This page is our compilation of data from several different databases. All data shown here is dynamic, but is accurate according to the information we have right now. Although content is still being added daily, more than 75% of the launched and commissioned data is already in place, so this section is almost complete.
Quick links: War losses - General events
The Shipyard Report
Laid down (28)
1918: Destroyer Roper (DD 147) - Submarine S-17 (122)
1919: Destroyer Childs (AVD 1) - Patrol craft PE-55 (PE-55)
1923: Submarine Narval
1931: Heavy cruiser Algérie
1937: Submarine Triumph (i) (N 18)
1940: MS trawler Kiwi (T 102) - MS Trawler Moa (T 233) - MS Trawler Tui (T 234) - Corvette Polyanthus (K 47)
1941: Minesweeper Deloraine (J 232) - Corvette Dundas (K 229) - Minesweeper Parrsboro (J 117) - Motor torpedo boat PT 32
1942: Patrol craft PC-624 (PC-624)
1943: Frigate Chebogue (K 317) - Destroyer Bennion (DD 662) - Frigate Long Beach (PF-34) - Destroyer Newcomb (DD 586) - Motor torpedo boat PT 301 - Submarine chaser SC-1297 (SC-1297)
1944: Destroyer Escort Cross (DE 448) - Landing craft tank LCT 1030 (LCT 1030) - Landing craft tank LCT 1031 (LCT 1031) - Tank landing ship LST 745 (LST 745)
1945: Fleet tug Papago (ATF 160) - Motor torpedo boat PT 761
Launched (39)
1919: Destroyer Verity (D 63) - Destroyer Chandler (DMS 9) - Minesweeper Gannet (AVP 8)
1925: Submarine O 11
1932: Patrol vessel Icarus (WPC 110)
1934: Destroyer Esk (H 15) - Submarine P 711 (P 711)
1941: Minesweeper Thunder (J 156)
1942: MS Trawler Agra (T 254) - Frigate Exe (K 92) - Minesweeper Lyme Regis (ii) (J 193) - Motor minesweeper MMS 169 (J 669) - Minesweeper Royal (AMc-102) - Submarine chaser SC-675 (SC-675) - Minesweeper YMS-85 (YMS-85)
1943: Minesweeper BYMS 2137 (J 937) - Landing Craft Tank LCT 425 (LCT 425) - Landing Craft Tank LCT 567 (LCT 567) - Landing Craft Tank LCT 705 (LCT 705) - Submarine Tireless (P 327) - Submarine Token (P 328) - Destroyer Halligan (DD 584) - Destroyer Haraden (ii) (DD 585) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-261 (LCI(L)-261) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-261 (LCI(L)-261) - Motor torpedo boat PT 324 - Submarine chaser SC-1298 (SC-1298) - Minesweeper YMS-137 (YMS-137)
1944: Light cruiser Dayton (CL 105) - Minesweeper Gayety (AM 239) - Destroyer Escort Goss (DE 444) - Destroyer Escort Kendall C. Campbell (DE 443) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-745 (LCI(L)-745) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-746 (LCI(L)-746) - Landing craft tank LCT 787 (LCT 787) - Destroyer Maddox (iii) (DD 731)
1945: Landing Craft Tank LCT 1287 (LCT 1287) - Medium landing ship LSM 439 (LSM 439)
1946: Submarine rescue vessel Skylark (ASR 20)
Commissioned (25)
1914: Submarine A-2
1918: Destroyer Vimy (D 33)
1920: Destroyer Preble (DM 20)
1929: Heavy cruiser Sussex (96)
1941: Motor Launch ML 190 (ML 190) - Submarine tender Otus (AS 20)
1942: Motor Launch ML 494 (ML 494) - Patrol craft PC-461 (PC-461)
1943: Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-289 (LCI(L)-289) - ASW Trawler Sapper (T 336) - Tank landing ship LST 474 (LST 474) - Motor torpedo boat PT 317 - Submarine chaser SC-1277 (SC-1277) - Minesweeper YMS-136 (YMS-136) - Minesweeper YMS-288 (YMS-288)
1944: Tank landing ship LST 982 (LST 982)
1945: Minesweeper Mameluke (J 437) - Submarine Catfish (339) - Landing craft support LCS(L)-77 (LCS(L)-77) - Medium landing ship LSM 470 (LSM 470) - Patrol craft PGM-27 (PGM-27) - Motor torpedo boat PT 583
1946: Minesweeper Spruce Lake (J 494) - Destroyer Consort (R 76)
1949: Destroyer Epperson (DD 719)
Legend:
Laid down means that the ship's construction was officially started by laying down the keel (often just a single steel beam but could also mean the first of many pre-fabricated sections).
Launched means that the ship was launched from its shipyard, it then began its fitting out period (installation of smaller systems, weapons etc.) - in many yards the ships were launched very complete and needed little work afterwards.
Commissioned is when the navy takes the ship officially over and gives command of it to its new captain.
War Losses on 19 March (0)
No allied warships were lost in action on this date.
More information on Allied Warships losses.
General Events on 19 March
1940
Heavy cruiser HMS Norfolk: Around 1700A/19, the damaged, heavy cruiser HMS Norfolk (Capt. A.J.L. Phillips, RN), departed Scapa Flow for the Clyde where she was to undergo repairs. She was first attended by the tug HMS Buccaneer but she was later detached and returned to Scapa Flow. HMS Norfolk, which was able to proceed at 10 knots, was escorted by the destroyers HMS Cossack (Capt. P.L. Vian, RN), HMS Gurkha (Cdr. A.W. Buzzard, RN), HMS Ivanhoe (Cdr. P.H. Hadow, RN) and HMS Gallant (Lt.Cdr. C.P.F. Brown, RN). Around 2300A/19, the destroyers HMS Eskimo (Cdr. St.J.A. Micklethwait, DSO, RN) and HMS Punjabi (Cdr. J.T. Lean, RN) joined taking over from HMS Ivanhoe and HMS Gallant which then returned to Scapa Flow escorting Fleet Tender C [Merchant vessel Mamari III, resembling the aircraft carrier HMS Hermes]. HMS Norfolk, HMS Cossack, HMS Eskimo, HMS Gurkha and HMS Punjabi arrived in the Clyde around 2200A/20.
Light cruiser HMS Calypso: HMS Calypso (Capt. H.A. Rowley, RN) departed Alexandria for contraband patrol. She is ordered to patrol off the west coast of Greece.
Light cruiser HMS Dauntless: HMS Dauntless (Capt. G.D. Moore, RAN) departed Singapore for Saigon.
Light cruiser HMAS Sydney: Around 0930H/19, HMAS Sydney (Capt. J.A. Collins, RAN) departed Fremantle for patrol. On leaving harbour exercises, including torpedo firing, were carried out. On completion of the exercises HMAS Sydney proceeded on patrol off Western Austalia.
Light cruiser HMS Birmingham: HMS Birmingham (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN) departed Scapa Flow for the Northern Patrol. She is to patrol south of Iceland.
Light cruiser HMS Liverpool: HMS Liverpool (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) arrived in the Chusan archipelago where she fuelled from the RFA tanker Appleleaf (5891 GRT, built 1917). After fuelling she proceeded eastwards again to resume her patrol off Japan.
Light cruiser HMS Newcastle: Around 0900Z/19, HMS Newcastle (Capt. J. Figgins, RN), returned to Scapa Flow from patrol
Aircraft Carrier HMS Ark Royal: Around 1500A/19, the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal (Capt. A.J. Power, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral L.V. Wells, CB, DSO, RN) departed Spithead for Portland Bay. She is being escorted by the destroyers HMS Isis (Cdr. J.C. Clouston, RN), HMS Arrow (Cdr. H.W. Williams, RN) and HMS Shikari (Lt.Cdr. H.N.A. Richardson, RN). At 1603A/19, HMS Shikari parted company. At 1640A/19, HMS Arrow and HMS Isis parted company. At 1934A/19, HMS Ark Royal passed the boom into Portland Bay.
Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Dunvegan Castle: Around 1015N/19, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) arrived at Dakar from convoy escort duty.
Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Ranchi: HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) arrived at Durban from Port Victoria. At Durban she commenced boiler cleaning.
Submarine HMS Parthian: HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, RN) conducted exercises off Hong Kong.
Submarine HMS Phoenix: HMS Phoenix (Lt.Cdr. C.A. Rowe, RN) conducted exercises off Hong Kong.
Submarine HMS Porpoise: HMS Porpoise (Cdr. P.Q. Roberts, RN) departed Rosyth for her 1st war patrol. She was ordered to escort convoy ON 21 to Bergen, Norway. On the way back she escorted convoy HN 21. For the daily positions of HMS Porpoise during this patrol see the map below. No position is known for 21 March 1940.
Submarine HMS Salmon: HMS Salmon (Cdr. E.O. Bickford, DSO, RN) shifted from Harwich to Sheerness.
Submarine HMS Sterlet: HMS Sterlet (Lt. G.H.S. Haward, RN) departed Harwich for her 6th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the North Sea. For the daily positions of HMS Sterlet during this patrol see the map below. No log is available for this period, positions were taken from the patrol report.
Submarine HMS Triton: At Rosyth the dockyard begins to lift part of the battery of HMS Triton (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Pizey, RN) to enable repairs to the battery tank to be carried out.
