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Light cruiser HMS Birmingham (19)

13 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
With her refit completed HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) conducted D/F calibration trials in Plymouth Sound. (1)

16 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
With her refit completed HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) conducted D/G and compass swing trials off Plymouth. (1)

17 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
With her refit completed HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) conducted gunnery trials off Plymouth. (1)

21 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) departed Plymouth for Scapa Flow. (1)

23 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow to commence a post refit work-up period. (1)

28 Sep 1943
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) conducted AA gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. Also a refuelling at sea exercise was carried out in which HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN) was fuelled. (1)

29 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) conducted torpedo firing and 4" HA gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (1)

1 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (2)

2 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) conducted torpedo firing exercises at Scapa Flow. (2)

5 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) conducted torpedo firing exercises at Scapa Flow. (2)

8 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 8/9 October 1943, HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) and HMS Royalist (Capt. M.H. Evelegh, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. These included night exercises. (3)

12 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 12/13 October 1943, HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (2)

14 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (2)

15 Oct 1943
HMS Kent (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, DSC, MVO, RN) and HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. (4)

19 Oct 1943
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) departed Scapa Flow for a few days of exercises.

During the night of 19/20 October 1943 exercises were carried out with HMS Royalist (Capt. M.H. Evelegh, RN)

During the night of 20/21 October 1943 exercises were carried out with HMS Kent (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, DSC, MVO, RN) and HMS Jamaica (Capt. J.L. Storey, DSO, RN).

HMS Birmingham returned to Scapa Flow on 21 October. (5)

26 Oct 1943
During 26/27 October 1943, HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) and HMS Royalist (Capt. M.H. Evelegh, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. These included night exercises. (3)

3 Nov 1943
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. (6)

4 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) and HMNZS Gambia (Capt. N.J.W. William-Powlett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (7)

5 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN), HMS Bermuda (Capt. T.H. Back, RN) and HMNZS Gambia (Capt. N.J.W. William-Powlett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (8)

9 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) and HMNZS Gambia (Capt. N.J.W. William-Powlett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (7)

10 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) conducted AA gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. (6)

13 Nov 1943
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Greenock.

HMS Birmingham is to proceed to the Far East to join the Eastern Fleet. (6)

14 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) arrived at Greenock. (6)

15 Nov 1943

Convoy KMF 26.

This convoy departed the Clyde on 15 November 1943 and arrived at Alexandria / Port Said on 30 November 1943 / 1 December 1943.

This convoy was made up of the following transports; Arundel Castle (British, 19118 GRT, built 1921), Cameronia (British, 16297 GRT, built 1920), Chinese Prince (British, 9485 GRT, built 1943), City of Lincoln (British, 8039 GRT, built 1938), Clan Campbell (British, 9545 GRT, built 1943), Dempo (British, 17024 GRT, built 1931), Duchess of Bedford (British, 20123 GRT, built 1928), Dunnottar Castle (British, 15007 GRT, built 1936), Franconia (British, 20175 GRT, built 1923), Highland Princess (British, 14133 GRT, built 1930), Monarch of Bermuda (British, 22424 GRT, built 1931), Orion (British, 23371 GRT, built 1935), Ranchi (British, 16738 GRT, built 1925), Reina del Pacifico (British, 17702 GRT, built 1931), Samanco (British, 8336 GRT, built 1943), Samaria (British, 19597 GRT, built 1921), Sarmiento (British, 8335 GRT, built 1943) and Scythia (British, 19761 GRT, built 1920).

On departure the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) (actually joined on the 16th), sloops HMS Pelican (Cdr. J.S. Dalison, DSO, RN, S.O. of A/S escort), HMS Woodpecker (Lt.Cdr. H.L. Pryse, RNR) and the frigates HMS Evenlode (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.L. Turner, RNR), HMS Jed (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Freaker, DSO and Bar, RD, RNR), HMS Rother (Lt.Cdr. W.R. Hickey, RNR) and HMS Spey (Lt.Cdr. B.A. Rogers, RD, RNR)

In the afternoon of 19 November, HMS Birmingham fuelled HMS Spey as the frigate had two out of four fuel tanks contaminated with seawater drastically effecting her range. With this underway refuelling she was able to continue on to Algiers.

