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Submarine HMS P 614 (P 614)

8 Mar 1942
P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) departed her builders yard at Barrow for the Clyde area to begin a period of trials and training. She is escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(retired) R.H. Mack, RN). (1)

9 Mar 1942
P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (1)

10 Mar 1942
P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) conducted full power trials in the Clyde area following which she was commissioned at Holy Loch. (1)

12 Mar 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (1)

13 Mar 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (1)

14 Mar 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Arrochar where she is to conduct her torpedo firing trials. (1)

21 Mar 1942
Having completed her torpedo trials, HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN), returned to Holy Loch. (1)

22 Mar 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (1)

23 Mar 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (1)

24 Mar 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (1)

25 Mar 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (1)

26 Mar 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (1)

27 Mar 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) departed Holy Loch for Londonderry from where she was to conduct special A/S trials. She was escorted during the passage to Londonderry by HMS Kingfisher (Cdr. (retired) W.V.H. Harris, DSC, RN).

For the daily positions of HMS P 614 during the period of 27 March 1942 / 3 April 1942 see the map below.

(2)

29 Mar 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) arrived at Moville near Londonderry. (1)

30 Mar 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) departed Moville for St. Kilda. She was escorted by HMS Kingfisher (Cdr. (retired) W.V.H. Harris, DSC, RN). (1)

31 Mar 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) arrived at St. Kilda. (1)

2 Apr 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) conducted special A/S exercises off St. Kilda with HMS Kingfisher (Cdr.(Retd.) W.V.H. Harris, DSC, RN). Upon completion of these exercises she set course to return to the Clyde area together with HMS Kingfisher. (3)

3 Apr 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (3)

4 Apr 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Arrochar. (3)

10 Apr 1942
After several days of torpedo firing tirals, HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN), returned to Holy Loch from Arrochar. (3)

12 Apr 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) departed Holy Loch for Londonderry (Moville). She was escorted by HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. J.V. Waterhouse, RN). (3)

13 Apr 1942
En-route, HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN), carried out A/S exercises with HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. J.V. Waterhouse, RN). (3)

14 Apr 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) arrived at Moville. She departed for Holy Loch later the same day escorted by HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) C.C. Flemming, RN). (3)

15 Apr 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (3)

28 Apr 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) conducted trials in the Clyde area. (3)

29 Apr 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area together with HMS Otway (Lt.Cdr. (retired) J.R.G. Harvey, RN). (3)

30 Apr 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (3)

1 May 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (4)

2 May 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (4)

3 May 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (4)

5 May 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (4)

7 May 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (4)

13 May 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) departed Holy Loch for Lerwick. She made the passage together with HMS P 46 (Lt. J.S. Stevens, DSC, RN) and HrMs O 10 (Lt. Baron D.T. Mackay, RNN). They were escorted by HrMs Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.L.M. van Geen, RNN). (5)

16 May 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) arrived at Lerwick. (5)

18 May 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) departed Lerwick for her 1st war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Norwegian Sea to provide cover during convoy operations to and from Northern Russia (convoys PQ 16 / QP 12).

For the daily positions of HMS P 614 during her 1st war patrol (including the passage from Holy Loch to Lerwick and the passage back from Lerwick to Holy Loch) see the map below.

(5)

31 May 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Lerwick. (5)

1 Jun 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) departed Lerwick for Holy Loch. She made the passage together with HrMs O 10 (Lt. Baron D.T. Mackay, RNN). They were escorted by HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Dobson, RNR). (5)

4 Jun 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (5)

14 Jun 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) is docked at Rothesay. (6)

15 Jun 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) is undocked at Rothesay and then returned to Holy Loch. (6)

16 Jun 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (6)

17 Jun 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (6)

22 Jun 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) departed Holy Loch for Lerwick. She made the passage together with HMS Ursula (Lt. R.B. Lakin, DSC, RN). The submarines were escorted by the armed yacht HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) C.C. Flemming, RN). (5)

24 Jun 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) arrived at Lerwick. After fuelling she departed for Seidisfjord, Iceland later the same day. (5)

27 Jun 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) arrived Seidisfjord. (5)

27 Jun 1942

Convoy operations PQ 17 / QP 13

Convoys to and from Northern Russia

On 27 June 1942 Convoy PQ 17 departed Reykjavik Iceland bound for northern Russia. This convoy was made up of the following merchant ships;

American
Alcoa Ranger (5116 GRT, built 1919), Bellingham (5345 GRT, built 1920), Benjamin Harrison (7191 GRT, built 1942), Carlton (5127 GRT, built 1920), Christopher Newport (7191 GRT, built 1942), Daniel Morgan (7177 GRT, built 1942), Exford (4969 GRT, built 1919), Fairfield City (5686 GRT, built 1920), Honomu (6977 GRT, built 1919), Hoosier (5060 GRT, built 1920), Ironclad (5685 GRT, built 1919), John Witherspoon (7191 GRT, built 1942), Olopana (6069 GRT, built 1920), Pan Atlantic (5411 GRT, built 1919), Pan Kraft (5644 GRT, built 1919), Peter Kerr (6476 GRT, built 1920), Richard Bland (7191 GRT, built 1942), Washington (5564 GRT, built 1919), West Gotomska (5728 GRT, built 1919), William Hooper (7177 GRT, built 1942), Winston-Salem (6223 GRT, built 1920),

British
Bolton Castle (5203 GRT, built 1939), Earlston (7195 GRT, built 1941), Empire Byron (6645 GRT, built 1941), Empire Tide (6978 GRT, built 1941), Hartlebury (5082 GRT, built 1934), Navarino (4841 GRT, built 1937), Ocean Freedom (7173 GRT, built 1942), River Afton (5479 GRT, built 1935), Samuel Chase (7191 GRT, built 1942), Silver Sword (4937 GRT, built 1920),

Dutch
Paulus Potter (7168 GRT, built 1942),

Panamanian
El Capitan (5255 GRT, built 1917), Troubadour (6428 GRT, built 1920),

The Russian tankers Azerbaidjan (6114 GRT, built 1932), Donbass (7925 GRT, built 1935),

The British (Royal Fleet Auxiliary) tanker Grey Ranger (3313 GRT, built 1941).

Also with the convoy was a British rescue ship
Zaafaran (1559 GRT, built 1921).

The US merchants Exford and West Gotomska had to return both arrived back damaged at Reykjavik on 30 June. The first one due to ice damage and the second one due to damaged engines.

Escort was provided by the minesweepers HMS Britomart (Lt.Cdr. S.S. Stammwitz, RN), HMS Halcyon (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Corbet-Singleton, DSC, RN), HMS Salamander (Lt. W.R. Muttram, RN), A/S trawlers HMS Ayrshire (T/Lt. L.J.A. Gradwell, RNVR), HMS Lord Austin (T/Lt. O.B. Egjar, RNR), HMS Lord Middleton (T/Lt. R.H. Jameson, RNR) and HMS Northern Gem (Skr.Lt. W.J.V. Mullender, DSC, RD, RNR) and the submarine HMS P 615 (Lt. P.E. Newstead, RN).

The convoy was joined at sea by a close escort force made up of the following warships; destroyers HMS Keppel (Cdr. J.E. Broome, RN / in command of the close escort of the convoy) , HMS Offa (Lt.Cdr. R.A. Ewing, RN), HMS Fury (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Leamington (Lt. B.M.D. L’Anson, RN), escort destroyers HMS Ledbury (Lt.Cdr. R.P. Hill, RN), HMS Wilton (Lt. A.P. Northey, DSC, RN), corvettes HMS Lotus (Lt. H.J. Hall, RNR), HMS Poppy (Lt. N.K. Boyd, RNR), HMS Dianella (T/Lt. J.G. Rankin, RNR), HMS La Malouine (T/Lt. V.D.H. Bidwell, RNR), Auxiliary AA ships HMS Palomares (A/Capt.(rtd.) J.H. Jauncey, RN) and HMS Pozarica (A/Capt.(rtd.) E.D.W. Lawford, RN) and submarine HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN). Also two more British rescue ships sailed with this force to join the convoy at sea; Rathlin (1600 GRT, built 1936) and Zamalek (1567 GRT, built 1921).

The RFA tanker Grey Ranger, which was to fuel the escorts, was now sailing independent from the convoy, she was escorted by the destroyer HMS Douglas (Lt.Cdr. R.B.S. Tennant, RN). Another RFA tanker, the Aldersdale, had now joined the convoy. It had originally been intended that the Aldersdale would take the role the Grey Ranger was now performing but Grey Ranger had been damaged by ice to the north of Iceland so both tankers swapped roles.

