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  British and Other Navies in World War 2 Day-by-Day
by Don Kindell

NAVAL EVENTS, JUNE 1940 (Part 2 of 4)
Saturday 8th – Friday 14th

HM S/M Thistle (Navy Photos, click to enlarge)

on to JUNE 1940, Part 3

 

Note: all vessels and aircraft are British unless otherwise identified or implied - click for abbreviations

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

 


Background Events - June 1940

 Evacuation of Dunkirk ends, Italy at war, Action at sea in the Mediterranean, France falls


 

 

1940

           

                                                                             

Saturday, 8 June

 

Mobile Naval Base Ship MASHOBRA, bombed and badly damaged by German bombing on 25 May and ran aground to prevent sinking, was scuttled to prevent her capture near Harstad.

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Tanker OLEANDER (7048grt), bombed and badly damaged by German bombing on 26 May and ran aground to prevent sinking near Harstad, was scuttled to prevent her capture.

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British Troopship Group I and battleship VALIANT and her destroyers rendezvoused at 0100, and VALIANT remained with the convoy until it was west of the Faroes. VALIANT and her destroyers then left Group I and picked up Group II on the 10th. The convoy was continually bombed. VALIANT remained with Group II until they reached 59N, and then proceeded to Scapa Flow.

 

Group I arrived in the Clyde at 0600/10th with her escorts of repair ship VINDICTIVE and destroyers VISCOUNT, WITHERINGTON, WOLVERINE, ANTELOPE and ATHERSTONE. Troopship GEORGIC went directly to Brest arriving on the 14th to disembark her French troops.

 

Battlecruiser RENOWN and destroyers ZULU and KELVIN departed Icelandic waters for refuelling at Scapa Flow, where they arrived at 0515 and 520, respectively, on the 9th.

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Tanker OIL PIONEER (5666grt) and escorting trawler JUNIPER (Lt Cdr G. S.Grenfell (emcy) of the 19th Anti-Submarine Striking Force, which had departed Tromso on the 7th were attacked and sunk off Jan Mayen Island in 67‑20N, 04‑10E by German heavy cruiser ADMIRAL HIPPER and the four destroyers of the JUNO operation. The Master and nineteen crew of the tanker were lost. Twenty five survivors from the tanker and four from JUNIPER were picked up by the German ships. Grenfell, Probationary Temporary Lt R. C. B. A. Daniel RNVR, Probationary Temporary Lt N. L.Smith RNVR, and the rest of the crew of the trawler were lost.

 

Troopship ORAMA (19,840grt) was also located in 67‑44N, 03-52E and sunk by the German ships which had sunk OIL PIONEER and JUNIPER, but her companion, hospital ship ATLANTIS, was not molested. Of a crew of 297 men and two gunners, eighteen crew were missing and one died of injuries.

 

ADMIRAL HIPPER and the four destroyers were then ordered to Trondheim for refuelling. Destroyer STEINBRINCK arrived at Trondheim on the 10th with one engine operating. The defects were corrected by 10 June.

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German battlecruisers SCHARNHORST and GNEISENAU encountered aircraft carrier GLORIOUS (Captain G. D'Oyly Hughes) with destroyers ACASTA (Cdr C. E. Glasfurd) and ARDENT (Lt Cdr J. E. Barker) at 1600 west of the Lofoten Islands in 68‑45N, 4‑30E. GLORIOUS had been detached from the Narvik evacuation covering force and was proceeding independently to Scapa Flow.

 

All three British ships were sunk west of Narvik, but not before ACASTA was able to torpedo SCHARNHORST and badly damage her, putting an end to Marschall's operation. She had her centre and starboard engine room flooded, the after turret out of action, and speed reduced to twenty knots. Two officers and forty six ratings were killed.

 

On 11 June, Lt Cdr R. C. O. Hill, FAA Petty Officer Pilot R. T. Leggott of 802 Squadron and officers S/Lt I. V. MacLachlan and Midshipman E. Baldwin of the 823 Squadron, RAF officers Squadron Leader K. B. B. Cross and Flight Lt P. C. Jameson, thirty ratings from GLORIOUS, two ratings from ACASTA, a RAF non commissioned officer were picked up by Norwegian trawler BORGUND (303grt) which landed them in the Faroes on the 13th. One GLORIOUS survivor died before arriving, and one GLORIOUS survivor and one ACASTA survivor died shortly after arriving. Destroyers VETERAN and FORESTER were detached from the Commander in Chief on the 14th to call at the Faroes on the 16th and pick up these men, taking them to Scapa Flow.

 

Another five ratings, of whom one died, from GLORIOUS were picked up by Norwegian trawler SVALBARD 2 (270grt). The trawler returned to Tromso, arriving on the 14th and was captured by German forces. Two ratings from destroyer ARDENT, of whom one died, were picked up by a German seaplane and made prisoners of war. Norwegian steamer MARITA (1136grt) picked up five bodies from GLORIOUS on the 10th and landed in the Faroes. One other rating, who soon died, from ARDENT was picked up by Faroes fishing boat ROKUR.

 

Lost on the three British ships were 1474 officers and ratings of the Royal Navy and 59 RAF personnel:

 

With GLORIOUS were Captain D'Oyly Hughes, Cdr A E F Lovell, Lt Cdr J R F Newnham, Lt Cdr C H Wells, Lt Cdr R W J Pringle-Nicholson, Lt Cdr W G D Blakeney, Lt Cdr A Malcouronne,Lt Cdr A N R Keene Rtd, Lt Cdr J R de la H Marett Rtd, Lt D V Whinney, Captain M N Humphreys, RM, Temporary Lt H W Brooks RNVR, Probationary Lt G R Gibb RNVR, Probationary Temporary Acting S/Lt T J Earle RNVR, S/Lt H Dann RNVR, Cdr (E) J M Goodman, Lt Cdr (E) D E Smeeton, Lt (E) W H Forbes, Lt (E) C Howlett, Lt (E) A T Noble, Lt (E) R H Woodifield, Probationary Temporary S/Lt (E) P M Blunt RNVR, Probationary Temporary S/Lt (E) D L McIntyre RNVR, Reverend J B King, Instructor Lt G Steel, Surgeon Lt T A M Maunsell, Surgeon Cdr C H Egan, MRCS, LRCP, Surgeon Lt (D) G P Pearse, LDS, Surgeon Lt Cdr H A Lockhart RNVR, Paymaster Cdr C S Bishop, Paymaster Cdr H A Gibbons, Paymaster Lt Cdr C C Elliot, Paymaster S/Lt E J L Wright, Temporary Paymaster S/Lt A G Bailey RNVR, Commissioned Electrician A J Abraham, Gunner E G Meadows, Commissioned Gunner (T) H P Scott, Commissioned Gunner L J Werran, Signal Boatswain C Rogers, Warrant Telegraphist R R Clark,Warrant Engineer A E W Elliott, Warrant Engineer H E E May, Warrant Engineer J H Longman, Warrant Shipwright B B Cole, Warrant Air Mechanic L P Ayres, Acting Warrant Shipwright J H Hoppins, Acting Warrant Engineer F B T Cusse, Warrant Writer R C V C Roberts, Warrant Supply Officer F G Penny, Warrant Supply Officer J L Porter, Acting Boatswain P J Caddy,Schoolmaster H G Hallum, 1086 ratings, 18 RAF pilots of 46 and 263 Squadrons and 41 RAF ground personnel.

 

Lt Cdr E H P Slessor, Lt Cdr W H Parkin Rtd, Lt Cdr J D Watson, Lt (A) B P Hart, Probationary S/Lt (A) E A Phillips RNVR, of the air staff were lost in GLORIOUS.

 

Lt J F Marmont (Squadron CO), Lt D N H Ogilvy, Lt N E Ward, Lt G D D'E Lyver, Captain R J W Nott, RM, Captain J R Owens, RM, Lt (A) G H J Feeny, Lt (A) R J B Miles of 802 Squadron, and Lt Cdr C J T Stephens (Squadron CO), Lt J L Hallewell, Lt S F W Hebblethwaite, Lt G Starkey, Lt B J C Wise, S/Lt (A) J H Radclift, S/Lt (A) G P Ritchie, Acting S/Lt (A) J M Franklin, S/Lt (A) J F Shillitoe RNVR, of 823 Squadron were lost in GLORIOUS.

 

With ACASTA were Cdr Glasfurd, Lt C F S Robinson, Lt S L Haydock, Lt B Pares, Lt (E) F J Boyland, Probationary Temporary Surgeon Lt H J Stammers, MRCS, LRCP, MC, BS RNVR, S/Lt R J D Law, Probationary Temporary S/Lt J H Hide RNVR, Acting Gunner (T) A Sharpe, 152 ratings. One rating survived.

 

With ARDENT were Lt Cdr Barker, Lt G L de Pury, Temporary Surgeon Lt D H T Duggan, MD, BCH, BAO RNVR, S/Lt D P Robertson, S/Lt G V R Read-Davis, Probationary S/Lt K S Wood RNVR, Commissioned Engineer B G Clynick, Acting Gunner (T) G H Moses, Probationary Midshipman J F Hawkins RNR, 142 ratings. Two ratings, one of whom died in captivity, were rescued.

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Polish submarine ORZEL, mined and sunk on 25 May, was declared lost after failing to return from her second Norwegian war patrol. Lt K D'O Nott, a British observer and two British communications ratings were lost with the Polish crew.

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Battleship NELSON with destroyers WARWICK, WITCH, AMAZON arrived in the Clyde at 1115. AMAZON departed the Clyde at 1830 for Scapa Flow.

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Destroyer INGLEFIELD (D.3) arrived at Scapa Flow at 2215 after refitting at Devonport.

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Anti-submarine trawler STOKE CITY ran around south of Duncansby Head, but was refloated.

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British steamer CORMINSTER arrived at Scapa Flow from Harstad.

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A German submarine was reported by a British aircraft at 0840 in 55-52N, 2-40E.

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Escort destroyer HAMBLEDON was completed. Following working up at Milford Haven, she was attached to the Home Fleet.

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Swedish steamer KJELL BILLNER (1106grt) was seized by German forces at Stavanger. She was renamed HELGA SCHRODER for German service. The crew were returned to Gotenburg.

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Destroyers VESPER and WANDERER, which had departed Dover on the 7th, bombarded German targets on the roadway between Abbeville and Treport, east of Dieppe on the 8th, before arriving at Dover later that same day. Light cruiser CARDIFF at 1715/8th and VESPER and WANDERER later arrived at Dover to stand by for operations off Dieppe.

