Allied Warships

ORP Wilk (N 63)

Submarine of the Wilk class


Wilk

NavyThe Polish Navy
TypeSubmarine
ClassWilk 
PennantN 63 
Built byChantier Augustin Normand (Le Havre, France) 
Ordered 
Laid down 1927 
Launched12 Apr 1929 
Commissioned31 Oct 1931 
End service 
History

Wilk means Wolf in Polish.

Put in reserve on 2 May 1942. In 1951 she was towed to Poland where she was scrapped in 1954.

 

Commands listed for ORP Wilk (N 63)

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.

CommanderFromTo
1Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) Boguslaw Dionizy Krawczyk, ORPJul 193819 Apr 1940
2Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) Borys Karnicki, ORP19 Apr 19401 Aug 1940
3Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) Boguslaw Dionizy Krawczyk, DSO, ORP1 Aug 194019 Jul 1941 (+)
4Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) Brunon Jablonski, ORP22 Jul 19414 Apr 1942

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Notable events involving Wilk include:


The page dealing with the wartime history of ORP Wilk was created in June 2023 and last updated in August 2023.

We hope to add further details in the future after further research is undertaken at the The Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum in London.

2 Sep 1939
At 0900 hours, ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.D. Krawczyk) spotted two German minesweepers and one destroyer at distance of 14000 meters. Her commanding officer ordered to approach and attack, but one of minesweepers spotted the periscope and turned rapidly. ORP Wilk had to dive deeper but non the less was soon damaged by depth charges dropped by Germans. Wilk dove to 50 meters. German A/S vessels came to the area as reinforcements, but the enemy fortunately lost contact. Despite losing contact, they continued searching the area. Wilk managed to escape during the night.

The destroyer was the Z 15 / Erich Steinbrinck, the minesweepers were the M 4 and M 7. The destroyer reported being missed by a torpedo but none had been fired by ORP Wilk. (1)

3 Sep 1939
ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.D. Krawczyk) laid a minefield of 20 mines in the Gulf of Gdansk between positions 54°31'N, 18°52'E en 54°27'N, 18°57'E. (1)

4 Sep 1939
During the day, ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.D. Krawczyk) was attacked three times by German minesweepers. Depth charges caused some damage, but ship was able to continue her patrol.

As before after dark she surfaced and retired from the area to charge her batteries and then return to her patrol area the day before. (1)

5 Sep 1939
While on her way back to her patrol area submerged, ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.D. Krawczyk) was detected and attacked with depth charges by German minesweepers and aircraft. Her commanding officer ordered to dive to 87 meters (the safe depth was 80 meters). All of the German depth charges, of which 32 were counted, exploded above the submarine but none the less some damage was sustained. (1)

6 Sep 1939
ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.D. Krawczyk) spotted a German convoy apparently on it's way to Köningsberg. She tried to close to attack but was unable to do so.

8 Sep 1939
ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.D. Krawczyk) finally succeeded in contacting the Polish naval command and she was ordered to take up patrol near the Stilo lighthouse. She reached this new patrol area the following day.

9 Sep 1939
ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.D. Krawczyk) spotted a German convoy but was again unable attack as the Germans altered away when Wilk was about to fire a torpedo.

10 Sep 1939
ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.D. Krawczyk) requested the Naval High Command for permission to enter the Hela or Gdynia harbour for repairs. The High Command refused and ordered him to try to escape from the Baltic and proceed to the United Kingdom. (1)

12 Sep 1939
ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.D. Krawczyk) departed her patrol area off the Polish coast to try to escape to the United Kingdom.

14 Sep 1939
Around 2140 hours on 14 September 1939, ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.D. Krawczyk) passed the Falsterborev Lighthouse and entered the Sund trying to escape from the Baltic.

Despite the presence of German warships in the area the attempt was successful and the following day the ship was in the Kattegat. (1)

15 Sep 1939
At 2258 hours, the German submarine U-48 sighted a surfaced submarine thought to be of the British ' River ' (Clyde) type. The stern torpedo was than fired but it missed.

