L-M class destroyer

Royal Navy (24 built 1937-41)
L class: Laforey*, Lance, Gurkha (ex-Larne), Lively, Legion, Lightning, Lookout, Loyal
M class: Milne, Mahratta (ex-Marksman), Musketeer, Myrmidon, Matchless, Meteor, Marne, Martin

The L and M class were sixteen destroyers of the British Royal Navy, launched between 1939 and 1942. The L class, also referred as Laforey class due to the lead ship, were approved under the 1937 Naval Estimates. Four, Lance, Lively, Legion and Larne differed by their new 4-inch (100 mm) guns, but they innovated by their twin turrets. Of this class, six were lost in combat of the eight in service. The M Class were built under the 1939 Naval Estimates and remained with the Home Fleet until 1944 before being sent to the Mediterranean. Three were lost, five survived the war (four sold to Turkey 1958).

Design of the class

Development

Th new design planned in 1936 already had to be developed with completely closed gun mounts, a weather protection, but it was also asked a greater top speed, noted to be 10 knots more than the future King George V class battleships as the treaty limits and moratory was about to expire. The KGV was targeted to make more than 28 knots (52 km/h; 32 mph) so the new destroyer needed to reach at least 38 knots and 40 if possible. Several sketch design variants were discussed, one providing, a bit like the Tribals, an in-between a destroyer and light cruiser, with 3200t standard displacement and a 90 000hp machinery, for a 42kts top speed with six 133mm DP guns in three twin turrets. However even at that stage, budget constrains led to create a more modest evoltution of the previous “J” class , yet with improvements across the board.

If the core of the design was mostl agreed upon in 1937, it was a repeat of the K-K-N class, but still hold considerable debates over armament. This was not surprising. From the 1920s all British destroyers stuck to the usual 4.7 inches single masked gun, four of five carried (for destroyer leaders). However, these guns were only capable of ship-to-ship combat, with limited to no AA capabilities. In between, not only the aviation threat grew as a major concerns to all navies, but the recent Tribal class destroyer, which construction was approved the year before, showed that twin turrets were possible. Not only that, but new lightweight barrels made easier powered, semi-automated reload under greater elevations which was the key to unlok proper dual-purpose capabilities.

For the new ships envisioned in 1937 as “regular” destroyer and follow-up, there were proponents of either an heavier secondary anti-aircraft armaments or dual purpose mounts, and at that stage, they started to ge traction and to be listened to by the Admiralty. Some lessons were also learned during the Spanish Civil War, showing to the RN first hand that modern aircreaft ere quite a threat to their shops. There had been close calls and incidents with the Nationalist aviation notably due to the likeness of Republican destroyers to earlier British destroyers (same design essentially).

So when these proposals were accepted, there has been discussions about a twin turret capable of dual purpose fire, and the proper associated fire control, the key actor there was Vickers Arsmtrong, Elswick, that proposed to install the classic QF Mark XI 4.7-inch (120 mm) guns in a new Mark XX twin mounting. The latter provided not only the advantage of space of a twin mount, but was also light enough not to be much a concern for stability, but enabled an elevation of 50 degrees. It also fired a more powerful shell. To compare, the Tribals had 4.7 inch Quick Firing Mark XII but their own brand of twin mounting had a maximum elevation of 40°. Plus they were fitted with the new combo low-angle (LA) director and high-angle/low-angle (HA/LA) rangefinder director on the bridge. But they were also much larger.

The compromises of weight and better capabilities as anti-ship guns led to the adotpion of these particular twin mounts, but unlike the larger tribals, constrains in size meant only three mount were adopted, still making for six guns, an extra two compared to earlier class. Other design perks like the new prismatic bridge of the H-I classes and cripper bow were part of the package. The first batch was authorized in 1938 as per the 1937 Naval Estimates (8 ships) and 1939 Naval Estimates (8 ships) in order to procure four full destroyer squadrons. They were also suppose to serve together as well. As customary for all previous designs, they were to be led by a flotilla leader, but only a single one for all sixteen as the practice was discontinued. This was HMS Laforey, which acted as DL for the L class. No DL was planned for the M class. There was no designated flotilla leader for the next O-P classes.

When ordered in 1938 there was still close-range armament installed, only the main guns. Discussions went on the effectiveness of the 2-pounder “pom poms”, wether in twin or quad mount, and possibly combing that with the 0.661-inch (16.8 mm) multiple machine guns in development. Some wanted a pom-pom mount and a single 0.5-inch (12.7 mm) quad Vickers machine gun. Manufacturing schedules meant also a second pom-pom would not be available until 1942. However the first solution revolving around the new 0.661 was soon discarded, bith due to poor results and prtracted development, and younger officers led by Lord Louis Mountbatten notified that kind of light with anti-aircraft weaponry was soon to be obsolete, notably when facing dive bombers. When the 0.661 was dropped it simplified procurement to whatever was at hand, a single Pompom and a Vickers quad.

With the start of the war and ships closing commission, the AA armament issue led by February 1940 led to the completion of four of the L class ships with instead 4-inch (102 mm) Mark XVI* guns in Mark XIX High Angle/Low Angle (HA/LA) twin mounts, the same used by the town class cruisers and Black Swan class sloops then in constrcution. Also they were given two quadruple 0.5-inch (12.7 mm) machine guns as the DP turrets were lighter. The four-barrel 2-pounder pom-pom was installed on all ships but Lightning and Laforey as well.

Eventually after the Norwegian campaign and Battle of Dunkirk changes were agreed upon and by July 1940, this conversion led to use four instead of three twin mounts, located at the forward end of the aft superstructure, cut down to free new fire arcs, notably for heavy weather. Still the senior officers criticized this arrangement as lackluster in a destroyer vs destroyer engagement. Experience in the Mediterranean and notably Force K which, with two 4-inch L-class converted ships showed these DP were ideal for AA but poor at dealing with surface targets, albeit of their higher rate of fire. In October 1940 the after bank of torpedo tubes was removed and replaced by a 4-inch (102 mm) HA for the non-converted destroyers but this not universal.

