HMS Mauritius (80) of the Royal Navy - British Light cruiser of the Fiji class - Allied Warships of WWII (original) (raw)

Allied Warships

Light cruiser of the Fiji class

HMS Mauritius in April 1942

Notable events involving Mauritius include:

This page, displaying the wartime history of HMS Mauritius, was created in July 2024.

This page was last updated in August 2024.

14 Dec 1940
At 1200A/14, HMS Mauritius (Capt. L.C.A. Curzon-Howe, RN) is commissioned at Wallsend-on-Tyne. (1)

15 Dec 1940
HMS Mauritius (Capt. L.C.A. Curzon-Howe, RN) is towed from Wallsend-on-Tyne to North Shields. (1)

26 Dec 1940
HMS Mauritius (Capt. L.C.A. Curzon-Howe, RN) D/G trials off North Shields. (1)

27 Dec 1940
Around 1500A/27, HMS Mauritius (Capt. L.C.A. Curzon-Howe, RN) departed North Shields for Greenock. On leaving the Tyne at 1555A/27, she was joined by the escort destroyers HMS Southdown (Cdr. E.R. Condor, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Tynedale (Lt.Cdr. H.E.F. Tweedie, RN) which had departed Scapa Flow around 2000A/26 for this purpose.

At 0948A/28, in the Pentland Firth, the destroyers HMS Vimy (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN) and HMS Bulldog (Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Hewitt, RN) relieved the current escort which then proceeded to Scapa Flow. HMS Vimy and HMS Bulldog had departed Scapa Flow around 0845A/28.

HMS Mauritius, HMS Vimy and HMS Bulldog arrived at Greenock around 1100A/29. (2)

30 Dec 1940
HMS Mauritius (Capt. L.C.A. Curzon-Howe, RN) conducted trials in the Clyde area but these soon had to be abandoned [no reason given in the ships log]. (1)

31 Dec 1940
HMS Mauritius (Capt. L.C.A. Curzon-Howe, RN) conducted speed, gunnery and turning trials in the Clyde area.

[No logs are available for the months of January and February 1941, therefore some details for these months will be missing.] (1)

1 Jan 1941
HMS Mauritius (Capt. L.C.A. Curzon-Howe, RN) conducted full power trials in the Clyde area on completion of which she was accepted from the shipyard.

6 Jan 1941
HMS Mauritius (Capt. L.C.A. Curzon-Howe, RN) departed Greenock to Scapa Flow where she is to undergo a work-up programme. (3)

7 Jan 1941
Around 1045A/7, HMS Mauritius (Capt. L.C.A. Curzon-Howe, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from Greenock. (4)

15 Jan 1941
HMS Nigeria (Capt. J.G.L. Dundas, RN) and HMS Mauritius (Cdr. A.R. Pedder, RN) conducted A/S exercises at Scapa Flow during which HMS L 23 (Lt. L.F.L. Hill, RNR) acted as target submarine. (5)

17 Jan 1941
In the evening HMS Mauritius (Capt. L.C.A. Curzon-Howe, RN) conducted exercises at Scapa Flow. (6)

21 Jan 1941
HMS Mauritius (Cdr. A.R. Pedder, RN) conducted exercises at /off Scapa Flow. (6)

23 Jan 1941
In the late afternoon / early evening, HMS Edinburgh (Capt. C.M. Blackman, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral L.E. Holland, CB, RN), HMS Birmingham (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN), HMS Nigeria (Capt. J.G.L. Dundas, RN) and HMS Mauritius (Cdr. A.R. Pedder, RN) conducted RIX (rangefinding and inclination) exercises off Scapa Flow. (7)

24 Jan 1941
In the evening, HMS Mauritius (Cdr. A.R. Pedder, RN) conducted exercises at Scapa Flow. (8)

25 Jan 1941
As the German battlecruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau were reported to have left Kiel, Germany for operations in the Atlantic the Home Fleet sailed around midnight during the night of the 25th/26th to intercept them.

The ships that sailed from Scapa Flow were the following, battleships HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN, flying the flag of A/Adm. J.C. Tovey, KCB, DSO, RN), HMS Rodney (Capt. F.H.G. Dalrymple-Hamilton, RN), battlecruiser HMS Repulse (Capt. W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN), light cruisers HMS Arethusa (Capt. Q.D. Graham, RN), HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN), HMS Aurora (Capt. W.G. Agnew, RN), HMS Mauritius (Cdr. A.R. Pedder, RN), HMS Naiad (Capt. M.H.A. Kelsey, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral E.L.S. King, CB, MVO, RN), HMS Phoebe (Capt. G. Grantham, RN), HMS Edinburgh (Capt. C.M. Blackman, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral L.E. Holland, CB, RN) and HMS Birmingham (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN) and the destroyers HMS Bedouin (Cdr. J.A. McCoy, DSO, RN), HMS Matabele (Cdr. R.St.V. Sherbrooke, DSO, RN), HMS Punjabi (Cdr. J.T. Lean, DSO, RN), HMS Tartar (Cdr. L.P. Skipwith, RN), HMS Echo (Cdr. S.H.K. Spurgeon, DSO, RAN), HMS Electra (Cdr. S.A. Buss, MVO, RN), HMS Escapade (Cdr. R.E. Hyde-Smith, RN), HMS Beagle (Lt.Cdr. R.H. Wright, DSC, RN), HMS Brilliant (Lt.Cdr. F.C. Brodrick, RN), HMS Keppel (Lt. R.J. Hanson, RN) and ORP Piorun (Kmdr.por. (Cdr.) E.J.S. Plawski).

On the 27th, HMS Rodney, HMS Birmingham, HMS Edinburgh, HMS Mauritius and the destroyers HMS Beagle, HMS Brilliant, HMS Keppel and Piorun parted company to return to Scapa Flow which they did around 2345A/28 except for HMS Keppel and ORP Piorun which returned to Scapa Flow at 0700A/29.

They were to remain at Scapa Flow until 30 January when they would sail to relieve units still on patrol to enable them to return to base.

On 30 January the light cruisers HMS Naiad and HMS Phoebe arrived at Scapa Flow at 1100 hours. They were followed about half an hour later by the light cruisers HMS Galatea and HMS Arethusa.

HMS Nelson, HMS Repulse, HMS Bedouin, HMS Matabele, HMS Punjabi, HMS Tartar, HMS Echo, HMS Electra and HMS Escapade arrived at Scapa Flow at 1700A/30.

Light cruiser HMS Aurora also returned to Scapa Flow on 30 January.

3 Feb 1941
At 1550O/3, the battleship HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN), which had parted company with convoy BHX 104 around noon and was now en-route to Scapa Flow, was joined by the destroyers HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, RN), HMS Somali (Lt.Cdr. T.H.B. Shaw, DSC, RN), HMS Eskimo (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) and HMS Eclipse (Lt.Cdr. I.T. Clark, RN). These destroyer had departed Scapa Flow in the morning of 1st, February.

Between around 0800N/4 and 1455Z/5, HMS Eclipse had not been in company.

HMAS Napier parted company in the morning of the 6th to proceed to the Clyde.

HMS King George V, HMS Somali, HMS Eskimo and HMS Eclipse arrived at Scapa Flow around 1345A/6, having carried out an exercise with the light cruiser HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.K.D. Dowding, RN) first. (9)

4 Feb 1941
In the late afternoon and evening, HMS Edinburgh (Capt. C.M. Blackman, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral L.E. Holland, CB, RN), HMS Birmingham (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN), HMS Nigeria (Capt. J.G.L. Dundas, RN) and HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.K.D. Dowding, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (10)

5 Feb 1941
At 1845A/5, a fire was reported on board HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.K.D. Dowding, RN). No serious damage was sustained. (11)

6 Feb 1941
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) conducted exercises at /off Scapa Flow. (12)

7 Feb 1941
HMS Arethusa (Capt. Q.D. Graham, RN) and HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (13)

8 Feb 1941
In response to the sighting of the German battlecruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau by HMS Ramillies (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) the battlecruiser HMS Repulse (Capt. W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN), light cruisers HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN), HMS Arethusa (Capt. Q.D. Graham, RN), HMS Aurora (Capt. W.G. Agnew, RN), HMS Nigeria (Capt. J.G.L. Dundas, RN) and the destroyers HMS Eskimo (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN), HMS Matabele (Cdr. R.St.V. Sherbrooke, DSO, RN) and HMS Punjabi (Cdr. J.T. Lean, DSO, RN) departed Scapa Flow at 1830A/8. They were ordered to proceed to position 62°30'N, 16°00'W.

At 1900A/8 the battleship HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN, flying the flag of A/Adm. J.C. Tovey, KCB, DSO, RN), light cruisers HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN), HMS Dido (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, RN), destroyers HMS Eclipse (Lt.Cdr. I.T. Clark, RN), HMS Electra (Cdr. C.W. May, RN) and HMS Tartar (Cdr. L.P. Skipwith, RN) departed Scapa Flow to take up a position seventy miles to the south-south-east of the 'Repulse'-group.

Around 2300A/8, the light cruiser HMS Edinburgh (Capt. C.M. Blackman, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral L.E. Holland, CB, RN) departed the Clyde for operations. She was later ordered to join the 'Rodney'-group.

In the morning of February, 9th, the battleships HMS Rodney (Capt. F.H.G. Dalrymple-Hamilton, RN) and HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN) escorted by the destroyers HMS Bedouin (Cdr. J.A. McCoy, DSO, RN), HMS Maori (Cdr. H.T. Armstrong, DSC, RN), HMS Zulu (Cdr. H.R. Graham, DSO, RN), HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. D.H. Maitland-Makgill Crichton, DSC, RN) and HMS Brilliant (Lt.Cdr. F.C. Brodrick, RN) departed Scapa Flow to proceed to position 65°00'N, 08°30'W.

HMS Arethusa and HMS Nigeria were sent to Reykjavik at 2100/12th to refuel prior after which they were to resume patrol.

HMS Mauritius and HMS Dido returned to Scapa Flow around 1700A/11.

HMS Nelson, HMS Eclipse, HMS Electra and HMS Tartar returned to Scapa Flow around 1830A/11.

Around 2030A/11, HMS Rodney and HMS King George V, HMS Edinburgh, HMS Bedouin, HMS Maori, HMS Zulu, HMS Brilliant returned to Scapa Flow. The destroyer HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, DSO, RN) was with them apprently she had joined them at sea. HMS Boreas had been detached to participate in an A/S hunt.

HMS Galatea and HMS Aurora returned to Scapa Flow around 0145A/13th.

HMS Repulse, HMS Eskimo, HMS Matabele and HMS Punjabi returned to Scapa Flow around 0315A/13.

10 Feb 1941
Around 1800/10, HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN), HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN) and HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St. Clair-Ford, RN), arrived at Skaale Fiord, Faroes where they embarked fuel.

They departed again around 2200 hours to search for a submarine reported by HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN) to the west of the Faroes in position 60°59'N, 12°44'W. HMS Jackal (Cdr. C.L. Firth, MVO, RN) is ordered to also proceed to that position to join them there. Later this was changed to position 59°25'N, 09°07'W where a merchant vessel had reported being chased by a submarine.

In the evening the light cruiser HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) reported attacking a submarine in position 60°59'N, 12°44'W. HMS Kelly and HMS Jackal, which had not joined the other destroyers yet, were ordered to proceeded to that position.

On the 11th the destroyers were joined by the destroyer HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. D.H. Maitland-Makgill Crichton, DSC, RN) and in the evening HMS Jackal was ordered to proceed to Scapa Flow to refuel as she had not done so since leaving Plymouth.

15 Feb 1941
Around 1815A/15, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Greenock. (3)

16 Feb 1941
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Greenock from Scapa Flow. (3)

18 Feb 1941

Convoy WS 6B.

This convoy was assembled near Oversay on 18 February 1941.

On assembly the convoy was made up of the following (troop) transports;Adda (British, 7816 GRT, built 1922),Burma (British, 7821 GRT, built 1914),Llanstephan Castle (British, 11340 GRT, built 1914),Northumberland (British, 11558 GRT, built 1915) and Yoma (British, 8131 GRT, built 1928).

The convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN), armed merchant cruiser HMS Cilicia (Capt.(Retd.) V.B. Cardwell, OBE, RN) and the destroyers HMS Legion (Cdr. R.F. Jessel, RN), HMS Hesperus (Lt.Cdr. A.A. Tait, RN), HMS Hurricane (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Simms, RN), Piorun (Kmdr.por. (Cdr.) E.J.S. Plawski) and ORP Garland (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) K.F. Namiesniowski).

At 1150A/18, in position 55°53'N, 07°38'W, the Burma parted company to return to the Clyde due to condenser trouble.

At 1200A/20, in position 53°14'N, 21°12'W, HMS Cilicia was detached to proceed independently to Freetown.

At the same time all five destroyers were also detached to join northbound convoy SLG 1A.

Around 1045A/2, south of the Cape Verde Islands, in position 13°44'N, 24°53'W, the corvettes and HMS Clematis (Cdr. Y.M. Cleeves, DSC, RD, RNR) and HMS Calendula (Lt.Cdr. A.D. Bruford, RNVR) joined the convoy.

The convoy arrived at Freetown late in the morning of 5 March 1941. (14)

12 Mar 1941

Convoy SL 68.

This convoy departed Freetown for the U.K. on 12 March 1941.

This convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels;Aldington Court (British, 4891 GRT, built 1929),Alexandra (Greek, 4355 GRT, built 1913),Alphacca (Dutch, 5759 GRT, built 1928),Alpherat (Dutch, 5759 GRT, built 1928),Andalusian (British, 3082 GRT, built 1918),Baron Inchcape (British, 7005 GRT, built 1917),Beckenham (British, 4636 GRT, built 1937),Bendoran (British, 5567 GRT, built 1910),Benwyvis (British, 5920 GRT, built 1929),Bosworth (British, 6672 GRT, built 1919),Brika (British, 4412 GRT, built 1929),Brittany (British, 4772 GRT, built 1928),Cap des Palmes (French, 3082 GRT, built 1935),City of Dieppe (British, 7958 GRT, built 1929),Clan Macilwraith (British, 4839 GRT, built 1924),Clan Macnab (British, 6076 GRT, built 1920),Clan Macwhirter (British, 5941 GRT, built 1918),Clan Ogilvy (British, 5802 GRT, built 1914),Cressdene (British, 4270 GRT, built 1936),Djambi (Dutch, 6984 GRT, built 1919),Dolius (British, 5507 GRT, built 1924),Dordrecht (Dutch, 4402 GRT, built 1928),Edward Blyden (British, 5003 GRT, built 1930),Eemland (Dutch, 4188 GRT, built 1906),Fernbank (Norwegian, 4333 GRT, built 1924),Glenshiel (British, 9415 GRT, built 1924),Gloucester Castle (British, 8006 GRT, built 1911),Henri Mory (British, 2564 GRT, built 1920),Hermiston (British, 4813 GRT, built 1939),Hoegh Scout (Norwegian (tanker), 9924 GRT, built 1939),Indochinois (British, 6966 GRT, built 1939),Jaarstroom (Dutch, 2480 GRT, built 1922),Jhelum (British, 4038 GRT, built 1936),King Stephen (British, 5274 GRT, built 1928),Leighton (British, 7412 GRT, built 1921),Mandalika (Dutch, 7750 GRT, built 1930),Mary Kingsley (British, 5021 GRT, built 1930),Medjerda (British, 4380 GRT, built 1924),Meerkerk (Dutch, 7995 GRT, built 1916),Moena (Dutch, 9286 GRT, built 1923),New Columbia (British, 6574 GRT, built 1920),Niceto de Larrinaga (British, 5591 GRT, built 1916),Nicolaou Zografia (Greek, 7050 GRT, built 1913),Oltenia (British (former Rumanian), 6394 GRT, built 1928),P.L.M. 27 (British, 5633 GRT, built 1922),Parkhaven (Dutch, 4803 GRT, built 1920),Port Auckland (British, 8789 GRT, built 1922),Port Sydney (British, 9129 GRT, built 1914),Prince Rupert City (British, 4749 GRT, built 1929),Riley (British, 4993 GRT, built 1936),Robert Maersk (British, 2290 GRT, built 1937),Rochester Castle (British, 7795 GRT, built 1937),Saint Gobain (Swedish (tanker), 9959 GRT, built 1936),St. Merriel (British, 4980 GRT, built 1925),Sticklestad (Norwegian (tanker), 9349 GRT, built 1938),Strix (Norwegian (tanker), 6219 GRT, built 1930),Susan Maersk (British, 2355 GRT, built 1923),Tapanoeli (British, 7031 GRT, built 1924),Thyra (Swedish, 1796 GRT, built 1925) and Widestone (British, 3192 GRT, built 1920).

On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN), armed merchant cruiser HMS Canton (A/Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN), corvettes HMS Calendula (Lt.Cdr. A.D. Bruford, RNVR), HMS Crocus (Lt.Cdr. E. Wheeler, RNR), and HMS Marguerite (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Blundell, RNR) and the auxiliary A/S trawlers HMS Kelt (T/Lt. W.T. Hodson, RNVR) and HMS Turcoman (Skr. A.G. Day, RNR).

Around 1330N/15, the battleship HMS Malaya (Capt. A.F.E. Palliser, DSC, RN) and destroyer HMS Wishart (Cdr. E.T. Cooper, RN) joined the convoy in approximate position 11°11'N, 19°40'W. HMS Mauritius then parted company taking HMS Wishart with her.

In the evening of March 17th, the German submarine U-106 attacked the convoy. Two of the merchant vessels were sunk in the attack. These were the Andalusian and the Tapanoeli.

Also on the 17th (very late in the evening) the merchant vessels Clan Macnab and <istrix< i=""> collided. The former sank on 18 March 1941 as a result of the collision. The Clan Macnab was heavily damaged but remained with the convoy until early in the afternoon of the 18th when she no longer could keep up. She was ordered to proceed to the Cape Verde Islands but she sank a few hours after having been detached from the convoy. </istrix<>

Early on the 18th another German submarine attacked the convoy, this was U-105 attacked the convoy. One merchant vessel was sunk in the attack. This was the Medjerda.

Shortly after midnight during the night of 18/19 March, U-105 attacked the convoy again sinking the merchant vessel Mandalika.

Very late in the evening of March 20th, U-106 attacked at convoy again and the merchant vessel Meerkerk was torpedoed and damaged as was HMS Malaya.

A few hours later U-105 made another attack run. Two merchant vessels were torpedoed and sunk during this run, these were the Benwyvis and the Clan Ogily.

Around 1800B/21 it was decided that the convoy would be scattered in position 21°00'N, 24°48'W, and that the ships were to proceed independently to either Halifax, Bermuda or Trinidad. The damaged ocean escort, HMS Malaya set course for Trinidad being escorted by HMS Crocus until 2000/23. HMS Canton was ordered to proceed to Bermuda searching for enemy supply vessels between 24°N / 28°N and 38°W / 42°W en-route. (15)

16 Mar 1941
Around 1230Z/16, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) and HMS Wishart (Cdr. E.T. Cooper, RN) arrived at Freetown. (16)

19 Mar 1941
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) and HMS Vidette (Lt. E.N. Walmsley, RN) conducted gunnery and torpedo firing exercises off Freetown. (16)

20 Mar 1941
Around 1100N/20, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Freetown escorting the (troop) transport Narkunda (British, 16632 GRT, built 1920). HMS Mauritius was to overake and join convoy SL 68 at noon on the 26th to the south of the Azores in position 35°35'N, 26°50'W.

HMS Mauritius parted company with the Narkunda at 0715N/21 in approximate position 10°24'N, 17°30'W.

At 2000Z/21, after it had become apparent that convoy SL 68 had been dispersed, HMS Mauritius set course to rejoin the Narkunda which she did around 0730Z/22 in approximate position 12°50'N, 22°00'W. They then set course to proceed to Bathurst as had been ordered by the Admiralty.

Around 1525Z/22, HMS Mauritius left Narkunda as an enemy raider report had been received. HMS Mauritius was ordered to proceed to position 12°55'N, 27°10'W to investigate but eventually she sighted nothing. Narkunda was later ordered to return to Freetown as she had too great a draught to enter Bathurst.

In a signal timed 0931Z/24, HMS Mauritius reported that one propeller shaft was out of action due a problem with a generator. Repairs were expected to be competed later the same day. Her speed was limited to 22 knots. She reported her position as 11°35'N, 24°28'W.

In a signal timed 2335Z/24, the C-in-C, South Atlantic ordered HMS Mauritius to return to Freetown so as to arrive around 0600Z/26.

In a signal timed 1029Z/25, HMS Mauritius was ordered by the C-in-C, South Atlantic to investigate another raider report. The merchant vessel Britannia (British, 8463 GRT, built 1926) had reported being attacked by an enemy raider at 0855Z/25 in position 07°24'N, 24°34'W. [This ship was sunk by the German raider Thor on this day.] Again HMS Mauritius sighted nothing during her search.

In a signal timed 0305Z/26, the C-in-C, South Atlantic, ordered HMS Mauritius to proceed to Bathurst to fuel.

Around 1430Z/27, HMS Mauritius arrived at Bathurst. (17)

23 Mar 1941

Convoy SL 69.

This convoy departed Freetown on 23 March 1941.

On departure from Freetown this convoy was made up of the following ships;Agioi Victores (Greek, 4344 GRT, built 1918),Alberte le Borgne (British, 3921 GRT, built 1914),Anna (Greek, 5173 GRT, built 1919),Aurillac (British, 4733 GRT, built 1921),Baron Napier (British, 3559 GRT, built 1930),Baronesa (British, 8663 GRT, built 1918),British Justice (British (tanker), 6932 GRT, built 1928),Bulysses (British, 7519 GRT, built 1927),Christine Marie (British, 3895 GRT, built 1919),City of Bath (British, 5079 GRT, built 1926),City of Wellington (British, 5732 GRT, built 1925),Clan Maquarrie (British, 6471 GRT, built 1913),Corilla (Dutch (tanker), 8096 GRT, built 1939),Dago II (British, 1993 GRT, built 1917),Daru (British, 3854 GRT, built 1927),Dornoch (British, 5186 GRT, built 1939),Empire Advocate (British, 5787 GRT, built 1913),Floristan (British, 5478 GRT, built 1928),Glenaffric (British, 7782 GRT, built 1920),Glenbeg (British, 9461 GRT, built 1922),Harpalycus (British, 5629 GRT, built 1935),Hopecastle (British, 5178 GRT, built 1937),L.A. Christensen (Norwegian, 4362 GRT, built 1925),Lekhaven (Dutch, 4802 GRT, built 1921),Madras City (British, 5080 GRT, built 1940),Marton (British, 4969 GRT, built 1933),Mobeka (Belgian, 6111 GRT, built 1937),Mountpark (British, 4648 GRT, built 1938),Narkunda (British, 16632 GRT, built 1920),Nijkerk (Dutch, 5843 GRT, built 1915),Palembang (Dutch, 7070 GRT, built 1921),Pantelis (Greek, 3845 GRT, built 1911),Pontfield (British (tanker), 8319 GRT, built 1940),Roumanie (Belgian, 3658 GRT, built 1906),Salland (Dutch, 6447 GRT, built 1920),San Francisco (Swedish, 4933 GRT, built 1915),Sangara (British, 4174 GRT, built 1939),Sarthe (British, 5271 GRT, built 1920),Selvistan (British, 5136 GRT, built 1924),St. Usk (British, 5472 GRT, built 1909),Swedru (British, 5379 GRT, built 1937) and Tekoa (British, 8695 GRT, built 1922).

On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Arawa (A/Capt. G.R. Deverell, RN), sloop Commandant Domine and the corvettes HMS Clematis (Cdr. Y.M. Cleeves, DSC, RD, RNR) and HMS Cyclamen (Lt. H.N. Lawson, RNR).

Around 0620N/24, in position 08°34'N, 14°58'W, the Bulysses was detached to return to Freetown due to engine trouble.

At 0836N/24, the Empire Advocate reported that she could not keep up with the convoy and that she would proceed independently. [She arrived at São Miguel Island, Azores on 13 April 1941.]

Around 1700N/24, in position 08°32'N, 16°16'W, the Dornoch fell out off the convoy with engine trouble. She did not rejoin the convoy. [She returned to Freetown on 28 March.]

Around 1100N/26, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Bulolo (Capt.(Retd.) R.L. Hamer, RN) joined the convoy in position 09°30'N, 19°59'W.

Around 1200N/27, in position 09°30'N, 19°20'W, the battlecruiser HMS Repulse (Capt. W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN) arrived near the convoy to provide 'distant' cover. Shortly afterwards HMS Bulolo then parted company.

In the early hours of the 28th, the aircraft carrier HMS Furious (Capt. A.G. Talbot, DSO, RN and the destroyers HMS Duncan (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Rowell, RN) and HMS Foxhound (Cdr. G.H. Peters, DSC, RN) joined the convoy in position 13°38'N, 18°40'W. The destroyers had escorted HMS Furious from Freetown to the rendezvous with the convoy but they parted company later in the day to proceed to Bathurst to fuel.

Around 1900N/28, the light cruiser HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) joined the convoy in position 14°45'N, 18°43'W coming from Bathurst.

Around 1300Z/30, in position 19°30'N, 18°52'W, HMS Clematis and HMS Cyclamen parted company with the convoy.

Around 1840Z/30, in position 19°55'N, 18°51'W, HMS Repulse, HMS Furious and the Narkunda parted company to proceed to Gibraltar where they arrived in the morning of 3 April 1941. They had been joined around 1130A/2 by the destroyers HMS Highlander (Cdr. S. Boucher, RN), HMS Velox (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Roper, DSC, RN) and HMS Wrestler (Lt. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN) which had departed Gibraltar on 1 April.

Around 0800Z/5, in position 30°54'N, 23°38'W, the light cruiser HMS Edinburgh (Capt. C.M. Blackman, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral L.E. Holland, CB, RN) joined the convoy. HMS Mauritius then parted company.

At 1414Z/9, in position 42°17'N, 23°41'W, the Mountpark fell out of the convoy with engine trouble and did not rejoin the convoy. [She turned back southwards and arrived at São Miguel Island, Azores on 13 April 1941.]

Around 0615Z/14, in position 52°23'N, 19°47'W, HMS Arawa parted company with the convoy to proceed independently to the Clyde.

Around 1300A/14, HMS Edinburgh parted company with the convoy when the local escort joined, which was made up of the sloop HMS Weston (Cdr.(Retd.) J.G. Sutton, RN, Senior Officer of the A/S escort), destroyers HMS Roxborough (Lt. V.A. Wight-Boycott, OBE, RN), HMS Sherwood (Lt.Cdr. S.W.F. Bennetts, RN), corvettes HMS Clarkia (Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Jones, RNR), HMS Gladiolus (Lt.Cdr. H.M.C. Sanders, DSC, RNR) and the A/S trawler HMS St. Elstan (T/Lt. G. Butcher, RNVR) joined.

Around 1600A/14, the A/S trawler HMS Vizalma (T/Lt. M.M. Firth, RNVR) also joined.

Around 1930A/14, in position 53°43'N, 18°03'W, the Christine Marie fell out of the convoy due to engine trouble. HMS Vizalma was ordered to stand by her to Donegal Bay if required but preferably to Lough Foyle. [She indeed proceeded to Lough Foyle where she arrived on 18 April.]

At 0815A/15, the destroyers; HMS Saladin (Lt.Cdr. L.J. Dover, RN) and HMS Salisbury (Lt.Cdr. H.M.R. Crichton, RN) joined.

Around 1200A/15, in position 54°37'N, 16°48'W, the Pantelis dropped out of the convoy with engine trouble. She did not rejoin the convoy. [She arrived in Barry Roads on 19 April.]

At 0931A/16, in position 55°27'N, 12°26'W, the Swedru was hit by bombs from a single German FW 200. She was soon heavily on fire and was being abandoned. HMS Gladiolus was ordered to standby the stricken vessel and she picked up the survivors, 38 in number of which 18 were wounded (there were 24 dead). It was intended for the wounded to be transferred to HMS Weston but this proved not possible in the heavy swell. It was also not possible to transfer the doctor so HMS Gladiolus was ordered to take them to Londonderry. HMS Roxborough was then ordered to stay by the stricken vessel. She later reported that the vessel was impossible to salvage and she was allowed to sink the stricken vessel with a torpedo.

The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 17 April 1941. (18)

28 Mar 1941
Around 0930N/28, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Bathurst to join convoy SL 69.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy SL 69 ' for 23 March 1941.] (16)

8 Apr 1941
Around 0845N/8, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Freetown from convoy escort duty. (19)

8 Apr 1941

Convoy SL 71.

This convoy departed Freetown on 8 April 1941.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels;Abosso (British, 11330 GRT, built 1935),Adda (British, 7816 GRT, built 1922),Afrika (British, 8597 GRT, built 1920),Baron Erskine (British, 3657 GRT, built 1930),Baron Fairlie (British, 6706 GRT, built 1925),Bhima (British, 5280 GRT, built 1939),British Hussar (British (tanker), 6944 GRT, built 1923),City of Auckland (British, 8336 GRT, built 1914),City of Christchurch (British, 6009 GRT, built 1915),City of Yokohama (British, 7341 GRT, built 1922),Clan MacTaggart (British, 7622 GRT, built 1920),Dagfred (Norwegian, 4434 GRT, built 1930),Egton (British, 4363 GRT, built 1938),Empire Governor (British, 8657 GRT, built 1925),Empire Progress (British, 5249 GRT, built 1918),Evinos (Greek, 5627 GRT, built 1919),Grangepark (British, 5132 GRT, built 1919),Gudvin (Norwegian, 1824 GRT, built 1918),Janeta (British, 4312 GRT, built 1929),Jedmoor (British, 4392 GRT, built 1928),Kurdistan (British, 5844 GRT, built 1928),Leonidas N. Condylis (Greek, 3923 GRT, built 1912),Lisbeth (Norwegian, 2732 GRT, built 1922),Lise (Norwegian (tanker), 6826 GRT, built 1931),Llangibby Castle (British, 11951 GRT, built 1929),MacGregor Laird (British, 4992 GRT, built 1930),Margalau (British, 4541 GRT, built 1926),Meerkerk (Dutch, 7995 GRT, built 1916),Mount Mycale (British, 3556 GRT, built 1907),Myrtlebank (British, 5150 GRT, built 1925),Nagpore (British, 5283 GRT, built 1920),New Brooklyn (British, 6546 GRT, built 1920),New Westminster City (British, 4747 GRT, built 1929),Newton Ash (British, 4625 GRT, built 1925),Nigerian (British, 5423 GRT, built 1936),Peribonk (British, 5673 GRT, built 1937),Princesa (British, 8731 GRT, built 1918),Ravnefjell (British, 1339 GRT, built 1938),Rhesus (British, 6530 GRT, built 1911),River Lugar (British, 5423 GRT, built 1937),Ross (British, 4878 GRT, built 1936),Sandown Castle (British, 7607 GRT, built 1921),Santiago (Panamanian, 3864 GRT, built 1908),St. Lindsay (British, 5370 GRT, built 1921),Stad Arnhem (Dutch, 3819 GRT, built 1920),Thorshov (Norwegian (tanker), 9955 GRT, built 1935),Tysa (Dutch, 5327 GRT, built 1938) and Veerhaven (Dutch, 5291 GRT, built 1930).

