Navy | The Royal Navy |
Type | Destroyer |
Class | T |
Pennant | R 56 |
Built by | Swan Hunter and Wigham Richardson Ltd. (Wallsend-on-Tyne, U.K.): Wallsend |
Ordered | 13 Mar 1941 |
Laid down | 6 Sep 1941 |
Launched | 28 May 1942 |
Commissioned | 11 Mar 1943 |
End service | |
History | Scrapped at Bo'ness in May 1966. |
Commands listed for HMS Tuscan (R 56)
Please note that we're still working on this section
and that we only list Commanding Officers for the duration of the Second World War.
Commander | From | To | ||
1 | Lt.Cdr. George Ian Mackintosh Balfour, RN | 24 Jan 1943 | 6 Jun 1943 | |
2 | Lt.Cdr. Cecil Hugo de Boisville Newby, RN | 12 Jul 1943 | Mar 1944 | |
3 | Lt.Cdr. Ernest Norman Wood, DSC, RNVR | Mar 1944 | 22 Jan 1945 | |
4 | Lt.Cdr. Peter Barthrop North Lewis, DSC, RN | 22 Jan 1945 | mid 1946 |
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Notable events involving Tuscan include:
1 Apr 1943
HrMs O 14 (Lt.Cdr. H.A.W. Goossens, RNN) conducted A/S exercises at / off Scapa Flow with HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Wallace, DSC, RN), HMS Arrow (Lt.Cdr. W.W. Fitzroy, RN) and HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. G.I.M. Balfour, RN). (1)
3 Apr 1943
HrMs O 14 (Lt.Cdr. H.A.W. Goossens, RNN) conducted A/S exercises at / off Scapa Flow with HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. G.I.M. Balfour, RN), HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Wallace, DSC, RN) and HMS Troubridge (Capt. C.L. Firth, MVO, RN). (1)
5 Apr 1943
HrMs O 14 (Lt.Cdr. H.A.W. Goossens, RNN) conducted A/S exercises at / off Scapa Flow with HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. G.I.M. Balfour, RN), HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Wallace, DSC, RN) and HMS Arrow (Lt.Cdr. W.W. Fitzroy, RN). (1)
7 Apr 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) conducted practice attacks at Scapa Flow with officers participating in the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course). HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. G.I.M. Balfour, RN) served as target. (2)
9 Apr 1943
HrMs O 14 (Lt.Cdr. H.A.W. Goossens, RNN) conducted A/S exercises at / off Scapa Flow with HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. G.I.M. Balfour, RN), HMS Lauderdale (Lt. G.D. Pound, DSC, RN), HMS Stevenstone (Lt. P.B.N. Lewis, DSC, RN) and HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Wallace, DSC, RN). (1)
12 Apr 1943
HrMs O 14 (Lt.Cdr. H.A.W. Goossens, RNN) conducted A/S exercises at / off Scapa Flow with HMS Stevenstone (Lt. P.B.N. Lewis, DSC, RN), HMS Milne (Capt. I.M.R. Campbell, DSO, RN), HMS Troubridge (Capt. C.L. Firth, MVO, RN) and HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. G.I.M. Balfour, RN). (1)
15 Apr 1943
HrMs O 14 (Lt.Cdr. H.A.W. Goossens, RNN) conducted A/S exercises at / off Scapa Flow with HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. G.I.M. Balfour, RN) and HMS Active (Lt.Cdr. P.G. Merriman, RN). (1)
16 Apr 1943
HMS Anson (Commodore H.R.G. Kinahan, CBE, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. During the exercises HMS Anson was escorted by three destroyers / escort destroyers. [These were possibly the destroyer HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. G.I.M. Balfour, RN) and the escort destroyers HMS Brecon (Lt.Cdr. T.D. Herrick, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Brissenden (Lt. D.C. Beatty, RN).] (3)
1 May 1943
HMS King George V (Capt. T.E. Halsey, DSO, RN), HMS Mahratta (Lt.Cdr. E.A.F. Drought, DSC, RN), HMS St. Marys (Lt. D.B.G. Dumas, RN) and HMS Stevenstone (Lt. P.B.N. Lewis, DSC, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from Rosyth.
