Frans Jan Kroesen, RNN
| Born | 1 Jun 1914 | Den Haag, Netherlands | |
| Died | 27 Jan 1994 | (79) | Bali, Indonesia |
| Ranks
Retired: 4 Apr 1966 Decorations
|
Warship Commands listed for Frans Jan Kroesen, RNN
| Ship | Rank | Type | From | To |
| HNMS O 21 (P 21) | luitenant ter zee 2e klasse (Lt.) | Submarine | 28 Mar 1944 | 18 Oct 1945 |
Career information
We currently have no career / biographical information on this officer.
Events related to this officer
Submarine HNMS O 21 (P 21)
7 Apr 1944
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) departed from Dundee for Holy Loch. (1)
10 Apr 1944
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) arrived at Holy Loch. (1)
28 Apr 1944
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) was docked at Holy Loch. (1)
3 May 1944
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) was undocked. (1)
6 May 1944
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) departed from Holy Loch for St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada.
For the daily positions of HrMs O 21 during the passage to the U.S.A. see the map below.
(1)
17 May 1944
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) arrived at St. John's. (1)
20 May 1944
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) departed from St. John's for Halifax. (1)
22 May 1944
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) arrived at Halifax. (1)
23 May 1944
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) departed from Halifax for New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. (1)
25 May 1944
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) arrived at New London. (1)
27 May 1944
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) departed from New London for New York where she arrived later the same day. (1)
28 May 1944
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) departed from New York for Philadelphia where she is to refit at the Navy Yard. (1)
29 May 1944
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) arrived at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. (1)
25 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) is put on a marine railway slip at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. (2)
24 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) is put back in the water (2)
6 Dec 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) conducted post refit trials in the Delaware river. She is escorted by the small coast guard patrol vessel CG 74330 (?). (2)
7 Dec 1944
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) returned to the Philadelphia Navy Yard. (2)
17 Dec 1944
Around 0800R/17, HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) departed from the Philadelphia Navy Yard for New London. A tug escorted her on the river.
Compass adjustment trials were subsequently carried out in the mouth of the Delaware river on completion of which, around 1745R/17, course was set for New York. On leaving the Delaware river estuary she was joined by the patrol vessel USS SC-1355 (Lt.(jg) G.W. Conk, Jr., USNR).
Around 0745R/18, HrMs O 21 entered New York Harbour. The escort then parted company and O 21 was now joined by the Coast Guard patrol vessel CG 83311 (?) which subsequently escorted her to New London. (3)
18 Dec 1944
Around 1700R/18, HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) arrived at New London to commence a post refit period of trials and training. (3)
21 Dec 1944
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) conducted independent exercises off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. (3)
22 Dec 1944
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. (3)
23 Dec 1944
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) conducted exercises off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. Several practice torpedo shots were made during which USS Penguin (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Albin, USNR) acted as target. (3)
26 Dec 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) left New London for exercises but had to return soon after departure due to an engine defect. (2)
27 Dec 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) conducted speed trials on the measured mile near New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. (3)
28 Dec 1944
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) departed New London for speed trials but she later returned due to unsuitable weather conditions and an engine defect. (3)
30 Dec 1944
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) conducted attack exercises off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. during which USS Sapphire (Lt. H.J. Gannon, USNR), escorted by patrol vessels, acted as target. She remained out for exercises during the night of 30/31 December 1944. (3)
31 Dec 1944
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroessen, RNN) conducted attack exercises off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. during which USS Burke (Lt.Cdr. W.L. Dommerich, USNR) acted as target. (3)
2 Jan 1945
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroessen, RNN) conducted attack exercises off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. during which USS Penguin (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Albin, USNR) acted as target. (3)
3 Jan 1945
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) conducted sound trials off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. (3)
4 Jan 1945
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) conducted exercises off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. During the night of 4/5 Janaury 1945 she remained out for night exercises during which practice attacks were made on USS Sapphire (Lt. H.J. Gannon, USNR). (3)
5 Jan 1945
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) conducted speed trials on the measured mile off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. (3)
9 Jan 1945
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroessen, RNN) conducted attack exercises off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. during which USS Burke (Lt.Cdr. W.L. Dommerich, USNR) acted as target.
