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

 

South Atlantic, September 1939 to March 1942

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

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SOUTH ATLANTIC COMMAND – SOUTH AFRICA

 

JANUARY 1942

 

Part I (a).  Chronological Operations Section

 

 

Thursday, 1st January 1942

 

ENGADINE arrived Capetown at 0615 G.M.T.

 

M/S trawlers KENNET and MYRLAND arrived Capetown at 1459 G.M.T.

 

Friday, 2nd January 1942

 

MARGUERITE and HOLLYHOCK departed Capetown at 0500 G.M.T., to provide A/S cover for INDOMITABLE.

 

INDOMITABLE unberthed at 0700 G.M.T. and ranged over D/G range. On completion departed at 1120 G.M.T. for Aden, speed of advance 22 knots.

 

DERBYSHIRE unbasined at Simonstown at 0900 G.M.T. and anchored in Simon's Bay.

 

Whalecatchers SANTA and SATSA departed at 1722 G.M.T. from Capetown for Durban.

 

Saturday, 3rd January 1942

 

DERBYSHIRE departed Simon's Bay at 0703 G.M.T. to rendezvous with RAMILLIES and Convoy W.S. 14 – speed of advance 12 knots.

 

Whalecatchers SAKRA departed at 0857 G.M.T. from Capetown for Durban.

 

Sunday, 4th January 1942

 

ENGADINE departed Capetown at 1708 G.M.T. for Simonstown.

 

MARGUERITE departed Capetown P.M. for A/S cover to W.S. 14 Capetown portion.

 

CERES departed Durban at 1515 G.M.T. to rendezvous with DERBYSHIRE and Durban portion of W.S. 14.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown        }                                   Patrols by Anson aircraft were carried out

Durban             }                                   during the week under review as during

Port Elizabeth  }                                   the previous week.

 

Monday, 5th January 1942

 

RAMILLIES arrived Capetown at 0533 G.M.T., escorting Convoy W.S. 14 consisting of TROILUS, WARWICK CASTLE, CITY OF PRETORIA, EMPRESS OF AUSTRALIA, HIGHLAND MONARCH, EMPIRE WIDGEON, ORCADES, EMPIRE CONDOR, EMPIRE CURLEW, EMPIRE EGRET, EMPIRE ORIOLE, EMPIRE PEREGRINE, ORESTES, CLAN CAMERON, EMPIRE PINTAIL.

 

H.M. Trawler GENERAL BIRDWOOD arrived Walvis Bay at 0910 G.M.T.

 

ENGADINE and HURWORTH arrived Simonstown at 0615 G.M.T.

 

Air Operations

 

Anson aircraft located and gave close A/S cover to WS 14 from daylight until ships entered Table Bay, after which time a continuous A/S patrol of Table Bay approaches was carried out until the convoy ships were berthed.

 

Tuesday, 6th January 1942

 

Cableship LADY DENISON PENDER arrived at Capetown at 1000 G.M.T. from Mauritius.

 

GRAFF VAN VLAANDEREN and BURRA arrived Capetown at 1600  G.M.T. for Durban.

 

CORFU arrived at Durban at 1449 G.M.T. escorting H.M.T DILWARA.

 

A.S.I.S. KHETI unbasined at 0530 G.M.T., at Simonstown and departed at 0600 G.M.T. for Port Elizabeth, speed of advance 9 knots.

 

 

(n.b. no entry for Wednesday, 7th January)

 

 

Thursday, 8th January 1942

 

S.S. MALANCHA arrived at Capetown at 0703 G.M.T. (n.b. Diary says 0793 G.M.T.) to join Convoy W.S. 14.

 

CERES, BRIDGEWATER, DERBYSHIRE arrived at Durban 0722 G.M.T. escorting convoy W.S.14 consisting of DUCHESS OF ATHOLL, CAMERONIA, ATHLONE CASTLE, STRATHALLAN, SCYTHIA, REINA DEL PACIFICO, ESPERANCE BAY.

 

DERBYSHIRE departed Durban at 0818 G.M.T., not having entered port, for Simonstown, speed of advance 15 knots.

 

A.S.I.S. KHETI arrived at Port Elizabeth at 0503 G.M.T.

 

Friday, 9th January 1942

 

RAMILLIES unberthed and went over D/B range, and departed Capetown at 1130 G.M.T., escorting convoy W.S. 14 consisting of EMPIRE ORIOLE, MALANCHA, EMPIRE PINTAIL, EMPIRE CONDOR, EMPIRE CURLEW, EMPIRE EGRET, EMPIRE WIDGEON, EMPIRE PEREGRINE, WARWICK CASTLE, EMPRESS OF AUSTRALIA, HIGHLAND MONARCH, ORCADES, CITY OF PRETORIA.

