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SERVICE HISTORIES of ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS in WORLD WAR 2

by Lt Cdr Geoffrey B Mason RN (Rtd) (c) 2004

HMS CALEDON  - World War 1 C-type Light Cruiser
including Convoy Escort Movements

Edited by Gordon Smith, Naval-History.Net

HMS Caledon  (Navy Photos/Paul Simpson, click to enlarge)

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CALEDON-Class cruiser ordered from Cammell Laird at Birkenhead on 8th December 1915 under an Emergency War Programme. She was laid down on 17th March 1916 and Yard No 828 and launched on 25th November 1916 as the  2nd RN warship to carry the name, first used in 1810 for the captured French HENRI. Build was completed on 7th March 1917 and during service in the Grand Fleet this cruiser was in action against German warships in Heligoland Bight. Before going into Reserve in 1931 she served in the Mediterranean. After being brought forward for the Royal Review of the Reserve Fleet she remained in commission throughout WW2.

 

B a t t l e  H o n o u r s

 

MEDITERRANEAN  1940 - SOUTH FRANCE  1944 - AEGEAN 1944

 

H e r a l d i c   D a t a

Badge:  On a Field Black, An am in amour holding a a sword all Proper.

 

Motto

 In utrumaque parata:    ‘Ready for anything’

 

 

S u m m a r y   o f   P r e – W a r   S e r v i c e

 

1 9 1 7

 

February                Contractors trials and commissioning.

 

March

                7th          Accepted into service with Grand Fleet.

 

April                       Completion of trials and prepared for operational service.

 

May                       Deployed with Grand Fleet in lst Light Cruiser Squadron at Scapa Flow.

to                            Became Squadron Flagship.

October

 

November

                17th        Took part in action against German warships in Heligoland Bight and hit by

                                a 12in shell.

 

December              Grand Fleet deployment in continuation.

 

1 9 1 8

 

January                  Grand Fleet duties at Scapa Flow in continuation.

to

October

 

November

                21st         German Fleet surrendered and interned at Scapa Flow under Home Fleet custody.

 

December              Nominated for service in Baltic Sea for operations against Communist forces.

 

 

1 9 1 9

 

January                  Grand Fleet duties in continuation.

to                            Deployed in Baltic Sea in support of shore operations against Bolshevik forces.

March                    Blockade of Soviet Fleet based in Baltic Sea was also maintained

 

April                       Joined Atlantic Fleet as Flagship of 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron.

 

May                        Deployed in Hone waters with Squadron.

to

December

 

1 9 2 0

 

                                Atlantic Fleet deployment with Squadron in continuation.

 

1 9 2 1

 

January                  Atlantic Fleet deployment in continuation.

to

July

 

August                  Relieved as Flagship of 2nd Cruiser Squadron by HM Cruiser CURACOA.

                26th        Re-commissioned at Chatham for further service in Atlantic Fleet.

 

September             Rejoined 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron.

 

October                  Atlantic Fleet deployment in continuation.

to

December

 

1 9 2 2

 

January                  Deployed in Home waters including patrol and support in Irish Sea and Atlantic

to                            during military operations against Irish insurgents.

June

 

July                         Nominated for detached service in Mediterranean.

 

August                  Deployed in eastern Mediterranean for protection of British interests during the conflict

to                            between Turkey and Greece.

November

 

December              Returned to UK to rejoin Atlantic Fleet.

 

1 9 2 3

 

January                  Deployed in Baltic at Memel during attempt by rebel forces to occupy city

 

February                During detached service involved in collision with Pilot Vessel NEUMARK I at

                                the port of Cuxhaven, Germany

 

March                    On return from Baltic service resumed Atlantic Fleet duties

 

April                       Atlantic Fleet deployment in continuation.

to

December

 

1 9 2 4

 

                                Atlantic Fleet deployment in Home waters in continuation.

                                Paid off.

 

1 9 2 5

 

January

                6th          Re-commissioned for further service in 2nd Light cruiser Squadron. Atlantic Fleet.

