1 9 3 9
September
2nd Passage to south coast of Japan for interception patrol.
(Note: Italian cruiser BARTOLOMEO COLLEONI had been reported in Japan and would
have been brought to action in event of war with Italy).
3rd Trade defence and interception duties in continuation off Japan and China.
(Note: Enemy mercantiles were to be taken as Prize if possible but it was known
that ships would scuttle if unable to prevent capture.)
16th Passage to Hong Kong after relief by HM Cruiser KENT.
22nd Passage to resume patrol duties in Northern area.
October Interception and trade defence patrol in continuation.
11th Passage to Hong Kong for docking.
18th Transferred to East Indies Station.
Prepared for passage to Colombo with call at Singapore.
25th On arrival at Colombo deployed with HM Cruisers GLOUCESTER and CORNWALL for
trade defence and interception patrol in Indian Ocean.
28th Joined Hunting Force I with HM Aircraft Carrier EAGLE, HM Cruiser CORNWALL, HM
Destroyers WATERHEN (RAN) and VENDETTA (RAN) based at Colombo.
(Note: This Group was deployed for interception of commerce raiders known to be operating
in Indian Ocean and South Atlantic and including the battleship GRAF SPEE.
(See ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by Corelli Barnett).
November Force I deployment in continuation.
10th Carried out search for GRAF SPEE in Indian Ocean with Force I.
December
3rd During interception patrol transferred to South Atlantic Station.
Detached from Force I and took passage via Mauritius to Simonstown.
10th Arrived at Simonstown for duty in South Atlantic.
13th Sailed for patrol between Tristan Da Cunha and Falkland Islands.
19th Diverted to join HM Cruisers ACHILLES (RNZN), AJAX and EXETER off Montevideo
after sinking of German battleship GRAF SPEE (See ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE
CLOSELY and THE BATTLE OF THE RIVER PLATE by Dudley Pope).
22nd After refuelling off Montevideo sailed for Port Stanley, Falklands.
24th Joined HMNZS ACHILLES, HMS AJAX and HMS EXETER at Port Stanley.
(Note: Shore leave not granted because of weather conditions).
29th Sailed from Port Stanley with HM Cruiser CUMBERLAND.
30th Passage to patrol area after HMS CUMBERLAND detached for transit to Simonstown.
1 9 4 0
January
3rd Joined HM Cruiser SHROPSHIRE.
5th Deployed on patrol off Montevideo.
12th Carried out Gunnery exercises with HMS AJAX and HMS SHROPSHIRE.
On completion too passage from patrol area to Falklands.
(Note: HMS AJAX sailed for Freetown on passage to Plymouth).
18th Arrived at Port Stanley.
(Note: Shore Leave granted for first time in Falklands)
21st Escorted KM Cruiser EXETER with HM Cruiser SHROPSHIRE during passage to UK
after being, damaged in action with GRAF SPEE.
29th Escort of WS EXETER transferred to Home Fleet ships in position 17 Degrees South
30 Degrees West.
(Note: These included HM Battlecruiser REPULSE and HM Aircraft Carrier ARK ROYAL
and Fleet Destroyers).
Resumed trade defence and interception duties in South Atlantic.
February South Atlantic duties in continuation with HMS SHROPSHIRE.
3rd HM Cruiser HAWKINS joined patrol.
8th Detached for passage to Buenos Aires.
(Note: On arrival received 76 Bags of mail, the first since leaving Colombo !)
Outstanding hospitality from British community).
9th Resumed patrol.
10th Joined HM Aircraft Carrier ARK ROYAL, HM Battlecruiser RENOWN and HM Cruiser
CUMBERLAND for interception of commerce raiders and blockade runners in Atlantic.
12th Ship's aircraft intercepted German freighter WAKAMA off Cape Frio.
Enemy ship set on fire by crew and scuttled.
46 rescued from boats and made Prisoners of War.
27th Passage to Falklands from patrol area.
29th Arrived at Port Stanley.
(Note: Planned visit to Montevideo cancelled).
March
2nd Embarked wounded survivors from HMS EXETER and took passage.
7th Called at Tristan da Cunha
(Note: Ship had steamed 100,000 miles since leaving UK on 14 September 1937.
11th Disembarked wounded and prisoners from WAKAMA at Capetown.
(Note: The prisoners had been released from close custody.).
15th Passage to HM Dockyard Simonstown for docking and refit.
(Note: During the 190 days since outbreak of war ship has steamed 60,000 miles).
April Under repair at Simonstown.
24th Took passage for UK for further refit with calls at Freetown and Gibraltar.
May Passage in Atlantic
22nd Sailed from Gibraltar.
25th Arrived at Plymouth.
Taken in hand for refit by HM Dockyard Devonport.
(Note: Leave granted - 7 days for each Watch ! ).
June Under refit.
9th Carried out Post Refit trials.
