Richard Micaiah Towgood Peacock, RN
| Born | 3 Mar 1909 | Portsmouth, England, UK | |
| Died | 19 Aug 1976 | (67) | Wycombe, England, UK |
| Ranks
Retired: 3 Mar 1954 Decorations |
Warship Commands listed for Richard Micaiah Towgood Peacock, RN
| Ship | Rank | Type | From | To |
| HMS Parthian (N 75) | Lt.Cdr. | Submarine | 18 Aug 1940 | 16 Sep 1940 |
| HMS Tetrarch (N 77) | Lt.Cdr. | Submarine | 15 Nov 1940 | 3 Jul 1941 |
| HMS Rover (N 62) | Lt.Cdr. | Submarine | 3 Jul 1941 | Nov 41 ? |
Career information
We currently have no career / biographical information on this officer.
Events related to this officer
Submarine HMS Parthian (N 75)
19 Aug 1940
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) departed Alexandria for her 6th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Ionian Sea.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Parthian during this patrol see the map below.
(1)
31 Aug 1940 (position 37.45, 18.22)
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) attacked the Italian cruisers Giuseppe Garibaldi and Luigi di Savoia Duca Degli Abruzzi in the Ionian Sea about 105 nautical miles east-south-east of Cape Spartivento, Italy in position 37°45'N, 18°22'E. All torpedoes fired missed their targets.
The two cruisers had sortied from Taranto escorted by the destroyers Nicoloso Da Recco, Antoniotto Usodimare and Emanuele Pessagno (16th Squadron) for a sweep of the Ionian Sea and had made their junction with the cruisers of the 7th Division (Eugenio Di Savoia, Raimondo Montecuccoli, Emanuele Filiberto Duca D’Aosta and Muzio Attendolo screened by the destroyers Antonio Pigafetta, Alvise Da Mosto, Giovanni Da Verrazzano and Nicolò Zeno of the 15th Squadron). A lookout from the cruiser Abruzzi had spotted a periscope only 300 metres away followed shortly after by the bubbles typical of a discharge of torpedoes and then by two torpedo tracks. At the time of the attack, the three destroyers of the 16th Division were deployed ahead of the cruisers while the four destroyers were deployed on the left flank in single file led by Pigafetta. It was believed by the Italians – correctly – that the submarine had managed to sneak under the Pigafetta section. Although it was later circulated that the light cruiser Abruzzi had been damaged in this action, the Naval Intelligence Division remained unconvinced. It had been a daring but unrewarded attack.
(All times are zone -3) 1435 hours - When in position 37°47'N, 18°25'E the officer of the watch (S.Lt. G.D.N. Milner, RN) reported two warships hull down.
1439 hours - Started attack on the right-hand vessel.
1442 hours - Broke off the attack as the target was seen to be one of five Navigatori-class destroyers.
1443 hours - Two Zara-class cruisers were in sight. Started attack on the leading ship. Range was 8000 yards.
1452 hours - Fired six torpedoes from 350 yards. Speed of the enemy was estimated at 24 knots. Two explosions were heard after 13 and 16 seconds. Parthian had gone deep on firing. The second cruiser passed overhead when Parthian was at 60 feet.
1507 hours - Depth charging started. Only nine depth charges were dropped and none were close.
1610 hours - No more HE was heard.
1720 hours - Returned to periscope depth. Nothing in sight. (1)
13 Sep 1940
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) ended her 6th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. She collided while berthing with HMS Rainbow (Lt.Cdr. L.P. Moore, RN) (Friday the 13th!). (1)
Submarine HMS Tetrarch (N 77)
15 Nov 1940
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) was docked in No.2 Dry Dock at the Malta Dockyard. (2)
16 Nov 1940
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) was undocked. (2)
24 Nov 1940
Around 1730A/24, HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) departed Malta for her 8th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Adriatic, to the north of latitude 42N.
For the daily positions of HMS Tetrarch during this patrol see the map below.
(1)
15 Dec 1940
At 0720A/15, HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) ended her 8th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean) at Malta. The patrol had been uneventful, no enemy shipping at all had been sighted. The patrol area had been 'unhappily' chosen and also Lt.Cdr. Peacock was criticised for failing to show any form of initiative. (1)
28 Dec 1940
At 1700A/28, HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) departed Malta for her 9th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off the Gulf of Taranto.
For the daily positions of HMS Tetrarch during this patrol see the map below.
