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Light cruiser HMS Coventry (D 43)

1 Jan 1940
HMS Coventry (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, OBE, DSC, RN) was damaged in a German air attack on the Shetland Islands, north of Scotland.

Aircraft Carrier HMS Hermes (D 95)

28 May 1940
HMS Hermes (Capt R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) departed Dakar for Freetown. (1)

29 May 1940
HMS Hermes (Capt R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) arrived at Freetown from Dakar. (1)

1 Jun 1940
HMS Hermes (Capt R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and HMS Milford (Capt. R.J. Shaw, MBE, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Freetown. HMS Hermes also conducted flying operations. (2)

6 Jun 1940
During 6/7 June 1940, HMS Hermes (Capt R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) conducted flying exercises off Freetown. (2)

10 Jun 1940
Around 0035N/10, HMS Hermes (Capt R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN), parted company with the convoy US 3 and proceeded to Dakar where she arrived around 0615N/10. At Dakar repairs were made to a condenser.

She departed again around 1630N/10 to patrol off the Canary Islands. (3)

13 Jun 1940
Around 1500N/13, HMS Hermes (Capt R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and HMS Delhi (Capt. A.S. Russell, RN) made rendezvous off the Canary Islands. They then continued the patrol in company with each other.

Around 1450N/16, they parted company again, HMS Hermes was to proceed to Dakar. HMS Delhi briefly continued to patrol after which she was to proceed to Gibraltar. (2)

19 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hermes (Capt R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) arrived at Dakar from a patrol off the Canary Islands. (4)

26 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hermes (Capt R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) departed Dakar to aid in the search for the missing Walrus aircraft of HMS Dorsetshire (Capt. B.C.S. Martin, RN). (5)

29 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0900N/29, HMS Hermes (Capt R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) arrived at Dakar.

She departed again around 1815N/29, to patrol off Dakar. (5)

2 Jul 1940
HMS Hermes (Capt R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) arrived at Freetown from patrol off Dakar. She had also on board Fleet Air Arm personnel and stores she had evacuated from Dakar during her short stay there on 29 June. (6)

3 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2330N/3, HMS Hermes (Capt R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) departed Dakar to join HMS Dorsetshire (Capt. B.C.S. Martin, RN) patrolling off Dakar.

Around 0100N/4, HMAS Australia (Capt. R.R. Stewart, RN) also departed Freetown to join the other ships on patrol off Dakar.

Around 0530N/5, HMS Hermes and HMAS Australia joined HMS Dorsetshire and commenced patrolling near Dakar. (7)

5 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
With temporary repairs completed, HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) departed Freetown for escort duty with convoy RS 5.

HMS Hermes is able to operate her aircraft. She is to proceed to Simonstown for permanent repairs.

[For more info on the convoy see the event ' Convoy RS 5 ' for 24 July 1940.] (8)

17 Aug 1940
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) arrived at Simonstown after convoy escort duties and patrol.

She entered the Selborne Dry Dock later the same day. (9)

18 Aug 1940
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) is taken in hand for repairs and refit at the Simonstown Dockyard. (8)

2 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) is undocked. (10)

7 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) conducted compass swing and D/F trials off Simonstown. (10)

8 Nov 1940
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) conducted trials off Simonstown. (10)

11 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) conducted gunnery exercises in False Bay. (10)

12 Nov 1940
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) departed Simonstown to patrol 200 miles, 180°, Cape of Good Hope. She was to patrol as far south with aircraft as weather conditions permitted. (11)

17 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) returned to Simontown from patrol. (10)

19 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) departed Simontown to make rendezvous near St. Helena with HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN). (11)

29 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the afternoon, HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) arrived at Freetown from patrol. (11)

2 Dec 1940
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) conducted flying exercises off Freetown. (12)

19 Jan 1941
' Force T ' made up of the aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and light cruiser HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN) departed Simonstown to patrol near the southern end of the Mozambique Channel in an area bounded by 25°00'S, 40°00'E / 30°00'S, 35°00'E and 30°00'S, 45°00'E. (13)

26 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1445D/26, ' Force T ' made up of the aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and light cruiser HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN), intercepted the Vichy French transport Sontay (8917 GRT, built 1921) in approximate position 29°00'S, 42°00'E.

A boarding party from HMS Enterprise was put on board. The transport was en route from Saigon to Marseilles with stops at Tamatave and Dakar. On board were 62 officers and their families, 277 troops, 6960 tons of general cargo and mails for Dakar and France.

