Wopke Johan de Vries DSO, DSC, RNN

Born  7 Oct 1910Amsterdam, Netherlands
Died  2 Jan 1973(62)Apeldoorn, Netherlands


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Ranks

4 Sep 1928 Adelborst (Mid.)
18 Aug 1932 luitenant ter zee 3e klasse (S.Lt.)
18 Aug 1934 luitenant ter zee 2e klasse (Lt.)
16 Aug 1942 luitenant ter zee 1e klasse (Lt.Cdr.)

Retired: 16 Aug 1951


Decorations

1942 ? Mentioned in Despatches (MID)
17 Feb 1942 DSC
1944 DSO

Warship Commands listed for Wopke Johan de Vries, RNN


ShipRankTypeFromTo
HNMS O 24 (P 24)luitenant ter zee 2e klasse (Lt.)Submarine3 Mar 194227 Oct 1944

Career information

We currently have no career / biographical information on this officer.

Events related to this officer

Submarine HNMS O 24 (P 24)


17 Mar 1942
During her refit at Dundee HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) was docked. (1)

30 Apr 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) was undocked. She continued her refit at Dundee. (1)

29 May 1942
During her refit at Dundee HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) was docked. (1)

3 Jun 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) was undocked. She continued her refit at Dundee. (1)

16 Jun 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducts trials off Dundee. (1)

17 Jun 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducts torpedo firing trials off Dundee. She also runs aground sustaining minor damage to her keel. (1)

18 Jun 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducts torpedo firing trials off Dundee. (1)

19 Jun 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducts gunnery exercises off Dundee. (1)

22 Jun 1942
During 22 and 23 June, HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN), conducts A/S exercises off Methill with the British ASW trawler HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR). (1)

29 Jun 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) and the British submarine HMS P 37 (Lt. H. Winter, RN) both depart Dundee. They are escorted by the British ASW trawler HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR).

O 24 and Loch Monteith were to proceed to Holy Loch. P 37 was to proceed to Gibraltar to join the Mediterranean fleet. (1)

2 Jul 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) arrived at Holy Loch for a period of trials and training. (1)

4 Jul 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted exercises on the Clyde. (1)

5 Jul 1942
During 5 and 6 July 1942 HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted torpedo firing trials off Arrochar in Loch Long. (1)

8 Jul 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted radar trials on the Clyde. (1)

9 Jul 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted radar trials on the Clyde. She also made some practice attacks on the British submarine tender HMS Alecto (Cdr. J.R.S. Brown, RN). (1)

10 Jul 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted radar trials on the Clyde. She also made some practice attacks on the British minesweeper/escort vessel HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Dobson, RNR). (1)

11 Jul 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducts sound trials in Loch Goil. (1)

14 Jul 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted radar trials on the Clyde together with Motor Torpedo Boats, HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Dobson, RNR) and HMS Rorqual (Lt. L.W. Napier, RN). (1)

16 Jul 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted practice attacks on the Clyde on the British submarine tender HMS Alecto (Cdr. J.R.S. Brown, RN) that is escorted by the British armed yacht HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A. E. Johnston, RN), Motor Torpedo Boats and aircraft. (1)

19 Jul 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed Holy Loch for Gibraltar. This is the first leg of the trip to the Far East. She is escorted through the Irish Sea by the British armed yacht HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) C.C. Flemming, RN).

For the daily positions of HrMs O 24 during this passage see the map below.

(1)

20 Jul 1942
At 2355 hours, off Bishops Rock, HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) left her escort, the British armed yacht HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) C.C. Flemming, RN), and proceeded to Gibraltar. (1)

28 Jul 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) arrived at Gibraltar. She was escorted in by the British corvette HMS Coltsfoot (Lt.Cdr. the Hon. W.K. Rous, RNVR). (1)

3 Aug 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed Gibraltar for Freetown. (2)

9 Aug 1942 (position 11.00, -17.20)
At 1745 hours HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) sights a convoy near position 11°00'N, 17°20'W and at 1820 hours O 24 was taken under fire by one of the escorts but she soon establish her identity and fire was ceased. The convoy was most likely WS 21. (2)

10 Aug 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) arrived at Freetown. (2)

12 Aug 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed Freetown for Simonstown. (2)

21 Aug 1942
At 0635 hours, near position 24°40'S, 05°20'E, HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) sighted a merchant vessel bearing 150°. Course of the merchant was 190°. O 24 signalled her identity to the merchant vessel but dispite this she was taken under fire at 0700 hours. O 24 dived at 0705 hours. The merchant vessel was signalling and was found out to be the American Narbo (6085 grt, built 1920). (2)

