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Aircraft Carrier HMS Hermes (D 95)

1 Sep 1939
The aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. F.E.P. Hutton, RN), which had recently recommissioned from reserve, landed on aircraft near Plymouth. The destroyer HMS Winchelsea (Cdr. C.T. Jellicoe, RN) served as guard destroyer during the landing on of the aircraft.

On completion of the landing on, HMS Hermes proceeded to Portland arriving there later the same day. (1)

4 Sep 1939
The aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. F.E.P. Hutton, RN) conducted flying operations off Portland. She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Acasta (Cdr. P.J. Oliver, RN), HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. N.V.J.T. Thew, RN) and HMS Amazon (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Roper, RN). (2)

8 Sep 1939
The aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. F.E.P. Hutton, RN) conducted flying operations off Portland. She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Arrow (Cdr. H.W. Williams, RN) and HMS Achates (Cdr. R.J. Gardner, RN). (3)

10 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hermes (Capt. F.E.P. Hutton, RN) conducted D/F calibration trials at Portland. (4)

12 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hermes (Capt. F.E.P. Hutton, RN) proceeded from Portland to Plymouth, apparently unescorted. (4)

14 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2000A/14, the aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. F.E.P. Hutton, RN) departed Plymouth to patrol in the Western Approaches. She is escorted by the destroyers HMS Imogen (Cdr. E.B.K. Stevens, RN) and HMS Isis (Cdr. J.C. Clouston, RN).

Around 0845A/16, the destroyers HMS Imperial (Lt.Cdr. C.A.de W. Kitcat, RN) and HMS Ilex (Lt.Cdr. P.L. Saumarez, RN) joined. They had departed Plymouth around 1915A/15.

Around 1930A/18, HMS Hermes, HMS Imogen, HMS Imperial and HMS Ilex arrived at Plymouth.

HMS Isis had obtained several A/S contacts in the afternoon and evening of the 18th. She returned to Plymouth only around 1300A/19. (5)

3 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. F.E.P. Hutton, RN) flew on all her aircraft off Plymouth. During the flying on off the aircraft HMS Hermes was escorted by the destroyers HMS Wolverine (Cdr. R.C. Gordon, RN) and HMS Witherington (Lt.Cdr. G.C. Fryer, RN). (6)

7 Oct 1939
Around 1000A/7, the aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. F.E.P. Hutton, RN) departed Plymouth for the Brest area to make rendezvous with French warships and then on to Dakar. On departure from Plymouth HMS Hermes was escorted by the destroyers HMS Keith (Cdr.(Retd.) H.T.W. Pawsey, OBE, RN) and HMS Vesper (Lt.Cdr. W.F.E. Hussey, DSC, RN).

Around 1915A/7, HMS Hermes anchored off Brest. The destroyers then returned to Plymouth.

Around 2115A/7, HMS Hermes got underway again to proceed to the Dakar area in company with French warships. These were the battlecruiser Strasbourg (Capt. J.F.E. Bouxin) and the destroyers Le Fantasque (Capt. P.A.B. Still), Le Terrible (Cdr. A.E.R. Bonneau) and L’Audacieux (Cdr. L.M. Clatin). This force was known as 'Force N'.

Around 1430A/10, the heavy cruisers Algerie (Capt. L.H.M. Nouvel de la Fleche) and Dupleix (Capt. L.L.M. Hameury) and the destroyers Maille Breze (Cdr. H.M.E.A. Glotin) and Vauquelin (Cdr. R. Jaujard) joined.

The Force arrived at Dakar on 14 October 1939. (7)

16 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hermes (Capt. F.E.P. Hutton, RN) conducted flying exercises off Dakar. (8)

24 Oct 1939
The battlecruiser Strasbourg (Capt. J.F.E. Bouxin), aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. F.E.P. Hutton, RN), heavy cruisers Algerie (Capt. L.H.M. Nouvel de la Fleche) and Dupleix (Capt. L.L.M. Hameury) and the destroyers Le Fantasque (Capt. P.A.B. Still) and Le Terrible (Cdr. A.E.R. Bonneau) departed Dakar to patrol in the mid-Atlantic.

