HMS Kimberley (F50)
| Navy: | Royal Navy |
| Type: | Destroyer |
| Class: | K |
| Pennant: | F 50 |
| Built by: | Thornycroft (Southampton, U.K.) |
| Laid down: | Jan, 1938 |
| Launched: | 1 Jun, 1939 |
| Commissioned: | 21 Dec, 1939 |
| History: | |
| HMS Kimberley
completed her war service patrolling the Greek Islands of Kos; Leros; Simi
and Rhodes (amongst others) in the Dodecanese. Also patrolled by German
motor Torpedo Boats. Stores and fuel were taken on board at the neutral
Turkish port of Marmarice. The Germans had some big guns on Rhodes and the
Kimberley kept a respectful distance so that all rounds fired at her fell
short. On the 8th May 1945, Kimberley stood off shore at Rhodes and the
Commandant of the German forces, together with his senior officers, came
alongside, were invited aboard and formally surrendered. It was a droll
moment, as they arrived alongside in a British Motor Torpedo Boat that had
been captured the night before, flying a white flag and the German ensign.
After the formalities were completed the Germans returned to Rhodes to
disarm the garrison. Kimberley returned the next day and landed an armed
party. The German garrison was confined to their quarters and Shore Leave
was granted. Later, Kimberley transported the Germans (about 117 in number)
to Alexandria, Egypt, before setting sail for home to Dartmouth to be
decommissioned.
Sold to be broken up for scrap on 30 March 1949. |
