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Submarine HMS H 44 (N 44)

23 Feb 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Coltsfoot (T/Lt. the Hon. W.K. Rous, RNVR) and HMS Angle (T/Lt. E. Playne, RNVR). (1)

24 Feb 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Angle (T/Lt. E. Playne, RNVR), HMS Paynter (Lt. R.H. Nossiter, DSC, RANVR) and HMS Coltsfoot (T/Lt. the Hon. W.K. Rous, RNVR). (1)

2 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Vanessa (Lt. C.E. Sheen, RN), HMS Whitehall (Cdr. C.L.de H. Bell, RD, RNR), HMS Heather (T/Lt. W.L. Turner, RNR) and HNoMS Rose. (2)

3 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Campanula (Lt.Cdr. B.A. Rogers, RD, RNR), HMS Heather (T/Lt. W.L. Turner, RNR), HMS Whitehall (Cdr. C.L.de H. Bell, RD, RNR), HMS Vanessa (Lt. C.E. Sheen, RN), HMS Aberdeen (Lt.Cdr. H. Day, RN), HMS Landguard (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) T.S.L. Fox-Pitt, RN), HMS Sweetbriar (Lt.(Retd.) J.W. Cooper, RNR), HMS Gentian (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E.W.C. Dempster, RNVR), HMS Lulworth (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) C. Gwinner, DSO, RN) and HMS Whimbrel (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Moore, DSC, RNR). (2)

4 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Dahlia (T/Lt. M.S. Work, RNR), HMS Meadowsweet (T/Lt. W.E. Saunders, RNVR), HMS Kale (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Houchen, OBE, RD, RNR), HMS Wallflower (Lt. G.R. Greaves, RNR) and HMS Rockingham (Lt.Cdr. N.W. Duck, DSC, RD, RNR). (2)

5 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Ilfracombe (Lt.Cdr. J.E. Clark, DSC, RN), Morden (T/Lt. J.J. Hodgkinson, RCNR), HMS Mignonette (Lt. H.H. Brown, RNR), HMS Balsam (Lt. J.E.L. Peters, RNVR), HMS Fleetwood (Cdr. W.B. Piggott, OBE, RD, RNR) and HMS Aberdeen (Lt.Cdr. H. Day, RN). (2)

6 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Primrose (T/Lt. P.E. Kitto, RNR), HMCS Drumheller (T/Lt. L.P. Denny, RCNR) and Morden (T/Lt. J.J. Hodgkinson, RCNR). (2)

16 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Virginia (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J. Dobson, RNR). (2)

17 Mar 1943
HMS H 44 (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Virginia (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J. Dobson, RNR) and HMS Northern Reward (Lt. J.D. Weaver, RNVR). (2)

18 Mar 1943
HMS H 44 (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Itchen (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) C.E. Bridgman, DSO, RNR), HMS Sabre (Lt. R.L. Caple, DSC, RN) and HMS Northern Reward (Lt. J.D. Weaver, RNVR). (2)

19 Mar 1943
HMS H 44 (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Itchen (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) C.E. Bridgman, DSO, RNR), HMS Sabre (Lt. R.L. Caple, DSC, RN) and HMS Northern Reward (Lt. J.D. Weaver, RNVR). (2)

23 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle. (2)

24 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Keppel (Lt.Cdr. R.B.S. Tennant, RN) and HMS Clover (Lt. P.H. Grieves, RNR). (2)

25 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Keppel (Lt.Cdr. R.B.S. Tennant, RN), HMS Clover (Lt. P.H. Grieves, RNR), HMS Stonecrop (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Smythe, RNR) and HMS La Malouine (T/Lt. V.D.H. Bidwell, RNR). (2)

26 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Stonecrop (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Smythe, RNR), HMS La Malouine (T/Lt. V.D.H. Bidwell, RNR), HMS Mallow (T/A/Lt.Cdr. H.T.S. Clouston, RNVR), HMS Myosotis (T/Lt. R. Lugg, RNR), HMS Keppel (Lt.Cdr. R.B.S. Tennant, RN), HMS Clover (Lt. P.H. Grieves, RNR) and HMS Bergamot (Lt. R.T. Horan, RNR). (2)

