ORIBI-Class Fleet Destroyer ordered from John Brown at Clydebank, Glasgow on 3rd September 1939 with the 1st Emergency Flotilla. The ship was laid down on 1 July 1940 and launched on 31st March 1941 as the second ship to carry this name. Completed as a Flotilla Leader on 8th October 1941 at a cost of £416,942.  She was adopted in February 1942 by the civil community of Oldham, Lanes, after a successful WARSHIP WEEK National Savings campaign.

 

B a t t l e   H o n o u r s

 

JUTLAND 1916 - NORWAY 1941-45 - ARCTIC 1941-45 - ATLANTIC 1942  - MALTA CONVOYS 1942 - BARENTS SEA 1942 - NORTH AFRICA 1942 - NORMANDY  1944 - BISCAY  1944

 

H e r al d i c  D a t a

Badge: On a Field White an eagle Black preying on an

anchor gold.

 

 

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 1

 

August

         6th             Commissioned for trials.

 

September          Contractor's trials in continuation.

 

October

         8th             Build completion and commenced Acceptance Trials

                           On completion of trials and storing took passage to Scapa Flow for work-up with ships of

                           Home Fleet

        31st            Deployed as escort for HM Minelayer WELSHMAN, HM Auxiliary Minelayers PORT QUEBEC

                           and MENESTHEUS with HM Destroyers BRIGHTON, OFFA and ORIBI for minelay in Northern

                           Barrage at southern end of Faeroes - Iceland gap, covered by HM Cruiser SHEFFIELD.

                           (Operation SN83A).

 

November          Deployed with Home Fleet for duty in NW Approaches.

                           Nominated for escort duties with Russian Convoys.

                           (For details of all Russian Convoys see CONVOYS TO RUSSIA by RA Ruegg, CONVOY !

                           by P Kemp, THE RUSSIAN CONVOYS by B Schoefield, ARCTIC DESTROYERS by G

                           Cornell) and ARCTIC CONVOYS by R Woodman,).

        17th            Escorted Russian Convoy PQ4 with HM Cruiser BERWICK and HM Destroyer OFFA.

        27th            Detached from PQ4 on arrival at Kola Inlet.

 

December           Nominated for support of Commando raid on Vaagso, Lofotens (Operation ARCHERY).

        17th            Took part in preparatory exercises prior to landings.

        22nd            Took part in further exercises for ARCHERY.

        24th            Sailed from Scapa Flow with H M Cruiser KENYA, HM Landing Ships Infantry (Large)

                            PRINCE LEOPOLD and PRINCE CHARLES, HM Destroyers ORIBI, OFFA and

                            CHIDDINGFOLD for Lofoten Islands.

        27th            Provided naval gunfire support during landings.

                           (For details see THE WATERY MAZE by B Fergusson).

                           (Note: During this Operation a Boarding Party from the ship captured the German Trawler

                                       FOHN taking several of the crew prisoner. An ENIGMA coding machine with its

                                       associated documentation was recovered. See BREAKING THE ENIGMA by D Kahn.

                                       and BRITISH INTELLIGENCE IN WW2 (Ed Hinsley. HMSO)

        28th            Returned to Scapa Flow with ARCHERY ships.

        31st            Resumed Home Fleet duties in NW Approaches.

 

1 9 4 2

 

January               Deployed in NW Approaches.

          1st             Rescued 23 survivors from after Section of mv CARDITA which had remained afloat.

                            (Note: This ship was torpedoed on 31st December 1941.)

          2nd            Passage to Reykjavik to land survivors.

 

February              Deployed in NW Approaches with other Home Fleet destroyers as part of screen for major Fleet

                            units . See above references.

 

March                  Deployed with destroyer screen for Home Fleet ships providing Distant Cover for passage of

                            Russian Convoy PQ12 and returning Convoy QP8.

         8th              Detached for Fleet Units to refuel in Iceland with HM Destroyers ASHANTI, FURY, ECHO,

                            ECLIPSE and PUNJABI

        20th             Deployment with Hone Fleet Distant Cover in continuation for Russian Convoy PQ13 and

                            returning Convoy QP9

 

April

         3rd              Resumed Home Fleet duties in NW Approaches after arrival of QP9 in Iceland.

