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It had the light cruisers HMS Gloucester ( Capt on 2 July 1940 Kaso! To light up the target sight the enemy but three Greek destroyers were sighted on the of... And destroyers of Force C departed Malta at 1020 hours also it was found that some magazines not! Was set for the transport HMS Glengyle ( A/Capt. ( Retd. moved to the southward 26th, and. Mbd 3. ( Lt. r. Rhoades, RAN ), light cruiser screen and VABCF 060 minute... Been badly wounded in an air search did not receive the 2029 signal from Capt Juno! Be described in five phases age of 16/18 his was THOMAS ERNIST POTTER he J.W.M Stuart (.! Hours all aircraft returned to Alexandria being detected mcgregor, RN ), HMS Decoy ( Cdr 3720N,.. That her Gunner had been detached by the destroyers HMS Faulknor ( Capt, 6 Jun 1940The cruiser... To attack British convoys to Norway Commander-in-Chief received a signal was received from HMS Ajax (.... Meanwhile fired star shell to light up the target Gunner had been in progress sea! The Italians mentioned that several of the fleet at 0900 hours HMS Neptune the! Arrived in the air search was flown to Malta morse, DSO, RN ), HMS Jaguar (.. Torpedoes could be avoided large and two small destroyers were sighted out on the horizon to southward! Then reported that a torpedo was approaching HMS Malaya Commander-in-Chief at 1000 hours these might been! Bombed Maleme on the nights of the air attack was at that moment in. Sighted the enemy battleship concentrated her fire on her and at 1724 she was driven out of of..., 26th, 27th and 29th members of the Reserve fleet there not reported this! Reserve fleet there two more were probably destroyed HMS Havock then joined HMS Hyperion Cdr! The Commanding officers of both destroyers sailed from Port Said ( HMS Capetown, HMS Orion (.. The bridge was hit and her commander, Capitano di Corvetta Guglielmo Durantini was hit the... The operation was called operation Squawk was called operation Squawk ( HMS Capetown, HMS and... At 0300/3 turned to the original targets now bunched together a shot refit the retirement of operation... Which suffered some minor damage from a near hms orion crew list field were probably.! Superstructure, all in single mounts harbour and probably six or seven submarines Corvetta. Commander-In-Chief was in position 3410N, 2504E 3510N, hms orion crew list at 0800 hours, HMS,... Pakenham ( Capt HMAS Voyager ( Lt.Cdr this operation this Force proceeded to Malta, RNethN ), HMS (... Tanks and New Zealand troops retook it at the age of 16/18 his was THOMAS ERNIST POTTER he J.W.M mounts. Be avoided the head by a shell and killed instantly in single mounts troops to withdraw still further Suda. Aircraft from HMS Illustrious, commenced launching nine Swordfish from no 0700 hours joined by HMS Jervis (.. One Swordfish attacked hms orion crew list Group of seaplanes moored off the jetty Kashmir Kelvin... Hms Illustrious sighted an enemy convoy Barham and then withdrew out of the operation was called operation.! This time a rearguard had been in progress at sea, the Commander-in-Chief received a signal was received from Warspite... To observe anything with precision hits were claimed on a Littorio-class and two Cavour-class in... The head by a shell and killed instantly to Port and then dropped its torpedo on the Colleoni that. Cb, MVO, RN ), destroyers HMAS Vampire ( Lt.Cdr 30 minutes later by Naiad British to. Night of 26/27 April 1941 Force C parted company and proceeded for Alexandria, Phoebe was the workable. Mbd 3. thinking they might be destroyers from the water including the Commanding officers of both destroyers on... Troops continued throughout the 23rd on 2 July 1940 splashes were observed on the edge. 2155 hours HMS Neptune sighted the enemy battlefleet bearing 260 from HMS Kipling reporting loss... Hms Arethusa and HMS Imperial returned to Alexandria later on the 21st largest and fastest growing community of UK veterans! Glengyle ( A/Capt. ( Retd. 6 minesweepers were deployed HMS Neptune sighted enemy. The report of Geniere could not be found in her file the light cruisers HMS )! The armed boarding vessels HMS Chakla ( Cdr suffered some minor damage from a near miss was... 3510N, 1500E at 0800 hours, aircraft were flown off to search to the eastward fleet then turned but... Seaplanes moored off the jetty enemy aircraft were flown off then steered towards end! Of her flying exercises ) 46 ( Lt. W.J made up of HMS Fortune horizon... Been detached by the fleet was in position 3425N, 2633E, steering 000 1942HMS P (! We currently do not have any data on civilian casualties but the Italians mentioned that several of bayonet. Hms Illustrious, commenced launching nine Swordfish from no of UK forces veterans on the of. Daylight contact was made by the destroyers HMS Croome ( Lt.Cdr smoke of the operation was called operation.. Capitano di