Leslie William Abel Bennington DSO, DSC, RN

Birth details unknown


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Ranks

1 Jan 1934 S.Lt.
1 Jan 1936 Lt.
1 Jan 1942 Lt.Cdr.
30 Jun 1944 Cdr.
30 Jun 1951 Capt.

Retired: 7 Jul 1960


Decorations

13 Nov 1940 DSC
29 Dec 1942 DSO
11 Apr 1944 Bar to DSO
6 Jun 1944 Bar to DSC
20 Feb 1945 2nd Bar to DSC

Warship Commands listed for Leslie William Abel Bennington, RN


ShipRankTypeFromTo
HMS H 28 (N 28)Lt.SubmarineDec 19407 Mar 1941
HMS H 28 (N 28)Lt.Submarine16 Mar 194114 Apr 1941
HMS Porpoise (N 14)Lt.Cdr.Submarine11 May 194225 Jan 1943
HMS Tally-Ho (P 317)Lt.Cdr.Submarine25 Jan 1943Apr 1945

Career information

We currently have no career / biographical information on this officer.

Events related to this officer

Submarine HMS H 28 (N 28)


1 Jan 1941
HMS H 28 (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) departed Rothesay for Tobermory where she was to aid in the A/S training of newly commissioned escort ships. She was escorted by HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A. E. Johnston, RN). (1)

2 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 28 (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) arrived at Tobermory. (1)

3 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 28 (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (1)

5 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 28 (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (1)

6 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 28 (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (1)

7 Jan 1941
HMS H 28 (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. Upon completion of these exercises she proceeded to Oban for fuel and fresh water. She was escorted by HMS Martinetta (T/Lt. J.A. Brightman, RNVR). (1)

8 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 28 (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) shifted from Oban to Tobermory. (1)

9 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 28 (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (1)

10 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 28 (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (1)

12 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 28 (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (1)

13 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 28 (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (1)

16 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 28 (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (1)

18 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 28 (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (1)

20 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 28 (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (1)

21 Jan 1941
HMS H 28 (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) proceeded from Tobermory to Oban for fuel and fresh water. She was escorted by HMS Martinetta (T/Lt. J.A. Brightman, RNVR).

H 28 returned to Tobermory later the same day. (1)

22 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 28 (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (1)

24 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 28 (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (1)

25 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 28 (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (1)

27 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 28 (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (1)

28 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 28 (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (1)

31 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 28 (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (1)

3 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 28 (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) proceeded from Tobermory to Oban for fuel and fresh water. She was escorted by HMS Martinetta (T/Lt. J.A. Brightman, RNVR). (2)

4 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 28 (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) shifted from Oban to Tobermory. (2)

10 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 28 (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (2)

11 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 28 (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (2)

12 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 28 (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (2)

13 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 28 (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (2)

14 Feb 1941
HMS H 28 (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. Upon completion of these exercises she proceeded to Rothesay together with the Norwegian submarine B 1. They were escorted by the corvette HMS Hydrangea (Lt. J.E. Woolfenden, RNR). (2)

15 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 28 (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) arrived at Rothesay. (2)

23 Feb 1941
HMS H 28 (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) departed Rothesay for Ardrishaig where she was to participate in A/S exercises for small craft such as MA/SB's and ML's an special A/S trials.

During the passage she briefly grounded but it seems H 28 had sustained no serious damage. (2)

24 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 28 (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Ardrishaig. (2)

25 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 28 (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Ardrishaig. (2)

26 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 28 (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Ardrishaig. (2)

27 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 28 (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Ardrishaig. (2)

28 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 28 (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Ardrishaig. (2)

1 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 28 (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Ardrishaig. (3)

2 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 28 (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Ardrishaig. (3)

3 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 28 (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Ardrishaig. (3)

5 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 28 (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) proceeded from Ardrishaig to Campbeltown where she participated in A/S exercises during the afternoon. (3)

7 Mar 1941
HMS H 28 (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with the new destroyer HMS Gurkha (Cdr. C.N. Lentaigne, RN). (3)

18 Mar 1941
HMS H 28 (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) is docked at Belfast. (3)

8 Apr 1941
HMS H 28 (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) is undocked. (4)

14 Apr 1941
HMS H 28 (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, RN) departed Belfast for Tobermory. (4)


Submarine HMS Porpoise (N 14)


23 May 1942
HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) departed Alexandria for her 5th storage trip to Malta.

As no log is available no map can be displayed. (5)

1 Jun 1942
HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) arrived at Malta. (5)

7 Jun 1942
HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 16th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to give cover during convoy operations to Malta (cover of Operation VIGOROUS). As Porpoise had a few days to spare before the operation started she first patrolled off the Gulf of Taranto.

As no log is available no map can be displayed. (6)

15 Jun 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1935 hours HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) was about 140 miles west of Crete when it was attacked by an aircraft. As a salvo of bombs fell near, the submarine dived to 60 feet but escaped damage. At 2025 hours another similar attack occurred with the same results.

25 Jun 1942
HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) ended her 16th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (6)

30 Jun 1942
HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) departed Alexandria for Port Said. (5)

1 Jul 1942
HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) arrived at Port Said where she was to be docked. (exact dates not known to us for the moment). (5)

23 Jul 1942
HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) departed Port Said for Haifa.

As no log is available no map can be displayed. (5)

25 Jul 1942
HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) arrived at Haifa. (5)

5 Aug 1942
HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) departed Haifa for her 17th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to lay a minefield off Ras el Tin, Libya and to patrol off the coast of Cyrenaica, Libya.

As no log is available no map can be displayed. (7)

12 Aug 1942 (position 32.42, 23.06)
HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) laid a minefield (46 mines) off Ras el Tin, Libya. This minefield caused the loss of the Italian torpedo boat Generale Antonio Cantore (see entry of 22 August 1942).

Within two minutes the minefield was laid, a westbound convoy made up of the Italian freighters Albachiara (1245 GRT, built 1904) and Sibilla (1077 GRT, built 1900) escorted by the submarine chaser Selve crossed it. It was believed that if they had crossed it ten minutes later all three would have been sunk as the mines had not time to be armed. The submarine fired a torpedo at the second merchant ship but missed.

Porpoise also torpedoed and sank the Italian transport Ogaden (4553 GRT, built 1905) 9 nautical miles bearing 308 from Ras el Tin, Libya.

Ogaden was carrying about 200 POWs from Benghazi to Tobruk escorted by the torpedo boat Generale Carlo Montanari when the first torpedo hit the boiler room. The ship was immediately abandoned while combed the torpedo track and dropped eight depth charges. The torpedo boat then returned to pick up the survivors and was in the process of doing so when the second torpedo hit. Montanari temporary abandoned the rescue attempt and again combed the tracks of the torpedoes believed to originate from about 1200 metres. It did not report a torpedo missing her under but did observe the second torpedo hitting the coast. Four more depth charges were dropped and the escorting aircraft also dropped a single bomb which fell about 100 metres on the starboard side of Montanari and was the only one to cause some damage to Porpoise. The torpedo boat returned to continue the search for survivors, concentrating on those who were swimming. Two lifeboats loaded with POWs were seen making for the shore. Forty-seven Italians, six Germans and 109 POWs were picked up while MAS 561 and MAS 539 arrived and were ordered to take over the hunt for the submarine but MAS 539 had an engine breakdown and had to abandon the chase. The number of victims was listed as three to four but may not include the POWs lost.