23rd Joined HM Aircraft Carrier HERMES for surveillance of French warships at Dakar.
25th Shadowed French battleship RICHELIEU during her passage from Dakar to Casablanca.
July Surveillance of Vichy French warships in continuation.
4th Joined HM Cruiser AUSTRALIA (RAN) and HMS HERMES off Dakar.
8th Deployed with HMAS AUSTRALIA to provide cover during attack on RICHELIEU at Dakar.
(Note: Depth charges were dropped alongside French warship by motor boat from
HMS HERMES covered by aircraft. See RELUCTANT ENEMIES by W Tute)
On completion resumed interception duties in Atlantic with HMS HERMES.
10th HMS HERMES in collision with H M Anted Merchant Cruiser CORFU and detached to
go to Freetown.
HMS CORFU taken in tow by tug,
15th Carried out unsuccessful search for raider 500 miles west of Cape Verde Islands.
24th Intercepted Portuguese ship and detained Italian Consul who was a passenger.
29th Landed Consul at Freetown and refuelled.
On completion sailed to carry out search for German raider reported by HM Armed
Merchant Cruiser ALCANTARA.
August Atlantic search in continuation.
11th Refuelled at Freetown and resumed search.
21st Called at St. Helena.
24th Sailed to join rms ORION as escort to Capetown.
25th Completed 3 years since commissioning.
28th Relieved Netherlands cruiser as escort for rms ORION.
29th Arrived at Capetown and took passage to Simonstown.
September Passage to Durban for routine docking.
4th Arrived Durban.
(Note: Mileage steamed in first year of war 92,300.)
18th On completion took passage to Freetown to resumed interception and convoy defence
duties in Atlantic with call at Simonstown.
29th Arrived at Freetown after rough passage.
October
7th Resumed patrol duties.
18th Returned to Freetown to refuel
19th Joined escort for military convoy WS3B during passage in Atlantic and Indian Ocean
for defence against raiders.
(Note: Convoy included mv GEORGIC, rms MONARCH OF BERMUDA, rms ORONTES,
. ss DUCHESS OF YORK, rms CAPETOWN CASTLE and rms STIRLING CASTLE).
28th Detached from convoy on arrival at Capetown.
30th Rejoined escort for WS3 after stay at Simonstown.
November Escort of WS3 in continuation.
3rd Additional 7 ships joined convoy for passage to Aden.
12th HM Cruisers CARLISLE, CALEDON, HM Sloops PARAMATTA (RAN) and AUCKLAND
joined WS3 as escort during passage in Red Sea.
14th Detached from WS3 and took passage to Aden.
17th On departure from Aden took passage to resume duties in Atlantic.
Diverted for support of military operations in Somaliland on passage to Durban.
18th Bombarded Dante in Italian Somaliland. 200 rounds fired.
Discharged torpedoes at wharves to prevent use.
On release resumed passage..
December Passage in Indian Ocean
(Note: Sighted by German raider ATLANTIS which withdrew without being observed.
Planned operations in southern oceans were abandoned after the unexpected
encounter.)
2nd Sailed from Durban to Simonstown.
4th Routine docking at Simonstown.
(Note: No all night leave granted even to 'natives').
15th Sailed for Freetown.
18th On arrival refuelled and immediately deployed with HM Cruiser NEPTUNE to search
in area 500 miles west of Freetown for German battleship SCHEER after ss DUQUESA
made a raider report
(Note: Deployed as Hunting Force K)
26th Returned to Freetown to refuel after dismal Xmas Day at sea during search.
27th Sailed to reinforce defence of Convoy WS5A.
(Note: German cruiser HIPPER had been driven off an attack on WS5A by HM Cruisers
BERWICK and DEVONSHIRE on 25th December.)
31st HM Aircraft Carrier FORMIDABLE joined Force.
1 9 4 1
January
3rd HM Cruiser DUNEDIN and HM Aircraft Carrier FURIOUS deployed to reinforce defence
of WS5A
5th Arrived at Freetown.
8th Deployed with HMS FORMIDABLE and HM Cruiser NORFOLK for interception patrol and
to cover passage of WS5A to Cape of Good Hope..
15th HMS FORMIDABLE and HMS NORFOLK detached to continue cover for WS5A.
Resumed interception patrol
(Note: Burial at sea of Petty Officer who had committed suicide.).
21st Intercepted Vichy French ss MENDOZA.
Prize crew put on board. and ship proceeded independently to Freetown).
Trade defence and interception patrol resumed.
25th Called at St Helena.
(Note: Tanker was stationed at St Helena for support of ships deployed in South Atlantic)
26th Passage to Freetown.
29th Arrived at Freetown.
February
1st Resumed patrol duties after Prize crew rejoined.
3rd After refuelling at Freetown deployed for convoy defence and took passage to join military
convoy on passage to Middle East.
