| Navy | The Royal Dutch Navy |
| Type | Submarine |
| Class | U |
| Pennant | P 47 |
| Mod | Third Group |
| Built by | Vickers Armstrong (Barrow-in-Furness, U.K.) |
| Ordered | 23 Aug 1940 |
| Laid down | 19 Nov 1941 |
| Launched | 27 Jul 1942 |
| Commissioned | 8 Oct 1942 |
| End service | Dec 1946 |
| History | Former British submarine P 47, transferred to the Royal Netherlands Navy before completion. Decommissioned in December 1946. |
| Former name | P 47 |
Commands listed for HNMS Dolfijn (P 47)
Please note that we're still working on this section
and that we only list Commanding Officers for the duration of the Second World War.
| Commander | From | To | |
| 1 | luitenant ter zee 1e klasse (Lt.Cdr.) Henri Max Louis Frédéric Emile van Oostrom Soede, RNN | 23 Sep 1942 | 25 Jul 1944 |
| 2 | luitenant ter zee 1e klasse (Lt.Cdr.) Arie van Altena, RNN(R) | 25 Jul 1944 | 21 Aug 1944 |
| 3 | luitenant ter zee 1e klasse (Lt.Cdr.) Jean Baptist Maria Joseph Maas, RNN | 21 Aug 1944 | 17 Sep 1945 |
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Notable events involving Dolfijn include:
The wartime history of HrMs Dolfijn as compiled on this page is extracted from this submarine's patrol reports and logbooks and was created in July 2016. Corrections and details regarding information from the enemy's side (for instance the composition of convoys attacked) is kindly provided by Mr. Platon Alexiades, a naval researcher from Canada.
This page was last updated in August 2016.
7 Oct 1942
Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) departed her builders yard at Barrow for Holy Loch. She was escorted by HrMs Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.L.M. van Geen, RNN). (1)
8 Oct 1942
Around 0445A/8, Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) and HrMs Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.L.M. van Geen, RNN) arrived at Holy Loch from Barrow in Furness.
Dolfijn was placed in full commission at Holy Loch later in the morning. She was then to start a period of trials and training in Clyde area. (2)
10 Oct 1942
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) conduced exercises in Loch Long. (3)
15 Oct 1942
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) conduced exercises in the Clyde area. These included a deep dive trial in Inchmarnock Water. (3)
16 Oct 1942
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) conduced exercises in the Clyde area. (3)
17 Oct 1942
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) noise trials in Loch Goil. (3)
19 Oct 1942
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) conducted full speed trials on the Arran measured mile. Also the log was calibrated. (3)
20 Oct 1942
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (3)
21 Oct 1942
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (3)
22 Oct 1942
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (3)
23 Oct 1942
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) proceeded from Campbeltown to Holy Loch. (3)
23 Oct 1942
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) proceeded from Campbeltown to Holy Loch. (3)
25 Oct 1942
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (3)
26 Oct 1942
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (3)
27 Oct 1942
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (3)
29 Oct 1942
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) conducted gunnery trials / exercises followed by trials / exercises with the mine detection unit (S.T.U.). (3)
30 Oct 1942
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A. E. Johnston, RN), HMS Z 5 (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S.T. Wenlock, RNR) and two MA/SB's acted as target.
HrMs Dolfijn also carried out gunnery exercises. (3)
30 Oct 1942
HMS P 216 (Lt. A.R. Daniell, DSC, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil. These were followed by night exercises in the Clyde area with HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN). (4)
31 Oct 1942
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A. E. Johnston, RN) and HMS Z 5 (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S.T. Wenlock, RNR) acted as target. (3)
1 Nov 1942
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) conducted D/F trials.
Later HrMs Dolfijn conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A. E. Johnston, RN) and HMS Z 5 (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S.T. Wenlock, RNR) acted as target. (3)
3 Nov 1942
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) conducted radar trials with aircraft and HrMs Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.L.M. van Geen, RNN). (3)
10 Nov 1942
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A. E. Johnston, RN) and HrMs Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.L.M. van Geen, RNN) acted as targets. (3)
11 Nov 1942
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil. (3)
15 Nov 1942
Around 1920A/15, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) departed Holy Loch for her 1st war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Bay of Biscay.
Passage south through the Irish Sea was made together with HMS Sealion (Lt. D. Lambert, DSC, RN). They were escorted until the vicinity of Bishops Rock by HMS Scimitar (Lt.Cdr. C.G. Cuthbertson, DSC, RNR) until 1900A/17. (5)
15 Nov 1942
For the daily and attack positions of HrMs Dolfijn during her 1st war patrol see the map below.
26 Nov 1942
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) attacked the German submarine U-263 with three torpedoes in position 43°31'N, 08°34'W. U-263 reported that two torpedoes ran underneath her. U-263 had been damaged by Allied escort vessels on 20 November forcing her to break off the patrol and was further damaged, rendering her unable to dive, by Allied aircraft on 24 November.
0750A/26 - Asdic reported HE bearing 240°. Nothing could be seen through the periscope as it was still too dark for seeing any distance. Lights of fishing vessels were visible all round.
0758A/26 - The Officer of the Watch sighted a small vessel, unidentified, and warned the Commanding Officer.
0800A/26 - The Commanding Officer sighted a small darkened craft coming straight towards P 47. Changed course to get clear. Made ready for a torpedo attack.
0803A/26 - Identified the target as a submarine at a range of 800 yards. Started attack.
0810A/26 - Fired three torpedoes (four were intended). All missed. (6)
2 Dec 1942
Around 1200A/2, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) left patrol to return to the U.K. (5)
5 Dec 1942
Around 1445A/5, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) ended her 1st war patrol at Falmouth.
She was escorted in [name of the escort not known to us at the moment]. The escort had joined around 1215A/5. (5)
6 Dec 1942
Around 0100A/6, HMS Sealion (Lt. D. Lambert, DSC, RN) and HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) departed Falmouth for Holy Loch. They were escorted by HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) C.C. Flemming, RN).
Around 0800A/6, near Biships Rock, HMS Graph (Lt. P.B. Marriott, RN) joined company. (7)
8 Dec 1942
Around 1530A/8, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) arrived at Holy Loch. (5)
22 Dec 1942
Around 1300A/22, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) departed Holy Loch for the passage to Gibraltar. En-route Dolfijn was ordered to patrol in the Bay of Biscay to intercept the German bockade runner Rhakotis making this passage her 2nd war patrol.
During her passage south through the Irish Sea she was escorted by HMS St. Elstan (Lt. R.M. Roberts, RNR). (5)
22 Dec 1942
For the daily positions of HrMs Dolfijn during her 2nd war patrol see the map below.
24 Dec 1942
Around 2320A/24, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) put into Falmouth to land two sick ratings. One of which was operated on immediately for appendicitis. (5)
27 Dec 1942
After taking on board three ratings that had to come from Dundee, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN), departed Falmouth around 0930A/27 to continue her passage to Gibraltar. She was escorted out (until 1740A/27) by HMS Lord Inchcape (T/Lt. A.C. Baxter, RNVR) and HMS Conway Castle (T/Lt. N.G. Nell, RNVR). (5)
31 Dec 1942
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) was ordered to intercept the German blockade runner Rhakotis (6753 GRT, built 1928) (Admiral Submarine's signal timed 1512A/31).
HrMs Dolfijn was to patrol in position 45°49'N, 12°22'W as soon as possible after dawn on 1 January. (5)
1 Jan 1943
During the night, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) sighted flares dropped by aircraft but is unable to intercept the German blockade breaker Rhakotis (6753 GRT, built 1928).
In the evening Dolfijn is ordered to continue her passage to Gibraltar. The German blockade breaker had meanwhile been intercepted and sunk. (5)
6 Jan 1943
Around 1400A/6, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Gibraltar. (5)
13 Jan 1943
After two days of exercises out of Gibraltar, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) departed Gibraltar for her 3rd war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean) around 1430A/13. On departure gunnery exercises were carried out. HrMs Dolfijn was ordered to patrol off Alicante, Spain.
For the daily positions of HrMs Dolfijn during this patrol see the map below. The map is however incomplete. No positions are currently known for 16 to 20 January 1943.
(5)
21 Jan 1943
Around 2035A/21, in position 38°26'N, 00°01'E, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) left patrol to proceed to Algiers. (5)
23 Jan 1943
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) ended her 3rd war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean) at Algiers.
The patrol had been uneventful. A few submerged practice attacks were made on Spanish merchant vessels. (5)
1 Feb 1943
Around 1730A/1, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) departed Algiers for her 4th war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol to the west and south of Sardinia.
For the daily and attack positions of HrMs Dolfijn during this patrol see the map below. The map is however incomplete. No daily positions are currently known for 4 to 10 February 1943.
(5)
6 Feb 1943
At 1710A/6, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) sighted a small Italian patrol vessel armed with a machine gun. Displacement was estimated to be around 200 tons. The vessel came round Cape Moro Point, Corsica straight out of the sun. A gun action was considered but not carried through.
It was later, around 1845A/6, intended to attack the vessel when it entered Propriano harbour but the enemy could no longer be seen in the fading light conditions. HrMs Dolfijn then set course to patrol off Sardinia. (5)
9 Feb 1943
The Italian submarine Malachite was torpedoed and sunk near Cape Spartivento, Sardinia, Italy in position 38°42'N, 08°52'E by the Dutch submarine HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN). Her commanding officer, T.V. Alpino Cinti, three officers and nine ratings were picked up by the auxiliary submarine chaser Arcioni and the fishing vessel Dori. One officer and thirty-four ratings were lost.
0740A/9 - Started an attack on what turned out to be a Crotone-class minelayer but abandoned the attack as these ships had only a draught of 7 feet.
1047A/9 - Heard HE bearing 100°.
1048A/9 - Sighted a submarine bearing 095°. Started attack. The submarine was identified as Italian, the Ensign was clearly visible, most likely a Gemma-class boat.
1059A/9 - Fired a full salvo of four torpedoes from 2200 yards. One hit was obtained. The enemy quickly started to sink by the stern. When almost gone the submarine popped up vertically out of the water with the bow visible almost up to the conning tower before she slipped under the waves for the final time. (5)
10 Feb 1943
Around 2359A/10, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) left patrol to return to Algiers. (5)
13 Feb 1943
Around 0820A/13, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) ended her 4th war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean) at Algiers.
