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Heavy cruiser HMS Hawkins (D 86)

15 Jul 1940
Around 0910PQ/15, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral Sir H. Harwood, KCB, OBE, RN) arrived at Montevideo from patrol. (1)

16 Jul 1940
Around 0835P/16, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral Sir H. Harwood, KCB, OBE, RN) departed Montevideo to resume her patrol. (1)

17 Jul 1940
HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral Sir H. Harwood, KCB, OBE, RN) departed the River Plate focal area and proceeded towards the Rio de Janeiro focal area. (1)

23 Jul 1940
In the morning and early in the afternoon, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral Sir H. Harwood, KCB, OBE, RN) fuelled from the RFA tanker Arndale (8296 GRT, built 1937) near Sao Sebastiao island, Brazil. On completion of fuelling HMS Hawkins resumed patrol.

[There is no log available for HMS Hawkins for the month of August 1940, therefore some details for this month may be missing.] (1)

8 Aug 1940
HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral Sir H. Harwood, KCB, OBE, RN) left her patrol area in the Rio de Janeiro focal area to proceed to the River Plate focal area to fuel. (2)

10 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral Sir H. Harwood, KCB, OBE, RN) fuelled from the RFA tanker Arndale (8296 GRT, built 1937) in San Borombon Bay. On completion of fuelling HMS Hawkins set course to return to her original patrol area in square L 32B. (2)

16 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral Sir H. Harwood, KCB, OBE, RN) departed her patrol area to embark provisions and ammunition in the River Plate focal area. (2)

19 Aug 1940
HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral Sir H. Harwood, KCB, OBE, RN) embarked provisions and ammunition in San Borombon Bay from the chartered transport Baltavia (British, 2461 GRT, built 1924).

The following day HMS Hawkins fuelled from the RFA tanker Arndale (8296 GRT, built 1937) after which HMS Hawkins resumed her patrol. (2)

24 Aug 1940
HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral Sir H. Harwood, KCB, OBE, RN) made rendezvous, east of the English Bank, with the chartered transport Baltavia (British, 2461 GRT, built 1924) and obtained mail from her before resuming her patrol. (2)

26 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral Sir H. Harwood, KCB, OBE, RN) arrived at Buenos Aires from patrol (2)

28 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral Sir H. Harwood, KCB, OBE, RN) departed Buenos Aires to resume her patrol. (2)

29 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
While on patrol off the River Plate, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral Sir H. Harwood, KCB, OBE, RN) made rendezvous with the RFA tanker Broomdale (8334 GRT, built 1937) which had just arrived in the area from Trinidad. Both ships then entered San Borombon Bay where stores had to be transferred from HMS Hawkins to the tanker however weather conditions prevented this and both ships anchored to await better wetter conditions. Transfer of the stores could finally take place on 31 August at which time HMS Hawkins topped off with fuel. (2)

5 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1525PQ/5, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN, flying the flag of of Rear-Admiral Sir H. Harwood, KCB, OBE, RN) arrived at Montevideo from patrol. (3)

10 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1905N/10, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN, flying the broad pendant of Commodore F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) dropped anchor off Sao Sebastiao island, Brazil. She was to fuel from the RFA tanker Arndale (8296 GRT, built 1937) but weather conditions did not permit this. (3)

11 Sep 1940
Around 1145N/11, HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN) joined HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN, flying the broad pendant of Commodore F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) and the RFA tanker Arndale (8296 GRT, built 1937) off Sao Sebastiao island, Brazil.

Commodore F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN, then struck his broad pendant in HMS Hawkins and hoisted it in HMS Enterprise.

Around 1800N/11, HMS Hawkins departed to proceed to Simonstown where she was to refit. En-route Gough Island was to be inspected for signs of enemy activity. HMS Hawkins did not fuel before departure as it had been determined that she had enough fuel on board to reach Simonstown.

