IBG 70005 HMS Middleton 1943 Hunt II class destroyer escort

HMS Middleton (L74) was a British WWII destroyer. The keel for this unit was laid in 1940, and the launch took place in May 1941. The total length of the ship at the time of launching was 85.34 meters and a width of 9.62 meters. Full displacement reached approx. 1,600 tons, and the maximum speed was approx. 27 knots. The armament included 6 102 mm guns in three twin turrets, 4 40 mm cannons, and depth charges.

HMS Middleton was one of the Hunt II class destroyers. This type of units was built in connection with the Royal Navy's desire to acquire two basic types of destroyers in the late 1930s: the first type was to be a typical destroyer with strong weapons, adapted to work with other, larger ships, and the second type - the Hunt - it was to be smaller and dedicated to escort tasks and ZOP activities (fighting submarines). The Hunt II type was a development of the Hunt I type. Compared to its predecessor, it was primarily characterized by stronger anti-submarine weapons and an increased width. HMS Middleton began his combat career by participating in convoys operating in the North Atlantic, headed towards Iceland and the USSR. He performed this service mainly in the years 1942-1943. In 1942, he also covered a convoy headed towards Malta. In 1944 he was transferred to the cover of Atlantic convoys. In the same year, he participated in the activities related to the Allied landing in Normandy. It ended its combat operations by patrolling the waters of the English Channel and the North Sea. After the end of World War II, he was transferred to the reserve. In 1958 it was scrapped.