She was escorted in [name of the escort not known]. The escort had joined around 0600A/13. (5)
23 Feb 1943
Around 1800A/23, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) departed Algiers for her 5th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Sardinia.
She was escorted out until midnight be two HDML's.
For the daily and attack positions of HrMs Dolfijn during this patrol see the map below. The map is however incomplete. No daily positions are currently known for 27 February to 7 March 1943.
(5)
26 Feb 1943
At 0830A/26, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) sighted smoke near Cape Teulada moving east. HrMs Dolfijn closed on course 360° at 5 knots.
At 0940A/26, the origin of the smoke was identified as a Crotone-class minelayer. Broke off the attack at a range of 5 nautical miles.
At 1143A/26, when to the south of Cape Spartivento a merchant vessel was sighted bearing 340° at a range of 3 nautical miles. Enemy course was 090°.
An attack was started but the range could not be closed sufficiently and the attack was broken off. The vessel was thought to be a modern diesel engined vessel, possibly a fruit carrier. (5)
28 Feb 1943
At 1505A/28, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) sighted what is thought to be a German submarine coming round Cavoli Island on a course of 070°. Started an attack. Range was about 3.5 nautical miles. Enemy speed was estimated at 12 knots.
The enemy was zigzagging erratically with a lot of course and speed changes and the result was that an attack was not possible.
This was most likely the Italian submarine Wolframio which had departed Cagliari around 1223B/28 for La Maddalena where she arrived around 0914A/1. (5)
1 Mar 1943
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) attacked an Italian submarine with four torpedoes off Cavoli Island. No hits were obtained. This was the Argento on passage from Cagliari to La Maddalena. Dolfijn was later hunted by the auxiliary patrol boats Idria and Bella Italia.
1300A/1 - Sighted an Italian Gemma-class or Sirena-class submarine coming round Cavoli Island. Closed to attack.
1312A/1 - Fired a salvo of four torpedoes from 3500 yards. All missed ahead.
1316A/1 - Sighted a twin-engine aircraft diving steeply and turning towards Dolfijn. Went to 120 feet.
1318A/1 - Three explosions. One was rather near but it caused no damage.
2 Mar 1943
At 0915A/2, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) sighted an A/S schooner entering Cagliari Bay. No attack was made. (5)
3 Mar 1943
At 0845A/3, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) sighted the smoke of two vessels leaving Cagliari Bay. These were later identified as two Crotone-class minelayers following the swept channel.
At 1540A/3, a small floating crane towed by two small tugs and escorted by a small type of motor torpedo boat passed proceeding towards Cagliari. Their draught was insufficient to make a torpedo attack and the proximity of an enemy airfield and the motor torpedo boat made a gun action too risky. (5)
4 Mar 1943
At 1230A/4, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) sighted what is thought to be an RD-class minesweeper entering Cagliari Bay. (5)
5 Mar 1943
At 1015A/5, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) sighted a small floating crane, towed by one tug and escorted by two armed trawlers, passing within one mile of Cape Spartivento, course west, thus passing well westward of the swept channel. This was a different crane then the one sighted on 3 March.
At 1353A/5, HrMs Dolfijn started an attack on what was thought to be a small tanker coming from Cagliari along the swept channel.
At 1407A/5, the ship however turned round and returned to Cagliari. It was now seen to be a patrol trawler. (5)
6 Mar 1943
At 0900A/6, while patrolling west of Cavoli Island, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) sighted two A/S trawlers and a 'Crotone-class' minelayer closing. The minelayer passed overhead but HrMs Dolfijn was not detected. (5)
7 Mar 1943
Between 0900A/7 and 1100A/7, while patrolling near Cape Spartivento, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) sighted two minesweeping trawlers, a sailing schooner and some fishing vessels.
At 1130A/7, an RD-class minesweeper was sighted coming from Cagliari. She turned back at 1150A/7. (5)
8 Mar 1943
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) patrolled off Cape Spartivento the entire day. Only one vessel was sighted, an A/S schooner at 1540A/8.
On surfacing at 0833A/8, HrMs Dolfijn left patrol to return to Algiers. (5)
11 Mar 1943
Around 1030A/11, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) ended her 5th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean) at Algiers.
She was escorted in by HMS Cava (T/Lt. R.L. Petty-Major, RNVR) which had joined around 0900AA/11. (5)
14 Mar 1943
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) is docked in the small graving dock at Algiers. (8)
16 Mar 1943
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) is undocked. (8)
23 Mar 1943
Around 1830A/23, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) departed Algiers for her 6th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean). Once again she was ordered to patrol off Sardinia.
For the daily and attack positions of HrMs Dolfijn during this patrol see the map below. The map is however incomplete. No daily positions are currently known for 27 March to 5 April 1943.
(5)
28 Mar 1943
At 0835A/28, north off Arbatax, Sardinia, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) sighted a small merchant vessel coast crawling very close inshore. HrMs Dolfijn closed to try o identify the vessel but it passed out of range.
Around 1500A/28, HrMs Dolfijn entered the Gulf of Tortoli to investigate Arbatax harbour. Four schooners were seen, one of them was a large one. Unfortunately seas were too rough for gun action. (5)
29 Mar 1943
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) torpedoed and sank the Italian merchant vesseel Egle (1143 GRT, built 1893) off Cavoli Island, Sardinia. She was travelling from Cagliari to La Maddalena.
0840A/29 - Sighted a merchant vessel of 4000-5000 tons escorted by one RD-class minesweeper. Started attack.
0912A/29 - Fired a salvo of three torpedoes. Obtained one hit in the engine room.
0915A/29 - The target had a starboard list of 20°.
0919A/29 - Had another look through the periscope. The target was no longer sighted and must have gone down. The minesweeper however was quite near so went deep but fortunately no counter-attack developed.
Later that day, Dolfijn left patrol off Sardinia to patrol further to the eastwards. (5)
30 Mar 1943
At 1658A/30, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) received Capt. S 8's signal timed 1541A/30.
By 1728A/30, the signal was decoded and it contained information of an enemy convoy of six merchant vessels, three destroyers, two E-boats at 1420A in position 39°40'N, 12°22'E, course 220, speed 10 knots.
At 1740A/30, HrMs Dolfijn surfaced as it would only be possible to intercept the convoy by travelling at utmost speed on the surface.
At 1745A/30, Capt. S 8's signal timed 1623A/30 was decoded which gave the position of the enemy at 1610A/30 as 39°33'N, 12°00'E, course 142°.
At 1800A/30, HrMs Dolfijn was forced to dive for an approaching JU 88 aircraft which had obviously seen the submarine as she turned sharply towards. The attempt to intercept this convoy had now to be abandoned.
HrMs Dolfijn proceeded southwards in the hope more reconnaissance information would come in and it would still be possible to try to intercept the convoy further southwards but no more infomation came in and at 2140A/30, HrMs Dolfijn shaped course to patrol near Ustica. (5)
5 Apr 1943
At 1730A/5, near Marettimo, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) sighted a convoy of six landing barges. They came from the south, keeping close to the east coast of Marettimo and after rounding the northern corner they set course 240° apparently bound for Tunis. Their speed was about 5 knots. All appeared to be heavily armed so gun action was out of the question. Photographs were taken through the periscope. (5)
6 Apr 1943
At 0103A/6, still patrolling in the Marettimo area, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) received an enemy report from an aircraft, time 0155B/6 [note the one hour difference of time zone] reporting an enemy convoy proceeding on a course of 240° about 18 nautical miles from Dolfijn's current position.
At 0115A/6, an amplifying report was received, timed 0210B/5, giving the number of escort vessels as five.
At 0240A/6, a hospital ship with correct markings was sighted passing three miles to the north of HrMs Dolfijn.
At 0405A/6, a ships was heard on the Asdic. A small destroyer was subsequently sighted proceeding on course 240°. She was doing about 200 revs. Two minutes later HrMs Dolfijn dived to avoid being sighted.
At 0415A/6, faint HE was heard to the north-west.
At 0420A/6, HrMs Dolfijn surfaced.
At 0432A/6, two silhouettes were sighted bearing 340° and 360° respectively. These were later identified as two destroyers steering north-east. Range was about three nautical miles.
At 0451A/6, HrMs Dolfijn dived and left patrol as per Capt. S 8's insructions in his signal timed 1238A/5.
At 0525A/6, a small destroyers was seen steering south-west and eventually passing about 2000 yards ahead. When it was getting lighter it was seen that it was not a destroyer but some sort of escort vessel looking much like a small destroyer but shorter and without guns aft. (5)
10 Apr 1943
Around 1015A/10, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) ended her 6th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean) at Algiers.
She was escorted in [identity of the escort not known] which had joined around 0815A/10. (5)
24 Apr 1943
Around 1845A/24, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) departed Algiers for her 7th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol to the north of Sicily.
For the daily and attack positions of HrMs Dolfijn during this patrol see the map below. The map is however incomplete. No daily positions are currently known for 29 April to 3 May 1943.
(5)
26 Apr 1943
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) attacked but missed the Italian submarine Dandolo with four torpedoes west-south-west of Sardinia. The Italian submarine spotted three torpedo tracks and turned away, two missed passed on her port side and the third on the starboard side.
0305A/26 - In position 38°15'N, 05°52'E sighted a submarine steering a course of 340° abaft our beam. Range was between 2000 and 3000 yards.
0307A/26 - The enemy zigged, course was now 320°.
0309A/26 - Started attack.
0310A/26 - Fired a salvo of four torpedoes from 1500 yards. Unfortunately, right at that moment the enemy started going astern and all torpedoes missed.
0312A/26 - Dived. The enemy remained on the surface and made off to the northward. (5)
29 Apr 1943
At 0045A/29, north of Cape St. Vito, Sicily, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) sighted a hospital ship proceeding to the south-west.
At 0430A/29, a motor torpedo boat was sighted near Cape St. Vito proceeding eastwards.
At 1250A/29, a tank landing was seen proceeding eastwards following the coastal route.