Naming and Construction

These destroyers were ordered in 1938 but laid down from October 1938 (Gurkha) to March 1939 for Yarrow ships. The class naming has nothing to do with launching dates but a recall to the WW1 class as well as the leader name. In reality HMS Laforey was launched in February 1941 while the first launch in class was HMS Legion in December 1941. Laforey was not the first commissioned either (August 1941) as this was the same Legion in December 1940. Some were modified and commissioned later, in January and October 1942 for Lookout and Loyal. The M class was started later, the first laid down in July 1939 was Mahratta, originally Marksman (a WWI flotilla leader sunk, but the name was reattributed in between). The maradox was this Scotte ship was also the last commissioned in April 1943. The first M launched was HMS Marne from Vickers on 30 October 1940, so the class could have been named the Marne class. The first commissioned was the same Marne in december 1941. She was named after the river in France, famous for its role to stop the Germans in 1914. Names were sanctioned by PM Churchill.
Construction times varied due to shortages of weaponry mostly, the longest to built was certainly the same Mahratta, over five years, which was exceptionally long for the destroyer. Marne was built in three years, the average was between this and four years. They were ordered by pairs in six yard, and they rarely did not included S.White and Thornycroft.

Alexander Stephen & Sons, Linthouse: Matchless, Meteor
Cammell Laird & Company, Birkenhead: Gurkha, Lively
Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Company, Govan: Musketeer, Myrmidon
Hawthorn Leslie & Company, Hebburn: Legion, Lightning
Scotts Shipbuilding & Engineering Company, Greenock: Lookout, Loyal, Milne, Mahratta
Vickers-Armstrongs, Walker: Marne, Martin
Yarrow & Company, Scotstoun: Laforey, Lance

Hull and general design

The L and M class were identical, the name was just a pure administrative separation, albeit they saw armaments changes (see later). Displacement was superior to the J-K-N with 1,920 long tons (1,951 t) standard and 2,660 long tons (2,703 t) at deep load versus 1,690 long tons/2,330 long tons. They were also longer due to the two large gunhouses forward, with a longer forecastle proportionally, at 362 ft 3 in (110.4 m) o/a versus 356 ft 6 in (108.7 m) and much beamer as well to compensate for the weight of the gunhouses, at 37 ft (11.3 m) versus 35 ft 9 in (10.9 m).
This was less percetible with the draught, actually shorter at 10 ft (3 m) versus 12 ft 6 in (3.8 m) deep load for the J-K-N.

The L and M class had single funnels like the J class as well as a tripod foremast, short mainmast aft amidships. The bridge design, prismatic sinct the I class, a typical wedge-shaped face incorporating a bulletproof wheelhouse and raising the helmsman’s position to see over the guns. Since the new L class gunhouses were taller, this wheelhouse needed to be raised further, while the sloped roof of the wheelhouse, directing airflow over the compass platform, was almost flat. This vemae a unique trademark of the Ls and Ms, never repeated.
As for the class leader, Laforey, she was almost indistinguishable from the rest of the class, only having a more extensive cabin accommodation, and better radio system, the wireless telegraph, W/T. The crew a bit from 186 as standard to 190, officers and ratings. There were still two motor boats under davits abaft the funnel and scores of inflatable life rafts stored anywhere.

Powerplant

No revolution here, but the adoption of a two-two-two arrangement: Two shafts, two Parsons geared steam turbines, and two boilers (instead of three on older designs), this was the repeat of the J-K-N powerplant, but since the boilers were of a more efficient model for pressure and temperature, while being still 3-drum, helped by the larger beam, power went from 44,000 shp (33,000 kW) to 48,000 shp (36,000 kW). This increased output had no effect on speed as it was still standardized as 36 knots (67 km/h; 41 mph), only to compensate the larger and heavier hull. The lenght-beam proportions also remained about the same. As for range, these destroyer were comparable to the previous class, also with an official 5,500 nmi (10,200 km; 6,300 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph), like the J-K-N, based on a fuel oil storage of 537 tonnes.

Armament

Gurkha, Lance, Lively, Legion as complmted later, rearmed, were given four twin 4-inches (102mm)/45 QF Mk XVI dual purpose guns, plus a quad 2-pdr(40mm)/39 2pdr QF Mk VIII pompom, two 20mm/70 Oerlikon Mk II/IV and kept their two quadruple 0.5 in(12.7mm)/62, and had two quad 21(533mm) TT, eight DC throwers (from two originally) and 2 DC racks (110 DC versus 42 originally).
The “standard” Laforey, Lightning, Lookout, Loyal and the whole M class except for Mahratta had their originally intended three twin 4.7-in(120mm)/50 QF Mk XI, but the rearmost TT banks was replaced by a single 102mm/45 QF Mk V DP mount. Otherwise they had the same quad 2-pdr/39 pompom, two 20mm/70 Oerlikon Mk II/IV, two quad Vickers 0.5-in/62 and two twin, single TT banks, 2 DCT, 1 DCR (and 45 DC). HMS Mahratta had the ame armament but in the new Mk XI mount, same 4-in/45 Mk V DP, quad pompo, six 20mm/70 Oerlikon Mk II/IV, single TT bank, 2 DCT, 1 DCR (45 DC).

BL 4.7 inches/45 Mark XI DP

The L-M class DDs were the first planned to have six QF Mark XI 4.7-inch (120 mm) guns, in Mark XX twin mountings, A, B, X positions. The aft mounts had an estimated arc of fire of 320 degrees at low elevations, 360 degrees at around 20 degrees.
The Mark XI was a major improvement due to its shell: It fired a much heavier, 62 lb (28 kg) shell compared to the 50 lb or 23 kg on previous ships. The Mark XX mount was a specially tailored fully enclosed weatherproof mount, or at leas “sold” as such. There was no armour per se, and in service the crews found them “wet” in heavy weather anuway. However that mount managed to have both cradle independent, so they could elevate each at different angles. The Mark XX was not a “turret” since the ammunition feed was separate and like for previous mounts, brought the old way by hand from the ammunition lockers with a noria to resplenish these from the ammunition magazines below. Both loading and traverse made reloading difficult, and the ammunition hoists were located between both guns just like the US 5-inches/38. The axes were very widely spaced as well.

The Mark XX mounting in the end enabled 50 degrees, compared to 40 for the Tribals “turret”. This was better than nothing against aviation, but still not optimal against bombers, their more likely target. The latter needed a direct hit to be shot down since these shells lacked a proximity fuze, and radar targeting was still in its infancy. It also compared poory to the The Imperial Japanese 5-inch (127 mm) Type 89 capable of a 70-degree elevation or the 5-in/38 Mark 32 capable of 85 degrees. The 4.5-inch (114 mm) of HMS Ark Royal however at the time were capable of 80 degrees, but their deep mountings were unsuitable for destroyer. The lack of powered elevation was probably the greatest issue of the Mark XX mounting.

