By: Greg Knowles
email: gknowles@ihug.co.nz
The War Years of Reginald
Thomas William Knowles.
[1]
To some readers this chapter may seem out of place. However, I have included it quite obviously because it is the story of my father’s war years. Years of sacrifice and commitment to the cause of peace.
Reginald Thomas William Knowles (Harry) joined the Merchant Navy at a young age before enlisting with the Royal Navy on May 25 1942. His initial three months or so of service was spent at a well known Boys’ Naval training Barracks in Ipswich known as HMS Ganges. On August 14 1942 he transferred to the HMS Pembroke, a training barracks on the River Medway in Kent, until September 11 1942 when he spent time on the Shrapnel (?) before being placed on the newly completed Destroyer, HMS Orwell.
Almost immediately the Orwell was put into active duty on the Arctic Convoy run. When Germany invaded Russia the usual supply route to Russia was closed off and so war supplies were transported by allies via three alternative routes;
· Through north Russian ports of Murmansk and Archangel. (23% of supplies).
· Via the Persian Gulf. (2%).
· From the west coast of the USA to Vladivostok. (75%).
The British convoys were responsible for the first on the list. Supplies were entirely war materials with a typical convoy (in this case PQ18) comprising 39 merchant ships. The major articles of cargo being 4400 vehicles, 835 tanks, 566 aircraft, over 11,000 tons of explosives, and over 157,000 tons of general cargo and 9541 tons of fuel oil.
In addition the weather caused tremendous problems with fierce storms. Life on board during bad weather is vividly described in the memoir of William Smith DSM:
"The sea was violent with waves of 30 ft plus. When we met a gale in the Atlantic we went into it bow on and ploughed through, but in the Arctic, east of Bear Island, the sea was very narrow and we had to go east with no deviation. This meant we were rolling as much as 30 degrees to port and starboard. With the deck covered in ice and snow we had to use lifelines when going aft to the guns and depth charges. These lifelines were fitted very firmly and anyone going aft on deck had to fix a rope round the body with a hook on to the lifeline and gradually move aft when the ship was steady. But when she rolled your feet left the deck and at 30 degrees you were hanging over the sea. At maximum roll the ship shuddered for a few seconds and then decided to come back or turn over - some did. The temperature in these seas got as low as 60 degrees below freezing. Your eyebrows and eyelashes froze and your eyes were very sore with the winds blowing into them. When you got down to the mess deck there was about 3" of water from condensation. The older men, who had hair in their noses, found that these froze solid and were like needles. Many men came off watch with faces covered in blood as they had rubbed their noses without thinking. The main thing at this time was to keep the upper deck clear of ice and snow by means of axes, steam hoses etc or the ship could become top heavy".[2]
The threat for the Arctic Convoys were German air, surface and submarine forces based in Northern Norway. The surface threat was headed by the battleship Tirpitz.
The convoys would typically assemble in the north of Scotland either at Loch Ewe or Scapa Flow and then travel in a grid pattern with the merchant ships in the centre surrounded by their Royal Navy escort to Kola Inlet (Winter destination) or Archangel (Summer destination) - usually around ten days at sea. In all there were over 70 convoys involving 581 merchant ships and 269 Royal Navy ships. The convoys were quite dependent on weather and not usually able to operate in summer months as the long Arctic days gave much opportunity for enemy attack.
In between convoys sailors were often placed as crew on other ships. Hence, just because the Orwell was in port didn’t mean that Harry wasn’t at sea. As well as the following convoys with the HMS Orwell, Harry did two convoys with the Tyne, and convoys with each of the Greenwich II, the Vindictive II the Pembroke IV and the Vernon. It seems at least one of these ships may have been a merchant cargo ship.