HMS King George V departed Scapa Flow for Gibraltar later the same day. She is now escorted by the destroyers HMS Troubridge (Capt. C.L. Firth, MVO, RN), HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. G.I.M. Balfour, RN) and HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN). (4)
5 May 1943
Around 1700A/5, ' Force H ' which was made up of the battleships HMS Nelson (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral A.U. Willis, CB, DSO, RN), HMS Rodney (Capt. J.W. Rivett-Carnac, DSC, RN), aircraft carrier HMS Formidable (Capt. A.G. Talbot, DSO, RN), destroyers HMS Ilex (Lt.Cdr. V.A. Wight-Boycott, OBE, RN), HMS Velox (Lt. G.B. Barstow, RN), HMS Venomous (Lt. H.D. Durell, RN) and the escort destroyers HMS Calpe (Lt.Cdr. H. Kirkwood, DSC, RN), HMS Farndale (Cdr. D.P. Trentham, RN), HMS Haydon (Lt. R.C. Watkin, RN), HMS Puckeridge (Lt. J.C. Cartwright, DSC, RN), HMS Tynedale (Lt. J.J.S. Yorke, DSC, RN), HMS Wheatland (Lt.Cdr. R.deL. Brooke, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Wilton (Lt. A.P. Northey, DSC and Bar, RN) departed Mers-el-Kebir for Algiers where HMS Nelson arrived around 0100A/7.
HMS Formidable with HMS Ilex, HMS Velox, HMS Puckeridge, HMS Wheatland and HMS Wilton arrived at Gibraltar around 1130B/7.
HMS Rodney, HMS Calpe, HMS Farndale, HMS Haydon and HMS Tynedale proceeded to the west of Gibraltar where around 0830B/7 these escort destroyers parted company to proceed to Gibraltar and the destroyers HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Wallace, DSC, RN), HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN) and HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. G.I.M. Balfour, RN) joined. HMS Rodney and her escorts then set course for the UK. (5)
6 May 1943
HMS King George V (Capt. T.E. Halsey, DSO, RN), HMS Troubridge (Capt. C.L. Firth, MVO, RN), HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. G.I.M. Balfour, RN) and HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (4)
9 May 1943
Around 2000B/9, the destroyer ORP Piorun (Cdr. S.T. Dzienisiewicz) joined HMS Rodney (Capt. J.W. Rivett-Carnac, DSC, RN), HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Wallace, DSC, RN), HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN) and HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. G.I.M. Balfour, RN).
HMS Anthony then parted company to proceed to Gibraltar.
HMS Rodney, HMS Meteor, HMS Tuscan and ORP Piorun arrived at Plymouth around 1930B/11. (6)
14 May 1943
HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. G.I.M. Balfour, RN) is damaged when she hits a drifting mine in the Bristol Channel. She is out of action for about 4 months.
13 Nov 1943
HMS Spiteful (Lt.Cdr. F.H. Sherwood, DSC, RCNVR) conducted A/S exercises at Scapa Flow with HMS Ariadne (Capt. Lord Ashbourne, RN), HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. C.H.de B. Newby, RN), HMS Virago (Lt.Cdr. A.J.R. White, RN), HMIS Cauvery (A/Cdr. A.W. Beeton, RIN) and another vessel. (7)
22 Nov 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Scapa Flow together with HMS Tenacious (Lt.Cdr. D.F. Townsend, RN), HMS Termagent (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Scatchard, DSC, RN) and HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. C.H.de B. Newby, RN). (8)
27 Nov 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Scapa Flow together with HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. C.H.de B. Newby, RN) and HMS Virago (Lt.Cdr. A.J.R. White, RN). (8)
27 Nov 1943
The battleships HMS King George V (Capt. T.E. Halsey, DSO, RN) and HMS Howe (Capt. C.H.L. Woodhouse, CB, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. C.H.de B. Newby, RN), HMS Kempenfelt (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Marjoribanks, RN), HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Brissenden (Lt. D.D.E. Vivian, RN).