On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Cilicia (Capt.(Retd.) V.B. Cardwell, OBE, RN) and the corvettes HMS Clematis (Cdr. Y.M. Cleeves, DSC, RD, RNR), HMS Crocus (Lt.Cdr. E. Wheeler, RNR), HMS Cyclamen (Lt. H.N. Lawson, RNR) and HMS Marguerite (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Blundell, RNR).

Around 1515N/10, in approximate position 07°38'N, 18°30'W, the light cruiser HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) joined the convoy escort.

Around 0630N/17, in approximate position 20°40'N, 28°00'W, the four corvettes parted company with the convoy. They were to proceed to Bathurst to fuel.

Around 1000NZ(+0.5)/23, in position 36°20'N, 23°00'W, the heavy cruiser HMS London (Capt. R.M. Servaes, CBE, RN) joined the convoy escort and shortly afterwards HMS Mauritius parted company with the convoy.

Around 0530N/29, the destroyers HMS Lincoln (Lt. R.J. Hanson, RN), HMS Sherwood (Lt.Cdr. S.W.F. Bennetts, RN) joined the convoy in position 49°48'N, 23°03'W and shortly afterwards the armed boarding vessel HMS Malvernian (Cdr. J.W.B. Robertson, RNR) also joined the convoy.

Around 0810A/29, HMS London parted company with the convoy and set course for Scapa Flow.

Around 0430A/30, the destroyer HMS Beagle, (Lt.Cdr. R.T. White, DSO and Bar, RN) and escort destroyer HMS Eridge (Lt.Cdr. W.F.N. Gregory-Smith, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 0645A/30, the corvette HMS Sunflower (Lt.Cdr. J.T. Jones, RNR) joined the convoy.

Around 0715A/30, the corvette HMS Alisma (A/Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rose, RANVR) joined the convoy.

Around 0930A/30, HMS Cilicia parted company with the convoy in position 52°42'N, 20°32'W.

After the departure of HMS Cilicia more local A/S escorts arrived early in the afternoon, these were the destroyers HMS Vanquisher (Cdr. N.V. Dickinson, DSC, RN), HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. M.S. Townsend, OBE, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Rockingham (Lt. A.H.T. Johns, RN), sloop HMS Londonderry (Cdr. J.S. Dalison, RN), corvette HMS Freesia (Lt.Cdr. T.P.G. Crick, RN) and the A/S yacht HMS Philante (Capt.(Retd.) H.S. Bowlby, RN).

The convoy was then split up into a fast and slow section.

The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 3 May 1941.

9 Apr 1941
Around 0930N/09, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Freetown to overtake and join convoy SL 71.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy SL 71 ' for 8 April 1941.] (19)

25 Apr 1941
Around 1830A/25, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from convoy escort duty. (19)

26 Apr 1941

Convoy WS 8A

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

30 Apr 1941
Around 0915A/30, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Gibraltar to make rendezvous with convoy WS 8A.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 8A ' for 26 April 1941.] (19)

5 May 1941

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

Timespan: 5 to 12 May 1941.

5 May 1941.

Western Mediterranean.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Eastern Mediterranean.

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

6 May 1941.

Western Mediterranean.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Eastern Mediterranean.

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

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

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

7 May 1941.

Western Mediterranean.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Eastern Mediterranean.

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

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

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

8 May 1941.

Western Mediterranean.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Eastern Mediterranean.

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

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

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

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

9 May 1941.

Western Mediterranean.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Tiger convoy and it’s escort.

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

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

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

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

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

Eastern Mediterranean.

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

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

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

10 May 1941.

Western Mediterranean.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Eastern Mediterranean.

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

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

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

11 May 1941.

Western Mediterranean.

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

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

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

Nothing happened during the day.

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

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

Eastern Mediterranean.

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

12 May 1941.

Western Mediterranean.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Eastern Mediterranean.

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

9 May 1941
In the morning, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN), HMS Pretoria Castle (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.V. Hemming, RN), HMS Hurricane (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Simms, RN), HMS Duncan (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Rowell, RN), HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. D.H. Maitland-Makgill Crichton, DSC, RN) and HMS Wishart (Cdr. E.T. Cooper, RN) arrived at Freetown with convoy WS 8A. (22)

14 May 1941
In the morning, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN), HMS Hurricane (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Simms, RN), HMS Duncan (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Rowell, RN), HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. D.H. Maitland-Makgill Crichton, DSC, RN) and HMS Wishart (Cdr. E.T. Cooper, RN) departed Freetown with convoy WS 8A.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 8A ' for 26 April 1941.] (22)

24 May 1941
Around 1830AB/24, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Simonstown from convoy escort duty. (23)

25 May 1941
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) is docked in the Selborne graving dock at the Simonstown Dockyard. (23)

30 May 1941
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) is undocked. (23)

5 Jun 1941
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) conducted W/T calibration trials off Simonstown on completion of which she departed False Bay for Durban. (24)

7 Jun 1941
Around 0930B/7, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Durban from Simonstown. (24)

7 Jun 1941

Convoy CM 11.

This convoy departed Durban around 1500B on 7 June 1941.

On departure from Durban the convoy was made up of the following (troop) transports;Dilwara (British, 11080 GRT, built 1936),Dunera (British, 11162 GRT, built 1937),Elisabethville (Belgian, 8351 GRT, built 1922),Johan de Witt (Dutch, 10474 GRT, built 1920),Llandaff Castle (British, 10799 GRT, built 1926),Nieuw Holland (Dutch, 11066 GRT, built 1927) and Nova Scotia (British, 6796 GRT, built 1926).

On departure from Durban the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN).

At 1225C/9, in approximate position 25°33'S, 36°25'E, the Elizabethville was detached to return to Durban due to boiler trouble.

In the afternoon of the 18th June, in position 12°20'N, 44°44'E, the Nova Scotia parted company to land a wounded at Aden and then rejoin the convoy which she did not do before the convoy was dispersed.

At 0530D/19, in position 14°10'N, 42°47'E, the convoy was dispersed. HMS Mauritius then turned back to the south to proceed to Aden. (25)

19 Jun 1941
Around 1800C/19, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Aden from convoy escort duty. (24)

22 Jun 1941
Around 1030C/22, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Aden for Kilindini / Mombasa. (24)

27 Jun 1941
Around 1115D/27, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from Aden. (24)

2 Jul 1941
Around 0930C/2, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa for Port Victoria, Seychelles. (26)

7 Jul 1941
Around 1100D/7, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Port Victoria, Seychelles from Kilindini / Mombasa. She was then fuelled by the RFA tanker Appleleaf (5891 GRT, built 1917). (26)

9 Jul 1941
Around 0915D/9, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Port Victoria, Seychelles to make rendezvous with the (troop) transport Sibajak (Dutch, 12226 GRT, built 1927) and then relieve her current escort. (26)

10 Jul 1941
Around 0900D/10, in approximate position 05°20'S, 50°30'E, HMS Colombo (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) and the (troop) transport Sibajak (Dutch, 12226 GRT, built 1927) are joined by HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) which then takes over the escort of the (troop) transport.

HMS Colombo then parted company to proceed to Port Victoria, Seychelles. (27)

16 Jul 1941
Around 1600G/16, in position 04°25'N, 86°50'E, the troop transport Sibajak (Dutch, 12226 GRT, built 1927), RAF tender Shengking (British, 2999 GRT, built 1931) and their current escort HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) made rendezvous with HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) which then took over the escort of the two ship to Singapore.

HMS Mauritius then set course for Colombo. (28)

17 Jul 1941
Around 1800EF/17, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Colombo from escort duty. (26)

21 Jul 1941
Around 1430EF/21, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Colombo for the vicinity of Madras. On departure AA gunnery exercises were carried out. (26)

24 Jul 1941
Around 1745G/24, off Madras, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) joined the (troop) transport Erinpura (British, 5128 GRT, built 1911). On board the Erinpura were 316 Indian troops which were to bee transported to Penang. (26)

26 Jul 1941
Around 0915GH/26, in approximate position 10°00'N, 92°35'E, the (troop) transport Erinpura (British, 5128 GRT, built 1911) and her current escort HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) made rendezvous with HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) which then took over the escort duties.

HMS Mauritius then set course for Trincomalee. (28)

27 Jul 1941

Convoy WS 9AX.

This convoy departed Bombay on 27 July 1941.

It was made up of the following (troop) transports;Capetown Castle (British, 27000 GRT, built 1938),Durban Castle (British, 17388 GRT, built 1938) and Empress of Japan (British, 26032 GRT, built 1930).

On departure from Bombay the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Antenor (Capt.(Retd.) D.I. McGillewie, RN).

The convoy arrived at Colombo on 30 July 1941.

On 1 August 1941, the Capetown Castle and Empress of Japan departed Colombo for Singapore. On departure from Colombo they were not escorted.

Around 0730FG/2, the light cruiser HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) joined as escort. She came from Trincomalee.

Around 0715FG/4, in approximate position 06°40'N, 96°00'E, escort was turned over to HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN).

The convoy arrived at Singapore on 5 August 1941. (29)

29 Jul 1941
Around 1030FG/29, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Trincomalee from escort duty. (26)

1 Aug 1941
Around 1615EF/1, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Trincomalee to join convoy WS 9AX. On departure gunnery exercises were carried out.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 9AX ' for 27 July 1941.] (30)

4 Aug 1941
Around 1555GH/4, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Nancowry where she commenced to fuel from the RFA tanker Francol (2607 GRT, built 1917). (30)

5 Aug 1941
Around 1800GH/5, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Nancowry for Trincomalee. (30)

9 Aug 1941
Around 0930FG/9, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Trincomalee from Nancowry. (30)

12 Aug 1941
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) conducted torpedo firing and gunnery exercises off Trincomalee.

At the same time HMS Antenor (Capt.(Retd.) D.I. McGillewie, RN) conducted compass swing trials and gunnery exercises off Trincomalee.

Following these trials / exercises they carried out night encounter exercises. (31)

15 Aug 1941
Around 1015EF/15, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Trincomalee for the Maldives. On departure gunnery exercises were carried out. (30)

17 Aug 1941
Around 0900FG/17, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Malé, Maldives.

Capt. Stephens then paid a visit to the Sultan.

Around 1935FG/17, HMS Mauritius departed Malé for Colombo. (30)

18 Aug 1941
Around 1730FG/18, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Colombo from the Maldives. (30)

21 Aug 1941
Around 0915EF/21, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Colombo for Penang.

She briefly, between 1115EF/21 and 1630EF/21, escorted the (troop) transport Athlone Castle (British, 25565 GRT, built 1936). (30)

25 Aug 1941
Around 1630GH/25, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Penang from Colombo. (30)

26 Aug 1941
Around 1230GH/26, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Penang for Colombo via Nancowry. (30)

27 Aug 1941
Around 1115GH/27, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Nancowry from Penang.

Around 1735GH/27, HMS Mauritius departed Nancowry for Colombo. (30)

30 Aug 1941
Around 1215FG/30, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Colombo from Nancowry. On entering harbour D/G trials were carried out. (30)

31 Aug 1941

Convoy WS 11

This convoy assembled in the Clyde area on 31 August 1941 for the far east.

The convoy was made up of the following merchant ships; Abosso (11330 GRT, built 1935), Barrister (6348 GRT, built 1939), Bhutan (6104 GRT, built 1929), City of Edinburgh (8036 GRT, built 1938), City of Manchester (8917 GRT, built 1935), Duchess of York (20021 GRT, built 1929), Empress of Australia (21833 GRT, built 1914), Glaucus (7596 GRT, built 1921), Glenorchy (8982 GRT, built 1939), Kina II (9823 GRT, built 1939), Largs Bay (14182 GRT, built 1921), Manchester Progress (5620 GRT, built 1938), Mooltan (20952 GRT, built 1923), Northumberland (11558 GRT, built 1915), Orontes (20097 GRT, built 1929), Otranto (20026 GRT, built 1925), Scythia (19761 GRT, built 1920), Viceroy of India (19627 GRT, built 1929). The netlayer HMS Guardian (A/Capt. H.A.C. Lane, RN) also sailed in this convoy.

Escort was initially provided by the battlecruiser HMS Repulse (Capt. W.G. Tennant, MVO, RN), the aircraft carrier HMS Furious (Capt. A.G. Talbot, DSO, RN), the light cruiser HMS Sheffield (Capt. A.W. Clarke, RN) (31 August – 2 September), the anti-aircraft cruiser HMS Cairo (A/Capt. I.R.H. Black, RN) (31 August – 2 September), the armed merchant cruiser HMS Derbyshire (Capt.(Retd.) E.A.B. Stanley, MVO, DSO, RN), the destroyers HMS Cossack (Capt. E.L. Berthon, DSC and Bar, RN) (31 August – 4 September), HMS Zulu (Cdr. H.R. Graham, DSO, RN) (31 August – 4 September), HMS Legion (Cdr. R.F. Jessel, RN) (31 August – 4 September), HMS Lively (Lt.Cdr. W.F.E. Hussey, DSC, RN) (31 August – 4 September), HMS Highlander (Cdr. S. Boucher, RN), HMS Winchelsea (Lt.Cdr. W.A.F. Hawkins, OBE, DSC, RN) (31 August – 2 September), HrMs Isaac Sweers (Cdr. J. Houtsmuller, RNN) (31 August – 2 September), ORP Piorun (Kmdr.por. (Cdr.) E.J.S. Plawski) (31 August – 3 September), ORP Garland (Kmdr.por. (Cdr.) K.F. Namiesniowski) (31 August – 3 September), the sloops HMIS Sutlej (Capt. P.A. Mare, RIN), HMS HMS Sennen (Lt.Cdr. D.C. Kinloch, RN) and HMS Totland (Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) S.G.C. Rawson, RN).

Around 1530A/31, HMS Furious was detached to Bangor due to an engine room defect. HMS Lively accompanied the carrier. They arrived at Bangor around 1930A/31. The defect could be repaired quickly and they left again around 0430A/1 to rejoin the convoy which they did around around noon on 2 September. Meanwhile they had been joined around 1000A/1 by HrMs Isaac Sweers which had been detached from the convoy to join HMS Furious.

HMS Cairo and HrMs Isaac Sweers parted company with the convoy on 2 September and proceeded to Northern Ireland. HMS Sheffield also left the convoy later this day.

ORP Piorun and ORP Garland parted company with the convoy shortly after noon on 3 September to assist a merchant vessel that was being bombed by German aircraft. By then HMS Winchelsea had also left the convoy.

HMS Furious was destined for Gibraltar and operated mainly a little away from the convoy. She left the convoy around 1100 hours on 4 September arrived at Gibraltar on 7 September escorted by HMS Cossack, HMS Zulu, HMS Legion and HMS Lively.

Shortly afterwards around 1300 hours on 4 September the convoy split into two sections, these were;
WS 11F (Fast); This convoy was made up of the merchants Bhutan, City of Edinburgh, Duchess of York, Empress of Australia, Glenorchy, Kina II, Largs Bay, Mooltan, Orontes, Otranto, Scythia, Viceroy of India. HMS Guardian was also part of this convoy.

Escort for this part of the convoy was provided by; HMS Repulse, HMIS Sutlej (Later went to the escort of convoy WS 11S), HMS Highlander (detached to fuel at the Azores), HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, RAN) (joined around noon on 4 September coming from Gibraltar) and HMS Encounter (Lt.Cdr. E.V.St J. Morgan, RN) (joined around 0800 hours on 7 September coming from Gibraltar).

Most of these ships oiled at sea from the RFA tanker Rapidol (2648 GRT, built 1917) (Master Lt.Cdr. A.E. Curtain, OBE, RNR). Rapidol later joined convoy WS 11S. At least HMS Highlander oiled at Ponta Delgada, Azores, she rejoined the convoy around noon on 6 September.

Around 0730 hours on 8 September 1941, HMAS Nestor parted company to fuel at Bathurst where she arrived around 0930 hours on 11 September 1941. She departed again around 1430 hours to rejoin the convoy. However at 1640 hours on 11 September HMAS Nestor obtained a firm A/S contact and attack with depth charges which resulted in a heavy explosion which shook the ship considerably. She the resumed course to rejoin the convoy but 30 minutes later a lubrication oil leak was reported. Course was then set to proceed direct to Freetown for repairs. Further damage was discovered afterwards which made it necessary to reduce speed.

In the morning of 11 September 1941 two destroyers coming from Freetown joined the escort, these were HMS Velox (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Roper, DSC, RN) and HMS Wrestler (Lt. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN). Later that day, around 1400 hours, the corvette HMS Starwort (Lt.Cdr. N.W. Duck, RD, RNR) also joined the escort. Shortly afterwards HMS Highlander parted company with the convoy and proceeded to Bathurst.

This part of the convoy arrived at Freetown on 13 September 1941.

The other section of the convoy was WS 11S (Slow); This convoy was made up of the merchants Abosso, Barrister, City of Manchester, Glaucus Manchester Progress and Northumberland.

Escort for this part of the convoy was provided by; HMS Derbyhire, HMS Sennen and HMS Totland.

This part of the convoy arrived at Freetown on 15 September 1941.

At Freetown the convoy (now called WS 11B) was re-grouped and departed from there on 18 September 1941 for the Cape.

The convoy was now made up of the merchants Barrister, Bhutan, City of Edinburgh, City of Manchester, Duchess of York, Empress of Australia, Glaucus, Glenorchy, Kina II, Largs Bay, Manchester Progress, Mooltan, Orontes, Otranto, Scythia, Viceroy of India and the Dutch liner (troopship) Nieuw Zeeland (11069 GRT, built 1928) joined the convoy at Freetown.

Escort was provided by the battlecruiser HMS Renown and the armed merchant cruiser Derbyshire. A/S escort was provided until 1800 hours 20 September 1941 by the destroyers HMS Velox and HMS Wrestler after which these returned to Freetown.

On 30 September the following ships put into Capetown escorted by HMS Derbyshire;Bhutan, City of Edinburgh, City of Manchester, Duchess of York, Glaucus, Glenorchy, Kina II, Largs Bay, Orontes, Viceroy of India and Nieuw Zeeland.

The other ships; Barrister, Empress of Australia, Manchester Progress,Mooltan, Otranto and Scythia arrived at Durban on 3 October escorted by HMS Repulse.

On 3 October 1941, Bhutan, City of Edinburgh, City of Manchester, Duchess of York, Glaucus, Glenorchy, Kina II, Largs Bay, Orontes, Viceroy of India and Nieuw Zeeland departed Capetown still escorted by HMS Derbyshire.

On 7 October 1941, Barrister, Manchester Progress, Mooltan, Otranto as well as the transports City of Canterbury (8331 GRT, built 1922), Dilwara (11080 GRT, built 1936), Eastern Prince (10926 GRT, built 1929), Johan de Witt (Dutch, 10474 GRT, built 1920), Llandaff Castle (10799 GRT, built 1926), Nieuw Holland (Dutch, 11066 GRT, built 1927) and Pulaski (Polish, 6516 GRT, built 1912). They were escorted by the battlecruiser Repulse until 13 October when she was relieved by HMS Ceres (Capt. H.H. McWilliam, RN). On 8 October these ships joined up with the ships coming from Capetown. HMS Derbyshire then left the convoy and returned to Capetown.

In the afternoon of 17 October 1941, HMS Glasgow (Capt. H. Hickling, DSO, RN) made rendez-vous with the convoy and then parted company taking the following ships with her; Barrister, City of Edinburgh, Duchess of York, Glaucius, Glenorchy, Johan de Witt, Kina II, Largs Bay, Orontes, Otranto, Nieuw Zeeland, Viceroy of India.

The other ships continued with HMS Ceres towards Aden where they arrived on 19 October 1941.

The ships taken over by HMS Glasgow proceeded to Bombay where they arrived on 22 October 1941. Three ships taken over by HMS Glasgow however were destined for Basra. One of these, the Barrister was unable to keep up with the convoy and was detached on 18 October. This ship arrived at Basra on 25 October. The other two ships destined for Basra, City of Edinburgh and Glenorchy were detached on 19 October and both arrived at Basra on 23 October 1941.

On 27 October 1941 the convoy departed Bombay for Colombo escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Hector (Capt.(Retd.) F. Howard, DSC, RN). The convoy was now made up of the transports; Glaucus, Johan de Witt, Kina II, Largs Bay, Nieuw Zeeland,Orion (23371 GRT, built 1935) and Ellenga (5196 GRT, built 1911).

They arrived at Colombo on 30 October 1941, minus the Kina II which had been detached at 1815(EF) on 29 October 1942, in position 07°52'N, 76°29'E, and proceeded independently to Trincomalee.

On 31 October 1941 the convoy, now made up of Ellenga, Glaucus, Johan de Witt, Largs Bay, Nieuw Zeeland Orion and Rangitiki (16698 GRT, built 1929) departed Colombo for Singapore. The convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN). They arrived at Singapore on 6 November 1941. (20)

8 Sep 1941
Around 1030EF/8, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Colombo for 'Port T' (Addu Atoll). On board was a 'special reconnaissance party'. (32)

9 Sep 1941
Around 1625F/9, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at 'Port T' (Addu Atoll) from Colombo. (32)

13 Sep 1941
Around 1800F/13, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed 'Port T' (Addu Atoll) for Colombo. (33)

15 Sep 1941
Around 0930F/15, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Colombo from 'Port T' (Addu Atoll). (33)

16 Sep 1941
Around 0915EF/16, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Colombo for Diego Garcia. (32)

18 Sep 1941
The aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN), light cruisers HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN), HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) and the armed merchant cruiser HMS Antenor (Capt.(Retd.) D.I. McGillewie, RN) all arrived at Diego Garcia for Operation Snip. (34)

19 Sep 1941

Operation Snip.

The purpose of this operation was to intercept a Vichy French escorted convoy en-route from Saigon to Madagascar.

On 19 September 1941, the aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and light cruisers HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN), HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN) and the armed merchant cruiser HMS Antenor (Capt.(Retd.) D.I. McGillewie, RN) departed Diego Garcia for this operation.

On 24 September 1941, the ' heavy ' cruiser HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) departed Port Victoria, Seychelles for this operation.

On 27 September 1941, the operation was abandoned as the convoy had not been sighted.

On 28 September 1941, HMS Enterprise arrived at Port Victoria and HMS Mauritius arrived at Mauritius from the operation.

On 29 September 1941, HMS Hermes and HMS Hawkins, which had joined company around 0615E/28, arrived at Mauritius from the operation.

On 30 September 1941, HMS Antenor arrived at Colombo from the operation. (35)

3 Oct 1941
Around 1245D/3, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Mauritius for 'Port T' (Addu Atoll). (36)

6 Oct 1941
In the afternoon HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) made a short stop at Perhos Banhos before continuing on to 'Port T' (Addu Atoll). (36)

7 Oct 1941
At 1015F/7 HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at 'Port T' (Addu Atoll) from Mauritius.

She departed for Colombo around 1915F/7. (36)

9 Oct 1941
Around 1045EF/9 HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Colombo from 'Port T' (Addu Atoll). (36)

19 Oct 1941
Around 0930EF/19, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Colombo for 'Port T' (Addu Atoll). (36)

21 Oct 1941
Around 1300F/21, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at 'Port T' (Addu Atoll) from Colombo. Before entering the Atoll gunnery and torpedo firing exercises were carried out. (36)

25 Oct 1941
Around 1830F/25, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed 'Port T' (Addu Atoll) for Colombo. (36)

26 Oct 1941
Around 1900FG/26, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Colombo from 'Port T' (Addu Atoll). (36)

31 Oct 1941
Around 1230EF/31, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Colombo with the Singapore section of convoy WS 11.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 11 ' for 31 August 1941.] (36)

6 Nov 1941
Around 1500EF/31, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Singapore with the Singapore section of convoy WS 11.

At Singapore HMS Mauritius is to be taken in hand for refit. (37)

10 Nov 1941
Having completed de-ammunitioning, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) is taken in hand for refit at the Singapore Dockyard. (37)

24 Nov 1941
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) is docked in the King George VI graving dock at the Singapore Dockyard. (37)

2 Dec 1941
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) is undocked. (38)

15 Dec 1941
With her refit cut short due to the war with Japan having started,HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Singapore around 0345GH/15 for Colombo. She is to complete her refit elsewhere. Until this can be taken in hand she can be used for escort duties only. (38)

18 Dec 1941
Around 1600EF/18, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Colombo from Singapore. (38)

1 Jan 1942
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) conducted D/G trials and gunnery exercises off Colombo. (39)

2 Jan 1942
Around 0850EF/2, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Colombo for Durban. She is escorting the troop transport Empress of Russia (British, 16810 GRT, built 1913). (39)

15 Jan 1942
Around 0815C/15, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) and the troop transport Empress of Russia (British, 16810 GRT, built 1913) arrived at Durban from Colombo.

Around 1900B/15, HMS Mauritius departed Durban for Simonstown. (39)

17 Jan 1942
Around 1115C/17, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Simonstown from Durban. On arrival a torpedo firing exercise were carried out. (39)

30 Jan 1942
Around 1430Z/30, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Freetown from Simonstown. (39)

2 Feb 1942
Around 0915Z/2, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Freetown for Plymouth. On departure gunnery exercises were carried out. (40)

11 Feb 1942
Around 0800A/11, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Plymouth from Freetown. (40)

16 Feb 1942
At the Devonport Dockyard, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) is taken in hand to complete the refit that had been started at the Singapore Dockyard in November 1941 but had been cut short in December due to war with Japan having commenced. (40)

15 Apr 1942
With her refit completed, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) conducted D/G trials and RDF calibration trials off Plymouth. (41)

16 Apr 1942
Around 0830B/16, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) and HMS Quentin (Lt.Cdr. A.H.P. Noble, DSC, RN) departed Plymouth for Scapa Flow and Greenock respectively.

Around 0530B/17, HMS Quentin parted company to proceed up the Clyde to Greenock.

Around 2100B/17, HMS Mauritius arrived at Scapa Flow. (41)

20 Apr 1942
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (41)

21 Apr 1942
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) conducted aircraft landing and recovering exercises at Scapa Flow.

These were followed by underway refuelling exercises during which HMS Martin (Cdr. C.R.P. Thomson, DSO, RN) was fuelled.

Finally torpedo firing and gunnery exercises were carried out. During the torpedo firing exercise HMS Martin acted as target. (41)

23 Apr 1942
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow.

Also a range and inclination (RIX) exercise was carried out with HMS Blackmore (Lt. H.T. Harrel, RN). (41)

24 Apr 1942
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) conducted torpedo firing exercises at Scapa Flow during which HMS Pathfinder (Cdr. E.A. Gibbs, DSO and Bar, RN) acted as target.

HMS Mauritius then left Scapa Flow and carried out a full power trial on the eastern measured mile.

And finally night encounter exercises (NEX) were carried out with HMS Arethusa (Capt. A.C. Chapman, RN). (41)

28 Apr 1942
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) conduced aircraft landing and recovering exercises at Scapa Flow. (41)

29 Apr 1942
HMS L 23 (Lt. E.J.D. Turner, DSC, RN) conducted in A/S exercises at / off Scapa Flow with HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) and HMS Liverpool (Capt. W.R. Slayter, DSC, RN). (42)

30 Apr 1942
HMS Liverpool (Capt. W.R. Slayter, DSC, RN) and HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) conducted torpedo, gunnery and radar (RDF) exercises off Scapa Flow. (43)

1 May 1942
HMS Liverpool (Capt. W.R. Slayter, DSC, RN) and HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow.

In the morning, HMS Mauritius had already conducted an underway refuelling exercise during which she fuelled from the RFA tanker Black Ranger (3417 GRT, built 1941). (44)

4 May 1942
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) conducted HA gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. (45)

5 May 1942
The battleship HMS Nelson (Capt. H.B. Jacomb, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow followed by exercises in the Pentland Firth together with HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN). The battleship was, most likely, escorted by the destroyers HMS Onslow (Capt. H.T. Armstrong, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Icarus (Lt.Cdr. C.D. Maud, DSC and Bar, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Wheatland (Lt. R.deL. Brooke, RN). (46)

9 May 1942
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) conducted gunnery, including HA and close range AA, exercises off Scapa Flow. (45)

10 May 1942
Around 0500B/10, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Greenock where she arrived around 2315B/10. (45)

11 May 1942

Convoy WS 19.

This convoy was assembled off Oversay on 11 May 1942.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The convoy arrived at Freetown on 22 May 1942.

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The convoy departed Freetown on 26 May 1942.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The remainder of the convoy proceeded towards Aden escorted by HMS Corfu. They arrived off Aden on 30 June. (47)

22 May 1942
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN), HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN), HMS Velox (Lt. G.B. Barstow, RN), HMS Wild Swan (Lt.Cdr. C.E.L. Sclater, RN), HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN), HMS Belvoir (Lt. J.F.D. Bush, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Hursley (Lt. W.J.P. Church, DSC, RN) arrived at Freetown with convoy WS 19. (47)

23 May 1942

Convoy WS 19W.

This ' convoy ' departed the Clyde on 23 May 1942 with troops for the Middle East.

It was made up of only one ship, the troopship Queen Mary (British, 81235 GRT, built 1936).

On departure she was escorted by the AA cruiser HMS Cairo (A/Capt. C.C. Hardy, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Beagle (Cdr. R.C. Medley, RN), HMS Douglas (Lt.Cdr. R.B.S. Tennant, RN), HMS Keppel (Cdr. J.E. Broome, RN) and HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. A.F.C. Gray, RNR).

At 1330B/23, HMS Keppel fell back with steering engine defects.

At 1515B/23, HMS Sardonyx fell back as she was unable to keep up in the heavy seas.

At 1615B/23, HMS Cairo, HMS Beagle and HMS Douglas parted company.

The Queen Mary then proceeded unescorted to Freetown where she arrived on 30 May.

She departed Freetown on 31 May for Capetown where she arrived on 6 June.

She departed Capetown on 10 June for Suez. She was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) which joined coming from Simonstown.

Around 1100D/15, the heavy cruiser HMS Devonshire (Capt. R.D. Oliver, DSC, RN) took over the escort from HMS Mauritius which then proceeded to Mauritius.

At 0400D/18, HMS Devonshire parted company with the Queen Mary.

HMS Queen Mary arrived at Suez on 22 June 1942.

26 May 1942
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN), HMS Alcantara (A/Capt.(Retd.) J.D. Harvey, RN), HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN), HMS Velox (Lt. G.B. Barstow, RN), HMS Belvoir (Lt. J.F.D. Bush, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Hursley (Lt. W.J.P. Church, DSC, RN) and HMS Milford (Cdr.(Retd.) the Hon. V.M. Wyndham-Quin, RN) departed Freetown as escorts for convoy WS 19.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 19 ' for 11 May 1942.] (48)

6 Jun 1942
Around 1400AB/6, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Simonstown from convoy escort duty. (49)

10 Jun 1942
Around 1700B/10, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Simonstown for escort duty with convoy WS 19W.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 19W ' for 23 May 1942.] (49)

16 Jun 1942
Around 0745D/16, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Mauritius from convoy escort duty. She then immediately commenced fuelling from the RFA tanker Olcades (6891 GRT, built 1918).

