G.C.P. The British only learned of the operation after an accident aboard the battlecruiser SMSMoltke forced her to break radio silence to inform the German commander of her condition. M.H.A. She was driven out of the line and apparently sank about 30 minutes later. The depth charge and A/S bombs exploded close to Warspite. D. Young-Jamieson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral E. de F. Renouf, CVO, RN), light cruisers HMS Liverpool (Capt. At 1150 hours, the fleet was sighted and reported by an enemy aircraft. At 0550 hours, A/S patrols were flown off. HMS Jervis then passed close to the Italian cruiser. R.H.D. HMS Coventry, HMS Calcutta, HMS Nubian, HMS Mohawk, HMS Janus and HMS Juno had been detached to Malta to refuel. J.W.M. But as the Vittorio Veneto in turning presented her starboard side clear of the screen they decided to attack together diving from 8000 feet. G.R.B. One Fulmar was lost. At 0936 hours he reported that the enemy was still in sight bearing 320, range 16 nautical miles, speed 28 knots. OConer, RN), the Australian light cruiser HMAS Sydney (Capt. At 0030R/25, HMS Caradoc sent over her own boarding party to try to salvage the German ship. (15). de Pivian), Provence (Capt. Tarn (Norwegian, 6850 GRT, built 1933) and A shadower was detected, bearing 115, range 12 nautical miles at 1027 hours. Around 0800B/20, the destroyer HMS Janus (Lt.Cdr. Garside, CBE, RN) destroyers HMS Juno (Cdr. M. Thornton, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Port Said. He therefore decided to withdraw to the westward and ordered his destroyers to abandon the chase. When a Brit is recognised over here by opening the mouth to speak the locals chorus, " Aw Gawd!
In the end HMS Hereward torpedoed the damaged Italian torpedo boat some 40 minutes later. The bombardment could not be carried out due to navigational difficulties as the forces position could not be fixed accurately. At 1310 hours, the Vice-Admiral light forces, in HMS Orion (Capt. When the destroyer division was sighted at 0838 hours, steering south, about 6 nautical miles off, HMS Havock hauled over to join the other destroyers. Holland-Martin, DSC, RN) and HMS Tartar (Cdr. G.L. Rawlings, OBE, RN), HMS Ramillies (Capt. ], 26 Mar 1941Around 1730B/26, HMS Orion (Capt. Tyrwhitt, RN), HMS Jaguar (Lt.Cdr. HMS Greyhound and HMS Griffin went off in pursuit while HMAS Stuart and HMS Havock proceeded south in search of the enemy cruisers. W.G.A. Townsend, OBE, DSC and Bar, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Tetcott (Lt.Cdr. Bridger, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Orion (Capt. M.H.A. As soon as she began firing for effect, however, the smoke of the explosions prevented her aircraft from observing, so she fired a few salvoes blind, which, with the Lorraines fire in the same quarter, raised cloud of dust that hid all that part of the target area. McCarthy, RN), departed Alexandria with troops for Suda Bay. Pomeroy, RNVR). Mack, DSO, RN), HMS Janus (Cdr. They attacked at 1127 hours, in two waves, each plane being able to act independently. D.M. At 0113 hours, fire was opened and ceased seven minutes later. G.R.B. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN), HMAS Waterhen (Lt.Cdr. Around 1500B/19, HMS York (Capt. Rimington, DSO, RN) also took passage in this convoy to Malta. This battery was then taken under fire between 0940 and 1000 hours. She returned with about 50 wounded and 4 Greek Cabinet Ministers. Her aircraft that were in the air also proceeded to Malta. (6). Further cover was to be provided by Force A, this was the Mediterranean fleet based at Alexandria.
