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Heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland (57)

29 Apr 1940
Late in the morning of 29 April 1940, HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN), HMS Hawkins (Capt. E. Rotherham, RN, flagship of Rear-Admiral Sir H. Harwood, KCB, OBE, RN) and Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) made rendezvous south-south-west of Rio de Janeiro in approximate position 25°00'S, 44°00'W.

HMS Queen of Bermuda remained in the Rio de Janeiro focal area but HMS Hawkins and HMS Cumberland, in company with each other, proceeded southwards to the River Plate focal area. (1)

1 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around noon, HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) and HMS Hawkins (Capt. E. Rotherham, RN, flagship of Rear-Admiral Sir H. Harwood, KCB, OBE, RN) parted company with each other.

HMS Cumberland then set course for Montevideo while HMS Hawkins continued to patrol in the River Plate focal area. (2)

1 May 1940

Convoy US 3.

The troopship Andes (British, 25689 GRT, built 1939, 1508 troops) departed Lyttelton Harbour, New Zealand (near Christchurch) on 1 May 1940. She was escorted by the heavy cruiser HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN).

Around noon on May, 2nd, in Cook Strait they were joined by the troopships Aquitania (British, 44786 GRT, built 1914, 3627 troops), Empress of Britain (British, 42348 GRT, built 1931, 2047 troops) and Empress of Japan (British, 26032 GRT, built 1930, 1554 troops) and their escorts, the heavy cruiser HMAS Australia (Capt. R.R. Stewart, RN) and light cruiser HMNZS Leander (Capt. H.E. Horan, RN). They came from Wellington.

Early on May, 4th, HMNZS Leander parted company and proceeded to Sydney. During the forenoon the troopship Queen Mary (British, 81235 GRT, built 1936, 5059 troops) came out escorted by the light cruiser HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN). Shortly afterwards HMAS Canberra also entered Sydney harbour to pick up correspondence. Around 1600K/4, HMAS Canberra and HMNZS Leander came out together with the troopship Mauretania (British, 35739 GRT, built 1939, 2616 troops). The convoy then set course for Fremantle.

At 2045K/4, HMAS Perth parted company.

At 1600K/6, off Melbourne, the troopship Empress of Canada (British, 21517 GRT, built 1922, 1615 troops) joined the convoy.

At 0630H/10, when 70 nautical miles from Rottness Island, HMNZS Leander parted company with the convoy to proceed ahead of it to Fremantle.

At 0800H/10, the light cruiser HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN), joined the convoy and guided into Gage Roads. The transports berthed alongside Fremantle Harbour as arranged except for the Aquitania and Queen Mary. The other transports fuelled and took in water. All ships of the escort berther alongside except for HMAS Adelaide which patrolled in Gage Roads.

At 1200H/12, the convoy started to leave the harbour. On forming up course was set for Colombo.

At 2214G/15, the convoy altered course towards the Cape of Good Hope. It had been decided that the convoy was not to pass through the Mediterranean as the situation with Italy was deteriorating. During the night HMNZS Leander parted company to proceed to Colombo.

At 1529D/20, the heavy cruiser HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) joined. HMAS Canberra then parted company to return to Australia.

At dawn on May, 26th, the convoy started to pass down the searched channel and entered Table Bay, Capetown.

At 0743B/26, HMS Shropshire set course to proceed to Simonstown.

The Queen Mary and Aquitania anchored in Table Bay while the other troopships berthed alongside the harbour.

At 1350B/26, the heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) arrived from Simonstown.

At 0300B/28, the Queen Mary and Aquitania departed Table Bay to proceed to False Bay escorted by HMS Cumberland.

At 1000B/31, the ships at Capetown, less the Empress of Japan commenced to leave the Bay led by HMAS Australia. At sea they were joined by the Queen Mary and Aquitania and their escorts HMS Shropshire and HMS Cumberland. They had departed from False Bay around 0815B/31. At the rendezvous HMAS Australia then parted company and proceeded to Simonstown.

