uboat.net

  Front page - Fighting the U-boats - Allied Warships

Follow us on Twitter
@uboatnet

Notable events involving Apollo include:

4 Mar 1943
HMS Apollo (Capt. J.A. Grindle, CBE, RN) is undocked. (1)

14 Mar 1944
HMS Trusty (Lt. M.F.R. Ainslie, DSO, DSC, RN) conducts attack exercises at / off Scapa Flow with HMS Apollo (Capt. J.A. Grindle, CBE, RN). (2)

22 Apr 1944

Minelaying operation Hostile 30.

The object of this minelaying operation was to lay a minefield off Ile Vierge.

Around 1515B/22, the fast minelayer HMS Apollo (Capt. J.A. Grindle, CBE, RN) departed Milford Haven to lay this minefield.

Around 2245B/22, she was joined off Longships by the destroyers HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN), HMCS Athabaskan (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN) and HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN) coming from Plymouth.

The destroyers were detached around 0145B/23 and between 0201B/23 and 0227B/23, HMS Apollo laid 100 MK XVII (49/50) / MK XVIII units, 40 MK 1 / XVII units and 16 MK 1 obstructors in three lines on headings of 125°, 185° and 305° within an area enclosed by lines joining positions;
A) 48°45'7"N, 04°38'5"W,
B) 48°41'1"N, 04°35'4"W,
C) 48°40'0"N, 04°39'5"W,
D) 48°44'4"N, 04°42'7"W.

Mines were set at a depth of 20 feet, with flooders to operate by 10 June 1944. Delay release was arranged for 22nd, 27th and 31st May.

On completion, HMS Apollo returned to Milford Haven. The destroyers returned to Plymouth arriving around 0730B/23. (3)

15 May 1944

Minelaying operation Hostile 32, first attempt.

The object of this minelaying operation was to lay a minefield to the west of Ushant.

Around 1600B/15, the fast minelayer HMS Apollo (Capt. J.A. Grindle, CBE, RN) departed Milford Haven to lay this minefield.

Around 2000B/15, the light cruiser HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) and the destroyers HMS Tartar (Cdr. B. Jones, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN), HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN) and HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN) departed Plymouth to provide cover for the operation.

At 0030B/16, the radar set of HMS Apollo burst into flames and was put out of action.

At 0104B/16, HMS Apollo sighted a number of lights, apparently from fishing vessels, coming into sight on the horizon stretching from the port bow to the starboard beam. An alteration of course to the westward only led to more lights. One or two of these lights were seen to move faster then was to be expected from fishing vessels.

At 0125B/16, unable to retired to the north-west due to the presence of the covering force, HMS Apollo turned to the eastward in the hope of being able to lay her mines but then in the position of the upcoming minelaying operation 'Hostile 33'. An enemy report was sent to HMS Bellona that nine unidentified vessels had been sighted in the area of the fishing fleet.

At 0132B/16, the Commanding Officer of HMS Apollo decided to abandon the operation and made a signal to HMS Bellona to that effect, but its transmission was delayed due to poor internal organisation.

At 0140B/16, while on a retiring course, HMS Apollo was illuminated by star shell from the covering force and hotly engaged by one of the destroyers. She switched on IFF, ordered 'cease firing' on VH/F R/T and zig-zagged to avoid damage but it was not until 0210B/16 that HMS Bellona suspected that all was not well and ordered HMS Apollo to report her course and speed, thus ending the 'engagement'. The blame for this incident was accepted by the Commanding Officer of HMS Apollo, for his enemy report gave no indication the HMS Bellona of a change of plan.

Around 0620B/16, HMS Apollo arrived at Plymouth followed by the cover force around 1230B/16. (4)

17 May 1944

Minelaying operation Hostile 32, second attempt.

The object of this minelaying operation was to lay a minefield to the west of Ushant.

Around 2010B/17, the fast minelayer HMS Apollo (Capt. J.A. Grindle, CBE, RN) departed Plymouth to lay this minefield.

At the same time, the light cruiser HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) and the destroyers HMS Tartar (Cdr. B. Jones, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN), HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN) and HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN) also Plymouth to provide cover for the operation.

During the approach, in fine weather, three enemy destroyers were reported to be operating to the westward, this may have been the cover force though. Also fishing vessels were again encountered in the same position as two days before but HMS Apollo now ignored them.

