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Destroyer HMAS Nestor (G 02)

21 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, RAN) is undocked. (1)

24 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
P.M. on the 24th, the destroyers HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, DSO, RN), HMCS Assiniboine (A/Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) and HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, RAN) were ordered to proceed to Reykjavik (Hvalfjord) to fuel.

The arrived in the Hvalfjord A.M. on the 26th. (1)

26 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
P.M. on 26 May 1941, the destroyers HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, DSO, RN), HMS Punjabi (Cdr. S.A. Buss, MVO, RN), HMS Lance (Lt.Cdr. R.W.F. Northcott, RN), HMS Legion (Cdr. R.F. Jessel, RN) and HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, RAN) departed Hvalfjord for Londonderry where they arrived P.M. on the 27th. (1)

28 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
After having fuelled the destroyers HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, DSO, RN), HMS Somali (Capt. C. Caslon, RN), HMS Eskimo (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN), HMS Punjabi (Cdr. S.A. Buss, MVO, RN), HMS Lance (Lt.Cdr. R.W.F. Northcott, RN), HMS Legion (Cdr. R.F. Jessel, RN) and HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, RAN) all departed Londonderry to join Home Fleet units at sea to escort them back to the U.K. (2)

2 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2140B/2, HMS Jupiter (Lt.Cdr. N.V.J.P. Thew, RN), HMS Lance (Lt.Cdr. R.W.F. Northcott, RN) and HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, RAN) departed Scapa Flow, most likely for night exercises. They returned to following morning. (3)

6 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0900B/6, HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, DSO, RN), HMS Jupiter (Lt.Cdr. N.V.J.P. Thew, RN) and HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, RAN) departed Scapa Flow, presumably for exercises. They returned later the same day. (3)

20 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the afternoon, HMS Jupiter (Lt.Cdr. N.V.J.P. Thew, RN) and HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, RAN), most likely, conducted exercises at Scapa Flow. (3)

24 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The destroyer tender Tyne (Capt. G.A. Scott, DSC, RN) and the destroyer HMS Jupiter (Lt.Cdr. N.V.J.P. Thew, RN) and HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, RAN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (3)

25 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1300B/25, HMS Punjabi (Cdr. S.A. Buss, MVO, RN) and HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, RAN) departed Scapa Flow, presumably for exercises. They returned around 0430B/25. (3)

27 Jun 1941
Around 1930B/27, the destroyers HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, RAN), HMS Lightning (Cdr. R.G. Stewart, RN), HMS Eskimo (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) and the escort destroyer ORP Krakowiak (Cdr. T. Gorazdowski, ORP) departed Scapa Flow to search for a reported enemy submarine to the east of the Orkney Islands. The submarine had been sighted by an aircraft in position 59°20'N, 04°04'W.

The destroyers returned to Scapa Flow around 2200B/28 not having contacted the reported enemy submarine.

[The German submarine U-146 was patrolling in the area and might have been the one sighted.] (2)

2 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The aircraft carrier HMS Victorious (Capt. H.C. Bovell, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow during which she was escorted by the destroyers HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, RAN), HMS Jupiter (Lt.Cdr. N.V.J.P. Thew, RN) and HMS Eskimo (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN). (4)

8 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0900B/8, HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, RAN) departed Scapa Flow for the Clyde. (2)

9 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0400B/9, HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, RAN) arrived in the Clyde from Scapa Flow. (2)

30 Jul 1941

Convoy OG 70.

This convoy departed U.K. waters on 30 July 1941 and was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Atlantic Coast (British, 890 GRT, built 1934), Berakit (Dutch, 6608 GRT, built 1924), City of Christchurch (British, 6009 GRT, built 1915), Cliftonhall (British, 5063 GRT, built 1918), Edencrag (British, 1592 GRT, built 1940), Elmdale (British, 4872 GRT, built 1941), Empire Comet (British, 6914 GRT, built 1941), Empire Ness (British, 2922 GRT, built 1941), Empire Strait (British, 2841 GRT, built 1940), Innesmore (British, 4392 GRT, built 1928), Lowther Castle (British, 5171 GRT, built 1937), Lublin (Polish, 1409 GRT, built 1932), Melrose Abbey II (British, 2473 GRT, built 1936), Mount Kassion (Greek, 7914 GRT, built 1918), Ottinge (British, 2870 GRT, built 1940), Panos (British, 4914 GRT, built 1920), Reedpool (British, 4848 GRT, built 1924), Shuna (British, 1575 GRT, built 1937), Tintern Abbey (British, 2471 GRT, built 1939) and Trevalgan (British, 5299 GRT, built 1937).

