Ronald McClellan Powning Jonas DSC, RN

Born  6 Nov 1903Salisbury, England, U.K.
Died   1981(77)


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Ranks

15 Jan 1924 A/S.Lt.
15 Oct 1924 S.Lt.
15 Oct 1926 Lt.
15 Oct 1934 Lt.Cdr.
31 Dec 1941 Cdr.

Retired: 30 May 1949


Decorations

1 Jan 1941 DSC

Warship Commands listed for Ronald McClellan Powning Jonas, RN


ShipRankTypeFromTo
HMS Triad (N 53)Lt.Cdr.Submarine2 Apr 193927 Feb 1940
HMS Fernie (L 11)Lt.Cdr.Escort destroyer29 Mar 194010 Mar 1941
HMS Jackal (F 22)Lt.Cdr.Destroyer11 Mar 1941early 1942

Career information

We currently have no career / biographical information on this officer.

Events related to this officer

Submarine HMS Triad (N 53)


16 Aug 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) conducted trials off Barrow-in-Furness. (1)

21 Aug 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0100A/21, Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) departed her builders yard at Barrow-in-Furness for Gareloch where she arrived around 1615A/22. En-route various trials were carried out. (1)

23 Aug 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) conducted diving trials in Gareloch. (1)

24 Aug 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) conducted anchor trials in Gareloch. (1)

25 Aug 1939
Around 0730A/25, Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) departed Gareloch for trials in the Clyde area and subsequent passage back to Barrow-in-Furness where she arrived around 2215A/25. (1)

16 Sep 1939
HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) was taken over from her builder and commissioned in full.

Around 1300A/16, the submarine departed from her builders yard at Barrow for Portsmouth. She is escorted by HMS Shikari (Cdr. J.H. Lewis, RN). (2)

18 Sep 1939
Around 1015A/18, HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) arrived at Portsmouth (Fort Blockhouse) to begin a period of work-up exercises. (2)

20 Sep 1939
HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) conducted independent exercises off Portsmouth. (2)

21 Sep 1939
HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) conducted independent exercises off Portsmouth. (2)

22 Sep 1939
HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) conducted independent exercises off Portsmouth. (2)

23 Sep 1939
HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) conducted independent exercises off Portsmouth. (2)

29 Sep 1939
Around 1045A/29, HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) departed from Portsmouth for Portland, where she is to conduct torpedo trials. She arrived at Portland around 1515A/29. (2)

1 Oct 1939
HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Portland. (3)

2 Oct 1939
HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Portland. (3)

3 Oct 1939
HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Portland. (3)

5 Oct 1939
Around 0715A/5, HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) departed from Portland for Portsmouth where she arrived around 1150A/5. (3)

8 Oct 1939
Around 0335A/8, HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN), departed from Portsmouth for Dundee. She was escorted by HMS Tedworth (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) W.J. Stride, MBE, RN) until 1845A/8 when HMS Triad joined a northbound convoy [most likely FN 18]. (3)

10 Oct 1939
Around 1500A/10, HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) arrived at Dundee. (3)

14 Oct 1939
Around 0315A/14, HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) departed from Dundee for Rosyth where she arrived around 0930A/14.

Around 1705A/14, HMS Triad departed Rosyth for her 1st war patrol. She is to patrol off the South coast of Norway.

For the daily positions of HMS Triad during this patrol see the map below.

(4)

18 Oct 1939
Around 1800A/18, when south-east of Lindesnes, in position 57°46'N, 07°20'E, HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) sighted two enemy torpedo boats, thought to be of the Möwe-class to the north at a range of about 5 nautical miles. They were proceeding eastwards.

The ships sighted must have been the German destroyers Z 5 / Paul Jacobi and Z 6 / Theodor Riedel which were on patrol in the area inspecting neutral shipping. (5)

24 Oct 1939
Around 0220A/24, when south of Lister, in position 57°57.5'N, 06°27'E, HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) a darkened ship bearing 335°. The contact was about 1.5 miles away steering 230°. It was tried to identify the contact but this was not completed by the time the ship turned towards and it was then thought to be a desroyer. A very clear bow wave could be seen as it was thought the ships speed was over 20 knots. HMS Triad dived at 0227A/24. She surfaced at 0346A/24 to find nothing in sight.

