (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942), which had sailed late, overtook and joined the convoy P.M. on 22 December.

On 23 December, HMS Wrestler was fuelled.

From 23 December onwards the convoy was shadowed by enemy aircraft, U-boats joined them the following day.

On 24 December, HMCS Haida was fuelled.

On 24 December, the convoy reversed it's course for a few hours in order to have the battle cover force ' Force 2 ' close the distance due to the threat to the convoy of the German battlecruiser Scharnhorst [see below for more info in the resulting ' Battle of the North Cape '.]

Around 1250A/25, in position 72°20'N, 08°00'E, the destroyers HMS Musketeer, HMS Matchless, HMS Opportune and HMS Virago joined the convoy having detached from convoy RA 55A. They took position ahead of the convoy. They were detached around 0445A/26 to conduct a sweep from which they returned around 0815A/26.

On 26 December the convoy was diverted to the north to evade the Scharnhorst. A signal to do so was received around 0605A/26 (C-in-C, Home Fleet's signal timed 0401A/26). At 0705A/26 (C-in-C, Home Fleet's signal timed 0628A/26), the convoy was ordered to proceed to the north-east.

Around 0930A/26, a brisk gun action developed to the south-eastwards. The majority of the destroyers immediately proceeded in that direction at full speed to engage the enemy but they returned to the convoy around 1330A/26 as the enemy was retiring. The convoy meanwhile was ordered to proceed northwards. Around 0951A/26, HMS Musketeer, HMS Matchless, HMS Opportune and HMS Virago were ordered to join ' Force 1 '.

Later in the day, following the sinking of the German ship the convoy resumed its normal course.

Around 1200A/28, HMCS Iroquois, HMCS Haida and HMCS Huron, having the least fuel remaining, were detached to proceed ahead of the convoy to the Kola Inlet.

Around 1830Z/28, in position 70°38'N, 38°30'W, the convoy split into two sections, one for the Kola Inlet with the original escort and one for the White Sea for which the minesweepers HMS Hussar, HMS Halcyon, HMS Speedwell, the Russian destroyers Razyarenniy, Razumniy, Valerian Kyubishev as well as four Russian minesweepers had just joined. The White Sea section was made up of following merchant vessels; British Statesman (destination Molotovsk), Fort Nakasley (destination Port Ekonomiya), Harold L. Winslow (destination Molotovsk), John J. Abel (destination Molotovsk), Ocean Messenger (destination Molotovsk), Ocean Pride (destination Port Ekonomiya), Ocean Valour (destination Molotovsk) and Thomas U. Walter (destination Molotovsk).

The Ocean Gipsy was no longer with the convoy as she had straggled. her destination was Molotovsk, and she later arrived safely.

The Kola Inlet section arrived at its destination late in the morning of 29 December 1943.

The White Sea section arrived at it's destination a day later.

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Convoy RA 55A

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This convoy departed the Kola Inlet (Murmansk) in the morning of 22 December 1943.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Arthur L. Perry (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Daniel Drake (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Edmund Fanning (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Empire Carpenter (British, 7025 GRT, built 1943), Empire Celia (British, 7025 GRT, built 1943), Empire Nigel (British, 7067 GRT, built 1943), Fort McMurray (British, 7133 GRT, built 1942), Fort Yukon (British, 7153 GRT, built 1943), Gilbert Stuart (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Henry Villard (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), James Smith (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), Junecrest (British, 6945 GRT, built 1942), Mijdrecht (Dutch (tanker), 7493 GRT, built 1931), Ocean Strength (British, 7173 GRT, built 1942), Ocean Vanity (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942), Ocean Verity (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942), Park Holland (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), San Adolfo (British (tanker), 7365 GRT, built 1935), Thomas Kearns (American, 7194 GRT, built 1943), Thomas Sim Lee (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), William L. Marcy (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942) and William Windom (American, 7194 GRT, built 1943).

The rescue vessel Rathlin (British, 1600 GRT, built 1936) was also with the convoy.

On departure from the Kola Inlet the convoy was escorted by the destroyers HMS Milne, HMS Matchless, HMS Meteor, HMS Musketeer, HMS Opportune, HMS Virago, HMS Ashanti, HMCS Athabaskan, HMS Westcott, HMS Beagle (Lt.Cdr. N.R. Murch, RN), minesweeper HMS Jason (Cdr. H.G.A. Lewis, RN) and the corvettes HMS Dianella (T/Lt. J.F. Tognola, RNR) and HMS Poppy (T/Lt. D.R.C. Onslow, RNR).

Around 1830A/22, in position 69°29'N, 34°42'E, the merchant vessel Thomas Kearns had to return to the Kola Inlet with engine defects.

Around 0100A/25, south of Bear Island, in position 73°57'N, 19°04'E, HMS Musketeer, HMS Matchless, HMS Opportune and HMS Virago were detached to join JW 55B. Shortly afterwards the convoy was ordered to proceed to the north-west.

On 26 December the convoy got partially scattered during a gale but later reassembled.

Around 1140A/26, in position 74°00'N, 09°05'E, HMCS Athabaskan (with condenser defects) and HMS Beagle were detached to Skaalefjord, Faeroer Islands to fuel where they arrived on the 29th. It had been impossible to fuel at sea.

On the 27th, attempts to fuel escorts were still unsuccesful.

Around 1200A/28, in position 69°18'N, 00°35'E, HMS Ashanti was detached to the Faeroer Islands to fuel.

In the early afternoon of the 29th, HMS Milne and HMS Meteor were detached to Scapa Flow.

Around 1941A/31, the minesweepers HMS Hound, HMS Hydra and the corvettes HMS Borage and HMS Wallflower finally joined the convoy. They had departed Skaalefjord around 1900A/29. They had been unable to make rendezvous with the convoy earlier due to the bad weather conditions.

On 31 December HMS Westcott rejoined the convoy after fuelling at Skaalefiord.

After HMS Hound took over as Senior Officer of the escort in the evening of 31 December, HMS Seagull was detached for Scapa Flow.

The convoy arrived at Loch Ewe on 1 January 1944, escorted by HMS Acanthus, HMS Borage and HMS Wallflower.

HMS Hound and HMS Hydra had been detached to return to Skaalefiord where they arrived on 2 January 1944.

HMS Westcott, HMS Dianella and HMS Poppy had been detached to proceed to east coast ports to rejoin the Western Approaches Command. They arrived at their destinations on 2 January 1944.

Convoy RA 55B

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This convoy departed the Kola Inlet (Murmansk) on 31 December 1943 for the U.K.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Empire Stalwart (British, 7045 GRT, built 1943), Fort Columbia (British, 7155 GRT, built 1942), Fort Poplar (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942), James Gordon Bennett (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), San Ambrosio (British (tanker), 7410 GRT, built 1935) and Thomas Kearns (American, 7194 GRT, built 1943).

On departure from the Kola Inlet the convoy was escorted by the destroyers HMS Onslow, HMS Onslaught, HMS Orwell, HMS Impulsive, HMCS Iroquois, HMCS Haida, HMCS Huron, HMS Whitehall, HMS Wrestler and the corvettes HMS Honeysuckle, HMS Oxlip and HMS Rhododendron (T/Lt. O.B. Medley, RNVR).

Around 1100A/1, in position 70°40'N, 38°42'E, the merchant vessels Daldorch (British, 5571 GRT, built 1930) and Lucerna (British (tanker), 6556 GRT, built 1930) joined coming from the White Sea. They were escorted by the minesweepers HMS Halcyon, HMS Hussar, HMS Speedwell which did not join the convoy but proceeded to the Kola Inlet where they arrived the following day.

Around 1100A/6, in position 65°44'N, 03°37'W, HMCS Huron, HMS Honeysuckle, HMS Oxlip and HMS Rhododendron fuelled at Skaalefjord and then departed to rejoin the convoy, except HMCS Huron which joined the destroyers listed below that parted company with the convoy on 7 January to proceed direct to Scapa Flow.

Around 0830A/7, the minesweepers Ready (Cdr. A.V. Walker, RN) and Orestes (Lt.Cdr. A.W.R. Adams, RN) joined the convoy coming from Skaalefjord, Faeroer Islands.

Around 0830A/7, the minesweepers Ready (Cdr. A.V. Walker, RN) and Orestes (Lt.Cdr. A.W.R. Adams, RN) joined the convoy coming from Skaalefjord, Faeroer Islands which they had departed around 0400A/7.

Around 1215A/7, HMS Onslow, HMS Onslaught, HMS Orwell, HMS Impulsive, HMCS Iroquois and HMCS Haida parted company with the convoy to proceed to Scapa Flow where they arrived later the same day. HMCS Huron had joined them around 1430A/7 after having fuelled at the Faeroer Islands.

Around 1920A/7, HMS Honeysuckle, HMS Oxlip and HMS Rhododendron rejoined the convoy after fuelling at the Faeroer Islands.