During the exercises, the Rear-Admiral Home Fleet Destroyers, Rear-Admiral I.G. Glennie, CB, RN) flew his flag in HMS King George V. (9)
30 Nov 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Scapa Flow together with HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN), HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN), HMIS Cauvery (A/Cdr. A.W. Beeton, RIN) and HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. C.H.de B. Newby, RN). (8)
3 Dec 1943
The battleships HMS Duke of York (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Admiral B.A. Fraser, KCB, KBE, RN), HMS King George V (Capt. T.E. Halsey, DSO, RN) and Richelieu (Capt. R.G. Lambert) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. They were, most likely, escorted by the destroyers HMS Milne (Capt. I.M.R. Campbell, DSO, RN), HMS Termagent (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Scatchard, DSC, RN), HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. C.H.de B. Newby, RN), HMS Virago (Lt.Cdr. A.J.R. White, RN) and HMS Kempenfelt (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Marjoribanks, RN). (10)
10 Dec 1943
HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Scapa Flow together with HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. C.H.de B. Newby, RN), HMS Tenacious (Lt.Cdr. D.F. Townsend, RN), HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN) and HMS Hardy (Lt.Cdr. R. Horncastle, RN). (11)
14 Dec 1943
Around 1000A/14, HMS Queen Elizabeth (Capt. H.G. Norman, CBE, RN), after having first carried out D/G trials, departed Portsmouth for Scapa Flow. She is escorted by the escort destroyers HMS Stevenstone (T/A/Lt.Cdr. H.M. Duff-Still, DSO, RNVR) and La Combattante (Lt.Cdr. A. Patou).
Around 1515A/14, the original destroyer escort parted company upon them being replaced by the escort destroyers HMS Melbreak (Lt. G.J. Kirkby, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Tanatside (Cdr. B.J. de St. Croix, RN). They remained in company until around 2000A/14.
At 0940A/15, the destroyers HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. C.H.de B. Newby, RN) and HMS Tenacious (Lt.Cdr. D.F. Townsend, RN) joined and HMS Queen Elizabeth started a bombardment exercise.
At 1130A/15, HMS Black Prince (Capt. D.M. Lees, DSO, RN) joined and more exercises were carried out.
HMS Queen Elizabeth arrived at Scapa Flow around mid-afternoon. (12)
30 Dec 1943
Around 1745A/30, the battleships HMS Queen Elizabeth (Capt. H.G. Norman, CBE, RN), HMS Valiant (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) and the battlecruiser HMS Renown (Capt. B.C.B. Brooke, RN, flying the flag of Vice Admiral A.J. Power, KCB, CVO, RN, second in command of the Eastern Fleet) departed Scapa Flow with the ultimate destination, Trincomalee, Ceylon. On departure from Scapa Flow these ships were escorted by the destroyer HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. C.H.de B. Newby, RN) and the frigates HMS Berry (T/A/Lt.Cdr. C.S. Pirie, RNVR), HMS Blackwood (Lt.Cdr. L.T. Sly, RD, RNR) and HMS Domett (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S. Gordon, RNVR). These ships proceeded through the Minches and were joined around 1100A/31 by the aircraft carriers HMS Illustrious (Capt. R.L.B. Cunliffe, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C. Moody, CB, RN), HMS Unicorn (Capt. H.L.St.J. Fancourt, DSO, RN) escorted by the destroyers HMS Termagent (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Scatchard, DSC, RN), HMS Tenacious (Lt.Cdr. D.F. Townsend, RN) and HMS Kempenfelt (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Marjoribanks, RN). These ships had departed the Clyde around 2200A/30. The frigates HMS Cooke (Lt.Cdr. L.C. Hill, OBE, RD, RNR), HMS Duckworth (Cdr. R.G. Mills, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Essington (A/Lt.Cdr. W. Lambert, RNVR) and HMS Parrett (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) T. Hood, RNR) also joined. They came from Londonderry, Northern Ireland. HMS Tuscan was now detached to the Clyde to make repairs as she had sustained weather damage during the passage from Scapa Flow. (13)
6 Aug 1944
Operations of Task Force 88 during operation Preface.
