Laid down (39)

1918: Destroyer Hamilton (I 24) - Destroyer Hamilton (I 24) - Destroyer Kalk (i) (DD 170)

1925: Submarine Goffredo Mameli

1928: Submarine Atalante

1931: Submarine Minerve

1936: Submarine Depot Ship Maidstone (F 44)

1939: MS Trawler Acacia (T 02)

1942: Light cruiser Blake (99) - Minesweeper BYMS 2076 (J 876) - Tank landing ship LST 401 (LST 401) - Destroyer Anthony (DD 515) - Landing craft tank LCT 140 (LCT 140) - Tank landing ship LST 401 (LST 401) - Tank landing ship LST 478 (LST 478) - Submarine chaser SC-1011 (SC-1011)

1943: Motor Torpedo Boat MTB 401 (MTB 401) - MS Trawler Oronsay (T 375) - Frigate Tobago (K 585) - MS Trawler Vatersay (T 378) - Escort carrier Hoggatt Bay (CVE 75) - Tank landing ship LST 49 (LST 49) - Destroyer Escort Osmus (DE 701) - Frigate Pocatello (PF-9) - Motor torpedo boat PT 388 - Motor torpedo boat PT 389 - Motor torpedo boat PT 493 - Submarine chaser SC-1479 (SC-1479)

1944: Destroyer Dyess (DD 880) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-816 (LCI(L)-816) - Landing craft support LCS(L)-13 (LCS(L)-13) - Landing craft tank LCT 1287 (LCT 1287) - Landing craft tank LCT 1341 (LCT 1341) - Medium landing ship LSM 338 (LSM 338) - Medium landing ship (Rocket) LSM(R) 188 (LSM(R) 188) - Medium landing ship (rocket) LSM(R) 189 (LSM(R) 189) - Tank landing ship LST 798 (LST 798) - Motor torpedo boat PT 759 - High speed transport Wantuck (APD 125)

Launched (48)

1917: Destroyer Ludlow (G 57) - Destroyer Stockton (i) (DD 73)

1918: Destroyer Breckinridge (DD 148) - Destroyer Roper (DD 147)

1933: Large destroyer Le Malin - Auxiliary patrol vessel Prabhavati

1939: Minesweeper L'Impetueuse - Aircraft Carrier Formidable (67) - Minelayer Port Quebec (M 59) - Fleet tug Navajo (AT 64)

1940: Corvette Cobalt (K 124)

1941: Minesweeper Brambling (AMc-39)

1942: Minesweeper BYMS 2005 (J 805) - MS Trawler Hayling (T 271) - Motor minesweeper MMS 111 (J 611) - Motor minesweeper MMS 242 (J 742) - Fleet tug Cree (AT 84) - Landing craft tank LCT 418 (LCT 418) - Minesweeper Motive (AM 102) - Oiler Pecos (ii) (OA 65) - Motor torpedo boat PT 128 - Submarine chaser SC-678 (SC-678) - Submarine chaser SC-742 (SC-742)

1943: Frigate Chebogue (K 317) - Frigate Bahamas (K 503) - MS Trawler Grain (T 360) - Corvette Kenilworth Castle (K 420) - Salvage vessel Lifeline - Motor minesweeper MMS 1027 (FY 1027) - Destroyer Escort Chambers (DE 391) - Frigate Corpus Christi (PF-44) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-367 (LCI(L)-367) - Tank landing ship LST 222 (LST 222) - Tank landing ship LST 41 (LST 41) - Tank landing ship LST 42 (LST 42) - Escort carrier Midway (i) / St. Lo (CVE 63) - Frigate Pasco (PF-6) - Motor torpedo boat PT 546 - Submarine Tang (306) - Aircraft Carrier Wasp (ii) (CV 18) - Minesweeper YMS-309 (YMS-309)

1944: Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-1085 (LCI(L)-1085) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-797 (LCI(L)-797) - Landing craft support LCS(L)-9 (LCS(L)-9) - Landing craft tank LCT 1213 (LCT 1213) - Landing craft tank LCT 1282 (LCT 1282)

1945: Motor torpedo boat PT 620 - Motor torpedo boat PT 722

Commissioned (25)

1918: Submarine O-10 (71) - Submarine R-17 (94)

1922: Submarine S-35 (140)

1934: Heavy cruiser Tuscaloosa (CA 37)

1938: Minesweeper Franklin (J 84)

1940: Corvette Coreopsis (K 32) - Submarine Utmost (N 19)

1941: Submarine ShCh-216

1942: MS Trawler Prodigal (T 187) - MS Trawler Promise (T 193)

1943: Motor Torpedo Boat MTB 358 (MTB 358) - Destroyer Cogswell (DD 651) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-366 (LCI(L)-366) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-445 (LCI(L)-445) - Patrol craft PC-784 (PC-784) - Motor torpedo boat PT 378 - Submarine chaser SC-1275 (SC-1275) - Minesweeper YMS-387 (YMS-387)

1944: Minesweeper Kapuskasing (J 326) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-793 (LCI(L)-793) - Medium landing ship LSM 234 (LSM 234) - Medium landing ship LSM 54 (LSM 54) - Tank landing ship LST 633 (LST 633)

1945: Minesweeper Orcadia (J 462) - Submarine Mero (378)

1943: Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-1 (LCI(L)-1)

1944: Landing Craft Tank LCT 123 (LCT 123)

1945: Motor Launch ML 230 (ML 230)

More information on Allied Warships losses.

1940

Heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland: HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN) arrived at Simonstown from patrol.

Heavy cruiser HMAS Canberra: Around 0700K/17, HMAS Canberra (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) arrived at Sydney from Fremantle. She was immediately docked in the Sutherland Dry Dock at the Cockatoo Island Dockyard.

Light cruiser HMS Caledon: HMS Caledon (Capt. C.P. Clark, RN) arrived at Aden with convoy BS 2A.

Light cruiser HMS Cardiff: Around 1800A/17, HMS Cardiff (Capt. P.K. Enright, RN) departed Harwich for Immingham where she arrived around 0615A/18.

Light cruiser HMAS Perth: HMAS Perth (Capt. P.W. Bowyer-Smith, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN) conducted D/G trials on the D/G range in Chowder Bay.

Light cruiser HMS Gloucester: HMS Gloucester (Capt. H.A. Rowley, RN) is docked in the floating dock at Alexandria.

Light cruiser HMS Manchester: HMS Manchester (Capt. H.A. Packer, RN) was undocked.

Light cruiser HMS Southampton: HMS Birmingham (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral G.F.B. Edward-Collins, CB, KCVO, RN) and HMS Southampton (Capt. B.C.B. Brooke, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral M.L. Clarke, DSC, RN) departed Sheerness around 1800A/17 for Rosyth where they arrived around 1300A/18. They were relocated to Rosyth due to the almost continuous bombing of the south part England by the Luftwaffe.

Light cruiser HNMS Tromp: HrMs Tromp (Capt. J.W. Termijtelen, RNN) departed Makassar for Surabaya.

Submarine HNMS O 10: HrMs O 10 (Lt.Cdr. G. Quint, RNN(R)) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.

Aircraft Carrier HMS Hermes: HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) arrived at Simonstown after convoy escort duties and patrol. She entered the Selborne Dry Dock later the same day.

Submarine HMS Otway: HMS Otway (Lt. E.D. Norman, RN) shifted from Campbeltown to Rothesay.

Submarine HMS Rorqual: HMS Rorqual (Lt.Cdr R.H. Dewhurst, RN) laid a minefield (50 mines) off Tulmaythah, Libya between 1103 and 1134 hours (zone -2). Approximate position was 32°40'N, 20°32'E.

Submarine HMS Tigris: HMS Tigris (Lt.Cdr. H.F. Bone, RN) conducted D/G trials in the Clyde area.

Submarine HMS H 33: HMS H 33 (Lt. R.S. Brookes, DSC, RN) participated in / conducted exercises off Campbeltown. Upon completion of these exercises HMS H 33 proceeded to Rothesay.

Submarine HMS H 34: 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.

Submarine HMS H 44: HMS H 44 (Lt. J.S. Huddard, RN) ended her 7th war patrol at Harwich.

