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Notable events involving Arbiter include:

24 Jun 1944

Convoy UC 27.

This convoy was assembled west off Oversay on 24 June 1944.

It was made up of the following transports / tankers; Ball's Bluff (American (tanker), 10195 GRT, built 1943), Bulkfuel (American (tanker), 11016 GRT, built 1944), Bulklube (American (tanker), 11016 GRT, built 1943), Esperance Bay (British, 13837 GRT, built 1922), Exceller (American, 6597 GRT, built 1941), Fair Wind (American, 8258 GRT, built 1944), Fallen Timbers (American (tanker), 10448 GRT, built 1943), Flying Eagle (American, 8258 GRT, built 1944), Fort Fetterman (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944), Frenchtown (American (tanker), 10297 GRT, built 1944), Gloucester (British, 8532 GRT, built 1941), Golden Fleece (American), 8258 GRT, built 1944), James Island (American (tanker), 10317 GRT, built 1944), Lightning (American, 8591 GRT, built 1942), Malvern Hill (American (tanker), 10296 GRT, built 1944), Musgrove Mills (American (tanker), 10297 GRT, built 1944), Robin Sherwood (American, 7101 GRT, built 1941), Sachem (American (tanker), 9910 GRT, built 1943), San Juan Hill (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944), Santa Barbara (American, 6507 GRT, built 1943), Sweepstakes (American, 8258 GRT, built 1944), Tamaroa (British, 12405 GRT, built 1922), Wacosta (American, 6065 GRT, built 1944), Wagon Box (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1943) and Williamsburg (American (tanker), 10297 GRT, built 1944).

The damaged battleship HMS Nelson (Capt. A.H. Maxwell-Hyslop, AM, RN), escort carriers (in an aircraft ferry role) HMS Arbiter (Capt. R.C. Harry, RN), HMS Smiter (A/Capt. L.G. Richardson, RN) and the naval tankers USS Chiwawa (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Goza, USNR) and USS Winooski (Lt.Cdr. T.B. Christenson, USNR) were also part of this convoy.

From the assembly point onwards the convoy was escorted by the destroyer escorts USS Charles Lawrence (Lt. G.R. Seidlitz, USNR, with COMTASKGR 21.6, T/Capt. H.T. Chase, USN on board), USS Daniel T. Griffin (Lt.Cdr. J.A. Eastwood, USNR), USS Sims (Lt. F.M. Donahue, USNR), USS Hopping (Lt.Cdr. L.F. Loutrel, Jr., USNR), USS Reeves (Lt.Cdr. J.J. Durney, USNR) and USS Cates (Lt.Cdr. G.A. Prouse, USNR).

Around 0245O/28, in bad visibility, the Fort Fetterman collided with HMS Nelson but no much damage was sustained by neither ship.

On 1 July 1944, USS Chiwawa refuelled USS Sims and USS Charles Lawrence.

Around 0500P/3, HMS Arbiter, USS Chiwawa and USS Winooski parted company to proceed to Hampton Roads (Norfolk) escorted by USS Sims. They arrived at their destination in the morning of the 4th after which USS Sims set course for New York.

Around 0130Q/4, HMS Nelson and the tankers Fort Fetterman and Wagon Box were detached to proceed to Delaware Bay (Philadelphia) escorted by USS Cates. They arrived at their destination late that morning after which USS Cates set course for New York.

The remainder of the convoy arrived at New York in the morning of 4 July 1944.

8 Feb 1945
Around 2000A/8, HMS Venerable (Capt. W.A. Dallmeyer, DSO, RN) and HMS Arbiter (Capt. D.H. Everett, DSO, RN) departed the Clyde for Bangor Bay / Belfast Lough where they arrived around 0300A/9. They were escorted by HMS Magpie (Lt.Cdr. G.O. Symonds, DSC, RN) and HMS Loch Quoich (Lt.Cdr. G. MacClelland, DSC, RN). (1)

9 Jul 1945
Around 1800K/9, Task Unit 112.2.6, made up of the escort carriers HMS Arbiter (Capt. D.H. Everett, DSO, RN), HMS Striker (Capt. W.P. Carne, RN) (with replacement aircraft) and victualling stores ship Glenarney (9795 GRT, built 1940) and as escorts the destroyers HMAS Napier (Capt. H.J. Buchanan, DSO, RAN), HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN) departed Manus for the operations area of the British Pacific Fleet.

While en-route to the operations area, the destroyers were fuelled by HMS Arbiter on 11 and 15 July 1945.

Rendezvous was affected on the 16th with the Logistic Support Group and resupplying the Fleet commenced. (2)

16 Jul 1945
Around 1600/16, the American Task Force 38 had completed her refueling and joined force with Task Force 37 for a series of strikes against the Japanese homeland. Course was set towards the flying off position (37°10'N, 143°19'E).

