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

NAVAL EVENTS, DECEMBER 1941 (Part 2 of 2)
Monday 15th – Wednesday 31st

USS Nevada leaving Pearl Harbor (Library of Congress, click to enlarge)

on to Royal Navy Ships, January 1942

 

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 - December 1941-February 1942

Pearl Harbor attacked, Loss of 'Repulse' & 'Prince of Wales', Singapore falls, 'Channel Dash' by German big ships, to February 1942


 

 

1941

           

 

Monday,  15 December

 

Heavy cruiser BERWICK departed Scapa Flow for Hvalfjord.

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Destroyer WHEATLAND departed Scapa Flow at 0840 and arrived at Lerwick at 1700. The destroyer sailed in company that day with submarine P.37 and arrived back at Scapa Flow at 1400/16th.

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Destroyers MONTROSE and WORCESTER departed Sheerness for Scapa Flow for Operation ANKLET. The destroyers called at Invergordon on the 16th and departed on the 17th.  Both destroyers arrived at Scapa Flow on the 17th.

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Convoy ON.47 departed Liverpool. The convoy was joined on the 16th by destroyer ROXBOROUGH, sloop COMMANDANT DETROYAT, and corvettes HEATHER, LOBELIA, and NARCISSUS. American destroyers BENSON, EDISON, HILARY P. JONES, NIBLACK, and TARBELL joined on the 22nd. The escorts were detached when the convoy dispersed on the 23rd.

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Destroyer LAMERTON departed Falmouth for Scapa Flow for Operation ANKLET. The destroyer arrived on the 17th.

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Polish destroyer KRAKOWIAK departed Plymouth at 1900 for Scapa Flow, arriving on the 17th.

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Submarine TUNA arrived at Scapa Flow from the Clyde for Operation ARCHERY.

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Minesweeper HARRIER departed the Humber at 1600 acting as additional escort for convoy FN 78 until its arrival at Methil.  Minesweeper HARRIER and SALAMANDER departed Aberdeen at 1900/16th for Scapa Flow, where they arrived on the 17th.

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Minesweeper SPEEDWELL departed Greenock after refitting for Scapa Flow. The minesweeper arrived on the 17th.

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Minesweeper BRITOMART departed Hartlepool after refitting for Scapa Flow.

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Canadian troop convoy TC 16 departed Halifax with steamers CUBA (11,337grt), LETITIA (13,595grt), and PASTEUR (29,253grt). The convoy was escorted by US destroyers ERICCSON, INGRAHAM, and LUDLOW from 15 to 16 December.

 

On the 16th, battleship ARKANSAS, light cruiser NASHVILLE, and destroyers ERICCSON, LUDLOW, INGRAHAM, LIVERMORE, EBERLE, and HAMILTON escorted the convoy until 22 December. This escort group, less INGRAHAM, arrived at Hvalfjord on the 23rd. On the 25th, the group departed Hvalfjord for Argentia.

 

On the 22nd, destroyers BLYSKAWICA, HAVELOCK, NEWPORT, and SHERWOOD joined the convoy.

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Destroyers HERO and HASTY arrived at Alexandria after escorting empty store ships from Tobruk.

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Light cruisers NAIAD and EURYALUS, antiaircraft cruiser CARLISLE, and destroyers JERVIS, KIMBERLEY, KINGSTON, KIPLING, NIZAM, HAVOCK, HASTY, and DECOY departed Alexandria to escort supply ship BRECONSHIRE from Alexandria to Malta.

 

At dark on the 16th, antiaircraft cruiser CARLISLE and destroyer HASTY were detached to Alexandria with destroyer KINGSTON because she did not have the power to keep up.

 

Radio deception was being conducted by minelayer ABDIEL and by antiaircraft CARLISLE and destroyer KINGSTON, returning to Alexandria, to convince the Italians that the Battle Squadron was also at sea.

 

Submarines UNBEATEN and UTMOST in the Gulf of Taranto area reported Italian heavy naval forces at sea.

 

On the 16th, light cruisers AURORA and PENELOPE and destroyers LANCE and LIVELY at 1100 and destroyers SIKH, MAORI, LEGION, and ISAAC SWEERS at 1800 departed Malta to meet supply ship BRECONSHIRE. The destroyer group from Malta joined CS 15 with light cruisers NAIAD and EURYALUS, and destroyers JERVIS, KIMBERLEY, KIPLING, NIZAM, HAVOCK, and DECOY at daylight on the 17th.

 

On the 17th, German reconnaissance sighted Vian's force proceeding towards Malta.

 

1ST BATTLE OF SIRTE

 

Supply ship BRECONSHIRE, escorted by destroyers DECOY and HAVOCK were detached from Vian's force to avoid contact with the Italian ships.

 

When light cruiser AURORA with Force K.contacted supply ship BRECONSHIRE, the destroyers DECOY and HAVOCK joined Force K.for the return to Malta.

 

Destroyer KIPLING was damaged by a near miss of German bombing on the 17th and sustained one rating killed. Destroyer JERVIS sustained one rating wounded by machine gun fire.

 

Light cruiser NEPTUNE and destroyers JAGUAR and KANDAHAR departed Malta on the 17th and joined at sea on the 18th.

 

Light cruiser AJAX was out of action at Malta with mechanical defects.

 

Destroyer GRIFFIN join antiaircraft ship CARLISLE returning to Alexandria.

 

On the 18th, U.371 fired torpedoes at the cruisers NAIAD and EURYALUS group returning to Alexandria.

 

Destroyer JERVIS reported sinking the submarine in 31-27N, 29-20E, but submarine U.371 escaped damage.

 

Supply ship BRECONSHIRE, Force K.and Force B groups, anddestroyers DECOY and HAVOCK arrived at Malta at 1500/18th. The destroyers SIKH, MAORI, and ISAAC SWEERS joined the Mediterranean Fleet. The Mediterranean Fleet arrived back at Alexandria during the night of 18/19 December.

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Australian destroyer NESTOR sank U.127 off Cape St Vincent, in 36-28N, 9-12W. The entire crew of fifty one were lost in the submarine.

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Sub Lt K. W. Jones, Sub Lt T. E. Richards, and Leading Airman E. Kennelly were killed when their Albacore of 826 Squadron failed to return from a bombing raid on Derna.

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Submarine TORBAY sank three small Greek caiques off Cape Methene for 50, 42, and 15 tons, respectively.

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Submarine UNA, which had departed Holy Loch on the 5th, reported being attacked by a submarine in 43-00N, 10-30W. The submarine arrived at Gibraltar on the 19th.

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Convoy AT.4 departed Alexandria for Tobruk. The fast section was escorted by destroyer HEYTHROP, anti-submarine trawler WOLBOROUGH, and anti-submarine whaler SOUTHERN ISLES.

 

The slow section was escorted by destroyers HERO and AVONVALE and anti-submarine trawler COCKER. The slow section arrived on the 19th. Destroyers HERO and AVONVALE immediately sailed to conduct an anti-submarine sweep in the Alexandria area.

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T/Sub Lt (A) K. W. Jones RNVR, and T/A/Sub Lt (A) T. E. Richards RNVR, of 826 Squadron from GREBE, were lost when their Albacore aircraft went missing while on patrol.

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Submarine OLYMPUS departed Gibraltar with petrol and stores for Malta, arriving on the 21st.

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Australian sloop YARRA passed through the Suez Canal to return to Australia.

 

Sloop YARRA arrived at Colombo on the 30th and Batavia on 11 January for escort duties.

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U.77 sank Steamer EMPIRE BARRACUDA (4972grt), escorted by destroyer WISHART and corvettes GERANIUM, AZALEA, and COLTSFOOT, in 35-30N, 6-17W. The submarine claimed sinking another steamer.

 

Thirteen crew were lost on the steamer. Corvette COLTSFOOT picked up thirty nine survivors and took them to Gibraltar.

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Submarine UNIQUE arrived at Malta after patrol off Cape Del Armi.

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Convoy HX.165 departed Halifax, escorted by destroyer HAMILTON and corvettes KAMLOOPS and SASKATOON, and minesweeper COWICHAN. These ships were detached on the 17th when relieved by American destroyers BUCK, GREER, HERBERT, MCCORMICK, and SWANSON. The American ships were relieved on the 24th by destroyer BOADICEA, sloop COMMANDANT DETROYAT, and corvettes HEATHER and NARCISSUS. Corvette LOBELIA joined on the 25th. Corvette HEATHER was detached on the 26th, corvette NARCISSUS on the 27th, and the destroyer, the sloop, and corvette LOBELIA on the 28th. The convoy was joined by anti-submarine trawler MOLDE on the 30th and arrived at Liverpool that day.

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Indian sloops SUTLEJ and JUMNA and Australian minesweepers BATHURST and LISMORE were ordered to sail for India from the Suez Escort Force.

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Australian heavy cruiser CANBERRA and light cruiser PERTH departed Sydney to join US heavy cruiser PENSACOLA escorting a convoy of BLOEMFONTEIN (10,081grt), COAST FARMER (3290grt), MEIGS (12,568grt), WILLARD A. HOLBROOK (14,812grt), REPUBLIC (17,886grt), ADMIRAL HALSTEAD (3289grt), and CHAUMONT (7555grt) and gunboat NIAGARA, which had departed San Francisco on 21 November for the Philippines.

 

On the 8th, the convoy had been diverted to Fiji. The gunboat was detached en route and arrived back at Pearl Harbour on the 15th.

 

On the 16th, New Zealand light cruiser ACHILLES departed Auckland to join.

 

On the 19th, the Australian cruisers joined the convoy at Suva to bring it to Brisbane.

 

On the 21st, cruisers CANBERRA and ACHILLES refuelled at Moreton Bay. The convoy and escorts arrived at Brisbane on the 22nd.

 

On the 22nd, cruisers CANBERRA, PERTH, ACHILLES, and PENSACOLA departed for Sydney, arriving on the 24th.

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Motor torpedo boats MTB.10 and MTB.26 were damagedin Aberdeen Harbour, Hong Kong, by Japanese air attack.

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Tug INDIRA (637grt) was sunk by Japanese bombing at Hong Kong.

 

 

Tuesday, 16 December

 

Light cruiser SHEFFIELD departed Murmansk to return to Scapa Flow.

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Landing ships PRINCESS CHARLOTTE and PRINCE ALBERT, escorted by Polish destroyer KUJAWIAK, departed Greenock for Scapa Flow.  PRINCESS CHARLOTTE returned to Greenock later in the day with defects.  PRINCE ALBERT and KUJAWIAK arrived at Scapa Flow on the 17th.

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Minesweeper SPEEDWELL departed Greenock and survey ship SCOTT departed Loch Alsh at 1730 for Scapa Flow, where they both arrived on the 17th.

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Minesweeper BRITOMART arrived at Scapa Flow at 1030 from Hartlepool on completion of her refitting.

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Submarine TIGRIS departed Scapa Flow for Operation ANKLET, but the submarine was ordered to return on the 17th, arriving late that day.

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While on passage in an aircraft of 24 Squadron, Lt P. L. Field, en route to DOLPHIN, and T/Lt Cdr E. Croghan RNVR, en route to PRESIDENT, were lost in an air crash.

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Italian steamers MONGINEVRO, NAPOLI, and VETTOR PISANI, escorted by destroyers VIVALDI, DA NOLI, DA RECCO, MALOCELLO, PESSAGNO, and ZENO departed Taranto to Tripoli.

 

Italian steamer ANKARA, escorted by destroyer SAETTA and torpedo boat PEGASO departed Taranto for Tripoli.

 

Battleship DUILO, light cruisers DUCA D'AOSTA, ATTENDOLO, and MONTECUCCOLI, and destroyers ASCARI, AVIERE, and CAMICIA NERA departed Taranto as close cover.

 

Distant cover is provided by battleships DORIA, CESARE, and LITTORIO, heavy cruisers GORIZIA and TRENTO, and destroyers GRANATIERE, BERSAGLIERE, ALPINO, FUCLIERE, CORAZZIERE, CARABINIERE, USODIMARE, MAESTRALE, ORIANI, and GIOBERTI.

 

On the 16th, Submarine UPROAR unsuccessfully attacked a group of three westbound cruisers in the Gulf of Taranto.

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On the 18th, steamer ANKARA broke off for Benghazi. The other three steamers reached Tripoli safely.

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U.557 was sunk in a collision with Italian torpedo boat ORIONE off Salamis, in 35-33N, 23-14E. The entire crew of forty three were lost in the submarine.

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Destroyers FOXHOUND, NESTOR, CROOME, and GURKHA arrived at Gibraltar from the UK, conducting an anti-submarine sweep ahead of HG.76 en route.

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Minelayer MANXMAN arrived at Gibraltar from the UK, carrying depth charge replenishments. The minelayer departed the next day to return to Milford Haven.