 

TROILUS departed 1631 G.M.T. and CLAN CAMERON departed 1647GTM to overtake W.S. 14.

 

HOLLYHOCK and VERBENA departed Capetown at 0724 G.M.T. to give A/S cover for RAMILLIES and Convoy W.S. 14 until 0500 G.M.T. 10th January.

 

BEAUFORT sailed from Simonstown at 2308 G.M.T. for Capetown.

 

Air Operations

 

Anson aircraft gave close A/S escort to convoy W.S. 14 from the time of unberthing at Capetown until dark.

 

Saturday, 10th January 1942

 

DORSETSHIRE arrived at Durban at 0759 G.M.T.

 

H.M. Trawler GENERAL BIRDWOOD departed Walvis Bay at 1000  G.M.T. for Capetown.

 

S.S. ORESTES departed Capetown at 0700 G.M.T. to overtake W.S. 14.

 

BEAUFORT arrived at Capetown at 0340 G.M.T. to drydock.

 

VERBENA and HOLLYHOCK arrived at Capetown at 1603 G.M.T.

 

DERBYSHIRE arrived 1706 G.M.T. at Capetown.

 

MILFORD departed Simonstown at 1430 G.M.T., for Freetown, speed of advance 13 knots.

 

Sunday, 11th January 1942

 

ROBERTS arrived Capetown at 0301 G.M.T., went over the D.G. range and sailed at 0719 G.M.T. for Simonstown, and arrived 1514 G.M.T.

 

DERBYSHIRE departed Capetown at 1218 G.M.T. for Simonstown and arrived at 1836 G.M.T.

 

BURRA and GRAAF VAN VLAANDEREN arrived Durban at 1318 G.M.T.

 

ENGADINE departed Simonstown at 1652 G.M.T. for Durban, speed of advance 13 knots.

 

DUNNOTTAR CASTLE unbasined at Capetown at 1700 G.M.T. and anchored in Table Bay.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown}                               Standard A/S patrols and perimeter patrols were

Durban}                                    carried out at all stations during the period under

Port Elizabeth}                                     review.

 

Monday, 12th January 1942

 

DUNNOTTAR CASTLE departed Capetown at 0015 G.M.T. for Simonstown and arrived False Bay at 0700 G.M.T. carried out sight, direction and rangefinder tests and anchored at 0928 G.M.T. in Simon's Bay.

 

"LL" sweeper FIRMAMENT departed Durban at 1747 G.M.T. for Kilindini, speed of advance 9 knots.

 

HURWORTH unbasined at 1400 G.M.T. and anchored in Simon's Bay.

 

Tuesday, 13th January 1942

 

HURWORTH departed Simon's Bay at 0102 G.M.T. for Table Bay.

 

HURWORTH arrived at Capetown at 0457 G.M.T. and went over the D/G ranged and departed at 0713 G.M.T. for Durban, speed of advance 18 knots.

 

EMPIRE FULMAR arrived at Capetown at 0603 G.M.T., and went... (n.b. bottom this page and top of next page chopped).

 

SULTAN HISAR arrived at Walvis Bay.........fuelling departed at 1420 G.M.T. to rejoin WORCESTERSHIRE at sea.

 

DORSETSHIRE departed Durban at 1154 G.M.T. escorting convoy C.M. 25 consisting of MAURETANIA, ILE DE FRANCE, DURBAN CASTLE, DUCHESS OF ATHOLL, REINA DEL PACIFICO, STRATHALLAN, ATHLONE CASTLE for rendezvous at outer end of search channel with ORCADES for Aden.

 

CORFU departed Durban at 1315 G.M.T. escorting Durban portion of W.S. 14 consisting of NOVA SCOTIA, THYSVILLE, ESPERANCE BAY, DILWARA, DUNERA, CITY OF CANTERBURY, EMPIRE ORIOLE (n.b. spelled Diary as EMPIRE ORIEL) to rendezvous at the outer end of searched channel with RAMILLIES and port of W.S. 14 convoy from Capetown.  The whole then sailed for position 8S, 42-30E, speed of advance 11 knots.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown:  one Anson aircraft departed for SW patrol to Walvis Bay and Swakopmund.

 

Durban: Bad weather prevented full A/S being given to the Durban portion of W.S. 14 on leaving by Anson aircraft.