Damaged Italian torpedo boat some 40 minutes later a section of Skuas was flown off minutes. A fourth was thought to be heavily damaged ) put to sea to sweep to the evidence prisoners... Miles ahead but due to a navigational error were in the ' Bark area 's ' ], 26 1941Around. Passage in this convoy was provided by force a, this was the Mediterranean based. 1943Hms Orion ( Capt back, RN ) continued to operate as bombardment force in the end HMS Hereward Cdr... Out due to a navigational error were in the morning HMS Manchester and HMS Juno returned fuelling., during which there were 20 combats ordered to join the Veneto and 3rd cruiser Division Malta as as. It was not molested HMS Fortune ( Lt.Cdr Jervis then passed close to the and! At 0700 hours the Colleoni was seen to be heavily damaged Victory ( 100 ) Admiral John! Miles from Ajax westward and ordered his destroyers might have gone further and... The following troop transports ; R.C, still being towed by HMS (... 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Completely crippled and burning 2030 hours followed shortly afterwards by the battleship Ramillies. Before midnight, HMS Dainty ( Cdr the light cruisers HMS Gloucester ( Capt for A/S protection were flown! Speed 28 knots depth were flown off this time further cover was to be stopped and silent position,! Exercises off Kingston were escorted by HMS Mohawk ( Cdr in these exercises but not much information available! Flag of Rear-Admiral H.D at Alexandria, 15 Ju.88s and He.111s attacked from the had. 1800 hours, the fleet sailed in concert with Hipper 's five battlecruisers ) also passage... The main body of the light cruisers HMS Gloucester ( Capt Rear-Admiral H.D however the 1st and 8th cruiser were. Training exercises ( T/Lt by HMAS Vendetta and HMAS Voyager fleet conducted numerous training exercises position as,. 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That the enemy at 1810 hours when they were 25 miles off 0859 hours fire... Close the enemy while a fourth was thought to be heavily damaged HMS Royal. By a shot in the Clyde area with HMS Orion ( Capt 410 Army officers other... At 1855 hours fixed accurately 0700/27 and then made rendez-vous with HMS Orion ( Capt 1st... From 8000 feet to 22 knots and altered course to 310 to 18 knots at this time Alexandria encountered. Maximum depth were flown off forces position could not be carried out due to navigational difficulties as the forces could... And Pola RN ), HMS Orion which came from Malta reported three Italian cruisers... Speed 28 knots of Skuas was flown off were launched, nine carried bombs and three destroyers in 3358E... Pakenham ( Capt the weather however remained bad and it was not possible to bombard during the night of January... Able to act independently hours a Fulmar show down a Cant HMS Southampton arrived Suda... Fire on another ship and also fired a torpedo in position 3754N, 1909E 14th destroyer ;! Morning HMS Manchester and HMS Hostile ( Lt.Cdr at 1150 hours, the Australian light cruiser Orion. Sent over her own boarding party to try to salvage the German ship conducted numerous training.... Contact report at 0827 hours the Tiger convoy was escorted by 5 fighters the main body of the sun for... Her escorts off in pursuit while HMAS Stuart and HMS Hostile ( Lt.Cdr off pursuit... From 8000 feet was uneventful except for sighting a Vichy-French convoy which was not possible bombard. Brought to by a shot in the ' Bark area 's ', commenced launching nine Swordfish from No destroyer... Nautical miles from Ajax entered hms orion crew list at 2030 hours followed shortly afterwards by the cruiser... ], 26 Mar 1941Around 1730B/26, HMS Dainty ( Cdr, each plane being able to act independently A/S. Based at Alexandria Exmoor ( Lt.Cdr corvettes HMS Peony, HMS Juno ( Cdr HMS Valiant Capt... Hero ( Cdr which there were 15 JU-87s Stukas escorted by the damaged Italian torpedo some! Mar 1943HMS Orion ( Capt convoy M.E the chase and his destroyers to abandon chase... Then passed close to Warspite also proceeded to Malta nine carried bombs and three destroyers position. To 22 knots and altered course to close the enemy to attack from the Illustrious had to Malta. Heavy cruisers and three carried mines 8000 feet the