HMS Penelope, as part of Force "K", returning to Malta 9 November 1941.
Career
Built By:	Harland & Wolff (Belfast, Northern Ireland)
Laid down:	30 May 1934
Launched:	15 October 1935
Commissioned:	13 November 1936
Fate:	Sunk 18 February 1944 by torpedoes from U-410, while returning to Naples from the Anzio beach-head (415 lost).
Penant:	97
General Characteristics
Displacement:	5,270 tons standard; 6,715 tons full load. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1040x663, 354 KB) HMS Penelope, as part of Force K, returning to Malta 9 November 1941. ... November 9 is the 313th day of the year (314th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 52 days remaining. ... For the movie, see 1941 (film). ... Image File history File links Naval_Ensign_of_the_United_Kingdom. ... WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: 54. ... Motto: (Latin for Who would separate us?)[1] Anthem: UK: God Save the Queen Regional: (de facto) Londonderry Air Capital Belfast Largest city Belfast Official language(s) English (de facto), Irish, Ulster Scots 3, NI Sign Language Government Constitutional monarchy  - Queen Queen Elizabeth II  - Prime Minister of the UK Tony... May 30 is the 150th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (151st in leap years). ... 1934 (MCMXXXIV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... October 15 is the 288th day of the year (289th in leap years). ... 1935 (MCMXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... November 13 is the 317th day of the year (318th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 48 days remaining. ... 1936 (MCMXXXVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... February 18 is the 49th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1944 calendar). ...
Length:	506 ft (154.2 m)
Beam:	51 ft (15.5 m)
Draught:	14 ft (4.3 m)
Propulsion:	4 shaft Parsons geared turbines, 4 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 64,000 shp.
Speed:	32.25 knots
Range:	Unknown; 1,325 tons fuel oil
Complement:	500
Armament:	Original configuration: 3 x 6-inch (152 mm) dual guns 4 x 4-inch (102 mm) dual AA guns 2 x 0.5 inch quadruple machine guns 2 x 21-inch (533 mm) triple torpedo tubes August 1940 - September 1942 configuration: 3 x 6-inch (152 mm) dual guns 4 x 4-inch (102 mm) dual AA guns 2 x 2-pdr. (40 mm) pom-pom quad AA guns 6 x 20 mm Oerlikon single AA guns 2 x 0.5 inch quadruple machine guns 2 x 21 in (533 mm) triple torpedo tubes This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The design of the Oerlikon 20mm cannon, by Reinhold Becker dates back to 1914, and is still in use today, after having been used extensively during the Second World War. ...
Armour:	Original configuration: 1 to 3 inches - magazine protection 2.25 inches - belt 1 inches - deck, turrets and bulkheads

HMS Penelope (97) was an Arethusa-class light cruiser of the Royal Navy. She was built by Harland & Wolff (Belfast, Northern Ireland), with the keel being laid down on 30 May 1934. She was launched on 15 October 1935, and commissioned 13 November 1936. A light cruiser is a warship that is not so large and powerful as a regular (or heavy) cruiser, but still larger than ships like destroyers. ... The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore the Senior Service). ... WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: 54. ... Motto: (Latin for Who would separate us?)[1] Anthem: UK: God Save the Queen Regional: (de facto) Londonderry Air Capital Belfast Largest city Belfast Official language(s) English (de facto), Irish, Ulster Scots 3, NI Sign Language Government Constitutional monarchy  - Queen Queen Elizabeth II  - Prime Minister of the UK Tony... May 30 is the 150th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (151st in leap years). ... 1934 (MCMXXXIV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... October 15 is the 288th day of the year (289th in leap years). ... 1935 (MCMXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... November 13 is the 317th day of the year (318th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 48 days remaining. ... 1936 (MCMXXXVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ...

At one stage, while with Force "K", she was holed so many times by bomb fragments that she acquired the nickname "HMS Pepperpot". Force K was a British Royal Navy task force of the Second World War. ...

History

At the outbreak of World War II she was with the 3rd Cruiser Squadron in the Mediterranean, having arrived at Malta on 2 September 1939. The Mediterranean region. ... September 2 is the 245th day of the year (246th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1939 (MCMXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ...