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Specifications Mark XII

Mass: 3.238 – 3.245 tons (3,290 – 3,297 kg)
Length: 224.08 in (5.692 m), Bore 212.6 in (5.400 m)
Shell: HE/SAP 50 lbs. (22.68 kg), 15 in (38 cm) long
Cartridge: Brass 4.724 x 30.922 in (120 x 785.42 mm)
Charge: 11.58 lbs. (5.25 kg) SC 109 or 13.13 lbs. (5.96 kg) NF/S 164-048
Full round with charge: 30.5 lbs. (13.8 kg) with propellant
Perfs CPXIX Mounting:2,650 fps (808 mps), RA 40° 17,000 yards (15,545 m), 10-12 rpm
Armour penetration wa 2.5″ (63 mm) of 90° stell armour from 6,500 yards (5,950 m) with the AP round.

CP Mk XIX

On HMS Nestor was installed the new type of twin mount replacing the Mark XII.

4-in(102mm)/45 QF Mk V

Installed on Napier, Nepal, Nestor and Nizam.

40mm/39 2pdr QF Mk VIII

These were located aft of the funnel on a bandstand, quad mount.

Specifications pompom Mark VIII

Calibre: 40 mm L/39
Shell Weight: 2 lb. (980 g) or 1.8 lb. (820 g) for High-Velocity (HV) round
Rate of Fire: 115 rpm fully automatic
Effective Range: 3,800 yards (3,475 m) or 5,000 yards (4,572 m) HV
Effective Ceiling (HV): 13,300 feet (3,960 m)
Muzzle Velocity: 2,040 ft/s (622 m/s) or 2400 ft/s (732 m/s) for HV

QF 0.5-inch/62 Vickers Mk III

Two quadruple mounts for the QF 0.5-inch Vickers Mk III machine gun were installed on platforms either side of the searchlight structure, between the two TT banks. They were poorly protected against strafing fire and of limited range, only having to offer a good volume of fire at close range.
From 1942 they were replaced on a per-mount basis by Oerlikon 20 mm cannons. This mount used a 200-round magazine per barrel, wrapping the ammunition belt around the magazine drum. 700 rpm (cyclic) or 450 for longer periods. The barrels could be setup for a spread 60 ft (18 m) wide, 50 ft (15 m) high at 1,000 yd (910 m). Vickers claimed 800 rounds in 20 seconds, reload in 30 seconds.

QF 0.5-inch specs

63 pounds (29 kg), excluding 10 pounds (4.5 kg) cooling water, 52.4 in (1.33 m) long, barrel 31 in (0.79 m)
Cartridge 12.7×81mm 0.5 inches (12.7 mm) mv 2,540 feet per second (770 m/s) ceiling 9,500 feet (2,900 m range 4,265 yards (3,900 m).

21-inches torpedo tubes

The greater change made by the previous G-H-I was the quad mount for the E-F class, then for the J-K-N, quintuple torpedo tubes banks, same installed on the Tribal class, reloadable thanks to cranes. However given their heavier armament, the L-M class reverted to quadruple mount for weight savings. The torpedo models depicted below are the ones most likely to be assigned:

Mark IX** (1935)

This standard model was designed from 1928, first appeared in 1930, and was considerably improved by 1939. Its best speed was 41 knots but at 35 knots, less than a Tribal at full speed.
Weight: 3,732 lbs. (1,693 kg). Neg. buoy. 732 lbs. (332 kg)
Length: 23 ft 10.5 in (7.277 m)
Explosive Charge: 805 lbs. (365 kg) Torpex
Range and Speed settings: 11,000 yards (10,050 m)/41 kts, 15,000 yards (13,700 m)/35 kts
Power: Burner-cycle, 264 hp @ 41 knots
The Mark X was introduced in late 1940 and perhaps installed, it was capable of 47 knots thanks to a wet-heater.

Mark XI(1944)

A British electric torpedo developed from 1942 and introduced from 1944. It was an attempt to copy the german G8e-T2 (captured) as a trackless topedo for submarines in the Mediterranean. None was delivered before the war ended, when the Tribals were scheduled to join the BPF, so they were never deplyoed but postwar for trials. More
Specs:
Weight 3,632 lbs. (1,647 kg), lenght 22 ft 5 in (6.833 m)
Negative Buoyancy: 734 lbs. (333 kg)
Explosive Charge; 710 lbs. (322 kg) TNT
Range and Speed, unique setting, 5,500 yards (5,000 m) at 28 knots, powered by Electric batteries.

Depth Charges

-The usual set comprised two Mark II Depth Charges Throwers (DCT) aft on the poop deck, facing either side, and two (instead of a single) single Depth Charge Rack (DCR) with 42 DCs at the stern (instead of 40 total). Reload was done by hand, using winches, always a dangerous task with a rolling deck washed by waves. These depth charges were of the standard British type, Mark VII: In entered service in 1939, weighted 420 lbs. (191 kg) and carried 290 lbs. (132 kg) TNT with a sink Rate or Terminal Velocity of 9.9 fps (3.0 mps) with a max setting at 300 feet (91 m) later 500 feet (182 m).
-It’s possible they were later upgraded to the Mark X (1944) and the Mark X*. The X** was not introduced in service in 1945 despite its great depth (down to 1,500 feet (457 m)). Squid and Hedgehog made them obsolete.
Later they were likely given the Mark VII Heavy: Studied from 1940 and proper to depth charge launchers were used aboard, outside experimentally.
Weight 420 lbs (191 kg) with 290 lbs (130 kg) TNT charge, sink rate/terminal velocity of 16.8 fps (5.1 mps) and 300 feet (91 m) max setting, 150 lbs. (68 kg) cast-iron weight attached.
The idea was to reach the U-Boat faster, and it was claimed it could split open a 0.875 inch (22 mm) hull at 20 feet (6.1 m), or force to surface at 12 m or more. The game changer was a minol charge (1942) for better results, with a 30% increase.

Mines

These destroyers could receive rails on the weather deck for minelaying operations. They also had an optional mechanical minesweeping gear. However it seems neither were ever mounted. If mounted, these would have been Mark XIV mines, a 1920s design with either 320 lbs. (145 kg) or 500 lbs. (227 kg) charge, and Hertz horns. Switch horns were installed and they became the Mark XVII.

