HMS Sardonyx (H 26)
Destroyer of the Admiralty S class
Class Admiralty S
Ordered Jun 1917
Laid down 25 Mar 1918
Launched 27 May 1919
Commissioned 12 Jul 1919
Scrapped in June 1945.
Commands listed for HMS Sardonyx (H 26)
1 Lt. William Alan Frank Hawkins, RN 17 Jan 1939 Dec 1939
2 Lt.Cdr. Robert Basil Stewart Tennant, RN 9 May 1940 14 Apr 1942
3 Lt.Cdr. Alfred Francis Colenso Gray, RNR 14 Apr 1942 Jul 1943
4 T/A/Lt.Cdr. Edward Playne, RNVR Jul 1943 Feb 1944
5 A/Lt.Cdr. Thomas Aitken Easton, RNVR Feb 1944 Nov 1944
6 Lt.Cdr. Leslie Frederick Lewis Hill, RNR Nov 1944 19 Jun 1945
7 T/A/Lt.Cdr. Eric Robert Pate, DSC, RNR 19 Jun 1945 mid 1945
Notable events involving Sardonyx include:
HMS Triton (Lt.Cdr. H.P. de C. Steel, RN) departed from Portsmouth for Dundee. She is escorted by HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. W.A.F. Hawkins, RN). While off Hastings, at 1900 hours, HMS Beagle (Lt.Cdr. R.H. Wright, RN) took over the escort duties from Sardonyx. (1)
HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN) departed from Portland for Portsmouth. She is escorted by HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. W.A.F. Hawkins, RN). (2)
HMS H 32 (Lt. R.L. Alexander, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. R.B.S. Tennant, RN) and HMS Anemone (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Boys-Smith, DSO, RNR). (3)
HMS H 44 (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Skate (Lt. F.P. Baker, DSC, RN) and HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. R.B.S. Tennant, RN). (4)
HMS H 44 (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. R.B.S. Tennant, RN) and HMS Beverley (Lt.Cdr. J. Grant, RN). (5)
HMS H 44 (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. R.B.S. Tennant, RN). (5)
HMS H 32 (Lt. B.G. Heslop, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Violet (Lt.Cdr. K.M. Nicholson, RNR), HMS Verbena (Lt.Cdr. D.A. Rayner, DSC, RNVR) and HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. R.B.S. Tennant, RN). (6)
HrMs O 10 (Lt. Baron D.T. Mackay, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle together with HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. R.B.S. Tennant, RN) and HMS Scimitar (Lt.Cdr. R.D. Franks, OBE, RN). (7)
HMS H 28 (Lt. J.S. Bridger, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Beagle (Cdr. R.C. Medley, RN), HMS Scarborough (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Carnduff, RN), HMS Sandwich (Lt.Cdr. H. Hill, RD, RNR), HMS Leamington (Lt. B.M.D. I'Anson, RN), HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. A.F.C. Gray, RNR), HMS Columbine T/Lt. A.L. Turner, RNR) and HMS Vanessa (Lt. C.E. Sheen, RN). (8)
Convoy WS 21S, Operation Pedestal.
Convoy WS 21S and the concentration of the escort forces
Convoy WS 21S departed the Clyde on 2 August 1942. The convoy was made up of the following ships;
American freighters;
Almeria Lykes (7773 GRT, built 1940), Santa Elisa (8379 GRT, built 1941), British freighters;
Brisbane Star (12791 GRT, built 1937), Clan Ferguson (7347 GRT, built 1938), Deucalion (7516 GRT, built 1930), Dorset (10624 GRT, built 1934), Empire Hope (12688 GRT, built 1941), Glenorchy (8982 GRT, built 1939), Melbourne Star (11076 GRT, built 1936), Port Chalmers (8535 GRT, built 1933), Rochester Castle (7795 GRT, built 1937), Waimarama (12843 GRT, built 1938), Wairangi (12436 GRT, built 1935), and the American tanker;
Ohio (9264 GRT, built 1940).
These ships were escorted by light cruisers HMS Nigeria (Capt. S.H. Paton, RN, flying the flag of the Rear-Admiral 10th C.S., Sir H.M. Burrough, CB, DSO, RN), HMS Kenya (Capt. A.S. Russell, RN) and the destroyers HMS Wishart (Cdr. H.G. Scott, RN), HMS Venomous (Cdr. H.W. Falcon-Stewart, RN), HMS Wolverine (Lt.Cdr. P.W. Gretton, OBE, DSC, RN), HMS Malcolm (A/Cdr. A.B. Russell, RN), HMS Amazon (Lt.Cdr.(Emgy) Lord Teynham, RN), HMS Derwent (Cdr. R.H. Wright, DSC, RN) and HMS Zetland (Lt. J.V. Wilkinson, RN).
A cover force made up of departed Scapa Flow on the same day. This force was made up of the battleships HMS Nelson (Capt. H.B. Jacomb, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral E.N. Syfret, CB, RN) and HMS Rodney (Capt. J.W. Rivett-Carnac, DSC, RN). They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Ashanti (Cdr. R.G. Onslow, DSO, RN), HMS Eskimo (Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN), HMS Somali (Cdr. E.N.V. Currey, DSC, RN), HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), HMS Pathfinder (Cdr. E.A. Gibbs, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Penn (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN) and HMS Quentin (Lt.Cdr. A.H.P. Noble, DSC, RN). They were to rendez-vous with convoy WS 21S at sea on 3 August. HMS Penn was delayed by a defect and after topping off with fuel at Moville, Northern Ireland overtook the force and joined at sea.
The aircraft carrier HMS Victorious (Capt. H.C. Bovell, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral A.L.St.G. Lyster, CB, CVO, DSO, RN) and the light cruiser HMS Sirius (Capt. P.W.B. Brooking, RN) meanwhile had already left Scapa Flow on 31 July 1941 to rendez-vous with the convoy. They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Intrepid (Cdr. C.A.deW. Kitcat, RN), HMS Icarus (Lt.Cdr. C.D. Maud, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Fury (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Foresight (Lt.Cdr. R.A. Fell, RN). These ships were joined at sea on 1 August 1942 by the aircraft carrier HMS Argus (Capt. G.T. Philip, RN), loaded with spare fighter aircraft for the operation, and her two escorts the destroyers HMS Buxton (Lt.Cdr. I.J. Tyson, RD, RNR) and HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. A.F.C. Gray, RNR). HMS Argus and her two escorting destroyers had departed the Clyde on 31 July. HMS Buxton later split off and proceeded towards Canada and HMS Sardonyx proceeded to Londonderry.
The last ships to take part in the operation to depart the U.K. (Clyde around midnight during the night of 4/5 August) were the aircraft carrier HMS Furious (Capt. T.O. Bulteel, RN), loaded with Hurricane fighters for Malta, and her escorts, the light cruiser HMS Manchester (Capt. H. Drew, DSC, RN) and the Polish destroyer ORP Blyscawica (Lt.Cdr. L. Lichodziejewski, ORP). They were joined at sea, around dawn, by HMS Sardonyx coming from Londonderry. The destroyers parted company around midnight during the night of 5/6 August. They arrived at Londonderry on 7 August. HMS Furious and HMS Manchester then joined convoy WS 21S around midnight of the next night but HMS Manchester parted company shortly afterwards to proceed ahead of the convoy and fuel at Gibraltar.
On 1 August 1942 the aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable (Capt. T.H. Troubridge, RN), light cruiser HMS Phoebe (Capt. C.P. Frend, RN) and the destroyers HMS Laforey (Capt. R.M.J. Hutton, RN), HMS Lightning (Cdr. H.G. Walters, DSC, RN) and HMS Lookout (Lt.Cdr. A.G. Forman, DSC, RN) departed Freetown to proceed to a rendez-vous position off the Azores.