Task Force 37 was at that moment made up the following units;
CTF 37; battleship HMS King George V (Capt. T.E. Halsey, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral H.B. Rawlings, KCB, OBE, RN, 2nd in command British Pacific Fleet).

CTU 37.1.1; aircraft carriers HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral P.L. Vian, KCB, KBE, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Victorious (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, CBE, RN) and HMS Implacable (Capt. C.C. Hughes-Hallett, RN).

CTU 37.1.4; light cruisers HMS Newfoundland (Capt. R.W. Ravenhill, CBE, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral E.J.P. Brind, CBE, CB, RN), HMCS Uganda (Capt. E.R. Mainguy, OBE, RCN), HMNZS Gambia (Capt. R.A.B. Edwards, CBE, RN), HMNZS Achilles (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN), HMS Euryalus (Capt. R. Oliver-Bellesis, RN) and HMS Black Prince (Capt. D.M. Lees, DSO, RN).

CTU 37.1.5; HMS Barfleur (Cdr. M.S. Townsend, DSO, DSC and Bar, OBE, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.H. Edelsten, CB, CBE, RN), HMS Grenville (Capt. R.G. Onslow, DSO, RN, Capt. D 25), HMS Ulysses (Lt.Cdr. B.G.B. Bordes, DSC, RN), HMS Undaunted (Lt.Cdr. C.E.R. Sharp, RN), HMS Undine (Cdr. T.C. Robinson, RN), HMS Urania (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Alliston, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Urchin (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Harkness, DSC, OBE, RD, RNR), HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. P.C. Hopkins, RN), HMS Quality (Cdr. the Viscount Jocelyn, RN), HMAS Quiberon (Lt.Cdr. F.G.E. Knox, DSO, RAN) and HMAS Quickmatch (Cdr. J.K. Walton, RAN). HMS Troubridge (Capt. G.F. Burghard, RN, Capt. D 24), HMS Teazer (Lt.Cdr. T.F. Taylor, DSC, RN), HMS Tenacious (Lt.Cdr. D.F. Townsend, RN), HMS Termagant (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Scatchard, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Terpsichore (Cdr. R.T. White, DSO and 2 Bars, RN).

On making rendezvous with the Americans, Vice-Admirals Rawlings and Vian as well as some members of their stafs, were put on board the American flagship USS Missouri for a conference with the American C-in-C.

At 0330/17, Vice-Admiral Vian took over tactical control of TF 37 for flying operations and shortly afterwards, around 0400/18, when Task Force 37 was about 250 miles north-east of Tokyo, Fireflies, armed with 60 lb. rockets took off from HMS Implacable while HMS Vicorious launched Corsairs. They were to attack the airfields in the Miyagi Prefecture including the ones at Sendai and Matsushima.

During the day a Combat Air Patrol was maintained over the Task Force, the first aircraft (Seafires) were flown off by HMS Implacable at 0630/17.

At 0830/17, operating aircraft came to a halt as the weather conditions in the launch area had deteriorated.

The score for the day was summed up as followes. Destroyed were claimed, nine aircraft on the ground, a hangar, three locomotices and one junk sunk. Damaged were claimed nine aircraft on the ground, several hangars and barracks at Niigata, Matsuda, Sendai and Matsushima as well as several small boats. Three Corsairs were lost but all pilots were saved.

Around 1430/17, HMS King George V escorted by HMS Quality and HMAS Quiberon parted company with Task Force 37 to join American ships for a night bombardment of the heavily industrialized Mito-Hitachi area. They joined the American force around 1700/17. [See the event for 17 July on the pages of HMS King George V, HMS Quality of HMAS Quiberon for more info.]

Around 2310/17 the bombardment commenced. It ceased around 0110/18. The battleships fired 1797 shells into the target area. HMS King George V had fired 267 14" shells and the five US battleships 1238 16" shells and 292 6" shells. Damage was caused to the Taga and Mito Works of Hitachi Manufacturing Company and the Yamate Plant and the copper refining plants of Hitachi Mine.

When the bombardment ceased around 0110/18, HMS King George V, HMS Quality and HMAS Quiberon detached from the USN ships to rejoin Task Force 37 which they did around 0730/18.

Weather had been unsuitable for flying operations and the Combat Air Patrol was only flown off after weather had improved a little around 0930/18. Around 1130/18 the carriers from Task Force 37 flew off aircraft to carry out strikes against targets north-east of Tokyo. During the days flying operations twelve enemy aircraft were claimed to have been destroyed on the ground. Eighteen aircraft were claimed to have been damaged as well as many junks, railway vans and hangars.

At the end of the days flying operations Task Force 37 proceeded away from the area in a south-easterly direction towards replenishment area 'British Tizzy' (28°00'N, 138°55'E, approximately 460 miles south of Tokyo). With the flying operations against the Japanese homeland over, Vice-Admiral Rawlings, assumed tactical control.