On departure from U.K. waters the convoy was escorted by the captapult ship HMS Maplin (A/Cdr. J.O. Davies, RNR), destroyers St. Albans (Lt.Cdr. S. Storheill), HrMs Campbeltown (Cdr. W. Harmsen, RNN), HMS Wanderer (Cdr. A.F.St.G. Orpen, RN), sloop HMS Deptford (Lt.Cdr. H.R. White, RN), corvettes HMS Auricula (T/Lt. W.W. White, RNR), HMS Convolvulus (T/Lt. R.C. Connell, RNR), HMS Marigold (T/Lt. J. Renwick, RNR) and HMS Samphire (Lt.Cdr. F.T. Renny, DSC, RNR).

On 1 August the catapult ship HMS Maplin and the destroyers St. Albans, Campbeltown and Wanderer parted company with the convoy.

On 6 August 1941, the corvettes HMS Coreopsis (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Davies, RNVR), HMS Jonquil (Lt.Cdr. R.E.H. Partington, RNR), HMS Spiraea (T/Lt. L.C. Head, RNVR) and the auxiliary A/S trawler HMS Stella Carina (Lt. J.V. Lobb, RANVR) joined the convoy coming from convoy HG 69.

On 8 August 1941, the destroyers HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, RAN) and HMS Encounter (Lt.Cdr. E.V.St.J. Morgan, RN) were to join having departed Gibraltar on 6 August. They however could not find the convoy and only joined early on the 9th.

Also on the 8th the destroyer the destroyer HMS Foresight (Cdr. J.S.C. Salter, RN) joined the convoy coming from convoy HG 34FA.

Around 2000B/20, HMAS Nestor, HMS Encounter, HMS Deptford, HMS Auricula, HMS Convolvulus, HMS Jonquil, HMS Marigild and HMS Samphire parted company to join northbound convoy HG 70 which they did soon afterwards as the convoy had only been a few miles to the south of convoy OG 70.

Convoy OG 70 meanwhile continued on escorted by HMS Foresight, HMS Coreopsis and HMS Spiraea. The convoy arrived at Gibraltar on 12 August 1941.

6 Aug 1941
Around 0815B/6, the destroyers HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, RAN) and HMS Encounter (Lt.Cdr. E.V.St.J. Morgan, RN) departed Gibraltar to make rendezvous with convoy OG 70 coming from the U.K.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy OG 70 ' for 30 July 1941.] (5)

9 Aug 1941

Convoy HG 70.

This convoy departed Gibraltar on 9 August 1941 for the U.K. It was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Alhama (British, 1352 GRT, built 1938), Baltallinn (British, 1303 GRT, built 1920), Baron Kelvin (British, 3081 GRT, built 1924), Briarwood (British, 4019 GRT, built 1930), British Coast (British, 889 GRT, built 1934), Cara (British, 1760 GRT, built 1929), City of Waterford (Irish, 1017 GRT, built 1879), Csarda (Panamanian, 3882 GRT, built 1917), Dux (Norwegian, 1590 GRT, built 1934), Empire Bay (British, 2824 GRT, built 1940), Empire Brook (British, 2852 GRT, built 1941), Empire Hurst (British, 2852 GRT, built 1941), Empire Kestrel (British, 2674 GRT, built 1919), Empire Snipe (British, 2497 GRT, built 1919), Empire Tern (British, 2479 GRT, built 1919), Flaminian (British, 2711 GRT, built 1917), Gothland (British, 1286 GRT, built 1932), Inger Lise (Norwegian, 1582 GRT, built 1939), Lissa (British, 1511 GRT, built 1927), Menapia (British, 902 GRT, built 1939), Philipp M. (British, 2085 GRT, built 1924), Pulo (British, 1950 GRT, built 1919), Sud (Yugoslavian, 2589 GRT, built 1901) and Wallsend (British, 3157 GRT, built 1937).

