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Light cruiser HMS Sheffield (24)

18 Dec 1939
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) departed the Tyne for for the Northern Patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Iceland - Faeroer passage.

During her repair period at the Tyne it had orignally been intended to give the ship a docking but no dock was however available. (1)

28 Dec 1939
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from patrol after having been relieved by HMS Manchester (Capt. H.H. Bousfield, RN) the previous day. (2)

5 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) departed Scapa Flow for the Northern Patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the Iceland - Faeroer passage. (3)

19 Jan 1940
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from patrol. (3)

25 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) departed Scapa Flow for the Northern Patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the Iceland - Faeroer passage. (3)

5 Feb 1940
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from patrol. (4)

6 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) proceeded from Scapa Flow to Rosyth. (4)

8 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) proceeded from Rosyth to the Tyne. (4)

11 Feb 1940
Having completed de-ammunitioning, HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN), is docked at the Middle Docks & Engineering Company Ltd. at South Shields and taken in hand for a short refit. (4)

13 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) is undocked. (5)

17 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) departed the Tyne to provide cover for convoy ON 20 and subsequently convoys HN 21 and ON 22.

[For more info on these convoys see the events ' Convoy ON 20 ' for 15 March 1940, ' Convoy HN 21 ' for 22 March 1940 and ' convoy ON 22 ' for 24 March 1940.] (5)

29 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from patrol and convoy cover operations. (5)

2 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) departed Scapa Flow to provide cover for convoy HN 23B.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy HN 23B ' for 31 March 1940.] (6)

6 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Penelope (Capt. G.D. Yates, RN) and HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from operations. (7)

10 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from operations off Norway. (6)

11 Apr 1940
Around 2230A/11, the light cruisers HMS Glasgow (Capt. F.H. Pegram, RN), HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) and the destroyers HMS Somali (Capt. R.S.G. Nicholson, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Mashona (Cdr. W.H. Selby, RN), HMS Matabele (Cdr. G.K. Whitmy-Smith, RN), HMS Afridi (Capt. P.L. Vian, RN), HMS Mohawk (Cdr. J.W.M. Eaton, RN) and HMS Sikh (Cdr. J.A. Giffard, RN) departed Scapa Flow for operations off Norway.

At 1509A/12, while north-west of Alesund, in position 63°00'N, 04°47'E the destroyers parted company with the cruisers to patrol inside Norwegian waters.

Around 0545A/13, the destroyers were ordered to search for the enemy inside the fjords.

At 1418A/14, the destroyers rejoined the cruisers.

Around 1930A/14, the ships entered the Namsenfjord. HMS Mashona then went alongside HMS Glasgow to take off landing parties from the cruisers. In the meantime she took on board some fuel from the cruiser. Meanwhile HMS Matabele went alongside HMS Sheffield for the same purpose.

Having completed this HMS Somali, HMS Mashona and HMS Matabele went to Namsos to land the troops.

HMS Afridi then went alongside HMS Glasgow to fuel and HMS Sikh went alongside HMS Sheffield. Fuelling was completed very late in the evening.

Around 0040A/15, HMS Glasgow, HMS Sheffield, HMS Afridi, HMS Mohawk and HMS Sikh got underway again and proceeded to sea.

At 1910A/15, HMS Mohawk was detached to Scapa Flow to fuel. Destroyer HMS Nubian (Cdr. R.W. Ravenhill, RN) arrived in the area with the RFA tanker War Pindari (5548 GRT, built 1920)

At 0404A/17, a surfaced submarine was sighted and avoiding action was taken but the submarine soon identified herself as HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN). The submarine was searching for five German destroyers that had been reported. She had just attacked HMS Ashanti with four torpedoes which fortunately had missed. HMS Ashanti had dropped a pettern of depth charges but these fortunately did not damage the submarine which then surfaced having meanwhile identified the destroyer as British due to her tripod mast and twin gun turrets.

On the 17th, the destroyers; HMS Ashanti, HMS Mashona, HMS Matabele, HMS Nubian and HMS Sikh were used to ferry troops ashore at Namsenfjord from troopships which meanwhile had arrived in the area. HMS Somali which was low on ammunition had meanwhile been sent back to Scapa Flow arriving there very late on the 17th. Also the cruisers re-embarked their landing parties.

