HMS Tartar, destroyer (original) (raw)

TRIBAL-Class Fleet destroyer ordered under the 1936 Build Programme from Swan Hunter and Wigham Richardson of Wallsendon 12th June 1936. She was laid down on 26th August that year and launched on 21st October 1937 as the 17th RN warship to carry this name, introduced in 1702 and last used by a pre-WW 1 destroyer sold in 1921. Build was completed on 10th March 1939 and the ship was fitted for use as a Flotilla Leader. During early service she was one of the Home Fleet ships sent to the scene of the disastrous sinking of HM Submarine THETIS in Liverpool Bay on 1st June 1939. After a successful WARSHIP WEEK National Savings campaign in March 1942 she was adopted by the civil community of Finchley, now part of the London Borough of Barnet. For farther details of this Class of Fleet Destroyer see THE TRIBALS by M Bryce. (Note: The Pennant Number allocated for visual signalling on build was L43 but this was changed to F43 before completion.)

VELEZ MALAGA 1704� - LAGOS 1759 - USHANT 1781 - DOGGER BANK 1781 - BALTIC 1855 - �SHIMONESKI 1864 - SOUTH AFRICA 1899-1900 - DOVER PATROL 1914-18 - NORWAY 1940-41 - BISMARCK Action 1941 - ARCTIC 1941 - MALTA CONVOYS 1942 - NORTH AFRICA 1942-43 - SICILY 1943 - SALERNO 1943� - MEDITERRANEAN 1943 - NORMANDY 1944� - ENGLISH CHANNEL 1944 - BISCAY 1944 - BURMA 1945

1 9 3 9

�

March�� Contractors trials and commissioning for service with 2nd Tribal Destroyer Flotilla. Home Fleet

�� 10th�� Build completion and commenced Acceptance Trials.

�

April�� Worked-up at Portland on completion of trials.

�� (Note: Transferred to re-designated 6th Destroyer Flotilla which also included HM Destroyers

�� SOMALI, ASHANTI, BEDOUIN, MATABELE, PUNJABI, TARTAR and ESKIMO.)

�

May�� Portland deployment in continuation

�

June�� Diverted to assist in rescue operations in Liverpool Bay after sinking of HM Submarine THETIS

�� during trials after build completion.

�� On release from the unsuccessful rescue work resumed work-up programme.

July�� Passage to Devonport for repair

�� 3rd�� Taken in hand for repair of defects by HM Dockyard, Devonport.

�� 25th�� Resumed Flotilla duties with Home Fleet on completion of trials and took passage to Scapa Flow.

D e t a i l s�� o f�� W a r�� S e r v i c e

(for more ship information, go to Naval History Homepage and type name in Site Search)

�

September�� Deployed with Flotilla at designated war station at Scapa Flow for screening of major warships,

�� interception of blockade runners and commerce raiders with anti-submarine patrols.

�

October�� Home Fleet duties with Flotilla in continuation.

�

November

�� 24th�� Deployed with Screen for Home Fleet ships during search for German SCHARNHORST and

�� GNEISENAU after sinking of HM Armed Merchant Cruiser RAWALPINDI.

�

December�� Passage to Clyde for repair of defects

�� 4th�� Taken in hand for repair at Govan by Alexander Stephens.

�� (Note: In common with other TRIBAL Class destroyers extensive leaking had been experienced

�� due to high speed operations in heavy weather conditions.

�� For details of naval activities in Home Waters in 1939 see the Naval Staff History and

�� ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY byCorelli Barnett.

�� 29th�� Resumed Flotilla duties in Home Fleet and took passage to Scapa Flow.

�

1 9 4 0

�

January�� Flotilla duties with Home Fleet in continuation

to�� Deployed for escort of convoys to and from Norway and Fleet screening.

February�� (Note: Ships of Flotilla were carrying out patrol and convoy defence in North Sea.)

�

March�� Deployed with HMS MOHAWK for escort of rms QUEEN ELIZABETH during passage

in NW Approaches on maiden voyage to New York. On release took passage to resume North

Sea duties based at Rosyth for convoy defence.

�

April

�� 4th�� Deployed with HMS SOMALI, HMS MATABELE and HMS MASHONA as escort for

�� Convoy HN24 during passage from Norway to Methil.

