Allied Warships

HMS Syrtis (P 241)

Submarine of the S class

NavyThe Royal Navy
TypeSubmarine
ClassS 
PennantP 241 
ModThird Group 
Built byCammell Laird Shipyard (Birkenhead, U.K.) 
Ordered25 Jan 1941 
Laid down14 Oct 1941 
Launched4 Feb 1943 
Commissioned23 Apr 1943 
LostMar 1944 
History

HMS Syrtis (Lt. Michael Hugh Jupp, DSC, RN) left Lerwick, Shetland Islands on 16 March 1944 for a patrol off the Norwegian coast near Kya. On 20 March she was ordered to an area south of Bodø. She was due to leave patrol on 26/27 March 1944 and then return to Lerwick.

She was most likely lost in a German minefield (possibly minefield NW 53 in position 67°08'00"N, 13°42'30"E) near Bodø on, but most likely after, 22 March 1944.

At 1421A on 1 April 1944, a patrolling Catalina, which had been sent from Sullom Voe to search for the missing submarine, sighted wreckage in position 62°37'N, 01°38'E. HMS Syrtis would have passed very close to to this position around 1400A on 29 March 1944 when returning to Lerwick from her patrol area. Though considered unlikely by the Admiralty, there is always the remote possibility of HMS Syrtis having struck a drifting mine on her way back to Lerwick. 

Commands listed for HMS Syrtis (P 241)

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and that we only list Commanding Officers for the duration of the Second World War.

CommanderFromTo
1Lt. Michael Hugh Jupp, DSC, RN20 Mar 1943Mar 1944 (+)

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Notable events involving Syrtis include:


The history of HMS Syrtis as compiled on this page is extracted from the logbooks and patrol reports of this submarine.

This page was last updated in January 2023.

21 Apr 1943
Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) departed her builders yard at Birkenhead, Liverpool for Holy Loch. She was escorted by HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr.(G.W. Dobson, RNR). (1)

22 Apr 1943
Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch to begin a period of trials and training off the Scottish west coast. (1)

23 Apr 1943
Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted full power trials on the Arran measured mile following which she was commissioned at Holy Loch. (1)

25 Apr 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (1)

26 Apr 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (1)

27 Apr 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (1)

30 Apr 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to the torpedo firing range at Arrochar. (1)

1 May 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (2)

3 May 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (2)

4 May 1943
Having completed her torpedo discharge trials, HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN), shifted from Arrochar to Holy Loch. (2)

6 May 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN) served as the target. These included night exercises. (2)

7 May 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) proceeded to Campbeltown on completion of last night's exercises. That evening she departed again for night attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Forth (Capt. R.S. Warne, RN) served as target. (2)

8 May 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. On completion of these exercises she proceeded to Holy Loch. (2)

10 May 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted S.T.U. (mine detection) and D/F calibration trials in the Clyde area. (2)

11 May 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil. (2)

12 May 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Colombo (Capt. D.H. Hall-Thompson, RN) served as the target. (2)

13 May 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Weston (Cdr. L.F. Durnford-Slater, RN) served as the target. Afterwards A/S exercises were carried out with HMS Totland (Lt.Cdr. L.E. Woodhouse, RN). (2)

14 May 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) proceeded from Holy Loch to Arrochar where she conducted torpedo discharge trials. On completion of these trials she returned to Holy Loch. (2)

16 May 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted log calibration trials in the Clyde area. (2)

19 May 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) departed the Clyde area for Scapa Flow. She made the passage North through the Minches together with the Soviet submarine L-15. They were escorted by HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr.(G.W. Dobson, RNR). (2)

21 May 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow to participate in A/S and attack exercises. (2)

24 May 1943
In the morning, HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN), conducted A/S exercises with HMS Scorpion (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Clouston, RN). During the evening she conducted attack exercises on the ‘battlefleet’. (2)

27 May 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) carried out attack exercises off Scapa Flow. (2)

28 May 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted A/S and attack exercises off Scapa Flow. (2)

29 May 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted A/S and attack exercises off Scapa Flow. (2)

31 May 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises off Scapa Flow. (2)

2 Jun 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Scapa Flow with HMS Matchless (Lt.Cdr. J. Mowlam, DSO, RN) and HMS Penn (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, DSO, RN). (3)

3 Jun 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted A/S and attack exercises off Scapa Flow with HMS Ledbury (Lt. D.R.N. Murdoch, RN). (3)

5 Jun 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Holy Loch. She made the passage South through the Minches together with HMS Tuna (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, RN), HMS Stubborn (Lt. A.A. Duff, RN) and HMS Ultimatum (Lt. W.H. Kett, DSC, RNR). They were escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (3)