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Convoy SC.60 departed Sydney, CB, escorted by corvettes KAMSACK, and SHAWNIGAN, and minesweepers MALPEQUE, MINAS, and THUNDER. These escorts were relieved on the 18th by destroyer SAGUENAY and corvettes CAMROSE, DAUPHIN, SHEDIAC, and SPIKENARD. Corvette WETASKIWIN joined on the 19th. Corvettes CAMROSE and SHEDIAC were detached on the 27th and destroyer CALDWELL joined. SPIKENARD and WETASKIWIN were detached on the 28th and corvettes ALISMA and SUNFLOWER joined. The last three escorts joining arrived at Liverpool with the convoy on the 31st.

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Convoy BA.11 departed Bombay, escorted by light cruiser CALEDON. The convoy arrived at Aden on the 21st.

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Japanese minelayer SHIRATAKA and fourteen transports departed Palau escorted by the 2nd Destroyer Flotilla with light cruiser JINTSU and destroyers KUROSHIO, OYASHIO, HAYASHIO, and NATSUSHIO of the 15th Destroyer Division and AMATSUKAZE and HATSUKAZE of the 16th Destroyer Division. The movement was covered by heavy cruisers MYOKO, HAGURO, and NACHI, aircraft carrier RYUJO with attendant destroyer SHIOKAZE, and seaplane carrier CHITOSE. The troops were landed at Mindanao on 19/20 December.

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Motor torpedo boat MTB.8 (Lt L. D. Kilbee HgKgNVR) was destroyed by a fire during Japanese bombing at Hong Kong.

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Light cruiser DANAE departed Trincomalee for Singapore.

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Destroyer SCOUT arrived at Tanjong Priok from Singapore.

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Six hundred and fifty Dutch and Australian troops were moved from Koepang to Dili on Steamer CANOPUS (1337grt), escorted by Dutch coastal defense ship SOERBAYA.

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American aircraft carrier YORKTOWN and destroyers HUGHES, RUSSELL, SIMS, WALKE, departed Norfolk, Virginia, and sailed for operations in the Pacific. The carrier and destroyers transited the Panama Canal on the 20th and arrived at San Diego on the 30th.

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American heavy cruiser LOUISVILLE arrived at Pearl Harbour with Army transports HUGH L. SCOTT (12,579grt) and PRESIDENT COOLIDGE (21,936grt), which she had brought from Manila, via Tarakan.

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American convoy 2005 departed San Francisco with transports LURLINE, MATSONIA, and MONTEREY escorted by Task Group 15. 6 of light cruiser ST LOUIS and destroyers PRESTON and SMITH.

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American submarine SWORDFISH sank Japanese transport ATSUTASAN MARU (8663grt) south of Samah at 18-06N, 109-44E.

 

 

Wednesday, 17 December

 

Heavy cruiser BERWICK arrived at Hvalfjord and departed later that day for patrol in the Denmark Strait to relieve heavy cruiser NORFOLK, which arrived back at Hvalfjord on the 18th.

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Norwegian corvettes ACANTHUS and EGLANTINE and auxiliary ship GUDRUN MAERSK arrived at Scapa Flow for Operation ANKLET.

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Polish destroyer BLYSKAWICA departed Scapa Flow at 1630 for Hvalfjord and join Commander in Chief, Western Approaches to form part of the escort for convoy TC 16.

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During the night of 17/18 December, German battleship GNEISENAU was damaged by near misses at Brest.

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U.108 attacked convoy HG.76 and claimed sinking a steamer.

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U.131 was sunk by destroyers EXMOOR, BLANKNEY, and STANLEY, sloop STORK, corvette PENTSTEMON, and aircraft from escort carrier AUDACITY, escorting convoy HG.76, west of Madiera, 34-18N, 13-58W.  T/Sub Lt (A) G. R. P. Fletcher RNVR, in a Martlet of 802 Squadronfrom aircraft carrier AUDACITY was shot down by the submarine and lost. The entire crew of fifty five were picked up from the submarine.

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Italian tanker LINA (2175grt) was sunk by British bombing northwest of Tripoli in 33-58N, 12-03E.

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Submarine URSULA departed Gibraltar for patrol in the Bay of Biscay.

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Minelayer TEVIOT BANK laid mines in Durian Straits.

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Dutch light cruiser JAVA, after escorting convoy SM 1, examined Christmas Island for possible enemy activity.

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Japanese destroyer SHINONOME was sunk by Dutch bombing off Miri in 4-24N, 114E.

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Twenty one Japanese transports departed Keelung, Formosa, for landings at Lingayen, escorted by destroyer YAMAGUMO and torpedo boats CHIDORI, HATSUKARI, MANADZURU, and TOMODZURU.

 

On the 18th, twenty seven transports of the 1stForce departed Takao, Formosa, escorted by light cruiser NATORI, destroyers FUMITSUKI, SATSUKI, NAGATSUKI, MINATSUKI, HARUKAZE, HATAKAZE, and two minesweepers.

 

Twenty eight transports of the 2nd Force departed escorted by light cruiser NAKA, destroyers MURASAME, YUDACHI, HARUSAME, SAMIDARE, ASAGUMO, MINEGUMO, and NATSUGUMO, five minesweepers, and six submarine chasers.

 

Heavy cruisers ASHIGARA and MAYA and light cruiser KUMA provided cover for the operation.

 

Kondo was covering in the west part of the South China Sea, to be able to also cover the Borneo landings.

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Destroyer THRACIAN, repairing damage of her 14 December grounding, was damaged by Japanese bombing at Hong Kong.

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American convoy 2004 departed San Francisco with transports HARRIS, TASKER H. BLISS, and PRESIDENT GARFIELD, caro ship ALDEBARAN, and tankers PLATTE and SABINE escorted by light cruiser PHOENIX and destroyers CUSHING and PERKINS. The convoy arrived at Pearl Harbour on the 24th.

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American steamer CORREGIDOR (1881grt) was sunk on a mine laid by Japanese submarine I.124 in Manila Bay on the 8th.  About five hundred people were lost on the steamer.

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Japanese submarine RO.66 was sunk in a collision with Japanese submarine RO.62 off Wake Island.

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Japanese submarine I.75 sank American steamer MANINI (3253grt) 17-46N, 157-03W, one hundred and eight miles south of Hawaii. Two crew were lost on the steamer. One boat of survivors were rescued by destroyer ALLEN on the 27th. Destroyer PATTERSON rescued nineteen survivors on the 28th.

 

 

Thursday, 18 December

 

Heavy cruiser SUFFOLK reported serious defects in her port shafts.

 

On the 21st, the cruiser sailed to the Tyne for repairs, arriving that day.

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Destroyer ONSLOW departed Rosyth at 1630 on completion of boiler cleaning and repairs and arrived at Scapa Flow at 0930/19th.

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U.434 was sunk by destroyers STANLEY and BLANKNEY, escorting convoy HG.76, southwest of Cape St Vincent in 36-15N, 15-48W.  BLANKNEY was damaged from ramming the submarine. She was repaired at Gibraltar completing on 9 February. Two crew were lost in the submarine. Forty four survivors were picked up.

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Soviet steamer PEREKOP (2493grt) was sunk by Japanese bombing near Senoa, east coast of Natuna Island.

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Late on the 18th, Italian submarine SCIRE launched three SLC's into Alexandria Harbour and returned to port.

 

Battleship VALIANT was damaged forward at 0606 on the 19th. The battleship was docked on the 21st.

 

Battleship QUEEN ELIZABETH was holed in the boiler rooms at 0610. Naval constructors wanted to strip the battleship and use her as a depot ship because of the extent of the damage.

 

Nine ratings were killed in the battleship.

 

Submarines TRUSTY and TRIUMPH were brought alongside either side of battleship QUEEN ELIZABETH to provide electricity. Submarine TRUSTY departed at 1435 that day, but submarine TRIUMPH remained until 0635/22nd.

 

Battleship QUEEN ELIZABETH was docked on 4 April. After temporary repairs, battleship QUEEN ELIZABETH was taken in September 1942 to Norfolk, Virginia. Repairs were completed in June 1943.

 

Battleship VALIANT pumped out her fuel into tankers CLYDEFIELD and CHERRYLEAF. She was docked at 0950/21st and after temporary repairs departed on 8 April for repair at Durban.

 

Norwegian tanker SAGONA (7554grt) had her stern blown off from the explosion of an SLC at 0547. Destroyer JERVIS moored alongside was badly damaged by the explosion.

 

Destroyer JERVIS was docked on the 20th. Repairs were completed on 28 January.

 

Italian submarine ZAFFIRO was off Alexandria to pick up the Italian SLC crew, but none returned.

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In attack on an Italian convoy, Lt E. A. Greenwood and Lt Cdr D. E. Langmore, of 828 Squadron from ST ANGELO, were lost when their Albacore crashed into the sea.  Langmore was the Commanding Officer of the 828 Squadron.

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Convoy ST.11 departed Freetown, escorted by corvettes JASMINE and ROCKROSE. The convoy was dispersed on the 20th.

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Destroyers ENCOUNTER, after convoy SM 1 duty, and THANET coming from Hong Kong, via Tarakan, arrived at Singapore.

 

 

Friday, 19 December

 

Submarine TIGRIS depared Scapa Flow for Operation ANKLET.

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Minesweeper HALCYON, to be employed in operation ANKLET, arrived at Scapa Flow at 1030.

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Minesweepers BRITOMART and SALAMANDER departed Scapa Flow at 1730 for Seidisfjord and join the escort for convoy PQ.7. The minesweepers arrived on the 21st.

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Convoy ON.48 departed Liverpool. The convoy was joined on the 19th by destroy CALDWELL and coevettes GARDENIA, GENTIAN, HONEYSUCKLE, and VERVAIN. Destroyer CALDWELL was detached on the 24th. Corvette BATTLEFORD joined on the 24th. On the 26th, the original four corvettes were relieved by destroyer ST LAURENT and corvettes BUTOUCHE, HEPATICA, MOOSE JAW, and PICTOU. The destroyer and corvettes HEPATICA and MOOSE JAW were detached later that day. Corvette BUTOUCHE was detached on the 28th, corvette PICTOU on the 30th and corvette BATTLEFORD on the 31st when the convoy was dispersed.

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Submarine P.35 arrived at Gibraltar from Dundee.

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Lt J. D. Parker and Captain K. L. Ford, RM, was killed in a crash of a Lysander of 755 Squadron at North Moulton, near Chivnor.

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British tanker LUCELLUM (9425grt) was damaged by German bombing five miles from 270° Bardsey Island. Six crew and two gunners were lost on the tanker.

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British fishing vessel MOUETTE (3grt) was sunk on a mine in Blue Anchor Bay, Minehead. Two crew were lost.

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U.108 sank Steamer RUCKINGE (2869grt) in 38-20N, 17-15W from convoy HG.76. The submarine claimed sinking another steamer. The survivors were rescued by Steamer FINLAND (1333grt) and sloop STORK. The steamer was scuttled by corvette SAMPHIRE.

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Destroyer STANLEY (Lt Cdr D. B. Shaw OBE), escorting convoy HG.76,was sunk by U.574 in 38-12N, 17-23W southwest of Portugal.

 

Shaw, P/T/Surgeon Lt A. R. Barrett RNVR, Lt C. E. M. Crabtree, T/Warrant Engineer S. F. Finch, T/Lt J. S. Petrie RNVR, (on passage to DRAKE) Paymaster Lt R. W. Robb RNVR, (on passage to SPARTIATE), T/Gunner (T) W. W. Turner, T/Lt (E) A. S. Watkins (from ARK ROYAL), T/Sub Lt W. M. Watson RNVR, Lt (E) W. E. G. Waycott (from ARK ROYAL), two Marines, and one hundred and twenty one ratings were lost in the destroyer. (DDD – does on passage apply to name ahead or after?)

 

One rating died of wounds after being rescued.

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U.574 was sunk by sloop STORK, escorting convoy HG.76, off Punta Delgada.  Twenty two crew were lost in the submarine. Five additional crew were lost when sloops STORK and DEPTFORD collided. Four officers and sixteen ratings were rescued.

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At 1800/18th, light cruisers NEPTUNE, AURORA, and PENELOPE and destroyers KANDAHAR, LANCE, HAVOCK, and LIVELY departed Malta to strike at an Italian convoy of Italian steamers MONGINEVRO, NAPOLI, and VETTOR PISANI, escorted by destroyers VIVALDI, DA NOLI, DA RECCO, MALOCELLO, PESSAGNO, and ZENO off Tripoli.

 

Light cruiser AURORA was badly damaged by mining at 0112 on the 19th and light cruiser PENELOPE was lightly damaged at 0108 when a mine exploded in her paravane. There were no casualties in light cruisers AURORA or PENELOPE.

 

Light cruiser AURORA was under repair at Malta until March.

 

Light cruiser NEPTUNE (Captain R. C. O'Conor) struck a mines at 0111, 0112, 0125, and 0400.

 

Destroyer KANDAHAR (Cdr W. G. A. Robson) struck a mine at 0304 trying to tow NEPTUNE.

 

Light cruiser AURORA was escorted to Malta by destroyers LANCE and HAVOCK.

