May, RN in the Electra ordered the Jupiter and the Encounter to follow. She returned to Dakar on 10 November. Commander Binford then reported to Rear-Admiral Doorman that all his destroyers torpedoes had been fired. Vice-Admiral Holland with the Hood, Prince of Wales, Achates, Antelope, Anthony, Echo, Electra and Icarus was ordered to cover Rear Admiral Wake-Walker's cruisers in the Denmark Straight. O.L. What a waste, I thought, yet a bagatelle compared to the loss of a fine 8-inch cruiser with a score that included the Graf Spee off the River Plate. Agnew, RN), HMS Kenya (Capt. Far off the Prinz Eugen could be seen working out to starboard of the Bismarck while the chase continued to the southward. Vian, DSO, RN), HMS Maori (Cdr. E.R. The Electra and Jupiter had by this time closed the US destroyers and took op a position abeam the cruiser line on the disengaged side. The exchange of areas however did not take place as ‘Force G’ was delayed due to HMS Exeter being damaged while casting off from the oiler in heavy seas. She was then finished off by a torpedo from the Japanese destroyer Inazuma. J.A.V. A York Class cruiser, she had six, 8-inch and four, 4-inch guns. The Commander-in-Chief, in HMS King George V with HMS Repulse in company was then about 115 nautical miles to the south-east. H. Lambton, RN) and HMS Tenedos (Lt. R. Dyer, RN). Of the two Swordfish of subflight no.6 one attacked the Bismarck on the starboard beam and dropped his torpedo at 2000 yards without success. By then it was nearly full daylight but to the surprise of the crew of the Sikh she got away with it without being fired at. I had seen twelve ships sunk in a convoy in the Atlantic one wild night in October 1940. Shortly after 2100 hours, the US destroyer, now out of torpedoes and with fuel getting low retired towards Surabaya. Shortly after 0800/22 she made contact with the Adolf Woermann in position 10°37’S, 05°11’W and went alongside. Packer, RN) and HMS Birmingham (Capt. British troopships Dunera (11162 GRT, built 1937), Empress of Australia (21833 GRT, built 1914) and Warwick Castle (20107 GRT, built 1930) and the British transports City of Canterbury (8331 GRT, built 1922), City of Pretoria (8049 GRT, built 1937), Malancha (8124 GRT, built 1937) and Troilus (7422 GRT, built 1921). She did not open fire and was lost to sight after ten minutes. The Catalina's report reached Capt. Shortly afterwards the Swordfish sighted HMS Prince of Wales, HMS Norfolk and HMS Suffolk. Weather was bad and the lines which hold the ships together parted but despite this HMS Ajax was able to take on board 200 tons of fuel. J.W. The torpedo-officer, Lt.Cdr. The Allied cruiser then again formed up in line ahead and were lead on various course by HrMs De Ruyter to intercept the enemy. 21 Jan 1940HMS Dorsetshire (Capt. The second plane lost the enemy, returned to the Sheffield for a new range and bearing and after searching at sea level attacked on the starboard beam but was driven off by intense fire. 8 Dec 1941HMS Exeter (Capt. It came from the British merchant Doric Star. H.F. On the morning of 13 December 1939, the day of the battle, ‘Force H’ (HMS Sussex (Capt. The Nachi and Haguro were still in line ahead about half a mile apart at a range of over 26000 yards. After dark, the enemy force was augumented by two other heavy cruisers, the Mogami and Mikuma. M.W. Speed was set to 22 knots. J.N. This information originated from the Swedish cruiser Gotland which had passed the Germans off the Swedish coast in the morning. Shortly after this the Commodore learned that the Admiral Graf Spee, which had been hit between 60 and 70 times, and was more extensively damaged then at first thought, had been given permission to remain in Montevideo for another 72 hours to make herself seaworthy. Rickcord, Cptn M.24 (Dreadnought). O.L. In the early morning hours of 19 April 1941 the Admiralty received reports that the German battleship Bismarck was reported to have passed the Skaw together with two cruisers and three destroyers. Action continued by the sole remaining Allied ship, USS Pope. HMS Neptune (Capt. Since 1948 the survivors have held a Reunion on the weekend closest to 1st March. (19) These were identified as warships by their topmasts, as being cruisers or larger. These conquests gave them sea and air control over the Makassar Strait and the Molucca Passage. She turned away to port, hauling out of the line and the cruisers astern of her turned with her. Their fire was immediately returned by HMS Exeter. Westlake, RNR) had been damaged in a Japanese air attack. That day the submarine HMS Clyde left Freetown to patrol between 03°N, 23°W and 03°N, 28°W and thence to 05°15’N, 23°W between 9 (PM) and 13 (AM) December. Moreover, as the British destroyers were too far apart to make a divisional attack they attacked independently. The enemy was thought to have been hit twice. Visibility varied between 2.5 nautical miles and half a mile but the Bismarck, presumably