Around 1730D/16, HMS Mauritius departed again for escort duty with convoy WS 19.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 19 ' for 11 May 1942.] (50)

28 Jun 1942
Around 1330D/28, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from convoy escort duty. (49)

2 Jul 1942
Around 1700C/2, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa for Durban. (51)

4 Jul 1942

Convoy WS 19L.

This convoy departed Capetown on 4 July 1942.

It was made up of the following (troop) transports;J.W. McAndrew (American, 7997 GRT, built 1940),Laconia (British, 19695 GRT, built 1922),Mexico (American, 5236 GRT, built 1932),Orontes (British, 20097 GRT, built 1929),Santa Elena (American, 9135 GRT, built 1933),Santa Rosa (American, 9135 GRT, built 1932) and Strathallan (British, 23722 GRT, built 1938).

They were escorted by the AA cruiser HrMs Jacob van Heemskerck (Cdr. E.J. van Holte, RNN) which had joined them off Capetown after having come from Simonstown herself.

Around 1300B/7, they were joined by the Durban section of the convoy. This was made up of the Cristobal (American, 10021 GRT, built 1939), Viceroy of India (British, 19627 GRT, built 1929) and Warwick Castle (British, 20107 GRT, built 1930) which were escorted by the light cruiser HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN). They had departed Durban shorly before. HrMs Jacob van Heemskerck then proceeded to Durban to fuel and then rejoin the convoy which she did around 0800B/8.

Around 2359B/8, HrMs Jacob van Heemskerck parted company in approximate position 27°53'S, 47°25'E.

Around 0350D/11, the Laconia was detached as she was unable to keep up with the convoy. She was to join another (slower) convoy coming from South Africa.

Around 1600D/13, the Warwick Castle parted company with the convoy in approximate position 06°10'S, 47°03'E to proceed to Kilindini / Mombasa. She was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Caledon (A/Capt. H.J. Haynes, DSO, DSC, RN) which had come out from there for that purpose.

Around 1530D/14, HMS Mauritius parted company with the convoy which had been joined shortly before by the heavy cruiser HMS Devonshire (Capt. R.D. Oliver, CBE, DSC, RN) and the ship she had been escorting, the American USS Orizaba (American, 6937 GRT, built 1918).

The convoy arrived at Aden on 17 July. (47)

6 Jul 1942
Around 0900C/6, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Durban from Kilindini / Mombasa. (51)

15 Jul 1942
Around 1720C/15, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from convoy escort duty. (51)

21 Jul 1942
Around 0800C/21, ' Force A ' of the Eastern Fleet, made up of the battleship HMS Warspite (Capt. F.E.P. Hutton, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN), aircraft carriers HMS Illustrious (Capt. A.G. Talbot, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral D.W. Boyd, CBE, DSC, RN), HMS Formidable (Capt. A.W.LaT. Bisset, RN), light cruisers HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.B. Crane, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN), HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) and the destroyers HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN), HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN), HrMs Van Galen (Lt.Cdr. F.T. Burghard, RNethN) and HMS Inconstant (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Clouston, RN) departed Kilindini for Colombo via the Seychelles.

The destroyer HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, DSO, RN) sailed from Kilindini later on the same day (around 1800C/21) to overtake and join ' Force A ' which she did around 1000D/23.

The destroyers were detached around 1200D/23 to fuel at Port Victoria, Seychelles. They rejoined ' Force A ' around 0700D/24.

' Force A ' arrived at Colombo around 1030F/28. En-route exercises had been carried out. (52)

30 Jul 1942

Operation Stab.

Diversionary operation in the Bay of Bengal.

The object of this diversionary operation in which landings on the Andaman Islands simulated was to distract Japanese naval forces in conjunction with American operations in the Solomons.

To simulate landing forces three convoys were to leave India and Ceylon. These were;
' Force V ', sailing from Vizagapatam.
Tansports Blackheath (British, 4637 GRT, built 1936), Cranfield (British, 5332 GRT, built 1919) and Mahout (British, 7921 GRT, built 1925). These ships were escorted by the sloop HMIS Jumna (Cdr. J.E.N. Coope, RIN, Senior Officer) and the destroyer HMS Scout (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) H. Lambton, RN).

' Force M ', sailing from Madras
Transports Clan McIver (British, 4606 GRT, built 1921), Custodian (British, 5881 GRT, built 1928), Hoperange (British, 5177 GRT, built 1939), Tasmania (British, 6405 GRT, built 1935) and Yuen Sang (British, 3229 GRT, built 1923). These ships were escorted by the fast minelayer HMS Manxman (Capt. R.K. Dickson, DSO, RN, Senior Officer), corvette HMS Aster (Lt. W.L. Smith, RNR) and patrol vessel HMIS Sonavati (T/A/Lt.Cdr. C.F. Smith, RINR).

' Force T ', sailing from Trincomalee
Transport (RAF Tender) Shengking (British, 2999 GRT, built 1931) and the tankers Marit Maersk (Danish, 1894 GRT, built 1938), Appleleaf (Royal Fleet Auxiliary, 5892 GRT, built 1917) and Broomdale (Royal Fleet Auxiliary, 8334 GRT, built 1937). These ships were escorted by the sloop HMIS Hindustan (A/Cdr. I.B.W Heanly, RIN, Senior Officer) and the corvette HMS Marguerite (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Blundell, RNR).

These forces were to proceed at best speed and reverse their course after dark at 1700Z/1 and return to their ports at best speed to arrive there before dusk on 2 August 1942.

' Force A ' of the Eastern Fleet was to sail from Colombo at 0400Z/31 so as to be eastward of Trincomalee by the time ' Force T ' was due to sail on the 1st August. Thereafter, ' Force A ' was to cover ' Force T ' from the eastward during the 1st and 2nd August. Subsequent movements of ' Force A ' were to depend on the situation, the force finally returning to Colombo about the 4th August.

During the night of 1/2 August, whilst forces are at sea, a wireless diversion (called Operation Spark) was to be carried out to simulate the following events.
1.) An imaginary collision was to occur in ' Force M '.
2.) One of the damaged ships was to make a plain language W/T signal reporting she had been in collision and is unable to proceed on the operation. One of the escort was to order her to keep silence and later to report to the Commander-in-Chief that ' Force M ' was unable to proceed. The Commander-in-Chief was then to postpone the operation and order all forces to return to their ports.
3.) Shore Wireless Stations were to carry out their normal W/T procedure.

Catalina Patrols were to be established well to the eastward to cover the three convoys during the short period they were at sea and ' Force A ' whilst operating in the Bay of Bengal.

At 2200F/30, the Commander-in-Chief received the following enemy report from the Dutch submarine HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. A.M. Valkenburg, RNethN) which was on patrol in the Malacca Straits: ' Two cruisers of the Takao-class and four destroyers in position 05°32'N, 98°50'E. Course 340°. Speed 14 knots. Torpedoes missed. Time of Origin of the signal of HrMs O 23 was 2352Z/28.

It seemed unlikely that the enemy cruiser force, moving northwards close to the Thailand coast, was a sign of enemy reaction to the 'planted' rumours in India that seaborne forces wear being prepared to attack the Andaman Island. A more probable reason to account for this movement was a possible raid on shipping in the northern part of the Bay of Bengal or a visit to Rangoon to coincide with the establishment of the new Burmese puppet government.

HrMs O 23 was due to leave patrol in the Malacca Straits on the 31st July and return to Colombo. In view of the enemy forces reported previously by her and the forthcoming Operation Stab, she was ordered to remain on patrol until 3rd August.

Forces ' T ' and ' M ' were provided with air cover (this was not possible for ' Force V '), both by the long range reconnaissance Catalina patrols and local fighter escort, and in addition would have Force A covering them to the eastward, but ' Force V ' would be without air cover and too far away to be covered by ' Force A '. The Commander-in-Chief therefore decided to cancel the sailing of ' Force V ', but that all preparations for its departure were to continue.

In view of the enemy cruisers reported in the Malacca Straits on 29th July, The Commander-in-Chief decided to proceed with ' Force A ' from Colombo in the afternoon of 30 July. This would enable operation Stab to be carried out on the prearranged date and also admit of intercepting the Japanese force should it venture to the southern part of the Bay of Bengal.

' Force A ', comprising the battleship HMS Warspite (Capt. F.E.P. Hutton, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN), aircraft carriers HMS Illustrious (Capt. A.G. Talbot, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral D.W. Boyd, CBE, DSC, RN), HMS Formidable (Rear-Admiral A.W.LaT. Bisset, RN), light cruisers HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.B. Crane, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN), HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN), AA cruiser HrMs Jacob van Heemskerck (Cdr. E.J. van Holte, RNethN) and the destroyers HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, DSO, RN), HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN), HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN), HrMs Van Galen (Lt.Cdr. F.T. Burghard, RNethN) and HMS Inconstant (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Clouston, RN) sailed from Colombo at 1700F/30.

Course was shaped to keep out of sight of land and to be in a position 35 miles to eastward of Trincomalee by 1000F/1.

Two air searches were sent out from ' Force A ' on 31st July. The first at 0800F to cover the section 050° to 080° ahead of the fleet to a depth of 150 miles; and the second at 1500F to search the sector 000° to 110° to a depth of 160 miles. Nothing was seen in either search.

Since no further information of the enemy cruiser force had been received, the Commander-in-Chief decided at 1100F/31 to postpone the sailing of ' Force M ' until 4 hours later and ordered a Catalina patrol to the north eastward of this force whilst at sea so as to give warning of approach of any possible enemy forces.

' Force T ' sailed from Trincomalee at the prearranged time, 0900F/1. At that time ' Force A ' was 40 miles north-east of Trincomalee, course south-west. At 1000F/1 course was altered to north-east, parallel to that of ' Force T ', and throughout the day, ' Force A ' maintained a covering position to the north-east of ' Force T '.An air reconnaissance was flown off at 0830F/1 to cover the section 340° to 000° to 130° to a depth of 150 nautical miles. This search saw nothing.

At 1040F/1, when ' Force A ' was in position 09°00'N, 21°42'E, 40 nautical miles north-east of Trincomalee, course northeast, an RDF contact was obtained on an aircraft bearing 100° range 73 miles. This was at first through to be one of the reconnaissance aircraft returning, but the absence of IFF indication being the unfortunately the rule rather than the exception. This aircraft was tracked around the fleet and passed astern at 1130F/1 on a bearing 220°, range 24 miles thence proceeded to the north-westward and finally faded on bearing 060° at 60 miles at 1215F/1. The aircraft was sighted by HMS Formidable and identified by two officers and an air lookout as a Catalina and reported as such. HMS Formidable did not send out fighters to investigate. Although the prearranged programme of the Catalina reconnaissance did not suggest one of these aircraft should be acting in this manner, the possibility was accepted in view of the lack of training of many of the newly arrived Catalina crews. Subsequent investigations and a warning of the presence of British forces broadcast from Tokyo established this was an enemy aircraft.

At noon a fighter umbrella of two Martlets was maintained by HMS Illustrious. One Martlet crashed into the barrier on deck landing. The need to economise on the fighter umbrella was governed by the necessity of conserving the Martlets. Had the aircraft referred earlier not been wrongly identified as a Catalina, The Commander-in-Chief was convinced that it could have been intercepted by Martlets that were ranged at readiness in both aircraft carriers.

A further air search was sent out at 1500F/1 to cover the sector from 000° to 110° to a depth of 150 miles but nothing was seen.

At 1800F/1, one of the Fulmar search aircraft made an emergency landing on HMS Illustrious, but crashed on desk due to a fractured oil pipe spraying the pilot’s windscreen, and was badly damaged.

At 1830F/1, all the search aircraft except two Fulmars had returned to their carriers. The two missing aircraft reported to HMS Formidable by wireless that they were lost and requested D/F bearings. The Commander-in-Chief at once ordered wireless silence to be broken to home these aircraft. The fleet was turned at 1840F/1 to close one of the aircraft when bearing had been definitely established by D/F and RDF. Searchlights were burned at dusk to assist returning aircraft and at 1920F/1 Very’s lights were sighted to the south-west. A few minutes later one of the aircraft was sighted and closed the carriers. Unfortunately, the aircraft by this time so short of petrol that it had to force land in the sea. The crew were picked up by HMAS Norman.

By 2000F/1. ' Force A ', which had become somewhat dispersed during reversal of course and whilst locating the crew of the aircraft, was reformed and course altered to the north west. Unfortunately nothing further was heard or seen of the other missing Fulmar with the exception of one report that a light had been seen to the eastward. A night search for the survivors of this aircraft was considered, but as they would have left the convoy uncovered to the northeast, The Commander-in-Chief decided it was preferable to return to this area at dawn and carry out a daytime air search. The Commander-in-Chief therefore continued to the north-west and at 0100F/2 in position 11°30'N, 82°15'E, course was reversed to the south-east and at daylight course was altered to south.

The wireless diversion (Operation Spark) was carried out as previously arranged during the night at 2300F/1 and appears to have been fully effective.

At 0630F/2, a thorough air search was sent out to look for survivors of the Fulmar which had been lost the previous evening. Whilst this attack was continuing, ' Force A ' was manoeuvred in the area in which it was estimated that the survivors might have landed. No survivors were located and it must be presumed with regret that the crew of two was lost. Catalinas which would be operating through this area were requested to keep a good lookout for survivors.

At 1030F/2, despatches were transferred by HMAS Norman from HMS Warspite to HMS Illustrious and thence sent by aircraft to Trincomalee for onward transmission. At 1100F/2, HMS Formidable flew off two Martlets as fighter umbrella. At 1112F/2, both carriers reported RDF contact on an aircraft bearing 055°, range 55 miles. HMS Formidable directed two Martlets onto this aircraft. When the fighters sighted the enemy flying boat at 10000 feet they first thought it was a Catalina, but on approaching closely identified it as a Japanese flying boat Navy Type 97, and promptly shot it down in approximate position 09°26'N, 83°16'E. The flying boat, which appeared to be taken completely by surprise, gave no return fire and after the second burst of fire from the Martlets, caught fire, disintegrated and fell in flames. No survivors were seen.

In the meantime at 111F/2 a further two Martlets each were flown off by the carriers. One of these Martlets from HMS Formidable crashed into the sea on taking off. The pilot was rescued by HrMs Jacob van Heemskerck.

A fighter umbrella of two Martlets was maintained for the rest of the day by HMS Illustrious. At 1530F/2 one of these Martlets appeared to have an engine failure and crashed into the sea whilst approaching to land on. The pilot was lost.

At about 1100F/2, the Commander-in-Chief had received information from the Flag Officer, Ceylon that Air Headquarters Bengal considered there were indications of naval activity south of the Andamans at 2300Z/31, that pointed to the possibility of an attack on Madras at dawn on the 3rd August and that the information on which this was based was from a most secret source. Flag Officer, Ceylon, had also informed Admiralty and the Deputy Commander in Chief, Eastern Fleet.

There was nothing in Air Headquarters Bengal signal to indicate what was the nature of the naval activity which had been reported nor the reliability of the source. The Commander-in-Chief immediately requested Flag Officer, Ceylon to obtain amplification of this report.

Although a dawn attack by this Japanese naval force on Madras on 3rd August was possible, The Commander-in-Chief considered the following factors would make it very improbable.
1.) ' Force A ', probably having been sighted by the Japanese flying boat A.M. 1st August.
2.) ' Force A ', breaking wireless silence to endeavour to recover aircraft on the evening of 1st August. 3.) The wireless diversion (Operation Spark), carried out on the night of 1st/2nd August.

Nevertheless the Commander-in-Chief felt that he could not disregard Air Headquarters Bengal report and he therefore decided to proceed at once to Trincomalee and refuel destroyers in preparation for an extension of the present operation. he informed Their Lordships of his intentions in his signal 1215Z/2. Course was altered at 1215F/2 to the westward and speed increased to reach Trincomalee before dark.

' Force A ' entered Trincomalee at 1915F/2 and refuelling of destroyers commenced at once and as completed at 2200F/2 when it had been intended that ' Force A ' should sail again.

Additional Catalina patrols had been arranged to cover the approaches to Madras from the east and south-east, from p.m. 2nd August until daylight 3rd August.

It was not until ' Force A ' arrived at Trincomalee at 1900F/2 that the Commander-in-Chief received a message from Air Headquarters India (Flag Officer Ceylon’s 0744/2) stated that they did not agree with the deductions nor authorize the message from Air Headquarters Bengal. After discussion with Rear Admiral Commanding, Aircraft Carriers and Rear Admiral Commanding Fourth Cruiser Squadron, the Commander-in-Chief decided that there was no real basis for this report and in view of HMS Formidable and HMS Birmingham being required at an early date to return to Kilindini for Operation Streamline Jane, the Commander-in-Chief decided the ' Force A ' should return to Colombo.

The Commander-in-Chief informed Their Lordships of his revised intentions in his message 1649Z/2.

' Force A ' sailed accordingly from Trincomalee at 0600F/3 and shaped course for Colombo keeping out of sight of land. During the day a safety patrol of one aircraft was maintained 30 miles ahead of the Fleet. This patrol was carried out by Walrus aircraft from cruisers during the afternoon but had to be cancelled owing to rising wind and sea. A fighter umbrella of two Martlets was maintained throughout the day.

At 1030F/3, HMS Manxman, who was returning from Madras to Colombo, as about 30 miles south-west of ' Force A '. An aircraft was sent to order her to join ' Force A ', which she did at 1300F/3.

At 1430F/3, HMS Illustrious obtained an RDF contact on an aircraft bearing 60° and at 1440F/3, HMS Warspite obtained a doubtful contact on the same bearing at a range of 50 miles. Both contacts faded ten minutes later. At that time ' Force A ' was in position approximately 06°40'N, 82°10'E. The RDF contact may have been a Japanese flying boat, but more probably an aircraft operating from China Bay as no Catalina were know to be in that area. The uncertainty and short duration of the contacts rendered fighter interception impracticable.

Before leaving Trincomalee the Commander-in-Chief had proposed to Air Officer Commanding, Ceylon that opportunity should be taken to exercise that Fighter Direction of shore based fighters from HM ships and any other air exercises he might wish to carry out.

From 1645F/3 to 1800F/3, successful fighter direction exercise was carried out using two Fulmars from HMS Illustrious as the enemy. R/T communication was obtained quickly and no difficulty experienced in directing the Hurricanes on to their target. From 1800F/3 till dusk these two Fulmars took over the duties of fighter umbrella.

The next air exercise was a night shadowing exercise and a night torpedo and bombing attack on the fleet.

At 1850F/3, HMS Illustrious reported an aircraft in sight bearing 190° and directed the fighter umbrella of two Fulmars to investigate. This aircraft which was clearly in sight from HMS Warspite was a flying boat just visible above the horizon and though it presented characteristics of a Catalina, it could not definitely be identified as such. HMS Illustrious directed the Fulmars on to the target, a warning being given by R/T that the aircraft was possibly friendly. Unfortunately the designation 'Bandit' i.e. enemy aircraft, as opposed to 'Bogey' i.e. unidentified aircraft, was employed by the Fighter Directing Officer. For this and other reasons which are being investigated by a Board of Enquiry one of the Fulmars opened fire on this flying boat, which proved to be a Catalina. Fire was ceased directly the pilot realized his mistake but the Commander-in-Chief regret to report that one airman was killed and two injured and the Catalina’s rudder damaged. The Fulmars returned to HMS Illustrious and from subsequent signals it appeared that the Catalina was still airborne and returning to her base. As a safety measure HMS Mauritius and HMS Manxman were detached to search the area in case the Catalina was forced to land, but were recalled when it was clear from RDF bearings that the Catalina was proceeding to Koggala.

During the night of 3rd/4th August the shore based reconnaissance aircraft were unable to locate ' Force A ' and in consequence no attacks were delivered. From 0530F/4 to 0645F/4 another fighter direction exercise with shore based aircraft was successfully carried out.

' Force A ' arrived at Colombo at 0900F/4. (52)

10 Aug 1942
' Force A ', made up of the battleship HMS Warspite (Capt. F.E.P. Hutton, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN), aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious (Capt. A.G. Talbot, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral D.W. Boyd, CBE, DSC, RN), light cruiser HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN), AA cruiser HrMs Jacob van Heemskerck (Capt. E.J. van Holte, RNN) and the destroyers HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, DSO, RN), HMS Inconstant (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Clouston, RN), HMS Fortune (Lt.Cdr. R.D.H.S. Pankhurst, RN) and HMS Active (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, RN) departed Colombo for Kilindini / Mombasa.

On the 15th, they made a short stop at Port Victoria, Seychelles where HrMs Jacob van Heemskerck and the destroyers were fuelled. (53)

17 Aug 1942
HMS Resolution (Capt. A.R. Halfhide, CBE, RN , flying the flag of A/Vice-Admiral A.U. Willis, DSO, RN), HMS Royal Sovereign (Capt. D.N.C. Tufnell, DSC, RN), HMS Valiant (Capt. L.H. Ashmore, RN), HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN), HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN), HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN), HMS Griffin (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Rowell, RN), HMS Foxhound (Cdr. C.J. Wynne-Edwards, DSC, RN), HMS Decoy (Lt.Cdr. G.I.M. Balfour, RN) and HMS Blackmore (Lt. H.T. Harrel, RN) make rendez-vous with ' Force A ' which came from Colombo. ' Force A ' was made up of HMS Warspite (Capt. F.E.P. Hutton, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN), HMS Illustrious (Capt. A.G. Talbot, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral D.W. Boyd, CBE, DSC, RN), HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN), HrMs Jacob van Heemskerck (Capt. E.J. van Holte, RNN), HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, DSO, RN), HMS Inconstant (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Clouston, RN), HMS Fortune (Lt.Cdr. R.D.H.S. Pankhurst, RN) and HMS Active (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, RN).

Exercises were then carried out on the 17th and on the 18th all ships entered Kilindini / Mombasa. HMS Dauntless proceeded to Diego Suarez via Mayotte.

23 Aug 1942

Convoys US 16 and US 17.

Convoy US 16.

Convoy US 16 departed Sydney on 23 August 1942.

It was made up of the following (troop) transports;Aronda (British, 9031 GRT, built 1941) and Devonshire (British, 11275 GRT, built 1939).

The convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Kanimbla (A/Capt. W.L.G. Adams, RN).

The transport Rajula (British, 8478 GRT, built 1926) joined the convoy PM on the 27th in position 18°40'S, 140°40'E.

The convoy was joined by the light cruiser HrMs Tromp (Capt. J.B. de Meester, RNethN) at 0845H/2.

The convoy arrived at Fremantle on 3 September 1942.

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Convoy US 17.

Convoy US 17 departed Sydney on 24 August 1942.

It was made up of the following (troop) transports;Ekma (British, 5108 GRT, built 1911),Felix Roussel (British, 17083 GRT, built 1930),Lilian Luckenbach (American, 6339 GRT, built 1919),Westernland (Dutch, 16479 GRT, built 1918).

The convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMAS Manoora (A/Capt. J.M. Armstrong, RAN).

At 1415K/28, the convoy was joined by the light cruiser HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) coming from Melbourne.

The convoy arrived at Fremantle on 4 September 1942.

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The now combined convoy US 16 / US 17 departed Fremantle on 7 September. It was now escorted by the light cruisers HMAS Adelaide, HrMs Tromp, armed merchant cruisers HMS Kanimbla, HMAS Manoora and the destroyer HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Robison DSC, RAN).

Around 0700H/8, HMAS Voyager was detached to return to Fremantle.

Around 1000FG/11, the heavy cruiser HMS Devonshire (Capt. R.D. Oliver, CBE, DSC, RN) joined the convoy coming from Colombo. HMAS Adelaide and HrMs Tromp then parted company to return to Fremantle.

Around 0930FG/14, the light cruiser HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) joined the convoy which was then split up. HMS Mauritius and HMS Kanimbla proceeded to Colombo with convoy US 16. HMS Devonshire proceeded to Durban with convoy US 17. HMAS Manoora returned to Fremantle.

Convoy US 16 was joined by the destroyer HMS Scout (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) H. Lambton, RN) around 0900FG/19. Later the same day HMS Scout developed rudder problems and had to be steered by her engines. She and HMS Kanimbla were then detached to proceed to Colombo in company while HMS Mauritius remained with the convoy. Both the convoy escorted by HMS Mauritius and HMS Scout in company with HMS Kanimbla arrived at Colombo on 21 September 1942.

Convoy US 16 departed Colombo for Aden on 24 September 1942 now escorted by the light cruiser HMS Mauritius, sloop HMS Shoreham (Cdr. E. Hewitt, RD, RNR) and the minelayer HrMs Willem van der Zaan (Lt.Cdr. G.P. Küller, RNethN).

Around 2000F/26, HrMs Willem van der Zaan parted company with convoy US 16 to return to Colombo where she arrived on 29 September 1942.

Around 0800F/28, HMS Shoreham parted company with convoy US 16 to proceed to Bombay where she arrived on 1 October 1942.

Around 0730E/30, the minesweeper HMS Poole (Lt. W.L.G. Dutton, RNR) joined the convoy.

Around 1500E/30, the destroyer HMS Hero (Lt. W. Scott, DSC, RN) joined the convoy.

Convoy US 16 arrived at Aden on 2 October 1942.

Convoy US 17 meanwhile had arrived at Durban on 23 September 1942.

26 Aug 1942
Around 1315C/26, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa to patrol to the west of Réunion Island to intercept the Vichy French transport Amiral Pierre (4388 GRT, built 1905). (54)

2 Sep 1942
Around 1345D/2, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Mauritius from patrol. The Vichy French ship she had been searching for had not been sighted.

At Mauritius, HMS Mauritius fuelled from the RFA tanker Olcades (6891 GRT, built 1918).

She departed again around 1820D/2 to resume patrol off Réunion Island. (55)

5 Sep 1942
Around 0815D/5, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Mauritius from patrol. Again the Vichy French ship she had been searching for had not been sighted.

At Mauritius, HMS Mauritius fuelled from the RFA tanker Olcades (6891 GRT, built 1918). (55)

10 Sep 1942
Around 1210D/10, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Mauritius to make rendezvous with convoys US 16 and US 17.

[For more info on these convoys see the event ' Convoys US 16 and US 17 ' for 23 August 1942.] (55)

21 Sep 1942
Around 1130FG/21, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Colombo with convoys US 16.

Before entering harbour 4" gunnery exercises were conducted.

On arrival HMS Mauritius was immediately docked in a graving dock. (56)

24 Sep 1942
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) is undocked.

She then departed Colombo together with HMS Shoreham (Cdr. E. Hewitt, RD, RNR) and HrMs Willem van der Zaan (Lt.Cdr. G.P. Küller, RNethN) around 1800FG/24 escorting convoy US 16.

For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoys US 16 and US 17 ' for 23 August 1942. (55)

2 Oct 1942
Around 1315D/2, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Aden from convoy escort duty.

She departed Aden for Kilindini / Mombasa around 1830D/2. (57)

5 Oct 1942

Convoy WS 23.

This convoy was formed off Oversay on 5 October 1942.

It consisted of the following transports / troopships;Capetown Castle (British, 27002 GRT, built 1938),Empress of Russia (British, 16810 GRT, built 1913),Highland Monarch (British, 14139 GRT, built 1928),Kina II (British, 9823 GRT, built 1939),Moreton Bay (British, 14193 GRT, built 1921),Port Jackson (British, 9687 GRT, built 1937),Silverandal (British, 6770 GRT, built 1930) and Straat Malakka (Dutch, 439 GRT, built 1939).

Initial escort consisted of the light cruisers HMS Despatch (Capt. W.R.C. Leggatt, RN), HMS Durban (Capt. G.F. Stevens-Guille, DSO and Bar, OBE, RN), armed merchant cruiser HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, DSO, RN), destroyers HMS Beagle (Cdr. R.C. Medley, RN), HMS Wrestler (Lt. R.W.B. Lacon, DSC, RN) and the escort destroyers HMS Bicester (Lt.Cdr. S.W.F. Bennetts, RN), HMS Puckeridge (Lt. J.C. Cartwright, DSC, RN), HMS Zetland (Lt. J.V. Wilkinson, RN) and RHS Kanaris.

At 2200Z/6, HMS Durban parted company with the convoy to proceed to Ponta Delgada to fuel.

At 1850Z/8, HMS Beagle parted company with the convoy to return to the UK. HMS Zetland had a leaking Asdic dome and was apparently also detached on the 8th to return to the UK for a docking and repairs.

At 1000Z/9, HMS Puckeridge arrived at Ponta Delgada to refuel. She departed to rejoin the convoy at 1345Z/9. RHS Kanaris arrived at 1100Z/9 and departed again at 1430Z/9. [It is currently not known to us when they had left the convoy to proceed to Ponta Delgada.]

At 1545Z/9, HMS Durban rejoined the convoy. HMS Despatch was then detached to fuel at Ponta Delgada.

At 1900Z/9, HMS Puckeridge and RHS Kanaris rejoined the convoy.

At 0100Z/10, HMS Wrestler and HMS Bicester parted company with the convoy to fuel at Ponta Delgada after which they were to return to the UK.

At 0810/Z/13, HMS Antelope (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Sinclair, RN) joined the convoy shorly afterwards followed by HMS Velox (Lt. G.B. Barstow, RN).

On 16 October 1942 the convoy arrived at Freetown escorted by HMS Despatch, HMS Durban, HMS Queen of Bermuda, HMS Antelope, HMS Velox, HMS Puckeridge and RHS Kanaris.

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The convoy departed Freetown for Durban on 20 October 1942.

The same ships made up the convoy plus the merchant vessels Hai Lee (Norwegian, 3616 GRT, built 1934) and Tamesis (Norwegian, 7256 GRT, built 1939).

On departure from Freetown the convoy escort was made up of the light cruisers HMS Despatch, HMS Durban, armed merchant cruiser HMS Carthage (A/Capt.(Retd.) W.V.H. Harris, DSC, MVO, RN), escort destroyers HMS Avon Vale (Lt.Cdr. P.A.R. Withers, DSO, RN), RHS Kanaris, sloop HMS Milford (Cdr.(Retd.) the Hon. V.M. Wyndham-Quin, RN) and the corvette HMS Tamarisk (Lt. S. Ayles, RNR).

At 1020A/23, HMS Avon Vale parted company. HMS Southern Gem (T/Lt. D.C. Hayes, RNVR) had joined just before. She had sailed from Takoradi on the 22nd.

At 1842A/23, HMS Durban parted company with the convoy to proceed to Takoradi to repair a defect. She arrived at Takoradi around 0745/24 and departed again around 0230A/25. She rejoined the convoy around 0945A/27.

Also detached on 23 October were the two Norwegian merchant vessels and the corvette HMS Tamarisk. These were also to proceed to Takoradi.

The corvette HMS Amaranthus (T/Lt. W.S. Thomson, RNR) joined on the 25th coming from Ponte Noire. After she joined HMS Southern Gem was detached to Ponte Noire due to engine trouble.

On the 26th, HMS Amaranthus parted company to join convoy CF 7.

