JW51B British: Operation Scabbard
Commander: Rear Admiral Choke (Al D)
Note: messages to the commander will appear in the left column, those from the commander in the right column.
Note: messages to the commander will appear in the left column, those from the commander in the right column.
Order of battle
17th DD Flotilla
Cameron DD
Churchill DD
Newport DD
Comet DD
Caesar DD
Cossack DD
Force 12
Captain Robert Likely
Belfast CL
Ajax CL
Encounter DD
Whirlwind DD
Distant Cover
Rear Admiral Choke
Prince of Wales BB
Devonshire CA
Ashanti DD
Javelin DD
Jackal DD
Submarines on patrol
Graph
Seadog
Convoy JW51B
Commodore Haddock
30 Dec 1942 12:00: Preliminary plans
Orders
JW51B/17th Destroyer Flotilla Start in HH01 and proceed to Y15, O36 and on to V40 at best speed. No deviation unless circumstances change the situation. SOPs for convoys and escort apply.
At X16 signal “Neptune” will be sent.
Distant cover will start in LL01 and shadow JW51B until they reach CC15. On “Neptune” will patrol DD15 to LL08 until further orders. On contact report from Graph indicating contact with Hipper or Tirpitz or on direct contact request will be sent to Director of Operations to release {Fleet Carrier} for offensive operations. Enemy capital ships will be persued aggressively.
Force 12 will proceed to X16 avoiding enemy air operations area. On contact with enemy surface forces, report and engage. On “Neptune” await orders.
Submarine Graph will patrol and report on a line PP05-HH13. Must NOT engage large destroyer forces but may engage high value assets in conditions are favourable.
Seadog will patrol DD15-AA20. Must NOT engage large destroyer forces but may engage high value assets in conditions are favourable.
Clarification of submarine orders.
Subs must reports all contacts. They must not attack destroyer groups or ASW assets but may engage single targets and capital ships if the situation is favourable.
30 Dec 1942 13:00
FLASH MESSAGE
FROM: AGENT "BILLY BOOKCASE"
TO: THE ADMIRALTY
DATE/TIME: 30 DEC 1942 1300
LOCATION: LL17 ALTEN FJORD
MESSAGE: SIGNIFICANT NAVAL ACTIVITY. APPROX TEN WARSHIPS LEAVING PORT. INCLUDES TWO CAPITAL SHIPS.
FROM: AGENT "BILLY BOOKCASE"
TO: THE ADMIRALTY
DATE/TIME: 30 DEC 1942 1300
LOCATION: LL17 ALTEN FJORD
MESSAGE: SIGNIFICANT NAVAL ACTIVITY. APPROX TEN WARSHIPS LEAVING PORT. INCLUDES TWO CAPITAL SHIPS.
"Billy Bookcase" is your Norwegian agent (Ikea Ikeasson, carpenter) stationed in Alten Fjord.
FLASH MESSAGE
FROM: HMS SEADOG
TO: REAR ADMIRAL CHOKE, HMS PRINCE OF WALES, DISTANT COVER
DATE/TIME: 30 DEC 1942 1300
LOCATION: CC16/CC17
WEATHER: FORCE 7 (NEAR GALE) WIND 30KT ROUGH SEAS VISIBILITY 6000 YARDS
MESSAGE: ENEMY SUBMARINE DETECTED BB17. UNABLE TO ENGAGE. WILL CONTINUE TO PATROL.
FROM: HMS SEADOG
TO: REAR ADMIRAL CHOKE, HMS PRINCE OF WALES, DISTANT COVER
DATE/TIME: 30 DEC 1942 1300
LOCATION: CC16/CC17
WEATHER: FORCE 7 (NEAR GALE) WIND 30KT ROUGH SEAS VISIBILITY 6000 YARDS
MESSAGE: ENEMY SUBMARINE DETECTED BB17. UNABLE TO ENGAGE. WILL CONTINUE TO PATROL.
FLASH MESSAGE
FROM: REAR ADMIRAL CHOKE, HMS PRINCE OF WALES, DISTANT COVER
TO: ALL TASK FORCES NORTH CAPE
DATE/TIME: 30 DEC 1942 1310
LOCATION: KK02
MESSAGE: JW51B/17TH DESTROYER FLOTILLA TO BE ALERT FOR SUBMARINE THREAT.
