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Light cruiser HMS Bellona (63)

30 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) is commissioned for trials at Govan. (2)

9 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) proceeded from Govan to Greenock. Also D/G trials were carried out of Helensburgh. (2)

16 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) conducted D/G trials off Helensburgh. (2)

18 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) conducted D/G trials off Helensburgh. (2)

19 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) conducted gunnery trials in the Clyde area. (2)

20 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) conducted steaming and manoeuvering trials in the Clyde area. (2)

22 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) conducted full power trials on the Arran measured mile. (2)

23 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) conducted trials in the Clyde area. (2)

27 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) proceeded from Greenock to Govan where she is immediately docked. (2)

28 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) is undocked. (2)

29 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) proceeded from Govan to Greenock. She is also accepted from her builders. (2)

31 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1035A/31, HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) departed Greenock for Scapa Flow where she arrived around 1015A/1. (3)

11 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow which were later continued in the Pentland Firth.

Also exercises were carried out with HMNZS Gambia (Capt. N.J.W. William-Powlett, DSC, RN) and HMS Ariadne (Capt. Lord Ashbourne, RN). (4)

16 Nov 1943
HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) conducted refuelling at sea exercises at Scapa Flow during which she was fuelled by the RFA tanker Blue Ranger (3417 GRT, built 1941). (5)

21 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) conducted torpedo firing exercises at Scapa Flow. (5)

22 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. (5)

24 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the morning, HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) conducted A/S exercises at Scapa Flow with HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN).

Also in the morning, HMS Enterprise (Capt. H.T.W. Grant, RCN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow.

In the afternoon these cruisers conducted tracking exercises off Scapa Flow. (6)

26 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the morning, HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) and HMS Enterprise (Capt. H.T.W. Grant, RCN) both conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. These were followed in the afternoon by tracking exercises and night encounter exercises in the evening. (7)

30 Nov 1943
In the morning, HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) conducted A/S exercises at Scapa Flow with HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN).

Also in the morning, HMNZS Gambia (Capt. N.J.W. William-Powlett, DSC, RN) conducted HA gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow.

In the afternoon these cruisers conducted RIX (rangefinding and inclination) and NEX (night encounte) exercises off Scapa Flow. On completion of these exercises HMNZS Gambia returned to Scapa Flow while HMS Bellona remained at sea exercising during the night. She returned in the afternoon of 1 December. (4)

5 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) conducted torpedo firing and AA gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (8)

11 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) conducted bombardment exercises off Scapa Flow. (8)

15 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) and HMS Enterprise (Capt. H.T.W. Grant, RCN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (9)

23 Dec 1943
HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) and HMS Black Prince (Capt. D.M. Lees, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (10)

28 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. These included an RIX (rangefinding and inclination) exercises during which HMS Amethyst (Lt.Cdr. S.C. Tuke, DSO, RN) served as target. (8)

31 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ajax (Capt. J.J. Weld, MVO, RN) and HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) both conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow.

They then left Scapa Flow and conducted trow off firing exercises in the Pentland Firth. (11)

4 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 4/5 January 1944, the heavy cruiser HMS Berwick (Capt. H.J. Egerton, RN) and the light cruiser HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) conducted exercises to the east / north-east of the Orkney Islands. (12)

18 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
With her work-up period completed, HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) departed Scapa Flow around 1700A/18 for Plymouth. She is to join the Plymouth Command. (13)

20 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1315A/20, HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) arrived at Plymouth from Scapa Flow. (13)

27 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) conducted D/G trials off Plymouth. (13)

4 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) conducted radar calibration trials and gunnery exercises off Plymouth. (14)

5 Feb 1944
HMS Glasgow (Capt. C.P. Clarke, DSO, RN) and HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Plymouth. (15)

14 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) conducted bombardment exercises off Plymouth. (14)

16 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) conducted exercises off Plymouth. These included gunnery exercises. (14)

19 Feb 1944
During 19/20 February 1944, the light cruiser HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN), destroyers HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN), HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN), HMCS Huron (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Rayner, DSC, RCN) and the escort destroyers HMS Talybont (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Baines, DSO, RN) and HMS Tanatside (Cdr. B.J. de St. Croix, RN) conducted exercises near Lands End and the Scilly Islands. (14)

25 Feb 1944
During the night of 25/26 February 1944, the light cruiser HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) and the destroyers HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN), HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN) and HMCS Huron (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Rayner, DSC, RCN) patrolled off the French coast near Île-de-Batz but no contact was made with the enemy. (16)

27 Feb 1944
The light cruiser HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) and the destroyers HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN), HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN) and HMCS Huron (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Rayner, DSC, RCN) conducted exercises off Plymouth. (14)

1 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) conducted radar calibration trials off Plymouth. (17)

3 Mar 1944
The light cruiser HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) and, most likely, the destroyers HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN), HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN) and HMCS Huron (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Rayner, DSC, RCN) conducted exercises off Plymouth. (17)

7 Mar 1944
During the night of 7/8 March 1944, The light cruiser HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) and, most likely, the destroyers HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN), HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN), HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN) and HMCS Huron (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Rayner, DSC, RCN) conducted exercises off Plymouth together with coastal forces. (17)

10 Mar 1944

Operation Specimen.

