HMS Oakley, Type II sister ship  (Navy Photos/George Knight, click to enlarge)

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Type II  HUNT Class Escort Destroyer ordered with 15 others of this Type on 20th December 1939 in the War Emergency Programme. The ship was laid down by Swan Hunter at Wallsend on 21st December 1940 as Job No J4139 and launched on 25th July 1941 as the first RN ship to carry this name, that of a Fox-hunt in Hampshire. Build was completed on 2nd April 1942. After a WARSHIP WEEK National Savings campaign in March 1942 this destroyer was  adopted by the civil community of Ringwood, Hampshire. She was transferred to the Greek Navy in 1943 and renamed KRITI as shown in the Chronology.

B a t t l e   H o n o u r s

MEDITERRANEAN 1942-43 - SICILY 1943 - AEGEAN  1943

H e r a l d i c   D a t a

Badge: On a Field Red in front of a hunting horn erect

the sails of a windmill White.

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)

1 9 4 2

March

Contractors trials and commissioned for service in 2nd Destroyer Flotilla, Eastern Fleet.

April

2nd - Build completion and commenced Acceptance Trials Passage to Scapa Flow on completion of trials and storing.

Deployed at Scapa Flow to work-up for operational service.

Part of escort for HM Battleship KING GEORGE V, US Battleship USS WASHINGTON, HM Aircraft Carrier VICTORIOUS, HM Cruiser KENYA and US Cruiser WICHITA to provide cover for transit of Russian Convoys PQ15 to Murmansk and QP11 to Iceland. (Note: Part of screen with HM Destroyers, ESCAPADE, FAULKNOR, INGLEFIELD, MARNE, MARTIN, ORIBI, PUNJABI. HM Escort Destroyers BELVOIR, LAMERTON, MIDDLETON, US Navy destroyers USS MADISON, USS PLUNKETT, USS WILSON AND WAINWRIGHT. The US Navy ships had been lent to the Home Fleet following RN losses earlier in 1942)

May

Home Fleet escort duties in continuation. (Note: HMS KING GEORGE V was replaced by HMS DUKE OF YORK after being damaged in a collision with HMS PUNJABI which was sunk). For details of all Russian Convoy operations see CONVOYS TO RUSSIA by R A Ruegg, THE RUSSIAN CONVOYS by B Schoefield, CONVOY ! by P Kemp and ARCTIC CONVOYS by R. Woodman).

On completion of work-up took passage to Clyde to join escort for military Convoy WS 19

11th - Joined HM Cruiser MAURITIUS, HM Armed Merchant Cruiser CARNARVON CASTLE and HM Destroyer BELVOIR in NW Approaches as Ocean Escort during Atlantic passage for military convoy WS19.

22nd - Detached from WS19 on arrival at Freetown.

25th - Deployed with HM Cruiser MAURITIUS, HM Sloop MILFORD and HM Destroyer HURSLEY for escort of WS19 during passage from Freetown to Cape of Good Hope.

26th - Sailed from Freetown with WS19 as part of Ocean Escort.

June

5th - Remained with ships of WS19 for passage to Durban when others detached to enter Capetown.

14th - Passage from Durban with HMS BELVOIR to rejoin WS19 during passage to Durban.

23rd - Detached from WS19 and took passage to Mombasa to refuel.

Transferred on loan to 5th Destroyer Flotilla in Mediterranean and took passage to Alexandria. (Note: This change in deployment was made following heavy losses and damage to ships of Mediterranean Fleet in defence of VIGOROUS convoy, defence of Greece and Crete.)

29th - Joined Flotilla at Alexandria.

July

Deployed for flotilla duties in eastern Mediterranean

25th - Escorted damaged HM Submarine PORPOISE to Port Said with HMS BELVOIR

August

29th - Took part in bombardment of Abu Dabba and received some damage in air attack.

September

Deployed with Flotilla for Tobruk convoy defence and support of military operation

14th - Escorted Tug BRIGAND from Alexandria with HM Escort Destroyer ALDENHAM to meet damaged cruiser HMS COVENTRY and damaged destroyer ZULU on passage from Tobruk. Established tow of HMS ZULU. Came under air attacks during which HMS COVENTRY was hit and sunk. Took disabled ship in tow but this failed during passage to Alexandria. HMS ZULU sank in position 32.00N 28.56E. (For details of this ill-planned operation which met with determined opposition see MASSACRE AT TOBRUK by P Smith and above references).