During the night of 17/18 April, while still in Namsenfjord, HMS Mashona took on some fuel from HMS Glasgow while HMS Nubian took on some fuel from HMS Sheffield.

Around 0300A/18, the cruisers then departed Namsenfjord to return to Scapa Flow taking HMS Matabele with them. The destroyer was detached to Sullom Voe to fuel after dark on the 18th.

HMS Glasgow and HMS Sheffield arrived at Scapa Flow around 1200A/19. (8)

20 Apr 1940
Aound 1455A/20, HMS Glasgow (Capt. F.H. Pegram, RN), HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Rosyth where they arrived around 0030A/21. (9)

21 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Rear-Admiral M.L. Clarke, DSC, RN, hoisted his flag in HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN). (10)

27 Apr 1940
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral M.L. Clarke, DSC, RN) departed Scapa Flow for operations off Norway. She joined the group of HMS Ark Royal (Capt. C.S. Holland, RN) the following day. (6)

5 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Rear-Admiral M.L. Clarke, DSC, RN, transferred his flag from HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) to HMS Southampton (Capt. F.W.H. Jeans, CVO, RN). (11)

9 May 1940
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) conducted gunnery exercises (6" and 4" HA) off Scapa Flow. (12)

15 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) conducted D/G trials in the Firth of Forth. (12)

27 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Manchester (Capt. H.A. Packer, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral G. Layton, CB, DSO, RN), HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) and HMS Birmingham (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN) proceeded from Rosyth to Immingham. (13)

7 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) conducted D/G trials off Immingham. (14)

10 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Manchester (Capt. H.A. Packer, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral G. Layton, CB, DSO, RN), HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) and HMS Birmingham (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN) proceeded from Immingham to Rosyth. (15)

5 Jul 1940
Around 1835A/5, HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) departed Sheerness to conduct patrol 'M' [Thames estuary]. She returned to Sheerness around 0740A/6.

From around 2110A/5 to 0450A/5, two destroyers [unable to establish their identity] had been in company. (16)

8 Jul 1940
Around 1838A/8, HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) departed Sheerness to conduct patrol 'O' [Thames estuary]. She returned to Sheerness around 0707A/9.

From around 2105A/5 to 0400A/9, three destroyers from Harwich [unable to establish their identity] had been in company. (16)

11 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1843A/11, HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) departed Sheerness to conduct patrol 'M' [Thames estuary]. She returned to Sheerness around 0741A/12.

From around 2130A/11, two destroyers [unable to establish their identity] had been in company. [The logbook of HMS Sheffield does not state when the destroyers parted company.] (16)

19 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0837A/19, HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) departed Sheerness for Scapa Flow where she arrived around 1134A/20. (16)

22 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) conducted gunnery, torpedo firing and aircraft launching and recovering exercises at Scapa Flow. (16)

23 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) conducted gunnery, torpedo firing and aircraft launching and recovering exercises at Scapa Flow. (16)

24 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) conducted torpedo firing exercises at Scapa Flow.

Very late in the evening 6" night gunnery exercises were carried out in the Pentland Firth. (16)

25 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) conducted torpedo firing exercises at Scapa Flow. (16)

25 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. (16)

29 Jul 1940
Around 1100A/29, HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Greenock. On leaving Scapa Flow 6" gunnery exercises were carried out.

HMS Sheffield was to proceed to Govan for repairs and a docking before she was to join ' Force H ' at Gibraltar. (16)

30 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0700A/30, HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) arrived at Greenock from Scapa Flow. (16)

31 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) proceeded from Greenock to Glasgow where she was immediately docked in No.3 Dock. (17)

6 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) is undocked. (17)

7 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) is again docked in No.3 Dock at Govan. (17)

9 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) is undocked. (17)

11 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) conducted basin trials at Govan. (17)

12 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) proceeded from Govan to Greenock. (17)

13 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0730A/13, HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) departed Greenock for Scapa Flow where she arrived around 0450A/14. (17)

15 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) conducted exercises at Scapa Flow. (17)

5 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) departed Gibraltar for the Clyde. She had been ordered by the Admiralty to join the Western Approaches Command. (18)

8 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) arrived at Greenock from Gibraltar. (18)

11 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0245A/11, HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) departed Greenock for escort duty with convoy AP 3.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy AP 3 ' for 10 September 1940.] (18)

11 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0300A/11, HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) returned to Greenock after convoy escort duty. (18)

14 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) arrived at Gibraltar after convoy escort duty and patrol.