Home Fleet

Penelope (with her sister ship Arethusa) was reallocated to the 2nd Cruiser Squadron in the Home Fleet and arrived at Portsmouth on 11 January 1940. On 3 February she left for the River Clyde en route to Rosyth. She arrived at Rosyth on 7 February, and operated with the 2nd Cruiser Squadron on convoy escort duties, and in April and May 1940, she took part in the Norwegian operations. The Home Fleet is the traditional name of the fleet of the Royal Navy that protects the United Kingdoms territorial waters. ... Portsmouth is a city of about 189,000 people located in the county of Hampshire on the southern coast of England. ... January 11 is the 11th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1940 (MCMXL) was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1940 calendar). ... February 3 is the 34th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... The River Clyde, looking eastwards upstream, as it passes beneath the Kingston Bridge in Central Glasgow. ... Rosyth (pronounced Ross-sythe) (Scottish Gaelic: Ros Saoithe) is located on the Firth of Forth on Scotlands east coast, a mile (1. ... February 7 is the 38th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Year 1940 (MCMXL) was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1940 calendar). ...

On 11 April Penelope ran aground off Fleinver while hunting German merchant ships entering the West Fjords. Her boiler room was flooded and she was holed forward. The destroyer Eskimo towed her to Skjel Fjord where an advanced base had been improvised. Despite air attacks, temporary repairs were made and she was towed home a month later. She arrived at Greenock on 16 May 1940 where additional temporary repairs were carried out, before proceeding on 19 August to the Tyne for permanent repairs. April 11 is the 101st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (102nd in leap years). ... HMS Eskimo (L-75/F-75/G-75) was a Tribal-class destroyer laid down by the High Walker Yard of Vickers Armstrong at Newcastle-on-Tyne on 5 August 1936, launched on 3 September 1937 and commissioned on 30 December 1938. ... For other uses see Greenock (disambiguation). ... May 16 is the 136th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (137th in leap years). ... Year 1940 (MCMXL) was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1940 calendar). ... August 19 is the 231st day of the year (232nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... The River Tyne can refer to two rivers in the United Kingdom: River Tyne, England River Tyne, Scotland This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...

After repairs and trials were completed in August 1941, Penelope reappeared 'a new ship from the water line down'. She returned to the 2nd Cruiser Squadron at Scapa Flow on 17 August 1941. On 9 September she left Greenock escorting Duke of York to Rosyth, and later that month, she was employed in patrolling the Iceland - Faroes passage to intercept enemy surface ships. For the movie, see 1941 (film). ... Aerial Photo of Scapa Flow Scapa Flow is a body of water in the Orkney Islands, Scotland, United Kingdom, sheltered by the islands of Mainland, Graemsay, Burray, South Ronaldsay and Hoy. ... August 17 is the 229th day of the year (230th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... For the movie, see 1941 (film). ... September 9 is the 252nd day of the year (253rd in leap years). ... For other uses see Greenock (disambiguation). ... HMS Duke of York was a King George V-class battleship of the Royal Navy, and the second of the name, the predecessor having been a 4-gun cutter purchased in 1763 and sold in 1766. ... Rosyth (pronounced Ross-sythe) (Scottish Gaelic: Ros Saoithe) is located on the Firth of Forth on Scotlands east coast, a mile (1. ... The Faroe Islands (Faroese: Føroyar, meaning Sheep Islands) are a group of islands in the north Atlantic Ocean between Scotland and Iceland. ...

On 6 October 1941, Penelope left Hvalfjord, Iceland, with King George V, escorting the aircraft carrier Victorious for the successful Operation "E.J.", an air attack on enemy shipping between Glom Fjord and the head of West Fjord, Norway. The force returned to Scapa Flow on 10 October 1941. October 6 is the 279th day of the year (280th in leap years). ... For the movie, see 1941 (film). ... The second HMS King George V was the name ship of her class of battleships. ... HMS Victorious (R38) was the second Illustrious-class aircraft carrier ordered under the 1936 Naval Programme. ... Aerial Photo of Scapa Flow Scapa Flow is a body of water in the Orkney Islands, Scotland, United Kingdom, sheltered by the islands of Mainland, Graemsay, Burray, South Ronaldsay and Hoy. ... October 10 is the 283rd day of the year (284th in Leap years). ... For the movie, see 1941 (film). ...