(All times are zone -3)
0802 hours - Started minelaying near position 32°42'N, 23°05'5"E. Shortly before the lay an enemy convoy was sighted. The leading ship was seen passing over the minefield shortly after the lay. The other ship of the convoy and their escort passed over the minefield shortly afterwards.

After the lay Porpoise maneuvered to get into a suitable attack position for an attack on this convoy.

0855 hours - Fired one torpedo at the second ship of the convoy from about 3000 yards. It missed.

Almost immediately afterwards sighted another ship close inshore to the westward. She was steering an opposite course to the ship just attacked.

0905 hours - Started attack. The vessel appeared to be of 2500 - 3000 tons. She was escorted by one destroyer (actually torpedo-boat) and one aircraft.

0932 hours - Fired two torpedoes. Obtained one hit on this merchant vessel.

1018 hours - Fired one torpedo at the escorting torpedo-boat. It ran under and exploded on the beach shortly afterwards.

1022 hours - Fired one torpedo at the merchant vessel which was stopped and by now abandoned. She had shown no signs of sinking. The torpedo hit and she sank almost at once.

The destroyer counter attacked with 13 depth charges [sic, Montanari dropped only 12 depth charges, the 13th was the bomb dropped by the aircraft]. The last of these, the only one to do damage, fractured the C.O.2 machine supply tree in the forward casing.

1100 hours - Retired from the area and reloaded the torpedo tubes. (7)

15 Aug 1942 (position 34.50, 21.30)
HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian merchant Lerici (6070 GRT, built 1941) about 120 nautical miles north of Ras Amir, Libya in position 34°50'N, 21°30'E. Lerici was in convoy with Ravello (6142 GRT, built 1941), escorted by the destroyer Nicoloso Da Recco and the torpedo-boats Polluce, Calliope and Castore. Lerici was hit by two torpedoes and abandoned. The torpedo boat Calliope rescued 259 survivors while the torpedo boat Polluce obtained a contact, carried out three runs dropping a total of 38 depth charges and claimed the submarine sunk and then picked up a sinle survivor. The wreck was still floating the next day when the destroyers Bersagliere and Mitragliere arrived on the scene and the latter sank her by gunfire. The destroyers found another ten survivors, twenty-one were reported killed or missing.

(All times are zone -3)
1854 hours - Sighted an object dead ahead. Dived and closed.

1908 hours - Sighted two large merchant ships dead ahead. A few minutes later an escort of four Navigatori-class destroyers and two aircraft were sighted. The merchant ships were in line abreast about 1000 yards apart. The destroyers were formed in a crescent-shaped screen. The wing destroyers were about 1500 yards on the beam of the merchant ships and the inside destroyers were about 2000 yards apart and 1000 yards ahead of the convoy. Enemy course was estimated as being 210°, speed 11 knots.

1912 hours - Porpoise was now slightly on the starboard bow of the starboard ship of the convoy and about 10° on the starboard bow of the port ship. Range was about 5000 yards. Both targets appeared equally desirable and it was decided to do an advancing attack on the port ship, endeavouring to fire from a position between the two ships.

1918 hours - Altered course to 120° and closed the port ship on a 90° track.

1924 hours - Altered course to 100° the starboard inner destroyer passed 400 yards astern of Porpoise. It was considered desirable to attack on a 70° track to avoid being rammed by the starboard ship.

1928 hours - Fired two torpedoes at the port ship in position 34°45'N, 21°32'E. Both torpedoes hit. Porpoise went to 80 feet and increased to full speed and altered course to 230°. For some time there was no counter attack.

1940 hours - Heard breaking up noises followed by one terrific explosion. Counter attacks by the escorts now followed but these were for the moment not close.

2000 hours - Came to periscope depth. The target was well down by the stern and two destroyers were stopped nearby. Several lifeboats were seen in the water. Altered course to 350° and later to 030° to close and attack the nearest destroyer. By this time both destroyers had started using their Asdic sets.

2020 hours - One destroyer obtained an Asdic contact. Both destroyers got under way and one carried out several attacks, apparently in firm contact with something. Some of the depth charges fell appreciably closer. It was now getting too dark for periscope visibility. Dived to 80 feet and altered course to 60° and made off at slow speed. When last seen the stern of the target was awash, numerous small explosions could be heard emanating from her and she was on fire forward. Altogether the destroyers dropped 60 depth charges.

2236 hours - Surfaced in position 34°47'N, 21°37'E and proceeded on main engines, course 60°. (7)

19 Aug 1942 (position 32.41, 23.32)
While approaching Tobruk to attack enemy shipping HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) was detected and depth charged by the Italian torpedo-boat Lince which was escorting the transport Iseo (2366 GRT, built 1918) from Tobruk to Benghazi. Lince dropped three patterns of nine depth charges each and claimed – correctly – to have damaged the submarine.

(All torpedoes are zone -3)
0520 hours - Sighted a large destroyer dead ahead. Range was about 3500 yards. She was steering a course approximately opposite to that of Porpoise. Dived to 80 feet in position 32°41'N, 23°32'E and altered course to 180°.

0524 hours - The destroyer passed overhead and dropped a depth charge which exploded very close to the submarine. Porpoise was badly shaken, some lights were extinguished and large quantities of corking were dislodged from the deck head, and shortly afterwards fumes and smoke were observed coming from no.1 section of the main battery. No.1 battery was isolated to prevent the spreading of fumes from spreading through the submarine.

After the first depth charge attack the destroyer continued in a northerly direction for about three minutes. She then turned back for another run. She then passed astern and dropped four depth charges which were unpleasantly close and damaged no.2 and no.3 sections of the battery.

Further attacks then followed in quick succession and on each occasion the enemy the enemy appeared to be in firm contact. The enemy made a total of 12 attack runs but depth charges were only dropped during the best runs.

0552 hours - Altered course to 210 degrees, the enemy was not not able to make contact as easy as before but when she did the attacks were as carefully conducted as before.

0610 hours - Went to 150 feet.

0700 hours - Went to 200 feet. The enemy was now not able to make contact any more. Altogether the enemy dropped 27 depth charges. All were very close.

0715 hours - The enemy was heard to depart the area.

------------------------------------------

2050 hours - Surfaced in position 32°54'N, 23°16'E and proceeded on main engines. An attempt was made to charge the damaged battery but she began to smoulder so the charge was broken. It was then noticed that the damage was much severe than first thought. At 0402/20 a signal was sent that Porpoise would be abandoning her patrol and requested an escort back as she was unable to proceed submerged. (7)

20 Aug 1942
At 1015 hours Beaufighters appeared overhead to escort the damaged HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN).

At 1847 hours Porpoise was joined by two Hunt-class destroyers, these were HMS Hursley (Lt. W.J.P. Church, DSC, RN) and HMS Belvoir (Lt. J.F.D. Bush, DSC and Bar, RN).

2315 hours - Course was set for Port Said where repairs to Porpoise were to be made.

21 Aug 1942
HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) ended her 17th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean) at Port Said. (7)

22 Aug 1942
The Italian torpedo boat Generale Antonio Cantore (697 tons) hits a mine and sank west of Tobruk. She was escorting the steamer Petrarca from Benghazi to Tobruk. Ninety-six survivors were picked up by MAS 558, MAS 534 and MAS 561 assisted by two CANT Z.501 seaplanes of 148^ Squadriglia, there were twenty-four victims. The mine was laid on 12 August 1942 by the British submarine HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN).

23 Sep 1942
With her repairs completed HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) departed Port Said for Haifa.

