Petty Officer Air Fitter Ronald Eric Griffith, RN
I remember my Uncle Tom, he lived in Kingston I think and my father was his cousin and we would meet up infrequently in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. Of course he wasn’t actually my uncle but he would always give me half a crown, which was a kings ransom to a small boy. I have vague recollections of one of his sons but from recent searches on my family tree find he might have had three. However, despite never knowing him, my 2nd cousin Ronald caught my attention as he had joined the Royal Navy in February 1941 aged just 19, and spent three years in action on board the Destroyer HMS Laforey.
Whilst not a remarkable life for the times he lived in, I find it fascinating that he had an involvement in so many diverse battles in the second world war, and witnessed such history first hand. A brief summery of the exploits of HMS Laforey follows:
Whilst not a remarkable life for the times he lived in, I find it fascinating that he had an involvement in so many diverse battles in the second world war, and witnessed such history first hand. A brief summery of the exploits of HMS Laforey follows:
HMS Laforey
HMS Laforey was an L-class destroyer of the Royal Navy. She was commissioned in and served during the Second World War, and was adopted by the civil community of Northampton in November 1941.
Laforey was ordered from the yards of Yarrow Shipbuilders, Scotstoun, Glasgow on 31 March 1938 under the 1937 Naval Estimates. She was laid down on 1 March 1939 at the same time as her sister, Lance.
Laforey was ordered from the yards of Yarrow Shipbuilders, Scotstoun, Glasgow on 31 March 1938 under the 1937 Naval Estimates. She was laid down on 1 March 1939 at the same time as her sister, Lance.
1941
She was launched on 15 February 1941 and commissioned on 26 August 1941. She cost £445,684, excluding items such as weapons and communications equipment supplied by the Admiralty. On commissioning she was assigned to the 19th Destroyer Flotilla of the Home Fleet as the Flotilla leader.
Mediterranean waters
Laforey was almost immediately reassigned to the Mediterranean, where she joined Force H in escorting a relief convoy to Malta as part of Operation Halberd. Despite heavy air attacks, the convoy reached Malta on 28 September, and Laforey returned to Gibraltar with the ships of Force X. In October she was permanently assigned to Force H, to carry out convoy escort duties, and fleet screening patrols. On 10 November she and the destroyers Lightning, Legion, Sikh, Zulu, Gurkha and the Dutch HNLMS Isaac Sweers were deployed to escort the cruiser Hermione, the battleship Malaya and the aircraft carriers Ark Royal and Argus during an operation to deliver aircraft to Malta. Ark Royal was torpedoed by the German submarine U-81 on 13 November as the task force returned to Gibraltar. Laforey made several unsuccessful anti-submarine attacks against suspected sonar contacts, before standing by the stricken carrier. Later in the day, Laforey ran power cables across to Ark Royal to support damage control measures. These were ultimately unsuccessful and Ark Royal sank the next day, and Laforey returned to Gibraltar.
Mediterranean waters
Laforey was almost immediately reassigned to the Mediterranean, where she joined Force H in escorting a relief convoy to Malta as part of Operation Halberd. Despite heavy air attacks, the convoy reached Malta on 28 September, and Laforey returned to Gibraltar with the ships of Force X. In October she was permanently assigned to Force H, to carry out convoy escort duties, and fleet screening patrols. On 10 November she and the destroyers Lightning, Legion, Sikh, Zulu, Gurkha and the Dutch HNLMS Isaac Sweers were deployed to escort the cruiser Hermione, the battleship Malaya and the aircraft carriers Ark Royal and Argus during an operation to deliver aircraft to Malta. Ark Royal was torpedoed by the German submarine U-81 on 13 November as the task force returned to Gibraltar. Laforey made several unsuccessful anti-submarine attacks against suspected sonar contacts, before standing by the stricken carrier. Later in the day, Laforey ran power cables across to Ark Royal to support damage control measures. These were ultimately unsuccessful and Ark Royal sank the next day, and Laforey returned to Gibraltar.
1 9 4 1
August
Contractor's trials and commissioned for service in 19th Destroyer Flotilla, Home Fleet
Build completion and commenced Acceptance Trials.
On completion of trials and weapon calibration passage to Scapa Flow for work-up with ships of Home Fleet.
September
On completion of work-up joined 19th Destroyer Flotilla as Leader for duty with Home Fleet.
17th Nominated for support of planned Malta relief (Operation HALBERD) and joined military convoy WS1 IX with HM Battleships PRINCE OF WALES, RODNEY, HM Cruisers EURYALUS, KENYA, SHEFFIELD, EDINBURGH, HM Destroyers LIGHTNING, ORIBI, Dutch destroyer ISAAC SWEERS, Polish destroyers ORP GARLAND and PIORUN.
Operation Halberd was a British naval operation that took place on 27 September 1941, during the Second World War. The British were attempting to deliver a convoy from Gibraltar to Malta. The convoy was escorted by several battleships and an aircraft carrier, to deter interference from the Italian surface fleet, while a close escort of cruisers and destroyers provided an anti-aircraft screen.
The Italian fleet sortied after the convoy was detected, but turned back after learning the strength of the escorting force. Air attacks by Italian bombers and fighters damaged several ships, and forced one of the merchant vessels to be scuttled. The rest of the convoy arrived at Malta and discharged their cargo.
Operation Halberd was at the time the largest Malta resupply effort of the war. Nine merchant ships carrying 81,000 tons of military equipment and supplies sailed from Liverpool on 16 September and from the Clyde on 17 September as part of convoy WS (Winston Specials) 11X, passing Gibraltar on 24 September 1941, with a close escort under the command of Rear-Admiral Harold Burrough. Escort joined by destroyers from Gibraltar and Force H ships provided cover for passage in western Mediterranean of re-identified Convoy GM2.
Nominated for transfer to Force X as escort for GM2 during transit of Sicilian Narrows.
27th Under air attacks during which HM Battleship NELSON was hit by torpedo but remained with convoy. (Note: Threat of surface attack by Italian warships did not materialise.)
Joined HM Destroyers COSSACK, FORESIGHT, FORESTER, FURY, ORIBI. ZULU, FARNDALE and HEYTHROP with HM Cruisers EDINBURGH, EURYALU HERMIONE and SHEFFIELD as Force X when Ships of Force H, designated Force A detached from GM2 west of Sicilian Narrows.
28th Sailed from Malta with Force X after safe arrival of convoy.
29th Rejoined Force A ships west of Sicily. Detached with HMS PRINCE OF WALES, HMS KENYA, HMS SHEFFIELD, HM Destroyers LIGHTNING, ORIBI, FORESTER and FURY and took return passage to Gibraltar.
(Note: Remaining warships covered passage of Convoy MG2 from Malta during passage to Gibraltar,)
October
Transferred to Force H based at Gibraltar for screening duties, patrol and convoy defence.
November
10th Deployed with HM Destroyers LIGHTNING, LEGION, SIKH, ZULU, GURKHA and Dutch destroyer ISAAC SWEERS as screen for HM Battleship MALAYA, HM Aircraft Carriers ARK ROYAL. ARGUS and HM Cruiser HMS HERMIONE during provision of cover for Malta aircraft delivery from the two aircraft carriers (Operation PERPETUAL)
On 13 November 1941, the British launched Operation Perpetual, and it involved every Royal Navy sailor and RAF airman in the Mediterranean basin, and even included raids by the Long Range Desert Group on Rommel’s airfields in Libya lest they be used to attack the convoy. The operation went off perfectly despite the heavy German and Italian response. A month of painstaking planning and preparation between commands separated by thousands of miles (in the era before telecommunications) and a dogged enemy between them paid off. The only hiccup was the loss of the carrier Ark Royal (whose aircraft were instrumental in the sinking of the Bismarck) on the return trip when she was torpedoed by U-81 just outside the harbor at Gibraltar. But the cargo was delivered: 35 Hawker Hurricane fighters.
13th Carried out unsuccessful anti-submarine operations after suspected contact. Under attack by U81 during which HMS ARK ROYAL was hit by torpedo and disabled.
Stood by stricken ship with HMS LIGHTNING.
14th HMS ARK ROYAL sank during tow to Gibraltar by two tugs.
December
Gibraltar deployment in continuation
August
Contractor's trials and commissioned for service in 19th Destroyer Flotilla, Home Fleet
Build completion and commenced Acceptance Trials.
On completion of trials and weapon calibration passage to Scapa Flow for work-up with ships of Home Fleet.
September
On completion of work-up joined 19th Destroyer Flotilla as Leader for duty with Home Fleet.
17th Nominated for support of planned Malta relief (Operation HALBERD) and joined military convoy WS1 IX with HM Battleships PRINCE OF WALES, RODNEY, HM Cruisers EURYALUS, KENYA, SHEFFIELD, EDINBURGH, HM Destroyers LIGHTNING, ORIBI, Dutch destroyer ISAAC SWEERS, Polish destroyers ORP GARLAND and PIORUN.
Operation Halberd was a British naval operation that took place on 27 September 1941, during the Second World War. The British were attempting to deliver a convoy from Gibraltar to Malta. The convoy was escorted by several battleships and an aircraft carrier, to deter interference from the Italian surface fleet, while a close escort of cruisers and destroyers provided an anti-aircraft screen.
The Italian fleet sortied after the convoy was detected, but turned back after learning the strength of the escorting force. Air attacks by Italian bombers and fighters damaged several ships, and forced one of the merchant vessels to be scuttled. The rest of the convoy arrived at Malta and discharged their cargo.
Operation Halberd was at the time the largest Malta resupply effort of the war. Nine merchant ships carrying 81,000 tons of military equipment and supplies sailed from Liverpool on 16 September and from the Clyde on 17 September as part of convoy WS (Winston Specials) 11X, passing Gibraltar on 24 September 1941, with a close escort under the command of Rear-Admiral Harold Burrough. Escort joined by destroyers from Gibraltar and Force H ships provided cover for passage in western Mediterranean of re-identified Convoy GM2.
Nominated for transfer to Force X as escort for GM2 during transit of Sicilian Narrows.
27th Under air attacks during which HM Battleship NELSON was hit by torpedo but remained with convoy. (Note: Threat of surface attack by Italian warships did not materialise.)
Joined HM Destroyers COSSACK, FORESIGHT, FORESTER, FURY, ORIBI. ZULU, FARNDALE and HEYTHROP with HM Cruisers EDINBURGH, EURYALU HERMIONE and SHEFFIELD as Force X when Ships of Force H, designated Force A detached from GM2 west of Sicilian Narrows.
28th Sailed from Malta with Force X after safe arrival of convoy.
29th Rejoined Force A ships west of Sicily. Detached with HMS PRINCE OF WALES, HMS KENYA, HMS SHEFFIELD, HM Destroyers LIGHTNING, ORIBI, FORESTER and FURY and took return passage to Gibraltar.
(Note: Remaining warships covered passage of Convoy MG2 from Malta during passage to Gibraltar,)
October
Transferred to Force H based at Gibraltar for screening duties, patrol and convoy defence.