During the morning of 20 November, the frigate HMS Rother also received some fuel from HMS Birmingham.

On passing the Straits of Gibraltar, HMS Birmingham parted company with the convoy and entered Gibraltar harbour. The AA cruiser HMS Colombo (Capt. D.H. Hall-Thompson, RN) and the destroyers HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Wallace, DSC, RN) and HMS Brilliant (Lt.Cdr. J. Smallwood, RN) joined the convoy coming from Gibraltar. Also the submarine HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) joined the convoy for passage to Alexandria.

On the 25th, HMS Anthony and HMS Spey parted company with the convoy.

Off Oran / Mers-el-Kebir the transports Egra (British, 5108 GRT, built 1911), Karoa (British, 7009 GRT, built 1915) and Rohna (British, 8602 GRT, built 1926) joined the convoy. They were escorted by the destroyer escorts USS Frederick C. Davcis (Lt.Cdr. O.W. Goepner, USNR), USS Herbert C. Jones (T/Lt.Cdr. A.W. Gardes, Jr., USN) and the minesweepers USS Pioneer (Lt. L.E. Rogers, Jr., USNR) and USS Portent (Lt. H.C. Plummer, USNR).

Off Algiers transport Monarch of Bermuda and the escorts HMS Brilliant, HMS Pelican, HMS Woodpecker, HMS Evenlode, HMS Jed, HMS Rother parted company with the convoy while the escort destroyers HMS Atherstone (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Wood, DSC, RNVR), HMS Catterick (Lt.Cdr. A. Tyson, RN, HMS Cleveland (Lt.Cdr. J.K. Hamilton, RN), RHS Miaoulis and ORP Slazak (Cdr. R. Nalecz-Tyminski, ORP) joined the convoy.

In the afternoon of 26 November the convoy was attacked by German aircraft and the transport Rohna was sunk by a glider bomb in position 36°56'N, 05°20'E. 1149 crew and passengers (mostly US troops) were killed in this attack.

Off Philipeville the transports Cameronia, Clan Campbell and Duchess of Bedford parted company with the convoy to proceed to that place while the transport Derbyshire joined the convoy coming from there.

On 27 February first HMS Colombo and later USS Frederick C. Davis and USS Herbert C. Jones parted company with the convoy to proceed to Bizerta.

The remainder of the convoy proceeded towards Alexandria / Port Said.

24 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) arrived at Gibraltar after convoy escort duty with convoy KMF 26. (6)

25 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) departed Gibraltar for Alexandria. (6)

28 Nov 1943 (position 33.05, 21.43)
At 1117A/28, HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) was torpedoed and very seriously damaged by the German U-boat U-407 off the coast of Cyrenaica in position 33°05'N, 21°43'E. 29 lives were lost in this attack.

The destroyer HMS Faulknor (Capt. M.S. Thomas, DSO, RN) and the escort destroyers ORP Krakowiak (Lt.Cdr. W. Maracewicz) and RHS Themistocles come to assist the damaged cruiser which in the end joined convoy UGS 23. The three destroyers / escort destroyers then proceeded on their previous duties.

30 Nov 1943
The damaged light cruiser HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) arrived at Alexandria escorted by the destroyers HMS Fury (Lt.Cdr. T.F. Taylor, RN) and HMS Pathfinder (Lt.Cdr. F.W. Hawkins, RN).