During the night of 9/10 Janaury 1945 she remained out for night exercises. (3)
10 Jan 1945
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) conducted gunnery exercises off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A on a target that was being towed by USS Falcon (Lt. J.W. Thompson, USN). (3)
23 Jan 1945
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) conducted exercises off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. (3)
24 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) conducted compass adjustment trials off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. (3)
26 Jan 1945
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) conducted exercises off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. (3)
30 Jan 1945
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) conducted exercises off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. (3)
31 Jan 1945
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) conducted exercises off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. (3)
1 Feb 1945
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) conducted speed trials on the measured mile off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. (3)
5 Feb 1945
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN), conducted a deep dive trial in Block Island Sound during which she was escorted by USS George W. Ingram (Lt.Cdr. A.S. Boyce, USNR). (3)
9 Feb 1945
With her trials, training and some modifications completed, HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) departed from New London around 0915R/9, for the Panama Canal. This is the first leg of the trip to Australia. She is escorted by USS Albert T. Harris (Lt.Cdr. S. King, USN). (3)
9 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
For the daily positions of HrMs O 21 during the passage from New London to Australia see the map below.
19 Feb 1945
Around 0930R/19, HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) and USS Albert T. Harris (Lt.Cdr. S. King, USN) arrived at Colon, Panama. They then immediately commenced the westbound passage of the Panama Canal and arrived at Balboa late in the afternoon. (3)
2 Mar 1945
Around 1000R/2, HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) and USS Mango (Lt. H.R. Greenley, USNR) departed from Balboa, Panama Canal Zone for the Galapagos Islands. (3)
6 Mar 1945
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) and USS Mango (Lt. H.R. Greenley, USNR) topped up with fuel at Seymour Island, Galapagos Islands before proceeding towards Bora Bora, French Polynesia. (3)
22 Mar 1945
Around 1730U/22, HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) and USS Mango (Lt. H.R. Greenley, USNR) arrived at Bora Bora, French Polynesia. (4)
25 Mar 1945
Around 1500W/25, HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) and USS Mango (Lt. H.R. Greenley, USNR) departed from Bora Bora for Wellington, New Zealand and Manus (via Tulagi) respectively. They parted company the following day. (4)
6 Apr 1945
Around 1020M/6, HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) arrived at Wellington, New Zealand. (4)
24 Apr 1945
After some repairs HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) conducted compass adjustment trials off Wellington. Also an A/S exercise was carried out with two trawlers and two ML's of the New Zealand Navy. (4)
25 Apr 1945
Around 0940M/25, HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) departed from Wellington, New Zealand for Melbourne, Australia. (4)
3 May 1945
Around 0910K/3, HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) arrived at Melbourne from Wellington.
She was escorted in by HrMs Abraham Crijnssen (Cdr. S. Dobbenga, RNN(R)) which had joined around 1120K/2. (4)
13 May 1945
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) departed from Melbourne for Fremantle.
