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WAR DIARY OF THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF, HOME FLEET

 

JANUARY 1943

(n.b. Summary of Operations at end of month)

 

Second Battle Squadron
1. HMS KING GEORGE V (Flag of Commander in Chief Home Fleet.)
	1st-5th	At sea with HOWE, BERMUDA, and a screen of six destroyers covering convoy R A 51
	5th	Returned to Scapa
	5th-31st	Scapa
2. HMS DUKE OF YORK
	1st-31st	Rosyth, refitting
3. HMS ANSON (Flag of Vice Admiral, Second in Command, Home Fleet)
	1st	Left Seidisfiord, escorted by FORESTER, IMPULSIVE, and ICARUS for Scapa
	3rd	Arrived Scapa
	21st	Left Scapa with SHEFFIELD and a screen of four destroyers to cover convoy J W 52
	27th	Returned to Akureyri on completion
	30th	Left Akureyri with SHEFFIELD and a screen of four destroyers to cover R A 52
4. HMS HOWE
	1st-5th	At Sea with the Battlefleet covering R A 51
	5th	Returned to Scapa with the Battlefleet
	5th-31st	Scapa
5. HMS MALAYA
	1st-31st	Scapa, working up
Battlecruiser
6. HMS RENOWN
	1st-31st	Detached with Force H in the Mediterranean
	5th	Captain J. E. Parry, RN assumed command Vice Captain C.S. Daniel, CBE, DSO, RN
Aircraft Carriers
7. HMS INDOMITABLE (Flag of Vice Admiral, Aircraft Carriers
	1st-31st	Liverpool refitting and repairing action damage
8. HMS FURIOUS
	1st-31st	Detached with Force H in the Western Mediterranean
9. HMS DASHER
	1st-26th	Liverpool for repairs and alterations
	26th	Left Liverpool for Clyde to work up
	27th	Arrived Clyde
	27th-31st	Clyde
First Cruiser Squadron
10. HMS KENT (Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding First Cruiser Squadron)
	1st-6th	At Sea with BERWICK covering R A 51
	6th	Returned to Scapa
	16th	Left Scapa for Loch Ewe arriving p.m. for J W 52 convoy conference
	18th	Left Loch Ewe for Scapa, arriving p.m. and sailing later the same day with BERMUDA and GLASGOW (Force R) to Seidisfiord to fuel and cover J W 52
	20th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	21st	Left Seidisfiord with Force R to cover J W 52
	26th	Arrived Kola Inlet
	30th	Left Kola Inlet with Force R to cover R A 52
11. HMS LONDON
	1st-31st	Tyne, refitting
12. HMS NORFOLK
	1st	Left Patrol WHITE for Hvalfiord, arriving p.m.
	1st-31st	Hvalfiord
13. HMS SUFFOLK
	1st-31st	London, refitting
14. HMS BERWICK
	1st-6th	At Sea with KENT covering R A 51
	6th	Returned to Scapa
	22nd	Left Scapa for the Clyde for minor repairs and to give leave
	23rd	Arrived Clyde
	23rd-31st	Clyde
15. HMS CUMBERLAND
	1st-21st	Hvalfiord
	21st	Left Hvalfiord for Scapa
	23rd	Arrived Scapa
	23rd-31st	Scapa
16. HMS SUSSEX
	1st-4th	Tyne, for repairs to boilers and main armament
	4th	Left Tyne on completion for trials and for Scapa to work up
	5th	Arrived Scapa
	5th-31st	Scapa, working up
Tenth Cruiser Squadron
17. HMS BELFAST (Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron)
	1st-31st	Scapa
	12th	Flag of Rear Admiral R.L. Burnett, CBE, as Rear Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron hoisted
18. HMS BERMUDA
	1st-5th	At Sea with the Battlefleet covering R A 51
	5th	Returned to Scapa
	11th	Left Scapa with GLASGOW to cover Operation F C.
	12th	Operation F C abandoned, returned to Scapa, arriving p.m.
	18th	Left Scapa with KENT and GLASGOW (Force R) for Seidisfiord to fuel
	20th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	21st	Left Seidisfiord with Force R to cover J W 52
	26th	Arrived Kola Inlet
	30th	Left Kola Inlet with Force R to cover R A 52
19. HMS SHEFFIELD
	1st-4th	With JAMAICA (Force R) covering R A 51
	4th	Arrived Seidisfiord with JAMAICA
	5th	Left Seidisfiord for Scapa
	6th	Arrived Scapa
	8th	Left Scapa for the Clyde for minor repairs and to give leave
	9th	Arrived Clyde
	17th	Left Clyde on completion for Scapa
	18th	Arrived Scapa
	21st	Left Scapa with ANSON and screen of four destroyers to cover J W 52
	27th	Arrived Akureyri on completion with ANSON
	30th	Left Akureyri with ANSON and screen of four destroyers to cover R A 52
20. HMS GLASGOW
	1st-11st	Scapa
	11th	Left Scapa with BERMUDA to cover Operation F C
	12th	Operation F C abandoned, returned to Scapa, arriving p.m.
	18th	Left Scapa with KENT and BERMUDA (Force R) for Seidisfiord to fuel
	20th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	21st	Left Seidisfiord with Force R to cover J W 52
	26th	Arrived Kola Inlet on completion
	30th	Left Kola Inlet with Force R to cover R A 52
21. HMS KENYA
	1st-12th	Tyne for refit and action damage repairs
	3rd	Captain D.P. Evans, RN assumed command vice Captain A.S. Russell, DSO, RN
	12th	Left Tyne for Rosyth for tilt test, arriving p.m.
	18th	Left Rosyth for Scapa to work up, arriving p.m.
	18th-31st	Scapa, working up
22. HMS JAMAICA
	1st-4th	At Sea with SHEFFIELD (Force R) covering R A 51
	4th	Arrived Seidisfiord on completion
	5th	Left Seidisfiord for Scapa
	6th	Arrived Scapa
	6th-31st	Scapa
23. HMS SCYLLA
	1st	On passage from Gibraltar to United Kingdom intercepted and sank German blockade runner RHAKOTIS in 45-01N, 10-50W
	3rd	Arrived Clyde, sailing p.m. for the Tyne for refit
	5th	Arrived Tyne, taken in hand
	5th-31st	Tyne, refitting
24. HMS CHARYBDIS
	1st-31st	Barrow for refit and Arctic fitting
Cruisers temporarily attached for working up
25. HMS PENELOPE
	1st-16th	Scapa, working up
	16th	Left Scapa for Clyde on completion
	17th	Arrived Clyde, sailing p.m. for Gibraltar
	22nd	Arrived Gibraltar to join the Mediterranean Fleet
26. HMS CARLISLE
	1st-17th	Scapa, working up
	11th	Suffered weather damage while putting to sea to cover Operation F C
	17th	Left Scapa for Plymouth on completion of working up, for weather damage repairs and alterations.
	19th	Arrived Plymouth
27. HMS UGANDA
	1st-7th	Rosyth for trials, tilt test etc
	7th	Left Rosyth for Scapa, arriving p.m.
	7th-31st	Scapa, working up
28. HMS NEWFOUNDLAND
	15th	Left Tyne on completion for Rosyth for trials, arriving p.m.
	22nd	Left Rosyth for Scapa to work up, arriving p.m.
	22nd-31st	Scapa, working up
Destroyers
Third Destroyer Flotilla
29. HMS MILNE (Captain (D) Third Destroyer Flotilla
	1st-7th	On passage from Gibraltar to United Kingdom, sweeping through positions 43-30N, 28-00W and 44-30N, 29-00W.
	7th	Arrived Scapa
	8th	Left Scapa for Tyne for refit
	9th	Arrived Tyne, taken in hand
	9th-31st	Tyne, refitting
30. HMS MARNE
	1st-31st	Gibraltar for temporary action damage repairs
31. HMS METEOR
	1st-6th	On passage from Gibraltar to United Kingdom, sweeping through positions 43-30N, 28-00W and 44-30N, 29-00W.
	6th	Arrived Clyde, taken in hand for boiler cleaning
	20th	Taken in hand for short refit on the Clyde
	20th-31st	Clyde, refitting
32. HMS MATCHLESS
	1st	Arrived Scapa with OPPORTUNE from Kola Inlet
	10th	Left Scapa with OFFA for Seidisfiord
	12th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	13th	Left Seidisfiord with OFFA for Akureyri
	14th	Arrived Akureyri