 

Wednesday, 14th January 1942

 

EREBUS arrived at Capetown at 1012 G.M.T. and went over the D/G range and then departed at 1254 G.M.T. for Simonstown and arrived 2010 G.M.T.

 

ENGADINE arrived at Durban at 0733 G.M.T.

 

CERES escorting ANDES departed Durban at 1618 G.M.T. to overtake convoy W.S. 14 – H.T. ANDES replaced H.T. DUCHESS OF ATHOLL which returned to harbour with engine trouble.

 

DERBYSHIRE departed Simonstown at 0512 G.M.T. to patrol an area from 40 degrees to 42 degrees South and from 20 degrees to 21.50E to intercept Vichy French merchant ships and blockade runners.

 

Thursday, 15th January 1942

 

MAURITIUS arrived at Durban at 0503 G.M.T., escorting H.T. EMPRESS OF RUSSIA.

 

H.M.H.S. AMRA arrived at Durban at 0620 G.M.T.

 

HURWORTH arrived at Durban at 0654 G.M.T.

 

BRIDGEWATER departed Durban at 1048 G.M.T. for Simonstown.

 

ASTER departed Simonstown at 1110 G.M.T. for Capetown.

 

HURWORTH departed Durban at 1420 G.M.T. for Kilindini, speed of advance 13 knots.

 

MAURITIUS departed Durban at 1707 G.M.T. for Simonstown.

 

H.M. Trawler GENERAL BIRDWOOD arrived at 0815 G.M.T. at Capetown.

 

ASTER arrived at 1655 G.M.T. at Capetown.

 

Whale catcher SIGFRA departed Capetown at 1121 G.M.T., for East London.

 

Friday, 16th January 1942

 

Cable ship LADY DENISON PENDER departed Capetown at 0401 G.M.T.

 

SULTAN HISAR arrived Capetown at 0635 G.M.T., went over D/G range and departed at 0844 G.M.T. for Simonstown and arrived there at 1215 G.M.T.

 

ATHENE arrived at Capetown at 0649 G.M.T. and went over D/G range before berthing.

 

WORCESTERSHIRE arrived at Capetown at 0903 G.M.T. and departed at 1627 G.M.T. for Port Elizabeth after going over D/G range, speed of advance 12 knots.

 

Saturday, 17th January 1942

 

Whale catcher SIGFRA arrived at East London to be taken in hand for conversion.

 

Cable ship LADY DENISON PENDER arrived at Capetown 1450 G.M.T.

 

EMPIRE FULMAR departed Capetown at 1520 G.M.T., for Aden, speed of advance 17 knots.

 

MAURITIUS arrived at 0855 G.M.T. at Simonstown.

 

BRIDGEWATER arrived at 0800 G.M.T. at Simonstown.

 

ISLAY departed Port Elizabeth at 0425 G.M.T. for Durban

 

DUNNOTTAR CASTLE 0500 G.M.T.  D/F Calibration in False Bay, 0900 G.M.T. full calibre 6 inch shoot; 1306 G.M.T. departed False Bay to patrol an area from 40S to 42S and from 18 degrees...(n.b. bottom of this page and top of next page chopped).

 

CERES arrived at Durban at 0338 G.M.T.

 

CHITRAL and ALAUNIA arrived at Durban at 0827 G.M.T.

 

WORCESTERSHIRE arrived at Port Elizabeth at 1008 G.M.T.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown}                   Anson patrols were carried out from all bases during the

Durban}                        period under review.

Port Elizabeth}

 

Monday, 19th January 1942

 

TULIP arrived at Capetown at 1149 G.M.T.

 

Whale catchers BUSEN IV, VIII, and IX arrived at Capetown at 0617 G.M.T.

 

BURRA and GRAAF VAN VLAANDEREN departed Durban at 1541 G.M.T. for Kilindini, speed of advance 8 knots.

 

 

 

SULTAN HISAR unbasined at Simonstown at 0630 G.M.T. and anchored Simon's Bay and departed for Durban at 0850 G.M.T., speed of advance 16.8 knots.

 

Tuesday, 20th January 1942

 

ISLAY arrived at Durban at 0536 G.M.T.

 

CHITRAL departed Durban at 1647 G.M.T., escorting Convoy C.M. 26 consisting of LLANDAFF CASTLE, PULASKI, and ELIZABETHVILLE for Mombasa, speed of advance 10.5 knots.

 

ATHENE unberthed at Capetown at 0500 G.M.T. and re ranged over D/G range and then anchored in Table Bay.

 

Wednesday, 21st January 1942

 

SULTAN HISAR arrived at Durban at 0945 G.M.T.