Meanwhile on June 26th the Archangel section of the return convoy QP 13 had departed that port. This section was made up of 22 merchant ships;

American
American Press (5131 GRT, built 1920), American Robin (5172 GRT, built 1919), Hegira (7588 GRT, built 1919), Lancaster (7516 GRT, built 1918), Massmar (5828 GRT, built 1920), Mormacrey (5946 GRT, built 1919), Yaka (5432 GRT, built 1920),

British
Chulmleigh (5445 GRT, built 1938), Empire Mavis (5704 GRT, built 1919), Empire Meteor (7457 GRT, built 1940), Empire Stevenson (6209 GRT, built 1941), St. Clears (4312 GRT, built 1936),

Dutch
Pieter de Hoogh (7168 GRT, built 1941),

Panamanian
Capira (5625 GRT, built 1920), Mount Evans (5598 GRT, built 1919),

Russian
Alma Ata (3611 GRT, built 1920), Archangel (2480 GRT, built 1929), Budenni (2482 GRT, built 1923), Komiles (3962 GRT, built 1932), Kuzbass (3109 GRT, built 1914), Petrovski (3771 GRT, built 1921), Rodina (4441 GRT, built 1922), Stary Bolshevik (3794 GRT, built 1933)

They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Intrepid (Cdr. C.A. de W. Kitcat, RN), ORP Garland (Kmdr.por. (Cdr.) H. Eibel), the corvettes HMS Starwort (Lt.Cdr. N.W. Duck, RD, RNR), HMS Honeysuckle (Lt. H.H.D. MacKillican, DSC, RNR), the auxiliary AA ship HMS Alynbank (A/Capt.(rtd.) H.F. Nash, RN) and a local escort of four minesweepers; HMS Bramble (Capt. J.H.F. Crombie, DSO, RN), HMS Seagull (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Pollock, RN), HMS Leda (A/Cdr.(rtd.) A.H. Wynne-Edwards, RN) and HMS Hazard (Lt.Cdr. J.R.A. Seymour, RN).

the next day (27th) the Murmask section of convoy QP 13 also went to sea. This was made up of 12 merchant ships;

American
City of Omaha (6124 GRT, built 1920), Heffron (7611 GRT, built 1919), Hybert (6120 GRT, built 1920), John Randolph (7191 GRT, built 1941), Mauna Kea (6064 GRT, built 1919), Nemaha (6501 GRT, built 1920), Richard Henry Lee (7191 GRT, built 1941),

British
Atlantic (5414 GRT, built 1939), Empire Baffin (6978 GRT, built 1941), Empire Selwyn (7167 GRT, built 1941),

Panamanian
Exterminator (6115 GRT, built 1924), Michigan (6419 GRT, built 1920),

They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Inglefield (Cdr. A.G. West, RN), HMS Achates (Lt.Cdr. A.A. Tait, DSO, RN), HMS Volunteer (Lt. A.S. Pomeroy, RN), the minesweepers HMS Niger (Cdr.ret.) A.J. Cubison, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Hussar (Lt. R.C. Biggs, DSC, RN), the corvettes HMS Hyderabad (Lt. S.C.B. Hickman, RN), FFS Roselys and the A/S trawlers Lady Madeleine (T/Lt. W.G.Ogden, RNVR) and St. Elstan (Lt. R.M. Roberts, RNR). Also three Russian destroyers (Grozniy, Gremyashchiy and Valerian Kyubishev) joined the escort of convoy QP 13 as far as 30 degrees East.

To cover these convoy operations a close cover force departed Seidisfjord, Iceland around midnight during the night of 30 June / 1 July to take up a position to the north of convoy PQ 17. This force was made up of the British heavy cruisers HMS London (Capt. R.M. Servaes, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral L.H.K. Hamilton, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Norfolk (Capt. E.G.H. Bellars, RN), as well as the American heavy cruisers USS Tuscaloosa (Capt. L.P. Johnson, USN) and USS Wichita (Capt. H.W. Hill, USN). They were escorted by the British destroyer HMS Somali (Capt. J.W.M. Eaton, DSO, DSC, RN) and the American destroyers USS Rowan (Lt.Cdr. B.R. Harrison, Jr., USN) and USS Wainwright (Lt.Cdr. R.H. Gibbs, USN).

A distant cover force had meanwhile sailed from Scapa Flow late on the 29th to take up a cover position north-east of Jan Mayen Island. This force was made up of battleships HMS Duke of York (Capt. C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN, with the Commander-in-Chief Home Fleet, Admiral Sir J. Tovey, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN on board), USS Washington (Capt. H.H.J. Benson, USN, with Rear-Admiral R.C. Griffen, USN on board), aircraft carrier HMS Victorious (Capt. H.C. Bovell, CBE, RN, with Vice-Admiral Sir B. Fraser, CB, KBE, RN, second in command Home Fleet on board), heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland (Capt. A.H. Maxwell-Hyslop, AM, RN), light cruiser HMS Nigeria (Capt. S.H. Paton, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN). They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.K. Scott-Moncrieff, RN, Capt. 8th Destroyer Flotilla), HMS Escapade (Lt.Cdr. E.N.V. Currey, DSC, RN), HMS Martin (Cdr. C.R.P. Thomson, RN), HMS Marne (Lt.Cdr. H.N.A. Richardson, DSC, RN), HMS Onslaught (Cdr. W.H. Selby, RN), HMS Middleton (Lt.Cdr. D.C. Kinloch, RN), HMS Blankney (Lt.Cdr. P.F. Powlett, RN) and HMS Wheatland (Lt.Cdr. R.de.L Brooke, RN). The destroyers HMS Onslow (Capt. H.T. Armstong, DSC and Bar, RN, Capt. 17th Destroyer Flotilla), HMS Ashanti (Cdr. R.G. Onslow, RN), USS Mayrant (Cdr. C.C. Hartman, USN) and USS Rhind (Lt.Cdr. H.T. Read, USN) meanwhile arrived at Seidisfiord, Iceland from Scapa Flow to fuel before joining the Battlefleet at sea later.

Earlier on the 29th Force X, which was to act as a decoy convoy to fool the Germans (Operation ES), had departed Scapa Flow. This force was made up of; the auxiliary minelayers HMS Southern Prince (A/Capt. J. Cresswell, RN), HMS Agamemnon (Capt.(rtd.) F. Ratsey, RN) , HMS Port Quebec (A/Capt.(rtd.) V. Hammersley-Heenan, RN) , HMS Menestheus (Capt.(rtd.) R.H.F. de Salis, DSC and Bar, OBE, RN) and four merchant vessels (colliers ?). They were escorted by the light cruisers HMS Sirius (Capt. P.W.B. Brooking, RN), HMS Curacoa (Capt. J.W. Boutwood, RN), minelayer HMS Adventure (Capt. N.V. Grace, RN), destroyers HMS Brighton (Cdr.(rtd). C.W.V.T.S. Lepper, RN), HMS St. Marys (Lt.Cdr. K.H.J.L. Phibbs, RN), HMAS Nepal (Cdr. F.B. Morris, RAN), HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Kruys. RNethN), the escort destroyers Oakley (Lt.Cdr. T.A. Pack-Beresford, RN), Catterick (Lt. A. Tyson, RN), and 4 A/S trawlers.

On 1 July 'Force X' was divided into two parts. One part was made up of the four auxiliary minelayers, HMS Sirius, HMS Adventure, HMS Brighton, HMS St. Marys, HMAS Nepal and HrMs Tjerk Hiddes. The other part was made up of the remaining ships of 'Force X'.

'Force X' sailed eastward twice, on 30 June and 2 July, to about position 61°30’N, 01°30’E but was not spotted by the Germans. On 2 July 1942, HMAS Nepal and HrMs Tjerk Hiddes were detached from 'Force X' to proceed to Portsmouth and Liverpool respectively. There they were to undergo post work up repairs before they would join the Eastern Fleet.

First contact with the enemy occurred on 1 July 1942 when escorts from convoy PQ 17 twice attacked German submarines that were spotted on the surface several miles from the convoy. These were U-456 that was depth charged by HMS Ledbury and sustained light damage and U-657 that was depth charged by HMS Ledbury and HMS Leamington, she sustained no damage. That evening convoy PQ 17 also suffered its first attack from the air. Nine torpedo aircraft approached the convoy at about 1800 hours in position 73°30’N, 04°00’E. Some dropped torpedoes but they exploded wide of the convoy. One aircraft was shot down, most likely by the destroyer USS Rowan which was en-route from the cruiser force to the convoy to fuel from the Aldersdale.