At Gibraltar she rejoined ' Force H '. (19)

27 Oct 1940
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) departed Gibraltar for an anti blockade breaker patrol off the Azores. (20)

6 Nov 1940
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from patrol. (21)

7 Nov 1940
Around 1800A/7, ' Force H ' , made up of the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal (Capt. C.S. Holland, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, DSO, RN), light cruiser HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) and the destroyers HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.F. de Salis, RN), HMS Firedrake (Lt.Cdr. S.H. Norris, DSC, RN), HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Tancock, RN), HMS Fortune (Cdr. E.A. Gibbs, DSO, RN), HMS Foxhound (Cdr. G.H. Peters, DSC, RN), HMS Fury (Lt.Cdr. T.C. Robinson, RN), HMS Duncan (Cdr. A.D.B. James, RN), HMS Isis (Cdr. C.S.B. Swinley, DSC, RN) departed Gibraltar for operations. Also sailing with ' Force H ' were a group of warships that were to reinforce the Mediterranean Fleet. These were the battleship HMS Barham (Capt G.C. Cooke, RN), heavy cruiser HMS Berwick (Capt. G.L. Warren, RN), light cruiser HMS Glasgow (Capt. H. Hickling, RN) and the destroyers HMS Gallant (Lt.Cdr. C.P.F. Brown, RN), HMS Greyhound (Cdr. W.R. Marshall A'Deane, DSC, RN) and HMS Griffin (Lt.Cdr J. Lee-Barber, DSO, RN).

[For more info on the operations see the event ' Several operations in the Mediterranean ' for 4 November 1940 which includes info on Operation Coat, the transfer of reinforcements from the Western Mediterranean to the Eastern Mediterranean and Operation Crack, an air attack on Cagliary, Sardinia. (22)

11 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Shortly after 0800A/11, ' Force H ' , made up of the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal (Capt. C.S. Holland, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, DSO, RN), light cruiser HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) and the destroyers HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.F. de Salis, RN), HMS Firedrake (Lt.Cdr. S.H. Norris, DSC, RN), HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Tancock, RN), HMS Fortune (Cdr. E.A. Gibbs, DSO, RN), HMS Foxhound (Cdr. G.H. Peters, DSC, RN), HMS Fury (Lt.Cdr. T.C. Robinson, RN), HMS Duncan (Cdr. A.D.B. James, RN), HMS Isis (Cdr. C.S.B. Swinley, DSC, RN) arrived back at Gibraltar from operations. (22)

19 Nov 1940
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) departed Gibraltar to make rendezvous with the convoy coming from the U.K for the upcoming operation Collar.

She arrived back at Gibraltar very late on the 24th. (21)

5 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) departed Gibraltar for an anti-invasion patrol off the Azores. (23)

15 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from patrol. (24)

20 Dec 1940

At 0930A/20, five destroyers; HMS Duncan (A/Capt. A.D.B. James, RN), HMS Encounter (Lt.Cdr. E.V.St.J. Morgan, RN), HMS Isis (Cdr. C.S.B. Swinley, DSC, RN), HMS Jaguar (Lt.Cdr. J.F.W. Hine, RN) and HMS Wishart (Cdr. E.T. Cooper, RN) departed Gibraltar eastward for an A/S sweep.

Around 1800A/20, the remainder of ' Force H ' made up of the battlecruiser HMS Renown (Capt. C.E.B. Simeon, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, DSO, RN), aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal (Capt. C.S. Holland, RN), light cruiser HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) and the destroyers HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.F. de Salis, RN), HMS Firedrake (Lt.Cdr. S.H. Norris, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Tancock, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Fortune (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Sinclair, RN), HMS Foxhound (Lt.Cdr. G.H. Peters, DSC, RN) and HMS Fury (Lt.Cdr. T.C. Robinson, RN), departed Gibraltar westwards for operations.

' Force H ' returned to Gibraltar, in several groups, on 24 December 1940.