On 5 August 1942, the aircraft carrier HMS Eagle (Capt. L.D. Mackintosh, DSC, RN), light cruiser HMS Charybdis (Capt. G.A.W. Voelcker, RN) and the the destroyers HMS Wrestler (Lt. R.W.B. Lacon, DSC, RN), HMS Westcott (Cdr. I.H. Bockett-Pugh, DSO, RN) and HMS Vansittart (Lt.Cdr. T. Johnston, RN) departed Gibraltar also to the rendez-vous position off the Azores.
The convoy conducted maneuvering and AA exercises with the escorts between the Azores and Gibraltar during the period of 6 to 9 August. (Operation Berserk). Also dummy air attacks were carried out by aircraft from the carriers.
Passage of the Straits of Gibraltar and organization of escort forces.
The convoy then passed the Straits of Gibraltar during the night of 9/10 August 1942 in dense fog but despite this the convoy was detected by German and Italian spies and reported.
After passing the Straits of Gibraltar the convoy was organized as follows;
The actual convoy was protected a large force of warships until the whole force would split up before entering the Sicilian narrows after which ‘Force X’ under command of Rear-Admiral Sir H.M. Burrough, CB, DSO, RN was to accompany the convoy to the approaches to Malta where they would be met by the Malta Minesweeping Flotilla, which was then to sweep the convoy into the harbour. Force X was made up of the following ships:
Licht cruisers: HMS Nigeria (flagship), HMS Kenya,, HMS Manchester.
AA cruiser: HMS Cairo (A/Capt. C.C. Hardy, DSO, RN).
Destroyers: HMS Ashanti, HMS Fury, HMS Foresight, HMS Icarus, HMS Intrepid, HMS Pathfinder and HMS Penn.
Escort destroyers: HMS Derwent, HMS Bicester (Lt.Cdr. S.W.F. Bennetts, RN), HMS Bramham (Lt. E.F. Baines, RN), HMS Ledbury (Lt.Cdr. R.P. Hill, RN) and HMS Wilton (Lt. A.P. Northey, RN). Also the rescue tug HMS Jaunty was to be part of this force.
After the escort was to be split up cover was provided by ‘Force Z’ under Vice-Admiral E.N. Syfret, CB, RN. This force was made up of the following ships:
Battleships: HMS Nelson (flagship) and HMS Rodney.
Aircraft carriers: HMS Victorious, HMS Indomitable and HMS Eagle.
Light cruisers: HMS Phoebe, HMS Sirius and HMS Charybdis.
Destroyers: HMS Laforey, HMS Lightning, HMS Lookout, HMS Eskimo, HMS Somali, HMS Tartar, HMS Quentin, HMS Ithuriel (Lt.Cdr. D.H. Maitland-Makgill-Crichton, DSC, RN) HMS Antelope (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Sinclair), HMS Wishart and HMS Vansittart. Escort destroyer: HMS Zetland. Also attached were the aircraft carrier HMS Furious (for Operation Bellows, the launching of Hurricane fighters for Malta. HMS Furious only carried four Albacore aircraft for A/S searches after the Hurricanes had been launched) and the ‘spare’ destroyers HMS Keppel (Cdr. J.E. Broome, RN), HMS Malcolm, HMS Venomous, HMS Vidette (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Walmsley, DSC, RN), HMS Westcott, HMS Wolverine, HMS Wrestler and HMS Amazon. These ‘spare’ destroyers were to take the place of destroyers in the screen ‘Force Z’ if needed, escort HMS Furious during her return passage to Gibraltar after she had completed Operation Bellows and / or strengthen the escort of ‘Force R’.
Then there was also ‘Force R’, the fuelling force. This force was made up of the following ships:
Corvettes: HMS Jonquil (Lt.Cdr. R.E.H. Partington, RD, RNR), HMS Spiraea (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Miller, DSC, RNR), HMS Geranium (T/Lt. A. Foxall, RNR) and HMS Coltsfoot (T/Lt. the Hon. W.K. Rous, RNVR).
Rescue tug: HMS Salvonia.
RFA tankers: RFA Brown Ranger (3417 GRT, built 1941, Master D.B.C. Ralph) and RFA Dingledale (8145 GRT, built 1941, Master R.T. Duthie).
Before we give an account of the passage of the main convoy we will now first describe the operations taking place in the Eastern Mediterranean (Operations MG 3 and MG 4), the launching of the Hurricane fighters for Malta by HMS Furious (Operation Bellows) and the return convoy from Malta (Operation Ascendant) as well as on submarine operations / dispositions.
Diversion in the Eastern Mediterranean.
As part of the plan for Operation Pedestal the Mediterranean Fleet had to carry out a diversion in the Eastern part of the Mediterranean. Before we go to the operations in the Western Mediterranean we will first give an account of the events in the Eastern Mediterranean.
It was at this time not possible to sent any supplies from Egypt to Malta as all supplies and forces were much needed for the upcoming land battle at El Alamein it was agreed that ‘a dummy convoy’ would be sent towards Malta with the object of preventing the enemy to direct the full weight of their air and naval power towards the Western Mediterranean.
In the evening of 10 August 1942 a ‘convoy’ (MG 3) of three merchant ships departed Port Said escorted by three cruisers and ten destroyers. Next morning one more merchant ship departed Haifa escorted by two cruisers and five destroyers. The two forces joined that day (the 11th) and then turned back dispersing during the night. The Italian fleet however did not go to sea to attack ‘the bait’.
The forces taking part in this operation were:
From Port Said:
Merchant vessels City of Edinburgh (8036 GRT, built 1938), City of Lincoln (8039 GRT, built 1938) and City of Pretoria (8049 GRT, built 1937) escorted by the light cruisers HMS Arethusa (Capt. A.C. Chapman, RN), HMS Euryalus (Capt. E.W. Bush, DSO, DSC, RN), the AA cruiser HMS Coventry (Capt. R.J.R. Dendy, RN) and the destroyers HMS Jervis (Capt. A.L. Poland, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN), HMS Kelvin (Cdr. M.S. Townsend, OBE, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Pakenham (Capt. E.B.K. Stevens, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Paladin (Cdr. A.F. Pugsley, RN) and the escort destroyers HMS Dulverton(Lt.Cdr. W.N. Petch, OBE, RN), HMS Hurworth (Lt.Cdr. J.T.B. Birch, RN), HMS Eridge (Lt.Cdr. W.F.N. Gregory-Smith, DSC, RN), HMS Hursley (Lt. W.J.P. Church, DSC, RN), HMS Beaufort (Lt.Cdr. S.O’G Roche, RN) and HMS Belvoir (Lt. J.F.D. Bush, DSC and Bar, RN).
From Haifa:
Merchant vessel Ajax (7797 GRT, built 1931) escorted by the light cruisers HMS Cleopatra (Capt. G. Grantham, DSO, RN, flagship of Rear-Admiral P.L. Vian, KBE, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Dido (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, RN), the destroyers HMS Sikh (Capt. St.J. A. Micklethwait, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Zulu (Cdr. R.T. White, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Javelin (Cdr. H.C. Simms, DSO, RN) and the escort destroyers HMS Tetcott (Lt. H.R. Rycroft, RN) and HMS Croome (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Egan, RN).
After dark on 11 August 1942 the force turned back and the City of Pretoria returned to Port Said escorted by HMS Eridge and HMS Hursley. The City of Edinburgh, escorted by HMS Beaufort and HMS Belvoir proceeded to Haifa. The City of Lincoln escorted by HMS Dulverton and HMS Hurworth proceeded to Beirut and finally the Ajax, escorted by HMS Tetcott and HMS Croome returned to Haifa. HMS Dido had to return to Port Said with hull defects. She was escorted by HMS Pakenham, HMS Paladin and HMS Jervis.
