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Submarine HMS Parthian (N 75)

31 Aug 1939
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, RN) departed Singapore to patrol off Sabang, Sumatra, Netherlands East Indies. Parthian departed Singapore in company of HMS Olympus (Cdr. H.V. King, RN) which was to patrol in the Malacca Straits.

When war was declared on Germany on 3 September 1939 this patrol became her 1st war patrol.

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

(1)

18 Sep 1939
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Singapore. With the exception of an Italian ship and a Dutch cruiser nothing out of the ordinary was seen as the German ships appeared to have already left Sabang. (2)

26 Sep 1939
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore. (2)

5 Oct 1939
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, RN) departed Singapore for her 2nd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Sunda Strait.

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

(3)

25 Oct 1939
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Singapore. (3)

7 Nov 1939
During 7 and 8 November 1939, HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, RN), conducted exercises off Singapore. These included night exercises. (4)

12 Nov 1939
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, RN) departed Singapore for Hong Kong where she was to refit.

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

(4)

18 Nov 1939
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, RN) arrived at Hong Kong. (4)

24 Nov 1939
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, RN) was taken in hand for refit at Hong Kong. (4)

19 Dec 1939
During her refit HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, RN) was docked at Hong Kong. (5)

2 Feb 1940
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, RN) was undocked. (6)

8 Mar 1940
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, RN) completed refit at Hong Kong and started her post refit trials. (7)

11 Mar 1940
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, RN) conducted trials off Hong Kong. (7)

18 Mar 1940
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, RN) conducted exercises off Hong Kong. (7)

19 Mar 1940
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, RN) conducted exercises off Hong Kong. (7)

20 Mar 1940
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, RN) conducted exercises off Hong Kong. (7)

1 Apr 1940
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, RN) conducted exercises off Hong Kong. (8)

2 Apr 1940
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, RN) departed Hong Kong for Singapore.

For the daily positions of HMS Parthian during the passage to the Mediterranean see the map below.

(8)

8 Apr 1940
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, RN) arrived at Singapore. (8)

10 Apr 1940
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, RN) departed Singapore for Colombo. (8)

16 Apr 1940
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, RN) arrived at Colombo. (8)

17 Apr 1940
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, RN) departed Colombo for Aden. (8)

25 Apr 1940
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, RN) arrived at Aden. (8)

26 Apr 1940
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, RN) departed Aden for Port Said. (8)

1 May 1940
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, RN) arrived at Port Said. (9)

2 May 1940
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, RN) departed Port Said for Alexandria. (9)

3 May 1940
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, RN) arrived at Alexandria. (9)

13 May 1940
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, RN) conducted exercises off Alexandria. (9)

15 May 1940
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, RN) conducted exercises off Alexandria. (9)

17 May 1940
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, RN) conducted exercises off Alexandria with HMS Proteus (Lt.Cdr. R.T. Gordon-Duff, RN). (9)

21 May 1940
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, RN) departed Alexandria for her 3rd war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol to the north of Crete.

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

(9)

3 Jun 1940
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (10)

14 Jun 1940
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, RN) departed Alexandria for her 4th war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off the coast off Cyrenaica.

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

(11)

16 Jun 1940
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, RN) arrived during the night off Tobruk, in time to observe a RAF raid over the harbour. (11)

17 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, RN) was patrolling off Tobruk when a destroyer of the Nembo class was observed going back and forth at a speed estimated at over 30 knots. The range was 8000 to 9000 yards and the submarine attempted to close and carry out an attack but was unable to do so. This was actually the Italian destroyer Euro which was carrying out engine trials, these took less than three hours and she returned to harbour. (11)

19 Jun 1940
At 1243 hours (time zone -2) HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, RN) fired two torpedoes from 6500 yards at the old Italian armoured cruiser San Giorgio that was moored inside Tobruk harbour. Both torpedoes exploded about 3/4 nautical mile short of the target.

Actually one hit the coast and the other hit the wreck of the Italian gunboat Berta which had been sunk by air attack on 13 June.

During the afternoon Parthian was hunted by an enemy A/S vessel, most likely a destroyer, but she was not detected. A total of about 23 depth charges were dropped but none were close.

This was the Italian destroyer Turbine (Capitano di Fregata Ruggero Ruggeri, leader 1st Destroyer Squadron) which had sailed at 26 knots to hunt the submarine. The destroyer released all her depth charges but, despite observing an oil patch, Ruggeri was not convinced that the submarine was sunk and he returned to harbour to reload with depth charges borrowed from the destroyer Euro. He sailed again this time in company with the destroyer Nembo but by this time Parthian had made good her escape. (11)

20 Jun 1940 (position 32.42, 23.49)
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian submarine Diamante about 35 nautical miles north-north-west of Tobruk, Libya in position 32°42'N, 23°49'E.