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British steamer HARDINGHAM (5415grt), detached from convoy FS.89, struck a mine in 51-34N, 01-37E, and sank in 51-39N, 01-40E. Two crew were lost.

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Convoy BC.40 departed Bristol Channel, escorted by anti-submarine trawler AGATE. The convoy arrived at Loire on the 10th.

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Convoy FN.191 departed Southend, escorted by destroyers WOLFHOUND and VALOROUS. The convoy arrived at the Tyne on the 10th.

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Convoy HG.33 departed Gibraltar with twenty three ships. Destroyers DOUGLAS and VIDETTE escorted the convoy from 8 to 10 June. Sloop ABERDEEN from convoy OG.32 escorted the convoy from 10 to 17 June. It arrived at Liverpool on the 18th.

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Troop convoy US 3 departed Freetown escorted by aircraft carrier HERMES and heavy cruisers CUMBERLAND and SHROPSHIRE. HERMES was detached on the 10th and heavy cruiser DORSETSHIRE accompanied the convoy on 12 to 14 June.

 

US 3 was joined off Gibraltar by battlecruiser HOOD, which departed the Clyde on the 12th, aircraft carrier ARGUS, destroyers BROKE, WANDERER, WESTCOTT, and Canadian destroyers ST LAURENT, RESTIGOUCHE, SKEENA which joined DORSETSHIRE, CUMBERLAND, SHROPSHIRE on the 14th. The fourth Canadian destroyer in Home Waters, FRASER, had arrived at Plymouth on the 3rd and was repairing defects; she did not return to service until 11 June.

 

DORSETSHIRE conducted a patrol off the Canary Islands and arrived at Gibraltar on the 16th. On 23 June, she departed for Dakar, changed in view of Armistice to Freetown.

 

On 15 June, the convoy was joined by destroyers WARWICK and WITCH. On 16 June, the convoy,  CUMBERLAND, SHROPSHIRE and escorts safely arrived in the Clyde, SHROPSHIRE to refit, completing at the beginning of August.

 

From 12 to 16 June, U.29, U.43, U.46, U.48, U.101 were involved in an unsuccessful attempt to intercept the convoy.

 

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Light cruiser DELHI arrived at Gibraltar, sailed the next day with important RAF stores, but was recalled to Gibraltar, arriving back on the 11th.

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Convoy SL.35 departed Freetown escorted by armed merchant cruiser DUNNOTTAR CASTLE to 22 June. On that date, destroyer WARWICK and corvette CLARKIA joined the convoy and escorted it to arrival on the 25th.

 

 

Sunday, 9 June

 

French submarine RUBIS, which had departed Dundee on the 5th, arrived off Fedjeonsonfjord, near Bergen. She sighted German destroyer RIEDEL, which had departed Trondheim on the 8th for Wilhelmshaven. RUBIS dived to evade, but RIEDEL did not pursue, continuing south. RUBIS laid mines at 2210 in Fedjeosonfjord in 60‑36N, 04‑54E for minefield FD.17. On the 10th, Norwegian steamer SVERRE SIGURDSON (1081grt) was lost on this minefield.

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Submarines PORPOISE and NARWHAL departed Immingham to lay minefields FD.18 on the 14th off Fro Havet in 63‑30N, 08‑12E and FD.19 on the 12th off Haugesand 59‑26N, 05‑10E, respectively.

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Submarines STURGEON, H.28 and H.31 departed Blyth on patrol.

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Late on the 9th, German battlecruiser SCHARNHORST arrived at Trondheim with sister-ship GNEISENAU and were escorted into harbour by torpedo boats GREIF and KONDOR which were just arriving from Germany.

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Destroyers ESCORT and ELECTRA departed Scapa Flow at 0900 to rendezvous with heavy cruiser DEVONSHIRE and escort her to the Clyde, but they were recalled to Scapa Flow for other duty.

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Light cruiser NEWCASTLE (CS.18) and heavy cruiser SUSSEX was ordered to leave the Iceland area for a position off the west coast of Iceland.

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At 1030/9th, hospital ship ATLANTIS met battleship VALIANT and the first intelligence of Marschall's forces was received by the Admiralty and the Home Fleet. She advised she had observed a pocket battleship engaging a two funnel transport in 67-44N, 0-52E at 0900/8th. This was presumed to be liner ORAMA. ATLANTIS arrived at Scapa Flow on the 10th at 1600.

 

Battleship RODNEY, battlecruiser RENOWN, destroyers ZULU, KELVIN, INGLEFIELD (D.3), ELECTRA and ESCORT departed Scapa Flow at 1245 to escort the convoys. Aircraft carrier ARK ROYAL was ordered to join this force on the 10th.

 

A Swordfish of 810 Squadron from ARK ROYAL ditched in the sea after missing the aircraft carrier on its return from a reconnaissance mission looking for SCHARNHORST. S/Lt R. C. Eborn, Midshipman G. T. Shaddick and Leading Airman P. W. Clitheroe were picked up by Norwegian fishery protection vessel SYRIAN and taken to Iceland.

 

Battlecruiser REPULSE, heavy cruiser SUSSEX, light cruiser NEWCASTLE, and destroyers MAORI, FOXHOUND, FORESTER were still in Icelandic waters. They were ordered at 1026 to sweep northeast and join Troopship Group II and the slow auxiliary convoy which were travelling together. NEWCASTLE arrived at Scapa Flow on the 11th. MAORI, FOXHOUND, FORESTER arrived at Sullom Voe for refuelling at 0100/10th and departed at 0800 after refuelling.

 

Destroyers VOLUNTEER and WHIRLWIND departed Scapa Flow at 2000 for Sullom Voe. FOXHOUND experienced a turbine problem and returned to Sullom Voe, to be replaced by WHIRLWIND, which sailed from Sullom Voe at 1530/10th.

 

FOXHOUND departed Sullom Voe at 0845/11th and arrived at Scapa Flow at 2100. WHIRLWIND was soon detached to hunt a U-boat in 60‑04N, 1‑50E, sighted by air at 0633/10th, and was ordered to hunt for twenty four hours.

 

Destroyer FIREDRAKE at 1300, with Group II, attacked a submarine contact in 68-05N, 2-30E. Destroyers FEARLESS, AMAZON, ANTELOPE, ESCAPADE departed Sullom Voe at 2230/11th to join the Home Fleet at sea.

 

Late on the 11th, VALIANT and REPULSE with destroyers TARTAR (D.6), BEDOUIN, MAORI, DIANA, ACHERON and FORESTER arrived at Scapa Flow at 2200 for refuelling.

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While following the British slow convoy, Norwegian steamers PRINS OLAV (2147grt) and ARIADNE (2029grt) were sunk by German bombing in 67‑55N, 02‑10E, northeast of the Shetlands. One crewman was missing from PRINS OLAV and nine from ARIADNE. Destroyer ARROW rescued seventy two male and nine female survivors.

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Destroyers VETERAN and VANOC arrived at Sullom Voe at 2350.

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Destroyers WARWICK and WITCH departed the Clyde at 2330 for Liverpool.

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Minelayers TEVIOTBANK and PLOVER escorted by destroyers GALLANT and WALPOLE departed the Humber to lay minefield BS 12 in the North Sea, arriving back in the Humber on the 10th after the minelay.

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Operation CYCLE, the evacuation of the French north coast was set into action.

 

Destroyers RESTIGOUCHE, BROKE, ST LAURENT, CODRINGTON and sloop WELLINGTON were ordered at 1509/9th to proceed to rendezvous with destroyer SALADIN seven miles 270° from Cape De Le Havre. At 1533 the same orders were sent to anti-aircraft cruiser CALCUTTA and destroyers BULLDOG and BOADICEA. The ships were ordered not to arrive at Havre before 0400/10th.

 

Destroyers AMBUSCADE, HARVESTER, FERNIE and corvette GARDENIA from the Western Approaches were also ordered to CYCLE and departed Portland on the 9th.

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Drifter DEWEY EVE (109grt) was sunk in an accidental collision at Scapa Flow with British trawler GOLD CROWN (178grt).

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Destroyer ENCOUNTER, sailing with a convoy to Aberdeen, was delayed by fog. They were able to proceed and departed Scapa Flow at 1345/10th. British steamers ST MAGNUS, LOCH NAGAR, ROYAL SCOTSMAN and Norwegian steamer IRIS were escorted by ENCOUNTER and trawlers ANGLE, INDIAN STAR, ST KEENAN, LADY ELSA for Aberdeen, arriving at 0430/11th. ENCOUNTER returned to Scapa Flow.

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Trawlers BARBARA ROBB, MOUNT ARD, FORT RYAN arrived at Scapa Flow from Norway.

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U.46 sank Finnish steamer MARGARETA (3598grt) in 44‑04N, 12‑30W. Five crew were lost.

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Steamer EMPIRE COMMERCE (3857grt) was badly damaged on a mine five cables west, northeast,  220° of the NE Spit Buoy, near Margate. Two crew were missing. She was beached 19 cables 261° from NE Spit Buoy, refloated on the 11th and again beached on the 12th in 51-26N, 01-24E.

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Steamer DULWICH (4102grt) was sunk by German bombing off Villequier. She was later salved and renamed HOLTENAU for German service.

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French auxiliary minesweepers NOTRE DAMES DES DUNES (481grt) and MADELEINE LOUISE (464grt) were sunk by German bombing at Dunkirk.

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Greek steamer MAX WOLF (6694grt) was sunk by German bombing in the English Channel between Roque and Berville. Two crew were killed and she was beached at Tancarville. The wreck was later used as a target for German aircraft.

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Convoy OA.164 did not sail.

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Convoy OB.164 departed Liverpool escorted by sloop SANDWICH from 9 to 12 June. The sloop was detached to convoy HX.47.

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Convoy OG.33F was formed from (1) convoys OA.163GF, which departed Southend on the 7th escorted by corvette GLADIOLUS, and (2) OB.163GF, which departed Liverpool on the 7th escorted by sloop SCARBOROUGH, with a total of fifty two ships. Corvette PERIWINKLE escorted the convoy from 9 to 10 June and was then detached to convoy HG.33F. SCARBOROUGH escorted the convoy from 9 to 13 June and was then detached to convoy HG.34F. Destroyer DOUGLAS joined on the 13th and escorted the convoy into Gibraltar, arriving on the 14th.

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Convoy FN.192 departed Southend, escorted by destroyer VIVIEN. Destroyers JACKAL and FORESIGHT were ordered to close the convoy for the night of 9/10 June and remain with it until daylight. The convoy arrived at the Tyne on the 11th.