         8th              Deployed with destroyer screen for Home Fleet ships providing Distant Cover for Russian

                            Convoy PQ14 and returning Convoy QP10.

        30th             Deployed in NW Approaches after arrival of QP10 in Iceland.

 

May

        13th             Part of destroyer screen for Hone Fleet ships providing cover for the passage of HM Cruiser

                            TRINIDAD from Murmansk after temporary repair.

                            (Note: HMS TRINIDAD had been damaged during an action against German destroyers in

                                         defence of Russian Convoy PQ13 on 29th March when she was hit by one of her own

                                         torpedoes which malfunctioned. See above references.)

        14th             Resumed Home Fleet duties in NW Approaches after loss of HMS TRINIDAD.

        23rd             Deployed with HM Destroyers MARNE and ORIBI as screen for HM Cruisers LIVERPOOL,

                            KENT, NIGERIA and NORFOLK to provide cruiser cover during passage of Convoy PQ 16

                            and return Convoy QP12 from Murmansk.)

                            (Note: HMS ICARUS relieved HMS ORIBI for screening duty during passage of QP12.)

        28th             Resumed Flotilla duties en release from cruiser cover for return convoy.

 

June                     Nominated for detached service as part of Force T for escort of Convoy WS19Z to Malta from

                            Clyde (Operation HARPOON -Note: Convoy comprised six mercantiles).

                            MIDDLETON, BADSWORTH and the Polish destroyer ORP KUJAWIAK.).

         4th              Joined Force T in Clyde.

                            (Note: Force T comprised HM Cruisers KENYA (Flag), LIVERPOOL, HM Destroyers

                                         ONSLOW, BEDOUIN, ICARUS, MARNE, MATCHLESS, ESCAPE, BLANKNEY,

         5th              Sailed from Clyde with Force T as escort for W319Z.

        11th             Joined Force W covering passage of convoy from Gibraltar to Sicilian Narrows.

                            Part of destroyer screen for HM Battleship MALAYA, HM Aircraft Carriers EAGLE, ARGUS,

                            HM Cruisers KENYA, LIVERPOOL and CHARYBDIS* with HM Destroyers ICARUS,

                            ESCAPADE, WISHART*, WESTCOTT*, VIDETTE*, ANTELOPE* and WRESTLER*.

                            (Note: * HMS CHARYBDIS and destroyers based at Gibraltar.

                                        HM Cruiser WELSHMAN was also attached for initial part of passage.

                                        Separate escort for mercantiles (nominated as Force X) was part of HARPOON and

                                        comprised HM Cruiser CAIRO, HM Destroyers BEDOUIN, ITHURIEL,

                                        MATCHLESS, MARNE, PARTRIDGE, BADSWORTH, BLANKNEY and ORP

                                        KUJAWIAK and were to remain with convoy for passage through Sicilian Narrows

                                        to Malta.)

        14th             Under sustained air attacks during which HMS LIVERPOOL was damaged and returned to

                            Gibraltar under tow by HMS ANTELOPE, escorted by HMS WESTCOTT,

                            (Note: HMS WELSHMAN detached to make independent passage to Malta with stores.

                                       For details of HARPOON see THE BATTLE FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN by

                                       Donald MacIntyre, ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by Corelli Bamett and

                                       Supplement to LONDON GAZETTE Pages 4495-4501 dated 11 August 1948.)

        15th             Deployment with Force W in continuation for cover of Convoy and escort (Force X).

        16th             Remained to west of Sicilian Channel with HMS ICARUS as screen for HMS EAGLE,

                            HMS CHARYBDIS and HMS KENYA.

        17th             Detached from Force W with HMS ICARUS to escort HMS EAGLE to Gibraltar to refuel

                            and return to rejoin Force X for passage in western Mediterranean.

        20th             On completion of HARPOON took passage from Gibraltar to Scapa Flow to rejoin Home Fleet.

 

July

         1st               Joined screen for Home Fleet ships providing Distant Cover for passage of Russian Convoy

                             PQ17.

         4th               After PQ17 had scattered remained in area to continue Distant Cover for returning Convoy

                             QP13.

                             (Note: For details of the disastrous PQ17 operation see ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE

                                        CLOSELY and THE CONVOY IS TO SCATTER by J Broom).