On 30 October the destroyer HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) and the corvettes HMS Rockrose (Lt. E.J. Binfield, DSC, RNR) and HMS Thyme (Lt. H. Roach, RNR) joined the convoy. These ships had sailed from Walvis Bay, the corvettes at 0600Z/29 and HMAS Norman at 2000Z/29. HMAS Norman joined the convoy around 1300B/30 and the corvettes around 1530B/30.

At 2100B/30, HMS Durban, HMS Despatch and HMS Milford were detached to fuel at Walvis Bay where they arrived around 0840/30. HMS Durban departed Walvis Bay aroud 1845B/31 and she rejoined the convoy around 1800B/1

On 2 November the transport / troopship Rimutaka (British, 16576 GRT, built 1923) joined the convoy coming from Capetown.

At 1330C/2, the destroyer HMS Express (Lt.Cdr. F.J. Cartwright, RN) and escort destroyer HMS Catterick (Lt. A. Tyson, RN) joined coming from Simonstown.

Around 1545C/2, RHS Kanaris parted company to refuel at Simonstown. She rejoined the convoy around 0100C/3.

At 2215C/2, HMS Rockrose and HMS Thyme were detached to search for survivors from ships that had been torpedoed by German submarines.

At 1950C/4, HMS Express was detached to search for survivors from a ship that had been torpedoed by a German submarines.

At 0530C/5, the escort destroyer HMS Derwent (Cdr. R.H. Wright, DSC, RN) joined.

The convoy arrived at Durban in the early afternoon of 5 November escorted by HMS Durban, HMS Carthage, HMAS Norman, HMS Catterick, HMS Derwent and RHS Kanaris.

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The convoy departed Durban around noon on 9 November 1942, now made up of Capetown Castle, Empress of Russia, Highland Monarch, Kina II, Port Jackson, Silversandal and Straat Malakka.

On departure from Durban the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Dauntless (Cdr.(Retd.) N.G. Leeper, RN), armed merchant cruiser HMS Carthage, destroyers HMAS Norman, HMS Inconstant (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Clouston, RN), escort destroyers HMS Blackmore (Lt. H.T. Harrel, RN), RHS Kanaris and the corvettes HMS Genista (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Pattinson, DSC, RNR) and HMS Jasmine (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) C.D.B. Coventry, RNR).

At 1700C/10, HMS Insconstant, HMS Genista and HMS Jasmine were detached.

At 1500D/11, HMS Dauntless, HMAS Norman, HMS Blackmore and RHS Kanaris were detached.

At 1830D/11, the cruiser HMS Hawkins (Capt. G.A. French, RN) joined.

At 1600E/16, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) joined and at 1230E/16, HMS Hawkins parted company with the convoy to proceed to Kilindini taking the Empress of Russia with her. They arrived at Kilindini around 1700D/18.

At 1800E/17, the convoy was split up into the ' Aden section ' and the ' Bombay section '.

The ' Aden section ' was made up of the Highland Monarch, Kina II, Port Jackson and the Straat Malakka. They were escorted by HMS Carthage and arrived at Aden around 1300C/21. They had earlier been joined by the destroyer RHS Panther around 0615/20.

The ' Bombay section ' was made up of the other transports escorted by HMS Mauritius. They arrived at Bombay around 1000FG/24 except for the Silversandal which had been detached on November 22nd to proceed to Karachi where she also arrived on the 24th. (47)

6 Oct 1942
Around 1845C/6, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from Aden. (58)

24 Oct 1942

Operation Demcat.

Around 2100Z/21, the merchant vessel Karagola (British, 7053 GRT, built 1917) reported having sighted a suspicious vessel of about 20000 tons in a rain squall in position 05°20'N, 63°05'E. She reported this sighting at 1300Z/22 and from the discription given it was thought possible that this may be a (Japanese) raider.

Therefore the heavy cruiser HMS Devonshire (Capt. R.D. Oliver, CBE, DSC, RN) and the light cruisers HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) and HMS Enterprise (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) were sent from Kilindini / Mombasa to patrol in a rectangular area lying between the Equator and Latitude 06°40'N and between meridians 59°10'E and 67°00'E.

On 27 October the cruisers were to patrol the south-west quarter in conjunction with two Catalina aircraft based at the Seychelles.

On 28 October the cruisers were to patrol the north-east quarter in conjunction with two Catalina aircraft based at Addu Atoll.

On 29 October the cruisers were to patrol the north-west quarter in conjunction with two Catalina aircraft based at the Seychelles.

On 30 October the cruisers were to patrol the south-west quarter in conjunction with two Catalina aircraft based at Addu Atoll.

The cruisers were to be spread 65 miles apart and were ordered to carry out a parallel track search, commencing at 0800 hours each day. The Catalinas commenced creeping line ahead search at dawn daily to prudent limit of endurance. Thereafter the cruisers were free to employ their own aircraft to assist in the search.

HMS Enterprise departed Kilindini/Mombasa around 0630C/24. She was first to call at Port Victoria, Seychelles to fuel due to her limited range compared to the other two cruisers.

HMS Devonshire departed Kilindini / Mombasa around 1100C/24. HMS Mauritius departed around 1230C/24 and then joined HMS Devonshire.

HMS Enterprise arrived at Port Victoria around 0800E/26. She departed around 1200E/26 after having fuelled from the RFA tanker Olynthus (6888 GRT, built 1918).

Around 1800E/26, HMS Devonshire and HMS Mauritius parted company for the patrol (see above).

No suspecious vessel was encountered. At 0210Z/30 a patrolling Catalina reported in sighting a surfaced enemy submarine in position 01°36'N, 67°39'E. Upon sighting the aircraft the submarine submerged. The submarine in question must have been the Japanese I-27.

Following the patrol HMS Devonshire was able to return to Kilindini/Mombasa without refuelling. She arrived around 0900C/3.

HMS Mauritius first had to proceed to Port Victoria, Seychelles to fuel where she arrived around 1000E/1. She departed again around 1830E/1. She arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa around 1730CD/4 after having first conducted exercises before entering harbour.

HMS Enterprise also had to call at Port Victoria to fuel. She arrived there around 1245D/1 and departed around 0900D/2. She arrived at Kilindini around 1130C/4. (59)

9 Nov 1942
HMS Illustrious (Capt. R.L.B. Cunliffe, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa for flying exercises. She was escorted by the destroyers HMAS Napier (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Green, DSC, RAN) and HMS Hotspur (Lt. P. Bekenn, RN).

On 10 October 1942, the light cruiser HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) also came out of exercises.

On 11 October 1942 they all returned to Kilinidi / Mombasa. (60)

14 Nov 1942
Around 1800C/14, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa for escort duty with convoy WS 23.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 23 ' for 5 October 1942.] (60)

24 Nov 1942
Around 1000FG/24, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Bombay with the 'Bombay section' of convoy WS 23. (60)

1 Dec 1942
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) conducted D/G trials off Bombay. (61)

3 Dec 1942

Convoy BA 34.

This convoy departed Bombay on 3 December 1942.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels;Akbar (British, 4043 GRT, built 1924),City of Eastbourne (British, 5563 GRT, built 1923),Jalarashimi (British, 4449 GRT, built 1918),Jalaratna (British, 3865 GRT, built 1930),Khosrou (British, 4043 GRT, built 1924),Nevasa (British, 9213 GRT, built 1913) and Rahmani (British, 5463 GRT, built 1928).

On departure from Bombay the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) and the corvette HMS Aster (Lt. W.L. Smith, RNR).

At 1805EF/4, in position 19°10'N, 67°40'E, HMS Aster was detached to return to Bombay.

At 0745DE/8, in position 15°52'N, 54°32'E, HMS Mauritius was detached to proceed to Port Victoria, Seychelles. Shortly before the minesweeper HMS Romney (Lt. W.E. Halbert, RNR) had joined to take over the escort duties.

The convoy arrived at Aden on 11 December 1942. (62)

6 Dec 1942

Convoy WS 24B.

This convoy departed Durban on 6 December 1942.

It was made up of the troop transports Athlone Castle (British, 25564 GRT, built 1936) and Striling Castle (British, 25550 GRT, built 1936).

On departure from Durban the convoy was escorted by the heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) and the destroyers HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) and HMAS Nepal (Cdr. F.B. Morris, RAN).

Around 1200C/7, HMAS Norman and HMAS Nepal parted company to return to Durban.

Around 1200E/12, the light cruiser HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) took over the escort duties from HMS Frobisher which then proceeded to Port Victoria, Seychelles to fuel.

The convoy arrived at Bombay on 17 December 1942. (63)

11 Dec 1942
Around 1000E/11, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Port Victoria, Seychelles.

She was then fuelled by the RFA tanker Cedardale (8132 GRT, built 1939) and departed for Diego Suarez around 1730E/11 to join convoy WS 24B.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 24B ' for 6 December 1942.]. (61)

17 Dec 1942
Around 1015FG/17, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Bombay with convoy WS 24B. (61)

26 Dec 1942
Around 0930FG/26, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) departed Bombay for Kilindini / Mombasa.

On board, for passage, was the C-in-C of the Eastern Fleet, Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, and part of his staff. (61)

30 Dec 1942
Around 1245FG/30, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from Bombay. Before entering harbour 4" HA gunnery exercises were carried out. (61)

5 Jan 1943
During 5 to 8 January 1943, the battleships HMS Resolution (Capt. J.W. Durnford, RN, with Rear Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN, on board), HMS Revenge (A/Capt. St.J. Cronyn, DSO, RN), aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious (Capt. R.L.B. Cunliffe, RN), heavy cruiser HMS Hawkins (Capt. G.A. French, RN), light cruisers HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.B. Crane, RN), HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN), destroyers HMS Rotherham (Capt. F.S.W. de Winton, RN), HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN), HMAS Nizam (Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN), HMAS Nepal (Cdr. F.B. Morris, RAN), HMS Foxhound (Cdr. C.J. Wynne-Edwards, DSC and Bar, RN), escort destroyers HMS Blackmore (Lt. H.T. Harrel, RN) and HMS Catterick (Lt. A. Tyson, RN) conducted exercises off Kilindini.

HMS Blackmore returned to Kilinidi for other duties on the 6th. (64)

13 Jan 1943
During 13/14 January 1943, the battleship HMS Warspite (Capt. F.E.P. Hutton, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Eastern Fleet), heavy cruiser HMS Hawkins (Cdr. M. Everard, RN), light cruisers HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.B. Crane, RN), HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN), HMS Ceres (Capt. C.C.A. Allen, RN), destroyers HMAS Nizam (Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN), HMS Foxhound (Cdr. C.J. Wynne-Edwards, DSC and Bar, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Catterick (Lt. A. Tyson, RN) conducted exercises off Kilindini. These included night exercises.

Shortly before the exercises commenced Rear Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN, had transferred his flag from HMS Birmingham to HMS Mauritius. On return to harbour Rear Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN, struck his flag in HMS Mauritius.

Early on the 14th HMS Birmingham and HMS Hawkins parted company and set course to proceed to Diego Suarez. HMS Ceres also parted company to proceed to Durban. (65)

20 Jan 1943
From 20 to 22 January 1943, the battleships HMS Warspite (Capt. F.E.P. Hutton, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Eastern Fleet), HMS Resolution (Capt. J.W. Durnford, RN), heavy cruisers HMS Devonshire (Capt. D. Young-Jamieson, RN), HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN), light cruisers HMS Gambia (Capt. M.J. Mansergh, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN), HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN), destroyers HMS Rotherham (Capt. F.S.W. de Winton, RN), HMAS Nizam (Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN), HMS Foxhound (Cdr. C.J. Wynne-Edwards, DSC and Bar, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Catterick (Lt. A. Tyson, RN) conducted exercises off Kilindini / Mombasa.

Shortly before commencement of the exercises Rear Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN had hoisted his flag in HMS Gambia. (66)

28 Jan 1943
During 28/29 January 1943, the battleship HMS Revenge (A/Capt. St.J. Cronyn, DSO, RN), heavy cruisers HMS Devonshire (Capt. D. Young-Jamieson, RN), HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN), light cruisers HMS Gambia (Capt. M.J. Mansergh, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN), HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN), destroyers HMS Rotherham (Capt. F.S.W. de Winton, RN), HMAS Nizam (Cdr. C.H. Brooks, RAN) and HMS Foxhound (Cdr. C.J. Wynne-Edwards, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Kilindini / Mombasa.

On completion of the exercises HMS Devonshire set course to Aden while the other ships returned to Kilindini / Mombasa. (67)

3 Feb 1943
The battleships HMS Warspite (Capt. H.A. Packer, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Eastern Fleet), HMS Resolution (Capt. J.W. Durnford, RN), HMS Revenge (A/Capt. St.J. Cronyn, DSO, RN), light cruiser HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) and destroyers HMS Rotherham (Capt. F.S.W. de Winton, RN), HMS Quilliam (Capt. S.H. Carlill, DSO, RN), HMAS Nepal (Cdr. F.B. Morris, RAN), HMAS Nizam (Cdr. C.H. Brooks, RAN), HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) and HMS Foxhound (Cdr. C.J. Wynne-Edwards, DSC and Bar, RN) departed Kilindini for operations in the Indian Ocean. The main object of their sortie was to provide cover for the Pamplet troop convoy transporting 30000 men of the Australian 9th Division from Suez to Melbourne and Sydney.

They fuelled at Port Victoria, Seychelles on 6 February 1943 departing from there for Addu Atoll later the same day.

They arrived on Addu Atoll on 11 February 1943. Destroyers conducted A/S patrol several at a time off Addu Atoll during the time the fleet was there.

After having fuelled HMS Mauritius departed Addu Atoll later on the 11th to proceed to Colombo. She had taken on board Admiral Somerville and his staff.

On 13 February 1943, they departed Addu Atoll to return to Kilindini via the Seychelles.

They fuelled at Port Victoria, Seychelles on 17 February 1943.

They arrived at Kilindini on 20 February 1943. (68)

13 Feb 1943
Around 0950FG/13, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Colombo from Addu Atoll. Before entering harbour air defence exercises were carried out with shore based aircraft.

Admiral Sommerville and his staff then left the ship.

At Colombo, HMS Mauritius commenced boiler cleaning. (69)

15 Feb 1943
At 2000FG/15, at Colombo, the C-in-C Eastern Fleet, Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, hoisted his flag in HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN). (69)

20 Feb 1943
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Eastern Fleet) conductd exercises with aircraft off Colombo. (69)

22 Feb 1943
Around 1415FG/22, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Eastern Fleet) departed Colombo for Bombay. (69)

24 Feb 1943
Around 1100FG/24, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Eastern Fleet) arrived at Bombay from Colombo. (69)

6 Mar 1943
Around 1500FG/6, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Eastern Fleet) departed Bombay for Kilindini / Mombasa. (70)

10 Mar 1943
Around 1800C/10, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Eastern Fleet) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from Bombay. Before entering harbour exercises with aircraft were carried out. (70)

11 Mar 1943
Around 0800C/11, while at Kilindini / Mombasa, the C-in-C Eastern Fleet, Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, transferred his flag from HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) to HMS Warspite (Capt. H.A. Packer, RN). (70)

18 Mar 1943
Late in the morning, the C-in-C Eastern Fleet, Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, hoisted his flag in HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN).

Around 1200C/18, HMS Mauritius then departed Kilindini / Mombasa for Durban. (70)

21 Mar 1943
Around 1520B/21, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Eastern Fleet) arrived at Durban from Kilindini / Mombasa. (70)

23 Mar 1943
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Adm. J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Eastern Fleet) is docked at the Durban Dockyard. (70)

25 Mar 1943
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Adm. J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Eastern Fleet) is undocked. (70)

4 Apr 1943
Around 1000B/4, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Adm. J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Eastern Fleet) departed Durban for Kilindini / Mombasa. (70)

7 Apr 1943
Around 1015C/7, HMAS Nizam (Cdr. C.H. Brooks, RAN) and HMAS Quickmatch (Lt.Cdr. R. Rhoades, DSC, RAN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa for exercises.

They were joined at sea by HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Adm. J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Eastern Fleet) which was approaching Kilindini / Mombasa coming from Durban.

They all entered Kilindini harbour between 1730C/7 and 1800C/7. (71)

8 Apr 1943
At Kilindini / Mombasa, the C-in-C Eastern Fleet, Adm. J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, transferred his flag from HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) to HMS Resolution (Capt. J.W. Durnford, RN). (72)

12 Apr 1943
From 12 to 16 April 1943, the battleship HMS Revenge (Capt. G.B. Middleton, CBE, RN), heavy cruisers HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN), HMS Hawkins (Capt. G.A. French, RN), light cruisers HMS Gambia (Capt. M.J. Mansergh, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN), HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) and the destroyers HMAS Nizam (Cdr. C.H. Brooks, RAN) and HMAS Quickmatch (Lt.Cdr. R. Rhoades, DSC, RAN) conducted exercises off Kilindini / Mombasa. (73)

21 Apr 1943
HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa for exercises followed shortly afterwards by HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) and HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN).

Excercises were carried out during the afternoon and the evening. Shortly after midnight HMS Frobisher parted company to proceed to Diego Suarez.

HMS Mauritius arrived at Manza Bay on the 22nd, while HMS Caradoc retuned to Kilindini / Mombasa. (74)

27 Apr 1943
Around 0830C/27, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) departed Manza Bay for Kilindini / Mombasa. On departure torpedo firing exercises were carried out during which HMAS Burnie (T/Lt. T. Christie, RANR(S)) acted as target.

While en-route to Kilindini / Mombasa full power trials were conducted as well as exercises with aircraft.

HMS Mauritius arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa around 1630C/27. (75)

28 Apr 1943
From 28 to 30 April 1943, HMS Gambia (Capt. M.J. Mansergh, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN), HMS Kenya (Capt. D.P. Evans, RN), HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) and HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Kilindini / Mombasa. (76)

4 May 1943
From 4 May to 7 May 1943 ships from the Eastern Fleet conducted exercises off Kilindini / Mombasa.

In the morning of the 4th the heavy cruiser HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) and light cruiser HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa.

They were followed in the afternoon by the battleship HMS Revenge (Capt. G.B. Middleton, CBE, RN), light cruisers HMS Capetown (Capt. C.L. Robertson, RN), HMS Gambia (Capt. M.J. Mansergh, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN), HMS Kenya (Capt. D.P. Evans, RN) and the destroyers HMAS Napier (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Green, DSC, RAN) and HMS Raider (Lt.Cdr. K.W. Michell, RN).

All ships returned to the harbour in the morning of May 7th minus HMS Mauritius which returned in the afternoon. On HMS Gambia returning to harbour Rear-Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN, struck his flag and left the ship. (77)

17 May 1943
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) and HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa for exercises

HMS Sussex parted company with HMS Mauritius 0600/18 after which HMS Sussex set course for Mauritius [the island].

HMS Mauritius returned to harbour mid-afternoon on the 19th. (78)

23 May 1943
At Kilindini / Mombasa, Rear-Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN, hoisted his flag in HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN). (79)

25 May 1943
From 25 to 28 May exercises were carried out by ships from the Eastern Fleet off Kilindini. The following ships participated in these exercises; battleship HMS Revenge (Capt. G.B. Middleton, CBE, RN), heavy cruiser HMS Hawkins (Capt. G.A. French, RN), light cruisers HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN), HMS Capetown (Capt. C.L. Robertson, RN), HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN), armed merchant cruiser HMS Chitral (A/Capt.(Retd.) G.W. Hoare-Smith, RN) and the destroyers HMAS Napier (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Green, DSC, RAN) and HMS Raider (Lt.Cdr. K.W. Michell, RN).

HMS Chitral returned to Kilindini early, on May 27th. (80)

29 May 1943
At Kilindini / Mombasa, At 1800C/29, Rear-Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN, hauled down his flag on board HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) and then hoisted it in HMS Newcastle (Capt. P.B.R.W. William-Powlett, DSO, RN).

HMS Mauritius then left Kilindini / Mombasa for Aden around 1815C/29. (79)

1 Jun 1943
Around 1000C/1, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) arrived at Aden from Kilindini / Mombasa.

Around 1800C/1, she departed Aden for Suez. (81)

4 Jun 1943
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) arrived Suez from Aden. She then immediately commenced the northbound passage of the Suez Canal and arrived at Port Said later the same day.

After a short stop at Port Said she then left around 2200C/4, for Alexandria. (81)

5 Jun 1943
Around 0630C/5, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) arrived at Alexandria from Port Said. She now joined the Mediterranean Fleet.

Around 2145C/5, she left Alexandria for Malta however at 2206C/5, while in the Great Pass proceeding at 10 knots she ran aground in position 31°09'53"N, 29°48'47"E. Ammunition and fuel had to be disembarked and with the assistance of tugs she was able to come off at 1230C/6. She was then able to enter harbour under her own power. An examination by divers showed that she was to be docked for repairs. (82)

7 Jun 1943
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) is docked for repairs in AFD 5 at Alexandria. (81)

10 Jun 1943
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) is undocked. (81)

11 Jun 1943
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) is docked again in AFD 5 at Alexandria. (81)

14 Jun 1943
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) is undocked. (81)

16 Jun 1943
Around 1945C/16, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) departed Alexandria for Port Said. (81)

17 Jun 1943
Around 0630C/17, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) arrived at Port Said. She then made a series of runs over the D/G range after which she entered the Suez Canal for passage southboud.

She arrived at Suez around 1600C/17. (81)

18 Jun 1943
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) conducted exercises in the Gulf of Suez. (81)

19 Jun 1943
HMS Newfoundland (Capt. W.R. Slayter, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN) and HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) conducted exercises in the Gulf of Suez. (83)

20 Jun 1943
HMS Newfoundland (Capt. W.R. Slayter, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN) and HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) both conducted exercises in the Gulf of Suez. (83)

6 Jul 1943
Around 0915C/6, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) departed Alexandria for Malta. (84)

7 Jul 1943
Around 2015B/7, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) arrived at Malta from Alexandria. (84)

9 Jul 1943
Around 0845B/9, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) and HMS Uganda (Capt. W.G. Andrewes, RN), departed Malta for their part in operation ' Husky '. They were to escort convoy MWF 36 during it's final approach. They were also designated as ' Bombarding Group for the Acid areas '.

They joined the convoy around 1245B/9.

The destroyers HMS Eskimo (Capt. J.W.M. Eaton, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Nubian (Cdr. D.E. Holland-Martin, DSC, RN) and HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN) which were also part of the ' Bombarding Group for the Acid areas ' were already with the convoy since the previous evening.

The convoy anchored around 0030B/10 when it was approaching the landing zone. The landings commenced about two hours later. (85)

10 Jul 1943
[_We currently don't have the detailed report of HMS Mauritius during the landings in Sicily [to be found in ADM 199/943]. It is hoped this report can be photographed during the next visit (sheduled for October 2024) to the National Archives in London by the editor of the Allied Warships section._]

At 0600B/10, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) opened fire on a shore target.

Later that morning several targets ashore were taken under fire for brief moments.

At 1555B/10, HMS Mauritius was dive bombed by several Ju. 88 aircraft but no damage was sustained.

More dive bombing attacks were made at 1910B/10 and 1934B/10 but again no damage was sustained. (84)

11 Jul 1943
[_We currently don't have the detailed report of HMS Mauritius during the landings in Sicily [to be found in ADM 199/943]. It is hoped this report can be photographed during the next visit (sheduled for October 2024) to the National Archives in London by the editor of the Allied Warships section._]

At 0420B/11, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) was dive bombed but no damage was sustained.

At 1240B/11, a large air attack took place but HMS Mauritius sustained no damage.

At 1850B/11, HMS Mauritius commenced a bombardment of an enemy shore battery. The bombardment was completed at 1910B/11. (84)

12 Jul 1943
[_We currently don't have the detailed report of HMS Mauritius during the landings in Sicily [to be found in ADM 199/943]. It is hoped this report can be photographed during the next visit (sheduled for October 2024) to the National Archives in London by the editor of the Allied Warships section._]

At 0447B/12, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) was attacked by dive bombers but no damage was sustained. The destroyer HMS Eskimo (Capt. J.W.M. Eaton, DSO, DSC, RN) which was nearby was damaged by near misses.

At 0540B/12, Rear-Admiral T.H. Troubridge and his staff came on board HMS Mauritius from HMS Eskimo. They were transferred to HMS Exmoor (Lt. D.T. McBarnet, RN).

Between 0851B/12 and 0947B/12, HMS Mauritius bombarded Melilli.

At 1115B/12, fire was opened on a battery of enemy field guns.

At 1213B/12, fire was again opened on Melilli. At 1254B/12, fire was shifted to a coastal battery north of Augusta.

At 1320B/12, fire was opened on enemy positions near Cape Santa Croce.

At 1530B/12, fire was opened on Augusta (town).

At 1830B/12, fire was again opened on Augusta.

At 2008B/12, fire was opened on a coastal battery near Augusta. (84)

13 Jul 1943
The bombardment force of the Acid area; made up of the light cruisers HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN), HMS Uganda (Capt. W.G. Andrewes, RN) and the destroyer HMS Nubian (Cdr. D.E. Holland-Martin, DSC, RN) [the damaged destroyer HMS Eskimo (Capt. J.W.M. Eaton, DSO, DSC, RN) had been towed to Malta by her sister ship HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN)] and the bombardment force of the Bark area; the light cruisers HMS Newfoundland (Capt. W.R. Slayter, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN), HMS Orion (Capt. G.C.P. Menzies, RN) and the destroyers HMS Laforey (Capt. R.M.J. Hutton, DSO, RN), HMS Lookout (Lt.Cdr. A.G. Forman, DSC, RN) and HMS Loyal (Lt.Cdr. H.E.F. Tweedie, DSC, RN) joined company [' Force K '].

Around 0500B/13, several enemy aircraft attacked ' Force K '. Bombs were dropped close to HMS Laforey but she sustained no damage.

During the day several bombardments were carried out. Around 0900B/13, HMS Mauritius commenced a bombardment of the towns of Lentini and Carlentini. She had to break off this bombardment at 0923B/13, when a heavy shore battery opened fire on her. This battery was then taken under fire between 0940B/13 and 1007B/13.

At 1000B/13 another coastal battery near Brucoli was then being fired upon briefly by HMS Newfoundland and all destroyers.

Also around this time HMS Orion, HMS Uganda and HMS Nubian parted company to proceed to Malta to load ammunition and fuel. They arrived at Malta around 1430B/13.

Around noon both HMS Loyal and HMS Mauritius reported being attacked by aircraft.

Around 1630B/13, HMS Loyal was detached to Malta.

Between 1700B/13 and 1724B/13, HMS Mauritius bombarded a target to the south of Catania. Coastal batteries opened fire on her and at 1724B/13 she was straddled and then withdrew out of range of the heavy coastal battery.

At 1705B/13, HMS Newfoundland briefly bombarded Lentini (only for 2 minutes).

Between 1745B/13 and 1800B/13, HMS Mauritius bombarded Lentini.

At 1950B/13, HMS Newfoundland, HMS Mauritius, HMS Laforey and HMS Lookout formed formation and retired to seaward for the night.

HMS Newfoundland had carried out two bombardments on this day and HMS Mauritius seven. The monitor HMS Erebus (Cdr.(Retd.) H.W. D'Arcy-Evans, RN) was also operating in the area. (86)

14 Jul 1943
Around 0600B/14 the ships of ' Force K ' that were currently operating of the east coast of Sicily were once again ordered to act independently. These were HMS Newfoundland (Capt. W.R. Slayter, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN), HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN), HMS Laforey (Capt. R.M.J. Hutton, DSO, RN) and HMS Lookout (Lt.Cdr. A.G. Forman, DSC, RN).

During the day these ships were attacked several times by enemy aircraft but no damage was sustained.

At 0710B/14, HMS Mauritius and HMS Laforey opened fire on the town of Lentini. At 0730B/14, HMS Mauritius came under fire from shore batteries.

At 0839B/14, HMS Newfoundland opened fire on an enemy battery. Fire was ceased at 0916B/14 when the battery was reported to have been destroyed.

At 1110B/14, HMS Newfoundland opened fire on a machine gun nest. Fire was ceased at 1119B/14 when it was reported to have been destroyed.

Around 1150B/14, HMS Uganda (Capt. W.G. Andrewes, RN), HMS Orion (Capt. G.C.P. Menzies, RN) and HMS Nubian (Cdr. D.E. Holland-Martin, DSC, RN) departed Malta to return to the bombardment area.

At 1450B/14, HMS Newfoundland opened fire on a shore target. Fire was ceased at 1525B/14 when it was reported to have been destroyed.

At 1705B/14, HMS Newfoundland opened fire on an enemy gun emplacement. Fire was ceased at 1735B/14 when the target was reported to have been destroyed. Heavy explosions were observed in the target area.

Around 1800B/14, HMS Newfoundland, HMS Mauritius, HMS Laforey and HMS Lookout departed the area to proceed to Malta to fuel and re-ammunition. They arrived at Malta around 2215B/14.

Around 2020B/14, both HMS Uganda and HMS Orion commenced a short bombardment of Catania. Fire was ceased after around ten minutes.

Around 2100B/14, HMS Erebus (Cdr.(Retd.) H.W. D'Arcy-Evans, RN) commenced a bombardment of Catania.

Around 2130B/14, HMS Uganda, HMS Orion, HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), HMS Nubian and HMS Loyal (Lt.Cdr. H.E.F. Tweedie, DSC, RN) retired to the south-east for the night. (87)

16 Jul 1943
Around 0700B/16, HMS Newfoundland (Capt. W.R. Slayter, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN), HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN), HMS Laforey (Capt. R.M.J. Hutton, DSO, RN) and HMS Lookout (Lt.Cdr. A.G. Forman, DSC, RN) departed Malta for operations off the east coast of Sicily.

At 1340B/16, HMS Newfoundland opened fire on an enemy target near Misterbianco. Fire was ceased around 1435 hours.'

At 1445B/16, HMS Mauritius bombarded the road between Misterbianco and Catania. Fire was ceased around 1520 hours.

In the evening HMS Newfoundland, HMS Mauritius, HMS Laforey and HMS Lookout entered Augusta. (88)

18 Jul 1943
Around 0515B/18, HMS Newfoundland (Capt. W.R. Slayter, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN), HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN), HMS Laforey (Capt. R.M.J. Hutton, DSO, RN) and HMS Lookout (Lt.Cdr. A.G. Forman, DSC, RN) departed Augusta to proceed to the north for a bombardment of Catania.

At 0705B/18, HMS Mauritius opened fire on Catania. Three minutes later fire was ceased. In the meantime a hit on the railway station had been observed.

At 0809B/18, they were ordered to return to Augusta due to the bad visibility in the area making spotting difficult.

They returned to Augusta around 0915B/18. (88)

20 Jul 1943
During this day the light cruiser HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) and the destroyers HMS Laforey (Capt. R.M.J. Hutton, DSO, RN) and HMS Lookout (Lt.Cdr. A.G. Forman, DSC, RN) conducted bombardment operations on the east coast of Sicily.

HMS Mauritius engaged enemy coastal batteries and troop concentrations near Catania. HMS Laforey engaged enemy coastal batteries near the mouth of the Simeto river. (89)

22 Jul 1943
Late in the morning the light cruisers HMS Newfoundland (Capt. W.R. Slayter, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN), HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN), destroyers HMS Laforey (Capt. R.M.J. Hutton, DSO, RN), HMS Lookout (Lt.Cdr. A.G. Forman, DSC, RN) and HMS Loyal (Lt.Cdr. H.E.F. Tweedie, DSC, RN) were cruising off Catania to commence a bombardment when they were taken under fire from long range by unlocated enemy batteries to the north of Catania. Early in the afternoon they came under attack from enemy aircraft and bombs were dropped close to HMS Loyal.

