1
9 3 9
September
Deployed in Red
Sea
for contraband control.
October
Transferred to Indian
Ocean
for trade defence and interception of
commerce raiders.
(Note: Part of
this period carried out patrols in Bay of Bengal.)
November
17th
Joined French Escort Vessel RIGAULT DE
GENOUILLY in search
for German
battleship
GRAF SPEE between Madagascar
and Seychelles.
For details of German commerce
raider activities see ENGAGE THE ENEMY
MORE CLOSELY
by C Barnett and Naval Staff History.
December
Deployed as part of Hunting Group
Force I for interception of commerce
raiders
in Indian
Ocean.
1
9 4 0
January
Nominated for routine docking
and took passage to Simonstown.
8th
Taken in hand for docking and refit by
HM Dockyard, Simonstown.
February
1st
Resumed trade defence and patrol duties
in Indian
Ocean.
March
Indian
Ocean
deployment in continuation.
Nominated for duty
in South
Atlantic
as relief for HM
Cruiser NEPTUNE.
April
Transfer to South
Atlantic
cancelled and ordered to join 7th
Cruiser Squadron,
Mediterranean
Fleet.
Took passage to Alexandria
via Red
Sea
(Note: This was part of a
reinforcement of the Fleet at Alexandria
in view of
the
increasing likelihood of Italian entry
into hostilities.
See Naval
Staff History and above reference.)
May
23rd
Joined HM Aircraft Carrier EAGLE and HM
Cruiser SYDNEY (RAN)
as part
of
escort for military Convoy US3 during
passage in Red
Sea.
(Note: US3 was taking troops of
the ANZAC Division to Egypt
for service in
the
Eighth Army
HMS EAGLE and HMAS SYDNEY were
also on passage to join Fleet at
Alexandria.
26th
Joined HM Cruisers ORION, NEPTUNE,
SYDNEY (RAN) and LIVERPOOL
in 7th
Cruiser Squadron and formed 2nd Division
with HMS
LIVERPOOL.
June
11th
Deployed with HM Battleships WARSPITE
and MALAYA,
HMS EAGLE, Ships
of 7th
Cruiser Squadron, HM Cruisers CALEDON
and CALYPSO with screen of
12 destroyers for an offensive
sweep in Eastern
Mediterranean
against Italian
warships
protecting supply convoys to Libya.
Detached with ships of 7th
Cruiser Squadron to carry sweep ahead of
Fleet units
and
then proceed to North African coast to
attack any shipping or escorts..
12th
Engaged six minesweepers off Tobruk with
HMS LIVERPOOL and
sank the
Italian GIOVANNI BERTA..
(Note: The other ships of
Squadron found no targets off Benghazi.)
Came under shore fire without
any damage and cut some mine with paravanes,
On completion rejoined Fleet and
carried out search ahead of main force.
14th
Rejoined Fleet units west of Crete.
(Note: No enemy forces were
sighted and ant-submarine patrols were
provided
from
HMS EAGLE)
15th
Returned to Alexandria
with Fleet.
For details see
Naval Staff History (HMSO, 2002)
27th
Deployed with HM Battleships ROYAL
SOVEREIGN and RAMILLIES,
HMS
EAGLE, HM Cruisers, LIVERPOOL,
NEPTUNE,
ORION and SYDNEY
with
screen of seven Destroyers to provide
cover for passage of convoy AS1 to
ports
in Aegean
from Port
Said
and two (MS1 and MF1) from Malta
carrying
personnel
being evacuated to Egypt.
(Operation MA3).
Detached from battleships to
carry out attack of three Italian
destroyers which
were
engaged by all ships of Squadron.
During this action off Zante
the destroyer ESPERO was sunk although
the other two
ships
(OSTRO and ZEFFIRO) escaped.
(Note: These destroyers were
taking supplies to Tobruk.
Owing to the excessive
expenditure of 6in ammunition the
planned movement
of MS1
and MF1 was cancelled.)