On 25 October 1939 they intercepted and captured the German merchant vessel Santa Fe (4627 GRT, built 1921) in position 09°43'N, 27°52'W.

The German ship was renamed Saint André in French service, but returned to German service after the fall of France.

The force returned to Dakar on 29 October 1939. (8)

7 Nov 1939
The battlecruiser Strasbourg (Capt. J.F.E. Bouxin), aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. F.E.P. Hutton, RN), heavy cruisers Algerie (Capt. L.H.M. Nouvel de la Fleche) and Dupleix (Capt. L.L.M. Hameury) and the destroyers Le Fantasque (Capt. P.A.B. Still), Le Terrible (Cdr. A.E.R. Bonneau) and L’Audacieux (Cdr. L.M. Clatin) departed Dakar to patrol in the mid-Atlantic to the west of the Cape Verde Islands.

They returned to Dakar on 13 November 1939. Also on the 13th, a Swordfish of 814 Squadron of HMS Hermes crashed into the sea on landing. Lt. J.H. Dundas, RN (FAA) and the other crewmembers were picked up from the sea by the Le Fantansque. (9)

22 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. F.E.P. Hutton, RN), heavy cruisers Foch (Capt. J. Mathieu), Dupleix (Capt. L.L.M. Hameury) and the destroyers Milan (Cdr. M.A.H. Favier) and Cassard (Cdr. R.A.A. Braxmeyer) departed Dakar to patrol in the mid-Atlantic.

HMS Hermes escorted by Milan and Cassard arrived at Freetown on 28 November 1939. (9)

30 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. F.E.P. Hutton, RN) and the destroyers Milan (Cdr. M.A.H. Favier) and Cassard (Cdr. R.A.A. Braxmeyer) departed Freetown for Dakar. (9)

1 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. F.E.P. Hutton, RN) and the destroyers Milan (Cdr. M.A.H. Favier) and Cassard (Cdr. R.A.A. Braxmeyer) arrived at Dakar from Freetown. (9)

16 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During night flying operations off Dakar, Lt. B.E. Coombs, RN (FAA - observer) was killed when his Swordfish of 814 Squadron (from HMS Hermes) ditched into the sea. The pilot and air gunner were rescued.

27 Dec 1939

Convoy SLF 14.

This convoy departed Freetown on 27 December 1939.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Accra (British, 9337 GRT, built 1926), Cambridge (British, 11373 GRT, built 1914), City of Brisbane (British, 8006 GRT, built 1920), Clan Mackinlay (British, 6365 GRT, built 1918), Corinaldo (British, 7131 GRT, built 1921), Port Caroline (British, 8263 GRT, built 1919), Port Wellington (British, 10065 GRT, built 1924) and Seaforth (British, 5459 GRT, built 1939).

On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) G.B. Lewis, RN).

Around 1615N/1, the aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. F.E.P. Hutton, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 0800Z/8, the destroyers HMS Vesper (Lt.Cdr. W.F.E. Hussey, DSC, RN), HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. M.S. Townsend, RN), HMS Windsor (Lt.Cdr. P.D.H.R. Pelly, RN) and HMS Acasta (Cdr. C.E. Glasfurd, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 0900Z/8, in position 48°08'N, 10°17'W, HMS Carnarvon Castle parted company with the convoy to return to Freetown.

Around 1530Z/8, in position 48°35'N, 08°35'W, the convoy split into two sections (Channel and Irish Sea sections) and shortly afterwards HMS Hermes parted company with the convoy to proceed to Plymouth escorted by HMS Windsor and HMS Acasta.

The Channel section was made up of the , and which all arrived at London on 10 January 1940. They were escorted by HMS Vesper and HMS Viscount. HMS Viscount parted company around 1030Z/9 after having been relieved by HMS Acasta and HMS Windsor. HMS Viscount then proceeded to Plymouth where she arrived later the same day. HMS Vesper, HMS Windsor and HMS Acasta arrived at Dover on 10 January 1940.