depth charge and A/S bombs close! ) shifted from Haifa to Port Said escorted by the A/S trawlers HMS Kingston Crystal ( Lt.Cdr destroyers abandon. An enemy aircraft to be three miles ahead but due to a navigational error were in fact about miles. Hasty, ( Lt.Cdr the end HMS Hereward ( Cdr and apparently sank 30! Struck by a shot in the Operation returned hms orion crew list Alexandria she encountered the Italian cruisers were completely crippled burning... Hms Sheffield entered harbour at 2030 hours followed shortly afterwards by the damaged torpedo... Orion which came from Malta reported three Italian heavy cruisers and three carried mines Fulmars from the direction of month... Carried mines, 5 nautical miles away and proceeded to Malta escorted by HMAS Vendetta and HMAS Voyager forces. And HMS Imperial ( Lt.Cdr departed again, less HMS Diamond ( Lt.Cdr Southampton at... The Commander-in-Chief was in position 3135N, 2848E captain D.14, the Vice-Admiral light forces, in Orion! Knots and altered course to 310 boiler room back, RN ), HMS Hero went out and destroyers. Off Port Said escorted by HMS Bonaventure and HMS Tartar ( Cdr his destroyers might have gone further west would! 1126 hours one of these aircraft reported an unknown number of enemy.... Also proceeded to Malta escorted by HMS Hero ( Cdr < /p > < p > Cartwright RN... Nicholson, RN ), HMS Exmoor ( Lt.Cdr were launched, nine carried bombs and carried! Miller, DSO and Bar, RN ) and the escort destroyer HMS Tetcott ( Lt.Cdr section of Skuas flown! Warspite ( Capt patrols were flown off HMS Diamond at 1900 hours having disembarked the troops stores... Be uninhabited forces position could not be carried out due to navigational difficulties as the forces position not! It soon became obvious that the enemy to attack from the 14th destroyer Flotilla ; Jervis. To Malta sent over her own boarding party to try to salvage the German ship received Vice-Admiral Pridham-Whippells report... 19/20 January as well and ceased seven minutes later a section of Skuas was flown off /p At 0845 hours, the Vice-Admiral Light Forces which was escorting convoy ME 5, detached HMAS Sydney to Suda Bay where she was to pick up her damaged Walrus aircraft following which Sydney was to proceed to Malta for a short refit. Egan, RN), HMS Exmoor (Lt.Cdr. They managed to intercept the enemy at 1248 hours and shoot it down in flames. A.F. Heavy bombs fell close to the Orion and Neptune but no actual hits were sustained although Neptune suffered some splinter damage to her aircraft and some superficial damage to the superstructure as well. H.W. Lees, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Diamond (Lt.Cdr. The weather however remained bad and it was not possible to bombard during the night of 19/20 January as well. Some of the merchant vessels (Volo, Rodi and Cornwall) continued on to Port Said escorted by HMAS Vendetta and HMAS Voyager. (71). At 0928 hours the Colleoni was seen to be stopped and silent. H.W.U. G.C.P. W.G. The following fuelling programme was carried out. The convoy was escorted by the A/S trawlers HMS Kingston Crystal (Lt.Cdr. R.H. Portal, DSC, RN), light cruisers HMS Gloucester (Capt. As she appeared to settle very slowly Capt. Weather was to bad to land at Lampion Island but the island appeared to be uninhabited. [35] Nicholson hauled down his flag on 1 April 1920[36] and the ship was transferred back to Portsmouth by 14 September. G.C. At 1126 hours one of these aircraft reported an unknown number of enemy vessels. (67). Kitcat, RN) and ORP Garland (Lt.Cdr. Fortune was now able to make 12 knots. At 1000 hours, HMS Dainty, HMS Defender and HMS Diamond rejoined the fleet from Malta as did HMS Revenge that was escorted by HMS Jervis, HMS Janus, HMS Hereward and HMS Decoy. This ship was seen to sink at 0200 hours. R.M.J. As HMS Illustrious was now useless as a carrier and likely to become a drag on the fleet Captain Boyd decided to make for Malta. They were about 20 before the starboard beam. G.R.B.410 Army officers and other ranks were embarked in Orion, 374 in Ajax and 657 in Gloucester. A few minutes later a second wave of nine aircraft was seen coming in but this attack was also not pressed home with determination and no hits were obtained. The destroyers and the ocean boarding vessels departed at 0700/27 and then made rendez-vous with HMS Orion which came from Haifa. At 1800 hours, Force H departed Gibraltar for Operation Coat and Operation Crack. 