Position of the attack was Anholt Knob Lightship bearing 161°T, 21.5 nautical miles.

If the ship attacked was indeed a submarine the target could only have been ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.D. Krawczyk). (2)

20 Sep 1939
Around 2300A/20, ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.D. Krawczyk) arrived at Rosyth escorted by the destroyer HMS Sturdy (Lt.Cdr. G.T. Cooper, RN).

The destroyer had left Rosyth around 0510A/20 and had made rendezvous with the submarine around 1645A/20 after having patrolling and searching for the submarine since around 0730A/20. (3)

21 Sep 1939
Around 0440A/21, ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.D. Krawczyk) departed Rosyth for Scapa Flow. She was escorted by HMS Sturdy (Lt.Cdr. G.T. Cooper, RN).

They arrived off Scapa Flow around 0800A/22. ORP Wilk was then escorted into Scapa Flow by the tug HMS Brigand.

HMS Sturdy immediately set course to return to Rosyth arriving around 1930A/22. (3)

13 Oct 1939
Around 1315A/13, ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.D. Krawczyk) departed Scapa Flow for Dundee. She was escorted by HMS Sturdy (Lt.Cdr. G.T. Cooper, RN). (4)

14 Oct 1939
Around 1000A/14, ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.D. Krawczyk) and HMS Sturdy (Lt.Cdr. G.T. Cooper, RN) arrived at Dundee from Scapa Flow.

At Dundee ORP Wilk was taken in hand for repairs by the Caledon Shipyard to make her fit for operational use. (4)

21 Nov 1939
ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.D. Krawczyk, DSO) conducted diving trials in the Tay estuary near Dundee. (5)

22 Nov 1939
ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.D. Krawczyk, DSO) proceeded from Dundee to Rosyth. (5)

29 Nov 1939
Around 1300Z/29, ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.D. Krawczyk, DSO) departed Rosyth for her 1st war patrol from the U.K. She was ordered to patrol off the Danish coast and in the Skagerrak. (6)

13 Dec 1939
Around 1500Z/13 (three hours late), ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.D. Krawczyk, DSO) arrived at Rosyth from her 1st war patrol from the U.K. The patrol had been uneventful. On several occasions a Danish (neutral) torpedo boat had been sighted patrolling off the Danish north coast. Wilk had also entered the Kattegat once.

Earlier that day she had been spotted and reported by a British aircraft. The escort destroyer HMS Woolston (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Phipps, RN) had been sent from Rosyth to investigate but returned when it became clear that the reported submarine was not an enemy submarine. (7)

26 Dec 1939
ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.D. Krawczyk, DSO) departed Rosyth for her 2nd war patrol from the U.K. She was ordered to patrol off the south coast of Norway. (8)

9 Jan 1940
ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.D. Krawczyk, DSO) ended her 2nd war patrol at Rosyth. The patrol had been uneventful. (8)

24 Jan 1940
HMS H 34 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN), ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.D. Krawczyk) and two destroyers conducted A/S exercises in the Firth of Forth. (9)

25 Jan 1940
HMS H 34 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Rosyth with HMS Vega (Cdr. C.I Horton, RN) and HMS Grimsby (Cdr. K.J. D'Arcy, RN). Upon completion of these exercises HMS H 34 departed Rosyth together with HMS Ursula (Cdr. G.C. Phillips, DSO, RN) and ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.D. Krawczyk). HMS Ursula was to proceed to Blyth, the other two submarines to Portsmouth. They were however ordered to return to Rothesay where they arrived the next day. The reason for them being recalled was due to the threat of enemy submarines operating along the east coast of the U.K. further to the south. (10)

30 Jan 1940
While maneuvering at Rosyth, ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.D. Krawczyk) hit the side of ORP Orzel (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) J. Grudzinski, DSO) with its bow. Damage was not serious.