Destroyer HMS Dainty: The British troopship (liner) Aquitania (44786 GRT, built 1914) again departed Freetown for Cape Town. She was escorted out by HMS Dainty (Cdr. M.S. Thomas, RN) and HMS Diamond (Lt.Cdr. P.A. Cartwright, RN) until 2200/19.
Destroyer HMS Delight: Ships from the Home Fleet departed Scapa Flow in the afternoon in two groups to cover (convoy) operations. These groups were; Battleships HMS Rodney (Capt. F.H.G. Dalrymple-Hamilton, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.M. Forbes, KCB, DSO, RN), HMS Valiant (Capt. H.B. Rawlings, OBE, RN) and HMS Warspite (Capt. V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN). These were escorted by the destroyers HMS Hardy (Capt. B.A. Warburton-Lee, RN), HMS Hero (Cdr. H.W. Biggs, RN), HMS Hostile (Cdr. J.P. Wright, RN), HMS Hotspur (Cdr. H.F.H. Layman, RN), HMS Hunter (Lt.Cdr. L. de Villiers, RN), HMS Hyperion (Cdr. H.St.L. Nicholson, RN), HMS Fearless (Cdr. K.L. Harkness, RN) and HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Tancock, RN). Battlecruisers HMS Renown (Capt. C.E.B. Simeon, RN, flying the flag of Vice Admiral W.J. Whitworth, CB, DSO, RN) and HMS Repulse (Capt. E.J. Spooner, DSO, RN). These were escorted by the destroyers HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, RN), HMS Ilex (Lt.Cdr. P.L. Saumarez, DSC, RN), HMS Delight (Cdr. M. Fogg-Elliot, RN), HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN), HMS Fortune (Cdr. E.A. Gibbs, DSO, RN) and HMS Bedouin (Cdr. J.A. McCoy, RN).
Destroyer HMS Jupiter: Convoy ON 21. This convoy was formed off Methil on 19 March 1940. It arrived in Norwegian waters near Bergen on 23 March 1940. This convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Arnold Bratt (Swedish, 1430 GRT, built 1925), Aslaug (Danish, 1509 GRT, built 1927), Blaafjeld I (Norwegian, 1146 GRT, built 1918), Borgsten (Norwegian, 1569 GRT, built 1922), City of Rangoon (British, 6635 GRT, built 1914), Consul Bratt (Swedish, 1117 GRT, built 1913), Cresco (Norwegian, 1270 GRT, built 1916), Cygnus (Norwegian, 1333 GRT, built 1921), Cyril (Danish, 2116 GRT, built 1925), Dunvegan Head (British, 638 GRT, built 1920), Ella (Swedish, 690 GRT, built 1909), Erling Lindoe (Norwegian, 1281 GRT, built 1917), Fanefjeld (Norwegian, 1354 GRT, built 1920), Ferrum (Finnish, 2089 GRT, built 1918), Gol (Norwegian, 985 GRT, built 1920), Halse (Norwegian, 2136 GRT, built 1910), Havorn (Norwegian, 1527 GRT, built 1902), Homeside (British, 4617 GRT, built 1924), Island (Norwegian, 638 GRT, built 1918), Kronprins Olav (Danish, 2083 GRT, built 1937), Lake Lucerne (Estonian, 2317 GRT, built 1909), Log (Norwegian, 1560 GRT, built 1931), Narvik (Swedish, 4251 GRT, built 1914), Ophir (Norwegian, 1005 GRT, built 1906), Otterpool (British, 4876 GRT, built 1926), Peet (Estonian, 2111 GRT, built 1913), Porsanger (Norwegian, 4267 GRT, built 1918), Royal (Norwegian, 759 GRT, built 1918), Spica (Norwegian, 500 GRT, built 1915), Stig Gorthon (Swedish, 2241 GRT, built 1924), Svinta (Norwegian, 1267 GRT, built 1916), Thistlebrae (British, 4747 GRT, built 1928), Tora Elise (Norwegian, 721 GRT, built 1919), Ursa (Norwegian, 958 GRT, built 1911), Utklippan (Swedish, 1599 GRT, built 1883), Varegg (Norwegian, 943 GRT, built 1910), Varmido (Swedish, 2956 GRT, built 1901), Wanda (Finnish, 1902 GRT, built 1897) and Wiides (Finnish, 2324 GRT, built 1904). Some of these ships sailed from Kirkwall and joined the convoy at sea. Escort was provided by the destroyers HMS Janus (Cdr. J.A.W. Tothill, RN), HMS Javelin (Cdr. A.F. Pugsley, RN), HMS Jupiter (Cdr. D.B. Wyburd, RN), HMS Eclipse (Lt.Cdr. I.T. Clark, RN) and the submarine HMS Porpoise (Cdr. P.Q. Roberts, RN). The destoyer HMS Ivanhoe (Cdr. P.H. Hadow, RN) joined at sea coming with the Kirkwall section. On 20 March the AA cruiser HMS Cairo (Capt. P.V. McLaughlin, RN) joined the convoy. On 21 the destroyer HMS Jupiter was relieved by the destroyer HMS Juno (Cdr. W.E. Wilson, RN) which had departed from Scapa Flow. HMS Jupiter then proceeded to Scapa Flow arriving later on 21 March. She had to be relieved due to defects.
Heavy cruiser HMS Shropshire: Around 0945B/19, HMS Shropshire (Capt. A.W.la T. Bisset, RN) departed the Simonstown Dockyard for exercises in the Cape area. She also conducted D/F calibration trials.
1941
Heavy cruiser HMS London: HMS London (Capt. R.M. Servaes, CBE, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow.
Heavy cruiser HMS Suffolk: HMS Suffolk (Capt. R.M. Ellis, RN) departed Greenock for Scapa Flow.
Light cruiser HMS Capetown: HMS Capetown (Capt. P.H.G. James, RN) departed Aden for Bombay.
Light cruiser HMS Ceres: HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at Kismayo from Mogadishu. She departed for Mombasa later the same day.
Light cruiser HMS Durban: HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) departed Penang for escort duty with convoy BM 5. [See the event ' Convoy BM 5 ' for 17 March 1941 for more info on this convoy.]
Light cruiser HMAS Perth: Around 1000B/19, HMS Orion (Capt. G.R.B. Back, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral H.D. Pridham-Whippell, CB, CVO, RN), HMS Ajax (Capt. E.D.B. McCarthy, RN) and HMAS Perth (Capt. P.W. Bowyer-Smith, RN), HMAS Stuart (Capt. H.M.L. Waller, DSO, RAN) and HMS Hereward (Lt. W.J. Munn, RN) departed Piraeus to patrol in the western Aegean. Around 1500B/19, HMS York (Capt. R.H. Portal, DSC, RN), which had been on patrol, joined. They all arrived at Suda Bay around 1330B/20.
Light cruiser HMS Gloucester: HMS Gloucester (Capt. H.A. Rowley, RN) and HMS Hasty (Lt.Cdr. L.R.K. Tyrwhitt, RN) arrived at Pireaus around 1600 hours (zone -2).
Submarine HNMS O 24: HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O de Booy, RNN) departed Dundee for Rothesay. She was escorted by HMS Wellington (Lt.Cdr. W.F.R. Segrave, RN).
Submarine HNMS O 9: HrMs O 9 (Lt. H.A.W. Goossens, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle together with HMS Chesterfield (Lt.Cdr. E. Gleave, RNR) and HMCS St.Francis (Lt.Cdr. H.F. Pullen, RCN).
Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Alcantara: HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Freetown.
Submarine HMS Ursula: HMS Ursula (Lt. A.J. Mackenzie, RN) was undocked and sailed for patrol a few hours later. This was her 17th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean). She was to patrol off Lampedusa to intercept an important Italian convoy that had left Naples for Tripoli. For the daily and attack positions of HMS Ursula during this patrol see the map below.
Submarine HMS Unbeaten: HMS Unbeaten (Lt. E.A. Woodward, RN) departed Portsmouth for Dartmouth.
Submarine HMS Otus: HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. Otus had a defective armature on her starboard engine, only her port main engine was operational.
Submarine HMS Rover: HMS Rover (Lt.Cdr. H.A.L. Marsham, RN) arrived at Alexandria where Lt.Cdr. Greenway took over command from Lt.Cdr. Marsham.
Submarine HMS Truant: HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) attacks the Italian Costanza (548 GRT, built 1902) off Buerat, Libya. All torpedoes fired missed their target. (All times are zone -2) 0445 hours - In position 024° Buerat lighthouse 10 nautical miles. Dived and bottomed. 0715 hours - Closed the anchorage for reconnaissance. Saw that there were only 2 small ships present, a small steamer and a small tanker. The tanker was heavily laden and deep in the water. It was considered likely that the tanker was carrying petrol and it was considered that it would be worth entering the anchorage after dark to sink her. Closed the anchorage to wait there till after dark. 1944 hours - Surfaced to attack the tanker. 2000 hours - Closed the anchorage further. 2025 hours - Fired 2 torpedoes at the tanker. Both ran under. It was soon noticed that the ship was high out of the water and in ballast. She must have unloaded her cargo during the afternoon.
Submarine HMS Upholder: Around 1800B/19, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) departed Malta for her 7th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to perform a survey off the East coast of Sicily (further details to follow). For the daily positions of HMS Upholder during this patrol see the map below.
Submarine HMS Upright: HMS Upright (Lt. E.D. Norman, DSC, RN) was docked at Malta.