 

February                Atlantic Fleet deployment with Squadron in continuation.

to

December

 

1 9 2 6

 

January                  Atlantic Fleet deployment in continuation.

to

July

 

August

                17th        Paid-Off and taken in hand for refit at Chatham, under refit.

 

September             Under refit

to

December

 

1 9 2 7

 

January                  Under refit

to

June

 

July                         Post refit trials.

 

August                  Nominated for service in 3rd Cruiser Squadron, Mediterranean Fleet.

 

September

                5th          Re-commissioned for service at Chatham.

 

October                  On completion of sea trials and preparation for foreign service took passage to Malta to

                                join Squadron.

 

November              Deployed in Mediterranean with Squadron.

to

December

 

1 9 2 8

 

January

                29th        Sustained major damage to forward structure in collision with the Italian ship ANTARES in

                                Doro Channel, Aegean Sea.

 

February                Under temporary repair by HM Dockyard, Malta to enable safe passage to UK.

to

March

 

April                       Passage to UK

to                            Paid off into Dockyard control at Devonport.

December              Taken in hand for repair by HM Dockyard Devonport.

 

1 9 2 9

 

January

                15th        Re-commissioned at Devonport for further service 3rd Cruiser Squadron.

 

February                On completion of trials and preparation for service took passage to join Squadron

                                in Malta.

 

March                    Deployed with Squadron in Mediterranean.

to

July

 

August

                8th          Relieved in Squadron by HM Cruiser CURLEW.

 

September             Passage to UK for refit.

 

October                  Under refit at Devonport.

to

December

 

1 9 3 0

 

January                  Under refit

to

May

 

June                        Post refit trials

 

July                         Deployed in Home waters and prepared to resume service in 3rd Cruiser Squadron.

 

August                  Passage to Malta to rejoin Mediterranean Fleet.

 

September             Deployed with Squadron in Mediterranean.

to

December

 

1 9 3 1

 

January                  Mediterranean Fleet deployment with Squadron in continuation.

to

June

 

July                         Relieved in Squadron by HM Cruiser COLOMBO.

                                Nominated for reduction to Reserve and took passage to Devonport.

                31st         Re-commissioned for service in Reserve Fleet for training use.

 

August                  Deployed at Devonport.

to

December

 

1 9 3 2

 

January                  Reserve training deployment in continuation at Devonport.

to

November

 

December              Deployed as Senior Officer's ship, Reserve Fleet Devonport.

 

1 9 3 3

 

                                Senior Officer Fleet Devonport service in continuation.

 

1 9 3 4

 

January                  Senior Officer Reserve Fleet Devonport deployment in continuation.

to

November

 

December              Deployed for carrying Army personnel to Malta.

 

1 9 3 5

 

January                  Resumed duty as Senior Officer Reserve Fleet, Devonport.

 

February                Deployed at Devonport.

to

December

 

1 9 3 6

 

January                  Devonport duty as Senior Officer, Reserve Fleet in continuation.

to

September

 

October

                23rd        Relieved as Senior Officer's ship, Reserve Fleet Devonport by HM Cruiser COLOMBO.

 

November              Retained in Reserve at Devonport.

to

December

 

1 9 3 7

 

                                Devonport Reserve Fleet service in continuation.

                                Nominated for refit at Chatham.

 

1 9 3 8

 

January                  Devonport Reserve Fleet service in continuation.

to

June

 

July

                11th        Passage to Chatham under tow for refit.

 

August                  Under refit by HM Dockyard, Chatham.

to

December

 

1 9 3 9

 

January                  Under refit

to

May

 

June                        On completion of refit relieved HM Cruiser CALCUTTA in Reserve Fleet at Chatham

                                as Senior Officer’s ship.

 

July                         Brought forward with complement of Reservists for attendance at Review of Reserve Fleet at

                                Weymouth by HM King George VI.

 

August

                9th          Present at Royal Review.

