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Canadian Military History

Volume 19 Issue 3 Article 2

2010

Battle Honours Won HMS Nabob, 1944

Shawn Cafferky

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Recommended Citation Shawn Cafferky "Battle Honours Won HMS Nabob, 1944." Canadian Military History 19, 3 (2010)

This Article is brought to you for free and open access by Scholars Commons @ Laurier. It has been accepted for inclusion in Canadian Military History by an authorized editor of Scholars Commons @ Laurier. For more information, please contact [email protected]. : Battle Honours Won HMS Nabob, 1944 Battle Honours Won HMS Nabob, 1944

Shawn Cafferky

he genesis of Canadian naval resulted in their withdrawal from the aviation can be traced to the Abstract: The transatlantic run in early months of T provided much of the crew for the difficulties the Royal Canadian Navy that year for upgrades in equipment British escort carrier HMS Nabob, (RCN) encountered in its battle both to relieve a manpower shortage and training. In fact, the British for the convoys during 1942. The in the and to give Canadian surface groups that replaced them shortcomings of the service’s modest, personnel experience in operating had equal difficulty against the hastily constructed and ill-equipped aircraft carriers. Nabob’s Canadian massed U-boat “packs” in the central crew achieved these goals. They escorts sharpened the naval staff’s ocean, underscoring the need for operated the ship in two major British determination to develop a fleet fleet actions, and through outstanding escort carrier support, especially in of substantial , in which damage control saved the ship after the “air gap” south of Greenland that aircraft carriers would be an essential she was severely damaged by a U-boat was beyond the range of most land- element. The birth of the RCN’s air attack. based . arm came about as a result of the The origin of the escort carrier was efforts of a handful of Canadian was over. This was no way to build a a response to the initial deployment officers who recognized the value of service that would endure in the post- of U-boats in large groups or “packs,” naval air power to the prosecution war period. The Navy wanted bigger and the use by the Germans of of the war.1 and more diverse ships that together long-range air reconnaissance, in During the Second World War would make a “balanced” fleet late 1940 and 1941 in order to catch anti- operations became capable of carrying out a wide range convoys far out at sea, beyond the a top Allied priority demanding of operations, either independently or reach of the bulk of the surface and massive resources that had been as a significant component of an allied air escort forces then available. By entirely unanticipated prior to 1940. combination. It was for this reason December 1941, the Royal Navy In less than three years the RCN, that during the war the RCN, even (RN) had a modest force of four which had only 3,500 personnel while rushing large numbers of anti- armoured and four unarmoured and six ocean-going warships in submarine escorts into service, also aircraft carriers, and only one more September 1939, mushroomed in exerted generally effective pressure of each was expected to be completed size to fill this gap in British and on the government to acquire larger, by 1946. This was something like American preparations and became more sophisticated warships such as the bare minimum or less needed a major ocean-going fleet. However, Tribal-class , , and for operations by the main fleet. In most of the Navy’s more than two aircraft carriers.2 order to provide air support for trade hundred ocean-going anti-submarine The importance of naval air convoys, and also for amphibious escorts were emergency-built, single- power was driven home by the operations to land army forces – purpose types, whose designs success of the Royal and US Navy’s another new requirement that could incorporated many compromises specialized anti-submarine escort not have been foreseen prior to the for quick construction; they were, in aircraft carriers against German defeat of in 1940 and Britain’s fact, intended for early disposal from U-boats in 1943 soon after the poor ejection from continental Europe – it military service as soon as the war showing of Canadian escort groups was estimated that the RN needed

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Cafferky - HMS Nabob.indd 3 9/27/2010 11:09:10 AM Canadian Military History, Vol. 19 [2010], Iss. 3, Art. 2 HMS Nabob – a Royal Navy escort carrier crewed largely by Canadian personnel. Canadian War Museum (CWM) 19900321-016 Canadian War

34 additional carriers as soon as escorts, and recognized as a matter with Admiralty officials. With possible. To make up the shortfall full partner in the Atlantic battle. the information Creery obtained, the in numbers it was necessary to Equally important in progress staff in Ottawa agreed that Canada convert large merchant ships, built or of Canadian plans for would follow Britain’s lead and building, by installing a flying deck was Britain’s manpower crisis, which reduce both the and on top of the hull. In the event, the paved the way for the RCN to crew construction programs in order shipbuilding program undertaken by British escort carriers. Soon after the to release personnel for manning the US to supply merchant ships to Atlantic Conference, and additional RN warships. The specific Britain under “Lend-Lease” proved sooner than anyone had expected, proposals called for the RCN to take to be the major source of hulls for the the worst crisis in the Atlantic over ten and two escort RN’s escort carriers.3 passed. On 30 October 1943, the carriers.5 The RCN took the first tentative Admiralty announced its intention HMS Nabob6 (CVE 41 – the former steps toward the establishment of its to cut down its escort building USS Edisto Bay), the first carrier own naval air branch in early 1943, program. Soon after, Sir slated for crewing by the RCN, when Rear-Admiral G.C. Jones, Andrew Cunningham, first sea lord, was commissioned into the Royal vice-chief of the naval staff, advised appealed to the Canadian chief of the Navy on 7 September 1943, as she the chief of the naval staff (CNS), naval staff for additional assistance lay alongside the fitting-out wharf Vice-Admiral P.W. Nelles, that both with manning beyond what had of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding the director of operations division, been already agreed at the first Company at Seattle, Washington. H.N. Lay, and the director of Quebec Conference in August 1943 Having completed with stores, and plans division, Captain H.G. DeWolf, (the latter was a summit between manned by a skeleton Royal Navy “should examine and report on what President Franklin Roosevelt and crew, Nabob steamed to Vancouver, practical steps the Royal Canadian Prime Minister , British Columbia, for modification to Navy can take in this matter.”4 during which the Canadian services Royal Navy standards. On 15 October Further impetus came from the allied took the opportunity to liaise with 1943, Captain H.N. Lay, RCN, took Atlantic Convoy Conference held in senior British and American staffs). command and Canadian personnel Washington in March 1943 to find Before responding to the Admiralty’s began to join the ship. means of countering the success of request, Naval Service Headquarters The work carried out at Vancouver the mid-ocean U-boat operations. (NSHQ) sent Captain W.B. Creery, on Nabob and other American-built The conference underscored the assistant chief of the naval staff escort carriers delivered to the RN importance of air support to surface (ACNS), to to discuss the was the result of contention between

