HMS Bickerton (K466)


HMS Bickerton was a of the TE type during World War II. Named after Sir Richard Bickerton commander of at the First Battle of Ushant during the American Revolutionary War.
Originally this ship was provisionally given the name USS Eisele however the delivery was diverted to the Royal Navy before launch. The Commanding Officers were Lieutenant EM Thorpe RN and Commander D. MacIntyre,.

Construction and career

Bickerton served exclusively with the 5th Escort Group earning battle honours for service in the Arctic, North Atlantic, off Normandy and in the English Channel.
On 6 May 1944, the German submarine was sunk in the North Atlantic — in position — by depth charges from Bickerton, operating alongside two Fairey Swordfish of the escort carrier and frigates and. Of the crew of U-765, 37 died and 11 survived.
On 25 June, was sunk in the English Channel south-east of Torquay — in position — by depth charges from Bickerton. Of the crew of U-269, 13 died and 39 survived.

Sinking

Bickerton was escorting the second group of escort carriers from the Home Fleet, which covered the convoy JW 59 and launched further attacks on the German battleship in Altenfjord. Before the group was able to launch an attack on Tirpitz, encountered them on her search for the convoy northwest of the North Cape in the Barents Sea. At about 01:00 on 22 August, U-354 badly damaged Nabob with a pattern-running FAT torpedo spread. The U-boat then tried to sink her at 01:22 with a GNAT homing torpedo, which struck Bickerton. She was subsequently scuttled by a torpedo from at position.