Around 0945A/10, ' Force 26 ' made up of the light cruiser HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) and the destroyers HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN), HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN), HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN) and HMCS Huron (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Rayner, DSC, RCN) departed Plymouth to intercept German destroyers / torpedo boats reported in the Bay of Biscay. The destroyers / torpedo boats in question were the Z 23, ZH 1, T 27 und T 29 which made rendezvous with the Japanese submarine I-29 [offsite link] and then escorted her to Lorient.

After departure ' Force 26 ' was to proceed through positions (AA) 180° - Bishop Rock - 10 nautical miles, (BB) 49°22'N, 08°02'W to reach (CC) 46°55'N, 05°11'W at 0145A/11. Speed of advance after passing (BB) was 26 knots. On reaching (CC) they were to sweep on course 180° until 0215A/11 and then turn back towards (CC). If nothing had been sighted they were to retire with all despatch on course 310° until west of 08°00'W and thence though positions (BB) and (AA) to Plymouth.

In case contact would be made with the enemy ' Force 26 ' was to endeavour to withdraw outside a distance of 120 miles from the enemy coast as soon after daylight as possible. They were then to proceed to position (BB) while keeping out the limit of 120 miles from the enemy coast.

Shortly before 2200A/10 ' Force 26 ' were recalled as it would be impossible to intercept the enemy ships which were hugging the Spanish / French coast.

Around 1000A/11, ' Force 26 ' arrived back at Plymouth. (18)

15 Mar 1944
The light cruiser HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN), destroyers HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN), HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN), HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN), HMCS Huron (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Rayner, DSC, RCN) and the escort destroyers HMS Melbreak (Lt. G.J. Kirkby, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Brissenden (Lt. D.D.E. Vivian, RN) conducted exercises off Plymouth. (17)

21 Mar 1944
The light cruiser HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) conducted radar calibration trial off Plymouth which were followed by throw off gunnery exercises during which the destroyer HMS Saladin (T/A/Lt.Cdr. P.G.C. King, RNVR) acted as target. Also HA gunnery exercises were carried out.

In the evening night encounter exercises were carried out with the destroyers of the 10th Destroyer Flotilla; HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN), HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN), HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN) and HMCS Huron (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Rayner, DSC, RCN). (17)

25 Mar 1944
The light cruisers HMS Enterprise (Capt. H.T.W. Grant, DSO, RCN), HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) and the destroyers HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN) and HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Plymouth. (17)

27 Mar 1944
The light cruiser HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) conducted radar calibration trials and gunnery exercises off Plymouth.

These were followed by exercises with the destroyers HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN), HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) and HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN). (17)

28 Mar 1944
Around 2200A/28, the light cruiser HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) and the destroyers HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN), HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) and HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN) departed Plymouth for an anti-shipping sweep of the French coast near Île Vierge.

They returned to Plymouth around 1330A/28 having been unable to enter earlier due to thick fog. No contact was made with the enemy. (19)

31 Mar 1944
Around 1100A/31, HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) departed Plymouth for Greenock to conduct bombardment exercises in the Clyde area. (17)

1 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1130A/1, HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) arrived at Greenock from Plymouth. (20)

5 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) conducted bombardment exercises in the Clyde area. (20)

6 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) conducted bombardment exercises in the Clyde area. (20)

7 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) conducted bombardment exercises in the Clyde area. (20)

8 Apr 1944
Around 0930B/8, HMS Enterprise (Capt. H.T.W. Grant, DSO, RCN) and HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) departed Greenock for The Solent / Cowes where they arrived around 1330B/9.

It seems like that on passing Plymouth in the early hours of the 9th, the destroyers HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN) and HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) joined them and accompanied them to Portsmouth. (21)

11 Apr 1944
HMS Enterprise (Capt. H.T.W. Grant, DSO, RCN), HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN), HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN) and HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) departed The Solent together with several BYMS minesweepers for an exercise area near Slapton Sands where minesweeping and bombardment exercises were to be carried out for future landing operations ('exercise Trousers').

On completion of the exercises the cruisers and destroyers continued on to Plymouth where they arrived in the afternoon of the 12th. (22)

18 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) is docked in No.9 dock at the Devonport Dockyard. (20)

20 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) is undocked. (20)

3 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) and HMS Black Prince (Capt. D.M. Lees, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Plymouth. (23)

6 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) conducted radar calibration trials and gunnery exercises off Plymouth. (24)

12 May 1944
HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) and HMS Black Prince (Capt. D.M. Lees, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Plymouth. (23)

15 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)

Minelaying operation Hostile 32, first attempt.

The object of this minelaying operation was to lay a minefield to the west of Ushant.