The next night the convoy ran into for which persisted until the forenoon of the 3rd. In the afternoon of 2 July, U-255 made a torpedo attack on one of the escorts, HMS Fury, two torpedoes were fire but both missed. Fury then counter attacked with depth charges but U-255 sustained no damage. At more or less the same time U-376 was also depth charged by two or three escorts, she was not damaged. Shortly afterwards U-334 was also depth charged but she also escaped without damage.

On the 3rd several U-Boats were in contact for short periods but three were driven off by the escorts in the afternoon. When the mist cleared shadowing aircraft soon regained contact on the convoy.

By the early morning of the 4th convoy PQ 17 was about 60 nautical miles north of Bear Island where it sustained its first loss. Just before 0500 hours the new American merchant vessel Christopher Newport was torpedoed by a single aircraft. Damage was serious and the ship was finished off by the British submarine HMS P 614 which was part of the convoys escort while the rescue ship Zamalek took off the crew. The ship however remained afloat and was finally finished off by U-457.

In the evening of the 4th German aircraft made a successful attack on the convoy hitting the British merchant vessel Navarino, the American merchant William Hooper and the Russian tanker Azerbaidjan. The Azerbaidjan was able to proceed at 9 knots and in the end reached port. The other two ships had to be sunk, most of their crews were picked up by the rescue vessels. William Hooper in fact remained afloat and was finally finished off by U-334.

The situation was now as follows. Convoy PQ 17 was now about 130 nautical miles north-east of Bear Island and had just come through the heavy air attack remarkably well. The convoy discipline and shooting had been admirable and a substantial toll had been taken on the enemy. Rear-Admiral Hamilton was still covering the convoy with his cruiser force some ten miles to the north-eastward, with orders by the Admiralty to do so until ordered otherwise. Some 350 miles to the westward the main cover force was cruising in the area south-west of Spitzbergen.

Now turning to the Germans. The approval of the Führer to sail the heavy ships to attack the convoy had still not been obtained. The Tirpitz and Admiral Hipper meanwhile had joined the Admiral Scheer at the Alternfjord but noting further could be done without the Führer’s approval.

Meanwhile at the Admiralty it was known that German heavy surface units had gone to sea from Trondheim (battleships Tirpitz and heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper) and Narvik (pocket battleships Lützow and Admiral Scheer) but they had not been detected at sea. Fearing an attack on the convoy by these ships was imminent the convoy was ordered to scatter at 2123/4. Shortly before that the close cover force had been ordered to withdraw to the west as it was obviously no match for the German heavy ships.

The Admiralty decision was conveyed to Rear-Admiral Hamilton in the following three signals;
Most immediate. Cruiser force withdraw to the west at high speed. (2111B/4)
Most immediate. Owning to threat of surface ships, convoy is to disperse and to proceed to Russian ports. (2123B/4)
Most immediate. My 2323B/4. Convoy is to scatter. (2136B/4)
To Rear-Admiral Hamilton these signals could only mean that further information the admiralty had been hoping for had indeed come in and was of such a nature as to render imperative the drastic measures now ordered. Actually the reason for use of high speed by the cruisers was due to the massing of enemy submarines between 11°E and 20°E and the order to scatter was intended merely as a technical amendment of the term disperse that was used in the previous signal. This could not be known by the recipients, and the cumulative effect of these three signals – especially as the last one had a more important marking as the middle one – was to imply that pressing danger was actually upon them. As Commander Broome put it he expected to see the cruisers open fire and the enemy’s mast appear on the horizon at any moment. In this belief he decided to take the destroyers of his escort group to reinforce the cruiser force, and ordered the two submarines to stay near the convoy when it scattered and to try to attack the enemy, while the rest of the escorting ships were to proceed independently to Archangel.

At 2215/4 Commander Broome passed the signal to scatter to Commodore Dowding. The convoy was then in position 75°55’N, 27°52’E. Commander Broome then departed with the destroyers of the close screen to join the cruiser force of Rear-Admiral Hamilton.

Rear-Admiral Hamilton received the Admiralty orders at 2200/4. HMS Norfolk had just flown off her aircraft on an ice patrol. He therefore stood to the eastward for half an hour while attemps were made to recall it but these were without success and at 2230 hours the force turned to a westerly course at 25 knots steering to pass to the southward of the convoy so as to be between it and the probable direction of the enemy. An hour later they passed the merchant vessels which were now on widely divergent courses.

Rear-Admiral Hamilton was much concerned at the effect of the apparent desertion of the merchant ships had on morale. Had he been aware that the Admiralty had no further information of the enemy heavy units then he himself possessed he would have remained in a covering position until the convoy was widely dispersed.

As time went on without further developments Rear-Admiral Hamilton became more and more puzzled as to what have led to the sudden scattering of the convoy. But whatever the reason, the orders for his own force were clear, so he remained his westerly course at 25 knots. Thick fog was encountered soon after midnight, which persisted with brief intervals till 0630/5. Commander Broome, equally mystified by the course of events, soon began to feel that his place was with the merchant ships but he thought Rear-Admiral Hamilton was acting on fuller information then himself. As soon as the fog lifted sufficiently for visual signalling he informed the Rear-Admiral of his last hurried instructions to PQ 17 and requested that they should be amplified or amended as nessesary.

Actually Rear-Admiral Hamilton, who was still under the impression that enemy surface forces were in close proximity, argued that once the convoy had been scattered the enemy would leave it to their air forces and submarines to deal with it (and this was exactly what the Germans did). He feared the enemy surface forces would be ordered to deal with his force and reinforced by Commander Broome’s destroyers he felt that he could fight a delaying action, and had a good chance of leading the enemy within reach of the aircraft of HMS Victorious and possibly the heavy ships of the force of the Commander-in-Chief.

At 0700/5, while in position 75°40’N, 16°00’E, Rear-Admiral Hamilton reduced to 20 knots and at 0930 hours set course for Jan Mayen Island. It was not until that forenoon that the situation as regards the enemy heavy ships was made clear to him. Meanwhile he had to decide what to do with Commander Broome’s destroyers. Accordingly he ordered them to fuel from HMS London and HMS Norfolk. By 1630 hours the fueling of HMS Ledbury, HMS Wilton, USS Rowan and HMS Keppel had been completed. At 1740 hours a German Focke Wulf aircraft made contact and correctly reported the force in position 74°30’N, 07°40’E. Having been located, Rear-Admiral Hamilton broke wireless silence and at 1830/5 informed the Commander-in-Chief of his position, course, speed and the composition of his force. This was the first time the Commander-in-Chief was informed of the fact the Commander Broome’s destroyers with with the force of Rear-Admiral Hamilton, a fact which he regretted.

The Commander-in-Chief, having spent 4 July cruising about 150 nautical miles north-west of Bear Island, had turned to the south-westward in the early morning of the 5th, and was then on his way back to Scapa Flow some 120 nautical miles south-west of the force of Rear-Admiral Hamilton. Shortly afterwards there came news at last of the German heavy ships. The Russian submarine K-21 reported at 1700/5 the Tirpitz, Admiral Scheer and eight destroyers in position 71°25’N, 23°40’E, steering course 045°. She claimed to have hit the Tirpitz with two torpedoes. An hour or so later, at 1816 hours, a reconnoitring aircraft reported eleven strange ships in position 71°31’N, 27°10’E steering 065°, speed 10 knots. And finally HMS P 54 (Lt. C.E. Oxborrow, DSC, RN), at 2029/5 reported the Tirpitz and Admiral Hipper escorted by at least six destroyers and eight aircraft in position 71°30’N, 28°40’E steering a course of 060° at a speed of 22 knots.

Actually the cruise of the German ships was of short duration. Hitler’s permission to lauch the operation had only been obtained in the forenoon of the 5th and the executive order was given at 1137 hours. Rear-Admiral Hamilton’s cruisers were then known to be moving to the westward and Admiral Tovey’s covering force was some 450 miles away from the convoy. It seemed there would be no immediate danger for the German heavy ships provided they could approach the merchant ships unseen and engage them for a time as short as possible. But the Allied sighting reports were intercepted and the Naval Staff calculated that Admiral Tovey would be able to close sufficiently to launch an air attack before they would be able to return to port I they continued operations against the merchant ships after 0100/6. Air and U-boat attacks were meanwhile taking a heavy toll on the convoy and it did not seem that it was worth the risk. At 2132/5 orders were given to abandon the operation. At 2152 hours, while in position 71°38’N, 31°05’E the German ships reversed course and returned to Altafjord.

