HMIS Jumna (U21)
Encyclopedia
HMIS Jumna (U21) was a Black Swan class
sloop, which served in the Royal Indian Navy
(RIN) during World War II
.
After India became a republic on 26 January 1950, the vessel was renamed as the Indian Navy
's INS Jamuna.
. She was commissioned in 1941, and with World War II
underway, was immediately deployed as a convoy escort. Jumna served as an A.A. escort during the Java Sea campaign
in early 1942, and was involved in intensive anti-aircraft action against attacking Japanese twin engined level bombers and dive bombers, claiming five aircraft downed from 24 - 28 February 1942:
"Chief Ordnance Artificer, Cajetan Mascarenhas was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his part in defending the convoy against the Japanese aircraft which attacked it in the Sunda Strait. The citation in the London Gazette said that he had carried out repairs to guns during dive-bombing and machine-gun attacks, and had shown great devotion to duty. Leading Seaman Khan Mohammed, who displayed skill and initiative in engaging the Japanese with an Oerlikon gun was also awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. The Gunnery Officer, Lieut. A.J.V. LeCocq, R.I.N.V.R., was decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross and six of the Jumna's ratings were mentioned in Despatches, having shown "devotion to duty during heavy and continuous dive-bombing attacks".
In early January 1945, she was deployed with to support the landing of the 74th Indian Brigade of the British Indian Army
on Akyab Peninsular, as a part of Operation Lightning
. Jumna and Narbada engaged Japanese batteries up the Kaladan River
near Ponnagyun
. After embarking troops, she joined Task Force 64 headed by for support of landing by 3rd British Commando Brigade between Akyab and Ramree with and HMIS Narbada.
Black Swan class sloop
The Black Swan class and Modified Black Swan class were two classes of sloop of the Royal Navy and Royal Indian Navy. Thirteen Black Swans were launched between 1939 and 1943, including four for the Royal Indian Navy; twenty-four Modified Black Swans were launched between 1942 and 1945, including...
sloop, which served in the Royal Indian Navy
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....
(RIN) during 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...
.
After India became a republic on 26 January 1950, the vessel was renamed as 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...
's INS Jamuna.
History
HMIS Jumna was ordered in 1939, and built by William Denny and BrothersWilliam Denny and Brothers
William Denny and Brothers Limited, and often referred to simply as Denny, were a Scottish shipbuilding company.-History:The Company was founded by Peter Denny in 1840 and based in Dumbarton, on the River Clyde. Although the Denny yard was situated near the junction of the River Clyde and the River...
. She was commissioned in 1941, and with 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...
underway, was immediately deployed as a convoy escort. Jumna served as an A.A. escort during the Java Sea campaign
Dutch East Indies campaign
The Dutch East Indies campaign of 1941–1942 was the conquest of the Dutch East Indies by forces from the Empire of Japan in the early days of the Pacific Campaign of World War II. Forces from the Allies attempted unsuccessfully to defend the islands. Indonesia was targeted by the Japanese for its...
in early 1942, and was involved in intensive anti-aircraft action against attacking Japanese twin engined level bombers and dive bombers, claiming five aircraft downed from 24 - 28 February 1942:
"Chief Ordnance Artificer, Cajetan Mascarenhas was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his part in defending the convoy against the Japanese aircraft which attacked it in the Sunda Strait. The citation in the London Gazette said that he had carried out repairs to guns during dive-bombing and machine-gun attacks, and had shown great devotion to duty. Leading Seaman Khan Mohammed, who displayed skill and initiative in engaging the Japanese with an Oerlikon gun was also awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. The Gunnery Officer, Lieut. A.J.V. LeCocq, R.I.N.V.R., was decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross and six of the Jumna's ratings were mentioned in Despatches, having shown "devotion to duty during heavy and continuous dive-bombing attacks".
In early January 1945, she was deployed with to support the landing of the 74th Indian Brigade of the British Indian Army
British Indian Army
The British Indian Army, officially simply the Indian Army, was the principal army of the British Raj in India before the partition of India in 1947...
on Akyab Peninsular, as a part of Operation Lightning
Operation Lightning
Operation Lightning may refer to one of the following military operations:*A full scale amphibious landing by the 74th Indian Brigade of the British Indian Army and the 3rd Commando Brigade of the British Army in Burma during the Second World War....
. Jumna and Narbada engaged Japanese batteries up the Kaladan River
Kaladan River
The Kaladan River is a river in eastern Mizoram State of India, and in Chin State and Rakhine State of western Myanmar. It forms the international border between India and Burma between 22° 47′ 10" N and 22° 11′ 06" N.-Geography:The river arises in central Chin State as the Timit, 22° 49′ 28″ N ...
near Ponnagyun
Ponnagyun
Ponnagyun is a town in the Rakhine State of westernmost part of Myanmar. it is the administrative seat of Ponnagyun Township.-External links:*...
. After embarking troops, she joined Task Force 64 headed by for support of landing by 3rd British Commando Brigade between Akyab and Ramree with and HMIS Narbada.