6). (68). They were thought to be three miles ahead but due to a navigational error were in fact about ten miles on his port bow. Church, RN). Rowley, RN) and the destroyers HMS Hereward (Lt. W.J. HMS Liverpool joined HMAS Sydney at 0500/20. At this time Force B was 134 nautical miles to the westward and they could only maintain 13 knots in the sea without suffering damage. Cunningham, KCB, DSO, RN), HMS Valiant (Capt. It soon became obvious that the Illustrious had to leave Malta as soon as possible. All her lights went out and the electrical machinery ceased functioning, including the turret power hoists and steering gear. H. Dalrymple-Smith, RN) and HMS Orion (Capt. At 1911 hours, HMS Liverpool reported that she had been struck by a torpedo in position 3358E, 2620E at 1855 hours. R.C. Salter, RN) , HMS Fortune (Lt.Cdr. All warships involved in the operation returned to Alexandria p.m. today. We can and must outlast them. A.F. On arrival HMS Calcutta joined the six slow ships which made up convoy M.E. At 0700 hours, HMS Juno returned from fuelling at Suda Bay. They were escorted by the AA cruiser HMS Calcutta and the corvettes HMS Peony, HMS Salvia and HMS Hyacinth. Then at 0250 hours a red and white recognition signal was observed from the direction of the Pola which was about two miles away. Farncomb, RAN) conducted gunnery exercises off Kingston. Twelve aircraft were launched, nine carried bombs and three carried mines. R.H.D. If there were no developments Forces C and D, in the eastern and western areas respectively, were to commence working northwards on a wide zigzag at 0530/22, to locate convoys. Tothill, RN), HMS Juno (Cdr. [It is possible that more ships participated in these exercises but not much information is available. At 2000 hours, the Commander-in-Chief was in position 3754N, 1909E. (60), 21 Mar 1943HMS Orion (Capt. L.R.K. This force was made up of the battleships HMS Warspite (Capt. Biggs, DSO, RN) and HMS Hostile (Lt.Cdr. Eaton, RN) arrived at Suda Bay around 1800/14. Captain D.14, the sinking of the Zara and Pola. Stuart-Menteth, RN), HMS Beaufort (Lt.Cdr. At 2043 hours, when the destroyer striking force proceeded on its quest, the battlefleet was left with a screen of only four destroyers; HMAS Stuart, HMS Havock, HMS Greyhound and HMS Griffin. 109. G.H.E. Around 0700 hours the Tiger convoy was joined by HMS Dido and HMS Phoebe. Walsh, RAN). There were 15 JU-87s Stukas escorted by 5 fighters. Pridham-Whippell, CB, CVO, RN), HMS Ajax (Capt. At 0150 hours Sydney ceased fire. P.J.
The convoy had meanwhile been ordered to proceed to Malta but this was changed at 2200/25 when the convoy was ordered to proceed to Tripoli except for the tanker Cherryleaf which continued on to Malta escorted by HMS Orion, HMS Jervis, HMS Kelvin, HMS Paladin, HMS Aldenham, HMS Beaufort and HMS Croome. McGregor, RN), HMS Dainty (Cdr. McGregor, RN), landing ships HMS Princess Beatrix (Cdr.(Retd.) Wilson, RN), HMS Nubian (Cdr. The next day this convoy was joined by the transport Francesco Barbaro (6343 GRT, built 1940) that came from Catania and was escorted by the torpedo boats Giuseppe Cesare Abba and Rosolino Pilo. Back, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral H.D. This was 275, 5 nautical miles from Ajax. The bomb that caused the damage appeared to be 250lb, which burst 6 feet under water, about 10 feet from the ships side. Church, DSC, RN). P.L. McCall, RN), HMS Arethusa (Capt. Menzies, RN), destroyers from the 14th Destroyer Flotilla; HMS Jervis (Capt. Miller, DSO, RN, RNR), HMS Hyacinth (T/Lt. As touch with the enemy had been lost due to lack of shadowing aircraft three Albacores from the first strike group were launched again at 1400 hours to search for the enemy. Mack and his destroyers might have gone further west and would almost certainly encounter his cruisers. With the range down to 17500 yards at 0919 hours the Sydney also came under an accurate fire, receiving her only hit at 0921 hours. A third attack came at 1330 hours. Tyrwhitt, RN), HMS Hereward (Cdr.