Five officers (including the commanding officer Tenente di Vascello Angelo Parla) and thirty-eight ratings were killed; there were no survivors.

(All times are zone -2)
1445 hours - Sighted a submarine running on the surface at a range of 6500 yards. Started attack.

1502 hours - Fired four torpedoes from 400 yards. All four torpedoes hit the target which disintegrated. No survivors were seen on the surface. (11)

3 Jul 1940
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, RN) ended her 4th war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (11)

8 Jul 1940
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, RN) was docked at Alexandria.

Shortly afterwards Lt.Cdr. R.D. Cayley assumed temporary command of HMS Parthian as Lt.Cdr. Rimington was sick. (12)

27 Sep 1940
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) was docked at Alexandria. As there is no log available for October 1940 the date of undocking is currently not known to us. (13)

9 Oct 1940
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) departed Alexandria for her 7th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean) after exercises with HMS Sindonis (Ch.Skr. G. Rawding, RNR) and HMS Kingston Coral (Skr. W. Kirman, RNR). She was ordered to patrol off the coast off Cyrenaica. This was later changed to an area off Cape Colonne, Calabria, Italy.

As there is no log available for October 1940 and the patrol report does not give daily positions no map for this patrol can be displayed. (11)

12 Oct 1940 (position 33.23, 21.55)
At 2014 hours, HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) was proceeding to her patrol area when, in position 33°23'N, 21°55'E, about 30 miles north of Ras Hilal, two torpedo tracks were sighted. The submarine turned hard to starboard and the nearest passed 300 yards away. It is probable this attack was bogus and the torpedo tracks were only porpoises. However there is a slim possibility that the submarine Foca was responsible for this attack but she would have been off track by some 90 miles so this seems very unlikely. She disappeared without a trace while on a minelaying mission off Haifa. Did she encounter any difficulty that forced her to divert her course and make for the Libyan coast? We may never have the answer. (11)

21 Oct 1940 (position 38.31, 17.52)
At 2025 hours, HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN), was patrolling in position 38°30.8'N, 17°51.8'E (off Cape Colonne), when a submarine was sighted on the surface on a collision course, Parthian attempted to ram but missed astern. This was the Italian Zoea returning from a minelaying mission. Two Italian lookouts had also spotted the British submarine enabling Zoea to take avoiding action and disappear at full speed in the darkness. (11)

31 Oct 1940
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) ended her 7th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (11)

15 Nov 1940
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) departed Alexandria for her 8th war patrol (6th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Benghazi, Libya.

Before proceeding on patrol attack and A/S exercises were carried out with HMS Wolborough (Lt.Cdr. (retired) F.A.W. Ramsay, DSC, RN) and HMS Kingston Crystal (Lt.Cdr. G.H.P. James, RNR).

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

(11)

3 Dec 1940
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) ended her 8th war patrol (6th in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. No ship had been sighted. (11)

16 Dec 1940
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) departed Alexandria for Malta with convoy M.W.5b.

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

(14)

20 Dec 1940
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) arrived at Malta. (14)

29 Dec 1940
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) departed Malta for her 9th war patrol (7th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off the Calabrian coast.

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

(14)

31 Dec 1940 (position 37.53, 16.15)
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) attacked two merchant vessels with torpedoes near Cape Spartivento, Calabria, Italy. No hits were obtained. [So far we have not been able to identify these vessels].

(All times are zone -1)
1539 hours - In position 37°53'N, 16°15'E sighted smoke bearing 250°. Turned towards at high speed but when doing so the after hydroplaned jammed at 10 degrees of dive and Parthian dived steeply and was halted at 95 feet by blowing forward main ballast. The hydroplanes then reacted correctly and trim was regained and Parthian returned to periscope depth.

1555 hours - The target was identified as a 5000 - 6000 tons merchant vessel. Started attack.

1626 hours - Fired four torpedoes from 6500 yards. No hits were obtained.

During the attack, at 1620 hours, Lt.Cdr. Rimington had sighted more smoke to the westward.

1640 hours - Started attack on this second ship.

1658 hours - This new target was identified as an elderly looking merchant vessel of 3000 tons.

1715 hours - Fired two torpedoes from 4500 yards. No hits were obtained. (14)

9 Jan 1941 (position 38.28, 16.44)
HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian merchant Carlo Martinolich (4208 GRT, built 1928) about 10 nautical miles east of Punta Stilo, Calabria, Italy in position 38°28'N, 16°44'E.

One of the crew of the merchant was killed, four were missing. The torpedo boat Simone Schiaffino was ordered to hunt the submarine and picked up the thirty-four survivors.

