A History of HMS TRUMPETER

HMS TRUMPETER at anchor with Avengers onboard.

HMS TRUMPETER was a 'Ruler' class escort carrier, her keel was laid down on August 25th 1942 at Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co. Tacoma, Washington, as a C3-S-A1 type freighter hull, Maritime Commission hull number 248; Seattle-Tacoma hull number 32. The hull was purchased by the US navy, to become the auxiliary aircraft carrier USS BASTIAN AVG-37, however while still under construction it was decided that AVG-37 was to be transferred to the Admiralty on loan on her completion under the lend-lease agreement that existed between the US and Britain. The promulgate name was later cancelled.
 

After 112 days on the Ways, the hull, complete with flight deck support beams and its engines and associated machinery installed was launched on n December 15th 1942. AVG-37 was the fifth of 10 escort carriers to be contracted out for completion in Portland, Oregon, 5 each to be outfitted by Commercial Iron Works and Willamette Iron & Steel; TRUMPETER, AVG-37, was assigned to Commercial Iron Works. Shortly after launch she was towed by tug from Seattle to the port of Astoria, Oregon on the south shore of the Columbia River, where the river flows into the Pacific Ocean. From Astoria, she was towed up the Columbia River to Portland and delivered to the Commercial Iron Works yard where work was to begin outfitting the basic vessel as an escort carrier, this included creating and equipping the internal compartments, the hangar deck, fitting the flightdeck, accelerator and arrestor gear, the island superstructure, sponsons and guns Her USN designation changed to ACV-37 on August 20th 1942. She spent the next 291 days under construction in the water, in total she took 324 days to complete.
 

RN crew members for TRUMPETER began to arrive in Portland beginning in January 1943 and were under the charge of Commander. D. R. C. Hodson RN, the ship’s executive officer - and officer in charge until the appointment of Captain K. S. Colquhoiin RN on May 14th.
 

ACV-37 was ready for her builder’s and Admiralty acceptance trials in late July. The acceptance trial was carried out by a four-man board of naval officers who re-check the findings of the Builder's trials and more. Rear Admiral Noyes USN headed the trial board two captains and a lieutenant-commander completed the board. Also present on board for these runs were the RN officers and crew, and a big force of Commercial Iron Works workmen, Commander Leiand D. Whitgrove, the local supervisor of naval shipbuilding, together with members of his staff, and a group of Commercial Iron Works officers.
 

After passing down the Willamette River she entered the Columbia River and trials began at 09:00. The first test was a full power run and speed run over a measured mile, downstream, turning around at 10:40 and repeated the runs upstream completing her maximum speed run over a measured mile commencing at 13:20 with an emergency stop. After testing her anchors, steering, engines, and general handling she returned to her berth at 16:00 after completing the test schedule.
 

Transferred to Admiralty custody

On completion of defect rectification and final fitting out ACV-37 was delivered to the US Navy on August 4th 1943; she was accepted on behalf of the US Navy by Commander Meagher, USNR, and after the playing of the American national anthem he delivered her to Captain K. S. Colquhoiin RN, who accepted her on behalf of the Admiralty. ACV-37 was then commissioned into RN service the same day in a short ceremony when Captain Colquhoiin read out the commissioning warrant and the ship was named HMS TRUMPETER (D09). The following day marked her build complete and preparation began for her sea trials and work-up at Seattle.
 

Trials and working up the ship off Seattle:

On completion of storing ship TRUMPETER left Portland on August 25th 1943 on passage to the US Navy Station Seattle where she was to take on ammunition and stores, carry out gunnery practice, and undergo a short work-up. She arrived at Seattle at 15:15 on the 27th. She put to sea for exercises at 06:45 on August 30th, securing back at US Navy Station Seattle at 07:45 on September 1st. She sailed again at 06:38 on the 2nd, returning at 16:20 on the 4t earlier that day she embarked the 12 Avengers of No 848 Naval Air Squadron. [1].

September 1943, Gunnery exercises off Seattle: left - the starboard aft anti-aircraft armament (a twin 40mm Bofors mount nearest the camera and 6 single 20mmOerlikon mounts along the deck edge walkway) conduct a daytime shoot. Right - the starboard 5” gun is fired during a night shoot.

 On the 5th she slipped her mooring at 07:00 and prepared to operate aircraft. She returned to her mooring at 08:30 on September 9t. She now began loading aviation stores and equipment supplied by US Naval Air Station Seattle in preparation for her departure on her maiden voyage to the UK. She put to sea again on the 12th departing at 10:00. Flying operations were carried out over the next four days, during this period there were three flying incidents; on the 13th Sub-Lt A. A. Potter RNVR landing in FN822 caught No.7 arrester wire and the prop fouled the barrier, another aircraft hit the barrier on the 14th, FN826 piloted by Sub-Lt W. S. Appleby RNZNVR entered the barrier after the arrester hook bounced off the deck and caught No.8 wire. On the 15th an aircraft was loaned to SLINGER which was also nearing the end of her work-up at Seattle, JZ102 piloted by Lt P. F. McClintock RNVR was performing deck landings and catapult launches to test the ship’s flight deck equipment, during one landing the arrester wire snapped. The aircraft could not recover flying speed and ditched over the starboard bow. The pilot was OK but Able Seaman Jack Hill, an Oerlikon Gunner suffered serious head injuries and an almost severed ear when the parted cable whiplashed across the deck..
 

September 1943: Avengers from 848 Naval Air Squadron working up with TRUMPETER on passage from Seattle to Balboa. Left – an Avenger is boosted off the deck by the catapult image @ IWM (A 21062). Right - and Avenger is just about to catch an arrester wire which will bring the aircraft to a stop before it reaches the crash barrier rigged halfway up the flight deck image @ IWM (A 21068)
 

Maiden voyage: Passage to Norfolk and Atlantic crossing to the UK

On completion of their work-up at US Navy Station Seattle TRUMPETER sailed from Port Townsend on September 16th for passage to Balboa in company with her sister CVE SLINGER on passage to Norfolk Virginia. Flying training continued on passage, there was one further incident recorded on the 20th when FN848 piloted by Sub-Lt D. C. Large RNVR caught no 8-wire landing on a pitching deck and entered the barrier.
 

The two carriers arrived at Balboa on September 29th and after transiting the Panama Canal sailed from Cristobal on October 1st bound for Norfolk. They arrived there on October 6th. TRUMPETER going alongside US Naval Air Station Norfolk at 16:45 to embark the 10 Corsair aircraft of 1831 squadron which had been waiting for her arrival having flown in from US Naval Air Station Brunswick, Maine two days earlier. The squadron had formed and worked up at Brunswick and was embarked for passage to the UK. On completion of loading TRUMPETER was moved to the Naval Dockyard for repairs and alterations. Emerging from the Dockyard on the 13th she next embarked another squadron for passage to the UK, the 10 Corsairs of 1833 squadron which had flown into USNAS Norfolk that morning.; on completion of hoisting these aircraft onboard and stowing then in the hangar she sailed for New York.
 

TRUMPETER arrived at New York on October 19th and secured alongside at 35th Street Pier Brooklyn to undergo voyage repairs carried out by the Bethlehem Steel Company’s 27th street yard. The work was completed on the 21st; she sailed later that day to join convoy UT.4 for the Atlantic crossing, she was carrying 56 aircraft [2].. SLINGER also sailed in the same convoy carrying a ferry load of 63 aircraft.
 