(3)
31 Dec 1940
At 0125A/31, HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) crash dived on the approach of a darkened vessel. It was subsequently heard on bearing 082° and the Asdic operator reported hearing what he thought to be a 'probable reciprocating engine'. The vessel appeared to be steering a southerly course. Position was 118° - Cape Spartivento - 16.5 nautical miles. [We have no clue on the identity of this vessel.]
HMS Tetrarch remained deep for several hours missing important W/T routines. (3)
9 Jan 1941
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) is ordered to leave her patrol area and proceed to Piraeus, Greece. (3)
12 Jan 1941
Around 0640A/12, HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) made rendezvous with a Greek torpedo boat in the Gulf of Patras. Course is then set towards the Corinth Canal.
At 1410A/12, HMS Tetrarch entered the Corinth Canal.
At 1850A/12, HMS Tetrarch arrived at Piraeus, Greece. (4)
15 Jan 1941
At 0900B/15, HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) departed Piraeus for the Greek submarine base at Salamis where she arrived one hour later.
At 1500B/15, HMS Tetrarch departed Salamis for Alexandria. (3)
19 Jan 1941
At 1020A/19, HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) ended her 9th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (3)
28 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) is wiped at Alexandria. (5)
31 Jan 1941
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) conducted attack and A/S exercises off Alexandria with the destroyers HMS Greyhound (Cdr. W.R. Marshall-A'Deane, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Griffin (Lt.Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO, RN). (5)
2 Feb 1941
Around 0900B/2, HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) departed Alexandria for her 10th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Gulf of Sirte off Benghazi.
Before proceeding on patrol exercises were carried out with HMS Sindonis (Ch.Skr. G. Rawding, RNR) and HMS Kingston Coral (Skr. W. Kirman, RNR). (6)
2 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
For the daily positions of HMS Tetrarch during this patrol see the map below.
View HMS Tetrarch 10th war patrol in a larger map
4 Feb 1941
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) is ordered not to patrol of Benghazi anymore as that port was being abandoned by the Italians. She was now ordered to patrol off Tripoli instead. (Capt. S 1's signal timed 1901B/4). (6)
9 Feb 1941
At 0157B/9, HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) is ordered (Capt S 1's signal timed 0022B/9) to intercept an enemy convoy of three transports and two torpedo boats reported at 1940A/9 in position 35°15'N, 11°30'E proceeding on course 135° at 11 knots. The convoy was however not sighted.
This convoy consisted of the transport Nirvo (Italian, 5164 GRT, built 1919) and the tankers Caucaso (Italian, 2065 GRT, built 1920) and Berbera (Italian, 2093 GRT, built 1931) escorted by the Italian armed merchant cruiser Attilio Deffenu (3510 GRT, built 1929) (not by two torpedo boats). It had been attacked by HMS Ursula at 1940A/8 (no torpedo tracks sighted but distant explosions heard at 2045B/8 in position 35°11'50"N, 11°19'19"E). They had sailed from Naples at 0910B/6 at a speed of 6.4 knots and arrived at Tripoli at 1130B/10 (the actual distance covered was 608 miles but with the zigzagging this came to 760 miles). (7)
15 Feb 1941
P.M., HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) left patrol to return to Alexandria. (6)
20 Feb 1941
Around 0820B/20, HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) ended her 10th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (6)
8 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) conducted D/G trials off Alexandria. (8)
14 Mar 1941
Shortly after 1800B/14, HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) departed Alexandria for her 11th war patrol (6th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Tripoli.
For the daily positions of HMS Tetrarch during this patrol see the map below.
(6)
16 Mar 1941
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) developed cracks in the starboard engine after column front support. She non the less continued the patrol. (6)
17 Mar 1941
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) is ordered to patrol in the Adriatic (Capt. S 1's signal timed 2205B/16). Course was set accordingly.
Later this day further cracks were discovered on the starboard engine. A signal was sent to inform the Captain of the 1st submarine flotilla of the situation. (6)
18 Mar 1941
At 0453B/18, HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) received Capt S 1's signal timed 0257B/18 ordering her to return to Alexandria to repair the starboard engine. Course was set accordingly. (6)
21 Mar 1941
At 0320B/21, in position 275°- Ras El Tin (Alexandria) – 36.5 nautical miles, HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) sighted what was at first believed to be a U-boat. Nine minutes later, after the vessel had failed to answer repeated challenges, she fired a salvo of six torpedoes at the range of 2000 yds but fortunately missed. This was the ex Italian Zingarella (190 GRT) being brought to Alexandria with a prize crew. The submarine closed to 500 yards and fired one round before the mistake was realised.
