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Submarine HNMS O 24 (P 24)

13 May 1940
Around 2100 hours HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) and her sister ship HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G. Koudijs, RNN) departed the Lekhaven in Rotterdam bound for the U.K. Both submarines were were bottomed in the North Sea during daylight hours and both arrived safely at the Downs on the 15th. (1)

15 May 1940
HrMs Willem van der Zaan (Lt. Cdr. H.D. Lindner RNN), HrMs O 9 (Lt. J. Metz, RNN), HrMs O 10 (Lt. G. Quint, RNN(R)), HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G. Koudijs, RNN) and HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) all departed the Downs for Porstmouth where they arrived the next day. (1)

Submarine HNMS O 23 (P 23)

4 Jun 1940
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) moves from Fort Blockhouse to the Thornycroft shipyard where she will be completed. (2)

8 Jun 1940
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) is docked at the Thornycroft shipyard. (2)

25 Jun 1940
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) is undocked. (2)

5 Jul 1940
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) proceeded from the Thornycroft shipyard to Fort Blockhouse, the British submarine base at Portsmouth (HMS Dolphin). (2)

6 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) is wiped at Portsmouth. (3)

7 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) conduced exercises off Portsmouth. (3)

8 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) conduced compass adjustment and D/F calibration trials off Portsmouth. (3)

9 Jul 1940
Around 1600A/9, HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) departed from Portsmouth for Rothesay on the Scottish West coast. She is escorted by the Dutch torpedo boat HrMs Z 6 (Lt.Cdr. A.C. Lunbeck, RNN).

Around 1940A/9, off Portland they were joined by the Dutch submarines HrMs O 9 (Lt. H.A.W. Goossens, RNN) and HrMs O 10 (Lt. G. Quint, RNN(R)). (2)

11 Jul 1940
Around 0900A/11, the Dutch submarines HrMs O 9 (Lt. H.A.W. Goossens, RNN), HrMs O 10 (Lt. G. Quint, RNN(R)), HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) and their escort, the Dutch torpedo boat HrMs Z 6 (Lt.Cdr. A.C. Lunbeck, RNN), arrived at Milford Haven. (2)

12 Jul 1940
Around 0700A/12, the Dutch submarines HrMs O 9 (Lt. H.A.W. Goossens, RNN), HrMs O 10 (Lt. G. Quint, RNN(R)), HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) and their escort the Dutch torpedo boat HrMs Z 6 (Lt.Cdr. A.C. Lunbeck, RNN) departed Milford Haven for Rothesay. (2)

14 Jul 1940
Around 0530A/14, the Dutch submarines HrMs O 9 (Lt. H.A.W. Goossens, RNN), HrMs O 10 (Lt. G. Quint, RNN(R)), HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) and their escort the Dutch torpedo boat HrMs Z 6 (Lt.Cdr. A.C. Lunbeck, RNN) arrive at Rothesay. (2)

16 Jul 1940
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) conducted trials and exercises in the Clyde area during which she was escorted by HrMs Z 6 (Lt.Cdr. A.C. Lunbeck, RNN). (2)

18 Jul 1940
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) conducted trials and exercises in the Clyde area during which she was escorted by HrMs Z 6 (Lt.Cdr. A.C. Lunbeck, RNN). (2)

19 Jul 1940
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) conducted trials and exercises in the Clyde area during which she was escorted by HrMs Z 6 (Lt.Cdr. A.C. Lunbeck, RNN). (2)

22 Jul 1940
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HrMs Z 6 (Lt.Cdr. A.C. Lunbeck, RNN) and HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN). (2)

23 Jul 1940
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HrMs Z 6 (Lt.Cdr. A.C. Lunbeck, RNN). Upon completion of these O 23 proceeded to Campbeltown. (2)

24 Jul 1940
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Tuscarora (Capt.(Retd.) E.C. Stubbs, RN). Upon completion of these exercises O 23 proceeded to Rothesay. (2)

26 Jul 1940
Around 1200A/26, HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN), departs Rothesay for Rosyth. She is escorted by the Dutch torpedo boat HrMs Z 6 (Lt.Cdr. A.C. Lunbeck, RNN). (2)

27 Jul 1940
Around 1100A/27, HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) and her escort, the the Dutch torpedo boat HrMs Z 6 (Lt.Cdr. A.C. Lunbeck, RNN) arrived at Stornoway. (2)

28 Jul 1940
Around 0700A/28, HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) and her escort, the the Dutch torpedo boat HrMs Z 6 (Lt.Cdr. A.C. Lunbeck, RNN) departed Stornoway for Rosyth.

Around 1730A/28, off Scapa Flow they were joined by the British submarine HMS L 26 (Lt. P.L. Field, RN) which had just departed from there also for Rosyth. (2)

29 Jul 1940
Around 1100A/29, HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN), HMS L 26 (Lt. P.L. Field, RN) and their escort, the the Dutch torpedo boat HrMs Z 6 (Lt.Cdr. A.C. Lunbeck, RNN) arrived at Rosyth. (2)

1 Aug 1940
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) and her escort, the the Dutch torpedo boat HrMs Z 6 (Lt.Cdr. A.C. Lunbeck, RNN) both departed Rosyth for Dundee where both ships arrived after a few hours.

At Dundee O 23 was taken in hand for repairs at her diesel engines. Since leaving Portsmouth they had produced a lot of smoke. (2)

13 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel) is wiped at Dundee. (3)

13 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel) is wiped at Dundee. (3)

14 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel) is wiped again at Dundee. (3)

15 Aug 1940
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel) conducted post repair trials off Dundee. (2)

18 Aug 1940
Around 2030A/18, HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) departed Dundee for her 1st (work-up) war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the North Sea. Before departure compass adjustment trials were carried out.

For the daily positions of HrMs O 23 during this patrol see the map below.