Fire Control

Another development for this class was the combined high-angle/low-angle director tower, HA/LA Mk.IV (TP). This however never entirely gave satisfaction ine HA mode, while being a ton overweight atop the bridge. It was later however redesigned and rebuilt for all ships, but stil somewhat unsuccessful, just the Mk.I “K tower” of the Z class. The best feature was still the Fuze Keeping Clock HA Fire Control Computer. However the L and M director tower coupled wit the Type 285 radar provided a better high-angle fire control than Axis destroyer anyway.

Sensors

Sonars

Type 124: From 1937, improved Type 121, range 2500 yards, 1st with chemical range recorder.
Type 128: Data to come

Radars

Type 286:

Naval air search radar, first destroyer set, very crude, not rotating. Full data 286P: rotating antenna, better bearing accuracy of 3-5 degrees.
This was a metric target indication set, based upon RAF ASV Mark II set. The Type 286M had fixed antennas (central Tx and sides Rx) to indicate contact bearing. Fixed antenna so the entire ship needed to be aimed in the right scanning angle. The Type 286PQ had a steerable combined Tx/Rx antenna from the Type 291 set at least.
Napier, Nepal, Nizam, Nestor, Norman combined the type 285, type 286/P radars and type 124 sonar but Noble in 1946 received the type 291 and type 293 radars.

Type 271:

Small surface search radar using a standard microwave-frequency system with improved resolution to spot surfaced U-boat 3 miles (4.8 km) around, or a periscope at 900 yards (820 m). Full data

Type 285:

Anti-aircraft gunnery radar available from late 1940, Frq 600 MHz, power 25 kw, range 18,000 yd (16,000 m), ceiling 15,000 ft (4,600 m) accuracy 150 yd (140 m).

Type 292:

Data to come

Type 272:

Data to come

Modifications

By 1942, the two quad Vickers 0.5-in/62 HMG mounts were replaced by two single 20mm/70 Oerlikon Mk II/IV AA guns. Later that year, Laforey, Lightning, Lookout, Loyal, and all M class but Mahratta saw the removal of their two twin Vickers 0.5-in/62 HMG for single 20mm/70 Oerlikon Mk II/IV as well and by 1943-1944, Laforey, Lookout, Loyal and the whole M class saw the replacement of their four 20mm/70 Oerlikon AA guns for four twin equivalent, doubling the firepower.
In 1943-1944, their type 286 radar was replaced by a type 291 radar and some also obtained the type 292 radar, and later the type 271 or type 273 radar.
In 1944 there was an odd reversal for HMS Loyal, Lookout, Mahratta, Marne, Matchless, Meteor, Milne, Musketeer which had their 4-in/45 AA gun replace by the original quad 21-in TT bank to boost anti-ship capabilities.
In 1945 the typical configuration fo survivors in class were the original three twin 120mm/50 Mk XX, still their quad 40mm/39 Mk VII pompom, four twin 20mm/70 Mk V AA, two single 20mm/70 Mk III, two quad 21-in TTs, 2 DCT, 1 DCR with 45 DCs, as well as the type 271 or type 273 radar, type 285, type 291, and for some type 292 radars. But all had the type 128 sonar.

Appearance

PROFILES AWAITED

The blueprints: Laforey

HMS Lively (model kit art, from pinterest)

Assessment of the L/M classes

To come in the next update in 2026

L/M class Destroyers career

HMS Laforey was a flotilla leader from Yarrow & Company, Scotstoun, she was laid down on 1 March 1939, launched on 15 February 1941 and commissioned on 26 August 1941. Laforey was assigned first to the 19th Destroyer Flotilla, Home Fleet, as Flotilla leader, but after initial training she was reassigned to the Mediterranean, joined Force H and immediately put to good use by escorting a relief convoy to Malta in Operation Halberd. She had to fend off heavy air attacks but reached her distination on 28 September and back to Gibraltar with Force X. In October, she was reassigned to Force H for convoy escort and fleet screening. On 10 November with Lightning, Legion, Sikh, Zulu, Gurkha and HNLMS Isaac Sweers she escorted the cruiser Hermione, battleship Malaya and aircraft carriers Ark Royal and Argus to Malta. Ark Royal was torpedoed by U-81 on 13 November while back. Laforey made several attacks on sonar contacts then assisted the carrier. Later she ran power cables across her to support damage control measures as she lost power. But eventuall Ark Royal sank the next day.

Laforey in January made ASW patrols to catch U-Boats trying entering the Strait of Gibraltar. On 18 January with Hesperus she intercepted and attacked U-93 and by February-March she escorted convoys in the Atlantic, screening CVs to Malta. On 1 April she was sent to Freetown to escort convoys in the Atlantic from there, via Cape Town (18 April) and Durban on the 22th.
On 28 April she was assigned to the force of Operation Ironclad, the Invasion of Vichy-held Madagascar. After shore bombardments on 2 May, with Anthony and Lightning, she deopped buoys on the approach channel for the landig at Diego Suarez on 4 May and the next day, led landing ships into the harbour while covering them with gunfire. On 6 May, with Lightning and Lookout she screened Ramillies looking for reported Japanese warships. On 7 May Laforey covered Anthony, landing marines and making ASW patrols. She departed on 27 Ma with Lookout and Lightning for Colombo and joining the Eastern Flee in June, then back to Mombasa on 23 June.

After deployments in the South Atlantic to hunt commerce raiders and escort convoys. she departed on 19 July for Force H, Gibraltar by early August. She took part in Operation Pedestal. On 10 August with Lookout she escorted Furious to Malta and detached again on 11 August to rescue survivors from EagleTartar she saw an action against six E-boats and a submarine, sank one E-boat by ramming, damaged two others by gunfire but needed later her forepeak to be repaired.

In May, with Force Q, she tried to catch German troopships from Cap Bon. On 8 May with Tartar she captured two. The next day she came too close to Bône and was damaged by shore batteries in her engine room, sustaining severe injuries in the crew, and heading to Malta for repairs. Next while underway she stopped at Plane Island and a party make POW 23 axis soldiers. With Force Q, on 23 July she sank a supply ship. In June she was part of Operation Corkscrew against Pantelleria, shelling enemy positions. Next she was in escort to Alexandria for the planned invasion of Sicily. On 9 July she shelled designated targets inland in support. On 15 August she hosted General Alexander, Air Marshall Coningham and Admiral Ramsey, bringing them for a conference to Augusta. Her bombardments and patrols went on in July.

