Part of the
Acorn Archive
Hearts of Oak
Dad’s Diary 1941
Transcribed
by Sue Twyman
proud
daughter of
Lt Philip Bray
R.N. [1912 –1988]
Diary
Entries
November
1941 December 1941
Nov 8th
1941
Malta had daylight raid by 36 enemy aircraft this
morning. 7 bombs dropped very near the ship, and I thought it would be a blitz,
but to my disgust “all clear” went after 2o minutes. I’m duty so have not been
ashore.
Since writing this we have left Malta at high speed
to intercept an enemy force, consisting of 4 destroyers and 6 transports, going
from Sicily to Benghazi. We are due to meet them at midnight.
Oh I pray we shall be able to seek out this horrid
enemy, these men of earth, who have forced horror and bloodshed on mankind.
Come on Aurora, write your name in glory this night.
I’d rather it were so---but I repulse myself to think I should ever have wanted
to shed blood.
But we must,
and I must!
I do hope we meet them this time.
November 9th
1941 Enemy Convoy and Naval Escort
Wiped Out
I write this at 3am. At five minutes to 1, we
sighted the enemy convoy, consisting of 14 ships. There were 10 merchant ships
and 4 destroyers. We attacked right away, and we succeeded in sinking 2 of the
destroyers in five minutes.
We continued firing all of our guns and we fired 2
torpedoes—each of which sunk an enemy ship. We fired 300 rounds of 6inch and
numerous rounds of 4inch etc.
The battle was very fierce all of the time, and
after it had lasted exactly an hour, we had sunk 12 ships in all.
I went up top on deck during the battle, and was in time
to see a huge enemy munitions ship blow up in a sheet of flames and
explosion—the blast of it knocked me against the Parson( Chaplain), who was
near me. Never can I forget it, as it was only 1700 yards away.
There were 7 ships on fire with huge flames hundreds
of feet high, and there couldn’t have been many survivors at all. The other 2
destroyers ran away at high speed.
Oh, what a night. It must have been the greatest
attack on an enemy convoy in the history of the Royal Navy.
How lucky we were too---only 2 casualties and a few
hits by shrapnel. 3 torpedoes fired at us, and all missed. Never can I forget
it, and yet in the middle of its horror, I found time to think of my wife.
We passed a crowd of Italians swimming for it and
crying for help!!
And so we, the Aurora have once again written our
name in a blaze of glory tonight—and such glory.
It seems so amazing to sink 12 ships in one hour!
We are now searching for the 2 destroyers which ran
away, the only 2 out of 14 to escape us.
But oh dear, what thoughts I have had tonight—I was
never meant for this—but I do feel so proud that we have made the title Aurora
known in the Med’!
I do hope my darling Ethel will hear what we have
done.
3 a.m.
We carried on searching for the destroyers which
escaped us, but in the early hours of this morning we gave up and steamed
towards Malta at full speed.
At 9am we were attacked by Italian aircraft that
fired torpedoes at us, but none hit us. We brought down one torpedo bomber.
At 10am we were again attacked by enemy fighter
aircraft and one of these were shot down.
After this we were let alone and we arrived at
dinner time. The crowds cheered us into the harbour, and we felt so proud, and
the Admiral sent us a signal of congratulations for sinking the biggest convoy
of the war.
We also “spliced the main brace”, which has never
been done before.
What a great thing we have done—and I feel so very
proud of our ship—we certainly dealt the enemy one of the biggest blows he has
had.
Now I am going ashore to get drunk and then go to
Kaths (sister in law and family) But oh my thoughts are so jumbled dear wife,
and I do need you so.
November 10th
1941
A hot day and we are now laying along side in Malta
again. Went to Kaths last night and had a nice evening—but we had bombs fall very
close to us!
We have now learned more about the convoy we sank.
We were fighting not only 6 destroyers, but also two very heavy cruisers, far
superior to us. They did not hit us and we damaged them, so our official bag
was
4 Enemy destroyers sunk
10 merchant ships
A Naval World Record. 6,000 Enemy troops drowned.