November
10th Deployed with HM Destroyers LIGHTNING, LEGION, SIKH, ZULU, GURKHA and Dutch destroyer ISAAC SWEERS as screen for HM Battleship MALAYA, HM Aircraft Carriers ARK ROYAL. ARGUS and HM Cruiser HMS HERMIONE during provision of cover for Malta aircraft delivery from the two aircraft carriers (Operation PERPETUAL)
On 13 November 1941, the British launched Operation Perpetual, and it involved every Royal Navy sailor and RAF airman in the Mediterranean basin, and even included raids by the Long Range Desert Group on Rommel’s airfields in Libya lest they be used to attack the convoy. The operation went off perfectly despite the heavy German and Italian response. A month of painstaking planning and preparation between commands separated by thousands of miles (in the era before telecommunications) and a dogged enemy between them paid off. The only hiccup was the loss of the carrier Ark Royal (whose aircraft were instrumental in the sinking of the Bismarck) on the return trip when she was torpedoed by U-81 just outside the harbor at Gibraltar. But the cargo was delivered: 35 Hawker Hurricane fighters.
13th Carried out unsuccessful anti-submarine operations after suspected contact. Under attack by U81 during which HMS ARK ROYAL was hit by torpedo and disabled.
Stood by stricken ship with HMS LIGHTNING.
14th HMS ARK ROYAL sank during tow to Gibraltar by two tugs.
December
Gibraltar deployment in continuation
1942
Laforey spent January as part of anti-submarine patrols that had been instigated to intercept U-boats as they passed through the Strait of Gibraltar. On 18 January she and Hesperus intercepted and attacked U-93 with depth charges. February and March were then spent escorting convoys through the Atlantic, and screening aircraft carriers on operations to deliver aircraft to Malta. On 1 April Laforey was detached from Force H and sailed to Freetown to screen fleet units and cover convoys in the Atlantic. She arrived at Cape Town on 18 April with a military convoy, and escorted them on to Durban, arriving there on 22 April.
Operation Ironclad
On 28 April she was deployed to support Operation Ironclad, the planned Invasion of Madagascar, the island off the east coast pot Africa in the Indian Ocean. She carried out shore bombardments on 2 May and then, together with the destroyers Anthony and Lightning, used buoys to mark the approach channel to the landing areas at Diego Suarez on 4 May. The next day, Laforey and Lightning led landing ships into the harbour, and provided naval gunfire support. On 6 May, Laforey and her sisters Lightning and Lookout screened the battleship Ramillies during a search for Japanese warships that had been reported in the area. On 7 May Laforey covered Anthony as she landed marines and the next day she began a series of anti-submarine patrols that would last until she was detached from the operation on 27 May, when she, Lookout and Lightning sailed for Colombo to join the Eastern Fleet. She spent June with the Eastern Fleet, mostly carrying out exercises and conducting offensive sweeps, before sailing to Mombasa on 23 June.
Return to the Mediterranean
Arriving at Mombasa on 1 July, she was initially deployed in the South Atlantic to hunt commerce raiders and escort convoys. On 19 July she was detached and nominated to rejoin Force H. After sailing around Africa with a number of other capital ships, she arrived at Gibraltar in early August. She sailed on 9 August, escorting the ships comprising Operation Pedestal. On 10 August she and Lookout escorted the aircraft carrier Furious in an attempt to deliver aircraft to Malta, but were detached on 11 August to rescue survivors from the torpedoed aircraft carrier Eagle. The two ships and a rescue tug were able to rescue 927 survivors. After transferring survivors to Keppel, Laforey continued escorting the convoy. Together with Fury and Foresight, she launched an unsuccessful attack on the Italian submarine Brin later that day.
The next day, 12 August, the ships of the convoy came under heavy air attack. Laforey managed to escape damage and with a number of other ships, was detached from the convoy when it reached the Sicilian Narrows. They remained in the area until 14 August, when they sailed for Gibraltar, arriving there on 15 August. She deployed the next day to escort Furious and Charybdis in another delivery of aircraft to Malta. They returned on 18 August and on 21 August Laforey began anti-submarine operations off Gibraltar.
On 4 September she and Lookout escorted Leinster into Gibraltar. Laforey then sailed for Southampton for a refit, arriving there on 17 September. She spent October and most of November under refit, followed by a period of post-trial workup exercises with her sister Lightning at Scapa Flow. She and Lightning then escorted the troopship Duchess of Atholl out of Liverpool en route to Gibraltar, where they arrived on 20 December. On 21 December Laforey and Lightning carried out rescue operations after the torpedoing of Strathallan.
Operation Ironclad
On 28 April she was deployed to support Operation Ironclad, the planned Invasion of Madagascar, the island off the east coast pot Africa in the Indian Ocean. She carried out shore bombardments on 2 May and then, together with the destroyers Anthony and Lightning, used buoys to mark the approach channel to the landing areas at Diego Suarez on 4 May. The next day, Laforey and Lightning led landing ships into the harbour, and provided naval gunfire support. On 6 May, Laforey and her sisters Lightning and Lookout screened the battleship Ramillies during a search for Japanese warships that had been reported in the area. On 7 May Laforey covered Anthony as she landed marines and the next day she began a series of anti-submarine patrols that would last until she was detached from the operation on 27 May, when she, Lookout and Lightning sailed for Colombo to join the Eastern Fleet. She spent June with the Eastern Fleet, mostly carrying out exercises and conducting offensive sweeps, before sailing to Mombasa on 23 June.
Return to the Mediterranean
Arriving at Mombasa on 1 July, she was initially deployed in the South Atlantic to hunt commerce raiders and escort convoys. On 19 July she was detached and nominated to rejoin Force H. After sailing around Africa with a number of other capital ships, she arrived at Gibraltar in early August. She sailed on 9 August, escorting the ships comprising Operation Pedestal. On 10 August she and Lookout escorted the aircraft carrier Furious in an attempt to deliver aircraft to Malta, but were detached on 11 August to rescue survivors from the torpedoed aircraft carrier Eagle. The two ships and a rescue tug were able to rescue 927 survivors. After transferring survivors to Keppel, Laforey continued escorting the convoy. Together with Fury and Foresight, she launched an unsuccessful attack on the Italian submarine Brin later that day.
The next day, 12 August, the ships of the convoy came under heavy air attack. Laforey managed to escape damage and with a number of other ships, was detached from the convoy when it reached the Sicilian Narrows. They remained in the area until 14 August, when they sailed for Gibraltar, arriving there on 15 August. She deployed the next day to escort Furious and Charybdis in another delivery of aircraft to Malta. They returned on 18 August and on 21 August Laforey began anti-submarine operations off Gibraltar.
On 4 September she and Lookout escorted Leinster into Gibraltar. Laforey then sailed for Southampton for a refit, arriving there on 17 September. She spent October and most of November under refit, followed by a period of post-trial workup exercises with her sister Lightning at Scapa Flow. She and Lightning then escorted the troopship Duchess of Atholl out of Liverpool en route to Gibraltar, where they arrived on 20 December. On 21 December Laforey and Lightning carried out rescue operations after the torpedoing of Strathallan.
1 9 4 2
January
Deployed with Force H and formed part of Anti-submarine Striking Force with HM Destroyers CROOME, HESPERUS and WESTCOTT.(Note: Extensive anti-submarine patrols had been instituted at Gibraltar after loss of HMS ARK ROYAL in intercept attempts by U-Boats to pass through the Straits.)
Despatched to carry out operations after U-Boats attacked convoy.
18th Took part in sinking of U93 with HMS HESPERUS in defence of Convoy SL97
(Note: Sinking was after depth charge and surface gun attacks - 41 of crew survived)
February
8th Reinforced escort of Atlantic convoy.
Passage to Clyde for escort of military convoy WS16 during Atlantic passage.
(Note WS16 was taking troops to Middle East and India.)
17th Joined Convoy WS16 with HM Destroyers ACTIVE, ANTHONY, BLANKNEY, CROOME, DUNCAN, FIREDRAKE and LIGHTNING and took passage as escort.
21st Detached from WS16 with same ships ands returned to Gibraltar.
(Note: HM Aircraft Carrier ARGUS was part of WS16 and on passage to Gibraltar to carry out Malta aircraft delivery.It may be assumed that the destroyers detached as escort for HMS ARGUS.)
23rd Arrived at Gibraltar.
27th Deployed with HM Destroyers LIGHTNING, ACTIVE, ANTHONY, WHITEHALL, WISHART, BLANKNEY, EXMOOR and CROOME as screen for HMS ARGUS, HMS EAGLE, HMS HERMIONE and HMS MALAYA providing escort for Malta aircraft delivery from carriers (Operation SPOTTER I)
28th Operation cancelled due to aircraft fuel tank defects and returned to Gibraltar
March
6th Deployed for Operation SPOTTER II with same ships as SPOTTER I
On 6 March, Operation Spotter, a Club Run by the aircraft carriers Eagle and Argus flew off the first 15 Spitfire reinforcements for Malta. An earlier attempt had been abandoned but the right external ferry tanks were fitted. On 10 March, the Spitfires flew their first sorties against a raid by Ju 88s escorted by Bf 109 fighters.
8th Arrived at Gibraltar after successful launch of aircraft.
19th Nominated for support of planned landings in Madagascar with other ships of Force H on completion of planned aircraft delivery (Operation IRONCLAD)
20th Deployed with HM Destroyers DUNCAN, ACTIVE, ANTHONY, WHITEHALL, WISHART, BLANKNEY, EXMOOR and CROOME as screen for HMS MALAYA, HMS ARGUS and HMS EAGLE during Malta aircraft delivery by the two carriers. (Operation PICKET I)
22nd Return passage to Gibraltar with same ships when operation cancelled due to defects in aircraft fuel tanks
27th Deployed with same ships for repeat aircraft delivery (Operation PICKET II)
April
1st Passage to Freetown to join military convoy WS17 for IRONCLAD (Madagascar)
6th At Freetown, Sierra Leone, West Africa.
9th Sailed from Freetown as screen for HMS MALAYA and HMS HERMIONE with HM Destroyers ACTIVE, ANTHONY, INCONSTANT, JAVELIN, LIGHTNING, LOOKOUT and PAKENHAM.
18th Arrived at Cape Town, South Africa, with WS17.
22nd Arrived at Durban, South Africa, with WS17.
(Note: Some mercantiles in WS17 were destined for the Middle East and Indian detached at ports in South Africa and continued passage as WS17.)
28th Deployed with HM Destroyers LIGHTNING, LOOKOUT and other destroyers as escort for Convoy Z during passage to Diego Suarez, northern Madagascar. (Note: HMS ILLUSTRIOUS, HMS HERMIONE)
May
The Battle of Madagascar (5 May – 6 November 1942) was a British campaign to capture the Vichy French-controlled island Madagascar during World War II. The seizure of the island by the British was to deny Madagascar's ports to the Imperial Japanese Navy and to prevent the loss or impairment of the Allied shipping routes to India, Australia and Southeast Asia. It began with Operation Ironclad, the seizure of the port of Diego-Suarez (now Antsiranana) near the northern tip of the island, on 5 May 1942.
A subsequent campaign to secure the entire island, Operation Stream Line Jane, was opened on 10 September. The Allies broke into the interior, linking up with forces on the coast and secured the island by the end of October. Fighting ceased and an armistice was granted on 6 November. This was the first large-scale operation by the Allies combining sea, land and air forces. The island was placed under Free French control.
2nd Carried out bombardment exercise in preparation for support of landings.