�� 8th�� Joined HM Destroyers AFRIDI, GURKHA, SIKH, MOHAWK, ZULU, COSSACK,

�� KASHMIR and KELVIN Polish Destroyers ORP GROM and BLYSKAWICA

�� with escorts for ON24 in screen for Cruisers GALATEA and ARETHUSA carrying out

�� search north of 58.30N 3.30E for German warships reported on passage in northern North Sea.

(TARTAR, with MASHONA, MATABELE, SOMALI may instead of have joined Adm Forbe's main

force on the 7th)

�� 9th�� Search abandoned and rejoined ships of Home Fleet also deployed for this operation.

After arrival detached with the three Polish destroyers to escort Convoy HN25 during its passage

from Norway after escaping before German invasion troops occupiedBergen.

�� 14th�� Rejoined Home Fleet units for operations off Norway in support of planned allied landings

�� (Operation RUPERT/R4)

18th�� Detached for escort of damaged cruiser HMS SUFFOLK during passage to Scapa Flow.

�� 21st�� Resumed deployment with Home Fleet units off Norway and carried out inshore patrols to

�to�� intercept further enemy landings.

�� 28th�� (Note: HM Destroyers ASHANTI, MOHAWK, SOMALI, SIKH and NUBIAN were also

�� deployed and returned to replenish or for convoy defence duties.).

�� 30th�� Took part in evacuation of allied troops from Andalsnes and Molde with HM Destroyers

�� SOMALI, MASHONA and HM Auxiliary AA Ship ULSTER PRINCE.

Under heavy and sustained air attacks.

Transferred to Mole to embark Captain Denny and staff withULSTER PRINCE.

(For details of the disastrous Norwegian campaign and the heavy price paid in losses and major��

damage to RN ships, see NARVIK by D MacIntryre, THE DOOMED EXPEDITION

�� by J Adams, ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY and the Naval Staff History.)

�

May

�� 1st�� Took passage from Andalsnes to Harstad.

�� Resumed Home Fleet duties for defence of inward support and evacuation convoys based at Harstad.

�� 24th�� Passage to Scapa Flow from Harstad

�� Pennant Number for visual signalling Purposes changed to G43.

�

June�� Part of escort for HM Aircraft Carrier ARK ROYAL during flying operations off Norway

�� 8th�� Deployed with HM Destroyers MASHONA, BEDOUIN and ASHANTI as screen for HM

�� Battleship VALIANT to cover passage of Group I of final evacuation convoys from Ofotfjord area.

�� 9th�� Detached from Group I with HMS VALIANT and ships of screen to cover return passage of other

�� evacuation convoys.

�� 10th�� Took part in unsuccessful Home Fleet search for GNEISENAU and SCHARNHORST after sinking

�� of HM Aircraft Carrier GLORIOUS.

�� 11th�� Returned to Scapa Flow and resumed Flotilla duties.

�� 20th�� At Faeroes with HMS MASHONA to seize Swedish destroyers ROMULUS and REMUS.

�� (Note: These ships had been purchased from Italy and were on passage to Sweden.

�� After intense diplomatic activity they were later returned to Sweden from Scapa Flow.

�� 22nd�� Returned to Scapa Flow.

�

July�� Deployed with Flotilla for Home Fleet screening and convoy defence.

�� 14th�� Under repair to rudder equipment by Cammell Laird shipyard.

�� 24th�� Resumed Flotilla duties in Home Fleet

�� (Note: Extensive anti-invasion deployments were made during this period and

�� affected Home Fleet ships.)

�

August

�� 8th�� Deployed as part of escort for ships of Force H during Atlantic passage to UK from Gibraltar.

�

September

�� 1st�� Escorted HM Cruiser FIJI which had been damaged in an attack by U32 off Shetland whilst on

�� passage with other warships for a Free French attack on Freetown. HMS ANTELOPE was also

�� deployed.

�� 5th�� Deployed as escort for ships of 1st Minelaying Squadron during minelay in Northern Barrage.

�� (Operation SN14 - See Naval Staff History (Mining) for details.)

�

October�� Passage to Devonport for refit

�� 4th�� Taken in hand for refit by HM Dockyard, Devonport

�� (Note: Work including repair to feed water leaks (See above) and replacement of twin 4.7in

�� mountingin X position by twin 4in HA mounting to improve AA defence.)

�

November�� Under refit.

�

�December�� Post refittrials.

�� (Note: One source records delay in completion due to sabotage of electric cables.)

�� Passage to resume Flotilla Home Fleet duties at Scapa Flow as Leader of 4th Destroyer

�� Flotilla.)