Submarine HMS Utmost: HMS Utmost (Lt.Cdr. R.D. Cayley, RN) departed Malta for her 6th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Kerkennah as a convoy believed to be transporting German troops was expected to sail from Naples. For the daily and attack positions of Utmost during this patrol see the map below.
Submarine HMS H 31: HMS H 31 (Lt. R.D. Whiteway-Wilkinson DSC, RN) conducted torpedo firing (salvo firing) exercises in the Clyde area.
Submarine HMS H 32: HMS H 32 (Lt. B.G. Heslop, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Ardrishaig.
Light cruiser HMS Bonaventure (i): Operation MC 9. Convoy MW 6 to Malta. 19 March 1941. On 19 March 1941 three merchant vessels departed from Haifa to Malta. One more merchant vessel departed from Alexandria. The merchant vessels that departed from Haifa were the City of Manchester (8917 GRT, built 1935), Clan Ferguson (7347 GRT, built 1938) and Perthshire (10496 GRT, built 1936). They were escorted by HMS Hotspur (Lt.Cdr. C.P.F. Brown, DSC, RN) and HMS Griffin (Lt.Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO, RN). The merchant vessel that departed from Alexandria was the City of Lincoln (8039 GRT, built 1938). She was escorted by HMS Greyhound (Cdr. W.R. Marshall-A'Deane, DSO, DSC, RN). 20 March 1941. Around 0430/20, HMS Bonaventure (Capt. H.G. Egerton, RN) departed Alexandria to joined the convoy which was known as ‘Force C’. Around 0700/20, ‘Force A’ which was made up of the battleships HMS Warspite (Capt. D.B. Fisher, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Admiral Sir A.B. Cunningham, KCB, DSO, RN), HMS Barham (Capt. G.C. Cooke, RN, flying the flag of A/Rear-Admiral H.B. Rawlings, OBE, RN), HMS Valiant (Capt. C.E. Morgan, DSO, RN), aircraft carrier HMS Formidable (Capt. A.W.La T. Bisset, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.L.St.G. Lyster, CB, CVO, DSO, RN) departed Alexandria to cover this convoy. These capital ships were escorted by the destroyers HMS Jervis (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO, RN), HMS Janus (Cdr. J.A.W. Tothill, RN), HMS Jaguar (Lt.Cdr. J.F.W. Hine, RN), HMS Juno (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Thyrwhitt, RN), HMS Mohawk (Cdr. J.W.M. Eaton, RN), HMS Nubian (Cdr. R.W. Ravenhill, RN), HMS Ilex (Capt. H.St.L. Nicolson, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Havock (Lt. G.R.G. Watkins, RN) and HMS Hero (Cdr. H.W. Biggs, DSO, RN). 21 March 1941. Around 0700/21, ‘Force B’ which was made up of the cruisers HMS Orion (Capt. G.R.B. Back, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral H.D. Pridham-Whippell, CB, CVO, RN), HMS Ajax (Capt. E.D.B. McCarthy, RN), HMAS Perth (Capt. P.W. Bowyer-Smith, RN) and HMS York (Capt. R.H. Portal, DSC, RN) departed Suda Bay to join ‘Force A’ at sea. Before they did so HMS Gloucester (Capt. H.A. Rowley, RN) joined ‘Force B’ around noon. She came from Piraeus. The destroyers HMAS Stuart (Capt. H.M.L. Waller, DSO, RAN), HMS Hasty (Lt.Cdr. L.R.K. Tyrwhitt, RN) and HMS Hereward (Lt. W.J. Munn, RN) were also in company. HMS Hasty, like HMS Gloucester came from Pireaus. These ships joined up with ‘Force A’ around 1600/21. When ‘Force A’ and ‘Force B’ joined up, HMS Havock was detached to the convoy (‘Force C’). Also on this day ‘Force C’ was reinforced by the AA-cruisers HMS Coventry (Capt. D. Gilmour, RN), HMS Calcutta (Capt. D.M. Lees, DSO, RN), HMS Carlisle (Capt. T.C. Hampton, RN) which had been on convoy escort duty in the Aegean. During the night of 21/22 March 1941, ‘Force A’ remained about 20 nautical miles north of ‘Force C’ with ‘Force B’ a further 20 nautical miles to the north-west. 22 March 1941. At 0740 hours ‘Force B’ rejoined ‘Force A’ and remained close to the convoy all day. None of the forces was detected by enemy air reconnaissance all day. One Fulmar fighter from HMS Formidable crashed into the sea around 1115 hours. The crew was rescued by HMS Gloucester. At 2000 hours, when in position 35°08’N, 16°42’E, ‘Force A’ parted company. They set course for Alexandria after covering ‘Force B’ during the night. ‘Force B’, reinforced with HMS Nubian and HMS Mohawk from ‘Force A’, covered ‘Force C’ to the northward during the night. HMS Coventry and HMS Carlisle left the convoy (‘Force C’) at 2030 hours and proceeded to Alexandria. The remainder of the convoy took the direct route to Malta at the maximum speed of the merchant ships. At 1945 hours, HMS Defender (Lt.Cdr. G.L. Farnfield, RN), which had been refitting at Malta, left that place to join ‘Force A’. 23 March 1941. At 0800 hours, ‘Force A’ was in position 35°16’N, 19°32’E where it was rejoined by ‘Force B’. HMS Defender, coming from Malta, joined shortly afterwards. Course was continued towards Alexandria during the day. The convoy (‘Force C’) arrived at Malta safely but were bombed in the harbour. HMS Bonaventure and HMS Griffin were slightly damaged by near misses. The City of Lincoln was hit on the bridge and the Perthshire took a hit in No.1 hold. The cruisers and destroyers of ‘Force C’ departed Malta at 1930/23. At 1900/23, ‘Force B’ had been detached to cover the passage east of ‘Force C’. ‘Force B’ was strengthened by HMS Ilex and HMS Hasty while HMS Hereward was detached from ‘Force A’ to strengthen the escort of convoy AN 22. 24 March 1941. At 0800 hours, ‘Force A’ was in position 32°27’N, 25°45’E and continued direct to Alexandria where it arrived around 2230/24. The cruisers and destroyers of ‘Force C’ joined ‘Force B’ around 0730 hours. HMS Coventry and HMS Hereward joined the escort of convoy AN 22. HMS Carlisle arrived at Alexandria in the afternoon. HMS Calcutta, HMS Ilex and HMS Hasty proceeded to Port Said. Cover was provided for convoy AN 22 from west of the Kithera Channel. HMS Bonaventure, HMS Griffin, HMS Greyhound, HMS Hasty and HMS Hotspur proceeded to Alexandria where they arrived the next day. Part of ’Force B’ then patrolled the Aegean while the other part went to Suda Bay.
Light cruiser HMS Fiji: HMS Edinburgh (Capt. C.M. Blackman, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral L.E. Holland, CB, RN) and HMS Fiji (Capt. P.B.R.W. William-Powlett, RN) conducted gunnery and RIX (rangefinding and inclination) exercises off Scapa Flow.
Battleship HMS Royal Sovereign: HMS Royal Sovereign (Capt. H.B. Jacomb, RN) returned to Halifax.
Battleship HMS Revenge: HMS Revenge (Capt. E.R. Archer, RN) conducted D/G trials in Loch Long.
Battlecruiser HMS Hood: The battleship HMS Queen Elizabeth (Capt. C.B. Barry, DSO, RN) escorted by the destoyers HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, DSO, RN), HMS Arrow (Cdr. R.E. Hyde-Smith, RN), HMS Echo (Lt.Cdr. C.H.deB. Newby, RN), HMS Eclipse (Lt.Cdr. I.T. Clark, RN), HMS Electra (Cdr. C.W. May, RN) and HMS Eskimo (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) departed Scapa Flow at 0515/19. At 0630 hours they were joined at sea by the battlecruiser HMS Hood (Capt. R. Kerr, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral W.J. Whitworth, CB, DSO, RN) which had departed Rosyth the previous afternoon. The destroyer HMAS Nestor (Cdr. G.S. Stewart, RAN) and the escort destroyers HMS Eridge (Lt.Cdr. W.F.N. Gregory-Smith, RN) and HMS Whaddon (Lt.Cdr. P.G. Merriman, RN), which had been escorting HMS Hood then proceeded to Scapa Flow. The ships then proceeded to the area to the south of Iceland where they were to join the battleship HMS Nelson and her escorting destroyers which is already patrolling there to intercept the German battlecruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau if they were trying to return to Germany.
Destroyer HMAS Voyager: Around 0630B/19, the transport Ulster Prince (British, 3791 GRT, built 1930) departed Tobruk to join convoy AG 7 from Alexandria to Piraeus. She was escorted by the destroyer HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN). They joined the convoy around 1600B/19. [For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy AG 7 ' for 18 March 1941.]
Destroyer HMS Kelly: HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN), HMS Kelvin (Cdr. J.H. Allison, DSO, RN) and HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) returned to Plymouth from patrol at 0745 hours. They departed again later the same day to provide cover for the minelaying destroyers HMS Icarus (Lt.Cdr. C.D. Maud, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Thomas, DSC, RN) and HMS Intrepid (Cdr. R.C. Gordon, DSO, RN) that had departed Dartmouth also on this day. These minelaying destroyers were to lay a minefield during the night of 19/20 March off Ile de Batz (Operation G.U.).
Corvette HMS Marguerite: HMS Marguerite (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Blundell, RNR) picks up 58 survivors from the Dutch merchant Mandalika that was torpedoed and sunk east of the Canary Islands in position 18°16'N, 21°26'W by German U-boat U-105.