Detached with HMS LIVERPOOL and
returned to Port
Said
to replenish ammunition.
July
7th
Sailed with HM Battleships WARSPITE, MALAYA,
ROYAL SOVEREIGN,
HM Cruisers ORION, NEPTUNE,
SYDNEY (RAN), and LIVERPOOL
and 32
destroyer
screen as Force A to cover passage of Malta
convoys evacuating
families
to Egypt.
(Operation MA5)
(Note: It was also intended to
take the opportunity to engage any
Italian unit which
had
been reported in the eastern Mediterranean.)
8th
Under heavy and sustained air attacks
and hit on compass platform.
Captain FR Garside, CBE,
RN and 17 others of the ship's company
were killed.
Forward armament fire control and
steering equipment disabled but after
6in mountings
available
in Local control allowing ship to remain
with the Fleet.
9th
Deployed as screened for HMS WARSPITE,
HMS MALAYA and HMS
ROYAL
SOVEREIGN and HMS EAGLE with
ships of 7th Cruiser Squadron and Fleet
destroyers
during an attack on a major Italian
force covering passage of a convoy to
Tobruk (Battle
of Calabria).
Detached with HMS EAGLE and hit
by bomb during air attacks on Fleet but
fortunately
the bomb failed to explode.
August
Under repair at Alexandria.
14th
Returned to Alexandria
as escort for Convoy
MF1 with destroyer HMAS STUART.
15th
At Alexandria
during Italian air Raid
20th
Joined HM Cruisers KENT,
and LIVERPOOL
in 3rd Cruiser Squadron on formation.
22nd
Deployed with Squadron and HM Cruisers
ORION and SYDNEY (RAN)
of 7th Cruiser
Squadron for
offensive sweep in defence of Aegean
convoys.
25th
Carried out similar operation and
under
attack by torpedo aircraft which
failed.
(Note: Submarine
threat never materialised.
30th
Deployed with HMS WARSPITE, HMS MALAYA,
HMS EAGLE, HM Cruisers
KENT
and LIVERPOOL
to cover passage of convoy MF2 to Malta
from Alexandria
(Operation MB3 – Part of joint
Operation HATS with Force H from Gibraltar
to pass
HM Battleship VALIANT, HM
Aircraft Carrier ILLUSTRIOUS, HM
Cruisers
CALCUTTA
and COVENTRY
(as Force F) through Mediterranean
for reinforcement
of
Fleet at Alexandria..)
31st
With same ships escorted Force F from
the Sicilian
Narrows.
September
3rd
Detached with ships of Squadron to
escort southbound Convoy
AS3 during passage to
Port Said.
6th
Returned to Alexandria.
13th
Deployed with HMS KENT
and HMS LIVERPOOL to provide AA defence
for
northbound
Convoy AN3 during passage in eastern Mediterranean
16th
Deployed with HMS VALIANT, HMS
ILLUSTRIOUS, ships of Squadron
and screen
of
seven destroyers to provide support to
military units in their defence against
Italian
advance
into Egypt.
Provided cover during air
operations from HMS ILLUSTRIOUS at Benghazi,
17th
Detached with ships of Squadron to
carry
out bombardment of Bardia.
Came under night bomb and
torpedo attack by aircraft during which
HMS KENT
was
substantially
damaged and disabled with 32 fatal
casualties
19th
Returned to Alexandria.
(Note: HMS KENT
after period under tow by HM Destroyer
NUBIAN also returned.)
28th
Embarked troops for passage to Malta
with HMS LIVERPOOL with cover from the
Australian
cruiser SYDNEY (Operation MB5)
29th
Joined HMS VALIANT, HMS WARSPITE, HMS
ILLUSTRIOUS, HM Cruisers
ORION, SYDNEY
(RAN) and YORK.
(Note: These ships had been
deployed to provide cover and to engage
any Italian
warships
attempting interfere with Operation MB5
in support of Malta.
MB5 also provided cover for
passage of northbound Convoy AN4.)
Under air attacks which were
repelled.
