(iv). Should
you concur in these objects, I consider the course
of action should be:
(a).
To
carry out a preliminary submarine hunt in Ofot
Fiord
and approaches on 18th April.
(b). Cut line of supply
to Bjervik by:
(i).
Destroying
all local water craft east of 17-10 degrees East.
(ii). Destroyer piers at
entrance to
Rombaks Fiord, at Bjervik,
and any others in Herjangs
Fiord.
(iii). Destroy road
bridges on east
shore
of
Herjangs Fiord.
(c). Protect VINDICTIVE
at Bogen from
submarine and air attack. It is assumed your
information rules out opposition to landing.
(v). Forces to be used.
The above
tasks can be performed by cruisers and destroyers.
Not considered therefore
that WARSPITE should be exposed to the risk of
submarine attack for lesser
object than capture of Narvik.
AURORA
is
suitable ship for attack on shipping and
watercraft in Narvik
from position off entrance. Estimate eight
destroyers will do rest.
(vi).
Basic
time for operation will be time to detach
VINDICTIVE from main force off Bogen.
Request it may be communicated.
(vii). Should
like to conduct operations from
AURORA
but
there may be difficulty in transferring by
destroyer to AURORA if bad
weather continues.
36.
At
1900 I effected a
rendezvous with BEDOUIN, HERO, and
GRENADE and sent FOXHOUND, HOSTILE, and HAVOCK to
Skjel
Fiord to replenish as far as possible with oil and
stores.
18th April
37.
At
1650 I received Commander in Chief’s 1617/18,
ordering me to proceed to Rosyth
at best possible speed with four destroyers. I
ordered HAVOCK, HOSTILE, and
FOXHOUND to embark all passengers for U.K. and
then to join me.
19th April
38.
At
0500 HAVOCK, HOSTILE, and FOXHOUND joined and
together with HERO formed a close
screen. BEDOUIN and GRENADE were detached to Skjel
Fiord. I proceeded for Rosyth at 23 knots.
39.
At
1701 I received Commander in Chief’s 1634/19
ordering me to return to Narvik
area. Course was altered to the northward and I
requested instructions from Flag Officer, Narvik,
stating that I was concerned for the condition of
the 55 wounded who had now
been six days in WARSPITE.
20th April
40.
Instructions
were received to join Flag Officer, Narvik,
in Vaags Fiord. I
reported my time of arrival as 0500
on Sunday, 21st April.
21st April
41.
Entry
into Vaags Fiord was
delayed by weather.
WARSPITE anchored in the oiling berth at Bydon
in Vaags Fiord at
1550. The transport FRANCONIA was
also there discharging troops and stores.
42.
Since enemy aircraft
were sighted and dropped bombs which
fell very wide. Nevertheless the oiler was ordered
to lie off until the
visibility was such as to ensure safety.
43.
I
embarked in FOXHOUND and proceeded to Harstad
to call
on Flag Officer, Narvik.
44.
H.T.
FRANCONIA reported that accommodation was
available for passengers and some
wounded. Passengers from HARDY and other damaged
destroyers were accordingly
transferred to the number of 300. Two German Naval
Officers and seven rating
prisoners, taken at the 2nd Battle of Narvik,
were also sent.
45.
Hospital
accommodation for the wounded had been offered at
Hartsat
but it was considered advisable to send the minor
cases to the U.K. in FRANCONIA and
retain the cot cases in WARSPITE.
22nd April
46.
At
0500 the oiling and storing of the destroyers was
completed and WARSPITE sailed
with HOSTILE, HAVOCK, HERO, and FOXHOUND again in
company.
47.
I
proceeded to the westward and awaited instructions
for a further attack on Narvik.
These I received at 1715.
23rd April
48.
During
the 23rd April, WARSPITE patrolled to the
westward.
24th – 26th April
49.
At
0200 on 24th April I joined the Flag of Admiral of
the Fleet Lord
Cork in position 67-56 degrees N 14-11 degrees E.
50.
The
force consisting of EFFINGHAM (Flag), WARSPITE,
ENTERPRISE,
VINDICTIVE, AURORA and destroyers then proceeded
to Narvik
where a bombardment of the fixed defence
areas was
carried out in accordance with the orders
received. (A report
of this operation was forwarded in B.C.S. 017/1
dated 30th April 1940).
51.
On
completion at 1000 I received orders to return to
Scapa which reached at 1600
on 26th April. Wounded were transferred to the
hospital carrier and
available stores were embarked.
27th April
52.
At
1100 on 27th April WARSPITE sailed for Greenock
via the
Minches, HOSTILE,
HERO, and FOXHOUND acted as screen.
28th April
53.
On
arrival at
Greenock
P.M. on
Sunday 28th April I transferred my flag to RENOWN
at Rosyth.
I have the honour
to be, Sir, Your
obedient servant,
VICE ADMIRAL COMMANDING, BATTLE
CRUISER
SQUADRON.
SECRET
WAR
DIARY OF VICE
ADMIRAL COMMANDING, BATTLE CRUISER SQUADRON
(Enclosure to B.C.
One’s
No. 379/B.C.S. 41/4 of 21st
June 1940)
1st to 17th May
H.M.S.
RENOWN,
flying the flag of Vice Admiral Commanding, Battle
Cruiser Squadron, in
dock at Rosyth.
2.
H.M.S.
REPULSE at Scapa
3.
H.M.S.
HOOD refitting at Devonport.
18th to 20th May
4.
H.M.S.
RENOWN undocked on 18th May, and anchored in Firth
of Forth.
21st May
5.
H.M.S.
RENOWN carried out trials on D/G range in Firth of
Forth, screened by
HIGHLANDER and ASHANTI.
22nd May
6.
H.M.S.
RENOWN proceeded to carry out further D/G trials
screened by HIGHLANDER, ASHANTI, and
BULLDOG, but had to return to anchorage owing to
fog.
23rd May
7.
H.M.S.
RENOWN, screened by HIGHLANDER, ASHANTI, and
BULLDOG, sailed for Scapa at 0400, carrying out
trials on D/G range in Firth of
Forth before proceeding.
8.
H.M.S.
RENOWN arrived Scapa at 1900.
24th to 31st May
9.
H.M.
Ships RENOWN and REPULSE at Scapa.
10.
H.M.S.
HOOD sailed from
Plymouth
on 27th
May and arrived
Liverpool to dock
on 28th May.
SECRET
WAR DIARY OF VICE ADMIRAL COMMANDING, BATTLE CRUISER
SQUADRON
(n.b.
message
reference chopped)
1st to 4th June
H.M.S. RENOWN (flying the Flag of Vice Admiral
Commanding,
Battle Cruiser Squadron), and H.M.S. REPULSE at
Scapa.
H.M.S.
HOOD
at
Liverpool
completing refit.
5th June
2.
At
2100, in accordance with the instructions of
Commander in Chief, Home Fleet, I
took H.M. Ships RENOWN, REPULSE, NEWCASTLE,
SUSSEX, ZULU, MAORI, KELVIN, FORESTER,
and FOXHOUND under my orders and sailed from Scapa
to intercept two unknown
vessels which had been reported by H.M.S. PRUNELLA
at 1130, when in position
64-45 degrees North, 0-24 degrees East, bearing
245 degrees, 11 miles,
approximate true course 265 degrees, speed 20
knots.
6th – 8th June
3.
