大象传媒

Copy of the Diary of A. Stevenson (RAF )

November 20th 1940 until November 30th 1940

November 20th 1940 - Left RAF Uxbridge and arrived at Greenock Nov 21st.

Boarded RMS Franconia.

Nov 25th at 06.30hrs -Docked Gibraltar and boarded HMS Southampton having an escort of nine Destroyers, one Aircraft Carrier, one Battle Cruiser and two Cruisers. Sea rather rough. Ship very crowded 1400 aboard. Sleeping on tables in mess deck. Speed 15 knots.

November 26th - Sea rather calm but weather cold. Suspected submarine just before lunch. Two aircraft from Ark Royal went into sea. Fate of crew unknown!

Did not sleep well. We all sleep where we can, no room for hammocks. The way the crew talk we should run into the enemy tomorrow. Listened to the radio and they played some of our favourite tunes. Sat out by the forward guns and talked to Jock Woods. Got locked out and had to go through the gun turret to get back in. A seaman showed us how the range finder worked.

November 27th --The crew woke us up as they went to action stations. Nothing happened. Saw my first dawn over the Med.

News came over the tannoy that we were just going in to attack two enemy squadrons about forty miles away (time 11.10hrs.) going at top speed. Another British Force is coming to help. Enemy ships sighted by Sunderland Flying Boat. Squadron of RAF fighters above us. Bombers from Ark Royal ordered to attack Italian ships.

At present am sat over the forward magazine, not good.

News that the enemy has just altered course towards us. We are now opening out to close the enemy. One battleship and one cruiser set course away from us. Sighted masts and funnels on starboard bow (our force). Just reported that the enemy has just altered course towards us. We are now opening out to close the enemy that comprised of one battleship, one cruiser and seven destroyers. Enemy just altered course away from us. Sighted masts and funnels on starboard bow (our Force B). Enemy cruiser turned about and is sailing away from us.

11.35hrs. On Nov 27th Force B Sighted. Full speed for the enemy. HMS Renown 5 miles astern of us is doing 28 knots. Enemy 90 degrees going away to the east.

11.47hrs. Enemy 25 miles away. Our force trying to cut them off to the east.

11.55hrs. Closing up on enemy. Skuas and torpedo bombers despatched to attack. HMS Newcastle and HMS Berwick line astern of us.

12.10hrs. Three enemy cruisers sighted. They have altered course and fallen back on their battleship.

12.15hrs. Objects dropping 1000yds away on port bow. Five vessels on starboard bow.

12.20hrs. Enemy have opened fire at extreme range. HMS Manchester replied. HMS Southampton opened fire. It鈥檚 a queer sensation as with each explosion the whole ship shakes. HMS Manchester and HMS Sheffield are still firing away. We are firing very slowly at about 4 shots per min.

12.30hrs. Rear ship of their line probably hit. The range is opening out and the enemy are making smoke in an endeavour to get away. I can hear shells whistling about but whether they are ours or from the Italians I do not know. Lights have gone out in the forecastle, but not due to enemy action.

12.40hrs. Range increased to 19,000 yards.

12.45hrs. First casualty. Door swung open and hit a sailor. Black eye! 62 salvos fired.

12.50hrs. Ark Royal striking force arrived.

12.55hrs.The object of our fire is to turn the enemy into our main force. Are now in a very favourable position.

13.05hrs. HMS Manchester and Sheffield opened out. Range 23,000 yards.

13.10hrs. Destroyer going straight for enemy. HMS Renown following up. Going into line abreast. Most of the enemy out of sight. Just three enemy cruisers left. We are chasing them.

13.15hrs. Enemy course at 30 degrees. We are after them at full speed. Enemy force consists of 2 Battleships, 4 Cruisers and destroyers. 0ne destroyer sunk. One cruiser hit.

13.45hrs. Sea action over. Enemy out of range.

14.40hrs. Enemy bomb had dropped near HMS Renown.

15.20hrs. Definitively confirmed, one battleship hit and damaged by Ark Royal aircraft, one cruiser damaged and on fire (by HMS Southampton), one destroyer sunk and one damaged. Aircraft still attacking damaged cruiser. Enemy Merchantman now being intercepted by us. A few bombs where dropped around us during the action with no damage. 10 enemy aircraft took part in the attack. Passed through the most dangerous part of the Mediterranean during the early night.

Nov. 28th.- Have just got through safely and joined up with the Med. Fleet. Nothing further happened.

Friday Nov 29th - Left Fleet at daylight and are now with convoy .No further raids. Have increased speed to 29 knots and expect to be in Alexandria tomorrow.

Sat 30th Nov. 0900hrs. Arrived and then disembarked 1330hrs.and boarded train for Fayed on the Canal Zone.

Just a piece of desert.

Reminiscences of the Battle

When the action started we were doing PT on the quarterdeck and felt the ship surge forward as the revs were increased. All RAF personnel were sent below decks. As I stated earlier I was in the mess situated under the forward guns. A sailor came down, opened manhole in the floor and disappeared down it saying 鈥漟asten this on top of me.鈥� This I did and then realised that he was trapped down there if anything had happened. I later found out that his job was to pass the cordite to the guns above. My opinion of the lads in the RN went up 500%!

One of the officers on the bridge was giving us a running commentary of the battle that certainly helped to keep the panic down. Later we (the RAF) were asked to do submarine watch to relieve the sailors (this we did gratefully)

This was the most frightening time of my life.

Arthur (Steve) Stevenson

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