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the two senior allied navies. On of these latter modifications would involved in this further conversion, 27 March 1943 the escort carrier play an important role in saving HMS which included the installation of HMS Dasher sank with heavy loss Nabob as we shall see later. an operational telephone system, a of life as the result of an explosion Finally, American-built escort new briefing room, an army plot, below decks as 891 Squadron’s carriers had their flight decks extra cabins and bunks, was done aircraft were being lengthened by 42 feet to operate the following spring, in April 1944, in refuelled. The Admiralty board of British aircraft “which could not use the by the Caledon enquiry attributed the explosion to the American catapults and perhaps, Shipbuilding Company at Dundee.11 a leaking valve, badly sited below like the Swordfish, needed a longer By 28 December 1943, the a mess deck in the petrol control take-off run when fully loaded than Canadian portion of HMS Nabob’s department, which was touched off the original deck provided.”10 complement had all joined the by a carelessly dropped cigarette. The RCN was particularly carrier.12 Early in January of 1944, The RN blamed American safety anxious to man the two British Nabob embarked fuel, ammunition Canadian War Museum (CWM) 19900321-016 Canadian War arrangements which were, they said, escort carriers as quickly as possible. and stores in preparation for her “by our standards practically non- In an effort to reduce the delays working up trials scheduled for 12 existent.” American experts blamed in the conversion program the January. The trials proceed smoothly British inexperience with the fuel Canadian government offered “to until 25 January when the carrier ran safety arrangement, in which carbon- do the anglicizing modifications at aground near the mouth of the Fraser dioxide was pumped through the their own expense,” and placed the River, in the Strait of Georgia, while system to purge it. Regardless, “the work with the shipbuilding firm of steaming at full speed into the wind obvious presence of persistent and Burrard Drydock and Shipbuilding as she prepared to land on the first widespread petrol vapour below Company in Vancouver. The of the Grumman Avenger decks was a feature of these early alterations carried out by Burrards of the Royal Navy’s 805 ships and was well-known to those did not include the modifications to Squadron. The aircraft was hurriedly on board who took it for granted enable the ship also to serve as an waved off, and frantic efforts were that a torpedo hit would explode assault carrier in support of landing made to refloat the ship by going the petrol and blow their ‘floating operations. The extensive work full astern for a period of five to petrol can’ apart instantly. The ten minutes, but to no avail.13 A volatile high octane was carried number of vessels were soon on in compartments not designed for the scene to render assistance, it...”7 Consequently, the Admiralty including another escort carrier, decided that fuel storage would HMS Ranee, and HMC Ships be reduced to about a quarter Armentieres and Haro. The first (22,500 gallons) of that originally attempt to pull Nabob off the provided and that the standard sandbank was made at high water

fleet-carrier system of separate CWM 19920085-1043 on the morning of 26 January, with cylindrical gasoline tanks would Ranee secured astern, Armentieres be fitted into its escort carriers.8 on the starboard quarter, and Haro Other modifications included on the port. The operation failed. adding another 1,200 to 2,000 tons A second attempt was made later of ballast to increase stability. The that day after the carrier had been Admiralty did not countenance lightened by pumping out some the American method of achieving 300 tons of oil fuel and 700 tons stability by pumping salt water of salt water from the fuel tanks. into empty fuel tanks. In addition It too failed.14 to the extra ballast added to each After two days, Nabob had escort carrier, buoyancy drums been lightened by some 3,202 were fitted over the ballast in the tons; dredging operations had wing deep tanks to reduce the list been completed and with the after a torpedo hit; the Admiralty assistance of two tugs she was also originated the system of As the director of the Royal Canadian finally refloated. Once clear of bomb-magazine wing bulkheads, Navy’s operations division Captain Horatio the sandbank the carrier shaped Nelson Lay, RCN, helped to shape the RCN’s keeping weapons more than ten to establishment of a naval air branch and a course under her own power 15 feet from the ship’s side.9 Both would later command HMS Nabob. for Burrard Drydock located in

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Above: HMS Nabob photographed on the morning of 25 January 1944 making good speed through the Strait of Georgia. Below: Later that day Nabob ran hard aground on Roberts Bank at the mouth of the Fraser River south of Vancouver, British Columbia. The LAC PA 189572 PA LAC carrier had been steaming at full speed into the wind as it prepared to take on board the Grumman Avengers of 805 Squadron. In the background can be seen another escort carrier, HMS Ranee, which was sent to help. Nabob was finally refloated after two days of effort. Left: A Grumman Avenger torpedo from HMS Nabob. CWM 19900321-017

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North Vancouver for an examination could not undertake the passage sailors. The greatest area of friction of her hull. Fortunately, no damage and Nabob was ordered to proceed was the differing scale of victualling had been sustained as a result of the independently. Three days out the between Royal Navy and Royal grounding, and the re-embarkation Halifax-bound frigate HMCS New Canadian Navy standards. The of stores began again. Nabob departed Waterford joined as plane guard, and general messing standards in the Burrard drydock on 1 February 1944, the two ships passed through the RN were considerably lower, both resumed work-ups for the next few Panama Canal. On the next leg of the in quantity and quality, a fact which days, and on 7 February sailed for San voyage Nabob maintained an anti- caused morale problems amongst Francisco and active duty.15 submarine patrol as U-boats had been the ship’s company. Compounding Upon arrival at San Francisco reported in the area. Having detached the problem was the lack of adequate the Royal Navy’s 852 Squadron of 12 the frigate for Halifax, Nabob secured facilities – recreational, shower, and Grumman Avenger bombing aircraft in Norfolk on 8 March for a short refit. mess deck space – and problems was embarked by crane.16 Aircrew The carrier remained in the Norfolk of overcrowding. In addition, RN

Library and Archives Canada (LAC) PA 133494 PA Canada (LAC) Library and Archives and maintenance personnel – all Navy Yard for ten days undergoing ratings were paid at a lower rate than Royal Navy – also joined at that time. repairs to the echo sounder, an their counterparts in the Canadian Nabob was now fully manned. The ammeter on the diesel switchboard navy. All of these factors reduced crew, with the squadrons embarked, and the replacement of the screw both efficiency and morale.20 Captain comprised 504 RCN who were which had been whistling – probably Lay had been requesting assistance mainly responsible for operating due to cavitation. In addition, three since December 1943, but to no the ship, and 327 RN, and nine damaged Avenger aircraft were avail. He therefore recommended Royal Navy personnel, replaced by three new machines.18 that “victualling for the whole ship who mainly comprised the aviation While the carrier was undergoing should be based on the RCN scale, organization. In mid-February, the repairs, Lay paid a visit to the if necessary becoming a Canadian carrier set sail for San Diego the next British Admiralty Maintenance commitment; that all allowances for port of call, with the US Representative in Washington, D.C., RCN personnel should be at Canadian Ballard acting as plane guard and the and to Naval Service Headquarters rates and that all RN ratings should K-115 providing air support in Ottawa, in order to rectify certain receive the difference of pay between for the passage. While en route Nabob problems of pay and amenities RN and RCN rates, if necessary this carried out flying trials. The first day that were undermining the ship’s being a commitment of the Canadian of exercises was marred by the loss company’s morale. 19 From the navy.”21 He also requested that the of one aircraft which ditched into date of Nabob’s commissioning her ship be known as HMCS Nabob. This the sea after take-off. Fortunately, complement had been a mixed last recommendation, unfortunately, the airship was quick to respond and company of British and Canadian was not acted upon. dropped an inflatable life raft for the pilot, who was subsequently picked up by Ballard’s motor boat.17 Two days later, on 17 February 1944, the carrier berthed at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, and for the next three days conducted local exercises.

Her exercises were cut short when CWM 20020135-174_3 a signal was received ordering the CWM 19900321-017 carrier to rendezvous with the escort carrier HMS Empress and proceed to Norfolk, Virginia. However, owing to mechanical difficulties, Empress

An Avenger lands on the deck of HMS Nabob.