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Convoy MT.85 departed Methil, escorted by destroyer WOOLSTON and sloop FLEETWOOD. The convoy arrived at the Tyne later that day.

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Convoy FS.191 departed the Tyne, escorted by destroyer WOOLSTON and sloop FLEETWOOD. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 11th.

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Convoy HX.49 departed Halifax at 0900 escorted by Canadian destroyers SAGUENAY and ASSINIBOINE, which were detached on the 10th. Ocean escort  was armed merchant cruiser AUSONIA. Armed merchant cruiser LACONIA had departed with the convoy but ran aground in Halifax Harbour, and AUSONIA was sailed in her place at 1900/9th. She was detached on the 20th. Also on 20 June, sloops FOWEY and SANDWICH joined the convoy. FOWEY was detached on the 23rd. SANDWICH escorted the convoy to Liverpool, arriving on the 24th.

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German steamer DOCKENHUDEN (216grt) was sunk at Stolpmunde.

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German auxiliary patrol boat Vp.801 (trawler BAYERN, 437grt) was sunk off Ameland in 53‑33N, 06‑02E on a mine. Auxiliary patrol boat Vp.803 (trawler WIESBADEN, 325grt) on patrol nearby rescued the survivors. Although some German sources indicate that Vp.801 was a victim of a submarine attack, auxiliary patrol boat Vp.803 reported that Vp.801 struck a mine. Two British submarines in the area, TRIAD and SWORDFISH, reported no vessels sighted on their respective patrols and the French submarines had since been withdrawn to Brest in preparation for duty in the Mediterranean.

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Between 7 and 9 June, thirty three Italian submarines departed Italian ports on patrol in the Mediterranean.

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During the night of 9/10 June, Italian light cruisers BARBIANO and CARDONA, destroyers CORAZZIERE and LANCIERE, and torpedo boats CALIPSO and POLLUCE laid mines between Lampedusa and Kerkenah. Feared intervention by Bizerte-based French units did not materialize.

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Italian steamer AVVENIRE (957grt) was sunk north of Pantelleria on an Italian mine.

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Italian steamer ANGIULLIN (873grt) was sunk  off Cape Granitola on an Italian mine.

 

 

Monday, 10 June

 

After proceeding to one of the inner evacuation rendezvouses after British forces had already departed, armed boarding vessel VANDYCK (13,241grt, Captain G F W Wilson Rtd) was sunk by German bombing off Andenes. Temporary Lt Cdr (E) E Watson RNR, Refrigerating Engineer D Elias and five ratings were lost. The rest of the crew, Captain Wilson, Lt K L Alger RNR, Temporary Paymaster Lt J E L Jones RNR, Temporary Lt (E) W Henderson RNR, Cdr J L Croasdaile RNR, Temporary S/Lt R L Callaghan RNR, 3rd Electrician C Bell, Temporary S/Lt J B Kennedy RNR, Chief Steward G S Thorpe, 4th Engineer E Champion, Lt W F Graves RNR Rtd, Temporary Probationary S/Lt D F Rees RNR, 10th Engineer W Purdy, 11th Engineer R T Frost, Junior Engineer W B Carter, Acting Temporary Surgeon Lt Cdr R G Knight, 3rd Engineer R G Beatty, 7th Engineer R Smith, Acting Paymaster Lt Cdr C W Linton RNVR, 8th Engineer A J Green, 9th Engineer T H Parry, Engineer T Yates and one hundred and thirty two ratings, were able to row ashore in the ship's boats and taken prisoner. Temporary S/Lt (E) J Lavender RNR, C G Evans, 2nd Engineer and five ratings were wounded. Lt D Conolly RNR, died as a prisoner of war on the 22 June 1940 and Gunner S.J. Gooch Rtd on 20 February 1941. Two ratings also died as prisoners of war. Destroyer DELIGHT was sent to unsuccessfully search for her when she failed to arrive at the rendezvous.

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Destroyer WHIRLWIND at 2048 attacked a submarine contact in 61-42N, 3-56W.

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Destroyer ATHERSTONE and ANTELOPE departed the Clyde at 1930 for Scapa Flow.

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Destroyers WOLVERINE, VISCOUNT, WITHERINGTON departed the Clyde at 1600 for Sullom Voe, arriving on the 11th. Destroyers ESCAPADE, VISCOUNT, ANTELOPE had arrived earlier on the 11th. They joined destroyers FEARLESS and AMAZON.

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Destroyers VOLUNTEER, WHIRLWIND from the Clyde and VETERAN, VANOC, WALKER arrived at Sullom Voe for refuelling. VETERAN and VANOC arrived at 2350. After refuelling, WALKER joined the slow store convoy.

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Destroyer ESCAPADE departed Liverpool at 1200. She proceeded to Sullom Voe, proceeding at twenty knots, due to a loss of lubricating oil.

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Anti-submarine trawlers LE TIGER and LEICESTER CITY were ordered to investigate a direction finding bearing in Fair Isle Channel.

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Submarine TRIBUNE departed Rosyth for patrol off Fro Havet.

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German battlecruiser GNEISENAU, heavy cruiser ADMIRAL HIPPER, and destroyers LODY, STEINBRINCK, SCHOEMANN, GALSTER departed Trondheim to attack the Allied Convoys evacuating Norway. It was soon decided that the convoys were beyond reach and the German ships arrived back at Trondheim late on the 10th.

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Submarine CLYDE at 1400 reported one German pocket battleship and one HIPPER class cruiser in 64-35N, 9-45E, steering 300°.

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Destroyer ECHO arrived at Scapa Flow at 1130/11th to oil, and departed at 1530 to rejoin British Troopship Group II. The Group, with anti-aircraft cruiser COVENTRY and destroyers FIREDRAKE, FAME, HAVELOCK, BEAGLE, DELIGHT, ECHO arrived at Greenock at 2300/12th.

 

French troops on troopship ORMONDE were transferred to troopship ULSTER PRINCE, which then went to Brest, arriving on the 15th. Troopship ROYAL ULSTERMAN arrived at Lorient on the 16th and troopship ROYAL SCOTSMAN arrived at Brest on the 17th to disembark French troops.

 

Light cruiser SOUTHAMPTON and anti-aircraft cruiser COVENTRY were detached to Scapa Flow. COVENTRY went on to Glasgow, then the Clyde. SOUTHAMPTON arrived in the Clyde at 1306/12th. COVENTRY departed the Clyde on the 15th and arrived in the Tyne for refitting on the 16th. Following a short refit, she departed on the 29th for Scapa Flow, arriving on the 30th.

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Destroyers TARTAR (D.6), BEDOUIN, MAORI and ASHANTI departed Scapa Flow at 1130/13th to rendezvous with the Commander in Chief, Home Fleet in 65N, 4W. Destroyers VETERAN, CAMPBELL, MASHONA departed Sullom Voe at 0400/13th and destroyer FORESTER departed Scapa Flow at 2100/12th also to rendezvous with the Commander in Chief Home Fleet, in 63-00N, 4-00W at 1300/13th.

 

At dawn on the 13th, aircraft carrier ARK ROYAL launched an air attack of fifteen Skuas on Trondheim harbour to be coordinated with a Royal Air Force strike of four Beauforts of 22 Squadron and six Blenheim aircraft on the Vaernes airfield near Trondheim. German battlecruiser SCHARNHORST was hit by a bomb that did not explode and no other ships were hit.

 

Eight Skuas were shot down. From the 800 Squadron, Captain R. T. Partridge, RM, was made a prisoner of war, but his observer Lt R. S.Bostock was killed in the crash. Lt G. E. D. Finch-Noyes. DSC, was shot down and killed, but Petty Officer Airman H.G. Cunningham survived. Midshipman (A) L.M. Gallagher, DSC and Acting Petty Officer W. Crawford died when their Skua crashed. Midshipman (A) D. T. R. Martin was shot down and was taken prisoner, but Leading Airman W. J. Tremeer was killed. Martin was picked up by the German seaplane which had just picked up the two ARDENT survivors. From the 803 Squadron, Lt Cdr J. Casson and his observer Lt P. E. Fanshawe, and Lt C. H.Filmer and his observer Midshipman (A) T. A. McKee were shot down and made prisoners of war. S/Lt J. A. Harris and Naval Airman S.R. Stevenson were shot down; Harris died of injuries shortly thereafter and Stevenson died of injuries on 31 May 1941. S/Lt R. E. Bartlett and Naval Airman 1/c L.G. Richards were shot down and were made prisoners of war.

 

Surviving aircraft, piloted by Lt K. V. V. Spurway and Petty Officer Airman H.A. Monk of 800 Squadron and S/Lt (A) G. W. Brokensha, Petty Officer Airman T. F. Riddler, Midshipman (A) A. S.Griffiths, Midshipman (A) A. S.Gibson, Petty Officer Airman H.Gardiner of 803 Squadron returned to the aircraft carrier.

 

Later on the 13th, destroyers ELECTRA and ANTELOPE collided, while escorting ARK ROYAL off central Norway in heavy fog. Destroyer ZULU took ELECTRA in tow, while destroyer INGLEFIELD stood by ANTELOPE. This signalled an end to the Norwegian operations. The retirement of the two damaged destroyers was covered by battleship RODNEY and battlecruiser RENOWN. Tug BRIGAND proceeded on the 15th and joined ELECTRA, which was taken in tow, and at 2000 they were proceeding at eight knots in 60-36N, 4-00W. ELECTRA arrived at Scapa Flow at 1430/16th, attended by tug BRIGAND and escorted by ZULU and ESCAPADE. She then departed on the 18th escorted by destroyer CAMPBELL and arrived at Troon on the 20th. Repairs were completed on 24 August.

 

ANTELOPE arrived at Scapa Flow at 0330/15th escorted by destroyer INGLEFIELD. She departed the Scapa Flow at 2213/15th to the Tyne, and returned to duty on 16 August.

 

ARK ROYAL with destroyers KELVIN, ESCORT, CAMPBELL arrived at Scapa Flow on the 14th at 1545. RODNEY, RENOWN, and destroyers TARTAR, FEARLESS, ASHANTI, BEDOUIN, MASHONA, MAORI arrived at Scapa Flow at 1640/15th.

______

 

Light cruisers MANCHESTER, BIRMINGHAM, SHEFFIELD departed the Humber on the 9th and arrived at Rosyth on the 10th. They joined heavy cruiser YORK, which had been there since 28 May.