2 Feb 1940
ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.D. Krawczyk, DSO) departed Rosyth for Dundee where she was to refit. (5)

3 Feb 1940
ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.D. Krawczyk, DSO) arrived at Dundee from Rosyth. (5)

14 Mar 1940
ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.D. Krawczyk, DSO) is undocked at Dundee [we have so far been unable to find out when she was docked]. It had also been decided to fit her with a new English battery instead of one from France which had originally been intended. (11)

9 Jun 1940
With her refit completed, ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B. Karnicki) proceeded from Dundee to Rosyth.

At Rosyth she commenced a post refit work-up period. (12)

16 Jun 1940
ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B. Karnicki) conducted exercises in the Firth of Forth together with HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN).

On completion of the exercises ORP Wilk returned to Rosyth while HMS Truant proceeded on patrol. (13)

18 Jun 1940
ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B. Karnicki) departed Rosyth for her 3rd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in an area known as ' north of J '. which was near position 57°00'N, 05°50'E.

She was to take over this patrol area from the Dutch submarine HrMs O 13 (Lt.Cdr. E.H. Vorster, RNN) which had been ordered to vacate this area on 19 June 1940 and return to Rosyth. (14)

20 Jun 1940
At 0025A/20, when in position 56°50'N, 03°37'E, ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B. Karnicki) was severely shaken and the after part of the submarine was lifted out of the water by what was first thought to be an explosion. Wilk's forward motion was checked twice within three seconds. Wilk continued to shutter for about ten seconds.

Although it was first thought that the stern was lifted out of the water it was later considered to be due to striking a submerged submarine. Ratings in the forward half of the submarine reported wire scraping along the hull. The officer of the watch subsequently reported that he had seen a dark shape which disappeared before Wilk reached it.

A very severe jarring effect was felt which broke some electric light bulbs, threw ratings out of their hammocks in the after end of the ships and put the Sperry compass out of action.

A main engine circulating water pipe split as did the connection between the main line and the after mining tank which was found to be leaking from the sea probably due to distortion from the after hydroplane shaft which passes through it.

About 10 tons of water entered the engine room before the leaks could be located and repaired.

Very severe vibration occurred when the port shaft was started and its use had to be discontinued thereafter.

Considerable vibration also occurred in the starboard shaft which could not be run at speeds of over 5 knots.

The after hydroplanes were damaged and could only be operated though 8 degrees in either direction.

It is not clear what ORP Wilk had hit but there is a possibility that this might have been the Dutch submarine HrMs O 13 (Lt.Cdr. E.H. Vorster, RNN) which was en-route from the patrol area ORP Wilk was to take over to Dundee and failed to return from patrol.

The wreck of HrMs O 13 is yet to be found and it is hoped that one day the discovery of the wreck can clear up the matter if ORP Wilk had hit HrMs O 13 yes or no.

At 1600A/20, ORP Wilk arrived in the ' waiting ' position 57°00'N, 04°46'E. It had been decided to try to continue the patrol.

21 Jun 1940
At 0600A/21, ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B. Karnicki) proceeded to try to intercept an enemy submarine that had been report in Admiralty signals 1700Z/20 and 0002Z/21.

[We have not seen this signal but these signals may refer to a submarine sighting by an aircraft at 2035A/20 in position 57°50'N, 03°38'E. This might have been either ORP Wilk herself, HrMs O 13 (Lt.Cdr. E.H. Vorster, RNN) returning from patrol or the German U-99 which was also passing through this general area.] (15)

22 Jun 1940
At 2300A/22, ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B. Karnicki) surfaced for the night. Due to the damage sustained on the 20th and the difficulties encountered during the last two day it had been decided to abandon the patrol and to return to Rosyth. (15)

23 Jun 1940
Around 1030A/23, the light cruisers HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) and HMS Birmingham (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN) and the destroyer HMS Gallant (Lt.Cdr. C.P.F. Brown, RN) departed Rosyth with despatch to make rendezvous with the damaged Polish submarine ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B. Karnicki). After Wilk reported she was able to dive the British ships were ordered to return to Rosyth which they did around 1830A/23. (16)