Operation Preface was a rehearsal for the upcoming landings in Southern France.
Task Force 88, under R.Adm. T.H. Troubridge, DSO and Bar, RN, was the Carrier Force for the upcoming landings in Southern France and was made up of the following Task Groups; Task Group 88.1, under R.Adm. T.H. Troubridge, DSO and Bar, RN, was made up the following ships; Light cruiser HMS Royalist (Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN, flying the flag of R.Adm. T.H. Troubridge, DSO and Bar, RN), AA cruiser HMS Delhi (Capt. G.R. Waymouth, RN), escort carriers HMS Attacker (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, DSO, MVO, RAN), HMS Emperor (A/Capt. T.J.N. Hilken, DSO, RN), HMS Khedive (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Haynes, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Pursuer (A/Capt. H.R. Graham, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Searcher (Capt. G.O.C. Davies, RN) and the destroyers HMS Troubridge (Capt. C.L. Firth, DSO, MVO, RN, Capt. D.24), HMS Teazer (Lt.Cdr. A.A.F. Talbot, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Tenacious (Lt.Cdr. D.F. Townsend, RN), HMS Tumult (Lt.Cdr. N. Lanyon, DSC, RN), HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Wood, DSC, RNVR), HMS Tyrian (Cdr. R.H. Mills, RN) and RHS Navarinon. Task Group 88.2, under T/R.Adm. C.T. Durgin, USN, was made up the following ships; AA cruisers HMS Caledon (Capt. R.F. Nichols, RN), HMS Colombo (Capt. C.T. Jellicoe, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), escort carriers USS Tulagi (T/Capt. J.C. Cronin, USN, flying the flag of T/R.Adm. C.T. Durgin, USN), USS Kasaan Bay (T/Capt. B.E. Grow, USN), HMS Hunter (Capt. H.H. McWilliam, RN), HMS Stalker (Capt. H.S. Murray-Smith, RN) and the destroyers USS Jeffers (T/Cdr. H.Q. Murray, USN, with COMDESRON 17, T/Capt. A.C. Murdauch, USN, on board), Murphy (T/Cdr. R.A. Wolverton, USN), USS Butler (T/Cdr. M.D. Matthews, USN, with COMDESDIV 34, T/Capt. W.L. Benson, on board), USS Gherardi (T/Cdr. N.R. Curtin, USN), Herndon (T/Cdr. G.A. Moore, USN) and USS Shubrick (T/Cdr. W. Blenman, USN).
Task Force 88 departed Malta on 6 August 1944 for exercises in the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Excercises commenced around 0600B/7 and were completed around 1200B/7.
Around 1438B/7, USS Jeffers, USS Murphy and USS Shubrick parted company with TG 88.2 to proceed to Naples where they arrived around 1607B/7. The remainder of Task Force 88.2, minus HMS Caledon arrived at Naples around 1710B/7.
Around 1100B/8, TG 88.1 plus HMS Caledon arrived at Malta.
12 Aug 1944
Operation Dragoon, the landings in Southern France, operations by Task Force 88, the Carrier Force.