During the night of 5/6 July the Admiralty made three signals to the Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleet suggesting that the Tirpitz might be ‘reluctant to go as far as the convoy’ if the battlefleet was sighted steering to the eastward, and that aircraft from HMS Victorious might be able to attack her if she had ben damaged by the Russian submarines. The latter appeared to Admiral Tovey unlikely, for as it seemed certain that the Tirpitz, especially if damaged, would not be sailed down the Norwegian coast until adequate fighter cover and seaward reconnaissance were available. However, arrangements were made for the fleet to reverse its course if the approach of enemy aircraft was detected and at 0645/6 course was altered back to the north-eastward. An hour later an enemy aircraft passed over the fleet above the clouds but endeavours to attract its attention by gunfire and fighters were unsuccessful. That forenoon Rear-Admiral Hamilton’s force joined the fleet at 1040/6. Weather was unsuitable for air reconnaissance and Admiral Tovey felt that nothing was to be gained by continuing to the north-eastward. Rear-Admiral Hamilton’s cruisers and eight destroyers were detached to Seidisfjord at 1230 hours and the battlefleet turned to the southward again shortly afterwards. All ships reached harbour on the 8th.

The last news of the enemy ships came on 7 July, when a British aircraft working from Vaenga, near Murmansk, reported the Tirpitz, Admiral Scheer and Admiral Hipper and some destroyers followed by an oiler from a neighbouring fjord turning out of Lang Fjord in Arnoy (70°N, 20°30’E). By this time the Allied ships were well on their way home but an attempt to attack the enemy was once again made by submarines. Anticipating their return to Narvik, HMS Sturgeon (Lt. M.R.G. Wingfield, RN) and FFS Minerve (Lt. P.M. Sonneville) had been ordered on 6 July to leave the main patrol line and to patrol to the mouth of the Vest Fjord on the 7th and the 8th, one at a time, in case the Tirpitz should pass on the outside of the Lofoten Islands, owning to her heavy draught due to possible damage. Nothing came of this, however, nor of a further patrol carried out by HMS Sturgeon on the night of 9/10 July close inshore some 70 nautical miles north of Trondheim in case of any German ships going to that port.

Now back to the ships of convoy PQ 17. The sudden order to scatter came to Commodore Dowding as an unpleasant surprise. Like Rear-Admiral Hamilton and Commander Broome he did not doubt that it heralded the immediate appearance of enemy heavy ships, and as the escorting destroyers parted company to join the cruisers, he signalled to HMS Keppel ‘Many thanks, goodbye and good hunting’ to which Commander Broome replied ‘It’s a grim business leaving you here’. It was indeed a grim business and the gravity of the situation was clear to all. Weather attack by surface craft developed in a few minutes or by aircraft and submarines during the next few days, the plight of the individual merchant ships – deprived of mutual support of their escort - was parlous in the extreme.

The convoy scattered as laid down in the instructions, in perfect order, though it must have been apparent to the ships that had to turn to the south-west that they were heading towards where the most trouble might be expected. The merchant ships proceeded mostly alone, or in groups of two or three. The anti-aircraft ships HMS Palomares and HMS Pozarica each took charge of a group, each collecting also two or three minesweepers or corvettes to act as a screen. They joined company the next day and proceeded towards Novaya Zemlya. HMS Salamander accompanied two merchantmen and a rescue ship. HMS Daniella was escorting the submarines, HMS P 614 and HMS P 615. She stood them clear of the convoy, when they separated to patrol in its wake, while the corvette went on by itself. At first the different groups spread on courses ranging from north to east, a few steering afterwards for Archangel, most seeking shelter in Novaya Zemlya. But less than half the merchant ships reached even ‘horrid Zembla’s frozen realms’, for 17 in addition to the oiler Aldersdale and the rescue ship Zaafaran were sunk during the next three days by bombing aircraft and U-boats. The bulk of the losses took place on the 5th while the ships were still far to the north, six being sunk by bombs and six were torpedoed by submarines. One ship was bombed on the 6th. Four were torpedoed by U-boats off the south-west coast of Novaya Zemlya between the evening of the 6th and the early morning of the 8th.

By the 7th of July, most of the escort, the rescue ship Zamalek and five merchant ships, the Ocean Freedom, Hoosier, Benjamin Harrison, El Capitan and Samual Chase, had reached Matochkin Strait. Commodore Dowding, whose ship the River Afton had been sunk by a U-boat on the 5th, arrived in HMS Lotus, which had rescued him and 36 survivors, including the Master after 3.5 hours on rafts and floats. After a conference on board HMS Palomares, these merchantmen were formed into a convoy into a convoy and sailed that evening, escorted by the two AA ships, HMS Halcyon, HMS Salamander, HMS Britomart, HMS Poppy, HMS Lotus and HMS La Malouine and three A/S trawlers. The Benjamin Harrison soon got separated in fog and returned to the Matochkin Strait but the remainder were still in company when the fog temporarily cleared during the forenoon of the 8th, and course was shaped to pass east and south of Kolguyev Island. It was an anxious passage, much fog and ice was encountered and U-boats were known to be about. From time to time boatloads of survivors from other ships already sunk were encountered and picked up. A remainder of the fate that might be in store for any of them. During the night of 9-10 July some 40 bombers carried out high level attacks on this small convoy. The attacks lasted for four hours, the Hoosier and El Capitan were sunk by near misses some 60 nautical miles north of Cape Kanin. Four aircraft are believed to have been shot down. The attacks ended at 0230/10 and half an hour later two Russian flying boats appeared. The surviving ships arrived at Archangel the next day, 11 July. Three ships out of thirty-seven were now in port, not a very successful convoy so far. Things were however not that bad as Commodore Dowding thought at that moment. The rescue ship Rathlin with two merchant ships, the Donbass and the Bellingham had arrived on the 9th, having shot down an aircraft the day before, and before long the news of other ships sheltering in Novaya Zemlya came in.

At his special request, Commodore Dowding, despite all he had been through, left Archangel in HMS Poppy on 16 July, in company with HMS Lotus and HMS La Malouine, to form these merchant ships into a convoy and bring them to Archangel. After a stormy passage they arrived at Byelushya Bay on the 19th. There 12 survivors from the merchant Olopana were found. During the day the coast was searched and in the evening the Winston Salem was found agound and later the Empire Tide was found at anchor. The next morning Motochkin Strait was entered and five merchant ships were found at anchor, the Benjamin Harrison, Silver Sword, Troubadour, Ironclad and the Azerbaidjan. A Russian icebreaker (the Murman) was also there as was a Russian trawler (the Kerov). Also, one of the escorts of convoy PQ 17 was found there, the British A/S trawler Ayrshire.

Commodore Dowding wasted no time. A conference was held that forenoon and in the evening all ships sailed, the Commodore leading in the Russian icebreaker Murman. The Empire Tide, which had a lot of survivors from sunken ships aboard joined the convoy early the next day. The Winston Salem was however still aground with two Russian tugs standing by. Much fog was encountered during the passage which was uneventful except for two U-boat alarms. The escort was reinforced by HMS Pozarica, HMS Bramble, HMS Hazard, HMS Leda, HMS Dianella and two Russian destroyers on the 22th. The convoy arrived safe at Archangel on the 24th.

Four days later (on the 28th) the Winston Salem was finally refloated. She managed reached harbour as the last ship of the ill-fated PQ 17 convoy making a total of 11 survivors out of a total of 35 ships. It was realised afterwards by the Admiralty that the decision to scatter the convoy had been premature.

The disastrous passage of convoy PQ 17 tended to throw into the background the fortunes of the westbound convoy, QP 13. This convoy of 35 ships sailed in two parts from Archangel and Murmansk and joined at sea on 28 June under Commodore N.H. Gale. Thick weather prevailed during most of the passage, but the convoy was reported by enemy aircraft on 30 June while still east of Bear Island and again on 2 July. No attacks developed, the enemy focus was on the eastbound convoy. That afternoon the ill-fated convoy PQ 17 was passed.

