Queen Elisabeth.docx

8/12/2019 Queen Elisabeth.docx

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SERVICE HISTORIES of ROYALNAVY WARSHIPS in WORLDWAR 2by Lt Cdr Geoffrey B Mason RN

(Rtd) (c) 2003

HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH -Queen Elizabeth-class 15ingun Battleship includingConvoy Escort Movements

Editing & Additional Material by MikeSimmonds

HMS Queen Elizabeth (Maritime Quest, click to enlarge) return toContents List

QUEEN ELIZABETH-Class battleship ordered from HM Dockyard Portsmouth in June

1912 and laid down on 21st October that year. The ship was launched on 16th October 1913as the first RN warship to carry this name. Her Badge reflects the particular association with

the Royal Family. Build was completed on 22 December 1914 and she was deployed in the

Mediterranean. Her distinctive service during WW1 included participation in the Dardanelles

campaign and the surrender of the German High Seas Fleet in 1918 when the terms of

surrender were given to Admiral Von Reuter on board. In 1937 she was selected for an

extended modernisation which began in August that year and was not completed until 1939.

Her WW2 service was particularly well known as she was seriously damaged at Alexandria

after explosive charges had been placed on her hull in an attack by two man human torpedoes

in December 1941. She then had an extensive period under repair and refit in a US Navy

Dockyard Norfolk, Va before resuming Fleet service in the East Indies Fleet. She took part in

many offensive operations against the Japanese bases in the Indian Ocean and in support of

landing operations in Burma before return to UK before VJ Day. After brief service in the

Home Fleet she was placed in Reserve at Portsmouth during 1946 and sold for demolitiontwo years later. In March 1942 this ship was adopted by The Baltic Exchange, London after a

WARSHIP WEEK National Savings campaign.

B a t t l e H o n o u r s

DARDANELLES 1915 - CRETE 1941 - SABANG 1944 - BURMA 1944-45

H e r a l d i c D a t aBadge: On a field per pale White and Green a Tudor rose Red

and Silver between letters ER under a Tudor crown Red.

S u m m a r y o f P r e

W a r S e r v i c e

1 9 1 5

Passage to Mediterranean after Acceptance TrialsTook part in bombardment of Turkish shore targets during Dardanelles

operations.Sank enemy transport.
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Returned to UK for repair of defective turbine and joined Grand Fleet at

Scapa Flow.

1 9 1 6

Under repair and resumed Grand Fleet service.(Note: Did not take part in Battle of Jutland.)

1 9 1 7

Grand Fleet Service with periodic refits to modify armament equipment,

improveprotection and machinery arrangements.

1 9 1 8

Grand Fleet service including presentation of surrender terms to German

Admiralvon Reuter after the armistice.

1 9 1 9 t o 1 9 2 4

Deployed with Atlantic Fleet.

1 9 2 5

Deployed with Mediterranean Fleet.

1 9 2 6 t o 1 9 2 7

Under major refit during which torpedo bulges were fitted and two

funneltrunks merged into one single uptake.3in AA armament replaced by 4in mountings.Aircraft platform removed from Y turret.Fire control arrangements changes involving redesign of bridge structure.

1 9 2 8

Deployed in Home waters for trials.

1 9 2 9

Deployed in Mediterranean


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January to December

Approval given for fit of radar equipment for gunnery fire control when

this became available.Modernisation in continuationUnder modernisation at Portsmouth.

D e t a i l s o f W a r S e r v i c e

(for more ship information, go toNaval History Homepageand type name in Site Search

1 9 4 0

January to November

Under modernisationArrangements made for completion of modernisation by HM Dockyard

Rosyth.(Note: This was made after air raids on Portsmouth)

December10th Re-commissioned for trials. Commanding Officer Captain C. B. Barry

DSO, RN.11th Passage to Rosyth escorted by HM Destroyers JUPITER, KASHMIR,

KIPLING andPUNJABI. Because of a sighting of a U-Boat off North Cornwall, close

to her proposedroute, she put into Plymouth for 24 hours.

12th Passage to Rosyth escorted by HM Destroyers HOLDERNESS,

JUPITER, KASHMIR,KIPLING and PUNJABI.

13th 36 miles 060 from Tusker Rock Light, HM Destroyers HOLDERNESS,JUPITER,

KASHMIR, KIPLING and PUNJABI detached and HM Destroyers

BRILLIANT, EXMOOR,PYTCHLEY and SOUTHDOWN took over the escort. En route through

the North Sea HMAnti Aircraft Cruiser CURACOA joined the escort and detached off May

Island.15th Arrived at Rosyth.

1 9 4 1

January Modernisation in continuation.(Note: Radar outfits to provide warning of approach of aircraft (Type

279) and forfire control of main armament (Type 284) and secondary armament

(Type 284)were fitted before ship left Rosyth. For details of development and use of

radarin the RN see RADAR AT SEA by D Howse.)Harbour trials in continuation.
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5/75

31st Modernisation completed

February Post refit sea trials and preparation for foreign service in Mediterranean.20th On completion of full power trial, took passage to Scapa Flow escorted

by HM Cruiser Didoand HM Destroyers BEDOUIN, SOMALI and HMAS NAPIER for

work-up with HomeFleet.

21st Arrived at Scapa Flow.

March Work up in continuationDuring March the German Battlecruisers GNEISENAU and

SCHARNHORST wereoperating in the North Atlantic. Mid month the Admiralty considered

that the German shipswould attempt to return to Germany by the northern route so Home Fleet

dispositionswere made accordingly. On the 15th, HM Battleship NELSON sailed to

take up a positionsouth of Iceland.

19th Work up interrupted. Sailed from Scapa Flow in company with HMCruiser LONDON and

HM Destroyers ARROW, ECHO, ECLIPSE, ELECTRA, ESKIMO and

INGLEFIELD to RVwith HM Battleship NELSON south of Iceland. Off Dunnet Head

LONDON detached andHM Battlecruiser HOOD joined.(20th March 600 miles WNW of Cape Finisterre the German ships were

sighted by aSwordfish from HMS Aircraft Carrier ARK ROYAL. Following the

sighting the twobattleship forces set interception courses for the area of the sighting)

21st The NELSON and QUEEN ELIZABETH Forces joined.

22nd The German Battlecruisers GNEISENAU and SCHARNHORST arrivedat Brest and the

hunt was called off.23rd Arrived back at Scapa Flow.24th At Scapa Flow the CinC Home Fleet transferred his flag from NELSON

to QUEENELIZABETH.

April1st At Scapa Flow CinC Home Fleet transferred his flag to KING GEORGE

V.2nd Sailed from Scapa Flow for Halifax escorted by HM Destroyers

ECLIPSE, ESKIMO and

INGLEFIELD. ESKIMO later detached.6th Diverted to RV with HM Battlecruiser REPULSE in position 46N, 21W.HM Destroyers

ECLIPSE and INGLEFIELD detached for Iceland.

(This move was because a report had been received that GNEISENAU

andSCHARNHORST were leaving Brest. On the 5th, GNEISENAU had

beenmoved out of dry dock due to a UXB and moored in mid stream. Early

on the 6th, 4


6/75

Beauforts of 22 Squadron of RAF Coastal Command carried out a

torpedo attack onher and aircraft X/22 achieved a hit on the starboard side aft causingconsiderable damage. On the 7th GNEISENAU was moved back into dry

dock)8th Made RV with REPULSE and HM Destroyers FURY, FORTUNE,

HIGHLANDER andVELOX.

11th When it was confirmed that GNEISENAU and SCHARNHORST were

not about to sail sheleft the area for Gibraltar escorted by HM Destroyers FURY and

VELOX.13th HM Destroyer BOREAS joined escort.14th Arrived at Gibraltar escorted by HM Destroyers BOREAS, FURY and

VELOX.15th Sailed from Gibraltar for Freetown escorted by HM Destroyers FURY,

VELOX andWRESTLER.

20th Arrived at Freetown. Carried out boiler clean.25th Sailed from Freetown for Gibraltar escorted by HM Destroyers

DUNCAN andFOXHOUND.

26th At 12N DUNCAN and FOXHOUND detached for Bathurst.29th Joined by HM Destroyers FEARLESS, FURY and WRESTLER.30th Arrived at Gibraltar escorted by FEARLESS, FURY and WRESTLER.

May At Gibraltar4th Sailed west from Gibraltar with HM Destroyers FORESIGHT,

FORTUNE, FEARLESS andVELOX to RV with convoy WS8 and relieve HM Battlecruiser

REPULSE, HM DestroyersHAVELOCK, HARVESTER and HESPERUS as escort for the five

mercantiles duringpassage to Gibraltar.(Note: These five ships had been part of military convoy WS8 for

passage from the Clydeand had detached west of Gibraltar to form Operation TIGER convoy.

The five mercantilescarried urgently needed military stores and equipment, including 238

tanks, for the BritishArmy in Egypt)

5th In company with HM Cruiser NAIAD, took over the escort of the five

mercantiles andproceeded towards the Straits of Gibraltar. Later in the day they were

oined by Force H,

comprising HM Battlecruiser RENOWN, HM Aircraft Carrier ARKROYAL, HMCruisers FIJI, SHEFFIELD and HM Destroyers KASHMIR and

KIPLING.6th As the convoy and escort passed through the Straits they were joined by

HM CruiserGLOUCESTER and HM Destroyers FAULKNOR, FURY, FORESTER,

HARVESTER,HAVELOCK and HESPERUS to form Force F.

