Laid down (40)

1909: Battleship Marat - Battleship Oktyabrskaya Revoluciya - Battleship Parizhskaya Kommuna

1917: Submarine R-18 (95)

1919: Destroyer Goff (DD 247) - Fleet tug Montcalm (AT 39)

1937: Sloop Auckland (L 61 / U 61)

1941: Corvette Vancouver (K 240) - MS Trawler Hunda (T 298) - Landing Craft Tank LCT 140 (LCT 140) - Destroyer Rapid (H 32) - Destroyer Scorpion (ii) (G 72) - Destroyer Gansevoort (DD 608) - Destroyer Gillespie (DD 609)

1942: Landing Craft Tank LCT 581 (LCT 581) - Tank landing ship LST 383 (LST 383) - Destroyer Longshaw (DD 559) - Tank landing ship LST 383 (LST 383) - Tank landing ship LST 384 (LST 384) - Minesweeper YMS-216 (YMS-216) - Minesweeper YMS-285 (YMS-285) - Minesweeper YMS-286 (YMS-286) - Minesweeper YMS-398 (YMS-398)

1943: Frigate Magog (K 673) - Tank landing ship LST 278 (LST 278) - Fleet tug Tenino (ATF 115)

1944: Landing Craft Tank LCT 1155 (LCT 1155) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-655 (LCI(L)-655) - Landing craft tank LCT 1111 (LCT 1111) - Landing craft tank LCT 1314 (LCT 1314) - Medium landing ship LSM 269 (LSM 269) - Medium landing ship LSM 329 (LSM 329) - Tank landing ship LST 644 (LST 644) - Tank landing ship LST 716 (LST 716)

1945: Medium landing ship LSM 537 (LSM 537) - Medium landing ship LSM 538 (LSM 538) - Medium landing ship LSM 539 (LSM 539) - Medium landing ship LSM 540 (LSM 540) - Destroyer Ozbourn (DD 846) - Motor torpedo boat PT 769

Launched (40)

1927: Armed Merchant Cruiser Laurentic (F 51)

1928: Sloop Hartland (Y 00) - Cutter Ponchartrain

1932: Destroyer Margaree (H 49) - Destroyer Diana (H 49)

1933: Submarine M-4

1934: Patrol vessel Atalanta (WPC 102) - Submarine M-25

1941: Landing Craft Tank LCT 109 (LCT 109) - Minesweeper Seaham (J 123)

1942: Landing Craft Tank LCT 394 (LCT 394) - MS Trawler Prospect (T 282)

1943: MS Trawler Cuttack (T 251) - Landing Craft Tank LCT 759 (LCT 759) - Escort Carrier Trouncer (D 85) - Destroyer Escort Fleming (DE 32) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-429 (LCI(L)-429) - Tank landing ship LST 213 (LST 213) - Escort carrier Perdido (CVE 47) - Motor torpedo boat PT 354 - Minesweeper YMS-298 (YMS-298) - Minesweeper YMS-360 (YMS-360)

1944: Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-1072 (LCI(L)-1072) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-636 (LCI(L)-636) - Landing craft tank LCT 1171 (LCT 1171) - Landing craft tank LCT 1311 (LCT 1311) - Landing craft tank LCT 800 (LCT 800) - Tank landing ship LST 577 (LST 577) - Tank landing ship LST 624 (LST 624) - Tank landing ship LST 677 (LST 677) - Tank landing ship LST 678 (LST 678) - Tank landing ship LST 707 (LST 707) - Motor torpedo boat PT 544

1945: Medium landing ship (rocket) LSM(R) 525 (LSM(R) 525) - Medium landing ship (rocket) LSM(R) 526 (LSM(R) 526) - Medium landing ship (rocket) LSM(R) 527 (LSM(R) 527) - Medium landing ship (rocket) LSM(R) 528 (LSM(R) 528) - Motor torpedo boat PT 608 - Salvage vessel Retriever (ARS 44) - Destroyer Stickell (DD 888)

Commissioned (40)

1936: Cutter Campbell (WPG 32)

1938: Patrol vessel Widgeon (L 62 / K 62)

1939: Destroyer Jupiter (F 85)

1940: Anti-Aircraft ship Alynbank (F 84)

1941: Harbour Defence Motor Launch HDML 1026 (ML 1026) - Motor Gun Boat MGB 312 (MGB 312) - Motor Gun Boat MGB 314 (MGB 314) - Motor Launch ML 274 (ML 274) - Repair ship Delta (AR 9) - Heavy cruiser Molotov

