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

China, East Indies, Australia & New Zealand Stations September 1939 to March 1942

	Areas of Operations (click to enlarge). Only some locations in text are shown

Click for Convoy Route Codes, Operation Code Names and Royal Navy  Minelaying

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Please Note:

(1) All available contents have been transcribed.

(2) The original typist did not have a good grasp of grammar or punctuation with some sentences running on, but the contents have been transcribed as they are.

(3) Some of the abbreviations are not known and cannot be deciphered without further research.

Don Kindell

SECRET

 

EASTERN FLEET WAR DIARY

 

JANUARY 1943

 

Friday, January 1st
FOXHOUND	Left Durban for Kilindini
LURCHER	Left Tamatave for Diego Suarez
CAPETOWN	Left Kilindini for Bombay and Persian Gulf, calling Seychelles en route
NORMAN	Left Diego Suarez for Kilindini
Saturday, January 2nd
CERES	Left Aden for Kilindini
CATTERICK	Arrived Kilindini from Durban escorting RELIANT
RANPURA	Arrived Durban from Kilindini
DEVONSHIRE	Arrived Aden having escorting H.T. AQUITANIA from Fremantle
GAWLER	Left Addu Atoll escorting CLAN FORBES to Colombo
Sunday, January 3rd
CAPETOWN	Arrived Seychelles and left the same day for Bombay
CAIRNS	Arrived Seychelles from Diego Suarez having called at Alagela Island en route
LURCHER	Arrived Diego Suarez from Tamatave and left for Kilindini
NORMAN	Arrived Kilindini from Diego Suarez
BRITTANY	Arrived Kilindini from Diego Suarez
'SSSS'	Two enemy submarines sighted by patrolling dhow 5 miles south of Forbandar (200 miles N. of Bombay
Monday, January 4th
TRUSTY	Left Colombo on patrol
ADELAIDE	Left Fremantle escorting H.T. ILE DE FRANCE to vicinity of Colombo
NIZAM	Arrived Kilindini from Tamatave
FFS LEOPARD	Left Kilindini for Tamatave
FALMOUTH and BATHURST	Left Bandar Abbas escorting P.B. 20 to Bombay
RATNAGIRI	Left Bandar Abbas escorting P.A. 18 to Aden
Tuesday, January 5th
FOXHOUND	Arrived Kilindini from Durban
ROSALIND	Arrived Kilindini from Seychelles
GAWLER	Escorting CLAN FORBES arrived Colombo from Addu Athol
RANPURA	Left Durban for Kilindini
'SSSS'	Submarine reported by U.S. Ferry A/C in position 19 deg. 15N, 58 deg. 29 E at 0740. Reported graded E by S.N.O.P.G.
Wednesday, January 6th
LURCHER	Escorting one transport arrived Kilindini from Diego Suarez
CHITRAL	Escorting convoy A.B. 5 arrived Bombay from Aden
Thursday, January 7th
CERES	Arrived Kilindini from Aden
CAPETOWN	Arrived Bombay from Kilindini en route to relieve CARADOC in Persian Gulf
VALIANT, HOTSPUR and BLACKMORE	Left Kilindini for Durban
FFS LEOPARD	Arrived Tamatave from Kilindini and sailed again for Diego Suarez
BURNIE	Left Diego Suarez for Kilindini
ISIS	Left Bombay for Mediterranean calling Aden
W.S. 25W (H.T. QUEEN MARY)	Left Capetown for Suez
PUNJAB and GERALDTON	Escorting convoy B.P. 65 left Bombay
M.T. QUEEN MARY	Left Capetown for Aden and Suez
Friday, January 8th
FFS LEOPARD	Arrived Diego Suarez from Tamatave
RANCHI	Escorting convoy B.A. 36 arrived Aden
ADELAIDE	Escorting ILE DE FRANCE ordered to part company at 1230Z and return to Fremantle
NIRAVATI	Escorting A.P. 12 left Aden
Saturday, January 9th
CHITRAL	Left Bombay for Durban
FROBISHER	Left Durban escorting convoy C.M. 37 B towards Bombay. To be relieved by HAWKINS off Diego Suarez
GAMBIA	Left Durban escorting convoy C.M. 37 A towards Aden. To be relieved south of Kilindini by RANPURA
CAPETOWN	Left Bombay for Bahrein to relieve CARADOC
LEOPARD	Left Diego Suarez for Reunion
Sunday, January 10th
DEVONSHIRE and CARTHAGE	Left Aden escorting convoy M.C. 3 to Durban
BURNIE	Arrived Kilindini from Diego Suarez
ISIS	Arrived Aden from Bombay on passage to Mediterranean
FALMOUTH and BATHURST	Escorting convoy P.B. 20 arrived Bombay
Monday, January 11th
CHITRAL	on passage from Bombay to Durban diverted to Kilindini
ROSALIND	Left Kilindini for Seychelles
LEOPARD	Arrived Reunion from Diego Suarez and left for Mauritius
LEOPARD	Arrived Mauritius
LURCHER	Left Kilindini for Diego Suarez escorting SS EKMA
RANPURA	Arrived Kilindini from Durban
RATNAGIRI	Escorting convoy P.A. 19 arrived Aden
SUTLEJ	Escorting convoy P.A. 19 left Hormuz
WILLEM VAN DE ZAAN and MADRAS	Escorting convoy P.B. 21 left Hormuz
Tuesday, January 12th
CARADOC	Left Bahrein for Bombay
CAIRNS	Left Seychelles for Kilindini
VALIANT, HOTSPUR and BLACKMORE	Arrived Durban from Kilindini
QUEEN OF BERMUDA	Left Simonstown for Suez
'RRRR'	SS AGWIMONTE reported having been shelled in position 35 deg. 42S, 21 deg. 27E (180 miles E.S.E. of the Cape)
Wednesday, January 13th
HMS ILLUSTRIOUS, NORMAN and NEPAL	Left Kilindini
HAWKINS and BIRMINGHAM	Left Kilindini for exercises thence Diego Suarez
CERES	Left Kilindini for exercises then Durban
ADELAIDE	Arrived Fremantle
H.T. NIEUW AMSTERDAM	arrived Durban from Suez
'SSSS'	Native on Reunion Island reported having sighted a submarine 25' distance at 0800Z. Report considered unreliable by C.O. FSS LEOPARD
'SSSS'	SS FRESNO CITY reported sighting a periscope in 1 deg 20 S, 74 deg 32E at 0500Z hrs.
Thursday, January 14th
PLADDA	Left Tamatave for Diego Suarez
RANCHI	Left Aden escorting convoy A.K. 6, two ships, to Kilindini
POOLE	Left Aden escorting A.P. 13 to Persian Gulf
ILE DE FRANCE	Arrived Bombay from Fremantle
Friday, January 15th
ISIS	Arrived Aden from Bombay on passage to Mediterranean
H.T. QUEEN MARY	Arrived Aden from Capetown
Saturday, January 16th
IPSWICH	Left Kilindini to join escort to convoy C.M. 37 A to Aden
CAIRNS	Arrived Kilindini from Seychelles
RANPURA	Left Kilindini to relieve GAMBIA and take over escort of convoy C.M. 37 A to Aden
CHITRAL	Arrived Kilindini from Bombay
PLADDA	Arrived Diego Suarez from Tamatave
CARADOC	Arrived Bombay from Persian Gulf
Sunday, January 17th
GAMBIA	Arrived Kilindini having been relieved by RANPURA as escort to convoy C.M. 37 A to Aden
LURCHER	Arrived Tamatave and left later for Diego Suarez
PUNJAB and GERALDTON	Left Hormuz (Bandar Abbas) escorting convoy P.B. 22 to Bombay
HIRAVATI	Left Bandar Abbas escorting convoy P.A. 20 to Aden
MADRAS and WILLEM VAN DER ZAAN	Arrived Bombay with convoy P.B. 21
ROSALIND	Arrived Seychelles from Kilindini
NORMAN and NEPAL	Arrived Durban from Kilindini
WORCESTERSHIRE	Left Bombay for Aden
Monday, January 18th
DEVONSHIRE	Arrived Kilindini having been relieved by BIRMINGHAM as escort to convoy M.C. 3 to Durban
FROBISHER	Arrived Kilindini having been relieved by HAWKINS as escort to convoy C.M. 37 B to Bombay.1 Swordfish aircraft crashed 140 deg. Ras Sereni 8' at 1440 hrs. Crew picked up by FROBISHER. Aircraft sank
BRITTANY	Left Kilindini for Seychelles and Addu
CERES	Arrived Durban from Kilindini
SUTLEJ	Escorting convoy P.A. 19 arrived Aden
CAPETOWN	Arrived Bahrein from Kilindini
H.T. QUEEN MARY	Arrived Suez from Aden
BENGAL and SONAVATI	Escorting B.P. 66 left Bombay
Tuesday, January 19th
PLADDA	Arrived Tamatave from Diego Suarez
NIEUW AMSTERDAM	Left Durban for Suez
Wednesday, January 20th
RANCHI	Arrived Kilindini from Aden escorting two ships
Thursday, January 21st
CHITRAL	Left Kilindini for Simonstown
WOLLONGONG	Left Kilindini escorting two ships to Diego Suarez
Friday, January 22nd
RANCHI	Left Kilindini escorting SS ARAWA to Durban
KHYBER	Left Durban for Diego Suarez en route to Colombo
ROMNEY and RATNAGIRI	Left Aden escorting convoy A.P. 14
TAMWORTH	Escorting one tanker ATHELDUKE left Fremantle for Diego Garcia. TAMWORTH then to Colombo
Saturday, January 23rd
BRITTANY	Left Seychelles for Addu Atoll
WORCESTERSHIRE	Arrived Aden from Bombay
BIRMINGHAM and CARTHAGE	Escorting convoy M.C. 3 arrived Durban
NORMAN	Escorting N.S.I.S. HONG SIANG left Durban for Kilindini
PUNJAB and GERALDTON	Escorting convoy P.B. 22 arrived Bombay
CAPETOWN	Left Bahrein for Masirah to investigate reported Bedouin attack on R.A.F. aerodrome
Sunday, January 24th
CATTERICK	Left Kilindini for Durban
QUEEN OF BERMUDA	Arrived Aden from Durban
H.T. MARIPOSA	Arrived Aden from Rio de Janeiro, via Cape of Good Hope
RANPURA and IPSWICH	Escorting convoy C.M. 37 A arrived Aden
MARAVATI	Escorting convoy P.A. 20 arrived Aden
WORCESTERSHIRE and SUTLEJ	Left Aden escorting convoy A.P. 15 to vicinity of Ras al Hadd thence to Colombo. SUTLEJ to continue with convoy to Hormuz
BOMBAY and BENGAL	Escorting convoy P.B. 23 left Hormuz to Bombay
POOLE	Escorting convoy P.A. 21 left Hormuz for Aden
Dutch Sub O 24	Arrived Colombo from patrol
KHYBER	Returned Durban to land medical case and sailed again for Diego Suarez
Dutch Sub 0 21	Left East London for Diego Suarez, Seychelles, and Colombo
Monday, January 25th
HAWKINS	Escorting convoy C.M. 37 B arrived Bombay
CAPETOWN	Arrived Masirah and left a.m. for Bahrein
CESSNOCK	Escorting one ship left Kilindini for Dante and Aden
Tuesday, January 26th
TAMWORTH	Escorting one tanker left Fremantle for Diego Garcia and Kilindini
RANPURA	Left Aden for Kilindini
'SSSS'	Enemy submarine sighted by Catalina in position 20 deg 30S, 109 deg 10 E at 0315 hrs.
Wednesday, January 27th
BRITTANY	Arrived Addu Atoll for Seychelles
PUNJAB and GERALDTON	Left Bombay escorting convoy B.P. 67 to Khor Kuwai
NEPAL	Left Durban for Kilindini
MAGNOLIA	Left Durban for Diego Suarez thence to Colombo sailing Seychelles and Addu Atoll
Thursday, January 28th
DEVONSHIRE	Left Kilindini for Aden for Operation PAMPHLET
RANCHI	Arrived Durban from Kilindini
HILDASAY	Left Diego Suarez escorting V.S.I.S. DEMODOCUS to Tulear and Durban
WOLLONGONG	Escorting one ship left Diego Suarez for Kilindini
Friday, January 29th
SONAVATI and ORISSA	Let Khor Juwai escorting convoy P.B. 24 for Bombay
BATHURST	Left Khor Juwai escorting P.A. 22 for Aden
CHITRAL	Arrived Simonstown from Kilindini
Saturday, January 30th
QUILLIAM	Left Durban for Kilindini
BOMBAY and BENGAL	Escorting convoy P.B. 23 arrived Bombay from Hormuz
TOOWOOMBA	Left Kilindini for Dante
'SSSS'	U.S. Submarine reported being unsuccessfully attacked by enemy submarine in position 28 deg 00S, 112 deg 40E at 1230Z on 29/1
Sunday, January 31st
NORMAN	Escorting V.S.I.S. HONG SIANG arrived Kilindini from Durban
NEPAL	Arrived Kilindini from Durban
RANPURA	Arrived Kilindini from Aden
POOLE	Escorting convoy P.A. 21 arrived Aden from Hormuz
VASNA (Hospital ship)	Arrived Seychelles from Colombo
KHYBER	Arrived Diego Suarez from Durban
'QQQQ'	i) from SS THEODORE SEDGWICK (U.S.A.) in position 37 deg 18S, 25 deg 56E 'pursued by suspicious vessel' at 1630Z ii) Above message cancelled at 1731
'SSSS'	From SS AMERICAN BUILDER (U.S.A.) S.O.S. S.O.S. in position 30 deg 28S, 108 deg 38E.

 

 

Part II

 

NARRATIVE

 

(A). GENERAL

 

1. Loan of A/S ships to other stations

 

Consequent on indications of a renewal of the U boat campaign off the South African coast, the orders to the corvettes NIGELLA, FREESIA, JASMINE, and FRITILLARY to return to Kilindini were cancelled. They were placed under the operational command of Commander in Chief, South Atlantic on the 17^th January. BLACKMORE and CATTERICK were also loaned to Commander in Chief, South Atlantic, the former reached Durban on the 12^th and the latter on the 29^th January.

 

2. In response to a request from Commander in Chief, Mediterranean for reliefs for his minesweepers and destroyers working from Aden, the BATHURST minesweepers IPSWICH and CESSNOCK were sailed from Kilindini and arrived at Aden on the 24^th January and 1^st February, respectively. Owing to the shortage of destroyers on the station, it was not possible to help him as regards these vessels.

 

3. Changes in the Eastern Fleet

 

H.M. Ships VALIANT, ILLUSTRIOUS, RANCHI, HOTSPUR, EXPRESS, FORTUNE, and INCONSTANT left the station for the United Kingdom.

 

H.M.S. TAMWORTH, the last of the Australian minesweepers allocated to the Eastern Fleet, sailed from Fremantle on 26^th January for service with the Ceylon Escort Group.

 

4. Arrival of the Fighting French High Commissioner in Madagascar

 

General Le Gentilhomme, the High Commissioner for Madagascar, reached Kilindini by air on the 4^th January and sailed in the F.F.S. LEOPARD for Tamatave, where he arrived on the 7^th. Before embarkation he was received on the jetty at Kilindini by the Commander in Chief, Eastern Fleet and a guard of honour was paraded.

 

(B). CONVOYS

 

5. No items of outstanding interest. All ships of W.S. 25 turned round at the Cape and no convoy was run in the Indian Ocean.

 

The end of the month saw assembly of monsters for PAMPHLET.

 

(c). BASES

 

6. ADDU ATOLL

 

BRITANNY has been working on the indicator nets in the northern entrance, salving the old nets and laying new as necessary. This work should be completed on 5^th February, when the two northern entrances will be closed by indicator nets.

 

Work on Gan Aerodrome and other local developments is proceeding.

 

7. TRINCOMALEE

 

Flag Officer Ceylon reports that satisfactory arrangements have now been made for water supply, and the distilling plant (originally intended for Addu Atoll and reallocated to Trincomalee) is not now required.

 

Work on laying of the new A/S A/B Boom has not started owing to non arrival of gear. This however should arrive shortly.

 

Positions of H.D.A.s and indicator loops have been decided.

 

8. DIEGO SUAREZ

 

KIRRIEMOOR, DEVON CITY, BARFOAM, and BARFOUNT have been laying the A/S A/B Boom, which is progressing satisfactorily.

 

Work of repairs and reconstruction in the dockyard continues, but is much held up by lack of materials.

 

The salving of BRITISH LOYALTY has been completed, and she is now in the dry dock for patching.

 

Staff Officer (Bases) and Staff Officer (Bases) to Flag Officer East Africa visited Diego Suarez during the month.

 

9. MAURITIUS

 

Local developments are progressing, with priority given to the R.A.F. requirements for a Flying Boat Base at Tombeau Bay.

 

Staff Officer (Bases) and Staff Officer (Bases) to Flag Officer, East Africa visited Mauritius during the month.

 

10. SEYCHELLES

 

ETHIOPEAN and BARRYMORE have been laying the A/S A/T Boom in Cerf passage during the month, and work has also commenced on laying the moorings for a stern buoy in the fuelling berth S.E. of St. Anne's Island.

 

Work on the H/F D/F Station at Belle Air, and other local developments is progressing.

 

Staff Officer (Bases) and Staff Officer (Bases) visited Seychelles during the month.

 

(D). AIR

 

11. PERSIAN GULF

 

During the month, a detachment of three Catalinas has been maintained in the Persian Gulf area.

 

12. KARACHI

 

212 Catalina Squadron was established at Karachi during the month and became operational on 31^st January.

 

13. CEYLON

 

On 15^th January, one Catalina flew from Ceylon to Enmouth Gulf, Australia with spares for H.M.S. TRUSTY.

 

In anticipation of a possible recrudescence of submarine activity in the Cape and Durban areas, seven Catalina Flying Boats and six Catalina amphibians were ordered to reinforce the South Atlantic Station. These aircraft left Ceylon between 25^th and 27^th January and are expected to arrive in South Africa by 3^rd February.

 

14. EAST AFRICA

 

A detachment of four Catalinas from Mombasa was maintained at Durban until 9^th January when two aircraft were withdrawn to Kilindini.

 

During the month, one Catalina has been kept at 1 hour's notice as strike aircraft at Kilindini.

 

During the period 15^th to 27^th January, six Sunderland Flying Boats of 230 Squadron arrived Dar el Salaam from Middle East.

 

(E). MINESWEEPING

 

15. There has been no evidence of enemy minelaying.

 

16. BATHURSTs

 

During January, R.N.A.S. GAWLER arrived in Colombo and R.N.A.S. TAMWORTH sailed from Fremantle for Colombo. This completed the delivery of BATHURSTs building Australia for the Eastern Fleet.

 

17. LL/SA TRAWLERS

 

H.M.T. MAGNOLIA left Durban on 27^th January for Colombo. Her arrival at Colombo will complete M/S Group 170.

 

(F). INTELLIGENCE

 

18. 21^st January - Admiralty decided not to establish an independent C.S.D.I.C. in Eastern Fleet Area (Admiralty Message 1723/21)

 

 22^nd January - Captain H.R. Sandwich, R.N. left Kilindini in RANCHI for United Kingdom.

 

 29^th January - Commander H.R.M. Laird, R.N. (Retd). S.O. (I) Afloat, left Kilindini for Australia on an Intelligence Liaison visit.

 

Intelligence sub areas in Eastern Fleet Command were promulgated in Commander in Chief Eastern Fleet's 1244/28.

 

19. (G). GUNNERY DIARY

 

For January – nil

 

20. (H) PLANNING SECTION

 

Nil

 

21 (I). COMMUNICATIONS

 

Station Communications Officer has nothing to report.

 

 

 

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EASTERN FLEET WAR DIARY

 

Area of operations, click to enlarge

 

 

FEBRUARY 1943

 