8th Under air attack, some of which were repelled by aircraft from HM


7/75

Aircraft Carrier ARKROYAL. In one attack she was near missed by a bomb off her port bow.In the evening on arrival at Skerki Channel, Force H ships detached from

the convoy whichcontinued now escorted by QUEEN ELIZABETH, FIJI,

GLOUCESTER, NAIAD,FAULKNOR, FURY, FORESTER, KASHMIR and KIPLING.

9th Joined by the Mediterranean Fleet.12th Arrived at Alexandria and joined Mediterranean Fleet. Became flagship

of the 1st BattleSquadron wearing the flag of Vice Admiral Pridham Wippell CB, CVO,

RN.(For details of Operation TIGER and all Malta relief convoys, see

MALTA CONVOYS byR Woodman, THE BATTLE FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN by D

Macintyre, ENGAGETHE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY and the Naval Staff History.)

14th Sailed from Alexandria in company with HM Battleship BARHAM, HM

Cruisers NAIAD,PHOEBE and HM Destroyers DEFENDER, GREYHOUND, HASTY,

IMPERIAL,JAGUAR, JERVIS and HMAS NIZAM.These vessels comprised Forces A and D for the defence of Crete.

15th PHOEBE detached to return to Alexandria with hull problems. Later

Force A and Ddivided. Force A comprising QUEEN ELIZABETH, BARHAM,

DEFENDER, IMPERIAL,JAGUAR, JERVIS and HMAS NIZAM proceeded to take up a position

to the west of Creteto interpose itself between the Italian Fleet and British Forces operating

off Crete.16th Force A arrived in blocking position. Later in the day HM Destroyer

ILEX joined Force A.

Followed later by Force B comprising HM Cruisers GLOUCESTER,FIJI and HM

Destroyers HAVOCK and HOTSPUR, and Force D comprising HM

Cruisers NAIAD,HMAS PERTH and HM Destroyers GREYHOUND and HASTY.

17th Forces C and D, less HOTSPUR, detached for Alexandria.19th Force A relieved by Battleship Force A1, and Force A comprising

QUEEN ELIZABETH,BARHAM, DEFENDER, ILEX, JAGUAR, JERVIS and NIZAM

detached to return toAlexandria.

20th Arrived at Alexandria.25th Sailed from Alexandria as part of Force A, on Operation MAQ3 (This

was to be an air attack by aircraft from HM Aircraft Carrier FORMIDABLE on theairfield at Scarpanto).

Force A comprised QUEEN ELIZABETH, Flag 1st BS, HM Battleship

BARHAM, HMAircraft Carrier FORMIDABLE and HM Destroyers HASTY,

HEREWARD, JERVIS,JANUS, KANDAHAR, NUBIAN, VENDETTA and VOYAGER.

26th At 0530 hours, Force A were south of the Kaso Strait, approximately 100

miles south west of


8/75

Scarpanto airfield, 4 Albacores and 4 Fulmars were flown off to attack

the airfield. At 0700hours, Force A was joined by HM Cruisers AJAX, DIDO and HM

Destroyers JACKAL,KELVIN, NAPIER and NUBIAN. The augmented Force A then

withdrew to the south.At 1200 hours Force A altered course west to cover a northbound

convoy. At 1300 hoursForce A were 90 miles north east of Bardia when they were attacked by a

force of 40 Ju87s. In the attack FORMIDABLE was seriously damaged and NUBIAN

had her sterndamaged by a bomb. At 2000 hours HM Destroyer DECOY joined Force

A. At 2030 hoursFORMIDABLE, DECOY, HEREWARD, NUBIAN, VENDETTA and

VOYAGER detachedfor Alexandria.(Note: HMS FORMIDABLE was badly damaged during the air attack

and later waswithdrawn from the Mediterranean Fleet for repair in USA. This placed

severe restrictionson use of capital ships in eastern Mediterranean at a crucial time.)

27th At 0600 hours Force A were 250 miles south east of the Kaso Strait and

AJAX, DIDO andJACKAL were detached for Alexandria. At 0858 hours Force A was

attacked by 15 Ju 88sand He 111s . BARHAM was hit on Y turret and damaged by near

misses.Because of the damage to BARHAM, Force A was ordered to return to

Alexandria wherethey arrived at 1900 hours.(Not deployed during naval operations in defence and later evacuation of

Crete which ended

on the night of 1st June. See above references.)

June Deployed at Alexandria.26th Sailed from Alexandria eastwards in company with HM Battleship

VALIANT,WARSPITE (damaged), HM Cruiser AJAX, HM Minelayer ABDIEL

and HM DestroyersDEFENDER, GRIFFIN, HASTY, HERO, JAGUAR, KANDAHAR and

KIMBERLEY tocarry out gunnery exercises. At 1600 hours WARSPITE escorted by

GRIFFIN,KANDAHAR and KIMBERLEY detached for Port Said. The Battle

Fleet then turned for

Alexandria. Later KIMBERLEY rejoined the Battle Fleet.27th Arrived back at Alexandria.

July Deployed at Alexandria.18th Sailed from Alexandria to carry out exercises in company with HM

Battleship VALIANT,HM Cruiser PHOEBE and HM Destroyers HASTY, HAVOCK,

JACKAL, KIPLING andHMAS NIZAM.

19th Arrived back at Alexandria.


9/75

22nd At 2100 hours sailed from Alexandria in company with HM Battleship

VALIANT, HMCruisers HMAS HOBART, NAIAD, NEPTUNE, PHOEBE, HM

MinelayersABDIEL and LATONA screened by HM Destroyers GRIFFIN, HASTY,

HAVOCK,JACKAL, HMAS NIZAM and NUBIAN.

23rd At 0600 hours off Alexandria the Battle Fleet was joined by HM Cruisers

AJAX,

HMNZS LEANDER and HM Destroyers JAGUAR, JERVIS,

KANDAHAR, andKINGSTON. The Fleet then sailed for a diversionary cruise in the

eastern Mediterraneanduring passage of a relief convoy to Malta from Gibraltar (Operation

MD5cover forOperation SUBSTANCE by Force H.)At 2200 hours NEPTUNE, ABDIEL and KIMBERLEY detached for the

fleet.24th LEANDER and JAGUAR detached from the fleet.25th The Battle Fleet arrived back at Alexandria.

August Deployed at Alexandria.5th Sailed from Alexandria for exercises in company with HM Cruiser

NAIAD and HMDestroyers HERO, JERVIS, KINGSTON and HMAS VENDETTA.

During the exercisesJARVIS and KINGSTON detached.


September1st Became Flagship of Mediterranean Fleet.

(See CUNNINGHAM by J Winton.)10th Carried out exercises off Alexandria in company with HM Minelayers

ABDIEL andLATONA screened by HM Destroyers JACKAL and HMAS NIZAM.

26th At 0900 hours the Mediterranean Fleet comprising HM Battleships

QUEEN ELIZABETH,BARHAM, VALIANT, HM Cruisers AJAX, NEPTUNE and HMAS

HOBART screenedby HM Destroyers DECOY, HERO, HOTSPUR, JERVIS, JUPITER,

KINGSTON, KIPLINGand HMAS VENDETTA sailed for diversionary cruise in eastern

Mediterranean during passage

of Malta relief convoy (Operation MD6cover for Operation

HALBERD by Force H.)

October Deployed at Alexandria8th At sea off Alexandria carrying out exercises.12th Sailed from Alexandria and headed westwards in company with HM

Battleship VALIANT,HM Cruisers AJAX, GALATEA, HMAS HOBART and HM Destroyers

AVONDALE,DECOY, ERIDGE, GRIFFIN, HASTY, HOTSPUR, JAGUAR, JERVIS,

JUPITER andKANDAHAR. At 1800 hours JAGUAR, JERVIS and JUPITER

detached.


10/75

13th At daylight the Battle Fleet reversed course and JAGUAR, JERVIS and

JUPITER rejoined.At 1315 hours a report was received of enemy naval activity to the west

and the fleetreversed course to investigate. At 1800 hours the Battle Fleet reversed

course andJAGUAR, JERVIS and JUPITER detached.

14th At daylight JAGUAR, JERVIS and JUPITER rejoined the fleet. At 1530

hours the BattleFleet arrived back at Alexandria.

November Deployed in support of military advance in western desert (Operations

CHIEFTAIN andLANDMARK to provide naval gunfire support.)

20th Sailed from Alexandria in company with HM Battleships BARHAM,

VALIANT and HMCruisers EURYALUS, GALATEA, NAIAD screened by HM Destroyers

DECOY,HASTY, HOTSPUR, JACKAL, JERVIS, KANDAHAR, KIMBERLEY,

KINGSTON,KIPLING, HMAS NAPIER and NIZAM. (This was part of Operation

LANDMARK, thefleets part was to simulate an attack on Tripoli) At 1200 hours HM

Cruisers AJAX,NEPTUNE and HMAS HOBART joined the fleet. At nightfall AJAX,

NEPTUNE andHMAS HOBART detached from the fleet.