3rd Convoy Y merged with Slow Convoy Y which had taken passage 10 days earlier
4th Deployed with HMS ANTHONY and HMS LIGHTNING to mark and buoy approach channel to landing area at Diego Suarez.
5th Led HMS LIGHTNING and HM Landing Ship (Infantry) into Courier Bay for landings. Provided naval gunfire support during assault.
6th Deployed with HMS LOOKOUT and HMS LIGHTNING as screen for HMS RAMILLIES during search for Japanese warships reported in area.
7th Provided naval gunfire support during landing by Royal Marines from HMS ANTHONY on Antisirana Peninsular
8th At Diego Suarez and deployed periodically for anti-submarine patrols with HMS LIGHTNING and HMS LOOKOUT until released from IRONCLAD.
27th Released from IRONCLAD with HMS LOOKOUT and HMS LIGHTNING.
29th Took passage Colombo, Sri Lanka, to join Eastern Fleet.
31st At Seychelles, Indian Ocean, to refuel.
June
1st Joined HM Aircraft Carriers FORMIDABLE, ILLUSTRIOUS and HM Cruiser GAMBIA for exercises in Indian Ocean
5th Arrived at Colombo, Sri Lanka.
12th Deployed with HMS LIGHTNING, HMS LOOKOUT and two other Eastern Fleet destroyers as screen for HM Battleship WARSPITE, HMS FORMIDABLE, HMS ILLUSTRIOUS and HMS GAMBIA during offensive sweep in Indian Ocean as Force A.
18th Returned to Colombo, Sri Lanka, with Force A.
22nd Deployed with HMS LIGHTNING for exercises off Colombo.
23rd Took passage from Colombo as screen for ships of Force A during passage to Mombasa, on the east African coast of Kenya.
28th At Seychelles to refuel.
July
1st Arrived at Mombasa, east African coast, with ships of Force A
9th Transferred to South Atlantic for trade defence and interception of commerce raiders. Took passage with HMS INDOMITABLE, HMS LIGHTNING and HMS LOOKOUT.
19th Nominated for service in Mediterranean in support of Malta relief operation, (Operation PEDESTAL)
20th Passage to Freetown.
23rd Detached from HMS INDOMITABLE with destroyers to refuel at Pointe Noire, French Equatorial Africa and rejoined on completion.
27th Joined by HM Cruiser PHOEBE.
28th Arrived at Freetown, Sierra Leone.
August
1st Sailed from Freetown for Gibraltar as screen for same ships.
5th Deployed with HM Destroyers FORESIGHT, FURY, ICARUS, INTREPID, LIGHTNING, LOOKOUT, VANSITTART, WESTCOTT and WRESTLER as screen for HM Aircraft Carriers ARGUS, EAGLE, INDOMITABLE, VICTORIOUS, HM
Cruisers PHOEBE , CHARYBDIS and SIRIUS during Exercise BERSERK west of
Gibraltar to carry out tactics for use during planned defence of PEDESTAL
10th Refuelled and nominated with HMS LOOKOUT for escort of HM Aircraft
Carrier FURIOUS during aircraft delivery to Malta.
(Operation BELLOWS - Coincident with PEDESTAL)
Operation Pedestal was an operation by the British to provide supplies to Malta in 1942 during World War II in order to attack Axis forces in North Africa
During the summer of 1942 the British Fleet Air Arm (FAA) was increasingly concerned with fighter direction in multi-carrier operations. Early in August its ships Eagle, Victorious, Indomitable, Furious, and Argus trained together, anticipating further operations in support of Malta. That month Eagle, Furious, and Indomitable joined Convoy WS 21S for Operation Pedestal, sending fourteen freighters and tankers to Malta.
Supported by battleship Nelson and battle cruiser Renown, it was one of the most powerful units yet deployed to “the Med.” Furious embarked Spitfires for Malta, but the other two carriers had protective Sea Hurricanes and Fulmars.
On August 10 the convoy was spotted by Axis aircraft that alerted U-boat Command. Eagle had escaped an Italian submarine in July, but on August 11, south of Majorca, U-73 slipped past the destroyer screen and fired a devastating spread of torpedoes. All four slammed into Eagle’s twenty-four-year-old hull, sending her down in less than eight minutes. Destroyers rescued 1,160 men of 1,291 aboard.
Furious launched her fighters for Malta, then reversed helm, mission accomplished. But Pedestal turned into a slugfest. Throughout August 12 the Luftwaffe and Italian Regia hammered at the convoy, pressing repeated bombing and torpedo attacks.
In a daylong attack against the convoy, Axis aircraft were relentless in their effort to sink the merchant ships bearing essential supplies. The FAA fighter pilots met each threat with skill and determination, claiming thirty enemies against thirteen losses while ships’ gunners accounted for a dozen more.
The stellar performance was posted by Indomitable’s Lieutenant Richard Cork, a Sea Hurricane pilot who had flown with the RAF in the Battle of Britain. He wrote:
The sky at first sight seemed filled with aircraft. The enemy kept in tight formation and our fighters snapped at their heels, forcing them to break in all directions. One Junkers turned away from the main group and I led my section down towards it. I was well ahead and fired when it filled my sight. Smoke poured from its wings and it disappeared below me into the sea. A few minutes later I saw another Ju 88 out of the corner of my eye, heading along the coast of North Africa, so I set off in pursuit by myself. At 1,000 feet I came within range and fired. It seemed to stagger in the air, then dropped into the sea with a big splash.
Cork flew three more sorties that day, claiming three more victims. He became the FAA’s top fighter ace with thirteen victories, but died flying a Corsair at Ceylon in 1944.
That afternoon a Staffel of Stukas got past the depleted combat air patrol and dived on Indomitable. They hit her twice and scored three damaging near misses. One of her Sea Hurricane pilots, SubLieutenant Blyth Ritchie, launched at the last moment. Latching onto the retiring Stukas, he splashed two. “Indomit” shaped course for the East Coast of the United States for full repairs.
Without effective air cover, WS 21S was battered that night and the next day. Axis bombers and torpedo boats sank eight ships, leaving five to reach Malta, two barely afloat. Two light cruisers and a destroyer also were lost, but the twenty-nine thousand tons of supplies offloaded meant that Malta would survive.
The Luftwaffe and Regia had launched some 330 sorties against Pedestal, sustaining about 12 percent losses, demonstrating the efficacy of a combined fighter and AA defense.
11th During screening of HMS FURIOUS detached when HMS EAGLE was hit by torpedo fired by U73 and sank within eight minutes. Carried out rescue work with HMS LOOKOUT and HM Tug JAUNTY
(Note: These ships rescued a total of 927 survivors from a ships company of 1160.)
Transferred survivors to HM Destroyer KEPPEL and refuelled from tanker in Force R.
Took passage to join ships covering passage of PEDESTAL convoy after refuelling.
Carried out successful anti-submarine operations against Italian submarine BRIN with HM Destroyers FORESIGHT and FURY and attack failed.
12th Under series of air attacks throughout the day during which HMS INDOMITABLE was badly damaged and HMS FORESIGHT had to be sunk following damage.
Detached from PEDESTAL Convoy with part of Force Z on arrival at Sicilian Narrows.
(Note: These were HMS NELSON, HMS VICTORIOUS, HMS PHOEBE, HMS SIRIUS, HM Destroyers LAFOREY, LIGHTNING. LOOKOUT and QUENTIN.)
Remained in area to provide cover for ships of Force X which had remained as escort for PEDESTAL convoy for passage into Malta.
14th Passage to Gibraltar as part of screen for ships of Forces X and Z.
15th Arrived at Gibraltar
16th Deployed as screen for HM Aircraft Carrier FURIOUS and HMS CHARYBDIS with HM Destroyers LOOKOUT, LIGHTNING, ANTELOPE, WISHART, MALCOLM, KEPPEL, ESKIMO. SOMALI, VENOMOUS and BICESTER during Malta aircraft delivery from HMS FURIOUS (Operation BARITONE).
18th Returned to Gibraltar with same ships on completion of BARITONE.
Operation Baritone
On 16 August, a cruiser and twelve destroyers escorted Furious to the area south of Formentera in the south-west of the Balearic Islands where she flew off 32 Spitfires; one crashed on take-off and two turned back, the rest reaching Malta that afternoon.
21st Deployed for anti-submarine operations off Gibraltar
September
3rd Deployed with HMS LOOKOUT to provide escort for SS LEINSTER into Gibraltar (Note: ss LEINSTER was part of military convoy WS22 during passage in Atlantic from Clyde to Freetown.
4th Met WS22 and escorted detached SS LEINSTER to Gibraltar with HMS LOOKOUT.
12th Passage from Gibraltar to Southampton for refit.
17th Taken in hand for refit in commercial shipyard
October Under refit
November
20th Carried out post refit trials and took passage to Scapa Flow for work-up prior to resuming Flotilla duties at Gibraltar.
23rd Worked-up at Scapa Flow north of Scotland with HM Destroyer LIGHTNING.
December
Nominated for escort of military convoy during passage to Gibraltar.
7th Sailed from Scapa Flow for Greenock on completion of work-up.
12th Took passage to Liverpool with HMS LIGHTNING to escort troopship DUCHESS OF ATHOL during passage from Liverpool to join military convoy KMF5 during passage in Atlantic from Clyde to Algiers, North Africa.
15th Joined KMF5 Ocean Escort with HMS LIGHTNING and DUCHESS OF ATHOL
20th Arrived at Gibraltar after stormy passage.
21st Took part in rescue operations with HMS LIGHTNING after troopship STRATHALLAN was hit by torpedo from U562 off Algerian coast.
(Note: STRATHALLAN was taking 4,408 troops and 296 Nurses to North Africa and sank on 23rd after fires became uncontrollable.)
January
Deployed with Force H and formed part of Anti-submarine Striking Force with HM Destroyers CROOME, HESPERUS and WESTCOTT.(Note: Extensive anti-submarine patrols had been instituted at Gibraltar after loss of HMS ARK ROYAL in intercept attempts by U-Boats to pass through the Straits.)
Despatched to carry out operations after U-Boats attacked convoy.
18th Took part in sinking of U93 with HMS HESPERUS in defence of Convoy SL97
(Note: Sinking was after depth charge and surface gun attacks - 41 of crew survived)
February
8th Reinforced escort of Atlantic convoy.
Passage to Clyde for escort of military convoy WS16 during Atlantic passage.
(Note WS16 was taking troops to Middle East and India.)
17th Joined Convoy WS16 with HM Destroyers ACTIVE, ANTHONY, BLANKNEY, CROOME, DUNCAN, FIREDRAKE and LIGHTNING and took passage as escort.
21st Detached from WS16 with same ships ands returned to Gibraltar.
(Note: HM Aircraft Carrier ARGUS was part of WS16 and on passage to Gibraltar to carry out Malta aircraft delivery.It may be assumed that the destroyers detached as escort for HMS ARGUS.)
23rd Arrived at Gibraltar.
