HMS Paladin (G69) - First Time in The Mediterranean

First Time in The Mediterranean

In June 1942, she was among the ships loaned from the Eastern Fleet to the Mediterranean for Operation 'Vigorous', the passage of a convoy to Malta from Alexandria; at the same time, Operation 'Harpoon', the passage of another convoy from the west, sailed from Gibraltar. While the latter got through, the 'Vigourous' convoy was prevented from doing so by the appearance of the Italian battle fleet, coupled with heavy air attacks. Paladin, along with a force of two cruisers and four destroyers, bombarded shipping and harbour facilities at Mersa Matruh on the night of 19/20 July. Very early in the morning of 14 September, she, along with four other destroyers and the cruiser Dido, bombarded the Daba area to good effect.

Paladin also took part in other Mediterranean operations, including the passage of convoys to Malta from Egypt after the relief of the island in November. On 17 February 1943, she sank the German submarine U-205 north-west of Derna, assisted by a Bisley aircraft of the South African air force. She was escorting a convoy from Tripoli at the time.

In the early morning of 16 April 1943, she and Pakenham were on a sweep in the Sicilian narrows when two Italian destroyers were encountered. In the ensuing action, the Cigno was sunk and the other destroyer was severely damaged. Pakenham received some direct hits from gunfire and was disabled. Paladin took her in tow, but two hours later they were bombed by an enemy aircraft and Pakenham had to be scuttled.

On the night of 29/30 April, Paladin and Nubian made a sweep along the south coast of Sicily and sank a 2,000 ton merchant ship escorted by E boats, without damage or casualties to themselves. On the night of 3/4 May, Paladin, with Nubian and Petard, on another sweep from Malta, sank the Italian torpedo boat Perseo and the large merchant ship she was escorting, which was loaded with bombs, land-mines and motor transport. At dusk on 8 May, Paladin, with the Jervis and Nubian bombarded Kelibia, the most easterly point of the Cape Bon peninsula. This bombardment was repeated at dawn on the ninth.

From 1 June 1943, Paladin was among the ships which bombarded Pantellaria, prior to the main assault on that island on 11 June. The island surrendered at about midday.