The rescue ship Copeland (British, 1526 GRT, built 1923) was also with the convoy.

On departure from Gibraltar the convoy was escorted by the escort destroyers HMS Avon Vale (Lt.Cdr. P.A.R. Withers, RN), HMS Eridge (Lt.Cdr. W.F.N. Gregory-Smith, RN), submarine HMS Clyde (Cdr. D.C. Ingram, DSC, RN), corvettes HMS Begonia (T/Lt. T.A.R. Muir, RNR), HMS Jasmine (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) C.D.B. Coventry, RNR), HMS Larkspur (Lt. S.C.B. Hickman, RNR), HMS Pimpernel (Lt. F.H. Thornton, RNR), HMS Rhododendron (Lt.Cdr. W.N.H. Faichney, DSO, RNR) and the auxiliary A/S trawlers HMS Lady Hogarth (T/Lt. S.G. Barnes, RNR) and HMS Lady Shirley (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Callaway, RANVR).

On 10 August the destroyer HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.F. de Salis, RN) joined coming from Gibraltar. She had only one turbine in operation and was to proceed to the U.K. for repairs. HMS Clyde parted company with the convoy around 2100A/10 having been ordered to return to Gibraltar.

On 11 August the destroyers HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, RAN), HMS Encounter (Lt.Cdr. E.V.St J. Morgan, RN), sloop HMS Deptford (Lt.Cdr. H.R. White, RN) and corvette HMS Convolvulus (T/Lt. R.C. Connell, RNR) joined the convoy. HMAS Nestor parted company around 2045A/11 to return to Gibraltar due to fuel shortage.

On 12 August the convoy was joined by the destroyers HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. D.H. Maitland-Makgill Crichton, DSC, RN) and HMS Wild Swan (Lt.Cdr. C.E.L. Sclater, RN). HMS Encounter, HMS Deptford and HMS Convolvulus parted company with the convoy on this day.

On 13 August the sloop HMS Stork (Lt. G.T.S. Gray, DSC, RN) joined the convoy but was detached later the same day. Also the destroyer HMS Boreas parted company with the convoy.

On 14 August the destroyer HMS Cossack (Capt. E.L. Berthon, DSC and Bar, RN) joined the convoy but was detached later the same day as were the escort destroyers HMS Avon Vale and HMS Eridge.

On 15 August the destroyer HMS Duncan (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Rowell, RN) and sloop HMS Black Swan (Cdr. T.A.C. Pakenham, RN) joined the convoy.

On 19 August the destroyer HrMs Campbeltown (Cdr. W. Harmsen, RNN) joined while the destroyer HMS Duncan parted company.

On 21 August the sloop HMS Black Swan parted company with the convoy.

The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 23 August.

12 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1900A/12, HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, RAN) returned to Gibraltar from convoy escort duty. (5)

31 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0005A/31, HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, RAN) departed Gibraltar for Ponta Delgada, Azores where she was to fuel after which she was to join convoy WS 11 to escort it to Freetown. (5)

2 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0830Z/2, HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, RAN), arrived at Ponta Delgada. after having fuelled she departed around 1830Z/2 and proceeded first eastwards and then northward to make rendezvous with convoy WS 11.

Around 1000Z/4, HMS Legion (Cdr. R.F. Jessel, RN) was sighted which was also searching for the convoy.