30th
Detached with ships of Squadron to
disembark troops and stores in Malta.
(Note: Italian
Fleet units sighted on return passage to
bases.
October
1st
Rejoined Fleet units.
2nd
Returned to Alexandria
with Fleet units after
taking part in exercises.
8th
Sailed from Alexandria
with HMS WARSPITE, HMS VALIANT, HMS
RAMILLIES,
HMS ILLUSTRIOUS, HMS EAGLE, HMS YORK,
HMS AJAX,
HMS ORION and
HMS SYDNEY (RAN) screened by `6
destroyers to provide cover for passage
of
Malta
support Convoy MF3 during passage from Alexandria
(Operation MB6).
10th Detached from Fleet units
with HMS RAMILLIES to join MF3 escort
during final stage
of
passage into Malta.
11th
Rejoined Fleet units after MF3
arrival.
12th
Deployed ahead of Fleet units and after
sighting of Italian
destroyers and torpedo boats
by HMS
AJAX deployed in support...
(Note: This move was made in
anticipation of engagement with heavy
Italian warships.
HMS AJAX attacked Italian
warships and damaged destroyer
ARTIGLIERE,
and
sank Torpedo Boats ARIE and AIRONE but
sustained significant damage with
some
casualties from return fire. Under air
attacks which were unsuccessful.
HMS YORK
sank ARTIGLIERE which was under tow.
13th
Deployed with HMS ILLUSTRIOUS, HMS
LIVERPOOL and four
destroyers to carry
out night
attack on Leros.
14th
Under air attacks during which HMS
LIVERPOOL was seriously damaged.
15th
Provided cover with Fleet units for
passage of eastward
Convoy MF4 from Malta
and
southbound Convoy
AS
during passage to Alexandria.
(Note: The two convoys had
merged on 14th. and met on14th.
16th
Returned to Alexandria
with Fleet units..
28th
Greece
entered war after delivery if Italian
ultimatum.
29th
Deployed with Fleet units to be in
position off Crete
by 31st.
(Note: Fleet units included HMS
WARSPITE, HMS ILLUSTRIOUS, ships
of
Squadron and
screen of five destroyers.
This major deployment was made
to cover passage of special convoy
taking
stores
and personnel to Suda
Bay
for defence of Crete.)
November
2nd
Returned to Alexandria
with Fleet units.
5th
Sailed from Alexandria
with HMS YORK
of Squadron as part of Mediterranean
Fleet
deployment
to provide Distant cover for passage of
Malta Convoy MW3 during passage
from
Port Said (Operation MB8).
Other Fleet units involved were
HMS WARSPITE, HMS MALAYA,
HMS VALIANT,
HMS
ILLUSTRIOUS, HMS AJAX,
HMS SYDNEY (RAN) and
screen of 13 destroyers.
8th
Air attack by S79 repelled by
ILLUSTRIOUS FULMAR aircraft which
destroyed two S79.
9th
HMS RAMILLIES detached to join MW3
escort.
Remained with Fleet
units.
10th
Carried out search to north with ships
of 7th and 3rd Squadrons.
Met HM Battleship BARHAM, HM
Cruisers BERWICK and GLASGOW with three
destroyers
in central Mediterranean
to reinforce Mediterranean Fleet at Alexandria
(Operation COAT another combined
Operation with ships of Force H which
had
covered
passage from Gibraltar
to Sicilian
Narrows.
11th
Escorted HMS ILLUSTRIOUS with HM
Cruisers BERWICK, GLASGOW
and
YORK
screened by HM Destroyers HASTY, HAVOCK,
HYPERION and ILEX
during
air attacks on Italian Fleet at Taranto
(Operation JUDGEMENT).
12th
Remained with ILLUSTRIOUS screen on
passage to launch
position for 2nd series
of air
attacks on Taranto.
Operation cancelled due to
weather conditions and returned to Alexandria.
14th
At Alexandria
and nominated for
escort of military convoys to Greece
and Crete.