In the early afternoon of 8 January 1944, the convoy arrived at Loch Ewe escorted by HMS Ready and HMS Orestes.

HMS Whitehall, HMS Wrestler, HMS Honeysuckle, HMS Oxlip and HMS Rhododendron had parted company shortly before arrival to proceed to East coast ports to rejoin the Western Approaches Command.

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' Force 1 '

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' Force 1 ' was the cruiser cover force for these convoy's. It was made up of the light cruisers HMS Belfast (Capt. F.R. Parham, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral R.L. Burnett, CB, DSO, OBE, RN), HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) and the heavy cruiser HMS Norfolk (Capt. D.K. Bain, RN).

Around 2100A/15, ' Force 1 ', departed Seidisfjord, Iceland to provide cover for Convoy JW 55A.

Around 0010C/20, ' Force 1 ', arrived in the Kola Inlet.

Around 0330C/23, ' Force 1 ', departed the Kola Inlet to provide cover for convoys RA 55A and JW 55B.

Around 1230C/26, ' Force 1 ', was joined by the destroyers HMS Musketeer, HMS Matchless, HMS Opportune and HMS Virago and ' Force 1 ' was in action with the German battlecruiser Scharnhorst during which HMS Sheffield and HMS Norfolk were damaged [see below for more info.]

Around 1700C/27, ' Force 1 ' arrived in the Kola Inlet to fuel and make temporary repairs to the damaged ships.

Around 2300C/29, ' Force 1 ' (HMS Belfast, HMS Sheffield and HMS Norfolk) departed the Kola Inlet for Scapa Flow where they arrived around 2315A/1.

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' Force 2 '

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' Force 2 ' was the battle cover force for these convoy's. It was made up of the battleship HMS Duke of York (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, CBE, RN, flying the flag of A/Admiral B.A. Fraser, KCB, KBE, RN), light cruiser HMS Jamaica (Capt. J. Hugh-Hallett, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Savage (Cdr. R.C. Gordon, DSO, RN), HMS Saumarez (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Walmsley, DSC, RN), HMS Scorpion (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Clouston, RN) and HNoMS Stord (Lt.Cdr. S.V. Storheill).

Around 1300A/12, ' Force 2 ' had departed Scapa Flow for the Kola Inlet where it arrived around 1300C/16.

Around 0900C/18, ' Force 2 ', departed the Kola Inlet to provide cover from convoy JW 55A.

Around 1145Z/21, ' Force 2 ', arrived at Akureyri, Iceland. ' Force 2 ' was swept in by the minesweepers HMS Loyalty (Lt.Cdr. James Edward Maltby, RNR).

Around 2145Z/23, ' Force 2 ', departed Akureyri to provide cover for convoys JW 55B and RA 55A.

On 26 December 1943, ' Force 2 ' was in action with the German battlecruiser Scharnhorst [see below for more info.]

Around 1245C/27, ' Force 2 ' arrived in the Kola Inlet to fuel and to make some repairs.

Around 1700C/28, ' Force 4 ', made up of HMS Duke of York, HMS Jamaica, HMS Musketeer, HMS Matchless, HMS Opportune, HMS Virago, HMS Savage, HMS Scorpion and HNoMS Stord departed the Kola Inlet for Scapa Flow. HMS Saumarez was unable to sail, her action damage some more repairs.

Around 0930A/1, ' Force 4 ' arrived at Scapa Flow.

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Action with and sinking of the German battlecruiser Scharnhorst, 26 December 1943.

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Dispositions at 0400A/26.

At 0400A/26, the situation in the Bear Island area was as follows;

Westbound convoy RA 55A was about 220 nautical miles to the westward of Bear Island in approximate position 74°42'N, 05°27'E, steering 267°, speed 8 knots. This convoy was apparently still not detected by the enemy.

Eastbound convoy JW 55B was about 50 miles south of Bear Island in approximate position 73°31'N, 18°54'E, steering 070°, speed 8 knots.

' Force 1 ', the cruiser force, was in position 73°52'N, 27°12'E (some 150 nautical miles to the eastward of convoy JW 55B. They were steering 235° at 18 knots.

' Force 2 ', the battle force, was in position 71°07'N, 10°48'E, some 350 miles to the south-west of the cruisers. They were proceeding on course 080° at 24 knots. In the weather conditions the destroyers had difficulty keeping up and the bow of HMS Duke of York was almost constantly under water.

Convoy JW 55B had been sighted and shadowed by aircraft for a while and when flying conditions deteriorated U-boats had been in contact with the convoy. Admiral Fraser had no doubt that this convoy would be the target for the German battlecruiser Scharnhorst and the destroyers Z 29, Z 30, Z 33, Z 34 and Z 38 which were known to be at sea. He therefore decided to divert the convoy to the northward in order to increase the enemy's difficulties in finding it. This would entail breaking wireless silence and revealing the presence of covering forces but the decided that the safety of the convoy must be the primery object. At 0628A/26, Convoy JW 55B was ordered to steer 045° and ' Force 1 ' was ordered to close it for support.

' Force 1 ' altered course to 270° at 0712A/26 in order to approach the convoy from the southward and thus, in the event of action, to avoid steaming into the strong south-westerly wind and heavy seas. Course was held for an hour, and after receiving the position, course and speed of the convoy, course was altered to 300° at 0815A/26. Speed was increased to 24 knots.

Meanwhile the German battlegroup had continued to proceed northwards and at 0730 hours was in estimated position 73°52'N, 23°10'E. Soon afterwards the destroyers were detached to form a reconnaissance line 10 miles ahead of the Scharnhorst. Some of the destroyers did not receive this order and as a result they moved ahead but the area of their search was not the one intended. At 0800 hours the German battlegroup altered course to 230°, probably on account of a submarine report on the position of the convoy. At this time the destroyers were some 10 miles ahead of the battlecruiser, spread approximately in line abreast but it seems that soon afterwards the Scharnhorst turned to the north-eastward, and all communication between her and the destroyers broke down. Communication was restored two hours later but the destroyers never rejoined the battlecruiser.

First contact with the enemy.

At 0840A/26, HMS Belfast picked up a radar contact at 35000 yards, bearing 295°. The Belfast's estimasted position was then 73°35'N, 23°21'E and Vice-Admiral Burnett reckoned the convoy was bearing 287°, 48 nautical miles from him. At the same time Capt. McCoy in HMS Onslow placed the enemy about 36 nautical miles, bearing 125°, from the convoy.

In the Belfast the range of the main echo decreased rapidly, and twenty minutes later - at 0900A/26 - a second echo was obtained, bearing 299°, 24500 yards. This second echo remained on a steady bearing till 0930A/26, when, from its estimated speed of 8-10 knots, the Vice-Admiral considered that it was probably a merchant ship from the convoy, and disregarded it. It may well have been, however, one of the enemy destroyers, detached to shadow the convoy.

At 0915A/26 the main echo bore 250°, 13000 yards, speed approximately 18 knots. At this time ' Force 1 ' was formed on a line of bearing 180°, in the order HMS Belfast, HMS Sheffield and HMS Norfolk, HMS Belfast being the northern ship. The line of bearing had just been altered to 160°, when at 0921A/26, HMS Sheffield reported ' enemy in sight ' bearing 222°, 13000 yards. At 0924A/26, HMS Belfast opened fire with starshell and at 0929A/26, ' Force 1 ' was ordered to engage with main armament, course being altered 40° towards the enemy, to 265°. HMS Norfolk opened fire at a range of 9800 yards, but had to drop back to clear the Belfast's range. She continued firing till 0940 and obtained one git, with her second or third salvo, either on the crow's nest of the bridge port director, which caused several casualties, and possible a hit on the forecastle. The 6" cruisers did not fire during this phase of the action, nor did the enemy, whole altered course to about 150°, steaming at 30 knots. ' Force 1 ' altered to 105° at 0938A/26 and to 170° at 0946A/26 by which time the range had opened to 24000 yards and chased to the southward, but the enemy drew away and the range continued to increase.

At 0955A/26, the Scharnhorst altered course to the north-east, and Vice-Admiral Burnett at once appreciated that she was trying to work round to the northward of the convoy for a second attempt to attack it. Possibly this was the result of an exhortation from Admiral Dönitz which appears to have been received and read to her ship's company around this time. In the prevailing weather conditions - wind force 7 to 8 from the southwest - ' Force 1's ' maximimum speed was 24 knots, and as that of the enemy appeared to be 4 to 6 knots faster the Vice-Admiral decided that he must get between the Scharnhorst and the convoy. He therefore altered course to 305° at 1000A/26, and to 325° at 1014A/26, with result that six minutes later contact was lost with the enemy bearing 078°, 36000 yards, and steering to the north-east at about 28 knots.

