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Minelayer HMS Welshman (M 84)

24 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) proceeded from the Tyne to Rosyth. (1)

25 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At Rosyth, Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) is accepted for naval service and placed in full commission.

She departed Rosyth at 2200A/25 for Scapa Flow. En-route a minelaying exercise was to be carried out. (2)

26 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0910A/26, Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from Rosyth. At Scapa Flow she was to conduct working up exercises. (2)

14 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0900A/14, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Port ZA (Loch Alsh) where she arrived around 1700A/14. (3)

21 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)

Minelaying operation SN 23C.

Minelaying operation for the laying of a minefield north of the Hebrides.

The fast minelayer HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) departed Port ZA (Loch Alsh) around 2017A/21.

A total of 186 mines were laid between positions 58°57.3'N, 07°06.4'W and 58°40.4'N, 07°00.0'W. Mines were laid at 80, 120 and 160 feet in rotation so this must have been an anti-submarine minefield.

HMS Welshman returned to Port ZA around 1057A/22. This was HMS Welshman's first operational minelay. (4)

26 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0838A/26, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) arrived at Plymouth from minelaying operation JX A.

She departed for Port ZA (Loch Alsh) later the same day. (5)

27 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1547A/27, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) arrived at Port ZA (Loch Alsh) from Plymouth. (6)

3 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1530A/3, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Port ZA (Loch Alsh). (2)

4 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0135A/4, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) arrived at Port ZA (Loch Alsh) from Loch Alsh. She then commenced boiler cleaning. (6)

13 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1730A/13, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) departed Port ZA (Loch Alsh) for Plymouth. (6)

15 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) arrived at Plymouth from Port ZA (Loch Alsh). (1)

16 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)

Minelaying operation HJ 1.

Minelaying operation off Brest, France.

The fast minelayer HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) departed Plymouth around 1346A/16.

After passing Wolf Rock at 1759A/16 she set course for the minelay location at 25 knots in moderate weather conditions.

Minelaying began at 2315A/16 and was compeleted at 0003A/17. A total of 156 mines were laid in groups along a line joining positions;
A) 47°44.6'N, 06°02.2'W.
B) 47°41.7'N, 06°00.4'W.
C) 47°39.9'N, 05°56.5'W.
D) 47°38.5'N, 05°51.9'W.
E) 47°36.3'N, 05°50.6'W.

All mines were set to a depth of six feet, with sprockets fitted to 29 and grapnels to 34. Flooders were set to operate on 26 January 1942.

On completion of the minelay, HMS Welshman set course for Milford Haven where she arrived around 1343A/27. (5)

19 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)

Minelaying operation HJ 2.

Minelaying operation in the Bay of Biscay.

The fast minelayer HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) departed Milford Haven around 1053A/19.

After passing Wolf Rock at 1759A/19 she set course for the minelay location at 26.5 knots in good weather conditions. Shortly afterwards HMS Welshman was attacked by a twin engined monoplane, which approached the ship from astern undetected. Two bombs were seen and heard to explode about half a mile astern, but the aircraft turned away on a reverse course before fire could be opened.

On approaching the initial position a great number of fishing vessels were encountered and this so complicated the situation that it was not possible to lay in the selected position. However between 0053A/20 and 0135A/20, a total of 159 mines were laid in two lines as follows;
A) 100 mines in 10 groups of 10 along a line extending for 6.4 miles in a direction of 13.5° from position 47°00'N, 05°08'W.
B) 59 mines in 90 groups of 6 and 1 group of 5 along a line extending for 3.9 miles in a direction of 344° from position 47°06.8'N, 05°05.8'W.

All mines were set to a depth of six feet, with flooders set to operate on 29 January 1942. Sprockets were fitted to 29 mines and grapnels to 33.

