The 14th/17th Minesweeper Flotilla was a Royal Navy minesweeper flotilla based in Malta during the Second World War.

History

The flotilla comprised four fleet minesweeper)s from the Devonport based 14th M/S Flotilla – two Halcyon-class minesweeper (HMS Speedy (J17) and HMS Hebe (J24)) and two Bangor-class minesweeper (HMS Rye (J76) and HMS Hythe (J194)). The four vessels were detached from 14th M/S Flotilla in 1942 and designated 17th M/S Flotilla on arrival in Gibraltar. The flotilla commander was Cdr Doran RN in HMS Speedy. The flotilla proceeded to Malta in June 1942 as part of the Malta Convoy Operation Harpoon. The four sweepers cleared the approaches to Grand Harbour and led the Harpoon convoy into Malta. During its service in Malta the flotilla was known as 14th/17th Minesweeper Flotilla. The flotilla participated in the famous Malta Convoy Operation Pedestal during August 1942, which included the rescue of the oil tanker SS Ohio, for which Lt J. A. Pearson of HMS Rye was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. 14th/17th Minesweeper Flotilla, Malta, August 1942

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