FROM: REAR ADMIRAL CHOKE, HMS PRINCE OF WALES, DISTANT COVER
TO: ALL TASK FORCES NORTH CAPE
DATE/TIME: 30 DEC 1942 1310
LOCATION: KK02
MESSAGE: JW51B/17TH DESTROYER FLOTILLA TO BE ALERT FOR SUBMARINE THREAT.
30 Dec 1942 23:30
FLASH MESSAGE
FROM: CAPTAIN LIKELY, HMS BELFAST, FORCE 12
TO: REAR ADMIRAL CHOKE, HMS PRINCE OF WALES, DISTANT COVER
DATE/TIME: 30 DEC 1942 2330
LOCATION: X17
WEATHER: WORSENING, BECOMING FORCE 10 STORM 50 KT WIND VISIBILITY 2000 YDS SNOW SQUALLS
MESSAGE: THREE UNIDENTIFIED RADAR CONTACTS DETECTED W17. WILL ENGAGE, WEATHER PERMITTING.
FROM: CAPTAIN LIKELY, HMS BELFAST, FORCE 12
TO: REAR ADMIRAL CHOKE, HMS PRINCE OF WALES, DISTANT COVER
DATE/TIME: 30 DEC 1942 2330
LOCATION: X17
WEATHER: WORSENING, BECOMING FORCE 10 STORM 50 KT WIND VISIBILITY 2000 YDS SNOW SQUALLS
MESSAGE: THREE UNIDENTIFIED RADAR CONTACTS DETECTED W17. WILL ENGAGE, WEATHER PERMITTING.
FLASH MESSAGE
FROM: REAR ADMIRAL CHOKE, HMS PRINCE OF WALES, DISTANT COVER
TO: CAPTAIN LIKELY, HMS BELFAST, FORCE 12
DATE/TIME: 30 DEC 1942 2340
MESSAGE: IMPERATIVE CONTACTS ARE IDENTIFIED AND REPORTED
FROM: REAR ADMIRAL CHOKE, HMS PRINCE OF WALES, DISTANT COVER
TO: CAPTAIN LIKELY, HMS BELFAST, FORCE 12
DATE/TIME: 30 DEC 1942 2340
MESSAGE: IMPERATIVE CONTACTS ARE IDENTIFIED AND REPORTED
FLASH MESSAGE
FROM: REAR ADMIRAL CHOKE, HMS PRINCE OF WALES, DISTANT COVER
TO: OPS
DATE/TIME: 30 DEC 1942 2340
MESSAGE: REQUEST RELEASE OF HMS VICTORIOUS BEAR ISLAND AREA FOR OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS AGAINST ENEMY CAPITAL SHIPS.
FROM: REAR ADMIRAL CHOKE, HMS PRINCE OF WALES, DISTANT COVER
TO: OPS
DATE/TIME: 30 DEC 1942 2340
MESSAGE: REQUEST RELEASE OF HMS VICTORIOUS BEAR ISLAND AREA FOR OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS AGAINST ENEMY CAPITAL SHIPS.
31 Dec 1942 0100
FLASH MESSAGE
FROM: OPS
TO: REAR ADMIRAL CHOKE, HMS PRINCE OF WALES, DISTANT COVER
DATE/TIME: 30 DEC 1942 2345
MESSAGE: REQUEST FOR SUPPORT FROM HMS VICTORIOUS DENIED BECAUSE OF OTHER OPERATIONAL COMMITTMENTS.
FROM: OPS
TO: REAR ADMIRAL CHOKE, HMS PRINCE OF WALES, DISTANT COVER
DATE/TIME: 30 DEC 1942 2345
MESSAGE: REQUEST FOR SUPPORT FROM HMS VICTORIOUS DENIED BECAUSE OF OTHER OPERATIONAL COMMITTMENTS.
FLASH MESSAGE
FROM: REAR ADMIRAL CHOKE, HMS PRINCE OF WALES, DISTANT COVER
TO: CAPTAIN ROBERT LIKELY, OC FORCE 12
DATE/TIME: 30 DEC 1942 2350
MESSAGE: : I AM MAKING FOR YOUR POSITION AT BEST SPEED. MAKE ALL EFFORTS TO DRAW ENEMY TOWARDS DISTANT COVER GROUP. DO NOT LOSE CONTACT.