At Alexandria HMS Birmingham was taken in hand for temporary repairs. (6)

10 Dec 1943
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) is docked in the floating dock at Alexandria. (9)

18 Dec 1943
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) is undocked. (9)

30 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) is undocked. (10)

16 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 16/17 June 1944, HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) conducted trials and exercises off Alexandria. These included night exercises. (11)

21 Jun 1944
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) departed Alexandria for Norfolk, Virginia, USA where she was to undergo full repairs. Passage to Gibraltar was made in convoy MKF 32. (11)

21 Jun 1944

Convoy MKF 32.

This convoy departed Port Said on 21 June 1944 and arrived in U.K. waters on 4 July 1944.

It was made up of the following transport vessels; Antenor (British, 11174 GRT, built 1925), Nieuw Holland (British, 11066 GRT, built 1927), Orduna (British, 15507 GRT, built 1914), Orion (British, 23371 GRT, built 1935), Ormonde (British, 14982 GRT, built 1917), Ranchi (British, 16738 GRT, built 1925), Stratheden (British, 23722 GRT, built 1937) and Strathmore (British, 23428 GRT, built 1935).

On departure from Port Said the convoy was escorted by the escort destroyers HMS Chiddingfold (Lt. T.M. Dorrien-Smith, RN), HMS Croome (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J.S. Lawrence, DSC, RNVR), HMS Exmoor (Lt. D.D. Howson, RN), HMS Tetcott (Lt. H.J. Watkins, RN) and HMS Wheatland (Lt. H.A. Corbett, DSC, RN).

Later on 21 June 1944 the damaged light cruiser HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) joined the convoy for passage to Gibraltar. She came from Alexandria together with the netlayer HMS Guardian (Capt.(Retd.) H.A.C. Lane, OBE, RN) which also joined the convoy for passage westwards to Djidjelli, Algeria [now called Jijel].

In the eastern Mediterranean the escort destroyer Quantock was also with the convoy for a while. [Further details currently unkown.]

Around noon on 25 June 1944 convoy SNF 25 coming from Naples merged with the convoy. Convoy SNF 25 had departed Naples on 24 June 1944 and was made up of the transports Hai Lee (Norwegian, 3616 GRT, built 1934), Orontes (British, 20097 GRT, built 1929) and Samaria (British, 19597 GRT, built 1921).

On departure from Naples this convoy was escorted by the escort carrier HMS Attacker (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, DSO, MVO, RAN), frigates HMS Bazely (Lt.Cdr. J.V. Brock, RCNVR), HMS Bentinck (Cdr. E.H. Chavasse, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Byard (A/Lt.Cdr. J.I. Jones, DSO, DSC, RNR), HMS Calder (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne, RNVR), HMS Drury (Lt.Cdr. N.J. Parker, RN), HMS Pasley (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Wright, RD, RNR) and the destroyer escort USS Frederick C. Davcis (Lt.Cdr. O.W. Goepner, USNR). This last ship served as jammer escort against German radio guided bombs.

The transport Hai Lee proceeded to Bizerta while the other two transports joined convoy MKF 32.

On 26 June, off Djidjelli, HMS Guardian was detached and later off Algiers the transport Champollion (French, 12263 GRT, built 1925) joined the convoy while HMS Attacker was detached.

On 27 June, off Oran the transport Monarch of Bermuda (British, 22424 GRT, built 1931) and the escort carrier HMS Hunter (Capt. H.H. McWilliam, RN) joined the convoy. They were escort from Oran to the rendezvous with convoy MKF 32 by the destroyers USS Knight (T/Cdr. J.C. Ford, Jr., USN) and USS Doran (T/Cdr. N.E. Smith, USN). USS Frederick C. Davis was detached to Mers-el-Kebir.

On 28 June, off Gibraltar the escort carrier HMS Hunter was detached as were the escort destroyers HMS Chiddingfold, HMS Croome, HMS Exmoor, HMS Tetcott and HMS Wheatland.

Also off Gibraltar the transports Felix Roussell (French, 17083 GRT, built 1930) and Tai Shan (Norwegian, 6962 GRT, built 1929) joined the convoy as did the escort carriers HMS Nairana (Capt. R.M.T. Taylor, RN), HMS Ravager (A/Capt. G.V.B. Faulkner, RN) and the AA ship HMCS Prince Robert (Cdr. A.M. Hope, RCN).