Early in the morning of the 20th, in approximate position 32°00'N, 152°00'E, Task Force 37 made rendezvous with Task Unit 112.2.6 which was made up of the RFA tankers Wave Monarch (8159 GRT, built 1944), San Ambrosio (7410 GRT, built 1935), San Adolpho (7365 GRT, built 1935) and the victualling stores ship Glenarney (9795 GRT, built 1940). Also part of this unit were the escort carriers HMS Arbiter (Capt. D.H. Everett, DSO, RN) and HMS Striker (Capt. W.P. Carne, RN) with replacement aircraft. They were escorted by the destroyers HMAS Napier (Capt. H.J. Buchanan, DSO, RAN), HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN), sloops HMS Pheasant (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Palmer, RN), HMS Redpole (Lt.Cdr. E.J. Lee, RN), HMS Whimbrel (Lt.Cdr. N.R. Murch, RN), frigate HMS Findhorn (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J.P. Burnett, RNVR) and the minesweeper/corvette HMAS Gawler (Lt.Cdr. J.H.P. Dixon, RANR(S)).

The aircraft carrier HMS Indefatigable (Capt. Q.D. Graham, CBE, DSO, RN), escorted by the destroyers HMS Wakeful (Lt.Cdr. G.D. Pound, DSC, RN) and HMS Wrangler (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Warren, RN) arrived with Task Unit 112.2.6 to join Task Force 37. These ships had come up from Manus at high speed and therefore had required more fuel then had been anticipated. There was now a shortage of 2000 tons of fuel so it was therefore agreed with the Americans that HMS Newfoundland, HMCS Uganda and HMNZS Gambia would fuel from American tankers which in the end they did from Task Group 30.8.

Replenishment continued throughout the day with Task Force 37 steering a south westerly course.

At dusk Task Force 37 detached from Task Unit 112.2.6 for the night.

Early in the morning of the 21st Task Force 37 closed Task Unit Task Unit 112.2.6 again and re-commenced replenishment. This continued continued throughout the day with the ships steering a south-westerly course.

At dusk Task Force 37 again detached from Task Unit 112.2.6 for the night.

Early in the morning of the 22nd Task Force 37 again closed Task Unit Task Unit 112.2.6 and re-commenced replenishment. This continued throughout the day with Task Force 37 again steering a south-westerly course.

At dusk Task Force 37 detached from Task Unit 112.2.6 and proceeded to the north-west towards the new operational area near the island of Shikoku. HMAS Napier had joined Task Force 37. (3)

21 Jul 1945
Around 1300I/21, HMS Arbiter (Capt. D.H. Everett, DSO, RN) and HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN) parted company with the British Pacific Fleet and set course for Manus.

On 23 July 1945, HMAS Nizam fuelled at sea from HMS Arbiter. (4)

27 Jul 1945
Around 0730K/27, HMS Arbiter (Capt. D.H. Everett, DSO, RN) and HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN) arrived at Manus. (4)

3 Aug 1945
Having completed replenishment around noon on 3 August, Task Force 37 set course to proceed to the northwards to the operations area off Japan.

Task Force 37 was at that moment made up the following units;
CTF 37; battleship HMS King George V (Capt. T.E. Halsey, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral H.B. Rawlings, KCB, OBE, RN, 2nd in command British Pacific Fleet).

CTU 37.1.1; aircraft carriers HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral P.L. Vian, KCB, KBE, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Victorious (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, CBE, RN), HMS Implacable (Capt. C.C. Hughes-Hallett, RN) and HMS Indefatigable (Capt. Q.D. Graham, CBE, DSO, RN).

CTU 37.1.4; light cruisers HMS Newfoundland (Capt. R.W. Ravenhill, CBE, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral E.J.P. Brind, CBE, CB, RN), HMNZS Gambia (Capt. R.A.B. Edwards, CBE, RN), HMNZS Achilles (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN), HMS Argonaut (Capt. W.P. McCarthy, RN), HMS Euryalus (Capt. R. Oliver-Bellesis, RN) and HMS Black Prince (Capt. D.M. Lees, DSO, RN).