 

August

          7th              Resumed deployment in NW Approaches after arrival of QP13 in Iceland.

                             Detached to escort Hone Fleet ships from Gibraltar to Scapa Flow after the passage

                             of Malta relief convoy (Operation PEDESTAL).

 

September

         9th               Joined Fighting Escort for Russian Convoy PQ18 to Archangel.

                             See above references.

        12th              Took part in sinking of U88 with HM Destroyers FAULKNOR and IMPULSIVE.

        14th              Took part in sinking of U589 with HMS IMPULSIVE, HMS FAULKNOR and an aircraft from

                             HM Escort Carrier AVENGER.

                             (Note: For details of U-Boat sinkings, see U-BOATS DESTROYED by P. Kemp and HITLER'S

                                         U-BOAT WAR by C Blair.)

         17th              Detached from PQ18 and joined returning Convoy OP12

        27th              Resumed Hone Fleet duties in NW Approaches.

 

October               Deployed for Flotilla Exercises in NW Approaches.

                            Present during visit by Prime Minister and Sir Stafford Cripps to Hone Fleet ships at

                            Scapa Flow.

        31st             Joined military convoy WS24 in Irish Sea with H M Destroyers HOLCOMBE, OFFA, ORIBI

                            and ROTHERHAM to supplement escort during Atlantic passage.

                            (Note: WS24 was on passage to Indian Ocean for Middle East and India.

                                        Exceptionally it was routed via Brazil instead of Freetown.)

 

November

         2nd             Detached from WS24 with HMS OFFA and took passage to Ponta Delgado Azores.

         3rd              Passage to join US Western Task Force for support of landings in Morocco.

                            (Operation TORCH - For details see ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY.)

         8th              Provided support during landings by US troops at Casablanca.

                            Deployed with HM Cruisers NORFOLK and CUMBERLAND.

        10th             On release from US Navy Command took passage to Gibraltar.

        14th             Passage to Scapa Flow with HMS ORIBI to rejoin Hone Fleet.

        18th             Deployed at Scapa Flow with Hone Fleet.

 

December            Home Fleet deployment in continuation.

        25th             Joined escort for Russian Convoy JW51B with HM Destroyers OBEDIENT, OBDURATE,

                            ORIBI and ORWELL.

                            Experienced heavy weather conditions.

        31st             Engaged German cruiser HIPPER with HM Cruiser SHEFFIELD, HM Destroyers

                            OBEDIENT, OBDURATE, ORWELL and ACHATES in defence of Convoy.

                            Sustained major damage and many casualties including 17 killed.

                            Commanding officer, Captain Sherbrooke received a Victoria Cross for his gallant conduct.

                            (Battle of the Barents Sea. For full details see 73 NORTH by Dudley Pope, THE KOLA RUN

                            by Ian Campbell and D MacIntyre, ARCTIC DESTROYERS by G C Cornell  and  ARCTIC

                           .convoys by R Woodman.

 

1 9 4 3

 

January               Under temporary repair at Murmansk.

        29th            Joined returning Convoy RA52 for passage to UK.

 

 

February

         2nd            Detached and took independent passage for repair.

         7th             Taken in hand for permanent repair and refit in Hull shipyard.

 

March                 Under repair

                            (Note: Lattice mast fitted in place of original Tripod design.

                                        Surface warning radar Type 272 and HF Direction Finding Outfit installed.

                                        (For details of development and use of radar in RN see RADAR AT SEA by

                                        D. HOWSE.)

 

April

        24th             Post refit trials.

        27th             Rejoined Flotilla at Scapa Flow.

 

May                      Worked-up for operational service at Scapa Flow with Home Fleet.

                              Carried cut anti-submarine patrol in NW Approaches.

        21st               Deployed with HMS ORWELL as escort for HM Battleship HOWE during Atlantic passage

                              from Scapa to Gibraltar for service in Mediterranean.

        26th               Arrived at Gibraltar.

        27th               Deployed with destroyers of Force H as screen for HM Battleships NELSON and RODNEY

                              in western Mediterranean.

        29th               Return passage to UK with HMS ORWELL as screen for HMS NELSON.

        30th               Called at Plymouth.