Submarine ORP Sokol: ORP Sokol (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B. Karnicki) proceeded from Rosyth to Dundee.
Submarine HMS L 27: HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) ended her 10th war patrol at Portsmouth.
1942
Heavy cruiser HMS Devonshire: Convoy AS 2. This convoy departed Charleston, South Carolina, USA on 19 March 1942. The convoy was made up of the following (troop) transports; Agwileon (American, 6678 GRT, built 1907), Brazil (American, 20614 GRT, built 1929) and Mormactide (American, 7773 GRT, built 1941). They were escorted by the heavy cruiser HMS Devonshire (Capt. R.D. Oliver, DSC, RN), escort carrier HMS Archer (Cdr. J.I. Robertson, RN) and the destroyers USS Upshur (Lt.Cdr. W.K. Romoser, USN), USS Du Pont (T/Lt.Cdr. F.M. Adamson, USN) and USS Cole (Lt.Cdr. W.L. Dyer, USN). Around 0800Q/20, the destroyer USS Du Pont was detached to return to Charlestown. Around 1200Q/22, HMS Devonshire was detached to St. Thomas, Virgin Islands where she arrived later the same day. The convoy arrived at San Juan, Puerto Rico later the same day. At 0900Q/23, the Agwileon departed San Juan for St. Thomas where she arrived later the same day to fuel. She was escorted by USS Cole. Around 0630Q/24, the Brazil, Mormactide and HMS Archer departed San Juan. They were joined off the harbour entrance by USS Upshur who first had conducted an A/S sweep of the harbour prior to the departure of the convoy. Around 1400Q/24, the Agwileon, HMS Devonshire and USS Cole joined the convoy coming from St. Thomas. Around 0900P/25, the troopship Monterey (American, 148017 GRT, built 1932) and USS Du Pont joined the convoy. They had departed Charleston around 1900Q/21. Around 0645P/26, USS Du Pont was detached from the convoy. She was to proceed to St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. Around 0400P/27, USS Upshur was detached from the convoy. She was to proceed to St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. Around 0600P/28, USS Cole was detached to proceed to Bermuda. Around 1500N/1, the corvettes FFS Commandant Detroyat and HMS Hydrangea (A/Lt.Cdr. J.E. Woolfenden, RNR) joined. Around 1400N/2, HMS Devonshire parted company with the convoy to proceed ahead of it to Freetown where she arrived around 0600Z/3. The convoy arrived around 1430Z/3.
Heavy cruiser HMS Kent: HMS Kent (Capt. A.E.M.B. Cunninghame-Graham, RN) arrived at Hvalfjord from patrol.
Light cruiser HMS Dauntless: HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) arrived at Barhurst.
Light cruiser HMS Birmingham: HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.B. Crane, RN) is undocked.
Destroyer USS Hambleton: USS Hambleton picks up 6 survivors from the Honduran merchant Ceiba that was torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-124 east east of Cape Hatteras in position 35°43'N, 73°49'W two days earlier.
Destroyer USS Stringham: USS Stringham picks up 32 survivors from the American tanker Papoose that was torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-124 about 15 nautical miles south-west of Cape Lookout in position 34°17'N, 76°39'W.
Submarine HNMS O 14: HrMs O 14 (Lt.Cdr. H.A.W. Goossens, RNN) departed Dundee for Lerwick. She was escorted by the British ASW trawler HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR).
Submarine USS Sailfish: At dawn, USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN) ended her 3th war patrol at Fremantle, Australia. She was then taken in hand for a tender refit by USS Otus (Cdr. J. Newsom, USN). Following the refit a short training period followed.
Submarine USS Pickerel (i): USS Pickerel (Lt.Cdr. B.E. Bacon, Jr) ended her third war patrol at Fremantle, Australia.
Submarine USS Greenling: USS Greenling (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Bruton, USN) departed Balboa, Panama Canal Zone for Pearl Harbour.
Submarine HMS Unbeaten: At 0830 hours HMS Unbeaten (Lt.Cdr. E.A. Woodward, RN) arrived at Malta to take on board new torpedoes. At 2000 hours she departed again to resume her patrol.
Submarine HMS Otway: HMS Otway (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) proceeded from Kames Bay to Rothesay.
Submarine HMS Porpoise: HMS Porpoise (Cdr. E.F. Pizey, DSC, RN) arrived at Alexandria ending her 3rd storage trip.
Submarine HMS Sturgeon: HMS Sturgeon (Lt.Cdr. M.R.G. Wingfield, RN) arrived at Plymouth.
Submarine HMS Sealion: HMS Sealion (Lt. G.R. Colvin, RN) ended her 25th war patrol at Lerwick. She returned from patrol with serious defects to her port main motor.
Submarine HMS Seawolf: HMS Seawolf (Lt. R.P. Raikes, RN) ended her 25th war patrol at Lerwick.
Submarine HMS Trident: HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch.
Submarine HMS Unique: HMS Unique (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed Gibraltar for Portsmouth.
Submarine HMS Upholder: HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, VC, DSO, RN) sank the Italian auxiliary minesweeper B.14/Maria (22 GRT) with gunfire, about 10 nautical miles North of Otranto, Italy. 0737B/19 - In position 40°18'N, 18°28'E sighted four small craft which turned out to be a diesel trawler and three fishing smacks. Closed for gun action. 0843B/19 - Surfaced 100 yards from the trawler and gestured the crew to abandon ship. 7 Rounds were fired from 50 yards for 6 hits. The vessel caught fire and settled having 3 large holes on the waterline. 0858B/19 - Dived and retired to the East.
Submarine HMS Upright: HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) departed Malta for Gibraltar. She was to proceed to the U.K. where she was to refit. For the daily positions of HMS Upright during this passage see the map below.
Submarine HMS Unison: HMS P 43 (Lt. A.C. Halliday, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Z 5 (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S.T. Wenlock, RNR).
Submarine HMS H 32: HMS H 32 (Lt. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.
Submarine HMS H 33: HMS H 33 (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.
Submarine HMS H 50: HMS H 50 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Convolvulus (T/Lt. R.C. Connell, RNR).
Submarine HMS P 511: HMS P 511 (Lt. M.F.R. Ainslie, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Spaniel and HMS Bedlington (Skr. J.H.D. Dansie, RNR).
Submarine HMS P 512: HMS P 512 (Lt. J.C. Ogle, DSC, RN) and HMS P 514 (Lt. W.A. Phillimore, RN) departed New London, Connecticut, USA for Halifax, Canada. They were escorted by HMCS Calgary (T/Lt. G. Lancaster, RCNR) and HMCS Charlottetown (T/Lt. J.W. Bonner, RCNR).
Light cruiser HMS Penelope: In the aftermath of the Battle of the Syrte, attempted towing the damaged Breconshire (9776 GRT) into port, but the freighter sank before reaching safe waters.
Light cruiser HMS Gambia: HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) and HMS Gambia (Capt. M.J. Mansergh, CBE, RN) conducted range and inclination exercises off Scapa Flow. Before these exercises HMS Frobisher had first conducted speed trials on the measured mile.
Battleship HMS Resolution: Around 0835D/19, HMS Resolution (Capt. A.R. Halfhide, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral W.E.C. Tait, CB, MVO, RN) arrived at Mauritius from Durban. Around 1500D/19, she departed for Addu Atoll ('Port T').
Battlecruiser HMS Renown: HMS Renown (Capt. C.S. Daniel, CBE, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN, second in command Home Fleet), HMS Nigeria (Capt. J.G.L. Dundas, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN), HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.K. Scott-Moncrieff, RN), HMS Eskimo (Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) and HMS Tartar (Cdr. R.T. White, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow.
Destroyer HMS Legion: Second Battle of the Syrte, occasioned by the passage of convoy MW.10 from Alexandria to Malta. Claimed to have engaged the Italian battleship Littorio at 4400 yards' range (more likely she was in action with a heavy cruiser) but on approaching Malta was severely damaged in an air attack and forced to run up the beach at Marsaxlokk. After emergency repairs to make the hull watertight she entered Grand Harbour.
Submarine USS R-18: USS R-18 returned to New London, Connecticut from Newport, Rhode Island.
Heavy cruiser HMS Shropshire: HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow.
Destroyer HMS Decoy: HMS Indomitable (Capt. T.H. Troubridge, RN), HMS Fortune (Lt.Cdr. R.D.H.S. Pankhurst, RN) and HMS Decoy (Lt.Cdr. G.I.M. Balfour, RN) departed Aden for Addu Atoll.
Submarine HMS L 23: HMS L 23 (Lt. M.G.R. Lumby, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class off new submariners.
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.
Fleet tug USS Umpqua: USS Umpqua picks up 30 survivors from the American merchant Liberator that was torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-332 3 nautical miles west of the Diamond Shoals Buoy in position 35°05'N, 75°30'W.
1943
Light cruiser HMS Dauntless: HMS Dauntless (Capt. N.J.W. William-Powlett, DSC, RN) proceeded to Basra.
Light cruiser HMS Newcastle: HMS Newcastle (Capt. P.B.R.W. William-Powlett, DSO, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow to commence a work-up period.
Light cruiser HNMS Tromp: HrMs Tromp (Capt. J.B. de Meester, RNN) departed Fremantle for exercises.
Submarine HNMS O 9: HrMs O 9 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout Van Hooff, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Valena (Lt.Cdr. E. Gleave, RNR) and HMS Bretwalda (Skr.Lt. J.R. Coultas, RD, RNR).