At 17:00 on October 30th on nearing Ireland, the two carriers detached from the convoy with the US Battleship TEXAS and escorted by the USS JEFFERIES and USS EARLE proceeded to Belfast where they unloaded their squadrons and ferry loads tRoyal Naval Aircraft Yard Belfast t on November TRUMPETER was now allocated to Western Approaches Command as ferry carrier.

First ferry trip: November 7th – December 13th1943

After storing ship and taking on fuel oil TRUMPETER sailed with convoy TU.4 which departed from the Clyde on November 7th for New York. She detached from the convoy off the US coast and proceeded to Norfolk Navy Yard, arriving there on November 18th to undergo repairs, mainly this work was connected with her engines and refrigeration plant. She put to sea for a post repair shakedown at 09:05 on the 25th, returning to her berth at 16:10.
 

On November 26th she moved from the Navy Yard to the Norfolk Naval Operating Base at 15:15 to embark a ferry load of airframes. Sailed from Norfolk for New York on the 28th. She joined convoy CU.8 off New York on December 2nd for passage to the UK. The convoy arrived at Liverpool on December 13th; it is assumed TRUMPETER had detached for Belfast as before.

Second ferry trip: December 31st 1943 – January 29th 1944

TRUMPETER was to make one further ferry trip, this time to New York, she sailed with convoy UC.9 which depart from Liverpool on New Year’s Eve 1943. She arrived in New York on January 10th. She secured alongside Pier 14 on Staten Island to undergo voyage repa9irs carried out by the Bethlehem Steel Company at Mariner’s harbour. This Work was completed on January 16th. She next embarked a ferry load, including 36 p51 Mustang fighters for delivery to the RAF, before sailing on the 18th to join convoy UT.7 for the return voyage. The convoy arrived on the Clyde on January 29th. It is unclear where TRUMPETER unloaded, Belfast or Glasgow.

January1944: TRUMPETER in the Atlantic on passage to the UK with a  deck cargo of 36 P51 fighters

Modification to RN standards and working up February 4th – July 31st 1944

The ship was next ordered to Dundee to enter a dockyard to undergo a series of alterations and modifications to bring her up to Admiralty standards. She arrived at Dundee on February 4th.

This work totalled 150 separate modifications and included installing British Type 79B aircraft warning and Type 272 surface search radars, lengthening of the flight deck, fitting redesigned flying controls and fighter direction layout, modifications to hangar, accommodation and store rooms, installing extra safety measures including major changes to the aviation fuel stowage and oiling at sea arrangements,, modifying gunnery and other internal communications, adding extra W/T and R/T sets, and improved darken ship arrangements. The work was to take three months; on completion of the dockyard work the ship began post modification sea trials. On May 21st 1944 she arrived at Rosyth Naval Dockyard for further modifications to be made.
 

On June 4th she was allocated to the Home Fleet and sailed for the Clyde to begin a work up period and receive her allocated squadron. She operated with aircraft from 768 Deck Landing Training (DLT) squadron from June 15th to July 2nd, various aircraft types flew out from RNAS Abbotsinch to carry out practice deck landings. On July 5th 1944 the 12 Avengers and 4 Wildcats of 846 Squadron flew out from RAF Limavady, Northern Ireland to john the ship.
 

On June 29th 1944 a detachment of 4 Firefly Is from No 1771 squadron embarked from RNAS Burscough for a period of DLT. On the first day Z1942 ('K') piloted by Lt A. V. Donaghy RNVR crashed on deck, the arrester hook bounced off the deck and the aircraft floated over all the wires and broke through both barriers sliding on its belly to the edge of the flightdeck before coming to a stop. The detachment returned to RNAS Burscough on July 1st. Also on this date Seafire Mk.Ib PAl24 crashed on landing when the undercarriage collapsed, pilot unknown. The ship now prepared to reactive her resident squadron; on July 5th the 12 Avengers and 4 Wildcats of 846 Squadron flew out from RAF Limavady, Northern Ireland to john the ship.

July 1st 1944: Seafire Ib PAl24 c of 768 DLT squadron has broken thorugh both barriers after failing to catch a wire and has slid up the flight deck on its belly.

After completing a two-week work-up during which time there were e only two landing accidents, both barrier crashes TRUMPETER entered a Clyde dockyard on the 18th for post work-up defect ratification.

Allocated for Home Fleet operations: August 1944

On July 31st TRUMPETER sailed in company with Sister CVE NABOB for Scapa Flow to begin operations with the Home Fleet. They arrived at Scapa on August 1st and spent the next 7 days conducting exercises to prepare for Operation OFFSPRING.
 

Operation OFFSPRING was designed to force the enemy out of the Leads by laying mines in Lepsorev and Harhamsfjiord, Norway. In addition to the laying of two minefields between Lepsøy and Haramsa, the Force was to attack the airfield at Gossen and shipping off the coast of German-occupied Norway.
 

TRUMPETER was allocated to Force 4, which comprised of the Fleet Carrier INDEFATIGABLE (Flag RA CS1) (887 Seafire, 894 Seafire, 820 Barracudas, 1770 Firefly, 1840 Hellcat) CVEs NABOB (852 Avenger), TRUMPETER (846 Avenger), Cruisers KENT, DEVONSHIRE, HM Destroyers MYNGS (D26), VOLAGE, VIGILANT, VERULAM, VIRAGO, SCOURGE, Canadian Destroyers ALGONQUIN, SIOUX. The Force sailed from Scapa on August 8th.

The operation commenced on the 9th and was successfully concluded. 47 aerial mines were successfully laid by the Avenger crews of 846 and 852 squadrons: 29 were laid in Harhamsfiord and 17 in Lepsorev. In addition, 6 Me 110s were destroyed and one damaged on the ground. Two hangers and some storehouses were left burning at Gossen and many subsidiary targets in the Lepsoy area were attacked, including 3 radar and 2 wireless stations, a dredger and gun positions, 3 armed ships of which 2 were left burning and an oil tank which was left smoking Force 4 losses were: 1 Avenger of 846 Sqn and its crew; 1 Firefly ditched. The Force withdrew and arrived back at Scapa on the 11th. TRUMPETER and NABOB sailed for Rosyth later that day.
 

Arriving at Rosyth on the 12th both carriers embarked more aerial mines for use in their next operation planned for the 18th. On completion of loading, they sailed to return to Scapa, arriving on the 14th.

A detachment of 3 Avengers from 856 Sqn now joined the ship to increase her number of this type carried for operation GOODWOOD. TRUMPETER next conducted flying training to the west of Orkney; on August 15th Sub-Lt S. J. Martin RNVR flying in 846 Sqn Avenger JZ221 ('B') entered the barrier on landing. On the 17th an aircraft was lost; one of the 856 Sqn Avengers, JZ513 ('61') approaching to land on returning from a practice strike, stalled over the deck and went over the side into the sea in position 59°4' N 3 54'W. The crew, Pilot Sub-Lt S. Matthews RNVR, observer Sub-Lt K. P. Thallon RNVR and Leading Airman R. Hobbs safely exited the aircraft and were rescued from their dinghy after 15 minutes.
 

Operation GOODWOOD was a three-stage series of strikes against the German Battle Ship TIRPITZ to take place between the 21st and 28th of August 1944. This operation was to see 247 sorties of Barracudas, Hellcats and Corsairs launched from four carriers, VICTORIOUS, FURIOUS, the CVEs NABOB and TRUMPETER were tasked with providing ASW cover for the task force and sowing aerial mines.
 

