Laid down (51)

1918: Destroyer Ward (DD 139)

1920: Light cruiser Cincinnati (CL 6)

1933: Submarine Clyde (N 12) - Destroyer Forester (H 74) - Destroyer Macdonough (DD 351)

1935: Destroyer Havock (H 43)

1936: Destroyer Besposhchadny

1939: Sloop Warrego (L 73 / U 73)

1940: Escort destroyer Badsworth (L 03) - Escort destroyer Arendal (L 03) - Anti-aircraft cruiser San Juan (CL 54) - Submarine M-102

1941: Minesweeper Orissa (J 200) - Minesweeper Clydebank (J 200) - Escort Carrier Hunter (ii) (D 80) - Submarine Amberjack (i) (219) - Escort carrier Block Island (i) (CVE 8) - Submarine Halibut (232) - Minesweeper YMS-108 (YMS-108) - Minesweeper YMS-121 (YMS-121) - Minesweeper YMS-122 (YMS-122)

1942: Minesweeper BYMS 2070 (J 870) - Submarine chaser SC-693 (SC-693)

1943: Destroyer Athabaskan (ii) (R 79) - Motor Torpedo Boat MTB 396 (MTB 396) - Motor Torpedo Boat MTB 397 (MTB 397) - Submarine Verve (P 28) - Destroyer Escort Durant (DE 389) - Destroyer Escort Lansing (DE 388) - Patrol craft PC-1240 (PC-1240) - Patrol craft PCS-1386 (PCS-1386) - Submarine Pilotfish (386) - Motor torpedo boat PT 378 - Motor torpedo boat PT 384 - Motor torpedo boat PT 385

1944: Minelayer Whitethroat (M 03) - Sloop Actaeon (U 07) - Tank landing ship LST 3029 (LST 3029) - Minesweeper Polaris (J 447) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-631 (LCI(L)-631) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-632 (LCI(L)-632) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-689 (LCI(L)-689) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-766 (LCI(L)-766) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-767 (LCI(L)-767) - Landing craft tank LCT 1294 (LCT 1294) - Landing craft tank LCT 701 (LCT 701) - Medium landing ship LSM 152 (LSM 152) - Medium landing ship LSM 153 (LSM 153) - Tank landing ship LST 1028 (LST 1028) - Tank landing ship LST 1029 (LST 1029)

1945: Motor torpedo boat PT 763

Launched (47)

1930: MS Trawler Laurel (T 29)

1934: Submarine M-22

1935: Submarine L-7

1937: ASW Trawler Wellard (FY 137) - Destroyer Warrington (i) (DD 383)

1941: Corvette Sackville (K 181) - MS Trawler Moa (T 233) - Corvette Coltsfoot (K 140) - Motor torpedo boat PT 27

1942: Rescue Tug Lariat (W 17) - Seaplane tender Coos Bay (AVP 25) - Escort carrier Core (CVE 13) - Light cruiser Mobile (CL 63) - Patrol craft PC-546 (PC-546) - Submarine chaser SC-722 (SC-722) - Minesweeper YMS-48 (YMS-48)

1943: Minesweeper BYMS 2077 (J 877) - Patrol vessel Kilbride (Z 02) - Landing Craft Tank LCT 631 (LCT 631) - Motor Torpedo Boat MTB 371 (MTB 371) - Rescue Tug Patroclus (W 118) - Destroyer Escort Ira Jeffery (DE 63) - Patrol craft PC-1171 (PC-1171) - Patrol craft PC-1238 (PC-1238) - Patrol craft PCE-894 (PCE-894) - Destroyer Escort Peterson (DE 152) - Motor torpedo boat PT 344 - Fleet tug Quapaw (AT 110) - Submarine chaser SC-1286 (SC-1286) - Submarine chaser SC-1301 (SC-1301) - Submarine chaser SC-1308 (SC-1308) - Submarine chaser SC-1323 (SC-1323) - Submarine chaser SC-756 (SC-756)

1944: Corvette Thorlock (K 394) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-614 (LCI(L)-614) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-686 (LCI(L)-686) - Landing Craft Support LCS(L)-1 (LCS(L)-1) - Landing craft tank LCT 1294 (LCT 1294) - Landing craft tank LCT 1297 (LCT 1297) - Landing craft tank LCT 699 (LCT 699) - Landing craft tank LCT 834 (LCT 834) - Tank landing ship LST 567 (LST 567) - Tank landing ship LST 617 (LST 617)

1945: Frigate Herne Bay (K 611) - Repair ship Amphion (AR 13) - Motor torpedo boat PT 602 - Motor torpedo boat PT 613

Commissioned (74)

1918: Destroyer Wrestler (D 35) - Destroyer tender Black Hawk (AD 9) - Destroyer Sigourney (i) (DD 81)

1919: Minesweeper Cormorant (AM 40)

1920: Fleet tug Algorma (AT 34)

1930: Submarine Narwhal (167)

1935: Destroyer Foresight (H 68)

1936: Submarine ShCh-125

1939: Motor Anti-Submarine Boat MA/SB 2 (MA/SB 2)

1940: Destroyer Buck (DD 420)

1941: Corvette Fennel (K 194) - Corvette Galt (K 163) - Corvette Hepatica (K 159) - Corvette Mayflower (K 191) - Motor Launch ML 191 (ML 191) - Aircraft Carrier Victorious (38) - Battleship Washington (BB 56)

1942: Corvette Brantford (K 218) - Motor Launch ML 064 (ML 064) - Motor Launch ML 065 (ML 065) - Minesweeper Noranda (J 265) - MS Trawler Sir Tristam (T 229) - Patrol craft PC-464 (PC-464) - Patrol craft PC-551 (PC-551) - Submarine Wahoo (238) - Minesweeper YMS-77 (YMS-77)

1943: ASW Trawler Bombardier (T 304) - Minesweeper BYMS 2148 (J 948) - Minelayer Miner VIII (M 98) - Corvette Ape - Corvette Baionetta - Corvette Scimitarra - Destroyer Escort Bebas (DE 10) - Destroyer Izard (DD 589) - Destroyer Escort Le Hardy (DE 20) - Tank landing ship LST 19 (LST 19) - Tank landing ship LST 205 (LST 205) - Tank landing ship LST 481 (LST 481) - Patrol craft PC-599 (PC-599) - Submarine chaser SC-1271 (SC-1271)

1944: Harbour Defence Motor Launch HDML 1109 (ML 1109) - Minesweeper Providence (ii) (J 325) - Frigate Tortola (K 595) - Submarine Upshot (P 82) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-1064 (LCI(L)-1064) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-610 (LCI(L)-610) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-684 (LCI(L)-684) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-757 (LCI(L)-757) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-980 (LCI(L)-980) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-981 (LCI(L)-981) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-983 (LCI(L)-983) - Medium landing ship LSM 204 (LSM 204) - Tank landing ship LST 561 (LST 561) - Tank landing ship LST 609 (LST 609) - Tank landing ship LST 610 (LST 610) - Tank landing ship LST 611 (LST 611) - Tank landing ship LST 693 (LST 693) - Tank landing ship LST 739 (LST 739) - Tank landing ship LST 740 (LST 740) - Patrol craft PCE(R)-851 (PCE(R)-851) - Oiler Ponaganset (AO 86) - Destroyer Escort Rudderow (DE 224) - Submarine chaser SC-1498 (SC-1498) - Submarine chaser SC-1507 (SC-1507)

1945: Corvette Gondwana (ii) (K 348) - Harbour Defence Motor Launch HDML 1315 (ML 1315) - Tank landing ship LST 3007 (LST 3007) - Tank landing ship LST 3507 (LST 3507) - Repair Ship Mull of Galloway (F 26) - Dock landing ship Colonial (LSD 18) - High speed transport Earle B. Hall (APD 107) - Tank landing ship LST 1078 (LST 1078) - Light cruiser Providence (CL 82)

1946: Salvage vessel Recovery (ARS 43)

1940: Destroyer Valentine (i) (L 69) - Minelayer Hydra

1941: Destroyer Leon (D 50)

1942: Light cruiser Trinidad (46)

More information on Allied Warships losses.

1940

Heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland: HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) fuelled from the RFA tanker Arndale (8296 GRT, built 1937) near Ilhabella, Brazil. On completion of fuelling HMS Cumberland set course to proceed to Simonstown, South Africa.

