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Submarine HMS H 49 (N 49)

1 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 49 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (1)

9 Sep 1939
HMS H 49 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) conducted exercises off Portland with HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN). (2)

10 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 10/11 September 1939, HMS H 49 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN), participated in exercises off Portland. These included night exercises. (1)

16 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 49 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (1)

17 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 49 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (1)

18 Sep 1939
HMS H 49 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Portland with HMS Vanoc (Lt.Cdr. J.G.W. Deneys, RN) and HMS Jaguar (Lt.Cdr. J.F.W. Hine, RN).

Following the exercises the destroyers attacked a submarine contact off St.Albans Head but this must have been a non-sub contact. (3)

20 Sep 1939
HMS H 49 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Portland with HMS Jaguar (Lt.Cdr. J.F.W. Hine, RN). (1)

22 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 22/23 September 1939, HMS H 49 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN), participated in exercises off Portland. These included night exercises. (1)

26 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 49 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (1)

28 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 49 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (1)

29 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 49 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (1)

3 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 49 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) shifted from Portland to Portsmouth. (4)

4 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 49 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (4)

5 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 49 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (4)

6 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 49 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (4)

10 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 49 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (4)

11 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 49 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (4)

12 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 49 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) shifted from Portsmouth to Portland. (4)

13 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 49 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Portland with HMS Spaniard (Lt.Cdr. F.J. Webster, RNR). (4)

14 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 49 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Portland with HMS Spaniard (Lt.Cdr. F.J. Webster, RNR). (4)

16 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 49 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (4)

17 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 49 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (4)

18 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 49 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (4)

19 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 49 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Portland with HMS Greenfly (Cdr.(Retd.) D.A. Stride, RN). (4)

20 Oct 1939
HMS H 49 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Portland with HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN). (4)

24 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 49 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (4)

25 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 49 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (4)

26 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 49 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (4)

1 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 49 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (5)

2 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 49 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (5)

3 Nov 1939
HMS H 49 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Portland with HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN). (5)

5 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 49 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) departed Portland for Sheerness. (5)

6 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 49 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) arrived at Sheerness Roads. (5)

7 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 49 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) proceeded to the Sheerness Dockyard where she was taken in hand for refit. (5)

Submarine HMS H 34 (N 34)

29 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Lt. E.F. Balston took over command of HMS H 34 from her temporary commander Lt. Keith-Roach which resumed to his former role as first lieutenant. (6)

6 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) conducted independent exercises at Scapa Flow. (7)

10 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) conducted A/S exercises at Scapa Flow with HMS Isis (Cdr. J.C. Clouston, RN). (7)

13 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) conducted A/S exercises at Scapa Flow with local defence forces. (7)

14 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) conducted A/S exercises at Scapa Flow with local defence forces. (7)

19 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) departed Scapa Flow for special trials in the Pentland Firth with HMS Encounter (Lt.Cdr. E.V.St J. Morgan, RN). (7)

21 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) and HMS Encounter (Lt.Cdr. E.V.St J. Morgan, RN) returned to Scapa Flow. They departed again to continue the trials later the same day. When the trials were completed they proceeded to Dundee. (7)

23 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) arrived at Dundee. (7)

27 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) conducted special trials off Dundee. (7)

28 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) conducted special trials off Dundee. (7)

29 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) conducted special trials off Dundee. (7)

30 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) conducted special trials off Dundee. (7)

4 Jan 1940
HMS H 34 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) shifted from Dundee to Rosyth. (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. (8)

1 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) departed Rosyth for Blyth together with HMS Ursula (Cdr. G.C. Phillips, DSO, RN). They were escorted by HMS Encounter (Lt.Cdr. E.V.St J. Morgan, RN). (10)

2 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 arrived at Blyth. HMS H 34 departed Blyth for Portsmouth later the same day together with HMS Unity (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN). They joined convoy FS 85 for passage towards the Nore. (10)

4 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) anchored off the Nore. (10)

7 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) and HMS Unity (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) depated the Nore for Portsmouth. They were escorted by HMS Puffin (Lt.Cdr. Hon. J.M.G. Waldegrave, RN). (10)

8 Feb 1940
HMS H 34 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) arrived at Portsmouth. (10)

12 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) is docked at Portsmouth. (10)

27 Feb 1940
HMS H 34 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) is undocked.

[No logs are available for HMS H 34 for the period of March - May 1940. No details of her operations are therefore known to us. H 34 was at Portsmouth the entire time being assigned to special trials and the training of new submarine crews.] (10)

Submarine HMS Tribune (N 76)

10 May 1940
Upon completion of the repairs to her engine clutches HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) departed from her builders yard at Greenock and then conducted engine trials in the Clyde area. (11)

11 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) conducted exercises in Loch Long. (11)

12 May 1940
Around 1000A/12, HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) departed from Greenock for her 4th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the North Sea, in position 57°25'N, 05°30'E (north of the German Mine Declared Area). Only Danish fishing vessels were encountered.

On departure first some exercises were carried out in Loch Long.

At 1220A/12, HMS Norwich City (Ch.Skr. P. Newman, RNR) joined as escort. She remained in company until 2230A/13 after they had passed through the Pentland Firth. They parted company in position 58°43'N, 02°50'W. (12)

12 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
For the daily positions of HMS Tribune during her 4th war patrol see the map below.