There were three separate forces involved in GOODWOOD, sailing from Scapa on August 18th. Force One: Battleship DUKE OF YORK (C-in-C HF), Fleet Carrier INDEFATIGABLE (Flag RA CS 1; 887 & 894 Sqns – 24 Seafire, 1840 Sqn – 12 Hellcat, 1770 Sqn – 12 Firefly, 829 Sqn – 12 Barracuda), FORMIDABLE (1841 & 1842 Sqns – 30 Corsairs, 826 and 828 Sqns – 24 barracuda) and FURIOUS (801 & 880 Sqns – 24 Seafire, ) 827 & 830 Sqn – 18 Barracuda), Cruisers BERWICK and DEVONSHIRE, Destroyers MYNGS (D26), CAMBRIAN, VERULAM, VIGILANT VIRAGO, VOLAGE, SCORPION, SCOURGE, SERAPIS, STORD, WHIRLWIND, WRANGLER and Canadian Destroyers ALGONQUIN and SIOUX. Force Two: CVEs NABOB (852 - 11 Avenger & 4 Wildcat, 856 Sqn - 3 Avenger Det) and TRUMPETER (846 - 8 Avenger & 4 Wildcat, 856 Sqn - 3 Avenger Det), Cruiser KENT, BICKERTON (SO EG 5), AYLMER, BLIGH, KEMPTHORNE, KEATS. Force Nine: Tanker force R.F.A.s BLACK RANGER and BLUE RANGER, Destroyer NUBIAN, Corvettes DIANELLA, POPPY, and STARWORT.
 

For this strike on the German Battleship Admiral McGrigor had devised a new plan to damage the TIRPITZ. The Avengers were to form the main strike, each armed with 2 Mk. V – 1,000lb aerial launched mines which were to be placed near TIRPITZ herself and the entrance to Kaafjord. The mines dropped near the battleship were to be fitted with time-delay fuses in the hope of causing some damage which may have prompted her Captain to leave her anchorage and be caught by the mines sown at the entrance. The aircraft from the Fillet Carriers were to launch another strike to both distract the German flak gunners and to attack the TIRPITZ. Although highly practiced in aerial minelaying the Avenger crews faced a most difficult mission, careful route planning would result in each aircraft having 15 seconds over the target to accurately place two mines. Previous raids on TIRPITZ had found the ship screen by s smoke.
 

Bad weather delayed the start of the operation by 24 hours; on the morning of the 22nd the Avengers of 852, 856, and 846 squadrons began to launch at approximately 09:00 and the strike force began to form up ready for departure. They were held in a holding pattern for some time while a few aircraft were launched by the Fleet Carriers, then NABOB and TRUMPETER turned into wind again and the Avengers began to land on; this phase of the operation was cancelled on account of low cloud conditions.
 

At 11:00 a force comprising 32 Barracudas, 24 Corsairs, 11 Fireflies, 9 Hellcats and 8 Seafires was launched from the three fleet carriers. Thick cloud at 1,500ft also caused the Barracudas and their Corsair escorts to turn back short of the coast, they returned to the carriers without attacking. The 11 Fireflies pressed on to strafe German anti-aircraft guns on and around TIRPITZ at 12:49. Two minutes later, 9 Hellcats each released a 500lb semi-armour-piercing (SAP) bomb on TIRPITZ but did not achieve any hits, also 8 Seafires hit Luftwaffe bases at Banak and Kolvik in a co-ordinated attack.
 

At 15:30 the ships of Force Two were detached to the westward. NABOB was instructed to fuel three destroyer escorts commencing at 18:00 at a position 120 miles WNW of North Cape, in the Barents Sea. TRUMPETER was to provide CAP and A/s patrols. At 17:15 NABOB was hit by a single acoustic torpedo fired by U-354 which struck her on the starboard side, causing a 32-square foot hole abaft the engine room below the waterline. She began to take on water at an alarming rate; within minutes NABOB was listing to Starboard and was 15 feet down by the stern. All electrical power had been lost and NABOB was dead in the water. A second torpedo was launched which struck the frigate BICKERTON at 17:23. She was hit in the stern and her damage was extensive, 38 crewmen were dead and she had lost her propeller shafts in the explosion. The DUKE OF YORK, INDEFATIGABLE FORMIDABLE, FURIOUS, BERWICK, DEVONSHIRE and KENT immediately took evasive action and dispersed at full speed taking most of the screening destroyers with them.
 

TRUMPETER closed on NABOB and maintained air cover while rescue efforts took place. Meanwhile NABOB.s damage control teams work to stoop the folding and restore the engines. As early as 17:34 orders had been issued by the C-in-C in the DUKE OF YORK to sink BICKERTON and NABOB if they could not get underway; BICKERTON was beyond salvage and was scuttled at 21:00 by torpedoes from VIGILANT once KEMPTHORNE had taken survivors off.
 

NABOB’s engines were restarted at 21:00 and she was under power slow ahead at 10 revolutions by 21:39. She could make 60 Revs by 23:30, three knots being the maximum speed she could safely make. She was ordered to make for Scapa escorted by TRUMPETER CASSANDRA, KEMPENFELT, ZEST, and ZAMBESI; they arrived at scopa at 08:00 on the 27th.

August 23rd, 1944, NABOB has been torpedoed but has managed to restart her engines and get under way. Left - she has stopped to make a second crew transfer of 203 men to the HMCS ALGONQUIN by boat. TRUMPETER stands by. Photo: courtesy R. Pullinger Right – TRUMPETER accompanies NABOB on the slow voyage back to Scapa Flow, she is down by the stern but her list to starboard has been reduced and she is making 10 knots. Image @ IWM A2 5369

TRUMPETER remained at Scapa preparing for her next operation, codenamed BEGONIA. There was one flying incident on August 31st; Avenger JZ159 ('C') lost height on take off and ditched in Scapa Flow at postion58°53'36"N 3°4'42'W, Sub-Lt D. A. Thomas RNVR & crew were OK.
 

Operation BEGONIA. On September 11th the 12 Avengers and 4 Wildcats from 852 Sqn embarked in TRUMPETER together with 8 Avengers and 4 Wildcats of 846 sqn for further aerial minelaying operations, Operation BEGONIA. The force comprised of the Fleet carrier FURIOUS, on her final operational mission, Cruiser DEVONSHIRE, Destroyers MYNGS, MARNE, MUSKETEER, VIGILANT, VERULAM, and HMCS ALGONQUIN. Mines were successfully laid south of Vosko Island on the 12th, the anti-shipping strike sank the 5,374-ton freighter OSTLAND and the patrol boat V-3507 and damaged the patrol boats V-5309 and V-5105 so severely that they had to be beached. The forces returned to Scapa on the 13th.

September 12th 1944 Operation BEGONIA: Left – Avenger crews from 846 and 852 squadrons are briefed before the mission, image IWM (A 25609). Right - Avengers from TRUMPETER an Seafires from FURIOUS circling the spot where one of the enemy ships had just blown up during an attack on enemy shipping off Statlandet, image IWM (A 25618)

On arrival 852 disembarked to RNAS Hatston. Two 852squadron aircraft were damaged during the operation both by flak; Avenger JZ272 ('2A') flown by the squadron C.O. Lt. Cdr R. E. Bradshaw was damaged by flak causing the undercarriage to collapse on landing back on, and Wildcat JV650 ('2H') flown by Sub-Lt W. J. Kurney RNZNVR had a large hole punched in his starboard alerion during an attack on shipping, he landed on TRUMPETER safely.
 

