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Submarine HMS Upright (N 89)

15 Jun 1941
HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) sailed for exercises then and following these departed Malta for her 12th war patrol (10th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol between the Kerkennah shallows and Lampion Island.

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

(1)

28 Jun 1941
HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) ended her 12th war patrol (10th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. The patrol was uneventful.

HMS Upright departed Malta for her 13th war patrol (11th war patrol in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol South of the Strait of Messina to intercept possible Vichy-French reinforcements for Syria. Upright was sent out again on short notice as she had just returned from a blank patrol and had a full outfit of torpedoes on board.

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

(1)

3 Jul 1941
HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) ended her 13th war patrol (11th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. Three small merchant ships were sighted but not attacked. (1)

20 Jul 1941
HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 14th war patrol (12th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol between Capo Dell Armi and Capo Spartivento off the South coast of Calabria, Italy to give cover for convoy operation Substance.

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

(1)

24 Jul 1941 (position 37.52, 15.50)
HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) fires two torpedoes at the Italian floating dry-dock GO 22 off Cape dell'Armi near position 37°52'N, 15°50'E.

According to Italian sources the dock was towed by the tugs Teseo and Volante and escorted by the torpedo boats Aretusa and Rosolino Pilo. The torpedoes miss their target (although two hits were claimed) but one hits the towing wire and the floating dock is slightly damaged. Upright is heavily depth charged by the escorts Pilo and Aretusa. Later MAS 524 sails from Messina to join the hunt and drops an additional six depth charges.

(All times are zone -2)
1115 hours - Sighted masts and funnels of two destroyers rounding Cape Spartivento. Two aircraft were seen patrolling down the coast. Looked like something might come our way.

1120 hours - Sighted masts and funnels of one more destroyer and two other vessels.

1122 hours - Sighted a long low vessel that looked like an aircraft carrier.

1130 hours - The long low vessel was now identified as a dry dock that was being towed by two tugs and escorted by three destroyers and two aircraft. Started attack.

1237 hours - Fired three torpedoes (four were intended, but one torpedo misfired) from 1900 yards. Two loud explosion and one smaller explosion followed. It was thought two hits were obtained.

1241 hours - The first pattern of five depth charges was dropped followed by more attacks that were rather close. No damage was done to Upright but she lost trim and ended up at 210 feet (150 feet was intended). She could only be controlled by blowing main ballast something Lt. Wraith rather did not want to do with three destroyers hunting overhead.

1315 hours - The depth charges were now more distant and astern. Meanwhile Upright had sunk to 340 feet and again main ballast had to be blown. The result was that the destroyers came nearer again and started dropping more depth charges again rather close. No damage was caused by the depth charges but minor damage was caused by the great depth Upright had ended up.

1415 hours - No more depth charges had been dropped now for almost one hour and HE was astern. Upright was now at 200 feet. The destroyers remained in the area during the whole afternoon but dropped no more depth charges. (1)

28 Jul 1941
HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) ended her 14th war patrol (12th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (1)

29 Jul 1941
HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) was docked at Malta. (2)

1 Aug 1941
HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) was undocked. (3)

24 Aug 1941
HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 15th war patrol (13th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Isola di Marettimo. Only destroyers were seen.

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

(1)

3 Sep 1941
HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) ended her 15th war patrol (13th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (1)

10 Sep 1941
HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Malta together with HMS Abingdon (Lt. G.A. Simmers, RNR). (4)

16 Sep 1941
HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 16th war patrol (14th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol the approaches to Tripoli, Libya to intercept an important enemy troop convoy. Only two destroyers were seen at a distance during this patrol.

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

(1)

20 Sep 1941
HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) ended her 16th war patrol (14th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (1)

22 Sep 1941
HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 17th war patrol (15th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol North of Sicily.

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

(1)

27 Sep 1941 (position 38.27, 15.22)
HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian torpedo boat Albatros (334 tons, built 1934) 8 nautical miles north-west of Cape Rasocolmo near Milazzo, Sicily, Italy near position 38°24'N, 15°22'E.

According to Italian sources she was on her way to escort U-371 through the Strait of Messina. There were 47 survivors and 36 missing (including two German officers).