22nd At daylight the fleet returned to Alexandria.24th Sailed from Alexandria in support of operations by Force K in company

with HMBattleships BARHAM and VALIANT, screened by HM Destroyers

DECOY, GRIFFIN andJERVIS. (Force K were operating from Malta against Italian convoys).

Off Alexandria HMDestroyers AVONDALE, ERIDGE and FARNDALE joined the Battle

Fleet. AT 2245 hoursHM Destroyers HASTY, JACKAL, KIPLING, HMAS NAPIER and

NIZAM joined andAVONDALE, ERIDGE and FARNDALE detached.During the day the fleet carried out a search for enemy supply ships

whilst on passage toBenghazi.

25th Under submarine attack by U331 which penetrated screen and fired

torpedoes which hitand sank HMS BARHAM in Gulf of Sollum.

26th At 1000 hours arrived back at Alexandria.

December Deployed at Alexandria.18th Whilst in Alexandria harbour, attacked by Italian two man human

torpedoes whosecrew placed limpet mine on ships hull underwater. At 0610 hours the

mine explodedwhilst ship was at anchor causing major damage extending for 190 feet

below BBoiler Room. This caused extensive flooding of machinery

compartments and bulges and


11/75

causing her to sink to seabed. Nine of ships company were killed.

Withdrawn from service.(For details see THE NAVAL WAR IN THE MEDITERRANEAN by J

Greene and AMassignani.)

1 9 4 2

January to MayUnder temporary repair in dry-dock at Alexandria to enable passage for

permanent repair.Repair arranged in US Navy dockyard.

4th Moved into Dry Dock.14th Whilst in dry dock she was again the subject of a human torpedo attack,

this timeunsuccessful.

June 27th Undocked and prepared for ocean passage.28th Sailed from Port Said for Aden on first stage of passage.

July Passage in Indian Ocean with call at Durban.

August Passage in Atlantic Ocean with call at Cape Town.13th Arrived at Freetown.

September6th Arrived at Norfolk, Virginia and taken in hand for repair.

Paid-off.

October to DecemberUnder repair with reduced complement

(Note: Work included:

Increased AA armament to improve defence against close range attacks.Preparation for fit of British radar equipment for fire-control and surface

warning.See above reference.)

1 9 4 3

January to April

Under repair

May Post refit harbour and sea trials.Complement increased for return passage.

June1st Repairs and refit completed

Post refit sea trials and prepared for passage to UK30th Sailed from Boston for Bermuda escorted by HM Frigates BAZELY,

BENTINCK,


12/75

BLACKWOOD and DRURY.

July2nd Sailed from Bermuda for Devonport escorted by HM Frigates BAZELY,

BENTINCK,BLACKWOOD and DRURY.

9th Arrived at Devonport to complete refit work by HM Dockyard,

Devonport.(Note: Work included:

Fit of radar equipment. Aircraft facilities removed.Direction Finding outfit fitted on quarterdeck.Re-commissioned for service in Eastern Fleet.

August1st At Portsmouth for leave and repairsto13th .14th Sailed from Portsmouth for Plymouth.28th Sailed from Plymouth for Scapa Flow.29th Off the Firth of Clyde she was joined by the Destroyers HMCS HURON

and HNethMSSCORPION.

30th At 1400 hours arrived at Scapa Flow to work-up with ships of Home

Fleet and for radarequipment trials.

October to November

At Scapa Flow carrying out working up exercises.

December Deployed at Scapa Flow.30th Sailed from Scapa Flow with HM Battleship VALIANT, HM

Battlecruiser RENOWN, HMAircraft Carriers ILLUSTRIOUS and UNICORN screened by HM

Frigates of EG 3,BERRY, BLACKWOOD, COOKE, DOMETT, DUCKWORTH,

ESSINGTON and HMDestroyer TUSCAN. En route TUSCAN detached for the Clyde with

weather damage.West of Ireland HM Destroyers KEMPENFELT and TENACIOUS

oined the screen.

1 9 4 4

January7th Arrived at Gibraltar to refuel.

12th Arrived at Alexandria.14th Sailed from Alexandria with HM Battleship VALIANT, HM


Destroyers PETARD,PALADIN, PATHFINDER and ROCKET.

19th Arrived at Aden.22nd Sailed from Aden with HM Battleship VALIANT, HM Battlecruiser

RENOWN, HM


13/75

Aircraft Carriers ILLUSTRIOUS and UNICORN screened by HM

Destroyers PETARD,PALADIN, PATHFINDER, RACEHORSE, RAPID, ROCKET,

ROEBUCK,ROTHERHAM and HMAS NAPIER, NIZAM and NORMAN.

28th Arrived at Trincomalee and joined Eastern Fleet.

February Deployed with Eastern Fleet and carried out exercises in preparation for

plannedoperations.(For details of naval activities in Indian Ocean by Eastern Fleet see THE

FORGOTTENFLEET, by J Winton, Operation PACIFIC by E Gray and WAR WITH

JAPAN (HMSO).)

March21st Sailed from Trincomalee as part of the Eastern Fleet in company with

HM BattlecruiserRENOWN, HM Aircraft Carrier ILLUSTRIOUS, HM Cruisers

LONDON, HMNZSGAMBIA, CEYLON and CUMBERLAND screened by HM Destroyers

PATHFINDER,NEPAL, QUILLIAM, HMAS NAPIER, HMAS NORMAN, and Dutch

HNethMS TJERKHIDDES and VAN GALEN on Operation DIPLOMAT. (Operation

DIPLOMAT was topractice operational procedures, such as replenishment at sea, and co-

operation with USNvessels in preparation for the formation of a British Pacific Fleet)

22nd South of Ceylon HM Battleship VALIANT and HM Destroyers HMAS

QUALITY,QUEENBOROUGH and QUIBERON joined, having sailed from

Colombo on the 21st.

24th 850 miles South of Ceylon the Eastern Fleet replenished from threetankers escorted by the

Dutch Cruiser HNethMS TROMP.27th The Eastern Fleet RVed with US Task Group 58 comprising the US

Aircraft Carrier USSSARATOGA escorted by US destroyers USS FANNING, DUNLAP and

CUMMINGS onpassage in Indian Ocean for loan service with Eastern Fleet. Two days of

oint exercises thencommenced, during which air crew from the SARATOGA gave the FAA

pilots the benefit oftheir combat experience against the Japanese, before the combined force

returned to

Trincomalee.April Deployed as Flagship, Eastern Fleet.

2nd Eastern Fleet arrived back at Trincomalee with US Navy ships.16th Sailed from Trincomalee as part of Force 69 in company with HMS

VALIANT, FrenchBattleship FS RICHELIEU, HM Cruisers NEWCASTLE, NIGERIA,

CEYLON, HMNZSGAMBIA and Dutch HNethMS TROMP screened by HM Destroyers

PENN, PETARD,


14/75

ROTHERHAM, RACEHORSE, NEPAL, and HMAS NAPIER, NIZAM

and QUIBERONand Dutch HNethMS VAN GALEN. Force 69 was deployed to provide

cover for an air attackSabang, northern Sumatra with provided screen. (Operation COCKPIT).(Note: Attacks were to be carried out by aircraft from HMS

ILLUSTRIOUS and USSSARATOGA deployed as Force 70. HMS RENOWN, HMS LONDON HM Destroyers HMAS QUILLIAM, QUEENBOROUGH and

QUADRANT and US DestroyersCUMMINGS, DUNLAP and FANNING were deployed as screen for

Force 70.)18th HMS CEYLON and HMNZS GAMBIA detached to provide additional

AA defence forForce 70 during air operations.

19th 0530 hours 100 miles from Sabang the Carriers of Force 70 launched an

air attack againstthe port and oil installations at Sabang. During the air operations, Force

69 provided cover.22nd The fleet arrived back at Trincomalee.

May Deployed as Flagship, Eastern Fleet6th Sailed from Trincomalee as part of Force 65 in company with HMS

VALIANT, HMSRENOWN, FS RICHELIEU, Cruisers HMS KENYA, HNethMS

TROMP screened by HMDestroyers RACEHORSE, ROTHERHAM and HMAS NAPIER,

NEPAL, QUALITY,QUIBERON and QUICKMATCH. Deployed to provide cover for Force

66.Force 66 were to carry out joint air attacks on Soerabaya, (now

Surabaya), Java (OperationTRANSOM).

Force 66 sailed at the same time and comprised HMS ILLUSTRIOUSand USS

SARATOGA, HMNZ GAMBIA, HMS CEYLON, screened by HM

Destroyers QUILLIAM,QUEENBOROUGH and QUADRANT and USS DUNLAP,

CUMMINGS and FANNING.15th Refuelled in Exmouth Gulf, Western Australia from Force 67, which

comprised, 7 RFAs, 6oil tankers and a water tanker RFA, screened by HMS LONDON and

HMS SUFFOLK.17th Air strike carried out against Soerabaya by air units of Force 66. Force 65

provided coverduring the attack.

(Note: RN and US submarines were deployed to carry out patrols to givewarning of anyenemy attempt to interfere with operations by surface or submarine

attack. Air SeaRescue requirements were covered by US submarines near Soerabaya.)

