Manley Lawrence Power OBE, DSO, RN

Birth details unknown

Ranks

15 Feb 1925S.Lt.
15 Nov 1926Lt.
15 Nov 1934Lt.Cdr.
30 Jun 1939Cdr.
31 Dec 1943Capt.
8 Jul 1953Rear-Admiral
7 Sep 1956Vice-Admiral
22 Jul 1960Admiral


Retired: 25 Oct 1961

Decorations

1 Jan 1941OBE
20 Apr 1943CBE
10 Nov 1944DSO
10 Jul 1945Bar to DSO
9 Jun 1955CB
12 Jun 1958KCB

Warship Commands listed for Manley Lawrence Power, RN


ShipRankTypeFromTo
HMS Opportune (G 80)Cdr.Destroyer9 Jun 194226 Sep 1942
HMS Kempenfelt (ii) (R 03)Capt.Destroyer24 Apr 19449 Jul 1944
HMS Myngs (R 06)Capt.Destroyer9 Jul 194417 Nov 1944
HMS Saumarez (G 12)Capt.Destroyer17 Nov 194414 Dec 1945

Career information

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

Events related to this officer

Destroyer HMS Saumarez (G 12)


16 May 1945
On 9 May 1945 the Japanese heavy cruiser Haguro and the Japanese destroyer Kamikaze (both offsite links) left Singapore for a transport run to the Andaman Islands. They were sighted the next day in Malakka Strait by the British submarines HMS Statesman (Lt. R.G.P. Bulkeley, RN) and HMS Subtle (Lt. B.J.B. Andrew, DSC, RN). To intercept the Japanese ships a task force made up of 2 battleships, 1 heavy cruiser, 2 light cruisers, 4 escort carriers and 8 destroyers left Trincomalee. Aircraft from the escort carriers attacked the Nicobar Islands on the 11th, forcing Haguro and Kamikaze to head back to Singapore.

On the 14th the Japanese ships again depart Singapore for the Andaman Islands. They were spotted the next day north-east of Sabang by aircraft the British escort carrier HMS Shah (Capt. W.J. Yendell, RN). A few hours later they were attacked by aircraft from the British escort carrier HMS Emperor (Capt. Sir C. Madden, RN) causing light damaged to Haguro. In the meantime Japanese aircraft have sighted Allied destroyers closing in on Haguro and once again the Japanese ships reverse course.

In anticipation on the Japanese reversal of course the commander of the British 26th DF, Capt. M.L. Power, CBE, DSO with Bar, RN on board HMS Saumarez and the other British destroyers HMS Venus (Cdr. H.G.D. De Chair, DSC with Bar, RN), HMS Verulam (Lt.Cdr. D.H.R. Bromley, DSC, RN), HMS Vigilant (Lt.Cdr. L.W.L. Argles, DSC, RN) and HMS Virago (Lt.Cdr. A.J.R. White, DSC, RN) plotted a course to intercept the Japanese ships which they did shortly before midnight on the 15th. After careful manouvering the destroyers began attacking the Japanese ships from all sides shortly after one o'clock on the 16th. The Haguro was hit by torpedoes and gunfire and sinks around 0230hours in position 04º49'N, 99º42'E but not before she hit the Saumarez with gunfire. The escorting Japanese destroyer Kamikaze escapes with only minor damage.

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