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Portsmouth Harbour - a hand coloured print
HMS Calcutta was a light cruiser of the C class ordered during the First World War (in July, 1917). She was built and engined by Vickers Ltd., at Barrow-in-Furness, and was laid down on 18th October, 1917; launched on 9th July, 1918; and completed on 21st August, 1919. Her early service was performed in the Eighth Light Cruiser Squadron, American and West Indies Station, in which squadron she became the flagship of Rear-Admiral Sir Allan Everett.
She completed conversion to an anti-aircraft ship on 6th March, 1939, and passed into the Reserve Fleet at the Nore. On the outbreak of the Second World War on 3rd September, 1939, she joined the Home Fleet at Scapa as AA ship. Later in September she was temporarily attached to the Seventh Cruiser Squadron for duty on the Northern Patrol, and on the 29th left Scapa for attachment to the Second Cruiser Squadron in the Humber Force.
After Nelson was mined at Loch Ewe on 4th December, the Calcutta was sent there to augment the AA defence, with her sister ship the Cairo, until guns could be provided ashore. Both ships were there until 4th January, 1940, when they left for Chatham to give leave, after which they returned to the Humber Force.
On 8th February, after enemy air attacks on shipping of all sorts and nationalities, it was decided to re-establish the AA defence of the convoys between the Shetlands and Norway. The Cairo and Calcutta were transferred to the Home Fleet and began convoy duties on 14th February, the ship not at sea providing AA defence for the base at Sullom Voe.
In the campaign in Norway, which was invaded by the Germans on 9th April, 1940 the Calcutta took a full share, especially as AA ship at Namsos and Aandalsnes. At the latter port on 1st May the Calcutta had over 150 bombs aimed at her without damage or casualties. After Aandalsnes was evacuated by 2nd May, the Calcutta went to Narvick to continue AA protection there, arriving on 8th May. She returned to Rosyth on 15th May.
Her next assignment brought her into the Dunkirk evacuation, Operation Dynamo. An AA ship being needed at the Nore, the Calcutta left Rosyth on 23rd May and from next day came under the orders of the C. in. C., Nore. In the early hours of 28th May she arrived off La Panne, and during the five days until 2nd June she took a prominent part in the evacuation, bringing back to Sheerness 1,856 officers and men. She came through several air attacks with only slight damage from a near miss.
On 9th June she was placed at the disposal of the C. in C., Portsmouth, for the evacuation from Le Havre, Operation Cycle. Later in the month she assisted in evacuations in the Bayonne area and St. Jean de Luz. On 25th June, an Armistice having been signed between France and Germany, the Calcutta left St. Jean de Luz at night with two Canadian destroyers, proceeding at high speed owing to the possibility of submarine attack. She unfortunately collided with the Canadian destroyer Fraser, which was cut in two and sank. Despite the darkness and a rising swell, 16 officers and 134 men were rescued, but 47 Canadian and 19 British sailors were lost. After her return to Plymouth the Calcutta was under refit until the end of July.
In the first week of August she provided AA protection for a mine-laying operation in the Southern St. George's Channel. She was then allocated to the Mediterranean Fleet, and left Greenock on 22nd August in the convoy operation 'Hats', which included the battleship Valiant, aircraft carrier Illustrious, and AA cruisers Calcutta and Coventry, as reinforcements for the Fleet. They left Gibraltar on 30th, and the Calcutta arrived at Malta on the 2nd and Alexandria on 6th September.
She was employed in escorting convoys to Malta and Greece, and after Italy attacked Greece on 28th October, she was on the first convoy which left Alexandria next day to establish a base at Suda Bay, Crete, arriving on the 31st.
Throughout the Autumn and Winter of 1940-41 the Calcutta was fully occupied in escorting convoys in the Eastern Mediterranean and in supporting the operations of the Army in Libya. On 6th April, 1941, she was at the Piraeus when Germany, without any warning, attacked Greece. An intensive air raid was made on the night of 6th -7th April on shipping at the Piraeus and widespread damage caused, which was accentuated when an ammunition ship, the Clan Fraser, with about 200 tons of TNT in one of her holds, received a direct hit and blew up while still alongside, starting many fires ashore and in other ships. The Captains of the Calcutta and Ajax were commended for the way they 'took their ships out magnificently through thick smoke and over mines'.
