Some warships are listed with their own unit and again when detached to another

 

 

NORTH ATLANTIC COMMAND

Adm Sir Dudley North

 

Harbour establishment - CORMORANT (Capt J H McNair)

 

Battleship - RESOLUTION (Capt O Bevir) dep Scapa Flow 4 Jun for Gibraltar arr 10 Jun

 

Light cruiser - ARETHUSA (Capt Q D Graham) arr Gibraltar 7 Jun

 

Armed merchant Cruiser - PATROCLUS (Capt G C Wynter Rtd) dep Gibraltar 31 May on patrol

 

13th Destroyer Flotilla (Capt F S W de Winton)

25th Division - KEPPEL (Lt Cdr E G Heywood-Lonsdale Emgcy) arr 7 Jun, VELOX (Cdr J C Colvill Rtd) dep 5 Jun, VIDETTE (Lt E N Walmsley) dep 8 Jun, VORTIGERN (Lt Cdr R S Howlett) arr 6 Jun for refitting, WATCHMAN (Lt Cdr E C L Day) arr 3 Jun, all arr or dep Gibraltar

26th Division - ACTIVE (Lt Cdr E C L Turner) dep 7 Jun, DOUGLAS (Cdr J G Crossley Rtd) dep 8 Jun, WISHART (Cdr E T Cooper), WRESTLER (Lt Cdr E N V Currey), all dep or at Gibraltar

 

7th Anti-Submarine Group – anti-submarine trawlers ARCTIC RANGER (Cdr J H Young Rtd), KINGSTON CHRYSOLITE (Lt R L Green RNVR), LEYLAND (Lt Cdr A Wilkinson RNR), LORD HOTHAM (Sk J W Morris RNR), STELLA SIRIUS (Lt Cdr A N Benson RNVR) arr 31 May, all arr or at Gibraltar

 

Minesweeping Group 92 - minesweeping trawlers CLYNE CASTLE (Lt T Fraser RNR), HONJO (Sk J Bowie RNR), both at Gibraltar

 

Tug - ST OMAR (no CO listed) at Gibraltar refitting

 

Contraband Control Service (yachts serving as armed boarding vessels) - ANGLIA (Lt R McCready RNR), CHARLES MC IVER (Lt B T R Russell RNR), LORNA (Lt R Atkinson RNR), ROSABELLA (Lt H H Brown RNR), SAYONARA (Cdr H Hamilton Rtd), TIERCEL (Lt Cdr J N G Grace Rtd), all at Gibraltar

 

Examination Service - motor boat KELVIN (no CO listed) at Gibraltar

 

 

MEDITERRANEAN FLEET

Vice Adm Sir Andrew Cunningham KCB, DSO

 

1st Battle Squadron (Rear Adm H D Pridham-Wippell) - battleships MALAYA (Capt A F E Palliser DSC) arr 3 May, RAMILLIES (Capt H T Baillie-Grohman DSO, OBE, ADC) drydocked, ROYAL SOVEREIGN (Flag, Pridham-Wippell, Capt H B Jacomb) arr 3 May, WARSPITE (Flag, Cunningham, Capt D B Fisher CBE) arr 10 May, all arr or at Alexandria

 

French battleship - LORRAINE (CV M L M Rey) at Alexandria

 

Aircraft carriers - ARGUS (Capt H C Bovell) arr Gibraltar 7 Jun, EAGLE (Capt A R M Bridge) arr Alexandria 27 May

 

Attendant destroyer to ARGUS - destroyer STURDY (Cdr G T Cooper) arr Gibraltar 7 Jun

 

3rd Cruiser Squadron (Rear Adm E de F Renouf CVO) - light cruisers CALEDON (Capt C P Clark) arr Suez 3 Jun, at Port Said on this date, CALYPSO (Capt H A Rowley) dep Port Said 10 Jun, CAPETOWN (Flag, Renouf, Capt T H Back) dep Alexandria 2 Jun

 

7th Cruiser Squadron (Vice Adm J C Tovey CB, DSO, also Vice Admiral Destroyers) - light cruisers GLOUCESTER (Capt F R Garside CBE) arr 10 Jun, LIVERPOOL (Capt P A Read) arr 10 Jun, NEPTUNE (Capt R C O'Conor) arr 5 May, ORION (Flag, Tovey, Capt G R B Back) arr 4 May, Australian SYDNEY (Capt J A Collins RAN) arr 26 May, all arr Alexandria

 

Light cruiser - DELHI (Capt A S Russell) arr Gibraltar 8 Jun

 

