HMS ''Woodcock'' was built by Fairfields at Govan; laid down on 21 October 1941, launched on 26 November 1942, and completed 29 May 1943. She was the fifth Royal Naval vessel to carry this name.

Construction and career

On completion, she joined the

2nd Support Group The 2nd Escort Group (2 EG) was a British anti-submarine formation of the Royal Navy which saw action during the Second World War, principally in the Battle of the Atlantic. 2 EG was formed in April 1943, one of five such support groups formed a ...

and operated in the Atlantic Ocean until May 1944, sinking the on 6 November 1943. She then moved to the English Channel in May 1944, intending to take part in the

Normandy landings The Normandy landings were the landing operations and associated airborne operations on Tuesday, 6 June 1944 of the Allied invasion of Normandy in Operation Overlord during World War II. Codenamed Operation Neptune and often referred to as ...

. However, she collided with the destroyer on 27 May 1944, and repairs took until December 1944. The work included changes to fit her for service in the Pacific Ocean, and she joined the British Pacific Fleet at Manus 5 March 1945. She was present in Tokyo Bay on Victory over Japan Day (2 September 1945) when the Japanese Instrument of Surrender was signed on board the battleship . ''Woodcock'' remained in the Pacific Ocean until late 1946 when she returned to the UK to be put into reserve at West Hartlepool. She was sold for breaking up in November 1955 and was scrapped at Rosyth.

Construction and career

See also

References

Further reading