Course was set for Freetown where the convoy arrived in the morning of June, 7th.

The convoy departed Freetown in the morning of the June, 8th. Still escorted by HMS Shropshire and HMS Cumberland but now joined by the aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN).

At 0035N/10, HMS Hermes parted company with the convoy and proceeded to Dakar.

Around 0900N/12, the heavy cruiser HMS Dorsetshire (Capt. B.C.S. Martin, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 0800N/14, the aircraft carrier Argus joined the convoy coming from Gibraltar.

Around 1000/14, the battlecruiser HMS Hood (Capt. I.G. Glennie, RN) and the destroyers HMCS Fraser (Cdr. W.B. Creery, RCN), HMCS Restigouche (Lt.Cdr. H.N. Lay, RN), HMCS St. Laurent (Lt.Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN) and HMCS Skeena (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Hibbard, RCN) joined the convoy coming from the U.K. HMS Dorsetshire then parted company.

around 1500N/14, the destroyer HMS Wanderer (Cdr. J.H. Ruck-Keene, RN) joined followed around 1600N/14 by the destroyers HMS Broke (Cdr. B.G. Scurfield, RN) and HMS Westcott (Lt.Cdr. W.F.R. Segrave, RN).

The convoy arrived in the Clyde in the afternoon of the 16th.

2 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) arrived at Montevideo. (3)

3 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) departed Montevideo and proceeded to San Borombon Bay where she fuelled from the RFA tanker Arndale (8296 GRT, built 1937) (3)

4 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) departed San Borombon Bay for patrol. She is to proceed to the Rio de Janeiro focal area. (3)

13 May 1940
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) fuelled from the RFA tanker Arndale (8296 GRT, built 1937) near Armação dos Búzios, Brazil. On completion of fuelling HMS Cumberland resumed her patrol. (3)

15 May 1940
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) fuelled from the RFA tanker Arndale (8296 GRT, built 1937) near Ilhabella, Brazil. On completion of fuelling HMS Cumberland set course to proceed to Simonstown, South Africa. (3)

24 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) arrived at Simonstown. (3)

26 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) proceeded from Simonstown for escort duty with convoy US 3.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy US 3 ' for 1 May 1940.] (3)

26 May 1940
HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) and HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) proceeded from Capetown to Simonstown escorting the troopships Aquitania (British, 44786 GRT, built 1914) and Queen Mary (British, 81235 GRT, built 1936) from Table Bay to False Bay. (4)

31 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) and HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) departed False Bay escorting the troopships Aquitania (British, 44786 GRT, built 1914) and Queen Mary (British, 81235 GRT, built 1936) to make rendezvous with the remainder of Convoy US 3 off Capetown and then escort it to Freetown.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy US 3 ' for 1 May 1940.] (4)

7 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) and HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) arrived at Freetown escorting convoy US 3. (5)

7 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Hermes (Capt R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN), HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.H. Edelsten, RN) and HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) departed Freetown escorting convoy US 3.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy US 3 ' for 1 May 1940.] (5)

16 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) arrived in the Clyde with convoy US 3.

She departed for Liverpool later the same day. (6)

17 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) arrived at Liverpool where she was immediately docked in No.6 Dock at the Cammell Laird Shipyard. (6)

29 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) is undocked. She immediately departed Liverpool for escort duty with convoy WS 1.

See the event ' Convoy WS 1 ' for 29 June 1940 for more info on this convoy. (6)

29 Jun 1940

Convoy WS 1.

This convoy departed Liverpool around 0700A/29. It was made up of the troop transports Aquitania (British, 44786 GRT, built 1914) and Mauretania (British, 35739 GRT, built 1939).

