大象传媒

It wasn鈥檛 to last, on reaching Trinco from the United Kingdom the ship鈥檚 company had a week of duties in the morning and make and mend in the afternoons, relaxing from duties at the hottest part of the day with swimming in order and playing water polo with frequent duckings trying to win the ball.

Our vitals on board ship out tropical east was the same as in northern waters, meat and two veg plus potatoes on the veg was dehydrated in packets of cabbage, carrots, onions, dried peas, powdered potatoes (Smash), tinned tomatoes etc. Many Hot Pots (Pot Mess) (Casseroles) still being dished up (how the British diet has changed since). Puddings and tarts, jammed filled and topped up with custard 鈥� navy named 鈥淢anchester Tart鈥�. Rice was consumed only as a dessert; rice pudding (Chinese Wedding Cake). Plenty of butter, brown sugar, dried fruit, tea and cocoa.

Orders received to go to sea to operate escorting aircraft carriers. With HMS Emperor, Empress, Bengum and Shah on various operations down through the Adaman, Nicaba Islands off the coast of Burma and Sumatra.

Our naval aircraft on photo reconnaissance duties for future invasioin of South East Asia by British forces. Our enemy the Japanese forces were deleted of aircraft, surface fleets and submarines at about this time in the war. We didn鈥檛 know it then, so we had to be just as vigilant, as our aggressors were still formidable opponents.

Our aircraft were more modern than from the days in the Arctic, we had the old biplanes (Swordfish), now; American aircraft, fighters, Hellcats, Corsairs, Spotter Bombers, Torpedo Bombers Avengers, Faster aircraft were more difficult to land on so small carriers, more accidents.

On another operation with destroyers Saumarez, Rapid plus Volage, we made a reconnaissance around North Sumatra, bombarded Sigli, and then a sweep again of the islands off Burma. We were carrying out a search for enemy ships that could be supplying the Japanese garrisons on the islands.

Our patrol of three destroyers was without air cover of friendly forces, something quite dangerous, but a small force we hoped would escape detection. Looking into Port Blair we failed to find any shipping and proceeded up to Steward Sound between middle and north Adamanda Isles.

Captain D on Saumarez went into the Sound, sunk a lighter with gun fire, and called Rapid in and ourselves into the Sound, as Rapid entered they came under gun fire from shore battery, was hit and still in the water taking further punishment. Captain D in Saumarez executed a 180 degree turn and came alongside Rapid to take same in tow. Volage entered the Sound and steamed past both ships placing a smoke screen to make them invisible from shore.

Doing so Volage then made herself a target and was also hit, steering out of control but managed to make repairs and followed other ships out to sea. Rapid; 21 killed, others wounded, Volage; 3 killed, 5 wounded. All three ships proceeded to Akyab, Burma. I have written a separate article on incident with more detail.

Saumarez and Volage (after repairs), Rapid going to South Africa for refit, were joined by Vigilant and Virago. Four days from entering Akyab, proceeded to sea for another sweep, to repeat first operation around islands held by enemy forces.

Two days out radar echo contacted five Japanese ships; three submarine chasers, a small coaster merchant ship plus a five thousand ton trooper. Saumarez, Vigilant and Virago chase off after chasers and sinking them, leaving two ships to Volage having sunk coaster, proceeded to finish trooper which was no on fire and still in the water. When in came in a RAF Liberator Bomber, very low over Volage to attack the trooper, dropped his bombs and hit the ship鈥檚 mast, which crashed into the sea.

All enemy ships sunk, the British ships made ready to pick up Japanese survivors, who would not come aboard. Volage Seamen pulled twelve survivors aboard and other destroyers various numbers of POWs. On board Volage one POW hung himself and another jumped overboard.

On entering Trinco Harbour, Royal Naval Fleet gave a hero鈥檚 welcome to all four destroyers on their successful enterprise. Again I have written about he incident in more detail.

As with Royal Naval traditions, those shipmates killed in action, their personal kit is assembled for auction to ship鈥檚 company, who usually give generously for monies collected to be sent home to loved ones. Knowing especially for a widow of the deceased, that her naval service payment would be stopped after three weeks of telegram informing of her husband鈥檚 death, and then would have to possibly take in lodgers, laundry or do other peoples housework, no benefits of any kind available. In many cases families living locally, plus neighbours, would help.

After a few days Volage鈥檚 ships crew learnt that the ship would proceed to Durban, South Africa for a refit, to hearty sheers from the crew.

Lofty John Mills

For the next chapter in John's story go to: A8889321

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