can anyone confirm that the entry SD 3-7-43 3161 Nimrod indicates that Olaf was nominated for Shore duty at HMS Nimrod on that date. What is the meaning of the code 3161? He remained on the P&V ledger of HMS Winchelsea until 27th July before making Passage to Portsmouth on HMS Doulglas. thanks Brian Gallant
Hello and welcome Brian, I read it a little different. That part of his service record refers to changes in rating. Rated SD (submarine detector) 3/7/43 [form] S161 [to] NIMROD. Regards Hugh
Thanks Hugh so these entries refer to changes in rank and qualification ! Can you enlighten me about TR 31-3-42 Nile. On this date Olaf is serving on HMS Dulverton which has just returned to Alexandria having escorted Malta convoy ME10 to Valletta which was attacked by the Italians at 2nd Battle of Sirte. Regards Brian
Hi Brian Welcome to ww2talk. Was wondering when you was going to tell us about the most exciting bit about Olaf's service. Would imagine that he had impressed his superiors with his skill handling asdic equipment on HMS Dulverton on the trip out to Alex. HMS Dulverton. September; Contractors trials and commissioned for service. 27th Build completion and commenced Acceptance Trials. October, Passage to Scapa Flow on completion of trials and storing. Worked-up for service with Home Fleet ships at Scapa Flow. November; Nominated for service in Mediterranean Fleet and prepared for foreign service. 19th Joined military convoy WS12Z with HM Battleship ROYAL SOVEREIGN and HM Destroyer SOUTHWOLD as Ocean Escort for passage in Atlantic. 22nd Detached from WS12Z with HMS ROYAL SOVEREIGN and HMS SOUTHWOLD and took passage to Freetown. 28th Rejoined WS12Z with HMS ROYAL SOVEREIGN and HMS SOUTHWOLD as Ocean Escort during passage to Durban. December; Passage to Durban. 18th Detached from WS12 with Ocean Escort on arrival at Durban. Took independent passage to Alexandria from Durban. 1 9 4 2 January; Passage in Red Sea. 4th Joined 5th Destroyer Flotilla at Alexandria for Fleet escort, convoy defence, anti submarine patrol and support of Tobruk garrison. February; Deployed for escort of Malta relief convoy. 12th Joined HM Escort Destroyers BEAUFORT, HURWORTH and SOUTHWOLD to escort Convoy MW 9A (Operation MF5) (Note: Cover was provided by HM Cruisers DIDO, NAIAD and EURYALUS screened by HM Destroyers ARROW, GRIFFIN, HASTY, HAVOCK, JAGUAR, JERVIS, 13th Convoys MW9A and B merged and continued passage under air attacks. 14th Detached with escort from Alexandria and returned as escort for Convoy ME10. (Note: ROWALLAN CASTLE was later hit during air attacks and had to be sunk. For details see THE BATTLE FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN by D Macintyre, MALTA CONVOYS by R Woodman and Naval Staff History.) 15th Returned to Alexandria with covering ships of Force B. March 20th Deployed with HM Escort Destroyers AVON VALE, BEAUFORT, ERIDGE, HEYTHROP, HURWORTH and SOUTHWOLD to carry out anti-submarine sweep along the path of planned Malta relief convoy (Operation MG1). (Note: HMS HEYTHROP was torpedoed and sunk off Sollum during this operation.. See above references.) 21st Joined escort for Convoy MW10 after refuelling at Tobruk. 22nd Convoy under threat of attack by Italian battle Squadron, including battleship LITTORIO, cruisers GORIZIA, TRENTO and BANDE NERE screened by ten destroyers. Cruiser PENELOPE and HM Destroyer LEGION joined Convoy from Malta before Italian ships were sighted. MW10 detached escorted by HM Cruiser CARLISLE and destroyers from Tobruk. Under air attack and fire from Italian ships. HM Cruisers CLEOPATRA, DIDO, EURYALUS and PENELOPE and destroyer screen positioned between convoy and engaged enemy squadron in heavy weather. Italian ships lacking radar were at a disadvantage and retired when attacked by torpedoes from destroyers of Fleet screen. (2nd Battle of Sirte - See above reference and Naval Staff History for details of this tactical and moral victory.) 23rd Detached with HMS AVON VALE to escort mercantiles ss PAMPAS and ss TALABOT when ships of convoy scattered. (Note: Despite sustained air attacks ships reached Grand Harbour.) 25th Sailed from Malta with HMS CARLISLE, HM Destroyers BEAUFORT, ERIDGE and HURWORTH, 28th Arrived at Alexandria. That they transferred him to HMS Nile, another Shore based unit for more training. then later to Nimrod where possibly he trained others.
Thanks Hugh and RCG I think I now have a clear picture of his sea time on Dulverton and Winchelsea. He was awarded the France and Germany Star, Would this have been awarded for Coastal convoys in the North sea or would it have required boots on the Ground on the Continent. He claimed to have been in Kiel at the end of the war although he was on the P&V ledger of HMS Osprey at the time. Regards Brian
Brian, Star awarded for 1 or more days’ service in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands or Germany (1944 to 1945). Naval personnel will qualify for service afloat in the North Sea and English Channel within certain specified boundaries. Regards Hugh