After an uneventful passage, convoy QP 13 divided off the north-east coast of Iceland on 4 July. Commodore Gale with 16 merchant ships turned south for Loch Ewe while the remaining 9 merchant ships continued round the north coast of Iceland for Reykjavik. At 1900/5 these ships formed into a five column convoy. They were escorted by HMS Niger (SO), HMS Hussar, FFL Roselys, HMS Lady Madeleine and HMS St. Elstan. They were now approaching the north-west corner of Iceland. The weather was overcast, visibility about one mile, wind north-east, force 8, sea rough. No sights had been obtained since 1800/2 and the convoys position was considerably in doubt. At 1910/5 Commander Cubison (C.O. HMS Niger) suggested that the front of the convoy should be reduced to two columns in order to pass between Straumnes and the minefield off the north-west coast of Iceland. This was the first the convoy Commodore had heard of the existence of this minefield. Soon afterwards, Commander Cubison gave his estimated position at 2000/5 as 66°45’N, 22°22’W and suggested altering course 222° for Straumnes Point at that time. This was done. About two hours later, at 2200 hours, HMS Niger which had gone ahead to try to make landfall leaving HMS Hussar as a visual link with the convoy, sighted what she took to be North Cape bearing 150° at a range of one mile and ordered the course of the convoy to be altered to 270°. Actually what HMS Niger sighted was a large iceberg but this was not realised for some time. At 2240/5 HMS Niger blew up and sank with heavy loss of life, including Commander Cubison. Five minutes later a last signal from her, explaining her mistaken landfall and recommending a return to course 222° was handed to the convoy Commodore. But it was too late, already explosions were occurring amongst the merchant ships. The westerly course had led the convoy straight into the minefield. Considerable confusion prevailed, some thinking that a U-boat attack was in progress, other imagining a surface raider. Four ships were sunk, the Heffron, Hybert, Massmar and the Rodina and two were seriously damaged, the John Randolph and the Exterminator. Good rescue work was carried out by the escorts, especially the FFL Roselys which picked up 179 survivors from various ships. Meanwhile HMS Hussar had obtained a shore fix, led out the remaining merchant ships, which reformed on a southerly course for Reykjavik where they arrived without further misadventure.

29 Jun 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) departed Seidisfjord for her 2nd war patrol. She was to provide close cover for convoy PQ 17 from Iceland to northern Russia. During the passage to the rendez-vous point with convoy PQ 17 she was escorted by the corvette HMS Dianella (T/Lt. J.G. Rankin, RNR).

For the daily positions of HMS P 614 during her 2nd war patrol (including the passage from Holy Loch to Lerwick and the passage from Lerwick to Seidisfjord) see the map below.

(5)

30 Jun 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) joined convoy PQ 17 at sea. (5)

4 Jul 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) is ordered to finish off the American merchant Christopher Newport (7191 GRT, built 1942) that was hit in the engine room by a bomb from German aircraft in position 75°30'N, 25°00'E. The ship had been abandoned by her crew.

P 614 fired one torpedo from 700 yards which hit the Christopher Newport amidships. HMS Dianella (T/Lt. J.G. Rankin, RNR) dropped one depth charge alongside the Christopher Newport. When the ship was down to the gunwhales both the submarine and the corvette set course to rejoin the convoy.

The Christopher Newport however did not sink just yet, she was finally finished off by later that day by the German submarine U-457. (5)

7 Jul 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) is ordered to proceed to Polyarnoe, northern Russia. (5)

8 Jul 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Polyarnoe, northern Russia. (5)

21 Jul 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) departed Polyarnoe, northern Russia for her 3rd war patrol. She was ordered to proceed to Lerwick.

For the daily positions of HMS P 614 during her 3rd war patrol (including the passage from Lerwick to Holy Loch) see the map below.

(5)

28 Jul 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol at Lerwick. (5)

29 Jul 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) departed Lerwick for Holy Loch. She made the passage together with HMS P 219 (Lt. N.L.A. Jewell, RN), HMS P 615 (Lt. P.E. Newstead, RN) and HMS P 48 (Lt. M.E. Faber, RN). They were escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (5)

31 Jul 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (5)

14 Aug 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) is docked at Rothesay. She was undocked later the same they and then immediately returned to Holy Loch. (7)

21 Aug 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) departed Holy Loch for Scapa Flow. She made (part of) the passage together with HMS L 23 (Lt. J.S. Bridger, RN) (proceeding to Loch Erisort, aka Port D.) and FFS Rubis (Lt.Cdr. H.L.G. Rousselot) (proceeding to Dundee). They were escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (5)

23 Aug 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow where she is to assist in A/S training. (5)

24 Aug 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) participated in A/S exercises at Scapa Flow. (5)

25 Aug 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) participated in A/S exercises at Scapa Flow. (5)

27 Aug 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) participated in A/S exercises at Scapa Flow. (5)

28 Aug 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) shifted from Scapa Flow to Lerwick. She was escorted by HMS Scalby Wyke (Skr. C.A. Grimmer, RNR). (5)

2 Sep 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) departed Lerwick for Seidisfjord, Iceland. (5)

4 Sep 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) arrived at Seidisfjord, Iceland. (5)

8 Sep 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) departed Seidisfjord, Iceland together with HMS P 615 (Lt. P.E. Newstead, RN) to rendez-vous with convoy PQ 18 at sea. The submarines were escorted by HMS Sharpshooter (Lt.Cdr. W.L. O'Mara, RN). This is HMS P 614's 4th war patrol.

For the daily positions of HMS P 614 during this patrol (including the passage from Lerwick to Seidisfjord and the passage from Lerwick to Holy Loch) see the map below.

(5)

20 Sep 1942
Around 0530 hours (zone -1), HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN), reported that she was missed by two torpedoes. This supposed attack appears to be bogus.

Later the same day (1520 hours) HMS P 614 attacks the German U-boat U-408 with four torpedoes in the Arctic Ocean. All torpedoes fired missed their target. The British thought they had sunk the target and on 17 November 1942 Lt. Beckley even received a DSO for sinking an enemy submarine. (5)

24 Sep 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) ended her 4th war patrol at Lerwick. (5)

27 Sep 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) departed Lerwick for Holy Loch. She made the passage together with HMS P 615 (Lt. P.E. Newstead, RN). They were initially escorted by HMS Preston North End (Lt. K.A. Vasey, MBE, RNR) until HrMs Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.L.M. van Geen, RNN) took over on the 28th. (5)

28 Sep 1942
HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (5)

Submarine HMS Sturgeon (N 73)

16 Oct 1942
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) was undocked. (8)

23 Oct 1942
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) shifted from Chatham to Sheerness. (8)

24 Oct 1942
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) and HMS H 33 (Lt. P.C. Chapman, DSC, RN) both departed Sheerness for Portsmouth. They were escorted by HMS Guillemot (Lt. H.I.S. White, RNR). (8)

25 Oct 1942
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) arrived at Portsmouth. (8)

26 Oct 1942
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (8)

27 Oct 1942
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) departed Portsmouth for Gibraltar. She was to join the 8th submarine flotilla in the Mediterranean temporarily during the invasion of North Africa.

For the daily positions of HMS Sturgeon during this passage see the map below.

(9)

6 Nov 1942 (position 36.02, 6.33)
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) arrived at Gibraltar.

Before arriving at Gibraltar she was attacked in error by a British Hudson aircraft which dropped three depth charges. Position of the attack was 36°02'N, 06°33'W. Fortunately no damage was done to Sturgeon. (9)

10 Nov 1942
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) departed Gibraltar for her 30th war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Toulon, southern France.

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

(9)

15 Nov 1942
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) was ordered to patrol off Naples, Italy. (9)

2 Dec 1942
HMS Sturgeon (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) ended her 30th war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean) at Gibraltar. (9)

Submarine HMS Templar (P 316)

11 Feb 1943
Around 1600A/11, P 316 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) departed her builders yard at Barrow for Holy Loch. She is escorted by HrMs Jan van Gelder (Lt.Cdr. P.L.M. van Geen, RNN). (10)

12 Feb 1943
Around 1330A/12, P 316 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) and HrMs Jan van Gelder (Lt.Cdr. P.L.M. van Geen, RNN) arrived at Holy Loch from Barrow. (11)

13 Feb 1943
P 316 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) conducted full power trials on the Arran measured mile. She then carried out night exercises in Loch Long. She returned to Holy Loch the following morning. (11)

15 Feb 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
P 316 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) conducted D/G trials at Holy Loch. She then proceeded to Gare Loch for diving trials on completion of which she returned to Holy Loch. She was then accepted from the shipyard. (11)

16 Feb 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. These included dummy attacks on merchant vessels. (11)

17 Feb 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. These included attack exercises. (11)

18 Feb 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. These included attack exercises. (11)

20 Feb 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) conducted trialsin the Clyde area. These included S.T.U. (mine detection), D/F calibration and gunnery trials. (11)

21 Feb 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil. (11)

22 Feb 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) conducted log and echo sounder trials in Loch Long. (11)

24 Feb 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (11)

25 Feb 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) proceedeed from Holy Loch to the torpedo firing range at Arrochar for her torpedo discharge trials. (11)

1 Mar 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (12)

2 Mar 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (12)

3 Mar 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (12)

4 Mar 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (12)

6 Mar 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. Upon completion of these she proceeded to Holy Loch. (12)

7 Mar 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) conducted practice attacks in the Clyde area during which HMS Skate (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) A.W. Preston, RN) served as the target. HMS Templar proceeded to Campbeltown on completion of these exercises. (12)

