Saturday, 27th June 1942
Western Desert
Operation DISCRETION (N)
2. A meeting was held at Navy House to discuss this operation, the orderly retirement of the Fleet to Port Said and Haifa, at which all Flag Officers and certain other authorities in the port attended.
3. QUEEN ELIZABETH was successfully undocked at noon and sailed at 1800 from Alexandria for Port Sudan. She had been temporarily repaired after less than three months in the floating dock. The final stage of repairs to allow the ship to be undocked was completed in a greatly reduced time, all efforts being concentrated upon her.
Sunday, 28th June 1942
Alexandria
2.
As result of the possible use by the enemy of Mersa Matruh landing grounds and resultant heavy air attack on Alexandria, the Commander in Chief decided to sail non-essential merchant shipping and warships south of the Canal.
3. WOOLWICH and RESOURCE sailed for Port Sudan escorted by JERVIS, JAVELIN, ERIDGE, BEAUFORT, EXMOOR, and ALDENHAM as far as Port Said.
Monday, 29th June 1942
Operation DISCRETION (N)
3. The Flag of the Commander in Chief was transferred to FLAMINGO. At Gabbari preparations were begun for the transfer of the Administrative Staff to Port Said and the Operational Staff to a combined headquarters at Villa Laurens near 201 Naval Cooperation Group.
4. A 117 was sent to Gabbari steps to embark office furniture and records for Port Said.
Tuesday, 30th June 1942
Western Desert
The Eighth Army had withdrawn on to the El Alamein defensive lines. The Naval Liaison Officer, Eighth Army, returned from Headquarters, and reported the situation to the Commander in Chief. He reported that sea bombardments were now of little use due to dispersion and distance from coast. Twelve hours notice of any requirements would be given. Bombardment forces of two cruisers and destroyers were formed and sailed to Port Said and Haifa. C.S. 15 in CLEOPATRA and EURYALUS and destroyers formed Force B at Haifa; Rear Admiral (D) Mediterranean in DIDO with the ARETHUSA formed Force A at Port Said.
Air Raids
2. Minor air activity in the Alexandria area. One land mine was dropped on Dekheila aerodrome and two aircraft being slightly damaged.
Operation DISCRETION (N)
3. The Commander in Chief and Operational Staff were established in Villa Laurens, until recently occupied by the Torpedo Training School, H.M.S. PHAROS. The Operations Room and a few officers were accommodated in 201 Naval Cooperation Group Headquarters. This move to establish a combined Headquarters at 201 Naval Cooperation Group had long been contemplated.
4. The Commander in Chief's Administrative Staff left by rail for Port Said to set up officers in the Marina Savoy Hotel.
5. Early in the day the military situation had somewhat deteriorated and all staff at PHAROS were at short notice to move again. All secret documents and papers not considered essential were destroyed to reduce baggage to a minimum.
6. All ships at Alexandria raised steam and the evacuation of shipping was ordered. This was relaxed to a certain extent by the end of the day as the military situation showed some improvement.
7. W.R.N.S. and official women were evacuated by train to Ismailia where they were embarked in S.S. PRINCESS KATHLEEN who was sailed for Suez.
8. As much shipping as possible was ordered south of the Canal.
9. Naval and Royal Marine personnel were used to assist the military to man the Alexandria defences.
10. Operation HORNBLOWER, State Three was ordered. All hands proceeded to their stations for demolitions.
Events in Alexandria Dockyard
11. The loading of merchant ships with naval, victualling, gunmounting, and armament stores took place throughout the day. Eight merchant ships were retained for the purpose.
12. Owing to the speed with which Operation DISCRETION (N) was brought into force, and Heads of Departments, due to security requirements, not having made the preparations beforehand, there was some dislocation in the Dockyard. Deliberate alarmist reports put out by fifth columnists contributed to the loss of many valuable stores by theft and looting. The rapid departure of many ratings and the staffs of some Departments, left buildings unguarded for a short period. In addition, many stores were taken on board minesweepers and small craft for eventual passage to Port Said; the majority of these were later recovered.
Loss of H.M.S. MEDWAY
13. At 0925 MEDWAY was struck in the engine room by three torpedoes and sank in thirteen minutes. 1105 survivors were picked up by ZULU and HERO and taken into Haifa and Port Said respectively. DIDO continued to Haifa with SIKH, EXMOOR, ALDENHAM, CROOME, and WESTCOTT. MEDWAY had onboard between 80 and 90 torpedoes. 47 of these were later recovered by ALDENHAM and small craft. About thirty ratings were lost; there were no officer casualties.
Wednesday, 1st July 1942
Alexandria
2. Ammunition in the port area was reduced to nine days notice for evacuation.
French Fleet
3. As a result of the German advance in Egypt, the movement of French ships from Alexandria became a question of some urgency.
Air Raids
4. During the night Alexandria was raided by a few aircraft. Some bombs were dropped but no naval damage was caused.
Operation HORNBLOWER
5. Stage three was reverted to four hours' notice.
Operation DISCRETION (N)
6. All staff at 201 Naval Cooperation Group and Villa Laurens remained at short notice to move, and gear was packed into lorries. The Ministry of War Transport, Middle East, and the Principal Sea Transport Officer, (Egypt)'s offices in Alexandria were closed down, being transferred to Suez.