The ship sighted was most likely indeed a German destroyer as Z 3 / Max Schultz and Z 15 / Erich Steinbrinck were on patrol in the area inspecting neutral shipping. (6)

27 Oct 1939
Around 2345A/27, when west of Lister, in position 58°08'N, 06°15'E, HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) sighted a darkened ship bearing 010° at a range of four miles. This was thought to be a neutral (Norwegian) torpedo boat or patrol vessel. HMS Triad dived to avoid being sighted in the moonlight. HMS Triad surfaced at 0014A/28 to find nothing in sight.

[No German ships were patrolling in the area at that moment and given the position of the contact it was indeed most likely Norwegian.] (4)

28 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1900A/29, when west of Lister, in position 58°19'N 6°02'5'E, HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) sighted a ship bearing 070° at a range of 4 miles. She was burning dim navigation lights and steering northwards. It is considered this may have been the same ship sighted last night. (4)

5 Nov 1939
Around 1100A/5, HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Rosyth. (4)

15 Nov 1939
HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) conducted exercises off Rosyth. (7)

18 Nov 1939
Around 2055A/18. HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) departed from Rosyth for her 2nd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the South coast of Norway.

Earlier in the day HMS Triad had conducted exercises in the Firth of Forth.

For the daily positions of HMS Triad during this patrol see the map below.

(4)

27 Nov 1939
At 0015A/27, in very heavy weather and rough seas, HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN), while in position 58°45'N, 05°23'E (to the south of Stavanger), developed problems with her after hydroplanes. The result of these problems is that she was not under control. Repairs could not be made and after a few hours a signal was made to base requesting a tow and escort.

Around 1100A/27 three Hudson aircraft arrived on the scene and patrolled overhead.

Around 1500A/27 the destroyers HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, RN) and HMS Maori (Cdr. G.N. Brewer, RN) arrived on the scene.

Around 1615A/27 HMS Triad was taken in tow by HMS Inglefied, however around 1800A/27 the tow parted and efforts to resume towing failed. (4)

28 Nov 1939
Several attempts to connect a towline from HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, RN) to HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) were made but all failed due to the very heavy weather and rough seas.

Around 0900A/28, HMS Triad was ordered to proceed astern up wind. A speed of two knots could be maintained.

Around 0940A/28, Three Hudson aircraft arrived to provide air cover. (4)

29 Nov 1939
Around 0900A/29, HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) was taken in tow by HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, RN) at a speed of 4 knots.

At 1140A/29, the Admiralty ordered the ships to proceed into Norwegian waters. HMS Triad was to effect repairs in neutral waters. (4)

30 Nov 1939
Around 0545A/30, HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN), towed by HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, RN) and escorted by HMS Maori (Cdr. G.N. Brewer, RN) arrived in Norwegian waters in Mastrafjord.

Around 0730A/30, all ships anchored in Mastra Fjord. After talks with Norwegian officials permission was granted that Triad could make repairs to her after hydroplanes.

At 1636A/30, HMS Triad was taken in tow by a tug to Stavanger where she arrived at 2011 hours. (4)

1 Dec 1939
HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) is put on the slip, stern first, at Stavanger, Norway. As the slipway could not accommodate ships over 1000 tons, Triad is thus only partially out of the water. (4)

2 Dec 1939
Around 1315A/2, HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) the submarine is visited by Rear-Admiral Diesen, C. in C. of the Royal Norwegian Navy who assures Lt. Cdr. Jonas that he has personally flown over the fjord to make sure that no German warships lurks in the vicinity. At 1422 hours the submarine is put back in the water. She departed for Rosyth immediately. (4)

4 Dec 1939
Around 0900A/4, HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Rosyth. (4)

5 Dec 1939
HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) is docked in AFD 3 at Rosyth Dockyard for repairs. (8)

12 Dec 1939
With her repairs completed, HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) is undocked. (8)

13 Dec 1939
Around 2110A/13, HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) departed from Rosyth for her 3rd war patrol. This is a short patrol in the North Sea.

For the daily position of HMS Triad during this patrol see the map below.