Monday, 1st February
Dutch O 21	Arrived Diego Suarez from East London
BIRMINGHAM	Escorting convoy CM 38 left Durban
CATTERICK	Escorting convoy CM 38 to 38 degrees East E.T.A. Durban 4th
CERES	Taken in hand Simonstown completes 16th February
QUEEN OF BERMUDA	Left Suez for Aden
CESSNOCK	Arrived Aden from Kilindini
BLACKMOOR	Arrived Simonstown from Durban
RANCHI	Arrived Capetown from Durban
NIEUW AMSTERDAM	Left Suez for PAMPHLET
ILE DE FRANCE	Arrived Massawa from Suez
RECORDER	Left Tamatave for Durban
'SSSSS'	British aircraft reported having sighted S/M in position 10 miles south of Char Bah, Gulf of Oman
Tuesday, 2nd February
WOLLONGONG	Arrived Kilindini from Diego Suarez
DEVONSHIRE	Arrived Aden from Kilindini
GAMBIA	With Rear Admiral Commanding, 4th Cruiser Squadron left Kilindini for Addu Atoll for join Operation PAMPHLET
JUMNA	Arrived Colombo from local escort duty
'SSSSS'	Vessels of Patrol Force N.A. and Ferry aircraft reported S/M 10 m. south of Char Bah. Aircraft attacked S/M, also at 90'South of Ras al Hadd
'SSSSS'	U.S. SS GABRIEL DUVAL reported suspected S/M trailing 20 miles south of Calcutta
Wednesday, 3rd February
QUILLIAM (D 4)	Arrived Kilindini from Durban
Force A	Consisting of WARSPITE, REVENGE, RESOLUTION, MAURITIUS, ROTHERHAM, QUILLIAM, NEPAL, NIZAM, FOXHOUND LEFT Kilindini for operations in the Indian Ocean
BENGAL and MADRAS	Escorting convoy B P 67 ½ left Bombay for Khor Kuwai
BOMBAY	Escorting convoy B P 67 ¾ left Bombay for Khor Kuwai
PAKENHAM (D 12). PETARD and QUEEN OLGA	Arrived Aden from Suez
IPSWICH	Left Aden escorting A P 17
ROCKWOOD	Left Simonstown for Durban
WORCESTERSHIRE	Arrived Colombo from Aden
JUMNA, FALMOUTH, ASTER and GAWLER	Left Colombo escorting SINGGU, ALETTA, WARINA, BROOMDALE, BUCCINUM, and ATHELMONARCH to Addu Atoll
ORISSA and SONAVATI	Arrived Bombay with P B 24
FRITILLARY and THYME	Escorting C A 9 left Capetown to 37deg. 10S, 25 deg E.
Thursday, 4th February
WOLLONGONG	Departed Kilindini for Diego Suarez
ETHIOPIAN	Departed Seychelles for Durban
KHYBER	Left Diego Suarez due Addu Atoll 12th
HAWKINS	Left Bombay for Aden
ROMNEY	Arrived Aden from Hormuz
DEVONSHIRE	Left Aden to R/V MONSTERS in PAMPHLET
SUTLEJ and PANGKOR	Escorting P B 25 left Hormuz for Bombay. ETA 10th
GERALDTON	Escorting P A 25 left Hormuz ETA Aden 11th.
ATHENE	Arrived Fremantle from Durban
Friday, 5th February
BATHURST & P a 22	Arrived Aden from Hormuz
HMIS POONA	Towing MMS 154 arrived Cochin
HMIS PAJPUTANA	Arrived Madras from Calcutta
LISMORE	Escorting EL MEDIERA left Addu for Colombo
MAGNOLIA	Arrived Diego Suarez from Durban
SOBKRA	Left Hormuz, ETA Karachi 16/2
MARIPOSA	Sailed Suez 0605 for Djibouti 8/2
Saturday, 6th February
FROBISHER	Left Kilindini for Diego Suarez and C M 38
ETHIOPIAN	Boiler trouble – returning to Seychelles
ROCKWOOD	Left Durban for Kilindini
TULIP	Arrived Colombo (0930Z) from escort duties
B.P 67 ¾	Karachi portion sailed 0115/6
MAGNOLIA	Arrived Diego Suarez (heavy weather damage)
Sunday, 7th February
0 24	Left Colombo for patrol
GAMBIA	Arrived Addu (0356Z) from Kilindini
PLADDA	Escorting KUTSANG left Tamatave for Diego Suarez (0400/9)
THOMAS COAD (dredger)	Left Karachi for Dante escorted by TRAVANCORE
TOOWOOMBA	Arrived Aden from Kilindini – steering gear defects
EMILE BAUDOT	Left Durban for Diego Suarez (escorted to 28 deg. S, 36 deg. E by NIGELLA)
MARGUERITE	Left Addu for Colombo
BARTOMOLEO DIAZ (Portuguese sloop)	Arrived Beira
Monday, 8th February
CLIVE	Left Karachi for Bombay
HILDASAY	Arrived Durban from Tulear escorting DEMODOCUS
ETHIOPIAN	Arrived Seychelles
HAWKINS	Arrived Aden from Bombay
CESSNOCK, ROMNEY and POOLE	Left Aden (A P 18) in company
HMS SARKA	Commissioned as tender to TANA
RECORDER	Arrived Durban from Tamatave
MARIPOSA	Arrived Djibouti from Suez
'QQQQ'	S/S KINDAT, 300' N W Addu Atoll, reported ship closing her fast. Cancelled.
Tuesday, 9th February
BOLD	Left Durban for Kilindini with 3 M F V
WOLLONGONG	Escorting DUMRA arrived Diego Suarez from Kilindini
O 21	Left Diego Suarez for Addu, E T A 16/2
DEVONSHIRE	Escorting PAMPHLET arrived Addu Atoll
DAUNTLESS	Left Simonstown for Durban
MAURETANIA	Left Fremantle for Bombay, escorted by ADELAIDE to 25 deg. 22S, 100 deg. 01E, escorted by TROMP and VAN GALEN till 1200Z/10
LEOPARD	Left Mauritius for Reunion and Tamatave
MARYBOROUGH	Left Colombo for Bombay escorting EL MADEIRA
ANGBY	Arrived Trincomalee from Colombo
Wednesday, 10th February
ROCKWOOD	Arrived Kilindini from Durban en route to Med
LEOPARD	Returned Mauritius with boiler defects
SUTLEJ and PUNJAB	Escorting P B 25 arrived Bombay
KONKAN	Escorting 1 ship left Madras
BRITTANY	Arrived Seychelles from Addu
LAHORE	Left Madras for Vizagapatam
MARIPOSA	Arrived and left Aden for Suez
'SSSS'	QUEEN ANNE sunk by S/M whilst in convoy 8 m. 252 deg. Cape Agulhas. Escort attacked but result unknown
Thursday, 11th February
B P 68	Left Bombay escorted by ORISSA. Also SONAVATI (who returned defective) and SHOREHAM through the focal area
P A 24	Left Hormuz with LAUNCESTON and IPSWICH
P P 26	Left Hormuz with MADRAS and BENGAL
WARSPITE, RESOLUTION, REVENGE, MAURITIUS, NEPAL, NORMAN, ROTHERHAM, NIZAM, QUILLIAM, and FOXHOUND - Arrived Addu 0241Z
QUILLIAM and FOXHOUND	Arrived Addu 0252Z from escorting PAMPHLET through focal area
GREEN RANGER	Arrived Addu Atoll from Kilindini
BIRMINGHAM	Arrived Kilindini having escorted C M 38 from Durban
KHYBER	Arrived Addu from Diego Suarez
LEOPARD	Sailed from Mauritius for Tamatave
HAWKINS	Left Aden with M C 4 and TOOWOOMBA to Dante
DAUNTLESS	Arrived Durban from Simonstown
CARTHAGE	Arrived Capetown from patrol
TAMWORTH	Arrived Addu from Diego Garcia
BRITTANY	Left Seychelles for Kilindini
FROBISHER	Escorting C M 38 arrived Diego Suarez from Kilindini
GERALDTON	Arrived Aden with P A 23
ASTER	Escorting SINGU left Addu for Colombo
HERO	Left Aden for Kilindini
MAURITIUS	Left Addu for Colombo
FROBISHER	(escorting C M 38) left Diego Suarez for Bombay
'SSSS'	HELMSPEY sunk by S/M 11 m. south of Cape St Francis
Friday, 12th February
LEOPARD	Arrived Tamatave from Mauritius
VERBENA	Arrived Trincomalee from Bombay escorting B M 41
MARYBOROUGH	Arrived Bombay from Colombo
STAGPOOL	Arrived Addu Atoll from Kilindini
LAHORE	Arrived Vizagapatam from Madras
SANDIP	Left Vizagapatam for Calcutta
WOLLONGONG	Left Diego Suarez escorting PULASKI to Kilindini
Saturday, 13th February
FORCE A	(less MAURITIUS) left Addu for Seychelles
CHALLENGER	Left Kilindini for Cape
FAVORITE	Left Kilindini for Aden via Mogadishu
LURCHER	(escorting DUMRA) left Diego Suarez for Tamatave
JUMNA, KHYBER and BROOMDALE	Left Addu for Hormuz
ALETTA, MAURITIUS, ASTER and SINGU	Arrived Colombo from Addu
TULIP	Left Colombo to R/V with RAJPUTANA
ROCKWOOD	Left Kilindini for Aden
GAWLER	Left Addu Atoll for Colombo
RAJPUTANA	Left Madras escorting 1 ship to R/V TULIP
MARIPOSA	Arrived Suez from Aden
BOLD	Towing 3 MFVs diverted to Beria owing to cyclone. Decided to continue and later lost 2 MFVs. Later (15th) she found 1 MFV
Sunday, 14th February
MARGUERITE	Arrived Bombay from Colombo
HASHEMI	Arrived Madras from Vizagapatam
SONAVATI	Left B P 68 and returning Bombay (engine trouble)
NETRAVATI	Left Madras for Calcutta
FALMOUTH, TAMWORTH, CEDARDALE, ATHELMONARCH, RANGER and BUCCINUM. Left Addu in convoy A 3 for Colombo. Diverted Trincomalee 15/2
SIMBRA and SIGFRA	Left Kilindini for Aden
SHOREHAM	Arrived Bombay from local escort duty
TOOWOOMBA	Arrived Dante from Aden
C M 39	Escorted by DAUNTLESS (JASMINE and CATTERICK locally) left Durban for Bombay
SONDRA	Escorting RECORDER left Durban for Cable Repairs at 29-26S, 30-50E
RATNAGIRI	Left Hormuz to R/V B P 68 (in place SONAVATI)
Collier RADFIELD	Left Durban for Tamatave and Diego Suarez
Monday, 15th February
HERO	Arrived Kilindini from Aden
SONAVATI	Arrived Karachi with engine defects and left again rejoin convoy B P 68
MARIPOSA	Left Suez for Port Sudan
R.F.A. BONIFACE	Left Kilindini for Durban via Zanzibar
LURCHER	Arrived Tamatave from Diego Suarez
VERBENA	Left Trincomalee for Colombo
ARETHUSA	Arrived Aden from Suez
TRAVANCORE	Arrived Dane from Karachi escorting dredger THOS. COAD.
HEEMSKERCK	Left Fremantle to rendezvous with PAMPHLET a.m. 16th
TROMP and VAN GALEN	Met PAMPHLET p.m. 15th
Tuesday, 16th February
LISMORE and SINGU	Left Colombo for Addu
STAGPOOL	Left Addu Atoll for Seychelles and Kilindini
A.S.I.S. FORELAND	Arrived Aden from Suez
EMILE BAUDOT	Arrived Diego Suarez from Durban
ARETHUSA	Left Aden for Kilindini escorting CAP TOURANE
FAVORITE	Left Mogadishu for Aden
BIRMINGHAM	Left Kilindini for Durban (R/V and relieve M C 4 HAWKINS)
WOOLLONGONG	Arrived Kilindini from Diego Suarez
BRITTANY	Arrived Kilindini from Seychelles and Addu.
HERO	Left Kilindini and returned with boiler problems
BONIFACE	Arrived Zanzibar for coal
KONKAN	Left Madras , R/V J C 7, escort to Calcutta
O 21	Arrived Addu Atoll from Diego Suarez
TRUSTY	Left Exmouth Gulf for Colombo
Portuguese sloop	BARTOMOLEO DIAZ left Beira for L. Marques
Wednesday, 17th February
BENGAL and MADRAS	Arrived Bombay with P B 26
SONAVATI	Arrived Bombay with defects
Force A	Arrived and left Seychelles
BRITTANY	Left Kilindini for Tamatave with emergency stores
ROCKWOOD	Arrived Aden from Kilindini en route to Med.
KANIMBLA	Escorting O W 4 (4 ships) left Fremantle (SHOREHAM and FALMOUTH relieving at 05 deg. S, 74 deg. 30E)
MARIPOSA	Arrived Port Sudan and left
B P 68 ½	MARYBOROUGH and MARGUERITE left Bombay
SCOUT	Escorting SHENGKING left Colombo for Bombay
VERBENA	Escorting 3 ships M B 25 (and ALCIDES) left Colombo
TULIP	Arrived Madras from J C 7
BALUCHISTAN	Escorting C A 1 3 A left Simonstown
ST ZENO and LE TIGRE	Escorting C A 13 and 12 (including PACHECO) left Cape
TRAVANCORE	Left Dante for Aden
TOOWOOMBA	Escorting THOMAS COAD left Dane for Mogadishu and Kilindini
NIGELLA, INDIAN STAR and ARCTIC EXPLORER	Escorting D N 18 left Durban for 33 deg. S, 36 deg. E
'SSSS'	U.S. S/S DEER LODGE originated SSSS 80 m. south of Port Elizabeth
Thursday, 18th February
PANGKOR and BOMBAY	P B 27 sailed from Hormuz
CESSNOCK	P A 25 sailed from Hormuz
O 21	Left Addu for Colombo
MOONSHINE	Arrived Zanzibar from Tanga
LISMORE	Arrived and left Addu Atoll
LEOPARD	Left Tamatave for Reunion and Mauritius
SINGU	Arrived Addu Atoll from Colombo
MARIPOSA	Arrived Massawa from Suez
EARL KITCHENER and LORD GREY	Left Colombo for Madras
LURCHER	Left Tamatave R/V M C 4 off Diego Suarez (A/S defects developed. Put into Diego Suarez)
PAMPHLET	Escorted by GAMBIA, DEVONSHIRE, TROMP, HEEMSKERK, VAN GALEN, TJERK HIDDES arrived Fremantle
Friday, 19th February
HAWKINS	Arrived Kilindini from escorting M C 4
RANPURA	Left Kilindini to escort C M 39
MAURETANIA	Arrived Bombay from Fremantle
WORCESTERSHIRE	Left Colombo for patrol. Thence MOMP with O W 2
HERO	Left Kilindini for Durban
FALMOUTH	Arrived Trincomalee from Addu Atoll
MARIPOSA	Left Massawa for Bombay
CATTERICK	Left Durban for Capetown escorting D C 9
MASTIFF	Left Diego Suarez R/V M C 4 escorting CAIRO CITY
SHOREHAM	Left Bombay with B M 42, relieved on 22nd by GAWLER
Saturday, 20th February
SCOUT	Arrived Bombay from Colombo
ROTHERHAM, FOXHOUND, NIZAM, QUILLIAM, NORMAN, NEPAL, REVENGE, RESOLUTION, and WARSPITE. Force A arrived Kilindini
DRAGON	Transferred to Polish Govt. 15 January 1943
KHYBER and ALETTA	Arrived Bombay from Addu
CARNATIC (RIN)	Left Simonstown escorted C D 5 to Durban
DEVONSHIRE	Escorting MONTECELLO (Local escort TROMP) left Fremantle for Colombo
LURCHER	Escorting DUMRA left Diego Suarez for Kilindini
BRITTANY	Called Diego Suarez for fuel
KONKAN	Arrived Calcutta from Vizagapatam
TRAVANCORE	Arrived Aden from Dante
KHYBER	Escorting ALETTA arrived Bombay from Colombo
FROBISHER	Arrived Bombay from Diego Suarez
Sunday, 21st February
FAVOURITE	Arrived Aden from Kilindini
GAWLER	Left Colombo to relieve SHOREHAM escorting B M 42
TOOWOOMBA and THOMAS COAD	Arrived Mogadishu from Karachi
VITA	Left Durban for Mauritius
O 21	Arrived Colombo from Addu
TEAL	Left Kilindini for Tanga and Manza
Tug BOLD	Left Kilindini from Durban towing 1 MFV. (2 lost in cyclone)
LEOPARD	Arrived Mauritius from Tamatave
FALMOUTH	Left Trincomalee for Addu Atoll
BALUCHISTON and C A 13 A	Arrived Durban from Simonstown
HILDASAY	Left Durban for Diego Suarez
SIMBRA and SIGFRA	Arrived Aden from Kilindini
SCOUT	Left Bombay for Colombo
PATNA	Left Vizagapatam for Madras
RAJPUTANA	Left Madras escorting J C 7 ½ for Calcutta
LISMORE	Arrived Colombo from Addu Atoll
MASTIFF	Arrived Tamatave from Diego Suarez
ETHIOPIAN	Left Seychelles for Diego Suarez
BARBOUR	Arrived Trincomalee from Colombo
SEPIA	Left Abadan for Kilindini
Monday, 22nd February
EARL KITCHENER and LORD GREY	Arrived Madras from Trincomalee
DAUNTLESS	Arrived Kilindini from Durban (C M 39)
LEOPARD	Left Mauritius for Diego Suarez
MAURITIUS	Left Colombo for Bombay
BRITTANY	Arrived Tamatave from Kilindini
LAUNCESTON	Left Aden escorting A P 20 for Hormuz
FAVOURITE	Left Aden for the Mediterranean
ATHELMEER	Left Abadan for Trincomalee
VERBENA and ALCIDES	Arrived Bombay from Colombo (M B 25)
STAGPOOL	Arrived Seychelles from Addu
KONKAN	Left Calcutta for Madras
W S 26	QUICKMATCH, QUIBERON, and RACEHORSE arrive and leave Capetown. GENISTA left Capetown as additional escort to E. London. WAYLAND, RELENTLESS & C.D'ESTIENNE D'ORVES arrived Capetown
CANTON & QUALITY	Arrived Simonstown
CERES	Left Simonstown as additional escort
Tuesday, 23rd February
B P 69 SUTLEJ and PUNJAB	Left Bombay for Hormuz
DUSK	Arrived Tanga from Dar es Salaam
TULIP	Arrived Trincomalee from Madras
B M 42 & GAWLER	Arrived off Colombo. Proceed Trinco.
BURNIE	Left Kilindini escorting 1 ship to Diego Suarez
NORMAN	Left Kilindini for Durban
CATTERICK	Arrived Capetown from Durban
HILDASAY	Returned Durban defective
ST ANTHONY	Left Cochin for Mimboy, Amein, and Mangalore
COM. DUBOC	Left Simonstown for Durban with C D 6
SOBKRA	Left Karachi for Hormuz
Wednesday, 24th February
ARETHUSA	Arrived Kilindini from Aden
MARIPOSA	Arrived Bombay from Massawa
B A 38, CARADOC	Left Bombay for Aden
LURCHER	Escorting DUMRA arrived Kilindini
ROTHERHAM	Left Kilindini with M C 5 to Durban via Zanzibar
ARETHUSA	Left Kilindini for Durban
JASMINE and NIGELLA	Left Durban R/V M C 4
MAURITIUS	Arrived Bombay from Colombo
TRAVANCORE	Left Aden for Bombay
BRITTANY	Left Tamatave for Diego Suarez
SHOREHAM and FALMOUTH	Arrived Addu from Bombay
TULIP	Left Trinco for Colombo
BOMBAY, PANGKOR and P B 27	Arrived Bombay from Hormuz
RAJPUTANA	Arrived Calcutta from Madras
SUTLEJ	Returned Bombay defective
CHALLENGER	Arrived Capetown from Kilindini
CARNATIC	Arrived Durban from Simonstown
PANGKOR and BOMBAY	Arrived Bombay from Hormuz (P B 27)
CESSNOCK	Arrived Aden from Hormuz (P A 25)
Thursday, 25th February
LEOPARD	Arrived Mauritius from Reunion
ROTHERHAM and M C 5	Left Zanzibar
MASTIFF	Escorting CAIRO CITY arrived Diego Suarez
DIPAVATI	Arrived Karachi from Bombay
CILICIA	Left Durban for Simonstown
GAWLER	Arrived Trincomalee from Colombo
SHOREHAM and FALMOUTH	Left Addu to relieve KANIMBLA and escort O W 4
ORISSA	Escorting P A 26 left Hormuz for Aden
MARYBOROUGH and MARGUERITE	Escorting P B 28 left Hormuz for Bombay
CERES, CILICIA, QUIBERON, QUICKMATCH, and RACEHORSE	Escorting W S 26 arrived Durban from the south
ATHELMONARCH and CEDARDALE	Left Colombo for Bombay M B 26
BATHURST & A P 21	Left Aden for Hormuz
'SSSS'	At 1900z, STORAAS sighted S/M in 23 deg. 43N, 59 deg. 00E
Friday, 26th February
KONKAN	Arrived Madras from Calcutta
BRITTANY	Arrived Diego Suarez from Tamatave
ANGBY	Left Trinco for Colombo
LURCHER	Left Kilindini escorting KUTSANG to 12 deg. S, then Diego Suarez
TOOWOOMBA	Arrived Kilindini from Mogadishu and Dante
DAUNTLESS	Left Kilindini for Aden
DIPAVATI	Left Karachi escorting SANTHIA for Bombay
W S 26	(Capetown section) left Capetown escorted by CANTON, RELENTLESS, CATTERICK, BLACKMORE
MARIPOSA	Left Bombay for Capetown
RANCHI	Arrived Clyde
O 24	Arrived Colombo from patrol
Saturday, 27th February
VITA	Arrived Mauritius from Durban
LEOPARD	Left Mauritius for Reunion
BRITTANY	Left Diego Suarez for Tamatave
TRUSTY	Arrived Colombo from Australia
TAMWORTH	Left Colombo for local escort duty
LEOPARD	Arrived Reunion from Mauritius
BURNIE	Escorting 1 ship arrived Diego Suarez from Kilindini
MAGNOLIA	Left Diego Suarez for Tamatave for coal
SLUNA	Left Tamatave for Diego Suarez
BURNIE	Left Diego Suarez for Kilindini escorting 1 ship
NORMAN and HERO	Left Durban for East London
Sunday, 28th February
ARETHUSA	Arrived Durban from Kilindini
EMILE BAUDOT	Left Diego Suarez for Tamatave to coal
DIPAVATI	Arrived Bombay from Karachi
KARACHI	Left Bombay for Karachi
POONA	Left Cochin escorting 1 ship to Colombo
BADORA	Left Vizagapatam for Calcutta
RAJPUTANA	Left Calcutta escorting 1 ship to Madras
GAWLER	Escorting 2 tankers left Trinco for Colombo
ST ANTHONY	Arrived back at Cochin from Lakadive Islands
EARL KITCHENER and LORD GREY	Arrived Calcutta from Madras

 

  

Part II

 

NARRATIVE

 

 

(A). GUNNERY

 

Battle Practice Target No. 7 which was completed at Simonstown during the month left Simonstown on 17^th February in tow of EMPIRE VESPER.

 

2. On 19^th February, the target broke adrift from EMPIRE VESPER and went ashore near Port Elizabeth. Salvage operations failed and the target is a total loss.

 

(B). COMMUNICATIONS

 

3. Despite the reduction in the number of units operating with the Eastern Fleet, the total volume of signal traffic continues at its usual high level and for no particular reason the record peak was reached 24 hours ending 2^nd March.

 

4, The development of Plan 'R' is progressing satisfactorily.

 

(C). FLYING BOAT OPERATIONS

 

Ceylon and South Africa

 

5. At the end of January flying boat reinforcements were ordered from Ceylon to South Africa to operate under Commander in Chief, South Atlantic in anticipation of U Boat activity in the Cape and Durban areas.

 

6. 6 Catalina Amphibians left Ceylon route via SALALAH, KHORMAKSAR (Aden), NAIROBI, N'DOLA, and GERMISTON and arrived Darling, Cape Province between 30^th January and 1^st February. Three of these aircraft were later detached to St. Albans, and all have been employed on convoy A/S escort duties.

 

7. 7 Catalina flying boats were also detached from Ceylon to South Africa. These aircraft were route via ADDU ATOLL, SEYCHELLES, KILINDINI, PAMANZI, DURBAN, and LAANGABAN (SALDANHA BAY). 3 of these aircraft operated from SALDANHA BAY and 4 from DURBAN and LAKE ST LUCIA during the month on convoy A/S escort duties.

 

8. From the 8^th to 11^th February, Catalina flying boats and amphibians and Liberators, operating from CEYLON, ADDU ATOLL, and DIEGO GARCIA provided close escort for a convoy of Monsters carrying troops from the Middle East to Australia, during their approach to ADDU ATOLL for refuelling and after their departure. Close A/S escort was provided also for the covering surface force, Force 'A'. Covering patrols to the eastward were provided during the time the convoy and Force 'A' were in the vicinity of ADDU ATOLL.

 

Persian Gulf

 

9. During the month, a detachment of 3 Catalina flying boats was maintained in the Persian Gulf. This detachment was provided by 240 Squadron at Madras at first, then by 212 Squadron Karachi when that unit formed and became operational.

 

East Africa

 

10. 1 Catalina at Kilindini and one Sunderland at Dar es Salaam have been available at short notice throughout as strike aircraft.

 

On 22^nd February two Sunderland flying boats were detached from 230 Squadron Dar es Salaam to TULEAR to operate under the instructions of Commodore, Durban.

 

(D). MINESWEEPING

 

11. There has been no evidence of enemy minelaying during the month.

 

12. EARL KITCHENER and LORD GREY, part of the 170^th M/S Group, fitted with Mark II Star LL and SA Mk II have been sent from Colombo to Calcutta in view of the possibility of approaches to Calcutta being mined by Japanese aircraft.

 

(E). Bases

 

13. General

 

Commander in Chief visited Seychelles, Addu Atoll, and Ceylon during the month.

 

Addu Atoll

 

14. BRITTANY completed repairs and relaying of Indicator nets in the Northern Entrances.

 

15. Gan Aerodrome. The N.W. and S.E. runway, Western and Southern taxi strips completed, and successfully tested by GAMBIA's Walrus. Work has started on N.E. and S.W. runway.

 

Trincomalee

 

16. The boom defences are being expedited, and Commander Lowe, B.D.O. East Africa, has been lent to Ceylon to supervise.

 

17. Satisfactory arrangements have now been made for water supply, and the distilling plant allocated to Trincomalee is not now required there.

 

Seychelles

 

18. The stern buoy for the oiling berth S.E. of St. Anne's Island has now been laid by BARRYMORE.

 

19. As a result of the visit of General Officer Commander in Chief, East Africa and General Officer Commanding, Islands Area, the Defence plan has been redrawn, and the defended area does not include the site of the new W/T station. Owing to technical requirements, however, the site cannot be readjusted.

 

Diego Suarez

 

20. Work on the boom continues. When this and the A/T baffles are complete, it is considered that the underwater defences of Diego Suarez will be adequate, and it has been proposed to the Admiralty that the H.D.A.s will be redundant.

 

Tamatave

 

21. Tamatave suffered considerable damage from a cyclone. BRITTANY was sent on 17^th February from Kilindini with building materials for repairs.

 

Kilindini

 

22. An indicator loop has been laid of the northern end of Andromache Reef. This forms the 5^th loop of the indicator loops.

 

Mauritius

 

23. Admiralty have approved the lengthening of the oil pipeline at Port Louis to 750 feet. This will improve the fuelling berths.

 

24. Admiralty have also approved the expenditure of 116,000 Pounds by Superintending Civil Engineer on anti malarial work.