�� On arrival at Scapa Flow carried out trials with prototype radar equipment

�� (Note: One source quotes Type 74X which does not exist. It may have been an early trial on

�� newly fitted Fire-control Radar Type 284 in HM Battleship KING GEORGE V.

�� See RADAR AT SEA by D Howse.)

�

1 9 4 1

�

January

�� 3rd�� Deployed as escort for HM Cruisers ARETHUSA and AURORA with ships of Flotilla for

�� an offensive sweep and minelay by HM Destroyers INTREPID and ICARUS off Egersund.

�� (Operation DZ - This was failed after destroyer in the escort opened fire on minelayers.)

�

February

�� 1st�� Nominated for escort of minelayers with ships of Home Fleet during planned minelay off

�� Norway.

�� (Operation EA - This was cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.)

�

March

�� 1st�� Deployed with HM Destroyers SOMALI, BEDOUIN and ESKIMO as escort for HM Landing

�� Ships (Infantry) PRINCESS EMMA and PRINCESS BEATRIX during passage to Lofoten

�� Islands for raid by 3 and 4 Commando as Task Force REBEL.

�� (Operation CLAYMORE - For detailssee THE WATERY MAZE by B Fergusson.)

�� 4th�� Provided support during landing operations.

�� Intercepted trawler KREBS off Svolvser and placed boarding party on board. The ENIGMA

�� coding machine and supporting documentation were recovered and later used by the Bletchley

�� Park personnel to assist in decryption. (See BREAKING THE ENIGMA by D Khan and

�� BRITISH INTELLIGENCE DURING WW2 (Ed Hinsley for further details.)

�� 10th�� Deployed at Scapa Flow for Home Fleet Flotilla duties

�

April�� Home Fleet duties including screening of major units during unsuccessful search for German

�� ships SCHARNHORST and GNEISENAU in NW Approaches.

�

May�� Deployed for Atlantic convoy defence

�� 22nd�� Part of escort for mvBRITANNIC with HM Battleship RODNEY, HM Destroyers ESKIMO

�� MASHONA and SOMALI during passage in NW Approaches from Clyde.

�� 24th�� Detached from escort with HMS MASHONA and HMS SOMALI as screen for HM

�� Battleship RODNEY during search operation by Home Fleet ships for German battleship

�� BISMARCK after the sinking of HM Battlecruiser HOOD.

�� 25th�� Detached from HMS RODNEY screen when weather conditions made it impossible to

�� maintain speed.

�� 27th�� Present at sinking of BISMARCK.

�� For details of search and sinking of BISMARCK see Naval Staff History, PURSUIT by

�� L Kennedy and BATTLESHIP BISMARCK by Mullenheim Rechberg.)

�� 28th�� During return passage to Scapa Flow with HMS MASHONA came under heavy air attack

�� 100 miles west of Ireland during which HMS MASHONA was hit and sustained major

�� damage. After the stricken vessel capsized rescued 14 officers and 215 ratings and landed

�� them atGreenock.

�

June�� Resumed Flotilla duties with Home Fleet

�� Nominated for Home Fleet operations to capture German weather ship to obtain

�� ENIGMA coding machine and associated documentation (Operation EC).

�� 26th�� Part of escort for HM Cruiser NIGERIA with HMS BEDOUIN during passage from

�� Scapa Flow to area of Jan Mayen Island to capture German trawler in order to retrieve

�� ENIGMA material.

�� 28th�� Sighted trawler LAUENBERG boarded vessel which was being scuttled.

�� Only documentation could be recovered before vessel sank (See above reference).

�

July�� Nominated for investigation of use of Spitzbergen as a fuelling base for escorts of Russian convoys.

�� 27th�� Deployed with HM Cruisers AURORA,NIGERIA and HMS PUNJABI

�� at Spitzbergen to carry out reconnaissance of anchorage for future use.

�

August

�� 1st�� Visited Russian settlement at Barentsburg with HMS PUNJABI.

�� 2nd�� Evacuated Russian nationals and destroyed weather station on Bear Island.

�� 4th�� Passage to Scapa Flow from Murmansk after landing Russian passengers.

�� 8th�� Returned to Scapa Flow with HMS NIGERIA and HMS PUNJABI.

�� Present during visit to Scapa Flow by HM King George VI and demonstration exercises.