(4)

29 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2200A/29, HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) left patrol to return to Dundee. (4)

30 Aug 1940
Around 1815A/30, HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) ended her 1st (work-up) war patrol, which had been uneventful, at Dundee. (4)

8 Sep 1940
Around 0650A/8, HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) departed Dundee for her 2nd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the North Sea.

For the daily positions of HrMs O 23 during this patrol see the map below.

(4)

10 Sep 1940
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) was ordered to search for the crew of a British aircraft that had crashed in the sea nearby.

The aircrew was not found and O 23 resumed her war patrol. (4)

20 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2100A/20, HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) left patrol to return to Dundee. (4)

21 Sep 1940
Around 0845A/21, HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Dundee.

In the afternoon D/G trials were carried out off Dundee. (4)

28 Sep 1940
Lt.Cdr. A.M. Valkenburg, RNN, temporary took over command of HrMs O 23 from Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel due to the last one being sick. (2)

20 Nov 1940
Now off the sick list, Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, again takes up command of HrMs O 23. (5)

28 Nov 1940
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) departed Dundee for Grangemouth where she was to be docked. (5)

29 Nov 1940
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) is docked in the west graving dock at Grangemouth. (5)

7 Dec 1940
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) is undocked. (5)

15 Dec 1940
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) was towed from Grangemouth to the Rosyth Dockyard where she was wiped (degaussed). (5)

16 Dec 1940
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) proceeded from Rosyth to Dundee. (5)

18 Dec 1940
Around 1145A/18, HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) departed Dundee for her 5th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the south-west coast of Norway near Bergen.

For the daily positions of HrMs O 23 during this patrol see the map below.

(4)

28 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1900A/28, HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) picked up HE of a ship. O 23 then surfaced and sighted a fully lit liner proceeding southwards at about 17 knots. The ships nationality could not be identified. Lt.Cdr. van Erkel tried to follow to try to investigate further but owing to the sea running O 23 could do no more then 15 knots and fell astern. [We have been unable to indentify this vessel.] (4)

29 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1912A/29, HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) surfaced after a day of submerged patrol and then set course to return to Dundee. (6)

1 Jan 1941
Around 1115A/1, HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) ended her 5th war patrol at Dundee. (6)

19 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the morning, HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) conducted exercises off the Tay estuary. (7)

20 Jan 1941
Around 1500A/20, HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) departed Dundee for her 6th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the south-west coast of Norway to the North of Bergen.

For the daily positions of HrMs O 23 during this patrol see the map below.

(4)

25 Jan 1941 (position 60.53, 3.47)
At 1510A/25, near position 60°53'N, 03°47'E, a loud explosion was heard on board the submerged HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN). Three minutes later a second loud explosion was heard. It might have been that O 23 was attacked by an aircraft. Lt.Cdr. van Erkel took O 23 deep. (4)

30 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1800A/30, HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) left patrol to return to Dundee. During the patrol only a few fishing vessels had been sighted. (4)

1 Feb 1941
Around 1140A/1, HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) ended her 6th war patrol at Dundee. (4)

12 Feb 1941
Around 1530A/12, HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) departed Dundee for her 7th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the south-west coast of Norway near Bergen.

For the daily positions of HrMs O 23 during this patrol see the map below.

(4)

14 Feb 1941
Shortly after arriving in her patrol area HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) is ordered to break off her 7th war patrol and return to Dundee. She is to be sent to Gibraltar to operate from that base. (4)

17 Feb 1941
Around 1035A/17, HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) ended her 7th war patrol at Dundee. (4)

23 Feb 1941
For the daily positions of HrMs O 23 during her 8th war patrol see the map below.

(4)

10 Mar 1941
Around 1040A/10, HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) arrived at Gibraltar. She is escorted in by the British corvette HMS Delphinium (Cdr.(Retd.) R.L. Spalding, RN) which had joined around 0720A/10. (4)

21 Mar 1941
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) carried out A/S exercises off Gibraltar with the British destroyer HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Tancock, DSC and Bar, RN). (8)

24 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
For the daily positions of HrMs O 23 during her 9th war patrol see the map below.

24 Mar 1941
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) carries out an A/S exercise off Gibraltar with the British sloop HMS Rochester (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Allen, RN) and the British corvette HMS La Malouine (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) R.W. Keymer, RN).

Upon completion of this exercise all three ships joined the escort of convoy HG 57 (this is the 9th war patrol for O 23).

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy HG 57 ' for 24 March 1941.] (4)

24 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
For the daily positions of HrMs O 23 during her 10th war patrol see the map below.

28 Mar 1941

Convoy OG 57.

This convoy was assembled to the west of the North Channel on 28 March 1941 and was made up of ships from four sections; the Milford Haven, Liverpool, Clyde and Oban sections.

The Milford Haven section (sailed 26 March 1941) was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Alva (British, 1584 GRT, built 1934), Baron Yarborough (British, 3388 GRT, 1928), Harperley (British, 4586 GRT, built 1930), Linge (Dutch, 2114 GRT, built 1928), Lyminge (British, 2499 GRT, built 1919), Meta (British, 1578 GRT, built 1931), Penhale (British, 4071 GRT, built 1924), Portsea (British, 1583 GRT, built 1938), Ranella (Norwegian (tanker), 5590 GRT, built 1912), Salamis (Norwegian (tanker), 8286 GRT, built 1939) and San Amado (British (tanker), 7316 GRT, built 1935).

The Liverpool section (sailed 27 March 1941) was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Aguila (British, 3255 GRT, built 1917), Browning (British, 5332 GRT, built 1919), Glaisdale (British, 3777 GRT, built 1929), Marklyn (British, 3090 GRT, built 1918) and Nicolaou Virginia (Greek, 6869 GRT, built 1920).