18th Refuelled in Exmouth Gulf, following which USS SARATOGA,

FANNING, DUNLAP andCUMMINGS detached for Pearl Harbour.

27th Arrived back at Trincomalee with RN ships. Fuel remaining on return

was less than 20%.


15/75

June Deployed at Trincomalee.10th Sailed from Trincomalee as part of Force 68 in company with HMS

ILLUSTRIOUS and HMEscort Aircraft Carrier ATHELING screened by HM Cruisers CEYLON,

PHOEBE andHMNZS GAMBIA and five destroyers with HM Submarine SURF on

operationCOUNCILLOR. (Note: This was a diversionary operation in the form of

a feint air strike onSabang to distract Japanese attention from the US Marianas landings)

12th Operation COUNCILLOR carried out.14th Arrived back at Trincomalee.

July22nd Sailed from Trincomalee Joined HMS VALIANT, HMS RENOWN,

French BattleshipRICHELIEU, HM Aircraft Carriers ILLUSTRIOUS and VICTORIOUS,

HM CruisersNIGERIA, HMNZS GAMBIA, KENYA, CEYLON, CUMBERLAND,

PHOEBE and DutchHNethMS TROMP as Force 62 screened by HM Destroyers

RELENTLESS, ROTHERHAM,RACEHORSE, RAIDER, ROEBUCK, ROCKET, RAPID and HMAS

QUILLIAM,QUALITY and QUICKMATCH to provide cover during air operations

by the two carriersat Sabang, Sumatra and then carry out bombardment of shore targets.

(Operation CRIMSON)24th Remained with Force 62 ships when HMS ILLUSTRIOUS and HMS

VICTORIOUSdetached with HMS PHOEBE, HMS ROEBUCK and HMS RAIDER to

take passage to thecarrier operational area. HM Submarines TANTALUS and TEMPLAR

were employed on AirSea Rescue duties.

25th On completion of air operations carried out bombardment of Sabang with

HMS VALIANT,HMS RENOWN, RICHELIEU, cruisers and destroyers.

29th Deployed at Trincomalee.

August Deployment at Trincomalee as Fleet Flagship in continuation.At the end of August the USAAF carried out a series of B 29 air attacks

on targets in NWSumatra. (Operation BOOMERANG).Deployed in company with HM Cruisers CEYLON and KENYA and

HM Destroyers

RACEHORSE, RAPID, RELENTLESS, ROCKET and ROTHERHAMto carry out Air-SeaRescue duties in the Indian Ocean during US air raids.

September Nominated for refit in Durban and took passage.

October6th Taken in hand for refit

November


16/75

17th Carried out post refit trials when work completedOn completion prepared for return passage to Trincomalee.

December Passage in Indian Ocean to Ceylon to rejoin the East Indies Fleet.(Note: The Eastern Fleet was renamed in November 1944)On arrival became Flagship of 3rd Battle Squadron.(Note: Other ship in Squadron was HMS RENOWN. HMS VALIANT had been withdrawn from Eastern Fleet in August 1944 after being damaged in floating dock which had collapsed.)

1 9 4 5

January Deployed at Trincomalee and prepared for support of planned landings on

RamreeIsland off coast of Burma (Operation MATADOR)(Note: Supreme Allied Commander South East Asia, Admiral

Mountbatten wasto be embarked to witness this operation.)

18th Sailed from Trincomalee with the Supreme Commander embarked,screened by

HM Destroyers NORMAN and PATHFINDER for passage to Ramree

Island. En route shecaught up with HM Escort Carrier AMEER escorted by HM Destroyer

RAIDER which hadsailed earlier from Trincomalee. The two forces joined and continued

towards RamreeIsland.

20th The Force was joined by HM Sloop REDPOLE and HM Frigate SPEY.21st In the early hours off Ramree Island she was joined by HM Cruiser

PHOEBE, and screenedby REDPOLE and SPEY, they moved into a bombarding position. One

hour before thelanding of troops from the 71st Brigade of the 26th Indian Division they

commenced abombardment of the northern tip of Ramree Island. Hellcats from

AMEER provided CAPand carried out fall-of-shot spotting.

25th Deployed at Trincomalee

February to MarchTrincomalee deployment in continuation and prepared for support of

plannedoperations in Indian Ocean(Note: HMS RENOWN was replaced by French battleship RICHELIEU on 20th March.)

April8th Sailed from Trincomalee with French battleship RICHELIEU, HMS

LONDON,HM Destroyers SAUMAREZ, VERULAM and VIGILANT as TF 63.1.

In company with TF63.2 which comprised HM Escort Carriers EMPEROR and KHEDIVE,

HM CruiserCUMBERLAND and HM Destroyers VENUS and VIRAGO. (Operation


17/75

SUNFISH), TF 63.1was to carry out bombardment of Sabang whilst Hellcats of TF 63.2

provided CAP andalso carried out air attacks on Sabang.

11th Carried out bombardment at Sabang with RICHELIEU and HMS

LONDON.12th TF 63 refuelled from the tanker support force TF 70. (TF 70 comprised

the RFAEASEDALE escorted by HM Frigate LOSSIE). Following refuelling TF

63 sailed into theStrait of Malacca.

14th Provided cover for TF 63.2 whilst the Hellcats of TF 63.2 carried out

Photo Reconnaissance

of Port Swettenham (now Klang) and Port Dickson Malaya, and air

attacks on Emmahaven18th Returned to Trincomalee with Force 63.27th Sailed from Trincomalee with, HM Cruisers CUMBERLAND,

SUFFOLK, CEYLON,Dutch HNethMS TROMP and HM Destroyers NUBIAN, PENN,

TARTAR, ROTHERHAMand VERULAM as TF 63. To carry out Operation BISHOP (a multi-task

operationto create a diversion to cover Operation DRACULA, the landings at

Rangoon and tointercept shipping in the Indian Ocean supporting Japanese bases in

Andaman and NicobarIslands.). At the same time TF 62 comprising HM Escort Carriers

EMPRESS and SHAHescorted by HM Destroyers RACEHORSE, REDOUBT and ROEBUCK

sailed fromTrincomalee on the same operation.

29th 200 miles west of Car Nicobar the short endurance ships of TF 62 and TF

63 refuelled from

TF 69. (TF 69 comprised RFA OLWEN escorted by HM DestroyerPALADIN)

30th At dawn TF 62 and TF 62 carried out a bombardment and Hellcat strikes

on the twoairfields at Car Nicobar. In the evening a repeat of the morning operation

was carried outplus air strikes against Port Blair.

May1st Repeated bombardments during air strikes at Car Nicobar.2nd Repeated bombardments during air strikes at Port Blair.3rd The combined force split. Queen Elizabeth was deployed with

RICHELIEU, SUFFOLK,Dutch HNethMS TROMP and HM Destroyers NUBIAN, SAUMAREZ,

ROTHERHAM, VENUS, VERULAM, and VIGILANT for interception of shipping alongthe coast of Burma.

The remainder of the force carried out a reconnaissance of coastal

shipping between Merguiand Victoria Point southern Burma.

6th Carried out bombardment of shore batteries on Kwantung Point in

Stewart Sound betweenNorth and South Andaman Islands.(Note: These batteries had hit and damaged HM Destroyers VOLAGE


18/75

and RAPID duringOperation SUFFICE to attack shipping on 19th March by ships of the

26th DestroyerFlotilla.)

9th Returned to Trincomalee with TF 63 and TF 62 ships.10th Sailed from Trincomalee in company with French Battleship

RICHELIEU, HMCruisers ROYALIST, CUMBERLAND, Dutch HNethMS TROMP and

HM Escort AircraftCarriers HUNTER, KHEDIVE, SHAH and EMPEROR screened by HM

DestroyersSAUMAREZ, VENUS, VERULAM, VIRAGO, VIGILANT,

ROTHERHAM, TARTAR andNUBIAN as TF 61 on Operation DUKEDOM . (Operation DUKEDOM

was an operation tointercept the Japanese cruiser ASHIGARI and destroyer KAMIKAZE

reported to have leftSingapore and taken passage northwards in Malacca Straits.(Note: The enemy ships were heading for the Andamans to evacuate the

garrison.)14th Escort Carriers and destroyers detached from Force 61 to carry out

interception of theJapanese warships which were reported on 12th as heading southwards in

Indian Ocean.(Operation MITRE).(Note: The enemy ships were the cruiser HAGURO and destroyer

KAMIKAZE onpassage to the Andamans.)Remained clear of the interception area and refuelled from RFA

ECHODALE escorted byHM Destroyer PALADIN deployed as TF 70.

15th HMS CUMBERLAND and Dutch HNethMS TROMP detached to

support the impending

attack by destroyers of the 26th Flotilla.(Note: Aircraft from the Escort Carriers were unable to locate the

Japanese ships duringdaylight but the destroyers intercepted the two Japanese warships and

carried out abrilliantly executed night encounter during which the cruiser was sunk in

a gun and torpedoaction. See Naval Staff History, WAR WITH JAPAN (HMSO) and

SINK THE HAGUROby J Winton)

17th Took passage to Trincomalee with part of TF 61.

June East Indies Fleet duties in continuation at Trincomalee(Note: During this period planning was in progress to carry out landingsin Malaya

Operation ZIPPER). These were to be delayed because of difficulties in

obtaining

US government approval for any offensive other than those in the

Pacific. For details seeFinal Report of Supreme Commander South East Asia and above

references. Preparatoryexercises were carried out by Eastern Fleet ships.)