�� 17th�� Part of Home Fleet destroyer escort for HM Battleship PRINCE OF WALES during

�� return passage from Iceland with Prime Minister Winston Churchill embarked.

�� (Note: Prime Minister had been attending the Atlantic Charter meeting with US President

�� in Argentia Bay,Newfoundland.)

�� 18th�� Embarked Prime Minister from HMS PRINCE OF WALES in Clyde and took him to

�� Greenock for his return to London.

�� 20th�� Deployed with HM Destroyers ANTELOPE, ANTHONY, ECLIPSE and ICARUS as

�� screen for HMS AURORA and HMS NIGERIA escorting ss EMPRESS OF

�� AUSTRALIA and RFA OLIGARCH to Spitzbergenfor establishment of garrison

�� (Operation GAUNTLET).

�� On release from Spitzbergen operation escorted EMPRESS OF AUSTRALIA to

�� Murmansk taking Russian miners and Norwegian population.

�� Landed Russians and took passage to UK as escort for EMPRESS OF AUSTRALIA with

�� Norwegians still on board and joined other GAUNTLET ships during passage

�� (Note: HMS NIGERIA and HMS AURORA carried out an attack on a coastal convoy

�� in this period and sank the minelayer BREMSE.)

�� Date of completion of GAUNTLET deployment to be confirmed.)

�

September�� Passage to London for refit

�� 2nd�� Taken in hand for refit by Green and Silley Weir, Royal Albert Dock.

�

October�� Under refit

�� (Note: Work carried out included removal of original mainmast to improve gunnery arcs,

�� shortening of after funnel, resitingdepth charge positions and installation of Type

�� 285 gunnery radar for main armament fire-control.)

�� 17th�� Passage to Scapa Flow on completion of post refit trials

�� Resumed Home Fleet service as Leader 6th Flotilla.

�

November�� Home Fleet deployment for screening, patrol and convoy defence in continuation.

December

�

1 9 4 2

�

January�� Nominated for support and escort of Russian convoys with Home Fleet ships

�� (Note: For details of all Russian convoy operations see CONVOYS TO RUSSIA by RA

�� Ruegg, THE RUSSIAN CONVOYS by B Schoefield, CONVOY 1 by P Kemp

�� 4th�� Part of escort for Russian Convoy PQ7B with HM Destroyer ICARUS.

�� 11th�� Detached from PQ7B.

�� 13th�� Joined return convoy QP5 as escort for part of passage to Iceland with HM Cruiser

�� CUMBERLAND and HMS ICARUS.

�� 16th�� Detached from QP5.

�

February

�� 10th�� Deployed with HM Destroyers ASHANTI, BEDOUIN, ECHO, ECLIPSE, FAULKNOR,

�� FURY, GROVE, ICARUS, INCONSTANT, INTREPID, JAVELIN, LANCASTER,

�� LEDBURY, LOOKOUT, ONSLOW, PUNJABI,VERDUN, WELLS and WOOLSTON as

�� screen for HM Battleships KING GEORGE V and DUKE OF YORK, HM Aircraft Carrier

�� VICTORIOUS, HM Cruisers KENYA and BERWICK to provide Distant Cover for passage

�� of Russian Convoys PQI2, PQ13 and returning QP9.

�� 25th�� Resumed Flotilla duties.

�

March

�� 8th�� Joined HM Destroyers FAULKNOR, BEDOUIN and ESKIMO as screen for units of

�� Home Fleet during unsuccessful search for German battleship TIRPITZ in North Sea.

�� Sustained damage to forward gun mounting due to high speed operations in rough weather.

�� 10th�� Returned to Scapa Flow with Fleet units.

�� 14th�� Carried out patrol for shipping attacks inBodo area with HM Destroyers FURY.

�� INTREPID, ICARUS, ESKIMO and BEDOUIN.

�� 20th�� Deployed with HM Destroyers ECHO, ASHANTI, BEDOUIN, ESCAPADE, ESKIMO,

�� FAULKNOR, FORESIGHT, ICARUS, INGLEFIELD, LEDBURY, MARNE,

�� MIDDLETON, ONSLOW, PUNJABI and WHEATLAND as screen for HMS KING

�� GEORGE V, DUKE OF YORK, HM Battlecruiser RENOWN, HMS VICTORIOUS,

�� HM Cruiser EDINBURGH and HM CruiserKENT to provide Distant Cover for passage

�� of Russian Convoy PQ13 and return convoy QP9.

