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Notable events involving Danae include:

25 Aug 1939
Around 1015A/25, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) departed Portsmouth for Gibraltar. (1)

28 Aug 1939
Around 0815A/28, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from Portsmouth.

After having fuelled she departed Gibraltar for Freetown around 1700A/28. (1)

2 Sep 1939
Around 0800N/2, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) arrived at Freetown from Gibraltar. (2)

3 Sep 1939
Around 0115N/3, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) departed Freetown for Simonstown. (2)

13 Sep 1939
Around 0845B/13, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) arrived at Simonstown from Freetown. (2)

14 Sep 1939
Around 1630B/14, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) departed Simonstown for patrol / exercises. She is ordered to patrol west of the Cape of Good Hope. (2)

15 Sep 1939
Around 2020B/15, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) returned to Simonstown from patrol / exercises. (2)

18 Sep 1939
Around 1830B/18, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) departed Simonstown for patrol. She is ordered to patrol off the west coast of South Africa. (2)

21 Sep 1939
Around 1115B/21, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) arrived at Simonstown from patrol. (2)

25 Sep 1939
HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) conducted gunnery exercises in False Bay. (2)

28 Sep 1939
Around 0800B/28, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) departed Simonstown for Walvis Bay. (2)

30 Sep 1939
Around 1115B/30, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) arrived at Walvis Bay from Simonstown.

Around 1610B/30, she departed Walvis Bay for patrol. (2)

3 Oct 1939
Around 1430B/3, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) arrived at Simonstown from patrol. (3)

9 Oct 1939
Around 1145B/9, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) departed Simonstown for patrol. She is ordered to patrol west of the Cape of Good Hope. (3)

10 Oct 1939
Around 1800B/10, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) arrived at Capetown from patrol. (3)

11 Oct 1939
Around 0815B/11, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) departed Capetown.

Around 1530B/11, she took over the escort of the liner / troop transport Strathaird (British, 22281 GRT, built 1932). This ship had been escorted out of Capetown by HMS Auckland (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN).

HMS Danae was to escort the Strathaird to Lagos. (3)

18 Oct 1939
Around 0940A/18, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) and the liner / troop transport Strathaird (British, 22281 GRT, built 1932) arrived at Lagos from Capetown.

HMS Danae then fuelled from the RFA tanker Oligarch (6894 GRT, built 1918) before departing again around 1700A/18 now escorting the liner / troop transport Athlone Castle (British, 25564 GRT, built 1936) to Capetown via St. Helena. (3)

22 Oct 1939
Around 1100A/22, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) and the liner / troop transport Athlone Castle (British, 25564 GRT, built 1936) arrived at St. Helena from Lagos.

The troopship then landed the new garrison and embarked the majority of the old garrison.

Around 1915A/22, they departed St. Helena for Capetown. (3)

28 Oct 1939
Around 0545A/22, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) and the liner / troop transport Athlone Castle (British, 25564 GRT, built 1936) arrived off Capetown. HMS Auckland (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) which was on A/S patrol off Capetown then took over the escort and escorted the liner / troop transport into harbour before resuming her patrol.

HMS Danae proceeded to Simonstown where she arrived around 1110A/28. (4)

2 Nov 1939
Around 1600B/2, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) departed Simonstown for Hong Kong via Mauritius, Colombo and Singapore. She is to join the China Station. (5)

10 Nov 1939
Around 0700D/10, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) arrived at Mauritius from Simonstown. She departed for Colombo around 1630D/10 having fuelled from the RFA tanker Olcades (6891 GRT, built 1918). (6)

14 Nov 1939
Around 0815E/14, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) anchored at Diego Garcia. She left again around 1220E/14 to continue her passage to Colombo. (6)

18 Nov 1939
Around 1100EF/18, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) arrived at Colombo from Mauritius. (6)

22 Nov 1939
Around 1545EF/22, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) departed Colombo for Singapore. (6)

27 Nov 1939
Around 1015GH/27, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) arrived at Singapore from Colombo. (6)

29 Nov 1939
Around 0930GH/29, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) departed Singapore for Hong Kong. (6)

4 Dec 1939
Around 1050H/4, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) arrived at Hong Kong from Singapore. At Hong Kong she is to refit. (7)

7 Dec 1939
On completion of de-ammunitioning and de-fuelling, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) is taken in hand for refit at the Hong Kong Dockyard. This refits main purpose was the re-tubing of the ships boilers. (7)

21 Dec 1939
At Hong Kong, Admiral P.L.H. Noble, KCB, CVO, RN (C-in-C, China Station) transferred his flag from HMS Liverpool (Capt. P.A. Read, RN) to HMS Danae (Cdr. F.J. Butler, RN). (7)

30 Dec 1939
HMS Birmingham (Capt. E.J.P. Brind, RN) is undocked at Hong Kong.

Admiral P.L.H. Noble, KCB, CVO, RN (C-in-C, China Station) then transferred his flag from HMS Danae (Cdr. F.J. Butler, RN) to HMS Birmingham. (8)

3 Jan 1940
At Hong Kong, Admiral P.L.H. Noble, KCB, CVO, RN (C-in-C, China Station) transferred his flag from HMS Birmingham (Capt. E.J.P. Brind, RN) to HMS Danae (Cdr. F.J. Butler, RN). (9)

13 Jan 1940
Admiral P.L.H. Noble, KCB, CVO, RN (C-in-C, China Station) struck his flag on board HMS Danae (Cdr. F.J. Butler, RN) transferring it to HMS Liverpool (Capt. P.A. Read, RN). (9)

16 Jan 1940
At Hong Kong, Admiral P.L.H. Noble, KCB, CVO, RN (C-in-C, China Station) transferred his flag from HMS Liverpool (Capt. P.A. Read, RN) to HMS Danae (Cdr. F.J. Butler, RN). (9)

7 Feb 1940
At Hong Kong, Admiral P.L.H. Noble, KCB, CVO, RN (C-in-C, China Station) struck his flag on board HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) transferring it to HMS Liverpool (Capt. P.A. Read, RN). (10)

15 Feb 1940
HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) is docked at the Hong Kong & Whampoa Dock Co. Ltd. Shipyard. (10)

18 Feb 1940
HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) is undocked. (10)

26 Feb 1940
with her refit completed, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) conducted full power trials off Hong Kong. (10)

27 Feb 1940
HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) and HMS Scout (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Holmes, RN) conducted exercises off Hong Kong.

HMS Danae also carried out D/F calibration trials. (10)

28 Feb 1940
HMS Liverpool (Capt. P.A. Read, RN, flying the flag of Admiral P.L.H. Noble, KCB, CVO, RN (C-in-C, China Station)), HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN), HMS Scout (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Holmes, RN) and HMS Proteus (Lt.Cdr. R.T. Gordon-Duff, RN) all conducted exercises off Hong Kong. (11)

29 Feb 1940
HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) conducted gunnery, torpedo firing and night encounter exercises off Hong Kong. HMS Scout (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Holmes, RN) was with her during these exercises. (10)

1 Mar 1940
HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) conducted torpedo firing exercises off Hong Kong. (12)

3 Mar 1940
At Hong Kong, Admiral P.L.H. Noble, KCB, CVO, RN (C-in-C, China Station) struck his flag on board HMS Liverpool (Capt. P.A. Read, RN) transferring it to HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN). (12)

4 Mar 1940
HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN, flying the flag of Admiral P.L.H. Noble, KCB, CVO, RN (C-in-C, China Station)) conducted exercises off Hong Kong. (12)

6 Mar 1940
HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN, flying the flag of Admiral P.L.H. Noble, KCB, CVO, RN (C-in-C, China Station)) conducted exercises off Hong Kong. (12)

8 Mar 1940
HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) conducted exercises off Hong Kong. These included gunnery and torpedo firing exercises. During the torpedo firing exercises HMS Thanet (Lt.Cdr. J. Mowlam, RN) acted as target.

On completion of these exercises, HMS Danae departed Hong Kong for Singapore via Jesselton, Borneo (now called Kota Kinabalu).

[Though not listed in the ships log, Admiral P.L.H. Noble, KCB, CVO, RN (C-in-C, China Station) must have stuck his flag on board HMS Danae before departure.] (12)

12 Mar 1940
Around 0930H/12, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) arrived at Jesselton from Hong Kong. (12)

14 Mar 1940
Around 0800H/14, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) departed Jesselton for Singapore. (12)

16 Mar 1940
Around 1000GH/16, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) arrived at Singapore from Jesselton. (12)

21 Mar 1940
Around 1400GH/21, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) departed Singapore for patrol. She is to patrol near Surabaya, Java, Netherlands East Indies. (12)

29 Mar 1940
In the early morning hours, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) fuelled from the RFA tanker Pearleaf (5911 GRT, built 1917). (12)

5 Apr 1940
Around noon, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) fuelled from the RFA tanker Pearleaf (5911 GRT, built 1917). (13)

7 Apr 1940
HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) relieved HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) on patrol off Surabaya, Netherlands East Indies. (14)

9 Apr 1940
Around 1200GH/9, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) arrived at Singapore from patrol. (13)

11 Apr 1940
HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) departed Singapore to patrol off Padang, Sumatra, Netherlands East Indies. (13)

13 Apr 1940
In the early evening, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) fuelled from the tanker Pearleaf (5911 GRT, built 1917). (13)

17 Apr 1940
Shortly after 0400GH/17, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) intercepted and captured the Danish merchant vessel Chilean Reefer (British, 1739 GRT, built 1936) south-west of Padang, Sumatra, Netherlands East Indies, in position 01°30'S, 100°11'E.