Heavy cruiser HMS Dorsetshire: For the daily positions of HMS Dorsetshire during the period of 15 to 25 May 1940 see the map below.

Heavy cruiser HMS Dorsetshire: HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN) and HMS Dorsetshire (Capt. B.C.S. Martin, RN) departed Freetown for Gibraltar.

Light cruiser HMS Ceres: Around 0830GH/15, HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) and HMS Colombo (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) arrived back at Singapore from patrol.

Heavy cruiser HMS Hawkins: Around 1020Q/15, HMS Hawkins (Cdr.(Retd.) W.A. Whitaker, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral Sir H. Harwood, KCB, OBE, RN) arrived at Port Stanley, Falkland Islands from patrol.

Light cruiser HMAS Perth: HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) departed Port Jackson to patrol off the coast of New South Wales. Also gunnery exercises were carried out.

Light cruiser HMS Glasgow: After de-ammunitioning, HMS Glasgow (Capt. F.H. Pegram, RN) is taken in hand for refit at Birkenhead at the Grayson Rollo and Clover ship repair and dry dock facility.

Light cruiser HMS Sheffield: HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) conducted D/G trials in the Firth of Forth.

Submarine HNMS O 23: HrMs Willem van der Zaan (Lt. Cdr. H.D. Lindner RNN), HrMs O 9 (Lt. J. Metz, RNN), HrMs O 10 (Lt. G. Quint, RNN(R)), HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G. Koudijs, RNN) and HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) all departed the Downs for Porstmouth where they arrived the next day.

Submarine HNMS O 24: HrMs Willem van der Zaan (Lt. Cdr. H.D. Lindner RNN), HrMs O 9 (Lt. J. Metz, RNN), HrMs O 10 (Lt. G. Quint, RNN(R)), HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G. Koudijs, RNN) and HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) all departed the Downs for Porstmouth where they arrived the next day.

Submarine HNMS O 15: HrMs O 15 (Lt. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) shifted from Kralendijk, Bonaire to Willemstad, Curacao. During the coming period a self refit was conducted by the crew of O 15.

Submarine HNMS O 9: HrMs Willem van der Zaan (Lt. Cdr. H.D. Lindner RNN), HrMs O 9 (Lt. J. Metz, RNN), HrMs O 10 (Lt. G. Quint, RNN(R)), HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G. Koudijs, RNN) and HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) all departed the Downs for Porstmouth where they arrived the next day.

Submarine HNMS O 10: HrMs Willem van der Zaan (Lt. Cdr. H.D. Lindner RNN), HrMs O 9 (Lt. J. Metz, RNN), HrMs O 10 (Lt. G. Quint, RNN(R)), HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G. Koudijs, RNN) and HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) all departed the Downs for Porstmouth where they arrived the next day.

Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Queen of Bermuda: Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) departed the River Plate focal area to proceed to the Rio de Janeiro focal area to patrol in that vicinity (area K 32).

Submarine HMS Otway: HMS Otway (Lt.Cdr. D.E. Mansfield, RN) conducted exercises off Portsmouth.

Submarine HMS Osiris: HMS Osiris (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) conducted exercises off Alexandria.

Submarine HMS Oswald: HMS Oswald (Lt.Cdr. D.A. Fraser, RN) departed Malta for Alexandria.

Submarine HMS Parthian: HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, RN) conducted exercises off Alexandria.

Submarine HMS Phoenix: HMS Phoenix (Lt.Cdr. G.H. Nowell, RN) conducted exercises off Alexandria.

Submarine HMS Proteus: HMS Proteus (Lt.Cdr. R.T. Gordon-Duff, RN) was undocked.

Submarine HMS Pandora: HMS Pandora (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Linton, RN) conducted exercises off Alexandria.

Submarine HMS Clyde: HMS Clyde (Lt.Cdr. D.C. Ingram, RN) is ordered to return to base.

Submarine HMS Porpoise: HMS Porpoise (Cdr. P.Q. Roberts, RN), lays minefield FD 11 (48 mines) off Kalvag, Norway near position 61°44'N, 04°54'E. While maneuvering into position Porpoise grounded twice, at 1019 and 1138 hours. Details of the minelay were as follows The mines were laid in the following positions: Line A First mine laid at 1045 hours Position of the first mine: 61°44'40"N, 04°59'20"N Course of the lay: 250° Number of mines: 24 Distance between the mines: 150 feet Line C First mine laid at 1140 hours Position of the first mine: 61°42'25"N, 04°55'55"N Course of the lay: 225° Number of mines: 9 Distance between the mines: 150 feet Line B First mine laid at 1448 hours Position of the first mine: 61°38'26"N, 04°52'45"N Course of the lay: 090° Number of mines: 15 Distance between the mines: 150 feet This minefield caused the loss of the Swedish merchant Sonja (1828 GRT, built 1923) see 10 June 1940 entry).

Submarine HMS Rorqual: HMS Rorqual (Lt.Cdr R.H. Dewhurst, RN) arrived at Port Said. She departed for Alexandria later the same day.

Submarine HMS Sunfish: HMS Sunfish (Lt.Cdr. J.E. Slaughter, DSO, RN) ended her 10th war patrol at Harwich.

Submarine HMS Taku: Around 0830A/15, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Rosyth.

Submarine HMS Tigris: Tigris (Lt.Cdr. H.F. Bone, RN) is docked at Portsmouth.

Submarine HMS Triad: Around 1206A/15, HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. E.R.J. Oddie, RN) stops the Danish fishing trawler Siscator (33 GRT) in position 54°36'N, 04°00'E. (The Danish trawler was fishing from the Dutch port of IJmuiden). After inspection she was allowed to proceed.

Submarine HMS H 43: HMS H 43 (Lt. G.R. Colvin, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Plymouth.

Light cruiser HMS Bonaventure (i): At 0800 hours, Bonaventure, was commissioned at Greenock with Capt. H.J. Egerton, RN in command. Due to a shortage in the supply of the new 5.25" gun turrets, HMS Bonaventure was completed with a starshell gun in the position of the 'X' turret. Her main armament therefore was only 8 5.25" guns.

Battleship HMS Royal Sovereign: Fleet exercises were carried out of Alexandria in which the following warships are thought to have participated; battleships HMS Warspite (Capt. D.B. Fisher, OBE, RN, flying the flag of A/Admiral Sir A.B. Cunningham, KCB, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Royal Sovereign (Capt. H.B. Jacomb, RN), heavy cruisers Duquesne (Capt. G.E. Besineau), Tourville (Capt. A.J.A. Marloy), light cruisers HMS Neptune (Capt. J.A.V. Morse, DSO, RN), HMS Orion (Capt. G.R.B. Back, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral J.C. Tovey, CB, DSO, RN), HMS Delhi (Capt. A.S. Russell, RN), HMS Dragon (Capt. R.G. Bowes-Lyon, MVO, RN), Duguay Trouin (Capt. J.M.C. Trolley de Prevaux), destroyers HMAS Stuart (Cdr. H.M.L. Waller, RAN), HMAS Vampire (Lt.Cdr. J.A. Walsh, RAN, HMAS Vendetta (Lt. R. Rhoades RAN), HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN), HMAS Waterhen (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN), HMS Tigre (Capt. M. De La Forest Divonne), Lynx (Cdr. A.M. De Gouyon Matignon de Pontourade) and Forbin (Lt.Cdr. R.C.M. Chartellier). Some of these ships remained out on exercises during the night of 15/16 May. [It is possible that more ships participated in these exercises but much information is not available.]

Destroyer HMS Jaguar: HMS Jaguar (Lt.Cdr. J.F.W. Hine, RN) departed Harwich for patrol. At sea she joined HMS Jackal (Cdr. T.M. Napier, RN) which had departed Rosyth earlier that day. Both destroyers remained out on patrol until they returned to Harwich on 17 May 1940.

Destroyer HMS Valentine (i): HMS Valentine (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan, RAN), HMS Whitley (Lt.Cdr. G.N. Rolfe, RN) and HMS Winchester (Lt.Cdr. S.E. Crewe-Read, RN) were operating off Flushing during the night of 14/15 May 1940. Early in the afternoon of the 15th, HMS Valentine and HMS Whitley were ordered to give AA protection to the Terneuzen - Hoedekenskerke ferry but they came under air attack and HMS Valentine was badly damaged and had to be beached near Terneuzen after which her wreck was scuttled by HMS Whitley. HMS Whitley then returned to Flushing.