We have had signals of hearty congratulations today
from—Winston Churchill, Admiral Cunningham, His Excellency Governor of Malta,
and from almost every ship of the Navy out here.
I listened to the broadcast, and this time the
Aurora was on the BBC and the whole of England and America are thrilled with
our battle—the newspapers call it the “greatest sea action” in this war.
Oh Ethel (wife), you will have heard the news over
the wireless, and I know you will be proud of me—not that I did much. But we on
board here are all proud of what we did, and I pray for a chance of another
like it.
But never shall I forget the horror of it—only my
wife’s arms about me can make me as I was before I saw those things.
Surely God knows we of the Aurora have earned some
leave now! When can I be happy again.
NOTE:- Battle of the Duisburg Convoy
On 9th Nov 1941 Force K, made up of Aurora, Penelope, and destroyers Lance and Lively, intercepts an Italian convoy some 130 south-west off
Calabria in approximate position 37.08N 18.09E. Italian convoy was bound from
Naples to Tripoli the Italian destroyer Fulmine was sunk as well as the
German transports Duisburg and San Marco, the
Italian transports Maria, Sagitta
and Rina Corrado, and the
Italian Conte di Misurata and
Minatitlan. The Italian
destroyers Grecale and Euro were damaged
Also Italian Destroyer Libeccio
November 11th
1941
A very hot day. Went to Kaths again and talked of
home. One long air raid in which a very large bomb dropped near us, killed
about 20 people.
People ashore are astounded by the fact that we sank
the two convoys, and they made us very welcome.
We still have a lot of signals of congratulations
coming in, and I am only just beginning to realize what a big thing we did. The
Battle of Cape Matapan 2.
Our Captain (Agnew) was awarded the C.B. today for
it---feel very pleased—we all do—he was wonderful. How proud Mrs Agnew will be
in Gosport.
We had another air raid at dinner time today but no
bombs. Mussolini has threatened our ships with revenge for what we did—but oh
Musso—what if we get the chance to do the same again—how madly I hope so.
I am so pleased that Ethel (wife) will now hear
about the Aurora, for she has reason now to be a little proud—her husband being
in the greatest epic of British Anti Convoy history.
The news has just been on and it says we got another
destroyer sunk in our action, so we sank 3 altogether, and so now we have got
rid of 15 ships in one night, no wonder we are being cheered all over the
world.
November 12th
1941
Saw in paper that a sub of ours managed to intercept
and sink the only destroyer that had got away from us on Sunday. Congrats’
still coming to us today.
Was confirmed in rating of Petty Officer.
November 14th
1941
Captain gave a lecture on the recent action of ours,
told us not to relax at all, but he seemed very proud of us—and he should be.
Very sad to hear the loss of the Ark Royal, but
Aurora will be able to avenge her in our next battle, which I hope will not be
far away!
November 16th
1941
Am duty today so cannot go ashore, and am rather
glad as I have very little money. Am trying to get Ethel a present to take
home.
I have heard one is leaving Malta soon. The ships company
is having to do on half rations now as food is scarce, and it is bad
really—good thing Kath gives me a meal when I go ashore!
November 18th
1941
So happy a day for me for I had 4 letters from
Ethel—they did make me so happy, and they are the first I’ve had for 6 weeks,
but how they make me ache to go home!
We left Malta at 6 this evening, and steamed at high
speed towards the Italian Islands of Cantalaria, and we are going to decoy
enemy ships if we can—hope we do have another action like last week—anything.
November 19th
1941
No Luck last night, but 2 enemy cruisers and 6
destroyers were at sea, but we did not contact them, and they got back to
Italy. Hard luck! Came back to Malta at 8 this morning.
Pretty bad air raid at 7 tonight and incendiaries
dropped but no damage. Piece of shrapnel just missed me! We are open to all
danger here abouts in the Med.