HMS Cleopatra, HMS Arethusa, HMS Sikh, HMS Zulu, HMS Javelin and HMS Kelvin then proceeded to carry out another diversion (Operation MG 4). They bombarded Rhodos harbour and the Alliotti Flour Mills during the night of 12/13 August but did little damage. On the way back HMS Javelin attacked a submarine contact in position 34°45’N, 31°04’E between 0654 and 0804 hours. She reported that there was no doubt that the submarine was sunk but no Axis submarines were operating in this area so the attack must have been bogus. This force returned to Haifa at 1900/13.
Operation Bellows.
During operation Bellows, the aircraft carrier HMS Furious, started 37 Spitfire which were to proceed to Malta, when south of the Balearic Islands. The Admiralty had decided to carry out this operation at the same time as Operation Pedestal.
HMS Furious remained with the convoy until 1200/11. She then launched the Spitfires for Malta in 5 batches between 1230 and 1515 hours. During these flying off operations she acted independently with the destroyers HMS Lookout and HMS Lightning. After having launched the last batch of Spitfires she briefly re-joined to convoy until around 1700 hours when she split off and set course for Gibraltar escorted by the destroyers HMS Malcolm, HMS Wolverine and HMS Wrestler. These were joined shortly afterwards by HMS Keppel and HMS Venomous.
Around 0100/12, HMS Wolverine, rammed and sank the Italian submarine Dagabur which was trying to attack HMS Furious. Around 0200 hours, HMS Wolverine reported that she was stopped due to the damage she had sustained in the ramming. HMS Malcolm was detached to assist her.
At 1530/12, the destroyer HMS Vidette joined the screen. The force then entered Gibraltar Bay around 1930/12. The damaged HMS Wolverine arrived at Gibraltar at 1230/13 followed by HMS Malcolm around 1530/13.
Operation Ascendant
On 10 August 1942 the empty transports Troilus (7648 GRT, built 1921) and Orari (10107 GRT, built 1931) departed Malta after dark for Gibraltar. They were escorted by the destroyer HMS Matchless (Lt.Cdr. J. Mowlam, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Badsworth (Lt. G.T.S. Gray, DSC, RN). They first proceeded to the south of Lampedusa, then hugged the Tunisian coast as far as Galita Island. Near Cape Bon they encountered the Italian destroyer Lanzerotto Malocello that was laying a minefield. They had a brief gunfight but this was soon ended as both sides were thinking the enemy was Vichy-French. The remained of the passage to Gibraltar was uneventful and the convoy arrived at Gibraltar shortly before noon on 14 August 1942.
Submarine operations / dispositions.
Eight submarines took part in the operation; these were HMS Utmost (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN), HMS P 31 (Lt. J.B.de B. Kershaw, DSO, RN), HMS P 34 (Lt. P.R.H. Harrison, DSC, RN), HMS P 42 (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, RN), HMS P 44 (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN), HMS P 46 (Lt. J.S. Stevens, DSC, RN), HMS P 211 (Cdr. B. Bryant, DSC, RN), HMS P 222 (Lt.Cdr. A.J. MacKenzie, RN). Two of these were to carry out normal dived patrol to the north of Sicily, one off Palermo, the other off Milazzo which is futher to the east. The other six submarines were given alternative patrol lines south of Pantelleria, one od which they were to take up at dawn on 13 August 1942, according to the movements of enemy surface ships that might threathen the convoy from the westward. When the convoy had passed the patrol line, which it should have done by that time, the submarines were to proceed on the surface parallel to the convoy as a screen and to dive away clear of the convoy at noon. It was expressly intended that they should be seen on the surface and reported by enemy aircraft in order to deter enemy warships from attacking the convoy.
Enemy warships did go to sea but as soon as it was clear that the enemy ships could not reach the convoy the sunmarines were ordered to dive and retire. These six sumarines had no contact with the enemy. One of the the two submarines off the north coast of Sicily, HMS P 42, managed to torpedo two Italian cruisers near Stromboli on the morning of 13 August 1942.
Now we return to the main convoy to Malta.
Passage eastwards after passing the Straits of Gibraltar.
10 and 11 August 1942.
After passing through the Straits of Gibraltar in the early hours of 10 August 1942, in dense fog, the convoy was first sighted by an Italian passenger aircraft, which sighted the convoy in the afternoon of the same day. German reconnaissance aircraft started shadowing the convoy from dawn on the 11th, and thereafter they or Italian aircraft kept the convoy under continuous observation, despite the effort of the fighters from the carriers to shoot them down or drive them off. At 1315 hours, HMS Eagle, was hit an sunk by torpedoes from the German submarine U-73 which had penetrated the destroyer screen. At that moment there were thirteen destroyers in the screen, the remainder was away from the main convoy, escorting HMS Furious during the flying off operations of the Hurricane fighters for Malta or oiling from and screening ‘Force R’ which was several miles away. Between 1430/10 and and 2030/11 no less then three cruisers and twenty-four destroyers fuelled from the two oilers of ‘Force R’.
At the time of the torpedoing of HMS Eagle the convoy was in four columns, zigzagging at 13 knots, with the heavy ships stationed close round it and a destroyer screen ahead. HMS Eagle was on the starboard quarter of the convoy. She was hit on her starboard side by four torpedoes which had dived through the destroyer screen and the convoy columns undetected and then torpedoed and sank the Eagle in position 38°05’N, 03°02’E (Another source gives 03°12’E but this might be a typo). The carrier sank quickly in about 8 minutes, 926 of her crew, including the Commanding Officer, were rescued by the destroyers HMS Laforey and HMS Lookout and the rescue tug HMS Jaunty. At the time of her sinking, HMS Eagle had four aircraft on patrol. These landed on the other carriers. All other aircraft were lost with the ship. The survivors picked up were later transferred to the destroyers HMS Keppel, HMS Malcolm and HMS Venomous that were to escort HMS Furious back to Gibraltar. The tug HMS Jaunty that had been involved in picking up survivors was never able to rejoin the convoy due to her slow speed.
Late in the afternoon air attacks were expected so Vice-Admiral Syfret ordered the destroyer to form an all-round screen. Indeed the air attacks started around sunset, 2045 hours. The last destroyers had just returned from oiling from ‘Force R’. The enemy aircraft that were attacking were 36 German bombers and torpedo aircraft, Ju 88’s and He 111’s, most of which attacked the convoy but a few attacked ‘Force R’ to the southward. The Junkers arrived first, diving down from 8000 feet to 2000 / 3000 feet to drop their bombs. They claimed to have hit an aircraft carrier and one of the merchant ships. Then the Heinkels attacked, they claimed to have torpedoed a cruiser but during the attacks no ship was hit. The British fighter cover was unable to attack / find the enemy in the failing light. Four enemy aircraft were claimed shot down by the ships AA fire but it appears only two JU 88’s were in fact shot down.
At 0915/12 another wave of German aircraft attacked the convoy. Some twenty or more JU 88’s approached the convoy out of the sun ahead. They were intercepted by fighters about 25 miles from the convoy. About a dozen got through to the convoy, making high-level or shallow dive-bombing attacks individually but without any result. Eight German aircraft were claimed to be shot down by the fighters and two more by AA guns from the ships. The fighters meanwhile were also busy dealng with shadowers, three of which are claimed to have been shot down before the morning attack. Around this time destroyers were also busy with numerous submarine contact which were attacked by depth charges.
Around noon the enemy launched heavy air attacks from the Sardinian airfields. Seventy aircraft approached which were heavily escorted by fighters. They attacked in stages and employed new methods.