26 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 2207A/26, HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) left patrol to proceed to Rosyth. (12)

28 May 1940
Around 0600A/28, HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) ended her 4th war patrol at Rosyth. (13)

3 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) is wiped at Rosyth. (14)

4 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) conducted compass swing trials off Rosyth. (14)

7 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) conducted engine trials off Rosyth. (14)

9 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) conducted compass swing trials off Rosyth. (14)

10 Jun 1940
Around 2205A/10, HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) departed from Rosyth for her 5th war patrol at Rosyth. She was ordered to patrol off the West coast of Norway.

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

(15)

12 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) arrived in her patrol area off Stadtlandet. (12)

20 Jun 1940 (position 62.15, 3.37)
At 0015A/20, HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN), while near position 62°15'N, 03°47'E, boarded the Norwegian fishing vessel Hilding (of Malloy No.SF42SV, about 15 to 20 tons). The Hilding was released after examination. (12)

22 Jun 1940 (position 61.44, 4.29)
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) makes a torpedo attack on the German armed merchant cruiser (raider) Schiff 33 / Pinguin off Standlandet, Norway. All torpedoes fired missed their target.

0136A/22 - Dived on sighting a ship bearing 090°, position 61°44'N, 04°29'E. The ship was later seen to be a merchant ship of about 7000 to 8000 tons proceeding on course 270°. Range was about 3000 yards.

0203A/22 - Fired four torpedoes but no hits were obtained.

0208A/22 - Surfaced to chase and attack with the deck gun but the contact was soon lost in a rain squall. The chase was abandoned after almost half an hour and course was set to patrol further to the south in the Stavanger area. (12)

23 Jun 1940
At 0745A/23, in approximate position 59°03'N, 05°05'E, HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) sighted three trawlers apparently carrying out an A/S patrol.

These were most likely the auxiliary submarine chasers UJ 123, UJ 124 and UJ 127 from the 12th UJ flotilla en-route from Wesermunde to Bergen which had been ordered to conduct an A/S search near Utsira on this day due to reported enemy submarine activity in that area by the B-dienst.

At 2244A/23, HMS Tribune left patrol to return to Rosyth. (16)

25 Jun 1940
Around 0800A/25, HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) ended her 5th war patrol at Rosyth. (15)

29 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) conducted sound trials in the lock at the Rosyth Dockyard. (14)

30 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) conducted compass adjustment trials at Rosyth. (14)

4 Jul 1940
Around 1200A/4, HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) departed from Rosyth for her 6th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the West coast of Norway near Bergen.

On departure gunnery exercises and D/G trials were carried out.

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

(12)

9 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0050A/9, HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) left patrol to return to Rosyth. (12)

10 Jul 1940
Around 0830A/10, HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) ended her 6th war patrol at Rosyth. (12)

17 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) conducted compass adjustment trials at Rosyth. (17)

25 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) conducted exercises in the Firth of Forth. (17)

27 Jul 1940
Shortly after 2000A/27, HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) departed from Rosyth for her 7th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the South coast of Norway. An uneventful patrol.

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

(18)

5 Aug 1940
Around 0700A/5, HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) ended her 7th war patrol at Rosyth. The patrol had been uneventful. (19)

8 Aug 1940
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) is docked in the floating dock (AFD 3) at the Rosyth Dockyard. (20)

10 Aug 1940
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) is undocked. (20)

23 Aug 1940
Around 2245A/23 HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) and HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) departed from Rosyth for Scapa Flow escorted by HMS White Bear (Capt. R. Gill, RNR), arriving at Scapa Flow around 1900A/24. (21)

25 Aug 1940
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Tribune during her 8th war patrol see the map below.

25 Aug 1940
Around 1100A/25, HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) and HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) departed Scapa Flow for their 8th and 13th war patrols respectively. They were ordered to patrol in the North Atlantic to the North-West of the Hebrides on an anti-Uboat patrol.

They were escorted by HMS White Bear (Capt. R. Gill, RNR) until 2200A/25 when they parted company near the Butt of Lewis. (12)

6 Sep 1940 (position 57.58, -8.14)
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) attacks what was thought to be an enemy submarine about 15 nautical miles north-east of St. Kilda, Hebrides in position 57°58'N, 08°14'W. Two torpedoes were fired but these missed their target. No enemy submarine were however in the immediate area and it is not clear what was attacked by HMS Tribune.

Closest were U-56 which was in approximate position 58°57'N, 07°00'W (circa 70 nautical miles away) and U-61 which was in approximate position 56°51'N, 09°48'W (circa 84 nautical miles away). Neither of these submarines reported anything of interest at this time.

Even closer was HMS Trident which was in position 57°48'N, 09°33'W at 0513A/6 (43 nautical miles away) when she dived. This submarine only surfaced at 0026A/7 and also reported nothing.

0600A/6 - Heard loud HE bearing red 150°. bearing drew rapidly ahead.

0602A/6 - Contact was now ahead, range about 1400 yards. Nothing could be sighted through the periscope however. The target crossed ahead and Tribune altered course. Asdic was still in contact.

0633A/6 - While Tribune was stopped at greater depth Asdic reported that it looked like that three torpedoes were fired.

0637A/6 - Tribune came to 60 feet. The target was right ahead at a range of about 1000 yards.

0638A/6 - The target crossed the bow at a range of about 700 yards.

0640A/6 - Fired two torpedoes from a depth of 70 feet. The torpedoes were set to 44 and 38 feet. 25 Seconds after firing the first torpedo there was a violent explosion and the HE immediately ceased. The second torpedo was heard to detonate after 8 minutes at the end of its running range. Came to periscope depth but found nothing in sight.

