The Singapore-convoys

The Singapore convoys

This are the order of battles for all Singapore-convoys between December 1941 and February 1942. Initially, I thought this would be a simple job searching together pieces of info to make a list of all ships, together with the dates of departure and arrival. Not surprisingly, this proved to be troublesome, as many flaws in sources had to be sorted out, checked, crossreferenced and added to the list. This is the list I ultimately made, which does not necessarily mean it is entirely corrected. I welcome any correction, comment or addition.

BM 9A

This convoy transported the first large troop reinforcement to the island. It left Bombay on December 21 1941 and arrived in Singapore on the 3rd of January without much delay or difficulty. Aboard was the 45th Indian infantry brigade. It departed Bombay on December 21 1941, and arrived in Singapore on January 3 1942. The order of battle for the convoy was as follows:

Merchants

Devonshire British, 11.275 tons 1599 troops

Lancashire British, 9.542 tons 1337 troops

Ethiopia British, 5.574 tons 897 troops

Varsova British, 4.691 tons 978 troops

Rajula British, 8.478 tons 1166 troops

Escort

CL HMS Glasgow Between December 21 and 25

CL HMAS Hobart from December 25 to Singapore

CL HMS Dragon from December 30 to Singapore

CL HMS Durban from December 30 to Singapore

CL De Ruyter RNN, between January 1 and 2 through Sunda Strait

CL Tromp RNN, between January 1 and 2 through Sunda Strait

DD HMAS Vampire from December 30 to Singapore

DD HMS Jupiter from January 2 1942 to Singapore

DD HMS Encounter from January 2 1942 to Singapore

DD Banckert RNN, between 1 and 2 January through Sunda Strait

DD Piet Hein RNN, between 1 and 2 January through Sunda Strait

PB HMIS Sonavati between 21 and 27 December

PB Falmouth between 25 and 27 December

BM 9B

This was the follow-up convoy for BM-9A, and the ships of this formation carried the vehicles and stores for the 45th Indian infantry brigade. It departed Bombay on December 22 1941 and arrived in Singapore on January 6 1942.

Merchants

Medina British, 3.962 tons 387 troops

Risalder British, 5,.407 tons ) Motor transport

Rajput British, 5.497 tons Motor transport

Jalajaran British, 5.102 tons Motor transport

Madura British, 8.975 tons Joined convoy with HMS Glasgow at sea

Talma British, 10.000 tons 600 troops, detached with Greek CL Georgios Averoff for Colombo December 27 1941 as planned

Escort

CL Georgios Averoff ( Greek ) Between December 22 and 27

CL HMS Glasgow Between December 27 and 31

CL HMS Danae from December 31 1941 to Singapore

CL De Ruyter ( RNN, joined January 4, detached before arrival )

CL Tromp ( RNN, joined January 4, detached before arrival )

CL Java ( RNN, joined 31/12/41 but has to break off because of damage to one of the propellors )

DD HMS Electra from January 3 to Singapore

DD HMS Express from January 3 to Singapore

DD HMS Stronghold from January 4 to Singapore

DD Banckert ( RNN, joined January 4, detached before arrival )

DD Piet Hein ( RNN, joined January 4, detached before arrival )

AM HMAS Burnie from January 5 to Singapore

AM HMAS Goulburn from January 5 to Singapore

DM1 ( Ex- WS 12 ZM)

This convoy had quite an impressive cargo, as it not only transported the 53rd Infantry Brigade Group, 232 squadron RAF, 6th Heavy and 35th Light AA regiments and the 85th Anti-tank regiment, but also had fifty crated Hawker Hurricane fighters on board of 17, 135, 136 and 232 squadron RAF. The convoy departed Durban on December 24 as part of WS 12Z, and the Singapore-bound ships detached at sea. The American trooper Mount Vernon departed Mombasa with HMS Emerald on December 30, and joined at sea. The ships, now known as DM-1, departed the Addu Atoll on January 5 and arrived in Singapore on the 13th.