Later a torpedo attack was carried out on an escorted merchant vessel off Cape Milazzo near position 38°20'N, 15°18'E but no hits were obtained.

According to Italian sources this was Lago Tana (783 GRT, built 1939) who reported the attack.

(All times are zone -2)
0820 hours - Sighted one torpedo boat carrying out an A/S sweep North-West of Cape Rasocolmo. Decided to attack.

0855 hours - Fired two torpedoes from about 3000 yards. One hit was obtained and the HE of the target ceased. The result was not seen as Upright went deep upon firing. One aircraft and two destroyers arrived in the area after half an hour and searched the area.

1020 hours - Three depth charges were dropped astern, not at all close.

1043 to 1105 hours - Three single depth charges were dropped but these were not close also.

1310 hours - Sighted one merchant vessel of about 2000 tons. She was escorted by a small armed merchant vessel. They were proceeding westwards along the coast near Cape Milazzo. Started attack.

1345 hours - Fired two torpedoes from 1800 yards. Both missed as the speed was most likely underestimated. After firing Upright went to 70 feet and altered course. Seven depth charges were dropped by the armed merchant vessel but these were not close. (1)

1 Oct 1941
At 0640 hours, HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) was off Cape Rasocolmo (Sicily) when a U-boat was sighted, this was either U-97 or U-559, but efforts to gain an attacking position were fruitless.

At 0740 hours, HMS Upright sighted a torpedo boat (probably Rosolino Pilo) but failed to get into a favourable position. (1)

2 Oct 1941
At 0355 hours, HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) sighted a submarine at a range of 1000 yards but the presence in the area of HMS Urge and her orders were not to attack submarines at night to avoid a case of mistaken identity. The attack was abandoned. (1)

4 Oct 1941
HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) ended her 17th war patrol (15th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (1)

14 Oct 1941
HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 18th war patrol (16th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off the South-East coast of Sicily to intercept three Italian destroyers of the Navigatori-class there are thought to make a high speed run to North Africa with supplies but nothing was seen except the Italian hospital ship Virgilio.

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

(1)

16 Oct 1941
HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) ended her 18th war patrol (16th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (1)

19 Oct 1941
HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 19th war patrol (17th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off the North-West coast of Sicily between Marettimo Island and Cape San Vito.

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

(1)

30 Oct 1941
HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) ended her 19th war patrol (17th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (1)

5 Nov 1941
HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Malta with the British destroyers HMS Lance (Lt.Cdr. R.W.F. Northcott, RN) and HMS Lively (Lt.Cdr. W.F.E. Hussey, DSC, RN).

11 Nov 1941
HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 20th war patrol (18th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Ionian Sea.

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

(5)

17 Nov 1941 (position 38.09, 19.29)
HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) made a torpedo attack on a convoy about 50 nautical miles West of Cephalonia Island, Greece. No hits were obtained.

According to Italian sources these were most probably the German Tinos (2826 GRT, built 1914) and the Italian Bolsena (2384 GRT, built 1918) escorted by the torpedo boat Orione on passage from Brindisi to Benghazi.

(All times are zone -2)
1110 hours - Sighted an aircraft and smoke to the North. Closed.

1125 hours - Went to periscope depth and sighted masts and funnels of two merchant ships and one destroyer. It appeared they were passing out of range. Went deep again.

1140 hours - Returned to periscope depth and noticed that the enemy had turned towards. Started attack.

1150 hours - The convoy altered course back to the original course. The attack now had to be carried out at a greater range than was hoped for. The merchant ships were of about 3000 tons.

1205 hours - In position 38°09'N, 19°29'E fired four torpedoes, two at each merchant ship from about 5000 yards. No hits were obtained. (5)

25 Nov 1941
HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) ended her 20th war patrol (18th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. She is almost immediately docked. (5)

28 Nov 1941
HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) was undocked. (6)

4 Dec 1941
HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 21th war patrol (19th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol South of the Strait of Messina.

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

(5)

9 Dec 1941
HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) is ordered to a new patrol position in the Gulf of Taranto. (5)

13 Dec 1941 (position 40.08, 17.00)
HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian transports Fabio Filzi (6836 GRT, built 1940) and Carlo del Greco (6837 GRT, built 1941) in the Gulf of Taranto in approximate position 40°08'N, 17°00'E.