19/75

July Relieved by HM Battleship NELSON as Flagship 3rd Battle Squadron,

East Indies Fleet.12th Flag of BS3 transferred to HMS NELSON.17th Took passage from Ceylon to return to UK.

(Note: ZIPPER was further delayed by problems related to

implementation of the PYTHONscheme to repatriate service personnel who had been in SEAC for several

years.)

August On passage15th Arrived at Rosyth.

P o s t W a r N o t e s

HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH was used briefly as an Accommodation Ship at Rosyth after VJ

Day and then joined the Home Fleet. She was based at Portland in December and served in

Home waters until relieved by HM Battleship HOWE in February 1946 and reduced to

Reserve status at Portsmouth during the period March to September. The ship remained in

commission with a reduced complement at Portsmouth until being placed on the Disposal

List in January 1948. Paid-off on 15th May 1948, she was sold to BISCO for breaking-up byArnott Young on 19th May that year. Taken in tow to the breakers yard she arrived at

Dalmuir on 22nd June to be de-equipped and the hull was later taken to Troon in Ayrshire

for final demolition.

S p e c i a l N o t e

The link between this famous battleship and The Baltic Exchange was first established after

the adoption in 1942 when a sum of 18,312,000 was raised. Apart from the contacts made

with the ships company during WW2 the association has continued after the ship had been

broken-up. The Ships Bell and a Ships Crest were obtained and are now kept with the

Plaque presented to the Exchange in 1942 to record the result of the WARSHIP WEEK.

These items were transferred to the first new building after WW2. When that building was

destroyed in an IRA bombing, the Bell was salvaged and is now kept in the new site togetherwith a copy of the original Chronology for public view. This has maintained the strong tie

between the members of the Baltic Exchange and the Royal Navy.Naval History Homepageand Site Search

SERVICE HISTORIES of ROYALNAVY WARSHIPS in WORLDWAR 2by Lt Cdr Geoffrey B Mason RN(Rtd) (c) 2003

HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH -

Queen Elizabeth-class 15ingun Battleship includingConvoy Escort Movements

Editing & Additional Material by MikeSimmonds

HMS Queen Elizabeth (Maritime Quest, click to enlarge) return toContents List



20/75


21/75

Grand Fleet service including presentation of surrender terms to German

Admiralvon Reuter after the armistice.

1 9 1 9 t o 1 9 2 4

Deployed with Atlantic Fleet.

1 9 2 5

Deployed with Mediterranean Fleet.

1 9 2 6 t o 1 9 2 7



1 9 2 8


1 9 2 9


1 9 3 0

Under refit during which fire control system was fitted for AA weapons

withdirector on fore-top.

1 9 3 1 t o 1 9 3 3

Deployed in Mediterranean.

1 9 3 4

Under refit during which aircraft catapult was removed from B turret.


22/75


23/75

Arrangements made for completion of modernisation by HM Dockyard








13th 36 miles 060 from Tusker Rock Light, HM Destroyers HOLDERNESS,

JUPITER,KASHMIR, KIPLING and PUNJABI detached and HM Destroyers




1 9 4 1






February Post refit sea trials and preparation for foreign service in Mediterranean.20th On completion of full power trial, took passage to Scapa Flow escorted

by HM Cruiser Didoand HM Destroyers BEDOUIN, SOMALI and HMAS NAPIER for







take up a position


24/75

south of Iceland.19th Work up interrupted. Sailed from Scapa Flow in company with HM

Cruiser LONDON andHM Destroyers ARROW, ECHO, ECLIPSE, ELECTRA, ESKIMO and



sighted by aSwordfish from HMS Aircraft Carrier ARK ROYAL. Following the

sighting the twobattleship forces set interception courses for the area of the sighting)

21st The NELSON and QUEEN ELIZABETH Forces joined.22nd The German Battlecruisers GNEISENAU and SCHARNHORST arrived

at Brest and thehunt was called off.

23rd Arrived back at Scapa Flow.24th At Scapa Flow the CinC Home Fleet transferred his flag from NELSON

to QUEENELIZABETH.



ECLIPSE, ESKIMO andINGLEFIELD. ESKIMO later detached.

6th Diverted to RV with HM Battlecruiser REPULSE in position 46N, 21W.

HM DestroyersECLIPSE and INGLEFIELD detached for Iceland.


and

SCHARNHORST were leaving Brest. On the 5th, GNEISENAU hadbeen

moved out of dry dock due to a UXB and moored in mid stream. Early

on the 6th, 4Beauforts of 22 Squadron of RAF Coastal Command carried out a





not about to sail sheleft the area for Gibraltar escorted by HM Destroyers FURY andVELOX.

13th HM Destroyer BOREAS joined escort.14th Arrived at Gibraltar escorted by HM Destroyers BOREAS, FURY and

VELOX.15th Sailed from Gibraltar for Freetown escorted by HM Destroyers FURY,

VELOX andWRESTLER.

20th Arrived at Freetown. Carried out boiler clean.


25/75

25th Sailed from Freetown for Gibraltar escorted by HM Destroyers

DUNCAN andFOXHOUND.


May At Gibraltar4th Sailed west from Gibraltar with HM Destroyers FORESIGHT,

FORTUNE, FEARLESS andVELOX to RV with convoy WS8 and relieve HM Battlecruiser








oined by Force H,comprising HM Battlecruiser RENOWN, HM Aircraft Carrier ARK

ROYAL, HMCruisers FIJI, SHEFFIELD and HM Destroyers KASHMIR and


HM Cruiser

GLOUCESTER and HM Destroyers FAULKNOR, FURY, FORESTER,HARVESTER,

HAVELOCK and HESPERUS to form Force F.8th Under air attack, some of which were repelled by aircraft from HM





of the 1st Battle Squadron wearing the flag of Vice Admiral Pridham Wippell CB, CVO,RN.

(For details of Operation TIGER and all Malta relief convoys, see




Cruisers NAIAD,


26/75

PHOEBE and HM Destroyers DEFENDER, GREYHOUND, HASTY,





to the west of Creteto interpose itself between the Italian Fleet and British Forces operating

off Crete.16th Force A arrived in blocking position. Later in the day HM Destroyer

ILEX joined Force A.Followed later by Force B comprising HM Cruisers GLOUCESTER,

FIJI and HMDestroyers HAVOCK and HOTSPUR, and Force D comprising HM






was to be an airattack by aircraft from HM Aircraft Carrier FORMIDABLE on the

airfield at Scarpanto).Force A comprised QUEEN ELIZABETH, Flag 1st BS, HM Battleship




miles south west ofScarpanto airfield, 4 Albacores and 4 Fulmars were flown off to attack





force of 40 Ju 87s. In the attack FORMIDABLE was seriously damaged and NUBIANhad her stern

damaged by a bomb. At 2000 hours HM Destroyer DECOY joined Force



and later was


27/75

withdrawn from the Mediterranean Fleet for repair in USA. This placed





misses.Because of the damage to BARHAM, Force A was ordered to return to

Alexandria wherethey arrived at 1900 hours.(Not deployed during naval operations in defence and later evacuation of

Crete which endedon the night of 1st June. See above references.)


VALIANT,WARSPITE (damaged), HM Cruiser AJAX, HM Minelayer ABDIEL




Fleet then turned forAlexandria. Later KIMBERLEY rejoined the Battle Fleet.


July Deployed at Alexandria.18th Sailed from Alexandria to carry out exercises in company with HM

Battleship VALIANT,

HM Cruiser PHOEBE and HM Destroyers HASTY, HAVOCK,JACKAL, KIPLING and

HMAS NIZAM.19th Arrived back at Alexandria.22nd At 2100 hours sailed from Alexandria in company with HM Battleship

VALIANT, HMCruisers HMAS HOBART, NAIAD, NEPTUNE, PHOEBE, HM

MinelayersABDIEL and LATONA screened by HM Destroyers GRIFFIN, HASTY,

HAVOCK,JACKAL, HMAS NIZAM and NUBIAN.

23rd At 0600 hours off Alexandria the Battle Fleet was joined by HM Cruisers

AJAX,

HMNZS LEANDER and HM Destroyers JAGUAR, JERVIS,KANDAHAR, andKINGSTON. The Fleet then sailed for a diversionary cruise in the

eastern Mediterraneanduring passage of a relief convoy to Malta from Gibraltar (Operation

MD5cover forOperation SUBSTANCE by Force H.)At 2200 hours NEPTUNE, ABDIEL and KIMBERLEY detached for the

fleet.24th LEANDER and JAGUAR detached from the fleet.


28/75

25th The Battle Fleet arrived back at Alexandria.

August Deployed at Alexandria.5th Sailed from Alexandria for exercises in company with HM Cruiser

NAIAD and HMDestroyers HERO, JERVIS, KINGSTON and HMAS VENDETTA.

During the exercisesJARVIS and KINGSTON detached.


September1st Became Flagship of Mediterranean Fleet.

(See CUNNINGHAM by J Winton.)10th Carried out exercises off Alexandria in company with HM Minelayers

ABDIEL andLATONA screened by HM Destroyers JACKAL and HMAS NIZAM.