 

June                       Flotilla Deployment based at Scapa Flow in continuation.

         3rd                Replaced HMS OFFA as Leader of Flotilla..

 

July                        Deployed in NW Approaches.

        27th                Joined destroyer screen for HM Battleship DUKE OF YORK and US battleship USS

                               SOUTH DAKOTA for offensive sweep off coast of Norway as a diversion during landings

                               in Sicily (Operation GOVERNOR).

                               Returned to Scapa Flow with Home Fleet ships on completion.

 

August

        14th                Embarked HM King George VI at Scrabster for visit to ships of Hone Fleet.

                               (Note: HM Destroyer MATCHLESS escorted during passage to Scapa Flow.)

        15th                Ship's company attended Royal Inspection on board HM Depot Ship TYNE.

        16th                Took part in Fleet exercises witnessed by HM King.

        22nd               Deployed for anti-submarine patrols in NW Approaches with HM Destroyers MATCHLESS,

                               ORWELL and ULSTER (Operation SF).

        25th                On completion returned to Scapa Flow with HMS ORWELL.

 

September              Flotilla duties in Home Fleet in continuation.

to

October

 

November

         2nd                Deployed with HM Destroyers ONSLOW, VENUS, HAIDA (RCN), Norwegian destroyer

                               STORD, US destroyers USS CAPPS and USS HOBSON as destroyer screen for HM Aircraft

                               Carrier FORMIDABLE, HM Battleship ANSON and HM Cruiser JAMAICA covering

                               passage of first return convoy of winter season from Murmansk

                               (Convoy RA54A).

         8th                 Returned to Scapa Flow.

        13th                Passage to Iceland with HM Destroyer TERMAGANT after call at Loch Ewe.

        17th                After refuelling at Seidisfjord took passage with HMS TERMAGANT to join escort for

                               Convoy JW54A to Kola Inlet.

        18th                Joined HM Destroyers INCONSTANT, WHITEHALL, IMPULSIVE, ONSLAUGHT,

                               ORWELL, OBEDIENT, HAIDA (RCN), HURON (RCN), IROQUOIS (RCN) and HM

                               Minesweeper HUSSAR as Ocean Escort for Russian Convoy JW54A during passage to Kola

                               Inlet.

                               (Note: HMS OBEDIENT detached and returned to Seidisfjord after steering breakdown.

        25th                Detached on arrival after rough passage.

        26th                Escorted return Convoy RA54B during passage to Loch Ewe with same ships as JW54A.

 

December

         5th                   Detached from RA54B to refuel at Seidisfjord.

         6th                   Passage to Scapa Flow with ships of 17th Flotilla which escorted RA54B.

       22nd                  Joined Ocean Escort for Russian Convoy JW55B with HM Destroyers WHITEHALL,

                                 ORWELL, WRESTLER, IMPULSIVE, ONSLAUGHT, SCOURGE, HAIDA, HURON,

                                 IROQUOIS, HM Minesweeper GLEANER and two corvettes.

        25th                 HM Destroyers MATCHLESS, MUSKETEER, OPPORTUNE and VIRAGO joined escort

                                 after threat of U-Boat attacks.

        26th                 Remained with Convoy when HM Destroyers MATCHLESS, MUSKETEER, OPPORTUNE

                                 and VIRAGO were detached to join HM Cruisers BELFAST, NORFOLK and SHEFFIELD in

                                 engagement of German battleship SCHARNHORST.

                                 See THE KOLA RUN and Naval Staff History).

        29th                  Detached from JW55B on arrival and refuelled.

        31st                   Joined escort for returning convoy RA55B.

                                 (Note: HMS SCOURGE did not return with Ocean Escort which included 4 corvettes.)

 

 

1 9 4 4

 

January

         7th                   Detached from RA55B and resumed Home Fleet duties.

        17th                  Taken in hand for refit in Tyneside shipyard.

                                 (Note: Improved facilities for radar display were not implemented.

                                               See RADAR AT SEA by D Howse.)

 

February                  Under refit.

        21st                  On completion of refit took passage to Scapa Flow for work-up.

 

March                      Nominated for service in English Channel for interception of enemy convoys.

                                 (Operation TUNNEL Series)

                                 Passage to Plymouth and joined HM Canadian Destroyers HAIDA, HURON and

                                 ATHABASKAN.