The Vichy transport was taken to Durban. (13)

29 Jan 1941
Around 0930B/29, ' Force T ' made up of the aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and light cruiser HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN), arrived at Durban from patrol. The captured Vichy French transport Sontay (8917 GRT, built 1921) was with them. (14)

4 Feb 1941
Around 1830B/4, ' Force T ' made up of the aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and the heavy cruiser HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) departed Durban for Kilindini / Mombasa for the upcoming operation Canvas against Italian Somaliland. (15)

9 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
' Force T ' made up of the aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and the heavy cruiser HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from Durban. (15)

10 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa for operations off Italian Somaliland.

[For more info on these operations see the event ' Operation Canvas ' for 11 February 1941.] (16)

22 Feb 1941
At 0515Z/22, the Dutch merchant vessel Rantaupandjang (2542 GRT, built 1922) sent out a raider signal from position 08°24'S, 51°35'E.

Then at 0818Z/22, a Walrus aircraft from the light cruiser HMS Glasgow (Capt. H. Hickling, RN) reported a German pocket battleship in position 08°30'S, 51°35'E. This was the Admiral Scheer. Later that afternoon after the aircraft had been launched again it failed to make contact with the enemy.

In response the aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and light cruiser HMS Emerald (Capt. F.C. Flynn, RN) were sailed from Kilindini / Mombasa for the area the raider was spotted. The light cruiser HMS Capetown (Capt. P.H.G. James, RN) was sent to the Seychelles.

The heavy cruiser HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) was operating off Somaliland. She was ordered to joined HMS Hermes and HMS Emerald.

The heavy cruiser HMAS Australia (Capt. R.R. Stewart, RN) was sent to the area the raider was spotted from escort duty with convoy WS 5B. HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) remained with this convoy.

Heavy cruiser HMAS Canberra (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN), which was en-route to the Maledive Islands from Colombo was ordered to proceed towards position 06°00'S, 60°00'E.

Heavy cruiser HMS Dorsetshire (Capt. B.C.S. Martin, RN) was with ' Z Force ' near Durban. She was ordered to join the East Indies command to search for the enemy. She was ordered to return to Durban the following day to continue escorting ' Z Force '.

Light cruiser HMS Leander (from the New Zealand Division) (Capt. R.H. Bevan, RN) was ordered to proceed southwards from Bombay. (17)

26 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) arrived at Port Victoria, Seychelles from patrol. (18)

27 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and light cruiser HMS Emerald (Capt. F.C. Flynn, RN) departed Port Victoria, Seychelles for Colombo. (19)

2 Mar 1941
Around 0700E/2, the aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and light cruiser HMS Emerald (Capt. F.C. Flynn, RN) were joined by the heavy cruiser HMAS Australia (Capt. R.R. Stewart, RN) in approximate position 00°01'S, 68°45'E. (20)

4 Mar 1941
The aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN), heavy cruiser HMAS Australia (Capt. R.R. Stewart, RN) and light cruiser HMS Emerald (Capt. F.C. Flynn, RN) arrived at Colombo. (21)

5 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and light cruiser HMS Emerald (Capt. F.C. Flynn, RN) departed Colombo for Trincomalee. (21)

6 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) arrived at Trincomalee from Colombo. Light cruiser HMS Emerald (Capt. F.C. Flynn, RN) did not enter the harbour but set course to return to Colombo. (21)

16 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) departed Trincomalee for Colombo. Later the same day she made rendesvous with the light cruiser HMS Emerald (Capt. F.C. Flynn, RN) which was returning to Colombo from patrol. (20)

17 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and light cruiser HMS Emerald (Capt. F.C. Flynn, RN) arrived at Colombo. (20)

20 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and the light cruiser HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN) departed Colombo to patrol south of Ceylon and off the Chagos Archipelago. (22)

27 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and the light cruiser HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN) returned to Colombo from patrol. (22)

28 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and the light cruiser HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN) departed Ceylon to patrol off the Seychelles. (22)

2 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and the light cruiser HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN) arrived at Port Victoria, Seychelles to fuel. (23)

3 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and the light cruiser HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN) departed Port Victoria, Seychelles to resume their patrol. (23)

8 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and the light cruiser HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN) arrived at Port Victoria, Seychelles from patrol. (23)

13 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and the light cruiser HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN) departed Port Victoria, Seychelles for the Persian Gulf. (23)

20 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and the light cruiser HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN) arrived at Bahrein from the Seychelles area.

On arrival both ships commenced to clean their boilers. (23)

29 Apr 1941
The aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and the light cruiser HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN) departed Bahrein to cover the landing of troops near Basra.