 

25. Tombean Bay Flying Boat Base is being progressed at first priority by Superintending Civil Engineer.

 

26. As a result of the visit to the Island of the General Officer Commanding in Chief, East Africa, and General Officer Commanding Island Area, the Defence Plan has been redrawn, and two defended areas (Port Louis – Tombean Bay and Plaisance – Grand Port) have been established.

 

The sites of the Armament Depot and the Plan 'R' W/T Station are not in these areas, but it not intended to resite them.

 

 

 

APPENDIX I

  

CYCLONE AT TAMATAVE

 

A cyclone struck Tamatave on the night of the 11^th/12^th February and then passed across to the West Coast of Madagascar where it remained overland for about three days and finally recurved to the Indian Ocean.

 

2. At Tamatave H.M. Trawler PLADDA broke from the mole and was driven ashore on the beach at the edge of high water mark. The ship herself was comparatively undamaged but salvage operations present considerable difficulty owing the large amount of shifting sand which has to be dug away in order to refloat her. The work is in progress.

 

3. A great number of buildings in the town were damaged; the European houses were unroofed and the Native Houses demolished. Naval Headquarters were damaged. Communications including the TAMATAVE – REUNION – MAURITIUS cable were disrupted but the cable was repaired by the 16^th February. The mole was badly eroded, the cranes and power supply were put out of action and two lighthouses were destroyed.

 

4. At the request of the High Commissioner of Madagascar, H.M.S. BRITTANY was despatched from Kilindini as a relief ship with about 100 tons of cement, sheet iron, and nails. En route to Tamatave, she called at Diego Suarez where she picked up more repair materials and some carpenters from the Dockyard. A detailed report from H.M.S. BRITTANY is attached. The recommendations contained there have been dealt with separately.

 

5. Opportunity was taken of BRITTANY's visit for her to load 300 tons of tapioca for Kilindini in order to relieve the acute shortage of food in Kenya. This was loaded under considerable difficulty owing to the failure of the port facilities and the indifferent qualities of local labour. The speedy embarkation reflected credit on the BRITTANY's officers and Ship's company.

 

6. The cyclone caused bad weather in the Mozambique Channel but not to the extent of causing damage to shipping with the exception of three motor fishing vessels in tow of H.M. Tug BOLD to Kilindini. She was midway between Beira and Lourenco Marques when the first warnings were received and was ordered to shelter at the former. Before she could do so she was struck by the gale and two M.F.V., the EXCELSIOR and the VALHALLA, broke adrift at night and although search was carried out under difficult conditions the next day, northing was seen of them. They have now been reported aground at the mouth of the Zambesi River and arrangements are being made for them to be towed to Kilindini. The remaining M.F.V. was retained with difficulty but the weather moderated and it arrived safely.

 

 

---

 

 

EASTERN FLEET WAR DIARY

 

Area of operations, click to enlarge

 

 

MARCH 1943

 

Monday, March 1st
LURCHER	Arrived Diego Suarez from Kilindini
DEVONSHIRE	Arrived Colombo from Fremantle
B P 70 ½	escorted by SUTLEJ left Bombay for Hormuz
KIRRIEMOOR	Left Diego Suarez for Kilindini
MAURETANIA	Left Bombay for Durban
W S 26	Left Durban to R/V with Capetown section escorted by BIRMINGHAM, CERES, CARNATIC (to Diego Suarez), COMM. DUBOC (to Tamatave). Local A/S escort provided by RELENTLESS, CATTERICK, BLACKMORE, and 3 corvettes. RESOURCE also in company
SLUNA	Arrived Diego Suarez from Tamatave
IPSWICH	Left Aden for Hormuz escorting A P 22
BRITTANY	Arrived Tamatave from Diego Suarez
USS TRINITY	Left Fremantle for Bahrein
Tuesday, March 2nd
STAGPOOL	Arrived Kilindini from Seychelles and Addu
BURNIE	Arrived Kilindini from Diego Suarez
GAWLER	Arrived Colombo from Trincomalee
ASTER (to Bombay) and OVERDALE WYKE (to Cochin) left Colombo escorting M B 27
MAGNOLIA	Arrived Tamatave from Durban
ARETHUSA	Left Durban for Cape
CARTHAGE (for Kilindini) and QUALITY (for Durban) left Capetown in company
O W 2	Escorted by QUEEN OF BERMUDA left Fremantle for MOMP with WORCESTERSHIRE
Wednesday, March 3rd
RATNAGIRI and PUNJAB	Escorting P B 29 and GERALDTON P A 27 left Hormuz
FROBISHER	Arrived Kilindini from Bombay
BOLD	Left Kilindini for Mogadishu and Dante
SCOUT	Escorting MONTICELLO arrived Bombay
BALUCHISTAN	Arrived Diego Suarez from Durban
MAURETANIA	diverted to Diego Suarez for fuel
GAMBIA	Left Fremantle for Durban
RANPURA and C M 39	Arrived Bombay
MARGUERITE, MARYBOROUGH and P B 28	Arrived Bombay from Hormuz
CARADOC	Arrived Aden from Bombay
BRITTANY	Left Tamatave for Diego Suarez
Thursday, March 4th
ARETHUSA	Arrived Capetown from Durban
HAWKINS	Left Kilindini for Agelega Isl. And Diego Suarez
CARADOC	Left Aden for Kilindini
BRITTANY	Left Diego Suarez for Kilindini
DAUNTLESS	Arrived Aden from Kilindini escorting SS TAKLIWA
ORISSA	Arrived Aden with P A 26
Friday, March 5th
KIRRIEMOUTH	Arrived Kilindini from Diego Suarez
BALUCHISTON	Left Diego Suarez for Addu Atoll
DAUNTLESS	Left Aden for Bombay
ETHIOPIAN	Arrived Durban from Seychelles
TULIP and ZUIDERKRUIS	Left Colombo for Diego Garcia and Addu Atoll
Saturday, March 6th
O 21	Left Colombo for patrol
ROTHERHAM and M C 5	Arrived Durban from Kilindini
MAURITIUS	Left Bombay for Kilindini flying the flag of Commander in Chief, Eastern Fleet
WEST POINT	Left Melbourne for Bombay
Sunday, March 7th
MAURETANIA	Arrived Diego Suarez to fuel
BRITTANY	Arrived Kilindini from Diego Suarez
ALBATROSS, CARTHAGE, QUIBERON and QUICKMATCH	Left Durban in company. On arrived lat. 25 deg. S, CARTHAGE and QUIBERON to proceed direct to Kilindini. ALBATROSS and QUICKMATCH to Tulear, Majunga, and Kilindini
BALUCHISTAN	Arrived Seychelles from Diego Suarez
BOLD	Arrived and left Mogadishu for Dante
MARYBOROUGH and HINDUSTAN	Escorting B P 71 left Bombay
COMMANDANT DUBOC	Arrived Tamatave escorting H.T. LANCASHIRE, ex W S 26, and left again for Diego Suarez
Monday, March 8th
USS MONTICELLO	Left Bombay for Melbourne escorted by HMS SCOUT to vicinity of equator
CESSNOCK	Escorting convoy A p 23 left Aden for Hormuz
EMILE BAUDOT	Escorted by MAGNOLIA left Tamatave for Addu Atoll
CERES	Arrived Diego Suarez having been detached from escorting W S 26
HAWKINS	Arrived Diego Suarez to join W S 26 and to escort Bombay portion to Bombay
BALUCHISTAN	Left Seychelles for Bombay
CARNATIC	Arrived Diego Suarez from Durban
KANIMBLA	Escorted SS CAPE CHARLES and FAIRISLE left Fremantle for Colombo
MAURETANIA	Left Diego Suarez for Capetown
'SSSS'	From SS JOSEPH WHEELER (USA) U/B sighted 5 deg. 36N, 76 deg.15E at 0815Z hours
Tuesday, March 9th
DEVONSHIRE	Left Colombo for Seychelles and Kilindini
FROBISHER	Left Kilindini to relieve BIRMINGHAM and to escort Aden portion of W S 26 to Aden
CARNATIC	Left Diego Suarez for Seychelles and Bombay
FFS COMMANDANT DUBOC	Arrived Diego Suarez from Tamatave escorting H.T. LANCASHIRE
CERES	Left Diego Suarez escorting H.T. LANCASHIRE to Kilindini
RATNAGIRI and PUNJAB	Escorting convoy P B 29 arrived Bombay from Hormuz
FALMOUTH	Escorting P A 28 left Hormuz for Aden
BATHURST, JUMNA and SEA BELLE	Escorting P B 30 left Hormuz for Bombay
DAUNTLESS	Arrived Bombay from Aden
Wednesday, March 10th
CARADOC	Left Kilindini for Diego Suarez
KIRRIEMOOR	Left Kilindini for Diego Suarez
MAURITIUS	Flying flag of Commander in Chief, Eastern Fleet, arrived Kilindini from Bombay
BOLD	Arrived Dante from Kilindini
TULIP and ZUIDERKRUIS	Arrived Diego Garcia from Colombo
ALBATROSS and QUICKMATCH	Arrived Tulear and left again for Majunga
'SSSS'	SS KING WILLIAM reports sighting submarine 120' S of Durban at 0614Z.
'SSSS'	SS RICHARD D. SPAIGHT (USA) sunk by U/B in position 28 deg S, 37 deg. E (300' E. of Durban)
Thursday, March 11th
WARSPITE, FOXHOUND, QUILLIAM and NEPAL	Left Kilindini for Durban
BIRMINGHAM and RESOURCE	Arrived Kilindini having been detached from convoy W S 26 from Diego Suarez
CERES	Arrived Kilindini escorting H.T. LANCASHIRE both esc. Convoy W S 26.
GERALDTON	Escorting P A 27 arrived Aden from Hormuz
CARNATIC	Arrived Seychelles and left again for Bombay
MARGUERITE and PANGKOR	Left Bombay for Hormuz escorting convoy B P 72
DAUNTLESS	Left Bombay for Persian Gulf to relieve CAPETOWN
Friday, March 12th
CARADOC	Arrived Diego Suarez from Kilindini and left again for Tamatave
TULIP and ZUIDERKRUIS	Left Diego Garcia for Addu Atoll
CAIRNS	Left Kilindini for Tulear
ALBATROSS and QUICKMATCH	Arrived Majunga and left the same day for Kilindini
Saturday, March 13th
SHAPINSAY	Left Diego Suarez for Kilindini
SONAVATI	Left Trincomalee for Cocos Is with stores and relief for Garrison
CARADOC	Arrived Tamatave from Diego Suarez
DEVONSHIRE	Arrived Seychelles from Colombo and left again for Kilindini
GAMBIA	Arrived Mauritius from Fremantle having been detached from escorting QUEEN OF BERMUDA
CARTHAGE and QUIBERON	Arrived Kilindini from Durban
WORCESTERSHIRE	Arrived Colombo with Colombo portion of convoy O W 2
ORISSA	Left Aden for Hormuz escorting convoy A P 24
Sunday, March 14th
BALUCHISTAN	Arrived Bombay from Seychelles
FS COMMANDANT DUBOC	Left Diego Suarez fro Nosi Be with High Commissioner for Madagascar
BRITTANY	Left Kilindini for Seychelles, Addu Atoll, Cochin, and Bombay
TULIP and ZUIDERKRUIS	Arrived Addu Atoll from Diego Garcia
CARADOC	Left Tamatave for Diego Suarez
GAMBIA	Left Mauritius for Kilindini
GAWLER	Left Colombo escorting R.F.A. APPLELEAF and TAIPING for Addu Atoll and Diego Garcia
Monday, March 15th
ALBATROSS and QUICKMATCH	Arrived Kilindini from Majunga
CERES	Left Kilindini escorting H.T. LANCASHIRE to Aden
DEVONSHIRE	Arrived Kilindini from Seychelles and Colombo
CARADOC	Arrived Diego Suarez from Tamatave and left again for Kilindini escorting SS KUTSANG
KIRRIEMOUTH	Arrived Diego Suarez from Kilindini
SCOUT	Left Colombo for Calcutta escorting U.S. MORMACDOVE
JUMNA, BATHURST and SEA BELLE	Arrived Bombay from Hormuz escorting convoy P B 30
FS COMMANDANT DUBOC	Arrived Nosi Be from Diego Suarez
CESSNOCK	Arrived Hormuz from Aden escorting convoy A P 23
FROBISHER	Arrived Aden escorting Aden portion of W S 26
Tuesday, March 16th
WARSPITE, QUILLIAM, FOXHOUND and NEPAL	Arrived Durban from Kilindini
FALMOUTH	Arrived Aden from Hormuz escorting convoy P A 28
TULIP	Escorting SS ZUIDERKRUIS, SANTHIA, and SINGU left Addu Atoll for Colombo
MARBOROUGH and BENGAL	Left Hormuz for Bombay escorting convoy P B 31
MADRAS	Left Hormuz for Aden escorting convoy P A 29
KIRRIEMOOR	Arrived Diego Suarez from Kilindini
FROBISHER	Left Aden for Kilindini
Dutch Sub O 24	Left Colombo for patrol
Wednesday, March 17th
GAWLER	Arrived Addu Atoll from Colombo escorting oiler APPLELEAF and TAIPING
HAWKINS	Arrived Bombay escorting W S 26 B
GAMBIA	Arrived Kilindini from Mauritius and Fremantle
QUIBERON	Arrived Kilindini from Diego Garcia and Fremantle
SHAPINSAY	Arrived Kilindini from Diego Suarez
EMILE BAUDOT	escorted by MAGNOLIA arrived Addu Atoll from Tamatave
CAPETOWN	Left Bahrein for Bombay
FS COMMANDANT DUBOC	Arrived Majunga from Nosi Be
FLAMINGO	Towed by SS STAR OF CAIRO left Aden for Bombay
Thursday, March 18th
USS WEST POINT	Arrived Bombay from Melbourne
CARADOC	Escorting SS KUTSANG arrived Kilindini from Diego Suarez
BIRMINGHAM	Left Kilindini for Durban, Simonstown, and U.K.
MAURITIUS	Flying the flag of Commander in Chief, Eastern Fleet, left Kilindini for Durban
ALBATROSS	Left Kilindini for Mogadishu, Dante, and Bombay
WORCESTERSHIRE	Left Colombo to MOMP with convoy O W 3
PUNJAB and ADRIA	Escorting convoy B P 72 left Bombay for Hormuz
GAWLER	Left Addu Atoll for Diego Garcia
BRITTANY	Arrived Seychelles from Kilindini
Friday, March 19th
FSS COMMANDANT DUBOC	Arrived Diego Suarez from Majunga
CAIRNS	Arrived Tulear from Kilindini
TULIP	Escorting ZUIDERKRUIS, SANTHIA, and SINGU arrive Colombo from Addu Atoll
SONAVATI	Arrived Cocos Is. From Colombo
GERALDTON	Left Aden escorting A P 25 to Hormuz
KANIMBLA	Left Colombo for Sydney
EMILE BAUDOT	Left Addu Atoll for Bombay
MAGNOLIA	Left Addu Atoll for Colombo
NEPAL	Left Durban for Mauritius, Diego Garcia, and Fremantle
BRITTANY	Left Seychelles for Addu Atoll
USS TRINITY	Arrived Bombay from Fremantle
Saturday, March 20th
SCOUT	Escorting SS MORMACDOVE arrived Calcutta from Colombo
HAWKINS	Left Bombay for Kilindini
CAPETOWN	Arrived Bombay from Bahrein
FROBISHER	Arrived Kilindini from Aden
ADELAIDE	Left Fremantle escorting convoy O W 3
Sunday, March 21st
GAWLER	Arrived Diego Garcia from Addu Atoll
QUIBERON	Arrived Diego Garcia and having fuelled left for Fremantle
MAURITIUS and BIRMINGHAM	Arrived Durban from Kilindini
CERES	Arrived Aden from Kilindini escorting H.T. LANCASHIRE
ASTER	Left Bombay escorting B P 72 ¾ to Hormuz
MARYBOROUGH and BENGAL	Arrived Bombay from Hormuz escorting convoy P B 31
Monday, March 22nd
ADAMANT	With QUICKMATCH and NIZAM and local A/S escort left Kilindini for Colombo
ORISSA and HINDUSTAN	Escorting convoy P B 32 left Hormuz for Bombay
MARGUERITE	Escorting convoy P A 30 left Hormuz for Aden
CHITRAL and CANTON	Left Durban escorting convoy C M 40. Local a/s escort provided by NAPIER, QUALITY, and CATTERICK
ILE DE FRANCE	Left Fremantle for Durban
SONAVATI	Left Cocos Island for Colombo
KIRRIEMOOR	Left Diego Suarez for E. London
Tuesday, March 23rd
FROBISHER	Left Kilindini for Durban
CANTON, WAYLAND and CHITRAL	Left Durban escorting C M 40. A/S escort provided by destroyers NAPIER, CATTERICK, and QUALITY. On reaching Lat. 22S CHITRAL and destroyers returned to Durban
USS WEST POINT	Left Bombay for Suez
MAGNOLIA	Arrived Colombo from Addu Atoll having escorted EMIL BAUDOT from Tamatave
NEPAL	Arrived Mauritius from Durban en route to Australia via Diego Garcia
MADRAS	Escorting P A 29 arrived Aden from Hormuz
BATHURST, RATNAGIRI and RAJPUTANA	Left Bombay escorting convoy B P 73 to Hormuz
BRITTANY	Arrived and left Addu Atoll for Cochin
SCOUT	Left Calcutta for Colombo
Wednesday, March 24th
Dutch Sub O 21	Arrived Colombo from patrol
ADRIA	Arrived Bandar Abbas from Bombay to relieve ALAUNIA as base ship
Thursday, March 25th
HAWKINS	Arrived Kilindini from Bombay
JAN DE WAELE	Left Addu Atoll for Seychelles, Aden, and Med.
IPSWICH	Left Bandar Abbas escorting SS EKMA to Ras al Hadd, Masirah, and Bombay
Friday, March 26th
FALMOUTH	Left Aden escorting convoy A P 26 to Hormuz
BRITTANY	Arrived Cochin from Addu Atoll
CARTHAGE	Left Kilindini to R/V with convoy W S 27 S.E. of Madagascar on the ¼
CAIRNS	Left Tulear escorting ML 380, ML 382, ML 383, and ML 829 to Majunga
CAPETOWN	Left Bombay escorting convoy B A 40 to Aden
SUSSEX, FOXHOUND, and RACEHORSE	Arrived Durban escorting convoy W S 27 (Durban Section) from Capetown
NEPAL	Arrived Diego Garcia and left again for Fremantle
EMILE BAUDOT	Arrived Bombay from Addu Atoll
FLAMINGO	Arrived Bombay from Aden towed by SS STAR OF CAIRO
COMMANDANTE DUBOC	Left Diego Suarez for Tamatave
Saturday, March 27th
GAWLER	Left Addu Atoll escorting TAIPING for Colombo
FROBISHER	Arrived Durban from Kilindini
ALBATROSS	Arrived Bombay from Dante, Mogadishu, and Kilindini
SARKA	Left Durban for Kilindini
BALUCHISTAN	Left Bombay escorting convoy B P 73 ½ to Hormuz
SCOUT	Arrived Colombo from Calcutta
BRITTANY	Left Cochin for Bombay
DURBAN	Left Bombay for Kilindini
Sunday, March 28th
USS TRINITY	Left Bombay for Bahrein
HINDUSTAN and ORISSA	Arrived Bombay escorting convoy P B 32 from Hormuz
FS COMMANDANT DUBOC	Arrived Diego Suarez and left for Reunion
QUIBERON	Arrived Fremantle from Diego Garcia
ADELAIDE	Arrived Fremantle having escorted convoy O W 3 to MOMP with WORCESTERSHIRE
QUEEN MARY (transport)	Left Fremantle for Capetown
SONAVATI	Arrived Colombo from Cocos Island
Monday, March 29th
COMMANDANT DUBOC	Arrived Reunion from Tamatave
Dutch Sub O 21	Arrived Colombo from patrol
FROBISHER	Escorting convoy W S 27 left Durban. Local A/S escort provided by FOXHOUND, CATTERICK, NAPIER, ROTHERHAM
BRITTANY	Arrived Bombay from Cochin
CAIRNS	Escorting MLs arrived Majunga from Tulear
BARRYMOOR	Left Seychelles for Colombo
PUNJAB and RAJPUTANA	Left Hormuz escorting P B 33 to Bombay
LAUNCESTON and BATHURST	Left Hormuz escorting P A 31 to Aden
USS WEST POINT	Arrived Suez from Bombay
Tuesday, March 30th
ORISSA and BARODA	Left Bombay escorting convoy B P 74 to Hormuz
CERES	Left Aden escorting convoy M C 6 to Kilindini
MARGUERITA	Arrived Aden escorting convoy P A 30 from Hormuz
AQUITANIA	Left Fremantle for Capetown
TOOWOOMBA	Left Kilindini escorting one transport to Diego Suarez
Wednesday, March 31st
CARTHAGE	Arrived Diego Suarez having been diverted from MOMP with W S 27 S.E. of Madagascar
VASNA	Left Kilindini for Diego Suarez
WAYLAND	Arrived Kilindini from Durban
CAIRNS	Left Majunga escorting 4 MLs to Lindi
RAINSTORM	Arrived Aden from Suez en route to Colombo

 

 

Part II

 

NARRATIVE 

 

(A) GENERAL

 

1. Docking and repairs on Heavy Units

 

WARSPITE taken in hand for short refit at Durban commencing 18th March and due to complete 13 April inclusive of docking

 

2. Docking and repairs on Cruisers

 

DURBAN taken in hand at Bombay for docking and repairs on 6 January and completed 10th March

 

DEVONSHIRE docked at Bombay 4th March for examination of excessive wear in A bracket bushes. Inner bushes rewooded. Completed 10th March.

 

MAURITIUS docked for 3 days at Durban completed 25th March.

 

Anti-Submarine Reinforcements for Commander in Chief, South Atlantic

 

3. The first ship to be sunk in the present enemy submarine offensive in the Cape Area was the SS QUEEN ANNE on 10th March. On this date, the disposition of the Eastern Fleet destroyers was as follows.

 

(a). At Kilindini NEPAL, NIZAM, FOXHOUND, and QUILLIAM.

 

(b). On South Atlantic Station QUICKMATCH, QUIBERON, QUALITY, RACEHORST, RELENTLESS, CATTERICK, and BLACKMORE.

 

(c). Refitting: NAPIER at Durban, NORMAN at Simonstown, and ROTHERHAM undergoing repairs to boiler at Durban

 

4. Commander in Chief, South Atlantic A/S force were augmented by the following Eastern Fleet destroyers

 

(a). FOXHOUND, QUILLIAM, and NEPAL who arrived at Durban with WARSPITE on 16th March.

 

(b). ROTHERHAM and NAPIER who completed on the 19th and 23rd March, respectively.

 

(c). QUEENBOROUGH, QUAIL, and RAIDER who arrived Durban with convoy W S 27 on 29th March

 

5. The following Eastern Fleet Destroyers were withdrawn from the Cape Area during the month.

(a). QUICKMATCH and QUIBERON were sailed from Durban to Kilindini on 7th March; the former to remain at Kilindini, the latter to proceed to Australia

 

(b). NEPAL was sailed from Durban on 19th March to Australia to give leave and adjust complement

6. In addition to the destroyers shown in the above, four Eastern Fleet corvettes were already operating in the Cape Area.

 

(B). CONVOYS

 

7.