October

Carried out two diversionary operations in support of Army advance. (Operations LIGHTFOOT and SUPERCHARGE - See OFFICIAL MILITARY HISTORY, MEDITERRANEAN (HMSO).)

November

Deployed for defence of convoys between Alexandria and Tobruk

17th - Deployed with HM Destroyers ALDENHAM, BEAUFORT, CROOME. DULVERTON, EXMOOR, BELVOIR, HURWORTH, TETCOTT and Greek PINDOS as Close Escort for Malta relief Convoy MW13 (Operation STONEAGE).

18th - Under air attack during which HM Cruiser ARETHUSA was torpedoed and returned in tow to Alexandria.

19th - Detached from MW13 on arrival in Malta and returned to Alexandria with the other ships of Close Escort.

21st - Arrived at Port Said after series of unsuccessful air attacks on passage.

December

Coastal convoy defence in continuation.

25th - At Alexandria for Xmas period.

1 9 4 3

January

Deployed at Alexandria with Flotilla in support of Army operations and defence of coastal convoys.

14th - Took part in sinking of Italian submarine NARVALO with HM Destroyer PAKENHAM. Submarine was carrying ammunition and fuel to Tripoli.

February

Part of escort for Convoy XT3 (Alexandria - Tripoli).

19th - Took part in the sinking of U562 with HM Destroyer ISIS and aircraft in position 32.57N 20.5E, NW of Benghazi). There were no survivors. See U-BOATS DESTROYED by P Kemp

Transferred to 22nd Destroyer Flotilla, Mediterranean Fleet.

March to April

Convoy defence and support duties in Eastern Mediterranean in continuation.

May

8th - Deployed with HM Escort Destroyers ALDENHAM, DULVERTON, LAMERTON, WILTON, ZETLAND, Greek KANARIS and Fleet destroyers to blockade Cape Bon area in order to intercept craft evacuating enemy troops from North Africa. (Operation RETRIBUTION - See ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by Corelli Barnett).

12th - Took part in landing operation on island of Zembra off Tunisia with HMS ALDENHAM and Greek Escort Destroyer KANARIS (Ex HMS HATHERLEIGH).

Returned to Malta with personnel captured on Zembra. (See THE LAST DESTROYER by F A Mason).

June

Escort and support duties based in Malta. Nominated for support of allied landings in Sicily (Operation HUSKY). (For details see ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY, Naval Staff History) and BRITISH INVASION FLEETS by J de Winser

July

Joined Support Force East for escort for assault convoys and support of landings. Deployed as part of Escort Group R Passage to Alexandria.

6th - Sailed from Alexandria as part of escort for military convoy MWF36

7th - Detached from MWF36 and returned to Alexandria.

9th - Sailed from Alexandria as part of escort for military follow-up convoy MWS36. Detached from MWS36 and took passage to Syracuse Deployed for HUSKY support duties and convoy defence.

August

Flotilla duties in continuation for HUSKY support.

September

Detached for duty in LEVANT HUNT Flotilla for support of military operations in Aegean to occupy islands after surrender of Italian forces. (Note: Italian troops formed the garrison of Leros, Cos and other islands. The German theatre commander was determined to hold these islands by sending German troops by sea to take over their defence).

Deployed for defence of convoys taking troops to Aegean islands and for patrol to intercept invasion craft. Based at Alexandria.

October

Aegean support in continuation.

16th - Sailed from Alexandria as screen for HM Cruiser AURORA with HM Destroyers PENN, JERVIS, and Greek Escort Destroyer MIAOULIS (Ex HMS MODBURY). Carried out interception patrol off east coast of Kalymnos and Leros with Greek MIAOULIS. Engaged Italian E-Boats and Sloop off Port Akti, Kalymnos sinking UJ2109 (Ex HM Minesweeper WIDNES) used for escort duties. Came under air attack and escaped without damage. Landed stores at Leros.

17th - Laid up in Turkish waters till nightfall. Deployed with HM Destroyers JERVIS, PENN and Greek MIAOULIS for support of shore operations.

