Arthur John Power, RN
| Born | 12 Apr 1899 |
| Ranks
Decorations
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Warship Commands listed for Arthur John Power, RN
| Ship | Rank | Type | From | To |
| HMS Ark Royal (91) | Capt. | Aircraft Carrier | 17 Jan 1938 | 20 Apr 1940 |
Career information
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Events related to this officer
Aircraft Carrier HMS Ark Royal (91)
11 Sep 1939
A/S operations by HMS Ark Royal in the Western Approaches.
11 September 1939.
At 2030A/11, a submarine hunting group, made up of the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal (Capt. A.J. Power, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral L.V. Wells, CB, DSO, RN) departed Scapa Flow for an A/S patrol in the Western Approaches. She is escorted by the destroyers HMS Faulknor (Capt. C.S. Daniel, RN), HMS Firedrake (Lt.Cdr. S.H. Norris, RN), HMS Foxhound (Lt.Cdr. P.H. Hadow, RN) and HMS Eskimo (Cdr. St. J.A. Micklethwait, RN).
12 September 1939.
At 0625A/12, seven Swordfish aircraft were flown off for an all round A/S sweep. Around 0700A/12, one of these spotted a surfaced submarine and attacked it. This was the German submarine U-37 whih reported hearing two explosions but these were not close. At 0720A/12, HMS Faulknor and HMS Firedrake were detached to hunt this submarine but they could not make contact and rejoined HMS Ark Royal around 0945A/12.
The aircraft returned around 0845A/12.
At 1200A/12, HMS Ark Royal was in position 59°34'N, 10°31'W. Around 1307A/12, course was altered to the south-east.
At 1600A/12, Nine Swordfish were flown off for an all round A/S sweep. One of the aircraft returned at 1620A/12 with engine trouble.
Around 1800A/12, the remaining eight Swordfish returned to HMS Ark Royal.
13 September 1939.
At 0638A/13, HMS Ark Royal started flying off ten Swordfish aircraft for an all round A/S search. These aircraft returned around 1000A/13.
At 0741A/13, an aircraft reported a submarine about 40 miles south of HMS Ark Royal. Bombs were dropped and a direct hit was claimed on the submarine which was reported to be diving at that time. [was this perhaps U-39 ?].
Around 0807A/13, A strike force of three aircraft was launched to attack the reported submarine but they failed to find it as did HMS Foxhound and HMS Eskimo which had been detached around the same time.
HMS Foxhound and HMS Eskimo rejoined HMS Ark Royal around 1430A/13. The aircraft had returned around 1108A/13.
At 1200A/13, HMS Ark Royal was in position 56°45'N, 14°19'W.
Around 1308A/13, eight Swordfish were launched for an A/S search. They returned around 1500A/13.
Around 1533A/13, three aircraft were flown off. They returned around 1715A/13.
Around 1653A/13, seven aircraft were flown off for an A/S sweep. They returned around 1940A/13.
14 September 1939.
Around 0630A/14, the destroyers HMS Tartar (Capt. G.H. Warner, DSC, RN), HMS Bedouin (Cdr. J.A. McCoy, RN) and HMS Punjabi (Cdr. J.T. Lean, RN) joined HMS Ark Royal.
Around the same time HMS Ark Royal launched 14 Swordfish for an A/S search. These aircraft returned around 0935 hours shortly after 16 aircraft for a new A/S search had been launched.
At 1200A/13, HMS Ark Royal was in position 58°13'N, 11°22'W.
At 1223A/14, the merchant vessel Fanad Head (British, 5200 GRT, built 1917) was attacked by the German submarine U-30 in position 56°43'N, 15°21'W. They managed to send a signal that they were being attacked.
Around 1240A/14, Vice-Admiral Wells was informed of the Fanad Head being attacked. So HMS Tartar and HMS Punjabi were detached to the position of the attack at 32 knots.
Around 1345A/14, the aircraft that had been launched around 0935A/14 were landed on.
Around 1312A/24, HMS Bedouin and HMS Eskimo were detached to join HMS Tartar and HMS Punjabi but HMS Eskimo was later recalled to rejoin the carrier so HMS Bedouin went on and joined HMS Tartar and HMS Punjabi around 2155A/24.
At 1440A/24, HMS Ark Royal launched three Skua's armed with bombs to search for the attacking submarine. They were sent because they had a longer range then the Swordfish aircraft.
Around 1511A/14, HMS Ark Royal was missed by two torpedoes fired a few minutes before by the German submarine U-39. HMS Faulknor, HMS Firedrake and HMS Foxhound then attacked the submarine with depth charges. The submarine was forced to surface and was then taken under fire by the destroyers. The submarine sank shortly afterwards in position 58°32'N, 11°49'W, the destroyers picked up it's entire crew of 44.
