# HMS Charybdis (88)

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For other ships named HMS Charybdis, see [HMS Charybdis (disambiguation)](/source/HMS_Charybdis_(disambiguation)).

**HMS *Charybdis*** was a [*Dido*-class cruiser](/source/Dido-class_cruiser) built for the [Royal Navy](/source/Royal_Navy_during_the_Second_World_War) and was sunk with severe loss of life by German [torpedo boats](/source/Torpedo_boat) in an action in the [English Channel](/source/English_Channel) in October 1943.

## Design and construction

*Charybdis* was intended to fulfill a primarily [anti-aircraft role](/source/Anti-aircraft_warfare) and was designed with a primary armament of ten [QF 5.25 inch guns](/source/QF_5.25_inch_gun). This gun had also been selected as the secondary armament for the [*King George V*-class battleship (1939)](/source/King_George_V-class_battleship_(1939)) [battleships](/source/Battleship) also under construction at this time.[1] Delays in the delivery of the [turrets](/source/Gun_turret), prioritised for the battleships after the outbreak of the Second World War, resulted in several of the *Dido* class being fitted with different primary armament. *Charybdis* and another *Dido*-class cruiser, [HMS *Scylla*](/source/HMS_Scylla_(98)), were armed with four twin [QF 4.5 in Mk.III guns](/source/QF_4.5_inch_naval_gun) instead of the 5.25 inch guns.[2] These 4.5 inch guns had originally been intended for the [*Danae*-class cruisers](/source/Danae-class_cruiser) as part of an upgrade programme. *Scylla* and *Charybdis'*s armament put them on a par with the [Tribal-class destroyer (1936)](/source/Tribal-class_destroyer_(1936)) destroyers for surface action, but with much superior high angle capability.[1] *Charybdis* differed from *Scylla* in having a single [QF 4 inch Mk V gun](/source/QF_4_inch_Mk_V_naval_gun) mounted. Her armament changed during her time in service, with the 4 inch Mk V gun removed in an early 1943 refit and ten [20 mm guns](/source/Oerlikon_20_mm_cannon) added.[2] As originally fitted, *Charybdis* also had eight [QF 2 pounder guns](/source/QF_2_pounder_naval_gun) arranged in two quadruple mountings, and six 21 inch [torpedo tubes](/source/Torpedo_tube) arranged above water in two triple banks.[2]

Like the other ships of the class, *Charybdis* was named after a character in [Greek mythology](/source/Greek_mythology). [Charybdis](/source/Charybdis) is the name of a sea monster, usually mentioned alongside [Scylla](/source/Scylla), the name given to another *Dido*-class ship, in the idiom "[between Scylla and Charybdis](/source/Between_Scylla_and_Charybdis)". She was laid down at the yards of [Cammell Laird](/source/Cammell_Laird) at [Birkenhead](/source/Birkenhead) on 9 November 1939, and launched on 17 September 1940.[2][3] After fitting out and undergoing trials, she was completed for service on 3 December 1941.[2][a]

## Service

### Home waters and Mediterranean

After trials *Charybdis* joined the [Home Fleet](/source/Home_Fleet) and in December 1941 escorted the 1st Minelaying Squadron during Operation SN81, the laying of [mines](/source/Naval_mine) in the [Northern Barrage](/source/Northern_Barrage).[4] She remained with the Home Fleet into 1942, and in March was adopted by the civil community of Birkenhead, [Cheshire](/source/Cheshire), where she had been built, after a [Warship Week](/source/Warship_Week) savings campaign.[4] On 30 March *Charybdis* sailed as an escort for another minelaying operation, SN87.[4] In April 1942 she was assigned to join [Force H](/source/Force_H) at [Gibraltar](/source/Gibraltar), and sailed for there as an escort for the aircraft carrier [USS *Wasp*](/source/USS_Wasp_(CV-7)) and battlecruiser [HMS *Renown*](/source/HMS_Renown_(1916)). *Charybdis* joined Force W at Gibraltar and escorted *Wasp* into the Mediterranean to deliver aircraft to [Malta](/source/Malta) as part of [Operation Calendar](/source/Operation_Calendar). After the aircraft had been successfully flown off, *Charybdis* returned to Gibraltar with *Wasp*, and escorted her part of the way into the Atlantic.[4] Deployed for the next few months with Force W, *Charybdis* escorted a number of aircraft carriers on journeys into the Mediterranean to a point where their aircraft could be flown off to reinforce Malta. As one of the escorting ships, *Charybdis* screened *Wasp* and the British carrier [HMS *Eagle*](/source/HMS_Eagle_(1918)) for [Operation Bowery](/source/Operation_Bowery) in early May, and *Eagle* and [HMS *Argus*](/source/HMS_Argus_(I49)) at the end of the month in Operation LB.[4] Aircraft carrier operations continued into June 1942, with *Charybdis* supporting Operation Style and then Operation Salient.[4]