	16th	Left Akureyri with OFFA for Seidisfiord
	17th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	20th	Left Seidisfiord with six other destroyers, joining J W 52 p.m. as additional escort
	27th	Arrived Kola Inlet with J W 52
	29th	Left Kola Inlet with R A 52 and escort
33. HMS MUSKETEER
	1st-5th	At Sea, screening the Battlefleet covering R A 51
	5th	Returned to Scapa, sailing p.m. for Rosyth for boiler cleaning
	6th	Arrived Rosyth, taken in hand
	12th	Left Rosyth for Scapa on completion
	13th	Arrived Scapa
	16th	Left Scapa with PIORUN for Seidisfiord
	18th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	20th	Left Seidisfiord with six other destroyers, joining J W 52 p.m. as additional escort
	27th	Arrived Kola Inlet with J W 52
	29th	Left Kola Inlet with R A 52 and escort
34. ORP ORKAN
	1st-20th	Scapa, working up
	20th	Left Scapa for Seidisfiord to fuel and for screen of ANSON and SHEFFIELD covering J W 52
	22nd	Arrived Seidisfiord with screen to fuel, sailing p.m.
	23rd	Joined ANSON and SHEFFIELD from Scapa, proceeded to cover J W 52
	27th	Returned to Akureyri on completion
	30th	Left Akureyri with screen for ANSON and SHEFFIELD covering R A 52
35. ORP PIORUN
	1st-5th	At Sea with screen of Battlefleet, covering R A 51
	5th	Returned to Scapa
	11th	Left Scapa with the 8th Destroyer Flotilla for Operation F C
	12th	Operation F C abandoned, returned to Scapa, arriving p.m.
	16th	Left Scapa with MUSKETEER for Seidisfiord
	18th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	20th	Left Seidisfiord with six other destroyers, joining J W 52 p.m. as additional escort
	27th	Arrived Kola Inlet with J W 52
	29th	Left Kola Inlet with R A 52 and escort
Sixth Destroyer Flotilla
36. HMS ESKIMO (Captain (D), Sixth Destroyer Flotilla
	1st-31st	Detached with Force H in the Mediterranean
37. HMS TARTAR
	1st-31st	Detached with Force H in the Mediterranean
38. HMS ASHANTI
	1st-31st	Detached with Force H in the Mediterranean
39. HMS MIDDLETON
	1st-7th	Humber, refitting
	7th	Left Humber on completion for Scapa
	8th	Arrived Scapa
	13th	Left Scapa for Aberdeen, arriving p.m.
	14th	Embarked the First Lord of the Admiralty and sailed for Scapa
	15th	Left Scapa for position 59-38N, 1-48E to cover Operation CARHAMPTON
	16th	Arrived in covering position. Operation unsuccessful, returned to Scapa, arriving p.m.
	17th	Sailed Scapa for Loch Ewe , arriving a.m. for J W 52 convoy conference and sailing p.m. with J W 52 and escort
	21st	Left J W 52 with BLANKEY and LEDBURY for Seidisfiord
	22nd	Arrived Seidisfiord, sailing p.m. with BLANKNEY to Scapa
	24th	Arrived Scapa
	24th-31st	Scapa
40. HMS LEDBURY
	1st-6th	Seidisfiord
	6th	Left Seidisfiord with BLANKNEY and MONTROSE, joining R A 51 p.m. for escort to Loch Ewe
	10th	Detached from R A 51 to Scapa
	11th	Arrived Scapa
	16th	Left Scapa with ONSLAUGHT and EASTON for Loch Ewe for J W 52 convoy conference, arriving p.m.
	17th	Left Loch Ewe with J W 52 and escort
	21st	Detached from J W 52 with MIDDLETON and BLANKNEY to Seidisfiord
	22nd	Arrived Seidisfiord, sailing p.m. for the Clyde for boiler cleaning and repairs
	24th	Arrived Clyde and taken in hand
	24th-31st	Clyde, boiler cleaning
41. HMS WHEATLAND
	1st-31st	Detached with Inshore Squadron, Western Mediterranean
42. HMS LAMERTON
	1st-31st	Detached with Inshore Squadron, Western Mediterranean
43. HMS BLANKNEY
	1st-6th	Seidisfiord
	6th	Left Seidisfiord with LEDBURY and MONTROSE, joining R A 51 p.m. for escort to Loch Ewe
	9th	Detached from R A 51 for Scapa, sailing p.m. for the Clyde for boiler cleaning.
	11th	Arrived Clyde and taken in hand
	16th	Sailed on completion for Loch Ewe for J W 52 convoy conference
	17th	Arrived Loch Ewe, sailing p.m. with J W 52
	21st	Left J W 52 with MIDDLETON and LEDBURY for Seidisfiord
	22nd	Arrived Seidisfiord, sailing p.m. with MIDDLETON for Scapa
	24th	Arrived Scapa
	24th-31st	Scapa
44. HMS WILTON
	1st-31st	Detached with Inshore Squadron, Western Mediterranean
45. HMS BRECON
	1st-18th	Scapa, working up
	18th	Left Scapa with OBDURATE for the Tyne
	19th	Arrived Tyne sailing p.m. with PORT QUEBEC to Scapa
	20th	Arrived Scapa with PORT QUEBEC
	20th-29th	Scapa, working up
	29th	Left Scapa for Southampton for boiler cleaning and repairs
	31st	Arrived Southampton
Eighth Destroyer Flotilla
46. HMS FAULKNOR (Captain (D), Eighth Destroyer Flotilla
	1st-6th	At Sea, escorting R A 51
	6th	Detached from R A 51 to Seidisfiord, arriving p.m.
	7th	Left Seidisfiord for Scapa
	8th	Arrived Scapa
	11th	Left Scapa with 8th Destroyer Flotilla for Operation F C
	12th	Operation F C abandoned, returned to Scapa, arriving p.m.
	13th	Left Scapa for Rosyth for boiler cleaning
	14th	Arrived Rosyth, taken in hand
	20th	Left Rosyth on completion for Scapa
	21st	Arrived Scapa, sailing p.m. with screen of ANSON and SHEFFIELD to cover J W 52
	23rd	Detached from screen with ECLIPSE to Scapa
	24th	Arrived Scapa with ECLIPSE
	24th-31st	Scapa
47. HMS FURY
	1st-6th	At Sea, escorting R A 51
	6th	Detached from R A 51 to Seidisfiord, arriving p.m.
	7th	Left Seidisfiord for Scapa
	8th	Arrived Scapa
	10th	Left Scapa for Dundee for repairs
	11th	Arrived Dundee, taken in hand
	28th	Left Dundee on completion for Scapa
	29th	Arrived Scapa
	29th-31st	Scapa
48. HMS FORESTER
	1st	Arrived Seidisfiord after being hove to in a gale off Langanes. Sailed p.m. with screen of ANSON to Scapa
	3rd	Arrived Scapa with ANSON
	9th	Left Scapa with ICARUS for Seidisfiord and Kola Inlet
	10th	Arrived Seidisfiord, fuelled and sailed p.m. for Kola Inlet
	14th	Arrived Kola Inlet
	25th	Left Kola Inlet with ICARUS to reinforce escort of J W 52
	27th	Arrived Kola Inlet with J W 52
	29th	Left Kola Inlet with R A 52 and escort
49. HMS ECLIPSE
	1st-6th	At Sea, escorting R A 51
	6th	Detached from R A 51 to Seidisfiord, arriving p.m.
	7th	Left Seidisfiord for Scapa
	8th	Arrived Scapa
	17th	Left Scapa for Rosyth with the First Lord of the Admiralty arriving a.m. and returning p.m. to Scapa
	18th	Arrived Scapa
	21st	Left Scapa with screen of ANSON and SHEFFIELD covering J W 52
	23rd	Detached from screen with FAULKNOR to Scapa
	24th	Arrived Scapa
	26th	Left Scapa for Akureyri, movement later cancelled and returned p.m. to Scapa
	26th-31st	Scapa
50. HMS ECHO
	1st-6th	At Sea, escorting R A 51
	6th	Detached from R A 51 to Seidisfiord, arriving p.m.
	7th	Left Seidisfiord for Scapa
	8th	Arrived Scapa
	11th	Left Scapa with 8th Destroyer Flotilla for Operation F C
	12th	Operation F C abandoned, detached to assist VIVACIOUS, broken down in 60-15N, 10-00W. Proceeded p.m. to Scapa
	13th	Arrived Scapa
	20th	Left Scapa with ORKAN, QUEENBOROUGH, and RAIDER for Seidisfiord
	22nd	Arrived Seidisfiord, fuelled and sailed p.m. to rendezvous with ANSON and SHEFFIELD from Scapa
	23rd	Joined screen of ANSON and SHEFFIELD covering J W 52