27 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Keppel (Lt.Cdr. R.B.S. Tennant, RN), HMS Bergamot (Lt. R.T. Horan, RNR), HMS Erne (Lt.Cdr. E.D.J. Abbot, DSC, RN) and HMS Clare (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Stewart, DSC, RD, RNR). (2)

28 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Erne (Lt.Cdr. E.D.J. Abbot, DSC, RN), HMS Clare (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Stewart, DSC, RD, RNR), HMCS Shediac (Lt. J.O. Every-Clayton, RCNR), HMCS St. Laurent (Lt.Cdr. G.H. Stephen, OBE, DSC, RCNR), HMCS Kenogami (T/Lt. J.L. Percy, RCNVR) and HMCS Battleford (T/Lt. F.A. Beck, RCNVR). (2)

29 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMCS St. Croix (A/Lt.Cdr. A.H. Dobson, DSC, RCNR), HMCS Battleford (T/Lt. F.A. Beck, RCNVR), HMS Itchen (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) C.E. Bridgman, DSO, RNR) and HMS Keppel (Lt.Cdr. R.B.S. Tennant, RN). (2)

10 Apr 1943
HMS H 44 (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) shifted from Rothesay to Campbeltown. (3)

11 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS La Cordeliere (Lt.Cdr. A.J.G. Barff, RNR) and HMS L'Incomprise (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) F.S. Deveson, RNR). (3)

12 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. R. Bannar-Martin, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Tuscarora (Cdr.(Retd.) K.W. Stewart, RN) and HMS Bretwalda (Skr.Lt. J.R. Coultas, RD, RNR). (3)

Submarine HMS Uther (P 62)

9 Aug 1943
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) departed her builders yard for Blyth where she arrived later the same day. (4)

10 Aug 1943
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted trials off Blyth. (4)

11 Aug 1943
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) departed Blyth for Holy Loch. She made the passage together with HMS Una (Lt. W.G. Meeke, DSC, RN) and HMS Ultimatum (Lt. W.H. Kett, DSC, RNR). They were escorted by HMS ML 300 (T/Lt. F.C.R. Piesse, RNVR) until 0635/12 when HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR) took over the escort. (4)

14 Aug 1943
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) arrived at Holy Loch to begin a period of trials and training.

It soon became apparent that Uther had serious defects to her conning tower casting. These could not be made good in under three months. Uther was therefore limited to A/S training duties. (4)

15 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted exercises in Gare Loch. (4)

18 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (4)

19 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (4)

21 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Arrochar. (4)

22 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (4)

23 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (4)

24 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) shifted from Arrochar to Holy Loch. (4)

25 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil. These were followed by exercises. (4)

26 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted exercises and trials off Fairlie. (4)

27 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted speed trials in lower Loch Long. (4)

29 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Campbeltown. Off Campbeltown she conducted exercises with HMS Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.D. O'Driscoll, RNR). (4)

30 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted exercises off Campbeltown. Upon completion of these exercises HMS Uther proceeded to Holy Loch. (4)

31 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. These included night exercises with HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN). (4)

1 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) returned to Holy Loch upon completion of the exercises. (5)

4 Sep 1943
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS White Bear and HMS La Flore (Lt. F.W. Hayden, RN). These were followed by gunnery exercises on a target that was towed by HMS Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.D. O'Driscoll, RNR). (5)

6 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (5)

8 Sep 1943
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) departed Holy Loch for Scapa Flow. She made the passage together with HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) that was to proceed to Lerwick. They were escorted north through the Minches by HMS White Bear. (5)

10 Sep 1943
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow where she was to participate in A/S exercises. (5)

11 Sep 1943
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (5)

13 Sep 1943
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Scapa Flow together with HMS Janus (Lt.Cdr. W.B.R. Morrison, RN) and USS Bell (Cdr. L.C. Peatross, USN). (5)

15 Sep 1943
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Scapa Flow together with HMS Hussar (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Biggs, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Musketeer (Cdr. E.N.V. Currey, DSC, RN). (5)

16 Sep 1943
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Scapa Flow together with HMS Amazon (Lt.Cdr. G. Blackler, RN). (5)