Considering the relative long range of this attack and that the targets were doing 15 knots, this was a most remarkable attack relying heavily on ASDIC with at least three torpedo hits (two on Fabio Filzi and one (perhaps two) on Carlo del Greco). According to Italian sources there were 432 survivors, 217 men were killed or missing.

(All times are zone -2)
0150 hours - In approximate position 40°08'N, 17°00'E HE was heard approaching from the South. Turned towards.

0155 hours - HE became louder and was passing down the Port side. Changed course to obtain a favourable attack position.

0203 hours - Sighted a large ship followed by a smaller one. Shortly afterwards sighted another large ship following the other ones. Started attack.

0212 hours - Fired four torpedoes at the two big ships when they overlapped. Shortly after firing Upright dived. All four torpedoes hit the targets. It was thought the first three torpedoes hit the first target and the last torpedo hit the second target. Depth charging started.

0228 hours - A ship was heard breaking up.

0341 hours - A second ship was heard breaking up.

0737 hours - The last depth charge was dropped. In all 48 had been dropped.

[The convoy attacked was made up of both transports mentioned above. They were escorted by the Italian destroyers Nicoloso da Recco and Antoniotto Usodimare.] (5)

18 Dec 1941
HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) ended her 21th war patrol (19th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (5)

1 Jan 1942
HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 22th war patrol (20th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol between Lampedusa and the Kerkennah shallows.

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

(7)

4 Jan 1942
HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) is ordered to a new patrol position, about 50 nautical miles East of Tripoli, Libya (32°56'N, 14°25'E). (7)

5 Jan 1942
HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) is ordered to return to her original patrol area. (7)

8 Jan 1942
HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) abandons her patrol due to a serious defect to No.1 battery tank. She sets course to return to Malta. (7)

9 Jan 1942
HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) ended her 22th war patrol (20th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (7)

14 Jan 1942
HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) shoots down one German ME-109 fighter aircraft during an air raid at Malta. (8)

19 Jan 1942
HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 23th war patrol (21th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off the North coast of Sicily.

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

(7)

1 Feb 1942
HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) ended her 23th war patrol (21th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (7)

3 Mar 1942
HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) was near missed by a bomb during an air raid causing some damage. (9)

19 Mar 1942
HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) departed Malta for Gibraltar. She was to proceed to the U.K. where she was to refit.

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

(9)

29 Mar 1942
HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (9)

2 Apr 1942
HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) departed Gibraltar for Holy Loch. (10)

13 Apr 1942
In the early moring HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) made rendez-vous off Bishops Rock with HMS La Capricieuse that was to escort her to Holy Loch. (10)

15 Apr 1942
HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (10)

18 Apr 1942
HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) departed Holy Loch for Blyth. She was escorted by HMS La Capricieuse. (10)

21 Apr 1942
HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) arrived at Blyth. (10)

23 Apr 1942
HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) commenced her refit at Blyth. (10)

Submarine HMS Trooper (N 91)

29 Aug 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) proceeded from her builders yard at Greenock to Holy Loch. She then commenced a period of trials and training. (11)

31 Aug 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (11)

1 Sep 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (12)

2 Sep 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (12)

3 Sep 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (12)

7 Sep 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Arrochar for her torpedo discharge trials. (12)

8 Sep 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (12)

9 Sep 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (12)

10 Sep 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (12)

11 Sep 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (12)

12 Sep 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (12)

14 Sep 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (12)

15 Sep 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (12)

16 Sep 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (12)

17 Sep 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) completed her torpedo discharge trials and returned to Holy Loch. (12)

18 Sep 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Kames Bay where she was immediately docked in AFD 7. (12)

19 Sep 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) was undocked at Kames Bay and immediately returned to Holy Loch. (12)

20 Sep 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. These included night exercises. (12)

21 Sep 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (12)

23 Sep 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN) serving as the target. (12)

24 Sep 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS La Cordeliere (Lt.Cdr. A.J.G. Barff, RNR) serving as the target. These were followed by gunnery exercises on a target towed by HMS Z 5 (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S.T. Wenlock, RNR). (12)