Submarine HNMS O 10: HrMs O 10 (Lt.Cdr. Baron D.T. Mackay, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory together with HMS Derby County (Lt. K.B. Hopkins, DSC, RNVR), HMS Lancer (A/Skr.Lt. A. Robinson, DSC, RNR) and HMS Deveron (Lt.Cdr. R.E.H. Partington, RD, RNR).
Submarine USS Pompano: USS Pompano (Lt.Cdr. W.M. Thomas) leaves Midway for her 5th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in Japanese home waters.
Submarine USS Gato: USS Gato (Lt.Cdr. R.J. Foley) departed from Brisbane for her 5th war patrol.
Submarine USS Wahoo: USS Wahoo (Cdr. D.W. Morton) torpedoed and sank the Japanese merchant cargo ship Zogen Maru (1428 GRT) east of Dairen, Kwantung Peninsula, Manchukuo in position 38°29'N, 122°19'E, and torpedoed and damaged the Japanese merchant cargo ship Kowa Maru (3217 GRT) in position 38°27'N, 122°18'E.
Aircraft Carrier HMS Furious: HMS Furious (Capt. G.T. Philip, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted flying exercises in the Clyde area.
Submarine HMS Oberon: HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. J.W. McCoy, DSC, RN) conducted independent exercises in the Clyde area.
Submarine HMS Rorqual: HMS Rorqual (Lt.Cdr. L.W. Napier, RN) departed Malta for a minelaying mission of Trapani, Sicily.
Submarine HMS Sealion: HMS Sealion (Lt. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR) 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) and HMS Z 5 (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S.T. Wenlock, RNR) served as the targets.
Submarine HMS Stubborn: HMS Stubborn (Lt. A.A. Duff, RN) conducted RDF (radar) exercises in the Clyde area with HrMs Jan van Gelder (Lt.Cdr. P.L.M. van Geen, RNN).
Submarine HMS Surf: HMS Surf (Lt. D. Lambert, DSC, RN) conducted trials in the Clyde area.
Submarine HMS Torbay: HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) conducted exercises off Algiers.
Submarine HMS Templar: HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) conducted RDF gunnery trials in the Clyde area.
Submarine HMS Ultimatum: HMS Ultimatum (Lt. W.H. Kett, RNR) conducted exercises off Plymouth.
Submarine HMS Unbroken: HMS Unbroken (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, RN) ended her 14th war patrol (also 14th in the Mediterranean) at Malta.
Submarine HMS Unruffled: HMS Unruffled (Lt. J.S. Stevens, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 13th war patrol (12th in the Mediterranean) at Malta.
Submarine HMS Usurper: HMS Usurper (Lt. D.R.O. Mott, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Scapa Flow with HMS Intrepid (Cdr. C.A.de W. Kitcat, RN), HMS Middleton (Lt. C.S. Battersby, RN), HMS Pathfinder (Cdr. E.A. Gibbs, DSO and 2 Bars, RN) and HMS Penn (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, DSO, RN).
Submarine HMS Universal: HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) conducted torpedo firing trials off Arrochar.
Submarine HMS H 33: HMS H 33 (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted post-repair trials in the Clyde area.
Submarine HMS H 44: HMS H 44 (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Itchen (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) C.E. Bridgman, DSO, RNR), HMS Sabre (Lt. R.L. Caple, DSC, RN) and HMS Northern Reward (Lt. J.D. Weaver, RNVR).
Submarine HMS H 50: HMS H 50 (Lt. G.S.C Clarabut, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with (at least) HMS Radiant (T/Lt. C.S.R. Shapland, RNVR).
Submarine HMS P 511: HMS P 511 (Lt. C.R. Pelly, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Tuscarora (Cdr.(Retd.) K.W. Stewart, RN) and HMS L' Atlantique (Skr. A. McKay, RNR). Upon completion of these exercises Lt. Launders took over as Commanding Officer from Lt. Pelly.
Minelayer HMS Abdiel: HMS Abdiel (Capt. D. Orr-Ewing, RN) arrived at Haifa from Malta. At Haifa another full load of mines was embarked.
Light cruiser HMS Charybdis: Minelaying operation SN 90A. Minelaying operation by the 1st Minelaying Squadron. On 19 March 1943, the auxiliary minelayers HMS Menestheus (Capt.(Retd.) R.H.F. de Salis, DSC, OBE, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.M. Peters, DSC, RN), HMS Port Quebec (A/Capt.(Retd.) V. Hammersley-Heenan, RN) and HMS Agamemnon (Capt.(Retd.) F. Ratsey, RN) departed Port ZA. (Loch Alsh) to lay minefield SN 90A. They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Newark (Lt.Cdr. D.F. Townsend, RN), HMS Wells (Lt. F.W.M. Carter, DSC, RN), HMS St. Marys (Lt. D.B.G. Dumas, RN) and HMS Charlestown (Lt. W.F.B. Webb, DSC, RN). They were joined early the next day by the AA cruiser HMS Charybdis (Capt. G.A.W. Voelcker, RN) which had departed Scapa Flow late on the 19th. On 21 March a total of 1489 mines were laid at a depth of 25 feet along a line joining positions 64°57'5"N, 12°24'0"W and 64°28'0"N, 12°10'0"W. The minelayers laid as follows; Agamemnon 530 mines, HMS Menestheus 410 mines and HMS Port Quebec 549 mines. All ships returned to Port ZA / Scapa Flow (HMS Charybdis and HMS Charlestown) on 23 March 1943.
Battleship HMS Valiant: HMS Valiant (Capt. L.H. Ashmore, RN) is undocked.
Destroyer HMAS Vendetta: Convoy TN 56. This convoy departed Townsville on 12 March 1943. It was made up of only one transport, the Taroona (Australian, 4286 GRT, built 1935). On departure from Townsville the convoy was escorted by the destroyer HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. C.J. Stephenson, RAN). The convoy arrived at at Fall River (near Gurney airfield), Milne Bay on 21 March 1943.
Destroyer HMS Kelvin: HMS Orion (Capt. G.C.P. Menzies, RN), HMS Jervis (Capt. A.F. Pugsley, RN) and HMS Kelvin (Cdr. M.S. Townsend, OBE, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Alexandria. HMS Orion departed Alexandria for Malta later the same day. She was escorted by HMS Kelvin and HMS Javelin (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Alliston, DSC, RN).
Submarine USS S-43: USS S-43 departed Coco Solo, Panama Canal Zone for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Submarine USS R-1: USS R-1 (Lt.Cdr. W.R. Laughon, USN) conducted exercises off Bermuda.
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. P.W. Garnett, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.
Submarine USS R-10: USS R-10 (Lt.Cdr. E.D`H. Haskins, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.
Submarine USS R-11: USS R-11 (Lt. W.B. Parham, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.
Submarine USS R-13: USS R-13 (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Gallaher, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.
Destroyer HNMS Tjerk Hiddes (ii): HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Kruys, RNethN) is undocked.
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 L 27: HMS L 27 (Lt. W.N. Eade, RNR) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with a training class of new submariners.
Submarine HMS P 615: HMS P 615 (Lt. C.W.St.C. Lambert, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Freetown with HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) N.W.H. Weekes, OBE, RN) and HMS Hydrangea (A/Lt.Cdr. J.E. Woolfenden, RD, RNR).
1944
Heavy cruiser HMS Sussex: HMS Sussex (A/Capt. M. Everard, RN) departed Fremantle to make rendezvous with the US troop transport USS Mount Vernon (24289 GRT, built 1932).
Heavy cruiser HMS Hawkins: At 0002B/19, the heavy cruiser HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) and the escort destroyer RHS Kanaris collided in position 33°28'N, 19°34'E. HMS Hawkins sustained some minor damage. RHS Kanaris suffered damage to her bow above the waterline. She was only able to make 12 knots in moderate weather conditions because otherwise she would ship water.
Destroyer USS Walke (ii): USS Walke returns to the Boston Navy Yard for post-shakedown availability.
Escort carrier USS Block Island (ii): German U-boat U-1059 was sunk south-west of the Cape Verde Islands, in position 13°10'N, 33°44'W by depth charges from Avenger and Wildcat aircraft of the US escort carrier Block Island (VC-6).
Battleship USS Iowa: USS Iowa (Capt. J.L. McCrea, USN) returned to Majoro Atoll.
Light cruiser HNMS Tromp: For the daily positions of HrMs Tromp during the period of 19 March 1944 to 2 April 1944, see the map below.