Force "K"

Penelope and her sister Aurora were then assigned to form the core of Force "K" based at Malta, and departed Scapa on 12 October 1941, arriving in Malta on 21 October. On 8 November, both cruisers and their escorting destroyers departed Malta to intercept an Italian convoy of six destroyers and seven merchant ships sailing for Libya, which had been sighted by aircraft at 37°53'N - 16°36'E. During the ensuing Battle of the Duisburg Convoy on 9 November off Cape Spartivento, one enemy destroyer (Fulmine) and all of the merchant ships were sunk. HMS Aurora (12) was the Arethusa class cruiser for the Royal Navy. ... Force K was a British Royal Navy task force of the Second World War. ... October 21 is the 294th day of the year (295th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 71 days remaining. ... November 8 is the 312th day of the year (313th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 53 days remaining. ... USS Lassen, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet or battle group and defend them against smaller, short-range attackers (originally torpedo boats, later submarines and aircraft). ... Combatants United Kingdom Italy Commanders Captain W.G Agnew Captain Ugo Bisciani Strength 2 light cruisers 2 destroyers 2 heavy cruisers 10 destroyers Casualties none? 2 destroyers sunk, 5 merchant ships sunk, ?? lost The Battle of the Duisburg Convoy was fought on the night of 8-9 November 1941 between... November 9 is the 313th day of the year (314th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 52 days remaining. ...

On 23 November, Force "K" again sailed from Malta to intercept another enemy convoy, resulting in the sinking of two more merchant ships on the 24th west of Crete. Force "K" received the Prime Minister's congratulations on their fine work. On 1 December 1941, Force "K" scored further successes with the sinking of the Italian M/V Adriatico, at 32°52'N - 2°30'E, as well as the destroyer Alvise da Mosto and the tanker Iridio Mantovani at 33°45'N - 12°30'E. On 3 December, they were congratulated by the First Sea Lord. November 23 is the 327th day of the year (328th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 38 days remaining. ... December 1 is the 335th (in leap years the 336th) day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the movie, see 1941 (film). ... December 3 is the 337th (in leap years the 338th) day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... The First Sea Lord is the professional head of the British Royal Navy. ...

On 19 December Penelope, while operating off Tripoli, struck a mine but was not seriously damaged and arrived later that day in Malta. She was sent into the dockyard for repairs and returned to service at the beginning of January 1942. On 5 January 1942, Penelope left Malta with Force "K" escorting the Special Service Vessel Glengyle to Alexandria (Operation 'ME9'), returning on the 27th, escorting the supply ship Breconshire. Tripoli (Arabic: طرابلس Tarābulus) is the capital city of Libya. ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1942 calendar). ... January 5 is the 5th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1942 calendar). ... Alexandria Modern Alexandria. ...

On 13 February 1942, she again left Malta with the Breconshire and an eastbound convoy aided by six destroyers, Operation 'MG5', returning to Malta on the 15th, with destroyers Lance and Legion. On 23 March, she left Malta with the Legion for Operation 'MG1', a further convoy to Malta, which met with heavy enemy opposition both on the surface and in the air. The Breconshire was hit and taken in tow by Penelope and was later safely secured to a buoy in Marsaxlokk harbour, the whole operation was taken charge by Penelope's commanding officer Captain A.D. Nicholl, of whose fine work the N.O.I.C., Malta expressed appreciation. February 13 is the 44th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1942 calendar). ... The British Royal Navy warships have been called HMS Lance after the spear. ... Two destroyers of the British Royal Navy have been named HMS Legion, after the legion. ... March 23 is the 82nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (83rd in leap years). ... The Malta Convoys were a series of supply convoys to sustain the Mediterranean island of Malta during World War 2. ... Marsaxlokk is a traditional fishing village located in the south-eastern part of Malta. ...

