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

 

also South Atlantic, September 1939 to March 1942

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

---

 

This collection only includes the PART I (A) sections.

 

 

 

ADM199/402

 

SOUTH AFRICA WAR DIARY

 

 

JULY 1941

 

Part I (a). Chronological Operations Section

 

Tuesday, 1st July 1941

 

Capetown portion of convoy WS 9 A (EMPRESS OF JAPAN, DURBAN CASTLE, CAPETOWN CASTLE, EASTERN PRINCE, LLANGIBBY CASTLE, EMPIRE WIDGEON arrived Capetown from Freetown 1025GMT. The remainder of convoy continued passage to Durban escorted by BIRMINGHAM.

 

NEBB and KAI left Capetown for Kilindini 0629GMT, speed 7 knots.

 

RANCHI left Durban to patrol to south of Mozambique Channel, 0850GMT. And COLOMBO returned to Durban from patrol 1046GMT.

 

No air operations reported 1st July 1941

 

Wednesday, 2nd July 1941

 

HAWKINS from Mauritius relieved BIRMINGHAM as escort of Durban section of Convoy WS 99A in position 34-51S, 25-16E at 2035GMT.

 

BIRMINGHAM then proceeded to Simonstown

 

Whale catchers SUDEROY I and II arrived Capetown from Halifax 1545GMT.

 

PRIMULA proceeded from Simonstown to Capetown.

 

DUNEDIN intercepted Vichy French ship D'ENTRECASTEAUX in position 1025S, 17-24W and sent her to Walvis Bay under armed guard.

 

Hospital ship DORSETSHIRE left Durban for Kilindini 1510GMT.

 

SPRINGDALE and SPRINGTIDE left Freetown for Simonstown 1849GMT.

 

LUMINARY and FOREMOST left Port Harcourt for Walvis Bay a.m.

 

No air operations reported 2nd July 1941

 

Thursday, 3rd July 1941

 

BIRMINGHAM arrived Simonstown 0730GMT.

 

PRETORIA CASTLE escorting Vichy French ship DESIRADE arrived Capetown 0950GMT. PRETORIA CASTLE then proceeded to Simonstown.

 

DESIRADE was requisitioned by Union authorities without incident 1315GMT.

 

CORNWALL rendezvoused with NIEUW AMSTERDAM in position 2-30N, 53-50E prior to escorting her to Durban.

 

Hospital ship LLANDOVERY CASTLE arrived Durban from Aden 1012GMT.

 

No air operations reported 3rd July 1941

 

Friday, 4th July 1941

 

HAWKINS escorting Durban portion of convoy WS 9 A (FRANCONIA, HIGHLAND BRIGADE, MOOLTAN, ORBITA, SAMARIA, BERGENSFJORD, CHRISTIAAN HUYGENS, AAGTEKERK, EMPIRE CONDOR, EMPIRE CURLEW, EMPIRE EGRET) arrived Durban from Freetown 1015GMT.

 

COLOMBO left Durban escorting S.S. SIBAJAK to rendezvous with MAURITIUS in about 50E 1945GMT.

 

Air Operations

 

Owing to the sudden withdrawal of the experienced pilots and air gunners at Capetown, Durban, and Port Elizabeth, all patrols had to be stopped while reorganisation took place.

 

Saturday, 5th July 1941

 

BIRMINGHAM left Simonstown 1357GMT and rendezvoused with Capetown portion of convoy WS 9 A (EMPRESS OF JAPAN, DURBAN CASTLE, CAPETOWN CASTLE, LLANGIBBY CASTLE, EASTERN PRINCE, EMPIRE WIDGEON) who left Capetown 1145GMT and proceeded for position of rendezvous with Durban portion of convoy.

 

Weak raider signal heard from unknown ship in position 1-18S, 30W.

 

Air Operations

 

Durban – a screening search was instituted at dawn and dusk by one Anson aircraft, as a daily routine to take the place of former patrols.

 

Tracks and distances flown are:

Dawn 070 degrees 40 miles	Dusk 070 degrees 50 miles
156 degrees 60 miles	180 degrees 50 miles
272 degrees 60 miles	250 degrees 50 miles
360 degrees 40 miles	360 degrees 50 miles
Total 200 miles	total 200 miles

Monday, 7th July 1941

 

CORNWALL escorting NIEUW AMSTERDAM with H.M. King of Greece on board arrived Durban from Suez 0721GMT.

 

D/F bearings gave slight indications suggesting enemy surface unit within 60 miles of line joining 25S, 18-30W and 30S, 20W

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – one patrol in the forenoon and one patrol in the later afternoon was started to the west and to the southeast on the tracks detailed previously/

 

Port Elizabeth – patrols were again started for daily routine, tracks as previously detailed.

 

Tuesday, 8th July 1941

 

HAWKINS escorting reconstituted Durban portion of convoy WS 9 A (AAGTEKERK, ARONDA, EMPIRE CONDOR, EMPIRE CURLEW, EMPIRE EGRET, THYSVILLE) left Durban 1416GMT to rendezvous with BIRMINGHAM and Capetown portion of convoy.

 

Hospital ship AMRA arrived Durban from Mombasa.

 

No air operations reported on 8th July 1941

 

Wednesday, 9th July 1941

 

BIRMINGHAM and HAWKINS with two sections of convoy WS 9 A rendezvoused at 0500GMT in position 29-30S, 33-40E. HAWKINS then proceeded with convoy for Aden and BIRMINGHAM returned to Simonstown.

 

ORION arrived Durban from Mombasa 0720GMT.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – patrolled aircraft was asked to intercept and identify large ship reported passed from west to east within 5 miles of Agulhas. Anson aircraft identified this as S.S. MEROE.

 

Thursday, 10th July 1941

 

PRETORIA CASTLE proceeded from Simonstown to Capetown arriving 1055GMT.

 

H.T. STRAITHAIRD arrived Simonstown for docking a.m.

 

CARTHAGE arrived Durban from Mombasa 1113GMT.

 

Hospital ship LLANDOVERY CASTLE left Durban for East London.

 

No air operations reported on 10th July 1941

 

Friday, 11th July 1941

 

DRAGON arrived Simonstown from Pointe Noire 0932GMT.

 

BIRMINGHAM arrived Simonstown from vicinity of Durban at 0900GMT for self refit and docking.

 

PRETORIA CASTLE escorting H.T. EMPRESS OF AUSTRALIA left Capetown for Freetown 0640GMT, speed 17 knots.

 

CORNWALL escorting Convoy WS 9 A 2 (MAURETANIA, ILE DE FRANCE, NIEUW AMSTERDAM left Durban for Aden 1600GMT, speed 20.5 knots.

 

Hospital ship LLANDOVERY CASTLE arrived East London from Durban for repairs.

 

Air Operations

 

Durban – dawn and dusk searches to seaward as outlined previously

 

Port Elizabeth – daily patrols as previously outlined.

 

Capetown – on patrol in each direction daily.

 

Saturday, 12th July 1941

 

ORION left Durban for Simonstown 0630GMT, speed 19 knots.

 

H.T. STRATHAIRD undocked Simonstown and BIRMINGHAM docked.

 

Vichy French ship D'ENTRECASTEAUX with armed guard from DUNEDIN arrived Walvis Bay 1245GMT.

 

Air Operations

 

Port Elizabeth – deep sea patrols during daylight to intercept and report position of Vichy French ship CHENONCEAUX.

 

Sunday, 13th August 1941

 

JANUS arrived Durban from Mombasa 1055GMT.

 

RANCHI arrived Durban from patrol to south of Mozambique Channel.

 

LUMINARY and FOREMOST arrived Walvis Bay from Port Harcourt 0952GMT.

 

CARTHAGE left Durban to patrol to south of Mozambique Channel a.m.

 

M.V. HANNINGTON COURT caught fire in approximate position 3-30S, 16-30E and had to be abandoned. Ship was taken in tow by S.S. BURDWAN who picked up all survivors, but two subsequently parted.

 

Vichy French ship D'ENTRECASTEAUX left Walvis Bay for Capetown 0840GMT.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – deep sea patrols left at 0700 and 0900 to intercept Vichy French ship CHENONCEAUX; 1100 Anson aircraft was sent to report position and condition of HANNINGTON COURT 92 miles west of Capetown reported on fire.

 

Aircraft kept in touch with this ship during daylight.

 

Monday, 14th July 1941

 

DIDO left Durban for Simonstown 0541GMT.

 

ORION arrived Simonstown from Durban 0730GMT for docking.

 

DRAGON left Simonstown for Port Elizabeth 0617GMT, speed 15 knots.

 

M.V. HANNINGTON COURT still burning, was driven to southeastward by strong winds throughout the day. Admiralty tug ST DOGMAEL arrived in vicinity of ship.

 

Air Operations

 

Durban – normal patrols to north and south twice daily were resumed.

 

Port Elizabeth – normal patrols resumed.

 

Capetown – aircraft reported position of HANNINGTON COURT now a danger to navigation abandoned and burning fiercely during forenoon and in the late afternoon.

 

No air operations reported on 14th June 1941

 

Tuesday, 15th July 1941

 

A.S.I.S. PHILOMEL arrived Simonstown from Falkland Islands 1000GMT.

 

LUMINARY and FOREMOST left Walvis Bay for Capetown 0730GMT.

 

DRAGON arrived Port Elizabeth from Simonstown 1158GMT.

 

Admiralty tug ST DOGMAEL proceeded in taking M.V. HANNINGTON COURT which continued to burn, in tow at 0840GMT, but the tow had to be abandoned at 1930GMT owing to weather conditions.

 

Portuguese sloop GONCALO VELHI left Luanda for Portuguese Guinea.

 

U.S.A. Ship CRANFORD reported suspected floating mine in position 20-15S, 4-19W.

 

Air Operations

 

HANNINGTON COURT reported at 1620B in position 232 degrees Robben Island, 63 miles.

 

Wednesday, 16th July 1941

 

JANUS left Durban for Simonstown 0845GMT

 

DIDO arrived Simonstown from Durban 0803GMT for docking.

 

PRIMULA left Capetown for Durban 1420GMT

 

GALATEA escorting convoy SW 9 B (TAMAROA, PULASKI, ATHLONE CASTLE, CLAN FORBES, MATAROA, RANGITATA, CERAMIC, ORONSAY, MONARCH OF BERMUDA, ARUNDEL CASTLE, PAMPAS, ELIZABETH BAKKE) left Freetown for South African ports 1300GMT, speed 11.5 knots.

 

M.V. HANNINGTON COURT continued to drift to southeastward, still burning.

 

Air Operations

 

HANNINGTON COURT's position at 0839GMT was 34-33S, 17-43E and at 1459B 213 degrees Green Point 50 miles.

 

Thursday, 17th July 1941

 

SPRINGDALE and SPRINGTIDE, deperming ships, arrived Simonstown from Freetown 0958GMT.

 

DRAGON left Port Elizabeth 1945GMT to proceed to assistance of M.V. HANNINGTON COURT who continued to burn and to drift to southeastward.

 

Vichy French ship D'ENTRECASTEAUX arrived Capetown from Walvis Bay.

 

Hospital ship DORSETSHIRE arrived Durban from Kilindini.

 

Air Operations

 

HANNINGTON COURT reported in position at 0900B 192 degrees Cape Point 33 miles and at 1550B 174 degrees Cape Point 44 miles, still burning in all holds.

 

Friday, 18th July 1941

 

EXETER arrived Durban from Mombasa 0629GMT.

 

JANUS arrived Simonstown from Durban 0930GMT for docking and repair to damage sustained in action.

 

SPRINGDALE proceeded from Simonstown to Capetown to out deperming duties.

 

Norwegian whale catchers POL II, POL IV, POL V, GLOBE V, GLOBE VI, GLOBE VII left Lagos for Capetown, speed 9 knots.

 

Tug MCEWAN from Capetown succeeded in taking the still burning hulk of M.V. MANNINGTON COURT in tow at 1910GMT, but the tow parted at 2245GMT.

 

Vichy French ship D'ENTRECASTEAUX with armed guard from DUNEDIN left Capetown for East London 1650GMT.

 

Portuguese sloop CARVALHO ARAUJO arrived Luanda.

 

Air Operations

 

At Durban and Port Elizabeth routine patrols were carried out as laid down previously, during the week.

 

At Capetown Anson aircraft reported the position of HANNINGTON COURT at 0845B as 170 degrees Cape Hangklip 33 miles.

