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HMS Glasgow (C21)
Encyclopedia
The seventh HMS Glasgow (21), built on the Clyde, was a Southampton-class light cruiser
, a sub-class of the Town-class
and commissioned in September 1937. She displaced 11,930 tons and had a top speed of 32 knots (59 km/h). She was part of the 2nd Cruiser Squadron of the Home Fleet; she escorted the King
and Queen
to Canada
in 1939. She also took a large quantity of gold to Fort Knox
as an emergency reserve.
Captain Frank Pegram was commanding officer of Glasgow from July, 1939 to April, 1940. On the outbreak of war, she operated off the Scandinavia
n coast, and in November was off the coast of Norway
with two destroyers in the hope of intercepting the German passenger ship SS Bremen
which had sailed from Murmansk
. This was unsuccessful, but on 12 February 1940, she captured the German trawler Herrlichkeit off Tromsø
. On 9 April, she was attacked off Bergen
by Ju 88
s and He 111
s and damaged by near misses. On 11 April 1940, during the Allied campaign in Norway in World War II
, Glasgow, along with HMS Sheffield
and six Tribal class destroyers
landed troops near Harstad
and three days later on 14 April, again in company with Sheffield and ten destroyers, landed an advance force of Royal Marines
at Namsos
to seize and secure the wharves and approaches to the town, preparatory to the landing of a larger Allied
force. On the 23rd Glasgow, Sheffield, HMS Galatea
and six destroyers landed the first part of the 15th Infantry Brigade in Åndalsnes
.
On 29 April, she evacuated King Haakon
and Crown Prince Olav
of Norway and part of the Norwegian gold reserves
when they fled from Molde
to Tromsø
, escaping the advancing German forces
.
on 16 July.
Glasgow was then employed as a convoy escort in the Mediterranean
and as a reinforcement of the 3rd Cruiser Squadron based at Alexandria
. She took part in the Fleet Air Arm
raid that crippled the Italian Fleet at Taranto
; on the 14 November, Glasgow, along with HMS Berwick
, HMAS Sydney
and HMS York
, landed 3,400 troops from Alexandria in Piraeus
. On the 26th, Glasgow, Gloucester
and York escorted a supply convoy from Alexandria to Malta
. On 3 December Glasgow was attacked by Italian aircraft while anchored in Suda Bay
, Crete
. She was hit by two torpedoes and badly damaged. She was able to return to Alexandria, where rudimentary repairs were carried out. During this period she was temporarily replaced by HMS Southampton
.
. Upon arrival she underwent more repairs. In February the German pocket battleship Admiral Scheer sank the freighters Canadian Cruiser and Rantaupandjang in the Indian Ocean
. Both managed to transmit distress signals, that were picked up by Glasgow, which deployed in search of the German ship. On 22 January, the Admiral Scheer was sighted by the spotter aircraft from Glasgow, the East Indies Task Force was deployed to the reported area. However, the Admiral Scheer had escaped by turning away to the south east and further searches were in vain. In March Glasgow, in company with HMS Caledon
, two auxiliary cruisers, two destroyers and two anti-submarine trawlers of the Indian navy
, escorted two troop transport vessels containing two Indian Battalions and one Somali commando detachment, who were landed on either side of Berbera
, in Somaliland
, which had previously been occupied by the Italians
. The town was taken after only slight Italian resistance, which was soon broken by naval gunfire from Glasgow and the other escorts. At midnight on 9 December 1941, Glasgow sank the RIN
patrol vessel HMIS Prabhavati with two lighters in tow en-route to Karachi
, with 6 inch shells at 6000 yards. The Prabhavati was alongside the lighters and was mistaken for a surfaced Japanese submarine. Glasgow picked up the survivors and took them to Bombay, arriving there later that day.
On 19 March 1942, Glasgow escorted convoy WS-16 from the UK to South Africa
. In April Glasgow again underwent temporary repairs, this time in Simonstown, South Africa. She subsequently sailed to the US for permanent repairs, which were completed in August. She then returned to the UK and joined the 10th Cruiser Squadron at Scapa Flow
, where she was assigned to the covering forces of the Arctic convoys.
Glasgow escorted Arctic convoys between January and February 1943. In March she intercepted the German blockade
runner Regensburg in the Denmark Strait
. Her crew managed to scuttle the ship and Glasgow recovered six survivors. During June and July she supplied cover for escort groups in the Bay of Biscay
. She then joined the Plymouth Command
.