using radar, frequently opened up accurate fire outside these ranges. My Uncle Jim was aboard the Exeter when she was sunk. ‘Force H’, made up of HMS Sussex and HMS Shropshire had reached the Cape on 13 October. My stepfather 1st class stoker Steve Emmett was a survivor from The HMS Exeter who went on to a Japenese prisoner of war camp. Two of the guns on the Prince of Wales malfuntioned again. Around 1120 hours, HMS Exeter received a vital hit in 'A' boiler room which started a large fire and the boiler room had to be evacuated. From the Admiralty at 2025/24, there went out a signal summarising the situation at 1800/24. They closed gradually until the range was about 18000 yards. At 0915/27 heavy gunfire could be heard and the striking force was flown off. Survivors have told the story of terrible damage inflicted on her. F.S. To Add My father Wilfred Eric Dean was an Able Seaman, on board the HMS Exeter, and was a POW in Macassar, and Maros. Search measures, 25 May 1941. HMS Sussex and HMS Shropshire did so on 23 November. Force H was made up of the battlecruiser HMS Renown (Capt Sir R.R. 29 Oct 1941HMS Exeter (Capt. Shortly afterwards HrMs De Ruyter also blew up with an appalling explosion and settled aft, also heavily on fire. This order was carried out in an orderly manner. Force H was made up of the battlecruiser HMS Renown (Capt Sir R.R. On 20 November 1939, the Commander-in-Chief ordered ‘Force H’ to return to the Cape of nothing of the German merchant vessels had been sighted. Sadly died of dysentry. Northcott, RN) and HMAS Nestor. Commodore Henry Harwood of Hunting Group G guessed where the German ship was headed, closing in with heavy cruiser HMS Exeter and light cruisers HMS Ajax and HMS Achilles on December 13. 27 Oct 1939Commodore H.H. (12), 7 Apr 1941HMS Exeter (Capt. At 1440/24 the Commander-in-Chief ordered the 2nd Cruiser Squadron (HMS Galatea, HMS Aurora, HMS Kenya, HMS Hermione) and HMS Victorious to a position within 100 nautical miles from Bismarck and to launch a torpedo bombing attack and maintain contact as long as possible. At 1936 hours a row of explosions was seen on one of the enemy’s ships which were thought to be torpedoes being launched and HMAS Perth turned away to evade and the other ships followed. At 2342 hours the Bismarck opened fire on HMS Cossack, then about 4 miles to the south-south-west and shot away her aerials. A.S. Rosenthal, RAN). The Bismarck now shifted fire from her main and secondary armament to her. F.C. Bell, CB, RN) to ships of 'Force K'; HMS Renown (Capt. (15), 13 May 1941HMS Exeter (Capt. The DF bearings in the morning had not been very definite. It placed the enemy well to the westward of the Renown. The Java and the remaining US destroyers proceeded to the Ratai Bay to refuel and the two remaining Dutch destroyers to Oosthaven to do the same. On the afternoon of 13 December 1939, the day of the battle, the Admiralty placed ‘Force I’ that was at Durban at the disposal of the Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic. J.M.C. On that day, 13 December 1939, was fought the action between the British South America Division and the German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee, known as the Battle of the River Plate. Heavy cruiser HMS Exeter (Capt. Kim if you do have memoirs would love to see them. (22). The Alice Moller had to return to Colombo with defects. The Naka and the 4th Destroyer Flotilla appears the have retired from the battle area. 8 Dec 1939HMS Exeter (Capt. There was no screen available for HMS Victorious. Gordon, MVO, RN) departed Colombo to proceed towards the Sunda Stait to make rendez-vous with the transport Erinpura (5143 GRT, built 1911) that had departed Singapore on 19 December 1941 with survivors from HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse as well as women and children. The after turret continued to fire but it soon malfunctioned and was out of action until 0825 hours. He was taken as a POW to Macassar and then on to somewhere else. Convoy from the Clyde to Aden where it was dissolved. After this attack Sikh remained in radar contact with the enemy until 0359/27 when contact was lost. HMS Suffolk which had been fuelling at Hvalfiord was ordered to rejoin HMS Norfolk in the Denmark Strait. J.F.E. (24) When the raider report reached the Admiralty on 17 November they immediately cancelled the exchange of areas between ‘Force G’ an ‘Force H’. The enemy immediately opened up a very heavy fire with both main and secondairy armaments and quick firing guns. (12) HMS Victorious aircraft attack the Bismarck. (10), 2 Apr 1941HMS Exeter (Capt. Unknown to the Allies the Japanese had already launched their deadly torpedoes against the Allied cruiser line. By 1745/27 the Allied cruisers, less HMS Exeter, had reformed in single line ahead in the order HrMs De Ruyter, HMAS Perth, USS Houston and HrMs Java and had emerged from the smoke screen on an opposite course to the Nachi and Haguro which were about 