�� (Note: These convoys had an enlarged protection because of the increased threat of attack

�� by German cruisers SCHEER and HIPPER now joined by the battleship TIRPITZ

�� in Norwegian waters.

�� Passage to Hull for repair to damage and refit in commercial shipyard.

�� 28th�� Taken in hand by Brigham and Cowan shipyard.

�

April�� Under repair and refit

to May

�

June

�� 7th�� Resumed Home Fleet duties on completion of post refit trials.

�

July�� Flotilla duties with Home Fleet at Scapa Flow for screening and patrol in continuation.

�

August�� Nominated for detached service for support of Malta relief operation

�� 2nd�� Sailed from Clyde as part of escort for military convoys WS21 (Operation PEDESTAL).

�� 9th�� Detached to refuel at Gibraltar and rejoined on completion.

�� 10th�� Deployed with HM Destroyers LAFOREY, LIGHTNING, LOOKOUT, QUENTIN,

�� ESKIMO, SOMALI, WISHART, ANTELOPE, VANSITTART, ZETLAND and

�� ITHURIEL as screen for HM Battleships NELSON and RODNEY, HM Aircraft Carriers

�� EAGLE, INDOMITABLE and VICTORIOUS, HM Cruisers PHOEBE, SIRIUS and

�� CHARYBDIS to provide cover against surface attack on the convoy.

�� 11th�� Under air and submarine attacks after sighting by Italian submarine UARSCIER.

�� (Note: HMS EAGLE was torpedoed by U73.)

�� 12th�� Under further air and submarine attacks.

�� Carried out depth charge attacks which drove off Italian submarine GRANITO.

�� Drove off attack by Italian submarine EMO with HMS LOOKOUT.

�� During air attacks that evening both HMS INDOMITABLE and HMS FORESIGHT,

�� were damaged and put out of action.

�� Took damaged destroyer in tow and detached for passage to Gibraltar.

�� (For Details of passage of PEDESTAL convoy see PEDESTAL by P Smith, MALTA

�� CONVOYS by R Woodman, ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY and the

�� Naval Staff History.)

�� 13th�� Under unsuccessful attack by U73.

�� Scuttled HMS FORESIGHT 13 miles SW of Galita Island and took passage to Gibraltar

�� 16th�� Passage to Scapa Flow with other Home Fleet ships detached for PEDESTAL

�

September�� Deployed with Flotilla at Scapa Flow for Home Fleet duties

�� 9th�� Part of Fighting Escort for Russian Convoy PQ18 with HM Cruiser SCYLLA, HM

�� DestroyersASHANTI, ESKIMO, FAULKNOR, FURY, IMPULSIVE, INTREPID,

�� MARNE, MARTIN, METEOR, MILNE, OFFA, ONSLOW, ONSLAUGHT,

�� OPPORTUNE and SOMALI..

�� (Note: HM Submarines also carried out anti-submarine escort duties. See references.)

�� 17th�� Detached from PQ18 with HMS SCYLLA, HM Escort Aircraft Carrier AVENGER,

�� HM Destroyers ASHANTI, ESKIMO, FAULKNOR, FURY, INTREPID, MARNE,

�� METEOR, MILNE, OFFA ONSLAUGHT, ONSLOW, OPPORTUNE, SOMALI,

�� WHEATLAND and WILTON. Joined return convoy QP14 as Fighting Escort.

.�� 20th�� Detached from QP14 having remained with convoy after Home Fleet escorts left.

�

October�� Nominated for detached service in support of planned allied landings hi North Africa.

�� Passage to Gibraltar as escort for military convoy.

�

November�� Deployed at Gibraltar to prepare for support of Operation TORCH.

�� (See ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY and Naval Staff History.)

�� 8th�� Deployed for screening of Fleet units and convoy defence during landings and follow-up

.�� to�� Attached to 6th Destroyer Flotilla after landings for anti-submarine patrol.

�� 30th�� Nominated for service at Algiers with Force Q

�

December�� Deployed with Force Q for interception of enemy supply convoys to North Africa and for

�� convoy escort duties.

�

1 9 4 3

�

January�� Provided screen for cruisers of Force Q during interception patrols and defence of coastal

to�� convoys between Algerian ports. Under air attacks.

February

�

March�� Detached for service at Mers-el-Kebir for defence of anchorage against anticipated attacks

�� by Italian human torpedoes.