Later the same day, around 0840B/21, HMS Tetrarch ended her 11th war patrol (6th in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (6)
24 Mar 1941
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) is docked in the Gabbari Dry Dock at Alexandria. (8)
25 Mar 1941
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) is undocked. (8)
31 Mar 1941
Around 1945B/31, HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) departed Alexandria for her 12th war patrol (7th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Gulf of Sirte and off Tripoli.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Tetrarch during this patrol see the map below.
(6)
4 Apr 1941
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) fired two torpedoes at a 1500 tons transport anchored off Burat. No hits were obtained.
The target was most likely the Italian transport Silvio Scaroni (1394 GRT, built 1920).
0955B/4 - Sighted masts of vessels anchored off Burat. Closed.
1140B/4 - Confirmed that there were four ships at anchor. One appeared to be an armed ocean going tug of about 800 tons. Of the remainder one was a vessel of about 1500 tons, the other two being smaller. It was decided to wait till sunset and then fire two torpedoes, one at the tug and one at the 1500 tons vessel.
1600B/4 - The armed tug weighted anchor and proceeded Westward.
1918B/4 - Fired a torpedo at the 1500 tons vessel from 5000 yards. The torpedo was seen to break surface so another torpedo was fired at this ship. No hits were obtained.
2025B/4 - Surfaced and proceeded Eastwards. (6)
7 Apr 1941
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) engages two schooners with gunfire off El Brega. After it was thought Tetrarch was being fired upon from El Brega fort the action was broken off.
1100B/7 - Arrived off El Brega. A heavy swell was running. Sighted two schooners at anchor. Later one was seen to be a wreck, the other was in ballast.
1915B/7 - Surfaced and engaged the schooners with the 4" gun from a range of 5000 yards. One or two shots burst on El Brega fort and it was reported that the fort was opening fire (this was however not the case). Dived and hit the bottom at 11 fathoms. When the mistake was realised and Tetrarch was in an attack position again it was too dark to resume gun action. Proceeded along the coast to the West. (6)
8 Apr 1941
At 1430B/8, HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) sighted a steamer and a schooner proceeding eastwards in position 30°58'N, 17°50'E. Commenced an attack but after 28 minutes the enemy turned towards the land and appeared to anchor in El Auejia. This was possibly the small transport Arsia (Italian, 736 GRT, built 1900) escorted by the armed schooner Carolina on passage from Tripoli to Benghazi at that time. [The exact time of departure from Tripoli is not known to us].
At 1535A/8, three small vessels were seen approaching from the westwards. Turned on a similar course and waited for them to pass with the intention to surface for a gun action. They turned out to be A/S trawlers and they commenced an A/S sweep of the area.
At 2032B/8, HMS Tetrarch surfaced and received Capt. S 1's signal timed 1845B/8 ordering her to patrol in the area Khoms - Misurata. Course was set accordingly. (6)
10 Apr 1941
At 2202B/10, HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) received a signal from Capt. S 1, timed 2005B/10, orderinngd her to proceed with despatch towards the approaches to Tripoli.
(6)
12 Apr 1941 (position 33.29, 13.01)
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian tanker Persiano (2474 GRT, built 1889) about 30 nautical miles north-west of Tripoli, Libya in position 33°29'N, 13°01'E.
Persiano was in convoy with the Italian transports Bosforo (3648 GRT, built 1929), Ogaden (4553 GRT, built 1905) and the Italian tanker Superga (6154 GRT, built 1923). The convoy was en-route from Palermo to Tripoli and was escorted by the Italian torpedo boats Generale Carlo Montanari, Giuseppe Missori and Perseo. The torpedo-boat Montanari sighted the torpedo tracks and took avoiding action but Persiano could not evade and was hit and sunk. The torpedo-boat was ordered to attack the submarine and then rescue the survivors. The torpedo boats Partenope and Polluce sailed from Tripoli to assist her in the A/S hunt.
0830B/12 - Sighted a convoy consisting of five merchant vessels, 3 destroyers and 1 aircraft overhead in position 340° Tripoli light, 37 nautical miles. The course of the convoy was 150° estimated speed was 10 knots. Started attack.
Fired four torpedoes at the nearest leading ship (a laden 8000 tons tanker). Range was 4500 yards. Went deep upon firing as the aircraft was near. One explosion was heard after the correct time interval.
Following the attack Tetrarch was hunted for 3 hours by the escorts, 9 depth charges were dropped but these did no damage.
