大象传媒

Arrived in Mediterranean on the 2nd February.

Went on first Malta trip on 10 Feb.

Some 80 miles off Crete on the 12th. Was attacked by JU88鈥檚 in the afternoon. 3 hits on merchant ships. Terrible day. Sun very warm. Carlisle near miss. We also had one off our stern. Stood by Carlisle. Picked up survivors from merchant ship, brought them back to Alex.

Taking supplies to Tobruk every week very trying time. Air opposition every time.

Very little air support. Very little harbour time for the whole of 1942.

Monday 10 march 1942. left Alex with convoy for Tobruk. 17th tanker went up in flames.
Done a sweep off Sollum on Friday 20th. Lost the Pythrop torpedoed. Arrived in Tobruk on Friday night, oiled, went to join convoy bound for Malta on Saturday morning. Picked it up at midnight.
Following day, Passion Sunday, red warning at 9-30. attack began soon after. Torpedo bombers came in first, then 88鈥檚, terrific barrage put up. At 1030 Italian fleet was sighted on the starboard bow. Cruisers and fleet boats went into attack, laying a smoke screen. Shells from Italian fleet falling amongst convoy, but no hits. Hunts took charge of convoy non-stop.

Air attack. Terrible bad weather. Bombs falling everywhere. Hardly any ammo left. Brought about 5 planes down. Attack finished at dusk. Renewed again following morning, enemy fighters machine gunning, got to Malta at 1200. Breckenshire broke down had to be towed into Marsaserrocc? Dive bombed later and sunk. Went alongside Legion and escorted her to the harbour. Was dive-bombed by ME 109鈥檚. Following day Tuesday 40 planes came over bombed the Aerodrome.

Wednesday 25th left for Alex with Carlisle. Seen nothing on the way back. Arrived in Alex on Friday about 10am.

Took convoy to Tobruk a week later and was dive bombed by 15 Stuka鈥檚 five miles off Tobruk. There was no damage done.

November 20th 1942. Took the first convoy of four merchant ships to Malta after a lull of five months. Was attacked off Derna by four 88鈥檚. cruisers opened up and they jettisoned there bombs and fled. Had terrible weather all the way. We lost one spitfire owing to engine trouble. Could only make a few knots owing to the heavy sea that was running. Arrived at Malta at about midnight. All quiet there.

Ships that were lost during the Popecanese campaign in the month of October and part of November were the Intrepid, Queen Olga (Greek destroyer), Hurworth (G.D.), Eclipse, Panther and Dulverton.

Ships hit and damaged were Belvoir, Rockwood also cruisers Carlisle, Penelope, Syrus, Aurora.

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