Light cruiser HNMS Tromp: Operation Diplomat On 19 March the light cruiser HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNethN) departed Trincomalee to escort the Royal Fleet Auxiliary tankers Arndale (8296 GRT, built 1937), Eaglesdale (8032 GRT, built 1942) and Easedale (8032 GRT, built 1942). These tankers were to refuel the ships from the Eastern Fleet that were to participate in operation Diplomat. During operation Diplomat the Eastern Fleet proceeded to the south-west of Cocos Island where the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (T/Commodore. J.H. Cassady, USN) and the destroyers USS Cummings (T/Cdr. P.D. Williams, USN), USS Dunlap (T/Cdr. C. Iverson, USN) and USS Fanning (T/Cdr. R.M. MacKinnon, USN). Ships from the Eastern Fleet departed Trincomalee on 21 March, these were the battleship HMS Queen Elizabeth (Capt. H.G. Norman, CBE, RN), battlecruiser HMS Renown (Capt. B.C.B. Brooke, RN, flying the flag of Vice Admiral A.J. Power, KCB, CVO, RN and second in command of the Eastern Fleet), aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious (Capt. R.L.B. Cunliffe, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C. Moody, CB, RN), heavy cruisers HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN), HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN), light cruisers HMS Ceylon (Capt. G.B. Amery-Parkes, RN), HMNZS Gambia (Capt. N.J.W. William-Powlett, DSC, RN), destroyers HMS Quilliam (Capt. R.G. Onslow, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Pathfinder (Lt.Cdr. T.F. Hallifax, RN), HMAS Napier (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Green, DSC, RAN), HMAS Nepal (Cdr. F.B. Morris, RAN), HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN), HrMs Van Galen (Lt.Cdr. F.T. Burghard, RNethN) and HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. G.A. Cox, RNethN). The battleship HMS Valiant (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Quality (Lt.Cdr. G.L. Farnfield, DSO, RN), HMS Queenborough (Cdr. E.P. Hinton, DSO and Bar, MVO, RN), HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. G.S. Stewart, RAN) departed Colombo on the same day. They made rendezvous with the other ships the following day. On 24 March 1944, the Eastern Fleet met HrMs Tromp and the tankers at 0930 hours in position 07°57'S, 82°14'E and during the next three days they experienced good weather. Ships were fuelled as follows; 24 March 1944 Easedale - HMS Renown Arndale - HMS Valiant and HMS Ceylon Eaglesdale - HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMNZS Gambia 25 March 1944 Easedale - HMS Quilliam, HMS Queenborough, HMAS Quiberon, HMS Quality and HMS Pathfinder Arndale - HMS Illustrious and HrMs Tromp Eaglesdale - HMS London, HMS Cumberland, HMAS Napier, HMAS Nepal and HMAS Norman 26 March 1944 Easedale - HMS Pathfinder, HrMs Van Galen, HMAS Quiberon and HMAS Norman Eaglesdale - HMAS Napier, HMS Quilliam, HMS Queensborough, HMS Quality and HMAS Nepal Tanker Arndale had been detached after fuelling on the 25th escorted by HrMS Tjerk Hiddes which was suffering from defects. The other two oilers were detached after fuelling on the 26th still escorted by HrMs Tromp. HrMs Ceylon and HMS Napier arrived at Colombo on 31 March. All the other ships arrived at Trincomalee on the same day except HrMs Tromp which arrived at Trincomalee with the tankers on 2 April.
Submarine USS Paddle: USS Paddle (Lt.Cdr. Byron Home Nowell) departed from Pearl Harbor for her 3rd war patrol, and was ordered to patrol south of the Philippines.
Submarine USS Redfin: USS Redfin (Lt.Cdr. Marshall Harlan Austin) departed from Fremantle for her 2nd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Celebes Sea.
Submarine USS Balao: USS Balao (Cdr. C.C. Cole, USN) ended her 4th war patrol at Pearl Harbor. At Pearl Harbour she was refitted by Submarine Division 122 Relief crew and the USS Griffin. Refit was completed on 12 April 1944. Training was carried out during 14 to 22 April.
Submarine USS Apogon: USS Apogon (Cdr. W.P. Schoeni, USN) is undocked.
Submarine USS Pintado: USS Pintado conducted exercises off Key West.
Aircraft Carrier HMS Indefatigable: Around 0700A/19, Indefatigable (Capt. Q.D. Graham, CBE, DSO, RN) departed Greenock for flying trials and subsequent passage to Belfast Lough where she arrived around 1930A/19.
Submarine HMS Ursula: HMS Ursula (Lt. A.G. Davies, RN) departed Rothesay for Scapa Flow. She makes the passage together with HMS Unison (T/Lt. P.C.S. Pritchard, RNR). They were escorted by HMS Pennywort (T/Lt. A.W. James, RNR).
Submarine HMS Clyde: HMS Clyde (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) returned to Holy Loch on completion of last nights exercises.
Submarine HMS Sealion: HMS Sealion (Lt. P.E. Newstead, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Grindall (Cdr. W. Cole, RD, RNR) and HMS Blade (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S.T. Wenlock, RNR).
Submarine HMS Seawolf: HMS Seawolf (Lt. D.W. Mills, DSC, RN) shifted from Shelburne to St.Margarets Bay.
Submarine HMS Stoic: HMS Stoic (Lt. P.B. Marriott, DSO, RN) attacked but missed the German submarine U-183 with four torpedoes North of Sumatra in approximate position 06°09'N, 95°09'E. (All times are zone -6.5) 1118 hours - Sighted a submarine bearing 205°. Range was about 12000 yards. Started attack. 1150 hours - Fired four torpedoes from a range of 3600 yards. The enemy was seen to alter away and increased to full speed (given the amount of smoke her engines suddenly produced).
Submarine HMS Taurus: HMS Taurus (Lt.Cdr. M.R.G. Wingfield, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) lays a minefield (MLO 1 = Mine Laying Order 1) of 12 mines off the Aroa Islands. (All times are zone -6.5) 2019 hours - Started to lay a minefield of 12 mines near position 02°50'5"N, 100°35'5"E. The mines were laid in three groups of four. 2206 hours - Completed the mine lay. Cleared the area.
Submarine HMS Unbroken: At 0847 hours, in position 60°56'N, 04°37.1'E (entrance of Sognefjord), HMS Unbroken (Lt. P.L. Langley-Smith, RN) struck bottom at a depth of 70 feet.
Submarine HMS Unison: HMS Unison (T/Lt. P.C.S. Pritchard, RNR) departed Rothesay for Blyth. She made the passage north through the Minches together with HMS Ursula (Lt. A.G. Davies, RN). They were escorted by HMS Pennywort (T/Lt. A.W. James, RNR).
Submarine HMS Varangian: During 19/20 March 1944, HMS Varangian (Lt. S.J. Fovargue, RN), conducted exercises off Fishguard with aircraft. These included night exercises.
Submarine HMS Unswerving: HMS Unswerving (T/Lt. M.D. Tattersall, RNVR) fires four torpedoes against the German transport Gertrud (1960 GRT, built 1930, former Danish Gerda Toft) about 10 nautical miles north-north-east of Cape Maleas, Greece. All torpedoes missed their target. Gertrud was escorted by the German torpedo-boats TA 16, TA 17, the German motor minesweepers R 34, R 210 and the German auxiliary submarine chasers UJ 2105, UJ 2106. Two torpedoes were seen to pass underneath TA 16. (All times are zone -1) 0545 hours - Heard ASDIC transmissions bearing 287°. 0547 hours - Sighted 12 Arado seaplanes carrying out an A/S search. 0550 hours - Started attack on German merchant vessel Gertrud. She was escorted by two former Italian Solferino-class torpedo-boats and two U.J. boats, all towing barrage balloons. 0629 hours - In position 36°35'N, 23°15'E fired four torpedoes. All missed. 0637 hours - Heard a succession of explosions which were the torpedoes exploding on the end of their run. Unswerving meanwhile had gone to 120 feet but no counter attack materialised.
Submarine HMS Vigorous: HMS Vigorous (Lt. J.C. Ogle, DSC, RN) proceeded to Holy Loch on completion of last nights exercises.
Submarine HMS Virtue: HMS Virtue (Lt. R.D. Cairns, DSC. RN) returned to Holy Loch on completion of last night's exercises.
Submarine HMS Visigoth: HMS Visigoth (Lt. J.R.H. Haddow, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar.
Submarine HMS H 43: HMS H 43 (Lt. I.G. Raikes, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory.
Submarine HMS H 50: HMS H 50 (T/Lt. A.F. Wicker, RNVR) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Shemara (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Buckle, RN) and HMS St. Modwen (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Lycett, DSC, RD, RNR).
Submarine HMS P 511: HMS P 511 (Lt. E.A. Hobson, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.
Light cruiser HMS Nigeria: HMS Nigeria (Capt. S.H. Paton, RN) arrived at Aden from Port Said. She departed for Colombo later the same day.
Destroyer HMAS Quiberon: Around 2300FG/19, HMS Shah (A/Capt. W.J. Yendell, RN), HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. G.S. Stewart, RAN) and HMS Queenborough (Cdr. E.P. Hinton, DSO and Bar, MVO, RN) arrived at Colombo from Cochin.
Submarine USS S-42: USS S-42 (Lt.Cdr. P.E. Glenn) arrived at Milne Bay, New Guinea to provide training services.
Submarine ORP Dzik: ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) departed Gibraltar for the U.K. but she had to return with defects a few hours after sailing.
Light cruiser HMNZS Gambia: Around 1600FG/19, HMNZS Gambia (Capt. N.J.W. William-Powlett, DSC, RN) departed Colombo for Trincomalee.
1945
Heavy cruiser HMS Suffolk: HMS Suffolk (Capt. D. Gilmour, RN) arrived at Akyab from Colombo.
Destroyer USS Aaron Ward (iii): USS Aaron Ward departed from Ulithi to participate in the operations of Okinawa.
Destroyer USS Adams: USS Adams departed from Ulithi to participate in the operations of Okinawa.
Destroyer USS Hugh W. Hadley: USS Hugh W. Hadley (Cdr. B.J. Mullaney) arrived at Ulithi.
Destroyer USS J. William Ditter: USS J. William Ditter departed from Ulithi to participate in the Okinawa campaign.