1200B/12 - Came to periscope depth and saw the tanker bearing 180° distance about 5 nautical miles. She was listing heavily with her stern awash and on fire aft. Considered her a total loss so retired to the north.
1610B/12 - Depth charging recommenced astern. 15 depth charges were dropped but these were way off.
2027B/12 - Surfaced and proceeded northwards. (6)
13 Apr 1941
At 1200B/13, HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) left patrol to return to Alexandria as ordered in Capt. S 1's signal timed 1445B/11.
At 2100B/13, HMS Tetrarch was ordered to intercept a convoy (Capt. S 1's signal timed 1943B/13) but as Tetrarch was no longeer in a position to intercept it she continued on her way to Alexandria.
Capt. S 1's signal timed 1943B/13 gave the position of a convoy of five transports and three destroyers as 34°50'N, 12°15'E at 1803B/13. Enemy course was 155° at 15 knots.
This signal referred to the convoy made up of the transports Ankara (German, 4768 GRT, built 1937), Galilea (Italian, 8040 GRT, built 1916), Kybfels (German, 7764 GRT, built 1937), Marburg (German, 7564 GRT, built 1928) and Reichenfels (German, 7744 GRT, built 1936). They had departed Naples around 1730B/11 for Tripoli. The convoy was escorted by the destroyers Ugolino Vivaldi, Antonio da Noli and Lanzerotto Malocello.
On approaching Tripoli the torpedo boats Circe and Generale Carlo Montanari reinforced the escort. (6)
20 Apr 1941
Around 0800B/20, HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) ended her 12th war patrol (7th in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (6)
1 May 1941
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) was docked in the Gabbari Dry Dock at Alexandria. (9)
5 May 1941
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) was undocked. (9)
6 May 1941
Around 1930C/6, HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) departed Alexandria for her 13th war patrol (8th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Benghazi.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Tetrarch during this patrol see the map below.
(6)
12 May 1941
At 0405A/12, near Benghazi, HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) sighed a vessel bearing 190° (20° on the port bow). Range was about 2.5 miles. It was thought to be a destroyer. HMS Tetrarch went deep. The vessel stayed within hydrophone range all the time. It appeared to be stopping and starting and revolutions worked up to 130 on occasions. The enemy finally disappeared in a south-west direction.
No destroyer or torpedo boat was operating in the Benghazi area in May 1941. Probably it was an auxiliary schooner of the local A/S patrol.
On this day, the schooners Rosa and Igea were on passage from Benghazi to Tripoli on this day. We have no time of departure for these ships though. (6)
17 May 1941
Around 1200B/17, HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN), which was three miles from the harbour entrance to Benghazi, sighted three auxiliary mineseepers or A/S vessels approaching from the north-east. They were in line abreast. They approached to within one mile of the harbour entrance and then turned to seaward again. The vessels sighted were probably auxiliary schooners used for local A/S work.
Around 1930B/17, a small patrol craft was seen proceeding to the southward close inshore. Just south of Ras Tayonnes it appeared to stop and turn towards on a course of approximately 240°.
Around 2040B/17, HMS Tetrarch surfaced after nothing could be heard on the Asdic. (6)
18 May 1941 (position 31.55, 19.55)
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian transport Giovinezza (2362 GRT, built 1925) off Bengasi, Libya in position 31°55'N, 19°55'E.
The Giovinezza was escorted by the Italian torpedo boat Polluce which dropped 20 depth charges all set to 25 metres (the depth in the area was 40 metres) then returned to pick up the survivors. By then most of them had rowed to shore in two life boats and the torpedo-boat picked up only one survivor. In all there were 42 survivors (including five wounded), two were killed and another was missing.
1254B/18 - Sighted one merchant vessel bearing 285°, distance 7 nautical miles. Started attack.
1310B/18 - Sighted a destroyer that was escorting the merchant vessel.
1446B/18 - Fired four torpedoes from 6000 yards. It was thought that all four torpedoes were heard to explode on the shore (this was however not the case).
1453B/18 - Depth charging started.
1515B/18 - Bottomed at 150 feet.
1600B/18 - Depth charging ceased. In all 18 depth charges were dropped. (6)
25 May 1941
Around 0800B/25, HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) ended her 13th war patrol (8th in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria.
(6)
6 Jun 1941
Around 1830C/6, HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) departed Alexandria for her 14th war patrol (9th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Aegean off the Dardanelles. She was routed through the Anti-Kithra Channel and then ordered to proceed towards the Dardanelles by the Zea and Doro Channels so as to be able to cover the ememy shipping routes to the maximum.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Tetrarch during this patrol see the map below.