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The Admiralty was quite The convoy consisted of 26 ships, recognition at HMS Queen Charlotte, anxious to resolve the problems. As under a strong escort of 12 destroyers damage control, fire fighting, fighter the director of personnel services and the escort oiler USS Chemig direction (at Yeovilton), and a observed: “if Canada had not come led by the US Cincinnati in plotting course (at HMS Dryad). to the rescue over Nabob and Puncher which sailed Captain D.F. Worth, In addition, the personnel of 852 [the second carrier that the RCN USN, task force 68 and Squadron carried out courses and would crew, which commissioned senior officer of the escort. With exercises at the Machrihanish air 168394 PA LAC in February 1944], the manning Nabob’s squadron struck below she station. Nabob was also paid several situation would have been far more was non-operational and took up a ceremonial visits, including one by difficult. I hope, therefore, that a position in the convoy. The passage Vice-Admiral P.W. Nelles, who was way can be found to get round the was uneventful except for two days now senior Canadian messing and pay difficulties.”22 when a gale forced the convoy to (overseas) on 21 April 1944. Admiral There were those who felt that alter course for a short period. Several Sir Max Horton, commander-in-chief, if the situation was not rectified asdic and high-frequency direction- , later paid an the whole project of Canadians finding contacts by the escorts did not informal visit. manning escort carriers might have turn up any U-boats. During the week 9 to 16 June, to be abandoned. As a result of Lay’s When Nabob reached Liverpool as Nabob neared completion, she efforts and ongoing negotiations in northern on 5 April, she embarked stores and ammunition, between NSHQ, the British Admiralty made several unsuccessful attempts fuelled, and the crew throughly Maintenance Representative, and the to dock in fog. With assistance of tugs, cleaned ship. On 17 June, eight days Admiralty, a signal was sent on 6 she was then able to secure alongside behind schedule, Nabob prepared for April 1944, stating that: Gladstone Dock and disembark an intensive work-up program which the American . The lasted until the end of July. Most of the (a) All personnel other than following day, she proceeded to work-ups were conducted from the to be paid pay and Greenock, Scotland. During that Clyde and Belfast, Northern , allowances at Canadian rates. passage, seven Avengers from 852 and included catapult trials, flying Royal Navy personnel regarded Squadron were launched and flown exercises, high angle 40 mm Bofors on loan to Royal Canadian Navy. to the RN air station at Machrihanish. shoot, high-frequency direction- (b) S c a l e a n d s y s t e m o f The remainder of the squadron’s finding calibration and navigation victualling in Nabob as in Royal aircraft were catapulted off while the exercises. In addition, she conducted Canadian Navy. carrier was anchored at the Tail-of- anti-submarine detection exercises (c) (a) and (b) to be charged to the-Bank, Greenock, and joined the with the training ship HMS Philante, Royal Canadian Navy effective 15 rest of the squadron at Machrihanish. anti-submarine patrols, night deck March 1944.23 Nabob then returned to Liverpool landings, and oiling at sea with the for further modifications and refit, RN frigate Bamborough Castle.25 Nabob sailed for New York on which began immediately upon Poor weather continued to plague 18 March 1944, with a much more her arrival on 17 April. The work, the carrier’s program. According to contented ship’s company as a result undertaken by Messrs. Harland Captain Lay, “out of the 17 nights of the new agreement. Once again 852 and Woolf, included the completion allocated for night flying the entire Squadron was given the opportunity of her , installation of programme had to be cancelled on six to conduct flying exercises and anti- wireless, high-frequency direction- nights and curtailed on three others. submarine patrols while en route. finding equipment, and as As regards day flying, out of the 18 The following day the carrier arrived well as construction of an aircraft days allocated [the] full programme in New York and secured alongside direction room, the replacement of took place on only nine days and No.13 Pier at Staten Island where the all 20 Mark IV Oerlikon mountings was curtailed on four.” To make squadron’s 12 aircraft were struck on the forecastle and flight deck, matters worse, Nabob was beset with below in the to make room for the replacement of six Mark IV mechanical difficulties. On 8 July 45 P-51 Mustang fighters which were Oerlikon mountings on the lower problems with the main feed pump embarked and lashed securely on sponsons with Mark VII mountings, for the engine forced her to return to the flight deck for transportation to and completion of the darkened ship Greenock until 14 July. On 24 July the Great Britain. With the preparations arrangements.24 main circulating pump began acting complete, Nabob sailed on 23 March Every opportunity was taken up and forced the carrier to return to with convoy UT 10 bound for the to send officers and ratings ashore the Naval Air Wharf, Belfast, to effect United Kingdom. for courses. These included aircraft repairs until 28 July.

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Church parade on the flight deck of HMS Nabob, January 1944.

Despite these problems there ship while she was being modified known. This blunt assessment seems had been a marked improvement and who might have compensated for to have encouraged the crew in in the ship’s morale ever since she the executive officers’ weakness left harder training under Stephens, the had left Norfolk. Nevertheless, in ship shortly after the RCN personnel new commander (flying).30 Captain Lay’s opinion, “the squadron arrived.29 In July another 28 ratings The gunnery crews were also and ship’s air staff personnel [had] (17 RN and 11 RCN) were discharged having some problems. On 14 July, not produced a smooth running by the Admiralty and NSHQ while for example, one Oerlikon gunnery organization, and as a result there 16 RN and 32 RCN ratings joined crew shot away four wireless aerials [had] been too many delays in take- the ship. The appointment of a new during the first round. The crews offs, too many unserviceable aircraft, commander (flying), Lieutenant- also experienced a power failure and too many failures in armament.”26 Commander H.J.H. Stephens, just two minutes before the first This did not bode well for the future. RN, would, it was hoped (by the round was due to commence. As a One source of difficulty was the high Admiralty and Lay), address the result, Oerlikon firings were layed turnover in officers and ratings. problems on the air side at least. and trained by hand. The Bofors In the first six months of Nabob’s Lay’s impression of the air side was firings were obstructed by ships commission “seventy-one officers confirmed by the flag officer carrier and aircraft, and some groups – no.2 exclusive of air squadron personnel training, Vice-Admiral Sir Arthur and no.5 – were not able to fire as joined the ship. The total officer L. St. G. Lyster, who after visiting many rounds as the other crews. complement was forty-one and had Nabob on 21 July 1944 reported to Despite these particular problems already been completely turned over the Admiralty that he “was not at all the performance of the crews was by the substitution of Canadian for satisfied with [the ship’s company’s] considered satisfactory.31 British officers.”27 These frequent progress. [The] state of serviceability Nabob’s training program ended changes in personnel did nothing for of aircraft, functioning of weapons on 30 July 1944, when she returned the morale or the operating efficiency and depth charges were all below to the Tail-of-the-Bank, off Greenock. of the ship’s company. In fact, Lay an acceptable standard for an The following day, the escort carrier had to get rid of two executive operational carrier.” Following his left the Scottish anchorage in company officers and he regarded the third as inspection of the ship Admiral Lyster with a sister ship, HMS Trumpeter, “inefficient.”28 As well, a number of had the opportunity to address the in preparation for operational the key RN officers who stood by the ship’s company and make his feelings duties. On passing the boom gate

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An Avenger lands on board an escort carrier.

and eastern ocean under Western Approaches Command, which had the necessary facilities. More important, the Admiralty was faced with the following commitments: maintenance of the offensive in the