Destroyer USS Lindsey: USS Lindsey departed from Ulithi to participate in the Okinawa campaign.
Destroyer USS Shannon: USS Shannon departed from Ulithi to participate in the Okinawa campaign.
Destroyer USS Shea: USS Shea departed from Ulithi to participate in the Okinawa campaign.
Destroyer USS Thomas E. Fraser: USS Thomas E. Fraser departed from Ulithi to participate in the Okinawa campaign.
Destroyer USS Tolman: USS Tolman departed from Ulithi to participate in the Okinawa campaign.
Aircraft Carrier USS Franklin: Franklin is badly damaged off Samar island by Japanese Kamikaze aircraft.
Battleship USS Iowa: USS Iowa (Capt. J.L. Holloway, Jr., USN) arrived at San Pedro to begin a training period.
Submarine HNMS O 23: HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. A.J. Schouwenaar, RNN) arrived at Tobermory.
Submarine USS Searaven: USS Searaven (T/Lt.Cdr. T.M. Ustick, USN) conducted / participated in excercises off Pearl Harbour.
Submarine USS Balao: USS Balao (Lt.Cdr. R.K.R. Worthington, USN) torpedoed and sank the Japanese troop transport Hakozaki Maru (10413 GRT, built 1922) and torpedoed and damaged the Japanese troop transport Tatsuharu Maru (6345 GRT, built 1939) off the Yangtze estuary about 90 nautical miles north-north-west of Shanghai, China in position 33°05'N, 122°11'E. The above mentioned ships were in convoy together with transport Nikko Maru (5058 GRT, built 1903). They were escorted by the Japanese frigates Chikubu, Kaibokan 40, Kaibokan 102 and Kaibokan 106. (All links are offsite links) Balao also sank the merchant fishing vessels Daito Maru No.1 (156 GRT), Katsura Maru No.1, Eiho Maru No.1 and Eiho Maru No.2 with gunfire in position 34°11'N, 123°01'E. (All times are zone -9) 18 March 1945 1538 hours - In position 34°33'N, 123°56'E sighted four large ships and two escorts bearing 160°, range 18000 yards. 1716 hours - Standing by to surface but could not do so as a single merchant ship was nearby. 1854 hours - Surfaced and commenced pursuit of the convoy. 19 March 1945 0020 hours - In position 33°32'N, 122°27'E, convoy picked up by the radar again bearing 290°, range 21150 yards. Commenced tracking. Radar reported two merchants and four escorts. Started to get into a good position for attack. 0252 hours - In position 33°09'N, 122°08'E fired six bow tubes at two of the merchant vessels. Then swung left and fired all four stern tubes at another merchant vessel but Balao was still swinging when these torpedoes were fired so they all missed. It is thought the bow torpedoes resulted in four hits. --------------------------------------------- 1535 hours - Identified two sets of masts bearing 053°. Headed towards. Position was 34°07'N, 122°55'E. 1729 hours - Identified the ships as trawlers of about 150 tons. They had the Japanese flag painted on their bows. 1743 hours - Battle surfaced. Sighted two more trawlers 7000 yards to the northward. 1745 hours - In position 34°11'N, 123°01'E opened fire with the 5" gun at the left target and with 40mm at the right target. 1757 hours - One target sunk, the other was buring. The last two 5" rounds pooped her, blowing away her stern so left her. 1800 hours - Headed for the other two trawlers 4 nautical miles to the north-east. 1813 hours - Commenced firing at the third target. 1818 hours - Ceased fire. The target was burning fouriously. 1830 hours - Commenced firing at the fourth target. 1832 hours - Ceased firing. The target was a mass of flames. Ceased firing. One survivor was picked u who turned out to be Chinese.
Submarine USS Billfish: USS Billfish (Lt.Cdr. L.C. Farley, USNR) arrived at Pearl Harbour. Voyage repairs were then undertaken by USS Bushnell.
Submarine USS Bowfin: USS Bowfin (Cdr. A.K. Tyree, USN) picked up two USN airmen of Torpedo Squadron 83 from the water south of Kochi Prefecture.
Submarine USS Hackleback: At 1237L/19, USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) sighted two Japanese picket boats in position 31°01'N, 142°42'E. It was decided to attack them with gunfire at dusk as USS Hackleback had been ordered not to proceed further westwards then 142°00'E so they had time in hand. 1237L/19, Sighted two picket boats through the high periscope, bearing 225°(T), range about 7 miles. Submerged and started to close for observation. When the range had closed it was seen that each of them carried 5 guns varying from 3" to 40mm and machine guns. They were laying to and several lookouts could be seen. It was decided not to fire torpedoes due to the shallow draft of these ships and it was decided to make a dusk battle surface so opened range to the south to surface. 1850L/19, Made battle surface but found that the targets had gone. Apparently while the range was being opened they had got underway and had proceeded westwards. Commenced a search. 2010L/19, Contacted the targets on SJ radar at 10000 yards but by now it was too dark to see them. Decided as we were still awaiting orders from ComSubsPac before proceeding west of 142°00'E to circle them during the night for a dawn gun attack. 0535L/20, Went to battle stations surface and commenced closing the targets at slow speed from the westward. Targets were again laying to about 1000 yards apart. 0553L/20, in position 31°03'N, 142°22'E, with the closest picked boat bearing 095°(T), range 4600 yards, commenced firing with 5" and 40mm. However the 40mm jammed after one round had been fired. The first and second 5" shells missed by about 100 yards and served only to sound reveille on the picket boats. The close target began to maneuver radically and opened up with all he had. His deflection was way off, but his range was fair with a flat trajectory and it was obvious they were just getting the sleep out of their eyes. With the 40mm out of action we opened the range and continued to fire with the 5" gun but the picked boat was a little too quick. He would run in circles awaiting a splash and then head for it until the next one landed, repeating the process successfully. Occassionally he would make a dash for us firing all his guns. A near miss on the target, at first believed to be a direct hit, brought forth a tremendous cloud of smoke and the target disappeared behind it. At this time fire was shifted to the second picket boat but inside of five minutes the first target emerged from the smoke firing all guns and apparently nscathed. A few more near missed produced the same effect. He would let out a huge smoke screen and dodge out of sight behind it only to re-appear again apparently undamaged. As the action would lead Hackleback nowhere and also at risk of being damaged herself it was decided to break off the action after 41 rounds of 5" had been fired. 0647L/19, Started opening the range on the picket boats. Subsequently submerged to check for damage.
Submarine USS Lionfish: Around 1400VW/19, USS Lionfish (T/Lt.Cdr. E.D. Spruance, USN), USS Parche (T/Lt.Cdr. W.W. McCrory, USN) and USS Trutta (T/Cdr. A.C. Smith, USN) departed from Pearl Harbor for their 1st, 5th and 1st war patrols respectively. All were to proceed to Saipan to top off with fuel and provisions before proceeding to their patrol area. They were escorted until around 2045VW/19 by USS PC-580 (Lt. A.L. Anderson, USNR). All were originally ordered to patrol as a coordinated attack group in the Yellow Sea but soon after depature from Saipan orders were changed as follows; USS Lionfish was ordered to patrol south of Bongo Suido. Later she was ordered to patrol in the East China and Yellow Seas. USS Parche was ordered to patrol in Japanese home waters east of Honshu and Hokkaido. USS Trutta was ordered to patrol in the East China and Yellow Seas.
Submarine USS Lionfish: For the daily and attack positions of USS Lionfish during her 1st war patrol see the map below.
Submarine USS Bullhead: USS Bullhead (Cdr. W.T. Griffith, USN) arrived at Guam.
Submarine USS Carp: USS Carp (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Hunnicutt, USNR) departed New London, Connecticut for Newport, Rhode Island for torpedo trials.
Submarine USS Kete: USS Kete (Lt.Cdr. Edward Ackerman) acknowledged the receipt of these orders to leave her patrol area on the next day.
Submarine USS Spikefish: USS Spikefish (Cdr. N.J. Nicholas) ended her 2nd war patrol at Pearl Harbor.
Submarine USS Sea Robin: USS Sea Robin (Cdr. P.C. Stimson) departed from Subic Bay, Philippines to resume her 2nd war patrol.
Submarine USS Tigrone: USS Tigrone (Cdr. H. Cassedy) arrived at Guam.
Escort Carrier HMS Khedive: HMS Khedive (A/Capt. D.H. Magnay, RN) conducted flying exercises off Colombo.
Submarine HMS Clyde: HMS Clyde (Lt. R.H. Bull, DSC, RN) is docked in AFD 26 at Trincomalee.
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 Kihna (Cdr.(Retd.) T.J.T.C. Jenks, RN) served as target.
Submarine HMS Seraph: HMS Seraph (Lt. T. Russell-Walling, RN) was docked at Ardrossan.
Submarine HMS Strongbow: HMS Strongbow (Lt. J.A.R. Troup, DSC, RN) was undocked.
Submarine HMS Stygian: HMS Stygian (Lt. G.S.C. Clarabut, DSO, RN) made a short stop at Exmouth Gulf for fuel and provisions, or they thought so. A signal had been sent to Stygian that she was to proceed to Onslow for fuel and provisions. However on board Stygian the signal was read as proceed 'on slow' for fuel and provisions. Stygian departed Exmouth Gulf for Onslow shortly afterwards.