Merchants

Narkunda British, 16.632 tons 1773 troops

Aorangi British, 17.491 tons 2194 troops

Sussex British, 11.063 tons 52 Hurricane fighters, 3.7-inch AA-guns and 14 troops

Abbekerk Dutch, 7.906 tons Ammunition and 16 troops

Mount Vernon American, 22.559 tons 221 officers and 4882 men of the 18th division

Escorts

CA HMS Cornwall Until Colombo area

CA HMS Exeter From January 5 to Singapore

CL HMS Durban From January 9, but arrived ahead of convoy

CL HMS Emerald ( F ) From December 30 to Singapore

CL De Ruyter (RNN, between January 10 and 12)

CL Tromp (RNN, between January 10 and 12)

PB HMIS Jumna from January 5 to Singapore

DD HMS Jupiter from January 10, but arrived ahead of convoy

DD HMS Encounter from January 10 to Singapore

DD HMAS Vampire from January 10 to Singapore

DD Banckert ( RNN, between January 10 and 12 )

DD Piet Hein ( RNN, between January 10 and 12 )

BM 10

BM-10 arrived in Singapore on January 25 1942 with the 44th Indian Infantry brigadegroup ( 6000 men ), vehicles and stores for the 18th division and carriers for the reconregiment. It had departed Bombay on January 8 1942.

Merchants

Cap St. Jacques French, 8009 tons 716 troops and stores

Talthybius British, 10.254 tons stores

Islami British, 5.879 tons 964 troops and stores

Rohna British, 8.602 tons 1188 troops and stores

Ekma British, 5.108 tons 897 troops

Takliwa British, 7.936 tons 980 troops and stores

Jalakrishna British, 4.991 tons motor transport and stores

Subadar British, 5.425 tons motor transport and stores

Jalavihar British, 5.330 tons motor transport and stores

Brittany British, 4.772 tons general cargo

Loch Ranza British, 4.958 tons motor transport and stores

Jalaratna British, 3.942 tons stores, departed Colombo 12/1/42 and joined at sea

Silverlarch British, 5.064 tons stores, departed Colombo 12/1/42 and joined at sea

Hosang British, 5.698 tons Joined January 20, carrying stores.

Yuen Sang British, 3.229 tons Joined January 20, carrying stores

Rochussen Dutch, 2.363 tons Joined January 22, detached Doerian Strait

Hermelin Norwegian, 1.683 tons Joined January 22

Collingswood American, 5.101 tons Joined January 22

Escorts

CA HMS Exeter From January 18 to Singapore

CL HMS Caledon Between January 8 and 13

CL HMS Enterprise From January 13 to Singapore

CL HMS Glasgow Between January 13 and 18

CL HMS Danae From January 18 to Singapore

CL De Ruyter Between January 22 until Doerian Strait

CL Tromp Between January 22 until Doerian Strait

DD HMS Electra Between January 20 and 22

DD Stronghold Between January 20 and 22

PB HMIS Sutlej From January 14 to Singapore

PB HMAS Yarra From January 20 to Singapore

MS 1

This convoy departed Melbourne on January 10, but it is currently unknown which units were transported to Singapore aboard the ships of this convoy. The ships marked with an * arrived in Singapore on February 1st.

Merchants

City of Manchester * British, 8.917 tons

Derrymore * British, 4.799 tons

Java Dutch, 9.250 tons

Enggano Dutch, 5.412 tons

Gorgon * British, 3.533 tons

Pan Europe * Norwegian, 9.468 tons

Peisander British, 6.225 tons

Phrontis * Dutch, 6.181 tons

Tjikandi Dutch, 7.970 tons

Tjikarang Dutch, 9.505 tons

War Sirdar * British, 5.647 tons

Escorts

AMC HMAS Kanimbla Between January 10 and 28

CL HMAS Hobart Between January 26 and 31

DD HMS Stronghold Between January 28 and 31

DD HMS Tenedos Between January 28 and 31

MS 2 and MS 2A

This convoy originally consisted of the large liner Aquitania, which transported 3500 Australian troops ( 2/4th MG batallion, reinforcements for the 8th division ) to Singapore. However, by this time, the Japanese had complete control of the air over Singapore and the approaches to this port, and the naval authorities therefore found it to be wiser to transfer the troops aboard to smaller vessels. The Aquitania with her ocean escort, HMAS Canberra arrived in Ratai Bay on Sumatra on January 20. The troops were transferred to smaller KPM-steamers and a British ship, and the convoy departed Ratai Bay on January 21, now as MS 2A. The ships arrived unscathed in Singapore on January 24.