Task Force 88, under R.Adm. T.H. Troubridge, DSO and Bar, RN, was the Carrier Force for the upcoming landings in Southern France and was made up of the following Task Groups; Task Group 88.1, under R.Adm. T.H. Troubridge, DSO and Bar, RN, was made up the following ships; Light cruiser HMS Royalist (Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN, flying the flag of R.Adm. T.H. Troubridge, DSO and Bar, RN), AA cruiser HMS Delhi (Capt. G.R. Waymouth, RN), escort carriers HMS Attacker (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, DSO, MVO, RAN), HMS Emperor (A/Capt. T.J.N. Hilken, DSO, RN), HMS Khedive (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Haynes, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Pursuer (A/Capt. H.R. Graham, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Searcher (Capt. G.O.C. Davies, RN) and the destroyers HMS Troubridge (Capt. C.L. Firth, DSO, MVO, RN, Capt. D.24), HMS Teazer (Lt.Cdr. A.A.F. Talbot, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Tenacious (Lt.Cdr. D.F. Townsend, RN), HMS Tumult (Lt.Cdr. N. Lanyon, DSC, RN), HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Wood, DSC, RNVR), HMS Tyrian (Cdr. R.H. Mills, RN) and RHS Navarinon. Task Group 88.2, under T/R.Adm. C.T. Durgin, USN, was made up the following ships; AA cruisers HMS Caledon (Capt. R.F. Nichols, RN), HMS Colombo (Capt. C.T. Jellicoe, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), escort carriers USS Tulagi (T/Capt. J.C. Cronin, USN, flying the flag of T/R.Adm. C.T. Durgin, USN), USS Kasaan Bay (T/Capt. B.E. Grow, USN), HMS Hunter (Capt. H.H. McWilliam, RN), HMS Stalker (Capt. H.S. Murray-Smith, RN) and the destroyers USS Jeffers (T/Cdr. H.Q. Murray, USN, with COMDESRON 17, T/Capt. A.C. Murdauch, USN, on board), Murphy (T/Cdr. R.A. Wolverton, USN), USS Butler (T/Cdr. M.D. Matthews, USN, with COMDESDIV 34, T/Capt. W.L. Benson, on board), USS Gherardi (T/Cdr. N.R. Curtin, USN), Herndon (T/Cdr. G.A. Moore, USN) and USS Shubrick (T/Cdr. W. Blenman, USN).
Task Force 88 departed Malta for the operations area on 12 August 1944.
Early on the 14th, Task Force 88 arrived in the operations area and around 0700B/14, flying operations commenced.
Around 1130B/14, the escort destroyer HMS Wheatland (Lt. H.A. Corbett, DSC, RN), coming from Naples, joined TG 88.1 and relieved HMS Tumult which then proceeded to Ajaccio.
Around 0650B/16, RHS Navarinon and HMS Wheatland were detached by TG 88.1 to fuel. They rejoined around 1330B/16.
Around 1445B/16, HMS Caledon and HMS Colombo were detached to fuel at Ajaccio. After fuelling HMS Caledon rejoined TG 88.2 around 1700B/17. HMS Colombo did not rejoin Task Force 88 as she was ordered to join Task Force 87 operating close inshore.
Around 0700B/17, HMS Troubridge and HMS Tenacious were detached by TG 88.1 to fuel. They rejoined around 1335B/17.
Around 0700B/17, USS Butler and USS Murphy were detached from TG 88.2 to fuel at Ajaccio. They returned around 1800B/17.
Around 1700B/17, USS Shubrick was detached from TG 88.2 to fuel at Ajaccio. She returned around 0600B/18.
Around 1800B/17, HMS Delhi parted company with TG 88.1 and proceeded to the Gulf of St. Tropez. Around the same time HMS Tumult rejoined TG 88.1.
Around 0630B/19, USS Gherardi was detached from TG 88.2 to fuel at Ajaccio. She returned around 2115B/19.
Around 1900B/19, HMS Searcher and HMS Teazer were detached by TG 88.1 to proceed ahead of the main force to La Maddalena.
Around 2115B/19, USS Herndon was detached from TG 88.2 to fuel at Ajaccio. She returned around 1900B/20.
Around 1930B/19, HMS Khedive, HMS Tuscan and HMS Tyrian were detached by TG 88.1 to join TG 88.2 which they did around 0625B/20. HMS Tuscan then parted company to proceed to La Maddalena.
On 20 August, the bulk of TG 88.1 fuelled at La Maddalena and then departed again to return to the operations area.
Around 0700B/20, USS Jeffers was detached from TG 88.2 to fuel at Ajaccio. COMDESRON 17, T/Capt. A.C. Murdauch, USN, temporary transferred to USS Murphy. She returned around 0130B/21. After dawn COMDESRON 17 transferred back to her.