Around 1600B/15, the fast minelayer HMS Apollo (Capt. J.A. Grindle, CBE, RN) departed Milford Haven to lay this minefield.

Around 2000B/15, the light cruiser HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) and the destroyers HMS Tartar (Cdr. B. Jones, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN), HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN) and HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN) departed Plymouth to provide cover for the operation.

At 0030B/16, the radar set of HMS Apollo burst into flames and was put out of action.

At 0104B/16, HMS Apollo sighted a number of lights, apparently from fishing vessels, coming into sight on the horizon stretching from the port bow to the starboard beam. An alteration of course to the westward only led to more lights. One or two of these lights were seen to move faster then was to be expected from fishing vessels.

At 0125B/16, unable to retired to the north-west due to the presence of the covering force, HMS Apollo turned to the eastward in the hope of being able to lay her mines but then in the position of the upcoming minelaying operation 'Hostile 33'. An enemy report was sent to HMS Bellona that nine unidentified vessels had been sighted in the area of the fishing fleet.

At 0132B/16, the Commanding Officer of HMS Apollo decided to abandon the operation and made a signal to HMS Bellona to that effect, but its transmission was delayed due to poor internal organisation.

At 0140B/16, while on a retiring course, HMS Apollo was illuminated by star shell from the covering force and hotly engaged by one of the destroyers. She switched on IFF, ordered 'cease firing' on VH/F R/T and zig-zagged to avoid damage but it was not until 0210B/16 that HMS Bellona suspected that all was not well and ordered HMS Apollo to report her course and speed, thus ending the 'engagement'. The blame for this incident was accepted by the Commanding Officer of HMS Apollo, for his enemy report gave no indication the HMS Bellona of a change of plan.

Around 0620B/16, HMS Apollo arrived at Plymouth followed by the cover force around 1230B/16. (25)

17 May 1944

Minelaying operation Hostile 32, second attempt.

The object of this minelaying operation was to lay a minefield to the west of Ushant.

Around 2010B/17, the fast minelayer HMS Apollo (Capt. J.A. Grindle, CBE, RN) departed Plymouth to lay this minefield.

At the same time, the light cruiser HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) and the destroyers HMS Tartar (Cdr. B. Jones, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN), HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN) and HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN) also Plymouth to provide cover for the operation.

During the approach, in fine weather, three enemy destroyers were reported to be operating to the westward, this may have been the cover force though. Also fishing vessels were again encountered in the same position as two days before but HMS Apollo now ignored them.

Between 0201B/18 and 0239B/18, a total of 150 mines and 6 minesweeping obstructors were laid in four lines within an area bounded by lines joining positions;
48°26'7"N, 05°26'2"W,
48°26'7"N, 05°14'3"W,
48°22'7"N, 05°14'3"W and
48°22'7"N, 05°26'2"W.
Mines were set to a depth of 20 feet, with delayed release sinkers to operate in groups on 27 May, 30 May and 3 June. Flooders were set to operate on 21 June.

Following the operation HMS Apollo proceeded to Milford Haven where she arrived around 1000B/18 and the cover force returned to Plymouth arriving around 0900B/18. (25)

25 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0900B/25, HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) departed Plymouth for Belfast Lough. (24)

26 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0745B/26, HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) arrived at Belfast Lough from Plymouth. (24)

3 Jun 1944
Around 0800B/3, the heavy cruisers USS Tuscaloosa (Capt. J.B.W. Waller, USN, flying the flag of T/R.Adm. M.L. Deyo, USN), USS Quincy (Capt. E.M. Senn, USN), HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN), light cruisers HMS Glasgow (Capt. C.P. Clarke, DSO, RN), HMS Enterprise (Capt. H.T.W. Grant, DSO, RCN), HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN), HMS Black Prince (Capt. D.M. Lees, DSO, RN) and the destroyers USS Butler (T/Cdr. M.D. Matthews, USN, with COMDESDIV 34, T/Capt. W.L. Benson, on board), USS Herndon T/Cdr. G.A. Moore, USN), USS Shubrick (T/Cdr. W. Blenman, USN) and Murphy (T/Cdr. R.A. Wolverton, USN) departed Belfast Lough for the operations area of Normandy.

Around 0745B/4, HMS Glasgow, HMS Bellona and USS Murphy parted company off Falmouth.

5 Jun 1944
Around 1015B/5, the light cruiser HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) arrived at Plymouth to fuel before departing for the operations area.

Around 1445B/5, the heavy cruiser USS Augusta (Capt. E.H. Jones, USN, flying the flag of COMTASKFOR 122, T/R.Adm. A.G. Kirk, USN) and HMS Bellona departed Plymouth for the operations area off Normandy. These ships were 'reserve ships' for fire support duty.

Around 1845B/5, they were joined by the patrol vessel USS SC-1321 (Lt.(jg) R.F. Tyler, USNR), motor minesweepers USS YMS-231 (Lt. E.G. Weed, USNR), USS YMS-247 (Lt. W.L. Wallace, USNR), USS YMS-304 (Lt.(jg) K.O. Wise, USNR), USS YMS-349 (Lt. R.L. Neal, USNR) and the motor torpedo boat USS PT-71 (?). These ships had departed Weymouth around 1720B/5.