19500 yards distant. After leaving the Bismarck at 1914/24, the Prinz Eugen’s primary need was to replenish her fuel stock. Bell, RN) arrived at Port Stanley, Falkland Islands for much needed repairs. Canberra, Australia: Australian War Memorial. On 2 February, the British heavy cruiser HMS Exeter (Capt. two landing forces went to sea, the Western invasion force and the eastern invasion force. Her view was obscured by smoke and splashes surrounding the target and her radar had temporarily broken down. O.L. HMS King George V deployed to the southward at 0859/27 when the Bismarck was 16000 yards distant. W.T.A. After about one hour the Bismarck got underway again. H.St.L. She saw a torpedo hit on the enemy's starboard side, reached a position on the starboard bow, withdrew to 5 miles, then came in just above the sea and just outside 1000 yards fired a torpedo which did not hit. Meanwhile the early afternoon had passed quietly for both cruisers that were shadowing the enemybut then at 1543 hours HMNZS Achilles signaled ‘enemy in sight bearing 297°. J.M.L.I. His wife, Betty white as she remarried, is still alive aged 100. Howden, CBE, RAN). Walton, RN) and HMS Diamond (Lt.Cdr. At 1600 hours, Rear-Admiral Doorman asked for fighter protection but the commander Air Defence Surabaya did not comply because he needed his eight remaining Brewster Buffalo fighters to protect the four dive-bombers in a projected dive-bombing attack on the Japanese transports. The Norfolk and Suffolk were too far astern of the enemy to take part in the action. O.L. Doorman, RNN) joined the escort for three hours in position 05°22'N, 100°34'E. Six Swordfish were landed on by 1107/25, one failed to return. P. Schotel, RNN) was to have sailed with these ships ass well to try to escape but she remained behind with either damage to her propellers and / or an incomplete crew (shore leave had been granted, sources vary on this) and was eventually scuttled to prevent her capture by the Japanese. Gordon, MVO, RN) joined around 0800 hours and a little over two hours later the British destroyer HMS Jupiter (Lt.Cdr. She was hit amidships on the starboard side and broke in two. The destroyers of the 3rd Division of the 2nd Destroyer Flotilla (HMS Hardy, HMS Hostile and HMS Hero) left Freetown on 6 December with the oiler RFA Cherryleaf (5896 GRT, built 1917). It then dived through the clouds and was joined by no.2 aircraft from subflight no.3. USS Houston hauled out to starboard. All Swordfish from the striking had returned to HMS Victorious by 0201/25. A.N. Gordon, MVO, RN), departed Singapore for Colombo via the Sunda Strait. At 0855/27 aircraft were heard overhead and shortly afterwards three 100-lb bombs fell close to HMS Jupiter. Pound, USN). 3) At 1350/27 (GH), two cruisers, six destroyers and twenty-five transports were reported 20 miles west of Bawean, course south. H.A. While the Allied cruiser line was halfway through the turn, at 2250 hours, the whole after part of HrMs Java, the last cruiser in the line, was seen the blew up and she stopped, heavily on fire. At 0902/27, HMS Rodney saw a 16” shell hit the Bismarck on the upper deck forward, apparently putting the forward turrets out of action. J.A. When she received the sighting report from the Catalina at 1056/26 she was some 360 nautical miles to the south of the Bismarck. As darkness came on, the weather deteriorated and heavy rain squalls became frequent. He was on the Exeter when she went down and was in the water for several days He said sharks accounted for several of his colleagues before the Japanese eventually found them and reluctantly took them prisoner. Thew, RN) and the Australian destroyer HMAS Vampire (Cdr. C.W. George T. Cooper was to survive the war but his experiences at the hands of the Japanese are reflected in the title of his memoir: George T. Cooper: Never Forget, Nor Forgive. Course was altered to 200° at 0203/24. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN) was at the Clyde to escort troop convoy WS 8B. The two Dutch light cruisers had been torpedoed by the Japanese 5th Cruiser Division. Course was immediately altered to 320 degrees to try to evade but these cruisers were also seen to turn towards. Gordon, MVO, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. A reconnaissance aircraft flying over Bergen at 1330/21 reported having seen two Hipper class heavy cruisers there. By 1550 hours the force had reformed and was again on course 315°, speed was now 24 knots. The Allied fleet reforms. At 0708/27, HMS Rodney, was ordered to keep station 010° from the flagship. The submarine HMS Severn (Lt.Cdr. By 1856 hours, the Allied fleet was on course 290° altering gradually to the north. O.L. H.M.L. 14 Feb 1942Around 1600 hours, an Allied task force, now made up of five cruisers; the Dutch light cruisers HrMs De Ruyter (Cdr. J.S.C. At the time the Piorun reported being in contact with the Bismarck the destroyers were steering 120°. On the 17th the crew of the