HMS Virago (R75)

HMS Virago (R75) was an V-class destroyer of the British Royal Navy that saw service during World War II. She was later converted into a Type 15 fast anti-submarine frigate, with the new pennant number F76.

Second World War service
In addition to escorting the perilous Arctic convoys during 1943-44, Virago participated with other British destroyers in the Battle of North Cape on December 26, 1943, where her torpedoes sank the badly beaten GERMAN BATTLESHIP Scharnhorst, following a fierce fight between the battleship and HMS Duke of York. During the invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944 she fired on German positions behind Lion Sur Mer on Sword beach, and late gave cover fire for troops advancing inland.

Transferred to the Eastern Fleet in early 1945, she patrolled the Malacca Straight and supported Operation Dracula off the coast of Burma in late April 1945. Virago subsequently participated in the Battle of the Malacca Strait with HMS Saumarez, Verulam, Venus and Vigilant which culminated in the sinking of the Japanese heavy cruiser Haguro on 16 May 1945. This was a textbook destroyer night action, and was the last naval gun battle of World War II. Virago participated in preparations for Operation Zipper (the invasion of Malaya) in July/August 1945, and its eventual execution as a reoccupation maneuver in September 1945 following the surrender of Japan. Based in Hong Kong with the British Pacific Fleet after VJ day, Virago returned to Chatham (UK) in December 1945.

Throughout her wartime commission, Virago was under the command of Lt. Cdr. Archibald John Ramsay White (1910-1991).

Post War service
In 1946, Virago and HMS Venus (R50) participated in the rescue of crew from the British tanker SS Empire Cross, which caught fire, exploded and sank at Haifa, Palestine, with the loss of up to 25 lives. In 1953 she took part in the Fleet Review to celebrate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.