November 20th
1941
We had an air raid this morning at 6 o’clock and 4
bombs. Another at 10 o’clock- no bombs. Another at 8 o’clock this evening--?
Feel very tired today and hungry too, as we are on
sea rations all this time, no potatoes or fresh stuff until we get back to
England. How I pray for that day, to see my loved ones again.
November 21st
1941
A very warm day. At 7 this morning 6 enemy dive
bombers tried to attack us in the dawn light, but an intense barrage was put
up, very intense, and it is said that 4 were shot down.
Another attack by enemy bombers was made at 10 this
forenoon—but no serious developments.
At 2 this afternoon we left Malta with a convoy of 4
big merchant ships, and we sailed south at good speed towards Benghazi on the
African coast. The idea was to let the Italians see us, and let them think we
were going to invade Libya…this will help the army of ours at Tobruk if successful.
The destroyer Lively who is with us, has just
attacked an enemy submarine, with depth charges. They shook us up but don’t
know if sub was sunk.
We are due to return to Malta before dawn tomorrow,
unless we sight something.
Always think deeply of my Ethel when we are on these
stints, as it is extremely dangerous for Aurora now, after Mussolini has told
us he will revenge the 2 convoys.
November 22nd
1941
Our job carried out, we returned with convoy to
Malta arriving at 0530 this morning. It seems we were sighted by enemy, so we
had an air raid at 7 this morning—no bombs.
We were raided by 36 enemy bombers at 5 this
evening, but they did not get through to bomb.
Italy lost another 2 cruisers and 3 transports and 1
destroyer today---our submarines.
Italy is almost finished I think and will shortly
revolt or ask for peace.
November 23rd
1941
Had 3 air raids in morning and 1 this afternoon, a
dogfight over the island and a few enemy planes shot down.
Went to Kaths this evening---ships company were recalled,
and ship went to sea on a job—but I knew nothing about it at Kaths, and so I
missed the ship, which made me very downhearted!
November 24th
1941
Reported to HMS St Angelo this morning and stayed
there all day as Aurora was at sea. Heard she is having some action again. At 2
this afternoon all forces in Malta were recalled as news of an Italian invasion
came through. At 6 this evening everything went back to normal.
November 25th
1941 2nd Enemy Convoy
Wiped Out
Returned on board this morning as ship came back to
Malta during the morning. She sank 2 very large Italian petrol ships and the
two escorting enemy destroyers turned and ran!
Did not get into trouble for missing ship, as it was
quite accidental---10 of us in all.
We steamed out of Malta again at 5 o’clock this
evening and we steamed at high speed towards the Italian coast. We were
searching for two enemy destroyers and a large tanker which are trying to reach
Libya.
It is sudden death for the Italians to come out of
harbour now, especially as the Aurora is here. Since we came to the Med, we
alone have sunk 16 enemy ships
Carried on search all night but did not find them.
November 26th
1941
Returned to Malta this evening having failed to find
the enemy, and I was very disappointed.
Air raid during the night, and large bomb dropped
very close.
November 28th
1941
Air raid at ten this morning, no bombs. We had a
letter of congrat’s from Prime Minister again and one from C in C of Med,
regarding the 16 ships we have sunk this last two weeks. It is having the great
effect of helping our army in Libya to win the battles.
At 2 this afternoon we left Malta, and are steaming
towards Italy, to intercept 5 enemy destroyers. I think we shall catch them
this time, and there will very likely be a battle of blood. We are due to meet
them at 3am, it is now 9 in the evening.
November 29th
1941
Did not find the enemy, felt very disappointed, but
after searching all forenoon we started back to Malta at noon today.
At 5 this evening we were attacked by Italian
torpedo bombers, but their torpedoes missed us again. I wonder if we shall
always be missed like that. We fired at them, but no result.
Neptune and Ajax arrived.
We arrived at Malta at 9 this evening, and we are
only oiling, and we go to sea at 4 in the morning again, do not know what for.
But it is a job of some description, and I hope we do something glorious again.