Destroyer HMS Jaguar: The auxiliary minelayers Menestheus (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN), Port Napier (Capt.(Retd.) J.N. Tait, CBE, DSC, RN), Port Quebec (Capt.(Retd.) E.C. Watson, RN), Southern Prince (A/Capt. E.M.C. Barraclough, RN) departed Port ZA (Loch Alsh) for minelaying mission SN 12. They were escorted by the AA cruiser HMS Cairo (Capt. P.V. McLaughlin, RN) and the destroyers HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, DSO, RN), HMS Firedrake (Lt.Cdr. S.H. Norris, DSC, RN), HMS Javelin (Cdr. A.F. Pugsley, RN) and HMS Jaguar (Lt.Cdr. J.F.W. Hine, RN). HMS Firedrake was relieved by HMS Echo (Cdr. S.H.K. Spurgeon, DSO, RAN) on the 18th (she had sailed from Scapa Flow at 1030/18) after which HMS Firedrake proceeded to Scapa Flow. The auxiliary minelayers returned to Port ZA shortly before 0100/19 escorted by HMS Inglefield and HMS Echo. HMS Javelin and HMS Jaguar proceeded to Scapa Flow where they arrived at 0630/19.

Destroyer HMAS Voyager: Around 1520C/17, HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) departed Port Said to escort a local convoy to Alexandria where they arrived around 0830C/18. [No details available on which ships were in the local convoy.]

Destroyer HMS Jupiter: HMS Jackal (Cdr. T.M. Napier, RN, with Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN = Capt.(D.5) on board), HMS Jupiter (Cdr. D.B. Wyburd, RN) and HMS Kelvin (Cdr. J.H. Allison, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off the Humber. On their return to harbour HMS Kelvin commenced boiler cleaning.

Destroyer HMS Kipling: HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St. Clair-Ford, RN) departed Scapa Flow to relieve the escort of convoy OA 200, the Canadian destroyer HMCS Restigouche (Cdr. H.N. Lay, RN) which then proceeded to Scapa Flow to discharge all her oil fuel which had been contaminated with seawater. Restigouche arrived at Scapa Flow at 2100/17. After taking on board new oil fuel she departed Scapa Flow again at 0600/18. She rejoined the convoy at 1315/18 after which HMS Kipling returned to Scapa Flow arriving later the same day.

1941

Heavy cruiser HMS Dorsetshire: HMS Dorsetshire (Capt. A.W.S. Agar, VC, DSO, RN) departed Greenock to join convoy WS 10X at sea. More on this convoy see the event for 15 August 1941, Convoy WS 10X. For the daily positions of HMS Dorsetshire during the period of 17 to 28 August 1941 see the map below.

Heavy cruiser HMS Exeter: HMS Exeter (Capt. O.L. Gordon, MVO, RN) returned to Bombay from patrol.

Destroyer HNMS Isaac Sweers: HrMs Isaac Sweers (Cdr. J. Houtsmuller, RNN) joined the escort of convoy WS 10X.

Submarine HNMS O 23: HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) left patrol to return to Gibraltar.

Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Asturias: HMS Asturias (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) is undocked.

Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Carthage: Around 1000B/17, HMS Carthage (Capt.(Retd.) H.L.I. Kirkpatrick, OBE, RN) departed Durban for patrol. She was ordered to patrol the area to the east of Durban and south of the entrance to the Mozambique Channel.

Submarine HMS Oberon: HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Pizey, DSO, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

Submarine HMS Perseus (i): HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) was undocked.

Submarine HMS Regent: On board HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) the air vessel of one of the reload torpedoes exploded causing some damage to HMS Regent, other reload torpedoes and cargo she had embarked for her upcoming passage to Malta.

Submarine HMS Tigris: HMS Tigris (Cdr. H.F. Bone, DSO, DSC, RN) torpedoed and sank the Norwegian passenger / cargo ship Haakon Jarl (1492 GRT, built 1904, offsite link) near Svaerholt, Norway in position 71°03'N, 26°43'E. Three were killed and thirteen survivors were later picked up. The German A/S trawler UJ 1707 and A/S whaler V 6103 / Nordlicht were sent out from Honningsvag to hunt the enemy submarine. 0735C/17 - In position 71°02'N, 26°46'E sighted a merchant vessel of about 3000 tons. Started attack. 0812C/17 - Fired four torpedoes from 4500 yards. One hit was obtained and the ship was seen to sink after 90 seconds.

Submarine HMS Truant: HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) conducted basin trials at the Portsmouth Navy Yard.

Submarine HMS H 28: HMS H 28 (Lt. P.S. Skelton, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

Submarine HMS H 43: HMS H 43 (Lt. A.C. Halliday, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle.

Submarine HMS H 44: HMS H 44 (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.

Submarine HMS H 50: HMS H 50 (Lt. N. Marriott, DSC, RN) departed Rothesay for Londonderry where she was to participate in A/S exercises.

Minelayer HMS Manxman: After having embarked mines, HMS Manxman (Capt. R.K. Dickson, RN) departed from Milford Haven around 1730A/17 for Gibraltar.

Light cruiser HMS Penelope: Around 0900 hours, HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN), departed Rosyth for Scapa Flow where she arrived around 2015 hours.

Light cruiser HMS Mauritius: Around 0900FG/17, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN) arrived at Malé, Maldives. Capt. Stephens then paid a visit to the Sultan. Around 1935FG/17, HMS Mauritius departed Malé for Colombo.

Destroyer HMS Kipling: Around 0830C/17, HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St. Clair-Ford, RN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) departed Alexandria for a troop and supply run to Tobruk where they arrived around 0050C/18. They departed Tobruk around 0140C/18 and returned to Alexandria around 1500C/18.

Submarine USSR D-2 / Narodovolyets: Joined to Baltic Sea Fleet

Submarine HMS L 27: HMS L 27 (Lt. N.L.A. Jewell, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory.

Submarine USSR Lembit: Lembit lays mines west of Bornholm.

1942

Heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland: HMS Cumberland (Capt. A.H. Maxwell-Hyslop, AM, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Hvalfjord.

Heavy cruiser HMS Suffolk: During 17/18 August 1942, HMS Suffolk (Capt. R. Shelley, CBE, RN), conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. These included night exercises.

Submarine HNMS K XI: HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) conducted exercises off Karachi and then departed for the Gulf of Kutch to participate in A/S exercises there. On completion of the exercises in the Gulf of Kutch period K XI is to proceed to Bombay for maintenance.

Submarine USS Gudgeon: USS Gudgeon (Lt.Cdr. W.B. Stovall, Jr) torpedoed and damaged the Japanese tankers Shinkoku Maru (10020 GRT) and Nichiei Maru (10020 GRT) north-west of Truk in position 07°43'N, 151°13'E.

Submarine USS Spearfish: USS Spearfish (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Dempsey) ended her 4th war patrol at Fremantle.

Submarine USS Swordfish: USS Swordfish (Lt.Cdr. A.C. Burrows, USN) attacked a Japanese merchant vessel with three torpedoes south-west of Macclesfield Bank, South China Sea. No hits were obtained. (All times are zone -8) 1606 hours - In position 15°30'N, 113°30'E sighted smoke bearing 355°. Closed to investigate. The target turned out to be a 10000 tons merchant vessel. 1636 hours - Increased speed to get into a firing position. Targets course was 210°, speed 8 knots. 1711 hours - Range was now 2300 yards. In position 15°25'N, 113°05'E fired three torpedoes. Swordfish lost depth control and ended up at 200 feet. 1718 hours - Heard three end of run torpedo detonations. 1930 hours - Surfaced. Nothing in sight.

Submarine USS Bass: On board USS Bass (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Dropp, USN), while at sea, a fire broke out in the after battery room and quickly spread to the after torpedo room and starboard main motor, resulting in the death of 26 enlisted men by asphyxiation. The following day USS Antaeus (AS-21) arrived to assist the submarine and escorted her into the Gulf of Dulce, Costa Rica. Both vessels then proceeded to Balboa. After 8 weeks of emergency repairs, Bass sailed to Philadelphia Navy Yard. Full repairs took until December 1943 and even then she never returned to fully operational status, being relegated to training for the remainder of her career.

Submarine USS Kingfish: USS Kingfish (Lt.Cdr. V.L. Lowrence, USN) transited the Panama Canal.

Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Asturias: HMS Crocus (T/Lt. J.F. Holm, RNZNR) was Topped off with fuel fuel while underway by HMS Asturias (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN). At dawn on the 17th, it became apparent that HMS Aimwell had lost contact during the night with HMS Asturias (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN), HMS Largs (Cdr. E.A. Divers, RNR), HMS Cowslip (Lt. F. Granger, RNR) and HMS Favourite. A seach by the aircraft from HMS Asturias failed to find the missing tug. It was hoped she would proceed to Freetown independently. During the day, HMS Cowslip was fuelled while underway by HMS Asturias.