HMS BIRMINGHAM

BIRMINGHAM with CERES in company, sailed from Durban on the 1st March as ocean escort to WS 26, arriving at Kilindini on the 11th March. After relief by……. (bottom of page chopped)

 

HMS HAWKINS

HAWKINS sailed from Kilindini on the 4th March to R/V with Convoy W S 26 on the 9th March to relieve BIRMINGHAM as ocean escort for the combined convoy until the 10th March, and then to provide escort for the Indian Ocean portion to Bombay. HAWKINS arrived at Bombay on the 17th

 

HMS FROBISHER

FROBISHER sailed from Kilindini on the 9th March and R/Vd with HAWKINS and convoy WS 26 A north of Madagascar on the 10th March, proceeding with the Middle East portion of this convoy, arriving at Aden on 15th March

 

HMS GAMBIA

GAMBIA sailed from Fremantle on the 3rd March as escort for convoy O W 2 for Colombo, being relieved in Latitude 20 deg. 25S by HMS WORCESTERSHIRE and proceeded thence to Mauritius for fuelling and Kilindini

 

HMS SUSSEX

SUSSEX provided ocean escort for W S 27 from UK arriving in Durban on the 27th March. Ship remained at Durban to await docking for repairs to stern compartment

 

HMS CAPETOWN

On relief by DAUNTLESS in the Persian Gulf on the 16th March, CAPETOWN proceeded to Bombay where she docked before providing ocean escort for convoy B A 40 which sailed from Bombay on the 26th March and was due at Aden on the 1st April

 

HMS DAUNTLESS

DAUNTLESS sailed from Kilindini on the 26the February as ocean escort for hired transport TAKLIWA, arriving at Aden on the 3rd March. DAUNTLESS then proceeded to Bombay and Persian Gulf to relieve CAPETOWN

 

HMS CARADOC

CARADOC sailed from Bombay on the 24th February as ocean escort for convoy B A 38 arriving at Aden on the 3rd March. From Aden, CARADOC proceeded to Kilindini and then to Diego Suarez to provide escort for KUTSANG which left Diego Suarez on the 14th March, arriving at Kilindini 3 days later

 

HMS CERES

CERES sailed from Durban in company with BIRMINGHAM providing ocean escort for convoy W S 26. CERES was detached from the convoy on the 7th March to proceed to Diego Suarez. On the 9th March, CERES sailed from Diego Suarez, hired transport LANCASHIRE in company, for Kilindini arriving on the 12th and sailing from Kilindini on the 15th again with LANCASHIRE in company for Aden, where she arrived on the 21st. CERES sailed from Aden on the 29th March as ocean escort for convoy M C 6, consisting of 5 ships X C M 40 returning to Durban Convoy will call at Kilindini where CERTES will be relieved as ocean escort by HMS DEVONSHIRE

 

HMS CHITRAL

On completion of refit at Simonstown, CHITRAL sailed on the 15th March, escorting ships of C M 40 to Durban. On the 26th March, CANTON and CHITRAL in company sailed from Durban with C M 40 the former to provide escort for the Bombay portion and CHITRAL to proceed with the Aden portion of the convoy to Kilindini

 

In view of the urgent requirement to transport 500 tons of dockyard machinery from Durban to Diego Suarez, CHITRAL was recalled to Durban to load this gear, and should proceed to Diego Suarez on the 2nd April.

 

HMS RANPURA

At the beginning of the month, RANPURA was at sea as escort for the Indian portion of Convoy C M 39. She arrived at Bombay on the 3rd March 

 

WORCESTERSHIRE sailed from Colombo on the 19^th February after an anti raider patrol to the Southwest of Cocos Island, proceeded to R/V with Convoy O.W. 2 in position 20-25S, 91-00E on the 7^th March, arriving at Colombo with this convoy on the 14^th to R/V with Convoy O.W.3 in position 20-24S, 93-42E and return with this convoy to Colombo, arriving on the 2^nd April.

 

CANTON sailed from Durban on the 22^nd March in company with CHITRAL as ocean escort for C.M. 40. CANTON provides though escort for the Indian portion and should arrived Bombay on the 9^th April.

 

 (C). BASES

 

General

 

8. A.M. 1856/3/3 indicated that the whole subject of Indian Ocean Bases is again under review and the results will be promulgated shortly.

 

Ships

 

9. Following movements from the Eastern Fleet have taken place or are about to take place:

 

(a). ETHIOPEAN (boom carrier) to United Kingdom on completion of refit.

 

(b). LAOMEDON (boom carrier) to United Kingdom on completion of refit.

 

(c). JAN DER WAELE (Boom trawler) to Levant

 

(d). BARHILL (B.D.V.) diverted to Mediterranean

 

(e). BRITTANY to Levant on completion of refit.

 

Kilindini

 

10. Two motor fishing vessels on passage from Durban in tow of BOLD broke adrift and went ashore at Chinde. Consul General Lourenco Marques is arranging for their repair and to send them to Beira.

 

11. One mile of A/T baffle sent in FORELAND to B.D.O. Alexandria 31^st March 1943.

 

12. By A.M. 2248/19/3 the Staff Requirements for Kilindini now are:

 

For use as a temporary Fleet base for 4 capital ships, 3 aircraft carriers, 6 cruises, and 2 ½ Destroyer Flotillas, 2 depot ships, and local forces.

 

13. A.M. 1720/26/3 suggested that the double gate in the A/T boom is an over insurance and should be reduced to a single line thereby releasing a Bar Vessel which is required in the Mediterranean. This had now been carried out.

 

Mauritius

 

14. The Army's request to resite the Armament Depot within the defended area at Plaisance was considered, but it was decided that the site at Midlands holds so many other advantages that the lack of defence could be accepted. Security Guards from Mauritius Police are being arranged.

 

15. A.M. 1503/18/3 directs that, owing to the reduction in importance of Grand Port, the Boom there is not now to be laid, but is to be stored.

 

Diego Suarez

 

16. Discussions concerning the laying of A/T baffles at Port Nievre and Scotch Bay have culminated in Admiralty directing that no A/T baffles are to be laid at Diego Suarez until the needs of Trincomalee have been fulfilled. A/T gear at present in DEVON CITY is to be sent to Trincomalee.

 

17. Andrakaka Aerodrome. The question of transferring responsibility for the development of this aerodrome from Commodore in Charge, Durban (Commander in Chief, South Atlantic) to Flag Officer, East Africa (Commander in Chief, Eastern Fleet) is at present under discussion.

 

Majunga

 

18. The indicator nets at Majunga are in a bad way. It was intended to send BARRYMORE from Seychelles to with them before she went to help at Diego Suarez, but she has now been sent to Trincomalee where Bar Vessels are urgently required. The weighing of the nets at Majunga must therefore wait for a more favourable time.

 

Seychelles

 

19. Moorings for oiling berths N.W. and S.E. of St Anne Island have now been laid.

 

20. Flag Officer, East Africa has directed Superintending Civil Engineer East Africa to proceed with the scheme for increasing the water supply at Victoria.

 

21. The submarine telephone cable between St Anne Island and North East Point has been laid.

 

Addu Atoll

 

22. The construction of the pier for a deep water quay has been under consideration, and work has ceased pending Admiralty's review of Indian Ocean bases.

 

23. Armindia has been asked if he can provide any suitable landing craft in lieu. The Admiralty cannot, and the state of the present landing craft at Addu Atoll is very shaky.

 

Trincomalee

 

24. It has been decided to sent two additional Bar Vessels (BARRYMORE from Seychelles and BARSTOKE from Kilindini) to Trincomalee to help in the laying of moorings, booms, and baffles.

 

25. By A.M. 2248/19/3 the Staff requirements for Trincomalee are now:

 

7 Capital ships or carriers, 6 cruisers, 20 destroyers, 3 depot ships, 10 submarines, 16 Fleet minesweepers. This is a reduction on previous requirements.

 

26. Two Type B5 A/S sets are now fitted in the Boom Gate (F.O. Ceylon's 0432/28/3).

 

Salaya

 

27. A.M. 2248/19/3 cancels all development beyond that required for using the anchorage as a convoy port.

 

Bandar Abbas

 

28. ADRIA arrived 24/3 to take over base ship from ALAUNIA.

 

(D). COMMUNICATIONS

 

29. The development of a satisfactory multi frequency broadcast to take the place, as far as the Indian Ocean is concerned, of Rugby W/T, has been completed and after nearly a month's trial the Indian Ocean broadcast was ordered to be made by ships instead of Rugby from 1^st April. All reports agree that this broadcast is incomparably more reliable in the Indian Ocean than was Rugby.

 

30. Attempts to utilize Tananarive Radio for this, or for any other purpose, have new been abandoned.

 

31. Work is progressing satisfactorily on the building of W/T stations required by W/T Plan R. On the other hand there are noticeable signs that the Technical equipment is not coming forward as rapidly as could be desired. In addition, a high proportion of the apparatus which has shipping from the United Kingdom had been lost en route on a count of enemy action. (This matter has been represented to Admiralty in my submission No. 741/E.F. 627R/31)

 

32. The detailed reports covering the new Ceylon, Seychelles, Kilindini, and Diego Suarez W/T Stations have now been completed and despatched, and the preliminary tour undertaken by representative of the Command In Chief, East Fleet, Lieutenant Commander McClelland, will soon be completed.

 

33. Occasion has been taken during the month to represent the absolute necessity of completing the greater portion of the Ceylon W/T Stations before large scale operations can be carried out unhandicapped in the Indian Ocean.

 

(E). INTELLIGENCE

 

34. March 12, 1943. Captain D.N.C. Tufnell, D.S.C., R.N. took over the duties of Chief of Intelligence Staff from Acting Captain S. Barry, R.N.

 

(F). MINESWEEPING

 

35. There has been no sign of enemy minelaying.

 

36. In view of the reduced threat of minelaying in the Shatt el Arab, Commander in Chief, Eastern Fleet, has decided not to reinforce M/S forces in the Persian Gulf.

 

37. It is intended that M/S Vessels that were fitting out for the Persian Gulf will not proceed to Colombo or Trincomalee for working up and training.

 

38. Vessels to which will apply are:

 

 2 wooden vessels fitting out in Colombo.

 

 10 whalers converting in Indian Ports.

 

 3 whalers converting in South Africa.

 

 1 whaler converting in the Mediterranean.

 

 Also new construction on arrival.

 

39. The LL Whalers SANTA and SAHRA which were fitting out in the Mediterranean for the Eastern Fleet have been diverted by Admiralty to Malta.

 

 

 

---

 

 

EASTERN FLEET WAR DIARY

 

Area of operations, click to enlarge

 

 

APRIL 1943

 

Thursday, 1st April
JAN DE WAELE	Arrived Seychelles from Addu Atoll
SONAVATI	Left Colombo for Diego Garcia
ALAUNIA	Left Khasab Bay for Bombay
FS COMMANDANT DUBOC	Arrived Mauritius from Tamatave
CARADOC	Left Kilindini escorting convoy CM 40 A to Aden
HILDASAY	Left Durban for Diego Suarez
CAPETOWN	Arrived Aden escorting convoy B A 40 from Bombay
U.S. WEST POINT	Left Suez for Massawa
Friday, 2nd April
WORCESTERSHIRE	Arrived Colombo escorting convoy O W 3 from Fremantle
ILE DE FRANCE	Arrived Durban from Fremantle
MADRAS	Left Aden escorting convoy A P 27 to Hormuz
CARTHAGE	Left Diego Suarez to R/V with W S 27 and escort to Aden
NEPAL	Arrived Fremantle from Diego Garcia
CHITRAL	Left Durban for Diego Suarez and Kilindini
ADAMANT	Arrived Colombo from Kilindini
TOOWOOMBA	Arrived Diego Suarez escorting on transport from Kilindini
Saturday, 3rd April
SUTLEJ	Left Bombay escorting convoy B P 75 to Hormuz
TOOWOOMBA	Left Diego Suarez escorting one transport to Kilindini
U.S. WEST POINT	Arrived Massawa from Suez
RAINSTORM	Left Aden for Mogadishu and Kilindini
DURBAN	Arrived Kilindini from Bombay
VASNA	Arrived Diego Suarez from Kilindini
KIRRIEMOOR	Arrived E. London from Diego Suarez
CAIRNS	Escorting four M.L. arriving Lindi from Majunga
LURCHER	Left Diego Suarez for Tamatave
Sunday, 4th April
VASNA	Left Diego Suarez for Durban
PUNJAB and RAJPUTANA	Arrived Bombay escorting convoy P B 33 from Hormuz
MAURITIUS	Flying the flag of Commander in Chief, Eastern Fleet, left Durban for Kilindini
SARKA	Arrived Kilindini from Durban en route to Colombo
DURBAN	Left Kilindini to R/V with convoy W S 27 on the 5th April and escort to Aden
LURCHER	Arrived Tamatave from Diego Suarez
SONAVATI	Arrived Diego Garcia from Colombo
RAINSTORM	En route from Aden to Kilindini ordered to return to Aden
FALMOUTH and CESSNOCK	Left Hormuz escorting convoy P B 34 to Bombay
CAPETOWN and MARGUERITE	Left Aden escorting convoy A B 6 to Bombay
Monday, 5th April
CARADOC	Arrived Aden having escorted C M 40 from Kilindini
CERES	Arrived Kilindini escorting convoy M C 6 from Aden
ALAUNIA	Arrived Bombay from Bandar Abbas
TRUSTY	Left Colombo for Diego Suarez en route to the United Kingdom for refit
PLADDA	Left Tamatave for Diego Suarez in tow of tug AMIRAL BOUVET and escorted by LURCHER
BOMBAY	Left Bombay escorting convoy B P 74 ½ to Hormuz
GERALDTON	Left Hormuz escorting convoy P B 35 to Bombay
JAN DE WAELE	Left Seychelles for Aden
Tuesday, 6th April
FROBISHER	Arrived Kilindini having escorted convoy W S 27 from Durban and relieved by DURBAN
DEVONSHIRE	Left Kilindini escorting convoy M C 6 to Durban
TOOWOOMBA	Arrived Kilindini escorting one transport from Diego Suarez. Left Kilindini to R/V with one transport off Dar es Salaam and escort her to Diego Garcia
SONAVATI	Arrived Addu Atoll from Diego Garcia
LUCIA	Left Colombo for Addu Atoll en route to Seychelles and Kilindini
RANPURA	Left Bombay escorting convoy B A 41 to Aden
BATHURST and LAUNCESTON	Arrived Aden escorting convoy P A 31 from Hormuz
Wednesday, 7th April
CHITRAL	Arrived Diego Suarez from Durban
WORCESTERSHIRE	Left Colombo for East London
DEVON CITY	Left Diego Suarez for Kilindini
U.S. WEST POINT	Left Aden for Cape
ASTER and BALUCHISTAN	Left Hormuz for Aden escorting P A 32
MAURITIUS	Arrived Kilindini from Durban
SUTLEJ	Arrived Hormuz having escorted convoy B P 75 from Bombay
Thursday, 8th April
CANTON	Arrived Bombay heaving escorted C M 40 B from Durban
CAIRNS	Arrived Kilindini escorting two MLs from Tulear
MADRAS	Arrived Hormuz having escorting convoy A P 27 from Aden
CARADOC	Arrived Aden escorting convoy C M 40 from the South
Friday, 9th April
EREBUS	Left Durban for Kilindini. Local A/S escort of NAPIER and NIGELLA as far as 23 deg. S, and CATTERICK and QUALITY to part company in time to meet convoy M C 6 at 1430Z/11th
COMMANDANT DUBOC	Arrived Tamatave from Mauritius
LUCIA	Arrived Addu Atoll from Colombo en route to Kilindini
BARCLOSE	Left Kilindini for Aden
SONAVATI	Left Addu Atoll for Colombo
GAWLER	Left Calcutta for Colombo
DURBAN and CARTHAGE	Arrived Aden escorting convoy W S 27 from the South
CARADOC	Left Aden for Kilindini
Saturday, 10th April
SUTLEJ and GERALDTON	Left Hormuz escorting convoy P B 35 for Bombay
CANTON	Left Bombay escorting convoy B A 42 towards Aden. To be detached at 55 deg. E to Kilindini
CESSNOCK and FALMOUTH	Arrived Bombay escorting convoy P B 34 from Hormuz
VASNA (Hos. Ship)	Arrived Durban from Diego Suarez
SHAPINSAY	Left Kilindini for Seychelles
CERES	Left Kilindini escorting one transport to Aden
Sunday, 11th April
LAUNCESTON	Left Aden escorting convoy A P 28 for Hormuz
CAPETOWN and MARGUERITE	Arrived Bombay escorting convoy A B 6 from Aden
DEVON CITY	Arrived Kilindini from Diego Suarez
MASTIFF	Left Diego Suarez for Tamatave escorting H.T. ORDUNA
HILDASAY	Arrived Diego Suarez from Durban
CHITRAL	Left Diego Suarez for Kilindini
TOOWOOMBA	Arrived Diego Suarez from Kilindini having escorting H.T. ORDUNA from vicinity of Dar es Salaam
Dutch Sub O 21	Left Colombo on patrol
COCKCHAFER and SCARAB	Left Khor Kuwai in tow of tugs, ZURMAID and JAMES E. HUGHES for Aden
Monday, 12th April
COMMANDANT DUBOC	Arrived Diego Suarez from Tamatave
CARTHAGE	Left Aden for Bombay
BENGAL	Left Colombo for Calcutta escorting convoy J C 10
Tuesday, 13th April
CHITRAL	Arrived Kilindini from Diego Suarez
MASTIFF	Arrived Tamatave from Diego Suarez
ORISSA	Left Hormuz escorting convoy P A 33 to Aden
KONKAN and CARNATIC	Left Bombay escorting convoy B P 75 ½ to Hormuz
DEVONSHIRE	Arrived Durban from Kilindini with convoy M C 6
CARADOC	Arrived Kilindini from Aden
HILDASAY	Left Diego Suarez for Seychelles
JAN DE WAELE	Arrived Aden from Seychelles
Wednesday, 14th April
RANPURA	Arrived Aden from Bombay escorting convoy B A 41
ASTER and BALUCHISTAN	Arrived Aden from Hormuz escorting convoy P A 32
TRUSTY	Arrived Diego Suarez from Colombo
LUCIA	Left Addu Atoll for Seychelles and Kilindini
Thursday, 15th April
COMMANDANT DUBOC	Left Diego Suarez for Tamatave
TRUSTY	Left Diego Suarez for Durban
Tug EMPIRE SAM	Arrived Kilindini from Durban heaving towed MFVs VALHALLA and EXCELSIOR from Beira
RESOURCE	Left Kilindini for Aden en route to the Mediterranean
SHAPINSAY	Arrived Seychelles from Kilindini
MASTIFF	Left Tamatave for Diego Suarez
Friday, 16th April
HILDASAY	Arrived Seychelles from Diego Suarez
BOMBAY	Left Hormuz for Bombay escorting convoy P B 36
COMMANDANT DUBOC	Arrived Tamatave from Diego Suarez and left again for Durban escorting H.T. ORDUNA
CERES	Arrived Aden from Kilindini escorting H.T. TAKLIWA
Saturday, 17th April
HAWKINS	Left Kilindini for Aden
RANPURA	Left Aden for Kilindini
BATHURST	Left Aden for Hormuz escorting convoy A P 29
MARGUERITE	Left Bombay for Hormuz escorting convoy B P 76
CARTHAGE	Arrived Bombay from Aden
SUTLEJ and GERALDTON	Arrived Bombay from Hormuz escorting convoy P B 35
FARA and ROSALIND	Left Seychelles for Kilindini
MASTIFF	Arrived Diego Suarez from Tamatave
BARSTOKE	Left Kilindini for Seychelles
RAJPUTANA	Left Bombay for Hormuz escorting convoy B P 76 ½
Sunday, 18th April
BENGAL	Arrived Calcutta from Colombo
KENYA, BULOLO, KEREN and LARGS	Vicinity of Durban escorting convoy W S 28 to Middle East
KONKAN and CARNATIC	Arrived Hormuz from Bombay escorting convoy B P 75 ½
LAUNCESTON	Arrived Hormuz from Aden escorting convoy A P 28
Monday, 19th April
DURBAN	Left Aden for Bombay
EREBUS	Arrived Kilindini from Durban
CANTON	Arrived Kilindini from Bombay having escorted convoy B A 42 to 55 deg.E.
SARKA	Left Kilindini for Aden
BARCLOSE	Arrived Aden from Kilindini
SHOREHAM, COCKCHAFER and SCARAB	Arrived Aden from Persian Gulf
ILE DE FRANCE	Left Durban for Suez
Tuesday, 20th April
CAIRNS	Left Kilindini for Aden escorting R.A.F. ship MANELA to Aden
Wednesday, 21st April
RESOURCE	Arrived Aden from Kilindini en route to Mediterranean
HAWKINS	Arrived Aden from Kilindini
FROBISHER	Left Kilindini for Diego Suarez
HAWKINS	Left Aden for Bombay escorting convoy A B 7
BALUCHISTAN	Left Aden for Bombay escorting one transport
ORISSA	Arrived Aden from Hormuz P A 33
Thursday, 22nd April
RANPURA	Arrived Kilindini from Aden
RELIANT	Left Kilindini for Aden en route to Mediterranean
TRUSTY	Arrived Durban from Diego Suarez
COMMANDANT DUBOC	Arrived Durban from Tamatave escorting one transport
WORCESTERSHIRE	Arrived East London from Colombo
IPSWICH and PUNJAB	Left Bombay for Hormuz escorting convoy B P 77
KONKAN and HIRAVATI	Left Hormuz for Bombay escorting convoy P B 37
LAUNCESTON	Left Hormuz for Aden escorting convoy P A 34
BOMBAY	Arrived Bombay from Hormuz escorting convoy P B 36
Friday, 23rd April
CHITRAL and CANTON	Left Kilindini to join convoy W S 28 and escort to Aden. CHITRAL to part company in vicinity Socotra and proceed to Bombay
CAPETOWN	Arrived Colombo from Bombay
Saturday, 24th April
VERBENA	Left Addu Atoll for Colombo escorting convoy X C 1
LEOPARD	Left Diego Suarez for Djibouti and Suez
DURBAN	Left Bombay for Persian Gulf
FARA and ROSALIND	Arrived Kilindini from Seychelles
MARYBOROUGH, GAWLER and LISMORE	Left Colombo for Aden via Cochin
Sunday, 25th April
KENYA	Arrived Kilindini from Capetown having been relieved as escort to convoy W S 27 by CANTON and CHITRAL
CAPETOWN	Left Colombo for Seychelles and Diego Suarez
O 24	Arrived Colombo from patrol
LUCIA	Left Seychelles for Kilindini
CERES	Left Aden for Kilindini escorting convoy A K 7
SUSSEX	With A/S escort of NAPIER and RAIDER left Durban escorting convoy C M 41
FROBISHER	Left Diego Suarez for Simonstown
MARGUERITE	Left Hormuz for Kilindini en route to Cape
Monday, 26th April
HAWKINS	Arrived Bombay from Aden escorting convoy A B 7
FRITILLARY and TRUSTY	Left Durban in company for Capetown and Simonstown, respectively
COMMANDANT DUBOC	Left Durban escorting A.S.I.S. KHETI and PACHECO towards Kilindini. To proceed to Diego Suarez on relief in Lat. 10 deg. S
IPSWICH and PUNJAB	Arrived Hormuz from Bombay escorting convoy P B 77
Tuesday, 27th April
VERBENA	Arrived Colombo from Addu Atoll escorting convoy X C 1
ASTER	Left Aden for Kilindini en route to Cape Station
BARSTOKE	Left Seychelles for Trincomalee
Wednesday, 28th April
KONKAN and HIRAVATI	Arrived Bombay from Hormuz escorting convoy P B 37
DURBAN	Arrived Bahrein from Bombay to relieve DAUNTLESS as Persian Gulf cruiser
STORMWRACK and SATSA	Left Durban for Kilindini calling Beira
RATNAGIRI	Left Hormuz for Bombay escorting P B 38
IPSWICH	Left Hormuz for Aden escorting convoy P A 35
ASTER	Returned to Aden with defects
Thursday, 29th April
MANCHESTER CITY	Arrived Durban from Cape
BOMBAY	Left Bombay for Hormuz escorting convoy B P 78
CESSNOCK	Left Bombay for Aden
RELIANT	Arrived Aden from Kilindini en route to join Levant Station
CAPETOWN	Arrived Seychelles from Colombo and left p.m. for Kilindini
Dutch sub O 21	Arrived Colombo from patrol
ASTER	Left Aden for Kilindini
Friday, 30th April
LUCIA	Arrived Kilindini from Seychelles, Addu Atoll, and Colombo
FS LEOPARD	Arrived Djibouti from Diego Suarez en route to join Levant Station
CANTON, BULOLO, KEREN and LARGS	Arrived Aden from Kilindini escorting convoy W S 27
BURNIE	Left Kilindini to relieve FS COMMANDANT DUBOC and to escort A.S.I.S. KHETI and PACHECO to Kilindini
RANPURA	Left Kilindini to relieve SUSSEX with convoy C M 41 and to continue as part of the convoy to Bombay
SOEMBA	Left Bombay for Aden en route to Levant Station
LAUNCESTON	Arrived Aden from Hormuz escorting convoy P A 34

 

 

 

Part II

 

NARRATIVE

 

(A) GENERAL

 

1. Docking and repairs on Heavy Units

 

WARSPITE at Durban. Completed one months refit and docking on 16th April

 

2. Docking and repairs on Cruisers

 

SUSSEX docked at Durban for four days ending 22nd April to replace leaky rivets in stern compartments.

