View Full Version : Cyprus Patrol /Times of Malta
I am sure like myself a lot of members were engaged in the Cyprus patrols
looking for EOKA. gun runners etc. I remember looking at the lovely beaches as we cruised round and on some occasions we were in fact allowed ashore for bathing to break the monotony we were allowed to take Lanchester guns
for protection ( but were not allowed to put the magazines in unless attacked!) I think this 1956 Times of Malta cutting may be of interest I sent it to my father so he could see what we were up to and bless him he kept for years, I have quite a lot of memories from this period to post at a later date
Brian.
nigelweysom
28-04-2009, 21:27
Brian , interesting article, i thought all this anti terrorism stuff was new but it seems that you were fighting it before i was born, 1958
Nigel
jbryce1437
28-04-2009, 21:42
An interesting cutting. I wonder if the Hotel Solemar still runs the dances, bit of an early start on a Sunday though:)
Jim
Did some Cyprus patrols on Delight --------
only time in the RN I have ever been handed a Lanchester with full Mag and no rules of engagement .
Upper deck sentry while we were anchored watching for underwater swimmers .
Mind you I think there was a few 9mm rounds loosed off on suspicious
rubbish floating past !!Then the usual ships bottom search for bombs.
As for gun running --the Cypriots had as much ex German /Italian surplus WW2 weaponry they didn't need top ups !!
Fred
harry.gibbon
28-04-2009, 23:27
Brian , interesting article, i thought all this anti terrorism stuff was new but it seems that you were fighting it before i was born, 1958
Nigel
Yep, there had been the Mau Mau, the Communist Insurgency in Malaya, Palestine, all of which we had our troops involved.
Little h
Can Aden be included?
Also didn't we do stuff in Cyprus and still have troops in Belize?
tonclass
29-04-2009, 00:39
Brian, your article needs to be twice the size, at least, so that we can read it !!!
tim lewin
29-04-2009, 04:57
My father was there, Cyprus patrol, in Corunna, from what he told me it was not a particularly arduous assignment, they would lie off during the day, plenty of banyans, climbing, entertainment with the RAF etc. and then dash around in the dark looking for caiques, even finding some from time to time. That would be the 4th DF, Aisne, Agincourt (Capt. D), Corunna and Barossa. I was only 10 at the time so if any of you have dfirect memories of those days I would be very grateful to hear them. How many other ships were invloved?
tim
Rik I will try again sorry to anyone who could not read it the first time,
Cheers Brian.
My father was there, Cyprus patrol, in Corunna, from what he told me it was not a particularly arduous assignment, they would lie off during the day, plenty of banyans, climbing, entertainment with the RAF etc. and then dash around in the dark looking for caiques, even finding some from time to time. That would be the 4th DF, Aisne, Agincourt (Capt. D), Corunna and Barossa. I was only 10 at the time so if any of you have dfirect memories of those days I would be very grateful to hear them. How many other ships were invloved?
tim
your father was right Tim not particulary arduous, but sounds as if I was on the wrong ship dont remember any banyans or climbing! and the only entertainment from the RAF was during one exercise with us two of their jets collided and we had to search for the pilot of the one that crashed he was duly found floating in his dinghy thankfully he was ok, I do have some more memories and will post them later,
Regards Brian.
An interesting cutting. I wonder if the Hotel Solemar still runs the dances, bit of an early start on a Sunday though:)
Jim
Jim at my age! 5pm to 9 pm sounds about right
Brian.
Batstiger
29-04-2009, 10:54
It's funny you should bring this topic up. I was on HMS Battleaxe in 1955 and we were the first ship to be detailed off for the Cyprus patrols Note 1955!
I have my diary in front of me for that year and on Monday 6th June 1955 we sailed from Port Said arriving in Farmagusta in the afternoon for a goodwill visit leaving Farmagusta on Tuesday 14th June.
On Wednesday 13th July we were called out from Malta in a panic and set sail for Cyprus arriving in the patrol area midnight Friday 15th July 1955.