On the 23th, with Eclipse, she tried to sink the Italian submarine Ascianghi, which torpedoed the cruiser Newfoundland. Ascianghi sent two torpedoes on Laforey which dodged them, and with Eclipse made five depth charge attacks until Ascianghi was forced to surface and sunk by gunfire with a single survivor picked up.
In August, she was in support of mainland Italy Invasion. On 21 August she made an offensive sweep in the Strait of Messina, escorted convoys, covered the landings. On 9 August while in a shore bombardment she was hit by a Gemran battery five times, one was killed, two injured and a boiler room out of action. She returned to Malta for repairs until mid-October, and back for patrols off the Italian coast.

On 1 November she escorted merchant ships from Malta to Naples. On 3 November she escorted a convoy to Augusta. On 5 November she assisted a US merchant ship that ran aground NE of Augusta, towed her clear and refuelled in Malta. She remained until December at Malta for a refit and was back in action on 23 December. On X-mas her radar picked up two E-boats, but they escaped. She returned to shore bombardment. Next she was sent off Corsica on 4 January, and the Bay of Naples. On 6 January she scuttled a liberty ship. On 7 January she was sent off Capri to look for survivors. On 18 January she shelled Gaeta but went under air attacks. She resupplied in Naples, and with Loyal and Jervis took part in Operation Shingle (Anzio landings). On 22 January she provided support at “P” Beach. On 23 January she rescued survivors from Janus, sunk by a glide bomb. On 29 January she rescued men from Spartan, also victim of the same.
In February she was transferred to the DesFlot 14. On the 18th she shelled Formica. She departed with Faulknor on the 25 February to intercept E-boats. She assisted a LST which ran aground at Sabaudio. Next, with Faulknor, she made depth charge attacks on a suspected contact. On 26 February she joined Lamerton and Hambledon but came under attack from a German acoustic torpedo, which exploded in her wake. On 27-28 February she ended the support and returned to Naples, with survivors from Inglefield sunk on 15 February, also to a glider bomb.
She returned off Anzio on 9 March 1944 on support/patrol duties until 19 March. On 23 March she was off Anzio and in night interception with Grenville. On the 25th she attacked E-boats after spotting them on radar. She left for Naples, made another patrol on 28-29 Marc, notably against U-223 off Palermo with Tumult, Tuscan, Urchin, Hambledon and Blencathra. On the 30th U-223 surfaced, and blasted by gunfire at 1,500 yards (1,400 m), and still was able to fire three torpedoes, one hitting Laforey. She sank quickly wit most of the crew and captain, 65 survivors out of 247. One survivor, Petty Officer Ronald Sired, wrote “Enemy Engaged” published in 1957.

Lance was laid down at Yarrow on 1 March 1939, launched on 28 November 1940 and commissioned on 13 May 1941, pennant G97. She was assigned to the 4th Destroyer Flotilla based at Scapa Flow, Home Fleet. On 22 May she escorted HMS King George V in the search for the Bismarck. She suffered machinery issue and had to return to Scapa Flow, back on search on 26 May, and she escorted KGV after the sinking.
In June she was under Western Approaches Command, 11th Escort Group, Greenock. On 22 June, with Legion she escorted Furious to Gibraltar and then to Malta. She did the same later with Ark Royal and other units this month and back to Greenock in July for convoy defence duties.

In August, she was transferred to Gibraltar for Med convoys, notably during Operation Halberd. She went through a heavy air and submarine attack, but reached Malta and back to Gibraltar before a maintenance period on 1-12 October. Next she joined Force K, to intercept enemy supply convoys to North Africa. On 9 November, the task force engaged an Italian convoy of seven ships escorted by Fulmine, Euro, Maestrale, Libeccio, Oriani and Grecale plus the cruisers Trento and Trieste at a distance. In the Battle of the Duisburg Convoy, all merchant vessels and Fulmine went down.

On 23 November, Lance left Malta with Force K to intercept another convoy from Taranto to Benghazi. On 24 November they spotted Maritza and Procidas escorted by two TBs, ending with the destruction of the two merchants. After a drydock time in Malta, Lance was back to escort duties and on 17 December, she took part in the First Battle of Sirte. On 19 December, she assisted rescuing men frm ships hitting mines and with Havock, escorted back Exeter to Malta.

In January 1942 she was back escorting convoys and by February joined the 22nd Destroyer Flotilla. On the 13th she was in Convoy MW-9 when there as a fierce axis air attack. Clan Campbell was badly damaged, detached to Tobruk. Same the next day and heavy losses. Lance remained until 15 February and sailed to Malta with Penelope and Legion. On 16 February she was in repairs in a dockyard. In April 1942, Lance was still docked for repairs and on 5 April the “Malta Blitzé got her; She was hit by a bomb while in drydock, seriously damaged, went off her blocks and ended partially submerged. On 9 April another air raid further damage her by another bom hit (Stuka from Sturzkampfgeschwader 3). Given her general state, all work was suspended. Her wreck was salvaged, towed to Chatham for a full survey and it was beyond economical repair. She was written off as “Constructive Total Loss”. She was kept to be cannibalized for other ships in class, until placed on the Disposal List in 1944, sold for demolition by Thos. W. Ward in Essex, BU from June.

HMS Larne was ordered to Cammell Laird & Co. of Birkenhead on 18 October 1938, launched on 28 July 1940 and commissioned on 18 February 1941 under the pennant G63, sunk on 17 January 1942. The change of name was to honor the recently lost Tribal class destroyer, a well understood homage for destroyer crews, when baptised by Mary Churchull, 17, younger daughter of PM Churchill and his wife Clementine. However her career was also shortened by combat. She joined the 11th Escort Group and on 25 March 1941, the steamer Beaverbrae was sunk by German bombers. Gurkha and Tartar rescued her crew. While underway back to Scapa Flow a day later she collided with a wooden drifter. The unfortunate fishing boat went down while she herself sustaining serious damage, repaired at Rosyth until June 1941. Next, Gurkha was deployed on convoy escort duties, Western Approaches Command. She was transferred to the Mediterranean and escorted Malta Convoys along the yar 1941 and at some point managed to sink the Italian submarine Adua after a long chase with other escorts. Later she escorted Convoys from home to Gibraltar.
She was torpedoed by U-133 off Sidi Barrani, 17 January 1942, sinking after 90 minutes of trying to contain the flood in vain. Surviving crew members taken by the Dutch destroyer Isaac Sweers.