27 Sep 1942
After trails and training HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) returns to her builder for alterations and additions. This will enable her to carry containers for Chariot human torpedoes. (12)

28 Sep 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) was docked at Greenock. (12)

5 Oct 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) was undocked. (13)

28 Oct 1942
With her modifications completed HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) proceeded from Greenock to Holy Loch. (13)

29 Oct 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises and trials in the Clyde area. (13)

5 Nov 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Holy Loch for the secret base of Port H.H.Z. (at Loch Cairnbawn) where she arrived the next day. Here she will take on board her Chariot human torpedoes.

Passage was made together with HMS P 216 (Lt. A.R. Daniell, DSC, RN) and HMS P 312 (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Favell, RN) that were both en-route to Lerwick. They were escorted by HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Dobson, RNR). (14)

6 Nov 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Port H.H.Z. (15)

12 Nov 1942
Around 1700A/12, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Port H.H.Z. bound for Malta. She was ordered not to stop at Gibraltar so not to alert the German and Italian spies stationed in 'neutral' Spain on the Chariot containers on her deck.

Passage south through the Irish sea was made together with HMS P 311 (Cdr. R.D. Cayley, DSO and 2 Bars, RN). They were escorted by HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Dobson, RNR).

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

(16)

23 Nov 1942
During the night of 23/24 November 1942, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN), crosses the Straits of Gibraltar escorted by HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN). (16)

2 Dec 1942
Around 1345A/2, HMS Rorqual (Lt.Cdr. L.W. Napier, RN) and HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Malta. They had been escorted in by HMS Hebe (Lt.Cdr. G. Mowatt, RD, RNR). (17)

29 Dec 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Malta for her 1st war patrol. She is to launch Chariot human torpedoes to attack shipping in Palermo harbour (Operation Principal). (16)

2 Jan 1943
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) launches three Chariots off Palermo, Sicily, Italy. HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN) carries out a simultaneous attack.

Chariot XVI (Sub.Lt. R.G. Dove, RNVR and Leading Seaman J. Freel) managed to enter the harbour and mine and damage the Italian troop transport Viminale. They were later captured by the Italians.

Chariot IXX (T.Lt. H.F. Cook, RNVR and Able Seaman Worthy). T/Lt Cook drowned when his suit was torn getting through the boom defence nets defending the harbour, but Able Seaman Worthy drove the Chariot ashore and blew it up prior to being captured himself.

Chariot XXIII (Sub.Lt. H.L.H Stevens, RNVR and Leading Seaman Carter) had to abandon the attack due to mechanical failure and her crew was picked up by HMS P 46 (16)

7 Jan 1943
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Malta. Here the Chariot containers are removed before she departed from on her next patrol. (16)

4 Mar 1943
Around 1300A/4, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Malta for her 3rd war patrol. She is to patrol in the Tyrrhenian Sea to the north of Messina and the approaches to Naples.

[No log is available for this period and the patrol report also holds no noon positions, therefore it is not possible to create a map of this patrol.] (16)

6 Mar 1943
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) is warned (in a signal timed 1134A/6, from Capt. S 8) about a convoy to the North-West of her. In the afternoon she is able to sight this convoy about 8 nautical miles away despite the rain (no position given in the patrol report but most likely well to the north-east of Ustica). HMS Trooper tries to get into an attack position but is unable to do so, the range is just to great and the convoy slips by.

The convoy HMS Trooper was ordered to try to intercept was made up of the transports Ines Corrado (8016 GRT, built 1942), Balzac (German (former French and before that British), 1947 GRT, built 1928) and Henri Estier (German (former French), 1984 GRT, built 1930). They had departed Naples during the night for Bizerta / Tunis and were escorted by the Italian torpedo boats Groppo, Ardito, Cigno and Orione. (16)

10 Mar 1943
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian tanker Rosario (5468 GRT, built 1918) 4 nautical miles bearing 040° of Capo Milazzo.

