HMS Charybdis (88)

HMS "Charybdis" was a "Dido"-class cruiser of the Royal Navy. She was built by Cammell Laird Shipyard (Birkenhead, UK), with the keel being laid down on 9 November 1939. She was launched on 17 September 1940, and commissioned 3 December 1941.

One of two sisters (the other was, appropriately, HMS "Scylla", "Charybdis" was originally completed with four twin 4.5 in Mk III in UD MK III mountings because of a shortage of 5.25 in mountings.

The forward superstructure was considerably modified to accommodate these and also to increase crew spaces. Naturally they were known as the 'toothless terrors', but proved much better anti-aircraft ships than their sisters armed with the more cumbersome and less satisfactory 5.25 in AA guns.

History

"Charybdis"' service was entirely during World War II, when she gained the following Battle Honours:
* Malta Convoys 1942
* North Africa 1942
* Salerno 1943
* Atlantic 1943
* English Channel 1943
* Biscay 1943

After trials "Charybdis" joined the Home Fleet and at the end of March 1942 she took part in the minelaying Operation S.N.87.

Next month she was transferred to the North Atlantic Command, Force "H" and sailed for Gibraltar. Her duties were to escort aircraft carriers delivering aircraft reinforcements to the besieged island of Malta. The aircraft were flown off the carriers when within range of the island, and the ships returned to Gibraltar. Several convoys were sent with the carriers USS "Wasp", HMS "Eagle" and HMS "Argus" in Force "W" for Operations "L.B." and "Salient".

In June 1942 "Charybdis" took part in Operation "Harpoon and Vigorous". This operation tried to supply food and matériel to Malta by sending a convoy from Gibraltar at the same time as a convoy from Egypt ("Vigorous"), thus dividing the attacking forces. The "Vigorous" convoy was decimated, including the loss of her sister ship "Hermione", torpedoed by German submarine U205 [http://uboat.net/boats/u205.htm] .In July 1942 "Charybdis" covered Operations "Pinpoint" and "Insect", two more carrier deliveries of aircraft to Malta. By August 1942 "Charybdis" escorted the aircraft carrier HMS "Eagle" in the Malta convoy "Pedestal".

This 15 ship convoy was intended to break the blockade of Malta, and had a most powerful escort with two battleships, four aircraft carriers, seven cruisers and twenty six destroyers. Losses were high with HMS "Eagle" sunk by torpedoes from German submarine "U73" [http://uboat.net/boats/u73.htm] and the convoy under constant air attack. However, five merchant ships including the damaged tanker "SS Ohio" arrived in Malta. The "Ohio"'s cargo of fuel oil allowed the aircraft, submarines and warships based in Malta to continue operations and deprive Rommel of vital supplies in North Africa. August also saw operation "Baritone" (further deliveries of aircraft to Malta).

In September and October "Charybdis" was on patrol in the Atlantic and searching for German Raiders and blockade runners. At the end of October she took part Operation Train, again covering aircraft reinforcements to Malta. On 25 November 1942 she was allocated to the 12th Cruiser Squadron in Force "H" and sailed from Gibraltar for Algiers carrying the Allied Force H.Q., Operation "Torch" - the landings in Morocco and Algeria.

On 12 December 1942 "Charybdis" sailed for the United Kingdom to re-join the Home Fleet. For the first three months of 1943 she was in the Scapa Flow area, covering minelaying operations and patrolling in the North Sea but in April 1943 she was transferred temporarily to the Plymouth Command and proceeded to cover convoys and patrol in the Bay of Biscay. "Charybdis" was again back in Gibraltar in August 1943 and from there escorted Mediterranean convoys.

In September she was in Force "V" for the Salerno landings (Operation Avalanche) and landed troops (including General Eisenhower) brought from Tripoli. She returned to Plymouth the following month. Further patrols in the Bay of Biscay followed.

Operation Tunnel

In late 1943, the British authorities were aware of the approach of the German blockade runner, "Münsterland", which was carrying an important cargo of latex and strategic metals. The Germans had a well-rehearsed procedure for escorting such vessels. The British reacted by executing Operation "Tunnel", a standard operation whereby available ships would attempt to intercept.

On 21 October 1943, "Charybdis" and destroyers HMS "Grenville", "Rocket" and four "Hunt" class destroyers (HMS "Limbourne", "Wensleydale", "Talybont" and "Stevenstone") intercepted "Münsterland" off Ushant, Brittany. The force was attacked at night by the German 4th Torpedo Boat Flotilla (five Elbing class torpedo boats), which was escorting the blockade runner.

"Charybdis" was almost immediately torpedoed by the German torpedo boats T23 and T27. HMS "Limbourne" was also hit during this action and had to be sunk by HMS "Rocket". The German force escaped unharmed. "Charybdis" sank in position coord|48|59|N|3|39|W|, with the loss of 30 officers and 432 ratings just off the North Coast of Brittany. The "Münsterland" eventually ran aground off Cap Blanc Nez and was destroyed.

Soon after the sinking, the bodies of 21 Royal Navy and Royal Marine men were washed up on the island of Guernsey. The German occupation authorities buried them with full military honours. The funerals became an opportunity for the islanders to demonstrate their loyalty to Britain and their opposition to the Nazi occupiers, with around 5000 islanders attended the funeral, laying some 900 wreaths. Enough of an effective demonstration against the Nazi occupation for subsequent military funerals to be closed to civilians by the German occupiers. Every year a commemoration service is held, which is attended by local naval veterans, Sea Cadets and representatives of the Royal Navy.

The wrecks of "Charybdis" and "Limbourne" have recently been found. The "Charybdis" was located in 1993, in 83 metres of water.

References

*Colledge
* [http://www.world-war.co.uk/index.php3 WWII cruisers]
* [http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/4017.html HMS Charybdis at Uboat.net]

External links

* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/guernsey/content/articles/2004/10/06/hms_charybdis_feature.shtml "Charybdis" funeral and Operation "Tunnel"]
* [http://www.naval-history.net/RecordRN193843SmithGCW.htm Service history of George Smith, who died in "Charybdis"]