______

 

Minelayers ATREUS and LINNET were ordered to lay a controlled minefield in Bressay Sound, Lerwick with a guard loop to seaward. Following the operation, ATREUS proceeded to Scapa Flow and LINNET proceeded to the Clyde.

______

 

Trawler RIVER NESS (203grt) was sunk by German bombing eight miles northeast by north of the Skerries. Eight crew were lost and two rescued.

______

 

Destroyer VEGA (Captain G. A. Garnons-Williams on board) took blockships JACOBUS (1262grt), KAUPO (2420grt), RIVER TYNE (1525grt) to Dieppe from Portsmouth in Operation C P to block the harbour which was accomplished.

______

 

Operation CYCLE was the evacuation of allied troops from the French north coast. On 10 and 11 June, 3321 troops were embarked at St Valery.

 

British warships in CYCLE were destroyers CODRINGTON (Captain G. L.Warren, SO ), AMBUSCADE, BULLDOG, BOADICEA, HARVESTER, BROKE, SALADIN, FERNIE, Canadian destroyers RESTIGOUCHE and ST LAURENT, sloop WELLINGTON, corvette GARDENIA, auxiliary minelayer HAMPTON.

 

CODRINGTON had completed repairs and was due for return to Dover when she was detached to the Portsmouth Command for this operation. Anti-aircraft cruiser CALCUTTA departed Harwich at 0917/10th for Portsmouth to arrive at 1800.

 

On the 10th during the evacuation of the Le Havre Peninsula, destroyer AMBUSCADE was damaged by shore guns off Fecamp near St Valery. Damage was limited to minor hull damage and splinter damage. There were men killed in AMBUSCADE. She was repaired at Portsmouth from 12 to 15 June. After working up from 16 to 22 June at Portland and 23 to 27 June at Portsmouth, she arrived at Harwich for duty on the 27th.

 

BULLDOG and BOADICEA were badly damaged by German bombing off Le Havre at 1738/10th in 49-53N, 0-28E. BOADICEA was hit by three bombs and immobilised due to flooded and wrecked machinery spaces. AMBUSCADE, later relieved by tug KROOMAN towed destroyer BOADICEA to Portsmouth. Commissioned Engineer F. R. J. Drake and five ratings were killed and two ratings were wounded on BOADICEA.

 

BULLDOG was also struck by three bombs, one of which came to rest in number three boiler without exploding and a second passing into number three boiler and exploding ten minutes later. No men were killed. Destroyer BROKE found BULLDOG at anchor damaged and unable to proceed, and towed her to Portsmouth.

 

BULLDOG and BOADICEA, taken to Portsmouth for repairs, did not return to duty until 26 July 1940 and 16 February 1941, respectively. The delay in BOADICEA's repair was due to mechanical defects.

 

CODRINGTON was slightly damaged by air attack. She was repaired at Portsmouth completing on the 21st. Motor torpedo boat MTB.69 was damaged in this operation.

 

On 11 June, light cruiser CARDIFF departed Dover to cover the evacuation at St Valery. She was joined by destroyer HARVESTER off the French coast. Destroyer BROKE and corvette GARDENIA evacuated wounded from St Valery on the 11th. Canadian destroyer RESTIGOUCHE embarked troops off Veules on the 11th. Destroyer SALADIN reported St Valery was occupied by German troops at 0100/12th.

 

Troopship BRUGES (2949grt) was sunk by German bombing on the 11th near Le Havre. During the night of 12/13 June, 11,059 troops were evacuated from Le Havre; 9000 of them were taken to Cherbourg.

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Convoy OA.165 departed Southend escorted by corvette ARABIS.

______

 

Convoy OB.165 departed Liverpool escorted by sloop LEITH from 10 to 11 June.

______

 

Convoy BC.39 of steamers BARON CARNEGIE, BARON NAIRN, GLOUCESTER CITY, KUFRA (Commodore), LURIGETHAN departed Loire escorted by anti-submarine trawlers AGATE (627grt) and LORD HAILSHAM (445grt). The convoy arrived in Bristol Channel on the 11th.

______

 

Convoy MT.86 departed Methil, escorted by sloops BLACK SWAN and HASTINGS. The convoy arrived at the Tyne later that day.

______

 

Convoy FN.193 departed Southend, escorted by sloops LOWESTOFT and WESTON. Upon reaching the Tyne, LOWESTOFT was detached to escort minelayer PORT QUEBEC to Rosyth. The convoy arrived at the Tyne on the 12th.

______

 

Light cruisers BIRMINGHAM, MANCHESTER, SHEFFIELD departed the Humber and arrived at Rosyth later the same day.

______

 

After delivering the Narvik ALPHABET Group I, destroyers WOLVERINE, VISCOUNT, WITHERINGTON, ATHERSTONE and ANTELOPE departed the Clyde for Scapa Flow.

______

 

French destroyers FRONDEUR and FOUGUEUX departed Brest escorting troopships EL MANSOUR, EL KANTARA, VILLE D'ALGER to Plymouth. British steamer PRINCESS BEATRIX joined the convoy en route. The convoy arrived on the 11th and embarked Canadian troops.

 

EL MANSOUR and VILLE D'ALGER departed Plymouth on the 11th, escorted by the same two destroyers and arrived at Brest on the 12th. EL KANTARA departed Plymouth on the 12th and was escorted by destroyer WANDERER. They arrived at Brest on the 13th.

 

On the 12th, EL MANSOUR and VILLE D'ALGER departed Brest, escorted by French destroyer EPERVIER on another trip to Plymouth, arriving on the 13th. On the 13th, the troopships returned, escorted by French destroyers EPERVIER and MISTRAL, arriving at Brest on the 14th.

 

EL KANTARA departed Brest on another trip to Plymouth, escorted by French sloop SUIPPE, on the 13th, arriving on the 14th. On the same day, she departed Plymouth and arrived at Brest on the 17th.

 

On 14th June, EL MANSOUR and VILLE D' ALGER departed Brest on a third trip, again escorted by EPERVIER and MISTRAL. That evening, the mission was cancelled and the ships returned to Brest.

______

 

Destroyer VIVIEN, escorting convoy FN.192 east of Lowestoft, reported attacks by German E-boats. Astern of the convoy, steamer BARON ELPHINSTONE (4635grt) was attacked by the E-boats near Smith's Knoll. Destroyers JACKAL and FORESIGHT and two Anson and two Hudson aircraft joined the convoy. The Hudson aircraft attacked the German vessels northeast of Schouwen Bank at 0355. FORESIGHT was relieved by destroyer FURY from Rosyth in mid morning.

______

 

Anti-submarine trawler HICKORY (530grt) attacked a submarine contact three miles 120° from Hartlepool. Destroyer WOOLSTON and anti-submarine trawler CYPRESS (548grt) joined in the hunt.

______

 

Submarine TRITON departed Rosyth for patrol off Fro Havet.

______

 

Submarine SEVERN arrived at Dundee.

______

 

Submarine STURGEON arrived at Blyth.

______

 

Polish submarine WILK arrived at Rosyth.

______

 

German light cruiser NURNBERG with Luftwaffe stores and mining equipment for Trondheim departed Kiel the evening of 10 June escorted by torpedo boats JAGUAR and FALKE and at the start by escort ship F.3. On the 12th, the torpedo boats were detached to Stavanger for refuelling. On the 13th, NURNBERG arrived at Trondheim escorted on the last leg of her voyage by minesweepers of the 2nd Flotilla. After disembarking the supplies, she continued north arriving at Harjangerfjord and Narvik on the 17th.

______

 

German armed merchant cruiser ATLANTIS captured Norwegian steamer TIRRANNA (7230grt) in the Indian Ocean near 12S, 68E. Eight crew and one passenger were lost.

______

 

On the 10th, Italy declared war on France and Britain.

 

War in the Mediterranean

 

At 1645, the Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs informed the British Ambassador in Rome that at one minute past midnight on the 11th, a state of war would exist between Italy and the United Kingdom.

_____

 

Anticipating this action for some time, destroyers HYPERION, HAVOCK, HERO, WATERHEN, HOSTILE, IMPERIAL, DECOY, DEFENDER of the 2nd Destroyer Flotilla and two flying boats departed Alexandria early on the 10th to sweep for Italian submarines. They were to return to Alexandria to refuel at 0400/11th, then join the Fleet at sea. Just before 2200, DECOY made an attack on an Italian submarine south of Crete.

 

Light cruiser CALYPSO had just relieved light cruiser CAPETOWN on patrol in Kithera Channel. CAPETOWN, returning from the patrol off Crete to Alexandria, was diverted to Port Said. Light cruiser CALEDON was at Port Said.

_____

 

Late on the 10th, submarine RORQUAL departed Malta to lay mines off Brindisi on the 14th. ODIN, ORPHEUS, OSWALD and GRAMPUS also departed Malta on the 10th to operate off Gulf of Taranto, off Syracus, southwest of Rhodes, and off Augusta, respectively.

 

Submarines PARTHIAN from 14 June, PANDORA, PROTEUS from 14 June, and PHOENIX from 4 June operated from Alexandria in the Eastern Mediterranean. PARTHIAN operated off Tobruk, PANDORA in the Doro Channel, PROTEUS in the Kithera and antikithera Channels, and PHOENIX off Suda Bay.

_____

 

French submarines LE CENTAURE, PASCAL, FRESNEL, VENGEUR, REDOUTABLE, NARVAL, CAIMAN, MORSE, SOUFFLEUR, MONGE, PEGASE, LE TONNANT departed Bizerte and Sousse to operate in the Central Mediterranean.

 

PHOQUE, ESPADON, PROTEE, ACHERON, ACTEON from Beirut operated in the Dodecanese, PROTEE and ESPADON east of Leros, and PHOQUE east of Rhodes.

 

IRIS, VENUS, PALLAS, ARCHIMEDE from Toulon operated in the Tyrrhenian Sea.

 

ARIANE, EURYDICE, DIANE, DANAE from Oran operated off Gibraltar.

 

SAPHIR, NAUTILUS, PERLE, TURQUOISE were at sea to lay mines off the Italian coast.

_____

 

Destroyer DIAMOND departed Malta and shortly after departure attacked a submarine off Malta, nine miles 92° from St Elmo Light without success.

_____

 

Italian heavy cruisers POLA, TRENTO, BOLZANO of the 3rd Cruiser Division with destroyers MAESTRALE, LIBECCIO, GRECALE, SCIROCCO of the 10th Destroyer Division departed Messina. The Italian light cruisers at Naples sortied for operations.

_____

 

Italian steamer UMBRIA (9349grt) scuttled herself at Port Sudan after being brought into port by sloop GRIMSBY. Light cruiser LEANDER took off the crew.