(All times are zone -1)
1442 hours - The officer of the watch (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, RN) sighted the masts and upperworks of a large merchant ship approaching from the direction of Messina.

1444 hours - Started attack. Range was about 5 to 6 nautical miles.

The target turned out to be a fairly modern merchant vessel of about 7000 - 8000 tons, fully laden.

1507 hours - Fired three torpedoes from 1200 yards. At 50 seconds and 68 seconds after firing the first torpedo loud explosions were heard. HE of the target ceased and she was heard breaking up. (15)

13 Jan 1941
HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) crossed the Corinth Canal and arrived at Piraeus, Greece. (15)

16 Jan 1941
HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) departed Piraeus for Alexandria. (15)

21 Jan 1941
HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) ended her 9th war patrol (7th in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (15)

27 Jan 1941
HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Alexandria together with HMSAS Southern Floe (T/Lt. J.E.J. Lewis, SANF(V)) and HMSAS Southern Sea (T/Lt. A. Thomas SANF(V)). Upon completion of the exercises she set course for Port Said. (15)

29 Jan 1941
HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) arrived at Port Said. (15)

30 Jan 1941
HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) was docked at Port Said. (15)

6 Feb 1941
HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) was undocked. (16)

12 Feb 1941
HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) departed Port Said for Alexandria. (16)

13 Feb 1941
HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) arrived at Alexandria. (16)

17 Feb 1941
HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) departed Alexandria for her 10th war patrol (8th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to perform a special operation at Kastelorizo Island.

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

(17)

19 Feb 1941
During 18 and 19 February 1941, HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) carried out periscope reconnaissance from submerged. She was able to obtain nearly all the information required for the landing party for operation 'Abstention'. (17)

27 Feb 1941
HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) ended her 10th war patrol (8th in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (17)

6 Mar 1941
HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) departed Alexandria for her 11th war patrol (9th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off the Calabrian coast.

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

(17)

16 Mar 1941 (position 37.57, 15.40)
HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) torpedoed and damaged the Italian merchant Giovanni Boccaccio (3141 GRT, built 1919) off Capo dell'Armi in position 37°57'N, 15°40'E. She was carrying 2000 tons of sulphur and was in convoy with Valsavoia (5733 GRT, built 1919) and Maddalena G. (5212 GRT, built 1919) escorted by the auxiliary Lago Tana (790 tons, built 1940) and were on a trip from Catania to Gallipoli and Bari. Three men were wounded and she had to be beached near Melito di Porto Salvo (Calabria). From Lago Tana one torpedo track had been observed followed by three more and she immediately gave the alarm. The auxiliary altered course in time as she was missed by torpedo ahead while the others passed astern. She combed the tracks and dropped twelve depth charges but three failed to explode. An oil patch was seen and it was believed the submarine had been damaged. The convoy proceeded and was reinforced by the torpedo boat Giuseppe Dezza. Boccacio was towed by the tugs Titan, Impero and Littorio and arrived at Reggio on 25 March.

(All times are zone -2)
1120 hours - Sighted a large quantity of smoke in the Straits apparently coming down.

1150 hours - Sighted masts and funnels of three merchant ships and what appeared to be a cruiser. The ships were very difficult to identify due to mirage effect.

As time progressed the ships were identified as a 6000 tons merchant ship, a 10000 tons tanker and a merchant ship of 4500 tons. The cruiser was seen to be a sloop or corvette type of ship. Started attack.

1239 hours - Fired three torpedoes at the leading merchant ship from 2100 yards.

1241 hours - Fired a second salvo of three torpedoes at the tanker from 1000 yards.

It is thought that several torpedo hits had been obtained but as a counter attack started immediately and 5 depth charges were dropped. The last two were very close and shook Parthian considerably. The results of the attack could therefore not be observed.

7 More depth were then dropped also very close. The hunt continued for quite some time but the escort was not in contact and by 1545 hours no more HE could be heard. (17)

24 Mar 1941
HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) ended her 11th war patrol (9th in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (17)

4 Apr 1941
HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) departed Alexandria for Port Said. (18)

5 Apr 1941
HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) arrived at Port Said here she was docked for repairs. The dates of docking and undocking are not mentioned in the ships log. (18)

13 May 1941
With her repairs completed HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted trials off Port Said. (19)

15 May 1941
HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted trials off Port Said.

As there were still problems with her after hydroplanes she was docked again later the same day. (19)

17 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) was undocked. (19)

18 May 1941
HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) again conducted trials off Port Said.

As there were still problems with her after hydroplanes she was docked yet again later the same day. (19)

20 May 1941
HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) was undocked. (19)

21 May 1941
HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) departed Port Said for Alexandria. (19)

22 May 1941
HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) arrived at Alexandria. (19)

23 May 1941
HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) departed Alexandria for her 12th war patrol (10th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Aegean off the Dardanelles.