(Operation
BARBARITY)
15th
Embarked troops in Alexandria
for passage to Piraeus
with HM Cruisers BERWICK,
YORK,
GLASGOW and SYDNEY
(RAN).
(Note: Cover was provided by HMS
BARHAM, HMS VALIANT, HMS
EAGLE
with
screen of eight destroyers.
Passage to Piraeus
and returned to resume Squadron duties
with Fleet.
25th
Deployed for exercises with Squadron
before joining Force A
comprised of
Mediterranean Fleet Units with
50th Commando on board HMS WARSPITE
and
escort troopship ULSTER
PRINCE to Suda
Bay.)
(Note: Part joint Operation
COLLAR with Force H at Gibraltar
during which
Forces C and D of Mediterranean
Fleet was to provide cover for passage
of
Malta Convoy MW4, transit of HMS
RAMILLIES, HM Cruisers BERWICK
and NEWCASTLE
to Gibraltar
after service in eastern Mediterranean
and
of
reinforcement ships joining Fleet at Alexandria
with mercantile convoy
ME4 from Gibraltar
(Operation MB9)
Other ships in Force A were HMS YORK
and HMS GLASGOW of Squadron,
HMS WARSPITE,
HMS VALIANT, HMS ILLUSTRIOUS.)
26th
Detached with HMS GLASGOW and screen of
four destroyers to
provide cover for
HMS ILLUSTRIOUS during air
attacks on Port Laki,
Rhodes.
Rejoined Force A
ships at Suda
Bay
and took passage to provide Distant
Cover during
transit
operations.
27th
Detached from Force A with
ships of Squadron to support ships of
Force H which
were in
action against Italian Fleet units in
defence of MW4.
(Battle
of Cape
Spartivento)
Provided cover for passage of
ME4 through Sicilian
Narrows.
29th
Detached from Force A off Malta
and took passage to Suda
Bay
with HM Corvettes
GLOXINIA, HYACINTH, PEONY and
SALVIA which had been part of
reinforcements
joining
Fleet in eastern Mediterranean
from Gibraltar.
December
3rd
Under attack by Italian torpedo carrying
aircraft at Suda
Bay,
Crete,
during which
HMS GLASGOW was damaged.
Took passage to Alexandria
with HMS GLASGOW
5th
Arrived at Alexandria.
10th
Nominated for support of planned
military operations to repel
Italian advance in
Egypt
(Operation COMPASS)
Sailed from Alexandria
with HMS ILLUSTRIOUS, HMS YORK,
HM Destroyers
ILEX, HASTY
and HERO as Force D to 16th.
Deployed
with HMS VALIANT, HMS WARSPITE, HMS
ILLUSTRIOUS screened
by 11
destroyers, as Force A , HMS YORK
of Squadron, as Force B, to provide
Distant
Cover for transit of convoys in Eastern
Mediterranean
(Operation MC3)
(Note: Convoys included MW5 to Malta,
ME5 to Egypt
,
two Aegean convoys as well
as
troopship ULSTER
QUEEN on passage to Crete
and Greece
with personnel.
In addition HM Battleship MALAYA
was taking passage to Gibraltar
and
escorted
MW5 during passage to Malta
with HM Destroyer HYPERION and
ILEX. as
Operation HIDE.)
17th
At
Suda Bay with Force A and joined by HM
Cruisers ORION,
SYDNEY (RAN) and
AJAX
of 7th Cruiser Squadron in Force B)
18th
7th
Cruiser Squadron detached for sweep in Adriatic
to intercept military convoys.
Remained with Force
A for covering duties.
19th
Took part in bombardment of Valona
with Mediterranean Fleet ships
(Operation MC2).
20th
Remained with Force A to Cover
passage of HMS MALAYA and Convoy MG1
passage
through Sicilian
Narrows
when HMS WARSPITE detached to take
CinC
to Malta.
22nd
Deployed with Force A to cover HMS
ILLUSTRIOUS during air
attacks on Tripoli.