24 Aug 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) arrived at Simonstown. (2)

6 Sep 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted radar trials off Simonstown. (2)

7 Sep 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed Simonstown for East London. She is escorted by the Free French minesweeper / sloop Commandant Duboc. En-route exercises with aircraft were carried out. (2)

9 Sep 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) arrived at East London. (2)

16 Sep 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed East London for Mauritius. She is escorted by the Free French corvette Commandant Detroyat until 1600 hours the next day. (2)

22 Sep 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) arrived at Mauritius. (2)

25 Sep 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed Port Louis, Mauritius for Colombo. (2)

3 Oct 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) arrived at Colombo. (2)

18 Oct 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) was docked at Colombo. (2)

20 Oct 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) was undocked. (2)

23 Oct 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted gunnery exercises off Colombo. (2)

25 Oct 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed Colombo for her 13th war patrol (1st in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol in the Malacca Stait.

For the daily and attack positions of HrMs O 24 during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

1 Nov 1942 (position 6.39, 98.49)
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) attacked a Japanese merchant vessel with two torpedoes about 60 nautical miles West-North-West of Langkawi in position 06°39'N, 98°49'E. Two torpedoes were fired but no hits were obtained.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0335 hours - Sighted a silhoutte, bearing 055°, that was slightly darker in the shade than the island of the Butang group. Turned towards to investigate and brought the tubes to the ready.

0355 hours - The silhoutte was now thought to be a 4000 tons merchant vessel. Started attack.

0402 hours - In position 06°39'N, 98°49'E fired two torpedoes from 2500 yards. The first torpedo broke surface after 200 yards and zigged away. The second torpedo ran correctly but missed. It was believed the target never noticed the attack. (3)

6 Nov 1942 (position 5.36, 99.45)
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) attacked a Japanese merchant vessel with two torpedoes about 45 nautical miles West-North-West of Penang in position 05°36'N, 99°45'E. No hits were obtained.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0635 hours - Heard strong HE in the hydrophones bearing 245°. Turned towards.

0650 hours - Sighted mastheads and funnel bearing 258°, range 12000 yards, enemy course 108°. Started attack. The target was a modern passenger-cargo ship of about 7000 tons.

0721 hours - In position 05°36'N, 99°45'E fired two torpedoes from 2000 yards. The first torpedo stayed just under the surface but the second torpedo jumped at least 20 feet clear of the water. The target increased speed and turned away two minutes after the first torpedo was fired. No hits were obtained. (3)

15 Nov 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) ended her 13th war patrol at Colombo. (3)

1 Dec 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted torpedo firing exercises off Colombo. (2)

2 Dec 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted torpedo firing exercises off Colombo. (2)

6 Dec 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed Colombo for her 14th war patrol (2nd in the Far East). She was to land a party of ten off Tremoen (Trumon) on the West coast of Sumatra.

Before proceeding on patrol landing exercises were carried out off Colombo during the night of 6/7 December.

For the daily positions of HrMs O 24 during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

12 Dec 1942
Late in the evening HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) landed a Dutch party of 12 off Tremoen (Trumon) on the West coast of Sumatra.

Stores were landed early on the 13th.

Early on the 14th the whole party was re-embarked. (3)

24 Dec 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) ended her 14th war patrol at Colombo. (3)

2 Jan 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) was docked at Colombo. (4)

6 Jan 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) was undocked. (4)

13 Jan 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted exercises off Colombo. (4)

14 Jan 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed Colombo for her 15th war patrol (3rd in the Far East). She was to land a party of six men on the Andaman Islands.

For the daily positions of HrMs O 24 during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

19 Jan 1943
Late on this day HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) landed a British party of six men on Middle Andaman Island. (3)

24 Jan 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) ended her 15th war patrol at Colombo. (3)

2 Feb 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted exercises off Colombo. (4)

3 Feb 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted exercises off Colombo. (4)

7 Feb 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed Colombo for her 16th war patrol (4th in the Far East). She was to land a party of seven on the North coast of Sumatra and then to patrol in the Malacca Straits.