_____

 

Italian steamers OLTERRA (4995grt), LAVORO (7886grt), LIBANO (5192grt) scuttled themselves at Gibraltar and PAGAO (6101grt) scuttled herself at Rada di Algeciras, across the harbour. LIBANO was salved for British service.

_____

 

Italian steamer POLINICE (1373grt) was captured at sea and sent into Malta. On the 11th at Malta, she was scuttled.

_____

 

Italian steamer CAPO NOLI (3921grt) was captured in the Gulf of St Lawrence by Canadian auxiliary minesweeper BRAS D'OR, and renamed BIC ISLAND for Canadian use.

_____

 

Italian steamer SAN PIETRO (5199grt) was seized by French forces at Bordeaux and taken to Casablanca. She was later returned to the Italian owners.

_____

 

Italian steamers CAPO OLMO (4781grt) and NICOLO ODERO (6003grt) were seized by French forces at Marseilles.  CAPO OLMO was later used by the British under the same name.

_____

 

A number of Italian steamers were seized in British ports and taken for allied use.

 

 

Italian Steamer Names

 

B. R. T.

Where seized

British name

ADIGE

 

2189

Malta

name not changed (5)

AMELIA LAURO

 

5335

Immingham

EMPIRE ACTIVITY

ANDREA

 

5152

Newcastle

EMPIRE ADVENTURE

ANGELINA LAURO

 

5787

Liverpool

EMPIRE ADVOCATE

BARBANA C.

 

6161

Newcastle

 

EMPIRE AIRMAN (1)

CALABRIA

 

9515

Calcutta

EMPIRE INVENTOR (6)

CELLINA

 

6140

Gibraltar

EMPIRE SAILOR

ELIOS

 

5202

Newcastle

EMPIRE BRIGADE

ERICA

 

4704

Liverpool

EMPIRE DEFIANCE

ESQUILINO

 

8657

Straits of Perim

EMPIRE GOVERNOR

FELICE

 

5639

Haifa

EMPIRE DEFENDER

GABBIANO

 

6584

Liverpool

EMPIRE ENERGY(2)

GIOACCHINO LAURO

 

5345

Hartlepool

EMPIRE ENGINEER

LIBANO

 

5192

Gibraltar

EMPIRE RESISTANCE

MARZOCCO

 

5106

North Sea

name not changed (4)

MINCIO

 

5404

Liverpool

EMPIRE FUSILIER

MONTE PIANA

 

5890

Aden

EMPIRE BARON

MOSCARDIN

 

4374

Newcastle

EMPIRE GUNNER (1)

MUGNONE

 

5213

Newcastle

EMPIRE PROGRESS (1)

PAMIA

6245

 

Newcastle

EMPIRE PROTECTOR (1)

PELLICE

 

5360

Newcastle

EMPIRE STATESMAN (3)

POLLENZO

 

6470

Gibraltar

name not changed

PROCIDA

 

5366

Cardiff

EMPIRE VOLUNTEER

REMO

 

9780

Fremantle

REYNELLA

RODI

 

3320

Malta

EMPIRE PATROL

SISTIANA

 

5827

Capetown

EMPIRE UNION

VERBANIA

 

6640

Port Said

EMPIRE TAMAR

 

(1) BARBANA C., MOSCARDIN, MUGNONE, PAMIA departed the Tyne on the 10th and were captured at sea. PAMIA was seized by British trawler LIFFEY (292grt) . They were all sent to Methil. On 28 June, PAMIA and PELLICE departed for Leith, while MOSCARDIN, MUGNONE, BARBANA C. departed for the Tyne.

 

(2) GABBIANO was captured by the officers and men of the light cruiser GLASGOW which was repairing near the berth of the Italian ship.

 

(3) PELLICE departed the Tyne on the 9th and was captured at sea and taken to Methil.

 

(4) MARZOCCO departed Sunderland at 0619/9th for Falmouth. She was intercepted at 2359/10th by patrol trawlers and was purposely ran aground by her crew on the 10th one and a half miles north of Peterhead. The steamer was abandoned. Tugs SAUCY and IRON AXE stood by.

 

(5) ADIGE was captured at sea and sent to Malta.

 

(6) CALABRIA was lost before she was formally renamed EMPIRE INVENTOR.

 

 

Tuesday,  11 June

 

At 0540, destroyers VETERAN and VANOC were ordered to assist Vice Admiral Northern Patrol in rounding up Italian merchant ships.

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At 1030, destroyers ATHERSTONE and VOLUNTEER were ordered to Scapa Flow. ATHERSTONE arrived at 1315.  VOLUNTEER departed Sullom Voe at 1300 for Scapa Flow, arrived at 2200, then departed for Liverpool for boiler cleaning and repairs.

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Destroyers WOLVERINE and WITHERINGTON, en route to Sullom Voe, were ordered at 1310 to 59-58N, 0-10W to rescue the crew of a Sunderland down in the water. They were later advised the plane had taken off again, and arrived at Sullom Voe at 1900.

_____

 

Troopship BRITANNIC (26,943grt) departed Liverpool escorted by destroyers WARWICK and WITCH for Bermuda.

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After a Wellington went down in the sea in 51-47N, 1-57E, destroyers JACKAL and FORESIGHT were sent to search.

_____

 

Dutch submarine O.13 arrived at Aberdeen and departed that day on patrol.

_____

 

Submarine SHARK departed Rosyth on patrol.

_____

 

Submarines SEALION, SALMON, SNAPPER departed Rosyth on exercises, and returned later that same day.

_____

 

Convoy FS.192 departed the Tyne, escorted by sloops BLACK SWAN and HASTINGS. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 12th.

_____

 

Canadian troop convoy TC.5 departed Halifax, escorted by Canadian destroyers ASSINIBOINE and SAGUENAY, at 0900 with troopships DUCHESS OF ATHOLL (20,119grt), SAMARIA (19,597grt), and DUCHESS OF BEDFORD (20,123grt) carrying 1173, 787, and 1792 troops, respectively.

 

DUCHESS OF ATHOLL came from Montreal departing on the 8th and joined the other two liners at Halifax.

 

Troopship EMPRESS OF AUSTRALIA (21,833grt) departed Halifax with the convoy and was detached on the third day to Iceland. ASSINIBOINE and SAGUENAY were detached at 1800/12th. Battleship REVENGE was the ocean escort.

 

Convoy TC.5 safely arrived at Liverpool on the 20th escorted by destroyers WANDERER and WITCH and Canadian destroyers ST LAURENT, SKEENA, RESTIGOUCHE and FRASER. On the 21st, REVENGE arrived at Plymouth at 0645 and the Canadian destroyers arrived at Plymouth at 0640.

_____

 

Destroyer WANDERER departed Dover at 1225 for Plymouth. This left only destroyer VESPER available at Dover. She was on patrol from South Goodwins to Dungeness.

_____

 

Canadian destroyers RESTIGOUCHE and ST LAURENT and destroyer BROKE operated off St Valery en Caux. BROKE and corvette GARDENIA embarked wounded from St Valery and took them to Portsmouth.

 

Destroyer HARVESTER was shelled ten miles west of Havre, but sustained no damage.

 

RESTIGOUCHE and ST LAURENT bombarded German targets at Veules. At Veules, 2137 British troops and 1184 French troops were evacuated on the 11th. RESTIGOUCHE embarked troops off the beach at Veules.

 

The demolition party for Le Havre and Veules was XD J (Cdr C. A. N. Chatwin) .

 

Canadian destroyer ST LAURENT, sloop WELLINGTON, tugs STALWART and RESOLVE, drifters GOLDEN HARVEST and GOLDEN NEWS were unable to stay in St Valery Harbour during low water and returned to Havre.

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The total number of troops evacuated in CYCLE (French north coast) and the later AERIAL (French Biscay coast), which began on the 17th, was 191,870.

_____

 

French auxiliary patrol vessel PATRICE II (247grt) was sunk by German gunfire off Fecamp.

_____

 

French auxiliary minesweeper LA BRETONNIERE (628grt) was scuttled at Le Havre.

_____

 

Steamer BRUGES (2949grt) was hit by German bombing off Le Havre, and was beached to avoid sinking. Seventy two men were rescued.

_____

 

French steamers GENERAL METZINGER (9345grt), NIOBE (1684grt), SYRIE (2460grt) were sunk by German bombing at Le Havre.

_____

 

Belgian steamers ALBERTVILLE (11,047grt) and PIRIAPOLIS (7340grt) were sunk by German bombing off Le Havre.  ALBERTVILLE was en route to Le Havre from Bordeaux to embark troops.

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Norwegian steamer ELLAVORE (1302grt) was sunk by German bombing at Le Havre. The entire crew was rescued.

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The first Italian air raid on Malta occurred. Monitor TERROR and gunboats APHIS and LADYBIRD were in Grand Harbour. Australian destroyer VENDETTA and submarines OTUS and OLYMPUS were in the dockyard.

 

Lt (E) E. E. Wellman DSC Rtd and three ratings from ST ANGELO were killed on the 11th and two more ratings died from wounds the next day from this air raid. There was no damage to any of these vessels. However, after further air raids, Malta was abandoned on the 21st as a submarine base until the anti-aircraft protection could be augmented. The submarines did return to Malta as a base in September.

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7th Cruiser Squadron of light cruisers ORION, NEPTUNE, SYDNEY, LIVERPOOL, GLOUCESTER departed Alexandria at 0100 ahead of the Main Fleet. The Mediterranean Fleet departed Alexandria at 0230 with battleships WARSPITE and MALAYA, aircraft carrier EAGLE, and destroyers STUART, VAMPIRE, VOYAGER, DAINTY, HASTY, ILEX, JANUS, JUNO, NUBIAN.

 

Light cruiser CALEDON joined the fleet at 0840. Light cruiser CALYPSO, which departed Port Said on the 10th, joined at 1325. Destroyer MOHAWK, which departed Alexandria on the 11th after the fleet, joined that afternoon.

 

The Australian destroyers were detached at 1953, and relieved by destroyers HAVOCK, HYPERION, HERO, HEREWARD, HOSTILE and IMPERIAL which joined at 1840 after refuelling. Destroyer DIAMOND, which had departed Malta on the 10th, joined the Fleet at sea.

 

French heavy cruisers SUFFREN, DUQUESNE, TOURVILLE, light cruiser DUGUAY TROUIN, and destroyers FORBIN, FORTUNE, BASQUE under Amiral Godfroy departed Beirut to operate in the Kaso Strait as a diversion for the "VADO" operation in the western Mediterranean.