Destroyer HMS Juno: HMS Janus (Cdr. J.A.W. Tothill, RN) and HMS Juno (Cdr. W.E. Wilson, RN) departed Harwich for Plymouth. They were to proceed to the Mediterranean for duty with the Mediterranean Fleet.

Destroyer HMS Kandahar: HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN) arrived at Portsmouth.

Destroyer HMS Winchester: HMS Winchester (Lt.Cdr. S.E. Crewe-Read, RN) was damaged during German air attacks while supporting Allied land forces off the Dutch coast. Repairs were completed ca. mid June.

1941

Heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland: HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) arrived at Buenos Aires from patrol.

Heavy cruiser HMS Norfolk: HMS Norfolk (Capt. A.J.L. Phillips, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.F. Wake-Walker CB, OBE, RN) conducted HA gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow.

Light cruiser HMS Diomede: Late in the morning, HMS Diomede (Capt. J.W. Farquhar, RN), fuelled from the tanker San Adolfo (7365 GRT, 1935) in approximate position 27°53'N, 35°55'W.

Light cruiser HMS Durban: HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) conducted trials of Penang.

Light cruiser HMS Gloucester: Around 0845 hours (zone -3), HMS Gloucester (Capt. H.A. Rowley, RN) and HMS Fiji (Capt. P.B.R.W. William-Powlett, RN), having embarked the Second Battalion, Leicester Regiment, departed Alexandria for Heraklion, Crete where they arrived around midnight 15/16 May 1941 after a high speed run. The troops were then immediately disembarked.

Light cruiser HMS Edinburgh: HMS Edinburgh (Capt. C.M. Blackman, DSO, RN) conducted torpedo firing exercises at Scapa Flow.

Submarine HNMS O 10: HrMs O 10 (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle together with HMS Sherwood (Lt.Cdr. S.W.F. Bennetts, RN) and HMS Dianella (T/Lt. J.G. Rankin, RNR) and aircraft. In the early evening HrMs O 10 was hit by a practice bomb that damaged the pressure hull. The exercise was then cancelled and O 10 proceeded to Londonderry for repairs.

Aircraft Carrier HMS Hermes: Three FAA Swordfish aircraft of HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) bombed barracks at As-Samawah, Iraq. One of the aircraft force landed. Its crew (Sub.Lt.(A) G.R. Coy, Lt. J.H. Dundas, and Leading Airman L.E. Lasson) were taken on board one of the other Swordfish which had landed but the aircraft itself was captured by hostile Iraqis before it could be burnt.

Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Hector: Around 0800C/15, HMS Hector (Capt.(Retd.) F. Howard, DSC, RN) arrived at Kilinidini / Mombasa from patrol.

Submarine HMS Unbeaten: HMS Unbeaten (Lt. E.A. Woodward, RN) damaged a schooner with gunfire off Khoms, Libya. According to Italian sources this was the schooner Giorgio who had just arrived in Khoms, she was actually hit by a single shell which failed to explode. Some shells fell in the town but three of them were found unexploded. (All times are zone -2) 2049 hours - Surfaced off Khoms harbour, 1000 yards from the schooner that was anchored there. She was a 3-masted schooner of about 800 tons. 2054 hours - Opened fire at a range of 700 yards. At least four hits were obtained and six rounds went over the target in the town beyond. 2058 hours - Ceased fire and cleared the area as to not overstay our welcome so close inshore. The target was thought to be settling by the stern and a small boat was seen to get clear.

Submarine HMS Parthian: HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted trials off Port Said. As there were still problems with her after hydroplanes she was docked again later the same day.

Submarine HMS Rover: HMS Rover (Lt.Cdr. G.H. Greenway, RN) was undocked.

Submarine HMS Cachalot: HMS Cachalot (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) arrived at Malta.

Submarine HMS Talisman: HMS Talisman (Lt. M. Willmott, RN) is undocked.

Submarine HMS Thrasher: HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. P.J. Cowell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.

Submarine HMS Upholder: Around 1935B/15, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) departed Malta for her 10th war patrol (8th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol South of the Straits of Messina. For the daily and attack positions of HMS Upholder during this patrol see the map below.

Submarine HMS H 32: HMS H 32 (Lt. B.G. Heslop, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN) and HMS Kingfisher (Cdr.(Retd.) W.V.H. Harris, DSC, RN).

Submarine HMS H 33: HMS H 33 (Lt. C.H. Rankin, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course).

Submarine HMS H 34: HMS H 34 (Lt. C.P. Norman, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Carina (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) A.C.G. Jolly, RN) and HMS La Cordeliere.

Submarine HMS H 44: HMS H 44 (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Shemara (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Buckle, RN) and HMS Tuscarora (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) N.T.B. Holt, RN).

Battlecruiser HMS Repulse: The battlecruiser HMS Repulse (Capt. W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN), aircraft carrier HMS Argus (Capt. T.O. Bulteel, RN) and the troopships Empress of Japan (British, 26032 GRT, built 1930) and Monarch of Bermuda (British, 22424 GRT, built 1931) arrived in the Clyde.

Destroyer HMAS Vampire: Around 2000C/15, HMAS Vampire (Cdr. J.A. Walsh, RAN) departed Alexandria with troops and stores for Tobruk. These were landed at Tobruk during the night of 16/17 May and HMAS Vampire then embared 180 wounded. She cleared Tobruk harbour around 0320C/17 and arrived back at Alexandria around 1800C/17.

Destroyer HMS Juno: At 2000 hours the AA cruiser HMS Coventry (A/Capt. W.P. Carne, RN) and the destroyers HMS Nubian (Cdr. R.W. Ravenhill, RN), HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, DSO, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Alexandria to take up a position to the north of Crete via the Kaso Strait. They were joined at sea the next morning by the light cruiser HMS Dido (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral I.G. Glennie, RN) and the destroyer HMS Juno (Cdr. St. J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, RN) also coming from Alexandria. This group of ships was known as 'Force C'. On the 17th, ' Group C ' came to the assistance of the hospital ship Aba (7938 GRT, built 1918) which was attacked by German aircraft to the south of the Kaso Strait. HMS Coventry suffered some casualties when she was strafed by enemy aircraft. ' Force C ' was then recalled to Alexandria arriving on the 18th.

Heavy cruiser HMS Shropshire: HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) conducted post refit trials off Simonstown. These were unsatisfactory and due to engine defects she had to be towed back to the Dockyard for repairs.

Submarine HMS L 27: HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth.

1942

Heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland: HMS Cumberland (Capt. A.H. Maxwell-Hyslop, AM, RN) conducted 8" gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow.

Light cruiser HMS Colombo: Around 1115B/15, HMS Colombo (Capt. W.P. Carne, RN) and the troop transport Empress of Russia (British, 16810 GRT, built 1913) arrived at Pointe Noire. Around 1630B/15, they departed Pointe Noire for Freetown.

Heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher: Around 0800B/15, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) and the transport Agwileon (American, 6678 GRT, built 1907) departed Walvis Bay for Capetown.

Destroyer USS Tarbell: USS Tarbell picks up 25 survivors of the American merchant Lammot Du Pont that was torpedoed and sunk on 23 April 1942 by German U-boat U-125 500 nautical miles south-east of Bermuda in position 27°10'N, 57°10'W. Three of these survivors later died in hospital.

Submarine HNMS O 14: HrMs O 14 (Lt.Cdr. H.A.W. Goossens, RNN) conducted A/S exercises at / off Scapa Flow with HMS Ashanti (Cdr. R.G. Onslow, RN), HMS Derwent (Cdr. R.H. Wright, DSC, RN), HMS Bleasdale (Lt. P.B.N. Lewis, RN) and HMS Chiddingfold (Lt.Cdr. L.W.L. Argles, RN).

Submarine USS Triton: USS Triton (Lt.Cdr. C.C. Kirkpatrick) sank two Japanese sampans with gunfire off Formosa in position 28°22'N, 133°02'E.