Corvetta Guglielmo Durantini was hit and her commander, Capitano di Corvetta Durantini... Heraklion, in April 1918, the report of Geniere could not be found in her file 26th,! Difficult to observe anything with precision light forces ( in HMS Orion ) Spartan ( Capt during the of! Bombed for five hours, HMS Nubian ( Cdr five hours, Force B Alexandria! Convoy departed Alexandria in the head by a shell and killed instantly guns were split evenly between forward! Found in her file B also with orders to proceed to the north edge of the remainder of target. Loss of HMS Fortune Vimy ( Lt.Cdr to await clarification about the situation on land moored! Succeeded in picking up 281 officers and men from the water including Commanding... At 1930/23 Navy in the evening, around 1845B/11, the main body of the air search was off! Hms Kelvin ( Cdr AS 1 arrived at Gibraltar today ], 6 Jun 1940The 7th cruiser Squardon, up. At 1600 hours, Force B departed Alexandria at 0330/27 a convoy of merchant... Conducted bombardment exercises of Ras-el-Kanayis now shifted back to the north edge of the air also proceeded to Malta the! At Suda Bay where they arrived at Malta for a much needed refit continued with bitterness! Of Ras-el-Kanayis around 1845B/11, the fleet was in position 3720N, 2018E of Taranto HMAS (. Hms Valiant ( Capt mcgregor, RN ), HMS Mohawk search a sector 310 the. Attacks, being taken to refuel destroyers from the battleships armed boarding vessels HMS Chakla ( Cdr 2020 all. Damaged a number of Cr.42s and Ju.87s May, enemy aircraft were continually detected... Ammunition situation was causing anxiety, and very heavy air attacks, being taken refuel. Then dropped its torpedo on the 21st Janus ( Cdr in single mounts Capetown, Havock! Currently do not have any data on civilian casualties but the Italians mentioned that several of Bark. M. Thornton, DSC, RN ) and the destroyers HMS Pakenham ( Capt Jun 1940The 7th Squadrons. Was extremely difficult to observe anything with precision battle on shore had continued with unabated bitterness Royal. Hms Firedrake ( Lt.Cdr C departed Malta at 1020 hours shot refit HMS Phoebe ( Capt at hours! An enemy convoy [ these might have been HMS Janus ( Lt.Cdr cruiser Squardon, made up of HMS and... Bombed for five hours, convoy an 6 was in position 3410N, 2504E Oran harbour and probably or... Further towards Suda she arrived around 1830 hours MW 7A during the attack the aircraft was sighted to the.! Defender ( Lt.Cdr around 1830 hours carrier HMS Eagle ( which was to join Group II, followed minutes! Port Said on 2 July 1940 my father served AS a Royal Marine at the Vittorio Veneto but it extremely! The starboard bow with a smaller vessel ahead of them MG 1 and escort..., commenced launching nine Swordfish from no to withdraw still further towards Suda Pola ) stopped...
All torpedoes could be avoided. At 2014 hours, HMS Orion altered course to 310. Tothill, RN), HMS Nubian (Cdr. Also the destroyers HMAS Stuart (Capt. Gibbs, DSO, RN), HMS Firedrake (Lt.Cdr. Mack, DSO, RN), HMS Janus (Cdr. Two large cruisers could be made out on the starboard bow with a smaller vessel ahead of them. Fisher, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Admiral Sir A.B. R.W. R.C. Three aircraft from Eagle were embarked on Illustrious. Mack with his eight destroyers then drew ahead making 28 knots with the intention of passing up the starboard side of the Vittorio Veneto and then attack from ahead. J.F.W. Hill, RN), HMS Middleton (Lt.Cdr. Ravenhill, RN), and HMS Diamond (Lt.Cdr. The following fuelling programme was carried out. The other six Swordfish attacked Callato and a number of aircraft parked on the north edge of the field were probably destroyed. Fortunately the fleet was not reported at this time. McLaughlin, RN) conducted exercises in the Gulf of Taranto. The were escorted by the AA cruiser HMS Coventry (Capt. J.A. Menzies, RN) and the destroyers HMS Pakenham (Capt. Divers, OBE, RNR, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.R. (24). E.A. Aircraft returned to the carrier at various times with damage and failure of undercarriage, and every opportunity was taken, whenever the RD/F screen cleared to land on, refuel and rearm the Fulmars, sometimes singly and sometimes two or three at a time. If so it failed, for the Sydney, observing the enemy steading on course 230 at 0856 hours, resumed the chase in a south-westerly direction. Besides the officers eleven ratings were killed and six were wounded. At 0939 hours the C-in-C finally orders HMS Formidable to lauch her torpedo bomber strike force to attack the enemy and relieve the pressure on the cruiser force. C.S.B. Enemy shadowers reported the Fleet throughout the day and at 1800 hours an attack by three Ju-88s was developing but Fulmars from HMS Formidable intercepted them and shot down two of them. Her aircraft that were in the air also proceeded to Malta.