On completion of the minelay, HMS Welshman retired at 30 knots. She arrived at Milford Haven around 1340A/20. (5)

24 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1023A/24, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) departed Milford Haven for Port ZA (Loch Alsh). (7)

25 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0855A/25, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) arrived at Port ZA (Loch Alsh) from Milford Haven. (6)

3 Jan 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0900A/3, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) departed Port ZA (Loch Alsh) for Milford Haven. (8)

4 Jan 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0925A/4, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) arrived at Milford Haven from Port ZA (Loch Alsh). (9)

6 Jan 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1345A/6, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) departed Milford Haven for Gibraltar. On board were stores and personnel. From Gibraltar she is later to continue on to Takoradi. (9)

10 Jan 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0340A/10, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from Milford Haven. (10)

11 Jan 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0910A/11, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) departed Gibraltar for Freetown. (10)

16 Jan 1942
HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) arrived at Freetown from Gibraltar. (1)

17 Jan 1942
HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) departed Freetown for Takoradi. (1)

19 Jan 1942
HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) arrived at Takoradi from Freetown. (1)

20 Jan 1942
HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) departed Takoradi for Freetown. (1)

22 Jan 1942
HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) arrived at Freetown from Takoradi. She departed for Gibraltar later the same day. (1)

27 Jan 1942
Around 2145A/27, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from Freetown. (10)

28 Jan 1942
Around 1900A/28, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) departed Gibraltar for Milford Haven. (10)

1 Feb 1942
Around 0931A/28, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) arrived at Milford Haven from Gibraltar.

She had defective brickwork in one boiler though. (9)

3 Feb 1942
Around 1740A/3, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) departed Milford Haven for Portsmouth where she was required for operations. Repairs to her defective boiler had not yet been made. She arrived at Portsmouth on the 4th. (9)

4 Feb 1942

Minelaying operation NS A.

Minelaying operation off Cap d'Antifer.

The fast minelayer HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) departed Portsmouth for this operation around 1700A/4.

Between 2106A/4 and 2130A/4 a total of 158 mines were laid along a line extending for 5 nautical miles in a direction of 180° from position 49°53.0'N, 00°03.5'E. All mines were set to a depth of six feet with flooders set to operate on 17 March 1942. Sprockets and grapnels were fitted to one mine in five. Fifty mines were laid on Mk. XVIII sinkers, with delayed release for 25 on 7th and 25 on 10th February.

HMS Welshman returned to Portsmouth around midnight during the night of 4/5 February 1942. (11)

5 Feb 1942

Minelaying operation NS B.

Minelaying operation off Dieppe.

The fast minelayer HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) departed Portsmouth for this operation around 1845A/5.

Starting at 2127A/5, a total of 120 mines were laid along a line extending for 5 nautical miles in a direction of 180° from position 50°13.0'N, 00°35.8'E. Contact mines were laid at a depth of six feet and magnetic mines at 18 feet. Delayed releases were set in groups of 20 set to operate on 7th, 9th and 11th February. Sprockets were fitted to 12 mines and grapnels were also fitted to 12 mines.

HMS Welshman returned to Portsmouth around midnight during the night of 5/6 February 1942. (11)

7 Feb 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)

Minelaying operation NS C.

Minelaying operation off Étaples.

The fast minelayer HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) departed Portsmouth for this operation around 1630A/7.

Between 2215A/7 and 2235A/7, a total of 158 mines were laid along a line extending for 4 nautical miles in a direction of 160° from position 50°28.8'N, 01°13.0'E. Contact mines were laid at a depth of six feet and magnetic mines at 18 feet. Delayed releases were set in groups set to operate 7th, 9th and 11th February. Sprockets were fitted to 4 mines and grapnels were also fitted to 4 mines.

HMS Welshman returned to Portsmouth around 0840A/8. (11)

9 Feb 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)

Minelaying operation NS E.

Minelaying operation off Pointe de Barfleur.

The fast minelayer HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) departed Portsmouth for this operation around 1700A/9.