7th Met HM Cruiser KENYA with convoy and escorted to Freetown.
11th Sailed with convoy for Capetown.
19th Arrived at Capetown.
20th Leading Seaman committed suicide whilst at Capetown..
21st Sailed with convoy for passage in Indian Ocean.
24th Detached from convoy in search for raider reported in area.
26th Rejoined convoy after unsuccessful search.
28th HM Cruiser GLASGOW joined convoy.
(Note: These convoys have not been identified as WS Series. Further research required.)
March
2nd Detached from Convoy and took passage to Seychelles.
5th During stay at Seychelles ship's WALRUS aircraft crashed on shore.
(Four naval personnel and one civilian lost their lives.)
6th Took passage to Simonstown after the funeral of those killed in WALRUS crash.
12th Arrived at Simonstown.
27th Deployed for escort of military Convoy WS6 during passage in Indian Ocean and sailed from
Capetown.
(Note: German raider PINGUIN was active in Indian Ocean in this period).
April
2nd (Note: An additional 19 ships of Convoy WS6 were escorted separately by HM Cruisers
PHOEBE and CORNWALL.)
7th Detached from WS6 SHIPS and took passage to Durban.
10th Arrived at Durban.
(Note: HM Aircraft Carrier ILLUSTRIOUS in port during passage from Mediterranean to
USA for repair after being badly damaged in air attacks).
15th Deployed for escort of military convoy to Capetown.
(Note: Convoy included ss EMPRESS OF JAPAN and mv MONARCH OF BERMUDA).
19th HMS ILLUSTRIOUS joined convoy.
23rd Sailed with same ships for passage to St Helena.
27th Additional ships joined convoy at St Helena and took passage the same day
. 29th Transferred escort of mercantiles to HM Cruiser DUNEDIN and remained as escort for HMS
ILLUSTRIOUS for passage north.
May
4th Transferred escort of HMS ILLUSTRIOUS to HM Cruiser CARADOC.
Detached for independent passage to Freetown.
6th Rescued 35 survivors from ss OAKDENE, torpedoed by submarine earlier that day.
(Note: HMS CORNWALL deployed in Indian Ocean received a distress message from the
British tanker BRITISH EMPEROR on 7th May after being attacked by German
commerce raider PINGUIN.
PINGUIN was intercepted and sunk on 8th May by HMS CORNWALL).
8th Arrived at Freetown.
11th On arrival nominated for escort of Convoy SL747 which had sailed on 10th May for passage
to UK.
12th Joined HM Armed Merchant Cruiser BULOLO as escort for Convoy SL74.
26th Detached from Convoy SL74 to join search operation for German battleship BISMARCK
after sinking of HM Battlecruiser HOOD.
27th Directed to BISMARCK'S position by HM Destroyer COSSACK.
Took part in engagement with HM Battleships RODNEY and KING GEORGE V.
Sank BISMARCK with torpedoes after she had been demolished by surface gunfire.
Rescued 110 survivors with HM Destroyer MAORI until operation cancelled because of
increased threat of attack by U-Boats and aircraft.
(For details see PURSUIT by Ludovic Kennedy and Naval Staff History)
29th Burial for German sailor who had died from injuries received during action.
30th Prisoners landed and handed to military escort.
Arrived at South Shields.
June Paid off after 3 years, 10 months in commission.
Total mileage steamed 207,401.
Taken in hand for refit in Tyne shipyard.
Air warning radar fitted
(Note: For details of development and use of radar by RN see RADAR AT SEA by D Howse)
July Re-commissioned for Atlantic interception and convoy defence based at Freetown
19th Carried out Post Refit trials.
27th On completion took passage to Scapa Flow.
28th Commenced work-up with 1st Cruiser Squadron.
August Work-up in continuation.
8th Captain B C S Martin relieved by Captain Agar.
9th
Present at Royal visit by HM King George VI to Home Fleet at Scapa Flow.
(Note: Royal Inspection by HM The King on board HM Aircraft Carrier VICTORIOUS
included some of ship's company.)
15th Sailed from Scapa Flow to join escort for military Convoy WS10X in Clyde.
20th Provided Ocean Escort for Atlantic passage of WS10X from Clyde.
28th Detached from WS10X on arrival at Freetown.
Deployed for trade defence.
29th Passage to St Helena.
September South Atlantic deployment In continuation
18th Deployed with HMS EAGLE off St Helena.
21st Ship's WALRUS aircraft crashed over bows of HMS EAGLE.
26th Returned to St Helena.
28th Passage to Freetown with HMS EAGLE.
October
3rd Arrived at Freetown.
8th Took passage to Join military convoy WS12 after embarking new seaplane.
10th Joined WS12 during passage from UK as relief for HM Cruiser DEVONSHIRE
14th Detached from MS12 with Local Escort on arrival at Freetown.