The force then returned to Augusta without having carried out any bombardments. (90)

23 Jul 1943
Around 1250B/23, the light cruisers HMS Newfoundland (Capt. W.R. Slayter, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN), HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) and the destroyers HMS Laforey (Capt. R.M.J. Hutton, DSO, RN), HMS Lookout (Lt.Cdr. A.G. Forman, DSC, RN) and HMS Loyal (Lt.Cdr. H.E.F. Tweedie, DSC, RN) departed Augusta for Malta.

At 1341B/23 (1338B/23 according to German sources), while in position 37°03'N, 15°24'E, HMS Newfoundland was hit in the stern by a torpedo from the German submarine U-407. Her rudder was blown off but she was able to continue at 22 knots steering by her propellers.

HMS Laforey was detached to hunt the submarine where the remainder of the ships continued their passage to Malta where they arrived around 1730B/23.

HMS Laforey meanwhile searched for the attacker. She attacked a contact at 1428B/23 but this was thought to be non-sub.

At 1440B/23, she joined the 8th Destroyer Flottila which was patrolling in the area and they commenced a box search. Six destroyers were now present, these were HMS Laforey, HMS Raider (Lt.Cdr. K.W. Michell, RN), HMS Inglefield (Cdr. C.F.H. Churchill, DSC, RN), HMS Ilex (Lt.Cdr. V.A. Wight-Boycott, OBE, RN), HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.K. Scott-Moncrieff, DSO, RN) and HMS Eclipse (Lt.Cdr. E. Mack, DSO, DSC, RN).

At 1541B/23, while sweeping northwards HMS Laforey and HMS Eclipse sighted two torpedo tracks coming their way. They combed the tracks and commenced an attack. At 1550 hours HMS Laforey dropped a pattern of eight depth charges for no result. Shortly afterwards HMS Eclipse dropped a pattern of five depth charges.

HMS Laforey made a second attack at 1557B/23 and HMS Eclipse also made a second attack at 1608B/23.

At 1615B/23 HMS Laforey made her third attack in which, once again, eight depth charges were dropped. Shortly afterwards the Italian submarine Ascianghi surfaced in her wake. The other destroyers closed in and opened fire with all guns. The submarine sank stern first at 1623B/23. A total of twenty-seven survivors were picked up by HMS Laforey and HMS Eclipse.

It was long thought that it had been Ascianghi which had torpedoed and damaged HMS Newfoundland as the Italians had claimed to have attacked a cruiser but their torpedoes were in fact the ones sighted by HMS Laforey and HMS Eclipse at 1451B/23. The German submarine had managed to slip away undetected. (91)

24 Jul 1943
At Malta, Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN, transferred his flag from the damaged HMS Newfoundland (Capt. W.R. Slayter, DSC, RN) to HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN). (89)

3 Aug 1943
Around 0600B/3, the light cruisers HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN) and HMS Orion (Capt. G.C.P. Menzies, RN) departed Malta for Augusta.

Around 0715B/3, they were joined by the destroyers HMS Troubridge (Capt. C.L. Firth, MVO, RN), HMS Tumult (Lt.Cdr. N. Lanyon, RN) and HMS Echo (Lt.Cdr. R.H.C. Wyld, RN) coming from Augusta and night operations in the Catania area (no action had taken place).

They all arrived at Augusta around 1100B/3. (92)

5 Aug 1943
[_We currently don't have the detailed report of HMS Mauritius during the landings in Sicily [to be found in ADM 199/943]. It is hoped this report can be photographed during the next visit (sheduled for October 2024) to the National Archives in London by the editor of the Allied Warships section._]

Around 1005B/5, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN), HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN) and HMS Nubian (Cdr. D.E. Holland-Martin, DSC, RN) departed Augusta for bombardment operations off the east coast of Sicily.

During the day she and HrMs Soemba (Cdr. J.J.M. Sterkenberg, RNN) engaged enemy position to the north-east of Catania. The targets of HMS Mauritius were Acireale and a crossroad at Giarre. Small calibre batteries replied intermittently and a shell hit HrMs Soemba killing her Commanding Officer. HrMs Soemba then returned to Augusta arriving around 1530B/5.

HMS Mautitius, HMS Tartar and HMS Nubian returned to Augusta around 1645B/5. (93)

8 Aug 1943
[_We currently don't have the detailed report of HMS Mauritius during the landings in Sicily [to be found in ADM 199/943]. It is hoped this report can be photographed during the next visit (sheduled for October 2024) to the National Archives in London by the editor of the Allied Warships section._]

Around 0920B/8, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN), HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN) and HMS Nubian (Cdr. D.E. Holland-Martin, DSC, RN) departed Augusta for bombardment operations off the east coast of Sicily.

They carried out the following bombardments;
Around 1145B/8, crossroads at Giarre.
Around 1155B/8, Riposto town.
Around 1600B/8, Enemy mortars and batteries west of Acireale.

Enemy batteries replied with fairly accurate fire between 1215B/8 - 1220B/8.

Between 1720B/8 and 1815B/8, the same targets were bombarded again but now from a position a bit further to the north.

HMS Mauritius, HMS Tartar and HMS Nubian returned to Augusta around 1915B/8. (93)

12 Aug 1943
Around 1900B/12, HMS Uganda (Capt. W.G. Andrewes, RN) departed Augusta and then joined HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN), HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN) and HMS Nubian (Cdr. D.E. Holland-Martin, DSC, RN) which were already at sea.

HMS Mauritius, HMS Tartar and HMS Nubian had departed Augusta around 0945B/12.

They had carried out three bombardments during the day;
Between 1205 and 1315 hours a road junction north of Riposto.
Between 1320 and 1425 hours enemy gun positions.
Between 1604 and 1630 hours enemy shore batteries.

On HMS Uganda joining, HMS Mauritius, HMS Uganda, HMS Tartar and HMS Nubian patrolled during the night of 12/13 August between Cape Rizutto and Alice Point on the Calabrian coast.

On completion of their patrol, which was uneventful, they proceeded to Augusta arriving shortly before 1000B/13. (94)

19 Aug 1943
Around 0945B/19, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN), HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.K. Scott-Moncrieff, DSO, RN) and HMS Intrepid (Cdr. C.A.de W. Kitcat, RN) departed Augusta for Malta where they arrived around 1435B/19. (95)

26 Aug 1943
Around 0845B/26, the light cruiser HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN) departed Malta for Augusta.

Around 1000B/26, the destroyers HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), HMS Nubian (Cdr. D.E. Holland-Martin, DSC, RN) and HMS Tumult (Lt.Cdr. N. Lanyon, RN) joined.

Around 1315B/26, HMS Mauritius, HMS Tartar, HMS Nubian and HMS Tumult arrived at Augusta. (95)

3 Sep 1943

Operation Baytown.

Allied landing between Catona and Reggio Calabria.

The 5th Division, 13 Corps and the 1st Canadian Division were landed on three beaches between Catona and Reggio Calabria during the early hours of the morning. Troops and stores were ferried across the Straits of Messina in 22 LST's, 65 LCI(L)'s, 38 LCT's, 100 LCM's and 70 LCA's.

Support for the landing was provided by the light cruisers HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN), HMS Orion (Capt. G.C.P. Menzies, RN), monitors HMS Abercrombie (A/Capt. G.V.B. Faulkner, RN), HMS Roberts (A/Capt.(Retd.) R.E.C. Dunbar, RN), HMS Erebus (Cdr.(Retd.) H.W. D'Arcy-Evans, RN), destroyers HMS Quilliam (Capt. S.H. Carlill, DSO, RN), HMS Quail (Lt.Cdr. R.F. Jenks, RN), HMS Queenborough (Cdr. E.P. Hinton, DSO and Bar, MVO, RN), HMS Offa (Lt.Cdr. R.F. Leonard, RN), Loyal, HMS Loyal (Lt.Cdr. H.E.F. Tweedie, DSC, RN),ORP Piorun (Kmdr.por. (Cdr.) S.T. Dzienisiewicz), monitors HMS Abercrombie (A/Capt. G.V.B. Faulkner, RN), HMS Roberts (A/Capt.(Retd.) R.E.C. Dunbar, RN), HMS Erebus (Cdr.(Retd.) H.W. D'Arcy-Evans, RN) and the (river) gunboats HMS Aphis (Lt.Cdr. F.Y. Bethell, RN) and HMS Scarab (T/Lt. E. Cameron, RNZNVR).

A heavy barrage by 8th Army artillery sited on Sicily preceded the landing and the first assault wave touched down at 0430B/3 and found very little opposition. By 0730B/19 advance elements of the Canadian Division were on the outskirts of Reggio Calabria and the aerodrome was captured during the morning. The 8th Army reached Cannitello during the day.

The population was reported as friendly. 2500 Prisoners were taken the majority being Italians.

By 1400B/3, a second flight was well under way, all first flights loads having been cleared well ahead of the planned programme.

The naval port party had entered Reggio Calabria at 0945B/3. In the harbour the outer breakwater was found to be undamaged, with bollards intactand wholly clear of underwater obstructions. Other quays have suffered damage through bombing but should be quickly repairable.

During the day the C-in-C, Mediterranean, Admiral of the Fleet Sir A.B. Cunningham, GCB, DSO and 2 Bars, RN, inspected the landing beaches from the destroyer HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN).

During the night three of the destroyers, HMS Quilliam, HMS Quail and HMS Queenborough (Cdr. E.P. Hinton, DSO and Bar, MVO, RN), patrolled south-east of the Straits of Messina and coastal forces north of Messina and off the south Calabrian coast to guard against interference with enemy surface forces. The two cruisers and the remaining destroyers patrolled north of Cape Santa Groce (near Augusta) and east of 16°E. The monitors and gunboats anchored south of Taormina during the night.

HMS Quilliam, HMS Quail and HMS Queenborough (Cdr. E.P. Hinton, DSO and Bar, MVO, RN) had been ordered to leave patrol around 0600B/4 and then proceed to Malta arriving there around 1030B/4.

HMS Mauritius, HMS Orion, HMS Offa, HMS Loyal and ORP Piorun returned to Augusta around 0800B/4.

HMS Erebus, HMS Aphis and HMS Scarab remained off the landing beaches to give fire support if required.

[The movements of HMS Abercrombie and HMS Robets are not clear and will have to be further reseached. It appears though that thy had already returned to Augusta on 3 September.] (96)

4 Sep 1943
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN) conducted 4" HA gunnery trials off Augusta as new gun barrels had been fitted. (97)

6 Sep 1943

Convoy TSF 1.

This convoy departed Tripoli around 1700B/6 for Salerno Bay to participate in Operation Avalanche, the landings there.

It was made up of the following ships; Headquarters ship HMS Hilary (Capt.(Retd.) J.F. Paget, RN, flying the broad pendant of Commodore G.N. Oliver, DSO, RN), landing ships glengyle, HMS Princess Beatrix (Cdr.(Retd.) T.B. Brunton, DSC, RN), HMS Princess Astrid (T/A/Lt.Cdr. (Retd.) C.E. Hall, RNR), HMS Princess Josephine Charlotte (Lt. J.E. Bromley, RNR), HMS Royal Scotsman (Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) R.C. Gervers, RN), HMS Royal Ulsterman (Lt.Cdr. W.R.K. Clark, DSC, RD RNR, with Capt. N.V. Dickinson, DSO, DSC, RN on board) and HMS Ulster Monarch (Lt.Cdr. N.A.F. Kingscote, RNR). Also part of the convoy were the troop transports Devonshire (British, 11275 GRT, built 1939) and Sobieski (Polish, 11030 GRT, built 1939).

On departure from Tripoli the convoy was escorted by the AA cruiser HMS Delhi (Capt. A.T.G.C. Peachey, RN), escort destroyers HMS Dulverton (Cdr. S.A. Buss, MVO, RN), HMS Tetcott (Lt.Cdr. H.R. Rycroft, RN), HMS Belvoir (Lt. J.F.D. Bush, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Beaufort (Lt. J.R.L. Moore, RN), HMS Exmoor (Lt.Cdr. D.T. McBarnet, RN), RHS Pindos and the minesweepers HMS Fly (Capt. J.W. Boutwood, RN), HMS Circe (Lt.Cdr. J.H.M. Malcolm, RN), HMS Cadmus (Lt.Cdr. (Retd.) J.S. Landers, RNR), HMS Acute (A/Cdr. J.B.G. Temple, DSC, RN) and HMS Rothesay (Cdr. A.A. Martin, DSC, RD, RNR).

Around 0545B/8, ' Force K ' made up of the light cruisers HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN), HMS Uganda (Capt. W.G. Andrewes, RN), HMS Orion (Capt. G.C.P. Menzies, RN) and the destroyers HMS Laforey (Capt. R.M.J. Hutton, DSO, RN), HMS Lookout (Lt.Cdr. A.G. Forman, DSC, RN), HMS Loyal (Lt.Cdr. H.E.F. Tweedie, DSC, RN), HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN) and HMS Nubian (Cdr. D.E. Holland-Martin, DSC, RN) joined the convoy. On Force ' K ' joining the Hunt class escort destroyer parted company and proceeded to Palermo to refuel and then rejoin the convoy later in the day.

Also joining on 8 September were the motor launches _ML 121 (T/Lt. R.G. Bell, RNVR) and ML 126 (T/Lt. G.W. Stead, RCNVR). These two motor launches were fitted for minesweeping.

Around 1710B/8, HMS Mauritius, HMS Orion, HMS Tartar and HMS Nubian parted company with the convoy and proceeded independently to act as a strike force in case the enemy would interfere with surface ships.

The convoy arrived in the landing zone in the early hours of 9 September. (98)

7 Sep 1943
Around 1815B/7, ' Force K ' made up of the light cruisers HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN), HMS Uganda (Capt. W.G. Andrewes, RN), HMS Orion (Capt. G.C.P. Menzies, RN) and the destroyers HMS Laforey (Capt. R.M.J. Hutton, DSO, RN), HMS Lookout (Lt.Cdr. A.G. Forman, DSC, RN), HMS Loyal (Lt.Cdr. H.E.F. Tweedie, DSC, RN), HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN) and HMS Nubian (Cdr. D.E. Holland-Martin, DSC, RN) departed Augusta to proceed through the Messina Strait to the Gulf of Salerno as part of the cover forces for the landing there (Operation Avalanche).

Around 0545B/8, they joined convoy TSF 1 to provide additional escort / cover for this convoy during its passage northwards. [For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy TSF 1 ' for 6 September 1943.] (99)

9 Sep 1943
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN) arrived in the Northern Attack Force Area with convoy TSF 1. She was assigned bombardment duties.

During the morning and first part of the afternoon several bombardments of land targets were carried out.

At 1510B/9, HMS Mauritius with HMS Orion (Capt. G.C.P. Menzies, RN), HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN) and HMS Lookout (Lt.Cdr. A.G. Forman, DSC, RN) left the landing area off Salerno to patrol in the Tyrrhenian Sea to the North of Naples. They returned to the beaches for fire support around 1000B/10. (100)

10 Sep 1943
Having returned from the patrol in the Tyrrhenian Sea around 1000B/11, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN) remained off the landing beaches during the day.

At 1902B/10, HMS Mauritius opened fire on a rail junction near Cava de' Tirreni. Fire was ceased after 15 minutes.

At 1940B/10, HMS Mauritius dropped anchor in position 275° - Torre Tusciano - 1.5 nautical miles. (100)

11 Sep 1943
At 0800B/11, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN) weighed anchor and proceeded back to the fire support area of the beaches.

At 0825B/11, fire was opened on a shore target which was destroyed at 0850B/11 after 35 rounds of HE had been expended.

At 0924B/11, fire was opened on a road where enemy motor transport had been reported. Fire was ceased at 1000B/11 after 60 rounds of HE had been expended.

At 1043B/11, fire was opened on enemy tanks. Fire was ceased at 1110B/11 after a total of 63 rounds had been expended.

At 1115B/11, fire was opened on a road and rail junction. Fire was ceased at 1145B/11. 65 rounds were expended and the air observer reported that the target had been frequently hit.

At 1233B/11, fire was opened on a road with the aid of air spotting. Fire was ceased after 48 rounds had been fired for unknown results.

At 1315B/11, fire was opened on enemy motor transport carrying ammunition. A total of 127 rounds were fired. The enemy was on fire and reported to have been destroyed. A large column of smoke was sighted.

At 1437B/11, fire was opened enemy motor transport. After 70 rounds and 25 minutes the target was reported as destroyed.

At 1620B/11, fire was opened on a road between Cava de' Tirreni and Nocera. A total of 12 rounds were fired.

At 1650B/11, fire was opened on enemy guns. The target was reported destroyed after 72 rounds had been fired.

At 1815B/11, fire was opened on Battipaglia with the help of air spotting. 29 Rounds were fired and the shoot was reported as having been effective.

At 1930B/11, HMS Mauritius anchored for the night in position 252° - Torre Tusciano - 2.5 nautical miles. (100)

12 Sep 1943
At 0730B/12, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN) weighed anchor and proceeded back to the fire support area of the beaches.

At 0824B/12, fire was opened on enemy guns. 16 rounds were fired for unknown results. The shoot was stopped due to the bad visibility.

At 0945B/12, fire was opened on enemy guns. 5 rounds were fired for unknown results. Again the shoot was stopped due to the bad visibility.

At 1225B/12, fire was opened on an ammunition dump and motor transport. The target was destroyed after 54 rounds. Direct hits on the ammunition dumb had been obtained.

At 1400B/12, fire was opened on enemy guns. The target was reported destroyed and six explosions were observed in the ammunition dump besides the guns. 110 rounds had been fired.

At 1614B/12, fire was opened on enemy guns. Results were unknown and the shoot was broken off by the forward observer after 13 salvoes had been fired in which a total of 62 rounds were expended.

At 1710B/12, fire was opened on a road south of Baronissi. Fire was ceased at 1820B/12.

At 1845B/12, fire was opened on enemy guns. The target was reported as having been destroyed after 52 rounds had been fired.

At 1925B/12, HMS Mauritius anchored for the night in position 257° - Torre Tusciano - 1.8 nautical miles. (100)

13 Sep 1943
At 0600B/13, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN) weighed anchor and proceeded back to the fire support area of the beaches.

At 0630B/13, fire was opened on the road south of Baronissi. 36 rounds were fired for unknown results.

At 0915B/13, fire was opened on the village of Santa Lucia. 24 rounds were fired for unknown results.

At 1325B/13, fire was opened on the village of Cava de' Tirreni, 36 rounds were fired.

At 1910B/13, fire was opened on enemy guns. 6 rounds were fired before the action was broken off as observation was not possible.

At 1945B/13, HMS Mauritius anchored for the night in position 255° - Torre Tusciano - 1.5 nautical miles. (100)

14 Sep 1943
At 0700B/14, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN) weighed anchor and proceeded back to the fire support area of the beaches.

At 1645B/14, fire was opened on enemy guns and troop concentrations. The target moved during the bombardment. 82 rounds were fired and all targets were destroyed.

At 1750B/14, fire was opened on a road. Only 5 rounds were fired for unknown results.

At 1820B/14, fire was opened on a road. 4 rounds were fired. Results were reported as satisfactory.

At 1900B/14, HMS Mauritius anchored for the night in position 253° - Torre Tusciano - 1.5 nautical miles. (100)

15 Sep 1943
At 0720B/15, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN) weighed anchor and proceeded back to the fire support area of the beaches.

At 1315B/15, fire was opened on enemy troop concentrations. 15 rounds were fired and it was reproted that the area had been successfully covered.

At 1600B/15, fire was opened on a road. 10 rounds were fired and it was reported that the target had been destroyed.

At 1701B/15, fire was opened on enemy vehicles. The target was reported as having been destroyed after 59 rounds had been fired. Friendly aircraft also assisted in the destruction of this target.

At 1833B/15, fire was opened on enemy motor transport. 9 rounds were fired before fire was checked due to bad visibility. Results were unknown.

At 1910B/15, HMS Mauritius anchored for the night in position 252° - Torre Tusciano - 1.3 nautical miles. (100)

16 Sep 1943
At 0625B/16, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN) weighed anchor and proceeded back to the fire support area of the beaches.

At 0703B/16, fire was opened on enemy tanks. 37 rounds were fired. The shoot was reported as having been effective.

At 1010B/16, fire was opened on enemy troop concentrations. 26 rounds were fired and the shoot was reported as having been effective.

At 1200B/16, fire was opened on enemy tanks. 17 rounds were fired. The shoot was reported as apparently having been effective.

At 1300B/16, fire was opened on enemy tanks. 55 rounds were fired. The shoot was reported as apparently having been effective.

At 1710B/16, fire was opened on enemy motor transport and troop concentrations. The shoot was reported as having been effective.

At 1905B/15, HMS Mauritius anchored for the night in position 244° - Torre Tusciano - 0.8 nautical miles. (100)

17 Sep 1943
At 0800B/17, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN) weighed anchor and proceeded back to the fire support area of the beaches.

At 1415B/17, fire was opened on an enemy headquarters and guns. 58 rounds were fired and the targets were reported as having been destroyed.

At 1710B/17, fire was opened on enemy motor transport. 41 rounds were fired. The shoot was reported as effective and destructive.

At 1730B/17, six German FW 190's dropped bombs of the port quarter of HMS Mauritius during a rocket bomb attack on the anchorage. a rocked bomb missed HMS Orion (Capt. G.C.P. Menzies, RN).

At 1845B/17, HMS Mauritius and HMS Orion departed the operations area off Salerno for Malta. (100)

18 Sep 1943
Around 0815B/18, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN) and HMS Orion (Capt. G.C.P. Menzies, RN) arrived at Malta from the operations area off Salerno. (100)

27 Sep 1943
Around 0515A/27, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN) and HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) proceeded from Malta to the Gulf of Salerno where they arrived around 1830A/27. (101)

5 Oct 1943
Around 0715A/5, the light cruisers HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN), HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) and the destroyers HMS Laforey (Capt. R.M.J. Hutton, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Lookout (Lt.Cdr. A.G. Forman, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN) proceeded from the Gulf of Salerno to Augusta via the Strait of Messina. They arrived at Augusta around 1915A/5. (102)

8 Oct 1943
Around 1800A/8, the light cruisers HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN) and HMS Phoebe (Capt. C.P. Frend, RN) departed Augusta for Naples. They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Laforey (Capt. R.M.J. Hutton, DSO and Bar, RN) and HMS Lookout (Lt.Cdr. A.G. Forman, DSC and Bar, RN).

They arrived at Naples around 0730A/9. (103)

13 Oct 1943
Four LCT's (HMS LCT 330, HMS LCT 420, HMS LCT 615 and HMS LCT 619) landed army tanks to the north of the River Volturno estuary. They had a close escort of two ML's (HMS ML 560 (T/Lt. R. Edelsten-Pope, RANVR) and ML 462 (T/S.Lt. J.W. Main, RNVR))

Close fire support was provided by the destroyers HMS Laforey (Capt. R.M.J. Hutton, DSO, RN), HMS Lookout (Lt.Cdr. A.G. Forman, DSC, RN) and the gunboat (sloop) HMS Flores (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Bax, RNN).

Cover for the operation was provided by the light cruiser HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN).

During the operation HMS Laforey and HMS Lookout were attacked by enemy fighter bombers and near missed. HMS Laforey suffered two killed and ten wounded. HMS Lookout faired better with one wounded. (104)

15 Oct 1943
Around 1650A/15, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN) departed Naples for Malta. (105)

16 Oct 1943
Around 0815A/16, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN) arrived at Naples from Malta. (105)

20 Oct 1943
Around 1400A/20, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN) departed Malta for Taranto. On departure gunnery exercises were carried out. (105)

21 Oct 1943
Around 0915A/21, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN) arrived at Taranto from Malta. (105)

28 Oct 1943
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN) and HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) conducted gunnery exercises in the Gulf of Taranto. (102)

3 Nov 1943
The light cruisers HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN) and HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) conducted exercises in the Gulf of Taranto. (106)

10 Nov 1943
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN) and HMS Spartan (Capt. P.V. McLaughlin, RN) conducted exercises in the Gulf of Taranto. (107)

17 Nov 1943
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN) and HMS Spartan (Capt. P.V. McLaughlin, RN) conducted exercises in the Gulf of Taranto. (107)

18 Nov 1943
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN) and HMS Spartan (Capt. P.V. McLaughlin, RN) conducted exercises in the Gulf of Taranto. (107)

24 Nov 1943
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN), HMS Orion (Capt. G.C.P. Menzies, RN) and HMS Spartan (Capt. P.V. McLaughlin, RN) conducted exercises in the Gulf of Taranto.

On completion of the exercises HMS Spartan returned to Taranto, Orion set course for Naples where she arrived the following day and HMS Mauritius set course for Malta where she also arrived the following day. (108)

25 Nov 1943
Around 0800A/25, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN) arrived at Malta from Taranto. (109)

4 Dec 1943
Around 1700A/4, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN) departed Malta for Taranto. (110)

5 Dec 1943
Around 0815A/5, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN) arrived at Taranto from Malta. (110)

10 Dec 1943
Around 0915A/10, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN) and HMS Orion (Capt. G.C.P. Menzies, RN) conducted exercises off Taranto.

Around 1700A/10, HMS Orion parted company to proceed to Naples.

HMS Mauritius returned to Taranto around 2030A/10. (111)

16 Dec 1943
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN) and HMS Spartan (Capt. P.V. McLaughlin, RN) conducted exercises off Taranto. (112)

22 Dec 1943
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN), HMS Orion (Capt. J.P. Gornall, RN) and HMS Spartan (Capt. P.V. McLaughlin, RN) conducted exercises in the Gulf of Taranto. They had left Taranto around 0915A/22.

On completion of the exercises HMS Orion and HMS Spartan returned to Taranto while HMS Mauritius set course for Malta where she arrived the following day.

On completion of the exercises HMS Spartan returned to Taranto, Orion set course for Naples where she arrived the following day and HMS Mauritius set course for Malta where she also arrived the following day. (113)

23 Dec 1943
Around 0915A/23, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN) arrived at Malta from Taranto. (110)

23 Dec 1943

Attempted interception, as part of Operation Stonewall, of the German blockade breaker Osorno, interception of the German blockade breaker Alsterufer and subsequent action on 28 December 1943, between HMS Glasgow and HMS Enterprise and German destroyers and torpedo boats.

During the latter half of November and beginning December 1943, movements of vessels considered to be possible blockade breakers along the French coast of the Bay of Biscay, together with reports received that these ships were fully loaded and likely soon to start for the Far East, gave reason for intensifying operation Stonewall. The long winter nights also would probably be used by the enemy to bring back from the Far East some of the ships which had managed to evade the blockade at the end of 1942 beginning of 1943.

The surface forces available to the C-in-C, Plymouth for the operation were two light cruisers; HMS Glasgow (Capt. C.P. Clarke, RN) and HMNZS Gambia (Capt. N.J.W. William-Powlett, DSC, RN). These were reinforced by the arrival of HMS Enterprise (Capt. H.T.W. Grant, RCN) at Plymouth on 23 December 1943 on completion of her post refit working up period at Scapa Flow.

The initial dispositions for the upcoming period were basd on the following considerations;
A) It was desirable to locate inward bound blockade breakers as far west as possible and that main reliance on this must be based on air patrols.
B) The density of these air patrol, owing to various causes, were always somewhat uncertain.
C) It was anticipated that the presence of outward bound blockade runners would be revealed at the earliest possible moment due to the aircraft on anti-uboat patrol over the Bay of Biscay.
D) Cruiser patrols should be as close as possible to the air patrol line to ensure that the earliest possible use is made of air sightings, and to reduce the likelihood of contact being lost owing to the exhaustion of fuel in the aircraft (as had happened before).
E) It was not considered desirable to maintain constant cruiser patrol east of 25°W due to the presence of German HE 177 long range bombers in Bordeaux.
F) It was considered desirable that no cruiser should have less then 3-4 days endurance remaining when the enemy would be sighted.

Arising out of the above considerations great importance was attached to the air patrol to the northward of the Azores (patrol H, between positions NN (42.05'N, 31.18'W) and OO (48°58'N, 34°04'W), 50 nautical miles on either side of this line and later patrol L, between positions QQ (43.10'N, 30.00'W) and OO (49°50'N, 30°00'W), 50 nautical miles on either side of this line).

This was backed up by the cruiser patrol from the Azores. HMS Glasgow and HMNZS Gambia relieving one other at 3 to 4 day intervals.

The endurance of HMS Enterprise, on the other hand, made her unsuitable for operations from the Azores so she was kept at Plymouth where she could be dispatched immediately on receipt of definite information regarding the enemy.

Passage of the German blockade breaker Osorno.

On 23 December 1943, HMNZS Gambia was operating on patrol line G (between positions LL (42°15'N, 30°10'W) and MM (49°10'N, 35°52'W), 50 nautical miles on either side of this line) having relieved HMS Glasgow which had returned to Horta to fuel on 22 December 1943. At 1911A/23, HMS Glasgow was informed that she was to leave Horta at 1100 hours on the 24th to relieve HMNZS Gambia on patrol G and that HMNZS Gambia was to return to Horta to fuel at 1300 hours on the 26th.

At 2035A/23, the C-in-C Plymouth, received a telephone call from the Admiralty that an aircraft from USS Card (T/Capt. A.J. Isbell, USN) had sighted an unknown vessel in position 47°45'N, 18°53'W at 1539 hours on the 23rd. This ship had been steering a course of 110° at 10 knots. This vessel could not be identified as being Allied and was therefore most probably a German blockade runner. This vessel must have passed patrol line H at some time on 21st December but had not been detected.

At the same time, reports were beginning to come in from aircraft flying patrols over the Bay of Biscay of A.S.V. (airborne surface vessel - radar) contact with surface vessels. The first of these indicated that some 12 ships were proceeding on a westerly course in position 45°38'N, 06°18'W and that their speed was 20 knots. Subsequent reports during the night gave various positions and composition of the enemy force, but all agreed that their course was westerly and that there were destroyers and also a merchant ship or ships present.

In fact there was no German outward blockade runner present. Six destroyers of the 8th German destroyer flotilla had left the Gironde around 0530B/23. These were the destroyers Z 27 (Senior Officer), Z 23, Z 24, Z 32, Z 37 and ZH 1. Half an hour before, at 0500B/23, the German 4th torpedo boat flotilla had left Brest. These were the torpedo boats T 22, T 23, T 24, T 25, T 26 and T 27. They were to join company around 1700B/23 in approximate position 45°33'N, 04°46'W (grid BF 8323) and then proceed to make rendezvous with the incoming blockade breaker.

At 2340A/23, HMS Enterprise was ordered to raise steam immediately and at the same time the Admiralty requisted the C-in-C Mediterranean to place one cruiser under the orders of the Vice-Admiral Gibraltar forthwith for anti-blockade runner duty. HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN) was selected for this duty and the C-in-C Mediterranean requested the Vice-Admiral Malta to sail her with all despatch. She departed Malta around 1715A/23, the Rear-Admiral having quickly stuck his flag and left the ship with his staff.