In December she formed part of Operation Stonewall
, (the interception of blockade runners). In late December, Glasgow and the cruiser Enterprise fought a three-hour battle with eleven German destroyers of which three were sunk and four damaged by gunfire. After this engagement Glasgow returned to Plymouth in spite of several air raids where glider bombs were used.
On 6 June 1944 Glasgow was part of Operation Neptune
, (the Normandy landings). Along with the battleships USS Texas
and USS Arkansas
, the French cruisers Montcalm
and Georges Leygues
, nine US destroyers and three Hunt-class destroyers
, she made up the Gunfire Bombardment Support Force C for Omaha Beach
. On the 25–26 June, in support of the attack by the 7th US Corps on Cherbourg, she shelled the German batteries
near Querqueville
. During this exchange of fire Glasgow was hit and damaged. In August 1945 she set sail for the East Indies
, where she was the flagship of the Commander-in-Chief.
In 1948 Glasgow was transferred to the West Indies and was again the flagship of the fleet, returning to the UK in 1950. In 1951 she was the flagship of the Mediterranean Fleet based at Malta under Admiral the Earl Mountbatten of Burma
. In 1953, she took part in the film Sailor of the King
. In August 1954 Glasgow and HMS Gambia participated in the withdrawal of the Royal Marine Commandos
. In 1955 Glasgow returned to the UK where she rejoined the Home Fleet as Flag Officer D, but was later paid off. The Suez crisis
in 1956 caused Glasgow to be temporarily recommissioned, but later that year she was paid off again. It was then decided that she was surplus to requirements and was placed on the disposal list in November 1956. In July 1958 Glasgow was broken up at Blyth
by Hughes Bolckow.
Light cruiser
A light cruiser is a type of small- or medium-sized warship. The term is a shortening of the phrase "light armored cruiser", describing a small ship that carried armor in the same way as an armored cruiser: a protective belt and deck...
, a sub-class of the Town-class
Town class cruiser (1936)
The Town-class was a 10-ship class of light cruisers of the Royal Navy. The Towns were designed to the constraints imposed by the London Naval Treaty of 1930....
and commissioned in September 1937. She displaced 11,930 tons and had a top speed of 32 knots (59 km/h). She was part of the 2nd Cruiser Squadron of the Home Fleet; she escorted the King
George VI of the United Kingdom
George VI was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death...
and Queen
Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon
Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon was the queen consort of King George VI from 1936 until her husband's death in 1952, after which she was known as Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, to avoid confusion with her daughter, Queen Elizabeth II...
to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
in 1939. She also took a large quantity of gold to Fort Knox
United States Bullion Depository
The United States Bullion Depository, often known as Fort Knox, is a fortified vault building located adjacent to Fort Knox, Kentucky, used to store a large portion of United States official gold reserves and occasionally other precious items belonging or entrusted to the federal government.The...
as an emergency reserve.
Norwegian Campaign
Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
n coast, and in November was off the coast of Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
with two destroyers in the hope of intercepting the German passenger ship SS Bremen
SS Bremen (1929)
The SS Bremen was a German-built ocean liner constructed for the Norddeutscher Lloyd line to work the transatlantic sea route. The Bremen was notable for her bulbous bow construction, high-speed engines, and low, streamlined profile. At the time of her construction, she and her sister ship were...
which had sailed from Murmansk
Murmansk
Murmansk is a city and the administrative center of Murmansk Oblast, Russia. It serves as a seaport and is located in the extreme northwest part of Russia, on the Kola Bay, from the Barents Sea on the northern shore of the Kola Peninsula, not far from Russia's borders with Norway and Finland...
. This was unsuccessful, but on 12 February 1940, she captured the German trawler Herrlichkeit off Tromsø
Tromsø
Tromsø is a city and municipality in Troms county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the city of Tromsø.Tromsø city is the ninth largest urban area in Norway by population, and the seventh largest city in Norway by population...
