大象传媒

Operation Torch

It was not long before HMS Rodney was on the move again. The first hint that another large-scale operation was afoot was when we received a visit from Mr Winston Churchill. He received the most tremendous welcome from the ship鈥檚 company. He spoke in his usual energetic and impressive manner, thanked us for our part in Operation Pedestal, gave the strongest hint that the Malta convoy days were over, that a more permanent solution to the Malta problem was in hand and that we were going to be a part of that solution. Things started to 鈥榟ot up鈥�. More close range weapons were installed, the main armament was kept busy with bombardment practice and, finally, white sealed bags arrived. Then a number of important staff officers, British and American, arrived and we were off together with the largest convoy ever. First stop, Gibraltar, where we could renew our acquaintance with our army friends and our favourite watering holes. One evening an American soldier standing next to me said, 鈥淲e鈥檙e off to North Africa tomorrow, you guys are coming with us鈥�. So much for security. Next morning we were at sea, the sealed bags were opened and it was confirmed that 鈥極peration Torch, the invasion of North Africa was under way and our part of the attack as centred on Oran. We were not very popular there of course because of our attack on the French Fleet in 1940. I was called to the bridge. Given a pair of binoculars and told to study the aircraft on the deck of the carrier 鈥楩ormidable鈥�. At first I thought that they were American aircraft but a closer study revealed that they were British, but with American markings. Apparently the object was to convince the natives that this was an American operation, and I was told to camouflage the Walrus accordingly. This meant climbing on top of those fabric covered mainplanes to paint out the red, white and blue roundels, a difficult job in harbour but at sea, with the ship rolling, it was a very delicate operation, carried out 40 feet above the deck. We painted the American star on the side.

Our job was to take out Fort du Stanton, situated 1060 feet above sea level and manned with four 7.6 inch guns which were menacing the approaches to the harbour and traversed the other way could menace American troops advancing from the west. It was a delicate operation because a few feet too high and our shells would have been among the Americans. We launched the Walrus and then spent the morning flying over the area spotting for our guns. It had to be a steady approach, but eventually the job was done and the Walrus returned to the ship 鈥� mission accomplished.

After lunch we were given new targets and the bombardment continued until late afternoon. Bombardment over, we went out on to the deck to have a look at the Walrus 鈥� what a sorry sight it was. The blast from those 16鈥� guns had caused havoc 鈥� fabric blown in, streamlined rigging wires broken, side windows shattered, ribs broken. It was now getting dark 鈥攏othing could be done until the morning 鈥� or so I thought.

Much later the pilot, Hooky Walker, and myself were called to the bridge and the Captain told us that he has received a signal fro the C-in-C to the effect that there was a Vichy submarine in the harbour 鈥榠n all respects ready for sea鈥� and he wanted our Walrus to patrol the harbour entrance at first light, until he could get adequate forces in the area. Hooky Walker did not hesitate, he said, 鈥淏ill, put the Walrus back together, and I鈥檒l fly it鈥�.
So I started, first down into the bowels of the ship to collect spare wires and other bits and pieces. Then up on to the catapult. I was not allowed to show any lights so measurements were taken with pieces of string. Back down to the workshop. Got a shipwright friend to board up the side windows 鈥� the windscreen was intact. Got the streamlined wires refitted, had to judge the tension by feel, on a biplane if you got the tensions in the landing and flying wires reasonably the same, the rigging would not be far out. Repaired the ribs, stitched up the fabric, plastered the whole lot with red dope, and waited for the dawn. In daylight the Walrus was not a pretty sight but it was in one piece. Started the engine 鈥� belted it to full power and back, shut it down and then we fitted a depth charge under each wing. The crew boarded, the turret was traversed, catapult extended, all the hands on the upper deck with their cameras at the ready, the engine belting, bang went the cordite and off went the Walrus like a bird.

The Walrus did her job and kept that submarine under surveillance until the anti-submarine craft arrived but then the power began to fall off, there was nothing that could be done about it. The throttle was on its stops and the engine developed a 鈥榥egative rated altitude鈥� so they landed on the water. Fortunately there was an A/S trawler nearby who picked them up. Hooky Walker takes up the story 鈥� the trawler skipper opened fire with Oerlikon guns intending to sink the Walrus 鈥� but Hooky whispered in his ear about the two primed depth charges on board 鈥� the trawler moved away 鈥� quickly!!
Our part in 鈥楾orch鈥� was now over. All landings seemed to have been successful and our forces were moving east with the intention to joining up with the 8th army who were advancing form the east.

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