(8)

15 Dec 1939
Around 1800A/15, HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol at Rosyth. (8)

16 Dec 1939
HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) departed from Rosyth for convoy escort duties with convoy ON 5.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy ON 5 ' for 16 December 1939]. (4)

16 Dec 1939
For the daily positions of HMS Triad during the passage of convoys ON 5, HN 5 and short patrol between these two convoys see the map below.

16 Dec 1939

Convoy ON 5.

This convoy departed Methil on 16 December 1939 and arrived in Norwegian waters near Bergen on 19 December 1939.

The convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Amicus (British, 3660 GRT, built 1925), Carperby (British, 4890 GRT, built 1928), Clarissa Radcliffe (British, 5754 GRT, built 1915), Folda (British, 1165 GRT, built 1920), Glen Tilt (British, 871 GRT, built 1920), Grelrosa (British, 4574 GRT, built 1914), Hague (British, 974 GRT, built 1919), Majorca (British, 1126 GRT, built 1921) and Treworlas (British, 4692 GRT, built 1922).

On departure from Methil the convoy was escorted by the destroyers HMS Afridi (Capt. G.H. Creswell, DSC, RN), HMS Maori (Cdr. G.N. Brewer, RN), HMS Nubian (Cdr. R.W. Ravenhill, RN) and the submarine HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN).

The destroyer HMS Mohawk (Cdr. J.W.M. Eaton, RN) was to have joined coming from the Tyne but due to reported enemy mining she was unable to do so and it appears she never joined the convoy before it was dispersed of Bergen on 19 December 1939.

As convoy HN 5 was delayed for 48 hours the destroyers proceeded to Sollom Voe, Shetland Islands, to refuel and then return. In the meantime HMS Triad would patrol off the Froysjoen Fjord.

21 Dec 1939

Convoy HN 5

This convoy was assembled in Norwegian waters near Bergen on 21 December 1939.

The convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Bisp (Norwegian, 1000 GRT, built 1889), Bore VI (Finnish, 1466 GRT, built 1919), Breda (Norwegian, 1260 GRT, built 1915)), Briarwood (British, 4019 GRT, built 1930), Cree (British, 4791 GRT, built 1920), Esbjorn (Finnish, 1905 GRT, built 1904), Gudrid (Norwegian, 1305 GRT, built 1922), Kai (Danish, 1746 GRT, built 1921), Katvaldis (British, 3163 GRT, built 1907), Leda (Finnish, 1283 GRT, built 1908), Mathilda (Swedish, 1264 GRT, built 1902), Panaghiotis (Greek, 3575 GRT, built 1901), Perrakis L. Cambanis (Greek, 3584 GRT, built 1910), Polar Chief (British, 8319 GRT, built 1897), Pollux (Finnish, 1284 GRT, built 1898), Pontfield (British (tanker), 8319 GRT, built 1940 [this was a new tanker built in Sweden enroute to the U.K. to be delivered]), Raimo-Ragnar (Finnish, 1972 GRT, built 1914), Regulus (Finnish, 1821 GRT, built 1921), Regulus (Estonian, 893 GRT, built 1902), Sollund (Norwegian, 941 GRT, built 1908), Svanholm (British, 1321 GRT, built 1922), Teano (British, 762 GRT, built 1925), Vestanvik (Swedish, 1213 GRT, built 1906), Vestra (British, 1141 GRT, built 1921), Viiu (Estonian, 1908 GRT, built 1917) and Warlaby (British, 4875 GRT, built 1927).

On assembly the convoy was escorted by the destroyers HMS Afridi (Capt. G.H. Creswell, DSC, RN), HMS Maori (Cdr. G.N. Brewer, RN), HMS Mohawk (Cdr. J.W.M. Eaton, RN), HMS Nubian (Cdr. R.W. Ravenhill, RN) and the submarine HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN).

The destroyer HMS Escapade (Cdr. H.R. Graham, RN) joined later at sea.

Around 1830A/22, the convoy split into two sections. The main section continued onwards towards Methil escorted by HMS Afridi, HMS Maori, HMS Escapade and HMS Triad. The other section (6 merchant vessels) proceeded to the Clyde where it arrived also on the 24th. The west coast section was escorted by HMS Nubian and HMS Mohawk.