 

3. Destroyers

 

The disposition of the Eastern Fleet destroyers on the 1st April was as follows:

 

At Kilindini - NIZAM, QUICKMATCH

 

On passage to Australia - NEPAL

 

In Australia - QUIBERON

 

On South Atlantic Station operations - NAPIER, QUALITY, QUAIL, RAIDER, RACEHORSE, CATTERICK, QUILLIAM, QUEENBOROUGH, ROTHERHAM, RELENTLESS, FOXHOUND

 

On South Atlantic Station refitting - NORMAN, BLACKMORE

 

The Eastern Fleet destroyers operating on the South Atlantic Station were joined by QUADRANT and REDOUBT which arrived at Capetown with W S 28 on 12th April. The total was however subsequently reduced by the withdrawal of QUILLIAM, QUEENBOROUGH, QUAIL, and QUALITY and by the loan of FOXHOUND and CATTERICK to Rear Admiral, Western Australia

 

4. Cruisers

 

The Eastern Fleet cruiser strength was augmented by the arrival of SUSSEX and KENYA on the station. The former who had provided escort for W S 27 has been delayed at Durban for repairs.

 

This increase was however off set by the departure of both BIRMINGHAM and DEVONSHIRE for the United Kingdom. The former having sailed from Simonstown on 31st March and the latter from Durban on 17th April.

 

 

(B). CONVOYS

 

5.

DEVONSHIRE

Sailed from Kilindini on the 6th April as Ocean Escort to M C 6, arriving at Durban on the 13th. She sailed from Durban on the 17th for the United Kingdom

 

SUSSEX

Having arrived from United Kingdom, left Durban on the 25th April as Ocean Escort to C M 41 arriving at Kilindini on the 2nd May after being relieved by RANPURA

 

MAURITIUS

Sailed from Durban on 4th April with the Flag of Commander in Chief, Eastern Fleet arriving Kilindini on the 7th, thereafter carrying out working up practices at Kilindini

 

KENYA

Arriving at Simonstown on the 11th April, having action as Ocean Escort to W S 28. Sailed from Simonstown on the 13th as Ocean Escort to W S 28 and arrived Kilindini on the 25th having been relieved by HMS CHITRAL

 

HAWKINS

Sailed from Kilindini on the 17th April. Arrived at Aden on the 21st. Left Aden on the 22nd as Ocean Escort to A B 7 arriving at Bombay on the 26th

 

FROBISHER

Sailed from Durban on the 29th March as Ocean Escort to W S 27 arriving at Kilindini on the 6th April, after being relieved by HMS DAUNTLESS. Sailed from Kilindini on the 21st, arriving at Diego Suarez on the 23rd. Left Diego Suarez on the 25th, proceeding to Simonstown for docking and repairs, where she arrived on the 1st May.

 

CAPETOWN

Arrived at Aden on the 1st April escorting B A 40. Left Aden on the 4th escorting A B 6, arriving at Bombay on the 11th. Docked at Bombay for repair to ‘A’ brackets. Sailed from Bombay on the 21st, arriving Colombo on the 23rd. Sailed from Colombo on the 25th for Kilindini where she arrived on the 2nd May having called at the Seychelles en route

 

DAUNTLESS

Carrying out duties in the Persian Gulf, sailed from Khorramshahr on the 21st, arrived Khor Kuwai on the 23rd. Left on the 25th arriving Bandar Abbas on the 26th. She sailed on the 27th arriving Bahrein on the 28th where she was relieved by HMS DURBAN

 

DURBAN

Arrived Kilindini from Bombay on the 3rd April. Sailed from Kilindini on the 4th, relieving FROBISHER was Ocean Escort to W S 27 on the 5th, arriving at Aden on the 9th. Sailed from Aden on the 19th, arriving Bombay on the 23rd. Sailed from Bombay on the 24th arriving Bahrein on the 28th where she relieved HMS DAUNTLESS in the Persian Gulf

 

CARADOC

Sailed from Kilindini on the 1st April as Ocean Escort to C M 40, arriving Aden on the 8th. Sailed from Aden on the 9th to Kilindini where she arrived on the 13th, thereafter carrying out exercises from Kilindini

 

CERES

Sailed from Aden on the 30th March as Ocean Escort to M C 6 arriving at Kilindini on the 5th April. Sailed from Kilindini on the 10th as Ocean Escort to TAKLIWA arriving Aden on the 16th. Sailed from Aden on the 25th as Ocean Escort for A K 7 arriving at Kilindini on the 3rd May.

 

ALAUNIA

Sailed from Bandar Abbas on the 1st April, arriving Bombay on the 5th for docking and repairs.

 

CHITRAL

Sailed from Durban on the 2nd April with stores for Diego Suarez where she arrived on the 7th. Sailed from Diego Suarez on the 11th, arriving at Kilindini on the 13th. Sailed from Kilindini on the 23rd with HMS CANTON, relieving HMS KENYA as Ocean Escort to W S 28 on the 24th. Left W S 28 on the 27th proceeding to Bombay where she arrived on the 1st May

 

RANPURA

After completing docking and repairs, sailed from Bombay on the 6th April as Ocean Escort to B A 41 arriving Aden on the 14th. Sailed from Aden on the 17th, arriving Kilindini on the 22nd. Carried out exercises from Kilindini sailing on the 30th to take over Ocean Escort C M 41 from HMS SUSSEX on the 1st

 

WORCESTERSHIRE

Arriving at Colombo on the 2nd April with O W 3 sailed from Colombo on the 7th passing east and south of Changos Archipelago and Mauritius arriving at East London the 22nd, thereafter sailing for United Kingdom

 

CARTHAGE

Sailed from Kilindini on the 26th March, arriving Diego Suarez on the 2nd April, sailing the same day to augment Ocean Escort W S 27, arriving Aden on the 9th. Sailed from Aden on the 12th arriving Bombay on the 17th for boiler cleaning and docking

 

CANTON

Arrived at Bombay escorting C M 40 B on the 8th April; sailed from Bombay as Ocean Escort for B A 42 on the 10th April, leaving the convoy on the 15th in 55 deg. East, proceeding to Kilindini where she arrived on the 19th. Sailed from Kilindini on the 23rd joining W S 28 as Ocean Escort on the 24th , arriving Aden on the 30th

 

(C) BASES

 

6. The following movements of Boom Vessels and other craft have taken place or are projected:

 

DEVON CITY has left Diego Suarez. After adjusting load at Kilindini she has been sent to Trincomalee to assist in the boom work

 

BARSTOKE and BARRYMORE have been transferred to Trincomalee, the former from Kilindini and the latter from Seychelles

 

BARCLOSE had been transferred to the Mediterranean from Kilindini

 

BARMOND, originally destined for Trincomalee, has been diverted to Levant and BARWIND is allocated to Trincomalee in her stead

 

The harbour service craft are being transferred from the East Fleet to the Levant

 

7. Kilindini

The loading facilities for the Armament Depot At Mtongwe are unsatisfactory, and the Admiralty have approved the diversion of the contractor’s resources from the deep water berths alongside to the building of the Armament Depot Pier

 

8. Admiralty have stated the situation as regards to the provision of small floating dock at Kilindini will be reviewed again in the summer in light of the position then existing in the Eastern Mediterranean

There is a possibility, however, of a cruiser graving dock being constructed at Kilindini by the U.S. Construction Battalion (A.M. 091515 April)

 

9. The two MFVs (EXCELSIOR and VALHALLA) that went ashore at Chinde on passage from Durban have now been salved, and have arrived at Kilindini

Mauritius

 

10. A.M. 082138 suggested that work in Mauritius should proceed only in the wake of the anti-malarial measures. It will not be necessary, however, to interrupt or alter the present programme of works as these and anti malarial work have already been coordinated.

 

11. Admiralty have directed that the Boom Depot at Grand Port is not to be built, but more open and covered storage is to be provided at Port Louis to store the Grand Port Boom. 

 

Diego Suarez

 

12. Developments are being handicapped by shortage of labour, and G.O.C. Islands Area has been asked to augment the labour available for Naval Works.

 

13. It has been suggested by the Free French authorities in London that the French Naval Buildings should e restored to them for housing their Commandant and Naval personnel.

 

Commander in Chief, Eastern Fleet has represented to the Admiralty that the principle of joint administration of Diego Suarez is undesirable and that the accommodation should remain in British hands.

 

14. The sunken French ship D'ENTRECASTEAUX has been successfully raised.

 

15. Divers have been sent from Kilindini to Diego Suarez to survey the damage to two sunken Italian vessels.

 

16. Monsoon weather is making it necessary to employed both Bar Vessels now at Diego Suarez (BARFOAM and BARFOUNT) on maintenance work on the boom, and the gate is therefore at present inoperative.

 

Tulear

 

17. E.A. Command intend to install two 120mm guns and two 75mm guns for the defence of the Flying Boat Anchorage.

 

Addu Atoll

 

18. The question of providing new landing craft for Addu Atoll is still under consideration.

 

The present landing craft are in a very poor state of repair, and need complete overhaul and reconditioning, which can only be done by sending them to Bombay or Colombo.

 

It has been suggested to Armindia that, despite over disadvantages, the three landing craft now at Colombo should be released for Addu. Flag Officer, Ceylon, also intends to transfer two 'Z' craft (now building in India) to Addu Atoll.

 

19. The Controlled Minefields in Willingiti and Gan Channels have been reported as inefficient. Admiralty propose to withdraw ATREUS and ALSEY from Australia to relay them.

 

Trincomalee

 

20. Work on the development of the base, and on booms, baffles, and mooring is proceeding.

 

21. The dredger EDWARD JACKSON is to remain at Trincomalee to complete the dredging of the destroyer berths.

 

22. Admiralty have approved the scheme to convert SAGAING into a deep water quay, subject to further examination of the details.

 

23. N.O.I.C. Trincomalee proposes to moor A.F.D. 28 in Orlando Cove.

 

24. Two auxiliary fishing vessels have been transferred to Trincomalee from the disbanded 'Force N.A.'

 

Colombo

 

25. Six heavy A.A. Batteries are being move from Ceylon to Middle East. This reduces Ceylon A.A. defences from 11 guns to 96.

 

26. Colombo controlled minefield is now completed, tested, and in operation.

 

Shatt el Arab

 

27. As a result of the transfer of four M.F.V.s from the Persian Gulf to Levant, minewatching in the Khor Musa has been stopped, and is now only continued in the Shatt el Arab from above Kkorramshahr to the mouth of the Rokka Channel.

 

When more harbour craft are available, the minewatching in the Khor Musa will be restored.

 

Khor Kuwai

 

28. Force N.A. having been disbanded, four auxiliary dhows have been transferred to Hormus, which should considerably help with the work of convoy assembly.

 

(D). AIR

 

Eastern Area

 

29. 3 Flying Boats on detachment to South Africa returned to Ceylon on completion of the detachment. Aircraft strength , 30 Catalina flying boats and 8 Amphibian Catalinas.

 

Northern Area

 

30. A detachment of 3 Catalina flying boats (from 212 Squadron Karachi) has been maintained at Masira during the month. Aircraft strength 30^th April – 9 Catalina flying boats.

 

Western Area

 

31. During the month, 3 Ceylon Catalinas in South Africa were relieved by aircraft from Kilindini. In addition two reinforcement Catalinas were ordered to South Africa, the first aircraft leaving on April 28^th. This reinforcement was ordered to bring the air strength in South Africa up to 16 Flying Boats and 8 Amphibians. Until April 30^th, a detachment of two Sunderland flying boats has been maintained at Tulear, operating under the direction of COMIC, Durban. From April 30^th, the strength of the detachment has been increased to four aircraft. From April 12, detachments of 2 Catalinas have been maintained at both Seychelles and Mauritius. The first Catalina flying boat of 265 Squadron which is to be based at Diego Suarez arrived at Mombasa on April 21^st.

 

32. Close A/S escort involving 164 hours flying was provided for the following ships and convoys:

 

Convoys M.C. 6, W.S. 28, and C.M. 4

 

H.M. Ships RESOURCE, KENYA, LUCIA, R.F.A. RELIANT, and R.A.F. Dept ship MANELA

 

An unsuccessful A/S search was carried out by aircraft detached to Mauritius for a U Boat located by D/F fix. A U boat report was made by S.S. EMPIRE AUSTIN when about 230 miles southeast of Kilindini was investigated without result.

 

41 Fighter Squadron, Mombasa, 34 G.R.Flight, Dar es Salaam, and 35 G.R. Flight Kilifi become no operational on April 3^rd, pending their transfer to the Middle East. The two Operation Training Units at Nanyuki and Nakuru are also under orders to move to the Middle East. When all of these moves are completed, no R.A.F. operational land based aircraft will be left in East Africa.

 

33. Aircraft strength April 30^th. 14 Catalinas and 10 Sunderland flying boats.

 

Southern Area

 

34. 3 Catalina flying boats for 262 Squadron Durban arrived during the month which brought the strength of that unit up to 8 aircraft.

 

14 Catalina flying boats and 8 Catalina amphibians have been maintained in South Africa during April.

 

Two reinforcing Catalina flying boats from Kilindini were ordered to South Africa on April 28^th, but have not yet arrived.

 

35. Aircraft Strength April 30^th – 16 Catalina flying boats (including two under orders to return to Ceylon) and 8 Catalina Amphibians.

 

(E). INTELLIGENCE

 

36. 23^rd April Captain Tufnell sailed in H.M.S. CHITRAL for Bombay. His itinerary included Colombo and Delhi where he intended to have consultations on future plans for the organisation of Intelligence in the Eastern Fleet Area.

 

 

  

Appendix I

 

M.N.B.D.O. No. 1

 

 

1. At the beginning of April, the location of various groups of M.N.B.D.O. No. 1 in the Middle East/Indian Ocean were as follows:

 

(i) IN CEYLON

 

Personnel. Air Defence Brigade Headquarters, 1^st A/A Regiment, Coast Artillery Brigade, and 3 Signal Sections.

 

Equipment. 16 3.7 inch H.A. guns and 20 40mm A/A guns (No coast artillery)

 

(ii). AT ADDU ATOLL

 

Personnel. 'L' and 'M' Company; Naval Boat Company

 

Equipment. Maintenance workshops and landing craft.

 

(iii). IN MIDDLE EAST

 

AT CAIRO Personnel. Headquarters and a Signal Section

 

AT ALEXANDRIA Personnel. 2nd A/A Regiment and Signal Section

 

 Equipment. 16 3.7 inch guns and 12 mm guns.

 

AT BEIRUT. Personnel. A Survey and a Signal Section

 

AT JENIFA. Personnel. Workshop company, transport company, and Reinforcement Depot

 

 Equipment. Workshops, motor transport, 48 searchlights, six 6 inch guns, six 4 inch guns and four 2 Pdr pom poms.

 

2. R,M. PERSONNEL SITUATION

 

(i). In Middle East 154 officers and 2953 other ranks.

 

(ii). In Indian Ocean area 113 officers and 2630 other ranks.

 

(iii). Amount short of full complement 60 officers and 1500 other ranks

 

(iv). Reinforcements expected

 

 In monthly convoys WS. 28 to 31 from U.K. – 1300 other ranks.

 

3. Concentration Plan

 

By a Chiefs of Staffs' earlier decision, it had been decided that M.N.B.D.O. No. 1 should concentrate in India in mid 1943. In consultation with Commander in Chief, India it had been planned to accommodate the M.N.B.D.B. at a camp to be specially built near Salaya on the Gulf of Kutch. This camp was to be constructed as arranged by Commander in Chief, India, and to be ready by the 1^st May. It had also been decided that at the same time the A/A Regiment of the M.N.B.D.O. from Ceylon should then provide and man the A/A defences of Bombay.

 

4. In March, it became apparent that the camp at Salaya could not be ready before 1^st August at the earliest. This altered the whole intended M.N.B.D.O. training programme, which had been envisaged at a meeting held in Delhi in December 1942, and it followed that if the concentration of the M.N.B.D.O. in India could be effected until August, the force would not be fully trained until February 1944.

 

5. After consultation with Major General Weston, Commander in Chief, Eastern Fleet proposed that the main concentration should now take place in the Middle East (leaving certain groups in Ceylon) in order that the training of the M.N.B.D.O. could be completed there by November 1943, as originally planned. This proposal was not agreed to by the Commander in Chief, India, nor by Their Lordships, who issued directions that the completion of the camp at Salaya should be accelerated in order that the Force could concentrate their as previously arranged.

 

6. On the 15^th April, Major General Lukis succeeded Major General Weston in command of M.N.B.D.O. 1 and Commander in Chief, Eastern Fleet met him in Cairo shortly afterwards. After consulting with him, it was agreed that it would be preferable to concentrate the M.N.B.D.O. in Ceylon instead of in India. The advantages of this course can be summarised as follows:

 

(a). Accommodation is readily available in Ceylon whereas the completion of the camp at Salaya even by August was still in doubt.

 

(b). It avoided the necessity to continue the development of Salaya which due to the shortage of materials in India, could only be progressed at the expense of other important projects.

 

(c). The training facilities at Ceylon were immediately available and better than those in the Salaya area.

 

7. The Commander in Chief, India, and the Commander in Chief, Ceylon had previously agreed with this proposal, and the Chiefs of Staffs' approval was received on the 5^th May (A.M. 051250 May).

 

8. If shipping can be made available it is hope to move the M.N.B.D.O. Groups now in the Middle East to Ceylon during June.

 

9. Unfortunately this change of plan to concentrate in Ceylon instead of in India took place just too late to stop the previously arrange move the Air Defence Headquarters and the A.A. Regiment from Ceylon to Bombay (see Paragraph 3).

 

10. Thus when the new concentration has been effected, to be completed it is hoped before the end of June, the Dispositions of the Main Groups of the M.N.B.D.O. No 1 will then be:

 

(a). Headquarters Air Defence Brigade and 1^st A.A. Regiment at Bombay.

 

(b). All remaining Groups in Ceylon with necessary detachments at Addu Atoll until these latter are relieved in the near future by Indian Army Units, as previously arranged.

 

11. In accordance with the Chiefs of Staffs' recommendation (contained in A.M. 051250) separate arrangements will be discussed with the Commander in Chief, India, for the early transfer of the Headquarters Air Defence Brigade and 1^st A.A. regiment back to Ceylon, so that the Air Defence Brigade of the M.N.B.D.O. will also be concentrated in Ceylon and does not remain split apart between Ceylon and Bombay any longer than is necessary.

 

12. TRANSFER OF COAST ARTILLERY FROM M.N.B.D.O. No. 1 TO M.N.B.D.O. No. 2

 

At the request of the Commander in Chief Levant and with Their Lordships' approval, the Coast Artillery (6 – 6 inch guns and associated Fire Control Equipment) of M.N.B.D.O. No. 1, then at Jenifa, was transferred in April to M.N.B.D.O. No 2 then in training in the Middle East for future operations.

 

Consequent upon the plan to concentrate M.N.B.D.O. No. 1 in Ceylon, it will be necessary for the Coast Artillery replacement equipment and any other replacement stores, to be shipped from the United Kingdom direct to Ceylon

 

 

 

---

 

 

EASTERN FLEET WAR DIARY

 

Area of operations, click to enlarge

 

 

MAY 1943

 