27th Deployed with HM Destroyers LIGHTNING, ACTIVE, ANTHONY, WHITEHALL, WISHART, BLANKNEY, EXMOOR and CROOME as screen for HMS ARGUS, HMS EAGLE, HMS HERMIONE and HMS MALAYA providing escort for Malta aircraft delivery from carriers (Operation SPOTTER I)
28th Operation cancelled due to aircraft fuel tank defects and returned to Gibraltar
March
6th Deployed for Operation SPOTTER II with same ships as SPOTTER I
On 6 March, Operation Spotter, a Club Run by the aircraft carriers Eagle and Argus flew off the first 15 Spitfire reinforcements for Malta. An earlier attempt had been abandoned but the right external ferry tanks were fitted. On 10 March, the Spitfires flew their first sorties against a raid by Ju 88s escorted by Bf 109 fighters.
8th Arrived at Gibraltar after successful launch of aircraft.
19th Nominated for support of planned landings in Madagascar with other ships of Force H on completion of planned aircraft delivery (Operation IRONCLAD)
20th Deployed with HM Destroyers DUNCAN, ACTIVE, ANTHONY, WHITEHALL, WISHART, BLANKNEY, EXMOOR and CROOME as screen for HMS MALAYA, HMS ARGUS and HMS EAGLE during Malta aircraft delivery by the two carriers. (Operation PICKET I)
22nd Return passage to Gibraltar with same ships when operation cancelled due to defects in aircraft fuel tanks
27th Deployed with same ships for repeat aircraft delivery (Operation PICKET II)
April
1st Passage to Freetown to join military convoy WS17 for IRONCLAD (Madagascar)
6th At Freetown, Sierra Leone, West Africa.
9th Sailed from Freetown as screen for HMS MALAYA and HMS HERMIONE with HM Destroyers ACTIVE, ANTHONY, INCONSTANT, JAVELIN, LIGHTNING, LOOKOUT and PAKENHAM.
18th Arrived at Cape Town, South Africa, with WS17.
22nd Arrived at Durban, South Africa, with WS17.
(Note: Some mercantiles in WS17 were destined for the Middle East and Indian detached at ports in South Africa and continued passage as WS17.)
28th Deployed with HM Destroyers LIGHTNING, LOOKOUT and other destroyers as escort for Convoy Z during passage to Diego Suarez, northern Madagascar. (Note: HMS ILLUSTRIOUS, HMS HERMIONE)
May
The Battle of Madagascar (5 May – 6 November 1942) was a British campaign to capture the Vichy French-controlled island Madagascar during World War II. The seizure of the island by the British was to deny Madagascar's ports to the Imperial Japanese Navy and to prevent the loss or impairment of the Allied shipping routes to India, Australia and Southeast Asia. It began with Operation Ironclad, the seizure of the port of Diego-Suarez (now Antsiranana) near the northern tip of the island, on 5 May 1942.
A subsequent campaign to secure the entire island, Operation Stream Line Jane, was opened on 10 September. The Allies broke into the interior, linking up with forces on the coast and secured the island by the end of October. Fighting ceased and an armistice was granted on 6 November. This was the first large-scale operation by the Allies combining sea, land and air forces. The island was placed under Free French control.
2nd Carried out bombardment exercise in preparation for support of landings.
3rd Convoy Y merged with Slow Convoy Y which had taken passage 10 days earlier
4th Deployed with HMS ANTHONY and HMS LIGHTNING to mark and buoy approach channel to landing area at Diego Suarez.
5th Led HMS LIGHTNING and HM Landing Ship (Infantry) into Courier Bay for landings. Provided naval gunfire support during assault.
6th Deployed with HMS LOOKOUT and HMS LIGHTNING as screen for HMS RAMILLIES during search for Japanese warships reported in area.
7th Provided naval gunfire support during landing by Royal Marines from HMS ANTHONY on Antisirana Peninsular
8th At Diego Suarez and deployed periodically for anti-submarine patrols with HMS LIGHTNING and HMS LOOKOUT until released from IRONCLAD.
27th Released from IRONCLAD with HMS LOOKOUT and HMS LIGHTNING.
29th Took passage Colombo, Sri Lanka, to join Eastern Fleet.
31st At Seychelles, Indian Ocean, to refuel.
June
1st Joined HM Aircraft Carriers FORMIDABLE, ILLUSTRIOUS and HM Cruiser GAMBIA for exercises in Indian Ocean
5th Arrived at Colombo, Sri Lanka.
12th Deployed with HMS LIGHTNING, HMS LOOKOUT and two other Eastern Fleet destroyers as screen for HM Battleship WARSPITE, HMS FORMIDABLE, HMS ILLUSTRIOUS and HMS GAMBIA during offensive sweep in Indian Ocean as Force A.
18th Returned to Colombo, Sri Lanka, with Force A.
22nd Deployed with HMS LIGHTNING for exercises off Colombo.
23rd Took passage from Colombo as screen for ships of Force A during passage to Mombasa, on the east African coast of Kenya.
28th At Seychelles to refuel.
July
1st Arrived at Mombasa, east African coast, with ships of Force A
9th Transferred to South Atlantic for trade defence and interception of commerce raiders. Took passage with HMS INDOMITABLE, HMS LIGHTNING and HMS LOOKOUT.
19th Nominated for service in Mediterranean in support of Malta relief operation, (Operation PEDESTAL)
20th Passage to Freetown.
23rd Detached from HMS INDOMITABLE with destroyers to refuel at Pointe Noire, French Equatorial Africa and rejoined on completion.
27th Joined by HM Cruiser PHOEBE.
28th Arrived at Freetown, Sierra Leone.
August
1st Sailed from Freetown for Gibraltar as screen for same ships.
5th Deployed with HM Destroyers FORESIGHT, FURY, ICARUS, INTREPID, LIGHTNING, LOOKOUT, VANSITTART, WESTCOTT and WRESTLER as screen for HM Aircraft Carriers ARGUS, EAGLE, INDOMITABLE, VICTORIOUS, HM
Cruisers PHOEBE , CHARYBDIS and SIRIUS during Exercise BERSERK west of
Gibraltar to carry out tactics for use during planned defence of PEDESTAL
10th Refuelled and nominated with HMS LOOKOUT for escort of HM Aircraft
Carrier FURIOUS during aircraft delivery to Malta.
(Operation BELLOWS - Coincident with PEDESTAL)
Operation Pedestal was an operation by the British to provide supplies to Malta in 1942 during World War II in order to attack Axis forces in North Africa
During the summer of 1942 the British Fleet Air Arm (FAA) was increasingly concerned with fighter direction in multi-carrier operations. Early in August its ships Eagle, Victorious, Indomitable, Furious, and Argus trained together, anticipating further operations in support of Malta. That month Eagle, Furious, and Indomitable joined Convoy WS 21S for Operation Pedestal, sending fourteen freighters and tankers to Malta.
Supported by battleship Nelson and battle cruiser Renown, it was one of the most powerful units yet deployed to “the Med.” Furious embarked Spitfires for Malta, but the other two carriers had protective Sea Hurricanes and Fulmars.
On August 10 the convoy was spotted by Axis aircraft that alerted U-boat Command. Eagle had escaped an Italian submarine in July, but on August 11, south of Majorca, U-73 slipped past the destroyer screen and fired a devastating spread of torpedoes. All four slammed into Eagle’s twenty-four-year-old hull, sending her down in less than eight minutes. Destroyers rescued 1,160 men of 1,291 aboard.
Furious launched her fighters for Malta, then reversed helm, mission accomplished. But Pedestal turned into a slugfest. Throughout August 12 the Luftwaffe and Italian Regia hammered at the convoy, pressing repeated bombing and torpedo attacks.
In a daylong attack against the convoy, Axis aircraft were relentless in their effort to sink the merchant ships bearing essential supplies. The FAA fighter pilots met each threat with skill and determination, claiming thirty enemies against thirteen losses while ships’ gunners accounted for a dozen more.
The stellar performance was posted by Indomitable’s Lieutenant Richard Cork, a Sea Hurricane pilot who had flown with the RAF in the Battle of Britain. He wrote:
The sky at first sight seemed filled with aircraft. The enemy kept in tight formation and our fighters snapped at their heels, forcing them to break in all directions. One Junkers turned away from the main group and I led my section down towards it. I was well ahead and fired when it filled my sight. Smoke poured from its wings and it disappeared below me into the sea. A few minutes later I saw another Ju 88 out of the corner of my eye, heading along the coast of North Africa, so I set off in pursuit by myself. At 1,000 feet I came within range and fired. It seemed to stagger in the air, then dropped into the sea with a big splash.
Cork flew three more sorties that day, claiming three more victims. He became the FAA’s top fighter ace with thirteen victories, but died flying a Corsair at Ceylon in 1944.
That afternoon a Staffel of Stukas got past the depleted combat air patrol and dived on Indomitable. They hit her twice and scored three damaging near misses. One of her Sea Hurricane pilots, SubLieutenant Blyth Ritchie, launched at the last moment. Latching onto the retiring Stukas, he splashed two. “Indomit” shaped course for the East Coast of the United States for full repairs.
Without effective air cover, WS 21S was battered that night and the next day. Axis bombers and torpedo boats sank eight ships, leaving five to reach Malta, two barely afloat. Two light cruisers and a destroyer also were lost, but the twenty-nine thousand tons of supplies offloaded meant that Malta would survive.
The Luftwaffe and Regia had launched some 330 sorties against Pedestal, sustaining about 12 percent losses, demonstrating the efficacy of a combined fighter and AA defense.
11th During screening of HMS FURIOUS detached when HMS EAGLE was hit by torpedo fired by U73 and sank within eight minutes. Carried out rescue work with HMS LOOKOUT and HM Tug JAUNTY
(Note: These ships rescued a total of 927 survivors from a ships company of 1160.)
Transferred survivors to HM Destroyer KEPPEL and refuelled from tanker in Force R.
Took passage to join ships covering passage of PEDESTAL convoy after refuelling.
Carried out successful anti-submarine operations against Italian submarine BRIN with HM Destroyers FORESIGHT and FURY and attack failed.
12th Under series of air attacks throughout the day during which HMS INDOMITABLE was badly damaged and HMS FORESIGHT had to be sunk following damage.
Detached from PEDESTAL Convoy with part of Force Z on arrival at Sicilian Narrows.
(Note: These were HMS NELSON, HMS VICTORIOUS, HMS PHOEBE, HMS SIRIUS, HM Destroyers LAFOREY, LIGHTNING. LOOKOUT and QUENTIN.)
Remained in area to provide cover for ships of Force X which had remained as escort for PEDESTAL convoy for passage into Malta.
14th Passage to Gibraltar as part of screen for ships of Forces X and Z.
15th Arrived at Gibraltar
16th Deployed as screen for HM Aircraft Carrier FURIOUS and HMS CHARYBDIS with HM Destroyers LOOKOUT, LIGHTNING, ANTELOPE, WISHART, MALCOLM, KEPPEL, ESKIMO. SOMALI, VENOMOUS and BICESTER during Malta aircraft delivery from HMS FURIOUS (Operation BARITONE).
18th Returned to Gibraltar with same ships on completion of BARITONE.
Operation Baritone
On 16 August, a cruiser and twelve destroyers escorted Furious to the area south of Formentera in the south-west of the Balearic Islands where she flew off 32 Spitfires; one crashed on take-off and two turned back, the rest reaching Malta that afternoon.
21st Deployed for anti-submarine operations off Gibraltar
September
3rd Deployed with HMS LOOKOUT to provide escort for SS LEINSTER into Gibraltar (Note: ss LEINSTER was part of military convoy WS22 during passage in Atlantic from Clyde to Freetown.
