Improved
BIRMINGHAM-Class cruiser built by Harland and
Wolff at Belfast
under an Emergency War Programme and was
ordered in July 1917- She was laid down on 8th
December 1917
and was intended to be named CAVENDISH, but on
selection to be converted for use as an
aircraft carrier was renamed. Her new name was
introduced In 1779
for a Galley, probably purchased in America.
It
was last used for a cruiser in 1897 which
achieved renown when she took part in the Zeebrugge
and Ostend
attacks in 1918 and was sunk as a blockship
at Ostend. This cruiser was launched on 18th
December 1918 and the 5th RN warship to carry
the name VINDICTIVE. Her conversion involved
removal of 3 of her 6in guns and the fitting
of a 215 ft landing deck aft with another
forward measuring 100 ft. The ship carried six
or eight aircraft, depending on their type.
Build was completed on 19th June 1919. In 1925
the ship was again converted and reverted to
use as a cruiser in 1929. The forward hangar
was retained and a
catapult with crane for recovery were
fitted aft. After 11 years use as a cruiser
yet another conversion was authorised and the
ship was converted for use as a Cadet Training
Ship. She was disarmed and modified to provide
the facilities for training of Cadets. As a
result her use during WW2 was limited to
support duties.
1
9 3 9
September
After the
outbreak of war with Germany
selected for use as a Repair
Ship.
Taken in hand for
conversion to new role.
October
Under conversion.
to
December
1
9 4 0
January
On
completion of conversion commissioned for
service and joined Home Fleet.
to
March
April
Nominated
for support of ships deployed in Norway
after the German invasion.
12th
Passage to Norway
in Convoy NP1 taking troops
for initial landings.
(Operation RUPERT/R4).
(Note:
Escort included HM Battleship VALIANT
screened by HM Destroyers ACASTA
ARDENT and
CODRINGTON).
14th
Passage to Vaagsfjord
when some ships detached for Namsos.
See
Naval Staff History (HMSO- 2000)
18th
Embarked troops at Bygen
for passage to Vaagsfjord,
See reference..
Escorted by HM
Destroyer ELECTRA.
Under
high level air attacks which disrupted
landing arrangements and were
a forewarning
of the extent of air defence required.
Landed troops west of
Oftfjord.
24th
Embarked troops at Bogden
for passage to land near Narvik after
preliminary bombardment.
Carried bombardment
with HMS WARSPITE, HMS ENTERPRISE and HM
Destroyer ZULU.
(Note:
Landings were not carried out because of
adverse weather conditions,
May
Based
at Harstad for support duties.
Nominated
for support of planned landings at Bjerkvik
12th
Embarked French
Chasseurs at Bjerkvik.
Passage
to Bjerkvik
with HM Battleship RESOLUTION, HM
Cruisers EFFINGHAM,
AURORA, HM Destroyers
SOMALI, FAME,
HAVELOCK, WREN and
BASILISK.
(Note:
HM Netlayer
PROTECTOR also carried troops.)
13th
Bombarded landing area with HMS
RESOLUTION, HMS EFFINGHAM
prior to
landings.
Returned to Harstad
when released from support duty.
June
Took part in final evacuation from
Narvik
area.
See
reference for details.
4th
Embarked troops for evacuation.
7th
Sailed from
Harstad for UK
as sole
escort for Group I Evacuation Convoy.
(Note:
Group I comprised troopships MONARCH OF
BERMUDA, Polish
BATORY,
Polish SOBIESKI, FRANCONIA, LANCASTRIA and
GEORGIC.
8th
In action
against single aircraft which was
driven off.
9th
HM Battleship VALIANT met Group I to
provide additional cover during
passage.
July
Deployed
with Home Fleet at Scapa Flow.
August
Transferred
to West Africa Command for support of
escorts.
Passage to Freetown.
September
Deployed
as Base Repair Ship at Freetown.
to
December
1
9 4 1
Freetown
support duty in continuation
1
9 4 2
January
Freetown deployment
in continuation.
to
September
October
Nominated
for transfer to Oran for support duties after allied landings in North
Africa
(Operation TORCH)
November
Passage to Oran.
Joined
HM Destroyer Depot Ship HECLA escorted by
HM Destroyers VENOMOUS and
MARNE
west of Gibraltar.
(See HITLER'S U-BOAT WAR
Volume 2)
12th
Avoided torpedoes fired by U515. During
a series of attacks HMS HECLA was hit by
three
torpedoes and
sank with heavy loss of life.
HMS
MARNE was seriously damaged after being
hit by another torpedo.
December
Deployed
at Oran in support role for escorts.
1
9 4 3
Deployed at Oran
for Repair
Ship duties.
1
9 4 4
January
Oran
duties in continuation
to
February
March
Nominated
for return to UK
for repair duties after
allied landings in Normandy.
(Operation
NEPTUNE).
April
Passage to UK.
May
Deployed
in Home Waters and awaiting transfer to
Normandy
area after completion
to
of Assault Phase. Refitted
for
use as a Destroyer Depot Ship.
June
July
Deployed
for Accommodation and repair purposes in
support of operations off the French
to
coast.
December
1
9 4 5
January
On release from support of
operations retained in use as an
Accommodation Ship.
to
Passage to Portsmouth.
May
Nominated
for reduction to Reserve status
June
Paid
off and reduced to Reserve
to
Laid-up at Portsmouth.
August