First ten Italian torpedo-bombers were each to drop some sort of circling torpedo or mine a few hundred yards ahead of the British force, while eight fighter bombers made dive-bombing and machine-gun attacks. The object at this stage was clearly to dislocate the formation of the force and to draw anti-aircraft fire, making the ships more vulnerable to a torpedo attack which soon followed with over forty aircraft. They attacked in two groups, one on either bow of the convoy. The next stage was a shallow dive-bombing attack by German aircraft, after which two Italian Reggiane 2001 fighters, each with a single heavy armour-piercing bomb were to dive bomb on one of the aircraft carriers, whilst yet another new form of attack was to be employed against the other carrier, but defects in the weapon prevented this attack from taking place.
The enemy attack went according to plan besides that the torpedo attack was only made half an our after the ‘mines’ were dropped instead of five minutes. British fighters met the minelaying aircraft, they shot down one of them as they approached. The remaining nine aircraft dropped their ‘mines’ at 1215 hours in the path of the force, which turned to avoid the danger. The mines were heard to explode several minutes later. Only three of the fighter-bombers of this stage of the attack appear to have reached as far the screen, but HMS Lightning had a narrow escape from their bombs.
The torpedo-aircraft appeared at 1245 hours. Their number were brought down a bit due to British fighters. The remaining aircraft, estimated at 25 to 30 machines, attacked from the port bow, port beam and starboard quarter. They dropped their torpedoes well outside the screen some 8000 yards from the merchant ships which they had been ordered to attack. The force turned 45° to port and then back to starboard to avoid the attack.
In the next stage, around 1318 hours, the German bombing attack, the enemy scored their one success. These aircraft were also intercepted on their way in but about a dozen of about twenty aircraft came through. They crossed the convoy from starboard to port and then dived to 3000 feet. They managed to damage the transport Deucalion which was leading the port wing column. More bombs fell close to several other ships.
Finally, at 1345 hours, the two Reggiane fighters approached HMS Victorious as if to land on. They looked like Hurricanes and HMS Victorious was at that time engaged in landing her own fighters. They managed to drop their bombs and one hit the flight deck amidships. Fortunately the bomb broke up without exploding. By the time HMS Victorious could open fire both fighters were out of range.
The Deucalion could no longer keep up with the convoy and was ordered to follow the inshore route along the Tunisian coast escorted by HMS Bramham. Two bombers found these ships late in the afternoon, but their bombs missed. At 1940 hours, however, near the Cani Rocks, two torpedo aircraft attacked and a torpedo hit the Deucalion. She caught fire and eventually blew up.
The convoy passed some 20 miles north of Galita Island and spent the afternoon avoiding enemy submarines which were known to be concentrated in these waters. There were innumerable reports of sightings and Asdic contacts and at least two submarines proved dangerous. At 1616 hours, HMS Pathfinder and HMS Zetland attacked one on the port bow of the convoy and hunted her until the convoy was out of reach. HMS Ithuriel, stationed on the quarter, then attacked, forced the enemy to surface and finally rammed her. She proved to be the Italian submarine Cobalto. Meanwhile HMS Tartar, on the starboard quarter, saw six torpedoes fired at close range at 1640 hours, and the next destroyer in the screen, HMS Lookout sighted a periscope. Together they attacked the submarine, continuing until it was no longer dangerous. There was no evidence this submarine was sunk.
At 1750 hours, HMS Ithuriel, which was on her way back to the convoy after sinking the Italian submarine Cobalto was attacked by a few dive-bombers, when still a dozen miles astern of the convoy. At this time the convoy came under attack by aircraft stationed on Sicily. This force numbered nearly 100 aircraft. Ju.87 dive-bombers as well as Ju.88’s and SM-79’s all with a strong escort of fighters. The enemy started attacking at 1835 hours, the bombers attacking from both ahead and astern which last was the direction of the sun. The torpedo aircraft came from ahead to attack on the starboard bow and beam of the convoy.
The Italian SM-79’s torpedo bombers dropped their torpedoes from ranges of about 3000 yards outside the destroyer screen, and once again the convoy turned away to avoid them. However the destroyer HMS Foresight was hit by a torpedo and disabled. The bombers chose HMS Indomitable as their main target. She was astern of HMS Rodney at the time on the port quarter of the convoy. Four Ju.88’s and eight Ju.87’s came suddenly out of the sun and dived steeply towards HMS Indomitable from astern. Some of the Ju.87 came down to 1000 feet and the carrier received three hits and her flight deck was put out of action. Her airborne fighters eventually had to land on HMS Victorious. HMS Rodney meanwhile had a narrow escape when a bomber attacked from ahead. One enemy aircraft was claimed to have been shot down by AA fire from the ships while the fighters claimed nine more although there were about twice as much enemy fighters in the air then British.
HMS Tartar took the damaged HMS Foresight in tow and proceeded westward for Gibraltar. Next day, as they were shadowed by enemy aircraft, and enemy submarines were known to be in the area, it was decided to scuttle the cripple before both ships might be lost. HMS Tartar then torpedoed HMS Foresight a few miles from Galita Island.
Passage through the narrows, 12-13 August 1942, and the loss off HMS Manchester.
These last air attacks took place about 20 nautical miles west of the Skerki Channel and at 1900 hours, when the attacks were clearly over, Vice-Admiral Syfret turned away with ‘Force Z’. It was now up to Rear-Admiral Burrough with ‘Force X’ to take the convoy to Malta.
At 2000 hours, when the convoy was changing it’s formation from four to two columns, the convoy was attacked by Italian submarines. The submarine Dessie attacked a freighter with four torpedoes and claimed three hits. The sound of the torpedo hits was however not caused by her attack but by an attack by the Axum which hit three ships, HMS Nigeria, HMS Cairo and the tanker Ohio.
HMS Nigeria had to turn back to make for Gibraltar escorted by the escort destroyers HMS Derwent, HMS Wilton and HMS Bicester. Rear-Admiral Burrough transferred his flag to the destroyer HMS Ashanti. The stern of HMS Cairo had been blown off and she had to be sunk as she was beyond salvage with both engines also out of action. She was scuttled by HMS Pathfinder. The Ohio meanwhile managed to struggle on.
At this time the convoy was still trying to form up the the submarine attacks messed things up and right at thus time the convoy was once more attacked from the air in the growing dusk at 2030 hours. About 20 German aircraft, Ju-88’s made dive bombing and torpedo attacks, hitting the Empire Hope with a bomb and the Clan Ferguson and Brisbane Star with torpedoes. The first of these ships had to be sunk (by HMS Bramham, the second blew up but the last eventually reached Malta. Soon after this attack, at 2111 hours, HMS Kenya was torpedoed by the Italian submarine Alagi. She was able to evade three of the four torpedoes but was hit in the bow by the fouth. She was however able to remain with the convoy.
The situation was then as follows. HMS Kenya and HMS Manchester with two merchant ships, and with the minesweeping destroyers HMS Intrepid, HMS Icarus and HMS Fury sweeping ahead, had passed the Skerki Channel and were steering to pass Zembra Island on the way to Cape Bon. HMS Ashanti, with Rear-Admiral Burrough on board was fast overhauling these ships. The other two destroyers HMS Pathfinder, HMS Penn and the escort destroyer HMS Ledbury, were rounding up the remaining nine merchant ships. The escort destroyer HMS Bramham was also catching up after having escorted the single Deucalion until she sank.
On learing about the fate of HMS Nigeria and HMS Cairo, Vice-Admiral Syfret detached HMS Charybdis, HMS Eskimo and HMS Somali to reinforce Rear-Admiral Burrough. It would take these ships several hourse to catch up with the convoy.