 

ATHENE departed Capetown at 0410 G.M.T., for Port Louis, Mauritius, speed of advance 13 knots to 31-15S and then 15 knots.

 

BEAUFORT departed Capetown at 0855 G.M.T. for Durban calling at False Bay at 1400 G.M.T. for H.A. practices at sleeve target.

 

Whale catchers BUSEN VIII and IV departed Capetown at 1609 G.M.T.

 

ROBERTS unbasined at Simonstown at 0530 G.M.T. and anchored in Simon's Bay.

 

INSIZWA, M.L. 1098, unbasined Simonstown at 0700 G.M.T., carried out gun trials, W/T trials; at 1200 G.M.T. swung for compass adjustment, and returned to basin.

 

MAURITIUS departed Simonstown at 1820 G.M.T. for Freetown, speed of advance 17 knots.

 

Thursday, 22nd January 1942

 

SULTAN HISAR departed Durban at 0703 G.M.T. for Mombasa, speed of advance 15 knots.

 

INSIZWA, M.L. 1098, unbasined at 0900 G.M.T. for A/S trials in False Bay and returned to Basin at 1400 G.M.T.

 

ROBERTS D/F calibration and exercises as follows:

 

1).  1200 G.M.T. 15 inch sub calibre firing at 2 Patt.VI targets.

 

2).  O.C. (1) 4 inch full calibre firings at 2 Patt VI targets.

 

3).  1300 G.M.T. 4 inch full calibre H/A firing at sleeve.

 

4). O.C. (3) pom pom and Oerlikon firing at sleeve.

 

5).  1900 G.M.T.  15 inch sub calibre night practice at 2 Patt VI targets.  4 inch full calibre practice at 2 Patt. VI targets using star shells. And departed for Durban at 2030 G.M.T., speed of advance 12 ½ knots.

 

ENGADINE departed Durban 0800 G.M.T. for Aden, speed of advance 13 ½ knots.

 

Friday, 23rd January 1942

 

BEAUFORT arrived Durban at 1022 G.M.T.

 

INSIZWA, M.L. 1098, departed Simonstown and carried out engine and speed trials and arrived Capetown at 1345 G.M.T.

 

EREBUS 1100 G.M.T. unbasined and proceeded to False Bay 1400 G.M.T.; bombarded Rossouws Kop and on completion anchored in Simon's Bay.

 

Air Operations

 

Port Elizabeth:  Anson aircraft located and escorted H.T. JOHANN VAN OLDENBARNEVELDT.

 

Saturday, 24th January

 

...(n.b. top of page chopped)... of advance 14 knots.

 

WORCESTERSHIRE departed Port Elizabeth at 1240 G.M.T. for Simonstown.

 

EREBUS carried out following exercises:

 

0545 G.M.T.    weighed and proceeded.

 

0700 G.M.T.    4 inch sub calibre firing, 4 inch full calibre.

 

0830 G.M.T.    4 inch H.A. firing.

 

0935 G.M.T.    departed for Durban, speed of advance 8 knots.

 

U.S.S. LEONARD WOOD, JOSEPH DICKMAN, ORIZABA arrived at Capetown.

 

Sunday, 25th January

 

F.F. Sloop SAVORGNAN DE BRAZZA arrived Durban 1120 G.M.T.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown}                   Anson aircraft carried out patrols at all bases as

Durban}                        during the previous periods.

Port Elizabeth}

 

Monday, 26th January 1942

 

WORCESTERSHIRE arrived Simonstown at 0538 G.M.T.

 

Whale Catcher BUSEN VI departed Capetown at 1430 G.M.T. for Kilindini direct.

 

Tuesday, 27th January 1942

 

ROBERTS arrived at Durban 1005 G.M.T.

 

H.M.H.S. AMRA departed Durban at 1239 G.M.T.

 

DERBYSHIRE departed patrol area at 1100 G.M.T. for Durban, but was subsequently diverted to East London.

 

ASTER departed Capetown at 1448 G.M.T. for Durban by inshore route, speed of advance 12 knots.

 

MARGUERITE departed Capetown at 0429 G.M.T. for Durban.

 

Wednesday, 28th January 1942

 

INSIZWA, M.L. 1098, departed Capetown at 0608 G.M.T. by inshore route for Port Elizabeth, speed of advance 10 knots.

 

Whale catcher SEMLA departed Capetown at 0805 G.M.T. for East London.

 

Thursday, 29th January 1942

 

EREBUS arrived at Durban at 0537 G.M.T.

 

Friday, 30th January 1942

 

DERBYSHIRE arrived at East London at 1034 G.M.T.