Saturday, 1st May
CARNATIC	Left Hormuz for Aden escorting convoy P A 36
TULIP	Left Colombo for Kilindini calling Seychelles
CAIRNS	Left Aden for Dante to join WOLLONGONG as escort to MLs to Masirah
CHITRAL	Arrived Bombay from Kilindini having escorted convoy W S 28 to vicinity Socotra. Left Bombay for Colombo
STORMWRACK	Arrived Beira from Durban en route to Kilindini
Sunday, 2nd May
ILE DE FRANCE	Left Suez for Aden and Durban
SONAVATI	Left Colombo for Cocos Islands
SUSSEX	Arrived Kilindini from Durban having been relieved as escort to convoy C M 41 by RANPURA
Monday, 3rd May
MARYBOROUGH, GAWLER and LISMORE	Arrived Aden from Colombo having called at Cochin
MARGUERITE	Arrived Kilindini from Hormuz en route to the South Atlantic Station
ULSTER MONARCH	Arrived Kilindini from Durban and left again for Aden en route to the Levant Station
RESOLUTION, NIZAM and QUICKMATCH	Left Kilindini for Durban
CERES	Arrived Kilindini from Aden escorting convoy A K 7
NAPIER, RAIDER	Arrived Kilindini from Durban having escorting convoy C M 41
Tuesday, 4th May
BURNIE	Arrived Kilindini with A.S.I.S. KHETI and PACHECO having relieved COMMANDANT DUBOC as escort from Durban
COMMANDANT DUBOC	Arrived Diego Suarez from Durban
BATHURST	Left Hormuz for Aden escorting P A 37
MADRAS	Left Hormuz for Bombay escorting P B 39
TAMWORTH	Arrived Bombay from Colombo
RATNAGIRI	Arrived Bombay from Hormuz escorting convoy P B 38
CERES	Left Kilindini for Seychelles and Colombo and Bombay
MARGUERITE	Left Kilindini for Durban escorting one transport and calling at Dar es Salaam en route
WOLLONGONG	Arrived Dante from Mogadishu and Kilindini escorting 49th M.L. Flotilla
DAUNTLESS	Arrived Aden from Persian Gulf
CANTON	Left Aden for Bombay escorting convoy A B 8
CHITRAL	Arrived Colombo from Bombay
Wednesday, 5th May
ASTER	Arrived Kilindini from Aden en route to Cape
ALBATROSS	Left Okha for Bombay
CHITRAL	Left Colombo for Aden escorting one transport
VERBENA	Left Colombo for Seychelles, Kilindini, and Cape
ILE DE FRANCE	Arrived Aden from Suez
VASNA	Left Durban for Mauritius
BALUCHISTAN	Left Bombay for Colombo escorting convoy B M 52
DAUNTLESS	Left Aden for Kilindini
Thursday, 6th May
EREBUS	Left Kilindini for Aden
CARADOC	Left Kilindini for Diego Suarez escorting one transport
ALBATROSS	Arrived Bombay from Okha
ASTER	Left Kilindini for Tanga and Durban
IPSWICH	Arrived Aden from Hormuz escorting P A 35
TOOWOOMBA	Left Diego Suarez for Tulear
LAUNCESTON	Left Aden for Masirah
ILE DE FRANCE	Left Aden for Durban
Friday, 7th May
TULIP	Arrived Seychelles from Colombo and left for Kilindini
CERES	Arrived Seychelles from Kilindini and left for Colombo
HAWKINS	Left Bombay escorting convoy J M 1 towards Durban
SORSRA	Left Hormuz for Kilindini escorting one tanker
FALMOUTH	Left Colombo for Kilindini
SS BERAKIT	Torpedoed in position 03 deg. 40'N, 75 deg. 20'E at 0601Z. VERBENA and FALMOUTH were ordered by Flag Officer Ceylon to proceed to the area and search for survivors
STORMWRACK and SATSA	Arrived Kilindini from Beira en route to the Levant Station
Saturday, 8th May
GAMBIA	Left Kilindini for Durban
CARTHAGE, JUMNA and GERALDTON	Left Bombay for Aden escorting convoy B A 43
Sunday, 9th May
PUNJAB	Left Hormuz for Aden escorting convoy P A 38
LAUNCESTON	Arrived Masirah from Aden
RESOLUTION, NIZAM and QUICKMATCH	Arrived Durban from Kilindini
BALUCHISTAN	Arrived Colombo from Bombay
SONAVATI	Arrived Cocos Islands from Colombo
Monday, 10th May
DAUNTLESS	Arrived Kilindini from Aden and Persian Gulf
WOLLONGONG and CAIRNS	Arrived Masirah from Kilindini via N.E. African ports escorting 49th ML Flotilla
CANTON	Arrived Bombay from Aden escorting convoy A B 8
CARADOC	Arrived Diego Suarez from Kilindini and left again for Tulear escorting one transport
VERBENA	Arrived Addu Atoll to fuel having been diverted to search for survivors of SS BERAKIT
CANTON	Left Bombay for Colombo
H.S. VASNA	Arrived Mauritius from Durban
Tuesday, 11th May
VERBENA	Left Addu Atoll for Seychelles and Kilindini
CAPETOWN	Left Kilindini for Aden escorting convoy K A 6
BATHURST	Arrived Aden from Hormuz with convoy P A 37
MADRAS	Arrived Bombay from Hormuz with convoy P B 39
RANPURA	Arrived Bombay having escorting convoy C M 41 from vicinity of Kilindini
TULIP	Arrived Kilindini from Colombo via the Seychelles
CAIRNS and WOLLONGONG	Left Masirah to join convoy P A 38 to Aden
O 24, Dutch Sub.	Left Colombo on patrol
Wednesday, 12th May
TULIP	Left Kilindini for Durban escorting one transport
ORISSA	Left Hormuz for Bombay escorting convoy P B 40
GAMBIA	Arrived Durban from Kilindini
CHITRAL	Arrived Aden from Colombo escorting one transport
BUSHWOOD	Arrived Bombay from Persian Gulf en route to Colombo
KENYA	Left Kilindini to R/V with HAWKINS and take over escort of convoy J M 1 to Durban
Thursday, 13th May
MARGUERITE	Arrived Durban and Kilindini escorting one transport
ASTER	Arrived Durban from Kilindini
DAUNTLESS	Left Kilindini for Durban en route to U.K.
CANTON	Arrived Colombo from Bombay
EREBUS	Arrived Aden from Kilindini and left again for Suez
BATHURST	Left Aden escorting convoy A P 30 to Hormuz
STORMWRACK and SATSA	Left Kilindini escorting A.S.I.S. PACHECO and KHETI to Aden
RAJPUTANA	Left Hormuz for Bombay escorting PANGKOR
Friday, 14th May
CHITRAL	Left Aden for Kilindini
RANPURA	Left Bombay for Colombo
HAWKINS	Arrived Kilindini from Bombay having been relieved as escort to convoy J M 1 by KENYA
WAYLAND and BURNIE	Left Kilindini for Aden
FALMOUTH	Arrived Seychelles from Colombo and left again for Kilindini
CARADOC	Arrived Tulear from Diego Suarez escorting one transport
H.S. VASNA	Left Mauritius for Diego Garcia
Saturday, 15th May
RATNAGIRI	Left Bombay for Hormuz escorting convoy B P 79
LAUNCESTON	Arrived Khor Kuwai from Masirah escorting 4 Fairmiles (49th M.L. Flotilla)
VERBENA	Arrived Seychelles from Addu Atoll and left again for Kilindini
Sunday, 16th May
PUNJAB	Arrived Aden from Hormuz escorting convoy P A 38
ILE DE FRANCE	Arrived Durban from Aden and Suez
CARTHAGE, JUMNA and GERALDTON	Arrived Aden from Bombay escorting convoy B A 43
CAIRNS and WOLLONGONG	Arrived Aden from Masirah
Monday, 17th May
EMILE BAUDOT	Left Bombay for Trincomalee
CARADOC	Arrived Diego Suarez from Tulear and left again for Kilindini
TOOWOOMBA	Left Tulear escorting one transport till dusk thence to Diego Suarez
BALUCHISTAN	Arrived Bombay from Colombo escorting one tanker
ALAUNIA	Left Bombay for Aden escorting convoy B A 44
CAPETOWN	Arrived Aden from Kilindini having escorted convoy K A 6
SONAVATI	Arrived Colombo from Cocos Isl.
CARTHAGE	Left Aden for Kilindini
RANPURA	Arrived Colombo from Bombay
Tuesday, 18th May
FALMOUTH	Arrived Kilindini from Colombo having called Seychelles
VERBENA	Arrived Kilindini from Colombo having called Addu Atoll and Seychelles
SUSSEX	Left vicinity of Kilindini after completing exercises.
RAJPUTANA	Arrived Bombay from Hormuz escorting PANGKOR
ORISSA	Arrived Bombay from Hormuz escorting convoy P B 40
NEWCASTLE	Left Capetown for Durban
KENYA	Arrived Durban from Kilindini having escorting convoy J M 1
GAMBIA	Left Durban for Capetown and U.K.
CERES	Arrived Bombay from Colombo
CARNATIC	Left Aden for Hormuz escorting convoy A P 31
H.S. VASNA	Arrived Diego Garcia from Mauritius
Wednesday, 19th May
CHITRAL	Arrived Kilindini from Aden
CARADOC	Arrived Kilindini from Diego Suarez
SUTLEJ	Left Bombay for Aden escorting one transport
WAYLAND and BURNIE	Arrived Aden from Kilindini
BOMBAY	Left Hormuz escorting convoy P B 41 for Bombay
TULIP	Arrived Durban from Kilindini escorting one transport
MADRAS and BARODA	Left Bombay for Hormuz escorting convoy B P 80
STORMWRACK and SATSA	Arrived Aden from Kilindini escorting convoy K A 7, A.S.I.S. KHETI and PACHECO
Thursday, 20th May
CAPETOWN	Left Aden for Kilindini
NEWCASTLE	Arrived Durban from Capetown
SORSRA	Arrived Kilindini from Hormuz escorting one tanker
BURNIE	Left Aden for Kilindini
Friday, 21st May
TOOWOOMBA	Arrived Diego Suarez from Tulear
BURNIE	On passage Aden to Kilindini, diverted to Hormuz to reinforce Hormuz patrol
EMILE BAUDOT	Arrived Colombo from Bombay
H.S. VASNA	Left Diego Garcia for Addu Atoll
Saturday, 22nd May
CARTHAGE	Arrived Kilindini from Aden
Dutch Sub O 23	Left Colombo for patrol
BUSHWOOD	Arrived Colombo from Bombay
NEWCASTLE	Left Durban for Kilindini
Sunday, 23rd May
CARTHAGE	Left Kilindini fro Durban
FALMOUTH and VERBENA	Left Kilindini for Durban escorting convoy M C 7
TAMWORTH	Left Bombay for Hormuz escorting convoy B P 80 ½ three tankers
PUNJAB	Left Aden for Bandar Rizut Bay thence Hormuz
EMILE BAUDOT	Left Colombo for Trincomalee
H.S. VASNA	Arrived Addu Atoll from Diego Garcia
Monday, 24th May
BOMBAY	Arrived Bombay from Hormuz escorting convoy P B 41
SUSSEX	Left Mauritius for MOMP with DOMINION MONARCH and NIEUW AMSTERDAM from Fremantle
H.S. VASNA	Left Addu Atoll for Colombo
Tuesday, 25th May
CAPETOWN	Arrived Kilindini from Aden
SOLVRA	Left Kilindini escorting dredger THOMAS COAD towards Dante
NORMAN, QUADRANT, REDOUBT and RACEHORSE	Left Durban as local A/S escort of convoy W S 29
BARODA	Left Hormuz for Bombay calling Karachi
ALAUNIA	Arrived Aden from Bombay escorting convoy B A 44
TOOWOOMBA	Left Diego Suarez for Seychelles
EMILE BAUDOT	Arrived Trincomalee from Colombo
MADRAS and SIMBRA	Left Hormuz for Aden escorting convoy P A 39
BALUCHISTAN	Left Bombay for Hormuz escorting convoy B P 81
BURNIE	Arrived Hormuz from Aden
CARNATIC	Arrived Hormuz from Aden having escorting convoy A P 31
HINDUSTAN	Left Bombay for Colombo escorting convoy B M 53
Wednesday, 26th May
KENYA	Left Durban to overtake and join convoy W S 29 as escort to latitude 7 deg. S
TROMP	Left Fremantle escorting DOMINION MONARCH and NIEUW AMSTERDAM towards Ceylon
Thursday, 27th May
VASNA	Arrived Colombo from Addu Atoll
LAUNCESTON and KONKAN	Left Hormuz for Bombay escorting P B 42
TEWERA	Arrived Colombo from Trincomalee
BOLD	Left Seychelles to R/V EDWARD F. JOHNSON and tow her to Seychelles
NEWCASTLE	Arrived Kilindini from Durban
FS COMMANDANT DUBOC	Left Diego Suarez for Reunion
Friday, 28th May
ALAUNIA	Left Aden for Kilindini
BARODA	Arrived Karachi from Bandar Abbas
CARTHAGE	Arrived Durban from Kilindini
Dutch Sub O 21	Left Colombo for patrol
TOOWOOMBA	Arrived Seychelles from Diego Suarez and left again for Dante
Saturday, 29th May
NETRAVATI	Arrived Madras from Colombo
MAURITIUS	Left Kilindini for Aden and Suez
HINDUSTAN	Escorting B M 53 arrived Colombo from Bombay
H.S. OPHIR	Left Colombo for Kilindini
FS COMMANDANT DUBOC	Left Reunion for Tamatave
Sunday, 30th May
CARTHAGE	Left Durban escorting C M 42 to Kilindini
NIZAM and FRITILLARY	Left Durban as local A/S escort to C M 42
Dutch Ship W. ZAN DER ZAAN	Arrived Colombo from Addu Atoll
MASTIFF	Left Diego Suarez for Kilindini
ALAUNIA	Diverted to R/V W S 29 at lat 5 deg. S to escort W S 29 A to Aden instead of proceeding to Kilindini
H.S. VITA	Left Bombay for Aden
POONA	Left Cochin for Bombay
Monday, 31st May
HAWKINS	Left Kilindini for Durban and Simonstown
WILLEM VAN DER ZAAN	left Colombo for Addu Atoll
CORNWALLIS	Arrived Calcutta from Madras
Dutch Sub O 24	Arrived Colombo from patrol
CANTON	Left Colombo to MOMP with SUSSEX and convoy U S 19 and escort DOMINION MONARCH to Aden
DURBAN, BATHURST and CARNATIC	Left Hormuz escorting convoy B P 43 to Bombay
H.S. VASNA	Arrived Bombay from Colombo
RAMDAS	Arrived Vizagapatam from Madras
BALTA	Arrived Cochin from Colombo
CHITRAL	Left Kilindini to R/V KENYA and W S 29 on June 2nd and escort W S 29 B to Bombay
BARODA	Arrived Bombay from Karachi

 

 

 

Part II

 

NARRATIVE

 

(A) GENERAL

 

1. Docking and repairs on Heavy Units

 

RESOLUTION taken in hand at Durban for short refit and docking on 12th May and expected to complete 12th June

 

2. Docking and repairs of Cruisers

 

FROBISHER taken in hand for refit and docking at Simonstown on 3rd May and is expected to complete on 10th June

 

CERES taken in hand for repairs at Bombay on 18th May and expected to complete 5th June

 

3. Cruisers

 

HMS NEWCASTLE joined the Eastern Fleet having provided escort for convoy W S 29

 

GAMBIA and DAUNTLESS left the Station for the United Kingdom, the former sailing from Durban on 18th May and latter on 21st May.

 

4. Destroyers

 

The disposition of the Eastern Fleet destroyers on the 1st May was as follows”

 

At Kilindini - NIZAM, QUICKMATCH

 

In Australia - NEPAL, QUIBERON

 

On South Atlantic Station operating - NORMAN, NAPIER, ROTHERHAM, REDOUBT, RAIDER, RACEHORSE, RELENTLESS, QUADRANT

 

On South Atlantic Station refitting - BLACKMORE

 

Lent to the Freetown Escort Force - FOXHOUND, CATTERICK

 

Detached - QUILLIAM, QUALITY, QUEENBOROUGH, QUAIL

 

The only alterations to the above state that occurred during May was the exchange of NAPIER and RAIDER with RAIDER and QUICKMATCH, the latter pair having provided escort for RESOLUTION to Durban remained as units of the South Atlantic Escort Force

 

EREBUS - On the instruction of the Admiralty, HMS EREBUS sailed from Kilindini on 6th May for Aden and onward passage to the Mediterranean

 

WAYLAND - The Dockyard Repair Ship WAYLAND was sailed for Aden and the Mediterranean on 14th May

 

5. Passage of M.L.s from South Africa to Persian Gulf

 

The four Fairmile Motor Launches Nos. 380, 382, 383, and 829 arrived at Khor Kuwai on the 15th having completed a voyage of about 5500 miles, the greater part under tropical conditions. They sailed from Simonstown on the 7th March and made their way, by roughly 400 mile stages to Kilindini where they arrived on the 8th April. They remained at Kilindini for a fortnight for slipping and overhaul and sailed on the 26th April. The voyage was without major incident.

 

6. Landing exercise at Mauritius

 

HMS SUSSEX during her stay at Mauritius from 21st to 24th May carried out a landing exercise with her marines to test the local defences. The Governor of the Island reports that the exercise proved very profitable.

 

7. Loan of ships to South Atlantic Station

 

HM Ships FALMOUTH, ASTER, MARGUERITE, TULIP, and VERBENA have been allocated to the South Atlantic Station

 

8. Arrangements for Move of Commander in Chief, Eastern Fleet’s Shore Headquarters from Kilindini to Colombo

 

Arrangements have been well progressed for the move of the Commander in Chief, Eastern Fleet’s shore headquarters from Kilindini back to when the time comes.

 

(B). CONVOYS

 

SUSSEX escorting C M 41 was relieved by RANPURA June 1st and proceeded to Kilindini arriving on the 2nd. Left Kilindini on the 17th arriving at Port Louis, Mauritius, on the 21st. Between the 21st and 24th carried out landing exercises during her Royal Marines. Left Grand Port, Mauritius on the 24the MOMP with DOMINION MONARCH and NIEUW AMSTERDAM on the 29th taking over escort from Netherlands cruiser TROMP.

 

NEWCASTLE escorting W S 29 arrived at the Cape on the 17th. Proceeded to Durban where she arrived on the 20th. Left Durban 22nd and arriving Kilindini 27th.

 

MAURITIUS sailed from Kilindini for Aden 29th

 

GAMBIA sailed from Kilindini on the 8th May arriving Durban on the 12th. Sailed from Durban on the 18th for Capetown where she arrived on the 21st. Sailed thence to U.K. on the 23rd

 

KENYA sailed from Kilindini on the 11th May to relieve HAWKINS as escort to J M 1 on the 13th. Arrived Durban escorting J M 1 on the 18th. Sailed from Durban escorting W S 29 on the 25th

 

HAWKINS sailed from Bombay escorting J M 1 on the 7th arriving Kilindini on the 14th after being relieved by KENYA. Sailed from Kilindini flying the flag of Rear Admiral Commanding 4th Cruiser Squadron on the 31st, for Durban

 

FROBISHER arrived Simonstown 1st May for docking and repairs

 

CAPETOWN arrived Kilindini from Seychelles on the 2nd May. Left Kilindini 11th escorting K A 6. Arrived Aden on the 16th. Left Aden on the 20th for Kilindini arriving on the 25th.

 

DAUNTLESS left Bahrein 1st May, arrived Aden 4th. Left on the 5th and arrived Kilindini on the 19th. Sailed from Durban on the 21st for U.K. calling at Simonstown from 22nd to 25th en route.

 

DURBAN carrying out duty as Senior Naval Officer, Persian Gulf’s ship. Sailed on the 31st May as escort to P B 43 to Bombay

 

CARADOC Sailed from Kilindini on the 6th June escorting PULASKI. Arrived and left Diego Suarez on the 10th. Arrived Tulear with PULASKI on the 14th. Sailed from Tulear for Kilindini on the 14th, calling at Diego Suarez on the 17th, arriving Kilindini on the 19th for boiler cleaning

 

CERES arrived Kilindini escorting A K 7 on the 3rd. Sailed from Kilindini on the 4th calling at Seychelles on the 7th arriving Colombo 12th. Sailed from Colombo on 16th arriving at Bombay on 18th for docking

 

ALAUNIA left Bombay after docking on the 17th escorting B A 44 to Aden arriving 25th. Sailed from Aden on the 28th to R.V. with and act as escort to Aden portion of W S 29

 

CHITRAL Arrived Bombay on the 1st. Sailed same ay for Colombo, arriving on the 4th. Left Colombo escorting RAJULA on the 5th arriving Aden on the 12th. Left Aden on the 14th, arriving Kilindini on the 19th. Sailed from Kilindini on the 31st to take over escort of W S 29 from KENYA

 

RANPURA relieved SUSSEX as escort to C M 41 on the 1st. Arrived Bombay escorting C M 41 on the 11th. Sailed from Bombay on the 14th arriving Colombo on the 17th for boiler cleaning.

 

CARTHAGE after docking and boiler cleaning sailed from Bombay on the 8th as escort to B A 43. Arrived Aden on the 16th. Sailed from Aden on the 17th for Kilindini, arriving on the 22nd. Sailed again on the 23rd for Durban, arriving on the 28th. Stored at Durban leaving on the 30th as escort to C M 47

 

CANTON left Aden on the 4th escorting A B 8 arriving Bombay on the 10th. Sailed same day for Colombo, arriving on the 13th for docking, boiler cleaning and leave. Sailed on the 31st to take over escort of DOMINION MONARCH from SUSSEX

 

FALMOUTH and VERBENA left Kilindini on the 23rd escorting M C 7 to Durban

 

(C) BASES

 

General

 

Information has been received that the remaining nine ex Japanese MFVs allocated to Eastern Fleet were shipped from Canada on the 15th May. Five for Colombo and four for Bombay. All these MFVs are allocated to Flag Officer, Ceylon

 

2. REDSHANK (controlled minelayer) sailed from Gibraltar on 13th May

 

3. EMILE BAUDOT sailed from Bombay 16th May for Trincomalee. It is intended that she shall lay loops at Trincomalee and Colombo, and then H.D.A.s and loops at Diego Suarez

 

Addu Atoll

 

4. It has been decided to postpone the relaying of the controlled minefield in the Wilingili Channel by ATREUS and ALSEY until after the monsoon.

 

5. Landing Craft Armindia has undertaken to send two LCMs to Addu Atoll on the arrival of the new LCMs from England. The worn out landing craft at Addu will then be shipped to India for repair and return to Addu at the rate of two per month.

 

Diego Suarez

 

6. A survey by divers of two sunken Italian ships was carried out during the month. One was found to be salvable but the other is doubtful.

  

Kilindini

 

7. The controlled minefield at the entrance to the harbour is being laid.

 

Trincomalee

 

8. Work on the Boom, Baffles, and moorings is proceeding and appears to be making satisfactory progress.

 

9. BARRYMORE and BARSTOKE arrived during the month.

 

10. It has been decided not to build a C.M. Base at Trincomalee as there is already one building built at Colombo, and only storage is therefore required at Trincomalee.

 

Bombay

 

11. EMILE BAUDOT completed laying Bombay Indicator Loops on 5^th May.

 

Persian Gulf

 

12. Senior Naval Officer, Persian Gulf has been informed by General Headquarters, Paiforce, that Um Qsar Port will not be opened for the present, but will be put on a care and maintenance basis (on completion of berths 1 and 2). It is anticipated that at least 3 months notice will be given if it is decided to open the port at later date.

 

13. A summary of the position as to Indian Ocean Bases at 31^st May follows.

 

n.b. page 5 missing

 

Operational Bases and Occasional Fuelling Ports (contd).

 

Diego Suarez

Coast Defence

 

Orangea	4 – 164.7 mm
	2 – 6 inch MK II 15 degrees
	12 – S/Ls
	2 – 6 pdr Twins
	2 – 75 mm
	R.D.F. sets.
West Coast	4 -138 mm
	4 S/Ls
	R.D.F. set

 

A.A. Gun Defences

 

Planned.

16 Light A.A. for defence of Andrakaka Aerodrome

 

R.D.F. Cover

 

None installed.

1 TRU and 2 COL planned

 

Aerodromes

 

One at Arrachart and one being built at Andrakaka. Arrachart is outside the defence area and it is intended that fighters should be able to operate from either.

 

Andrakaka is being built to accommodate one F.A.A. Squadron and one R.A.F. Squadron, with amenities for a further 3 R.A.F. Squadrons.

 

Flying boat base is being developed. 9 moorings laid.

 

Underwater defences

 

A/S A/B Boom in Orangea pass. One line of nets laid. Gate not operative until another Bar Vessel is available.

 

Bottom net laid.

 

Controlled minefield laid and in operation. Three mineloops are out of action and will be relayed shortly.

 

Future Underwater commitments

 

H.D.A.s, sensitive loops (and possibly A/T baffle at Port Nievre).

Diego Garcia

Coast Defences - 6 inch battery at Eclipse Point in action.

 

General Reconnaisance - Facilities for 6 flying boats in existence at Cust Point.

 

Underwater Defences - nil

 

(D). AIR

 

Eastern Area

 

During the month 1 Catalina flying boat returned to Ceylon from South Africa and on 21^st May a detachment of 4 Catalina flying boats was ordered to Aden

 

Northern Area

 

191 Catalina Squadron commenced to form at Karachi, but it is not yet operational.

 

The detachment to Masirah of 3 Catalina flying boats from 212 Squadron Karachi had to be withdrawn as the South West monsoon made weather conditions at Masirah unsuitable for operating from there and no alternative base was available.

 

Western Area

 

Three Catalina Flying Boats were sent to South Africa to replace Ceylon aircraft which were due to return to Ceylon for major overhaul.

 

Four additional Catalina Flying Boats have also been ordered to South Africa as reinforcements, two of which had arrived by the end of the month.

 

The detachment of 4 Sunderland Flying Boats at Tulear is being replaced by Catalina Flying Boats as the former become due for major overhaul.

 

In consequence of the above movement of Aircraft out of the Western area, it became necessary to withdraw the detachments of 2 Catalina Flying Boats each at Seychelles and Mauritius.

 

Headquarters R.A.F. Middle East asked for a detachment of Sunderland Flying Boats to operate for one month in the Mediterranean. This detachment was approved and the aircraft are being assembled at Dar es Salaam in readiness to proceed.

 

On instruction from Headquarters R.A.F. Middle East, the R.A.F. personnel manning the Air Warning System, filter room, and fighter operations room at Kilindini were moved to Middle East, and responsibility for the issue of air warnings ashore was taken over by Gun Operations Room and afloat by the air warning guardship.

 

Southern Area

 

Detachments totaling 16 Flying Boats and 8 Amphibians have been maintained in South Africa during the month, flying boats detached there, from the Ceylon, being relieved by aircraft from the Western Area as necessary.

 

Four additional reinforcement aircraft have been ordered to South Africa, two of which have arrived at Durban.