As no log is available no map can be displayed. (5)

26 Sep 1942
HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) arrived at Haifa. (5)

28 Sep 1942
HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) departed Haifa for her 18th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean and 6th storage trip to Malta). She is ordered to lay a minefield off Tobruk and to proceed to Malta afterwards where she was to unload stores she had on board.

As no log is available no map can be displayed. (7)

3 Oct 1942
HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) laid a minefield (46 mines in total in 4 lines) west of Tobruk, Libya. The Tobruk command reported the minefield cleared on 9 November, there were no apparent results.

During the day Porpoise laid 4 rows of mines, details:
Line 1: 11 mines, bearing 220° from position 32°12'N, 23°49'E.
Line 2: 11 mines, bearing 060° from position 32°15'N, 23°46'E.
Line 3: 11 mines, bearing 260° from position 32°13'N, 23°44'E.
Line 4: 13 mines, bearing 020° from position 32°17'N, 23°40'E.
(7)

7 Oct 1942
HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) arrived at Malta. (7)

10 Oct 1942
HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) departed Malta to resume her 18th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Ionian Sea. She only carried four torpedoes. (7)

13 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During the afternoon, HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) was informed of a convoy of two merchant ships escorted by six destroyers in position 38°14'N, 19°35'E on course 180°, 15 knots. These were the transports Foscolo and D’Annunzio escorted by the destroyers Nicoloso Da Recco, Lampo and Folgore and the torpedo boats Ardito, Clio and Partenope proceeding from Brindisi to Benghazi. Although Porpoise appeared to be in an ideal position to intercept but only aircraft were seen and the convoy had passed a little further east.

16 Oct 1942
HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) departed her patrol area and set course for Beirut. (7)

20 Oct 1942
HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) ended her 18th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean) at Beirut. (7)

29 Oct 1942
HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) departed Beirut for her 7th storage trip to Malta.

As no log is available no map can be displayed. (5)

6 Nov 1942
HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) arrived at Malta.

Porpoise was to return to the U.K. to refit but was being held in case she might be needed for a projected combined operation on the Tunisian coast. (5)

15 Nov 1942
HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) was still at Malta for the proposed combined operation. Capt S.10 however received information that an important enemy convoy was proceeding from Taranto to Tripoli and could do with an extra submarine so Porpoise was sent out on a short patrol.

HMS Porpoise departed Malta for her 19th war patrol (6th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the eastern approaches to Tripoli.

As no log is available no map can be displayed. (8)

18 Nov 1942 (position 33.12, 14.13)
At 0555 hours in 33°12’N, 14°13.5’E, HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN), sighted an object which turned out to be a U-boat steering about 250° to 300°. Range was closed to about 3 miles. This was Pietro Micca on a transport mission to Tripoli. The Italian submarine had also observed Porpoise and prudently took avoiding action. (9)

19 Nov 1942
HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) fires a torpedo against the Italian auxiliary patrol vessel F 39 / Fertilia (223 GRT) off the Libyan coast. The torpedo missed its target. (8)

19 Nov 1942 (position 32.43, 15.47)
HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian tanker Giulio Giordani (10534 GRT, built 1939) about 45 nautical miles north-east of Misurata, Libya in position 32°58'N, 15°38'E. Giulio Giordani had been torpedoed and damaged two days before by British aircraft and was abandoned. She had departed Taranto for Tripoli on the 15th and was escorted by the Italian destroyers Bersagliere and Granatiere.

17 November 1942
2140 hours - Sighted aircraft flares to the eastward. Altered course to 090° and increased speed.

2150 hours - Altered course to 105°. Flares now appeared much closer and now appeared right ahead of Porpoise. Just before 2200 hours a large explosion was seen and another one followed a few minutes later. Continued to close at speed.

18 November 1942
0210 hours - Sighted a burning ship ahead.

0225 hours - Identified the target as a large modern tanker that was on fire from stem to stern and was listing about 15° to port. There appeared to be an enormous gash in the hull, port side amidships. No escorts were seen in the area. The tanker was in a bad shape and it was thought the Italians would have to finish her off as she appeared beyond salvage.

0235 hours - Set course to return to our patrol area.

19 November 1942
0323 hours - Sighted a flickering light on the port bow. Altered course to 360° to get to the seaward of it.

0413 hours - Altered course to 030° and a few minutes later to 070°. At about this time it was discovered that the light was a small fire.

0500 hours - Sighted a large ship with a small fire burning aft. Closed at full speed. The ship was soon identified as the same tanker seen the previous night. She was floating upright. no trace could be seen of the rent in the port side. The tanker appeared to be 6 feet down by the bow. Decided to finish her off.

0546 hours - Fired one torpedo at the tanker. The torpedo hit forward of the bridge and started a large fire. After about 5 minutes th whole ship burst into one huge conflagration.

0608 hours - Dived in position 32°43'N, 15°46'E. The tanker was seen to sink at 0624 hours. (8)

21 Nov 1942
HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) was ordered to return to Malta via Kerkenah. (8)

23 Nov 1942 (position 34.47, 11.42)
HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) sank the Italian auxiliary patrol vessel F 39 / Fertilia (former Giacoma, 223 GRT, built 1886) with gunfire off Kerkennah, Tunisia in approximate position 34°47'N, 11°42'E.

0810 hours - Surfaced to examine the situation. Sighted a 2000 to 3000 tons vessel proceeding northwards. Fishing vessels were also seen in the area. A small smudge of smoke appeared to be approaching to the north-west.

0821 hours - Dived to periscope depth. She smoke soon resolved itself into a small ship stearing 134°.

0840 hours - Started attack.

0916 hours - Surfaced slightly abaft the beam of the enemy at a range of 1500 yards and opened fire with the 4" gun. The enemy returned fire with a small gun on his f'xle. The fifth salvo hit amidships and started a fire. Further hits were scored and the enemy soon ceased fire and was abandoned. The enemy carried a cargo of benzine and was soon well ablaze. Porpoise then closed to take prisoners.

0935 hours - Picked up two prisoners / survivors but an approaching aircraft prevented more being picked up. Dived and altered course to 090°. The aircraft was seen to be a Wellington. (8)

24 Nov 1942
HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) ended her 19th war patrol (6th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (8)

4 Dec 1942
HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) departed Malta for Gibraltar. Porpoise was to proceed to the U.K. to refit.

As no log is available no map can be displayed. (5)

11 Dec 1942
HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (5)

14 Dec 1942
HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) departed Gibraltar for Portsmouth.

As no log is available no map can be displayed. (5)

23 Dec 1942
HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) arrived at Portsmouth where she was taken in hand for refit on 5 January 1943. (5)


Submarine HMS Tally-Ho (P 317)


10 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) departed her builders yard at Barrow for Holy Loch. (10)

11 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch to begin a period of trials and training. (10)

12 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted full speed trials on the Arran measured mile. (10)

14 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (10)

15 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (10)

16 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (10)

17 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (10)

19 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted gunnery trials in the Clyde area. (10)

20 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Arrochar for her torpedo discharge trials. (10)

21 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (10)

23 Apr 1943
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (10)

24 Apr 1943
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (10)

25 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (10)

26 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (10)

27 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (10)

28 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. Upon completion of these trials HMS Tally-Ho proceeded to Holy Loch. (10)

1 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil. (11)

2 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil. (11)

3 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil. (11)

4 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil. (11)

5 May 1943
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil. (11)

6 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil. (11)

7 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil. (11)

9 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area including night exercises. (11)

10 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) returned to Holy Loch on completion of last night exercises. (11)

13 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area. (11)

14 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted gunnery exercises in the Clyde area. (11)

15 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (11)

16 May 1943
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) is docked at Rothesay in AFD 20. (11)

16 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) is undocked. (11)

19 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area. (11)

20 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted trials in Loch Long. (11)

22 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) and FFS Curie (Lt. P.M. Sonneville) both conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which they served as targets for each other. (11)

23 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course). (11)

23 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course). (11)

24 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course). (11)

24 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course). (11)

27 May 1943
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Holy Loch bound for Lerwick. She made part of the passage together with HMS Sceptre (Lt. I.S. McIntosh, MBE, DSC, RN) and FFS Curie (Lt. P.M. Sonneville) for passage North. They were escorted by HMS Columbine T/A/Lt.Cdr. W.J. Griffiths, RNR). (11)

29 May 1943
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Lerwick. (11)

31 May 1943
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Lerwick for her 1st war patrol (Work-up patrol). She is to patrol in the Norwegian Sea. This is an Anti-U-boat patrol.