Meanwhile the Commander-in-Chief had ordered Capt. McCoy, the escort commander, to turn the convoy to the northward at 0930A/26, and to send four destroyers to join ' Force 1 ' at 0937A/26. HMS Musketeer, HMS Matchless, HMS Opportune and HMS Virago were detached at 0951A/26. They joined Vice-Admiral Burnett at 1024A/26. By 1030A/26, when it was clear to the Commander-in-Chief that ' Force 1 ' had lost touch with the enemy, and he was again closing the convoy, he ordered convoy JW 55B to resume course 045°.

Second engagement of ' Force 1 '.

Half an hour after losing touch with the enemy ' Force 1 ' made radar contact with the convoy, bearing 324°, 28000 yards, at 1050A/1, and the cruisers commenced zigzagging 10 miles ahead of it, with the four destroyers disposed ahead as a screen.

At 1058A/1, the Commander-in-Chief informed Vice-Admiral Burnett that ' Force 2 ' wound have little chance of finding the enemy unless some unit regained touch with him and shadowed, but in view of the enemy's advantage in speed under the prevailing weather conditions, the Vice-Admiral ' rightly considered it undesirable to split his force by detaching one or more ships to search, feeling confident that the enemy would return to the convoy from the north or north-east '. An hour went by, and the Commander-in-Chief found himself faced with the difficult question of the destroyers fuel situation. He had ' either to turn back or go to the Kola Inlet, and if the Scharnhorst had already turned for home, these was obviously no chance of catching him. This latter contingency was by no means improbable, for ' Force 2 ' had been shadowed from the starboard quarter by three enemy aircraft since about 1000A/26, and their reports had presumably been passed to the Scharnhorst. Then, at 1205A/26, came a signal from HMS Belfast reporting radar contact again with the enemy, and he knew that there was every prospect of cutting him off.

The convoy had remained on a course of 045° till just before noon, when Capt. McCoy, who had been ordered by the Commander-in-Chief at 1122 hours to use his discretion as to its course, altered to 125° in order to keep ' Force 1 ' between the convoy and the probable direction of the enemy. HMS Norfolk had reported a radar contact at 27000 yards at 1137A/26, but had lost it a few minutes later, and by noon, when the convoy was turning to 125°, ' Force 1 ' was in position 74°11'N, 22°18'E, steering 045°, 18 knots, with the convoy about 9 miles on the port quarter. Five minutes later (1205A/26), HMS Belfast radar picked up the enemy bearing 075°, 30500 yards. Vice-Admiral Burnett concentrated his four destroyers on his starboard bow, and at 1219A/26, altered course to 100°. The enemy course and speed was estimated at 240°, 20 knots. A minute later the Scharnhorst appeared to alter course slightly to the westward and at 1221A/26, HMS Sheffield reported ' enemy in sight '. ' Force 1 ' immediately opened fire, and the destroyers were ordered to attack with torpedoes, but were unable to reach a firing position owing to the weather conditions, and the enemy's hurried retirement.

This second action, fought by the cruisers at ranges from 9000 to 16000 yards, lasted about 20 minute, and again the Scharnhorst was ' most effectively driven off the convoy by Force 1's determined attack '. The enemy altered course from west round to south-east, increasing speed to 28 knots, and the range soon began to open. Several hits were claimed by the cruisers, but only one, which struck the port side aft and apparently failed to explode, was subsequently confirmed by prisoners. HMS Musketeer, however, which was herself engaging the enemy at a range of 4500 yards, consided there were others, and the prisoners agreed that the cruisers fire was unpleasantly accurate and filled the air with fragments.

At 1233A/26, 12 minutes after the action started, HMS Norfolk received two hits, one through the barbette of 'X' turret, which was put out of action, and one amidships. All radar, except Type 284, became unsericeable and these were several casualties. One officer and six ratings were killed and five seriously wounded. At the same time an 11" salvo straddled HMS Sheffield, and several pieces of shell, came inboard, fragments penetrated the ship at various points.

By 1241A/26, the enemy was on a course of 110° steaming 28 knots, and the range had opened to 12400 yards. Vice-Admiral Burnett decided to check fire, and to shadow with his whole force until the Scharnhorst could be engaged by ' Force 2 '. He therefore increased speed to 28 knots, and at 1250A/26, the enemy range and bearing were steady at 13400 yards, 138°. The destroyers, to the westward of the cruisers, continued to pursue the enemy in line ahead, their range opeing to 20000 yards and then remaining steady.

Shadowing operations.

The Scharnhorst had by this time given up all idea of attacking the convoy and for the next three hours her course was to the south-east and south. As she was retiring on a course so favourable for interception by ' Force 2 ', Vice-Admiral Burnett did not re-engage, and kept his cruisers concentrated, shadowing by radar from just outside visual range, about 7.5 nautical miles and slightly to the eastward of the enemy's course. The four destroyers of ' Force 1 ', which owing to the heavy sea had been unable to close the enemy sufficiently to attack with torpedoes, was stationed to the westward by the Commander-in-Chief at about 1600A/26 to guard against the Scharnhorst breaking back in that direction towards the convoy or Alten Fjord.

Despite her damage HMS Norfolk kept up with ' Force 1 ' throughout the afternoon, but at 1603A/26, she was obliged to reduce speed to fight a fire and a few minutes later, at 1607A/26, HMS Sheffield dropped back, reporting her port inner shaft out of action and speed reduced to 10 knots. By 1621A/26, she was able to proceed at 23 knots, but the delay and reduction of speed prevented her from rejoining HMS Belfast until about 2100A/26. For the rest of the action she remained some 10 miles astern. HMS Norfolk was able to rejoin HMS Belfast around 1700A/26.

Movements of the German destroyers.

All this time, while the Scharnhorst was being gradually haunded to her doom, the German destroyers had played a singularly ineffective part. After losting contact soon after 0800A/26, they continued on the south-westerly course (230°) to which the force had just turned, spread approximately five miles apart. No orders were received from the Flag Officer, Battle Group, until 1009A/26 - just after the close of the first action with Vice-Admiral Burnett's cruisers - when a signal was received directing the destroyers ' to advance into the immediate vicinity of the convoy '. To this Z 29, the Flotilla Leader, replied that they were advancing according to plan, course 230°, speed 12 knots. Twenty minutes later, Admiral Bey had apparently come to the conclusion that the convoy was further to the north then that he had previously supposed, and at 1027 he ordered the Flotilla to alter course to 070° and to increase speed to 25 knots, an hour later (1135A/26) he ordered a further change of course to 030°.

At 0945A/26, a report from the submarine U-277 had been received in the Scharnhorst placing the convoy in position 73°58'N, 19°30'E, but this seems to have been disregarded by Admiral Bey and it was not until two-and-a-half hours later (1218A/26), that he ordered the destroyers to operate in this area. Course was accordingly altered to 280° and the flotilla concentrated on the northern ship but it was too late and the convoy was well to the north-eastward of the position reported by the U-boat, though the destroyers must have passed within 10 miles of it at about 1300A/26 on passage to the new area, owing to Capt. McCoy's turn to the south-eastward at noon. On this Admiral Bey was unaware, and at 1418A/26, he ordered the destroyers to break off the operation and make for the Norwegian coast. With the excetion of Z 33, which had become separated in the bad weather, the Flotilla - then some 16 nautical miles south-east of Bear Island - at once altered course to 180° and eventually entered Norwegian coastal waters at about 0200A/27.

Z 33 made her own way back, at 1810A/26, she sighted what was believed to be a straggler from the convoy. At this target she fired four torpedoes, which missed, and continued on her way to her base.

Movements of the Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleet ' Force 2 '.

Meanwhile ' Force 2 ', acting on reports of Vice-Admiral Burnett's cruisers, had been steering throughout the day to intercept. During the first two cruiser engagements the composition of the enemy's force was not clear to the Commander-in-Chief, but on confirmation by the Vice-Admiral that only one heavy unit was present, he decided to engage on similar courses, with HMS Jamaica in support, opening fire at about 13000 yards and detaching his destroyers to make a torpedo attack. At 1400A/26 he estimated that if the enemy maintained his course and speed, ' Force 2 ' would engage him at about 1715A/26, but the Scharnhorst altered to the south soon afterwards, and at 1617A/26 the Duke of York's Type 273 radar picked her up at 45500 yards bearing 020°. The range closed rapidly, and soon HMS Belfast was picked up astern of the target. At 1632A/26, a quarter of an hour after the first contact, the Duke of York's Type 284 found the enemy at 29700 yards, apparently zig-zagging on a mean course of 160°. Five minutes later, the destroyers, which had formed sub-divisions on either bow of the flagship shortly after first contact, were ordered to take up most advantageous position for torpedo attack, but not to attack until ordered to do so. The destroyers had formed sub-divisions as follows, HMS Savage with HMS Saumarez and HMS Scorpion with HNoMS Stord.

At 1642A/26, the enemy seemed to alter course slightly to port and two minutes later ' Force 2 ' altered to 080° in order to open 'A' arcs. At 1647A/26, HMS Belfast opened fire with starshell, followed at 1648A/26 by HMS Duke of York. Those from the latter illuminated the enemy at 1650A/26. The Commander-in-Chief then made an enemy report and ' Force 2 ' opened fire with their main armament.

