Boleslaw Szymon Romanowski DSC, ORP

Born  21 Mar 1910Varaklani, Russian Empire (now Latvia)
Died  12 Aug 1968(58)Gdansk, Poland

Ranks

15 Aug 1932 Ppor.mar. (S.Lt.)
4 Mar 1935 Por.mar. (Lt.)
3 May 1940 Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.)
3 May 1944 Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.)

Decorations

30 Nov 1944 DSC

Warship Commands listed for Boleslaw Szymon Romanowski, ORP


ShipRankTypeFromTo
ORP Jastrzab (P 551)Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.)Submarine4 Nov 19412 May 1942
ORP Dzik (P 52)Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.)Submarine12 Dec 194212 Dec 1944
ORP Sokol (N 97)Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.)Submarine12 Dec 19447 Feb 1945
ORP Sokol (N 97)Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.)Submarine17 Jun 194529 Sep 1945

Career information

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

Events related to this officer

Submarine ORP Jastrzab (P 551)


21 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
ORP Jastrzab (Lt.Cdr. B. Romanowski) departed St.John's, Newfoundland for the U.K. (1)

1 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1030A/1, ORP Jastrzab (Lt.Cdr. B. Romanowski) made rendezvous near Barra Head with the A/S trawler HMS Daneman (T/Lt. G.O.T.D. Henderson, RNVR). (1)

2 Dec 1941
ORP Jastrzab (Lt.Cdr. B. Romanowski) and her escort, the A/S trawler HMS Daneman (T/Lt. G.O.T.D. Henderson, RNVR), arrived in the Clyde. (1)

29 Jan 1942
ORP Jastrzab (Lt.Cdr. B. Romanowski) arrived at Blyth where she is to be taken in hand for alterations.

She had been escorted all the way to Blyth by HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) C.C. Flemming, RN). (2)

17 Mar 1942
ORP Jastrzab (Lt.Cdr. B. Romanowski) departed Blyth for Holy Loch.

From Methil onwards the passage was made in convoy EN 60. This convoy departed Methil on 18 March. (3)

21 Mar 1942
ORP Jastrzab (Lt.Cdr. B. Romanowski) arrived at Holy Loch to begin a period of training before she can be deployed operationally.

After convoy EN 60 had dispersed around 0700A/20, ORP Jastrzab was escorted the last part of her passage by HrMs Jan van Brakel (Lt.Cdr. T.K. van Asbeck, RNN). This minelayer (now in use as escort vessel) had also been with convoy EN 60. (3)

22 Apr 1942
ORP Jastrzab (Lt.Cdr. B. Romanowski) departed Holy Loch for Lerwick. She is escorted by HrMs Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.L.M. van Geen, RNN). (3)

24 Apr 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
ORP Jastrzab (Lt.Cdr. B. Romanowski) arrived at Lerwick from Holy Loch. (2)

25 Apr 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
ORP Jastrzab (Lt.Cdr. B. Romanowski) departed Lerwick for her 1st war patrol. She was ordered to provide cover for convoy PQ 15 to northern Russia. (2)

1 May 1942
The submarines HMS P 43 (Lt. A.C. Halliday, RN), ORP Jastrzab (Lt.Cdr. B. Romanowski), HNoMS Uredd (Lt. Røren) and FFS Minerve (Lt. P.M. Sonneville) arrived in Zones K 30, K 28, K 26, K 24 respectively to provide cover for the passage of convoys PQ 15 and QP 11. (4)


Submarine ORP Dzik (P 52)


15 Dec 1942
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) departed her builders yard for Holy Loch. She is escorted by HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Dobson, RNR). (5)

16 Dec 1942
Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) arrived at Holy Loch to begin a period of trials and training. Following succesful trials on this day she was accepted for service.

[No information is currently available to us on her exercise period other then currently displayed.] (5)

30 Jan 1943
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) departed Holy Loch for Lerwick. She is escorted by the corvette HMS Anchusa (A/Lt.Cdr. D.M. Gibb, RNR) (1)

1 Feb 1943
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) arrived at Lerwick. She departed for her 1st war patrol later the same day. She was to conduct and anti-uboat patrol in area ' K 104 ' which was bounded by latitudes 61°20'N, and 60°50'N, meridian 02°45'E and the Norwegian coast. (1)

2 Feb 1943
At 1820A/2, ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski), entered her patrol area. (1)

11 Feb 1943
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) ended her 1st war patrol at Lerwick. The patrol had been uneventful. (1)