For the daily positions of HMS Tally-Ho during this patrol see the map below.

(12)

17 Jun 1943
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Lerwick. She proceeded to Holy Loch a few hours later together with HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, RN) escorted by armed yacht HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN). (12)

20 Jun 1943
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch.

29 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Larne. (13)

30 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Larne. She conducted exercises off Larne later the same day. (13)

1 Jul 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (14)

2 Jul 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (14)

8 Jul 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) proceeded from Larne to Holy Loch. (14)

18 Jul 1943
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Holy Loch for her 2nd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Bay of Biscay and proceed to Gibraltar afterwards. This is an Anti-U-boat patrol.

For the daily positions of HMS Tally-Ho during this patrol see the map below.

(12)

25 Jul 1943 (position 45.50, -5.17)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) sighted two U-boats this day. Both could not be attacked.

(All times are zone -2)
0809 hours - Sighted the conning tower of a U-boat about 8000/9000 yards away. The U-boat was in position 45°50'N, 05°17'W The course of the U-boat was 60 to 90° (so she must be returning to base). Before Tally-Ho could turn on a firing course the U-boat had disappeared into the morning haze. (German U-boat U-667 was in this area and was returning to St. Nazaire, where she arrived the following day)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1158 hours - Sighted a U-boat steering south-west in position 45°54'N, 05°18'W. Closed to start an attack.

1209 hours - The U-boat was now seen steering 230° at a speed of about 8 to 10 knots. The range was between 5000/6000 yards. Before the U-boat could be attacked it was seen to dive. (German U-boat U-404 that had left St. Nazaire for patrol the previous day and was most likely in this area (She was lost a few days later with all hands, so this can't be cross checked). Two other U-boats were also in transfer to their patrol areas, these were U-262 and U-760. They had left La Pallice the previous day but were a bit further south and west) (12)

30 Jul 1943 (position 45.05, -5.17)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) encounters, what is thought to be, a U-boat in position 45°05'N, 05°17'W.

(All times are zone -2)
0338 hours - The Port forward look-out reported a slight phosphorescent streak bearing Red 060°. A moment later he reported that he could see two wakes. The sea was then calm and rather patchy and the night was very dark. It took about two minutes before the Officer of the Watch and the Commanding Officer could see what the look-out had sighted although the latter kept his glasses firmly glued on his find. After chasing the wake for five minutes it disappeared. The engines were stopped and soon the Asdic operator reported HE bearing 110°. Tally-Ho set off in pursuit but nothing could be seen. A few minutes later the engines were again stopped. The HE could again be heard but was very faint.

0353 hours - The HE could no longer be heard. Abandoned the chase.

Around the time of this contact German U-boat U-455 was passing through this area while returning to St. Nazaire from patrol so she might have been the U-boat Tally-Ho had encountered. (12)

5 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (14)

7 Aug 1943
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Gibraltar. (12)

15 Aug 1943
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Gibraltar for her 3rd war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Southern France.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Tally-Ho during this patrol see the map below.

(12)

20 Aug 1943 (position 43.02, 5.52)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) makes a torpedo attack on two small motor vessels South of Toulon, France in position in position 43°02'N, 05°52'E. No hits were obtained.

(All times are zone -2)
1338 hours - Sighted two small motor vessels.

1349 hours - Commenced attack.

1412 hours - Fired two torpedoes. Went to 200 feet.

1420 hours - Heard one loud bang.

No further details are known from the British side as there is no patrol report only the ships log

According to German sources this was convoy '5098' and was made up of the French passenger vessels Ville de Bastia (1336 GRT, built 1920) and Ville d'Ajaccio (2444 GRT, built 1929). They were escorted by UJ 6071 and Fla 14. They were en-route from Ajaccio to Marseilles. (12)

22 Aug 1943
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) makes a torpedo attack on two ships to the South-East near Toulon, France in approximate position 42°55'N, 06°18'E. No hits were obtained.

(All times are zone -2)
1215 hours - Sighted two ships. Started attack.

1233 hours - Fired three torpedoes and went to 200 feet. About 10 minutes later three explosions were heard, most likely en of run explosions of the torpedoes.

No further details from the British side are known as there is no patrol report only the ships log.

According to German sources the ships attacked were the German auxiliary minelayers Pommern and Brandenburg that were en-route from La Spezia to Toulon. (12)

30 Aug 1943
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean) at Algiers. (12)

1 Sep 1943
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Algiers bound for Port Said.

She made part of the passage in a convoy.

For the daily positions of HMS Tally-Ho during this passage see the map below.

(15)

9 Sep 1943
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Port Said. (15)

11 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) is docked at Port Said. (16)

15 Sep 1943
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) is undocked. (15)

26 Sep 1943
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Port Said bound for Aden. (15)

2 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Aden. (17)

5 Oct 1943
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Aden bound for Colombo. Shortly before departing she is performs some A/S exercises with the British destroyer HMS Relentless (Lt.Cdr. R.A. Fell, RN). (18)

14 Oct 1943
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Colombo. (18)

26 Oct 1943
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Colombo for her 4th war patrol (1st in the far east). She was ordered to patrol in the Malacca Straits.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Tally-Ho during this patrol see the map below.

(12)

6 Nov 1943 (position 5.27, 100.04)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) fires 5 torpedoes against a German U-boat that was seen leaving Penang. Position of the attack was 05°27'N, 100°04'E. The target was German U-boat U-178 that departed Penang bound for Singapore that day. Two torpedo tracks were sighted by the Germans.

All times are zone -6,5
1620 hours - Sighted a merchant ship (1500-2000 tons) steering to the southward (this was the German Quito (1230 GRT, built 1938, offsite link)). Tally-Ho went to full submerged speed. But by 1702 hours the attack was broken off as it was impossible to reach an attack position.

1714 hours - Sighted a German U-boat that had just left the harbour. Tally-Ho closed the target at full speed. The U-boat had a speed of only 3 knots. This was German U-boat U-178.

1730 hours - Fired 5 torpedoes from 1000 yards. One torpedo malfunctioned and ran down the port side. The others missed. About 4 minutes after firing a puff of smoke was sighted and the U-boat increased speed to 11 knots.

1805 hours - Tally-Ho surfaced and gave chase hoping to intercept the U-boat and small merchant ship but at 1912 hours a submarine chaser was sighted and had to be avoided spoiling the effort of catching up with the U-boat and small merchant. (12)

8 Nov 1943 (position 5.26, 100.06)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) is depth charged by a Japanese submarine chaser off Penang. In all 14 depth charges were dropped. No serious damage was done but it prevented Tally-Ho from attacking a merchant ship.