6 Jun 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (3)

10 Jun 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (3)

11 Jun 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) served as the target. (3)

13 Jun 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) departed Holy Loch for Larne. (3)

14 Jun 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) arrived at Larne. She then conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HNoMS Potentilla and HNoMS Rose. (3)

15 Jun 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HNoMS Potentilla, HNoMS Rose and HMS Vanquisher (Lt.Cdr. G.A.G. Ormsby, RN). (3)

16 Jun 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (3)

18 Jun 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HMS Bergamot (Lt. R.T. Horan, RNR), HMS Oxlip (Lt. C.W. Leadbetter, RNR), HMS Rhododendron (T/Lt. O.B. Medley, RNVR) and HMS Hyderabad (T/Lt. T. Cooper, RNR). (3)

20 Jun 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HMS Oxlip (Lt. C.W. Leadbetter, RNR) and HMS Hyderabad (T/Lt. T. Cooper, RNR). (3)

22 Jun 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HMS Dart (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Wright, RNR) and HMS Fishguard (Lt.Cdr. H.L. Pryse, RNR). (3)

23 Jun 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HMS Dart (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Wright, RNR). (3)

24 Jun 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HMS Starwort (Lt. A.H. Kent, RNR). (3)

25 Jun 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HMS Chanticleer (Lt.Cdr. R.H. Bristowe, DSO, RN). (3)

26 Jun 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (3)

29 Jun 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (3)

30 Jun 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) is docked at Kames Bay. (3)

30 Jun 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) shifted from Larne to Kames Bay. (3)

1 Jul 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) is undocked. (4)

3 Jul 1943
Around 1515B/3, HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) departed Holy Loch for Lerwick. She was escorted by HMS Alecto (Lt.Cdr. H.A.L. Marsham, RN). (4)

5 Jul 1943
Around 2200B/5, HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) arrived at Lerwick. (4)

6 Jul 1943
Around 0915B/6, HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) departed Lerwick for her 1st war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Norwegian Sea on an anti-Uboat patrol.

For the daily positions of HMS Syrtis during this patrol see the map below.

(5)

7 Jul 1943
In the early evening, at 1825B/7, HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) sighted a German U-boat in position 62°42'N, 03°07'E. An attack was started but the range could not be closed so the attack had to be broken off. The enemy submarine sighted was most likely the U-269. (5)

20 Jul 1943
Around 0825B/20, HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Lerwick.

She departed later the same day, around 1355B/20, for Holy Loch escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (5)

22 Jul 1943
Around 0530B/22, HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (4)

3 Aug 1943
Around 1250B/3, HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) departed Holy Loch for her 2nd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Bay of Biscay for an anti-Uboat patrol.

Passage South through the Irish Sea was made together with HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) and HMS Seadog (Lt. C.R. Pelly, RN) until 1250/5. They were escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (5)

3 Aug 1943

For the daily positions of HMS Syrtis during her 2nd war patrol see the map below.

17 Aug 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) boarded a French fishing vessel in the Bay of Biscay in approximate position 46°41'N, 06°45'W.

0318B/17- Sighted a darkened small tuna fishing vessel. Sent over the boarding party. The vessel was the Therese de l'enfant Jesus of Île d'Yeu. The French crew of 5 were sent off in their small boat. It was the intention to use the fishing vessel during the day for reconnaisance purposes but as there was no wind this idea was abandoned. The boarding party was taken off and they also took the ships books with them. (5)

19 Aug 1943
At 0655B/19, HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN), made rendez-vous with HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) and their escort HMS White Bear. Course was then set for the Clyde. (5)

20 Aug 1943
Around 1800A/1, HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Holy Loch. (5)

31 Aug 1943
Around 0730B/31, HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) departed Holy Loch for Loch Loch Cairnbawn (Port H.H.Z.). She made the passage together with HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN), HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) and HMS Sceptre (Lt. I.S. McIntosh, DSC, RN). The submarines are escorted by the British minesweeper HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Dobson, RNR). (6)

1 Sep 1943
Around 0920A/1, HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) arrived at Port H.H.Z. for a period of exercises with midget submarines. (7)

2 Sep 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Port H.H.Z. (7)

8 Sep 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Port H.H.Z. (7)

11 Sep 1943
Around 1600A/11, HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) departed Port H.H.Z. for her 3rd war patrol. She is to tow midget submarine X 9 to the entrance to the Alten Fjord in Northern Norway.

Syrtis and X-9 are part of Operation Source. An attack by six midget submarines on the German battleship Tirpitz.

For the daily positions of HMS Syrtis during this patrol see the map below.