For the daily and attack positions of HrMs O 24 during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

13 Feb 1943
In the evening HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) tries to land a Dutch party of 7 men off Lhoksemawe on the North coast of Sumatra. As the beach can not be approached with the canoes due to the heavy swell so they all returned to O 24 and the landing was abandoned. (3)

21 Feb 1943 (position 7.52, 98.16)
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries) sank the Japanese coaster Bandai Maru (165 GRT) with gunfire west of Phuket Island in position 07°52'N, 98°16'E.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1245 hours - In position 07°38'N, 98°13'E sighted smoke bearing 063°.

1317 hours - Sighted mastheads bearing 043°. Enemy course was approximately 285°, speed 10 knots.

1335 hours - The ships superstructure was now just visible over the horizon.

1353 hours - Surfaced for gun action, closed.

1400 hours - Opened fire with the gun from 7000 yards.

1410 hours - After several hits the ship headed for shore to beach herself. She was now head down and listing heavily to Port.

1417 hours - Ceased fire after 49 rounds. The ship sank bow first in position 07°52'N, 98°16'E shortly afterwards. (3)

26 Feb 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) ended her 16th war patrol at Colombo. (3)

12 Mar 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted exercises off Colombo. (4)

16 Mar 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed Colombo for her 17th war patrol (5th in the Far East). She was to land a party of eleven men on Middle Andaman Island and to contact the party she had landed on 14 January 1943.

For the daily positions of HrMs O 24 during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

21 Mar 1943
Late on this day HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) landed a British party of eleven men (Bunkum II) on Middle Andaman Island. During the next days stores were landed (more details to follow). (3)

25 Mar 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) completed her special operation. (3)

29 Mar 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) ended her 17th war patrol at Colombo. (3)

4 Apr 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) was docked at Colombo. (4)

8 Apr 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) was undocked. (4)

12 Apr 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed Colombo for her 18th war patrol (6th in the Far East). She was to land two party's, one British of two men and one Dutch of six men on the coast of North-West Sumatra (details of special operations 'Valour' and 'Matriarch' that were carried out between 17 and 20 April, are to follow).

(3)

25 Apr 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) ended her 18th war patrol at Colombo. (3)

8 May 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted exercises off Colombo. (5)

11 May 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed Colombo for her 19th war patrol (7th in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol North of Sumatra and in the Malacca Straits.

For the daily and attack positions of HrMs O 24 during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

19 May 1943 (position 5.38, 96.46)
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) attacked a Japanese merchant vessel with four torpedoes off the North coast of Sumatra in position 05°38'N, 96°46'E. All torpedoes fired missed the target.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0240 hours - In position 05°40'N, 96°45'E sighted a ship looming up out of a rain squall bearing 134°. Range was approximately 3.5 nautical miles. Enemy course was 285°. Turned towards.

0243 hours - Dived.

0253 hours - In position 05°38'N, 96°46'E fired four torpedoes from 1500 yards. No hits were obtained on the target that was thought to be a 2000 tons merchant vessel.

0324 hours - Surfaced to gave chase as the attack appeared to have been unobserved.

0514 hours - As no attack position could be gained before daylight and a an A/S trawler was seen to be escorting the merchant vessel the chase was abandoned. (3)

22 May 1943
Late on this day, off the One Fathom Bank, HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) launched the members of party Gustavus I in their canoes to board a junk. As the junk was not suitable the party returned to O 24 early the next day. (3)

24 May 1943
No suitable junk had been found so late on this day HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) launched the members of party Gustavus I on the coast of Malaya in the Dindings area. (3)

31 May 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) ended her 19th war patrol at Colombo. (3)

15 Jun 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) was docked at Colombo. (5)

24 Jun 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) was undocked. (5)

14 Jul 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted some trials and exercises off Colombo. (5)

20 Jul 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted exercises off Colombo. (5)

30 Jul 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed Colombo for her 20th war patrol (8th in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol in the Malacca Straits.

For the daily and attack positions of HrMs O 24 during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

31 Jul 1943 (position 5.46, 81.14)
At 1110 hours (zone -6.5) HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) is shelled in error by the Greek merchant Point Clear (4839 GRT, built 1920) South of Ceylon in position 05°46'N, 81°14'E. No damage was sustained. (3)

19 Aug 1943 (position 4.01, 100.25)
HrMs O 24 attacked the German supply ship Quito (1230 GRT, built 1938) (offsite link) with four torpedoes West of the Sembilan Islands in position 04°01'N, 100°25'E . No hits were obtained as Quito was able to evade the torpedoes.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1704 hours - In position 04°01'N, 100°25'E sighted a ship bearing 137°, range was only 3000 yards (No HE had been heard as the hydrophones did not work correctly). Enemy course was 340°. O 24 swung hard to Starboard to get in a favourable attack position.

