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Notable events involving Carysfort include:

8 Mar 1945
During 8/9 March 1945, ships from the Home Fleet conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. These included night exercises. The ships that participated in the exercises were the battleship HMS Rodney (Capt. R.O. Fitzroy, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral H.R. Moore, KCB, CVO, DSO, RN, Commander-in-Chief Home Fleet), heavy cruisers HMS Berwick (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, DSO, RN), HMS Devonshire (Capt. G.M.B. Langley, OBE, RN), HMS Norfolk (Capt. J.G.Y. Loveband, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.R. McGrigor, CB, DSO, RN), light cruisers HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN), HMS Dido (Capt. R.F. Elkins, OBE, RN), ORP Conrad (Capt. S.T. Dzienisiewicz) and the destroyers HMS Tartar (Capt. B. Jones, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN), HMCS Haida (A/Lt.Cdr. R.P. Welland, DSC, RCN), HMS Savage (Lt.Cdr. C.W. Malins, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Scourge (Lt.Cdr. C.G.H. Brown, DSC, RN), HMS Serapis (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN), HNoMS Stord (Lt.Cdr. H. Øi) and HMS Carysfort (Lt.Cdr. L. St.G. Rich, DSO and Bar, RN). [It is possible more ships participated.] (1)

10 Mar 1945
HMS Scotsman (Lt. A.H.B. Anderson, DSC, RNR) conducted A/S exercises at Scapa Flow with HMS Carysfort (Lt.Cdr. L. St.G. Rich, DSO and Bar, RN) and HMS Savage (Lt.Cdr. C.W. Malins, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN). (2)

12 Mar 1945
Early in the evening, the aircraft carrier HMS Implacable (Capt. C.C. Hughes-Hallett, RN) and aircraft maintenance carrier HMS Pioneer (Capt. H.S. Murray-Smith, RN) departed the Firth of Forth for Scapa Flow. They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Carysfort (Lt.Cdr. L. St.G. Rich, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Zest (Lt.Cdr. R.B.N. Hicks, DSO, RN) and HMS Tumult (Lt.Cdr. A.S. Pomeroy DSC, RN).

They arrived at Scapa Flow around 0745A/13. (3)

15 Mar 1945
HMS Scotsman (Lt. A.H.B. Anderson, DSC, RNR) conducted A/S exercises at Scapa Flow with HMS Carysfort (Lt.Cdr. L. St.G. Rich, DSO and Bar, RN). (2)

15 Mar 1945
The aircraft carrier HMS Implacable (Capt. C.C. Hughes-Hallett, RN) conducted D/G trials at Scapa Flow. She then proceeded to sea to land on aircraft and then return to Scapa Flow. While at sea she was escorted by HMS Carysfort (Lt.Cdr. L. St.G. Rich, DSO and Bar, RN) and HMS Tumult (Lt.Cdr. A.S. Pomeroy DSC, RN). (4)

16 Mar 1945
Around 0855A/16, the aircraft carrier HMS Implacable (Capt. C.C. Hughes-Hallett, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Gibraltar. She is escorted by the destroyers HMS Terpsichore (Cdr. R.T. White, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Tumult (Lt.Cdr. A.S. Pomeroy DSC, RN) and HMS Carysfort (Lt.Cdr. L. St.G. Rich, DSO and Bar, RN).

Around 1330A/18, HMS Carysfort parted company to return to Scapa Flow arriving on the 19th.

Around 1810A/21, HMS Implacable, HMS Terpsichore and HMS Tumult arrived at Gibraltar. (5)

21 Mar 1945
Around 1340A/21, the aircraft maintenance carrier HMS Pioneer (Capt. H.S. Murray-Smith, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Belfast where she arrived around 1330A/22. She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Zealous (Cdr. R.F. Jessel, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Carysfort (Lt.Cdr. L.St.G. Rich, DSO and Bar, RN). The destroyer then immediately returned to Scapa Flow. (6)

24 Mar 1945
HMS Vagabond (Lt. I.M. Stoop, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises at/off Scapa Flow with HMS Carysfort (Lt.Cdr. L. St.G. Rich, DSO and Bar, RN). (7)

24 Mar 1945

Operations Muscular and Prefix.