The
search for the two unidentified ships was
continued. A full report of this
operation was forwarded to the Commander in Chief,
Home Fleet in B.C.S. 41/4 of
14th June (Commander in Chief, Home Fleet’s Number
to Admiralty
1095/H.F. 1207 of 24th June, 1940)
9th June
4.
H.M.S.
RENOWN, having been ordered by the Admiralty to
return to Scapa, arrived there
at 0600, with ZULU and KELVIN in company.
5.
Consequent
on a report being received that enemy forces had
sunk a transport off the Northern Norwegian Coast,
the
Commander in Chief, sailed from Scapa in H.M.S.
RODNEY with H.M.S. RENOWN and
six destroyers in company at 1200.
6.
H.M.
Ships REPULSE,
NEWCASTLE,
and SUSSEX who had
remained in Icelandic waters investigating reports
of German forces landing in Iceland, were
directed by the Commander in Chief, Home Fleet, to
move to the Eastward in
support of the Norwegian convoys then returning
with troops and stores from Norway.
7.
At
1614, Admiralty message was received stating that
a German broadcast claimed
German naval forces including SCHARNHORST and
GNEISENAU operating in support of
Narvik troops had sunk
“GLORIOUS, ORAMA, Oiler
PIONEER, a destroyer and a modern U boat chaser.”
8.
The
Commander in Chief, Home Fleet, with H.M.S. RODNEY
and H.M.S. RENOWN proceeded North
to cover all slow convoys on passage to Scapa.
9.
H.M.S.
RENOWN remained in company with the Commander in
Chief, Home Fleet, throughout
the ensuing operations and until return to Scapa
on Saturday, 15th
June.
10th June
10.
In
company with the Commander in Chief, Home Fleet.
At 0411, the Commander in
Chief, Home Fleet, directed REPULSE, now in
company with VALIANT, SUSSEX, and NEWCASTLE to
return to Scapa after escorting the convoys to
latitude 59-30 degrees North.
11.
At
1350 ships assumed second degree of A.A. readiness
as a shadowing aircraft had
been sighted.
12.
At
1515 the Vice Admiral, Aircraft Carriers in ARK
ROYAL joined the Commander in
Chief, Home Fleet, and took station between RODNEY
and RENOWN. Skuas
sent up from ARK ROYAL drove off the enemy
shadowing
aircraft.
11th June
13.
In
company with the Commander in Chief, Home Fleet.
REPULSE
arrived
Scapa 2200.
12th June
14.
In
company with the Commander in Chief, Home Fleet.
Ships
in
company proceeded eastward to give Skuas
from ARK
ROYAL an opportunity of attacking enemy ships at
Trondheim.
15.
At
1730 HOOD sailed from
Liverpool
to
rendezvous with convoy U.S. 3 bound for the Clyde.
13th June
16.
In
company with the Commander in Chief, Home Fleet.
At
0015 Skuas from ARK
ROYAL took off to attack Trondheim.
17.
Two
destroyers of the screen, ELECTRA and ANTELOPE
were in collision in thick fog.
14th June
18.
In
company with Commander in Chief, Home Fleet
covering damaged ELECTRA and
ANTELOPE steering to westward.
15th June
19.
In
company with the Commander in Chief, Home Fleet.
Arrived Scapa 1800
16th – 17th June
H.M.
Ships
RENOWN (flying the flag of Vice Admiral
Commanding, Battle Cruiser
Squadron) and REPULSE at Scapa.
H.M.S.
HOOD
arrived
Greenock
with
convoy U.S. 3, 16th June.
18th June
2.
H.M.S.
HOOD sailed for
Gibraltar.
19th June
3.
Main
and secondary Armament and H.A. practice carried
out by RENOWN at Scapa,
screened by TARTAR, MASHONA, and MAORI.
4.
On
arrival in harbour at
1355 RENOWN and accompanying
destroyers were directed by Commander in Chief,
Home Fleet, to investigate a
coast watcher’s report that eight destroyers were
sighted 155 degrees Burgh
Head, Stornoway, 8
miles, course 245 degrees, at
1304, also three escort vessels, 136 degrees Deerness,
12 miles, course 230 degrees at 1310. As there
reports were presumably based of
the sighting of a destroyer, H.M.S. ZULU (not
eight as signaled) and three of
our minesweepers, RENOWN and destroyers returned
to Scapa.
20th June
At
Scapa
21st June
5.
RENOWN
and REPULSE screened by INGLEFIELD, FORESTER,
ESCORT, ZULU, and DIANA sailed
from Scapa to intercept an enemy battle cruiser
reported hit by a torpedo from
H.M.S. CLYDE in position 64-43 degrees North, 9-53
degrees East at 2235 on 20th
June.
22nd June
6.
Battle
cruisers and screening destroyers taking part in
the operation against the
enemy battle cruiser arrived at Scapa.
23rd June
7.
Ships
at Scapa at one hour’s notice from 1030 to 1330
standing by to cover cruisers
acting in support of damaged submarine WILK.
24th – 30th June
8.
H.M.
Ships RENOWN and REPULSE at Scapa.
REPULSE
carried
out firing practices in
Pentland
Firth on 25th
June.
RENOWN
and
REPULSE carried out full calibre
main armament
concentration shoot at battle practice target on
27th June. Secondary
armament and H.A. practices were also carried out
on the same day. Ships were
screened by INGLEFIELD, BEDOUIN, DIANA, ASHANTI,
and
TARTAR.
9. H.M.S. HOOD was detached from the Battle
Cruiser Squadron
and joined Force H under the command of Vice
Admiral Sir James Somerville, KCB,
DSO.
SECRET
WAR
DIARY OF VICE
ADMIRAL COMMANDING, BATTLE
CRUISER SQUADRON FOR PERIOD 16TH TO
31ST
JULY
1940
(n.b.
message
reference chopped)
PART
I
CHRONOLOGICAL
DIARY
OF EVENTS
Disposition
of
ships of the Battle Cruiser Squadron
H.M.
Ships
RENOWN (flying the flag of Vice Admiral Commanding
Battle Cruiser
Squadron) and REPULSE with the Home Fleet.
H.M.S.
HOOD
based on
Gibraltar
with
Force H.
16th – 26th July 1940
2.
At
Scapa – nothing of interest to record.
27th
July
1940
3.
H.M.
Ships RENOWN and REPULSE, forming part of Force A,
under the Command of Vice
Admiral Commanding First Cruiser Squadron
proceeded to sea at 2000, as there
were indications of enemy naval activity in the
North
Sea, particularly in the vicinity of
Trondheim.
Force
A
was composed of DEVONSHIRE (flying the flag of
Vice Admiral Commanding, First
Cruiser Squadron), RENOWN (flying the flag of Vice
Admiral Commanding Battle
Cruiser Squadron), REPULSE, SHEFFIELD, YORK,
AUSTRALIA, ASHANTI and MASHONA
(screening cruisers), and TARTAR, PUNJABI, ARROW,
FIREDRAKE, FORTUNE, and FURY
(screening the Battle Cruisers).
4.
After leaving the swept
channel the force proceeded on
course 082 degrees at 27 knots.
28th
July
1940
5.
On
reaching position 58-58 degrees North, 00-44
degrees East at 0110 course was
altered to 022 degrees and speed reduced to 25 ½
knots until position 61-28
degrees North, 2-54 degrees East was reached at
0800 on 28th July.
6.
