HMIS Indus


HMIS Indus was a of the Royal Indian Navy launched in 1934 and sunk during the Second World War in 1942. She was a slightly enlarged version of other vessels in the Grimsby class. She was named after the Indus River. Indus served mainly as an escort vessel, and she was therefore lightly armed. Her pennant number was changed to U67 in 1940.

History

Indus was a part of the Eastern Fleet during the war.
In March 1942, British Indian Army and British Army troops from Rangoon had to be withdrawn, as they were overwhelmed by the superior numbers as well as the air command of the Japanese. Akyab was the next port to be attacked by the Japanese in April. Despite this, the Flag-Officer-Commanding of the Eastern Fleet refused to withdraw Indus and from the anti-infiltration patrol off Akyab.

Fate

On 6 April 1942, Indus was bombed and sunk by Japanese Mitsubishi G3M bombers off Akyab, Burma in position. She suffered 3 direct bomb hits and sank in 35 minutes. There was no loss of life to her crew although 10 were injured.

Commanding officers

Indus commanding officers during her service were: