Name Jumna Ordered 8 September 1939 Commissioned 13 May 1941 Construction started 20 February 1940 Length 91 m | Namesake Yamuna River Laid down 20 February 1940 Class and type Black Swan-class sloop Launched 16 November 1940 Draft 3.4 m | |
Builder William Denny and Brothers | ||
HMIS Jumna (U21) was a Black Swan-class sloop, which served in the Royal Indian Navy (RIN) during World War II.
After India became a republic on 26 January 1950, the vessel was renamed as the Indian Navy's INS Jamuna.
History
HMIS Jumna was ordered in 1939, and built by William Denny and Brothers. She was commissioned in 1941, and with World War II underway, was immediately deployed as a convoy escort. Jumna served as an anti-aircraft escort during the Java Sea campaign in early 1942, and was involved in intensive anti-aircraft action against attacking Japanese twin-engined level bombers and dive bombers, claiming five aircraft downed from 24–28 February 1942:
"Chief Ordnance Artificer, Cajetan Mascarenhas was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his part in defending the convoy against the Japanese aircraft which attacked it in the Sunda Strait. The citation in the London Gazette said that he had carried out repairs to guns during dive-bombing and machine-gun attacks, and had shown great devotion to duty. Leading Seaman Khan Mohammed, who displayed skill and initiative in engaging the Japanese with an Oerlikon gun was also awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. The Gunnery Officer, Lieut. A.J.V. LeCocq, R.I.N.V.R., was decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross and six of the Jumna's ratings were mentioned in Despatches, having shown "devotion to duty during heavy and continuous dive-bombing attacks".
In early January 1945, she was deployed with HMIS Narbada to support the landing of the 74th Indian Brigade of the British Indian Army on the Akyab Peninsula, as a part of Operation Lightning. Jumna and Narbada engaged Japanese batteries up the Kaladan River near Ponnagyun. After embarking troops, she joined Task Force 64 headed by HMS Phoebe for support of landing by 3rd British Commando Brigade between Akyab and Ramree with the destroyer HMS Napier and HMIS Narbada.