On 24th April the Calcutta left Suda Bay to take part in the evacuation of Greece, Operation Demon, returning to Alexandria on the 29th. In May she resumed the escort of convoys in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Germany attacked Crete on 20th May, and the Calcutta was among the ships engaged in the ensuing battle. She left Alexandria on 28th May with the force under Vice-Admiral E L S King to conduct the evacuation from Sphakia on the night of 29th-30th May. Despite air attacks about 6,000 men were embarked.
Early on the morning of 1st June the Calcutta left Alexandria for the last time, in company with the Coventry, to rendezvous with Force D under Vice-Admiral King which was returning from the final evacuation from Sphakia. When about 100 miles from Alexandria, she was attacked by two Junkers 88 aircraft, hit by two bombs, and sank within a few minutes at 0920. The Coventry succeeded in picking up 23 officers and 232 ratings, but two officers and 116 ratings were lost.
Commanding Officers of the Calcutta during the War were:
Captain H A Packer, from 23rd August, 1939;
Captain D M Lees, DSO., from 18th March, 1940.Battle Honours awarded to the Calcutta were:
Norway1940
Dunkirk1940
Mediterranean1941
Libya1941
Malta Convoys1941
Greece1941
Crete1941
This information was prepared for the Admiralty in the 1950s, and was supplied by The Keeper of the Department of Documents, Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Road, London, where it is now held in their archives.
Special thanks to Mr. Roderick Suddaby, Department of Documents, Imperial War Museum, for his assistance in finding this document and offering advice for locating other documents and information.
Date of Arrival Place Date of Departure Remarks 20.6.39 Sheerness 7.7.39 S.A.T. 6.7:- Depots relying on release of Cs steaming party at end of month.
S.A.T. 6.7:- Hoped to receive C at Hull where she is urgently required.8.7.39 St. Helens Road 10.7.39 Left Portsmouth.
S.T. 8.7 from V.A.C. R.7:- propose C should return to Chatham for renewal of distorted boiler tubes before proceeding to Hull, tube work can be undertaken at Hull.
T10.7 from V.A.C.R.F:- Intend to sail C for Chatham on completion of her D/F calibration probably 10.7. Hull.11.7.39 Sheerness 15.7.39 S.A.T. 13.7:-Calcutta is to proceed to Hull where renewal of tubes will be carried out as convenient. 16.7.39 Hull 28.8.39 S.T. 26.8 from C.C. Lore:- Commissioned 25.8 at Hull.
S.A.T. 1245/23.8:-To be commissioned and/or completed to full complement as on mobilisation and brought forward for service as soon as possible.29.8.39 Scapa 14.9.39 14.9.39 Scapa 15.9.39 15.9.39 Scapa 16.9.39 16.9.39 Scapa 18.9.39 19.9.39 Scapa ? 20.9.39 Scapa 21.9.39 21.9.39 Scapa 22.9.39 22.9.39 Scapa 25.9.39 27.9.39 Scapa ? ? Grimsby 29.9.39 S.T.0948/27.9 from C in C H.F1- On completion of fuelling C is to sail for Humber with moderate despatch. 29.9.39 Grimsby 1.10.39 2.10.39 Grimsby 3.10.39 4.10.39 Grimsby 5.10.39 5.10.39 Grimsby 7.10.39 7.10.39 Grimsby 9.10.39 10.10.39 Grimsby ? S.A.T. 1659/11.10:- Coventry will join C and Cairo. 13.10.39 Grimsby 13.10.39 ? Grimsby 17.10.39 18.10.39 Grimsby 21.10.39 22.10.39 Grimsby 25.10.39 26.10.39 Harwich 26.10.39 27.10.39 Grimsby ? 29.10.39 Immingham 31.10.39 1.11.39 Grimsby 2.11.39 3.11.39 Grimsby 3.11.39 4.11.39 Grimsby 5.11.39 6.11.39 Rosyth 12.11.39 For Humber. 13.11.39 Humber 14.11.39 14.11.39 Grimsby 16.11.39 16.11.39 Humber 18.11.39 18.11.39 Grimsby 25.11.39 S.T. 1358/18.11 from C in C Nore:- C is to commence repairs on return from escorting F.S.38.