Submarine HMS Otway: HMS Otway (Cdr. H.F. Bone, DSO and Bar, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) with HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A. E. Johnston, RN).

Submarine HMS Regent: HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) conducted trials and exercises off New London.

Submarine HMS Safari: HMS P 211 (Cdr. B. Bryant, DSC, RN) sank the Italian sailing vessel Ausonia (218 GRT) with gunfire 11 nautical miles bearing 180 from Orosei, Sardinia. 1145B/17 - Sighted a large schooner approaching from the Northward. 1223B/17 - Surfaced about 5 nautical miles South of Gonone (approximately 40°12'N, 09°40'E) and opened fire on the schooner, thought to be 250 tons in size, from 1000 yards. After the 6th round the schooner blew up. The debris rained from the sky. Had P 211 been closer she most likely would have been damaged by the blast. The crew of Ausonia had abandoned the vessel in two lifeboats but the explosion must have killed them as there were no survivors.

Submarine HMS Splendid: HMS P 228 (Lt. I.L.M. McGeogh, RN) conducted trials off Sheerness.

Submarine HMS Tribune: HMS Tribune (Lt. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR) went to sea off Blyth with a filming party on board for the shooting of the film 'Close Quarters'.

Submarine HMS Trusty: Around 1800F/17, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) departed from Colombo for her 8th war patrol (5th in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol in the Malacca Straits. For the daily positions of HMS Trusty during this patrol see the map below.

Submarine HMS Turbulent: HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSC, RN) torpedoed and damaged the Italian transport transport Nino Bixio (7137 GRT, built 1941) 12 nautical miles south-west of Navarino, Greece in position 36°35'N, 21°34'E. This ship is loaded with around 3200 POW's. 336 Pow's were killed as a result of this attack. The Italian transport Sestriere (7992 GRT, built 1942) was missed during the same attack. According to Italian sources the convoy was escorted by the Italian destroyers Nicoloso da Recco, Saetta and the Italian torpedo boats Castore and Orione. The damaged Nino Bixio was towed to Navarino. 1600C/17 - Sighted a ship bearing 160°. Later it was seen that this was a convoy of two large ships escorted by three destroyers and several aircraft. Range was 14000 yards. Started attack. 1633C/17 - Fired four torpedoes from 3600 yards. The salvo was spread over the two ships (thought to be modern ships of 7000 to 8000 tons and in ballast) which formed almost a single line. One of the torpedoes had a gyro failure and passed overhead of Turbulent three times. 2 Hits were obtained. Turbulent went deep upon firing but no counter attack followed. She surfaced at 2130C/17 and then set course for the Anti-Kithera Channel.

Submarine HMS P 311: HMS P 311 (Cdr. R.D. Cayley, DSO and 2 Bars, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar.

Submarine HMS Unique: HMS Unique (Lt. R.E. Boddington, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. These included a practice attack on HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN).

Submarine HMS Upright: 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.

Submarine HMS Unison: HMS P 43 (Lt. A.C. Halliday, RN) attacked an escorted Italian merchant vessel with four torpedoes west of Lefkada Island, Greece. No hits were obtained. This was the transport Chisone (6168 GRT, built 1922) escorted by the torpedo boat Generale Antonino Cascino. Three torpedo tracks were sighted and she turned in time to see them passing a short distance ahead. Cascino dropped a few depth charges and was joined by an escorting aircraft which dropped a couple of bombs. (All times are zone -2) 1350 hours - Sighted an aircraft flying south, searching. 1358 hours - Sighted the masts of a vessel to the north. Started attack on a partly laden southbound merchant vessel. She was escorted by an older type Italian torpedo-boat. Also one of possibly two aircraft were patrolling the area. 1424 hours - In position 38°42'N, 20°31'E fired four torpedoes from 2000 yards. One torpedo caused a splash on firing and this was most likely seen by the enemy. No hits were obtained. Went deep on firing. 1432 hours - The torpedo-boat started a counter attack. 1446 hours - The last of 9 depth charges was dropped. Only minor damage had been caused to P 43. 1740 hours - Returned to periscope depth. Nothing in sight.

Submarine HMS H 28: HMS H 28 (Lt. C.H. Rankin, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory.

Submarine HMS H 33: HMS H 33 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) made a short stop at Holyhead before continuing her passage to Falmouth later the same day.

Submarine HMS H 34: HMS H 34 (Lt. A.D. Piper, DSC, RNR) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle.

Submarine HMS P 511: HMS P 511 (Lt. K.H Joy, RNR) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

Light cruiser HMS Kenya: HMS Kenya (Capt. A.S. Russell, RN) is docked in No.2 graving dock at the Gibraltar Dockyard.

Battleship HMS King George V: HMS King George V (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO and Bar, RN, flying the flag of A/Admiral J.C. Tovey, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet) conducted exercises at Scapa Flow.

Destroyer HMAS Stuart: Around 1600K/17, HMAS Stuart (Cdr. S.H.K. Spurgeon, DSO, RAN) departed Brisbane escorting the transport Poyang (British, 2873 GRT, built 1941) to Noumea.

Destroyer HMS Hero: The troop transports Princess Marguerite (Canadian, 5875 GRT, built 1925) and Antwerp (British, 2957 GRT, built 1920) departed Port Said for Famagusta. They were escorted by the British destroyers HMS Kelvin (Cdr. M.S. Townsend, OBE, DSC, RN, HMS Hero (Lt. W. Scott, RN) and the escort destroyers HMS Beaufort (Lt.Cdr. S.O’G Roche, RN) and HMS Tetcott (Lt.Cdr. H.R. Rycroft, RN). At 1559 hours (1408 hours, German time was reported by the Germans) the Princess Marguerite was torpedoed and sunk north-west of Port Said in position 32°03'N, 32°47'E by German U-boat U-83. HMS Hero and HMS Kelvin picked up 1074 survivors. Immediately following the attack HMS Beaufort made a depth charge attack on U-83 but she was not damaged. HMS Kelvin and HMS Paladin (Cdr. A.F. Pugsley, RN) also hunted the attacker following the attack but the Germans were able to escape. HMS Kelvin departed the area to land her survivors at Port Said. All ships of the original convoy returned to Port Said on 18 August. HMS Paladin remained hunting in the area until 20 August, reinforced by HMS Jervis (Capt. A.L. Poland, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN).

Destroyer HMAS Quiberon: Around 1815A/17, the escort carrier HMS Avenger (Cdr. A.P. Colthurst, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Rosyth. She was escorted by the destroyer HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN). Off the entrance to the Firth of Forth, HMAS Quiberon parted company with the escort carrier and set course to return to Scapa Flow.

Submarine USS S-37: USS S-37 (Lt. T.S. Baskett) departed from Brisbane for her 6th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off Guadalcanal.

Submarine USS R-11: USS R-11 (Lt.Cdr. E.C. Folger, Jr., USN or Lt. I.J. Galantin, USN) was put back in the water.

Submarine USSR M-31: M-31 fires two torpedoes against 'what is identified as' an enemy merchant off Odessa in position 46.20N, 30.45E. Both torpedoes missed their target.

Destroyer ORP Piorun: Piorun is damaged during a storm.

Corvette HMS Pimpernel: HMS Pimpernel (Lt.Cdr. F.H. Thornton, RNR) picks up 29 survivors from the British merchant Fort la Reine that was torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-658 in the Windward Passage west of Haiti in position 18°30'N, 75°20'W.

Destroyer HMS Decoy: HMS Resolution (Capt. A.R. Halfhide, CBE, RN , flying the flag of A/Vice-Admiral A.U. Willis, DSO, RN), HMS Royal Sovereign (Capt. D.N.C. Tufnell, DSC, RN), HMS Valiant (Capt. L.H. Ashmore, RN), HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN), HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN), HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN), HMS Griffin (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Rowell, RN), HMS Foxhound (Cdr. C.J. Wynne-Edwards, DSC, RN), HMS Decoy (Lt.Cdr. G.I.M. Balfour, RN) and HMS Blackmore (Lt. H.T. Harrel, RN) make rendez-vous with ' Force A ' which came from Colombo. ' Force A ' was made up of HMS Warspite (Capt. F.E.P. Hutton, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN), HMS Illustrious (Capt. A.G. Talbot, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral D.W. Boyd, CBE, DSC, RN), HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN), HrMs Jacob van Heemskerck (Capt. E.J. van Holte, RNN), HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, DSO, RN), HMS Inconstant (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Clouston, RN), HMS Fortune (Lt.Cdr. R.D.H.S. Pankhurst, RN) and HMS Active (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, RN). Exercises were then carried out on the 17th and on the 18th all ships entered Kilindini / Mombasa. HMS Dauntless proceeded to Diego Suarez via Mayotte.