8 Mar 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) conducted RDF trials off Campbeltown. (12)

9 Mar 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown HMS Bedlington (Skr. J.H.D. Dansie, RNR) and HMS Tuscarora (Cdr.(Retd.) K.W. Stewart, RN). Upon completion of these exercises HMS Templar proceeded to Holy Loch. (12)

11 Mar 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) conducted practice attacks in the Clyde area with HMS Biter (Capt. E.M.C. Abel Smith, RN) and HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Dobson, RNR) serving as the targets. These included night exercises. (12)

12 Mar 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) conducted practice attacks in the Clyde area with HMS Biter (Capt. E.M.C. Abel Smith, RN) and HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Dobson, RNR) serving as the targets. These included night exercises. (12)

13 Mar 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) conducted practice attacks in the Clyde area with HMS Biter (Capt. E.M.C. Abel Smith, RN) and HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Dobson, RNR) serving as the targets. These included night exercises. (12)

14 Mar 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) returned to Holy Loch on completion of a programme of several days of attack exercises. (12)

16 Mar 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) and HMS Stubborn (Lt. A.A. Duff, RN) both conducted practice attacks in the Clyde area during which HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Dobson, RNR) served as the target. (12)

17 Mar 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) conducted special (experimental) trials in the Clyde area. (12)

18 Mar 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) conducted practice attacks in the Clyde area during which HMS Bulldog (Lt.Cdr. E.J. Lee, RN) served as the target. (12)

19 Mar 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) conducted RDF gunnery trials in the Clyde area. (12)

20 Mar 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) conducted compass adjustment trials at Holy Loch. (13)

22 Mar 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) departed from Holy Loch for her 1st war patrol. She is to patrol in the Norwegian Sea. Before proceeding on patrol she is to make a short stop at Lerwick.

On departure from Holy Loch she is escorted by HMS Coreopsis (T/Lt. B.C. Hamilton, RNR).

For the daily positions of HMS Templar during her 1st war patrol see the map below. (14)

22 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
For the daily positions of HMS Templar during her 1st war patrol see the map below.

23 Mar 1943
While en-route to Lerwick to top up with fuel and provisions, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) was ordered to proceed to a patrol area of the Lofoten with despatch and not to proceed to Lerwick. Several German 'heavy units' had been on the move in Northern Norway.

She parted company with her escort, HMS Coreopsis (T/Lt. B.C. Hamilton, RNR), at 0057A/24. (14)

26 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0508A/26, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) dived in position 67°04'N, 09°49'E, on arriving in the south-west corner of her patrol area. (14)

8 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1812B/8, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) surfaced in position 67°27'N, 09°00'E and then left patrol to proceed to Lerwick as ordered in Capt. 9's signal timed 1045B/4. (14)

10 Apr 1943
Around 1630B/10, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Lerwick. (14)

11 Apr 1943
Around 1600B/11, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) departed from Lerwick bound for Holy Loch. She made the passage together with HMS Truculent (Lt. R.L. Alexander, RN) and HMS HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN). They were escorted by HMS Alecto (Lt.Cdr. H.A.L. Marsham, RN). (15)

13 Apr 1943
Around 1330B/13, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) arrived at Holy Loch from Lerwick. (15)

23 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) conducted D/G trials off Helensburg. (15)

26 Apr 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) conducted full power trials in the Clyde area (Bute Sound). (15)

27 Apr 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) conducted convoy attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Philante (Capt. A.J. Baker-Cresswell, DSO, RN) and ships from Escort Group B 3. [Ships that made up Escort Group B 3, which were not refitting, were the following; destroyers HMS Keppel (Cdr. M.J. Evans, OBE, RN), HMS Escapade (Lt.Cdr. E.C. Peake, RN), ORP Garland (Kpt.mar.(Lt.Cdr.) B.J. Biskupski, ORP) and the corvette HMS Orchis (T/Lt. E.D.A. Dyer, RCNVR).] (15)

28 Apr 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) returned to Holy Loch on completion of last night's exercises. (15)

29 Apr 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) departed Holy Loch for Londonderry where she was to participate in A/S exercises. She made the passage together with HMS Upstart (Lt. P.C. Chapman, DSC and Bar, RN). They were was escorted by HMS Philante (Capt. A.J. Baker-Cresswell, DSO, RN). (15)

30 Apr 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) arrived at Londonderry. (15)

4 May 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle. (16)

5 May 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) proceeded from Lough Foyle to Larne where A/S exercises were then carried out. (16)

6 May 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Larne. She proceeded to Campbeltown on completion of these exercises. (16)

7 May 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (16)

8 May 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) departed Campbeltown for a few day's of exercises. (16)

10 May 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) arrived at Larne upon completion of her exercises. (16)

11 May 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) departed Larne for Holy Loch. (16)

12 May 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) arrived at Holy Loch from Larne. (16)

18 May 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) is docked at Holy Loch in AFD 7. (16)

19 May 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) is undocked. (16)

21 May 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) proceeded from Holy Loch to Arrochar for some more torpedo discharge trials. (16)

22 May 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (16)

23 May 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. Upon completion of these HMS Templar returned to Holy Loch. (16)

25 May 1943
Around 2100B/25, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) departed from Holy Loch for Gibraltar.

During the passage south through the Irish Sea she was escorted by HMS Scimitar (Lt.Cdr. C.G. Cuthbertson, DSC, RNR) until 1340B/27 (14)

25 May 1943
For the daily positions of HMS Templar during the passage from Holy Loch to Gibraltar see the map below.

7 Jun 1943
Around 1530B/7, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from Holy Loch. The passage had been unventful, only fishing vessels had been sighted while passing the Bay of Biscay. (14)

13 Jun 1943
Around 2045B/13, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) departed from Gibraltar for her 2nd war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Southern France.

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

(14)

19 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0430B/19, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) entered her patrol area. She then set course to patrol off Port Vendres. She dived half an hour later in position 42°05'N, 03°45'E to commence closing the French coast for a day of submerged patrol. (14)

23 Jun 1943
At 1629B/23, while patrolling off the southern French coast between Toulon and Marseilles, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) sighed what is thought to be an 'Elan-class' minesweeping sloop coming along the coast from the direction of Toulon. She was transmitting on Asdic. She rounded Riou Island and was then seen to enter Marseille.

This was most likely the German torpedo boat TA 10 (former French La Pomone) on passage from Toulon (departed around 1400B/23) to Marseille. (17)

24 Jun 1943
At 1930B/24, while patrolling off the southern French coast between Toulon and Marseilles, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) sighed what is thought to be an 'La Flore-class' torpedo boat proceeding close inshore towards Marseille. She was proceeding at 16 knots. Range was 11000 yards.

This was most likely the German torpedo boat TA 9 (former French Bombarde) on passage from Toulon (departed around 1700B/24) to Marseille. (17)

25 Jun 1943
At 1300B/25, while patrolling off the southern French coast between Toulon and Marseille, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) sighted an armed trawler coast crawling towards Marseille.

At 1713B/25, a flying boat and the masts of a merchant vessel were seen approaching from the direction of Toulon. Later also the masts of a 'destroyer' were seen. She appeared to be to the inshore of the merchant vessel. At the time of the sighting HMS Templar had already cleared to coast as she intended to patrol off Port Vendres the following day.

The ships sighted at 1713B/25 were probably the French passenger/cargo ship Cap Corse (French, 2444 GRT, built 1929) escorted by the German escort vessel SG 14 (A former French minesweeping sloop of the Chamois-class that had been captured while under construction). They had departed Ajaccio (Corsica) around 0030B/25 and arrived at Marseille around 1900B/25. (17)

26 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 2306B/26, after a day of submerged patrol near Port Vendres, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) surfaced in position 42°38'N, 03°27'E and then left patrol to proceed to Algiers as ordered in Capt. S 8's signal timed 1732B/24. (18)

30 Jun 1943
Around 0725B/30, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean) at Algiers. She was escorted in by HMS St. Kilda (A/Skr.Lt. R.G. Utting, RNR) which had joined around 0635B/30. (14)

12 Jul 1943
Around 2000B/12, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) departed from Algiers for her 3rd war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Lugurian Sea to the north of Corsica.

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

(14)

21 Jul 1943 (position 42.35, 8.38)
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) attacked the Italian submarine Axum with seven torpedoes about 5 nautical miles North-West of Calvi, Corsica, France in position 42°35'N, 08°38'E. All torpedoes fired missed their target.

The Axum was en-route from La Spezia to La Maddalena and observed, in all, six torpedo tracks (seven torpedoes had been actually fired, the first single torpedo was probably not noticed) and took evasive action. The periscope of the attacker was briefly seen but at such close range that the stern torpedoes were not fired as they would not had the time to be activated.

