1 9 4 0

 

October

                1st           Commissioned for trials.

                                Commanding officer W. R. Patterson CVO.

                16th        Passage from Tyne build yard to Rosyth to complete installation of armament.

                                Four destroyers from Home Fleet were deployed as escort.

                                (Note: HM Destroyers ASHANTI and FAME collided during a high speed operations

                                before departure. These were carried out to detonate mines believed to

                                have been laid off Tyne estuary. Both of ships were seriously damaged

                                and under repair for several months.

 

November              Taken in hand for completion of radar fit and on completion carried cut 'First

                                of Class' and builders Acceptance Trials off the Orkneys.

                                (Note: Theses Included gunnery firings and trials of aircraft warning radar Type 279 and

                                fire control radar Type 284 for main armament.

                                See RADAR AT SEA by D Howse for details of development and use of radar by RN.)

 

December

                2nd         Took passage from Rosyth to Scapa Flow screened by HM Destroyers BEAGLE,

                                BULLDOG, MASHONA and SOMALI.

                                Trials In continuation

                                Nominated for special duty to take Lord Halifax, British Ambassador Designate to take up

                                his appointment in USA.

                                (Note: Work-up including trials on main armament were therefore not completed.)

                11th        Joined Home Fleet at Scapa Flow.

 

1 9 4 1

 

January

                15th        At Scapa Flow where she was visited by Winston Churchill and Lord Halifax. After lunch

                                on board Winston Churchill disembarked and she took passage with Lord Halifax for

                                passage to USA escorted by HM Destroyers BEDOUIN, MATABELE, SOMALI and

                                TARTAR.

                24th        Arrived in Chesapeake Bay escorted by the US Destroyer USN LANSDALE. Where Lord

                                Halifax disembarked to take up his duties as the British Ambassador to the USA.

                25th        Took passage from Chesapeake Bay for return to Scapa Flow to rejoin Home Fleet.

                                (Note: Whilst in USA collected US copy of Japanese Cypher machine (PURPLE) for

                                use during meetings between GCHQ officers and US security personnel.)

                31st         En route to Scapa Flow she joined the Armed Merchant Cruiser ALAUNIA escorting

                                convoy BHX 104 (This was an important Tanker convoy that had sailed from Bermuda on

                                21 January)

 

February

                3rd          770 miles WNW of Scapa she made a RV with HM Destroyers ECLIPSE, ESKIMO,

                                NAPIER and SOMALI. Following which she detached from convoy BHX 104 and

                                proceeded to Scapa Flow.

                6th          Arrived at Scapa escorted by ECLIPSE, ESKIMO, and SOMALI. NAPIER detached en

                                route. On arrival rejoined Home Fleet and resumed work-up.

 

March

                2nd         Deployed with ships of Home Flee to provide cover during landings by Commando

                                Units in Lofoten Islands (Operation CLAYMORE).

                                Engaged reconnaissance aircraft at long range without success.

                                (Note: This was first use of her AA armament in anger.)

                6th          Returned to Scapa Flow with Fleet units.

                                Deployed for defence of Atlantic convoys and carried out unsuccessful search for

                                German warships ADMIRAL SCHEER, SCHARNHORST and GNEISENAU known to be

                                deployed for attacks on shipping.

                                (Note: An RAF ASV MkII Radar set (Air-Surface Vessel) was installed in two WALRUS

                                aircraft. These aircraft were then embarked as her spotter-reconnaisance flight. This was the

                                first radar fit to a naval aircraft for ship use. See above reference.)

 

April

                1st           Nominal completion of work-up period and Flag of CinC Home Fleet transferred from

                                HM Battleship NELSON. (Admiral Sir John Towey).

 

May                        Flagship duties at Scapa Flow in continuation.

                21st         HM Battlecruiser HOOD and HM Battleship PRINCE OF WALES sailed for Hvalfjord.

                                (Note: This move was made in anticipation of an attempted break-out into the

                                Atlantic by the German battleship BISMARCK and cruiser PRINZ EUGEN.)

                22nd       Sailed from Scapa Flow with HM Aircraft Carrier VICTORIOUS, HM Cruisers GALATEA

                                AURORA, KENYA and HERMIONE screened by seven Home Fleet destroyers.

                23rd        Joined by HM Battlecruiser REPULSE which had sailed from the Clyde to join in the search

                                for the German warships.

                                (Note: HM Battleship RODNEY had been detached from escort of MV BRITANNIC,

                                HM Battleship REVENGE had sailed from Halifax, NS and HM Battleship

                                RAMILLES had detached from escort of an Atlantic convoy to take up positions

                                to intercept the German ships.)

                24th        HMS HOOD sunk in action with BISMARCK.

                                HMS VICTORIOUS detached from Flagship to carry cut air strikes against BISMARCK

                                to reduce her speed. Despite heavy anti-aircraft resolute attacks were made and one

                                torpedo hit obtained.