Between 2048A/9 and 2108A/9, a total of 120 mines were laid along a line extending for 6.5 nautical miles in a direction of 202° from position 49°53.6'N, 01°11.9'W. Mines laid at a depth of six feet and flooders set to operate on 22 March 1942. Sprockets and grapnels were fitted to 36 mines. Delayed releases were arranged to occur on 11th, 13th and 15th February.

The operation was without incident but a distant explosion was heard at 2124A/9 which was probably caused by a fault in one of the mines just laid. HMS Welshman proceeded to Milford haven where she arrived around 1250A/10. (12)

12 Feb 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)

Minelaying operation HJ 6.

Minelaying operation off Brest.

The fast minelayer HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) departed Milford Haven for this operation around 1300A/12.

She passed Wolf Rock at 1954A/12 and then set course for the laying area at 28 knots in ideal weather conditions.

Between 0104A/13 and 0137A/13, a total of 158 mines were laid along a line extending for 2 nautical miles in a direction of 135° from position 47°36.6'N, 06°13.4'W and then for 3.8 nautical miles in a direction of 175°, thence for 1.8 nautical miles in a direction of 135°. Mines laid at a depth of six feet and flooders set to operate on 26 March 1942. Sprockets were fitted to 32 mines and grapnels to 27 mines.

The operation was without incident and HMS Welshman returned to Milford around 1345A/13. (12)

16 Feb 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0933A/16, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) departed Milford Haven for Port ZA (Loch Alsh). (9)

17 Feb 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) arrived at Port ZA (Loch Alsh) from Milford Haven. (8)

18 Feb 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) departed Port ZA (Loch Alsh) for the Tyne where she was to be taken in hand for a short refit and repairs to her defective boiler. (8)

19 Feb 1942
HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) arrived in the Tyne from Port ZA (Loch Alsh). She was taken in hand for refit and repairs at the Hawthorn Leslie & Co. shipyard at Hebburn which were also the ships builders. (8)

2 Apr 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) departed the Tyne for Scapa Flow. (1)

3 Apr 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from the Tyne to commence a short post refit work-up programme. (13)

9 Apr 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) proceeded from Scapa Flow to Port ZA (Loch Alsh). (8)

10 Apr 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) departed Port ZA (Loch Alsh) for Milford Haven. (8)

11 Apr 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1113A/11, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) arrived at Milford Haven from Port ZA (Loch Alsh). (9)

13 Apr 1942

Minelaying operation HM 1.

Minelaying operation in the Bay of Biscay.

The fast minelayer HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) departed Milford Haven for this operation around 1400A/13. The weather was suitable for the necessary high speed run, but there had been patches of fog on the English coast which had caused some delay and she only passed Wolf Rock around 2126A/13. Speed was then increased to 30 knots.

Between 0504A/14 and 0534A/14, a total of 160 mines were laid spaced evenly in groups of 10 along a line extending for 8 nautical miles in a direction of 130° from position 46°29.5'N, 04°25.5'W. Contact mines laid at a depth of 6 feet and magnetic mines at 18 feet. Sprockets were fitted to 15 contact mines and grapnels to 14 contact mines.

On completion of the lay, HMS Welshman retired to the north-west at 34 knots and maintained that speed until 1300A/14 when it was reduced to 24 knots and course was altered towards Fastnet Rock where she would arrive at 2240A/14. She arrived at Milford Haven around 0855A/15. (12)

16 Apr 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)

Minelaying operation HM 2.

Minelaying operation on the north coast of Brittany.

The fast minelayer HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) departed Milford Haven for this operation around 1400A/16. She passed the Lizard at 2300A/16. The run to the laying position was made at 25 knots in good weather.

Between 0225A/16 and 0240A/16, a total of 160 mines were laid in two lines of 80 mines as follows;
A) Between positions 48°54.8'N, 03°54.8'W and 48°51.5'N, 03°51.3'W.
B) Between positions 48°51.6'N, 03°50.7'W and 48°55.2'N, 03°51.6'W.