ZULU
and MAORI joined the Cruiser screen during the
early morning. In the absence of
any information from air reconnaissance of enemy
movements, course was altered
at 0800 to 290 degrees and Force A proceeded
to 62-07
degrees North, 1-07 degrees West, arriving at
1400.
At
1400
the force altered to an easterly course (097
degrees), reaching 62 degrees
North, 2 degrees East at 1800.
7.
At
this time the Vice Admiral Commanding First
Cruiser Squadron turned over the
command of Force A to Vice Admiral Commanding
Battle Cruiser Squadron and he
proceeded in
DEVONSHIRE
to
cover a convoy proceeding from Greenock to
Iceland.
Force
A then returned to
Scapa on a course of 210 degrees, making
good 21 knots.
8.
Throughout
the operation an escort of fighters was provided
continuously during daylight
hours. No German aircraft were seen and it is
considered that the movements of
Force A remained unknown to the enemy.
29th
July
1940
9.
Force
A, less
DEVONSHIRE,
with ZULU and
MAORI arrived at Scapa at 0700.
30th – 31st July 1940
10.
At
Scapa – nothing of interest to record.
PART
II &
APPENDICES
Blank
SECRET
WAR
DIARY OF VICE
ADMIRAL COMMANDING, BATTLE
CRUISER SQUADRON FOR PERIOD 1ST – 15TH AUGUST 1940
(n.b.
message
reference chopped)
PART
I – CHRONOLOGICAL
DIARY OF EVENTS
Disposition
of
ships of the Battle Cruiser Squadron
1st – 9th August
H.M. Ships RENOWN (flying the flag of Vice Admiral
Commanding Battle
Cruiser Squadron) and REPULSE with the Home Fleet
at Scapa
H.M.S.
HOOD
based on
Gibraltar
with
Force H.
Nothing of interest to record.
10th August
H.M.S.
HOOD
arrived Scapa
Flag
of
Vice Admiral Sir James F. Somerville, KCB, DSO
(Flag Officer Commanding Force
H) transferred from HOOD to RENOWN and flag of
Vice Admiral W.J. Whitworth, CB,
DSO, transferred from
RENOWN to HOOD at 1800.
11th – 12th August
At
Scapa
– nothing of interest to record
13th August
RENOWN
sailed
from Scapa as Flagship of Force H.
14th – 15th August
H.M.
Ships
HOOD and REPULSE at Scapa. Nothing of interest to
record
PART
II and
Appendices
Blank
SECRET
WAR
DIARY OF VICE
ADMIRAL COMMANDING, BATTLE
CRUISER SQUADRON FOR PERIOD 16th – 31st AUGUST 1940
Disposition
of
ships of the Battle Cruiser Squadron
16th August
H.M.
Ships
HOOD (flying the flag of Vice Admiral Commanding
Battle Cruiser Squadron)
and REPULSE with the Home Fleet at Scapa
H.M.S.
RENOWN
(flying the flag of Flag Officer Commanding Force
H proceeding to Gibraltar.
H.M.S.
HOOD
sailed for and arrived
Rosyth, escorted by H.M.
Ships COSSACK, SIKH, MAORI, and VORTIGERN.
17th – 23rd August
HOOD at Rosyth alongside in the Tidal Basin.
Left
gun of “A” turret removed and replaced by a
reconditioned gun.
24th August
HOOD
sailed
for Scapa escorted by INGLEFIELD, ESCAPADE,
JAVELIN, and ECHO.
25th – 31st August
HOOD
and
REPULSE at Scapa. Nothing of
interest to record.
PART
II and
Appendices
Blank
SECRET
WAR
DIARY OF VICE
ADMIRAL COMMANDING, BATTLE
CRUISER SQUADRON FOR PERIOD 1ST – 15TH SEPTEMBER
1940
Disposition
of
ships of the Battle Cruiser Squadron
1st – 5th September
H.M.
Ships
HOOD (flying the flag of Vice Admiral Commanding
Battle Cruiser Squadron)
and REPULSE with the Home Fleet at Scapa.
H.M.S.
RENOWN
detached service with Force H.
Nothing of interest to record.
6th September
Commander
in
Chief, Home Fleet, proceeded to sea in NELSON with
H.M. Ships NAIAD,
BONAVENTURE, FURIOUS, and 6th Destroyer Flotilla
to carry out air
attack on shipping off the Norwegian Coast.
Vice Admiral Commanding Battle Cruiser Squadron
Senior Naval
Officer Afloat Scapa during absence of Commander
in Chief, Home Fleet.
At
2318
Admiral Message 2225/6 received reporting large
collection of self propelling
barges had been located moving westward along
Belgian Coast and in
occupied French ports.
Cruisers
and
destroyers at Scapa were ordered to keep steam at
immediate notice – H.M.
Ships HOOD and REPULSE at 2 ½ hours notice during
the night.
7th September
At
0253
Admiralty message 0108/7 received reporting German
convoys of large transports
passing Great Belt northwards on 4th and 5th
September. Also that there
was a further report of German troops embarking
from
Norway for the invasion of
Iceland.
At
0442
received Admiralty Message 0255/7 giving Admiralty
appreciation of the
situation and stating it was considered necessary
to have a force off Iceland
to prevent a landing there.
At
0859
received Commander in Chief, Home Fleet’s 0653 to
V.A.C.B.C.S. directing H.M.
Ships BERWICK,
NORFOLK,
REPULSE, and four destroyers to sweep towards
Seidisfjord,
Iceland, with
moderate despatch.
At
1115
BERWICK with REPULSE, NORFOLK, ZULU,
SIKH,
KASHMIR,
and KIPLING
proceeded in accordance with Commander in Chief,
Home Fleet’s 0653. Commander
in Chief, Home Fleet in NELSON arrived
Scapa at 2000.
8th – 9th September
At Scapa. Nothing
of
interest to record.
10th September
H.M.
Ships
BERWICK,
NORFOLK,
REPULSE, and four destroyers arrived
Scapa at 2030 on
return from their sweep to Iceland.
11th-12th September
At Scapa. Nothing
of
interest to record.
13th September
Commander
in
Chief, Home Fleet, in NELSON, Vice Admiral
Commanding Battle Cruiser
Squadron in HOOD with H.M. Ships NAIAD and
BONAVENTURE and screened by SOMALI,
ZULU, SIKH, KASHMIR, KIPLING, and ESKIMO sailed
from Scapa at 0714 and arrived
Rosyth 1930.
14th September
Flag
of
Rear Admiral (D) hoisted in REPULSE at Scapa.
15th September
At Rosyth. Nothing
of
interest to report.
PART
II and
Appendices
Blank
SECRET
WAR
DIARY OF VICE
ADMIRAL COMMANDING, BATTLE
CRUISER SQUADRON FOR PERIOD 15th – 30th SEPTEMBER
1940
PART
I –
CHRONOLOGICAL DIARY OF EVENTS
Disposition
of
ships of the Battle Cruiser Squadron
15th – 23rd September
HOOD at Rosyth flying the flag of Vice Admiral
Commanding
Battle Cruiser Squadron.
REPULSE
at
Scapa flying the flag of Rear Admiral (D)
RENOWN on detached service with Force H.
24th September
Flag
of
Rear Admiral (D) transferred from REPULSE to
MAIDSTONE
25th – 27th September
Nothing of interest to record.