17 Sep 1943
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Scapa Flow together with HMIS Kistna (A/Cdr.(Emgy) R.R. Caws, RIN) and HMS Oribi (Lt.Cdr. J.C.A. Ingram, DSC and Bar, RN). (5)

18 Sep 1943
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Scapa Flow together with HMS Hussar (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Biggs, DSO, DSC, RN), HMIS Kistna (A/Cdr.(Emgy.) R.R. Caws, RIN) and HNoMS Stord (Lt.Cdr. S.V. Storheill). (5)

20 Sep 1943
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Scapa Flow together with HMS Vigilant (Lt.Cdr. L.W.L. Argles, RN), HMIS Kistna (A/Cdr.(Emgy.) R.R. Caws, RIN) and HMS Oribi (Lt.Cdr. J.C.A. Ingram, DSC and Bar, RN). (5)

21 Sep 1943
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Scapa Flow together with HNoMS Stord (Lt.Cdr. S.V. Storheill). (5)

22 Sep 1943
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Scapa Flow together with HMS Jamaica (Capt. J.L. Storey, DSO, RN), HMS Onslow (Capt. J.A. McCoy, DSO, RN) and HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. P. Bekenn, RN). (6)

23 Sep 1943
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Scapa Flow together with HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. P. Bekenn, RN).

Upon completion of the exercises Uther departed Scapa Flow for Dundee. She made the passage together with HMS Unbroken (Lt. B.J.B. Andrew, DSC, RN). They were escorted by HMS Scalby Wyke (A/Skr.Lt. C.A. Grimmer, RNR). (5)

24 Sep 1943
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) arrived at Dundee where she joined the 9th submarine flotilla. (5)

4 Oct 1943
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted exercises off Dundee with aircraft. (7)

5 Oct 1943
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Dundee with HMS Wolsey (Lt.Cdr. S.A. Cuthbert, RN) and HMS Leeds (Lt. B.H. Brown, RN). (7)

6 Oct 1943
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Dundee with HMS Kingston Onyx (T/Lt. W.C. Morgans, RNR) and HMS Kingston Topaz (Ch.Skr. J.E. Harwood, RD, RNR). (7)

7 Oct 1943
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Dundee with HMS Wells (Lt. D.D. Bone, RN), HMS St. Marys (Lt. D.B.G. Dumas, RN) and HMS Stella Conopus (Skr.Lt. W.J.V. Mullender, DSC, RD, RNR). (7)

8 Oct 1943
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted exercises off Dundee. (7)

9 Oct 1943
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) shifted to Rosyth. (7)

11 Oct 1943
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) shifted from Rosyth to Dundee. (7)

18 Oct 1943
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN), HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout Van Hooff, RNN) and HMS H 43 (Lt. C.A.J. Nicoll, RN) departed Dundee for Scapa Flow. They were escorted by HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR). (7)

19 Oct 1943
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow where she was to participate in A/S exercises. (7)

20 Oct 1943
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Scapa Flow with HMS Urchin (Lt.Cdr. J.T.B. Birch, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Ophelia (T/Lt. D.J. Duncan, RNVR). (7)

21 Oct 1943
In the morning, HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN), conducted exercises off Scapa Flow with HMS Queen Elizabeth (Capt. H.G. Norman, CBE, RN) that was escorted by the destroyers HMS Urchin (Lt.Cdr. J.T.B. Birch, DSO, DSC, RN) and USS Capps (T/Cdr. B.E.S. Trippensee, USN).

In the afternoon HMS Queen Elizabeth, with her destroyer escort, conducted range and inclination exercises with HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN). (8)

23 Oct 1943
HMS Renown (Capt. W.E. Parry, CB, RN), HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN), HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN) and USS Forrest (T/Cdr. K.P. Letts, USN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow.

In the afternoon HMS Renown and the two destroyers served as targets for the British submarine HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN). (7)

24 Oct 1943
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow together with HMS Tuna (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN). (7)

25 Oct 1943
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow together with HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) and HMS Jamaica (Capt. J.L. Storey, DSO, RN).