At 1540A/14, one of Ark Royal's Skua's sighted a merchant vessel which turned out to be the Fanad Head and on closing it was seen the a U-boat was laying alongside. The aircraft immediately attacked from low altitude but as the bombs hit the water the aircraft was heavily damaged, caught fire and then crashed.
The attack was seen by one of the other Skua's. On the Fanad Head port bow they sighted an oil patch with a black object in the center of it. They thought this was the conning tower of a submarine and started an attack and they dropped all their bombs in two runs. It was later thought that the object they had sighted was the wreck of the crashed Skua. The Skua, now out of bombs, strafed U-30 after she surfaced due to a dinghy still being tied to her. After the rope was cut, the submarine quickly submerged again. As the aircraft was now low on fuel she had to return to HMS Ark Royal on which she landed on around 1825A/14.
The third Skua was on it's way back to HMS Ark Royal when a ship was spotted in the distance. They closed and then sighted a submarine appearing from the merchant ship. An attack was started just like the first Skua had done and the third Skua also dropped it's bombs from to low and sustained damage. She too crashed.
After the aircraft crashed U-30 surfaced again to toke off her boarding party from the Fanad Head. She then moved off to launch a torpedo and finish off the merchant vessel.
In the meantime, after the report from the second Skua came in, around 1650A/14, HMS Ark Royal launched a strike force. Five of these aircraft attacked the submarine shortly after it had finished off the merchant vessel. The strike force returned to HMS Ark Royal around 1958A/14. Around the same time HMS Tartar and HMS Punjabi arrived in the area of the sinking and HMS Tartar picked up the crew of the Fanad Head. They then searched the area but could not make contact on the submarine.
Around 2000A/14, HMS Faulknor, HMS Firedrake and HMS Foxhound returned from their hunt and sinking of U-39. HMS Eskimo then parted company to join the three other Tribal-class destroyers.
15 September 1939.
The Tribal-class destroyers did not rejoin HMS Ark Royal but conducted an A/S sweep.
At 0635A/15, Swordfish aircraft were launched by HMS Ark Royal for an A/S search. A/S patrols were maintained throughout the day.
Around 1800A/15, HMS Faulknor, HMS Forester and HMS Foxhound were detached shortly after HMS Fury (Cdr. G.F. Burghard, RN) and HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Tancock, RN) had joined the carrier.
Around 1830A/15, HMS Fearless (Cdr. K.L. Harkness, RN) and HMS Fortune (Cdr. E.A. Gibbs, RN) also joined the screen of the carrier.
16 September 1939.
Around 0710A/16, Swordfish aircraft were launched by HMS Ark Royal for an A/S search. again A/S patrols were maintained throughout the day but nothing was seen.
Around 1200A/16, HMS Tartar, HMS Bedouin and HMS Punjabi joined HMS Ark Royal and her four escorting destroyers.
17 September 1939.
Around 0715A/17, HMS Ark Royal, HMS Tartar, HMS Bedouin and HMS Punjabi, HMS Fearless, HMS Forester, HMS Fortune and HMS Fury arrived at Loch Ewe. (1)
17 Sep 1939
A/S operations by HMS Ark Royal in the Western Approaches.
17 September 1939.
Around 1415A/17, the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal (Capt. A.J. Power, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral L.V. Wells, CB, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Fearless (Cdr. K.L. Harkness, RN), HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Tancock, RN), HMS Fortune (Cdr. E.A. Gibbs, RN) and HMS Fury (Cdr. G.F. Burghard, RN) departed Loch Ewe for more A/S operations in the Western Approaches. Course was set to proceed southwards through the Minches.
Around 1600A/17, HMS Ark Royal launched six Swordfish for an A/S search. They returned around 1915A/17.
Around 1800A/17, HMS Forester was detached to join the destroyers HMS Somali (Capt. R.S.G. Nicholson, DSC, RN) and HMS Matabele (Cdr. G.K. Whitmy-Smith, RN) which were also on passage to the area having also departed Loch Ewe around 1415A/17 but were already further to the south. HMS Forester joined them around 0015A/18.
18 September 1939.
Around 0600A/18, HMS Ark Royal launched six aircraft for an A/S search. A/S patrol were maintained throughout the day.
Around mid-afternoon HMS Ark Royal is ordered to return to Loch Ewe.
Around 1550A/18, HMS Somali, HMS Matabele and HMS Forester joined HMS Ark Royal.
At 2040A/18, HMS Somali and HMS Matabele were detached to act on a submarine attack report.
19 September 1939.
Around 0615A/19, HMS Ark Royal launched six aircraft for an A/S search. They returned around 0915A/19.