Object of these operations was to destroy enemy shipping on the Norwegian coast.

Operation Prefix was a daylight strike in the Leads between Trondheim Fjord and Kristiansund North.

Operation Muscular was a night strike in the Leads between Stadlandet and Bredsund.

Operation Prefix 2 was a daylight strike in an area which was to be decided upon while the operations were ongoing.

The force taking part in these operations was made up of the following ships; escort carriers HMS Searcher (Capt. J.W. Grant, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.R. McGrigor, CB, DSO, RN), Puncher, HMS Queen (A/Capt. K.J. D'Arcy, DSO, RN), Nairana, light cruisers Dido, HMS Bellona (Capt. G.S. Tuck, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Onslow (Capt. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN), HMS Serapis (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN), HMS Zealous (Cdr. R.F. Jessel, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Zest (Lt.Cdr. R.B.N. Hicks, DSO, RN), HMS Carysfort (Lt.Cdr. L.St.G. Rich, DSO and Bar, RN), HMCS Haida (A/Lt.Cdr. R.P. Welland, DSC, RCN) and HMCS Iroquois (Capt. K.F. Adams, RCN). This force departed Scapa Flow around 2000A/24.

No sizeable shipping was encountered during these operations. Two fighters attacks some merchant vessels and minesweepers. An attack by six to nine ME 109's was prevented and three were shot down by Wildcats and two more were damaged. During operation Prefix 2, two ships and flak position at Alesund and a W/T station at Vigra were attacked.

The force returned to Scapa Flow around 1015A/29. (8)

6 Apr 1945

Operation Newmarket.

Air attacks on German submarine tenders at Kilbotn, Norway.

The escort carriers HMS Searcher (Capt. J.W. Grant, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.R. McGrigor, CB, DSO, RN), HMS Puncher (Capt. R.E.S. Bidwell, RCN), HMS Queen (A/Capt. K.J. D'Arcy, DSO, RN), HMS Trumpeter (A/Capt. K.S. Colquhoun, RN), light cruisers HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN), HMS Bellona (Capt. G.S. Tuck, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Onslow (Capt. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN), HMS Offa (Lt.Cdr. E.M. Thorpe, DSO, RN), HMS Scorpion (Cdr. C.W. McMullen, DSC, RN), HMS Scourge (Lt.Cdr. C.G.H. Brown, DSC, RN), HMS Zambesi (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Palmer, RN), HMS Zealous (Cdr. R.F. Jessel, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Zest (Lt.Cdr. R.B.N. Hicks, DSO, RN) and HMS Carysfort (Lt.Cdr. L.St.G. Rich, DSO and Bar, RN) departed Scapa Flow around 0700B/6, to conduct air strikes against German submarine tenders off Kilbotn, Norway.

The operation however had to be cancelled due to the weather conditions rendering flying impossible. The ships remained in the area for about three days but weather did not improve.

The ships returned to Scapa Flow around 2130B/12. (8)

17 Apr 1945
HMS Trusty (Lt. W. St.G. Anderson, DSC, RNR) conducts exercises with HrMs Zeehond (Lt. S.H. de Boer, RNN) and later on the day with exercises with HMS Carysfort (Lt.Cdr. L. St.G. Rich, DSO and Bar, RN). (9)

17 Apr 1945
In the morning, HMS Devonshire (Capt. G.M.B. Langley, OBE, RN), conducted underway refuelling exercises at Scapa Flow with the destroyer HMS Carysfort (Lt.Cdr. L. St.G. Rich, DSO and Bar, RN).