4th Met WS22 and escorted detached SS LEINSTER to Gibraltar with HMS LOOKOUT.
12th Passage from Gibraltar to Southampton for refit.
17th Taken in hand for refit in commercial shipyard
October Under refit
November
20th Carried out post refit trials and took passage to Scapa Flow for work-up prior to resuming Flotilla duties at Gibraltar.
23rd Worked-up at Scapa Flow north of Scotland with HM Destroyer LIGHTNING.
December
Nominated for escort of military convoy during passage to Gibraltar.
7th Sailed from Scapa Flow for Greenock on completion of work-up.
12th Took passage to Liverpool with HMS LIGHTNING to escort troopship DUCHESS OF ATHOL during passage from Liverpool to join military convoy KMF5 during passage in Atlantic from Clyde to Algiers, North Africa.
15th Joined KMF5 Ocean Escort with HMS LIGHTNING and DUCHESS OF ATHOL
20th Arrived at Gibraltar after stormy passage.
21st Took part in rescue operations with HMS LIGHTNING after troopship STRATHALLAN was hit by torpedo from U562 off Algerian coast.
(Note: STRATHALLAN was taking 4,408 troops and 296 Nurses to North Africa and sank on 23rd after fires became uncontrollable.)
1943
Force Q
Laforey and her flotilla were assigned to Bône as part of Force Q at the start of 1943. The ships of the force came under heavy air attack and Laforey had to sink the tanker Empire Metal on 6 January after she had been set on fire during an air raid. Laforey carried out interception patrols and convoy defence throughout February and March. On 28 April she and Tartar took part in an action against six E-boats and a submarine. They sank one E-boat by ramming it, and damaged two others. During the action, Laforey sustained damage to her forepeak.
In May she was assigned with Force Q to intercept ships attempting to evacuate German troops from Cap Bon after the defeat of the Afrika Korps. On 8 May she and Tartar captured two merchant ships, but on 9 May Laforey came under fire from shore batteries and was hit in the engine room. She sustained damage and several severe injuries to her crew, causing her to head for Malta for repairs. After being repaired, she returned to Force Q. En route, she investigated Plane Island and discovered 23 enemy soldiers, whom she promptly took prisoner. Back with Force Q, on 23 July she sank an enemy supply ship.
In June she took part in covering the allied landings at Pantelleria (Operation Corkscrew), during which she bombarded enemy positions, before sailing to Alexandria to escort convoys for the planned invasion of Sicily. After the landings on 9 July she bombarded enemy targets inland. On 15 August she embarked General Alexander, Air Marshall Coningham and Admiral Ramsey and conveyed them to Augusta. She continued to carry out bombardments and anti-submarine patrols throughout July.
On 23 July she and Eclipse engaged in a box search for the Italian submarine Ascianghi after she had torpedoed the cruiser Newfoundland. The Ascianghi fired two torpedoes at the Laforey which both missed and the Laforey and Eclipse carried out five depth charge attacks in response. The Ascianghi was forced to surface where it came under an immediate and heavy fire from the Laforey's guns and was at last sunk. A survivor was picked up who confirmed that the Italian sub had indeed fired four torpedoes at the Newfoundland two hours previously.
In August Laforey was nominated to support the invasion of mainland Italy and on 21 August, she and four other destroyers carried out an offensive sweep through the Strait of Messina. She then escorted the convoys and covered the landings. On 9 August she came under fire during a shore bombardment and was hit by five shells. One of the ship's company was killed and another two were injured, while one boiler room was put out of action. She returned to Malta for repairs to the structural damage. She was under repair until mid-October, when she returned to patrolling off the Italian coast.
On 1 November she escorted two merchant ships during their passage from Malta to Naples and on 3 November she escorted a military convoy en route to Augusta. On 5 November she came to the assistance of a US merchant ship that had run aground northeast of Augusta, and towed the vessel clear before returning to Malta to refuel. She spent the rest of the month and most of December at Malta, before returning to the Italian coast on 23 December. On 25 December she detected two E-boats on her radar and moved to intercept them, but they escaped contact and fled. Further shore bombardment operations followed.
Laforey and her flotilla were assigned to Bône as part of Force Q at the start of 1943. The ships of the force came under heavy air attack and Laforey had to sink the tanker Empire Metal on 6 January after she had been set on fire during an air raid. Laforey carried out interception patrols and convoy defence throughout February and March. On 28 April she and Tartar took part in an action against six E-boats and a submarine. They sank one E-boat by ramming it, and damaged two others. During the action, Laforey sustained damage to her forepeak.
In May she was assigned with Force Q to intercept ships attempting to evacuate German troops from Cap Bon after the defeat of the Afrika Korps. On 8 May she and Tartar captured two merchant ships, but on 9 May Laforey came under fire from shore batteries and was hit in the engine room. She sustained damage and several severe injuries to her crew, causing her to head for Malta for repairs. After being repaired, she returned to Force Q. En route, she investigated Plane Island and discovered 23 enemy soldiers, whom she promptly took prisoner. Back with Force Q, on 23 July she sank an enemy supply ship.
In June she took part in covering the allied landings at Pantelleria (Operation Corkscrew), during which she bombarded enemy positions, before sailing to Alexandria to escort convoys for the planned invasion of Sicily. After the landings on 9 July she bombarded enemy targets inland. On 15 August she embarked General Alexander, Air Marshall Coningham and Admiral Ramsey and conveyed them to Augusta. She continued to carry out bombardments and anti-submarine patrols throughout July.
On 23 July she and Eclipse engaged in a box search for the Italian submarine Ascianghi after she had torpedoed the cruiser Newfoundland. The Ascianghi fired two torpedoes at the Laforey which both missed and the Laforey and Eclipse carried out five depth charge attacks in response. The Ascianghi was forced to surface where it came under an immediate and heavy fire from the Laforey's guns and was at last sunk. A survivor was picked up who confirmed that the Italian sub had indeed fired four torpedoes at the Newfoundland two hours previously.
In August Laforey was nominated to support the invasion of mainland Italy and on 21 August, she and four other destroyers carried out an offensive sweep through the Strait of Messina. She then escorted the convoys and covered the landings. On 9 August she came under fire during a shore bombardment and was hit by five shells. One of the ship's company was killed and another two were injured, while one boiler room was put out of action. She returned to Malta for repairs to the structural damage. She was under repair until mid-October, when she returned to patrolling off the Italian coast.
On 1 November she escorted two merchant ships during their passage from Malta to Naples and on 3 November she escorted a military convoy en route to Augusta. On 5 November she came to the assistance of a US merchant ship that had run aground northeast of Augusta, and towed the vessel clear before returning to Malta to refuel. She spent the rest of the month and most of December at Malta, before returning to the Italian coast on 23 December. On 25 December she detected two E-boats on her radar and moved to intercept them, but they escaped contact and fled. Further shore bombardment operations followed.
1 9 4 3
January
1st Arrived at Bone for duty with Flotilla as part of Force Q.
(Note: Force Q included HM Cruisers AJAX, PENELOPE, AURORA. SIRIUS, HM Destroyers LIGHTNING, LOOKOUT and LOYAL.)
Under heavy air attacks at Bone.
6th Sank tanker EMPIRE METAL which had been hit and set on fire during air raid.
February
Deployed for screening duties with Force Q during interception patrols and convoy defence off North African coast in western Mediterranean.
To March
April
Based at Bone for Force Q deployment and interception patrols.
28th During patrol with HM Destroyer TARTAR in action against six E-Boats and a submarine in position 37.46N 01.33E.
Sank one E-Boat by ramming and damaged two others.
Sustained damage to forepeak.
May
Deployed with HM Destroyers LOYAL, TARTAR, ZETLAND, LAMERTON, ALDENHAM, BICESTER, HURSLEY, DULVERTON, LAUDERDALE, OAKLEY, WILTON, ZETLAND and Polish destroyer BLYSKAWICA to intercept craft evacuating troops from Cape Bon area after defeat of the Afrika Korps .
8th Deployed with HMS TARTAR and intercepted two mercantiles.
9th During RETRIBUTION under fire by shore battery near Cape Bon and hit in engine room causing damage with some serious injuries.
Took passage to Malta for repair.
10th Taken in hand for repair by HM Dockyard
15th During passage to resumed Force Q duties investigated Plane Island and found 23 enemy soldiers who were taken prisoner.
23rd Deployed with HM Destroyer LOOKOUT for patrol in central Mediterranean and sank supply ship.
June
Nominated for support of planned landings in Pantelleria, the island between Sicily and Africa. (Operation CORKSCREW).
(Note: Other ships involved included HM Cruisers AURORA, NEWFOUNDLAND, ORION, PENELOPE and EURYALUS, HM Destroyers LOOKOUT, LOYAL, JERVIS, TARTAR, NUBIAN, TROUBRIDGE and WHADDON.)
Provided cover for minesweeping operations prior to CORKSCREW.
8th Bombarded positions in Pantelleria.
11th Provided naval gunfire support during landings on Pantelleria by 1st British Division. On release from CORKSCREW took passage to Alexandria to provide escort for assault convoys on passage to Sicily for planned allied landings in Sicily (Operation HUSKY)
On July 10, 1943, the Allies launched Operation Husky before sunrise, a massive amphibious assault on the southern shores of the island. For the next three days it involved more than 3,000 ships landing over 150,000 ground troops, covered by more than 4,000 aircraft. They were opposed on the island by only two German divisions, as Nazi leadership continued to believe the main assault would come at Sardinia and Corsica.
July
8th Deployed with HM Destroyers LOOKOUT and LOYAL for escort for military Convoy KMF36
9th Detached from KMF36 and took passage to BARK Beach Head in British Sector.
10th Joined support Force East and deployed for screening duties on passage to assault area. Provided naval gunfire support during landings
15th Embarked General Alexander for passage to Augusta.
16th Deployed with HMS NUBIAN for screening of HMS ORION and HMS UGANDA during passage from Malta as relief for HMS NEWFOUNDLAND,
18th Carried out bombardment in support of military operations in eastern Sicily.
23rd Deployed for anti-submarine operations after HMS NEWFOUNDLAND had been torpedoed off Augusta by the Italian submarine ASCIANGHI.
Sank ASCIANGHI with HM Destroyer ECLIPSE.
August
Nominated for support of planned allied landings on Italian mainland at Salerno (Operation AVALANCHE)
Operation Avalanche was the codename for the Allied landings near the port of Salerno, executed on 9 September 1943, part of the Allied invasion of Italy during World War II. The Italians withdrew from the war the day before the invasion, but the Allies landed in an area defended by German troops. Planned under the name Top Hat, it was supported by the deception plan Operation Boardman.
21st Deployed with four other destroyers for offensive sweep off Italian mainland near Straits of Messina.
(Note: Landings at Salerno were preceded by bombardment operations between Reggio Calabria and Pessaro prior to British landings on Italian mainland) (Operation BAYTOWN).
September
Deployed at Malta and prepared for AVALANCHE.
Planned deployment with Flotilla and HUNT Class destroyers of 21st Destroyer
Flotilla as part of Northern Attack Force for screening of HM Cruisers MAURITIUS, UGANDA, ORION, DEHLI and HM Monitor EREBUS during passage and support bombardments
9th Under fire during support bombardment and sustained damage by return fire. Hit by five shells
One of ships company was killed and two other injured.
