HMAS Norman (G49) - Operational History

Operational History

The destroyer's first mission after completing sea trials in October 1941 was to deliver a British trade union delegation from Iceland to Russia. Norman then spent some time as an escort ship, then sailed to Southampton for minor modifications. At the start of 1942, the destroyer was assigned to the British Eastern Fleet. From January until May, Norman served as a convoy escort in the Indian Ocean, before being recalled to participate in the convoy escort screen for Operation Vigorous, one of two major convoys attempting to supply the island of Malta. After this, she returned to the Indian Ocean, and during September was involved in the Madagascar Campaign. The destroyer spent the remainder of 1942, all of 1943, and the early part of 1944 on uneventful patrols of the Indian Ocean. In late March 1944, Norman sailed to Sydney for a two-month long refit. This concluded in late June, and Norman returned to the Eastern Fleet.

In January 1945, Nestor became involved in the campaign to free Burma from the Japanese. On 21 January, the ship helped land Indian troops on Ramree Island as part of Operation Matador, then bombarded Cheduba Island five days later prior to the landing of Royal Marines. On 1 March, the ship sailed to Australia to join the British Pacific Fleet. As part of the Pacific Fleet, Norman was involved in the Battle of Okinawa during April and May, but left before the operation's conclusion to escort the collision-damaged destroyer HMS Quilliam as she was towed to Leyte for repairs. After delivering her charge, Norman joined the United States Fifth Fleet for a short period, then sailed for Australia, arriving in Sydney on 6 June. The destroyer returned to service in early July, and was assigned to Manus Island as the general duty destroyer until the end of World War II. After the war's end, Norman sailed to Japan, but did not arrive to participate in the Japanese surrender.

The destroyer's wartime service was recognised with the battle honours "Indian Ocean 1942–44", "East Indies 1944", "Burma 1944–45", and "Okinawa 1945".