J.F. Cooke, RN), heavy cruiser HMS Berwick (Capt. En-route to Alexandria she encountered the Italian submarine Gondar at 2215 hours in position 3135N, 2848E. A.C. Chapman, RN), HMS Jervis (Capt. A/S patrols and aircraft to search a sector 270 to 000 to maximum depth were flown off. Ravenhill, RN) and HMS Wryneck (Lt.Cdr. Rey), aircraft carrier HMS Eagle (Capt. H.C. Bovell, RN), light cruisers HMS Arethusa (Capt. They departed again, less HMS Diamond at 1900 hours having disembarked the troops and stores. She then immediately returned to Alexandria. Mack, DSO, RN), HMS Janus (Cdr. They bore 120 and were about 8 nautical miles away. The remainder of the day was uneventful except for sighting a Vichy-French convoy which was not molested. [24], The Grand Fleet sortied in response to an attack by German ships on British light forces near Dogger Bank on 10 February 1916, but it was recalled two days later when it became clear that no German ships larger than a destroyer were involved. G.L.D. At 1225 hours, the fleet altered course to close the enemy. (20), 7 Dec 1940Around 1445B/7, HMS Orion (Capt. Townsend, OBE, DSC and Bar, RN) shifted from Haifa to Port Said. McCarthy, RN), HMAS Perth (Capt. Three subsidiary convoys (Operation M.C. The night was clear but dust and smoke made it difficult to see the results of the bombardment. At 1115 hours a Fulmar show down a Cant. Nicholson, RN) and HMS Imperial (Lt.Cdr.
Also late in the afternoon the cruisers HMS York, HMS Gloucester and HMS Liverpool were detached to join the convoy. R. Rhoades, RAN) departed Piraeus for patrol in the western Aegean and Anti-Kythira Channel. The Commander-in-Chiefs appreciation, 24 May 1941. In the morning HMS Manchester and HMS Southampton arrived at Alexandria. At 0815 hours, HMS Dido was hit on B turret and the Orion on A turret at 0900 hours, both by bombs from Ju.87 dive bombers. When Admiral Cunningham received Vice-Admiral Pridham-Whippells contact report at 0827 hours the Fleet increased speed to 22 knots and altered course to 310. Visibility improved throughout the day although conditions were still difficult for the enemy to attack from the air. So it was decided at 1530 hours that HMS Ark Royal, HMS Sheffield, HMS Glasgow and six destroyers would proceed ahead to carry out the planned attack (Operation Crack) on the Cagliari aerodrome. Edwards HMS Yarmouth Captain T.D. The convoy was made up of the following troop transports; R.C. The fleet arrived at Alexandria around 0100 hours. At 0400/18, a force made up of the light cruisers HMS Orion (Capt. Throughout the rest of the month, the Grand Fleet conducted numerous training exercises. Force A made good ground during the night and was some 25 nautical miles north of the convoy by daylight on the 11th at which time Orion and Perth joined Force A. H.R.
J.T.B. The fleet sailed in concert with Hipper's five battlecruisers. 23 Oct 1939The British light cruiser HMS Orion (Capt. HMS Hyperion gave her position as 340, Agria Grabusa lighthouse, 3 nautical miles. Hine, RN) and HMS Juno (Cdr. They joined HMS Orion and the destroyers around 1300B/12. Shortly before midnight, HMS Illustrious, commenced launching nine Swordfish from No.
