HMS Afridi (F07)

HMS "Afridi" was a Tribal-class destroyer of the Royal Navy. She served in the Second World War and was an early casualty, being sunk in an air attack off Norway in May 1940.

Construction

She was ordered from the Newcastle-upon-Tyne yards of Vickers-Armstrong on 10 March 1936 under the 1935 Build Programme. She was laid down on 9 June that year and was launched on 8 June 1937 by Lady Foster. Also launched on that same day from the same yard was HMS "Cossack", "Afridi"’s sister ship. "Afridi" was completed and commissioned on 3 May 1938 at a cost of £341,462 which excluded supply of weapons and communications outfits by the Admiralty.

Career

Pre-war in the Mediterranean

Her acceptance trials took place on 29 April 1938 in a rising gale, but all went well and she was accepted. On commissioning, "Afridi" was assigned to the 1st Destroyer Flotilla, with the Mediterranean Fleet, which consisted of other Tribal class destroyers. She left Portland Harbour on 27 May for Malta, arriving there on 3 June.In July, she left Malta to patrol the waters off the Mediterranean Spanish coast. "Afridi", in common with all other Royal Navy vessels in these waters, had broad, red, white and blue bands painted on her 'B' gun-mounting so that Spanish Republican and Nationalist aircraft could identify the neutral British.

By 18 September 1938, "Afridi" arrived at Istanbul, Turkey for a formal visit. The Munich Agreement and the German occupation of Czechoslovakia caused the remainder of the Black Sea cruise to be cancelled. "Afridi" then sailed for Alexandria, Egypt for a short stay then left to rejoin the 4th Destroyer Flotilla in Malta. On 23 February 1939, "Afridi" steamed to Gibraltar where the Mediterranean and Home Fleets were gathering for combined exercises. These consisted of over one hundred ships and thirteen Admirals, and resulted in the testing and evaluation of many aspects of naval warfare. "Afridi" was later withdrawn from the exercises after colliding with HMS "Penelope" during the transfer of mail. "Afridi" returned to Malta for repairs. After the repairs were completed, she was transferred to the 4th Destroyer Flotilla and sailed to join it at Alexandria. The rest of the pre-war period was spent on exercises and port visits.

Wartime in the North Sea

Italy, which British planners were concerned might enter a war against Britain, took steps to prove her neutrality so the convoy escorts and blockade controls which were anticipated could no longer be justified. The 4th Destroyer Flotilla was therefore ordered back to England. From now on, the flotilla virtually lost its identity and each Tribal was assigned individual duties by the Flag Officer under whose command she came. "Afridi" was assigned to service in the North Sea with the Humber Force, based at Immingham. In December she was moved to Rosyth to carry out convoy escort duties between the UK and Norway.

By January 1940, a number of defects had become noticeable, including leaks and problems with turbine blades caused "Afridi" to undergo repairs at a commercial shipyard in West Hartlepool. These repairs lasted throughout February and into March. She rejoined active service in April, under the command of Captain Philip Vian, when she carried out screening duties and escorts for convoys off the Norwegian coast. During these operations she came under heavy and sustained air attacks. HMS "Gurkha" was sunk and HMS "Rodney", HMS "Glasgow" and HMS "Southampton" were damaged. "Afridi" escaped damage and returned to refuel and rearm at Scapa Flow. She continued to take part in sweeps off the Norwegian coast, occasionally coming under air attack whilst screening Fleet units or escorting troop convoys.

inking

On 1 May 1940, "Afridi" was deployed with Fleet units off Namsos, pending the evacuation of troops from the area after the failure of the Namsos Campaign. She continued to come under heavy air attack. On 2 May she embarked troops of the Royal Lincolnshire Regiment and transferred them to the French auxiliary cruiser "Kantara". On 3 May she embarked troops of the Hallamshire Battalion of the Royal Hampshire Regiment. She was one of the last ships to leave the port, and in the rush there had been no time to either embark or destroy heavy equipment. Instead "Afridi" shelled transport vehicles abandoned on the quayside before sailing. She began to escort the departing troopships when they came under a series of air attacks. The French destroyer "Bison" was hit and her forward magazine exploded, badly damaged her. "Afridi" and HMS "Grenade" fought off two more air attacks and rescued survivors from the "Bison". They then attempted to sink the stricken destroyer with gunfire.

Whilst attempting this, another dive bombing attack developed at 1400hours. "Afridi" was the common target for two aircraft coming in from each side, making evasive manoeuvres impossible. She was hit by two bombs dropped by Ju-87 Stuka dive bombers, one hitting her No. 1 Boiler Room starting a severe fire at the after end of the messdecks. Another bomb hit the port side just forward of the bridge. HMS "Imperial" came alongside and HMS "Griffin" stood by to carry out rescue work. At 1445 hours, "Afridi" capsized and sank bow-first with the loss of 49 officers and men, 13 army personnel and over 30 survivors from "Bison". The survivors were picked up by the destroyers HMS "Imperial" and HMS "Grenade". It was the second anniversary of her commissioning.

References

*Colledge
* [http://www.uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/4422.html HMS Afridi at Uboat.net]
* [http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-10DD-34Tribal-Afridi.htm HMS Afridi's career]

ee also

*List of shipwrecks in 1940