The convoy was made up of the above mentioned tanker as well as the Italian transport Todi (4999 GRT, built 1921, former French Rabelais). Escort was provided by Italian torpedo boat Libra and the German auxiliary submarine chasers UJ 2201, UJ 2202, UJ 2203, UJ 2204 and UJ 2210.
Italian torpedo boat Giuseppe Dezza had also been part of the escort but she had been detached earlier to escort another tanker.
After the attack UJ 2203 and UJ 2210 hunted the attacker.

1520A/10 - Sighted four aircraft circling to the east.

1545A/10 - Heard Asdic impulses bearing 070°.

1550A/10 - Sighted smoke bearing 070°. Commenced attack.

1615A/10 - Visibility improved to the eastward and six ships were sighted coming towards but they could not be made out.

1620A/10 - Heavy rain commenced and nothing could be seen for the next 25 minutes. Asdic impulses and HE however grew louder. The convoy was thought to be on a course of 250° to pass between Cape Milazzo and Isola Vulcano.

1645A/10 - It stopped raining and the convoy was sighted again. The convoy did not appear to be formed up properly.

1654A/10 - Fired four torpedoes against a 3000 ton merchant vessel from 1500 yards. Two explosions were heard at the correct running range. Two minutes later a fairly accurate depth charge attack followed resulting in some minor damage. A hunt by two Asdic fitted ships followed in which 57 depth charges were dropped. Trooper managed to creep away to the North. (16)

11 Mar 1943
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) patrolled off Cape Bonifati during the day but in a signal timed 1208A/11, Capt. S 8 ordered her to patrol off Cape Milazzo or north of Messina. On surfacing after the days patrol course was set to the southwards accordingly. (16)

12 Mar 1943
While patrolling north of Messina during the day HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) found the area to be patrolled by three A/S trawlers. These were evaded. (16)

13 Mar 1943
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) was now patrolling off Cape Milazzo. Around 1500A/13, a destroyer or torpedo boat was seen proceeding eastwards towards Messina at 18 knots. She was zigzagging and was not attacked.

At 1600A/13, a signal was received from Capt. S 8 timed 1230A/13, ordering Trooper to patrol north of 39°30'N and east of 13°30'E. Course was set accordingly at 2030A/13 after having surfaced. (16)

15 Mar 1943
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) fires four torpedoes against the transport Belluno (Italian (former Danish Fort de France), 4279 GRT, built 1935) about 30 nautical miles south of Capri, Italy. All torpedoes fired however missed their target. The Belluno was in a convoy en route from Tunisia (Tunis and Bizerta) to Naples which was made up besides the above mention According to Italian sources this convoy consisted of the above mentioned Belluno, of the transports Fabriano (Italian, 2809 GRT, built 1909), Caterina Costa (Italian, 8060 GRT, built 1942) and Pierre Claude (German (former Danish), 1794 GRT, built 1934) escorted by Italian torpedo-boats Clio, Orione, Pegaso and Sagittario.

2037A/15 - Sighted dark shapes to the Eastward proceeding towards Naples. At least five dark objects were sighted. The second of the shapes was a rather large ship, it was chosen as the target.

2046A/15 - Fired four torpedoes at the largest ship. range was about four nautical miles.

2048A/15 - Dived and turned away. Two explosions were heard thought to be hits on the target. No depth charges were dropped after the attack. (16)

17 Mar 1943 (position 40.16, 14.15)
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) torpedoed and sank the transport Forli (Italian (former French Sebaa), 1525 GRT, built 1904) about 15 to 20 nautical miles South of Capri, Italy in position 40°16'N, 14°15'E.

The convoy attacked was made up of the above mentioned Forli as well as Potenza (Italian (former French Auvergne), 2114 GRT, built 1921), Ferrara (Italian (former French Tourquenois), 2993 GRT, built 1909) and Teramo (German (former French Marie-Therese Le Borgne), 1599 GRT, built 1920). Escort was provided by the Italian torpedo-boats Libra, Sirio and Cigno. The convoy was on passage from Palermo to Naples. Following this attack Sirio dropped five depth charges.

1110A/17 - Sighted three aircraft and smoke to the South-West. Started attack.

1135A/17 - The convoy was seen to consist of four transports and three destroyers. The transports were in two columns with one destroyer ahead and one on each quarter.