French 2nd Cruiser Division - heavy cruisers DUQUESNE (CV G E Besineau), SUFFREN (CV R J M Dillard), TOURVILLE (CV A J A Marloy), light cruiser DUQUAY TROUIN (CV J M C Trolley de Prevaux), all at Beirut

 

2nd Destroyer Flotilla (Cdr H St L Nicolson DSO, Commander, Destroyers)

3rd Division - HAVOCK (Cdr R E Courage DSO, DSC) arr 26 May, HEREWARD (Lt Cdr C W Greening) arr 27 May, HERO (Cdr H W Biggs DSO) arr 27 May, HYPERION (Nicolson) arr 23 May, all arr Alexandria

4th Division, HASTY (Lt Cdr L R K Tyrwhitt) arr 23 May, HOSTILE (Cdr J P Wright, Lt Cdr A F Burnell-Nugent from 18 Jul) arr 25 May, ILEX (Lt Cdr P L Saumarez DSC) arr 28 May, IMPERIAL (Lt Cdr C A de W Kitcat) arr 24 May, all arr Alexandria

 

10th Destroyer Flotilla (Cdr H M L Waller RAN, promoted to Capt on 30 Jun)

19th Division – Australian destroyers STUART (Waller) arr 25 May, VAMPIRE (Cdr J A Walsh RAN) arr 26 May, VENDETTA (Cdr R Rhoades RAN) at Malta refitting to comp on 9 Jul, VOYAGER (Cdr J C Morrow RAN) arr 25 May, WATERHEN (Lt Cdr J H Swain) arr 25 May, all but one arr Alexandria

20th Division - DAINTY (Cdr M S Thomas) arr 10 Jun, DECOY (Cdr E G McGregor) arr 23 May, DEFENDER (Lt Cdr St J R J Tyrwhitt), all arr or at Alexandria, DIAMOND (Lt Cdr P A Cartwright) arr Malta 8 Jun

 

14th Destroyer Flotilla (Capt P J Mack)

27th Division - JANUS (Capt P J Mack until JERVIS arr in the Mediterranean, Cdr J A W Tothill from 15 Jul) arr 24 May, JUNO (Cdr W E Wilson) arr 24 May, NUBIAN (Cdr R W Ravenhill) arr 23 May, MOHAWK (Cdr J W M Eaton) arr 29 May, all arr Alexandria

 

28th Destroyer Division - in Red Sea.

 

Polish destroyer - GARLAND (Cdr A Doroczkowski, Cdr K Namiensniowski ORP from 7 Oct) arr Alexandria 18 May to work up after repairs

 

French destroyers - BASQUE (CC Y G M Caron), FORBIN (CC R C M Chatellier), LE FORTUNE (CC J E L Serres), all at Beirut

 

1st Submarine Flotilla (Capt G M K Keble White) - depot ship MEDWAY (Keble White) arr 3 May, submarines OSIRIS (Lt Cdr R Sheridan-Patterson) dep 31 May, arr back 10 Jun, PANDORA (Lt Cdr J W Linton) arr 10 Jun, PARTHIAN (Lt Cdr M G Rimington) arr 5 Jun, PHOENIX (Lt Cdr G H Nowell) arr 4 Jun, dep again that day, PROTEUS (Lt Cdr R T Gordon-Duff) arr 3 May, all arr or dep Alexandria, RORQUAL (Lt Cdr R H Dewhurst) dep Malta 10 Jun

 

Under command of Actg Capt S M Raw, Commander Submarines, Malta - submarines ODIN (Lt Cdr K Mac I Woods) dep 10 Jun, OLYMPUS (Lt Cdr H G Dymott) refitting to comp 29 Nov, ORPHEUS (Lt Cdr J A S Wise) dep 10 Jun, OSWALD (Lt Cdr D A Fraser) dep 10 Jun, OTUS (Lt Cdr E C F Nicolay) refitting to comp 21 Oct, GRAMPUS (Lt Cdr C A Rowe) dep 10 Jun, all at or dep Malta

 

French submarine - PROTÉE (CC J M L J Garreau) at Beirut

 

Netlayer - PROTECTOR (Capt W Y La R Beverly) arr Alexandria 10 Jun

 

4th Anti-Submarine Group - anti-submarine trawlers BERYL (Boatswain H E Sellwood Actg) arr 6 May, CORAL (Boatswain G F Easterby) arr 13 May, JADE (Boatswain J Hughes) arr 6 May, all arr Malta

 