The Clyde section (sailed 28 March 1941) was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Blairnevis (British, 4155 GRT, built 1930), Dago (British, 1993 GRT, built 1917), Ebro (British (former Danish), 1547 GRT, built 1920), Empire Eland (British, 5613 GRT, built 1920), Empire Leopard (British, 5781 GRT, built 1917), Empire Union (British, 5952 GRT, built 1924), Harpathian (British, 4671 GRT, built 1930), Ousel (British, 1533 GRT, built 1922) and Trompenberg (Dutch, 2009 GRT, built 1919).

The Oban section (sailed 28 March 1941) was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Baron Cochrane (British, 3385 GRT, built 1927), Baron Dechmont (British, 3675 GRT, built 1929), Baron Stranraer (British, 3668 GRT, built 1929), Eskdene (British, 3829 GRT, built 1934), Helena Margareta (British, 3316 GRT, built 1915), Loke (Norwegian, 2421 GRT, built 1915), Ruckinge (British, 2869 GRT, built 1939), Rudby (British, 4846 GRT, built 1924), Sarastone (British, 2473 GRT, built 1929) and Suderholm (Norwegian (tanker), 4908 GRT, built 1917).

With the Liverpool section the following escorts were sailed; destroyers HMS Walker (Cdr. D.G.F.W. MacIntyre, RN), HMS Volunteer (Lt.Cdr. N. Lanyon, RN), HMS Caldwell (Lt.Cdr. E.M. Mackay, RNR), sloop HMS Aberdeen (Lt. S.G. Rivers-Smith, RN), corvettes HMS Bluebell (Lt.Cdr. R.E. Sherwood, RNR), HMS Hydrangea (Lt. J.E. Woolfenden, RNR), HMS Tulip (Lt.Cdr. A. Wilkinson, RNR), A/S trawler HMS Lady Hogarth (T/Lt. S.G. Barnes, RNR).

On the 28th, HMS Hydrangea made a short stop at Greenock, and the most likely brought the Clyde section of the convoy with her on rejoining the convoy.

On the 28th, HMS Walker and HMS Volunteer fuelled at Londonderry before rejoining the convoy.

Also on the 28th the escort destroyers HMS Valorous (Lt.Cdr. E. Mack, RN) and HMS Wolsey (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Campbell, DSC, RN) joined, coming from Londonderry.

At 1340A/29, an enemy aircraft which was approaching the convoy was driven off with gunfire.

At 0908A/30, in position 54°30'N, 14°40'W, the convoy was attacked by an enemy aircraft which dropped one bomb near the Ruckinge which sustained one casualty due to a machine gun bullet.

At 0800A/31, in position 58°39'N, 18°52'W, the convoy was approached by an enemy aircraft which was driven off by gunfire.

Around 0830A/1, HMS Walker, HMS Volunteer, HMS Caldwell, HMS Valorous, HMS Wolsey, HMS Bluebell, HMS Hydrangea and HMS Tulip parted company.

Around 0900Z/2, in position 48°53'N, 18°08'W, the following merchant ships parted company with the convoy;
Empire Eland (arrived at Halifax on ?), Empire Leopard (arrived at Baltimore on 17 April), Empire Union (arrived at Saint John, NB on 13 April), Glaisdale (arrived at New York on 16 April), Loke (arrived at Halifax on 11 April), Nicolaou Virginia (arrived at Halifax on 11 April), Ranella (arrived at Curacoa on 18 April) Rudby (arrived at Baltimore on 15 April), Salamis (arrived at New York on 11 April), San Amado (arrived at Aruba on 19 April), Suderholm (arrived at Aruba on 19 April) and Trompenberg (arrived at Curacoa on ?).

In position 39°00'N, 21°20'W, the following merchant ships parted company with the convoy [No date and time is given in the report of the Convoy Commodore];
Browning (arrived at Capetown on 3 May), Eskdene (destination was Buenos Aires, torpedoed and then finished off with gunfire by the German submarine U-107 on 8 April), Harpatian (destination was Takoradi, torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-107 on 9 April), Harperley (arrived at Demerara, Guyana on 19 April), Helena Margareta (destination was Takoradi, torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-107 on 8 April), Linge (arrived at Bathurst on 18 April) and Penhale (arrived at Pernambuco on 22 April). Around 1445Z/3, in position 47°30'N, 22°48'W, the submarine HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) joined the convoy.

Around 0230A/11, near Cape Trafalgar, the following merchant ships parted company with the convoy; Alva (arrived at Seville on 11 April), Baron Cochrane (arrived at Lisbon on 12 April), Baron Stranraer (arrived at Huelva on 11 April), Ebro (arrived at Oporto on 12 April), Meta (arrived at Lisbon on 12 April), Ousel (arrived at Huelva on 11 April), Portsea (arrived at Seville on 11 April) and Sarastone (arrived at Huelva on 11 April).

The remainder of the convoy arrived at Gibraltar on 11 April 1941. (9)

3 Apr 1941
Around 1115Z/3, HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) leaves convoy HG 57 to join convoy OG 57.

Around 1300Z/3 smoke was sighted bearing 345° and course was set towards the convoy which was joined around 1445Z/3.

[For more info on convoy OG 57 see the event ' Convoy OG 57 for 28 March 1941.] (4)

11 Apr 1941
Around 1000A/11, HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) arrived at Gibraltar with convoy OG 57 ending her 9th war patrol. (4)

23 Apr 1941
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) carried out A/S exercises off Gibraltar with two British ML's. (8)

24 Apr 1941
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) carries out an A/S exercise off Gibraltar with the British sloop HMS Wellington (Lt.Cdr. W.F.R. Segrave, RN) and the British corvette HMS Coreopsis (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Davies, RNVR).

Upon completion of this exercise all three ships joined the escort of convoy HG 60 (10th war patrol for O 23).

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy HG 60 ' for 24 April 1941.] (4)

24 Apr 1941

Convoy HG 60.

