U-77 reported a destroyer sunk after its torpedo blew off Kimberley's stern. Kimberley survived and was towed to Alexandria, then underwent a prolonged repair that also took her to Bombay. Work occupied much of 1942 and 1943 before she returned to service in 1944. Her recovery explains the joke about Britain having a secret destroyer factory: ships counted as destroyed could reappear after major repairs. The overseas repair network returned an existing fleet destroyer to active service despite severe damage.
Chapter · 43:58-45:51
HMS Kimberley survived through repair infrastructure
After a U-boat torpedo destroyed her stern, HMS Kimberley returned through Alexandria and Bombay repair facilities to resume wartime service.