Anthony Foster Collett DSC, RN
| Born | 4 Mar 1911 | Gloucester, England, U.K. | |
| Died | 11 Feb 1991 | (79) | Lydart, Wales, U.K. |
| Ranks
Retired: 29 Jan 1948 Decorations
|
Warship Commands listed for Anthony Foster Collett, RN
| Ship | Rank | Type | From | To |
| HMS H 34 (N 34) | Lt. | Submarine | 26 Apr 1940 | 17 Sep 1940 |
| HMS Unique (N 95) | Lt. | Submarine | 19 Sep 1940 | 16 Aug 1941 |
| HMS Unique (N 95) | Lt. | Submarine | 24 Aug 1941 | 18 Jun 1942 |
| HMS Upright (N 89) | Lt.Cdr. | Submarine | 1 Jul 1942 | 11 Dec 1942 |
| HMS Tactician (P 314) | Lt.Cdr. | Submarine | 12 Dec 1942 | 1 Oct 1944 |
Career information
We currently have no career / biographical information on this officer.
Events related to this officer
Submarine HMS H 34 (N 34)
29 May 1940
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Portland for her 4th war patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the English Channel.
[No log is available for this period so no map for this patrol can be displayed.] (1)
2 Jun 1940
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 4th war patrol at Portsmouth. (1)
3 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN), HMS H 49 (Lt. M.A. Langley, RN) and HMS H 50 (Lt. A.R. Cheyne, RN) departed Portsmouth for Harwich. They were escorted by HMS Warrior II (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN). (2)
5 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) arrived at Harwich. (2)
8 Jun 1940
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Harwich for her 5th war patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the North Sea.
For the daily positions of HMS H 34 during this patrol see the map below.
(1)
15 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 5th war patrol at Harwich. (1)
23 Jun 1940
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Harwich for her 6th war patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the North Sea.
For the daily positions of HMS H 34 during this patrol see the map below.
(1)
1 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 6th war patrol at Harwich. (1)
15 Jul 1940
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Harwich for her 7th war patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the North Sea.
For the daily positions of HMS H 34 during this patrol see the map below.
(1)
23 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 7th war patrol at Lowestoft where she was immediately docked. (3)
31 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was undocked. (3)
1 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) shifted from Lowestoft to Harwich. She was escorted by HMS Ben Bhrackie (T/Skr. H.J. May, RNR). (4)
5 Aug 1940
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Harwich for her 8th war patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the North Sea.
For the daily positions of HMS H 34 during this patrol see the map below.
(1)
11 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 8th war patrol at Harwich. (1)
17 Aug 1940
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Harwich for her 9th war patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the North Sea.
For the daily positions of HMS H 34 during this patrol see the map below.
(1)
26 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 9th war patrol at Harwich. (1)
1 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Harwich for her 10th war patrol. This was an anti-invasion patrol off the East coast. H 34 was recalled later the same day. She then returned to Harwich. (5)
3 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Harwich for Rosyth. Passage was made in convoy FN 71. (5)
5 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) arrived at Rosyth. (5)
6 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Rosyth for Rothesay. H 34 joined convoy OA 210 for the passage. (5)
9 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) arrived at Rothesay. (5)
10 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN). . Upon completion of these exercises HMS H 34 proceeded to Campbeltown. (5)
16 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) conducted A/S exercises of Campbeltown with HMS Terje 1 (Skr. C. Coultas, DSC, RNR) and HMS Terje 2 (Ch.Skr. G.R. Gale, RNR). (5)
17 Sep 1940
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) conducted A/S exercises of Campbeltown with HMS St. Modwen (Cdr.(Retd.) W.A. Ford, RN) and HMS Topaze (Lt.Cdr. John J.N. Hambly, MBE, RN).
Upon completion of these exercises Lt. Napier took command of HMS H 34 vice Lt. Collett. (5)
Submarine HMS Unique (N 95)
27 Sep 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed her builders yard for Holy Loch. (6)
28 Sep 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) arrived at Holy Loch for a period of trials and training. (6)
2 Oct 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Porpoise (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) and an A/S yacht. (7)
4 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) condcuted degaussing trials in Gare Loch. (7)
6 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Arrochar. (7)
7 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (7)
8 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (7)
9 Oct 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. Upon completion of these trials HMS Unique returned to Holy Loch. (7)
10 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Rothesay. (7)
11 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) conducted noise trials in the Clyde area. Upon completion of these trials she proceeded to Govan. (7)
12 Oct 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was docked at Govan to have her propeller changed. While she was in dock her bottom was also cleaned and painted. (7)
14 Oct 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was undocked at Govan. She then proceeded to Arrochar. (7)
15 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (7)
16 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) shifted from Arrochar to Holy Loch. (7)
18 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) conducted noise trials in the Clyde area. Upon completion of these trials she proceeded to Rothesay. (7)
19 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Jennie Deans (A/Cdr. L.C. Windsor, RN). These included night exercises during the night of 19/20 October 1940. (7)
20 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) returned to Holy Loch upon completion of the night exercises. (7)
23 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Campbeltown. (7)
24 Oct 1940
With her trials and training completed, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN), departed Campbeltown for Portsmouth. She was escorted by HMS Haarlem (T/Lt. L.B. Merrick, RNR). (7)
27 Oct 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) arrived at Portsmouth. (7)
28 Oct 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was docked at Portsmouth. (7)
30 Oct 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was undocked. (7)
31 Oct 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was docked at Portsmouth. She was undocked after a few hours for trails. Upon completion of these trials she was docked again. (7)
2 Nov 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was undocked. After trials she was docked yet again. (8)
5 Nov 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was undocked. (8)
6 Nov 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Portsmouth for her 1st war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the English Channel.
For the daily positions of HMS Unique during this patrol see the map below.
(9)
15 Nov 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Portsmouth. (9)
26 Nov 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Portsmouth for Dartmouth. She was escorted by HMS Kingston Ceylonite (Ch.Skr. J.S. Garnham, RNR). (8)
27 Nov 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) arrived at Dartmouth to participate in A/S exercises. (8)
28 Nov 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Dartmouth with HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St. Clair-Ford, RN). (7)
29 Nov 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Dartmouth for Portsmouth. (8)
30 Nov 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) arrived at Portsmouth. (8)
11 Dec 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Portsmouth for Gibraltar. She was to proceed towards Malta to join the Mediterranean Fleet.
On her way she was ordered, with HMS Upholder (Lt. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) and HMS Usk (Lt.Cdr. P.R. Ward, RN) and HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN), to patrol off the Gironde estuary to intercept U-boats expected there on 14-15 December but nothing was sighted.
The passage to Gibraltar therefore became her 2nd war patrol.
For the daily positions of HMS Unique during this patrol see the map below.
(10)
23 Dec 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (10)
28 Dec 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Gibraltar for Malta. Initially she was to cover the passage of the Excess convoy but it occurred after her passage.
For the daily positions of HMS Unique during this passage see the map below.
(10)
6 Jan 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) arrived at Malta. (11)
8 Jan 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was docked at Malta. (11)
10 Jan 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was undocked. (11)
16 Jan 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Malta for her 3rd war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol the approaches to Tripoli, Libya.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Unique during this patrol see the map below.
(9)
22 Jan 1941 (position 32.55, 13.00)
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) attacked a merchant vessel with one torpedo about 10 nautical miles West of Tripoli, Libya. The torpedo missed and the target fled back towards Tripoli.
According to Italian sources this was the Italian merchant Dielpi (1520 GRT, built 1912) who was missed astern but she reported turning back to Tripoli because of the bad weather.
(All times are zone -1) 1300 hours - In position 32°55'N, 13°00'E sighted a large transport bearing 260°. Enemy course was 095° at a speed of 14 knots. Range was 13000 yards. A Cant Z501 flying boat was overhead. Started attack.
1342 hours - The attack had to be broken off, a pity as the target appeared to be 7000 to 10000 tons in size. A second ship was now spotted and the attack was shifted to this vessel which was of about 2000 tons. enemy course was 250° at a speed of 9 knots.
1356 hours - Fired one torpedo from 700 yards aimed just forward of the funnel. Upon firing Unique went to 75 feet. The torpedo was not heard to explode.
1417 hours - Returned to periscope depth and saw the target returning towards Tripoli with signals flying.
(9)
27 Jan 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean) at Malta.
(9)
7 Feb 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Malta for her 4th war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol near the Kerkenah Bank, Tunisia.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Unique during this patrol see the map below.
(9)
11 Feb 1941 (position 34.41, 11.50)
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) attacked a large transport east of Kerkenah (Tunisia). This was the German Arcturus (2576 GRT, built 1937) in company with German Merchants Alicante (2140 GRT, built 1934) and Ankara (4768 GRT, built 1937) escorted by the Italian destroyer Turbine and the Italian torpedo boat Orsa on their way to Tripoli. Arcturus reported three underwater explosions which were probably caused by torpedoes hitting the bottom.
(All times are zone -1) 0110 hours - In position 34°41'N, 11°50'E sighted a large transport and a tanker apparently unescorted, bearing 010°. Enemy course was 160°. Started attack.
0211 hours - Fired four torpedoes from 2500 yards at the transport. No hits were obtained as the speed was most likely higher then was estimated. After 14 minutes three torpedoes were heard exoloding on the bottom at theend of their run. The 4th torpedo had a gyro failure and was heard to pass over the after casing shortly after it was fired.
0330 hours - Surfaced. Nothing in sight. (9)
12 Feb 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) attacked a transport in a convoy east of Kerkenah (Tunisia).
According to Italian sources these were probably the Italian merchants Florida II (3100 GRT, built 1905), Audace (1446 GRT, built 1892) and Pegli (1673 GRT, built 1910) escorted by the Italian torpedo boat Calliope.
(All times are zone -1) 2340 hours (11 Feb 1941) – In position 34°43'N, 11°50'E sighted four vessels bearing 110 degrees in open formation.
2346 hours (11 Feb 1941) - Dived and closed the enemy.
0021 hours - Fired two torpedoes from 3500 yards. No hits were obtained although two hits were claimed.
0105 hours - Surfaced, nothing in sight. (9)
18 Feb 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 4th war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (9)
27 Feb 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Malta for her 5th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol to the West of Tripoli, Libya.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Unique during this patrol see the map below.
(9)
7 Mar 1941
A signal was supposed to be sent by Malta recalling HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN). Due to a mistake this signal was not sent and it was feared Unique had been lost when she failed to arrive at Malta. When she sank an Italian ship on the 10th, this ship sent out an SOS and it became clear Unique was not lost but returning to Malta as originally intended. (9)
10 Mar 1941 (position 34.19, 12.40)
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian passenger/cargo ship Fenicia (2584 GRT, built 1919) about 95 nautical miles north-west of Tripoli, Libya in position 34°19'N, 12°40'E.
According to Italian sources her escort, the armed merchant cruiser Attilio Deffenu (3510 GRT, built 1929), picked up 14 survivors and four corpses. The destroyer Baleno, escorting a nearby convoy, was detached to hunt the submarine and dropped ten depth charges in the area but without result.