FROM: REAR ADMIRAL CHOKE, HMS PRINCE OF WALES, DISTANT COVER
TO: CAPTAIN ROBERT LIKELY, OC FORCE 12
DATE/TIME: 30 DEC 1942 2350
MESSAGE: : I AM MAKING FOR YOUR POSITION AT BEST SPEED. MAKE ALL EFFORTS TO DRAW ENEMY TOWARDS DISTANT COVER GROUP. DO NOT LOSE CONTACT.
FLASH MESSAGE
FROM: REAR ADMIRAL CHOKE, HMS PRINCE OF WALES, DISTANT COVER
TO: OPS
DATE/TIME: 30 DEC 1942 2350
MESSAGE: AM PROCEEDING AT FULL SPEED TO INTERCEPT THE ENEMY. REGRET LACK OF AIR COVER FOR THIS OPERATION. HISTORY WILL JUDGE WHO IS RIGHT. GOD SAVE THE KING.
FROM: REAR ADMIRAL CHOKE, HMS PRINCE OF WALES, DISTANT COVER
TO: OPS
DATE/TIME: 30 DEC 1942 2350
MESSAGE: AM PROCEEDING AT FULL SPEED TO INTERCEPT THE ENEMY. REGRET LACK OF AIR COVER FOR THIS OPERATION. HISTORY WILL JUDGE WHO IS RIGHT. GOD SAVE THE KING.
FLASH MESSAGE
FROM: FROM REAR ADMIRAL CHOKE, OC DISTANT COVER
TO: COMMODORE HADDOCK, COMMANDING JW51B
DATE/TIME: 30 DEC 1942 2350
MESSAGE: HEAD NORTH FOR 50 MILES BEFORE RESUMING COURSE TO O36. THIS TO AVOID ENEMY CONTACT.
FROM: FROM REAR ADMIRAL CHOKE, OC DISTANT COVER
TO: COMMODORE HADDOCK, COMMANDING JW51B
DATE/TIME: 30 DEC 1942 2350
MESSAGE: HEAD NORTH FOR 50 MILES BEFORE RESUMING COURSE TO O36. THIS TO AVOID ENEMY CONTACT.
Battle of X17A occurs. Hipper is sunk and two destroyers driven off.
Current situation. Germans have disengaged from Force 12 and are to their NE.
Please advise on amended orders and damage to ships.
Current weather conditions: Force 8.
Map with hex labels viewable here.
Please advise on amended orders and damage to ships.
Current weather conditions: Force 8.
Map with hex labels viewable here.
Flash message, Rear Admiral J Arthur Choke to HMS Graph 01.00 31/12/1942:
Proceed to X25 at best speed, signal when on station then patrol X25-T25-S26-W26-W27-R27.
Report all contacts. Engage high value targets if conditions are favourable. Do not engage destroyer groups.
Note, there are friendly units as previously notified in the vicinity.
Proceed to X25 at best speed, signal when on station then patrol X25-T25-S26-W26-W27-R27.
Report all contacts. Engage high value targets if conditions are favourable. Do not engage destroyer groups.
Note, there are friendly units as previously notified in the vicinity.
Flash message, Rear Admiral J Arthur Choke to HMS Seadog 01.00 31/12/1942:
Proceed to T17 at best speed. Patrol T17-R25 then report for orders.
Report all contacts. Engage high value targets if conditions are favourable. Do not engage destroyer groups.
Note, there are friendly units as previously notified in the vicinity.
Proceed to T17 at best speed. Patrol T17-R25 then report for orders.
Report all contacts. Engage high value targets if conditions are favourable. Do not engage destroyer groups.
Note, there are friendly units as previously notified in the vicinity.
Flash message, Rear Admiral J Arthur Choke to Force 12 01.00 31/12/1942:
Proceed to U16. On contact with JW51B shadow convoy ten miles to the south until further ordered.
Note, there are friendly units as previously notified in the vicinity.
Proceed to U16. On contact with JW51B shadow convoy ten miles to the south until further ordered.
Note, there are friendly units as previously notified in the vicinity.
Flash message, Rear Admiral J Arthur Choke to Admiralty Operations 01.00 31/12/1942:
Prince of Wales group will proceed to V19 to commence search for enemy surface groups.