 

On the 12th, Australian destroyers STUART, VAMPIRE, VOYAGER, WATERHEN departed Alexandria on anti-submarine patrol. VOYAGER claimed sinking a submarine soon after the destroyers's departure at dawn off Alexandria. Late on the afternoon of the 12th, STUART found the minefield laid by Italian submarine MICCA earlier on the 12th. She summoned minesweepers ABINGDON and BAGSHOT which cleared a channel for light cruiser CALEDON and destroyer DAINTY which later arrived at Alexandria from Crete.

_____

 

Light cruiser DELHI arrived at Gibraltar.

_____

 

Destroyers WATCHMAN, VELOX, KEPPEL, STURDY, WISHART and WRESTLER were deployed to the west of the Straits of Gibraltar to intercept and engage any enemy surface ships trying to pass.

_____

 

Cable ship MIRROR, escorted by destroyer ACTIVE and anti-submarine trawler LEYLAND, proceeded on cable cutting operations. They returned later that day.

 

Danish tug VALKYRIAN, escorted by destroyer WRESTLER and anti-submarine trawler LORD HOTHAM, departed to cut the Malaga-Rome and Malaga-Barcelona cables. Cover was provided by light cruiser ARETHUSA and a French submarine.

 

On the 12th, MIRROR, escorted by anti-submarine trawler KINGSTON CHRYSOLITE, sailed to replaced VALKYRIAN, which reported her gear was not suitable to the task. The tug and LORD HOTHAM returned to Gibraltar, as did ARETHUSA. MIRROR returned to Gibraltar on the 14th after successfully cutting the cables.

_____

 

Australian light cruiser HOBART and destroyers KINGSTON and KHARTOUM departed Aden to sweep in the Red Sea off the Italian Somali coast. Italian bombers attacked them, but caused no damage. They arrived back late on the 12th without contact.

_____

 

Late on the 11th Italian heavy cruisers BOLZANO, POLA, TRENTO of the 3rd Cruiser Division with destroyers ARTIGLIERE, CAMICIA NERA, AVIERE, GENIERE of the 11th Destroyer Division and light cruisers D'AOSTA and ATTENDOLO of the 7th Cruiser Division with destroyers LANCIERE, CARABINIERE, CORAZZIERE, ASCARI of the 12th Destroyer Division carried out sweeps in the Sicilian Channel.

_____

 

Italian steamers TIMAVO (7549grt) and GERUSALEMME (8052grt) departed Durban during the night of 9/10 June. On the 11th, aerial strafing drove TIMAVO ashore five miles north of St Mary's Hill, north, northeast of Durban. GERUSALEMME was intercepted by armed merchant cruiser RANCHI and ran herself ashore near Oro Point, Mozambique. She was later refloated and taken to Lourenco Marques.

_____

 

Greek steamers ZINOVIA (2975grt) and MAKIS (3546grt) were sunk by mines twenty miles and fifteen miles north of Pantellaria Island, respectively, in the Mediterranean. Two crew was missing from ZINOVIA, but the entire crew of MAKIS was rescued.

_____

 

U.48 sank Greek steamer VIOLANDO N. GOULANDRIS (3598grt) in 44‑04N, 12‑30W. Six crew were missing.

_____

 

U.101 sank Greek steamer MOUNT HYMETTUS (5820grt) in 42‑12N, 11‑20W. The entire crew was rescued.

_____

 

U.46 damaged Motor tanker ATHELPRINCE (8782grt) in convoy OG.33F in 43‑42N, 13‑20W.

_____

 

Steamer ST RONAIG (509grt) was sunk on a mine one mile 132° from West Breakwater Light, Newhaven. Two crew were killed, two missing and four crew were rescued.

 

 

Wednesday,  12 June

 

At 0200, Italian heavy cruisers ZARA, FIUME, GORIZIA of the 1st Cruiser Division and light cruisers ABRUZZI and GARIBALDI of the 8th Cruiser Division with destroyers ALFIERI, CARDUCCI, GIOBERTI, ORIANI of the 9th Destroyer Division and DA RECCO, USODIMARE, PESSAGNO (TARIGO did not sail) of the 16th Destroyer Division departed Taranto to patrol in the Ionian Sea while two other destroyer divisions operated between Sicily and Malta.

 

During the operations of Cruiser Divisions 1 and 8, British submarines made five attacks on these ships without causing any damage. ORPHEUS sighted three cruisers escorted by destroyers southeast of Syracuse, but was unable to attack. In three sweeps by destroyers and one by torpedo boats, submarine ODIN was sunk on the 13th.

_____

 

Italian submarine BAGNOLINI sank light cruiser CALYPSO (Captain H. A. Rowley) southwest of Crete in 33‑45N, 24‑32E at about 0200. One officer, Lt A. W. Whitfield RNR, and thirty eight ratings were lost. Light cruiser CALEDON and destroyer DAINTY in company picked up the twenty four officers and three hundred and ninety four rating survivors and took them to Alexandria.

_____

 

Italian submarine NEREIDE torpedoed and badly damaged Norwegian tanker ORKANGER (8029grt), en route from Suez to Malta, in 31‑42N, 28‑50E at 0503. Italian submarine NAIADE then torpedoed and sank her at 2157. Four crew were killed.

_____

 

Early on the 12th, Italian submarine MICCA laid mines off Alexandria.

_____

 

Light cruiser DELHI departed Gibraltar to patrol off the Canary Islands. On termination of patrol, she was to proceed to Dakar for refuelling and join the South Atlantic Station.

_____

 

Aircraft carrier ARGUS departed Gibraltar to join heavy cruisers SHROPSHIRE, CUMBERLAND, DORSETSHIRE with convoy US.3. She was given local protection by destroyers VELOX and WATCHMAN and French aircraft. The destroyers arrived back at Gibraltar on the 12th.

_____

 

French destroyer FLEURET departed Toulon. She passed Gibraltar on the 14th and arrived at Casablanca on the 15th.

_____

 

New Zealand light cruiser LEANDER departed Port Sudan, and arrived at Aden on the 13th.

_____

 

The French Raiding Force departed Mer El Kebir in response to a rumour that German battleships SCHARNHORST and GNEISENAU were preparing to enter the Mediterranean through Gibraltar. French light cruisers MARSEILLAISE, LA GALISSONNIERE, JEAN DE VIENNE and destroyers BRESTOIS and BOULONNAIS were operating together when they were attacked by Italian submarine DANDOLO on the 13th. The torpedo fired passed between JEAN DE VIENNE and LA GALISONNIERE.

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British cruisers steering west were sighted by Italian aircraft south of Crete. Italian cruisers BOLZANO, POLA, TRENTO of the 3rd Cruiser Division and destroyers ARTIGLIERE, CAMICIA NERA, AVIERE, GENIERE of the 11th Destroyer Division and LANCIERE, CARABINIERE, CORAZZIERE, ASCARI of the 12th Destroyer Division were sent to investigate, but no contact was made.

_____

 

Light cruisers LIVERPOOL and GLOUCESTER supported by aircraft carrier EAGLE aircraft, sank small Italian gunboat GIOVANNI BERTA off Tobruk at 0400 off Tobruk in an action with Italian gunboats PALMAIOLA, GRAZIOLI, LANTE, GIOVANNI BERTA and coastal defense ship SAN GIORGIO.

 

SAN GIORGIO was damaged by air bombing from British 202 Squadron which was operating in conjunction with the British ships.

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Light cruisers ORION and SYDNEY were sweeping off Benghazi at dawn on the 12th.

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Italian steamer ROMOLO (9780grt) departed Brisbane on the 5th. Australian armed merchant cruiser MANOORA intercepted her in Torres Strait, and she scuttled herself at 1915/12th.

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Destroyer INTREPID arrived in the Humber.

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Battlecruiser HOOD and Canadian destroyers RESTIGOUCHE, ST LAURENT, SKEENA departed Liverpool for US.3 convoy escort duty.

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Light cruiser SOUTHAMPTON arrived in the Clyde.

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Destroyer VOLUNTEER departed Scapa Flow for Devonport.

_____

 

Destroyer FORESTER departed Scapa Flow to rendezvous with destroyers VETERAN, CAMPBELL, MASHONA, which departed Sullom Voe at 0400/13th, in 63N on the 13th.

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Destroyers FORTUNE and FORESIGHT joined convoy FN.94, escorted by destroyer WOOLSTON, as far as Outer Dowsing. The two destroyers then proceeded to the Humber for stores. Sloop FLEETWOOD joined the convoy when the destroyers were detached. FORTUNE and FORESIGHT then proceeded to patrol between Smith's Knoll and Outer Gabbard.

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Destroyer HAMBLEDON and steamer KYLE FISHER (520grt) arrived in the Clyde.

_____

 

Destroyers HIGHLANDER and ASHANTI arrived at Scapa Flow at 1600 to refuel. HIGHLANDER departed Scapa Flow at 2200 for Plymouth to join the Commander in Chief, Western Approaches. En route, she was detached to assist damaged armed merchant cruiser SCOTSTOUN on the 13th.

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Destroyer AMAZON departed Sullom Voe at 1700 for Scapa Flow where she arrived at 0500/13th.

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Destroyer ATHERSTONE arrived at Scapa Flow at 1645.

_____

 

Destroyer ENCOUNTER arrived at Scapa Flow at 1745.

_____

 

Minelayer PORT QUEBEC escorted by sloop LOWESTOFT departed Tees for Rosyth where they arrived that day.

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Convoy "Hebrew" departed Scapa Flow at 0600 with British steamers DROMORE CASTLE (5242grt), RUTLAND (1437grt), HERON (2374grt), LOMBARDY (3379grt), CYPRIAN PRINCE (1988grt), ST CLAIR (1637grt), tanker INVERSHANNON (9154grt), French steamers ALBERTE LE BORGE (3921grt), PAUL EMILE JAVARY (2471grt), VULCAIN (4362grt) . The convoy was escorted by destroyers ATHERSTONE and ENCOUNTER and anti-submarine trawlers LE TIGRE (516grt) and LEICESTER CITY (422grt) .

 

On the 12th, destroyers VISCOUNT, WOLVERINE, VANOC, WITHERINGTON, WHIRLWIND departed Sullom Voe at 0200 to relieve the escort north east of Cape Wrath.

 

French steamers ARMENIER (914grt) and British steamer NAILSEA LASS (4289grt) joined the convoy off Stornoway on the 13th.