Submarine HMS L 26: HMS L 26 (Lt. H.D. Verschoyle, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with a training class of new submariners.

Submarine HMS Graph: HMS Graph (Lt. P.B. Marriott, RN) arrived at Portsmouth.

1943

Heavy cruiser HMS Kent: HMS Kent (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, DSC, MVO, RN) and HMS Norfolk (Capt. D.K. Bain, RN) conducted exercises off Hvalfjord. HMS Norfolk had just returned from covering a minelay by the 1st Minelaying Squadron.

Light cruiser HMS Danae: HMS Danae (Capt. J.R.S. Haines, RN) conducted A/S exercises at Scapa Flow with HMS Sea Rover (Lt. J.P. Angell, RN). On completion of these A/S exercises HMS Danae carried out gunnery exercises.

Light cruiser HMS Glasgow: Around 2025A/17, in approximate position 45°50'N, 12°18'W, HMS Glasgow (Capt. E.M. Evans-Lombe, RN) was joined by HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN) and HMS Grenville (Lt.Cdr. R.P. Hill, DSO, RN). The destroyers parted company around 2110A/18 and then set course to proceed to Plymouth. This was later changed to Falmouth.

Submarine HNMS K XII: HrMs K XII (Lt.Cdr. T. Brunsting, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Fremantle with USS SC-739.

Submarine HNMS O 24: At 1740FG/17, in position 03°51'N, 100°26'E, HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) sighted a ship bearing 277° at a rang of 3000 yards. An attack was started but it quickly had to be abandoned. The ship was thought to be a Japanese sloop (frigate) of the Shimushu-class. Enemy course was 145° at 12 knots. This may have been the Shimushu herself as she was in the area.

Submarine HNMS O 9: HrMs O 9 (Lt. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Ardishaig together with ML's. Upon completion of these exercises she returned to Campbeltown.

Submarine HNMS O 10: HrMs O 10 (Lt.Cdr. A. van Altena, RNN(R)) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Bretwalda (Skr.Lt. J.R. Coultas, RD, RNR) and HMS L' Atlantique (Skr. A. McKay, RNR).

Submarine USS Nautilus: USS Nautilus ended her refit at the Mare Island Navy Yard. She proceeded to Pearl Harbor.

Submarine USS Cero: USS Cero (Lt.Cdr. D.C. White, USN) departed New London, Connecticut for the Panama Canal Zone.

Submarine USS Seahorse: Around 1100I/17, USS Seahorse (T/Cdr. D. McGregor, USN) arrived in her patrol area.

Aircraft Carrier HMS Unicorn: Around 1515B/17, HMS Illustrious (Capt. R.L.B. Cunliffe, RN), HMS Unicorn (Capt. Q.D. Graham, CBE, DSO, RN), HMS Savage (Cdr. R.C. Gordon, DSO, RN), HMS Scorpion (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Clouston, RN), HMS Obdurate (Lt.Cdr. C.E.L. Sclater, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Obedient (Lt.Cdr. H. Unwin, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Opportune (Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from Greenock.

Aircraft Carrier HMS Furious: HMS Furious (Capt. G.T. Philip, DSO, DSC, RN) entered the Gladstone dock at Liverpool. She is docked down the following day.

Escort Carrier HMS Battler: HMS Stalker (Capt. H.S. Murray-Smith, RN), HMS Attacker (Capt. W.W.P. Shirley-Rollison, RN) and HMS Battler (A/Capt. F.M.R. Stephenson, RN) conducted flying exercises off Gibraltar. Rear-Admiral C. Moody, RN, was on board HMS Stalker during these exercises. [No details available on their escort.]

Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Canton: Around 0900C/17, HMS Canton (A/Capt. G.N. Loriston-Clarke, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from escort duty.

Submarine HMS Oberon: HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. J.B.de B. Kershaw, DSO, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with a training class of new submariners.

Submarine HMS Clyde: HMS Clyde (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted trials off Philaelphia.

Submarine HMS Satyr: HMS Satyr (Lt. T.S. Weston, RN) made rendez-vous with HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR) off Bishops Rock. HMS Seadog (Lt. C.R. Pelly, RN) later also joined.

Submarine HMS Seadog: HMS Seadog (Lt. C.R. Pelly, RN) made rendez-vous with HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR) and HMS Satyr (Lt. T.S. Weston, RN) later also joined off Bishops Rock. They then proceeded towards Dundee.

Submarine HMS Sibyl: HMS Sibyl (Lt. E.J.D. Turner, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Algiers for her 12th war patrol (10th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to conduct a special operation in the Gulf of Genoa and afterwards to patrol between Corsica and the Italian Mainland. For the daily positions of HMS Sibyl during this patrol see the map below.

Submarine HMS Sickle: HMS Sickle (Lt. J.R. Drummond, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Algiers for her 6th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off the East coast of Corsica. For the daily and attack positions of HMS Sickle during this patrol see the map below.

Submarine HMS Stoic: HMS Stoic (Lt. P.B. Marriott, DSO, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Larne.

Submarine HMS Stubborn: HMS Stubborn (Lt. A.A. Duff, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) during which HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN) served as target.

Submarine HMS Syrtis: HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) boarded a French fishing vessel in the Bay of Biscay in approximate position 46°41'N, 06°45'W. 0318B/17- Sighted a darkened small tuna fishing vessel. Sent over the boarding party. The vessel was the Therese de l'enfant Jesus of Île d'Yeu. The French crew of 5 were sent off in their small boat. It was the intention to use the fishing vessel during the day for reconnaisance purposes but as there was no wind this idea was abandoned. The boarding party was taken off and they also took the ships books with them.

Submarine HMS Truant: HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) ended her 26th war patrol at Lerwick.

Submarine HMS Torbay: HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) conducted exercises off Algiers. Also a full power trial was carried out.

Submarine HMS Thrasher: Around 1710B/17, HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) ended her 14h war patrol at Lerwick. The patrol had been uneventful.

Submarine HMS Tactician: HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) is undocked.

Submarine HMS Ultimatum: HMS Ultimatum (Lt. W.H. Kett, DSC, RNR) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Scott (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Sharpey-Schafer, RN) serving as target. Also gunnery exercises were carried out.

Submarine HMS Umbra: HMS Umbra (Lt. P.H. May, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Boarhound (Skr. A. Keable, RNR) and HMS Spaniel.

Submarine HMS Unshaken: HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) ended her 17th war patrol (13th in the Mediterranean) at Malta.

Submarine HMS Varangian: HMS Varangian (Lt. J. Nash, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Scott (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Sharpey-Schafer, RN), HMS Ultimatum (Lt. W.H. Kett, DSC, RNR) and FFS Curie (Lt. P.M. Sonneville).

Submarine HMS H 32: HMS H 32 (Lt. J.A.R. Troup, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Northern Pride (T/Lt. A.L.F. Bell, RNR), HMS Borage (T/Lt.Cdr. A. Harrison, RNR), HMS Hurricane (Cdr. E.C. Bayldon, DSC, RN), HMS Wallflower (Lt. G.R. Greaves, RNR) and HMS Monkshood (Lt. G.W. McGuiness, RNR).

Submarine HMS H 34: HMS H 34 (Lt. B. Charles, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS St. Modwen (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Lycett, RD, RNR) and HMS Radiant (T/Lt. C.S.R. Shapland, RNVR).

Submarine HMS P 511: HMS P 511 (Lt. R.H. Bull, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle together with HMS Burnham (Lt. C.H. Rankin, RN) and HMCS Skeena (A/Lt.Cdr. E.E.G. Boak, RCN).

Light cruiser HMS Penelope: Around 1745/17, the light cruisers HMS Penelope (Capt. G.D. Belben, DSC, AM, RN), HMS Euryalus (Capt. E.W. Bush, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMS Jervis (Capt. J.S. Crawford, DSO, RN) and HMS Paladin (Lt. E.A.S. Bailey DSC, MBE, RN) departed Palermo for a sweep along the northern coast of Sicily towards the Italian mainland and a bombardment of Scalea, Cosenza, Italy. The bombardment commenced around 0120/18 and was completed about 10 minutes later. Course was then set to proceed to Bizerta. Around 1130/18, HMS Euryalus was detached to proceed to Malta where she arrived around 2000/18. HMS Penelope, HMS Jervis and HMS Paladin arrived at Bizerta around 1530/18.