 

No air operations reported for 18th July 1941

 

Saturday, 19th July 1941

 

DRAGON arrived in vicinity of M.V. HANNINGTON COURT from Port Elizabeth at 0816GMT. The fierceness of the fire and the bad weather conditions made boarding impossible. Ship began to break up later so was sunk by gunfire by DRAGON at 1528GMT, in position 34-46.5S, 19-23.7E.

 

Boom defence trawler LUMINARY arrived Capetown from Walvis Bay 1903GMT.

 

DIDO left Simonstown for St Helena 1514GMT, speed 15 knots.

 

PRIMULA arrived Durban from Capetown 0750GMT.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – Anson aircraft reported position of HANNINGTON COURT as 15 miles off Danger Point with DRAGON in vicinity.

 

Durban – patrols were cancelled owing to the prevailing weather conditions.

 

Sunday, 20th July 1941

 

DRAGON arrived Simonstown 0717GMT after sinking hulk of HANNINGTON COURT.

 

LL Whalers GOS II and KOS XII left Freetown for St Helena and Simonstown.

 

Air Operations

 

Durban and Port Elizabeth – routine patrols were maintained. No flying was possible at Capetown owing to weather conditions.

 

Monday, 21st July 1941

 

QUEEN OF BERMUDA arrived Capetown from patrol off Lobito 0643GMT.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – no patrols.

 

Tuesday, 22nd July 1941

 

RANCHI left Durban to patrol to south of Mozambique Channel 1404GMT.

 

EXETER escorting convoy CM 14 (DILWARA, DUNERA, NIEUW HOLLAND, NOVA SCOTIA, LLANDAFF CASTLE, ELIZABETHVILLE, CITY OF CANTERBURY) left Durban for Aden 1330GMT, speed 10 knots.

 

Whaler GOS III left Freetown for St Helena and Simonstown.

 

Vichy French ship D'ENTRECASTEAUX arrived East London p.m.

 

Vichy French ship VILLE DE ROUEN bound for Dakar from Madagascar was intercepted in position 19-32S, 11-12W at 0030GMT by DUNEDIN. Armed guard placed on board and ship proceeded for Capetown.

 

Air Operations

 

Routine patrols from all bases.

 

Wednesday, 23rd July 1941

 

CARTHAGE returned to Durban from patrol 0545GMT.

 

Vichy French ship D'ENTRECASTEAUX requisitioned by Union Authorities at East London without incident.

 

No air operations reported for 23rd July 1941.

 

Thursday, 24th July 1941

 

DIDO arrived St Helena from Simonstown 1000GMT and left for Trinidad 1900GMT.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – 1 Anson aircraft left on west coast patrol to Swakopmund.

 

Routine patrols were carried out.

 

No air operations reported for 24th July.

 

Friday, 25th July 1941

 

M/S Group 166 (SEKSERN, TREERN, GRIBB, IMHOFF) left Port Elizabeth for Durban 0455GMT

 

BIRMINGHAM proceed from Simonstown to Capetown and then for Freetown 1745GMT, speed 23 knots.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – 1 Anson aircraft on West Coast patrol to north of Swakopmund.

 

Durban – during week under review routine patrols were carried out.

 

Port Elizabeth – during week under review, routine patrols carried out.

 

Saturday, 26th July 1941

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – Anson aircraft returned from west coast patrol.

 

Sunday, 27th July 1941

 

M/S Group 166 arrived Durban from Port Elizabeth 0247GMT and H.M.S.A.S. PROTEA left Capetown for Durban 0832GMT, speed 12.5 knots.

 

Whalers KOS XII and GOS II arrived St Helena from Freetown 1400GMT.

 

H.M.S. GALATEA escorting convoy WS 9 B arrived Simonstown 1200GMT, fuelled and proceeded to rejoin Durban portion of convoy at 1600GMT. Capetown portion of convoy RANGITATA, PULASKI, CLAN FORBES, PAMPAS, ELIZABETH BAKKE, CERAMIC) arrived Capetown 1600GMT.

 

Hospital ship DORSETSHIRE left Durban for Aden 1012GMT.

 

Air Operations

 

Port Elizabeth – special search by Anson aircraft to locate Japanese ship BELGIUM MARU.

 

Capetown – A special photographic flight with personnel from Pretoria and a pilot from No. 32 Coastal Flight, Wingfield, crashed at 1150 near Paarl – no survivors.

 

Monday, 28th July 1941

 

Whalers KOS X, KOS XI, GOS VII left Lagos for Walvis Bay 1600GMT.

 

Owing to weather conditions and a flooded aerodrome Wingfield Ansons were immobilized during the period under review.

 

Tuesday, 29th July 1941

 

SPRINGTIDE proceeded from Simonstown to Port Elizabeth, East London, and Durban to carry out deperming duties in each port 0955GMT, speed 9 knots.

 

No air operations reported on 29th July 1941

 

Wednesday, 30th July 1941

 

SPRINGDALE proceeded from Capetown to Simonstown.

 

M/S Group 166 (H.M.S.A.S. SEKSERN, GRIBB, IMHOFF, TREERN) left Durban for Kilindini. 0745GMT, speed 8.5 knots. H.M.S.A.S. arrived 1414GMT.

 

Whaler GOS III arrived St Helena from Freetown 0800GMT.

 

QUEEN OF BERMUDA escorting Capetown portion of convoy WS 9 B (PULASKI, CLAN FORBES, PAMPAS, ELIZABETH BAKKE) left Capetown 1515GMT to rendezvous with GALATEA and Durban portion of same convoy off Durban, 12 knots. GALATEA escorting Durban portion of convoy SW 9 B (MATAROA, TAMAROA, ORONSAY, ARUNDEL CASTLE, MONARCH OF BERMUDA, ATHLONE CASTLE) arrived Durban 0849GMT.

 

CARTHAGE left Durban to patrol south of Mozambique Channel 1414GMT.

 

FORMIDABLE left Aden for Capetown 0409GMT.

 

No air operations reported for 30th July 1941

 

Thursday, 31st July 1941

 

BARHAM left Durban for Kilindini 0624GMT.

 

RANCHI arrived Durban from patrol 0626GMT

 

SPRINGDALE left Simonstown for Durban 0745GMT, speed 8 knots, and SPRINGTIDE arrived Port Elizabeth from Simonstown 0730GMT.

 

Whalers KOS XII, GOS II, GOS III left St Helena for Simonstown 1500GMT.

 

Vichy French ship VILLE DE ROUEN with armed guard from DUNEDIN aboard, arrived Capetown 0200GMT and sailed for East London 0551GMT.

 

BOTLEA arrived Simonstown from Aden 0730.

 

No air operations reported for 31st July 1941

 

 

 

n.b. In this collection are only the PART I (A) sections.

 

 

 

ADM199/402

 

SOUTH AFRICA WAR DIARY

 

AUGUST 1941

 

Part I (a). Chronological Operations Section

 

Friday, 1st August 1941

 

SPRINGTIDE left Port Elizabeth for East London 1530GMT

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – during the period under review the aerodrome at Wingfield became flooded and no flying was possible.

 

Durban and Port Elizabeth – routine patrols were carried out during the week under review with no special operations.

 

Saturday, 2nd August 1941

 

SPRINGTIDE arrived East London from Port Elizabeth 0800GMT.

 

Portuguese sloop CARVALHO ARUAJO arrived Lobito.

 

Sunday, 3rd August 1941

 

GALATEA escorting Durban portion of convoy SW 9 B (ATHLONE CASTLE, ORONSAY, ARUNDEL CASTLE, MONARCH OF BERMUDA, PULASKI ) left Durban 0700GMT to rendezvous at end of searched channel with QUEEN OF BERMUDA and Capetown portion of convoy. GALATEA assumed escort of the convoy for Aden and Bombay and QUEEN OF BERMUDA arrived Durban 0700GMT.

 

ORION left Simonstown for St Helena 1553GMT, speed 19 knots.

 

Vichy French ship VILLE DE ROUEN with armed guard from DUNEDIN on board East London 1030GMT, she was requisitioned by the Union authorities without incident.

 

SPRINGTIDE left East London for Durban 1800GMT.

 

Monday, 4th August 1941

 

H.M. Trawler LORD IRWIN left Port Harcourt for Walvis Bay p.m.

 

Portuguese sloop CARVALHO ARUAJO left Lobito for Mossademes on hydrographic surveys.

 

Hospital ship LLANDOVERY CASTLE left East London for Durban.

 

SPRINGTIDE arrived Durban from East London.

 

Tuesday, 5th August 1941

 

KING GRUFFYD arrived Simonstown from Aden 1024GMT.

 

H.M.S. BALTAVIA proceeded from Capetown to Simonstown.

 

Free French warships VIKINGS left Pointe Noire for Capetown.

 

Hospital ship LLANDOVERY CASTLE arrived Durban from East London 1010GMT.

 

SPRINGDALE arrived Durban from Simonstown.

 

Wednesday, 6th August 1941

 

Whale catcher KOS XII arrived Walvis Bay from St Helena 1308GMT.

 

Boom defence trawler LUMINARY left Capetown for Durban 1630GMT, speed 6.5 knots.

 

Thursday, 7th August 1941

 

ORION arrived St Helena from Simonstown 0900GMT, and sailed for Trinidad 1500GMT.

 

Whale catchers GOS VII, KOS X, and KOS XI arrived Walvis Bay from Lagos 1055GMT.

 

Hospital ship LLANDOVERY CASTLE left Durban for Aden 1038GMT.

 

Friday, 8th August 1941

 

CARTHAGE arrived Durban from patrol and RANCHI proceeded to patrol in Mozambique Channel a.m.

 

FORMIDABLE arrived Capetown 0535GMT from Aden.

 

Norwegian whale catchers GOS XII, KOS IX, KOS X, KOS XII left Walvis Bay for Capetown 1207GMT.

 

Saturday, 9th August 1941

 

CORNWALL arrived Durban 0808GMT.

 

Whale catchers GOS II and GOS III arrived Capetown 0540GMT and H.M.S.A.S. PROTEA left Durban for Kilindini 1552GMT, speed 10 knots.

 

Sunday, 10th August 1941

 

FORMIDABLE left Capetown for Trinidad 0530GMT.

 

Monday, 11th August 1941

 

B.D.V. LUMINARY arrived Port Elizabeth from Capetown 1529GMT.

 

Tuesday, 12th August 1941

 

CORNWALL escorting convoy CM 15 (ILE DE FRANCE, NIEUW AMSTERDAM, MAURETANIA) left Durban for Suez 1600GMT, speed 20.5 knows. CORNWALL as escort as far as Aden.

 

Wednesday, 13th August 1941

 

F.F. Sloop COMMANDANT DUBOC left Durban for Simonstown 1415GMT, speed 14 knots.

 

H.M.S. HAWKINS left Mombasa for Durban 0500GMT, speed 14 knots.

 

Drifting mine reported at 0730GMT in position 29-28S, 32-09E.

 

Thursday, 14th August 1941

 

H.M. trawler LORD IRWIN arrived Walvis Bay 1351GMT from Port Harcourt.

 

KING GRUFFYD left Simonstown 1415GMT for Port Elizabeth to revert to merchant service status.

 

BALTAVIA left Simonstown for Durban 1400, speed 12 knots.

 

F.F. trawler VIKINGS arrived Capetown 1550GMT, from Pointe Noire.

 

Friday, 15th August 1941

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – owing to the aerodrome still being unserviceable no patrols were carried out until the 20th.

 

Durban – during the period under review, the routine patrols were carried out.

 

Port Elizabeth – routine patrols were carried out until 18th.

 

Saturday, 16th August 1941

 

RANCHI arrived Durban from patrol in Mozambique Channel.

 

Norwegian whale catchers GLOBE V, VI, VII and POL IV, VI, II left for Durban from Capetown 1400GMT.

 

F.F. COMMANDANT DUBOC arrived Simonstown from Durban 0644GMT.

 

Sunday, 17th August 1941

 

ALBATROSS proceeded from Simonstown to Capetown and sailed for St Helena 1558GMT.

 

H.M. Trawlers CORDELIA and NORSE left Port Harcourt for Walvis Bay a.m.

 

KING GRUFFYD arrived Port Elizabeth from Simonstown to be reverted to merchant ship status.