28th September
In
accordance
with the instructions contained in Commander in
Chief, Home Fleet’s
1643/28 Vice Admiral Commanding Battle Cruiser
Squadron in HOOD with NAIAD (CS
15), TARTAR, ZULU, and ELECTRA sailed from Rosyth
at 1800 as there were
indications that an enemy force which might have
included HIPPER, merchant
vessels, and fighter aircraft were 60 miles west
of Stavanger at 1400.
HOOD
with
ships in company proceeded through position 57-05
degrees North, 00-20
degrees West and thence towards 62-00 degrees
North, 03-30 degrees East.
Meanwhile
Rear
Admiral (D) who had rehoisted
his flag in
REPULSE sailed from Scapa at 2014 with BERWICK,
NORFOLK, MATABELE, ESKIMO,
PUNJABI, and DUNCAN proceeding east of Orkneys to
position 62-00 degrees North,
3-30 degrees east.
On
receipt
of Commander in Chief, Home Fleet’s message
0909/29 directing ships to
return to base HOOD was in position 60-30 degrees
North, 1-00 degrees east and
course was altered to Scapa.
At
1230
RD/F report from NAIAD indicated presence of
unidentified aircraft. From
reports since received it seems probably that
these aircraft were 801 Squadron
from Hatston.
NAIAD
was
detached at 1630 for Rosyth. REPULSE and ships in
company were not sighted.
At
1910
HOOD, TARTAR, ZULU, and ELECTRA arrived Scapa.
At
2330
REPULSE, BERWICK, SOMALI, ESKIMO, PUNJABI, and
DUNCAN arrived
Scapa.
Flag
of
Rear Admiral (D) transferred from REPULSE to
MAIDSTONE.
KENYA
arrived
Scap to work up. Vice
Admiral
Commanding Battle Cruiser Squadron, Senior Naval
Officer afloat at Scapa.
30th
September
REPULSE screened by SOMALI,
ESKIMO, and PUNJABI sailed for Rosyth.
REPULSE
to
dock and give leave.
NORFOLK
arrived
Scapa.
PART
II and
appendices
Blank
WAR
DIARY OF VICE
ADMIRAL COMMANDING, BATTLE
CRUISER SQUADRON FOR PERIOD 1ST – 15TH OCTOBER
1940
Disposition
of
ships of the Battle Cruiser Squadron
1st October
H.M.S.
HOOD flying the flag of
Vice Admiral Commanding Battle
Cruiser Squadron at Scapa (Senior Naval Officer
Afloat).
H.M.S.
REPULSE
at Rosyth, docking and giving leave.
H.M.S.
RENOWN
detached with Force H.
Conference
held
on board H.M.S. HOOD with the Commanding Officer
H.M.S. CURACOA to discuss
the question of Fighter Protection for East Coast
Convoys; B.C. One’s signal (Cypher
file No. 48/October (Appendix 1)
2nd – 3rd October
Nothing of interest to record.
4th October
H.M.
Ships
DIDO and PHOEBE arrived
Scapa to work up.
H.M.S.
MANCHESTER,
flying the flag of Vice Admiral Commanding 18th
Cruiser
Squadron arrived Scapa
for Gunnery practices.
Vice
Admiral
Commanding Battle Cruiser Squadron continued to
carry out routine
duties of the Fleet Anchorage, while Vice Admiral
Commanding 18th
Cruiser Squadron, as Senior Naval Officer Afloat,
assumed operational
responsibility for ships present.
5th – 6th October
Nothing of interest to record.
7th October
Commanding Officers H.M. Ships BERWICK and
FURIOUS attended
meeting on board H.M.S. HOOD to discuss details
of projected air operation
against Tromso and
shipping on the Norwegian coast
(Operation D.H.).
H.M.S.
KENYA sailed
P.M. to rendezvous with convoy W.S. 3 Fast.
8th – 10th October
H.M.S.
ARETHUSA,
flying the Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding 2nd
Cruiser
Squadron arrived Scapa
for working up practices after
refit.
12th October
H.M.S.
BERWICK
took H.M. Ships NORFOLK, FURIOUS, SOMALI, MASHONA,
ESKIMO, and DUNCAN
under his orders and proceeded at 1730 for
Operation D.H.
The
orders
for this operation (B.C.S. 016/12 of 10th October)
issued by
the Vice Admiral Commanding Battle Cruiser
Squadron are attached as Appendix 2.
H.M.S.
MANCHESTER,
flying the flag of Vice Admiral Commanding 18th
Cruiser
Squadron proceeded at 2200 to Rosyth.
Vice
Admiral
Commanding Battle Cruiser Squadron resumed
operational responsibility
for ships present.
13th – 14th October
Nothing of interest to record.
15th October
H.M.S.
HOOD,
screened by H.M. Ships SOMALI, ESKIMO, and MASHONA
proceeded at 1500 for
full calibre practice
at Battle Practice Target in
Pentland Firth,
and
Operation D.H.
On
completion
of the Gunnery practice, H.M.S. HOOD proceeded to
join Force “D”
passing through positions 63 degrees North, 04
degrees West at 0800, 16th
October; 67-30 degrees North, 01-30 degrees West
at 0330, 17th
October and thence on Course 059.
PART
II
Blank
Appendix
1.
Vice
Admiral Commanding
Battle Cruiser Squadron’s signal File No.
48/October.
COPY OF MESSAGE
To:
CinC Rosyth (R) CinC
H.F.From: B.C. One
A.C.O.S.
R.A.D.
IMPORTANT
File
No. 48
CURACOA
reports
that air attacks on convoys between Buchan Ness
and Duncansby
Head take the following form.
(1).
Reconnaissance
machine located convoy during a flight usually
between 1400 and 1600. So far
machine has been DO 17.
(2).
Two
attacking aircraft approach and locate convoy
about one hour after sunset when
light prevents aircraft being engaged. Aircraft
circle and cross convoy
selecting target and awaiting favourable
opportunity
to attack. Nature of
attacks which have been
identified have been very low level bombing but
torpedoes may have been fired. Protective
gunfire can only be unaimed
and ineffective.
Recommendations.
Even if the
destruction of the attacking aircraft by a fighter
escort cannot be achieved
owing to lack of light it is considered that the
presence of an escort of one
long range fighter would be detected by the
raiders on their approach and would
act as a deterrent to these effective and routine
attacks on our convoys.
The
escort
should join soon after sunset and establish a
patrol close round the
convoy at a height of not more than 1000 feet.
It
will
be necessary to prohibit A.A. fire unless identity
of enemy aircraft is
established by attack.
Opportunity
for
effective action by fighter may arise if enemy
discloses his position by tracer
machine gunfire.
T.O.O. 1217/1st October 1940
T.O.D. 1406/1
Appendix
2.
B.C.S.
016/12
of 10th
October 1940 (Operation D.H.U.)
MOST SECRET
H.M.S.
HOOD - 10th
October 1940
No.
B.C.S.
016/12
MEMORANDUM
AIR
ATTACK ON
NORWEGIAN
COAST
(Short
Title
Operation D.H.U.)
(Reference
H.F.
001325/717 dated 10th September 1940)
Forces
taking part
BERWICK
Senior Officer
NORFOLK
FURIOUS
Oiler
MONTENOL
Destroyer
Screen
This
force
will be known as Force “D” but in order to provide
alternative delivery
groups for use during Rugby W/T Routines, may
also
addressed as Force “Y”. For details see paragraph
22.