5th Anti-Submarine Group - anti-submarine trawlers BANDOLERO (SO, Lt Cdr F M W Harris RNR) arr 14 May, LOCH MELFORT (Lt F Graham-Browne RNR) arr 14 May, LYDIARD (Lt K Currie RNR) arr 14 May, SINDONIS (Sk G Rawding RNR) arr 19 May, VICTORIAN (Ch Sk M A Smith RNR) arr 14 May, all arr Alexandria

 

28th Anti-Submarine Group - anti-submarine trawlers KINGSTON CORAL (Sk W Kirman RNR) arr 19 May, KINGSTON CRYSTAL (Lt Cdr G H P James RNR) arr 13 May, KINGSTON CYANITE (Sk F A Yeomans RNR) arr 13 May, WOLBOROUGH (SO, Cdr J S Hoffman Rtd, Lt Cdr F A W Ramsay from 18 Jun) arr 13 May, all arr Alexandria

 

Minesweeping Flotilla (Capt A R Farquhar Rtd) - minesweepers ABINGDON (Lt G A Simmers RNR) arr Alexandria 29 Apr, BAGSHOT (Lt Cdr J F B Gage RNVR) at Alexandria, FAREHAM (Lt W J P Church) at Alexandria refitting to comp 15 Jun, FERMOY (Lt Cdr J G D Wetherfield) arr Malta 27 May, STOKE (Cdr C J B Hill Rtd) arr Port Said 19 May

 

Minesweeping Group 91 - minesweeping trawlers ARTHUR CAVANAGH (Sk T W Kirby RNR), MILFORD HAVEN COUNTESS (Sk E W Oxborough RNR), both arr Alexandria 22 May, MUROTO (Sk J T H McDonald RNR), RAGLAN CASTLE (Sk G Buchan RNR), both arr Port Said 28 May

 

Minesweeping trawlers - EMPYREAN (Sk R Wilson RNR) dep Portsmouth 5 Jun for Gibraltar, RETURNO (Sk G S Burr RNR), both dep Portsmouth 5 Jun for Gibraltar

 

Motor anti-submarine boats - MA/SB.2 (Lt J C Lapage), MA/SB.3 (Lt J D Ritchie), both at Malta

 

 

Malta

Vice Adm W T R Ford KBE, CB

 

Harbour establishment - ST ANGELO (Capt E C Denison MVO)

 

Gunboats (tenders to ST ANGELO) - APHIS (Lt J B Cox) dep Malta 2 Jun, LADYBIRD (Lt Cdr J F Blackburn Rtd) arr Port Said 8 Jun

 

Monitor - TERROR (Cdr H J Haines DSC) at Malta

 

Tender - minelayer MEDUSA (Lt J Pobjoy RNR) at Malta

 

Royal Fleet Auxiliary supply ship - RELIANT (Master R C E Neyroud) at Alexandria

 

Repair ship - RESOURCE (Capt D B O'Connell Rtd) arr Alexandria 5 May

 

Alexandria

Rear Adm F Elliot OBE Rtd

 

Harbour establishment - NILE (Capt A W J Finlayson Rtd)

 

Fleet Target Service - trawlers MOY (Lt V G Palmer) dep Malta 7 Jun, OUSE (Lt J E Grice) arr Alexandria 5 May, tug ST ISSEY (Lt J H W Howe RNR) arr Alexandria 12 May

 

Drifters - CRESCENT MOON (Lt C F Vine RNR) at Port Said, EDDY (Sk J Carnie RNR) at Malta, LANDFALL (S/Lt P D Vine RNR) at Port Said, SUNSET (Sk A G Jenner RNR) at Malta

 

Boom defence vessels - MAGNET (Ty Boom Sk J W Hogarth RNR) at Alexandria, WESTGATE (Sk W Stewart RNR) at Malta

 

Contraband Control Service - armed boarding vessels ARPHA (Cdr F M Smith RD RNR) arr Port Said 30 Mar, CHAKLA (Cdr L C Bach RD RNR) arr Alexandria 10 Jun, FIONA (Cdr A H H Griffiths RD RNR) dep Alexandria 5 Jun, converted yachts ROSAURA (Lt L H Davies RNR) arr Port Said 9 Jun, SURF (Lt Cdr A J McHattie RNR) arr Port Said 17 Apr

 

Miscellaneous - destroyer WRYNECK (Cdr R H D Lane from 26 Jul) at Malta converting to anti-aircraft escort ship to comp at end of Aug

 

Red Sea Force

SO, Capt H E Horan DSC

Rear Adm A J L Murray CB, DSC, OBE assumed command on 29 Jun

 