 

H.M.A.S. AUSTRALIA instructed by Admiralty to take part in Operation KEDGEREE. Later H.M.S. HAWKINS, A/S vessels from Seaward Defence Force stationed at Capetown, Durban, and Glen Martin aircraft belonging to the S.A.A.F. also took part.

 

CARTHAGE left Durban 0806GMT for patrol in Mozambique Channel

 

Monday, 18th August 1941

 

H.M.A.S. AUSTRALIA arrived Durban 1435GMT and HAWKINS arrived 2108GMT, the former sailed on completion of fuelling to take part in operation KEDGEREE; H.M.S.A.S. BLAAUWBERG, CEDERBERG, and SYDOSLANDET sailed from Capetown 1700GMT and SOUTHERN BARRIER and ODBERG from Durban 1600GMT for the same purpose.

 

H.M.S.A.S. PROTEA arrived Mombasa from Durban 0945GMT.

 

F.F. Sloop COMMANDANT DUBOC left Simonstown for Pointe Noire 1110GMT.

 

U.S.A. PRESIDENT FILLMORE in position 30-00S, 12-35E sighted suspicious ship and U.S.A. COLORADAN saw three white rockets in position 12-10S, 24-58W at 2140GMT.

 

Air Operations

 

Port Elizabeth – deep sea patrols to 200 miles south of Cape Receiffe were commenced by Anson aircraft during daylight and continued to four days to endeavour to intercept and report the position of a Vichy French Convoy passing from east to west.

 

Tuesday, 19th August 1941

 

HAWKINS left Durban 0814GMT to take part in Operation KEDGEREE

 

Air Operations

 

Port Elizabeth – owing to low cloud and bad visibility, deep sea patrols were cancelled.

 

1 Maryland arrived for deep sea reconnaissance, but overran the aerodrome and crashed in a ditch.

 

Wednesday, 20th August 1941

 

SPRINGTIDE and SPRINGDALE left Durban 0644GMT for Kilindini, speed 9 knots.

 

Norwegian whale catchers GLOBE VI, VI, VII and POL II, IV, VI arrived Durban from Capetown a.m.

 

D/F bearings indicated possibility of an enemy surface unit being within 150 miles of position 25-00S, 7-00E at 0037GMT.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – routine patrols were started again after a period of 22 days owing to the waterlogged condition of the aerodrome.

 

Port Elizabeth – 3 Marylands arrived. 2 carried out a search to a depth of 360 miles on a course 168 degrees from Cape Receiffe. Negative report.

 

Thursday, 21st August 1941

 

ALBATROSS arrived St Helena from Capetown 1600GMT.

 

QUEEN OF BERMUDA escorting convoy CF 2 (DURBAN CASTLE, DUCHESS OF BEDFORD, NIEUW ZEELAND, SELANDIA) left Durban for Capetown 1630GMT, speed 14 knots.

 

EDINBURGH escorting convoy WS 10 (BRITANNIC, INDRAPOERA, REINA DE PACIFICO, STIRLING CASTLE, STRATHALLAN, VOLEMDAM, WINDSOR CASTLE, NIGERSTROOM, PHEMIUS, ORCADES, ANDES, CAMERONIA, HIGHLAND MONARCH, NEA HELLAS, RANGITIKI, DIOMEDE, INDIAN PRINCE, MANCHESTER PORT) left Freetown for Cape ports 1600GMT, speed 12 knots.

 

Air Operations

 

Port Elizabeth – 2 Marylands carried out a search to 400 miles on a course 168 degrees from Cape Receiffe. Negative report.

 

Friday, 22nd August 1941

 

During Operation KEDGEREE, H.M.S.A.S. BLAAUWBERG sighted two Vichy French merchant ships and one sloop, course east, at 1530GMT, but later lost contact owing to poor visibility.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – the routine patrols were cancelled and deep sea patrols by Anson aircraft to a depth of 180 miles south of Cape Agulhas were started to try to intercept and report position of Vichy French convoy.

 

Durban – routine patrols by Anson aircraft were carried out during the period under review.

 

Port Elizabeth – 3 Marylands flew to Capetown carrying out a search to a depth of 350 miles en route. Negative report.

 

Saturday, 23rd August 1941

 

B.D.V. LUMINARY left Port Elizabeth for Durban 1350GMT.

 

Hospital ship ABA arrived Durban from Aden 0721GMT.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown - 2 Marylands carried out a search to a depth of 490 miles from Cape Point on a course of 160 degrees – poor conditions at depth with visibility of two miles and low cloud. Negative report.

 

Port Elizabeth – deep sea patrols were discontinued and routine patrols were commenced by the Anson Flight.

 

Sunday, 24th August 1941

 

Whale catchers GOS II and GOS III left Capetown for Durban 0830GMT, speed 8 knots.

 

QUEEN OF BERMUDA escorting convoy CF 2 (DURBAN CASTLE, DUCHESS OF BEDFORD, NIEUW ZEELAND, SOBIESKI) arrived Capetown from Durban 0624GMT.

 

PRIMULA left Durban for Kilindini, 1404GMT, speed 13 knots.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – owing to ground fog over the aerodrome, the Maryland aircraft were unable to carry out any search. Only one Anson carried out a deep sea patrol to south of Cape Agulhas.

 

Monday, 25th August 1941

 

Operation KEDGEREE was abandoned when searching force reached 15 degrees E at 1700GMT.

 

Drifting mine reported in position 31-30S, 12-00E.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – 2 Marylands flew to a maximum depth on a course of 200 degrees from Cape Point for a distance of 600 miles. For the last 150 miles, conditions were bad with cloud down to the sea and visibility of ½ mile. The report was gain negative and the search for the 5 Vichy French merchant ships was abandoned. No Anson aircraft were able to carry out the deep sea patrols owing to there being no pilots available.

 

Port Elizabeth – owing to low cloud on the aerodrome the routine patrols were not carried out.

 

Tuesday, 26th August 1941

 

CARTHAGE returned to Durban from Mozambique Channel patrol 0539GMT. And B.D.V. LUMINARY arrived from Port Elizabeth p.m.

 

HAWKINS arrived Simonstown from Operation KEDGEREE 0739GMT.

 

QUEEN OF BERMUDA escorting convoy CF 2 (DURBAN CASTLE – with H.M. King of the Hellenes on board – DUCHESS OF BEDFORD, NIEUW ZEELAND, SOBIESKI) left Capetown 1400GMT for rendezvous with CILICIA in position 15-20S, 5-10W, speed 14.5 knots.

 

JUPITER arrived St Helena 0900GMT from Freetown and departed for Simonstown 1700GMT.

 

Wednesday, 27th August 1941

 

H.M. trawlers CORDELIA and NORSE arrived Walvis Bay from Port Harcourt 1310GMT.

 

R.F.A. IMBER proceeded from Simonstown to Capetown.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – Anson Flight resumed normal routine patrols.

 

Thursday, 28th August 1941

 

H.M.A.S. AUSTRALIA arrived Durban from Operation KEDGEREE 0942GMT.

 

BALTAVIA left Durban for Simonstown 1300GMT, speed 11 knots.

 

B.D.V. LUMINARY left Durban for Beira, speed 5 knots.

 

Whale catchers GOS II and GOSS III arrived Durban from Capetown 0942GMT

 

Friday, 29th August 1941

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – one Anson aircraft left to carry out the routine west coast patrol landing at Swakopmund.

 

Durban – routine patrols were carried out during the period under review.

 

Port Elizabeth – routine patrols were carried out when weather allowed this.

 

Saturday, 30th August 1941

 

JUPITER arrived Simonstown from St Helena 0730GMT.

 

AVON VALE and ERIDGE arrived St Helena from Freetown 0800GMT.

 

Sunday, 31st August 1941

 

AVON VALE and ERIDGE left St Helena for Simonstown 0500GMT.

 

QUEEN OF BERMUDA escorting convoy CF 2 (DURBAN CASTLE – with H.M. King of the Hellenes on board- ,DUCHESS OF BEDFORD, NIEUW ZEELAND, SOBIESKI) rendezvoused with CILICIA in position 15-20S, 5-10W. QUEEN of BERMUDA escorting DURBAN CASTLE then proceeded for Trinidad 18 knots and CILICIA escorting the remainder of the convoy proceeded for Lagos, 14.5 knots.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – routine patrols had to be recalled owing to severe icing conditions prevailing at 1100B and the weather detiorating rapidly.

 

 

 

n.b. In this collection are only the PART I (A) sections.

 

 

 

ADM199/402

 

SOUTH AFRICA WAR DIARY

 

SEPTEMBER 1941

 

Part I (a). Chronological Operations Section

 

 

 

Monday, 1st September 1941

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – the Anson returned from the West Coast patrol after having had to spend 24 hours at Alexander Bay awaiting suitable weather to return to the Cape.

 

Tuesday, 2nd September 1941

 

AUSTRALIA left Durban 1402GMT on patrol.

 

Capetown portion of Convoy WS 10 (BRITANNIC, INDRAPOERA, REINA DEL PACIFICO, STIRLING CASTLE, STRATHALLAN, VOLENDAM, WINDSOR CASTLE, NIGERSTROOM, PHEMIUS) arrived Capetown from Freetown 0800GMT. HAWKINS left Simonstown 0617GMT to relieve EDINBURGH as escort of Durban portion of convoy. EDINBURGH arrived Simonstown 1135GMT.

 

BALTAVIA arrived Simonstown from Durban 0921GMT and JUPITER left Simonstown for Durban 1745GMT, speed 20 knots.

 

B.D.V. LUMINARY arrived Beira from Durban p.m.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – due to the very severe rains, the aerodrome again became unserviceable and the Anson flight was immobilized.

 

Wednesday, 3rd September 1941

 

CARNARVON CASTLE arrived Capetown from River Plate area 1500GMT.

 

B.D.V. LUMINARY left Beira for Kilindini p.m.

 

EXETER arrived Durban 0612GMT.

 

Air Operations

 

Port Elizabeth – patrols cancelled owing to weather conditions.

 

Thursday, 4th September 1941

 

Whale catchers GOS II and GOS III left Durban for Kilindini 1142GMT, speed 9 knots.

 

South African aircraft sighted periscope in position 13-30S, 12-30E at 0810GMT.

 

Air Operations

 

Port Elizabeth – patrols cancelled owing to weather conditions.

 

Friday, 5th September 1941

 

CARTHAGE left Durban to give close cover to S.S. CITY OF CANTERBURY on passage to Durban from Mombasa 0410GMT.

 

HAWKINS escorting Durban portion of convoy WS 10 (ORCADES, ANDES, CAMERONIA, HIGHLAND MONARCH, NEA HELLAS, RANGITIKI, DIOMED, INDIAN PRINCE, MANCHESTER PORT) arrived Durban 0704GMT.

 

JUPITER arrived Durban from Simonstown 0440GMT and AVON VALE and ERIDGE arrived Simonstown from St Helena 0620GMT.

 

Hospital ship TAIREA arrived Durban from Capetown.

 

Drifting mine reported in position 12-09S, 13-39E.

 

Saturday, 6th September 1941

 

CARNARVON CASTLE escorting Capetown portion of Convoy WS 10 (BRITANNIC, STIRLING CASTLE, WINDSOR CASTLE, VOLEMDAM, INDRAPOERA, STRATHALLAN, NIGERSTROOM, PHEMIUS) left Capetown 0940GMT to rendezvous with HAWKINS off Durban.

 

H.M. trawlers CORDELIA, NORSE, and LORD IRWIN left Walvis Bay for Capetown 0805GMT and whale catchers GOS VII and KOS XII left Capetown for Durban 1011GMT, speed 8 knots.

 

Sunday, 7th September 1941

 

AUSTRALIA arrived Durban from patrol 1643GMT.

 

Monday, 8th September 1941

 

CUMBRAE left Lagos for Walvis Bay 1900GMT.

 

BRITANNIC detached from Convoy WS 10 to proceed Durban and embark passengers ex CAMERONIA.

 

AUSTRALIA escorting convoy CM 18 (MAURETANIA and NIEUW AMSTERDAM) left Durban 1300GMT, for Aden and Suez, speed 20.5 knots.

 

Tuesday, 9th September 1941

 

CARNARVON CASTLE escorting Capetown portion of convoy WS 10 rendezvoused in position 30-25S, 31-40E with HAWKINS, and ARONDA and BRITANNIC. CARNARVON CASTLE with VOLENDAM, INDRAPOERA, PHEMIUS, NIGERSTROOM, then entered Durban, arriving 1628GMT. HAWKINS escorted WS 10 B (STIRLING CASTLE, WINDSOR CASTLE, BRITANNIC, ARONDA, STRATHALLAN) proceeded for India, speed 15 knots.