The two destroyers then made rendezvous with the convoy around noon on the 4th. (6)

12 Sep 1941
HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, RAN) arrived at Freetown. Temporary repairs were started the following day. (6)

19 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, RAN) departed Freetown for Gibraltar. (6)

25 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1400A/25, HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, RAN), arrived at Gibraltar from Freetown. (6)

26 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0800A/26, HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, RAN), departed Gibraltar for Plymouth. (6)

30 Sep 1941
Around 1330A/30, HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, RAN), arrived at the Devonport Dockyard from Gibraltar. At Devonport she was to undergo repairs to her damaged turbines which were at first estimated to take about five weeks but in the end would take over eight weeks. While at Devonport also a general refit was undertaken by the Dockyard including some alterations to the close range AA armament. (6)

4 Dec 1941
With her repairs completed HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, DSO, RAN) conducted D/G trials in Cawsand Bay and full power trials between Eddystone Light and Start Point. On completion of these trials she returned to Plymouth. (7)

5 Dec 1941
HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, DSO, RAN) conçducted compass swing and radar / HF DF calibration trials at Plymouth.

At 1400A/5, she departed Plymouth for Greenock. On departure AA gunnery exercises were carried out on a sleeve target. (7)

6 Dec 1941
Around 1400A/6, HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, DSO, RAN) arrived at Greenock from Plymouth. (7)

13 Dec 1941
In the morning of the 13th, HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, DSO, RAN), HMS Gurkha (Cdr. C.N. Lentaigne, RN) and HMS Foxhound (Cdr. G.H. Peters, DSC, RN) parted company with convoy WS 14 to proceed to Gibraltar.

They were joined around 0920A/14 by the escort destroyer HMS Croome (Lt.Cdr. J.D. Hayes, DSO, RN) which had lost touch with the convoy and had now also been ordered to proceed to Gibraltar. (7)

15 Dec 1941 (position 36.28, -9.12)
The German U-boat U-127 was sunk west of Gibraltar, in position 36°28'N, 09°12'W, by depth charges from the Australian destroyer HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, DSO, RAN).

At 1050A/15, when to the south-west of Cape St. Vincent a submarine was sighted on the surface about 7 nautical miles to the southward. Course was immediately altered towards and speed was increased to 21 knots.

At 1100A/15, the submarine appeared to turn away and with her plainly visible at a range of 11000 yards fire was opened with 'A' and 'B' gun turrets. Two salvoes were fired and before they fell the submarine had submerged.

At 1115A/15, a firm contact was obtained and a deliberate attack was carried out. HMS Foxhound (Cdr. G.H. Peters, DSC, RN) then closed the position and when she was over the spot she felt a heavy explosion beneath her. The explosion was also felt on board HMAS Nestor and at the time was thought to be HMS Foxhound attacking. Later it became known that she did not dropped any depth charges.

At 1115A/15 and 1130A/15, HMS Croome (Lt.Cdr. J.D. Hayes, DSO, RN) also made depth charge attacks on a contact she had obtained.

All four destroyers of the group, HMAS Nestor, HMS Gurkha (Cdr. C.N. Lentaigne, RN), HMS Foxhound and HMS Croome then commenced to search the area but no further contacts were obtained.

At 1200A/15, HMS Croome was detached to Gibraltar due to fuel shortage.

At 1300A/15, the position of the initial attack was closed again and a large oil patch and wreckage were seen on the surface of which some of it was salvaged including a piece of human chest. This was later found to be sufficient evidence to prove the destruction of a German submarine.

At 1430A/15, HMAS Nestor, HMS Gurkha and HMS Foxhound set course for Gibraltar at 20 knots. (7)

16 Dec 1941
Around 0100A/16, HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, DSO, RAN), HMS Gurkha (Cdr. C.N. Lentaigne, RN), HMS Foxhound (Cdr. G.H. Peters, DSC, RN) and HMS Croome (Lt.Cdr. J.D. Hayes, DSO, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (7)

22 Dec 1941
Around 0430A/22, ' Force I ', made up of the light cruiser HMS Dido (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, RN) and the destroyers HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, DSO, RAN), HMS Gurkha (Cdr. C.N. Lentaigne, RN), HMS Zulu (Cdr. H.R. Graham, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Foxhound (Cdr. G.H. Peters, DSC, RN) and HMS Arrow (Cdr. A.M. McKillop, RN) departed Gibraltar for Malta. These ships were reinforcements for the Mediterranean Fleet. (7)