24 Dec 1939
Around 1800A/24, HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) arrived at Rosyth from convoy escort duty. (4)

14 Jan 1940
Around 1400A/14, HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) departed from Rosyth for her 4th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the South coast of Norway and in the Skagerrak / Kattegat.

For the daily positions of HMS Triad during this patrol see the map below.

(4)

16 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0422A/16, HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) arrived in her patrol area (Area C 1). (4)

20 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1930A/20, HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) received a signal from Capt. S.2, timed 1727A/20, ordering her to proceed to area C 5. Course was set accordingly. (4)

21 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2345A/21, HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) arrived in area C 5. (4)

25 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1745A/25, HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) departed area C 5 to return to Rosyth. (4)

28 Jan 1940
Around 1015A/28, HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) ended her 4th war patrol at Rosyth. (4)

11 Feb 1940
Around 1435A/11, HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) departed from Rosyth for her 5th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the South coast of Norway. On board was a boarding party with the object to interfere with the traffic of iron ore ships between Norway and Germany.

For the daily positions of HMS Triad during this patrol see the map below.

(4)

13 Feb 1940
Around 0030A/13, HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) received a signal ordering her to proceed with despatch to the western half of area E 1. Course was set accordingly.

At 0821A/13, in position 56°47'N, 06°05'E, HMS Triad had to dive while still short of the area by what was thought to be a destroyer. The ship could however not be properly identified through the periscope due to a snowstorm. [No German destroyers or torpedo boats were however operating in the area though.] (4)

14 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1936A/14, HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) received a signal ordering her to proceed to an area to the north of area E 1. Course was set accordingly. (4)

16 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1830A/16, HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) received a signal ordering her to patrol to the south of the Jossingfjord. Course was set accordingly. (4)

23 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2210A/23, HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) received a signal ordering her to proceed to an area to the south-south-west of Egersund. Course was set accordingly. (4)

24 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Shortly before 1800A/24, HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) surfaced after a days submerged patrol and set course to return to Rosyth. (4)

26 Feb 1940
Around 1215A/26, HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) ended her 5th war patrol at Rosyth. (4)


Destroyer HMS Jackal (F 22)


4 Apr 1941
Around 1900A/4, HMS Resolution (Capt. A.R. Halfhide, CBE, RN), (Cdr. H.A. King, RN), HMS Kelvin (Cdr. J.H. Allison, DSO, RN), HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN), HMS Atherstone (Lt.Cdr. R.F. Jenks, RN) and HMS Blencathra (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, RN) arrived at Greenock. (9)

5 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Kelvin (Cdr. J.H. Allison, DSO, RN) and HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) departed Greenock for Plymouth. Later they were ordered to proceed to a rendez-vous position of Wolf Rock. (9)

7 Jun 1941
Around 1145C/7, 'Force B', made up of the light cruisers HMS Phoebe (Capt. G. Grantham, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral E.L.S. King, CB, MVO, RN), HMS Ajax (Capt. E.D.B. McCarthy, RN) and the destroyers HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, DSO, RN), HMS Kimberley (Lt.Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson, DSO, RN), HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) and HMS Janus (Cdr. J.A.W. Tothill, RN) departed Alexandria so to be off the Syrian coast at dawn the following day for their role supporting the Army during Operation Exporter, the Allied attack on the Vichy-French colony of Syria.

Around 0600C/8, they were joined by the AA cruiser HMS Coventry (A/Capt. W.P. Carne, RN) and the destroyers HMS Isis (Cdr. C.S.B. Swinley, DSC, RN) and HMS Hotspur (Lt.Cdr. C.P.F. Brown, DSC, RN) which came from Port Said.

[For more information on the attack on the Vichy-French colony of Syria and subsequent movements see the event ' The Syrian campaign ' for 6 June 1941.] (10)

10 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) arrived at Haifa from operations off Syria. (11)

11 Jun 1941
HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) departed Haifa to continue to support the operations against Vichy-French Syria.

It appears HMS Jackal returned to Haifa on the 13th.

