HMS Mauritius is making smoke in this scene. This was not an exercise - it was the real thing. Both Iroquois and Mauritius were being shelled by shore based gun batteries. Both ships were straddled by shells as they approached the Gironde river area on the morning of August 22, 1944. This encounter was too close for comfort, so orders were given for a hasty retreat. The picture was taken from the  bridge of  Iroquois while she was also making smoke.

This was as closest Iroquois ever got to being hit. German gunners were dropping huge shells all around the ship. From a current day perspective, it looks like another wartime photo but to the crew of Iroquois,  it was almost the day they met their Waterloo! Iroquois  had a lot of close calls but she was a very lucky ship.

It was common practice to go in as close as possible to try and  get the shore batteries to open fire. Upon exposing their positions, the air force would attack immediately. There was an old saying that if the ship had wheels, the skipper would take her up on the beach. (Photo courtesy of Jim Dowell)

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This photo of IROQUOIS making smoke was taken on or about May 24th 1944 outside St. Margaret's Bay, Nova Scotia during running up trials after refit in Halifax. In the foreground is wash from a motor  launch. (This RCN photo was provided by John Clark).

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The first of two torpedoes being fired at a German flak ship. It would only be a few short moments before the torpedoes found their mark, the results of which can be seen in the photo directly below.

This system worked in the identical manner as blowing a spitball through a straw. A small explosive charge blew the torpedo out the tube and it only had to travel far enough to clear the deck. After that, the propulsion system would start and the torpedo would proceed to arm itself. (Photo by  Roy Kemp, Toronto Daily Star reporter) .

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A German supply ship is being torpedoed by IROQUOIS in Audierrne Bay, close to Brest on 23 August 1944. This followed a night of action which saw an enemy convoy destroyed by a force consisting of HMS Mauritius,  HMS URSA and IROQUOIS. The photo was taken by Roy Kemp a Toronto Daily Star reporter who was on board at the time.

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This unique shot was taken  from G89`s bridge through the telescope which was part of the ship's large searchlight. Here, the photographer has captured the image of  the French cruiser Jeanne D' Arc on August  30,1944.  On this day, Iroquois and Haida sailed to rendezvous with the French ship.  She was carrying 50 members of the French provisional government (French Committee of National Liberation) to Cherbourg from Algiers. Since the weather was very clear that day, it was possible to see, using binoculars, a group of people sitting on the cruiser's afterdeck having what appeared to be a cocktail party. After their escort duties were finished, the two Canadian ships returned to Plymouth on Aug.31st. The searchlight was used by signalmen to communicate with ships that were 15 to 20 miles away during daylight hours. (Photo courtesy of Jim Dowell)     A British cruiser is steaming into Cherbourg harbour. (Photo via Tom Ingham)

 

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May 29/05