0655A/6 - Surfaced to collect evidence. Oil was seen to float on the surface and it was also though that some clothing was seen. This was not seen again after Tribune had turned. (12)

7 Sep 1940
Around 0700A/7, HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) and HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) made rendezvous with HMS White Bear (Capt. R. Gill, RNR) near Barra Head. They then set course to proceed in company to the Clyde.

They arrived at Rothesay around 2200A/7 ending their war patrols. (22)

16 Sep 1940
Around 1710A/16, HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) departed from Holy Loch for her 9th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Bay of Biscay.

She first proceeded to Rothesay where she arrived around 1940A/16 and then departed again around 2300A/16.

Passage south through the Irish Sea was made together with HMS Cachalot (Lt.Cdr. J.D. Luce, RN) and HMS Utmost (Lt. J.H. Eaden, DSC, RN). They were escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN).

They all parted company around 0540A/19 west of the Scilly Islands.

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

(12)

20 Sep 1940
Around 0900A/20, HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) arrived at Falmouth to repair a defect. She had turned round at 2347A/19 after having received permission to do so. (12)

22 Sep 1940
After engine repairs HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) departed from Falmouth at 2300A/22 to resume her patrol. She was ordered to patrol off Ushant. (12)

25 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0600A/25, HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) departed her patrol area off Ushant to proceed to a new patrol area near Ile de Groix in the approaches to Lorient. (12)

26 Sep 1940 (position 47.32, -3.38)
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) attacked the German submarine U-138 with five torpedoes about 10 nautical miles South-West of Ile de Groix in position 47°32'N, 03°38'W. All torpedoes fired missed their target. Tribune was depth charged after this attack but managed to escape.

According to German sources the U-boats were U-47 and the above mentioned U-138. They were making rendezvous with the auxiliary submarine chasers UJ-122, UJ-128 and UJ-E. The KTB of U-138 mentions that one of the torpedoes ran under and another one missed just ahead.

1035A/26 - Sighted a type 7 U-boat bearing 040°. Range was 3500 yards. The course of the U-boat was 310°. Started attack.

The U-boat turned away and when the attack was set up she was stern on. A second U-boat was now sighted bearing 110°, range 3000 yards, course 350°. Turned to attack this U-boat.

1047A/26 - In position 47°32'N, 03°38'W fired five torpedoes from 2700 yards. It was intended to fire six torpedoes but tube no.5 misfired. All torpedoes missed. Four end of run detonations were heard between 8 and 10 minutes after firing. These U-boats were making rendezvous with A/S trawlers to enter Lorient. Two of these trawlers closed and started dropping depth charges but these were not close.

1200A/26 - The trawlers were seen to close at high speed and dropped two depth charges fairly close. Both trawlers left the area shortly afterwards. (23)

29 Sep 1940
From around 0900A/29 to about 1500A/29, to the south of Ile de Groix, in position 47°29'N, 03°30'W, HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) sighted what are thought to be A/S and or M/S trawlers working in pairs. Four of them then proceeded westwards while the others remained in the area sweeping. In all twelve were seen to be operating in the area and it was considered that the four that had proceeded westwards were going out to meet the incoming uboat which had been mentioned in Vice Admiral Submarines signal timed 1126A/29 while the remaining eight kept the homeward route clear.

In his analysis of the situation Lt. Balston seems to be correct as the German submarine U-137 arrived at Lorient later this day. She was escorted in by the auxiliary submarine chasers UJ 122, UJ 128 and the auxiliary patrol vessels V 404 and V 410. This must have been the four trawlers which had proceeded westwards to meet the incoming uboat. The other trawlers were most likely auxiliary minesweepers from the 16th M/S Flotilla. (24)

30 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 2030A/30, HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) left patrol to return to the UK (Holy Loch). (12)

2 Oct 1940
At 0700A/2, near Bishop Rock, HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN), made rendezvous with HMS Tuna (Lt.Cdr. M.K. Cavenagh-Mainwaring, RN) and their escort towards Holy Loch, HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (25)

3 Oct 1940
Around 2100A/3, HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) ended her 9th war patrol at Holy Loch. Tribune returned from patrol with engine problems (which was not for the first time). (12)

6 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) grounded at Holy Loch when her anchor dragged. She was towed off later the same day. (25)

7 Oct 1940
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) arrived at Ardrossan for a short refit. She was docked in the 'old' graving dock. (25)

22 Oct 1940
Upon undocking on completion of her short refit, HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) proceeded from Ardrossan for Holy Loch. (25)

28 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) conducted sound trials at Holy Loch. (25)

29 Oct 1940
Around 1500A/29, HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) departed from Holy Loch for a trial run in the Irish Sea during which she was escorted by HMS Philante (Capt.(Retd.) H.S. Bowlby, RN). (25)

31 Oct 1940
During her engine trials, HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) suffers a fire in port main motor. She turns back and arrived at Holy Loch around 2320A/31. (25)

5 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Late in the afternoon, HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) proceeded from Holy Loch to Rothesay. (26)

6 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (26)

7 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (26)

8 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area on completion of which she proceeded to Holy Loch. (26)

11 Nov 1940
In the morning, HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) proceeded from Holy Loch to Glasgow for a battery refit at the Barclay Curle shipyard. (27)

26 Nov 1940
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) ended her battery refit at Glasgow and returns to Holy Loch arriving there around 1200A/26. (26)

28 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted noise, compass swing and D/G trials at Holy Loch. (26)

30 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted D/G trials off Helensburg. (26)

3 Dec 1940
Around 1400A/3, HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) departed from Holy Loch for her 10th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Bay of Biscay, initially near Ile de Groix.