1211A/17 - Fired three torpedoes at the leading transport of the starboard column. Swung to port and fired three more torpedoes but now at the second transport of the same column. Range was about 5000 yards. Three explosions were heard. Lt. Wraith thought he had hit both target and possible one of the escorting destroyers.

Trooper was counter attacked by one of the escorts. Twenty-two depth charges were dropped over a long period of time. The hunt prevented Lt. Wraith to come to periscope depth to see what damage he had done. (16)

18 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1920A/18, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) surfaced after a days submerged patrol and then left her patrol area for Algiers as instructed in Capt. S 8's signal timed 1640A/17. (16)

22 Mar 1943
At 0900A/22, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol at Algiers. She was escorted in by HMS Ronaldsay (T/Lt. A. Stirling, RNR) which had joined her at 0645A/22. (16)

5 Apr 1943
Around 1830A/5, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Algiers for her 4th war patrol. She is to patrol off the North coast of Sicily.

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

(16)

12 Apr 1943
At 2344A/12, when in position 340° - Alicudi Island - 26 nautical miles, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) sighted a destroyer slowly approching from the westwards. It is thought she may have detected the submarine by radar. After Trooper dived the enemy carried out an A/S hunt for 1.5 hours after which the destroyer disappeared to the northward. No depth charges were dropped. (18)

14 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0830A/14, when in approximate 39°26'N, 13°13'E, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) sighted five destroyers approaching from the north at 18 knots. They were zigzagging and were pinging and were clearly on an A/S hunt. HMS Trooper took avoiding action. By 0910A/14 they were all out of sight.

At 1000A/14, two destroyers were sighted coming from the south. Both were heard to be pinging about four miles apart. HMS Trooper again took avoiding action.

At 1106A/14, the destroyers turned and proceeded southwards. It was thought that HMS Trooper had been sighted from the air and that these two destroyers were ordered to turn back and search for the submarine. They had dropped no depth charges during their hunt. (16)

16 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 2200A/12, when in approximate position 39°30'N, 13°05'E, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) sighted a southbound destroyer to the westward of her. (16)

19 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1700A/19, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) received a signal from Capt. S.8 timed 1532A/19, ordering her to patrol on the Naples - Messina route for a possible interception of the Italian main battlefleet. HMS Trooper was in position by 2350A/19. (16)

20 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 2045A/20, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) received a signal from Capt. S.8 timed 1116A/20, ordering her to leave patrol and return to Algiers. (16)

25 Apr 1943
At 0815A/25, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 4th war patrol at Algiers. She had met HMS Coriolanus (T/Lt. N. Hunt, RNVR) at 0615A/25 which then escorted her in. (16)

11 May 1943
At 1830A/11, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Algiers for Malta.

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

(19)

17 May 1943
At 1115B/17, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Malta. She had been escorted in by a minesweeper (identity not given) which she had met at 0830B/17. (19)

22 May 1943
At 1700B/22, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Malta for her 5th war patrol. She is to patrol Along the West coast of Greece and in the Adriatic. She is also to perform two special operations.

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

(16)

25 May 1943
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) carries out special operation 'Entertain' off Zakinthos Island. At 2130 hours folbots with commandos were launched. They were to land on Zante as a diversion to operation 'Husky'.(Operation 'Entertain' was part of plan 'Barclay'). (16)

30 May 1943
At 2215 hours HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) carries out special operation 'Tiger' off Vieste, Italy in which Commandos were landed. They were recovered at 0230 hours on 31 May. (16)

1 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
While patrolling off Bari, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) sighted what is thought to be a Palestro-class torpedo boat leaving Bari on a course of 040°. She passed well (8 miles) to the north of HMS Trooper.

At 0645A/1, a single transports was sighted to the north. She was steering towards Bari on course 220°. An attack was not possible. (16)

2 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
While patrolling off Bari, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) sighted a destroyer proceeding to the north-east at 0450B/2. She passed out of range.

At 0540A/2, a large merchant vessel escorted by a torpedo boat was sighted steering towards Bari from the north. Range was about 7 miles. They could not be attacked.