The remaining ships made up the Irish Sea section which all arrived at Liverpool on 10 January with the exception of the Corinaldo which arrived in the Clyde on 10 January 1940. They appeared not to have been escorted but it seems the convoy was proceeding in close proximity with the Irish Sea section of convoy HG 13.

29 Dec 1939
The aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. F.E.P. Hutton, RN) flew off some of her aircraft off Dakar. During the flying operations she was escorted by Cassard (Cdr. R.A.A. Braxmeyer).

Later the same day HMS Hermes, the heavy cruisers Foch (Capt. J. Mathieu), Dupleix (Capt. L.L.M. Hameury) and the destroyers Milan (Cdr. M.A.H. Favier) and Cassard departed Dakar to proceed to the U.K / France.

Around 1615N/1, HMS Hermes parted company with the French ships and joined convoy SLF 14.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy SLF 14 ' for 27 December 1939.] (10)

9 Jan 1940
HMS Hermes (Capt. F.E.P. Hutton, RN), HMS Windsor (Lt.Cdr. P.D.H.R. Pelly, RN) and HMS Acasta (Cdr. C.E. Glasfurd, RN) arrived at Plymouth. (11)

10 Jan 1940
HMS Hermes (Capt. F.E.P. Hutton, RN) is taken in hand for repairs at the Devonport Dockyard. (12)

12 Jan 1940
HMS Hermes (Capt. F.E.P. Hutton, RN) is docked in the North Lock at the Devonport Dockyard. (13)

31 Jan 1940
HMS Hermes (Capt. F.E.P. Hutton, RN) is undocked. (13)

10 Feb 1940
HMS Hermes (Capt. F.E.P. Hutton, RN) flew on her aircraft off Plymouth. During the flying on operations she was escorted by HMS Acasta (Cdr. C.E. Glasfurd, RN), HMS Wolverine (Cdr. R.H. Craske, RN) and HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. M.S. Townsend, RN). (14)

11 Feb 1940
Around 1500A/11, the aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. F.E.P. Hutton, RN) departed Plymouth for Dakar. On departure from Plymouth she was escorted by the destroyers HMS Acasta (Cdr. C.E. Glasfurd, RN), HMS Whitshed (Cdr. E.R. Conder, RN) and HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. M.S. Townsend, RN).

The destroyers parted company around 0015Z/14.

While en-route southwards Hermes had conducted air searches for German merchant vessels trying to break through to German from Vigo, Spain. (14)

19 Feb 1940
HMS Hermes (Capt. F.E.P. Hutton, RN) arrived at Dakar from Plymouth. At Dakar she was to be mainly used for flying training duties. (14)

24 Apr 1940
Around 0945N/24, HMS Hermes (Capt. F.E.P. Hutton, RN) departed Dakar for Freetown.

Later the same day she was ordered to make rendezvous with HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) which had departed Freetown around 1745N/24. They were to intercept the Dutch merchant vessel Jobshaven (3528 GRT, built 1916) which was reported to be en-route to Rio de Janeiro with among her cargo steel plates of German origin. HMS Hermes and HMS Shropshire joined company around 0900N/26.

The Dutch ship was intercepted on 27 April in position 12°10'N, 27°03'W and was sent to Dakar for contraband control. HMS Hermes and HMS Shropshire then set course to proceed to Freetown. (15)

29 Apr 1940
Around 1730N/29, HMS Hermes (Capt. F.E.P. Hutton, RN) and HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) arrived at Freetown from operations. (15)

16 May 1940
HMS Hermes (Capt. F.E.P. Hutton, RN) departed Freetown for Dakar.

Also on this day, during flying exercises, near Freetown a Swordfish aircraft of 814 Squadron crashed in position 08°31'N, 13°37'W. Lt E.A. Liversidge, RN (FAA) and Leading Airman S.G. Bax were killed. Another Swordfish of 814 Squadron was lost that day during a crash on land. (16)

18 May 1940
HMS Hermes (Capt. F.E.P. Hutton, RN) arrived at Dakar from Freetown. En-route flying exercises had been carried out. (16)

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