On completion of these A/S exercises, HMS Birmingham and HMS Jamaica conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow.

Before the A/S exercises commenced HMS Jamaica had already carried out a torpedo firing exercise. (9)

27 Oct 1943
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (7)

28 Oct 1943
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted exercises at Scapa Flow with HMS Ariadne (Capt. Lord Ashbourne, RN) and HMNZS Gambia (Capt. N.J.W. William-Powlett, DSC, RN).

HMNZS Gambia also carried out gunnery exercises. (10)

29 Oct 1943
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow with HMS Ariadne (Capt. Lord Ashbourne, RN) and HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN). (7)

31 Oct 1943
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) and HMS Tuna (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) both departed Scapa Flow for Blyth. At sea they were joind by HMS Seadog (Lt. C.R. Pelly, RN) and HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) that were en-rout to Dundee and Sheerness respectively. They were escorted by HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR). (7)

2 Nov 1943
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) arrived at Blyth. (11)

6 Nov 1943
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) returned to her builders yard at Walker to make good defects to her conning tower. (11)

9 Dec 1943
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) shifted from Walker to Blyth. (12)

10 Dec 1943
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) was docked at Blyth. (12)

12 Dec 1943
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) was undocked. (12)

17 Dec 1943
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) departed Blyth for Rothesay. She makes the passage together with HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) and HMS Ursula (Lt. A.G. Davies, RN). They were escorted by HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR) until 1305/18 when HMS Sardonyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne, RNVR) took over the escort. Also HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) joined the convoy. (12)

21 Dec 1943
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) arrived at Rothesay. HMS Uther was now attached to the 7th submarine flotilla for training duties. (12)

Submarine HMS Sibyl (P 217)

23 Jan 1944
HMS Sibyl (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) is undocked. (13)

25 Jan 1944
HMS Sibyl (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) departed Port Said for Beirut. (13)

26 Jan 1944
HMS Sibyl (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) arrived at Beirut. (13)

1 Feb 1944
HMS Sibyl (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) departed Beirut for her 16th war patrol (14th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Aegean.

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

(14)

8 Feb 1944 (position 37.43, 25.04)
HMS Sibyl (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) fires two torpedoes against the German tanker Centaur (1267 GRT, built 1915) off Crete in position 37°43'N, 25°04'E. Both torpedoes missed their target.

(All times are zone -2) 2245 hours - Sighted smoke in the Steno Pass. Sighted four (possibly five) vessels coming through the pass steering a course of 100°. Started attack. Shortly afterwards a torpedo was fired accidentally.

2256 hours - The leading ship fired a red rocket towards Sibyl. Shortly afterwards she opened fire. Sibyl immediately dived. It was now seen that the ships were two 2000 tons merchant vessels escorted by two UJ boats. Sibyl meanwhile continued the attack.

2315 hours - A depth charge was dropped some distance away.

2335 hours - Commenced firing a salvo of 5 torpedoes. After the 2nd torpedo was fired it was seen that the target had stopped so no further torpedoes were fired. One of the escorts was seen coming towards and Sibyl went deep.

2340 hours - The escort passed overhead. Sibyl then returned to periscope depth but before torpedoes could be fired she was forced deep again.

0020 hours (9th) - Returned to periscope depth. The merchant ships were seen to proceed along the North coast of Tinos but shortly afterwards one of the UJ boats forced Sibyl deep.

0030 hours (9th) - A pattern of 8 depth charges was dropped rather close causing some minor damage.

0045 hours (9th) - One of the UJ boats returned again and dropped a pattern of 10 depth charges. Again quite accurate. It was now decided to abandon the attack and Sibyl went deep and retired to the North.