In the afternoon HMS Devonshire conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (10)

18 Apr 1945
HMS Scorcher (Lt. K.S. Renshaw, DSC, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Scapa Flow with HMS Carysfort (Lt.Cdr. L. St.G. Rich, DSO and Bar, RN) and HMS Obdurate (Lt.Cdr. R.D. Franks, DSO, DSC, OBE, RN). (11)

20 Apr 1945
HMS Trusty (Lt. W. St.G. Anderson, DSC, RNR) conducts exercises at / off Scapa Flow with HMS Carysfort (Lt.Cdr. L. St.G. Rich, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Zambesi (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Palmer, RN) and ORP Garland (Lt. K. Hess). (9)

23 Apr 1945
HMS Rodney (Capt. R.O. Fitzroy, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral H.R. Moore, KCB, CVO, DSO, RN, Commander-in-Chief Home Fleet) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. She was escorted by HMS Carysfort (Lt.Cdr. L. St.G. Rich, DSO and Bar, RN) and HMS Obdurate (Lt.Cdr. R.D. Franks, DSO, DSC, OBE, RN). (12)

23 Apr 1945
HMS Trusty (Lt. W. St.G. Anderson, DSC, RNR) conducts exercises at / off Scapa Flow with HMS Carysfort (Lt.Cdr. L. St.G. Rich, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Obdurate (Lt.Cdr. R.D. Franks, DSO, DSC, OBE, RN) and ORP Garland (Lt. K. Hess). (9)

25 Apr 1945
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Scapa Flow together with HMS Bermuda. (Capt. J.S. Bethell, CBE, RN), HMS Scourge (Lt.Cdr. C.G.H. Brown, DSC, RN) and HMS Carysfort (Lt.Cdr. L. St.G. Rich, DSO and Bar, RN). (13)

26 Apr 1945
HMS Trusty (Lt. W. St.G. Anderson, DSC, RNR) conducts exercises at / off Scapa Flow with HMS Carysfort (Lt.Cdr. L. St.G. Rich, DSO and Bar, RN). (9)

27 Apr 1945
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Scapa Flow together with HMS Cleopatra (Capt. B.I. Robertshaw, CBE, RN) and HMS Carysfort (Lt.Cdr. L. St.G. Rich, DSO and Bar, RN). (14)

1 May 1945

Operation Judgement.

The main object of the operastion was the destruction of U-boat depot ships at Kolbotn. The secondary object was to destroy enemy shipping anchored of Sandnesjoen.

The Force deployed for this operation departed Scapa Flow around 1130B/1 and was made up of the heavy cruiser HMS Norfolk (Capt. J.G.Y. Loveband, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral R.R. McGrigor, CB, DSO, RN), light cruiser HMS Diadem (Capt. A.M. Knapp, RN), escort carriers HMS Queen (A/Capt. K.J. D'Arcy, DSO, RN), HMS Searcher (Capt. J.W. Grant, DSO, RN), HMS Trumpeter (A/Capt. K.S. Colquhoun, RN) and the destroyers HMS Carysfort (Lt.Cdr. L.St.G. Rich, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Zambesi (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Palmer, RN), HMS Savage (Lt.Cdr. C.W. Malins, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Scourge (Lt.Cdr. C.G.H. Brown, DSC, RN), HMS Opportune (Cdr. R.E.D. Ryder, VC, RN), HMS Orwell (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Gower, DSC, RN) and HMS Obedient (Lt.Cdr. H. Kirkwood, DSC and Bar, RN).

In the early morning of 3 May the destroyers were fuelled by HMS Norfolk, HMS Searcher, HMS Trumpeter and the RFA tanker Blue Ranger (3417 GRT, built 1941) which had also been deployed.

At 1020B/3, the Blue Ranger parted company escorted by HMS Obedient and HMS Orwell. HMS Orwell escorting the Blue Ranger arrived at Scapa Flow on 7 May. HMS Obedient had been detached and already arrived at Scapa Flow on 5 May.

Around 1600B/4, the escort carrier commenced flying off aircraft to attack the German base at Kilbotn, just south of Harstad. During the attacks the depot ships Black Watch (5035 GRT, built 1939) and Senja (858 GRT, built 1938). Also sunk was the submarine U-711 which was alongside the Black Watch. Aircraft involved were eight Avengers and four Wildcats from 846 Squadron in HMS Trumpeter, eight Avengers and four Wildcats from 853 Squadron in HMS Queen, and twenty Wildcats from 882 Squadron in HMS Queen.