This convoy departed Gibraltar on 24 April 1941.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Agios Vlasios (Greek, 2974 GRT, built 1918), Arlesford (British, 2472 GRT, built 1922), Baron Dechmont (British, 3675 GRT, built 1929), Clonlara (Irish, 1202 GRT, built 1926), Cortes (British, 1390 GRT, built 1919), Ebro (British (former Danish), 1547 GRT, built 1920), Edencraig (British, 1592 GRT, built 1940), Empire Lough (British, 2824 GRT, built 1940), Osric (Swedish, 1418 GRT, built 1919), Ousel (British, 1533 GRT, built 1922), Petrel (British, 1457 GRT, built 1920), Portsea (British, 1583 GRT, built 1938), Ruckinge (British, 2869 GRT, built 1939), Starling (British, 1320 GRT, built 1930) and Wigry (Polish, 1893 GRT, built 1912).

On departure from Gibraltar the convoy was escorted by the destroyer HMS Firedrake (Lt.Cdr. S.H. Norris, DSO, DSC, RN), sloop HMS Wellington (Lt.Cdr. W.F.R. Segrave, RN), corvettes HMS Coreopsis (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Davies, RNVR), HMS Fleur de Lys (Lt.Cdr. L.M. Carter, RNR), HMS Spiraea (T/Lt. L.C. Head, RNVR) and the submarine HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN).

On 28 April, HMS Firedrake was to part company with the convoy to proceed direct to Portsmouth and from there to the Chatham Dockyard where she was to refit.

The three corvettes most likely parted company with the convoy on 30 April.

Around 1800Z/2, in approximate position 40°10'N, 21°57'W, HrMs O 23 parted company with the convoy to join southbound convoy OG 60. The convoy was now only escorted by HMS Wellington.

Around 1715Z/8, the destroyer HMS Boadicea (A/Cdr. E.C.L. Turner, RN) joined the convoy. On joining the convoy it became apparent that the destroyer HMCS Columbia (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) S.W. Davis, RN), sloop HMS Egret (A/Capt. E.M. Haes, RN), corvettes HMCS Snowberry (T/Lt. R.S. Kelley, RCNR), HMCS Trillium (Lt.Cdr. R.F. Harris, RCNR), HMCS Windflower (T/Lt. J.H.S. MacDonald, RCNR), A/S trawlers HMS Arab (T/Lt. C.A. Shillan, RNVR), HMS Ayrshire (T/Lt. L.J.A. Gradwell, RNVR) and HMS Lady Madeleine (T/Lt. W.G. Ogden, RNVR) had already joined the convoy earlier although at the time of HMS Boadicea joining HMCS Snowberry had lost contact with the convoy but she rejoined around 2000Z/8.

At 1900Z/8, HMCS Columbia was detached for other duties.

Around 1000Z/10, in position 55°31'N, 14°00'W, the destroyers Niagara (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) E.L. Armstrong, RCN) and HMCS St. Clair (A/Lt.Cdr. D.C. Wallace, RCNR) joined. They were supposed to have joined earlier with the other ships but had to refuel first at Londonderry as they had insufficient fuel to do so without refuelling first.

Around 1400A/11, the Oban section of the convoy parted company. This section was made up of the following merchant vessels; Edencrag, Portsea and Ruckinge. They took HMS Ayrshire with them as escort. They arrived at Oban on 12 May.

HMS Egret arrived at Londonderry on 11 May.

On 12 May 1941, the Ousel arrived at Londonderry.

On 12 May 1941 the Agios Vlasios arrived in the Clyde as did HMS Boadicea, HMCS Niagara, HMCS St. Clair, HMS Wellington, HMCS Snowberry, HMCS Trillium, HMCS Windflower,

On 12 May 1941, the Clonlara arrived in Belfast Lough; Clonlara.

On 12 May 1941, the following merchant vessels arrived at Holyhead; Baron Dechmont, Ebro and Starling. On 12 May 1941, the Osric arrived at Workington.

On 13 May 1941, the following merchant vessels arrived at Liverpool; Arlesford, Empire Lough and Wigry.

On 13 May 1941, the Cortes and Petrel arrived at Preston.

The exact movements of HMS Arab and HMS Lady Madeleine will have to be investigated further. (10)

27 Apr 1941

Convoy OG 60.

This convoy was assembled to the west of the North Channel on 27 April 1941 and was made up of ships from four sections; the Milford Haven, Liverpool, Clyde and Oban sections.

The Milford Haven section (sailed 25 April 1941) was made up of the following merchant vessels;
British Dominion (British (tanker), 6983 GRT, built 1928), Caledonia (British, 1268 GRT, built 1913), East Wales (British, 4358 GRT, built 1925), Nueva Granada (Norwegian (tanker), 9968 GRT, built 1937), Palacio (British, 1346 GRT, built 1927), Queen Anne (British, 4937 GRT, built 1937) and Selene (Swedish, 1347 GRT, built 1894). They were escorted by the escort destroyer HMS Vanity ( Lt. I.W.T. Beloe, RN) and the A/S trawler HMS Sphene ( Ch.Skr. W.J.J. Tucker, RNR).

The Liverpool section (sailed 26 April 1941) was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Ardeola (British, 2609 GRT, built 1912), Baltallinn (British, 1303 GRT, built 1920), Cressado (British, 1228 GRT, built 1913), Grelhead (British, 4274 GRT, built 1925), Polo (British, 1950 GRT, built 1919), Spinanger (Norwegian (tanker), 7429 GRT, built 1927), Waldinge (British, 2462 GRT, built 1925) and Zurichmoor (British, 4455 GRT, built 1925). With the Liverpool section the following escorts also sailed; destroyers HMS Vanquisher (Cdr. N.V. Dickinson, DSC, RN), HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. M.S. Townsend, OBE, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Rockingham (Lt. A.H.J. Johns, RN), sloop HMS Deptford (Lt.Cdr. G.A. Thring, DSO, RN) and the corvettes HMS Freesia (Lt.Cdr. T.P.G. Crick, RN), HMS Hibiscus (Lt. H. Roach, RNR) and HMS Pimpernel (Lt. F.H. Thornton, RNR). The corvette HMS Rhododendron (Lt.Cdr. W.N.M. Faichney, DSO, RNR) was also with them but she was only with the convoy briefly as she arrived at Tobermory on the 27th for A/S exercises after a repair period.