At 1420A/29, a large motor torpedo boat and a small motor torpedo boat were sighted. Avoiding action was taken. (5)
2 May 1943
At 1100A/2, near Cape Gallo, Sicily, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) sighted two small schooners sailing eastwards within one mile of the coast. They were not attacked. (5)
3 May 1943
At 0640A/3, just east of Palermo, Sicily, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) sighted what is thought to be an Orsa-class torpedo boat proceeding towards Palermo along the coastal route. The enemy passed at a range of 4000 yards at a speed of 15 knots. She was sighted rather late due to the poor visibility. Due to the swell the torpedoes could not be set to six feet and an attack was thus not possible. (5)
4 May 1943
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) intended to shell a schooner with the 3" gun at St. Maria Bay, Ustica. Unfortunately, the gun malfunctioned and not a single shot was lost.
0650A/4 - Sighted a Swedish Red Cross ship proceeding eastwards three nautical miles to the north of Ustica. Also sighted a schooner in St. Maria Bay.
0850A/4 - Having found no target on the north coast of Ustica set course for St. Maria Bay to deal with the schoonr.
1020A/4 - Surfaced to gun a 150 tons schooner in St. Maria Bay, Ustica. Unfortunately, the gun jammed and it was not possible to get it working.
1025A/4 - Dived and retired from the area without firing a single shot.
1200A/4 - Rounded Ustica and left patrol to return to Algiers. (5)
9 May 1943
Around 1025A/9, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) ended her 7th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean) at Algiers.
She was escorted in [name of the escort not known] which had joined around 0820A/9. (5)
20 May 1943
Around 1500A/20, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) departed Algiers for her 8th war patrol (6th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol to the north of the Straits of Messina.
For the daily and attack positions of HrMs Dolfijn during this patrol see the map below. The map is however incomplete. No daily positions are currently known for 1 to 4 June 1943.
(5)
25 May 1943
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) damaged the Italian patrol vessel M 9 with gunfire off Ustica.
1630B/25 - While passing Ustica investigated Santa Maria Anchorage. A small tug of about 200 tons and an apparently unarmed small M.T.B., no depth charges being visible and no torpedo on the starboard side. In order to make sure no torpedo was carried on the port side Dolfijn closed. As the M.T.B. was moored at a very sharp angle to the coast, Dolfijn had to come very close inshore. A torpedo was now seen to be carried on the port side so the plan for gun action was abandoned.
1700B/25 - Lt.Cdr. van Oostrom Soede had overestimated the distance to the coast and Dolfijn grounded at slow speed on the rocks. While getting off Dolfijn came to 20 feet.
1702B/25 - Blew main tanks; manned the machine gun and the 3" gun to keep the M.T.B. at a distance in case we could not get off right away. Kept the M.T.B. covered with machine gun fire, doing damage. A machine gun on the shore had meanwhile opened fire on Dolfijn.
1705B/25- Dived as Dolfijn was now in deeper water.
1706B/25 - Periscope depth. It was now reported that there were two wounded.
A signal was sent about the two wounded crewmembers. Dolfijn was ordered to land them at Malta. (5)
27 May 1943 Twenty minutes later all was clear and HrMs Dolfijn surfaced to continue her passage to Malta. (5) 28 May 1943 She was escorted in [name of the escort not known]. The escort had joined around 0900B/28. (5) 29 May 1943 1 Jun 1943 These ships were most probably the torpedo boat Generale Achille Abba escorting the tugs Titano and Ursus to Palermo where they arrived about an hour later.
At 1345B/1, the vessels signalled with Cape Zafferano and then turned round apparently searching until 1400B/1, when they made off for Palermo.
At 1415A/1, an Orsa or Climene class torpedo boat approached from the eastward searching on Asdic. She searched near Cape Zafferano for 15 minutes and then made off for Palermo.
At 1609A/1, a signal was received from Capt. S 8 (Capt S 8's 1502B/1) that a submarine had been sighted off Cape Zafferano, this explains the, half hearted, searches by the Italians. 3 Jun 1943 4 Jun 1943 10 Jun 1943 She was escorted in [name of the escort not known to us at the moment]. The escort had joined around 0615A/10. (5) 27 Jun 1943 For the daily and attack positions of HrMs Dolfijn during this patrol see the map below. The map is however incomplete. No daily positions are currently known for 3 to 13 July 1943.
(5) 29 Jun 1943 4 Jul 1943 Sabbia and UJ 2207 had departed Naples around 1300B/3 for Santa Stefano. Shortly before the torpedo hit a periscope had been sighted by UJ 2207.
Also on this day HrMs Dolfijn sank the Italian auxiliary patrol vessel V 50 / Adalia (165 GRT) with gunfire about 15 nautical miles west of Civitavecchia, Italy in position 42°02'N, 11°20'E. The crew escaped in a lifeboat and reached the coast at Torre Chiaruccia the following morning.
0632B/4 - In position 41°44'N, 11°52'E sighted a 5000-6000 ton merchant vessel with one escort at a range of about 7000 yards. Started attack.
0709B/4 - Fired two torpedoes from 400 yards. One hit was obtained. Dolfijn took avoiding action and went deep. Depth control was lost and Dolfijn ended up at 300 feet but was soon able to go to 200 feet.
0731B/4 - A counter attack in which a pattern of 6 depth charges was dropped, quite close. [Actually a pattern of 12 depth charges was dropped by UJ 2207.]
0745B/4 - Another pattern of 9 depth charges. Again quite close. The depth charging caused some minor damage. [Actually another pattern of 12 depth charges was dropped by UJ 2207.]
0930B/4 - Came to periscope depth. The target was about 5 nautical miles to the north-east. She was very much down by the stern and it appeared she would sink soon.
0957B/4 - It was seen that the escort had taken the ship in tow. [Meanwhile the motor minesweeper R 8 had joined as had an Italian patrol vessel. Later two Italian tug took over the tow.]
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2000B/4 - Sighted a three-masted armed patrol schooner. Remained nearby for gun action.
2110B/4 - Surfaced for gun action in position 42°02'N, 11°20'E. Opened fire from 3500 yards. The crew abandoned ship in a dinghy.
2116B/4 - Stopped firing after 43 rounds for 8 hits. But the gun was not functioning properly.
2125B/4 - Boarded the schooner. Collected logbooks and papers and placed demolition charges.
2215B/4 - The charges exploded and set the ship on fire.
2250B/4 - The schooner blew up and sank. (9) 13 Jul 1943 0545B/13 - While patrolling off Civitavecchia a 3000 tons merchant vessel, in ballast, leaving the harbour. She proceeded to the south-east. Range was about 4 nautical miles and it was opening rapidly so an attack was not possible. The harbour was then examined and three merchant vessels of about 3000 to 6000 tons were seen inside it.
1630B/13 - Sighted a camouflaged armed yacht of about 1000 - 1500 tons, escorted by a Cant Z.501 aircraft. Started an attack. During the attack about 40 aircraft passed very close. The range could not be closed sufficiently and the attack had to be broken off.
2134B/13 - Surfaced in position 41°41'N, 12°00'E for gun action with an armed patrol schooner. Range was 2500 yards. 23 rounds were fired. All were hits except for one near-miss.
2200B/13 - Boarded the schooner and placed explosive charges. Found one of the crew killed. The others had abandoned ship in their dinghy.
2225B/13 - After burning fiercely the schooner sank. (5) 14 Jul 1943 20 Jul 1943 She was escorted in [name of the escort not known to us at the moment]. The escort had joined around 0635A/20. (5) 24 Jul 1943 1 Aug 1943 4 Aug 1943 For the daily and attack positions of HrMs Dolfijn during this patrol see the map below. The map is however incomplete. No daily positions are currently known for 8 to 11 and 13 to 15 August 1943.
(5) 11 Aug 1943 At 0830B/11, three minesweepers were sighted leaving Toulon but the turned back an hour later. (5) 12 Aug 1943 At 0555B/12, near Port Cros Island, to the east of Toulon, two small vessels were sighted. This were thought to be a minesweeper and a large motor torpedo boat. Light was very poor. At 0620B/12, as light improved, it was seen the the vessels were slightly larger then first thought. They were now about 5 nautical miles away and too far off to be attacked. The vessels were estimated to be around 700 to 800 tons.
At 2143B/12, HrMs Dolfijn, sighted another southbound U-boat in position 42°40'N, 05°55'E. This was most likely U-431 that had left Toulon for her patrol area around 1400B/12. Again it was not possible to attack. The Germans had not seen HrMs Dolfijn. (11) 14 Aug 1943 They were thought to be a KT-class transport and possibly the small merchant vessel Duino (1334 GRT, built 1923). [As Duino had been mined and sunk off Bari on 8 February 1942 this was not possible.]
It is now also thought this were the same ships that had been sighted at 0555B/12.
At 1945B/14, a motor torpedo boat was seen leaving Toulon and proceeding westwards. (5) 16 Aug 1943 19 Aug 1943 She was escorted in [name of the escort not known to us at the moment]. The escort had joined around 0610B/19. (5) 3 Sep 1943 For the daily and attack positions of HrMs Dolfijn during this patrol see the map below. The map is however incomplete. No daily positions are currently known for 9, 11, 14 and 14 September 1943.
(5) 8 Sep 1943 10 Sep 1943 A conference was then held on board Dolfijn. Corridoni had escaped from La Maddalena when the port was taken over by the Germans. She had been refitting at La Maddalena and was unable to dive. Also she had no lubricating oil on board. A signal was now sent to Capt (S)8 requesting orders. After a few hours these orders were received and passed to the Corridoni. The submarines then parted company.
Corridoni eventually put into Palermo on 13 September 1943 after having embarked lubricating oil at Porto Ferraio, Elba during 10/11 September. (5) 11 Sep 1943 0850B/11 - A large landing craft under the German flag thought to be displaying number F 584, entered Bastia unmolested. [F 584 was serving in the Black Sea so it could not have been this one. It must have been F 554 which arrived off Bastia around 0900B/11 but the harbour defence boom was not opended by the Italians and she subsquently set course for Livorno / Leghorn.] It was until then thought that Bastia was in friendly hands so this seemed strange.
0950B/11 - The landing craft departed Bastia again and proceeded in the direction of Elba. Lt.Cdr. van Oostrom Soede was now convinced that Bastia was in German hands.