. On 9 April, she was attacked off Bergen
Bergen
Bergen is the second largest city in Norway with a population of as of , . Bergen is the administrative centre of Hordaland county. Greater Bergen or Bergen Metropolitan Area as defined by Statistics Norway, has a population of as of , ....
by Ju 88
Junkers Ju 88
The Junkers Ju 88 was a World War II German Luftwaffe twin-engine, multi-role aircraft. Designed by Hugo Junkers' company through the services of two American aviation engineers in the mid-1930s, it suffered from a number of technical problems during the later stages of its development and early...
s and He 111
Heinkel He 111
The Heinkel He 111 was a German aircraft designed by Siegfried and Walter Günter in the early 1930s in violation of the Treaty of Versailles. Often described as a "Wolf in sheep's clothing", it masqueraded as a transport aircraft, but its purpose was to provide the Luftwaffe with a fast medium...
s and damaged by near misses. On 11 April 1940, during the Allied campaign in Norway in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Glasgow, along with HMS Sheffield
HMS Sheffield (C24)
HMS Sheffield was one of the Southampton sub class of the Town-class cruisers of the Royal Navy during the Second World War. She took part in actions against several major German warships. Unlike most Royal Navy ships of her time, her fittings were constructed from stainless steel instead of the...
and six Tribal class destroyers
Tribal class destroyer (1936)
The Tribal class, or Afridi class, were a class of destroyers built for the Royal Navy, Royal Canadian Navy and Royal Australian Navy that saw service in World War II...
landed troops near Harstad
Harstad
is the second largest city and municipality by population, in Troms county, Norway – the city is also the third largest in North Norway. Thus Harstad is the natural centre for its district. Situated approximately north of the Arctic Circle, the city celebrated its 100th anniversary in...
and three days later on 14 April, again in company with Sheffield and ten destroyers, landed an advance force of Royal Marines
Royal Marines
The Corps of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, commonly just referred to as the Royal Marines , are the marine corps and amphibious infantry of the United Kingdom and, along with the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, form the Naval Service...
at Namsos
Namsos campaign
In April and early May, 1940 Namsos and its surrounding area were the scene of heavy fighting between Anglo-French, Polish and Norwegian naval and military forces on the one hand, and German military, naval and air forces on the other...
to seize and secure the wharves and approaches to the town, preparatory to the landing of a larger Allied
Allies of World War II
The Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...
force. On the 23rd Glasgow, Sheffield, HMS Galatea
HMS Galatea (71)
HMS Galatea was an Arethusa-class light cruiser of the Royal Navy. She was built by Scotts Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. , with the keel being laid down on the 2 June 1933...
and six destroyers landed the first part of the 15th Infantry Brigade in Åndalsnes
Battle of Åndalsnes
The Battle of Åndalsnes took place in Åndalsnes in Romsdal, Norway in 1940 during the Norwegian Campaign of World War II.After the German invasion of Norway in April 1940, British troops landed in Åndalsnes as part of a pincer movement to take mid-Norwegian city Trondheim...
.
On 29 April, she evacuated King Haakon
Haakon VII of Norway
Haakon VII , known as Prince Carl of Denmark until 1905, was the first king of Norway after the 1905 dissolution of the personal union with Sweden. He was a member of the House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg...
and Crown Prince Olav
Olav V of Norway
Olav V was the king of Norway from 1957 until his death. A member of the House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg, Olav was born in the United Kingdom as the son of King Haakon VII of Norway and Queen Maud of Norway...
of Norway and part of the Norwegian gold reserves
Flight of the Norwegian National Treasury
The National Treasury of Norway consisted of in 1940 value worth of gold weighing around 50 tons. The entire gold deposit was stored at Norges Bank's main vault at their headquarters in Oslo. During the increasing tension of the 1930s, plans were made to make the deposit more mobile...
when they fled from Molde
Molde
is a city and municipality in Møre og Romsdal county, Norway. It is part of the Romsdal region. The municipality is located on the Romsdal Peninsula, surrounding the Fannefjord and Moldefjord...
to Tromsø
Tromsø
Tromsø is a city and municipality in Troms county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the city of Tromsø.Tromsø city is the ninth largest urban area in Norway by population, and the seventh largest city in Norway by population...
, escaping the advancing German forces
Norwegian Campaign
The Norwegian Campaign was a military campaign that was fought in Norway during the Second World War between the Allies and Germany, after the latter's invasion of the country. In April 1940, the United Kingdom and France came to Norway's aid with an expeditionary force...
.
The Mediterranean
Whilst operating in home waters after the withdrawal from Norway, Glasgow accidentally rammed and sank the destroyer Imogen in thick fog off Duncansby HeadDuncansby Head
Duncansby Head is the most north-easterly part of the Scottish mainland, including even the famous John o' Groats, Caithness, Highland...
on 16 July.