The main body of the convoy passed Cape Bon around midnight. Fourty minutes later enemy Motor Torpedo Boats appeared and started to attack. Their first victim was HMS Manchester which was torpedoed at 0120/13 by the Italian MS 16 or MS 22. She had to be scuttled by her own crew. Many of her ships company landed in Tunisia and were interned by the Vichy-French but about 300 were picked up by destroyers (first by HMS Pathfinder, and later by HMS Eskimo and HMS Somali. These last two destoyers then set off towards Gibraltar.)
Four and possibly five of the merchant ships were also hit by the Motor Torpedo Boats. These were the Wairangi, Rochester Castle, Almeria Lykes, Santa Elisa and probably the Glenorchy. They were attacked between 0315 and 0430 hours about 15 nautical miles south-east of Kelibia whilst taking a short cut to overhaul the main body of the convoy. Four were lost, only the Rochester Castle survived and she managed to catch up with the main body of the convoy at 0530 hours. The Glenorchy was sunk by the Italian MS 31, the other four, of which the Rochester Castle survived as mentioned earlier, were hit by the German S 30 and S 36 as well as the Italian MAS 554 and MAS 557.
Shortly before 0530 hours HMS Charybdis, HMS Eskimo and HMS Somali had joined the main body of the convoy making the force now two cruisers and seven destroyers with the transports Rochester Castle, Waimarama and Melbourne Star. The damaged tanker Ohio was slowly catching up. With her was the escort destroyer HMS Ledbury. Astern of the main body was the Port Chalmers escorted by the destroyer HMS Penn and the escort destroyer HMS Bramham. The destroyers recued the crew of the Santa Elisa when the passed by the abandoned ship which was afterwards finished off by a German bomber. The Dorset was proceeding without escort and lastly the damaged Brisbane Star was still keeping close to the Tunisian coast independently, intending to steer towards Malta after nightfall.
At 0730 hours, Rear-Admiral Burrough, sent back HMS Tartar and HMS Somali to Kelibia to assist HMS Manchester and then go to Gibraltar. When they arrived they found out that the Manchester had been scuttled several hours earlier so they rescued those of her crew that had not reached the shore yet and then made off to Gibraltar as ordered. Besides crew of the Manchester they also picked up survivors from the Almeria Lykes and Wairangi.
The next encounter with the enemy was an air attack on the main body of the convoy at 0800 hours by German bombers. About 12 Ju.88’s made a shallow diving attack coming down from 6000 feet to 2000 feet to drop their bombs. Two dived on the Waimarama hitting her several times and she blew up immediately, one of the bombers was even destroyed in the explosion. HMS Ledbury saved some of her crew out of the blazing sea. At 0925 hours, when the Ohio, Port Chalmers and Dorset where with the main body again, a few Ju.87’s escorted by Italian fighters attacked. They dived down to 1500 to 1000 feet. HMS Kenya leading the port column, and the Ohio last ship but one in the starboard column, had narrow escapes. One of the enemy aircraft crashed on board the Ohio just after having released it’s bomb after being damaged by gunfire from the Ohio and HMS Ashanti. Another aircraft was claimed to have been shot down by fighters from Malta that had been patrolling overhead since daybreak.
Arrivals at Malta 13-15 August 1942.
At 1050 hours, about 20 bombers, mostly Ju.88’s with a few Ju.87’s, came in to attack. Target was the Ohio and she received four or five near misses and her engines were disabled. At the same time the Rochester Castle in the port column was near-missed and set on fire but she continued with the convoy. The Dorset which was astern of her was hit and stopped. The convoy went on leaving the Dorset behind with the Ohio and two destroyers.
At 1125 hours the last air attack on the main body took place. Five Italian SM.79’s attacked with torpedoes and almost hit the Port Chalmers as the torpedo got stuck in the paravane. Further attacks on the main body were held of by fighters from Malta. At 1430 hours, four minesweepers from Malta joined the main body of the convoy, these were HMS Speedy (Lt.Cdr. A.E. Doran, RN, with the group’s commander A/Cdr. H.J.A.S. Jerome, RN on board), HMS Hebe, HMS Rye and HMS Heyte. Also with them were seven Motor Launches; ML 121, ML 126, ML 134, ML 135, ML 168, ML 459 and ML 462. HMS Rye and two of the ML’s were sent towards the damaged Ohio which was ‘vital for Malta’, according to A/Cdr. Jerome.
At 1600 hours, Rear-Admiral Burrough, set course to the west with his two cruisers and with five destroyers. The Port Chalmers, Melbourne Star and Rochester Castle arrived in Grand Harbour around 1800 hours with the force of A/Cdr. Jerome. The Rochester Castle was by that time very low in the water, she had just made it into port on time.
Out were still the Ohio, Dorset and the Brisbane Star. The valuable Ohio had been helpless with HMS Penn and HMS Bramham. When HMS Rye arrived at 1730 hours, HMS Penn took the Ohio in tow. Meanwhile HMS Bramham was sent to the Dorset but soon afterwards German bombers came again and the ships were attacked repeatedly until dark. Both merchantman were hit around 1900 hours and the Dorset sank.
At daylight on the 14th HMS Ledbury arrived to help bringing the Ohio to Malta. HMS Speedy also soon arrived on the scene with two ML’s. The rest of his force he had sent to search for the Brisbane Star. At 1045 hours, enemy aircraft made their last attempt, causing the parting of the tow. Fighter from Malta shot down two of the attackers. The tow was passed again and the slow procession went on and in the morning of the 15th the vital tanker finally reached Malta.
The Brisbane Star had by then also arrived. She left the Tunisian coast at dusk on the 13th. Aircraft had attacked her unsuccessfully and one of the attackers was shot down by a Beaufighter escort that had been sent from Malta. She arrived at Malta in the afternoon of the 14th.
Italian surface ships to operate against the convoy ?
The convoy had experienced the violence of the enemy in every shape except that of an attack by large surface ships. Yet Italian cruisers and destroyers had been at sea to intercept and attack it. Two light cruiser had left Cagliari in the evening of 11 August 1942 and the heavy cruisers Gorizia and Bolzano from Messina, and a light cruiser from Naples had sailed on the morning of the 12th. That evening reconnaissance aircraft reported one heavy and two light cruisers with eight destroyers about 80 nautical miles to the north of the western tip of Sicily and steering south. It would have been possible for this force to meet the convoy at dawn on the 13th so the shadowing aircraft was therefore ordered in plain language to illuminate and attack. This apparently influenced the Italians as they had limited air cover and they turned back at 0130/13 when near Cape San Vito. At 0140 hours the aircraft reported that it had dropped its bombs but no hits had been obtained. Similar orders were signalled, in plain language, to relief shadowers and to report the position of the enemy force to the benefit of imaginary Liberator bombers in case the Italians would change their minds and turn back. They however held on to the eastward.
The submarine HMS P 42 sighted them around 0800/13 off Stromboli and attacked with four torpedoes claiming two hits. She had in fact hit the heavy cruiser Bolzano which was able to proceed northwards and the light cruiser Muzio Attendolo which managed to reach Messina with her bows blown off. The other cruisers went to Naples. Following the attack P 42 was heavily depth charged by the destroyers but managed to escape.
In fact the following Italian ships had been at sea; heavy cruisers Gorizia, Trieste, Bolzano, light cruisers Eugenio di Savoia Raimondo Montecuccoli, Muzio Attendolo. They were escorted by eleven destroyers; Ascari, Aviere, Camicia Nera, Corsaro, Fuceliere, Geniere, Legionaro, Vincenzo Gioberti, Alfredo Oriani, Grecale and Maestrale.
The return to Gibraltar.