One Boiler Room was unusable.
Passage to Malta for repair including structural damage.
Taken in hand for repair by HM Dockyard.
October
Under repair
On completion resumed Flotilla duties in support of military operations.
13th Provided naval gunfire support for military operation near Volturno with HMS LOOKOUT and Dutch Gunboat FLORES.
November
1st Escorted two mercantiles during passage from Malta to Naples.
3rd Deployed as escort for military convoy during passage to Augusta.
4th Deployed at Augusta for patrol duties off western coast of Italy.
5th Assisted US mercantile aground NE of Augusta and towed vessel clear before taking passage to Malta to refuel.
6th Carried out anti-submarine exercises on passage.
December
Deployed intermediately at Malta for R&R and to replenish.
23rd Took passage from Malta for Naples.
25th Passage to Bay of Naples for anti-submarine patrol duty.
Intercepted two E-Boats by radar contact and engaged with main armament but enemy ships escaped.
29th Deployed with Dutch Gunboat FLORES, HM Destroyers FAULKNOR and LOYAL to carry out bombardment.
30th Took part in bombardment of Gaeta Italy.
On completion returned to Naples to re-ammunition.
Nominated for support of planned allied landings at Anzio (Operation SHINGLE).
Passage to Ajaccio from Naples.
January
1st Arrived at Bone for duty with Flotilla as part of Force Q.
(Note: Force Q included HM Cruisers AJAX, PENELOPE, AURORA. SIRIUS, HM Destroyers LIGHTNING, LOOKOUT and LOYAL.)
Under heavy air attacks at Bone.
6th Sank tanker EMPIRE METAL which had been hit and set on fire during air raid.
February
Deployed for screening duties with Force Q during interception patrols and convoy defence off North African coast in western Mediterranean.
To March
April
Based at Bone for Force Q deployment and interception patrols.
28th During patrol with HM Destroyer TARTAR in action against six E-Boats and a submarine in position 37.46N 01.33E.
Sank one E-Boat by ramming and damaged two others.
Sustained damage to forepeak.
May
Deployed with HM Destroyers LOYAL, TARTAR, ZETLAND, LAMERTON, ALDENHAM, BICESTER, HURSLEY, DULVERTON, LAUDERDALE, OAKLEY, WILTON, ZETLAND and Polish destroyer BLYSKAWICA to intercept craft evacuating troops from Cape Bon area after defeat of the Afrika Korps .
8th Deployed with HMS TARTAR and intercepted two mercantiles.
9th During RETRIBUTION under fire by shore battery near Cape Bon and hit in engine room causing damage with some serious injuries.
Took passage to Malta for repair.
10th Taken in hand for repair by HM Dockyard
15th During passage to resumed Force Q duties investigated Plane Island and found 23 enemy soldiers who were taken prisoner.
23rd Deployed with HM Destroyer LOOKOUT for patrol in central Mediterranean and sank supply ship.
June
Nominated for support of planned landings in Pantelleria, the island between Sicily and Africa. (Operation CORKSCREW).
(Note: Other ships involved included HM Cruisers AURORA, NEWFOUNDLAND, ORION, PENELOPE and EURYALUS, HM Destroyers LOOKOUT, LOYAL, JERVIS, TARTAR, NUBIAN, TROUBRIDGE and WHADDON.)
Provided cover for minesweeping operations prior to CORKSCREW.
8th Bombarded positions in Pantelleria.
11th Provided naval gunfire support during landings on Pantelleria by 1st British Division. On release from CORKSCREW took passage to Alexandria to provide escort for assault convoys on passage to Sicily for planned allied landings in Sicily (Operation HUSKY)
On July 10, 1943, the Allies launched Operation Husky before sunrise, a massive amphibious assault on the southern shores of the island. For the next three days it involved more than 3,000 ships landing over 150,000 ground troops, covered by more than 4,000 aircraft. They were opposed on the island by only two German divisions, as Nazi leadership continued to believe the main assault would come at Sardinia and Corsica.
July
8th Deployed with HM Destroyers LOOKOUT and LOYAL for escort for military Convoy KMF36
9th Detached from KMF36 and took passage to BARK Beach Head in British Sector.
10th Joined support Force East and deployed for screening duties on passage to assault area. Provided naval gunfire support during landings
15th Embarked General Alexander for passage to Augusta.
16th Deployed with HMS NUBIAN for screening of HMS ORION and HMS UGANDA during passage from Malta as relief for HMS NEWFOUNDLAND,
18th Carried out bombardment in support of military operations in eastern Sicily.
23rd Deployed for anti-submarine operations after HMS NEWFOUNDLAND had been torpedoed off Augusta by the Italian submarine ASCIANGHI.
Sank ASCIANGHI with HM Destroyer ECLIPSE.
August
Nominated for support of planned allied landings on Italian mainland at Salerno (Operation AVALANCHE)
Operation Avalanche was the codename for the Allied landings near the port of Salerno, executed on 9 September 1943, part of the Allied invasion of Italy during World War II. The Italians withdrew from the war the day before the invasion, but the Allies landed in an area defended by German troops. Planned under the name Top Hat, it was supported by the deception plan Operation Boardman.
21st Deployed with four other destroyers for offensive sweep off Italian mainland near Straits of Messina.
(Note: Landings at Salerno were preceded by bombardment operations between Reggio Calabria and Pessaro prior to British landings on Italian mainland) (Operation BAYTOWN).
September
Deployed at Malta and prepared for AVALANCHE.
Planned deployment with Flotilla and HUNT Class destroyers of 21st Destroyer
Flotilla as part of Northern Attack Force for screening of HM Cruisers MAURITIUS, UGANDA, ORION, DEHLI and HM Monitor EREBUS during passage and support bombardments
9th Under fire during support bombardment and sustained damage by return fire. Hit by five shells
One of ships company was killed and two other injured.
One Boiler Room was unusable.
Passage to Malta for repair including structural damage.
Taken in hand for repair by HM Dockyard.
October
Under repair
On completion resumed Flotilla duties in support of military operations.
13th Provided naval gunfire support for military operation near Volturno with HMS LOOKOUT and Dutch Gunboat FLORES.
November
1st Escorted two mercantiles during passage from Malta to Naples.
3rd Deployed as escort for military convoy during passage to Augusta.
4th Deployed at Augusta for patrol duties off western coast of Italy.
5th Assisted US mercantile aground NE of Augusta and towed vessel clear before taking passage to Malta to refuel.
6th Carried out anti-submarine exercises on passage.
December
Deployed intermediately at Malta for R&R and to replenish.
23rd Took passage from Malta for Naples.
25th Passage to Bay of Naples for anti-submarine patrol duty.
Intercepted two E-Boats by radar contact and engaged with main armament but enemy ships escaped.
29th Deployed with Dutch Gunboat FLORES, HM Destroyers FAULKNOR and LOYAL to carry out bombardment.
30th Took part in bombardment of Gaeta Italy.
On completion returned to Naples to re-ammunition.
Nominated for support of planned allied landings at Anzio (Operation SHINGLE).
Passage to Ajaccio from Naples.
1944
Laforey was deployed on patrol off Corsica on 4 January, before heading into the Bay of Naples. On 6 January she sank the hulk of a liberty ship and on 7 January was despatched to the waters off Capri to search for a lifeboat. On 18 January she and a number of other warships bombarded targets around Gaeta. The ships came under air attacks and shore bombardment during these operations. After replenishing at Naples, Laforey, in company with Loyal and Jervis, joined the escort for the assault convoys of Operation Shingle, the landings at Anzio. On 22 January Laforey and Loyal led the assault force to "P" Beach landing areas. Laforey remained off the coast, to provide gunfire support and defence against air and surface attacks. On 23 January she assisted in the rescue of survivors from Janus after she had been sunk by a radio controlled bomb. On 29 January she rescued survivors from Spartan after she too was sunk by radio controlled bombs.
In February she was transferred to the 14th Destroyer Flotilla and on 18 February she bombarded Formica and was deployed with Faulknor on 25 February to intercept E-boats. Laforey was briefly detached to assist a Landing Ship, Tank that had run aground at Sabaudio, but was unable to help her. She rejoined Faulknor and together they carried out depth charge attacks on a suspected submarine contact. On 26 February they were joined by the destroyers Lamerton and Hambledon. Laforey herself came under attack from an acoustic torpedo, which exploded in her wake. Anti-submarine operations continued on 27 February when another two destroyers joined, and finished on 28 February when the ships returned to Naples. Laforey sailed to Naples with survivors from Inglefield, which had been sunk off Anzio on 25 February by a glider bomb.
Laforey returned to Naples and was deployed off Anzio on 9 March 1944 on support and patrol duties that were scheduled to last until 19 March. On 23 March she again returned to Anzio and on 24 March she was deployed for night interception and anti-submarine patrols with Grenville. On 25 March they engaged a number of E-boats after picking them up on their radar. Laforey then sailed to Naples.
In February she was transferred to the 14th Destroyer Flotilla and on 18 February she bombarded Formica and was deployed with Faulknor on 25 February to intercept E-boats. Laforey was briefly detached to assist a Landing Ship, Tank that had run aground at Sabaudio, but was unable to help her. She rejoined Faulknor and together they carried out depth charge attacks on a suspected submarine contact. On 26 February they were joined by the destroyers Lamerton and Hambledon. Laforey herself came under attack from an acoustic torpedo, which exploded in her wake. Anti-submarine operations continued on 27 February when another two destroyers joined, and finished on 28 February when the ships returned to Naples. Laforey sailed to Naples with survivors from Inglefield, which had been sunk off Anzio on 25 February by a glider bomb.
Laforey returned to Naples and was deployed off Anzio on 9 March 1944 on support and patrol duties that were scheduled to last until 19 March. On 23 March she again returned to Anzio and on 24 March she was deployed for night interception and anti-submarine patrols with Grenville. On 25 March they engaged a number of E-boats after picking them up on their radar. Laforey then sailed to Naples.
1 9 4 4
January
4th Deployed for patrol off Corsica with calls at Ajaccio and Sartene
5th Passage from Maddalena for patrol in Bay of Naples.
6th During patrol sank hulk of US LIBERTY Ship by gunfire and torpedo.
7th Deployed at Naples and despatched to Capri area to search for lifeboat.
16th Deployed for patrol of Bay of Gaeta.
18th Sailed from Naples with HM Cruiser SPARTAN, HM Destroyers JERVIS and FAULKNOR for bombardment duties in Gaeta area.
Joined by HM Cruiser ORION and HM Destroyer JANUS and carried out bombardment of shore targets. Under air attacks and fire from shore batteries
19th Returned to Naples to replenish ammunition.
20th Sailed for Anzio as part of escort for Assault Convoy with HM Destroyers JERVIS and LOYAL.
21st Joined by HMS JANUS, US destroyers and Landing Ships for passage to Anzio.(Operation SHINGLE)
Operation Shingle is the name given to an amphibious landing by the Allies in Italy during World War II. It took place on January 22, 1944, under the command of United States Major General John P. Lucas. The object, which was successfully achieved, was to land sufficient forces to outflank the Germans along the Winter Line and set up an assault on Rome itself. The fighting which resulted after the landing is usually referred to as the Battle of Anzio.