1515B/11 - Two Italian torpedo boats, thought to be a Climene-class and a Partenope-class approached Bastia from the north-eastward. They were not flying the black flag and were not passing north and west of Corsica as they should have done so Lt.Cdr. van Oostrom Soede considered they were under enemy control. They waited close outside Bastia harbour.
1542B/11 - Sighted a large merchant vessel about 1 nautical mile outside Bastia harbour. She had just left this harbour. Enemy course was 075°. The two torpedo boats were escorting the merchant ship. Started attack.
1548B/11 - Fired a full salvo of four torpedoes.
1550B/11 - One torpedo hit the stern of the enemy doing tremendous damage and nearly blowing the stern off. No counter attack followed although the torpedo boats were searching. Dolfijn stayed at periscope depth and took avoiding action as necessary.
1630B/11 - Sighted a second merchant vessel leaving Bastia harbour and proceeding southwards. It was not displaying a black flag.
1715B/11 - The torpedo boats were well clear and a second attempt was made to try to finish off the heavily damaged transport. The torpedo boats however kept too close a watch so Dolfijn eventually withdrew to the seaward. When last seen the transport was well down by the stern but Lt.Cdr. van Oostrom Soede did not think she would sink. (12) 12 Sep 1943 At 0800B/12, a large area of ship wreckage and oil spread over at least two nautical miles was encountered.
Around 1100B/12, HrMs Dolfijn arrived off Bastia. There was no trace of the target also not inside the harbour. Only the two torpedo boats were seen and it was considered that the transport may have sunk.
At 1300B/12, HrMs Dolfijn retired from the area and proceeded northwards.
At 1350B/12, Capt. S 8's signal timed 0758B/12 was received ordering HrMs Dolfijn to patrol north of a line 225° from La Spezia. HrMs Dolfijn proceeded to comply. (5) 13 Sep 1943 1000B/13 - Sighted two 250 tons loaded German transport barges.
1040B/13 - Surfaced in position 44°09'N, 09°37'E and attacked both barges with gunfire. Both were destroyed. A total of 74 rounds of 3" were fired for 20 observed hits. Not very good shooting but the barges were very low in the water and difficult to hit.
1106B/13 - Withdrew from the area on the surface until 1118 hours when Dolfijn dived for an aircraft contact on the radar.
1810B/13 - Heard shells exploding in the water at short range. One gun at Portofino Point was firing in our direction. Probably the periscope was sighted against the setting sun when it was raised very high to search for shipping inside Rapallo Bay. Dolfijn then withdrew to the south-west.
1840B/13 - Sighted two heavily armed coasters proceeding to the south-east. They were not within attacking range. (5) 15 Sep 1943 19 Sep 1943 She was escorted in [name of the escort not known to us at the moment]. The escort had joined around 1145B/19. (5) 5 Oct 1943 7 Oct 1943 For the daily and attack positions of HrMs Dolfijn during this patrol see the map below. The map is however incomplete. No daily positions are currently known for 10 to 19 October 1943.
(5) 12 Oct 1943 The F-lighters were most probably the F 504, F 516 and F 620 which had departed Cannes around 0800B/12 for Toulon where they arrived around 1515B/12. No clue on the identity of the small tug though. (13) 13 Oct 1943 14 Oct 1943 0845A/14 - Sighted two empty transport barges escorted by a small fishing vessel.
0943A/14 - Surfaced for gun action at a range of 2400 yards. Fired 16 rounds for 2 hits. The action had to be broken off as shore batteries opened an accurate fire. Before the gun crew was down one Officer was hit by a small splinter and very slightly wounded. Also the starboard night sight was hit and put out of use.
0947A/14 - Dived to periscope depth. The barge that had been hit must have been only slightly damaged as it continued on its voyage.
1300A/14 - Near Agay, two barges and an F-lighter passed to the north-eastward. They were thought to be empty. (14) 16 Oct 1943 At 1240A/16, two empty transport barges escorted by what was thought to be a converted small drifter were seen. They were proceeding to the north-north-east. (5) 17 Oct 1943 The F-lighter was most likely the F 433 which had departed Cannes around 0700B/17 together with one barge and two auxiliary patrol vessels for Nice where they arrived around 1120B/17. (5) 18 Oct 1943 20 Oct 1943 23 Oct 1943 She was escorted in [name of the escort not known to us at the moment]. The escort had joined around 0830A/23. (5) 3 Nov 1943 For the daily and attack positions of HrMs Dolfijn during this patrol see the map below. The map is however incomplete. No daily positions are currently known for 7 to 15 November 1943.
(5) 7 Nov 1943 At 1225A/7, four UJ boats were seen, camouflaged light and dark. Three were of the coaster type, one large one of 2000 tons and two of about 900 tons. The fourth was a trawler type. All four were using Asdic.
At 1245A/7, a tanker of about 6000 tons was seen inshore of the UJ boats. She was painted dark. She was very difficult to see against the dark background and also the periscope was fogging up. HrMs Dolfijn closed at speed.
At 1250A/7, after having passed Cape Mele the tanker altered course to 220°. Range was 5600 yards. No speed estimation could be made and the attack reluctantly had to be broken off and course was set to proceed to Cape Noli.
The ships sighted by HrMs Dolfijn must have been from the convoy made up of the merchant vessels
Langanger (German (tanker) (former French, Former Norwegian, 9215 GRT, built 1930),
Lucca (German, (former Italian, former French, 2550 GRT, built 1939),
Orte (German, (former Italian, former French, 3742 GRT, built 1936) and
Pallas (German (tanker), (former French), 5260 GRT, built 1925). They were escorted by the patrol vessel SG 15 and the auxiliary submarine chasers UJ 2209 and UJ 2210. This convoy had departed Genoa around 0630B/6 and was bound for Marseilles. After having been spotted by Allied air reconnaissance it had put into Savona around 1500B/6 and had left there to continue it's passage around 0600B/7. (15) 9 Nov 1943 11 Nov 1943 13 Nov 1943 No attack was made as value of the target was considered limited, Asdic conditions for the enemy were excellent and HrMs Dolfijn had several defects, including leaking stern glands, which made her unfit to withstand a long A/S hunt. The Commanding Officer of the 10th submarine flotilla agreed with Lt.Cdr. van Oostrom Soede's decision not to attack.
The convoy sighted was most likely the one made up of the transports La Foce (Italian (under German control), 2497 GRT, built 1921) and Georgia (Italian (under German control), 797 GRT, built 1920) [German records indicate Giorgio in many different spelling varieties, but this is probably an error]. They were escorted by the patrol vessel SG 15 and the auxiliary submarine chaser UJ 2207.
This convoy, minus Georgia, had departed Livorno on 12 November and had arrived at La Spezia later the same day. Around 0700B/13, the convoy, now joined by the Georgia departed La Spezia for Genoa where it arrived around 1345B/13.
At 1545A/13, two UJ boats, of the modern trawler type, were sighted patrolling off Rapallo. They subsequently entered Rapollo Bay.
This may have been the auxiliary submarine chasers UJ 2208 and UJ 2209 which were on passage from the Elba area to Genoa where they arrived around 1930B/13. [No KTB's have been found for this period for these individual UJ boats so we can not confirm that they were off Rapallo at this time but this seem likely.] (16) 15 Nov 1943 At 1550A/15, the same vessels were sighted again now returning but closer inshore. HrMs Dolfijn took avoiding action and retired to the seaward but it seemed unliky HrMs Dolfijn would be clear in time. Fortunately the enemy broke off their A/S sweep and retired towards Porto Maurizio 10 minutes later.
HrMs Dolfijn then left patrol to proceed to Malta via Bizerta.
The UJ boats sighted must have been UJ 2207 and UJ 2209 which had departed Genoa around 0700B/15 for an A/S sweep along the Italian Riviera towards the French border. They put into Imperia around 1720B/15. (17) 20 Nov 1943 She was escorted in by HMS BYMS 2028 (Skr. J.R. Clark, RNR) which had joined around 0830A/20. (5) 22 Nov 1943 23 Nov 1943 24 Nov 1943 4 Dec 1943 11 Dec 1943 She was escorted out until 0850A/11, by HMS BYMS 2028 (Skr. J.R. Clark, RNR). (19) 16 Dec 1943 24 Dec 1943 [No daily positions are known for this patrol so no map can be displayed.] (5) 26 Dec 1943 29 Dec 1943 At 1025B/29, after having party dismantled the port diesel engine, it was found so badly damaged that repair during the patrol was impossible. HrMs Dolfijn had to abandon her war patrol and course was set to return to Beirut. (5) 4 Jan 1944 22 Jan 1944 [No daily positions are known for this patrol so no map can be displayed.] (5) 24 Jan 1944 26 Jan 1944 0357B/26 - Radar contact, probably a ship, bearing 300°. Range was 8000 yards. Position was 37°21'N, 26°17'E.
0358B/26 - Sighted one merchant vessel and two destroyers on the bearing indicated. Started attack.
0400B/26 - The merchant vessel altered course towards. This brought the starboard wing destroyer much closer to Dolfijn. Reduced speed and kept the bow pointed towards the destroyer hoping to remain unseen. Radar was of assistance giving range.
0405B/26 - The destroyer passed Dolfijn at a range of 2000 yards but then one of his lookouts must have sighted Dolfijn. Fire was opened with heavy machine guns, later joined by a pom-pom, firing tracer. Dived and took avoiding action, expecting being depth charged but this did not materialise.
0501B/26 - Surfaced. An enemy report was passed a little over one hour later. (20) 31 Jan 1944 The convoy had departed Piraeus around 1900C/29 for Rhodos via Milos and Stampalia.
0740B/31 - In position 36°31'N, 25°26'E sighted a 2000- tons merchant vessel and three escorts. A JU-88 aircraft was patrolling overhead. Started attack.
0818B/31 - Fired three torpedoes from 2500 yards. The target probably sighted the torpedo tracks as it took avoiding action by turning away. No hits were obtained.
0829B/31 - The three torpedoes were heard to explode at the end of their run. No counter attack followed but more aircraft arrived and they began searching the area. Withdrew to the north. (21) 1 Feb 1944 At 0145B/1, one more small vessel but also thought to be probably a destroyer was sighted at a range of 4900 yards. A small escort vessel was following this one.