Escort on departure from Liverpool was made up of the heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) and the destroyers HMS Harvester (Lt.Cdr. M. Thornton, RN), HMS Highlander (Cdr. W.A. Dallmeyer, RN), HMS Volunteer (Lt.Cdr. N. Lanyon, RN) and HMS Whirlwind (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Rodgers, RN).

Around 1345A/29, the troopship Queen Mary (British, 81235 GRT, built 1936) joined coming from the Clyde escorted by the escort destroyers Atherstone and Fernie which did not join the convoy but returned.

At 0330ZA(-0.5)/30, the destroyers HMS Volunteer and HMS Whirlwind parted company with the convoy to return to Liverpool.

At 1345ZA/30, the destroyers HMS Harvester and HMS Highlander parted company to proceed to Plymouth. HMS Highlander apparently had sustained some weather damage in the heavy seas. The destroyers had been unable to keep up with the convoy at 18 knots without sustaining damage. Therefore they were detached and the convoy increased speed.

The convoy arrived at Freetown on 8 July 1940.

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The convoy departed Freetown for Capetown in the same composition on 9 July 1940. Escort was still provided by HMS Cumberland.

The convoy arrived at Capetown on 16 July 1940.

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On the 17th, HMS Cumberland took the Aquitania and Queen Mary from Table Bay to False Bay near Simonstown.

On the 18th HMS Cumberland returned to Table Bay where she picked up the Mauretania. They then proceeded to False Bay where they arrived later the same day.

On 19 July 1940 the three troopships and HMS Cumberland departed False Bay for Ceylon.

Around 0530Z/21, near Durban, HMS Cumberland turned over the escort of the troopships to her sister ship HMS Kent (Capt. D. Young-Jamieson, RN) which then took the convoy to Ceylon.

At 1500Z/28, in position 06°24'N, 82°00'E, the Queen Mary parted company with the other ships and set course for Trincomalee where she arrived on 29 July 1940.

The other two troopships and HMS Kent arrived at Colombo also on 29 July 1940. (7)

23 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) arrived at Simonstown after convoy escort duty. (8)

25 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) departed Simonstown for a anti-raider patrol in the South Atlantic. (8)

11 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0447A/11, HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN), received a signal to go to the assistance of the merchant vessels Ceramic (British, 18713 GRT, built 1913) and Testbank (British, 5083 GRT, built 1937) which had collided with each other in position 27°15'S, 10°00'E.

She arrived on the scene around 1400A/11 and after a while tried to take the Ceramic in tow but this failed.

On the 12th she managed to tow the Ceramic for a few hours but then the tow parted.

In the morning of 14th the tug T.S. McEwen (793 GRT, built 1925) arrived on the scene which managed to the the Ceramic in tow.

Around noon on the 15th, HMS Cumberland parted company in position 24°10'S, 12°10'E and set course for Simonstown where sdhe arrived on 17 August 1940.

Tug T.S. McEwen and the heavily damaged Ceramic arrived at Walvis Bay on 16 August 1940.

The Testbank, with a heavily damaged bow, was able to proceed to Capetown where she arrived on 15 August 1940. (9)

17 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) arrived at Simonstown from patrol. (10)

23 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) departed Simonstown for a patrol in the South Atlantic which was to end at Freetown. (10)

6 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) arrived at Freetown from patrol. (11)

7 Sep 1940
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) departed Freetown for patrol off the Cape Verde Islands. The German merchant vessel Ostmark (3047 GRT, built 1933) which had departed Las Palmas and was thought to be en-route to Dakar. (12)

9 Sep 1940
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) is ordered to return to Freetown in the Ostmark had not been sighted by noon the following day. (13)

12 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) arrived at Freetown from patrol. (12)

13 Sep 1940
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) departed Freetown for the U.K. as had been ordered by the Admiralty.

Shortly after midnight however she was ordered to join Vice-Admiral Cunningham's ' Force M '.