All mines were laid at a depth of 6 feet with flooders set to operate on 27 May 1942. Delayed release was arranged in groups of 40 mines for 17th April, 24th April, 4th May and 17th May.

On completion of the lay, HMS Welshman returned to Milford Haven where she arrived around 1345A/17. (12)

18 Apr 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1551A/18, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) departed Milford Haven [Destination currently not known to us].

She returned to Milford Haven around 1934A/18. (9)

19 Apr 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)

Minelaying operation HM 3.

Minelaying operation off Ile Vierge, France.

The fast minelayer HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) departed Milford Haven for this operation around 1440A/19.

In the early hours of the 20th, a total of 160 mines were laid within an area enclosed by lines joining positions;
A) 48°37'N, 04°50'W.
B) 48°40'N, 04°50'W.
C) 48°40'N, 04°43'W.
D) 48°37'N, 04°43'W.

All mines were set to flood on 31 May 1942. Contact mines were laid at a depth of 6 feet and magnetic mines were laid at 18 feet. with flooders set to operate on 27 May 1942. Sprockets and grapnels were set to one on five of the contact mines

On completion of the lay, HMS Welshman returned to Milford Haven where she arrived around 1147A/20. (12)

20 Apr 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2030A/20, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) departed Milford Haven for Port ZA (Loch Alsh). (9)

21 Apr 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) arrived at Port ZA (Loch Alsh) from Milford Haven. (8)

23 Apr 1942
HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) departed Port ZA (Loch Alsh) for Plymouth. (8)

24 Apr 1942
Around 0921A/24, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) arrived at Plymouth from Port ZA (Loch Alsh). She was then taken in hand for some modifications to run stores and petrol. (14)

1 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1600A/1, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) departed Plymouth for Gibraltar. She was carrying stores, ammunition and personnel for Malta. (15)

4 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
A.M. on this day, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from Plymouth. She was then embarked 7 ton of smoke containers. (15)

8 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0200A/8, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) departed Gibraltar for Malta. The ship was disguised as a French destroyer. (15)

9 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1000B/9, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN), which was disguised as a French destroyer, was closedly examined by a German Ju.88 aircraft. Later another aircraft carried out another examination but from greater range. Fire was not opened on the enemy and she was not attacked herself. (16)

10 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0525B/10, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) arrived at Malta. She moored in No.3 graving dock around 0630B/10 and the stores and ammunition were then disembarked.

While doing so three heavy air raids took place. A smoke screen, heavy AA fire and a powerful fighter protection prevented more then near missed being received. The resulting damage was slight. One rating was killed and some were wounded.

HMS Welshman left the dock around 1830B/10 and then left Malta to return to Gibraltar. On board were 143 passengers. (17)

11 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
While passing south of Sardinia during daylight, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) was again spotted by German Ju.88 aircraft but she was not attacked. (15)

12 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1900B/12, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from Malta. (15)

13 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1030B/13, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) departed Gibraltar for Milford Haven. (15)

16 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1653A/16, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) arrived at Milford Haven from Gibraltar. (9)

18 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1827A/18, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) departed Milford Haven for the Clyde. (9)

19 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) arrived at Greenock from Milford Haven. She was taken in hand for repairs and docking at Glasgow (at the Yarrows Shipyard at Scotstoun) on the 20th. Repairs were completed on the 26th. (8)

28 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) departed Greenock for Gibraltar. On board were 20 Spitfire engines, smoke containers, ammunition and RAF personnel. (18)

2 Jun 1942
Around 0145B/2, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from the Clyde. On arrival she collided with the boom and the tug HMRT Salvonia.

HMS Welshman sustained damage to her bow for which she had to be docked.