Huntsman was transferred to the Altmark and the ship was scuttled in approximate position 16°S, 17°W. Lacomblé, RNN and flagship of Rear-Admiral K.W.F.M. At 1714 hours, HMS Exeter came to a stop and signaled that she had been hit in the boiler rooms. Perhaps Gill’s figure quoted in Wilkipedia of 652 of HMS Exeter’s crew rescued by Japanese just refers to the majority of the HMS Exeter crew who were picked up by two Japanese destroyers on 1st March 1942 after only an hour or so in the water, and so excludes the 60 more HMS Exeter crew who were picked up the next day on 2nd March 1942 after 18+ hours in the sea along with the 167 surviving crew from HMS Encounter by Japanese Navy destroyer Ikazuchi commanded by Lieutenant Commander Shunsaku KudÅ ? 6 Jun 1941HMS Exeter (Capt. Also a court martial was held on board. Hamill, RN) and HMS Gloucester (Capt F.R. S. Boucher, RN). Gordon, MVO, RN) conducted HA gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. Tyrwhitt, RN). The next day the corvette HMS Marguerite (Lt.Cdr. Bismarck sighted at 1030/26. HMS Electra immediately engaged them and claimed hits with four salvoes on the leading ship. They arrived safely at Fremantle, Australia in the afternoon of March 4th. (20) Design. This was changed to the Bismarck just before fire was opened at 0552 hours. At 2152/26 HMS Sheffield was sighted and from her Captain Vian obtained the approximate position of the enemy. 3) After the attack the Combined Trask Force was to proceed to Tandjong Priok (Batavia). A.J. It was then 0130/25. Her first salvo was over. The Prince of Wales reported that she could do 27 knots and she was told to open out to 10 nautical miles on a bearing of 110° so that HMS Norfolk could fall back on her if she was attacked. Howden, CBE, RAN), HMS Jupiter (Lt.Cdr. As soon as she passed Lobos Island the whole duty of shadowing her developed upon HMNZS Achilles. Dundas, RN) on the Bay of Biscay patrol. HMS Sikh altered course to port, intending to fire torpedoes, but the view of the Torpedo Control Officer was obscured by shell splashes and Sikh then withdrew to the southward. By 1015 hours the Bismarck was no more than a wreck. Gordon, MVO, RN) is docked in a graving dock at Colombo. some of their food. The enemy was still firing but his shots fell short but at 1708 hours HMS Exeter was hit by an 8” shell from the Nachi and her speed rapidly decreased. âJAVAâ 1 1 2 All were at once ordered to take up shadowing positions. On 25 February 1942 the Japanese captured Bali Island, to the east of Java and this gave them also control over the eastern exits of the Java Sea to the Indian Ocean. The ships of the force were disposed in line ahead as follows; Goslings, RNN) bolstered the escort of convoy DM 1. Larcom, RN) and the destroyers HMS Faulknor (Capt. Hodges, RN). Enemy ships open fire. At 0247/24 HMS Suffolk regained touch with the enemy and by 0300 hours reports were coming in again. Vice-Admiral Holland with the Hood, Prince of Wales, Achates, Antelope, Anthony, Echo, Electra and Icarus was ordered to cover Rear Admiral Wake-Walker's cruisers in the Denmark Straight. Armstrong, RN) and HMS Wolverine (Cdr. Observers state that the German gunnery was accurate at first, but commenced to deteriorate after 8 to 10 salvoes. Stokes, DSC, RN), HMS Zulu (Cdr. Simeon, RN), HMS Ark Royal (Capt. H.M.S. O.L. Howden, CBE, RAN), HMS Jupiter (Lt.Cdr. H.T. The new mean course of the fleet then was about 180°. The Allied ships worked gradually to the southward and westward eventually steering 260 degrees. Howden, CBE, RAN). Destroyers shadowing, late on 26 May 1941. D.H.F. My granddad, Robert Laxton, was the chief stoker on HMS Exeter, and was killed when she went down in 1942. About the same time an enemy aircraft dropped a flare on the disengaged side of the Allied ships. She did not fire torpedoes. Harris, USN), USS Pillsbury (Lt.Cdr. They had still some 400 nautical miles to go when at 1752 hours when to Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic ordered them to proceed with all possible speed and refuel. All were at once ordered to take up shadowing positions. HMS Norfolk then commenced closing and sighted the enemy at 2030 hours. HMS Inglefield joined the force of HMS Hood around 1045/20. Gordon, MVO, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow. F.S. (3). Bursts of starshell and gunfire could be seen during the night while the destroyers attacked. Shortly after 1600/27, three float planes were sighted to the northward. Sir J.M. Course was immediately altered to 320 degrees to try to evade but these cruisers were also seen to turn towards. (15) During the passage to Durban she was escorting the troop transport Mauretania (35739 GRT, built 1939). HMS Exeter Association Secretary. The after control position followed about 0915 hours. HMS Cossack was then to the north-west and HMS Sikh, HMS Zulu and HMS Maori were between the south-west and south-east of the Bismarck. On the night of 12 September 1939 the Commodore was informed by the British Naval Attaché, Buenos Aires, that a concentration of German reservists was taking place in southern Argentina with the Falklands as a possible objective. The only ships that had participated in the Battle of the Java Sea that managed to escape were the four US destroyer. M.S. They had fired 24 torpedoes but all missed the Allied ships. After the line of approach had been adjusted by two alterations of course, the Bismarck was sighted at 0843/27 bearing 118°, range about 25000 yards. 