 

These two steamers had to be escorted independently by destroyer WITHERINGTON. The convoy and NAILSEA LASS arrived at Greenock at 0630/14th. WITHERINGTON and steamer ARMENIER arrived at Greenock at 0915.

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French tanker TARN departed the Clyde for Brest.

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Submarine NARWHAL laid minefield FD.19 in 56-26N, 5-10E at 2119. She then patrolled off Utsire to intercept German transports. Norwegian steamer JAEDEREN (908grt) was lost on this minefield and German patrol boat NB 15 (trawler BIENE (178grt) damaged on 16 August. Norwegian fishing trawler ARILD (128grt) was sunk on this minefield on 26 August. German auxiliary minesweepers (former Norwegian fishing vessels) GNOM 7 (50grt), KOBOLD 1 (50grt), KOBOLD 3 (50grt) were sunk on 13 October.

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Submarines TAKU and TRIAD arrived at Rosyth after patrol.

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Submarines H.31 and H.28 with submarine tender WHITE BEAR were exercising off Blyth.

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Submarines TRUANT and TRIDENT were exercising in the Forth of Forth.

_____

 

Submarine THAMES arrived at Campbeltown.

_____

 

French submarine RUBIS arrived at Dundee after minelaying operation FD.17.

_____

 

French light cruiser EMILE BERTIN departed Brest, escorted by destroyer GERFAUT for Halifax. She arrived on the 18th with 300 tons of gold, but the gold was not disembarked.

_____

 

Light cruiser CARDIFF departed Dover at 1235 to cover the evacuation near St Valery en Caux.

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Convoy FN.194 departed Southend, escorted by destroyer WOOLSTON. Sloop FLEETWOOD was to have been in the escort, but was not ready. She was ordered to departed when ready and overtake the convoy. The convoy was joined by destroyers FORTUNE and FORESIGHT as far as Outer Dowsing when the destroyers proceeded to the Humber. The convoy arrived in the Tyne on the 14th.

_____

 

Convoy MT.87 escorted by destroyer VALOROUS and armed patrol yacht BREDA departed Methil. The convoy arrived in the Tyne the next day.

_____

 

Convoy FS.193 departed the Tyne, escorted by destroyer VIMIERA and sloop LONDONDERRY. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 14th.

_____

 

Early on the 12th, Trinity House Vessel PATRICIA, covered by anti-submarine trawler GRIMSBY TOWN was lifting buoys B to H between the indicator loops and the deep minefield.

_____

 

Trinity House Vessel STRATHEARN, escorted by anti-submarine trawler KINGSTON GALENA, replaced the Lydd Light Vessel with a float.

_____

 

Steamers BAHARISTAN (5479grt) and FLORISTAN (5478grt) departed Falmouth for Brest.

_____

 

Steamer BARON SALTOUN (3404grt) was sunk in mining in the outer roads of Cherbourg. One crewman was lost.

_____

 

Steamer TRAIN FERRY No. 6 (2678grt), after damage from shore batteries, was beached and abandoned at St Valery en Caux. Two crew were killed and twelve were missing.

_____

 

Steamers SWALLOW (209grt) and INNISULVA (264grt) were beached and abandoned in the River Seine in Paris. There was a crew of five on the INNISULVA; one crewman survived and was made a prisoner. She was later salved by German forces and used under that name for German service. There was a crew of six on the SWALLOW. These were all saved. She was also later salved by German forces and renamed SCHWABLE.

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French auxiliary sloop CERONS was sunk by German gunfire off Fecamp/Veule des Roses.

_____

 

French auxiliary minesweeper GRANVILLE (511grt) was sunk by German shore guns off St Valery/Fecamp.

_____

 

Steamers ST BRIAC (2312grt), AMSTERDAM (4220grt), TYNWALD (2376grt), THEEMS (553grt), EMERALD (736grt) departed St Valery for Cherbourg during the night of 12 / 13 June with 4000 troops, including the rear guard. Steamer LOWICK (586grt) carried the beach party. They were escorted by destroyers FERNIE and VEGA.

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Steamer ROEBUCK (776grt) was damaged by German gunfire off St Valery.

_____

 

French auxiliary patrol vessel ETIENNE RIMBERT (197grt) was scuttled at Dieppe.

_____

 

Minesweeping trawler SISAPON (326grt, Temporary Skipper F. A. Henson RNR), minesweeping with minesweeping trawler LORD IRWIN, was sunk on a mine near Cork Light Vessel, Harwich. Henson, Probationary Temporary S/Lt W. T. McCalla, ten ratings were lost in the trawler.

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Tug TWENTE (239grt) was lost in mining in the North Sea.

_____

 

Belgian steamer YVONNE (668grt) was lost in mining two miles north of Goodwin Knoll Buoy. Ten crew were killed, and two rescued.

_____

 

Dutch coastal steamer PRINSES JULIANA (198grt) was sunk on a mine 1½ cables 50° from Beacon Training Bank, Poole. Two crew were killed.

_____

 

U.46 sank British steamers BARBARA MARIE (4223grt) and WILLOWBANK (5041grt) of convoy SL.34 in 44‑16N, 13‑54W. Thirty two crew were missing on BARBARA MARIE, but the entire crew of  WILLOWBANK was rescued. Sloop LEITH, escorting SL.34B and steamer SWEDRU (4124grt) from convoy SL.34B, rescued survivors on the 14th.

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U.101 sank British steamer EARLSPARK (5250grt) of convoy OG.33F in 42‑26N, 11‑33W. There were four dead and three missing.

_____

 

U.38 landed an agent on the Irish coast.

 

 

Thursday,  13 June

 

U.25 torpedoed armed merchant cruiser SCOTSTOUN (Captain S. K. Smyth Rtd) at 0600 northwest of Ireland in 57‑00N, 09‑57W. She had departed the Clyde for patrol on the 12th. Destroyers HIGHLANDER, which was diverted from her voyage to Plymouth, DELIGHT and ECHO, which departed Greenock at 0900, tugs BANDIT and MARAUDER were sent to assist, but SCOTSTOUN sank prior to their arrival. Temporary Lt W. A. D. Van Oosterwyk-Bruyn RNVR, Temporary Lt (E) T. Martin RNR, and five ratings were missing, and the survivors taken aboard HIGHLANDER. HIGHLANDER, DELIGHT and ECHO proceeded to the Clyde, arriving on the 14th.

_____

 

Destroyer ATHERSTONE departed Scapa Flow at 1345 for Aberdeen, met steamers LOCHNAGAR (1619grt) and MACCLESFIELD (1018grt) at Aberdeen and escorted them to Lerwick. ATHERSTONE arrived at Scapa Flow at 1740/14th after the escort duty.

_____

 

Destroyers DIANA and ACHERON departed Scapa Flow at 1800 to search for a German submarine reported by aircraft at 1505 in 59-07N, 1-30W on a course of 315°. They also investigated a further report of a another submarine in 59-54N, 00-10E at 1904, were then ordered at 1530/14th to return to Scapa Flow, and arrived at 0115/15th.

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The British XD.L (Cdr J. A. Grindle) demolition party departed Chatham for Portsmouth, and then proceeded on to Cherbourg.

_____

 

Minelayers TEVIOTBANK and PLOVER departed the Humber escorted by destroyers GALLANT, INTREPID, WALPOLE to lay minefield BS.14 in the North Sea, during the night of 13/14 June.

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Destroyer EXPRESS, on passage from Portsmouth to Immingham, was diverted into Dover for the night. She arrived at 2205/13th, then departed at 0347/14th to continue her voyage.

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Destroyer FAULKNOR departed the Humber at 2000 after refitting and proceeded to Methil where she arrived. She then proceeded to Rosyth, departing Rosyth on the 14th to escort tanker WAR PINDARI (5559grt). That night, FAULKNOR drove off a submarine that had attempted to attack the tanker. Both ships arrived safely at Scapa Flow at 0830/15th.

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Convoy OG.33 was formed from (1) convoys OA.166G, which departed Southend on the 11th escorted by corvette CALENDULA from 11 to 12 June, and (2) OB.166G, which departed Liverpool on 11 June escorted by anti-submarine trawler HUDDERSFIELD TOWN on 11 and 12 June and sloop ENCHANTRESS on the 12th, a total of thirty two ships. Sloop ENCHANTRESS escorted the convoy from 13 to 18 June. Destroyer WRESTLER joined on the 18th. The convoy arrived at Gibraltar on the 19th with WRESTLER.

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Convoy OA.167 departed Southend escorted by corvette CLARKIA.

_____

 

Convoy OB.167 departed Liverpool escorted by destroyer VOLUNTEER from 13 to 16 June. Destroyer VOLUNTEER was detached to convoy HX.48.

_____

 

Convoy FS.194 departed the Tyne, escorted by destroyer VALOROUS and armed patrol yacht BREDA. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 15th.

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Convoy MT.88 departed Methil, escorted by destroyers WALLACE and WOLFHOUND. The convoy arrived in the Tyne the next day.

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Convoy HX.50 departed Halifax escorted by Canadian destroyers ASSINIBOINE and OTTAWA. On the 14th, they turned the convoy over to the ocean escort, armed merchant cruiser VOLTAIRE, which was detached on the 24th. Convoy BHX.50 departed Bermuda on the 12th escorted by ocean escort armed merchant cruiser COMORIN. The convoy rendezvoused with HX.50/17th and the armed merchant cruiser was detached. On 25 June, destroyers VOLUNTEER and WHIRLWIND and corvettes ARABIS and HEARTSEASE escorted the convoy until 27 June. The convoy reached Liverpool on the 30th.

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Convoy FF.1 of British troopships DUCHESS OF YORK (20021grt), SOBIESKI (11030grt), BATORY (14287grt), GEORGIC (27759grt) escorted by destroyers BEAGLE, HAVELOCK (D.9), HAMBLEDON, WREN departed the Clyde for Brest. HAMBLEDON was later detached and returned to the Clyde on escort duties. She arrived in the Clyde at 1800/14th.

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French aircraft carrier BEARN was at Halifax. She had brought 250 tons of gold to Halifax in late May. Some of the 50 SBC4 dive bombers and 93 A17A attack bombers, ordered from the United States, had been embarked by this date.

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French auxiliary minesweeper MARTHE ROLAND (85grt) and auxiliary harbour defence vessel REINES DES FLOTS were scuttled at Le Havre.

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Tanker BRITISH INVENTOR (7101grt) was badly damaged on a mine five miles 230° from St Albans Head. The entire crew was saved. Anti-submarine yacht CONQUEROR (900grt), corvette GARDENIA, and ML.100 carried out an anti-submarine hunt. The tanker was beached and sank, and broke in two on the 30th. The after section was towed to Portland, arriving on 31 July.