Passage south through the Irish Sea was made together with HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) and HMS Cachalot (Lt.Cdr. J.D. Luce, DSO, RN). They were escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) until 0630A/6 when they all parted company near Bishops Rock.

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

(12)

14 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) is ordered to patrol near Ile d'Yeu as ordered in Vice Admiral Submarines signal timed 0606A/14. (12)

16 Dec 1940 (position 46.46, -2.38)
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) attacked the German tanker Karibisches Meer (6973 GRT, built 1917) on passage from Brest to Royan. She was at that moment escorted by the minesweeper M 13 and the auxiliary patrol boat V 411 in the Bay of Biscay east-north-east of Ile de Yeu, France in position 46°46'N, 02°38'W. All torpedoes fired missed their target.

During the depth charge attacks V 411 was damaged by her own depth charges leaving her unable to proceed under her own power. The auxiliary patrol boat V 406 towed her to St. Nazaire.

1015A/16 - Sighted aircraft to the Northward.

1110A/16 - Sighted smoke bearing 330°. Shortly afterwards sighted a dazzle-painted tanker with a trawler ahead and one astern. They were steering 140°. Closed to attack.

1121A/16 - Fired six torpedoes from the internal bow tubes. Range was 4500 yards. No.1 tube misfired but was fired as the last torpedo of the salvo instead. All torpedoes were heard to run. After the attack the aircraft was quite close and the trawlers were closing at speed so Tribune went deep. About 30 depth charges were dropped in half an hour but Tribune manages to slip away. (28)

19 Dec 1940 (position 47.02, -4.14)
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) attacked a transport of 4000 to 5000 tons in the Bay of Biscay west of Belle Ile, France in position 47°21'N, 04°14'W.

[We have so far been unable to identify the ship attacked. It is likely that it the escort was indeed a Mowe-class torpedo boat it was the Wolf which was based at Brest at this time. Unfortunately no logbook (KTB) is available for this ship for this time.]

0953A/19 - Heard HE.

0940A/19 - Sighted a Mowe-class torpedo boat bearing 270°. Started attack.

0945A/19 - Sighted a merchant vessel of 4000 to 5000 tons. She was dazzle-painted. Bearing 270°, course 080°. Broke off attack on the torpedo boat and shifted to this ship. The attack was very difficult due to the effective camouflage.

1012A/19 - Fired six torpedoes from the internal bow tubes from 7500 yards. One explosion followed 35 seconds after firing. This explosion put the Asdic out of order. Two more explosions followed after about 7 and 8 minutes. Tribune went deep upon firing. The torpedo boat did not counter-attack. (12)

20 Dec 1940
At 1955A/20, HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) left patrol to return to Holy Loch.

One minute later, as HMS Tribune surfaced, a torpedo left unexpectedly from No.7 torpedo external torpedo tube and hit the bottom, the resulting explosion damaged the torpedo in No.8 tube (also an external tube) which had also to be discharged. (12)

22 Dec 1940
At 0900A/22, HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN), made rendezvous near Longships lighthouse with her escort towards Holy Loch, HMS Victrix (T/Lt. R.R. Taylor, RNR). (29)

24 Dec 1940
Around 0630A/24, HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) ended her 10th war patrol at Holy Loch. (12)

28 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted noise trails at Holy Loch. (29)

Submarine HMS Truant (N 68)

22 Mar 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted D/G trails at Colombo following which she conducted attack exercises during which HMS Express (Lt.Cdr. F.J. Cartwright, RN) acted as target. Later A/S exercises were carried out with HMS Shoreham (Cdr. G.P. Claridge, RN) and HMS Aster (Lt. W.L. Smith, RNR). (30)

23 Mar 1942
Around 2225F/23, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) departed from Colombo for her 23rd war patrol (2nd in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol in the Malacca Straits.

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

(31)

1 Apr 1942 (position 5.42, 98.57)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) torpedoed and sank the Japanese transports Yae Maru (6780 GRT, built 1919) and Shunsei Maru (4939 GRT, built 1911) in the Malacca Strait about 80 nautical miles west-north-west of Penang, Malaya in position 05°42'N, 98°57'E.

1940F/1 - Sighted three ships bearing 285°, steering south-east. Dived and started attack.

2013F/1 - Fired six torpedoes at one of the merchant ships from 2700 yards. It was intended to fire three at this ship and then three at the other leading ship. A failure in drill resulted in the firing of all six torpedoes of the salvo at only one of the ships. One hit was obtained. The target immediately took a heavy list to port and began to settle to the stern. The third ship altered course towards and Truant went deep to evade.

Upon returning to periscope depth it was found the torpedoed ship was still afloat and that the other two were steering erratic courses in her vicinity. Another opportunity for attack was awaited. Eventually one of the other two ships went alongside the damaged one.

2113F/1 - Fired two torpedoes from 5400 yards. One of them was heard to hit Truants main ballast tank after firing. The other torpedo hit the stern of the second ship, which sank after only a few minutes. The first ship sank four minutes later.