(Operation MC2)
23rd
HMS WARSPITE rejoined Force A for return
passage to Alexandria.
24th
Detached with HMS YORK
and took passage to Piraeus.
Returned to Alexandria.
1
9 4 1
January
Nominated
for escort of military convoy during
passage from Gibraltar
in western
Mediterranean
and through Sicilian
Narrows
to Malta
(Operation EXCESS)
(Note: This convoy was carrying
troops for service in the Eighth Army in
Egypt
and
Operation EXCESS involved Force H at Gibraltar.
Mediterranean Fleet deployments
were identified as Operation MC4).
5th
Sailed from Alexandria
with HM Cruiser SOUTHAMPTON and HM
Destroyer
ILEX for Suda
Bay,
Crete
to embark troops for
passage to Malta.
6th
Embarked troops and sailed for Malta
with same ships.
8th
Disembarked troops in Malta
and took passage with same ships and HM
Destroyer
JANUS to join EXCESS convoy
which was escorted by HM Cruiser
BONAVENTURE,
HM Destroyers HASTY, HEREWARD, HERO
and JAGUAR.
deployed
as Force F
9th
Met EXCESS convoy off Bizerta
and joined Force F.
10th
EXCESS under attack by Italian submarine
SETTIMO which failed
and then under
surface
attack by Italian torpedo boats CIRCE
and VEGA.
Engaged enemy ships with HMS
BONAVENTURE, HMS SOUTHAMPTON and
HMS JAGUAR during which VEGA was
hit by fire from BONAVENTURE and later
sunk by
torpedo from HEREWARD.
Immediately following this
action HM Destroyer GALLANT detonated a
mine
which
destroyed her forward structure with
many casualties. This ship remained
afloat
and was taken in tow by HM Destroyer
MOHAWK.
(Note: HMS GALLANT and HMS
MOHAWK were part of destroyer screen for
Force A
comprising ships of Mediterranean Fleet
which was in the vicinity
to
provide Distant Cover for EXCESS convoy
during onward passage
in
eastern Mediterranean.
Provided cover for passage of
damaged GALLANT with HMS SOUTHAMPTON
during
tow of GALLANT protected by HMS
BONAVENTURE and HM Destroyer
GRIFFIN.
Under air
attack during passage.
11th
Detached from cover with HMS SOUTHAMPTON
and HMS DIAMOND which had
Joined earlier
to supplement defence of GALLANT tow.
Took passage to rejoin Force A
but later ordered to provide cover for
Convoy ME6
then on
passage to Egypt
from Malta
(Note: Fleet Units including HMS
ILLUSTRIOUS were under heavy and
sustained
air
attacks whilst with ships of EXCESS
convoy destined for Egypt.
These
air
attacks were being carried out by German
aircraft of Fliegerkorps
10 which
had
been transferred to the Mediterranean
specifically for operations against
British sea operations in
defence of Malta
and on this occasion were
concentrated
on HMS ILLUSTRIOUS which was severely
damaged and had
to
return to Malta.
For details see Naval Staff History,
Battle Summary No18.)
During passage to join ME6 with
HMS SOUTHAMPTON came under dive bomber
attacks
by six aircraft during which HMS
SOUTHAMPTON was totally disabled
by two
hits which caused major damage and
started serious fires.
Embarked survivors from HMS
SOUTHAMPTON with HMS DIAMOND when it
was
decided the stricken ship should be
sunk.
(Note: HMS SOUTHAMPTON was sunk
by torpedoes from HMS ORION which
joined
to assist in operations.)
12th
Passage to Alexandria
with HMS WARSPITE and
ships of Force A.
15th
Arrived at Alexandria
with Fleet Units
February
(Note: Fleet operations were
restricted by lack of a suitable
aircraft carrier.
Cruisers were deployed for
diversionary operation in Aegean
during
major
operations in western Mediterranean.