 

Light cruiser PENELOPE and destroyer LIVELY returned to Malta when they found they could not safely enter the minefield to assist the damaged ships.

 

Light cruiser PENELOPE and destroyer LIVELY joined light cruiser AURORA en route. The two cruisers and three destroyers arrived at 1230/19th.

 

Light cruiser NEPTUNE and destroyer KANDAHAR were both sunk.

 

Lt P. C. R. Arbuthnot, Midshipman C. D. E. Babcock, Midshipman P. H. C. Bastable, Cdr P. A. Berry, Sub Lt D. R. L. Bevan, A/Lt D. J. Bullimore SARNVR, T/Lt R. T. Coulton RNVR, Lt D. C. Cunningham, T/Gunner (T) E. T. Edmans, Midshipman M. A. S. Ensell, Warrant Mechanician M. W. Evans, Midshipman D. B. Forbes, T/Surgeon Lt C. Fraser RNVR, Lt (E) G. E. A. Freeland, Chaplain the Reverend T. Harris, Lt H. D. Hartnoll DSC, RM, Lt A. B. Hill RNVR, T/A/Warrant Shipwright H. Hoar, Midshipman D. R. Holloway, Engineering Cdr A. Holt, Midshipman D. A. Houston, Lt (E) F. A. V. Jackson, Midshipman D. A. Jay, Lt (E) J. M. Knowles, Commissioned Gunner C. K. Laban, A/Surgeon Cdr T. C. Larkworthy RNVR, Midshipman B. E. McPherson, NZNF, A/Paymaster Cdr J. H. McGregor, Midshipman A. A. Markwick, T/Paymaster Lt M. B. H. Marshall RNVR, Paymaster Midshipman M. G. H. Mawson, Midshipman P. B. Medicott-Vereker, Schoolmaster D. Metcalf, A/Captain N. L. W. Millar, RM, Lt the Right Hon. J. D. North (Baron North, T/Instructor Lt W. H. Osborne, Gunner F. C. Prince, T/Surgeon Lt E. B. Riding RNVR, Paymaster Midshipman E. C. Robinson, Warrant Engineer E. W. E. Sainty, T/Lt (E) I. B. Tetley, Paymaster Lt B. M. Thomson, NZNF, Warrant Electrician V. T. W. J. Wilks, T/Lt D. J. Wilson RNVR, Lt F. A. Woodward, Lt F. H. Wright RNVR, six hundred and forty four ratings, and seventy three Marines were lost on the cruiser.

 

O'Conor died on the 23rd while still on a raft. The sole survivor, Able Bodied Seaman J. N. Walton,from the cruiser was picked up by an Italian torpedo boat about 1600/24th.

 

From destroyer KANDAHAR, Lt M. R. Gibson-Watt DSC, Midshipman L. J. Tatham RAN, and sixty eight ratings were missing. Two ratings were killed.

 

Destroyer JAGUAR sent from Malta to locate destroyer KANDAHAR picked up eight officers and 157 ratings from the destroyer.

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Submarine UPRIGHT arrived at Malta from patrol south of Cape St Vito.

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Destroyers GRIFFIN, HASTY, and HOTSPUR departed Alexandria on an anti-submarine sweep.

_____

 

Italian steamer FERRUCCIO (83grt) was sunk in a collision at Tripoli.

_____

 

U.652 sank Soviet steamer VARLAAM AVANESOV (6775grt) in 39-27N, 26-05E. The entire crew were rescued.

_____

 

Gunboat TERN (T/A/Lt G. M. Horey RNVR), minelayer REDSTART (Lt Cdr H. C. S. Selby Rtd), and boom vessels ALDGATE, BARLIGHT, and WATERGATE were scuttled at Hong Kong.  Horey and Selby were taken prisoner when Hong Kong fell.

_____

 

Japanese submarine I.72 sank American steamer PRUSA (5113grt) 17-30N, 157W one hundred and fifty miles south of Hawaii.  Eight crew were lost on the steamer. The fourteen survivors were rescued by Coast Guard cutter TIGER. A second group of eleven survivors reached safety after a 2700 mile voyage, rescued by a Fijian government vessel.

_____

 

Soviet steamers KRECHET (2282grt), SERGEI LAZO (2975grt), SIMFEROPOL (2696grt), and SVIRSTROI (4769grt) were sunk by Japanese bombing at Hong Kong.

_____

 

British ferries MAN KIM (371grt) and MAN KUNG (371grt) were scuttled at Hong Kong.

_____

 

Motor vessels PANDAI (166grt), RIMAU (214grt), INTAN (117grt), RASA (217grt), launches BRANI (57grt) and YEN (20grt), tug DALMORE (59grt) were seized by Japanese forces at Penang.

_____

 

British tanker EBONOL (1158grt) was scuttled at Hong Kong by British forces. The Japanese refloated the tanker and took it for their use.

_____

 

Light cruisers DRAGON and DURBAN and Australian destroyer VAMPIRE departed Singapore escorting Steamer ERINPURA (5143grt), carrying thirty officer and 700 rating survivors from battleship PRINCE OF WALES and battlecruiser REPULSE. She also carried some one hundred and fifty women and children evacuees.

 

Heavy cruiser EXETER relieved the escorts on the 24th. The steamer arrived at Colombo on the 27th.

 

Light cruisers DRAGON and DURBAN and Australian destroyer VAMPIRE called at Padang on the 29th for fuel, but were unable to obtain any. The warships went out and met convoy BM.9 A on the 30th.

_____

 

Destroyer SCOUT and auxiliary patrol vessels VYNER BROOKE, MATA HARI, RAUB, and LARUT were ordered to patrol off Medan and Sabang to prevent enemy access to North Sumatra, across the Straits of Malacca.  SCOUT departed Singapore on the 20th and arrived at Sabang on the 21st.

_____

 

Dutch submarine depot ship JANSSENS arrived at Singapore. The depot ship departed on the 22nd carrying British personnel to man Dutch motor torpedo boats and light cruiser SUMATRA, which was laid up at Surabaya.

_____

 

American convoy 4024 departed Pearl Harbour with transports HUGH L. SCOTT and PRESIDENT COOLIDGE, escorted by light cruiser DETROIT and destroyers CUMMINGS and REID. The convoy arrived at San Francisco on the 24th.

 

 

Saturday, 20 December

 

Battleship RODNEY with destroyers WALKER, VERITY, and WITHERINGTON departed Hvalfjord for Scapa Flow. The Flag of Vice Admiral, Second in Command Home Fleet was transferred from battlecruiser RENOWN to base ship DUNLUCE CASTLE.

 

Battlecruiser RENOWN with destroyers MONTROSE, WORCESTER, and FORESTER departed Scapa Flow at 1500 for position 61-00N, 1430W at 1400/21st. The destroyers would then join battleship RODNEY from Reykjavik and escort her back to Scapa Flow.

 

Battleship RODNEY and the destroyers arrived at Scapa Flow at 1200/22nd.

 

Battlecruiser RENOWN with the V and W.destroyers proceeded to Hvalfjord, arriving on the 22nd.

_____

 

Vice Admiral W. E. C. Tait CB, MVO, appointed Vice Admiral Command, Third Battle Squadron, and Vice Admiral, Second in Command Eastern Fleet. His flag was hoisted in battleship RESOLUTION.

_____

 

Heavy cruiser CUMBERLAND reported serious leakages in oil fuel tanks.

_____

 

Destroyer LAMERTON departed Scapa Flow at 1300 escorting tanker SAN ZOTICO (5582grt) to Sullom Voe, arriving on at Lerwick on the 22nd.

_____

 

Destroyer WHEATLAND departed Scapa Flow at 1200 for Greenock to meet and escort landing ship PRINCESS CHARLOTTE for Operation ANKLET.  PRINCESS CHARLOTTE departed Greenock to rendezvous with destroyer WHEATLAND at 1000/21st and proceed to Sullom Voe, arriving on the 22nd.

_____

 

In a flying accident, a Swordfish of 785 Squadron was lost near Crail. Sub Lt P. Haines died of wounds from the crash.

_____

 

Canadian patrol craft ADVERSUS (Skipper W. R. Chandler RCNR) was lost when she ran aground in a blizzard on McNutt's Island, near Shelburne, N. S.

 

No crew were lost in the craft.

_____

 

Destroyers WISHART and VIDETTE departed Gibraltar to meet arriving Polish troopship BATORY. They arrived at Gibraltar on the 23rd.

_____

 

Aircraft carrier ARGUS, light cruiser HERMIONE, and a destroyer screen departed Gibraltar to exercise eastward of Gibraltar. 

 

T/A/Sub Lt (A) R. G. Southby RNVR, was killed when his Fulmar of 807 Squadron crashed.

 

Light cruiser HERMIONE attacked a doubtful submarine contact three miles 115° from Europa Point,. The ships returned later in the day.

_____

 

Light cruiser HERMIONE departed Gibraltar at 2130 to cover the presence of arriving light cruiser DIDO from the UK.  DIDO arrived at 2350. HERMIONE arrived back on the 22nd.

_____

 

Submarine P.35 arrived at Gibraltar, after departing Dundee on the 7th.

_____

 

Submarine URGE arrived at Malta after patrol in the Straits of Messina.

_____

 

Dutch submarine O.20 was badly damaged by Japanese destroyer URANAMI off Kota Bharu. The submarine was scuttled.

_____

 

Motor torpedo boats MTB.12 (Lt J. B. Colls HgKgNVR) and MTB.26 (Lt D. W. Wagstaff HgKgNVF) were lost in an action with Japanese landing craft at Hong Kong. Wagstaff was lost in the boat.  Motor torpedo boats MTB.7, MTB.11, and MTB.18 were damaged.

_____

 

Minelayer TEVIOT BANK laid mines in Durian Strait. From 8 December to 20 December, minelayer TEVIOT BANK and Dutch minelayer WILLEM VAN DER ZAAN laid 1158 mines in the Strait. The minelayer was escorted at various times during these minelays by destroyer VAMPIRE on the 14th and gunboat GRASSHOPPER and auxiliary patrol ships TIEN KWANG, FUH WO, SHO KWANG, li WO, and MATA HARI.

_____

 

Japanese submarine I.17 sank American tanker EMIDIO (6912grt) in 40-30N, 125-00W, twenty miles west of Blunt's Reef.  Five crew were missing on the tanker. The survivors managed to make the Blunt's Reef lightship and were later rescued by Coast Guard cutter SHAWNEE.

_____

 

Japanese submarine I.23 damaged with gunfire American tanker AGWIWORLD (6771grt) in 37N, 122W.

_____

 

American motor tug JUSTINE FOSS (39grt) was captured by Japanese forces near Wake Island.

_____

 

Steamer TAISHAN (3174grt) was sunk by Japanese bombing at Shekko, Tathong Channel.

_____

 

Steamer MACAU (1665grt) was scuttled at Hong Kong.

_____

 

Panamanian steamers FLORINHA (515grt) and LINDINHA (531grt) were seized by Japanese forces at Fort Bayard.

 

 

Sunday,  21 December

 

Destroyer ESKIMO, escorting landing ship PRINCE ALBERT and oiler GREY RANGER, departed Scapa Flow at 1600 for Sullom Voe in Operation ANKLET. The ships arrived on the 22nd.

_____

 

Submarine SEALION departed Polyarnoe on patrol off Vestfjord and participate in Operation ANKLET.

 

Following the patrol, the submarine proceeded to Holy Loch, arriving on 5 January.

_____

 

Seven British fishing craft departed the Shetlands for Operation ANKLET. Six returned to harbour, three badly damaged and three slightly damaged by weather. The remaining craft took shelter.  On the 24th, four fishing vessels departed the Shetlands for Operation ANKLET.  One fishing vessel returned to Shetlands on the 25th.

_____

 

Convoy ON.49 departed Liverpool, escorted by corvette BELLWORT. On the 22nd, destroyers SABRE and SCIMITAR and corvettes ALISMA and SUNFLOWER joined. These ships were relieved on the 27th by American Coast Guard cutter INGRAM and destroyhers DALLAS, ELLIS, GLEAVES, and UPSHUR. The American ships were detached on 5 January when the convoy was dispersed.

_____

 

British Petty Officer Airman L. E. Burston of 881 Squadron was killed when his Martlet flew into a hill at Rashleigh Farm, three miles north of Ardrossan.

_____

 

Steamer BENMACDHUI (6869grt) was sunk by a mine in 53-40N, 0-30E. Two crew were lost on the steamer.

_____

 

Greek steamer NELLIE (4826grt) was damaged by mining off Spurn Head.

_____

 

U.567 sank Steamer ANNAVORE (3324grt) from convoy HG.76 in 43-55N, 19-50W.

 

Twenty nine crew, three gunners, and two passengers were lost on the steamer.