                                (Note: This caused only superficial damage as it exploded against the armoured belt

                                but the evasive manoeuvres made at high speed caused extensive flooding when

                                damage control mats were displaced. These had been used to prevent flooding

                                caused by hits from HMS PRINCE OF WALES during the earlier action when

                                HMS HOOD was sunk.)

                25th        Carried out search for BISMARCK after radar contact had been lost by HM Cruisers.

                26th        BISMARCK sighted by CATALINA aircraft and air strikes, carried out from HM Aircraft

                                Carrier ARK ROYAL which resulted in torpedo hits that reduced speed and jammed the

                                steering gear.

                                (Note: For details of the various attempts to establish where the enemy ships were headed

                                and the content of signal exchanges see following references.)

                27th        Engaged BISMARCK with HMS RODNEY, f ire was maintained for one and a half hours

                                until the enemy ship ceased firing.

                                (Note: Gunnery performance was below the expected standard because of design

                                deficiencies in the interlock system to protect against explosions during

                                loading of the 14in guns. For 7 minutes she was firing at only 80% efficiency and at 40% for

                                23 minutes. Only B Turret, the twin, was 100% trouble free. In addition the low freeboard

                                forward caused significant flooding of shell rooms in heavy weather.)

                                Blast damage also put her Type 284 radar out of action.

                                HM Cruiser DORSETSHIRE sank the battered hulk of BISMARCK using torpedoes.

                                (Note: Acute shortage of fuel had made it impossible for ships to remain any longer than

                                necessary, and orders were given to sink BISMARCK by torpedoes.).

                                (For full details see BATTLESHIP BISMARCK by von Mullenheim Rechberg, PURSUIT!

                                by L Kennedy, KGV CLASS BATTLESHIPS by VE Tarrant, and The Naval Staff History).

                                Took passage to Loch Ewe to refuel.

                                (Note: Contingency plan to obtain fuel at a port in the Irish Republic was not implemented.

                               The short endurance of. this Class of battleship was thus firmly confirmed as a basic

                                design weakness and despite modifications to carry an additional 250 tons of fuel was

                                always a limiting factor.)

                28th        Refuelled at Loch Ewe and took passage to Scapa Flow.

                                (Note: No air or submarine attacks were made during passage, to Loch Ewe.

                                During heavy air attacks on HM Destroyers ASHANTI and TARTAR, proceeding

                                independently, HMS MASHONA was sunk.).

                29th        Resumed Home Fleet Flagship duties at Scapa Flow.

 

June                        Deployed at Scapa Flow.

                11th        Following an ENIGMA report that the German Panzerschiff LUTZOW was attempting to

                                break out into the Atlantic the Home Fleet was put on alert.

                12th        Took passage for the southern exit from the Denmark Strait in company with HM Cruisers

                                ARETHUSA and AURORA and HM Destroyers BEDOUIN, ESKIMO, NESTOR and

                                PUNJABI to carry out possible interception of LUTZOW.

                                (At 0220/13/6/41 LUTZOW was torpedoed and seriously damaged by an RAF Beaufort of

                                22 Squadron from Wick. Following which LUTZOW returned to Germany.)

                14th        Returned to Scapa Flow and resumed Home Fleet Flagship duties.

                                New centimetric surface warning radar (Type 271) fitted in June 1941. See above

                                reference.

 

July                         Home Fleet Flagship duties at Scapa Flow.

 

August                  Home Fleet Flagship duties at Scapa Flow.

                9th          Visited by HM King George VI during Royal Inspection and demonstrations by Home

                                Fleet ships at Scapa Flow.

                20th        Took passage from Scapa Flow for Rosyth screened by HM Destroyers INGLEFIELD,

                                LIGHTNING and PUNJABI.

                21st         Arrived at Rosyth.

 

September

                5th          Took passage from Rosyth for Scapa Flow screened by HM Destroyers BEDOUIN,

                                VERDUN and VIVACIOUS. Off Kinnaird Head HM Destroyer LAFOREY joined and

                                VERDUN detached. On arrival at Scapa Flow she resumed Home Fleet Flagship duties.

                23rd        Took passage from Scapa Flow for Hvalfjord in company with HM Aircraft Carrier

                                VICTORIOUS, HM Cruiser AURORA and HM Destroyers ASHANTI, BEDOUIN,

                                ESKIMO, MATABELE and SOMALI for Operation EJ.

 

October

                4th          Took passage from Hvalfjord for Akureyri in company with HM Aircraft Carrier

                                VICTORIOUS, HM Cruiser PENELOPE and HM Destroyers ASHANTI, BEDOUIN,

                                ESKIMO, MATABELE and SOMALI.

                5th          Arrived at Akureyri in company with HM Destroyers BEDOUIN, ESKIMO and SOMALI.

                                Later the same day took passage for Seidisfjord later the same day.