Nominated for
transport of military personnel of Cheshire
and Hampshire Regts.
with
stores to Malta
(Operation MC8)
19th
Sailed from Alexandria
with HMS AJAX, HMS ORION, HM Destroyers
MOHAWK and
NUBIAN taking troops and stores to Malta.
Cover was
provided
by HM Battleships BARHAM, VALIANT and
HMS EAGLE
which
also covered passage of HM Supply Ships
BRECONSHIRE and mercantile
CLAN MACAULAY
returning empty from Malta
to Alexandria.
21st
Sailed from Malt after disembarkation
and took passage to Suda
Bay,
Crete
with HM
Destroyers HEREWARD and DECOY.
24th
At Suda Bay to cover planned landing by
Commando Unit at Casteloriso
in
Aegean
(Operation ABSTENTION.)
(Note: Commando Unit was carried
in the two destroyers.
Passage with
HM Cruiser BONAVENTURE and the two
destroyers to Casteloriso.
25th
Deployed on patrol with destroyers
south
of island.
(Note: Other ships involved were
HM River Gunboat LADYBIRD carrying
Royal Marines and HM Submarine
PARTHIAN which acted as Beacon
to
assist in landing operation.)
26th
Returned to Alexandria
after enemy warships sighted off island.
(Note: This operation was
completely unsatisfactory and further
reinforcement
was
necessary or provision of adequate ships
for evacuation..
See Naval Staff History and THE
WATERY MAZE by B Fergusson.)
March
Nominated
for support of Operation LUSTRE with
ships of Squadron.
(Note: Ship carried personnel
and stores for military support to
Greek ports following the
decision to send British army and
RAF Units transferred to assist
in defence against German attack.)
20th
Sailed from Alexandria
with HM Aircraft Carrier FORMIDABLE, HM
Battleships WARSPITE, BARHAM and
VALIANT, HM Cruiser YORK
and
screen of 15 destroyers to provide cover
for passage of west bound
convoy
MW6 during passage to Malta
(Operation MC9).
(Note: HMS FORMIDABLE arrived in
Alexandria
on 10th March to
replace
HMS ILLUSTRIOUS.)
22nd
HM Cruisers AJAX, ORION and PERTH (RAN)
joined covering force.
23rd
Detached from covering force and took
passage to Suda
Bay
with HMS YORK.
25th
Arrived at Suda
Bay
with HMS YORK
to refuel.
26th
Despatched from Suda
Bay
with HM Destroyers VENDETTA and VAMPIRE
to
join HM
Cruisers ORION, AJAX
and PERTH (RAN) for major Fleet
operation
to
intercept major Italian Fleet units
known to be on passage to carry out
attacks
on
convoys in Aegean supporting military
defence of Greece.
(Note: Whilst at Suda Bay HMS YORK
was attacked by Italian explosive motor
boats
and
seriously damaged
27th
Deployed with HMS AJAX,
HMS ORION, HMAS PERTH with destroyer
screen
to meet
Mediterranean Fleet units in position
south of Crete.
28th
Under fire from Italian cruiser TRENTO
and made enemy report to CinC
in
HMS WARSPITE.
Took part in the subsequent
engagement with Italian Fleet at the
Battle of Cape
Matapan.
For full details see Naval Staff
History, Battle Summary No 44.)
30th
Returned to Alexandria
with Fleet units.
April
Deployed in support of military
operations and carried out bombardments.
Nominated for Fleet duties to
provide cover for passage of HM Supply
Ship
BRECONSHIRE to Malta
and the transit of Convoy ME7 with empty
supply
ships
from Malta
to Egypt
(Operation MD2).
On completion of MD2 ship to
take part in bombardment of Tripoli
with
Mediterranean Fleet ships
(Operation MD3)
18th
Sailed from Alexandria
with HM Battleships WARSPITE, BARHAM,
VALIANT,
HMS ILLUSTRIOUS, HM Cruisers CALCUTTA,
ORION and PHOEBE with
destroyer
screen.
19th
At Suda Bay to refuel destroyers.