Until Ratai Bay

Merchants

Aquitania British, 45.647 tons 3500 troops

Escorts

CA HMAS Canberra Ocean escort

CL Java ( RNN ) From January 18

DD Evertsen ( RNN ) From January 18

DD Van Nes ( RNN ) From January 18

Transfer in Ratai Bay to smaller ships

Cover force

CA HMAS Canberra

CL HMS Dragon

DD HMAS Vampire

DD HMS Express

DD USS Stewart

DD USS Barker

DD Van Nes ( RNN )

PB USS Isabel

PB Soemba ( RNN )

Ratai Bay to Singapore

Merchants

Both Dutch, 2.660 tons

Reael Dutch, 2.561 tons

Reynst Dutch, 2.462 tons

Van der Lijn Dutch, 2.464 tons

Van Swoll Dutch, 2.156 tons

Sloet van de Beele Dutch, 2.977 tons

Taishan British, 3.174 tons

Escorts

CA HMAS Canberra Detached north of Banka

CL Java ( RNN )* From 21 to 24 January

DD HMAS Vampire* From 21 to 24 January

DD HMS Thanet* From 21 to 24 January

DD Evertsen ( RNN ) Detached north of Banka

DD Van Nes Detached north of Banka

PB HMIS Jumna* From 21 to 24 January

* These ships arrived with the convoy in Singapore

BM 11

BM-11 carried 5 light AA-batteries, 1 light tanksquadron and the 18th Division ( except the 53rd Brigade Group ), a total of 17.000 troops to Singapore. It had departed Bombay on January 19 1942 and arrived in Singapore on January 29 1942.

Merchants

Empire Star British, 11.093 tons Motor transport

Duchess of Bedford British, 20.123 tons 1955 troops

Empress of Japan British, 26.032 tons 1981 troops

USS Wakefield American, 22.559 tons 4479 troops

USS West Point American, 23.179 tons 3250 troops

Escorts

CA HMS Exeter From January 26 to Singapore

CL HMS Dragon Between January 26 and 28

CL HMS Durban Between January 26 and 28

CL HMS Glasgow Between January 22 and 26

CL HMS Caledon Between January 19 and 22

DD HMS Thanet ??, arrived Singapore January 24

DD HMS Tenedos From January 24

DD HMS Express From January 24

DD HMS Electra From January 24

DD HMS Encounter From January 26

BM 12

BM-12 carried drafts for the 9th and 11th Divisions ( 3800 men ) and stores for the 18th Division to Singapore. The convoy departed Bombay on January 23 and arrived in Singapore on the 5th of the following month. It was also the first to lose a ship: the trooptransport Empress of Asia was hit by bombs from divebombers and had to be abandoned. Most troops aboard were picked up by escorting vessels ( HMAS Yarra especially distinguished herself ), but most of the equipment was unfortunately lost.

Merchants

Empress of Asia British, 16.909 tons 2235 troops and stores

Félix Roussèl French, 17.084 tons 157 troops and stores

Plancius Dutch, 5.955 tons 987 troops and stores

Devonshire British, 11.275 tons 1673 troops and stores

City of Canterbury British, 8.331 tons 1053 troops

Escorts

CA HMS Exeter Joined February 2, detached north of Banka

CL HMS Danae Joined January 31, detached north of Banka

CL HMS Emerald Between January 27 and 31

CL Java ( RNN ) Between January 31 and February 4, detached because of fuel shortage.