_____

 

Auxiliary aircraft carrier AUDACITY (Cdr D. W. Mackendrick), escorting convoy HG.76, was sunk by U.741 in 43-55N, 19-50W west of Portugal.  Mackendrick, Lt J. R. Carden of 802 Squadron, Lt Cdr G. A. Carline DSC, T/Paymaster Sub Lt H. G. T. Heale RNR, Junior Engineer A. S. Lang, Lt A. D. W. Moore, Sub Lt (A) N. H. Patterson of 802 Squadron, T/Lt (E) S. N. Robertson RNVR, T/Surgeon Lt R. Stewart RNVR, T/A/Gunner H. Strickland, and sixty three ratings were lost on the aircraft carrier.  T/Lt L. Hix RNVR, was wounded. The survivors were picked up by corvettes MARIGOLD and PENTSTEMON.

_____

 

U.567 was sunk by Sloop DEPTFORD and corvette SAMPHIRE, escorting convoy HG.76, north of the Azores. The entire crew of forty seven were lost in the submarine.

_____

 

U.451 was sunk by a Swordfish of the 812 Squadron off Cape Spartel in 35-55N, 6-08W.  Forty four crew were lost in the submarine.  Corvette MYOSOTIS later picked up one survivor, the first Warrant Officer, from the submarine.

_____

 

U.573 sank Norwegian steamer HELLEN (5289grt) 35-41N, 5-10W four miles from Cape Negro. The entire crew were rescued by anti-submarine ARCTIC RANGER, which was escorting the steamer.

_____

 

Convoy AT.5 departed Alexandria escorted by destroyer HEYTHROP and corvette SALVIA with destroyers HASTY and HOTSPUR acted as a striking force.

 

Belgian landing ship PRINCE BADOUIN also departed Alexandria for Tobruk escorted by destroyers FARNDALE and ERIDGE. The landing ship arrived at Tobruk on the 22nd and departed that day after unloading with the destroyers for Alexandria.

_____

 

Soviet submarine M.174 sank German steamer EMSHORN (4301grt) near Petsamo.

_____

 

Convoy HX.166 departed Halifax, escorted by minesweepers BURLINGTON and DRUMMONDVILLE. The minesweepers were detached on the 23rd. American destroyers BADGER, COLE, DECATUR, and PLUNKETT joined on the 24th and Coast Guard cutter CAMPBELL joined on the 25th. Corvettes GARDENIA, GENTIAN, and HONEYSUCKLE joined on the 30th. The American ships were detached on the 31st. Destroyers LEAMINGTON, SABRE, and SCIMITAR joined on 1 January and destroyer BELMONT on 2 January. Sloop GARDENIA was detached on 2 January, destroyers BELMONT, LEAMINGTON, and SKATE were detached on 3 January, and destroyer SCIMITAR and corvette GENTIAN on 4 January. The convoy arrived at Liverpool on 5 January.

_____

 

Convoy SC.61 departed Sydney, CB, escorted by corvette SUDBURY and minesweepers GEORGIAN, MALPQUE, MINAS, and NIPIGON. Minesweeper GEORGIAN was detached on the 22nd and remaining escorts on the 23rd when relieved by corvettes DAINTHUS, GALT, LETHBRIDGE, MATAPEDIA, and NANAIMO. Destroyer NIAGARA joined on the 29th and was detached the next day. Corvette MATAPEDIA was detached on the 31st. The remaining escorts were detached on 2 January when destroyers BROKE and CHELSEA and corvettes CAMILLIA, COLUMBINE, and PIMPERNEL joined. The convoy arrived at Liverpool on 7 January 1942.

_____

 

Convoy BM.9A departed Bombay on the 21st with of troopships DEVONSHIRE (11,100grt), ETHIOPIA (5574grt), LANCASHIRE (9557grt), RAJULA (8478grt), and VARSOVA (4701grt), escorted by light cruiser GLASGOW and Indian patrol vessel SONAVATI. The convoy departed Colombo on the 24th escorted by Australian light cruiser HOBART and sloop FALMOUTH.

 

Light cruiser GLASGOW was detached on the 25th and the sloop and patrol vessel on the 27th. The convoy was met by light cruisers DRAGON and DURBAN and destroyer VAMPIRE on the 30th.

 

Dutch cruisers TROMP and DE RUYTER with destroyers BANCKERT and PIET HEIN escorted the convoy between the Sunda Strait and Banka Strait on 1 and 2 January.

 

Destroyers JUPITER and ENCOUNTER, which departed Singapore on the 28th for Batavia, joined the escort on 2 January. The convoy arrived at Singapore on 3 January with the three light cruisers and the three destroyers.

_____

 

Steamer ULYSSES departed Singapore for Australia with 250 women and children evacuees.

_____

 

Gunboat CICALA (Cdr J. Bolero DSC Rtd) was sunk by Japanese bombing at Hong Kong.  One rating was killed and one rating was wounded. The survivors were taken off by Motor Torpedo Boat 10. Bolero and T/Lt W. F. Davis RNR, were taken prisoner by the Japanese at the fall of Hong Kong.

 

 

Monday, 22 December

 

Light cruiser ARETHUSA (Hamilton), destroyers SOMALI, ASHANTI, BEDOUIN, KRAKOWIAK, and KUJAWIAK, Norwegian corvettes ACANTHUS and EGLANTINE, minesweepers SPEEDWELL, HARRIER, and HALCYON, surveying ship SCOTT, tanker BLACK RANGER, auxiliary ship GUDRUN MAERSK, and tug JAUNTY departed Scapa Flow as Force J for Operation ANKLET, a raid on the Lofotens.

 

Destroyers ESKIMO and LAMERTON, landing ship PRINCE ALBERT, and oiler GREY RANGER departed Lerwick for Operation ANKLET on the 23rd.

 

Landing ship PRINCESS CHARLOTTE developed engine trouble en route to join on the 23rd and was sent back with destroyer WHEATLAND. Both arrived at Scapa Flow at 1700/24th.

 

Destroyer WHEATLAND departed Scapa Flow at 1100/25th to join the ANKLET group.

 

Submarine SEALION provided the navigational beacon for the attack on the 26th.

 

Landing ship PRINCE ALBERT, escorted by destroyer LAMERTON and corvettes EGLANTINE and ACANTHUS, land 260 commandoes at Moskenesoy and Tind.

 

Destroyer BEDOUIN destroyed the wireless station at Flakstadoy.

 

Light cruiser ARETHUSA and destroyers SOMALI, ASHANTI, and ESKIMO penetrate into Vestfjord and captured Norwegian coastal steamers KONG HARALAD (1125grt) and NORDLAND (725grt). Destroyer ASHANTI sank German patrol boat Vp.5904 (trawler GEIER, 145grt) after the crew was taken off.

 

Light cruiser ARETHUSA was near missed by German bombing while at anchor in Kirkefjord on the 27th. The light cruiser required fourteen weeks at Chatham to refit and repair, including collision damage.

 

After the raid, the ships arrived back at Scapa Flow at 1100 on 1 January.

_____

 

The Patrol in the Denmark Strait was discontinued temporarily to reduce the strain on ships.

_____

 

Destroyer NEWARK departed Loch Alsh for Scapa Flow. The destroyer arrived at Scapa Flow at 0930/23rd from Loch Alsh to dock and carry out minor repairs.

_____

 

Minesweeper NIGER departed Dundee on completion of repairs to her stern glands. On passage, further trouble from the glands was experiences and further repairs had to be carried out. The minesweeper arrived at Scapa Flow at 1100/23rd

 _____

 

Sloops DEPTFORD and STORK of the convoy HG.76 escort were damaged in a collision when sloop DEPTFORD mistook sloop STORK for a surfaced German submarine.

 

Corvette JONQUIL accompanied damaged sloop STORK.

 

Sloop STORK was repaired at Devonport from 27 December to 14 February.

 

Sloop DEPTFORD was repaired at Liverpool from 6 January to 8 March.

_____

 

Greek steamer STYLIANOS CHANDRIS (6059grt) was sunk on a mine, two miles 235° from 62D Buoy, Humber. The entire crew were rescued.

_____

 

Light cruiser DIDO and destroyers NESTOR, GURKHA, FOXHOUND, and ARROW departed Gibraltar on the 22nd. The ships arrived at Malta on the 24th.

_____

 

Corvette COWSLIP ran aground on Punta Al Boassa, but was refloated and brought into harbour. The corvette sustained extensive hull damage.

_____

 

Destroyers GRIFFIN, NIZAM, KIMBERLEY, and SIKH were at sea from Alexandria on an anti-submarine sweep.

_____

 

Submarine TORBAY sank a small Greek caique for 30 tons off Cape Methene.

_____

 

German steamer TINOS (2826grt) was sunk by British bombing at Benghazi.

_____

 

German steamer SPEZIA (1825grt) and Italian steamer CADAMOSTO (1010grt) were sunk on Italian mines fourteen miles northwest of Misurata in 32-26N, 15-01E and 32-30N, 15-01E, respectively.

_____

 

Convoy BM.9 B departed Bombay with steamers EL MADINA (3962grt), RISALDAR (5407grt), RAJPUT (5497grt), JALARAJAN (5102grt), and MADURA (9032grt), carrying motor transport and stores for troops carried in convoy BM.9 A, escorted by Greek light cruiser GEORGIOS AVEROFF until 27 December. The convoy was joined by light cruiser GLASGOW on the 27th and relieved by light cruiser DANAE on the 31st. The convoy was also joined by light cruiser HOBART, which departed Colombo on the 24th with convoy BM.9 A, destroyers ELECTRA and EXPRESS on 3 January, and STRONGHOLD on 4 January, which departed Singapore on the 31st, minesweepers GOULBURN and BURNIE on 5 January, and Dutch light cruiser JAVA from 31 December to 4 January, when she was detached with damage to a propeller. Dutch light cruisers TROMP and DE RUYTER and destroyers BANCKERT and PIET HEIN from 4 January.

 

Convoy BM.9 B arrived at Singapore on 6 January.

_____

 

Destroyer EXPRESS laid mines in South Channel at Penang.

_____

 

Japanese submarine I.68 shelled Johnston Island.  I.71 and I.72 shelled Palmyra Island.

_____

 

Six Japanese transports departed Camranh Bay to land troops at Kuching.

 

This force was escorted by light cruiser YURA, destroyers MURAKUMO, SHIRAKUMO, and USUGUMO, minesweepers W.3 and W.6, and seaplane carrier KAMIKAWA MARU.

 

Heavy cruisers KUMANO and SUZUYA and light cruiser FUBUKI and SAGIRI covered the convoy. West of this force was heavy cruisers MIKUMA and MOGAMI with destroyer HATSUYUKI.

_____

 

Steamer NAM YONG (1345grt) and tanker HARPA (3000grt) were damaged by Japanese bombing at Port Swettenham.

_____

 

American submarine S.38 sank Japanese transport HAYO MARU (5445grt) in Lingayen Gulf.

_____

 

Japanese submarine I.19 damaged with gunfire American tanker H. M. STOREY (10,763grt) in 34-35N, 120-45W.

 

 

Tuesday,  23 December

 

Heavy cruiser BERWICK arrived at Hvalfjord from patrol in the Denmark Strait.

_____

 

Light cruiser NIGERIA departed the Tyne after refitting to Scapa Flow to work up. The cruiser arrived on the 24th.

_____

 

Submarine TUNA departed Scapa Flow for Operation ARCHERY.

_____

 

Destroyer TETCOTT, en route to Scapa Flow to work up, collided with corvette HEARTSEASE. The destroyer put into the Clyde to effect temporary repairs from 26 December to 8 January. The destroyer was under repair at Southampton from 13 January until 7 March 1942. The corvette was towed to Greenock by tug CAROLINE MOLLER and escorted by corvette VERVIAN. The corvette was under repair at Greenock from 27 December to 2 April.

_____

 

Destroyers TARTAR and ICARUS departed Scapa Flow at 1630 for Seidisfjord to await the sailing of convoy PQ.7 from Reykjavik. The destroyers arrived at 1800/26th. They were ordered to remain at Seidisfjord with heavy cruiser CUMBERLAND for the escort of convoy PQ.7 B.

_____

 

Requisitioned Norwegian motor fishing vessel FISKAREN was sunk in a collision in Belfast Lough.

_____

 

British drifter TOKEN was grounded in Skerry Sound and broke up in a gale.

_____

 

Convoy OS.15 departed Liverpool. On the 24th, sloops BIDEFORD and LONDONDERRY and escort vessels CULVER, LANDGUARD, and LULWORTH joined the convoy. The ships were detached on 11 January.

 

On 9 January, destroyer BRILLIANT and corvettes BERGAMOT, LAVENDER, and WALLFLOWER joined the convoy and arrived with it at Bathurst on 13 January.

_____

 

Belgian steamer LEOPOLD II (2902grt) was sunk on a mine in 52-53-48N, 2-05-20E.  Thirty three crew and two gunners were lost on the steamer.

_____

 

Greek steamer ROKOS VERGOTTIS (5637grt) was badly damaged on a mine off Smith's Knoll off No. 555A Buoy, Hearty Knoll Channel. The steamer was taken in tow, but ran aground in 52-45N, 2-10E and was abandoned.