On 11 June Force W, including *Charybdis*, joined the carriers *Eagle* and *Argus*, with further escort provided by the battleship [HMS *Malaya*](/source/HMS_Malaya), the cruisers [HMS *Kenya*](/source/HMS_Kenya_(14)) and [HMS *Liverpool*](/source/HMS_Liverpool_(C11)) and a number of destroyers to screen [Operation Harpoon](/source/Operation_Harpoon_(1942)). The convoy in Operation Harpoon was run in conjunction with a convoy from Egypt, Operation Vigorous, both of which tried to supply food and [matériel](/source/Mat%C3%A9riel) by splitting enemy forces. In July 1942 *Charybdis* covered Operations Pinpoint and Insect, two more carrier deliveries of aircraft to Malta. By August 1942 *Charybdis* joined Force Z to provide an escort for HMS *Eagle* in the Malta convoy [Operation Pedestal](/source/Operation_Pedestal).[4]

### Operation Pedestal

Operation Pedestal was built around a 15-ship convoy of merchantmen, escorted by a powerful force consisting of two battleships, four aircraft carriers, seven cruisers and twenty six destroyers. The convoy came under heavy air and U-boat attack, sustaining high losses. HMS *Eagle* was sunk by torpedoes from German submarine , and only five merchant ships, including the damaged tanker [SS *Ohio*](/source/SS_Ohio), survived to reach Malta. After *Eagle'*s sinking, *Charybdis* launched a series of [depth charge](/source/Depth_charge) attacks in an unsuccessful hunt for *U-73*.[5] She then stood by the damaged carrier [HMS *Indomitable*](/source/HMS_Indomitable_(92)) and provided anti-air defence while salvage operations were carried out.[6] On 13 July the taskforce's commander, Admiral [Edward Neville Syfret](/source/Edward_Neville_Syfret), sent her to join Force X, in company with [HMS *Eskimo*](/source/HMS_Eskimo_(F75)) and [HMS *Somali*](/source/HMS_Somali_(F33)), as the merchants came under heavy air attack while passing through the [Strait of Sicily](/source/Strait_of_Sicily).[7] *Charybdis* took the place of the crippled [HMS *Manchester*](/source/HMS_Manchester_(15)) for this, before returning to Force Z on 14 July and continuing to engage enemy aircraft.[4]

### Atlantic and return to the Mediterranean

The focus of *Charybdis'*s operations changed in September 1942, and she was assigned to patrol in the Atlantic, searching for German [blockade runners](/source/Blockade_runner) attempting to reach Atlantic ports from the Far East.[4] At the end of October she took part in Operation Train, escorting the carrier [HMS *Furious*](/source/HMS_Furious_(47)) with further aircraft reinforcements for Malta. On 25 November 1942 she was allocated to the 12th Cruiser Squadron in Force H and sailed from Gibraltar for [Algiers](/source/Algiers) to take part in [Operation Torch](/source/Operation_Torch) - the landings in [Morocco](/source/Morocco) and [Algeria](/source/Algeria).[4] She escorted the invasion convoys and provided bombardment support for the land forces, as well as anti-air defence. On 12 December 1942 *Charybdis* sailed for the [United Kingdom](/source/United_Kingdom) to undergo a refit.[4]

*Charybdis* joined the Home Fleet after the completion of the work and trials in March 1943. Initially based at [Scapa Flow](/source/Scapa_Flow), she covered minelaying operations and patrolled the [North Sea](/source/North_Sea) until April 1943, when she was transferred temporarily to the [Plymouth Command](/source/Commander-in-Chief,_Plymouth). There she was assigned to escort allied convoys and patrol in the [Bay of Biscay](/source/Bay_of_Biscay). *Charybdis* was again back in Gibraltar in August 1943 and from there escorted Mediterranean convoys.[4]

In September *Charybdis* was part of Force V covering Operation Avalanche, the [landings at Salerno](/source/Allied_invasion_of_Italy#Salerno_landings). During her time off the Italian coast she carried US General [Dwight D. Eisenhower](/source/Dwight_D._Eisenhower) to Salerno. She returned to Plymouth the following month, supposedly for a short period of leave. However, operational requirements directed that, almost immediately, the leave was cut short, and she resumed work in the Bay of Biscay.[4]

## Operation Tunnel and sinking

Main article: [Battle of Sept-Îles](/source/Battle_of_Sept-%C3%8Eles)