[For more info on these operations see the event ' Operations MC 2, MC 3 and HIDE ' for 15 December 1940.] (22)

30 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0130A/30, HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from operations. (25)

30 Jan 1941

Convoy SLS 64.

This convoy departed Freetown on 30 January 1941 for the U.K.

The convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Anna Mazaraki (Greek, 5411 GRT, built 1913), Blairatholl (British, 3319 GRT, built 1925), Borgestad (Norwegian, 3924 GRT, built 1924), Bur (Norwegian, 4343 GRT, built 1917), Clunepark (British, 3491 GRT, built 1928), Derrynane (British, 4896 GRT, built 1938), Empire Energy (British, 6589 GRT, built 1923), Kalliopi (British, 4965 GRT, built 1910), Lornaston (British, 4934 GRT, built 1925), Margot (British, 4545 GRT, built 1926), Nailsea Lass (British, 4289 GRT, built 1917), Oswestry Grange (British, 4684 GRT, built 1935), Perseus (Greek, 5172 GRT, built 1919), Polyktor (Greek, 4077 GRT, built 1914), Shrewsbury (British, 4542 GRT, built 1924), Varangberg (Norwegian, 2842 GRT, built 1915), Volturno (British, 3420 GRT, built 1914), Warlaby (British, 4875 GRT, built 1927) and Westbury (British, 4712 GRT, built 1928).

The convoy was not escorted.

On 12 February 1941, the convoy was intercepted east of the Azores in approximate position 37°10'N, 21°20'W by the German heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper, which managed to sink the following merchant vessels; Borgestad, Derrynane, Oswestry Grange, Shrewsbury, Warlaby, Westbury, and Perseus. The Lornaston sustained heavy damage and Kalliopi sustained light damage. The Lornaston went to Ponta Delgada where she arrived on the 18th. The Kalliopi arrived at Gibraltar on the 18th.

The convoy scattered on being attacked.

The Ocean Boarding Vessels HMS Camito (Lt.Cdr. A.A. Barnet, RNR), HMS Cavina (Cdr. C.B. Osborne, RD, RNR), HMS Corinthian (A/Cdr. E.J.R. Pollitt, RNR) and HMS Maron (Cdr. (Retd.) J.H. Blair, DSC, RD, RNR) were ordered to the area to search for survivors.

Also the light cruiser HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) was ordered to the area to provide cover for the remaining ships.

On 24 February, the Nailsea Lass was torpedoed and sunk south-south-west of Ireland by the German submarine U-48.

6 Feb 1941

Convoy HG 53.

This convoy departed Gibraltar on 6 February 1941.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels, though some of them joined later at sea coming from Spain or Portugal; Brandenburg (British, 1473 GRT, built 1910), Britannic (British, 2490 GRT, built 1918), Courland (British, 1325 GRT, built 1932), Coxwold (British, 1124 GRT, built 1938), Dagmar I (British, 2471 GRT, built 1903), Dago (British, 1757 GRT, built 1902), Disa (Swedish, 2002 GRT, built 1918), Egyptian Prince (British, 3490 GRT, built 1922), Empire Lough (British, 2824 GRT, built 1940), Empire Tern (British, 2479 GRT, built 1919), Empire Warrior (British, 1306 GRT, built 1921), Estrellano (British, 1982 GRT, built 1920), Iceland (British, 1236 GRT, built 1914), Jura (British, 1759 GRT, built 1929), Marklyn (British, 3090 GRT, built 1918), Ousel (British, 1533 GRT, built 1922), Sally Maersk (British, 3252 GRT, built 1923), Tejo (Norwegian, 967 GRT, built 1916), Toward (British (rescue ship), 1571 GRT, built 1923), Vanellus (British, 1886 GRT, built 1921), Varna (British, 1514 GRT, built 1924) and Wrotham (British, 1884 GRT, built 1927).

On departure from Gibraltar the convoy was escorted by the destroyer HMS Velox (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Roper, DSC, RN) and the sloop HMS Deptford (Lt.Cdr. G.A. Thring, DSO, RN).

The convoy was spotted at 0729B/8 by the German submarine U-37.

At 2145B/8, the German submarine attacked the convoy with three torpedoes but no hits were obtained.