HMS Enterprise left Plymouth around 0200A/24 with orders to proceed through position 180° - Wolf Rock - 10 nautical miles and then on course 258° at 25 knots. Further instructions would be signalled later.

At 0240A/24, the Admiralty signalled to all ships and authorities in the area a resume of such information as was known at the time. It was obvious that the ship seen by the aircraft of USS Card, if she was indeed an enemy blockade breaker, had successfully eluded the Allied air and surface patrols, and no surface forces now could cut her off or overtake her before she was well under the protection of enemy shore base aircraft. There remained the possible outward bound vessel and any other inward bound ship which might be following the first one sighted. In order to catch these, and especially the former, new patrols J and K were instituted, J being longitude 24°30'W between 46°12'N and 47°50'N, and K being longitude 23°00'W between 48°12'N and 49°50'N and one more L, further out, on longitude 30°00'W between 43°10'N and 49°50'N.

At 0628A/24, orders were signalled to HMS Glasgow to establish patrol J by 1000 hours on the 25th and to HMNZS Gambia to establish patrol K at the same time. If nothing had been sighted by HMS Glasgow by 1900 hours on the 25th and by HMNZS Gambia by 2000 hours on the 25th they were to leave as to establish patrol L within 60 miles from 30°00'W by daylight on the 26th. HMNZS Gambia, who would be the first that needed to refuel at Horta, taking the part to the south of 46°30'N, and HMS Glasgow taking the part north of 46°30'N. Air patrol were ordered to cover the areas to the east of these patrols.

Reports from aircraft shadowing the enemy destroyer force in the Bay of Biscay continued to come in and at daylight a report by aircraft R of 105 group, a USN Liberator, gave the composition as 7 merchant ships and 4 destroyers still on a westerly course.

At 0852A/24, however, the situation was complicated by a report from Liberator H from 53 group that two destroyers some 60 miles to the southward of previous reports had been sighted. These were steering 138° at 18 knots. It was first thought these may be Spanish but as no destroyers of that nationality were known to be in that position it seems that that these must be part of the enemy force turned back for some reason and returning along the Spanish Coast.

During the forenoon, the positions reported by various aircraft which were shadowing varied considerably, but the latitudes were all between 45°N and 46°N, and the course given was west. The speed varied between 15 and 20 knots. The composition of the force was very difficult to assess but the majority of the reports indicated 10 or 11 units, of which one or two were merchant ships.

By 1100A/24 it was quite obvious that blockade running was in full swing, and the Admiralty ordered the destroyers HMS Caldwell (Lt.Cdr. F.D. Stacpoole, RD, RNR) and HMS Chelsea (Lt.Cdr. J.E.R. Wilford, RNR), which had been in position 42°30'N, 27°01'W around 0800 hours that morning, proceeding at 15 knots to the U.K. from Horta, to come under the orders of the C-in-C, Plymouth, but their state of efficiency and the amount of fuel on board was too low for them to be effective and the orders were subsequently cancelled. The Admiralty also requested the C-in-C, Mediterranean to sail HMS Mauritius to the Azores with despatch, and to replace her at Gibraltar with another cruiser so two cruisers were now requested from the Mediterranean.

At 1127A/24, the C-in-C, Plymouth promulgated to all ships and authorities concerned his estimate of the situation, giving 9 enemy destroyers with 2 merchant ships, possibly tankers in position 45°35'N, 10°56'W steering 270° at 15 knots and two destroyers in the vicinity of Cape Ortegal, eastbound, and the inward bound blockade breaker not yet located.

Air searches were meanwhile ongoing to locate the inward bound blockade breaker and at 1220A/24, a Beaufighter of 143 Squadron reported a large merchant ship of about 5000 tons with funnel amidships and a large superstructure round the funnel. She was sighed in position 46°00'N, 11°30'W proceeding on course 090°. The enemy force had meanwhile been reported as consisting of 5 destroyers and 4 merchant vessels.

By 1245A/24, the rendezvous had been made and the enemy had turned onto an easterly course, this being reported by Beaufighters of 235 Squadron. They reported the force as consisting of 2 merchant vessels, 5 destroyers and 3 torpedo boats.

According to German files the rendezvous with the incoming blockade breaker was made at 1246B/24 in approximate position 45°33'N, 12°15'W (grid BE 9322)

Up to this time it had seemed fairly certain that there was at least one outward bound blockade breaker and possibly two, in company with the enemy destroyer force. Now doubt began to arise.

However as the enemy force was now continuously being shadowed by British aircraft, it was appreciated that the enemy would be unlikely to detach an outward bound blockade runner alone and unescorted and it was also appreciated that the enemy would attach the greatest importance to the inward bound blockade breaker.

Consequently there remained two possibilities with regard to outward bound blockade breakers (if these were indeed present);
A) That the enemy had abandoned the attempt and were returning to France with the incoming blockade breaker and the escort.
B) That they would part company with the escort after dark then to proceede once more to the westward.

HMS Enterprise was therefore ordered after passing 09°30'W to steer for position 46°20'N, 15°40'W. She altered course to comply at at 1455A/24.

During the afternoon aircraft continued to shadow the enemy convoy on its easterly course but their signals on its composition failed to resolve the doubt about the presence of outward bound blockade breakers. It seemed that there were now 12 ships in all but the number of merchant ships reported varied from 2 to 7.

Around 1600A/24, 8 Halifax aircraft from 502 Squadron arrived near the enemy convoy and attacked it with 500 lb bombs. Few were able to report the results. Flak was heavy and evasive action by the enemy prevented any accurate observation. One however reported a hit on the larger merchantman who she assessed at 5000 tons. Another aircraft claimed a very near miss on another ship. Aircraft of 19 Group continued to shadow but any attack on the convoy, except by aircraft, was now out of the question.

Besides the possibility of an outward bound blockade breaker turning to the westward after dark there was the further possibility of a second inward bound blockade breaker closely following the first.

In order to guard against these contingencies, the C-in-C, Plymouth, requested at 1624A/24, the Senior British Naval Officer, Azores to arrange for an air search at maximum density, to be carried out during daylight on the 25th in the area between longitudes 18°45'W and 22°55'W, south of latitude 50'N as far towards latitude 42°N as resources would permit, the northern part of the area being the most important. This was to be instead of patrol H. HMS Glasgow and HMNZS Gambia had been ordered to patrol on J and K to the west of this area. Subsequently to commence on the 26th December, air patrol L was instituted between (QQ) 43°10'N, 30°00'W and (RR) 49°50'N, 30°00'W and was to be maintained daily.

At 1837A/24, a further situation report was issued, informing all forces and authorities that it was estimated that an inward bound blockade breaker had joined the enemy force at 1225A/24, in position 45°42'N, 11°45'W, and that the whole force of enemy vessels had turned to the westward at about 1300A/24 in position 45°35'N, 12°08'W and that it was considered all the enemy vessels were now eastbound, though it was possible that any outward bound blockade breaker might turn to the westward after dark.

HMS Enterprise was ordered, at 2012A/24, to establish a patrol on longitude 15°W between 46°50'N and 46°01'N until 0630A/25, when she was to proceed to take up patrol in the vicinity of position 47°50'N, 19°01'W until last light on the 25th after which she is to return to Plymouth. She reached the north end of the patrol line at 0023A/25.

during the night of the 24/25 December aircraft of 19 Group maintained contact with the enemy convoy, the reports of which continued to vary on it's composition but agreed on it's easterly course. At 0255A/25 an aircraft reported that two destroyers were 15 miles astern of the main convoy. Bombs were dropped by 9 aircraft between 0100 and 0500 hours, but no apparent result was achieved.

The weather on the morning of the 25th was unfavourable for flying and shadowing of the enemy convoy could no be kept up after 1140A/25. A striking force of 14 torpedo carrying Beaufighers and two special cannon Mosquitoes, escorted by 29 Beaufighters and 12 Mosquitoes was organised, but their departure had to be delayed owing to the unfavourable weather forecast. They did however, leave in time to arrive in the area around 1530A/25 but were unable to find the enemy.

By 1200A/25, it seemed certain that the enemy had not sent out any ship, and that the inward bound vessel would reach the Gironde, unless stopped by Beaufighters. HMS Enterprise was therefore ordered to return to Plymouth forthwith so that she might be refuelled as soon as possible to be ready for the next incoming blockade breaker. At 1255A/25, HMNZS Gambia was ordered to return to Horta to arrive before dark on the 26th and fuel with despatch. HMS Glasgow was also ordered to leave the northern end of patrol J at 2000A/25 and proceed to patrol L north of 46°50'N.

The Osorno and her escorts arrived in the Gironde in the early hours of the 26th where the blockade breaker hit the wreck of the sunken Sperrbrecher 21 and started to sink. To prevent this the ship was beached. The cargo was successfully salvaged though.

During the passage, at 1850B/24, T 27 suffered a rudder failure and dropped behind for some time before she was able to rejoin. She had to be steered on the engines.

At 0927B/25, ZH 1, which was suffering from engine trouble, requested to be taken in tow for which purpose T 25 was detached. She towed the damaged destroyer to the Gironde where they arrived late in the afternoon of the 26th.

Also, around 1945B/25, T 22, T 23, T 24 and T 26 were detached to proceed to Brest where they arrived around 1015B/26.

Interception of the German blockade breaker Alsterufer.

Attention was now very much directed to the possibility, and indeed the probability, that there was a second inward bound blockade breaker in the offing. It was appreciated that the Germans would wish to meet her and escort her in as much as they had done with the Osorno, and that the rendezvous might well be in much the same vicinity. This could be achieved by the German destroyers in a minimum time of 3 days, but this would involve a very quick turn around after reaching harbour with Osorno. 4 days was considered more likely and proved in the end to be correct. A still stronger interval was by no means out of the question. On the 3 day cycle the inward bound blockade breaker might be expected to have passed patrol line H on 24 December when patrol H was not flown and on the 25th for the 4 day cycle. Also on the 25th the patrol could not be flown due to other the commitments that had been made.

A gap had thus been left in the outer reconnaissance areas, through which a blockade runner might have passed on the 25th. To guard against this, the C-in-C, Plymouth asked Headquarters Coastal Command for an air search on 26 December, in the area between 50°N and 46°N, and 19°W and 22°W, adding that he attached the greatest importance to this. He also asked that patrol L should be flown on the 26th and daily thereafter, so as to ensure early air sighting if the enemy had not passed 30°W longitude on the 25th and to allow for interception by surface vessels as far to the westward as possible, the portion of the patrol line north of 46°30'N, being considered the more important.

Headquarters Coastal Command replied at 1640A/25, that 2 Liberators and 2 Sunderlands of 15 Group would patrol the area asked for from dawn on the 26th and that aircraft from 247 Group in the Azores would fly L patrol.

The general situation was further cleared up by photographic reconnaissance of La Pallice and the Gironde on the 25th which established that none of the possible outward bound blockade breakers had moved with the possible exception of the Himalaya whose berth at Brest had not been covered.

On the 28th photographic reconnaissance showed that the Osorno was at Le Verdon, apparently aground, but being unloaded. The identity of the ship was thus established without a doubt as the Osorno.

An alteration to the patrol ordered for HMS Glasgow was made at 1732A/25 when she was ordered to leave patrol J at dark on the 25th and establish patrol M between 47°25'N, and 48°05'N, and between 20°W and 22°30'W. She was ordered to be at eastern end of this patrol at about 1400A/26 and to leave the western end at dark on that day so as to commence patrol L north of 46°31'N, at daylight on th 27th. This patrol had to be given a general east/west line on account of the U-boat situation.

On the 26th, HMS Enterprise arrived at Plymouth at 1330A/26 and immediately fuelled. The fast minelayer HMS Ariadne (Capt. Lord Ashbourne, RN) left Gibraltar at 0930A/26 for passage to the U.K. HMNZS Gambia arrived at Horta at 1830A/26. HMS Mauritius, on arrival at Gibraltar, was found to have boiler defects. Therefore at 1952A/26, HMS Penelope (Capt. G.D. Belben, DSC, AM, RN) departed Gibraltar for Horta, Azores in her place.

During the afternoon of the 26th, further modifications were made to the patrol arrangements for the following and subsequent days. HMNZS Gambia was to leave Horta as soon as she had completed fuelling and then proceed at 22 knots to patrol L north of 46°31'N. HMS Glasgow was, at dusk onn the 26th, to search westward along 47°30'N and then to establish patrol N between 46°40'N and 47°20'N and between 23°04'W and 26°02'W at daylight on the 27th. The presence of U-boats in the area made it necessary again to establish patrol in an east/west line and further west then desired. HMS Enterprise was to leave Plymouth at 2200A/26 and proceed towards position EB which was in 48°26'N, 15°01'W at speed of advance of 21 knots.

In the evening news was received from the Senior British Naval Officer, Azores that the French large destroyer Le Malin (Cdr. J.E.C. Hourcade) had arrived at Horta on that day from Bermuda and that the French Naval authorities had placed her under British command. Her sister ship, Le Fantasque (Capt. C.Y.F.M. Perzo), currently at Algiers had also been ordered to proceed to Horta via Gibraltar.

Headquarters 19 Group arranged for 8 Liberators to carry out a search in an area bounded by the following points;
49°17'N, 20°26'W,
48°35'N, 17°40'W,
46°05'N, 19°03'W,
46°50'N, 21°50'W.

This area was based on the assumption that the next rendezvous with the destroyer escort and the inward bound blockade breaker would be in roughly the same position as that which had taken place on the 24th and be timed for noon on the 28th which, was now estimated to be the earliest possible date which the enemy destroyers could keep. In case the aircraft of 19 Group would be grounded on account of the weather aircraft from 15 Group were arranged as backup.

The stage was now set for the final act and the hoped for victim made his entry on the morning of the 27th. At 1015A/27, Sunderland T of 201 Squadron, attached to 15 Group, reported a medium seized merchant vessel in position 46°40'N, 19°30'W, steering a course of 120°. HMS Glasgow was thus to the west and HMS Enterprise to the east of the enemy. At 1036A/27, they were both ordered to steer towards position 45°00'N, 15°00'W at best speed. At 1000A/27, the estimated position of HMS Glasgow was 46°59'N, 26.35'W and that she would be on course 090° at 18 knots. On receipt of the signal at 1130 hours she altered course to 100° and increased speed to 27 knots and ten minutes afterwards speed was increased to 30 knots and course was adjusted as necessary to intercept the blockade runner.

Meanwhile Sunderland V of 201 Squadron went to the position given by T/201 and from then on contact was maintained and positions, courses and speed of the enemy were sent in by shadowing aircraft. As usual positions varied considerably, but the course of the enemy was consistently reported as a little south of east, and her speed was apparently high. At 1140A/27, a description of the ship was received from T/201 which fitted rather well with Alsterufer, an expected inward bound ship of about 2730 tons and 15 knots speed.

Shadowing aircraft were ordered not to attack until they had reached their prudent limit of endurance and at 1230A/27 the first attack was made, but it was not successful. After this several more attacks were carried out as aircraft reached their endurance limit but no hits were scored. Homing procedure for aircraft worked well and the enemy was kept under constant observation.

At 1124A/27, HMNZS Gambia who had left Horta at 2344O/26 and HMS Penelope who was on her way to Horta were ordered to steer at best possible speed towards position 45°00'N, 15°00'W. HMNZS Gambia was ordered to keep south of 42°N until west of 20°W, to avoid U-boats. They were also ordered to report their position, course and speed.

The weather over the English Channel and most of France was poor with light winds, drizzle, low cloud and fog patches. Some bases in the south were available for flying but it was probable that by nightfall all the British southern bases would be out of action due to weather. The Admiralty therefore requested the help of USS Block Island (T/Capt. L.C. Ramsey, USN) with her aircraft and her escorting destroyers (USS Paul Jones (T/Lt.Cdr. G.P. Unmacht, USN, with COMDESDIV 58, T/Capt. R.B. Ellis, USN, on board), USS Barker (T/Lt.Cdr. R.G. Colbert, USN), USS Bulmer (T/Lt.Cdr. G.T. Baker, USN) and USS Parrott (T/Cdr. J.N. Hughes, USN)) which were operating in the vicinity of 45°01'N, 22°00'W on anti-submarine work, to co-operate in shadowing and attack if opportunity offered.

At 1241A/27, the C-in-C, Plymouth ordered HMS Glasgow and HMS Enterprise to intercept and sink the enemy blockade breaker and gave her position as reported by aircraft as 46°50'N, 19°25'W at 1030A/27 steering 090° at 15 knots. The cruisers were to act on aircraft reports and were told that aircraft would be homing on 385 kc/s.

Le Malin was ordered to fill, the gap left by the chase of this blockade breaker, in the outer reconnaissance area, and to leave Horta forthwith to establish patrol L north of 46°30'N.

At 1254A/27, HMS Ariadne, on passage from Gibraltar (which she had left around 1815A/26) to the U.K., was placed under the command of the C-in-C, Plymouth. She was at that time in position 36°30'N, 16°00'W and she had to reduced her speed to 15 knots owing to the weather conditions.

At 1300A/27, HMNZS Gambia had been in position 41°50'N, 29°25'W, steering 090° at 27 knots.

At 1317A/27, the C-in-C, Plymouth organised the cruisers HMNZS Gambia, HMS Glasgow, HMS Penelope and HMS Enterprise into 'Force 3', under command of the Commanding Officer of HMNZS Gambia which was the most senior.

In the meantime, a striking force of 8 Halifaxes of 502 Squadron carrying bombs, was organised by Headquarters 19 Group and took off between 1300A/27 and 1330A/27, expecting to arrive over the enemy blockade breaker at about 1800A/27, being homed to her by the shadowing aircraft.

As a result of the shadowing reports, an estimate of the enemy's position at 1500A/27, was signalled by the C-in-C, Plymouth at 1554A/27 to the cruisers of Force 3, giving the position as 46°40'N, 18°14'W, mean course 115° with a speed of 15.5 knots maximum. Shortly afterwards Force 3 was told that it was estimated, from previous experience, that the enemy might have sailed 5 or 6 destroyers and about 6 torpedo boats to rendezvous, possibly before daylight on the 28th, with the incoming blockade breaker. Ships were also given the position of the previous rendezvous on the 24th which was estimated as being 45°40'N, 12°00'W.

At 1615A/27, Liberator H of 311 Squadron, manned by Czechs, arrived over the enemy to take over shadowing and at once attacked with bombs scoring a direct hit on the target on her after part. A heavy explosion occurred, the ship caught fire, and on the arrival of the striking force of 502 Squadron around 1800A/27, she was seen to be abandoned, heavily on fire and sinking. Excellent photographs were obtained of the attack by H of 311 Squadron which left no doubt that the ship sunk was the Alsterufer.

Action against the enemy destroyers and torpedo boats.

With the incoming blockade runner now satisfactory being dispatched there remained the possibility, if the enemy were not forewarned, of bringing the action to the escort force who would almost certainly be on their way to the rendezvous with her.

The enemy were indeed en-route in the same composition that had brought in the Osorno (see above) except for ZH 1 which was out of action due the engine trouble she had suffered.

HMS Glasgow and HMS Enterprise were therefore ordered at 1817A/27, to continue their present sweep, reducing speed at their discretion in order to save fuel. An hour later, at 1926A/27, further orders were sent to these two ships to rendezvous in position (SS) 45°14'N, 15°23'W at approximately 0200A/28. They were then to leave this position at 0300A/28 and to sweep on a course of 105° to latitude 45°N and then on a course of 090° so as to reach the meridian of 12°W at 0900A/28. If no information had been received by then, they were to sweep north as far as 45°30'N, and thence on a course of 270°. This approach was designed to bring the cruisers in south of, and out of radar touch of the westbound enemy destroyers / torpedo boats, and then to move them north between the enemy and his base.

It now seemed probable that HMNZS Gambia was too far to the west to be able to make a rendezvous on the next day with HMS Glasgow and HMS Enterprise so she was therefore told, at 1945A/27, to reduce speed to 23 knots. This was done with the object of saving fuel in case an outward bound enemy blockade runner accompanied the expected escort force coming from the French coast, and evaded HMS Glasgow and HMS Enterprise while they were dealing with the escort. In such an event, HMS Gambia would be well placed to intercept, but might have to do some hours of high speed steaming.

At this time also there arose some question as to HMS Penelope's state of repair, however, in reply to a signal asking her what maximum speed she could attain, and whether she had still normal endurance, a reassuring answer was received that she could steam 30 knots, her endurance was normal, and that she had 76% of fuel remaining. She took the opportunity to give her position, course and speed as 38°50'N, 13°32'W, 350° at 19 knots. The weather being cloudy with an easterly wind force 5. She was, therefore, likely to be out of the hunt.

In order to locate the enemy force as soon as possible, Headquarters 19 Group intended to send off 2 Liberators of 224 Squadron at 2145A/27, to carry out a modified patrol on the longitude of 10°W, and the cruisers were informed of this at 2300A/27. In the event, this patrol could not leave, due to weather, and it was not until 0630A/28 that the first two Liberators of USN Squadron 105 left to patrol between latitudes 45°N and 47°N and longitudes 12°W and 13°W. the second followed at 0830A/28.

Owing to the suspected presence of U-boats ahead of her, HMNZS Gambia at 2326A/26, was ordered to pass through position 41°20'N, 20°59'W, and then as previously ordered.

About midnight, the Admiralty broadcast a signal to all forces in the area that a suspicious merchant ships, probably an inward bound blockade runner, had been sighted by aircraft in position 47°20'N, 30°15'W at 1030Z/27, on a course of 135°. This ship was subsequently identified as a straggler from an Allied convoy, but this fact was not known for several hours.

At 0022A/28, HMS Ariadne was ordered to proceed so as to reach position 45°00'N, 15°00'W at 0900A/28 if practicable, and to patrol in that area until 1200A/28, when she was to leave and steer towards position 49°00'N, 17°00'W. She should thus have been in a good position to shadow and land what assistance she could to HMS Glasgow and HMS Enterprise, though to arrange a definite rendezvous with them was impossible without impending their freedom of action on the 28th.

The movements of HMS Glasgow and HMS Enterprise on the 28th would certainly take them within easy range of enemy shore based aircraft and though the weather forecast, which indicated probable easterly winds force 4 and low cloud over north-west France and the northern half of the Bay of Biscay, was favourable for the Allies, it was considered advisable to inform the cruisers of the C-in-C, Plymouth's intentions, and to arrange to withdraw them if necessary before the danger of concentrated air attack should be accepted subject to the following factors;
A) If no news had been received by the enemy by 1200A/28, the cruisers were to withdraw to withdraw to the westward without further orders, and ... B) If in contact with the enemy, the decision whether and then to break off action would rest with the Senior Officer present, taking into consideration the hours of daylight remaining, conditions for aircraft and the prospects of achieving decisive results.

The news mentioned above of another possible blockade runner approaching made necessary some provision to deal with her, if she evaded the outer patrols. After the expected movements on the 28th, it was certain that HMS Glasgow, HMS Enterprise and HMNZS Gambia would need refuelling and it was by now means certain here they might be. It was decided, therefore, to order HMS Penelope to proceed to Plymouth at best speed so as to be ready fur future commitments, and a signal was made to her to inform her of this. The Vice-Admiral, Gibraltar was also requested to sail HMS Mauritius, whose defect was now repaired, forthwith to reach position (NN) 46°01'N, 25°30'W by 1200 hours on the 30th December.

At 0317A/28, HMNZS Gambia was ordered to proceed at best speed. She increased to 28 knots for about an hour, but the state of the sea forced her to reduce to 27 knots, which speed she was able to maintain without sustaining damage. Meanwhile HMS Glasgow and HMS Enterprise had affected their rendezvous at about 0300A/28, by the help of radar, and were continuing their sweep, as ordered.

In order to clarify the position to Force 3, the C-in-C, Plymouth gave them his estimate of their positions at 0900A/28. They were HMS Penelope in position 42°28'N, 14°14'W, course 353° at 22 knots. HMS Ariadne patrolling near position 45°00'N, 15°00'W until 1200A/28 and then proceeding on course 342° at 20 knots. HMNZS Gambia in position 42°32'N, 18°45'E, course 050° at 20 knots. Of these positions, Ariadne's was the only oone to be considerably in error. She had been on position 40°01'N, 17°30'W at 0100A/28, thence steering north at 17.5 knots, her speed being necessitated by the adverse weather. Her Commanding Officer, states that although it was impracticable to carry out the instructions to reach 45°N, 15°W at 0900A/28, he did not break W/T silence to say so, since he had intercepted a signal sent by HMS Penelope which mentioned the weather in the area HMS Ariadne was also in. HMS Mauritius departed Gibraltar around 0915A/28 to take up the position as ordered (see above).

The first definite news of the hoped for quarry arrived at 0927A/28, when Liberator V of 105 Squadron (USN) sighted and reported 4 destroyers on a course of 270° at 14 knots. This seemed to indicate the Germans were still unaware of the sinking of the Alsterufer. A further signal from the same aircraft at 0940A/28 gave the position and course of three enemy ships as 46°48'N, 11°57'W, 270°. This appeared to be the most promising at Area Combined Headquarters at Plymouth. HMS Glasgow and HMS Enterprise were to the southward of the enemy and HMNZS Gambia was approaching from the south-west. Unless the enemy retired to the east again at high speed almost at once, the chances of contact appeared good. It was thought, moreover, that HMS Ariadne and HMS Penelope were nearer than, in fact, they were.

To facilitate enemy reports, two reference positions XX (45°00'N, 15°00'W) and YY (45°00'N, 10°00'W) were established and promulgated to Force 3 and HMS Ariadne. HMS Glasgow was ordered to take HMS Ariadne under her orders when action was joined. HMS Ariadne at 1031A/28, was ordered to proceed to patrol in the vicinity of position 45°12'N, 13°20'W her primary object being reconnaissance and shadowing.

Headquarters 19 Group at once arranged for shadowing to continue throughout the day, detailing for this purpose two Sunderlands and two Liberators. A striking force of 6 Liberators of 105 Squadron (USN) was also get ready.

HMS Glasgow and HMS Enterprise, who had turned north around 0900A/28, had meanwhile received the enemy report and at 0952A/28, increased speed to 28.5 knots and altered course to 010° to make further ground to the east of the enemy. The wind in the area of the cruisers was south-east force 5.

Further enemy reports from aircraft V/105 came in, indicating that there were probably at least 8 enemy destroyers / torpedo boats in the force sighted. This aircraft was ordered by 19 Group at 1031A/28 to carry out homing procedure, and aircraft X of 105 Squadron was ordered to listen for the homing signals.

In order to provided cover for the cruisers against enemy aircraft a force of 29 Beaufighters and 8 Mosquitoes were ordered to take off as soon as possible so as to rendezvous with with HMS Glasgow and HMS Enterprise in the vicinity of 46°32'N, 10°28'W. The cruisers were informed of this force by signal and the aircraft actually left between 1330 and 1530 hours.

At 1100A/28, V/105 reported that the enemy had reversed course and were proceeding to the eastward. Their position was 46°48'N, 11°47'W and the number of destroyers / torpedo boats was 10.

At 1130A/28, HMS Glasgow estimated the enemy's furthest on and furthest north probable position was that based on this report, which placed the enemy 45 nautical miles the the north of him, and steering east at 15 knots. This was not too good, as it meant that contact could only just be made. HMS Glasgow therefore altered course to 030°. However at 1120A/28, Sunderland Q of 10 Squadron obtained contact and made the enemy position 46°33'N, 12°30'W. This placed the enemy some 35 miles to the westward of the estimate previous given by V/105. Both shadowing aircraft were attacked by enemy aircraft but managed to beat off the attacks and were able to continue to shadow.

The situation was appreciated by the C-in-C, Plymouth and a signal made at 1155A/28, informing _HMS Glasgow_that it was estimated the position of 10 enemy destroyers at 1120A/28 was 46°33'N, 12°30'W, steering 090° at 20 knots. More weight was given to the report of the Sunderland owing to the greater expercience of the crew and the fact that she had not been in the air so long as the other aircraft.

It now appeared probable that an action would take place in the afternoon, HMNZS Gambia and HMS Penelope were therefore ordered, at 1215A/28, to proceed to position 46°N, 13°W and it was now intended to sent HMS Penelope back to Gibraltar for fuel on completion of the operation.

By 1230A/28, another Liberator, X of 105 Squadron, was in contact with the enemy force. It reported 11 destroyers in position 47°05'N, 12°40'W, steering 140° at 14 knots, indicating that the enemy had turned onto a new course to the south of east.

HMS Glasgow's movement during the forenoon were unknown at Area Combined Headquarters, Plymouth, but it had been assumed that she had been making ground to the eastward on the strength of the enemy reports received. HMS Glasgow and HMS Enterprise were therefore told at 1244A/28, that if no further information had been received and if nothing had been sighted by 1430A/28, they should then sweep to the north-west, their estimated position at that time being signalled as 46°31'N, 10°38'W. Before receipt of this signal, however, HMS Glasgow at 1309A/28, had decided that they had passed within radar range of any enemy to the north and decided to turn south-east to intercept the enemy. The enemy's movements were based on the estimate given by the C-in-C, Plymouth corrected for subsequent alterations of course as reported by shadowing aircraft.

HMS Glasgow and HMS Enterprise had been sighted by enemy aircraft at 1224 hours and again at 1330 hours, so it can be assumed that the enemy were aware of their presence. This was not known at Plymouth at the time.

While turning to the south-east at 1338A/28, HMS Enterprise reported that she had heard homing signals bearing 243° and 146° or reciprocal. HMS Glasgow therefore steadied on a course of 220° in the hope of hearing more and getting a plot, but no further D/F bearings were obtained or received.

At 1306A/28, the C-in-C, Plymouth, ordered HMS Ariadne to shift her patrol to the vicinity of 46°15'N, 12°15'W. On receipt of this signal, Ariadne appreciated that the fact that she was not in a position being unknown, might effect the tactics of HMS Glasgow and HMS Enterprise, who were obviously about to engage the enemy, and decided to break wireless silence and give her position, course and speed. There was also now no need to fear that her signal might give away to the enemy that fact that cruisers were to the south-west of them, as this fact must be already known. Her signal was timed 1400A/28, and gave her position as 43°30'N, 16°34'W, course 282°. Owing to a beakdown in her W/T transmitter her speed was not signalled.

At 1332A/28, HMS Glasgow sighted the masts of two vessels bearing 238° and simultaneously obtained radar contact on the same bearing at a range of 16 nautical miles. Three minutes later she made her first enemy report ' Enemy in sight, bearing 240°, range 12.5 nautical miles, 325° - Point YY - 118 nautical miles.

It was the Commanding Officer of HMS Glasgow's intention to fight the action from outside the enemy's effective range, which he took to be 13000 yards, and to engage any destroyer / torpedo boat which looked like reaching it. If more then one attained this range he proposed to turn away to reduce the closing rate.

HMS Glasgow opened fire at 1346A/28 with 8 enemy ships in sight at a range of 18500 yards. At 1350A/28, HMS Enterprise joined in. The enemy returned fire at 1358A/28.

