Scylla HMS
Posted: Sat Aug 28, 2010 5:44 pm
HMS SCYLLA. Cruiser of the Dido class built by Scotts of Greenock and commissioned in May 1942. She was fitted as a Cruiser flagship and was specially equipped with heavy anti-aircraft armament. She was initially deployed for service with the 10th Cruiser Squadron and in September 1942 was detailed to lead a group of 16 destroyers to provide additional cover to two Russian Convoys. The convoys were heavily attacked and losses were heavy on both sides.
She was subsequently detached to the Mediterranean as an escort to an assault convoy for the North African landings of 1942, forming part of the covering force in the attack on Algiers in November 1942 and played a vital role in various rescue missions during the campaign.
In January 1943 whilst returning to the United Kingdom the Scylla intercepted and sank the Rhakotis off Cape Finisterre which had attempted to run the Allied blockade. The following months were spent providing valuable support to North Russian Convoys before being deployed on temporary attachment to Force H in July 1943. She was immediately employed on escort duties to follow-up convoys for the Sicilian landings. She was later involved in providing air cover over the Salermo Beaches until such time as airfields could be secured on shore.
Returning to the United Kingdom in October 1943 she was taken in hand at Sheerness for docking and turbine repairs which lasted until March 1944. The Scylla had the honour of being flagship to the Naval Commander Eastern Task Force for the Normandy Landings but had to relinquish this role when she suffered the misfortune of hitting a mine in June 1944.
She joined the Reserve List in February 1948 and was scrapped in 1950.
Gibraltar philatelic.
Gibraltar SG654
She was subsequently detached to the Mediterranean as an escort to an assault convoy for the North African landings of 1942, forming part of the covering force in the attack on Algiers in November 1942 and played a vital role in various rescue missions during the campaign.
In January 1943 whilst returning to the United Kingdom the Scylla intercepted and sank the Rhakotis off Cape Finisterre which had attempted to run the Allied blockade. The following months were spent providing valuable support to North Russian Convoys before being deployed on temporary attachment to Force H in July 1943. She was immediately employed on escort duties to follow-up convoys for the Sicilian landings. She was later involved in providing air cover over the Salermo Beaches until such time as airfields could be secured on shore.
Returning to the United Kingdom in October 1943 she was taken in hand at Sheerness for docking and turbine repairs which lasted until March 1944. The Scylla had the honour of being flagship to the Naval Commander Eastern Task Force for the Normandy Landings but had to relinquish this role when she suffered the misfortune of hitting a mine in June 1944.
She joined the Reserve List in February 1948 and was scrapped in 1950.
Gibraltar philatelic.
Gibraltar SG654