Light cruisers - LEANDER (Capt H E Horan DSC) arr Port Sudan 8 Jun, Australian HOBART (Capt H L Howden OBE) arr Aden 4 Jun, dep on patrol 11 Jun

 

Anti-aircraft cruiser - CARLISLE (Capt G M B Langley OBE) arr Aden 3 Jun

 

28th Destroyer Division (Cdr W G A Robson) - KANDAHAR (Robson) dep Aden 10 Jun, KHARTOUM (Cdr D T Dowler) dep Aden 5 Jun, KIMBERLEY (Lt Cdr J S M Richardson) arr Bombay 10 Jun for boiler cleaning, KINGSTON (Lt Cdr P Somerville DSO) dep Aden 5 Jun

 

Sloops - AUCKLAND (Cdr J G Hewitt DSO) dep Aden 10 Jun, FLAMINGO (Cdr J H Huntley) arr Aden 6 Jun, GRIMSBY (Cdr K J D'Arcy) arr Port Said 9 Jun, SHOREHAM (Lt Cdr F D Miller) arr Aden 9 Jun, Indian CORNWALLIS (Cdr H C Beauchamp RIN) dep Aden

 

Force S was formed with sloop GRIMSBY and Indian sloop CLIVE to escort southbound convoys from Suez to the latitude of Port Sudan where the escort from Aden took over. They then picked up a northbound convoy.

 

 

SOUTH ATLANTIC COMMAND

Vice Adm G H Oyly Lyon CB, Vice Adm R H T Raikes CB, CVO, DSO from Aug

Rear Adm Sir H Harwood, Commodore South America Station, Capt F H Pegram Cdre 2/c from 1 Jul

 

Base accommodation and wireless transmitting ship (Vice Adm G H Oyly Lyon) - accommodation ship EDINBURGH CASTLE (Capt E M Palmer OBE Rtd) at Freetown

 

Depot ship - AFRIKANDER (Capt D A Budgen Cdre 2/c, SNO Simonstown) at Simonstown

 

Aircraft carrier - HERMES (Capt R F J Onslow MVO, DSC) dep Freetown 6 Jun

 

Seaplane tender- ALBATROSS (Capt W G Andrewes) at Freetown

 

Cruisers - heavy cruisers CUMBERLAND (Capt the Hon C H E Russell) arr Freetown 7 Jun, CORNWALL (Capt C F Hammill) dep Freetown 27 May, DORSETSHIRE (Capt B C S Martin) at Plymouth, SHROPSHIRE (Capt J H Edelsten) arr Freetown 7 Jun, cruiser HAWKINS (Flag, Harwood, Capt H P K Oram) dep Montevideo 4 Jun, light cruiser DRAGON (Capt R G Bowes-Lyon MVO) arr Kilindini en route to Durban

 

Armed merchant cruisers (cruiser duties) - ALCANTARA (Capt J G Ingham Rtd) at Simonstown docking to comp 22 Jun, QUEEN OF BERMUDA (Capt G A B Hawkins MVO, DSC) dep Buenas Aires 12 May, PRETORIA CASTLE (Capt E J Shelley Rtd) dep Dakar 10 Jun

 

Freetown Convoy Escort Force – armed merchant cruisers BULOLO (Capt C H Petrie Rtd) dep Freetown 23 May, CARNARVON CASTLE (Capt H N M Hardy DSO Rtd) dep Freetown 31 May, DUNNOTTAR CASTLE (Capt H E H Spencer-Cooper MVO Rtd) dep Freetown 8 Jun, DUNVEGAN CASTLE (Capt H Ardill Rtd) dep Freetown 17 May, MOOLTAN (Capt C G Sutliff Rtd) at Plymouth

 

Sloops - BRIDGEWATER (Lt Cdr H F C Leftwich Rtd) at Matardi, MILFORD HAVEN (Capt R J Shaw MBE) arr Freetown 8 May

 

6th Anti-Submarine Group - anti-submarine trawlers BENGALI (Lt E E Barnes RNVR) arr Lagos 7 Jun, KELT (Sk W Mc K Smith RNR) arr Freetown 9 May, PICT (Lt Cdr W N M Falchney RNR) arr Lagos 7 Jun, SPANIARD (Lt Cdr F J Webster RNR) at Freetown, TURCOMAN (S/Lt W T Hobson RNVR) arr Freetown 9 May

 

Auxiliary anti-submarine trawlers - BLOOMVLEI (Sk S B Petzer SARNVR), MOOIVLEI (Sk H A Crons SARNVR), both at Simonstown

 