Between 0201B/18 and 0239B/18, a total of 150 mines and 6 minesweeping obstructors were laid in four lines within an area bounded by lines joining positions;
48°26'7"N, 05°26'2"W,
48°26'7"N, 05°14'3"W,
48°22'7"N, 05°14'3"W and
48°22'7"N, 05°26'2"W.
Mines were set to a depth of 20 feet, with delayed release sinkers to operate in groups on 27 May, 30 May and 3 June. Flooders were set to operate on 21 June.

Following the operation HMS Apollo proceeded to Milford Haven where she arrived around 1000B/18 and the cover force returned to Plymouth arriving around 0900B/18. (4)

6 Oct 1944
At / off Scapa Flow, HMS Trusty (Lt. L.E. Herrick, DSO, RN) conducts attack exercises for the Commanding Officer Qualifying Course off Scapa Flow with HMS Euryalus (Capt. R. Oliver-Bellesis, RN) and later with HMS Apollo (Capt. J.A. Grindle, CBE, RN). (5)

10 Oct 1944
The heavy cruiser HMS Kent (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, DSC, MVO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.R. McGrigor, CB, DSO, RN), HMS Berwick (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, DSO, RN), light cruiser HMS Euryalus (Capt. R. Oliver-Bellesis, RN) and the fast minelayer HMS Apollo (Capt. J.A. Grindle, CBE, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (6)

12 Oct 1944
The heavy cruiser HMS Kent (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, DSC, MVO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.R. McGrigor, CB, DSO, RN), HMS Berwick (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, DSO, RN), light cruiser HMS Dido (Capt. J. Terry, RN) and the fast minelayer HMS Apollo (Capt. J.A. Grindle, CBE, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (7)

19 Oct 1944
The heavy cruisers HMS Kent (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, DSC, MVO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.R. McGrigor, CB, DSO, RN), HMS Berwick (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, DSO, RN), HMS Devonshire (Capt. D.K. Bain, DSO, RN) and the fast minelayer HMS Apollo (Capt. J.A. Grindle, CBE, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow.

HMS Devonshire had joined coming from Rosyth. (8)

3 Jan 1945
HrMs Zeehond (Lt.Cdr. Baron D.T. Mackay, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Scapa Flow with HMS Mauritius (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) and HMS Apollo (Capt. J.A. Grindle, CBE, RN). (9)

9 Jan 1945
During the afternoon and evening, the heavy cruiser HMS Norfolk (Capt. J.G.Y. Loveband, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.R. McGrigor, CB, DSO, RN), light cruiser HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, DSO, RN), fast minelayer HMS Apollo (Capt. J.A. Grindle, CBE, RN) and some destroyers (most likely HMS Onslow (Capt. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN), HMS Onslaught (Cdr. the Hon. A. Pleydell-Bouverie, RN), HMS Orwell (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Gower, DSC, RN), HMS Zealous (Cdr. R.F. Jessel, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Carron (Lt.Cdr. J.V. Wilkinson, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (10)

10 Jan 1945

Operations Spellbinder and Gratis

Operation Spellbinder was carried out in two parts, part I was an anti-shipping raid in the Egersund area and part II was a minelay near Utsira Island.

Operation Gratis was the laying of an air laid minefield in Karm Sund.

Around 2200A/10, ' Force 1 ', made up of the heavy cruiser HMS Norfolk (Capt. J.G.Y. Loveband, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.R. McGrigor, CB, DSO, RN), light cruiser HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Onslow (Capt. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN), HMS Onslaught (Cdr. A. Pleydell-Bouverie, RN) and HMS Orwell (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Gower, DSC, RN) and ' Force 2 ', made up of the fast minelayer HMS Apollo (Capt. J.A. Grindle, CBE, RN) and the destroyers HMS Zealous (Cdr. R.F. Jessel, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Carron (Lt.Cdr. J.V. Wilkinson, DSC, RN) departed Scapa Flow for operation Spellbinder.

They proceeded in company until 1100A/11 when they split up to the north of the Shetlands. ' Force 2 ' remained in that vicinity until 1508A/11 when course and speed were adjusted so as to arrive in the laying position at midnight. ' Force 1 ' set course for the Egersund area, aiming to arrive off the coast at about 2215A/11.

HMS Apollo, HMS Zealous and HMS Carron approached the Norwegian coast from the north-westward at 30 knots, in fine clear weather, making use of the beam of the enemy consol beacon situated in position 58°37'5"N, 05°37'8"E. Course was altered to 090° at 2336A/11 and Utsira light was seen shortly afterwards.

