Dates: 1941 - 1965
HMS Bermuda (pennant number 52, later C52) was a Crown Colony-class light cruiser of the British Royal Navy. She was completed during World War II and served in that conflict. She was named for the British territory of Bermuda, and was the eighth vessel of that name, the first was a Bermuda sloop purchased in 1795.
Bermuda was built by John Brown & Company of Clydebank and launched on 11 September 1941. In the same year, the lead ship of the class, HMS Fiji, was sunk while participating in the evacuation of Crete.
Through 1942, Bermuda would participate in the North Africa campaign, including Operation Torch, as part of the 10th Cruiser Squadron. With HMS Sheffield, she was detached from Force H to attack a small coastal fort, where both came under attack from Italian torpedo bombers. She covered the landing at Bougie and managed to escape heavy air attacks unscathed. Bermuda then returned to service in the Atlantic to escort ships in the Bay of Biscay, and in June 1943, she transported men and supplies to Spitsbergen. She then participated in anti-submarine operations against German U boats operating in the Bay of Biscay, and the North Atlantic. After more service in the Arctic, she returned to Glasgow in June 1944 for a refit.
The refit removed her ’X’ turret, and she was then dispatched to the Pacific as the war in Europe was ending, in May 1945. She arrived in Fremantle on 1 July to take on fuel and stores, before continuing on to Sydney, where she arrived on the 7 July. There she undertook exercises with other Royal Navy ships serving in the Far East, including the battleship HMS Anson. Whilst in Sydney, news reached them of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the subsequent surrender of Japan. Bermuda then sailed for the Philippines, arriving on 23 July. She then became part of an operation to recover allied prisoners of war from the previously occupied Japanese territories.
On 6 September Bermuda was attacked by Japanese aircraft, apparently unaware of the end of the war, or otherwise unwilling to surrender. Bermuda fought off the attack and was able to continue on her way. She then transported allied prisoners of war to Shanghai for repatriation.
Forces Reunited Forum Posts involving HMS Bermuda
" Sandie, During 1951 the HMS Nereide was an escort to HMS Bermuda on a East Coast cruise of Africa. Durban, Simonstown etc. The Nereide seems to have been part of the South Atlantic Fleet at that period.(1951) C in C of the Fleet at that time was Vice Admiral Sir Herbert Packer CBE. This ..."
Click For More
" I would like to contact anyone who was on HMS Bermuda with my father on 1st June 1945 in Malta, when he was drowned. I would be interested in any personal memories. John Brocklebank "
Click For More
"hms ganges
hms bermuda
hms osprey
hms ark royal
hms drake
hms merury
hms terror
hms lynx
hms triumph
hms tiger
hms london
fost
home exercise pool(hms mercury)
operational exercise pool(hms mercury)
"
Click For More
"hms ganges
hms bermuda
hms osprey
hms ark royal
hms drake
hms merury
hms terror
hms lynx
hms triumph
hms tiger
hms london
fost
home exercise pool(hms mercury)
operational exercise pool(hms mercury)
"
Click For More
" i have been giving 2 numbers from what i have been told one is his navy number 960424 and the other is when he left the navy he joined the TA 24160671 i also found a list off where my grandfather was over his 10 years off service but i dont know what is a base and what is a ship if anyone could ..."
Click For More