The captured ship was sent to Singapore with a prize crew. (13)

19 Apr 1940
In the morning, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) fuelled from the RFA tanker Appleleaf (5891 GRT, built 1917). (13)

21 Apr 1940
HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) is relieved on patrol near Padang, Sumatra, Netherlands East Indies, by HMS Durban (Capt. L.S. Saunders, RN).

HMS Danae then set course to proceed to Penang. (13)

23 Apr 1940
Around 1345GH/23, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) arrived at Penang from patrol. (13)

27 Apr 1940
Around 1100GH/27, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) departed Penang for a patrol off Sabang, Sumatra, Netherlands East Indies. (13)

6 May 1940
Around 2230GH/4, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) returned to Penang from patrol. (15)

9 May 1940
Around 2230GH/4, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) departed Penang to patrol near Padang, Sumatra, Netherlands East Indies. (15)

12 May 1940
Around noon, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) fuelled from the RFA tanker Appleleaf (5891 GRT, built 1917). (15)

15 May 1940
Around 1100GH/15, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) arrived at Singapore from patrol. (15)

23 May 1940
During 23/24 May 1940, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN), HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN), HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) and HMS Colombo (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore. (16)

28 May 1940
HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN), HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) and HMS Colombo (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore. (17)

30 May 1940
Around 1545GH/30, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) departed Singapore for Cocos Island. (15)

4 Jun 1940
Around 0830FG/4, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) arrived at Direction Island, Cocos Islands. (18)

7 Jun 1940
Around 1300FG/7, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) departed the Cocos Islands for Penang. (18)

11 Jun 1940
Around 2010GH/11, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) arrived at Penang from the Cocos Islands. (18)

13 Jun 1940
Around 0040GH/13, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) departed Penang to patrol in the northern entrance to the Malacca Straits. (18)

19 Jun 1940
Around 1725GH/19, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) returned to Penang from patrol. (18)

22 Jun 1940
Around 2300GH/22, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) departed Penang for patrol. She is to patrol to the north of Sabang. (18)

30 Jun 1940
Around 1130GH/30, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) arrived at Singapore from patrol. (18)

9 Jul 1940
HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) and HMS Dauntless (Capt. G.D. Moore, RAN) conducted exercises off Singapore. (19)

10 Jul 1940
HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) and HMS Dauntless (Capt. G.D. Moore, RAN), HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr. R. Alexander, RN), HMS Grasshopper (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Aldworth, RN) and HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) all conducted exercises off Singapore. (20)

15 Jul 1940
HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) and HMS Dauntless (Capt. G.D. Moore, RAN) and HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr. R. Alexander, RN) all conducted exercises (with each other) off Singapore.

On completion of the exercises HMS Danae proceeded on patrol along the east coast of Malaya while also making some port visits. (19)

20 Jul 1940
Around 1830GH/20, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) arrived at Singapore from patrol. (21)

21 Jul 1940
Around 1100GH/21, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) departed Singapore to patrol in the northern entrance to the Malacca Straits. (21)

23 Jul 1940
HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) is ordered to patrol to the west of northern Sumatra as en enemy raider may possibly be operating in that area. (21)

26 Jul 1940
Around 0800GH/26, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) arrived at Penang from patrol. (21)

31 Jul 1940
Around 2030GH/31, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) departed Penang for escort duties

Around 0715GH/31, in approximate position 04°45'N, 98°25'E she joined the troop transport Orontes (British, 20097 GRT, built 1929) coming from Singapore.

They arrived at Colombo around 0715EF/4. (22)

5 Aug 1940
Around 0900EF/5, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) departed Colombo for Penang. Shortly after departure she was ordered to proceed to Singapore instead. (23)

9 Aug 1940
Around 1715GH/9, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) arrived at Singapore from Colombo. (23)

11 Aug 1940
Around 1700GH/11, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) departed Singapore for Hong Kong. (23)

15 Aug 1940
Around 1025H/15, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) arrived at Hong Kong from Singapore. (23)

19 Aug 1940
Around 0900H/19, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) departed Hong Kong for the Yangtze estuary. She is to provide cover for the transport of troops from northern China. (24)

30 Aug 1940
Around 0740H/30, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) returned to Singapore from patrol.

She is docked later the same day. (23)

4 Sep 1940
HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) is undocked. (25)

9 Sep 1940
HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Hong Kong. (25)

10 Sep 1940
HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Hong Kong. These were followed by night encounter exercises with HMS Scout (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Holmes, RN). (25)

11 Sep 1940
HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) and HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) conducted exercises off Hong Kong. (26)

12 Sep 1940
HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) and HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) conducted exercises off Hong Kong. (26)

16 Sep 1940
Around 1400H/16, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) departed Hong Kong for Singapore. (25)

20 Sep 1940
Around 1545GH/20, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) arrived at Singapore from Hong Kong. (25)

24 Sep 1940
Around 0900GH/24, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) departed Singapore for Penang. (25)

25 Sep 1940
Around 1345GH/25, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) arrived at Penang from Singapore. (25)

13 Oct 1940
Around 1015GH/13, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) departed Penang for patrol. She is ordered to patrol to the west of northern Sumatra. (27)

19 Oct 1940
Around 1140GH/19, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) returned to Penang from patrol. (27)

20 Oct 1940

Convoy BM 2.

This convoy departed Bombay on 20 October 1940.

It was made up of the following transports; Dunera (British, 11162 GRT, built 1937, 1129 troops), Islami (British, 5879 GRT, built 1934, 913 troops), Jalamohan (British, 5100 GRT, built 1925), Santhia (British, 7754 GRT, built 1925, 1033 troops) and Talma (British, 10000 GRT, built 1923, 1050 troops).

On departure from Bombay the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Hector (Capt.(Retd.) R.W.M. Lloyd, DSO, RN).

Around 0430F/26, the light cruiser HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) joined the convoy in approximate position 05°00'N, 85°00'E.

Around 1330F/28,HMS Hector was detached to return to Bombay.

The convoy arrived at Penang on 30 October 1940 minus the Talma which had parted company off Penang and arrived at Singapore on 1 November. She had been escorted from the vicinity of Penang to Singapore by the destroyer HMS Tenedos (Lt.Cdr. J.O'B. Milner-Barry, RN). (28)

23 Oct 1940
Around 0615GH/23, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) departed Penang for escort duty with convoy BM 2 coming from Bombay.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy BM 2 ' for 20 October 1940.] (27)

29 Oct 1940

Convoy BM 3.

This convoy departed Bombay on 29 October 1940.

It was made up of the following transports; Amra (British, 8314 GRT, built 1938, 940 troops and stores), Devonshire (British, 11275 GRT, built 1939, 1320 troops and stores), El Madina (British, 3962 GRT, built 1937, 937 troops and stores), Hosang (British, 5698 GRT, built 1922, 675 troops and stores) and Karoa (British, 7009 GRT, built 1915, 799 troops and stores).

On departure from Bombay the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMAS Westralia (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, RAN).

Around 0735F/4, the light cruiser HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) joined the convoy in approximate position 05°15'N, 81°45'E.

Around 0600G/8, HMS Westralia parted company.

The convoy arrived at Singapore on 11 November 1940. (29)

30 Oct 1940
Around 0730GH/30, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) arrived at Penang with convoy BM 2. (27)

31 Oct 1940
Around 1530GH/31, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) departed Penang for convoy escort duties. (27)

11 Nov 1940
Around 1200GH/11, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) arrived at Singapore with convoy BM 3. (30)

19 Nov 1940
Around 1000GH/19, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) departed Singapore for Hong Kong. (30)

23 Nov 1940
Around 1200H/23, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) arrived at Hong Kong from Singapore. (30)

25 Nov 1940
HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) is docked at the Hong Kong Dockyard. (30)

28 Nov 1940
HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) is undocked. (30)

9 Dec 1940
HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Hong Kong. Also night encounter exercises were carried out with HMS Thanet (Lt.Cdr. J. Mowlam, RN). (31)

10 Dec 1940
HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) conducted gunnery and torpedo firing exercises off Hong Kong. Also range and inclination exercises were carried out during which HMS Thanet (Lt.Cdr. J. Mowlam, RN) acted as target. (31)

11 Dec 1940
HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Hong Kong (6" throw off shoot) during which HMS Thanet (Lt.Cdr. J. Mowlam, RN) acted as target. (31)

2 Jan 1941
Around 1000H/2, HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) departed Hong Kong for Singapore. (32)

5 Jan 1941
Around 1700GH/5, HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) arrived at Singapore from Hong Kong. (32)

8 Jan 1941
On completion of de-ammunitioning and de-fuelling, HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) is taken in hand for a short refit at the Singapore Dockyard. (32)

11 Feb 1941
HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) conducted basin trials at the Singapore Dockyard. (33)

14 Feb 1941
HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) conducted post refit trials and gunnery exercises off Singapore. (33)

3 Mar 1941
HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) conducted D/F calibration trials at Singapore. Also torpedo firing exercises were carried out during which HMS Tenedos (Lt.Cdr. J.O'B. Milner-Barry, RN) acted as target. (33)

6 Mar 1941
HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore. (33)

11 Mar 1941
Around 1600GH/11, HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) departed Singapore to patrol along the east coast of Malaya while also making some port visits. (33)

19 Mar 1941
Around 1600GH/19, HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) returned to Singapore from patrol. (33)

20 Mar 1941
Around 1600GH/20, HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) departed Singapore for Penang. (33)

21 Mar 1941
Around 1730GH/21, HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) arrived at Penang from Singapore. (33)

23 Mar 1941
Around 1700GH/23, HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) departed Penang for escort duty.

Around 1100GH/24, in approximate position 06°10'N, 96°00'E she joined the troop transport Empress of Japan (British, 26032 GRT, built 1930) coming from Singapore.