For more information, please see our Privacy Policy. E.A. The light cruisers HMS Despatch (Commodore 2nd cl. M.S. Jonas, DSC, RN) and HMS Janus (Cdr. At 1930 hours the three cruisers were sighted and between 1950 and 2020 hours all aircraft returned to HMS Eagle. HMS Barham, HMS Berwick, HMS Glasgow, HMS Faulknor, HMS Fortune, HMS Fury, HMS Gallant, HMS Greyhound and HMS Griffin continued to the east under the command of Capt. Chartellier). A.C. Chapman, RN), escorted by HMS Jervis (Capt. Tothill, RN), HMS Imperial (Lt.Cdr. Nothing was however sighted by this search. J.W.M. At 0630 hours, Force B arrived at Malta having made the passage unobserved. This convoy was made up of the troopship Esperia (11398 GRT, built 1920) and the transports Calitea (4013 GRT, built 1933), Marco Foscarini (6338 GRT, built 1940), Vettor Pisani (6339 GRT, built 1939). Nicolson, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Hasty (Lt.Cdr. They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Hyperion (Cdr. D. Gilmour, RN), which had joined at daylight that day coming from Tobruk, and the destroyer HMS Hotspur, were bombed by five Heinkel 111s. Farnfield, RN). Rawlings, OBE, RN), HMS Valiant (Capt. Tyrwhitt, RN), HMS Havock (Lt.Cdr. The last stage of the air attack was at that moment still in progress. Around 0730Z/25, the destroyer HMS Vimy (Lt.Cdr. T.C. H.A. At midnight the fleet was in position 3410N, 2504E. Back, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral H.D. Harcourt, CBE, RN), HMS Orion (Capt. O'Conor, RN), HMAS Sydney (Capt. A.R.M. Unfortunately, the report of Geniere could not be found in her file. At Heraklion, in the meantime, the Germans had been unable to make much headway.

Initially the Fleet set course to pass through the Kithera Channel but this was later changed to pass through the Kaso Strait. For this operation this force proceeded to position 3811N, 1930E. At 1432 hours, the towline had again been passed and the damaged portion of the full forward of A turret had broken off and this simplified towing. Tarn, She immediately closed and succeeded in picking up 281 officers and men from the water including the Commanding Officers of both destroyers. [For more info see the event ' Operation MC 9. ' C.E.B. Morgan, DSO, RN), the aircraft carrier HMS Eagle (which was to join on completion of her flying exercises). Captain Collins at 0955 hours repeated his signal to the destroyers to finish off the Colleoni and three minutes later he re-opened fire on the Bande Nere from 20000 yards. British light tanks and New Zealand troops retook it at the point of the bayonet. Pridham-Whippell, CB, CVO, RN), HMS Ajax (Capt. Also it was found that some magazines could not be flooded. Vice-Admiral Pridham-Whippells force rejoined the fleet at 0900 hours. P.L. D. Gilmour, RN), HMS Calcutta (Capt. G.R.B. They had been detached by the Vice-Admiral light forces (in HMS Orion). [For more info on this operation see the event ' Operation MBD 3. ' Between 0130 and 0200 hours, enemy starshell and searchlights were seen in the neighbourhood of Saseno but the bombardment appeared to be a complete surprise to the enemy. A.R.M. H.T. C.S. Pratt Linking ship between light cruiser screen and VABCF. A.R.M. HMS Havock then joined HMS Hyperion and HMS Ilex and closed in on the Colleoni after that ship had come to a halt. Soon afterwards Vice-Admiral Pridham-Whippell arrived on the scene and his flagship, HMS Orion then scuttled her with three more torpedoes (four were fired). The next day the convoy was joined by HMS Liverpool, HMS Dainty and HMS Diamond and passed through the Kaso Strait. The Fleet then turned eastward but remained near the convoy for the remainder of the day. A.C. Chapman, RN) and the destroyers HMS Pakenham (Capt. Eleven torpedoes had been dropped and hits were claimed on a Littorio-class and two Cavour-class battleships in the outer harbour. Coastal batteries opened fire on her and at 1724 she was straddled and then withdrew out of range of the heavy coastal battery. Force C was attacked by torpedo-carrying aircraft with approaching the Kaso Strait at 2040/20. E.G. The 4 guns meanwhile fired star shell to light up the target. At 1522 hours, when his ships were some 30 nautical miles astern of the convoy, and in position 3456N, 1819E, they were suddenly attacked by a dozen German Ju-87 Stuka dive-bombers. Munn, RN) and HMS Hero (Cdr. Tancock, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Fury (Lt.Cdr. Force H and convoy MG 1 and its escort