(All times are zone -2) 0645 hours - In position 34°25'N, 12°40'E heard HE bearing 360°. Came to periscope depth and sighted an armed merchant cruiser escorting a laden merchant vessel of about 3500 tons. Started attack.
0659 hours - Fired three torpedoes at the merchant vessel from 2000 yards. 2 Minutes 15 seconds after firing the first torpedo an explosion was heard. HE ceased immediately. Unique meanwhile went to 150 feet. During the next hour 12 depth charges were dropped but these were not close. No more HE was heard after 0815 hours. (9)
11 Mar 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 5th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean) at Malta.
Unique returned to Malta with a defective Starboard main engine. This could not be repaired at sea and required a period of repairs at Malta. (9)
28 Mar 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Malta for her 6th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in / off the Gulf of Hammamet, Tunisia.
For the daily positions of HMS Unique during this patrol see the map below.
(9)
8 Apr 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 6th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. The only targets observed had been inside Tunisian territorial waters. (9)
9 Apr 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Malta for her 7th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Kerkenah, Tunisia.
For the daily positions of HMS Unique during this patrol see the map below.
(9)
11 Apr 1941
At 2110 hours (zone -1), while trying to attack an enemy convoy in position 34°58'N, 11°52'E, Unique was spotted and challenged by one of the escorts. The attack had to be broken off and Unique dived. (9)
15 Apr 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 7th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (9)
18 Apr 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was docked at Malta. (12)
21 Apr 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was undocked. (12)
2 May 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Malta for her 8th war patrol (6th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off the East coast of Sicily.
For the daily positions of HMS Unique during this patrol see the map below.
(9)
6 May 1941
While on patrol to the East of Sicily guarding the Southern approach to the Strait of Messina, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was unable to attack an Italian cruiser force and / or a convoy due to the fact she was out of position due to a navigational error.
(All times are zone -1) 0900 hours - Land fixes were taken and it became evident that Unique was more than 25 nautical miles out of position to the South-East. Set course to return to the intended patrol position.
1226 hours - In position 37°34'N, 15°27'E sighted a party of warships bearing 080°. (These were the Italian light cruisers Eugenio di Savoia, Emanuele Filiberto Duca d'Aosta , Muzio Attendolo. These were escorted by the Italian destroyers Antonio Pigafetta, Nicolo Zeno, Nicoloso da Recco, Alvise da Mosto and Giovanni da Verrazzano ). They were proceeding at a speed of 18 knots. Distance was about 9 nautical miles so an attack was out of the question.
1325 hours - In position 37°36'N, 15°28'E sighted 5 large merchant vessels bearing 070°. Distance was about 10 nautical miles. If Unique had been in her intended position shw could have attacked these two enemy forces. (This convoy was made up of the German merchants Marburg (7564 GRT, built 1928), Kybfels (7764 GRT, built 1937), Reichenfels (7744 GRT, built 1936) and the Italian merchants Marco Polo (12567 GRT, built 1912), Rialto (6099 GRT, built 1927). They were escorted by the Italian destroyers Fulmine, Euro and the Italian torpedo boats Procione, Orsa, Centauro, Cigno and Perseo. (9)
14 May 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 8th war patrol (6th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (9)
25 May 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Malta for her 9th war patrol (7th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol between the Kerkenah Bank and Lampedusa Island.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Unique during this patrol see the map below.
(13)
3 Jun 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) torpedoed and damaged (total loss) the Italian cargo ship Arsia (736 GRT, built 1900) inside Lampedusa harbour.
According to Italian sources Arsia was hit astern and cut in two with only the bow part protruding. The crew of 11 suffered no casualties but the nearby Egusa (275 GRT, built 1913) was damaged by the explosion and the motor fishing vessel Giuseppe Padre had two wounded from splinters.
(All times are zone -2) 2 June 1941 1825 hours - Spotted a small Italian convoy. The convoy entered Lampedusa harbour nearly an hour later.
3 June 1941 Unique closed the harbour submerged to investigate and found one of the ships in an exposed position, provided that the boom defences were not effective against torpedoes.
0753 hours - A torpedo was fired that struck the shore just astern of the ship. Indeed the boom defences were not torpedo proof, so another torpedo was fired at 0822 hours. This was a hit amidships. A big column of water and debris was thrown in the air followed by white smoke.
1650 hours - In 35°16.5'N, 12°38'E, Unique sighted a cruiser squadron (probably Duca Degli Abruzzi and Garibaldi escorted by four destroyers) but they were too far to intercept. (13)
5 Jun 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 9th war patrol (7th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (13)
15 Jun 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Malta for her 10th war patrol (8th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol between the Kerkenah Bank and Lampedusa Island.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Unique during this patrol see the map below.
(14)
20 Jun 1941 (position 35.33, 12.21)
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) tries to attack an enemy convoy East of Lampion Island. She is detected by the escort and depth charged so the attack had to be broken off.
This was probably the Caffaro convoy on passage from Tripoli to Naples.
(All times are zone -2) 1230 hours - In position 35°33'N, 12°21'E sighted a Northbound convoy of three merchant vessels in ballast. The convoy was escorted by three destroyers and three aircraft. The convoy was sighted bearing 125°, range 11000 yards, enemy course was 040°. The convoy soon altered oourse to 010°. The speed of the convoy was estimated at 6 to 7 knots. Closed at speed to attack.
1303 hours - The convoy altered course to 055°. Two of the escorting destroyers came towards Unique. As the sea was flat calm it is thought that aircraft had spotted Unique while submerged at periscope depth. Between looks Unique went to 50 feet to speed up but non the less it appeared she was detected.
1317 hours - The attack was broken off and Unique went deep. the convoy meanwhile had altered course to 340°.
1330 hours - The first depth charge was dropped. 12 Were dropped during the next 20 minutes. One pattern of five was fairly close.
1400 hours - HE faded out on bearing 320°. Unique meanwhile retired to the North-East at 90 feet. (14)
22 Jun 1941 (position 35.41, 12.15)
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) again tries to attack an enemy convoy East of Lampion Island. Yet again she is detected by the escort and depth charged so the attack had to be broken off.
The convoy attacked was made up of the Italian merchants Tembien (5584 GRT, built 1914), Col di Lana (5891 GRT, built 1926), Giulia (5921 GRT, built 1926), Ernesto (7399 GRT, built 1914), the German merchants Amsterdam (8673 GRT, built 1921) and Wachtfels (8467 GRT, built 1928). They were escorted by the Italian destroyer Lanzerotto Malocello and the Italian torpedo-boats Procione, Orsa and Pegaso. The convoy was on passage from Tripoli to Naples. The submarine was first located by an aircraft and it was the torpedo-boat Pegaso which was detached to hunt the submarine and carried out the depth-charge attack. She claimed the submarine at least severely damaged but this was not the case.
(All times are zone -2) 1055 hours - While in position 35°41'N, 12°15'E heard distant depth charges being dropped to the Southward. Looks like the reported convoy was approaching.
1120 hours - Sighted smoke and one aircraft bearing 140°.
1125 hours - Sighted one merchant vessel of 6000 tons followed by others that could not yet be identified. Range was about 14000 yards. Three destroyers were seen to be escorting as well as two aircraft.
1203 hours - The convoy was seen to alter course from 320° to 265°. Destroyers were seen to be closing Unique.
1207 hours - An aircraft was seen at 1000 feet 3000 yards away. The attack was broken off and Unique went deep.
1210 hours - Five explosions were heard, most likely the aircraft had dropped bombs or depth charges.
1237 hours - The first of a group of single depth charges was dropped fairly close. The attack was intensified at 1250, 1255 and 1314 hours when up to 17 depth charges were dropped at a time.
1335 hours - The 52th depth charge was dropped, this was the last one that was fairly close.
1351 hours - The last depth charges were dropped. A total of about 80 had been dropped. (14)
28 Jun 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 10th war patrol (8th in the Mediterranean) at Malta.
As Unique had still all her torpedoes on board she was sent out again to intercept vichy-French re-inforcements proceeding towards Syria. This was her 11th war patrol (9th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol near position 37°50'N, 16°02'E but no target came within range.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Unique during this patrol see the map below.
(13)
3 Jul 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 11th war patrol (9th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (14)
19 Jul 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Malta with HMS Encounter (Lt.Cdr. E.V.St.J. Morgan, RN) and and HMS Beryl (Mid. H.W. du Boisson, RNR) (15)
20 Jul 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Malta for her 12th war patrol (10th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol South of the Strait of Messina.
For the daily positions of HMS Unique during this patrol see the map below.
(13)
29 Jul 1941
At 0100 hours HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) landed a Folbot-party near position 38°01'N, 15°27'E with the objective to place explosive charges on the train tracks. At 0138 hours the Folbot-party (Corporal R.H. Brown and Lance Corporal J.R.A. Ferguson) returned and Unique retired to seaward. At 0325 hours an explosion was seen on the land as a train must have hit the charges.
According to Italian sources the locomotive and 13 wagons were derailed (some of them carrying German stores) and the engineer was wounded but the line was re-established at noon. (13)
30 Jul 1941
At 0003 hours (zone -2) HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) landed a Folbot-party near position 37°55'N, 15°54'E with the objective to place explosive charges on the train tracks. At 0123 hours the Folbot-party returned and Unique retired to seaward. No explosions were seen however before Unique cleared the area.
Italian sources have not reported any incident in this area.
---------------------------------------------------------
Later the same day Unique attacked an Italian auxiliary patrol vessel (schooner) with one torpedo in position 37°30'N, 15°35'E. The torpedo most likely ran under. With the surprise now gone it was decided not to attack with the gun.
(All times are zone -2) 1801 hours - Fired one torpedo (Mark II) at an armed 4-masted auxiliary patrol schooner in position 37°30'N, 15°35'E from 700 yards. The torpedo ran under. The target hoisted two flags, made a circle and then close Unique's firing position. Another schooner (2-masted) joined her and they appeared to be listening. Both departed the area to the South-West at 1850 hours. (13)
4 Aug 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 12th war patrol (10th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (13)
8 Aug 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was docked at Malta. (16)
13 Aug 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was undocked. (16)
16 Aug 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) departed Malta for her 13th war patrol (11th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Tripoli, Libya. Lt. Hezlet had taken over from Lt. Collett for this patrol in order to give Lt. Collett a rest.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Unique during this patrol see the map below.
(13)
25 Aug 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was docked at Malta. (16)
1 Sep 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was undocked. (17)
5 Sep 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Malta for her 14th war patrol (12th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Tyrrhenian Sea.
For the daily positions of HMS Unique during this patrol see the map below.
(13)
15 Sep 1941 (position 40.27, 14.18)
At 1257 hours, while in position in position 40°27'N, 14°18'E, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) had just come to periscope depth, when an Italian submarine of the 'Adua'- class was sighted bearing 310°, steering 185°, apparently exercising with a 'Generale'-class destroyer / torpedo-boat. This was almost certainly the Italian submarine Corallo exercising at the time with the torpedo-boat Generale Antonio Cascino.