It had been intended that HMS Welshman's passagee to Malta was to be part of Operation Style. But due to the damage sustained HMS Welshman could not stream her paravanes at high speed. The Admiralty considered transferring her stores to the tanker Kentucky (American, 9308 GRT, built 1942), but eventually decided that HMS Welshman was to take part in Operation Harpoon, a proportion of her stores being transferred to the Kentucky and the minesweepers minesweepers HMS Hebe (Lt.Cdr. G. Mowatt, RD, RN), HMS Speedy (Lt. J.G. Brookes, RN), HMS Rye (Lt. J.A. Pearson, DSC, RN), HMS Hythe (Lt.Cdr. L.B. Miller, RN). (19)

18 Jun 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1800B/18, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from Operations. (19)

20 Jun 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2230B/20, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) departed Gibraltar for Milford Haven. (19)

24 Jun 1942
Around 0453B/24, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) arrived at Milford Haven from Gibraltar. (9)

25 Jun 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1000B/25, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) departed Milford Haven for the Clyde where he arrived later the same day. She was then taken in hand for repairs and boiler cleaning. (20)

9 Jul 1942
Around 2030B/9, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) departed Greenock for Gibraltar. On board were personnel, stores (mainly edible oils, powdered milk and vitamine concentrates) and kerosine for Malta. (15)

14 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0040B/14, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from Greenock. After refuelling in the Bay she left for Malta around 0500B/14. (15)

15 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
After probably having been reported by enemy air reconnaissance at 1323B/15, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) was attacked later that day by 28 enemy aircraft including high level S.79 bombers and dive bombing JU.87's and Ju.88's. There were several near misses and one bomb exploded under the keel but no damage was sustained. (15)

16 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0600B/16, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) arrived at Malta from Gibraltar. Stores were then unloaded during which no air attacks took place. (15)

18 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
After having been delayed to sail due to bad weather, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) departed Malta around 1950B/18 for Gibraltar. (15)

19 Jul 1942
At 0920B/19, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) was reported by enemy air reconnaissance. An attack by 5 JU.88's and 15 SM torpedo bombers followed around 1415B/19. Two very near misses from bombs and a very close near miss ahead of a torpedo were sustained. There were no casualties and only some minor damage was sustained which did not affect her steaming. (15)

20 Jul 1942
Around 1430B/20, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from Malta. (15)

22 Jul 1942
Around 1000B/22, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) departed Gibraltar for Milford Haven. (15)

25 Jul 1942
Around 0945B/25, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) arrived at Milford Haven from Gibraltar. (9)

26 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2001B/26, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) departed Milford Haven for Port ZA (Loch Alsh). (9)

27 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) arrived at Port ZA (Loch Alsh) from Milford Haven. (8)

28 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) departed Port ZA (Loch Alsh) for the Tyne where she is to be taken in hand for repairs and refit at the Hawthorn Leslie & Co. shipyard at Hebburn. (8)

29 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) arrived in the Tyne from Port ZA (Loch Alsh). (8)

14 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) departed the Tyne for Scapa Flow. (13)

15 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from the Tyne. She now commenced a short post refit work-up programme. (13)

27 Oct 1942
Around 1730A/27, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Port ZA (Loch Alsh). (13)

28 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) arrived at Port ZA (Loch Alsh) from Scapa Flow. She left for Plymouth later the same day. (8)

30 Oct 1942
Around 0800A/30, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) arrived at Plymouth from Port ZA (Loch Alsh). (21)

1 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) departed Plymouth for Gibraltar.

5 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0845A/5, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from Plymouth. (15)

12 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) departed Gibraltar for Casablanca where she arrived later the same day. On board were T/R.Adm. B.H. Bieri, USN and members of General Eisenhowers staff which had to attend a conference.