�� (Note: This form of attacks had already been used against ships at Alexandria and

�� Gibraltar. No craft were sighted during this period and ship then resumed Force Q

�� duties.

�

April�� Force Q deployment in continuation.

�� 28th�� Carried out attack on E-Boats near Marrettimo, Algeria.

�

May

�

�� 7th�� Deployed with other destroyers of Mediterranean Fleet for blockade of Cape Bon area to intercept

�� craft attempting to evacuate enemy personnel from Tunisia (Operation RETRIBUTION).

�� (For details see ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY and the Naval Staff History.)

�

June

�� Transferred to Malta with Force Q for support of planned invasion of Pantellaria.

�� Carried out bombardment of shore positions n Pantellaria prior to landings.

�� 10th�� Joined HM Cruisers AURORA and NEWFOUNDLAND with HM Destroyers LAFOREY,

�� LOYAL, LOOKOUT, JERVIS, NUBIAN, TROUBRIDGE and WHADDON to cover attack on

�� Pantellaria (Operation CORKSCREW.).

�� 11th�� Deployed as Guardship at Pantellaria pending arrival of naval occupation party.

�� On release from Guardship duty embarked senior officer for passage to Djidjelli, Algeria.

�

July�� Nominated for support of planned allied landings in Sicily (Operation HUSKY).

�� (For details see above references and THE NAVAL WAR IN THE MEDITERRANEAN

�� by J Greene and A Massignani.)

�� 10th�� Deployed with Support Force East for escort of assault convoys and support of landings.

�� Provided gunfire support and patrols against surface and submarine attack on ships

�� 11th�� During support deployment took part in rescue of 200 survivors from Hospital Ship TALAMBA

�� sunk by German air attack off beach head.

�� 12th�� Sank ammunition ship BAARN which was on fire after air attacks.

�� 13th�� Took damaged destroyer HMS ESKIMO in tow to Malta.

�� (Note: HMS ESKIMO had sustained major damage and flooding after air attacks.

�

August�� Support and patrol duties off Sicily in continuation.

�� Nominated for support of planned allied invasion of Italian mainland.

�� (OperationBAYTOWN)

�� 31st�� Provided naval gunfire support during landings in Calabria with HMS NELSON, HMS

�� RODNEY, HM Cruiser ORION, HM Destroyers OFFA, PETARD, QUAIL,

�� QUEENBOROUGH, QUILLIAM, TYRIAN, TROUBRIDGE and Polish PIORUN

�

September�� Nominated for support of allied landings at Salerno (Operation AVALANCHE).

�� Passage to Salerno area to join Northern Attack Force as part of Task Force 89.

�� 9th�� Deployed with HM Destroyers LAFOREY, LOOKOUT and LOYAL of 19th Destroyer

�� Flotilla for gunfire support and defensive patrol duties off landing area.

�� 19th�� Provided gunfire support during German counter-attack.

�� Under attacks by radio-controlled glider bombs.

�

October� �� Support and patrol duties off west coast of Italy and Sicily in continuation.

�� Nominated for return to UK for refit.

�� Passage to Gibraltar.

�� 30th�� Sailed from Gibraltar.

�

November�� Taken in hand for refit by HM Dockyard, Devonport.

�

December�� Under refit.

�

1 9 4 4

�

January� �� Under refit

�� Nominated for service in Plymouth Command on completion.

�

February�� Postrefit trials.

�

March�� Deployed with HM Destroyers ASHANTI, ESKIMO, JAVELIN, HAIDA (RCN) and

�� HURON (RCN) as Leader of 10th Destroyer Flotilla deployed in Plymouth Command

�� for offensive patrols against coastal shipping of French coast (Operation TUNNEL

�� Series) and convoy defence. (See HOLD THE NARROW SEA by P Smith.)

�� 10th�� Deployed with Flotilla for TUNNEL strike against German warships reported as escort

�� for German submarine on passage to Brest.

�� (Note: No interception was made as enemy ships remained close to coast.)

�� 15th�� Deployed with HM Cruiser BELLONA as Force 26 and provided cover for operations

�� by coastal craft in defence of Convoy WP429 against E-Boat attacks off Lands End.

�

April�� Deployment at Plymouth for TUNNEL operations and convoy defence in continuation.