2.
The
following positions are established:
W.
62-00 degrees
North
04-00 degrees West
G.
63-00 degrees
North
04-00 degrees West
B.
67-30 degrees
North
01-30 degrees West
O.
71-00 degrees
North
01-00 degrees East
P.
62-00 degrees
North
01-00 degrees East
Information
3.
Own Forces
Disposition
of
own forces in the area is communicated nightly by
signal from Admiral
Commanding Orkneys.
Enemy Forces
As in Commander in Chief, Home Fleet’s No.
H.F. 001325/717 of
10th September 1940 (Operation D.H.)
Any further
information available will be communicated before
sailing.
Times
of
sunrise, sunset, moonrise, moonset off Tromso
are:
Sunset 1610/16, moonrise 1610/15, end of
nautical twilight
1826/15, start of nautical twilight 0454/15,
moonset 0700/16, sunrise 0709/16.
There
is a full moon during the night of 16th/17th
October.
Intention
4.
The
operation is planned in two phases. Phase 1 is an
attack on targets in the Tromso
area by aircraft operated from FURIOUS. Phase 2 is
an attack on coastal shipping on the Norwegian
Coast between
latitudes 61 degrees North
and 62-50 degrees North. After
Phase 2 aircraft may return to FURIOUS or to Hatston
refuelling at Sumburgh
if
necessary. (Phase 2 is similar to Operation D.F.
carried out of 7th
September).
Object
5.
To
attack shipping and military objectives at Tromso
–
Phase 1.
To
attack
coastal shipping – Phase 2.
Execution
6.
Admiral
Commanding Orkneys is requested to sail the oiler
MONTENOL escorted by two
Tribals (Screen One)
to arrive Skaale
Fiord, Faroes p.m. on
12th October in
accordance with Commander in Chief, Home Fleet’s
1019/9th October. On
arrival destroyers are to complete with fuel.
7.
Force
D escorted by 4 destroyers (Screen two) will be
sailed to pass Hoxa
Boom at 1800 on Day 1 (12th October) and
will proceed along the meridian of 4 degrees West
to arrived Position W at 0900
on Day 2 (13th October).
8.
Screen
one is to sail from Skaale
Fiord to rendezvous with
Force D in position W on Day 2 (13th October).
After Screen One has
joined, screen two is to be detached to return to
Scapa.
9.
After passing through
position W Force D will continue as
laid down in paragraph 10, speed of advance 15
knots. If Screen one does not
make contact at position W, it is to endeavour
to
locate Force D on the line of advance.
10.
Force
D is then to proceed through positions, G, B, and
O to a flying off position in
the vicinity of Tromso
arriving at
midnight
Day Four/Five
(October 15th/16th).
11.
Phase
1. The whole operation is to be carried out during
moonlight. Alternatively, if
conditions are not suitable, the attack is to be
carried out during moonlight
at such a time as to permit landing on at dawn.
12.
On
completion of Phase 1 the Force is to retire along
the same route reaching position
G at 1400 on Day Seven (18th October).
13.
Rear
Admiral Commanding Home Fleet Destroyers is
requested to sail four destroyers
(Screen 3) to rendezvous with Force D in position
G at 1400 on Day seven
(October 18). Screen 1 is then to be detached to Skaale
fiord to escort oiler MONTENOL back to Scapa.
14.
If
contact is delayed, Screen 3 is to remain within
sight of the rendezvous until
dark on Day Seven (18th October) whereupon Screen
3 is to stand to
the southwards returning to position G at dawn on
Day eight (October 19th).
Screen
3
is then to cast to the north along Force D’s line
of advance returning again to
position G at 1400 on day eight (October 19th).
These
movements
are framed to allow for delay to Force D or
postponement of Phase 1
(see paragraph 17).
15.
Force
D is then to proceed to vicinity of position P to
carry out Phase 2 if
circumstances are favourable.
16.
On completing Phase 2
Force is return to Scapa keeping to
the westwards of the Shetlands unless the weather
conditions require otherwise.
Postponement
17.
If
weather is unsuitable, Phase 1 may be delayed 24
hours.
The
arrangements
made for the change of Screens (paragraph 14)
allow for no
communication of this delay being made. At the
Commanding Officer BERWICK’s
discretion a signal may be made announcing the
delay thereupon the Rear Admiral Commanding Home
Fleet Destroyers is requested
to arrange for Screen 3 to make rendezvous on Day
eight (October 19th)
only.
Conduct of the Operations
18.
The
Main Attack should be broken off if the weather
conditions overland prove
unsuitable.
19.
Full
discretion is allowed as to whether or not Phase 2
is carried out.
20.
The
Commanding Officer BERWICK is in charge of the
operations as a whole, but it is
to be guided by the requirements of the Commanding
Officer FURIOUS who will
issue the necessary orders for the flying
operations.
21.
The
Rear Admiral Commanding Home Fleet Destroyers is
requested to detail and sail
destroyers as necessary to comply with these
instructions.
22. Communications
(i).
Amend
H.F. 001325/717 dated
10th
September
1940 paragraph 8 (ii) lines 6 and 7
to read:
“Using
delivery
groups for Force Y from 1800 Day two until
1800 Day eight which will allow for
the Force being delayed in the North for at
least 24 hours.”
(ii). For ship to ship
direct
working call signs for Force D are to be used if
necessary.
NOTE: Alternative
delivery groups
have been provided to allow for a message being
transmitted on more than one
broadcast. Unless this is done there might be an
indication to the enemy that
ships concerned were near the limit of the two
services.
(iii). Attention is
drawn to the
fact that SP. 02198 (10) comes into force at 0001
on
15th October 1940.
(sgd)
W.J. Whitworth
VICE ADMIRAL COMMANDING
BATTLE CRUISER SQUADRON
Distribution shown separately.
WAR
DIARY OF VICE
ADMIRAL COMMANDING, BATTLE
CRUISER SQUADRON FOR PERIOD 16th – 31st OCTOBER
1940
PART
I –
CHRONOLOGICAL DIARY OF EVENTS
Disposition
of
Ships of the Battle Cruiser Squadron
16th October
H.M.S.
HOOD
(flying the flag of Vice Admiral Commanding Battle
Cruiser Squadron) at
sea on Operation D.H.U. (B.C.S. 016/12 of 10th
October forwarded as
an Appendix to War Diary for period 1st – 15th
October.
H.M.S.
REPULSE
at Rosyth docking and giving leave.
H.M.S.
RENOWN
detached with Force H.
HOOD,
screened
by SOMALI, ESKIMO, and MASHONA passed through
position 63 degrees
North, 04 degrees West at 0800 on course 013
degrees to act as cover to
BERWICK, NORFOLK, and FURIOUS (Force D) operating
aircraft for attack on Tromso
on night of 15-16th October (a report of
this operation is being forwarded separately
through the Commander in Chief,
Home Fleet.
17th October
HOOD
and
escorting destroyers altered course to 059 degrees
at 0327 to pass through
position 68 degrees North, 00-40 degrees East at
0800 to rendezvous with Force
D. The visibility was very low and Force D was not
sighted.
On
reaching
68-39 degrees North, 3-40 degrees East at 1255,
course was altered to
239 degrees and at 1717 to 203 degrees to
rendezvous with the relief destroyer
escort (DOUGLAS, ISIS, and DUNCAN) in position
63-00 degrees North, 04-00
degrees West at 1400/18, while at the same time
providing cover for Force D on
passage south.