Light cruiser HMS Charybdis: Combined convoy WS 33 / KMF 22. This convoy was assembled off Oversay on 18 August 1943. On assembly the combined convoy was made up of the following (troop) transports; Antenor (British, 11174 GRT, built 1925), Arundel Castle (British, 19118 GRT, built 1921), Boissevain (Dutch, 14134 GRT, built 1937), Cameronia (British, 19297 GRT, built 1920), Duchess of Bedford (British, 20123 GRT, built 1928), Duchess of Richmond (British, 20022 GRT, built 1928), Durban Castle (British, 17388 GRT, built 1938), Empress of Australia (British, 21833 GRT, built 1914), Glenartney (British, 9795 GRT, built 1940), Indrapoera (Dutch, 10825 GRT, built 1925), Johan de Witt (Dutch, 10474 GRT, built 1920), Marnix van St. Aldegonde (Dutch, 19355 GRT, built 1930), Monarch of Bermuda (British, 22424 GRT, built 1931), Orduna (British, 15507 GRT, built 1914), Ormonde (British, 14982 GRT, built 1917), Otranto (British, 20026 GRT, built 1925) and Tegelberg (Dutch, 14150 GRT, built 1937). The convoy was escorted by the escort carrier HMS Hunter (Capt. H.H. McWilliam, RN), heavy cruiser HMAS Shropshire (Capt. J.A. Collins, CB, RAN), destroyer HMS Wrestler (Lt. R.W.B. Lacon, DSC, RN), sloops HMS Weston (Lt.Cdr. E. Gleave, RNR), HMS Chanticleer (Lt.Cdr. R.H. Bristowe, DSO, RN), HMIS Narbada (A/Cdr. A.W. Beeton, RIN), cutter HMS Totland (T/A/Lt.Cdr. H.E. Tourtel, RNR) and the frigates HMS Barle (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Davies, RNVR), HMS Ettrick (Lt.Cdr. J.E. Woolfenden, RD, RNR) and HMS Usk (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Pattinson, DSC, RNR). The AA cruiser HMS Charybdis (Capt. G.A.W. Voelcker, RN) joined the convoy around 0955B/20. HMS Charybdis parted company with the convoy around 2210B/21 and proceeded to Gibraltar arriving there on 22 August. Around 1230B/22, HMAS Shropshire parted company with the convoy to proceed to Freetown. The entire combined convoy arrived at Gibraltar on 24 August 1943. From Gibraltar the convoys continued on as KMF 22 and WS 33.

Light cruiser HMS Scylla: Around 0930B/17, HMS Scylla (Capt. I.A.P. Macintyre, CBE, DSO, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from convoy escort duty.

Light cruiser HMS Ceylon: HMS Ceylon (Capt. G.B. Amery-Parkes, RN) and HMS Phoebe (Capt. C.P. Frend, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow.

Battleship HMS Ramillies: Around 0900Z/17, HMS Ramillies (Cdr. G.V.M. Dolphin, RN), HMS Roebuck (Cdr. J.T. Lean, DSO, RN), HMS Quality (Lt.Cdr. G.L. Farnfield, DSO, RN) and HMS Brilliant (Lt. J. Smallwood, RN) arrived at Freetown from Casablanca.

Submarine USS R-2: USS R-2 (Lt. A.K. Tyree, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-4: USS R-4 (Lt.Cdr. W.L. Fey, Jr., USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-10: USS R-10 (Lt. G.F. Sharp, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-14: USS R-14 (Lt.Cdr. R. Holden, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-20: USS R-20 (Lt.Cdr. E.T. Shepard, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Corvette HMS Thyme: The British merchant Empire Stanley is torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-197 south-south-east of Cap Sainte Marie, Madagascar in position 27?08'S, 48?15'E. The British corvette HMS Thyme (Lt. H. Roach, RNR) later picks up 9 survivors and landed them at Durban on 29 August.

Submarine USS S-13: USS S-13 departed Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for Coco Solo, Panama Canal Zone.

Submarine HMS L 27: HMS L 27 (Lt. R.G.P. Bulkeley, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Fishguard with aircraft.

1944

Heavy cruiser HMS Kent: Early in the morning, Rear-Admiral R.R. McGrigor, CB, DSO, RN, transferred his flag from HMS Kent (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, DSC, MVO, RN) to HMS Indefatigable (Capt. Q.D. Graham, CBE, DSO, RN).

Light cruiser HMS Cardiff: HMS Cardiff (A/Capt. G.W. Hoare-Smith, RN) conducted gunnery exercises for the gunnery school in the Clyde area.

Light cruiser HMS Dauntless: HMS Dauntless (Cdr. D.C. Kinloch, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Methil.

Light cruiser HNMS Tromp: HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) departed Trincomalee as escort for the British Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker Easedale (8032 GRT, built 1942). This tanker was put to sea to refuel the ships that were to participate in the upcoming operation 'Banquet'. For the daily positions of HrMs Tromp during the period of 19 August 1944 to 27 August 1944, see the map below.

Submarine HNMS O 24: 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.

Submarine HNMS O 9: HrMs O 9 (Lt. R.W. van Lynden, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS L' Atlantique (Skr. C.A. Collins, RNR).

Submarine HNMS O 10: HrMs O 10 (Lt. S.H. de Boer, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle together with aircraft.

Submarine USS Croaker: USS Croaker (Cdr. J.E. Lee) torpedoed and sank the Japanese merchant cargo ship Yamatero Maru (6862 GRT) off the west coast of Korea in position 35°33'N, 126°10'E.

Submarine USS Sealion (ii): USS Sealion (ii) (Lt.Cdr. E.T. Reich) departed from Midway for her 2nd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the South China Sea.

Submarine USS Baya: USS Baya (Cdr. A.H. Holtz, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbor together with USS Burden R. Hastings (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Fay, USNR).

Submarine USS Besugo: USS Besugo (Cdr. T.L. Wogan, USN) arrived at Cristobal, Panama Canal Zone.

Submarine USS Hammerhead: USS Hammerhead (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Martin) ended her 1st war patrol at Fremantle, Australia.

Submarine USS Pampanito: USS Pampanito (Lt.Cdr. P.E. Summers) departed from Midway for her 3rd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in Luzon Strait.

Submarine USS Scabbardfish: USS Scabbardfish (Lt.Cdr. F.A. Gunn) departed from Pearl Harbor for her 1st war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the Ryukyu Islands.

Aircraft Carrier HMS Formidable: HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) conducted flying exercises off Scapa Flow. [No details available on a possible escort.]

Aircraft Carrier HMS Indefatigable: HMS Indefatigable (Capt. Q.D. Graham, CBE, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.R. McGrigor, CB, DSO, RN) conducted flying exercises off Scapa Flow. She was escorted by HMS Zambesi (Lt.Cdr. W. Scott, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMCS Sioux (A/Lt.Cdr. E.E.G. Boak, RCN).

Escort Carrier HMS Battler: HMS Battler (A/Capt. F.M.R. Stephenson, RN) conducted flying exercises off Colombo. [She does not seem to have been escorted.]

Escort Carrier HMS Fencer: Around 0600B/17, 'Force 32', made up of the escort carrier HMS Fencer (A/Capt. W.W.R. Bentinck, OBE, RN), frigates HMS Moorsom (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Stewart, DSC, RD, RNR), HMS Anguilla (T/A/Lt.Cdr. C. Morrison-Payne, RNVR) and the corvettes HMS Abelia (T/Lt. D.S. Hutton, RNR), HNoMS Acanthus (?) and HNoMS Rose departed Loch Foyle for an A/S patrol in the central North Atlantic between 52°N / 55°N and 30°W and 34°W. Later they were ordered to patrol in the Cape Wrath / North Minches area. In the afteroon of 19 August 1944, HMS Abelia was Topped off with fuel by HMS Fencer. In the morning of 20 August 1944, HMS Anguilla was Topped off with fuel by HMS Fencer. Around 2315B/21, HMS Fencer escorted by HMS Anguilla and HNoMS Rose set course for Loch Ewe where HMS Fencer arrived around 1630B/22. HMS Moorsom, HMS Abelia arrived at Lough Foyle on 22 August 1944. HNoMS Acanthus arrived at Liverpool on 23 August 1944. After escorting HMS Fencer to Loch Ewe, HMS Anguilla arrived at Lough Foyle on 22 August 1944 and HNoMS Rose arrived at Liverpool on 23 August 1944.

Escort Carrier HMS Ranee: The escort carrier HMS Ranee (A/Capt. A.A. Murray, RN) and the destroyer USS Clark (T/Cdr. A.R. Manning, USN) arrived off Chesapeake Bay very early in the day. HMS Ranee then proceeded to Norfolk where she arrived around 1130Q/17. USS Clark continued on towards New York where she arrived around 1700Q/17.