�� (Note: Extensive training exercises in preparation for allied landings in Norway were

�� being carried out in Plymouth Command and cover for these was provided by

�� larger warships when any enemy threat was anticipated. This ship was not involved

�� in the disastrous TIGER Exercise in Lyme Bay when several US Landing Ships

�� were sunk by E-Boats.)

�

May�� Nominated with HMS BELLONA to provide cover for minelaying operations off French

�� coast by HM Minelaying Cruiser APOLLO as part of preparations for allied landings in

�� Normandy (HOSTILE series of Operations. See Naval Staff History (Mining) for details)

�� 17th�� Deployed with HMS BELLONA and HMS APOLLO as escort for passage and execution of

�� minelaywest of Ushant (Operation HOSTILE 32)

�� (Note: This operation had been abandoned earlier after escort opened fire on HMS APOLLO.)

�� 20th�� Escorted HMS APOLLO with HMS BELLONA and ships of Flotilla for repeat minelay north

�� of Ushant. (Operation HOSTILE 33).

�� (Note: HMS BELLONA withdrew due to threat of submarine attack.)

�� 22nd�� Escorted HMS APOLLO with ships of Flotilla for repeat minelay in Ile de Viergearea, off

�� Brittany (Operation HOSTILE 34).

�� 25th�� Escorted HMS APOLLO with HMCS HURON covered by Coastal Command aircraft for final

�� minelay before landings (Operation HOSTILE 40)

�

June�� Nominated for support of allied landings in Normandy (Operation NEPTUNE)

�� (Note: For details of naval activities prior to and during landings see OPERATION

�� NEPTUNE by K Edwards and LANDINGS IN NORMANDY (HMSO).

�� 6th�� Deployed with ships of Flotilla in western approaches to English Channel to prevent

�� Interference with landings or passage of convoys during NEPTUNE.

�� (Note: Polish Destroyers PIORUN and BLYSKAWICA were also deployed with 10th Flotilla.)

�� 8th�� Patrol area shifted to NE of Ushant to meet possible threat from German destroyers.

�� 9th�� In action with German warships with Flotilla and damaged by return fire.

�� Destroyer ZH1 (Ex Dutch GERARD KELENBERG) was later sunk by HMS ASHANT1 and Z32

�� was damaged and wrecked on Isle de Bas when driven ashore. Destroyers Z24 and T24 escaped.

�� (Note: 140 enemy survivors were rescued by British ships.)

�� 11th�� Under repair of action damage at Devonport.

�� 25th�� Resumed duties with Flotilla for support of Channel operations.

�

July�� Flotilla duties in English Channel for interception of enemy ships off French coast

�� in continuation.

�� 7th�� Intercepted and engaged minesweepers of 46th German Flotilla off Channel

�� Islands and sank the minesweepers M4601 and M4605.

�� (Operation DREDGER -See HOLD THENARROW SEA.)

�

August� �� Channel interception with Flotilla in continuation.

�� 6th�� During interception deployment with HMS BELLONA, HMS ASHANTI, HMCS

�� HAIDA and HMCS IROQUOIS carried out attack on convoy 32 miles SSW of St Nazaire.

�� (Note: Ships were deployed as Force 27).

�� The minesweepers M263 and M486, Patrol Boat V414 and a coastal launch together with

�� four small ships under escort were all sunk.

�

September�� Channel patrol and interception in continuation with Flotilla.

�� (Note: During this period extensive efforts were being made to evacuate German personnel

�� from Bay of Biscay ports.)

�� Nominated for service in Eastern Fleet after refit

�

November�� Under refit

to December

�

1 9 4 5

�

January� �� Under refit.

�

February�� Postrefit trials and prepared for service in East Indies Fleet as Leader of 10th Flotilla.

�

March�� Took passage from Clydeas part of escort for Escort Aircraft Carriers to Gibraltar.

�� 12th�� Carried out exercises in Mediterranean before departure for Trincomalee.

�

April�� Passage in Mediterranean and Red Sea

�� 12th�� At Aden

�� 20th�� Joined HM Destroyers VERULAM, NUBIAN andPENN in 10th Flotilla

�� 28th�� Deployed as screen for HM Battleship QUEEN ELIZABETH, French Battleship

�� RICHELIEU, HM Escort Aircraft Carriers SHAH and EMPRESS, HM Cruisers

�� CUMBERLAND,SUFFOLK CEYLON and Dutch Cruiser TROMP with HM

�� Destroyers ROTHERHAM, VERULAM, NUBIAN and PENN for offensive

�� sweep in Andamansand Nicobars area as Force 63.