Course was set for the 'Omaha-sector' where they arrived aroud 0600B/6.

8 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During the night of 8/9 June 1944, HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) conducted bombardments in the Omaha assault area. (26)

13 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the afternoon, HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) conducted a bombardment in the Omaha assault area. (26)

15 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the morning, HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) conducted a bombardment in the Omaha assault area. (26)

16 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0800B/16, the light cruisers HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN), HMS Black Prince (Capt. D.M. Lees, DSO, RN) and the destroyers USS Hambleton (T/Cdr. H.A. Renken, USN) and USS Rodman (T/Cdr. J.F. Foley, USN) departed the Western assault area of the Normandy coast to proceed to Plymouth where they arrived around 1700B/16. (26)

29 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1200B/29, HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) departed Plymouth for Scapa Flow. (26)

30 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2200B/30, HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from Plymouth. (26)

11 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow also A/S exercises were carried out with HMS Subtle (Lt. B.J.B. Andrew, DSC, RN). (27)

26 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1830B/26, HMS Diadem (Capt. E.G.A. Clifford, RN, flying the flag of flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H.G. Dalrymple-Hamilton, CB, RN) and HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Plymouth. (28)

28 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0800B/28, HMS Diadem (Capt. E.G.A. Clifford, RN, flying the flag of flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H.G. Dalrymple-Hamilton, CB, RN) and HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) arrived at Plymouth from Scapa Flow. (28)

30 Jul 1944

Operation Kinetic.

This operation was an anti-shipping sweep off the French west coast against enemy shipping / convoys.

Around 1830B/30, 'Force 26' departed Plymouth for this operation. It was made up of the light cruisers HMS Diadem (Capt. E.G.A. Clifford, RN, flying the flag of flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H.G. Dalrymple-Hamilton, CB, RN), HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) and the destroyers HMS Tartar (Cdr. B. Jones, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN), HMCS Haida (Capt. H.G. De Wolf, DSO, RCN), HMCS Huron (Cdr. H.S. Rayner, DSC, RCN), ORP Blyscawica (Kmdr.por. (Cdr.) K.F. Namiesniowski) and ORP Piorun (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) T. Gorazdowski).

Air cover for the operation was provided by the escort carrier HMS Striker (Capt. W.P. Carne, RN) which was escorted by the destroyers HMCS St. Laurent (Lt.Cdr. A.G. Boulton, RCNVR), HMCS Chaudiere (A/Lt.Cdr. C.P. Nixon, RCN) and HMCS Kootenay (A/Lt.Cdr. W.H. Willson, RCN). These ships departed Plymouth at the same time as Force 26.

Further air cover was provided by RAF Beaufighters and Mosquitos from 10 Group.

Around 2200B/31, Force 26 and the air cover group reached position 46°35'N, 04°30'W. Force 26 then proceeded towards position 46°45'N, 02°42'W, thence carrying out sweeps northwest and southwest along the enemy shipping route.

HMS Striker and her three escorting destroyers remained to the westward of position 46°13'N, 04°00'W. Force 26 rejoined them around 0730B/1.

Late in the morning / early in the afternoon ORP Blyscawica fuelled from HMS Striker. She then set course to proceed to Plymouth where she arrived around 1100B/2.

Around 2100B/1, Force 26 parted company with the air cover force to conduct another night sweep along the enemy shipping routes. They rejoined the cover force again around 0650B/2.

Around 1245B/2, HMS Bellona parted company with the remained of the force which then set course to return to Plymouth where they arrived the following morning around 0715B/3.

HMS Bellona proceeded to patrol to the north-north-east of Cape Finisterre. She returned to Plymouth around 0030B/4. (29)

5 Aug 1944
Around 1230B/5, Force 26, made up of the light cruiser HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) and the destroyers HMCS Haida (Capt. H.G. De Wolf, DSO, RCN) and HMCS Iroquois (Cdr. J.C. Hibbard, DSC, RCN) departed Plymouth to make rendezvous at 2130B/5, with Force 28, made up of the destroyers HMS Tartar (Cdr. B. Jones, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN), in position 47°18'N, 04°47'W. They were then to operate as one force and patrol between Ile d'Yeu and Belle Ile.

At 0001B/6, they made contact with an enemy convoy to the north-west of Ile d'Yeu. The convoy was thought to be made up of at least 3 to 4 merchant vessels and 3 to 4 escorts. The action continued until 0240B/6 when the entire convoy with the possible exception of one vessel had been destroyed.

Force 26 then continued its patrol towards Belle Ile and at 0630B/6, contact was made with with another enemy force of 4 or 5 ships, 12 miles to the south-east of Belle Ile proceeding towards St. Nazaire. Owing to the proximity of minefields, and that the ememy was close inshore, the enemy could not be prevented from escaping into harbour. Two ships had probably been hit. HMCS Haida sustained superficial damage as well as 2 killed and 2 wounded.