HMS Unique was unable to gain an attacking position and was thwarted by the presence of the destroyer / torpedo-boat. (18)
19 Sep 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 14th war patrol (12th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. It had been a most frustrating patrol with several sightings but no opportunities for attack. (13)
5 Oct 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was docked at Malta. (19)
7 Oct 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was undocked. (19)
9 Oct 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Malta for her 15th war patrol (13th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to a position South-East of Cape Bon, Tunisia to intercept a Southbound convoy. As the convoy passed well to the East, Unique was ordered to her patrol area in the Tyrrhenian Sea.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Unique during this patrol see the map below.
(13)
14 Oct 1941 (position 40.27, 14.21)
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) made a torpedo attack on an Italian armed merchant cruiser South of Naples Bay. A torpedo hit is claimed as the ship appeared to be damaged.
According to Italian sources this was the armed merchant cruiser Adriatico escorting the water tanker Cassala (1771 GRT, built 1902) from Naples to Messina. All four torpedoes missed. One was avoided by Adriatico and two by Cassala. The torpedo boat Giuseppe Missori and the 3rd A/S Group were ordered to hunt the submarine but found nothing.
(All times are zone -1) 1210 hours - In position 40°27'N, 14°21'E sighted smoke bearing 350°.
1236 hours - Sighted two merchant vessels bearing 335°. Range was about 8 nautical miles. They were altering course to pass South through Bocca Piccolo. Unique altered course to attack. The leading ship was identified as a Citta di Genova-class or Birmania-class. The ship was painted white and was most likely an Armed Merchant Cruiser. The second ship was a 'funnel-aft' merchant vessel of about 5000 tons in ballast.
1314 hours - Fired four torpedoes from 3500 yards.
1330 hours - Observed the AMC stopped with a black streak down her starboard side. It appears she was hit. The merchant vessel meanwhile had turned round and was making back to Naples. Unique went deep again and retired to the South-East. Lt. Collett was critisized by Capt. S.10 for this action as he should have reloaded one torpedo tube very quickly to finish off the damaged ship. (13)
21 Oct 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 15th war patrol (13th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (13)
1 Nov 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Malta for her 16th war patrol (14th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Benghasi, Libya.
For the daily positions of HMS Unique during this patrol see the map below.
(14)
17 Nov 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 16th war patrol (14th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. During this patrol she suffered from engine defects and again there were several sightings but no attack could develop. (14)
1 Dec 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 17th war patrol (15th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol to the Southward of Messina.
For the daily positions of HMS Unique during this patrol see the map below.
(14)
14 Dec 1941
At 0921 hours, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was in position 37°45'N, 15°43'E when a battleship with a destroyer were sighted at a range of 7 miles, on course 127° at 19.5 knots. The submarine tried to close submerged at full speed but to no avail. This was the damaged Vittorio Veneto (torpedoed by HMS Urge (Lt.Cdr. E.P. Tomkinson, DSO, RN)). (14)
15 Dec 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) ended her 17th war patrol (15th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (14)
21 Dec 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) was docked at Malta. (20)
27 Dec 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) was undocked. (20)
29 Dec 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 18th war patrol (16th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Gulf of Taranto.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Unique during this patrol see the map below.
(14)
5 Jan 1942 (position 40.07, 17.07)
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) attacked the Italian battleship Littorio with torpedoes in the Gulf of Taranto in position 40°07'N, 17°07'E. All torpedoes fired missed their target despite the claim for a hit. The Italian battlegroup (including the battleship Giulio Cesare and destroyers Carabiniere, Alpino, Antonio da Noli, Antonio Pigafetta, Ascari and Fuciliere) was returning to Taranto after covering the Monviso convoy.
(All times are zone -1) 1453 hours - Faint HE was heard bearing 140° and 3 minutes later a warships mast was sighted bearing 130°.
1458 hours - In position 40°07'N, 17°'07'E a second look revealed more than one warship.
1500 hours - Unique was now right ahead of what appeared to be a large warship (battleship) escorted by one cruiser and five destroyers. Started attack.
1505 hours - When coming to periscope depth Unique lost trim before a look could be obtained.
1510 hours - HE from an escorting destroyer was heard all round forcing Unique to 50 feet until she had passed.
1524 hours - Returned to periscope depth to find that the battleship had changed course many minutes ago.
1530 hours - Despite not being in a very good attack position now Unique fired four torpedoes.
1540 hours - After approximately 9000 yards of running range a very heavy explosion occured. It was thought that one of the torpedoes had hit the target (but this was not the case). (14)
11 Jan 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) ended her 18th war patrol (16th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (14)
15 Jan 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 19th war patrol (17th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol South of Messina.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Unique during this patrol see the map below.
(21)
21 Jan 1942 (position 36.55, 15.38)
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) attacked an Italian submarine with four torpedoes about 25 nautical miles South-East of August, Sicily, Italy in position 36°55'N, 15°38'E. No hits were obtained.
According to Italian sources this was Ciro Menotti (C.C. Ugo Gelli) returning to Augusta from a transport mission to Tripoli but the attack was unobserved.
(All times are zone -1) 0700 hours - While Unique was in position 36°55'N, 15°38'E HE was heard bearing 110° moving left. Unique was at 70 feet and immediately went to periscope depth but nothing could be seen. HE changed bearing rapidly and it was thought that a destroyer or torpedo boat was nearby. The HE faded out after a few minutes. Later it was thought this might have been a submarine.
0716 hours - HE was reported bearing 160° and it was moving slowly to the right.
0720 hours - A small dark object was seen on this bearing and all tubes were brought to the ready.
0724 hours - It was thought the contact was an enemy submarine. Started attack but a good set up could not be immediately obtained.
0730 hours - Now also the high power (attack) periscope malfunctioned. The low power periscope now had to be used.
0737 hours - Four torpedoes were now finally fired from 2000 yards. They all missed and the submarine was lost from view at 0748 hours. (21)
22 Jan 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) ended her 19th war patrol (17th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (21)
2 Feb 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 20th war patrol (18th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol South of Messina.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Unique during this patrol see the map below.
(21)
9 Feb 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) is ordered to patrol off the Gulf of Taranto. (21)
13 Feb 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) heard heavy depth charging between 0719 and 0956 hours. This was HMS Tempest (Lt.Cdr. W.A.K.N. Cavaye, RN) that was being hunted by the Italians. (21)
18 Feb 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) ended her 20th war patrol (18th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. This was another frustrating patrol patrol with several sightings but no attack carried out.
While approaching Malta HMS Unique was grounded. She was refloated after a few hour. After entering harbour she was docked for inspection of the damage which was moderate. (21)
27 Feb 1942
A court of inquiry was held at Malta to investigate the grounding of HMS Unique of 18 February.
28 Feb 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) was undocked. (22)
4 Mar 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed Malta for Gibraltar. Unique was to proceed to the U.K. to refit. On board was an Italian human torpedo that was to be brought to the U.K. for study.
For the daily positions of HMS Unique during this passage see the map below.
(23)
5 Mar 1942
At 0123 hours, just off Malta, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) was machine-gunned by a German Junker 88 and forced to dive but she suffered no damage. (23)
14 Mar 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (23)
19 Mar 1942
HMS Unique (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed Gibraltar for Portsmouth. (23)
29 Mar 1942
HMS Unique (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) arrived at Portsmouth. (23)
31 Mar 1942
HMS Unique (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed Portsmouth for Sheerness. (23)
1 Apr 1942
HMS Unique (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) arrived at Sheerness. (24)
2 Apr 1942
HMS Unique (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) shifted from Sheerness to the Chatham Dockyard where she was to refit. (24)
Submarine HMS Upright (N 89)
16 Jul 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) ended her refit at Blyth. She was now assigned to training duties. (25)
27 Jul 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed Blyth for Dundee. (25)
28 Jul 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) arrived at Dundee. (25)
1 Aug 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed Dundee for Scapa Flow together with HMS P 54 (Lt. C.E. Oxborrow, DSC, RN). They were escorted by HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR). (26)
2 Aug 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow to participate in A/S exercises. (26)
3 Aug 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) carried out independent exercises at Scapa Flow. (27)
5 Aug 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) carried out exercises off Scapa Flow with HMS Anson (Capt. H.R.G. Kinahan, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral Sir B. Fraser, CB, KBE, RN) and her destroyer screen made up of the destroyers HMS Inglefield (Cdr. A.G. West, RN), HMS Windsor (Lt.Cdr. D.H.F. Hetherington, DSC, RN) and HMS Walpole (Lt. A.S. Pomeroy, RN) which were out exercising. The battleship and her destroyers remained out exercising during the night. (28)
6 Aug 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) carried out exercises off Scapa Flow with HMS Anson (Capt. H.R.G. Kinahan, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral Sir B. Fraser, CB, KBE, RN) and her destroyer screen which was made up of HMS Inglefield (Cdr. A.G. West, RN), HMS Windsor (Lt.Cdr. D.H.F. Hetherington, DSC, RN), HMS Walpole (Lt. A.S. Pomeroy, RN) and HMS Panther (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Jocelyn, RN). This last destroyer had joined HMS Anson and the other three destroyers in the afternoon. (26)
7 Aug 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) carried out exercises with HMS Panther (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Jocelyn, RN), HMS Worcester (Lt.Cdr. W.A. Juniper, RN), HMS Avon Vale (Lt.Cdr. P.A.R. Withers, DSO, RN), USS Emmons (Lt.Cdr. T.C. Ragan, USN) and HMS Sheffield (Capt. A.W. Clarke, RN). (26)
8 Aug 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) carried out experimental A/S exercises. (26)
10 Aug 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) carried out A/S exercises with HMS Gleaner (Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Hewitt, DSC, RN), HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN), HMS Panther (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Jocelyn, RN) and HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Roper, DSC, RN). (26)
11 Aug 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) carried out A/S exercises with HMS Avon Vale (Lt.Cdr. P.A.R. Withers, DSO, RN), HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Roper, DSC, RN), HMS Worcester (Lt.Cdr. W.A. Juniper, RN) and HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN). (26)
13 Aug 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) carried out A/S exercises with HNoMS Eskdale (Lt.Cdr. S. Storheill), RHS Adrias, HMS Gleaner (Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Hewitt, DSC, RN) and HMS Harrier (Cdr. A.D.H. Jay, DSC, RN). (26)
14 Aug 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) carried out A/S exercises with HMS Milne (Capt. I.M.R. Campbell, RN), HNoMS Eskdale (Lt.Cdr. S. Storheill) and RHS Kanaris. (26)
15 Aug 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) carried out independent exercises at Scapa Flow. (26)
17 Aug 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) carried out A/S exercises with HMS Milne (Capt. I.M.R. Campbell, RN) and RHS Kanaris. (26)
18 Aug 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) carried out A/S exercises with HMS Inglefield (Cdr. A.G. West, RN) and HNoMS Eskdale (Lt.Cdr. S. Storheill).