Feel very tired, but not much sleep tonight either.
December 1st
1941 3rd Enemy Convoy Wiped
Out
Did not find the enemy, but at 3 o’clock we sighted
an enemy merchant ship, carrying ammunition, so we fired and she burst into
flames, and then we finished her off with a torpedo. The survivors refused to be picked up.
Since writing last we sighted an Italian destroyer
and a 10,000 ton tanker. We engaged both of them at once, and set the tanker on
fire---she sank—a very amazing sight in sunshine. The destroyer ran away at
high speed, but we hit her 4 times, and she blew up in a terrible
explosion---no survivors!
They both fired at us but missed, and we had no
casualties.
Picked up 21 survivors from tanker.
This means we have sunk 25 ships up to now---a Naval
record. Good old Aurora!
I was very thrilled by it all—and disgusted too. Do
hope Ethel hears about it in the papers.
Shall go into harbour with the Victory flag flying
again tomorrow!
NOTE:- Destroyer thought to be
“Alvise Da Mosto”
December 2nd
1941
Arrived back at Malta at 8 this morning and entered
harbour flying our Victory flag. Have found out that the Italian destroyer that
we sank, was the biggest and best in the Italian Navy. Today the BBC gave out
in the news bulletin, how Aurora had again sunk 3 ships, and I do hope Ethel
heard it. It also said how Aurora had effectively assured the British Army in
Libya, a quick victory.
We received lots of telegrams of congratulations
again—including one from Admiralty and Vice Admiral Malta—and C in C Med Fleet.
Our record now is—25 ships sunk altogether—19 of these during the past 3
weeks!!
HMS Sydney sunk off of Australia.
I’m so happy today, for I had 3 lovely letters from
my darling—I pray so much that I shall live this war out, to see her again.
Things are getting dangerous out here for Aurora—pray God will always be with
us.
December 3rd
1941
Am duty today so no visit to Kaths.
Malta news papers are full of our latest exploits
against the enemy. Prisoners that we picked up after the fight, state that
things in Italy are critical and only the Germans are keeping them in the war!
December 4th
1941
It seems remarkable that we are still in harbour for
two days, but perhaps the Italians are keeping their few remaining ships in
harbour, or have they broken down altogether?
The Ajax is here with us now, with an Admiral on
board, hope very much he doesn’t take over from Agnew.
Newspapers are still talking about us, and the work
we are doing—BBC last night, called us” Famous Force under Agnew”
Went to Kaths at 6 this evening, had a large chicken
supper, and a long talk about home
Air raid started at 9 and carried on for 8 hours,
firing was continous—lots of small bombs were dropped—no casualties.
Doesn’t look as if I’ll be home for Christmas, it is
so unfair to keep us out here, for we are Home Fleet, and God knows we have
earned leave!
December 6th
1941
Ajax and Neptune and the three destroyers left here
today—believe they have gone for good.
Air raid started at 9 this evening and is developing
more as I write this. They are trying for the air fields.
December 9th
1941
Left Malta at 6 this evening and we steered West
towards the Italian island of Pantalaria, and we searched all night for 2 enemy
6inch gun cruisers, who are taking petrol to Libya.
We are still searching for them, and are now at
“action stations”, all ready to blast them. If we do meet them, it will be a
terrific scrap, a fight to the finish. At times like this I find time for a
little prayer, and a deep thought of my darlings.
We have traveled 99,881 miles and have expended
35,000 tons of oil fuel since war began
Have sunk 25 ships since September—2months.
America at war with Germany and Italy today!
December 10th
1941
We carried on the search for the enemy and at 3 am
this morning, our aircraft—Blenheim, sighted the two enemy cruisers, who had
turned tail, and were running back to Sicily, at very high speed. They must
have got wind that we were looking for them, they do not seem to like us!
Now we are heading back to Malta, as they have
eluded us, and are 100 miles to the North.
Arrived back in Malta at half past 8 this morning
and tied up at the buoy.
