HMS Bangor (J00)

HMS Bangor was a Royal Navy minesweeper that served during the Second World War. She was built at the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Govan, Scotland. "Bangor" was the lead vessel in the class of Bangor class minesweepers and she was one of the diesel-engined versions in the Bangor class. She was ordered on 12 July 1939, laid down on 19 September 1939, launched on 23rd May 1940, and commissioned on 7 November 1940.

Wartime service

On 18 November 1940 "Bangor" was assigned to the 9th Minesweeping Flotilla (MSF) based at Scapa Flow. On 12 February she was bombed whilst in the Moray Firth. No damage was done but her W/T was out of action and she retired to Aberdeen for repairs.

In March 1941, the 9th MSF transferred to the Portsmouth Command. On the morning of the 19 May, the "Bangor" and a group of minesweeping trawlers were attacked by nine Messerschmitt Me 109s. Three bombs were dropped, aimed at the "Bangor", the "Darthema" and the "Computator" from a 200ft low attack. The "Darthema" and "Computator" both suffered minor damage from near misses with no casualties. The "Bangor" and "Darthema" claimed to have damaged two of the aircraft, which both retired southwards, making smoke and losing height. In December 1941 the Flotilla moved its centre of operation to Harwich.

In August 1942 "Bangor" was involved in Operation Jubilee - the raid on Dieppe. As a large area of Dieppe was believed to have been mined by the enemy, the minesweepers opened proceedings for the raid. During the afternoon of 18 August, the 9th and 13th MSFs sailed separately from Portsmouth for the vicinity of Beachy Head, so as to give the impression that one was carrying out a clearance sweep in the area, the other proceeding on passage up the channel. The 9th Flotilla commenced sweeping at 00:03 and at 01:05 turned to port and got in sweeps; the 13th Flotilla began 8 minutes earlier and finished at 00:51. Everything went without a hitch; the channel was about four cables wide, clearly marked on both sides and at the ends; only one mine was seen. The Flotillas then manoeuvred to keep clear of the approaching expedition and soon after 05:00 turned for home, setting flag Dan buoys to mark the channels in daylight on the way back. They returned in company to Portsmouth, having carried out their work with efficiency and precision.

In June 1944, "Bangor" was involved in Operation Neptune - the naval component of the D-Day landings in Normandy. The 9th Flotilla was part of Force J, sweeping channels. In the post assault phase the Flotilla was part of Task Force 129, which sailed from Portland on the night 24/25 June with the intention of bombarding Cherbourg. At 11:55 the minesweepers of Unit 1 (the 9th MSF) made their turn to sweep Fire Support Area 3, closely followed by the bombarding ships of group 1. As they entered the area they came under heavy fire; the German batteries had evidently been waiting until they were well within range. The Destroyers, screening on the flanks, made smoke, but the enemy fire increased and after sweeping just three miles (half the intended distance) the minesweepers was forced to withdraw northwards.

In May 1945 the "Bangor" was involved in minesweeping operations to Norway, and in June was one of five Bangor class minesweepers offered to the Royal Norwegian Navy on loan. She was transferred on the 11 November 1945. In October 1946 the Norwegian government decided to retain the "Bangor" by purchase and was renamed the "KNM Glomma".

See also

* HMS "Bangor" (M109) - modern "Sandown" class minehunter.

Sources

* "Warships of World War II", by H. T. Lenton & J. J. Colledge, pub. Ian Allen Ltd.
* [http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/3166.html HMS Bangor (J.00)] - uboat.net
* [http://www.royal-marines.mod.uk/static/pages/3137.html?page=1628 HMS Bangor history] - www.royal-marines.mod.uk