HMS Lively was laid down at Cammell Laird on 20 December 1938, launched on 28 January 1941 and commissioned on 20 July 1941 as G40. After working up in July 1941, she served with the Western Approaches Command from August and from Greenock. She was off Scapa Flow on 22 August with Lightning and Curacoa in escort of the damaged French submarine Rubis (FFL) back to Dundee. In September, she was assigned to the DesFlot 4 at Gibraltar, screening HMS Ark Royal, or capital ships for a run to Malta.On 24 September she sailed with Ark Royal, Nelson, Rodney and Prince of Wales for Operation Halberd. Back to Gibraltar on 30 September they were ambushed by the submarine Adua, and Lively hunted and sank her. Next with Force K in October, then Force H for another run to Malta she stayed there until 8 November escorting the cruisers Aurora and Penelope with a supply convoy in the central Mediterranean. On 9 November she took part in the Battle of the Duisburg Convoy, participating in sinking the Italian transports and DD Fulmine. On 23 November she sailed to intercept another German supply convoy (Maritza and Procidas).

On 1 December she assisted sinking the troopship Adriatio with Aurora and Penelope, rescuing survivors. She also sank the tanker Irido Mantovani towed by Alvise da Mosto, also sunk. Howeve rin recoignition of her gallantry the crew of Lively saluted her, lined up for full military honours as she sank.
On 5 December, Lively, Ajax and Neptune, Kimberley and Kingston escorted Breconshire from Malta to Crete and from Alexandria on 16 December. Next was the First Battle of Sirte in which she took part in a confusing exchange and returned to sea on 18 December with Aurora, Penelope and Neptune, Kandahar, Havock and Lance to intercept a convoy only to run into a minefield on 19 December: Neptune and Kandahar sunk, Aurora and Penelope damaged.

In January-February she escorted convoys to and from Malta and tried to locate an Italian cruiser on 9 March. On 11 March the cruiser Naiad being sunk by a torpedo and Lively helped rescuing survivors. On 22 March she was at the Second Battle of Sirte, making torpedo attacks and damaged by a Littorio 15-inch shell. She was sent to Tobruk and was damaged by air attacks, sailing to Alexandria in April for repairs.

On 10 May 1942 she sailed from Alexandria with Jervis, Jackal and Kipling with supplies to Malta with limited cover by a single Bristol Beaufort. On 11 May they were under a heavy axis air attack. Lively being dive-bombed by Ju 88s with 1,100lbs and 550lbs bombs. She lost her bridge and staff, had her hull holed through the deck and in the second pass took another hit, her machinery floooded and in fire. Order was given to abandon ship. She sank 100 miles (160 km) north east of Tobruk, with 77 still on board, the remainder saved by Jervis (Jackal was later scuttled by Jervis). Her five battle honours comprised Atlantic 1941, Mediterranean 1941, Malta Convoys 1941-2, Libya 1942, and Sirte 1942.

Legion was laid down at Hawthorn Leslie & Co. in Hebburn on 1 November 1938, launched on 26 December 1939 and commissioned on 19 December 1940 as G74. But trials revealed numerous issues so she remained under repair at Greenock until January 1941. She was assigned to the Western Approaches Command, Greenock, 11th Escort Group and deployed on convoy escort while testing the modified Radar Type 286M with rotating array.

Same in February, then Operation Claymore (commando raid on the Lofoten) on 1 March and was assigned to the 14th Escort Group. On 13 April she rescued 177 survivors from the AMC Rajputana sank by U-108. In May she screened Home Fleet battleships during the hunt for the Bismarck but missed the action, refuelling at Iceland. On 22 June Legion and Lance escorted Furious to Gibraltar for a run to Malta and from 26 June with Ark Royal, Renown and Hermione and later with Furious. In July she was back to Greenock, Western Approaches. On 20 August she escorted Convoy OG 71 attacked underway by U-559, U-201 and U-564 but she managed to drive off the attackers.

In September 1941 her flotilla was sent back to to Gibraltar for more missions to Malta, starting on 24 September with Operation Halberd fending off heavy air attack. Underway back she co-sank the submarine Adua. By October 1941 same, and an unsuccessful attack on U-205 on 23 October, escuting men from from Cossack sank by U-563 off Cape Spartel.
In November in the 4th Destroyer Flotilla, same missions and on 13 November she was attacked by U-205, counterattack. Ark Royal was torpedoed by U-81, Legion and Lightning embarked 1,560 survivors. Legion later returned to transfer key personnel for damage control but she sank under tow. In December Legion she was transferred to Alexandria, Mediterranean Fleet. On 13 December she intercepted the cruisers Alberto di Giussano and Alberico da Barbiano, claimed with others their sinking (Battle of Cape Bon).

Next with Force K she was tasked to prey on Axis convoys to North Africa. On 17 December she was at the First Battle of Sirte. Next she operated with Force C. The Italian submarine Sciré sent three Maiale (human torpedoes) into the anchorage, laid explosive charges severely damaging Queen Elizabeth and Valiant, the tanker Savona. On 28 December Legion and Kipling sank U-75 off Mersa Matruh after the sinking of the steamer Volo.

She was attacked on 17 January by U-133 north of Bardia and Gurkha was sunk. On 27 January her ASDIC was repaired at Malta until mid-February, and she was transferred to the 22nd Destroyer Flotilla. She took part in the Second Battle of Sirte and she carried a torpedo attack but the Italians disengaged.
On 23 March she joined HMS Eridge, escorting the merchantman Clan Campbell, later under air attack. Legion was damaged by a near miss. She lost one engine, and limped with just one but damage control prevented her sinking. She was beached at Malta, towed to the docks on 25 March, sent to the Boiler Wharf. An air raid concentrated on all ships resent including her. She took two direct hits hits and later in another attack her forward magazine exploded. She rolled over and sank. He scrapping commenced on 1943 but she was never refloated and BU until 1946.