Around 2200B/20, HMS Khedive and HMS Tyrian parted company with TG 88.2 to proceed to La Maddalena to fuel. They arrived at La Maddalena around 1130B/21. On completion of fuelling they departed around 1800B/21 and joined TG 88.1 around 0730B/22.
Around 1130B/21, USS Jeffers parted company with TG 88.2.
On 22 August, the TG 88.2 arrived at La Maddalena from the operations area to re-fuel and re-arm. They departed to return to the operations area the next day.
Around 1445B/23, HMS Delhi joined TG 88.1.
Around 2300B/23, HMS Delhi was detached from TG 88.1 to join TG 88.2 which she did around 0745B/24.
Around noon on 24 August 1944, TG 88.1 arrived at La Maddalena.
Around 0730B/26, HMS Delhi parted company with TG 88.2 and proceeded to the Gulf of St. Tropez.
Around 2050B/27, HMS Hunter, HMS Stalker, HMS Caledon, USS Murphy and USS Shubrick parted company with TG 88.2 to proceed to La Maddalena where they arrived the following morning. USS Murphy and USS Shubrick did not enter the harbour though but proceeded to Ajaccio where they arrived early in the afternoon.
On 29 August 1944, the remainder of TG 88.2 arrived at Ajaccio from the operations area.
25 Apr 1945
Around 1730B/25, the battleships HMS Anson (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN), HMS Duke of York (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, DSO, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Malta. They were to continue their work-up programme in the Mediterranean.
They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Barfleur (Cdr. M.S. Townsend, DSO, DSC and Bar, OBE, RN), HMS Caprice (Lt.Cdr. G.W. McKendrick, RN), HMS Carron (Lt.Cdr. J.V. Wilkinson, DSC, RN), HMS Cavendish (Cdr. R.H. Maurice, DSO, RN), HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. P.B.N. Lewis, DSC, RN) and HMS Tyrian (Cdr. R.H. Mills, RN).
At 0100B/26, the heavy cruiser HMS Sussex (Capt. A.F. de Salis, DSO, RN) joined. She had departed Scapa Flow around 1940B/25 to overtake and join the other ships.
Around 0830A/28, the destroyers HMS Caprice, HMS Carron, HMS Cavendish were detached to Falmouth.
Around 1430A/29, the destroyers HMS Malcolm (Cdr. H. Lloyd-Williams, DSO, RNVR) and HMS Wolverine (A/Lt.Cdr. A.J. McCullogh Miller, DSC, RNVR) joined coming from Gibraltar. HMS Barfleur was then detached to proceed ahead to Gibraltar to fuel.
Around 1400B/30, HMS Tuscan, HMS Tyrian, HMS Malcolm and HMS Wolverine were detached to Gibraltar. HMS Barfleur rejoined at the same time.
Around 1830B/30, HMS Sussex was detached to Gibraltar.
At 0700B/2, HMS Tuscan and HMS Tyrian rejoined but they were detached again around 0905B/2 to proceed ahead to Malta.
Around 1245B/2, HMS Barfleur was detached to proceed ahead to Malta.
Around 1430B/2, HMS Anson and HMS Duke of York arrived at Malta. (14)
22 May 1945
Around 0630B/22, the light aircraft carriers HMS Venerable (Capt. W.A. Dallmeyer, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.J.H. Harcourt, CB, CBE, RN), HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) and HMS Glory (Capt. A.W. Buzzard, DSO, OBE, RN) departed Malta for Alexandria. They were escorted by the destroyer HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. P.B.N. Lewis, DSC, RN). (15)
25 May 1945
Around 1400C/25, HMS Venerable (Capt. W.A. Dallmeyer, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.J.H. Harcourt, CB, CBE, RN), HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Glory (Capt. A.W. Buzzard, DSO, OBE, RN) and HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. P.B.N. Lewis, DSC, RN) arrived at Alexandria from Malta. (15)
28 May 1945
Around 2215C/28, the light aircraft carriers HMS Venerable (Capt. W.A. Dallmeyer, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.J.H. Harcourt, CB, CBE, RN), HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) and HMS Colossus (Capt. G.H. Stokes,CB, DSC, RN) departed Suez for Aden. They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Tyrian (Cdr. R.H. Mills, RN) and HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. P.B.N. Lewis, DSC, RN). (16)
1 Jun 1945
Around 1430C/1, HMS Venerable (Capt. W.A. Dallmeyer, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.J.H. Harcourt, CB, CBE, RN), HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Colossus (Capt. G.H. Stokes,CB, DSC, RN), HMS Tyrian (Cdr. R.H. Mills, RN) and HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. P.B.N. Lewis, DSC, RN) arrived at Aden from Suez. (17)
2 Jun 1945
Around 1130C/2, the light aircraft carriers HMS Venerable (Capt. W.A. Dallmeyer, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.J.H. Harcourt, CB, CBE, RN), HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Colossus (Capt. G.H. Stokes,CB, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMS Tyrian (Cdr. R.H. Mills, RN) and HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. P.B.N. Lewis, DSC, RN) departed Aden for Ceylon / Madras.