The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 4 July 1944.

27 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) parted company with convoy MKF 32 arrived at Gibraltar. (11)

29 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) departed Gibraltar for Norfolk, Virginia, USA. (11)

9 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) arrived at Norfolk, Virginia, USA. (12)

12 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
On completion of de-ammunitioning, HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN), is taken to the Norfolk Navy Yard where she is taken in hand for full damage repairs. (12)

24 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) is docked at the Norfolk Navy Yard. (12)

19 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) is undocked. (13)

23 Nov 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
With her repairs completed, HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN), proceeded from Norfolk to Chesapeake Bay. (14)

24 Nov 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) conducted compass swing trials in Chesapeake Bay. (14)

25 Nov 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) conducted gunnery trials in Chesapeake Bay. (14)

26 Nov 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) conducted trials and exercises in Chesapeake Bay. (14)

27 Nov 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) conducted exercises in Chesapeake Bay. (14)

28 Nov 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) departed Norfolk, Virginia, USA for the U.K. via the Azores. (14)

4 Dec 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) arrived at Horta, Azores. (15)

5 Dec 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) departed Horta, Azores for Portsmouth. (15)

8 Dec 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) arrived at Portsmouth where some equipment and armament modifications were to be carried out at the Portsmouth Dockyard. (15)

11 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) is docked at the Portsmouth Dockyard. (16)

12 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) is undocked. (16)

13 Jan 1945
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) departed Portsmouth for Scapa Flow via the east coast. (16)

14 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow to commence a work-up period. (16)

22 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) conducted torpedo firing and gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (16)

23 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. On completion of these D/F trials were carried out. (16)

24 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (16)

27 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) conducted rangefinding and inclination exercises off Scapa Flow. (16)

2 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (17)

5 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. (17)

6 Feb 1945
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) conducted torpedo firing exercises, oiling at sea exercises with the RFA tanker Blue Ranger (3417 GRT, built 1941), full speed trials and maneuvering exercises at Scapa Flow. (17)

8 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) conducted exercises with aircraft off Scapa Flow. These were followed by gunnery exercises. (17)

9 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Berwick (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, DSO, RN) and HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) conducted rangefinding and inclination exercises off Scapa Flow. Around noon the remainder of the exercises were cancelled and both cruisers returned to Scapa Flow. (18)

12 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) conducted AA gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. (17)

13 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) conducted torpedo firing and gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (17)

14 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Vice-Admiral F.H.G. Dalrymple-Hamilton, KCB, RN, hoisted his flag in HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN). (17)

17 Feb 1945
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral F.H.G. Dalrymple-Hamilton, KCB, RN) conducted gunnery exercises and radar trials off Scapa Flow. (17)

20 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral F.H.G. Dalrymple-Hamilton, KCB, RN) conducted a towing exercise with HMS Devonshire (Capt. G.M.B. Langley, OBE, RN). This exercise was followed by underway refuelling exercises with the RFA tanker Blue Ranger (3417 GRT, built 1941). On completion of these exercises HMS Birmingham returned to Scapa Flow where the flag of Vice-Admiral F.H.G. Dalrymple-Hamilton, KCB, RN, was transferred to HMS Dido (Capt. R.F. Elkins, OBE, RN). (19)

21 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (17)

23 Feb 1945
Vice-Admiral F.H.G. Dalrymple-Hamilton, KCB, RN, transferred his flag from HMS Dido (Capt. R.F. Elkins, OBE, RN) to HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN). (20)

24 Feb 1945
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral F.H.G. Dalrymple-Hamilton, KCB, RN) conducted gunnery exercises and full power trials off Scapa Flow. (17)