' Force 2 ' engages, 1650-1844 hours, 26 December 1943.

When HMS Duke of York and HMS Jamaica opened fire at 12000 yards. There was every indication that the Scharnhorst was completely unaware of their presence, her turrets were reported trained fore and aft, she did not immediately reply to the fire of ' Force 2 ' and when she did her fire was erratic. Prisoners subsequently confirmed that she had made no radar contact during the approach of ' Force 2 '. They had been told they would not have to engage anything larger then a cruiser and were badly shaken when informed that a capital ship to the southward was engaging them.

The Scharnhorst altered round at once to the northward, and the Duke of York to 360° to follow and also to avoid torpedoes which the enemy, had he been on the alert, might have been fired. On this, HMS Belfast prepared to fire torpedoes, but the Scharnhorst altered away to the eastward, probably with the double object of avoiding ' Force 1 ' and opening 'A' arcs, and HMS Belfast and HMS Norfolk then engaged her with their main armamant, steering northerly and north-easterly courses in order to prevent her breaking back to the north-westward, until 1712A/26, when she ran out of range, after firing two ineffective salvoes at the cruisers. Vice-Admiral Burnett continued to the north-north-west until 1720A/26, and it was then apparent that the enemy meant to escape to the eastward, gradually altered round to follow. Just then orders were received from the Commander-in-Chief to ' steer 140° ' and join him, and the cruisers steadied on a south-easterly course at 1727A/26.

The hunt was up, and for the next hour there was a chase to the eastward, HMS Duke of York and HMS Jamaica engaging at ranges which gradually increased, as the enemy's superior speed began to tell. By 1708A/26, the Scharnhorst was steadily on an easterly course and engaging HMS Duke of York and HMS Jamaica with her main armamant. Her tactics were to turn to the southward, fire a broadside, and then turn on end-on away to the east till ready to fire the next salvo, making the Duke of York's gunners a problem.

By 1730A/26, the situation was as follows. To the south-west of the enemy HMS Duke of York and HMS Jamaica were engaging him and pursuing similar tactics. ' Force 2's ' destroyers - still well astern of him - were endeavouring to gain bearing to attack with torpedoes, taking individual avoiding action when fired on, HMS Savage and HMS Saumarez edging over to get on his port side while HMS Scorpion and HNoMS Stord remained on the starbord side. To the north-west, HMS Musketeer, HMS Matchless, HMS Opportune and HMS Virago, which had turned at 1700A/26, was creeping up on a easterly course roughly parallel to that of the enemy and some miles to the northward. Further to the north-west HMS Belfast and HMS Norfolk were steering to the south-eastward to join the Commander-in-Chief, with HMS Sheffield some distance astern, and dropping owing to her reduced speed. What the German Admiral though of the situation may be judged from his signal to the German War Staff (timed 1724 hours); ' Am surrounded by heavy units '.

HMS Duke of York probably obtained hits with her first and third salvoes, which, accordingly to prisoners, were on the quarter deck close to ' C ' turret, and low down forward. This latter may have put ' A ' turret out of action as it did not fire again. Little is known about other hits during this first engagement, but it seems certain that HMS Duke of York had obtained hits which may have caused some underwater damage that eventually reduced the Scharnhorst speed. HMS Jamaica claimed on hit.

The Scharnhorst's gunfire was erratic to begin with but later improved as the range increased. Between ranges of 17000 - 20000 yards HMS Duke of York was straddled several times. Her hull was not hit but both masts were shot through by 11" shells which fortunately did not explode.

By 1742A/26, the range had opened to 18000 yards and HMS Jamaica then ceased fire, her blind fire at this range considered of doubtful value and liable to confuse the Duke of York's radar spotting. At this time all the cruisers were out of range, and the destroyers had not yet been seriously engaged by the enemy. The gun duel between HMS Duke of York and the Scharnhorst continued till 1820A/26 when the enemy ceased firing at 20000 yards, and reduced speed, though this was not immediately apparent. At the same time the Commander-in-Chief decided to turn south-eastward towards the Norwegian coast, in the hope she would also lead round and so to give his destroyers a chance to attack. At 1824A/26, the range having opened to 21400 yards, HMS Duke of York checked fire. She had fired 52 broadsides, of which 31 have been reported as straddles and 16 as within 200 yards of the enemy.

Just at this moment the Scharnhorst was sending her final signal - a message from Admiral Bey to the Führer - ' We shall fight to the last shell '. This was the last report the German Naval Staff received from her as to her fate, though no doubt they were able to draw their conclusions three-quarters of an hour later (1919A/26) when they intercepted a British signal ' Finish her off with torpedoes '.

First destroyer attack, 1850 hours, 26 December 1943.

At 1824A/26, the Commander-in-Chief was of the opinion that the Scharnhorst might escape and much depended on the four 'S-class' destroyers to damage of sink her. Since 1713A/26, when they had been ordered to attack, they had been gradually gaining bearing on the Scharnhorst, but their progress was very slow and their chances of attack depended on a radical alteration of course by their quarry. Then, at 1820A/26, when they had closed to 12000 yards they started to forge ahead. The enemy had reduced speed. By 1840A/26, the first sub-division (HMS Savage and HMS Saumarez), astern of the enemy, and the second sub-division (HMS Scorpion and HNoMS Stord), on his starboard beam, had each closed to about 10000 yards. Some three minutes earlier, the Commander-in-Chief, observing on his radar plot the enemy's reduction of speed, had altered course directly towards her, and was beginning to close rapidly.

The Scharnhorst opened a fairly heavy, though ineffective, fire on HMS Savage and HMS Saumarez, which they returned when the range closed to 7000 yards. As these two approached from the north-westward, drawing the enemy's fire, HMS Scorpion and HNoMS Stord were closing in apparently unseen, and certainly unengaged from the south-eastward. At 1849A/26, starshells from HMS Savage illuminated the enemy, and she was seen to be turning to the southward. The Scorpion and Stord immediately swung to starboard, each firing eight torpedoes at 2100 and 1800 yards respectively. HMS Scorpion claimed one hit, HNoMS Stord none, probably due to the Scharnhorst combing the latter's tracks. Both destroyers were engaged by the enemy's secondary and light armament while retiring, the the firing was wild and inflicted no damage. They returned the fire and scored several hits on the superstructure. The Scharnhorst continued to alter round to starboar after this attack till on a south-westerly course, thus placing HMS Savage and HMS Saumarez in an excellent position on her starboard bow. Her movements could be followed clearly in the light of their starshell, and HMS Savage with HMS Saumarez on her starboard quarter, hastily training their torpedo tubes to starboard, turned in to attack at 1855A/26, coming under heavy fire from the enemy's entire armament as they did so. HMS Savage fired eight torpedoes from 3500 yards, but HMS Saumarez received damage which prevented her training one set of tubes, and got off only four from 1800 yards. Subsequent analysis credited there attacks with three hits altogether. The destroyers then withdrew to the northward, engaging the Scharnhorst as they did so. Fortunately damage to HMS Saumarez was all above the waterline. Shells had passed through her director and rengefinders without exploding, but she had suffered considerably from splinters which reduced her speed to 10 knots on one engine only. One officer and ten ratings were killed and eleven ratings were wounded.

Second engagement of ' Force 2 '.

As the destroyers withdrew to the northward, HMS Duke of York and HMS Jamaica coming up from the south-west, re-engaged at a range of 10400 yards, opening fire at 1901A/26. Hits were immediately scored, while the enemy continued to fire at the retiring destroyers. HMS Norfolk, too joined in from the northward, but had difficulty in finding the right target, and checked fire after a couple of salvoes. After five minutes, when the Scharnhorst had been repeatedly hit and fires and flashes from exploding ammunition were flaring up, she shifted her secondary armament fire to HMS Duke of York at a range of about 8000 yards. During this second action she apparently engaged HMS Duke of York and HMS Jamaica with only part of her main armament, and that intermittently.

The battle was then approaching its end. Between 1901A/26 and 1926A/26 the enemy's speed fell drastically from 20 to about 5 knots. At 1915A/26, HMS Belfast opened fire on her at a range of 17000 yards, and a few minutes later she steadied on a northerly course. About this time (1919A/26) the Commander-in-Chief ordered HMS Jamaica and HMS Belfast to close the enemy, who was then almost stationary, and to sink her with torpedoes. HMS Duke of York continued firing - getting of 25 broadsides, of which 21 were straddles - till 1928A/26, when she checked fire to enable the cruisers, which had altered course towards the enemy to diliver their torpedo attacks. According to prisoners HMS Duke of York had obtained at least 10 hits.

Torpedo attacks by HMS Belfast and HMS Jamaica.