· A description of HMS Orwell[3]
Tonnage: 1540
SHP: 40,000
Speed: 36 ¾ knots
Guns: 4 x 4.7’ 2 x 2pdr 8 x 20mm
Torpedo: 8 x 21”
Complement: 175
HMS Orwell was a Destroyer launched 2.4.42 and completed 17.10.42. Like the other “O boats” she was fitted for mine-laying and made up the bulk of the 17th Destroyer Flotilla of the Home Fleet - This flotilla went on to steam 1,000,000 miles without losing a ship. The O boats were the first Destroyers of the War Construction Programme. The Orwell was named after the River Orwell in Ipswich, England. A brief history of her action-packed career follows;
31.12.42. Involved in the Battle of the Barents Sea.
1943. North Atlantic convoy support duties with the 3rd Support Group.
June 1944. In support of the Normandy landings.
22.4.45. Laid minefield in the Arctic sea.
1946-47. Torpedo training duties in the Portsmouth Local Flotilla and then into Reserve.
1952. Converted to a Type 16 Frigate at Rosyth.
1965. Broken up.
Convoys involving HMS Orwell.
Key:
Convoy name
Date of convoy (dates Orwell in escort). Convoy route. Number of merchant ships (ms).
QP15
17 - 30 Nov 1942 (23rd - 30th). Archangel Ú Loch Ewe. 32 ms.
Two ships grounded remained in Russia. Weather typically violent, fragmenting the convoy. German U-boats sank two merchant ships (before the Orwell joined the convoy). Storms severely damaged one Russian destroyer (Baku) while the German destroyer Sokrushitelny sunk (57 men lost).
JW51B
22 Dec 1942 - 4 Jan 1943 (Christmas Day - 4 Jan). Loch Ewe Ú Kola Inlet. 15 ms.
Again much weather damage .”...curtains of rain swept from horizon to horizon, cutting visibility to nil. Ice formed on decks and upper-works....” One ship wrecked, one forced to return to port. Convoy shadowed by enemy, one German U-boat (U354) was sunk. 30 Dec attack took place, Onslow (Orwell’s sister ship) heavily damaged (40 killed). Continuing enemy contact saw Germans lose Eckoldt and damage Hipper, an offensive Orwell was actively involved in. Allies lost Achates and Bramble with damage to Obdurate, Obedient and Onslow. Near disaster struck when the Onslow and Orwell had a near collision in the pitch black night.
JW53
15 - 27 Feb 1943 (19 - 27). Loch Ewe Ú Kola Inlet. 30 ms.
Of all bad weather encountered by the convoys, this was deemed to be the worst. Sheffield and Dasher severely damaged. Enemy air cover located the convoy on 23rd and made an air attack on the 26th. U-boats contacted the convoy on the 24th but no attack took place.
RA53
1 - 14 March 1943. (1 -10). Kola Inlet Ú Loch Ewe. 30 ms.
Again convoy scattered by storms, conditions which favoured U-boats and saw three merchant ships sunk and one floundered in storms.
Convoys halted for the summer. The convoy ships were left in various ports
around the North Atlantic those ‘stranded’ in North Russia referred to
themselves as “the forgotten convoy.
RTW Knowles had 21st in Reijkavik, Iceland.
JW54A
15 - 24 Nov. 1943 (18 - 25). Loch Ewe Ú Kola Inlet. 10 ms.
Arrived without event.
RA54B
26 -Nov - 9 Dec. 1943 (28 - 9). Archangel Ú Loch Ewe. 10 ms.
Very poor weather but arrived unmolested by enemy. Of note; the cargo of cruiser Kent - 54 tons of gold and silver bullion earmarked for part payment for cargo sent by Britain to Russia.
JW55B
20 - 30 Dec 1943 (22 - 29). Loch Ewe Ú Kola Inlet. 19 ms.
Enemy aircraft sighted the convoy on 22nd and mistakenly described it as a “troop convoy” so that a raid on the Norwegian coast was expected. Later, realising it was an eastbound Russian Convoy, U-boats despatched to Bear Island area, and shadowing commenced. In ensuing battle, in abysmal weather, German battleship Scarnhorst sunk - only 35 sailors survived.
RA55B
31 Dec 1943 - 8 Jan 1944 (31 - 7). Kola Inlet Ú Loch Ewe. 8 ms (a much smaller than usual convoy).
U-boat attacks ineffectual.