Prince of Wales group will proceed to V19 to commence search for enemy surface groups.
31 Dec 1942 0300
Flash message, Rear Admiral J Arthur Choke
03.00 31/12/1942
To: JW51B
current location W13 Proceed with previous orders. Report contacts and evade. Report on entering S20, codeword “flipper”.
03.00 31/12/1942
To: JW51B
current location W13 Proceed with previous orders. Report contacts and evade. Report on entering S20, codeword “flipper”.
Flash message, Rear Admiral J Arthur Choke
03.00 31/12/1942
To: 17DD
current location W13 Proceed with previous orders. Report contacts and evade. Be advised that Hipper group is possibly ineffective.
On “flipper” all groups report position to flag.
03.00 31/12/1942
To: 17DD
current location W13 Proceed with previous orders. Report contacts and evade. Be advised that Hipper group is possibly ineffective.
On “flipper” all groups report position to flag.
Flash message, Rear Admiral J Arthur Choke
03.00 31/12/1942
To: Graph
Current location JJ11 Proceed to AA20 at best speed and report. Report contacts and evade. Engage capital ships if situation favourable.
On “flipper” all groups report position to flag.
03.00 31/12/1942
To: Graph
Current location JJ11 Proceed to AA20 at best speed and report. Report contacts and evade. Engage capital ships if situation favourable.
On “flipper” all groups report position to flag.
Seadog current location CC17 Patrol CC17-W17-W20. Report contacts and evade. Engage capital ships if situation favourable.
Flash message, Rear Admiral J Arthur Choke
03.00 31/12/1942
To: Force 12
Current location U16 Patrol U16-S22-U20.
Distant cover current location X16 Proceed to Y20 and report.
On “flipper” all groups report position to flag.
03.00 31/12/1942
To: Force 12
Current location U16 Patrol U16-S22-U20.
Distant cover current location X16 Proceed to Y20 and report.
On “flipper” all groups report position to flag.
Flash message, Rear Admiral J Arthur Choke
03.00 31/12/1942
To: Distant cover current location X16 Proceed to Y20 and report.
On “flipper” all groups report position to flag.
03.00 31/12/1942
To: Distant cover current location X16 Proceed to Y20 and report.
On “flipper” all groups report position to flag.
31 Dec 1942 0600
Flash message 31/12/1942 0600
TO: Rear Admiral J Arthur Choke
FROM: DISTANT COVER
CURRENT LOCATION Y20. NO SIGN OF ENEMY. AWAITING ORDERS.
TO: Rear Admiral J Arthur Choke
FROM: DISTANT COVER
CURRENT LOCATION Y20. NO SIGN OF ENEMY. AWAITING ORDERS.
Flash message 31/12/1942 0605
FROM: Rear Admiral J Arthur Choke
TO: DISTANT COVER
PATROL Y20-U20-U21-Y21
FROM: Rear Admiral J Arthur Choke
TO: DISTANT COVER
PATROL Y20-U20-U21-Y21
31 Dec 1942 1300
FLASH MESSAGE 31/12/1942 1300
TO: ALL SHIPS
FROM: JW51B/17DD
FLIPPER. CURRENT LOCATION S20.
TO: ALL SHIPS
FROM: JW51B/17DD
FLIPPER. CURRENT LOCATION S20.
FLASH MESSAGE 31/12/1942 1302
TO: ALL SHIPS
FROM: DISTANT COVER
CURRENT LOCATION W21.
TO: ALL SHIPS
FROM: DISTANT COVER
CURRENT LOCATION W21.
FLASH MESSAGE 31/12/1942 1302
TO: ALL SHIPS
FROM: GRAPH
CURRENT LOCATION AA20.
TO: ALL SHIPS
FROM: GRAPH
CURRENT LOCATION AA20.
FLASH MESSAGE 31/12/1942 1303
TO: ALL SHIPS
FROM: SEADOG
CURRENT LOCATION Y17.
TO: ALL SHIPS
FROM: SEADOG
CURRENT LOCATION Y17.
FLASH MESSAGE 31/12/1942 1303
TO: ALL SHIPS
FROM: FORCE 12
CURRENT LOCATION U18.
TO: ALL SHIPS
FROM: FORCE 12
CURRENT LOCATION U18.