 

Wednesday, 10th September 1941

 

H.M. Trawlers CORDELIA, NORSE, and LORD IRWIN arrived Capetown from Walvis Bay 1240GMT.

 

Thursday, 11th September 1941

 

Whale Catchers GOS VII and KOS XII arrived Durban from Capetown 0603GMT.

 

EDINBURGH left Simonstown for Freetown, 1525GMT, speed 25 knots.

 

REVENGE escorting convoy WS 10 X (STRATHMORE, PALMA, BRISBANE STAR, STRATHMORE, ORION, PORT JACKSON) arrived Capetown from Freetown 1325GMT.

 

EXETER escorting convoy CM 17 (RANGITIKI, DUNERA, NEA HELLAS, DIOMED, INDIAN PRINCE, NIGERSTROOM, VOLENDAM, INDRAPOERA, MANCHESTER PORT, PHEMIUS) left Durban for Suez, speed 12.5 knots. DIOMED to proceed independently for Basra from vicinity of Socotra.

 

Friday, 12th September 1941

 

JUPITER left Durban for Kilindini 1522GMT, speed 17 knots.

 

AVON VALE and ERIDGE left Simonstown for Durban 1542GMT, speed 12 knots.

 

Unidentified submarine sighted between Ponta dos Salinas and Bais dos Elefantes.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown, Durban, Port Elizabeth – patrols were carried out daily in accordance with the instructions previously laid down, during the period under review.

 

Sunday, 14th September 1941

 

CARTHAGE arrived Durban from patrol and AVON VALE and ERIDGE arrived Durban from Simonstown 1631GMT.

 

BALTA left Freetown for Simonstown 1900GMT.

 

REVENGE escorting convoy WS 10 X (ORION, STRATHMORE, STRATHNAVER, BRISBANE STAR, PORT JACKSON, PALMA) left Capetown for Aden 1240GMT, speed 13 knots.

 

GUARDIAN left Freetown for Simonstown 1900GMT.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – patrols had to be cancelled owing to the weather conditions.

 

Monday, 15th September 1941

 

AVON VALE and ERIDGE left Durban for Kilindini 0516GMT, speed 14 knots.

 

BALTAVIA left Simonstown 0515GMT and arrived at Capetown 1430GMT.

 

CARNARVON CASTLE escorting CAMERONIA left Durban 0620GMT for Capetown.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – the aerodrome became unserviceable again through flooding and patrols were cancelled.

 

Tuesday, 16th September 1941

 

PRETORIA CASTLE arrived Capetown from patrol 1653GMT.

 

CUMBRAE arrived Walvis Bay from Lagos 2102GMT.

 

H.N.M.S. EGELAND and JOHN WILLIAMSON left Durban for Lourenco Marques.

 

Wednesday, 17th September 1941

 

H.N.M.S. TRANSVALIA and NOBLE NORA left Durban for Beira 0807GMT, speed 8 knots.

 

Thursday, 18th September 1941

 

CUMBRAE left Walvis Bay for Capetown 1203GMT.

 

CARNARVON CASTLE escorting CAMERONIA arrived Capetown 1256GMT and then proceeded to Simonstown, arriving 1640GMT.

 

BULOLO arrived Capetown from patrol 1615GMT.

 

Portuguese sloop CARVALHO ARAUJO arrived Lobito.

 

CARTHAGE left Durban for Rodriguez 1152GMT.

 

REPULSE and DERBYSHIRE escorting convoy WS 11 (LARGS BAY, GLAUCUS, VICEROY OF INDIA, DUCHESS OF YORK, ORONTES, NIEUW ZEELAND, KINA II, CITY OF EDINBURGH, GLENORCHY, CITY OF MANCHESTER, BHUTAN, MOOLTAN, EMPRESS OF AUSTRALIA, SCYTHIA, OTRANTO, BARRISTER, MANCHESTER PROGRESS) left Freetown, 1500GMT for Cape ports, speed 12 knots.

 

Friday, 19th September 1941

 

H.N.M.S. JOHN WILLIAMSON and EGELAND arrived Lourenco Marques from Durban a.m.; the former left Lourenco Marques for Beira, p.m.; the latter remained to carry out repairs.

 

Air Operations

 

Durban – patrols were carried out during the period under review.

 

Port Elizabeth – patrols were carried out.

 

Saturday, 20th September 1941

 

CARNARVON CASTLE left Simonstown for Capetown 1530GMT, and BULOLO left Capetown 0200GMT and arrived Simonstown 1210GMT.

 

Air Operations

 

Port Elizabeth – no patrols were possible owing to unfavourable weather.

 

Sunday, 21st September 1941

 

PRETORIA CASTLE escorting CAMERONIA left Capetown fro Freetown 0721GMT, speed 14 knots. ORONSAY subsequently left Capetown to overtake and join up with this convoy.

 

H.M.S. GOS VII and KOS XII left Durban for Kilindini 1209GMT, speed 8 knots.

 

H.N.M.S. TRANSVALIA and NOBLE NORA arrived Beira from Lourenco Marques.

 

CARNARVON CASTLE arrived Capetown from Simonstown 0320GMT.

 

Air Operations

 

Port Elizabeth – routine patrols were carried out.

 

Monday, 22nd September 1941

 

H.N.M.S. JOHN WILLIAMSON arrived Beira from Lourenco Marques a.m. and sailed for Lindi p.m. with H.N.M.S. TRANSVALIA and NOBLE NORA.

 

CUMBRAE arrived Capetown from Walvis Bay 1820GMT.

 

BALTAVIA left Capetown for Falkland Islands 1650GMT, speed 10 knots.

 

Tuesday, 23rd September 1941

 

CERES relieved REVENGE as escort to convoy WS 10 X in position 5-05S, 42-20E at 0430GMT. REVENGE then proceeded to Mombasa.

 

ENCOUNTER arrived St Helena from Freetown 0700GMT and sailed for Simonstown 1600GMT.

 

SUTLEJ arrived St Helena from Freetown 0700GMT, and sailed for Simonstown 1600GMT.

 

Portuguese sloop CARVALHO ARAUJO left Lobito southbound a.m.

 

Air Operations

 

Port Elizabeth – owing to unfavourable weather, patrols had to be cancelled.

 

Capetown – one Anson was able to fly off, light, for Wynberg where the West Coast patrol left for Luderitz with Colonel Ross, Director of the Air Force.

 

Wednesday, 24th September 1941

 

REVENGE escorting SELANDIA left Mombasa for Durban.

 

GUARDIAN arrived Simonstown from Freetown 1100GMT

 

REPULSE escorting Convoy WS 11 arrived St Helena to fuel 0700GMT and proceeded to rejoin the convoy.

 

AUSTRALIA escorting convoy SW 9 (MAURETANIA, NIEUW AMSTERDAM) left Aden for Durban 0700GMT, speed 20 knots.

 

D/F bearings indicated probable German U Boat as within 150 miles of 1-30S, 31W at 2135GMT.

 

Thursday, 25th September 1941

 

H.N.M.S. EGELAND left Lourenco Marques for Lindi a.m.

 

Hospital ship AMRA arrived Durban

 

D/F bearings suggested presence of a U boat within 150 miles of 5S, 28W at 2336GMT.

 

Friday, 26th September 1941

 

Hospital ship LLANDOVERY CASTLE arrived Durban from Aden 0748GMT.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – Anson aircraft returned from West Coast patrol.

 

At Capetown, Durban, and Port Elizabeth during the period until p.m. 2nd October, routine patrols were carried out in accordance with tracks laid out.

 

No afloat or air operations listed for 27th September 1941

 

Sunday, 28th September 1941

 

H.M.S. REVENGE escorting SELANDIA, arrived Durban from Mombasa 1011GMT.

 

H.M.S. BULOLO left Simonstown for Tristan da Cunha and Nightingale Island 2116GMT.

 

H.M.S. ENCOUNTER arrived Simonstown 0849GMT from St Helena.

 

H.M.S. KOS I and KOS XI left Capetown for Durban 1102GMT.

 

R.F.A. OLCADES arrived Durban from Mauritius 1505GMT.

 

Consul General Loanda passed report of a submarine without lights 12 to 15 miles from Lobito.

 

Air Operations

 

Port Elizabeth 0 bad weather was the cause for cancelling patrols.

 

Monday, 29th September 1941

 

H.M.I.S. SUTLEJ arrived Simonstown from St Helena 0546GMT.

 

Air Patrols

 

Port Elizabeth – bad weather was the cause of cancelling the routine Anson patrols.

 

Tuesday, 30th September 1941

 

H.M.S. DERBYSHIRE escorting Capetown portion of convoy WS 11 (DUCHESS OF YORK, CITY OF MANCHESTER, NIEUW ZEELAND, CITY OF EDINBURGH, KINA II, LARGS BAY, VICEROY OF INDIA, ORONTES, GLAUCUS, BHUTAN, GLENORCHY) arrived Capetown 0639GMT from Freetown.

 

H.M.I.S. SUTLEJ left Simonstown for Capetown to range and East London 0010GMT, speed 13.5 knots.

 

 

 

n.b. In this collection are only the PART I (A) sections.

 

 

 

ADM199/402

 

SOUTH AFRICA WAR DIARY

 

OCTOBER 1941

 

Part I (a). Chronological Operations Section

 

 

 

Wednesday, 1st October 1941

 

H.M.A.S. AUSTRALIA escorting convoy SW 9 (MAURETANIA, and NIEUW AMSTERDAM) arrived Durban from Aden 0624GM.

 

H.M.S. ENCOUNTER left Simonstown for Durban 0800GMT, speed 18 knots.

 

H.M.S. KOS XII and GOS VII arrived Mombasa from Durban 0740GMT and R.N.N. Whalers TRANSVALIA, NOBLE NORA, JOHN WILLIAMSON arrived 0432GMT.

 

H.M. Trawlers CORDELIA and NORSE left Capetown for Durban 1330GMT, speed 8 knots.

 

Thursday, 2nd October 1941

 

H.M.I.S. SUTLEJ arrived East London from Simonstown 0845GMT.

 

H.M.S. KOS X and KOS XI arrived Durban from Capetown 0518GMT.

 

Free French trawler VIKINGS left Capetown for Simonstown 1650GMT.

 

Friday, 3rd October 1941

 

H.M.S. HAWKINS left Mauritius for Simonstown 0930GMT.

 

H.M.S. REPULSE escorting Durban portion of convoy WS 11 (MOOLTAN, EMPRESS OF AUSTRALIA, SCYTHIA, OTRANTO, BARRISTER, MANCHESTER PROGRESS) arrived Durban from Freetown 1100GMT.

 

H.M.S. DERBYSHIRE escorting Capetown portion of the same convoy (LARGS BAY, ORONTES, VICEROY OF INDIA, DUCHESS OF YORK, KINA II, GLENORCHY, CITY OF EDINBURGH, CITY OF MANCHESTER, BHUTAN) left Capetown 1300GMT, to rendezvous with Durban portion of the convoy in position 29-35S, 34-06E.

 

H.M.S. ENCOUNTER arrived Durban from Simonstown 0534GMT and sailed for Kilindini 1119GMT, speed 20 knots.

 

H.M. Trawler BALTA arrived Walvis Bay from Takoradi 1228GMT.

 

Free French trawler VIKINGS arrived Simonstown from Capetown 0625GMT.

 

H.M.S. BULOLO arrived Tristan da Cunha group from Simonstown 0500GMT.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – Anson aircraft gave close escort to H.M.T. NIEUW ZEELAND sailing from Capetown to Durban.

 

Durban – Anson was sent to Port Shepstone to investigate a police report that a ship appeared to be on fire and in difficulties off the port – ship was identified as EMPIRE MIST, but nothing seemed amiss.

 

Port Elizabeth – routine patrols were carried out during period 3rd to 9th .

 

Saturday, 4th October 1941

 

GLAUCUS delayed from Convoy WS 11, left Capetown 0456GMT to overtake convoy.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – routine patrols were carried out during the period up to p.m. 9th October.