                                Remained in commission and war station allocated.

                                On completion of storing and with complement for operational use took passage to Scapa Flow

 

 

D e t a i l s    o f    W a r    S e r v i c e

 

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

 

 

September             Deployed with 7th Cruiser Squadron at Scapa Flow.

                5th          Sailed to carry out Northern Patrol for interception of German shipping attempting return

                                German ports and to maintain contraband control.

                                (For details of Northern Patrol see THE BLOCKADERS by Hastings).

 

October                  Transferred to 11th Cruiser Squadron and continued Northern Patrol duties.

                15th        Sustained weather damage to upper deck equipment during patrol.

                23rd        Established patrol line in Faeroes-Iceland Passage with HM Cruisers CARDIFF and HM

                                Cruiser COLOMBO to intercept SCHARNHORST and GNEISENAU after sinking of

                                RAWALPINDI (For details see ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by C Barnett and

                                Naval Staff History.)  

                30th        Passage to Tyre for repair.

 

December              Nominated for service in the Mediterranean.

                                (Note: Experience since outbreak of war had shown this Class of cruiser was unsuitable for use

                                in North Atlantic,)

                1st           Under repair in Tyne shipyard.

                19th        On completion transferred to 3rd Cruiser Squadron,

                21st         Passage to Gibraltar from Plymouth.

                28th        Joined Squadron at Malta for contraband control and patrol duty.

 

1940

 

January                  Based at Alexandria and deployed on contraband control patrol duty in eastern Mediterranean.

 

February                Mediterranean patrol duties in continuation.

to

May

 

June

                11th        After Italy entered war deployed with HM Battleships WARSPITE and MALAYA, HM

                                Aircraft Carrier EAGLE, HM Cruisers ORION, NEPTUNE, SYDNEY (RAN), LIVERPOOL,

                                GLOUCESTER and CALYPSO with a screen of nine Fleet destroyers for an offensive patrol

                                south of Crete to intercept Italian convoys to Libya.

                12th        Rescued survivors from HM Cruiser CALYPSO with HM Destroyer DAINTY after sinking by

                                Italian submarine BAGNOLINI.

                                Carried out bombardment of Tobruk with other ships.

                14th        Returned to Alexandria.

                26th        Joined HM Cruiser CAPETOWN, HM destroyer GARLAND, H M Australian Destroyer                                

                               VAMPIRE escort for convoy to Dardanelles.

                30th        Returned to Alexandria with inward convoy.

 

July

                11th        Escorted convoy to Greece with HMS CAPETOWN.

                30th        Declared unsuitable use in Mediterranean because of the low speed and lack of AA armament

                                in this Class of cruiser.

 

August

                10th        Transferred for duty with East Indies Squadron in Indian Ocean and Red Sea.

                15th        Joined HM Cruisers HOBART, CERES and CARLISLE, HM Destroyers KANDAHAR.

                                KIMBERLEY, HM Sloops SHOREHAM, PARRAMATTA (RAN) and AUCKLAND with

                                three Armed Merchant Cruisers and a hospital ship for evacuation of Berbera.

                                A total of over 7,000 troops and civilians were taken to Aden.

                                Provided naval gunfire support against shore batteries during operation.

 

September             Deployed for convoy defence and patrol in Indian Ocean and Red Sea based at Aden.

to December

 

1 9 4 1

 

January                  Convoy defence and patrol in continuation.

to

February

 

March

                16th        Deployed with HM Cruiser GLASGOW, HM Destroyers KANDAHAR and KIPLING,

                                two Armed Merchant Cruisers and HM Motor Launch 109 to support landings by Indian

                                troops at Berbera from HM Boarding Ships CHAKDINA and CHANTALA

                                (Operation APPEARANCE).

 

April                       In action with HMS GLASGOW against four Italian destroyers in Red Sea.