At 0430B/9, U-37 again attacked the convoy with two torpedoes. Now the merchant vessels Courland and Estrellano were hit and sunk in position 35°53'N, 13°13'W.

At 0545B/9, U-37 attack with one torpedo but no hit was obtained.

During 9 February U-37 sent out homing signals and the convoy was then attacked in the afternoon by 5 FW 200 aircraft from 2/KG.40. These managed to sink the following ships; Britannic, Dagmar I, Jura, Tejo and Varna in position 35°42'N, 14°38'W.

At 2227B/9, U-37 attacked again with one torpedo but it missed it's intended target.

At 0427B/10, U-37 attacked yet again, this time with two torpedoes. Again no hits were obtained.

At 0632B/10, U-37 again fired two torpedoes. This time the merchant vessel Brandenburg was hit and sunk in position 36°10'N, 16°38'W. Following this attack U-37 was depth charges by HMS Deptford but she was not damaged.

On 11 February 1941, a straggler from the convoy was sunk in position 37°03'N, 19°50'W by the German heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper.

On 11 February 1941, HMS Velox parted company with the convoy to return to Gibraltar.

On 12 February, when it had become apparent that the German heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper had been operating in the Atlantic, ' Force H ' departed Gibraltar at 1830A/12 to provide cover for convoys of which HG 53 was one. ' Force H ' was made up of the battlecruiser HMS Renown (Capt R.R. McGrigor, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, DSO, RN), aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal (Capt. C.S. Holland, RN), light cruiser HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) and the destroyers HMS Wishart (Cdr. E.T. Cooper, RN), HMS Firedrake (Lt.Cdr. S.H. Norris, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Foxhound (Lt.Cdr. G.H. Peters, DSC, RN), HMS Fury (Lt.Cdr. T.C. Robinson, RN) and HMS Jersey (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Burnell-Nugent, DSC, RN).

On 18 February 1941, the convoy was joined by the sloop HMS Londonderry (Cdr. J.S. Dalison, RN).

On 22 February 1941, the convoy was joined by the destroyers HMS Leamington (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Bowerman, RN), HMS Sabre (Lt. P.W. Gretton, DSC, RN) and the corvette HMS Anemone (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Boys-Smith, DSO, RNR).

The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 24 February 1941.

17 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from convoy cover duties. (26)

18 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) departed Gibraltar for escort duty with convoy SL 65.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' SL 65 ' for 9 February 1941.] (26)

4 Mar 1941
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) arrived at Gibraltar after convoy escort duty.

She immediately entered No.1 dock. (27)

5 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
No.1 Dock at the Gibraltar Dockyard, with HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) in it, was pumped out. (27)

10 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) is undocked. (27)

11 Mar 1941
Around 1930A/11, the troopship Strathmore (British, 23428 GRT, built 1935) departed Gibraltar for the Clyde.

She was escorted by the light cruisers HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN), HMS Arethusa (Capt. Q.D. Graham, RN) and the destroyers HMS Fearless (Cdr. A.F. Pugsley, RN), HMS Foresight (Cdr. J.S.C. Salter, RN) and HMS Fortune (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Sinclair, RN).

Around 2000A/12, in approximate position 36°46'N, 12°16'W , the destroyers were detached to return to Gibraltar.

At 0334A/15, HMS Arethusa was detached to convoy HG 55 which had just been sighted.

At 1700A/15, the destroyers HMS Legion (Cdr. R.F. Jessel, RN), HMS Broadwater (Lt.Cdr. W.M.L. Astwood, RN) and HMS Burwell (Lt.Cdr. S.R.J. Woods, RNR) joined coming from Falmouth. Destroyer HMS Ripley (Lt.Cdr. J.A. Agnew, RN) had also been sent but she did not made contact.

At 0552A/17, HMS Sheffield a mine was exploded close aboard in position 55°34'N, 07°05'W.

At 0616A/17, a second mine exploded close aboard in position 55°32'N, 06°53'W. Some damage to the oil fuel tanks was later found for which she was to be docked on return to Gibraltar.