20th
HMS CALCUTTA and HMS PHOEBE detached to
join ME7 escort.
Remained with Fleet units and
deployed as Force B screened by four
destroyers
(Note: Force C made up of HMS
ILLUSTRIOUS, HMS AJAX,
HMS ORION and
HMAS PERTH which had joined
after escorting HMS BRECONSHIRE.)
21st
Took part in bombardment of Tripoli.
23rd
Transferred to Malta
to join Malta Strike
Force.
24th
Deployed at Malta
for attacks on Italian supply traffic to
and from North African ports
as Force K
with HM Destroyers JAGUAR, JANUS, JERVIS
and JUNO.
28th
Ships of 5th Destroyer Flotilla arrived
in Malta
to form new Force K.
30th
During air raid on Malta
slightly damaged by unexploded bomb
which passed
through port
side structure without major damage.
May
Nominated
for support and escort of military
convoy during passage to Alexandria
(Operation
TIGER)
1st
Carried out interception patrol with HM
Destroyers KELLY, KASHMIR,
KELVIN,
KIPLING, JERSEY
and JACKAL in central Mediterranean.
2nd
Unable to re-enter when Grand
Harbour
closed by enemy mining.
(Note: HMS KELLY, HMS JACKAL,
HMS KELVIN were trapped in Grand
Harbour Malta
after HMS JERSEY was sunk by a mine when
Force K
ships
made entry.)
Took passage
from Malta
with HMS KASHMIR AND
HMS KIPLING.
3rd
Sustained damage when mine exploded in paravane
during passage through
Sicilian
Narrows
and by bomb hit in air
attack.
5th
Docked at Gibraltar
for examination and
repair.
6th
After undocking despatched to overtake
ships of Force H
deployed
for
escort and cover during passage of TIGER
Convoy in western Mediterranean.
convoy
taking military supplies including tanks
to Eighth Army in Egypt.
Joined Force "F" on
arrival with Force H.
(Note: TIGER convoy included HM
Battleship HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH,
HM Cruisers NAIAD and FIJI
to join Fleet at Alexandria
and deployed
as
Force F.
8th
Remained with convoy as escort through
central Mediterranean
and joined by
HM Cruisers ORION, AJAX,
DIDO, PERTH (RAN) and PHOEBE covered by
other
ships
of the Mediterranean Fleet (Operation
TIGER).
9th
Series of air attacks on convoy and
escort were driven off
by aircraft from
HM Aircraft Carrier
FORMIDABLE and ship's AA barrage.
12th
Deployed with Mediterranean Fleet in
support of reinforcement
convoys to the
Crete
garrison.
13th
Passage to Heraklion
with HM Cruiser
FIJI taking troops to Crete..
16th
Disembarked troops and joined Force B
with HMS
FIJI in attacks on invasion
convoys NW of
Crete.
21st
Part of Force A with HMS WARSPITE, HMS
VALIANT
and HMS FIJI to give
support
cruisers of Force C (HM Ships NAIAD, PERTH,
CALCUTTA
and
CARLISLE
and a screen of 3 Fleet destroyers)
during
attacks on invasion craft
in Kithera
Channel.
22nd Came
under a series of heavy air attacks with
HMS FIJI, HM
Destroyers
GREYHOUND and
HMS GRIFFIN during withdrawal from Kithera
Channel.
After HMS
GREYHOUND was sunk by dive bombers
west of Crete.
Rescue of survivors with HMS
FIJI was prevented by the intensity of
air attacks
and by
the depletion of stocks of AA
ammunition.
Hit by three bombs which caused
internal explosions and major flooding.
Major fires broke out and could
not be controlled.
Disabled ship had therefore to
be abandoned.
HMS FIJI was ordered to withdraw
because of the continuing air attacks
but
left
rafts and boats for survivors.
Sank after
ninety minutes with the loss of all
but 82 of the ship's company.
(Casualty
List - note
on
casualties)
(Note: HMS FIJI was later sunk
by air attacks with heavy loss of life.)