24 Dec 1941
Around 1300A/24, ' Force I ', made up of the light cruiser HMS Dido (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, RN) and the destroyers HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, DSO, RAN), HMS Gurkha (Cdr. C.N. Lentaigne, RN), HMS Zulu (Cdr. H.R. Graham, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Foxhound (Cdr. G.H. Peters, DSC, RN) and HMS Arrow (Cdr. A.M. McKillop, RN) arrived at Malta from Gibraltar. (7)

30 Dec 1941
Around 1645B/30, the light cruiser HMS Ajax (Capt. E.D.B. McCarthy, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.B. Rawlings, OBE, RN) and destroyers HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, RN), HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, DSO, RAN), HMS Gurkha (Cdr. C.N. Lentaigne, RN) and HMS Foxhound (Cdr. G.H. Peters, DSC, RN) departed Alexandria for a bombardment of the Bardia area during the night of 30/31 December to support operations by the Army.

The destroyers HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) had departed Alexandria around 1315B/30 to conduct an anti-submarine sweep of the area in advance of the bombardment force.

Around 0505B/31, HMAS Napier sighted a surfaced submarine and turned in to attack. HMAS Nestor being the next ship in line followed. HMAS Napier then conducted depth charge attacks until ordered to rejoin by Rear-Admiral Rawlings. The German submarines U-74, U-77, U-371 and U-568 were operating in the area but none reported being attacked.

Around 0700B/31, HMS Ajax opened fire on targets in the Bardia area. The bombardment lasted for about 20 minutes and was later reported to be very helpful.

Course was then set to return to Alexandria with HMS Kingston and HMAS Nizam conducting an A/S sweep ahead of the other ships on the return route.

Around 2030B/31, HMS Kingston and HMAS Nizam returned to Alexandria followed by the other ships around 2100B/31. (8)

3 Jan 1942
Around 1715B/3, HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, RN), HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, DSO, RAN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) departed Alexandria to proceed to Aden for temporary duty with the Eastern Fleet.

They passed through the Suez Canal on the 4th and then set course for Aden after having fuelled at Port Tewfik. (9)

7 Jan 1942
Around 0945C/7, HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, RN), HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, DSO, RAN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) arrived at Aden. (10)

9 Jan 1942
Around 0545C/9, HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, DSO, RN), HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, DSO, RAN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) departed Aden to make rendezvous with the aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable (Capt. H.E. Morse, DSO, RN) coming from Capetown.

Rendezvous was affected around 1100D/10 in approximate position 11°00'N, 51°55'E.

They arrived at Aden around 0900C/11. (11)

12 Jan 1942
Around 1615C/12, the aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable (Capt. H.E. Morse, DSO, RN) departed Aden for Port Sudan. She was escorted by the destroyers HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, DSO, RN), HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, DSO, RAN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN). (12)

14 Jan 1942
Around 0700C/14, the aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable (Capt. H.E. Morse, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, DSO, RN), HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, DSO, RAN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) arrived at Port Sudan from Aden.

At Port Sudan, HMS Indomitable embarked Hurricane aircraft for Singapore. Also Rear-Admiral D.W. Boyd, CBE, DSC, RN, hoisted his flag in HMS Indomitable. (12)

15 Jan 1942

Operations Opponent and Bellows.

Around 1530C/15, ' Force L ' made up of the aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable (Capt. H.E. Morse, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral D.W. Boyd, CBE, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, DSO, RN), HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, DSO, RAN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) departed Port Sudan for ' Operation Opponent ', the intended transportation of Hurricane aircraft to Singapore. Later due to the deteriorating situation at Singapore it was decided that the Hurricanes were to be flown off to Batavia, Java, Netherlands East Indies (' Operation Bellows ').

Around 0130C/17, the destroyers parted company to proceed ahead to fuel at Aden. They rejoined the carrier after having done so around 1420C/17.

Around 1430F/21, the ' Force L ' arrived at Addu Attol (Port T) to fuel.

Around 1225F/22, ' Force L ' departed Addu Atoll for Cocos Island.