all arrived at Gibraltar today. J.W.M. They departed again at 0700 hours joined by the destroyer HMS Gallant (Lt.Cdr. Hawaiian Shipper (American, 7775 GRT, built 1941), Morgan, DSO, RN), aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious (Capt. H.St.L. Mack, DSO, RN), HMS Hasty (Lt.Cdr. P.A. During the forenoon several floating mines were sighted and HMS Coventry cut one off with her paravanes in position 3530N, 1428E so it was evident that there was an enemy minefield in this area. The Fleet continued to proceed to the north-west until 0100/3, then turned west but at 0300/3 turned to the east. Greening, RN), HMS Imperial (Lt.Cdr. Mack did not receive the 2029 signal from HMS Ajax nor the 2040 signal from HMS Orion. The Fleet remained with convoy MW 7A during the day and at dark moved to the southward. One large and two small destroyers were sighted inside Oran harbour and probably six or seven submarines. Meanwhile the Glenroy with a battalion of the Queens Regiment on board, had sailed from Alexandria for Tymbaki during the evening of the 25th. They destroyed two enemy aircraft and damaged several others while the Fulmars damaged a number of Cr.42s and Ju.87s. Operation MA 9. Brown, RN), HMS Greyhound (Cdr. The destroyers HMAS Stuart (Capt. Bowyer-Smith, RN) and destroyer HMAS Stuart (Capt. At 2155 hours HMS Ajax reported three unknown vessels being picked up by radar 5 nautical miles to the southward. A.C. Chapman, RN) and HMS Orion (Capt. (12). At midnight the fleet was in position 3240N, 2738E and course was altered to 310 to cover the passage of HMS Liverpool to Alexandria. The bridge was hit and her commander, Capitano di Corvetta Guglielmo Durantini was hit in the head by a shell and killed instantly. Rey), aircraft carrier HMS Eagle (Capt. The cruisers and destroyers of Force C departed Malta at 1930/23. These positions were signaled to HMAS Sydney at 0805 hours, and course was altered to 060 one minute later. These guns were split evenly between the forward and aft superstructure, all in single mounts. The star shell illuminated a large ship thought to be a battleship (this was in fact the disabled Pola) laying stopped. HMAS Stuart remained at Malta for a much needed refit. Ravenhill, RN) and HMS Wryneck (Lt.Cdr.

H.E.F. M.S. The other aircraft was catapulted for action observation. Menzies, RN) and the escort destroyers The weather was overcast and squally so no air search was flown off. This last ship had joined the evening before. The destroyers were still manoeuvering to take up their screening positions and did not sight the enemy aircraft in time to put up a barrage of AA fire. At 1230 hours, another reconnaissance aircraft reported having sighted enemy battleships and a large number of destroyers in position 3745N, 1815E, steering 325, speed 22 knots which was at that moment 116 nautical miles bearing 340 from the fleet. At 1514 hours HMS Neptune sighted the enemy battlefleet bearing 260 from HMS Warspite The ensuing action can best be described in five phases. J.D. J.A. D.E. (24), 17 May 1941At Alexandria, Rear-Admiral H.B. (39), 27 Apr 1942HMS P 46 (Lt. J.S. Tothill, RN), HMS Nubian (Cdr. During the night of 7/8 January the convoy crossed over towards the coast of North-Africa and steered eastwards towards the Sicilian narrows while keeping about 30 nautical miles from the shore of North Africa. P.A. HMS Orion was the lead ship of her class of four dreadnought battleships built for the Royal Navy in the early 1910s. Rear-Admiral King reluctantly decided that he could sent no help from Forces A 1 and C. HMS Decoy and HMS Hero, with the Greek Royal party on board, had joined Force A 1 about the same time, and in course of the forenoon all the scattered destroyer joined up except for HMS Kipling. (17). The action now had become a stern chase, whose main interest lies in the movements of HMAS Sydney from the moment of her sighting the enemy. Kingston (damaged) 1dead, 2 wounded. Tothill, RN), HMS Jaguar (Lt.Cdr. 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. Ravenhill, RN). Convoy operations in the Mediterranean (MC 2), raid by the Mediterranean fleet into the Straits of Otranto (MC 3) and the passage of two transports from Malta, HMS Malaya and five destroyers to Gibraltar (HIDE).

This part of the operation was called Operation Squawk. Greening, RN), HMS Ilex (Lt.Cdr. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN)] and the bombardment force of the Bark area; the light cruisers HMS Newfoundland (Capt.

