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HMS Campbeltown (1940) DD (1st) |
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The first HMS Campbeltown was originally a US Navy ship, the USS
Buchanan, hence the blue circle from the Buchanan's crest and
the white star represents the flag of the USA. The Buchanan was
traded to Britain in the WW2 destroyers for bases agreement.
The centre of Campbeltown's badge sports the bog myrtle which is a plant only found in the area surrounding the town of Campbeltown in Argyll, Scotland. Arrived at Devonport 29-Sep-1940 for a refit which lasted until 01-November. The next day was in a collision and repairs took until 24-November. Joined the 17th Flotilla, Western Approaches Command but on 03-Dec-1940 collided with HMS Comus and repairs took until 28-Mar-1941. On completion she became Dutch manned and joined the 7th Escort Group. In Sep-1941 became British manned again and joined the 27th Escort Group on the West African convoy route. During repairs which began in late Jan-1942 was selected as an expendable vessel for use in the St. Nazaire raid to destroy the dry dock located there. Her claim to fame was that she was the lead ship of the flotilla which successfully destroyed the Dry Dock at St Nazaire in France on 28-March-1942. Campbeltown was loaded with explosives and driven into the lock gates. The explosives were detonated by time delay and the dock taken out of action for the duration of WW2. Ship's Bell Won the Battle Honours: Atlantic 1941-42 and St. Nazaire 1942.
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Other HMS Campbeltown - Town Class
(1940) DD Outside Links |
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This page last edited -
28 April, 2013.
Copyright © Ian M King, except where otherwise indicated. |
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