26th At 0900 hours the Mediterranean Fleet comprising HM Battleships

QUEEN ELIZABETH,BARHAM, VALIANT, HM Cruisers AJAX, NEPTUNE and HMAS

HOBART screenedby HM Destroyers DECOY, HERO, HOTSPUR, JERVIS, JUPITER,

KINGSTON, KIPLINGand HMAS VENDETTA sailed for diversionary cruise in eastern

Mediterranean during passage

of Malta relief convoy (Operation MD6cover for Operation

HALBERD by Force H.)

October Deployed at Alexandria8th At sea off Alexandria carrying out exercises.12th Sailed from Alexandria and headed westwards in company with HM

Battleship VALIANT,HM Cruisers AJAX, GALATEA, HMAS HOBART and HM Destroyers

AVONDALE,

DECOY, ERIDGE, GRIFFIN, HASTY, HOTSPUR, JAGUAR, JERVIS,JUPITER and

KANDAHAR. At 1800 hours JAGUAR, JERVIS and JUPITER

detached.13th At daylight the Battle Fleet reversed course and JAGUAR, JERVIS and

JUPITER rejoined.At 1315 hours a report was received of enemy naval activity to the west

and the fleetreversed course to investigate. At 1800 hours the Battle Fleet reversed

course andJAGUAR, JERVIS and JUPITER detached.

14th At daylight JAGUAR, JERVIS and JUPITER rejoined the fleet. At 1530

hours the Battle

Fleet arrived back at Alexandria.November Deployed in support of military advance in western desert (Operations

CHIEFTAIN andLANDMARK to provide naval gunfire support.)

20th Sailed from Alexandria in company with HM Battleships BARHAM,

VALIANT and HMCruisers EURYALUS, GALATEA, NAIAD screened by HM Destroyers

DECOY,HASTY, HOTSPUR, JACKAL, JERVIS, KANDAHAR, KIMBERLEY,


29/75

KINGSTON,KIPLING, HMAS NAPIER and NIZAM. (This was part of Operation

LANDMARK, thefleets part was to simulate an attack onTripoli) At 1200 hours HM

Cruisers AJAX,NEPTUNE and HMAS HOBART joined the fleet. At nightfall AJAX,

NEPTUNE andHMAS HOBART detached from the fleet.

22nd At daylight the fleet returned to Alexandria.24th Sailed from Alexandria in support of operations by Force K in company

with HMBattleships BARHAM and VALIANT, screened by HM Destroyers

DECOY, GRIFFIN andJERVIS. (Force K were operating from Malta against Italian convoys).

Off Alexandria HMDestroyers AVONDALE, ERIDGE and FARNDALE joined the Battle

Fleet. AT 2245 hoursHM Destroyers HASTY, JACKAL, KIPLING, HMAS NAPIER and

NIZAM joined andAVONDALE, ERIDGE and FARNDALE detached.During the day the fleet carried out a search for enemy supply ships

whilst on passage toBenghazi.

25th Under submarine attack by U331 which penetrated screen and fired

torpedoes which hitand sank HMS BARHAM in Gulf of Sollum.

26th At 1000 hours arrived back at Alexandria.

December Deployed at Alexandria.18th Whilst in Alexandria harbour, attacked by Italian two man human

torpedoes whosecrew placed limpet mine on ships hull underwater. At 0610 hours the

mine exploded

whilst ship was at anchor causing major damage extending for 190 feetbelow B

Boiler Room. This caused extensive flooding of machinery

compartments and bulges andcausing her to sink to seabed. Nine of ships company were killed.

Withdrawn from service.(For details see THE NAVAL WAR IN THE MEDITERRANEAN by J

Greene and AMassignani.)

1 9 4 2

January to MayUnder temporary repair in dry-dock at Alexandria to enable passage for

permanent repair.Repair arranged in US Navy dockyard.

4th Moved into Dry Dock.14th Whilst in dry dock she was again the subject of a human torpedo attack,

this timeunsuccessful.


30/75

June27th Undocked and prepared for ocean passage.28th Sailed from Port Said for Aden on first stage of passage.

July Passage in Indian Ocean with call at Durban.

August Passage in Atlantic Ocean with call at Cape Town.13th Arrived at Freetown.

September6th Arrived at Norfolk, Virginia and taken in hand for repair.

Paid-off.

October to DecemberUnder repair with reduced complement(Note: Work included:

Increased AA armament to improve defence against close range attacks.Preparation for fit of British radar equipment for fire-control and surface

warning.See above reference.)

1 9 4 3

January to April

Under repair

May Post refit harbour and sea trials.Complement increased for return passage.

June 1st Repairs and refit completed

Post refit sea trials and prepared for passage to UK30th Sailed from Boston for Bermuda escorted by HM Frigates BAZELY,


July2nd Sailed from Bermuda for Devonport escorted by HM Frigates BAZELY,


9th Arrived at Devonport to complete refit work by HM Dockyard,

Devonport.(Note: Work included:

Fit of radar equipment. Aircraft facilities removed.Direction Finding outfit fitted on quarterdeck.Re-commissioned for service in Eastern Fleet.

August1st At Portsmouth for leave and repairsto13th .14th Sailed from Portsmouth for Plymouth.28th Sailed from Plymouth for Scapa Flow.


31/75

29th Off the Firth of Clyde she was joined by the Destroyers HMCS HURON

and HNethMSSCORPION.

30th At 1400 hours arrived at Scapa Flow to work-up with ships of Home

Fleet and for radarequipment trials.

October to November

At Scapa Flow carrying out working up exercises.

December Deployed at Scapa Flow.30th Sailed from Scapa Flow with HM Battleship VALIANT, HM


Frigates of EG 3,BERRY, BLACKWOOD, COOKE, DOMETT, DUCKWORTH,

ESSINGTON and HMDestroyer TUSCAN. En route TUSCAN detached for the Clyde with

weather damage.West of Ireland HM Destroyers KEMPENFELT and TENACIOUS

oined the screen.

1 9 4 4

January7th Arrived at Gibraltar to refuel.12th Arrived at Alexandria.14th Sailed from Alexandria with HM Battleship VALIANT, HM


Destroyers PETARD,PALADIN, PATHFINDER and ROCKET.

19th Arrived at Aden.22nd Sailed from Aden with HM Battleship VALIANT, HM Battlecruiser

RENOWN, HMAircraft Carriers ILLUSTRIOUS and UNICORN screened by HM

Destroyers PETARD,PALADIN, PATHFINDER, RACEHORSE, RAPID, ROCKET,

ROEBUCK,ROTHERHAM and HMAS NAPIER, NIZAM and NORMAN.

28th Arrived at Trincomalee and joined Eastern Fleet.

February Deployed with Eastern Fleet and carried out exercises in preparation for

planned

operations.(For details of naval activities in Indian Ocean by Eastern Fleet see THE

FORGOTTENFLEET, by J Winton, Operation PACIFIC by E Gray and WAR WITH

JAPAN (HMSO).)

March21st Sailed from Trincomalee as part of the Eastern Fleet in company with

HM Battlecruiser


32/75

RENOWN, HM Aircraft Carrier ILLUSTRIOUS, HM Cruisers

LONDON, HMNZSGAMBIA, CEYLON and CUMBERLAND screened by HM Destroyers

PATHFINDER,NEPAL, QUILLIAM, HMAS NAPIER, HMAS NORMAN, and Dutch

HNethMS TJERKHIDDES and VAN GALEN on Operation DIPLOMAT. (Operation

DIPLOMAT was topractice operational procedures, such as replenishment at sea, and co-

operation with USNvessels in preparation for the formation of a British Pacific Fleet)

22nd South of Ceylon HM Battleship VALIANT and HM Destroyers HMAS

QUALITY,QUEENBOROUGH and QUIBERON joined, having sailed from

Colombo on the 21st.24th 850 miles South of Ceylon the Eastern Fleet replenished from three

tankers escorted by theDutch Cruiser HNethMS TROMP.

27th The Eastern Fleet RVed with US Task Group 58 comprising the US

Aircraft Carrier USSSARATOGA escorted by US destroyers USS FANNING, DUNLAP and

CUMMINGS onpassage in Indian Ocean for loan service with Eastern Fleet. Two days of

oint exercises thencommenced, during which air crew from the SARATOGA gave the FAA

pilots the benefit oftheir combat experience against the Japanese, before the combined force

returned toTrincomalee.

April Deployed as Flagship, Eastern Fleet.2nd Eastern Fleet arrived back at Trincomalee with US Navy ships.16th Sailed from Trincomalee as part of Force 69 in company with HMS

VALIANT, FrenchBattleship FS RICHELIEU, HM Cruisers NEWCASTLE, NIGERIA,

CEYLON, HMNZSGAMBIA and Dutch HNethMS TROMP screened by HM Destroyers

PENN, PETARD,ROTHERHAM, RACEHORSE, NEPAL, and HMAS NAPIER, NIZAM

and QUIBERONand Dutch HNethMS VAN GALEN. Force 69 was deployed to provide

cover for an air attackSabang, northern Sumatra with provided screen. (Operation COCKPIT).(Note: Attacks were to be carried out by aircraft from HMS

ILLUSTRIOUS and USSSARATOGA deployed as Force 70. HMS RENOWN, HMS LONDON

HM Destroyers HMAS QUILLIAM, QUEENBOROUGH andQUADRANT and US DestroyersCUMMINGS, DUNLAP and FANNING were deployed as screen for

Force 70.)18th HMS CEYLON and HMNZS GAMBIA detached to provide additional

AA defence forForce 70 during air operations.

