HMS Woodpecker, pennant number U08, was a sloop of the Royal Navy. She was active during the Second World War and was a successful anti-submarine warfare vessel, being credited with the destruction of six U-boats.
Construction Woodpecker was ordered on 13 April 1940 under the 1940 Building Programme; she was laid down by William Denny & Brothers of Dumbarton, Scotland on 23 February 1941. She was launched on 29 June 1942, and commissioned 14 December the same year, with a build time of 23 months and 10 days.Elliott p140 The Black Swan design was subject to many modifications during the building process, which were later consolidated into the Modified Black Swan design. Although Woodpecker was ordered under the original design, her late build meant she incorporated many of these modifications and is consequently listed in some sources as one of the Modified Black Swan class.
Service history After commissioning, Woodpecker was assigned to convoy escort duty. In April, Woodpecker joined 2nd Support Group, a highly successful anti-submarine warfare group under the command of FJ Walker.
In February Woodpecker, and 2 SG, were on support duty in the Atlantic, though they saw little action.
In June they were assigned to the Bay of Biscay, supporting Coastal Command's Operation Musketry. On 24 June Woodpecker, with others, found and destroyed two U-boats, and , off Cape Ortegal.Blair p357
On 30 July the group engaged three U-boats, already under air attack; all three were destroyed, with Woodpecker sharing credit for .Blair p392
Following the end of Musketry Woodpecker was docked for an extensive refit, remaining there until the end of the year.
In January 1944 Woodpecker, under the command of Commander H. L. Pryse, RNR, rejoined 2SG, which was on support duty in the South-Western Approaches. In February Woodpecker took part in the famous "Six in one trip" episode, during which she was credited with sharing the destruction of three U-boats. On 8 February, while supporting convoy SL 147/MKS 38, 2SG destroyed three U-boats; Woodpecker and were credited with the destruction of .Blair p498 Three days later Woodpecker and others caught and destroyed . On 19 February, while supporting ON 224, Woodpecker and others destroyed after a seven-hour hunt.
The following day, on 20 February 1944, Woodpecker was struck in the stern by an acoustic torpedo launched from the . While being towed toward home, on 27 February 1944 Woodpecker foundered and sank in an Atlantic storm. The skeleton crew was rescued before the ship went under.
Woodpecker was the only ship belonging to 2SG to be sunk. She had shared in six of the groups 23 victories.
Battle honours During her service Woodpecker was awarded two battle honours:Warlow p Biscay 1943 Atlantic 1943–44
Successes During her service Woodpecker participated in the sinking of six U-boats:
Date U-boat Type LocationLocations per Kemp; other sources may differ Notes 24 June 1943 XB Bay of Biscay, NW of Cape Ortegal depth-charge, ramming by , WoodpeckerKemp p126 24 June 1943 VIIC NW of Cape Ortegal d/c attacks by , Woodpecker, , Kemp p127Neistle p66 30 July 1943 IXC NW of Cape Ortegal d/c attacks by Woodpecker, Wild GooseKemp p137Neistle p124 8 February 1944 VIIC North Atlantic, W of Cape Clear d/c attacks by Woodpecker, Wild GooseKemp p167-8Neistle p88 11 February 1944 VIIC N Atlantic, SW of Ireland d/c attacks byWild Goose, Woodpecker, Kemp p169Neistle p63 19 February 1944 VIIC North Atlantic d/c, ramming by Starling, Wild Goose, WoodpeckerKemp p171Neistle p51
Notes
References
Arnold Hague : The Allied Convoy System 1939–1945 (2000). (Canada); (UK).
Warlow, B : Battle Honours of the Royal Navy (2004)
Publications
External links HMS Woodpecker at navalhistory.net
HMS Woodpecker at britainsnavy.co.uk