        11th                  Took part in amphibious exercise in preparation for planned landings in Normandy

.                                (Exercise POX)

                                 On release from Channel duties returned to Scapa Flow.

        29th                  Joined HM Cruiser DIADEM, HM Escort Carriers ACTIVITY and TRACKER, H M

                                 Destroyers OBEDIENT, OFFA, OPPORTUNE, ORIBI, ORWELL, SAUMAREZ, SERAPIS,

                                 SCORPION, VENUS and Norwegian destroyer STORD as Ocean Escort for Russian Convoy

                                 JW58 during passage to Kola Inlet. (Operation FZ)

                                 (Note: Sloops of 2nd Escort Group and four additional Fleet destroyers were also deployed for

                                             defence of this convoy.

                                             See above references and HITLER'S U-BOAT WAR by C Blair.)

 

April

         4th                   Detached from JW58 on arrival.

                                 (Note: None of the escorted mercantiles was lost, despite sustained attempts by U-Boats.

                                             Four attacking submarines were sunk.

                                             See U-BOATS DESTROYED by P Kemp.)

         7th                   Joined escort for returning Convoy RA58 with same ships.

        13th                  Detached from RA58 with HM Destroyers OFFA, OPPORTUNE, ORWELL, SAUMAREZ,

                                 SERAPIS, Norwegian STORD and HM Cruiser  DIADEM.

                                 Resumed Home Fleet duties with Flotilla.

        20th                  Detached for service in English Channel with Task Force 27 for patrol and defence of shipping

                                 during exercises prior to allied landings in Normandy.

        22nd                 Arrived at Plymouth.

                                 (Note: Other ships of Flotilla arrived on 23rd April.)

        26th                  Carried out patrol in Channel with Flotilla.

        27th                  Diverted to carry cut search for E-Boats that  had attacked US amphibious craft in Convoy

                                 TM5 on passage to Slapton Sands for landings (Exercise TIGER)

.       28th                  Carried out rescue of survivors and retrieval of dead bodies from Lyme Bay area.

                                 (Note: Only four were found alive.)

                                 Passage to Portland to land survivors and bodies recovered.

                                 (Note: All involved were warned of their responsibility to observe total silence on this

                                              disastrous event.)

 

 May

         5th                   On release from detached service returned to Scapa Flow from Portsmouth.

        14th                  Provided screen for HM Escort Carriers EMPEROR and STRIKER, H M Cruisers

                                 SHEFFIELD and ROYALIST with Home Fleet destroyers during air strikes on shipping off

                                 Norway.

        26th                  Took passage from Scapa Flow to Portsmouth with HMS ONSLAUGHT and HMS ORIBI for

                                 detached service in support of allied landings in Normandy.

                                 (Operation NEPTUNE - For details see OPERATION NEPTUNE by K Edwards and the

                                 Naval Staff History LANDINGS IN NORMANDY June 1944 (HMSO).

 

June

         4th                   Deployed with HM Destroyers ONSLAUGHT, ORIBI and OFFA on West Wall: patrol which

                                 was provided to  protect invasion convoys from westward attacks by enemy surface craft.

         6th                   In action with E-Boats attempting to approach the 'Spout'.

.                                Came under air attacks.

                                 Sustained slight damage and leaking of oil fuel.

                                 Remained operational.

         9th                   Deployed with HM Destroyers ORIBI, OFFA, ONSLAUGHT, SCORPION and SCOURGE

                                 for patrol west of convoy route to intercept German destroyers on passage from Ushant.

                                 (Note: These ships were engaged by ships of the 10th Destroyer Flotilla)

.       12th                  In action with E-Boats off Boulogne with HM Destroyers ONSLAUGHT, OFFA  and ORIBI.

        18th                  Under air attacks with ships of Flotilla and sustained damage from hit by torpedo which caused

                                 flooding in compartments.

                                 (Note: The weapon did not penetrate hull and exploded astern of ship.

                                 Returned to Portsmouth for repair.

        24th                  On completion of repair resumed Flotilla duties in Channel.                                            

        25th                  Deployed with HMS OFFA in support of Bombardment of Cherbourg by Task Force 129.