CTU 37.1.5; HMS Barfleur (Cdr. M.S. Townsend, DSO, DSC and Bar, OBE, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.H. Edelsten, CB, CBE, RN), HMS Grenville (Capt. R.G. Onslow, DSO, RN, Capt. D 25), HMS Ulysses (Lt.Cdr. B.G.B. Bordes, DSC, RN), HMS Undaunted (Lt.Cdr. C.E.R. Sharp, RN), HMS Undine (Cdr. T.C. Robinson, RN), HMS Urania (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Alliston, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Urchin (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Harkness, DSC, OBE, RD, RNR), HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. P.C. Hopkins, RN), HMS Quality (Cdr. the Viscount Jocelyn, RN), HMAS Quiberon (Lt.Cdr. F.G.E. Knox, DSO, RAN) and HMAS Quickmatch (Cdr. J.K. Walton, RAN). HMS Troubridge (Capt. G.F. Burghard, RN, Capt. D 24), HMS Teazer (Lt.Cdr. T.F. Taylor, DSC, RN), HMS Tenacious (Lt.Cdr. D.F. Townsend, RN), HMS Termagant (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Scatchard, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Terpsichore (Cdr. R.T. White, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Wakeful (Lt.Cdr. G.D. Pound, DSC, RN), HMS Wrangler (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Warren, RN) and HMAS Napier (Capt. H.J. Buchanan, DSO, RAN).

While En-route to the operational area a signal was received from the US Fleet Admiral Nimitz to all units of the US 3rd Fleet (which included the British Pacific Fleet) ordering them to cease offensive strikes and do not close the coast of Japan to within 300 miles. This was because the first atomic bomb was about to be dropped. Vice-Admiral Rawlings was informed off this not by signal but some British liaison officers with the US Fleet were put on board the flagship by a US destroyer to inform the Vice-Admiral in person and strict secrecy.

At 0815/6, around the time the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima Task Force 37 was in approximate position 34°30'N, 146°00'E, some 315 nautical miles east of Tokyo.

Shortly afterwards they made rendezvous with Task Unit 112 now made up of the tankers Dingledale (8145 GRT, built 1941), San Amado (7316 GRT, built 1935), Wave King (8190 GRT, built 1944), stores ships Glenartney (9795 GRT, built 1940), and Fort Wrangell (7213 GRT, built 1944), ammunition ship Robert Maersk (2290 GRT, built 1937), escort carriers HMS Arbiter (Capt. D.H. Everett, DSO, RN), HMS Chaser (Capt. R.G. Poole, RN) and HMS Ruler (Capt. H.P. Currey, OBE, RN). They were escorted by destroyers HMAS Norman (Cdr. J. Plunkett-Cole, RAN), HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN), sloop HMS Pheasant (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Palmer, RN), frigate HMS Barle (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J. Duncan, DSC, RNR) and minesweepers/corvettes HMAS Ballarat (A/Cdr. N.R. Read, RAN) and HMAS Burnie (Lt.Cdr. E.M. Andrewartha, RANR). Replenishment started soon afterwards.

As usual Task Force 37 detached at dusk from Task Unit 112 for the night.

In the morning of the 7th, Task Force 37 continued with replenishment from Task Unit 112. HMAS Nizam detached from Task Unit 112 and joined Task Force 37.

In the late afternoon of the 7th, Task Force 37 completed replenishment and detached from Task Unit 112 and set course for the north-west towards the operations area.

4 Aug 1945
HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN) boarded and investigated the small Japanese hospital ship Kiku Maru (760 GRT, built 1929). She was en-route from Yokusaka to Marcus Island and as no violations of the Geneva Convention could be seen she was allowed to proceed.

Later the same day HMS Arbiter (Capt. D.H. Everett, DSO, RN) and HMAS Nizam joined Task Unit 112.2.2 made up of the minesweepers HMAS Ballarat (A/Cdr. N.R. Read, RAN) and HMAS Burnie (Lt.Cdr. E.M. Andrewartha, RANR) and the frigate HMS Barle (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J. Duncan, DSC, RNR) which were escorting the RFA tanker Wave Monarch (8159 GRT, built 1944), chartered tanker San Amado (7316 GRT, built 1935) and stores ship Fort Wrangell (7213 GRT, built 1944).

Rendezvous with the Logistic Support Group was affected on the 5th.

[For more information see the event for 3 August 1945.] (5)

7 Aug 1945
Around 1800I/7, the escort carriers HMS Arbiter (Capt. D.H. Everett, DSO, RN), HMS Chaser (Capt. R.G. Poole, RN), victualling stores ship Glenarney (9795 GRT, built 1940) and RFA tanker Wave King (8190 GRT, built 1944) departed the Replenishment Area for Manus / Ulhiti. They were escorted by the destroyer HMAS Norman (Cdr. J. Plunkett-Cole, RAN) and the sloop HMS Woodcock (A/Lt.Cdr. S.J. Parsons, DSC, RN).

Around 2130K/12, the Wave King and HMS Woodcock parted company to proceed to Ulhiti where they arrived on 14 August 1945.

Around 0700K/13, the remaining ships were joined by the destroyers HMAS Nepal (Lt.Cdr. C.J. Stephenson, RAN) and HMS Queenborough (Cdr. P.L. Saumarez, DSC and Bar, RN) coming from Manus.

HMS Arbiter, HMS Chaser, Glenartney, HMS Norman, HMS Nepal and HMS Queenborough arrived at Manus around 0800K/14. (6)