Glasgow was then employed as a convoy escort in the Mediterranean
Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...
and as a reinforcement of the 3rd Cruiser Squadron based at Alexandria
Alexandria
Alexandria is the second-largest city of Egypt, with a population of 4.1 million, extending about along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the north central part of the country; it is also the largest city lying directly on the Mediterranean coast. It is Egypt's largest seaport, serving...
. She took part in the Fleet Air Arm
Fleet Air Arm
The Fleet Air Arm is the branch of the British Royal Navy responsible for the operation of naval aircraft. The Fleet Air Arm currently operates the AgustaWestland Merlin, Westland Sea King and Westland Lynx helicopters...
raid that crippled the Italian Fleet at Taranto
Battle of Taranto
The naval Battle of Taranto took place on the night of 11–12 November 1940 during the Second World War. The Royal Navy launched the first all-aircraft ship-to-ship naval attack in history, flying a small number of obsolescent biplane torpedo bombers from an aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean Sea...
; on the 14 November, Glasgow, along with HMS Berwick
HMS Berwick (65)
HMS Berwick was a Royal Navy County class heavy cruiser, of the Kent subclass. She was built by Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company , with the keel being laid down on 15 September 1924...
, HMAS Sydney
HMAS Sydney (1934)
HMAS Sydney , named for the Australian city of Sydney, was one of three Modified Leander class light cruisers operated by the Royal Australian Navy...
and HMS York
HMS York (90)
HMS York, pennant number 90, was a heavy cruiser of the Royal Navy built in the late 1920s. She mostly served on the North America and West Indies Station before World War II. Early in the war the ship escorted convoys in the Atlantic and participated in the Norwegian Campaign in 1940...
, landed 3,400 troops from Alexandria in Piraeus
Piraeus
Piraeus is a city in the region of Attica, Greece. Piraeus is located within the Athens Urban Area, 12 km southwest from its city center , and lies along the east coast of the Saronic Gulf....
. On the 26th, Glasgow, Gloucester
HMS Gloucester (C62)
HMS Gloucester was one of the second group of three ships of the "Town" class of light cruisers. She was launched on 19 October 1937 prior to commissioning on 31 January 1939....
and York escorted a supply convoy from Alexandria to Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
. On 3 December Glasgow was attacked by Italian aircraft while anchored in Suda Bay
Souda Bay
Souda Bay is a bay and natural harbour on the northwest coast of the Greek island of Crete. The bay is about 15 km long and only two to four km wide, and a deep natural harbour. It is formed between the Akrotiri peninsula and Cape Drapano, and runs west to east...
, Crete
Crete
Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, and one of the thirteen administrative regions of Greece. It forms a significant part of the economy and cultural heritage of Greece while retaining its own local cultural traits...
. She was hit by two torpedoes and badly damaged. She was able to return to Alexandria, where rudimentary repairs were carried out. During this period she was temporarily replaced by HMS Southampton
HMS Southampton (C83)
HMS Southampton was a member of the first group of five ships of the "Town" class of light cruisers. She was built by John Brown & Company, Clydebank, Scotland and launched on 10 March 1936....
.
The Far East
In January 1941 Glasgow was assigned to the Eastern Fleet and sailed for SingaporeSingapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
. Upon arrival she underwent more repairs. In February the German pocket battleship Admiral Scheer sank the freighters Canadian Cruiser and Rantaupandjang in the Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceanic divisions, covering approximately 20% of the water on the Earth's surface. It is bounded on the north by the Indian Subcontinent and Arabian Peninsula ; on the west by eastern Africa; on the east by Indochina, the Sunda Islands, and...
. Both managed to transmit distress signals, that were picked up by Glasgow, which deployed in search of the German ship. On 22 January, the Admiral Scheer was sighted by the spotter aircraft from Glasgow, the East Indies Task Force was deployed to the reported area. However, the Admiral Scheer had escaped by turning away to the south east and further searches were in vain. In March Glasgow, in company with HMS Caledon
HMS Caledon (D53)
HMS Caledon was a C-class light cruiser of the British Royal Navy. She was the nameship of the Caledon group of the C-class of cruisers....