93rd Minesweeper Group - trawler GENERAL BIRDWOOD (Sk W J Taylor RNR), MAPLE (no CO listed) docked, REDWOOD (no CO listed) docked, ST MINVER (Sk J Duthle RNR), all at Dakar, SNAKEFLY (Lt O H Pullman RNR) arr Freetown 29 May, whaler WILLIAM SCORESBY (Cdr H Petit-Dann RD RNR Rtd) dep Freetown 1 Jun for Rio de Janiero

 

Whaler (tender to cruiser HAWKINS) - ROYDUR (no CO listed) at Port Stanley

 

South African auxiliary minesweeping vessels - trawlers ARUM (Sk T W M Stockton SARNVR), NERINE (Sk J M Bowden SARNVR), both at Capetown

 

Harbour defence duties - motor fishing vessels MOIRA, NOSS HEAD, VILLAGE BELLE (no COs listed), all at Freetown

 

Boom defence vessels - BARBROOK (Sk D Smith RNR), BARCASTLE (Boom Sk D H Brewer RNR), QUANNET (Lt C E Richardson RNR), all at Freetown

 

Boom defence tenders - former French trawlers MARIE LOUISE, PAMONICA (no COs listed), both at Freetown.

 

 

AMERICA AND WEST INDIES STATION

Vice Adm Sir Charles E Kennedy-Purvis KCB, ashore at Bermuda

 

Shore establishment - MALABAR at Bermuda

 

8th Cruiser Squadron - light cruisers CARADOC (Capt J S Bethell) arr Halifax 7 Jun, DESPATCH (Capt C G B Coltart CVO, Capt C E Douglas-Pennant DSC Cdre 2/c, Commodore Commanding West Indies from 25 Jun) at Bermuda refitting to comp 4 Jul, DIOMEDE (Capt J W Farquhar) dep Kingston 5 Jun to arr Bermuda 11 Jun, DUNEDIN (Capt C E Lambe CVO, SO Jamaica Force) arr Trinidad 8 Jun

 

Canadian destroyers - ASSINIBOINE (SO, Capt L W Murray Cdre 2/c RCN) dep 9 Jun, OTTAWA (Cdr E R Mainguy RCN) arr 10 Apr repairing to comp 13 Jun, SAGUENAY (Lt Cdr G R Miles RCN) dep 9 Jun, all arr or dep Halifax

 

Sloops - DUNDEE (Capt O M F Stokes Rtd) dep Trinidad on patrol 14 Apr, PENZANCE (Cdr A J Wavish) dep Bermuda 8 Jun

 

Dutch submarines - O.14 (Lt Cdr H Tichelman RNN), O.15 (Lt H M L F E van Oostrom Soede RNN), both at Curacao

 

Bermuda and Halifax Escort Force

Rear Adm S S Bonham-Carter CB, CVO, DSO

 

3rd Battle Squadron - battleship REVENGE (Capt E R Archer) arr Halifax 8 Jun

 

Drifter - SEABORN (Flag, Bonham-Carter) at Halifax

 

Light cruiser - EMERALD (Capt A W S Agar VC, DSO, Capt F C Flynn from mid-Jun) dep Halifax 5 Jun

 

Attached light cruisers - Dutch HEEMSKERK dep Portsmouth, met SUMATRA at sea on 7 Jun, SUMATRA (Crown Princess Juliana embarked) dep Milford Haven 2 Jun, both to arr Halifax 11 Jun

 

Armed merchant cruisers - ALAUNIA (Capt H J Woodward DSO Rtd) at Southampton refitting to comp 10 Jun, dep for Halifax 11 Jun, arr 19 Jun, ASCANIA (Capt C H Ringrose-Wharton Rtd) dep Bermuda 31 May, AURANIA (Capt I W Whitehorn Rtd) arr Greenock 10 Jun, AUSONIA (Capt H G Norman) dep Halifax 9 Jun, COMORIN (Capt J I Hallett Rtd) arr Bermuda 6 Jun, ESPERANCE BAY (Capt G S Holder Rtd) dep Halifax 2 Jun for Southampton to refit, JERVIS BAY (Capt E S F Fegen Actg) dep Bermuda 4 Jun, LACONIA (Capt G G P Hewett Rtd) at Halifax, RAJPUTANA (Capt F H Taylor DSC Rtd) dep Bermuda 8 Jun, RANPURA (Capt R I Money Rtd) dep Halifax 5 Jun, VOLTAIRE (Capt C L Bate Rtd) dep Halifax 24 May

 

 

EAST INDIES COMMAND

Vice Adm R Leatham

 