(8)

16 Sep 1943
In the early moring hours of HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) lost her tow, midget submarine X-9 (T/S.Lt. E. Kearan, RNVR). This was not discovered until 0900 hours. Syrtis then turned round and began a search but X-9 was not found. It is not known wat happened to her and her crew. (8)

5 Oct 1943
Around 1145A/5, HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol at Lerwick.

She departed later the same day, around 2030A/5, for Holy Loch together with HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) and HMS Stubborn (Lt. A.A. Duff, RN). They were escorted by HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr.(G.W. Dobson, RNR). (5)

7 Oct 1943
Around 2230A/7, HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (9)

21 Oct 1943
Around 1830A/21, HMS Stubborn (Lt. A.A. Duff, RN) and HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) both departed Holy Loch for Lerwick. They were escorted by HMS Sardonyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne, RNVR). (10)

23 Oct 1943
Around 1400A/23, HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) arrived at Lerwick. (9)

25 Oct 1943
Around 0815A/23, HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) departed Lerwick for her 4th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off Northern Norway.

For the daily positions of HMS Syrtis during this patrol see the map below.

(5)

12 Nov 1943
Around 1130A/12, HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol at Holy Loch. (5)

14 Nov 1943
Around 1015A/14, HMS Stubborn (Lt. A.A. Duff, RN) and HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) departed Lerwick for Holy Loch. They were escorted by HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) C.M. Norman, RN). (11)

16 Nov 1943
Around 0800A/16, HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (12)

22 Nov 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) is docked in AFD 7 at Holy Loch. (12)

26 Nov 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) is undocked. (12)

30 Nov 1943
HMS Stubborn (Lt. A.A. Duff, RN) and HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) both conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.D. O'Driscoll, RNR) served as target. They also made practice attacks on each other. (13)

3 Dec 1943
HMS Stubborn (Lt. A.A. Duff, RN) and HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) both conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which they made practice attacks on each other. (14)

4 Dec 1943
HMS Stubborn (Lt. A.A. Duff, RN) and HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) both conducted attack and RDF (radar) exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) A.L. Sanders, RN) served as the target. These included night exercises. Also gunnery exercises were carried out on a target that was being towed by HMS Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.D. O'Driscoll, RNR). (14)

5 Dec 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) returned to Holy Loch on completion of last night's exercises. (15)

8 Dec 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil. (15)

10 Dec 1943
Around 1430A/10, HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) departed Holy Loch for Scapa Flow. She made the passage North through the Minches together with HMS Stubborn (Lt. A.A. Duff, RN), HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) and HMS Venturer (Lt. J.S. Launders, RN). They were escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (15)

12 Dec 1943
Around 0515A/12, HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow where she was to participate in exercises. (15)

13 Dec 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises together with HMS Valiant (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) which acted as the target.

Before the exercises with the submarine HMS Valiant had conducted gunnery and rangefinding and inclination exercise with HMS Black Prince (Capt. D.M. Lees, DSO, RN). (15)

14 Dec 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises during which the French battleship Richelieu (Capt. R.G. Lambert) served as target. (15)

15 Dec 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted practice attacks on HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN). (15)

16 Dec 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises with HMS Black Prince (Capt. D.M. Lees, DSO, RN) as the target. (15)

17 Dec 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises with HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) serving as target. (15)

18 Dec 1943
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises together with HMS Valiant (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) which acted as the target. During these attack exercises by the submarine HMS Valiant conducted gunnery (4.5") exercises. (15)

20 Dec 1943
Around 1630A/20, HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Lerwick. (15)

21 Dec 1943
Around 0550A/21, HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) arrived at Lerwick. (15)

22 Dec 1943
Around 1810A/22, HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) departed Lerwick for her 5th war patrol. She was ordered to provide cover for convoy operations to Russia (JW 55 / RA 55). Later in this patrol she was to perform an anti-Uboat patrol.

For the daily positions of HMS Syrtis during this patrol see the map below.

(5)

6 Jan 1944
Around 1645A/6, HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) ended her 5th war patrol at Lerwick. (5)

8 Jan 1944
Around 0110A/8, HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) departed Lerwick for Holy Loch. She made the passage together with HMS Sceptre (Lt. I.S. McIntosh, MBE, DSC, RN). They were escorted by HNoMS Narvik until 1200A/8, when the escort duties were taken over HMS Regal (A/Skr.Lt. J.H.D. Dansie, RNR) (16)

10 Jan 1944
Around 0145A/10, HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (16)

13 Jan 1944
HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) is docked at Greenock. (17)

18 Jan 1944
HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) is undocked and returned to Holy Loch. (16)

23 Jan 1944
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.D. O'Driscoll, RNR) served as the target. (16)

24 Jan 1944
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) and HMS Sturdy (Lt. W.St.G. Anderson, DSC, RNR) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which they made attacks on each other. These included night exercises. (16)