Submarine USS Tuna: USS Tuna (Lt.Cdr. J.L. De Tar) torpedoed and sank the Japanese transport ship Toyoharu Maru (805 GRT) about 65 nautical miles off Sohuksando, Korea in position 33°34'N, 125°09'E.

Submarine USS Swordfish: USS Swordfish (Lt.Cdr. C.C. Smith, USN) departed Fremantle for her 4th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the South China Sea. No daily position are listed in the patrol report of USS Swordfish. The deck log is not available to us (at the moment). The positions displayed on this incomplete map below were taken from the patrol report.

Submarine USS Growler: USS Growler (Lt.Cdr. H.W. Gilmore, USN) transited the Panama Canal and arrived at Balboa.

Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Corfu: Around 0915C/15, HMS Corfu (Capt.(Retd.) J.P. Landon, RN) departed Aden for Bombay. She is escorting the troop transport Dunera (British, 11162 GRT, built 1937).

Submarine HMS Otway: HMS Otway (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.

Submarine HMS Seawolf: HMS Seawolf (Lt. R.P. Raikes, RN) arrived at Lerwick. After a few hours she departed for her 27th war patrol. She was to proceed to Seidesfjord, Iceland from where she was to join convoy PQ 16 during passage to northern Russia. For the daily positions of HMS Seawolf during this patrol see the map below.

Submarine HMS Sahib: HMS 212 (Lt. J.H. Bromage, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.

Submarine HMS Tribune: HMS Tribune (Lt. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR) conducted basin trials at North Shields.

Submarine HMS Trident: HMS Trident (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) arrived at Lerwick. She departed Lerwick for her 28th war patrol later the same day. She was ordered to give cover for convoy PQ 16 to north Russia. Trident is to proceed to Iceland first. For the daily and attack positions of HMS Trident during this patrol see the map below.

Submarine HMS Thrasher: At 0630C/15, in position 39°40'N, 18°42'E, HMS Thrasher (Lt. H.S. Mackenzie, RN) sighted the masts and funnel of a large merchant ship bearing 350°. Also the masts of a smaller ship hull down were sighted. They were on a course of 190°. The range could not be closed. The ships sighted were the transport Petrarca (Italian, 3329 GRT, built 1910) en-route from Brindisi (departed around 2130B/14) to Benghazi (arrived around 1730B/17). She was escorted by the Italian torpedo boat Pegaso. At 0535B/15, Pegaso sighted a submarine (apparently HMS Thrasher) on the starboard side and made an alteration of course to avoid it after firing off two red Verey lights to alert Petrarca. The first Italian air escort arrived only at 0625/15. HMS Thrasher had been offset by the stronger than expected current. Had she been in the intended position she would have been perfectly placed to attack the transport sighted.

Submarine HMS Turbulent: At 2200C/15, HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSC, RN), is ordered by Capt. S 1 (in signals timed 1957C/15 and 2013C/15) to establish patrol by 2200C/16 in position 33°20'N, 18°45'E (north-west of Benghazi).

Submarine HMS Utmost: HMS Utmost (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted speed trials on the Arran measured mile.

Submarine HMS Unbending: HMS P 37 (Lt. H. Winter, RN) arrived at Lerwick.

Submarine HMS Unrivalled: HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) proceeded to the Ardrossan area for night exercises with special forces. During these exercises she was escorted by HMS La Flore.

Submarine HMS H 28: HMS H 28 (Lt. R.E. Boddington, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMCS Lethbridge (T/Lt. H Freeland, RCNR), HMCS Shawinigan (T/A/Lt.Cdr. C.P. Balfry, RCNR), HMCS Prescott (Lt. G.H. Davidson, RCN), HMS Churchill (Cdr.(Retd.) P.J. Fitzgerald, RN) and USS Saucy (Lt. A.J. Smith, USN).

Submarine HMS H 32: HMS H 32 (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory.

Submarine HMS H 33: HMS H 33 (Lt. D. Lambert, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

Submarine HMS H 44: HMS H 44 (Lt. C.E. Oxborrow, RN) proceeded from Rothesay to Ardrishaig where she participated in A/S exercises.

Submarine HMS P 511: HMS P 511 (Lt. D.E.O. Watson, DSC, RN) was undocked at Kames Bay and returned to Rothesay.

Submarine HMS P 514: With her repairs completed, HMS P 514 (Lt. W.A. Phillimore, RN), departed Halifax for St. John's. She was escorted by HMCS Galt (T/Lt. A.D. Landles, RCNR).

Minelayer HMS Manxman: Around 1700C/15, HMS Manxman (Capt. R.K. Dickson, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from Diego Suarez.

Battleship HMS Malaya: HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN), HMS Partridge (Lt.Cdr. W.A.F. Hawkins, DSC, OBE, RN) and HMS Ithuriel (Lt.Cdr. D.H. Maitland-Makgill-Crichton, DSC, RN) arrived at Gibraltar in the evening.

Battleship HMS Duke of York: Around 0400B/15, the battleship HMS Duke of York (Capt. C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN, flying the flag of flying the flag of A/Admiral J.C. Tovey, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet), aircraft carrier HMS Victorious (Capt. H.C. Bovell, CBE, RN), heavy cruiser HMS London (Capt. R.M. Servaes, CBE, RN) destroyers HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.K. Scott-Moncrieff, RN), HMS Fury (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Marne (Lt.Cdr. H.N.A. Richardson, DSC, RN), HMS Eclipse (Lt.Cdr. E. Mack, DSC, RN), HMS Oribi (Lt.Cdr. J.E.H. McBeath, DSO, DSC, RN) and the escort destroyers HMS Blankney (Lt.Cdr. P.F. Powlett, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Middleton (Lt.Cdr. D.C. Kinloch, RN) and HMS Lamerton (Lt.Cdr. C.R. Purse, DSC, RN) and HMS Wheatland (Lt. R.deL. Brooke, RN) departed Scapa Flow to provide cover for the passage of the damaged light cruiser HMS Trinidad from Northern Russia to Iceland. [For more info see the event ' Attempted passage of the damaged light cruiser HMS Trinidad from northern Russia to Iceland ' for 12 May 1942.]

Destroyer HMAS Stuart: HMAS Stuart (Cdr. S.H.K. Spurgeon, DSO, RAN) departed Adelaide for Fremantle.

Submarine USSR M-172: M-172 fires a torpedo against the German hospital ship Birka (100 GRT) off the Varangerfjord. The torpedo missed its target.

Heavy cruiser HMS Shropshire: Around 1400Z/15, the heavy cruiser HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) and the armed merchant cruiser HMS Canton (A/Capt. G.N. Loriston-Clarke, RN) made rendezvous in approximate position 25°00'S, 05°00'W. Mails and information were exchanged before both continued to patrol in the South Atlantic.

Destroyer HNMS Tjerk Hiddes (ii): HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Kruys, RNethN) conducted depth charge firing and gunnery trials in the Clyde area.

Destroyer Depot Ship HMS Hecla (i): HMS Hecla (Capt. E.F.B. Law, RN) was mined off Cape town, South Africa. She was towed to Simonstown for 18 weeks of repairs.

Submarine HMS L 23: HMS L 23 (Lt. E.J.D. Turner, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class off new submariners.

Submarine HMS L 26: HMS L 26 (Lt. H.D. Verschoyle, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with a training class of new submariners.

Submarine HMS P 615: HMS P 615 (Lt. P.E. Newstead, RN) participated in A/S and attack exercises off Campbeltown.

1943

Heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland: HMS Cumberland (Capt. A.H. Maxwell-Hyslop, AM, RN) conducted compass swing, D/G and D/F trials at Scapa Flow.

Light cruiser HMS Despatch: HMS Despatch (Capt. W.R.C. Leggatt, RN) departed Recife for Freetown.

Light cruiser HMS Diomede: HMS Diomede (Capt. H.T.W. Grant, RCN) is docked in No.1 Dock at Rosyth.

Light cruiser HMS Durban: HMS Durban (Capt. G.F. Stevens-Guille, DSO, OBE, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Henjam Island.

Light cruiser HMAS Hobart: Around 0745K/15, HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN), USS Perkins (T/Cdr. G.L. Ketchum, USN, with COMDESRON 5, T/Capt. J.H. Carter, USN on board) and USS Conyngham (T/Cdr. J.H. Ward, USN) departed Cid Harbour for exercises. They returned around 1530K/15.