                6th          Arrived at Seidisfjord where they joined the other units of the Force. Later the same day the

                                Force (less AURORA who had detached to carry the CinC Home Fleet back to Scapa

                                Flow). Took passage from Seidisfjord for northern Norway.

                8th          In company with the Home Fleet ships they provided cover for HMS VICTORIOUS whilst

                                carrying out air attacks by FAA Albacores on Norwegian coastal shipping in Vestfjorden off

                                Bodø. (Operation EJ).

                10th        Arrived back at Scapa Flow.

 

November

                                Following an ENIGMA report that the German Panzerschiff ADMIRAL SCHEER or

                                possibly the Battleship TIRPITZ may attempt to break out into the Atlantic the Home Fleet

                                was put on alert.

                3rd          Took passage from Scapa Flow for Hvalfjord in company with HM Aircraft Carrier

                                VICTORIOUS, HM Cruisers BERWICK, KENT and SUFFOLK and HM Destroyers

                                ASHANTI, MATABELE, OFFA, ORIBI, PUNJABI and SOMALI.

                5th          Arrived at Hvalfjord. Later the same day the Force less the cruisers and in company with US

                                Task Group TG.1.3 comprising 2 Battleships, 2 Cruisers and 3 Destroyers, sailed from

                                Hvalfjord to patrol the Denmark Straits. To guard against a possibly break out of one or both

                                the German ships.

                                Later returned to Iceland when the movement was cancelled by Hitler.

                                (See HITLER'S U-BOAT WAR by C Blair, Volume 1.)

                28th        Took passage from Hvalfjord for Scapa Flow in company with HM Aircraft Carrier

                                VICTORIOUS, HM Cruiser NORFOLK and HM Destroyers ASHANTI, ECHO,

                                ESCAPADE, ESKIMO, MATABELE, TARTAR and SOMALI.

                30th        Arrived at Scapa Flow.

 

December              Under refit. Type 271 surface warning radar was replaced by a modified Type 273

                                for large warship (See earlier reference).

                                Resumed Home Fleet duties at Scapa Flow on completion.

                24th to 28th        

                                At Scapa Flow on standby to provide cover for Operations ANKLET and ARCHERY

                                Commando raids on Vågsøy Island and the Lofoten Islands.

                               (Operation ARCHERY - See THE WATERY MAZE by B Fergusson).

 

1 9 4 2

 

 January

                                From ENIGMA decrypts it was known that TIRPITZ was ready to leave the Baltic and that

                                SCHARNHORST, GNEISENAU and PRINZ EUGEN were preparing to break out from

                                Brest.

                17th        Took passage from Scapa Flow for Hvalfjord in company with HM Aircraft Carrier

                                VICTORIOUS, HM Battleship RODNEY, HM Cruisers KENYA, NIGERIA, SHEFFIELD

                                and SUFFOLK and HM DESTROYERS ASHANTI, BEDOUIN, ECHO, ESCAPADE,

                                ESKIMO, FAULKNOR, INGLEFIELD, INTREPID, MARNE and PANTHER.

                19th        Arrived at Hvalfjord.

                20th        Took passage from Hvalfjord in company with VICTORIOUS, RODNEY, ASHANTI,

                                BEDOUIN, ECHO, ESCAPADE, ESKIMO, FAULKNOR, INGLEFIELD, INTREPID,

                                MARNE and PANTHER, to a position 250 miles SSW of Hvalfjord to guard against

                                possible break out of German heavy units.

                24th        Returned to Hvalfjord (This move followed the locating of TIRPITZ by a RAF photo-

                                reconnaissance aircraft, berthed in Assenfjord near Trondheim)

                                Remained stationed at Hvalfjord to cover the Denmark Strait and Faeroes-Iceland Gap.

 

February                Deployed at Hvalfjord.

                                (Note: This deployment was maintained in anticipation of the possible passage of the

                                TIRPITZ from Norway into Atlantic, with the added concern that TIRPITZ might attempt to

                                join up with the heavy units from Brest. This situation changed on the 13th following the

                                passage of SCHARNHORST, GNEISENAU and PRINZ EUGEN from Brest to Germany

                                through English Channel)

                19th        Took passage from Hvalfjord with HMS VICTORIOUS, HM Cruiser BERWICK and

                                HM Destroyers ASHANTI, BEDOUIN, ESKIMO ICARUS, ONSLOW, PUNJABI and

                                TARTAR. To carry out Operation EO an air strike on Tromso.

                                (Note: At 1210/21/2/42 an RAF Hudson H/53 sighted the German warships ADMIRAL

                                SCHEER and PRINZ EUGEN with 7 destroyers off the Norwegian coast heading for

                                Trondheim. Following receipt of this information the CinC Home Fleet decided to cancel the

                                attack on Tromso and carry out an attack on the German Force)

                22nd       HMS VICTORIOUS, BERWICK and 4 destroyers were detached with orders to proceed to

                                a position 100 miles west of Stadtlandet and at 0100/23rd carry out an air strike against

                                the German Force. The attacking aircraft failed to make contact with the German Force

                                because of the abysmal weather conditions.