                                Proposal by Prime Minister to use as blockship with HM Battleship BARHAM during

                                planned operation at Tripoli turned down by CinC Mediterranean

 

May                        Indian Ocean trade defence in continuation.

to

August

 

September             Under refit at Colombo.

to

October

 

November              Resumed trade defence duties in Indian Ocean with East Indies Squadron ships.

to December

 

 

 

HMS Caledon passing destroyer HMS Echo

 

 

1 9 4 2

 

January                  Indian Ocean escort and patrol In continuation.

to

February

 

March

                1st           Detached to cover minelay by HM Auxiliary Minelayer TEVIOT BANK off Arakan with

                                HM Corvette ASTER.

                26th        Joined 5th Cruiser Squadron, Eastern Fleet based at Trincomalee.

                31st         Allocated to Force B with HM Battleships RAMILLIES, ROYAL SOVEREIGN and

                                REVENGE, HM aircraft Carrier HERMES, HM Cruiser DRAGON, Dutch cruiser

                                VAN HEEMSKERCK and eight destroyers.

                                Deployed in support of Force A during search for Japanese Force reported on passage to

                                Ceylon.

                                (For details see WAR WITH JAPAN (HMSO, 2002) and OPERATION PACIFIC by E

                                Gray)

 

April

                4th          Supported Force A during further sweep for Japanese warships.

                                (For details see above references).

                9th          Transferred to new base at Kilindini for trade defence with Force B ships.

                                (Note: Ships of Eastern Fleet had moved to East Africa because of Japanese air threat.)

 

May                        Deployed on trade defence and interception patrol in Indian Ocean.

to                            Nominated for conversion to Anti-Aircraft Cruiser.

June

 

July                         Passage to UK.

 

August                  Paid off into Dockyard Control prior to refit.

 

September             Awaiting refit at Chatham.

                14th        Taken in hand for refit and conversion.

                                (Note: Aircraft warning radar Type 279, surface warning radar Type 272 and fire-control

                                radars Type 285 and Type 282 to be fitted.

                                For details of development and use of radar by RN see RADAR AT SEA by D Howse)

 

October                  Under refit.

to

December

 

1 9 4 3

 

January                  Under refit

to                            Nominated for service in Mediterranean

October

 

November              Harbour trials and re-commissioned.

                                Carried out sea trials

 

December

                7th          On completion prepared for foreign service.

 

 

1 9 4 4

 

January                  Passage to Scapa Flow to work-up with ships of Home Fleet.

 

February                On completion of work-up took passage to Mediterranean.

 

March                    Joined Fleet at Alexandria.

                24th        Escorted military convoy to Salerno from Alexandria with HM Cruiser FROBISHER and four

                                HUNT Class Escort Destroyers.

 

April

                                Deployed for convoy escort in Mediterranean.

 

May

                9th          Joined US Navy Task Group west of Gibraltar for escort of Convoy UGS40 into Mediterranean.

                11th        Under attack by 62 Ju88 aircraft off Cape Bengut and shot down ten of them.

 

June                        Convoy defence in continuation based at Malta.

 

July                         Nominated for duty under overall US Navy Command for support of landings in South of

                                France (Operation DRAGOON).

 

August                  Took part in preparatory exercises for DRAGOON.

                15th        Part of Task Group 88.2 providing AA cover for Escort Carriers with HM Cruiser COLOMBO

                                during landings in south of France.

                                For details see LANDINGS IN SOUTH FRANCE (HMSO)

 

September             Resumed control by CinC Mediterranean and deployed for convoy defence.

 

October                  Transferred to Aegean area to support reoccupation of islands.

 

November              Deployed for support of shore operations and AA defence duties in Aegean.

 

December              Deployed in support of military operations on Greek mainland.

                                Carried out series of bombardments of Communist (ELAS) positions near to Piraeus

                                and Salamis with HM Escort Destroyer EASTON, French corvette LA MALOUINE, Greek

                                ships SAKHTOURIS and NAVARINON.

                12th        Released from military support

                                Remained in Aegean area for convoy defence and support of Greek operations.