18th October
Phase
II
of Operation D.H., namely aircraft attack on
shipping off the Norwegian coast
was abandoned owing to thick fog which persisted
throughout. In Vice Admiral
Commanding Battle Cruiser Squadron’s signal
1122/18 abandoning the operation
DOUGLAS and ISIS were directed to proceed to Skaale
Fiord, Faroes to
escort oiler MONTENOL to Scapa. DUNCAN was
directed to join Force D returning to Scapa.
19th October
HOOD
carried
out a 4 inch full calibre
firing at Battle
Practice Target in
Pentland
Firth,
arriving at Scapa at 1230. BERWICK, NORFOLK, and
FURIOUS arrived Scapa at 1245.
20th October
BERWICK
sailed
from Scapa for the
Clyde
and
ceased to be a unit of the Home Fleet on arrival
there.
REPULSE
arrived
from Rosyth after docking and giving leave.
21st October
Commander
in
Chief, Home Fleet’s 1943/21, received at 2345
directed Vice Admiral
Commanding Battle Cruiser Squadron to issue orders
on the lines of Operation
D.N. Home Fleet Charge Document H.A. 1 of
20th September 1940
for three
destroyers of the 6th Destroyer Flotilla to
operate in the Statlandet
area.
22nd October
In
compliance
with Commander in Chief, Home Fleet’s 1943/21 Rear
Admiral (D) was
directed to sail three destroyers of the 6th
Destroyer Flotilla to
arrive Sullom Voe
before
dark on 22nd October.
Captain
(D)
6 in SOMALI with MASHONA and PUNJABI sailed for Sullom
Voe at 1120. Vice
Admiral Commanding Battle Cruiser
Squadron’s 1218/22 gave the necessary operation
orders (copy attached –
Appendix I).
Vice
Admiral
Commanding Battle Cruiser Squadron’s 1929/22
directed Captain (D) 6 to
patrol eastward of the Shetlands instead of
proceeding to Sullom
Voe as the enemy had
shown marked interest in the
Shetlands during the day. Captain (D) 6 was also
directed to leave the latitude
of Lerwick at
daylight on 23rd October to
patrol between 61-15 degrees North,
0-00 degrees West
and Muckle Flugga
to search
for homeward bound U boat.
23rd October
Vice
Admiral
Commanding Battle Cruiser Squadron’s 1041 to
Captain (D) 6 passed
information respecting our own and enemy forces
which might be encountered in
the operation off Statlandet.
(Appendix II).
At
1202,
Commander in Chief, Home Fleet’s 1201 was received
directing Battlecruisers,
cruisers (negative NIGERIA) and
destroyers at Scapa to raise steam for full speed
with all despatch.
This was followed at 1254 by Commander in Chief’s
1157 stating that there were
indications of an important movement taking place
from Northern Norway to the Skaggerrak,
unit, or units concerned probably at Trondheim
area forenoon of 23rd and that possibly an 8 inch
cruiser was
involved.
Commander
in
Chief, Home Fleet’s 1249 directed ships to proceed
in two groups, Group I, ARETHUSA, NORFOLK, and
SOUTHAMPTON to
sweep towards Statlandet,
sailed at 1440. Force II,
Battlecruisers, DIDO, PHOEBE, and all available
destroyers to sweep towards
Obrestadt, sailed at
1530.
Commander
in
Chief, Home Fleet’s 1427 directed Group II to keep
north of Latitude 58-50
degrees North, and to withdraw along that latitude
if nothing was sighted by
0200 or on reaching 4 degrees East, whichever was
earlier.
24th October
Nothing
was
sighted by 0200 and Group II turned 180 degrees.
Commander in Chief, Home
Fleet’s 2331/23 received at 0859 directed Captain
(D) 6 to repeat Operation
D.N.U. on the night of 24th/25th, if nothing
sighted on
previous night. Remaining ships were directed to
return to their bases if no
further information was received by 1000/24.
Captain
(D)
6; message 0630/24 reported that he had attacked
one small vessel on the
night of 23rd -24th and that his force was
returning to
Scapa.
Captain
(D)
6’s report of this operation was forwarded to the
Commander in Chief, Home
Fleet under cover of B.C.S. 016/16 of
27th October 1940.
At
1209
a message was received from Admiral Commanding
Orkneys directing ships not to
enter Hoxa Gate until
further orders.
Three
floating
mines which appeared to be British Mark 14 or 15
had been sighted
earlier in the forenoon.
Group
II
proceeded to the westward for H.A. practices. The
delay in permitting ships to
enter Hoxa was due to
the unexplained explosion in
MENDIP when exercising about three miles south
east of the Barrell
of Butter. Later it was established that the
explosion was internal and due to
depth charges.
HOOD
passed
Hoxa Gate at 1700 and
REPULSE half an hour
later. The cruisers of Group I had already entered
through Switha.
25th October
Lieutenant
Commander
Eller, U.S.N. American Observer Officer joined
HOOD from NORFOLK. NORFOLK
proceed to the Tyne for
refit.
26th October
ARETHUSA
(Rear
Admiral Commanding 2nd Cruiser Squadron) sailed
for Rosyth at
2230 on completion of working up after refit.
27th October
Nothing
of
importance to record
28th October
Commander
in
Chief, Home Fleet’s 0950 directed Battlecruisers,
SOUTHAMPTON, DIDO, PHOEBE,
FURIOUS, and destroyers to raise steam.
At
1254,
Commander in Chief, Home Fleet’s 1157 addressed
AUSTRALIA and Vice Admiral
Commanding Battle Cruiser Squadron was received
stated that it was possible a
raider was in the position 57-46 degrees North,
25-44 degrees West at 1826/27,
steering east-north-east.
Vice
Admiral
Commanding Battle Cruiser Squadron was directed to
proceed with
available forces at Scapa and to be in position 63
degrees North, 6 degrees
West at 0600 29th October, and then to steer to
the westward.
AUSTRALIA
in the Clyde was
directed to proceed to
position 57 degrees North, 9-30
degrees West and then northwards along 09-30
degrees West.
At
1500,
Vice Admiral Commanding Battle Cruiser Squadron
and ships in company passed Hoxa
Gate. The following ships composed the force:
HOOD, REPULSE, FURIOUS, DIDO, and PHOEBE,
screened by
SOMALI, MASHONA, PUNJABI, ESKIMO, DOUGLAS,
KEPPEL, VIMY, and CLEVELAND.
29th – 30th October
A
full
report of this operation which continued
throughout 29th and 30th
October was been forwarded to the Commander in
Chief, Home Fleet (B.C.S. 016/17
of 3rd November 1940)
31st October
All
forces
engaged returned to their bases.
PART
II
Blank
Appendix
I
Vice
Admiral
Commanding Battle Cruiser Squadron’s 1218/22
October 1940
Appendix
II
Vice
Admiral
Commanding Battle Cruiser Squadron’s 1041/23rd October 1940.
(n.b.
neither appendix was included
in copies)
(sgd)
W.J. Whitworth
VICE ADMIRAL
SECRET
WAR
DIARY OF VICE
ADMIRAL COMMANDING, BATTLE
CRUISER SQUADRON FOR PERIOD 1ST – 15TH NOVEMBER
1940
PART
I –
CHRONOLOGICAL DIARY OF EVENTS
Disposition
of
ships of the Battle Cruiser Squadron
1st November
H.M.S.