Cruisers - heavy cruiser KENT (Capt D Young-Jamieson) dep Bombay 6 Jun on convoy duty, light cruisers CERES (Capt E G Abbott AM) dep Colombo 9 Jun, COLOMBO (Capt C A E Stanfield) dep Colombo 9 Jun

 

Armed merchant cruisers - ANTENOR (Capt D I McGillewie Rtd) arr Aden 10 Jun, CARTHAGE (Capt B O Bell-Salter Rtd) arr Durban 1 Jun for docking, CATHAY (Capt C McC Merewether Rtd) dep Bombay 4 Jun, RANCHI (Capt H C Legge Rtd) arr Durban 9 Jun

 

Sloops - FALMOUTH (Cdr C C Hardy) arr Khor Kuwai 5 Jun, Indian CLIVE (Cdr H R Inigo-Jones RIN) dep Khor Kuwai 5 Jun and arr Aden 12 Jun

 

Persian Gulf sloops - Indian HINDUSTAN (Cdr G V G Beamish RIN, Cdr I B W Heanly RIN from 6 Jul) arr Basra 19 May, INDUS (Cdr E G G Hunt RIN) arr Basra 28 May, LAWRENCE (Cdr H V Banfield RIN) at Khor Kuwai

 

Depot ship - LUCIA (Flag, Rear Adm A J L Murray CB, DSC, OBE, Cdr C R de B L Townsend Rtd) at Aden

 

Gunboats - COCKCHAFER (Lt Cdr A F Robertson-Aikman) arr Basra 19 May, GNAT (Lt Cdr S R H Davonport) arr Basra 19 May to refit, comp in Jun

 

Anti-submarine vessels - anti-submarine trawlers AMBER (Boatswain H W Clark) arr 8 May, MOONSTONE (Boatswain W J H Moorman DSC) arr 31 May, both arr Aden

 

Minesweepers - DERBY (Lt F C V Brightman), HUNTLEY (Lt Cdr H R A King RNR), both at Aden docked, WIDNES (Lt Cdr R B Chandler), minesweeping trawler OVERDALE WYKE (Lt N M Waldman RNR), both at Colombo

 

Chartered boom carrier - LAOMEDON (Cdr J J E Barclay RNR) at Aden

 

Boom defence vessels - BARBETTE (Lt E J P Webster RNR) at Trincomalee, BARNET (Ty Boom Eng G Mann RNR) at Colombo, BURGONET (Lt C T Grantley RNR), PLANET (Ty Boom Sk D Cowie RNR), both at Aden, SANDGATE (no CO), SOUTHGATE (no CO), both at Trincomalee

 

Boom defence tender - MAJESTIC (CO not listed) at Trincomalee

 

Contraband Control Service - armed boarding vessels CHAKDINA (Lt Cdr W R Hickey RNR) arr 4 Jun, CHANTALA (Lt Cdr C E I Gibbs Rtd), PERRONELLE (no CO listed), converted yacht SAGITTA (Cdr J O Dunn RNR), all arr or at Aden

 

Aden Force

 

Composed of minesweepers DERBY, HUNTLEY, armed boarding vessels CHAKDINA, CHANTALA, SAGITTA, trawlers AMBER, MOONSTONE

 

 

CHINA FORCE

Adm Sir Percy Noble

 

Harbour establishments - SULTAN (Rear Adm T B Drew OBE) at Singapore, TAMAR (Adm Sir Percy Noble) at Hong Kong

 

5th Cruiser Squadron - light cruisers DANAE (Capt A C Collinson) left Direction Islands 7 Jun for Penang, DAUNTLESS (Capt G D Moore RAN) at Hong Kong, DURBAN (Capt J A S Eccles) arr Penang 8 Jun

 

Armed merchant cruisers (attached to 5th Cruiser Squadron) - ARAWA (Capt G R Deverell Actg) dep 10 Jun, KANIMBLA (Capt F E Getting Actg) dep 29 May, MORETON BAY (Capt E M Haes Actg) dep 13 May to patrol east of Japan, all dep Hong Kong

 

Hong Kong and Singapore Local Defence

 

Destroyers - SCOUT (Lt Cdr C H Holmes) at Hong Kong, STRONGHOLD (Lt Cdr R Alexander) at Singapore, TENEDOS (Lt Cdr J O'B Milner Barry) at Singapore refitting to comp 15 Jun, THANET (Lt Cdr J Mowlam) at Hong Kong, THRACIAN (Lt Cdr H G D de Chair) at Hong Kong.