Around 1800C/2, the battleship HMS Duke of York (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, DSO, RN) joined company.
Around 0700FG/8, HMS Colossus and HMS Vengeance parted company to proceed to Madras and Trincomalee respectively. The other ships entered Colombo harbour later that morning. (17)
20 Jun 1945
During 20/21 June 1945, the battleship HMS Queen Elizabeth (Capt. R.M. Ellis, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral H.C.T. Walker, CB, RN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee.
During part of the exercises on the 20th the destroyers HMS Tyrian (Cdr. R.H. Mills, RN) and HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. P.B.N. Lewis, DSC, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Blackmore (Lt. J.S. Kerans, RN) were with her.
During the afternoon of the 20th, HMS Queen Elizabeth conducted a RIX (range and inclination exercise) during which HMS Nigeria (Capt. H.A. King, DSO, RN) served as target. (18)
7 Jul 1945
Around 0630FG/7, the battleship HMS Anson (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN) departed Trincomalee for Fremantle. She first conducted underway refuelling exercises off Trincomalee.
Around 0730FG/7 the light carriers HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Colossus (Capt. G.H. Stokes,CB, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMS Tyrian (Cdr. R.H. Mills, RN) and HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. P.B.N. Lewis, DSC, RN) departed Trincomalee for Fremantle.
They were joined around 1900FG/7 by the light carrier HMS Venerable (Capt. W.A. Dallmeyer, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.J.H. Harcourt, CB, CBE, RN) which had departed Colombo around 0800FG/7.
HMS Anson joined the other ships around 0630FG/8.
En-route to Fremantle both destroyers refuelled from HMS Anson.
They arrived at Fremantle around 0800H, 16 July 1945. (19)
16 Jul 1945
Around 1745H/16, the battleship HMS Anson (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN), light carriers HMS Venerable (Capt. W.A. Dallmeyer, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.J.H. Harcourt, CB, CBE, RN), HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN), Colossus (Capt. G.H. Stokes,CB, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMS Tyrian (Cdr. R.H. Mills, RN) and HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. P.B.N. Lewis, DSC, RN) departed Fremantle for Sydney.
Around 2100H/16, HMS Anson was detached to fuel at Albany where she arrived around 1430H/17.
Around 1200H/18, HMS Anson departed Albany for Sydney.
All ships arrived at Sydney in the morning of 22 July except for HMS Tuscan which arrived in the afternoon and HMS Colossus which entered Jervis Bay in the morning of 22 July.
HMS Colossus proceeded from Jervis Bay to Sydney on 23 July. (19)
11 Aug 1945
HMS Virtue (Lt. R.D. Cairns, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Sydney with (at least) HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. P.B.N. Lewis, DSC, RN). (20)
13 Aug 1945
HMS Colossus (Capt. G.H. Stokes,CB, DSC, RN) proceeded from Sydney to Jervis Bay. En-route flying operations were carried out during which HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. P.B.N. Lewis, DSC, RN) conducted plane guard duties.