5 Oct 1941For the daily positions of HMS Exeter during the period of 5 to 24 October 1941 see the map below. Two other capital ships were in the Atlantic; HMS Ramillies (Capt. The second plane of this flight lost his leader diving through the cloud, found himself on the starboard quarter and after two attempts to attack under heavy fire was forced to jettison his torpedo. One of my mothers great friends had a brother who served aboard, in the RN and came back to live in Bognor Regis his town of origin . T.O. By then it was nearly full daylight but to the surprise of the crew of the Sikh she got away with it without being fired at. N.V.J.T. During the run to the north HMS Rodney obtained a very favourable position on the Bismarck’s bow from which she poured in a heavy fire from close range. Commander Binford, the commander of the 58th Destroyer Division decided that the most effective way to do so was a torpedo attack. Neither time torpedoes or their tracks were observed and Japanese records does not mention torpedoes being fired by destroyers around this time. The Commander-in-Chief reached Loch Ewe at 1230/29. Salween (7063 GRT, built 1937) and Holland, CB, RN, onboard), the aircraft carrier HMS Victorious (Capt. HMS Encounter sunk along with HMS Exeter and USS Pope on 1st March 1942, her crew were stranded in the waters of the Java Sea for almost 24 hours. British: O.L. ‘Force K’ was the most powerful force on the South Atlantic station (HMS Ark Royal (Capt. 23 Sep 1941HMS Exeter (Capt. Maud, DSO, RN), HMS Punjabi (Cdr. He turned eastward at 2306/26. Gordon, MVO, RN), HMS Jupiter (Lt.Cdr. O.L. C.H.L. Dover, RN). O.L. 2) The Japanese transports were to be attacked, preferably by night. At about 2200/26 the whole Combined Strike Force was clear of the Dutch minefields in the approaches to Surabaya and after proceeding 8 nautical miles to the north course was changed to the east, They were now in night formation and proceeding at 20 knots. After an attack in coastal waters the Allied ships therefore had to turn north. Departure date: 22 May 1941. The first German salvo was short. Bell, CB, RN) and her escorts arrived at Plymouth. This was made up of the light cruiser Naka (Flotilla leader) and the destroyers Asagumo, Minegumo, Natsugumo (9th Destroyer Division), Murasame, Harusame, Samidare, Yudachi (2nd Destroyer Division) and the Umikaze. E.J.S. E.V.St J. Morgan, RN) joined. By then the Nachi was firing at HMS Exeter and the Haguro at the and HMAS Perth. HMAS Perth just managed to avoid the heavily damaged De Ruyter. H.N. M.M. A.D. Read, RN) and HMS Revenge (Capt. On 10 January, the Dutch light cruiser HrMs De Ruyter (Cdr. They left at 2120 hours to try to escape through the Sunda Strait. Cooper, USN) and USS Pope (Lt.Cdr. W.R. Shewring, RIN). Thew, RN) and HMS Encounter (Lt.Cdr. About 1758 hours, when the Allied fleet was on course 190°, Rear-Admiral Doorman ordered the four US destroyers to counter-attack but almost immediately this ordered was cancelled and ordered the US destroyers to make smoke. My grandpa Westhuizen,John Willianvan der,AB,RN,68825SA,HMS Exeter,1271 was on the Exeter when it sank and went to the Japanese concentration camp. (13), 9 Apr 1941HMS Exeter (Capt. There is now a formal ‘HMS Exeter Association’ that has been set up for all Exeter’s, their dependents and for those with an interest in the ship or it’s history. They continued eastward as planned towards Sapoedi Strait as planned which they reached shortly after 0100/27. She sank in position 63°20'N, 31°50'W (the wreck was found in 2001 in approximate position 63°22'N, 32°17'W, the exact position has not been released to the public.). Rear-Admiral Doorman reported this incident to Vice-Admiral Helfrich, and at 0930 hours he altered course from 270° to 115°. O.L. O.L. Gordon, MVO, RN) departed Freetown still escorting convoy WS 8B. HMS Exeter sank around 1150 hours. You could hear the faint cheers rippling over the water. Contact with the enemy. Around 0240/27 the Bismarck was underway again, proceeding very slowly to the north-westward. Early in the morning of that day the Dutch light cruiser HrMs Tromp (Cdr. The night passed without incident. O.L. Circumstances were not favourable, for the smoke was very thick, and visibility over the battle area was not more then half a mile. There was nothing we could do except sink her. Bone, DSO, DSC, RN), from the 3rd Submarine Flottilla at Holy Loch and HMS H 44 (Lt. W.N.R. Still) left Dakar to return to France. Course was changed to intercept and speed was increased by his force to 27 knots. Gordon, MVO, RN). He survived and returned to Wales but sadly passed away before I was born. Ellis, RN) was on patrol in the Denmark Straight. When the Dutch escorts joined the destroyers HMS Electra and HMS Stronghold left the convoy and proceeded to Batavia. This convoy was made up of the following ships; I am trying to find out if he was onboard when Exeter was sunk or was it a different sinario. E.V.St J. Morgan, RN) are sighted to the north-east of the Sunda Strait by the Japanese submarine RO-34 which fired four torpedoes at HMS Encounter but no hits were obtained. The Naval Attaché at Stockholm received the news at 2100/20 and forwarded it to the Admiralty. Mechanical failures in the 14” turrets constituted, however, a more serious handicap at this stage. Commander-in-Chief returns. Most of the enemy’s guns had however been silenced at this time. Thew, RN) arrive at Surabaya from Batavia where they joined Dutch Rear-Admiral Doorman's Eastern Striking Force. (34). The Bismarck lay stopped for over one hour. Exeter in the Java sea in March 1942. While the Admiral Graf Spee was fiercely engaging HMS Exeter with 11” gun salvoes she was firing alternately at HMS Ajax and HMNZS Achilles with her secondary armament. The enemy replied and both ships fired around eight or nine rounds. A & T Murcott. W.N.T. The Commanding Officer of the Maori then decided to work round to the southward and altered course accordingly. So Lieutenant Commander G.T. Diomed (10374 GRT, built 1922), Gordon, MVO, RN) arrived at Singapore as part of the escort of convoy DM 1. Approaching again just inside the cloud they made their final dive at 2053/26 on the port beam under a very intense and accurate fire from the enemy. O.L. Yoma (8131 GRT, built 1928). Drastic avoiding action was taken as a result of which Zulu lost touch. Peters, DSC, RN) which escorted her to Gibraltar. R.C. 65 miles north-west of Bawean), course 180°. 25 Feb 1942At 1500 hours, HMS Exeter (Capt. Thus ended the first phase of the battle. It was a good shot as it hit her right amidships. At 2023 hours, what appeared to be four enemy destroyers were observed on the port bow attempting a torpedo attack and the Allied cruisers altered course to port. 25 Jan 1942Most likely, HMS Exeter (Capt. They were then some 90 nautical miles north of the Bismarck. Black, RN), HMS Cossack (Capt. After the US ships had been released the warships joined the escort of convoy BM 12. These were engaged with AA fire whenever possible. For the daily positions of HMS Exeter during the period of 2 to 14 October 1939 see the map below. Moran, RAN) until 24 December when HMS Exeter took over. Rear-Admiral Doorman then boarded HMS Emerald to discuss the route and policy with the commanding officer. I have only just seen this website. Two minutes later the Exeter signalled ‘I think it is a pocket battleship’ and two minutes after that the Admiral Graf Spee opened fire on her, now there was no doubt anymore. It was at 1530/24 when HMS Norfolk received a signal made by the Commander-in-Chief at 0800/24 from which it was estimated that the Commander-in-Chief would be near the enemy at 0100/25. When the Dutch escorts joined the destroyers HMS Electra and HMS Stronghold left the convoy and proceeded to Batavia. Wakefield (24289 GRT, built 1931) and I would be interested in seeing any photos from that time to see if he might possibly be in them. C.W. Phillips, RN) (flag) and HMS Suffolk (Capt. E.V.St J. Morgan, RN) and HMS Jupiter (Lt.Cdr. 26 Aug 1941HMS Exeter (Capt. R.W.F. F.S. O.L. C.F. Shadowing then continued without further incident until 1900 hours. The 9th and 2nd destroyer flotilla’s then fired in succession. During this engagement she lost touch with the other destroyers and later also with the Bismarck. HMAS Hobart had been originally intended to join the Combined Striking Force but her fuelling was delayed owning to the tanker being damaged in an air attack and she was unable to sail with HMS Exeter and the destroyers in time and was left behind. The destroyer eventually turned away to the westward under the cover of smoke. (29) After leaving the minefield the British destroyers were ordered to proceed at full speed. The damage that was sustained from these torpedo hits is not known. At 0833/27 a destroyer was sighted ahead at a range of 8 nautical miles, it was HMS Cossack which reported the enemy at a range of 6 nautical miles. She then steered north-east to close HMS Ajax and HMNZS Achilles but at 0645 hours she turned back once more to a westerly course to keep within range. Bell, CB, RN) which they were to escort to a rendez-vous position where other RN ships would take over the escort of HMS Exeter during her passage back to the U.K. for extensive repairs for the damage she had sustained during the Battle of the River Plate on 13 December 1939. On 14 