 

4th Submarine Flotilla - submarines PERSEUS (Lt Cdr P H J Bartlett) at Hong Kong docking to comp 18 Jun, RAINBOW (Lt Cdr L P Moore) at Singapore, REGENT (Lt Cdr H C Browne) at Hong Kong refitting to comp 19 Jun, REGULUS (Cdr J M Money) at Hong Kong refitting to comp 18 Jun, ROVER (Lt Cdr H A L Marsham) at Singapore refitting to comp 27 Jul

 

2nd Motor Torpedo Boat Flotilla - MTB.7 (Lt R R W Ashby), MTB.8 (Lt L D Kilbee), MTB.9 (S/Lt A Kennedy), MTB.10 (Lt Cdr D G Clark), MTB.11 (Lt J Collingwood) damaged by accidental shelling on 26 Oct 39, not operational, MTB.12 (S/Lt W E Richards RNVR), MTB.26 (Lt M J de C Carey), MTB.27 (S/Lt T M Parsons), all at Hong Kong.

 

Minelayer - REDSTART (Cdr A F Jackson) at Hong Kong.

 

Tug - ST BREOCK (Sk J Jappy RNR) at Wei Hai Wei

 

Yangtze gunboats (adminstered by Rear Adm A M Peters, Commodore in Charge, Hong Kong) - CRICKET (Cdr H V Creer RAN Rtd) at Shanghai, to depart for Hong Kong 1 Jul, FALCON (Lt Cdr R S Abram) at Chungking, GANNET (Cdr A F St G Orphen) laid up at Chungking, MANTIS at Shanghai, to be sold for scrap, PETEREL (Capt P H G James) at Shanghai, SANDPIPER (S/Lt J H Taylor RNVR) laid up at Changsha, SCARAB (Lt Cdr J A Agnew) at Singapore, SCORPION (Lt Cdr P C Gilmore Rtd) arr Penang 6 Jun, TERN (Lt Cdr M H R Crichton) at Shanghai, to depart for Hong Kong 1 Jul

 

West River gunboats (under Command of Commodore, Hong Kong) - CICALA (Lt Cdr G H Gandy Rtd) at Hong Kong, MOTH (Lt Cdr H R White) at Hong Kong, SEAMEW (Lt Cdr N R Murch) at Canton, TARANTULA (SO, Cdr R C Creer RAN Rtd) at Hong Kong.

 

Gunboats - DRAGONFLY (Lt A H Diack), GRASSHOPPER (Lt Cdr R H Aldworth Rtd) refitting to comp 18 Jun, both at Singapore

 

Auxiliary anti-submarine vessels - KEDAH (Lt Cdr E Neville), SHUH KWANG (Cdr A D Thomson DSC RNR Rtd), TIEN KWANG (Lt W C Briggs RNR), all at Trengganu

 

Survey ships - ENDEAVOUR (Lt J M Sharpey-Schafer), HERALD (Lt E R Maples RNR) paid off, both at Singapore

 

Minesweepers - ABERDARE (Lt Cdr G Nelson), HARROW (Lt F S Redgrove RNR), both at Singapore

 

Depot ship for Straits Settlement - RNVR Drill Ship LABURNUM at Singapore

 

Boom defence depot ship - gunboat ROBIN (Cdr H M Montague Rtd) at Hong Kong

 

Boom defence vessels - ALDGATE (Sk J H Cowling, DSM RNR), BARLANE (Sk F Bremner RNR), BARLIGHT (Lt A W Skelly RNR), all at Hong Kong, BARRICADE (Lt H W Clouston RNR), BARRIER (Sk R E Souter RNR), DOWGATE (Boom engineer R P W Tonkin RNR), FASTNET (Sk R Thompson RNR), LUDGATE (no CO), all at Singapore, WATERGATE (Sk J W Cowling RNR) at Hong Kong

 

 

3. DOMINION and INDIAN NAVIES

 

 

ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY

Rear Adm J G Crace on HMAS PERTH

 

Heavy cruisers - AUSTRALIA (Capt R R Stewart) arr Simonstown 31 May, CANBERRA (Capt H B Farncomb RAN) arr Sydney 5 Jun

 

Light cruisers - ADELAIDE (Capt H A Showers RAN) dep Fremantle 31 May, PERTH (Capt Sir P W Bowyer-Smyth Bt) arr Sydney 5 Jun

 

20th Minesweeping Flotilla - sloops SWAN (Lt Cdr A J Travis RAN) dep Melbourne 10 Jun, YARRA (Lt Cdr W H Harrington RAN) at Sydney, auxiliary minesweepers DOOMBA (Lt Cdr N R Read RAN) dep Melbourne 10 Jun, ORARA (Lt C J Stephenson RAN) at Sydney