Around 2000EF/25, to the east-south-east of Ceylon, in position 05°32'N, 84°53'E, they parted company and HMS Danae set course to return to Penang. (34)

29 Mar 1941
Around 0830GH/29, HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) arrived at Penang from escort duty. (35)

9 Apr 1941
Around 0820GH/9, HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) departed Penang for convoy escort duty with convoy BM 6.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy BM 6 ' for 11 April 1941.] (36)

11 Apr 1941

Convoy BM 6.

This convoy departed Madras on 11 April 1941.

This convoy was made up of the following (troop) transports; Devonshire (British, 11275 GRT, built 1939), Neuralia (British, 9182 GRT, built 1912), Santhia (British, 7754 GRT, built 1925) and Talma (British, 10000 GRT, built 1923). These ships carried a total of 4516 troops.

On departure from Madras they were escorted by the light cruiser HMS Leander (from the New Zealand Division) (Capt. R.H. Bevan, RN).

Around 1200FG/12, in position 13°16'N, 84°52'E, the light cruiser HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) took over the escort.

The convoy arrived at Penang on 16 April 1941. (37)

16 Apr 1941
Around 1430GH/16, HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) arrived at Penang with convoy BM 6. (36)

27 Apr 1941
Around 1100GH/27, the British troopship Aquitania departed Singapore for Colombo. She had on board New Zealand troops for the Middle East (Suez). She was being escorted by the light cruiser HMS Dauntless (Capt. G.D. Moore, RAN) until 1455GH/28 when HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) took over. HMS Danae had departed Penang around 0600GH/28.

HMS Dauntless then proceeded to Penang arriving there around 0800GH/29.

Aquitania and HMS Danae arrived at Colombo around 0930EF/1. (38)

6 May 1941
Around 1030EF/6, HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) departed Colombo for patrol. She was to patrol between Ceylon and Sumatra.

Around 1730FG/7, she was ordered to return to Colombo as she was required to escort duty.

HMS Danae arrived at Colombo around 1540EF/8. (39)

10 May 1941
Around 1430EF/10, HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) departed Colombo for Singapore. She was escorting the troop transport Duchess of York (British, 20021 GRT, built 1929) which had 2600 troops on board, to Singapore. (39)

14 May 1941
Around 1530GH/14, HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) and the troop transport Duchess of York (British, 20021 GRT, built 1929) arrived at Singapore from Colombo. (39)

24 May 1941
Around 1600GH/24, HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) departed Singapore for patrol in the South China Sea. (40)

30 May 1941
Around 0930GH/30, HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) arrived at Singapore from patrol.

[No logs are available for HMS Danae for the months of June, July and August 1941, therefore some details may be missing for these months.] (40)

3 Jun 1941
HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) departed Singapore to make rendezvous with the (troop) transport Zealandia (Australian, 6660 GRT, built 1910) south of the Sunda Strait.

Rendezvous was effected early in the afternoon of 6 June when HMS Danae relieved the (troop) transport's current escort, HMAS Sydney (Capt. J. Burnett, RAN).

HMS Danae and the Zealandia arrived at Singapore on 9 June 1941. (41)

12 Jun 1941
HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) and the (troop) transport Zealandia (Australian, 6660 GRT, built 1910) departed Singapore.

Around 0800H/17, rendezvous was affected to the south of the Sunda Strait and HMAS Sydney (Capt. J. Burnett, RAN) took over the escort duties from HMS Danae. (41)

20 Jun 1941
HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) arrived at Singapore from escort duty. (42)

27 Jun 1941
HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) departed Singapore for Penang. (42)

28 Jun 1941
HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) arrived at Penang from Singapore. (42)

29 Jun 1941
HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) departed Penang for escort duty. (42)

7 Jul 1941
HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) departed Penang for escort duty.

A.M. on the 9th, in position 10°00'N, 92°30'E, rendezvous was effected with the the (troop) transport Ellenga (British, 5196 GRT, built 1911) coming from Madras. HMS Danae then relieved the transports current escort, HMAS Canberra (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN).

Danae and the Ellenga arrived at Penang on 11 July 1941.

On the 12th, Danae and the Ellenga departed for Port Swettenham (now called Port Klang) where they arrived on the 13th.

HMS Danae then returned to Penang where she arrived on the 14th. (43)

19 Jul 1941
HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) and the (troop) transport Ellenga (British, 5196 GRT, built 1911) departed Penang. The Ellenga is to proceed to Madras. HMS Danae is to escort her as far as 90°00'E.

After having detached the transport, HMS Danae most likely patrolled in the Nicobar Islands area until she was required again for further escort duty. (44)

26 Jul 1941
Around 0915GH/26, in approximate position 10°00'N, 92°35'E, the (troop) transport Erinpura (British, 5128 GRT, built 1911) and her current escort HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) made rendezvous with HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) which then took over the escort duties.

HMS Mauritius then set course for Trincomalee. (45)

27 Jul 1941
HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) and the (troop) transport Erinpura (British, 5128 GRT, built 1911) arrived at Penang. (44)

28 Jul 1941
HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) and the (troop) transport Erinpura (British, 5128 GRT, built 1911) departed Pengang for Port Swettenham (now called Port Klang). (46)

29 Jul 1941
HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) and the (troop) transport Erinpura (British, 5128 GRT, built 1911) arrived at Port Swettenham (now called Port Klang) from Penang. (46)

3 Aug 1941
HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) departed Port Swettenham to make rendezvous with the (troop) transport Erinpura (British, 5128 GRT, built 1911) coming from Singapore.

They made a short stop at Penang on the 4th before leaving again. Erinpura is to proceed to Nagapattinam escorted part of the way by HMS Danae.

HMS Danae returned to Penang on 7 August 1941. (46)

18 Aug 1941
HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) departed Penang, presumable on escort duty.

Most likely she escorted the outbound (troop) transport Ellenga (British, 5196 GRT, built 1911) parted of her way from Penang to India.

HMS Danae returned to Penang on 21 August most likely having escorted the inbound (troop) transport Erinpura (British, 5128 GRT, built 1911) which came from India and also arrived at Penang on 21 August. (47)

22 Aug 1941
HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) departed Penang for Singapore. (42)

23 Aug 1941
HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) arrived at Singapore from Penang. (42)

1 Sep 1941
HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) conducted D/G trials at Singapore. These were followed by searchlight and starshell exercises with HMS Tenedos (Lt. R. Dyer, RN). (48)

2 Sep 1941
HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) conducted exercises with aircraft off Singapore. These were followed by gunnery exercises. Later more exercises, including torpedo firing, were carried out together with HMS Tenedos (Lt. R. Dyer, RN). (48)

3 Sep 1941
HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Singapore on a target that was being towed by HMS St. Breock. (48)

4 Sep 1941
Near Singapore, HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN), escorted by four Asdic equipped escorts, acted as target during A/S and attack exercises with the submarines HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. P.A. Mulock van der Vlies Bik, RNN), HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) and HrMs K XVI (Lt. L.J. Jarman, RNN). (48)

5 Sep 1941
Near Singapore, HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN), escorted by four Asdic equipped escorts, acted as target during A/S and attack exercises with the submarines HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. P.A. Mulock van der Vlies Bik, RNN), HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) and HrMs K XVI (Lt. L.J. Jarman, RNN). (48)

13 Sep 1941
HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN), HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) G.R. Pretor-Pinney, RN) and HMS Tenedos (Lt. R. Dyer, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore. (48)

15 Sep 1941

Convoy US 12B.

On 15 September 1941, the troopships Aquitania (British, 44786 GRT, built 1914), Johan van Oldenbarnevelt (Dutch, 19429 GRT, built 1930) and Marnix van St. Aldegonde (Dutch, 19355 GRT, built 1930) departed Wellington for Fremantle. She is escorted by the light cruiser HMS Achilles (New Zealand Division) (Capt. H.M. Barnes, RN).

On 17 September 1941 the troopship Sibajak (Dutch, 12226 GRT, built 1927) departed Sydney for Fremantle. She is escorted by the light cruiser HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN).

At 0830K/18, the two sections joined, HMS Achilles then parting company.

At 1300K/19, HMAS Sydney (Capt. J. Burnett, RAN) took over the escort, HMAS Adelaide then parting company proceeding to Williamstown where she arrived later the same day.

The convoy arrived at Fremantle on 25 September 1941.