 

INSIZWA, M.L. 1098, arrived at Port Elizabeth at 0457Z.

 

ASTER arrived Durban at 1235Z.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – one Anson aircraft departed for SW patrol, landing at Alexander Bay for night and proceeding to Walvis Bay and Swakopmund the next day.

 

Saturday, 31st January 1942

 

HERMES.  0545 G.M.T., unbasined and anchored in Simon's Bay.  0930 G.M.T. director test and compass adjustment carried out.  2300 G.M.T. departed Simon's Bay for Capetown to range.

 

INSIZWA departed Port Elizabeth at 1300 G.M.T. for East London.

 

ISLAY departed Durban at 0632 G.M.T. for Mombasa, speed of advance 8.3 knots.

 

MARGUERITE arrived Durban at 1133 G.M.T.

 

EREBUS departed Durban at 0448 G.M.T. for Mombasa, speed of advance 7 ½ knots.

 

Whale catcher SEMLA arrived at East London to be taken in hand for repairs and alterations.

 

 

---

 

 

FEBRUARY 1942

 

Part 1 (a).   Chronological Operations Section.

 

Sunday, 1st February 1942

 

M.L. 1098 arrived East London at 0545 G.M.T.

 

HERMES arrived D.G. Range Cape Town 0455 G.M.T. and left Cape Town 0909 G.M.T. for False Bay. Carried out full calibre practice firing and sailed for Port Louis (Mauritius) at 1510 G.M.T.

 

MARGUERITE departed Durban at 0426 G.M.T. for Mombasa.

 

Air operations

 

Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, and Durban.  Routine patrols were carried out during the week under review, but on a reduced scale at Durban owing to the lack of serviceable aircraft.

 

Monday, 2nd February 1942

 

DUNNOTTAR CASTLE left patrol at dusk for Cape Town.

 

Oiler BRITISH JUSTICE arrived Simonstown to discharge 11,000 tons of furnace and diesel oil.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown – Anson  aircraft returned from the Route S.W. patrol with nothing to report.

 

Tuesday, 3rd February 1942

 

H.M.A.S. NORMAN arrived Simonstown 0720 G.M.T.

 

WORCESTERSHIRE undocked at Simonstown and sailed for Cape Town at 1356 G.M.T.

 

DERBYSHIRE departed East London at 0514 G.M.T. for rendezvous with S.S. ORDUNA at the outer end of Durban searched channel.

 

M.L. 1098 departed East London at 0610 G.M.T. for Durban.

 

Cable ship LADY DENISON PENDER departed Cape Town at 0547 G.M.T.

 

Air Operations

 

(none noted)

 

Wednesday, 4th February 1942

 

DUNNOTTAR CASTLE arrived Capetown at 0430 G.M.T.

 

WORCESTERSHIRE arrived Cape Town at 0835 G.M.T.

 

VERBENA departed Cape Town at 0437 G.M.T. for Durban.

 

U.S. Transports J.T. DICKMAN, LEONARD WOOD, ORIZABA departed Cape Town at 0944 G.M.T. for rendezvous with U.S. escort and thence to Bahia, Trinidad, and New York.

 

DERBYSHIRE at end of Durban searched channel at 1000 G.M.T. to rendezvous with S.S. ORDUNA and proceed to Cape Town.

 

ILEX departed Durban at 0834 G.M.T. for Simonstown.

 

H.N.M.S. JACOB VAN HEEMSKERCK arrived Simonstown at 0730 G.M.T.

 

Thursday, 5th February 1942

 

M.L. 1098 arrived Durban at 0247 G.M.T.

 

HOLLYHOCK departed Cape Town at 0632 G.M.T. for Durban.

 

WORCESTERSHIRE departed Cape Town at 0928 G.M.T. for exercises in False Bay and returned to Cape Town on completion.

 

H.M.S.A.S. BLUFF escorting S.S. CARSO (Italian prize) departed East London at 0520 G.M.T. for Cape Town.

 

Oiler BRITISH JUSTICE departed Simonstown.

 

Friday, 6th February 1942

 

(n.b. top of page chopped...arrived Capetown 1741 G.M.T.

 

H.M.S. WORCESTERSHIRE arrived Cape Town at 0529 G.M.T.

 

H.M.S. ALAUNIA departed Durban at 0646 G.M.T.

 

Saturday, 7th February 1942

 

H.M.S. ASCANIA departed Cape Town at 0517 G.M.T. for Port Elizabeth

 

H.M.S. A.S.I.S. BOURNONNAIS departed Cape Town at 1647 G.M.T.