	27th	Arrived Akureyri on completion, sailing p.m. with QUEENBOROUGH and RAIDER for Scapa
	29th	Arrived Scapa
	30th	Left Scapa for the Humber to refit
	31st	Arrived Humber, taken in hand
51. HMS INTREPID
	1st-26th	Humber, refitting
	26th	Left Humber on completion for Scapa
	27th	Arrived Scapa
52. HMS INGLEFIELD
	1st-6th	At Sea, escorting R A 51
	6th	Detached from R A 51 to Seidisfiord, arriving p.m.
	7th	Left Seidisfiord for Scapa
	8th	Arrived Scapa
	11th	Left Scapa with 8th Destroyer Flotilla for Operation F C
	12th	Operation F C abandoned, detached to assist VIVACIOUS, broken down in 60-15N, 10-00W. Proceeded p.m. to Scapa
	13th	Arrived Scapa
	20th	Left Scapa with ORKAN, QUEENBOROUGH, and RAIDER for Seidisfiord
	21st	Left Scapa with screen of ANSON and SHEFFIELD covering J W 52
	23rd	Detached from screen to Akureyri with MONTROSE, arriving p.m.
	30th	Left Akureyri with screen of ANSON and SHEFFIELD covering R A 52
53. HMS ICARUS
	1st	Left Seidisfiord with screen of ANSON for Scapa
	3rd	Arrived Scapa with ANSON
	9th	Left Scapa with FORESTER for Seidisfiord
	10th	Arrived Seidisfiord, fuelled and sailed p.m. for Kola Inlet
	14th	Arrived Kola Inlet
	25th	Left Kola Inlet with FORESTER to reinforce escort of J W 52
	27th	Arrived Kola Inlet with J W 52
	29th	Left Kola Inlet with R A 52 and escort
54. HMS IMPULSIVE
	1st	Arrived Seidisfiord after being hove to in a gale off Langanes. Sailed p.m. with screen of ANSON for Scapa
	3rd	Arrived Scapa with ANSON, sailing p.m. for the Humber for refit
	4th	Arrived Humber, taken in hand
	4th-31st	Humber, refitting
Seventeenth Destroyer Flotilla
55. HMS ONSLOW
	1st	Arrived Kola Inlet for temporary action damage repairs
	11th	Captain R. St V. Sherbrooke, VC, Royal Navy (Captain D)) left Kola Inlet in OBEDIENT for United Kingdom. (wounded in action 31st December 1942)
	29th	Left Kola Inlet on completion with R A 52 and escort
56. HMS OFFA (Captain (D) Seventeenth Destroyer Flotilla)
	1st-7th	Hull, refitting
	7th	Left Hull on completion for Scapa
	8th	Arrived Scapa
	10th	Left Scapa with MATCHLESS for Seidisfiord
	12th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	13th	Left Seidisfiord with MATCHLESS for Akureyri
	16th	Left Akureyri for Seidisfiord
	17th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	20th	Left Seidisfiord with six other destroyers and joined J W 52 p.m. as additional escort
	27th	Arrived Kola Inlet with J W 52
	29th	Left Kola Inlet with R A 52 and escort
57. HMS ORIBI
	1st	Arrived Kola Inlet from J W 51 B having lost contact with the convoy
	14th	Left Kola Inlet with ORWELL and BOADICEA for Seidisfiord
	17th	Arrived Seidisfiord, sailing p.m. with ORWELL for Scapa
	19th	Arrived Scapa
	25th	Left Scapa with OBEDIENT for Hvalfiord
	26th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	27th	Left Hvalfiord with OBEDIENT for Akureyri
	28th	Arrived Akureyri
	30th	Left Akureyri with screen for ANSON and SHEFFIELD covering R A 52
58. HMS ONSLAUGHT
	1st	Leith, refitting
	2nd	Left Leith on completion for Scapa, arriving p.m.
	11th	Left Scapa with 8th Destroyer Flotilla for Operation F C
	12th	Operation F C abandoned, returned to Scapa, arriving p.m.
	16th	Left Scapa with LEDBURY and EASTON for Loch Ewe, arriving p.m. for J W 52 convoy conference
	17th	Left Loch Ewe for Seidisfiord
	18th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	20th	Left Seidisfiord with six other destroyers and joined J W 52 p.m. as additional escort
	27th	Arrived Kola Inlet with J W 52
	29th	Left Kola Inlet with R A 52 and escort
59. HMS OPPORTUNE
	1st	Arrived Scapa with MATCHLESS from Kola Inlet
	5th	Left Scapa for Humber for refit
	6th	Arrived Humber, taken in hand
	6th-31st	Humber, refitting
60. HMS OBDURATE
	1st	At Sea escorting J W 51 B
	2nd	Arrived Kola Inlet with JW 51 B
	11th	Left Kola Inlet with OBEDIENT for Scapa
	15th	Arrived Scapa
	18th	Left Scapa with BRECON for Tyne for refit
	19th	Arrived Tyne, taken in hand
	19th-31st	Tyne, refitting
61. HMS ORWELL
	1st	At Sea escorting J W 51 B
	2nd	Arrived Kola Inlet with J S 51 B
	14th	Left Kola Inlet with ORIBI and BOADICEA for Seidisfiord
	17th	Arrived Seidisfiord, sailing p.m. with ORIBI for Scapa
	19th	Arrived Scapa, sailing p.m. for Rosyth for boiler cleaning
	20th	Arrived Rosyth, taken in hand
	26th	Left Rosyth on completion for Scapa
	27th	Arrived Scapa
	27th-31st	Scapa
62. HMS OBEDIENT
	1st	At Sea escorting J W 51 B
	2nd	Arrived Kola with J W 51 B
	11th	Left Kola Inlet (with Captain (D) 17th Destroyer Flotilla – wounded) with OBDURATE for Scapa
	15th	Arrived Scapa, sailing p.m. for Rosyth
	16th	Arrived Rosyth, disembarked Captain (D), 17th Destroyer Flotilla
	19th	Left Rosyth for Scapa
	20th	Arrived Scapa
	25th	Left Scapa for Hvalfiord with ORIBI
	26th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	27th	Left Hvalfiord with ORIBI for Akureyri
	28th	Arrived Akureyri
	30th	Left Akureyri with screen of ANSON and SHEFFIELD covering R A 52
Destroyers temporarily attached for duty with the Home Fleet
63. HMS CHIDDINGFOLD
	1st-4th	Seidisfiord
	4th	Left Seidisfiord for Scapa
	6th	Arrived Scapa, reverted to Vice Admiral Commanding, Orkney and Shetland's Command
64. HMS MONTROSE
	1st	At Sea with screen of the Battlefleet covering R A 51
	2nd	Detached from the Battlefleet at Seidisfiord
	3rd	Arrived Seidisfiord
	6th	Left Seidisfiord with BLANKNEY and LEDBURY and joined R A 51 p.m. for escort to Loch Ewe
	10th	Detached from R A 51 with LEDBURY to Scapa
	11th	Arrived Scapa
	21st	Left Scapa with screen of ANSON and SHEFFIELD covering J W 52
	23rd	Detached from screen with INGLEFIELD to Akureyri, arriving p.m.
	30th	Left Akureyri for Scapa
65. HMS WALPOLE
	1st-15th	Scapa
	15th	Left Scapa for Hvalfiord
	17th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	18th	Left Hvalfiord for Scapa
	21st	Arrived Scapa
	21st-31st	Scapa
66. HMS WINDSOR
	1st-4th	Scapa
	4th	Left Scapa for Harwich on completion of duty with the Home Fleet
	5th	Arrived Harwich
67. HMS VIVACIOUS
	1st-11th	Scapa
	11th	Left Scapa with 8th Destroyer Flotilla for Operation F C
	12th	Operation F C abandoned. Broke down in 60-15N, 10-00W. Eventually got under way and arrived Lerwick p.m. for temporary repairs
	15th	Left Lerwick for Scapa for repairs
	16th	Arrived Scapa
	16th-31st	Scapa
68. HMS WORCESTER
	1st-2nd	At Sea with screen of Battlefleet covering R A 51
	3rd	Detached from the Battlefleet to Seidisfiord
	4th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	7th	Left Seidisfiord and joined R A 51 for escort to Loch Ewe
	10th	Detached from convoy to Stornoway with defects in condensers, arriving p.m. for temporary repairs
	12th	Left Stornoway for Scapa, arriving p.m.
	14th	Left Scapa for Chatham for repairs
	15th	Arrived Chatham
69. HMS RAIDER
	1st-5th	At Sea with screen of the Battlefleet covering R A 51
	5th	Returned to Scapa
	20th	Left Scapa with three other destroyers for Seidisfiord