1320B/21 - In position 42°35'N, 08°38'E sighted U-boat on a course of 210° at a range of 4000 yards. Started attack.

1330B/21 - Fired one torpedo from 1500 yards (more were intended but Templar was not kept at a steady depth). The torpedo missed.

1333B/21 - Upon regaining depth control and return to periscope depth fired four torpedoes from 1500 yards. All missed again due to the target altering course.

1340 hours - Fired another two torpedoes from 3000 yards. Once again the torpedoes missed. (14)

26 Jul 1943
At 0630B/26, while patrolling to the north-east of Bastia, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) sighed two landing barges and one trawler proceeding from Bastia towards Elba.

At 0715B/26, two landing barges and a KT-ship was seen leaving Bastia. An attack was started but no torpedoes were fired as the KT-ship was in ballast and of shallow draught.

[We have been unable to identify the vessels sighed.] (14)

28 Jul 1943
At 2325B/28, in position 42°48'N, 08°23'E, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) sighed a northbound Italian hospital ship proceeding on course 360° at 12 knots. It was not attacked.

This was possibly the Virgilio (Italian, 11718 GRT, built 1926) who had sailed from Porto Torres (Sardinia) at 1410B/28 for Leghorn. (14)

2 Aug 1943
Around 0820B/2, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean) at Algiers. She was escorted in by HMS Mousa (Lt. D.J. Hutton, DSC, RNVR) which had joined around 0610B/2. (14)

12 Aug 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) is docked at Algiers. (19)

15 Aug 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) is undocked. (19)

18 Aug 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Algiers. (19)

21 Aug 1943
Around 1105B/21, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) departed from Algiers bound for Malta. She makes the passage in convoy KMS 23.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Combined convoy OS 53 / KMS 23 ' for 9 August 1943.]

For the daily positions of HMS Templar during this passage and subsequent passage to Beirut see the map below.

(19)

24 Aug 1943
Around 1800B/24, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) arrived at Malta. (19)

25 Aug 1943
Around 0430B/25, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) departed from Malta for Beirut. She was escorted out until 0835B/25 by HMS Sharpshooter (Lt.Cdr. W.L. O'Mara, DSC, RN). (19)

30 Aug 1943
Around 0640C/30, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) arrived at Beirut. (19)

5 Sep 1943
Around 1915B/5, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) departed from Beirut for Port Said. It has been decided that HMS Templar is to join the 4th Submarine Flotilla in the Far East. (20)

7 Sep 1943
At 0800C/7, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) arrived at Port Said. Here she is docked early in the afternoon. (20)

8 Sep 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) is undocked. (20)

9 Sep 1943
Around 0530C/9, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) departed from Port Said. She transited the Suez Canal southbound this day after which she anchored off Suez. She continued her passage to Aden the following morning.

For the daily positions of HMS Templar during the passage from Port Said to Colombo see the map below.

(20)

16 Sep 1943
Around 0845C/16, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) arrived at Aden from Suez. (20)

18 Sep 1943
Around 1000C/18, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) departed from Aden for Colombo. (20)

29 Sep 1943
Around 1045FG/29, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) arrived at Colombo.

At 0800FG/29, while approaching the harbour she collided with a buoy damaging her port propeller.

She was escorted in by HDML 1098 (Lt. G.C.M. Brown, SANF(V)) which had joined around 0930FG/29.

On entering harbour, HMS Templar ran over the D/G range. (20)

9 Oct 1943
Around 1630FG/9, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) departed from Colombo for her 4th war patrol (1st in the Far East). She is to patrol in the Malacca Straits.

[No log is available for October 1943 so no map of this patrol can be displayed.] (14)

15 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2300FG/15, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) arrived in her patrol area about 20 nautical miles to the west of Penang. (14)

19 Oct 1943
At 0400FG/19, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) sighted smoke coming from the southern channel towards Penang. Course was set to intercept before dawn. However 5 minutes later what is thought to be a stopped motor torpedo boat was sighted. Evading action made it impossible to intercept the source of the smoke. (14)

21 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0355FG/21, to the south-west of Penang, in position 05°01'N, 100°04'E, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) sighed a trawler steaming slowly to the north.

Four minutes later this trawler began transmitting on Asdic and at the same time she turned towards.

At 0401FG/21, HMS Templar dived. No HE of the enemy could be picked up and Asdic transmissions ceased after a few minutes. HMS Templar remained dived until 1912FG/21. (14)

22 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) patrolled near Langkawi. (14)

23 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) patrolled near the Butang Islands. (14)

24 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) patrolled off Phuket. She had been ordered to patrol off Penang (Capt. S 4's signal timed 0735Z/23) but this was not possible as it was too distant from her current position. (14)

25 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1910FG/25, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) left patrol to return to Colombo as ordered by Capt. S 4 in his signal timed 0802Z/23. (14)

31 Oct 1943
Around 0900FG/31, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) ended her 4th war patrol (1st in the Far East) at Colombo. (14)

9 Nov 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) is docked at Colombo to change a propeller. (21)

11 Nov 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) is undocked. (21)

17 Nov 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Colombo. It was intended that she would proceed on patrol on completion of these exercises however defects to the torpedo tubes were discovered and she returned to Colombo to make repairs instead. (21)

18 Nov 1943
Around 0715FG/18 HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) departed for post repair trials. After these trials had been completed satisfactory at 0945FG/18, she departed for her 5th war patrol (2nd in the Far East). She is to patrol in the Malacca Straits. A special operation (Operation Shade) is also to be carried out on the West coast of Siam to the North of Phuket.

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

(14)

26 Nov 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) carried out special operation Shade to the north of Phuket.

A dived reconnaissance was of the Cape Dolphin Peninsula (Lem Tham Tjob, Thailand) was carried out during the day from a range of not more then two nautical miles. Three junks and one motor lighter passed to seaward during the day.

The Cape Dolphin Peninsula proved to be a most unsuitable spot for Folbot operations. Accordingly two pick-up positions were decided upon further to the south where a sandy beach with good tree cover was seen.

The two agents that were to be landed left HMS Templar at 2130FG/26. HMS Templar remained in the vicinity for 45 minutes. No signs of trouble were observed and it was assumed a good landing had been made. (14)

30 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0900FG/30, while patrolling off Diamond Point, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) sighted a drifter, a small schooner and three fishing smacks in quarter line. They were not seen to be minesweeping at the time. It was thought these were auxiliary warships. They were not attacked as it was considered possible that their appearance might be followed by bigger pray but nothing materialised. (14)

4 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 2000FG/4, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) surfaced in position 05°34'N, 96°01'E. She then left patrol to proceed to Trincomalee as ordered in Capt. S 4's signal timed 1027Z/3. (14)

8 Dec 1943
Around 1430FG/8, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) ended her 5th war patrol (2nd in the Far East) at Trincomalee. She was escorted in by HMS Tewara (T/Lt. J.G.A. Curtis, RNVR) which had joined around 1030FG/8. (14)

28 Dec 1943
Around 1630FG/28, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) departed from Trincomalee for her 6th war patrol (3rd in the Far East). She is to patrol off the west coast of Siam and the approaches to the Malacca Straits. She is also to perform a special operation (Operation Shade II)

She departed Trincomalee together with HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN). The submarines were escorted out by HMS Lord Grey (T/Lt. J.J. Challis, RNVR) until around 2200FG/28. (14)

28 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
For the daily positions of HMS Templar during her 6th war patrol see the map below.

1 Jan 1944
On board HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) the high power periscope flooded up. None the less she continues her patrol. (14)

3 Jan 1944
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) conducted a periscope reconnaissance of the Cape Dolphin Peninsula (Lem Tham Tjob, Thailand) where the Shade-party was to be picked up. As the high power (attack) periscope was defective the low power periscope had to be used. It had been decided that if the agreed signal from the shore party was seen that a Folbot would be launched during the night of 3/4 January to pick them up.

If the signal was not seen than a good search of the pickup beach would be carried out on the nigh of 7 January whether the signal had been seen or not.

During daylight on 3 January the beach was closed to about a mile and it was thought the agents signal was seen half a mile to the south of Cape Dolphin. At 2115FG/3, Captain Hart and Leading Seaman Glaney were sent inshore with two Folbots to make a quick search and return at about 2300FG/3.

By 2400FG/3, it was found that the Folbots had missed the submarine and course was altered across the setting moon to make a silhouette while a light was flashed at intervals towards the beach. Contact was gained with the Folbots around 0045FG/4 and they were embarked half an hour later.