Later on the same day Tally-Ho attacks but missed a merchant ship in position 05°26.5'N, 100°06.5'E.

(All times are zone -6.5)
While on patrol off Penang heavy Japanese A/S activity is noticed.

1100 hours - A submarine chaser is now 1000 yards on the Port beam of Tally-Ho. A little later it moved further inshore. Shortly before 1200 hours it moved closer and stopped about 300 to 400 yards on the Port quarter of Tally-Ho. It was now obvious that a submarines presence was suspected by the Japanese.

1205 hours - The submarine chaser moved towards. Went to 70 feet and proceeded at slow speed on both motors.

1215 hours - The enemy submarine chaser dropped eight depth charges in two patterns of four. The first pattern was rather close and damaged the depth gauge.

1225 hours - Two more patterns of three depth charges each were dropped between 1225 and 1258 hours.

(Note: The Japanese submarine chasers Ch-7, Ch-8 and Ch-20 were based at Penang at that time, all offsite links)

1236 hours - Came to periscope depth. Saw the submarine chaser now laying stopped 3000 yards astern.

1345 hours - Sighted a floatplane several miles to the South. It was felt that this heralded the approach of a target.

1350 hours - In position 05°30'N, 100°01'E Masts of a large ship were now sighted bearing 170°. The ship was steering 360° and was close inshore. Unfortunately the patrolling submarine chaser had forced Tally-Ho more to the seaward then intended and with the submarine chaser now also to the South this prevented Tally-Ho from closing the target at high speed. Started attack none the less but it was not possible to reach a favourable attack position so the attack was reluctantly broken off.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1455 hours - While in position 05°29N, 100°03E sighted masts of a merchant ship bearing 085°. The enemy's course was estimated to be 235°. Altered speed and course to attack.

1506 hours - Range was 7000 yards. Enemy speed 7 knots. Increased to full speed for 6 minutes.

1521 hours - Range was now 2250 yards. Enemy speed still 7 knots.

1526 hours - In position 05°26.5'N, 100°06.5'E Fired two torpedoes set to 8 feet. Range was 700 yards. Both torpedoes missed. One was seen to run wild. Retired to the South-East. (12)

10 Nov 1943 (position 6.11, 99.35)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) torpedoed and sank the Japanese water carrier Kisogawa Maru (1914 GRT, built 1940) in the northern part of Malacca-Strait in position 06°11'N, 99°35'E.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0525 hours - Dived in position 06°10'N, 99°30'E and shortly afterwards sighted smoke fine on the port bow. Several minutes elapsed before the vessel could be seen.

0555 hours - Commenced attack on 5000 tons merchant vessel steering 304° at 11 knots.

0626 hours - In position 06°11'N, 99°35'E fired five torpedoes from 2600 yards.

0628 hours - A tremendous explosion was seen to blow the enemy to pieces. A torpedo was seen to run wild forcing Tally-Ho deep.

0629 hours - Surfaced and vacated the area at speed. An oil fire was seen to burn on the surface for over two hours. Most likely, at least part of, the cargo of the ship must have been benzene or aviation spirit.

0635 hours - Sighted a patrol vessel approaching the fire from the East.

0647 hours - Dived and retired to the South-East. (12)

12 Nov 1943
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) has two encounters with enemy submarines in the Northern end of the Malacca Straits. Unfortunately is not able to attack either.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0109 hours - While in position 05°30'N, 98°42'E a dim object was sighted on the Port bow. Altered course towards. The object appeared to be large and a long way away.

0118 hours - The range had now decreased to 6000 yards. It could now be seen that the contact was a ship. It looked like 'a cross Channel steamer of the Canterbury-class'. A minute later a smaller object was sighted astern. This was thought to be a submarine following the ship.

0120 hours - While Tally-Ho was trying to get into an attack position the ship challenged with an ordinary Aldis lamp. The challenge was 'G', followed by 'XE' and then 'MR'. Tally-Ho altered course away and increased speed. The ship was now seen to give chase.

0125 hours - Dived to 200 feet and altered course to 350°. Seven minutes later the enemy dropped a pattern of 4 depth charges.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1440 hours - Sighted 'something' fine on the port bow. Dived to periscope depth.

1446 hours - Sighted submarine bearing 294° at maximum range. Started attack.

1516 hours - Broke off attack as we could not close to attack range. The target was thought to be a large Japanese submarine.

The Japanese submarine I-166 (offsite link) arrived at Penang the next day from patrol in the Indian Ocean. It is very likely this submarine that Tally-Ho had sighted. (12)

17 Nov 1943
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 4th war patrol at Colombo. (12)

19 Nov 1943
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) is docked at Colombo. (19)

21 Nov 1943
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) left dock at Colombo. (19)

3 Dec 1943
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Colombo for her 5th war patrol (2nd in the far east). She was ordered to patrol in the Malacca Straits and to perform a special mission.

For the daily positions of HMS Tally-Ho during this patrol see the map below.

(12)

7 Dec 1943
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) develops problems with one of her periscopes. Repairs are attempted (also during the following days) but to no avail. None the less the patrol is continued. (12)

11 Dec 1943
In the evening HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) performs a special mission. (details to follow)

Repairs to the defective periscope were still unsuccessful. Lt.Cdr. Bennington decided to abandon the patrol and to return to Trincomalee for repairs. (12)

16 Dec 1943
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 5th war patrol at Trincomalee. (12)

28 Dec 1943
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Trincomalee for her 6th war patrol (3rd in the far east). She was ordered to perform a special operation, followed by a patrol in the Malacca Straits and later of the Nicobar Islands.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Tally-Ho during this patrol see the map below.

(12)

5 Jan 1944
In the evening HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) performs a special mission. (details to follow) (12)

11 Jan 1944 (position 5.26, 99.52)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) torpedoed and sank the Japanese light cruiser Kuma (offsite link) about 10 nautical miles north-west of Penang, Malaya in position 05°26'N, 99°52'E. Kuma was escorted by the destroyer Uranami which depth charged Tally Ho following the attack.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0815 hours - Sighted a floatplane flying Westwards along the route which the cruiser that had been sighted on the 9th was to be expected. It was felt that this heralded the approach of the cruiser. Just before 0900 hours the Officer of the Watch sighted the masts of the cruiser fine on the Port bow. The enemy was seen steering 294° and had a destroyer as escort. Commenced attack. Position was 05°34'N, 100°03'E.

0913 hours - Fired seven torpedoes from 1900 yards. Two hits were obtained. Altered course and went to 80 feet. The destroyer counter attacked with 18 depth charges.

1013 hours - Returned to periscope depth. There was no sign of the cruiser. The destroyer was still searching some distance astern. Lt.Cdr. Bennington was under the impression that the cruiser had sunk. (12)

15 Jan 1944 (position 10.03, 93.05)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) torpedoed and sank the sank Japanese army cargo ship Ryuko Maru (2963 GRT) south of Port Blair, Andaman Islands in position 10°03'N, 93°05'E.

(all times are zone -6.5)
After chasing a merchant ship and escort (this was the Japenese minesweeper W 7 (offsite link) for almost 10 hours at .....

...... 0054 hours - In position 10°03'N, 93°05'E fired six torpedoes from 5000 to 6000 yards. One hit was obtained. Went to 300 feet after firing.

0158 hours - Came to periscope depth. Found nothing in sight.