18th - Laid up in Turkish waters during daylight to avoid air attacks. After nightfall carried cut reconnaissance of Pserimos Island. During subsequent bombardment of Cos hit by return fire and damaged forward. Withdrew to meet HMS AURORA.

19th - Passage to Alexandria from Scarpanto with HMS AURORA, HMS PENN, HMS JERVIS and Greek MIAOULIS.

20th - Under repair.

23rd - Sailed from Alexandria with HMS AURORA and HMS ALDENHAM.

24th - Embarked troops from HMS PHOEBE whilst laid up in Turkish waters during daylight.

25th - Landed troops in Leros with HMS ALDENHAM. After relief by HMS AURORA, HM Destroyers PATHFINDER, EXMOOR and BLENCATHRA returned to Alexandria.

November

2nd - Transferred to Royal Hellenic Navy and renamed KRITI. Remained in 22nd Destroyer Flotilla.

W a r   S e r v i c e   a s   H  H e l  M  S   K R I T I

December

On completion of work-up for service at Alexandria took passage to Algiers.

1 9 4 4

January

Deployed for convoy escort from ports in North Africa to Naples in preparation for planned allied landings at Anzio. (Operation SHINGLE - see ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY, Naval Staff History and BRITISH INVASION FLEETS by J de Winser for details of all ships involved.).

Nominated for service with Southern Attack Force (X-ray) under US Navy command for support of landings by US VI Corps.

20th - Sailed from Naples and deployed with US Cruiser USS BROOKLYN, HM Cruiser PENELOPE, US destroyers USS CLEAVES, USS PLUNKETT, USS NIBLACK, USS WOOLSEY, USS MAYO, USS TRIP, USS LUDLOW, USS EDISON, HM Escort Destroyer CROOME and Greek Escort Destroyer THEMISTOCLES for escort of assault convoy.

22nd - Provided support with ships of Southern Attack Force.

Under air attacks including minelaying (See above references).

February

Deployed for defence of military convoys and gunfire support of SHINGLE landings

March

Resumed Flotilla duties based at Algiers for convoy defence and patrol in central and eastern Mediterranean.

April to June

Flotilla duties In continuation.

July

Nominated for support of planned allied landings in South France under US Command. Prepared for support operations. (Operation DRAGOON - See ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY, INVASION OF THE SOUTH OF FRANCE (HMSO) and BRITISH INVASION FLEETS.).

August

Passage to Naples for escort of S Assault convoys

12th - Sailed from Naples as escort of Convoy SF2 (DELTA) with US Escort Destroyer USS CURRIER, HM Fleet Minesweepers ANTARES, ARCTURUS, BRAVE, RINALDO, SPANKER and five US Navy Patrol Craft. (Note: This convoy comprised 38 Landing Craft (Infantry)).

14th - Arrived in Assembly position AN off DELTA Sector.

22nd - Released from US Command and resumed Flotilla duties.

September

Convoy defence and patrol in continuation.

October

Transferred to British Aegean Force based at Alexandria for support of military operations to re-occupy Aegean islands and Greek mainland. (Operation MANNA - see above references and MEDITERRANEAN AND MIDDLE EAST MILITARY HISTORY Vol VI (Part D) (HMSO).

Deployed for interception of German evacuation craft. Deployed at Athens after allied entry.

November

Transferred to Greek 12th Flotilla at Piraeus. Deployed for support of military operations and convoy defence.

December

Military support operations deployment in continuation.

1 9 4 5

January to March

Deployed in Aegean and Greek coastal areas for convoy defence and support of military operations.

April

1st - Carried out bombardment of Rhodes with HM Destroyer KIMBERLEY and sister ship HMS CATTERICK.

May

After VE Day transferred on loan to Royal Hellenic Navy.

June to August

Under Greek naval control.

P o s t   W a r   N o t e s

HMS HURSLEY remained with the Royal Hellenic Navy as HHelMS KRITI until 12th December 1959 when she reverted to RN control and was placed on the Disposal List. The ship was sold for breaking-up in Greece on 27th April 1960 and towed to ship-breakers later that year.

Addendum

CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS of HMS HURSLEY

by Don Kindell

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

(Note on Convoys)