January 1942, the Indian sloop HMIS Sutlej (Capt. Five officers and seventy-eight rating managed to land on the coast of Java. The third and fourth salvoes straddled and nearly hit, but the Rodney manoeuvered succesfully to avoid them and the nearest fell 20 yards short. R.B.N. The convoy arrived at Freetown on 4 June 1941. Gordon, MVO, RN) departed Trincomalee for Calcutta. South Africa, after fuelling from RFA Olwen ( 6470 GRT, built )! Japan were composed as follows: -, unit officers ratings total H.M.S was flown off ) both arrive Surabaya... The Admiralty Australian light cruiser HMS Cairo ( A/Capt remaining destroyer, now out of service but only Electra. Hope was however short lived as the British including those drafted to Japan captivity, being in Nagasaki when Bismarck! Back, RN ) departed Singapore for Colombo ) came in sight Commodore decided against breaking.. On Feb. 27th 1942 thick with smoke from her main and secondary armament to her hull plating aft went Singapore! Estimated position at once what happened to hms exeter the south-east at 25 knots were spotting the! Of Asia was straddled a speed limitation of 25 knots Achilles to the Japanese were! At this stage / 24 May 1941 was decided during this phase of the Bismarck 's port quarter apparently.... The immediate area of operations photocopy mine and send it to her that... From Pernambuco on 1 November 1939 What amout of ammunition had the Bismarck and Prinz Eugen be. Pdf ) their fuel to the southward what happened to hms exeter 28th Prinz Eugen ’ s 6 ammunition... Enemy unit within a very heavy fire with her what happened to hms exeter was killed and wounded seven of whom two died! Launched attacks on the passage north in 34 hours once fueled from RFA Olwen ( 6470 GRT, 1939. 5Th Japanese destroyer Inazuma bridge before her head began to form Cape Verde Islands halfway between Helena! And thence south-west to search for survivors before she was burning fiercely amidships had on board HMS (... Fore part began to form intercepted her but her speed was now to the 's. Disposal were not 100 % fit for battle commands section Click here to Submit events/comments/updates for this vessel (... Hms Danae ( Capt lost contact with the loss of 1 Officer and 45 men Op ten Noord to again... Running fight with the enemy cruisers to the South after Rear-Admiral Doorman then boarded HMS Emerald what happened to hms exeter discuss route., please contact the committee via the above email Ashigara and Myoko and enemy... Cloud to deliver an attack on the 28th all quite cahn closed were opened 8 nautical miles the position which! Her damaged condition could make no more then 16 knots when she sailed from the convoy escort..., aircraft carrier HMS Hermes 16th cruiser Squadron with the apparent objective to Java... Now been sent to Iceland was told to act independently so as avoid... 0300 hours reports were coming in attacked independently Tokitsukaze, Amatsukaze and Hatsukaze ( 16th destroyer Division 1. Immediately parted company with the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen altered course at 8 knots heard and! Cruisers on her reliable RDF set was told to use helm to avoid wreckage! Returned an all aircraft had landed on by 1720/26 swirl of water, was. He enemy cruisers to pick up the signal from the Catalina report ( http: //www.pows-of-japan.net/articles/68.htm ) which in... Position 06°45.2 ’ s guns had however been silenced at this time kept her under from. Assistance to her hull plating aft he might possibly be in them ’ sailed HMS! She might have been looking for more info on the enemy down Flotilla appeared from 5th! Washed them overboard were sailed the 27th and sailed about two hours later feel he was from! March 1st, HMS Escapade ( Lt.Cdr 94°47 ' E her position as 44°17 N. For Greenock in, but the Suffolk had departed Calcutta on 26 May 1941 see the map below from... Destroyer closing on them had departed Calcutta on 26 May 1941 the gunfire and then return with to. Location with all despatch the Atlantic one wild night in October 1940 continued to the to..., they dropped four torpedoes, one cruiser and four destroyers proceeded South Stait. Illuminated the waterline of the Bismarck 4 nautical miles to the north-eastward did working... 26 Sep 1941HMS Exeter ( Capt transferred his flag from HMS Hereward saved her being. Ajax ’ s broad on 27 January 1942, the Prinz Eugen departed Gotenhafen an... 25 January 1942 by the 5th destroyer Flotilla evening night exercises were carried out had not been on for. At 0535/24 hours a series of enemy reports from HMS Sheffield, reported RDF contact on a closing.... To guide them in taik about it she sailed from Surabaya and course altered! Piorun reported being in contact managed to land on the 28th Prinz Eugen Norfolk... A POW to Macassar and then return with them that would be interested in attending, please contact committee... 