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

(17)

3 Jun 1941 (position 39.57, 25.38)
HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) torpedoed and damaged the Italian oiler Strombo (5232 GRT, built 1923) east of Limnos in position 39°57'N, 25°38'E.

She had been in convoy with the tankers Dora C. (5843 GRT, built 1922) and Annarella (5999 GRT, built 1913) escorted by the torpedo-boats Castelfidardo and Calatafimi. They had sailed from Piraeus for a trip to the Black Sea but the two torpedo boats had left them just before the attack. There were no casualties. Strombo managed to reach Istanbul and was docked on 5 June.

(All times are zone -3)
1250 hours - The officer of the watch (Lt. P.H. May, RN) sighted three ships to the southward. Closed to investigate.

1301 hours - In position 39°58'N, 25°58'E it was seen that the ships sighted were a convoy of tankers, 2 large and 1 medium-seized. They were escorted by two destroyers. Soon the destroyers made off towards Mudros at high speed leaving the convoy to do the last 12 miles to Cape Helles unescorted, except for one seaplane. Started attack.

1329 hours - Fired three torpedoes at the rear tanker, thought to be 7000 - 8000 tons, from 7000 yards.

1334 hours - Heard a torpedo explosion. Upon returning to periscope depth saw that the rear tanker had been hit and was badly damaged. She was listing 15-20 degrees to port with her stern nearly awash and the whole afterpart was on fire. Both destroyers were racing back towards the scene. Parthian went deep and cleared the area. (17)

8 Jun 1941
HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) sank two sailing vessels and another small vessel at Mitylene, Lesbos, Greece. Also the jetty was destroyed. Parthian had fired two torpedoes in the harbour but both missed and hit the sea wall in the northern part of the harbour.

(All times are zone -3)
0709 hours - Fired a stern torpedo (old Mark II type) at 2 schooners seen moored alongside the jetty inside Mitylene harbour. The torpedo broke surface violently about 300 yards astern jumping right out of the water. She then settled down again but ran 30 yards to port missing the targets.

0710 hours - Fired another Mark II torpedo from the other stern tube. This torpedo hit right between the two moored schooners and a lighter. When the smoke had cleared there was no more sign of both schooners, the lighter and even the jetty had gone. (17)

13 Jun 1941
HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) ended her 12th war patrol (10th in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (17)

21 Jun 1941
HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) departed Alexandria for her 13th war patrol (11th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Syria.

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

(17)

25 Jun 1941 (position 33.49, 35.26)
HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) torpedoed and sank the Vichy French submarine Souffleur (built 1927) off Beirut in position 33°49'N, 35°26'E. The submarine was hit by a single torpedo near the deck gun. Of the six men on the bridge, one was mortally wounded but the others managed to swim away. Four reached the shore but the fifth drowned. In all fifty men perished.

(All times are zone -3)
1235 hours - The officer of the watch (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, RN) sighted a Requin-class submarine south-west of Beirut in position 33°49'N, 35°26'E on the surface bearing 005°, range 6000 yards. This was most likely the submarine sighted earlier in the morning but that dived when about to fire torpedoes.

1246 hours - Fired four torpedoes from 2000 to 3000 yards. One torpedo hit the target underneath the conning tower. The submarine broke in two and sank rapidly. Parthian went deep and retired to seaward. (17)

28 Jun 1941 (position 34.04, 35.19)
At 0100 hours (zone -1) HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) tried to ram a French Requin-class submarine about 12 nautical miles north-west of Beirut in position 34°04'N, 35°19'E. Parthian just missed the stern of the French submarine which was diving. Parthian then also dived and while doing so the after hydroplanes again jammed. Depth control was however soon regained.

The submarine encountered was most likely Caiman but she did not reported any encounter with an enemy submarine. (17)

1 Jul 1941
HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) put into Haifa as ordered the previous day. (17)

2 Jul 1941
HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) departed Haifa to resume her patrol. It was uneventful. (17)

6 Jul 1941
HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) again put into Haifa. (17)

9 Jul 1941
HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) departed Haifa for Alexandria. (17)

11 Jul 1941
HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) ended her 13th war patrol (11th in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (17)

21 Jul 1941
HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) departed Alexandria for her 1st storing trip to Malta. On the 27th she was ordered by Capt. S.10 to take up a patrol position to intercept a southbound enemy convoy making this Parthian's 14th war patrol (12th in the Mediterranean).

Parthian was to proceed to the U.S.A. for a much needed refit.