Force 26, minus HMCS Iroquois, arrived at Plymouth around 1900B/6. HMCS Iroquois had joined the 2nd Escort Group around 1145B/6 to provide extra support to this group. She arrived at Plymouth around 0900B/8 together with ships of the 2nd, 14th and 15th Escort Groups.

During the attack on the first German convoy (convoy nr. 4121) the minesweepers M 263, M 486, patrol vessel V 414 and small transport Otto (217 GRT) were sunk. (30)

7 Aug 1944
Around 1600B/7, Force 26, made up of the light cruiser HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) and the destroyers HMS Onslow (Capt. J.A. McCoy, DSO, RN), HMS Ursa (Cdr. D.B. Wyburd, DSC, RN) and ORP Piorun (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) T. Gorazdowski) departed Plymouth to proceed through position 47°34'N, 04°06'W to take up a patrol off the Biscay coast between Chaussee de Sein and Gironde by 0400B/8. The object of the patrol was to destroy enemy shipping and to obtain intelligence on the situation in the area.

At 0719B/8, Force 26 reported having swept to latitude 46°30'N, passing between Belle Ile and Ile d'Yeu. Two French fisherman were taken on board ORP Piorun.

At 1230B/8, HMS Bellona reported that she had bombarded radar installations on Belle Ile, in position 47°18'N, 03°14'W, from a range of 6000 yards, probably damaging them.

During the night of 8/9 August, Force 26 patrolled to the south of Ile d'Yeu.

On the 9th, Force 26 patrolled off the Gironde following which the made a sweep towards Belle Ile. No sign of the enemy had been seen by noon.

Around 1830B/9, in position 47°00'N, 02°52'W, Force 26 was joined by Force 28, which was made up of the destroyers HMS Tartar (Cdr. B. Jones, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN) and HMCS Iroquois (Cdr. J.C. Hibbard, DSC, RCN). HMS Tartar and HMS Ashanti had departed Plymouth around 0900B/8. HMCS Iroquois had departed Plymouth around 2100B/8, with orders to join the other two destroyers at first light on the 9th [She joined around 0700B/9].

All seven ships were now known as Force 26. Patrol was maintained south of Ile d'Yeu during the night of 9/10 August. HMS Onslow and ORP Piorun later parted company and arrived at Plymouth around 0700B/10. During this patrol HMS Tartar was being fired upon by a shore battery situated on the western end of Ile de Groix and at 1936B/9, HMS Onslow was straddled by a small calibre shore battery, on Belle Ile, in approximate position 47°17'24"N, 03°05'48"W. No damage was caused to either destroyer.

Force 26 patrolled between Ile d'Yeu and Ras de Sein during daytime on the 10th.

Force 26 arrived at Plymouth around 0715B/11. (30)

16 Aug 1944
Around 0800B/16, Force 26, made up of the light cruiser HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) and the destroyers HMS Tartar (Cdr. B. Jones, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN) departed Plymouth for a night sweep between Ile d'Yeu and the Gironde.

At 1445B/16, Force 30, made up of the destroyer ORP Blyscawica (Kmdr.por. (Cdr.) K.F. Namiesniowski) and escort destroyer HMS Albrighton (Lt. J.J.S. Hooker, RN) departed Plymouth to patrol between Ile de Glenan and Belle Ile.

A sweep between Ile d'Yeu and the Gironde by Force 26 during the night of 16/17 August proved uneventful. Throughout the day a patrol was carried out within 10 miles of a line joining positions 46°26'N, 02°43'W and 45°58'N, 02°21'W. At 1809B/17, Force 26 reported having sighted nothing. From dusk the area between the Gironde and Ile d'Yeu was swept as on the previous night.

Force 30 patrolled between Penmarch and Belle Ile during daylight. At 0948B/17, Force 30 was engaged by an enemy shore battery on Belle Ile but all rounds fell short. They were then again engaged at 1100B/17 by shore batteries on Ile de Groix. Their fire was accurate and the destroyers had to retire under the cover of a smokescreen. Force 30 only sighted one fishing vessel during the day.

During the night of 17/18 August, Force 26 again sighted nothing of interest. They continued patrolling during the day but HMS Ashanti had to be sent to Plymouth with defects. She arrived around 1712B/18 after having been detached around 1020B/18. The two remaining ships carried out a patrol between Belle Ile and the Gironde during the night. Bad weather however prevented air cover.

Around 0730B/18, a number of fishing vessels were sighted by Force 30 near Ile de Glenan. One of these was boarded and one of the crew was taken off for interrogation. Force 30 left patrol later that morning and arrived at Plymouth around 1800B/18.

Early on the 19th, Force 26 left patrol and returned to Plymouth around 1615B/19. (30)

22 Aug 1944
Around 1600B/22, Force 26, made up of the light cruiser HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) and the destroyer HMCS Haida (Capt. H.G. De Wolf, DSO, RCN) departed Plymouth to patrol between Ile d'Yeu and the Gironde.