, two auxiliary cruisers, two destroyers and two anti-submarine trawlers of the Indian navy
Indian Navy
The Indian Navy is the naval branch of the armed forces of India. The President of India serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy. The Chief of Naval Staff , usually a four-star officer in the rank of Admiral, commands the Navy...
, escorted two troop transport vessels containing two Indian Battalions and one Somali commando detachment, who were landed on either side of Berbera
Berbera
Berbera is a city and seat of Berbera District in Somaliland, a self-proclaimed Independent Republic with de facto control over its own territory, which is recognized by the international community and the Somali Government as a part of Somalia...
, in Somaliland
British Somaliland
British Somaliland was a British protectorate in the northern part of present-day Somalia. For much of its existence, British Somaliland was bordered by French Somaliland, Ethiopia, and Italian Somaliland. From 1940 to 1941, it was occupied by the Italians and was part of Italian East Africa...
, which had previously been occupied by the Italians
Italian conquest of British Somaliland
The Italian conquest of British Somaliland was a military campaign in the Horn of Africa, which took place in August 1940 between forces of Italy and those of Great Britain and its Commonwealth...
. The town was taken after only slight Italian resistance, which was soon broken by naval gunfire from Glasgow and the other escorts. At midnight on 9 December 1941, Glasgow sank the RIN
Royal Indian Navy
The Royal Indian Navy was the naval force of British India. Along with the Presidency armies and the later British Indian Army it comprised the Armed Forces of British India....
patrol vessel HMIS Prabhavati with two lighters in tow en-route to Karachi
Karachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
, with 6 inch shells at 6000 yards. The Prabhavati was alongside the lighters and was mistaken for a surfaced Japanese submarine. Glasgow picked up the survivors and took them to Bombay, arriving there later that day.
On 19 March 1942, Glasgow escorted convoy WS-16 from the UK to South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. In April Glasgow again underwent temporary repairs, this time in Simonstown, South Africa. She subsequently sailed to the US for permanent repairs, which were completed in August. She then returned to the UK and joined the 10th Cruiser Squadron at Scapa Flow
Scapa Flow
right|thumb|Scapa Flow viewed from its eastern endScapa Flow is a body of water in the Orkney Islands, Scotland, United Kingdom, sheltered by the islands of Mainland, Graemsay, Burray, South Ronaldsay and Hoy. It is about...
, where she was assigned to the covering forces of the Arctic convoys.
In the Arctic and home waters
Blockade
A blockade is an effort to cut off food, supplies, war material or communications from a particular area by force, either in part or totally. A blockade should not be confused with an embargo or sanctions, which are legal barriers to trade, and is distinct from a siege in that a blockade is usually...
runner Regensburg in the Denmark Strait
Denmark Strait
The Denmark Strait or Greenland Strait |Sound]]) is an oceanic strait between Greenland and Iceland...
. Her crew managed to scuttle the ship and Glasgow recovered six survivors. During June and July she supplied cover for escort groups in the Bay of Biscay
Bay of Biscay
The Bay of Biscay is a gulf of the northeast Atlantic Ocean located south of the Celtic Sea. It lies along the western coast of France from Brest south to the Spanish border, and the northern coast of Spain west to Cape Ortegal, and is named in English after the province of Biscay, in the Spanish...
. She then joined the Plymouth Command
Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth
The Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth was a senior commander of the Royal Navy for hundreds of years. Plymouth Command was a name given to the units, establishments, and staff operating under the admiral's command. In the nineteenth century the holder of the office was known as Commander-in-Chief,...
.
In December she formed part of Operation Stonewall
Operation Stonewall
Operation Stonewall was a World War II operation to intercept blockade runners off the west coast of France. It was an effective example of inter-service and inter-national co-operation.-Background:...
, (the interception of blockade runners). In late December, Glasgow and the cruiser Enterprise fought a three-hour battle with eleven German destroyers of which three were sunk and four damaged by gunfire. After this engagement Glasgow returned to Plymouth in spite of several air raids where glider bombs were used.
On 6 June 1944 Glasgow was part of Operation Neptune
Operation Neptune
The Normandy landings, codenamed Operation Neptune, were the landing operations of the Allied invasion of Normandy, in Operation Overlord, during World War II. The landings commenced on Tuesday, 6 June 1944 , beginning at 6:30 AM British Double Summer Time...
