Saturday, 11 January

In German bombing attacks on the Vosper yard at Portsmouth, Motor torpedo boats MTB.37, MTB.39, MTB.40, MTB.74, MTB.75, MTB.108 were destroyed on the stocks.

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Convoy FN.381 departed Southend, and arrived at Methil on the 13th.

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Naval drifter UBEROUS (92grt, Skipper M. M. Anderson RNR) was lost when she ran aground off Londonderry.

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Convoy rescue ship BEACHY (1600grt/总吨位) was sunk by German bombing in 53-29N, 16-24.

Five crew were killed. Anti submarine trawler ARAB rescued the survivors of the ship on the 29th.

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Swedish steamer BERTHA (1216grt/总吨位) was sunk by mining between Saltholm and Middelgrund.

Thirteen crew were rescued. Four crew were missing.

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British tanker BRITISH FIDELITY (8465grt/总吨位) was damaged on a mine in 51-22N, 3-05.

The tanker's engines were totally disabled. She was towed to Cardiff.

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British steamer GREYFRIARS (1142grt/总吨位) was damaged by German bombing one mile west of 59A Buoy, off Grimsby.

Five crew were lost.

The steamer drifted ashore near Chapel St Leonards during the night of 11/12 January. The steamer was refloated on the 14th and was towed to Hull.

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British fishing vessel ORIOLE (172grt/总吨位) was sunk on a British mine two and a half miles north of Stakken North Point, Faroes.

The entire crew was lost.

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Light cruisers GLOUCESTER and SOUTHAMPTON with destroyer DEFENDER steaming from Malta to join convoy ME.6 was attacked by German bombers in 34-54N, 18-24E at 1500.

Light cruiser SOUTHAMPTON was badly damaged at 1605. Light cruiser GLOUCESTER picked up thirty three officers and 678 ratings of which four officers and fifty eight ratings were wounded. Destroyer DIAMOND picked up sixteen wounded ratings.

Light cruisers ORION and PERTH and destroyers JERVIS and JANUS were detached at 1645 to assist.

However, destroyers JUNO and NUBIAN, low on fuel, were detached to join the convoy. Destroyer HERO joined the Force A screen.

Destroyers MOHAWK and GRIFFIN, after delivering destroyer GALLANT, departed Malta to 1700 to assist.

Lt Cdr S. H. Balfour, Lt Cdr J. F. C. Barker-Hahlo, Midshipman G. E. Davidson, Commissioned Gunner A. . Davis, Lt (D) D. J. Fairweather, Cdr (E) R. . Fyfe, Paymaster Sub Lt C. K. Gray, Lt (E) J. A. Guest, Paymaster Midshipman A.B. Holmes, T/Paymaster Sub Lt V.B. Lloyd-Smith RNVR, Midshipman J. M. Mocatta, Surgeon Lt T. J. Morton RNVR, T/Instructor Lt J. E. Oliver, P/T/Sub Lt L. F. Page RNR, A/Lt R. H. S. Pemberton, Gunner H. C. Player, Paymaster Lt N. L. C. Richards, Paymaster Midshipman E. Roynon-Jones, Major H. E. F. Shackleton, RM, Warrant Engineer F. J. White, fifty nine ratings, fifteen RAF ratings were killed. Cdr C.B. Tinley, OBE, Commissioned Gunner L. C. Koester died of wounds on the 17th and 12 January, respectively. T/A/Surgeon Lt Cdr . C. Sloan RNVR, was wounded.

Light cruiser GLOUCESTER was struck on the roof of the forward 6“ director. The bomb passed through five decks without exploding.

Sub Lt R. H. Basford, SARNVR, one rating, seven Marines were killed on light cruiser GLOUCESTER and T/Lt (E) J.B. E. Mattei and thirteen ratings were wounded.

Light cruisers ORION and PERTH and destroyer JERVIS and JANUS joined that night. Light cruiser ORION scuttled light cruiser SOUTHAMPTON.

Light cruiser GLOUCESTER's Walrus returned to the ship during the attack. The Walrus ditched alongside destroyer DIAMOND which took off the crew then scuttled the aircraft.

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Battleship BARHAM, aircraft carrier EAGLE, light cruiser AJAX, destroyers STUART, WRYNECK, VENDETTA, VAMPIRE, VOYAGER departed Alexandria as Force X to cover the EXCESS convoy in the Aegean and later launch an air strike on Rhodes.

This force joined Force A west of Crete at 0730/12th.

Force X were sent to Suda Bay to refuel, where the force was reinforced by destroyers ILEX, JUNO, HASTY, MOHAWK, GRIFFIN.

After refuelling, battleship BARHAM, aircraft carrier EAGLE, light cruiser AJAX with destroyers STUART, JUNO, HEREWARD, HASTY, DAINTY departed Suda Bay on the 13th. Destroyers ILEX, WRYNECK, VAMPIRE, VENDETTA, after sweeping in Kithera Strait at dawn joined the Force at noon.

DestroyersVAMPIRE and VENDETTA were detached to investigate explosions which proved to be underwater volcanic activity. The destroyers then patrolled in Kaso Strait.

Destroyers ILEX and WRYNECK were detached to sweep towards Stampalia and then with VAMPIRE and VENDETTA proceeded to Piraeus to escort the EXCESS convoy to Alexandria.

An air strike scheduled for the evening of 13 January on Rhodes was cancelled due to poor weather conditions.

On the 14th, four Swordfish were sent to search the Libyan coast between Derna and Tolmeita. Lt (A) D. R. Hoar, A/Sub Lt (A) G. J. Woodley RNVR, Naval Airman H. J. S. Frank of 824 Squadron from aircraft carrier EAGLE were lost when their Swordfish ditched after running out of fuel. A search by destroyer MOHAWK did not locate the crew.

Later on the 14th, an air strike of eight Swordfish were flown off to strike at an Italian convoy, but returned without making contact that evening.

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Convoy BN.12A departed Aden, escorted by anti-aircraft cruiser CARLISLE and destroyers KANDAHAR and KIMBERLEY, and arrived at Suez on the 15th.

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Convoy HX.102 departed Halifax, escorted by armed merchant cruiser VOLTAIRE.

Convoy BHX.102 departed Bermuda on the 9th escorted by ocean escort armed merchant cruiser RANPURA. The convoy rendezvoused with convoy HX.102 on the 15th and the armed merchant cruiser was detached. The convoy was joined on the 23rd by destroyers WILD SWAN and WITCH, sloop ABERDEEN, corvettes CAMPANULA, FLEUR DE LYS, GARDENIA, PERIWINKLE. The armed merchant cruiser was detached on the 22nd. Destroyers WILD SWAN and WITCH were detached on the 25th and corvette GARDENIA on the 27th. On the 28th, sloop ABERDEEN and corvettes CAMPANULA, FLEUR DE LYS, PERIWINKLE were detached, and arrived at Liverpool on the 29th.