	22nd	Arrived Seidisfiord, fuelled, and sailed p.m. to rendezvous with ANSON and SHEFFIELD from Scapa
	23rd	Joined screen of ANSON and SHEFFIELD covering J W 52
	27th	Returned on completion to Akureyri, sailing p.m. with QUEENBOROUGH and ECHO for Scapa
	29th	Arrived Scapa
71. HMS BOADICEA
	1st-14th	Kola Inlet
	14th	Left Kola Inlet with ORIBI and ORWELL for Seidisfiord
	17th	Arrived Seidisfiord, sailing p.m. for the Clyde
	19th	Arrived Clyde on completion of duty with Home Fleet
72. HMS BEAGLE
	1st-6th	At Sea with R A 51
	6th	Detached from R A 51 to Seidisfiord, arriving p.m.
	7th	Left Seidisfiord for the Clyde
	9th	Arrived Clyde
	15th	Sailed from Clyde with BULLDOG for Seidisfiord
	17th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	20th	Left Seidisfiord with six other destroyers and joined J W 52 p.m. as additional escort
	27th	Arrived Kola Inlet with J W 52 and escort
	29th	Left Kola Inlet with R A 52 and escort
73. HMS BULLDOG
	15th	Sailed from Clyde with BEAGLE for Seidisfiord
	17th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	20th	Left Seidisfiord with six other destroyers and joined J W 52 p.m. as additional escort
	27th	Arrived Kola Inlet with J W 52 and escort
	29th	Left Kola Inlet with R A 52 and escort
Destroyers Attached to the Home Fleet for working up
74. HMS QUADRANT
	1st-7th	Scapa, working up
	7th	Left Scapa for the Clyde for foreign service
75. GS MIAOULES
	1st-7th	Scapa, working up
	7th	Left Scapa for the Clyde for foreign service
76. GS ADRIAS
	1st-6th	Scapa, working up
	6th	Left Scapa for the Clyde for foreign service
77. HMS RELENTLESS
	1st-6th	Scapa, working up
	6th	Left Scapa for Liverpool for foreign service
78. HMCS IROQUOIS
	1st-27th	Scapa, working up
	27th	Left Scapa for Tyne for boiler cleaning and repairs
	28th	Tyne
	28th-31st	Tyne, boiler cleaning
79. HMS EASTON
	1st-16th	Scapa, working up
	16th	Left Scapa with ONSLAUGHT and LEDBURY for Loch Ewe for J W 52 convoy conference, arriving p.m.
	17th	Left Loch Ewe for Scapa, arriving p.m. to continue working up
	26th	Left Scapa for the Clyde on completion of working up
	27th	Arrived Clyde for foreign service
80. HMS QUAIL
	18th	Arrived Scapa from Tobermory to continue working up
	18th-31st	Scapa, working up
81. HMS EGGESFORD
	27th	Arrived Scapa from Plymouth to work up
	27th-31st	Scapa, working up
Minelayers temporarily attached to the Home Fleet for working up
82. HMS AGAMEMNON
	18th	Arrived Scapa from Sheerness to work up
	23rd	Left Scapa for Port Z A with PORT QUEBEC on completion, arriving p.m.
83. HMS PORT QUEBEC
	20th	Arrived Scapa from the Tyne, escorted by BRECON, to work up
	23rd	Left Scapa with AGAMEMNON, on completion, for Port Z A, arriving p.m.
First Minesweeping Flotilla
84. HMS HARRIER (Senior Officer, First Minesweeping Flotilla
	1st	Kola Inlet
	2nd	Left Kola with SEAGULL to provide local escort for J W 51B
	3rd	Returned to Kola Inlet
	29th	Left Kola Inlet with R A 52 and escort
85. HMS SEAGULL
	1st	Kola Inlet
	2nd	Left Kola with HARRIER to provide local escort for J W 51B
	3rd	Returned to Kola Inlet
	29th	Left Kola Inlet with R A 52 and escort
86. HMS BRITOMART
	1st-15th	Humber, refitting
	15th	Left Humber on completion for Scapa
	16th	Arrived Scapa, sailing p.m. for Loch Ewe
	17th	Arrived Loch Ewe, sailing p.m. with J W 52 and escort for North Russia
	27th	Arrived Kola Inlet with J W 52
87. HMS HAZARD
	1st-31st	Humber, refitting
88. HMS SHARPSHOOTER
	1st-31st	Humber, refitting
89. HMS GLEANER
	1st-10th	At Sea with R A 51
	10th	Detached from R A 51 to Scapa
	11th	Arrived Scapa
	12th	Left Scapa for Humber for refit
	13th	Arrived Humber, taken in hand
	13th-31st	Humber, refitting
90. HMS HALCYON
	1st-31st	Milford Haven, refitting
91. HMS SALAMANDER
	1st-31st	Aberdeen, refitting
92. HMS JASON
	1st-27th	Rosyth, converting to Fleet Minesweeper
	27th	Left Rosyth for Scapa to work up
	28th	Arrived Scapa
	28th-31st	Scapa, working up
Fifteenth Minesweeping Flotilla
93. HMS FRASERBURGH (Senior Officer, Fifteenth Minesweeping Flotilla)
	1st-2nd	Reykjavik
	3rd	Left Reykjavik with BOOTLE and BEAUMARIS for Clyde for boiler cleaning and to give leave
	7th	Arrived Clyde
	28th	Left Clyde on completion with BOOTLE for Seidisfiord
94. HMS BEAUMARIS
	1st-2nd	Reykjavik
	3rd	Left Reykjavik with FRASERBURGH and BOOTLE for Clyde for boiler cleaning and to give leave
	7th	Arrived Clyde; taken in hand
	7th-31st	Clyde, refitting
95. HMS BOOTLE
	1st-2nd	Reykjavik
	3rd	Left Reykjavik with FRASERBURGH and BEAUMARIS for Clyde for boiler cleaning and to give leave
	7th	Arrived Clyde; taken in hand
	28th	Left Clyde on completion with FRASERBURGH for Seidisfiord
96. HMS LLANDUDNO
	1st-15th	Hvalfiord
	15th	Left Hvalfiord for Seidisfiord
	17th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	17th-31st	Seidisfiord
97. HMS PETERHEAD
	1st-4th	At Sea on passage to Reykjavik
	4th	Arrived Reykjavik
	12th	Left Reykjavik with CIRCE and FLY for Seidisfiord
	14th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	14th-31st	Seidisfiord
98. HMS CIRCE
	1st-12th	Hvalfiord
	12th	Left Hvalfiord with PETERHEAD and FLY for Seidisfiord
	14th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	23rd	Left Seidisfiord for Clyde for boiler cleaning and to give leave
	25th	Arrived Clyde, taken in hand
	25th-31st	Clyde
99. HMS FLY
	1st-5th	At Sea, on passage from Scapa to Hvalfiord
	5th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	12th	Left Hvalfiord with PETERHEAD and CIRCE for Seidisfiord
	14th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	14th-31st	Seidisfiord
Corvettes attached for temporary duty with the Home Fleet
100. HMS OXLIP
	1st-29th	Kola Inlet
	29th	Left Kola Inlet with R A 52 and escort for United Kingdom
101. HMS HYDERABAD
	1st-29th	Kola Inlet
	29th	Left Kola Inlet with R A 52 and escort for United Kingdom
102. HMS RHODODENDRON
	1st	At Sea, escorting J W 51 B
	2nd	Arrived Kola Inlet with J W 51 B
	29th	Left Kola Inlet with R A 52 and escort for United Kingdom
103. HMS HONEYSUCKLE
	1st	At Sea, escorting J W 51 B
	2nd	Arrived Kola Inlet with J W 51 B
	29th	Left Kola Inlet with R A 52 and escort for United Kingdom
104. HMS LOTUS
	17th	Left Loch Ewe with J W 52 and escort
	27th	Arrived Kola Inlet with J W 52
	27th-31st	Kola Inlet
105. HMS STARWORT
	1st	At Sea, escorting J W 51 B
	2nd	Arrived Kola Inlet with J W 51 B
	29th	Left Kola Inlet with R A 52 and escort for United Kingdom
Trawlers attached for temporary duty with the Home Fleet
106. HMS LADY MADELEINE
107. HMS NORTHERN WAVE
	1st-29th	Left Kola Inlet with R A 52 and escort
108. HMS NORTHERN GEM
109. HMS VIZALMA
	1st	At Sea, escorting J W 51 B
	2nd	Arrived Kola Inlet with J W 51 B
	29th	Left Kola Inlet with R A 52
110. HMS ST ELSTAN
111. HMS NORTHERN PRIDE
	17th	Left Loch Ewe with J W 52 and escort
	27th	Arrived Kola Inlet with J W 52
	27th-31st	Kola Inlet