CWM e-19910238-685 until the German U-boats abandoned their attempts to interfere with ; provision of escorts for the Russian convoys, and reorganization of the ocean escort groups in order to permit a reduction in the size of at both ships joined support .34 Subsequent to the trans-Atlantic convoys during the Home Fleet and were placed Lay’s request, NSHQ informed the the forthcoming winter.37 From the under the administrative orders Admiralty that six frigates were British perspective, the Admiralty of Rear-Admiral R.R. McGrigor, working up at and would “could not afford the manning commanding First Cruiser Squadron. be ready for operations at the end of of a support group chasing the Canadian naval authorities had July. The frigates were to be used as a odd U-boat on the west side of the hoped that Nabob would be operating support force in the Western Atlantic Atlantic”38 regardless of the group’s in support of the Canadian escort under the operational control of value in the future. The disposition of groups assigned to the Mid-Ocean the commander-in-chief, Canadian German U-boats warranted Nabob’s Escort Force in the North Atlantic. Northwest Atlantic, Rear-Admiral stationing in British home waters, There was every indication that this L.W. Murray, RCN, at Halifax. and the Admiralty did not take kindly would be the case. During the course In order to complete the support to Canadian attempts to assert their of her work-up program she had group Naval Service Headquarters autonomy in operational matters, carried out anti-submarine detection requested that Nabob be placed despite the fact that Canada was in exercises as well as air support group under the operational control of charge of an alliance operational exercises in preparation for trade Canadian authorities.35 (Lay had theatre of war, the Canadian protection duties. As early as April proposed something similar as early Northwest Atlantic area, for the 1944, Nabob had been designated as January 1943 when he was the first time in its history. This attitude for trade escort duties under the director of the operations division. was perhaps best illustrated by an orders of the commander-in-chief, In his memorandum to the vice- unidentified British officer who Western Approaches.32 Admiral chief and chief of the naval staff, Lay asserted, “I do not like Naval Service Nelles, following his visit to the pointed out that “if the RCN wished Headquarters proposal [to place an ship, reported that Captain Lay had to provide adequate escort for mid- escort carrier under the operational been informed by the flag officer ocean convoys, [it] must have, and be control of the commander-in-chief, carrier training that “Nabob would able to man,…aircraft carriers for at Canadian Northwest Atlantic] be allocated to the North Atlantic least its mid-ocean groups.”36) because it implies the intention to convoy protection service, [although] In the event, circumstances operate the group independently.”39 it seem[ed] probable that the ship prevented Nabob from seeing service As late as 11 July, the Admiralty was [would] operate in conjunction with a Canadian support group. still not certain whether Nabob would with support ships, and [would] be Firstly, the operation of a carrier be stationed in the Mediterranean or based in a United Kingdom port.”33 group under Canadian control in the with the Home Fleet. However, by 22 Two months later, on 19 June 1944, western Atlantic would require new July, the Admiralty was requesting Lay proposed that a group of five supporting base facilities at Halifax, that the support group operate either Canadian destroyers or frigates be whose existing facilities were already with the North Russian convoys or allocated to form, with Nabob, the over-taxed. That was an argument for in the English Channel. As Nabob first Royal Canadian Navy carrier the group to operate in the central was still a British ship, Canada

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was obliged to acquiesce to British aircraft batteries and radar stations, and three Seafires from Indefatigable. requests. while a group of Supermarine Seafires Operation Offspring was the largest Nabob arrived at Scapa Flow, the attacked Gossen airfield nearby. The Home minelaying main base of the British Home Fleet Grumman Wildcat fighters from operation of the war. in the Orkney Islands to the north Nabob would provide top-cover On completion of the operation, of Scotland, on 1 August 1944. She (combat air patrol) for the fleet Nabob and Trumpeter were detached spent the next eight days preparing throughout the entire operation.42 from Force 4 at 1900 hours on 11 for operations, including two days On 10 August 1944, the force August 1944, in Pentalyn Firth and of flying training in the practice area reached the flying-off position but ordered to proceed to Rosyth, to west of the Orkneys in company with could not launch the aircraft until embark a special type of mine which one of the British fleet destroyers 1300 hours because of poor weather. was to be used in their next sortie taken over by the RCN, HMCS The first attack nevertheless caught with the Home Fleet.45 Both ships Algonquin. The impending Operation the Germans totally off guard. then weighed anchor shortly after Offspring was designed to force “Six Messerschmidt 110’s were midnight on 13 August, bound German shipping – both merchant destroyed on the ground at Gossen for Scapa Flow. From 14 August and naval – out of the Norwegian airfield, hangers and warehouses, through 17 August, the carrier once leads between the coast and outlying and an oil tank were set on fire and again conducted flying exercises in islands by laying mines. 40 This the 90-ton R89 was the practice area west of the Orkney interdiction of the protected inshore sunk.”43 All aircraft had returned Islands in preparation for Operation routes would force shipping out into from the first strike by 1430 hours Goodwood – the largest operation by open water where they could more with only minimal damage to one the Home Fleet’s air arm of the war. readily be detected and attacked by or two of the fighters. The Avengers The operation was to be a repeat of RAF Coastal Command de Havilland of 852 Squadron could not land , the Fleet Air Mosquito and Bristol Beaufighters immediately however. Just as the Arm’s attack against the flying from northern Scotland. squadron was returning, one of the Tirpitz on 3 April 1944. The German “F orce 4” assembled for destroyers picked up an asdic contact battleship had seriously limited the Operation Offspring consisted of a dead ahead of Nabob. “The rudder scope of operations of the British fleet carrier, HMS Indefatigable, two was put hard over in an emergency Home Fleet since January 1942. escort carriers, Nabob and Trumpeter, turn and the planes had to continue Simply by positioning herself in the the cruisers Kent and Devonshire, circling until the carrier could resume Norwegian fjords, she had become and the 26th Destroyer Flotilla, the landing-on course.” Once the a “.” The British were HMS Myngs, Verulam, Vigilant, aircraft landed they were checked forced to devote a large proportion of Virago, Volage and Scourge along for damage, fuelled and re-armed in their naval resources to prevent her with HMCS Algonquin and Sioux, a preparation for the second strike. from breaking out into the Atlantic or second British fleet destroyer that The second wave took off at 1800 raiding convoys bound for Russia. For had been transferred to the RCN.41 hours with all aircraft airborne by their part, the Germans believed that Nabob sailed on 8 August 1944, in 1815 hours. The Germans were better Tirpitz also provided some measure preparation for a full-scale rehearsal prepared for the second attack, and of security against a potential Allied of the operation, launching all twelve anti-aircraft fire was both heavy and invasion of Norway.46 of her Avengers that afternoon. accurate in the Lepsorev Channel The purpose of Operation The following day the force shaped area. The 12 Avengers from Nabob Goodwood was to immobilize Tirpitz course for the Norwegian coast. It “had the less dangerous task than prior to the recommencement of the was planned to launch two strikes those from Trumpeter as the outer Arctic convoys. The Admiralty’s of Avenger aircraft. The first wave, end of Haarhams-fjord was not assessment of the situation was that consisting of 24 planes, would be defended by anti-aircraft batteries by “June [Tirpitz] would be capable flown off Trumpeter and Nabob, lay as was Lepsorev Channel.”44 Despite of ‘limited operations’; and, quite their mines, return to the carriers stiffening German resistance all 24 apart from the need to safeguard the to refuel and re-arm and launch a mines were sown successfully and Arctic convoys, it was impossible to second strike, to sew a total of 48 the aircraft returned to the carriers carry out the strengthening of the mines. The fighters fromIndefatigable by 1945 hours. Having successfully Eastern Fleet [British Pacific Fleet] at were to provide close escort for the completed the mission, Force 4 the expense of the Home Fleet any Avengers against enemy fighters as withdrew and headed for home. further until the Tirpitz had been sunk well as carry out secondary attacks The force had lost one Avenger from or permanently put out of action.”47 against suitable targets such as anti- Trumpeter, and one Operation Mascot, which was carried