24 Jun 1940
At 1400A/24, ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B. Karnicki) sighted the Longstone lighthouse bearing 150° at a range of 7 nautical miles. It was then realised that Wilk was about 50 nautical miles out of position due to the fact that the magnatic compass must have been affected due to the shock it had endured on the 20th. (15)

25 Jun 1940
At 1100A/25, ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B. Karnicki) ended her 3rd war patrol at Rosyth. (15)

26 Jun 1940
In the morning, the damaged ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B. Karnicki), departed Dundee for Rosyth where she arrived later the same day. (17)

29 Jun 1940
ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B. Karnicki) is docked in the floating dock at Rosyth. (18)

5 Jul 1940
ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B. Karnicki) is undocked. (19)

7 Jul 1940
ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B. Karnicki) conducted exercises in the Firth of Forth. (5)

9 Jul 1940
ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B. Karnicki was to have departed for her 4th war patrol but her sailing had to be delayed due to defective main motors. (5)

10 Jul 1940
At 2000A/10, ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B. Karnicki) departed Rosyth for her 4th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol to the south of area C 1. (15)

16 Jul 1940
At 2000A/16, ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B. Karnicki) sighted an unidentified aircraft in position 57°24'N, 06°15'E. She promptly dived deep but a bomb was dropped very close. (15)

21 Jul 1940
At 0630A/21, ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B. Karnicki) sighted a German Donier 18 aircraft proceeding southwards two to three miles away.

At 0655A/21, ORP Wilk sighted a tanker and a destroyer or other escort vessel right beneath the aircraft. Wilk then proceeded at best submerged speed to close the tanker. At the next periscope observation three more destroyers or escort vessels were sighted. The tanker passed at about 4000 yards outside the extreme torpedo range. Two of the escorts however passed Wilk at a distance of about 6 cables which remained at periscope depth with all machinery stopped, except the main motors. The tanker, thought to be of 10000/12000 GRT, and the escorts disappeared stearing 180°. No enemy report was made as the force had already been reported by aircraft shortly before. Position was 57°51'N, 06°03'E. (15)

22 Jul 1940
At 0825A/22, ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B. Karnicki) sighted an unidentified aircraft in position 57°28'N, 05°28'E. Wilk herself was also sighted as 5 minutes later, after she had dived, three explosions were heard and felt rather close astern and abaft. Wilk was a 60 feet at the time of the explosions. The fore hatch lifted, the gyro compass was disturbed and two electric light bulbs broke.

Wilk left patrol in the evening. (15)

23 Jul 1940
At 1345A/23, ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B. Karnicki), which was on the surface, sighted an unidentified aircraft [no position given in the patrol report]. Wilk dived to 120 feet but apparently had been sighted as a salvo of six bombs was dropped very closely.

At 1835A/23, ORP Wilk, which was again on the surface, sighted two unidentified aircraft. Wilk then fired two idetification granades. The aircraft then turned towards and were identified as German Donier 18's. Wilk dived and three minutes later three explosions were heard close by. [Again no position given in the patrol report.] (15)

24 Jul 1940
In the afternoon, ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B. Karnicki) ended her 4th war patrol at Rosyth. (15)

26 Jul 1940
ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B. Karnicki) is docked in the floating dock at the Rosyth Dockyard. (19)

30 Jul 1940
ORP Wilk (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B. Karnicki) is undocked. (19)

8 Aug 1940
ORP Wilk (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) B.D. Krawczyk, DSO) departed Rosyth for her 5th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol to the west of area A1 (Doggerbank area) to attack enemy submarines. She was to take over this patrol area from HrMs O 22 (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Ort, RNN). (14)

21 Aug 1940
ORP Wilk (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) B.D. Krawczyk, DSO) ended her 5th war patrol at Rosyth. The patrol had been uneventful. (14)

30 Aug 1940
ORP Wilk (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) B.D. Krawczyk, DSO) is docked in the floating dock at the Rosyth Dockyard. (19)