846 Sqn also disembarked to RNAS Hatston on the16th re-embarking ono September23rd to prepare for their next operation.
 

Operation TENABLE. On September 28th TRUMPETER (846 Sqn 12 Avengers + 4 from 852Sqn), sailed in company with FENCER (852 Sqn 4 Avengers & 4 Wildcats, 842 Sqn 4 Wildcats), the Cruiser EURYALUS, and Destroyers CAMBRIAN, CAPRICE, CASSANDRA, MYNGS, SAVAGE, and ZAMBESI to lay aerial mines off the Norwegian coast at Ramisoysund, Lepsoyrev, and Harhamsfjord to hamper German coastal shipping. The Force arrived at the flying off point ass planned but the operation was abandoned after the weather closed in preventing any flying and they returned to Scapa on October 5th. The 852 Sqn detachments disembarked from both carriers flying ashore to RNAS Hatston, the Wildcats on the 7th, the Avengers on the 8th. Eight of 846 squadron’s Avenger were also flown ashore, they re-embarked on the 12th in preparation for Operation LYCIDAS.
 

Operation LYCIDAS. This was a repeat off the abandoned TENABLE employing the same Force which sailed from Scapa on October 13th. On October 15th the Avengers laid mines off Åramsund, and Sado as a result of a navigational error. Mines were also sown in the designated area during the following day.
 

There were five flying incidents during this operation; on the 14th Sub-Lt W. Blac RNVR (846 Sqn) piloting Avenger FN838 to land on a pitching deck damaged his prop when it made contact with the barrier and Avenger JZ166 (852 Sqn '2Q’) piloted by Sub-Lt Davis RNVR suffered damage to it starboard wing due to a gun malfunction. On the 15th, again in heavy seas and a pitching deck, Wildcat JV689 (846 Sqn) flown by Sub-Lt R. G. Norman RNVR caught No.8 wire and continued into the barrier damaging the prop, and Avenger JZ202 (846 Sqn) piloted by Lt R Pemberton RNVR struck the rounddown with the fuselage landing causing damage to Lt R Pemberton he airframe and prop. On the 16th Sub-lt Norman had a second incident; this time he was waiting to be accelerated off the deck in Wildcat JV707 when the Catapult holding back gear failed, although at full power the aircraft could not achieve flying speed from such a short run and ditched, he was picked up by the destroyer SCORPION.
 

The Force arrived back at Scapa on the 17th; 852 squadron was officially disbanded on arrival at RNAS Hatston, the fighter flight being absorbed int 846 Sqn. The next day 3 Avengers from 846 flew ashore, re-embarking on October 21st.
 

Operation Hardy. This operation had two objectives; to lay mines in Lepsoyrev and Harhamsfiord on the Norwegian coast and to strike enemy shipping between 62°°N-64N. Force 2 comprised of the Cruiser DEVONSHIRE, escort carriers CAMPANIA  (813 Sqn – 12 Swordfish & 4 wildcats) and TRUMPETER (846 sqn, 12 Avengers & 8 Wildcats) destroyers SAUMAREZ (Captain (D) 23rd Destroyer Flotilla), SERAPIS, SCORPION, SAVAGE, ZAMBESI, and ZEPHYR. The force sailed on October 23rd and the Avengers from TRUMPETER successfully laid their mines while the Wildcats from both carries provided escorts and attacked shore targets. Bad weather curtailed the operation and Force 2 arrived back at Scapa on the 27th.
 

On October 29th TRUMPETER sailed from Scapa for the Clyde to enter a commercial dockyard for repairs. On completion she carried out a post repair shakedown in the Clyde area, including flying training; just before her squadron disembarked to RNAS Ayr on November 15thSub-Lt W. T. Docherty RNVR crashed on landing in Wildcat JV739. The squadron flew to RNAS Machrihanish the same day. They re-joined TRUMPETER on the 23rd as the she took passage to Scapa; Sub-Lt Docherty had another crash on embarking, the same aircraft, his hook slid over all the arrester wires and the aircraft engaged the barrier. The ship arrived at Scapa on the 24th.
 

Operation Urbane. For this operation her aircraft complements of the two escort carriers involved were adjusted so that PREMIER carried only Avengers. Force 1, comprising the fleet carrier IMPLACABLE, Cruiser DIADEM, HM Escort Carriers TRUMPETER (846 Sqn - 8 Avengers & 8 Wildcat, - and detachments of 8 Wildcat from 856 Sqn & 2 Wildcat from 881 Sqn) and PREMIER (856 Sqn – 12 Avenger, a detachment of 4 Avengers from 846 Sqn), Destroyers ZAMBESI, SAVAGE, VIGILANT, ZEALOUS, SERAPIS, SIOUX, ALGONQUIN and Norwegian destroyer STORD sailed for a shipping strike off Hagesund and a repeat air mine laying sortie in Kara Sound.
 

The force set sail on December 6th and were in position to begin operations on the 7th with aircraft being launched in the afternoon. PREMIER's Avengers successfully laid 10 mines while the Wildcats attacked several targets, including a factory, a shore battery and a radar station. 856 Sqn was to suffer their first operational fatality during Operation URBANE, Lt W. S. Vittle was killed when his Wildcat (JV674 'P-V') failed to return to TRUMPETER after the operation, his aircraft was seen to be trailing smoke after being hit by flak and ditched off the coast. On the 8th aircraft carried out attacks on shipping between Bergen and Stavanger before Force 1 disengaged and headed for Scapa Flow, arriving back there on the morning of the 9th. The 856 Squadron wildcats transferred to PREMIER on completion of the operation.

Operation LACERATE. This was another mine laying sortie and shipping strike scheduled for December 12th. The operation was undertaken by Force 2 which comprised of the Cruiser DEVONSHIRE, CVEs PREMIER (856 Sqn – 12 Avenger & 8 Wildcat) and TRUMPETER (846 Sqn - 12 Avengers & 8 Wildcat, and a detachment of 5 Wildcat from 881 Sqn), Destroyers ZEALOUS, ZEPHYR, SAVAGE, SERAPIS, SIOUX and ALGONQUIN.

The Force put to sea on December 12th, and the operation commenced on the 14th with Avengers laying mines in the shipping channels off the Norwegian coast. Two enemy W/T and signal stations were destroyed by aircraft gunfire. IN addition to the strikes on shore targets the Wildcats provided Combat Air Patrols over the force and these were alerted at dusk by 6 German aircraft which approached but veered off without attacking. A planned second phase of air minelaying operations in Skatestromme on the 15th were cancelled when severe gales again caused damage to the flight decks of both carriers, one aircraft that was ranged on deck was lost overboard; as a result, the force withdrew to Scapa Flow, arriving there at 18:00 on the 16th.
 

Once repairs had been completed the Avengers of 846 were flown ashore to RNAS Hatston on December 19th. The following day a detachment of 7 Wildcats from 881 Sqn embarked to joint 846’s 8 Wildcats for operation FRETSAW.
 

Operation FRETSAW. The object of this operation was to destroy enemy shipping in the Stadlandet area and to disturb enemy convoy arrangements. It was carried out by two groups of vessels; Force 3 comprised light cruisers DIADEM flag of Vice-Admiral F.H.G. Dalrymple-Hamilton, KCB, RN), MAURITIUS and the destroyers MYNGS SAVAGE and HMCS SIOUX and was to conduct the actual raid while Force 4 made up of the heavy cruiser NORFOLK, CVE TRUMPETER ( 14 WILDCATS – 7 EACH 846 & 881 Squadrons) and the destroyers ZEALOUS, SCORPION, SERAPIS, OBEDIENT and ORWELL provided cover. Force 3 sailed from Scapa at 15:00 on the 20th, Force 4 followed at 11:00 on the 21st.
 