Have just heard the loss of HMS Prince of Wales and the Repulse!
What a sad blow, and God grant the Navy will avenge this with interest! How
horrible the world has become. I pray it will become more beautiful again, in
spite of the gloom surrounding us all.
We are standing by to go to sea tonight, after our
enemy cruisers—the Prince of Wales must be avenged!
December 13th
1941
Last night 4 of our destroyers sank 2 enemy
cruisers! What a Victory
The 4 destroyers came into Malta again at 10 this
morning, and the whole of Malta turned out to cheer them in –just as they did
us.
This leaves the Italian Navy almost finished—and
only hope we go out and catch the remainder.
The Italians call the Aurora the “Phantom Ship”
What a celebrity we have become out here, and I
don’t blame the Italians for trying to nip away when they see us coming!
December 15th
1941
Have just heard our sister ship HMS Galatia has been
sunk, pray it isn’t so!
December17th
1941
We met our troop ship at 9 this morning. We were then
attacked by enemy torpedo bombers in waves of three, no hits on us at all. At
noon we were dive bombed by enemy bombers—about 30 bombs, no hits. At 3-15 we
were attacked by dive bombers, and torpedoes, but although close, the bombs
didn’t hurt us, shook us up badly—how I hate it so!
After 4 this morning, we were bombed without mercy,
and without a stop, until 6—Two hours
of it—I feel full of nerves watching it!
We shot down 3 bombers.
At 6 this evening, while being bombed, we sighted 2
enemy battleships, 4 cruisers, and 12 destroyers, their battle fleet!
The battleships engaged us, but their shells—15
inch—fell 100 yards short. Oh God, what a mercy!
Our Admiral signaled that we must get troopship
through to Malta. So we steered South, when it got dark, and the Italians lost
us—thank God!
About 100 bombs and 12 torpedoes fired at us today,
but didn’t hit us! But we brought 3 down
So Victory to us, although I am not sure that we
shall get back safely, we have all day tomorrow yet
What a hell of a day! But I’m thankful.
December 18th
1941
Daylight begun with bombs and torpedoes fired at us
without a stop until noon again! Enemy bombers swooped and dived at us all
morning—they are German, and can they be devils!
Submarines attacked us after noon, but did not score
any hits—but we attacked them with depth charges. My God, will we get out of
it? More planes coming!
We arrived at Malta at 4 this evening—oh how we are
glad. Anyhow we got the troopship through!! She must be very valuable.
We have just got orders to go to sea again—we have
only been in harbour for 2 hours, it is now 6 o’clock—oh I pray we’ll find an
enemy to destroy! I feel so mad, and nervous. Have heard the enemy is getting
out of Libya by ships—we’re after them!!
We joined up with HMS Neptune and HMS Kandahar
and we are now going at high speed towards Tripolli in Libya.
It is pitch black night, but sea is choppy, and we
expect to meet the enemy at 10 in the morning. It is now 10pm. Hope we come out
of the action luckily!!
December 19th
1941
My Worst
Experience
My God, what a night---what hell and destruction!
Two hours ago we hit an enemy mine, and we all thought we were finished!!
We have a list to Port of about 30 degrees, and it
is touch and go if we can get to Malta. Lots of the compartments are flooded,
and we are only able to do slow speed. We have about 11 casualties, and it is 3
o’clock in the morning.
The “Neptune”
and” Kandahar” who were with us,
have both hit mines as well, and have blown up---no survivors!! Poor devils.
Oh I was frightened—only I know how.
We are limping back towards Malta now—so the devils
got us at last!! Hope we reach home without swimming for it! How I have prayed
tonight. We have at least 100 miles to go. Oh I do hope we are not attacked
going back.
December 20th
1941
We have been dive bombed for half an hour this
morning, the devils want to finish us off! Have just heard there may be
survivors from Neptune—I pray so, oh how proud I am to have such ship mates,
and to be in the Navy at this time. God grant that the Aurora will do her stuff
again soon! I’d so love it—but I also want to kill all the enemy I can. How I
have altered in myself.