JW58
27 Mar - 4 April 1944 (29 - 4). Loch Ewe Ú Kola Inlet. 50 ms.
Convoy included US cruiser Milwaukee on passage to be handed over to Russian Northern Fleet.
Considerable air activity and south of Bear Island a line of 16 U-boats set up. These received the attention of the A/S aircraft and surface escort resulting in four being sunk.
RA58
7 -14 Apr. 1944 (7 - 13). Kola Inlet Ú Loch Ewe. 38 ms.
An pleasantly uneventful trip.
JW61
20 - 28 Oct. 1944 (22 - 28). Loch Ewe Ú Kola Inlet. 30 ms.
Action against convoys had by now depleted German forces in area. German destroyer Tirpitz no longer a threat and the Luftwaffe ceased to have viable strike force in Northern Norway. Hence, main threat to convoys were German U-boats. This convoy saw much engagement with enemy with no loss or significant damage to either side.
RA61
2 - 9 Nov 1944 (2 - 9). Kola Inlet Ú Loch Ewe. 33 ms.
Again much U-boat activity; 18 U-boats stationed off Kola Inlet in attempt to attack convoy immediately it left port. The six frigates within the escort left early and “put down” the U-boat threat before main convoy exited the inlet.
JW62
29 Nov. - 7 Dec. 1944 (1 - 7). Loch Ewe Ú Kola Inlet. 31 ms.
Tirpitz was finally eliminated by RAF on 12 Nov. 1944 (over 1000 men drowned). This threat replaced with substantial force of Ju88 torpedo bombers. No threat made to this convoy, however. Arrived unscathed.
RA62
10 - 19 Dec 1944 (10 - 19). Kola Inlet Ú Loch Ewe. 29 ms.
During convoy British destroyer Cassandra severely damaged by torpedo attack and Norwegian Corvette Tunsberg Castle mined and sunk. Luftwaffe entered the fray with attack by nine torpedo bombers resulting in their losing two aircraft. On Dec 13 U-365 was sunk.
JW64
3 - 15 Feb 1945 (6 - 15). Clyde Anchorage Ú Kola Inlet. (the Loch Ewe anchorage was dispensed with). 29 ms.
Massive attack by 48 torpedo bombers on Feb 7 foiled, seven German aircraft shot down. Second attack on 10th saw five further aircraft shot down.
RA64
17 Feb - 1 Mar 1945 (17 - 27). Kola Inlet Ú Clyde 33 ms.
Near commencement of convoy sloop Lark, corvette Bluebell and freighter Thomas Scott all sunk by U-boats. Weather which followed described as “the great gale.” No other convoy suffered as great weather damage as this. The conditions weathered by RA64 were accounted to be the worst encountered in the entire North Atlantic theatre. On arrival in Clyde all destroyers reported serious defects and a dozen required refits and dry dockings. When weather settled 25 enemy aircraft attacked. AA fire saw five shot down. Further hurricane force winds hit and in second air attack American freighter Henry Brown sunk, 26 died.
JW65
11- 21 Mar 1945 (12 - 21). Clyde Ú Kola Inlet. 26 ms.
Two merchant ships and sloop Lapwing sunk by U-boats. Destroyer Onslaught forced to return to England after collision while oiling.
RA65
23 Mar - 1 Apr 1945 (23 - 30). Kola Inlet Ú Scapa Flow. 28 ms.
Russians cleared channel through the minefields north of Kola to give alternative exit, avoiding U-boats lying in wait off usual route. Uneventful convoy as enemy failed to detect it.
RA66
29 Apr - 8 May 1945 (VE Day) (5 - 8). Kola Inlet to Clyde. 26 ms.
In last ditch effort U-boats sunk frigate Goodall. In return two U-boats sunk. Convoy arrived Clyde on VE Day. Orwell’s last convoy. There followed one last eastbound and one last westbound convoy.
· Notes on life aboard the HMS Orwell, by one of Harry’s shipmates.
My First Ship.
Ed. “Wiggy” Bennett.[4]
“Orwell.”