Force 3 carried out a night antishipping sweep through the Stadlandet area on the 22/23 December but no enemy shipping was encountered; the lack of enemy shipping meant that a demonstration of force could not be made in that area to create alarm and to disrupt enemy convoy arrangements, they returned to Scapa around 15:45 on the 23rd. Force 4 arrived back at around 19:00. The 881-detachment disembarked to RNAS Grimsetter on the 24th.
 

The 881 Sqn detachment was re-embarked on December 31st for the next operation and was increased to 10 aircraft. TRUMPETER appears to have been used to conduct RATOG (Rocket Assisted Take Off Gear) trials while at Scapa between operations. On January 1st 1945 Barracuda MX720 ('A1P') from 828 Sqn at RNAS Hatston was damaged landing on the ship after completing RATOG trials.

Operation SAMPLER. This operation called for a night sweep to locate and sink German shipping in the Leads between Sildegabet and Bradsmund just off the west coast of German-occupied Norway. The small force comprised of the Cruiser BERWICK, Escort Carriers TRUMPETER (846 Sqn - 8 Wildcat & 881 Sqn 10 Wildcat), and NAIRANA (835 Sqn – 14 Swordfish & 6 Wildcats), Destroyers CARRON, ONSLAUGHT, OBEDIENT, ORWELL, ZEALOUS, and ZEST. The Force sailed on January 1st 1945 but operation was cancelled owing to continuing adverse weather and the force arrived back at Scapa on January 5th. There was one landing accident on the 3rd, JV704 ('UC') flown by Sub-Lt W. P. Hughes RNZNVR (881 Sqn) suffered an undercarriage collapse. The 881-detachment returned to RNAS Grimsetter on arrival at Scapa. Two aircraft from 881 Sqn were damaged on the 3rd, JV703 ('US') piloted by Sub-Lt M. J. Leeson RNVR and JV704 ('UC') flown by Sub-Lt W. P. Hughes RNZNVR both had their undercarriac=ge collapse on landing in bad weather.
 

On the 9th TRUMPETER embarked a detachment of 4 Wildcats of 881 Squadron was embarked to supplement the fighter capability for the next Home Fleet operation. one of the 846 Sqn Wildcat was damaged landing on the 9th, JV660 ('JE') flown by Sub-Lt W. T. Docherty RNVR made a fast approach in poor visibility, caught No.8 wire and went int the barrier.
 

Operations SPELLBINDER & GRATIS. These were to be consecutive operations with multiple objectives planned to commence on January 12th. The ships of the Home Fleet were divided into three separate forces for this operation: Force 1; Cruisers NORFOLK and BELLONA, Destroyers ONSLOW, ONSLAUGHT and ORWELL. Force 2; the mine laying cruiser APOLLO escorted by destroyers ZEALOUS and CARRON. Force 3; the Cruiser DIDO, CVEs PREMIER (856 Sqn – 7 Avenger & 8 Wildcat and a detachment of 14 Wildcat from 881 Sqn) and TRUMPETER (846 Sqn - 7 Avengers & 8 Wildcat, and a detachment of 4 Wildcat from 881 Sqn), and destroyer escorts OPPORTUNE, CAVENDISH, ZEST, and ZODIAC. The Fleet sailed on the 11th for the Norwegian coast.
 

The Forces spilt early on the 12th to conduct different aspects of operation SPELLBINDER; Force 1 conducted anti shipping attacks on convoys off Egersund, attacking a northbound enemy convoy of 7-8 ships attempting to enter Egersund. Force 2 proceeded to Karm Sound to lay mines off Utsira Island under the cover of a smoke screen generated by her destroyer escorts, the carriers of Force 3 proved air cover for Force 2 and anti-submarine sweeps.
 

On the morning of the 12th a group of Ju88 torpedo bombers was detected and intercepted by 4 Wildcats from 846 Sqn; the fighters attacked at 09:16 and one German aircraft was shot down into the sea on fire at 09:20., the others driven off. Two wildcats took damage from enemy fire JV660 ('JE') flown by Sub-Lt Docherty was forced to ditch when his engine & fuselage caught fire, he was safely picked up by ZODIAC. JV649 ('JC') flown by Sub-Lt R. H. Mend RNVR was injured on the head and his aircraft damaged during the exchange but managed to return to the ship and made an emergency landing. A second aircraft ditched after the engagement, Sub-Lt G. L. Roberts RNVR in JV700 ('JJ') ran out of fuel after chasing a Ju88, he ditched astern of TRUMPETER, and was picked up by a cutter from DIDO. On completion of SPELLBINDER operations Force 1 withdrew to Scapa Flow
 

Operation GRATIS commenced on the 13th when 7 Avengers form PREMIER and 7 from TRUMPETER carried out aerial mine laying in Karmoysund, Haugesund; they flew off at 10:00 escorted by 16 Wildcats. The mission met with little resistance and all aircraft were recovered by 11:30. Once all aircraft had landed Force 3 withdrew to Scapa Flow. The 881 Sqn detachment flew ashore on the 14th.
 

Operation CHARLTON. This was another aerial minelaying operation in the Lepsøyrev, Harmsfjord, Skatestrommen and Årumsund areas of German-occupied Norway. The Force comprised the Cruiser DIDO, Escort Carriers CAMPANIA  (813 Sqn, 8 Swordfish & 8 Wildcats), PREMIER (856 Sqn – 12 Avenger & 8 Wildcat) and TRUMPETER (846 Sqn - 12Avengers & 8 Wildcat), Destroyers ONSLOW (D17), ORWELL, ONSLAUGHT, OPPORTUNE, ZEST, ZEALOUS sailed from Scapa on February 3rd. The operation was abandoned due to severe weather, the force arrived back art Scapa on the 25th.
 

Once back in Scapa Flow Trumpeter embarked a detachment of (at least 2) Barracudas from 828 squadron based at RNAS Hatston, possibly a continuation of RATOG trials. They embarked on January 25th and disembarking on the 27th. There were two flying incidents during this period; on the 25th MX719 ('AIK') piloted by Sub-Lt W. Davis RNVR bounced into the barrier, the following day MX743 piloted by Sub-Lt N. Williamson RNVR made a poor approach to the deck, losing height rapidly the tail wheel and arrester hook were torn off by impact with the rounddown and was stopped by the barrier.

Operation KITCHEN. This was another aerial minelaying operation in Salhusstrommen. The Force comprised the Cruiser DIDO, Escort Carriers PREMIER (856 Sqn – 12 Avenger & 8 Wildcat) and TRUMPETER (846 Sqn - 12Avengers & 8 Wildcat), Destroyers SCORPION, ALGONQUIN, SIOUX, ZODIAC sailed from Scapa on the 3rd. The operation was abandoned due to severe weather, the force arrived back art Scapa on the 4th.

Boiler clean and leave: February 5th – March 2ns 1945

With operation KITCHEN cancelled TRUMPETER was ordered to the Clyde to undergo a Boiler Clean and dockyard maintenance period in a commercial dockyard. She sailed from Scapa on the 5th arriving on the Clyde on the 6thl leave was granted to both watches and squadron personnel.
 

The work was to take a month to complete and on completion TRUMPETER was allocated for the escort force of Arctic convoy JW.65, codenamed operation SCOTTISH.  She sailed for Scapa Flow on March 2nd in company with the escort carriers SEARCHER and QUEEN, escorted by the destroyers ZEALOUS, SERAPHIS and SCOURGE arriving at Scapa on the 3rd. 846 Sqn was flown ashore to RNAS Hatston on March 6th, they re-joined the ship on the 11th when preparing to sail to meet convoy JW.65.

Hoverfly FT836 ('A') operated by 771 Sqn at RNAS Twatt sits on TRUMPETER’s flight deck with her rotors running during a demonstration flight.