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

(17)

28 Jul 1941
Having not sighted the convoy HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) continued her passage to Malta. (17)

30 Jul 1941
HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) ended her 14th war patrol (12th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (17)

3 Aug 1941
HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) departed Malta for Gibraltar. (20)

9 Aug 1941
HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (20)

11 Aug 1941
HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) departed Gibraltar for Portsmouth.

For the daily positions of HMS Parthian during the passage from Malta to Portsmouth see the map below.

(20)

16 Aug 1941
At 0754A/16, in position 45°02'N, 09°02'W, HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) encountered an unidentified vessel 20° on the Port bow in a rain squall so dived. Could not establish echo contact and heard nothing on Asdics. Later nothing could be seen through the periscope so surfaced at 0842A/16.

The Italian submarine Benedetto Brin reported encountering a submarine around the same time. She also dived. She later made an enemy report and due to this signal being sent the position of the enemy submarine could be pinpointed by direction finding. The Admiralty directed the Polish submarine ORP Sokol (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B. Karnicki) to try to intercept her. (17)

19 Aug 1941
HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) arrived at Portsmouth. (20)

29 Aug 1941
HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) departed Portsmouth for Dartmouth. (20)

30 Aug 1941
HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) arrived at Dartmouth. (20)

1 Sep 1941
HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Dartmouth. (21)

2 Sep 1941
HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) departed Dartmouth for Portsmouth, U.S.A. where she was to refit at the Navy Yard.

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

(21)

16 Sep 1941
HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) arrived at the Portsmouth Navy Yard to commence her refit. (21)

Submarine HMS Tantivy (P 319)

23 Jul 1943
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO and Bar, RN) departed her builders yard for Holy Loch. She was escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (22)

24 Jul 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) arrived at Holy Loch to begin a period of trials and training. (22)

25 Jul 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted full power trials on the Arran measured mile. (22)

28 Jul 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (22)

29 Jul 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (22)

30 Jul 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (22)

31 Jul 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (22)

2 Aug 1943
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Arrochar where she as to conduct her torpedo discharge trials. (23)

5 Aug 1943
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (23)

6 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (23)

7 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (23)

8 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (23)

9 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (23)

10 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (23)

11 Aug 1943
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. Upon completion of there trials HMS Tantivy returned to Holy Loch. (23)

13 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil. (23)

14 Aug 1943
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Campbeltown, where she conducted A/S exercises with HMS Altair (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) W.R.T. Clements, RNR). (23)

15 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. Upon completion of these exercises HMS Tantivy proceeded to Holy Loch. (23)

16 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted gunnery trials in the Clyde area. (23)

18 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted trials in the Clyde area. (23)

20 Aug 1943
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) departed Holy Loch for Scapa Flow. She made the passage north together with HMS Untiring (Lt. R. Boyd, DSC, RN) that was en-route to Lerwick. They were escorted by HMS Cotillion (T/Lt. S.G. Fowler, RNR). (23)

22 Aug 1943
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow where she was to participate in A/S excercises and in exercises for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course). (23)

23 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted attack exercises at/off Scapa Flow for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) with HMCS Huron (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Rayner, DSC, RCN) and HMIS Godavari (Capt. J.W. Jefford, OBE, RIN). (23)

24 Aug 1943
In the morning, HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN), conducted attack exercises at/off Scapa Flow for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) on HMS Duke of York (Capt. B.B. Schofield, CBE, RN, flying the flag of A/Admiral B.A. Fraser, KCB, KBE, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet), which was out for exercises herself being escorted by HMS Savage (Cdr. R.C. Gordon, DSO, RN) and HMS Mahratta (Lt.Cdr. E.A.F. Drought, DSC, RN).

During the afternoon, HMS Tantivy conducted attack exercises during which HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral L.H.K. Hamilton, CB, DSO and Bar, RN) served as target. (24)

25 Aug 1943
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted attack exercises at/off Scapa Flow for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) with HMS Malaya (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) that was escorted by HMS Obedient (Lt.Cdr. H. Unwin, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN). (23)

26 Aug 1943
In the morning, HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN), conducted A/S exercises at/off Scapa Flow with HMS Obedient (Lt.Cdr. H. Unwin, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Savage (Cdr. R.C. Gordon, DSO, RN).

During the afternoon, HMS Tantivy, conducted attack exercises at/off Scapa Flow for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) with HMS Danae (Capt. J.R.S. Haines, RN).

