Vian of the Cossack Aboard the Indefatigable

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 281, 28 November 1945, Page 6

Vian of the Cossack Aboard the Indefatigable

Altmark and Narvik Engagements Recalled (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 27, Vice-Admiral Sir Philip Louis Vian, second-in-command of the British Pacific Fleet, Avho is flying his flag ou the aircraft-carrier Indefatigable, which arrived here today, Avas in command of the British Fleet carriers against the Japanese off the Sakishima Gunto from March till May of this year and off Tokio from July until the enemy surrendered in August. He is one of tlic Boyal Navy’s outstanding personalities of the war, with the rare distinction of going down in history with his name linked with his ship—Vian of tho Cossack. As captain in the Cossack, ViceAdmiral Vian, achieved his title in February, 1940, Avhen in a daring operation he brought the Cossack alongside and boarded the German prison ship Altmark in Josing Fiord, Norway, rescuing 300 prisoners. in April of tho same year the Cossack Avas damaged in the second battle of Narvik when seven German destroyers were “finished.off”. Jn October, Vice-Admiral Vian led a flotilla of destroyers in the Cossack against a German convoy off Norway and without casualty sank the lot. In May, 1941, Vice-Admiral Vian’s force of destroyers made contact with tho German battleship Bismark in the Atlantic and scored several torpedo hits. Youngest Flag Officer of His Time.

Promoted to Rear-Admiral iu July, Vice-Admiral Vian at 47 became the youngest flag oflicer of his time and distinguished himself in operations with light forces against German convoys to the Murmansk front. Early in 3942, Rear-Admiral Vian was in the Mediterranean, flying his flag in H.M.S. Naiad. His achievements included driving a con\-oy through to Malta iu the face of the greatly superior Italian Fleet, damaging its flagship and causing a lot to retire. The following year he Avas admiral commanding the assault carrier force at the landings at Salerno, beginning the invasion of Italy. After being flag officer in the Scylla, com manding the Eastern Task Force at the Normandy landings in June, 1944, ViceAdmiral Vian sailed in November in the Indefatigable to the Far East and the same year, and also early in 1945, led the fleet carriers’ attacks on Sumatara. He Avas promoted to Vice-Ad-miral during the period of operations against the Sakishima Gunto, and subsequently commanded tho British Pacific Fleet carriers in the final assault on Japan in July and August. On his return from this operation, he received the American Legion of Merit for his Normandy services. When Vice-Admiral Sir Bernard Rawlings returned to tho United Kingdom recently, Vice-Admiral Vian Avas appointed Vice-Admiral of tho British Paeilic Fleet.

Vice-Admiral Vian is married, Avith two daughters, aud lives in Bramshott, Hampshire. He was born iu 1594.

Chief of Staff to Vice-Admiral Vian is Captain H. G. Dickinson, D.S.C., R.N., aged 43, avlio specialised iu gunnery in his early service career, but Who has spent the last three years of the war with Fleet Air Arm. In 1942 he Avas appointed to the carrier Furious, Avhich earned fame for its daring exploits in the Mediterranean. He came to the Pacific iu January of this" year as commanding oflicer of tho Royal Navul Air Station at Noaatu, iu New South Wales, and hold this appointment ’until NoA’ember, 1945, Avhen he became Vice-Admiral Vian’s chief of staff.

Captain Dickinson, Avho is married, with two boys aud a girl, has his home in Saxilby, Hampshire. ft Thirty-eight Years in Navy.

In command of the Indefatigable is Captain lan AgneAv Patterson Maclntyre, C.8.E., D. 5.0., 8.N., who has been in the service since he was a 14-year-old eadet. Captain Maclntyre Avas chief of staff to Vice-Admiral Sir Max Horton, Commandcr-in-Chief Western Approaches, and duriug the darkest days of the Battle of the Atlantic he pitted liis brains as a destroyer expert and submariner against the German U-boat menace. In 3942 Captain Maclntyio was given conudaud of tho cruiser Scylla. He returned to Sir Max Horton’s staff in November, 1943, and was given command of the Indefatigable a few Aveeks ago. Captain Maeintyre, who is aged 32, is married, with four sons, and Jives in Soutliseu, Hampshire.

His executive officer is Commander John F. Wliitfcld, D.S.C., R.N., avlio was at sea for nearly the Avhole of the war. For his service in the Malta convoys of 1942 and the landings in North Africa, Commander Whitfeld received the D.S.C. He joined the Indefatigable iu 1944 and served in her from Norway to Tokio. Commander Whitfeld, who is 42, lives at Battle, Sussex, lie is married, with tAvo daughters and a son.

I'n command of No. 7 Carrier Air Group, embarked in the Indefatigable, is Commander Nigel Hallett, D.S.C. and bar, R.N. Since lie became a lighter pilot in 1940 (he flies a Scafirc), Commander Hallett flew and fought with distinction from Norway to Tokio. Known as “Buster” on account of his consistent success as a fighter pilot, Commander Hallet is married aud has two daughters, lie is 32 aud lives at Byfleet, Surrey.

Commander (flying) in the ship is Commander Robert Alexander Kilrov, D.S.C., U.N., of Loudon. Aged 41, ho began to specialise in flying in 3927 and lias served iu the Eagle, Hermes, Glorious and Illustrious.