(3)
10 Jun 1941
Around noon, HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) passeed through the Anti-Kithira Channel and entered the Aegean.
At 1740B/10, a small schooner was sighted bearing 320° at a range of about 10 miles. She was proceeding on course 360°. No attack was started as an aircraft had been sighted just three minutes previously. (10)
11 Jun 1941
Around 0500B/11, near Cape Malea, HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) sighted what was thought to be a motor torpedo boat. It was evaded. (3)
12 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) passed through the Zea and Doro Channels. An armed yacht had been seen near the Zea Channel proceeding southwards. (3)
13 Jun 1941
At 1912B/13, HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) received a signal from Capt. S 1, timed 1630C/13, stating that A/S patrols were maintained to the west, south and east of Mudros which was being used by the enemy as a basis for motor torpedo boats. In view of this Lt.Cdr. Peacock decided to approach Mudros submerged the following day instead of focusing on the traffic to and from the Dardanelles. This decision and waste of valuable patrol time was heavily critised by Capt. S 1 upon HMS Tetrarch's return to Alexandria. (3)
14 Jun 1941
At 1030B/14, while patrolling south of Mudros, HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) sighed two trawlers approaching from the westward. One eventually got within 1000 yards with angle on the bow nil so HMS Tetrarch went deep. Both trawlers passed astern. One was lost on the hydrophones while the other remained in a position about a mile to the eastward.
At 1130B/14, HMS Tetrarch returned to periscope depth. One trawler was seen to proceed on a parallel course coming up the starboard side. HMS Tetrarch went deep again.
At 1230B/14, HMS Tetrarch returned to periscope depth. The other trawler was seen to be approaching from the south.
At 1900B/14, the masts of two small vessels were seen at a range of approximately 8 nautical miles. They were making for Mudros. They were later seen to be an A/S vessel and a small vessel fitted with a large derrick forward. (3)
15 Jun 1941
At 1403B/15, while still patrolling south of Mudros, HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) sighed what was thought to be an Italian Sauro-class destroyer approaching Mudros from the west. This must have been the Italian torpedo boat Castelfidardo which arrived at Mudros that afternoon.
At 1730B/15, two small vessels were seen bearing 230°, range 8 nautical miles. Enemy course was around 050° / 060° towards Mudros. (11)
18 Jun 1941
At 1205B/18, HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) sighed a 'Sauro-class' destroyer approaching from the south-west. It eventually came very close so HMS Tetrarch had to go deep. This destroyer remained in the area for the remainder of the afternoon.
The 'destroyer' was most likely either one of the Italian torpedo boats Calatafimi and Monzambano which were waiting (patrolling) of the Dardanelles awaiting the departure of the tankers Campina (Italian, 3032 GRT, built 1913) and Maya (Italian, 3867 GRT, built 1894). (12)
19 Jun 1941
At 0930B/19, HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) heard HE of a destroyer passing overhead while Tetrarch was deep. Air patrols were very frequent on this day.
The 'destroyer' was most likely either one of the Italian torpedo boats Calatafimi and Monzambano which were still waiting (patrolling) of the Dardanelles awaiting the departure of the tankers Campina (Italian, 3032 GRT, built 1913) and Maya (Italian, 3867 GRT, built 1894) and now the tankers Urano (Italian, 5512 GR, built 1923) and Utilitas (Italian, 5310 GRT, built 1918). (12)
20 Jun 1941
At 0530B/20, when in position 5 nautical miles to the north-west of Cape Hellas, HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) sighed a large passenger ship leaving the Dardanelles and proceeding down the Turkish coast inside the Rabbit Islands. This must have been a Turkish ship.
At 1300B/20, a trawler and an escort were seen in the direction of Tenedos Island proceeding to the north-east.
At 1500B/20, a merchant vessel was sighted bearing 130° at a range of about 10 nautical miles. She was proceeding on course 210° and appeared to be going to round Tenedos Island. Aircraft were seen to be patrolling the area.
At 1530B/20, an aircraft forced HMS Tetrarch to go deep. Range to the merchant vessel was at that time about 6 nautical miles.
