Operation Mincemeat 1941

[Jordi Comas]

Hi all!

On 21 August 1941 Force H sailed from Gibraltar to cover a minelaying operation by CM Manxman in front of Livorno in the early hours of 24 August 1941. Force H was composed by CV Ark Royal, BB Nelson, CL Hermione, DD Nestor, Forester, Fury, Foresight, Encounter.
Force H parted in two groups, one with CV Ark Royal, CL Hermione, 1 DD to attack airfields in Sardinia and the other group with BB Nelson, 4 DD to give distant cover to the minelayer.

Do you know the identity of those destroyers?

Thank you very much

[Richard Sands]

From this website; https://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Ops-Minelaying.htm

Foreign Waters
Mediterranean - Only limited minelaying took place because of the other more essential demands. A planned lay during May by the newly arrived ABDIEL in the Sicilian Channel proved impracticable but later that month she was deployed on what proved to be a most profitable operation. A minefield was laid to the west of the entrance to Corinth Canal on 21 May and claimed 2 escorts and 2 merchant ships in a military convoy later the same day.

MANXMAN was temporarily detached from RA(M) to lay a minefield off Leghorn on the west coast of Italy. This operation ("MINCEMEAT") gained much renown since it required the ship to adopt disguise when passing close to enemy occupied territory. A false bow and stern structure and other features were altered to provide a silhouette similar to that of a French LEOPARD Class cruiser. French colours and pennants were hoisted and members of the ships company wore simulated French uniform when near land. 140 mines were laid without any detection and the ship returned at 37 knots until clear of the Gulf of Genoa. 'Fancy Dress ' was assumed when passing Cape Corse and discarded when off the Spanish coast.

[Jordi Comas]

Thank you Richard for additional info!

Regards