The Laforey returned to the anchorage at 1315 [January 29], and we had no sooner hove-to in the swell, a mile off-shore, than a number of German heavy bombers attacked the port and off-shore anchorage. Two He. 177s dropped radio controlled bombs on Laforey. Captain Armstrong ordered full speed ahead as the bombs were spotted, and Laforey leaped ahead with a sudden surge of power and altered course to port and then starboard, as we sped away from the anchorage and the falling bombs. Two bombs dropped into the water just astern of Laforey and exploded with a terrific mass of water and spray some eighty yards away. Laforey had opened fire upon the guiding aircraft and, as our shells burst close to them, the planes dived off into the distance. However the German Luftwaffe had scored a hit on a merchant ship off "Peter Beach" and I watched her burning, blackening the sky with dense clouds of smoke. Flames flickered from her after well-deck, and at 1345 she blew up with a bright red-orange flash. With other ships, Laforey steamed slowly through the flotsam, searching for survivors, but there were none. Only oil-covered wreckage littered the calm surface of the sea.

About 1400, we accompanied the cruiser Spartan, with the Loyal, along the north coast of "Peter Beach," to bombard enemy targets. These were enemy transport moving along the Appian Way to Velletrie and Campoleone, and all told we carried out eight separate bombardments of these two towns. We ceased firing at 1600 and we made our way back to "Peter Beach". I watched the Army's shells falling with plumed explosions into the orchards about four miles inland. So far Laforey had fired about 500 rounds in bombardments during the day.

By 1700, we were back at Anzio, and Laforey took up position off-shore for A.A. guard duties for the evening. We were lying about 350 yards from the cruiser Spartan and we were both firing into the box barrage, as were most of the other ships at the anchorage. It was not yet dark and enemy and Allied planes were still distinguishable, as were the various naval and merchant ships which lay at the anchorage.

Just about this time I spotted a radio controlled-rocket bomb coming from a Do.217, and heading straight for Spartan. All our close-range weapons were directed towards the bomb, but it was travelling too fast for our fire to be accurate. I was able to see its red tail as it made for Spartan some 400 yards away. I watched helplessly as the bomb fell. I saw a bright flash as it exploded amidships, between the funnels, and a pillar of flame shot into the evening sky, momentarily lighting up Spartan. Several minutes later another rocket bomb hit her after turret¹ and again I heard the dull thud of the explosion. Serious fires were started and the Spartan quickly listed to port. By 1800 she was badly ablaze, and, as the flames grew higher, I saw men dashing along her heeling decks with hoses and other fire fighting equipment. Other men dived over the side into the water.

Laforey moved closer to the strickened ship, which had listed further to port. Already her stern was below water. The after turret glowed red hot and sultry red flames reflected from gathering clouds. Laforey lowered both whalers and the motor-boat to pick up survivors. HMS Barndale was also standing close by, ready to go alongside Spartan at first opportunity to take off the wounded menbers of her ship's company.

By 1840, the Spartan had listed some 70 degrees to port and I saw loose gear from her upper deck fall into the sea. Most of her ship's company had jumped overboard and were being picked up by small craft. Her list increased and her fires died down as water flooded her compartments. From across the still waters came cries of men as they struggled in the oil-covered waters. The faint glow of torches flickered here and there as boats made their way to them.

By 1910, Spartan lay almost on her beam ends and the water was lapping around her bridge. There were still a few intrepid sailors aboard her, helping wounded men to the boats alongside. Our motor-boat came alongside and took off her skipper, Captain McLaughlin. I saw a small cockle shell of a boat, a dinghy, containing one sailor, bobbing up and down close to the compass platform of the cruiser, searching for survivors. It was a queer sensation to watch the sea claim this once proud ship. The sea lapped over the upper-deck, which was now practically vertical and facing towards me.

By 1930, our scrambling nets which had been lowered over the side were swarming with oil-soaked survivors, and the first-aid and repair parties assisted them as they climbed inboard. There was considerable activity on board as the damage control parties dashed away for rum and blankets. Most of our ship remained closed-up in case of further attacks, but there were none.

By 1940, Spartan's bridge and upperworks were underwater and I watched her starboard bilge keel appear as she slowly rolled over. The sea broke over her keel and her rudders and propellers were clearly visible as she sank from sight. By 2000 Spartan was no more. I had watched the foaming waters surge over her keel as she vanished,².

The task of searching for her crew continued in the darkness and, as our mess-decks were crowded with survivors we moved away from the scene. Landing craft came alongside Laforey to take off Spartan's survivors and at 2030, with the destroyer Loyal, we left for a night patrol at sea.

1. Sired is, understandably in the circumstances, mistaken here. This explosion was in fact a secondary in-board explosion, probably torpedo warheads.

2. Again, in reality it was probably the darkness and not the sea that swallowed Spartan for, in fact, the ship's keel remained visible. A photo showing this is posted on the links page.