(26)
19 Aug 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) carried out A/S exercises with HMS Milne (Capt. I.M.R. Campbell, RN) and HMS Windor (Lt.Cdr. D.H.F. Hetherington, RN). (26)
20 Aug 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) carried out A/S exercises with Motor Launches. (26)
22 Aug 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) carried out independent exercises at Scapa Flow. (26)
23 Aug 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Dundee. She made the passage together with the Free French submarine FFS Rubis.
They were escorted by HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR). (26)
24 Aug 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) arrived at Dundee. (26)
25 Aug 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed Dundee for Blyth. She was escorted by HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR). (26)
26 Aug 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) arrived at Blyth. At Blyth she was used for the training of new submarine crews. (26)
27 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (29)
2 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (29)
3 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (29)
4 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (29)
5 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (29)
7 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (29)
8 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (29)
9 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (29)
10 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (29)
11 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (29)
15 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (29)
16 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (29)
17 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (29)
18 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (29)
21 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (29)
22 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (29)
23 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (29)
28 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (29)
29 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (29)
5 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (30)
6 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (30)
7 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (30)
8 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (30)
9 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (30)
13 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (30)
14 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (30)
16 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (30)
19 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (30)
19 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (30)
21 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (30)
22 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (30)
23 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (30)
26 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (30)
27 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (30)
29 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (30)
2 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (31)
3 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (31)
4 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (31)
6 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (31)
10 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (31)
16 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (31)
17 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (31)
18 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (31)
19 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (31)
20 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (31)
23 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (31)
24 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (31)
25 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (31)
26 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (31)
27 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (31)
30 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (31)
1 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (32)
2 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (32)
3 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (32)
7 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (32)
8 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (32)
9 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (32)
10 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (32)
Submarine HMS Tactician (P 314)
9 Jan 1943
Around 0730A/9, HMS P 314 (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Holy Loch for Lerwick. She makes the passage with HMS Trident (Lt. P.E. Newstead, RN) and HMS P 224 (Lt. J.R. Drummond, DSC, RN). They are escorted by HMS Qualicum (T/Lt. F.S. Tolliday, RNR). (33)
11 Jan 1943
Around 1000A/11, HMS P 314 (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) arrived at Lerwick. She departed Lerwick around 2030A/11 for her 1st war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off northern Norway to provide cover for convoy operations to and from northern Russia.
Twenty minutes after departing P 314 returned to Lerwick with a major defect to the starboard main motor. (34)
18 Jan 1943
After repairs to her starboard main motor, HMS P 314 (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Lerwick around 1400A/18, to resume her 1st war patrol.
For the daily positions of HMS P 314 during this patrol see the map below.
(34)
26 Jan 1943
At 2020A/26, HMS P 314 (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) received Capt. S 9's signal timed 1813A/26, ordering hr to leave patrol at midnight and return to Lerwick.
At 2359A/26, HMS P 314 left patrol to comply with the above orders. (34)
29 Jan 1943
At 1209A/29, HMS P 314 (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) received Capt. S 9's signal timed 1121A/29, which ordered her to patrol in a position to the north of Trondheim, Norway (64°35'N, 09°44'E).
Course was set to comply with these orders and HMS P 314 arrived in the ordered position at 0900A/30. (34)
31 Jan 1943
At 2205A/31, HMS P 314 (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) received Capt. S 9's signal timed 1958A/31, which ordered her to proceed to a patrol position to the south of Trondheim, Norway (63°14'N, 06°46'E). Course was set accordingly and HMS P 314 arrived in this new patrol position around noon the following day.
(34)
5 Feb 1943
At 1000A/5, west of Kristiansund, Norway, HMS P 314 (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN), sighted smoke and the mast of a ship proceeding to the north-east at a fairly high speed close inshore. The target was way too far off to be attacked. (34)
6 Feb 1943
At 1650A/6, when west of Kristiansund, Norway, HMS P 314 (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN), picked up very loud HE at 320 revs which passed directly overhead. HMS P 314 then went to periscope depth but nothing was sighted in the very bad weather / visibility. HE faded out soon afterwards.
At 2027A/6, HMS P 314 received Capt. S 9's signal timed 1431A/6 recalling her from patrol. Course was then set to proceed to Lerwick. (34)
8 Feb 1943
Around 0950A/8, HMS P 314 (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Lerwick. (34)
11 Feb 1943
Around 0730A/11, HMS P 314 (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed Lerwick for Holy Loch. She made the passage together with HMS P 216 (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, RN) and HMS P 53 (Lt. G.E. Hunt, RN). They were escorted by HMS Pennyworth (T/Lt. R.A. Mason, RNVR). (33)
14 Feb 1943
Around 1830A/14, HMS P 314 (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (35)
19 Feb 1943
HMS P 314 (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) is docked at Ardrossan.
[The date she is undocked is currently not known to us as no logs are available for this period]. (36)
7 Mar 1943
Around 1900A/7, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Holy Loch for Gibraltar. She is to join the Mediterranean Fleet.
She left Holy Loch in company with HMS Ultor (Lt. G.E. Hunt, DSC, RN). They were escorted until around 1630A/7 by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) when they all parted company off Round Island, Scilly Islands.
[As there is no log available of HMS Tactician for this period no map can be displayed.] (34)
18 Mar 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from Holy Loch. (34)
28 Mar 1943
Around 1600A/28, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, 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 Tactician during this patrol see the map below.
(34)
13 Apr 1943
Around 0720A/13, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean) at Algiers.
The patrol had been uneventful, only during the period of 2 to 7 April, when near Cape Bear, an A/S trawler was constantly patrolling the area. (34)
23 Apr 1943
Around 1830A/23, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Algiers for her 3rd war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol east of Corsica.
[As there is no log available for this period no map can be displayed.] (34)
27 Apr 1943
At 1755A/27, when in position 078° - Cape Corse - 14 nautical miles, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) sighted a trawler approaching Bastia on a course of 210° at 10 knots.
This was probably just a fishing vessel as there had only three auxiliary submarine chasers been operating off Bastia on that day; Lido, between 0300 and 0845 hours. Nuovo S. Rita between 0300 and 0915 hours. Teti II between 0250 and 0930 hours. Thus none of them were out at the time of this sighting.
Note: HMS Tactician arrived too late in the area as a convoy made up of the transports Ercole (Italian, 5027 GRT, built 1904), Dominante (Italian, 1100 GRT, built 1891), S. Chiara (Italian, 1199 GRT, built 1889), motor tanker Abruzzi (Italian, 680 GRT, built 1897) and schooner Florastella (Italian, 304 GRT, built 1915) escorted by the Italian torpedo boat Giuseppe La Masa sailed from Bastia at 0535B/27 for Leghorn where they arrived at 1518B/27. ? (34)
28 Apr 1943
At 0630A/28, when in position 096° - Bastia Citadel - 7 nautical miles, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) sighted a small patrol craft leaving Bastia at high speed. She stopped close astern presumably to listen with hydrophones so Lt.Cdr. Collett took HMS Tactician to 90 feet. No A/S transmissions were heard and also no more HE was heard. On return to periscope depth 20 minutes later all was clear.
[We have been unable to identify this vessel.] (34)
29 Apr 1943
At 0708A/29, when in position 072° - Bastia Citadel - 6 nautical miles, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) two small vessels were seen approaching from the southward about 4 nautical miles from the shore. Both had several guns mounted. Also on was heard transmitting on Asdics.
At 1228A/29, a small ship of about 800 tons approaching Bastia but it was too far to the south to be attacked before it entered the harbour.
[We have been unable to identify these vessels.] (34)
30 Apr 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) fired three torpedoes against the French passenger/cargo vessel Cap Corse (2444 GRT, built 1929) north-east of Bastia, Corsica. No hits were obtained.
The Cap Corse was on a trip from Bastia to Nice escorted by an Italian seaplane of the 146^Squadriglia. She reported being missed by three torpedoes.
0615A/30 - While in position 067° - Cape Sagro - 3.5 nautical miles a French merchant vessel of approximately 2000 tons was sighted steering north at a speed of about 11 knots. Started attack.
0624A/30 - Fired three torpedoes. No hits were obtained.
0630A/30 - Withdrew to the south. (34)
4 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0630A/4, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) observed two enemy trawlers being present in Giglio Island harbour.
At 0835A/4, a small steamer was seen leaving Port San Stefano (Monte Argentario) for Giglio. She passed quite close proceeding at 10 knots. She appeared to have a 3" gun mounted forward. She was seen to return around 1100A/4.
At 1220A/4, a merchant vessel of about 1500 tons leaving Port San Stefano to the northward. She was not escorted. HMS Tactician was too far to the south to be able to attack.
At 1700A/4, HMS Tactician surfaced and proceeded to the north of Giglio Island to charge. (34)
5 May 1943 (position 42.34, 10.45)
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) sank the Italian auxiliary patrol vessel V17 / Pia (385 GRT) with gunfire about 10 nautical miles west of Grosseto, Italy in position 42°34'N, 10°45'E.
0747A/5, near Cape Argentario, a three-funnelled Italian torpedo boat, thought to be of the Abba-class passed northward. At the same time three southbound schooners were seen. They could not be attacked.
This was probably the torpedo boat Giuseppe La Masa who sailed at 2320B/4 from Olbia for Leghorn where she arrived at 1020B/5. At 0535B/5, she was off Monte Cristo.
1830A/5 - In position 42°34'N, 10°45'E sighted a large three-masted schooner. Decided to attack with the 4" gun.
1911A/5 - Surfaced at a range of 2500 yards and sank the schooner with gunfire. 29 Rounds were used.
1918A/5 - Submerged as the target was now well ablaze from end to end.
1955A/5 - The schooner was seen to sink. (34)
6 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 2030A/6, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) left patrol to return to Algiers as ordered in Capt. S 8's signal timed 1148A/2. (34)
11 May 1943
Around 0930A/11, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean) at Algiers. (37)
22 May 1943
Around 1830A/22, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Algiers for Malta.
[As there is no log available for this period no map can be displayed.] (38)
28 May 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) arrived at Malta. (35)
3 Jun 1943
Around 1700B/3, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Malta for her 4th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Adriatic.
[As there is no log available for this period no map can be displayed.] (34)
8 Jun 1943
At 1530A/8, when in position 41°13'N, 17°46'E (085° - Bari Lighthouse - 42 nautical miles), HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) sighted smoke, masts and a funnel of a merchant vessel bearing 340°. HMS Tactician increased to full submerged speed and endeavoured to close but unfortunately on hour later the attack had to be broken off as it was obvious the range could not be closed to more then 5 nautical miles. Enemy course was about 105° at about 9 knots and it is thought this ship was en-route from Bari to Durazzo.
This must have been the Italian transport Mariannina (1317 GRT, built 1885) which sailed from Bari at 0900B/8, proceeding at 5.5 knots to Durazzo where she arrived at 0730B/9. (34)
9 Jun 1943
At 1226A/9, (no position given in the patrol report, but must be reasonably close to Bari) HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) sighed another merchant vessel’s masts and funnel to the south. An attack was started but the ship soon disappeared from sight.