At 0815B/23, Force 26 reported having patrolled the area between Ile d'Yeu and Les Sables-d'Olonne and that there had been no sign of the enemy. They swept the coast between Arcachon and the Gironde during the day, again without event. The force then proceeded for a patrol during the night close south of Ile d'Yeu.

Around 1000B/24, the destroyer ORP Blyscawica (Kmdr.por. (Cdr.) K.F. Namiesniowski) joined Force 26 which then patrolled to the south of Belle Ile until 1500B/24 when they set course to position 47°38N, 04°32'W (south-west of Penmarch) and then to patrol close inshore in Audierne Bay during the night.

During the night of 24/25 August, there had been no sign of the enemy. Force 26 then set course for Plymouth where they arrived around 1630B/25. (30)

27 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0800B/27, Force 26, made up of the light cruiser HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) and the destroyers HMS Tartar (Cdr. B. Jones, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN) departed Plymouth to patrol along the French coast between Arcachon and 47°00'N. During the night they patrolled in the vicinity of Ile d'Yeu. There was no sign of the enemy except that five radar stations were found to be active.

During the afternoon of the 28th, HMS Tartar stopped a French trawler and interrogated the crew. Force 26 then set course to patrol near Ile d'Yeu during the night of 28/29 August but again no enemy shipping was encountered.

During the night of 29/30 August, Force 26 patrolled in Audierne Bay and then returned to Plymouth arriving around 1515B/30. (30)

31 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1200B/31, HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) departed Plymouth for Spithead where she anchored around 1835B/31. (31)

3 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0915B/3, HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) departed Spithead for Plymouth where she arrived around 1545B/3. (32)

11 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Plymouth. (32)

12 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1800B/12, Force 26, made up of the light cruiser HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) and the destroyer HMCS Haida (Capt. H.G. De Wolf, DSO, RCN) departed Plymouth to patrol between 48°00'N and Bayonne.

At 0835B/13, Force 26 reported having sighted nothing of the enemy near Penmarch. They then set course to proceed towards Ile d'Yeu, Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie and Les Sables-d'Olonne. Some ammunition was landed at Ile d'Yeu and Les Sables-d'Olonne.

On the 14th, Force 26 patrolled between St.Jean de Luz and Arcachon. During the night of 14/15 September 1944, Force 26 patrolled off the coast between 44°00'N and 46°00'N.

Around 0750A/15, the destroyer HMS Urania (Lt.Cdr. D.H.P. Gardiner, DSC, RN) joined and Force 26 patrolled along the French coast southwards until 1800B/15, when reaching 44°50'N. During the night of 15/16 September, Force 26 patrolled in Audierne Bay and then set course for Plymouth.

At 1235B/16, HMS Urania was detached to return towards the vicinty of Ushant so as to escort the seized German hospital ship Rostock to Plymouth where they arrived around 2300B/17.

Force 26 arrived at Plymouth around 1400B/16. (30)

17 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1745B/17, HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) departed Plymouth for Greenock where she arrived around 1230B/18. (32)

18 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) proceeded from Greenock to Glasgow where she was taken in hand for repairs and a short refit. (32)

3 Oct 1944
HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) is docked in No.3 graving dock at Govan. (33)

10 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) is undocked. (33)

12 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) proceeded from Glasgow to Greenock. (33)

14 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0135A/14, HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) departed Greenock for Scapa Flow where she arrived around 1945A/14. (33)

16 Oct 1944
Around 1515A/16, the aircraft carrier HMS Implacable (Capt. C.C. Hughes-Hallett, RN) departed Scapa Flow to search for the damaged German battleship Tirpitz which had left her berth at Kaafjord to proceed to the southwards. HMS Implacable was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) and the destroyers HMS Venus (Cdr. H.G.D. De Chair, DSC with Bar, RN), HMS Verulam ( Lt.Cdr. M Thornton, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Cassandra (Cdr. P.F. Powlett, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN), HMS Cambrian (Lt.Cdr. H.T. Harrel, RN), HMS Caprice (Lt.Cdr. G.W. McKendrick, RN), HMS Savage (Lt.Cdr. C.W. Malins, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Scourge (Lt.Cdr. G.I.M. Balfour, RN) and HMS Zambesi (Lt.Cdr. W. Scott, DSC and Bar, RN).

The Tirpitz was located at Tromso and the force returned to Scapa Flow around 1715A/20. (34)

18 Nov 1944
Rear-Admiral F.H.G. Dalrymple-Hamilton, CB, RN, commanding the 10th Cruiser Squadron, temporary transferred his flag from HMS Diadem (Capt. E.G.A. Clifford, RN) to HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, DSO, RN). (35)

20 Nov 1944
Rear-Admiral F.H.G. Dalrymple-Hamilton, CB, RN, commanding the 10th Cruiser Squadron, transferred his flag from HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, DSO, RN) to HMS Diadem (Capt. E.G.A. Clifford, RN) on this ships return from operation Handfast. (35)

29 Nov 1944

Operation Acumen, the passage of convoys JW 62 and RA 62 between the U.K. and Northern Russia vice versa.