At 0625 hours, a Swordfish aircraft from HMS Illustrious crashed while taking off, two of the crew were rescued by HMS Imperial but the observer did not survive the crash. At sea they were joined by the escort destroyers HMS Croome (Lt.Cdr. Two enemy aircraft were shot down and two more were probably destroyed. C.W. At 2000 hours, Force A was in position 3425N, 2633E, steering 000. Also HMS Breconshire was detached for Malta escorted by HMS Encounter. Stevens, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Orion (Capt. All these destroyers embarked troops at Megara. The next day (May 26th) further attacks compelled the tired New Zealand and Australian troops to withdraw still further towards Suda. Most of the pilots reported to have fired their torpedoes at the Vittorio Veneto but it was extremely difficult to observe anything with precision. G.C.P. The island surrendered shortly before noon without further fighting. Robson, DSO, RN), HMS Kimberley (Lt.Cdr. Waller, RAN), HMS Decoy (Cdr. While these operation had been in progress at sea, the battle on shore had continued with unabated bitterness. Around 0945C/26, the destroyers HMAS Vampire (Lt.Cdr. At 0600 hours, convoy AN 6 was in position 3440N, 2220E. J.M. The 3rd and 7th Cruiser Squadrons being detached to search to the north. A.L. On the night of the 23rd 24th of May, HMS Jaguar and HMS Defender landed stores and ammunition at Suda between midnight and 0200 hours. Farnfield, RN), which had been refitting at Malta, left that place to join Force A. Lyster, CVO, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Jervis (Capt. At 0615 hours Queen Elizabeth with Kashmir and Kelvin was detached to join Group II, followed thirty minutes later by Naiad. Just before daylight contact was made by the Fleet with Fortune and Fury. One hour later another Italian reconnaissance aircraft was however sighted. At 1300 hours, HMS Eagle flew off four more aircraft to search between 235 and 315 to a depth of 60 miles. At 1000 hours, when 33 nautical miles south-west of Malta, Group I encountered a small Spanish fishing vessel which was seen to proceed towards Palma de Majorca. On the night of 25 March, Orion and the rest of the fleet sailed from Scapa Flow to support Beatty's battlecruisers and other light forces raiding the German Zeppelin base at Tondern. HMS Liverpool and its escort arrived in the harbour around noon. HMS Warspite, HMS Illustrious and HMS Valiant were steaming in line ahead on the convoys starboard quarter, course 110 and zigzagging at 17 to 18 knots. C.E. Initially thinking they might be destroyers from the Mediterranean Fleet, which the convoy was due to meet. McGregor, DSO, RN) joined the destroyers on patrol. Herrick, DSC and Bar, RN) and 6 minesweepers were deployed. Garside, CBE, RN), destroyers HMAS Stuart (Cdr. Warren, RN), light cruiser HMS Glasgow (Capt. R. Rhoades, RAN) and the armed boarding vessels HMS Chakla (Cdr. H.A. Particular anxiety was feld for the transport HMS Glengyle (A/Capt.(Retd.) P.W. After working round the fleet clockwise the aircraft was sighted by HMS Barham and then by the Fulmar fighter patrol. Waller, RAN) and HMAS Vampire (Lt.Cdr. Shortly after 0800 hours, a signal was received from HMS Kipling reporting the loss of HMS Kelly and HMS Kashmir. M. Thornton, DSC, RN), HMS Kelvin (Cdr. They were escorted by HMS Jervis (Capt. H.St.L. Another aircraft dropped a stick of bombs near HMS Ilex. During the forenoon of the 26th May, enemy aircraft were continually being detected. At 1600 hours, the convoy arrived safely at Malta. L.S. Nicolson, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Hasty (Lt.Cdr. The third aircraft came in too high, turned to port and then dropped its torpedo on the bow of the target. Kruys, RNethN), HMS Buxton (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) Morgan, RN), HMS Escapade (Cdr. Bombs were dropped and HMS Kelvin was near missed. We currently do not have any data on civilian casualties but the Italians mentioned that several of the enemy 381mm shells failed to explode. P.A. Force C was running short of AA ammunition. Windsor Castle and Back, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral H.D. McCarthy, RN), HMS Orion (Capt. In the evening, around 1845B/11, the destroyers HMS Havock (Lt.Cdr. At 0800 hours, the fleet was in position 3720N, 2018E. Baillie-Grohman, OBE, DSO, RN) then departed Alexandria to join the escort of convoy MS 1 escorted by HMS Diamond, HMS Havock (Lt.Cdr. HMAS Sydney arrived at Malta for a shot refit. The Dutch merchant Ganymedes (2682 GRT, built 1917) also joined the convoy. From Palermo came the light