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HMLCG (L) 14 October 17th 1944

We sailed from Komiza (Isle of Vis) at 12.00 hours on October 16th in accordance with previous instructions, with Captain Turner, RHA (BLO) and party on board.

Our course was set for Lagosta Island. Captain Taylor RA (FOO) and party had proceeded in advance to establish their Observation Post on the south east corner of Mljet Island.

We arrived at Lagosta Island and anchored in Lago Grande at 16.45 hours. ML 1241 arrived at 22.40 hours and secured alongside.

At 00.15 hours on October 17th we weighed anchor and proceeded towards the west end of Mljet Island in company with ML 1241. Continuous W/T watch was set.

After making landfall off the west end of Mljet Island we proceeded to eastwards close along the south coast of the Island. The weather was fine and clear, it was very dark, there was little, if any wind and the sea was calm.

Our speed was adjusted as necessary, and we arrived in the vicinity of Prec Island, (a little to the westward of Zaglava Cove) which was the pre-arranged firing position, at 05.00 hours. We had maneuvered into our actual firing position at 05.30 hours, at which time communications were established with FOO by V/S and W/T. The FOO was on a convenient hill overlooking Sipan Island and also our position.

A British AA Battery had previously been established in the neighborhood of Maslinova Cove on the south east end of Mljet Island, and it was understood that our mission was to provide counter fire by indirect means over the crest of Mljet Island in the event of known enemy batteries on Sipan Island or Lopud Island, harassing the AA Battery referred to.

An LCP came alongside to take off rations and mail for the men of the AA Battery at about 06.15 hours. The Officer in charge informed us that the enemy batteries on Sipan Island had been shelling Maslinova Cove prior to our arrival.

The FOO had observed these batteries in action and accordingly at 06.21 hours we opened fire at about 15000 yards range on receipt of the target from him.

We were positioned between Prec Island and the south coast of Mljet Island heading in a south south easterly direction. No enemy counter fire was experienced, and at 07.05 hours we ceased firing, having fired 55 rounds of HE from our 4.7-inch guns. At 07.47 hours we recommenced firing and after expanding a further 27 rounds, ceased fire at 08.18 hours. Again no enemy counter fire was observed.

It was meanwhile ascertained by the FOO that the AA Battery would not fire again since the barrels of their guns had become unserviceable.

Although the enemy had not replied to our fire it was nevertheless decided to carry out one more shoot in the hope of destroying completely the enemy battery position, because the FOO was fairly certain that it had not already been destroyed.

The visibility at this time was by no means ideal so far as the FOO was concerned. Accordingly we opened fire at 09.41 hours at the original target and continued to fire intermittently until 11.08 hours, at which time 鈥榗ease fire鈥� was given. 40 rounds of HE had been fired. The enemy had still not replied to our fire.

Our shooting on the third occasion was reported by the FOO to have been more accurate and although he could not actually confirm 鈥淭arget Destroyed鈥�, he did observe several hits in the target area, which may well have caused damage or at all events much inconvenienced the enemy.

A total of 122 rounds of HE were expended during the shoot.

On completion of the shoot at 11.08 hours, arrangements were then made for the FOO and his party to be taken off by ML 1241 which had been standing by in the vicinity throughout the shoot.

Meanwhile the weather was gradually deteriorating and a heavy swell was running. Thereafter we set course for Lagosta Island where it had been decided to shelter for the night. We arrived and anchored in Lago Grande at 16.15 hours. ML 1241 with the FOO鈥檚 party aboard arrived at Lago Grande about 18.30 hours.

We sailed from Lago Grande at 07.00 hours on October 18th with Ml 1241 and arrived back in Komiza (Isle of Vis) at 12.00 hours the same day.

On one occasion during the shoot the FOO had enquired whether we had the range to fire at a target he had observed on the mainland. In order to hit the target in question, it would have required a shift in our position to Maslinova Cove and exposed us to the enemy on Lopud Island. Our reply to the FOO was that unless the enemy was in action and likely to harass the AA battery, we did not propose to shift our position. The FOO did not call for us to fire at the mainland target, and it was presumed that it was not active.

One of the drawbacks, perhaps the main one was of communications between ships, the FOO party ashore and our Base. Our W/T set was of the Number 19 type, and this had proved to be inadequate for passing our messages to Base, and at one stage of the operation signals had to be sent to Base via ML 1241. If another such Operation were planned, a more powerful W/T set would be required.

No damage or casualties were sustained by HM Ships as a result of this bombardment. A signal was received from the Senior Naval Officer, (Isle of Vis) Lt. Comm. KJ Webb RNR, reading that the bombardment of Sipan Island had been effective and was instrumental in 鈥楰eeping Down鈥� the enemy batteries, and that it had a profound moral effect on the Partisans attacking Ston.

Harry Turley (M28) HMLCG(L) 14. I would like to acknowledge the use of reports made by our lat 鈥楽kipper鈥� Lt. Sam Armstrong DSC RNVR in writing this article.

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