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out on 17 July 1944, was designed The attack on Tirpitz was to be whose senior officer was in HMS to do just that. Unfortunately, the carried out by three Bickerton. In support was Force Germans were prepared and put squadrons from the fleet carriers 9 – two oilers with four escorting up an effective smoke-screen which HMS Indefatigable, Formidable and . prevented Fleet Air Arm aircraft from Furious. Two squadrons of Avengers Nabob weighed anchor on 18 finding their target. Consequently, from HM Ships Nabob and Trumpeter August 1944 and cleared the boom Operation Goodwood was planned were to lay special mines near the defences at Scapa Flow in company for 22-29 August. German battleship, while fighter with Trumpeter. Force 2, consisting Goodwood was timed to coincide aircraft carried out strafing runs on of Nabob (guide of the fleet for Force with the passage of convoys JW 59 Hammerfest and Banak. The fleet 2) with Trumpeter astern and the 5th and RA 59A, just as Tungsten had was divided into two separate forces. Escort Group acting as a screen for been timed to cover the passage of Force 1 under the commander-in-chief the carriers proceeded at 17 knots for

JW 58 and RA 58, four months earlier. Home Fleet in the battleship HMS Norway. Force 1 maintained visual 140992 PA LAC This would ensure that the convoys Duke of York included the three fleet signalling distance with Force 2 for would be protected from Tirpitz and carriers, the cruisers HMS Berwick the duration of the passage, reaching the convoys could be used to lure and Devonshire and 13 destroyers, the flying-off position in the Arctic U-boats operating in northern waters among them HMCS Algonquin and Circle north of Tromso on 20 August. away from the precious aircraft Sioux. Force 2 comprised the escort That afternoon Nabob’s 14 Avengers carriers. In addition, there would be carriers Nabob and Trumpeter, the were armed and ranged on the flight diversionary attacks on Hammerfest cruiser Kent, and the five Captain deck in preparation for the first and Banak airfield. class frigates of the 5th Escort Group, strike.48 At approximately 2200 hours, Nabob was informed by the commander-in-chief, Home Fleet, that the operation h a d b e e n p o s t p o n e d until 22 August owing to deteriorating weather conditions in the area. The

HMS Nabob participated in Operation Goodwood in late August 1944 (not to be confused

CWM e-19740333-024#1 with the land operation of the same name in Normandy in July 1944) which was an attempt to sink or disable the German battleship Tirpitz. Since January 1942 the Tirpitz had negatively impacted British fleet operations by acting as a “fleet-in-being” from the fjords of Norway. This reconnaissance photo shows the Tirpitz hidden in the Aas Fjord, 9 February 1942.

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An aerial view of HMS Nabob with its stern low in LAC PA 140992 PA LAC the war shortly after being torpedoed by U-354, 22 August 1944.

fleet withdrew to the west to avoid fighters were launched fromNabob ’s carried out anti-submarine patrols in contact with the enemy and to refuel deck to provide top-cover for the the immediate vicinity. The weather the escorts. Following refuelling rest of the fleet. In the meantime, was clear with good visibility up the fleet returned to its flying-off 32 Barracudas, 24 Chance-Vought to 20 miles and the sea was slight position in the early hours of 22 Corsairs, 11 Fairey Fireflies, nine and the swell moderate – perfect August. Once again, 852 Squadron Grumman Hellcat fighter-bombers, conditions for Trumpeter’s aircraft received disappointing news. The and eight Seafires (of Indefatigable’s on the lookout for German U-boats rear-admiral commanding First No.24 Fighter Wing) formed up and which might be operating in the Cruiser Squadron informed Nabob headed for Tirpitz. However, solid area. Nabob’s flight deck had been and Trumpeter that the Avenger cloud cover at 1,500 feet forced the cleared of aircraft and the crew was squadrons would not take part in the Barracudas and Corsairs to return to in middle of preparing the buoyant operation on account of poor weather their carriers. The Seafires continued hose for refuelling, when at 1716 conditions. Visibility up to 8,000 feet on course for Banak airfield and the hours the carrier was torpedoed was crucial in order to carry out their Kolvick base, while the on the starboard side aft by U-354, assigned role: Fireflies and Hellcats attacked the ripping a hole 32 feet in diameter in German battleship.50 Despite the the ship’s side below the . since the Avengers had to see the fact that the Germans were caught At the time of her torpedoing, Nabob Barracudas below them in order to unaware, no hits were registered on was approximately 100 nautical miles synchronize their attacks. Since the the massive ship. The only damage northwest of Alten Fjord and had visibility was not sufficiently good inflicted was the destruction of been on a zig-zag course.51 for this to be done, it was decided Tirpitz’s two AR 196As aircraft; a N a b o b ’ s e l e c t r i c a l p o w e r that the special mines which were to U-boat (U-965) at Hammerfest and immediately failed as a result of the be laid around the Tirpitz should not the seaplane anchorage at Bukta were torpedoing. This, in turn, caused be thrown away in an attack made strafed. all the auxiliary machinery in the under unfavourable conditions.49 Meanwhile Nabob’s four Wildcat engine room to fail. Within two fighters continued to provide air minutes the main engines had shut The cancellation of this part of the cover for the fleet until 1504 hours down and the temperature in the operation was a bitter blow to Nabob’s when they were landed back on engine room climbed rapidly to 150 crew, and in particular 852 Squadron, board the carrier. At 1530 hours degrees as the ventilation fans ceased which had trained very hard for this action stations were secured and to function. Immediately after the opportunity. defence stations closed up, and HM torpedo struck, “the ship rapidly Nevertheless, the carrier still Ships Kent, Trumpeter, Nabob, and trimmed down by fourteen feet by the had an important role to play in the the 5th Escort Group were detached stern to a draught of thirty-eight feet operation and when the bugle call for westward with instructions to refuel and took [on] a seven-degree list, her action stations sounded at 1100 hours the destroyer escorts. The Canadian- draught finally increasing to forty- the four Wildcat fighters were fuelled manned carrier was tasked to fuel two feet.”52 The compartments in the and ranged on the deck in preparation three destroyers, commencing at immediate vicinity of the damage for their launching. At 1225 hours, the 1800 hours, while Trumpeter’s aircraft were evacuated and the hatches

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were closed, but the large horizontal hatches throughout the ship were not watertight. Consequently, the ship flooded up to the galley deck, just below the main hanger deck. Due to the rapidity of the stern settling, “it first appeared as if Nabob would LAC PA 140988 PA LAC sink quickly, and all boats, carley floats, and rafts, were put over the side and the ship’s company ordered to prepare to abandon ship.”53 At 1815 hours, almost an hour after the torpedo struck, 214 ratings and ten injured men were transferred to HMS Kempthorne. Most of the injuries had occurred in and around the spirit room where the rum issue was being dispensed at the time of the attack. The explosion destroyed or put out of action the “main galley, bakery, vegetable preparing room, scullery, all refrigerators, provision room, main provision stores, and some of the crews’ berthing and