The convoy departed Fremantle for Singapore on 28 September 1941 still escorted by HMAS Sydney.

Around 0700G/3, to the south-east of the Sunda Strait, in approximate position 07°30'S, 103°50'E, rendezvous was made with the light cruisers HMS Glasgow (Capt. H. Hickling, DSO, RN) and HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN). HMAS Sydney then parted company to return to Fremantle.

HMS Danae took over the escort of the Sibajak and escorted her to Singapore arriving there on 5 October.

The remainder of Convoy US 12B proceeded to Colombo escorted by HMS Glasgow. They arrived at Colombo on 8 October 1941.

The convoy departed Colombo on 10 October for Aden still escorted by HMS Glasgow.

The convoy was dispersed on the morning of 16 October 1941 in the Gulf of Aden in approximate position 12°37'N, 47°00'E.

23 Sep 1941
HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore. In the evening night encounter exercises were carried out with HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) G.R. Pretor-Pinney, RN). (48)

30 Sep 1941
Around 2030GH/30, HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) departed Singapore for escort duties. She is to make rendezvous with convoy US 12B to the south of the Sunda Strait. (48)

3 Oct 1941
Around 0700G/3, to the south-east of the Sunda Strait, in approximate position 07°30'S, 103°50'E, the light cruisers HMS Glasgow (Capt. H. Hickling, DSO, RN) and HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) made rendezvous with convoy US 12B and its current escort, the light cruiser HMAS Sydney (Capt. J. Burnett, RAN).

[For more info and subsequent movements see the event ' Convoy US 12B ' for 15 September 1941.] (49)

5 Oct 1941
Around 0945GH/5, HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) and the troop transport Sibajak (Dutch, 12226 GRT, built 1927) arrived at Singapore. (50)

7 Oct 1941
HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) is docked in No.1 graving dock (aka King George VI dock) at the Singapore Dockyard and she is then taken in hand for repairs and a short refit. (50)

27 Oct 1941
HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) is undocked. (50)

7 Nov 1941
HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) conducted compass adjustment trials at Singapore. (51)

8 Nov 1941
HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) conducted D/G and full power trials at / off Singapore. Following these gunnery exercises were carried out.

On completion of the gunnery exercises she set course for Manila, Philippines. (51)

12 Nov 1941
Around 1200H/12, HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) arrived at Manila from Singapore. (51)

14 Nov 1941
Around 1530H/14, the troop transport Awatea (British, 13482 GRT, built 1936) departed Manila for Hong Kong. She is escorted by the light cruiser HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) and the armed merchant cruiser HMCS Prince Robert (Cdr. F.G. Hart, RCN). (51)

16 Nov 1941
Around 0745HI/16, the troop transport Awatea (British, 13482 GRT, built 1936), light cruiser HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) and the armed merchant cruiser HMCS Prince Robert (Cdr. F.G. Hart, RCN) arrived at Hong Kong from Manila. On board the Awatea were two battalions of Canadian troops. (51)

19 Nov 1941
Around 1700HI/19, HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) departed Hong Kong for Singapore. She is escorting the troop transport Awatea (British, 13482 GRT, built 1936). (51)

22 Nov 1941
Around 1800GH/22, HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) and the troop transport Awatea (British, 13482 GRT, built 1936) arrived at Singapore from Hong Kong. (51)

2 Dec 1941
HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) and HMS Durban (Capt. P.G.L. Cazalet, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore. (52)

3 Dec 1941
HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) and HMS Durban (Capt. P.G.L. Cazalet, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore. (52)

6 Dec 1941
Around 0730GH/6, HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) departed Singapore for escort duty.

Around 0830GH/7, to the south-east of Penang, she made rendezvous in position 05°02'N, 99°53'E with the (troop) transport Ellenga (British, 5196 GRT, built 1911) coming from Penang.

They then set course for India.

At 0700EF/11, in position 10.26'N, 80.52'E, they parted company with the Ellenga proceeding independently to Madras.

HMS Danae arrived at Trincomalee around 1415EF/11. (53)

16 Dec 1941
Around 1715EF/16, HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) departed Trincomalee for Singapore. (54)

19 Dec 1941
Around 1915GH/19, HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) arrived at Singapore from Trincomalee. (54)

22 Dec 1941

Convoy BM 9B.

This convoy departed Bombay on 22 December 1941.

It was made up of the following (troop) transports; El Madina (British, 3962 GRT, built 1937), Jalarajan (British, 5076 GRT, built 1925), Rajput (British, 5521 GRT, built 1925), Risaldar (British, 5407 GRT, built 1940) and Talma (British, 10000 GRT, built 1923).

On departure from Bombay it was escorted by the Greek armoured cruiser RHS Georgios Averoff.

Around 1530EF/26, the light cruiser HMS Glasgow (Cdr. J.W. Cuthbert, RN) departed Colombo with the transport Madura (British, 8975 GRT, built 1921). They joined the convoy around 0730EF/27 in position 04°38'N, 80°40'E. The Georgios Averoff then parted company to proceed to Colombo. The transport Talma had apparently parted company on the 26th to proceed to Colombo.

Around 1415G/31, HMS Glasgow was relieved in position 00°27'S, 94°51'E by the light cruisers HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) and HrMs Java (Capt. P.B.M van Straelen, RNN).

Around 1230GH/3, the destroyers HMS Electra (Cdr. C.W. May, RN), HMS Express (Lt.Cdr. F.J. Cartwright, RN) and HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) G.R. Pretor-Pinney, RN) joined in approximate position 06°27'S, 103°00'E.

Around 0700GH/4, HrMs Java and the transport Madura parted company to proceed to Batavia.

Around 1200GH/4, the light cruisers HrMs De Ruyter (Cdr. E.E.B. Lacomblé, RNN and flagship of Rear-Admiral K.W.F.M. Doorman, RNN), HrMs Tromp (Cdr. J.B. de Meester, RNN) and the destroyers HrMs Piet Hein (Lt.Cdr. J.M.L.I. Chompff, RNN) and HrMs Banckert (Lt.Cdr. L.J. Goslings, RNN) joined in approximate position 05°15'S, 106°20'E. They had departed Banten Bay earlier in the day.

Around 0600GH/5, the minesweepers HMAS Burnie (T/A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Gough, RANR(S)) and HMAS Goulburn (Lt. B. Paul, RANR(S)) joined the convoy.

Around 1200GH/5, the light cruiser HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.L. Howden, CBE, RAN) joined the convoy in Banka Strait in approximate position 02°40'S, 105°49'E.

After the passage of the Banka Strait had been completed the Dutch ships that had joined around 1200GH/4 parted company around 2000GH/5.

Around 1645GH/6, HMAS Hobart parted company with the convoy to proceed to Batavia.

The convoy arrived at Singapore around 1930GH/6.

The convoy arrived at Singapore (55)

26 Dec 1941
Around 1600GH/26, HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) departed Singapore for Batavia. (54)

28 Dec 1941
Around 0940GH/28, HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) arrived at Batavia from Singapore. (54)

29 Dec 1941
Around 0640GH/29, HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) departed Batavia for escort duty with convoy BM 9B.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy BM 9B ' for 22 December 1941.] (54)

6 Jan 1942
In the early evening, HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN), HMS Electra (Cdr. C.W. May, RN), HMS Express (Lt.Cdr. F.J. Cartwright, RN), HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) G.R. Pretor-Pinney, RN), HMAS Burnie (T/A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Gough, RANR(S)) and HMAS Goulburn (Lt. B. Paul, RANR(S)) arrived at Singapore with convoy BM 9B. (56)

8 Jan 1942

Convoy BM 10.

This convoy departed Bombay for Singapore on 8 January 1942.

On departure from Bombay it was made up of the following ships; British passenger / cargo ships Talthybius (10224 GRT, built 1912), Rohna (8602 GRT, built 1926), Cap St. Jaques (8009 GRT, built 1922), Takliwa (7936 GRT, built 1924), Islami (5879 GRT, built 1934), Ekma (5128 GRT, built 1911), British cargo ships Subadar (5424 GRT, built 1929), Jalavihar (5330 GRT, built 1911), Ekma (5128 GRT, built 1911), Jalakrishna (4991 GRT, built 1937), Loch Ranza (4958 GRT, built 1934) and Brittany (4772 GRT, built 1928)

Escort was initially provided by the light cruiser HMS Caledon (A/Capt. H.J. Haynes, DSO, DSC, RN).

Around 2030F/12, the light cruisers HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN) and HMS Glasgow (Capt. J.W. Cuthbert, RN) took over from HMS Caledon in position 05°41'N, 80°00'E. They had come from Colombo escorting the British transports Jalaratna (3865 GRT, built 1930) and Silverlarch (5122 GRT, built 1924) which joined the convoy.

Around 1045F/14, the sloop HMIS Sutlej (Capt. P.A. Mare, RIN) joined the convoy in position 03°52'N, 83°20'E coming from Trincomalee.

Around 0830FG/18, the heavy cruiser HMS Exeter (Capt. O.L. Gordon, MVO, RN) and the light cruiser HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) joined the convoy in position 00°41'S, 95°14'E. HMS Glasgow was detached half an hour later and returned to Colombo.