12 Feb 1943
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) departed Lerwick for Dundee. She is escorted by the M/S trawler HMS Switha (T/Lt. L.H. Green, RNR). (1)

13 Feb 1943
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) arrived at Dundee. (1)

7 Mar 1943
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) arrived at Holy Loch from Dundee. (6)

10 Mar 1943
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) departed Holy Loch for Gibraltar. She was escorted south through the Irish Sea until about 1800A/12 by the corvette HMS Oxlip (Lt. C.W. Leadbetter, RNR). (1)

24 Mar 1943
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) arrived at Gibraltar. (1)

6 Apr 1943
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) departed Gibraltar for her 2nd war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean). She is ordered to patrol in the Gulf of Lyons and to proceed to Algiers on completion of the patrol. (1)

12 Apr 1943
At 2105A/12, ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) arrived in her patrol area. (1)

18 Apr 1943
At 0120A/18, ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski), departed her patrol area for Algiers. (1)

21 Apr 1943
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) ended her 2nd war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean) at Algiers. The patrol had been uneventful. (1)

28 Apr 1943
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) departed Algiers for passage to Malta. (1)

8 May 1943
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) arrived at Malta from Algiers. (1)

16 May 1943
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) departed Malta for her 3rd war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean). She is ordered to patrol off the East Calabrian coast between latitudes 36°27'N and 39°24'N. (1)

20 May 1943
At 0200B/20, ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) arrived in her intended patrol area. (1)

24 May 1943
Near Cape Spartivento ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) torpedoes and damages the Italian oil tanker Carnaro (8257 GRT, built 1942). After the attack, the Italians depth charged Dzik but she managed to escape without damage.

(All times are zone B/-2)
0630B/24, In position 118°, Cape Sparivento, 10 miles, sighted a loaded tanker at extreme range escorted by a small 'destroyer' of an unknown type and an 'Eritrea' type sloop as well as three aircraft. Commenced attack.

0715B/24, Fired a full salvo of four torpedoes. Obtained two hits. The escorts then hunted and attacked Dzik with depth charges.

0950B/24, On return to periscope depth sighted the target burning. (1)

28 May 1943
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) ended her 3rd war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (1)

8 Jun 1943
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) departed Malta for her 4th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean). She is ordered to patrol north of Sicily. (1)

17 Jun 1943
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) attacked an Italian warship with three torpedoes north-north-east Milazzo. No hits were obtained.

Later the same day Dzik claims to have sunk a transport vessel south of Stromboli.

(All times are zone B/-2)
0308B/17, In position 38°22'N 15°17'E, fired three torpedoes against an enemy patrol vessel or possibly a minelayer of the Crotone-class. Range was 800 yards. No hits were obtained. One of the torpedoes was seen to run underneath the target which continued on its course as if nothing had happened. She only responded when two torpedoes exploded on hitting the coast 7 minutes after firing.

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

Sighted a merchant vessel with an escort of a fleet destroyer 2000 yards ahead of her. Range was 6000 yards. Commenced attack.

1940B/17, In position 38°40'N, 15°16'E attacked the merchant vessel which of about 4000 tons. Three torpedoes were fired from 3000 yards. Two torpedo explosions were heard and five minutes later only the main mast and the stern of the vessel were seen protruding from the water. The destroyer was seen closing at high speed. Went deep. Depth charging started 15 minutes after the attack, 12 depth charges were counted but they were not very close. 40 Minutes after the attack Dzik returned to periscope depth. The destroyer was seen to leave the scene steering a course of 140°.

2305B/17, passed through the spot of the attack again. A large quantity of debris was seen. (1)

19 Jun 1943
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) departed her patrol area to return to Malta. (1)

22 Jun 1943
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) ended her 4th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (1)

2 Jul 1943
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) departed Malta for her 5th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean). She is ordered to patrol off the Gulf of Taranto. (1)

6 Jul 1943
At 0025B/6, ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski), arrived in her patrol area. (1)

17 Jul 1943
At 0325B/17, ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski), departed her patrol area to return to Malta. (1)

19 Jul 1943
At 0620B/19, in position 35°48'N, 15°17'E, ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) fired four torpedoes at what is thought to be a submarged enemy submarine which is thought to be in the process of attacking HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN). No hits were obtained but the periscope of the suspected attacker is not seen anymore.