Around 0945A/19, HMS Ark Royal arrived at Loch Ewe escorted by HMS Fearless, HMS Forester, HMS Fortune and HMS Fury. Immediately after arriving the destroyer departed again. (2)
12 Feb 1940
The aircraft carrier, HMS Ark Royal (Capt. A.J. Power, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral L.V. Wells, CB, DSO, RN), which was on passage from Freetown to the U.K. was joined around 0925Z/12 by the destroyer HMS Antelope (Lt.Cdr. R.T. White, RN).
Around 1045A/12 the destroyers HMS Keith (Cdr.(Retd.) H.T.W. Pawsey, OBE, RN), HMS Veteran (Cdr. J.E. Broome, RN) and HMS Wakeful (Cdr. R.L. Fisher, RN) also joined.
HMS Ark Royal had been ordered to search the area for German merchant vessels which are thought to be present in the area having left Vigo, Spain to return to Germany. (3)
15 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ark Royal (Capt. A.J. Power, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral L.V. Wells, CB, DSO, RN), HMS Keith (Cdr.(Retd.) H.T.W. Pawsey, OBE, RN), HMS Antelope (Lt.Cdr. R.T. White, RN), HMS Veteran (Cdr. J.E. Broome, RN) and HMS Wakeful (Cdr. R.L. Fisher, RN) arrived at Portsmouth. (4)
19 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ark Royal (Capt. A.J. Power, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral L.V. Wells, CB, DSO, RN) is docked at the Portsmouth Dockyard. (4)
9 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ark Royal (Capt. A.J. Power, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral L.V. Wells, CB, DSO, RN) is undocked. (5)
17 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Ark Royal (Capt. A.J. Power, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral L.V. Wells, CB, DSO, RN) conducted trials in Spithead. (5)
19 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1500A/19, the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal (Capt. A.J. Power, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral L.V. Wells, CB, DSO, RN) departed Spithead for Portland Bay. She is being escorted by the destroyers HMS Isis (Cdr. J.C. Clouston, RN), HMS Arrow (Cdr. H.W. Williams, RN) and HMS Shikari (Lt.Cdr. H.N.A. Richardson, RN).
At 1603A/19, HMS Shikari parted company.
At 1640A/19, HMS Arrow and HMS Isis parted company.
At 1934A/19, HMS Ark Royal passed the boom into Portland Bay. (5)
20 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal (Capt. A.J. Power, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral L.V. Wells, CB, DSO, RN) conducted flying exercises off Portland Bay. During the exercises the destroyer HMS Isis (Cdr. J.C. Clouston, RN) and two MA/SB's patrolled in the area. (5)
22 Mar 1940
At 1108A/22, the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal (Capt. A.J. Power, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral L.V. Wells, CB, DSO, RN) passed to boom to leave Portland Bay. She is to proceed to the Mediterranean for training her aircrews.
On departure from Portland she is escorted by the destroyers HMS Isis (Cdr. J.C. Clouston, RN) and HMS Imogen (Cdr. C.L. Firth, MVO, RN).
The destroyers parted company at 1749A/23. HMS Ark Royal then proceeded unescorted.
At 1203A/25, she was joined, in position 36°02'N, 09°36'W by the destroyer HMS Bulldog (Lt.Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson, RN) and about half an hour later by the destroyer HMS Active (Lt.Cdr. E.C.L. Turner, RN). These destroyers had departed Gibraltar on the 24th.
At 1747A/25, the destroyer HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) joined in approximate position 36°00'N, 07°50'W. HMS Active then parted company to make rendezvous with a merchant vessel coming from Freetown.
Around 1100A/28, HMS Ark Royal and her two escorting destroyers arrived at Malta. (6)
31 Mar 1940
The aircraft carriers HMS Ark Royal (Capt. A.J. Power, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral L.V. Wells, CB, DSO, RN) and HMS Glorious (Capt. G. D’Oyly-Hughes, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) departed Malta for Alexandria. They were being escorted by the destroyers HMS Bulldog (Lt.Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson, RN), HMS Westcott (Lt.Cdr. W.F.R. Segrave, RN) and HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN).
En-route flying exercises were conducted.
At 0800B/2, HMS Glorious and HMS Westcott parted company to remain at sea for further flying exercises.
Around 1530B/2, HMS Ark Royal, HMS Bulldog and HMAS Voyager arrived at Alexandria.
Around 1700B/4, HMS Glorious and HMS Westcott arrived at Alexandria. (7)
8 Apr 1940
Between 0920B/8 and 0945B/8, the aircraft carriers HMS Ark Royal (Capt. A.J. Power, RN) and HMS Glorious (Capt. G. D’Oyly-Hughes, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral L.V. Wells, CB, DSO, RN) [Vice-Admiral Wells had transferred his flag to Glorious for these exercises] departed Alexandria for flying exercises off Alexandria. At 0800B/8, the destroyers HMS Bulldog (Lt.Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson, RN) and HMS Westcott (Lt.Cdr. W.F.R. Segrave, RN) had departed Alexandria to escort the carriers.
