HMS Havant
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The
destroyer Javary was laid down at J.Samuel White & Co
in East Cowes for the Brazilian Navy in March 1938. She
was launched in July 1939, and after the outbreak of world
war two she was bought by Royal Navy and renamed HMS
Havant. She was commissioned in December 1939, and
participated as an escort for the Allied forces when
Norway was invaded by the German's in April 1940, and took
part under the British occupation of Iceland the month
after. In May 1940 the Allied forces were surrounded at
the city of Dunquerque, and it was decided to evacuate as
many as possible. Havant arrived 29. May and evacuated
over 2000 soldiers in the following two days. On her way
over to Dover on the morning 1. June she was attacked by
German JU87 Stuka airplanes and hit by three bombs. She
was taken under tow but later that same day she had to be
abandoned and was sunk by fire from the British
minesweeper HMS Saltash. The wreck rest today on a depth
of 25 meter outside the French city of Dunkirk.
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| 51.08 N 02.16 E ( Source: Naval History )  Picture: HMS Havant Courtesy of Stfaith |
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