The ships sighted must have been part of the escort of the convoy made up of the transport Sieglinde (German, former Italian Citta di Savona, 2500 GRT, built 1930) which was escorted by the destroyers TA 14, TA 15, torpedo boat TA 16 and motor minesweeper R 195. This convoy had departed Piraeus around 0800C/31. When it departed the tanker Centaur (German, 1267 GRT, built 1915) was also part of the convoy but due to her insufficient speed she was ordered to return to Piraeus escorted by TA 14 which was then to overtake and rejoin the convoy which she did around 2115C/31. The convoy arrived at Portolago, Leros around 0445C/1. Apparently not all ships of the convoy were sighted by HrMs Dolfijn.
During the day, HrMs Dolfijn patrolled in the vicinity of position 37°01'N, 26°05'E.
At 2100B/1, a German transport aircraft reported having sighted a surfaced enemy submarine in position 36°59'N, 26°08'E (north-east of Amorgos). This must have been HrMs Dolfijn which in the evening sighted numerous aircraft for which she had to dive. (22) 3 Feb 1944 At 0108B/3, a dark object was sighted. Position was 37°07'N, 26°12'E.
At 0114B/3, the object was recognised as a destroyer, closing at medium speed.
At 0117B/3, the destroyer increased speed. Range was now 3000 yards. As Lt.Cdr. van Oostrom Soede though Dolfijn had been sighted he dived and took avoiding action. No counter attack followed.
At 0137B/3, HrMs Dolfijn surfaced and closed the previous position again.
At 0214B/3, three vessels were sighted at a range of 4000 yards.
At 0217B/3, the vessels were thought to be a transport and two destroyers and were coming straight towards. The starboard wing destroyer fired a flare. HrMs Dolfijn dived again.
At 0226B/3, two depth charges were dropped but they were not very near.
At 0228B/3, the port wing destroyer passed directly overhead but she dropped no depth charges. Dolfijn meanwhile took avoiding action.
At 0317B/3, HrMs Dolfijn surfaced and set course to patrol to the north-west of Amorgos.
The explosion seen be HrMs Dolfijn at 2252B/2, was the German transport Leda (4572 GRT, built 1943, former Italian Leopardi) being bombed and hit by Allied aircraft at 2150C/2 [German source]. As a result of this hit and subsequent fire she sank around 2320C/2. The Leda had departed Portolago, Leros around 1800C/1 for Vathi, Samos where she arrived around 2300B/1. She had been escorted by the destroyers TA 14, TA 15, torpedo boat TA 16 and motor minesweeper R 195. TA 14 and TA 16 had actually departed at 1700C/1 to conduct an A/S sweep off the harbour entrance before joining the convoy.
Around 1800C/2, the convoy departed Vathi for Suda Bay, Crete. The destination was changed to Iraklion shortly after departure due to mines being discovered off Suda Bay.
The convoy came under air attack later in the evening [see above] resulting in the loss of the Leda. All escorts also had defects and damage from air attacks and were ordered to proceed to Piraeus.
At 0117C/3 [0217C/3 on board HrMs Dolfijn] TA 15 sighted an enemy submarine 2000 meters ahead on dropped depth charges on this submarine.
The object seen at 0108B/3 recognised as being a destroyer shortly afterwards must have been TA 14 which had been ordered to proceed to Syra around 2315C/2. She was however recalled to rejoin the other escorts around 0015C/3 which was thus around the time Dolfijn sighted her.
TA 14, TA 15, TA 16 and R 195 arrived at Piraeus around 1145C/3. (23) 4 Feb 1944 1502B/4 - Sighted a 120 ton motor schooner. Started to close. The schooner passed out of range, but i decided to follow, as it was thought possible to attack her by gunfire during the night.
1715B/4 - The schooner had rounded Cape Doro but remained in sight.
1853B/4 - Surfaced and closed the schooner on the surface. Visibility against the dark background was very poor. Owning to the close vicinity of the land radar was useless.
1925B/4 - Opened fire with starshell from 2500 yards. Before starshell burst the enemy opened fire with all armament, which was plenty. The armament was estimated as two guns, one pom-pom and two Oerlikons.
1928B/4 - Enemy fire was coming close. Dived and took avoiding action. No counter attack followed.
2018B/4 - Surfaced and retired to seaward. (24) 5 Feb 1944 10 Feb 1944 24 Feb 1944 Only small vessels were sighted. An attempt to intercept a U-boat (U-453 ?) in Kaso Straits (8-9 March) failed.
[No daily positions are known for this patrol so no map can be displayed.] (5) 2 Mar 1944 HrMs Dolfijn left patrol early on the 6th. (5) 8 Mar 1944 At 2125, Capt. S 1's signal timed 1911A/8 was received ordering an anti u-boat patrol in the Kaso Strait. Later orders were received [Capt S 1's signal timed 2145A/8 not to pass the line 090° - Cape Plaka]. (5) 10 Mar 1944 Later more signals were received, first that the enemy had been delayed and later the latest position of the enemy was communicated.
The enemy was however not sighted and at 1639B/10, Capt. S 1's signal timed 0652B/10, was received ordering HrMs Dolfijn to leave patrol and proceed to Malta via the Anti-Kithera Channel passing north of Crete. (5) 11 Mar 1944 12 Mar 1944 At 0152B/12, HrMs Dolfijn dived to 200 feet to pass westwards through the Anti-Kithera Channel. (5) 15 Mar 1944 3 Apr 1944 [No daily positions are known for this patrol so no map can be displayed.] (5) 7 Apr 1944 11 Apr 1944 12 Apr 1944 13 Apr 1944 This must have been ships of the convoy made up of the transports Sabine (German, 2281 GRT, built 1921), Suzanne (German, 552 GRT, former Spanish San Juan II, built 1919) and the tug Voltaire (?). They were escorted by the auxiliary submarine chasers UJ 2101, UJ 2105 and UJ 2110. This convoy had departed Suda Bay around 0300B/13 and arrived at Piraeus around 0030B/14. The auxiliary submarine chaser UJ 2106 had also been with the convoy on it's departure but soon returned to Suda Bay with engine trouble. (25) 14 Apr 1944 The 'R boats' sighted were not R-boats but only some small local defence craft.
0950B/14 - Sighted one vessel hull down, proceeding north.
1015B/14 - The vessel was identified as an UJ-boat. She was patrolling the coast together with two R-boats. Started attack.
1032B/14 - In position 37°00'N, 23°05'E fired the one torpedo (three were intended). Depth control was lost after firing this torpedo and
Dolfijn went to 230 feet. Took avoiding action.
1035B/14 - A mild counter attack followed but only the first two-depth charge pattern was close. The rest was further away.
1115B/14 - Periscope depth. The UJ-boat was still hunting and dropping small depth charge patterns but the R-boats were no longer in sight. Withdrew from the area. (26) 16 Apr 1944 17 Apr 1944 0452B/17 - Near the south-west corner of Milos sighted a sailing caique against the eastern horizon. Closed.
0502B/17 - Dived to avoid detection. Closed submerged.
0522B/17 - Surfaced in position 36°32'N, 24°18'E and sank the caique of about 30 tons with gunfire. The crew abandoned ship in their dinghy.
0530B/17 - Dived. Patrolled to the south of Milos.
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1350B/17 - Sighted a motor caique hull down. Tried to close but could not gain enough to estimate size.
1513B/17 - Surfaced and chased.
1525B/17 - Fired a warning shot. Caique stopped.
1534B/17 - Came alongside. The caique was small, size 6 tons, Embarked the crew and sank the caique with gunfire in position 36°26'N, 24°28'E.
1545B/17 - Dived. (5) 18 Apr 1944 21 Apr 1944 She was escorted in [name of the escort not known to us at the moment]. The escort had joined around 0910A/21. (5) 5 May 1944 10 May 1944 11 May 1944 This convoy departed Freetown on 11 May 1944.
On departure from Freetown the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Antilochus (British, 9082 GRT, built 1906),
Atlantic (British, 5414 GRT, built 1939),
Baron Elphinstone (British, 4635 GRT, built 1937),
Bornholm (British, 3177 GRT, built 1930),
Empire Governor (British, 8657 GRT, built 1925),
Empire Strength (British, 7355 GRT, built 1942),
Fort Douglas (British, 7129 GRT, built 1942),
Fresno Star (British, 7998 GRT, built 1919),
Generton (British, 4797 GRT, built 1936),
Glaucus (British, 7596 GRT, built 1921),
Glenpark (British, 5136 GRT, built 1939),
Hoggar (French, 5146 GRT, built 1923),
Isaac Coles (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
Jonathan Holt (British, 4963 GRT, built 1943),
Lyras (Greek, 5685 GRT, built 1918),
Penrith Castle (British, 6369 GRT, built 1929),
Peterston (British, 4680 GRT, built 1925),
Queen Adelaide (British, 4933 GRT, built 1936),
Sheaf Crown (British, 4868 GRT, built 1929),
Slesvig (British, 3098 GRT, built 1938),
Stamos (Greek, 3802 GRT, built 1914),
Thomas Holt (British, 3585 GRT, built 1929),
Tilsington Court (British, 6910 GRT, built 1928) and
Topsdalfjord (Norwegian, 4271 GRT, built 1921).
On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the sloop HMS Enchantress (Lt.Cdr. E.D.J. Abbot, DSC, RN), frigate HMS Ness (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.H. Marchington, MBE, RNVR) and the corvette HMS Pimpernel (Lt. H.D. Hayes, RNR).
Around 1130Z/12, in position 09°14'N, 16°31'W, the minesweeping sloops Annamite and Chevreul joined the convoy. They were then ordered to sweep 30 miles ahead of the convoy as a Support Group which they did until daylight on the 17th.
Around 0800Z/13, in poosition 11°02'N, 18°02'W, the Isaac Coles was detached to proceed independently to Trinidad.
Around 1115Z/14, in position 14°16'N, 17°58'W, the Dakar section of the convoy joined. It was made up of the merchant vessels Gabriel Guist'Hau (French, 2325 GRT, built 1918) and Rutenfjell (Norwegian, 1334 GRT, built 1935) as well as the submarine Atalante. Two of the convoy's merchant vessel parted company and proceeded to Dakar, these were Antilochus and Topsdalfjord.