 

 

North Russian Convoys

 

112. Convoy R A 51

 

This westbound convoy left North Russia on 30 December and arrived without loss in the Untied Kingdom on 11th January. 14 ships left Kola Inlet with a normal close escort, but in view of the attack by enemy surface forces on J W 51 B on 31st December, there were two cruiser forces in addition to the Battlefleet providing surface cover for the convoy. No enemy air, surface, or U boat attack materialized, but the convoy was shadowed by enemy aircraft, and probably by U boats as well, during the first part of its passage

 

Details of the passage of R A 51 are as follows:

1. Convoy and close escort

 

30th Dec	The convoy (14 merchant ships) escorted by FAULKNOR (Senior Officer), ECHO, ECLIPSE, FURY, INGLEFIELD, BEAGLE, GLEANER, CAPE ARGONA, DANEMAN, CAPE MARIATO, and ST KENAN left Kola Inlet for Loch Ewe
31st	Convoy sighted and shadowed by enemy aircraft
5th Jan	BLANKNEY, LEDBURY, and MONTROSE left Seidisfiord to rendezvous with the convoy
6th	BLANKNEY, LEDBURY, and MONTROSE joined the convoy for escort to Loch Ewe.
	FAULKNOR, INGLEFIELD, ECLIPSE, ESCHO, FURY, and BEAGLE detached from the convoy to
	Seidisfiord to fuel, arriving p.m.
	Oiler OLIGARCH escorted by CAPE MARIATO and ST KENAN left the convoy for Hvalfiord
7th	DANEMAN detached to Seidisfiord for repairs to engines, arriving a.m.
	WORCESTER left Seidisfiord to rendezvous with the convoy, joining a.m. for escort to Loch Ewe.
	FAULKNOR, INGLEFIELD, FURY, ECHO, and ECLIPSE left Seidisfiord for Scapa
	BEAGLE left Seidisfiord for the Clyde
8th	OLIGARCH escorted by CAPE MARIATO arrived Hvalfiord
9th	FAULKNOR, INGLEFIELD, FURY, ECHO, and ECLIPSE arrived Scapa.
	BEAGLE arrived Clyde
	BLANKNEY detached from R A 51 to Scapa, arriving p.m.
10th	WORCESTER, with defects to condenser, detached to Stornoway, arriving p.m.
	LEDBURY, MONTROSE, and GLEANER detached to Scapa
11th	LEDBURY, MONTROSE, and GLEANER arrived Scapa
	Convoy escorted by CAPE ARGONA arrived Loch Ewe

 

2. Force R (SHEFFIELD (Senior Officer) and JAMAICA

 

31st Dec	Engaged enemy surface forces off North Cape in defense of convoy J W 51 B (see War Diary for 16th-31st December 1942). Transferred cover from JW 51 B to R A 51
2nd Jan	Proceeded to Seidisfiord
4th	SHEFFIELD and JAMAICA arrived Seidisfiord
5th	Left Seidisfiord to Scapa
6th	SHEFFIELD and JAMAICA arrived Scapa

 

3. Cruiser Force under Command of Rear Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron (KENT and BERWICK)

 

31st Dec	Left Scapa with the Battlefleet and proceeded independently to covering position approximately 72-50N, 11-40E
2nd Jan	Arrived in covering position
4th	Left covering position for Scapa
6th	KENT and BERWICK arrived Scapa

 

4. Battlefleet

 

31st Dec	The Battlefleet (KING GEORGE V (Commander in Chief), HOWE, and BERMUDA screened by MONTROSE, RAIDER, MUSKETEER, QUEENBOROUGH, PIORUN, and WORCESTER left Scapa to cover R A 51 between latitudes 070 and 071-30N and longitude 1 degree and 5 degrees E.
2nd Jan	MONTROSE Arrived in covering position. detached to Seidisfiord for local escort of R A 51.
3rd	Battlefleet left covering position for Scapa
	WORCESTER detached to Seidisfiord for local escort of R A 51
	MONTROSE arrived Seidisfiord
4th	WORCESTER arrived Seidisfiord
5th	The Battlefleet (KING GEORGE V, HOWE, and BERMUDA escorted by RAIDER, QUEENBOROUGH,  PIORUN, and MUSKETEER) arrived Scapa

 

5. Submarines

 

The submarines P 216, P 312, P 49, and GRAF (sic – for ex-German U-boat renamed GRAPH) were on patrol off the north coast of Norway during the passage of this convoy.

 

113. Convoy J W 52

 

This convoy of 14 merchant ships also arrived in North Russia without loss, leaving Loch Ewe on 17th January and arriving in North Russia on 27th, less one ship which was unable to keep the speed of the convoy and sent in to Akureyri. The Battlefleet and a cruiser force provided surface cover for the convoy. The convoy was shadowed by enemy aircraft and U boats at various times during the passage, and one enemy air attack by four torpedo bombers were broken up without loss or damage; two enemy aircraft were shot down.

 

Details of the movements of J W 52 are as follows:

1. Convoy and close escort

 

16th	OFFA and MATCHLESS left Akureyri for Seidisfiord
	PIORUN and MUSKETEER left Scapa for Seidisfiord
	ONSLAUGHT left Scapa for Loch Ewe for convoy conferences, arriving p.m.
	BULLDOG and BEAGLE left Clyde for Seidisfiord
17th	OFFA and MATCHLESS arrived Seidisfiord from Akureyri
	ONSLAUGHT left Loch Ewe for Seidisfiord
	BULLDOG and BEAGLE arrived Seidisfiord from the Clyde
	Convoy J W 52 (14 merchant ships) escorted by BLANKNEY, LEDBURY, MIDDLETON (local escort),
	BRITOMART, LOTUS, STARWORT, ST ELSTAN, and NORTHERN PRIDE left Loch Ewe for North Russia
18th	PIORUN and MUSKETEER arrived Seidisfiord from Scapa
	ONSLAUGHT arrived Seidisfiord from Loch Ewe
20th	left Seidisfiord to join J W 52
21st	ONSLAUGHT and six destroyers from Seidisfiord joined the convoy
	BLANKNEY and MIDDLETON detached to Scapa after fuelling at Seidisfiord
	LEDBURY detached to Clyde after fuelling at Seidisfiord
	One merchant ship, unable to keep the speed of the convoy, detached to Akureyri
22nd	BLANKNEY, MIDDLETON, and LEDBURY arrived Seidisfiord to fuel
23rd	The merchant vessel detached from the convoy arrived Akureyri
24th	Convoy attacked by four H E 115 torpedo bombers. No damage or casualties, two enemy aircraft shot down. U boats in contact with the convoy
25th	Shadowed by enemy aircraft, one of which dropped a bomb. No damage or casualties.
27th	Convoy and escorts arrived Kola Inlet without loss

 

2. Force R (Cruiser Covering Force – KENT (Rear Admiral Commanding First Cruiser Squadron), BERMUDA, GLASGOW

 

16th	KENT left Scapa for Loch Ewe for convoy conference, arriving p.m.
18th	KENT left Loch Ewe for Scapa, arriving a.m. and sailing p.m. with BERMUDA and GLASGOW to Seidisfiord to fuel
20th	Arrived Seidisfiord
21st	Force R left Seidisfiord to cover J W 52
26th	Arrived Kola Inlet on completion

 

3. Battlefleet

 

20th	QUEENBOROUGH, ORKAN, ECHO, and RAIDER left Scapa for Seidisfiord to act as relief screen for the Battlefleet.
21st	The Battlefleet (ANSON and SHEFFIELD screened by FAULKNOR, ECLIPSE, INGLEFIELD, and MONTROSE) left Scapa to cover J W 52.
22nd	QUEENBOROUGH, ORKAN, ECHO, and RAIDER arrived Seidisfiord, fuelled and sailed p.m. to rendezvous with the Battlefleet.
23rd	QUEENBOROUGH, ORKAN, ECHO, and RAIDER joined the Battlefleet in position 66-12N, 22-50W.
	INGLEFIELD and MONTROSE detached to Akureyri arriving p.m.
	FAULKNOR and ECLIPSE detached to Scapa
	The Battlefleet sighted by enemy aircraft in 67-20N, 8-50W.
	Battlefleet reached covering position.
25th	ORIBI and OBEDIENT left Scapa for Hvalfiord and for Akureyri for screen of the Battlefleet.
	Battlefleet proceeded to Akureyri
	FAULKNOR and ECLIPSE arrived Scapa
26th	Battlefleet arrived Akureyri screened by QUEENBOROUGH, ORKAN, ECHO, and RAIDER.
27th	ORIBI and OBEDIENT arrived Hvalfiord, sailing p.m. for Akureyri
	QUEENBOROUGH, RAIDER and ECHO left Akureyri for Scapa
28th	ORIBI and OBEDIENT arrived Akureyri
29th	QUEENBOROUGH, RAIDER, and ECHO arrived Scapa
30th	MONTROSE left Akureyri for Scapa
1st Feb	MONTROSE arrived Scapa

 

3. Submarines

 

The submarines P 224, TRIDENT, and P 314 were on patrol off the north coast of Norway during the passage of J W 52.

 

114. Convoy R A 52

 

One merchant ship was torpedoed and sunk in this convoy of eleven ships which had an unusually large close escort a bigger convoy being anticipated. Apart from this one casualty, the convoy and escorts arrived intact, leaving Kola Inlet on 29th January and arrived Loch Ewe on 8th February. The usual cover was provided for R A 52 in the shape of the Battlefleet from Akureyri and a cruiser force (Force R) from Kola Inlet. No enemy aircraft were encountered but the convoy was shadowed on several occasions by U boats in addition to the one successful attack which they made.