_____

 

Destroyers VANQUISHER and WITCH, which had departed England to support convoy HG.76, attacked a submarine off Ushant.

_____

 

Submarine USK arrived at Gibraltar after having departed Portsmouth on the 11th.

_____

 

Destroyers HOTSPUR and HEYTHROP with convoy AT.5 attacked a submarine contact.  HOTSPUR was joined by destroyer HASTY and HEYTHROP continued on with the convoy.  HASTY and HOTSPUR sank U.79 off Bardia in 32-15N, 25-19E. The Captain, three officers, and forty ratings were rescued.

_____

 

Convoy AT.5 arrived at Tobruk.

 

Destroyer HEYTHROP and corvette SALVIA joined destroyers HASTY and HOTSPUR and sailed with store ships carrying prisoners of war and wounded.

 

U.559 sank Steamer SHUNTIEN (3059grt) in 32-05N, 24-46E.

The steamer had a crew of seventy crew and carried 850 prisoners of war.

 

Many prisoners were rescued by corvette SALVIA, which was left behind to collect survivors. However, these were missing when the corvette was lost the next day.

 

T/Sub Lt H. W. Vanderzee RNVR, on passage to NILE in the steamer was also lost.

 

Destroyers HOTSPUR and HEYTHROP attacked a submarine contact at 0440/24th.

_____

 

U.559 attacked a Steamer near Tobruk.

_____

 

U.562 attacked a destroyer near Tobruk.

_____

 

Store carrier TIBERIO (237grt) foundered off Mersa Matruh. The entire crew was rescued.

_____

 

Convoy in 6 departed Alexandria with steamers WARSZAWA, ALISA, and VARVARA and boom defense vessel BURGONET, escorted by destroyer AVONVALE and corvette PEONY with destroyers KIPLING and LEGION operating as a striking force.  During the night of 23/24 December, VARVARA broke down and was escorted by destroyer KIMBERLEY back to Alexandria. En route, they were joined by tug ST MONANCE.

_____

 

Dutch submarine O.24 arrived at Gibraltar from Mediterranean patrol.

_____

 

Aircraft transport ATHENE departed Gibraltar escorted by destroyers EXMOOR and CROOME to 14N, 19W. The destroyers then proceeded to Bathurst to refuel prior to returning to Gibraltar. the transport proceeded to Takoradi.

_____

 

Cable ship MIRROR, escorted by corvette COLTSFOOT, departed Gibraltar to cut cable in the Azores area.

_____

 

T/Sub Lt (A) R. H. Cardwell RNVR, Observer, of 830 Squadron was lost in a Wellington bomber which failed to return from patrol.

_____

 

On the 20th, Japanese forces departed Kwajalein to return to Wake Island.

 

Light cruisers TATSUTA, TENRYU, and YUBARI, destroyers ASANAGI, OITE, and YUNAGI of the 29th Destroyer Division, MOCHIZUKI, MUTSUKI, and YAYOI of the 30th Destroyer Division, patrol boats P.32 and P.33, three transports, one minelayer, and one seaplane carrier set out.

 

Destroyers ASANAGI and YUNAGI replaced the lost destroyers and destroyer OITE was added to the force. The 2nd Special Naval Landing Force, which had captured Guam, was used in the Wake Island attack.

 

Heavy cruisers AOBA, FURUTAKA, KINUGASA, and KAKO of the 6th Cruiser Division and destroyers KIKUZUKI, UZUKI, and YUZUKI of the 23rd Destroyer Division departed Truk to support.

 

In addition, aircraft carriers HIRYU and SORYU, heavy cruisers TONE and CHIKUMA, and destroyers TANIKAZE and URAKAZE of Nagumo's carrier force provided air cover.

 

After dawn on the 23rd, destroyer MUTSUKI and two other destroyers closed Toki Point. Destroyer MUTSUKI was damaged by American battery B on Peale Island with five crew killed and ten wounded.

 

Patrol boats P.32 and P.33 were run aground deliberately to land troops. Both were lost at 19-17N, 166-35E on Wake Island.

 

Japanese air losses in the campaign were four carrier planes with four crew killed, one Emily seaplane with six crew killed, and sixteen Betty bombers with ninety crew recovered by US Marines.

 

Before the island fell, one hundred and twenty five Japanese soldiers were killed and one hundred and twenty five soldiers were wounded. Seven crew were killed and twenty five wounded when a patrol boat was hit by Wake Island shore guns.

_____

 

American submarine SEAL sank Japanese steamer SORYU MARU (856grt) off Badoc at 17-35N, 120-12E.

_____

 

Dutch submarine K.14 sank Japanese transport KATORI MARU (9849grt) and damaged steamers HIYOSHI MARU (4943grt), HOKKAI MARU 8416grt), and NICHINAN MARU (6503grt) off Kuching.

_____

 

Dutch submarine K.13 was disabled by a battery explosion at Singapore. Three ratings were killed and three were injured.

 

Destroyer VAN NES departed Tangjong Priok on the 27th to escort the submarine from Bank Straits to Surabaya. The submarine departed Singapore on the 27th, escorted by minesweeper BENDIGO. The submarine was towed to Surabaya, arriving on the 30th.

_____

 

Japanese submarine I.17 damaged with gunfire American tanker LARRY DOHENY (7038grt) in 40N, 125W.

_____

 

Japanese submarine I.21 sank American tanker MONTIBELLO (8272grt) in 35-30N, 121-15W, four miles off Cambria, California. The entire crew were rescued.

_____

 

Japanese submarine I.21 damaged with gunfire American tanker IDAHO (6418grt) in 35N, 121W.

 

 

Wednesday, 24 December

 

Light cruiser KENYA (Burroughs), destroyers OFFA, ONSLOW, ORIBI, and CHIDDINGFOLD, and landing ships PRINCE CHARLES and PRINCE LEOPOLD departed Scapa Flow as Force P.at 2100 on Operation ARCHERY, a raid on Vaagso and Maaloy Island. The Force arrived at Sullom Voe on the 25th. Force J departed Sullom Voe on the 26th for the Operation.

 

Submarine TUNA provided the navigational beacon for the raid on the 27th.

 

Battleship KING GEORGE V and destroyers INGLEFIELD, FAULKNER, MATABELE, MONTROSE, FORESTER, and INTREPID were brought to short notice at Scapa Flow to act as the covering force for Operations ANKLET and ARCHERY.

 

On the 27th, light cruiser KENYA was damaged by a 5.1 inch shell from the Battery at Rugsundoy.

 

Destroyers ONSLOW and ORIBI sank German steamers REIMAR EDWARD FRITZEN (2936grt), NORMA (2258grt), and ANITA L. M. RUSS (1712grt) at Maaloy.

 

Destroyers OFFA and CHIDDINGFOLD sank German auxiliary patrol vessel Vp.1502 (trawler DONNER) and steamer ANHALT (5870grt). The ships arrived back at Scapa Flow noon on the 28th.

_____

 

Heavy cruiser CUMBERLAND departed Hvalfjord for Seidisfjord for the escort of convoy PQ.7.

_____

 

Convoy ON.50 departed Liverpool escorted by destroyer BROKE and corvettes BARRIE, CAMELLIA, COLUMBINE, and PIMPERNEL. Destroyer CHELSEA joined on the 25th. These escorts, less corvette BARRIE, were relieved on the 28th by destroyer BURNHAM and corvettes ALGOMA, CHILLIWACK, DRUMHELLER, NAPANEE, SUMMERSIDE, and TRILLIUM. Corvette BARRIE was detached on 2 January. The convoy was dispersed on 3 January and the escorts detached.

_____

 

Submarine H 31 (Lt F. B. Gibbs) departed Falmouth on the 19th for a patrol off Cape Finisterre. She was due back on the 24th, but did not return. There is no indication as to when or how the submarine was lost. It was possible a breakaway mine from minelayer ABDIEL's Little Sole Bank field claimed the submarine.  Gibbs, T/Sub Lt P. D. N. Campbell RNR, T/Lt M. Eynon RNVR, Lt A. I. Merritt, and twenty nine ratings were lost on the submarine.

_____

 

Steamer MERCHANT (4615grt) was sunk on a mine, 1¼ mile 354° from No.6 Buoy, Yarmouth in 52-39-30N, 2-00-56E. One crewman was lost on the steamer.

_____

 

British tanker STANMOUNT (4468grt) was sunk on a mine, one mile 350° from No.6 Buoy, Yarmouth in 52-39-22N, 2-00-31E. The entire crew were rescued.

_____

 

Steamer EASTWOOD (1551grt) was damaged by mining 2½ miles 104° Aldeburgh Light. Four crew were lost on the steamer. The steamer arrived at Harwich on the 25th and was later taken to the Humber for repairs.

_____

 

Norwegian tanker OLE JACOB, captured by German raider ATLANTIS on 10 November 1940 and renamed BENNO, was sunk by British torpedo aircraft at Puerto Carino, in northwest Spain.  British aircraft had damaged the tanker on the 23rd with depth charges.

_____

 

Corvette SALVIA (Lt Cdr J. I. Miller DSO DSC, RD RNR) was sunk by U.568 in 31-46N, 28-00E west of Alexandria.  Miller, T/Lt B. W. Church DSC RNVR, T/Lt E. S. Ditmars RCNVR, T/Lt J. L. Field RNVR, and fifty five ratings were missing on the corvette.

_____

 

British tanker PHENIX (5907grt) was sunk on a mine at Haifa. Four crew were lost on the tanker.  Petrol carrier VILJA was set afire by the tanker's explosion, as was parts of the harbour.

_____

 

Destroyer WESTCOTT arrived at Gibraltar from the UK.

_____

 

T/Midshipman J. E. G. Burnett of destroyer HEYTHROP died of injuries after being beaten up.

_____

 

Convoy DM.1 (WS.12ZM) of steamers NARKUNA, AORANGI, SUSSEX, ABBEKERK, and MOUNT VERNON departed Durban escorted by light cruiser EMERALD. The convoy, escorted by heavy cruiser EXETER, light cruiser EMERALD, and sloop JUMNA, departed Addu on 5 January. Light cruiser DURBAN joined in 4-27S, 94-47E on 9 January. Dutch light cruiser DE RUYTER joined on 10 January for three hours while Admiral Doorman boarded light cruiser EMERALD to discuss route and policy.

 

On 10 January, destroyers destroyers JUPITER, ENCOUNTER, and VAMPIRE joined the convoy. On 11 January, Dutch light cruisers DE RUYTER and TROMP and Dutch destroyers BANCKERT and PIET HEIN escorted the convoy through the Banka Straits during daylight on 12 January. Convoy DM.1 arrived at Singapore on 13 January.

_____

 

Minelayer TEVIOT BANK laid mines off Horsborough Light.

_____

 

Destroyer THRACIAN (Cdr A. J. Pears Rtd) was beached after Japanese bombing at Hong Kong. Pears, Lt (E) E. P. Birkett, Lt J. Dines RNR, and Gunner (T) T. H. Quilliam were taken prisoner by the Japanese on the fall of Hong Kong.

_____

 

Dutch submarine K.17 was sunk by Japanese destroyers near Kota Bharu.

_____

 

Japanese forces which had departed Amami O Shima on the 17th arrived off Lamon Bay.

 

Twenty four transports landed troops, covered by light cruiser NAGARA and destroyers YAMAKAZE, SUZUKAZE, KAWAKAZE, and UMIKAZE of the 24th Destroyer Division and TOKITSUKAZE and YUKIKAZE of the 16th Destroyer Division.

_____

 

American steamer SI KIANG (7014grt) was sunk by Japanese bombing in the Bay of Marse, Manila.  Ten crew were lost on the steamer.

_____

 

Steamers GLADYS (358grt), MARGARET (248grt), and REJANG (288grt) and lighter KIM CHIN SENG (165grt) were scuttled at Kuching.

_____

 

Dutch submarine K.16 sank Japanese destroyer SAGIRI at 1-34N, 110-21E. The submarine was sunk the next day by Japanese submarine I.66 sank north of Api. There was one survivor from the submarine.

_____

 

Japanese submarine I.19 damaged American steamer ABSAROKA (5695grt) in 34N, 121W off California. One crewman was killed. The steamer was towed to San Pedro.

_____

 

Japanese submarine I.23 damaged American steamer DOROTHY PHILIPS (2119grt) with gunfire in Monterey Bay.

 

 

Thursday, 25 December

 

The flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, 18th Cruiser Squadron, struck his flag in light cruiser EDINBURGH at Murmansk.

_____

 

Heavy cruiser KENT departed Archangel with the British Foreign Secretary and his staff and Rear Admiral Commanding 18th Cruiser Squadron Rear Admiral E. N. Syfret CB, and his staff. The heavy cruiser arrived at Scapa Flow on the 29th. The cruiser proceeded on to the Clyde arriving later that day.

_____

 

Steamer CORMEAD (2848grt) was sunk on a mine three miles 350° from No. 5 Buoy, off Lowestoft. The entire crew were rescued.