                                KING GEORGE V with the Destroyers ONSLOW, PUNJABI and TARTAR followed astern

                                of the VICTORIOUS Force.

                23rd        Arrived at Scapa Flow.

 

March

                4th          Sailed from Scapa Flow to RV with Force from Hvalfjord with HM Aircraft Carrier

                                VICTORIOUS, HM Cruiser BERWICK, HM Destroyers ASHANTI, BEDOUIN, ICARUS,

                                INTREPID, LOOKOUT and ONSLOW. En route BERWICK and BEDOUIN detached.

                6th          150 miles west of Jan Mayen Island they RV'ed with HM Battleship DUKE OF YORK, HM

                                Battlecruiser RENOWN, HM Cruiser KENYA and HM Destroyers FURY, ECHO,

                                ECLIPSE and PUNJABI to provide Distant Cover for passage of Russian Convoy

                                PQ12 from Rekjavik to Murmansk and returning Convoy QP8 to Iceland.

                                (Note: The passage of PQ12 and QP8 came under threat of attack by German battleship

                                TIRPITZ when the two convoys came within 50 miles of her position)

                                (For details of all Russian Convoy operations see CONVOY! by P Kemp, CONVOYS

                                TO RUSSIA by R. Ruegg, THE RUSSIAN CONVOYS by B Schoefield, and ENGAGE THE

                                ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by Corelli Barrett).

                7th          Detached with HMS VICTORIOUS and made unsuccessful search for TIRPITZ.

                                (See KING GEORGE V CLASS BATTLESHIPS by VE Tarrant for details.)

                9th          Aircraft from HMS VICTORIOUS carried out torpedo attacks on TIRPITZ who was en

                                route to Vestfjord. The attack failed due to the inexperience of pilots. See reference.

                                (Note: This was the only opportunity ever offered for bringing TIRPITZ into action against

                                surface warships. Two of the 12 ALBACORE aircraft were lost.)

                                Took passage to Scapa Flow.

                10th        Returned to Scapa Flow.

                20th        An RAF type of 12in Plan Radar Display Indicator (PPI) unit was installed in the Admirals

                                Plot for use with the Type 273 surface warning radar. First operational use of a PPI at sea.

                22nd       Sailed from Scapa Flow to provided Distant Cover for Russian Convoy PQ13 and returning

                                QP 9 with HMS DUKE OF YORK, HMS RENOWN, HMS VICTORIOUS, HM Cruisers

                                EDINBURGH and KENT, screened by HM Destroyers ASHANTI, ECHO, ESCAPADE,

                                ESKIMO, FORESIGHT, ICARUS, INGLEFELD, MARNE, ONSLOW, PUNJABI and

                                TARTAR.

                                QP13 was attacked by three German destroyers, but QP9 arrived without incident.

 

April

                3rd          Transit of convoys completed.

                9th          Joined HMS DUKE OF YORK, HMS VICTORIOUS, HM Cruisers NIGERIA and KENT

                                for Distant Cover for Russian Convoy PQ 14 and returning Convoy QP10. Weather

                                conditions frustrated an attack by German destroyers on QP14. Neither convoy was

                                threatened directly by major surface vessels.

                27th        Sailed from Scapa Flow with HMS VICTORIOUS and HM Cruiser KENYA and USN TF

                                99 comprising US Battleship WASHINGTON, US Cruiser WICHITA and screen of RN

                                and USN destroyers to provide distant cover for PQ15 and QP11.

 

May

                1st           250 miles east of Iceland the Force was zigzagging when they ran into a thick bank of fog

                                and KING GEORGE V made a signal to cease zigzagging. HM Destroyer PUNJABI

                                failed to receive the signal and carried on zigzagging and crossed under the flagship’s

                                bows. KING GEORGE V travelling at 25 knots cut PUNJABI clean in two. Depth charges

                                on the sinking stern of the destroyer exploded and tore away 40 feet of KING GEORGE V’s

                                bows. The shock wave from the explosions caused further damage to KGV and also caused

                                slight damage to WASHINGTON who was following astern of KGV. KGV limped into

                                Seidisfjord where she was patched up before sailing to Scapa Flow and on to Liverpool.

                                The fore part of the destroyer sank slowly and HM Destroyers MARNE and MARTIN were

                                able to take off 201 survivors. 49 were lost mainly from the stern section. The survivors

                                were transferred to KGV for the passage to Scapa Flow.

                                Relieved by HM Battleship DUKE OF YORK.

                                (Note: HM Cruiser EDINBURGH was sunk in action and a Polish manned submarine

                                ORP JASTRZAB was sunk by accident during this operation).

                                (See ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY.)

                9th          Taken in hand for repair at Gladstone Dock, Liverpool.

 

June                        Under repair.

                                Radar Type 285 installed for fire-control of 5.25in mountings during this period and newly

                                developed surface warning radar Type 273 also fitted.

 

July

                1st           Rejoined Home Fleet and resumed Flagship duty.

                                Deployed with Home Fleet for defence and interception in NW Approaches.

                8th          Resumed duties as Flagship, CinC Home Fleet

 

August to November                

                                Flagship duties based at Scapa Flow in continuation.

 

December

                19th        Deployed with HMS BERWICK and HM Destroyers MUSKETEER, QUADRANT and

                                RAIDER to provide Distant Cover for first Russian Convoy to sail direct from UK without

                                calling at Iceland. (New identity JW51A.)

                25th        Convoy arrive in Kola Inlet without interception.

                31st         On receiving news of the attack by the German Pocket Battleship LÜTZOW, Cruiser

                                HIPPER and 6 Destroyers on convoy JW51B (What became known as the Battle of the

                                Barents Sea), CinC Home Fleet flying his flag in HM Battleship KING GEORGE V

                                with HM Battleship HOWE and HM Cruiser BERMUDA screened by HM Destroyers

                                MONTROSE, MUSKETEER, QUEENBOROUGH, RAIDER, WORCESTER and Polish

                                ORP PIORUN sailed from Scapa Flow. The objective was to provide cover for the

                                returning Convoy RA51 and to attempt to catch LÜTZOW who it was thought might attempt

                                to break out into the Atlantic.

 

1 9 4 3

 

January

                11th        Convoy RA51 arrived in Loch Ewe after safe passage. Enemy attention had been

                                concentrated on outward convoy JW51B. (See ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY

                                and THE RUSSIAN CONVOYS by B. B. Schoefield).

 

February                Deployed with Home Fleet. (Convoy JW52 cover was provided by HMS ANSON).

                24th        Provided Distant Cover for Russian Convoy JW53 and returning convoy RA53 with HMS

                                HOWE, HMS BERWICK and HM Destroyers ICARUS, METEOR, MUSKETEER, OFFA,

                                ONSLAUGHT and Polish ORP PIORUN

                                (Note: This convoy experienced particularly atrocious weather which prevented any

                                sustained enemy attack. It had been provided with additional close cover because of the

                                extended hours of daylight).

 

March

 

                8th          Additional Home Fleet cover because of SCHARNHORST threat.

                14th        Convoy RA53 arrived at Loch Ewe.

 

April                       Deployed with Home Fleet in NW Approaches during period of suspension of all

                                Russian Convoys (See ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY).

 

May                        Nominated for transfer to Mediterranean for support of planned allied landings in

                                Sicily (Operation HUSKY).

                14th        Whilst at Scapa Flow the CinC Home Fleet Admiral Tovey struck his flag and transferred

                                it to HMS DUKE OF YORK.

                                Taken in hand at Rosyth for docking and installation of additional 20 x 20mm guns for

                                Close range AA defence.

 

June                        Passage to Gibraltar to join Force H for support of HUSKY.

                                Force H including HMS King George V transferred to Algiers

                                Nominated for duty as Force Z based at Algiers with HM Battleship HOWE.

                12th        HM King George VI visited ships at Algiers.

 

July                         Nominated with HMS HOWE for duty in Reserve Force to be deployed west

                                of Sicily to prevent interference during landings by Italian warships.

                5th          In company with HMS Howe she sailed from Gibraltar for Algiers screened by

                                HM Destroyers ARROW, JERVIS, PALADIN, PANTHER, PATHFINDER, PENN,

                                PETARD and TYRIAN. Off Oran the Force was joined by HM Battleships NELSON and

                                RODNEY and HM Aircraft Carrier INDOMITABLE.

                8th          The Force arrived at Algiers.

                9th          Took passage from Algiers with HMS HOWE screened by six destroyers to take up

                                covering duties.

                10th        Deployed south of Sardinia as part of the Reserve Covering Force with HMS HOWE, HM

                                Cruisers DIDO and SIRIUS, screened by HM Destroyers JERVIS, PANTHER,

                                PATHFINDER, PENN, PALADIN and PETARD during the Sicily landings (Operation

                                HUSKY).

                11th/12th      

                               Carried out night bombardment of Trapani and the islands of Favignana and Levanzo with

                               HMS HOWE as a deception to suggest landings on west coast of Sicily (Operation

                                FRACTURE)

                                On release from HUSKY returned to Algiers.

 

August                  Retained at Algiers for support of planned military operations.

                4th          At Algiers when HM Destroyer ARROW was badly damaged whilst assisting in fighting

                                fires on the British mercantile SS Fort Le Montee carrying explosives. After the explosion

                                parties were sent to help in rescue work and dealing with casualties.

                                (Note: Over 100 of the crew of HMS ARROW were killed.)