DD HMS Encounter Joined ??, detached north of Banka

DD HMAS Vampire Joined February 2

PB HMAS Yarra Joined February 1

PB HMIS Sutlej Joined February 1

PB HMS Falmouth Between January 26 and 27

AM HMAS Bendigo Joined north of Banka Strait

AM HMAS Woolongong Joined north of Banka Strait

DM 2 ( Ex - WS 14 B )

DM-2 ( which departed Durban on January 13 ) was originally WS 14B, but the name was changed off Mombasa on January 19. It made rendez-vous with BM-12, after which the convoys merged at 01.05 N, 91.28 E. The ships of this convoy were rerouted to Batavia with one exception, the City of Canterbury joined BM-12 and arrived in Singapore. Aboard the ships were the Wing Headquarters and groundstaff for 3 fightersquadrons, the 77th heavy and 21st light AA regiments with their equipment, vehicles and stores for the 48th Light AA-regiment. The rerouted ships arrived in Batavia on February 3.

Merchants

Warwick Castle British, 20.119 tons N/A

Empress of Australia British, 21.860 tons N/A

City of Pretoria British, 8.049 tons Motor transport

Triolus British, 7.422 tons N/A

Malancha British, 8.124 tons Motor transport

City of Canterbury British, 8.331 tons 1053 troops

Dunera British, 11.197 tons 1884 troops

Escorts*

BB HMS Royal Sovereign Until January 26 (1100 hours)

AMC HMS Ranchi Joined January 26 (1100 hours), detached January 28 (1300 hours)

CA HMS Exeter From February 2

CL HMS Emerald Between January 28 and 31

CL Java ( RNN ) Between January 31 and February 4, detached because of fuel shortage.

CL HMS Danae Joined January 31

DD HMAS Vampire Joined February 2

DD HMS Jupiter Joined February 2

PB HMAS Yarra Joined February 1

PB HMIS Sutlej Joined February 1

BM-13

The last of the Singapore convoys. Departed Bombay on February 13, but was recalled on February 17. I don't list her here as it never came close to reaching her destination. In addition, the convoys JS 1, JS 2 and MS 3 were apparently also originally bound for Singapore but also never reached their destination.

Some abbrevations:

CA = Heavy cruiser
CL = Light Cruiser
DD = Destroyer
PB = Sloop or anti-submarinevessel
AM = Minesweeper
AMC = Armed Merchant Cruiser

All tonnages for the merchants are in gross weight

I would like to thank the following persons for their help compiling this article

Don Kindell ( I owe you a huge thankx )
Allan Alsleben
Stephen Hagen

Back Home

Merchants
Devonshire	British, 11.275 tons	1599 troops
Lancashire	British, 9.542 tons	1337 troops
Ethiopia	British, 5.574 tons	897 troops
Varsova	British, 4.691 tons	978 troops
Rajula	British, 8.478 tons	1166 troops

Escort
CL	HMS Glasgow	Between December 21 and 25
CL	HMAS Hobart	from December 25 to Singapore
CL	HMS Dragon	from December 30 to Singapore
CL	HMS Durban	from December 30 to Singapore
CL	De Ruyter	RNN, between January 1 and 2 through Sunda Strait
CL	Tromp	RNN, between January 1 and 2 through Sunda Strait
DD	HMAS Vampire	from December 30 to Singapore
DD	HMS Jupiter	from January 2 1942 to Singapore
DD	HMS Encounter	from January 2 1942 to Singapore
DD	Banckert	RNN, between 1 and 2 January through Sunda Strait
DD	Piet Hein	RNN, between 1 and 2 January through Sunda Strait
PB	HMIS Sonavati	between 21 and 27 December
PB	Falmouth	between 25 and 27 December

Merchants
Medina	British, 3.962 tons	387 troops
Risalder	British, 5,.407 tons )	Motor transport
Rajput	British, 5.497 tons	Motor transport
Jalajaran	British, 5.102 tons	Motor transport
Madura	British, 8.975 tons	Joined convoy with HMS Glasgow at sea
Talma	British, 10.000 tons	600 troops, detached with Greek CL Georgios Averoff for Colombo December 27 1941 as planned