On arriving off Jervis Bay, HMS Tuscan parted company. (21)
15 Aug 1945
The aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CB, CBE, RN), light carriers HMS Colossus (Capt. G.H. Stokes,CB, DSC, RN), HMS Venerable (Capt. W.A. Dallmeyer, DSO, RN), HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN), light cruisers HMS Bermuda (Capt. J.S. Bethell, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral C. Moody, CB, RN), HMS Swiftsure (Capt. P.V. McLaughlin, RN) and the destroyers HMS Kempenfelt (Capt. E.G. McGregor, DSO, RN), HMS Whirlwind (Cdr. W.A.F. Hawkins, DSO, DSC, OBE, RN), HMS Ursa (Cdr. D.B. Wyburd, DSC, RN), HMS Tumult (Lt.Cdr. A.S. Pomeroy DSC, RN), HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. P.B.N. Lewis, DSC, RN) and HMS Tyrian (Cdr. R.H. Mills, RN) departed Sydney for Manus where they arrived on 19 / 20 August 1945.
The following vessels arrived at Manus on 19 August 1945; HMS Illustrious, HMS Venerable, HMS Swiftsure, HMS Kempenfelt, HMS Whirlwind and HMS Ursa. The remaining vessels arrived on 20 August 1945. (22)
20 Aug 1945
Around 1800K/20, Task Unit 111.3, made up of the light cruiser carrier HMS Bermuda (Capt. J.S. Bethell, CBE, RN, flying the flag of R.M Servaes, CBE, RN), HMS Argonaut (Capt. W.P. McCarthy, RN), light aircraft carrier HMS Colossus (Capt. G.H. Stokes,CB, DSC, RN)and the destroyers HMS Tyrian (Cdr. R.H. Mills, RN), HMS Tumult (Lt.Cdr. A.S. Pomeroy DSC, RN) and HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. P.B.N. Lewis, DSC, RN) departed Manus for Leyte.
Around 2100K/20, HMS Tyrian and HMS Tuscan parted company to return to Manus. (23)
22 Aug 1945
The battleship HMS Anson (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.S. Daniel, CB, CBE, RN) departed Manus for Leyte. She is escorted by the destroyers HMS Tyrian (Cdr. R.H. Mills, RN), HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. P.B.N. Lewis, DSC, RN) and HMAS Quiberon (Lt.Cdr. F.G.E. Knox, DSO, RAN). (24)
25 Aug 1945
HMS Anson (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.S. Daniel, CB, CBE, RN), HMS Tyrian (Cdr. R.H. Mills, RN), HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. P.B.N. Lewis, DSC, RN) and HMAS Quiberon (Lt.Cdr. F.G.E. Knox, DSO, RAN) arrived at Leyte from Manus. (24)
Media links
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Sources
- File 2.12.03.6390 (Dutch Archives, The Hague, Netherlands)
- ADM 173/18349
- ADM 53/116899
- ADM 53/117717
- ADM 53/117517 + ADM 53/118252 + ADM 53/118479 + ADM 199/639
- ADM 53/118479
- ADM 173/18096
- ADM 173/18180
- ADM 53/1147639 + ADM 53/117723
- ADM 53/117405 + ADM 53/117724 + ADM 53/118635
- ADM 173/18214
- ADM 53/118390
- ADM 53/117663 + ADM 53/118390 + ADM 53/118437 + ADM 53/118667 + ADM 53/118679
- ADM 53/120835 + ADM 53/120836 + ADM 53/121275 + ADM 53/122334 + ADM 199/1440
- ADM 53/121457 + ADM 53/122248 + ADM 53/122460
- ADM 53/121139 + ADM 53/122448 + ADM 53/122460
- ADM 53/121140 + ADM 53/122449 + ADM 53/122461
- ADM 53/122073
- ADM 53/120838 + ADM 53/121141 + ADM 53/122450 + ADM 53/122461
- ADM 173/20293
- ADM 53/121142
- ADM 53/120982 + ADM 53/121564 + ADM 53/122451 + ADM 53/122463 + ADM 187/51
- ADM 53/120872 + ADM 53/120982 + ADM 53/121142
- ADM 53/120839
ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.
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