HMS Nubian (F36)

HMS "Nubian" (pennant number L36, later F36) was a Tribal-class destroyer of the British Royal Navy that saw much distinguished service in World War II.She won 13 battle honours, a record only exceeded by one other ship, and matched by two others.

ervice History

"Nubian" was in home waters for the early part of the Second World War, and saw action with the Home Fleet during the Norwegian campaign in May 1940.

Following this, "Nubian" joined 14th Destroyer Flotilla at Plymouth, which was led by Capt. P J Mack (temporarily flying his pennant in "Janus", whilst has own ship, "Jervis", was undergoing repair).Also in 14 DF were "Mohawk" (another Tribal”), and "Juno" (another “J”class).14 DF left Plymouth for Alexandria on 18 May 1940, in company with 4 “K’s” from 5 DF en route for service in the Red Sea; they arrived in Alexandria on 25 May, just two weeks days before hostilities with Italy commenced on 11 June 1940..

"Nubian" saw much action with 14 DF, being involved in the actions at Calabria, in July 1940, Matapan (March 1941),Sfax (April),and finally Crete (May).

During the battle of Crete, on 26 May, "Nubian" was bombed and had her stern blown off, with the loss of 7 of her crew killed, and another 12 wounded. Despite further attacks, she was able to return to Alexandria under escort, but departed there on 12 June under tow for extensive repairs in Bombay, which were not completed for another 18 months.

"Nubian" returned to the Mediterranean and 14 DF in November 1942, seeing action with them against the "Lupo" Convoy on 2 December and off Tripoli in company with "Jervis" on the 20/21 December.

In 1943 she was involved with supporting the landings in Sicily, and at Salerno, before returning to Britain for re-assignment to the Arctic.

In 1944 "Nubian" was dispatched to the Far East, seeing action in support of operations in Burma, a varied and wide-ranging career.

Battle Honours

* Norway 1940.
* Calabria 1940, Mediterranean 1940-41-43 ; Libya 1940;
* Matapan 1941, Sfax 1941, Greece 1941, Crete 1941, Malta Convoys 1941;
* Sicily 1943, Salerno 1943:
* Arctic 1944:
* Burma 1944.

Two other ships, "Orion" and "Jervis", also serving in the Mediterranean with "Nubian," matched this record; it was exceeded only by the Queen Elizabeth-class battleship "Warspite", a Jutland veteran and the Mediterranean Fleet flagship through much of World War Two.

References

* G.G.Connell : "Mediterranean Maelstrom: HMS Jervis and the 14th Flotilla" (1987) ISBN 0 7183 0643 0

* Conways : "All the Worlds Fighting Ships 1922-1946" (1980) ISBN 0 85177 146 7
* A.E. Weightman : "Crests and Badges of H.M. Ships" (1957) ISBN (none)