Starshell from ' Force 1 ', engaged 100 miles to the southward, was observed at 2343A/11. Five minutes later ' Force 2 ' reduced speed to 20 knots and HMS Zealous and HMS Carron proceeded ahead to make a smokescreen between the laying position and them mainland.

Between 2357A/11 and 0020A/12, HMS Apollo laid 156 mines in three lines as follows;
Line 1 of 52 mines - Between 59°15'00"N, 05°01'06"E and 59°15'00"N, 05°04'21"E.
Line 2 of 55 mines - Between 59°14'51"N, 05°06'06"E and 59°13'39"N, 05°00'00"E.
Line 3 of 49 mines - Between 59°13'15"N, 05°07'54"E and 59°12'51"N, 05°04'48"E.
The mines were laid at a depth of 30 feet and flooders were set to operate on 19 February 1945.

On completion of this unobserved lay ' Force 2 ' retired at high speed to the northward and then set course to return to Scapa Flow where they arrived around 1450A/12.

' Force 1 ' had picked up Utsira Island by radar at 1940A/11 and an hour later course was altered to close the convoy route south of Stavanger. The ships were positioned in line ahead.

At 2215A/11, ' Force 1 ' altered course to starboard to run down the coast, keeping 10 miles to seaward and parallel to the shipping route. At the same time they were picked up and held by enemy shore radar.

At 2312A/11, when opposite Egersund, radar contact was made with a convoy close inshore and apparently making for Egersund. Course was altered towards the target and fire was opened with starshell at 2341A/11. The appearance of a radar echo on the starboard bow, which was classified as a U-boat, somewhat complicated the movements of ' Force 1 '.

During the ensuing engagement the enemy shore batteries joined in, but although they registered several straddles and near misses they achieved no hits. Rear-Admiral McGrigor reported that out of eight ships which made up the convoy, including escorts, one, probably an escort, escaped into Egersund after being hit. Of the remaining seven, one large merchant vessel was sunk and another one was left blazing to the waterline. One small merchant vessel, or escort, was seen to turn turtle. One M-class minesweeper blew up after running itself ashore in flames. The other three ships were left on fire of which one was seen to blow up when ' Force 1 ' was retiring.

' Force 1 ' withdrew to the west at 0027A/12, altering to the northward when well clear of enemy radar. They made rendezvous with ' Force 3 ' at 0800A/12. At 0910A/12, a shadowing JU 88 was shot down by fighters from HMS Trumpeter. One of the fighters was damaged and had to ditch the pilot being recovered by HMS Zodiac. The Combat Air Patrol was kept busy during the forenoon investigating bogeys, but no enemy attack developed and at 1400A/12, ' Force 3 ' was detached for operation Gratis. ' Force 1 ' then headed for Scapa Flow, passing east of the Shetlands, and arrived at 2205A/12.

' Force 3 ', made up of the light cruiser HMS Dido (Capt. R.F. Elkins, OBE, RN), escort carriers Premier (A/Capt. R.J. Gardner, RN), HMS Trumpeter (Cdr. K.S. Colquhoun, RN) and the destroyers HMS Opportune (Cdr. R.E.D. Ryder, VC, RN), HMS Zest (Lt.Cdr. R.B.N. Hicks, DSO, RN), HMS Zodiac (Lt.Cdr. H.R. Rycroft, DSC, RN) and HMS Cavendish (Cdr. R.H. Maurice, DSO, RN) had departed Scapa Flow at 1130A/11, to rendezvous with ' Force 1 ', and, having been detached on the 12th, proceeded west-about round the Shetlands and through Fair Isle Channel for the flying off position in 59°15'N, 01°10'E.

Two MTB's from Lerwick had been detailed to rendezvous with ' Force 3 ', to act as Air Sea Rescue craft in the event of a ditching to the east the flying off position. They made rendezvous at 0915A/13, just short of the flying off position. In view of the good weather conditions, flying off commenced immediately and by 0930A/13, the strike, made up of six Avengers from 846 Squadron and eight Wildcats from HMS Trumpeter and six Avengers from 856 Squadron and eight Wildcats from HMS Premier, was airborne. Departure was taken at 0938A/13 and a good landfall was made on Utsira Island. At about 1130A/13 the 12 Avengers laid their mines in the channel between Salhus light and a position 500 yards to the northward. Only light flack was encountered and all aircraft returned safely to the carriers being landed on by 1150A/13. ' Force 3 ' then returned to Scapa Flow arriving there at 2100A/13.