Around 2200N/11, HMS Enterprise, after having fuelled from the Arndale departed for patrol. (4)

17 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Late in the morning, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) briefly dropped anchor off Gough Island and launched her whaler to inspect the island for possible signs of enemy activity but nothing of interest was seen and HMS Hawkins continued her passage to Simonstown. (5)

21 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0945B/21, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) arrived at Simonstown from patrol. (5)

24 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Having completed de-ammunitioning, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) is taken in hand for refit at the Simonstown Dockyard. (5)

29 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
As it was not possible to dock, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) at the Simonstown Dockyard it had been decided to continue the ships refit at the Durban Dockyard. Therefore HMS Hawkins departed Simonstown for Durban around 1015B/29. (5)

2 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0815B/2, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) arrived at Durban from Simostown. (6)

3 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) is docked at the Durban Dockyard and taken in hand for refit. (6)

21 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) is undocked. (6)

14 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) conducted basin trials at the Durban Dockyard. (7)

17 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0900B/17, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) departed Durban for Simonstown. (7)

19 Nov 1940
Around 1120B/19, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) arrived at Simonstown from Durban.

Around 2110B/19, she departed Simonstown to try to intercept the Vichy French transport Ville de Tamatave (4993 GRT, built 1931) but was return to Simonstown if the Vichy ships was not sighted during daytime on the 20th. (8)

21 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1100B/21, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) arrived at Simonstown from patrol. The Vichy French ship she was ordered to try to intercept had not been sighted. (7)

26 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) conducted D/F calibration trials and gunnery exercises in False Bay. (7)

27 Nov 1940
HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) conducted compass swing trials and gunnery exercises in False Bay.

In the evening more exercises were carried out on completion of which she left for patrol in the South Atlantic. She was also to make rendezvous with convoy WS 4B on 4 December 1940 in approximate position 04°00'S, 05°12'E.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 4B ' for 18 November 1940.] (8)

13 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1220B/13, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) departed Durban for Simonstown. (9)

16 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0850B/16, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) arrived at Simonstown from Durban. (9)

21 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1325B/21, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) departed Simonstown for Freetown. On departure gunnery exercises were carried out. (9)

30 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0815N/30, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) arrived at Freetown from Simonstown. (9)

3 Jan 1941
Around 0100N/3, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) departed Freetown for an anti-raider patrol in the mid-Atlantic to the south and south-south-west of Freetown around the equator.

Around 0820N/3, HMS Hawkins, in position 08°08'N, 14°42'W, picks up 9 survivors from the British tanker British Premier that was torpedoed and sunk on 24 December 1940 by German U-boat U-65 200 nautical miles south-west of Freetown in position 06°20'N, 13°20'W. (10)

7 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0900N/7, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) returned to Freetown from patrol. (10)

8 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The aircraft carrier HMS Formidable (Capt. A.W.La T. Bisset, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.F. Wake-Walker CB, OBE, RN), heavy cruisers HMS Dorsetshire (Capt. B.C.S. Martin, RN), HMS Norfolk (Capt. A.J.L. Phillips, RN), HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN), destroyers HMS Velox (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Roper, DSC, RN), HMS Vidette (Lt. E.N. Walmsley, RN), sloops HMS Milford (Cdr. (Retd.) the Hon. V.M. Wyndham-Quin, RN), HMS Bridgewater (A/Cdr. (Retd.) H.F.G. Leftwich, RN) and the corvettes HMS Asphodel (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) K.W. Stewart, RN) and HMS Calendula (Lt.Cdr. A.D. Bruford, RNVR) departed Freetown for escort duty with convoy WS 5A.

For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 5A and the attack by the German heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper ' for 18 December 1940.]