[No reports have so far been found by us so we have little information available but the logbook of HMS Ajax (ADM 53/113530) reports that she sighted the destroyers HMS Ilex (Capt. H.St.L. Nicholson, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN), HMS Jaguar (Lt.Cdr. J.F.W. Hine, RN) and HMS Kimberley (Lt.Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson, DSO, RN) at 0600/12. Presumably they had been on patrol during the night as a striking force off the coast of Syria.] (11)

14 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) apparently departed Haifa to continue to support the operations against Vichy-French Syria.

[No further details known for the moment.]

15 Jun 1941
While operating off Syria, HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN), is hit by a bomb from an enemy aircraft. The bomb passed trough the upper deck but failed to explode and then fell harmlessly into the sea. Damage was only minor and Jackal was able to continue her operations.

[We have been unable to find out when HMS Jackal returned to Haifa.]

22 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) arrived at Alexandria from operations off Syria. (12)

29 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) departed Alexandria to go to the assistance of the damaged destroyer HMAS Waterhen (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN).

Before HMS Jackal arrived, HMAS Waterhen had sunk. She then returned to Alexandria the following day together with HMS Defender (Lt.Cdr. G.L. Farnfield, RN) which had been on supply mission to Tobruk with the Australian destroyer. (10)

2 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1300 hours HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) and HMS Hasty (Lt.Cdr. L.R.K. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN) departed Alexandria for Haifa where they arrived the following day. (10)

17 Jul 1941
HMS Hasty (Lt.Cdr. L.R.K. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) departed Haifa for the Alexandria area where they were to join the fleet for exercises. (10)

21 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1230 hours the destroyers HMS Decoy (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Alliston, RN), HMS Griffin (Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO, RN), HMS Hasty (Lt.Cdr. L.R.K. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), HMS Havock (Lt. G.R.G. Watkins, RN), HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN), HMS Kimberley (Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson, DSO, RN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) departed Alexandria for exercises. They returned around 2000 hours. (13)

1 Aug 1941
Around 1030C/1, the destroyers HMS Jervis (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO, RN), HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN), HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) departed Alexandria for an A/S sweep north of Bardia for a reported enemy submarine. A Sunderland aircraft (230 Sq./U) cooperating in the search was shot down by the submarine Italian Delfino and four of the crew which had survived the crash were picked up by the Italian submarine.

The destroyers made no contact with the enemy submarine and arrived back at Alexandria around 1300C/2. They appeared to have been attacked by enemy aircraft A.M on 2 August,

The Delfino had observed them during the night of 1/2 August (0055/2, Rome time) patrolling the area. (14)

7 Aug 1941
HMS Neptune (Capt. R.C. O'Conor, RN), HMS Abdiel (Capt. E. Pleydell-Bouverie, MVO, RN) and HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) departed Port Said around 1300C/7 with troops for Famagusta.

They landed the troops during the night of 7/8 August and arrived at Haifa around 1130C/8. (15)

12 Aug 1941
HMS Neptune (Capt. R.C. O'Conor, RN), HMS Abdiel (Capt. E. Pleydell-Bouverie, MVO, RN) and HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) departed Haifa around 0600C/12 for Port Said where they arrived around 1530C/12. (15)

13 Aug 1941
Around 1430C/13, HMS Neptune (Capt. R.C. O'Conor, RN), HMS Abdiel (Capt. E. Pleydell-Bouverie, MVO, RN) and HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) departed Port Said with troops for Famagusta. (15)

18 Aug 1941
HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Alexandria at 0830/18 for a supply run to Tobruk. They returned to Alexandria at 1320/19. (14)

21 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Griffin (Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO, RN), HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) and <HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, DSO, RN) departed Alexandria at 0815/21 for a supply run to Tobruk. They returned to Alexandria at 1300/22. (14)

23 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, RN) and HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) departed Alexandria at 1600/23 for a sweep of the coast near Bardia to search for enemy supply vessels. They returned to Alexandria at 1405/24. (14)

3 Sep 1941
Around 1010C/3, the battleship HMS Valiant (Capt. C.E. Morgan, DSO, RN), light cruiser HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.L. Howden, CBE, RAN) and the destroyers HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, RN), HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN), HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St.Clair Ford, RN), HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) and HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. C.J. Stephenson, RAN) departed Alexandria for exercises.