2 Mar 1945
HMS Norfolk (Capt. J.G.Y. Loveband, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.R. McGrigor, CB, DSO, RN), HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral F.H.G. Dalrymple-Hamilton, KCB, RN) and HMS Dido (Capt. R.F. Elkins, OBE, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (21)

6 Mar 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Vice-Admiral F.H.G. Dalrymple-Hamilton, KCB, RN, transferred his flag from HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) to HMS Diadem (Capt. E.G.A. Clifford, CB, RN). (22)

15 Mar 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. (23)

16 Mar 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) conducted a refuelling at sea exercises at Scapa Flow with HMCS Haida (A/Lt.Cdr. R.P. Welland, DSC, RCN). These were followed by gunnery exercises. On completion of the exercises HMS Birmingham made several runs over the D/G range. (23)

22 Mar 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) conducted torpedo firing exercises at Scapa Flow. These were following by depth charging exercises. Finally gunnery exercises were carried out. (23)

29 Mar 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. (23)

4 Apr 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 4/5 April 1945, HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN), conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. These included night exercises. (24)

6 Apr 1945

Operation Newmarket.

Air attacks on German submarine tenders at Kilbotn, Norway.

The escort carriers HMS Searcher (Capt. J.W. Grant, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.R. McGrigor, CB, DSO, RN), HMS Puncher (Capt. R.E.S. Bidwell, RCN), HMS Queen (A/Capt. K.J. D'Arcy, DSO, RN), HMS Trumpeter (A/Capt. K.S. Colquhoun, RN), light cruisers HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN), HMS Bellona (Capt. G.S. Tuck, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Onslow (Capt. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN), HMS Offa (Lt.Cdr. E.M. Thorpe, DSO, RN), HMS Scorpion (Cdr. C.W. McMullen, DSC, RN), HMS Scourge (Lt.Cdr. C.G.H. Brown, DSC, RN), HMS Zambesi (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Palmer, RN), HMS Zealous (Cdr. R.F. Jessel, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Zest (Lt.Cdr. R.B.N. Hicks, DSO, RN) and HMS Carysfort (Lt.Cdr. L.St.G. Rich, DSO and Bar, RN) departed Scapa Flow on 6 April 1945 to conduct air strikes against German submarine tenders off Kilbotn, Norway.

The operation however had to be cancelled due to the weather conditions rendering flying impossible. The ships remained in the area for about three days but weather did not improve.

The ships returned to Scapa Flow on 12 April 1945. (25)

17 Apr 1945

Operation Invective.

Anti-shipping sweep off the Norwegian coast between 58°06'N and 58°55'N. If no shipping was encountered during the sweep an enemy radar station in approximate position 58°37'N, 05°37'E was to be bombarded.

In the morning of the 17th the destroyers HMS Scorpion (Cdr. C.W. McMullen, DSC, RN), HMS Scourge (Lt.Cdr. C.G.H. Brown, DSC, RN), HMS Savage (Lt.Cdr. C.W. Malins, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Zambesi (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Palmer, RN) departed Scapa Flow to conduct this anti-shipping sweep cq. bombardment.

In the early evening of the 17th the light cruiser HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) departed Scapa Flow to provide cover for the destroyers during their return trip.

No shipping was sighted by the destroyers. Shore searchlights were then engaged instead.

All ships returned to Scapa Flow in the afternoon of the 18th. (25)

20 Apr 1945
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (24)

23 Apr 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. (24)

4 May 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) conducted speed trials on the measured mile at Scapa Flow. These were followed by gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. (26)

5 May 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the evening, HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Rosyth where she arrived the following morning. (26)

6 May 1945

Operation Cleaver.

Entry of a naval surface force into the Skagerrak and Kattegat.

The following forces took part in this operation;
' Force 5 ' which was made up of the light cruisers HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN), HMS Dido (Capt. R.F. Elkins, OBE, RN) and the destroyers HMS Zephyr (Capt. J.H. Allison, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Zealous (Cdr. R.F. Jessel, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Zest (Lt.Cdr. R.B.N. Hicks, DSO, RN) and HMS Zodiac (Lt.Cdr. H.R. Rycroft, DSC, RN).
This force departed Rosyth in the evening of the 6th.