Submarine HMS Una: HMS Una (Lt. F.E. Ashmead-Bartlett, RN) shifted from Campbeltown to Larne.

Submarine HMS Otway: HMS Otway (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners.

Submarine HMS Severn: HMS Severn (Lt. R.H. Bull, DSC, RN) had to cancel the execution of her second special operation (Operation 'Likewise') due to engine defects. The operational area for Operation Likewise was closed during the night of 15/16 August 1944 and at 0500FG/16 HMS Severn dived 10 miles due west of Pulo Bunting and commenced closing the land. They day was spent carrying out periscope reconnaissance of the area and it was decided that the launching position should be 265°, 4 miles from the southern tip of Pulo Bidan. A large number of native craft were fishing in the area and Severn spent most of the day dodging them. At 1900FG/16, Severn surfaced in position 05°45'N, 110°15'E and closed the launching position at slow speed, while the party commenced getting the boats and strores, etc., on deck. The boats were brought up through the fore hatch and the stores through the gun tower, the idea being to train the gun on the beam and lower the stores directly into the boats. One boat was launched and fitted with an engine, but there was too much sea running to accomplish loading and the boat was bumping the ship's side, filling up with water and damaging its engine. It was impossible to embark the stores, as the boat was surging wildly. An attempt was then made to embark the stores from the fore planes, but this was impracticable again due to the sea running. By this time it was 2300 hours and it was decided that the operation was impracticable that night. Severn then stood to seaward and dived. At 0450FG/17, Severn dived in position 05°52'N, 100°01'E and remained further to seaward than the previous day, to avoid the local fishermen. At 1900FG/17, Severn surfaced in position 05°45'N, 100°12'E and closed the launching position. A new method was used this time and proved highly successful. The story carrying boats were inflated, launched over the side, hauled up onto the fore planes and loaded. The remaining two boats were inflated and left on the top of the casing. When the time came to launch the boats, the submarine was first trimmed down sufficiently for the two boats on the fore planes to float off. This was accomplished at 2100FG/17. Infortunately, only one of the outboards could be persuaded to work and this one succeeded in breaking away from its cradle and falling over the side and was lost. Accordingly, the party was re-embarked in the following manner. The four boats were lined up along one side of the submarine, which was then trimmed down until the casing was awash and the boats floated on. Main ballast tanks were blown and the four boats were left high and dry on the casing. It was then decided the operation had to be abandoned due to the defects.

Submarine HMS Safari: HMS Safari (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) conducted attack exercises for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) in the Clyde area during which HMS PC 74 (A/Lt.Cdr. A. Richardson, RNR) and HMS Kihna (Cdr.(Retd.) T.J.T.C. Jenks, RN) served as targets.

Submarine HMS Shakespeare: HMS Shakespeare (Lt. D. Swanston, DSC and Bar, RN) departed Holy Loch for her 14th war patrol. She was ordered to perform an Anti-Uboat patrol to the East of the Shetlands. She was escorted North through the Minches by HMS Shikari (Lt. E.H.U. Cautley, RNVR). For the daily positions of HMS Shakespeare during this patrol see the map below.

Submarine HMS Scythian: HMS Scythian (T/Lt C.P. Thode, RNZNVR) conducted speed trials on the Arran measured mile.

Submarine HMS Stygian: HMS Stygian (Lt. G.S.C. Clarabut, DSO, RN) arrived at Trincomalee.

Submarine HMS Taku: HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners.

Submarine HMS Thrasher: HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. M.F.R. Ainslie, DSO, DSC, RN) proceeded from Holy Loch to Larne.

Submarine HMS Tudor: HMS Tudor (Lt. S.A. Porter, DSC, RN) lands a party to make a beach reconnaissance at Bireuen on the North coast of Sumatra. The party is recovered after about 3 hours.

Submarine HMS Terrapin: HMS Terrapin (Lt.Cdr. D.S.R. Martin, DSO and 2 bars, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol (1st in the Far East) at Trincomalee.

Submarine HMS Tiptoe: HMS Tiptoe (Lt.Cdr. P.R.H. Harrison, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Urtica (Lt. K.H. Martin, RN) both shifted from Larne to Holy Loch. They were escorted by HMS ML 249 (T/Lt. H.W. Evans, RNVR).

Submarine HMS Trenchant: HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Trincomalee.

Submarine HMS Unbending: HMS Unbending (Lt. J. Whitton, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners.

Submarine HMS Unruffled: HMS Unruffled (Lt. R.F. Park, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Bermuda.

Submarine HMS Untamed: HMS Vitality (Lt. K.S. Renshaw, DSC, RNR) conducted exercises off Tobermory with HMS Fowey (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Newey, RNR) and HMCS Petrolia (T/Lt. P.W. Spragge, RCNVR).

Submarine HMS Varangian: HMS Varangian (Lt. A.J. Sumption, DSC, RNVR) departed Heysham for exercises off Morecambe Bay.

Submarine HMS Uther: HMS Uther (Lt. R.A.A.C. Ward, DSC, RN) conducted practice attacks on HMS Bazely (A/Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.W. Cooper, RNR). These were followed by special exercises with aircraft.

Submarine HMS Varne: HMS Varne (Lt. I.G. Raikes, DSC, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil.

Submarine HMS H 32: HMS H 32 (Lt. I.M. Stoop, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.

Submarine HMS H 34: HMS H 34 (Lt. A.M.B. Buxton, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

Submarine HMS H 43: HMS H 43 (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

Submarine HMS H 44: HMS H 44 (Lt. R.C. Bucknall, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

Submarine HMS H 50: HMS H 50 (Lt. W.T.J. Fox, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with aircraft.

Submarine HMS P 511: HMS P 511 (T/Lt. C.D. Smith, RANVR) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Spaniel and HMS Bedlington (Skr. A.W. Peak, RNR).

Light cruiser HMS Euryalus: HMS Euryalus (Capt. R. Oliver-Bellasis, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow.

Light cruiser HMS Ceylon: During 17/18 August 1944, HMS Nigeria (Capt. H.A. King, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.D. Read, CB, RN), HMS Kenya (Capt. C.L. Robertson, RN), HMS Ceylon (Capt. G.B. Amery-Parkes, RN), HMNZS Gambia (Capt. N.J.W. William-Powlett, DSC, RN), conducted exercises off Trincomalee. These included night exercises.

Battleship HMS Malaya: HMS Malaya (Capt. E.W. Bush, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) conducted AA gunnery exercises in the Clyde area.

Battleship HMS Ramillies: At 1259B/17, HMS Ramillies (Capt. G.B. Middleton, CBE, RN) opened fire on an enemy fort. Fire was ceased at 1320B/17 when a white flag appeared on the fort which indeed surrendered. At 2030B/17, HMS Ramillies left the operations area to proceed to Propriano, Corsica where ammunition was to be embarked. During this passage HMS Ramillies was escorted by the destroyers USS Kearny (T/Cdr. L. Williamson, USN) and USS Ericsson (T/Cdr. Bernard Henry Meyer, USN). They arrived at Propriano around 0815B/18.

Battlecruiser HMS Renown: HMS Renown (Capt. B.C.B. Brooke, RN, flying the flag of Vice Admiral A.J. Power, KCB, CVO, RN, second in command of the Eastern Fleet) conducted exercises off Trincomalee on completion of which she set course for Colombo. She was escorted by the destroyers HrMs Van Galen (Cdr. F.T. Burghard, RNethN), HMS Queenborough (Cdr. E.P. Hinton, DSO and Bar, MVO, RN) and HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN).

Battleship HMS King George V: HMS King George V (Capt. T.E. Halsey, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. [No details available about the escort.]

Destroyer HMAS Nizam: HMAS Nizam (Cdr. C.H. Brooks, RAN) arrived at Bombay from Trincomalee.

Submarine USS R-1: USS R-1 (Lt. W.A. Schoenfeld, USN) conducted exercises off Bermuda.

Submarine USS R-2: USS R-2 (Lt.Cdr. L.G. Bernard, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-4: USS R-4 (Lt. D.C. Peto, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-13: USS R-13 (Lt.Cdr. D.L. Mehlop, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-14: USS R-14 (Lt.Cdr. R. Holden, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-20: USS R-20 (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Dudley, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS Plaice: USS Plaice (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Stevens) departed from Midway for her 2nd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the Ryukyu Islands.