HMS Danae was herself out for exercises with aircraft and also bombardment exercises. HMS Danae only returned to Scapa Flow early the following morning. (25)

27 Aug 1943
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted attack exercises at/off Scapa Flow for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) off Scapa Flow with HMS Spartan (Capt. P.V. McLaughlin, RN) which was out on exercises. (26)

29 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted attack exercises at/off Scapa Flow for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) with HrMs O 15 (Lt.Cdr. A.J. Schouwenaar, RNN). (23)

30 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted A/S exercises at/off Scapa Flow with HMS Scourge (Lt.Cdr. G.I.M. Balfour, RN) and HMCS Iroquois (Cdr. J.C. Hibbard DSC, RCN). (23)

31 Aug 1943
In the morning, HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted attack exercises at/off Scapa Flow for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) with HMS Phoebe (Capt. C.P. Frend, RN) and HMS Spartan (Capt. P.V. McLaughlin, RN). (27)

1 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at/off Scapa Flow. (28)

2 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted attack exercises at/off Scapa Flow with USS Ranger (Capt. G. Rowe, USN) that was escorted by USS Forrest (T/Cdr. K.P. Letts, USN), USS Hobson (Lt.Cdr. K. Loveland, USN) and USS Corry (T/Cdr. L.B. Ensey, USN). (28)

6 Sep 1943
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Holy Loch. At she made rendez-vous with HMS Untiring (Lt. R. Boyd, DSC, RN) which came from Lerwick. They were escorted on their passage south by HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Dobson, RNR). (28)

8 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (28)

11 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). These included night exercises during the night of 11/12 September 1943. (28)

12 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area. Upon completion of these HMS Tantivy proceeded to Larne. (28)

13 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted attack exercises off Larne. (28)

14 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted attack exercises off Larne. (28)

16 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Larne. (28)

18 Sep 1943
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted attack and A/S exercises off Larne with ORP Burza (Cdr. F. Pitulko, ORP). (28)

19 Sep 1943
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted attack and A/S exercises off Larne with HMS Philante (Capt. A.J. Baker-Cresswell, DSO, RN). (28)

20 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (28)

21 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (28)

22 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (28)

23 Sep 1943
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) and HMS Sea Rover (Lt. J.P. Angell, RN) both shifted from Larne to Holy Loch. She was escorted by HMS ML 229 (T/Lt. W.C.R. Walsh, RNVR). (28)

27 Sep 1943
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Arrochar where she was to conduct special torpedo trials. (28)

28 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted special torpedo trials off Arrochar. (28)

30 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted special torpedo trials off Arrochar. (28)

1 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted special torpedo trials off Arrochar. (29)

2 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted special torpedo trials off Arrochar. (29)

3 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted special torpedo trials off Arrochar. (29)

4 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted special torpedo trials off Arrochar. (29)

5 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) shifted from Arrochar to Holy Loch. (29)

12 Oct 1943
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) is docked at Holy Loch in AFD 7. (30)

16 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) is undocked. (30)

18 Oct 1943
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) departed from Holy Loch bound for Lerwick.

20 Oct 1943
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) arrived at Lerwick. She departed from Lerwick for her 1st war patrol later the same day. This is a working up patrol off the Norwegian coast in the Trondheim area. (31)

30 Oct 1943
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) ended her 1st war patrol (working up patrol) at Lerwick. The patrol was uneventful. She is now ordered to proceed to Chatham Dockyard. (31)

31 Oct 1943
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) departed Lerwick for Harwich. Part of the passage south was made together with HMS Seadog (Lt. C.R. Pelly, RN). They were escorted by HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR). Off Scapa Flow they were joined by HMS Tuna (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) and HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN). (32)

2 Dec 1943
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) arrived at Harwich. (33)

3 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) shifted from Harwich to the Chatham Dockyard where modifications were to be fitted before Tantivy would be deployed to the Far East. (33)

29 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) departed Sheerness for Portsmouth. (33)

30 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) arrived at Portsmouth. (32)

4 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) departed Portsmouth for Plymouth. (33)

5 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) arrived at Plymouth. (33)

6 Jan 1944
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) departed from Plymouth bound for Gibraltar, this is the first leg of her passage to Trincomalee.

For HMS Tantivy's daily (1200 hours) positions during the passage from Plymouth to Gibraltar see the map below.

(31)

15 Jan 1944
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (31)

17 Jan 1944
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) departed Gibraltar for Port Said. (33)

27 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) arrived at Port Said. (33)

1 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) departed Port Said, transited the Suez canal southbound, and arrived at Suez. (33)

2 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) departed Suez for Aden. (33)

7 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) arrived at Aden. (33)

10 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) departed Aden for Trincomalee. (33)

22 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) arrived at Trincomalee. (33)

23 Feb 1944
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) departed from Trincomalee for her 2nd war patrol (1st in Far Eastern waters), patrol area is the Sunda Strait. (31)

29 Feb 1944
Shortly before arriving in her assigned patrol area HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) is sighted and bombed by a Japanese aircraft. No damaged was caused.