Convoy JW 62.

This convoy departed Loch Ewe on 29 November 1944 for Northern Russia.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Amasa Delano (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Andrew Turnbull (American, 7240 GRT, built 1944), August Belmont (American, 7240 GRT, built 1944), Barbara Frietchie (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), British Respect (British (tanker), 8479 GRT, built 1943), Cecil N. Bean (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Edward N. Hurley (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943), Empire Garrick (British (tanker), 8128 GRT, built 1942), Empire Stalwart (British, 7045 GRT, built 1943), Fort Boise (British, 7151 GRT, built 1943), Fort Highfield (British, 7129 GRT, built 1943), Fort Island (British, 7167 GRT, built 1944), Fort Massac (British, 7157 GRT, built 1943), John Gibbon (American, 7247 GRT, built 1944), Laurelwood (British (tanker), 7347 GRT, built 1929), Linn Boyd (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Longwood (British (tanker), 9463 GRT, built 1930), Luculus (British (tanker), 6546 GRT, built 1929), Nelson W. Aldrich (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Owen Wister (American, 7240 GRT, built 1944), Renald Fernald (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Robert Lowry (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Stanton H. King (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Stephen Leacock (American, 7198 GRT, built 1944), Stevenson Taylor (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), U.S.O. (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), W.R. Grace (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), William H. Wilmer (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943), William Tyler Page (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and Woodbridge N. Ferris (American, 7200 GRT, built 1943).

The rescue vessel Rathlin (British, 1600 GRT, built 1936).

The convoy had a close escort made up of the sloops HMS Cygnet (Lt.Cdr. P.J. Cowell, DSC, RN), HMS Lapwing (Cdr.(Retd.) E.C. Hulton, RN), HMS Lark (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Lambton, RN), frigates HMS Tavy (Cdr. G.A. Thring, DSO, RN), HMCS Monnow (Cdr. E.G. Skinner, DSO, RCNR), HMCS Nene (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E.R. Shaw, RCNR), HMCS Port Colborne (T/Lt.Cdr. C.J. Angus, RCNR), HMCS Saint John (A/Lt.Cdr. W.R. Stacey, RCNR), HMCS Stormont (T/A/Lt.Cdr. G.A. Myra, RCNR), HMS Bahamas (T/A/Lt.Cdr. W.S. Thomson, RNR), HMS Somaliland (A/Lt.Cdr. K.B. Hopkins, DSC, RNVR), HMS Tortola (T/A/Lt.Cdr. G.C.L. Payne, RNVR) and the corvettes HNoMS Eglantine, HMS Allington Castle (A/Lt.Cdr. P.A. Read, RNR), HMS Bamborough Castle (T/Lt. M.S. Work, DSC and Bar, RNR) and HNoMS Tunsberg Castle.

On 1 December 1944, the destroyers HMS Keppel (Cdr. I.J. Tyson, DSO, DSC, RNR), HMS Westcott (A/Lt.Cdr. E.P. Reade, DSC, RN), HMS Beagle (Lt. C.D.T. Williams, RN) and HMS Bulldog (Lt.Cdr. C.G. Walker, RN) joined coming from the Faeroer Islands having departed there on 30 November.

Part of the convoy arrived in the Kola Inlet on 7 December 1944. Another part of the convoy was detached to Archangelsk and had parted company with the convoy around 1730B/6. To escort this part of the convoy the Russian destroyers Baku, Gremyashchiy, Razumniy, Uritsky, Dejatelnyj, Derzkij, Doblestnyj and Zivuchij as well as some patrol vessels had joined as escorts.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Convoy RA 62.

This convoy departed the Kola Inlet on 10 December 1944 for Loch Ewe.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Abner Nash (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Andrew W. Preston (American, 7247 GRT, built 1944), Benjamin Schlesinger (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Collis P. Huntington (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Dolabella (British (tanker), 8142 GRT, built 1939), Donald W. Bain (American, 7200 GRT, built 1944), Eleazar Lord (American, 7247 GRT, built 1944), Elroy Alfaro (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Fort Crevecour (British, 7191 GRT, built 1943), Fort Romaine (British, 7131 GRT, built 1943), Fort Yukon (British, 7131 GRT, built 1943), Harold L. Winslow (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Henry Adams (American, 7212 GRT, built 1944), James M. Gillis (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John Sharp Williams (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Joyce Kilmer (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Keith Palmer (American, 7244 GRT, built 1944), Laurelwood (British (tanker), 7347 GRT, built 1929), Lawrence J. Brengle (American, 7209 GRT, built 1944), Lucullus (British (tanker), 6546 GRT, built 1929), Marathon (Norwegian, 7208 GRT, built 1930), Nicholas Biddle (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Park Benjamin (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), San Venancio (British (tanker), 8152 GRT, built 1942), Stage Door Canteen (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), William Pepper (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), William Wheelwright (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944) and Windfred L. Smith (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943).