 

Sloops under construction - PARRAMATTA (Lt Cdr J A Walker MVO RAN) dep Melbourne 10 Jun, WARREGO (Cdr R V Wheatley from 22 Aug) at Sydney under construction

 

Armed merchant cruisers - MANOORA (Cdr A H Spurgeon RAN) dep Morton Bay 5 Jun, WESTRALIA (Cdr A S Rosenthal Emgcy RAN) arr Darwin 15 May

 

Anti-submarine patrol vessels – survey ship MORESBY (Lt Cdr B T Brewster RN) dep Newcastle 6 Jun, auxiliary patrol vessels BINGERA (Lt E W Livingstone RANR), BONTHORPE (Lt W J C Webb RANR), no locations or movements given for either

 

Auxiliary anti-submarine vessels - auxiliary patrol vessels HEROS (Ty Lt C H Brown RANR), ST GILES (Ty Lt H A Litchfield RANR)

 

Minesweepers - minesweeping trawlers BERYL II (Comm Off from WO rank D Smith RANR (S)) at Victoria, COOLEBAR (Lt Cdr P MacIntosh RANR (S)) at Sydney, GOOLGWAI (Ty Comm Off from WO rank W J T Double RANR) at Sydney, GOORANGAI (Ty Comm Off from WO rank D McGregor RANR) at Victoria, KOROWA (Ty Comm Off from WO rank J R Reynolds DSC RANR) in West Australia, OLIVE CAM (Ty Officer from WO rank J Gathercole RANR) in West Australia, TAMBAR (Actg Lt J G S Fyfe Pbty RANR) in West Australia, TONGKOL (Ty WO W J Edmonds RANR) at Sydney

 

Depot and repair ship - depot ship PENGUIN (Cdre G C Muirhead-Gould RN) at Sydney

 

Boom defence vessels - one boom defence vessel at Sydney, two at Darwin

 

Examination Service vessel - one trawler at Darwin

 

 

 

ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY

 

Shore establishments - NADEN (Capt V G Brodeur, Cdre 1/c RCN) at Esquimalt, STADCONA (Capt H E Reid RCN) at Halifax

 

Armed merchant cruisers - PRINCE DAVID (Ty Cdr W D Armit RD RCNR) at Halifax, PRINCE HENRY (Ty Lt Cdr A R E Coleman RCNR) at Montreal, PRINCE ROBERT (Ty Cdr C T Beard RCNR) at Vancouver, all fitting out

 

Auxiliary patrol vessels - ACADIA (Lt Cdr H G Shadforth RCNR), BRAS D'OR (Ty Lt C A Hornsby Actg RCNR), FRENCH (Lt J W Bonner RCNR), LAURIER (Ty Lt R A S MacNeil Actg RCNR), MACDONALD (Ty Lt A R Ascah Actg RCNR), all at Halifax, yacht SANS PEUR (Actg Lt Cdr W C Halliday RCNR) at Esquimalt

 

Fundy-class minesweepers - COMOX (A/Lt Cdr D C Wallace RCNR), FUNDY (A/Lt Cdr A G Stanley RNCR), GASPE (A/Lt Cdr H D Mackay RCNR), NOOTKA (Lt A T Morrell RCNR), all at Halifax

 

Minesweeping trawler - ARMENTIERS (Lt T MacDuff RCNR) at Esquimalt

 

Auxiliary minesweepers - RAYON d'OR (Ty Lt T Gilmour Actg RCNR), VENOSTA (Ty Lt W E S Briggs Actg RCN), both at Halifax

 

Training ship - VENTURE (Cdr W J R Beech RCN) at Halifax

 

 

 

ROYAL INDIAN NAVY

 

See Red Sea Force and East Indies Command for operational ships

 

 

 

NEW ZEALAND DIVISION OF THE ROYAL NAVY

 (Capt W E Parry, Cdre 2/c)

 

Light cruiser - ACHILLES (Capt W E Parry Cdre 2/c) at Auckland comp refit, trials in Hauraki Bay on 14 Jun

 

Armed merchant cruisers - HECTOR (Capt R W M Lloyd Rtd) dep Wellington 9 Jun for Auckland, to go to East Indies Station on 24 Jun, MONOWAI (Capt H V P McClintock Actg) refitting

 

Trawler - WAKAKURA (Cdr A D Holden Actg NZRNR) at Lyttelton

 

Depot ship - PHILOMEL (Capt H M Barnes) at Auckland

on to French Navy, June 1940
or back to RN Day-by-Day Homepage

revised 7/4/12