At 0555A/2, an old liner was seen approaching Bari from the south. It was thought to be a hospital ship but was difficult to make out in the haze. Lt. Wraith then chose a new patrol position from where it would be easier to attack ships leaving or entering Bari. (16)

3 Jun 1943
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) fires four torpedoes against the transport Anna Martini (Italian, 1686 GRT, built 1914) that was seen leaving Bari. All torpedoes missed their target.

HMS Trooper left patrol that evening.

1525B/3 - An old merchant of about 3000 tons was seen to leave Bari through the swept channel. Commenced attack.

1619B/3 - Fired four torpedoes from 1400 yards. No hits were obtained despite the short range. The torpedoes were heard to run their range. Possibly they ran under.

The target turned around and returned towards Bari.

According to Italian sources the Anna Martini had observed two torpedo tracks. (16)

12 Jun 1943
At 2300B/12, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) damaged her port shaft when she encounters a large piece of floating wreckage in position 33°52'N, 34°05'E. (16)

13 Jun 1943
At 0730C/13, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 5th war patrol at Beirut. (16)

23 Jun 1943
Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN leaves HMS Trooper sick. Lt. G.S.C. Clarabut, RN temporary assumes command. (20)

20 Aug 1943
Around 1945C/20, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Beirut for her 7th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Aegean. (16)

22 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 2359C/22, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) received Capt. S.1's signal timed 1914C/22, ordering her to patrol on the Piraeus - Rhodes route. (16)

25 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 2330C/25, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) received Capt. S.1's signal timed 2117C/25, ordering her to proceed with despatch to patrol off the Doro Channel. (16)

26 Aug 1943
At 0715C/26, when to the south of Icaria Island, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) sighted a destroyer 8 miles to the east of her position.

Five minutes later masts of a trawler and the upperworks and masts of a 4000-5000 tons transport were seen. Range was 8 miles and the submarine was abaft the beam of the convoy so an attack was not possible. The enemy had come south through Icaria passage and was proceeding southwards most likely towards Rhodes.

By 0745C/26, the convoy was out of sight. HMS Trooper continued her passage towards the Doro Channel.

The ships sighted were most likely part of a convoy en-route from Piraeus to Leros which was made up of the transports Ardena (German, 1092 GRT, built 1915), Eolo (Italian, 704 GRT, built 1936) and Sinfra (German (former French), 4470 GRT, built 1929). They were escorted by the Italian destroyers Francesco Crispi, Turbine, Italian torpedo boat Castelfidardo and the German auxiliary submarine chaser UJ-2104. They had sailed from Piraeus at 1430/25 and arrived at Leros at 0944/26. (16)

28 Aug 1943
At 1150C/28, while off the Doro Channel, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) sighted two torpedo boats of the Curtatone-class proceeding to the north-east at a speed of 15 knots. They passed at a distance of 5 nautical miles. These must have been the Calatafimi and Solferino coming from Piraeus and en-route to join the convoy made up of the tanker Celeno (Italian, 3741 GRT, built 1899) and the German auxiliary submarine chasers UJ 2109 and UJ 2102 coming from the Dardanelles.

[Identifiction of the torpedo boats from German documents as the Italian documents are missing for these two vessels during this period.] (21)

29 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0925C/29, while off the Doro Channel, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) sighed what was thought to be a water carrier of about 600 tons escorted by two small armed motor boats coming north through the Doro Channel. They kept close to the north-west coast and proceeded nothwards for about 10 miles and then turned back. It was thought this might have been a 'submarine trap' and they were not attacked. (16)

30 Aug 1943
At 2105C/30, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) surfaced after a days submerged patrol off the Doro Channel. She then set course to patrol off Samos. (16)

31 Aug 1943
At 1746C/31, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) bombards a large tannery off Karlovassi, Greece. A total of 17 rounds were fired for 14 hits from a range of about 3000 from the shore. After 4 minutes she was forced to dive as she was taken under fire by a shore battery. It had been intended to also bombard a number of caiques that were being refitted near the breakwater but this did not materialise due to the return fire from the shore.