In the Scharnhorst - battered by gunfire and crippled by four torpedoes - resistance was pracically at an end as the cruisers closed in from north and south. Prisoners subsequently stated that after sending their final signal to Hitler, assuring him that the Scharnhorst would fight to the last shell, the Admiral and Captain had shot themselves on the bridge but this could not be confirmed.

HMS Jamaica fired three torpedoes to port (one of which misfired) at 1925A/26 from 3500 yards but claimed no hits as the enemy's speed appeared to have been underestimated. Two minutes later HMS Belfast also fired three torpedoes, one of which may have git, though this was subsequently considered unlikely. Both cruisers then hauled round to fire their remaining tubes. Meanwhile HMS Jamaica scored several hits with her main and secondary armamant. The Scharnhorst replied with wild fire from her secondary armamant and light weapons which did no damage and had ceased firing altogether when at 1937A/26, at a range of 3750 yards, HMS Jamaica fired three torpedoes to starboard at the enemy, broadside on and almost stopped. The result could not be seenm as the target was completely hidden by smoke, but underwater explosions were heard after the correct time interval, and it is probable that two torpedoes took effect. Two minutes earlier (1935A/26), HMS Belfast had turned to fire her port torpedoes but then HMS Musketeer, HMS Matchless, HMS Opportune and HMS Virago arrived at the scene and HMS Belfast retired to the south to await developments.

Torpedo attacks by the 36th Destroyer Division.

The 36th Division, made up of HMS Musketeer, HMS Matchless, HMS Opportune and HMS Virago, starting the chase well to the westward of the other forces, had been tracking the enemy by radar and slowly gaining bearing on a parallel course to the northward throughout the action. The destroyers now closed in sub-divisions (HMS Musketeer with HMS Matchless and HMS Opportune with HMS Virago) from the north and astern. At 1930A/27 they commenced their attacks, HMS Musketeer and HMS Matchless from the port side and HMS Opportune and HMS Virago from the starboard side. HMS Opportune fired two salvoes of four torpedoes each at 1931A/26 and 1933A/26 from range of 2100 and 2500 yards. She claimed two hits. HMS Virago followed her in, and at 1934A/26 fired seven torpedoes from 2800 yards. Two hits were observed and the sub-division then retired to the westward with HMS Virago firing on the enemy as long as possible.

On the port side, HMS Musketeer fired four torpedoes from 1000 yards at 1933A/26 and observed two and possibly three hits and then withdrew to the westward. HMS Matchless could not fire as her torpedo tubes training had been effected by a heavy sea. She therefore hauled round without firing and then came in to attack again from the enemy's port bow, but before she could fire the Scharnhorst had sunk. She then joined HMS Scorpion in picking up survivors. The German ship was last seen around 1938A/26 though no ship saw her actually sinking. This most probably occured at 1945A/26 when a large underwater explosion was felt.

For the next hour, HMS Belfast, HMS Norfolk and most of the destroyers searched the area for survivors. In all only thirty were picked up in the heavy weather from the icy waters by HMS Scorpion and six by HMS Matchless. No officer was among them. The most senior was the equivalant rating of Acting Petty Officer.

Conclusion.

Around 2100A/26, HMS Sheffield rejoined ' Force 1 ' and all forces in the area were ordered to proceed independently to the Kola Inlet where they all arrived unmolested the next day.

(39)

13 Dec 1943
Around 0900A/13, HMS Milne (Capt. I.M.R. Campbell, DSO, RN), HMS Musketeer (Cdr. R.L. Fisher, OBE, RN), HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN), HMS Matchless (Lt. W.D. Shaw, RN), HMS Opportune (Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Virago (Lt.Cdr. A.J.R. White, RN), HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN) and HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) arrived at Skaalefjord, Faeroer Islands. (11)

14 Dec 1943
Around 0015A/14, HMS Milne (Capt. I.M.R. Campbell, DSO, RN), HMS Musketeer (Cdr. R.L. Fisher, OBE, RN), HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN), HMS Matchless (Lt. W.D. Shaw, RN), HMS Opportune (Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Virago (Lt.Cdr. A.J.R. White, RN), HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN) and HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) departed Skaalefjord, Faeroer Islands to join convoy JW 55A which they did around 1430A/15.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Operation FV, passage of convoys JW 55A and JW 55B to Northern Russia and RA 55A and RA 55B from Northern Russia and the sinking of the German battleship Scharnhorst ' for 12 December 1944.] (11)

21 Dec 1943
Around 0200C/21, HMS Musketeer (Cdr. R.L. Fisher, OBE, RN), HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN), HMS Matchless (Lt. W.D. Shaw, RN), HMS Opportune (Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Virago (Lt.Cdr. A.J.R. White, RN), HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN), HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN), HMS Harrier (Cdr. H.E.H. Nicholls, RN), HMS Speedwell (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Williams, RD, RNR), HMS Cockatrice (A/Lt.Cdr. C.W. Armstrong, RNR) and HNoMS Acanthus (?) arrived in the Kola Inlet with the Murmansk section of convoy JW 55A. (11)

22 Dec 1943
Around 1100C/22, HMS Milne (Capt. I.M.R. Campbell, DSO, RN), HMS Musketeer (Cdr. R.L. Fisher, OBE, RN), HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN), HMS Matchless (Lt. W.D. Shaw, RN), HMS Opportune (Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Virago (Lt.Cdr. A.J.R. White, RN), HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN), HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN), HMS Beagle (Lt.Cdr. N.R. Murch, RN), HMS Westcott (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) H. Lambton, RN), HMS Wrestler (Lt. R.W.B. Lacon, DSC, RN), HMS Dianella (T/Lt. J.F. Tognola, RNR), HMS Poppy (T/Lt. D.R.C. Onslow, RNR) and HNoMS Acanthus (?) departed the Kola Inlet with convoy RA 55A.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Operation FV, passage of convoys JW 55A and JW 55B to Northern Russia and RA 55A and RA 55B from Northern Russia and the sinking of the German battleship Scharnhorst ' for 12 December 1943.] (11)

29 Dec 1943
Around 2200A/29, HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) and HMS Beagle (Lt.Cdr. N.R. Murch, RN) arrived at Skaalefjord from convoy escort duty with convoy RA 55A. (11)

31 Dec 1943
HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) proceeded from Skaalefjord, Faeroer Islands to Scapa Flow where she arrived around 1345A/31. (40)

4 Jan 1944
HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) is docked in the floating dock (AFD 12) at Scapa Flow. (41)

8 Jan 1944
HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) is undocked. (41)

8 Jan 1944
Around 1730A/8, the battleship HMS King George V (Capt. T.E. Halsey, DSO, RN), which had been conducted exercises off Scapa Flow earlier in the day, departed Scapa Flow for Gibraltar where she was to pick up Prime Minister Churchill and his entourage. She is escorted by the destroyers HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) and HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN).

At 1230A/9, the destroyer HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN) joined coming from Loch Foyle (Londonderry).

At 0800A/13, HMCS Athabaskan parted company to proceed to Horta, Azores to fuel.

Around 1325A/13, the destroyers HMS Antelope (Cdr. J.G. Gould, RN), HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Wallace, DSC, RN) and HMS Brilliant (Lt.Cdr. J. Smallwood, RN) joined coming from Gibraltar and HMS Ashanti and HMS Meteor parted company also to proceed to Horta to fuel.

HMS King George V, HMS Antelope, Anthony and Brilliant arrived at Gibraltar in the evening of 15 January 1944. (42)

14 Jan 1944
HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN), HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) and HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN) all fuelled at Ponta Delgada, Azores and the left to join HMS King George V (Capt. T.E. Halsey, DSO, RN) coming from Gibraltar.

[For more info see the event for 15 January 1944.] (43)

15 Jan 1944
Around 0330A/15, the battleship HMS King George V (Capt. T.E. Halsey, DSO, RN) departed Gibraltar for the U.K. On board were Prime Minister Churchill and his entourage. She is escorted by light cruiser HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) and the destroyers HMS Antelope (Cdr. J.G. Gould, RN), HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Wallace, DSC, RN) and HMS Brilliant (Lt.Cdr. J. Smallwood, RN).

At 1000A/16, the light cruiser HMS Glasgow (Capt. C.P. Clarke, DSO, RN) joined and HMS Mauritius then parted company to return to Gibraltar.

At 1100A/16, the destroyers HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN), HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN) and HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN) joined coming from Horta, Azores. The original destroyer screen then parted company to return to Gibraltar.

Around 2200A/17, HMS King George V, HMS Glasgow, HMCS Athabaskan, HMS Ashanti and HMS Meteor arrived at Plymouth where the Prime Minister and his entourage were disembarked. (44)

18 Jan 1944
Around 1530A/18, the battleship HMS King George V (Capt. T.E. Halsey, DSO, RN) departed Plymouth for Scapa Flow. She is escorted by the destroyers HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN), HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN) and HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN).

Around 1930A/18, HMS Ashanti and HMCS Athabaskan parted company to return to Plymouth arriving during the night of 18/19 January.