This was most likely the transport Toscana (Italian, 9442 GRT, built 1923) which sailed from Bari at 1100B/9 for Naples. Her speed was given as 8 knots. (34)
10 Jun 1943
At 0910A/10, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) sighted two auxiliary caique type minesweepers sweeping the channel to Bari from the harbour entrance to 060° - 4 nautical miles.
At 1500A/10, a ship, thought to be a small tanker of about 900 tons, was seen leaving Bari Harbour. She approached very slowly at 6 knots steering a steady course until 1545A/10 when she altered course placing HMS Tactician about 4000 yards right ahead of the target. HMS Tactician ran out on a 90° track at full speed for 5 minutes to the southward and after a quick look through the periscope it was seen that HMS Tactician was still right ahead of the target so full speed was run for another 6 minutes.
At 1615A/10, it was seen that the target had altered 90° to starboard. So HMS Tactician also commenced to turn to starboard to get on track again. It was then seen that HMS Tactician was now right ahead of an escort vessel approaching from 120° and from two merchant ships from 060°. HMS Tactician had just time to go deep.
On returning to periscope depth it was seen that HMS Tactician was hopelessly out of place to attack and that two more escorts were present. The ship which had originally been sighted was now thought to be some sort of armed boarding vessel. She had awaited the convoy at the end of the swept channel. The convoy now entered Bari.
The tug Talamone sailed from Bari at 0910B/10, the schooner Ortensia sailed at 1235B/10 and the passenger ship Merano (Italian, 3705 GRT, built 1909) sailed from Bari at 1325B/10. None of these match the description given by Lt.Cdr. Collett. (34)
11 Jun 1943
At 0510A/11, off Bari, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) sighted a hospital ship passing at a range of about 2000 yards. She entered Bari at 0600A/11 having been met at the entrance to the swept channel by the 'armed boarding vessel' which had also been seen the day before.
At 0810A/11, a heavily laden schooner was sighted. She passed only 100 yards off and entered Bari in company with the 'armed boarding vessel'. Lt.Cdr. Collett considered gun action but just managed to resist the temptation and wait for better targets to appear.
The hospital ship Aquileia (Italian, 9448 GRT, built 1914) arrived at Bari at 0835B/11 (the time is a bit different). She was bringing wounded from Meline (Yugoslavia).
Note: At 0445B/11, the tanker Cesco (Italian, 6161 GRT, built 1917) escorted by the torpedo boat Giuseppe Missori sailed from Bari for Valona. It is a bit strange that Tactician missed them, perhaps she must have been withdrawing from the coast to charge her batteries. At 1425B/11, the minesweeper RD 22 arrived at Bari from Brindisi. At 1430B/11, the fishing vessels Nettuno, Sacro Cuoro di Gesù, Salvatore and Avvenire arrived at Bari from Brindisi.
Nothing could be found on the identity of the schooner sighed by HMS Tactician at 0810A/11. (34)
12 Jun 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) damaged the large Italian motor schooner Bice (1098 GRT, built 1902) with gunfire 5 nautical miles north-east of the Bari lighthouse.
According to Italian sources Bice was on a trip from Durazzo to Bari and was being led in by the auxiliary (former pilot vessel) F 122 / Letizia. The latter opened fire on the submarine with a small gun. Bice was only slightly damaged but the crew had abandoned ship and Letizia had a hit on the balustrade holding the compass causing only minor damage but several shells fell very close to her. By this time coastal batteries had opened fire on the submarine which submerged. Letizia followed up and dropped four depth-charges then the crew reboarded Bice and, towed by Letizia, she reached Bari at 1600 hours. Marina Bari had immediately ordered the torpedo-boat Giuseppe Missori, the auxiliary minesweeper B 296 / S.Nicola I (B.296) and the motorboat 23 to hunt the submarine.
0915B/12 - The usual 'armed boarding vessel' was seen to come to the end of the swept channel. Two hospital vessels in the harbour were seen to have steam so it was thought that they were about to leave robbing HMS Tactician from yet another attack possibility.
1220B/12 - Tactician surfaced and engaged a large schooner with gunfire from 2200 yards. The schooner was escorted by an armed vessel that was approximately 4500 yards away.
The first round was fired only 24 seconds after Tactician passed 10 feet. The fourth and fifth round were a hits on the schooners hull. The crew of the schooner abandoned ship.
About 5 minutes into the action the armed vessel opened fire on Tactician which now shifted target. Several hits were obtained on this vessel with one of the hits knocking out it's gun. The enemy vessel eventually fled towards Bari harbour.
Target was now shifted back to the schooner again that soon started to settle after several more hits.
1234B/12 - Tactician was taken under fire by shore batteries forcing Lt.Cdr. Collett to dive and break off the action.
1320B/12 - Twenty-three depth charges were dropped but these caused no damage. (34)
14 Jun 1943 (position 40.14, 19.28)
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) torpedoed and damaged the transport Rosandra (Italian, 8035 GRT, built 1921) off the coast of Albania in position 40°14'N, 19°28'E.
Rosandra was on a trip from Prevesa to Valona escorted by the auxiliary Rovigno. She was hit by two torpedoes and taken in tow by the minesweeper Monfalcone but the ship sank the following day. Six were killed, Rovigno picked up 173 survivors.
0637B/14 - While in position 261° - Sazan Island lighthouse - 6 nautical miles sighted masts of a ship leaving Valona northbound. HMS Tactician was not in a position to attack.
0755B/14 - Sighted two minesweepers sweeping between Cape Linguetta and Sazan Island into Valona Bay.
1610B/14 - When in position 155° - Cape Linguetta - 15 nautical miles, a northbound merchant vessel of 7600 tons was sighted close inshore. An attack was started.
1641B/14 - Four torpedoes were fired when range was closed to 2200 yards. Although no escort was seen during the setup of the attack there was one that closed Tactician and forced her deep shortly after firing the torpedoes.
Before the last torpedo exploded a depth charge was dropped that was very close. Within 10 minutes 16 more depth charges were dropped with three of them even closer then the first one. No real damage was done and the escort lost contact soon after.
2215B/14 - Surfaced and set course to leave patrol. (34)
15 Jun 1943
Around 2100B/15, in position 39°09'N, 18°15'E, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) sighted a submarine 7 to 8 nautical miles away bearing 310° steering approximately northwards silhouetted against the sunset. Closed and brought all eight forward torpedo tubes to the ready. The target could not be identified definitely as it was rapidly getting darker.
At 2115B/15, the target could no longer be seen in the darkness so the attack was broken off and course was set to the southward. An enemy report was passed by W/T at 2220B/15.
As this sighting was on the edge of the operating area of HMS Unbroken (Lt. B.J.B. Andrew, DSC, RN), Lt.Cdr. Collett did not attack immediately.
This was the Italian submarine Atropo returning to Taranto from a supply mission to Lampedusa. She arrived at Taranto around 0820B/16. (34)
18 Jun 1943
Around 1130B/18, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) ended her 4th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (34)
3 Jul 1943
Around 2200B/3, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Malta for her 5th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Gulf of Taranto as part of a patrol line of five submarines to provide cover during Operation Husky, the Allied landings on Sicily.
[As there is no log available for this period no map can be displayed.] (34)
10 Jul 1943
At 0600B/10, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) left the Gulf of Taranto as she was now ordered to patrol in the Adriatic south of a line 132° - Pelagosa Island and west of 18°53'E. (34)
11 Jul 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 2345B/11, when near Brindisi, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) had to dive as an unidentified patrol vessel was sighted bearing 315° at a range of 4 miles and closing. HMS Tactician surfaced an hour later to find nothing in sight. (34)
12 Jul 1943
At 1325B/12, when patrolling off the Brindisi swept channel, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) sighed two minesweepers sweeping the swept channel out of Brindisi thereby giving away its exact location. [We have been unable to identify these vessels.]
At 1820B/12, two three-masted schooners were and two three-masted caiques were seen leaving Brindisi through the swept channel. They were escorted by an armed trawler.
This may have been schooners out of the following which had sailed from Brindisi at 1730B/12; Maria Giuseppina, Tacito and Vi Dirò.
At 1945B/12, the trawler was seen to return to the harbour. The sailing vessels were not attacked as it was not considered wise to compromise the patrol position so early after having arrived off Brindisi. [We have been unable to identify this trawler.] (34)
13 Jul 1943
At 1230B/13, when patrolling off the Brindisi swept channel, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) sighted a tanker of about 6000 tons leaving Brindisi. She was escorted by a destroyer and an aircraft. Instead of proceeding to the end of the swept channel they altered course to the southward when five miles from the shore. The destroyer turned back to Brindisi and the tanker proceeded unescorted. The range could not be closed to less then 12000 yards and it was possible to surface and give chase as the destroyer was still in sight and the aircraft was also still in the area.
According to Italian sources, no tanker or destroyer left Brindisi on this day. [Also it would be very foolish for the Italians to send a 6000-ton tanker unescorted southward with all the armada of operation Husky in place.] (34)
14 Jul 1943
At 1230B/14, when patrolling off the Brindisi swept channel, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) sighted two small merchant vessels in ballast and an escorting destroyer entering the swept channel from the seaward. They passed at a range of 3000 yards but the attack was broken off when it was seen that the merchant vessels were only of about 1100 and 600 tons respectively. As they were in ballast and small it was considered that torpedoes would most likely run underneath them.
The transports Pugliola (Italian, 2074 GRT, built 1917) and Costante (Italian, 869 GRT, built 1901) escorted by the Italian auxiliary Rovigno (451 GRT, built 1941) arrived at Brindisi at 1450B/14 and must have been the ships sighted. (34)
16 Jul 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) fires six torpedoes against the Italian submarine Luigi Settembrini that was about to enter Brindisi harbour. No hits were obtained.
Settembrini was on passage from Pola to Brindisi. The Italian submarine observed two torpedo tracks astern, one at about 200 meters and another just only 15 meters.
Later on this day she set course to return to the Gulf of Taranto as ordered by Captain S.10.
1300B/16 - Sighted a trawler leaving Brindisi and proceeding up to swept channel.
1350B/16 - The trawler was seen to proceed back towards Brindisi.
1356B/16 - It was now seen that a submarine was following the trawler up the swept channel. Started attack.
1403B/16 - Fired six torpedoes. No hits were obtained. Tactician now set course to retire from the Adriatic as had been ordered in Capt. S 10's signal timed 0630B/16. (34)
18 Jul 1943
At 0001B/18, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) established patrol in the Gulf of Taranto. (34)
22 Jul 1943
At 0010B/22, in the Gulf of Taranto, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) was forced to dive for an approaching motor torpedo boat which was seen approaching from the southward and had closed to 1000 yards.