, (the Normandy landings). Along with the battleships USS Texas
USS Texas (BB-35)
USS Texas , the second ship of the United States Navy named in honor of the U.S. state of Texas, is a . The ship was launched on 18 May 1912 and commissioned on 12 March 1914....
and USS Arkansas
USS Arkansas (BB-33)
USS Arkansas , a was the third ship of the United States Navy named in honor of the 25th state.A dreadnought battleship, Arkansas was laid down on 25 January 1910 at Camden, New Jersey, by the New York Shipbuilding Corporation. She was launched on 14 January 1911 sponsored by Miss Nancy Louise...
, the French cruisers Montcalm
French cruiser Montcalm
The Montcalm was a French light cruiser of the La Galissonnière class, named in honour of Louis-Joseph de Montcalm. During World War II, she served with both Vichy France and the Allies.-Pre-war:...
and Georges Leygues
French cruiser Georges Leygues
The Georges Leygues was a French light cruiser of the La Galissonnière class. During World War II, she served with both the Vichy France and Allies. She was named for the prominent 19th and 20th century French politician Georges Leygues....
, nine US destroyers and three Hunt-class destroyers
Hunt class destroyer
The Hunt class was a class of Destroyer escort of the Royal Navy. The first vessels were ordered early in 1939, and the class saw extensive service in World War II, particularly on the British East Coast and Mediterranean convoys. They were named after British fox hunts...
, she made up the Gunfire Bombardment Support Force C for Omaha Beach
Omaha Beach
Omaha Beach is the code name for one of the five sectors of the Allied invasion of German-occupied France in the Normandy landings on 6 June 1944, during World War II...
. On the 25–26 June, in support of the attack by the 7th US Corps on Cherbourg, she shelled the German batteries
Bombardment of Cherbourg
The Bombardment of Cherbourg was undertaken by ships of the United States Navy and Royal Navy on June 25, 1944 to support United States Army units engaged in the Battle of Cherbourg. The Allied force attacked the German fortifications near the city and engaged in a duel with coastal batteries...
near Querqueville
Querqueville
Querqueville is a commune in the Manche department in north-western France.The Chapel of Saint Germanus with its trefoil floorplan incorporates elements of one of the earliest surviving places of Christian worship in the Cotentin Peninsula - perhaps second only to the Gallo-Roman baptistry at...
. During this exchange of fire Glasgow was hit and damaged. In August 1945 she set sail for the East Indies
East Indies
East Indies is a term used by Europeans from the 16th century onwards to identify what is now known as Indian subcontinent or South Asia, Southeastern Asia, and the islands of Oceania, including the Malay Archipelago and the Philippines...
, where she was the flagship of the Commander-in-Chief.
Postwar
Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma
Admiral of the Fleet Louis Francis Albert Victor Nicholas George Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma, KG, GCB, OM, GCSI, GCIE, GCVO, DSO, PC, FRS , was a British statesman and naval officer, and an uncle of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh...
. In 1953, she took part in the film Sailor of the King
Sailor of the King
Sailor of the King is a 1953 war film based on the novel Brown on Resolution by C. S. Forester and filmed in the Mediterranean Sea...
. In August 1954 Glasgow and HMS Gambia participated in the withdrawal of the Royal Marine Commandos
Royal Marines
The Corps of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, commonly just referred to as the Royal Marines , are the marine corps and amphibious infantry of the United Kingdom and, along with the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, form the Naval Service...
. In 1955 Glasgow returned to the UK where she rejoined the Home Fleet as Flag Officer D, but was later paid off. The Suez crisis
Suez Crisis
The Suez Crisis, also referred to as the Tripartite Aggression, Suez War was an offensive war fought by France, the United Kingdom, and Israel against Egypt beginning on 29 October 1956. Less than a day after Israel invaded Egypt, Britain and France issued a joint ultimatum to Egypt and Israel,...
in 1956 caused Glasgow to be temporarily recommissioned, but later that year she was paid off again. It was then decided that she was surplus to requirements and was placed on the disposal list in November 1956. In July 1958 Glasgow was broken up at Blyth
Blyth
- Places :Australia* Blyth, South Australia, a small townCanada* Blyth, Ontario, a villageUnited Kingdom* Blyth, Northumberland, a town* Blyth, Nottinghamshire, a village* Blyth, Suffolk, a village* River Blyth, Northumberland* River Blyth, Suffolk...
by Hughes Bolckow.