 

September             Based at Algiers for future support deployments.

                7th          Sailed for Malta with HMS HOWE screened by HM Destroyers JERVIS,

                                PALADIN, PANTHER, PATHFINDER and PENN.

                8th          With HMS HOWE she stood off Malta whilst the destroyers went in to refuel.

                                Whilst off Malta news came through of the formal surrender of Italy (actual surrender date

                                had been 3rd September ). The CinC Malta Vice Admiral A J Power was ordered to

                                hoist his flag in HMS HOWE and to take under his command HMS KING GEORGE V, HM

                                Cruisers AURORA PENELOPE, DIDO, SIRIUS, HM Minelaying Cruiser ABDIEL and the

                                US Cruiser USS BOISE (the cruisers and the minelayer had embarked the 1st British

                                Airborne Division) and proceed with all dispatch to seize the Italian naval base of Taranto.

                                En route to Taranto the Force encountered the Italian Battleships ANDREA DORIA and

                                CAIO DUILIO, Cruisers LUIGI CADORNA and POMPEO MAGNO and Destroyer

                                NICOLOSO Da RECCO steaming to Malta to surrender. HMS KING GEORGE V detached

                                from the Force to escort the Italian squadron to Malta.

                10th        Arrived at Malta.

                12th        Deployed at Malta after arrival of Italian Fleet.

                                (Note: The two KGV Class battleships were not deployed in support of landings at

                                Salerno to provide naval gunfire support. This may have been because of

                                the likelihood of damage during intense air attacks being made on ships

                                off the beaches.)

                14th        Took passage from Malta with HMS HOWE and screen of six destroyers as escort for

                                surrendered Italian warships during passage to Alexandria to be de-militarised

                16th        Arrived at Alexandria with Italian ships.

                17th        Deployed at Alexandria to assist with de-militarisation.

 

October

                1st           Took passage from Alexandria to Algiers.

                12th        On release from detached duty with Force H took passage from Gibraltar to rejoin

                                Home Fleet escorted by HM Destroyer OBEDIENT.

                18th        Resumed Fleet duties on arrival at Scapa Flow.

 

November              Deployed with Hone Fleet at Scapa Flow for convoy defence in NW Approaches.

 

December              Nominated to embark Prime Minister in Gibraltar for return passage to UK after he

                                had convalesced in Morocco.

                                Passage to western Mediterranean and provided cover for Atlantic convoys.

 

1 9 4 4

 

January                  Deployed in Atlantic with HM Destroyers ASHANTI and ATHABASKAN and visited

                                Azores.

                                Passage to Algiers

                14th        Passage to Gibraltar to embark Prime Minister.

                15th        Sailed from Gibraltar.

                18th        Prime Minister disembarked at Plymouth and KGV took passage to Scapa Flow.

 

February                Passage to Liverpool for refit.

                                Paid-off and taken in hand for refit at Gladstone Dock, Liverpool.

 

March to July

                               Under refit in Liverpool.

                                During the refit the aircraft and catapult equipment were landed. The AA armament was

                                changed by the removal of 1 x 4 barrelled 2pdr pom-pom and 12 x single barrelled 20mm

                                Oerlikons; and augmented by the addition of 3 x 8 barrelled 2pdr pom-poms, 6 x 2 barrelled

                                20mm Oerlikons and 2 x 4 barrelled 40mm Bofors. Aircraft warning radar Type 279

                                replaced by Type 279B using only one mast. Main armament fire control radar for forward

                                mountings Type 284 replaced by 274. After main armament fire control radar Type 284

                                fitted and surface warning radar Type 273 replaced by modem Type 293. Type 299 Height

                                Finding radar fitted. Fire control for close range AA armament fitted (Type 282 - seven in

                                number) See above reference.

 

August                  On completion took passage to Scapa Flow for work up prior to foreign service.

 

September             Work-up with Home Fleet ships at Scapa Flow in continuation.

 

October                  Took passage to the Clyde.

                                Visited by HM King George VI and Queen Elizabeth at Greenock.

                28th        Passage to Alexandria and attached temporarily to Mediterranean Fleet.

 

November              Nominated for support of re-occupation of the island of Milos occupied by German forces.

                13th        Sailed from Alexandria for Milos landings support.

                14th        Bombarded the German battery on Milos in support of military reoccupation of Aegean Islands.

                15th        Returned to Alexandria.

 

December

                1st           Released from Mediterranean operations and took passage to join British Pacific

                                Fleet at Trincomalee.

                15th        Joined BPF at Trincomalee.

 

1 9 4 5

 

January                  Deployed with combined Eastern Fleet/BPF for special operation.

                16th        Sailed with HM Aircraft Carriers ILLUSTRIOUS, INDOMITABLE, VICTORIOUS and

                                INDEFATIGABLE, HM Cruisers ARGONAUT, BLACK PRINCE, EURYALUS and

                                CEYLON, screened by ten destroyers of 25th and 27th Flotillas

                24th        Covered air attacks on oil refinery at Plajoe, Sumatra (Operation MERIDIAN I).

