The Last Commission:

Naples & On Passage

16-27 October 1978

The visit to Naples on the 16^th October was the first of our four ports of call during our last few weeks of the deployment. Many of us had enjoyed Naples last year and were looking forward to this year’s visit. As before, Detours in conjunction with Aloschi Brothers, organised a number of  sight seeing tours. Although not as popular as last year the tours to Rome, Capri, Pompei and the Amalfi Coast were well supported. A large number arranged their own visits using local forms of transport to get about and besides those places already mentioned ARK ROYALS visited Herculaneum, the Volcano of Solfatara and the many museums and other places of interest in the Naples areas.

During our stay it was quite warm, and although we experienced rain most days the majority of us were not deterred from going ashore. The bars, cafes, shops and narrow back streets were fascinating places and never seemed to lose their appeal, but were you “ripped off”?

The sporting scene was kept to a minimum after the experience gained from the previous visit. Nevertheless a fair number of competitive games were played during the week and the sports afternoon with the WRNS from NAVSOUTH proved very popular with honours fairly evenly distributed.

The official functions were many and varied, and the number of VIP visitors during the week were numerous. The large contingent of British forces personnel in the Naples area ensured that ARK ROYALS had an enjoyable time during their last visit to Naples.

Before sailing on Saturday 21^st October we welcomed Admiral of the Fleet Sir Michael Pollock, GCB, MVO, DSC and the Judge Advocate of the Fleet, Mr W M Howard QC, who were to be  with us until Athens. As we bade farewell to Naples at 1100A in company with our RESOURCE, each of us had our own personal memories of the area and by the comments that were made, these were many and varied. Once clear of the harbour two Sea Kings of 824 Squadron flew to  RFA OLWEN for an “acquaint detachment” but they were to return to mother on the 25^th. As the group of ships headed southwards towards the toe of Italy a large RAS took place during the afternoon and we all passed through the Straits of  Messina during the night of 21/22 October.  Our operating area for several days was to the east and southeast of Sicily and during this period the fixed wing flew many sorties enabling the aircrew to keep in practice. The Sea Kings left on board returned to their popular role of HDS ensuring that we received mail on a regular basis.

On Monday 23^rd, FOCAS, Rear Admiral Herbert embarked and flew his flag for the last time in HMS ARK ROYAL. During this short period at sea he managed to get airborne in a Phantom and a Buccaneer and along with the other visitors enjoyed his stay.

During the night of the 25^th after re-embarking the two Sea Kings from OLWEN the group set off on passage across the Ionian Sea and by the morning of the 26^th were off Kalamata in Southwest Greece where we spent the remainder of the day. A number of senior officers of the Hellenic Armed Force s arrived on board during the afternoon by courtesy of 824 Squadron, and along with us they witnessed the air display and fire power demonstration given by the Air Group. As usual we watched a first class air show which included aerobatics and the rocketing and bombing of targets using live ammunition. This performance by the Squadrons was the last time we would see such a memorable display and on completion our visitors must have left ARK ROYAL with the feeling that the Royal Navy was a force to be reckoned with

Admiral of the Fleet Sir Michael Pollock, GCB, MVO, DSC

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