 

H.M.S. KENNET and H.M.S. ST MINIVER departed Cape Town at 1407 G.M.T.> to Durban.

 

H.M.S. TULIP departed Capetown at 0932 G.M.T. for Durban.

 

H.M.S. ROBERTS departed Durban at 1645 for Mombasa.

 

H.M.S. ILEX arrived Simonstown at 1146 G.M.T.

 

Sunday, 8th February 1942

 

H.M.S. HOLLYHOCK arrived Duran 0752 G.M.T.

 

H.M.S. HOLLYHOCK departed Durban at 1615 G.M.T. for Mauritius.

 

H.M.S. ASTER and H.M.S. VERBENA departed Durban in company for Mauritius at 0914 G.M.T.

 

F.F. Sloop SAVORGNAN DE BRAZZA departed Durban at 1208 G.M.T. for Simonstown.

 

H.M.S. JAY (Controlled minelayer) arrived Walvis Bay at 1030 G.M.T.

 

H.M.S. DERBYSHIRE escorting H.M.T. ORDUNA departed Capetown at 1601 G.M.T. for Freetown.

 

H.M.S. ASCANIA arrived Port Elizabeth at 1441 G.M.T.

 

Air Operations

 

At Cape Town, Durban, and Port Elizabeth routine patrols were carried out during the period under review.

 

Monday, 9th February 1942

 

H.M.S. DUNNOTTAR CASTLE, H.M.S. WORCESTERSHIRE departed Cape Town in company at 0615 G.M.T. to rendezvous with Convoy W.S. 15 at 1600 G.M.T.

 

H.M.S. CHESHIRE left Convoy W.S. 15 on relief by H.M.S. DUNNOTTAR CASTLE and WORCESTERSHIRE and proceeded to Cape Town.

 

H.M.S. RESOLUTION arrived Cape Town 1443 G.M.T. (flying Flag of V.A. 3).

 

Air Operations

 

At Cape Town.  One Anson carried out A/S patrol to cover H.M.S. RESOLUTION from 0600 G.M.T. until she docked.

 

Tuesday, 10th February

 

H.M.S. TULIP arrived Durban 0720 G.M.T.

 

H.N.M.S. JACOB VAN HEEMSKERCK departed Simonstown at 0830 G.M.T. for Durban.

 

H.M.S. DEMIR HISAR arrived Table Bay at 0527 G.M.T. and departed 0610 for Simonstown.  Arrived Simonstown 0855 G.M.T.

 

H.M.S. RESOLUTION departed Cape Town at 0512 G.M.T. for Freetown.

 

H.M.S. JAY departed Walvis Bay at 1440 G.M.T. for Cape Town.

 

H.M.S. CHESHIRE escorting portion of W.S. 15 consisting of PASTEUR, LACONIA, ORONTES, DORSET, ELIZABETH BAKKE, And H.N.M.S. COLOMBIA arrived Cape Town at 0539 G.M.T.

 

Air Operations

 

Cape Town.  Anson aircraft carried A/S cover to H.M.S. RESOLUTION leaving harbour until 1215 G.M.T.

 

Cape Town.  Anson aircraft carried A/S to convoy W.S. 15 from daylight until ships were berthed.

 

Wednesday, 11th January 1942

 

H.M.S. TULIP departed Durban 1322 G.M.T. for Mauritius.

 

F.F. SAVORGNAN DE BRAZZA arrived Simonstown at 1018 G.M.T.

 

H.M.S. ILEX departed Simonstown at 0614 G.M.T. for D/G ranging at Table Bay and departed Table Bay at 1400 G.M.T. for Freetown.

 

H.M.S. NORMAN ordered to proceed to Durban, instead of Mauritius, for escorting of Convoy W.S. 15.

 

Thursday, 12th February 1942

 

H.N.M.S. JACOB VAN HEEMSKERCK arrived Durban at 0708 G.M.T. sailed 1650 G.M.T. for Seychelles.

 

H.M.S. KENNET and H.M.S. ST MINVER arrived Durban at 1621 G.M.T.

 

H.M.S. DEMIR HISAR departed Simonstown at 0723 G.M.T. for D.G. Range in Table Bay and entered dry dock in Cape Town at 1600 G.M.T.

 

H.M.S. MAPLE and H.M.S. REDWOOD departed Cape Town at 1235 G.M.T. in company for Durban.

 

Friday, 13th February 1942

 

H.M.S. NORMAN arrived Durban at 0638 G.M.T.

 

H.M.S. DUNNOTTAR CASTLE, WORCESTERSHIRE, and MILFORD escorting portion of Convoy W.S. 15 arrived Durban at 0630 G.M.T.

 

Ships in convoy ARAWA, STIRLING CASTLE, STRATHMORE, OTRANTO, BRITANNIC, STAFFORDSHIRE, PORT CHALMERS, AAGETKERK, STRATHNAVER, CHRISTIAN HUYGENS. VICEROY OF INDIA, EMPIRE WOODLARK, LETITIA, MELBOURNE STAR, AUTOLYCUS, PARDO.

 

H.M.S. DUNNOTTAR CASTLE parted company with Convoy at the outer end of Durban searched channel and proceeded at 0635 G.M.T. for Simonstown.

 

H.M.S. MILFORD departed Durban at 1625 G.M.T. for Simonstown.

 

F.F. SAVORGNAN DE BRAZZA departed Simonstown at 1300 G.M.T. for Pointe Noire.

 

H.M.S. MAPLE and H.M.S. REDWOOD arrived Cape Town 0450 G.M.T. (returned with engine breakdown in MAPLE.)

 

Air Operations

 

Durban.  Anson aircraft gave close A/S screen to W.S. 15 from daylight under ships had entered harbour.

 

Saturday 14th February 1942

 

H.M.S. CHESHIRE escorting portion of Convoy W.S. 15 consisting of ORONTES, LACONIA, DORSET, PASTEUR, and N.H.M.S. COLOMBIA departed Cape Town at 0830 G.M.T. for rendezvous with main portion of Convoy W.S. 15 at end of Durban Searched Channel.

 

Sunday, 15th February 1942

 

H.M. Trawlers REDWOOD and MAPLE departed Cape Town 0545 G.M.T. for Durban.

 

Air  Operations

 

Capetown:  Beaufort aircraft took part in the routine patrol from Cape Town working in conjunction with Anson aircraft.  Routine patrols were carried out.

 

Durban:  Patrols had to be reduced owing to lack of serviceable aircraft.

 

Port Elizabeth:  During the week under review patrols were carried out by Anson aircraft.

 

Monday, 16th February

 

(n.b. top line of page was chopped)

 

H.M.S. DUNNOTTAR CASTLE arrived Simonstown 0612 G.M.T.

 

H.M.S. MILFORD arrived Simonstown 0805 G.M.T.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown.  IN addition to the usual patrols one Anson aircraft carried out a search 80 miles south of Cape Agulhas to investigate and endeavour to confirm the report of six large icebergs seen by a passing merchant ship in this vicinity.  Though visibility was good, nothing was sighted.

 

Tuesday, 17th February 1942

 

H.M.S. CHESHIRE escorting Cape Town portion of Convoy W.S. 15 consisting of H.N.M.S. COLOMBIA, PASTEUR, LACONIA, ORONTES, DORSET.  R.V. at 1200 G.M.T. with Durban portion at outer and Durban searched Channel.

 

H.M.S. WORCESTERSHIRE, NORMAN, CERES escorting portion of W.S. 15 consisting of CHRISTIAN HUYGENS, STRATHNAVER, VICEROY OF INDIA, EMPIRE WOODLARK, STAFFORDSHIRE, PORT CHALMERS, AAGTEKERK, STIRLING CASTLE, STRATHMORE, OTRANTO, BRITANNIC, PARDO, MELBOURNE STAR, and AUTOLYCUS departed Durban 1022 G.M.T.

 

1400 G.M.T. H.M.S. CHESHIRE left Convoy W.S. 15 and proceeded for East London.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown:  One Anson aircraft left for the routine West Coast Patrol.

 

Durban:  Aircraft were employed on giving close A/S cover to W.S. 15 on leaving Durban in most unfavourable weather conditions.

 

Wednesday, 18th February 1942

 

H.M.S. CHESHIRE arrived East London 0829 G.M.T.

 

H.M.S. CARTHAGE escorting H.M.T. REINA DEL PACIFICO arrived Durban 0557 G.M.T.

 

H.M.S. MYRLAND departed Cape Town for Durban 0946 G.M.T.

 

F.F. Sloop LA MOQUEUSE arrived Cape Town 0423 G.M.T.

 

F.F. Sloop LA MOQUEUSE departed Capetown for Simonstown 1750 G.M.T.

 

Air Operations

 

Durban:  Patrols were again reduced to the small number of serviceable aircraft.

 

Thursday, 19th February 1942

 

H.M.S. BRIDGEWATER unbasined at Simonstown at 0530 G.M.T. and after compass adjustment and M.C. and D.C. trials departed at 0850 G.M.T. for Capetown.  Arrived Capetown 1316 G.M.T. ranged and sailed for Freetown at 1800 G.M.T.