On 27 April 1941, HMS Vanity and HMS Sphene arrived at Belfast.

The Clyde section (sailed 27 April 1941) was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Aldergrove (British, 1974 GRT, built 1918), Fano (British (former Danish), 1889 GRT, built 1922), Fendris (British, 1018 GRT, built 1925), Inga I (Norwegian, 1304 GRT, built 1921), Leonardia (Swedish, 1583 GRT, built 1906), Marit (Norwegian (tanker), 5563 GRT, built 1918), Nava (Swedish, 1456 GRT, buil 1928), Norwegian (British, 6366 GRT, built 1921), Procris (British, 1033 GRT, built 1924), Snar (Norwegian, 3176 GRT, built 1920) and Wallonia (Swedish, 1435 GRT, built 1919).

The Oban section (sailed 27 April 1941) was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Blairatholl (British, 3319 GRT, built 1925), Cara (British, 1760 GRT, built 1929), Empire Snipe (British, 2497 GRT, built 1919), Fanefjeld (Norwegian, 1354 GRT, built 1920), Hampton Lodge (British, 3645 GRT, built 1911), Henrik Ibsen (Norwegian, 4671 GRT, built 1906), Lily (Greek, 5735 GRT, built 1920), Magne (Swedish, 3103 GRT, built 1912), Sheaf Crown (British, 4868 GRT, built 1929) and Varangberg (Norwegian, 2842 GRT, built 1915).

Two further escorts joined coming from Londonderry on its final assembly, these were the sloop HMS Londonderry (Cdr. J.S. Dalison, RN) and the armed yacht HMS Philante (Capt.(Retd.) H.S. Bowlby, RN).

All escorts, except HMS Deptford parted company with the convoy on 30 April.

At 1845Z/1, in position 49°48'N, 19°50'W, the Lily left the convoy without orders to do so. She ignored signals to clarify her movements. She arrived at Halifax on 11 May 1941.

The ships with destinations in North America / Carribean parted company with the convoy at an unknown date, time and position [this is not listed in the convoy report]. The ships in question were the following;
British Dominion (arrived at Trinidad on 17 May), Fano (arrived at Sydney, Cape Brenton Island on 14 May), Grelhead (arrived in a Cuban port on 19 May), Marit (arrived at Curacao on 16 May), Norwegian (arrived at Quebec on 11 May), Nueva Granada (arrived at Curacao on 18 May), Snar (arrived at Tampa on 22 May), Spinager (arrived at New York on 15 May) and Zurichmoor (arrived at Halifax on 11 May).

The ships with destinations in the South Atlantic area parted company with the convoy at an unknown date, time and position [this is not listed in the convoy report]. The ships in question were the following;
East Wales (arrived at Durban on 7 June), Hampton Lodge (arrived at Freetown on 19 May) and Queen Anne (arrived at Capetown on 2 June).

Around 1607Z/3, in position 45°25'N, 20°44'W, the submarine HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) sighted the convoy which she then joined shortly afterwards.

The ships with destinations in Portugal and south-west Spain parted company with the convoy at an unknown date [most likely on 10 May], time and position [this is not listed in the convoy report]. The ships in question were the following;
Aldergrove (arrived at Leixoes on 13 May), Baltallinn (arrived at Lisbon on 11 May), Caledonia (arrived at Leixoes on 12 May), Cara (arrived at Huelva on 11 May), Cressado (arrived at Oporto on 12 May), Empire Snipe (arrived at Lisbon on 11 May), Fanefjeld (arrived at Seville on 11 May), Fendris (arrived at Oporto on 12 May), Inga I (arrived at Seville on 11 May), Leonardia (arrived at Seville on 11 May), Magne (arrived at Lisbon on 11 May), Procris (arrived at Oporto on 12 May), Selene (arrived at Lisbon on 11 May), Sheaf Crown (arrived at Huelva on 11 May), Varangberg (arrived at Huelva on 11 May) and Wallonia (arrived at Seville on 11 May).

The remainder of the convoy continued on to Gibraltar where they arrived on 10 May escorted by HMS Deptford and HrMs O 23.

The Henrik Ibsen continued on past Gibraltar to Melilla where she arrived on 11 May. (9)

2 May 1941
At 1755Z/2, HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) leaves convoy HG 60 to join convoy OG 60. (4)

3 May 1941
At 1607Z/3, in position 45°25'N, 20°44'W, HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) sighed convoy OG 60 that she then joined to escort it towards Gibraltar.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy OG 60 ' for 27 April 1941.] (4)

10 May 1941
Around 0930A/10, HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) arrived at Gibraltar with convoy OG 60 ending her 10th war patrol. (4)

25 May 1941
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) carries out A/S exercises off Gibraltar with the British sloop HMS Scarborough (Lt. A.P. Northey, DSC, RN) and the British ASW trawler HMS Lady Hogarth (T/Lt. S.G. Barnes, RNR).

Upon completion of this exercise all three ships joined the escort of convoy HG 63 (11th war patrol for O 23).

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy HG 63 for 25 May 1941.] (4)

25 May 1941

Convoy HG 63.