HMS Welshman and her passengers left Casablanca again early on the 13th to return to Gibraltar where they arrived later the same day. (15)

14 Nov 1942
HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) departed Gibraltar for Algiers. (22)

15 Nov 1942
Around 0900A/15, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) arrived at Algiers from Gibraltar.

She then left for Malta carrying foodstuffs around 1300A/15 but had to turn back due to unsuitable weather conditions. (23)

16 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1030A/16, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) arrived back at Gibraltar. (24)

17 Nov 1942
HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) departed Algiers for Malta with a cargo off foodstuffs on board. (25)

18 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0945A/18, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) arrived at Malta from Algiers. (25)

27 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) departed Malta for Alexandria. (26)

29 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0845B/29, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) arrived at Alexandria from Malta.

Around 1615B/29, she departed Alexandria for Haifa. (27)

30 Nov 1942
HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) arrived Haifa from Alexandria. She then loaded torpedoes and stores for Malta. (28)

1 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) departed Haifa for Alexandria. (1)

2 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0650B/2, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) arrived at Alexandria from Malta.

Around 1640B/2, she departed Alexandria for Malta. (29)

4 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) arrived at Malta from Alexandria. She was swept in by HMS Hythe (Lt.Cdr. L.B. Miller, RN). (26)

5 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) and HMS Paladin (Cdr. A.F. Pugsley, RN) departed Malta for Alexandria. (26)

7 Dec 1942
Around 1055B/7, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) and HMS Paladin (Cdr. A.F. Pugsley, RN) arrived at Alexandria from Malta. She was then taken in hand to make her ready for minelaying duties. (26)

19 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1700B/19, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) departed Alexandria for Haifa. (30)

20 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) arrived at Haifa from Alexandria. At Haifa minelaying exercises were carried out. (28)

22 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) departed Haifa for Alexandria. (28)

23 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0705B/23, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) arrived at Alexandria from Haifa. (31)

27 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1700B/27, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) departed Alexandria for Malta. On board were personnel and MTB spare gear for Bone and a small quantity of stores for Malta. (30)

29 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) arrived at Malta from Alexandria. (30)

31 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) departed Malta for Bone. (32)

1 Jan 1943
Around 0925A/1, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) arrived at Bone from Malta.

She departed for Algiers later the same day. (33)

2 Jan 1943
Around 0740A/2, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) arrived at Algiers from Bone. (32)

3 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0715A/3, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) departed Algiers for Malta. She was attacked by enemy torpedo bombers later this day. A torpedo narrowly missed ahead. (34)

4 Jan 1943
Around 0940A/4, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) arrived at Malta from Algiers. At Malta she loaded all mines that remained in the depot. (35)

9 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1720A/9, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) departed Malta for Alexandria. (36)

11 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0820B/11, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) arrived at Alexandria from Malta. (37)

16 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1430B/16, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) departed Alexandria for Beirut from where troop transport runs to Famagusta were to be undertaken. (37)

17 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) arrived at Beirut. She departed for and arrived at Famagusta later the same day. (32)

18 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) arrived at Famagusta from Beirut. She returned to Beirut later the same day for another transport run and arrived back at Famagusta later the same day. (32)

19 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) departed Famagusta for Beirut from where she returned to Famagusta later the same day. (32)

20 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) departed Famagusta for Beirut from where she returned to Famagusta later the same day. (32)

21 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) departed Famagusta for Beirut from where she returned to Famagusta later the same day. (32)

22 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) departed Famagusta for Beirut from where she returned to Famagusta later the same day. (32)

23 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) departed Famagusta for Haifa where she arrived around 0900B/23. At Haifa she was to embark an outfit of mines. (38)

25 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) departed Haifa for Alexandria. (38)

26 Jan 1943
Around 0810B/26, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) arrived at Alexandria from Haifa.

Around 1610B/26, she departed Alexandria for Malta. (39)

28 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1500A/28, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) arrived at Malta from Alexandria. (40)

30 Jan 1943

Minelaying operation off Skerki Bank.

The fast minelayer HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) departed Malta around 1500A/30 to lay a minefield off the Skerki Bank.