LAC PA 140978 PA LAC sleeping areas. In addition, several other compartments including the messing assembly, powder and bomb storage areas were rendered useless due to flooding.”54 Damage control parties immediately began the task of shoring up bulkheads and the decks with timber already stored aboard the carrier. By 1850 hours it was reported that the engine room bulkhead was holding and that the engines, propeller shaft, and the propeller were undamaged, and that it would be possible to make the necessary repairs to get underway. In the meantime, all unnecessary CWM e-19830156-067 weight was being jettisoned from Nabob, including ammunition, depth charges, even the 5-inch guns were dismantled and thrown overboard. The aircraft handling party moved all the aircraft in the hangar as far forward and to port as possible to counteract the list of the ship and to Top: Personnel line the port side of the flight deck of HMS Nabob shortly after the ship was torpedoed. raise the stern. “None of the escorts had been in asdic contact with a Middle: HMS Kempthorne moves in close to the damaged escort carrier to facilitate the transfer of casualties. U-boat and it was presumed that she had been hit by a ‘Gnat’ torpedo Bottom: Survivors from HMS Nabob being transferred to the Canadian destroyer 55 HMCS Algonquin. fired at extreme range.” While conducting a search for the U-boat,

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HMS Bickerton was torpedoed at 1724 hours, the stern of the frigate being blown off and more than forty men killed in the explosion.56 The frigate was eventually scuttled with a torpedo from HMS Vigilant. At the time time of the attack, HM Ships Kempthorne, Vigilante, Alymer, and Bligh were in the area, and Kempthorne LAC PA 140993 PA LAC was immediately detached to pick up all the remaining survivors while the remainder of the ships conducted a search, but to no avail.57 By 1900 hours flooding was under control and one hour later Nabob’s engine room began to raise steam in preparation for getting underway. At the same time preparations were under way to transfer 173 men of 852 Squadron to the attending destroyers, leaving onboard the squadron’s air staff officers. Finally, after more than three hours of frenzied work by the ship’s company the carrier gathered way and shaped course for Scapa Flow at six knots. For the passage home, she was escorted by HM Ships Kempthorne, Aylmer and Bligh. The carrier and her escorts obtained a series of high-frequency/ direction-finding contacts which indicated that a U-boat was following astern. By 0230 hours, 23 August, the submarine had closed to 3,600 yards and it was necessary to alter course in order to put more distance HMS Nabob in drydock showing the 32-foot hole caused by the torpedo strike. between the stricken carrier and the U-boat. Surprisingly, Nabob was able to launch two Avengers The second aircraft, however, was the ship’s chaplain to Algonquin. off her sloping flight deck to chase not so fortunate. Weather conditions Shoring up operations continued the submarine off. Although the were deteriorating and the ship’s throughout the rest of the passage U-boat was never sighted credit was movement caused the plane to crash as did the jettisoning of unnecessary given to the aircrews for keeping the into the barrier damaging six aircraft equipment further to reduce the U-boat submerged, thereby giving ranged on the forward part of the draught. Nabob the opportunity to make flight deck. As a result, two Avengers By 24 August the weather was good her escape. After providing were seriously damaged – and were deteriorating rapidly and the carrier anti-submarine patrols for three- subsequently jettisoned – while the found herself in the middle of a gale. and-a-half hours, the Avenger pilots other two Avengers and two Wildcats According to Captain Lay’s report had to face the dangerous task of were slightly damaged.58 Later that the “sea was steep the swells were landing on the canted flight deck. day, 23 August, the carrier was joined short.”59 The gale buffeted the carrier Landing on an escort carrier’s flight by HMS Keats, HMCS Algonquin, for eleven hours, but the ship was able deck was daunting under the best and HMS Trumpeter who followed to remain on course and maintain a of conditions. The first Avenger astern and provided air escort. Lay speed of ten knots. Fortunately for landed aboard without incident. transferred another 202 ratings and Nabob the bulkheads and shoring

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First Cruiser Squadron, and Bickerton, the Fleet Air Arm lost “looking at her from one Barracuda and ten fighters in a distance of seven the 242 sorties launched against the miles I never expected German battleship. This figure does her to survive.”60 That not include the six aircraft damaged Nabob did survive on Nabob. Despite a direct hit with a LAC C 46519 LAC c a n b e a t t r i b u t e d 1,600 pound armour piercing bomb to several factors. – which failed to explode – and Firstly, the extensive another hit with a 500 pound bomb, modifications carried only superficial damage was inflicted out by Burrard Drydock on the Tirpitz. Norman Polmar has a n d S h i p b u i l d i n g argued that Operation Goodwood Company, to Royal was “the most striking failure of the Navy standards, in all Fleet Air Arm during World War II”63 likelihood prevented for failing to sink the great battleship. a serious aviation gas He attributes the failure directly or bomb magazine to the poor performance of the explosion of the kind Barracuda aircraft in terms of speed t h a t h a d d o o m e d and bomb-load. He failed, however, earlier escort carriers. to take into account the mitigating Secondly, exemplary factors: poor weather conditions, the work was carried out withdrawal of two escort carriers and by the ship’s company, their twenty-four Avenger aircraft, particularly the damage and the determined resistance of control and electrical the Germans. While Operation parties, engine room Goodwood failed to achieve its personnel and the primary objective, the sinking of aircraft handling parties Tirpitz, it did achieve its secondary who all contributed to goal, the demobilization – albeit brief Captain Lay (left) with Admiral Sir Henry R. Moore on board the common cause.61 – of the ship. Damage to the deck and HMS Nabob to inspect the damage, 3 September 1944. It is remarkable that the ship was able to survive such massive Finally, according to superstructure, casualties amongst damage, but Royal Navy standards along with the exemplary Captain Lay, Nabob was the crew, and the diminution of her work of the ship’s damage control parties combined to save particularly fortunate ammunition stocks resulted in the the ship. in having more than German battleship being temporarily its share of heavy rendered non-operational. Insofar held. By the following day the sea timber, used for repair and shoring as Nabob was concerned, she was had moderated and although several operations: “very little timber is avenged on 23 August 1944, when HF/DF bearings were obtained, allowed to ships aircraft operating from HMS Vindex they turned out to be false alarms. of the same type by the Bureau of sank U-354. As Nabob approached British waters Ships and it cannot be doubted that HMS Nabob certainly would additional air cover was provided a United States ship under the same have been repaired and put back into for the stricken carrier by shore- circumstances would almost certainly service if sentiment had prevailed, based Consolidated Catalinas and have lost many of the bulkheads but her damage was so extensive and flying boats, saved in Nabob by quick shoring.”62 the British yards so overcrowded that which provided cover for two days. In Nabob’s case the lengthy delays the Admiralty decided to cannibalize Meanwhile, Trumpeter continued to in “Anglicizing” the ship probably her to provide parts for other ships.64 fly anti-submarine patrols. Nabob prevented heavy loss of life. Had Nabob not been damaged, she finally limped into Scapa Flow on As it was, eleven RCN and ten would have been used in an air 27 August and secured alongside, RN ratings were killed or missing support role providing distant having covered 1,093 miles in four as a result of the explosion with cover for the Russian convoy JW days and five nights. It was a miracle a further five RCN and one RN 59. This role would have been more that she had made it all. ratings injured. Indeed, the whole in line with the training that she Indeed, in the words of Rear- Tirpitz operation was disappointing. received during her intensive work Admiral R.R. McGrigor, commanding Besides the loss of HM Ships Nabob up program. Whether she would

