RN:
An RN destroyer seen from an Italian torpedo-bomber, spring 1942
HMS Kent, first of the County class heavy cruisers, shown in her mid-war configuration c. 1943
J class destroyer and flotilla leader HMS
Jarvis. Despite an impressive war record (she earned 13 battle honours) she remains virtually unknown compared to her sister, HMS
Kelly
Jervis had a reputation as a lucky ship (in contrast to her sister,
Kelly, who seemed to have more than her share of bad luck). Despite a long and active career, in 5½ years of war and 13 major actions, not one of her crew was lost to enemy action, possibly a unique record. An example of her luck might be seen in her action at Anzio in January 1944. Supporting the landing with gunfire,
Jervis and her sister ship,
Janus, were attacked by enemy aircraft using
Henschel Hs 293 glider bombs. Both were hit;
Janus’ forward magazine exploded, sinking her with the loss of nearly 160 of her crew;
Jervis’ bow was blown off, leaving her to be towed stern-first to safety. Astonishingly, not one of her crew was harmed in this incident, and she was able to rescue over 80 of
Janus’ crew.