25 Jan 1944
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) returned to Holy Loch on completion of last night's exercises. (16)

27 Jan 1944
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (16)

28 Jan 1944
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted D/G trials off Helensburgh. (16)

29 Jan 1944
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Breda (Lt.Cdr. G.G. Slade, RN) served as the target. Also gunnery exercises were carried out. (16)

2 Feb 1944
HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) departed Kames Bay with midget submarine X-22 in tow. (18)

7 Feb 1944
HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow.

While near Scapa Flow she lost her Officer Of the Watch, Lt. C. Blythe, RNR, overboard. Syrtis turned immediately and collided with her tow, midget submarine X-22, which sank with the loss of 4 men. Lt. Blythe was not found. Position was 58°43'42"N, 03°18'00"W. (18)

8 Feb 1944
HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Lerwick. (19)

9 Feb 1944
HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) arrived at Lerwick. (19)

12 Feb 1944
Around 1200A/12, HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) departed Lerwick for her 6th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol the Stadlandet area.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Syrtis during this patrol see the map below.

(5)

17 Feb 1944
HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) attacked the Norwegian merchant Sirius (938 GRT, built 1941, offsite link) with three torpedoes off Stadlandet. No hits were obtained.

0815A/17, Sighted a merchant vessel of the Det Bergenske Dampskibsselskab. She was thought to be of about 1500 tons. Started attack.

0825A/17, In position 62°13'N, 05°12'E fired three torpedoes from 1500 to 2000 yards. No hits were obtained. Two torpedoes were heard to explode on the shore. The attack appears to be unobserved. It was later seen that the target was the Sirius of about 900 tons. It is thought the torpedoes might have run under. (5)

21 Feb 1944
HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) is ordered to leave patrol. (5)

22 Feb 1944
Around 1825A/22, HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) ended her 6th war patrol at Lerwick. (5)

23 Feb 1944
HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) departed Lerwick for Holy Loch. Off Scapa Flow she was joined by HMS Vigorous (Lt. J.C. Ogle, DSC, RN) and FFS Junon (Lt. E. Schlumberger). They were escorted by HMS Wallflower (Lt. G.R. Greaves, RNR).

25 Feb 1944
HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (5)

11 Mar 1944
Around 1600A/11, HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) and HMS Vox (Lt. J.M. Michell, RN) both departed Holy Loch for Lerwick. They were escorted by HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) C.M. Norman, RN). (19)

14 Mar 1944
Around 0300A/14, HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) arrived at Lerwick. (19)

16 Mar 1944
HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) departed Lerwick for her 7th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol the Kya area. (5)

20 Mar 1944
HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) is ordered to patrol the Bodø area. (5)

22 Mar 1944
Around 1305B/22, HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) attacked a German convoy made up of the transports Baltenland (German, 3004 GRT, built 1904), Herman Fritzen (German, 3826 GRT, built 1906), Hohenhörn (German, 2997 GRT, built 1924), Lysaker (Norwegian, 898 GRT, built 1919), Raune (Finnish, 951 GRT, built 1918), Sigurd Faulbaum (German, 3875 GRT, built 1906) and Themis (Norwegian, 706 GRT, built 1919). They were escorted by the auxiliary patrol vessels V 5901 and NSa 21. Two torpedo tracks were reported by the German which missed the Baltenland. The Germans gave the location of the attack as being in grid AF3859 which has it centre in position 66°39'00"N, 13°07'30"E.

Around 1400B/22, HMS Syrtis sank the Norwegian merchant Narvik (241 GRT, built 1895, offsite link) with gunfire near Svinvær, Rødøy, Helgeland in position 66°45'N, 13°11'E.

Following the failed attack on the convoy and the sinking of the Narvik, A/S units were sent to the area to start a hunt for the attacker. From Sandnessjøen the minesweepers M 154, M 202, M 322 and patrol vessel V 5904 were sent to the area and from Bodö the minesweeper M 321 and patrol vessel NSa12.

HMS Syrtis did not return from patrol so no information regarding these attacks is available from the British side. Due to codebreaking (Ultra) the British were aware HMS Syrtis had been active in this area.

Sources

  1. ADM 173/18158
  2. ADM 173/18159
  3. ADM 173/18160
  4. ADM 173/18161
  5. ADM 199/1842
  6. ADM 173/18162
  7. ADM 173/18163
  8. ADM 199/888
  9. ADM 173/18164
  10. ADM 173/18139
  11. ADM 173/18140
  12. ADM 173/18165
  13. ADM 173/18140 + ADM 173/18165
  14. ADM 173/18141 + ADM 173/18166
  15. ADM 173/18166
  16. ADM 173/18910
  17. ADM 173/18910
  18. ADM 199/1385
  19. ADM 199/2571

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


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