In late 1943, the British authorities were aware of the approach of the German blockade runner *Münsterland*, which was carrying an important cargo of [latex](/source/Latex) and strategic metals. The Germans had a well-rehearsed procedure for escorting such vessels. The British reacted by executing "Operation Tunnel", a standard operation whereby available ships would attempt to intercept. Of the planning of this operation Lieutenant-Commander [Roger Hill](/source/Roger_P._Hill) voiced his reservations to senior staff, but his advice was not heeded.[15] *Charybdis* was assigned to the operation on 20 October, and on 22 October the British force put to sea. With *Charybdis* were the fleet destroyers [HMS *Grenville*](/source/HMS_Grenville_(R97)) and [HMS *Rocket*](/source/HMS_Rocket_(H92)), and four [Hunt-class destroyers](/source/Hunt-class_destroyer): [HMS *Limbourne*](/source/HMS_Limbourne_(L57)), [HMS *Wensleydale*](/source/HMS_Wensleydale_(L86)), [HMS *Talybont*](/source/HMS_Talybont_(L18)) and [HMS *Stevenstone*](/source/HMS_Stevenstone_(L16)).[4] *Münsterland'*s escorts consisted of five [Type 39 torpedo boats](/source/Type_39_torpedo_boat) of the 4th Torpedo Boat Flotilla, commanded by [Franz Kohlauf](/source/Franz_Kohlauf).[8]

*Charybdis* picked up the convoy on her radar at a range of 7 nautical miles (13 km; 8.1 mi), but did not intercept radio transmissions, *Limbourne* heard radio transmissions but could not pick up the ships on radar as *Charybdis* was blocking her view. At 1:38am the German torpedo boat *T23*, under the command of [Friedrich-Karl Paul](/source/Friedrich-Karl_Paul), spotted *Charybdis*, which was hit on the port side by two torpedoes out of a salvo of six fired by *T23* and *T27*.[2][9]: 129 *Limbourne* was also hit during this action and was later scuttled by HMS *Rocket*. The German force escaped unharmed. *Charybdis* sank within half an hour, in position [48°59′N 3°39′W](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?params=48_59_N_3_39_W), with the loss of over 400 men including her captain George Voelcker.[4][b] Four officers and 103 ratings survived.[4][8] *Münsterland* was eventually forced ashore and destroyed west of [Cap Blanc-Nez](/source/Cap_Blanc-Nez) on 21 January 1944 by fire from British coastal artillery after she ran aground.[9]: 131

## Legacy and commemoration

*Charybdis* gained six battle honours during her service: [Malta Convoys](/source/Malta_Convoys) 1942, North Africa 1942, [Salerno](/source/Operation_Avalanche_(World_War_II)) 1943, [Atlantic](/source/Battle_of_the_Atlantic) 1943, [English Channel](/source/English_Channel#Second_World_War) 1943 and Biscay 1943.[10]

Soon after the sinking, the bodies of 21 Royal Navy and Royal Marine men were washed up in [Guernsey](/source/Guernsey). The [German occupation](/source/Occupation_of_the_Channel_Islands) authorities buried them with full military honours. The funerals became an opportunity for some of the islanders to demonstrate their loyalty to Britain and their opposition to the [Nazi](/source/Nazism) occupiers: around 5,000 islanders attended the funeral, laying some 900 wreaths – enough of a demonstration against the Nazi occupation for subsequent military funerals to be closed to civilians by the German occupiers.[8] Every year a commemoration service is held, in October, which is attended by survivors of the action and their relatives, the Guernsey Association of Royal Navy and Royal Marines, [Sea Cadets](/source/Sea_Cadets), [St John's Ambulance Brigade](/source/St._John_Ambulance), the Police, the [Red Cross](/source/Red_Cross) and representatives of the Royal Navy and the public.[8][11][12]

Other members of the crew are buried in Jersey at St Helier (38), and in France at Dinard (96), St Brieuc (47), Ile de Brehat (1), St Germain sur Ay (1) and St Charles de Percey (2). The wrecks of *Charybdis* and *Limbourne* have been located. *Charybdis* was found in 1993, lying in 83 m (272 ft) of water.