Later the same day Dzik ended her 5th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean) at Malta.

(All times are zone B/-2)
0620B/19, When proceeding on course 270° zigzagging 25° either side and in company with HMS Unshaken about 3000 yards on the starboard bow spotted a periscope 40° to port, distance 1000 yards. Altered course towards, gave full speed ahead and ordered torpedoes to be set to 24 feet. The periscope disappeared, then re-appeared moving in course north-west which would cross out bow as if he was attacking HMS Unshaken and had not yet seen us as we were on his beam. Altered course slightly to starboard and fired four torpedoes aimed independently. They all missed. Attempted to ram with no result and concluded as the periscope had disappeared after the second torpedo had been fired that the enemy had finally seen us and had gone deep.
(1)

5 Aug 1943
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) departed Malta for her 6th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean). She is ordered to patrol off Bari. (1)

15 Aug 1943 (position 41.09, 17.25)
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) attacked an Italian convoy damaging the merchant vessel Goggiam (1994 GRT, built 1922), 27 nautical miles east of Bari, Italy in position 41°09'N, 17°25'E. The damaged Goggiam was taken in tow by the Nettuno and then beached. She was later declared to be a total loss.

The convoy Dzik attacked was made up the above mentioned Goggiam as well as the Citta di Spezia (2474 GRT, built 1929) and the tugs Nettuno and Asinara. They were escorted by the Italian torpedo boat Enrico Cosenz.

(All times are zone B/-2)
1400B/15, Left our patrol area as ordered in Capt. S.10's signal timed 13/0632B.

1730B/15, Saw a distant column of smoke bearing 140°. Altered course towards to investigate. Between now and 1810B/15 heard distant depth charging.

1840B/15, Sighted two Cant aircraft on A/S patrol between us and the smoke.

1910B/15, Found out the smoke was coming from a convoy proceeding towards Bari. Started attack.

2032B/15, Attacked the convoy which consisted of a 7000 tons tanker, a 6000 tons passenger-cargo ship, a Generale class torpedo boat and a minesweeper. Fired two torpedoes at the tanker and two at the passenger-cargo ship. All hit. A counter attack followed which lasted until 2105B/15 during which 22 depth charges were counted. (7)

20 Aug 1943
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) ended her 6th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (1)

15 Sep 1943
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) departed Malta for her 7th war patrol (6th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Bastia, Cosica.

She made the passage through the Tunisian War Channel together with HMS Uproar (Lt. L.E. Herrick, DSC, RN), HMS Ultor (Lt. G.E. Hunt, DSC, RN) and HMS Unseen (Lt. M.L.C. Crawford, DSC and Bar, RN). They were escorted by HMS BYMS 2028 (Skr. J.R. Clark, RNR). (1)

17 Sep 1943
At 1340B/17, ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) parted company with the other three submarines and their escort. (1)

20 Sep 1943
At 1000B/20, ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) entered her patrol area. (1)

21 Sep 1943
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) fired torpedoes off Bastia harbour, Corsica, France and sank the German transport Nikolaus (6397 GRT, built 1922, former Greek Nicolaou Ourania).Dzik also claimed the sinking of a second transport and several German landing craft.

(All times are zone B/-2)
1530B/21, The Officer of the Watch saw a merchant vessel leave Bastia harbour. She dropped anchor in the roads south of Bastia. Immediately afterwards four barges went alongside her. Two E-boats then left harbour and patrolled near the merchant ship. Dzik then slowly closed and prepared to make a torpedo attack.

1548B/21, A 'Q'-ship (identified as such from sketches and description in Capt. S.8's submarine noter V of 25 April 1943) making out of the harbour and then stop at the boom defence. The 'Q'-ship was followed by a third E-boat which joined the other two on patrol. [This 'Q'-ship was UJ 2209.]

1620B/21, An all round look showed a large merchant vessel being turned in the entrance to the harbour by a very small tug. The tug was turning the merchant vessel's stern round. Lt.Cdr. Romanowski decided to attack both merchant vessels firing two torpedoes at each.

1632B/21, Fired two torpedoes at the anchored vessel. Explosions were heard after 44 seconds and the second explosion after the correct interval. Immediately after firing speed was increased to 5 knots and course was altered so as to fire at the other merchant vessel.