(all times are zone -6,5)
1240 hours - Sighted an aircraft and dived. When Tantivy passed 70 feet a bomb exploded. Cdr. Rimington is not happy with that he was sighted shortly before arriving in the patrol area
2030 hours - Surfaced (31)

22 Mar 1944
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Trincomalee. The patrol was uneventful.

Before Tantivy proceeded on her next patrol she was docked. The date of docking is for the moment however not known to us. (31)

6 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) is undocked. (34)

16 Apr 1944
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. (34)

17 Apr 1944
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) departed from Trincomalee for her 3rd war patrol (2nd in Far Eastern waters). Patrol area is the Malacca Straits and the west coast of Siam. (31)

29 Apr 1944
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) attacks shipping inside Phuket harbour. Three torpedoes were fired into the harbour against damaged / sunken ships that were undergoing salvage. The attack fails as the torpedoes most likely got stuck in mud.

(all times are zone -6,5)
0448 hours - Dived and ran in to attack shipping inside Phuket harbour
1143 hours - At a range of 4500 yards fired No 1. torpedo tube at a sunken ship in the harbour, No 2 and 3 torpedo tubes were fired at a damaged ship. All torpedoes fired were seen running for the first 3000 yards. They were also seen to be running strait towards their intended targets. However nothing happened and all torpedoes probably got stuck in mud. Tantalus retired to deeper water
1912 hours - Surfaced (31)

4 May 1944
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) attacks a Japanese submarine with six torpedoes south of the mouth of the Perak river. All torpedoes fired missed their target.

All times are zone -6,5)
0456 hours - Dived
1540 hours - Sighted a Japanese submarine of the I-68 class to the south of the mouth of the Perak river
1549 hours - Attacked the Japanese submarine with six torpedoes. The enemy however sighted the tracks and combed them. They were then seen to pass to the eastward of the Sembilan Islands making for the Dindings
1903 hours - Surfaced. As it was hoped that the submarine would spent the night in the Dindings and proceed towards Penang the next day. Cdr. Rimington decided to proceed to a position between the Dindings and Penang (31)

7 May 1944
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) sank a Siamese sailing vessel with gunfire of the west coast of Siam.

(All times are zone -6,5)
0502 hours - Dived
1525 hours - Surfaced for gun action, 24 rounds were fired at a junk (about 150 tons) from about 700 yards of which 14 were hits. After the junk sank 4 survivors were picked up. The junk was fully loaded with tin and also had a deck cargo of bagged rice. She was en-route from Phuket to Penang (31)

9 May 1944
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) encounters a submerged submarine. She is not able to attack.

(all times are zone -6,5)
0530 hours - Dived
1400 hours - Surfaced
1548 hours - Dived to periscope depth upon sighting of periscope. H.E. (= Hydrophone Effect) was heard and echo contact was obtained until 1850 hours. During a cat and mouse game neither submarine was able to attack
1910 hours - The other submarine was heard to increase speed and make off. Contact was lost soon afterwards
2115 hours - Surfaced (31)

12 May 1944
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol at Trincomalee. (31)

27 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) is docked at Trincomalee. (35)

29 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) is undocked. (35)

31 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. (35)

1 Jun 1944
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) departed from Trincomalee for her 4th war patrol (3rd in Far Eastern waters). Patrol area is the Malacca Straits and the west coast of Siam. (31)

7 Jun 1944
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) lays mines in the Strait of Malacca off Sembilang Island.

At 1915 hours (time zone -6.5) commenced mine laying operation
M.L.O. 11.
2200 hours - completed mine laying (31)

15 Jun 1944
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) tries to intercept a small merchant vessel off Phuket. She is not able to attack.

(All times are zone -6,5)
0522 hours - Dived and started approaching Phuket harbour
1112 hours - Sighted a small diesel merchant ship of about 1500 to 2000 tons leaving Phuket harbour. Tantivy turned to intercept. Immediately after three A/S vessels were seen making a direct attack impossible. Cdr. Rimington decided to try to intercept the ship off Go Lantar Yai about 25 nautical miles away. The target was however not seen again
1900 hours - Surfaced and proceeded to the vicinity of Goh Beng light (31)

26 Jun 1944
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) ended her 4th war patrol at Trincomalee. (31)

9 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Trincomalee. (36)

13 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. (36)

14 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) is docked at Trincomalee. (36)

21 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) is undocked. (36)

23 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. (36)

24 Jul 1944
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) departed from Trincomalee for her 5th war patrol (4th in Far Eastern waters). Patrol area is the Malacca Straits. (31)

31 Jul 1944
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) tries to intercept a merchant vessel bound for Sabang (see also 1 August 1944)