The British ships returning to Gibraltar had better fortune. Having left the convoy off Malta in the afternoon of the 13th, they rounded Cape Bon around 0130/14 and from that point until past Zembra Island they successful ran the gauntled of E-boats laying in wait.
at 0450/14, near the Fratelli Rocks, a submarine fired torpedoes at HMS Ashanti from the surface. She was nearly rammed by HMS Kenya, which was next astern of the ‘flagship’ (Rear-Admiral Burrough was still in HMS Ashanti). The inevitable shadowers arrived soon after daylight to herald their air attacks that began at 0730 hours. They lasted until around 1315 hours. German bombers came in first with three attemps by a few Ju.88’s. This was followed by a more severe attack with about 30 bombers, Ju-88’s and Ju-87’s between 1030 and 1050 hours. An hour later 15 Savoia high-level bombers attacked followed until 1315 hours by torpedo-carrying Savoia’s. Around 20 aircraft attacking single or in pairs. Also aircraft are though to be laying mines ahead. Several ships were near missed, but no further damage was sustained. After these attacks the British were left alone and in the evening they joined ‘Force Z’.
Vice-Admiral Syfret had gone as far west as 01’E where he ordered the damaged carrier HMS Indomitable to proceed to Malta with HMS Rodney and a destroyer screen (which). He then turned back to the east to make rendez-vous with Rear-Admiral Burrough. They arrived at Gibraltar on the 15th.
A few hours before they arrived the damaged HMS Nigeria and her escort had also entered port, as had HMS Tartar, HMS Eskimo and HMS Somali. On her way back HMS Nigeria had been attacked by torpedo-bombers and a submarine but she had not been hit.
Out of the fourteen ships that had sailed only five arrived ‘safe’ at Malta. This was not a very high score also given the very heavy escort that had been provided also taken in mind that an aircraft carrier, a light cruiser, an AA cruiser an a destroyer had been lost and two heavy cruiser had been damaged. But the convoy had to meet very heavy air attacks by over 150 bombers and 80 torpedo aircraft, all in the space of two days. Also these aircraft were protected by fighter in much greater strength that the carriers and Malta could provide. And there were also the enemy submarines and E-boats.
The spirit in which to operation was carried out appears in Vice-Admiral Syfret’s report: ‘ Tribute has been paid to the personnel of His Majesty’s Ships, both the officers and men will desire to give first place to the conduct, courage, and determination of the masters, officers, and men of the merchant ships. The steadfast manner in which these ships pressed on their way to Malta through all attacks, answering every maneuvering order like a well trained fleet unit, was a most inspiring sight. Many of these fine men and their ships were lost. But the memory of their conduct will remain an inspiration to all who were privileged to sail with them. ‘ (9)
HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. A.F.C. Gray, RNR) picks up 42 survivors from the American merchant Yorktown that was torpedoed and sunk on 26 September 1942 by German U-boat U-619 about 550 nautical miles west of Butt of Lewis in position 55°10'N, 18°50'W.
HMS H 28 (Lt. T.S. Weston, RN) departed Londonderry for Rothesay. She was escorted by HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. A.F.C. Gray, RNR). (10)
HMS H 34 (Lt. G.M. Noll, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Wedgeport (T/A/Lt.Cdr. G.L. Fetherstonhaugh, RNR) and HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. A.F.C. Gray, RD, RNR). (11)
HMS H 34 (Lt. G.M. Noll, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Dornoch (Lt. H.E. Jackson, RN), HMS Wedgeport (T/A/Lt.Cdr. G.L. Fetherstonhaugh, RNR) and HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. A.F.C. Gray, RD, RNR). (11)
HMS H 34 (Lt. G.M. Noll, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Dornoch (Lt. H.E. Jackson, RN), HMS Starwort (Lt. A.H. Kent, RNR), HMS Wedgeport (T/A/Lt.Cdr. G.L. Fetherstonhaugh, RNR) and HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. A.F.C. Gray, RD, RNR). (11)
HMS H 50 (Lt. J.M. Michell, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Volunteer (Lt.Cdr. G.J. Luther, RN) and HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. A.F.C. Gray, RD, RNR). (12)
HMS Upstart (Lt. P.C. Chapman, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted A/S exercises in Lough Foyle with HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. A.F.C. Gray, RD, RNR) and HMS Northern Wave (T/Lt. J.P. Kilbee, RNR). (13)
HMS Upstart (Lt. P.C. Chapman, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted A/S exercises in Lough Foyle with HMS Winchelsea (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Gregorie, RD, RNR), HMCS Wetaskiwin (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J.R. Kidston, RCNVR), HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. A.F.C. Gray, RD, RNR) and HMS Northern Wave (T/Lt. J.P. Kilbee, RNR). (13)
HMS Sealion (Lt. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) during which HMS Sardonyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne, RNVR) and HMS Saladin (Lt. A.A. Diggens, DSC, RN) served as the targets. (14)
HMS Otus (Lt. R.H.H. Brunner, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Sardonyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne, RNVR) and HMS Saladin (Lt. A.A. Diggens, DSC, RN) serving as targets. (15)
HMS Upstart (Lt. P.C. Chapman, DSC and Bar, RN) departed Holy Loch for Lerwick. She makes the passage north through the Minches together with HMS Sea Rover (Lt. J.P. Angell, RN) that was to proceed to Scapa Flow. They were escorted by HMS Sardonyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne, RNVR). (16)
HMS Sceptre (Lt. I.S. McIntosh, MBE, DSC, RN) departed Lerwick for Holy Loch. She was escorted by HMS Sardonyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne, RNVR). (17)
HMS Stoic (Lt. P.B. Marriot, DSO, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Holy Loch. She made the passage together with HMS Stubborn (Lt. A.A. Duff, RN), and HMS Sceptre (Lt. I.S. McIntosh, MBE, DSC, RN). They were escorted by the destroyer HMS Sardonyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne, RNVR). (18)
HMS Tuna (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) with HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN), HMS Scimitar (Lt. G.C. Potter, DSC, RN), HMS Sardonyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne, RNVR) and HMS Blade (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S.T. Wenlock, RNR). (19)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) departed from Plymouth for Holy Loch. She was escorted by HMS Sardonyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne, RNVR). (20)
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout Van Hooff, RNN) departed Dundee for Holy Loch. She made the passage together with HrMs O 15 (Lt.Cdr. A.J. Schouwenaar, RNN) that was to proceed to Scapa Flow.
They were escorted by HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR). HMS Sardonyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne, RNVR) took over the escort of K XIV near Scapa Flow. They then proceeded south through the Minches towards Holy Loch.