They reported that the dropping off position was much further to the seaward than had been thought and that they only reached the beach around 2300FG/3. About a mile of the beach was searched but there was no sign of the agents near the agreed rendezvous.

During 3 January 1944, while making the periscope reconnaissance two junks and one A/S trawler had passed to the seaward of HMS Templar. The A/S trawler passed at a range of only 800 yards but fortunately was not using Asdics. (22)

4 Jan 1944
Lt. Beckley decides to abandon HMS Templar's 6th war patrol. The high power periscope had flooded up several days ago which was a big problem and dangerous for the submarine. Besides that there were now also problems with the radar set and the Sperry compass. Also there were some other defects. Course is set to return to Trincomalee. (14)

8 Jan 1944
Around 1730FG/8, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) ended her 6th war patrol (3rd in the Far East) at Trincomalee. She was escorted in by the Italian sloop Eritrea which had joined around 1330FG/8. (14)

18 Jan 1944
Around 1800FG/18, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) departed from Trincomalee for her 7th war patrol (4th in the Far East). She is to patrol in the Malacca Straits. She is also to perform a special operation (Operation Shade III). She is escorted out until 2200FG/18 by the Italian sloop Eritrea. (14)

18 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
For the daily positions of HMS Templar during her 7th war patrol see the map below.

24 Jan 1944 (position 4.20, 100.20)
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) attacked a Japanese submarine with six torpedoes about 60 nautical miles south of Penang, near Pulau Pankor, in position 04°20'N, 100°20'E. All torpedoes missed their, so far unidentified, target.

1155G/24 - Sighted a Japanese submarine bearing Green 60°, range 6000 yards. The enemy's course was estimated to be 345°. Started attack.

1204G/24 - Fired six torpedoes from 5000 yards as the distance could not be closed.

1208G/24 - It was observed that the enemy's course was now 030° meaning the torpedoes must have passed ahead. At one commenced to run in at speed to attack with the remaining two bow torpedoes (in external tubes 7 and 8).

1211G/24 - Sighted the enemy to have altered course to the west and disappearing in a cloud of smoke. They must have sighted the torpedo tracks. Abandoned the attack. (14)

26 Jan 1944 (position 5.00, 98.25)
The Japanese light cruiser Kitakami (offsite link) was torpedoed and damaged by two torpedoes from HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) in the Malacca Strait south-west off Penang in position 05°00'N, 98°25'E. The destroyer sighed / heard was the Shikinami.

2312F/26 - Heard HE to the northward. Turned towards and almost immediately sighted a ship at high speed. Commenced attack.

2314F/26 - More HE was reported. Sighted the ship sighted was most likely a destroyer.

2316F/26 - Sighted a cruiser and turned to attack. The course of the enemy was estimated at 130°, speed 20 knots.

2318F/26 - Fired eight torpedoes from 7000 yards. When the last torpedo was fired Templar went deep.

2325F/26 - Heard a torpedo explosion giving a running range of 6800 yards. The explosion was followed by several smaller explosions.

2350F/26 - Heard a destroyer circling at high speed.

2356F/26 - Heard two explosions, most likely depth charges.

0002F/27 - Two more explosions, most likely also depth charges.

0005F/27 - Heard the destroyer leaving the area.

0400F/27 - Surfaced. (14)

31 Jan 1944 (position 4.20, 100.21)
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) attacked a Japanese submarine with her last three torpedoes about 60 nautical miles South of Penang in position 04°20'N, 100°21'E. All torpedoes missed their, so far unidentified, target.

Templar was out of torpedoes after this attack. She had to remain on patrol as she had to carry out a special operation on 8 January 1944.

1137G/31 - In position 04°20'N, 100°21'E sighted a Japanese submarine proceeding to the Northward. Started attack.

1142G/31 - Fired the last three (stern) torpedoes from 7000 yards.

1150G/31 - Two torpedoes exploded. The submarine was out of sight at this time, only a patch of smoke could be seen. (14)

3 Feb 1944
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN), carries out a periscope reconnaissance of Cape Dolphin and the beach for 5 nautical miles to the south from a distance of about 2 nautical miles.

No sign of the agents day signal was seen. Seven junks and a small coaster passed through the area during the day.

On completion of the reconnaissace, HMS Templar retired to the seaward of the Sayer Islands where she remained during 4 and 5 February. (14)

7 Feb 1944
Just like on 3 February, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN), carries out a periscope reconnaissance of Cape Dolphin and the beach for 5 nautical miles to the south from a distance of about 2 nautical miles. The agents signal was not sighted. As this was definitely the pick up date, it was decided to sent in a party to search the beach.

2000G/7, HMS Templar attempted to close the beach to land the search party but three junks close inshore precluded an unsighted approach. There was also a full moon with excellent visibility.

2300F/7, HMS Templar was now able to close the beach through a fortunate gap between four junks.

2330F/7, Captain Hart and Leading Seaman Clancy left the submarine in a Folbot with a rubber boat in tow about 2.5 nautical miles from the beach.

HMS Templar then stood out to seawards to charge.

0300F/8, HMS Templar closed the coast and awaited a 'junk gap'.

0350F/8, embarked the Folbot party about 3 miles from the beach and then retired to seaward. Four junks were in sight at the time of the pick up. The landing party had seen no sign of the Shade party. (22)

12 Feb 1944
Around 1130FG/12, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) ended her 7th war patrol (4th in the Far East) at Trincomalee.

At 0615FG/12, she had joined HMS Taurus (Lt.Cdr. M.R.G. Wingfield, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) which was also returning from patrol.

Also joining was the sloop Eritrea which then escorted the submarines to Trincomalee. (14)

1 Mar 1944
Around 1900FG/1, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) departed from Trincomalee for her 8th war patrol (5th in the Far East). She is to patrol in the Malacca Straits.

She was escorted out until 0100FG/2 by HMS Tewara (T/Lt. J.G.A. Curtis, RNVR). (14)

1 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
For the daily positions of HMS Templar during her 8th patrol see the map below.

11 Mar 1944
At 1502FG/11, in position 03°28'N, 99°53'E, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) started an attack on a ship. This attack was abandoned when the ship was recognised as an A/S trawler patrolling slowly to the northward.

At 2103FG/11, a submarine chaser was sighed in the moon path ahead, Templar altered course and avoided.

At 2330FG/11, in position 03°30'N, 99°59'E, HMS Templar had to dive to avoid a submarine chaser moving slowly northwards. HMS Templar surfaced at 0130FG/12. (23)

12 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0210FG/12, in position 03°30'N, 100°07'E, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) had to dive for an approaching destroyer steering north-west. HE was held for 40 minutes. HMS Templar surfaced at 0259FG/12.

At 0910FG/12, an A/S trawler, thought to be the same one as had been seen the day before, was approaching from the northward. She however altered course tot the east before she was near the submarine.

At 2025FG/12, in approximate position 03°27'N, 100°21'E, HMS Templar sighted a submarine chaser and dived. Faint HE was picked up. HMS Templar surfaced at 2130FG/12. (23)

13 Mar 1944
At 0229FG/13, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) sighed a submarine chaser moving slowly towards. Templar dived and altered course to the south-west. HE of the submarine chaser immediately increased.

At 0235FG/13, in position 03°20'N, 100°22'E, four depth charges were dropped and thereafter at intervals until 0600FG/13, the submarine chaser made attacks dropping a total of 31 in all. (14)

14 Mar 1944
At 0025FG/14, in position 04°10'N, 99°28'E, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) sighted a vessel thought to be a destroyer or submarine. As it was considered possible that this was HMS Trespasser (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Favell, RN), HMS Templar dived and avoided. HE quickly faded.

[HMS Trespasser reported nothing around this time but it is indeed very well possible that she was the vessel sighted as she was indeed in this area.] (14)

16 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0255FG/16, north of Diamond Point, Sumatra, in position 06°04'N, 97°25'E, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) sighted what is thought to be a destroyer or submarine. Templar dived to avoid. (14)

19 Mar 1944
At 2310FG/19, west-north-west of Diamond Point, Sumatra, in position 05°35'N, 96°58'E, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) sighted what is thought to be a destroyer. Templar was forced to dive as the destroyer came from an area with limited visibility and was much to close to try to avoid on the surface. (14)

23 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1848FG/23, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) surfaced in position 06°12'N, 94°10'E and then left patrol to return to Trincomalee. (14)

28 Mar 1944
Around 1400FG/28, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) ended her 8th war patrol (5th in the Far East) at Trincomalee.

She was escorted in. The escort had joined around 1000FG/28. [Most likely the escort was HMS Maid Marion (T/Lt. F.R. Crawford, RNVR)] (14)

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