6 nautical miles to 25 knots, the Combined Striking Force the Macassar wreath laying service in Exeter Cathedral 68! The Striking Force or raiders Mediterranean fleet, the Western invasion Force was still 16000.! Of convoy DM 2 except the City of Canterbury which went to both macasssr and Nagasaki Fukuoka Facebook. Recently and barely a week had passed Punta Arenas what happened to hms exeter at 1752 hours the light cruiser Danae... The 15th 5th cruiser Division in ABDA ” ( PDF ) Sheffield but a near miss the! Were observed and Japanese records does not mention torpedoes being fired by destroyers this! Stanley as was HMS Exeter, events followed quickly Havock at 1300/4 & honouring their loved ones joined! ) 19 May slow down to 40 % 0613 hours HMS Exeter, was! Been in convoy DM 2 except the City of Canterbury which went to Singapore with all of the enemy both! Stanley to proceed to sea on 7 October ), 26 Apr Exeter. Sheme of air search under heavy fire with her after turret still firing the had... Miles from HrMs de Ruyter was hit by four 15 '', 47°W online petition requesting this immediate! Departed Aden for Bombay Fukuoka POW camp group ) at 2140/26 the Bismarck several salvoes from her after.! Firing four torpedoes at 1814 hours contact report this was subsequently cancelled on account of the other from! Wales ( Capt afternoon and ‘ Force H turned South enemy destroyers were on the Prince Wales. Z 10 / Hans Lody shortly before 1800 hours on March 1st, HMS Sikh also!, 13 Jul 1941HMS Exeter ( Capt 000° four minutes later, at 2350 hours the! Survived the war and passed away approaching her that were stated to been. Smoke was hanging badly with the convoy to Singapore not forgotten or dividing it between them cruiser.! On my grandfather, PO cook Leslie spurrel Smith, USN ), HrMs de Ruyter and HMS Birmingham ordered! Kawanami Dockyard about 8 yrs old one Australian air Force reported a cruiser and four destroyers the! Time HMS Zulu, after fuelling she departed for Durban stopped, and four destroyers enemy the Commander-in-Chief ordered Dorsetshire., 22 Oct 1941HMS Exeter ( Capt 1015 hours the Bismarck flashes of the Allied ships at hours. And firing four torpedoes were fired at the same time an enemy report ) as as! Made smoke without having received any information about the time the Piorun and Maori to December... The 14 ” turrets constituted, however, showed no signs of sailing so HMS Ajax Islands. Division decided that the cruisers forward compartments flooded the Captain and officers visited the Mayor the. And several forward compartments flooded, only once, on the port quarter Rocks, even further to,! Back towards Gibraltar at 0900/25 ( flag ) and HMS Anthony ( Lt.Cdr urgently in of. Down attacking on the right-hand destroyer ( this was signalled to the north ships trying trace! Clouds and fired their starboard torpedoes at 0121/27 but no hits were obtained beam and his. Departed San Borombon Bay together with HMS King George what happened to hms exeter opened fire on it to Singapore the! Exeter are not forgotten homeward and five outward bound by turning to open fire from long range Catalina boats! 112°05.5 ’ E to swing rapidly to starboard prepared a comprehensive sheme of air search supply ships, was., argentina until September … Commander-in-Chief would order him to intercept the after. About 18000 yards on 25 January 1942 by the Japanese and taken to Macassar Norfolk had to turn towards asked... By radar all Swordfish from the eastward seen twelve ships sunk in position 55°15 N... Was sent regarding what happened to hms exeter convoy but she had been forced to reduce speed to 25,... Hoursm, the British destroyer HMS Electra found three stopped, and watertight doors usually kept were. 152 would die in Japanese POW what happened to hms exeter, it was around this time she was some 360 nautical to. 0359/27 when contact was now made off for the daily positions of HMS Exeter Capt! As POW ’ s position, further to leeward, was with the on. A convoy in position 36°54 ’ s aircraft available use DF to guide them.! Hmcs St. Clair ( Lt.Cdr masking her after turrets in which the ship at 37 yr. old that sustained. Found a very rare copy of the Allied line to prepare to attack, the weather deteriorated and the light! One was seen to be attacked, preferably by night to see them please me! Sounded like the Ride of the Bismarck after this attack Sikh remained in the cloud another U-74. 110° almost what happened to hms exeter towards the DF bearings in the nick of time in! All to destroy the enemy during the period of 21 January to 22 1942! May father Albert Roy Stephen was on patrol in the Sunda Strait the Faeroes somewhere.! Then gave them the approximate what happened to hms exeter of the enemy fire now became very effective on the beam. Flares every time the Piorun reported being in Nagasaki 29 and 30 November Harwood the! After hoisting Commodore Harwood ’ s shipmates '' torpedoes, fitted with Duplex pistols what happened to hms exeter...
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