HMS Thrasher (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) departed Scapa Flow. The next morning she made rendez-vouz with HMS Storm (T/Lt. E.P. Young, DSC, RNVR) for passage to the Clyde. The submarines were escorted by HMS Sardonyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne, RNVR). (21)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Holy Loch for Scapa Flow. She was escorted by HMS Sardonyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne, RNVR). (22)
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Holy Loch. She was escorted by HMS Sardonyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne, RNVR). (23)
HMS Vampire (Lt. C.W. Taylor, RNR) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) A.L. Sanders, RN) and HMS Sardonyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne, RNVR) served as the targets. (24)
HMS Statesman (Lt. R.G.P. Bulkeley, RN) departed her builders yard for Holy Loch. She was escorted by HMS Sardonyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne, RNVR). (25)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Crosswell, DSC, RN) and HMS Vampire (Lt. C.W. Taylor, RNR) departed Holy Loch for Scapa Flow. They were escorted by HMS Sardonyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne, RNVR). (23)
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) departed Blyth for Rothesay. She makes the passage together with HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) and HMS Ursula (Lt. A.G. Davies, RN). They were escorted by HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR) until 1305/18 when HMS Sardonyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne, RNVR) took over the escort. Also HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) joined the convoy. (26)
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) departed Blyth for Rothesay. She makes the passage together with HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) and HMS Ursula (Lt. A.G. Davies, RN). They were escorted by HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR) until 1305/18 when HMS Sardonyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne, RNVR) took over the escort. Also HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) joined the convoy. (27)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Holy Loch. She made the passage south together with HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN), HMS Ursula (Lt. A.G. Davies, RN) and HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN). They were escorted by HMS Sardonyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne, RNVR). (28)
HMS Sceptre (Lt. I.S. McIntosh, MBE, DSC, RN) departed Holy Loch for Lerwick. She made the passage together with HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN). They were escorted by HMS Sardonyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne, RNVR). (29)
HMS Stubborn (Lt. A.A. Duff, DSC, RN) departed Lerwick for Holy Loch. She was escorted by HMS Sardonyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne, RNVR). Late the same day, while off Scapa Flow, HMS Viking (Lt. R. Bannar-Martin, DSC, RN) also joined. (30)
HMS Vox (Lt. J.M. Michell, RN) conducted deep dive trials in the Clyde area. She was escorted by HMS Sardonyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne DSC, RNVR). (31)
HMS Vox (Lt. J.M. Michell, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.D. O'Driscoll, RNR) and HMS Sardonyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne DSC, RNVR). (31)
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) departed Holy Loch for Lerwick. She was escorted by HMS Sardonyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne DSC, RNVR). (32)
HMS Vigorous (Lt. J.C. Ogle, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Sardonyx (A/Lt.Cdr. T.A. Easton, RNVR) and HMS Stygian (Lt. G.S.C. Clarabut, DSO, RN) served as the targets. These included night exercises. (33)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Sardonyx (A/Lt.Cdr. T.A. Easton, RNVR) served as the target. (34)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Sardonyx (A/Lt.Cdr. T.A. Easton, RNVR), HMS Honeysuckle (T/Lt. J.A. Wright, RNR) and HMS Rhododendron (T/Lt. O.B. Medley, RNVR). These included night exercises. (34)
HMS Sturdy (Lt. W.St.G. Anderson, DSC, RNR) and HMS Vox (Lt. J.M. Michell, RN) departed Lerwick for Holy Loch. The submarines were escorted by HMS Sardonyx (A/Lt.Cdr. T.A. Easton, RNVR). (35)
HMS Visigoth (Lt. J.R.H. Haddow, DSC, RN) departed Holy Loch for Scapa Flow. She was escorted by HMS Sardonyx (A/Lt.Cdr. T.A. Easton, RNVR). (36)
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted special trials off Port HHZ. Later the same day she departed Port HHZ for Holy Loch. Passage south was made together with HMS Terrapin (Lt.Cdr. D.S.R. Martin, DSO and 2 bars, RN) and HMS Virtue (Lt. R.D. Cairns, DSC. RN). They were escorted by HMS Sardonyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne, RNVR). (37)
HMS Virtue (Lt. R.D. Cairns, DSC. RN) departed Scapa Flow for Holy Loch. She joined HMS Terrapin (Lt.Cdr. D.S.R. Martin, DSO and 2 bars, RN) and HMS Sardonyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne, RNVR) at sea. (38)
HMS Clyde (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Holy Loch for Gibraltar. During the passage south through the Irish Sea she was escorted, until 2210/12, by HMS Sardonyx (A/Lt.Cdr. T.A. Easton, RNVR). (39)
HMS Sturdy (Lt. W.St.G. Anderson, DSC, RNR) and HMS Vox (Lt. J.M. Michell, RN) departed Holy Loch for passage to Gibraltar. Sturdy was to proceed to the Far East and Vox to the Mediterranean.
The submarines were escorted during the passage south through the Irish Sea by HMS Sardonyx (A/Lt.Cdr. T.A. Easton, RNVR). (40)
HMS Shalimar (Lt. W.G. Meeke, DSC, MBE, RN) and FFS Rubis departed St. Mary's. They made rendez-vouz with HMS Sibyl (Lt. E.J.D. Turner, DSO, DSC, RN) and their escort HMS Sardonyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne, RNVR). Course was then set for Holy Loch. (41)
HMS Sibyl (Lt. E.J.D. Turner, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Holy Loch for passage to Dundee. She made the passage together with HrMs O 19 (Lt.Cdr. A. van Karnebeek, RNN) and HMS Strongbow (Lt. J.A.R. Troup, DSC, RN). O 19 was also to proceed to Dundee and Strongbow was to proceed to Lerwick to begin her 1st war patrol from there.
They were escorted by HMS Sardonyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne, RNVR). (42)
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) and HMS Voracious (Lt. F.D.G. Challis, DSC, RN) departed Holy Loch for Blyth and Scapa Flow respectively. They were escorted by HMS Sardonyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne, RNVR).
At 1540/3 Taku parted company with Voracious and Sardonyx and continued her passage to Blyth but now escorted by HMS Godetia (T/Lt. M.A.F. Larose, RNR) while Voracious and Sardonyx proceeded to Scapa Flow. (43)
HMS Statesman (Lt. R.G.P. Bulkeley, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Lerwick.
Later the same day she departed Lerwick for Holy Loch. She made the passage together with HMS Strongbow (Lt. J.A.R. Troup, DSC, RN) and HMS Vigorous (Lt. J.C. Ogle, DSC, RN). They were escorted by HMS Sardonyx (A/Lt.Cdr. T.A. Easton, RNVR). (44)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) departed from Holy Loch for the Far East. The first leg of the trip is to Gibraltar. Passage south through the Irish Sea was made together with the French submarine FFS Junon (Lt. E. Schlumberger). They were escorted by HMS Sardonyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne, RNVR).
For the daily positions of HMS Trenchant during this passage see the map below.
HMS Virtue (Lt. R.D. Cairns, DSC. RN) departed Campbeltown for Lerwick. She was escorted by HMS Sardonyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne, RNVR) at sea. (46)
HMS Voracious (Lt. F.D.G. Challis, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises at/off Scapa Flow with HMS Opportune (Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Ulysses (Lt.Cdr. R.J. Hanson, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Verulam (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Thomas, DSC, RN) and HMS Nubian (Lt.Cdr. T.A. Pack-Beresford, RN).
Upon completion of these exercises HMS Voracious departed Scapa Flow for Holy Loch. She was escorted by HMS Sardonyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne, RNVR). (47)
HrMs O 15 (Lt. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) departed Campbeltown for Londonderry. She made the passage together with ORP Dzik (Lt.Cdr. B. Romanowski, ORP).
They were escorted by the British destroyer HMS Sardonyx (A/Lt.Cdr. T.A. Easton, RNVR). (48)
HMS Varangian (Lt. G.J. Glennie, RANVR) shifted from Londonderry to Rothesay. She was escorted by HMS Sardonyx (A/Lt.Cdr. T.A. Easton, RNVR). (49)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) departed Holy Loch for Dundee. She was escorted by HMS Sardonyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne, RNVR). (50)
HMS Upright (Lt. J.A.L. Wilkinson, RN) departed Dundee for Tobermory. She was escorted by HMS Sardonyx (A/Lt.Cdr. T.A. Easton, RNVR). (51)
HMS Voracious (Lt. F.D.G. Challis, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Sardonyx (A/Lt.Cdr. T.A. Easton, RNVR) and HMS Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.D. O'Driscoll, RNR). These included night exercises. (52)
HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) departed Holy Loch for Scapa Flow. She made the passage together with HMS Subtle (Lt. B.J.B. Andrew, DSC, RN). They were escorted by HMS Sardonyx (A/Lt.Cdr. T.A. Easton, RNVR). (53)
HMS Upshot (Lt. H.W. Wilkinson, RN) conducted A/S exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Sardonyx (A/Lt.Cdr. T.A. Easton, RNVR) served as the target. (54)
HMS Urtica (Lt. K.H. Martin, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which served HMS Sardonyx (A/Lt.Cdr. T.A. Easton, RNVR) as the target. (55)
HMS Sea Scout (Lt. J.W. Kelly, RN) departed Holy Loch for Scapa Flow where she is to participate in exercises.