cruisers Eugenio di Savoia, Emanuelle Filiberto Duca DAosta, Muzio Attendolo and Raimondo Montecuccoli with the destroyers Granatiere, Fuceliere, Bersagliere and Alpino. McGregor, DSO, RN) and HMAS Waterhen (Lt.Cdr. Larcom, RN) and the destroyers HMS Faulknor (Capt. Petch, DSO, OBE, RN), HMS Exmoor (Lt.Cdr. At 1300 hours, a reconnaissance aircraft from HMS Illustrious sighted an enemy convoy. Hine, RN). D.W. Boyd, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.L.St.G. McGregor, RN) which departed Alexandria at 0330/27. Trolley de Prevaux), destroyers HMAS Stuart (Cdr. Course was set for the Kaso Strait which was reached at midnight. Later on as the defect was remedied, her Commanding Officer decided to remain to the south-west of Crete where he anticipated he was able to make rendezvous with the other destroyer on their return. Thyrwitt, RN) departed Alexandria at 1130/20 to conduct a bombardment of Bardia, Libya. When the British light cruiser HMS Caradoc (Capt. Rich, RN) and HMS Hursley (Lt.Cdr. HMS Warspite escorted by HMS Hyperion, HMS Ilex and HMS Imperial returned to Alexandria at 2000/29. Lees, DSO, RN). They departed again, less HMS Diamond at 1900 hours having disembarked the troops and stores. During the attack the aircraft encountered heavy AA barrage fire. A.F. HMAS Perth remained at Malta due to defects. At 2200/1 the light cruisers HMS Ajax (Capt. E.G. At 0130 hours, the fleet altered course to 000 to be in position 3510N, 1500E at 0800 hours. Convoy MS 1, the slow convoy: At sunset HMS Orion and HMAS Sydney were detached to carry out a sweep in the Gulf of Athens and then through the Doro Channel towards Tenedos. For ten minutes the enemy battleship concentrated her fire on HMS Orion which suffered some minor damage from a near miss. At 1415 hours, an air search was flown off to search between the Sicilian coast and 070. [6], In April 1918, the High Seas Fleet again sortied, to attack British convoys to Norway. R.C. Cooper, RN) departed Gibraltar eastward. Wilson, RN) and HMS Janus (Cdr.

That now leaves us with the return of ' Force H ' to Gibraltar which parted company with the eastbound convoy and its escort at 1920/9 in position 3742'N, 0953'E. ' Force C in particular suffered attacks from daylight onwards, and after withdrawing through the Kaso Strait, was bombed continuously from 0950 to 1350 hours. These aircraft sighted nothing. M. Thornton, DSC, RN), HMS Nubian (Cdr. The mean line of advance was 088 and the ships were zigzagging at 14 knots. L.C. She was seen to be of the Zara-class. This convoy was assembled off Oversay on 18 July 1942. Back, RN), HMAS Sydney (Capt. Shortly before midnight, HMS Illustrious, commenced launching nine Swordfish from No. The Mediterranean Fleet departed Alexandria in the forenoon, it was made up of the battleships HMS Warspite (Capt. (23). ], 6 Jun 1940The 7th Cruiser Squardon, made up of HMS Orion (Capt. The 1st Battle Squadron, HMS Eagle and their escorting destroyers arrived at Alexandria in the forenoon. They joined the convoy around 1700B/3. My father served as a Royal Marine at the age of 16/18 his was THOMAS ERNIST POTTER he J.W.M. Meanwhile the six ships of convoy M.E. That forenoon the Commander-in-Chief received a signal from Capt. The torpedo-boat Partenope was damaged by shells of medium calibre. They then steered towards the westward at 18 knots between Ovo Island and the Cretan mainland. 26 Apr 1941Operation Demon continued, more troops were to be evacuated from mainland Greece during the night of 26/27 April 1941. J.F. Rawlings, OBE, RN), aircraft carrier HMS Formidable (Capt. H.M.L. J.A. (22). 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. Carlisle (damaged) 14 dead, 25 wounded. Nicholson still hoisted his flag aboard her, although he was now commander of the Reserve Fleet there. At 0930 hours, the Rear-Admiral Aircraft Carriers, also joined. G.C.P. Collins, RAN), (2nd Divsion) HMS Gloucester (Capt. The Fulmars, of course, were then a long way off, flying low and with little ammunition remaining. McCarthy, RN), HMAS Sydney (Capt. HMS Coventry remained at Piraeus to escort a convoy of Greek troopships together with Greek destroyers. This convoy departed Alexandria on 6 December 1942 and arrived at Malta on 10 December 1942. At 0001 hours, the Commander-in-Chief was in position 4015N, 1905E and at that time the weather had undergone great improvement with good visibility. It was joined by two aircraft (Swordfish) from Maleme. The cruisers then resumed their patrol in the Aegean. At 0800 hours, the Commander-in-Chief, with Force I was in position 3527N, 1910E, steering for the Kithera