Around 0700Z/14, the following merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Casablanca;
Empire Peacock (British, 6098 GRT, built 1919),
Empire Tristram (British, 7167 GRT, built 1942) and
Porjus (Swedish, 2965 GRT, built 1906). They were escorted to the rendezvous by the patrol vessels USS PC-474 (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Hummer, USNR) and USS PC-475 (Lt. W.W. Devine, Jr., USNR) which then returned to Casablanca taking the merchant vessels Gabriel Guist'Hau and Hoggar with them as well as the submarine Atalante.
At 1155Z/17, in position 22°49'N, 18°25'W, the Sheaf Crown straggled from the convoy. She proceeded independently to Gibraltar where she arrived on the 25th.
Around 1400Z/22, the convoy merged with convoy MKS 49(G) coming from the Mediterranean.
On this convoy joining HMS Ness parted company with the convoy to escort the Generton to Lisbon while HMS Enchantress and HMS Pimpernel parted company to escort the Empire Strength to Gibraltar.
Convoy MKS 49(G) was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Belgian Sailor (Belgian, 7028 GRT, built 1942),
Benrinnes (British, 5410 GRT, built 1921),
Bestik (Norwegian, 2684 GRT, built 1920),
Blackheath (British, 4637 GRT, built 1936),
Caithness (British, 4970 GRT, built 1935),
Capitaine Saint Martin (French, 3441 GRT, built 1938),
Celtic Monarch (British, 5824 GRT, built 1929),
City of Leicester (British, 3351 GRT, built 1926),
City of Norwich (British, 6726 GRT, built 1913),
Cydonia (British, 3517 GRT, built 1927),
Empire Cavalier (British (tanker), 9891 GRT, built 1942),
Empire Grebe (British, 5736 GRT, built 1918),
Empire Melody (British, 2283 GRT, built 1942),
Empire Spey (British, 4292 GRT, built 1929),
Fort Brandon (British, 7131 GRT, built 1943),
Fort la Baye (British, 7162 GRT, built 1943),
Fort la Traite (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942),
Gorjistan (British, 5888 GRT, built 1929),
Helmwood (British, 2156 GRT, built 1923),
Modasa (British, 9070 GRT, built 1921),
Ocean Stranger (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942) and
Tordene (British, 4271 GRT, built 1936).
The following warships were also part of the convoy; submarines HMS Trespasser (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Favell, RN), HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN), boom carriers HMS Devon City (4928 GRT, built 1933, Cdr.(Retd.) A. McD. Harvey, RN), HMS Kirriemoor (4970 GRT, built 1935, Cdr.(Retd.) H.M. Montague, OBE, RN) and the landing ships USS LST-197 (Lt. J.E. Neal, USNR), USS LST-326 (Lt.(jg) G.R. Ambler, USCGR) and USS LST-381 (Lt. J.P. Houlihan, Jr, USCGR).
Also parted of the convoy were the rescue ship Dewsbury (British, 1631 GRT, built 1910) and the escort oiler Scottish American (British (tanker), 6999 GRT, built 1920)).
On its departure from Gibraltar convoy MKS 49(G) was escorted by the destroyer HMS Highlander (Cdr. D.A. Rayner, DSC, VRD, RNVR), frigates HMS Foley (A/Lt.Cdr. C.A.H. Bird, RNVR), HMS Helmsdale (Cdr. C.W. McMullen, DSC, RN) and the corvettes HMS Kenilworth Castle (Lt. J.J.Allon, RNR) and HMS Portchester Castle (Lt. A.G. Scott, RNR).
During the afternoon of 24 May, HMS Highlander fuelled from the Scottish American.
Around 1215Z/25, the escort carrier HMS Nairana (Capt. R.M.T. Taylor, RN) and the frigates HMS Louis (Cdr.(Retd.) L.B.A. Majendie, RN) and HMS Inglis (Lt. R.S. Beveridge, RN) joined the convoy.
At 0106Z/26, the frigate HMS Bayntun (Lt.Cdr. L.P. Bourke, RNZNR) joined the convoy coming from Gibraltar. She had been unable to sail with convoy MKS 49(G) and had departed later to overtake and join the convoy at sea.
On the 27th, the frigate HMS Lawson (Lt. J.P. Somerville, RN) joined the convoy coming from the Azores.
Around 1630Z/28, the escort carrier HMS Activity (Capt. C. Wauchope, DSC, RN), frigate HMS Ascension (Lt.Cdr. A. Wilkinson, RNR) and the corvette HMS Carisbrooke Castle (T/Lt. W.H. Forster, RNR) joined the convoy.
Around 0730Z/29, the escort carrier HMS Emperor (A/Capt. T.J.N. Hilken, DSO, RN) and the frigates HMCS Meon (T/Lt.Cdr. S. Balfour, RCNVR), HMCS Stormont (T/Skr.Lt. G.A. Myra, RCNR) and HMCS Swansea (A/Cdr. C.A. King, DSO, DSC, RCNR) joined.
On these ships joining, HMCS Meon and HMCS Stormont fuelled from HMS Emperor and HMCS Swansea fuelled from the Scottish American.
Around 1030Z/29, HMS Louis, HMS Lawson and HMS Inglis were detached.
Around 1500Z/29, HMS Activity, HMS Ascension, HMS Carisbrooke Castle and HMS Hadleigh Castle were detached.
Around 1530Z/29, HMCS Swansea, HMCS Stormont and HMCS Meon were detached.
On 31 May 1944, HMS Highlander and HMS Kenilworth Castle were detached to escort the three USN LST's to Port Talbot.
During the night of 31 May / 1 June, the Empire Governor straggled from the convoy. She did not rejoin.
Around 1330Z/1, HMS Emperor was detached to proceed independently to Moville.
Around 1800Z/2, the Loch Ewe section of the convoy was detached escorted by HMS Bayntun. Also HMS Nairana left the convoy to proceed to her destination ahead of the convoy.
The remainder of the convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 3 June 1944. (27) 20 May 1944 3 Jun 1944 4 Jun 1944 7 Jun 1944 7 Jul 1944 5 Sep 1944 1 Oct 1944 5 Oct 1944 23 Oct 1944 26 Oct 1944 30 Oct 1944 31 Oct 1944 1 Nov 1944 3 Nov 1944 7 Nov 1944 8 Nov 1944 9 Nov 1944 11 Nov 1944 12 Nov 1944 16 Nov 1944 20 Nov 1944 21 Nov 1944 22 Nov 1944 23 Nov 1944 24 Nov 1944 25 Nov 1944 28 Nov 1944 29 Nov 1944 30 Nov 1944 1 Dec 1944 2 Dec 1944 5 Dec 1944 6 Dec 1944 7 Dec 1944 13 Dec 1944 14 Dec 1944 15 Dec 1944 18 Dec 1944 23 Dec 1944 28 Dec 1944 4 Jan 1945 5 Jan 1945 6 Jan 1945 Later the same day Dolfijn developed engine problems. It was decided to return to Lerwick for repairs.
No daily positions are known for this patrol so no map can be displayed. (5) 10 Jan 1945 At 1545 hours, in position 60°01'N, 00°09'E, Dolfijn was attacked by a friendly aircraft with rocket projectiles. Dolfijn sustained moderate damage and was, once again, forced to return to Lerwick. When attacked Dolfijn was in an area covered by total attack restrictions. (5) 11 Jan 1945 12 Jan 1945 14 Jan 1945 2 Feb 1945 3 Feb 1945 5 Feb 1945 No daily positions are known for this patrol so no map can be displayed. (5) 16 Feb 1945 17 Feb 1945 18 Feb 1945 7 Mar 1945 7 Mar 1945 8 Mar 1945 9 Mar 1945 12 Mar 1945 13 Mar 1945 17 Mar 1945 No daily positions are known for this patrol so no map can be displayed. (5) 31 Mar 1945 2 Apr 1945 3 Apr 1945 20 Apr 1945 23 Apr 1945 Later the same day all three ships departed Lerwick for Scapa Flow where they arrived the following day. (29) 24 Apr 1945 25 Apr 1945 26 Apr 1945 27 Apr 1945 30 Apr 1945 1 May 1945 2 May 1945 4 May 1945 5 May 1945 17 May 1945 21 May 1945 22 May 1945 28 May 1945 31 May 1945 1 Jun 1945 4 Jun 1945 5 Jun 1945 6 Jun 1945 7 Jun 1945 14 Jun 1945 20 Jun 1945 21 Jun 1945 22 Jun 1945 23 Jun 1945 28 Jun 1945 29 Jun 1945 2 Jul 1945 3 Jul 1945 4 Jul 1945 6 Jul 1945 9 Jul 1945 10 Jul 1945 11 Jul 1945 12 Jul 1945 16 Jul 1945 17 Jul 1945 18 Jul 1945 19 Jul 1945 20 Jul 1945 21 Jul 1945 23 Jul 1945 24 Jul 1945 25 Jul 1945 26 Jul 1945 27 Jul 1945 7 Aug 1945 9 Aug 1945 6 Sep 1945 8 Sep 1945 Sources ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.
At 0300B/27, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) sighted what is thought to be a motor torpedo boat very close. Nothing head been heard on the Asdic.
Around 1115B/28, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) arrived at Malta to land her wounded.
Around 1700B/29, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) departed Malta to resume her patrol. (5)
At 1320B/1, off Cape Zafferano, near Palermo, Sicily, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) sighted a Generale class torpedo boat escorting two vessels toward Palermo. The submarine closed to attack but this was later broken off when the two vessels proved to be a small armed tug and another very small vessel which kept very close inshore.
At 1720B/3, off Lipari, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) sighted a small schooner and an armed patrol vessel of about 200 tons. Both soon disappeared behind the breakwater before there was a chance for a gun action. (5)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) left patrol to return to Algiers. (5)
Around 0835B/10, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) ended her 8th war patrol (6th in the Mediterranean) at Algiers.
Around 1945B/27, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) departed Algiers for her 9th war patrol (7th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol between Giglio Island and the Italian Mainland to provide cover during Operation Husky.