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Drifter OCEAN SUNLIGHT (131grt, Chief Skipper R J Crane RNR) was sunk on a mine 4. 4 cables 129° from the W. Breakwater Light, Newhaven. Eight ratings were lost.

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Dutch steamer ABEL TASMAN (314grt) was sunk on a mine in Swash Channel, Poole. There were no survivors. Among the men lost were Probationary Lt E T Mudie RN and Probationary Temporary S/Lt I R Grant RNR of EXCELLENT, both on passage.

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Submarine ODIN (Lt Cdr K Mac I Woods) attempted to attack Italian heavy cruisers FIUME and GORIZIA in the Gulf of Taranto. In the counterattack, ODIN was sunk by destroyers STRALE and BALENO off Cape St Vito. At the time, she was presumed mined. Lt Cdr Woods, Lt I M Anderson, Lt R R Simpson, S/Lt P L C M. Lee, Warrant Engineer G H Cook, all fifty rating, and the Chinese steward were lost.

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French submarine SAPHIR laid thirty two mines off Cagliari during the night of 12/13 June. Italian steamer ALICANTINO (1642grt) was sunk on this minefield on the 28th. Sailing vessel SAN CALIGERO (57grt) claimed on this minefield was lost before the minefield was laid.

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French submarine TURQUOISE laid mines off Trapani; fourteen off Sotille Point and sixteen off Marsala Point.

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French submarine PERLE laid thirty two mines off Bastia.

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Italian submarines FINZI and CAPPELINI had departed Cagliari on 5/6 June. FINZI passed the Straits of Gibraltar for patrol in the Atlantic, and passed back through on 6 July on her return, to arrive at Spezia on 13 July. She was the first Italian submarine to operate in the Atlantic, and  was soon followed in June by CALVI, CAPPELINI, MALASPINA and VENIERO. In all twenty seven Italian submarines operated in the Atlantic.

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French steamer GOUVENEUR GENERAL LAFERRIERE (3463grt), en route from Oran to Marseilles, arrived at Alicante after being followed by an Italian submarine. The crew and troops were interned.

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Australian light cruiser HOBART and anti-aircraft cruiser CARLISLE at Aden were unsuccessfully attacked by Italian bombers.  CARLISLE shot down one aircraft.

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Australian light cruiser SYDNEY made a reconnaissance of the Ionian Islands.

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Australian destroyer STUART on anti-submarine patrol off Alexandria sighted gun flashes in the distance and reported a contact, which later proved to be Australian destroyer VOYAGER. Destroyers DAINTY and DECOY and Australian destroyer VAMPIRE were dispatched to assist. STUART and VOYAGER made attacks on a submarine contact. Early on the 14th, VOYAGER, STUART and DECOY attacked on another submarine contact.

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Convoy HG.34F departed Gibraltar with twenty four ships. Destroyer DOUGLAS escorted the convoy until joining convoy OG.33F later on the 13th. Destroyer STURDY and sloop SCARBOROUGH escorted the convoy from 13 to 19 June. STURDY then arrived at Plymouth. Destroyer HIGHLANDER escorted the convoy from 17 to 19 June, on which date it arrived at Liverpool.

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German armed merchant cruiser ORION laid mines in Hauraki Gulf, Auckland, New Zealand as New Zealand light cruiser ACHILLES was entering harbour. On the 18th, steamer NIAGARA (13,415grt) was lost on this minefield. After her loss, light cruisers ACHILLES and PERTH and armed merchant cruiser HECTOR searched for ORION without success. Later, on 14 May 1941, New Zealand minesweeper PURIRI was lost on this minefield.

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Dutch light cruiser SUMATRA departed Halifax for the Dutch East Indies, via Bermuda and Curacoa. She reached Curacoa on the 22nd, and after patrols from there, departed on 7 August for the Dutch East Indies via South Africa. SUMATRA arrived at Surabaya on 15 October.

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German armed merchant cruiser WIDDER captured British tanker BRITISH PETROL (6891grt) on the Trinidad-Azores track at 20‑10N, 46‑56W, 1000 miles from Trinidad. Two of the crew were lost, and the rest made prisoners of war. She sank BRITISH PETROL on the 14th in 18N, 54-30W.

 

 

Friday, 14 June

 

Operation "VADO" was the French bombardment of Genoa on Cape Vado. On the 13th, the French ships departed Toulon. 3rd Squadron (Vice Amiral Emile Duplat) was divided into two groups.

 

Group 1 - heavy cruisers ALGERIE (Flagship Duplat) and FOCHwith destroyers VAUBAN, LION, AIGLE of the 1st Large Destroyer Division and TARTU, CHEVALIER PAUL, CASSARD of the 5th Large Destroyer Division.

 

Group 2 - heavy cruisers DUPLEIX (Flagship Contre Amiral Edmond Derrien) and COLBERT with destroyers ALBATROS and VAUTOURof the 7th Large Destroyer Division and GUEPARD, VALMY, VERDUNof the 3rd Large Destroyer Division.

 

French submarines IRIS, VENUS, PALLAS, ARCHIMEDE operated in the area of Savona in support.

 

Early on the 14th, VADO was conducted. French destroyer ALBATROS was the only casualty when an Italian 152 mm shell exploded in a fireroom and ten men were burnt to death.

 

In response to the operation, Italian torpedo boat CALTAFIMI and MAS Squadron 13 (MAS.535, MAS.539, MAS.534, MAS.538) sortied from Spezia to attack the French force. After a brief encounter with the Italian ships, the French units retired and returned to Toulon.

 

Italian Torpedo Boat Division 11 (torpedo boats ALTAIR, ANDROMEDA, ANTARES, ALDEBARAN) departed Trapani and proceeded to Spezia. Italian submarines NEGHELLI and VENIERO were at sea and submarines IRIDE and SCIRE departed Spezia, but none contacted the French force.

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The British Mediterranean Fleet and the French forces in the Eastern Mediterranean arrived at Alexandria.

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French submarine NAUTILUS laid mines off Tripoli.

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From 0349 to 0405, Italian destroyers TURBINE, NEMBO and AQUILONE of the 2nd Destroyer Division shelled Sollum.

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Italian submarine CAPPELINI was damaged by a anti-submarine trawler ARCTIC RANGER (493grt) near Gibraltar. Destroyer VIDETTE joined to assist, but CAPPELINI was able to escape and arrive at Ceuta on the 15th. After emergency repairs, she departed on the 24th.

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Light cruiser ARETHUSA departed Gibraltar for Verdon, where she arrived on the 16th.

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Aircraft carrier HERMES and light cruiser DELHI were ordered to leave their patrol off the Canary Islands when fuel necessitated and proceed independently to Dakar.

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Light cruiser CARDIFF arrived at Sheerness on the 14th.

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On the 14th, steamers PORT MONTREAL (5882grt) and EURYADES (5801grt) departed Falmouth in the morning for Brest. Steamers BAHARISTAN (5479grt) and FLORISTAN (5478grt) also departed Falmouth, in the afternoon for Nantes.

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Aircraft carrier ARK ROYAL arrived at Scapa Flow escorted by destroyers KELVIN, ESCORT and CAMPBELL.

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Aircraft carrier FURIOUS departed the Clyde at 2030 with £18,000,000 of gold bullion for Halifax for safekeeping. She was accompanied by heavy cruiser DEVONSHIRE and destroyers HAMBLEDON, ECHO and WITHERINGTON to 15W. DEVONSHIRE was detached for Iceland and arrived at Halifax on the 23rd. The destroyers detached at the same time; ECHO arrived at Scapa Flow and HAMBLEDON and WITHERINGTON in the Clyde. FURIOUS safely arrived at Halifax on the 21st.

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Destroyer HIGHLANDER departed the Clyde at 0400 for Plymouth.

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Minelayers TEVIOTBANK and PLOVER and destroyers EXPRESS and INTREPID departed the Humber on minelaying operation BS.15, carried out during the night of 14/15 June. The ships arrived back in the Humber on the 15th.

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Sloops LOWESTOFT and WESTON departed Rosyth for the Tyne.

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Convoy FN.195 departed Southend, escorted by sloops BLACK SWAN and HASTINGS. On the 15th, the convoy became separated in fog. BLACK SWAN took one section and HASTINGS the second. The convoy arrived at Rosyth on the 16th. BLACK SWAN’s section, together with minesweeper SHARPSHOOTER arrived during the early afternoon. HASTINGS section arrived hours later.

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Convoy FS.195 departed the Tyne, escorted by destroyers WALLACE and WOLFHOUND. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 16th.

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Sloop STORK departed Scapa Flow at 1930 to join the Commander in Chief, Rosyth, and arrived at Rosyth on the 15th.

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Anti-submarine trawlers ELM, HAZEL, WINDERMERE and ST LOMAN escorted cable ship MONARCH laying cable in Fair Isle Channel.

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Submarine H.28 departed Blyth on patrol.

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Submarine PORPOISE laid minefield FD.18 at 1448 in 63-30N, 08-12E, and then then patrolled off Fro Havet. German minesweeper M.5 and Swedish steamer SONJA (1828grt) were lost on this minefield on the 18th.

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Convoy FF.2 of British troopships FRANCONIA (20,175grt), LANCASTRIA (16,243grt), ORONSAY (20,043grt) and ORMONDE (14,982grt) departed the Clyde for Brest escorted by destroyers VANOC, WOLVERINE and WHIRLWIND.

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French sloop D'ENTRECASTEAUX captured Italian steamer FORTUNATA (4786grt) in the Atlantic and took her to Port Lyautey.

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Minesweeping trawler MYRTLE (550grt, Chief Skipper W. G. Cleveland, RD RNR) of the 2nd Minesweeping Group was sunk on a mine in the Thames Estuary. Cleveland, Temporary Skipper W. H. Winter RNR, Cdr S. G. Spickernell Rtd and eighteen ratings were lost on the trawler. There were no survivors.

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U.38 sank Greek steamer MOUNT MYRTO (5403grt) in 50‑03N, 10‑05W. Four crew were killed.

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U.47 sank steamer BALMORALWOOD (5834grt), a straggler from convoy HX.48, in 50‑19N, 10‑28W. The entire crew was rescued by Greek steamer GERMAINE (5217grt) and taken to Liverpool.

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U.101 sank Greek steamer ANTONIS GEORGANDIS (3557grt) northwest of Cape Finisterre, in 42-45N, 16-20W.  The entire crew was lost.       

 
 

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