By 1809B/4, all aircraft had landed on except for one Avenger and one Wildcat. All crews were lost.

At 0700B/5, HMS Norfolk and HMS Diadem parted company to proceed ahead to Scapa Flow where they arrived around 0800B/6.

The destroyers HMS Carysfort, HMS Zambesi, HMS Savage, HMS Scourge and HMS Opportune also arrived at Scapa Flow, most likely late on the 6th.

The three escort carriers remained at sea and were joined around 2359B/6 by the escort carrier HMS Campania (Capt. C.B. Alers-Hankey, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMS Obdurate (Lt.Cdr. R.D. Franks, DSO, DSC, OBE, RN), HNoMS Stord (Lt.Cdr. H. Øi) and ORP Piorun (Lt.Cdr. J. Tchorznicki, ORP). (8)

6 May 1945

Operation Cleaver.

Entry of a naval surface force into the Skagerrak and Kattegat.

The following forces took part in this operation;
' Force 5 ' which was made up of the light cruisers HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN), HMS Dido (Capt. R.F. Elkins, OBE, RN) and the destroyers HMS Zephyr (Capt. J.H. Allison, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Zealous (Cdr. R.F. Jessel, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Zest (Lt.Cdr. R.B.N. Hicks, DSO, RN) and HMS Zodiac (Lt.Cdr. H.R. Rycroft, DSC, RN).
This force departed Rosyth in the evening of the 6th.

' Force 6 ' which was made up of the heavy cruiser HMS Norfolk (Capt. J.G.Y. Loveband, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral R.R. McGrigor, CB, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Scourge (Lt.Cdr. C.G.H. Brown, DSC, RN, with Capt. P.G.L. Cazalet, DSC, RN on board), HMS Savage (Lt.Cdr. C.W. Malins, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Obedient (Lt.Cdr. H. Kirkwood, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Offa (Lt.Cdr. E.M. Thorpe, DSO, RN), HMS Opportune (Cdr. R.E.D. Ryder, VC, RN), HMS Zambesi (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Palmer, RN) and HMS Carysfort (Lt.Cdr. L.St.G. Rich, DSO and Bar, RN). This force departed Scapa flow early the 7th except to joined the escort carriers HMS Queen (A/Capt. K.J. D'Arcy, DSO, RN), HMS Searcher (Capt. J.W. Grant, DSO, RN), HMS Trumpeter (A/Capt. K.S. Colquhoun, RN) which had still been at sea after operation Judgement together with the escort carrier HMS Campania (Capt. C.B. Alers-Hankey, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMS Obdurate (Lt.Cdr. R.D. Franks, DSO, DSC, OBE, RN), HNoMS Stord (Lt.Cdr. H. Øi) and ORP Piorun (Lt.Cdr. J. Tchorznicki, ORP). The cruisers and the destroyers joined the escort carriers around 1000B/7.

HMS Campania, HMS Obdurate, HNoMS Stord and ORP Piorun then parted company.

And the 40th Minesweeping Flotilla made up of HMS Catherine (Cdr. K.H. 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). They departed Rosyth of the 6th.

Force 5 and the 40th M/S Flotilla arrived at Copenhagen, Denmark on 9 May. The 40th M/S Flotilla swept Force 5 through the minefields.

Force 6 returned to Scapa Flow on 10 May. (8)

12 May 1945
Around 1215/12, HMS Renown (Capt. B.C.B. Brooke, RN), departed Rosyth for Portsmouth. She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Scourge (Lt.Cdr. C.G.H. Brown, DSC, RN) and HMS Carysfort (Lt.Cdr. L. St.G. Rich, DSO and Bar, RN).

At 0415/14 they were joined by the destroyer ORP Garland (Lt. K. Hess).

HMS Renown, HMS Scourge, HMS Carysfort and ORP Garland arrived at Spithead around 2045/14. (15)

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