While at Scapa the ship was visited by one of the navy’s first helicopters; Hoverfly FT836 ('A') operated by 771 Sqn at RNAS Twatt landed on the ship. Probably march 4th. This machine and a second KK971 ('G') had been visiting PUNCHER on this date, both fitted with fitted pontoons for trials with FURIOUS in Scapa Flow, however KK971 suffered an engine fire shortly after the two machines departed from PUNCHER, the pilot, Sub-Lt J. A. Gray, RNVR made a heavy water landing but the aircraft sank in Scapa Flow despite being fitted with floatation pontoons.

Operation SCOTTISH. Convoy JW.65 had sailed from the Clyde on the 11th escorted by the Destroyer MYNGS, Sloop LAPWING, Corvettes ALINGTON CASTLE, ALNWICK CASTLE, BAMBOROUGH CASTLE, CAMELLIA, HONEYSUCKLE, LANCASTER CASTLE, and OXLIP with the escort oilers RFAs BLACK RANGER & BLUE RANGER. The Escort Carriers CAMPANIA  ((Flag CS10) 825 Sqn - 12 Swordfish and 8 Wildcat), and TRUMPETER (846 Sqn – 12 Avenger & 8 Wildcats), Cruiser DIADEM, Destroyers SCORPION, SCOURGE, STORD (Norwegian), SAVAGE, and ONSLAUGHT, sailed from Scapa on the 13th, they were joined on the 14th by the Destroyers OPPORTUNE, ORWELL (D2) SIOUX, ZAMBESI and the Corvette FARNHAM CASTLE.
 

CAMPANIA carrying Vice Admiral Dalrymple-Hamilton, RN, (CS10) had sailed from t he Clyde on the 12th for Scapa to join TRUMPETER as the carrier element of the escort force. CAMPANIA  cotaught up with the convoy around 11:00 on the 13th. Trumpeter sailed from Scapa around 19: 00 in company with the Cruiser DIADEM and destroyers SAVAGE and SCOURGE, they joined the convoy around 07:30 on March 14th.
 

The Germans had detected the convoy early and by the 13th and had 6 U-Boats patrolling the Bjørnøya Passage and others were ordered to the area off Kola inlet. The convoy enjoyed good weather on the out bound leg and somehow managed to remain und\etected by German reconnaissance planes between the 14th and 17th March and the patrolling U-Boats failed to sight them. All U-Boat s were ordered to gather off the Kola Inlet and await the convoy’s arrival on the 20th. The weather now changed back to its usual harsh conditions and a snowstorm prevented all flying; an Avenger from 846 squadron was lost on the 18th, FN888 ('B') was catapulted off the deck at 14:00 for a A/S patrol but lost engine power and ditched 2 minutes later, 1 mile in front of the ship. The crew, Pilot Sub-Lt D. A. Thomas RNVR, Observer Sub-Lt J. H. Lloyd RNVR, & Leading Airman D. G. Heath were picked up after 30 minites by OPPORTUNE.
 

At 09:10 on the 20th U-995 fired torpedoes at convoy hitting and sinking the US merchantman HORACE BUSHNELL; at 13.:5 U-968 attacked the convoy in position 69°26' N, 33°44' E as it prepared to enter the Kola inlet, torpedoes hit the US merchantman THOMAS DONALDON and the Sloop LAPWING sinking both. The rest of the convoy reached Murmansk on the 21st.

March 22nd 1945: Left - the Flower Class Corvette HONEYSUCKLE comes alongside TRUMPETER amid the float ice in Kola Inlet, image IWM (A 28203) .Right – The scene on the snowy and gloomy flight deck with two avengers ranged aft and a Wildcat at readiness to be launched, Image IWM (A 28202)

The turnaround between inbound and out bound convoys was a short one, the 26 ships of RA.65 left the Kola Inlet on the 23rd and successfully evaded detection by either U-Boats or aerial reconnaissance and arrived at their destination ports without loss or damage on March 31st. The covering Force arrived at Scapa on the 30th, 846 squadron disembarked to RNAS Hatston.
Scottish

Operation NEWMARKET. The stay in harbour was a short one, the squadron re-embarked on April 5th for the next operation. TRUMPETER was part of a powerful force which included four CVEs, PUNCHER (821 Sqn – Detachment of Barracuda II, 825X Sqn – 8 Wildcat), QUEEN (853 Sqn, 12 Avenger & 4 Wildcat), SEARCHER ((Flag CS 1) 882 Sqn, 20 Wildcat), and TRUMPETER (846Sqn, 12 Avenger & 4 Wildcat), Cruisers BELLONA, BIRMINGHAM, and the destroyers ONSLOW, OFFA, SCORPION, SCOURGE, ZAMBESI, ZEALOUS, ZEST and CARYSFORT. The Force sailed form Scapa at 07:00 on April 6th, to conduct air strikes against German submarine tenders off Kilbotn, Norway.
 

The strikes were planned for April 7th but bad weather at the flying off position prevented any flying; on the 8th aircraft were bombed up, but the weather deteriorated and the strike was postponed. The force steamed back and forth for five days in squalls and mountainous seas before the operation was finally cancelled. The ships returned to Scapa Flow around 21:30 on the 12th. 846 squadron disembarked to RNAS Hatston on the 13th.
 

Operation JUDGEMENT. This was another attempt to track on U-boat depot ships at Kilbotn harbour in the Lofoten islands. he Force assembled for this operation was smaller than that for operation NEWMARKET, it comprised oof the Cruisers NORFOLK (C.S.1), DIADEM, CVEs SEARCHER (882 Sqn, 20 Wildcat), TRUMPETER (846Sqn, 12 Avenger & 8 Wildcat), QUEEN (853 Sqn, 9 Avenger & 8 Wildcat), Destroyers OPPORTNE, SCOURGE, ZAMBESI, SAVAGE, CARYSFORT, OBEDIENT, ORWELL, and RFA Tanker BLUE RANGER. They departed Scapa Flow around 11:30. In the early morning of May 3rd, the destroyers were fuelled by NORFOLK, SEARCHER, TRUMPETER and the RFA tanker BLUE RANGER. The Tanker detached at 10:20 to return to Scapa escorted by ORWELL.
 

The Carriers commenced flying operations at 16:00 on May 4th launching 44 aircraft to attack the German base at Kilbotn, just south of Harstad. The base comprised the 5,000-ton depot ship BLACK WATCH, a former North-Sea passenger ferry, supported by a Norwegian costal battleship converted by the Germans into a Flak ship, two barges fitted with anti-aircraft guns, and numerous gun emplacements on the land round the harbour. Also present, and a target, was the 950-ton Norwegian cargo ship SENJA.
 

On May 4th twelve Avengers armed with four 500lb bombs each, and four Wildcats as escort were boosted off to join the strike force of forty-four aircraft which also included Avengers 8 Avengers and 4 Wildcats from 853 from QUEEN and Wildcats of 882 from SEARCHER. QUEEN only launched 8 Avengers, a 9th went unserviceable due to an airlock in the fuel supply and had to be left behind.
 