19th 0530 hours 100 miles from Sabang the Carriers of Force 70 launched an

air attack againstthe port and oil installations at Sabang. During the air operations, Force


33/75


34/75

NIGERIA, HMNZS GAMBIA, KENYA, CEYLON, CUMBERLAND,

PHOEBE and DutchHNethMS TROMP as Force 62 screened by HM Destroyers

RELENTLESS, ROTHERHAM,RACEHORSE, RAIDER, ROEBUCK, ROCKET, RAPID and HMAS

QUILLIAM,QUALITY and QUICKMATCH to provide cover during air operations

by the two carriersat Sabang, Sumatra and then carry out bombardment of shore targets.

(Operation CRIMSON)24th Remained with Force 62 ships when HMS ILLUSTRIOUS and HMS

VICTORIOUSdetached with HMS PHOEBE, HMS ROEBUCK and HMS RAIDER to

take passage to thecarrier operational area. HM Submarines TANTALUS and TEMPLAR

were employed on AirSea Rescue duties.

25th On completion of air operations carried out bombardment of Sabang with

HMS VALIANT,HMS RENOWN, RICHELIEU, cruisers and destroyers.

29th Deployed at Trincomalee.

August Deployment at Trincomalee as Fleet Flagship in continuation.At the end of August the USAAF carried out a series of B 29 air attacks

on targets in NWSumatra. (Operation BOOMERANG).Deployed in company with HM Cruisers CEYLON and KENYA and

HM DestroyersRACEHORSE, RAPID, RELENTLESS, ROCKET and ROTHERHAM

to carry out Air-SeaRescue duties in the Indian Ocean during US air raids.

September Nominated for refit in Durban and took passage.

October6th Taken in hand for refit

November

17th Carried out post refit trials when work completedOn completion prepared for return passage to Trincomalee.

December Passage in Indian Ocean to Ceylon to rejoin the East Indies Fleet.(Note: The Eastern Fleet was renamed in November 1944)On arrival became Flagship of 3rd Battle Squadron.(Note: Other ship in Squadron was HMS RENOWN. HMS VALIANT had been withdrawn from Eastern Fleet in August 1944

after being damaged in floating dock which had collapsed.)

1 9 4 5

January Deployed at Trincomalee and prepared for support of planned landings on

RamreeIsland off coast of Burma (Operation MATADOR)(Note: Supreme Allied Commander South East Asia, Admiral


35/75

Mountbatten wasto be embarked to witness this operation.)

18th Sailed from Trincomalee with the Supreme Commander embarked,

screened by

HM Destroyers NORMAN and PATHFINDER for passage to Ramree

Island. En route shecaught up with HM Escort Carrier AMEER escorted by HM Destroyer

RAIDER which hadsailed earlier from Trincomalee. The two forces joined and continued

towards RamreeIsland.

20th The Force was joined by HM Sloop REDPOLE and HM Frigate SPEY.21st In the early hours off Ramree Island she was joined by HM Cruiser

PHOEBE, and screenedby REDPOLE and SPEY, they moved into a bombarding position. One

hour before thelanding of troops from the 71st Brigade of the 26th Indian Division they

commenced abombardment of the northern tip of Ramree Island. Hellcats from

AMEER provided CAPand carried out fall-of-shot spotting.

25th Deployed at Trincomalee

February to MarchTrincomalee deployment in continuation and prepared for support of

plannedoperations in Indian Ocean(Note: HMS RENOWN was replaced by French battleship RICHELIEU on 20th March.)

April8th Sailed from Trincomalee with French battleship RICHELIEU, HMS

LONDON,

HM Destroyers SAUMAREZ, VERULAM and VIGILANT as TF 63.1.In company with TF

63.2 which comprised HM Escort Carriers EMPEROR and KHEDIVE,

HM CruiserCUMBERLAND and HM Destroyers VENUS and VIRAGO. (Operation

SUNFISH), TF 63.1was to carry out bombardment of Sabang whilst Hellcats of TF 63.2

provided CAP andalso carried out air attacks on Sabang.

11th Carried out bombardment at Sabang with RICHELIEU and HMS

LONDON.12th TF 63 refuelled from the tanker support force TF 70. (TF 70 comprised

the RFA

EASEDALE escorted by HM Frigate LOSSIE). Following refuelling TF63 sailed into theStrait of Malacca.

14th Provided cover for TF 63.2 whilst the Hellcats of TF 63.2 carried out

Photo Reconnaissance

of Port Swettenham (now Klang) and Port Dickson Malaya, and air

attacks on Emmahaven18th Returned to Trincomalee with Force 63.27th Sailed from Trincomalee with, HM Cruisers CUMBERLAND,

SUFFOLK, CEYLON,


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Dutch HNethMS TROMP and HM Destroyers NUBIAN, PENN,

TARTAR, ROTHERHAMand VERULAM as TF 63. To carry out Operation BISHOP (a multi-task

operationto create a diversion to cover Operation DRACULA, the landings at

Rangoon and tointercept shipping in the Indian Ocean supporting Japanese bases in

Andaman and NicobarIslands.). At the same time TF 62 comprising HM Escort Carriers

EMPRESS and SHAHescorted by HM Destroyers RACEHORSE, REDOUBT and ROEBUCK

sailed fromTrincomalee on the same operation.

29th 200 miles west of Car Nicobar the short endurance ships of TF 62 and TF

63 refuelled fromTF 69. (TF 69 comprised RFA OLWEN escorted by HM Destroyer

PALADIN)30th At dawn TF 62 and TF 62 carried out a bombardment and Hellcat strikes

on the twoairfields at Car Nicobar. In the evening a repeat of the morning operation

was carried outplus air strikes against Port Blair.

May1st Repeated bombardments during air strikes at Car Nicobar.2nd Repeated bombardments during air strikes at Port Blair.3rd The combined force split. Queen Elizabeth was deployed with

RICHELIEU, SUFFOLK,Dutch HNethMS TROMP and HM Destroyers NUBIAN, SAUMAREZ,

ROTHERHAM,VENUS, VERULAM, and VIGILANT for interception of shipping along

the coast of Burma.The remainder of the force carried out a reconnaissance of coastal

shipping between Mergui

and Victoria Point southern Burma.6th Carried out bombardment of shore batteries on Kwantung Point in

Stewart Sound betweenNorth and South Andaman Islands.(Note: These batteries had hit and damaged HM Destroyers VOLAGE

and RAPID duringOperation SUFFICE to attack shipping on 19th March by ships of the

26th DestroyerFlotilla.)

9th Returned to Trincomalee with TF 63 and TF 62 ships.10th Sailed from Trincomalee in company with French Battleship

RICHELIEU, HMCruisers ROYALIST, CUMBERLAND, Dutch HNethMS TROMP and

HM Escort AircraftCarriers HUNTER, KHEDIVE, SHAH and EMPEROR screened by HMDestroyers

SAUMAREZ, VENUS, VERULAM, VIRAGO, VIGILANT,

ROTHERHAM, TARTAR andNUBIAN as TF 61 on Operation DUKEDOM . (Operation DUKEDOM

was an operation tointercept the Japanese cruiser ASHIGARI and destroyer KAMIKAZE

reported to have leftSingapore and taken passage northwards in Malacca Straits.


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(Note: The enemy ships were heading for the Andamans to evacuate the

garrison.)14th Escort Carriers and destroyers detached from Force 61 to carry out

interception of theJapanese warships which were reported on 12th as heading southwards in

Indian Ocean.(Operation MITRE).(Note: The enemy ships were the cruiser HAGURO and destroyer

KAMIKAZE onpassage to the Andamans.)Remained clear of the interception area and refuelled from RFA

ECHODALE escorted byHM Destroyer PALADIN deployed as TF 70.

15th HMS CUMBERLAND and Dutch HNethMS TROMP detached to

support the impendingattack by destroyers of the 26th Flotilla.(Note: Aircraft from the Escort Carriers were unable to locate the

Japanese ships duringdaylight but the destroyers intercepted the two Japanese warships and

carried out abrilliantly executed night encounter during which the cruiser was sunk in

a gun and torpedoaction. See Naval Staff History, WAR WITH JAPAN (HMSO) and

SINK THE HAGUROby J Winton)

17th Took passage to Trincomalee with part of TF 61.

June East Indies Fleet duties in continuation at Trincomalee(Note: During this period planning was in progress to carry out landings

in MalayaOperation ZIPPER). These were to be delayed because of difficulties in

obtaining

US government approval for any offensive other than those in thePacific. For details see

Final Report of Supreme Commander South East Asia and above

references. Preparatoryexercises were carried out by Eastern Fleet ships.)

July Relieved by HM Battleship NELSON as Flagship 3rd Battle Squadron,

East Indies Fleet.12th Flag of BS3 transferred to HMS NELSON.17th Took passage from Ceylon to return to UK.