 

The disposition of flying boats in the Indian Ocean at the end of the May was as follows:

 

Eastern Area
Ceylon	20 Catalina Flying Boats 3 Amphibians
Madras	4 Catalina Flying Boats
Total	24 Catalina Flying boats 3 Amphibians
Northern Area
Karachi	10 Catalina Flying Boats
Basrah	1 Catalina Flying Boat
Aden	4 Catalina Flying Boats from Ceylon
Bahrein	1 Catalina Flying Boat from Madras
Total	16 Catalina Flying Boats
Western Area
Kilindini	14 Catalina Flying Boats
Dar es Salaam	9 Sunderlands
Tulear	3 Sunderlands 1 Catalina Flying Boat
Total	15 Catalina Flying Boats and 12 Sunderland Flying Boats
Southern Area
Durban	15 Catalina Flying Boats
St Albans	4 Amphibians
Darling	4 Amphibians
Longabean	4 Catalina Flying Boats
Total	19 Catalina Flying Boats and 8 Catalina Amphibians

 

 

(E). INTELLIGENCE

 

28^th May 1943

 

The Chief of Intelligence Staff returned to Kilindini from Ceylon and India where he had been visiting the Intelligence Organisations.

 

(F). MINESWEEPING

 

1. There has been no evidence of enemy minelaying.

 

2. The minelaying organisation in the Shatt el Arab has been disbanded, but arrangements have been made to hold the gear and a nucleus of personnel to enable the organisation to be reoganised should the necessity arise.

 

3. The following LL/SA Vessels have been transferred to the Mediterranean and are on passage to their new station:

 

NEBULA, NIMBUS, PACKICE, SQUALL, SARKA, SATSA, STORMRACH, RAINSTORM.

 

4. Two more LL/SA vessels will leave for the Mediterranean as soon as fitting out is completed:

 

SANDSTORM, SHOOTING STAR

 

 

Appendix I

 

Madagascar

Events in January to March 1943

 

1. During January, February, and March, Naval Officer in Charge, Diego Suarez received several visits from the Commandant de la Marine, Madagascar (Captaine de Fregate Galleret, attached to the staff of the High Commissioner), and certain correspondence took place between these two officers on various subjects concerning the naval establishments at Tamatave and Diego Suarez. Naval Officer in Charge, Diego Suarez kept me fully informed the arrangements and proposals made can be summarized as follows:

 

Tamatave

 

2. Consequent upon the negotiations between the General Officer Commanding in Chief, East Africa and the High Commissioned for the Fighting French forces to relieve the British Forces in all parts of Madagascar outside the Diego Suarez area, except Tulear, it was agreed that the Fighting French Navy should once more take over the port of Tamatave where they wished to established an instructional unit (ultimate strength about 250 men under the command of Lieutenant Commander). It was agreed to withdraw the British Naval Officer in Charge, and that R.N. requirements there would be fully met by retaining only a Naval Liaison Officer.

 

Diego Suarez

 

3. It has been arranged that about 50 Free French Naval Officers and men should be accommodated at Diego Suarez in connection with work involved in raising the Free French sloop D’ENTECASTEAUX (and possibly later the Free French submarine BEVEZIERS) and the reconditioning of Free French merchant ship ILE DE BOURBON.

 

GENERAL

 

4. The Free French Naval authorities were anxious to obtain considerable supplies of naval clothing from the R.N. sources as their stocks were very low. The Commandant de la Marine was that apart from a few items, it was not possible to meet this request from R.N. stocks at Diego Suarez, and that the only possibility lay in obtaining this gear later at Durban

 

Events during April – May

 

5. On 15th April, I received Admiralty Message 142229 April which indicated that the Free French Authorities in London were the giving Their Lordships the impression that the Free French were in the process of taking over certain services at Diego Suarez, and consequently wished to recover the use of the former naval buildings there. In connection with the latter they made the following suggestions that:

 

(a). the Commandant de la Marine, Madagascar should be installed at Diego Suarez in the Hotel du Commandant (Naval Officer in Charge’s “private” house).

 

(b). the number of Free French ratings at Diego Suarez should be raised from 50 to 300 and to be accommodated in the Caserne de la Marine (previous French Naval barracks).

 

(c). the French Administrative Naval Headquarters take over certain of the offices in the existing Naval Headquarter office building.

 

6. Neither I, nor the Naval Officer in Charge, Diego Suarez, had any previous knowledge of these proposals which, as pointed out by Their Lordships, ran contrary to the reservations concerning Diego Suarez in Annex B of the Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom, and the French National Committee, signed on the 14th December 1942. The apparent intention lying behind the above proposals made by the Free French Authorities stressed the necessity for an early decision as to the Police to be adopted concerning the future of Diego Suarez.

 

7. After consultation with the Naval Officer in Charge, Diego Suarez, I indicated in my reply to Their Lordships (Deputy Commander in Chief, Eastern Fleet’s 200955 April) that in my opinion a joint administration of Diego Suarez would not work and that we should retain full control of the harbour, dockyard, and facilities for the duration of the war, whilst affording the use of the port to such Free French Naval Forces as may desire it, in accordance with normal practice towards our allies. I also suggested that it should now be made clear to the Free French that Diego Suarez is separated from the rest of Madagascar by the terms of the Agreement, and consequently that the Commandant de la Marine, Madagascar should be installed in some place other than Diego Suarez. (Note: Tamatave would appear to be the most suitable port and reasonably near to the capital, Tananarive).

 

8. Once the general principle has been decided and the numbers and accommodation of Free French Naval Officers and ratings in Diego Suarez can be arranged on the spot under the terms of Article XI of the Agreement. In this connection I pointed out in my signal D/C in C.E.F.’s 200955 April) that as the very limited service existing accommodation was already fully occupied by R.N. and R.A.F. personnel, it was impracticable to meet the detailed proposals for accommodating Free French Naval Forces at Diego Suarez as suggested by the Free French Authorities in London (vide paragraph 5). Naval Officer in Charge, Diego Suarez signal 172356 April forwarded to Their Lordships also furnished details of the accommodation problem.

 

9. I was aware of the cordial relations between the Free French and the British Naval authorities in Madagascar might be strained by the decision recommended (para 7. above), but I considered that the ultimate ill effect would be less than would be produced by constant bickering and friction resulting from any attempt to work any kind of compromise involving dual control of Diego Suarez.

 

10. The General Officer Commanding in Chief, East Africa later informed me that he was in full agreement with my view. He also informed me that in recognition of the French sovereignty in Madagascar he had agreed with the High Commissioner that in addition to withdrawing British forces and the Islands Area Command into the Diego Suarez area (with a detachment at Tulear) he had agreed with the High Commissioner that there should be one battalion of Free French Infantry in Diego Suarez, and that Free French personnel should man the coast artillery battery at Windsor Castle. He was convinced that the High Commissioner (General Le Gentilhomme) readily accepted the situation that the Diego Suarez area was a British “reserve” and thereby separated from the rest of Madagascar, and that he, the High Commissioner, was in no way connected with the policy of Free French “infiltration” into Diego Suarez, as intimated by the proposals of the Free French authorities in London, and the attitude of the Commandant de la Marine, Madagascar.

 

11. About the same time I received from the Naval Officer in Charge, Diego Suarez, copies of recent correspondence between the Commandant de la Marine, Madagascar, and himself in which the former had put forward further infiltration proposals concerning the mobilization into the Free French Navy of certain civilian dockyard officials, the appointment of a Free French Naval constructor manager, and an extensive docking and repair for the salved French ships at Diego Suarez.

 

12. I fully concurred with the action already taken by the Naval Officer in Charge, Diego Suarez in pointing out to the French Authorities that although the proposed changed status of dockyard personnel would be reviewed by higher authority under Article 9 of Annex “A” of the Agreement, no change could be made at present. Also that the docking programme at Diego Suarez would no permit more work being done on the French ships than was necessary to make them seaworthy to proceed to South Africa for extensive repairs there. Copies of this correspondence were forwarded to Their Lordships under my letter No. 878/E.F. 710/7 of the 1st May 1943, and a summary was also signaled under the Commander in Chief, Eastern Fleet’s 291521 April.

 

13. The Commandant de la Marine also had requested that the French Merchant vessel, ILE DE BOURBON, should be handed back to the French Authorities for inter-island trade. D. of S.T. London had already been requested by the Naval Officer in Charge, Diego Suarez to de requisition this ship. On the 5th May, I also added a further request to Their Lordships to hasten this matter. (Commander in Chief, Eastern Fleet’s 051222 May) . De requisitioning instructions were subsequently received from the Ministry of War Transport and the ship was handed over on 25th May.

 

14. In early May, the High Commissioner, General Le Gentilhomme, on his way through Nairobi by air, visited the General Officer Commanding in Chief, East Africa, General Sir William Platt. Unfortunately, I was prevented from attending this meeting, but I understand from General Platt that the High Commissioner’s own attitude remained as outlined in paragraph 10.

 

15. The Commandant de la Marine, Capitaine de Fregate Galleret, had accompanied the General to Nairobi and shortly afterwards paid an unofficial visit to Kilindini where this opportunity was taken to discuss with him some of matters concerning Diego Suarez.

 

16. By agreement with the French Authorities in Madagascar, a Fighting French Naval Officer has recently been appointed as liaison officer with Divisional Sea Transport Officer, Kilindini. This French Officer should be of considerable assistance to D.S.T.O. in matters concerning French personnel passing through this port.

 

17. Admiral Auboynau had a short conference with me on 31st May when passing through Mombasa on his way to Mombasa (sic).

 

18. Admiral Auboynau touched generally on his desire that the Free French Naval Forces should take over services at Diego Suarez and alleged that the terms of the Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom and the French National Committee on Madagascar were specially drafted so as to permit this process. I imagine he referred particularly to Article 9 of Annexure “A”. He did not agree with my contention that the administration district of Diego Suarez was exempt from the terms of Annexure “A” by Annexure “B”

 

19. Admiral Auboynau undertook to furnish me in writing with a copy of his view after he has visited Madagascar and discussed the question with the Authorities on the spot.

 

20. I gave him no encouragement to suppose that the attitude so far adopted by the British Authorities would be relaxed in any way and instructed the Naval Officer in Charge, Diego Suarez to preserve a similar attitude.

 

 

---

 

 

EASTERN FLEET WAR DIARY

 

Area of operations, click to enlarge

 

 

JUNE 1943

 

Tuesday, June 1st
NEPAL and QUIBERON	Left Geraldton for Diego Garcia
MAURITIUS	Arrived Aden from Kilindini and left same day for Suez.
LAUNCESTON and KONKAN	Escorting convoy P B 42 arrived Bombay from Hormuz
PUNJAB	Left Khor Kuwai for Bombay
RAMDAS	Left Vizagapatam for Madras
NORMAN	Left Durban for Capetown
Wednesday, June 2nd
FALMOUTH and VERBENA	Arrived Durban escorting convoy M C 7 from Kilindini
QUADRANT and REDOUBT	Returned Durban as local A/S escort to M C 7 and left again for Capetown
Tug BOLD	Towing 1 merchant ship arrived Seychelles from approx. position 04 deg. S, 65 deg. E
RANPURA	Left Colombo for Kilindini escorting 1 transport
SOBKRA	Escorting 1 ship left Kilindini for Diego Suarez
BALUCHISTAN and TAMWORTH	Escorting convoy P A 40 left Hormuz for Aden
MADRAS	Arrived Aden from Hormuz escorting P A 39
AMRITSAR	Arrived Colombo from Madras escorting LAOMEDON.
Thursday, June 3rd
WILLEM VAN DE ZAAN	Arrived Addu Atoll from Colombo escorting 1 ship
FS COMMANDANT DUBOC	Arrived Tamatave from Reunion escorting 1 ship
MADRAS	Left Aden for Hormuz escorting convoy A P 32
MASTIFF	Arrived Kilindini from Mayotte and Diego Suarez escorting 1 ship
SOBKRA	Left Kilindini for Diego Suarez escorting one ship
TOOWOOMBA	Arrived Aden from Seychelles.
BOMBAY and KONKAN	Left Bombay for Hormuz escorting convoy B P 82
POONA	Arrived Bombay from Cochin
Friday, June 4th
KENYA	Arrived Kilindini having escorted convoy W S 29 from Durban to vicinity Kilindini
Dutch Ship WILLEM VAN DER ZAAN	Left Addu Atoll for Diego Suarez escorting one M.V. and 1 tanker
CARADOC	Left Kilindini for Seychelles
Tug BOLD	Left Seychelles towing 1 ship to Kilindini
CHALLENGER	Arrived Trincomalee from Palk Straits
SUSSEX	Arrived Colombo from Mauritius having escorting convoy U S 19 from position 025 deg. S, 091 deg. E
MAURETANIA	Left Capetown for Diego Suarez and Colombo
QUICKMATCH	Left Capetown as local A/S escort to MAURETANIA
HAWKINS	Arrived Durban from Kilindini
Saturday, June 5th
PUNJAB	Arrived Bombay from Khor Kuwai
DURBAN, BATHURST and CARNATIC	Arrived Bombay having escorting P B 43 from Hormuz
SOLVRA	Escorting Dredger THOMAS COAD arrived Aden from Kilindini
HAWKINS	Left Durban for Simonstown
KUMAON and KATHIAWAR	Escorting convoy D N 44 left Durban for Diego Suarez
SUSSEX	Left Colombo escorting one transport to vicinity Socotra then proceeds Kilindini
Sunday, June 6th
KIRRIEMOOR	Left East London for Durban
KENYA	Left Kilindini to R/V one transport off Madagascar
BENGAL	Left Calcutta for Colombo
ADAMANT and HINDUSTAN	Left Colombo for Addu Atoll
H.S. VASNA	Left Bombay for Aden
Dutch Sub O 23	Arrived Colombo from patrol
SOBKRA	Arrived Diego Suarez from Kilindini escorting 1 ship
CANTON	Having escorting one transport to vicinity Socotra, now proceeds Kilindini instead of Aden
DURBAN	Left Bombay for Bahrein
Monday, June 7th
NETRAVATI	Escorting one ship left Calcutta for Madras
LAOMEDON	Left Colombo for Aden
CARADOC	Arrived Seychelles from Kilindini
Tuesday, June 8th
CAPETOWN	Left Kilindini to R/V with one transport at 20 deg. S. and escort her to Kilindini
ADAMANT	Escorted by HINDUSTAN arrived Addu Atoll from Colombo
ALAUNIA	Arrived Aden escorting convoy W S 29 A from approx. 005 deg. S
MADRAS	Arrived Hormuz from Aden escorting convoy A P 32.
Wednesday, June 9th
ADAMANT	Escorted by HINDUSTAN left Addu Atoll to R/V NEPAL. HINDUSTAN returned Addu Atoll. ADAMANT proceeds Kilindini
ALAUNIA	Left Aden for Kilindini
TAMWORTH, and BALUCHISTAN	Arrived Aden from Hormuz escorting convoy P A 40
NEPAL	Left Diego Garcia to R/V ADAMANT and escort her to vicinity 56 deg. E. NEPAL proceeds to Seychelles
HAWKINS	Arrived Simonstown from Durban
QUIBERON	Left Diego Garcia for Kilindini
Thursday, June 10th
RAIDER	Left Kilindini for Aden
CARTHAGE	Arrived Kilindini having escorted convoy C M 42 from Durban
CANTON	Arrived Kilindini having escort one transport from vicinity Addu Atoll to vicinity Socotra
Tug BOLD	Arrived Kilindini having towed one ship from Seychelles
H.S. OPHIR	Left Kilindini for Aden
ADAMANT and NEPAL	R/V'd at 70 deg. E.
BOMBAY and KONKAN	Arrived Hormuz from Bombay escorting convoy B P 82
TOOWOOMBA	Left Aden for Masirah
ROHILKAND	With BYMS 5, 6, 7, 8 left Capetown for Durban
DURBAN	Arrived Bahrein from Bombay
FROBISHER	Left Simonstown for Durban
CHITRAL	Escorting W S 29 B arrived Bombay from Kilindini
CARADOC	Left Seychelles for Diego Suarez.
FERNMOOR	Left Durban for Aden
HMRT MASTERFUL	Left Durban for Kilindini
CORNWALLIS	Left Calcutta for Colombo
Friday, June 11th
RANPURA	Arrived Kilindini from Colombo escorting one transport
HINDUSTAN	Arrived Addu Atoll having escorted ADAMANT to 70 deg. E, and left again for Colombo escorting one ship
BOMBAY and KONKAN	Left Hormuz escorting convoy P A 41 to Aden
NETRAVATI	Arrived Madras from Calcutta escorting 1 ship
KUMAON and KAHTIAWAR	Arrived Diego Suarez from Durban, having provided local A/S escort for convoy D N 44
BENGAL	Arrived Colombo from Calcutta
BATHURST and CARNATIC	Escorting B P 83 left Bombay for Hormuz
Saturday, June 12th
MAURETANIA	Arrived Diego Suarez from Capetown
CERES	Left Bombay for Persian Gulf
CARADOC	Arrived Diego Suarez from Seychelles and left again for Durban
MADRAS and RATNAGIRI	Left Persian Gulf escorting convoy P B 44 to Bombay
Sunday, June 13th
MAURETANIA	Left Diego Suarez for Colombo
QUIBERON	Arrived Kilindini from Diego Garcia
SOLVRA	Left Aden for Seychelles
SUSSEX	Arrived Kilindini from Colombo, having escorted one transport to vicinity Socotra
CHITRAL and POONA	Escorting convoy B M 54 (including 2 transports) left Bombay for Colombo
NEPAL	Arrived Seychelles from Diego Garcia having escorted ADAMANT to 56 deg. E
BALUCHISTAN	(?)
TAMWORTH	Left Aden for Hormuz escorting convoy A P 33
FROBISHER	Arrived Durban from Simonstown
AMRITSAR	Escorting convoy J C 13 left Colombo for Calcutta
BRITTANY	Left Bombay for Aden
Monday, 14th June
FROBISHER	Left Durban for Kilindini
RAIDER	Arrived Aden from Kilindini and left again for Suez
NETRAVATI	Left Madras for Colombo
Thursday, 15th June
RESOLUTION and RACEHORSE	Left Durban for Kilindini
RELENTLESS and ROTHERHAM	Left Durban to provide A/S escort for RESOLUTION as far as 20 deg. S.
CAPETOWN and CARTHAGE	Left Kilindini for Colombo escorting convoy K R 5
REVENGE and QUIBERON	Left Kilindini for Durban
NAPIER	Left Kilindini to provide A/S escort for REVENGE as far as 20 deg. S.
CAPETOWN	Arrived Kilindini having escorting one transport from 20 deg. S.
ALAUNIA	Arrived Kilindini from Aden
RANPURA	Left Kilindini to R/V one transport off Socotra and escort her to Bombay
CERES	Arrived Khasab from Bombay
DURBAN	Arrived Khasab from Bahrein
TOOWOOMBA	Arrived Khor Kuwai from Aden
Italian repatriation liners VULCANIA and SATURNIA	Left Port Elizabeth for Aden
Dutch Sub O 23	Left Colombo for Trincomalee
BENGAL	Left Colombo for Bombay
CHALLENGER	Left Trincomalee for Seychelles
Wednesday, June 16th
ADAMANT	Arrived Kilindini from Addu Atoll
BATHURST and CARNATIC	Escorting B P 83 arrived Hormuz from Bombay
CHITRAL and POONA	Arrived Colombo from Bombay
Thursday, June 17th
Dutch Sub O 23	Arrived Trincomalee from Colombo
MANCHESTER CITY and ROHILKAND	Left Durban for Diego Suarez
O 23	Left Trincomalee to patrol Malacca Straits
NETRAVATI	Arrived Colombo from Madras
CORNWALLIS	Arrived Colombo from Calcutta
CARADOC	Arrived Durban from Diego Suarez
Friday, June 18th
RESOLUTION, RACEHORSE and RELENTLESS	R/V with REVENGE, QUIBERON, and NAPIER at 020 deg. S. RACEHORSE and NAPIER escort RESOLUTION to Kilindini, QUIBERON, ROTHERHAM, and RELENTLESS escort REVENGE to Durban
SUSSEX	Leaves Kilindini for Addu Atoll
KENYA	Leaves Kilindini to R/V two transports north of Socotra and escort them to vicinity Addu Atoll
FROBISHER	Arrived Kilindini from Durban
Dutch Sub O 21	returned Colombo from patrolling Malacca Straits
CARNATIC and BATHURST	Escorting convoy P A 42 left Hormuz for Aden
MADRAS and RATNAGIRI	Escorting convoy P B 44 arrived Bombay from Hormuz
BENGAL	Arrived Bombay from Colombo.
HMRT MASTERFUL	Arrived Kilindini from Durban
MAURETANIA	Arrived Colombo from Diego Suarez
Saturday, June 19th
LAOMEDON	Arrived Aden from Colombo
KONKAN and BOMBAY	Escorting convoy P A 41 arrived Aden from Persian Gulf
TAMWORTH and BALUCHISTAN	Escorting convoy A P 33 arrived Khor Kuwai from Aden
LAUNCESTON and PUNJAB	Escorting convoy B P 84 left Bombay for Persian Gulf
Sunday, June 20th
BARODA	Escorting convoy B M 54 ½ Bombay for Colombo
CHITRAL	Escorting convoy M B 38 left Colombo for Bombay
BALUCHISTAN and TAMWORTH	Escorting convoy P B 45 left Persian Gulf for Bombay.
NEPAL	Left Seychelles to R/V CAPETOWN and CARTHAGE and provide A/S escort for K R 5 to Colombo
REVENGE and QUIBERON	Arrived Durban from Kilindini
ROTHERHAM and RELENTLESS	Arrived Durban, having provided A/S escort for REVENGE for 20 deg. S
ALBATROSS	Left Bombay for Okha.
Monday, June 21st
KUMAON and KATHIAWAR	Left Diego Suarez for Seychelles and Bombay
RESOLUTION and RACEHORSE	Arrived Kilindini from Durban
NAPIER	Arrived Kilindini from providing local A/S escort to RESOLUTION from 20 deg. S.
LAOMEDON	Left Aden for Suez
DURBAN	Arrived Aden from Persian Gulf
BOMBAY and KONKAN	Left Aden for Khor Kuwai
Italian repatriation ships DUILIO and GUILIO CESARE	Left Port Elizabeth for Aden under safe conduct.
ALBATROSS	Arrived Okha from Bombay
Tuesday, June 22nd
SOLVRA	Returned to Aden instead of proceeding to Seychelles with defects due to monsoon
HINDUSTAN	Left Colombo to R/V K R 5 and provide local A/S escort to Colombo
BRITTANY	Arrived Aden fro Bombay and left again for Suez
DURBAN	Left Aden for Kilindini
Wednesday, June 23rd
CHITRAL	Escorting convoy M B 38 arrived Bombay from Colombo
SUSSEX	Arrived Addu Atoll from Kilindini
TROMP	Left Fremantle to MOMP with SUSSEX at 92 deg. E
KUMAON and KATHIAWAR	Arrived Seychelles from Diego Suarez
Thursday, June 24th
SUSSEX	Left Addu Atoll to MOMP with KENYA west of Addu Atoll. SUSSEX escorts one transport to MOMP with Dutch Ship TROMP at 92 deg. E. TROMP escorts transport to Fremantle and SUSSEX proceeds to Mauritius. KENYA escorts second transport to vicinity Colombo then proceeds to Trincomalee
LAUNCESTON and PUNJAB	Escorting convoy B P 84 arrived Khor Kuwai from Bombay
ALBATROSS	Left Okha for Bombay
NETRAVATI	Left Bombay for Colombo escorting convoy B M 55
RANPURA	Escorting one transport arrived Bombay from Kilindini
CHALLENGER	Arrived Seychelles from Colombo
SUFFOLK, RELENTLESS and NIZAM	Left Durban for Operation PLAYER
Friday, June 25th
ALBATROSS	Arrived Bombay from Okha
BARODA	Escorting convoy B M 54 ½ arrived Colombo from Bombay
CANTON	Left Kilindini to R/V ROTHERHAM, QUICKMATCH, and NORMAN escorting convoy W S 30 at 20 deg S. ROTHERHAM, RELENTLESS, and NORMAN returned to Durban. CANTON escorts W S 30 to R/V ALAUNIA at 07 deg. S. CANTON proceeds Kilindini. ALAUNIA escorts convoy to Bombay
ROTHERHAM, QUICKMATCH and NORMAN	Left Durban escorting convoy W S 30 to R/V CANTON
SATURNIA and VULCANIA	Arrived Aden from Port Elizabeth (Italian repat. Liners)
HILDASAY	Left Seychelles for Kilindini
BYMS 5, 6, 7, 8	Left Durban for Diego Suarez
Saturday, June 26th
LAUNCESTON and PUNJAB	Escorting convoy P A 43 left Khor Kuwai for Aden
MAURETANIA	Left Colombo for Suez
MANCHESTER CITY and ROHILKAND	Arrived Diego Suarez from Durban
TAMWORTH, and BALUCHISTAN	Escorting convoy P B 45 arrived Bombay from Persian Gulf
ORISSA and BENGAL	Escorting convoy B P 85 left Bombay for Persian Gulf
BATHURST and CARNATIC	Escorting convoy P A 42 arrived Aden from Persian Gulf
KENYA	Arrived at Trincomalee from Kilindini having escorted one transport to vicinity Colombo
Sunday, June 27th
HINDUSTAN, CAPETOWN, CARTHAGE and NEPAL	Escorting convoy K R 5 arrived Colombo from Kilindini
NEWCASTLE and RACEHORSE	Left Kilindini for Tulear to fuel thence for Operation PLAYER
FS SAVORGNAN DE BRAZZA	Left Durban for Tamatave escorting one ship
DURBAN	Arrived Kilindini from Aden
Monday, June 28th
FERNMOOR	Arrived Aden from Durban
BATHURST	Left Aden for Hormuz
WILLEM VAN DER ZAAN	Escorting convoy M B 39 left Colombo for Bombay
Dutch light cruiser TROMP	To MOMP with SUSSEX and NIEUW AMSTERDAM at 92 deg. E. SUSSEX proceeds Mauritius, TROMP and NIEUW AMSTERDAM to Fremantle
KENYA	Left Trincomalee for Colombo
NORMAN, QUICKMATCH and ROTHERHAM	Now to escort W S 30 to vicinity Comoro Is. And then to proceed Tulear for fuelling
Tuesday, June 29th
ALAUNIA	Left Kilindini to MOMP with CANTON escorting convoy W S 30 at approx. 007 deg. South. ALAUNIA escorts
	W S 30 B to Bombay. CANTON escorts 2 ships to Kilindini
KENYA	Arrived Colombo from Trincomalee
BOMBAY and KONKAN	Escorting convoy P B 46 left Khasab Bay for Bombay
CARNATIC	Escorting convoy A P 33 left Aden for Khor Kuwai
Wednesday, June 30th
ROSALIND	Escorting LUCIA left Kilindini fro Durban
MASTERFUL	Towing one M.V. left Kilindini for Durban
RANPURA	Left Bombay for Kilindini escorting 1 transport
NETRAVATI	Left Cochin for Bombay, escorting 1 ship
NEWCASTLE and RACEHORSE	Arrived Tulear from Kilindini and left again for Operation PLAYER

 

 

Part II

 

NARRATIVE

 

(A) GENERAL

 

1. Docking and repairs on Heavy Units

 

RESOLUTION taken in hand for a short refit and docking on 12th May at Durban completed on 11th June.