## Notes

1. Some sources use this date for the commissioning as well, though naval-history.net instead records she was commissioned on 15 November 1941, following a publication by the Charybdis/Limbourne Association.[4]

1. The number of casualties is difficult to determine, several figures appearing in sources. Uboat.net states 464 men were lost.[13] Naval-history.net in one place has 426 men, while the Charybdis/Limbourne Association concludes the "over 500 Men of Charybdis perished on that night".[4][8] Wartime casualty lists day by day on naval-history.net records the names of 462 men from *Charybdis* either "killed" or "missing presumed killed", the site also stating on another page that *Charybdis* sank with the "loss of 30 officers 432 ratings".[14][15]

## Citations

1. Ireland. *The Illustrated Guide to Cruisers*. p. 184.

1. Campbell, p. 33

1. Colledge & Warlow. *Ships of the Royal Navy*. p. 67.

1. Gordon Smith (3 June 2011). ["HMS Charybdis (88): Light cruiser of the Dido class"](http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-06CL-Charybdis.htm). *Service Histories of Royal Navy Warships in World War 2*. naval-history.net. Retrieved 3 August 2012.

1. Moses, 2007. p 136

1. Moses, 2007. p155

1. Moses 2007 p.171

1. Charybdis Association (1 December 2010). ["H.M.S. Charybdis: A Record of Her Loss and Commemoration"](http://www.naval-history.net/WW2Ships-CharybdisAsr.htm). *World War 2 at Sea*. naval-history.net. Retrieved 3 August 2012.

1. Fowler, Will. *The Last Raid: The Commandos, Channel Islands and Final Nazi Raid*. The History Press. ISBN 978-0750966375.

1. Warlow. *Battle Honours of the Royal Navy*. p. 89.

1. ["Local History: HMS Charybdis"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/guernsey/content/articles/2004/10/06/hms_charybdis_feature.shtml). BBC.co.uk. 7 October 2008. Retrieved 3 August 2012.

1. ["HMS Charybdis and HMS Limbourne"](http://www.guernseyroyalcourt.gg/article/1940/HMS-Charybdis-and-HMS-Limbourne). Retrieved 5 October 2022.

1. ["HMS Charybdis (88)"](http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/4017.html). *Allied Warships*. Uboat.net. Retrieved 3 August 2012.

1. Smith, Gordon (18 April 2009). ["Royal Navy casualties, killed and died, October 1943"](http://www.naval-history.net/xDKCas1943-10OCT.htm). *Casualty Lists of the Royal Navy and Dominion Navies, World War 2*. naval-history.net. Retrieved 3 August 2012.

1. Smith, Gordon (8 April 2009). ["George Charles William Smith"](http://www.naval-history.net/RecordRN193843SmithGCW.htm). naval-history.net. Retrieved 3 August 2012.

- Hill, Roger. (1979). pp. 167–176.

## References

- Campbell, N.J.M. (1980). "Great Britain". *Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946*. New York: Mayflower Books. pp. 2–85. ISBN 0-8317-0303-2.
- Crabb, Brian James (1998). *In Harm's Way. The Story of HMS*Kenya*. A Second World War Cruiser*. England: Paul Watkins. ISBN 1-900289-02-4.
- Crabb, Brian James (2014). *Operation Pedestal: The Story of Convoy WS21S in August 1942*. England: Shaun Tyas. ISBN 978-1-907730-19-1.
- Friedman, Norman (2010). *British Cruisers: Two World Wars and After*. Barnsley, UK: Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 978-1-59114-078-8.
- Ireland, Bernard (2008). *The Illustrated Guide to Cruisers*. London: Hermes House. ISBN 978-1-84681-150-0.
- Moses, Sam (2007). *At All Costs: How a Crippled Ship and Two American Merchant Mariners Turned the Tide of World War II*. New York: Random House. ISBN 978-0-345-47674-6.
- Raven, Alan & Roberts, John (1980). *British Cruisers of World War Two*. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-922-7.
- Rohwer, Jürgen (2005). *Chronology of the War at Sea 1939–1945: The Naval History of World War Two*. Third Revised ed. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-59114-119-2.
- Warlow, Ben (2004). *Battle Honours of the Royal Navy*. Liskeard: Maritime Books.
- Whitley, M. J. (1995). *Cruisers of World War Two: An International Encyclopedia*. London: Cassell. ISBN 1-86019-874-0.
- Hill, Roger Percival (1979). *"Destroyer Captain".* Granada Publishing Ltd, London. ISBN 0-583-12875-0-0.

## Further reading

- Whitby, Michael (2022). "The Challenges of Operation 'Tunnel', September 1943 — April 1944". *Warship 2022*. Oxford: Osprey Publishing. pp. 29–46. ISBN 978-1-4728-4781-2.

## External links

- [HMS *Charybdis* at navalhistory.net](https://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-06CL-HMS_Charybdis.htm)
- [IWM Interview with survivor Ronald Sleigh](http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80027737)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [HMS Charybdis (88)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Charybdis_(88)) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Charybdis_(88)?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.