(Note: ZIPPER was further delayed by problems related to

implementation of the PYTHONscheme to repatriate service personnel who had been in SEAC for several

years.)August On passage

15th Arrived at Rosyth.

P o s t W a r N o t e s

HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH was used briefly as an Accommodation Ship at Rosyth after VJ

Day and then joined the Home Fleet. She was based at Portland in December and served in

Home waters until relieved by HM Battleship HOWE in February 1946 and reduced to


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Reserve status at Portsmouth during the period March to September. The ship remained in

commission with a reduced complement at Portsmouth until being placed on the Disposal

List in January 1948. Paid-off on 15th May 1948, she was sold to BISCO for breaking-up by

Arnott Young on 19th May that year. Taken in tow to the breakers yard she arrived at

Dalmuir on 22nd June to be de-equipped and the hull was later taken to Troon in Ayrshire

for final demolition.

S p e c i a l N o t e

The link between this famous battleship and The Baltic Exchange was first established after

the adoption in 1942 when a sum of 18,312,000 was raised. Apart from the contacts made

with the ships company during WW2 the association has continued after the ship had been

broken-up. The Ships Bell and a Ships Crest were obtained and are now kept with the

Plaque presented to the Exchange in 1942 to record the result of the WARSHIP WEEK.

These items were transferred to the first new building after WW2. When that building was

destroyed in an IRA bombing, the Bell was salvaged and is now kept in the new site together

with a copy of the original Chronology for public view. This has maintained the strong tie

between the members of the Baltic Exchange and the Royal Navy.Naval History Homepageand Site Search

SERVICE HISTORIES of ROYALNAVY WARSHIPS in WORLDWAR 2by Lt Cdr Geoffrey B Mason RN(Rtd) (c) 2003

HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH -Queen Elizabeth-class 15ingun Battleship includingConvoy Escort Movements

Editing & Additional Material by Mike

SimmondsHMS Queen Elizabeth (Maritime Quest, click to enlarge) return toContents List


1912 and laid down on 21st October that year. The ship was launched on 16th October 1913

as the first RN warship to carry this name. Her Badge reflects the particular association with

the Royal Family. Build was completed on 22 December 1914 and she was deployed in the

Mediterranean. Her distinctive service during WW1 included participation in the Dardanelles

campaign and the surrender of the German High Seas Fleet in 1918 when the terms of

surrender were given to Admiral Von Reuter on board. In 1937 she was selected for an

extended modernisation which began in August that year and was not completed until 1939.

Her WW2 service was particularly well known as she was seriously damaged at Alexandria

after explosive charges had been placed on her hull in an attack by two man human torpedoes

in December 1941. She then had an extensive period under repair and refit in a US Navy

Dockyard Norfolk, Va before resuming Fleet service in the East Indies Fleet. She took part in

many offensive operations against the Japanese bases in the Indian Ocean and in support of

landing operations in Burma before return to UK before VJ Day. After brief service in the

Home Fleet she was placed in Reserve at Portsmouth during 1946 and sold for demolition

two years later. In March 1942 this ship was adopted by The Baltic Exchange, London after a

WARSHIP WEEK National Savings campaign.

B a t t l e H o n o u r s


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1 9 2 8


1 9 2 9


1 9 3 0

Under refit during which fire control system was fitted for AA weapons

withdirector on fore-top.

1 9 3 1 t o 1 9 3 3

Deployed in Mediterranean.

1 9 3 4

Under refit during which aircraft catapult was removed from B turret.

1 9 3 5


1 9 3 6

Under refit during which two pom-pom mountings were fitted on

conning tower platformfor close range AA defence.Nominated for modernisation at Portsmouth.

1 9 3 7 t o 1 9 3 8

Paid-off into Dockyard control and taken in hand by HM Dockyard,

Portsmouth formodernisation on 11th August


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During modernisation the following changes were made:Existing 25 boilers replaced by 8 High Pressure type saving 50% weightand 33% space.New turbines fitted to improve speed performance from 22 knots to 25

knots.Main armament elevation modified to increase range by 8,000 yards to

32,200 yards.6in armament replaced by five twin 4.5in dual-purpose mountings.AA close range armament improved by fit of quadruple pom-pom

weapons.Aircraft stowage provided for four aircraft and an athwartship catapult

fitted.Complete redesign of bridge structure.

1 9 3 9

January to December

Approval given for fit of radar equipment for gunnery fire control when

this became available.Modernisation in continuationUnder modernisation at Portsmouth.

D e t a i l s o f W a r S e r v i c e

(for more ship information, go toNaval History Homepageand type name in Site Search

1 9 4 0

January to November

Under modernisationArrangements made for completion of modernisation by HM Dockyard








13th 36 miles 060 from Tusker Rock Light, HM Destroyers HOLDERNESS,

JUPITER,KASHMIR, KIPLING and PUNJABI detached and HM Destroyers

http://www.naval-history.net/index.htmhttp://www.naval-history.net/index.htmhttp://www.naval-history.net/index.htmhttp://www.naval-history.net/index.htm


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1 9 4 1






February Post refit sea trials and preparation for foreign service in Mediterranean.20th On completion of full power trial, took passage to Scapa Flow escortedby HM Cruiser Dido

and HM Destroyers BEDOUIN, SOMALI and HMAS NAPIER for







take up a positionsouth of Iceland.

19th Work up interrupted. Sailed from Scapa Flow in company with HM

Cruiser LONDON andHM Destroyers ARROW, ECHO, ECLIPSE, ELECTRA, ESKIMO and



sighted by a

Swordfish from HMS Aircraft Carrier ARK ROYAL. Following thesighting the two

battleship forces set interception courses for the area of the sighting)21st The NELSON and QUEEN ELIZABETH Forces joined.22nd The German Battlecruisers GNEISENAU and SCHARNHORST arrived

at Brest and thehunt was called off.

23rd Arrived back at Scapa Flow.24th At Scapa Flow the CinC Home Fleet transferred his flag from NELSON


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to QUEENELIZABETH.



ECLIPSE, ESKIMO andINGLEFIELD. ESKIMO later detached.

6th Diverted to RV with HM Battlecruiser REPULSE in position 46N, 21W.

HM DestroyersECLIPSE and INGLEFIELD detached for Iceland.


andSCHARNHORST were leaving Brest. On the 5th, GNEISENAU had

beenmoved out of dry dock due to a UXB and moored in mid stream. Early

on the 6th, 4Beauforts of 22 Squadron of RAF Coastal Command carried out a





not about to sail sheleft the area for Gibraltar escorted by HM Destroyers FURY and

VELOX.13th HM Destroyer BOREAS joined escort.14th Arrived at Gibraltar escorted by HM Destroyers BOREAS, FURY and

VELOX.

15th Sailed from Gibraltar for Freetown escorted by HM Destroyers FURY,VELOX and

WRESTLER.20th Arrived at Freetown. Carried out boiler clean.25th Sailed from Freetown for Gibraltar escorted by HM Destroyers

DUNCAN andFOXHOUND.


May At Gibraltar

4th Sailed west from Gibraltar with HM Destroyers FORESIGHT,FORTUNE, FEARLESS andVELOX to RV with convoy WS8 and relieve HM Battlecruiser





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oined by Force H,comprising HM Battlecruiser RENOWN, HM Aircraft Carrier ARK

ROYAL, HMCruisers FIJI, SHEFFIELD and HM Destroyers KASHMIR and


HM CruiserGLOUCESTER and HM Destroyers FAULKNOR, FURY, FORESTER,

HARVESTER,HAVELOCK and HESPERUS to form Force F.

8th Under air attack, some of which were repelled by aircraft from HM





of the 1st BattleSquadron wearing the flag of Vice Admiral Pridham Wippell CB, CVO,

RN.(For details of Operation TIGER and all Malta relief convoys, see




Cruisers NAIAD,PHOEBE and HM Destroyers DEFENDER, GREYHOUND, HASTY,





to the west of Creteto interpose itself between the Italian Fleet and British Forces operatingoff Crete.

16th Force A arrived in blocking position. Later in the day HM Destroyer

ILEX joined Force A.Followed later by Force B comprising HM Cruisers GLOUCESTER,

FIJI and HMDestroyers HAVOCK and HOTSPUR, and Force D comprising HM



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was to be an airattack by aircraft from HM Aircraft Carrier FORMIDABLE on the

airfield at Scarpanto).Force A comprised QUEEN ELIZABETH, Flag 1st BS, HM Battleship




miles south west ofScarpanto airfield, 4 Albacores and 4 Fulmars were flown off to attack





force of 40 Ju87s. In the attackFORMIDABLE was seriously damaged and NUBIAN

had her sterndamaged by a bomb. At 2000 hours HM Destroyer DECOY joined Force



and later waswithdrawn from the Mediterranean Fleet for repair in USA. This placed





misses.

Because of the damage to BARHAM, Force A was ordered to return toAlexandria wherethey arrived at 1900 hours.(Not deployed during naval operations in defence and later evacuation of

Crete which endedon the night of 1st June. See above references.)


VALIANT,


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WARSPITE (damaged), HM Cruiser AJAX, HM Minelayer ABDIEL




Fleet then turned forAlexandria. Later KIMBERLEY rejoined the Battle Fleet.


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Queen Elisabeth.docx