 

Details of the movements of R A 52 are as follows:

1. Convoy and close escort

 

29th Jan	Convoy (11 ships) escorted by ONSLAUGHT (Senior Officer), OFFA, MUSKETEER, MATCHLESS, BULLDOG, BEAGLE, ONSLOW (damaged), FORESTER, ICARUS, PIORUN, HARRIER, SEAGULL, RHODODENDRON, OXLIP, HYDERABAD, HONEYSUCKLE, LADY MADELEINE, VIZALMA, NORTHERN GEM, and NORTHERN WAVE left Kola Inlet for Loch Ewe
	ONSLOW with action damage was stationed inside the A/S screen
1st Feb	Convoy consistently shadowed by U boats.
	BLANKNEY, MIDDLETON, and VIVACIOUS left Scapa for Seidisfiord
2nd	ONSLOW detached to Scapa
3rd	One merchant ship torpedoed and sunk by U boat.
	MIDDLETON, LEDBURY, and VIVACIOUS arrived Seidisfiord from Scapa for local escort of R A 52.
4th	FORESTER detached to Seidisfiord to report convoy's position to the local escort and to fuel, arriving p.m.
	ONSLOW arrived Scapa
	BLANKNEY, MIDDLETON, and VIVACIOUS left Seidisfiord to join R A 52.
5th	BLANKNEY, MIDDLETON, and VIVACIOUS joined R A 52 for local escort to Loch Ewe.
	ONSLAUGHT, OFFA, MUSKETEER, MATCHLESS, BULLDOG, BEAGLE, ICARUS, and PIORUN detached from convoy to Seidisfiord to fuel, arriving p.m.
	SEAGULL and HONEYSUCKLE detached to Seidisfiord for repairs and fuel, arriving p.m.
	ICARUS left Seidisfiord for Scapa
6th	BULLDOG and BEAGLE left Seidisfiord for the Clyde.
	ONSLAUGHT, OFFA, MUSKETEER, MATCHLESS, FORESTER, and PIORUN left Seidisfiord for Scapa
	SEAGULL and HONEYSUCKLE sailed from Seidisfiord to re join R A 52
7th	SEAGULL and HONEYSUCKLE rejoined R A 52
	ONSLAUGHT, OFFA, MUSKETEER, MATCHLESS, FORESTER, and PIORUN arrived Scapa
	VIVACIOUS detached from R A 52 for screen of ANSON
8th	BEAGLE and BULLDOG arrived Clyde
	VIVACIOUS arrived Hvalfiord
	MIDDLETON detached from R A 52 to the Clyde
	BLANKNEY, HARRIER, and SEAGULL detached from R A 52 to Scapa
	HONEYSUCKLE, OXLIP, RHODODENDRON, and HYDERABAD detached to the Clyde
	LADY MADELEINE, NORTHERN WAVE, NORTHERN GEM, and VIZALMA detached to Belfast
9th	R A 52 (10 ships) arrived Loch Ewe
	MIDDLETON, HONEYSUCKLE, OXLIP, RHODODENDRON, and HYDERABAD arrived Clyde
	BLANKNEY, HARRIER, and SEAGULL arrived Scapa
	LADY MADELEINE, NORTHERN WAVE, NORTHERN GEM, and VIZALMA arrived Belfast

 

2. Force R (Cruiser Covering Force – KENT (Rear Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron), GLASGOW, and BERMUDA)

 

30th Jan	Force R left Kola Inlet to cover R A 52.
2nd Feb	Left covering position for Scapa
4th	Force R (KENT, GLASGOW, and BERMUDA) arrived Scapa

 

3. Battlefleet

 

30th Jan	The Battlefleet (ANSON (Vice Admiral Commanding, Second Battle Squadron) and SHEFFIELD screened by INGLEFIELD, ORKAN, ORIBI, and OBEDIENT) left Akureyri to cover R A 52
1st Feb	Arrived in covering position, approximately 73-45N, 12-40E
2nd	Left covering position for Hvalfiord
3rd	OBEDIENT detached to Seidisfiord for fuel, arriving p.m.
4th	OBEDIENT left Seidisfiord for Scapa
	Battlefleet (ANSON and SHEFFIELD screened by INGLEFIELD, ORKAN, and ORIBI) arrived Hvalfiord.
5th	OBEDIENT arrived Scapa

 

4. Submarines

 

The submarines P 216, O 15, SOKOL, and P 53 were on patrol off the north coast of Norway during the passage of R A 52.

 

115. Independent westbound sailings of Russian Merchant Ships

 

These sailings continued as follows during January:

Ship	left North Russia	arrived Akureyri
1. MSTA	22nd December (Iokanka)	6th January
2. ALDAN	23rd December (Iokanka)	6th January
3. URITSKY	23rd December (Iokanka)	6th January
4. SANKO	24th December (Iokanka)	6th January
5. KARA	24th December (Iokanka)	6th January
6. VANSETTI	29th December (Iokanka)	18th January
7. KRASNOE ZNAMY	30th December (Kola Inlet)	9th January
8. OSMUSSAAR	30th December (Kola Inlet)	9th January
9. SHECKSNA	31st December (Kola Inlet)	12th January
10. LEONID KRASSIN	20th January (Kola Inlet)	31st January
11. UFA	23rd January (Kola Inlet)	on passage
12. KRASNI PARTISAN	24th January (Kola Inlet)	on passage

 

116. Operation F C

 

This operation was a sweep, by a destroyer striking force, down the Norwegian coast with the object of sinking any German shipping or naval units which might be encountered. FAULKNOR (Senior Officer), ONSLAUGHT, QUEENBOROUGH, PIORUN, VIVACIOUS, ECHO, and INGLEFIELD formed the 8th Destroyer Flotilla for the operation and sailed on 11th January to sweep south from position 60-55N, 4-02E.

 

On 11th Coastal Command aircraft sighted an enemy force of one battleship, one cruiser, and one destroyer proceeding out of the Belts northbound. The aircraft failed to maintain touch and an air striking force was unable to find the enemy. It later became apparent that the enemy had turned back to the Baltic.

 

BERMUDA and GLASGOW were sailed from Scapa p.m. on 11th to provide cover for the destroyer force.

 

In a south easterly gale which the force encountered, VIVACIOUS' steering gear broke down and she turned back to Scapa. The weather showed no signs of improving and late on 11th, Captain (D), Eighth Destroyer Flotilla was compelled to abandon the operation and return to Scapa.

 

On the morning of the 12th, VIVACIOUS with her steering gear out of action, broke down and stopped in position 60-15N, 00-10W. INGLEFIELD and ECHO were detached from the 8th Destroyer Flotilla to assist her, but during the forenoon she got under way again and arrived Lerwick p.m. for temporary repairs. FAULKNOR, ONSLAUGHT, QUEENBOROUGH, and PIORUN Returned to Scapa p.m., but INGLEFIELD and ECHO were hove to in a gale off Lerwick after going to the assistance of VIVACIOUS and did not arrive until the following day.

 

GLASGOW and BERMUDA Returned to Scapa on 12th.

 

 

117. Visit of the First Lord of the Admiralty

 

The First Lord of the Admiralty paid a short visit to the Home Fleet during the month, arriving in the MIDDLETON from Aberdeen on 14th January. During the stay, he was accommodated in the Fleet Flagship and went onboard several of the ships in Scapa at that time, addressing the Ships' Companies. He left Rosyth in the ECLIPSE on 17th arriving there p.m. the same day.

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

WAR DIARY OF THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF, HOME FLEET

 

FEBRUARY 1943

(n.b. Summary of Operations at end of month)

 