1719 hours - Fired four torpedoes from 2500 yards.

1721 hours - The target was seen to turn hard to Starboard and smoked heavily as speed was increased to full power. She managed to evade the torpedoes. (3)

20 Aug 1943 (position 5.09, 100.10)
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries) torpedoed and sank the Japanese auxiliary gunboat Chosa Maru (2538 GRT, built 1921) (offsite link) 8 nautical miles south-west of Penang, Malaya in position 05°09'N, 100°10'E.

The Chosa Maru had left Penang a few hours before when the Japanese heard of the attack on the German Quito the day before.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1500 hours - Sighted a ship bearing 007°. Range was 6 nautical miles, enemy course 180°. Started attack.

1517 hours - The target altered course to 160°. Continued attack.

1552 hours - In position 05°09'N, 100°10'E fired four torpedoes from 4500 yards. One hit was obtained.

1604 hours - The target was seen to sink stern first. (3)

29 Aug 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) ended her 20th war patrol at Colombo. (3)

12 Sep 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed Colombo for her 21th war patrol (9th in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol in the Malacca Straits and to conduct special operation 'Gustavus IV'.

For the daily and attack positions of HrMs O 24 during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

20 Sep 1943
Sortly after sunset O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) contacted the junk of Gustavus Party III off the Sembilan Islands. Stores were put aboard this junk as well as the members of Gustavus party IV.

A few hours before sunset O 24 had spotted a Japanese convoy but she was not allowed to attack in the area of the rendez-vous with the Gustavus III party. (3)

25 Sep 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) encounters a Japanese submarine about 20 nautical miles South-West of Penang in position 05°08'N, 100°02'E. Due to the bad visibility the submarine was sighted at very close range. An attack with torpedoes was not possible. O 24 could not be brought in position to fire torpedoes before contact was lost in the bad visibility.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1920 hours - In position 05°08'N, 100°02'E sighted a phosphorecent patch bearing green 70°, bearing rapidly decreasing aft, range estimated 250 yards. When the bearing drew further aft, a darker blot was spotten in the patch and a sharp bow wave was discovered, suggesting a fair speed. Although the first impression was that of a submarine chaser or torpedo boat but in a lightning flash about half a minute after the first sighting a Japanese submarine was sighted passing within 100 yards astern. enemy course was 180°, speed 16 knots. The submarine was thought to be of the I-61 class.

O 24 turned hard to Starboard to present the stern tubes but contact was lost almost immediately in the very poor visibility.

The submarine in question was most likely the Japanese submarine I-27 (offsite link) that had departed Penang shortly before for Singapore for an overhaul. (3)

3 Oct 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) ended her 21th war patrol at Colombo. (3)

25 Oct 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed Colombo for her 22th war patrol (10th in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol in the Malacca Straits and to conduct special operation 'Gustavus V'.

For the daily and attack positions of HrMs O 24 during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

31 Oct 1943 (position 4.36, 98.31)
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) attacked a Japanese merchant vessel of 4000-5000 tons off the North-East coast of Sumatra in position 04°36'N, 98°31'E. Four torpedoes were fired but the target was able to evade the torpedoes.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0400 hours - In position 04°36'N, 98°31'E sighted smoke bearing 210°. Turned towards and started attack. The target was identified as a merchant vessel of 4000-5000 tons.

0412 hours - Fired four torpedoes from 3500 yards. The torpedo tracks were clearly visible due to phosphorescence. The target was seen to turn towards and evade the torpedoes. (3)

2 Nov 1943
After dark on this day HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) contacted the junk that was used by the Gustavus party's. Stores were sent over as well as one person of the Gustavus V party. (3)

3 Nov 1943 (position 3.14, 100.38)
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) attacks a Japanse light cruiser of the Kuma-class with four torpedoes in the Malacca Straits in position 03°14'N, 100°38'E. No hits were obtained. The cruiser is thought to be either Kitakami or Oi (offsite links). The escorting destroyers might have been Uranami and Shikinami (offsite links).

(All times are zone -6.5)
1345 hours - Heard faint HE bearing 330°. Altered course to close. the HE soon faded away.