                                 (Note: Bombardment Group 1 included US battleship USS NEVADA, US Cruisers USS                                            

                                             TUSCALOOSA, USS QUINCY and USS NEVADA, HM Cruisers GLASGOW and

                                             ENTERPRISE but no British destroyers are included in Naval Staff History as taking a

                                            direct part in the operation as screen.)

 

July                          Channel deployment with Force 28.

                                 Deployed in Bay of Biscay after repair at Portsmouth.

 

August

        11th                 During patrol off Pointe de la Coubre, Bay of Biscay under fire from shore.

                                Later air attack by Glider bomb failed.

        12th                 Deployed in Bay of Biscay with HM Cruiser DIADEM for interception of craft which were

                                evacuating troops from the area.

                                Took part in sinking of Mine Clearance ship (SPERRBRECHER 7) near La Rochelle

                                with HMS DIADEM and Polish destroyer ORP PIORUN.

                                (Note: During this day a LIBERATOR aircraft carried out bombing attack on ship.

                                            Fortunately these missed and aircraft was shot down by return fire.

                                            RAF crew were rescued.

                                            See O and P CLASS DESTROYERS by M. Dyer.

                                            The Canadian reporter Stanley Maxted was embarked during this period and

                                             his subsequent report included reference to the incident, although it was

                                             removed after being broadcast once ! )

        17th                 Board of Enquiry held on board.

        19th                 Deployed for interception patrol in Bay of Biscay with HMS DIADEM and the Polish

                                destroyer ORP PIORUN.

                                Under shore fire.

        20th                 Passage to Portsmouth for boiler clean.

 

September

        11th                 Came under shore fire off Guernsey whilst investigating shore defences.

                                Rejoined Home Fleet with Flotilla when released from Channel operations.

                                Deployed with screen for Home Fleet units covering passage of Russian Convoy JW60.

 

October                   Home Fleet screening duties in continuation for passage of return Convoy RA60.

                                On release from screening duty took passage to Clyde for boiler clean.

        22nd                Joined HM Cruiser DIDO with HM Destroyers OBEDIENT, OFFA, OPPORTUNE,

                                ORWELL, ORIBI, HM Escort Aircraft Carriers NAIRANA, TRACKER and VINDEX

                                as Ocean Escort passage of Convoy JW61 to Kola Inlet. (Operation TRIAL)

                                (Note: Ships of 8th Escort Group were also deployed to provide additional anti­submarine

                                             protection.)

        28th                 Detached on arrival after safe arrival of all ships.

 

November

         2nd                 Joined escort for returning Convoy RA61 with same ships.

         7th                  Detached and resumed duties in NW Approaches.

                                (See above references for details.)

 

December

                1st             Joined escort for Russian Convoy JW62 during passage to Kola Inlet.

                                 (Note: Main escort also included HM Cruiser BELLONA, HM Escort Carriers CAMPANIA,

                                              NAIRANA, HM Destroyers BEAGLE, BULLDOG, CAESAR, CAMBRIAN,

                                              CASSANDRA, CAPRICE, KEPPEL. OBEDIENT, OFFA, ONSLAUGHT, ORIBI,

                                              ORWELL and WESTCOTT.

                                              In addition frigates and sloops from Western Approaches were deployed for U-Boat

                                              defence.)

                7th            Detached on arrival of JW62 without loss. Joined escort of returning Convoy RA62 with

                                 same ships.

              11th            HM Destroyer CASSANDRA, part of destroyer escort was torpedoed by U355 and had to

                                 return to Murmansk for repair.

               19th           Detached with HM Destroyers  OBEDIENT and ORWELL for return to Scapa Flow.

                                 (Note: HMS NAIRANA and other ships of Flotilla had detached on17th.)

               28th           Deployed with Hone Fleet in NW Approaches.

 

1 9 4 5

 

January

               11th           Part of escort for HM Cruisers NORFOLK and BELLONA with HM Destroyers

                                 ONSLAUGHT and ORWELL as Force 1 during attacks on coastal convoys off Norway.

                                 (Operation SPELLBINDER).

                                 (Note: HMS APOLLO carried out minelay near Utsira as part of this operation as Force 2

                                             HM Escort Carriers PREMIER and TRUMPETER carried cut air minelay in Karm

                                              Sound as part of Force 3 which included HM Cruiser DIDO and four destroyers.)