We are in a bad condition and leaking
everywhere—never in my life will I forget that moment—the slightest bang makes
me jump.
Went ashore at 3 pm to Kaths and she made me a large
beefsteak pudding, as I had not eaten for 4 days, it was hell really.
Had air raid and bombs at 6. They seem to be
concentrating on dive bombing Malta now—but it is Aurora which they are after.
My thoughts have been so much at home.
December 21st
1941
Day started with a dive bombing attack on the ship
at 9 this morning—bombs fell close and we shot two enemy planes down.
A dive bombing raid again at 11-30, all hell was let
loose.
The enemy dived out of the clouds, and dropped 6
bombs straight at the ship. I was on the upper deck—one bomb almost hit us, and
a ten pound splinter from it went through the bulkhead 3ft away from
me—Almost!!
My nerves are not too good—what a hell of a time we
are getting now. But I pray to be spared for my angels sakes. But they will hit
us one day. They know we are helpless.
We have a hole 10ft by 4ft in our side and all of
our decks are buckled—port holes blown off, and we are leaking badly.
I hope that we will dock in England and not
here---we are in the berth where Illustrious was bombed and had 400 killed. Oh
darling would that I was with you. Anyhow our guns can still give these German
devils hell!!!
Went to Kaths at 6 tonight and had a lovely meal,
they are most kind to me.
December 22nd
1941
We de-ammunitioned ship today ready to go into dock
soon. We are in pretty bad shape and the mine did heaps of damage. Our ships
side blown in, heaps of compartments flooded, decks buckled, ports torn off, guns
or a few out of action.
We have had 2 dive bombing raids by German planes
today, and they dropped bombs right along side us, they seem to be determined
to get the Aurora.
My nerves seem to have gone in lots of ways—I have
never been afraid of anything before now—but we have and are having it pretty
bad now—I do hate the sound of an explosion now. Everyone on board seems to be
in like state, and we badly need a rest.
December 23rd
1941
Our food is very bad now, and there is to be a court
of enquiry about it this morning.
Exactly 162 survivors of Kandahar have been brought
in. I’m so bucked about it—but not a soul of Neptune was saved!! My heart
bleeds for them. How can the people of England realize what is happening!
We were dive bombed again at 10 this morning and two
bombs almost hit us. 2 enemy planes shot down.
We went straight into dock for a month at 1 o’clock
this afternoon—they are going to repair damage. Went to Kaths at 6 and helped Fred
with Christmas decorations. We had 8 alerts during the night but no bombs at
all. How I wish that I was home with my family at this Christmas time.
December 25th
1941 Christmas Day
Not a bad day. Had 4 alerts, no bombs. I went to
church on the quarter deck, and sung Carols---I did enjoy it.
I put my new uniform on today, for the first time,
and I look alright.
December 26th
1941
A day of low cloud, and we had 4 blitzes. Each time,
the enemy dive bombers, came out of the clouds, and loosed bombs and machine
gun fire at us! They want to get our ships very badly. We put up a good show
without being hit at all, and their nearest bomb was at least a hundred yards
away!
But if they go on like this they will get us one
day, and God knows what will happen then, for we are in dock with no water
around us!! We should probably roll over. We are all feeling the strain of this
dive bombing.
They have not started to repair us yet, it looks
like a long job
December 30th
1941
Am getting used to my new uniform and I look quite
smart in it, and all the chaps laugh at my starched shirt and cuff links!
We had 4 dive bombing blitzes today, and at last
they have planted a bomb almost on us—only 20 feet away. The shrapnel and blast
messed us up a bit, and tore through our steel plates as if it were butter.
The bomb hit a shelter on the side of the dock, and
killed 7 Maltese men. We had one chap who’s hand was blown off, and another
with injuries from shrapnel! All of us are getting just bags of nerves—when
will it cease?
Raymond Forward
Thanks to Sue Twyman