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have ever come under Canadian naval air arm in the post-war period. Naval Aviation, 1918-1962, and Donald E. Graves, “The Royal Canadian Navy and operational control and operated in Finally, the aforementioned figures Naval Aviation, 1942-1944” (Unpublished the western Atlantic, however, is do not include the more than 1,000 DHH Narrative, May 1989). doubtful since all attempts to have Canadian personnel who cut their 6. HMS Nabob, a Smiter-class escort carrier, displaced 15,390 tons and was 495’ 8” in her commissioned as a Canadian teeth in naval aviation serving in length. She had a breadth, at the flight failed. Nabob remained at HMS Nabob and later HMS Puncher. deck, of 107’ 2” and a of 25’ 5”. Her Scapa Flow until 8 September 1944, maximum speed was 18 knots. Armament consisted of two 5-inch 38 calibre dual when she proceeded to Rosyth purpose guns, with 40 mm Bofors and 20 where she was destored and paid Notes mm Oerlikons for anti-aircraft defence. off on 30 September of that same Twelve to eighteen aircraft, depending on type, could be operated from the carrier. year. Although Nabob had been in 1. See, Shawn Cafferky, “The Royal Canadian 7. Naval Staff History, The Defeat of the commission for just a little over one Navy’s Drive for Diversification: Post- Enemy Attack on Shipping, 1939-1945: A year and had taken part in only two War Planning, 1943-1945,” American Study of Policy and Operations, p.60. Neptune 61, no. 4 (Fall 2001), pp.431- 8. Norman Friedman, U.S. Aircraft Carriers operations – in which she was used 451; J.D.F. Kealy and E.C. Russell, A (Annapolis: Naval Institute Press, 1983), as a fleet carrier – she deserves an History of Canadian Naval Aviation, 1918- p.177. 1962 (Ottawa: Department of National honourable place in Canadian naval 9. Ibid. Defence, 1965); Marc Milner, Canada’s 10. Kenneth Poolman, Escort Carriers 1941- history for her valuable contribution Navy: The First Century (Toronto: 1945: An Account of British Escort Carriers to a fledgling Canadian naval air University of Toronto Press, 1999), ch. in Trade Protection (London: Ian Allen 8; Marc Milner, North Atlantic Run: The Ltd., 1972), p.88. arm, this despite the fact that Nabob Royal Canadian Navy and the Battle for the 11. Ibid., p.89. remained an HM Ship throughout Convoys (Toronto: University of Toronto 12. Canadian sailors were to be regarded her commission. The manning of Press, 1985); W.A.B. Douglas, Roger as “additional” but were to relieve RN Sarty, Michael Whitby, No Higher Purpose: personnel as soon as Lay considered HMS Nabob provided Canadians The Official Operational History of the Royal that this could be accomplished. See, with experience in the operation of Canadian Navy in the Second World War, “Report on Details of Royal Navy - Royal this class of vessel and would prove 1939-1943, Vol. II, Part I (St. Catharines, Canadian Navy Administration in HMS Ontario: Vanwell Publishing Ltd., 2002). Nabob,” 10 April 1944, ADM 1/16045, UK, invaluable when the time came 2. For a detailed discussion of the RCN’s The National Archives (hereafter TNA). to operate the light fleet carriers plans to acquire and build the Tribal-class 13. Interview conducted with Rear-Admiral that Canada acquired from Great destroyers, for example, see, Michael Charles Dillon, RCN (Retired) by author, Whitby, “Instruments of Security: The 19 June 1989. There is some confusion in Britain following the end of the Royal Canadian Navy’s Procurement of the literature as to the actual sequence of war. For Nabob’s part in Operation the Tribal Class Destroyers, 1938-1943,” events. Rear-Admiral H. Nelson Lay has The Northern Mariner Goodwood she received “Tirpitz” 2, no. 3 (July 1992), stated in his memoirs that all but one of pp.1-15. As Whitby correctly observed, the squadron’s aircraft had landed on as a battle honour. With the paying “what better way to ensure the survival prior to the grounding. This version does off of Nabob, Canadian personnel of a navy than to have a shipbuilding not correspond to other accounts, namely industry constructing the very warships were left manning only one escort Charles Dillon’s article, “HMS Nabob,” in selected as the principal pillars of the The Bulletin (: Maritime Museum carrier – HMS Puncher, which, after postwar fleet?” of British Columbia) no.25, June 1974. ferrying aircraft in the latter part of 3. Naval Staff History, The Defeat of the 14. “Brief History of HMS Nabob,” pp.5-6, Enemy Attack on Shipping, 1939-1945: A DHH 8000, HMS Nabob. 1944, joined the British Home Fleet Study of Policy and Operations, vol. IA, 15. Sailing Orders, dated 5 February 1944, for northern operations. She, too, Appendix No.4 (London: Admiralty Record Group (RG) 24, vol. 11,972, file received a battle honour, “Norway Historical Section, 1954), p.291. 262-2, Library and Archives Canada 4. Note from Vice-Chief of the Naval Staff, (hereafter LAC). 1945.” Rear-Admiral G.C. Jones, to Chief of the 16. Squadron 805 was originally assigned By war’s end, fifty-five officers Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral P.W. Nelles, to HMS Nabob, but as a result of the her of the RCN and RCNVR had 23 February 1943, Directorate of History grounding the squadron was reassigned. and Heritage, Department of National 17. “Brief History of HMS Nabob,” p.7, DHH undergone training as pilots and Defence (hereafter DHH)1700-219, vol. I. 8000, HMS Nabob. observers with the Fleet Air Arm. 5. Report by Captain H. Hickling, RN, 1 July 18. Report of Proceedings, HMS Nabob 9 Also, approximately 225 men were 1943, ADM 205/1. The RCN was never March - 3 April 1944, RG 24, vol. 11,304, satisfied with what it saw as a temporary file CS 159-10-22, LAC. undergoing training as air fitters and arrangement to man two small carriers 19. I b id. Captain Lay visited the air mechanics. In addition, twenty- from the RN, and continued to press for aforementioned authorities between 13- the creation of its own naval air arm, and five ratings with sea experience had 16 March 1944. later the acquisition of light fleet carriers. 20. “Report on Living Conditions, Morale, of trained training as naval air gunners. For a detailed history of the RCN’s plans Royal Canadian Navy Personnel in HMS Finally, approximately 600 ratings to create its own naval air branch see: Nabob,” 8 March 1944, RG 24, vol. 11,304, Shawn Cafferky, “Towards the Balanced file CS 159-10-22, LAC and ADM 1/16045, were “infiltrated” into RN carrier Fleet: A History of the Royal Canadian TNA. crews to gain experience in light fleet Naval Air Service, 1943-1945” (M.A. 21. Ibid. carriers prior to Canada’s acquisition Thesis, University of Victoria, 1987) and 22. Minute Sheet, No. 4, Director of Personnel “The Royal Canadian Navy’s Drive for Services, Royal Navy, 20 March 1944, of the type. Many of these men would Diversification,” pp.431-451; J.D.F. Kealy ADM 1/16045, TNA. serve as the nucleus for Canada’s and E.C. Russell, A History of Canadian