Later this day HMS Tactician left parol to proceed to patrol as ordered in Capt. S 10's signal timed 1310B/16 and Capt. S 1's signal timed 1609C/21. (34)
27 Jul 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) ended her 5th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean) at Beirut. (34)
8 Aug 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Beirut for Port Said where she is to be docked.
[As there is no log available for this period no map can be displayed.] (35)
10 Aug 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) arrived at Port Said from Beirut. (35)
12 Aug 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) is docked at Port Said. (39)
17 Aug 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) is undocked. (39)
18 Aug 1943
Around 1800C/18, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Port Said for her 6th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Aegean and to perform a special operation. (34)
21 Aug 1943
At 1816C/21, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) received Capt. S 1's signal timed 1531C/21 ordering her to proceed immediately to patrol in the Trikeri Channel and postpone her special operation. Course was set accordingly and patrol was established in the Trikeri Channel by 0230C/23. The transport Gerda Toft (German (former Danish), 1960 GRT, built 1930) was expected to proceed there from the Dardanelles. (40)
26 Aug 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) carries out special operation ' Bromfield '. Around 2330C/26, the submarine landed three Greek agents on the north side of Karalades Bay (Euboa). On completion of the special operation course was set to patrol off the Dardanelles as ordered in Capt. S 1's signal timed 2117C/25. (34)
28 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1955C/28, near the entrance to the Dardanelles, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) was passed close ahead by two high speed craft proceeding northwards. It was too dark to identify them but the were transmitting on Asdics. It was thought it might be torpedo boat or E-boats probably proceeding northwards to pick up a ship coming from the Dardanelles. This may have been the Italian torpedo boats Solferino and Calatafimi proceeding to the Dardanelles to meet the tanker Celeno (Italian, 3741 GRT, built 1899) and then escort her to Piraeus.
At 2055C/28, HMS Tactician surfaced and immediately sighted a dark object a mile to the south so she dived again to avoid being sighted.
At 2140C/28, HMS Tactician surfaced again.
At 0030C/29, what is thought to be a patrol vessel was sighted close ahead. HMS Tactician dived but was probably sighted as the enemy circled round the submarine slowly while using Asdics. The enemy than passed almost directly overhead and HE could be heard all through the boat for about 10 minutes. HMS Tactician was kept down and most likely around this time the expected tanker Celeno passed through the area. (34)
29 Aug 1943
At 2131C/29, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) received Capt. S 1's signal timed 1058C/29 ordering her to patrol in the southern Aegean. Course was set to comply. (34)
1 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 2117C/1, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) received Capt. S 1's signal timed 1104C/1 ordering her to leave patrol proceeding either via the north of Rhodes or through the Scarpanto Strait. Course was then set to proceed via the north of Rhodes. (34)
5 Sep 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) ended her 6th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean) at Beirut.
(34)
19 Sep 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Beirut for Port Said. Tactician is to proceed to Colombo to join the Eastern Fleet to fight against the Japanese. (35)
20 Sep 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) arrived at Port Said. (35)
21 Sep 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) transited the Suez Canal southbound and then set course to proceed towards Aden.
[As there is no log available for this period no map can be displayed.] (35)
26 Sep 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) arrived at Aden. (35)
30 Sep 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Aden bound for Colombo.
For the daily positions of HMS Tactician during this passage see the map below.
(35)
12 Oct 1943
Around 1250EF/12, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) arrived at Colombo. On entering harbour she made a run over the D/G range. (41)
18 Oct 1943
Around 2130FG/18, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Colombo for her 7th war patrol (1st in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol off Penang, Malaya. She is also to carry out a special operation.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Tactician during this patrol see the map below.
(34)
26 Oct 1943
From 26 to 28 October 1943, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) carries out special operation MISSIVE I.
[So far no report of this special operation, which took place in the Pengang area, has been found, the first part of this operations appears to have been a reconnaissance of the NW coast of Pulo Langkawi, the second part may have been to make contact with a sampan but it is just a guess]. (34)
27 Oct 1943
At 1500FG/27, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) sighted the masts and funnel of a small ship entering Penang by the south entrance.
At 1950FG/27, a vessel was seen to the north at a range of 6000 yards which showed a large bow wave. The night was too dark to see the silhouette of the contact and the Officer of the Watch dived at once as it was too late to make an attack. HE was picked up on the Asdic which gave a speed of 15 to 16 knots for the contact. It was thought it may have been an enemy submarine returning from patrol.
[No enemy submarine arrived at Penang from patrol on this day.] (42)
28 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0800FG/28, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) sighted the masts and funnel of a small coaster leaving Penang to the eastward. She passed more then 6 nautical miles to the south of HMS Tactician so an attack was not possible.
At 2100FG/28, HMS Tactician closed the coast to carry out the second part of special operation Missive I. This was completed at 2330FG/28. (34)
30 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0830FG/30, when on patrol off the northern entrance into Penang, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) sighted what is thought to be a small Japanese submarine chaser entering Penang from the westward at 15 knots. (34)
31 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 2300FG/31, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) left patrol off Penang to return to Colombo. (34)
7 Nov 1943
Around 1200FG/7, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) ended her 7th war patrol (1st in the Far East) at Colombo. On entering harbour she ran over the D/G range.
She was escorted in by a trawler [identity not known] which she had met around 1015FG/7. (34)
13 Nov 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) is docked at Colombo. (43)
15 Nov 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) left dock. (43)
27 Nov 1943
Around 2000FG/27, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Colombo for her 8th war patrol (2nd in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol off the West coast of Siam. She is also to carry out two special operations (Missive II and Pritchard).
For the daily positions of HMS Tactician during this patrol see the map below.
(34)
4 Dec 1943
From 4 to 7 December, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) tries to carry out the first (Operation ' Missive II ') of the two special operations she was to carry out during this patrol. The special operation was not a success and had to be abandoned.
On 4 December Tactician carried out a preliminary reconnaissance of the area off Langkawi.
On 5 and 7 December Tactician waited for a junk with several secret agents to show up off Langkawi. The junk however did not show up at the rendezvous.
On 6 December, which was not a rendezvous day, a junk was boarded off Pulau Rebak. After taking off the papers the junk, which had a crew of four Chinese, and was carrying a cargo of rubber and tea from Lamut to Kantan, was released. The junk had called at Penang four days previously and an attempt was made to interrogate the crew but they spoke no Malay (there was a Malay speaking officer on board HMS Tactician for the special operations). (34)
9 Dec 1943
From 9 to 16 December, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) tries to carry out the second of the two special operatives she was to carry out during this patrol. Like the first special operation this one was also not a success and had to be abandoned late on 16 December.
Attempted to make contact with agent Luang Pradit without success about 30 nautical miles north of Phuket, Siam (Operation ' Pritchard '. Nothing of the agent was however sighted. At 2200FG/12, a group of two (Captain Read and Lieutenant Whitelaw) were landed by Folbot to make a shore reconnaissance. They also sighted nothing and were back on board HMS Tactician after four hours. (34)
16 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 2100FG/16, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) left patrol to proceed to Trincomalee. (34)
20 Dec 1943
Around 1400FG/20, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) ended her 8th war patrol (2nd in the Far East) at Trincomalee.
She was escorted in by a trawler [identity not known] which she had met around 0730FG/20. (44)
5 Jan 1944
Around 0900FG/5, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Trincomalee for her 9th war patrol (3rd in the Far East). She was escorted out by the Italian sloop Eritrea on which she also made two practice attacks. They parted company around 1500FG/5.
HMS Tactician was ordered to patrol off the north coast of Sumatra. She is also to carry out a special operation (Operation Versatile). (45)
5 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
For the daily positions of HMS Tactician during her 9th war patrol see the map below.
9 Jan 1944 (position 6.21, 93.22)
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) encounters a submarine about 40 nautical miles south-east of Great Nicobar Island in position 06°21'N, 93°22'E. It was not possible to identify the submarine. As it might have been a British submarine returning to Trincomalee it was not attacked.
0030FG/9 - In position 06°21'N, 93°22'E the Officer of the Watch dived for a submarine 3000 yards ahead. The submarine was easily picked up in the high power periscope. All bow tubes were brought to the ready. It was however not possible to positively identify the submarine as enemy. It appeared she had a large conning tower or tower and gun combined and a rising bow, just like the 'T-class'. The submarine was therefore not attacked.
No British submarine was expcted in this area at the given time but it was always possible that a submarine on patrol had sustained damage and was returning early unable to signal her intention to do so.
The Japanese submarine I-165 (offsite link) had departed Penang on 7 January 1944 for a patrol in the Indian Ocean and it is quite likely that she was the submarine Tactician encountered. (34)
12 Jan 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted special operation Versatile.
In the afternoon of the 12th a periscope reconaissance of the area was made.
At 2210FG/12, HMS Tactician landed three agents in two 'Recce' boats north-west of the Bedagei River (near position 03°36.4'N, 99°18.6'E). After the agents made a signal that they had landed safely at 0100FG/12, HMS Tactician withdrew to patrol off the north coast of Sumatra between Diamond Point and Sabang the following morning. (34)
14 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 2240FG/14, to the west of Diamond Point, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) sighted three small junks proceeding eastwards close inshore. They were not attacked. (45)
16 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1445FG/16 [this time is according to the log, the patrol report gives the time as 1145FG/16 but this might be a typo as we believe the log to be the correct entry], off the north coast of Sumatra about midway between Sabang and Diamond Point, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) sighted three small junks proceeding westwards close inshore. They were not attacked. (45)
17 Jan 1944 (position 5.29, 96.30)
At 0530FG/17, when in position 05°29'N, 96°30'E, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) first detected with her hydrophones and later sighted an unescorted merchant vessel bearing 040° which was thought to be a seaplane tender of the Kagu Maru-class to the but she passed out of range as HMS Tactician was patrolling on the inshore route. Enemy course was 295° at 16 knots.
[It is possible that the Kiyokawa Maru (offsite link) may have been in this area.] (45)
22 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0230FG/22, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) left patrol to return to Trincomalee as ordered in Capt. S 4's signal timed 0855Z/19. (45)
26 Jan 1944
Around 1300FG/26, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) ended her 9th war patrol (3rd in the Far East) at Trincomalee.
(34)
10 Feb 1944
Around 0720FG/10, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Trincomalee for her 10th war patrol (4th in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol in the Malacca Straits. She is also to carry out a special operation (operation Mullet).
On departure from harbour gunnery exercises were carried out on a target that was being towed by HMS Tewara (T/Lt. J.G.A. Curtis, RNVR). On completion of these exercises HMAS Napier (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Green, DSC, RAN) joined at 0910FG/10 to escort the submarine out.
At 1145FG/10, HMAS Napier parted company to return to Trincomalee. (34)
10 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Tactician during her 10th war patrol see the map below.
16 Feb 1944
During the afternoon, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) carries out periscope reconnaissance of the west and north coasts of Pulau Butang and Pulau Rawi. A suitable landing spot for the upcoming special operation 'Mullet' was sighted. (46)
17 Feb 1944
During 17 and 18 February 1944, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) tried to intercept a suitable junk that could be used for special operation 'Mullet'. She however failed to intercept one. (34)
20 Feb 1944
At 0130 hours HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) boards a junk near Langkawi. The junk however proved to be useless for the special operation. The crew was so frightened of the Japanese that they refused to co-operate with the British. The junk was released. The next day Tactician was ordered to patrol elsewhere. (47)
21 Feb 1944 (position 5.53, 96.46)
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) attacks a Japanese submarine south of Langkawi in position 05°53'5N, 99°46'2E. Five torpedoes were fired but these missed.