On 26 March, Penelope was holed both forward and aft by near-misses during air attacks on Malta. She was docked and repaired at the Malta Dry Docks where shrapnel holes where plugged with wood earning her the nickname pepperpot and sailed for Gibraltar on 8 April. On the 9th, she was repeatedly attacked from the air and arrived in Gibraltar on 10 April, with further damage from near-misses. Later that day she received a signal from Vice Admiral, Malta: "True to your usual form. Congratulations". March 26 is the 85th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (86th in leap years). ... April 8 is the 98th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (99th in leap years). ... April 10 is the 100th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (101st in leap years). ...

Repairs and awards

The damage was extensive and would require several months at home, after temporary repairs in Gibraltar. On 11 April, Penelope was visited by H.R.H the Duke of Gloucester, who had originally laid down her keel plate. H.R.H. also visited Capt. Nicholl in hospital. The First Sea Lord congratulated the ship on her successful arrival in Gibraltar. April 11 is the 101st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (102nd in leap years). ... King Richard III held the title of Duke of Gloucester from 1461 until his accession in 1483 The title Duke of Gloucester (pronounced gloss-ter) is a British royal title (after Gloucester), often conferred on one of the sons of the reigning monarch. ...

Meanwhile, the question of Penelope's repairs had been reconsidered, and it was decided to send her instead to the United States. She accordingly left Gibraltar on 10 May 1942, for the Navy Yard at New York via Bermuda, arriving on the 19th. She was under repair until September and arrived in Norfolk, Virginia on 15 September, proceeding again via Bermuda to Portsmouth, England, which she reached on 1 October 1942. May 10 is the 130th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (131st in leap years). ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1942 calendar). ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... Norfolk (pronounced IPA: ) is a low-lying county in East Anglia in the east of southern England. ... This article is about the U.S. Commonwealth. ... September 15 is the 258th day of the year (259th in leap years). ... Portsmouth is a city of about 189,000 people located in the county of Hampshire on the southern coast of England. ... Motto: (French for God and my right) Anthem: God Save the King/Queen Capital London Largest city London Official language(s) English (de facto) Unification    - by Athelstan AD 927  Area    - Total 130,395 km² (1st in UK)   50,346 sq mi  Population    - 2005 est. ... October 1 is the 274th day of the year (275th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1942 calendar). ...

The King, at an investiture at Buckingham Palace, decorated twenty-one officers and men from Penelope as "Heroes of Malta". Among their awards were 2 DSOs, a DSC and 2 DSMs. Buckingham Palace and the Victoria Memorial. ... DSO medal The Distinguished Service Order (DSO) is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other Commonwealth countries, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat. ... The Distinguished Service Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Royal Navy (United Kingdom), and formerly also to officers of the navies of other Commonwealth countries, for gallant or distinguished conduct during enemy actions. ... The Distinguished Service Medal was (until 1993) a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Royal Navy (United Kingdom), and formerly also to personnel of the navies of other Commonwealth countries, up to and including the rank of Chief Petty Officer, for bravery and resourcefulness on active service. ...

Western Mediterranean

Penelope arrived at Scapa Flow on 2 December and remained in home waters until the middle of January 1943. She left the Clyde on the 17th for Gibraltar, where she arrived on the 22nd. She had been allocated to the 12th Cruiser Squadron, in which she operated with the Western Mediterranean Fleet under the flag of Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham during the follow up of Operation Torch, the landings in North Africa. Aerial Photo of Scapa Flow Scapa Flow is a body of water in the Orkney Islands, Scotland, United Kingdom, sheltered by the islands of Mainland, Graemsay, Burray, South Ronaldsay and Hoy. ... December 2 is the 336th day (337th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ... The River Clyde, looking eastwards upstream, as it passes beneath the Kingston Bridge in Central Glasgow. ... The Mediterranean Fleet was part of the Royal Navy. ... Andrew Jonathan Cunningham was born in Dublin, Ireland on December 15, 1982. ... Combatants United States United Kingdom Free French Forces Germany Vichy France Commanders Dwight Eisenhower Andrew Cunningham Erwin Rommel François Darlan Strength 73,500 - Casualties 479+ dead 720 wounded 1346+ dead 1997 wounded Operation TORCH (initially called Operation GYMNAST) was the British-American invasion of French North Africa in World...  Northern Africa (UN subregion)  geographic, including above North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent. ...