1636B/21, Fired two torpedoes at the merchant vessel inside the harbour. An explosion was heard after 69 seconds closely followed by another. Being in close proximity of the three E-boats there was no time to observe the results and Dzik went deep and retired to the north-east. Also closed off for depth charging. Also ran at high speed for three minutes as the sea was flat calm and the torpedo tracks clearly visible so the enemy would have no difficultly in finding Dzik's firing position.

Four an hour Dzik was hunted and depth charged by the three E-boats and the 'Q'-ship. Ten depth charges were dropped by the 'Q'-ship in patterns of three and two at very long intervals and all were very close and Dzik sustained some minor damage. Dzik first proceeded at 100 feet but by 1725B/21, Dzik was at 270 feet, it appeared that by now the enemy had been shaken off. A short bust at higher speed brought the submarine up to 70 feet. No reaction followed from the enemy.

1810B/21, Came to periscope depth. Observed one E-boat proceeding to Bastia and the 'Q'-ship proceeding to the north-east. Of the first target the bow was seen sticking into the air. The Bow, foremast and funnel of the second merchant were seen in the harbour mouth. It is believed that barges alongside the first merchant ship were also sunk as was the small tug attached to the second one. (1)

22 Sep 1943
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) first sank the Siebel Ferry F 420. The other two Siebel Ferries that were claimed to have been sunk were most likely F 360 and F 450 which were not sunk but both reported being missed by torpedoes.

Later the same day, at 2300B/22, ORP Dzik left her patrol area for Bizerta.

(All times are zone B/-2)
1513B/22, Sighted three E-boats leaving Bastia.

1725B/22, The Officer of the Watch observed a great number of Siebel Ferries, thought to be eleven in number, escorted by three E-boats and four aircraft. They came from Bastia and were proceeding on course 090°.

1751B/22, Attacked the third Siebel Ferry in the port column with one torpedo. It was seen hit about a third of the Siebel Ferries length from the bow and the Siebel Ferry sank. Just before firing an aircraft had been firing at the periscope.

Dzik then passed underneath the convoy to make another attack from the other side of the convoy.

1815B/22, Fired the remaining three torpedoes at two ferries that were overlapping. Observed the first torpedo exploding on the bows of the first ferry which was seen to sink in about 30 seconds. The other ferry was seen to explode and only a cloud of black smoke was seen after the explosion. No counter attack followed. Dzik, now out of torpedoes, went to 90 feet to avoid an attack from the air. (1)

26 Sep 1943
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) arrived at Bizerta. (1)

27 Sep 1943
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) departed Bizerta for Malta. She is escorted by HMS Bude (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E.A.C. Phillips, RNR). (1)

28 Sep 1943
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) ended her 7th war patrol (6th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (1)

11 Oct 1943
ORP Dzik (Por.mar. (Lt.) A. Klopotowski) departed Malta for her 8th war patrol (7th in the Mediterranean). She is ordered to proceed to Beirut proceeding through the southern Aegean along the north side of Crete.

Lt. Klopotowski was in command as Lt.Cdr. Romanowski was sick. (1)

15 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
ORP Dzik (Por.mar. (Lt.) A. Klopotowski) entered the Aegean through the Anti-Kythera Channel. (1)

23 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During the night of 23/24 October 1943, ORP Dzik (Por.mar. (Lt.) A. Klopotowski), departed from the Aegean through the Kaso Strait. (1)

26 Oct 1943
ORP Dzik (Por.mar. (Lt.) A. Klopotowski) ended her 8th war patrol (7th in the Mediterranean) at Beirut.

The patrol had been uneventful. (1)

6 Nov 1943
ORP Dzik (Por.mar. (Lt.) A. Klopotowski) departed Beirut for her 9th war patrol (8th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the western Aegean.

As Lt.Cdr. Romanowski was still on the sick list, Lt. Klopotowski was still in command. (1)

8 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During the night of 8/9 November 1943, ORP Dzik (Por.mar. (Lt.) A. Klopotowski) passed the Kaso Strait and entered the Aegean. (1)

11 Nov 1943
ORP Dzik (Por.mar. (Lt.) A. Klopotowski) arrived in her patrol area off Agios Dimitros (Cape Dimitri), Kithnos.

She left the area on the 15th and proceeded towards Monemvasia. (1)

17 Nov 1943
ORP Dzik (Por.mar. (Lt.) A. Klopotowski) sank the Greek caique PI 2119 / Agios Andreas (40 GRT) with gunfire east Monemvasia, Greece in position 36°42'N, 23°15'E.