 

Durban – routine patrols were carried out during the period under review. Q Anson was despatched to the vicinity of Isipingo to investigate a report that two objects resembling floating mines had been observed two or three miles off the coast. Northing but three empty packing cases were found.

 

Sunday, 5th October 1941

 

R.N.N. Whaler EGELAND arrived Mombasa 0851GMT.

 

H.M.S. CORDELIA arrived Durban from Capetown 1907GMT.

 

H.M.S. ALCANTARA arrived Tristan da Cunha group from the west 0930GMT and H.M.S. BULOLO left for the west 2300GMT.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – routine patrols had to be cancelled owing to bad weather.

 

Durban – routine patrols to south gave cover to H.M.T. NIEUW ZEELAND.

 

Monday, 6th October 1941

 

H.M.S. NORSE arrived Durban from Capetown 0621GMT.

 

H.M.S. GUARDIAN left Simonstown for Mauritius 0624GMT, speed 13.5 knots.

 

H.M.I.S. JUMNA left Freetown for Simonstown 1801GMT.

 

Tuesday, 7th October 1941

 

H.M.S. ALCANTARA left Tristan da Cunha group for Simonstown 1630GMT.

 

H.M.S. REPULSE and Durban portion of convoy WS 11, including Convoy CM 19 (MOOLTAN, OTRANTO, BARRISTER, MANCHESTER PROGRESS, LLANDAFF CASTLE, DILWARA, CITY OF CANTERBURY, EASTERN PRINCE, NIEUW ZEELAND, NIEUW HOLLAND, PULASKI, JOHANN DE WITT) left Durban at 1443GMT to rendezvous with Capetown portion of convoy.

 

H.M.S. TEVIOTBANK arrived Capetown from Freetown 0714GMT.

 

Air Operations

 

Port Elizabeth – patrols were cancelled owing to adverse weather conditions.

 

Wednesday, 7th October 1941

 

Capetown and Durban portions of Convoy WS 11 rendezvoused in position 29-35S, 34-06E at 0600GMT. H.M.S. REPULSE assumed escort of the completed convoy and H.M.S. DERBYSHIRE returned to Capetown. Convoy proceeded to Aden at 12 knots, portions later breaking away for Bombay and Basra.

 

H.M.S. DRAGON left Simonstown for Capetown 1625GMT.

 

Thursday, 9th October 1941

 

H.M.S. HAWKINS arrived Simonstown from Mauritius 1130GMT.

 

H.M.A.S. AUSTRALIA escorting convoy CM 20 (MAURETANIA alone) left Durban for Aden and Suez 1344GMT, speed 21 knots.

 

H.M. Trawler LORD IRWIN left Capetown for Durban 1402GMT, speed 8 knots.

 

H.M.S. DRAGON arrived Capetown from Simonstown 0527GMT and returned to Simonstown, arriving 1635GMT.

 

H.M.S. BALTAVIA arrived Port Stanley (Falkland Is) from Capetown 2000GMT.

 

H.M.S. EURYALUS, HEYTHROP, and FARNDALE left Freetown for St Helena 0800GMT.

 

H.M.S. KOS X and KOS XI left Durban for Mombasa.

 

Friday, 10th October 1941

 

H.M.S. BALTA left Walvis Bay for Capetown 0424GMT.

 

H.M.S. HOXA, FARA, ROMEO, KOS IX left Lagos for Walvis Bay 1230GMT.

 

H.M.S. COLOMBO and ILEX arrived Durban from Mombasa 1003GMT.

 

H.M.S. ALCANTARA arrived Simonstown from Tristan de Cunha group 1518GMT.

 

Hospital ship AMRA left Durban for Mombasa 1304GMT.

 

A.S.I.S. PHILOMEL left Simonstown for Capetown 1603GMT.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – routine patrols were carried out during the period to 16th.

 

Durban – routine patrols were carried out during period to 16th.

 

Port Elizabeth – routine patrols were carried out as far as weather conditions permitted during the period. Patrol had to stop the night at East London.

 

Saturday, 11th October 1941

 

H.M.S. DERBYSHIRE 0630GMT from vicinity of Durban.

 

A.S.I.S. PHILOMEL arrived Capetown 0645GMT and sailed for Durban 0915GMT.

 

Sunday, 12th October 1941

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – special search by 2 Ansons was made for Spanish ship MONTE TEIDE said to be passing from Lourenco Marques to Lobito, but nothing was sighted.

 

Durban – a state of emergency was proclaimed for exercise purposes at 1930B. Durban was blacked out. Anson aircraft participated and were air born between 1945 and 2150.

 

Port Elizabeth – Patrols cancelled owing to adverse weather conditions.

 

Monday, 13th October 1941

 

H.M.I.S. SUTLEJ left East London for Durban 0800GMT.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – 3 Anson aircraft carried out a special search in morning and afternoon for Spanish ship MONTE TEIDE – nil report.

 

Tuesday, 14th October 1941

 

H.M.S. DERBYSHIRE left Capetown 1309GMT, for patrol in South Atlantic, speed 14 knots.

 

H.M.I.S. SUTLEJ arrived Durban from East London 0657GMT and sailed for Kilindini 1300GMT, speed 15 knots.

 

H.M.S. BALTA arrived Capetown from Walvis Bay 0450GMT and H.M.Trawler LORD IRWIN arrived Durban from Capetown 0550GMT.

 

H.M.S. EURYALUS, HEYTHROP, and FARNDALE arrived St Helena from Freetown 0700GMT and left for Simonstown 1400GMT.

 

H.M.S. BIRMINGHAM received transmission from a possible enemy unit with 50 miles of 19S, 37W.

 

Hospital ship LLANDOVERY CASTLE left Durban 1245GMT for Mombasa.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – a.m. 3 Anson aircraft continued to search to northwest of Capetown for Spanish ship MONTE TEIDE – visibility was maximum – report was negative.

 

P.M. routine patrols were resumed.

 

Durban – Anson on northern patrol sighted and reported S.S. FISHPOOL with damaged bows.

 

Wednesday, 15th October 1941

 

Free French trawler VIKINGS left Simonstown for Capetown 1851GMT.

 

Thursday, 16th October 1941

 

H.M.S. ALCANTARA left Simonstown for Capetown and Port Elizabeth 1645GMT.

 

H.M.I.S. JUMNA arrived Simonstown from Freetown 1550GMT.

 

Free French trawler VIKINGS arrived Capetown from Simonstown 0932GMT.

 

H.M.S. TEVIOTBANK left Capetown 0750GMT for Durban, speed 9 knots.

 

H.M.S. RANCHI left Durban for Kilindini 0515GMT, speed 15 knots.

 

Friday, 17th October 1941

 

H.M.S. ALCANTARA arrived Capetown from Simonstown 0453GMT and left for Port Elizabeth 1440GMT, speed 14 knots.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – routine patrols were carried out during period to 23rd.

 

Durban – routine patrols were carried out during the period to 23rd. Anson on S.W. patrol had to stay overnight at East London owing to adverse weather.

 

Port Elizabeth – routine patrols were carried out during the period to 23rd.

 

Saturday, 18th October 1941

 

A.S.I.S. PHILOMEL left Durban for Port Elizabeth 1530GMT.

 

Sunday, 19th October 1941

 

H.M.S. EURYALUS, HEYTHROP, FARNDALE arrived Simonstown from St Helena 1415GMT.

 

H.M.S. ALCANTARA arrived Port Elizabeth from Capetown 0445GMT.

 

H.M.S. DEVONSHIRE escorting convoy WS 12 left Freetown for Union ports, 1600GMT, speed 12 knots.

 

Free French trawler VIKINGS left Capetown for Durban, 1610GMT, speed 8.5 knots.

 

H.M.S. KOS X and KOS XI arrived Mombasa from Durban 0520GMT, and H.M.S. FARA arrived Walvis Bay from Lagos 1335GMT.

 

Monday, 20th October 1941

 

H.M.S. TEVIOTBANK arrived Durban from Capetown 1351GMT.

 

H.M.S. HOXA, ROMEO, and KOS IX arrived Walvis Bay from Lagos 0809GMT.

 

A.S.I.S. PHILOMEL arrived Port Elizabeth from Durban 1123GMT.

 

Tuesday, 21st October 1941

 

H.M.S. CARTHAGE escorting Convoy SW 10 (INDRAPOERA, VOLENDAM) left Mombasa for Durban.

 

H.M.S. DRAGON left Simonstown 1055GMT to rendezvous with H.M.S. TEVIOTBANK in position 30S, 34E, speed 15 knots.

 

Wednesday, 22nd October 1941

 

H.M.S. DUNNOTTAR CASTLE escorting STRATHEDEN, ex Trinidad, arrived Capetown 1513GMT.

 

H.M.S. DERBYSHIRE left patrol to rendezvous with convoy WS 12 in position 18-45S, 8-00E.

 

Hospital ship ATLANTIS arrived Durban from Aden 1605GMT.

 

R.F.A. DARKDALE sunk at St Helena 0045GMT.

 

U.S. Oiler PATOKA saw suspicious ship in position 6-44S, 34-26W at 1500.

 

Thursday, 23rd October 1941

 

H.M.S. TEVIOTBANK left Durban 1258GMT to rendezvous with H.M.S. DRAGON in position 30S, 34E.

 

Hospital ship ABA left Durban for Aden 0512GMT.

 

Friday, 24th October 1941

 

H.M.S. PRINCE BADOUIN arrived St Helena from Freetown 0900GMT and proceeded to Capetown 2000GMT.

 

H.M.S. DERBYSHIRE proceeded to rendezvous with H.M.S. PRINCE BADOUIN in position 17-58S, 00-12E.

 

H.M.S. DRAGON rendezvoused with H.M.S. TEVIOTBANK in position 30S, 34E at 0600GMT and proceeded to Mauritius.

 

H.M.S. NORSE left Durban for Kilindini 1602GMT, speed 7.5 knots.

 

Free French trawler VIKINGS arrived Durban from Capetown 0445GMT.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown, Durban, Port Elizabeth – routine patrols were carried out during period to 31st October, but owing to adverse weather at Port Elizabeth, the patrols were abandoned this day.

 

Saturday, 25th October 1941

 

H.M.S. DUNNOTTAR CASTLE escorting STRATHEDEN left Capetown for Durban 0502GMT, speed 10 knots.

 

H.M.S. FARNDALE left Simonstown for Durban 0610GMT, speed 18.5 knots.

 

H.M.S. CARNARVON CASTLE left Capetown 0745GMT, to patrol in South Atlantic.

 

Free French trawler VIKINGS left Durban for Aden 1022GMT.

 

Air Operations

 

Port Elizabeth – special search was carried out to locate S.S. SONTAY which made QQQQ signal, by one Anson. She was located at 2010GMT steering west.

 

Sunday, 26th October 1941

 

H.M.S. PHOEBE arrived Durban from Mombasa 0823GMT.

 

H.M.S. HOXA, KOS IX, and ROMEO left Walvis Bay for Capetown 0842GMT.

 

H.M.S. PRINCE BADOUIN fuelled from H.M.S. DERBYSHIRE on passage from St Helena to Capetown.

 

B.D.V.s RENNET, PUNNET, and JENNET arrived Capetown from Walvis Bay 1930GMT.

 

Monday, 27th October 1941

 

H.M.S. FARNDALE arrived Durban from Simonstown 1210GMT.

 

CARTHAGE escorting convoy SW 10 (INDRAPOERA, DUNERA, VOLEMDAM) arrived Durban from Mombasa, 1012GMT.

 

H.M.S. ISLAY arrived Walvis Bay from Takoradi 1120GMT.

 

H.M.S. CARNARVON CASTLE recalled to Capetown from patrol.

 

Tuesday, 28th October 1941

 

H.M.S. CARTHAGE left Durban 2151GMT to take part in Operation BELLRINGER.

 

H.M.S. PHOEBE left Durban for Simonstown 1130GMT, speed 19.5 knots.

 

H.M.S. DUNNOTTAR CASTLE escorting STRATHEDEN arrived at Durban from Capetown 1147GMT and left again for Capetown.

 

H.M.S. EURYALUS and HEYTHROP left Simonstown 1048GMT for Capetown.

 

On completion of ranging H.M.S. EURYALUS, sailed for Mombasa 1507GMT. Speed 20 knots and H.M.S. HEYTHROP sailed for Durban at 1619GMT, speed 15 knots.