We stayed on patrol till August 7th 1955 when we were relieved by HMS Roebuck.
Bob.
It's funny you should bring this topic up. I was on HMS Battleaxe in 1955 and we were the first ship to be detailed off for the Cyprus patrols Note 1955!
I have my diary in front of me for that year and on Monday 6th June 1955 we sailed from Port Said arriving in Farmagusta in the afternoon for a goodwill visit leaving Farmagusta on Tuesday 14th June.
On Wednesday 13th July we were called out from Malta in a panic and set sail for Cyprus arriving in the patrol area midnight Friday 15th July 1955.
We stayed on patrol till August 7th 1955 when we were relieved by HMS Roebuck.
Bob.
Bob
What was that "Hut" between A turret and the bridge?
Also is that a forward mounted squid just in front of the bridge screen?
Batstiger
29-04-2009, 14:47
Yes , there are two triple mountings and the"Hut" is the squid bomb handling room where, when they have come up from the magazine, they are shoved through two opening on to two trolley's that are on rails.
The mountings are tilted 90 degrees and the bombs are shoved into the barrels.
Bob.
tonclass
29-04-2009, 14:52
Cheers Brian. Much more readable now.
Thanks !!
Thanks Bob.
It did occur to me later that that is what I might have been. As a T.A.S. rate I knew of the Squid but never served on any ship that had them. All the ships that I had been on had Mark10 "Limbo" (Hermes excepted, of course). I did do my basic training on S.O.N.A.R Type 164 and had to do a crash conversion course for 170 & 177 when I got drafted to the Unwanted.
I wonder why they put it up front instead of the later designed ships which had them down aft was down aft. Perhaps it was a natural progression from the Hedgehog
Do you know if it was "experimental"
By the way. My off watch action station was the Bomb Room. A cushy number where we could get our head down and not be disturbed.
being a new member I dont know if this has been mentioned before but there is a very good website called( Britains small wars ) which gives a tremendous amount of information on the Cyprus conflict,
Brian
CanuckFan
29-04-2009, 16:38
I remember the time in HMS Lagos patrolling the NE coast from Kyrenia to Cape Arnauti as boredom with the rare break for a run ashore to the Globe or Dome Hotel in Kyrenia, (cant remember which it was now, but it was one of the two lol.) It was being used by the Army as a rest and holiday resort for military families. The rest of the time it was anchor in a bay during the day, take the boat ashore and go swimming on Fontana Amorosa, wonderful beach where Aphrodite is supposed to have appeared and at night darken ship and sneak around checking on the vessels that the Shackletons from RAF Nicosia told us were approaching our sector. This would be I believe in 1957.
SCRG1970
29-04-2009, 17:46
Not sure how long these patrols went on for but we landed an armed guard with swimming parties in 1961.
I have no doubt the swimmers were in mortal danger from Jack with a loaded Lanchester !!!
Regards
Gerry
Not sure how long these patrols went on for but we landed an armed guard with swimming parties in 1961.
I have no doubt the swimmers were in mortal danger from Jack with a loaded Lanchester !!!
Regards
Gerry
looking through my photos (1956 )I think you could be right!!!!
Brian.
The Cyprus ''crises '' was over by end of 1959 . I think they had done a deal
by then .Still the usual Greeks v. Turks tho'
Did two lots of Cyprus patrol and it was as mentioned --boring!
Anchor at just before daylight and sail again in the evening.
No shore leave - I think the postie and the grocer were the only ones who got ashore.
Used to have visitors from the Army coming onboard for the sea air--on for a week . I think the telegraphists did shore time in the shoreside comcen's.
Fred
harry.gibbon
29-04-2009, 22:35
Thanks Bob.
It did occur to me later that that is what I might have been. As a T.A.S. rate I knew of the Squid but never served on any ship that had them. All the ships that I had been on had Mark10 "Limbo" (Hermes excepted, of course). I did do my basic training on S.O.N.A.R Type 164 and had to do a crash conversion course for 170 & 177 when I got drafted to the Unwanted.