Around 1700GH/20, the destroyers HMS Electra (Cdr. C.W. May, RN), HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) G.R. Pretor-Pinney, RN) and the sloop HMAS Yarra (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, RAN) joined the convoy in position 05°00'S, 100°57'E.

On 22 January 1942, the convoy passed through the Sunda Strait. Early in the morning of that day the light cruiser HrMs Tromp (Cdr. J.B. de Meester, RNN) and the destroyers HrMs Piet Hein (Lt.Cdr. J.M.L.I. Chompff, RNN) and HrMs Banckert (Lt.Cdr. L.J. Goslings, RNN) departed Batavia (Jakarta), Java, Netherlands East Indies, escorting the US cargo ship Collingsworth (5101 GRT, built 1920), the Dutch passenger / cargo ship Rochussen (2680 GRT, built 1904), British cargo ship Yuen Sang (3229 GRT, built 1923) and the Norwegian cargo ship Hermelin (1683 GRT, built 1940). These ships joined the convoy around 1100GH/22. When the Dutch escorts joined the destroyers HMS Electra and HMS Stronghold left the convoy and proceeded to Batavia.

Around 1110GH/24, HMS Exeter parted company and proceeded to Batavia. Later the Dutch ships also parted company.

On 25 January 1942, the convoy and escort arrived at Singapore at dawn. (57)

11 Jan 1942
Around 1300GH/11, HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) departed Singapore for Batavia. (56)

13 Jan 1942
Around 0950GH/13, HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) arrived at Batavia from Singapore. (56)

15 Jan 1942
Around 1500GH/15, HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) departed Batavia for escort duty with convoy BM 10. 56)

23 Jan 1942

Convoy BM 12.

This convoy departed Bombay on 23 January 1942.

It was made up of the following (troop) transports; Devonshire (British, 11275 GRT, built 1939), Empress of Asia (British 16909 GRT, built 1913), Felix Roussel (British (former French, 17083 GRT, built 1930) and Plancius (5955 GRT, built 1923).

The convoy initially proceeded unescorted.

On 26 January, the sloop HMS Falmouth (Cdr. U.H.R. James, RN) joined the convoy in position 07°53'N, 76°23'E.

On 27 January, the light cruiser HMS Emerald (Capt. F.C. Flynn, RN) joined the convoy in position 04°30'N, 78°15'E. HMS Falmouth parted company with the convoy at dusk.

On 28 January, the convoy made rendezvous with convoy DM 2 which was made up of the following (troop) transports; City of Canterbury (British, 8331 GRT, built 1922), City of Pretoria (British, 8049 GRT, built 1937), Dunera (British, 11162 GRT, built 1937), Empress of Australia (British, 21833 GRT, built 1914), Malancha (British, 8124 GRT, built 1937), Troilus (British, 7422 GRT, built 1921) and Warwick Castle (British, 20107 GRT, built 1930).

This convoy had been escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) which then parted company.

Around 1630GH/31, the light cruisers HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) and HrMs Java (Capt. P.B.M van Straelen, RNN) joined the convoy in position 05°05'S, 94°00'E after which HMS Emerald parted company with the convoy.

Around 1600GH/1, the sloops HMIS Sutlej (Capt. P.A. Mare, RIN) and HMAS Yarra (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, RAN) joined the convoy.

Around 0800GH/2, the heavy cruiser HMS Exeter (Capt. O.L. Gordon, MVO, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 1020GH/2, the destroyers HMS Jupiter (Lt.Cdr. N.V.J.T. Thew, RN) and HMAS Vampire (Cdr. W.T.A. Moran, RAN) joined the convoy.

Around 0645GH/3, the destroyer HMS Encounter (Lt.Cdr. E.V.St J. Morgan, RN) joined.

Around 1330GH/3, HMAS Vampire split off from the convoy with the part of the convoy that was to proceed to Batavia. These were all the ships that had been in convoy DM 2 except the City of Canterbury which went to Singapore. The Batavia section arrived there shortly after noon on 3 February.

Around 0200GH/4, HrMs Java parted company with the convoy.

Shortly before noon the convoy was attacked by Japanese aircraft and the Empress of Asia was straddled.

Around 2200GH/4, HMS Exeter, HMS Jupiter and HMS Encounter parted company to intercept Japanese warships that were reported to the north of Banka Strait. HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.L. Howden, CBE, RAN) was ordered to join them there. They did not find any Japanese ships and proceeded to Batavia where they arrived on 6 February.

The convoy arrived at Singapore shortly after noon on 5 February 1942 but not before a heavy enemy air attack was carried out. The Empress of Asia was set on fire, the Felix Roussel was also hit and the City of Canterbury had her steering gear damaged. (58)

25 Jan 1942
In the morning, HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN), HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN), HMIS Sutlej (Capt. P.A. Mare, RIN) and HMAS Yarra (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, RAN) arrived at Singapore with convoy BM 10. (59)

26 Jan 1942
Around 0710GH/26, HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) departed Singapore for Batavia. (56)

27 Jan 1942
Around 1550GH/27, HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) arrived at Batavia from Singapore. (56)

29 Jan 1942
Around 1515GH/29, HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) departed Batavia for escort duty with convoy BM 12.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy BM 12 ' for 23 January 1942.] (56)

5 Feb 1942
In the early afternoon, HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN), HMIS Sutlej (Capt. P.A. Mare, RIN) and HMAS Yarra (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, RAN) arrived at Singapore with convoy BM 12. (60)

6 Feb 1942

Convoy EMU

Shortly before midnight during the night of 6/7 February 1942 this convoy departed Singapore.

It was made up of the (troop) transports; City of Canterbury (British, 8331 GRT, built 1922), Devonshire (British, 11275 GRT, built 1939) and Felix Roussell (British, 17083 GRT, built 1930, former French).

On board the City of Canterbury were mostly RAF personnel for Batavia, Java, Dutch East Indies while on board the other two ships were evacuees with were to be taken to Bombay.

The convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) and the sloops HMIS Sutlej (Capt. P.A. Mare, RIN) and HMAS Yarra (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, RAN).

Around 1930GH/7, HMAS Yarra was detached to escort the damaged transport Hosang (British, 5698 GRT, built 1922) to Palembang. The transport however reported to be not in immediate danger and HMAS Yarra then joined the destroyer HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) G.R. Pretor-Pinney, RN) which was towing the immobile destroyer HMAS Vendetta (Lt. W.G. Whitting, RANR(S)) from Singapore to Batavia, instead.

Around 0830GH/8, the destroyer HMS Electra (Cdr. C.W. May, RN) joined.

Around 1300GH/8, the light cruiser HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.L. Howden, CBE, RAN) joined south of Banka Strait.

Around 1500GH/8, HMS Danae, HMIS Sutley and the City of Canterbury were detached to Batavia.

Around 1000GH/9, HMS Electra was detached to Batavia.

Around 1100GH/9, the convoy was dispersed. HMAS Hobart then set course to make rendezvous with convoy JS 1 which she did around 1350GH/10. (61)

8 Feb 1942
Around 2330GH/8, HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN), HMIS Sutlej (Capt. P.A. Mare, RIN) and the transport City of Canterbury (British, 8331 GRT, built 1922) arrived off Batavia. They entered harbour the following morning. (60)

19 Feb 1942
Around 1300GH/19, HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) departed Batavia for Padang. (60)

20 Feb 1942
Around 1800GH/20, HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) arrived at Padang from Batavia. In half an hour she embarked 616 personnel coming from Singapore and then left for Tjilatjap. (60)

22 Feb 1942
Around 1130GH/22, HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) arrived at Tjilatjap from Padang. (60)

23 Feb 1942
Around 0700GH/23, HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) departed Tjilatjap for Batavia.

At 0714GH/23, she grounded in the swept channel. She was towed off and was completely waterborne at 0938FG/23.

She was then towed back into the harbour and was inspected by divers for underwater damage. (60)

24 Feb 1942
Around 1215GH/24, HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) departed Tjilatjap for Batavia. (60)

25 Feb 1942
Around 1500GH/25, HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) anchored off Batavia. She entered harbour about two hours later. (60)

26 Feb 1942

Operations by the Western Striking Force during 26/27 February 1942.

The object of the operations was to intercept and engage a reported Japanese invasion force.

Around 2115GH/26, the Western Striking Force, made up of the light cruisers HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.L. Howden, CBE, RAN), HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN), HMS Dragon (Capt. R.J. Shaw, MBE, RN) and the destroyers HMS Scout (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) H. Lambton, RN) and HMS Tenedos (Lt. R. Dyer, RN) departed Tandjong Priok (Batavia), in accordance with the Commodore Commanding China Force's signal timed 1231Z/26, to intercept and engage, by night, an enemy force consisting of three cruisers, four destroyers and thirty transports which had been reported near Banka Island proceeding southwards. The Western Striking Force therefore proceeded northwards between Arnemuiden Beacon and North Watcher Island to position 04°45'S, 106°41'E where the Force turned to the southward at 0300GH/27 in accordance with the Commodore Commanding China Force's signal timed 1529Z/26.

There was no sign of the enemy during the passage north when, except for a few heavy rain squalls, the visibility was very good. At 0345GH/27, Commodore Commanding China Force's signal timed 1946Z/26 was received, stating that D/F bearings indicated that many Japanese units were in position 04°00'S, 106°30'E. This was 55 nautical miles north of the Western Striking Force's current position. It was decided to continue on southwards as it was not possible to engage the enemy before dawn and also to await the results of the dawn air reconnaissance. Two enemy reconnaissance aircraft were sighted at 0730GH/27. They commenced to shadow. This was reported to the Commodore Commanding China Force.