Escort
CL	Georgios Averoff ( Greek )	Between December 22 and 27
CL	HMS Glasgow	Between December 27 and 31
CL	HMS Danae	from December 31 1941 to Singapore
CL	De Ruyter	( RNN, joined January 4, detached before arrival )
CL	Tromp	( RNN, joined January 4, detached before arrival )
CL	Java	( RNN, joined 31/12/41 but has to break off because of damage to one of the propellors )
DD	HMS Electra	from January 3 to Singapore
DD	HMS Express	from January 3 to Singapore
DD	HMS Stronghold	from January 4 to Singapore
DD	Banckert	( RNN, joined January 4, detached before arrival )
DD	Piet Hein	( RNN, joined January 4, detached before arrival )
AM	HMAS Burnie	from January 5 to Singapore
AM	HMAS Goulburn	from January 5 to Singapore

Merchants
Narkunda	British, 16.632 tons	1773 troops
Aorangi	British, 17.491 tons	2194 troops
Sussex	British, 11.063 tons	52 Hurricane fighters, 3.7-inch AA-guns and 14 troops
Abbekerk	Dutch, 7.906 tons	Ammunition and 16 troops
Mount Vernon	American, 22.559 tons	221 officers and 4882 men of the 18th division

Escorts
CA	HMS Cornwall	Until Colombo area
CA	HMS Exeter	From January 5 to Singapore
CL	HMS Durban	From January 9, but arrived ahead of convoy
CL	HMS Emerald ( F )	From December 30 to Singapore
CL	De Ruyter	(RNN, between January 10 and 12)
CL	Tromp	(RNN, between January 10 and 12)
PB	HMIS Jumna	from January 5 to Singapore
DD	HMS Jupiter	from January 10, but arrived ahead of convoy
DD	HMS Encounter	from January 10 to Singapore
DD	HMAS Vampire	from January 10 to Singapore
DD	Banckert	( RNN, between January 10 and 12 )
DD	Piet Hein	( RNN, between January 10 and 12 )

Merchants
Cap St. Jacques	French, 8009 tons	716 troops and stores
Talthybius	British, 10.254 tons	stores
Islami	British, 5.879 tons	964 troops and stores
Rohna	British, 8.602 tons	1188 troops and stores
Ekma	British, 5.108 tons	897 troops
Takliwa	British, 7.936 tons	980 troops and stores
Jalakrishna	British, 4.991 tons	motor transport and stores
Subadar	British, 5.425 tons	motor transport and stores
Jalavihar	British, 5.330 tons	motor transport and stores
Brittany	British, 4.772 tons	general cargo
Loch Ranza	British, 4.958 tons	motor transport and stores
Jalaratna	British, 3.942 tons	stores, departed Colombo 12/1/42 and joined at sea
Silverlarch	British, 5.064 tons	stores, departed Colombo 12/1/42 and joined at sea
Hosang	British, 5.698 tons	Joined January 20, carrying stores.
Yuen Sang	British, 3.229 tons	Joined January 20, carrying stores
Rochussen	Dutch, 2.363 tons	Joined January 22, detached Doerian Strait
Hermelin	Norwegian, 1.683 tons	Joined January 22
Collingswood	American, 5.101 tons	Joined January 22

Escorts
CA	HMS Exeter	From January 18 to Singapore
CL	HMS Caledon	Between January 8 and 13
CL	HMS Enterprise	From January 13 to Singapore
CL	HMS Glasgow	Between January 13 and 18
CL	HMS Danae	From January 18 to Singapore
CL	De Ruyter	Between January 22 until Doerian Strait
CL	Tromp	Between January 22 until Doerian Strait
DD	HMS Electra	Between January 20 and 22
DD	Stronghold	Between January 20 and 22
PB	HMIS Sutlej	From January 14 to Singapore
PB	HMAS Yarra	From January 20 to Singapore

Merchants
City of Manchester *	British, 8.917 tons
Derrymore *	British, 4.799 tons
Java	Dutch, 9.250 tons
Enggano	Dutch, 5.412 tons
Gorgon *	British, 3.533 tons
Pan Europe *	Norwegian, 9.468 tons
Peisander	British, 6.225 tons
Phrontis *	Dutch, 6.181 tons
Tjikandi	Dutch, 7.970 tons
Tjikarang	Dutch, 9.505 tons
War Sirdar *	British, 5.647 tons

Escorts
AMC	HMAS Kanimbla	Between January 10 and 28
CL	HMAS Hobart	Between January 26 and 31
DD	HMS Stronghold	Between January 28 and 31
DD	HMS Tenedos	Between January 28 and 31