23 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the afternoon, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) arrived at Capetown with the Capetown-section of convoy WS 5A. (11)

25 Jan 1941
HMS Formidable (Capt. A.W.La T. Bisset, RN) and HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) proceeded from Capetown to Simonstown. (12)

26 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0500B/26, HMS Formidable (Capt. A.W.La T. Bisset, RN) and HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) departed Simonstown for Aden. (12)

1 Feb 1941
HMS Formidable (Capt. A.W.La T. Bisset, RN) and HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) are ordered to proceed at 22 knots to a position about 150 nautical miles north-west of the Seychelles where the transport Troilus (7422 GRT, built 1921) had reported that she had sighted a suspicious vessel. This report was however cancelled the following day and HMS Formidable and HMS Hawkins were ordered to continue their passage towards Aden and operate against Italian forces in Italian Somaliland while doing so. (13)

5 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1945C/5, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) arrived at Aden. She had parted company with HMS Formidable (Capt. A.W.La T. Bisset, RN) around 1730C/5.

Around 1830C/5, HMS Formidable was joined by the destroyers HMS Griffin (Lt.Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, RN) and HMS Juno (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Thyrwhitt, RN). (14)

6 Feb 1941
Around 1200C/6, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) departed Aden for Kilindini / Mombasa where she was to join ' Force T ' for the upcoming ' Operation Canvas '. (15)

9 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1620D/9, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from Aden. (15)

12 Feb 1941
HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) intercepts the German merchant Uckermark (7021 GRT) near Massawa, Eritrea. The Germans scuttled their ship when Hawkins approached.

21 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0600C/21, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa for escort duty with convoy WS 5B.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 5B ' for 7 January 1941.] (15)

26 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1200D/26, in position 12°39'N, 49°40'E, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) parted company with the Suez section of convoy WS 5B and set course for Aden taking the troop transport Duchess of Richmond (British, 20020 GRT, built 1928) with her.

They arrived at Aden around 0930D/27 and departed again around 1415D/27 to rejoin the convoy which they did around 1700D/27. (15)

3 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0730C/3, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) arrived at Aden from convoy escort duty. (16)

5 Mar 1941
In the morning, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) departed Aden for the Seychelles.

[As no log of HMS Hawkins is available for the month of March 1941 some details for this month may be missing.] (17)

8 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) arrived at Port Vicoria, Seychelles from Aden. (13)

9 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) departed Port Vicoria, Seychelles for patrol in the Indian Ocean including a search near the Agalega Islands. (13)

27 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from patrol. (13)

28 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa for escort duty with convoy SU 2.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy SU 2 ' for 18 March 1941.] (13)

4 Apr 1941
Around 0715B/4, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) and the damaged HMS Illustrious (Cdr. G.S. Tuck, RN) arrived at Durban with convoy SU 2.

HMS Hawkins almost immediately entered the graving dock to change the outboard port propeller. (18)

5 Apr 1941
HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) is undocked at commenced to self refit with some dockyard assistance. (19)

14 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1455B/14, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) departed Durban for New London. (20)

15 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0715B/15, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) arrived at New London from Durban.

Around 1545B/15, she departed New London for Simonstown. (20)

17 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1000B/17, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) arrived at Simonstown from New London. (20)

20 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1030B/17, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) departed Simonstown to join the Capetown section of convoy WS 7.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 7 ' for 25 March 1941.] (20)

29 Apr 1941
Around 0900C/29, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from convoy escort duty.

After fuelling she departed for patrol around 1700C/29. She was ordered to patrol between Kilindini / Mombasa and the Seychelles with HMS Eagle (Capt. A.R.M. Bridge, CBE, RN) and HMS Cornwall (Capt. P.C.W. Manwaring, RN) which had departed Kilindini / Mombasa earlier in the day and were conducting exercises off the port until HMS Hawkins joined around 1800C/29. (19)

4 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0830C/4, HMS Eagle (Capt. A.R.M. Bridge, CBE, RN) and HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from patrol. (21)

5 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0615C/5, HMS Eagle (Capt. A.R.M. Bridge, CBE, RN) and HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa for Durban. (21)

9 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1615C/9, HMS Eagle (Capt. A.R.M. Bridge, CBE, RN) and HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) arrived at Durban from Kilindini / Mombasa. (21)

12 May 1941
Around 1645B/12, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) departed Durban to patrol to the south of the Mozambique Channel. (22)

18 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1330B/18, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) returned to Durban from patrol. (22)

22 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1030B/22, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) departed Durban to make rendezvous with convoy WS 8A.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 8A ' for 26 April 1941.] (22)

27 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1215B/27, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) arrived at Durban with the ' Durban section ' of convoy WS 8A.