Submarine HMS Selene: HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) destroyed a sailing vessel with gunfire off the North coast of Sumatra, Netherlands East Indies. (All times are zone -6.5) 1537 hours - Surfaced North of Tamiang Point to engage a 40 tons junk. A warning shot was fired from 4000 yards. The crew abandoned ship and now the target was taken under fire. She was left in a waterlogged condition after 47 rounds.
Submarine HMS Spearhead: HMS Spearhead (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.E. Youngman, RNR) departed Rothesay for Lerwick. She made (part of) the passage together with HMS Taurus (Lt. P.E. Newstead, DSC, RN), HMS Vagabond (Lt. I.M. Stoop, DSC, RN ) and HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. A.J. Schouwenaar, RNN). They were escorted by HMS Shikari (Lt. E.A. Tyrer, DSC, RN).
Submarine HMS Tuna: HMS Tuna (Lt.Cdr. E.D. Norman, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.
Submarine HMS Thrasher: HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. M.F.R. Ainslie, DSO, DSC, RN) sank three sailing vessels with gunfire to the south-east of Langkawi. 1350FG/19, Sighted a southbound motor driven two masted schooner of about 50 tons. Fired a warning shot and the schooner immediately heave to and the crew of 6 abandoned ship in their small boat. The vessel had a full cargo of mainly rice. The schooner was sunk by demolition charges. It started to rain heavily just as a junk was sighted to the North. Position was approximately 06°07'N, 100°00'E. 1530FG/19, The rain cleared and the junk was in sight. Fired a warning shot. The crew promptly abandoned ship in their small boat. The junk was sunk by gunfire. 1600FG/19, When about to open fire on a fully laden northbound junk of about 30 tons a Japanese aircraft broke through the clouds to the seaward. Dived. The aircraft most likely did not see the submarine as it was soon out of sight. Surfaced and sank the junk with gunfire. Position was 06°06'N, 100°13'E. Set course to the south of Penang.
Submarine HMS Tactician: HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. L.N.A. Jewell, DSC, MBE, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.
Submarine HMS Trespasser: HMS Trespasser (Lt. L.E. Herrick, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.
Submarine HMS Tantivy: HMS Tantivy (Lt. P.S. May, RN) arrived at Suez.
Submarine HMS Taciturn: HMS Taciturn (Lt.Cdr. E.T. Stanley, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Suez for Aden.
Submarine HMS Unbending: HMS Unbending (Lt. P.C. Chapman, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners.
Submarine HMS Unruffled: HMS Unruffled (T/Lt. A.H. MacCoy, DSC, SANF(V)) participated in A/S exercises off Bermuda.
Submarine HMS Unruly: HMS Unruly (T/Lt. D.J. Palmer, RNVR) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory with aircraft.
Submarine HMS Ultor: HMS Ultor (Lt. J.P. Harvey, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.
Submarine HMS Unsparing: HMS Unsparing (Lt. J.M.C. Fenton, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory.
Submarine HMS Uther: HMS Uther (Lt. R.A.A.C. Ward, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.
Submarine HMS Upshot: HMS Upshot (Lt. A.J. Boyall, RN) conducted snorkel trials off Beaumaris Bay.
Submarine HMS Vagabond: HMS Vagabond (Lt. I.M. Stoop, DSC, RN) departed Rothesay for Scapa Flow. She was escorted by HMS Shikari (Lt. E.A. Tyrer, DSC, RN).
Submarine HMS Vagabond: HMS Vagabond (Lt. I.M. Stoop, DSC, RN) departed Rothesay for Scapa Flow. She was escorted by HMS Shikari (Lt. E.A. Tyrer, DSC, RN).
Submarine HMS Vampire: During the night of 19/20 March 1945, HMS Vampire (Lt. C.W. Taylor, RNR) conducted night exercises off Gibraltar with aircraft.
Submarine HMS Venturer: HMS Venturer (Lt. J.S. Launders, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) torpedoed and sank the German merchant Sirius (998 GRT built 1922) off Namsos, Norway in position 64°31'N, 10°27'E. Another vessel that was in this convoy was the Glattesee (590 GRT, built 1921). The following ships were part of the escort V 5906, V 5908, V 6403, V 6409. (All times are zone -1) 0546 hours - After H.E. had been picked up an A/S trawler was sighted bearing 140°, range 4900 yards. This was the leader of a convoy coast crawling inside the Grundene shoals. Commenced to close. Position was 64°29'N, 10°35'E 0620 hours - Obtained our first fix since diving. We were thought to be too close to the shoals. Took action to avoid getting into too shallow water. 0625 hours - Shifted target to the second merchant ship of the four that were by now in sight. Five A/S vessels were now also in sight. One was seen to be an M-class minesweeper. The others were trawlers. The target selected was a large, single funneled two masted coal burner of 3000 to 4000 tons. Range was 6000 yards and this meant that Venturer was further to seaward then was earlier thought. Continued to close. 0631 hours - Turned to our firing course. 0633 hours - In position 64°31'N, 10°27'E fired a full salvo of four torpedoes from 6000 yards. 0634 hours- Disengaged to starboard and dived deep to withdraw down the coast. 0638 hours - Heard a sharp explosion followed by loud and increasing crackling noises which terminated 3.5 minutes later when a large explosion was heard. The target is believed to have been hit and that either her boilers or the cargo exploded as she sank. Venturer was then hunted by three A/S vessels for about one hour but these were never in contact.
Submarine HMS Viking: HMS Viking (Lt. R. Bannar-Martin, DSC, RN) conducted noise trials at Loch Goil.
Submarine HMS Virulent: HMS Virulent (Lt. F.E. Ashmead-Bartlett, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.
Submarine HMS Vivid: HMS Vivid (Lt. R.M. Seaburne-May, DSC, RN) shifted from Bombay to Vasova where exercises were carried out.
Submarine HMS Volatile: HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area.
Submarine HMS Voracious: HMS Voracious (Lt. F.D.G. Challis, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Sydney with HMAS Nizam (A/Lt.Cdr. W.F. Cook, RAN) and HMAS Wollongong (T/Lt. J. Hare, RANR(S)). HMAS Nizam also conducted gunnery and torpedo firing exercises.
Submarine HMS Votary: HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) conducted special torpedo trials off Arrochar.
Submarine HMS Vulpine: HMS Vulpine (T/Lt. P.S. Thirsk, DSC, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS ML 472 (T/Lt. V.H. Harris, RNVR), HMS ML 119 (T/Lt. P. Johnstone, RNVR) and HMS ML 171 (T/Lt. R.C. Staddon, RNVR).
Light cruiser HMS Bellona: Operation Cupola. The object of this operation was to lay air laid mines in the southern entrance to the Askenvold anchorage (61°19'5"N, 05°04'E). Around 1100A/19, the escort carriers HMS Searcher (Capt. J.W. Grant, DSO, RN), HMS Premier (A/Capt. R.J. Gardner, RN), HMS Queen (A/Capt. K.J. D'Arcy, DSO, RN), light cruiser ana (Capt. V.N. Surtees, DSO, RN), light cruiser HMS Bellona (Capt. G.S. Tuck, DSO, RN, Senior Officer for the operation) and the destroyers HMS Onslow (Capt. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN), HMS Zest (Lt.Cdr. R.B.N. Hicks, DSO, RN), HMS Serapis (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN), HMCS Haida (A/Lt.Cdr. R.P. Welland, DSC, RCN) and HMCS Iroquois (Capt. K.F. Adams, RCN) departed Scapa Flow for the operation. They were to arrive in position 'AA' (61°52'N, 01°45'E) at 0700A/20 but bad weather was encountered on the way and the operation had to be postponed to the afternoon. Around 1325A/20, the strike, composed of eight Avengers of 856 Squadron from HMS Premier and twenty Wildcats from HMS Searcher commenced flying off. They took departure at 1353A/20 from position 61°52'N, 01°54'E. Landfall was made at the correct location at 1420A/20, with the weather just beginning to lift on the coast and good visibility in the Leads. The Avengers turned north when over Bygdefeld, a conspicuous hill to the south of Askevold. The approach was made to the laying position unopposed, and at 1429A/20 seven mines were laid in the shipping channel, close south of Prestoy Island. One aircraft was unable to release its mine due to material failure and returned with it to the carrier. The fighters, in close support, also experienced little resistance to their stafing of shore targets. All aircraft returnend safely to the carriers in rapidly deteriorating weather conditions. The force returned to Scapa Flow around 1350A/21. Result of this operation was that the enemy had to divert shipping to pass to the west of Atloy Island resulting in an attack on a convoy by MTB's on March 26th.
Light cruiser HMS Newfoundland: During the night of 19/20 March 1945, HMS Newfoundland (Capt. R.W. Ravenhill, CBE, DSC, RN) and HMS Active (Lt. J.A. McClure, DSC, RN) conducted night encounter exercises off Alexandria. On the 20th, HMS Newfoundland conducted bombardment exercises off Ras-el-Kanayis.
Submarine USS R-2: USS R-2 (Lt.Cdr. L.G. Bernard, USN) was put back in the water.
Submarine USS R-10: USS R-10 (Lt. R.D. McWenthy, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.
Submarine USS R-14: USS R-14 (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Cunningham, Jr., USNR) conducted exercises off Key West.
Submarine USS R-20: USS R-20 (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Dudley, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.
Destroyer HNMS Tjerk Hiddes (ii): HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. N.W. Sluijter, RNethN) conducted some post repair trials in the Clyde area.
Aircraft carrier USS Enterprise: Enterprise was slightly damaged by Kamikaze aircraft.