[For more information on subsequent events see the event ' Operation Menace, the attack on Dakar, 23-24 September 1940, Part I, initial movements of the Allied naval forces ' for 28 August 1940.] (14)

20 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Very late in the evening, HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN), arrived at Freetown from operations. (11)

21 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1430N/21, HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) departed Freetown for operations.

[See the event ' Operations Menace, the attack on Dakar, 23-24 September 1940, Part II, the actual attack ' for 23 September 1940 for subsequent operations.] (12)

27 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The damaged HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) arrived at Freetown from operations. (12)

3 Oct 1940

Convoy WS 3A (Slow).

This convoy departed Liverpool on 3 October 1940.

This convoy was made up of the following transport vessels; Clan Cameron (British, 7243 GRT, built 1937), Dorset (British, 10624 GRT, built 1934), Highland Brigade (British, 14134 GRT, built 1929), Oropesa (British, 14118 GRT, built 1920), Perthshire (British, 10496 GRT, built 1936) and Port Chalmers (British, 8535 GRT, built 1933).

Also the destroyer tender HMS Woolwich (Capt.(Retd.) J. Fawcett, RN) was with the convoy.

On departure from Liverpool the convoy was escorted by the destroyers HMS Harvester (Lt.Cdr. C.M. Thornton, RN), HMS Havelock (Lt.Cdr. E.H. Thomas, RN), HMS Highlander (Cdr. W.A. Dallmeyer, RN) and HMS Hurricane (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Simms, RN).

At 1315A/3, the destroyers HMS Witherington (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Palmer, RN), HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. M.S. Townsend, OBE, DSC, RN) and HMS Versatile (Cdr.(Retd.) J.H. Jauncey, RN) joined coming from the Clyde.

Cover for the convoy was provided by the light cruiser HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) which had also departed the Clyde on the 3rd.

[For the moment we have no details regarding the exact movements of the destroyers. HMS Witherington, HMS Viscount and HMS Versatile arrived at Londonderry on 6 October. HMS Harvester, HMS Havelock and HMS Highlander arrived at Plymouth on 8 October. HMS Hurricane arrived at Greenock on the same day].

Around 1645N/9, HMS Sheffield parted company with the convoy after having been relieved by the heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN).

The convoy arrived at Freetown on 16 October 1940.

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The convoy departed Freetown for South Africa on 17 October 1940.

Composition of the convoy was the same. Escort was still HMS Cumberland.

The convoy arrived at Capetown on 27 October 1940. HMS Cumberland then went on to Simonstown but she returned to Capetown the following day.

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The convoy departed Capetown on 29 October 1940 still made up of the same transports with two additions; Erinpura (British, 5143 GRT, built 1911) and Khedive Ismail (British, 7290 GRT, built 1922).

HMS Woolwich did not sail with the convoy.

Escort was still provided by the heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland until she was relieved around 0700A/1 by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Carthage (Capt.(Retd.) B.O. Bell-Salter, RN).

The convoy merged in the morning of 3 November 1940 with convoy WS 3B (Fast). (7)

4 Oct 1940
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) departed Freetown to make rendezvous with convoy WS 3A (Slow) coming from the U.K. and then escort it to Freetown.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 3A (Slow) ' for 3 October 1940.] (15)

27 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) arrived at Simonstown. (15)

28 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) proceeded from Simonstown to Capetown. (15)

29 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) departed Capetown to continue her escort duty with convoy WS 3A (Slow).

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 3A (Slow) ' for 3 October 1940.] (15)

3 Nov 1940
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) arrived at Simonstown where she was to be taken in hand for action damage repairs. (16)

18 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
With her repairs completed HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) departed Simonstown for a patrol in the South Atlantic which was to end at Freetown. (17)

24 Nov 1940
Around 1440A/24, HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) made rendezvous to the east of St. Helena in approximate position 16°00'S, 04°00'W.