_____

 

Steamer CHARLES PARSONS (1554grt) was damaged by German bombing eight miles north of Hartlepool.

_____

 

Steamer SHEAF MOUNT (5017grt) was damaged by German bombing in the North Atlantic.

_____

 

When a Albacore of 826 Squadron was damaged by ground fire near Sollum, observer T/Sub Lt (A) G. Credland RNVR, was killed. Pilot A/Sub Lt (A) R. S. Nathan RNVR, and Leading Airman S. V. Coulter were unwounded.

_____

 

A Catalina was shot down off Northern Malaya. Destroyer THANET was despatched to rescue the crew, but they were picked up by Dutch submarine K.12 before the destroyer arrived.

_____

 

Boom defense depot ROBIN (formerly gunboat, Lt Cdr E. G. Solway Rtd) was scuttled at Hong Kong

 

Solway, T/Lt H. Clark RNR, Chief Skipper J. H. Cowling RNVR, Chief Skipper A. Flett RNR, Lt W. Fogg Rtd, Engineering Lt C. Freeman Rtd, T/Boom Engineer F. C. G. George RNR, Lt W. J. Haslehurst Rtd, Skipper W. Mair RNR, Lt F. W. Mitchell Rtd, T/Lt A. W. Skelly RNR,, and T/Lt R. Wherry RNR, were taken prisoner on the fall of Hong Kong.

 

Flett and Mair were killed when in passage in Japanese steamer LISBON MARU, sunk by American submarine GROUPER on 2 October 1942. Freeman died as a prisoner of war of 23 January 1942. George died as a prisoner of war on 6 April 1943.

 

Motor torpedo boats MTB.7 (Lt R. R. W. Ashby HgKgNVR), MTB.9 (Lt A. Kennedy RNVR), MTB.10 (Lt Cdr G. H. Gandy Rtd, SO of the Flotilla), MTB.11 (Lt C. I. Collingwood), and MTB.27 (Lt T. M. Parsons HgKgNVR), escaped from Aberdeen Harbour for Mirs Bay, carrying refugees, including Chinese Admiral Chan Chak. The boats were then scuttled.

 

Lt C. R. C. Dodson RNVR, of MTB.9 was taken prisoner by the Japanese.

 

Motor minesweepers MMS.95, MMS.96, MMS.123, and MMS.124, building at Vaughn Shipbuilding Hong Kong were lost on the stocks. The following officers were taken prisoner by the Japanese on the fall of Hong Kong. All officers attached to HMS TAMAR (Captain A. C. Collinson, Commodore 2nd Class). T/Boom Skipper S. A. Baily, Lt H. Bevis Rtd, Lt Cdr J. G. Binny, Paymaster Cdr J. G. B. A. Campbell Rtd, Lt Cdr T. R. Chattock, Collinson, Cdr D. H. S. Craven, Cdr R. C. Creer RAN Rtd, Cdr F. W. Crowther Rtd, A/T/Lt Cdr H. C. F. Dawes RNR, Lt H. C. Dixon, NZRNVR, Boatswain W. G. R. Easterbrook, A/Major G. B. O. Farrington, RM, Major R. C. Giles, RM, Commissioned Telegraphist N. T. J. Greenwood, Cdr W. H. L. Harrison Rtd, Paymaster Cdr C. S. B. Hickman, Lt Cdr G. S. Hugh-Jones, Lt Cdr K. W. Kirby, Temprary Boom Engineer J. C. McFarlane (Boom Defense Hong Kong), Warrant Wardmaster F. Martin (NH Hong Kong), Cdr H. C. Millett Rtd, Engineering Captain F. B. Minhinnick Rtd (DY HK), Signal Boatswain D. M.Mitchell, Cdr G. W. Morrison Rtd, Surgeonl Lt Cdr J. A. Page, T/Chaplain C. Strong RNVR, T/Warrant Engineer A. W. F. Taylor, Surgeon Cdr R. W. H. Tinckler, Cdr L. L. Tollemache Rtd, Engineering Cdr P. Warner Rtd, Warrant Storemaster R. M. Wexham, T/Surgeon Lt R. G. S. Whitfield RNVR, and Lt Cdr R. S. Young Rtd.

 

Bailey, Easterbrook, Greenwood, Martin, and Wexham were killed when the steamer LISBON MARU was sunk on 2 October. McFarlane died as a prisoner of war on 17 October 1942. Mitchell died of dysentery as a prisoner of war on 8 July 1942. Taylor was killed in an air raid at Kawasake on 25 July 1945. The following ships were captured by Japanese forces at Hong Kong (most of the ships had already been sunk or scuttled prior to capture)

 

American steamer ADMIRAL Y. S. WILLIAMS (3252grt), which had been scuttled on the 12th, Chinese steamer ANLEE (1668grt), Steamer APOEY (2790grt), American steamer ARGUS (1025grt), Steamer ADRIADNE MOLLER (1840grt), Steamer CAMBAY PRINCE (455grt) at Bleak Pier, Steamer CHENGTU (2219grt), Panamanian steamer DAYLITE (1976grt), Panamanian steamer ELDORADO (2180grt), British salvage tug ETHEL MOLLER (912grt), Steamer FAUSANG (2256grt), British salvage vessel FROSTY MOLLER (555grt), Motor vessel FOOK ON.(738grt), Tug GERTRUDE MOLLER (92grt), Norwegian steamer HALLDOR (1515grt), Norwegian steamer HARALDSVANG (3112grt), Motor vessel HINSANG (4644grt), American steamer HIRONDELLE (1243grt), under repair, Chinese steamer HSINLEE (1174grt), Steamer JOAN MOLLER (2332grt), British salvage ship JOSEPHINE MOLLER (1274grt), Steamer KANCHOW (2001grt), British salvage ship KATHLEEN MOLLER 91487grt), Steamer KAU TUNG (1665grt), Steamer KINSHAN (2733grt), Steamer KWONG FOOK CHEUNG (881grt), Steamer KWONG SAI (1309grt), Steamer KWONG TUNG (1218grt), British ferry MAN CHIAO (350grt), Auxiliary minelayer MAN YEUNG (371grt), Chinese mine carrier MAO LEE, requisitioned by the Royal Navy (1946grt), British salvage tug MARGARET MOLLER (468grt), Panamanian steamer MARION (1185grt), Steamer MING SANG (3420grt), Steamer NANNING (2486grt), Swedish motor vessel NINGPO (6079grt), Tug PATRICIA MOLLER (390grt), Chinese steamer SHENGLEE (3087grt), Steamer SHUN CHIH (1881grt), Steamer SOOCHOW (2604grt), Steamer SUMATRA (984grt), Steamer TAI HING (1068grt), Steamer TAI LEE (1423grt), Steamer TAI MING (649grt), French steamer TAI POO SEK (1960grt), Steamer TIN SANG (398grt), Steamer TIN YAT (942grt), Steamer SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL (1339grt), British water boat WAVE, Panamanian steamer WAWA (1650grt), and Steamer YAT SHING (2284grt) on the 25th.

 

Norwegian steamer HALLDOR was renamed HARUNA MARU for Japanese use.

 

Tugs INDO CHINA (63grt) and TAIKOO HANG (32grt) were seized at Hong Kong on the 26th.

 

Steamers EMPIRE DRAGON (6580grt) and EMPIRE PAGODA (6580grt), under construction at Hong Kong were sunk, but were later refloated and restored to service by Japanese forces.

 

 

Friday, 26 December

 

Patrol White was re-established and heavy cruiser NORFOLK departed Hvalfjord for patrol in the Denmark Strait.

_____

 

Convoy PQ.7A departed Hvalfjord with Panamanian steamer COLD HARBOUR (5010grt) and British WARZIRISTAN (5135grt) escorted by trawlers HUGH WALPOLE and OPHELIA to 27 December. The other ships of the convoy were delayed by defects.  Minesweepers BRITOMART and SALAMANDER departed Seidisfjord at noon on the 28th to meet the convoy, but did not locate it. The minesweepers arrived at Murmansk at 1700 on 4 January.  On 2 January, WARZIRISTAN was stranded on the ice. She was damaged by German bombing and sunk by U.134.

 

Steamer COLD HARBOR arrived at Murmansk on 12 January.

_____

 

Minesweeping trawler HENRIETTE (Former French, 261grt, Lt A. V. Pearce RNR) was sunk on a mine 3.4 miles 134.5° from Spurn Point, off the Humber. There were no casualties on the trawler.

_____

 

Norwegian steamers KONG RING (1994grt) and INGER NIELSEN (1862grt) were sunk and Norwegian steamer KONG DAG (1862grt) was damaged at Ullsfjord on mines laid by Soviet submarine K.1 on 16 and 17 December.

_____

 

On the 25th, Submarines TRUSTY and TRUANT were ordered to the Eastern Fleet.  TRUSTY departed Alexandria for Singapore on the 26th.  TRUANT departed Alexandria on 3 January and arrived at Surabaya on 11 February.

_____

 

Light cruisers AJAX and DIDO and destroyers LANCE, liVELY, ARROW, FOXHOUND, GURKHA, and NESTOR departed Malta with steamers SYDNEY STAR, CLAN FERGUSON, AJAX, and CITY OF CALCUTTA of convoy ME.8 on the 26th.

 

Antiaircraft ship CARLISLE and destroyers NAPIER, NIZAM, KINGSTON, and ISAAC SWEERS departed Alexandria to join the ships before dark on the 27th, but in bad weather did not contact the group until 0700/28th.

 

The Dutch destroyer was damaged by weather and returned to Alexandria on the 27th.

 

When the two groups met, destroyers LANCE and LIVELY were detached to Malta, arriving on the 29th.

 

Destroyer MAORI was damaged by the near miss of German bombing. The destroyer required six weeks to repair. The ships arrived at Alexandria on the 29th, less destroyer NIZAM which took steamer SYDNEY STAR directly to Port Said. The destroyer returned to Alexandria on the 30th.

_____

 

Submarine OLYMPUS departed Malta for Gibraltar with passengers and stores.

_____

 

U.559 sank Polish steamer WARSZAWA (2487grt) in 32-10N, 24-32E.

 

Corvette PEONY was able to take the steamer in tow, escorted by destroyer AVONVALE while destroyers KIPLING and LEGION hunted the submarine.

 

However, the steamer could not be saved when a second attack by the submarine was successful. Boom defense vessel BURGONET rescued 309 survivors. Corvette PEONY and destroyer AVONVALE rescued further survivors. Three crew and about twenty passengers were lost on the steamer.

 

Convoy AT.6 departed Tobruk on the 27th. At 0909 on the 27th, destroyers KIPLING and LEGION attacked a submarine contact.

_____

 

Convoy AT.7 departed Alexandria escorted by destroyer ERIDGE and anti-submarine whaler SOUTHERN SEA with destroyers GRIFFIN and HASTY as a striking force. The convoy arrived on the 29th and the destroyers departed with convoy TA.7 of empty ships KIRKLAND and EOCENE. There is no mention of convoys AT.8 or AT.9 in the Med Fleet War Diary. Apparently, they did not sail.

_____

 

Submarine P.39, which departed Holy Loch on the 16th, arrived at Gibraltar from the UK.

_____

 

Submarine UNA departed Gibraltar for Malta.

_____

 

Destroyer VANOC, which had been searching for an enemy tanker in the area of Cape Ortegal, arrived at Gibraltar.

_____

 

Japanese minesweeper W.6 and steamer UNYO MARU No.2 were sunk by Dutch air attack at 1-34N, 110-21E.

_____

 

Dutch destroyer O.19 arrived at Singapore after patrol.

_____

 

Destroyer SCOUT arrived at Soe Soe for refuelling, but none was available. The destroyer returned to Sabang.

_____

 

American convoy 4032 departed Pearl Harbour with passenger ships LURLINE, MATSONIA, and MONTEREY, escorted by light cruiser ST LOUIS and destroyers PRESTON and SMITH. The convoy arrived at San Francisco on 2 January.

_____

 

Steamer TANTALUS (7724grt), which had departed Hong Kong on the 5th under the tow of tug KESWICK for Singapore, was sunk by Japanese bombing at Manila.  Thirty nine crew and six gunners were made prisoners of war.

_____

 

Soviet tanker MAIKOP (1846grt) was sunk by Japanese bombing off the southwestern point of the Gulf of Davao. One crewman was lost.

_____

 

Convoy SL.96 departed Freetown escorted by destroyers BRADFORD to 1 January and VELOX to 15 January and corvettes AMARANTHUS to 13 January, AURICULA to 30 December, CROCUS to 30 December, and ORCHIS to 28 December.

 

On the 28th, sloops LEITH, ROCHESTER, SANDWICH, and SCARBOROUGH joined to 13 January. Destroyer BRADFORD, after refuelling at Gibraltar, departed on 6 January to rejoin the convoy. Ocean boarding vessel MARSDALE joined on 12 January to 13 January. The convoy was dispersed on 13 January due to weather. The destroyers remained with the Liverpool ships until arrival on 15 January.