Around 1345B/29, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) passed the Swedish Red Cross ships Bardaland (Swedish, 2956 GRT, built 1936) and Camelia (Swedish, 1688 GRT, built 1941) proceeding westwards. (5)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) torpedoed and damaged the Italian merchant Sabbia (5788 GRT, built 1926) south of Civitavecchia, Italy in position 42°05'N, 11°47'E. Sabbia was escorted by the German auxiliary submarine chaser UJ 2207 which also towed the damaged ship into Civitavecchia where she was beached, partly blocking the entrance.
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) sank the Italian auxiliary patrol vessel V 105 / Stefano Galleano (137 GRT) with gunfire off Ostia, Italy in position 41°41'N, 12°00'E. One of the crew was killed, two were missing and three were wounded.
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) left patrol to return to Algiers. (5)
Around 0845B/20, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) ended her 9th war patrol (7th in the Mediterranean) at Algiers.
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) is docked in the large graving dock at Algiers. (10)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) is undocked. (10)
Around 1920B/4, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) departed Algiers for her 10th war patrol (8th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Toulon, Southern France.
At 0745B/11, while patrolling off Toulon, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) sighted three motor torpedo boats patrolling from west two east at a range of two nautical miles.
At 0010B/12, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN), sighted a southbound U-boat in position 42°50'N, 05°55'E. This was U-380 that had left Toulon for her patrol area around 1800B/12. It was not possible to attack. U-380 had also sighted Dolfijn, which was up moon, but had orders not to attack submarines in this area as these may be friendly.
At 1800B/14, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN), sighted two small merchant vessels leaving Toulon to the eastwards. As HrMs Dolfijn was at that moment at the extreme western end of her patrol area, the enemy vessels were well out of range.
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) left patrol to return to Algiers. (5)
Around 0730B/19, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) ended her 10th war patrol (8th in the Mediterranean) at Algiers.
Around 1200B/3, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) departed Algiers for her 11th war patrol (9th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol between Corsica and the Italian mainland.
Around 1525B/8, east of Corsica, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) started an attack on a large merchant vessel. The attack had to be broken off when this turned out to be a hospital ship which was proceeding westwards at slow speed (about 5 knots). (5)
At 0105B/10, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN), encountered the Italian minelaying submarine Filippo Corridoni in position 42°45'N, 09°54'E.
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) torpedoed and damaged the Italian transport Humanitas (7980 GRT, built 1943) off Bastia, Corsica. The unfortunate ship was then damaged by German air attack and had to be finished off by gunfire from the corvettes Gabbiano and Pellicano.
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) returned to the Bastia area.
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) sank the German barges Gerda and Hedwig with gunfire south of Sestri Levante, Italy in position 44°09'N, 09°37'E.
At 1200B/15, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN), fired a total of three torpedoes at the wreck of the German merchant vessel Waldeck (Former French Dalny, 6672 GRT, built 1914) that was aground off Cape Cervo, Liguria, Italy in position 43°55'N, 08°07'E. One torpedo hit was obtained but it did not explode. The wreck was most likely protected by nets. Following these attacks HrMs Dolfijn left patrol to return to Algiers. (5)
In the afternoon, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) ended her 11th war patrol (9th in the Mediterranean) at Algiers.
Around 1700A/5, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) departed Algiers for patrol but returned the same evening [at 2145A/5] due to a defect to the telemotor system.
Around 1700A/7, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN), her repairs completed, departed Algiers for her 12th war patrol (10th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Toulon and the French Riviera.
At 1335A/12, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) sighted three F-lighters and a small tug proceeding from the Petite Pass to Toulon while keeping very close inshore and far within the 100 fathom line. All were loaded. It was not possible to attack them this far inshore.
At 1335A/13, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) sighted three empty barges proceeding northwards from Saint Tropez. They were not in range and thus could not be attacked. (5)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) attacked a convoy off small craft with gunfire near Fréjus, southern France. Dolfijn fired 16 rounds but broke off the action as fire was returned very quickly and forced the submarine to submerge. The barge Vidi was hit twice during the engagement. It was in convoy 5355 from Toulon to La Spezia consisting of landing barge F 433 with barges Vidi, Tulipe, Jan, Frans and Marabout but Jan had defects and turned back to Toulon and the convoy proceeded to St Tropez. They sailed again on 14 October, but Frans broke down and F 433 had to tow her back to St. Tropez. The convoy was now formed by the barges Vidi, Tulipe and Warntraut (possibly Marabout ???) escorted by the Flak boats HS 19 and HS 20 in a very loose formation with Warntraut and one (or two?) HS boat about 4-5 miles astern when they were attacked. There were no casualties but two Germans from Vidi jumped overboard and were later recovered by HS 13. Vidi and Tulipe (also reported as damaged) were diverted to Cannes for repairs (our thanks to Theodor Dorgeist for this information).
At 0945A/16, while patrolling between Monaco and Antibes, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) sighted two motor torpedo boats passing at close range. They were proceeding eastwards.
At 0945A/17, while patrolling between Cape Ferrat and Cannes, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) sighed an F-ligher and two barges. They were escorted by two converted small armed drifters and were proceeding towards Villafranche.
At 1500A/18, while patrolling between Cannes and Nice, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) sighted what is thought to be a small motor torpedo boat. (5)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) left patrol to return to Algiers. (5)
Around 1115A/23, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) ended her 12th war patrol (10th in the Mediterranean) at Algiers.
Around 1630A/3, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) departed Algiers for her 13th war patrol (11th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Gulf of Genoa.
At 1205A/7, near Cape Mele, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) sighted smoke bearing 348°. HrMs Dolfijn closed at speed on course 270°. More favourable course were not possible due to the proximity of minefields.
At 1545A/9, near Cape Noli, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) sighted a former French torpedo boat of the La Melpoméne class. She was proceeding to the north-east and transmitting on Asdic. Avoiding action was taken. (5)
At 1025A/11, near Cape Noli, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) sighted a small tug and four UJ boats proceeding to the south-west. Two of the UJ boats were of the coaster type and two were of the trawler type. All were transmitting on Asdic. No attack was made in accordance with the patrol orders. (5)
At 1055A/13, off Sestri Levante, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) sighted a old small merchant vessel of about 2000 tons, escorted by a destroyer, one trawler type UJ boat and one coaster type UJ boat. They were proceeding to the north-west along the coast.
At 1315A/15, off Cape Mele, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) sighed two UJ boats, one trawler type, one coaster type, carrying out an A/S sweep on a south-west course passing two nautical miles to the seaward.
Around 1030A/20, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) arrived at Bizerta.
Around 0730A/22, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) and HMS Untiring (Lt. R. Boyd, DSC, RN) departed Bizerta for passage to Malta. They were escorted by HMS BYMS 2028 (Skr. J.R. Clark, RNR). (5)
Around 1545A/23, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) ended her 13th war patrol (11th in the Mediterranean) and HMS Untiring (Lt. R. Boyd, DSC, RN) ended her 4th war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (18)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) is docked in No.1 graving dock at the Malta Dockyard. (19)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) is undocked. (19)
Around 0530A/11, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) departed Malta for Beirut.
Around 0800B/16, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) arrived at Beirut from Malta. (19)
Around 1730B/24, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) departed Beirut for her 14th war patrol (12th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Aegean.
Around 2330B/26, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) entered the Kaso strait and commenced it's northbound passage so as to enter the Aegean. (5)
At 0240B/29, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) had to stop the port diesel engine due to a defect.
Around 0730B/4, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) ended her 14th war patrol (12th in the Mediterranean) at Beirut. (5)
Around 1400A/22, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) departed Beirut for her 15th war patrol (13th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Aegean.
Around 2310B/24, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) entered the Kaso strait and commenced it's northbound passage so as to enter the Aegean. (5)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) unsuccessfully tries to attack the
German transport Leda (4572 GRT, built 1943, former Italian Leopardi) south of Ikaria Island, Greece. She was escorted by the German destroyers TA 14 (former Italian destroyer Turbine), TA 16 (former Italian torpedo boat Castelfidardo) and the German motor minesweepers R 194, R 211. HrMs Dolfijn was spotted and driven off by TA 14. This convoy was on passage from Piraeus (departed around 1700C/25) to Portolago, Leros (arrived 0515C/26).
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) fires three torpedoes at the German transport Oria (2127 GRT, built 1920, former French Sainte Julienne, former Norwegian Oria) north of Santorini Island, Greece. She was escorted by the auxiliary submarine chasers UJ 2105, UJ 2106 and UJ 2110. The target was however not hit as she was able to evade the torpedoes.
At 0142B/1, when north of Amorgos, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) sighted a destroyer against the dark background of Amorgos. She was proceeding east. Range was 3200 yards. HrMs Dolfijn turned away.
At 2252B/2, while north-east of Amorgos, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) sighed a large explosion in the direction of Leros and the exploded object stayed on fire afterwards. Aircraft reported having hit a vessel. Another vessel was seen coming in Dolfijn's general direction. HrMs Dolfijn set a course to intercept.
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) attacked the German auxiliary submarine chaser (auxiliary schooner, submarine trap, Q-ship) UJ 2141 with gunfire in the Doro Channel. The Germans opened an accurate return fire and Dolfijn broke off the action and dived. The Germans claimed to have hit the enemy submarine in the conning tower.
At 1200B/5, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) left patrol to return to Beirut. (5)
Around 0630B/10, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) ended her 15th war patrol (13th in the Mediterranean) at Beirut. (5)
Around 1900B/24, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) departed Beirut for her 16th war patrol (14th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Aegean.
From 2 to 5 March 1944, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN), patrolled to the north of the Skopelos Channel. Several small caiques were seen during this period, most of them being only around 5 tons. One of them was thought to be around 15 tons.
At 1950B/8, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) is ordered to patrol in the Kaso Strait to try to intercept a German submarine which is leaving the Aegean. [FOLEM's signal timed 1624B/8, FOLEM = Flag Officer Levent and Eastern Mediterranean].
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) is informed in FOLEM's signal timed 0028B/10 that the enemy submarine was to be expected around 0300B/10.