Light cruiser HNMS Tromp: HrMs Tromp (Capt. J.B. de Meester, RNN) departed Fremantle to escort the US Naval tanker USS Trinity (Cdr. W.W. Angerer, USN) on her way from Fremantle to the Persian Gulf until dark the following day.

Submarine HNMS K XII: HrMs K XII (Lt.Cdr. T. Brunsting, RNN) arrived at Exmouth Gulf. She departed later on the same day for Fremantle.

Submarine USS Gar: USS Gar (Lt.Cdr. P.D. Quirk) torpedoed and sank the Japanese transport ships Meikai Maru (3197 GRT) and Indus Maru (4361 GRT) between Dumali Point, Mindoro and Marinduque Island, Philippines in position 13°07'N, 121°49'E.

Submarine USS Sailfish: USS Sailfish (T/Cdr. J.R. Moore, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbour with USS Litchfield (T/Lt.Cdr. J.H. Campbell, USN).

Submarine USS Tarpon: USS Tarpon (Lt.Cdr. T.L. Wogan) ended her 7th war patrol.

Submarine USS Bass: USS Bass arrived at New London, Connecticut from Casco Bay, Maine.

Submarine USS Bonita: USS Bonita arrived at Casco Bay, Maine from New London, Connecticut.

Submarine USS Tullibee: USS Tullibee (Cdr. C.F. Brindupke) arrived at Pearl Harbor.

Submarine HMS Ursula: HMS Ursula (T/Lt. M.D. Tattersall, RNVR) participated in A/S exercises off Larne.

Submarine HMS Regent: During the morning, a second body also wearing a Davis apparatus was found on a beach near San Adrea Missipezza (Brindisi).

Submarine HMS Rorqual: HMS Rorqual (Lt.Cdr. L.W. Napier, RN) laid a total of 50 mines off Punta Stilo, Calabria, Italy. The minefield was located a week later and some of the mines were destroyed. (All times are zone -2) 0942 hours - Laid the first mine of the first line of 25 mines in position 055°, Punta Stilo lighthouse, 2.1 miles. The mines were laid in a direction of 092° for 1.5 nautical miles. Depth setting was 10 feet. 1001 hours - Completed laying the first line of 25 mines. Set course for the position of the second line. 1159 hours - Began laying the second line of 25 mines in position 145°, Punta Stilo lighthouse, 1.9 miles. The mines were laid in a direction of 149° for 1.4 nautical miles. 1217 hours - Lay completed. Set course to return to Malta.

Submarine HMS Sickle: HMS Sickle (Lt. J.R. Drummond, DSC, RN) torpedoed and sank the German auxiliary submarine chaser UJ-2213/L'Heureux (1116 GRT) south of Nice, southern France in position 43°25'N, 07°25'E. She was escorting three vessels in company with UJ 2206 and UJ 2211. (All times are zone -1) 1114 hours - sighted a very assorted collection of ships rounding Cape Ferrat. The leading ship was a small tanker of about 1500 tons. She had a small funnel aft and was painted blue/grey (UJ-2213/L'Heureux looked like a tanker). An A/S trawler was on her starboard quarter. Another ship was on her port quarter but this ship could not be identified. Four small motor torpedo boats were also nearby. Started attack on the tanker. 1138 hours - Fired 4 torpedoes from 1500 yards. One hit was heard followed by breaking up noises. Sickle had gone to 100 feet upon firing. 1159 hours - An enemy escort appeared to be in contact. 1214 hours - When directly overhead the enemy dropped a pattern of 8 depth charges which were very close causing minor damage. Sickle then went to 350 feet. 1241 hours - The enemy abandoned the hunt. 1346 hours - Returned to periscope depth. Nothing in sight. UJ 2206 picked up 67 survivors (including 18 wounded), nine were missing.

Submarine HMS Simoom: HMS Simoom (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) arrived at Gibraltar.

Submarine HMS Sportsman: HMS Sportsman (Lt. R. Gatehouse, DSC, RN) departed Algiers for her 3rd war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Gulf of Genoa. Later she was also to patrol in the Gulf of Lions. For the daily and attack positions of HMS Sportsman during this patrol see the map below.

Submarine HMS Taurus: HMS Taurus (Lt.Cdr. M.R.G. Wingfield, DSO, RN) is undocked.

Submarine HMS Tally-Ho: HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.

Submarine HMS Ultimatum: HMS Ultimatum (Lt. W.H. Kett, RNR) departed Scapa Flow for Lerwick. At sea she joined HMS Tuna (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, RN) and HMS Seadog (Lt. C.R. Pelly, RN) and escort HMS Bryony (T/Lt. T. Hand, RNR).

Submarine HMS H 34: HMS H 34 (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) was undocked at Kames Bay she then immediately proceeded to Rothesay.

Battleship HMS Anson: The battleship HMS Anson (Commodore H.R.G. Kinahan, CBE, RN) departed Hvalfjord for Scapa Flow. She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Intrepid (Cdr. C.A.de W. Kitcat, RN), HMS Echo (Lt. R.H.C. Wyld, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Middleton (Lt. C.S. Battersby, RN).

Destroyer HMS Kelvin: Convoy MW 28 (+ convoy XT 14) This convoy departed Alexandria on 15 May 1943 and arrived at Malta on 21 May 1943. Several ships of the convoy split off on 20 May 1943 forming convoy XT 14 destined for Tripoli where they arrived later on the same day. On departure from Alexandria this combined convoy was made up of the following ships; Benreoch (British, 5818 GRT, built 1921), Benrinnes (British, 5410 GRT, built 1921), City of Keelung (British, 5186 GRT, built 1919), Darien II (British, 459 GRT, built 1892), David Stone (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Dunkeld (British, 4944 GRT, built 1937), Empire Conrad (British, 7009 GRT, built 1942), Empire Patrol (British, 3334 GRT, built 1928), Erinna (Dutch (tanker), 6233 GRT, built 1936), Fort Tadoussac (British, 7129 GRT, built 1941), Francis Drake (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Greystoke Castle (British, 5853 GRT, built 1928), Hermelin (Norwegian, 1683 GRT, built 1940), John Hart (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Neuralia (British, 9182 GRT, built 1912), Ovula (Dutch (tanker), GRT, built ), Ozarda (British, 9685 GRT, built 1940), Princess Kathleen (Canadian, 5875 GRT, built 1925), Romney (British, 5840 GRT, built 1929) and Vacport (British, 6774 GRT, built 1930). The Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker Green Ranger (3313 GRT, built 1941) was also part of the convoy. On departure from Alexandria the convoy was escorted by the destroyers HMS Javelin (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Alliston, DSC, RN), HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.T.B. Birch, DSO, DSC, RN), FFS Leopard and the escort destroyers HMS Croome (Lt. H.D.M. Slater, RN), HMS Hurworth (Cdr. R.H. Wright, DSC, RN), HMS Rockwood (Lt. S.R. Le H. Lombard-Hobson, RN) and RHS Adrias. The sloop HMS Shoreham (Cdr. E. Hewitt, RD, RNR) departed Tobruk on the 15th and joined the escort. HMS Rockwood arrived back at Alexandria on 19 May 1943 having been detached from the escort earlier. On the 16th, the escort destroyers HMS Aldenham (Lt.Cdr. H.A. Stuart-Menteth, RN) and HMS Hursley (Lt.Cdr. W.J.P. Church, DSC, RN) departed Tobruk to join the escort. On the 18th, the escort destroyer HMS Easton (Lt. C.W. Malins, DSC and Bar, RN) departed Tripoli to join the convoy. HMS Kelvin arrived at Tripoli on 19 May and departed again on the 20th to rejoin the convoy. On 20 May 1943 the convoy split up and the following ships proceeded to Tripoli arriving later the same day; Benreoch, Benrinnes, City of Keelung, Darien II, Empire Patrol, Fort Tadoussac, Francis Drake, Hermelin, John Hart, Neuralia and Romney. The remainder of the convoy continued on to Malta arriving on 21 May 1943.

Submarine USS S-41: USS S-41 (Lt. I.S. Hartman) departed from Dutch Harbour for her 6th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol of the Kurils.

Submarine USS R-2: USS R-2 (Lt. A.K. Tyree, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-7: USS R-7 returned to New London, Connecticut from Throgs Neck, New York.