HMS Enterprise acted under the following general instructions which had been passed when she joined company;
A) Keep on a line of bearing approximately at right angles to the enemy.
B) Keep within supporting distance of Glasgow.
C) Act independently to avoid possible torpedo fire from the enemy.

The action commenced with HMS Glasgow and HMS Enterprise on a southerly course, the enemy bearing 234° from them. The details of the action are best read in the action report of HMS Glasgow which we will put online on her page as well as on the page of HMS Enterprise. During the action it appeared that the enemy made much use of smoke floats, retiring behind the screen as fire upon them became effective, and in consequence the movements of the enemy are impossible to follow in detail.

In broad outline, the enemy appeared to have kept together on a south-south-easterly course for about three quarteers of an hour, during which time HMS Glasgow and HMS Enterprise engaged various ships among them as smoke allowed at long range. The cruisers fire appears to have been effective, and probably damaged several of the enemy during this time.

At 1400A/28, a Focke Wolf 200 aircraft released a glider bomb but effective AA fire from HMS Glasgow caused the enemy aircraft to take evasive action and the bomb fell harmlessly into the sea.

The enemy fired torpedoes with considerable accuracy at about 1420A/28, but their tracks were successfully evaded.

At 1428A/28, the enemy divided his force, four ships turning to the north-west. This was noticed by both cruisers, and though it seems that HMS Glasgow, who was forced to turn away at 1435A/28 to avoid torpedoes, fell out of the action for a few minutes. HMS Enterprise turned away to the westward after the northbound enemy, with whom she maintained contact.

HMS Glasgow soon came in touch again with the same force, the southern remnant of the enemy by now having turned away under smoke and disappeared before 1500A/28. The four remaining enemy ships which were now engaged appeared to be heavily hit and by 1515A/28, of the four one was damaged and stopped, one was damaged and retiring under smoke, one was being engaged by HMS Enterprise and one by HMS Glasgow from a range of 10000 yards.

These last two (T 25 and T 26) were sunk around 1540A/28 and as soon as the third (Z 27, stopped and damaged since around 1430A/28) had been sunk, the Commanding Officer of HMS Glasgow reviewed the situation. HMS Glasgow had fired most of her ammunition, and HMS Enterprise, whose electric gun firing circuits were out of action, was making repairs to these. Under these conditions it was not considered justified in chasing an enemy already out of sight. So therefore line ahead formation was formed and course was altered on 275°, speed 25 knots.

Meanwhile, at Area Combined Headquarters, Plymouth, the C-in-C, Plymouth had, at 1341A/28, ordered Force 3 and HMS Ariadne to close the enemy and at 1400A/28, 4 Halifaxes of 58 Squadron and 15 Liberators of the (USN) Squadrons at Dunkeswell (5 of 110 Squadron, 4 of 103 Squadron and 6 of 105 Squadron) had been despatched to the scene of the action, the cruisers being warned to expect them around 1630A/28.

At 1500A/28, the escort destroyers HMS Tanatside (Cdr. B.J. de St. Croix, RN), HMS Wensleydale (A/Lt.Cdr. W.P. Goodfellow, RNVR) and HMS Brissenden (Lt. D.D.E. Vivian, RN), were ordered to anchor in the Plymouth Sound and remain at 1/2 hour notice. Also 5 MTB's of the 23rd Flotilla from Dartmouth left at 1700A/28, to lie in wait of Brest for the returning enemy force. The rescue tug HMRT Dexterous (?), at Falmouth, was also brought to immediate notice and the M/S trawler HMS Lindisfarne (Skr. S.G. Jinks, RNR) proceeded from Plymouth to Falmouth to escort the tug if required.

The shadowing aircraft, X/105, had reported the six enemy destroyers who had escaped to the south-eastwards, and continued to shadow until reaching prudent limit of endurance at 1610A/28. Although she carried out homing procedure, no other aircraft appear to have received her homing signals.

In the dusk, several of the USN Liberators of the striking force made contact with HMS Glasgow and HMS Enterprise, and of these, one, P of 105 Squadron attacked Glasgow at 1933A/28. The ships, unable in the half light to distinguish friend from foe, were putting up a heavy barrage of AA fire, but this did not deter the USN, who happily scored a miss about 100 yards of Glasgow's port bow. Four others of the same squadron located and attacked an enemy squadron of destroyers on an easterly course at about 1800A/28, but no hits were claimed. The remainder of the striking force failed to find the target.

Shadowing aircraft re-gained touch after dark, and the movements of the enemy forces (it was not clear how many were together) were reported on an easterly course until midnight, when touch was finally lost.

HMS Glasgow and HMS Enterprise were ordered to return to Plymouth by the C-in-C, Plymouth signal timed 1825A/28. HMS Ariadne was also ordered to resume her passage home and HMS Penelope was ordered to proceed to Gibraltar to fuel.

HMS Glasgow reported the general result of the action as two destroyers sunk as well as a torpedo boat. Glasgow's casualties were 2 killed and 6 slightly injured, with some minor damage to the ship. HMS Enterprise had no casualties and minor damage to the ship. The losses of the enemy were later ascertained to be 1 destroyer and 2 torpedo boats and not as initially reported by Glasgow. The remainder of the cruisers passage to Plymouth was uneventful and on arrival they were taken in hand at the Devonport Dockyard for action repairs.

On the 29th a lone German destroyer was sighted off the north coast of Spain, proceeding towards Bordeaux at 25 knots. She was shadowed for a short time, but bad weather conditions prevented a striking force from being sent to deal with her. Subsequent photographic reconnaissance of Brest and the Gironde established that four torpedo boats and four destroyers had returned to those ports respectively. One destroyer was subsequently seen in dock in La Pallice.

The outer cruiser patrol was maintained by HMNZS Gambia and HMNZS Mauritius, and the outer and inner air patrols maintained by aircraft of 247 Group in the Azores and 19 Group, until news was received on the th January that all the remaining inbound blockade breakers had been sunk in the South Atlantic by forces of the United States Navy. HMNZS Gambia and HMS Mauritius were then recalled to Plymouth.

Following the battle, Z 24, T 23, T 24 and T 27 proceeded to Brest. Z 32 and Z 37 proceeded to the Gironde and Z 23 and T 22 proceeded to St. Jean de Luz. (114)

24 Dec 1943
At 1400A/24, at Malta, Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN, struck his flag in HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN).

HMS Mauritius then left Malta for Gibraltar around 1715A/24. (110)

26 Dec 1943
At 1230A/26, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from Malta. She arrived at Gibraltar which boiler defects which were then taken in hand for repairs. (110)

28 Dec 1943
At 0915A/28, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) departed Gibraltar to patrol in the North Atlantic on an anti-blockade breaker patrol.

[For more info see the event ' Attempted interception, as part of Operation Stonewall, of the German blockade breaker Osorno, interception of the German blockade breaker Alsterufer and subsequent action on 28 December 1943, between HMS Glasgow and HMS Enterprise and German destroyers and torpedo boats ' for 23 December 1943.] (110)

2 Jan 1944
At 1115A/2, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) arrived at Plymouth from anti-blockade breaker patrol. (115)

9 Jan 1944
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) conducted D/G trials at Plymouth.

She then departed Plymouth for Gibraltar around 1845A/15. (115)

13 Jan 1944
Around 0845A/13, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from Plymouth. (115)

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 Athabascan (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 Athabascan, HMS Ashanti and HMS Meteor arrived at Plymouth where the Prime Minister and his entourage were disembarked. (116)

18 Jan 1944
Around 0100A/18, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) anchored in Gibraltar Bay.

She entered harbour around 0900A/18. (115)

19 Jan 1944
Around 1800A/19, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) departed Gibraltar for Malta. (115)

21 Jan 1944
Around 1630A/21, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) arrived at Malta from Gibraltar. (115)

23 Jan 1944
Around 1715A/23, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) departed Malta for Naples where she arrived around 0750A/24. (115)

24 Jan 1944
Around 1440A/24, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) departed Naples for the operation zone to the south of Anzio.

At 1730A/24, fire was opened on a coastal road near Terracina. Fire was ceased at 1742A/24.

At 2108A/24, fire was again opened on a coastal road near Terracina. Fire was ceased at 2130A/24.

At 2300A/24, fire was again opened on a coastal road near Terracina. Fire was ceased at 2320A/24.

At 0347A/25, fire was again opened on a coastal road near Terracina. Fire was ceased at 0408A/25.

At 0615A/25, HMS Mauritius was joined by HMS Inglefield (A/Cdr. C.F.H. Churchill, DSC, RN) which had also been operating and bombarding in the area having also arrived on the 24th from Naples.

At 0908A/25, fire was again opened on a coastal road near Terracina. Intermittent bombardment was carried out on this target throughout the entire forenoon. Fire was ceased at 1204A/25 and HMS Mauritius proceeded to seaward to return to Naples.

Around 1625A/25, HMS Mauritius anchored in Naples Bay. HMS Inglefield also returned to Naples in the afternoon of the 25th. (115)

27 Jan 1944
Around 0400A/27, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) departed Naples for the operation zone off Formia.

Around 0700A/27, she was joined by HMS Kempenfelt (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Marjoribanks, RN).

Around 0810A/27, HMS Kempenfelt was ordered to act independently.

At 1040A/27, fire was opened on a crossroads east of Formia. Fire was ceased at 1115A/27. Direct hits had been reported by the forward conroller.

At 1150A/27, fire was opened on enemy mechanised infantery on a road near Formia. Fire was ceased after 12 minutes.

At 1335A/27, fire was opened on Formia. Fire on this target was checked at 1340A/27 when fire was shifted to a coastal battery near Gaeta. Fire was checked on 1500A/27.

At 1520A/27, fire was opened on enemy motor transport. Fire was checked 40 minutes later.

At 1645A/27, fire was opened on enemy gun positions near Formia. Fire was ceased at 1656A/27 after which HMS Mauritius retired to seaward.

At 0135A/28, HMS Mauritius returned to the vicinity of Formia.

At 0310A/28, fire was opened on a crossroad near Formia. Fire was ceased after 15 minutes.

At 0425A/28, fire was opened on a village. Fire was checked at 0453A/28.

At 0445A/28, fire was re-opened on the crossroad near Formia which had already been bombarded earlier that morning. Fire was checked aftr four minutes.

At 0500A/28, fire was opened on Formia. Fire was ceased at 0505A/28.

At 0510A/28, HMS Mauritius withdrew to seaward.

Around 0715A/28, HMS Mauritius was joined by HMS Inglefield (A/Cdr. C.F.H. Churchill, DSC, RN).

At 0825A/28, HMS Mauritius arrived back off Formia.

At 0950A/28, fire was opened on enemy gun positions near Gaeta. Such targets were now carried out intermittently during thee forenoon. Fire was ceased at 1225A/28.

At 1335A/28, fire was opened on enemy motor transport on the Formia - Gaeta road. Fire was checked at 1358A/28.

At 1407A/28, Fire was opened on enemy gun positions near Formia. At 1418A/28, an enemy shell landed close to HMS Mauritius. Fire was ceased at 1438A/28.

At 1559A/28, Fire was opened on Castellonorato. Fire was ceased after 31 minutes.

At 1720A/28, HMS Mauritius withdrew to seaward.

At 0250A/29, arrived back off the coast near Castellonorato. Fire was opened on this place at 0312A/29 but fire was checked after 3 minutes.

At 0317A/29, fire was opened on a crossroads. Fire was ceased after 5 minutes.

At 0330A/29, HMS Mauritius withdrew to seaward to return to Naples.

Around 1245A/29, HMS Mauritius anchored in Naples Bay. (115)

5 Feb 1944
Around 0545A/5, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) departed Naples Bay for the operation zone off Formia.

At 1035A/5, fire was opened on enemy batteries near Gaeta. Fire was ceased after 13 minutes.

At 1110A/5, fire was opened on a crossroads near Formia. Fire was ceased at 1135A/5.

At 1158A/5, fire was opened on enemy motor transport near Formia. Fire was ceased after 16 minutes.

At 1330A/5, HMS Mauritius was taken under fire by German shore batteries thought to be of 6" in calibre. All shells fell short.

At 1400A/5, fire was opened on a crossroads near Formia. Fire was ceased at 1445A/5. This bombardment was resumed at 1626A/5. Fire was ceased at 1706A/5.

At 1714A/5, HMS Mauritius retired to seaward to return to Naples Bay.

At 1915A/5, HMS Mauritius dropped anchor in Pozzuoli Bay. (117)

6 Feb 1944
Around 0620A/6, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) departed Pozzuoli Bay for the operation zone off Formia.

At 1004A/6, fire was opened on an enemy battery near Formia. Fire was ceased after 16 minutes.

At 1058A/6, fire was opened on enemy guns near Formia. Fire was ceased after 17 minutes.

At 1249A/6, fire was opened on an enemy gun positions near Formia. Fire was checked at 1305A/6 and fire was shifted to an adjacent battery and re-opened fire at 1318A/6. Fire was ceased at 1345A/6.

At 1330A/6, HMS Mauritius came under fire from enemy batteries. By 1352A/6, the enemy had found the range so HMS Mauritius withdrew to seaward.

At 1525A/6, HMS Mauritius retook position to resume her bombardment duties.

At 1530A/6, fire was opened on enemy gun positions. Fire was ceased after 10 minutes.

At 1543A/6, fire was opened on a crossroads near Formia. Fire was checked at 1554A/6.

At 1558A/6, fire was opened on an enemy battery. Fire was ceased after 12 minutes.

At 1700A/6, HMS Mauritius withdrew to seaward.

At 2116A/6, HMS Mauritius retook position to resume her bombardment duties.

At 2125A/6, fire was opened on a crossroads near Formia. Fire was checked at 2140A/6.

At 2230A/6, fire was opened on Formia. Fire was checked at 2240A/6.

At 2352A/6, fire was opened on a crossroads near Formia. Fire was checked after three minutes to shift fire to the town of Formia on which fire was opened on immediately afterwards. Fire was checked at 2358A/6 after which HMS Mauritius set course to proceed to Pozzuoli Bay where she dropped anchor around 0200A/7. (117)

7 Feb 1944
Around 0645A/7, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) departed Pozzuoli Bay for the operation zone off Formia.

At 0950A/7, fire was opened on enemy motor transport and troop concentrations near Gaeta. Fire was ceased at 1025A/7.

At 1130A/7, fire was opened on enemy gun positions with the aid of air spotting. Fire was ceased at 1150A/7.

At 1145A/7, HMS Mauritius came under fire from enemy shore batteries thought to be 8" in calibre. After fire had been ceased at 1150A/7 HMS Mauritius withdrew to seaward.

At 1400A/7, HMS Mauritius retook position for bombardment duties.

At 1405A/7, fire was opened on an enemy battery near Gaeta.

At 1420A/7, HMS Mauritius came under fire from enemy shore batteries. Enemy fire was very accurate so at 1425A/7, HMS Mauritius ceased firing and withdrew to seaward.

At 2155A/7, HMS Mauritius retook position for bombardment duties.

At 2210A/7, fire was opened on a crossroads near Formia. Fire was ceased after 32 minutes.

At 2245A/7, fire was opened on the town of Formia. Fire was ceased after 20 minutes.

At 2310A/7, HMS Mauritius withdrew to seaward to proceed to Naples where she arrived around 0115A/8. (117)

10 Feb 1944
Around HMS Dido (Capt. J. Terry, RN) and HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) departed Naples for the operations area near Anzio.

At 1015A/10, HMS Mauritius opened fire on enemy batteries. Fire was ceased after 15 minutes as poor visibility made observation difficult.

At 1100A/10, HMS Mauritius came under fire from enemy shore batteries and she withdrew to seaward.

At 1305A/10, HMS Mauritius commenced to close the land to take up a position for bombardment duties.

Between 1315A/10 and 1505A/10, HMS Dido conducted two bombardments (area shoots).

At 1320A/10, HMS Mauritius opened fire on enemy troop concentrations. Fire was ceased after 15 minutes.

At 1444A/10, HMS Mauritius opened fire on enemy gun positions. Fire was ceased after 8 minutes.

At 1455A/10, HMS Mauritius proceeded to seaward where she, shortly afterwards, took station astern of HMS Dido and they then set course to return to Naples where they arrived around 1915A/10. (118)

16 Feb 1944
Around 0600A/16, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) departed Naples for the operation zone off Formia.

At 0830A/16, she arrived in the operations area.

At 0920A/16, fire was opened on enemy gun positions near Formia.

At 1002A/16, HMS Mauritius came under fire from an enemy shore battery. Fire was then ceased and HMS Mauritius retired to seaward while making smoke.

At 1105A/16, HMS Mauritius took position to resume bombardment duties.

At 1115A/16, fire was opened on enemy gun positions with the aid of air spotting. Fire was ceased at 1238A/16.

At 1240A/16, HMS Mauritius came under fire from enemy batteries. Shells landed close by. HMS Mauritius withdrew to seaward.

At 1335A/16, HMS Mauritius closed the land to resume a position for bombardment duties.

At 1355A/16, HMS Mauritius opened fire on enemy motor transport on the coastal road to the east of Formia. Fire was ceased at 1435A/16.

At 1443A/16, HMS Mauritius again came under fire by an enemy shore battery but the ememy failed to get the range.

At 1538A/16, fire was opened on enemy gun positions near Gaeta. At 1620A/16, fire was ceased.

At 1645A/16, HMS Mauritius proceeded to seaward to proceed to Pozzuoli Bay where she dropped anchor shortly before 1830A/16. She proceeded to Naples the following day. (117)

18 Feb 1944
Around 0555A/18, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) departed Naples for the operation zone off Formia.

At 0758A/18, she arrived in the operations area.

At 0950A/18, she opened fire on enemy gun positions near Formia.

At 1015A/18, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) came under fairly accurate enemy fire from a shore battery and she withdrew to seaward.

At 1105A/18, the bombardment was resumed for 10 minutes. On completion of this bombardment course was set for Anzio.

At 1128A/18, an enemy battery opened fire but it failed to find the range.

At 1615A/18, HMS Mauritius opened fire on a building in Anzio suspected of being a German headquarters. Fire was ceased after 20 minutes. The forward observer had reported direct hits on the target.

At 1640A/18, HMS Mauritius withdrew from the Anzio area.

At 1800A/18, HMS Grenville (Capt. H.P. Henderson, RN) and HMS Inglefield (A/Cdr. C.F.H. Churchill, DSC, RN) joined company for an anti-shipping sweep to the northward of 41°30'N but they sighted nothing.

At 0815A/19, the destroyers parted company with the cruiser.

HMS Mauritius dropped anchor in Naples Bay at 0915A/19. (117)

3 Mar 1944
Around 0430A/3, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) departed Naples for the operation zone off Anzio.

At 0535A/3, HMS Mauritius was joined by HMS Atherstone (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Wood, DSC, RNVR) and HMS Exmoor (Lt. D.D. Howson, RN) and formed a screen.

At 0630A/3, USS Hilary P. Jones (T/Cdr. F.M. Stiesberg, USN) joined the screen.

At 1045A/3, HMS Mauritius commenced a bombardment of an enemy ammunition dump. USS Hilary P. Jones and HMS Atherstone covered the cruiser with smoke while HMS Exmoor conducted A/S patrol on the seaward side.

At 1110A/3, HMS Mauritius ceased fire.

At 1120A/3, HMS Mauritius opened fire on enemy gun positions. Fire was ceased after 12 minutes.

At 1140A/3, HMS Mauritius opened fire on other enemy gun positions. Fire was ceased after 8 minutes.

At 1158A/3, HMS Mauritius opened fire on an enemy shore battery. Fire was ceased after 12 minutes.

At 1414A/3, HMS Mauritius opened fire on enemy gun positions. Fire was ceased after 14 minutes.

At 1437A/3, HMS Mauritius opened fire on an enemy shore battery. Fire was ceased after 16 minutes.

At 1500A/3, HMS Mauritius opened fire on the town of Ardea. Fire was ceased after 18 minutes.

At 1526A/3, HMS Mauritius opened fire on an enemy troop concentration. Fire was ceased after 22 minutes.

At 1555A/3, HMS Mauritius opened fire on an enemy gun position. Fire was ceased after 10 minutes.

At 1609A/3, HMS Mauritius came under inaccurate enemy fire from the shore.

At 1622A/3, HMS Mauritius and her screening destroyers retired to seaward after which course was set for Naples where they arrived shortly before 2230A/3. (119)

11 Mar 1944
Around 1830A/11, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) departed Naples for Malta. (119)

12 Mar 1944
Around 0950A/12, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) arrived at Malta from Naples. On arrival she immediately entered No.4 graving dock at the Malta Dockyard. She was docked down the following day. (119)

28 Mar 1944
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) is undocked. (119)

30 Mar 1944
Around 0545A/30, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) departed Malta for Algiers.

HMS Mauritius is to proceed to the U.K. for a short refit during which the main focus was to be to update her radar outfit. (119)

31 Mar 1944
Around 1000A/31, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) arrived at Algiers from Malta. (119)

1 Apr 1944
Around 0005A/1, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) departed Algiers for Gibraltar where she arrived around 2135A/1. (120)

2 Apr 1944
Around 0130A/2, the light cruiser HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) departed Gibraltar for Sheerness proceeding through the Irish Sea, Minches and then down the east coast of thee U.K.

Around 0600B/7, she was joined by the escort destroyer HMS Cattistock (Lt. R.G.D. Keddie, DSC, RN).

Around 0930B/7, HMS Cattistock developed engine trouble. She came alongside half an hour later to transfer some officers and then parted company.

Around 1500B/7, the destroyer HMS Windsor (Lt. L.R.P. Lawford, DSC, RN) joined company.

Around 1520B/7, HMS Windsor parted company.

Around 1630B/7, HMS Mauritius arrived at Sheerness. (120)

9 Apr 1944
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) proceeded from Sheerness to the Chatham Dockyard where she was taken in hand for a short refit the following day. (120)

11 May 1944
With her short refit completed HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) proceeded from the Chatham Dockyard to Sheerness. (121)

12 May 1944
Around 0530B/12, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) departed Sheerness for Scapa Flow. She is escorted until 1745A/12 by HMS Fernie (Lt. J.A. Tricker, RN).

HMS Mauritius arrived at Scapa Flow the following morning and then carried out gunnery exercises in the flow on completion of which she immediately departed for Greenock. (121)

14 May 1944
Around 1045B/14, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) arrived at Greenock. On arrival D/G trials were carried out off Helensburg.

On the arrival of HMS Mauritius, Rear-Admiral W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN, transferred his flag from HMS Warspite (Capt. M.H.A. Kelsey, DSC, RN) to HMS Mauritius. (121)

16 May 1944
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN) conducted bombardment exercises in the Clyde area. (121)

17 May 1944
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN) conducted bombardment exercises in the Clyde area. (121)

17 May 1944
HMS Shalimar (Lt. W.G. Meeke, DSC, MBE, RN) conducted night attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN) served as the target The cruiser was out on bombardment exercises. On completion of these exercises HMS Shalimar proceeded to Campbeltown. (122)

18 May 1944
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN) conducted bombardment exercises in the Clyde area on completion of which she set course for Scapa Flow. (121)

19 May 1944
Around 1745B/19, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from the Clyde. Before entering AA gunnery exercises were carried out. (121)

20 May 1944
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN) conducted exercises at and later off Scapa Flow. (121)

21 May 1944
Around 1625A/21, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Greenock. (121)

22 May 1944
Around 0950A/22, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN) arrived at Greenock from Scapa Flow. (121)

24 May 1944
Around 1745B/24, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) and HMS Arethusa (Capt. H. Dalrymple-Smith, RN) arrived at Greenock from Scapa Flow. Before arrival manoeuvring exercises were carried out in the Clyde with HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN) and HMS Danae (Capt. J.R.S. Haines, RN). (123)

26 May 1944
During the night of 26/27 May 1944, the battleships HMS Warspite (Capt. M.H.A. Kelsey, DSC, RN), HMS Ramillies (Capt. G.B. Middleton, CBE, RN), heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) and light cruisers HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN), HMS Arethusa (Capt. H. Dalrymple-Smith, RN), HMS Danae (Capt. J.R.S. Haines, RN) and ORP Dragon (Kmdr.por. (Cdr.) S.T. Dzienisiewicz) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Saumarez (Capt. P.G.L. Cazalet, DSC, RN), HMS Swift (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Gower, RN), HNoMS Stord (Lt.Cdr. S.V. Storheill) and the frigates HMS Holmes (Lt. D.B.G. Dumas, RN) and HMS Rowley (Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Jones, RD, RNR). (124)

29 May 1944
During the night of 29/30 May 1944, the battleships HMS Rodney (Capt. R.O. Fitzroy, RN), HMS Warspite (Capt. M.H.A. Kelsey, DSC, RN), heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN), light cruisers HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN), HMS Arethusa (Capt. H. Dalrymple-Smith, RN), HMS Danae (Capt. J.R.S. Haines, RN), ORP Dragon (Kmdr.por. (Cdr.) S.T. Dzienisiewicz) and escorts and minesweepers [identity not known to us at the moment] conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (125)

31 May 1944
HMS Upshot (Lt. H.W. Wilkinson, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.D. O'Driscoll, RNR) and later with HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN). These last exercises also included night exercises. (126)

2 Jun 1944
Around 1930B/2, ' Bombardment Force D ', made up of the battleships HMS Warspite (Capt. M.H.A. Kelsey, DSC, RN), HMS Ramillies (Capt. G.B. Middleton, CBE, RN), heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN), light cruisers HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN), HMS Arethusa (Capt. H. Dalrymple-Smith, RN), HMS Danae (Capt. J.R.S. Haines, RN), ORP Dragon (Kmdr.por. (Cdr.) S.T. Dzienisiewicz), destroyers HMS Saumarez (Capt. P.G.L. Cazalet, DSC, RN), HMS Swift (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Gower, RN), HNoMS Stord (Lt.Cdr. S.V. Storheill), HNoMS Svenner (Lt.Cdr. T. Holte), frigates HMS Holmes (Lt. D.B.G. Dumas, RN), HMS Rowley (Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Jones, RD, RNR) and minesweepers HMS Catherine (A/Cdr. L.C. Windsor, RN), HMS Cato (Lt. R.W.E. Harris, RN), HMS Combatant (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) G.L. Barwell, RN), HMS Gazelle (Lt. J.D. Sutcliffe, RN), HMS Gorgon (T/A/Lt.Cdr. F. Mugford, RNR), HMS Grecian (A/Cdr.(Emgy.) C.D.A. Irvine, RN), HMS Pique (T/Lt. W.J.C. Fuller, RNR) and HMS Steadfast (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R. Mowbray, RNR) departed the Clyde for operation Neptune, the landings in Normandy, France.

6 Jun 1944
Around 0515B/6, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN) arrived in her assigned position just to the east of Sword Beach.

Shortly after arrival enemy ships were seen to the eastward and at 0530B/6, HMS Mauritius opened fire on them. This were the German torpedo boats T 28, Möwe and Jaguar which had fired torpedoes into the operations area. They later returned to Le Havre.

At 0818B/6, fire was opened on enemy infantry. A total of 11 rounds were fired.

At 0904B/6, fire was opened. This was an area bombardment in which 42 rounds were fired.

At 1730B/6, fire was opened on enemy troops. A total of 26 rounds were fired.

At 1944B/6, fire was opened on enemy troops. A total of 150 rounds were fired.

At 2136B/6, fire was opened. This was an area bombardment in which 84 rounds were fired.

At 2235B/6, HMS Mauritius anchored for the night. (127)

7 Jun 1944
Around 0555B/7, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN) weighed anchor and got underway for bombardment duties in the Sword area.

Around 1110B/7, HMS Mauritius anchored in the Sword Area.

At 1541B/7, fire was opened on a shore target. A total of 38 rounds were fired.

At 1611B/7, fire was opened on a shore target. A total of 4 rounds were fired.

At 1626B/7, fire was opened on a shore target. A total of 42 rounds were fired.

At 1731B/7, fire was opened on a shore target. A total of 11 rounds were fired.

At 1800B/7, fire was opened on a shore target. A total of 15 rounds were fired.

At 2025B/7, fire was opened on a shore target (machine gun nests). A total of 114 rounds were fired.

At 2107B/7, fire was opened. This was an area bombardment in which 41 rounds were fired.

At 2115B/7, anchor was weighed and HMS Mauritius proceeded to her night anchorage in the Sword Area where she dropped anchor at 2140B/7.

At 2247B/7, fire was opened. This was an area bombardment in which 37 rounds were fired. (128)

8 Jun 1944
Around 0955B/8, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN) weighed one anchor and pointed the ship for bombardment duties in the Sword area.

At 1130B/8, fire was opened on enemy troops. A total of 19 rounds were fired.

At 1200B/8, fire was opened on enemy troops. A total of 118 rounds were fired.

At 1317B/8, fire was opened on enemy infantry and machine gun nests. A total of 21 rounds were fired.

At 1710B/8, HMS Mauritius weighed anchor and got underway to provide cover for minesweepers operating near Le Havre. German shore batteries did not open fire.

At 2057B/8, anchored for the night in the Sword Area. (128)

9 Jun 1944
Around 0835B/9, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN) weighed anchor and got underway to take up another position in the Sword Area. She anchored in this new position at 0850B/9.

At 0856B/9, fire was opened. This was an area bombardment in which 42 rounds were fired.

At 0904B/9, fire was opened. This was an area bombardment in which 42 rounds were fired.

At 0913B/9, fire was opened. This was an area bombardment in which 42 rounds were fired.

At 1150B/9, fire was opened. This was an area bombardment in which 21 rounds were fired.

At 1157B/9, fire was opened. This was an area bombardment in which 26 rounds were fired.

At 1439B/9, fire was opened on enemy troops. A total of 22 rounds were fired.

At 2107B/9, HMS Mauritius weighed anchor and got underway for a new position in the Caen Roads where she anchored around 2122B/9. (128)

10 Jun 1944
Around 0950B/10, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN) weighed anchor and got underway to take up another position in the Sword Area. She anchored in this new position at 1005B/10.

No bombardments were carried out during the day.

At 2010B/10, HMS Mauritius weighed anchor and shifted position. She anchored in this new position at 2028B/10.

At 2215B/10, HMS Mauritius went to action stations and one minute later she weighed anchor and got underway to intercept two enemy destroyers reported to have left Le Havre. No contact was however made and it was thought that the enemy had returned to Le Havre. [no enemy destroyers / torpedo boats were however in the area at this time.] Enemy motor torpedo boats did depart Le Havre that evening but only later.

At 2350B/10, HMS Mauritius anchored again in the anchorage in the Sword Area. (128)

11 Jun 1944
Around 0815B/11, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN) weighed anchor and got underway to take up another position in the Sword Area. She anchored in this new position at 0827B/11.

At 1900B/11, fire was opened on enemy troops. A total of 25 rounds were fired.

At 2030B/11, HMS Mauritius weighed anchor and got underway for a new position in the Sword Area where she anchored at 2045B/11. HMS Mauritius remained in this position on the 12th which was a quiet day during which no bombardments were carried out. (128)

13 Jun 1944
At 0025B/13, a lone enemy aircraft dropped a stick of bombs near HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN). Some superficial damage was sustained from splinters. At 1109B/13, fire was opened on enemy troops. A total of 17 rounds were fired.