Submarine HMS L 27: HMS L 27 (Lt. J.N. Elliott, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Bermuda with HMCS Runnymede (Lt. R.C. Chenoweth, RCNVR), HMCS Joliette (Skr.Lt. G.N. Downey, RCNR), HMCS Nene (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E.R. Shaw, RCNR) and HMCS Cobalt (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.M. Wallace, RCNVR).

1945

Heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland: HMS Cumberland (Capt. P.K. Enright, RN) arrived at Trincomalee after escort duty. She had detached the troopship Strathaird (British, 22281 GRT, built 1932) off Colombo the previous day. [After the Japanese surrender HMS Cumberland remained on the East Indies Station until late October 1945 when she sailed for the U.K. arriving there in mid-November.

Light cruiser HMS Dauntless: HMS Dauntless (Cdr. P.F. Powlett, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) and HMS Diomede (Cdr. J.M. Hodges, DSO, RN) departed Rosyth for Loch Bay.

Light cruiser HMAS Hobart: HMAS Shropshire (Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, DSO, RN, flying the broad pendant of Commodore J.A. Collins, CB, RAN), HMAS Hobart (Capt. R.S. Dowling, RAN), HMAS Warramunga (Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) and HMAS Bataan (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN) departed Subic Bay for Japan via Leyte and Okinawa. They arrived in Tokyo Bay on 31 August 1945.

Destroyer USS Soley: USS Soley (Cdr. J.S. Lewis) arrived at San Diego.

Destroyer USS Stormes: USS Stormes departed from Buckner Bay bound for the Hunters Point Navy Yard for full repairs and overhaul.

Battleship USS Iowa: USS Iowa (Capt. C. Wellborn, Jr., USN) Topped off two of the destroyers of the Task Group, USS Cushing (Lt.Cdr. W.D. Adams, USN) and USS Colahan (Cdr. M.A. Shellabarger, USN), with fuel.

Light cruiser HNMS Tromp: HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) departed Seeadler Harbour, Manus for Sydney, Australia.

Submarine USS Seadragon: USS Seadragon (Lt.Cdr. L.L. Davis, Jr., USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS Gabilan: USS Gabilan (Lt.Cdr. W.D. Parham) ended her 6th war patrol at Pearl Harbor.

Submarine USS Dragonet: Around 0230K/17, USS Dragonet (T/Lt.Cdr G.G. Hinman, USN) and USS Entemedor (T/Cdr. W.R. Smith, Jr., USN) made rendezvous. Around 0600K/17, they were joined by the escort to Saipan, USS SC-1318 (Lt.(jg) E.L. Campbell, USNR). They arrived at Saipan around 1130K/17.

Submarine USS Manta: At 0905K/17, USS Manta (T/Cdr. E.P. Madley, USN) arrived at Guam from Midway.

Submarine USS Skate: USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) arrived at Guam from Pearl Harbor.

Submarine USS Chub: USS Chub (Cdr. C.D. Rhymes, Jr., USN) ended her 3rd war patrol at Fremantle. At Fremantle she was refitted by USS Clytie.

Submarine USS Bugara: USS Bugara (Cdr. A.F. Schade, USN) ended her 3rd war patrol at Fremantle, Australia.

Submarine HMS Una: HMS Una (Lt. A.M.B. Buxton, RN) conducted night gunnery exercises in the Clyde area.

Submarine HMS Sportsman: HMS Sportsman (Lt.Cdr. N.L.A. Jewell, MBE, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

Submarine HMS Scotsman: HMS Scotsman (Lt. A.H.B. Anderson, DSC, RNR) arrived at Subic Bay. As the war with Japan had now ended she would see no offensive action. After a visit to Hong Kong Scotsman returned to the U.K. arriving at Rothesay on 7 December 1945.

Submarine HMS Torbay: At 1840FG/17, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) surfaced in position 02°32'N, 100°27'E. At 1915FG/17, HMS Torbay received Capt. S 2's signal timed 1150Z/17 which ordered the special operation (operation 'Steel 2') to be carried out but not to land the personnel. Also the signal timed 1159Z/17 was received which stated that on completion of the special operation HMS Torbay was to return to Trincomalee. Course was then set as needed to carry out the special operation. Also preparations were made for disembarkation. At 2055FG/17, HMS Torbay stopped in position 02°29.8'N, 100°25.5'E in a depth of 9 fathoms. At 2110FG/17, the canoes were being assembled on the casing and the stores were brought up. At 2226FG/17, everything was ready. HMS Torbay then commenced to slowly proceed to the dropping off position. At 2245FG/17, HMS Torbay was in position 02°26.2'N, 100°24.2'E. Depth was 6 fathoms. The canoes were then floated off. By 2300FG/17, the canoes were clear. Depth was now only 4 fathoms. At 2305FG/17, HMS Torbay touched the bottom. Main ballast was then blown and speed was increased. She came off within a minute and then retired to the north-east.

Submarine HMS Terrapin: HMS Terrapin (Lt. R.H.H. Brunner, DSC, RN) transits the Suez Canal and arrived at Port Said.

Submarine HMS Talent (iii): HMS Talent (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Favell, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar.

Submarine HMS Varangian: HMS Varangian (Lt. J.H.N. Pope, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil.

Submarine HMS Vagabond: HMS Vagabond (Lt. I.M. Stoop, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

Submarine HMS Virulent: HMS Virulent (Lt. F.E. Ashmead-Bartlett, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

Submarine HMS Volatile: HMS Volatile (Lt. P.T. Miles, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Douglas with aircraft. These included night exercises during the night of 17/18 August.