Submarine USS R-11: USS R-11 (Lt.Cdr. W.B. Parham, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-12: USS R-12 (Lt.Cdr. E.E. Shelby, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-13: USS R-13 (Lt. D.L. Mehlop, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-14: USS R-14 (Lt. R. Holden, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Destroyer HNMS Van Galen (ii): Around 0715K/15, HrMs Van Galen (Lt.Cdr. F.T. Burghard, RNethN) and HMS Atreus (Cdr.(Retd. J.D. Campbell, OBE, DSC, RN) arrived in Gage Roads from Melbourne. They entered Fremantle harbour later the same day.

Submarine USS S-15: USS S-15 (Lt.Cdr. F.C. Acker, USN) arrived at Key West, Florida.

Submarine HMS L 26: HMS L 26 (Lt. H.D. Verschoyle, DSC, RN) is docked at Rothesay in AFD 20.

1944

Light cruiser HMS Colombo: Around 2005B/15, HMS Colombo (Capt. C.T. Jellicoe, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from convoy escort duty.

Light cruiser HMS Dauntless: HMS Dauntless (Cdr. D.C. Kinloch, DSO, RN) and HMS Diomede (Cdr. R.A. Ewing, DSC, RN) departed Rosyth for exercises upon completion of which they proceeded to Methil.

Heavy cruiser HMS Hawkins: HMS Nelson (Capt. A.H. Maxwell-Hyslop, AM, RN) and HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. During the exercises HMS Nelson was escorted by HMS Whelp (Cdr. G.A.F. Norfolk, RN) and HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN).

Submarine HNMS O 15: HrMs O 15 (Lt. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted A/S off Campbeltown exercises with aircraft.

Submarine USS Halibut: USS Halibut (Lt.Cdr. I.J. Galantin) ended her 9th war patrol at Pearl Harbor. She is now ordered to San Francisco for a major overhaul.

Submarine USS Tinosa: USS Tinosa (Lt.Cdr. D.F. Weiss) ended her 6th war patrol at Majuro

Submarine USS Tang: USS Tang (Lt.Cdr. R.H. O'Kane) ended her 2nd war patrol at Pearl Harbor. She had on board 22 aviators she had rescued during air-attacks on Truk.

Submarine USS Apogon: USS Apogon (Cdr. W.P. Schoeni, USN) departed from her patrol area.

Submarine USS Aspro: USS Aspro (Cdr. W.A. Stevenson) torpedoed and sank the Japanese troop transport Jokuja Maru (6440 GRT, built 1944) about 175 nautical miles north-west of Palau in position 10°10'N, 131°48'E. (All times are zone -9) Continuation of the events of 13 and 14 May 1944 0014 hours - The range to the target had inreased to 28000 yards. Aspro tried to close but could not do so due to the escort. 0159 hours - Range to the freighter was now 22000 yards. 0210 hours - The escort appeared again at a range of 12500 yards. It looked like this was a radar equipped ship. Turned away to open the range. 0223 hours - Turned towards the target. 0225 hours - Dove to radar depth and commenced approach. 0246 hours - Went to periscope depth. 0308 hours - In position 10°10'N, 131°25'E fired four torpedoes from the stern tubes from a range of 1800 yards. Aspro went deep on firing as an escort was heard to speed up. 0310 hours - It is thought two hits were obtained. 0315 to 0325 hours - 12 depth charges were dropped. None were very close. Aspro meanwhile was at 400 feet and kept all the escorts abaft the beam. 0400 hours - A single depth charge was dropped. Not close. 0547 hours - A single depth charge was dropped. Not close. 0549 hours - A single depth charge was dropped. Not close. 0557 hours - At periscope depth, sighted a damaged ship. Changed course to head towards. 0558 hours - Three depth charges were dropped. Not close. 0602 hours - Two depth charges were dropped. Not close. 0631 hours - Three depth charges were dropped. Not close. The ship was seen to be down by the stern and had a slight starboard list. 0729 hours - The damaged ship was seen to continue to settle and the list was seen to have increased. The escorts were seen to search the area. 0825 hours - The three escorts could be seen, they were conducting a search to the west of the target. Sighted a plane circling the target. The ship was slowly but definitely settling. Decided to continue approaching from the eastward and to finish the job with a couple of torpedoes from the bow tubes. 0936 hours - In position 10°10'N, 131°25'E fired two bow tubes from 3400 yards. Went to 400 feet immediately after firing and changed course 90° to get off the torpedo tracks. 0941 hours - Two explosions were heard, most likely end of run explosions. Later it was thought that the range had been underestimeted and that it were hits after all. 0942 hours - Depth charging started. 12 depth charges were dropped in the next 3 minutes. 1112 hours - Returned to periscope depth. The damaged ship was still afloat. Changed course to head again for the crippled ship. 1228 hours - The plane was still circling the target. The ship was still dead in the water and the list had increased. 1305 hours - Two planes were now circling the target. 1400 hours - No more pinging was heard. Looks like the escorts had departed. 1507 hours - Now, one aircraft was patrolling the area. Aspro maintained her position about 16000 yards from the target. 1800 hours - Came up to 40 feet. Nothing in sight but the target. Took some periscope pictures. 1852 hours - Surfaced and closed the target. Made preparations to sink the target with the deck gun. 1901 hours - The target was seen to sink.

Submarine USS Batfish: Cdr. John Kerr Fyfe, USN takes over command from Lt.Cdr. Wayne Rucker Merrill, USN.

Submarine USS Barbero: USS Barbero (Cdr. I.S. Hartman, USN) departed New London, Connecticut for Newport, Rhode Island to conduct her torpedo trials there.

Submarine HMS Una: HMS Una (Lt. C.A.J. Nicholl, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory with HMS Awe (Lt.Cdr. H.P. Carse, DSC, RNVR) and HMS Evenlode (T/A/Lt.Cdr. G.B. Medlycott, RNR).

Submarine HMS Otway: HMS Otway (Lt. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Stornoway with HMS Ocean View (T/Lt. C.W. Mileham, RNR).

Submarine HMS Sealion: HMS Sealion (Lt. P.E. Newstead, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

Submarine HMS Safari: HMS Safari (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) conducted attack exercises for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) in the Clyde area during which HMS Braithwaite (Lt.Cdr. E.M. Mackay, RD, RNR) served as the target.

Submarine HMS Seraph: HMS Seraph (Lt. T. Russell-Walling, RN) ended her 17th war patrol at Plymouth. Damage to Seraph was severe and it was even thought the pressure hull was distorted but this proved not to be the case. In early June it was decided that repairs could be undertaken at the Devonport Dockyards. It had also been decided to convert Seraph to a high speed A/S target during her repair period. The hull was streamlined, the deck gun removed and the torpedo tubes plated over and a high power battery was installed all to give her greater underwater speed.

Submarine HMS Sickle: HMS Sickle (Lt. J.R. Drummond, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 10th war patrol (9th in the Mediterranean) at Malta.

Submarine HMS Sirdar: HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) arrived at Trincomalee.

Submarine HMS Storm: At 0040 hours (zone -6.5) HMS Storm (T/Lt. E.P. Young, DSC, RNVR) spotted the correct signal on the shore about 3/4 mile to the East in the exact location of the village spotted earlier through the periscope. It was decided it was to risky to pick him up there. The next night another attempt would be undertaken.

Submarine HMS Shalimar: HMS Shalimar (Lt. W.G. Meeke, DSC, MBE, RN) conducted gunnery exercises in the Clyde area on a target that was being towed by HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN).

Submarine HMS Truant: HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) is docked in floating dock AFD 7 at Holy Loch.

Submarine HMS Tuna: HMS Tuna (A/Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth.

Submarine HMS Taurus: HMS Taurus (Lt.Cdr. M.R.G. Wingfield, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Aden.

Submarine HMS Trespasser: HMS Trespasser (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Favell, RN) departed from Malta bound for Gibraltar. Trespasser joins convoy MKS 49 for this passage.

Submarine HMS Terrapin: HMS Terrapin (Lt.Cdr. D.S.R. Martin, DSO and 2 bars, RN) departed from Gibraltar bound for Malta.

Submarine HMS United: During 15/16 May 1944, HMS United (Lt. N.R. Wood, RN), conducted exercises in the Clyde area. These included night exercises.