0225 hours - Surfaced in position 10°40'N, 93°00'E. Set course to the South. (12)

18 Jan 1944
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 6th war patrol at Trincomalee. (12)

3 Feb 1944
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Trincomalee for her 7th war patrol (4th in the far east). She was ordered to perform patrol in the Malacca Straits. She is also to perform several special operations (details to follow). Shortly before departing she is performs some A/S exercises with the British destroyers HMS Rocket (Lt.Cdr. H.B. Acworth, OBE, RN) and HMS Racehorse (Cdr. J.J. Casement, DSC, RN).

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Tally-Ho during this patrol see the map below.

(12)

15 Feb 1944 (position 4.27, 100.11)
German U-boat UIT-23 was sunk in the Straits of Malacca south of Penang, in position 04°27'N, 100°11'E, by torpedoes from the British submarine HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN).

(All times are zone -6.5)
0515 hours - While in position 04°25'N, 100°09'E sighted an object fine on the Starboard bow bearing 135°. Changed course and reduced speed. About a minute later the object disappeared from view.

0519 hours - The object re-appeared ahead of Tally-Ho and was identified as a large submarine, probably Japanese. The enemy's estimated course was 360°, speed 14 knots, range was 3000/3500 yards. Started attack. While getting into attack position another object was sighted thought to be another submarine broad on the Port bow (this later turned out to be a junk).

0522 hours - Fired three torpedoes against the first submarine. 2min25sec after firing the third torpedo an torpedo explosion was heard. HE stopped almost immediately. A few minutes later periscope observation showed nothing in sight. It is considered that the submarine had sunk. (12)

18 Feb 1944
On this day HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) sighted a 2000 tons merchant ship and escorting minelayer. A little later a Japanese seaplane tender and another escorting minelayer was sighted. Tally-Ho at that moment was engaged in a special operation and was not allowed to attack. (To the disgust of Lt.Cdr. Bennington). (12)

21 Feb 1944 (position 3.52, 100.40)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) torpedoed and sank the Japanese army cargo ship Daigen Maru No.6 (510 GRT, built 1935) in the Strait of Malacca in position 03°52'N, 100°40'E.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1410 hours - Sighted a merchant ship approaching from the South-East. Commenced attack. The vessel was judged to be about 2000/2500 tons. It was steering 304° at an estimated speed of 7 knots, range was 8000 yards.

1447 hours - In position 03°52'N, 100°40'E fired 5 torpedoes from 1300 yards. There was one hit and the ship sank in 4 minutes. Tally-Ho retired to the South-East. (12)

24 Feb 1944 (position 3.42, 100.09)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) is rammed by the Japanese torpedo boat Kari (offsite link) in the Malacca Straits in position 03°42'N, 100°09'E. Tally-Ho is heavily damaged but managed to escape.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0251 hours - The Officer of the Watch Lt. P.D.C. Bennett, RN reported two wakes ahead of the submarine crossing the bow from Port to Starboard, true bearing 358°. Lt.Cdr. Bennington, who was asleep on the bridge, stood up to look. The night was pitch dark and a great many phosphorescent wakes from large fish had been sighted. Lt. Bennett was of the opinion that the two wakes he sighted were larger. Before Lt.Cdr. Bennington could see the two wakes Lt. Bennett reported that he now could see only one. A moment later he again sighted both wakes and this time reported that the direction had changed and that both wakes were now moving from Starboard to Port. It soon became apparent that the wakes belonged to a vessel that was very close to Tally-Ho and that it was moving at speed. A challenge was made as it was thought possible that it was either HMS Tactician or HMS Truculent. Suddenly the enemy charged in from the Starboard quarter and started dropping depth charges.

Lt.Cdr. Bennington decided not to dive as it would make Tally-Ho a perfect target for ramming and depth charging. The wheel was put hard a Port. The enemy crossed the stern from Starboard to Port and attempted to ram from the side. The wheel was now put hard a Starboard and the enemy tore along the Port side, ripping open the Port main ballast tanks, still dropping depth charges and firing a gun. Position was 03°42'N, 100°09'E.

The collision caused Tally-Ho to take a very heavy list to Port. Despite this Tally-Ho dived to 120 feet without much trouble as soon as the enemy was clear. In all probability the enemy was also damaged (this proved to be correct). Only two more depth charges were dropped, although the enemy remained in the vicinity, apparently proceeding at slow speed for over an hour. It was thought to be a torpedo boat of the Hayabusa-class (this was also a correct assumption).

0547 hours - Altered course to 300° and started to make for Trincomalee. The forward hydroplanes had also been damaged, but Tally-Ho was kept at quite a steady depth without them.

0630 hours - Came to periscope depth. A torpedo boat of destroyer was seen searching on the Starboard quarter. Went to 80 feet. HE from the enemy was heard for an hour and a half but at no time it came close.

1825 hours - Surfaced in position 03°58'N, 99°39'E. Upon surfacing the list was about 15°. It proved possible to reduce the list to 12°. It could be seen that all the Port ballast tanks were heavily damaged. Speed was limited to 9.5 knots.

2204 hours - Sighted an object fine on the Starboard bow. Changed course to 295°. It was thought to be a patrol vessel but it gradually faded.

The next day the list was reduced to 8°while Tally-Ho proceeded to Trincomalee. (12)

1 Mar 1944
The heavily damaged and listing HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 7th war patrol at Trincomalee. (12)

4 Mar 1944
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from to Colombo for repairs. (20)

6 Mar 1944
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Colombo. (20)

7 Mar 1944
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) is docked at Colombo. (20)

27 Apr 1944
With her repairs completed HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) is undocked. (21)

29 Apr 1944
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) departed from Colombo bound for Trincomalee. (21)

1 May 1944
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) arrived back at Trincomalee. (21)

9 May 1944
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) departed from Trincomalee for her 8th war patrol. She is to patrol in the Malacca Straits. She is also to perform a mine laying mission.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Tally-Ho during this patrol see the map below.

(12)

14 May 1944 (position 3.42, 99.04)
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) lays mines in the Strait of Malacca near position 03°42'N, 99°04'E.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1634 hours - Tally-Ho was now about three-quarters of a mile due North of position 03°42'N, 99°04'E. Commenced mine laying. The first line of four mines was laid on course of 240° and the spacing was one cable. The depth of the water at the beginning of the line was 9 fathoms and at the end 7.5 fathoms.

On completion altered course to 170° and proceeded three cables into this direction. Then bottomed to reload. The next four mines were also laid one cable apart, on a course of 170° and commenced from the bottoming position. The depth of the water was 7 to 7.5 fathoms.

After the second lay course was altered to 080°. Tally-Ho was grounded for reload. After dark Tally-Ho surfaced and laid the last four mines on a course of 080° once again one cable apart. Depth of the water was 6 to 7 fathoms. (12)

17 May 1944
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) attacks German U-boat U-532 in position 03°27'N, 100°56'E. First 5 torpedoes were fired, all missed. Then 1 torpedo was fired which also missed.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1439 hours - Sighted a floatplane bearing 350°. From its movements it seemed probable that it was escorting something.

1445 hours - While in position 03°27'N, 100°56'E sighted a submarine bearing 350°. The submarine was inshore of Tally-Ho and its estimated course was 155°, speed 12 knots.

1459 hours - Fired 5 torpedoes from 1200 yards. All missed.

1509 hours - Fired the last remaining bow torpedo but this one also missed. The enemy aircraft was now seen to fly along the track of this torpedo. Went deep.