At 1140B/13, fire was opened on enemy infantry. A total of 47 rounds were fired.

At 1519B/13, fire was opened on an enemy building. A total of 67 rounds were fired.

At 1657B/13, fire was opened on enemy infantry. A total of 18 rounds were fired.

At 1913B/13, fire was opened on an enemy building. A total of 46 rounds were fired.

At 2018B/13, fire was opened. This was an area bombardment in which 42 rounds were fired. (128)

14 Jun 1944
At 1139B/14, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN) opened fire on an enemy building. A total of 22 rounds were fired.

At 1227B/14, fire was opened on enemy troops. A total of 16 rounds were fired.

At 1614B/14, fire was opened on an enemy building. A total of 32 rounds were fired.

At 1649B/14, fire was opened on enemy buildings, guns and mortars. A total of 15 rounds were fired.

At 1750B/14, fire was opened on enemy buildings, guns and mortars. A total of 15 rounds were fired.

At 1825B/14, fire was opened on an enemy headquarters. A total of 22 rounds were fired.

At 1841B/14, fire was opened on an enemy headquarters. A total of 34 rounds were fired.

At 1951B/14, fire was opened on a crossroads. A total of 8 rounds were fired.

At 2003B/14, fire was opened on a village. A total of 7 rounds were fired.

At 2053B/14, fire was opened on an enemy headquarters. A total of 15 rounds were fired.

At 2123B/14, fire was opened on an enemy headquarters. A total of 9 rounds were fired.

At 2240B/14, HMS Mauritius weighed anchor and got underway for the Juno area where she anchored around 2330B/14. (128)

15 Jun 1944
At 0020B/15, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN) weighed anchor to return to the Sword Area where she anchored around 0140B/15.

At 1021B/15, fire was opened on enemy troops. A total of 31 rounds were fired.

At 1205B/15, fire was opened. This was an area bombardment in which 36 rounds were fired.

At 1345B/15, Rear-Admiral W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN, temporary transferred to HMS Ajax (Capt. J.J. Weld, MVO, RN).

At 1400B/15, HMS Mauritius departed the Sword Area for Spithead where she arrived around 1830B/15 to re-ammunition which was completed by 0700B/16. She also fuelled. (128)

16 Jun 1944
Around 1445B/16, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) departed Spithead for the Sword Area.

Around 1905B/16, HMS Mauritius anchored in the Sword Area.

Around 2000B/16, Rear-Admiral W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN, transferred from HMS Ajax (Capt. J.J. Weld, MVO, RN) to HMS Mauritius. (128)

17 Jun 1944
At 1225B/17, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN) opened fire on enemy guns. A total of 8 rounds were fired.

At 1516B/17, fire was opened on enemy guns. A total of 19 rounds were fired.

At 1704B/17, fire was opened on enemy guns. A total of 35 rounds were fired.

At 1748B/17, fire was opened on enemy troops. A total of 46 rounds were fired.

At 1818B/17, fire was opened on enemy guns. A total of 41 rounds were fired. (128)

18 Jun 1944
At 0755B/18, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN) weighed anchor and proceeded to a position off Ouistreham where she dropped anchor around 0844B/18.

At 0921B/18, fire was opened on enemy troops. A total of 15 rounds were fired.

At 1030B/18, fire was opened on enemy guns. A total of 20 rounds were fired.

At 1225B/18, fire was opened. This was an area bombardment in which 28 rounds were fired.

At 1350B/18, fire was opened on enemy troops. A total of 18 rounds were fired.

At 1438B/18, fire was opened on enemy guns. A total of 17 rounds were fired.

At 1513B/18, fire was opened on enemy guns. A total of 25 rounds were fired.

Around 1950B/18, HMS Mauritius weighed anchor and got underway to proceed to the Juno Area.

Around 2055B/18, HMS Mauritius dropped anchor in the Juno Area. (128)

21 Jun 1944
Around 1215B/21, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN) and HMS Ajax (Capt. J.J. Weld, MVO, RN) departed the operations area for Spithead where they arrived shortly after 1700B/21.

At 1800B/21, Rear-Admiral W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN, struck his flag and he and his staff then left HMS Mauritius. (128)

18 Jul 1944
Around 0200B/18, HMS Enterprise (Capt. A.T.G.C. Peachey, DSO, RN) and HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) departed Spithead for the coastal area near Caen. Apparently HNoMS Stord (Lt.Cdr. H. Øi), which had completed repairs at Portsmouth, was in company.

Shortly before noon the cruisers, together with HMS Roberts (A/Capt.(Retd.) R.E.C. Dunbar, RN) and LCI(G)'s opened fire on enemy targets in the Caen area in support of the army.

Support was given throughout the day in various bombardments. (129)

19 Jul 1944
In the evening, HMS Enterprise (Capt. A.T.G.C. Peachey, DSO, RN) and HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) carried out bombardments of enemy targets in the Caen area in support of the army.

On completion of her bombardment duties HMS Mauritius departed the area to proceed to Spithead where she arrived around 0610B/20. (129)

26 Jul 1944
Around 0840B/26, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) departed Spithead for Portland where she arrived around 1615B/26. En-route full power trials and 4" HA gunnery exercises had been carried out. (130)

27 Jul 1944
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Portland. (130)

28 Jul 1944
Around 1530B/28, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) departed Portland for Spithead where she arrived around 1850B/28. En-route and anti E-boat exercise was carried out. (130)

2 Aug 1944
Around 0830B/2, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) departed Spithead for Portland where she arrived around 1600B/2. Before entering harbour gunnery exercises were carried out. (131)

3 Aug 1944
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) conducted 4" HA gunnery and torpedo firing exercises off Portland. (131)

4 Aug 1944
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) conducted 4" HA gunnery exercises off Portland on completion of which she proceeded to Spithead where she arrived around 1430B/4. (131)

11 Aug 1944
Around 1625B/11, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) departed Spithead for Plymouth where she arrived around 2230B/11. (131)

13 Aug 1944
Around 1100B/13, Force 27, made up of the light cruiser HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) and the destroyers HMS Ursa (Cdr. D.B. Wyburd, DSC, RN) and HMCS Iroquois (Cdr. J.C. Hibbard DSC, RCN) departed Plymouth for patrol in the Bay of Biscay along the French coast from Chausse de Sein reef (near Brest) to the Gironde.

During the night of 13/14 August, Force 27 carried out a sweep from Belle Ile to Les Sables-d'Olonne. Only one fishing vessel was encountered. At daylight they altered their patrol to between position 47°00'N, 03°20'W and Roche Bonne. By 2300B/14, Force 27 had closed the Gironde estuary, sweeping towards Ile d'Yeu during the night.

At 0245B/15, an enemy convoy, made up of one destroyer or torpedo boat, one medium sized merchant ship, one small merchant ship and possibly one minesweeper was engaged to the south of Les Sables-d'Olonne. One merchant ship was driven ashore but the remainder of the convoy, though well shot up, escaped into La Pallice. [The logbook of HMS Mauritius mentions that at this time two ships were engaged.]

When both inside and outside the Pertius Breton, Force 27, came under continuous and fairly accurate fire from a coastal battery.

At 0510B/15, another ship described as a small tanker was heavily damaged and driven ashore just north of Les Sables-d'Olonne.

About an hour and a half later Force 27 engaged a convoy made up of a Sperrbrecher, a medium sized merchant ship and two M-class minesweepers.

The action lasted until 0750B/15 at which time some of the enemy had been driven ashore and all were on fire.

Force 27 continued to patrol throughout the day between Ile d'Yeu and Ile de Glenan subsequently searching the area from Penmarch to Ile d'Yeu during the night but nothing was sighted.

At 1047B/16, Force 27 reported having seen nothing during their night patrol between Belle Ile and Ile d'Yeu. a small calibre coast battery had been engaged at 1000B/16 and return fire was silenced.

At 1100B/16, Force 27 left patrol to return to Plymouth where they arrived around 0630B/17.

The ships encountered at 0245B/15 were the German torpedo boat T 24 and the seaplane tender Richthofen which escaped with damage.

The ships encountered around 0700B/15 were the minesweepers M 275, M 385, Sperrbrecher 157. During the action M 385 was sunk and Sperrbrecher 157 was beached. M 275 escaped with damage. (132)

20 Aug 1944
Around 1600B/20, Force 27, made up of the light cruiser HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) and the destroyers HMS Ursa (Cdr. D.B. Wyburd, DSC, RN) and HMCS Iroquois (Cdr. J.C. Hibbard DSC, RCN) departed Plymouth for patrol in the Bay of Biscay along the French coast from Ile d'Yeu to the Gironde.

During 21 August 1944, Force 27 extended their patrol as far south as Arcachon (Cap Ferret) in the hope of intercepting shipping between the Gironde and Bayonne but they sighted nothing. In the evening when they were back north a small calibre shore battery near Les Sables-d'Olonne opened up an ineffective fire on them.

On 22 August 1944, Force 27 continued their patrol passing through position 47°48'N, 04°32'W at 2200B/22 and then proceeded on a sweep in Audierne Bay until daylight on 23 August 1944.

During the sweep, at 0205B/23, they encountered enemy vessels thought to be a flak ship, a M-class minesweeper and a small merchant vessel. They were all sunk.

By 0310B/23, more ships had been encountered and it was thought one medium and one small merchant ship had been sunk as well as a minesweeper and two flak ships.

During the engagement Force 27 had also been fired upon by enemy shore batteries but no damage was done to any of HM ships.

The ships engaged by Force 27 were seven auxiliary patrol vessels from the 7th VP Flotilla on passage from Brest to the southwards. All were sunk (or beached ?) during the engagement, the ships in question were; V 702, V 714, V 717, V 720, V 721, V 729 and V 730.

At 1615B/23, HMS Ursa, which had on board 12 POW's as well as captured charts and other documents was detached to Plymouth where she arrived around 2215B/23.

The remainder of Force 27 (HMS Mauritius and HMCS Iroquois) then resumed patrol in Audierne Bay but by 1915B/23 they had seen nothing and course was set to return to Plymouth where they arrived at 0630B/24. (132)

25 Aug 1944
Around 2030B/25, Force 27, made up of the light cruiser HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) and the destroyers HMCS Iroquois (Cdr. J.C. Hibbard DSC, RCN) and HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. R.M.W. MacFarlan, RN) departed Plymouth for patrol in the Bay of Biscay between Arcachon and 47°00'N.

During the night of 25/26 August they encountered nothing between Ile d'Yeu and the Gironde. From daylight they swept northward from Cap Ferret, again finding no sign of the enemy. A shore battery (from approximate position 45°25'N, 01°09'W) fired on them but no damage was sustained.

At 1400B/26, they closed Ile d'Yeu to find French flags flying from all buildings. Force 27 investigated and found out that the German garrison of about 600 strong had been evacuated the previous day. A small party with a W/T set was then landed by HMCS Iroquois.

The area between Ile d'Yeu and the Gironde was patrolled during the forenoon. Again nothing was sighted from the enemy. During the night of 26/27 Force 27 patrolled between Ile d'Yeu and Les Sables-d'Olonne after which they proceeded to patrol in / off Audierne Bay where they also patrolled during the night of 28/29 August. Again nothing was sighted and course was set for Plymouth at daylight on the 29th.

Force 27 arrived at Plymouth around 1430B/29. (132)

30 Aug 1944
Around 1015B/30, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) departed Plymouth for Spithead where she arrived around 1645B/30. (131)

31 Aug 1944
Rear-Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN, hoisted his flag in HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN). (131)

5 Sep 1944
Rear-Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN, struck his flag no board HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN). (3)

6 Sep 1944
Around 0045B/6, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) departed Spithead for Plymouth where she arrived around 0930B/6. (133)

11 Sep 1944
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) is docked at the Devonport Dockyard. (133)

14 Sep 1944
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) is undocked. (133)

20 Sep 1944
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) conducted gunnery and torpedo firing exercises off Plymouth. (133)

21 Sep 1944
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) conducted 4" HA and close range AA gunnery as well as torpedo firing exercises off Plymouth. (133)

27 Sep 1944
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Plymouth. (133)

28 Sep 1944
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) conducted 4" HA and close range AA gunnery exercises off Plymouth. (133)

4 Oct 1944
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) conducted gunnery and torpedo firing exercises off Plymouth. (134)

12 Oct 1944
During 12/13 October 1944, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) conducted gexercises off Plymouth with destroyers. (134)

16 Oct 1944
Around 0840A/16, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) departed Plymouth for Scapa Flow. (134)

17 Oct 1944
Around 1430A/17, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from Plymouth. (134)

24 Oct 1944

Operation Athletic

Around 1000A/24, the aircraft carrier HMS Implacable (Capt. L.D. Mackintosh, DSO, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral H.R. Moore, KCB, CVO, DSO, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet), light cruiser HMS Mauritius (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) and the destroyers HMS Myngs (Capt. M.L. Power, CBE, RN), HMS Venus (Cdr. H.G.D. De Chair, DSC with Bar, RN), HMS Verulam ( Lt.Cdr. M Thornton, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Volage (Cdr. L.G. Durlacher, OBE, RN), HMCS Algonquin (Lt.Cdr. D.W. Piers, DSC, RCN) and HMCS Sioux (A/Lt.Cdr. E.E.G. Boak, RCN) departed Scapa Flow for this operation.

Between 0810A/26 and 0840A/26, HMS Implacable launched air strikes to attack German shipping between Rorvik and Bodo. They returned around 1010A/26.

Around 1430A/26, more air strikes were flown off. They returned around 1620A/26.

Around 0950A/27, more air strikes were flown off. They returned around 1120A/27.

Around 0800A/28, more air strikes were flown off. They returned around 0920A/28.

Around 1315A/28, more air strikes were flown off. They returned around 1435A/28.

The force returned to Scapa Flow around 0900A/30. Shortly afterwards the Commander-in-Chief Home Fleet, Vice-Admiral H.R. Moore, KCB, CVO, DSO, RN, struck his flag in HMS Implacable and hoisted it in HMS Rodney (Capt. R.O. Fitzroy, RN).

During these attacks the following damage was inflicted on the enemy;
On the 26th, the seaplane tender Karl Meyer was attacked near Rorvik in position 63°03'N, 11°34'E. She was subsequently driven on the rocks and destroyed by fire. The small Norwegian vessel Baerum (208 GRT) was sunk in this area.

On the 27th, the German minesweeper M 433 which was escorting the U-boat U-1060 were attacked twice. The end result was that the M 433 was sunk and that the U-boat was driven ashore after having been heavily damaged. Position of the sinking was to the south-west of Bronnoysund.

Also the landing barges F 235 and F 236 were damaged in the Sandnessjoen area.

On the 28th, the Norwegian merchant vessel Karmoy (2498 GRT, built 1921) was sunk near Lodingen. (135)

2 Nov 1944
HMS Mauritius (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) conducted gunnery, torpedo firing and underway refuelling exercises at Scapa Flow. (134)

9 Nov 1944
Around 1800A/9, HMS Mauritius (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Greenock. (134)

10 Nov 1944
Around 1430A/10, HMS Mauritius (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) arrived at Greenock from Scapa Flow. (134)

13 Nov 1944
HMS Mauritius (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) conducted bombardment exercises in the Clyde area. (134)

14 Nov 1944
HMS Mauritius (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) conducted bombardment exercises in the Clyde area. (134)

15 Nov 1944
HMS Mauritius (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) conducted bombardment exercises in the Clyde area. (134)

16 Nov 1944
HMS Mauritius (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) conducted bombardment exercises in the Clyde area. (134)

17 Nov 1944
HMS Mauritius (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) conducted bombardment exercises in the Clyde area. (134)

19 Nov 1944
Around 1530A/19, HMS Mauritius (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) departed Greenock for Scapa Flow. (134)

20 Nov 1944
Around 1130A/20, HMS Mauritius (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from Greenock. Before entering 4" gunnery exercises were carried out. (134)

22 Nov 1944
Around 2100A/22, HMS Mauritius (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Rosyth. (134)

23 Nov 1944
Around 0830A/23, HMS Mauritius (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) arrived at Rosyth from Scapa Flow for some repairs and to give leave to the crew. (134)

10 Dec 1944
Around 2200A/10, HMS Mauritius (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) departed Rosyth for Scapa Flow. (134)

11 Dec 1944
Around 0915A/11, HMS Mauritius (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from Rosyth. (134)

12 Dec 1944
HMS Diadem (Capt. E.G.A. Clifford, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral F.H.G. Dalrymple-Hamilton, KCB, RN) and HMS Mauritius (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (136)

13 Dec 1944
HMS Norfolk (Capt. J.G.Y. Loveband, RN) and HMS Newfoundland (Capt. R.W. Ravenhill, CBE, DSC, RN) conduced RIX (rangefinding and inclination) exercises off Scapa Flow.

Following these exercises HMS Newfoundland served as target during attack exercises by the submarine HMS Trusty (Lt. J.P. Fyfe, DSC, RN). These were carried out around noon.

Later in the afternoon aircraft made dummy attacs on HMS Newfoundland.

HMS Norfolk was meanwhile joined by HMS Diadem (Capt. E.G.A. Clifford, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral F.H.G. Dalrymple-Hamilton, KCB, RN) and HMS Mauritius (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) for more exercises.

Earlier in the day, HMS Mauritius had conducted turning trials. (137)

14 Dec 1944
HMS Mauritius (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) conducted turning trials at Scapa Flow. (134)

18 Dec 1944
HMS Diadem (Capt. E.G.A. Clifford, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral F.H.G. Dalrymple-Hamilton, KCB, RN) and HMS Mauritius (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) conducted bombardment exercises off Scapa Flow. (136)

20 Dec 1944

Operation Fretsaw.

The object of this operation was to destroy enemy shipping in the Stadlandet area and to disturb enemy convoy arrangements.

Two Force's were deployed for this operation; ' Force 3 ' was to conduct the actual raid and cover was provided by ' Force 4 '.

Around 1500A/20, ' Force 3 ', made up of the light cruisers HMS Diadem (Capt. E.G.A. Clifford, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral F.H.G. Dalrymple-Hamilton, KCB, RN), HMS Mauritius (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) and the destroyers HMS Myngs (Capt. P.G.L. Cazalet, DSC, RN), HMS Savage (Lt.Cdr. C.W. Malins, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMCS Sioux (A/Lt.Cdr. E.E.G. Boak, RCN) departed Scapa Flow.

Around 1100A/21, ' Force 4 ', made up of the heavy cruiser HMS Norfolk (Capt. J.G.Y. Loveband, RN), escort carrier HMS Trumpeter (Cdr. K.S. Colquhoun, RN) and the destroyers HMS Zealous (Cdr. R.F. Jessel, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Scorpion (Cdr. C.W. McMullen, DSC, RN), HMS Serapis (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN), HMS Obedient (Lt.Cdr. H. Unwin, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Orwell (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Gower, RN) departed Scapa Flow.

' Force 3 ' conducted an anti-shipping sweep through the Stadlandet area during the night of 22/23 December but no enemy shipping was encountered.

' Force 3 ' returned to Scapa Flow around 1545A/23.

' Force 4 ' returned to Scapa Flow around 1900A/23. (138)

28 Dec 1944
HMS Mauritius (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) conducted refuelling at sea exercises off Scapa Flow. (134)

31 Dec 1944
HMS Mauritius (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) conducted refuelling at sea exercises off Scapa Flow. (134)

3 Jan 1945
HrMs Zeehond (Lt.Cdr. Baron D.T. Mackay, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Scapa Flow with HMS Mauritius (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) and HMS Apollo (Capt. J.A. Grindle, CBE, RN). (139)

4 Jan 1945
Around 1245A/4, HMS Mauritius (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Greenock. (140)

5 Jan 1945
Around 0930A/5, HMS Mauritius (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) arrived at Greenock from Scapa Flow. (140)

8 Jan 1945
HMS Mauritius (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) conducted bombardment exercises in the Clyde area. (140)

9 Jan 1945
HMS Mauritius (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) conducted bombardment exercises in the Clyde area. (140)

11 Jan 1945
HMS Mauritius (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) conducted bombardment exercises in the Clyde area. (140)

12 Jan 1945
HMS Mauritius (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) conducted bombardment exercises in the Clyde area. (140)

14 Jan 1945
Around 1300A/14, HMS Mauritius (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) departed Greenock for Hvalfjord, Iceland where stores were to be loaded. On departure from Greenock torpedo firing exercises were carried out. (140)

16 Jan 1945
Around 1745A/16, HMS Mauritius (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) arrived at Hvalfjord from Greenock. (140)

18 Jan 1945
Around 1035A/18, HMS Mauritius (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) departed Hvalfjord for Greenock. (140)

20 Jan 1945
Around 1200A/20, HMS Mauritius (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) arrived at Greenock from Hvalfjord. (140)

21 Jan 1945
Around 1435A/21, HMS Mauritius (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) departed Greenock for Scapa Flow. (140)

22 Jan 1945
Around 0830A/22, HMS Mauritius (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from Greenock. (140)

24 Jan 1945
HMS Trusty (Lt. J.P. Fyfe, DSC, RN) conducts exercises off Scapa Flow with HMS Mauritius (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) and two destroyers.

HMS Mauritius had earlier been carrying out turning trials. (141)

27 Jan 1945

Operation Halfback.

The object of this operation was to intercept three German destroyers proceeding from Norway to the Baltic.

Intercepted German signals showed that three of their large destroyers were to be redeployed from Norway to the Baltic.

To intercept them the light cruisers HMS Diadem (Capt. E.G.A. Clifford, RN, flying the flag and HMS Mauritius (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) departed Scapa Flow around 1340A/27.

At 0015A/28, the enemy was detected to the west of the Sognefjord and at 0055A/28 the cruisers opened fire on the enemy. The leading destroyer, which was the Z 31 was hit at least seven times. Her forward turret was out of action and burnt out. The enemy returned fire one minute later and at 0106A/28, the two other enemy destroyers, which were the Z 34 and Z 38, fired torpedoes. The cruisers then had to comb the tracks to evade these torpedoes. The Germans retired towards the coast at high speed.

At 0127A/27, HMS Mauritius was hit on the port side forward on the messdeck near 'B' turret. There were no casualties.

At 0220A/27, the cruisers had to break off the action as the Germans had retired into the Aspo Fjord under the cover of coastal batteries. Course was set to return to Scapa Flow where the cruisers arrived around 1450A/28.

At 0133A/27, HMS Diadem was hit on the boat deck abaft the fore funnel and sustained some light damage but one crewmember was killed and three were wounded.

Z 34 and Z 38, which had only sustained minor damage, managed to break through the following night. (142)

31 Jan 1945
HMS Mauritius (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) conducting turning trials off Scapa Flow. (140)

6 Feb 1945
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) conducted torpedo firing exercises, oiling at sea exercises with the RFA tanker Blue Ranger (3417 GRT, built 1941), full speed trials and manoeuvring exercises at Scapa Flow.

Also underway towing exercises were carried out with HMS Mauritius (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN). (143)

13 Feb 1945
HMS Mauritius (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (144)

14 Feb 1945
HMS Mauritius (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (144)

20 Feb 1945
HMS Mauritius (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) conducted gunnery exercises and full power trials at Scapa Flow. (144)

23 Feb 1945
Around 1015A/23, HMS Mauritius (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Liverpool. (144)

24 Feb 1945
Around 1100A/24, HMS Mauritius (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) arrived at Liverpool from Scapa Flow.

At Liverpool she was then taken in hand for a major refit which was only completed in March 1946. (144)

Sources

1. ADM 53/112692
2. ADM 53/112692 + ADM 199/376
3. ADM 199/2561
4. ADM 53/114758 + ADM 199/2561
5. ADM 53/114793
6. ADM 53/114975
7. ADM 53/114198 + ADM 53/114793
8. ADM 53/115025
9. ADM 53/114501
10. ADM 53/113709 + ADM 53/114199 + ADM 53/114794
11. ADM 53/114759
12. ADM 53/114976
13. ADM 53/113602
14. ADM 199/1136
15. ADM 199/745 + ADM 199/1143
16. ADM 53/114637
17. ADM 53/114637 + ADM 199/394
18. ADM 199/658 + ADM 199/745 + ADM 199/1143
19. ADM 53/114638
20. ADM 199/1138
21. ADM 199/414 + ADM 199/656
22. ADM 53/114639 + ADM 199/394 + ADM 199/1138
23. ADM 53/114639
24. ADM 53/114640
25. ADM 199/408 + ADM 199/682
26. ADM 53/114641
27. ADM 53/113959 + ADM 53/114641
28. ADM 53/114641 + ADM 199/408
29. ADM 53/113591 + ADM 53/114642 + ADM 199/408
30. ADM 53/114642
31. ADM 53/113592 + ADM 53/114642
32. ADM 53/114643 + ADM 199/408
33. ADM 53/114643
34. ADM 53/114237 + ADM 53/114410 + + ADM 53/114643 + ADM 199/408
35. ADM 53/114237 + ADM 53/114375 + ADM 53/114410 + ADM 53/114643 + ADM 199/408
36. ADM 53/114644
37. ADM 53/114645
38. ADM 53/114646
39. ADM 53/116235
40. ADM 53/116236
41. ADM 53/116237
42. ADM 173/17283
43. ADM 53/116160 + ADM 53/116237
44. ADM 53/116161 + ADM 53/116238
45. ADM 53/116238
46. ADM 53/116238 + ADM 53/116350
47. ADM 199/1211
48. ADM 199/647 + ADM 199/1211
49. ADM 53/116239
50. ADM 53/116239 + ADM 199/426 + ADM 199/1211
51. ADM 53/116240
52. ADM 199/1389
53. ADM 199/1390
54. ADM 53/116241 + ADM 199/1389
55. ADM 53/116242 + ADM 199/1389
56. ADM 53/116242
57. ADM 53/116243 + ADM 199/1389
58. ADM 53/116243
59. ADM 53/115786 + ADM 53/115787 + ADM 53/115893 + ADM 53/115894 + ADM 53/116243 + ADM 53/116244 + + ADM 199/426 + ADM 199/428 + ADM 199/2250
60. ADM 53/116244
61. ADM 53/116245
62. ADM 53/116245 + ADM 199/745
63. ADM 53/115957
64. ADM 53/117047 + ADM 53/117617 + ADM 53/117652 + ADM 53/117894 + ADM 53/118438 + ADM 53/118460
65. ADM 53/117047 + ADM 53/117173 + ADM 53/117617 + ADM 53/117894 + ADM 53/118709
66. ADM 53/117365 + ADM 53/117537 + ADM 53/117561 + ADM 53/117894 + ADM 53/118438 + ADM 53/118709
67. ADM 53/117365 + ADM 53/117537 + ADM 53/117561 + ADM 53/117894 + ADM 53/118460
68. ADM 53/117895 + ADM 53/118439 + ADM 53/118461 + ADM 53/118710 + ADM 199/643
69. ADM 53/117895
70. ADM 53/117896
71. ADM 53/118797 + ADM 53/118441
72. ADM 53/118463
73. ADM 53/117540 + ADM 53/117564 + ADM 53/117620 + ADM 53/117897 + ADM 53/118463
74. ADM 53/117124 + ADM 53/117540 + ADM 53/117897
75. ADM 53/117897
76. ADM 53/117124 + ADM 53/117564 + ADM 53/117704 + ADM 53/117897
77. ADM 53/117120 + ADM 53/117565 + ADM 53/117705 + ADM 53/117898 + ADM 53/118464 + ADM 53/118603
78. ADM 53/117898 + ADM 53/118603
79. ADM 53/117898
80. ADM 53/117120 + ADM 53/117125 + ADM 53/117215 + ADM 53/117621 + ADM 53/117898 + ADM 53/118464
81. ADM 53/117899
82. ADM 53/117899 + ADM 199/774
83. ADM 53/117899 + ADM 53/118276
84. ADM 53/117900
85. ADM 53/117900 + ADM 53/118642
86. ADM 53/117900 + ADM 53/118277 + ADM 53/118314 + ADM 53/118642 + ADM 234/356
87. ADM 53/117900 + ADM 53/118277 + ADM 53/118314 + ADM 53/118642 + ADM 199/640
88. ADM 53/117900 + ADM 53/118277 + ADM 199/640
89. ADM 234/356
90. ADM 53/117900 + ADM 53/118277 + ADM 234/356
91. ADM 53/117900 + ADM 53/118277 + ADM 199/640 + ADM 234/356
92. ADM 53/117901 + ADM 53/118315
93. ADM 53/117901 + ADM 234/356
94. ADM 53/117901 + ADM 53/118643 + ADM 199/640 + ADM 234/356
95. ADM 53/117901
96. ADM 199/461
97. ADM 53/117902
98. ADM 234/358
99. ADM 53/117902 + ADM 53/118316 + ADM 53/118644 + ADM 199/641
100. ADM 53/117902 + ADM 199/862
101. ADM 53/117902 + ADM 53/118529 + ADM 199/641
102. ADM 53/117903 + ADM 53/118530
103. ADM 53/117903 + ADM 53/118369
104. ADM 53/117903 + ADM 199/641 + ADM 199/2280
105. ADM 53/117903
106. ADM 53/117904 + ADM 53/118531
107. ADM 53/117904 + ADM 53/118569
108. ADM 53/117904 + ADM 53/118318 + ADM 53/118569
109. ADM 53/117904
110. ADM 53/117905
111. ADM 53/117905 + ADM 53/118319
112. ADM 53/117905 + ADM 53/118570
113. ADM 53/117905 + ADM 53/118319 + ADM 53/118570
114. ADM 199/1038
115. ADM 53/119857
116. ADM 53/119487 + ADM 53/119664+ ADM 53/119857 + ADM 199/1427
117. ADM 53/119858
118. ADM 53/119271 + ADM 53/119858
119. ADM 53/119859
120. ADM 53/119860
121. ADM 53/119861
122. ADM 173/18726
123. ADM 53/118865 + ADM 53/119196 + ADM 53/119463 + ADM 53/119861
124. ADM 53/118865 + ADM 53/119196 + ADM 53/119463 + ADM 53/119861 + ADM 53/120329 + ADM 53/120729
125. + ADM 53/118865 + ADM 53/119196 + ADM 53/119463 + ADM 53/119861 + ADM 53/120410 + ADM 53/120729
126. ADM 173/19295
127. ADM 199/1662
128. ADM 53/119862 + ADM 199/1662
129. ADM 53/119394 + ADM 53/119863
130. ADM 53/119863
131. ADM 53/119864
132. ADM 53/119864 + ADM 199/1394
133. ADM 53/119865
134. ADM 53/119866
135. ADM 53/119592 + ADM 53/119866 + ADM 199/1426 + ADM 199/1427
136. ADM 53/1192962 + ADM 53/119868
137. ADM 53/1192962 + ADM 53/119868 + ADM 53/120159 + ADM 53/120183
138. ADM 53/119269 + ADM 53/119868 + ADM 53/120183 + ADM 53/120650 + ADM 199/1427
139. 2.12.03.7152 (Dutch Archives, The Hague)
140. ADM 53/121744
141. ADM 53/121744 + ADM 173/20037
142. ADM 53/121226 + ADM 53/121744 + ADM 199/1440
143. ADM 53/121003 + ADM 53/121745
144. ADM 53/121745

ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.

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