She was escorted by HMS Sardonyx (A/Lt.Cdr. T.A. Easton, RNVR). (56)
HMS Tuna (A/Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR) departed Port H.H.Z. for Leith. She was escorted by HMS Sardonyx (A/Lt.Cdr. T.A. Easton, RNVR) until 0600/16 when HMS St. Agnes (A/Skr.Lt. W. Kirman, RNR) took over the escort. (57)
At 1046 hours, HMS Voracious (Lt. F.D.G. Challis, DSC, RN), made rendez-vous with her escort, HMS Sardonyx (A/Lt.Cdr. T.A. Easton, RNVR). They then proceeded in company towards Holy Loch. They were joined at 1725 hours by HMS Shakespeare (Lt. D. Swanston, DSC and Bar, RN) which came from Scapa Flow. (58)
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. M.F.R. Ainslie, DSO, DSC, RN) was undocked and then departed Holy Loch for Scapa Flow. She made the passage together with HMS Spark (Lt. D.G. Kent, RN). They were escorted by HMS Sardonyx (A/Lt.Cdr. T.A. Easton, RNVR). (59)
HMS Sea Scout (Lt. J.W. Kelly, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Holy Loch.
HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) departed Holy Loch for her 1st war patrol. This is an anti-uboat patrol in the Northern North Sea.
She made the passage North through the Minches escorted by HMS Sardonyx (A/Lt.Cdr. T.A. Easton, RNVR).
For the daily positions of HMS Supreme during this patrol see the map below.
HMS Supreme 1st war patrol click here for bigger map (60)
HMS Trusty (Lt. L.E. Herrick, DSO, RN) departed from Scapa Flow for Holy Loch. She is escorted by with HMS Sardonyx (A/Lt.Cdr. T.A. Easton, RNVR). (61)
HMS Urtica (Lt. K.H. Martin, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) and HMS Sardonyx (A/Lt.Cdr. T.A. Easton, RNVR) served as the targets. (62)
HMS Tiptoe (Lt.Cdr. P.R.H. Harrison, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Shikari (Lt. E.H.U. Cautley, RNVR) and HMS Sardonyx (A/Lt.Cdr. T.A. Easton, RNVR) served as the targets. These included night exercises. (63)
HMS Trident (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, DSO, RN) conducted full power trials. These were followed by attack exercises during with HMS Sardonyx (A/Lt.Cdr. T.A. Easton, RNVR) served as target. (64)
HMS Urtica (Lt. K.H. Martin, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Sardonyx (A/Lt.Cdr. T.A. Easton, RNVR) served as the target. These included night exercises. (62)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Sardonyx (A/Lt.Cdr. T.A. Easton, RNVR). These included night exercises. (65)
HMS Virulent (Lt. S.J. Fovargue, RN) departed Holy Loch for Scapa Flow. She joined her escort, HMS Sardonyx (A/Lt.Cdr. T.A. Easton, RNVR), for onward passage, around 2300/23. (66)
HMS Vitality (Lt. K.S. Renshaw, DSC, RNR) departed Lerwick for Holy Loch. She made the passage together with HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) and HMS Sceptre (Lt. I.S. McIntosh, MBE, DSO, DSC, RN). They were escorted by HMS Sardonyx (A/Lt.Cdr. T.A. Easton, RNVR). (67)
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) and HMS Sardonyx (A/Lt.Cdr. T.A. Easton, RNVR) served as the targets. These included night exercises. (68)
HMS Solent (Lt. J.D. Martin, DSC, RN) departed Holy Loch for her 1st war patrol. She was made the passage North through the Miches together with HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) and HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN). They were escorted by escorted by HMS Sardonyx (A/Lt.Cdr. T.A. Easton, RNVR). (69)
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) ended her 24th war patrol at Holy Loch. Passage south through the Minches had been made together with HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN). They had been escorted by HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR). (70)
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Sardonyx (A/Lt.Cdr. T.A. Easton, RNVR) served as the target. (71)
HMS Taciturn (Lt.Cdr. E.T. Stanley, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR). (72)
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR) served as the target. (73)
HMS Tuna (Lt.Cdr. E.D. Norman, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted special trials off Campbeltown with HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR). (74)
HMS Tuna (Lt.Cdr. E.D. Norman, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted special trials off Campbeltown with HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR). Upon completion of these exercises HMS Tuna proceeded to Rothesay. (74)
HMS Tuna (Lt.Cdr. E.D. Norman, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) with HMS Milford (Cdr.(Retd.) G.G. Slade, RN), HMS Whitehall (Lt.Cdr. P.J. Cowell, DSC, RN) and HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR). (74)
While both conducting attack exercises off Inchmarnock on HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR), at 1452 hours (time zone -1) HMS Turpin (A/Lt.Cdr. J.S. Stevens, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) and HMS Sidon (Lt. H.C. Gowan, RN) collide with each other. Both submarines were at periscope depth and both submarines sustained damage. (75)
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Hastings (A/Cdr. E.A. Stocker, DSC, RN) and HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR) served as the targets. (73)
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR) served as target. (76)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR) served as target. (77)
HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR) served as target. These included night exercises. (77)
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) and HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR) served as targets. (76)
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN), HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR) and HMS Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.D. O'Driscoll, RNR) served as the targets. (78)
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. A.J. Schouwenaar, RNN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR) and HMS Inman (T/A/Lt.Cdr. H.E. Petre, RNR) served as targets. (79)
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. A.J. Schouwenaar, RNN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR) and HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) served as targets. (79)
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. L.N.A. Jewell, DSC, MBE, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. These included two practice attacks on HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) escorted by HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR). (80)
HMS Turpin (A/Lt.Cdr. J.S. Stevens, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR) served as the target. These included night exercises. (81)
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. A.J. Schouwenaar, RNN) conducted radar and attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR) and HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) served as targets. (79)
HMS Vagabond (Lt. I.M. Stoop, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) and HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR) served as the targets. Upon completion HMS Vagabond proceeded to Campbeltown. (82)
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. L.N.A. Jewell, DSC, MBE, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR) served as target. (80)
HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) and HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR) served as the targets. (83)
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN), HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR) and HMS Shikari (Lt. E.A. Tyrer, DSC, RN) served as the targets. (78)
HMS Turpin (A/Lt.Cdr. J.S. Stevens, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) and HMS Viking (Lt. R. Bannar-Martin, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR) served as the target. These included night exercises. Upon completion of these exercises the submarines anchored off Campbeltown. (84)
HMS Trespasser (Lt. L.E. Herrick, DSC, RN), HMS Scorcher (Lt. K.S. Renshaw, DSC, RNR), HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) all conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) and HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR). (83)
HMS Trespasser (Lt. L.E. Herrick, DSC, RN), HMS Scorcher (Lt. K.S. Renshaw, DSC, RNR), HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) all conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Hastings (A/Cdr. E.A. Stocker, DSC, RN), HMS Shikari (Lt. E.A. Tyrer DSC, RN) and HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR). (83)
HMS Trespasser (Lt. L.E. Herrick, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR) served as the target. (85)
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. L.N.A. Jewell, DSC, MBE, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Hastings (A/Cdr. E.A. Stocker, DSC, RN) and HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR) served as targets. (86)
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. L.N.A. Jewell, DSC, MBE, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Hastings (A/Cdr. E.A. Stocker, DSC, RN) served as target. During these exercises HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR) served as escort for HMS Hastings. (87)
HMS Truncheon (A/Lt.Cdr. R.J. Clutterbuck, DSO, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR) served as the target. (88)
ADM 199/1873B
ADM 199/1873A
ADM 173/20064 + ADM 173/20281