 

 

Saturday, 27 December

 

Battleship RESOLUTION and destroyers FORESTER and FAULKNOR departed Scapa Flow for exercises during the day.

_____

 

Destroyer IMPULSIVE departed Scapa Flow for Southampton for refitting. The destroyer arrived at Portsmouth on the 30th.

_____

 

Convoy ON.51 departed Liverpool on the 27th. The convoy was joined on the 28th by destroyer WATCHMAN and corvettes AARABIS, MONKSHOOD, and THYME. Corvette SNOWFLAKE joined on the 29th. The escorts were detached on 2 January when American destroyers BUCK, GREER, HERBERT, MCCORMICK, and SWANSON joined. The American destroyers were detached on 11 January when the convoy was dispersed.

_____

 

Minesweeper/escort vessel JASON departed Scapa Flow for Rosyth, arriving on the 28th.

_____

 

Submarine STURGEON, escorted by an anti-submarine yacht WHITE BEAR, departed the Clyde for Scapa Flow, where they arrived on the 29th.

_____

 

Minesweeper NIGER departed Scapa Flow at 2200 for Dundee for effect further repairs to her stern glands. The minesweeper arrived at 1200/28th.

_____

 

Steamer J. D. PADDON (570grt) was sunk by German bombing in 53-55N, 0-16E. The entire crew were rescued.

_____

 

Submarine P.36, which departed Portsmouth on18 December, arrived at Gibraltar.

_____

 

Corvettes GERANIUM and AZALEA departed Gibraltar to meet arriving tanker LA CARRIERE. The ships safely arrived back on 4 January.

_____

 

Convoy HX.167 departed Halifax, escorted by destroyer ANNAPOLIS and corvettes SASKATOON and THE PAS. The escort was detached on the 29th when American destroyers BABBITT, LEARY, MAYO, SCHENCK, and SIMPSON joined. Destroyers BABBIT and SCHENCK are refuelled at sea from American cargo ship DELTA. In heavy weather, destroyer LEARY was unable to take on fuel and was detached on 4 January to refuel at Casco Bay. On 7 January, destroyer WATCHMAN and corvettes ARABIS, DAHLIA, MONKSHOOD, and SNOWFLAKE joined the convoy and the American ships were detached. On 10 January, destroyer WATCHMAN and corvettes DAHLIA, MONKSHOOD, and SNOWFLAKE were detached. Anti-submarine trawler KIRKELLA joined on 11 January and the convoy arrived at Liverpool that day.

_____

 

Convoy SC.62 departed St Johns, CB, escorted by corvettes ACONIT, LOUISBURG, SOREL, and SUDBURY and minesweepers GEORGIAN, NIPIGON, and THUNDER. Corvettes COWICHEN joined on the 28th. These escorts, less ACONIT and SOREL, were detached when corvettes ALYSSE, CHICOUTIMI, and KENOGAMI joined on the 29th. Destroyer ASSINIBOINE joined on the 30th. Destroyer ASSINIBOINE was detached on 8 January and corvettes ACONIT and SOREL on 9 January. On 9 January, destroyers SHERWOOD and ST ALBANS and corvettes HIBISCUS, MONTBRETIA, and ROSE joined. The convoy was dispersed 12 January in 56-49N, 9-12W.

_____

 

Dutch submarine K.11 departed Singapore to patrol on a line Kuching to Saigon, then return to Singapore by 3 January.

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American steamer TAURUS (1251grt) was scuttled in the Pasig River.

_____

 

American steamers ETHEL EDWARDS (395grt) and CANLAON (667grt) were sunk by Japanese bombing at Manila.

_____

 

American submarine PERCH sank Japanese ammunition ship NOJIMA MARU (7190grt) southwest of Hong Kong.

_____

 

Japanese submarine I.25 damaged American tanker CONNECTICUT (8684grt) ten miles west of the mouth of the Columbia River.

 

 

Sunday, 28 December

 

Destroyer LEWES, which had departed Plymouth for Scapa Flow to work up, put back into harbour with a minor defect.

_____

 

Dutch steamer DE RUYTER (458grt) was damaged by German bombing twenty three miles north, northeast of South Bishop. The steamer was taken in tow and beached at Goodwick Sands.

_____

 

Steamer FORAFRIC (3475grt) was sunk by Japanese bombing in 3-40N, 121E, Celebes Sea. The crew were all rescued.

_____

 

Dutch tanker ALDEGONDA (2088grt), which had departed Singapore on the 27th, was damaged by Japanese bombing in the Malacca Strait.  Destroyer SCOUT was dispatched to assist, but the tanker was able to proceed and arrived at Soe Soe on the 29th.

_____

 

U.75 sank Steamer VOLO (1587grt) in 3-45N, 26-48E of convoy AT.6 and reported one other ship sunk and another ship damaged.  Twenty one crew and three gunners were lost on the steamer. A.17 (T/Sub Lt A. L. Pullen RNVR) rescued some of the survivors.

 

Destroyer AVONVALE and corvette PEONY continued with the convoy.

 

Destroyer KIPLING was joined by destroyer LEGION.

 

U.75 was sunk by destroyer KIPLING off Matruh in 31-30N, 26-40E.

 

Two officers and twenty eight ratings were picked up by destroyers KIPLING and LEGION. Fourteen crew were lost in the submarine.

 

T/A/Sub Lt (A) R. Griffin RNVR, of 805 Squadron from GREBE, was lost protecting the convoy when his Martlet was lost.

 

Destroyers KIPLING and LEGION arrived at Alexandria on the 28th.

_____

 

Belgian landing ship PRINCE BADOUIN and destroyers SIKH, HERO, and HOTSPUR departed Alexandria for Tobruk, arriving on the 29th.

 

After this operation, these destroyers were to escort the minesweeping flotilla of minesweepers BAGSHOT, ABERDARE, SOTRA, and HAILSTORM to Benghazi. The destroyers returned to Alexandria on the 31st.

 

Destroyer HEYTHROP departed Alexandria with a petrol carrier for Tobruk, arriving on the 31st.

 

HEYTHROP escorted PRINCE BADOUIN back to Alexandria.

_____

 

Submarine THORN made an unsuccessfully attack on a tanker off Cepalonia.

_____

 

Destroyers JUPITER and ENCOUNTER departed Singapore for Batavia.

_____

 

Steamers HAI KWANG (905grt) and SEISTAN (2455grt) was sunk by Japanese bombing in Manila Bay. The entire crews were rescued and made prisoners of war.

_____

 

American survey vessel RESEARCH (875grt) was damaged by Japanese bombing at Engineer Island. The vessel was damaged again on 29 and 30 December in Manila Bay. The vessel was beached on the western side of Manila Bay.

_____

 

Convoy ZK.5 departed Sydney for Port Moresby with troopships AQUITANIA (44,786grt) SARPEDON (11,321grt), and HERSTEIN (5100grt) with 4250 troops and 10,000 tons of supplies. The convoy was escorted by Australian heavy cruisers AUSTRALIA and CANBERRA and light cruiser PERTH.  US heavy cruiser PENSACOLA took her seven transports to Port Darwin.  Australian sloops SWAN and WARREGO joined convoy ZK.5 on 2 January and the convoy arrived on 3 January.

_____

 

US heavy cruiser HOUSTON, destroyers WHIPPLE, ALDEN, and EDSALL with supply ship GOLD STAR, submarine tender OTUS, and oiler PECOS arrived at Darwin.

_____

 

American convoy 2006 departed San Francisco with steamers HENDERSON, AMERICAN STAR, LUMBERLADY, MANOA, MAUNAWILI, STEEL VOYAGER, BOREAS, BARBARA OLSEN, LURLINE BURNS, MANUKAI, PHILLIPA, WILLIAM R. GIBSON, CUYAMA, IOWAN, MAKIKI, MANULANI, and S. C. T. DODD, escorted by light cruiser DETROIT and destroyers CLARK and CUMMINGS. The convoy was joined by Task Group 15.8 (see convoy 2007). The convoy arrived at Pearl Harbour on 10 January.

 

American convoy 2007 of steamships ETOLIN, PRESIDENT TAYLOR, MAUI, and PRESIDENT JOHNSON departed San Francisco with convoy 2006. On 3 January, the convoy was handed over to Task Group 15. 8 from Pearl Harbour of heavy cruiser PORTLAND destroyers PHELPS and FARRAGUT. That Task Group in turn handed the convoy over to local escort on 7 January of destroyer minesweepers GAMBLE, ELLIOT, and LONG. Destroyer LAMSON and destroyer minesweepers CHANDLER and PERRY replaced destroyer PHELPS. Task Group 15. 8 headed back east and rejoined convoy 2006, joining Task Group 15.2. The convoy arrived at Pearl Harbour on 8 January.

 

 

Monday, 29 December

 

Destroyer MATABELE departed Scapa Flow at 2200 for Rosyth to boiler clean. The destroyer arrived off May Island at 0500/30th.

_____

 

Armed merchant cruiser CITY OF DURBAN departed Scapa Flow to join convoy WN.24 for Rosyth, arriving on the 30th.

_____

 

Convoy QP.4 departed Archangel with BRIARWOOD (4019grt), CAPE RACE (3807grt), DAY Y BRYN (5117grt),SAN AMBROSIO (7410grt), TREHATA (4817grt), WANSTEAD (5486grt), CAPE CORSO (3890grt), Panamanian COCLE (5630grt), Panamanian EL CAPITAN (5255grt), EULIMA (6207grt), Soviet SUKHONA (3124grt), and TREKIEVE (5244grt).

 

Minesweepers SEAGULL and SPEEDY, trawlers BUTE and STELLA CAPELLA with tanker EL MIRLO (8092grt) departed Murmansk for Iokanka to join the convoy. The convoy was escorted by minesweepers BRAMBLE and HEBE to 5 January, minesweepers LEDA, SEAGULL, and SPEEDY and trawlers BUTE and STELLA CAPELLA to 9 January.

 

Light cruiser EDINBURGH and destroyers ECHO and ECLIPSE escorted the convoy from 5 January to 9 January, when the convoy dispersed.

_____

 

Convoy AT.10 departed Alexandria for Tobruk escorted by destroyer FARNDALE and anti-submarine whaler SOUTHERN ISLE with destroyers KIPLING and LEGION as a striking force. The convoy arrived on the 31st. Destroyer FARNDALE departed escorting three empty store ships to Alexandria.

_____

 

Minelaying cruiser ABDIEL departed Alexandria for Haifa to embark mines prior to joining the Eastern Fleet.

_____

 

On exercises off Malta, Submarine UPHOLDER was machine gunned by German Messerschmidt aircraft. The commanding officer, Lt C. P. Norman was wounded.  Submarine URGE and minesweeping trawler BERYL were also machine gunned. BERYL had six wounded.

_____

 

Tug HENRY KESWICK (671grt) was lost off Corregidor. The crew were all interned.

_____

 

US submarine tender CANOPUS was damaged by Japanese bombing at 14-25N, 120-20E. Six enlisted men were killed and two enlisted men were wounded.

_____

 

American presidential yacht CASIANA was sunk by Japanese bombing near the wharf of Port Mills, Corregidor.

_____

 

Japanese submarine RO.60 was lost in stranding on Kwajalein reef.

 

 

Tuesday, 30 December

 

Destroyer CALPE departed Scapa Flow at 0100 for Aberdeen where she arrived at 0800. The destroyer later sailed escorting steamer PRAGUE to Invergordon and then sailed for Scapa Flow.

 

While approaching harbour, destroyer CALPE was ordered to investigate a report of a possible submarine six miles east of Pentland Skerries made by anti-submarine trawler SCALBY WYKE. She was recalled at 2230 and arrived at Scapa Flow at 2315.

_____

 

Destroyer FORESIGHT departed Scapa Flow at 0230 escorting landing ships PRINCE CHARLES, PRINCE LEOPOLD, and PRINCESS CHARLOTTE to Invergordon, where they arrived at 0900.

 

Later in the day, while PRINCESS CHARLOTTE was shifting berth, she collided with destroyer FORESIGHT and damaged the destroyer's stem. The destroyer was able to escort the landing ships back to Scapa Flow, arriving at 1130 on 1 January.

_____

 

Destroyer MONTROSE struck a rock off Herston Head, damaging her port propeller shaft. The destroyer departed Scapa Flow on 2 January for to Rosyth for repairs, arriving on 3 January.

_____

 

Submarine TUNA arrived in the Clyde from Operation ARCHERY.

_____

 

In a training exercise, two Swordfish aircraft of 771 Squadron collided west of Crail. T/A/Sub Lt (A) M. G. N Crawford RNVR, of one aircraft and Lt N. A. F Cheeseman of the other were both killed.

_____

 

Light cruiser AJAX and destroyers NAPIER, NESTOR, GURKHA, and FOXHOUND departed Alexandria for a bombardment in the Bardia area during the night of 30/31 December.  Destroyers KINGSTON and NIZAM departed Alexandria to conduct an anti-submarine sweep.