They parted company at 1200A/27 in position 02°22'S, 15°34'W. (18)

29 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the morning, HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN), arrived at Freetown from patrol. (17)

1 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) and HMS Devonshire (Capt. R.D. Oliver, DSC, RN) departed Freetown with convoy WS 4B.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 4B ' for 18 November 1941.] (19)

16 Dec 1940
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) arrived in San Borombon Bay where she fuelled from the RFA tanker Arndale (8296 GRT, built 1937). HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN) was also there and Commodore F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN then transferred from HMS Enterprise to HMS Cumberland.

Both cruisers departed on patrol later the same day (not in company though). (20)

20 Dec 1940
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the broad pennant of Commodore F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) and HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN) made rendezvous around 1700N/20 south of Rio de Janeiro in approximate position 27°40'S, 43°40'W. They remained in company until 0630N/22 when HMS Enterprise proceeded inshore to fuel near Ilhabella Island from the RFA tanker Arndale (8296 GRT, built 1937).

Around 1100N/22, HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) joined HMS Cumberland. (20)

23 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1800N/23, HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN), which had completed fuelling made rendezvous with HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the broad pennant of Commodore F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) and HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN). They then proceeded to patrol in company searching for the German pocket battleships Admiral Scheer. (21)

31 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1110N/31, HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN) parted company with HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the broad pennant of Commodore F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) and HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN). (21)

2 Jan 1941
Around 1345N/2, HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the broad pennant of Commodore F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) and HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) made rendezvous with HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN) which then took on board mail from the other two cruisers. She parted then company again around 1430N/2 and set course to proceed to Simonstown leaving the South America Station.

HMS Newcastle parted company with HMS Cumberland to proceed to San Borombon Bay to fuel. (22)

27 Jan 1941
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) arrived at Buenos Aires from patrol. (23)

29 Jan 1941
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) departed Buenos Aires, where she had also fuelled, for patrol. (23)

22 Feb 1941
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) departed Samborombón Bay, River Plate area for patrol. (24)

28 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) arrived at Port Stanley, Falkland Islands. (24)

5 Mar 1941
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) departed Port Stanley, Falkland Islands for the River Plate focal area. (25)

2 Apr 1941
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) arrived at Montevideo, Uruguay. (26)

3 Apr 1941
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) shifted from Montevideo, Uraguay to Samborombón Bay where she fuelled from the RFA tanker Broomdale (8334 GRT, built 1937).

Very late in the evening she proceeded on patrol in company with HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN). (26)

12 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During the night of 12/13 April 1941, HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN), fuelled from the RFA tanker Broomdale (8334 GRT, built 1937) near Ilhabella, Brazil. On completion of the fuelling HMS Cumberland resumed her patrol. (26)

21 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN), fuelled from the RFA tanker Broomdale (8334 GRT, built 1937) near Cabo Frio, Brazil. HMS Cumberland departed to resume her patrol early the following morning. (26)

27 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) lost one of her Walrus aircraft near Santos, Brazil. (26)

1 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) arrived at San Borombon Bay, River Plate area. The next day she fuelled from the RFA tanker Abbeydale (8299 GRT, built 1937) and then departed to resume patrol on the 3rd. (27)

15 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) arrived at Buenos Aires from patrol. (27)

19 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) departed Buenos Aires to resume patrol. (27)

26 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland(Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) arrived at Samborombón Bay, River Plate area where she fuelled from the RFA tanker Abbeydale (8299 GRT, built 1937). (27)

30 May 1941

Convoy SL 76.

This convoy departed Freetown on 30 May 1941 for the U.K.

The convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Albion Star (British, 7946 GRT, built 1919), Anadyr (British, 5321 GRT, built 1930), Asphalion (British, 6274 GRT, built 1924), Bactria (British, 2407 GRT, built 1928), Bennevis (British, 5356 GRT, built 1918), Bothnia (British, 2407 GRT, built 1928), Calabria (British, 1277 GRT, built 1916), Cape of Good Hope (British, 4963 GRT, built 1925), Capo Olmo (British, 4712 GRT, built 1923), Cathrine (British, 2727 GRT, built 1919), Clan MacPherson (British, 6940 GRT, built 1929), Clan Murray (British, 5953 GRT, built 1918), Dahomian (British, 5277 GRT, built 1929), Diomed (British, 10374 GRT, built 1922), Djurdjura (British, 3460 GRT, built 1922), Eirini Kyriaidgou (Greek, 3781 GRT, built 1922), Elswick Park (British, 4138 GRT, built 1920), English Trader (British, 3953 GRT, built 1934), Glenapp (British, 9503 GRT, built 1920), Gudrun Maersk (British, 2294 GRT, built 1937), Hamla (British, 4416 GRT, built 1929), Hampton Lodge (British, 3645 GRT, built 1911), Harbury (British, 5081 GRT, built 1933), Hatasu (British, 3198 GRT, built 1921), Kana (British, 2783 GRT, built 1929), Kerma (British, 4333 GRT, built 1928), Kiruna (Swedish, 5484 GRT, built 1921), Lackenby (British, 5112 GRT, built 1928), Lafian (British, 4876 GRT, built 1937), Lerwick (British, 5626 GRT, built 1938), Leto (Dutch, 4712 GRT, built 1929), Macgregor (British, 2498 GRT, built 1919), Magdala (Dutch (tanker), 8248 GRT, built 1931), Marylyn (British, 4555 GRT, built 1930), Miguel de Larrinaga (British, 5231 GRT, built 1924), Montferland (Dutch, 5790 GRT, built 1921), New Brunswick (British, 6529 GRT, built 1919), Observer (British, 5881 GRT, built 1928), Ogmore Castle (British, 2481 GRT, built 1919), Orfor (British, 6578 GRT, built 1921), Peebles (British, 4982 GRT, built 1936), Rinos (Greek, 4649 GRT, built 1919), River Afton (British, 5479 GRT, built 1935), Rothley (British, 4996 GRT, built 1936), Sheridan (British, 4665 GRT, built 1918), Silverlaurel (British, 6142 GRT, built 1939), Sitoebondo (Dutch, 7049 GRT, built 1916), St. Clair II (British, 3753 GRT, built 1929), Steaua Romana (British (tanker), 5311 GRT, built 1914), Sutherland (British, 5170 GRT, built 1940), Tantalus (British, 7724 GRT, built 1923), Teucer (British, 9079 GRT, built 1906), Thode Fagelund (Norwegian, 5757 GRT, built 1920), Ella (British, 1575 GRT, built 1930), Umvuma (British, 4419 GRT, built 1914) and Weirbank (British, 5150 GRT, built 1925).

On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Moreton Bay (Capt.(Retd.) C.C. Bell, RN) and the corvettes HMS Amaranthus (Lt. N.B.J. Stapleton, RNR), HMS Asphodel (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) K.W. Stewart, RN), HMS Clematis (Cdr. Y.M. Cleeves, DSC, RD, RNR) and HMS Columbine (T/Lt. S.J. Lavis, RNR).

At 1410N/1, HMS Amaranthus parted company with the convoy.

At 2320N/1, HMS Clematis parted company with the convoy.

At 2010N/4, the destroyer HMS Velox (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Roper, DSC, RN) joined the escort of the convoy.

At 1800N/6, HMS Velox parted company with the convoy.

At 0600N/7, HMS Asphodel and HMS Columbine parted company with the convoy.

Around 1200Z/10, the heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) joined the convoy escort.

In the early hours of 13 June the convoy was attacked by the Italian submarine Benedetto Brin which managed to sink two merchant vessels; the Djurdjura and the Eirini Kyriakides

At 1855/13, the convoy was joined by the corvettes HMS Coreopsis (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Davies, RNVR) and HMS Fleur de Lys (Lt.Cdr. L.M. Carter, RNR).