In the early evening of the 25th, HMS Indomitable fuelled off Cocos Island from the RFA tanker Appleleaf (5891 GRT, built 1917) before departing around 0245H/26 to fly off the Hurricanes to Batavia. The destroyers were apparently unable to fuel and they later fuelled at sea from the carrier. HMAS Napier apparently remained behind and rejoined around 1530HI/27.

Around 1600HI/27, 16 RAF Hurricanes were flown off in approximate position 11°08'S, 106°00'E (south-east of Christmas Island) after two Blenheim bombers had arrived to guide them to Batavia.

Around 1025HI/28, another 16 RAF Hurricanes were flown off in approximate position 08°15'S, 106°25'E (south of the western end of Java) after two Blenheim bombers had arrived to guide them to Batavia.

Around 1550HI/28, the last batch of 17 RAF Hurricanes were flown off in approximate position 08°15'S, 106°25'E (south of the western end of Java) after two Blenheim bombers had arrived to guide them to Batavia.

' Force L ' then retired from the area and arrived at Trincomalee around 1800FG/2. (12)

14 Feb 1942
Around 1630F/14, HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, DSO, RN) and HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, DSO and Bar, RAN) departed Trincomalee. They returned around 0755F/14. Presumably they had been out on patrol and / or exercises. (13)

16 Feb 1942
Around 1225F/16, the aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable (Capt. H.E. Morse, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral D.W. Boyd, CBE, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, DSO, RN) and HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, DSO and Bar, RAN) departed Trincomalee for Aden, searching in the Maldive Islands area while en-route. (14)

22 Feb 1942
Around 1200C/22, the aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable (Capt. H.E. Morse, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral D.W. Boyd, CBE, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, DSO, RN) and HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, DSO and Bar, RAN) arrived at Aden from Trincomalee.

While en-route, the destroyers had been fuelled by the carrier on the 19th. (14)

23 Feb 1942
Around 1430C/23, the aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable (Capt. H.E. Morse, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral D.W. Boyd, CBE, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, DSO, RN) and HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, DSO and Bar, RAN) departed Aden for Port Sudan. (14)

25 Feb 1942
Around 0815C/25, the aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable (Capt. H.E. Morse, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral D.W. Boyd, CBE, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, DSO, RN) and HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, DSO and Bar, RAN) arrived at Port Sudan from Aden.

At Port Sudan the carrier was to embark RAF Hurricane fighters of Java, Netherlands East Indies. (14)

27 Feb 1942
Around 1615C/27, the aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable (Capt. H.E. Morse, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral D.W. Boyd, CBE, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, DSO, RN) and HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, DSO and Bar, RAN) departed Port Sudan to fly off the embarked RAF Hurricanes to Java, Netherlands East Indies. Due to the fall of Java the plan was later changed and the Hurricanes were flown off to Ceylon in the end.

Around 0430CD/1, the destroyers parted company to fuel at Aden. They returned around 1310CD/1.

On 3 March, HMAS Napier was topped off with fuel from HMS Indomitable.

On 4 March, HMAS Nestor was topped off with fuel from HMS Indomitable.

Around 0700F/6, 20 RAF Hurricanes were flown off to Ceylon from a postion west of Colombo. One of these returned due to engine problems and landed back on.

Around 1130F/6, another 16 RAF Hurricanes were flown off to Ceylon.

Around 1640F/6, anther 10 RAF Hurricanes were flown off to Ceylon.

Around 0930F/7, HMS Indomitable, HMAS Napier and HMAS Nestor arrived at Trincomalee. (14)

13 Mar 1942
Around 1450F/13, HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, DSO, RN), HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, DSO and Bar, RAN), HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) and HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) departed Trincomalee for exercises.

They returned to Trincomalee the following morning. During the night a night encounter exercise had been carried out. (15)

16 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, DSO and Bar, RAN) departed Trincomalee for Colombo. (16)

17 Mar 1942
Around 1430F/17, HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, DSO and Bar, RAN) arrived at Colombo from Trincomalee for a docking and maintenance. (17)

21 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, DSO and Bar, RAN) is docked at Colombo. (18)

26 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, DSO and Bar, RAN) is undocked. (18)

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