Lightning was laid down at Hawthorn Leslie on 15 November 1938, launched on 22 April 1940, commissioned on 28 May 1941 as G55, assigned to the 19th Destroyer Flotilla, Home Fleet (Scapa Flow). With Laforey she started training, joined later by Lookout and Loyal and Lively, Gurkha, Legion and Lance, all four lost in their first year of operational service.
Her first action was in Operation Substance escorting convoys WS 9C and MG 1 to Malta, leaving Derry on 13 July, via Gibraltar on 27 July, then Operation Style when she arrived also on the first leg at Gibraltar on 4 August. On 22 August she looked for the crippled Free French submarine Rubis reporting attack by the Lufwaffe off the coast of Norway, eventually spotted by Curacoa near the Skagerrak.
Next Lightning and Laforey left Greenock for a Malta convoy (this time all the way), departing on 17 September 1941, via Gibraltar to meet up with Force H, and fending off air attacks all the way to Malta. At 13:40 on 27 September 1941 she dodged a torpedo, missing her by 20 yards (18 m). On 25 October she was transferred Scapa Flow, to Force H at Gibraltar for good and in November-December she made escort missions from the Bay of Biscay to mid-Mediterranean and Malta, also screening aircraft carriers, notably Ark Royal.
On 11 December with Harvester and Highlander she met HMS Duke of York in mid Atlantic to the US coast for the Arcadia conferenc, all in bad weather with the captaion ill and replaced by the XO. She stopped in the Azores to refuel and went to to Bermuda, anchoring close to USS Ranger, and Newport News, then St. John’s in Newfoundland. She wa sback at Greenock on 25 January. On 14 March she made a sonar sweep in the Gibraltar Straits when her rudder was badly damaged as one depth charge exploded prematurely, repaired back in Gibraltar. Next she was selected for Operation Ironclad against Madagascar, playing a key role by taking Diego Suarez, notably dealing with the Vichy French battery on a hilltop castle and detonated an ammunition dump. She also escorted Ramillies to search for a reported enemy battleship. Next she was sent to the Far East Fleet, to Colombo, Ceylon, for a boiler clean and joined ‘A Force’ headed by Warspite, aircraft carriers Indomitable, Illustrious, Gambia, and four destroyers to the Chagos islands, trying to lure out the Japanese to battle and relieve the pressure. They refuelled at Addu Atoll but had to leave with the monsoon back to Colombo, and from there to the Mediterranean. Next she was assigned to Freetown. On 1 August she left escorting Indomitable when at 21:00 her lookouts spotted three small boats, survivors from the Norwegian merchant vessel Tankexpress sunk by an U-boat a week earlier.
Next she joined Force Z (Indomitable, Phoebe, her and Lookout) departing on 3 August 1942 to meet Force X off Gibraltar, refuelling alongside Indomitable and departin on the 5th for Malta. On 11 August she was screening Furious, when Eagle was hit and sunk by U-73. On 12 August 1942 she had to deal with an heavy air attack and had several near misses. After refits and repairs, Lightning and Laforey left Greenock on 12 December 1942 for Liverpool, escorting Duchess of Richmond with troops for North Africa in convoy KMF 5. On the 21th she rescued more than 1,000 soldiers and nurses from the P&O liner Strathallan savaged by U-562 off Algeria. She was in Bône on 1st January 1943, joining Force Q. In February-March she escorted troop and supply ships between Algiers and Bône, acting as AA ship. She was in a palanned intercetion of a German convoy out of Sicily bound for Tunisia but at 18:51 their force was attacked by twelve German torpedo bombers. Lightning shot down one. At 22:00 Lightning intercepted a radio message in German, about her own impending attack, which materialized 15 min. later when she spotted German Schnellboot S-158 from the 7th S-Boat Flotilla (Capt. Schultze-Jena) fired a torpedo which disabled her, but she returned fire. She was too slow to avoid another torpedo at the port bow, blowing it clean off. Then S-55 (3rd S-boat flotilla, capt. Horst Weber) circled to her starboard side and fired a second torpedo hitting beneath the funnel, submerging the boiler rooms, destroying her pom pom and forward torpedo tubes. The captain signalled to abandon ship. One man was picked up by S-158, the 180 other including captain Hugh Greaves Walters, DSC were picked up by HMS Loyal. Part of the disbanded crew ended at HMS Hannibal in Algiers. She was replaced bt ORP Blyskawica, Polish for “lightning”.

Lookout was laid down at Scotts Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. of Greenock on 23 November 1938, launched on 4 November 1940 and commissioned on 30 January 1942 as G32. Her sea trials were satisfactory but protracted. Her first assignment was for the Arctic Convoys after Tirpitz made an ineffective interception, Operation Sportpalast. Lookout on 4–7 March escorted a battle squadron around Renown, King George V and Duke of York in cover against any move from Tirpitz against convoys QP8 and PQ12. Bad weather marred the operation and only a straggler was sunk by and escorting DD of the Tirpitz.
Next she was transferred to South Africa, sailing all along the west African coast to take part in Operation Ironclad against with Lightning and Laforey, meeting at Durban on 22 April 1942 and departing on 28 April 1942 for Diego Suarez with the transports and escorting Ramillies in search for enemy contacts. By August 1942 in Operation Pedestal, HMS Lookout escorted Eagle when she was torpedoed on 11 August and sunk. She helped rescue 927 survivors. A day later with Tartar she hunted down a surfaced U-Boat spotted earlier. She escort also to safety Indomitable after she was hit by Stukas. Lt.Cdr. Archibald George Forman took command. Later she spotted the 4000 GRT Italian merchant ship Luarana, abandoned, examined, captured and brought to Gibraltar as prize. She escort Malaya from Gibraltar (30 September) to the Clyde on 5 October, then Rosyth and Scapa Flow (9 October). She left on the 23th for Gibraltar with Rodney, and was assigned to the 19th Destroyer Flotilla.
She took part next in Operation Retribution from Bone with Eskimo and the 57 Division on 9 May, bombed underwya in the channel by Ju 88s (no damage). She launched a boarding party on the Italian hospital ship Virgiglio, examined and released.
On 13 May she captured a small off Plane Island with 13 Germans and one Italian. On 22 May she had a radar contact with the Italian auxiliary transport Stella Maris and sank her, picked up survivors. Next she was in Operation Corkscrew on 8-9 June, becoming the most heavily bombed destroyer to survive the war. The luftwaffe inflicted her many close misses but she remained undamaged. Next she covered the landings at Salerno, Operation Avalanche in September 1943, shelling German gun positions and near missed by a glider bomb, stating in support until 15 September, then back to Malta for repairs from 13 November, then back in service on 23 July under command of Lt.Cdr. Derick Hetherington, assigned to the 14 Destroyer Flotilla and on 12 October she towed home HMS Loyal, severely damaged by a mine. In 1945 she was in the 3th Destroyer Flotilla. On 15 January she shelled axis positions in San Remo. On the 18-19 more near the Franco-Italian border. On 18 March she took part in the Battle of the Ligurian Sea, sinking TA29. She remained in patrol on the west coast of Italy until V-Day in Europe, was sent to Plymouth on 19 October, paid off in Reserve, laid up at Devonport next and by October 1947 stricken, on the Disposal List. Sold to BISCO January 1948, BU at Newport from 29 February.