2127F/1 - Surfaced and set off in pursuit of the third ship that had left the scene steering north-eeast. The chase was abandoned within the hour. (31)

10 Apr 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1830F/10, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) left patrol to return to Colombo. (31)

12 Apr 1942
Around 1215F/12, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) ended her 23rd war patrol (2nd in the Far East) at Colombo. (31)

Submarine HMS Trusty (N 45)

28 May 1942
Around 1830F/28, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) departed from Colombo for her 6th war patrol (3rd in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol in the Northern entrance to the Malacca Straits.

[No log is available for this period and the patrol report don't mentions positions so no map can be displayed.] (31)

4 Jun 1942 (position 7.14, 98.06)
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) torpedoed and sank the Japanese merchant cargo ship Toyohashi Maru (7031 GRT, built 1915) in the Malacca Strait in position 07°14'N, 98°06'E.

According to the website combinedfleet.com (offsite link) the Toyohashi Maru was in an unescorted convoy with Celebes Maru (5857 GRT, built 1917), England Maru (5865 GRT, built 1919) and Kyokusei Maru (5704 GRT, built 1920). This last one picked up the survivors from Toyohashi Maru.

2300F/3 - In position 10 nautical miles bearing 230 Pulo Raja, HMS Trusty sighted smoke from 2 ships bearing 020°. 2315F/3 - dived to attack.

0030F/4 - Fired four torpedoes at the leading ship. Two hits were obtained and the target was seen to settle on an even keel slightly down by the head. The second ship, half a mile astern of the first ship, made a 180 degree turn before it could be attacked and fled the area zig-zagging wildly.

0054F/4 - The first ship sank as a result of the two torpedo hits. Trusty surfaced four minutes later and attempted to get ahead of the second ship which was in sight about 4 nautical miles to the northward.

0200F/4 - Another ship was sighted and Lt. Balston broke of the chase to close this ship.

0207F/4 - Dived to attack.

0246F/4 - Surfaced to attack with the deck gun. 6 rounds were fired before the enemy returned the fire. Also another ship not sighted before opening fire. Lt.Cdr. Balston broke of the attack. (31)

9 Jun 1942 (position 7.48, 98.09)
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) makes a torpedo attack on a Japanese merchant vessel west of Phuket. Two torpedoes were fired but both missed their target.

1700F/9 - While in position 07°48'N, 98°09'E sighted smoke between Pulau Raja and the mainland. This was later seen to be a merchant ship of about 3000 tons that was Northbound. Started attack.

1811F/9 - Fired two torpedoes. Both missed, no detonations were heard.

1821F/9 - The target was no longer visible through the periscope so surfaced. Trusty was however sighted by the merchant vessel and it opened fire so Trusty dived again. (31)

17 Jun 1942
Around 1930F/17, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) ended her 6th war patrol (3rd in the Far East) at Colombo. (31)

11 Jul 1942
Around 1730F/11, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) departed from Colombo for her 7th war patrol (4th in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol off the West coast of Siam.

No log is available for this period and the patrol report don't mentions positions so no map can be displayed. (31)

24 Jul 1942
Around 1730F/24, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) departed her patrol area to proceed to Trincomalee. While on passage she was ordered to proceed to Colombo instead. (31)

30 Jul 1942
Around 0730F/30, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) ended her 7th war patrol (4th in the Far East) at Colombo. The patrol had been uneventful. (31)

17 Aug 1942
Around 1800F/17, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) departed from Colombo for her 8th war patrol (5th in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol in the Malacca Straits.

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

(31)

24 Aug 1942
At 0950F/24, while on patrol off Diamond Point in position 05°27'N, 97°39'E, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) sighted smoke bearing 188°.

At 1017F/24, HMS Trusty surfaced to try to work ahead. The smoke was identified as coming from an eastbound merchant vessel. Only the tops of the masts and funnel were visible. Later it was seen that there was a second merchant vessel astern of the one sighted first.

At 1345F/24, when in position 05°02'N, 98°11'E, HMS Trusty submerged when 20 degrees on the port bow of the leading ship at a range of around 7 miles. She then commenced to run it at high speed but the range could not be closed enough to attack. As it was possible that HMS Trusty might have been sighted it was decided to proceed to the eastern side of the Malacca Strait during the night.

31 Aug 1942
At 0814F/31, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) sighted what is thought to be a Japanese torpedo boat of the Otori-class north of Sabang in position 05°58'N, 95°15'E. The enemy passed about 1 mile astern at high speed and then entered Sabang.

On surfacing at 1836F/31, HMS Trusty left patrol and set course to return to Colombo.

If this identification was correct this was most likely Kari (offsite link) which was the only one operating in this area. (32)

5 Sep 1942
Around 0815F/5, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) ended her 8th war patrol (5th in the Far East) at Colombo. (31)

23 Sep 1942
Around 1730FG/23, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) departed from Colombo for her 9th war patrol (6th in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol in the Malacca Straits.

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

(31)

7 Oct 1942
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) sights a Japanese submarine North of Sumatra. Trusty is however unable to attack.

0855FG/7 - While in position 300° Pulau Rondo 8 nautical miles sighted the conning tower of a submarine bearing 210°, range 2000 yards. Enemy course was 060°. Turned to attack but Trusty was in a unfavourable position and she eventually ended up right astern. Due to the bad weather the enemy was not sighted earlier. HE was not reported until the target had been sighted.