The German convoy attacked by ' Force 1 ' was made up of the transports Bahia Camarones (8551 GRT, built 1918), Charlotte (4404 GRT, built 1908) and Wesermarsch (1923 GRT, built 1943). They were escorted by the minesweepers M-456, M-436, M-306, M-273 and M-253. The submarine U-427 was also with the convoy and she fired torpedoes at ' Force 1 ' but all mised. The Bahia Camarones, Charlotte and M-273 were sunk. (11)

23 Feb 1945
HMS Apollo (Capt. J.A. Grindle, CBE, RN) is docked at Pembroke Dock. (1)

11 May 1945

Operation Kingdom.

The object of this operation was to transport the Norwegian Crown Prince, together with Norwegian Government officials and military commanders and also members of the Allied Shaef mission (Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force).

For this operation the heavy cruiser HMS Devonshire (Capt. G.M.B. Langley, OBE, RN), fast minelayers HMS Apollo (Capt. J.A. Grindle, CBE, RN), HMS Ariadne (Capt. F.B. Lloyd, OBE, RN), destroyers HMCS Iroquois (Capt. K.F. Adams, RCN), HMS Savage (Lt.Cdr. C.W. Malins, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Campbell (Lt. B.W. Meaden, RN), escort destroyer HNoMS Arendal departed Rosyth around 1630B/11. They arrived at Oslo in the afternoon of the 13th.

The were swept in by the minesweepers HMS Catherine (Cdr. Kenneth Hillam Fraser, RN), 6541 HMS Cynthia (T/A/Lt.Cdr. C.L. Chatwin, RNVR), HMS Elfreda (T/A/Lt.Cdr. L. Jolly, RNVR), HMS Grecian (T/A/Cdr. C.R. Fraser, DSC and Bar, RNR) and HMS Gazelle (Lt.Cdr. J.D. Sutcliffe, RN), HMS Maenad (Cdr. C.E. Duggan, RD, RNR), HMS Steadfast (T/A/Lt. A.H. Hall, RNVR) and HMS Tattoo (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) F.G. Rogers, RD, RNR) which had come from Copenhagen. (12)

2 Jul 1945
HMS Manxman (Capt. G. Thistleton-Smith, RN) and HMS Apollo (Capt. L.N. Brownfield, RN) departed Malta for Port Said. (13)

4 Jul 1945
HMS Manxman (Capt. G. Thistleton-Smith, RN) and HMS Apollo (Capt. L.N. Brownfield, RN) arrived at Port Said from Malta. They transited the Suez Canal southbound on either this or the next day. (13)

5 Jul 1945
HMS Manxman (Capt. G. Thistleton-Smith, RN) and HMS Apollo (Capt. L.N. Brownfield, RN) departed Suez for Aden. (13)

8 Jul 1945
HMS Manxman (Capt. G. Thistleton-Smith, RN) and HMS Apollo (Capt. L.N. Brownfield, RN) arrived at Aden from Suez. They departed for Colombo later the same day. (13)

14 Jul 1945
HMS Manxman (Capt. G. Thistleton-Smith, RN) and HMS Apollo (Capt. L.N. Brownfield, RN) arrived at Colombo from Aden. (13)

17 Jul 1945
HMS Manxman (Capt. G. Thistleton-Smith, RN) and HMS Apollo (Capt. L.N. Brownfield, RN) departed Colombo for Fremantle via Cocos Island. (13)

22 Jul 1945
HMS Manxman (Capt. G. Thistleton-Smith, RN) and HMS Apollo (Capt. L.N. Brownfield, RN) made a stop at Cocos Island during their passage from Colombo to Fremantle.

26 Jul 1945
HMS Manxman (Capt. G. Thistleton-Smith, RN) and HMS Apollo (Capt. L.N. Brownfield, RN) arrived at Fremantle from Colombo. (14)

27 Jul 1945
HMS Manxman (Capt. G. Thistleton-Smith, RN) and HMS Apollo (Capt. L.N. Brownfield, RN) departed Fremantle for Geelong / Melbourne. (14)

1 Aug 1945
HMS Manxman (Capt. G. Thistleton-Smith, RN) and HMS Apollo (Capt. L.N. Brownfield, RN) arrived at the RAN mine depot at Swan Island where they disembarked their mines.

They subsequently proceeded to Melbourne where they still were when the Japanese surrendered.