S.A.T. 1216/26.11:- As a temp. measure pending certain developments A/A ships are to be withdrawn from covering convoys and are to be employed to give A/A defence against mine laying aircraft in Thames Estuary.
C is to be sailed as soon as possible for the Nore. Ship must arrive in daylight.26.11.39 Humber 27.11.39 For Edinburgh Channel ETA 27.11.
S.A.T. 1127/4.12:- The 3 A/A cruisers C, Cairo and Curlew are to proceed Port A forthwith.5.12.39 Port A 4.1.40 S.T. 2311/21.12 from C in C Home Fleet:- When Nelson sails from Port A, ships mention below are to follow her out of harbour and proceed to destination given.
C and Cairo to the Nore. C in C Rosyth are requested as to the route instructions.6.1.40 Sheerness 19.1.40 D of D. 15.1 Taken in hand 15.1 for fitting D.G. equipment. Completes 18.1.
D of D. 10.1. Completed 18.1.
S.A.T. 1201/7.1:- On completion of leave and refit C is to be sailed for the Humber, is to employed for A/A protection of East Coast Convoys.
S.T. 1514/18.1 from C in C Nore:- Intend to sail C for Humber 20.1.20.1.40 Humber ? 25.1.40 Humber 30.1.40 ? Humber 2.2.40 ? Humber 4.2.40 For convoy duties. ? Humber 5.2.40 ? Humber 12.2.40 For Sullom Voe. 13.2.40 Sullom Voe 15.2.40 S.T. 1015/24.2 from C:- Intend to proceed to Scapa for full calibre practice on 28.2. ? Sullom Voe 25.2.40 27.2.40 Lerwick ? 1.3.40 Sullom Voe ? 9.3.40 Sullom Voe ? 15.3.40 Sullom Voe 21.3.40 23.3.40 Sullom Voe 29.3.40 9.4.40 Sullom Voe 12.4.40 To join York
S.T. 1507/13.4 from York:- C, Hyperion, Escort towing, Eclipse in company.15.4.40 Sullom Voe 16.4.40 18.4.40 Scapa 20.4.40 S.T. 1507/20.4 from F.O.C. 18th C.S.:- To escort French ship Ville D’Alger to Namsos arriving 21/4. C cover arrival & entry of Blackheath and Balmana 22/4, returning to Scapa on completion. 18.11.39 Grimsby 25.11.39 S.T. 1358/18.11 from C in C Nore:- C is to commence repairs on return from escorting F.S.38.
S.A.T. 1216/26.11:- As a temp. measure pending certain developments A/A ships are to be withdrawn from covering convoys and are to be employed to give A/A defence against mine laying aircraft in Thames Estuary.
C is to be sailed as soon as possible for the Nore. Ship must arrive in daylight.26.11.39 Humber 27.11.39 For Edinburgh Channel ETA 27.11.
S.A.T. 1127/4.12:- The 3 A/A cruisers C, Cairo and Curlew are to proceed Port A forthwith.5.12.39 Port A 4.1.40 S.T. 2311/21.12 from C in C Home Fleet:- When Nelson sails from Port A, ships mention below are to follow her out of harbour and proceed to destination given.
C and Cairo to the Nore. C in C Rosyth are requested as to the route instructions.6.1.40 Sheerness 19.1.40 D of D. 15.1 Taken in hand 15.1 for fitting D.G. equipment. Completes 18.1.
D of D. 10.1. Completed 18.1.
S.A.T. 1201/7.1:- On completion of leave and refit C is to be sailed for the Humber, is to employed for A/A protection of East Coast Convoys.