On 1 June 1943, Penelope and the destroyers Paladin and Petard carried out a bombardment of the Italian island of Pantelleria. The force received enemy gunfire and Penelope was hit once, but suffered little damage. On 8 June 1943, with Newfoundland and other ships she took part in a further heavy bombardment of the island. A demand for its surrender was refused. The same force left Malta on the 10 June, to cover the assault (Operation Corkscrew), which resulted in the final surrender of the island on 11 June 1943. On the 11th and 12th June, Penelope also took part in the bombardment and assault on the island of Lampedusa which fell to the British forces on 12 June 1943. June 1 is the 152nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (153rd in leap years), with 213 days remaining. ... Year 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ... Country Italy Region Sicily Province Trapani (TP) Mayor Salvatore Gabriele (since May 17, 2005) Elevation 5 m Area 83 km² Population  - Total (as of December 31, 2004) 7,679  - Density 73/km² Time zone CET, UTC+1 Coordinates Gentilic Panteschi Dialing code 0923 Postal code 91017 Patron St. ... June 8 is the 159th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (160th in leap years), with 206 days remaining. ... Year 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ... HMS Newfoundland was a Crown Colony-class cruiser of the Royal Navy. ... June 10 is the 161st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (162nd in leap years), with 204 days remaining. ... During World War II, Operation Corkscrew was the Allied invasion of the Italian island of Pantelleria (between Sicily and Tunisia) on 10 June 1943. ... June 11 is the 162nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (163rd in leap years), with 203 days remaining. ... Year 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ... The Mediterranean island of Lampedusa ( ) is the largest of the Pelagie Islands and is situated 205 km from Sicily and 113 km from Tunisia. ... June 12 is the 163rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (164th in leap years), with 202 days remaining. ... Year 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ...

On 10 July 1943, with Aurora and two destroyers, Penelope carried out a diversionary bombardment of Catania as part of the conquest of Sicily, (Operation Husky). The flotilla then moved to Taormina where the railway station was bombarded. On 11 July, Penelope left Malta with the 12th Cruiser Squadron as part of Force "H" to provide cover for the northern flank of the assault on Sicily. During the remainder of July and August, she took part in various other bombardments and sweeps during the campaign for Sicily. July 10 is the 191st day (192nd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 174 days remaining. ... Year 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ... HMS Aurora (12) was the Arethusa class cruiser for the Royal Navy. ... Catania is the second largest city of Sicily and is the capital of the province which bears its name. ... Sicily (Sicilia in Italian, Sicilian and Spanish, Σικελία in Greek) is an autonomous region of Italy and the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, with an area of 25,700 km² and 5 million inhabitants. ... Combatants United States United Kingdom Canada Germany Italy Commanders Harold Alexander Alfredo Guzzoni Strength 160,000 men 14,000 vehicles 600 tanks 1,800 guns 365,000 Italians 40,000Germans Casualties USA: 2,237 killed 6,544 wounded British: 2,721 killed 10,122 wounded Canada: 562 killed 1,848... Isola Bella from the North Isola Bella Bay from the south Greek theatre in Taormina Taormina is a small town in the island of Sicily in Italy. ... July 11 is the 192nd day (193rd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 173 days remaining. ... Sicily (Sicilia in Italian, Sicilian and Spanish, Σικελία in Greek) is an autonomous region of Italy and the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, with an area of 25,700 km² and 5 million inhabitants. ... Sicily (Sicilia in Italian, Sicilian and Spanish, Σικελία in Greek) is an autonomous region of Italy and the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, with an area of 25,700 km² and 5 million inhabitants. ...

Force "Q"

On 9 September 1943, Penelope was part of Force "Q" for Operation Avalanche, the allied landings at Salerno, Italy, during which she augmented the bombardment force. September 9 is the 252nd day of the year (253rd in leap years). ... Year 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ... Operation Avalanche was the codename for the landings near the port of Salerno, executed on 9 September 1943, part of the Allied invasion of Italy. ... Salerno is a town and a province capital in Campania, south-western Italy, located on the gulf of the same name on the Tyrrhenian Sea. ...