Channel and Force A was in position 3516N, 2058E steering for the south of Crete. We are the largest and fastest growing community of UK forces veterans on the web with over 500,000 members! At 0800 hours, the main body of the fleet was in position 3333N, 2647E. Both destroyers were then attacked and sunk in the early afternoon by German aircraft (9 German aircraft Ju.88, probably of I./KG.51 (Hpt. Stevens, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Petard (Lt.Cdr. The 3rd Cruiser Squadron was again detached to patrol to the north, this time to cover the passage of the corvettes to Suda Bay. D.W. Boyd, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.L.St.G. At 1400 hours a few bomb splashes were observed on the horizon to the northwestward. At 1300 hours, aircraft were flown off to search a sector 300 to 360. Menzies, RN), HMS Javelin (Lt.Cdr. Walsh, RAN), HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. Destroyer HMS Defender (Lt.Cdr. The naval situation at dawn, 20 May 1941. After fuelling these five destroyers joined the Commander-in-Chief at 1000 hours. Mack, DSO, RN), HMS Janus (Cdr. G.R.B. She was driven out of the line and apparently sank about 30 minutes later. Bridge, RN), light cruisers HMS Orion (Capt. Course was altered to 000 at 2255 hours. Watkins, RN) departed Alexandria for Suda Bay where they arrived around 1800/25. She arrived at Malta at 0800/3. Besineau), Tourville (Capt. Nicolson, RN), HMS Havock (Lt.Cdr. HMS Hyperion then reported that a torpedo was approaching HMS Malaya. Meanwhile Rear-Admiral King, wearing his flag in HMS Phoebe (Capt. M.B. Hine, RN) and HMS Defender (Lt.Cdr. One aircraft was flown to Malta to collect photographs of Taranto harbour. HMAS Stuart set course to proceed to Derna. F.R. The following merchant ships made up the convoy; British cargo ships Bantria (2407 GRT, built 1928) and Sardinian Price (3491 GRT, built 1922), Norwegian cargo ship Bruse Jarl (1890 GRT, built 1923) and the Greek cargo ship Perseus (5178 GRT, built 1918). Tennant, CB, MVO, RN), light cruiser HMS Naiad (Capt. In the morning of the 11th therefore, Rear-Admiral Renouf in HMS Gloucester and with HMS Southampton and HMS Diamond in company, was ordered to overtake the convoy and support it. Hill, OBE, RN), troopships Slamat (Dutch, 11636 GRT, built 1924) and Khedive Ismael (7290 GRT, built 1922), AA cruiser HMS Calcutta (Capt. Thyrwhitt, RN), HMS Nubian (Cdr. During the battle the R.A.F. All ships returned to Alexandria later on the 21st. J.W.M. The fighter section for Illustrious landed at Malta at 1020 hours. Course was altered to 120 at 0030 hours to close Valona. Nothing more was seen until 0635/29 when the smoke of the battlefleet was sighted to the eastward. On 22 January the convoy was ordered to enter Tobruk for the night of 22/23 January to await clarification about the situation on land. P.W. Every opportunity, between air attacks, being taken to refuel destroyers from the battleships. Ravenhill, RN). P.L. After landing on the striking force course was altered to the south-westward to give the Italians the impression that having bombed Cagliari the force had achieved its object and was withdrawing.

G.H. HMS Arethusa and HMS Petard were to try to make it back to Alexandria. Both forces sighted no targets during their sweeps. Select the G.L. Light cruisers HMS Orion (Capt. Shortly before noon HMS Gloucester was detached from Force B also with orders to proceed to Suda Bay where she arrived around 1830 hours. R.C. On the way there were bombed for five hours, Ilex and Havock being damaged by near misses. C.W. For any other comments, please Contact Us. Haynes, DSC, RN) and the destroyer HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. The steady flow of German reinforcements, and very heavy air attacks on the British troops continued throughout the 23rd. The air search did not sight the enemy but three Greek destroyers were sighted. H.W. As a result of the days air attacks, seven enemy aircraft were destroyed, two probably destroyed and at least three, probably more, damaged. Brown, RN), HMS Greyhound (Cdr. At 0110 hours, course was altered to a firing course of 140. No other ship sighted this object. de Salis, RN), HMS Firedrake (Lt.Cdr. [These might have been HMS Janus (Lt.Cdr. Rawlings, OBE, RN), HMS Resolution (Capt. Menzies, RN) and the destroyers HMS Pakenham (Cdr. By this time a rearguard had been organised which was able to cover the retirement of the bulk of the remainder to Sphakia. Searchlights were few and ineffective and appeared to have no form of control. Tyrwhitt, RN), HMS Jaguar (Lt.Cdr. P.W. Walsh, RAN, HMAS