_____

 

Submarine THORN sank German steamer CAMPINA (3032grt) in the Peloponnese in 38-35N, 10-27E.

_____

 

Submarine PROTEUS sank Italian steamer CITTA DI MARSALA (2480grt), leaving Argostoli in 38-07N, 20-25E.

_____

 

Italian steamer SALVATORE LO BIANCO (82grt) was lost at Bardia.

_____

 

Destroyers VANOC and BADSWORTH departed Gibraltar with Polish troopship BATORY for the Clyde.

_____

 

Japanese submarine I.1 shelled Hilo during the night of 30/31 December.

_____

 

Armed patrol vessel KUDAT (1725grt) and five fast motor boats of the Perak Flotilla was sunk by Japanese air attack at Port Swettenham. Lt J. E. D. Darwall died of wounds on 26 January 1942. Two Asian crew were killed and nine wounded.

_____

 

Minelayer TEVIOT BANK laid mines in South Channel of Singapore Strait.

_____

 

Dutch submarine K.12 departed Singapore for patrol north of Midai Islands. The submarine was return to Singapore on 11 January.

_____

 

Australian sloop YARRA arrived at Colombo after departing the Mediterranean on the 15th.

_____

 

American convoy 4033 departed Pearl Harbour with transports HARRIS, TASKER H. BLISS, and PRESIDENT GARFIELD and cargo ship PROCYON, escorted by Task Group 15. 7 of light cruiser PHOENIX and destroyers AYLWIN and PERKINS. The convoy arrived at San Francisco on 7 January.

_____

 

Norwegian steamers HAI PING (1105grt) and RANDI (1132grt) were seized by Japanese forces at Bangkok.

_____

 

Swedish steamer MIRAMAR (1555grt) was seized by Japanese forces at Saigon.

 

 

Wednesday, 31 December

 

Heavy cruiser BERWICK departed Hvalfjord for patrol in the Denmark Strait.

_____

 

Heavy cruiser NORFOLK arrived at Hvalfjord from patrol in the Denmark Strait.

_____

 

Heavy cruiser KENT departed the Clyde to return to Scapa Flow.

_____

 

The Flag of 10th Cruiser Squadron was transferred from light cruiser KENYA to light cruiser NIGERIA.

_____

 

Convoy ON.52 departed Liverpool escorted by corvettes HIBISCUS, MONTBRETIA, and ROSE. The convoy was joined on 1 January by destroyer ST ALBANS and New Zealand trawler KIWI, en route to the Pacific. Destroyers NEWMARKET and SHERWOOD and corvette DAHLIA joined on 3 January. Destroyers ST ALBANS and SHERWOOD and corvettes HIBISCUS, MONTVBRETIA, and ROSE were detached on 5 January. Destroyer SAGUENAY and corvettes CAMROSE, SHEDIAC, SPIKENARD, and WETASKIWIN joined on 5 January. Corvette DAHLIA was detached on 6 January. The remainder of the escort was detached on 11 January when the convoy dispersed.

_____

 

Minesweeper HALCYON arrived at Sullom Voe to escort oiler SAN ZOTICO to Scapa Flow.

_____

 

Convoy PQ.7B departed Hvalfjord with steamers Panamanian ANEROID (5074grt), Soviet CHERNYSHEVSKI (3588grt), EMPIRE HALLEY (7168grt), EMPIRE REDSHANK (6615grt), Panamanian REIGHCOUNT (4657grt), BOTAVON (5848grt), EMPIRE ACTIVITY (5335grt), EMPIRE HOWARD (6985grt), and JUTLANT (6153grt). The convoy was escorted by trawlers CAPE ARGONA and WASTWATER to 4 January.

 

From 4 to 11 January, the convoy was escorted by destroyers ICARUS and TARTAR, which departed Seidisfjord on 2 January.

 

Heavy cruiser CUMBERLAND departed Seidisfjord, but did not meet the convoy as planned. The cruiser proceeded independently to Murmansk, arriving on 12 January. The convoy arrived at Murmansk on 11 January.

_____

 

Destroyer PANTHER departed Greenock at 2200 for Scapa Flow to work up. The destroyer arrived at 1900 on 1 January.

_____

 

Destroyers ONSLOW, OFFA, and MARNE departed Scapa Flow at 2100 for Hvalfjord to relieve destroyers WALKER, VERITY, and WITHERINGTON as a screen for battlecruiser RENOWN. The destroyers arrived at Hvalfjord at 1800 on 2 January. The V and W destroyers departed Hvalfjord at 2215 on 2 January for Scapa Flow,

_____

 

Destroyer CALPE departed Scapa Flow to escort steamer PRAGUE from Aberdeen to Invergordon.

_____

 

U.87 sank British tanker CARDITA (8237grt) in 59-18N, 12-50W. Twenty seven crew members were lost on the tanker. Twenty three survivors were rescued by destroyer ONSLOW, en route to Hvalfjord.

_____

 

Italian steamer BAGNOLI (246grt) was sunk on a mine at Navarino.

_____

 

Minesweeper ABINGDON was machine gunned by German fighters at Malta. Six crew were wounded.

_____

 

Convoy HG.77 departed Gibraltar escorted by sloops BLACK SWAN and FOWEY and corvettes BLUEBELL, HELIOTROPE, CARNATION, CAMPION, STONECROP, MYOSOTIS, and LA MALOUINE. Destroyers WISHART and VIDETTE provided additional local escort. The destroyers were detached on 3 January and returned to Gibraltar. Anti-submarine trawler SOUTHERN STAR joined the convoy on 11 January for the day only. The convoy arrived on 12 January at Liverpool.

_____

 

Heavy cruiser EXETER departed Colombo.

_____

 

Convoy BA.12 departed Bombay, escorted by armed merchant cruiser CARTHAGE. The convoy arrived at Aden on 6 January.

 

Convoys BA.13 to BA.19, inclusive, continue to departed Bombay in January, February, and March, but proceeded to Aden without escort.

_____

 

Minelayer TEVIOT BANK departed Singapore for Batavia. She departed Batavia on 9 January, escorted through Sunda Strait by destroyers VAMPIRE, JUPITER, and ENCOUNTER, and arrived at Trincomalee on 16 January.

_____

 

Fifty six Japanese transports departed Formosa for Malaya. The transports were escorted by the 5th Destroyer Flotilla with light cruiser NATORI and destroyers ASAKAZE, HARUKAZE, HATAKAZE, and MATSUKAZE of the 5th Destroyer Division, SATSUKI, MINAZUKI, FUMITSUKI, and NAGATSUKI of the 22nd Destroyer Division, ASASHIO, OSHIO, MICHISHIO, and ARASHIO of the 8th Destroyer Division, light cruiser KASHII, frigate SHIMUSHU, and destroyers AYANAMI and ISONAMI.

 

Heavy cruiser MAYA and destroyers IKAZUCHI and INAZUMA covered this force in the South China Sea until 2 January.

 

On 3 January, destroyers ARASHI and HAGIKAZE of the 4th Destroyer Division and FUBUKI replaced destroyers ASASHIO and OSHIO.

 

On 3 January, light cruiser KASHII, frigate SHIMUSHI, destroyers AYANAMI, ISONAMI, and FUBUKI with eleven transports were detached to Bangkok.

_____

 

American steamer CAPILLO (5135grt) was sunk by Japanese bombing at Manila.

_____

 

American steamer RUTH ALEXANDER (8135grt) was sunk by Japanese bombing off northwest Borneo. One crewman was lost on the steamer.

_____

 

American steamers MAGALLANES (1376grt) and MONTANES (1236grt) were scuttled at Manila.

_____

 

Troopship ORION and Dutch liner MARNIX VAN SINT ALDEGONDE departed Singapore with civilian evacuees for Australia and Capetown, respectively. The ships were escorted as far as the Sunda Strait by destroyers TENEDOS and THANET.

_____

 

Norwegian steamer FINGAL (2137grt) departed Rangoon on the 28th for Calcutta.  En route, the steamer was damaged by Japanese bombing.

Steamer FINGAL arrived at Calcutta on the 31st.

 

 

December, miscellaneous

 

American light cruiser OMAHA and destroyer SANDS visited Ascension Island.

_____

 

Twenty two Western Approaches destroyers were out of service due to weather damage.

 

Destroyer ST ALBANS was damaged during convoy escort from Iceland to England. Destroyer ST ALBANS was repaired at London.

 

In the Newfoundland Escort Force, only destroyers BURNHAM and BELMONT of nineteen destroyers were fit for duty.

_____

 

Destroyers SOUTHWOLD and DULVERTON travelled in convoy WS.12 Z and arrived at Suez on 2 and 4 January, respectively.

 

Destroyers BEAUFORT and HURWORTH travelled in convoy WS.14. Destroyer HURWORTH arrived at Alexandria on 1 February. Destroyer BEAUFORT arrived at Port Said on 9 February and joined destroyer HERO to escort DERWENTDALE to Alexandria. When destroyer HERO was delayed by defects, destroyer BEAUFORT and the tanker departed on 10 February.

_____

 

In the last six months of 1941, Italian submarines conducted forty six missions of carrying fuel to North Africa.

 

From 28 November to 31 December, the following submarines conducted supply missions:MILLO: departed Taranto 30 November for Bengazi and Bardia; departed Taranto 23 December for Tripoli, MENOTTI: departed Taranto 1 December for Bardia; departed Taranto 14 December for Benghazi, CAGNI: departed Taranto 2 December for Bardia; departed Taranto 24 December for Bardia, SETTIMO: departed Messina 3 December for Bardia, CARACCIOLO : departed Taranto 5 December for Bardia, ST BON: departed Taranto 8 December for Benghazi; departed Suda Bay for Benghazi and Derna, MOCENIGO: departed Taranto 11 December for Bardia and Benghazi; departed 2, DANDOLO: departed Messina 12 December for Bardia; departed Suda Bay 24 December for Bardia, OTARIA: departed Messina 14 December for Bardia, BRAGADIN: departed Taranto 17 December for Tripoli, VENIERO: departed Taranto 19 December for Bardia; departed Suda Bay on the 31st for Bardia, MICCA departed Taranto 28 November for Benghazi; departed Taranto 15 December for Benghazi, and EMO: departed departed Taranto 20 December for Bardia.

 

Submarine EMO departed Suda Bay 31 December and entered Bardia on 2 January 1942, shortly after the British occupation. The submarine was able to escape unharmed.

 

Submarines CARACCIOZO on the 11th off Bardia and ST BON on 5 January 1942 were lost on this duty.

 

Submarine ATROPO was badly damaged when her gasoline cargo exploded. The submarine departed Taranto on 13 November for Bardia. The explosion occurred on 17 November. The submarine at Navarino on 20 November.

_____

 

Greek cruiser AVEROFF departed the Mediterranean for Bombay in mid December.

_____

 

American troopship MOUNT VERNON of convoy WS.12X, after offloading troops at Singapore, was ordered to Suez to being Australian troops to Colombo and Fremantle.

 

In Australia, she loaded survivors of the Java Sea Battle. She proceeded to San Francisco, via Wellington, arriving in March. The rest of convoy WS.12X, escorted by heavy cruiser DORSETSHIRE, arrived at Bombay on the 27th. The convoy then proceeded to Singapore.

 

Troopship LEONARD WOOD had boiler problems and proceeded independently from Trinidad.

 

At Singapore, on 30 January troopship WAKEFIELD was damaged by a bomb hit which killed all in the sickbay. Troopship MOUNT VERNON assisted the damaged ship. Troopship WAKEFIELD departed that night for Colombo and repairs. She was repaired at Bombay, then proceeded to the US, via Capetown.

_____

 

German steamer SPREEWALD departed the Far East to return to France. The steamer was sunk by U.333 on 31 January.

_____

 

Italian steamers were seized in Central and South American ports at the end of 1941

 

ALABAMA, tanker

 

6725 tons

Gulf of Maracaibo

OSMOND

ALDA LAURO

 

6006 tons

Recife

VICTORIALOIDE

ANTONIO LIMONCELLI

 

4574 tons

Saranhoa

PARAALOIDE

AUCTORITAS

 

5228 tons

Rio de Janiero

PELOTASLOIDE

AUGUSTA

 

5702 tons

Baia

MINASLOIDE

CONTE GRANDE

 

23861 tons

unknown

MONTICELLO

DENTICE, tanker

5282 tons

Gulf of Maracaibo

 

name not changed

LAURA LAURO

 

5787 tons

Cerea

CEARALOIDE

LIANA

 

6400 tons

Baia

BAIALOIDE

LIBRATO

 

486 tons

Recife

OSVALDO CRUZ

NENEMOOSHA

 

91 tons

Cuba

name not changed

PAMPANO

 

6232 tons

 

Recife

 

RIOLOIDE

 

TEBRO

 

4310 tons

Santos

AGRELOIDE

TERESA

 

6131 tons

Rio de Janiero

GOIAZLOIDE

 
 

on to Royal Navy Ships, January 1942
or back to RN Day-by-Day Homepage

revised 8/4/12
further editing is required