' Force 6 ' which was made up of the heavy cruiser HMS Norfolk (Capt. J.G.Y. Loveband, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral R.R. McGrigor, CB, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Scourge (Lt.Cdr. C.G.H. Brown, DSC, RN, with Capt. P.G.L. Cazalet, DSC, RN on board), HMS Savage (Lt.Cdr. C.W. Malins, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Obedient (Lt.Cdr. H. Kirkwood, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Offa (Lt.Cdr. E.M. Thorpe, DSO, RN), HMS Opportune (Cdr. R.E.D. Ryder, VC, RN), HMS Zambesi (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Palmer, RN) and HMS Carysfort (Lt.Cdr. L.St.G. Rich, DSO and Bar, RN). This force departed Scapa flow early the 7th except to joined the escort carriers HMS Queen (A/Capt. K.J. D'Arcy, DSO, RN), HMS Searcher (Capt. J.W. Grant, DSO, RN), HMS Trumpeter (A/Capt. K.S. Colquhoun, RN) which had still been at sea after operation Judgement together with the escort carrier HMS Campania (Capt. C.B. Alers-Hankey, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMS Obdurate (Lt.Cdr. R.D. Franks, DSO, DSC, OBE, RN), HNoMS Stord (Lt.Cdr. H. Øi) and ORP Piorun (Lt.Cdr. J. Tchorznicki, ORP). The cruisers and the destroyers joined the escort carriers around 1000B/7.

HMS Campania, HMS Obdurate, HNoMS Stord and ORP Piorun then parted company.

And the 40th Minesweeping Flotilla made up of HMS Catharine (Cdr. Kenneth Hillam Fraser, RN), 6541 HMS Cynthia (T/A/Lt.Cdr. C.L. Chatwin, RNVR), HMS Elfreda (T/A/Lt.Cdr. L. Jolly, RNVR), HMS Grecian (T/A/Cdr. C.R. Fraser, DSC and Bar, RNR) and HMS Gazelle (Lt.Cdr. J.D. Sutcliffe, RN), HMS Maenad (Cdr. C.E. Duggan, RD, RNR), HMS Steadfast (T/A/Lt. A.H. Hall, RNVR) and HMS Tattoo (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) F.G. Rogers, RD, RNR). They departed Rosyth of the 6th.

Force 5 and the 40th M/S Flotilla arrived at Copenhagen, Denmark on 9 May. The 40th M/S Flotilla swept Force 5 through the minefields.

Force 6 returned to Scapa Flow on 10 May. (25)

6 May 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)

Operation Cleaver.

Entry of a naval surface force into the Skagerrak and Kattegat.

The following forces took part in this operation;
' Force 5 ' which was made up of the light cruisers HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN), HMS Dido (Capt. R.F. Elkins, OBE, RN) and the destroyers HMS Zephyr (Capt. J.H. Allison, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Zealous (Cdr. R.F. Jessel, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Zest (Lt.Cdr. R.B.N. Hicks, DSO, RN) and HMS Zodiac (Lt.Cdr. H.R. Rycroft, DSC, RN).
This force departed Rosyth in the evening of the 6th.

' Force 6 ' which was made up of the heavy cruiser HMS Norfolk (Capt. J.G.Y. Loveband, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.R. McGrigor, CB, DSO, RN), escort carriers HMS Queen (A/Capt. K.J. D'Arcy, DSO, RN), HMS Searcher (Capt. J.W. Grant, DSO, RN), HMS Trumpeter (A/Capt. K.S. Colquhoun, RN) and the destroyers HMS Scourge (Lt.Cdr. C.G.H. Brown, DSC, RN, with Capt. P.G.L. Cazalet, DSC, RN on board), HMS Savage (Lt.Cdr. C.W. Malins, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Obedient (Lt.Cdr. H. Kirkwood, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Offa (Lt.Cdr. E.M. Thorpe, DSO, RN), HMS Opportune (Cdr. R.E.D. Ryder, VC, RN), HMS Zambesi (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Palmer, RN) and HMS Carysfort (Lt.Cdr. L.St.G. Rich, DSO and Bar, RN). This force departed Scapa flow on the 6th.