1420 hours - Heard HE in bearing 340°. It soon faded away again.

1517 hours - In position 03°14'N, 100°38'E sighted mastheads bearing 303°. Turned towards.

1521 hours - Identified the target as a Japanese light cruiser of the Kuma-class. She was escorted by two destroyers. Range was 8 nautical miles. Enemy course was 125°, speed 15 knots.

1543 hours - Fired four torpedoes from 7000 yards. One torpedo ran close to the surface and showed a considerable wake. Not hits were obtained as the cruiser altered course three minutes after firing the torpedoes. No counter attack followed. (3)

15 Nov 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) ended her 22th war patrol at Colombo. O 24 was unfit for further patrols due to various defects. She would now be sent to the U.S.A. for a refit. (3)

18 Nov 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) was docked at Colombo. (6)

19 Nov 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) was undocked. (6)

3 Dec 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) was docked at Colombo. (6)

9 Dec 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) was undocked. (6)

20 Dec 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed Colombo for Aden. She was to proceed to the U.S.A. for a refit.

For the daily positions of HrMs O 24 during this passage see the map below.

(6)

28 Dec 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) arrived at Aden. (6)

29 Dec 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed Aden for Suez. (6)

2 Jan 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) arrived at Suez. (6)

3 Jan 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) transits the Suez Canal and arrived at Port Said. (6)

8 Jan 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed Port Said for Malta. (6)

13 Jan 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) arrived at Malta. (6)

17 Jan 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed Malta for Gibraltar. (6)

19 Jan 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) made a short stop at Algiers. She departed for Gibraltar after only a few hours in port. (6)

21 Jan 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) arrived at Gibraltar. (6)

29 Jan 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed Gibraltar for Bermuda. (6)

10 Feb 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) arrived at Bermuda. (7)

17 Feb 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed Bermuda for Philadelphia. (7)

20 Feb 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) arrived at Philadelphia to refit at the United States Navy Yard there. (7)

6 May 1944
During her refit at the Philadelphia Navy Yard HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) is put on the slip. (7)

7 Jun 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) is put back in the water. (7)

7 Aug 1944
During 7 and 8 August 1944 HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted trials on the Delaware river. (7)

16 Aug 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) ended her refit at the Philadephia Navy Yard. She departed Philadelphia for the submarine base at New London that day. (7)

17 Aug 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) arrived at the U.S. submarine base at New London for a period of trials and training. (7)

19 Aug 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted exercises off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. (7)

20 Aug 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted exercises off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. (7)

21 Aug 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted speed trials off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. (7)

23 Aug 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. (7)

25 Aug 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted exercises off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. (7)

27 Aug 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted exercises off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. (7)

28 Aug 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted RDF trials off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. (7)

29 Aug 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted exercises off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. (7)

30 Aug 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted exercises off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. (7)

3 Sep 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted exercises off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. (7)

4 Sep 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted exercises off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. (7)

8 Sep 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed New London for St. Johns, Canada. She was escorted by the British minesweeper HMS Coquette (Lt. J.A. Way, RN).

For the daily positions of HrMs O 24 during this passage see the map below.

(7)

12 Sep 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) arrived at St.Johns. (7)

14 Sep 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed St.Johns for the United Kingdom. She was escorted by the British minesweeper HMS Coquette (Lt. J.A. Way, RN). (7)

21 Sep 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) arrived at Holy Loch for a period of trials and training. (7)

29 Sep 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (7)

30 Sep 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (7)

1 Oct 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted sound trials at Loch Goil. (7)

4 Oct 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (7)

5 Oct 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area including night exercises. (7)

6 Oct 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) returned to Holy Loch on completion of last night's exercises. (7)

8 Oct 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed Holy Loch for Barrow-in-Furness for a short refit and some repairs. She was escorted by HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (7)

Sources

  1. File 2.12.03.6439 (Dutch Archives, The Hague, Netherlands)
  2. File 2.12.03.6440 (Dutch Archives, The Hague, Netherlands)
  3. ADM 199/1879
  4. File 2.12.03.6441 (Dutch Archives, The Hague, Netherlands)
  5. File 2.12.03.6442 (Dutch Archives, The Hague, Netherlands)
  6. File 2.12.03.6443 (Dutch Archives, The Hague, Netherlands)
  7. File 2.12.03.6444 (Dutch Archives, The Hague, Netherlands)

ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.


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