She is escorted until 0930K/14, by HrMs Abraham Crijnssen (Cdr. S. Dobbenga, RNN(R)). (4)
20 May 1945
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) arrived at Fremantle from Melbourne. She arrived with engine defects which were then taken in hand but were estimated to take a month to complete. (2)
7 Jun 1945
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) is put on the slipway at Fremantle. (2)
9 Jun 1945
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) is put back in the water. (2)
26 Jun 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) conducted post repair trials and exercises off Fremantle. (2)
27 Jun 1945
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) conducted exercises off Fremantle. These included attack exercises during which USS Hutchinson (Lt.Cdr. E.H. Houghtaling, USCG) acted as target. HrMs O 21 returned to harbour the following morning. (2)
30 Jun 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) conducted compass adjustment trials off Fremantle. These are however not successful. (2)
3 Jul 1945
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) is put on the slip at Fremantle. (2)
4 Jul 1945
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) is put back in the water. (2)
5 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) again conducted compass adjustment trials off Fremantle and again these are not successful. (2)
6 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) conducted trials off Fremantle. Compass adjustment trials had to be postponed. (2)
7 Jul 1945
Around 2030I/7, HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) departed from Fremantle for her 21th war patrol (5th in the Far East, 1st of her 2nd deployment to the Far East). She was ordered to patrol along the South coast of Java and in the Sunda Strait area.
Before departure compass adjustment trials were successfully carried out.
No log is available for this period so unfortunately no map can be displayed. (5)
11 Jul 1945
Around 1000I/11, HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) arrived at Onslow, Australia for fuel and fresh provisions. (5)
12 Jul 1945
After taking on board extra fuel and fresh provisions, HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) departed from Onslow around 1200I/12, for her patrol area. (5)
20 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Between 1800I/21 and 1900I/21, while patrolling in the northern entrance to the Sunda Strait, HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) sighted an enemy patrol vessel hugging the coast of St. Nicolas Point.
At 2015I/21, in position 05°49'S, 105°59'E, a small vessel was sighted bearing 242°. HE was reported on the same bearing. Contact was lost at 2100I/21. (5)
21 Jul 1945
At 0900I/21, in position 05°54'5"S, 106°09'5"E, HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN), sighted a coaster ('sugar dog') on a northerly
course at a range of 5 nautical miles. 10 minutes later the target altered course to the west. The target was not attacked with gunfire as it would proceed up Banten Bay and thus escape.
At 1350I/21, in position 05°53'S, 106°06'E, another 'sugar dog' was sighted proceeding on course 280° at 7 knots. It was intended to make a gun attack but a 1355I/21 two aircraft were seen approaching preventing O 21 from surfacing. The target was seen to pass St. Nicolas Point at short range and then proceed up the Sunda Strait towards the Sumatran coast.
At 1450I/21, in position 05°52'S, 106°06'E, a small 'ML-type' vessel was seen. She had a small gun forward. The enemy was proceeding westwards at 10 to 12 knots. She later turned to the south-west toward the Sunda Straits. (5)
22 Jul 1945
At 0208I/22, in position 05°31'5"S, 106°09'E, HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN), sighted a long and low object bearing 230° at a range of about one mile. At the time of the sighting the SJ radar was defective. It was thought this was either a submarine or patrol vessel. Four minutes later contact was lost. It had meanwhile seen that the vessel was raised in the middle. It was thought the vessel was on a northerly course. The vessel sighed may have been either USS Blower (T/Cdr. N.P. Watkins, USN) or HMS Thule (Lt.Cdr. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) which both passed through the area around this time.
At 0623I/22, in position 05°46'S, 106°10'5"E, a vessel was seen bearing 280° at a range of 1800 yards. Avoiding action was taken. It was later thought to have been only a small prau. (5)
22 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0208I/22, in position 05°31'5"S, 106°09'E, HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN), sighted a long and low object bearing 230° at a range of about one mile. At the time of the sighting the SJ radar was defective. It was thought this was either a submarine or patrol vessel. Four minutes later contact was lost. It had meanwhile seen that the vessel was raised in the middle. It was thought the vessel was on a northerly course. The vessel sighed may have been either USS Blower (T/Cdr. N.P. Watkins, USN) or HMS Thule (Lt.Cdr. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) which both passed through the area around this time. Neither reported anything at this time though.
At 0623I/22, in position 05°46'S, 106°10'5"E, a vessel was seen bearing 280° at a range of 1800 yards. Avoiding action was taken. It was later thought to have been only a small prau. (5)
23 Jul 1945
At 0340I/23, in position 05°41'S, 106°14'E, HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN), sighted a vessel bearing 230° which was avoided. It was not picked up by radar and is thought to have been only a small prau.
