North Atlantic Squadron

 Away, away with the pipes and drums!
Here we come, we're full of rum!
We're looking for women to paddle our bums, 
The North Atlantic Squadron!

We certainly sang that lustily enough in our 14 year old innocence as we marched along in the summer heat. The verses, if you're familiar, describe the sexual (mis)adventures of the Cabin Boy. Most of which, I doubt we really understood. 

Tribal class destroyers and Flower class Corvettes served mostly in the North Sea and Atlantic, so these ships pushed me to attempt some Western Approaches camouflage. Some blue and green would be a break from grey at any rate. Ironically, the green is called "RLM Grey." 

They also gave me the opportunity to add some RCN vessels to the collection. 

Ready aye! RCN units join the battle.

Of course I had to include HMCS Haida, "the fightingest ship in the Navy!" Under the command of Harry de Wolfe, she served with other Tribals in the 10th Destroyer Flotilla, chewing up German coastal forces in the Bay of Biscay and the English Channel. You can visit her in Hamilton, Ontario. 

The Tribals were designed for aggressive action and defeating enemy fleet destroyers. Destroyer Captains were picked for their aggressive style and Tribal Captains were the most aggressive of the lot. I submit the Second Battle of Narvik as proof. Possibly the Third, if you count the German's brief action with the Norwegian Coastal Forces as the First.

Drachinfel describes the Tribals as "floating lunatic asylums" and the 10th Flotilla as particularly mad.

As a patriotic Canadian I had to get some Flower class Corvettes as well. These can stand in for any minesweepers I might need as well. I almost named one HMS Bramble. 

HMS Peony, Hyacinth, Gloxinia, and Salvia all served with Force H and escorted Malta convoys.

HMCS Sackville has also been preserved so I had to name one of the corvettes after her. I named the other HMCS Rimouski because that name has always amused me ever since Canadian Geography in High School. 

A 25% off closing out sale at Wargaming 3D has prompted me to buy the Germans ahead of schedule. So hopefully by September I'll be getting into some hot North Sea and Bay of Biscay action.

Cadets aren't allowed to sing songs like North Atlantic Squadron any more. Which is probably for the best. Now they march along to more wholesome songs from the Scouting program.