I wonder why they put it up front instead of the later designed ships which had them down aft was down aft. Perhaps it was a natural progression from the Hedgehog
Do you know if it was "experimental"
By the way. My off watch action station was the Bomb Room. A cushy number where we could get our head down and not be disturbed.
Qprdave, re the Squid... many of the Battle Class in the late 50's and early 60's had one triple mounting on the quarterdeck. If you get the chance you will see many posts on various threads about the near misses when fired over the bow either side... so to mount them forward of the Bridge makes damn good sense!!!
Re Sonar 164 if my memory serves the TAS rating did his watch in a caboose at the front and a step down from the open bridge on Battle Class destroyers.
There was a sliding wooden door however!!
Little h
Batstiger
29-04-2009, 22:46
I prefer to still call them ASDICS Dave!
Of the weapon class both Battleaxe and Broadsword had the Squid mountings on "B" gundeck whereas Crossbow had them down aft and Scorpion had a triple barrelled Limbo down aft.
Bob.
The P/O T.A.S.I. who was our class Instructor kept reverting to A.S.D.I.C. Not sure when the name was changed
re.
Re Sonar 164 if my memory serves the TAS rating did his watch in a caboose at the front and a step down from the open bridge on Battle Class destroyers.
There was a sliding wooden door however!!
There were a few more than that when I was there. 170 (attack) = 3, 177 (Search) = 3, 185 (Underwater Telephone) = 1 (in the opps room). When the S.C.R.s crew were closed up we also had to supply Life Buoy Sentry and Seaman Gunner!!! of the watch. His job was to drop grenades over the side to signal the Submarine. His station was usually on the flag deck with the Bunting tosser. Also there was the S.O.N.A.R. Controller.
The Sonar Control room was normally next to the Opps Room with an adjoining door or in a compartment next door
tim lewin
30-04-2009, 04:55
Ref SQUID, here is a picture of Corunna's squid crew taken in 1956,, maybe off Cyprus! anyone recognise any of the chaps?
Batstiger
30-04-2009, 10:38
The chap with the set looks like an old UW.3 messmate of mine off the Battleaxe a scouse Burn or Byrne pictured here on a run ashore in Paris.
Whilst on the Battleaxe he grew a set.
He is the one standing, I am the young Ordinary seaman with hand to face.
Bob.
On one occasion we sent a landing party I believe! to pick up some army personel, the weather was rough and as our whaler got closer to the beach it caught a wave and was thrown on to the beach! no one was hurt but it was felt unsafe to try and refloat it due to the stormy conditions and the crew were taken back with the army lads and spent a few days under canvas? they
were well looked after and no doubt told many a tale about the time they were shipwrecked on Cyprus in bandit country.
Brian.
jackdusty1
30-04-2009, 21:15
I was Jack Dusty(s) on HMS Undaunted on Cyprus patrol Feb 1959 after her "bump" with HMS Maxton.
jbryce1437
01-05-2009, 18:31
I was Jack Dusty(s) on HMS Undaunted on Cyprus patrol Feb 1959 after her "bump" with HMS Maxton.
Welcome to the Forum Jack Dusty, have sent you a PM
Jim
I was Jack Dusty(s) on HMS Undaunted on Cyprus patrol Feb 1959 after her "bump" with HMS Maxton.
Welcombe to the forum Jack Dusty.
Great to have another ex-Unwanted here.
A bit of advice. Watch out for the stokers and a certain civilian diver. They bite!!!!!!!!!
A well bitten Dabtoe!!!!!!!!!!!!
harry.gibbon
01-05-2009, 22:50
Welcombe to the forum Jack Dusty.
Great to have another ex-Unwanted here.
A bit of advice. Watch out for the stokers and a certain civilian diver. They bite!!!!!!!!!
A well bitten Dabtoe!!!!!!!!!!!!
Come on now qprdave... since when has a ship side artist (dabtoe) been intimidated by an oily??? ... and me a pier head jump member of the Unwanted gang albeit for Biera only!!
Welcome Jack Dusty take no notice.