At 0630I/23, in position 05°48'5"S, 106°08'5"E, radar picked up an echo bearing 180° at a range of 6000 yards. Nothing was seen as it was still extremely dark. Possibly again only a prau.
At 1055I/23, a fast small craft was seen roaming about bearing 150° in the western entrance to Banten Bay. Possibly a patrol vessel.
At 1200I/23, smoke was sighted bearing 235°. Started to close to attack. This contact developed into a coastal convoy hugging the coast and rounding St. Nicolas Point on an easterly course. It consisted of a small tug towing a wooden 200 tons barge, two sugar dogs and two sugar charlie sugars of about 400 tons each. Another small tug towing a 200 tons wooden barge was following them. A patrol craft and motor launch were screening them. Speed of the convoy was 6 knots. Two aircraft were also patrolling in the area.
The attack was broken off as there were no torpedo targets in this convoy.
At 2130I/23, in position 05°46'5"N, 106°12'E, a small craft was sighted bearing 100° at an estimated range of 3000 yards. It could not be identified and it was avoided. (5)
29 Jul 1945 (position 5.49, 105.48)
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) damaged two Japanese coasters with gunfire off the Northern entrance to the Sunda Strait.
0827I/29 - Sighted a small steam vessel bearing 247°, range 3 nautical miles. She was hugging the Sumatra coast and was on a Southerly course.
0844I/29 - Surfaced for gun action at 5000 yards. The target beached itself in position 05°49'S, 105°48'E. The crew was seen to abandon ship in a small boat.
0857I/29 - After 62 rounds, and several hits, the gun malfunctioned and fire had to be ceased. The target was seen to blow off steam but no fire was observed. O 21 cleared the area to the South-East at speed.
-------------------------------------------
1315I/29 - Sighted a 500 tons coaster bearing 265°, range 3.5 nautical miles. She was coast crawling on a Northerly course. O 21 closed and opened fire at 5000 yards. After 23 rounds the gun malfunctioned again and this action had also to be broken off. The target meanwhile was hit several times. (5)
31 Jul 1945
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) sank a small Japanese fishing vessel with gunfire off the Wijnkoops Bay on the South coast of Java (now Pelabuhan Ratu).
0002I/31, received a signal from C.T.F. 71 ordering O 21 to leave patrol immediately.
1730I/31 - Sighted a motor fishing vessel bearing 095°, range 5 nautical miles.
1743I/31 - Opened fire with the deck gun from 3500 yards while still closing the target at 12 knots.
1802I/31 - The target now stopped. Again the deck gun of O 21 gave trouble.
1807I/31 - Ceased fire after firing 65 rounds for only two hits. Range was now 1500 yards.
1815I/31 - Boarded to place demolition charges aboard the vessel. It was thought that the crew had meanwhile left the ship. Took the ships papers from the bridge. The ship was seen to be on fire.
1830I/31 - The ship was now well on fire so cast off. No need to set demolition charges. Shortly afterwards one Japanese and three natives emerged from the hold and these were taken on board. (5)
8 Aug 1945
Around 1145I/8, HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) ended her 21th war patrol (5th in the Far East, 1st of her 2nd deployment to the Far East) at Fremantle. (5)
10 Aug 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) conducted noise trials off Fremantle. (2)
3 Oct 1945
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) departed from Fremantle for Batavia, Java, Netherlands East Indies.
Sources
- File 2.12.03.6417 (Dutch Archives, The Hague, Netherlands)
- File 2.12.27.141 (Dutch Archives, The Hague, Netherlands)
- File 2.12.03.6418 (Dutch Archives, The Hague, Netherlands)
- File 2.12.03.6419 (Dutch Archives, The Hague, Netherlands)
- ADM 199/1880
ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.
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