Loyal was laid down at Scotts on 23 November 1938, launched on 8 October 1941 and commissioned on 31 October 1942 as G15. She was under command under Lt.Cdr. Hugo Edward Forbes Tweedie, DSC from 22 Sep 1942 until 3 June 1944. In November she was in an exercises of oiling a sea with HMS Glasgow, and the newly commissioned battleship HMS Anson off Scapa Flow. She was in ASW exercises with the Dutch submarine HrMs O15 as well. She was trabnsferred to the Mediterranean and 18 January 1943 with HMS Lightning she sank the German (former Norwegian) Favor (1323 GRT) south of Sardinia. On the 29th she covered a convoy with the cruiser Siriius and Abdiel from Algiers to Bone. On 2 February she covered Abdiel for a minelaying operation off the Skerki Banks.
She then returned to Bone. Same operation on 7 February. In March she joined Force Q and the 5th she covered a third minelaying mission, same place. On 16 March she departed to cover the Combined convoy WS 28 / KMS 11. between Algier and Gibraltar, she tehn sailed to Oran, and rescued the men of the Windsor Castle. She covered the split convoy to Freetown.
On 4 April she joined Force H with N?elson and Rodney from Gibraltar to Mers el Kebir and back. On 7 May she co-sunk the German auxiliary minesweeper M 6616/Alba Eder (21 GRT) and the Italian tug Porto Cesareo (230 GRT) were sunk off Cape Bon. On 7 June she departed Malta to bombard Pantellaria with four cruisers (Newfoundland, Penelope, Orion, Euryalus).
On 11 June she took part in Operation Corkscrew with the same formation against Pantelleria and Lampedusa.
In July she was with Force H, 1st Division. Fomr 9 July she took part in Operation Husky, in Sicily, in the Bombarding Group for the Bark areas. On the 10th, she focused on Porto Palo Bay.
Next she joined Force K, detached to Malta and later took part in the bombardment of Catania and escorted back to Malta HMS Newfoundland and HMS Mauritius. On 31 July she took par tin the bombardment of Crotone. Later she patrolled with HMS Offa and ORP Piorun until reaching Augusta. She covered Operation Baytown, attached to HMS Mauritius and Orion. In September 1943 she covered Convoy TSF 1 stll in Force K, escorting HMS Penelope and USS Brooklyn. On 22 January she covered Peter Force with Orion ad Spartan to Naples, for the bombardment of Anzio, Area P. In April she escorted Convoy MKF 30 from Port Said, Alexandria, to Naples. Lack of data for the next months. She struck a mine on 12 October 1944 and was declared a constructive total loss.

HMS Milne was laid down at Scotts Shipbuilding & Engineering Company, Greenock on 24 January 1940, launched on 30 December 1941, commissioned on 6 August 1942. She was transferred to Turkey in 1959, as Alp Arslan. To be completed in a 2026 update.

Mahratta (ex-Marksman) was laid down on 7 July 1939, launched on 28 July 1942 and commissioned on 8 April 1943. She was sunk by U-990 on 25 February 1944.
To be completed in a 2026 update

Musketeer was laid down at Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Company, Govan on 7 December 1939, launched on 2 December 1941 and commissioned on 5 December 1942. Sher survived the war and stayed active in the cold war, BU from 6 December 1955. To be completed in a 2026 update

Myrmidon was laid down at Fairfield on 7 December 1939, launched on 2 March 1942 and commissioned on 5 December 1942. She was loaned to the Free Polish Navy and renamed ORP Orkan. Sunk by submarine on 8 October 1943. To be completed in a 2026 update

Matchless was laid down at Alexander Stephen & Sons, Linthouse, laid down on 14 September 1940, launched on 4 September 1941 and commissioned on 26 February 1942. She was transferred to Turkey in 1959 as Kilicali Pasha. To be completed in a 2026 update

Meteor was laid down at Alexander Stephen & Sons on 14 September 1940, launched on 3 November 1941 and commisioned on 12 August 1942. She survived the war, transferred to Turkey in 1959, as Piyale Pasha. To be completed in a 2026 update

Marne was laid down at Vickers-Armstrongs, Walker on 23 October 1939, launched on 30 October 1940 and commissioned on 2 December 1941. She was transferred to Turkey in 1959, as Maresal Fevzi Cakmak. To be completed in a 2026 update

Martin was laid down at Vickers on 23 October 1939, launched on 12 December 1940 and commissioned on 4 August 1942. She was sunk by a submarine on 10 November 1942. To be completed in a 2026 update

Read More/Src

Books

Colledge, J. J.; Warlow, Ben (2006) [1969]. Ships of the Royal Navy: The Complete Record of all Fighting Ships of the Royal Navy (Rev. ed.). London: Chatham Publishing.
Campbell, N. J. M. (1980). “Great Britain”. In Chesneau, Roger (ed.). Conway’s All the World’s Fighting Ships 1922–1946. New York: Mayflower Books.
English, John (2001). Afridi to Nizam: British Fleet Destroyers 1937–43. Gravesend, Kent: World Ship Society.
Friedman, Norman (2006). British Destroyers and Frigates, the Second World War and After. NIP
Haarr, Geirr H. (2010). The Battle for Norway: April–June 1940. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press.
Haarr, Geirr H. (2009). The German Invasion of Norway, April 1940. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press.
Hodges, Peter & Friedman, Norman (1979). Destroyer Weapons of World War 2. Greenwich: Conway Maritime Press.
Langtree, Christopher (2002). The Kelly’s: British J, K, and N Class Destroyers of World War II. NIP.
Lenton, H. T. (1998). British & Empire Warships of the Second World War. Annapolis, Maryland: NIP
March, Edgar J. (1966). British Destroyers: A History of Development, 1892–1953; Drawn by Admiralty Permission from Official Records. London: Seeley Service.
Rohwer, Jürgen (2005). Chronology of the War at Sea 1939–1945: The Naval History of World War Two (Third Revised ed.). NIP
Whitley, M. J. (1988). Destroyers of World War Two: An International Encyclopedia. NIP.

Links

https://www.navypedia.org/ships/uk/brit_dd_l_m.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L_and_M-class_destroyer

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