The attack was reluctantly broken off. The enemy submarine was identified as Japanese I-165 class. This was most likely quite correct as the Japanese submarine I-165 (offsite link) returned to Penang from patrol in the Indian Ocean on 9 October. (31)

12 Oct 1942
At 0948FG/12, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) ended her 9th war patrol (6th in the Far East) at Colombo. (31)

18 Oct 1942
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) is docked at Colombo. (33)

27 Oct 1942
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) is undocked. (33)

4 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) conducted exercises (including A/S) off Colombo. (34)

6 Nov 1942
Around 1750FG/6, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) departed from Colombo for her 10th war patrol (7th in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol in the Malacca Straits.

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

(31)

14 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1530FG/14, when in position 05°33'N, 99°56'E to the north-west of Penang, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) sighted smoke bearing 055° at very long range. This was most likely a ship entering or leaving Penang by the inshore route. Given the long range an attack could not be made and the ship itself was never sighted. (31)

16 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1630FG/16, when in position 05°28'N, 99°59'E to the west of Penang, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) sighted smoke bearing 145° at very long range. This was most likely a southbound ship leaving Penang by the southern entrance. Given the long range an attack could not be made and the ship itself was never sighted. (31)

18 Nov 1942 (position 6.18, 99.11)
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) torpedoed and damaged the Japanese transport Columbia Maru (5617 GRT, built 1927) near Penang, Malaya in position 06°18'N, 99°11'E.

0128FG/18 - In position 06°04'N, 99°32'E sighted, against a low moon, two Northbound ships bearing 240°. Range was 6 to 7 nautical miles. Altered course to close.

0336FG/18 - Now in position 06°18'N, 99°11'E range was now 1 nautical mile. Started attack.

0341FG/18 - Fired three torpedoes at the leading ship from about 1000 yards. It appeared that the first two torpedoes passed ahead and the third passed astern.

As it appeared the attack was not observed Trusty turned away to set up a second attack.

It was now seen that the second ship was by far the larger of the two and that it was heavily laden. The first ship was high in the water and was most likely in ballast.

0420FG/18 - Fired two torpedoes at the leading ship. The second of these appeared to run directly underneath the funnel.

0424FG/18 - Fired three torpedoes from 670 yards at the second ship and obtained one hit just forward of the bridge. (31)

19 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
After dark, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) left patrol to return to Colombo. (31)

20 Nov 1942
At 2100FG/20, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) received signal timed 0943Z/20 from the Flag Officer Ceylon ordering her to conducted an anti-submarine patrol in position 05°12'N, 99°05'E until dark on 21 November. Lt.Cdr. Balston then sent a signal timed 1432Z/20 that HMS Trusty was already 260 miles from this position and was therefore unable to comply. (31)

24 Nov 1942
At 1235FG/24, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) ended her 10th war patrol (7th in the Far East) at Colombo.

Earlier that day, at 0925FG/24, when in position 06°53'N, 79°16'E, she was fired upon by a south-west bound merchant vessel from a range of about 7 miles. The fall of shot was however about 2 miles short and rate of fire was very slow. (31)

27 Nov 1942
While moored at Colombo the transport Fort Alexandria (British, 7127 GRT, built 1942) rammed the stern of HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN). (34)

28 Nov 1942
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) is docked for repairs. (34)

9 Dec 1942
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) is undocked. (35)

4 Jan 1943
Around 1800FG/4, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) departed from Colombo for Exmouth Gulf, Australia.

[No log is available for this period so no map can be displayed.] (31)

17 Jan 1943
Around 0530H/17, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) arrived at Exmouth Gulf. She was escorted in by USS Whippoorwill (T/Lt. C.L. Knopp, USN). (31)

20 Jan 1943
Around 1100H/20, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) departed from Exmouth Gulf for her 11th war patrol (8th in the Far East). A special operation has to be carried out off the South coast of French Indo-China (operation 'Alight', no details available as of yet).

[No log is available for this period and the patrol report don't mentions positions so no map can be displayed.] (31)

23 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the evening, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) passed Lombok Strait northbound. (31)

26 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0208H/26, when to the north-east of Bawean Island, in position 05°26'S, 113°22'E, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) sighted a transport with a small escort. These were evaded as such targets were not to be attacked until after the completion of the special operation. (31)

28 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0535H/28, when in Karimata Strait, in position 02°48'S, 109°18'E, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) sighted a destroyer proceeding to the south-east. Range was about 4 nautical miles. (31)

31 Jan 1943
At 0535H/31, when south-south-west of the Natuna Islands, in position 02°29'N, 107°41'E, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) sighted a trawler type vessel at a range of 2.5 miles. After the ship was lost from sight HE could still be heard for about half an hour. (31)

4 Feb 1943
At 1952H/4, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) surfaced to commence special operation 'Alight' which was an SIS operation to deliver codes and wireless equipment to agents in southern French Indo-China [no further details on this operation have so far been found].

The operation was completed at 0130H/7. (31)

11 Feb 1943 (position -5.33, 112.28)
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) claims the sinking of a 4000 tons merchant vessel in the Java Sea about 25 nautical miles north-north-west of Bawean Island in position 05°33'S, 112°28'E. [No target has however been identified].

0253H/11 - In position 05°26'S, 112°29'E sighted a merchant ship of about 4000 tons bearing 080°, range 5 nautical miles. Enemy course was 190°, speed 8 knots. Started attack.

0310H/11 - At the moment of firing the first torpedo of the salvo the target was seen to turn towards and the remainder of the torpedo salvo was withheld. The merchant ship opened fire and Trusty dived. Position was 05°38'S, 112°23'E. Range was only 600 yards.

0325H/11 - Surfaced to chase the enemy. The target was making off to the South-West zig-zagging on a course between 220° and 270°.