The convoy attacked was made up of the above mentioned Centaur as well as Tanais (1545 GRT, built 1907). They were escorted by the auxiliary submarine chasers UJ-2110, UJ-2105. The submarine was fired upon by UJ 2110 and later UJ 2105 dropped depth charges. (14)

17 Feb 1944
HMS Sibyl (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) ended her 16th war patrol (14th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (14)

Submarine HMS Spur (P 265)

16 Feb 1945
HMS Spur (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) departed her builders yard for Holy Loch. (15)

17 Feb 1945
HMS Spur (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) arrived at Holy Loch to begin a period of trials and training. (15)

22 Mar 1945
HMS Spur (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) collided with HMS Jan van Gelder south of the Isle of Arran. The bow of Spur was damaged and this required repairs. (16)

3 Apr 1945
HMS Spur (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Greenock where she was docked at the Scott's Shipyard for repairs to her damaged bow. (17)

19 Apr 1945
With her bow repaired HMS Spur (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) shifted from the Scott's Shipyard at Greenock to Holy Loch to resume here training programme. (17)

10 Jun 1945
HMS Spur (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) departed Holy Loch for passage to the Far East. The first leg of the trip was to Gibraltar. She made the passage together (until Aden) with HMS Scotsman (Lt. A.H.B. Anderson, DSC, RNR) and HMS Turpin (A/Lt.Cdr. J.S. Stevens, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN).

No log is available for HMS Spur for this period so no map can be displayed. (18)

16 Jun 1945
HMS Spur (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (18)

17 Jun 1945
HMS Spur (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) departed Gibraltar for Malta. (18)

21 Jun 1945
HMS Spur (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) arrived at Malta. (18)

26 Jun 1945
HMS Spur (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) departed Malta for Port Said. (18)

30 Jun 1945
HMS Spur (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) arrived at Port Said. (18)

4 Jul 1945
HMS Spur (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) transited the Suez Canal Southbound and then set course towards Aden. (18)

9 Jul 1945
HMS Spur (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) arrived at Aden. (18)

10 Jul 1945
HMS Spur (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) departed Aden for Trincomalee. (18)

20 Jul 1945
HMS Spur (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) arrived at Trincomalee. (18)

3 Aug 1945
HMS Spur (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) departed Trincomalee for her 1st war patrol (also 1st in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol in the Malacca Strait together with HMS Statesman (Lt. R.G.P. Bulkeley, RN). Unfortunately HMS Statesman developed a defect and was delayed for 6 days so Spur operated single for the first part of the patrol.

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

HMS Spur 1st war patrol click here for bigger map (14)

11 Aug 1945 (position 5.57, 100.06)
HMS Spur (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) sank a sailing vessel with gunfire in the Malacca Strait in approximate position 05°57'N, 100°06'E.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1500 hours - A sail, apparently larger then any other previously sighted was seen to the North-East, on a gradually closing course.

1536 hours - Course was altered to close this craft. When closer it was seen to have 2 sails.

1620 hours - Surfaced to close. The vessel was larger then expected.

1625 hours - Opened fire from 1500 yards.

1630 hours - After 29 rounds had been fired the vessel dipped by the bows and sank in 9 fathoms of water. The crew was stuggling to get into 2 boats but they capsized. They were then picked up.

1647 hours - Set course for deeper water.

The survivors were put on a fishing vessel at dawn the next morning. (14)

13 Aug 1945 (position 5.48, 100.15)
HMS Spur (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) sank 5 sailing vessels with gunfire in the Malacca Strait between Langkawi and Penang.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0604 hours - When light increased 2 sails were seen bearing 020°. Closed to investigate.

0652 hours - Surfaced in position 112°, Pulau Paya, 8.3 nautical miles and fired 1 round. The craft, a small junk, struck her mainsail and anchored. Proceeded alongside and put a boarding party onboard. The junk was carrying a cargo of rice and oil, and was of about 50 tons displacement. The crew of 6 were ordered to take to their small boat and a demolition charge was placed but the charge did not explode. 5 Rounds were then fired from short range, 3 of which hit and the junk sank. While engaged in this action, 2 more sails were sighted to the North-West. Closed at high speed to investigate. The vessel proved to be a large 120 tons junk.

0820 hours - Fired 1 round that hit the foremast. The crew then abandoned ship and a boarding party was placed on board. The cargo appeared to be firewood but this was suspicious. The boarding party left the vessel again and she was sunk with gunfire. 5 Rounds were fired and again 3 hits were obtained before the junk sank like a stone, very stange for a ship with a cargo of firewood. Course was then set to the North-East to close newly sighted sails.