7 Sep 1940
ORP Wilk (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) B.D. Krawczyk, DSO) is undocked. (19)

8 Sep 1940
ORP Wilk (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) B.D. Krawczyk, DSO) departed Rosyth for her 6th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol to the north-west of area A1 (Doggerbank area) to attack enemy submarines. (14)

21 Sep 1940
ORP Wilk (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) B.D. Krawczyk, DSO) ended her 6th war patrol at Rosyth. The patrol had been uneventful. (14)

9 Oct 1940
ORP Wilk (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) B.D. Krawczyk, DSO) departed Rosyth for her 7th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol west of area C 1 (off the south coast of Norway). (14)

18 Oct 1940
ORP Wilk (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) B.D. Krawczyk, DSO) shifted patrol to area C 1. (15)

19 Oct 1940
ORP Wilk (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) B.D. Krawczyk, DSO) attacked the Norwegian merchant vessel (under German control) Betty (2439 GRT, built 1919)

1505A/19, sighted a 2000 tons merchant vessel bearing 325°, range 5000 yards. Started attack.

In position 58°03'N, 06°35'E, Wilk fired three torpedoes from 800 yards. No hits were obtained. During the attack Wilk ' dipped ' resulting in that the torpedoes were fired later then intended.

Several ships had been sighted during the day but this was the only one that torpedoes could be fired upon. (15)

25 Oct 1940
ORP Wilk (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) B.D. Krawczyk, DSO) ended her 7th war patrol at Rosyth.

On 19 and 20 October 1940, numerous enemy ships had been sighted but torpedoes could be fired only once and these had missed. Following the disappointment of the patrol in that no more enemy ships could be attacked , Wilk's Commanding Officer requisted more training time, which was granted. (14)

11 Nov 1940
ORP Wilk (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) B.D. Krawczyk, DSO) proceeded from Rosyth to Dundee. (5)

18 Nov 1940
ORP Wilk (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) B.D. Krawczyk, DSO) departed Dundee for her 8th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off Skudesness, Norway within 20 miles from position 59°00'N, 03°50'E. (14)

3 Dec 1940
ORP Wilk (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) B.D. Krawczyk, DSO) ended her 8th war patrol at Dundee. The patrol had been uneventful. (14)

8 Jan 1941
ORP Wilk (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) B.D. Krawczyk, DSO) departed Dundee for her 9th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the Kors Fjord, Norway (near Bergen) within 20 miles from position 60°08'N, 04°12'E. (20)

16 Jan 1941
Due to engine trouble, ORP Wilk (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) B.D. Krawczyk, DSO), was forced to abandon her patrol and course was set to return to the U.K. (15)

21 Jan 1941
ORP Wilk (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) B.D. Krawczyk, DSO) ended her 9th war patrol at Rosyth.

She had arrived off the estuary of the River Tay the previous day but then broke down completely so she had to anchor. The M/S trawler HMS Equerry (T/Skr. R.M. Buchan, RNR) was sent to her assistance. Eventually the trawler escorted the submarine to Rosyth. (15)

25 Jan 1941
ORP Wilk (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) B.D. Krawczyk, DSO) departed Rosyth for Dundee. (21)

26 Jan 1941
ORP Wilk (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) B.D. Krawczyk, DSO) arrived at Dundee from Rosyth. During the passage she had been attacked by an enemy aircraft but no damage was done.

ORP Wilk was now assigned to training duties as she was no longer in a condition she could be used operationally. She was however soon taken in hand for an extended refit. (21)

26 Mar 1941
ORP Wilk (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) B.D. Krawczyk, DSO) and HMS Aubretia (Lt.Cdr. V.F. Smith, RNR) were both docked at Dundee. (21)

2 Apr 1941
ORP Wilk (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) B.D. Krawczyk, DSO) and HMS Aubretia (Lt.Cdr. V.F. Smith, RNR) were both undocked. (21)

26 Jul 1941
ORP Wilk (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) B. Jablonski, ORP) and HMS Riskato (A/P trawler) (?) were docked in the East Graving Dock at Dundee. (21)

28 Aug 1941
ORP Wilk (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) B. Jablonski, ORP) and HMS Riskato (A/P trawler) (?) were undocked from the East Graving Dock.