At 2205B/11, to the north of Crete, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) sighted a suspicious vessel. HrMs Dolfijn dived and closed as the bright moonlight prevented a surface attack. It was however not possible to close sufficiently to positively identify the vessel. As no HE was picked up it is thought to have been a caique. (5)
At 0035B/12, east of the Anti-Kithera Channel, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) sighted three vessels. HrMs Dolfijn then dived. On closing the vessels were identified as two barges of about 150 tons each with a small A/S escort which was transmitting on Asdics. A torpedo attack was not possible in the current light conditions and the small size of the targets. The presence of the escort prevented a gun action from close range.
Around 1920B/15, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) ended her 16th war patrol (14th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (5)
Around 1400B/3, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) departed Malta for her 17th war patrol (15th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Aegean.
During the night of 7/8 April 1944, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) passed the Kaso Strait northbound and entered the Aegean. (5)
At 0100B/11, while patrolling between Anti-Milos and Falkonera, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) sighted a northbound hospital ship. In a signal timed 1655B/10, Capt. S 1, had already warned that this ship was to be expected. (5)
At 1650B/12, while still patrolling between Anti-Milos and Falkonera, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN), sighted an unescorted motor vessel proceeding southwards. She was well out of range at 7 nautical miles. Only the superstructure was visible which looked like a modern Swedish (safe conduct) ship, most probably the Fenris (1904 GRT, built 1941). This ship was expected to sail from Piraeus in the morning of 12 April. (5)
At 1635A/13, south of Hydra, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) sighted smoke bearing 075°. Three ships could be seen at long range. Air escort was overhead this convoy. They were proceeding northwards.
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) attacked the German auxiliary patrol vessel GA 01 with two torpedoes off Kiparissi, Peloponnese, Greece. No hits were obtained.
Having returned to the area near Kiparissi, Peloponnese, Greece, after having spent the previous day near Cape Malea, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) sighted several small sailing vessels during the day. These were not attacked. (5)
In two separate attacks, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) sank the Greek sailing vessels HYD 129 / Agios Georgios (38 GRT) and PI 1997 / Theonie (6 GRT) with gunfire south-south-west and south of Milos Island, Greece. The four crew members of Agios Georgios reached the coast in a boat, the three crew members of Theonie were taken prisoner.
After having patrolled off Anti-Kithera during the day, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) left patrol to proceed to Malta. (5)
Around 1415B/21, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) ended her 17th war patrol (15th in the Mediterranean) at Malta.
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) departed Malta for Gibraltar. She made the passage in convoy MKS 48. Dolfijn was to proceed to the U.K. to refit. (5)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) arrived at Gibraltar. (5)Convoy SL 158.
Around 1415B/20, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) departed Gibraltar for Holy Loch. She made the passage in convoy MKS 49(G). (5)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) arrived at Holy Loch. (5)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) departed Holy Loch for Dundee. She was escorted by HMS Sardonyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne, RNVR). (28)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) arrived at Dundee where she was to refit. (28)
During her refit at Dundee, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN), is docked in the Victoria Dock. (28)
During her refit at Dundee, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN), is undocked. (28)
During her refit at Dundee, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN), is docked again. (28)
During her refit at Dundee, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN), is undocked. (28)
Having completed her refit, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN), conducted trials off Dundee. (28)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted trials off Dundee. (28)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises with A/S aircraft off Dundee. (28)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises with A/S aircraft off Dundee. (28)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises with A/S aircraft off Dundee. (28)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises together with HrMs O 9 (Lt. S.H. de Boer, RNN) off Dundee. (28)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises with A/S aircraft off Dundee. (28)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises with A/S aircraft off Dundee. (28)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises with A/S aircraft off Dundee. (28)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises off Dundee. (28)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises off Dundee. (28)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises with A/S aircraft off Dundee. (28)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises with A/S aircraft off Dundee. (28)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises with A/S aircraft off Dundee. (29)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises with A/S aircraft off Dundee. (29)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises with A/S aircraft off Dundee. (29)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises with A/S aircraft off Dundee. (29)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises with A/S aircraft off Dundee. (29)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises with A/S aircraft off Dundee. (29)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises with A/S aircraft off Dundee. (29)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises with A/S aircraft off Dundee. (29)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises off Dundee. (29)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises with A/S aircraft off Dundee. (29)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises off Dundee. (29)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises with A/S aircraft off Dundee. (29)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises with A/S aircraft off Dundee. (29)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises off Dundee together with HMS Zodiac (Lt.Cdr. H.R. Rycroft, DSC, RN). (29)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises off Dundee together with HMS Zodiac (Lt.Cdr. H.R. Rycroft, DSC, RN). (29)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) shifted from Dundee to Leith. She was escorted by HMS ML 229 (T/Lt. W.C.R. Walsh, RNVR). (29)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) shifted from Leith to Dundee. She was escorted by HMS ML 229 (T/Lt. W.C.R. Walsh, RNVR). (29)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) and HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) conducted exercises off Dundee. (29)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises off Dundee together with HMS ML 229 (T/Lt. W.C.R. Walsh, RNVR). (29)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) and HNoMS Utsira (Lt. S. Valvatne) departed Dundee for Lerwick. They were escorted by HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. W.E. Turner, RNVR). (5)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) arrived at Lerwick. (5)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) departed Lerwick for her 18th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the North Sea.
After engine repairs, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN), departed Lerwick at 1000 hours to resume her 18th war patrol.
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) ended her 18th war patrol at Lerwick. (5)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) departed Lerwick for Dundee. She was escorted by HMS Dulcibelle (T/Skr. C. Hankin, RNR). (29)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) arrived at Dundee. (29)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) departed Dundee for Lerwick. She was escorted by HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. W.E. Turner, RNVR). (5)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) arrived at Lerwick. (5)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) departed Lerwick for her 19th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the North Sea. The patrol was uneventful.
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) ended her 19th war patrol at Lerwick. (5)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) departed Lerwick for Dundee. She was escorted by HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. W.E. Turner, RNVR). (29)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) arrived at Dundee. (29)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises off Dundee together with HMS Commodator (T/Skr. J.B. Davidson, RNR). (29)
HrMs O 15 (Lt. R.W. van Lynden, RNN) and HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) both conducted exercises of Dundee. O 15 made one practice attack on Dolfijn. (30)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN), HrMs Zeehond (Lt.Cdr. Baron D.T. Mackay, RNN) and HrMs O 15 (Lt. R.W. van Lynden, RNN) conducted exercises off Dundee with each other. (29)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises off Dundee together with HrMs O 15 (Lt. R.W. van Lynden, RNN) and HMS Commodator (T/Skr. J.B. Davidson, RNR). (29)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) departed Dundee for Lerwick. She was escorted by HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. W.E. Turner, RNVR). (5)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) arrived at Lerwick. (5)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) departed Lerwick for her 20th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the Norwegian coast, Feje area (north of Bergen). Only small vessels were sighted.
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) ended her 20th war patrol at Lerwick. (5)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) departed Lerwick for Dundee. She was escorted by HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. W.E. Turner, RNVR). (29)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) arrived at Dundee. (29)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) and ORP Dzik (Por.mar. (Lt.) A. Klopotowski) departed Dundee for Lerwick. They were escorted by HMS Ebor Abbey (T.Skr. G.H. Harwood, RNR). (29)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) and ORP Dzik (Por.mar. (Lt.) A. Klopotowski) and their escort HMS Ebor Abbey (T.Skr. G.H. Harwood, RNR) arrived at Lerwick. Passage was delayed when the ships had to shelter in Taracliff Bay due to bad weather.
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) arrived at Scapa Flow where she was to participate in A/S exercises. (29)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Scapa Flow together with HMS Bermuda. (Capt. J.S. Bethell, CBE, RN), HMS Scourge (Lt.Cdr. C.G.H. Brown, DSC, RN) and HMS Carysfort (Lt.Cdr. L. St.G. Rich, DSO and Bar, RN). (29)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Scapa Flow together with HMS Cleopatra (Capt. B.I. Robertshaw, CBE, RN), HMS Obdurate (Lt.Cdr. R.D. Franks, DSO, DSC, OBE, RN) and ORP Garland (Lt. K. Hess, ORP). (29)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Scapa Flow together with HMS Cleopatra (Capt. B.I. Robertshaw, CBE, RN) and HMS Carysfort (Lt.Cdr. L. St.G. Rich, DSO and Bar, RN). (31)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Scapa Flow together with HMS Obdurate (Lt.Cdr. R.D. Franks, DSO, DSC, OBE, RN). (31)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Scapa Flow together with HMS Gorse (Skr. F.R. Brown, RNR) and HMS Provost (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.B. Evans, RNVR). (31)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow together with HMS Trusty (Lt. W. St.G. Anderson, DSC, RNR). (31)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) departed Scapa Flow together with HMS Venturer (Lt. J.S. Launders, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN). They were escorted by HMS Castlenau (T/Skr. G. Wood, RNR). (31)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) arrived at Dundee. (31)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted snorkel exercises off Dundee. (31)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted snorkel exercises off Dundee. (31)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted snorkel exercises off Dundee. (31)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted snorkel exercises off Dundee. (31)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises off Dundee together with HrMs O 15 (Lt. Baron R.W. van Lynden, RNN) and HMS Ultimatum (Lt. P.D.C. Bennett, RN). (31)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises off Dundee. (31)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises off Dundee. (31)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises off Dundee. (31)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises off Dundee. (31)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) is docked at Dundee. (31)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) is undocked. (31)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted trials off Dundee. (31)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises off Dundee. (31)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises off Dundee. (31)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises off Dundee. (31)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises off Dundee. (31)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises off Dundee. (31)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises off Dundee. (31)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises off Dundee. (31)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises off Dundee. (31)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises off Dundee. (31)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises off Dundee. (31)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises off Dundee. (31)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises off Dundee. (31)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises off Dundee. (31)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises off Dundee. (31)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises off Dundee. (31)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises off Dundee. (31)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises off Dundee. (31)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises off Dundee. (31)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises off Dundee. (31)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises off Dundee. (31)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises off Dundee. (31)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises off Dundee. (31)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises off Dundee. (31)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises off Dundee. (31)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) departed Dundee for Rotterdam. (31)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) arrived at Rotterdam. (31)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) departed Rotterdam for Dundee. (31)
HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) arrived at Dundee. (31)