�� (Operation BISHOP. For details of East Indies Fleet operations in 1945 see THE

�� FORGOTTEN FLEET by J Winton and WAR WITH JAPAN (HMSO).

�� 29th�� Refuelled from RFA OLWEN with destroyers of Force 63.

�� 30th�� Took part in bombardment and fighter strike against airfield at Car Nicohar and at Port Blair

�

May

�� 1st�� Took part in repeat bombardment at Car Nicobar.

�� 2nd�� Took part in repeat bombardment at Port Blair.

�� 3rd�� Passage with Force 63 to take up station for cover of landings at Rangoon.

�� (Operation DRACULA).

�� 4th�� Refuelled before joining HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH, HMS SUFFOLK, and Dutch TROMP

�� with HMSPENN to form Force 64.

�� 6th�� Screen deployment during bombardments at Port Blair, Phoenix Bay, Mount Harrier and

�� Stewart Sound, NorthAndamans,

�� 9th�� Returned to Trincomalee with Force 64.

�� 10th�� Joined HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH, HM Cruiser ROYALIST, HM Escort Aircraft Carriers

�� HUNTER, SHAH and EMPEROR, HMS CUMBERLAND and Dutch cruiser TROMP with

�� HMS Destroyers SAUMAREZ, VENUS, VERULAM, VIRAGO and VIGILANT of 26th

�� Flotilla, HMS ROTHERHAM and HMS NUBIAN in Force 61 (Operation DUKEDOM).

�� (Note: This Force was created in an emergency move to intercept Japanese warships known

�� to be on passage from Singapore in the Malacca Straits. See references.

�� 13th�� Remained with HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH and major units of East Indies Fleet to continue

�� screeningduties when 26th Flotilla detached for interception of Japanese warships.

�� (Note: The subsequent action is fully described in above references and SINK THE HAGURO

�� by J Winton.)

�� 16th�� Under air attacks with Fleet units but these were unsuccessful.

�� 21st�� Returned to Trincomalee with Fleet units.

�

June

�� 5th�� Deployed with HM Destroyers ESKIMO. NUBIAN,PENN and PALADIN

�� as Force 65 to carry out attacks on shipping between Nicobars andSabang

�� (Operation IRREGULAR)

�� 12th�� Attacked two ships off Rondo Island 20 miles north of Sabang with HMS NUBIAN and HMS

�� ESKIMO sinking them both.

�� (Note: Theships were later identified as KUROSHIMA MARU No.2 and Submarine Chaser 57.

�� See OPERATION PACIFIC by E Gray and above references.

�� A rescue attempt by the two RN ships was made but Japanese sailors refused to come

�� on board)

�� Under attacks without damage or casualties.

�� 15th�� Returned to Trincomalee.

�

July�� Deployed at Trincomalee inn preparation for planned landings in Malaya (Operation ZIPPER).

�� (Note: Did not take part in minesweeping cover operations.)

�� Part of screen for major units during passage in Indian Ocean awaiting approval for landings,

�� (Note: Start of ZIPPER was delayed by US insistence and problems related to the return of

�� long servingSEAC personnel to UK in the PYTHON Scheme

�� See WAR IN THE PACIFIC and Final Report of Supreme Commander SEAC (HMSO).

�

August� �� East Indies Fleet duties in continuation.

�� Passage to Penang

�� 8th�� Sailed from Penang for support of planned landings at Port Swettenham.

�� 9th�� Provided support atMORIB Beach.

�

HMS TARTAR sailed from Penang on 7th September after being present at the surrender on 2nd of the month. She called a Trincomalee before taking passage to UK and arrived at Plymouth on 17th November 1945. The ship was Paid-off and placed in the Reserve Fleet there early in 1946 after de-storing and reduction to Reserve status. She was used as an Accommodation Ship for Reserve Fleet personnel before being placed on the Disposal List in 1947. Sold to BISCO for breaking-up on 6th Jan. 1948 this destroyer arrived at J Cashmere's yard in Newport, South Wales for demolition on 22nd February 1948. This destroyer had an outstanding record of service during WW2 having gained �12 more Battle Honours and served in most major Theatres of War. Only three others of this Class of 16 Fleet Destroyers built for the RN survived hostilities. The name was carried forward for the 18th time on 22nd September 1960 when given to a TRIBAL Class Frigate launched at HM Dockyard Devonport.