By 0800GH/27, the Force had reached the latitude of Babi Island, and as no further information had been received, it again turned north until 0900GH/27. Capt. Howden, the Senior Officer, decided that if air reconnaissance reported that the enemy was not overwhelmingly superior he should engage by daylight. If they were superior he would proceed eastwards to join the Eastern Striking Force in the Surabaya area which had been reported to be expected to proceed westwards to Batavia.

At 1000GH/27, the Force was back in the vicinity of Babi Island and in view of the danger of submarine attack Capt. Howden decided it was not wise to remain in the same area for too long, therefore the Force proceeded to the south-east and then northwards towards the South Watcher Island.

The Commodore Commanding China Force stated in his signal timed 0315Z/27 that air reconnaissance had failed to locate any enemy forces south of Banka therefore Capt. Howden decided to return to Batavia informing the Commodore of his intentions.

As the Force was approaching Edam Island around 1200GH/27 enemy aircraft were sighted but they did not attack. Fires were observed on shore so probably they had already expended their bombs.

At 1305GH/27, eight aircraft approached and dropped a large quantity of small calibre bombs. HMAS Hobart sustained some splinter damage and five ratings were wounded.

The Force entered Tandjong Priok around 1420GH/27. (62)

28 Feb 1942

Operations by the Western Striking Force from 28 February 1942 to 5 March 1942.

The initial object of the operations was to intercept and engage a reported Japanese invasion force.

Around 0045GH/28, the Western Striking Force, made up of the made up of the light cruisers HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.L. Howden, CBE, RAN), HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN), HMS Dragon (Capt. R.J. Shaw, MBE, RN) and the destroyers HMS Tenedos (Lt. R. Dyer, RN) and HrMs Evertsen (Lt.Cdr. W.M. de Vries, RNN) departed Tandjong Priok (Batavia), in accordance with the Commodore Commanding China Force's signal timed 1021Z/27. An enemy landing force made up of thirty transports escorted by four cruisers and three destroyers had been reported at 1022GH/27 in position 04°20'S, 106°28'E. The Western Task Force had been unable so sail earlier due to delays in fuelling caused by Japanese air attacks. The destroyer HMS Scout (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) H. Lambton, RN) which had departed earlier for Tjilatjap had been recalled and joined the Western Task Force three miles south of Edam Island.

Capt. Howden, the Senior Officer, decided to proceed direct to the vicinity of the northern entrance to the Sunda Strait and then to sweep northward to engage the enemy which he thought to be en-route to Bantam Bay, the most likely place to land.

The Western Task Force arrived in position 05°48'S, 105°56'E at 0420GH/28. Course was then altered to the northward. Except for intermittent rain squalls the visibility was good. As no enemy had been sighted by 0500GH/28, course was altered to the southward. The passage of Sunda Strait was made at the Force's maximum speed of 24 knots. HrMs Evertsen had been lost out of sight in the darkness. She had not been seen after around 0400GH/28.

At 0650GH/28, when in position 06°04'S, 105°48'E, HMS Scout dropped astern to rescue a men she sighted on a raft. A lot of wreckage was sighted during the passage of the Sunda Straits.

In order to conserve fuel, speed was reduced to 22 knots at 0850GH/28, to 19 knots at 1000GH/28 and 18 knots at 1600GH/28.

At 2340GH/28, a signal was received from HMAS Perth that she had sighted a destroyer, later amended to being a cruiser.

At 2359GH/28, when in position 04°30'S, 101°05'E, the destroyers were detached to proceed ahead to fuel at Padang. The cruisers reduced speed to 15 knots. The destroyers were sent ahead in order to reduce the time the cruisers had to wait for the destroyers to rejoin. During the passage of the Seaflower Channel [between Siberut and Sipura island] the cruisers inceased speed again.

The cruisers arrived in position 260° Pandan Light 10 miles at 1740GH/1 and zigzagged between that position and Nyamuk Light. It had been hoped that the destroyers would be able to leave harbour around 1800 hours but this did not materialise. HMS Tenedos was seen passing Pandan Island at 2120GH/1 and at 2140GH/1 she secured alongside HMAS Hobart to transfer 512 evacuees. She reported that HMS Scout had previously left harbour with another load of evacuees but that she had to return due to contaminated oil fuel tanks.

In view of the long delay which would be entained in waiting for HMS Scout, Capt. Howden decided to proceed ahead with HMS Tenedos via Siberut Strait [to the north of Siberut Island] and then pass through position 00.32'S, 97.10'E at 15 knots towards the position where the RFA tanker Appleleaf (5891 GRT, built 1917) should be. HMS Dragon, HMS Danae and HMS Scout were then to overtake. HMAS Hobart and HMS Tenedos therefore parted company with HMS Dragon and HMS Danae at 2207GH/1 by which time the evacuees had been transferred. HMS Dragon, HMS Danae and HMS Scout were able to proceed at 0530GH/2. They were ordered to rejoin during daylight on 3 March.

At 0150G/3, the Commander-in-Chief Eastern Fleet's signal 1635Z/2 was received by HMAS Hobart but it could not be decyphered owing to area tables for the East Indies Station not being held. Capt. Howden reduced speed to 8 knots to allow HMS Dragon, HMS Danae and HMS Scout to join around dawn and all ships were in company at 0751G/3.

HMS Dragon had been able to decypher the signal and it stated that auxiliary patrol ship HMS Kedah (Cdr.(Retd.) J.L. Sinclair, DSO, RD, RNR) was in trouble and that her speed had been reduced to three knots. Her position was 02°10'S, 90°40'E. HMS Dragon was then detached after transferring her 136 evacuees to HMAS Hobart at 1115G/3. She was to complete with fuel from the Appleleaf who was estimated to be 40 to 50 miles ahead and then to proceed to the assistance of HMS Kedah. HMS Danae and the destroyers were ordered to proceed ahead, made contact with the Appleleaf to inform her of the oil requirements of HMS Dragon.

A 1033FG/4, the Commander-in-Chief Eastern Fleet's signal 0305Z/4 was received instructing Capt. Howden to proceed with all his ships to Colombo if sufficient fuel remained. The Force therefore altered course for Colombo at 1100FG/4 when in position 05°32'N, 86°45'E.

At 1000F/5, when in position 05°47'N, 79°56'E, HMAS Hobart parted company with HMS Danae, HMS Scout and HMS Tenedos, to proceed ahead at 28 knots so as to arrive 2 hours and 20 minutes earlier then the other ships so as to avoid congestion in the harbour. En-route HMAS Hobart ran a full power trial for 40 minutes to see if any defects might have developed due to the recent near misses from bombing. The results of the trial very highly satisfactory.

HMAS Hobart arrived at Colombo at 1333F/5.

HMS Danae, HMS Scout and HMS Tenedos arrived at Colombo around 1730F/5.

Around 1030F/7, HMS Dragon arrived with HMS Kedah in tow. She had fuelled from the Appleleaf during the afternoon of the 3rd and then proceeded towards the reported position of HMS Kedah which she sighted at 0229G/5 and had her in tow around 0730G/5.

(63)

18 Mar 1942
Around 1145F/18, HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) departed Colombo for Bombay. (64)

21 Mar 1942
Around 0900EF/21, HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) arrived at Bombay from Colombo. (64)

22 Mar 1942
Around 1200EF/22, HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) departed Bombay for the Persian Gulf. (64)

25 Mar 1942
HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) entered the Persian Gulf. (64)

27 Mar 1942
HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) arrived at Abadan from Bombay. (64)

28 Mar 1942
HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) proceeded up river from Abadan to Basra. (64)

31 Mar 1942
Around 0800C/31, HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) departed Basra for Bahrein. (64)

1 Apr 1942
Around 1500C/1, HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) arrived at Bahrein from Basra. (65)

6 Apr 1942
Around 2045CD/6, HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) departed Bahrein for Sharjah. (65)

7 Apr 1942
Around 1615CD/7, HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) arrived at Sharjah from Bahrein.

Around 2100CD/7, she departed Sharjah for Khor Kuwai. (65)

8 Apr 1942
Around 0630CD/8, HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) arrived Khor Kuwai from Sharjah. (65)

10 Apr 1942
Around 1920D/10, HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) departed Khor Kuwai for patrol in the Strait of Hormuz. (65)

12 Apr 1942
Around 1500D/12, HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) arrived at Sharjah from patrol. A conference was than held on board with RAF officers on W/T communications.