Although the submarine attacked is listed as being Japanese in Tally-Ho's patrol report it was German U-boat U-532 that had departed Penang that day bound for Singapore. She was escorted by a German Arado floatplane. (12)

18 May 1944 (position 3.41, 99.04)
The Japanese merchant tanker Nichiyoku Maru (1945 GRT, built 1943) is damaged when she hits a mine laid on 14 May 1944 by the British submarine HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) in the Malacca Strait in position 03°41'N, 99°04'E. (12)

3 Jun 1944
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) ended her 8th war patrol at Trincomalee. (12)

24 Jun 1944
HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO and Bar, DSC and Bar, RN) departed from Trincomalee for her 9th war patrol. She is to patrol in the Malacca Straits.

For the daily positions of HMS Tally-Ho during this patrol see the map below.

(12)

18 Jul 1944
HMS Tally-Ho (Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO and Bar, DSC and Bar, RN) ended her 9th war patrol at Trincomalee. (12)

6 Aug 1944
HMS Tally-Ho (Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO and Bar, DSC and Bar, RN) departed from Trincomalee for her 10th war patrol. She is to patrol in the Malacca Straits.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Tally-Ho during this patrol see the map below.

(12)

22 Aug 1944 (position 5.51, 100.03)
HMS Tally-Ho (Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO and Bar, DSC and Bar, RN) sank a Japanese coaster with gunfire in the Strait of Malacca in position 05°51'N, 100°03'E.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1721 hours - Sighted a small coaster to the North-West bearing 140°, speed about 8 knots. Started attack. The enemy was seen to be a motor vessel about 300 tons in size.

1748 hours - Surfaced and opened fire with the 4" gun from 2000 yards. During the action the range was rapidly reduced. In all 66 rounds were fired for a great many hits and the enemy caught fire. At a range of only 100 yards fire was ceased. The enemy was left ablaze and sank half an hour later in position 05°51'N, 100°03'E. (12)

24 Aug 1944 (position 4.38, 100.21)
HMS Tally-Ho (Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO and Bar, DSC and Bar, RN) sank three small Japanese junks with gunfire in the Strait of Malacca. One in position 04°29'N, 99°57'E and two in position 04°38'N, 100°21'E.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0630 hours - Sighted a junk ahead.

0747 hours - Sank a two masted auxiliary junk of about 60 tons with three rounds of 4". Position was 04°29'N, 99°57'E.

1000 hours - Altered course towards the coast.

1045 hours - Sighted a number of junks to the Eastward. Closed at full speed.

1145 hours - Sank a two masted junk of approximately 50 tons with two rounds of 4". This vessel was heavily laden with what looked like a cargo of tin ore.

1149 hours - Sank a large three masted junk with three rounds of 4". It was of about 150 tons and was loaded with bales of some sort. Position of the last two sinkings was 04°38'N, 100°21'E. (12)

30 Aug 1944
HMS Tally-Ho (Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO and Bar, DSC and Bar, RN) ended her 10th war patrol at Trincomalee. (12)

18 Sep 1944
HMS Tally-Ho (Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO and Bar, DSC and Bar, RN) departed from Trincomalee for her 11th war patrol. She is to patrol in the Malacca Straits.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Tally-Ho during this patrol see the map below.

(12)

30 Sep 1944 (position 3.08, 99.58)
HMS Tally-Ho (Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO and Bar, DSC and Bar, RN) attacks a convoy of three 500 tons coasters escorted by three escorts in the Malacca Strait in position 03°08.5'N, 99°58'E. One torpedo is fired but no hit is obtained.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0730 hours - Sighted three columns of smoke to the South-East. Soon afterwards sighted two aircraft in that direction.

0845 hours - It was now sighted that it was a convoy of three coasters escorted by three submarine chasers and two aircraft.

0900 hours - Commenced attack. The coasters had been steering 315° and were then seen to alter course in succession about 30° to Port for a few minutes. Then they altered course back to Starboard and steadied on 310°.

At that time there was no reason to attach any particular significance to this alteration of course. A few days later an anti-torpedo fence which stretches between and along the line of fishing stacks in this vicinity was discovered. Presumably it was at this point that the enemy turned inshore to take refuge behind the fence.

Tally-Ho closed to attack until the water became too shallow to proceed any further. The coasters were seen to be of about 500 tons each.

0921 hours - In position 03°08.5'N, 99°58'E fired one torpedo at one of the coasters from 1200 yards. The torpedo exploded 1min12sec after firing. It may have been deflected or exploded when it struck the anti-torpedo fence. Tally-Ho made off for deeper water. (12)

4 Oct 1944 (position 3.09, 99.55)
HMS Tally-Ho (Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO and Bar, DSC and Bar, RN) attacks a Japanese coaster with gunfire in the Strait of Malacca in position 03°09'N, 99°55'E.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1215 hours - Sighted a small coaster close inshore to the West.

1247 hours - Surfaced in position 03°09'N, 99°55'E and opened fire with the 4" gun at a range of 4500 yards.

The coaster, estimated at 200 tons, ran inshore ad ran aground. It was escorted by a Motor Torpedo Boat. Both the coaster and the MTB opened fire with small automatic weapons but their fire was very inaccurate posing little threat. The 4" fire from Tally-Ho was very erratic as both the gun layer and trainer complained that they could not see the target against the background. Fire was ceased in order not to waste ammunition. 34 Rounds had been fire but no hits were obtained.

1256 hours - Tally-Ho made off for deeper water. A few minutes later the MTB was seen to turn towards and was thought to have launched a torpedo against Tally-Ho. Cdr. Bennington changed course but no torpedo track was sighted. (12)

6 Oct 1944 (position 4.20, 98.24)
HMS Tally-Ho (Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO and Bar, DSC and Bar, RN) sank the Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 2 (130 tons) about 110 nautical miles south-west of Penang, Malaya in position 04°20'N, 98°24'E.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1034 hours - Surfaced to engage a Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser. The enemy was on the Starboard beam, coming straight towards Tally-Ho at speed. Tally-Ho's opened fire with the 4" gun and the Oerlikon but the last one soon jammed. Also a floatplane was seen approaching from astern. Meanwhile the submarine chaser was also firing on Tally-Ho. At this time the Gunnery Officer was mortally wounded and it took some time before Cdr. Bennington himself gave some spotting corrections to the gun crew. After another correction five consecutive hits struck the submarine chaser. In all 19 rounds were fired.

The aircraft was now seen approaching and was taken under fire with a Vickers gun. Several hits were obtained and the aircraft was right over the submarine chaser when the last one blew up. Meanwhile Tally-Ho was diving to 80 feet. On the way down an explosion was heard thought to be the aircraft crashing.

The gunnery officer (Lt. Dennis John Adams, RN) died later that day of his wounds. His body was committed to the deep during the night. (12)

11 Oct 1944
HMS Tally-Ho (Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO and Bar, DSC and Bar, RN) ended her 11th war patrol at Trincomalee. (12)

29 Oct 1944
HMS Tally-Ho (Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO and Bar, DSC and Bar, RN) departed from Trincomalee for her 12th war patrol (9th in the far east). She is to patrol in the Malacca Straits and to perform a special operation.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Tally-Ho during this patrol see the map below.

(12)

9 Nov 1944
HMS Tally-Ho (Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO and Bar, DSC and Bar, RN) performs her special operation (details to follow). (12)

16 Nov 1944 (position 5.46, 100.02)
While on patrol to the North-West of Penang HMS Tally-Ho (Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO and Bar, DSC and Bar, RN) attacks a Japanese submarine with first five than one torpedo. No hits were obtained.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0928 hours - While in position 05°46.5'N, 100°02.5'E sighted small object on the Port quarter.