 

1 9 4 5

 

January                  Deployment in Greek waters in continuation.

                                Nominated for withdrawal from operational service.

 

February                Passage to UK.

 

March                    Paid off and to be reduced to Reserve status

 

April                       On completion of reduction to Reserve and laid up at Falmouth.

 

May                        Laid-up at Falmouth pending disposal.

                               

P o s t   W a r   N o t e s

 

HMS CALEDON was used for target trials after the end of hostilities and was then placed on the Disposal List. She was sold to BISCO on 22nd January 1948 and arrived at Dover for breaking up on 14th February.

 

 


 

Addendum

 

CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS of HMS CALEDON

by Don Kindell

 

These convoy lists have not been cross-checked with the text above

 

 

 

 

 

Date convoy sailed

Joined convoy as escort

Convoy No.

Left convoy

Date convoy arrived

 

 

 

 

 

28/06/40

28/06/40

AS 001/1

02/07/40

02/07/40

11/08/40

13/08/40

BS 002A

17/08/40

17/08/40

24/08/40

24/08/40

BN 003A

27/08/40

27/08/40

25/10/40

unknown

BN 008

03/11/40

11/11/40

29/10/40

11/11/40

WS 003

12/11/40

16/11/40

23/11/40

23/11/40

SW 003

27/11/40

05/12/40

30/11/40

30/11/40

BN 009B

02/12/40

04/12/40

30/11/40

unknown

BS 009A

unknown

05/12/40

18/12/40

18/12/40

BN 011

22/12/40

25/12/40

19/12/40

22/12/40

BS 011

27/12/40

27/12/40

29/12/40

29/12/40

BN 011B

01/01/41

04/01/41

01/01/41

02/01/41

SW 004A

unknown

unknown

12/01/41

12/01/41

BS 012C

15/01/41

15/01/41

17/01/41

17/01/41

BN 013

21/01/41

24/01/41

19/01/41

unknown

BS 013

27/01/41

27/01/41

01/02/41

01/02/41

BN 014

03/02/41

03/02/41

02/02/41

unknown

BS 014

08/02/41

08/02/41

24/03/41

24/03/41

BS 021

29/03/41

01/04/41

01/04/41

06/04/41

BS 022

09/04/41

09/04/41

09/12/41

09/12/41

ESCORT

15/12/41

15/12/41

16/12/41

16/12/41

BA 011

21/12/41

21/12/41

08/01/42

08/01/42

BM 010

13/01/42

25/01/42

19/01/42

19/01/42

BM 011

22/01/42

29/01/42

13/02/42

13/02/42

BM 013

17/02/42

25/02/42

17/03/42

17/03/42

KR 001

20/03/42

20/03/42

20/07/42

26/07/42

CM 030

08/08/42

08/08/42

25/03/44

03/04/44

GUS 035

06/04/44

22/04/44

29/03/44

06/04/44

KMF 030

06/04/44

12/04/44

08/04/44

11/04/44

MKF 030

15/04/44

21/04/44

17/04/44

17/04/44

NSF 020

20/04/44

20/04/44

21/04/44

21/04/44

SNF 020

24/04/44

24/04/44

30/04/44

30/04/44

NSF 021

03/05/44

03/05/44

04/05/44

04/05/44

SNF 021

07/05/44

07/05/44

24/05/44

24/05/44

NSF 023

27/05/44

27/05/44

28/05/44

28/05/44

SNF 023

31/05/44

31/05/44

03/06/44

11/06/44

GUS 042

16/06/44

29/06/44

23/06/44

24/06/44

KMS 054

27/06/44

03/07/44

24/06/44

01/07/44

GUS 044

03/07/44

18/07/44

24/06/44

10/07/44

UGS 046

14/07/44

20/07/44

04/07/44

20/07/44

UGS 047

23/07/44

29/07/44

18/07/44

26/07/44

MKS 056

29/07/44

29/07/44

 

 

 

 

 

(Note on Convoys)

 

 

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