The Japanese submarine RO-111 (offsite link) returned to Penang from patrol in the Indian Ocean on 23 February 1944 but it is unlikely she was already so close to Penang on this day and also her maximum speed was less then the speed the target had. Possibly a boat based at Penang had been on exercises before departing on patrol.
[According to the patrol report this attack took place on 20 February 1944 but according to the submarines log it took place on 21 February 1944. We think the log is correct and this seems to be confirmed in the Admiralty war diary summaries (file ADM 199/2290).]
0725FG/21 - Sighed a submarine bearing 260° at a range of 4 nautical miles. The submarine was thought to be Japanese steering a course 125° towards Penang.
0729FG/21 - Five torpedoes were fired from 5000-6000 yards. All five torpedoes missed the target. It was intended to fire eight torpedoes but when the 5th torpedo was fired it was realised that the targets speed was underestimated. The enemy speed had been estimated as being 15 knots. (34)
23 Feb 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) lands the 'Mullet' party as during the past days no suitable junk to put them on had been found. The party were sighted by local fishermen and decided to return to the submarine. As it was becoming light they had to wait till after dark before they could return.
0330FG/23 - The 'Mullet' party left Tactician in two Folbots to land on Langkawi. They were equipped with stores for six days. As they landed they ran into a group of local fishermen. They endeavoured to return to Tactician but there was insufficient time before daylight so they landed after all. They hoisted a signal that they were returning after dusk so Tactician remained in the area.
Shortly after dark the party departed the beach for Tactician but in the dark they missed the submarine. Only after Tactician sounded her siren they realised they were to the seaward of the submarine. They finally returned at 2230FG/23. Tactician then set course to patrol to the west of the Aroa Islands.
Tactician was later ordered by signal (Capt. S 4's 1815Z/22) to abandon the operation. (48)
29 Feb 1944 (position 3.03, 100.18)
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) sank a small merchant vessel with gunfire and a torpedo in the Malacca Straits in position 03°03'N, 100°18'E.
1315FG/28 - In position 02°49'N, 100°22'E sighted a small merchant vessel steaming north.
1430FG/28 - Tactician surfaced astern of the target and opened fire from 1200 yards. A gun on the stern of the enemy was immediately put out of action. A large number of men, thought to be passengers, were seen to jump overboard. Fire was checked to give them the chance to abandon ship but the enemy sent over a hail of machine gun fire so fire was reopened. The engines were put out of action and the enemy ship stopped. Tactician then altered course to get to the front of the enemy to hole her forward. This unfortunately opened up the arcs of the enemy's forward gun. A further 15 rounds were fired nearly all scoring hits. The enemy's fire was now becoming more accurate. Tactician now went under the enemy's stern again. After firing more rounds resulting in more hits the enemy still did not appear to be sinking so it was decided to dive to open the range and finish the ship off from out of range from her gun.
1502FG/28 - Sighted smoke approaching from the north-east, which soon proved to be a northbound tanker of about 800 tons. Course was immediately altered to intercept. Meanwhile the original target had settled aft, it's engine room was obviously completely flooded and it was hoped she would sink without further persuasion.
1800FG/28 - The tanker was now out of sight.
1830FG/28 - Surfaced to intercept. Proceeded northwards. The tanker was however not seen again. Proceeded back to the area of the original action.
Before dawn (on the 29th) the scene of the action was approached with caution. The target was seen to be still afloat and stopped. 0509FG/29 - Commenced a submerged approach. As the periscope was seen and being fired upon it was decided to attack with a torpedo.
0730FG/29 - Fired a torpedo from 700 yards but it ran under. A second torpedo was therefore fired that hit the target just forward of the bridge and the ship sank immediately in position 03°03'N, 100°18'E.
1830FG/29 - Left patrol to return to Trincomalee. (34)
7 Mar 1944
Around 1415FG/7, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) ended her 10th war patrol (4th in the Far East) at Trincomalee.
(34)
13 Mar 1944
Around 1815FG/13, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Trincomalee for Colombo. (49)
15 Mar 1944
Around 0845FG/15, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) arrived at Colombo. (49)
17 Mar 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) is docked in the outer graving dock at Colombo. (49)
25 Mar 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) is undocked. (49)
27 Mar 1944
Around 1815FG/27, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Colombo for Trincomalee. (49)
29 Mar 1944
Around 1040FG/29, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) arrived at Trincomalee. (49)
31 Mar 1944
Around 1915FG/31, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Trincomalee for her 11th war patrol (5th in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol near Phuket on the West coast of Siam. She is also to carry out a special operation (Operation Corton II).
HMS Tactician was escorted out by HMS Maid Marion (T/Lt. F.R. Crawford, RNVR). They parted company around 2330FG/31. (34)
31 Mar 1944
For the daily positions of HMS Tactician during her 11th war patrol see the map below.
5 Apr 1944
From 5 to 9 April 1944, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) carries out special operation Corton II.
At dawn Tactician arrived in the vicinity of Elphinstone Island. The north-west coast was then closed. Submerging to within 10 cables.
1000FG/5 - A yellow flag was observed near the end of the point to the southward of the bay on the west side of Elphinstone Island in position 12°19.2'N, 97°56.7'E.
1600FG/5 - The signal (yellow flag) was removed. Tactician remained in close proximity to the shore after dark.
0100FG/6 - The letter 'R' was flashed twice from the end of the point.
0120FG/6 - The whole 'Corton I' party (which had been landed on 5 February 1944 by HMS Trespasser (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Favell) arrived on board. Captain Green, the leader of the party seemed very fit but three of his men were sick, two of which had malaria. Captain Green gave a favourable report of his camp and there were no indications that it had been compromised. Four dinghies were therefore loaded with stores and sent ashore at 0230FG/6 as were four Folbots with the whole of the 'Corton II' party, Captains Green and Maitland and one other rating.
HMS Tactician spent 6 April 1944 submerged within 4 nautical miles from the landing place until ...
2200FG/6 - Closed the landing zone with all remaining stores on deck and all boats rigged and ready for launching.
On return, Captain Green reported that a large motor launch with 15 occupants had landed early in the afternoon on the north-west point of the land, which is part of Elphinstone Island and not a separate island as was shown on the chart. This was less then two nautical miles away and looked very suspicious. After debate it was decided that if it was an enemy patrol it was just a regular one and it could even have been locals. It was also decided to go ahead with landing stores although by now only one trip could be made before dawn.
During the 7th, Tactician again conducted a close submerged patrol but nothing was seen of the reported motor launch.
During the night of 7/8 April the remaining stores were landed. All stores were reported to be safely ashore.
At 0001FG/9, HMS Tactician left the area and set course for her patrol area near Phuket. (46)
9 Apr 1944 (position 8.52, 98.08)
At 2300B/13, in position 08°52'N, 98°08'E, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) sighed smoke and three small dark objects bearing 080° at a range of 7 nautical miles. HMS Tactician then closed at full speed and endeavoured to head off the ship before it reached the southern end of Salang Island. The ship was however too fast and could not be overtaken. No more than smoke and the ships funnel could be seen. (34)
16 Apr 1944
At 0100FG/16, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) left the Phuket area to proceed towards the vicinity of Sabang for air/sea rescue duties as had been ordered in Capt. S 4's signal timed 1209Z/15.
While en-route HMS Tactician encountered HMS Taurus (Lt.Cdr. M.R.G. Wingfield, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) in position 06°37'N, 96°18'E.
HMS Tactician arrived in her assigned area at midnight during the night of 16/17 April 1944. (34)
19 Apr 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) picked up an Allied fighter pilot that was shot down off Sabang. Tactician was providing air/sea rescue duties during 'Operation Cockpit'.
0530FG/19 - Tactician was in position 06°00'N, 95°10'E and remained, as ordered, patrolling on the surface.
0645FG/19 - Several formations of aircraft were seen approaching Sabang. The next 20 minutes all hell broke loose in Sabang. Large fires were seen.
0705FG/19 - An aircraft was seen to crash bearing 100 about 5 nautical miles away. Tactician immediately closed the position at full speed.
0725FG/19 - A Japanese Chidori-class torpedo boat was seen to leave Sabang harbour and proceed along the coast to the north-east for the next 20 minutes.
The torpedo boat steadily got closer until he was only 11000 yards away. It appeared that he was going to beat us in the race towards the crash position. Shortly afterwards the torpedo boat was attacked by Allied aircraft and changed course to the South-East.
0740FG/19 - Tactician arrived at the crash position to look for the pilot.
0822FG/19 - The pilot was spotted and picked up from the water. Meanwhile Tactician had been taken under fire by a shore battery. The shells landed very close and Tactician was hit by shrapnel.
0824FG/19 - Dived and proceeded to the north-west.
2359FG/19 - Left patrol in accordance with Capt S 4's signal timed 0413Z/19. (34)
23 Apr 1944
Around 0945FG/23, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) ended her 11th war patrol (5th in the Far East) at Trincomalee.
She had met her escort, the Italian sloop Eritrea around 0520FG/23. (50)
10 May 1944
Around 0845FG/10, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Trincomalee for her 12th war patrol (6th in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol in the northern entrance to the Malacca Straits and to lay a minefield.
She was escorted out until 1445FG/10 by the Italian sloop Eritrea on which also two practice attacks were made. (51)
10 May 1944
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Tactician during her 12th war patrol see the map below.
13 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During the morning, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conduced a periscope reconnaissance of Car Nicobar Island but nothing of interest was sighted. (34)
16 May 1944 (position 6.29, 99.53)
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) lays 12 mines to the North-East off Langkawi near position 06°29'N, 99°52'E.
0630FG/16 - Commenced run into Langkawi Sound to carry out the minelaying operation.
1341FG/16 - Commenced laying the first row of four mines.
Position of 1st mine:
06°29'08"N, 99°53'10"E.
Position of 4th mine:
06°28'50"N, 99°52'47"E.
1445FG/16 - Commenced laying the second row of four mines.
Position of 1st mine:
06°29'55"N, 99°53'05"E.
Position of 4th mine:
06°30'16"N, 99°53'23"E.
1540FG/16 - Commenced laying the third and last row of four mines.
Position of 1st mine:
06°29'52"N, 99°51'57"E.
Position of 4th mine:
06°29'32"N, 99°52'10"E.
During the second reload smoke was sighted to the southward and at 1542FG/16 what was thought to be an armed tug which was escorting six junks. The junks were of about 20 tons and were flying the Japanese ensign. They were not attacked as not to disclose the presence of the submarine and the minefield. (34)
28 May 1944 (position 6.43, 99.29)
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) sank two sailing vessels with gunfire of the west coast of Siam, to the North-West of Langkawi.
1815FG/28 - Surfaced and closed two junks sighted shortly before. Boarded both junks and took eight prisoners (Chinese). The junks were sunk with scuttling charges near position 06°43'N, 99°29'E.