1942: Minesweeper Albacore (J 101) - Escort destroyer Bramham (L 51) - Motor Gun Boat MGB 605 (MGB 605) - MS Trawler Product (T 188) - MS Trawler Professor (T 189) - Motor Torpedo Boat MTB 235 / Sperwer (ii) (MTB 235) - Minesweeper YMS-26 (YMS-26)

1943: Minesweeper Ararat (K 34) - Frigate Waskesiu (K 330) - Minesweeper Force (AM 99) - Seaplane tender Half Moon (AVP 26) - Motor torpedo boat PT 254 - Submarine chaser SC-1036 (SC-1036) - Submarine chaser SC-1304 (SC-1304) - Destroyer Escort Sturtevant (ii) (DE 239) - Destroyer Wickes (ii) (DD 578)

1944: Corvette Asbestos (K 358) - MS Trawler Gorregan (T 387) - Motor Launch ML 595 (ML 595) - Destroyer Hyman (DD 732) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-1071 (LCI(L)-1071) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-631 (LCI(L)-631) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-695 (LCI(L)-695) - Medium landing ship LSM 20 (LSM 20) - Medium landing ship LSM 259 (LSM 259) - Minesweeper Pirate (AM 275) - Motor torpedo boat PT 476

1945: Tank landing ship LST 3026 (LST 3026) - Sloop Opossum (U 33) - Fleet tug Luiseno (ATF 156)

1940: Submarine Morse - Armed Merchant Cruiser Andania - Submarine Grampus (N 56)

1941: Large destroyer Chevalier Paul

1942: Destroyer Nestor (G 02) - Light cruiser Hermione (74) - MS Trawler Tranquil (FY 920) - Escort destroyer Kujawiak (L 72)

1944: Frigate Blackwood (K 313) - Landing Craft Tank LCT 589 (LCT 589) - ASW Whaler Southern Pride (K 249)

1945: Destroyer Twiggs (ii) (DD 591)

1955: Submarine Sidon (P 259)

More information on Allied Warships losses.

1940

Heavy cruiser HMS Dorsetshire: HMS Dorsetshire (Capt. B.C.S. Martin, RN) arrived at Gibraltar.