1030 hours - A junk of about 50 to 70 tons was sighted inshore. Due to her being inshore of a minefield fire was opened from 4000 yards. The vessel settled on the bottom after 19 rounds for several hits.

1155 rounds - Dived in position 05°48'5"N, 100°15'E.

---------------------------------------

1820 hours - Surfaced in position 300°, Song Song Rocks, 4.5 nautical miles and closed the shore. Two vessels were seen at anchor off Pulau Biden.

1850 hours - Fired a warning shot and continued to close.

1855 hours - Fire was opened, the first junk, about 50 tons, sank after 8 rounds. The second junk, about 30 tons, sank after 4 rounds. Withdrew to the westward. Set course towards rendez-vous with HMS Statesman of Pulau Jerak. (14)

14 Aug 1945 (position 3.42, 100.17)
HMS Spur (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) sank 5 junks with gunfire, demolition charges and fire in the Malacca Strait.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0629 hours - Made rendez-vous with HMS Statesman.

0922 hours - Sighted sail bearing 140 degrees. Altered course to close.

0955 hours - Fired a warning shot at a junk.

0958 hours - The crew did not appear to abandon ship, nor to strike sails so opened fire. Straddled with the 5th round. The crew then abandoned ship so ceased fire.

1005 hours - Proceeded alongside and placed the boarding party aboard. Position was 03°42'N, 100°17'E.

1015 hours - Re-embarked the boarding party after a demolition charge had been placed. Proceeded clear. The junk was no. 1179 and carried a cargo of Tobacco, tea and oil with a crew of 4. Displacement was about 40 tons. The charge, due to ignite after 2.5 minutes was not seen to explode although smoke was seen coming from the hold.

1020 hours - 3 Round were then put into her with the 3" gun and the junk exploded in a large cloud of black smoke.

1045 hours - Closed the crew in their small boat and took them on board.

1248 hours - Sighted a sail ahead and closed at speed.

1335 hours - As the range closed the junk hauled down its sail and anchored.

1340 hours - Placed the boarding party on board. The cargo proved to be flour. The junk was a little over 10 tons. It was decided to put our prisoners on board this small junk and allowed it to proceed.

1350 hours - Proceeded clear and closed another sail bearing 170 degrees.

1420 hours - Put the boarding party on another junk. The cargo was rice. She was about 25 tons in size.

1428 hours - Placed a larger demolition charge then previously used. Took the crew of the junk on board and proceeded clear.

1432 hours - The charge exploded and the junk sank.

1435 hours - Set course for the small 10 tons junk boarded at 1340 hours to put the survivors on board her.

1500 hours - Placed the survivors on board the junk and set course to sails sighted earlier.

1600 hours - Opened fire with the 4" gun on a 50 tons junk close inshore, range was 5000 yards. The vessel turned towards the shore but sank after being hit 4 times. Engaged a second and larger junk at anchor, range was 6000 yards. The depth of the water made it impossible to get closer.

1607 hours - This craft settled into the water, but although repeatedly hit she did not sink but she was left a total wreck. Displacement of this junk was about 100 tons.

1615 hours - HMS Statesman joined again. Proceeded in company.

1709 hours - A clutch of three junks was sighted ahead and at ...

1728 hours - HMS Statesman placed a boarding party on the nearest and closed the one furthest away. HMS Spur closed the middle one, a junk of about 25 tons.

1730 hours - Placed the boarding party onboard the junk.

1739 hours - Took the crew of the junk on board and set the cargo of copra alight.

1800 hours - Proceeded clear and set course towards two sails to the South-East but had to abandon the chase as the sails were behind a minefield. Set course towards 'our ' small junk to disembark our prisoners again.

1915 hours - Disembarked our prisoners. Proceeded together with HMS Statesman. (14)

23 Aug 1945
HMS Spur (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) ended her 1st war patrol (also 1st in the Far East) at Trincomalee. (14)

4 Oct 1945
HMS Spur (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) departed Trincomalee for Bombay. At Bombay she performed A/S training duties for about 4 weeks. She left Bombay on 5 November 1945 for the U.K. where she arrived (at Rothesay) on 13 December. (18)

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