HMS Loch Killin (K391)

HMS Loch Killin (K391) was a Loch-class frigate of the Royal Navy, named after Loch Killin in Scotland. The ship was laid down at Burntisland Shipbuilding Company's yard in Fife on 2 June 1943, and launched on 29 November 1943. She was one of the first vessels armed with the brand new Squid anti-submarine mortar. Decommissioned in September 1945, the ship was put into Reserve, and finally scrapped on 24 August 1960. She was captained during the war by Lieutenant-Commander S. Darling, DSC and Bar, RANVR.

1944
After sea trials and weapons tests in April and May 1944, Loch Killin joined the 2nd Escort Group (2 EG) on 1 June at Liverpool, and was soon deployed with the rest of 2 EG in the South-Western Approaches on anti-submarine operations, preventing U-boats attacking warships, assault convoys and escorts during the Normandy Landings.

Loch Killin had several successes against U-boats: Finally, on 13 August, Loch Killin returned to Liverpool to repair damage to her propeller sustained during the attack on U-736. After a refit Loch Killin was transferred to the 17th Escort Group based at Scapa Flow where for the rest of the year she carried out anti-submarine operations in the North-Western Approaches and the North Sea.
 * On 31 July 1944 together with HMS Starling (U66) she sank GERMAN SUBMARINE U-333 in the North Atlantic west of the Isles of Scilly, in position 49.65°N, -7.46667°W, with the Squid anti-submarine mortar. This was the first successful use of the Squid system.
 * On 6 August 1944 she sank GERMAN SUBMARINE U-736 in the Bay of Biscay west of Saint-Nazaire, in position 47.31667°N, -4.26667°W, with depth charges.
 * On 9 August 2 EG and Liberator aircraft from No. 53 Squadron RAF, south-west of St. Nazaire, in position 46.3°N, -3.087°W, forced GERMAN SUBMARINE U-608 to surface and scuttle herself.
 * On 11 August, Loch Killin took part in attacks on GERMAN SUBMARINE U-385, which was later sunk by a Sunderland from No. 641 Squadron RAF.

1945
In January and February 1945 Loch Killin was detached for service in the English Channel providing convoy escort and support for short periods, before the rest of 17 EG was transferred to Plymouth for support duty in the Channel in April. On 15 April 1945 Loch Killin sank GERMAN SUBMARINE U-1063 in the English Channel west of Land's End, in position 50.14833°N, -3.89°W, with gunfire and depth charges.

After the German surrender in May 1945 Loch Killin and 17 EG returned to the Clyde. In June the ship was transferred to the Rosyth Escort Force to escort convoys to Norway, paying visits to Stavanger, Bergen and Trondheim. In September Loch Killin sailed to Dartmouth to decommission.

Decommissioning and disposal
After her stores and supplies were removed Loch Killin was put into the Reserve on 7 November 1945 as a Category "B" vessel. The ship was later transferred to Plymouth, and nominated for modernisation, but this was cancelled in June 1951. The ship was transferred to the Reserve Fleet at Penarth in June 1956, and finally placed on the Disposal List on 12 April 1960. The ship was sold for demolition by J. Cashmere of Newport, and the ship was towed to the breaker's yard on 24 August 1960.