Heavy cruiser HMS Dorsetshire: Dakar, the French battleship Richelieu and the fall of France Timespan; 16 June to 7 July 1940. The fall of France, 16 June 1940. On 16 June 1940, less then six weeks after the invasion of France and the low countries had started on May 10th, all military resitance in France came to an end. The question of control of the French fleet had thus become, almost overnight, one of vital importance, for if it passed into the hands of the enemy the whole balance of sea power would be most seriously disturbed. It was therefore policy of H.M. Government to prevent, at all costs, the French warships based on British and French harbours overseas from falling into the hands of Germany. The bulk of the French fleet was at this time based in the Mediterranean. There drastic steps were taken to implement this policy. Elsewhere the most important units were the two new battleships completing, the Jean Bart at St. Nazaire and more importantly as she was almost complete, the Richelieu, at Brest. Events during the Franco-German negotiations 17-25 June 1940 and politics. It was on the 17th of June 1940, when the newly-formed Pétain Cabinet asked the Germans to consider ‘honourable’ peace terms in order to stop the fighting in France. At 1516 (B.S.T.) hours that day the Admiralty issued orders that British ships were not to proceed to French ports. On receipt of these orders Vice-Admiral George D’Oyly Lyon, Commander-in-Chief South Atlantic, ordered the aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) then on her way to Dakar after a patrol off the Canary Islands to proceed to Freetown instead at her best speed. At the same time he recalled the British SS Accra which had sailed from Freetown for Dakar at 1730 hours (zone +1) with 850 French troops on board. She returned to Freetown at 0800/18. The British transport City of Paris with 600 French troops on board from Cotonou was ordered to put into Takoradi. On the 18th the Commander-in-Chief was also informed by Commander Jermyn Rushbrooke, RN, the British Naval Liaison Officer at Dakar that the Commander-in-Chief of the French Navy, Admiral Darlan had ordered Admiral Plancon at Dakar to continue fighting and also that the shore batteries and AA personnel there had declared for the British. At 0245/18 Vice-Admiral Lyon passed this information to the Admiralty, cancelled his orders to HMS Hermes to proceed to Freetown and directed her with the armed merchant cruisers HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt. M.J.C. de Meric, RN) and HMS Mooltan (Capt.(Retd.) G.E. Sutcliff, RN), which were on passage to Freetown from the Western Approaches, to proceed to Dakar at full speed in order to strengthen the French morale. That afternoon the Admiralty ordered HMS Delhi (Capt. A.S. Russell, RN) to leave Gibraltar and proceed to Dakar and join the South Atlantic Station. She left Gibraltar on the 19th with an arrival date of the 23rd. In the morning of the 18th the French troopship Banfora reached Freetown, from Port Bouet, Ivory Coast with 1000 troops on board, and sailed for Dakar without delay. The French armed merchant cruiser Charles Plumier, which had been on patrol south of the Cape Verde Islands reached Dakar at 1015/18. Meanwhile the British Naval Liaison Officer, Dakar’s signal had been followed by a report from the Naval Control Service Officer at Duala that an overwhelming spirit existed amongst the military and civilian population of the French Cameroons to continue fighting on the British side, but that they required lead, as the Governer was not a forceful character; but that morning the Governor of Nigeria informed the Commander-in-Chief that he considered steps to be taken to prevent a hostile move from Fernando Po (off the entrance to the Cameroon River). Accordingly, at 1845/18, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Bulolo (A/Capt. C.H. Petrie, RN) sailed from Freetown at 14 knots to show herself off San Carlos on the morning of the 23rd, and thence to anchor of Manoka in the Cameroon River the next day (her draught prevented her from reaching Duala). A/Capt. Petrie was then to proceed to Duala and call a conference. It was difficult to arrive at a clear appreciation of the situation in French West-Africa but on the morning of the 19th June the Commander-in-Chief informed the Admiralty that, as the evidence pointed to an established resolve on the part of the West-African Colonies to join Great Britain whatever happened, he intended to allow French troop movements to continue. This he anticipated would avoid French exasperation and mistrust. During the early afternoon he heard from the Governors of Nigeria and the Gold Coast that French officers and non-commissioned officers were planning to leave the Cameroons and to join the British forces in Nigeria. At 1900/19 the Commander-in-Chief held a conference with the Governor of Sierra Leone at which it was decided that the Governor should cable home urging immediate action to persuade the French colonial troops and authorities to remain in their territories and hold their colonies against all attacks. In the evening the Commander-in-Chief reported to the Admiralty that French Guinea was determined to keep fighting on the British side. Meanwhile the Governor-General of French Equatorial Africa at Brazzaville was wavering and suggested leading his troops to the nearest British Colony. Late that night, still on the 19th, the Commander-in-Chief informed him that it was essential that he should remain at his post and that it was the expressed intention of French West Africa to fight on to victory. Next morning, on the 20th, the Admiralty informed the Commander-in-Chief that the new French battleship Richelieu (about 95% complete) had departed Brest for Dakar on the 18th. Her sister ship, Jean Bart (about 77% complete) had left St. Nazaire for Casablanca on the 19th. During the afternoon of the 20th the British Liaison Officer at Dakar reported that according to the French Admiral at Dakar the French Government had refused the German armistice terms and would continue the fight in France. This was entirely misleading. For nearly two days the Commander-in-Chief had no definite information till at noon on 22 June when a BB C broadcast announced the signing of a armistice between France and Germany, which