Battleship HMS Nelson: Operations Jurist and Beecham. In the morning a big portion of the Eastern Fleet departed Trincomalee for ' Operation Jurist ' which was were the intended landings at Penang and ' Operation Beecham '. were intended landings at Sabang. Borth operations were part of the planned, larger, ' Operation Zipper ' which was the occupation of Malaya including Singapore. (Note, some of the Forces listed below had departed Ceylon earlier then 17 August). The Fleet was organised into six Forces; Force 11 was made up of the battleship HMS Nelson (Capt. C. Caslon, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Vice Admiral H.C.T. Walker, CB, RN), light cruiser HMS Nigeria (Capt. H.A. King, DSO, RN), HMS Ceylon (Capt. K.L. Harkness, DSC, RN), escort carriers HMS Attacker (Capt. G.F. Renwick, RN), HMS Hunter (Capt. A.D. Torlesse, RN), HMS Stalker (Capt. L.C. Sinker, DSC, RN), HMS Shah (Capt. W.J. Yendell, RN), destroyers HMS Tartar (Capt. B. Jones, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN), HMS Petard (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Caple, DSC, RN) and HMS Volage (Cdr. R.T. Paul, CBE, RN) and the landing ships HMS Princess Beatrix (A/Cdr. J. Stretch, RD, RNR) and HMS Queen Emma (A/Cdr. T.L. Alkin, RN). Force 12 was made up of the destroyers HMS Verulam (Lt.Cdr. D.H.R. Bromley, DSC, RN), HMS Vigilant (Lt.Cdr. L.W.L. Argles, DSC, RN) and 8 BYMS type minesweepers from the 166th Minesweeping Flotilla; HMS BYMS 2060 (T/Lt. R. Conde, RNVR), HMS BYMS 2162 (A/Skr.Lt. W. Sutherland, RNR), HMS BYMS 2168 (T/Lt. R.O. Tyrer, RNVR), HMS BYMS 2181 (T/A/Lt.Cdr. H.C. Butcher, RNVR), HMS BYMS 2203 (T/Lt. D.A. Turner, RNVR), HMS BYMS 2204 (T/Lt. R.A. Latrielle, RNVR), HMS BYMS 2232 (T/Lt. J. Mason, DSC, RNVR) and HMS BYMS 2236 (T/A/Lt.Cdr. W.C. Cooper, RNVR). Force 13 was made up of the destroyer HMS Penn (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Diack, DSC, RN) and the tank landing ship HMS LST 383 (A/Lt.Cdr. H.B. Cadogan, RNR). The LST was loaded with motor transport. Force 14 was made up of the escort destroyer HMS Calpe (A/Lt.Cdr. N.F.R. Gill, RNR) and the chartered tanker (RFA) Empire Salvage (British (tanker) 10746 GRT, built 1940) Force 68 was made up of the heavy cruiser HMS London (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN, flying the Broad Pendant of Commodore A.L. Poland, CB, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMS Raider (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Cartwright, DSC, RN) and HMS Rocket (Lt.Cdr. H.B. Acworth, OBE, RN). Force 157 was made up of the sloop HMIS Godavari (A/Cdr. H.M.S. Choudry, RIN), repair ship HMS Mull of Galloway (cdr. E.C. Hicks, RD, RNR), depot ship HMIS Barracuda (T/A/Cdr. L.G. Bingham, RINR), chartered gasoline tanker Cromwell (British, 1124 GRT, built 1943), 26 motor launches (ML's) of the 34th Flotilla; ML 194 (T/A/Lt.Cdr. L.F.W. Morley, RNVR), ML 187 (T/Lt. H.L. Langley, RNVR), ML 189 (T/Lt. W.J. Court, RNVR), ML 193 (T/Lt. J.T.C. Hastings, RNVR), ML 214 (T/Lt. B.H. Taylor, RNVR), ML 230 (T/Lt. J.K. Cook, RNVR), ML 245 (T/Lt. J Winthorpe-Young, RNVR), ML 907 (T/Lt. H W Perring, RNVR), ML 923 (T/Lt. S.E. Fowler, RNVR), 38th Flotilla; ML 851 (?), ML 850 (?), ML 897 (?), ML 898 (?), ML 899 (?), ML 900 (?), ML 4001 (?), ML 4002 (?), 56th Flotilla; ML 412 (T/Lt. J. Kent, RNVR, with T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.J. Howard, RINVR on board), ML 390 (T/S.Lt. J.H. Birtwhistle, RINVR), ML 413 (T/Lt. L.C.A. Green, RINVR [???]), ML 416 (T/Lt. A.J. Adam, RINVR), ML 417 (T/Lt. R.H. Kilbey, RINVR), ML 419 (T/Lt. L.C.A. Green, RINVR [???]), ML 843 (?), ML 844 (?), ML 872 (?) and 9 harbour defence motor launches (HDML's) from the 110th Flotilla; HMDL 1105 (T/Lt. H.J. Stanley, KRNVR), HDML 1080 (T/S.Lt. C. Turnbull, RNVR), HDML 1082 (T.S.Lt. R.S. Franck, SANF(V)), HDML 1086 (T/S.Lt. R.A.J. Webb, RNVR), HDML 1098 (), HDML 1106 (Lt. F.H. Barnes, KRNVR), HDML 1107 (T/S.Lt. F.J. Marks, RNVR), HDML 1108 (T/S.Lt. K.S. Ingram, RNVR) and HDML 1150 (T/Lt. R.R. Harvey, SANF(V)). It was while these forces were on passage eastward that delays in negotiations with the Japanese, and in the arrival of the Japanese Emperor's orders to case hostilities in South East Asia became apparent. The day set for the landings had, therefore, to be postponed and on 20th August all forces concentrated at Trinkat Champlong on the north east coast of Great Nicobar Island. This bay provided shelter from wind and swell, and ML's, HDML'S and the BYMS minesweepers were able to refuel at the anchorage while larger units remained at sea in the immediate vicinity. By this time it had also become apparent that no landings in this theatre would be permitted by the Allied High Command until the final instrument of surrender had been signed at Tokyo. According, all plans had to be adjusted. Any operations to the southward of the One Fathom Bank in the Malacca Straits were dependent on establishing a safe channel through the minefield in the area, so all available fleet minesweepers were sailed from Ceylon on 15 August to proceed eastward. These consisted of 4 fleet minesweepers and 2 danlayers of the 6th M/S Flotilla; HMS Friendship (Cdr. D.L. Johnston, RN), HMS Lennox (T/A/Lt.Cdr. C.H. Walton, RNR), HMS Lightfoot (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.S. Drysdale, RNVR), HMS Persian (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Woollcombe, RN), HMS Imersay (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J.H.A. Winfield, RNR) and HMS Lingay (T/Lt. P.W. Jequier, RNVR) as well as 7 fleet minesweepers of the 37th M/S Flotilla; – HMIS Orissa (T/Lt. C.S. Ahmad, RINR, with A/Cdr. G. Bailey, RIN on board), HMIS Rajputana (A/Lt.Cdr. A. Chakraverti, RIN), HMIS Kathiawar (T/Lt. R.J. Ward, RINR), HMIS Oudh (T/Lt. K.Y. Eccles, RINVR), HMIS Khyber (T/Lt. W.D.F. Clayton, RINR), HMIS Baluchistan (T/Lt. N.N. Pettitt, RINR) and HMIS Kumaon (T/Lt. U.J.S. Chopra, RINR). On 17th August, the fleet minesweepers HMS Pelorus (Lt.Cdr. F.J. Bourgat, RN, with A/Capt.(Retd.) R.H.V. Sivewright, DSC, RN) and HMS Gozo (Lt.Cdr. T.T. Euman, RN) departed Colombo to overtake the 6th M/S Flotilla. They were joined by the fleet minesweeper HMIS Bengal (T/A/Lt.Cdr. W.L. Scurr, RINVR) and the RFA tanker Cherryleaf (5896 GRT, built 1917) from Trincomalee. HMS Gozo however returned to Trincomalee on 23 August with condenser trouble. The above fleet minesweepers and attendant oiler were subsequently formed into Force 155. In view of the delays already referred to above, the fleet minesweepers were ordered to proceed to the lee of Simalur Island, the most northerly of the chain of islands off the west coast of Sumatra, where they anchored in Lugu Sibabu PM on 22 August. On 25 August the RFA tanker Orangeleaf (5927 GRT, built 1917) departed Colombo to join Force 155. On the 26th the fleet minesweepers HMS Melita (T/A/Lt.Cdr. G.R. May, RNR), HMIS Rohilkhand (?) and HMIS Carnatic (T/Lt. A.E.B. Park, RINR) also sailed from Colombo to augment Force 155 and were joined by HMS Gozo from Trincomalee which had made repairs there but now HMIS Carnatic had to return with defects. A meeting of was held at Rangoon on 26 August 1945, in which representatives of the Supreme Allied commander, South East Asia and plenipotentiaries from the Japanese Southern Area Command. As a result of this meeting all ships left their concentration points at Great Nicobar Island and Simalur on 27th August. Vice Admiral Walker, CB with Force 11 and Commodore Poland with Force 68 anchored off Penang and Sabang respectively AM on 28 August. The remainder of the forces arrived off the Malayan shore on 29th August. Bad weather forced the small ships to anchor in the lee of Langkawi Island. Also on 27 August 1945 more fleet minesweepers had departed Ceylon to join Force 155. These were HMS Recruit (A/Cdr. A.E. Doran, DSC, RN), HMS Chameleon (T/A/Lt.Cdr. D.P. Richardson, RNVR), HMS Pincher (T/A/Lt.Cdr. C.B. Blake, RNVR), HMS Plucky (T/A/Lt.Cdr. G. Wallis, RNVR), HMS Rifleman (Lt. C.L. Carroll, DSC, RNR), HMIS Punjab(Lt. A.V. Baker, RIN) and HMS Deccan (?) and HMIS Bihar (T/Lt. J. Vendrell, RINR). Senior Japanese officers at Penang came on board HMS Nelson on 28 August and signed an agreement that no attack would be made on the Fleet. Further meetings were held on the 29th, 30th and 31st. The Japanese proved cooperative and provided the necessary information relative to their minefields, including those at Singapore and other areas. All arrangements were completed for the occupation of Penang and preparations made to land as soon as the instrument of surrender was signed at Tokyo. On 30th August, BYMS minesweepers began to sweep the northern approach channel to the harbour. At Sabang, guarantees and information similar to that obtained at Penang were supplied by the Japanese during meetings on board HMS London. Arrangements were also made for all Japanese forces and Sumatran coolies to evacuate Pulu-Wei and proceeded to Kota Raja on the Sumatran mainland. On 27 August, the Commander in Chief, East Indies, Admiral Sir A.J. Power, KCB, CVO, departed Colombo in HMS Cleopatra (Capt. B.I. Robertshaw, CBE, RN) arriving at Sabang on 29th August, and subsequently proceeding to Penang.

Battleship HMS Anson: HMS Anson (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.S. Daniel, CB, CBE, RN) departed Sydney for Manus.

Destroyer HMAS Vendetta: HMAS Vendetta (Lt. W.K. Tapp, RAN) conducted basin trials at Brisbane.

Submarine USS R-13: USS R-13 (Lt. D.C. Bowman, USNR) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-20: USS R-20 (Lt. R.G. Black, USNR) conducted exercises off Key West.

Destroyer HMAS Norman: The damaged submarine HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) departed Manus for Darwin. She was escorted by the destroyer HMAS Norman (Cdr. J. Plunkett-Cole, RAN).