2230FG/28 - Left patrol to return to Trincomalee. (34)
3 Jun 1944
Around 0700FG/3, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) ended her 12th war patrol (6th in the Far East) at Trincomalee. Before entering harbour noise trials were carried out.
She was escorted in by the Italian sloop Eritrea which had joined around 0245FG/3. (34)
20 Jun 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Trincomalee for the U.K. where she is to refit. The first leg of the trip is to Aden. (35)
2 Jul 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Aden. (35)
5 Jul 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Aden for Port Said. (35)
10 Jul 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Port Said. (35)
13 Jul 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Port Said for Malta. (35)
17 Jul 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Malta. (35)
20 Jul 1944
Convoy SL 165.
This convoy departed Freetown on 20 July 1944.
On departure from Freetown the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Amstelkerk (Dutch, 4457 GRT, built 1929), Auretta (British, 4564 GRT, built 1935), Biafra (British, 5405 GRT, built 1933), Bradburn (British, 4736 GRT, built 1930), Brighton (British, 5359 GRT, built 1928), Congonian (British, 5065 GRT, built 1936), David Livingstone (British, 5013 GRT, built 1930), Empire Bardolph (British, 7063 GRT, built 1943), Empire Geraint (British, 6991 GRT, built 194), Empire Scott (British, 6150 GRT, built 1941), Empire Shearwater (British, 4970 GRT, built 1920), Fort Sakisdac (British, 7160 GRT, built 1943), Gabon (Norwegian, 4651 GRT, built 1931), John Laurance (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942) Langleetarn (British, 4908 GRT, built 1929), Nigerstroom (Dutch, 4639 GRT, built 1939), Stuyvesant (Dutch, 4249 GRT, built 1918) and Taranaki (British, 10534 GRT, built 1928).
On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the sloop HMS Leith (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) A.W. Preston, RN) and the patrol vessels HMS Kilmarnock (T/A/Lt.Cdr. K.B. Brown, RNVR) and HMS Kilmartin (T/Lt. E.H.G. Hope, RNVR). Around 0700Z/23, in position 14°29'N, 18°05'W, the following merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Dakar; Cap Cantin (British (former French), 3317 GRT, built 1933), Medie II (French, 5078 GRT, built 1922) and Stal (British (former Danish), 2242 GRT, built 1921). They were escorted to the rendezvous by the motor launch HMML 244 which then returned to Dakar at 0745Z/23 taking the merchant vessels Biafra and John Laurance with her.
The merchant vessel Norman Star (British, 6817 GRT, built 1919) was also to have joined with the Dakar section but she was delayed and joined later at sea, around 1600Z/23 in position 15°27'N, 18°00'W.
Around 0800Z/23, the Bathurst section of the convoy joined in position 14°36'N, 18°05'W. This was made up of the fleet tenders HM FT 1 and HM FT 10. HM FT 9 was also to have joined but she was unable to leave Bathust while HM FT 4 did leave but had to return with engine defects. HM FT 1 and HM FT 10 were escorted to the rendezvous by the patrol vessel HMS Kilchatten (T/Lt. D.M. Edwards, DSC, RNR) which did not join the convoy but set course to proceed to Freetown.
On the 25th, HM FT 10 straggled from the convoy and was unable to rejoin. She arrived at Casablanca on 1 August 1944.
On the 28th, HM FT 1 straggled from the convoy and was unable to rejoin. She was ordered to proceed to Casablanca. She arrived at Casablanca on 1 August 1944.
At 1015Z/30, in position 31°41'N, 12°03'W, the Cap Cantin was detached to proceed unescorted to Casablanca due to a medical problem on board. She arrived at Casablanca the following day.
Around 0900Z/31, in position 34°24'N, 11°09'W, the Medie II was detached to Casablanca where she arrived on 1 August escorted by the the minesweeping sloop Commandant Delage and the patrol vessel Le Ruse. These escorts had brought out the merchant vessel Harberton (British, 4585 GRT, built 1930) with them which joined the convoy at the same time the Medie II had been detached.
At 1401Z/31, in approximate position 35°03'N, 11°02'W, HMS Kilmartin was detached to Casablanca where they arrived on 1 August 1944.
At 1418Z/31, in approximate position 35°03'N, 11°02'W, HMS Kilmarnock parted company to proceed to Gibraltar taking the Brigthon with her. They arrived at Gibraltar on 1 August 1944.
Also around this time (1400Z/31), convoy MKS 56 joined in approximate position 35°03'N, 11°02'W coming from the Mediterranean. This convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Algonquin Park (Canadian, 7130 GRT, 1942), Avristan (British, 7266 GRT, built 1942), Empire Confidence (British, 5023 GRT, built 1925), Empire Trent (British, 5006 GRT, built 1927), Empire Wycliff (British, 6966 GRT, built 1941), Framlington Court (British, 4888 GRT, built 1924), Glaisdale (British, 3777 GRT, built 1929), Jobshaven (Dutch, 3528 GRT, built 1916), Samana (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Sambur (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samcleve (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943) and Wanderer (British, 5079 GRT, built 1925).
The auxiliary minelayer HMS Teviotbank (Cdr.(Retd.) R.D. King-Harman, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), submarine HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC and Bar, RN), escort oiler San Tirso (British (tanker), 6266 GRT, built 1913) and rescue vessel Gothland (British, 1286 GRT, built 1932) were also part of convoy MKS 56 and joined the convoy.
The escort of convoy MKS 56 was made up of the destroyer HMS Hesperus (Cdr. G.V. Legassick, RD, RNR), frigates HMS Cotton (Lt.Cdr. I.W.T. Beloe, RN), HMS Gardiner (A/Lt.Cdr. W.G.H. Bolton, DSC, RD, RNR) and the corvettes HMS Flint Castle (T/Lt. S.G. Wright, RNVR), HMS Oxford Castle (T/Lt. H.E. Holden, DSC, RNR), HMS Rushen Castle (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.C. Warwick, DSC and Bar, RNR) and HNoMS Tunsberg Castle (?) they all joined the now combined convoy SL 165 / MKS 56.
At 1420Z/31, after the convoys had merged HMS Leith parted company in approximate position 35°03'N, 11°02'W, to proceed to Gibraltar independently. She arrived at Gibraltar around 1630Z/1.
Around 1900Z/31, in position 35°13'N, 11°34'W, the escort carrier HMS Biter (Capt. A.N.C. Bingley, OBE, RN) having detached earlier that day from the southbound combined convoy OS 84 / KMS 58. She had been escorted to the rendezvous by the frigates HMS Bayntun (Lt.Cdr. L.P. Bourke, RNZNR) and HMS Foley (A/Lt.Cdr. C.A.H. Bird, RNVR). On joining convoy SL 165 / MKS 56, HMS Biter then fuelled both frigates before they parted company to rejoin the combined convoy OS 84 / KMS 58.
During 2/3 August 1944, all escorts except HMS Gardiner fuelled from the San Tirso.
Around 2130Z/5, in position 48°14'N, 18°32'W, the San Triso was detached to join the southbound combined convoy OS 85 / KMS 59. The frigate HMS Antigua (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) D.F. White, RNR) and the corvette HMS Knaresborough Castle (Lt. J.R. Freeman, RNR) had come from that convoy to escort the oiler.
Around 0535Z/3, in position 39°50'N, 18°28'W, two merchant ships joined coming from the Azores, these were the; Crane (British, 785 GRT, built 1937) and Hopestar (British, 5267 GRT, built 1936). They had been escorted to the rendezvous by the A/S trawler HMS Stafnes (T/Lt. A.T. Motion, RNVR) which did not join the convoy but returned to the Azores.
Also on the 6th, HMS Gardiner was fuelled by HMS Biter.
Around 1700Z/6, a fast section was formed and parted company with the convoy in position 50°40'N, 17°40'W to proceed ahead of the main convoy to the U.K. The fast section was made up of six merchant vessels which were the following; Amstelkerk, David Livingstone, Nigerstroom, Stuyvesant, Taranaki and Troubadour. They were escorted by HMS Biter, HMS Cotton, HMS Flint Castle and HMS Rushen Castle.
The fast section of the convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 8 August 1944.
The remainder of the convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 9 August 1944. (52)
24 Jul 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Malta for Gibraltar. She makes the passage in convoy MKS 56.
[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy MKS 56 ' for 18 July 1944.] (35)
29 Jul 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Gibraltar for a short stop probably to fuel. She departed later the same day for passage to Holy Loch. She makes the passage in the same convoy she joined at Malta. (Convoy MKS 56 merged with convoy SL 165 west of Gibraltar).
[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy SL 165 ' for 20 July 1944.] (34)
9 Aug 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Holy Loch escorted by HNoMS Tunsberg Castle (?). (34)
11 Aug 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Holy Loch for Scapa Flow. She made the passage together with HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) and HMS Trusty (Lt. L.E. Herrick, DSO, RN). They were escorted by HMS Shikari (Lt. E.H.U. Cautley, RNVR). (53)
13 Aug 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow. She departed for Dundee later the same day together with HMS Tuna (Lt. L.F.L. Hill, RNR). They were escorted by HMS Graemsay (A/Skr.Lt. A.R. Lewis, RNR). (35)
14 Aug 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Dundee. (35)
15 Aug 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Dundee for Sheerness. (35)
16 Aug 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Sheerness. She later proceeded to the Chatham Dockyard most likely on the 17th. (35)
25 Aug 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC and Bar, RN) starts her refit at Chatham Dockyard. (35)
Sources
- ADM 199/1828
- ADM 173/16303
- ADM 173/16304
- ADM 173/16305
- ADM 173/16306
- ADM 199/2573
- ADM 173/16680
- ADM 173/16681
- ADM 199/1817
- ADM 173/16682
- ADM 173/17118
- ADM 173/17121
- ADM 199/1154
- ADM 199/1116
- ADM 173/17124
- ADM 173/17125
- ADM 173/17126
- Platon Alexiades
- ADM 173/17127
- ADM 173/17129
- ADM 199/1224
- ADM 173/17701
- ADM 173/17702
- ADM 173/17703
- ADM 173/17713
- ADM 173/17714
- ADM 173/17705
- ADM 53/115323 + ADM 173/17714
- ADM 173/17715
- ADM 173/17717
- ADM 173/17718
- ADM 173/17719
- ADM 199/627
- ADM 199/1865
- ADM 199/2572
- ADM 199/1909
- ADM 53/117868 + ADM 199/1865
- ADM 53/117868 + ADM 199/1919
- ADM 199/1916
- ADM 199/1865 + ADM 199/2271
- ADM 173/18167
- ADM 173/18167 + ADM 199/1865
- ADM 173/18168
- ADM 173/18169 + ADM 199/1865
- ADM 173/18911 + ADM 199/1865
- ADM 199/1865 + ADM 199/1882
- ADM 199/1885
- ADM 199/1882 + ADM 199/1885
- ADM 173/18913
- ADM 173/18914 + ADM 199/1865
- ADM 173/18915 + ADM 199/1865
- ADM 199/319
- ADM 199/1385
ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.
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