In 1942, early one morning in July, if I remember correctly we were all mustered in the drill shed at Chatham and taken to check the draft list, a new one having been posted up. I found my name against a number and was told to report to the drafting office immediately. After all the rigmarole of a medical, dentist, clothing, etc., we had to muster by the dockyard to board a train with kit bag and hammock. Off we went to Southampton, to Thorneycroft’s Yard to see this so-called number.
Standing at the quayside I remember the Chief P.O. shouting out our names, detailing where we were to go. I was designated to No3 Mess, starboard side forw’d. This destroyer was now to be called ORWELL. I was only 18 at this time and it was my first ship after my HO training and was to be my ‘home’ for the next two years, God willing.
After working-up trials around the Matelot’s Paradise at Scapa we were sent on patrols all around Iceland, escorting and rounding up ships and generally getting the idea what it was all about. You see, most of the ships company were made up of HO’s.
Soon came the day for the ORWELL when we joined our first Russian-bound convoy. What with the cold, wet and rolling and the constant zigzagging, it was a wonder to me we didn’t disappear down our own tiller flat.
The first big engagement I can remember was in December 1942 - our encounter with HIPPER. ‘Action Stations’ sounded and my station was in the Aft Magazine. As we were battened down I thought, “well if we are hit here, I won’t have to worry too much.” The only news we got of the action was sparse and this was sent down the ammunition hoist. I heard plenty of firing but not much else. I understood our smoke stack got a few holes but as far as I can remember nobody was seriously hurt.
After a few more convoys back and forth to Polyarnoe, Action Stations sounded again in December 1943 - the Christmas present was SCHARNHOURST. Our skipper was most disappointed not being asked to join OPPORTUNE, one of our sister ships and attack. We had to stay and protect the convoy from the U-boats that were around, but I did see the sky light up as the SCHARNHORST was set ablaze and the convoy sailed safely through to Polyarnoe and Murmansk.
I left my first ship the ORWELL in October 1944. It was a happy and very lucky ship.
· Harry’s notes on applying for a disability pension;
I was commissioned HMS Orwell in 1942 and spent four years on her as a AB Gun Loader on B gun.
In that time we did to the best of my knowledge 19 convoys to North Russia, also a short time in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. We also took part in the D-day landing on France.
While we were in action we were issued with rubber ear plugs but on reflecting I realise these were not adequate for the amount of noise the ears had to put up with.
I first started losing my balance about 1965. I have had numerous tests since then including a brain scan at Auckland Hospital. Have been seeing a doctor every three months since 1965.
· In reply to a request from a 5th form schoolgirl who was doing a project on the 17th Flotilla.
Dear Lisa,
Thank you for your letter. I am enclosing an article from a newspaper in England giving an account of the ship I was on during the war - HMS Orwell. The Orwell is named after a river which runs alongside the town of Ipswich, there is also a well known Boys’ Naval training Barracks close by called HMS Ganges which I and many other men from the 17th Flotilla would have been for training.
You will notice that we did two trips to Spitzbergen. I will give you the reason for this. Spitzbergen was owned by Norway and had several coal mines on the island. When the war started the mines were set fire to stop the Germans taking the coal. On the two occasions we went there we landed Army personnel to inspect the mines, incidentally, on one of these trips it so happened to be my 21st birthday.
We did not take part in the battle with the Scharnhorst but we were escorting a convoy that was used as bait. We saw the battle on the horizon but did not take any part in it.
The article gives a fairly good account of the Orwell’s service although there are one or two parts that have been left out, for instance most of the convoys to Russia were made in the winter when it was dark day and night. The left the summer free for other trips.
1943 we did a spell in the Mediterranean around Africa using Gibraltar as a base. We also took part in D-Day - that was the [allied] invasion of France and Germany. We left from Sheerness (?) in England on the 6th Junes for France. It was planned for the 4th but the weather was that bad it was postponed until the 6th.
Another time we escorted a Battleship (Renown) to Newfoundland. Travelling on the ship were Stalin, Churchill and Roosevelt. They were going to a conference called Valta (?).