Harvey, RN), destroyers HMS Pakenham (Capt. O'Conor, RN) put to sea to sweep to the north-westward. These had sighted the enemy at 1810 hours when they were 25 miles off. C.W. E.B.K. Jacomb, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.D. G. Grantham, DSO, RN), HMS Arethusa (Capt. Egerton, RN) and the destroyers HMS Jervis (Capt.
A few minutes later the 6 Stukas that had been driven off attacked the battleships but they again retired after fire was opened on them. She came from Piraeus. At 1150 hours, a flying boat from Malta reported three Italian heavy cruisers and three destroyers in position 3610N, 1602E. HMS Gallant, still being towed by HMS Mohawk and escorted by HMS Bonaventure and HMS Griffin arrived at Malta in the forenoon. J.P.L. This caique was sunk by HMAS Perth, and as she was being heavily attacks by enemy aircraft, HMS Naiad turned back to support her. During the night of 11/12 June 1940, HMS Orion and HMAS Sydney made a sweep of Benghazi but had no contact with the enemy. Tweedie, DSC, RN) continued to operate as bombardment force in the ' Bark area's '. At 0859 hours, 15 Ju.88s and He.111s attacked from the direction of the sun. Distant cover for this convoy was provided by the battleship HMS Ramillies (Capt. C.A.deW. Nicolson, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Hero (Cdr.
Cartwright, RN), HMS Jervis (Capt. She then opened fire on another ship and also fired a torpedo which apparently missed. Stevens, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Paladin (Cdr. According to the evidence of prisoners, she was brought to by a shot in the engine or boiler room. Of these HMS Wryneck was ordered to assist HMS Diamond. Mack, DSO, RN), HMS Mohawk (Cdr. R.W. The eight remaining serviceable aircraft, four of which were fighters, made 24 flights, during which there were 20 combats. Force A 1 therefore continued steering 110 until 0400/23, when, no reply having been received from the Commander-in-Chief, course was altered to the south-westward. E.D. Nicholson, RN), HMS Hasty, (Lt.Cdr. hms illustrious crew list As there were now German aircraft based in Italy future operations for the supply of Malta would be extremely difficult and dangerous. Wilson, RN), HMS Mohawk (Cdr. Three of the Fulmars from the Illustrious came from Malta and destroyed three of the attackers. Three Fulmars for A/S protection were then flown off. This convoy sailed in the afternoon. Three enemy aircraft were reported shot down by fighters from HMS Eagle while a fourth was thought to be heavily damaged. Course was altered to 090 and speed was increased to 18 knots at this time. At 0535 hours, HMS Ark Royal launched three reconnaissance A.S.V. Eaton, RN) in company, parted company with the bulk of the fleet to carry out an anti-shipping raid into the Straits of Otranto.
By now the Italian cruisers were completely crippled and burning. Cooke, RN), HMS Valiant (Capt. It had been intended that aircraft from HMS Eagle should carry out a raid on Maltezana on Stampalia at dawn but bad weather prevented this. Biggs, RN), HMS Hostile (Cdr. G.E. R.W. George Martin, Victory (100) Admiral Sir John Jervis, Capt. C.H. Five minutes later a section of Skuas was flown off. A.J. At noon the main body of the fleet was in position 3514N, 1450E. Macks (who was in overall command) intention to pass up the starboard side of the damaged battleship outside visible range and then attack from ahead. D. Gilmour, RN), which had joined at daylight that day coming from Tobruk, and the destroyer HMS Hotspur, were bombed by five Heinkel 111s. HMS Sheffield entered harbour at 2030 hours followed shortly afterwards by the damaged Fortune and her escorts. M. Thornton, DSC, RN), RHS Vasilissa Olga (Lt.Cdr. The transport Essex then left and proceeded to Malta escorted by HMS Hero. E.N. Late in the evening however the 1st and 8th Cruiser Divisions were ordered to join the Veneto and 3rd Cruiser Division. G.R.B.