Little h
"Come on now qprdave... since when has a ship side artist (dabtoe) been intimidated by an oily???"
Sorry Little h
Don't know what I was thinking
I must have had a rush of S**t to the brain!!!!!!!
Sorry to all the stokers and the diver!!!!!!!:p
By the way Little h...Who was Big h???????
I did one Cyprus patrol in 1959 on HMS Fiskerton.
As has been mentioned, it could get a rather boring but we did have a couple of incidents to liven things up. On one occasion, whilst anchored during the day, I remember we received a Mayday from a yacht in trouble.
We started the main engines and up anchored in record time, 5 minutes (from the time of receiving the Mayday call) if my memory serves me well. When under way our captain asked the navigating officer for a course to the last known position of the yacht, when he checked the position on the chart it was in the Trudos Mountains. We were unable to make contact with the yacht again so after a day searching in estimated areas it was concluded that the Mayday had been a malicious prank.
On another occasion we were again at anchor in a bay, I can't remember which one but I can remember the Governor of Cyprus had a weekend home on the shore. Hands to bathe was piped and at least half the crew were in the water when someone spotted a shark. There was a mad scramble to get back on board and No 1 decided to try and shoot the shark with the Bren gun we always kept on the bridge. Of course he missed and most of the bullets skimmed along the surface of the water to-wards the beach. Not long after we received a signal asking who was the idiot shooting up the governors beach.
George
joseph bonnici
02-05-2009, 11:42
hey mates by coincidence this this is a photo of the Undaunted accident. it was my first year as an apprentice at the dockyard. i was at the opposite side watching her entering no 4 dock. good old times, Joseph
I did one Cyprus patrol in 1959 on HMS Fiskerton.
As has been mentioned, it could get a rather boring but we did have a couple of incidents to liven things up. On one occasion, whilst anchored during the day, I remember we received a Mayday from a yacht in trouble.
We started the main engines and up anchored in record time, 5 minutes if my memory serves me well. When under way our captain asked the navigating officer for a course to the last known position of the yacht, when he checked the position on the chart it was in the Trudos Mountains. We were unable to make contact with the yacht again so after a day searching in estimated areas it was concluded that the Mayday had been a malicious prank.
On another occasion we were again at anchor in a bay, I can't remember which one but I can remember the Governor of Cyprus had a weekend home on the shore. Hands to bathe was piped and at least half the crew were in the water when someone spotted a shark. There was a mad scramble to get back on board and No 1 decided to try and shoot the shark with the Bren gun we always kept on the bridge. Of course he missed and most of the bullets skimmed along the surface of the water to-wards the beach. Not long after we received a signal asking who was the idiot shooting up the governors beach.
George
we had similar incident in1956 group were swimming off the coast Of Malta when a swimmer was attacked he lost a leg I believe? we put to sea with lookouts posted on the Bridge armed with 303 rifles but nothing was seen,
I believe a Great White was once landed at Malta by some fishermen and a photo was published.
jackdusty1
02-05-2009, 14:03
Hi Joseph,
Thank you for the clip of Undaunted's mishap "Happy Days" I was based at HMS Phoenicia and have very happy memories of my time on Malta GC
keep well Joseph.
Best Regards
Jack Dusty
harry.gibbon
02-05-2009, 23:05
"Come on now qprdave... since when has a ship side artist (dabtoe) been intimidated by an oily???"
Sorry Little h
Don't know what I was thinking
I must have had a rush of S**t to the brain!!!!!!!
Sorry to all the stokers and the diver!!!!!!!:p
By the way Little h...Who was Big h???????
hey up again Dave,
Re Big h ... t'wasn't me da... that is for sure!!!
Been known as such since going ashore in Sliema with my suppin' mate Big Ging ( a Dabtoe ) off the Finesterre F55. The Solebay crew were apparently warned off being in the company of either of these two ships crew members, if they turned up at the captains table... we were like lepers in the Sqdn but we didn't care that much!!! You know each ship has its own bar... the Fins' crew and us got on OK so that was the way it was.
Got the same handle in civvy street.
Little h
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