22nd Deployed with HM Destroyer LOYAL to lead Assault Force to P Beach landing areas. Detached after nightfall to carry out patrol south of Anzio to intercept any attempt to attack ships off Anzio beaches.
23rd Provided gunfire support and defence against air and surface attacks on assembled ships.
Assisted in rescue of survivors from HMS JANUS which sank after being hit by radio controlled bomb.
24th Provided naval gunfire support.
27th Returned to Naples to replenish.
28th Passage to resume duties off PETER Beach.
29th Support deployment off Anzio in continuation.
Assisted in rescue of survivors from HMS SPARTAN after the cruiser had been hit by radio controlled bombs.
Under air attacks and near missed.
Deployed for night interception patrol with other destroyers.
February
SHINGLE support in continuation. Transferred to 14th Destroyer Flotilla.
18th Carried out bombardment of Formica.
21st Return passage to Naples to replenish.
25th Deployed for patrol with HM Destroyer FAULKNOR to intercept E-Boats.
Detached to assist Landing Ship (Tank) aground at Sabaudio but unable to help.
During continued patrol with HMS FAULKNOR carried out depth charge attacks on possible submarine contact.
26th Joined in anti-submarine search by HM Escort Destroyers LAMERTON and HAMBLEDON.
Under attack by Acoustic torpedo which exploded in wake.
27th Anti-submarine operations in continuation.
Two additional destroyers joined.
28th Anti-submarine operations abandoned and ship returned to Naples to replenish and fuel.
Took passage to Malta with survivors from HM Destroyer INGLEFIELD which had been sunk by a Glider Bomb off Anzio on 25th February.
March
Passage from Malta to Naples to resume support duties at Anzio.
9th Deployed off Anzio for support and patrol duties until 19th
23rd Returned to Anzio for support and patrol duties.
24th Deployed for night interception and anti-submarine patrol with HM Destroyer GRENVILLE.
25th Engaged E-Boats after radar detection.
Took passage to Naples from Anzio on completion of patrol.
January
4th Deployed for patrol off Corsica with calls at Ajaccio and Sartene
5th Passage from Maddalena for patrol in Bay of Naples.
6th During patrol sank hulk of US LIBERTY Ship by gunfire and torpedo.
7th Deployed at Naples and despatched to Capri area to search for lifeboat.
16th Deployed for patrol of Bay of Gaeta.
18th Sailed from Naples with HM Cruiser SPARTAN, HM Destroyers JERVIS and FAULKNOR for bombardment duties in Gaeta area.
Joined by HM Cruiser ORION and HM Destroyer JANUS and carried out bombardment of shore targets. Under air attacks and fire from shore batteries
19th Returned to Naples to replenish ammunition.
20th Sailed for Anzio as part of escort for Assault Convoy with HM Destroyers JERVIS and LOYAL.
21st Joined by HMS JANUS, US destroyers and Landing Ships for passage to Anzio.(Operation SHINGLE)
Operation Shingle is the name given to an amphibious landing by the Allies in Italy during World War II. It took place on January 22, 1944, under the command of United States Major General John P. Lucas. The object, which was successfully achieved, was to land sufficient forces to outflank the Germans along the Winter Line and set up an assault on Rome itself. The fighting which resulted after the landing is usually referred to as the Battle of Anzio.
22nd Deployed with HM Destroyer LOYAL to lead Assault Force to P Beach landing areas. Detached after nightfall to carry out patrol south of Anzio to intercept any attempt to attack ships off Anzio beaches.
23rd Provided gunfire support and defence against air and surface attacks on assembled ships.
Assisted in rescue of survivors from HMS JANUS which sank after being hit by radio controlled bomb.
24th Provided naval gunfire support.
27th Returned to Naples to replenish.
28th Passage to resume duties off PETER Beach.
29th Support deployment off Anzio in continuation.
Assisted in rescue of survivors from HMS SPARTAN after the cruiser had been hit by radio controlled bombs.
Under air attacks and near missed.
Deployed for night interception patrol with other destroyers.
February
SHINGLE support in continuation. Transferred to 14th Destroyer Flotilla.
18th Carried out bombardment of Formica.
21st Return passage to Naples to replenish.
25th Deployed for patrol with HM Destroyer FAULKNOR to intercept E-Boats.
Detached to assist Landing Ship (Tank) aground at Sabaudio but unable to help.
During continued patrol with HMS FAULKNOR carried out depth charge attacks on possible submarine contact.
26th Joined in anti-submarine search by HM Escort Destroyers LAMERTON and HAMBLEDON.
Under attack by Acoustic torpedo which exploded in wake.
27th Anti-submarine operations in continuation.
Two additional destroyers joined.
28th Anti-submarine operations abandoned and ship returned to Naples to replenish and fuel.
Took passage to Malta with survivors from HM Destroyer INGLEFIELD which had been sunk by a Glider Bomb off Anzio on 25th February.
March
Passage from Malta to Naples to resume support duties at Anzio.
9th Deployed off Anzio for support and patrol duties until 19th
23rd Returned to Anzio for support and patrol duties.
24th Deployed for night interception and anti-submarine patrol with HM Destroyer GRENVILLE.
25th Engaged E-Boats after radar detection.
Took passage to Naples from Anzio on completion of patrol.
Sinking
She deployed for another patrol off the west coast of Italy on 28 March and on 29 March she carried out a hunt for U-223 north of Palermo, in company with the destroyers Tumult, Tuscan, Urchin, Hambledon and Blencathra. U-223 had been detected by Ulster during a routine sweep. The search lasted until 30 March, when after sustaining several hours of depth charge attacks, U-223 surfaced, and was then attacked by the destroyers with gunfire at a range of 1,500 yards (1,400 m). U-223 was able to fire three torpedoes which struck Laforey. She sank quickly, resulting in the loss of most of her company, including her captain. There were only 65 survivors out of the 247 on board. U-223 was sunk soon afterwards, and the survivors from Laforey and U-223 were picked up by Blencathra, Hambledon and Tumult
March
28th Deployed for patrol off west coast of Italy.
29th Carried out hunt for U223 north of Palermo with HM Destroyers TUMULT and WILTON.
Joined HM Destroyers TUMULT, TUSCAN, URCHIN, HAMBLEDON and BLENCATHRA.
30th After several hours of depth charge attacks the submarine surfaced and was engaged by all ships by surface gunfire at a range of about 1,500 yards.
Despite being hit repeatedly U223 fired three torpedoes which hit the ship and quickly sank her.
Only 65 of the ships company survived out of a total of 247 on board.
The commanding officer and Senior officer of Flotilla, Captain HT Armstrong, DSO, DSC, RN was one of the ships company killed.
U223 also sank soon afterwards and survivors from both the destroyer and the submarine were rescued by HMS HAMBLEDON, HMS TUMULT and HMS BLENCATHRA.
Source: Wikipedia / Navel History / BBC / Bob Burns
28th Deployed for patrol off west coast of Italy.
29th Carried out hunt for U223 north of Palermo with HM Destroyers TUMULT and WILTON.
Joined HM Destroyers TUMULT, TUSCAN, URCHIN, HAMBLEDON and BLENCATHRA.
30th After several hours of depth charge attacks the submarine surfaced and was engaged by all ships by surface gunfire at a range of about 1,500 yards.
Despite being hit repeatedly U223 fired three torpedoes which hit the ship and quickly sank her.
Only 65 of the ships company survived out of a total of 247 on board.
The commanding officer and Senior officer of Flotilla, Captain HT Armstrong, DSO, DSC, RN was one of the ships company killed.
U223 also sank soon afterwards and survivors from both the destroyer and the submarine were rescued by HMS HAMBLEDON, HMS TUMULT and HMS BLENCATHRA.
Source: Wikipedia / Navel History / BBC / Bob Burns
Sadly my cousin Ronald was not a survivor and was killed in action aged just 22. All that remains is a Navel Memorial in Portsmouth:
GRIFFITH, RONALD ERIC, Ordnance Mechanic 5th Class
(no. P/JX 152415),
HMS Laforey, Royal Navy, 30/03/1944, Portsmouth Naval Memorial
Battle Honours
MALTA CONVOYS 1942 - ATLANTIC 1942 - DIEGO SUAREZ 1942 - SICILY 1943 - SALERNO 1942 - MEDITERRANEAN 1943-44 - ANZIO 1944
GRIFFITH, RONALD ERIC, Ordnance Mechanic 5th Class
(no. P/JX 152415),
HMS Laforey, Royal Navy, 30/03/1944, Portsmouth Naval Memorial
Battle Honours
MALTA CONVOYS 1942 - ATLANTIC 1942 - DIEGO SUAREZ 1942 - SICILY 1943 - SALERNO 1942 - MEDITERRANEAN 1943-44 - ANZIO 1944
Portsmouth Naval Memorial
An account of life on board by Bob Burns. D.S.M.
We are returning to Naples for a boiler clean and a well earned break.The date was March 28th 1944: The scene: Anzio beach-head: The ship. H.M.S. Laforey, flotilla leader ‘extraordinair’. The speaker: Lt. Boyer R.N.R., Laforey’s Gunnery Officer.
“Thank God.” I murmured. At last there was the prospect of a break from demands which had kept us in action at sea for so long. We certainly needed it. The preceding three months had been exceedingly demanding, a period in which the Royal Navy had experienced heavy losses. Penelope, Royalist, Janus - to mention but a few ‘chummy ships’ - all lay on the bottom after constant attacks from the air. The Jerries’ 11 inch gun on the railway from Rome and their radio controlled bomb.
My heart sang as we headed south to Naples. And in Naples harbour on the morning of March 30th, Lt Boyer and I were talking idly about our hopes for the days of peace to come, when Jock Abernathy, a big raw-boned Scot, appeared to tell us that, Captain ‘Beaky’ Armstrong - our new skipper - wanted us in his cabin.
What would be his news? A recall to the U.K? Or perhaps a few days in Sorrento or Capri, just as Captain ‘Tubby’ Hutton had ordered the previous November, when Naples had suffered a terrible Typhus epidemic. No such luck. Our skipper’s orders were that we were to proceed with full speed, to and area west of Stromboli, where a U-boat had been reported.
After all our tremendous range of actions in the Mediterranean, U-boat hunting was recognised by most as a ‘piece of cake’. Had we not sunk the Italian submarine Asihangi off Sicily? And anyway, to operate in an area free from the Luftwaffe’s attentions, would be a relief in itself.
At noon, just before we arrived in the area where the U-boat had been sighted, we were joined by Tumult, Blencathra. Quantock and Lammerton. And soon the metallic clang of the Asdic indicated we had located our quarry.
Attack after attack failed to bring the U-boat to the surface but as darkness fell, our Asdic team was confident that during the night, lack of air would bring her to the surface and my gun-teams have the chance of delivering the coup-de-grace.
Shortly before 0100 hrs the next day, the message was passed to the transmitting station from the bridge, that the U-boat was blowing her tanks and we were to prepare for ‘starshell’ firing to illuminate her.
Captain Armstrong, for reasons best known to himself decided not to sound off full action stations. The crew were therefore at defence stations, only half the armament manned and many men were asleep in the mess-decks. With hindsight, one can say that many of the 179 men who lost their lives, would have been saved, had they been closed up at action stations. The order came suddenly to open fire and within moments, night became day, as the starshell illuminated the area where the U-boat would break surface.