Penelope left the Salerno area on 26 September with Aurora and at the beginning of October she was transferred to the Levant in view of a possible attack on the island of Kos in the Dodecanese. On 7 October, with Sirius and other ships she sank six enemy landing craft, one ammunition ship and an armed trawler off Stampalia. Although damaged by a bomb, she was able to return to Alexandria at 22 knots. Salerno is a town and a province capital in Campania, south-western Italy, located on the gulf of the same name on the Tyrrhenian Sea. ... September 26 is the 269th day of the year (270th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Port and city view of Kos town on the island Kos. ... The Dodecanese (Greek: Δωδεκάνησα, Dodekánisa, meaning twelve islands; see also List of traditional Greek place names) are a group of Greek islands in the Aegean Sea, off the southwest coast of Turkey. ... October 7 is the 280th day of the year (281st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... HMS Sirius was a Dido-class cruiser of the Royal Navy. ... Alexandria Modern Alexandria. ...

On 19 November 1943, Penelope moved to Haifa in connection with possible developments in the Lebanon situation. Towards the end of December, she was ordered to Gibraltar for Operation Stonewall, anti-blockade-runner duties in the Atlantic. On 27 December, the forces in this operation destroyed the German blockade-runner Alsterufer which was sunk by aircraft co-operating with Royal Navy ships, and on 30 November Penelope returned to Gibraltar. November 19 is the 323rd day of the year (324th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Year 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Operation Stonewall was a World War II operation to intercept blockade runners off the west coast of France. ... December 27 is the 361st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (362nd in leap years). ... The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore the Senior Service). ... November 30 is the 334th day (335th on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 31 days remaining. ...

On 22 January 1944, she took part in Operation Shingle, the amphibious assault on Anzio, Italy, providing gunfire support as part of Force "X" with the USS Brooklyn. She also joined in the bombardments in the Formia area during the later operations. On 8 February 1944 she made no less than eight shoots during the day. January 22 is the 22nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1944 calendar). ... Combatants British Empire, United States Germany Commanders John P. Lucas Albert Kesselring Strength 50,000 soldiers 5,000 vehicles 100,000 soldiers Casualties 29,200 combat casualties (4,400 killed, 18,000 wounded, 6,800 prisoners or missing) 27,500 (5,500 killed, 17,500 wounded, and 4,500 prisoners... Anzio (2003 pop. ... The third Brooklyn (CL-40) was a light cruiser, the lead ship of her class of seven. ... Formia is a small town/city on the Mediterranean Coast of Italy. ... February 8 is the 39th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1944 calendar). ...

Sinking of Penelope

On 18 February 1944, Penelope (Capt. G.D. Belben, DSO, DSC, AM, RN) was leaving the Anzio area to return to Naples when she was torpedoed at 40.55° N 13.25° E by the German submarine U-410. A torpedo struck her in the after engine room and was followed sixteen seconds later by another torpedo which hit in the after boiler room, causing her immediate sinking. 415 of the crew, including the captain, went down with the ship. There were 206 survivors. February 18 is the 49th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1944 calendar). ... Anzio (2003 pop. ... The Bay of Naples Naples (Italian: , Neapolitan: Nàpule, from Greek Νεάπολη < Νέα Πόλις Néa Pólis New City) is the largest city in southern Italy and capital of the Campania region and the Province of Naples. ...

The remarkable point of the attack by U-410 was that the cruiser was making 26 knots when hit. As far as can be ascertained, this is a unique case. In the history of submarine attacks during WWII, no other ship running at such speed was ever successfully attacked.

See HMS Penelope for other ships of the name. Nine ships of the British Royal Navy have been named HMS Penelope, after the faithful wife Penelope of Greek mythology. ...

This is a list of Royal Navy cruisers. ...

Links

• [1] British Navy in the Mediterranean, including Malta Convoys, Part 2 of 4, 1941-42

• [2] HMS Penelope - WW2 Cruisers