At 2300C/31, HMS Trooper received Capt. S.1's signal timed 1753C/31 advising a visit to the Gulf of Thessalonica. As this was 180 nautical miles away it was not possible to arrive there until late afternoon after a surface passage. Lt. Wraith therefore decided to patrol west of Skyros and then proceed to the Gulf of Thessalonica the next night. (16)

3 Sep 1943
At 2222C/3, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) received Capt. S.1's signal timed 1016C/3, ordering her to return to Beirut. Course was set accordingly. (16)

4 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1400C/4, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) received Capt. S.1's signal timed 1104C/4, ordering her to return to her previous patrol area to the north of Skiathos. Course was set accordingly. (16)

5 Sep 1943
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) sank the Greek caique Maria M. (250 GRT) and Greek tug Nikolaos M. / Pi 2117 (35 GRT) with gunfire 2 nautical miles North of Skiathos, Greece.

1816C/5- Surfaced and engaged a large caique that was being towed by a tug that had come north through the Skopelos Channel. 52 Rounds were fired. The caique was sunk and the tug was abandoned and set on fire (it later sank). Two survivors from the tug were picked up. These two survivors provided valuable information on the harbour at Piraeus where they had spent almost the entire war on board the tug. (16)

10 Sep 1943
Around 0830C/10, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 7th war patrol at Beirut. (16)

26 Sep 1943
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Beirut for her 8th war patrol. She is to carry out a special mission for SOE (Special Operations Executive) and then patrol in the Aegean Sea off the Dodecanese islands, including the Leros area.

30 Sep 1943
Around 2130C/30, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN), lands Colonel Diamantopoulos of the Royal Hellenic Artillery (code name 'Toby') of SOE (Operation ERUPTIION) with 2nd Lt. Vey and wireless operator 'Thomas' of ISLD (Operation CANTON) with their stores in Kalamos Bay (Euboa).

On complettion of this special operation HMS Trooper was to patrol in the central Aegean.

3 Oct 1943
In a signal, timed 0917C/3, Capt. S 1 ordered HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) to cover the west and north-west approaches to Kos. (22)

4 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0805B/4, a German reconnaissance aircraft reported a surfaced enemy submarine to the north-east of Amorgos in position 37°02'N, 26°07'E. If this sighing is genuine this must have been HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN). (23)

5 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In a signal, timed 1312C/5, Capt. S 1 ordered HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) to patrol between Naxos and Ikaria. he was also informed that Allied cruisers and destroyers might be operating to the east of 26°20'E. (22)

8 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In a signal, timed 2248C/8, Capt. S 1 ordered HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) to patrol to the northward of Amorgos and Kinaros at your own discretion but keeping west of 26°20'E. (22)

9 Oct 1943
In a signal, timed 1406C/9, Capt. S 1 ordered HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) to arrive off the coast of Leros by dawn on the 10th. To go there she was to pass to the north of Patmos.

In a follow up signal timed 1809C/9, Trooper was informed of the following; Your object is to attack possible seaborne invasion of Leros from the east or south-east. Unless forced to do otherwise retire passing north of Patmos p.m./12th. Thereafter proceeding west of Kinaros and Stampalia to pass Kaso Straits by day on the l4th. Further route would be signalled later. (22)

11 Oct 1943
In a signal, timed 1406C/11, Capt. S 1 informed HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) that the current situation in the Aegean demanded her to remain in her current position until relieved by HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) p.m. on the 13th. Trooper was also infomed that all dates mentioned in the signal timed 1809C/9 were to be delayed by a day.

Also Trooper was informed that after passing Kaso Strait on the 15th she was to proceed on 15th proceeding on the surface passing through position 34°11'N, 27°12'E at 0125C/l6 to arrive at Beirut at 1300C/17.

In a signal timed 2105C/11, HMS Trooper was informed that most likely the enemy invasion of Leros would commence tonight as enemy ships had been sighted of Kalymnos. (24)

14 Oct 1943
At dawn, HMS Trooper, was thought to have been sighted in / off Alinda Bay (Leros) by the schooner LS 8 (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Seligman, RNR) of the Levant Flotilla and they exchange signals. The Germans had laid several minefields about 10 miles east of Alinda Bay and it was postwar thought most lukel that HMS Trooper was mined there not long afterwards.

New research (2023/2024) however showed that the submarine encountered by the LS 8 was HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN).

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