(All times are zone -6,5)
0635 hours - Dived
1215 hours - Sighted an unidentified aircraft
1810 hours - Surfaced
1814 hours - Sighted two submarine chasers about five nautical miles inshore steering north-west along the coast. They sighted Tantivy at the same time and turned towards. Tantivy retired to seawards at 13 knots. One of the submarine chasers turned towards the coast again to other continued to follow Tantivy. A merchant was now sighted about two to three nautical miles to the westward of the escorts in position 05°15'N, 97°10'E. After about ten minutes the submarine chaser that was following Tantivy abandoned the pursuit. Tantivy now proceeded towards the south-east point of Pulo Weh to intercept as the merchant was obviously bound for Sabang. (31)

1 Aug 1944
While trying to attack the merchant spotted the previous day, HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) is spotted by an aircraft. The attack therefore had to be broken off.

(All times are zone -6,5)
0508 hours - Dived off the south-east corner of Pulo Weh.
0608 hours - The masts and bridge of a ship were sighted. Also one single engined aircraft was patrolling over the Malacca Passage. After a while the ship suddenly turned towards leaving Tantivy perfectly placed for an attack. At 0704 hours when Cdr. Rimington wanted to have a last quick peep through the attack periscope an aircraft bomb went off. Fortunately it was not close. The aircraft had probably seen us and dropped the bomb as a warning that a submarine was very close. The target immediately changed course. One of the escorts was only 400 yards away and turned strait towards Tantivy. Cdr. Rimington immediately ordered Tantivy deep. It was only after seven minutes that the first two depth charges were dropped and these were not close. When Tantivy was able to return to periscope depth the target could be seen stern on and out of range. At the same time a twin-engined bomber, a Sally, was seen to dive towards us from 1000 feet but failed to drop anything as Tantivy went deep again
0910 hours - Returned to periscope depth to find the sea and sky clear. Proceeded to a position to the north-west of the One Fathom Bank
1852 hours - Surfaced. (31)

6 Aug 1944
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) is spotted by a Japanese torpedo boat. She is depth charged but no damage was done.

(All times are zone -6,5)
0440 hours - In position 210°, 3 nautical miles from Observation Island (Butangs) a light was sighted flashing. It was challenging us. Tantivy turned to the south stern on to the light. A small destroyer was then sighted that started to challenge again. We had clearly been sighted and as it was getting light Cdr. Rimington dived at 0449 hours. Tantivy went deep immediately expecting to be attacked. The destroyer was picked up on the Asdic and was approaching at 12 knots. No attack however developed and by 0540 hours Tantivy came to periscope depth. It was now light enough to see the destroyer, (Otori class) about 4 nautical miles to the eastward steering towards Langkawi
0750 hours - The destroyer was seen to make off towards Penang. Also the first aircraft of the day was sighted at this time. During the day at least one aircraft was in sight. Sometimes up to three were in sight at the same time
1815 hours - The mast of an escort vessel (most likely the Otori-class destroyer again) was sighted bearing 110°, 5 to 6 nautical miles. She appeared to be heading slowly north. Tantivy was at this time about 3.5 nautical miles to the south-east of Observatory Island. Cdr. Rimington turned to the west to open up the range to the vessel before surfacing. She was very soon out of sight in the dusk
1908 hours - Surfaced
2030 hours - The after lookout sighted the destroyer closing us. She was then about 4 nautical miles away on the starboard quarter. Turned to the south-west, stern on to the destroyer and increased speed to 13 knots. The destroyer soon followed us and appeared to have increased speed
2116 hours - Distance was now about 3 nautical miles and decreasing so there was no other choice then to dive. Just before diving a second vessel was sighted bearing 050 about 4 nautical miles away. On diving Tantivy turned to port to 090°, hoping the destroyer's Commanding Officer was thinking the submarine would turn to seaward. The destroyer steamed on to the diving position and as she crossed fairly close astern she dropped a single depth charge. She ten reduced speed and to Cdr. Rimingtons disgust also turned to Port and steamed up Tantivy's Starboard side dropping two more depth charges about half a mile apart. The destroyer then turned to Port, crossed close ahead and then drew out to the North of Tantivy. Cdr. Rimington started to turn slowly 180° to Starboard to 270°. During this time nothing had been heard from the second vessel. The destroyer appeared to be at fault. As the destroyer drew clear, Cdr. Rimington took the risk to increase speed to get clear of the search area. At this moment the second vessel was heard to approach fast from the South-West (Port bow). She passed very close to port and then joined the destroyer. The game of cat and mouse continued during the whole night and Tantivy was unable to surface during the night so measures were taken to conserve battery power and improve the air quality. (31)

16 Aug 1944
HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) ended her 5th war patrol at Trincomalee. (31)

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