HOOD
(flying the flag of the Vice Admiral Commanding
Battle Cruiser Squadron)
and H.M.S. REPULSE at Scapa
H.M.S.
RENOWN
detached with Force H.
H.M.S.
EDINBURGH
arrived Scapa to work up after refit.
Lieutenant
Commander
Eller, U.S.N. American Observer Officer left HOOD
to stay with Vice
Admiral Commanding Orkneys and Shetlands before
proceeding south.
2nd – 4th November
Nothing of importance to record.
5th November
H.M.S.
NELSON
(Commander in Chief, Home Fleet), RODNEY, NAIAD
(Rear Admiral Commanding
15th Cruiser Squadron), BONAVENTURE, escorting
destroyers and
minesweepers arrived Scapa from Rosyth.
At
2028
intercepted signal from A.M.C. JERVIS BAY ocean
escort of convoy HX 84 reported
that convoy was being shelled in position 52-54
degrees North, 32-23 degrees
West by a warship of the GRAF SPEE class.
Commander
in
Chief, Home Fleet directed HOOD, REPULSE, NAIAD,
PHOEBE, BONAVENTURE, and 7
destroyers to raise steam with all dispatch.
This
force
was put under the orders of Vice Admiral
Commanding Battle Cruiser
Squadron, formed the Battle Cruiser force and
sailed from Scapa at 2330 to
proceed through position 58-40 degrees North,
07-30 degrees West thence outside
Hebrides to 55-00 degrees North, 13-00 degrees
West then southward along the
meridian of 13-00 degrees West to 50-00 degrees
North to cover the approaches
to Lorient and Brest.
6th – 11th November
At sea operating again the German Warship which
had attacked
convoy HX 84. A full report of the proceedings during
this period
has been forwarded to Commander in Chief, Home
Fleet (B.C.S. 016/21 of
14/11/40).
REPULSE
arrived
Scapa 1100 11th November, BONAVENTURE at 1125 and
HOOD with
NAIAD, PHOEBE, SOMALI, ESKIMO, and PUNJABI at
1400.
At
1930/11
DIDO sailed from Scapa for the Clyde to
carry out repairs to shell racks, etc., prior to
accompanying FURIOUS on
Operation STRIPE.
At
2158/11
received Admiralty message 2055 directing
BONAVENTURE to proceed
immediately to position of attack on convoy HX 84
and carry out search for
survivors.
BONAVENTURE
sailed
at 2340.
Vice
Admiral
Commanding Battle Cruiser Squadron in his message
1116/11 as amended by
0016/12 (enclosure No. 1) gave instructions for
Rear Admiral Commanding 15th
Cruiser Squadron to take REPULSE and escorting
destroyers under his orders and
proceed to carry out the instructions given in
Commander in Chief’s 1246/9, for
REPULSE to relived NELSON in Iceland Faroes
passage
at 1200/13 and for a cruiser to patrol the Denmark
Strait.
Rear
Admiral
Northern Patrol in Vice Admiral Commanding Battle
Cruiser Squadron’s
0231/11 was directed to sail A.M.C. H.M.S. LETITIA
to rendezvous with REPULSE
in position 62-30 degrees North, 12-00 degrees
West at 1200 on 13th
November.
12th November
At
1330
NAIAD flying the flag of Rear Admiral Commanding
15th Cruiser
Squadron with REPULSE, MATABELE, MASHONA, SIKH,
and PUNJABI sailed from Scapa
to take over patrol from NELSON.
At
2306
received Admiralty Message 2117/12 informing Vice
Admiral Commanding Battle
Cruiser Squadron that enemy might shortly be
landing a very small but important
scientific expedition at
Jan Mayen
Island and that a ship was to be sent there to
capture the
party.
13th November
COSSACK
was
detailed for this duty and sailed at 0130 13th
November.
Vice
Admiral
Commanding Battle Cruiser Squadron at 1115
received the Commander in
Chief, Home Fleet’s 1013 directing NAIAD to carry
out operations at Jan Mayen
Island with REPULSE as
cover.
Commander
in
Chief, Home Fleet 1211 directed Vice Admiral
Commanding Battle Cruiser
Squadron to recall COSSACK to Scapa.
Commander
in
Chief, Home Fleet, in NELSON with MAORI, BEAGLE,
BULLDOG, and KEPPEL arrived
Scapa 1605.
14th – 15th November
Nothing of importance to record.
PART
II
Blank
Appendices.
Enclosure I
Vice Admiral Commanding Battle Cruiser Squadron
1116 of 11th
November, as amended by Vice Admiral
To:
REPULSE.
BONAVENTURE. R.A. (D)From:
B.C. One
(R)
A.C.O.S. C.S.15
Reference
CinC H.F.’s
1246/9, note to
REPULSE or BONAVENTURE. NELSON patrolling on T.R.
Line with screen from
COSSACK, MAORI, BRILLIANT, BULLDOG, KEPPEL,
DOUGLAS, VIMY, BEAGLE, who refuel
at Skaale Fiord.
NORTHERN
PATROL disposed as follows: Trawlers on T.R. lines
as in daily signal from
A.C.O.S. Armed Merchant Cruisers withdrawn from
Denmark Straits.
CHITRAL at Reyjavik.
LETITIA
arrives position 63-30 degrees North, 12-00
degrees West at 1200/13 from Clyde to
patrol with REPULSE. All patrols to southwestward
during daylight.
2.
Special
air patrols to westward of Faroes-Iceland
passage
signaled daily by CinC
Rosyth.
3.
RODNEY
has proceeded towards Halifax to pick
up homeward convoys. REVENGE leaves Clyde with
outward convoy 12th November. SOUTHAMPTON, DIDO,
FURIOUS leave Clyde area 15th
November with fast convoy for Gibraltar later
joined by
MANCHESTER
from
Rosyth. FRIDTHOF NANSEN
aground
Jan Mayen Island whilst investigating a suspicious ship.
HONNINGSVAAG
and WISTARIA have gone to investigate both
matters.
4.
Oilers.
OLIGARCH at Hval
fiord.
MONTENOL and perhaps one other
at Skaale
Fiord where vegetables may be available later
for destroyers.
5.
No
reliable information as to enemy surface forces.
Pocket Battleship believed to
the westward.
6.
CinC H.F.’s
general intention is
that REPULSE and LETITIA shall take over patrol
from NELSON at 1200/13. BONAVENTURE
to patrol in
Denmark Strait
after
fuelling at Hval
fiord.
7.
REPULSE
after fuelling is to sail from Scapa with
BONAVENTURE and screen so as to
rendezvous with LETITIA in position 62-30 degrees
North, 12-00 degrees West at
1200/13 and then comply with CinC
H.F.’s
intentions detaching BONAVENTURE as necessary.
8.
REPULSE
to report intended time of sailing and route. R.A.
(D) requested to pass copies
of this message to destroyers detailed.
T.O.O. 1116/11th November 1940
NAVAL
MESSAGE
To:
R.A.D.
REPULSE. CS 15 (R) A.C.O.S.
From: B.C. One
My
1116/11
for BONAVENTURE read NAIAD throughout. Paragraphs
7 and 8, C.S. 15 will
sail the force, detaching REPULSE and screen as
necessary.
T.O.O.
0016/12th
November
1940
T.O.D.