Four Wildcat fighters were assigned to provide top cover against any attempted intervention by German aircraft, while most of the other Wildcat fighters were to arrive at Kilbotn at the start of the operation to attack the anti-aircraft gun emplacements on land and in the harbour. Eight of these latter Wildcats were fighter Bombers armed with one 250-lb bomb with which to attack the Flak ship THETIS, which was armed with seven 102-mm, two 40-mm and nine 20-mm guns. The Avenger attack aircraft were then to arrive, each armed with four 500-lb bombs, and carry out their glide-bombing runs in quick succession, No. 846 Squadron’s aircraft attacking BLACK WATCH and No. 853 Squadron’s machines tackling SENJA. The bombs were released at an altitude of 2,000 ft after a glide from 6,000 to 8,000 ft. The airborne force, under the command of Lt. Cdr (O) C. L. F. Webb, commanding officer 846 squadron, arrived from the west over Kilbotn at 17:00 on a sunny afternoon, and achieved almost complete surprise.
 

The strike flew at low level until making landfall at Skoger. It then climbed to 4,000 feet, at which altitude the targets in Kilbotn Harbour were clearly visible. 846 Squadron had been assigned the U-boat depot ship BLACK WATCH as its target and 853 a torpedo depot ship believed to be the KARL Von HERRING but later identified as the METEOR. Wildcats from 882 Squadron were to bomb and strafe a flak ship, the ex-Norwegian cruiser HARALD HAARFLAGER, which was tied up at a pier some way from the other ships. The weather was very good with a little cloud to give some cover to the approaching aircraft. They encountered moderate heavy and light flak.
 

As the close escort fighter strafed the targets the Avengers peeled off in rapid succession to bomb them. The first 853 squadron aircraft to dive was JZ596 ('QA'), it received a direct hit in the port mainplane, probably by a 40mm shell, and was badly damaged but the aircraft remained controllable and the attack was pressed home. The targets were rapidly obscured by smoke and spray making it difficult to observe hits. The last 853 Avenger, finding the 853 target completely hidden, saw the BLACK WATCH emerging from the smoke and spray and transferred his aim to this, scoring a direct hit which was followed shortly by a violent explosion.

May 4th 1945, the last Home Fleet offensive operation against the Germans: Left, the Avengers sweep in from an overland approach to Kilbotn Bay. The U-boat depot ship is centre right; a tanker is in the centre, and a flak ship can be seen above the aircraft IWM (A 28658). Right, bombs bursting on a tanker (foreground) which later sank, while swirls of water behind hide the end of the 5,000 tons U-boat depot ship which had just blown up after being hit by other naval bombs. A flak ship which was left in a damaged condition is in the left foreground. IWM (A 28656).

846 also had a rough time over the target area; JZ217 ('JC') was hit by heavy AA fire in tis run in, it was last seen flying towards Lofoten Islands but crashed at Harried, Lt F. J. Gahan, Sub-Lt A. D. H. Bider & Leading Airman P. B. Mansfield were all killed. JZ164 ('JP') and JZ177 ('JA') took damage from flak but returned to TRUMPETER and landed safely. All 853 Squadron aircraft returned to the ship and landed on safely. Photographs by the last aircraft to leave the scene showed both primary targets on fire with the BLACK WATCH down by the stern. Reconnaissance later showed both had sunk. It was later learned that U 711 had been moored between the two depot ships and had also been sunk. The carrier force set course for Scapa Flow. ‘JUDGEMENT’ was the last Home Fleet Operation against Germany in the war.
 

Operation CLEAVER. On May 6th while on passage for Scapa Flow the carrier force was diverted at 16:00 to a position to the east of the Orkneys. They were to prepare to sail as Force 6, a covering force for Operation CLEAVER. The operation called for vessels of the 40th Minesweeping Flotilla to sweep and clear German minefields in the Skagerrak and Kattegat between Norway and Sweden in the north and Denmark in the south. This was to allow the passage of Force 5, Cruisers BIRMINGHAM and DIDO escorted by the destroyers ZEPHYR, ZEALOUS, ZODIAC, and ZEST tasked with the shipborne return of the Danish government-in-exile to Copenhagen and to the take the surrender of German warships in Danish waters.
 

On the night of the 6th the carrier force was joined by CAMPANIA  while the aircraft compliant was adjusted; QUEEN was to reduce her Avenger complement to 6 and increased the number of wildcats reembarked to12, when 5additional aircraft from CAMPANIA ’s 815 Sqn fighter flight were flown aboard.
 

The vessels involved in this operation were split into three groups: Force 5 comprised of Cruisers BIRMINGHAM (Flag of R. A. Commanding, C. S. 10), DIDO, Destroyers ZEPHYR (Captain D 2), ZEALOUS, ZODIAC, and ZEST. Force 6 comprised NORFOLK (Flag of R. A. Commanding, C.S. 1), CVEs SEARCHER (882 Sqn, 20 Wildcat), TRUMPETER (846Sqn, 12 Avenger & 8 Wildcat), QUEEN 853 Sqn, 6 Avenger & 7 Wildcat plus 5 Wildcats from 815 Sqn), Destroyers SCOURGE (Captain D 23), SAVAGE, OPPORTUNE, OFFA, CARYSFORT, ZAMBESI, OBEDIENT. And the 40th Minesweeping Flotilla: CATHERINE, ELFRIDA, GRECIAN, GAZELLE, TABOO, STEADFAST, MAENAD, and CYNTHIA.
 

Cover for the minesweeping operation was provided by the Carriers of Force 6 commencing on May 6th, on the same date Force 5 left Scapa for the Skagerrak. Having passed through the German minefields off the Skagerrak Force 5 reached Copenhagen on May9th where the British naval force accepted the surrender of the German heavy cruiser PRINZ EUGEN and light cruiser NÜRNBERG.
 

On the 8th of May Victory in Europe Day was announced, however hostilities were not due to end until midnight so fighter and A/S cover was given to minesweepers clearing a channel to Copenhagen; the carrier force itself stayed outside the minefields of the Skaggerak. 853 maintained two Avengers on patrol throughout the day, flying 12 sorties, and the force launched 18 Wildcat sorties. 846 Sqn lost one Wildcat during this operation, JV641('JC’) piloted by Sub-Lt H. W. White RNVR ditched 9 minutes after take off on May 8th due to fuel failure, he was picked up OK by OPPORTUNE At the end of the day Force 6 withdrew, and set course for Scapa Flow arriving on the 10th
 

On the 11th Vice Admiral McGrigor and his staff came aboard and congratulated the aircrew who had taken part in Operation JUDGEMENT, which he stated had been a model operation in all respects. On the 13th an assembly of thanksgiving was held on TRUMPETER which was attended by representatives of all ships and squadrons of the Home Fleet, the assembly was addressed by the First Lord of the Admiralty, First Lord of the Admiralty, A. V. Alexander.
 

TRUMPETER departed for the Clyde on May 14th, arriving at Greenock on the 15th where she was transferred to the administration Flag Officer, Carrier Training. 846 squadron left the ship for the last time on approach to the Clyde, flying ashore to RNAS Ayr.

May 13th 1945: The First Lord of the Admiralty, A. V. Alexander, gives a speech during an assembly of thanksgiving held on TRUMPETER where representatives of all ships and squadrons of the Home Fleet were present. Image @ IWM (A 28691)

Allocated for service with the East Indies Fleet

Shortly after arriving on the Clyde TRUMPETER entered a commercial dockyard for a refit, this possibly included tropicalisation in readiness for service in the Far East. While under refit Captain C. B. Alers-Hankey RN assumed command on May 28th.
 

On completion of the refit, she sailed for a post refit shakedown before embarking a new squadron and a ferry load for delivery to the RN Air Section a RtAF Cochin, S. India on her outward passage to Ceylon. The 12 Barracuda TR.IIIs of 821 squadron were embarked on July 3rd , they were non-operational and stowed in the hangar. On completion of embarking stores and other airframes TRUMPETER sailed on July 7th for Colombo, via Gibraltar, Port Said, the Suez Canal, Aden and Cochin.[3] She arrived at Cochin on July 26th and disembarked her Ferry load and 821 Squadron, before arriving at Colombo on the30th. She was now joined AC 21 (the 21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron). TRUMPETER was assigned the pennant number R318 for service with the East Indies Fleet but this was probably not worn.
 