Second Battle Squadron
1. HMS KING GEORGE V (Flag of Commander in Chief Home Fleet.)
	1st	Scapa
	11th	Flag of Commander in Chief transferred temporarily to DUNLUCE CASTLE
	14th	Flag of Commander in Chief transferred from DUNLUCE CASTLE
	18th	Left Scapa with NORFOLK with three destroyers for Akureyri
	20th	Arrived Akureyri
	22nd	Left Akureyri with HOWE, BERWICK, and six destroyers to cover JW 53
	26th	Returned to Akureyri
	26th-28th	Akureyri
2. HMS DUKE OF YORK
	1st-28th	Rosyth, refitting
3. HMS ANSON (Flag of Vice Admiral, Second in Command, Home Fleet)
	1st-4th	At Sea with SHEFFIELD and destroyer screen covering R A 52
	4th	Returned to Hvalfiord
	9th	Left Hvalfiord with SHEFFIELD and screen of four destroyers for Scapa
	11th	Arrived Scapa
	11th-28th	Scapa
4. HMS HOWE
	1st-7th	Scapa
	7th	Left Scapa with BERWICK, KENT, and screen of three destroyers for Hvalfiord
	9th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	15th	Left Hvalfiord with four destroyers for Akureyri
	16th	Arrived Akureyri
	22nd	Left Akureyri with KING GEORGE V, BERWICK, and six destroyers to cover J W 53.
	26th	Returned to Akureyri
	26th-28th	Akureyri
5. HMS MALAYA
	1st-22nd	Scapa, working up
	22nd	Left Scapa for Clyde
	23rd	Arrived Clyde for escort of W S 27
	25th	Left Clyde with W S 27 and escort
Battlecruiser
6. HMS RENOWN
	1st	Gibraltar
	2nd	Left Gibraltar with FURIOUS and screen, joining ILLUSTRIOUS from Eastern Fleet p.m. for Clyde
	5th	Arrived Clyde, sailing p.m. escorted by two destroyers to Rosyth for refit
	7th	Arrived Rosyth, taken in hand
	7th-28th	Rosyth, refitting
Aircraft Carriers
7. HMS INDOMITABLE (Flag of Vice Admiral, Aircraft Carriers
	1st-20th	Liverpool refitting and repairing action damage
	20th	Left Liverpool on completion for Clyde to work up
	21st	Arrived Clyde to work up
	21st-28th	Clyde, working up
8. HMS ILLUSTRIOUS
	1st	On passage to United Kingdom from Eastern Fleet
	2nd	Joined by RENOWN and FURIOUS and screen from Gibraltar
	5th	Arrived Clyde
	26th	Left Clyde for Liverpool for refit
	27th	Arrived Liverpool, taken in hand
9. HMS FURIOUS
	1st	Gibraltar
	2nd	Left Gibraltar with RENOWN and screen, joining ILLUSTRIOUS from Eastern Fleet p.m. for Clyde
	5th	Arrived Clyde
	10th	Left Clyde escorted by MIDDLETON and ORWELL for Scapa
	11th	Arrived Scapa
	11th-28th	Scapa
10. HMS DASHER
	1st-7th	Clyde, working up
	7th	Left Clyde, escorted by EGGESFORD for Scapa
	9th	Arrived Scapa
	16th	Left Scapa with three destroyers (Force A) for Seidisfiord
	18th	Unable to enter Seidisfiord owing to weather, proceeded to Akureyri with SCYLLA and five destroyers
	19th	Hove to off Akureyri in gale
	20th	Arrived Akureyri with weather damage
	22nd	Left Akureyri with BLANKNEY and LEDBURY for Scapa and for repairs
	25th	Arrived Scapa
	28th	Left Scapa escorted by NEWARK and WELLS for Dundee for repairs
First Cruiser Squadron
11. HMS KENT (Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding First Cruiser Squadron)
	1st-4th	At Sea with Force R covering R A 52
	4th	Arrived Scapa on completion
	7th	Left Scapa with HOWE, BERWICK, and screen of three destroyers for Hvalfiord
	9th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	9th-28th	Hvalfiord
12. HMS LONDON
	1st-28th	Tyne, refitting
13. HMS NORFOLK
	1st-5th	Hvalfiord
	5th	Left Hvalfiord for Scapa
	7th	Arrived Scapa
	18th	Left Scapa with KING GEORGE V and three destroyers for Akureyri
	19th	Detached to Seidisfiord for Force R
	21st	Arrived Seidisfiord, sailing p.m. with Force R to cover J W 53
	26th	Arrived Kola Inlet
	26th-28th	Kola Inlet
14. HMS SUFFOLK
	1st-28th	London, refitting
15. HMS BERWICK
	1st	Clyde
	2nd	Left Clyde for Scapa on completion of repairs
	3rd	Arrived Scapa
	7th	Left Scapa with HOWE, KENT, and screen of three destroyers for Hvalfiord
	9th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	20th	Left Hvalfiord for Akureyri
	21st	Arrived Akureyri
	22nd	Left Akureyri with KING GEORGE V, HOWE, and six destroyers to cover J W 53
	26th	Detached from the Battlefleet to Akureyri
	27th	Arrived Hvalfiord
16. HMS CUMBERLAND
	1st	Scapa
	2nd	Left Scapa for Clyde for quick docking and repairs
	3rd	Arrived Clyde, taken in hand
	15th	Left Clyde for Seidisfiord to join Force R
	19th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	21st	Left Seidisfiord with Force R to cover J W 53
	26th	Arrived Kola Inlet on completion
	27th-28th	Kola Inlet
17. HMS SUSSEX
	1st-20th	Scapa, working up
	20th	Left Scapa on completion for the Clyde
	21st	Arrived Clyde, sailing p.m. for Operation REGULATION, escort of W S 27, from Freetown to the Cape and for the Eastern Fleet
	26th	Sank a homeward bound blockade runner 500 miles W.S.W. of Cape Finisterre
	27th	Proceeded to Freetown
Tenth Cruiser Squadron
18. HMS BELFAST (Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron)
	1st-14th	Scapa
	14th	Left Scapa for Loch Ewe arriving p.m.
	16th	Left Loch Ewe for Seidisfiord to join Force R
	18th	Unable to enter Seidisfiord owing to weather
	19th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	21st	Left Seidisfiord with Force R to cover J W 53
	26th	Arrived Kola Inlet
	27th-28th	Kola Inlet
19. HMS BERMUDA
	1st-4th	At Sea with Force R covering R A 52
	4th	Arrived Scapa on completion
	4th-28th	Scapa
20. HMS SHEFFIELD
	1st-4th	At Sea with ANSON and screen covering R A 52
	4th	Returned to Hvalfiord
	9th	Left Hvalfiord and ANSON and screen of four destroyers for Scapa
	11th	Arrived Scapa
	12th	Captain T.A. Addis, R.N. assumed command
	16th	Left Scapa for Seidisfiord for Force R
	19th	Hove to in a gale south of Iceland, half of A turret roof washed overboard
	20th	Arrived Seidisfiord for temporary repairs
	24th	Left Seidisfiord for Clyde for repairs
	26th	Arrived Clyde, taken in hand
	26th-28th	Clyde for repairs and refit
21. HMS GLASGOW
	1st	At Sea with Force R covering R A 52
	4th	Returned to Scapa on completion
	20th	Left Scapa for Seidisfiord
	21st	Arrived Seidisfiord
	22nd	Dragged aground, but refloated immediately – no damage
	27th	Left Seidisfiord for Akureyri for Battlefleet
	28th	Arrived Akureyri
22. HMS KENYA
	1st-28th	Scapa, working up
23. HMS JAMAICA
	1st	Left Scapa for Operation REGULATION
	10th	Arrived Gibraltar to fuel
	13th	Left Gibraltar to continue REGULATION
	16th	Returned to Gibraltar
	18th	Left Gibraltar to continue Operation REGULATION and for the United Kingdom
	26th	Arrived Scapa on completion
	27th-28th	Scapa
24. HMS SCYLLA
	1st-8th	Tyne, refitting
	8th	Left Tyne on completion for Scapa to work up
	9th	Arrived Scapa
	15th	Left Scapa for Seidisfiord for J W 53
	18th	Unable to enter Seidisfiord owing to weather, proceeded with DASHER and five destroyers to Akureyri
	19th	Hove to off Akureyri in a gale
	20th	Arrived Akureyri, sailing p.m. with five destroyers to join J W 53
	21st	Joined J W 53 for escort to North Russia
	27th	Arrived Kola Inlet with J W 53
25. HMS CHARYBDIS
	1st-22nd	Barrow, refitting
	22nd	Left Barrow for Liverpool, arrived p.m. to continue refit
	22nd-28th	Liverpool, refitting
Cruisers attached to the Home Fleet for working up
26. HMS UGANDA
	1st-28th	Scapa, working up
27. HMS NEWFOUNDLAND
	1st-28th	Scapa, working up
28. HMS CARLISLE
	15th	Left Plymouth for Scapa to work up
	17th	Arrived Scapa
	17th-28th	Scapa, working up
Destroyers
Third Destroyer Flotilla
29. HMS MILNE (Captain (D) Third Destroyer Flotilla
	1st	Tyne, refitting
	8th	Left Tyne on completion for Scapa
	9th	Arrived Scapa
	14th	Left Scapa for Loch Ewe for J W 53 convoy conference
	15th	Arrived Loch Ewe, sailing p.m. for Seidisfiord
	19th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	20th	Left Seidisfiord with six destroyers, joining J W 53 p.m.