Three ships from convoy BP 1 were to proceed up the Shatt el Arab to Basra. The ships were to proceed in order river gunboat Cockchafter (Lt.Cdr. H.F. Robertson-Aikman, RN), transport Nevasa (British, 9213 GRT, built 1913), sloop HMAS Yarra (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Harrington, RAN), transport Bandra (British, 3284 GRT, 1914), sloop HMS Falmouth (Cdr. C.C. Hardy, RN) and transport Espercance (British, 5072 GRT, built 1923). There was to be half a mile distance between the ships and aircraft from HMS Hermes provided air escort. (23)

2 May 1941
Around 2345C/2, the the light cruiser HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN) parted company with the aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN).

HMS Enterprise proceeded towards the Shatt al Arab where she anchored the following morning. (24)

4 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Six FAA Swordfish aircraft of HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) attacked a railway bridge 150 miles north of Shaibah, Iraq. (25)

6 May 1941
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) fuelled south of the Shatt al Arab river estuary from the RFA tanker Pearleaf (5911 GRT, built 1917).

On completion of fuelling HMS Hermes resumed patrol.

Aircraft from HMS Hermes also provided air cover for ships proceeding up river towards Basra. (25)

7 May 1941
By Admiralty's orders, all aircraft of HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) were put at the disposal of the Air Officer Commanding, Iraq for operations, either from ship or from a shore aerodrome. Aircraft were then flown off to operate from land bases. (25)

10 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Three FAA Swordfish aircraft of HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) carried out a a successfull attacks on barracks at Nasariyah, Iraq. Nine hits were claimed. (17)

12 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) fuelled south of the Shatt al Arab river estuary from the RFA tanker Pearleaf (5911 GRT, built 1917). (26)

14 May 1941
Four FAA Swordfish aircraft of HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) bombed barracks at Amarah, Iraq. Two direct hits were claimed and thirty-fve bombs fell within the compound. (17)

15 May 1941
Three FAA Swordfish aircraft of HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) bombed barracks at As-Samawah, Iraq. One of the aircraft force landed. Its crew (Sub.Lt.(A) G.R. Coy, Lt. J.H. Dundas, and Leading Airman L.E. Lasson) were taken on board one of the other Swordfish which had landed but the aircraft itself was captured by hostile Iraqis before it could be burnt. (17)

16 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Four FAA Swordfish aircraft of HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) attacked petrol and oil tanks at Amarah, Iraq. (17)

18 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During the night of 18/19 September 1941, HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) fuelled south of the Shatt al Arab river estuary from the RFA tanker Pearleaf (5911 GRT, built 1917). (26)

19 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) re-embarked her Swordfish aircraft. (17)

23 May 1941
While at anchor in the Northern part of the Persian Gulf HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) was stored and ammunitioned by a stores ship.

HMS Hermes continued her patrol the following day, usually anchoring each night and patrolling during the daytime. (26)

4 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) arrived at Bahrein. (17)

7 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The light cruiser HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN) arrived at Bahrein from the Shatt al Arab river estuary. After fuelling from the RFA tanker Pearleaf (5911 GRT, built 1917) she departed Bahrein for Colombo together with the aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN). (27)

13 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and the light cruiser HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN) arrived at Colombo from Bahrein. (28)

14 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) is docked at Colombo. (29)

18 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) is undocked.

she then departed Colombo with HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN). They were to proceed to Trincomalee. (30)

19 Jun 1941
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN) arrived at Trincomalee from Colombo. (31)

1 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) departed Trincomalee and then joined HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN) which had departed Colombo on 30 June.

They then conducted exercises before proceeding on patrol near position 05°00'N, 86°30'E. (32)

5 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN) arrived at Colombo from patrol.

They departed again later the same day to patrol off the Seychelles. (32)

10 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN) arrived at Port Victoria, Seychelles from patrol. (32)

12 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN) departed Port Victoria to resume their patrol along the shipping lanes. (32)

19 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN) arrived at Port Victoria, Seychelles from patrol. (32)

22 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN) departed Port Victoria, Seychelles to resume their patrol. (32)

23 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN) returned to Port Victoria, Seychelles to assist in the search of a missing flying boat. (32)

24 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN) departed Port Victoria, Seychelles to resume patrol of the shipping lanes. (32)

1 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN) arrived at Port Victoria, Seychelles from patrol. (33)

3 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN) departed Port Victoria, Seychelles to resume patrol of the shipping lanes. (33)

10 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from patrol. (33)

13 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa for Port Victoria, Seychelles. (33)

15 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN) arrived at Port Victoria from Kilindini / Mombasa.