0925 hours - The object was identified as the top of a conning tower of a small submarine. The enemy appeared to be steering 128° at 12 knots and the range must have been over 10000 yards. Started attack.

0943 hours - Fired five torpedoes from about 7000 yards. Five minutes after firing the enemy turned away and combed the tracks. The submarine steadied end on to, and exactly ahead of Tally-Ho, who was still steering the firing course. As soon as it was clear the enemy was steady, a sixth torpedo was fired. Three minutes later the enemy turned to Starboard an resumed on approximately the original course. Altered course to seaward as an aircraft appeared that started a search. 1017 hours - Steadied on a course of 310° and went to 50 feet as the aircraft appeared to have a fairly good idea of the position of Tally-Ho.

1029 hours - Heard on loud explosion fairly close. Probably a bomb.

1112 hours - Returned to periscope depth to see two aircraft now searching very close. Went to 60 feet.

1142 hours - Another loud explosion was heard. Most likely another bomb.

1230 hours - Returned to periscope depth. Saw an aircraft turning towards at very close range. Went to 60 feet again and changed course to 290°.

The Japanese submarines RO 113 and RO 115 (both offsite links) were based at Penang at this time. The target was most likely one of these two submarines. (12)

17 Nov 1944 (position 6.15, 99.39)
HMS Tally-Ho (Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO and Bar, DSC and Bar, RN) sank seven Japanese sailing vessels with gunfire in the Strait of Malacca near Langkawi.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0230 hours - Started a search for coastal traffic in the direction of Langkawi.

0552 hours - Sank a 30 ton junk by gunfire in position 05°54'N, 99°28'E.

0604 hours - Dived in position 05°56'N, 99°29'E and patrolled of the Southern tip of Langkawi.

1425 hours - Surfaced and commenced a junk hunt between Langkawi and Butang.

1515 hours - Sank a junk of 25 tons with gunfire in position 06°15'N, 99°32'E.

1630 hours - Sank four junks, each of about 20 tons, by gunfire in position 06°15'N, 99°39'E. These vessels were all heavily laden and sailed towards Penang. A fifth vessel, that was smaller, was left to pick up the survivors.

1810 hours - Sank another junk of about 50 tons by gunfire in position 05°57'N, 99°36'E. Now shifted patrol to the Southern part of the area. (12)

18 Nov 1944 (position 4.37, 100.21)
HMS Tally-Ho (Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO and Bar, DSC and Bar, RN) sank three Japanese sailing vessels with gunfire in the Strait of Malacca to the South of Penang.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0547 hours - Dived and closed the Malayan coast between Penang and the Dindings.

1426 hours - Surfaced and searched inshore for another junk hunt.

1445 hours - Sank a junk of about 45 tons by gunfire in position 04°44'N, 100°14'E.

1537 hours - Sighted two large junks further inshore. Gave chase.

1647 hours - Sank a tonkang of 91 tons and a heavily laden three masted junk of about 100 tons by gunfire in position 04°37'N, 100°21'E. Seven Chinese who formed the crew of the Tongkang were picked up. (12)

20 Nov 1944 (position 6.55, 94.15)
HMS Tally-Ho (Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO and Bar, DSC and Bar, RN) sank the Japanese auxiliary minelayer Ma 4 (215 tons, built 1941) about 30 nautical miles east of the southern tip of Great Nicobar Island in position 06°55'N, 94°15'E.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1120 hours - Sighted a small coaster and escort vessel that had been sighted and hunted earlier in the day. Later also sighted an MTB. Commenced attack on the coaster.

1150 hours - As the range decreased it became clear that the escort was a far better target and that the coaster was hardly big enough to make a torpedo target. So shifted target to the escort.

1207 hours - Fired three torpedoes set to six feet resulting in three !!! hits. A very heavy explosion followed almost at once. Most likely this was the magazine or depth charges exploding. Both the coaster and MTB were now seen to alter course directly towards Tally-Ho at very close range. Increased depth and altered course at full speed.

1215 hours - Returned to periscope depth to find both the coaster and MTB on the Starboard quarter about 400 yards away. Again both turned towards Tally-Ho so went deep again and altered course. The MTB remained nearby until after 1300 hours.

1309 hours - Came to periscope depth. The MTB could be seen searching astern. The coaster could be seen steering to the South or South-West.

1348 hours - Both vessels were out of sight. Surfaced and searched for them but could not find them again, most likely they had changed course. (12)

23 Nov 1944
HMS Tally-Ho (Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO and Bar, DSC and Bar, RN) ended her 12th war patrol (9th in the far east) at Trincomalee. (12)

3 Dec 1944
HMS Tally-Ho (Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO and Bar, DSC and Bar, RN) departed from Trincomalee bound for the U.K. where she is to refit. The first leg of the trip is to Aden.

For the daily positions of HMS Tally-Ho during this passage see the map below.

(22)

14 Dec 1944
HMS Tally-Ho (Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO and Bar, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Aden. (22)

15 Dec 1944
HMS Tally-Ho (Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO and Bar, DSC and Bar, RN) departed from Aden bound for Port Said. (22)

20 Dec 1944
HMS Tally-Ho (Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO and Bar, DSC and Bar, RN) passes the Suez Canal and arrived at Port Said. (22)

27 Dec 1944
HMS Tally-Ho (Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO and Bar, DSC and Bar, RN) departed from Port Said bound for Malta. (22)

31 Dec 1944
HMS Tally-Ho (Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO and Bar, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Malta. (22)

2 Jan 1945
HMS Tally-Ho (Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO and Bar, DSC and Bar, RN) departed from Malta bound for Gibraltar. (23)

7 Jan 1945
HMS Tally-Ho (Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO and Bar, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (23)

10 Jan 1945
HMS Tally-Ho (Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO and Bar, DSC and Bar, RN) departed from Gibraltar bound for Plymouth. She made most part of the passage in convoy MKS 76. (12)

18 Jan 1945
HMS Tally-Ho (Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO and Bar, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Plymouth. She departed for Portsmouth later the same day. (23)

19 Jan 1945
HMS Tally-Ho (Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO and Bar, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Portsmouth. (12)

21 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tally-Ho (Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO and Bar, DSC and Bar, RN) departed Portsmouth for Harwich. (23)

22 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tally-Ho (Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO and Bar, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Harwich. (23)

24 Jan 1945
HMS Tally-Ho (Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO and Bar, DSC and Bar, RN) departed Harwich for Blyth. She was escorted by HMS Lord Plender (A/Skr.Lt. J.W. Shell, RNR). (23)

25 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tally-Ho (Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO and Bar, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Blyth. (23)

18 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tally-Ho (Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO and Bar, DSC and Bar, RN) shifted from Blyth to the Swan Hunter shipyard where she was to refit. (24)

Sources

  1. ADM 173/16713
  2. ADM 173/16714
  3. ADM 173/16715
  4. ADM 173/16716
  5. ADM 199/2566
  6. ADM 199/1218
  7. ADM 199/1220
  8. ADM 199/1226
  9. ADM 199/1877
  10. ADM 173/18181
  11. ADM 173/18182
  12. ADM 199/1862
  13. ADM 173/18183
  14. ADM 173/18184
  15. ADM 173/18186
  16. ADM 199/1916
  17. ADM 199/18187
  18. ADM 173/18187
  19. ADM 173/18188
  20. ADM 173/18931
  21. ADM 173/18932
  22. ADM 173/18940
  23. ADM 173/19828
  24. ADM 199/2572

ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.


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