 

H.M.B.D.V.s BARMILL, PRINCE DE LIEGE, TEAL, JAN DE WAELE, and KOS VII arrived Walvis Bay from Lagos 1830GMT.

 

Consul General Loanda passed native report of submarine off Belas.

 

Wednesday, 29th October 1941

 

H.M.S. REVENGE escorting convoy CM 18 X (ARONDA, STRATHEDEN) left Durban for Suez 1042GMT, speed 15 knots.

 

Mine Clearance Flotilla (H.M.S.A.S. SOUTHERN BARRIER, FLORIDA, STEENBERG, TERJE VI, STELLENBERG, NIGEL) LEFT Durban at 1550GMT to take part in Operation BELLRINGER.

 

H.M.S. HOXA, ROMEO, and KOS IX arrived Capetown from Walvis Bay 0500GMT and H.M.S. CARNARVON CASTLE arrived from patrol at 0414GMT

 

British ship NARINGA sighted powerful vertical and stationary searchlight between 0010 and 0040GMT in position 32-25S, 9-22E.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – 1 Anson left for Walvis Bay to carry out patrols off the searched channel and give A/S cover to BELPARIEL.

 

Thursday, 30th October 1941

 

H.M.S. DERBYSHIRE relieved H.M.S. DEVONSHIRE as escort to convoy WS 12 a.m. Capetown portion of convoy (STRATHAIRD, EMPRESS OF CANADA, DOMINION MONARCH, EMPIRE PRIDE, LEOPOLDVILLE, MENDOZA, CLAN CAMPBELL, EMPIRE TRUST, PERTHSHIRE, SARPEDON) arrived Capetown p.m.

 

DERBYSHIRE fuelled at Capetown 1313GMT and proceeded at 1739GMT to overtake and escort Durban portion of convoy. DEVONSHIRE arrived Simonstown 1600GMT.

 

H.M.S. ALCANTARA left Port Elizabeth at 0300GMT for rendezvous with Convoy CF 3 off Durban.

 

H.M.S. HEYTHROP arrived Durban from Capetown 1055GMT.

 

H.M.S. PHOEBE arrived Simonstown from Durban 0605GMT and left for Lagos at 1050GMT, speed 20.5 knots.

 

H.M.S. FARA, ISLAY, and KOS VII left Walvis Bay for Capetown 1207GMT.

 

H.M.S. PRINCE BADOUIN arrived Capetown from St Helena 1319GMT and H.M.S. CARNARVON CASTLE left at 0754GMT for Simonstown arriving 1330GMT.

 

H.M.S. DUNNOTTAR CASTLE arrived Capetown from giving cover to STRATHEDEN off Durban 0815GMT.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – routine patrol was cancelled and special search and escort provided for convoy WS 12 until ships had docked.

 

Port Elizabeth – routine patrols were cancelled owing to adverse weather.

 

Friday, 31st October 1941

 

H.M.S. ALCANTARA arrived Durban from Port Elizabeth 1054GMT and left for Capetown at 1327GMT escorting convoy CF 3 (VOLENDAM alone).

 

H.M.I.S. JUMNA left Simonstown for Mombasa 0930GMT, speed 15 knots.

 

H.M.S. HEYTHROP left Durban for Kilindini 1534GMT, speed 15 knots.

 

H.S. TAIREA arrived Durban from Kilindini 1351GMT.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – owing to the number of ships lying in Table Bay, Anson aircraft carried out an A/S patrol to the approaches of Table Bay in lieu of the routine patrols.

 

Port Elizabeth – routine patrols were cancelled owing to adverse weather.

 

n.b. In this collection are only the PART I (A) sections.

 

 

 

ADM199/402

 

SOUTH AFRICA WAR DIARY

 

NOVEMBER 1941

 

Part I (a). Chronological Operations Section

 

 

 

Saturday, 1st November 1941

 

DEVONSHIRE and CARNARVON CASTLE left Simonstown to take part in Operation BELLRINGER 0805GMT.

 

CUMBRAE left Capetown for Durban 1400GMT.

 

Air Operations

 

Anson aircraft carried out A/S patrols to the approaches to Table Bay in lieu of routine patrols.

 

Anson returned in p.m. from Walvis Bay.

 

Sunday, 2nd November 1941

 

FARNDALE left Durban for Kilindini 1232GMT, speed 15.5 knots.

 

HAWKINS left Simonstown at 0930GMT, and arrived Capetown 1714GMT.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – routine patrols were carried out by Anson aircraft.

 

Durban – routine patrols for the period under review were carried out by Anson aircraft.

 

Port Elizabeth – 4 Maryland aircraft carried out extensive searches for the Vichy French convoy of 4 merchant ships escorted by sloop D'IBERVILLE so as to cooperate with H.M. Ships in the Operation BELLRINGER to intercept the convoy. First sighting report was made at 1414B, DEVONSHIRE was sighted at 1557 and bearing and distance of convoy was passed to her at 1630.

 

Monday, 3rd November 1941

 

CERES relieved REVENGE to convoy CM 18 X in position 4-00S, 41-50E at 0430GMT. REVENGE then proceeded to Kilindini.

 

HAWKINS sailed from Capetown at 0005GMT and relieved ALCANTARA as escort to convoy CF 3 (VOLENDAM alone) at the end of the Simonstown searched channel at 0400GMT proceeding to Takoradi. ALCANTARA proceeded to Simonstown, arriving 0615GMT.

 

DERBYSHIRE escorting Durban portion of Convoy WS 12 (FRANCONIA, CLAN CAMPBELL, CLAN LAMONT, ALMANZORA, CITY OF PARIS, DUCHESS OF RICHMOND, EMPRESS OF RUSSIA, HIGHLAND BRIGADE, PERSEUS, ORMONDE, SAMARIA) arrived Durban from Freetown 0944GMT.

 

REPULSE arrived Durban from Mombasa 0804GMT.

 

ISLAY, FARA, and KOS VII arrived Capetown from Walvis Bay 1030GMT.

 

D/F bearings at 2026GMT, indicated U boat within 60 miles of position 4N, 1E.

 

Operation BELLRINGER DEVONSHIRE, COLOMBO, CARNARVON CASTLE, and CARTHAGE together with six minesweepers of the Seaward Defence Force intercepted Vichy French convoy, consisting of COMPEIGNE, CAP PADARAN, CAP TOURAINE, COMMANDANT DORISE, and BANGKOK, escorted by sloop D'IBERVILLE, in position 37-43S, 30-16E and boarded the merchant ships. D'IBERVILLE subsequently left the convoy and made off independently.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – routine patrols were carried out by Anson aircraft.

 

Port Elizabeth – 4 Maryland aircraft located the various ships of BELLRINGER operation and gave A/S cover to them as their range allowed, weather conditions being good.

 

Tuesday, 4th November 1941

 

DUNNOTTAR CASTLE escorting Capetown portion of Convoy WS 12 (STRATHAIRD, EMPRESS OF CANADA, LEOPOLDVILLE, PERTHSHIRE, DOMINION MONARCH, EMPIRE PRIDE, EMPIRE TRUST, MENDOZA) left Capetown for rendezvous with Durban portion at end of Durban searched channel 0805GMT, speed 9 knots.

 

DERBYSHIRE left Durban for Port Elizabeth 1643GMT, speed 12 knots.

 

Vice Consul Lobito reported suspected U boat on patrol near Lobito.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – routine patrol by Anson aircraft at dawn. Close A/S escort was provided to WS 12, from outside searched channel to Table Bay. One Anson left for Walvis Bay to carry out search for survivors in lifeboats from BRADFORD CITY; this aircraft broke a wheel on landing for fuel at Alexander Bay.

 

Port Elizabeth – Both Anson and Maryland aircraft located and gave A/S screen to the three sections of the BELLRINGER operation in poor weather.

 

Wednesday, 5th November 1941

 

CARNARVON CASTLE escorting Vichy French ship COMMANDANT DORISE which has been intercepted during Operation BELLRINGER arrived East London 1334GMT.

 

CUMBRAE arrived Durban from Capetown 1426GMT.

 

H.M.B.D.V. TEAL, BARMILL, PRINCE DE LIEGE, JAN DE WAELE left Walvis Bay for Capetown p.m.

 

U.S.A. EXHIBITOR passed through 8 mile patch of oil in position 3-31S, 74-18E.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – routine patrols were carried out by Anson aircraft.

 

1 Anson left for Alexander Bay with spare wheel for damaged Anson.

 

1 Anson proceeded to Walvis Bay, but arrived too late to carry out search that night.

 

Port Elizabeth – Anson aircraft gave close A/S cover to various sections of BELLRINGER operation and 4 Maryland aircraft returned to Pretoria.

 

Thursday, 6th November 1941

 

DERBYSHIRE arrived Port Elizabeth from Durban 0535GMT.

 

COLOMBO escorting Vichy French ships COMPEIGNE, BANGKOK which had been intercepted during operation BELLRINGER arrived East London 0740GMT.

 

COLOMBO then left for Durban.

 

DEVONSHIRE escorting Vichy French ship CAP TOURANE similarly intercepted arrived Port Elizabeth p.m.

 

DEVONSHIRE than left for Durban.

 

CARNARVON CASTLE left East London for Capetown 1140GMT.

 

Portuguese sloop GONCALVES ZARCO arrived Loanda.

 

Force G, consisting of PRINCE OF WALES, ELECTRA, and EXPRESS left Freetown for Cape Ports 1715GMT, speed 12.5 knots.

 

Friday, 7th November 1941

 

CARTHAGE escorting Vichy French ship CAP PADARAN which had been intercepted during Operation BELLRINGER arrived Port Elizabeth 0450GMT.

 

CARTHAGE left for Durban 0740GMT.

 

DEVONSHIRE arrived Durban from Port Elizabeth 0501GMT, and COLOMBO from East London 0830GMT.

 

BALTA left Capetown for Durban 1020GMT, speed 10 knots.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – Anson at Walvis Bay located one boat and survivors from BRADFORD CITY on the beach at a position 126 miles North of Pelican Point at 1645B.

 

Local routine patrols carried out.

 

Port Elizabeth – patrols cancelled.

 

Durban – Anson aircraft gave A/S screen to STRATHAIRD into port.

 

Saturday, 8th November 1941

 

CARNARVON CASTLE arrived Capetown from East London 0355GMT and CARTHAGE arrived Durban from Port Elizabeth 1513GMT.

 

CORDELIA and LORD IRWIN left Durban for Mombasa 0646GMT, speed 8 knots.

 

DUNNOTTAR CASTLE with Capetown portion of convoy WS 12 rendezvoused with REPULSE and Durban portion of convoy at outer end of Durban searched channel at 1500GMT.

 

DUNNOTTAR then proceeded to Durban and REPULSE escorting the reconstituted convoy WS 12 (NIEUW AMSTERDAM, NOVA SCOTIA, EMPRESS OF RUSSIA, FRANCONIA, SAMARIA, ALMANZORA, CITY OF PARIS, CLAN CAMPBELL, CLAN LAMONT, STRATHAIRD, LEOPOLDVILLE, PERTHSHIRE, EMPIRE PRIDE, EMPIRE TRUST, MENDOZA) proceeded for Aden and Middle East.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – Anson at Walvis Bay continued the search for second boat load of survivors still missing from BRADFORD CITY – negative result.

 

Sunday, 9th November 1941

 

H.M.S.A.S. SOUTHERN BARRIER, TERJE, FLORIDA, STELLENBERG, STEERBERG, NIGEL arrived at Durban 0600GMT.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – Two Anson aircraft left for Walvis Bay to operation A/S patrols from Swakopmund during the following week.

 

Durban – routine patrols were carried out during the period under review.

 

Port Elizabeth – routine patrols were carried out during the period under review.

 

Monday, 10th November 1941

 

H.M.S. CARNARVON CASTLE left Capetown at 1626GMT to rendezvous with R.F.A. DERWENTDALE in position 20-50S, 8-30W.

 

H.M.S. DEVONSHIRE left Durban for Simonstown 2300GMT, speed 25 knots.

 

H.M.S.A.S. BEVER and BOKSBURG left Durban for Beira 1204GMT, speed 6 knots.

 

H.M.B.D.V. BARMILL, TEAL, PRINCE DE LIEGE, and JAN DE WAELE arrived Capetown from Walvis Bay 0845GMT.

 

DUNNOTTAR CASTLE arrived at 0852GMT.

 

Tuesday, 11th November 1941

 

AUSTRALIA arrived Durban 0453GMT from Kerguelen.