Escorts
CA	HMAS Canberra	Ocean escort
CL	Java ( RNN )	From January 18
DD	Evertsen ( RNN )	From January 18
DD	Van Nes ( RNN )	From January 18

Cover force
CA	HMAS Canberra
CL	HMS Dragon
DD	HMAS Vampire
DD	HMS Express
DD	USS Stewart
DD	USS Barker
DD	Van Nes ( RNN )
PB	USS Isabel
PB	Soemba ( RNN )

Merchants
Both	Dutch, 2.660 tons
Reael	Dutch, 2.561 tons
Reynst	Dutch, 2.462 tons
Van der Lijn	Dutch, 2.464 tons
Van Swoll	Dutch, 2.156 tons
Sloet van de Beele	Dutch, 2.977 tons
Taishan	British, 3.174 tons

Escorts
CA	HMAS Canberra	Detached north of Banka
CL	Java ( RNN )*	From 21 to 24 January
DD	HMAS Vampire*	From 21 to 24 January
DD	HMS Thanet*	From 21 to 24 January
DD	Evertsen ( RNN )	Detached north of Banka
DD	Van Nes	Detached north of Banka
PB	HMIS Jumna*	From 21 to 24 January
* These ships arrived with the convoy in Singapore

Merchants
Empire Star	British, 11.093 tons	Motor transport
Duchess of Bedford	British, 20.123 tons	1955 troops
Empress of Japan	British, 26.032 tons	1981 troops
USS Wakefield	American, 22.559 tons	4479 troops
USS West Point	American, 23.179 tons	3250 troops

Escorts
CA	HMS Exeter	From January 26 to Singapore
CL	HMS Dragon	Between January 26 and 28
CL	HMS Durban	Between January 26 and 28
CL	HMS Glasgow	Between January 22 and 26
CL	HMS Caledon	Between January 19 and 22
DD	HMS Thanet	??, arrived Singapore January 24
DD	HMS Tenedos	From January 24
DD	HMS Express	From January 24
DD	HMS Electra	From January 24
DD	HMS Encounter	From January 26

Merchants
Empress of Asia	British, 16.909 tons	2235 troops and stores
Félix Roussèl	French, 17.084 tons	157 troops and stores
Plancius	Dutch, 5.955 tons	987 troops and stores
Devonshire	British, 11.275 tons	1673 troops and stores
City of Canterbury	British, 8.331 tons	1053 troops

Escorts
CA	HMS Exeter	Joined February 2, detached north of Banka
CL	HMS Danae	Joined January 31, detached north of Banka
CL	HMS Emerald	Between January 27 and 31
CL	Java ( RNN )	Between January 31 and February 4, detached because of fuel shortage.
DD	HMS Encounter	Joined ??, detached north of Banka
DD	HMAS Vampire	Joined February 2
PB	HMAS Yarra	Joined February 1
PB	HMIS Sutlej	Joined February 1
PB	HMS Falmouth	Between January 26 and 27
AM	HMAS Bendigo	Joined north of Banka Strait
AM	HMAS Woolongong	Joined north of Banka Strait

Merchants
Warwick Castle	British, 20.119 tons	N/A
Empress of Australia	British, 21.860 tons	N/A
City of Pretoria	British, 8.049 tons	Motor transport
Triolus	British, 7.422 tons	N/A
Malancha	British, 8.124 tons	Motor transport
City of Canterbury	British, 8.331 tons	1053 troops
Dunera	British, 11.197 tons	1884 troops

Escorts*
BB	HMS Royal Sovereign	Until January 26 (1100 hours)
AMC	HMS Ranchi	Joined January 26 (1100 hours), detached January 28 (1300 hours)
CA	HMS Exeter	From February 2
CL	HMS Emerald	Between January 28 and 31
CL	Java ( RNN )	Between January 31 and February 4, detached because of fuel shortage.
CL	HMS Danae	Joined January 31
DD	HMAS Vampire	Joined February 2
DD	HMS Jupiter	Joined February 2
PB	HMAS Yarra	Joined February 1
PB	HMIS Sutlej	Joined February 1