During the morning of the 14th, HMS Coreopsis and HMS Fleur de Lys fuelled from HMS Fleur de Lys.

During the fuelling of the corvettes the light cruiser HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) joined around 1130Z/14.

At 1030Z/16, the armed boarding vessel HMS Corinthian (A/Cdr. E.J.R. Pollitt, RNR) joined.

At 1600Z/16, the armed boarding vessel Maron (Cdr. (Retd.) J.H. Blair, DSC, RD, RNR) joined.

At 1630Z/16, the destroyers HMS Roxborough (Lt. V.A. Wight-Boycott, OBE, RN) and ORP Piorun (Cdr. S. Hryniewiecki) joined.

At 2200Z/16, HMS Cumberland and HMS Sheffield parted company with the convoy.

In the early hours of the 17th the merchant vessel Cathrine, which had straggled from the convoy, was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-43.

At 1730Z/18, the destroyer HMS Westcott (Cdr. I.H. Bockett-Pugh, RN) and the corvettes HMS Auricula (T/Lt. W.W. White, RNR), HMS Marigold (T/Lt. J. Renwick, RNR) and HMS Periwinkle (Lt.Cdr. P.G. MacIver, RNR) joined.

At 1740Z/18, HMS Coreopsis and HMS Fleur de Lys parted company.

At 0620A/19, the destroyer HMS Wanderer (Cdr. A.F.St.G. Orpen, RN) and the corvettes HMS Freesia (Lt.Cdr. T.P.G. Crick, RN) and HMS Hibiscus (Lt. H. Roach, RNR) joined.

At 2000A/19, HMS Roxborough parted company.

On 21 June 1941 the convoy arrived in British waters.

In the early hours of 22 June the Swedish merchant vessel Calabria, a straggler of convoy SL 76, was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-141.

5 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) arrived at Freetown from patrol. (28)

6 Jun 1941
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) departed Freetown for the U.K.

While en-route she was ordered to join convoy SL 76 as escort. She joined the convoy early in the afternoon of the 10th.

[for more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy SL 76 ' for 30 May 1941.] (28)

18 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from Freetown and after convoy escort duty. (28)

23 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) conducted AA gunnery exercises in the Pentland Firth. (28)

24 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) conducted AA gunnery exercises in the Pentland Firth. (28)

25 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) conducted AA gunnery exercises in the Pentland Firth. (28)

27 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Sheerness. She is escorted by the destroyer HMS Windsor (Lt.Cdr. J.M.G. Waldegrave, DSC, RN) and escort destroyer HMS Hambledon (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN).

HMS Cumberland arrived at Sheerness in the afternoon of the 28th. (28)

30 Jun 1941
Having completed de-ammunitioning at Sheerness, HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN), proceeded from Sheerness to the Chatham Dockyard where she was to refit. (28)

7 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) is docked in No.9 Dock at the Chatham Dockyard. (29)

4 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) is undocked. She then continued her refit at the Chatham Dockyard in the basin. (30)

16 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
With her refit completed HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) proceeded from the Chatham Dockyard to Sheerness. (31)

18 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) proceeded from Sheerness to Southend. (31)

19 Oct 1941
Around 1145A/19, HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN), departed Southend for Scapa Flow. She was escorted by the escort destroyers HMS Holderness (Cdr. F.J.C. Halahan, DSC, RN) and HMS Quorn (Lt. E.A.F. Drought, RN).

HMS Quorn parted company around 0225A/20 and HMS Holderness around 0600A/20.