Around 2015D/12, HMS Danae departed for patrol in the Strait of Hormuz. Two unknown vessels had been reported that morning in position 24°55'N, 62°01'E proceeding westwards towards the Persian Gulf at 25 knots. (66)

14 Apr 1942
Around 1530D/14, HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) arrived at Khor Kuwai from patrol. Nothing furter had been sighted of the two unknown ships reported on the 12th. The aircraft report must have been bogus. (66)

15 Apr 1942
Around 2020D/15, HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) departed Khor Kuwai for patrol west of the Strait of Hormuz. (65)

17 Apr 1942
Shortly before 1600D/17, HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) arrived in Khasab Bay from patrol. She departed again around 2140D/17 to resume her patrol. (65)

18 Apr 1942
Shortly before 1715D/18, HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) arrived in Khasab Bay from patrol. (65)

19 Apr 1942
Around 0215D/19, HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) departed Khasab Bay for patrol. She returned to Khasab Bay around 1800D/19. (65)

20 Apr 1942
Around 0215D/20, HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) departed Khasab Bay for patrol. She anchored off Bandar Lengeh around 1900D/20. (65)

21 Apr 1942
Around 0430D/21, HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) departed Bandar Lengeh for patrol. She arrived at Khor Kuwai from patrol around 1500D/21. (65)

23 Apr 1942
Around 1900D/23, HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) departed Khor Kuwai for patrol. (65)

24 Apr 1942
Around 1516D/24, HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) arrived at Sharjah from patrol. She departed again around 1735D/24 to resume patrol. (65)

25 Apr 1942
Around 1850D/25, HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) arrived at Khasab Bay from patrol. (65)

27 Apr 1942
Around 0130D/27, HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) departed Khasab Bay for patrol.

She arrived at Khor Kuwai from patrol around 1330D/27. (65)

30 Apr 1942
Around 2115D/30, HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) departed Khor Kuwai for Dubai. (65)

1 May 1942
Around 1110D/1, HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) arrived at Dubai from Khor Kuwai.

Around 1910D/1, she departed Dubai for Bahrein. (67)

2 May 1942
Around 1415D/2, HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) arrived at Bahrein from Dubai.

Around 1600D/2, she departed Bahrein for Khor Kuwai.

At Bahrein Capt. M.S. Slattery, RN, had joined the ship. (67)

3 May 1942
Shortly after 1000D/3, HMS Danae (Capt. M.S. Slattery, RN) arrived at Khor Kuwai from Bahrein. (67)

4 May 1942
Around 1615D/4, HMS Danae (Capt. M.S. Slattery, RN) departed Khor Kuwai for Bahrein.

At Khor Kuwai Capt. F.J. Butler, RN, had left the ship to take passage to the U.K. (67)

5 May 1942
Around 1515D/5, HMS Danae (Capt. M.S. Slattery, RN) arrived at Bahrein from Khor Kuwai. (67)

6 May 1942
Around 1400D/6, HMS Danae (Capt. M.S. Slattery, RN) departed for patrol and then onwards to Khor Kuwai. (67)

7 May 1942
Around 1855D/7, HMS Danae (Capt. M.S. Slattery, RN) dropped anchor off Bandar Lengeh. Earlier in the day, torpedo firing exercises had been carried out. (67)

7 May 1942
Around 0555D/8, HMS Danae (Capt. M.S. Slattery, RN) departed Bandar Lengeh for Khor Kuwai where she arrived around 1600D/8. (67)

11 May 1942
Around 0520D/11, HMS Danae (Capt. M.S. Slattery, RN) departed Khor Kuwai for Shajah where she arrived around 1435D/11.

Around 2240D/11, she departed Sharjah for Khor Kuwai. (67)

12 May 1942
Around 1315D/12, HMS Danae (Capt. M.S. Slattery, RN) arrived at Khor Kuwai from Shajah.

She departed Khor Kuwai around 2110D/12 for patrol. (67)

13 May 1942
Around 0520D/13, HMS Danae (Capt. M.S. Slattery, RN) arrived at Khor Kuwai from patrol. (67)

14 May 1942
Around 1215D/14, HMS Danae (Capt. M.S. Slattery, RN) departed Khor Kuwai for Kilindini / Mombasa. (67)

22 May 1942
Around 1000C/22, HMS Danae (Capt. M.S. Slattery, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from Khor Kuwai. (67)

29 May 1942
From 29 to 31 May 1942, the light cruisers HMS Danae (Capt. M.S. Slattery, RN), HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN), HMS Dragon (A/Capt. G.V.B. Faulkner, RN) and HMS Caledon (A/Capt. H.J. Haynes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Mombasa. During gunnery exercises they used a target that was being towed by HMS Guardian (A/Capt. H.A.C. Lane, RN). (68)

2 Jun 1942

Convoy CM 28.

This convoy departed Durban on 2 June 1942.

It was made up of the (troop) transports; Aronda (British, 9031 GRT, built 1941), Ascanius (British, 10048 GRT, built 1910) and Westernland (Dutch, 16479 GRT, built 1918).

On departure from Durban the convoy was escorted by the heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN).

The convoy arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa on 9 June 1942.

On 11 June 1942, the convoy departed Kilindini / Mombasa now escorted by the battleship HMS Resolution (Capt. A.R. Halfhide, CBE, RN), armed merchant cruiser HMS Corfu (Capt.(Retd.) J.P. Landon, RN), netlayer HMS Guardian (A/Capt. H.A.C. Lane, RN) and the destroyers HMS Foxhound (Cdr. G.H. Peters, DSC, RN) and HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Hodges, RN).

Around 0215C/12, the destroyers parted company to return to Kilindini / Mombasa where they arrived around 0900C/12.

Around 0800D/13, the convoy merged with convoy KM 1 coming from Diego Suerez. This convoy was made up of the troopships; HMS Karanja (British, 9891 GRT, built 1931), HMS Keren (British, 9890 GRT, built 1930) and Sobieski (Polish, 11030 GRT, built 1939). The light cruiser Danae (Capt. H.F. Nalder, RN) which had escorted the convoy from Diego Suarez did not join the convoy but set course for Kilindini / Mombasa. Around the same time HMS Guardian parted company with the convoy to proceed to Diego Suarez.

Around 1220DE/16, the Ascanius parted company to proceed to Aden.

The convoy arrived at Bombay on 21 June 1942.

3 Jun 1942

Convoy KM 1.

This convoy departed Mombasa on 3 June 1942 and arrived at Diego Suarez on 6 June 1942.

The convoy was made up of the troopships; HMS Karanja (British, 9891 GRT, built 1931), HMS Keren (British, 9890 GRT, built 1930) and Sobieski (Polish, 11030 GRT, built 1939).

On departure from Mombasa the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) and the destroyer HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Hodges, RN).

At 1200/5, the convoy escort was reinforced with the corvette HMS Genista (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Pattinson, DSC, RNR) and the minesweepers HMS Romney (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H.V. Sivewright, RN) and HMS Thyme (Lt. H. Roach, RNR).

The convoy arrived at Diego Suarez on 6 June 1942.

The convoy departed Diego Suarez on 11 June 1942 to make rendezvous with convoy CM 28 coming from Durban.

Rendezvous was affected around 0800D/13. The convoy had been escorted from Diego Suarez to the rendezvous point by the light cruiser HMS Danae (Capt. H.F. Nalder, RN) which then parted company to proceed to Kilindini / Mombasa. (69)

6 Jun 1942
Around 1600C/6, HMS Danae (Capt. H.F. Nalder, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa to patrol off the northern entrance to the Mozambique Channel. (70)

7 Jun 1942
HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) departed Diego Suarez for patrol between Madagascar and Farquhar Island.

On the 8th she joined forces with HMS Danae (Capt. H.F. Nalder, RN). (69)

11 Jun 1942
Around 0750C/11, HMS Danae (Capt. H.F. Nalder, RN) and HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) arrived at Diego Suarez from patrol.

Around 1600C/11, HMS Danae departed Diego Suarez escorting convoy KM 1 to the rendezvous point with convoy CM 28.

[For more info on convoy KM 1 see the event ' Convoy KM 1 ' for 3 June 1942 / For more info on convoy CM 28 see the event ' Convoy CM 28 for 2 June 1942. (page of HMS Danae only)] (71)

14 Jun 1942
Around 1520C/14, HMS Danae (Capt. H.F. Nalder, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from convoy escort duty. (70)

23 Jun 1942
Around 0910C/23, HMS Danae (Capt. H.F. Nalder, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa for Durban.

She is to return to the U.K. for a much needed major refit. (72)

27 Jun 1942
Around 1400B/27, HMS Danae (Capt. H.F. Nalder, RN) arrived at Durban from Kilindini / Mombasa. (72)

28 Jun 1942
Around 0830B/28, HMS Danae (Capt. H.F. Nalder, RN) departed Durban for Simonstown. (72)

30 Jun 1942
Around 1245B/30, HMS Danae (Capt. H.F. Nalder, RN) arrived at Simonstown from Durban. (72)

2 Jul 1942
Around 1115B/2, HMS Danae (Capt. H.F. Nalder, RN) departed Simonstown for Pointe Noire. (73)

7 Jul 1942
Around 1600A/7, HMS Danae (Capt. H.F. Nalder, RN) arrived at Pointe Noire from Simonstown. (73)

8 Jul 1942
Around 0840A/8, HMS Danae (Capt. H.F. Nalder, RN) departed Pointe Noire for Freetown. (73)

13 Jul 1942
Around 0825Z/13, HMS Danae (Capt. H.F. Nalder, RN) arrived at Freetown from Pointe Noire. (73)

15 Jul 1942
Around 1150Z/15, HMS Danae (Capt. H.F. Nalder, RN) departed Freetown for Gibraltar. (73)

21 Jul 1942
Around 0845A/21, HMS Danae (Capt. H.F. Nalder, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from Freetown. (73)

22 Jul 1942
Around 0725A/22, HMS Danae (Capt. H.F. Nalder, RN) departed Gibraltar for Greenock. (73)

26 Jul 1942
Around 0730B/26, HMS Danae (Capt. H.F. Nalder, RN) arrived at Greenock from Gibraltar.

She departed for the Tyne around 2005B/26. (73)

28 Jul 1942
Around 0925B/28, HMS Danae (Capt. H.F. Nalder, RN) arrived at North Shields from Greenock. She immediately commenced to de-ammunition and de-storing. This was completed in the afternoon of 31 July 1942.