Around 1300A/20, HMS King George V and HMS Meteor arrived at Scapa Flow from Plymouth. (45)

19 Jan 1944
Around 1530A/19, HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN), HMCS Iroquois (Cdr. J.C. Hibbard, DSC, RCN), HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) and HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN) departed Plymouth to patrol off the south-east coast of the U.K. / western part of the English Channel.

They returned to Plymouth around 0530A/20. (24)

21 Jan 1944
HMS Glasgow (Capt. C.P. Clarke, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Plymouth. These included a range and inclination (RIX) exercise during which HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) acted as target. HMCS Athabaskan then left to proceed up the Irish Sea [No further details available.]

In the evening a night encounter exercise was carried out with three destroyers / escort destroyers (identity currently not known to us). (46)

22 Jan 1944
HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) arrived at Milford Haven.

[She must have departed Plymouth the previous day. We have been unable to find out what duties she had been performing between her departure from Plymouth and arrival at Milford Haven. Most likely it was some sort of escort duty.] (47)

23 Jan 1944
Around 1600A/23, HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) departed Milford Haven and proceeded southwards. [No further details available but most likely it was for some sort of escort duty.] (47)

25 Jan 1944
HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) arrived at Portsmouth. (43)

25 Jan 1944
HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) arrived at Portsmouth. (43)

26 Jan 1944
HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) proceeded from Portsmouth to Plymouth where she arrived around 1400A/26. (48)

4 Feb 1944
Around 0900A/4, HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN), HMCS Iroquois (Cdr. J.C. Hibbard, DSC, RCN) and HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) departed Plymouth for Scapa Flow. (49)

5 Feb 1944
Around 2300A/5, HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN), HMCS Iroquois (Cdr. J.C. Hibbard, DSC, RCN) and HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) arrived at Scapa Flow from Plymouth. (49)

10 Feb 1944

Operation Posthorn.

The object of this operation was to attack shipping on the Norwegian coast in the Stadlandet area with carrier borne aircraft.

A force made up of the battleships HMS Anson (Capt. E.D.B. McCarthy, DSO and Bar, RN flying the flag of Vice-Admiral H.R. Moore, KCB, DSO, CVO, RN), Richelieu (Capt. R.G. Lambert), aircraft carrier HMS Furious (Capt. G.T. Philip, DSO, DSC, RN), light cruisers HMS Belfast (Capt. F.R. Parham, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral R.L. Burnett, CB, KBE, DSO, RN), HMS Nigeria and the destroyers HMCS Iroquois (Cdr. J.C. Hibbard, DSC, RCN), HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN), HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN), HMS Serapis (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN), HMS Onslaught (Cdr. the Hon. A. Pleydell-Bouverie, RN), HMS Oribi (Lt.Cdr. J.C.A. Ingram, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. P. Bekenn, RN) left Scapa Flow around 1000A/10 and poceeded to the north-east, arriving in the flying off position around 0900A/11 the following day.

Ten Barracudas, escorted by Twelve Seafires were flown off from HMS Furious. The weather was suitable to flying but cloud conditions were poor for dive bombing. No shipping targets were found under way and attacks were therefore directed at a ship found beached in two halves in Ervik Bay. This ship, which had been hit earlier by airborne and submarine torpedoes, was the Emsland (5180 GRT, built 1901) was seen to have been prepared for towing and at least 4 bomb hits on each part of the vessel were confirmed and the wreck was now thoroughly destroyed.

Enemy fighters were encounted, at least two FW-190's and 3 ME-109's were airborne before the arrival of the striking group. They were engaged by Seafires who claim one of the enemy shot down, one probably shot down and two enemy were claimed to have been damaged. One Seafire was lost. Only light anti-aircraft fire was experienced and the remainder of the striking force returned safely.

The Force was reported by enemy aircraft, but was not shadowed for any length of time. It arrived back at Scapa shortly before noon on the 12th. (50)

13 Feb 1944
HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN), HMCS Iroquois (Cdr. J.C. Hibbard, DSC, RCN) and HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow on completion of which they fuelled and then left Scapa Flow for Plymouth around 1800A/13. (49)

15 Feb 1944
Around 0950A/15, HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN), HMCS Iroquois (Cdr. J.C. Hibbard, DSC, RCN) and HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) arrived at Plymouth from Scapa Flow. (49)

19 Feb 1944
During 19/20 February 1944, the light cruiser HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN), destroyers HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN), HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN), HMCS Huron (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Rayner, DSC, RCN) and the escort destroyers HMS Talybont (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Baines, DSO, RN) and HMS Tanatside (Cdr. B.J. de St. Croix, RN) conducted exercises near Lands End and the Scilly Islands. (51)

25 Feb 1944
During the night of 25/26 February 1944, the light cruiser HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) and the destroyers HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN), HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN) and HMCS Huron (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Rayner, DSC, RCN) patrolled off the French coast near Île-de-Batz but no contact was made with the enemy. (52)

27 Feb 1944
The light cruiser HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) and the destroyers HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN), HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN) and HMCS Huron (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Rayner, DSC, RCN) conducted exercises off Plymouth. (51)

1 Mar 1944
Around 2040A/1, 'Force 28', made up of the destroyers HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN), HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN), HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN) and HMCS Huron (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Rayner, DSC, RCN) departed Plymouth to patrol near Ushant but no contact was made with the enemy. They returned to Plymouth around 0740A/2. (53)

1 Mar 1944
HMS United (Lt. N.R. Wood, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Plymouth together with with ML 159 (T/Lt. B.D. Gerrans, RNVR), ML 183 (T/Lt. A.J. Wright, RNVR) and ML 184 (T/Lt. R.W.A. Winter, RNVR) and later with HMCS Huron (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Rayner, DSC, RCN) and HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN). (54)

3 Mar 1944
The light cruiser HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) and, most likely, the destroyers HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN), HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN) and HMCS Huron (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Rayner, DSC, RCN) conducted exercises off Plymouth. (55)

7 Mar 1944
During the night of 7/8 March 1944, The light cruiser HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) and, most likely, the destroyers HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN), HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN), HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN) and HMCS Huron (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Rayner, DSC, RCN) conducted exercises off Plymouth together with coastal forces. (55)

10 Mar 1944

Operation Specimen.

Around 0945A/10, ' Force 26 ' made up of the light cruiser HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) and the destroyers HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN), HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN), HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN) and HMCS Huron (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Rayner, DSC, RCN) departed Plymouth to intercept German destroyers / torpedo boats reported in the Bay of Biscay. The destroyers / torpedo boats in question were the Z 23, ZH 1, T 27 und T 29 which made rendezvous with the Japanese submarine I-29 [offsite link] and then escorted her to Lorient.

After departure ' Force 26 ' was to proceed through positions (AA) 180° - Bishop Rock - 10 nautical miles, (BB) 49°22'N, 08°02'W to reach (CC) 46°55'N, 05°11'W at 0145A/11. Speed of advance after passing (BB) was 26 knots. On reaching (CC) they were to sweep on course 180° until 0215A/11 and then turn back towards (CC). If nothing had been sighted they were to retire with all despatch on course 310° until west of 08°00'W and thence though positions (BB) and (AA) to Plymouth.

In case contact would be made with the enemy ' Force 26 ' was to endeavour to withdraw outside a distance of 120 miles from the enemy coast as soon after daylight as possible. They were then to proceed to position (BB) while keeping out the limit of 120 miles from the enemy coast.

Shortly before 2200A/10 ' Force 26 ' were recalled as it would be impossible to intercept the enemy ships which were hugging the Spanish / French coast.

Around 1000A/11, ' Force 26 ' arrived back at Plymouth. (56)

13 Mar 1944
Around 1830A/13, HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN), HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) and HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN) departed Plymouth to patrol between positions (AA) 190° - the Lizard - 25 nautical miles and (BB) 270° - position (AA) - 20 nautical miles.

HMCS Haida returned to Plymouth around 0915A/14.

The remaining three destroyers remained on patrol and returned P.M. on the 14th. It looks like HMCS Athabaskan proceeded to Falmouth instead of Plymouth. No contact had been made with the enemy. (53)

14 Mar 1944
Around 1835A/14, ' Force 27 ', made up of the destroyers HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN) and HMCS Huron (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Rayner, DSC, RCN) departed Plymouth for a patrol along a 25 mile line about 29 nautical miles to the south of Land's End to protect the convoy route from possible attack by enemy destroyers or torpedo boats from Brest.

The destroyers of ' Force 27 ' were reinforced around 2030A/14, in position 130° - the Lizard - 18 nautical miles , by their sister ship, HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN), which came from Falmouth.