Around 1700B/9, HMS Ark Royal and HMS Westcott returned to Alexandria.
Around 0200B/10, HMS Glorious and HMS Bulldog returned to Alexandria. (8)
10 Apr 1940
Around 0630B/10, the aircraft carriers HMS Ark Royal (Capt. A.J. Power, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral L.V. Wells, CB, DSO, RN) and HMS Glorious (Capt. G. D’Oyly-Hughes, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMS Bulldog (Lt.Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson, RN) and HMS Westcott (Lt.Cdr. W.F.R. Segrave, RN) departed Alexandria for the U.K.
Around 1630B/11, off Malta, the destroyers HMAS Stuart (Cdr. H.M.L. Waller, RAN) and HMAS Waterhen (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN) joined. HMS Bulldog and HMS Westcott then went to Malta to fuel.
Around 0715A/12, HMAS Waterhen was detached to return to Malta after HMS Bulldog and HMS Westcott had returned after fuelling from Malta.
Around 1900A/13, HMS Ark Royal, HMS Glorious, HMS Bulldog, HMS Westcott and HMAS Stuart arrived at Gibraltar. (9)
14 Apr 1940
Vice-Admiral L.V. Wells, CB, DSO, RN, transferred his flag from HMS Ark Royal (Capt. A.J. Power, RN) to HMS Glorious (Capt. G. D’Oyly-Hughes, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN).
HMS Glorious then departed Gibraltar for the U.K. escorted by the destroyers HMAS Stuart (Cdr. H.M.L. Waller, RAN), HMS Velox (Cdr.(Retd.) J.C. Colvill, RN) and HMS Watchman (Lt.Cdr. E.C.L. Day, RN). The destroyers were to escort the carrier until approximate position 41°30'N, 15°00'W.
On the 15th the destroyers parted company on reaching the pre-arranged position and set course to return to Gibraltar where they arrived on the 17th.
The carrier was later joined by the destroyers HMS Walker (Lt.Cdr. A.A. Tait, RN) and HMS Walpole (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Bowerman, RN).
HMS Glorious, HMS Walker and HMS Walpole arrived in the Clyde on 18 April 1940. (10)
16 Apr 1940
Around 0815A/16, the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal (Capt. A.J. Power, RN) departed Gibraltar for exercises off Alboran Island. She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Bulldog (Lt.Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson, RN) and HMS Westcott (Lt.Cdr. W.F.R. Segrave, RN).
During the exercises she was recalled to Gibraltar as she was to proceed to the U.K. with all despatch.
They arrived back at Gibraltar around 1800A/16.
After fuelling HMS Ark Royal departed Gibraltar for the U.K. around 2200A/16. She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Bulldog, HMS Westcott and HMS Vortigern (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Howlett, RN).
At 1720A/17, HMS Vortigern was detached.
At 1800A/17, HMS Bulldog and HMS Westcott were detached.
At 1951A/19, the destroyer HMS Saladin (Lt.Cdr. L.J. Dover, RN) joined.
Around 0830A/20, the destroyers HMS Hasty (Lt.Cdr. L.R.K. Tyrwhitt, RN) and HMS Juno (Cdr. W.E. Wilson, RN) joined coming from the Clyde.
HMS Ark Royal, HMS Saladin, HMS Hasty and HMS Juno arrived at Greenock around 1900A/20.
Vice-Admiral L.V. Wells, CB, DSO, RN then hoisted his flag in HMS Ark Royal. Also Capt. C.S. Holland joined HMS Ark Royal. (9)
Sources
- ADM 53/107522 + ADM 53/107725 + ADM 53/108563 + ADM 53/108656 + ADM 53/108667 + ADM 53/108689 + ADM 53/108736 + ADM 53/108757 + ADM 53/108783 + ADM 53/108830 + ADM 53/110128 + ADM 53/110779
- ADM 53/107522 + ADM 53/108667 + ADM 53/108736 + ADM 53/108757 + ADM 53/108830 + ADM 53/109748 + ADM 53/110651
- ADM 53/111429
- ADM 53/111430
- ADM 53/111431
- ADM 53/111431 + ADM 199/654
- ADM 53/111431 + ADM 53/111432 + ADM 53/122339
- ADM 53/111432 + ADM 53/111963
- ADM 53/111432
- ADM 53/111432 + ADM 199/654 + Report of proceedings from HMAS Stuart
ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.
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