S.T. 1514/18.1 from C in C Nore:- Intend to sail C for Humber 20.1.20.1.40 Humber ? 25.1.40 Humber 30.1.40 ? Humber 2.2.40 ? Humber 4.2.40 For convoy duties. ? Humber 5.2.40 ? Humber 12.2.40 For Sullom Voe. 13.2.40 Sullom Voe 15.2.40 S.T. 1015/24.2 from C:- Intend to proceed to Scapa for full calibre practice on 28.2. ? Sullom Voe 25.2.40 27.2.40 Lerwick ? 1.3.40 Sullom Voe ? 9.3.40 Sullom Voe ? 15.3.40 Sullom Voe 21.3.40 23.3.40 Sullom Voe 29.3.40 9.4.40 Sullom Voe 12.4.40 To join York
S.T. 1507/13.4 from York:- C, Hyperion, Escort towing, Eclipse in company.15.4.40 Sullom Voe 16.4.40 18.4.40 Scapa 20.4.40 S.T. 1507/20.4 from F.O.C. 18th C.S.:- To escort French ship Ville D Alger to Namsos arriving 21/4. C cover arrival & entry of Blackheath and Balmana 22/4, returning to Scapa on completion. S.T. 2007/24.4 from C in C H Fleet:- Carlisle is to sail as convenient 25/4 to relieve C as S.N.O. (A) Namsos and A/A Grand Ship. 23.4.40 Namsos 28.4.40 For Scapa 29.4.40 Scapa 30.4.40 3.5.40 Scapa 6.5.40 S.T. 1542/6.5 from C in C HF:- Sail when ready & proceed with moderate despatch to Skjelfiord. Your role is to provide A/A protection from Skjelfiord to the westward as far as longitude 01 E. Also A/A escort to Penelope (S.T. 1608/6.5 from C in C HF.) 8.5.40 Skjelfiord 14.5.40 T 2231/10.5 from FO i/c Narvick to C & Zulu:- When you have done all you can to hinder enemy join Penelope who is sailing.
S.T. 1130/11.5 from F.O. Narvick:- C & Zulu sank enemy transport 2100/10.
S.T. 1537/14.5 from C in C HF:- Give as much leave as possible while gun barrels are being changed including 48hrs to each watch.
S.T. 1236/15.5 from C in C HF:- Somali damaged rejoin her forthwith & escort to Scapa.
S.T. 1547/14.5 from C in C HF:- C is being sent to Rosyth in anticipation that exchange of gun barrels will be necessary.15.5.40 Rosyth 23.5.40 For Harwich.
S.T. 1103/16.5 from C in C Rosyth:- Anticipate C will be in all respects ready to sail by 21.5.
T 1723/16.5 from C in C Rosyth:- C in C HF has approved Cs new date of sailing as 23.5 in order that serious defects to fire & bilge pumps may be made good by dockyard.
S.T. 2038/19.5 from C in C HF:- C leaves Rosyth for Narvick area 23.5.
S.A.T. 1844/22.5:- In view of possible vital need for A/A ships in Channel area in the near future, request Cs destination be altered to Portsmouth where she should join C.S.2 & be placed temporarily under the orders of C in C Nore.
S.T. 1215/23.5 from C in C Rosyth:- On completion of DG ranging C is to sail for Portsmouth East about.24.5.40 Harwich 27.5.40 For South Downs.
S.A.T. 1941/26.5:- C is to be placed at disposal of V.A. Dover forthwith.28.5.40 Sheerness ? 29.5.40 Sheerness ? T 0431/31.5 from V.A. Dover:- Provided C in C is available a minimum escort of two corvettes on similar A/S screen.
Request C in C Nore will sail C so that she may provide A/A Escort for the last flight of the B.E.F.
S.T. 0900/1.6 from V.A. Dover:- Return to Sheerness & remain at one hours notice.1.6.40 Sheerness ? 2.6.40 Nore ? 3.6.40 Sheerness 9.6.40 S.T. 1247/2.6 from No i/c Dover:- Return to Sheerness & revert to 1 hours notice for steam. An exactly similar patrol to that carried out 2/6 is to be carried out 3/6 provided C in C Nore can provide a screen.
S.T. 1425/2.6 from Calcutta:- Near miss necessitates 8 hours repair.
S.T. 1206/7.6 from C in C Nore:- C raise steam forthwith & proceed to Harwich with moderate despatch.9.6.40 Harwich 10.6.40 10.6.40 Portsmouth 22.6.40 S.A.T. 1916/13.6:- C is to remain under the command of C in C Portsmouth.