Submarine HMS Unrivalled: HMS Unrivalled (Lt. D.S. Brown, RNVR) was joined at 0600 hours off Morecambe Bay by her escort towards Rothesay, HMS Brontes (T/Skr. B. Truefitt, RNR). They arrived at Rothesay later the same day.

Submarine HMS Unruffled: HMS Unruffled (Lt. R.F. Park, RN) conducted exercises off Plymouth.

Submarine HMS Unruly: HMS Unruly (Lt. J.P. Fyfe, RN) departed Malta for her 15th war patrol (14th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol north of Crete and to conduct a special operation if an opportunity arose. (A folbot party of limpeteers was to be send in Candia harbour should a sutable target be present there. [No log is available for this period, therefore no map can be displayed.]

Submarine HMS Ultor: HMS Ultor (Lt. G.E. Hunt, DSC and Bar, RN) attacked and damaged a French fishing vessel with gunfire off Cape Camarat, southern France. The vessel was beached to prevent her from sinking. This was confirmed by an observation post at Cape Camarat. (All times are zone -2) 1618 hours - Whilst south of Cape Lardier sighted a vessel bearing 300°. Course of this vessel was 100°. Altered course and commenced attack. 1643 hours - Identified the vessel as a 80 ton motor coasting vessel. She was deeply laden and making a speed of about 8 knots. Ordered 'stand by gun action'. 1700 hours - Surfaced in position 43°09'5"N, 06°38'E and opened fire at a range of 1500 yards. A total of 19 rounds were fired for several hits. The vessel was beached in a damaged condition and the crew abandoned ship. By this time shore batteries had opened up fire and it did not take long for them to find the range. 1708 hours - Dived and continued to examine the damage to the target. 1720 hours - Retired to the southward at speed.

Submarine HMS Varangian: HMS Varangian (Lt. S.J. Fovargue, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle.

Submarine HMS Upshot: Upshot (Lt. H.W. Wilkinson, RN) conducted trials in the Clyde area following which she arrived at Holy Loch where she was commissioned.

Submarine HMS Visigoth: HMS Visigoth (Lt. J.R.H. Haddow, DSC, RN) participated in exercises off Larne.

Submarine HMS Voracious: HMS Voracious (Lt. F.D.G. Challis, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises at/off Scapa Flow with HMS Grenville (Capt. H.P. Henderson, RN), HMS Urchin (Lt.Cdr. J.T.B. Birch, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Undine (Cdr. T.C. Robinson, RN).

Submarine HMS Vox: HMS Vox (Lt. J.M. Michell, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Gibraltar with HMS Kingston Agate (T/Lt. R.J. Langley, RANVR), HMS Kilbride (Lt. H.O. L’Estrange, DSC, RNR) and ML's.

Submarine HMS H 34: HMS H 34 (Lt. R.L. Jay, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

Light cruiser HMS Bellona: Minelaying operation Hostile 32, first attempt. The object of this minelaying operation was to lay a minefield to the west of Ushant. Around 1600B/15, the fast minelayer HMS Apollo (Capt. J.A. Grindle, CBE, RN) departed Milford Haven to lay this minefield. Around 2000B/15, the light cruiser HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) and the destroyers HMS Tartar (Cdr. B. Jones, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN), HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN) and HMCS Haida (Cdr. H.G. De Wolf, RCN) departed Plymouth to provide cover for the operation. At 0030B/16, the radar set of HMS Apollo burst into flames and was put out of action. At 0104B/16, HMS Apollo sighted a number of lights, apparently from fishing vessels, coming into sight on the horizon stretching from the port bow to the starboard beam. An alteration of course to the westward only led to more lights. One or two of these lights were seen to move faster then was to be expected from fishing vessels. At 0125B/16, unable to retired to the north-west due to the presence of the covering force, HMS Apollo turned to the eastward in the hope of being able to lay her mines but then in the position of the upcoming minelaying operation 'Hostile 33'. An enemy report was sent to HMS Bellona that nine unidentified vessels had been sighted in the area of the fishing fleet. At 0132B/16, the Commanding Officer of HMS Apollo decided to abandon the operation and made a signal to HMS Bellona to that effect, but its transmission was delayed due to poor internal organisation. At 0140B/16, while on a retiring course, HMS Apollo was illuminated by star shell from the covering force and hotly engaged by one of the destroyers. She switched on IFF, ordered 'cease firing' on VH/F R/T and zig-zagged to avoid damage but it was not until 0210B/16 that HMS Bellona suspected that all was not well and ordered HMS Apollo to report her course and speed, thus ending the 'engagement'. The blame for this incident was accepted by the Commanding Officer of HMS Apollo, for his enemy report gave no indication the HMS Bellona of a change of plan. Around 0620B/16, HMS Apollo arrived at Plymouth followed by the cover force around 1230B/16.

Battleship HMS Anson: HMS Anson (Capt. E.D.B. McCarthy, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow.

Submarine USS R-4: USS R-4 (Lt.Cdr. W.L. Fey, Jr., USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-11: USS R-11 (Lt.Cdr. W.B. Parham, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-14: USS R-14 (Lt.Cdr. R. Holden, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-20: USS R-20 (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Dudley, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine ORP Sokol: ORP Sokol (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) J.K.S. Koziolkowski, DSC) departed Plymouth for Blyth via the Clyde and Scapa Flow.

Patrol vessel HMS Kilmarnock: The German U-boat U-731 was sunk in the Strait of Gibraltar north of Tangier, in position 35°54'N, 05°45'W, by depth charges from the British patrol vessel HMS Kilmarnock (T/A/Lt.Cdr. K.B. Brown, RNVR), the British A/S trawler HMS Blackfly (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.P. Hughes, DSC, RNR) and 2 US Catalina aircraft (VP-63 USN/P-1 & P-14). The British corvette HMS Aubretia (Lt. G.D. Fowler, RNR) had also been ordered to participate in the hunt [her role needs to be investigated further.]

Submarine HMS L 26: HMS L 26 (Lt. A.G. Prideaux, DSC, RN) arrived at Bermuda.

Landing Craft Infantry USS LCI(L)-213: LCI(L)-213 departed Bizerte for England.

1945

Heavy cruiser HMS Norfolk: HMS Norfolk (Capt. J.G.Y. Loveband, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral R.R. McGrigor, CB, DSO, RN), HMS Zambesi (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Palmer, RN) and HMS Obedient (Lt.Cdr. H. Kirkwood, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Bergen from Scapa Flow.

Light cruiser HMS Dauntless: HMS Dauntless (Cdr. P.F. Powlett, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Leith.

Heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher: HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off the Firth of Forth.

Light cruiser HMS Newcastle: HMS Newcastle (Cdr. S.H. Pinchin, DSC, RN) transited the Suez Canal northbound and arrived at Port Said. She departed Port Said shortly before midnight for Gibraltar.

Destroyer USS John A. Bole: USS John A. Bole departed from Boston bound for the Pacific.

Destroyer USS Shea: Shea departed from Kerama Retto bound for Ulithi.

Destroyer USS Tolman: USS Tolman enters dry-dock at Kerama Retto.

Submarine USS Searaven: USS Searaven (T/Lt.Cdr. R.C. Smallwood, Jr., USN) conducted / participated in excercises off Pearl Harbour.

Submarine USS Croaker: USS Croaker (Lt.Cdr. W.B. Thomas) departed from Subic Bay, Philippines for her 5th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Java Sea.

Submarine USS Paddle: With her overhaul completed USS Paddle (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Fitz-Patrick) departed from Pearl Harbor for her 8th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Yellow and East China Seas.

Submarine USS Pogy: USS Pogy (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Bowers) ended her 9th war patrol at Pearl Harbor.

Submarine USS Bowfin: USS Bowfin (Cdr. A.K. Tyree, USN) ended her 8th war patrol at Guam. She was escorted in by USS SC-536. At Guam she was refitted by a relief crew from Submarine Division 282 and the USS Apollo.

Submarine USS Devilfish: USS Devilfish (T/Lt.Cdr. S.S. Mann, Jr., USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbour.

Submarine USS Lionfish: At 1200K/15, USS Lionfish (T/Lt.Cdr. E.D. Spruance, USN) arrived at Saipan. The aviators were then disembarked and after fuelling and taking on board some fresh supplies she departed for Midway around 1000K/16.