                29th        Covered attacks on oil installations at Soengi Gerong, Palembang, Sumatra.

                                SALLY bomber shot down by 5.25" gunfire (Operation MERIDIAN II).

                30th        Detached from Eastern Fleet and sailed for Fremantle after refuelling.

 

February

                10th        Arrived at Sydney with BPF ships and designated as Task Force 113.

                                Prepared for service in SW Pacific under overall US Navy command.

                28th        Took passage from Sydney to Forward British Base at Manus, Admiralty islands as

                                part of Task Force 113.

 

With USN warships in Pacific

 

March                    Took part in extensive exercises during passage.

                                (Note: Newly introduced US Navy signalling and manoeuvring procedures used.)

                7th          Arrived at Manus as part of TF 113 to await approval of US Chiefs of Staff for RN

                                ships to join US Navy Operations in SW Pacific.

                                (For details see THE FORGOTTEN FLEET by J Winton and WAR WITH JAPAN (HMSO).)

                18th        Took passage with Task Force 57 (Number changed from 113 to 57) to US Navy Assembly

                                area at Ulithi to join US Naval operations after approval for deployment under overall US

                                Navy command received.

                20th        Arrived at Ulithi as part of TF 57 to join US 5th Fleet for operations.

                23rd        Sailed from Ulithi as Flagship of Task Force 57 to join US Navy in the operational

                                area off the Sakishima-Gunto islands group (Operation ICEBERG ONE.)

                                (For details of activities of Task Force 57 see TASK FORCE 57 by P Smith and above references.)

                25th        Replenished from British Fleet Train, Task Groups 112.2.1 and 112.2.5

                26th        Provided cover for air attacks on Japanese airfields in Sakishima Gunto Group

                                by aircraft from HM Aircraft Carriers INDOMITABLE, ILLUSTRIOUS, INDEFATIGABLE

                                and VICTORIOUS with HMS HOWE, HM Cruisers SWIFTSURE, GAMBIA (RNZN),

                                BLACK PRINCE, ARGONAUT and EURYALUS screened by TF57 destroyers (Operation

                                ICEBERG).

                                (Note: The attacks were made in conjunction with those from US Carriers with breaks

                                for replenishment.)

                28th        Replenished from Fleet Train in Area MIDGE.

                31st         Rejoined US Navy ships in operational area.

 

April

                1st to 10th         

                                 Provided cover for BPF ships in operational area for periods of two days with a

                                 break of two or three days for replenishment of fuel, stores and replacement of

                                 aircraft. Under KAMIKAZE and conventional air attacks.

                                (Note: Replenishment of fuel by "Astern" method was invariably difficult due

                                to weather conditions and the use of this out-dated practice.)

                11th        Detached to cover air attacks on Formosa by TF57 carrier aircraft.

                                (Operation ICEBERG OOLONG)

                14th to 20th       

                               Resumed operations against Sakishima Gunto airfields with periodic replenishment.

                               (For details of these operations see TF57 by P. Smith, THE FORGOTTEN FLEET by

                               J. Winton, OPERATION PACIFIC by E. Gray and WAR WITH JAPAN (HMSO).)

                                On completion took passage to US Forward Base at Leyte.

                23rd        Maintenance and R&R period at Leyte,

                                (Note: Shore Leave was not given.)

 

May

                1st           Sailed from Leyte to resume operations with Task Force 57 ships.

                4th          Rejoined US Task Force 58 after refuelling in Area MOSQUITO for continuation of

                                Sakishima attacks (Operation ICEBERG TWO). See above references.

                                Detached after first air strike period with HMS HOWE, HM Cruisers SWIFTSURE,

                                BLACK PRINCE, EURYALUS, GAMBIA and UGANDA, screened by HM Destroyers

                                GRENVILLE, URSA, UNDINE, URCHIN, UNDAUNTED and URANIA of 25th Flotilla

                                to carry out a bombardment of AA defences at Hiara airfield.

                                Fired 77 rounds of 14in and 188 rounds of 5.25in.

                                This diversion reduced air defence available for protection of the aircraft carriers and

                                HMS FORMIDABLE was hit on the fight deck near the island by a Kamikaze and

                                damaged. HMS INDOMITABLE was near missed by a Kamikaze causing damage to

                                her radar and port director. Returned to flying off area with bombardment force ships

                                to reinforce AA defences.

                5th          Deployed for defence of Task Force ships during flying operations.

                6th          Replenished from Fleet Train in area COOTIE.

                9th to 25th        

                                Resumed provision of cover for TF57 carriers with periodic replenishment periods.

                                (Note: During this period allied ships were under sustained KAMIKAZE attacks during

                                which HMS VICTORIOUS AND HMS FORMIDABLE were both damaged. See references.)