This convoy departed Gibraltar on 25 April 1941.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Adjutant (British, 1931 GRT, built 1922), Avant Garde (British (former French), 791 GRT, built 1920), Baltallinn (British, 1303 GRT, built 1920), Corabella (British, 5682 GRT, built 1937), Crane (), Cressado (British, 1228 GRT, built 1913), Dago (British, 1993 GRT, built 1917), Empire Kestrel (British, 2674 GRT, built 1919), Empire Lake (British, 2852 GRT, built 1941), Fanefjeld (Norwegian, 1354 GRT, built 1920), Fendris (British, 1018 GRT, built 1925), Henrik Ibsen (Norwegian, 4671 GRT, built 1906), Ila (Norwegian, 1583 GRT, built 1939), Inga I (Norwegian, 1304 GRT, built 1921), Lech (Polish, 1568 GRT, built 1934), Melrose Abbey (British, 1924 GRT, built 1929), Merkland (British, 1363 GRT, built 1934), Mount Parnes (Greek, 4768 GRT, built 1917), Palacio (British, 1346 GRT, built 1927), Procris (British, 1033 GRT, built 1924), Senta (Norwegian, 3911 GRT, built 1917), Thurso (British, 2436 GRT, built 1919), Trinidad (Panamanian, 434 GRT, built 1939), Urd (Swedish, 989 GRT, built 1922), Vanellus (British, 1886 GRT, built 1921), Varangberg (Norwegian, 2842 GRT, built 1915), Waldinge (British, 2462 GRT, built 1925), Wallonia (Swedish, 1435 GRT, built 1919) and Wallsend (British, 3157 GRT, built 1937).

On departure from Gibraltar the convoy was escorted by the sloop HMS Scarborough (Lt. A.P. Northey, DSC, RN), corvettes HMS Geranium (T/Lt. A. Foxall, RNR), HMS Jonquil (Lt.Cdr. R.E.H. Partington, RNR), A/S trawler HMS Lady Hogarth (T/Lt. S.G. Barnes, RNR) and the submarine HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN).

Around 2215Z/1, in position 43°21'N, 21°36'W, HMS Geranium, HMS Jonquil, HMS Lady Hogarth and HrMs O 23 parted company with the convoy. HMS Lady Hogarth and HrMs O 23 then joined convoy OG 63.

Around 0730Z/5, in position 51°43'N, 19°51'W, the convoy was joined by the destroyers HMS Wanderer (Cdr. A.F.St.G. Orpen, RN), HMS Westcott (Cdr. I.H. Bockett-Pugh, RN), HrMs Campbeltown (Cdr. W. Harmsen, RNN), corvettes HMS Auricula (T/Lt. W.W. White, RNR), HMS Marigold (T/Lt. J. Renwick, RNR), HMS Periwinkle (Lt.Cdr. P.G. MacIver, RNR) and the catapult ship HMS Pegasus (Capt.(Retd.) P.G. Wodehouse, DSO, RN).

At 0727A/7, an enemy Focke Wulf Condor aircraft dropped a stick of four bombs on the starboard wing of the convoy but no damage was done.

The following merchant vessels arrived at Oban on 8 June 1941;
Avant Garde, Corabella, Fanefjeld, Henrik Ibsen, Inga I, Melrose Abbey, Merkland and Wallsend.

On 8 June 1941, HMS Westcott made a short stop at Londonderry, presumably due to fuel shortage.

The following merchant vessels arrived in Belfast Lough on 8 / 9 June 1941;
Adjutant, Procris, Senta, Thurso, Urd, Wallonia. Also HMS Pegasus arrived at Belfast on 8 June 1941.

The following merchant vessels arrived in the Clyde 9 June 1941;
Baltallinn, Dago, Fendris, Mount Parnes and Varangberg. They were escorted by HMS Marigold which arrived at Greenock on 9 June 1941.

The following merchant vessels arrived at Workington on 9 June 1941;
Vanellus and Waldinge.

The following merchant vessels arrived at Barrow in Furness on 9 June 1941;
Empire Lake and Ila.

The following merchant vessels arrived at Liverpool on 9 June 1941;
Crane, Empire Kestrel and Palacio. Also HMS Wanderer, HMS Westcott, HrMs Campbeltown, HMS Scarborough, HMS Auricula and HMS Periwinkle arrived at Liverpool on this day.

The following merchant vessels arrived at Preston on 10 June 1941;
Cressado and Lech. (11)

25 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
For the daily positions of HrMs O 23 during her 11th war patrol see the map below.

26 May 1941

Convoy OG 63.

This convoy was assembled to the west of the North Channel on 26 May 1941 and was made up of ships from four sections; the Milford Haven, Liverpool, Clyde and Oban sections.

The Milford Haven section (sailed 24 May 1941) was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Dimitrios Inglessis (Greek, 5275 GRT, built 1918), Disa (Swedish, 2002 GRT, built 1918), Fjord (Norwegian, 4032 GRT, built 1914), Katvaldis (British, 3163 GRT, built 1907), Lapwing (British, 1449 GRT, built 1920), Osric (Swedish, 1418 GRT, built 1919), Pandis (Greek, 4981 GRT, built 1912) and Pelayo (British, 1346 GRT, built 1927). They were escorted by the escort destroyers HMS Vivien (Lt.Cdr. S.H. Beattie, RN), HMS Woolston (Lt.Cdr. K.W. Michell, RN) and the A/S trawler HMS Paynter (Lt. R.H. Nossiter, RANVR).

The Liverpool section (sailed 25 May 1941) was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Avoceta (British, 3442 GRT, built 1923), Empire Dunlin (British, 6323 GRT, built 1919), Leonidas N. Condylis (Greek, 3923 GRT, built 1912), Lublin (Polish, 1409 GRT, built 1932), Marionga D. Thermiotis (Greek, 4784 GRT, built 1904), Solitaire (Norwegian, 3350 GRT, built 1920) and Vernon City (British, 4748 GRT, built 1929). With them the destroyers HMS Vanquisher (Cdr. N.V. Dickinson, DSC, RN), HMS Winchelsea (Lt.Cdr. W.A.F. Hawkins, OBE, DSC, RN), HMS Reading (Lt.Cdr. D.V. Clift, RN) and the corvettes HMS Hibiscus (Lt. H. Roach, RNR) and HMS Pimpernel (Lt. F.H. Thornton, RNR) also departed Liverpool. With the Liverpool section the M/S trawlers HMS Runswick Bay (T/Lt. S. Sparrow, RNVR) and HMS St. Melante (T/A/Lt.Cdr. L.C. Gilbert, RNR) also sailed for passage to the South Atlantic Station via Gibraltar.