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23. Naval Message from British Admiralty 37. Admiralty to Naval Service Headquarters, back to Scapa Flow were forced to survive Maintenance Representative to Nabob 22 July 1944, ADM 1/16032, TNA. on short rations and rum. (repeated) Admiralty, Naval Service 38. Minute Sheet no. 1, Director of Operations 55. Brief History of HMS Nabob, p.15, DHH Headquarters, Naval Member Canadian Division to the Admiralty, 13 July 1944, 8000 - HMS Nabob. In fact, Nabob had been Staff, 6 April 1944, RG 24, vol. 11,963, ADM 1/16032, TNA. struck by a FAT torpedo and Bickerton file MS-69, LAC. The desertion of French 39. Ibid. This comment was pencilled in on was hit by a GNAT. Canadian ratings at Norfolk, Virginia, the Minute Sheet. 56. J.D.F. Kealy and E.C. Russell, A History of in all likelihood strengthened Lay’s 40. Canadian Ships with the Home Fleet, Canadian Naval Aviation, 1918-1962, p.27. argument. See “Report on Details of Royal 1943-1945, Narrative A and B, p.1, DHH 57. The ships conducted what was known as Navy - Royal Canadian Administration 87/48. an “Observant,” which was a two-mile in HMS Nabob,” dated 10 April 1944, 41. Ibid. square, counter-clockwise search around ADM 1/16045, TNA. There were about 42. Ibid. a center, or datum point, usually the last 100 French Canadian ratings serving in 43. Admiralty Historical Section, The known position of a submarine. In this Nabob at the time who were, in Captain Development of British Naval Aviation, 1919- case, the datum point was Nabob. See, Lay’s opinion, “due to race, education, or 1945, vol. II, BR 1736 (53) (1) Appendix X Brief History of HMS Nabob, p.16, DHH environment ... apparently not suitable (London: July 1954). 8000 - HMS Nabob. for service in this type of ship.” 44. Brief History of Nabob, p.12, DHH 8000 58. “Report of Torpedo Damage to HMS 24. Report of Proceedings, HMS Nabob, 4 HMS Nabob. The total number of aircraft Nabob on 22 August 1944,” RG 24, vol. April - 31 May 1944, RG 24, vol. 11,304, involved in the two strikes were: forty- 11,751, file 159-10-24, LAC. file CS 159-10-22, LAC. seven Avengers (Squadrons 846 and 59. Ibid; Report of Proceedings - HMS Nabob, 25. Report of Proceedings, HMS Nabob, 1-30 852), thirty-two Seafire III’s (Squadrons 1-31 August 1944, RG 24, vol. 11,304, file June 1944, RG 24, vol. 11,304, file CS 159- 894 and 887), twenty-eight Fireflies CS 159-10-22, LAC. Waves in a strong 10-22, LAC. (Squadron 1770), two Hellcats (Squadron gale could reach as high as thirty-four 26. Report of Proceedings, HMS Nabob, 1-31 1840), the last two squadrons involved feet. A short swell means a swell where July 1944, RG 24, vol. 11,304, file CS 159- in escort and anti-flak duties. These the length or distance between each 10-22, LAC; Canadian Ships with the figures do not include the Wildcats used successive top of swell is less than 300 Home Fleet, 1943-1945, Narrative A and to provide a combat air patrol over the feet. See, Admiralty Historical Section, B, p.5, DHH 87/48. fleet. See, Admiralty Historical Section, The Development of British Naval Aviation, 27. Canadian Ships with the Home Fleet, The Development of British Naval Aviation, 1919-1945, vol. II, Appendix XXX. 1943-1945, Narrative A and B, p.2, DHH vol. II, Appendix X. 60. Rear-Admiral Commanding First Cruiser 87/48. 45. Report of Proceedings - HMS Nabob, 1-31 Squadron to Commander-in-Chief, Home 28. H.N. Lay, Memoirs of a Mariner (Ottawa: August 1944, RG 24, vol. 11,304, file CS Fleet, in “Report of Torpedo Damage to Lowe-Martin Company Inc., 1982), p.157; 159-10-22, LAC. HMS Nabob on 22 August 1944, RG 24, “Report on Royal Navy - Royal Canadian 46. Admiral Karl Doenitz, Ten Years and vol. 11,751, file 159-10-24, LAC. Navy Administration in HMS Nabob,” 10 Twenty Days, trans. by R.H. Stevens 61. “Report of Torpedo Damage to HMS April 1944, ADM 1/16045, TNA. (London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson Ltd., Nabob on 22 August 1944,” RG 24, vol. 29. See, “Report on Details of Royal Navy 1959), pp.385-386. 11,751, file 159-10-24, LAC. In Captain - Royal Canadian Navy Administration 47. S.W. Roskill, The War at Sea 1939-1945: The Lay’s report special mention was made in HMS Nabob,” as cited in Donald E. Offensive, vol. III (London: Her Majesty’s of the work carried out by the electrical Graves, “The Royal Canadian Navy and Stationary Office, 1961), pp.155-156. party under Lieutenant-Commander (EL) Naval Aviation, 1942-1944,” p.142. 48. “Report of Torpedo Damage to HMS H.H. Jones, RCNVR; the engine room 30. Canadian Ships with the Home Fleet, Nabob on 22 August 1944, including department under Commander (E) C.I. 1943-1945, Narrative A and B, p.5, DHH Movements from 18-27 August 1944,” Hichcliffe, RCNVR; the damage control 87/48. RG 24, vol. 11,751, file 159-10-24, LAC. arrangements under the direction of 31. Remarks on Gunnery Practice, 14 July Prior to Operation Goodwood, Nabob’s the Senior Engineer, Lieutenant (E) D.T. 1944, Report of Proceedings - HMS Nabob, complement of aircraft was adjusted to Forster, RCN, and the Chief Shipwright, 1-31 July 1944, RG 24, vol. 11,304, file CS fourteen Avengers and four Wildcats as James R. Ball. 159-10-22, LAC. required by the operation. The Wildcat 62. Ibid. 32. Naval Message from Commanding (series FM-1 and FM-2) fighters built by 63. Norman Polmar, Aircraft Carriers: A Officer, HMSNabob , to Flag Officer Carrier General Motors were known as Martlets Graphic History of Carrier Aviation and Training, 19 June 1944 and Admiralty prior to 1944 in the Fleet Air Arm. It Its Influence on World Events (New York: signal 091903/April to Commander- was not until 1944 that the Royal Navy Doubleday and Company Inc., 1969), in-Chief, Western Approaches, ADM accepted American names for their p.310. 1/16032, TNA. aircraft. 64. J.D.F. Kealy and E.C. Russell, A History of 33. Senior Canadian Flag Officer (Overseas) 49. Canadian Ships with the Home Fleet, Canadian Naval Aviation, 1918-1962, p.28. Report on Visit to HMS Nabob, 24 April 1943-1945, Narrative A and B, DHH 1944, RG 24, vol. 6744, file 8000-500/329, 87/48. These special mines were designed Shawn Cafferky, 1958-2008, served as the LAC. to inflict heavy underwater damage up aviation specialist on the naval team at 34. Commanding Officer HMS Nabob, to thirty feet away from the battleship. the Directorate of History and Heritage Captain H.N. Lay, to Flag Officer Carrier 50. David Brown, Tirpitz the Floating Fortress in Ottawa in 1990-1996. During that Training, 19 June 1944, ADM 1/16032, (London: Arms and Armour Press, 1977), time he completed his PhD at Carleton TNA. p.38. University, and then returned to his 35. Naval Service Headquarters to Admiralty, 51. “Report of Torpedo Damage to HMS native British Columbia, where he taught 10 July 1944, ADM 1/16032, TNA. Nabob on 22 August 1944,” RG 24, vol. a wide range of courses at the University 36. Memorandum, “Formation of Canadian 11,751, file 159-10-24, LAC. of Victoria, Malaspina College and for the Fleet Air Arm,” Director of Operations 52. Ibid. extension program of the Royal Military Division, Captain H.N. Lay, to Vice-Chief 53. Ibid. College of Canada. He published a book of the Naval Staff and Chief of the Naval 54. Ibid. Because of the damage the crew who on Canadian naval aviation, and articles Staff, 11 January 1943, DHH 1700-219, remained onboard the carrier for the trip on naval history and many other subjects. vol. I.

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