HMS Valiant and HMAS Hobart returned to Alexandria around 1915C/3. The destroyers remained out for night exercises and only returned to Alexandria around 1430C/4 minus HMAS Vendetta which had set course for Port Said on HMS Valiant and HMAS Hobart's return to harbour. (16)

10 Sep 1941
Around 1215C/10 the battleship HMS Queen Elizabeth (Capt. C.B. Barry, DSO, RN flying the flag of Admiral Sir A.B. Cunningham, GCB, DSO and 2 Bars, RN) and the destroyer HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) departed Alexandria to join the fast minelayers HMS Abdiel (Capt. E. Peydell-Bouverie, MVO, RN), HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) and the destroyer HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) at sea for exercises.

They all returned to Alexandria around 1720C/10. (17)

14 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) and HMS Hotspur (Lt. T.D. Herrick, DSC, RN) departed Haifa for an A/S sweep. They returned to Haifa on the 16th. (10)

20 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hero (Cdr. H.W. Biggs, DSO and Bar, RN) and HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) departed Haifa for an A/S sweep along the of the Haifa - Port Said - Alexandria shipping routes. (10)

21 Sep 1941
HMS Hero (Cdr. H.W. Biggs, DSO and Bar, RN) and HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) escorted the landing ship HMS Glengyle (A/Capt.(Retd.) C.H. Petrie, RN) from Alexandria to Port Said.

HMS Hero had entered Alexandria at 1330 hours and left again with HMS Glengyle at 1700 hours. HMS Jackal had apparently not entered Alexandria.

The destroyer then escorted the landing ships to Port Said after which they returned to Alexandria.

HMS Hero arrived around 1000/23, HMS Jackal around 1200/23. (14)

26 Sep 1941
Between 0800B/26 and 0815B/26, the fast minelayer HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) and the destroyers HMS Hasty (Lt.Cdr. L.R.K. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) and HMS Kimberley (Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson, DSO, RN) departed Alexandria for a supply run to Tobruk.

They unloaded during the night of 26/27 September and returned to Alexandria around 1300B/27. (17)

28 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, RN) and HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) departed Alexandria to reinforce the Suez escort force. (10)

29 Sep 1941
HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, RN) and HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) passed the Suez Canal southbound and arrived at Suez.

[We currently have no info on their deployment with the Suez escort force.] (10)

13 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, RN) and HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) departed Suez and passed the Suez Canal northbound. (10)

14 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1040 hours, HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, RN) and HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN), arrived at Alexandria following deployment with the Suez escort force. (18)

17 Oct 1941
Shortly after 0700B/17, the fast minelayer HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) and the destroyers HMS Havock (Lt. G.R.G. Watkins, DSC, RN), HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) departed Alexandria for a supply run to Tobruk. On board were circa 1000 troops and 180 tons of stores.

They unloaded during the night of 17/18 October and returned to Alexandria at 1220B/18. (18)

15 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Jackal (Cdr. C.T. Jellicoe, DSC, RN) is docked in the Gabbari Dock at Alexandria. (19)

31 Mar 1942
HMS Jackal (Cdr. C.T. Jellicoe, DSC, RN) is undocked. (19)

Sources

  1. ADM 173/16189
  2. ADM 173/16190
  3. ADM 173/16191
  4. ADM 199/1847
  5. ADM 199/1847 + war diary of the second German destroyer flotilla for October 1939
  6. ADM 199/1847 + war diaries of the German destroyers Max Schultz and Erich Steinbrinck
  7. ADM 173/16192
  8. ADM 173/16193
  9. ADM 187/12
  10. ADM 199/415
  11. ADM 53/114865
  12. ADM 187/13 + ADM 199/2557
  13. ADM 53/115212
  14. ADM 53/115213 + ADM 199/415
  15. ADM 53/114777 + ADM 199/415
  16. ADM 53/115214 + ADM 199/415 + Report of proceedings of HMAS Hobart for September 1941 + Report of proceedings of HMAS Vendetta for September 1941
  17. ADM 53/115214 + ADM 199/415
  18. ADM 53/115215 + ADM 199/415
  19. ADM 53/116465

ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.


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