 

F.F. Sloop LA MOQUEUSE arrived Simonstown 0714 G.M.T. and docked.

 

H.M.S. ASCANIA sailed from Port Elizabeth at 1013 G.M.T. for Mauritius.

 

Canadian tug BANSHEE arrived Cape Town 0935 G.M.T.

 

Friday, 20th February 1942

 

H.M.B.D.V. BARFOAM arrived Walvis Bay 1350 G.M.T.

 

H.M.B.D.V. BARCLOSE arrived Walvis Bay 1355 G.M.T.

 

H.M.S. SOUTHERN GEM arrived Capetown 1047 G.M.T.

 

H.M.M.L. 1098 and 1086 sailed 0828 G.M.T. from Durban for Mombasa.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown:  Anson aircraft returned to Cape Town from routine S.W. Patrol.  The pilot had nothing to report.

 

Saturday, 21st February 1942

 

U.S.S.R. Icebreaker A. MIKOJAN arrived Durban 0735 G.M.T.

 

H.M.S. REDWOOD arrived Durban 0947 G.M.T.

 

Air Operations

 

Capetown.  Anson aircraft located EMPIRE STOUR south of Cape Agulhas and directed Tug ST DOGMAEL to her assistance.  Cape Town tug WATERMEYER and also directed to this ship which was taken in tow and brought into Simon's Bay.

 

Sunday, 22nd February 1942

 

S.S. EMPIRE STOUR after engine breakdown in the vicinity of Cape Agulhas arrived Simonstown in tow of tug WATERMEYER assisted by Tug St DOGMAEL.

 

H.M.S. MAPLE arrived Durban at 0403 G.M.T.

 

Air Operations

 

Cape Town, Durban, and Port Elizabeth.  Routine patrols were carried out during the period under review.

 

Monday, 23rd February 1942

 

H.M.S. ALAUNIA escorting H.T. HIGHLAND MONARCH arrived Durban at 1324 G.M.T.

 

H.M.S. CHESHIRE departed East London at 1030 G.M.T. for patrol in vicinity of 41-00S, 20-00E.

 

H.M.S. MYRLAND arrived Durban at 0530 G.M.T.

 

Tuesday, 24th February 1942

 

H.M.S. REVENGE arrived Durban at 0801 G.M.T.

 

H.M.S. MYRLAND departed Durban at 1904 G.M.T. for Mombasa.

 

H.M.S. DEMIR HISAR departed Cape at 1017 G.M.T. for exercises, including day and night sub calibre firings in False Bay, and anchored in Simons Bay at 2112 G.M.T.

 

Wednesday, 25th February 1942

 

H.M.S. DEMIR HISAR departed Simons Bay at 1200 G.M.T. for full calibre shoot in False Bay followed by A/A practice and night encounter and anchored in Simons Bay on completion.

 

H.M.S. DUNNOTTAR CASTLE departed Simonstown at 1530 G.M.T. and arrived Cape Town at 2138 G.M.T.

 

Thursday, 26th February 1942

 

H.M.S. DUNNOTTAR CASTLE departed Cape Town at 0928 G.M.T. for patrol in vicinity of 41-00S, 20-00E.

 

S.S. EMPIRE STOUR after repairs in Simonstown departed at 1040 G.M.T. for Karachi.

 

H.M.S. DEMIR HISAR departed Simons Bay for Durban at 1016 G.M.T.

 

Air Operations

 

Cape Town.  The Beaufort aircraft which carried out the Perimeter Patrol taking off at 1400 G.M.T. reported her position at 1550 G.M.T.  After this signal nothing else was heard from the aircraft.  On being reported overdue, air searches were carried out until midnight and H.M.S. DEMIR HISAR was asked to carry out a search in the area.  It is considered the aircraft came down in the sea due to engine failure and that the crew were lost.

 

Friday, 27th February 1942

 

H.M.S. REDWOOD, MAPLE, KENNET, ST MINVER departed Durban at 1634 G.M.T. for Mombasa.

 

Air Operations

 

Cape Town:  Both Anson and Beaufort aircraft conducted searched for the missing Beaufort throughout the day with negative results.

 

Durban:  Five Beaufort aircraft arrived from Durban from Cape Town for the coastal flight.

 

Saturday, 28th February 1942

 

H.M.S. DEMIR HISAR arrived Durban at 1322 G.M.T.

 

H.M.S. DAYBREAK departed Cape Town at 1517 G.M.T. for Durban.