Submarine USS Manta: USS Manta (T/Lt.Cdr. E.P. Madley, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbour.

Submarine USS Blenny: In the morning USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) bombarded radio towers and barges or landing craft on the beach at Pratas Island with 5" and 40mm.

Submarine USS Hammerhead: USS Hammerhead (Cdr. F.M. Smith) torpedoed and sank the Japanese transport ship Tottori Maru (5978 GRT) in the Gulf of Siam in position 09°12'N, 101°20'E.

Submarine USS Icefish: USS Icefish (Cdr. R.W. Peterson) departed from Guam for her 4th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the South China Sea and then gradually work her way down the Java Sea towards Australia.

Submarine USS Loggerhead: USS Loggerhead (Cdr. R.N. Metcalf) departed from Pearl Harbor for her 1st war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the South China Sea.

Submarine USS Sea Poacher: While on her 3rd war patrol USS Sea Poacher (Lt.Cdr. Charles Francis Leigh) sank Japanese army luggers Ume Maru No.56 (100 GRT) and Fukumo Maru (20 GRT) with gunfire of the Kurile Islands in position 45°29'N, 149°01'E.

Aircraft Carrier HMS Colossus: HMS Colossus (Capt. G.H. Stokes,CB, DSC, RN) conducted flying operations off Alexandria.

Submarine HMS Clyde: HMS Clyde (Lt. R.H. Bull, DSC, RN) completed special operation C.S.O. 75. Besides landing the supplies for party, eight Malay prisoners were taken on board. She then set course to proceed to the area where special operation C.S.O. 76 was to be carried out. Soon afterwards however the after hydroplanes were found to be defective. Repairs were not possible and course was set to return to Trincomalee. The second special operation therefore could not be carried out.

Submarine HMS Sirdar: HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) arrived at Aden.

Submarine HMS Spark: During the night of 15/16 May 1945 HMS Spark (Lt. D.G. Kent, RN) made the passage through Lombok Strait Northbound.

Submarine HMS Stubborn: HMS Stubborn (Lt. A.G. Davies, RN) departed Aden for Trincomalee.

Submarine HMS Spirit: HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) arrived at Ismalia.

Submarine HMS Sidon: HMS Sidon (Lt. H.C. Gowan, RN) departed Aden for Trincomalee.

Submarine HMS Spearhead: HMS Spearhead (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.E. Youngman, RNR) arrived at Port Said.

Submarine HMS Truant: HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Barrow-in-Furness for Rothesay.

Submarine HMS Tuna: HMS Tuna (Lt.Cdr. E.D. Norman, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.

Submarine HMS Tactician: HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. L.N.A. Jewell, DSC, MBE, RN) and HMS Trespasser (Lt. L.E. Herrick, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which they served as targets for each other.

Submarine HMS Taurus: HMS Taurus (A/Lt.Cdr. P.E. Newstead, DSC, RN) arrived at Malta.

Submarine HMS Thule: HMS Thule (Lt.Cdr. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Trincomalee for her 6th war patrol (5th in the Far East). She was ordered to perform a special operation (Carpenter III) and to patrol in the South China Sea. For the daily positions of HMS Thule during this patrol see the map below.

Submarine HMS Tireless: HMS Tireless (A/Lt.Cdr. M.L.C. Crawford, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted full power trials on the Arran measured mile.

Submarine HMS Terrapin: HMS Terrapin (Lt. R.H.H. Brunner, DSC, RN) is grounded off Arnemuiden Bank. She only managed go get off the rocks after blowing overboard some fuel and firing two torpedoes. (All times are zone -8) 0242 hours - Ran aground on Armemuiden Bank in position 05°12'6"S, 106°44'5"E. 0412 hours - Came off astern, having lightened ship by blowing 15700 gallons of fuel from the external tanks and firing two bow torpedoes while going full astern. Damage was done to the log and the bow cap of torpedo tube number 5.

Submarine HMS Tiptoe: HMS Tiptoe (Lt. R.L. Jay, RN) sank a coaster with gunfire in Dompo Bay, Sumbawa, Netherlands East Indies. (All times are zone -9) 1330 hours - Sighted a coaster of about 100 tons anchored and probably aground. She was very difficult to see being camouflaged with matting and the branches of palm trees. Only the stern and part of the side were visible. 1454 hours - Surfaced in position 08°20'S, 118°19'E for gun action, range to the target was 3000 yards. 1504 hours - The target caught fire after 19 hits. 32 rounds were expended. 1530 hours - Dived in position 08°17'S, 118°21'E.

Submarine HMS Totem: HMS Totem (Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) makes a short call at Gibraltar. She departed for Malta after a few hours.

Submarine HMS Tapir: HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. She departed from for Malta after a few hours.

Submarine HMS Unrivalled: HMS Unrivalled (Lt. R.P. Fitzgerald, DSC, RN) departed Plymouth for exercises with aircraft to the north of Brittany, France.

Submarine HMS Unsparing: HMS Unsparing (T/Lt. J.D. Tweedie, RNVR) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

Submarine HMS Untamed: HMS Vitality (Lt. W.T.J. Fox, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

Submarine HMS Unswerving: HMS Unswerving (T/Lt. M.D. Tattersall, RNVR) departed Portsmouth for Sheerness.

Submarine HMS Upstart: HMS Upstart (Lt. R. Westlake, RNVR) conducted exercises off Blyth.

Submarine HMS Vagabond: HMS Vagabond (Lt. I.M. Stoop, DSC, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil.

Submarine HMS Vigorous: HMS Vigorous (Lt. N.R. Wood, RN) departed Trincomalee for Rangoon. For the daily positions of Vigorous during this passage see the map below.

Submarine HMS Viking: HMS Viking (Lt. R. Bannar-Martin, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth training a class off new submariners.

Submarine HMS Vox: HMS Vox (Lt. J.M. Michell, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Sydney with HMAS Kybra (T/Lt. R.V.A. Corbett, RANR(S)). During the exercises Lt. W.E.I. Littlejohn, DSC, RANVR took over command from Lt. Michell, RN.

Submarine HMS Amphion: HMS Amphion (Cdr. R.H. Dewhurst, DSO, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials at the torpedo firing range off Arrochar.

Submarine HMS H 50: HMS H 50 (T/Lt. G.P. Christie, DSC, RNR) conducted special trials in the Clyde area.

Light cruiser HMS Phoebe: Around 2220FG/15, HMS Phoebe (Capt. S.M. Raw, CBE, RN) departed the Gulf of Martaban to resume patrol in the Andaman Sea.

Light cruiser HMS Cleopatra: HMS Cleopatra (Capt. B.I. Robertshaw, RN) conducted exercises off Malta with aircraft.

Light cruiser HMS Kenya: HMS Kenya (Capt. C.L. Robertson, RN) proceeded from Sheerness to the Chatham Dockyard where she was taken in hand for refit which would last until March / April 1946.

Battlecruiser HMS Renown: HMS Renown (Capt. B.C.B. Brooke, RN) shifted from Spithead to the Portsmouth Dockyard.

Battleship HMS Nelson: HMS Nelson (Capt. C. Caslon, CBE, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Malta.

Battleship HMS Duke of York: During 15/16 May 1945, HMS Duke of York (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Malta.

Destroyer HMAS Stuart: HMAS Stuart (T/Lt.Cdr. H.A. Litchfield, RANR(S)) arrived at Milne Bay from Thursday Island.

Destroyer HMAS Nizam: Around 1800I/15, HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN) parted company with Task Force 57 to escort the RFA tankers Arndale (8296 GRT, built 1937) and Dingledale (8145 GRT, built 1941) to Leyte.

Submarine USS R-10: USS R-10 (Lt. R.D. McWenthy, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-11: USS R-11 (Lt.Cdr. M. Abrahams, USN) is put back in the water. (It is currently not known to us when she was put on the slipway).

Submarine USS R-13: USS R-13 arrived at Key West, Florida.

Submarine USS R-13: USS R-13 (Lt. J.R. Edmands, USNR or Lt. D.C. Bowman, USNR) arrived at Key West, Florida from Port Everglades, Florida.

Submarine USS R-20: USS R-20 (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Dudley, USN or Lt. R.G. Black, USNR) conducted exercises off Key West.