“ Gunner’s mate to the bridge.” Sub/Lt Ticehurst, the youngest officer in the ship - for reasons that I was never to discover - made the call that was to save my life. When I got there, I found the U-boat was clearly visible on the port bow. Our 4.7 armament was soon straddling the target and when the Gunnery Officer arrived on the bridge. I jumped down over the bridge screen to the Oerlikon, determined to ensure that the U-boat’s deck was raked with fire in case resistance was offered.
Then came the order to switch on the searchlight. It proved to be the opportunity the U-boat skipper needed. Suddenly there was a deafening explosion and I found myself hurtling upwards and then landing with a thud on the Oerlikon’s safety rails.
The U-boat had torpedoed us and I was conscious between bouts of blackness and pain, that Laforey was breaking up in her death throws. I tried to stand but had no movement in my legs. Using my elbows, I managed to propel my body to the ship’s side. Laforey was sinking and I clung to the rigging as she started her final plunge. Frantically, I tore myself free and with arms working like pistons, propelled myself as far from the inevitable whirlpool of suction as possible.
Suddenly, like a cork, I was whirled round and round and drawn towards the vortex where our beloved ship had finally disappeared beneath the waves. Fortunately, my half inflated life belt kept me on the surface.
Gradually, the black silence was broken with the cries of shipmates, dotted around the ocean. With the whistle always carried by a gunner’s mate for turret drill, I began to signal in the hope of collecting the survivors in a more compact group. Unconsciousness intervened and when I came round again, it was to hear the groans of a young London AB clinging to driftwood and obviously in a bad way.
At odd intervals, shipmates would swim to us to offer words of comfort and encouragement and them swim off to assist others. Two such gallant friends, Dave Barton the PO. Cook and Knocker White, the Yeoman of Signals both uninjured but sadly not to survive, continued to help their more unfortunate shipmates.
After what appeared to be an eternity, I spotted the darker shape of an approaching vessel. Suddenly there were cries of, “ Swim you German bastards, swim!” Our would be rescuers, were convinced that we were German survivors from the U-boat, which Tumult and Blencathra had eventually sunk. They were unaware of the fact that Laforey had gone too.
Within moments, I was carefully and gently lifted from the sea and into the boat. Oil fuel fouled my mouth and eyes and hid the tears of relief and gratitude for my rescuers.
I was hoisted aboard Tumult, encased in a Neil Robertson stretcher, injected with a liberal dose of morphia and despatched to the gunners mate’s holy of holy’s, the Transmitting Station. From the usual illegal matelot’s hidden resources, a full tumbler full of Nelson’s Blood was added to the pain relieving morphia and I sank into peaceful oblivion.
Vaguely, I remember being shipped from Tumult to a waiting ambulance in Naples harbour and arriving at the 65th General Hospital. There, the doctors found I had three spinal fractures. To begin with, I was paralysed from the waist down but my self pity soon disappeared when I looked around the overcrowded wards at our terribly wounded soldiers, being shipped in from their personal hell holes of Anzio or Cassino.
Eventually, after spells in other military hospitals, I was shipped home in the hospital ship Somersetshire. At a hospital on Merseyside there came the never to be forgotten reunion with my dear wife and baby daughters.
After long spells in hospitals and at a rehabilitation centre, I eventually returned to light duty at my depot, HMS Excellent. I finally completed my naval service after serving in Vanguard during the 1947 Royal Tour to South Africa.
After nearly thirty years, I still have deep and abiding memories of Laforey and her crew. Overriding them all is the deep respect and affection for Captain Hutton, who made Laforey and her men, into one of the greatest destroyer teams of the war.
The people of Northampton paid from their pockets, around £750.000 for Laforey and events proved their investment was repaid a hundred fold. The generosity of Northampton to the crew, exceeded anything I had previously experienced in the Royal Navy. I shared Captain Hutton’s only regret, that the crew never marched through the town when final victory became reality.
I hope that one day, the Admiralty will name another Laforey, or Northampton and so maintain the links formed in the days of war.
A further ambition yet to be realised, is to make contact with any of the 17 German survivors from the U223 picked up by either Tumult or Blencathra after they destroyed her. I would like to record the missing chapter of life in U223 as her end approached.
Any feelings of bitterness or animosity towards our enemy of 60 years ago, has disappeared. Anyway, U223 proved a worthy and courageous foe. I only hope her survivors have enjoyed the years of peace with the same happiness and contentment with which I have been blessed.
Bob Burns. D.S.M.
Thornton. Liverpool.
“Thank God.” I murmured. At last there was the prospect of a break from demands which had kept us in action at sea for so long. We certainly needed it. The preceding three months had been exceedingly demanding, a period in which the Royal Navy had experienced heavy losses. Penelope, Royalist, Janus - to mention but a few ‘chummy ships’ - all lay on the bottom after constant attacks from the air. The Jerries’ 11 inch gun on the railway from Rome and their radio controlled bomb.
My heart sang as we headed south to Naples. And in Naples harbour on the morning of March 30th, Lt Boyer and I were talking idly about our hopes for the days of peace to come, when Jock Abernathy, a big raw-boned Scot, appeared to tell us that, Captain ‘Beaky’ Armstrong - our new skipper - wanted us in his cabin.
What would be his news? A recall to the U.K? Or perhaps a few days in Sorrento or Capri, just as Captain ‘Tubby’ Hutton had ordered the previous November, when Naples had suffered a terrible Typhus epidemic. No such luck. Our skipper’s orders were that we were to proceed with full speed, to and area west of Stromboli, where a U-boat had been reported.
After all our tremendous range of actions in the Mediterranean, U-boat hunting was recognised by most as a ‘piece of cake’. Had we not sunk the Italian submarine Asihangi off Sicily? And anyway, to operate in an area free from the Luftwaffe’s attentions, would be a relief in itself.
At noon, just before we arrived in the area where the U-boat had been sighted, we were joined by Tumult, Blencathra. Quantock and Lammerton. And soon the metallic clang of the Asdic indicated we had located our quarry.
Attack after attack failed to bring the U-boat to the surface but as darkness fell, our Asdic team was confident that during the night, lack of air would bring her to the surface and my gun-teams have the chance of delivering the coup-de-grace.
Shortly before 0100 hrs the next day, the message was passed to the transmitting station from the bridge, that the U-boat was blowing her tanks and we were to prepare for ‘starshell’ firing to illuminate her.
Captain Armstrong, for reasons best known to himself decided not to sound off full action stations. The crew were therefore at defence stations, only half the armament manned and many men were asleep in the mess-decks. With hindsight, one can say that many of the 179 men who lost their lives, would have been saved, had they been closed up at action stations. The order came suddenly to open fire and within moments, night became day, as the starshell illuminated the area where the U-boat would break surface.
“ Gunner’s mate to the bridge.” Sub/Lt Ticehurst, the youngest officer in the ship - for reasons that I was never to discover - made the call that was to save my life. When I got there, I found the U-boat was clearly visible on the port bow. Our 4.7 armament was soon straddling the target and when the Gunnery Officer arrived on the bridge. I jumped down over the bridge screen to the Oerlikon, determined to ensure that the U-boat’s deck was raked with fire in case resistance was offered.
Then came the order to switch on the searchlight. It proved to be the opportunity the U-boat skipper needed. Suddenly there was a deafening explosion and I found myself hurtling upwards and then landing with a thud on the Oerlikon’s safety rails.
The U-boat had torpedoed us and I was conscious between bouts of blackness and pain, that Laforey was breaking up in her death throws. I tried to stand but had no movement in my legs. Using my elbows, I managed to propel my body to the ship’s side. Laforey was sinking and I clung to the rigging as she started her final plunge. Frantically, I tore myself free and with arms working like pistons, propelled myself as far from the inevitable whirlpool of suction as possible.
Suddenly, like a cork, I was whirled round and round and drawn towards the vortex where our beloved ship had finally disappeared beneath the waves. Fortunately, my half inflated life belt kept me on the surface.
Gradually, the black silence was broken with the cries of shipmates, dotted around the ocean. With the whistle always carried by a gunner’s mate for turret drill, I began to signal in the hope of collecting the survivors in a more compact group. Unconsciousness intervened and when I came round again, it was to hear the groans of a young London AB clinging to driftwood and obviously in a bad way.
At odd intervals, shipmates would swim to us to offer words of comfort and encouragement and them swim off to assist others. Two such gallant friends, Dave Barton the PO. Cook and Knocker White, the Yeoman of Signals both uninjured but sadly not to survive, continued to help their more unfortunate shipmates.
After what appeared to be an eternity, I spotted the darker shape of an approaching vessel. Suddenly there were cries of, “ Swim you German bastards, swim!” Our would be rescuers, were convinced that we were German survivors from the U-boat, which Tumult and Blencathra had eventually sunk. They were unaware of the fact that Laforey had gone too.
Within moments, I was carefully and gently lifted from the sea and into the boat. Oil fuel fouled my mouth and eyes and hid the tears of relief and gratitude for my rescuers.
I was hoisted aboard Tumult, encased in a Neil Robertson stretcher, injected with a liberal dose of morphia and despatched to the gunners mate’s holy of holy’s, the Transmitting Station. From the usual illegal matelot’s hidden resources, a full tumbler full of Nelson’s Blood was added to the pain relieving morphia and I sank into peaceful oblivion.
Vaguely, I remember being shipped from Tumult to a waiting ambulance in Naples harbour and arriving at the 65th General Hospital. There, the doctors found I had three spinal fractures. To begin with, I was paralysed from the waist down but my self pity soon disappeared when I looked around the overcrowded wards at our terribly wounded soldiers, being shipped in from their personal hell holes of Anzio or Cassino.
Eventually, after spells in other military hospitals, I was shipped home in the hospital ship Somersetshire. At a hospital on Merseyside there came the never to be forgotten reunion with my dear wife and baby daughters.
After long spells in hospitals and at a rehabilitation centre, I eventually returned to light duty at my depot, HMS Excellent. I finally completed my naval service after serving in Vanguard during the 1947 Royal Tour to South Africa.
After nearly thirty years, I still have deep and abiding memories of Laforey and her crew. Overriding them all is the deep respect and affection for Captain Hutton, who made Laforey and her men, into one of the greatest destroyer teams of the war.
The people of Northampton paid from their pockets, around £750.000 for Laforey and events proved their investment was repaid a hundred fold. The generosity of Northampton to the crew, exceeded anything I had previously experienced in the Royal Navy. I shared Captain Hutton’s only regret, that the crew never marched through the town when final victory became reality.
I hope that one day, the Admiralty will name another Laforey, or Northampton and so maintain the links formed in the days of war.
A further ambition yet to be realised, is to make contact with any of the 17 German survivors from the U223 picked up by either Tumult or Blencathra after they destroyed her. I would like to record the missing chapter of life in U223 as her end approached.
Any feelings of bitterness or animosity towards our enemy of 60 years ago, has disappeared. Anyway, U223 proved a worthy and courageous foe. I only hope her survivors have enjoyed the years of peace with the same happiness and contentment with which I have been blessed.
Bob Burns. D.S.M.
Thornton. Liverpool.