And the 40th Minesweeping Flotilla made up of HMS Catharine (Cdr. Kenneth Hillam Fraser, RN), 6541 HMS Cynthia (T/A/Lt.Cdr. C.L. Chatwin, RNVR), HMS Elfreda (T/A/Lt.Cdr. L. Jolly, RNVR), HMS Grecian (T/A/Cdr. C.R. Fraser, DSC and Bar, RNR) and HMS Gazelle (Lt.Cdr. J.D. Sutcliffe, RN), HMS Maenad (Cdr. C.E. Duggan, RD, RNR), HMS Steadfast (T/A/Lt. A.H. Hall, RNVR) and HMS Tattoo (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) F.G. Rogers, RD, RNR). They departed Rosyth of the 6th.

Force 5 arrived at Copenhagen, Denmark on 9 May. The 40th M/S Flotilla had swept Force 5 through the minefields.

Force 6 returned to Scapa Flow on 10 May. (25)

20 May 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN), HMS Zephyr (Capt. J.H. Allison, DSO and Bar, RN) and HMS Zest (Lt.Cdr. R.B.N. Hicks, DSO, RN) departed Copenhagen for Rosyth. (27)

21 May 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN), HMS Zephyr (Capt. J.H. Allison, DSO and Bar, RN) and HMS Zest (Lt.Cdr. R.B.N. Hicks, DSO, RN) arrived at Rosyth from Copenhagen. (27)

22 May 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Rear-Admiral A.E.M.B. Cunninghame-Graham, CBE, RN transferred his flag from HMS Belfast (Capt. R.M. Dick, CBE, DSC, RN) to HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN). (28)

23 May 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.E.M.B. Cunninghame-Graham, CBE, RN) departed Rosyth for Bergen, Norway. (27)

24 May 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.E.M.B. Cunninghame-Graham, CBE, RN) arrived at Bergen, Norway from Rosyth. (27)

1 Jun 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.E.M.B. Cunninghame-Graham, CBE, RN) departed Bergen for Rosyth via Lerwick. (29)

2 Jun 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.E.M.B. Cunninghame-Graham, CBE, RN) made a stop at Lerwick where she fuelled before leaving for Rosyth later the same day. (29)

3 Jun 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.E.M.B. Cunninghame-Graham, CBE, RN) arrived at Rosyth. (29)

11 Jun 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.E.M.B. Cunninghame-Graham, CBE, RN) departed Rosyth for Portsmouth to give leave to her crew. (29)

12 Jun 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.E.M.B. Cunninghame-Graham, CBE, RN) arrived at Portsmouth. (29)

25 Jun 1945
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.E.M.B. Cunninghame-Graham, CBE, RN) is docked in No.15 Dock at the Portsmouth Dockyard.

She actually had entered the dock on 23 June 1945 but the dock was only pumped out on the 25th. (30)

11 Jul 1945
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.E.M.B. Cunninghame-Graham, CBE, RN) was undocked. She then departed Portsmouth for Plymouth. (29)

12 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.E.M.B. Cunninghame-Graham, CBE, RN) arrived at Plymouth. (29)

14 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The light cruiser HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.E.M.B. Cunninghame-Graham, CBE, RN) and the destroyers HMS Serapis (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN), HMS Obdurate (Lt.Cdr. R.D. Franks, DSO, DSC, OBE, RN), HMS Obedient (Lt.Cdr. H. Kirkwood, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Zealous (Cdr. R.F. Jessel, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Zephyr (Lt.Cdr. C.R. Purse, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Zodiac (Lt.Cdr. H.R. Rycroft, DSC, RN) departed Plymouth to make rendezvous with the US Heavy cruiser USS Augusta (T/Capt. J.H. Foskett, USN) and the light cruiser USS Philadelphia (T/Capt. R.L. Boller, USN). On board the USS Augusta was President Truman which was en-route to Antwerp, Belgium.

