HMS Balfour (K464)

HMS Balfour was a Buckley class Captains class frigate during World War II.

General information

 * Pennant (UK): K 464
 * Pennant (US): DE 73
 * Built by: Bethlehem-Hingham Shipyard Inc. (Hingham, Massachusetts, U.S.A.)

Naming
Named after George Balfour commander of HMS Conqueror (1773) at the Battle of the Saintes during the American Revolutionary War.

Originally destined for the US Navy HMS Balfour was provisionally given the name USS McAnn (later this name was reassigned to DE 179) however the delivery was diverted to the Royal Navy before the launch.

Commanding Officers
Commanding Officers were Lt Cdr C D B Coventry RN on commissioning with Cdr C Gwinner RN (Senior Officer 1st Escort Group) taking over after the loss of HMS Affleck (K462) on 26 December 1944 when HMS Balfour became the lead ship for the 1st Escort Group.

Actions
HMS Balfour served with both the 1st Escort Group and 18th Escort Group earning battle honours for service in the North Atlantic, off Normandy and in the English Channel.

On 25 June 1944 HMS Balfour with HMS Affleck (K462) attacked a submarine believed to be U-1191 by the use of depth charges, this resulted in the sinking of the submarine with the loss all hands. This action took place 25 nmi south of Start Point. The Kriegsmarine had U-1191 listed as missing (no radio contact) since 12 June 1944.

On 18 July 1944 HMS Balfour attacked the submarine U-672 by the use of depth charges, damaging U-672 so badly that it was forced to surface and the crew to abandon ship. U-672 sank before HMS Balfour could launch a sea boat (for a boarding party). All hands (52 crew and officers) were rescued and spent the rest of the war as prisoners of war. This action took place in the English Channel north of Guernsey at position 50.05°N, -2.5°W.