(All times are zone B/-2)
1150B/17, Sighted a small single masted caique bearing 090° at a range of 10000 yards. Unable to overtake her while submerges so surfaced and gave chase. The caique turned towards the land. Opened fire when the range was 3000 yards. The crew abandoned ship and picked up three Greeks. The caique which was of about 40 tons and had a cargo of large metal barrels was then sunk with two rounds fired from 200 yards. Dived and continued patrol.

At 1350B/17, Sighted a 50 tons caique bearing 180°, course 350°. Surfaced and manned the gun. In closing she was found not decked and carrying no cargo. The crew consisted of five males, one female, two children, one donkey, one goose, one dog and a few chickens. Allowed them to proceed after putting two of the Greeks from the caique whe had sunk earlier on board. These wished to return to their families.

1610B/17, Dived and continued patrol. (1)

18 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
ORP Dzik (Por.mar. (Lt.) A. Klopotowski) proceeded to patrol off Cape Malea. (1)

20 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
ORP Dzik (Por.mar. (Lt.) A. Klopotowski) proceeded to patrol off Dia Island, north-east of Suda Bay. (1)

21 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
ORP Dzik (Por.mar. (Lt.) A. Klopotowski) passed the Kaso Strait southbound to return to Beirut. (1)

24 Nov 1943
ORP Dzik (Por.mar. (Lt.) A. Klopotowski) ended her 9th war patrol (8th in the Mediterranean) at Beirut. (1)

23 Dec 1943
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) departed Beirut for her 10th war patrol (9th in the Mediterranean). She is ordered to patrol in the northern Aegean. (1)

26 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 2230B/26, ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) arrived in her initial patrol area north of Amorgos. (1)

30 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 2230B/26, ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) departed her patrol area in the Amorgos / Nykaria / Patmos area to proceed to patrol off Tenedos. (1)

1 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) arrived in her new patrol area off Tenedos. (1)

7 Jan 1944 (position 39.42, 26.02)
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski), most likely, attacked the Turkish passenger/cargo ship Tirhan (3085 GRT, built 1939) with four torpedoes south of Tenedos Island in position 39°42'N, 26°02'E. All torpedoes missed their target.

(All times are zone B/-2)
0743B/7, Observed the dim shape of a merchant vessel on course 220°, range approximately 3000 yards. Heavy rain had prevented to Officer of the Watch from sighting her earlier. Started attack.

0756B/7, In position 39°42'N, 26°02'E, fired four torpedoes from 2300 yards. 1 min 28 sec after firing the first torpedo a loud explosion was heard followed a few seconds afterwards by a second one. This second explosion was not very loud. The target then appeared to be down by the bow. Went deep and altered course to 200° as it was thought that such an impostant ship would have an escort. No counter attack however followed. Reloaded one tube and surfaced to observe the results of our attack. This was 20 minutes after firing. Visibility was then 4000 yards but nothing was seen.

After firing the torpedoes the top reload stop bolt of No.1 tube did not return to its position. The reload torpedo went too far into the tube and started a hot run. The after door was closed and the bow cap opened but before it was fully opened the gasses which had been built up forced the torpedo out damaging the doors. The torpedo ran straight for 100 yards but then circled and zigzagged round the submarine. Not a very pleasant experience. (1)

8 Jan 1944 (position 39.37, 25.43)
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) left patrol to return to Beirut. Shortly after doing so she sank the Greek sailing vessel MY 200 / Elleni (?? GRT) with gunfire north-west of Lesbos Island, Greece in position 39°37'N, 25°43'E.

(All times are zone B/-2)
2200B/8, Left patrol to return to Beirut.

2352B/8, In position 39°37'N, 25°43'E intercepted a two masted schooner. Opened fire from 800 yards, 21 rounds of H.E.D.A. ammunition were fired for only 6 hits. The sea was very rough. The schooner meanwhile kept a steady course doing 6 knots. Went alongside and boarded her without opposition as the crew had apparently abandoned ship. The cargo consisted of 30 cows, fresh provisions, ammunition, pistols, several bags of mail and sacks of warm clothing. The ships papers were taken and it showed that there had been a crew of six Greeks with ten German passengers but they were nowhere to be seen. Then destroyed the schooner with a demolition charge. (1)

9 Jan 1944 (position 38.25, 25.21)
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) sinks the Greek caique CHI 436 / Agia Markella (40 GRT) with gunfire west of Chios in position 38°25'N, 25°21'E.