0439H/11 - In position 05°33'S, 112°28'E fired four torpedoes from 2000 yards. One explosion was heard 70 seconds after firing the first torpedo. The target settled quickly by the stern and was seen to sink in about 8 minutes. (31)

12 Feb 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During the night of 12/13 February 1943, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) made the southbound passage of Lombok Strait. (31)

16 Feb 1943
At 0620H/16, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) ended her 11th war patrol (8th in the Far East) at Exmouth Gulf. (31)

17 Feb 1943
Around 0730H/17, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) departed from Exmouth Gulf for Colombo.

[No log is available for this period so no map can be displayed.] (31)

27 Feb 1943
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) arrived at Colombo. (31)

5 Apr 1943
Around 1835FG/5, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) departed from Colombo for the U.K. where she is to refit. The first leg of the trip is to Diego Suarez.

For the daily positions of HMS Trusty during the passage to the U.K. see the map below.

(31)

14 Apr 1943
Around 0800C/14, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) arrived at Diego Suarez. (31)

15 Apr 1943
Around 1820C/15, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) departed from Diego Suarez for Durban. (31)

20 Apr 1943 (position -27.42, 40.10)
Around 1200D/20, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN), makes rendezvous in position 27°42'S, 40°10'E with HMS Jasmine (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) C.D.B. Coventry, RNR) that is to escort her to Durban. (31)

22 Apr 1943
Around 0845B/22, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) and HMS Jasmine (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) C.D.B. Coventry, RNR) arrived at Durban. (31)

26 Apr 1943
Around 1140B/26, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) departed from Durban for Simonstown. She is escorted by HMS Fritillary (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Barker, RD, RNR). En-route exercises are carried out with the escort vessel and SAAF aircraft. During the night of 27/28 April the two ships lost contact. Aircraft searched for Trusty but were unable to find her, looks like some more exercises were needed ! (31)

29 Apr 1943
Around 1100B/29, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) arrived at Simonstown from Durban. (31)

5 May 1943
Around 1500B/5, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) departed from Simonstown for Lagos, Nigeria. She is escorted by Free French corvette HMS Commandant d'Estienne d'Orves. (31)

12 May 1943
At 0200B/12, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN), while in position 09°01'S, 07°02'E, received orders to proceed to Pointe Noire instead of Lagos. (31)

13 May 1943
Around 1000A/13, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) arrived at Pointe Noire. (31)

14 May 1943
Around 1250A/14, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) departed from Pointe Noire for Freetown. (31)

20 May 1943
Around 1820Z/20, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) arrived at Freetown from Pointe Noire. (31)

28 May 1943
Around 1040Z/28, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) departed from Freetown for Holy Loch. (31)

6 Jun 1943 (position 35.45, -11.48)
At 1125Z/6, in position 35°45'N, 11°48'W (about 300 nautical miles West of Gibraltar), HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) was rammed by the Spanish tanker Campeche (6382 GRT, built 1934). Trusty was at a depth of 49 feet when she was rammed. A report of the situation was signalled and Trusty set course towards Gibraltar.

Trusty was proceeding dived by day and proceeded at a depth of 49 feet as it was extremely difficult to keep her at periscope depth at slow speeds. As she came up to periscope depth to receive the 1130 hours radio routines no HE around her was picked up. When she came to periscope depth though she was rammed by the Spanish tanker Campeche. Lt.Cdr. Balston tried to have a look through the periscope but both could not be operated. He decided to surface to inspect the damage. It turned out that considerable damage was done to the conning tower and periscope sheers. Lt.Cdr. Balston decided to proceed to Gibraltar for repairs. (31)

7 Jun 1943
Around 2000A/7, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) arrived at Gibraltar for temporary repairs. (31)

16 Jun 1943
Around 1600B/16, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) departed from Gibraltar for Holy Loch. (31)

25 Jun 1943
Around 0430B/25, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) is met off Bishop Rock by the armed yacht HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) which then escorted the submarine towards Holy Loch. (31)

26 Jun 1943
Around 1515B/26, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) arrived at Holy Loch from Gibraltar. (31)

30 Jun 1943
Around 2000B/30, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) departed from Holy Loch for Blyth. Passage north through the Minches was made together with FFS Curie (Lt. P.M. Sonneville). Escort was provided by HMS Scimitar (Lt.Cdr. C.G. Cuthbertson, DSC, RNR). They were joined at 2000/30 by the Dutch submarine HrMs K XV Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN).

At 1900B/1, HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR) and HNoMS Ula (Lt. R.M. Sars) joined and Scimitar and Curie left.

At 1200B/2, Loch Monteith, Ula and K XV went to Dundee and HMS ML 254 (T/Lt. W.M. Russell, RNVR) took over the escort of Trusty for the remaining passage towards Blyth. (31)

2 Jul 1943
Around 1945B/2, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) arrived at Blyth. (31)

9 Jul 1943
HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) proceeded from Blyth to Wallsend. She is to refit at the Swan Hunter shipyards. (31)

Submarine HMS Trump (P 333)

5 Jul 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) departed from her builders yard at Barrow-in-Furness for Holy Loch. She was escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (36)

6 Jul 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) performs trials at Gare Loch. (36)

7 Jul 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) performs full power trials on the Arran measured mile. These had to be abandoned due to a defect to the starboard engine. (36)

8 Jul 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) performs full power trials on the Arran measured mile. (36)

10 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (36)

11 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (36)