17th Sailed with HM Cruiser DUNEDIN to join escort for convoy.
19th Returned to Freetown and rejoined WS12 with HMS DEVONSHIRE as Ocean Escort
during passage to Indian Ocean..
30th Remained with WS12 as Ocean Escort when HMS DEVONSHIRE detached.
November
3rd Detached from W512 on arrival at Durban.
Resumed trade defence and interception role during passage to Freetown.
Arrived at Freetown for convoy defence and sailed after refuelling.
11th Deployed for search for German commerce raiders ATLANTIS and U-Boat Supply ship
PYTHON, known to be operating in Atlantic
(Note: These movements had been the result of interception of signals and decryption
of ENIGMA at Bletchley Park. See BREAKING THE ENIGMA by D Kahn.
HITLER’S U-BOAT WAR by C Blair and BRITISH INTELLIGENCE IN WW2
(HMSO).
HM Cruisers DEVONSHIRE, DUNEDIN and HM Armed Merchant Cruiser
CARNARVON CASTLE were also deployed independently.
December
1st Sighted German U-Boat supply ship PYTHON with submarines UA and U68 alongside.
Submarines departed and made torpedo attack which failed. PYTHON scuttled.
In view of threat of further submarine attack left the area and took passage to
Simonstown.
Nominated for Ocean Escort of military convoy WS12X during passage in Indian
Ocean.
(Note: This convoy had been specially and most unusually routed because of the threat.
It had been escorted by US Navy warships for part of Atlantic passage including
aircraft carrier USS RANGER, cruisers QUINCY and VINCENNES screened by
eight US Navy destroyers as part of US foreign policy before entry into WW2.)
7th Arrived at Simonstown
13th Joined HS12X as Ocean escort during passage in Indian Ocean.
Six USN destroyers provided anti-submarine screen.
(Note: WS12X had been Intended for Suez but was redirected to Bombay.
USS RANGER and two destroyers had detached on 27th November)
14th Remained as Ocean Escort when the six Navy destroyers detached.
27th Detached from WS12X on arrival..
1 9 4 2
January
2nd Took passage from Bombay to Durban for convoy escort. 10th Arrived at Durban.
13th Joined escort for military convoy to Bombay.
21st Detached to refuel at Aden.
22nd Rejoined convoy escort.
26th Arrived at Bombay.
February Nominated for defence of convoys to Singapore.
7th Took passage to Colombo.
8th Arrived at Colombo for new duties.
10th Took passage.
14th Joined Singapore convoy during passage.
17th Detached and returned to Colombo
19th Arrived at Colombo
21st Sailed to join escort for Singapore convoy.
23rd Detached after relief by HM Cruiser GLASGOW.
Took passage to Trincomalee
24th Arrived at Trincomalee.
26th Sailed from Trincomalee to join convoy.
27th Joined escort for military convoy to Rangoon.
(Note: Eastern Fleet was in course of Formation)
March
2nd Deployed in support of military operations to evacuate personnel from Burma.
Landed Royal Marines Detachment to man Motor Launches of Inshore Flotilla
during evacuation of allied troops to Akyab from Burma.
On completion escorted evacuation convoy from Rangoon.
5th Arrived at Trincomalee.
24th Passage to Colombo for refit
27th Entered dry dock.
31st Refit work suspended when Japanese surface ships reported in Indian Ocean
Undocked and sailed from Colombo to join Eastern Fleet ships off Ceylon.
(See OPERATION PACIFIC by Edwyn Grey and WAR WITH JAPAN (HMSO) ).
April Passage with HMS CORNWALL to join HM Battleship WARSPITE, HM Aircraft
Carriers INDOMITABLE, FORMIDABLE, HM Cruisers ENTERPRISE and EMERALD
as Force "A" in search for Japanese warships reported on passage to Ceylon.
2nd Detached with HMS CORNWALL to return to Ceylon to continue refit.
(Note: HMS CORNWALL was required to join military convoy SU4 due at Trincomalee
on 8th April and on passage to Australia after ANZAC troops withdrawn from Middle
East because of Japanese threat to Australia).
4th Recalled by CinC Eastern Fleet to join Force A after further report of Japanese warships.
Took passage to join Fleet with HMS CORNWALL.
5th Sighted by aircraft from Japanese cruiser TONE in position 01.54N 77.45E south of Ceylon.
Came under heavy dive bombing attacks and sank within 8 minutes.
234 of ship's company lost their lives. (Casualty List -
note on casualties)
6th 1,122 survivors from both cruisers rescued by HMS ENTERPRISE, HM Destroyer PANTHER
and PALADIN some 30 hours after the sinking.
(For details see OPERATION PACIFIC, ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY. the
Naval Staff History Battle Summary No 15, TURNS OF FATE by Dimbleby and WAR WITH
JAPAN (HMSO).