All ships arrived in the Clyde around 1315A/17. (28)

21 Mar 1941
Around 1940A/21, the aircraft carrier HMS Argus (Capt. T.O. Bulteel, RN), light cruiser HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN), armed merchant cruiser HMS Dunnottar Castle (Capt.(Retd.) C.T.A. Bunbury, RN) and the submarine tender HMS Maidstone (Capt. G.A.W. Voelcker, RN) departed the Clyde for Gibraltar. With them was also the troopships Highland Monarch (British, 14139 GRT, built 1928) and Largs Bay (British, 14182 GRT, built 1921). They were escorted by the destroyers HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, RN), HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN), HMCS Ottawa (Cdr. E.R. Mainguy, RCN) and ORP Garland (Lt.Cdr. K.F. Namiesniowski, ORP).

Around 0800A/22, the destroyer HMCS St.Francis (Lt.Cdr. H.F. Pullen, RCN) joined.

Around 1425A/22, the destroyer HMS Ripley (Lt.Cdr. J.A. Agnew, RN) joined.

At 1030A/24, HMCS Ottawa and ORP Garland were detached.

At 1800A/24, HMS Ripley and HMCS St. Francis were detached.

At 2050A/26, HMS Dunnottar Castle and the Largs Bay were detached to Freetown.

At 0830A/28, the destroyers HMS Velox (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Roper, DSC, RN) and HMS Wrestler (Lt. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN) joined. (29)

29 Mar 1941
Around 1530A/29, HMS Argus (Capt. T.O. Bulteel, RN), HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN), HMS Maidstone (Capt. G.A.W. Voelcker, RN), HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, RN), HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN), HMS Velox (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Roper, DSC, RN) and HMS Wrestler (Lt. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (29)

29 Mar 1941
Around 2300A/29, the light cruiser HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) and the destroyers HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.F. de Salis, RN (Capt. D.8)), HMS Fearless (Cdr. A.F. Pugsley, RN), HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Tancock, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Fury (Lt.Cdr. T.C. Robinson, RN) departed Gibraltar to sweep along the North African coast towards Oran to search for Vichy-French merchant vessels and try capture them.

At 0830A/30, in approximate position 35°32'N, 01°44'W, the Vichy French convoy K 42 was sighted made up of the merchant vessels Azrou (2998 GRT, built 1931), Bankok (8056 GRT, built 1919), Cap Varela (7677 GRT, built 1922) and San Diego (6013 GRT, built 1930). They were escorted by the destroyer Simoun.

The convoy made off towards the coast and eventually entered Nemours [now Ghazaouet]. When HMS Fearless closed she was taken under fire by French shore batteries. HMS Sheffield returned fire but eventually the British withdrew.

At 1217A/30 and 1301A/30, the British were attacked by French aircraft but they did not obtain any hits. HMS Sheffield sustained some minor damage by a near miss.

Around 2250A/30, HMS Sheffield, HMS Faulknor, HMS Fearless, HMS Forester and HMS Fury returned to Gibraltar. (30)

14 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0700A/14, HMS Sheffield returned to Gibraltar from patrol (31)

20 Apr 1941
Around 1830A/20, the light cruiser HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) and the destroyers HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.F. de Salis, RN, HMS Fortune (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Sinclair, RN) and HMS Wrestler (Lt. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN) departed Gibraltar to make rendezvous with the aircraft carrier HMS Argus (Capt. T.O. Bulteel, RN) and her current escort, the heavy cruiser HMS London (Capt. R.M. Servaes, CBE, RN). (31)

24 Apr 1941
Around 0700A/24, HMS Argus (Capt. T.O. Bulteel, RN), HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN), HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.F. de Salis, RN, HMS Fortune (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Sinclair, RN) and HMS Wrestler (Lt. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (32)

28 Apr 1941
On the return of ' Force H ' from operations, HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN), was immediately docked in No.2 Dock for repairs to the damage she had sustained on 17 March 1941. (31)

2 May 1941
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) is undocked. (33)

3 Jun 1941
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) conducted exercises off Gibraltar. (34)

18 Jun 1941
Around 2135A/18, HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow. (34)

20 Jun 1941
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) proceeded from Scapa Flow to Rosyth where she was to refit. (34)

23 Jun 1941
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) is docked in No.2 Dock at the Rosyth Dockyard. (34)

21 Jul 1941
At the Rosyth Dockyard, HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) is undocked from No.2 Dock and immediately docked in No.1 Dock. (35)

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