Operational Use Inquiries

[Dillinger022]

Hi,

I have a few of questions regarding the operational use of 2 types of Royal Navy warships.

1-Did any Captain-class frigates serve with the RN in the Pacific Theater?
2-Did any Landing Ships, Tank serve with the RN in the Pacific Theater (I assume not)?

Thanks in advance

[Kongo Otto]

The Captain Class Frigates were primarily used to provide an anti-submarine cover to the convoys they escorted, however a small number of ships were converted to act as coastal forces control frigates and as headquarters ships during Operation Neptune.
Collectively, the Captains gained battle honours for service in the Arctic (Russian Convoys), Atlantic, English Channel, Normandy (D-Day on the 6th June 1944 and subsequent related operations).

[Torplexed]

None of the Captain Class ever made it to the Pacific in the service of the Roayl Navy before the war ended. HMS Duckworth and Essington were earmarked for refits for service in the Pacific but the war ended there before this happened. HMS Bentley soon after VE Day was in dock at Cardiff for a refit and conversation to a fighter direction ship but when the Pacific war finished all work stopped.

It's possible some Landing Ships, Tank were involved with Operation Dracula, the amphibious and airborne operation against Japanese occupied Rangoon in 1945.

[Dillinger022]

Thanks for the helpul info guys. I'm using the RFB/RSRD mod along with all the new units from other mods like FOTRS that are historically accurate for the Pacific Theater.

Even though I'm 99% sure of the answer to this next question, I'll ask it anyways. Did the Free French Navy send any River-class frigates to the Pacific? I'm thinking maybe there could've been 1 or 2 sent to escort the Richelieu BB in 1944.

Thanks again

[jmardlin]

I recently read that there was at least one River class frigate in the Pacific Theater but I do not recall what ship it was.

[Dillinger022]

Originally Posted by jmardlin

I recently read that there was at least one River class frigate in the Pacific Theater but I do not recall what ship it was.

Interesting, do you recall what operations it was invloved in or what kind of taks it performed?

Thanks

[jmardlin]

No I was looking into the Captain class when I saw it.

[jmardlin]

he Queensland Maritime Museum is located at the South Brisbane Dry Dock adjacent to the Goodwill Bridge. The Dry Dock is heritage listed and operated from 1881 to 1971. The Museum was granted
use of the site in 1973. In 1981 the Museum acquired the WW2 River Class frigate HMAS DIAMANTINA. The ship was commissioned in 1945 and served in the Pacific Theatre. Two surrender ceremonies were conducted aboard the ship in September 1945 at Nauru and Ocean Island. The ship was recommissioned by the RAN in 1950 and served until 1980 as an oceanographic and hydrographic research ship and was directly responsible for placing Australia at the forefront of knowledge of the Indian Ocean. Steam Tug Forceful was constructed in 1925 and served in the Port of Brisbane until 1970. The Museum acquired Forceful in 1971 and maintains it as the only operating coal-fired steam tug in the world. The Museum itself houses an extensive collection of maritime artefacts tracing the rich maritime heritage of Queensland. A research service on maritime hi.
HMS BARLE - River-class Frigate

February Prepared for service in British Pacific Fleet with Fleet Train.
(Note : Joined HM Sloops CRANE, REDPOLE, WOODCOCK, WHIMBREL,
PHEASANT, HM Frigates HELFORD and PARRET in Force 112.)

March Deployed with Fleet Train
(Note : One source suggests ship was used in support of operations in SW
Pacific by British Pacific Fleet ships of Task Force 57, and based at
Manus, the British Forward base in the Admiralty islands.
This is not confirmed in WAR IN THE PACIFIC (HMSO) or THE
FORGOTTEN FLEET by J Winton. (Operation ICEBERG ONE).

April British Pacific Fleet deployment in continuation.
to (Note : Deployment in support of ICEBERG TWO to be confirmed.)
May

June Nominated for service in Logistics Support Group of TF 112 in support of
attacks on Japanese mainland by BPF ships attached to US Third Fleet as Task
Force 37.
See above references and OPERATION PACIFIC by E Gray.)
Passage to Manus with ships of Fleet Train

July Passage to operational area with Logistics Group for the defence of Fleet Train
during replenishment of ships of Task Force 37.
16th Task Force 37 ships commenced operations with US Fleet.
See above references.
(Note : Fleet tankers left operational area to refuel and would be provided
with an escort.

August Fleet Train duty in continuation.
6th Provided air defence to Logistics Group during replenishment.
(Note : Other ships in Logistics Group included four tankers, two Supply
Ships, HM Escort Carriers ARBITER, CHASER and RULER, HM
Destroyers NORMAN, NIZAM, HM Sloops PHEASANT, CRANE,
HM Australian Minesweepers BURNIE and BALLARAT, and
Hospital Ship TJITYJALENGA.)
11th Provided defence to Logistics Group during replenishment.
(Note: Other ships in Logistics Group included five tankers, a Supply Ship, HMS
RULER, HMS PHEASANT, HM Frigate USK, HMAS BURNIE, HMAS
BALLARAT, HMAS GERALDTON, HMAS IPSWICH.
A Hospital Ship also with Logistics Unit.)
12th Ships of British Pacific Fleet other than those transferred to Token Force as Task
Group 38.5, were withdrawn from operations.
See above references.
Passage to Manus with ships of Logistics Group.