          12th                Carried out successful attack en convoy with ships of Force 1 under shore fire.

                                 (Note: Minesweeper M273 escorting convoy and two mercantiles were sunk.)

          18th                Further attack en convoy near Sire Grunda was unsuccessful.

                                 (For details see Naval Staff History (Mining).)

 

 February

            6th                Deployed with HM Destroyers ONSLAUGHT, OPPORTUNE, ORWELL, SERAPIS,

                                 ZAMBESI, ZEST, ZEALOUS and SIOUX (RCN), HM Cruiser BELLONA, HM Escort

                                 Carriers CAMPANIA and NAIRANA as Ocean Escort for Russian Convoy JW64 during

                                 passage to Kola Inlet.

                                 (Note: Sloops and Frigates from Western Approaches were also deployed.)

           15th               Detached en arrival at Kola Inlet after sustained U-Boat and air attacks.

                                 See above references for details.

           17th               Joined return Convoy RA64 with same ships after anti-submarine sweep by the dose Escort

                                 before departure of convoy.

                                 (Note: During this operation U425 was sunk but another submarine (U968) torpedoed HM

                                              Frigate LARK that was later declared a total loss.

                                              Rescued a single survivor from HM Corvette BLUEBELL torpedoed by U711.

                                              See above references for details.

           27th               Detached and resumed Home Fleet duties.

                                 (Note: This convoy experienced very severe weather and had to be regrouped.)

 

March

           19th               Joined Force 1with HM Destroyers ZEST, SERAPIS, HAIDA (RCN) and IROQUOIS as

                                 escort  for HM Cruiser BELLONA, HM Escort Carriers PREMIER, SEARCHER and QUEEN

                                 for last dual air minelay and shipping strike off Norway

                                 (Operation CUPOLA).

 

April

            3rd                Deployed with HMS IROQUOIS, HMS ZEALOUS and HMS ZEST as screen for HM Cruiser

                                 DIDO in Force 3 to carry cut shipping strike off Norway

                                 (Operation FOXCHASE).

            4th                In action against convoy and escort the results of which were indeterminate.

 

May

           12th               Joined HM Frigates BAZELY, BENITINCT, BYARD, DRURY and PASLEY with HMS

                                 OBDURATE as escort for Russian Convoy JW67.

                                 (Note: Escort provided in case of attack by German submarines that ignored the surrender

                                             instructions.)

           20th               Detached on arrival at Kola Inlet after uninterrupted passage.

           23rd               Part of escort for final return convoy which burned navigation lights en passage.

           30th               Detached and resumed Fleet duties.

 

June

             5th               Deployed as escort for HM Cruiser NORFOLK which was taking King Haakon of Norway

                                 back to Oslo, with HM Cruiser DEVONSHIRE, HM Destroyers OBDURATE, ORWELL and

                                 Norwegian Destroyer STORD.

                                 (Operation INDESTRUCTIBLE)

             7th               Arrived in Oslo with tumultuous reception.

            12th              Sailed from Oslo with RN ships and detached later for passage to Copenhagen.

                                 Deployed for support of re-occupation and Guardship duties.

 

July                          Visited Rotterdam during which a firework display was given.

                                 (Note: Due to an accidental explosion of fireworks some civilian casualties were caused.)

 

August                     Home Fleet Guardship and visits deployment in continuation.

 

 

P o s t   W a r   N o t e s

 

HMS ONSLOW remained with Home Fleet and participated in the collection and destruction of U-Boats (Operation DEADLIGHT) between 29th December 1945 and 3rd February 1946. The ship was then deployed for submarine training and trials at Portsmouth until being reduced to Reserve in April 1947. She was laid up at Devonport and placed on the Disposal List. Sold to Pakistan on 30th September 1949. She was commissioned  as TIPPU SULTAN and served as a Fleet destroyer until 1957. This ship was then converted for use as an Anti Submarine Frigate at Birkenhead returned to service in 1960. Last of the Class to remain in use she was taken off the active list and scrapped in 1980.

 

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Addendum

 

CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS of HMS ONSLOW

by Don Kindell

 

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

(Note on Convoys)