	27th	Arrived Kola Inlet with J W 53
30. HMS MARNE
	1st-15th	Gibraltar for temporary action damage repairs
	15th	Left Gibraltar in M K S 7 for Tyne
	26th	Arrived Tyne, taken in hand for action damage repairs
	26th-28th	Tyne for repairs
31. HMS METEOR
	1st-16th	Clyde, refitting
	16th	Left Clyde on completion for Scapa
	17th	Arrived Scapa
	18th	Left Scapa with screen of KING GEORGE V and NORFOLK for Akureyri
	20th	Arrived Akureyri
	22nd	Left Akureyri with screen for the Battlefleet covering J W 53
	26th	Returned to Akureyri
	27th-28th	Akureyri
32. HMS MATCHLESS
	1st-5th	At Sea escorting R A 52
	5th	Detached from R A 52, arrived Seidisfiord p.m.
	6th	Left Seidisfiord with five other destroyers for Scapa
	7th	Arrived Scapa
	16th	Left Scapa with MUSKETEER to escort J W 53 B to rendezvous with J W 53
	17th	Joined J W 53 B
	18th	Left J W 53 B escorting damaged merchant ship back to Scapa
	22nd	Arrived Scapa with weather damage
	23rd	Left Scapa for Rosyth for boiler cleaning and weather damage repairs
	24th	Arrived Rosyth, taken in hand
	24th-28th	Rosyth
33. HMS MUSKETEER
	1st-5th	At Sea, escorting R A 52
	5th	Detached from R A 52, arrived Seidisfiord p.m.
	6th	Left Seidisfiord with five other destroyers for Scapa
	7th	Arrived Scapa
	16th	Left Scapa with MATCHLESS to escort J W 53 B to rendezvous with J W 53
	17th	Joined J W 53 B
	19th	Left J W 53 for Akureyri
	20th	Arrived Akureyri
	22nd	Left Akureyri with screen of the Battlefleet covering J W 53
	26th	Returned to Akureyri
	27th-28th	Akureyri
34. ORP ORKAN
	1st-4th	At Sea with screen of ANSON and SHEFFIELD covering R A 52
	4th	Returned to Hvalfiord, taken in hand for boiler cleaning
	15th	Left Hvalfiord on completion with screen of HOWE for Akureyri
	16th	Arrived Akureyri, sailing p.m. for Seidisfiord
	17th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	18th	Left Seidisfiord with four other destroyers and joined SCYLLA and DASHER proceeding to Akureyri
	20th	Arrived Akureyri, sailing p.m. with SCYLLA and four destroyers to join J W 53
	21st	Joined J W 53
	27th	Arrived Kola Inlet with J W 53
35. ORP PIORUN
	1st-5th	At Sea escorting R A 52
	5th	Detached from R A 52, arrived Seidisfiord p.m.
	6th	Left Seidisfiord with five other destroyers for Scapa
	7th	Arrived Scapa
	14th	Left Scapa with OFFA for Akureyri
	16th	Arrived Akureyri for screen of Battlefleet
	22nd	Left Akureyri with screen of the Battlefleet covering J W 53
	26th	Returned to Akureyri
	27th-28th	Akureyri
Sixth Destroyer Flotilla
36. HMS ESKIMO (Captain (D), Sixth Destroyer Flotilla
	1st-28th	Detached with Force H in the Mediterranean
37. HMS TARTAR
	1st-28th	Detached with Force H in the Mediterranean
38. HMS ASHANTI
	1st-28th	Detached with Force H in the Mediterranean
39. HMS MIDDLETON
	1st	Left Scapa for Seidisfiord with BLANKNEY and VIVACIOUS for escort of R A 52 to United Kingdom
	3rd	Arrived Seidisfiord
	4th	Left Seidisfiord with BLANKNEY and VIVACIOUS
	5th	Joined R A 52 for escort to Loch Ewe
	8th	Detached from convoy to the Clyde
	9th	Arrived Clyde for screen of FURIOUS
	10th	Left Clyde with FURIOUS for Scapa
	11th	Arrived Scapa with FURIOUS
	15th	Left Scapa with MEYNELL and PYTCHLEY to join J W 53
	16th	Joined J W 53 for local escort
	20th	Detached from J W 53 to Seidisfiord with local escort
	21st	Arrived Seidisfiord, unable to anchor, proceeded to Scapa
	23rd	Arrived Scapa
	23rd-28th	Scapa
40. HMS LEDBURY
	1st	Left Clyde for Scapa on completion of boiler cleaning
	2nd	Arrived Scapa
	12th	Left Scapa for Loch Ewe with BLANKNEY for oiling trials
	13th	Arrived Loch Ewe, trials cancelled owing to weather
	14th	Left Loch Ewe for Scapa, arriving p.m.
	16th	Left Scapa with screen of DASHER for Seidisfiord
	18th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	19th	Left Seidisfiord for Akureyri
	20th	Arrived Akureyri
	22nd	Left Akureyri with screen of DASHER for Scapa
	25th	Arrived Scapa with DASHER
	25th-28th	Scapa
41. HMS WHEATLAND
	1st-28th	Detached with Inshore Squadron, Western Mediterranean
42. HMS LAMERTON
	1st-28th	Detached with Inshore Squadron, Western Mediterranean
43. HMS BLANKNEY
	1st	Left Scapa with MIDDLETON and VIVACIOUS for Seidisfiord for escort of R A 52 to United Kingdom
	3rd	Arrived Seidisfiord
	4th	Left Seidisfiord with MIDDLETON and VIVACIOUS
	5th	Joined R A 52 for escort to Loch Ewe
	8th	Detached from convoy to Scapa
	9th	Arrived Scapa
	12th	Left Scapa with LEDBURY for Loch Ewe for oiling trials
	13th	Arrived Loch Ewe, trials cancelled owing to weather
	14th	Left Loch Ewe for Scapa, arriving p.m.
	16th	Left Scapa with screen of DASHER for Seidisfiord
	18th	Arrived Seidisfiord with LEDBURY
	19th	Left Seidisfiord for Hvalfiord for weather damage repairs
	20th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	21st	Left Hvalfiord on completion of repairs for Akureyri
	22nd	Arrived Akureyri, sailing p.m. with screen of DASHER for Scapa
	25th	Arrived Scapa with DASHER
	25th-28th	Scapa
44. HMS WILTON
	1st-28th	Detached with Inshore Squadron, Western Mediterranean
45. HMS BRECON
	1st-28th	Southampton for repairs and boiler cleaning
46. HMS BRISSENDEN
	26th	Arrived Scapa from Portsmouth to join the Home Fleet
	26th-28th	Scapa
Eighth Destroyer Flotilla
47. HMS FAULKNOR (Captain (D), Eighth Destroyer Flotilla
	1st-16th	Scapa
	16th	Left Scapa with five destroyers for Seidisfiord
	19th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	20th	Left Seidisfiord with six destroyers joining J W 53 p.m.
	27th	Arrived Kola Inlet with J W 53
48. HMS FURY
	1st-7th	Scapa
	7th	Left Scapa with screen of HOWE, BERWICK, and KENT for Hvalfiord
	9th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	15th	Left Hvalfiord with screen of HOWE for Akureyri
	16th	Arrived Akureyri, sailing p.m. for Seidisfiord
	17th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	18th	Left Seidisfiord with four destroyers and joined SCYLLA and DASHER for escort to Akureyri
	20th	Arrived Akureyri, sailing p.m. with SCYLLA and four destroyers to join J W 53
	21st	Joined J W 53
	27th	Arrived Kola Inlet with J W 53
49. HMS FORESTER
	1st-2nd	At Sea, escorting R A 52
	3rd	Detached from convoy to Seidisfiord
	4th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	6th	Left Seidisfiord for Scapa
	7th	Arrived Scapa, sailing p.m. for Rosyth for boiler cleaning
	8th	Arrived Rosyth, taken in hand
	15th	Left Rosyth on completion for Scapa
	16th	Arrived Scapa
	18th	Left Scapa with screen of KING GEORGE V and NORFOLK for Akureyri
	20th	Arrived Akureyri
	20th-28th	Akureyri
50. HMS ECLIPSE
	1st-7th	Scapa
	7th	Left Scapa with screen of HOWE, BERWICK, and KENT for Hvalfiord
	9th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	15th	Left Hvalfiord with screen of HOWE for Akureyri
	16th	Arrived Akureyri, sailing p.m. for Seidisfiord
	17th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	18th	Left Seidisfiord with four destroyers and joined SCYLLA and DASHER for escort to Akureyri
	20th	Arrived Akureyri, sailing p.m. with SCYLLA and four destroyers to join J W 53
	21st	Joined J W 53
	27th	Arrived Kola Inlet with J W 53
51. HMS ECHO
	1st-28th	Humber, refitting
52. HMS INTREPID
	1st-7th	Scapa
	7th	Left Scapa with screen of HOWE, BERWICK, and KENT for Hvalfiord
	9th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	15th	Left Hvalfiord with screen of HOWE for Akureyri
	16th	Arrived Akureyri, sailing p.m. for Seidisfiord
	17th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	18th	Left Seidisfiord with four destroyers and joined SCYLLA and DASHER for escort to Akureyri
	20th	Arrived Akureyri, sailing p.m. with SCYLLA and four destroyers to join J W 53
	21st	Joined J W 53