HMS Balfour (K464)

HMS "Balfour" was a "Buckley" class "Captains class" frigate during World War II. Named after George Balfour commander of HMS|Conqueror|1773|6 at the Battle of the Saintes during the American Revolutionary War.

Originally destined for the US Navy HMS "Balfour" was provisionally given the name USS "McAnn" (later this name was reassigned to DE 179) however the delivery was diverted to the Royal Navy before the launch. Commanding Officers were Lt Cdr C D B Coventry RN on commissioning with Cdr C Gwinner RN (Senior Officer 1st Escort Group) taking over after the loss of HMS|Affleck|K462|6 on 26 December 1944 when HMS "Balfour" became the lead ship for the 1st Escort Group.

Actions

HMS "Balfour" served with both the 1st Escort Group and 18th Escort Group earning battle honours for service in the North Atlantic, off Normandy and in the English Channel.

On 25 June 1944 HMS "Balfour" with HMS|Affleck|K462|6 attacked a submarine believed to be U-1191 by the use of depth charges, this resulted in the sinking of the submarine with the loss all hands. This action took place convert|25|nmi|km|0 south of Start Point at position coord|50|03|N|02|95|W. It should be noted that the Kriegsmarine had U-1191 listed as missing (no radio contact) since 12 June 1944.

On 18 July 1944 HMS "Balfour" attacked the submarine U-672 by the use of depth charges, damaging U-672 so badly that it was forced to surface and the crew to abandon ship. Unfortunately for the crew of HMS "Balfour" U-672 sank before a sea boat (for the boarding party) could be launched. All hands (52 crew and officers) were rescued and spent the rest of the war as prisoners of war. This action took place in the English Channel north of Guernsey at position coord|50|03|N|02|30|W.

General Information

*Pennant (UK): K 464
*Pennant (US): DE 73
*Built by: Bethlehem-Hingham Shipyard Inc. (Hingham, Massachusetts, U.S.A.)

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/b1/balfour.htm Balfour - Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships]
* [http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/5644.html Uboat.net page for HMS Balfour]
* [http://uboat.net/boats/u672.htm Uboat.net page for U-672]
* [http://uboat.net/boats/u1191.htm Uboat.net page for U-1191]
* [http://www.captainclassfrigates.co.uk/ captainclassfrigates.co.uk]

References

* "The Captain Class Frigates in the Second World War" by Donald Collingwood. published by Leo Cooper (1998), ISBN 085052 615 9.
* "The Buckley-Class Destroyer Escorts" by Bruce Hampton Franklin, published by Chatham Publishing (1999), ISBN 086176118X.
* "German U-Boat Losses During World War II" by Axel Niestle, published by United States Naval Inst (1998), ISBN 1557506418.