Rendezvous was made in the morning and the ships then proceeded in company westwards through the English Channel.

In the early evening the British ships parted company near the North Goodwin Buoy. Shortly aftewards the escort destroyers HMS Garth (Capt. W.G. Davis, DSC, RN), HMS Hambledon (Lt. C.G.deL. Bush, RN) and HMS Holderness (A/Lt.Cdr. P.F. Cole, DSC, RN) joined the US ships to escort them to Antwerp where they arrived in the morning of the 15th. (31)

16 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.E.M.B. Cunninghame-Graham, CBE, RN) and HMS Obedient (Lt.Cdr. H. Kirkwood, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow. (32)

20 Jul 1945
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.E.M.B. Cunninghame-Graham, CBE, RN), HMS Glasgow (Capt. C.P. Clarke, DSO, RN) and HMS Bellona (Capt. G.S. Tuck, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (33)

23 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.E.M.B. Cunninghame-Graham, CBE, RN) departed Scapa Flow to proceed to Llandudno. HMS Birmingham is to conduct radar trials in Beaumaris Bay. (34)

24 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.E.M.B. Cunninghame-Graham, CBE, RN) conducted radar trials in Beaumaris Bay before she anchored off Llandudno for the night. (34)

25 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.E.M.B. Cunninghame-Graham, CBE, RN) conducted radar trials in Beaumaris Bay before she anchored off Llandudno for the night. (34)

26 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.E.M.B. Cunninghame-Graham, CBE, RN) conducted radar trials in Beaumaris Bay before she anchored off Llandudno for the night. (34)

27 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.E.M.B. Cunninghame-Graham, CBE, RN) conducted radar trials in Beaumaris Bay before she anchored off Llandudno for the night. (34)

28 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.E.M.B. Cunninghame-Graham, CBE, RN) conducted radar trials in Beaumaris Bay before she anchored off Llandudno for the night. (34)

30 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.E.M.B. Cunninghame-Graham, CBE, RN) conducted radar trials in Beaumaris Bay before she anchored off Llandudno for the night. (34)

31 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.E.M.B. Cunninghame-Graham, CBE, RN) departed Llandudno for Greenock. (34)

1 Aug 1945
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.E.M.B. Cunninghame-Graham, CBE, RN) arrived at Greenock. (35)

6 Aug 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.E.M.B. Cunninghame-Graham, CBE, RN) conducted bombardment exercises off Catacol Bay, Isle of Arran. (35)

8 Aug 1945
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.E.M.B. Cunninghame-Graham, CBE, RN) conducted bombardment exercises off Catacol Bay, Isle of Arran. On completion of these exercises speed trials were carried out on the Arran measured mile before HMS Birmingham proceeded to Greenock. Rear-Admiral Cunninghame-Graham and his staff then most likely left HMS Birmingham as he hoisted his flag in HMS Bellona (Capt. G.S. Tuck, DSO, RN) at Rosyth on 10 August 1945. (35)

14 Aug 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) conducted underway refuelling trials / exercises in the Clyde area with the RFA tanker Broomdale (8334 GRT, built 1937). (35)

18 Aug 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) departed Greenock for Golspie. (35)

19 Aug 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) anchored off Golspie. (35)

20 Aug 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) conducted radar guided gunnery trials off Golspie. (35)

21 Aug 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) conducted radar guided gunnery trials off Golspie. (35)

23 Aug 1945
HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) proceeded from Golspie to Rosyth. En-route a full power trial was carried out.

HMS Birmingham remained in Home waters until 1948. (35)

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