                                Passage to Guam escorted by HM Destroyers TROUBRIDGE, TENACIOUS and TERMAGANT.

                28th        Arrived at Guam for meeting between Vice Admiral Rawlings and US Cin C Fleet,

                                Admiral Nimitz (US CINCPACFLEET).

 

June                        Passage to Australia from Guam for Rest and Recuperation.

                7th          Arrived at Sydney

                                (Note: Ship had steamed 14,024 miles since leaving Leyte on 1st May.)

                28th        Took passage to Manus prior to joining US naval operations off Japan.

                                (Note: Ships of BPF were transferred to US 3rd Fleet as part of reorganisation of

                                US Naval Commands in Pacific and redesignated Task Force 37)

 

July

                4th          Arrived at Manus after extensive exercises on passage.

                6th          Sailed from Manus with HM Aircraft Carriers FORMIDABLE, VICTORIOUS and IMPLACABLE,

                                HM Cruisers NEWFOUNDLAND, ACHILLES (RNZN), UGANDA (RCN), EURYALUS, GAMBIA

                                (RNZN) and BLACK PRINCE screened by 15 destroyers of the 4th and 24th Flotillas.

                                (See above references for details.)

                13th        Successfully refuelled by 'Alongside RAS' method for first time,

                16th        Joined US ships in operational area.

                17th        Covered BPF aircraft carriers during attacks on Yokohama-Tokyo area.

                                On completion bombarded industrial plants at Mito and Hitachi with US Task

                                Group 34.1 (US Battleships IOWA, MISSOURI, NORTH CAROLINA and USS ALABAMA,

                                US Cruisers DAYTON and USS ATLANTA.)

                                (Note: Escorted by HMS QUALITY and QUIBERON.)

                18th to 28th      

                                Resumed covering duties with Task Force 37 during air operations with breaks for

                                replenishment from Fleet Train. During period 20th-24th return was delayed by

                                weather conditions and meetings with US Navy Staff Officers.

                                (Note: Deployment of British Carriers was confined to secondary targets.

                                See above references for this US Navy policy decision. Attacks were

                                confined to shore targets and not made on Japanese warships.

                                Exceptionally Japanese KOBE Class aircraft was sunk in Shido Bay.

                                (Editor's Note: There was no Japanese aircraft carrier of this name)

                                Supply of fuel from British sources was beginning to become a critical

                                factor in the retention of BPF ships in the operational area.)

                29th        Joined US Battleships SOUTH DAKOTA, INDIANA and MASSACHUSETTS, US Cruisers

                                QUINCY, ST PAUL, CHICAGO and BOSTON with HM Destroyers UNDINE, ULYSSES and

                                URANIA for night bombardment of factories near Hamanatsu, South Honshu.

                                265 rounds of 14in were fired without spectacular success in destroying factories.

 

August

                6th          After delay by weather and political matters, resumed cover for operations by

                                US and British carriers on airfields and shipping in N. Honshu and Hokkaido.

                                (Note: For details of withdrawal of majority of BPF ships see THE FORGOTTEN FLEET

                                by J Winton and WAR WITH JAPAN (HMSO).)

                9th          During air attacks by HMS FORMIDABLE, HMS INDEFATIGABLE, HMS IMPLACABLE

                                and HMS VICTORIOUS, a pilot from HMS FORMIDABLE was awarded the Victoria Cross.

                11th        Withdrawn for refuelling and replenishment.

                12th        Joined US Task Force 38 with HMS INDEFATIGABLE, HMS GAMBIA, HMS

                                NEWFOUNDLAND, HM Destroyers BARFLEUR, NAPIER (RAN), NIZAM (RAN),

                                WAKEFUL, WRANGLER, TROUBRIDGE, TERMAGANT, TENACIOUS and TEAZER as

                                Task Group 38.5 to US 3rd Fleet.

                13th        Covered attacks on Onagawa by HMS INDEFATIGABLE with HMS NEWFOUNDLAND.

                15th        Air operations ceased after Japanese surrender.

                16th        Joined remaining BPF ships.

                                (See ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY and OPERATION PACIFIC by E Grey.)

                                Remained in operational area pending clearance of mines in Sagami Wan and easing of

                                weather conditions.

                                Designated as part of Task Group 38.4 with HMS DUKE OF YORK, NEWFOUNDLAND,

                                GAMBIA and some of RN destroyers retained in Task Force 38.

                27th        Entered Sagami Wan with Task Group and redesignated Task Force 37 with ships of

                                Token Force)

 

September

                2nd         Present at formal Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay with HM Battleship DUKE OF YORK

                                (Flagship BPF), HMS NEWFOUNDLAND, HMNZS GAMBIA, HMS BARFLEUR,

                                HMS TEAZER, HMS TENACIOUS, HMS TERMAGANT, HMS TERPSICHORE, HMAS

                                NAPIER and HMAS NIZAM.