HMS Wild Goose (U45)

HMS Wild Goose (U45) was a Black Swan-class sloop of the Royal Navy. She was one of several ships of that class that took part in the famous "six in one trip" in 1943 (in which six U-boats were sunk in one patrol).

She was built at Yarrow shipyards in Scotstoun, Glasgow. She was launched on 14 October 1942.

On 22 May 1943 she was deployed on her first mission along with Wren, Woodpecker, Cygnet, Starling and Kite on anti-submarine operations supporting the outward passage of Atlantic Convoy ONS8.

On 18 December 1943 she was taken in hand for repair in Liverpool, redeploying at the end of January 1944.

On 31 January 1944 she sank U-592 with Starling and Magpie and later joined the Woodpecker and Kite, taking part in the sinking of U-762 (8 February 1944), U-238 & U-734 (9 February 1944), U-424 (11 February 1944) and U-653 (15 March 1944)

At the end of May 1944 she returned to Liverpool for more repairs, whilst here she was selected to take part in Operation Neptune to prevent U-Boat attacks on the D-Day invasion convoys. On 1 July 1944 she was released from Neptune and despatched to Belfast for refit, completing in September 1944.

During February and March 1945 she was deployed to the English Channel, taking part in the sinking of U-327 by Lauban and sinking U-683 herself. Following VE day on 6 May 1945 she was nominated for transfer to the British Pacific Fleet following her second refit. By the time the refit had completed in September 1945 the Japanese had surrendered and the Wild Goose was therefore surplus to requirements and was Paid off and reduced to reserve status.

She was later recommissioned in 1946 and deployed to the Persian Gulf, spending the rest of her service career in the Middle East before finally decommissioning in 1955.

The Wild Goose was sold for breaking up in February 1956, and arrived at the breakers at Bo’ness on the Firth of Forth near Edinburgh on 26 February 1956.