HMS Hawkins had sustained some weather damage on the 25th while with this convoy for which she was taken in hand for repairs at the Durban Dockyard. Her readiness for sea was not effected. (22)

31 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1730B/31, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) departed Durban for further escort duty with convoy WS 8A.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 8A ' for 26 April 1941.] (22)

10 Jun 1941
Around 1715C/10, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) arrived at Aden after escort duty with convoy WS 8A. (23)

12 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1345C/12, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) departed Aden for Port Victoria, Seychelles. (23)

16 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1400D/16, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) arrived at Port Victoria, Seychelles from Aden. (23)

18 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1310D/18, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) departed Port Victoria, Seychelles for a patrol in the Indian Ocean. (24)

23 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0930E/23, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) arrived at Diego Garcia from patrol.

Around 1625E/23, she departed to resume her patrol. She had not fuelled at Diego Garcia as no tanker was there. (23)

27 Jun 1941
Around 0855D/27, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) arrived at Mauritius from patrol.

Around 1600D/27, she departed to join convoy convoy WS 9A to the south of South Africa. While at Mauritius she had fuelled from the RFA tanker Olcades (6891 GRT, built 1918).

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 9A ' for 4 June 1941.] (24)

4 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1115B/4, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) arrived at Durban with the ' Durban section ' of convoy WS 9A. (25)

8 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1615B/8, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) departed Durban with the ' Durban section ' of convoy WS 9A. At sea they joined up with the ' Capetown section ' of convoy WS 9A.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 9A ' for 4 June 1941.] (25)

21 Jul 1941
Around 0900D/21, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) arrived at Aden from convoy escort duty.

After having fuelled she departed again around 1830D/21, to escort the troop transport Dempo (Dutch, 17024 GRT, built 1931, 1101 military personnel on board) part of her way to Durban. They were to part company on reaching meridian 70°E after which HMS Hawkins is to proceed to Colombo. The two ships parted company early in the evening of the 25th. (26)

28 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0830EF/28, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) arrived at Colombo from escort duty / patrol. (27)

31 Jul 1941
Around 0900EF/31, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) departed Colombo for Kilindini / Mombasa. She is escorting the troop transport Durban Castle (British, 17388 GRT, built 1938, with the former C-in-C East Indies, Vice-Admiral R. Leatham, CB, RN, and his family on board as well as 112 naval personnel). (26)

6 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)

Convoy SW 8.

This convoy departed Aden on 6 August 1941.

It was made up of the following troop transports; Duchess of Bedford (British, 20123 GRT, built 1928) and Orduna (British, 15507 GRT, built 1914).

On departure from Aden the convoy was escorted by the heavy cruiser HMAS Australia (Capt. R.R. Stewart, RN).

The convoy arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa on 13 August 1941.

The convoy departed Kilindini / Mombasa on 14 August 1941 now escorted by the heavy cruiser HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN).

The convoy arrived at Durban on 18 August 1941. (28)

7 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1600C/7, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) and the troop transport Durban Castle (British, 17388 GRT, built 1938) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from Colombo. Before entering harbour HMS Hawkins conducted gunnery exercises. (29)

9 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1315C/9, the heavy cruiser HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) and the troop transport Durban Castle (British, 17388 GRT, built 1938) departed Kilindini / Mombasa for Durban.

Around 1335CD/11, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) took over the escort of the troopship. HMS Hawkins then set course to return to Kilindini / Mombasa. (30)

13 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1000C/13, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from escort duty. (30)

14 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0745C/14, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa escorting convoy SW 8.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy SW 8 ' for 6 August 1941.] (30)

18 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2310B/18, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) arrived at Durban with convoy SW 8. (30)

18 Aug 1941

Operation Kedgeree

The purpose of this operation was to intercept a Vichy French convoy en-route from Tamatave, Madagascar to France.