S.T. 1314/21.6 from A.C.W.A.:- To sail as soon as ready to join CS2 (Galatea) who is at present at Ancachon but will be moving to Bayonne.
S.T. 0005/23.6 from F.O.C. 2nd CS:- Is ambassador to proceed home in Galatea or C?
If in Galatea intend transferring my flag to C in absence of Galetea.
T 2223/23.6 from FOC 2 CS:- Flag of FOC 2 CS is being temporarily transferred to C at 2000 23.6.27.6.40 Plymouth 3.8.40 T 1345/1.7 from C in C WA:- Examination of C in dry dock reveals damage requiring approx. 2 weeks in dock.
D of D 2.7 Taken in hand 28.6. Collision damage repairs & condenser repairs D.U. about 3 weeks.
D of D 3.7 Completes 20.7 (dependent of receipt of condenser tubes)
S.T. 1303/23.7 from C in C W. Apps:- C completes 24.7. It is desirable to retain her at Plymouth for defence against minelaying in the sound if she is not urgently required elsewhere.6.8.40 Plymouth 19.8.40 20.8.40 Greenoek 22.8.40 2.9.40 Malta ? 6.9.40 Alexandria 12.9.40 16.9.40 Alexandria 28.9.40 2.10.40 Alexandria 8.10.40 11.10.40 Malta 11.10.40 16.10.40 Alexandria 24.10.40 28.10.40 Alexandria 29.1.40 4.11.40 Alexandria 5.11.40 ? Suda Bay 13.11.40 14.11.40 Alexandria 16.11.40 21.11.40 Alexandria 23.11.40 26.11.40 Malta 26.11.40 30.11.40 Alexandria 3.12.40 7.12.40 Alexandria 16.12.40 20.12.40 Malta 21.12.40 23.12.40 Alexandria ? 29.12.40 Suda Bay ? 30.12.40 Alexandria ? 31.12.40 Alexandria 2.1.41 3.1.41 Alexandria 7.1.41 12.1.41 Suda Bay 12.1.41 12.1.41 Athens 14.1.41 ? Malta 19.1.41 ? Athens 19.1.41 21.1.41 Alexandria ? 22.1.41 Athens ? ? Alexandria 29.1.41 2.2.41 Athens 3.2.41 4.2.41 Alexandria 14.2.41 ? Alexandria 15.2.41 19.2.41 Athens 20.2.41 ? Alexandria 20.2.41 23.2.41 Alexandria 27.2.41 2.3.41 Athens 4.3.41 8.3.41 Suda Bay 9.3.41 11.3.41 Suda Bay 12.3.41 14.3.41 Alexandria 15.3.41 23.3.41 Malta 23.3.41 24.3.41 Suda Bay 28.3.41 S.T. 1627/27.3 from Capt (S)1:- Leaves Suda Bay 0130/28.3. 10.4.41 Suda Bay 11.4.41 13.4.41 Alexandria 18.4.41 22.4.41 Alexandria 22.4.41 23.4.41 Suda Bay 24.4.41 29.4.41 Alexandria 12.5.41 S.T. 1105/15.5 from C in C Med:- Dido & C are to part company with convoy 15.5 & proceed independently at best speed to Alexandria. 16.5.41 Alexandria 20.5.41 24.5.41 Alexandria 26.5.41 S.T. 1122/26.5 from C in C Med:- Defender is to escort Alfios to vicinity of Candia and return to pass Kaso about 0630/28.5. C is to provide A/A protection during daylight 27th preference being given to Suda Bay territory if Alfios has not joined up, C is to R/V with Defender about 0900/28.5 & return to Alexandria. 28.5.41 Alexandria 28.5.41 S.T. 2137/31.5 from C in C Med:- C & Coventry have been ordered to be 100 miles from Alexandria at 0800/1.6 ready to reinforce F.0. 15 C.S. if required.
S.T. 0927/1.6 from Coventry:- C hit 031 31 028 OS.31.5.41 Alexandria 1.6.41 S.T. 0127/6.6 from C in C Med:- Cretan Evacuation. C sunk while proceeding to assistance of other vessels.
S.S.B.A. No 896.26.6 Regarded as formally paid off 1.6.