From Preston the following merchant vessels sailed on the 25th;
Como (British, 1295 GRT, built 1910), Cortes (British, 1390 GRT, built 1919) and Erato (British, 1335 GRT, built 1923).

The Milford Haven section, Liverpool section and Preston section joined company around 1820B/25.

On the 26th, HMS Vivien, HMS Woolston and HMS Paynter arrived at Belfast.

The Clyde section (sailed 26 May 1941) was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Christine Marie (British, 3895 GRT, built 1919), Delilian (British, 6423 GRT, built 1923), Glen Head (British, 2011 GRT, built 1909), King Edward (British, 5224 GRT, built 1919), Mars (Dutch, 1662 GRT, built 1925) and Taberg (Swedish, 1392 GRT, built 1920). The sloop HMS Wellington (Lt.Cdr. W.F.R. Segrave, RN) and armed boarding vessel HMS Corinthian (A/Cdr. E.J.R. Pollitt, RNR) also sailed with the Clyde section.

The Oban section (sailed 26 May 1941) was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Baron Lovat (British, 3395 GRT, built 1926), Belgravian (British, 3136 GRT, built 1937), Blairdevon (British, 3282 GRT, built 1925), Campus (British, 3667 GRT, built 1925), Dago II (British, 1993 GRT, built 1917), Empire Brook (British, 2852 GRT, built 1941), Empire Strait (British, 2841 GRT, built 1940), Shuna (British, 1575 GRT, built 1937), Tintern Abbey (British, 2471 GRT, built 1939), Waziristan (British, 5135 GRT, built 1924) and William Wilberforce (British, 4013 GRT, built 1930).

Around the time of the final assembly of the convoy the destroyers HMS Reading, HMS Vanquisher and HMS Winchelsea topped off with fuel at Londonderry while the corvette HMS Freesia (Lt.Cdr. T.P.G. Crick, RN) also joined having departed Londonderry on 27 April.

HMS Vanquisher however arrived back at Londonderry on 29 May 1941 after having parted company with the convoy.

Around 0800A/30, in position 51°00'N, 21°40'W, HMS Reading, HMS Winchelsea, HMS Freesia, HMS Hibiscus and HMS Pimpernel parted company with the convoy.

Around 1130A/30, in position 50°50'N, 21°40'W, ships with destinations in North America and Caribbean parted company. This were the following merchant vessels;
Blairdevon (arrived at Clarke City on 9 June), Campus (arrived at Three Rivers on 9 June), Delilian (arrived at Quebec on 9 June), Dimitrios Inglessis (arrived at Montreal on 10 June), Empire Dunlin (arrived at Philadelphia on 13 June), Fjord (arrived at Wabana on 11 June), Katvaldis (arrived at Halifax on 9 June), King Edward (arrived at Three Rivers on 11 June), Marionga D. Thermiotis (arrived at Sorel on 11 June), Solitaire (arrived at New York on 15 June) and Vernon City (arrived at Philadelphia on 13 June).

Around 1900A/1, in position 44°00'N, 21°30'W, ships with destinations in the South Atlantic area parted company. This were the following merchant vessels;
Belgravian (arrived at Bathurst on 9 June [which seem a bit fast !?]), Christine Marie (arrived at Freetown on 18 June), Dago II (arrived at Bathurst on 13 June), Leonidas N. Condylis (arrived at Freetown on 14 June), Mars (arrived at Bathurst on 13 June), Waziristan (arrived at Pernambuco on 19 June) and William Wilberforce (arrived at Freetown on 13 June).

Around 2330A/1, the submarine HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) and A/S trawler HMS Lady Hogarth (T/Lt. S.G. Barnes, RNR) joined the convoy.

At 1825A/5, the Italian submarine Velella sighted and reported the convoy in position 35°38'N, 11°22'W.

At 2312A/5, the Italian submarine Marconi also sighted the convoy.

At 0422A/6, the Marconi commenced to attack the convoy. A total of 6 (3x2) torpedoes were fired and the merchant vessels Baron Lovat and Taberg were hit and sunk in these attacks.

At 0604A/6, the Velella also attacked with torpedoes but no hits were obtained. Following this attack she was fired upon by HMS Wellington which claimed a hit near the conning tower but this was not the case.

At 0825A/6, a German Focke Wulf Condor aircraft attacked the convoy in position 35°58'N, 10°35'W, and managed to hit the merchant vessel Glen Head with one ore more bombs. She sank in two minutes.

At 1016A/6, the Italian submarine Emo sighted the smoke of a convoy in position 35°45'N, 10°15'W and six minutes later she sent out an enemy report. The submarine then closed to the attack.

At 1400A/6, in position 35°53'N, 09°46'W, the Emo made a submerged attack in which two torpedoes were fired and two ships were claimed sunk but this was not the case. The Tintern Abbey was in fact hit in No.4 hold but the torpedo failed to explode and only caused a small leak. HMS Wellington and HMS Lady Hogarth then searched for the attacked but were unable to gain contact.

Around 2045A/6, the motor launches ML 129 and ML 134 joined the convoy escort and were placed on either beam of the convoy.

Around 0140A/7, the corvette HMS Azalea (Lt. G.C. Geddes, RNR) joined the convoy escort.

Around 0600A/7, the motor launches ML 132 and ML 135 joined the convoy escort.

Around 0842A/7, the destroyer HMS Wrestler (Lt. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN) joined the convoy escort. She parted company around 1237A/7.