An attack was not made as HMS Tetrarch remained deep and when finally having returned to periscope depth, this ship which was thought to be the Italian naval tanker Tarvisio (Italian, 5484 GRT, built 1927) had crossed ahead and the opportunity to fire torpedoes had passed. She was thought to be escorted by two small A/S vessels and an MAS boat. The Tarvisio arrived at Mudros around 2230B/20 escorted by the Italian auxiliary minesweeper / motor torpedo boat mothership Georgio Orsini (220 GRT, built 1931). (13)
21 Jun 1941
At 0930B/21, while patrolling between the Dardanelles and Tenedos Island, HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) sighed two A/S vessels, thought to be the same as had been seen the evening before escorting the ship leaving the Dardanelles, proceeding on course 070°.
At 1445B/21, sighted two MAS boats bearing 040° proceeding on course 220°. Went deep as they were going to pass straight overhead.
At 1500B/21, HMS Tetrarch returned to periscope depth. Found the MAS boats to have stopped two miles to the southward. Two Spica-class torpedo boats were then seen to pass close to Tenedos on course 180°. They disappeared in a southerly direction at the same time as the MAS boats came straight towards at high speed. HMS Tetrarch had to go deep.
At 1610B/21, HMS Tetrarch returned to periscope depth and found nothing in sight except two aircraft.
The two torpedo boats sighted at 1500B/21 were the Sirio and Sagittario which were in the area for escort duty. Sirio was to escort the tanker Albaro (Italian, 2309 GRT, built 1911) to Piraeus while the Sagittario was to escort the tanker Celeno (Italian, 3741 GRT, built 1899) to Thessaloniki. (12)
22 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Aftter a days of submerged patrol in the Cape Hellas / Tenedos Island area, HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) left patrol to return to Alexandria as ordered in Capt S 1's signal timed 1937C/19. (3)
25 Jun 1941 (position 35.55, 27.16)
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) engages the Italian motor sailing vessel Alleanza off Cape Paraspori, Greece in approximate position 35°55'N, 27°16'E. As the 4" gun malfunctioned after the first round the action was broken off.
0515B/25 - Sighted a small sailing vessel approaching from the Eastwards.
0600B/25 - In position 045° Cape Paraspori, Greece 2 nautical miles engaged with gunfire. After the first round the gun failed to run out. Gave the target 2 pans of the Lewis gun and then dived. Before opening fire the vessel was seen to fly the Italian flag that was replaced shortly afterwards with the Greek flag. (3)
28 Jun 1941
Around 1000C/28, HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) ended her 14th war patrol (9th in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (3)
3 Jul 1941
Lt.Cdr. G.H. Greenway, RN takes over command of HMS Tetrarch from Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN.
Lt.Cdr. Peacock was relieved because of his lack of initiative shown on previous patrols. (14)
Submarine HMS Rover (N 62)
7 Jul 1941
HMS Rover (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) shifted from Port Said to Suez. (15)
8 Jul 1941
HMS Rover (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) departed Suez for Aden.
By now it had been decided to sent Rover to Singapore for full repairs and refit. She was able to make the passage under her own power.
For the daily positions of HMS Rover during this passage to Singapore see the map below.
(15)
13 Jul 1941
HMS Rover (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) arrived at Aden. (15)
14 Jul 1941
HMS Rover (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) departed Aden for Colombo. (15)
22 Jul 1941
HMS Rover (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) arrived at Colombo. (15)
26 Jul 1941
HMS Rover (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) departed Colombo for Singapore. (15)
1 Aug 1941
HMS Rover (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) arrived at Singapore. (16)
4 Aug 1941
HMS Rover (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) conducted diving trials off Singapore. (16)
14 Aug 1941
HMS Rover (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) was docked at Singapore and commenced her refit. (16)
Sources
- ADM 199/283
- ADM 173/16596
- ADM 199/1152
- ADM 173/17016 + ADM 199/1152
- ADM 173/17016
- ADM 199/1849
- ADM 199/1849 + ADM 199/2224
- ADM 173/17018
- ADM 173/17020
- ADM 173/17021 + ADM 199/1152
- ADM 173/17021 + KTB German commander Greece from 1 to 15 June 1941 (NARA, T 1022, roll 2580, PG 46235)
- ADM 199/1152 + KTB German commander Greece from 16 to 30 June 1941 (NARA, T 1022, roll 2580, PG 46236)
- ADM 199/1152 + KTB German commander Greece from 16 to 30 June 1941 (NARA, T 1022, roll 2580, PG 46236 (NARA, T 1022, roll 2580, PG 46236) + KTB German commander seadefence Lemnos from 1 June to 15 September 1941 (NARA, T 1022, roll 2649, PG 46274)
- ADM 173/17022
- ADM 173/16950
- ADM 173/16951
ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.
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