HMS Cumberland arrived at Scapa Flow, to commence a post-refit work-up programme, around 1600A/20. (31)

24 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. (31)

25 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) conducted full power trials off Scapa Flow. (31)

27 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) conducted D/F calibration trials at Scapa Flow. (31)

29 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) conducted D/G trials at Scapa Flow. These were followed by 8" gunnery exercises as well as speed trials on the measured mile. (31)

30 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) conducted aircraft launching and recovering exercises at Scapa Flow. (31)

31 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. (31)

4 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. (32)

5 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (32)

8 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) conducted aircraft launching and recovering exercises at Scapa Flow. (32)

10 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Hvalfjord, Iceland. (32)

12 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) arrived at Hvalfjord, Iceland from Scapa Flow. (32)

20 Nov 1941
During 20-22 November 1941 exercises were carried out near Hvalfjord.

The heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN), light cruiser HMS Edinburgh (Capt. H.W. Faulkner, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral E.N. Syfret, RN) and the destroyers HMS Somali (Capt. D.K. Bain, RN), HMS Ashanti (Cdr. R.G. Onslow, RN), HMS Eskimo (Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN), HMS Matabele (Cdr. A.C. Stanford, DSC, RN), HMS Punjabi (Cdr. S.A. Buss, MVO, RN), and HMS Tartar (Cdr. L.P. Skipwith, RN) departed Hvalfjord around 1200Z/20 for exercises.

The destroyers, minus HMS Eskimo returned to Hvalfjord around 0100Z/21.

Around 0915Z/21, the battleship HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN, flying the flag of A/Admiral J.C. Tovey, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet), aircraft carrier HMS Victorious (Capt. H.C. Bovell, CBE, RN) and the destroyers HMS Ashanti, HMS Matabele, HMS Punjabi, HMS Tartar, HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Thomas, RN), HMS Echo (Lt.Cdr. C.H.deB. Newby, RN) and HMS Escapade (Lt.Cdr. E.N.V. Currey, DSC, RN) departed Hvalfjord for exercises.

HMS Eskimo returned to Hvalfjord around 0925Z/21.

Around 1645Z/21, HMS Ashanti, HMS Matabele, HMS Punjabi and HMS Tartar returned to Hvalfjord followed at 1700Z/21 by HMS Victorious.

Around 0900Z/22, the battleship HMS Rodney (Capt. J.W. Rivett-Carnac, DSC, RN), heavy cruiser HMS Kent (Capt. A.E.M.B. Cunninghame-Graham, RN) and the destroyers HMS Somali, HMS Eskimo and HMS Oribi (Lt.Cdr. J.E.H. McBeath, DSO, RN) departed Hvalfjord.

Around 0915Z/22, the aircraft carrier HMS Victorious and the destroyers HMS Ashanti, HMS Matabele and HMS Tartar departed Hvalfjord.

Around 1630Z/22, HMS King George V, HMS Cumberland, HMS Edinburgh, HMS Impulsive, HMS Echo and HMS Escapade returned to Hvalfjord.'

Around 1700Z/22, HMS Victorious, HMS Ashanti, HMS Matabele and HMS Tartar returned to Hvalfjord.

Around 2200Z/22, HMS Rodney, HMS Somali, HMS Eskimo and HMS Oribi returned to Hvalfjord followed shortly afterwards by HMS Kent. (33)

24 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) departed Hvalfjord for the Denmark Strait patrol. (32)

28 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) returned to Hvalfjord from the Denmark Strait patrol. (32)

30 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) departed Hvalfjord for patrol in the Iceland - Faeroer gap. (32)

4 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from patrol. (34)

5 Dec 1941
In the afternoon and evening the battleship HMS Duke of York (Capt. C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN), heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland (Capt. A.H. Maxwell-Hyslop, AM, RN) and the destroyers HMS Ashanti (Cdr. R.G. Onslow, RN), HMS Matabele (Cdr. A.C. Stanford, DSC, RN) and HMS Tartar (Cdr. L.P. Skipwith, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (35)

Battleship HMS Nelson (28)

29 Sep 1943
Marshal Pietro Badoglio (Italy) and General Dwight D Eisenhower (USA) signed the Italian instrument of surrender on board Nelson in Valletta Harbour, Malta. (36)

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