The rescue vessel Rathlin (British, 1600 GRT, built 1936).

The convoy had the same close escort as JW 62 with the exception of the two Norwegian corvettes which remained in Northern Russia. The damaged frigate Mounsey (Lt. F.A.J. Andrew, RN) took passage in / with this convoy.

Before the convoy departed the Russian destroyers Baku, Gremyashchiy, Razumniy, Derzkij, Doblestnyj und Zivuchij conducted an A/S sweep of the Kola Inlet to drive off the concentration of German submarines in the area.

The convoy arrived at Loch Ewe on 19 December 1944.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cover for these convoys was provided by a force made up of escort carriers HMS Campania (A/Capt. K.A. Short, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.R. McGrigor, CB, DSO, RN), HMS Nairana (Capt. V.N. Surtees, DSO, RN), light cruiser HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Caesar (Capt. G.N. Brewer, DSO, RN), HMS Cambrian (Lt.Cdr. H.T. Harrel, RN), HMS Caprice (Lt.Cdr. G.W. McKendrick, RN), HMS Cassandra (Cdr. P.F. Powlett, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN), HMS Onslow (Capt. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN), HMS Offa (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Biggs, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN), HMS Onslaught (Cdr. A. Pleydell-Bouverie, RN), HMS Oribi (Lt. D.M. Vaughan-Hughes, RN), HMS Obedient (Lt.Cdr. H. Unwin, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Orwell (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Gower, RN).

Around 1745A/29, HMS Offa, HMS Onslaught, HMS Oribi, HMS Obedient and HMS Orwell departed Scapa Flow for the Faeroer Islands where they were to fuel and then join the remainder of the Force. HMS Onslow also proceeded to the Faeroer Islands to fuel but she departed Loch Ewe, also on 29 November. Her Commanding Officer had attended the convoy conference.

Around 1145A/30, HMS Campania, HMS Nairana, HMS Bellona, HMS Caesar, HMS Cambrian, HMS Caprice and HMS Cassandra departed Scapa Flow for the operation.

The cover force joined convoy JW 62 around 0800A/1 in position 63°29'N, 03°46'W and arrived in the Kola Inlet around 0100B/7 after having been detached from the convoy around 2145B/6.

The cover force departed the Kola Inlet on 10 December 1944 with convoy RA 62.

Around 0611A/11, HMS Cassandra was torpedoed and damaged by a Gnat torpedo fired by the German submarine U-365 in position 71°57'N, 32°04'E. The entire bow of the destroyer was blown off. HMS Cassandra was taken in tow (stern first) by the HMS Bahamas (T/A/Lt.Cdr. W.S. Thomson, RNR). Later the tow was passed over to a Soviet tug which towed her to the Kola Inlet escorted by HMS Tavy, HMS Bahamas, HMS Somaliland and HMS Tortola. They arrived on the 14th.

HMS Campania, HMS Vindex, HMS Bellona, HMS Caesar, HMS Cambrian, HMS Caprice and HMS Onslaught arrived at Scapa Flow around 1100A/18.

Around 0900A/19, HMS Onslow, HMS Obedient and HMS Orwell arrived at Scapa Flow.

Around 1000A/19, HMS Offa and HMS Oribi arrived at Liverpool.

30 Nov 1944
Around 1145A/30, HMS Campania (A/Capt. K.A. Short, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.R. McGrigor, CB, DSO, RN), HMS Nairana (Capt. V.N. Surtees, DSO, RN), HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, DSO, RN), HMS Caesar (Capt. G.N. Brewer, DSO, RN), HMS Cambrian (Lt.Cdr. H.T. Harrel, RN), HMS Caprice (Lt.Cdr. G.W. McKendrick, RN) and HMS Cassandra (Cdr. P.F. Powlett, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) departed Scapa Flow to provide escort / cover for convoys JW 62 and RA 62.

[For more info on these convoys see the event ' Operation Acumen, the passage of convoys JW 62 and RA 62 between the U.K. and Northern Russia vice versa ' for 29 November 1944.] (36)

18 Dec 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1100A/18, HMS Campania (A/Capt. K.A. Short, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.R. McGrigor, CB, DSO, RN), HMS Nairana (Capt. V.N. Surtees, DSO, RN), HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, DSO, RN), HMS Caesar (Capt. G.N. Brewer, DSO, RN), HMS Cambrian (Lt.Cdr. H.T. Harrel, RN), HMS Caprice (Lt.Cdr. G.W. McKendrick, RN) and HMS Onslaught (Cdr. A. Pleydell-Bouverie, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from convoy escort / cover operations. (37)

14 Jan 1945
Around 2230A/14, HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, DSO, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Rosyth where she arrived around 1000A/15. At Rosyth she is taken in hand for repairs by the Dockyard. (38)

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