HMS Puma was a P-class destroyer of the Royal Navy that served during World War II. It was laid down in 1939 and commissioned in 1941. The ship was primarily involved in convoy escort duties in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, as well as participating in the North African campaign. HMS Puma was also part of the naval forces during the invasion of Sicily in 1943. The destroyer underwent repairs and modifications throughout its service, including a refit in 1944 to convert it into a long-range escort vessel. After the war, HMS Puma was decommissioned and sold for scrapping in 1947. The ship had a displacement of 1,850 tons and a top speed of 36 knots, powered by two sets of geared steam turbines. HMS Puma was armed with four 4.7-inch guns, four 2-pounder "pom-pom" anti-aircraft guns, and eight 21-inch torpedo tubes. The ship had a complement of around 176 officers and enlisted personnel. HMS Puma's service history highlights its contribution to Allied naval operations during WWII, showcasing the important role played by destroyers in escorting convoys, engaging enemy forces, and supporting amphibious landings.

This description has been generated using GPT-3.5-TURBO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.