12 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (36)

14 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted echo sounding and S.T.U. (mine detection) trials in the Clyde area. (36)

16 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Arrochar where she was to conduct her torpedo discharge trials. (36)

19 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (36)

20 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (36)

21 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (36)

24 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (36)

25 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (36)

26 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (36)

27 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. Upon completion of these trials HMS Trump returned to Holy Loch. (36)

31 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (36)

1 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) departed Holy Loch for Oban. (37)

2 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) arrived at Oban. (37)

3 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) shifted from Oban to Tobermory. (37)

4 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted independent exercises off Tobermory. (37)

7 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted attack exercises off Tobermory with HMS Lady Sharazad. (37)

11 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted attack exercises off the Hebrides with HMS Fowey (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Newey, RNR). (37)

12 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted attack exercises off the Hebrides with HMS Fowey (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Newey, RNR). HMS Trump returned to Tobermory on completion of these exercises. (37)

15 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) departed Tobermory for Holy Loch. (37)

16 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (37)

18 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted D.G. trials at Gare Loch. (37)

19 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted noise trials at Loch Goil. (37)

22 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (37)

23 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (37)

25 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Shikari (Lt. E.H.U. Cautley, RNVR). (37)

26 Aug 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Sardonyx (A/Lt.Cdr. T.A. Easton, RNVR). These included night exercises. (37)

27 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Having completed last nights exercises, HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN), arrived at Campbeltown. (37)

28 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) shifted from Campbeltown to Larne. She was escorted by HMS ML 225 (T/Lt. D. Kaye, RNVR). (37)

31 Aug 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Larne with aircraft. (37)

1 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (38)

3 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (38)

4 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (38)

5 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (38)

6 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (38)

7 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (38)

9 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (38)

10 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) shifted from Larne to Holy Loch. (38)

14 Sep 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) is docked at Holy Loch in AFD 7. (38)

15 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) is undocked. (38)

18 Sep 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) departed Rothesay for Lerwick. Passage north though the Minches was made together with HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. M.F.R. Ainslie, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, DSC, RN) and HNoMS Utsira (Lt. S. Valvatne). The submarines were escorted by HMS Shikari (Lt. E.H.U. Cautley, RNVR). (38)

21 Sep 1944
At 0744 hours (time zone -1), HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN), arrived at Lerwick. She departed from Lerwick at 1615 hours for her 1st war patrol (work-up patrol). She is to patrol in the North Sea.

(39)

29 Sep 1944
At 1620 hours (zone -1), HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN), arrived at a rendez-vous near Scapa Flow where HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. M.F.R. Ainslie, DSO, DSC, RN) and their escort HMS Cutty Sark (Lt. H.J. Bartlett, DSC, RN) were already waiting for her. (39)

3 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) departed Holy Loch for Barrow-in-Furness. (40)

4 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) arrived at Barrow-in-Furness for repairs. (40)

5 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) is docked at Barrow-in-Furness. (40)

6 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) is undocked. (40)

18 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) departed Barrow for Portsmouth. She was escorted by HMS Geranium (T/Lt. G. Wallace, RNR). (40)

20 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) arrived at Portsmouth. (40)

28 Nov 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) is docked at Portsmouth in No. 7 dock. (41)

20 Dec 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) is undocked. (42)

3 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted radar trials off Portsmouth. (43)

4 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (43)

9 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted radar exercises off Portsmouth. (43)

13 Jan 1945
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) departed from Portland for Gibraltar. Final destination is Trincomalee. Passage was made in convoy OS 104 / KMS 78 together with HMS Tiptoe (Lt.Cdr. P.R.H. Harrison, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Sleuth (Lt. K.H. Martin, RN).

For Trumps daily positions during the passage to Trincomalee see the map below.

(43)

19 Jan 1945
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (43)

23 Jan 1945
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) departed from Gibraltar for Malta. (43)

27 Jan 1945
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) arrived at Malta. (43)

2 Feb 1945
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) departed from Malta for Port Said. (44)

8 Feb 1945
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) arrived at Port Said. (44)

10 Feb 1945
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) departed from Port Said for Ismalia. (44)

11 Feb 1945
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) departed from Ismalia for Aden. (44)

16 Feb 1945
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) arrived at Aden. (44)

18 Feb 1945
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) departed from Aden for Trincomalee. (44)

1 Mar 1945
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) arrived at Trincomalee (45)

11 Mar 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted noise trials off Trincomalee. (45)

13 Mar 1945
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) departed from Trincomalee at 1400 hours (time zone -6.5) for her 2nd war patrol (1st in Far Eastern waters). She is to patrol along the western Siamese coast. Afterwards she is to proceed to Fremantle, Australia.

For HMS Trumps daily (1200 hours) positions during this patrol see the map below

(39)

18 Mar 1945
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) arrived in her patrol area off the Mergui Archipelago. (39)

27 Mar 1945
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) leaves her patrol area for air/sea rescue duties. She sets course for Australia on the 29th. (39)

30 Mar 1945 (position 11.30, 94.30)
At 1109 hours (time zone -6.5) HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) is attacked with two bombs by a Japanese Jake-aircraft in position 11°30'N, 94°30'E. Trump crash dived. Only some minor damage was caused as well as a few broken lights. (39)

13 Apr 1945
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol at 1025 hours (time zone -6.5 / 1155 hours zone -8) when she secured alongside HMS Adamant at Fremantle, Australia. The patrol was uneventful. (39)

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