(All times are zone B/-2)
1843B/9, In position 38°25'N, 25°21'E fired 6 round of 3" at a small caique but obtained no hits. Boarded a small Greek caique in position 38°25'N, 25°21'E. Then took of the crew of three Greeks and sank her with a demolition charge.
(1)

10 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During the night of 10/11 January 1944, ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski), passed through the Scarpanto Straits. (1)

13 Jan 1944
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) ended her 10th war patrol (9th in the Mediterranean) at Beirut. (1)

24 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) departed Beirut for Port Said where she is to be docked. (6)

25 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) arrived at Port said. (6)

27 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) is docked at Port said. (8)

31 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) is undocked. (8)

5 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) departed Port Said for Beirut (6)

6 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) arrived at Beirut from Port Said. (9)

7 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) departed Beirut for her 11th war patrol (10th in the Mediterranean). She is ordered to patrol in the western Mediterranean. (1)

10 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During the night of 10/11 February 1944, ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski), passed the Scarpanto Straits northbound. (1)

11 Feb 1944
At 0500B/11, ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski), arrived in her patrol area off west of Kos. (1)

15 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0300B/15, ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) departed her patrol area as she had been ordered by Capt. S.1's signal timed 1656A/14.

At 0350B/15, Returned to her previous patrol area as ordered by Capt. S.1's signal times 2320A/14. (1)

18 Feb 1944
At 1200B/18, ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) departed patrol to proceed to Malta.

During the night of 18/19 February 1944, ORP Dzik passed the Kaso Strait southbound to proceed to Malta by a route south of Crete. (1)

20 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0200B/20, ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski), altered course to proceed towards the Adriatic as ordered by Capt. S.1's signal 2123A/18. (1)

23 Feb 1944
At 1400B/23, ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski), established patrol north of Corfu as ordered by Capt. S.1's signal timed 1550A/19. (1)

1 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 2117B/1, ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski), departed her patrol area to return to Malta as ordered by Capt. S.1's signal timed 1210A/1. (1)

3 Mar 1944
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) ended her 11th war patrol (10th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. The patrol had been a lengthy one but despite that it had been uneventful. (1)

11 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) departed Malta for the U.K. She joined the convoy GUS 33 for passage to Gibraltar. (1)

17 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) arrived at Gibraltar. (1)

19 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) departed Gibraltar for the U.K. but she had to return with defects a few hours after sailing. (1)

28 Mar 1944
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski), Antiope and FT 16 [Fleet Tender] departed Gibraltar to the westward. They were escorted by HMS Haarlem (T/Lt. D.A. King, RNVR). (10)

30 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) parted company with the other ships and set course to proceed to the U.K. independently. (1)

7 Apr 1944
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) anchored in Penzance Bay not having met her escort towards Plymouth. Her escort, HMS Neave (T/Lt. T. Ross, RNVR) arrived and anchored later the same day. (1)

8 Apr 1944
ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) and her escort, HMS Neave (T/Lt. T. Ross, RNVR) weighted anchor and proceeded from Penzance Bay to Plymouth. En-route they had encountered a fishing vessel in distress which HMS Neave then took in tow towards Plymouth.

[Most likely, while at Plymouth, ORP Dzik participated in A/S exercises.] (1)

25 May 1944
ORP Dzik (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) departed Plymouth for Rothesay. (11)

27 May 1944
ORP Dzik (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) arrived at Rothesay where she temporary joined the 7th Submarine Flotilla for training purposes while awaiting refit which is sheduled to commence at Dundee in late July. (12)

11 Aug 1944
ORP Dzik (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) proceeded from Londonderry to Rothesay. (6)

16 Aug 1944
ORP Dzik (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) arrived at Dundee where she is to be taken in hand for refit.

She completed her refit around late January / early February 1945 and was then assigned to training duties. [No further information available to us at the moment.] (6)

Sources

  1. ADM 199/1853
  2. ADM 199/424
  3. ADM 199/1907
  4. Personal communication
  5. ADM 199/1909
  6. ADM 199/2552
  7. ADM 199/1854
  8. ADM 199/1916
  9. ADM 199/1916 + ADM 199/2552
  10. ADM 199/1853 + ADM 199/2494
  11. ADM 199/1385 + ADM 199/2552
  12. ADM 199/1911

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


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