After fuelling they departed for the Ceylon area later the same day. (33)

20 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0830EF/20, HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN) parted company with each other.

HMS Hermes proceeded to Trincomalee arriving there around 1400EF/20.

HMS Enterprise proceeded to Colombo arriving there around 1000EF/21. (33)

31 Aug 1941
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Trincomalee.

HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN) arrived at Trincomalee from Colombo.

She departed again later the same day to join HMS Hermes for exercises on completion of which they were to proceed to Colombo. (34)

2 Sep 1941
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN) arrived at Colombo from Trincomalee. (35)

4 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN) departed Colombo to patrol off the Seychelles. (35)

8 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN) arrived at Port Victoria, Seychelles from Colombo. (35)

15 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN) departed Port Victoria, Seychelles for Diego Garcia and Operation Snip. (35)

18 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN), light cruisers HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN), HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) and the armed merchant cruiser HMS Antenor (Capt.(Retd.) D.I. McGillewie, RN) all arrived at Diego Garcia for Operation Snip. (36)

19 Sep 1941

Operation Snip.

The purpose of this operation was to intercept a Vichy French escorted convoy en-route from Saigon to Madagascar.

On 19 September 1941, the aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and light cruisers HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN), HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN) and the armed merchant cruiser HMS Antenor (Capt.(Retd.) D.I. McGillewie, RN) departed Diego Garcia for this operation.

On 24 September 1941, the ' heavy ' cruiser HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) departed Port Victoria, Seychelles for this operation.

On 27 September 1941, the operation was abandoned as the convoy had not been sighted.

On 28 September 1941, HMS Enterprise arrived at Port Victoria and HMS Mauritius arrived at Mauritius from the operation.

On 29 September 1941, HMS Hermes and HMS Hawkins, which had joined company around 0615E/28, arrived at Mauritius from the operation.

On 30 September 1941, HMS Antenor arrived at Colombo from the operation. (37)

4 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN) departed Mauritius for Kilindini / Mombasa and Port Victoria respectively.

They remained in company until 1800DE/8.

HMS Enterprise arrived at Port Victoria in the afternoon of 9 October 1941.

HMS Hermes arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa in the morning of 10 October 1941. (38)

28 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) departed Port Victoria for Colombo. (39)

2 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) arrived at Colombo from Port Victoria.

Twelve Swordfish aircraft from 814 Squadron were landed at Colombo to be based on Ceylon as a striking force. (40)

6 Nov 1941
Around 1400EF/6, HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN), departed Colombo for Simonstown via Mauritius.

She is to proceed to the Simonstown Dockyard to refit there. (40)

12 Nov 1941
Around 0930E/12, HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN), arrived at Mauritius from Colombo. (40)

13 Nov 1941
Around 0600E/13, HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN), departed Mauritius for Simonstown. (40)

18 Nov 1941
Around 1400C/18, HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) dropped anchor in False Bay off Simonstown. (41)

21 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) is taken in hand for refit at the Simonstown Dockyard. (42)

6 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) is docked in the Selborne Dry Dock at the Simonstown Dockyard. (43)

25 Jan 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) is undocked. (44)

31 Jan 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) conducted D/F calibration trials off Simonstown. (44)

1 Feb 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) departed Simonstown for Colombo via Mauritius. (45)

7 Feb 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) arrived at Mauritius from Simonstown. (45)

8 Feb 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) departed Mauritius for Colombo. (45)

13 Feb 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1230F/13, the aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) was joined by the destroyer HMAS Vampire (Cdr. W.T.A. Moran, RAN) which was to provide A/S escort for the remainder of the passage to Colombo. (45)

14 Feb 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and HMAS Vampire (Cdr. W.T.A. Moran, RAN) arrived at Colombo. (46)

19 Feb 1942
The aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and the destroyer HMAS Vampire (Cdr. W.T.A. Moran, RAN) departed Colombo to proceed to Fremantle, Australia.

Before leaving twelve Swordfish of 814 Squadron were landed on.

Shortly after leaving harbour underway refuelling exercises were carried out. (47)

23 Feb 1942
The aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and the destroyer HMAS Vampire (Cdr. W.T.A. Moran, RAN) arrived at Trincomalee after having been ordered on 21 February 1942 to abandon their passage to Australia and to proceed to Trincomalee instead.

[No log for HMS Hermes is available for March 1942 and April 1942 are available so some details for these months might be missing but from logbooks of various other ships also present at Trincomalee it appears she was stationary at Trincomalee for a considerable lenght of time.] (45)

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