On 1 August 1942, she was taken in hand for refit at the Palmers Shipyard at Hebburn. It was initially estimated that the refit would be completed in early 1943 but in the end refit would take almost a year to complete. (73)

6 Aug 1943
HMS Stubborn (Lt. A.A. Duff, RN) conducted A/S exercises at Scapa Flow with HMS Danae (Capt. J.R.S. Haines, RN), HMS Phoebe (Capt. C.P. Frend, RN), RHS Themistocles and HMCS Huron (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Rayner, DSC, RCN). (74)

6 Aug 1943
HMS Renown (Capt. W.E. Parry, CB, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow including an exercise with HMS Danae (Capt. J.R.S. Haines, RN). (75)

9 Aug 1943
The battleship HMS Malaya (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) shifted from Port H.H.Z. (Loch Cairnbawn) to Scapa Flow.

She was escorted by the destroyer HMS Savage (Cdr. R.C. Gordon, DSO, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Middleton (Lt. C.S. Battersby, RN).

Before entering Scapa Flow tactical exercises were carried out with HMS Danae (Capt. J.R.S. Haines, RN). (76)

11 Aug 1943
During 11/12 August 1943, HMS Renown (Capt. W.E. Parry, CB, RN) and HMS Danae (Capt. J.R.S. Haines, RN), conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. These included night exercises. (75)

19 Aug 1943
HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral L.H.K. Hamilton, CB, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Ceylon (Capt. G.B. Amery-Parkes, RN), HMS Spartan (Capt. P.V. McLaughlin, RN) and HMS Danae (Capt. J.R.S. Haines, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (77)

19 Aug 1943
During 19/20 August 1943, HMS Ceylon (Capt. G.B. Amery-Parkes, RN), HMS Phoebe (Capt. C.P. Frend, RN) and HMS Danae (Capt. J.R.S. Haines, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. These included night exercises. (78)

26 Aug 1943
In the morning, HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN), conducted A/S exercises at/off Scapa Flow with HMS Obedient (Lt.Cdr. H. Unwin, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Savage (Cdr. R.C. Gordon, DSO, RN).

During the afternoon, HMS Tantivy, conducted attack exercises at/off Scapa Flow for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) with HMS Danae (Capt. J.R.S. Haines, RN). (79)

8 Oct 1943
During 8/9 October 1943, the light cruisers HMS Newcastle (Capt. P.B.R.W. William-Powlett, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN), HMS Danae (Capt. J.R.S. Haines, RN) and the destroyers HMS Rotherham (Capt. F.S.W. de Winton, RN), HMS Quality (Lt.Cdr. G.L. Farnfield, DSO, RN) and HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. G.S. Stewart, RAN) conducted exercises off Kilindini. These included night exercises.

HMS Quality and HMAS Quiberon joined upon returining from escort duties.

In the morning of the 9th the destroyers conducted A/S with the submarine HMS Osiris (T/Lt. M.H. Atkinson, RNR). (80)

20 Oct 1943
During 20/21 October 1943, the light cruisers HMS Newcastle (Capt. P.B.R.W. William-Powlett, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN), HMS Emerald (Capt. F.J. Wylie, RN) and HMS Danae (Capt. J.R.S. Haines, RN) conducted exercises off Kilindini. These included night exercises. On completion of the exercises HMS Newcastle and HMS Emerald returned to Kilindini. HMS Danae proceeded to Manza Bay. (81)

27 Oct 1943
During 27/28 October 1943, HMS Newcastle (Capt. P.B.R.W. William-Powlett, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN), HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN), HMS Emerald (Capt. F.J. Wylie, RN) and HMS Danae (Capt. J.R.S. Haines, RN) conducted exercises off Kilindini. These included night exercises. HMS Suffolk (Capt. R. Shelley, CBE, RN), which was approaching Kilindini coming from Durban also joined in during the night.

All cruisers returned to Kilindini On the 28th. (82)

29 Oct 1943
HMS Newcastle (Capt. P.B.R.W. William-Powlett, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN), HMS Suffolk (Capt. R. Shelley, CBE, RN), HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN), HMS Emerald (Capt. F.J. Wylie, RN) and HMS Danae (Capt. J.R.S. Haines, RN) departed Kilindini for Diego Suarez. (83)

1 Nov 1943
HMS Newcastle (Capt. P.B.R.W. William-Powlett, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN), HMS Suffolk (Capt. R. Shelley, CBE, RN), HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN), HMS Emerald (Capt. F.J. Wylie, RN) and HMS Danae (Capt. J.R.S. Haines, RN) arrived at Diego Suarez. (83)

3 Nov 1943
HMS Newcastle (Capt. P.B.R.W. William-Powlett, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN), HMS Suffolk (Capt. R. Shelley, CBE, RN) and HMS Danae (Capt. J.R.S. Haines, RN) departed Diego Suarez for Kilindini. (83)

6 Nov 1943
HMS Newcastle (Capt. P.B.R.W. William-Powlett, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN), HMS Suffolk (Capt. R. Shelley, CBE, RN) and HMS Danae (Capt. J.R.S. Haines, RN) arrived at Kilindini. Before entering the harbour exercises were carried out. (83)

9 May 1944
HMS Voracious (Lt. F.D.G. Challis, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises at/off Scapa Flow with HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. R.M.W. MacFarlan, RN), HMS Wizard (Lt.Cdr. D.T. McBarnet, DSC, RN), HMS Whelp (Cdr. G.A.F. Norfolk, RN) and HMS Danae (Capt. J.R.S. Haines, RN). (84)

24 May 1944
Around 1745B/24, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) and HMS Arethusa (Capt. H. Dalrymple-Smith, RN) arrived at Greenock from Scapa Flow. Before arrival manoeuvring exercises were carried out in the Clyde with HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN) and HMS Danae (Capt. J.R.S. Haines, RN). (85)

26 May 1944
During the night of 26/27 May 1944, the battleships HMS Warspite (Capt. M.H.A. Kelsey, DSC, RN), HMS Ramillies (Capt. G.B. Middleton, CBE, RN), heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) and light cruisers HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN), HMS Arethusa (Capt. H. Dalrymple-Smith, RN), HMS Danae (Capt. J.R.S. Haines, RN) and ORP Dragon (Kmdr.por. (Cdr.) S.T. Dzienisiewicz) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Saumarez (Capt. P.G.L. Cazalet, DSC, RN), HMS Swift (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Gower, RN), HNoMS Stord (Lt.Cdr. S.V. Storheill) and the frigates HMS Holmes (Lt. D.B.G. Dumas, RN) and HMS Rowley (Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Jones, RD, RNR). (86)

29 May 1944
During the night of 29/30 May 1944, the battleships HMS Rodney (Capt. R.O. Fitzroy, RN), HMS Warspite (Capt. M.H.A. Kelsey, DSC, RN), heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN), light cruisers HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN), HMS Arethusa (Capt. H. Dalrymple-Smith, RN), HMS Danae (Capt. J.R.S. Haines, RN), ORP Dragon (Kmdr.por. (Cdr.) S.T. Dzienisiewicz) and escorts and minesweepers [identity not known to us at the moment] conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (87)

2 Jun 1944
Around 1930B/2, ' Bombardment Force D ', made up of the battleships HMS Warspite (Capt. M.H.A. Kelsey, DSC, RN), HMS Ramillies (Capt. G.B. Middleton, CBE, RN), heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN), light cruisers HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN), HMS Arethusa (Capt. H. Dalrymple-Smith, RN), HMS Danae (Capt. J.R.S. Haines, RN), ORP Dragon (Kmdr.por. (Cdr.) S.T. Dzienisiewicz), destroyers HMS Saumarez (Capt. P.G.L. Cazalet, DSC, RN), HMS Swift (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Gower, RN), HNoMS Stord (Lt.Cdr. S.V. Storheill), HNoMS Svenner (Lt.Cdr. T. Holte), frigates HMS Holmes (Lt. D.B.G. Dumas, RN), HMS Rowley (Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Jones, RD, RNR) and minesweepers HMS Catherine (A/Cdr. L.C. Windsor, RN), HMS Cato (Lt. R.W.E. Harris, RN), HMS Combatant (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) G.L. Barwell, RN), HMS Gazelle (Lt. J.D. Sutcliffe, RN), HMS Gorgon (T/A/Lt.Cdr. F. Mugford, RNR), HMS Grecian (A/Cdr.(Emgy.) C.D.A. Irvine, RN), HMS Pique (T/Lt. W.J.C. Fuller, RNR) and HMS Steadfast (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R. Mowbray, RNR) departed the Clyde for operation Neptune, the landings in Normandy, France.