No contact was made with the enemy and they arrived at Plymouth around 0900A/15. (53)

15 Mar 1944
The light cruiser HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN), destroyers HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN), HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN), HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN), HMCS Huron (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Rayner, DSC, RCN) and the escort destroyers HMS Melbreak (Lt. G.J. Kirkby, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Brissenden (Lt. D.D.E. Vivian, RN) conducted exercises off Plymouth. (55)

16 Mar 1944
Around 1800A/16, ' Force 27 ' made up of the destroyers HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN), HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) and HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN) departed Plymouth to patrol between positions (CC) 150° - Bishop Rock - 8 nautical miles and (DD) 125° - Position CC - 20 nautical miles.

At 2200A/16, aircraft 512Sq./C, a Halifax, which was on patrol between the Scillies and Brest reported the position of a possible enemy motor torpedo boat as 49°06'N, 06°02'W.

' Force 113 ', made up of the (French) motor torpedo boats MTB 96 (?), MTB 98 (?) and MTB 91 (?) were ordered to proceed to position 130° - the Lizard - 10 nautical miles. ' Force 113 ', which had been patrolling off Eddystone was at that moment already en-route towards the Lizard.

At 2240A/16, ' Force 27 ' was in contact with the aircraft that had made the report.

At 0130A/17, a group of two possible enemy motor torpedo boats were plotted in position 095° - the Lizard - 8 nautical miles and at 0214A/17 ' Force 113 ' was sent to investigate. Subsequently two more groups of enemy motor torpedo boats were plotted intermittently south-east of Dodman point and the Falmouth shore batteries opened fire on the southernmost group which then moved eastwards.

At 0240A/17, all groups moved to the south-east at high speed.

' Force 27 ' proceeded at high speed on an easterly course to attempt to intercept the enemy should they double back to Brest. ' Force 113 ' endeavoured to intercept the northernmost group but both forces were too far to the west to make contact.

Minelaying was suspected off Dodman Point and at first light minesweeping trawlers searched the convoy routes between Plymouth and Falmouth.

' Force 113 ' returned to Dartmouth around 0755A/17. MTB 91, which had engine defects, had already returned around 0335A/17.

' Force 27 ' arrived at Plymouth around 0800A/17.

The enemy motor torpedo boats must have been part of the 5th and 9th S-boat flotillas which had been operating in the area during this night. This were S 84, S 112, S 139, S 140, S 141, S 143, S 144, S 145, S 146 and S 150. They had departed Brest around 2000B/16 and arrived at Cherbourg around 0630A/17 - 0700A/17. (57)

21 Mar 1944
The light cruiser HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) conducted radar calibration trial off Plymouth which were followed by throw off gunnery exercises during which the destroyer HMS Saladin (T/A/Lt.Cdr. P.G.C. King, RNVR) acted as target. Also HA gunnery exercises were carried out.

In the evening night encounter exercises were carried out with the destroyers of the 10th Destroyer Flotilla; HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN), HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN), HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN) and HMCS Huron (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Rayner, DSC, RCN). (55)

24 Mar 1944
Around 2045A/24, ' Force 27 ', made up of the destroyers HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN), HMCS Huron (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Rayner, DSC, RCN) and HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) departed Plymouth for a patrol to the south of Start Point to cover forces participating in exercise ' Muskrat II '.

' Force 27 ' returned to Plymouth around 0900A/25. (53)

27 Mar 1944
The light cruiser HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) conducted radar calibration trials and gunnery exercises off Plymouth.

These were followed by exercises with the destroyers HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN), HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) and HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN). (55)

28 Mar 1944
Around 2200A/28, the light cruiser HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) and the destroyers HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN), HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) and HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN) departed Plymouth for an anti-shipping sweep of the French coast near Île Vierge.

They returned to Plymouth around 1330A/28 having been unable to enter earlier due to thick fog. No contact was made with the enemy. (58)

29 Mar 1944
Around 1930A/29, the destroyers HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN) and HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) departed Plymouth to patrol between positions 087° - Start Point - 24 nautical miles and 130° - Start Point - 20 nautical miles so as to cover forces taking part in exercise ' Beaver '.

They returned to Plymouth the following morning. (53)

6 Apr 1944
Around 2030B/6, ' Force 26 ', made up of the destroyers HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN), HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) and HMCS Huron (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Rayner, DSC, RCN), departed Plymouth to patrol off coast of Brittany.

They were to sweep from the vicinity of Ile Vierge as far east as 04°00'W and then return to Plymouth.

They returned to Plymouth the following morning having made no contact with the enemy. (53)

8 Apr 1944
Around 0930B/8, HMS Enterprise (Capt. H.T.W. Grant, DSO, RCN) and HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) departed Greenock for The Solent / Cowes where they arrived around 1330B/9.

It seems like that on passing Plymouth in the early hours of the 9th, the destroyers HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN) and HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) joined them and accompanied them to Portsmouth. (59)

11 Apr 1944
HMS Enterprise (Capt. H.T.W. Grant, DSO, RCN), HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN), HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN) and HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) departed The Solent together with several BYMS minesweepers for an exercise area near Slapton Sands where minesweeping and bombardment exercises were to be carried out for future landing operations ('exercise Trousers').

On completion of the exercises the cruisers and destroyers continued on to Plymouth where they arrived in the afternoon of the 12th. (60)

14 Apr 1944
HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) is taken in hand for repairs at the Devonport Dockyard. The repair period included a docking. (43)

22 Apr 1944

Minelaying operation Hostile 30.

The object of this minelaying operation was to lay a minefield off Ile Vierge.

Around 1515B/22, the fast minelayer HMS Apollo (Capt. J.A. Grindle, CBE, RN) departed Milford Haven to lay this minefield.

Around 2245B/22, she was joined off Longships by the destroyers HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN), HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) and HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN) coming from Plymouth.

The destroyers were detached around 0145B/23 and between 0201B/23 and 0227B/23, HMS Apollo laid 100 MK XVII (49/50) / MK XVIII units, 40 MK 1 / XVII units and 16 MK 1 obstructors in three lines on headings of 125°, 185° and 305° within an area enclosed by lines joining positions;
A) 48°45'7"N, 04°38'5"W,
B) 48°41'1"N, 04°35'4"W,
C) 48°40'0"N, 04°39'5"W,
D) 48°44'4"N, 04°42'7"W.

Mines were set at a depth of 20 feet, with flooders to operate by 10 June 1944. Delay release was arranged for 22nd, 27th and 31st May.

On completion, HMS Apollo returned to Milford Haven. The destroyers returned to Plymouth arriving around 0730B/23. (61)

24 Apr 1944
Around 1930B/24, ' Force 26 ', made up of the light cruiser HMS Black Prince (Capt. D.M. Lees, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN), HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) and HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN) departed Plymouth to proceed to position (SS) 49°30'N, 04°27'W so as to arrive in that position around 0130B/25 and then patrol eastward as far as 03°30'W after which they were to return to Plymouth.

No contact was made with the enemy and ' Force 26 ' returned to Plymouth around 0830B/25. (62)

25 Apr 1944
Around 2105B/24, ' Force 26 ', made up of the light cruiser HMS Black Prince (Capt. D.M. Lees, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN), HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN), HMCS Huron (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Rayner, DSC, RCN) and HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN) departed Plymouth.

They were to proceed to position (SS) 48°49'5"N, 04°27'W and then sweep eastwards.

At 0200B/26, in position 312° - Ile de Batz - 10 nautical miles, ' Force 26 ' made contact with an enemy force which was believed to be made up of three or four Elbing-class torpedo boats. The enemy was on a westerly course but immediately endeavoured to alter course away and escape under the cover of smoke.

At 0219B/26, HMS Black Prince opened fire with star shell at a range of 13000 yards. The remainder of ' Force 26 ' then also opened fire on the enemy as they became visible through the smoke, claiming several hits.

About half an hour later, torpedoes were sighted by HMS Black Prince approaching from starboard. HMS Black Prince immediately altered course away but the result was that the enemy was no longer within star shell range. HMS Black Prince then dropped out of the action as she was unable to overtake the destroyers.

The destroyers meanwhile continued to engage the enemy providing their own illumination. At 0325B/26, HMCS Haida sighted and Elbing-class torpedo boat trying to double back to the westward. This Elbing, thought to have been damaged earlier in the action, was at once engaged by both HMCS Haida and HMCS Athabaskan followed shortly afterwards by HMCS Huron and HMS Ashanti. At 0341B/26, HMCS Haida reported that the enemy was on fire and she subsequently sank at 0421B/26 in position 267° - Les Heaux - 7 nautical miles. It was thought one Elbing-class torpedo boat escaped to the west and one Elbing-class torpedo boat escaped to the east.

Whilst forming up to return to Plymouth, HMS Ashanti collided with HMCS Huron resulting in hull damage to both ships. During the action with the enemy one rating was killed on board HMCS Huron while two were wounded. In HMCS Haida one officer was killed and one rating slightly wound. In HMCS Athabaskan one ratting was slightly wounded.

' Force 26 ', off which all ships except HMS Black Prince all had suffered some minor action damage, returned to Plymouth around 0825B/26.