A Vichy French convoy, made up of the transports Dalny (6672 GRT, built 1914), Lipari (9954 GRT, built 1922), Linois (7473 GRT, built 1907), Sagittaire (7706 GRT, built 1929) and Ville d'Oran (10172 GRT, built 1936) had departed Tamatave on the 12th to proceed into the Atlantic. It had been decided to try to intercept this convoy when it was rounding South Africa.

The following warships were sent out to intercept the convoy; heavy cruisers HMAS Australia (Capt. G.D. Moore, RAN) and HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) and the auxiliary whalers HMSAS Blaauwberg, HMSAS Cederberg, HMSAS Odberg, HMSAS Southern Barrier and HMSAS Sydoslandet.

Around 1800B/18, HMSAS Odberg and HMSAS Southern Barrier departed Durban for the operation.

Around 1900B/18, HMSAS Blaauwberg, HMSAS Cederberg and HMSAS Sydoslandet departed Capetown for the operation.

During the night of 18 / 19 August 1941, HMAS Australia departed Durban for the operation.

And finally around 1015B/19, HMS Hawkins departed Durban for the operation.

Also South African aircraft were deployed to search for the convoy.

Around 1730B/22, HMSAS Blaauwberg, sighted two eastbound French transports and an escorting sloop. Contact was however lost in the poor visibility.

The French convoy was however not sighted and at sunset 25 August 1941 the operation was called off and all ships involved set course to return to harbour. (31)

26 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0940B/26, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) arrived at Simonstown from Operation Kedgeree. (32)

27 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) conducted exercises south of False Bay on completion of which she returned to Simonstown. (30)

2 Sep 1941
Around 0815B/2, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) departed Simonstown to join convoy WS 10 and take care of the ' Durban section ' of the convoy. She joined the convoy around 1130B/2.

[For more info see the event ' Convoy WS 10 ' for 2 August 1941.] (33)

5 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0900B/5, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) arrived at Durban with the ' Durban section ' of convoy WS 10. (34)

9 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0930B/9, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) departed Durban with the ' Durban section ' of convoy WS 10 and then joined the ' Capetown section ' at sea.

[For more info see the event ' Convoy WS 10 ' for 2 August 1941.] (33)

17 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1130C/17, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa after having been relieved on the 13th as escort of convoy WS 10B. (33)

18 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0730C/18, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa for Port Victoria, Seychelles. (33)

21 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1700D/21, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) arrived at Port Victoria, Seychelles from Kilindini / Mombasa. (33)

24 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0615D/24, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) departed Port Victoria, Seychelles for ' Operation Snip '.

[For more info on this operation see the event ' Operation Snip ' for 19 September 1941.] (33)

29 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1130D/29, HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) arrived at Mauritius from ' Operation Snip '. (33)

3 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1255D/3, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) departed Mauritius for Simonstown where she was to dock for repairs and a propeller change. (35)

9 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1330B/9, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) arrived at Simonstown. (36)

10 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) is docked in the Selborne graving dock at the Simonstown Dockyard. (36)

28 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) is undocked.q (36)

2 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) conducted trials and exercises in False Bay. (37)

3 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0200B/3, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) departed Simonstown to join convoy CF 3.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy CF 3 ' for 31 October 1941.] (37)

16 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1430Z/16, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) arrived at Freetown after convoy escort duty. (37)

17 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) conducted D/G trials at Freetown. (37)

18 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0630N/18, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) departed Freetown for Portsmouth.

On 27 November, HMS Hawkins was informed that there were u-boats in the area she was proceeding through and she was ordered to keep up a speed as high as possible and endurance allowed.

HMS Hawkins arrived at Portsmouth in the afternoon of 30 November 1941. (37)

4 Dec 1941
Having completed de-ammunitioning, HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) is taken in hand for a major refit at the Portsmouth Dockyard. She is docked on this day. (38)

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