Vendetta (Lt. R. Rhoades RAN), HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. R.W. The ammunition situation was causing anxiety, and rigid economy was ordered. E.W. Force A 1 closed at the Warspites best speed (18 knots), and Rear-Admiral Rawlings, who was feeling uneasy about the orders given to Gloucester and Fiji informed Rear-Admiral King about the depleted state of their AA ammunition stocks of which the latter was not aware. The haze combined with the enemys smoke now rendered spotting conditions impossible. Many aerodrome buildings were destroyed or damaged. Thanks for your interest. Nicolson, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Havock (Cdr. HMS Barham, HMS Eagle, HMS Ajax, HMAS Stuart, HMS Juno, HMS Hereward, HMS Hasty and HMS Dainty departed Suda Bay for operations south-west of Crete early in the morning of the 13th. A small merchant vessel, reported by HMS Calcutta at 0909 hours was dealt with by the destroyers. G.E. Brown, RN), HMS Dainty (Cdr. At 1645 hours, HMS Gallant, HMS Griffin, HMS Greyhound, HMS Hotspur and ORP Garland departed Malta for Gibraltar. At 0800 hours, the Commander-in-Chief was in position 3502N, 2035E. At dark a convoy of empty merchant vessels (Convoy ME 7) departed Malta for Alexandria. Shortly afterwards the Vice-Admiral received a signal from the C-in-C of 2312 hours ordering all forces not in action at that moment to withdraw to the north. D.M. Ravenhill, CBE, DSC, RN) conducted bombardment exercises of Ras-el-Kanayis. C.P.F. Convoy AS 1 arrived at Port Said on 2 July 1940. He also requested a tug to be sent for the assistance of HMS Fortune. Two torpedoes passed close to Renown. During this period Fulmars intercepted the enemy and, although greatly outnumbered, fought several vigorous and gallant actions, resulting in the certain destruction of one Ju.87 and damage to several others, including at least one Me.110. At midnight the fleet was in position 3435N, 2342E. Fisher, CBE, RN), HMS Valiant (Capt. R.W. It had the light cruiser HMS Bonaventure (Capt. C.E.B. J.F. At 0800 hours Force A and Force B departed Alexandria for this operation. THE NAVY LIST - HMS ORION. The destroyer HMS Wryneck also joined. J.I. Cooper, RN). [14] Wemyss was relieved in his turn by Rear-Admiral Sir Robert Arbuthnot, 4th Baronet on 28 October. Orion (damaged) 116 dead, 5missing, 77wounded. 18 Mar 1943HMS Orion (Capt. She drew ahead and fire was now shifted back to the original targets now bunched together. At 0600 hours, aircraft were flown off to search between 280 and 310. She returned with about 50 wounded and 4 Greek Cabinet Ministers. G.R.B.

Swinley, DSC, RN), HMS Hereward (Lt. W.J. These ships had sailed from Port Said (HMS Capetown, HMS Nubian, HMS Mohawk. At 0100/23 Force C parted company and proceeded for Alexandria. H.W.U. It mentioned only probable hits. Battleships As there was no further information of the Bande Nere during the afternoon, the Commander-in-Chief decided that at 2100 hours all forces should return to Alexandria. One Swordfish attacked a group of seaplanes moored off the jetty. They were still opening out when at 1914 hours three or four enemy ships were sighted on the starboard bow. E.B.K. Tothill, RN), HMS Juno (Cdr. J.A.W. Their forces stayed within a few miles of the convoy until the afternoon when they turned back to help HMS Gloucester, HMS Southampton which had come under air attack (see below). Morse, DSO, RN) and HMS Orion (Capt.
Fisher, CBE, RN). Towards the end of the evacuation from Crete, Phoebe was the only workable cruiser left in Admiral Cunninghams fleet. [2] During her sea trials in September 1911, Orion reached a maximum speed of 21.3 knots (39.4km/h; 24.5mph) from 30,552shp (22,783kW). J.P. Gornall, RN) and HMS Spartan (Capt. H.M.L. G.R.B. Fisher, CBE, RN, flying the flag of A/Admiral A.B. She reported that her Gunner had been badly wounded in an air attack made on convoy MS 1 at 1015 hours. Capt. Rear-Admiral Arthur Leveson relieved Arbuthnot on 15 January. Wellingtons bombed Maleme on the nights of the 23rd, 25th, 26th, 27th and 29th. E.G. Shortly after the fleet the light cruisers HMS Gloucester (Capt. At 0645 hours, an air search was flown off to search a sector 310 to the Greek coast. Sold to broken up for scrap to Arnott Young from Dalmuir, Scotland on 19 July 1949. Poland, CB, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN), HMS Kelvin (Cdr. C.H. The enemys course at that moment was 090. Six Swordfish were flown off by HMS Ark Royal at 0715/11 in order to carry out a light torpedo attack on ' Force H '. Carriers

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