 

REVENGE taken in hand for short refit and docking on 21st June and is expected to complete on 21st July.

 

2. Docking and repairs of Cruisers

 

FROBISHER in hand Simonstown for docking and refitting of auxiliary machinery. Completed 9th June. Left of both S.I. turbines for examination commenced on 29th June at Kilindini

 

HAWKINS taken in hand at Simonstown on 12th June for docking and refit. Expected date of completion 14th August.

 

3. Cruisers

 

HMS SUFFOLK joined the Eastern Fleet, having provided escort for convoy W S 30

 

4. Destroyers

 

The disposition of the Eastern Fleet destroyers on the 1st June was as follows:

 

At Kilindini - NAPIER, RAIDER

 

In Australia - NEPAL, QUIBERON

 

On South Atlantic Station operating - NORMAN, NIZAM, QUICKMATCH, QUADRANT, ROTHERHAM, RELENTLESS, RACEHORSE, and REDOUBT

 

Lent to the Freetown Escort Force - FOXHOUND, BLACKMORE, CATTERICK

 

Detached - QUILLIAM, QUALITY, QUEENBOROUGH, QUAIL

 

The only alterations to the above state that occurred during the month of June were as follows.

 

QUIBERON and NEPAL returned from Australia arriving at Diego Garcia on 9th June. QUIBERON sailed from Kilindini as escort for REVENGE to Durban on 15th June joining the South Atlantic escort force on arrival.

 

RACEHORSE sailed from Durban as escort for RESOLUTION to Kilindini on 15th June remaining at Kilindini for work with fleet units.

 

RAIDER sailed from Kilindini on 10th June for the Mediterranean

 

5. Free French Ships

 

The Free French Sloop SAVORGNAN DE BRAZZA has arrived in Madagascar where she will relieve the Free French minesweeper COMMANDANT DUBOC, the latter, on relief, proceeding to the Levant

 

6. Hormuz Patrol

 

Owing to several of the ships of the Hormuz group of the C.A.S.F. being absent from their station for refit, it became necessary to detach the Royal Australian minesweepers BURNIE and TOOWOOMBA from the East Africa Patrol Flotilla in order to strengthen the defences of the Persian Gulf.

 

7. E.F. JOHNSON

 

The motor tanker E.F. JOHNSON broke her crankshaft when she was midway between the Seychelles and Diego Garcia. The RNethN WILLEM VAN DER ZAAN was sent to her assistance and later H.M. Rescue tug BOLD took her in tow and brought her to Kilindini.

 

8. Landing Exercises at Seychelles

 

HMS CARADOC during her stay at Seychelles from the 7th to 10th June carried out a landing exercise with her marines and supporting party of seamen. The landing was made at night on the west side of Mahe and CARADOC’s party attacked objects at Port Victoria on the eastern side in the early morning. The exercise afforded valuable experience both for the attacker and the defenders.

 

9. Gunnery Firing Ship At Durban

 

HMS CARADOC has been taken in hand at Durban for preparation for the duties of Gunnery Firing Ship, and should complete by the 3rd July. She will work with a reduced complement and will cease to be an operational unit of the Eastern Fleet. She will be administered by the Rear Admiral Training Establishments, Durban

 

(B). CONVOYS

 

HMS SUSSEX escorting DOMINION MONARCH and NIEUW AMSTERDAM momped with CANTON on the 2nd. SUSSEX then escorted NIEUW AMSTERDAM to Colombo arriving on the 4th. Sailed with NIEUW AMSTERDAM on the 5th parting company with her off Socotra and proceeded to Kilindini arriving there on the 13th. Sailed from Kilindini on the 18th for Addu Atoll arriving there on the 23rd, fuelled and sailed on the 24th to MOMP with KENYA, escorting NIEUW AMSTERDAM and DOMINION MONARCH. Escorted NIEUW AMSTERDAM to MOMP on the 28th with Netherlands cruiser TROMP, thereafter proceeding independently to Mauritius

 

HMS SUFFOLK arrived at Durban escorting W S 30 on the 19th, sailed from Durban on the 24th for Operation PLAYER

 

HMS NEWCASTLE sailed from Kilindini on the 27th for Operation PLAYER flying Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding Fourth Cruiser Squadron

 

HMS KENYA relieved of escort to W S 29 on the 2nd by HMS CHITRAL, proceeded to Kilindini, arriving there 4th. Sailed from Kilindini on the 6th to rendezvous and escort LANCASHIRE from vicinity Diego Suarez to Kilindini arriving there on the 10th. Sailed from Kilindini on the 18th to rendezvous with DOMINION MONARCH and NIEUW AMSTERDAM south of Socotra escorting them to momp with SUSSEX on the 24th. Thence DOMINION MONARCH to vicinity of Colombo, parting company on the 25th, proceeding to Trincomalee arriving on the 26th. Carried out a radar survey at Trincomalee, sailing thence on the 28th, arriving Colombo on the 29th for docking and leave.

 

HMS HAWKINS arrived Durban from Kilindini flying Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding Fourth Cruiser Squadron on the 4th, sailed thence 5th to Simonstown arriving on the 9th for refit.

 

HMS FROBISHER sailed from Simonstown after refit and trials on the 10th arriving Durban on the 13th. Sailed thence on the 14th flying Flag of Rear Admiral Fourth Cruiser Squadron arriving Kilindini on the 18th.

 

HMS CAPETOWN after boiler cleaning, sailed Kilindini on the 8th to rendezvous with and escort AORANGI to Colombo, arriving on the 15th, sailing p.m. that day as Ocean Escort to convoy K R 5 arriving Colombo 28th.

 

HMS DURBAN arrived Bombay escorting P B 43 on the 5th, sailed Bombay on the 6th for Persian Gulf. Left Persian Gulf (after relief by CAPETOWN) on the 19th arriving Aden on the 21st. Sailed Aden on the 22nd arriving Kilindini on the 27th.

 

HMS CARADOC sailed Kilindini 4th arriving Seychelles on the 7th. Carried out landing exercise, sailed on the 10th arriving and sailed Diego Suarez on the 12th. Arrived Durban on the 17th for preparation for Gunnery Firing Ship.

 

HMS CERES sailed from Bombay after docking on the 12th for Persian Gulf, arriving there on the 15th relieve DURBAN

 

HMS ALAUNIA rendezvous with Aden portion of W S 29 on the 23rd, escorting convoy to Aden, arriving there on the 8th. Sailed Aden on the 9th for Kilindini arriving 15th. Sailed Kilindini on the 29th to take over escort of W S 30

 

HMS CHITRAL rendezvous with and took over Ocean Escort to Bombay portion of W S 29 from KENYA on the 2nd, escorting convoy to Bombay, arriving there on the 11th. Sailed thence on the 13th escorting STRATHAIRD and STRATHMORE arriving Colombo on the 16th. Sailed from Colombo on the 20th escorting STRATAIRD and STRATHMORE to Bombay, arriving 23rd for boiler cleaning.

 

HMS RANPURA sailed from Colombo on the 2nd escorting CITY OF PARIS to Kilindini arriving there on the 11th. Sailed from Kilindini on the 15th to rendezvous and escort ISLAMI on the 19th to Bombay, arriving there on the 24th. Sailed from Bombay on the 30th for Kilindini.

 

HMS CANTON momped with SUSSEX, NIEUW AMSTERDAM, and DOMINION MONARCH on the 2nd. Escorted DOMINION MONARCH to vicinity of Socotra, after parting company proceeded to Kilindini arriving there on the 10th. Sailed Kilindini on the 25th to rendezvous with and escort W S 30 on the 28th.

 

(C). BASES

 

General

 

Scales of Defence

 

Admiralty Message 052320 June gives a summary of the revised scale of defences approved by the Chiefs of Staff for Addu Atoll, Diego Garcia, and Cocos Islands. Few changes in existing or planned defences are involved.

 

2. Admiralty Message 111752 June gives a similar summary for Seychelles, Mauritius, and Rodriguez. Here again few changes are necessary in the present or planned Naval commitments, although some readjustment of A.A. defences is necessary (see below).

 

A.A. Defences of East Africa, Madagascar, and Island Bases

 

3. A combined services meeting was held in Nairobi on 17^th June to discuss the recommendations of the Defence of Bases Committee on East Africa and Madagascar, and the Chiefs of StaffÕs instructions in Admiralty Message 111752 June for the scale of defence in Mauritius and Seychelles.

 

In Commander in Chief, Eastern FleetÕs 190930 a scale has been recommended to East Africa Command as the best balance and order or priority. This scale has been proposed to the War Office by East Indies Command.

 

Trincomalee

 

4. Flag Officer, Ceylon, in his 130510 June reported the progress at Trincomalee and gave estimated dates of completion of booms, baffles, moorings, and essential buildings. The progress of Plan 'R' W/T Station is disappointing, and the present estimated date of completion is December 1943.

 

5. The question of berthing visiting merchant ships has been under consideration. It has been decided to complete the original berthing plan and that the extra buoys can be used as stern buoys for merchant ships.

 

6. SAGAING will be raised shortly and, if she shows no sign of collapse or capsizing, will be placed alongside about the second week of July.

 

Diego Suarez

 

7. Naval Officer in Charge, Diego Suarez, visited Kilindini on 17^th June for discussions on the subject of the transfer of Diego Suarez control to Flag Officer, East Africa, and on other matters. As a result, Flag Officer, East Africa, has recommended that the administrative control and responsibility for development of Diego Suarez and Mauritius should be transferred from Commodore, Durban (under Commander in Chief, South Atlantic) to Flag Officer, East Africa (under Commander in Chief, Eastern Fleet, Durban and Commander in Chief, South Atlantic, agree.

 

8. During June Admiral Auboyneau, Commanding the Free French Naval Forces, visited Madagascar and Reunion.

 

Addu Atoll

 

9. Admiralty Message 111844 June directs that only tented accommodation is required for Fleet Air Arm personnel.

 

Seychelles

 

10. The floating oil fuel pipe line, which capsized in May, is in action again.

 

Port 'F'

 

Certain reductions in Staff and equipment (Flag Officer Commanding Royal Indian NavyÕs 070925 June) have been approved. Any mooring gear not required by Flag officer, Ceylon for Trincomalee, is to be returned to Calcutta, except the light buoys which are ready for laying.

 

(D). AIR

 

Eastern Area

 

The last flying boat detached to South Africa returned to Ceylon on 26^th June. Only the 8 Catalina Amphibians from Ceylon are now operating in South Africa.

 

Northern Area

 

As the prevailing monsoon made conditions for operating Flying boats from the advanced base at Masira unsuitable, the detachment of 5 aircraft was withdrawn to Karachi, from where flying boat operations to cover the Gulf of Oman are now conducted.

 

No. 191 Catalina Flying Boat Squadron is in the process of formation at Karachi, but so far only 7 aircraft out of 9 have arrived.

 

During the month, a detachment of 4 Catalina flying boats detached from Ceylon, has operated from Aden.

 

Western Area

 

The Sunderland flying boat detachment of 4 aircraft at Tulear has now been relieved by Catalinas from Mombasa.

 

During the first week of June, 6 Sunderland aircraft of 230 Squadron, Dar es Salaam, were flown to the Mediterranean for operations in that area.

 

3 Catalinas from Mombasa were flown to South Africa to replace flying boats of the Ceylon detachment there for return to Ceylon.

 

Until the commencement of Operation PLAYER when one aircraft was transferred to Tulear, a detachment of two Catalinas has been maintained at Mauritius.

 

Aircraft of the Tulear detachment took part in operation PLAYER from 24^th to the 30^th June, operating from Tulear.

 

Southern Area

 

Air A/S operations in the South African waters by 262 Catalina Flying Boat Squadron reinforced by flying boats from 265 and 209 Squadrons Mombasa and Catalina Amphibians from Ceylon continued during the month, operations being directed by Command in Chief, South Atlantic and the advanced Operations Section of Air Headquarters, East Africa.

 

Flying Boat Dispositions

 

Eastern Area
Madras	Catalina Flying Boats	6
Ceylon	Catalina Flying Boats	21
	Catalina Amphibians	3
Total		30
Northern Area
Karachi	Catalina Flying Boats	15
Aden	Catalina Flying Boats (from Ceylon)	4
Total		19
Western Area
Mombasa and Tulear	Catalina Flying Boats	11
Dar es Salaam	Sunderland Flying Boats	5
Total		16
Southern Area
Durban, Langaboom, St Albans	Catalina Amphibians	8
Darling	Catalina Flying Boats	18
Total		26

 

 

(E). MINESWEEPING

 

(1). There has been no evidence of enemy minelaying.

 

(2). BYMS 5, 6, 7, and 8, part of the 151^st Flotilla, sailed from Durban on June 25^th for Diego Suarez for onward passage to Colombo via Seychelles. Arrangements have been made for the working up of these vessels on arrival at Colombo.

 

 

Appendix I

 

Operation PLAYER

 

Narrative

 

1. Information

 

On the 24th June, Admiralty appreciated the possibility of a U boat being supplied by a surface ship in the vicinity of a D.F. Fix of German U boat in position 31S, 45E obtained on 19th June, and instructed a Cruiser to be sent to search the area, the maximum air cooperation being provided.

 

24th June

 

2. SUFFOLK at Durban was sailed at best speed towards position (A) 31S, 45E. being preceded by RELENTLESS and NIZAM also from Durban

 

3. Commander in Chief, South Atlantic was requested to arrange for a continuous air search round position (A) with Catalina aircraft form first light on 25th June until dark on the 26th with instructions to locate and shadow a supply ships, but not to attack it. Submarines sighted to be attacked.

 

4. SUFFOLK and destroyers were instructed to adjust speed to pass through position “A “ at 2200Z/25th June and to arrived position “R” 30-40S, 47-18E at 0400 at 0400Z/26th June and to carry out a daylight search of an area to the northward of a line drawn 081 degrees from position “R” for a distance of 140 miles, returning through the area to the southward of this line.

 

5. Commander in Chief, South Atlantic was requested to arrange for two Catalinas to rendezvous with SUFFOLK in position “R” to search during daylight an area 60 miles on either side of the line quoted above for a distance of 160 miles from position “R”.

 

25th June

 

6. It was considered that should the search on the 26th prove unfruitful the enemy might be to the southward or westward of area already searched (Area “A”) and the following course of action was determined.

 

7. On completion of search on 26th June, SUFFOLK with RELENTLESS and NIZAM to carry out a sweep to the southward as far as position “B” (40S, 49E) returning thence in the direction of position “Q”, the portion of the sweep in the vicinity of Portion “B” being made in daylight. As the search of this area by Catalina aircraft was impracticable, it was decided to maintain the maximum daylight air search over area “A” with the intention of location a supply ship had she either been missed by the search force on 26th June or arrived in the area subsequently.

 

8. SUFFOLK to fuel both destroyers sufficiently to enable them to complete the daylight sweep on 28th June. RELENTLESS then being detached to fuel subsequently rejoining the search force, NIZAM, whose endurance is much less, being detached to rejoin the South Atlantic Escort Force.

 

9. It was assumed that SUFFOLK’s endurance would allow her to remain at sea until 2nd July and it was decided therefore that NEWCASTLE and RACEHORSE should sail from Kilindini on Sunday 27th June to relieve SUFFOLK and RELENTLESS

 

10. In order to have fuel as near as possible to the scene of operations, the oiler BRITISH AMBASSADOR was ordered to sail from Diego Suarez to Tulear at best speed.

 

26th June

 

11. Search by surface forces and Catalina aircraft in Area “A” during daylight hours on 26th having drawn blank, SUFFOLK and destroyers proceeded to southward.

 

12. Weather reports from Catalina aircraft indicated that he sea conditions in Area “A” was good and it is likely that the fuelling of the destroyers from the SUFFOLK was carried out without difficulty.

 

27th June

 

13. The lack of success in searches carried out by air and surface forces to southward of Madagascar as far as 40 degrees S. and the improbability of a fuelling operation taking place further to the westward, closer to the African coast, made it possible that in area further to the eastward was being used if such an operation was in fact in progress. Air searches of Area “A” could be maintained from Tulear and as it was important that the area to the eastward should be searched with the least possible delay it was decided that SUFFOLK and destroyers should continue their daylight sweep in the vicinity of position “B”, but should this be unsuccessful, SUFFOLK to proceed with RELENTLESS in company to carry out a sweep to the northeastward through position “C” 30S, 60E to prudent limit of endurance, refueling RELENTLESS at sea if this was possible, otherwise detaching her to fuel at Mauritius. This course of action would bring the surface striking force with reasonable distance of area “A” on the 28th until a.m. on the 30th should enemy forces be sighted by Catalina from Tulear

 

14. NEWCASTLE and RELENTLESS were sailed from Kilindini at 1800C to arrive Tulear at 1400C, 30 June to fuel, thence to arrive in Area “A” at daylight on 2nd July. The intention being that they should search Area “A” to the best of their ability during daylight on 2nd July and act as a striking force should the enemy be sighted by reconnaissance aircraft. During the night of 2nd July to withdraw to the eastward to be clear of submarines making the area from African coast and to allow speed to be reduced to conserve fuel.

 

28th June

 

15. Daylight sweep in the vicinity of Position “B” proved fruitless and after dark SUFFOLK and RELENTLESS proceeded towards position “C”, NIZAM having been detached to return to Durban

 

16. Catalina search in Area “A” again produced no results and the weather in the area, showed signs of deteriorating.

 

29th June

 

17. In view of the continued lack of sighting reports from Catalinas in Area “A” and of success from surface search near position “B” previous intentions were amended as follows:

 

SUFFOLK and RELENTLESS were ordered to continue searching in the vicinity of Position “C” until their prudent limit of endurance which was anticipated to be 2nd or 3rd July, then proceed to Port Louis, Mauritius for fuel.

 

Rear Admiral Commanding, Fourth Cruiser Squadron in NEWCASTLE with RACEHORSE to proceed to search in the vicinity of position “B” until prudent limit of endurance, thence returning to Tulear for fuel.

 

Two Catalinas to continue daylight search of Area “A”. This disposition of forces would ensure all three fuelling points being covered.

 

18. At 1118 local time Catalina on patrol in Area “A” reported A.S.V. contact probably a submarine. This report was not confirmed.

 

19. Late in the evening of 29th a signal was received from SUFFOLK stating that she would have to leave the vicinity of position “C” on 30th June in order to arrived at Mauritius with 18% of fuel remaining

 

20. In order to access the likelihood of a supply ship operating in the vicinity of position “B”, NIZAM who was now approaching Durban, was ordered to report forthwith weather conditions that she had experienced to the southward. The reply to this signal revealed that there a moderate sea with long moderate swell, wind mainly north up to Force 6.

 

30th June

 

21. At 3 A.M. a signal was received from Commander in Chief, South Atlantic reporting a reliable D.F. fix of a German U boat in position 29 S , 50 E.

 

22. In the view of unfavourable weather conditions reported by NIZAM in the vicinity of position “B” and of this D.F. fix of the German U boat, it was considered that fuelling was unlikely to be in progress in the Southern Area.

 

23. The continued lack of sighting reports from Area “A” made this area also improbable

 

24. It was decided therefore that SUFFOLK and RELENTLESS should continue to search in the vicinity of position “C” until p.m. 1 July in order to intercept an enemy supply ship which might be returning to the Eastward, and that NEWCASTLE and RACEHORSE after fuelling at Tulear should proceed towards position “C” to arrived at daylight on the 3rd July. This would allow ships to proceed at moderate speed and conserve fuel for future operations.

 

25. Two long range Catalinas were ordered to leave Mombasa for Mauritius to arrived on the 1st and 3rd, respectively, and two Catalinas from Tulear were sent to arrived Mauritius on the 1st July. It was intended that the two Catalinas from Tulear should carry out a daylight search in the vicinity of position “C” on the 2nd July, on which date SUFFOLK and RELENTLESS would be on passage to Port Louis and NEWCASTLE and RACEHORSE some 300 miles to the westward of position “C”

 

26. It was also decided to maintain a reduced daylight search in Area “A” by one Catalina

 

27. By the this time the search over a wide area south and east of Madagascar having drawn blank it was appreciated that fuelling of the U boats might have been concluded and the supply ship withdrawn from the area. The Admiralty was therefore informed that the dispositions ordered were made disregarding this possibility.

 

28. The discontinuation of Operation PLAYER was ordered the Admiralty during the course of the night and NEWCASTLE and RACEHORSE were ordered to Kilindini, SUFFOLK and RELENTLESS to Port Louis, Mauritius for fuel subsequently returning, SUFFOLK to Kilindini, RELENTLESS to Durban.