Around 1240A/7, near Cape Trafalgar, the following merchant vessels parted company with the convoy to proceed directly to ports in Portugal and south-west Spain. This were the following merchant vessels;
Cortes (arrived at Lisbon on 9 June), Empire Strait (arrived at Lisbon on 8 June), Erato (arrived at Oporto on 9 June), Osric (arrived at Lisbon on 9 June) and Shuna (arrived at Huelva on 8 June).

The remainder of the convoy arrived at Gibraltar around 1630A/7. (12)

1 Jun 1941
Around 2100 hours (GMT) HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) leaves convoy HG 63 and joined convoy OG 63. (4)

7 Jun 1941
Around 1630A/7, HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) arrived at Gibraltar with convoy OG 63 ending her 11th war patrol. (4)

12 Jun 1941
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) carried out exercises off Gibraltar with, first, the British submarine HMS Severn (Lt.Cdr. A.N.G. Campbell, RN) and, then, the British destroyers HMS Wrestler (Lt. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN) and HMS Vansittart (Lt.Cdr. R.L.S. Gaisford, RN)

13 Jun 1941
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) is docked in No.2 graving dock at the Gibraltar Dockyard. (8)

19 Jun 1941
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) is undocked. (8)

23 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) conducted independent exercises in Gibraltar Bay. Four practice torpedoes were fired during the exercises. (3)

25 Jun 1941
Around 2130A/25, HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) departed Gibraltar for her 12th war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean). She is to patrol in the Ligurian Sea and in the Gulf of Lyon.

While on patrol a large oil leak forced her to leave her patrol area in the Ligurian Sea and proceed towards the Spanish coast to effect repairs and to flush out the damaged tank.

For the daily and attack positions of HrMs O 23 during this patrol see the map below.

(13)

30 Jun 1941 (position 43.06, 10.26)
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN), in position 43°18'N, 10°19'E (about 20 nautical miles South of Livorno, Italy), makes a torpedo attack on a small merchant that was in ballast. Two torpedoes were fired that both missed their target. [Currently (March 2019), we have not been able to identify this target.]

Later on this day O 23 torpedoed and sank the Italian tanker Capacitas (5371 GRT, built 1920) about 7 nautical miles north-west of Cape Sant Vincent, Italy in position 43°06'N, 10°26'E.

(All times are zone -1)
0405 hours - Sighted a ship closeby. Started attack.

0409 hours - Fired two torpedoes from 2000 yards. No hits were obtained. After firing the target was seen to be a 2000 tons merchant vessel in ballast. She was not attacked again as Lt.Cdr. van Erkel would not like to disclose his presence in the hope of attacking 'bigger game'.

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

1100 hours - Sighted a large Southbound tanker about 6 nautical miles away, heavily laden. Started attack.

1158 hours - Fired four torpedoes from 1200 yards. Three hits were obtained and the ship capsized in a very short time. (13)

10 Jul 1941
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) ended her 12th war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean) at Gibraltar. (13)

23 Jul 1941
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) carried out A/S exercises off Gibraltar with two British ML's. (8)

24 Jul 1941
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) carries out an A/S exercise off Gibraltar with the British destroyers HMS Vimy (Lt.Cdr. H.G.D. de Chair, RN) and HMS Vidette (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Walmsley, RN).

2 Aug 1941
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) departed Gibraltar for her 13th war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean). She was to patrol in the Tyrrhenian Sea.

For the daily and attack positions of HrMs O 23 during this patrol see the map below.

(13)

16 Aug 1941 (position 39.35, 13.18)
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) attacks an Italian convoy with two torpedoes in the Tyrrhenian Sea in position 39°35'N, 13°18'E. Both torpedoes did not find a target.

(All times are zone -1)
0900 hours - Sighted two twin-engined bombers bearing 100° about 5 nautical miles away.

0913 hours - Sighted a convoy bearing 057° range 10 nautical miles. The convoy appeared to consist of at least six merchant vessels and four destroyers. Two aircraft were overhead. Started attack but could not close further then 10000 yards so a longe range shot was prepared.

1003 hours - Fired two torpedoes from a range of 5 nautical miles. The convoy showed a good close silhoutte on a course of 212° at a speed of 10 knots. Upon firing O 23 went to 130 feet. After a correct running range of about 11 minutes two explosions were heard. Immediately afterwards destroyers were heard to be approaching and a bombardment of depth charges started. About 100 were dropped. O 23 eventually went to 310 feet.

1330 hours - The intense depth charging ceased but one was still dropped about every 20 minutes until 1930 hours.

The convoy (40th Seetransport Staffel)attacked was en-route from Naples to Tripoli and was made up of the Italian merchants Maddalena Odero (5545 GRT, built 1921), Nicolo Odero (6003 GRT, built 1925), Caffaro (6476 GRT, built 1924), Marin Sanudo (5958 GRT, built 1926), Giulia (5921 GRT, built 1926) and Minatitland (7651 GRT, built 1941). They were escorted by the Italian destroyers Freccia, Euro, Dardo and the Italian torpedo boats Procione and Pegaso. (13)

21 Aug 1941
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) ended her 13th war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean) at Gibraltar. (13)

3 Sep 1941
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) departed Gibraltar for the U.K. where she is to refit.

For the daily positions of HrMs O 23 during this passage see the map below.

(4)

9 Sep 1941
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) makes rendez-vouz with the British armed yacht HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) C.C. Flemming, RN) off Trevose Head. Both ships now proceeded to Holy Loch. (4)

10 Sep 1941
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) and HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) C.C. Flemming, RN) arrive at Holy Loch. (14)

16 Sep 1941
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) carries out torpedo trials at Loch Long with captured German torpedoes. (14)

18 Sep 1941
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) departs Holy Loch for Dundee. She is escorted by the British armed yacht HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (14)

20 Sep 1941
HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) arrived at Dundee where she is to be refitted at the Caledon Dockyard. (14)

21 Oct 1941
During her refit by the Caledon Dockyard HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) is docked in the West Graving dock at Dundee. (14)

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