The enemy that had been encountered were the German torpedo boats T 29, T 27 and T 24 which had just completed laying a minefield north-west of Les Sept Isles. They had departed Saint Malo around 2130B/25. During the action T 29 was sunk, T 27 was detached to Morlaix around 0300B/26 after having been damaged early in the action reducing her speed to only 12 knots. T 24 managed to escape to the westwards and returned to Saint Malo around 0715B/26. (63)

26 Apr 1944
In the evening, ' Force 27 ', made up of the destroyers HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN) and HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN), departed Plymouth to patrol between positions (B) 50°18'N, 02°35'W and 50°06'N, 02°50' to provide cover for bombardment exercises of other ships.

They returned to Plymouth around 0850B/27. (64)

28 Apr 1944

Minelaying operation Hostile 26.

The object of this minelaying operation was to lay a minefield to the north-east of Ile de Batz.

Around 1945B/28, eight ML's of the 10th ML flotilla left Plymouth for this operation. They had a close escort of two MTB's.

The group was formed into two divisions. The first division was made up of ML 157 (T/Lt. T.B. Gwenlan, DSC, RNVR), ML 180 (T/Lt. R.J. McCullagh, RNVR), ML 184 (T/Lt. R.W.A. Winter, RNVR) and HMS ML 186 (T/Lt. F.O.S. Man, RNVR). HMS MTB 677 (T/Lt. A.H. Clayton, RNVR) was the close escort. The second division was made up of ML 159 (T/Lt. B.D. Gerrans, RNVR), HMS ML 181 (T/A/Lt.Cdr. H.T. Kemsley, RNVR, S.O. 10th ML Flotilla), HMS ML 259 (T/Lt. H.W.E. Johnson, RNVR) and HMS ML 488 (T/Lt. I.H.L. King, RNVR). HMS MTB 717 (T/Lt. B.H.C. Robinson, RNVR) was the close escort.

Cover was provided by the destroyers HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN) and HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN). They departed Plymouth around 2300B/28 and were to patrol 6 nautical miles to the west and east of position (XX) 49°00'N, 04°10'W with the intention to leave around 0345B/29 for the return passage.

The outward passage was uneventful and completed in fine weather.

Between 0314B/29 and 0326B/29, each division laid a line of 14 mines and 2 MK I obstructors within an area enclosed by lines joining the following positions;
A) 48°55'03"N, 03°52'00"W,
B) 48°52'18"N, 03°52'36"W,
C) 48°51'00"N, 03°57'36"W,
D) 48°52'57"N, 04°00'09"W.

The total of 28 mines consisted of 20 MK XVII (49/50) / XVIII set at 20 feet and 8 MK 1/XVII set at 12 feet.

Sinker clocks were set to release on 21 May and flooders were set to operate on 10 June 1944.

Just after the lay had commenced, two signals were received from the C-in-C, Plymouth reporting the presence of an enemy plot to the southward and HMCS Haida and HMCS Athabaskan were ordered to intercept and they then left to proceed to do so at full speed.

On completion of the lay the minelaying force retired to the northward at 14 knots and at 0405B/29 an enemy report was received from HMCS Haida and continuous star shell was seen from that moment to the south-westward.

At 0416B/29 a very heavy explosion was heard and a burst of flame was seen of which it was later found out that this was HMCS Athabaskan being hit. At 0427B/29, another heavy explosion was heard and a large white mushroom shape cloud of smoke was seen which was HMCS Athabaskan blowing up.

At 0505B/29 the MTB's were detached with orders to search for survivors on orders of the C-in-C, Plymouth. This order was cancelled at 0537B/29 and the MTB's rejoined the force at 0838B/29 and they then entered Plymouth at 0955B/29. The destroyers HMS Offa (Lt.Cdr. R.F. Leonard, RN) and HMS Orwell (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Hodges, DSO, RN), which were covering an exercise in Lyme Bay, were withdrawn and sent to cover the minelaying force on their return passage. (65)

29 Apr 1944
At 0322B/29, the C-in-C, Plymouth's signal timed 0307B/29 was received on board HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN) and HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN). This signal stated that enemy vessels had been detected to the south proceeding westwards.

Speed was increased to full and course was changed to 225°. At 0332B/29, course was altered to 205° and at 0343B/29 to 180°. It was estimated that the enemy could be intercepted to the east of Ile de Vierge.

At 0359B/29, radar contact was obtained by HMCS Athabaskan bearing 133° at a range of 14 nautical miles. This was confirmed by HMCS Haida at 0402B/29 and an enemy report was made.

At 0400B/29, course was altered to 160° and at 0408B/29 to 170°. The bearing of the enemy remained steady at about 125°. At 0402B/29, the plot on board HMCS Haida showed an estimated course of the enemy of 280° at 24 knots and this was confirmed by HMCS Athabaskan which reported 278° at 23 knots.

At 0407B/29, the enemy bore 127°, range 13000 yards, enemy course 260° at 24 knots.

At 0412B/29, HMCS Haida gave the order to engage the enemy and opened fire with star shell. The range at moment being 7300 yards. At 0414B/29, two destroyers were in sight bearing 115° and they were identified as Elbing-class (torpedo boats).

The enemy laid smoke and retired to the southward. At 0417B/29, course was altered 30° to port, still keeping ' A ' arcs open and at that moment HMCS Athabaskan was hit aft and a large fire was started. She was observed to slow down and turning to port. HMCS Haida obtained her first hit on the enemy at 0418B/29.

At 0419B/29, HMCS Haida altered course 090° to port to lay a smoke screen for HMCS Athabaskan who appeared to be stopped and badly on fire. ' A ' arcs were opened to starboard. At 0420B/29, HMCS Haida obtained another hit on the enemy.

At 0422B/29, the plot reported the enemy proceeding on course 160° in line abreast. At that moment target was shifted as the first enemy destroyer was disappearing in smoke to the eastward.

At 0427B/29, ' X ' gun reported that all star shell had been expended and at the same time HMCS Athabaskan appeared to blow up. Fortunately at this black moment the engaged enemy was on fire and though hidden by smoke, the glow of the fire was bright enough to provide a point of aim.

During the next five minutes frequent hits were observed but when the smoke cleared at about 0435B/29 the enemy was seen to be aground and half hidden by a ledge of rock and it was obvious that many of the observed ' hits ' must have been on this rock. The enemy was clearly visible in the light of her own fire.

Course was altered to the north and west to clear the ledges and the line of fire, but on reviewing the situation at about 0442B/29 Cdr. de Wolf decided to retire. Contact with the second enemy destroyer had been lost around 0433B/29 at a range of 14000 yards. Course was set to pass through the position where HMCS Athabaskan blew up and preparations were made to pick up survivors.

At 0457B/29, HMCS Haida was stopped amidst a large group of survivors, possibly around 100 in number. All boats and floats were then lowered and were ordered to be left without crews at 0515B/29 which was the latest time HMCS Haida wanted to leave the area. When HMCS Haida left three of her ratings were left in the motor boat and two of her ratings were in the water assisting at the scramble nets. It was communicated to the remaining survivors that motor torpedo boats had been ordered to proceed to the area to continue the rescue operations. This were HMS MTB 677 (T/Lt. A.H. Clayton, RNVR) and HMS MTB 717 (T/Lt. B.H.C. Robinson, RNVR) but these were recalled when it became clear they could not reach the area before daybreak. 38 survivors had been picked up by HMCS Haida. 85 were picked up by the Germans an made POW', 127 men had lost their lives.

At 0517B/29, course was set for Plymouth at 31 knots to clear the area before daylight.

The fire in the grounded enemy destroyer was visible until 0530B/29 and occasional small explosions were observed.

Around 0635B/29, the destroyer HMS Offa (Lt.Cdr. R.F. Leonard, RN) joined followed at 0650B/29 by HMS Orwell (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Hodges, DSO, RN). They remained in company until the vicinity of Eddystone.

HMCS Haida arrived at Plymouth around 0840B/29.

At 1905B/29, the RAF rescue launch HSL 2554 was sent to position 49°35'N, 05°00'W where a small boat with several men had been reported by aircraft. This proved to be the motor boat of HMCS Haida containing the five ratings that had been left behind with the survivors of HMCS Athabaskan. With them were also six survivors from this destroyer. HSL 2554 took the boat in tow and landed the men in Newlyn.

The enemy ships encountered were the German torpedo boats T 27 and T 24 which were on passage from Saint Malo, which they had departed around 2130B/29, to Brest. T 27 was driven ashore and her wreck was finally destroyed on 7 May.

Following the action T 24 proceeded to Morlaix and later returned to the place where T 27 was grounded with boats of the 24th Minesweeper Flotilla. Attempts by a ship from this flotilla to tow off the badly damaged torpedo boat failed. T 24 then proceeded to Brest where she arrived around 1530B/29.

It was a torpedo fired by T 24 which had hit HMCS Athabaskan. (66)

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