Operation Y (i)

'Y' (i) was the British slow convoy operation, in tandem with the 'Z' (ii) fast convoy, for the 'Ironclad' undertaking against the Vichy French island of Madagascar (25 April/5 May 1942).

On 25 April the 'Y' (i) convoy departed Durban in South Africa with two special landing ships, six supply ships, one fleet oiler and one hospital ship under escort of the heavy cruiser Devonshire, three destroyers, the lighter warships of the 3rd Escort Group, and the 14th Minesweeping Flotilla. The 'Y' (i) convoy later met the 'Z' (ii) convoy and other vessels for the launch of 'Ironclad'.