 

BALTA arrived Durban from Capetown 0500GMT.

 

H.M.B.D.V. BARSTOKE, BARONIA, BARBOUR, and GRAAF VAN VLAANDEREN left Lagos for Walvis Bay 1800GMT.

 

Wednesday, 12th November 1941

 

DEVONSHIRE arrived Simonstown from Durban 1610GMT and left at 2300BMT to patrol in calm area and thence for Freetown, speed 18 knots.

 

Portuguese sloop GONCALVES ZARCO left Loanda for Lobito.

 

Thursday, 13th November 1941

 

CERES relieved REPULSE as escort of convoy WS 12 off Mombasa. REPULSE then proceeded to Mombasa.

 

HERMES left Mauritius for Simonstown 0511GMT.

 

H.M.S.A.S. BEVER and BOKSBURG arrived Beira from Durban 0900GMT.

 

Portuguese sloop GONCALVES ZARCO arrived Lobito from Loanda.

 

Friday, 14th November 1941

 

CARNARVON CASTLE rendezvoused with R.F.A. DERWENTDALE in position 29-50S, 8-30W at 1630GMT and proceeded for Simonstown.

 

AUSTRALIA left Durban for East London 1110GMT. Speed 17 knots.

 

H.M.S.A.S. BEVER and BOKSBURG left Beira for Mombasa 2200GMT.

 

DUNNOTTAR CASTLE escorting ORMONDE left Durban for Capetown 0350GMT.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – three Ansons returned from Swakopmund.

 

Saturday, 15th November 1941

 

AUSTRALIA arrived East London from Durban 0654GMT.

 

ALCANTARA left Simonstown 1710GMT for Capetown.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – 3 Anson aircraft carried out a step aside search to maximum depth for Force G in late afternoon. Nothing sighted.

 

1 Anson left for Alexander Bay to search for U boat fixed by D/F bearing off Port Nolloth. Negative result.

 

Sunday, 16th November 1941

 

ALCANTARA arrived Capetown at 0519GMT and sailed at 1535GMT.

 

PRINCE OF WALES arrived 0845GMT.

 

ELECTRA, EXPRESS arrived Simonstown at 1521GMT.

 

COLOMBO escorting convoy CM 22 consisting of H.M.T. MAURETANIA departed Durban at 1500GMT for Suez.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – 2 Anson aircraft took off at 0315GMT to search for, locate, and give close A/S cover to PRINCE OF WALES.

 

At 0400 position was reported 324 degrees from end of searched channel 44 miles.

 

Durban – routine patrols were carried out during the week as far as weather conditions would permit.

 

Monday, 17th November 1941

 

DUNNOTTAR CASTLE arrived Simonstown at 1300GMT to dock, having escorted convoy CF 3 (2) from Durban, convoy CF 3 (2) proceeding to Capetown.

 

Norwegian ship THODE FAGELUND while proceeding from Madras to Capetown at 0300GMT approximately was sunk in 5 minutes as a result of an explosion 35 miles off East London outside the 100 fathom line. One lifeboat with Chief Officer came ashore 10 miles SW of East London at 1600GMT, giving the first news of this loss.

 

A second life boat was taken in tow by the East London pilot launch MARY and brought into harbour at 0010GMT, 18th.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – routine patrols were carried out during the week. 1 Anson aircraft returned from Alexander Bay having sighted nothing while patrolling off Port Nolloth.

 

Tuesday, 18th November 1941

 

PRINCE OF WALES flying the flag of Acting Admiral Sir Tom Phillips, ranged over D.G. range and sailed at 1630GMT from Capetown to Port 'T'

 

HERMES arrived at Simonstown 1110GMT.

 

ELECTRA and EXPRESS sailed from Simonstown to rendezvous with PRINCE OF WALES at inner end of searched channel at 1700GMT off Table Bay.

 

Air Operations

 

Durban – special searches were carried out ahead of shipping tracks proceeding SW from Durban, by Anson aircraft.

 

Port Elizabeth – 4 Anson aircraft carried out searches to cover the area 45 miles to seaward of the coast off East London to report the position of any boats still missing from Norwegian ship THODE FAGELUND. One empty boat was sighted by East London tug and it was considered remaining members of crew had been picked up by a passing vessel. This turned out to be correct as coaster NAHOON arrived at Port Elizabeth with 17 survivors from the ship, accounting for all the ships company.

 

Wednesday, 19th November 1941

 

CARNARVON CASTLE arrived Simon's Bay at 1625GMT.

 

R.F.A. DERWENTDALE arrived Simon's Bay at 1830GMT.

 

Air Operations

 

Durban – owing to full gale flying had to be cancelled.

 

Port Elizabeth – flying had to be cancelled owing to the weather being unfavourable.

 

Thursday, 20th November 1941

 

H.M.B.D.V.s JENNET, PUNNET, and RENNET sailed from Capetown at 1241GMT

 

From Durban, BALTA sailed 1121GMT.

 

CARNARVON CASTLE sailed from Simonstown at 1137GMT and arrived at Capetown at 1536GMT.

 

Friday, 21st November 1941

 

Flying Operations

 

Durban – Anson aircraft was sent to investigate report of a U boat sighted six miles from Cape Natal, bearing 035 degrees. Nothing was sighted.

 

Saturday, 22nd November 1941

 

CARNARVON CASTLE escorting CF 3 (2) (H.T. ORMONDE) sailed at 0550GMT for Takoradi from Capetown.

 

H.M.B.D.V.s BARBOUR, BARSTOKE, BARONIA, and GRAAF VAN VLAANDEREN arrived at Walvis Bay for boiler cleaning.

 

DERBYSHIRE departed Port Elizabeth for Simonstown at 1900GMT

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – two Anson aircraft left for Alexander Bay and Walvis Bay to patrol from there until further orders.

 

Friday, 23rd November 1941

 

DUNNOTTAR CASTLE sailed from Simonstown and arrived Capetown at 1550GMT.

 

B.D.V. PUNNET arrived at East London at 2316GMT to land sick men and with engine defects.

 

Air Operations

 

Walvis Bay – during week two Anson a/c from Capetown carried out daily patrols.

 

Capetown – routine patrols were carried out during the week under review.

 

Durban – one Anson on routine patrol between East London and Durban sighted an oil patch and air bubbles in position given as 207 degrees Bluff 209 miles at 1128GMT/22. Two Anson a/c were despatched to search the area early on 23rd; results nil.

 

Routine flights were carried out daily.

 

Port Elizabeth – routine patrols were carried out during the period under review, weather permitting.

 

Monday, 24th November 1941

 

H.M. tug BRIGAND arrived Simonstown at 0500GMT.

 

ANTWERP and MALINES arrived at Capetown 0836GMT.

 

DERBYSHIRE arrived Simon's Bay for docking at 0705GMT.

 

B.D.V. PUNNET departed East London for Durban 1400GMT.

 

Tuesday, 25th November 1941

 

B.D.V. RENNET and JENNET arrived at Durban 1035GMT.

 

A/S M/S vessels HOXA and ROMEO departed Capetown at 0732GMT for Simon's Bay and arrived 1722GMT.

 

PRINCE BADOUIN went over D.G. range at Capetown and sailed for Durban at 1430GMT.

 

R.F.A. DERWENTDALE unbasined, swung for adjustment of compassed in False Bay and anchored in Simon's Bay at 1200GMT.

 

R.F.A. CEDARDALE arrived at Capetown at 1218GMT.

 

Wednesday, 26th November 1941

 

COLOMBO arrived at Durban at 1114GMT.

 

B.D.V. PUNNET arrived at Durban at 0641GMT.

 

R.F.A. DERWENTDALE, escorted by H.M.S. HOXA and ROMEO departed from Simon's Bay at 1110GMT for outer end of searched channel at Durban.

 

H.M.A.S. AUSTRALIA departed East London at 1612GMT for Simonstown.

 

Thursday, 27th November 1941

 

EMERALD arrived at Durban 0630GMT.

 

CARTHAGE departed Durban at 0603GMT for Mauritius.

 

B.D.V.s JENNET, PUNNET, and RENNET departed Durban for Mombasa at 1337GMT.

 

Friday, 28th November 1941

 

DERBYSHIRE undocked at 1530GMT and anchored in Simon's Bay.

 

Portuguese sloop GONCALVES ZARCO passed Cape Point at 1300GMT on an easterly course.

 

PRINCE BADOUIN arrived Durban a.m.

 

Saturday, 29th November 1941

 

AUSTRALIA arrived at Simonstown from East London for docking at 0500GMT.

 

DERBYSHIRE swung ship for director test at 0400GMT, and carried out a close range weapon shoot at 0945GMT, anchoring again in Simon's Bay on completion.

 

HECTOR (A.M.C.) arrived Durban at 0552GMT.

 

B.D.V.s BARSTOKE, BARBOUR, BARONIA, GRAAF VAN VLAANDEREN departed Walvis Bay at 1300 for Capetown.

 

Sunday, 30th November 1941

 

EMERALD departed Durban at 0515GMT to rendezvous with R.F.A. DERWENTDALE for onward escort to Aden

 

H.M.H.S. AMRA departed Durban 0843GMT for the north.

 

COLOMBO departed Durban with convoy CM 23 at 1045GMT for Aden. Convoy consisted of CITY OF CANTERBURY, DILWARA, DUNERA, ELIZABETHVILLE, LLANDAFF CASTLE, PULASKI.

 

DERBYSHIRE carried out 6 inch day firing at 0900GMT in False Bay and night firing at 1900GMT, then proceeded to Capetown.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown, Durban, Port Elizabeth – routine patrols were carried out during the period under review.

 

2 Ansons carried out patrols from Walvis Bay until 3rd December.

 

 

 

n.b. In this collection are only the PART I (A) sections.

 

 

 

ADM199/402

 

SOUTH AFRICA WAR DIARY

 

NOVEMBER 1941

 

Part I (a). Chronological Operations Section

 

Monday, 1st December 1941

 

DERBYSHIRE arrived Capetown at 0434GMT and sailed for Simon's Bay at 1707GMT.

 

HOXA and ROMEO arrived at Durban 0403GMT.

 

R.F.A. PRINCE BADOUIN departed Durban for Mombasa.

 

Tuesday, 2nd December 1941

 

DERBYSHIRE arrived Simon's Bay 0330GMT.

 

M/S trawlers REDWOOD, MAPLE, ST MINVER departed Lobito for Walvis Bay.

 

H.M.H.S. TAIREA sailed at 0456GMT from Durban for the north.

 

Air Operations

 

One Walrus aircraft from F.A.A. Reserve at Wynberg assisted SAAF daily by carrying out a patrol of the shipping approach to Table Bay for the remainder of the week.

 

Wednesday, 3rd December 1941

 

ANTWERP departed Capetown at 1500GMT for D.G. range and sailed for Durban at 1635GMT.

 

DERBYSHIRE sailed from Simon's Bay at 0245GMT to patrol in vicinity of 41S, 20E in accordance with C. in C. S.A. 1925/2/11.

 

HOXA and ROMEO sailed at 1643GMT from Durban for Kilindini, speed of advance 9 knots.

 

H.M.B.D.V.s BARSTOKE, BARBOUR, BARONIA, GRAAF VAN VLAANDEREN arrived at Capetown at 1850GMT.

 

Air Operations

 

2 Anson aircraft returned to Capetown from Walvis Bay.

 

Thursday, 4th December 1941.

 

H.M.B.D.V.s BARMILL, PRINCE DE LIEGE, JAN DE WAELE, TEAL sailed at 1112GMT from Capetown for Durban and Port 'T'

 

FARA sailed at 0807GMT from Capetown for Durban.

 

S.S. BELPAREIL departed Luderitz for Capetown at 0430, escorted by S.D.F. A/S vessel.

 

CUMBRAE sailed from Durban at 0632GMT for Kilindini.

 

Friday, 5th December 1941

 

AUSTRALIA undocked, to Simon's Bay at 0900GMT, and carried out H/A 4 inch shoot in False Bay 1200GMT. Sailing to Fremantle at 1300GMT, speed of advance 15 knots in accordance with a.m. 1655/3/12

 

Free French sloop COMMANDANT DOMINE sailed from Simon's Bay at 1200GMT for Durban

 

R.F.A. CEDARDALE departed Capetown at 0955GMT for rendezvous with CARTHAGE at outer end of Durban searched channel.

 

Saturday, 6th December 1941

 

ANTWERP arrived at Durban 0851GMT.

 

MALINES sailed from Capetown at 1253GMT for D.G. range and then H/A shoot leaving searched channel, sailing for Durban at 1650GMT.

 

H.M. Trawlers M/S REDWOOD, MAPLE, ST MINVER arrived at Walvis Bay p.m.

 

S.S. BELPAREIL escorted by S.D.F. A/S vessel arrived at Capetown for loading.

 

Sunday, 7th December 1941

 

DORSETSHIRE arrived 7030GMT at Simon's Bay.

 

A/S M/S trawlers HOXA and ROMEO arrived at 0510GMT at Durban. HOXA departed at 1620GMT for Mombasa.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – close A/S patrols were instituted to protect the new approach of shipping to Capetown from 35S, 18E.

 

Durban – route patrols were carried out until p.m. 10th.

 

Port Elizabeth – routine patrols were carried out during the week.

 

Monday, 8th December 1941

 

M/S FARA arrived Durban 0907GMT.

 

Free French sloop COMMANDANT DOMINE arrived Durban at 1104GMT.

 

Tuesday, 9th December 1941

 

R.F.A. CEDARDALE arrived outer end of Durban searched channel to rendezvous with HECTOR from Durban at 0800GMT.

 

MALINES arrived at Durban at 1302GMT and departed for Mombasa at 2048GMT.

 

H.M. Tug BRIGAND carried out sea trials and adjustment of compasses in False Bay, departed for Durban at 1515GMT.

 

Portuguese sloop ALFONSO DE ALBUQUERQUE arrived at Lobito.

 

U.S. Cruisers QUINCY and VINCENNES, destroyers MACDONOUGH, MAYRANT, MOFFETT, ROWAN, WAINWRIGHT, WINSLOW and Convoy WS 12 X (MOUNT VERNON (Commodore Beary), DICKMAN, LEONARD WOOD, ORIZABA, WAKEFIELD, WEST POINT) and oiler CIMARRON arrived Capetown 1615Z.

 

Wednesday, 10th December 1941

 

BIRMINGHAM arrived at Simon's Bay at 0900GMT and entered basin.

 

B.D.V.s BARMILL, TEAL, JAN DE WAELE and PRINCE DE LIEGE arrived at Durban 0415GMT.

 

Whale catchers SANTA (Leader), SAFA, SARKA, SAHRA, and SEMLA departed South Georgia for Capetown.

 

Thursday, 11th December 1941

 

CORNWALL arrived at Durban 0850GMT>

 

BIRMINGHAM departed Simonstown at 1023GMT for Plate Area – speed of advance 16 knots.

 

FIRMAMENT departed Capetown for Durban.

 

FARA departed Durban at 0456GMT for Mombasa.

 

Air Operations

 

2 Anson aircraft were despatched from Capetown to Alexander Bay to carry out a search for an enemy unit D/F'd off the coast there.

 

Durban – close A/S patrols were carried out over the sector approach for shipping to Durban.

 

Friday, 12th December 1941

 

H.M. Tug BRIGAND arrived at Durban at 1345GMT.

 

M/S trawlers REDWOOD, ST MINVER, MAPLE arrived at Capetown at 1232GMT.

 

B.D.V.s BARMILL, TEAL, PRINCE DE LIEGE departed at 0716GMT from Durban for Mombasa.

 

A/S M/S trawler BURRA arrived at Walvis Bay at 1214GMT.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – two Ansons from Alexander Bay returned to Capetown after search off the coast 0 result negative.

 

Durban – routine sector patrols were carried out.

 

Saturday, 13th December 1941

 

Whalers VESTFOLD I (Leader, II, VIII, X, HELIER I, BUSEN X arrived at Capetown at 0647GMT.

 

Free French ship COMMANDANT DOMINE departed Durban at 1011GMT for Mombasa.

 

EMERALD arrived at Durban 0508GMT.

 

DORSETSHIRE unbasined at Simonstown at 1200GMT, hoisted in Walrus, departed at 1305GMT to rendezvous with convoy WS 12 X and local U.S. destroyer escort at 1530GMT at outer end of Capetown searched Channel – thence departed for Aden – speed of advance 13 knots.

 

H.M. Corvettes ASTER and MARGUERITE arrived at Simonstown and basined to fuel.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – additional Anson aircraft gave close A/S protection to ships of convoy WS 12 X while going over D.G. range in Table Bay.

 

Sunday, 14th December 1941

 

A/S M/S trawler BURRA departed Walvis By at 0925GMT for Capetown.

 

MARGUERITE unbasined to adjust compasses at 0440GMT. ASTER unbasined Simonstown at 0700GMT and departed with MARGUERITE to join ROYAL SOVEREIGN and convoy SW 12 Z to relieve VERBENA and HOLLYHOCK.

 

R.F.A. ORCADES sailed at 1310GMT for Capetown from Durban.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – close A/S patrols were continued during the week under review to protect the shipping lane approaching Table Bay.

 

Port Elizabeth – routine patrols were carried out during the week.

 

Durban – close A/S patrols were continued over the sector approaches to Durban.

 

Monday, 15th December 1941

 

B.D.V. JAN DE WAELE departed 0608GMT from Durban for Mombasa, speed of advance 8 ½ knots.

 

Fleet Tug BRIGAND departed Durban at 2000GMT for Kilindini. Speed of advance 14 knots.

 

SOUTHWOLD and DULVERTON departed Simonstown at 1730GMT for Durban inshore route, speed of advance 20 knots.

 

U.S. Destroyers MACDOUGAL, MAYRANT, WINSLOW, ROWAN, WAINWRIGHT, MOFFAT arrived Capetown at 1356GMT.

 

Air Operations

 

One Anson left for the routine southwest coast patrol, landing at Walvis Bay and Swakopmund.

 

Tuesday, 16th December 1941

 

U.S. cruisers QUINCY, VINCENNES, and destroyers MACDOUGAL, MAYRANT, WINSLOW, ROWAN, WAINWRIGHT, MOFFAT departed Capetown at 0500GMT for position 12-50N, 60-00W in Caribbean by great circle, speed of advance 17 knots. U.S. tanker CIMARRON accompanied them.

 

FIRMAMENT arrived at Durban 0434.

 

CORNWALL escorting CM 24 sailed at 1018 – convoy consisted of MAURETANIA and ILE DE FRANCE.

 

Wednesday, 17th December 1941

 

SOUTHWOLD and DULVERTON arrived Durban at 1327GMT.

 

VERBENA and HOLLYHOCK arrived Simonstown 0600GMT.

 

Air Operations

 

Walvis Bay – a new site for an aerodrome was chosen by Director, Coastal Air Force, to replaced the one at Swakopmund – situation about 10 miles East of Walvis Bay in the vicinity of Rooi Kop.

 

Thursday, 18th December 1941

 

R.F.A. OLCADES arrived at Capetown at 1500GMT.

 

ROMEO departed Durban at 1003GMT for Mombasa speed of advance 9 ½ knots.

 

SOUTHWOLD departed Durban at 1314GMT for Mombasa, speed of advance 15 knots.

 

A/S M/S trawler BURRA arrived at Capetown at 0738GMT.

 

ROYAL SOVEREIGN, MILFORD, ASTER, MARGUERITE escorting convoy WS 12 Z arrived 0247GMT. Ships in convoy consisted of AORANGI, ARUNDEL CASTLE, CAPETOWN CASTLE, NARKUNDA, MONARCH OF BERMUDA, EMPRESS OF JAPAN, EMPRESS OF ASIA, ORDUNA, RIMUTAKA, MATAROA, DUCHESS OF BEDFORD, DEUCALION, EMPIRE STAR, ADRASTUS, ABBEKERK, SUSSEX.

 

Air Operations

 

Anson aircraft returned Capetown from S.W. patrol.

 

Friday, 19th December 1941

 

B.D.V.s BARONIA, BARBOUR, BARSTOKE departed Capetown at 1805GMT for Durban, speed of advance 7 knots.

 

Saturday, 20th December 1941

 

DAUNTLESS arrived at Durban 0712GMT and departed 1200GMT for Simonstown speed of advance 20 knots.

 

EMERALD departed Durban at 1026GMT for Mombasa.

 

Portuguese sloop ALFONSO DE ALBUQUERQUE passed Cape of Good Hope westbound during p.m. on passage to Lourenco Marques.

 

Whale catchers VESTFOLD V and VI sailed at 1330GMT.

 

Sunday, 21st December 1941

 

M/L INSIZWA departed Durban at 0815GMT for East London speed of advance 11 knots.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – close A/S patrols were continued to protect shipping lane approaching Capetown during the period under review.

 

Durban – A/S patrols over the sectors of approach for shipping to the port were continued until 25th.

 

Port Elizabeth – routine patrols were carried out when weather was suitable.

 

Monday, 22nd December 1941

 

DAUNTLESS arrived Simonstown 0505GMT.

 

DULVERTON departed Durban at 1548GMT for Kilindini, speed of advance 15 knots.

 

Tuesday, 23rd December 1941

 

DERBYSHIRE arrived Capetown 0457GMT.

 

A/S M/S trawler ISLAY departed Capetown at 0552GMT for Durban, speed of advance 10 knots.

 

R.F.A. OLCADES departed Capetown at 1547GMT for Port Louis, speed of advance 9 ½ knots.

 

M/L INSIZWA arrived East London 0932GMT from Durban having been delayed by heavy weather.

 

ASTER and MARGUERITE departed Durban 1500GMT for Simonstown, speed of advance 10 knots.

 

Wednesday, 24th December 1941

 

B.D.V.s BARSTOKE and BARBOUR arrived at Durban at 0720GMT.

 

DERBYSHIRE sailed 1612GMT from Capetown for Simonstown.

 

ROYAL SOVEREIGN sailed from Durban escorting convoys WS 12 A, WS 12 B, DM 1, at 0443GMT, consisting of NIEUW AMSTERDAM, EMPRESS OF JAPAN, ORDUNA, DUCHESS OF BEDFORD, NARKUNDA, EMPIRE STAR, DEUCALION, ADRASTUS, ARONDA, INDRAPOERA, EASTERN PRINCE, CAPETOWN CASTLE, SUSSEX, AORANGI, ABBEKERK.

 

Air Operations

 

Durban – Anson aircraft gave cover to convoys leaving Durban.

 

Thursday, 25th December 1941

 

DERBYSHIRE arrived Simonstown at 0600GMT.

 

B.D.V. BARONIA arrived Durban at 0408GMT.

 

M/L INSIZWA departed East London at 1600GMT for Port Elizabeth – speed of advance 11 knots.

 

A/S M/S trawler ISLAY departed Mossel Bay at 0630GMT for Durban

 

Whale Catchers SANTA (Leader), SARKA, SATSA, SAHRA, SEMLA arrived at Capetown at 0606GMT from Falkland Islands.

 

Air Operations

 

Durban – new A/S patrols were brought into operation by one Anson aircraft covering an area enclosed between circles drawn with 6 miles and 18 miles, respectively from Point Natal. Before dark daily a perimeter patrol is carried out at a distance of 80 miles from Durban.

 

Friday, 26th December 1941

 

ASTER and MARGUERITE arrived at Simonstown at 1445GMT.

 

M/L INSIZWA arrived at Port Elizabeth at 0400GMT.

 

M/S trawlers KENNET and MYRLAND arrived Walvis Bay at 0708GMT

 

Saturday, 27th December 1941

 

HOLLYHOCK unbasined at Simonstown at 0630GMT adjusted compasses and anchored in bay.

 

ASTER, VERBENA, MARGUERITE, and HOLLYHOCK departed 1616GMT Simonstown for A/S cover for QUEEN MARY in approaches to Capetown.

 

Sunday, 28th December 1941

 

QUEEN MARY arrived at Capetown at 0307GMT.

 

M/L INSIZWA No. 1098 departed Port Elizabeth at 1105GMT for Simonstown.

 

MILFORD departed Durban at 0949GMT for Simonstown, speed of advance 12 ½ knots.

 

M/S trawlers MYRLAND and KENNET departed Walvis Bay at 0855GMT for Capetown, speed of advance 8 knots.

 

Whalers VESTFOLD III and X departed at 1606GMT from Capetown for Mombasa, speed of advance 9 ½ knots.

 

 

  last page of December 1941 narrative is missing.