Commencing at 2343A/30 a total of 158 mines were laid at a depth of 10 feet along a line extending for 6.0 nautical miles in a direction of 310° from position 37°19'N, 10°40'E. Flooders were set to operate on 12 March 1943.

On completion of the lay, HMS Welshman returned to Malta where she arrived around 0820A/31 in company with the destroyers HMS Nubian (Cdr. D.E. Holland-Martin, DSC, RN) and HMS Paladin (Lt.Cdr. L.St.G. Rich, RN) which had departed Malta around 1800A/31 to give cover for the minelayer.

The Italian corvette Procellaria was sunk on 31 January 1943 after hitting one of these mines.

The Italian torpedo boat Generale Marcello Prestinari sailed from Bizerte at 1500B/31 with orders to assist the mined corvette Procellaria, but was mined herself at 1630A/31, 18 nautical miles bearing 137° from Ile de Cani also after hitting a mine of the field laid by HMS Welshman, she went down in about one hour. (5)

31 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1700A/31, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) departed Malta for Alexandria where she was to embark a new outfit of mines. (5)

1 Feb 1943
Around 1700B/1, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, RN) passed Tobruk and she continued on her ordered route to Alexandria at 25 knots carrying out zig-zag pattern No.8 about a mean course of 085°. The sea was calm with, with light airs from the north-west and an overcast sky.

Nautical twilight ended at 1840B/1 and two minutes later, when in position 32°12'N, 24°52'E, three explosions occurred aft. (It is thought only one torpedo hit the ship). At that moment HMS Welshman was halfway through a four minute leg on the mean course. Both engines stopped and the ship swung to the northward, loosing headway with a list of five degrees to starboard. Almost immediately, Capt. Friedberger, who was on the bridge, received a report that, although both shafts were out of action, the boilers were intact and lighting and power were available. He signalled for assistance at 1845B/1 and amplified this short message at 1915B/1 reporting that the ship had been torpedoed by an enemy submarine. Just before 2000B/1, a signal was received from the escort destroyer HMS Tetcott (Lt.Cdr. H.R. Rycroft, RN) that she was coming to assist HMS Welshman and expected to arrive around 0030B/2.

Meanwhile a small fire aft had been extinguished and damage control work proceeded. Extensive damage had been done abaft No.150 station and all compartments aft of this station had been flooded. There were also large rents in the mining and upper decks. An attempt was made to establish a flooding boundary at No.150 station above the lower deck, but the bulkhead was damaged and, despite shoring and plugging, water continued to enter the wardroom flat forward of it. In a calm sea there was little motion on the ship to give warning of instability and no one aboard was in any doubt as to the ships safety, but the boats had been turned out, carley floats, rafts and floatanets freed and the depth charges set to safe, while preparations were made to tow forward. As the ship settled aft, almost imperceptibly, a small amount of water appeared on the mining deck and the portable pumps were transferred there from the wardroom flat, as the Engineer Officer appreciated the danger of this new situation. The pumps seemed to be competing satisfactorily, but at 2035B/1 the ship took a sudden increased list to starboard, which continued without pause until she was on her beam end, and she sank by the stern within three minutes. A depth charge exploded before the ship sank, probably killing many men in the water.

No boats had been lowered, due to the false sense of security felt onboard, but Carley Floats, rafts and floatanets were soon filled and the occupants kept up their spirits by singing while they waited for the arrival of the rescue craft. HMS Tetcott and her near sister ship HMS Belvoir (Lt. J.F.D. Bush, DSC and Bar, RN) were sighted at 0020B/2. The survivors were then picked up and taken to Alexandria where it was found that more then half the crew and passengers had been lost. A total of 9 officers, 144 ratings and 2 civilian passengers had been lost. 6 officers and 112 ratings had been picked up. Small craft from Tobruk rescued another 6 survivors.

The attack was made by the German submarine U-617 which had identified the ship as a Dido-class light cruiser. The Germans were under the impression that the ship had sunk immediately following the attack. (41)

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