It is uncle whether 821 squadron was to be allocated to TRUMPETER as her resident squadron but they had arrived at RNAS Katukurunda, Ceylon on July 31st and embarked in TRUMPETER for 6 days of intensive DLT beginning on August 6th. There were three landing incidents during this training period, on the 8th ME195 piloted by Sub-Lt M. I. Weston RNVR was written off after it struck the rounddown with the tail wheel and arrester hook resulting in damage to the fuselage. On the 9th Sub-Lt R. S. Hancock RNVR also struck the tail of ME254 on the rounddown landing on. Sub-Lt R. W. Abbiss RNVR made a heavy landing on the 10th. The squadron disembarked on the 11th.
 

With the Japanese surrender on August 15th the Station General Message 'SUSPEND OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS AGAINST JAPANESE FORCES' was made to all ships and allied forces. TRUMPETER celebrated V-J Day in Trincomalee harbour. Shortly after it was decided that 821 squadron was no longer required for service with the East Indies Fleet and they flew to RNARY Coimbatore, S. India on August 27th where their aircraft were withdrawn, the personnel were to return home to the UK on FENCER in September. TRUMPETER however was now allocated to participate in the reoccupation of Malaya but in a very different role.

The reoccupation of Malaya, Operation ZIPPER: September 1945

Plans to accept the surrender of Singapore were put into action; originally this was part of Operation ZIPPER, planned for the second half of August and sought to secure an airfield located near Morib, and capture Port Swettenham both situated near Kuala Lumpur in the middle of the western peninsula of Malaya. This was to be done by one division during the initial assault, while a second would immediately follow up with the object of clearing the road southwards. By D plus 3, another division, plus the Commando brigade would assault, with full naval support, the beaches south of Port Dickson, located to the south and halfway between Kuala Lumpur and Malacca. Delays saw it pushed back to September 9th but the Japanese surrender saw it cancelled.
 

Political constraints meant that no landing could take place until after the signing of the main surrender in Tokyo on September 2nd, 1945. The carriers of AC 21 remained in Ceylon until a revised reoccupation plan was organised. The reoccupation of Malaya would take place in three phases. Phase one would be the recapture of Penang Island (Operation JURIST). Phase two would be the recapture of Singapore (Operation TIDERACE). Phase three would be the sea borne assault of North West Malaya in the Port Dickson, Port Swettenham area with landings near Morib with the 25th Indian Division and the 37th brigade of the 23rd Indian Division (modified Operation ZIPPER), carried out as planned and rehearsed, but the covering air and sea bombardment had been cancelled.
 

The assault forces participating in these three operations were escorted by Force 61 which comprised of the Battleships NELSON (Flag Vice Admiral H. T. C. Walker, BS.3), and RICHELIEU, the cruisers NIGERIA, CLEOPATRA, and CEYLON, with air cover from the 21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron, comprising of ROYALIST (Rear Admiral G. N. Oliver, CB, DSO, AC21), AMEER, BEGUM, EMPEROR, EMPRESS, HUNTER, KHEDIVE, STALKER, PURSUER,( for duty as a Communications Ship), and TRUMPETER [4] (Ferrying RAF Spitfires) escorted by fifteen destroyers.
 

TRUMPETER sailed from Trincomalee on September 4th with elements of AC 21, the CVEs AMEER, BEGUM, EMPEROR, EMPRESS, HUNTER, KHEDIVE, and STALKER  to rendezvous with assault convoy JME1F on the 6th. The operational carriers were to provide air cover during passage of the Malacca Straight on the 8th and 9th, they were joined by HUNTER while at sea, she had sailed from Penang on the 7th. BEGUM ran aground on leaving the harbour and was withdrawn from the operation, EMPRESS suffered a catastrophic catapult failure on the 8th and returned to Trincomalee.
 

The modified ZIPPER assault convoys converged on the Malayan coast off Port Swettenham and once assembled at first light on September 9th the ships of the assault convoys formed into two assault groups off Morib where the landings were to take place. The carriers of AC 21 provided air cover during the landings, no resistance was experienced on any of the beaches and Force 61 (now comprising NELSON (BS3), RICHELIEU, ROYALIST, (AC 21), EMPEROR, KHEDIVE, CEYLON, SAUMAREZ (D 26), RELENTLESS, TARTAR (D 10), PALADIN, MYNGS (D 2), BLACKMORE and FARNDALE) was released from ZIPPER on the 10th and preceded on to Singapore.
 

TRUMPETER had arrived in the Malacca Straight on the 8th and reminded at sea until she was joined by PURSUER which arrived off the beachhead on September 9th. After the initial landing PURSUER sailed up to Port Swettenham on the 10th where her commanding officer, Captain T. L. Bratt DSC went ashore with 200 marines and accepted the formal surrender of the local garrison. TRUMPETER also made her way into Port Swettenham to unload stores and medical supplies; the RAF aircraft remained on bard. She remained at Port Swettenham until she was released from ZIPPER operations on September 25th and sailed for Singapore, arriving the next day.
 

At Singapore the No 17 Squadron were disembarked and the Spitfires flown ashore to RAF Seletar.
 

Post War employment and return to the UK

Having delivered No 17 Sqn to Singapore TRUMPETER was now employed as a troop ship and general cargo carrier, embarking passengers for the return voyage to Ceylon. She arrived back at Trincomalee on October 7th. She next put to sea for a voyage to Bombay where she arrived on November 6th, from there she to return to Singapore arriving on the16th before arriving back at Trincomalee on November23rd. Her next voyage appears to have been an aircraft ferry run to Cochin, arriving on December 9th.
 

The ship appears to have been at Cochin for the rest of December, duties unknown, before she arrived at Colombo on January 3rd 1946. Here she embarked passengers, stories, equipment and airframes for return to the UK. She sailed from Colombo on January 5th bound for The Clyde, calling at Bombay, Aden, Suez, Malta and Toulon.

Disposal: Return to US Custody

She arrived Greenock on February 10th 1946. This marked the end of her operational service, and once her passengers had been disembarked work began to off load her cargo and airframes. Many of her crew left the ship, being drafted to RN Barracks ashore. Work began to destore her in preparation for her return to US Custody. Additional hands arrived on board as a steaming party to handle the ship on her final voyage. On completion of de-storing and the removal of Admiralty equipment HMS TRUMPETER sailed for Norfolk, Virginia, arriving on March 20th.
 

On April 5th 1946 a USN Care & Maintenance party embarked to inspect the ship and take possession of CVE-37. HMS TRUMPETER was now officially paid off. No further use was too be made of her as an aircraft carrier and she was marked for disposal and struck from the Naval Vessel Register on May 21st 1946 and put up for sale.
 

On December 30th 1946, she was purchased by the Waterman Steamship Corporation, Mobile to be converted into a cargo ship. She was rebuilt in 1947/1948 at the Gulf Shipbuilding Corp. in Chickasaw. Alabama. While being rebuilt she was sold to Holland-America Line via the Dutch government and on May 18th 1948 renamed SS ALBLASSERDYK and entered mercantile service. After being resold in March 1966 to Compañia Naviera Rinoula S.A. , Piraeus, Greece her name was changed to IRENE VALMAS until sold for demolition at Castellón de la Plana, Spain on May 1st 1971.

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