0129/12
SECRET
WAR
DIARY OF VICE
ADMIRAL COMMANDING, BATTLE
CRUISER SQUADRON FOR PERIOD 16th – 30TH NOVEMBER 1940
PART
I –
CHRONOLOGICAL DIARY OF EVENTS
Disposition
of
ships of the Battle Cruiser Squadron
16th November
H.M.S.
HOOD (flying the flag
of Vice Admiral Commanding Battle
Cruiser Squadron) at Scapa.
H.M.S.
REPULSE at sea acting
as cover to H.M.S. NAIAD carrying out
operations off
Jan Mayen
Island.
H.M.S.
RENOWN
detached with Force H.
17th – 18th November
Nothing
of
importance to record
19th November
H.M.S.
REPULSE
arrived Scapa.
20th – 22nd November
Nothing
of
importance to record
23rd – 29th November
In
accordance
with the Commander in Chief, Home Fleet’s 1653/22
Vice Admiral
Commanding Battle Cruiser Squadron in H.M.S. HOOD
screened by H.M. Ships
COSSACK (Captain D 4), SIKH, ESKIMO, and ESCAPADE
left Scapa at 1700/23 to act
as covering force for Minelaying Operation being
carried out by Rear Admiral
(M.L.) to the north westward of Iceland.
A
separate report of proceedings for this operation
has been forwarded to the
Commander in Chief, Home Fleet (No. B.C.S. dated
2nd December 1940).
H.M.S.
HOOD
and destroyers arrived at Scapa at 0845 on 29th
November.
30th November
Nothing of importance to record.
PART
II
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APPENDIX
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WAR
DIARY OF VICE
ADMIRAL COMMANDING, BATTLE
CRUISER SQUADRON FOR PERIOD 1ST – 15TH DECEMBER
1940
PART
I CHRONOLOGICAL DIARY OF EVENTS
1 December
Disposition of ships of Battle Cruiser Squadron.
H.M.
Ships HOOD (Senior Naval Officer Afloat Scapa –
flying the flag of Vice Admiral
Commanding Battle Cruiser Squadron) and REPULSE at
Scapa. H.M.S. RENOWN
detached with Force H.
2 December
At
1445
received Commander in Chief, Rosyth’s
message 1320
giving aircraft report of convoy of 13 ships,
course 160 degrees speed 10 knots
just south of Statlandet.
At
2140
received Commander in Chief, Home Fleet’s 1817
directing Vice Admiral
Commanding Battle Cruiser Squadron to prepare to
carry out Operation D.N. (Home
Fleet Charge Document H.A. 1 of 23rd November
1940) in area Jadaernes
Point to Lister Light. Force to consist of H.M.
ships ARETHUSA (flying the Flag of Rear Admiral
Commanding 2nd
Cruiser Squadron), AURORA, and four Tribal
destroyers.
At
2356
received Commander in Chief, Home Fleet’s 2341
directing Operation D.N. to be
carried out in accordance with his 1817.
3 December
Vice
Admiral
Commanding Battle Cruiser Squadron’s messages
0047/3 and 0117/3 to Rear
Admiral Commanding 2nd Cruiser Squadron and
repeated other
authorities concerned gave necessary orders for
Operation D.N. to be carried
out.
Forces
taking
part in this operation passed Hoxa
Gate at
1100.
4 December
Admiral
J.C.
Tovey, CB, DSO, flying
his flag as Commander in
Chief, Home Fleet arrived Scapa in H.M.S. NELSON.
Rear
Admiral
Commanding 2nd Cruiser Squadron returned to Scapa
on
completion of Operation D.N. having sighted
nothing.
5 December
H.M.S.
REPULSE
sailed from Scapa to act as cover to Rear Admiral
Mine Layers,
Minelaying Operation S.N. 10 A (H.M.S. ARETHUSA
was escort for this operation).
6-9 December
Nothing of importance to record.
10 December
H.M.
Ships
REPULSE and ARETHUSA returned from acting as
escort to Minelaying
Operations.
11-15 December
Nothing of importance to record.
Part
II
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Appendices
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SECRET
WAR
DIARY OF VICE
ADMIRAL COMMANDING, BATTLE
CRUISER SQUADRON FOR PERIOD 16th – 31st DECEMBER 1940
PART
I CHRONOLOGICAL DIARY OF EVENTS
Disposition
of
ships of the Battle Cruiser Squadron.
16 December
H.M.
Ships
HOOD (flying the flag of Vice Admiral Commanding
Battle Cruiser Squadron)
and REPULSE at Scapa
H.M.S.
RENOWN
detached with Force H.
17 December
Nothing
of
interest to record
18 December
H.M.S.
HOOD
carried out Gunnery practices in Pentland
Firth
A.M. and P.M. and at 1645 joined Commander in
Chief, Home Fleet in H.M.S.
NELSON who had sailed from Scapa flow P.M. with
H.M.S. REPULSE and all
available cruisers and destroyers. H.M. Ships
FORMIDABLE and NORFOLK sailed
independently from Scapa at 1700.
19 – 20 December
At
sea
in company with Commander in Chief, Home Fleet,
carrying out exercises which
included Air Attacks by aircraft from H.M.S.
FORMIDABLE A.M. on the 19th.
H.M.S. HOOD and ships which had sailed from Scapa
in company with the Commander
in Chief, Home Fleet, returned to Scapa at 0930
20th December.
21 – 23 December
Nothing
interest
to record
24 – 29 December
At
1700
24th December H.M. Ships HOOD, EDINBURGH, COSSACK
(Captain D 4),
ECHO, ESCAPADE, and ELECTRA sailed to patrol Faroes
–
Iceland passage with the object of intercepting
German ships that might be
breaking out or returning to German during the
Christmas period.
A
detailed report of these operations has been
forwarded direct to the Commander
in Chief, Home Fleet (No. B.C.S. 41/4 of
2 Jan. 1941).
H.M.S.
BERWICK
reported having been in action with an enemy
warship off the coast of
Spain and in consequence H.M.S. REPULSE sailed
from Scapa P.M. 25th
December to give protection to convoys HX 97 and
SC 16 (a report of proceedings
from REPULSE was forwarded to the Commander in
Chief, Home Fleet, under cover
of B.C.S. 41/4A of 2 Jan 1941).
29 December
H.M.S.
HOOD
screened by H.M. ships COSSACK, ECHO, ELECTRA, and
ESCAPADE arrived Scapa
1015.
H.M.S.
EDINBURGH
which had sailed with H.M.S. HOOD on 24th December
had
been detached at 1500 on 28th to rendezvous with
Commander in Chief,
Home Fleet, in H.M.S. NELSON in position 63-05
degrees North 3-55 degrees West
at 1200 29th December. (H.M.S. NELSON had sailed
from Scapa at 1300
on 28th December.
30th December
Vice
Admiral
Commanding Battle Cruiser Squadron message 1143
directed Flag Officer
Commanding 2nd Cruiser Squadron to carry out
Operation D.Z. (H.F.
001340/571 of 22/12/40) to order this operation
when a minimum of four
destroyers became available.
31st December
H.M.S.
REPULSE
arrived Scapa 0600 on return from affording cover
to convoys HX 97 and
SC 16.
H.M.S.
EDINBURGH
arrived Scapa at 1050 and Commander in Chief, Home
Fleet in H.M.S.
NELSON at 1215.
PART
II
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APPENDICES
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