This completed the refit of ORP Wilk. It had however been decided that she was not to be used operationally any more given her poor / fragile condition. After trials she was to join the 7th Submarine Flottila to participate in A/S exercises. Her maximum diving depth was limited to 50 meters. (21)

14 Sep 1941
ORP Wilk (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) B. Jablonski, ORP) departed Dundee for Rothesay. She was escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (21)

17 Sep 1941
ORP Wilk (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) B. Jablonski, ORP) and HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) arrived at Rothesay from Dundee. (21)

21 Sep 1941
ORP Wilk (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) B. Jablonski, ORP) proceeded from Rothesay to Campbeltown where she was to participate in A/S exercises. (22)

16 Oct 1941
ORP Wilk (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) B. Jablonski, ORP) proceeded from Campbeltown to Rothesay. At Rothesay she was taken in hand for engine repairs. (22)

28 Oct 1941
ORP Wilk (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) B. Jablonski, ORP) proceeded from Rothesay to Campbeltown where she was to participate in A/S exercises. (22)

22 Nov 1941
ORP Wilk (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) B. Jablonski, ORP) proceeded from Campbeltown to Rothesay. At Rothesay she was again taken in hand for engine repairs. (22)

6 Dec 1941
ORP Wilk (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) B. Jablonski, ORP) proceeded from Rothesay to Ardrishaig where she was to participate in A/S exercises.

Wilk had only one of her main engines operational. (22)

29 Dec 1941
ORP Wilk (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) B. Jablonski, ORP) proceeded from Ardrishaig to Rothesay. (22)

31 Dec 1941
ORP Wilk (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) B. Jablonski, ORP) proceeded from Rothesay to Campbeltown where she was to participate in A/S exercises. (22)

16 Jan 1942
ORP Wilk (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) B. Jablonski, ORP) proceeded from Campbeltown to Rothesay. At Rothesay she was taken in hand for engine repairs as both main engines were now out of action.

By late January one engine was operational again. (22)

19 Feb 1942
ORP Wilk (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) B. Jablonski, ORP) departed Rothesay for Plymouth. She was to pay off (decomission) at the Devonport Dockyard. The state of repair of ORP Wilk was very poor and it had been decided that she was no longer fit to be used not even for A/S training.

During the passage to Plymouth, ORP Wilk was escorted by HrMs Z 5 (Lt. J.L. Bouman, RNN(R)). (23)

22 Feb 1942
ORP Wilk (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) B. Jablonski, ORP) and HrMs Z 5 (Lt. J.L. Bouman, RNN(R)) arrived at Plymouth from Rothesay. (23)

4 Apr 1942
ORP Wilk (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) B. Jablonski, ORP) is decommissioned at the Devonport Dockyard.

Sources

  1. Personal communication
  2. KTB of U-48 for her 1st war patrol
  3. ADM 53/110705
  4. ADM 53/110706
  5. ADM 199/373
  6. ADM 53/1108747 + ADM 199/373 + ADM 199/1853
  7. ADM 53/1108748 + ADM 199/362 + ADM 199/373 + ADM 199/1853
  8. ADM 199/362 + ADM 199/373 + ADM 199/1853
  9. ADM 173/16301 + ADM 199/362
  10. ADM 173/16301
  11. ADM 199/364 + ADM 199/373
  12. ADM 199/373 + ADM 199/1905
  13. ADM 199/363
  14. ADM 199/373 + ADM 199/1853
  15. ADM 199/1853
  16. ADM 53/111576 + ADM 53/113212 + ADM 199/385
  17. ADM 199/363 + ADM 199/364
  18. ADM 199/373 + Rosyth Dockyard docking register
  19. Rosyth Dockyard docking register
  20. ADM 199/400 + ADM 199/1853
  21. ADM 199/400
  22. ADM 199/1907
  23. ADM 199/424

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


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