was to followed by one between France and Italy. Still there was much uncertainty, and the rest of the day was apparently spent in waiting for news. Early next morning, the 23rd June, the Admiralty informed the Commander-in-Chief that the French Bordeaux Government had signed an armistice with Germany. As the terms were not fully known the attitude of the French Navy remained uncertain. Shortly after 0200/23 the Admiralty gave orders that HMS Hermes was to remain at Dakar, and gave the Commander-in-Chief the text of the British Government’s appeal to the French Empire and to Frenchmen overseas to continue the war on the British side. The final collapse of France naturally exercised an important influence on the dispositions and movements of the South Atlantic forces. Also on the 23rd the cruiser HMS Dorsetshire (Capt. B.C.S. Martin, RN) and the destroyer HMS Watchman (Lt.Cdr. E.C.L. Day, RN) departed Gibraltar for Dakar and Casablanca respectively, and the same morning HMS Bulolo arrived off Fernando Po and showed herself of San Carlos and Santa Isabel. At noon she anchored off Manoka, in the Cameroon River, in the hope of restoring morale at Duala. Meanwhile HMS Mooltan had arrived at Freetown from Dakar and the United Kingdom, and during the afternoon (1500/23) the armed merchant cruiser HMS Maloja (A/Capt. V. Hammersley-Heenan, RN) reached Dakar from the Northern Patrol to join the Freetown escort force. Half an hour later the Richelieu and escorting destroyer Fleuret arrived at Dakar. For a time the attitude of the French Governor-General at Dakar, the French North African colonies and the French Mediterranean Fleet, and the battleship Richelieu remained in doubt. Then owning to the anticipated difficulty of maintaining French salaries and supplies if the French did not accept the British offer, the situation at Dakar rapidly deteriorated, and by the evening of the 23rd reached a critical state. Early on the 24th, therefore, the Admiralty ordered the Commander-in-Chief to proceed there as soon as possible. The Commander-in-Chief replied that he intended to proceed there in the ex-Australian seaplane carrier HMS Albatross (Cdr. W.G. Brittain, RN), which was the only available ship, and expected to reach Dakar around noon on the 25th. At 1015/24 he left Freetown and reached Dakar around 1600/25. Meanwhile the Richelieu had put to sea. From then on the naval operations centred mainly on the battleship. The problem of the Richelieu, 25-26 June 1940. The Richelieu which had been landing cadets at Dakar, had sailed with the Fleuret at 1315/25 for an unknown destination. She was shadowed by an aircraft from HMS Hermes until 1700 hours. She was reported to be steering 320° at 18 knots. At 1700 hours the Admiralty ordered HMS Dorsetshire to shadow her, and at 2200 hours HMS Dorsetshire reported herself as being in position 16°40’N, 18°35’W steering 225° at 25 knots, and that she expected to make contact with the Richelieu at midnight. At 2126 hours, the Admiralty ordered the Vice-Admiral aircraft carriers (Vice-Admiral L.V. Wells, CB, DSO, RN) in HMS Ark Royal (Capt. C.S. Holland, RN) to proceed with dispatch to the Canary Islands with HMS Hood (Capt. I.G. Glennie, RN) and five destroyers (actually only four sailed with them; HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.F. de Salis, RN), HMS Fearless (Cdr. K.L. Harkness, RN), HMS Foxhound (Lt.Cdr. G.H. Peters, RN) and HMS Escapade (Cdr. H.R. Graham, RN)). They departed Gibraltar in the morning of the 26th. Early on the 26th, the Admiralty informed the Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic, and the Vice-Admiral, aircraft carriers, that His Majesty’s Government had decided that the Richelieu was to be captured and taken into a British port. They were to take every step to avoid bloodshed and to use no more force then was absolutely necessary. It was understood that the French battleship had H.A. ammunition on board but no main armament ammunition, that forenoon however, the British Liaison Officer Brest reported that she had embarked 15” ammunition before leaving there. HMS Hood was to perform this task if possible but that there were a risk that the Richelieu might get away before her arrival, or if she tried to enter a neutral port such as La Luz in the Canaries, HMS Dorsetshire was to take action. After the capture she was to be taken to Gibraltar. The battleship HMS Resolution (Capt. O. Bevir, RN) was detailed to intercept the Jean Bart in case she would depart Casablanca and deal with her in the same way. Vice-Admiral Wells reported that HMS Ark Royal, HMS Hood and their escorting destroyers would pass through position 36°00’N, 06°35’W at 0300/26, steering 225° at 20 knots. HMS Dorsetshire, meanwhile, having seen nothing of the Richelieu by 0015/26, had proceeded to the northwestward, and then at 0230/26 turned to course 030°. At 0530/26 she catapulted her Walrus aircraft to search to the northward, and at 0730 hours it sighted the Richelieu in position 19°27’N, 18°52’W on course 010°, speed 18.5 knots. Eleven minutes later she altered course to 195°. The aircraft proceeded to shadow, but missed HMS Dorsetshire when it tried to return and in the end was forced to land on the sea at 0930 hours about 50 nautical miles to the southward of her. The Dorsetshire which had turned to 190° at 0905 hours was then in position 18°55’N, 17°52’W. She turned to search for her aircraft. Around noon she abandoned the search and steered 245° at 25 knots to intercept the Richelieu, which she correctly assumed to be continuing to the southward. She made contact soon after 1430 hours and at 1456 hours reported that she was shadowing the battleship from astern. In the meantime the French Admiral at Dakar had informed Vice-Admiral Lyon that the ‘Admiral Afrique’ had ordered the Richelieu and the Fleuret to return to Dakar. At 1512 hours the Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic asked the Admiralty whether, under these circumstances, HMS Dorsetshire was to attempt to capture the Richelieu. He was confident that any interference would antagonise all the local authorities and the French people in general. He also pointed out that His Majesty’s ships at Dakar would be placed in a most difficult position. At 1630/26, HMS Dorsetshire, reported that she was in position 17°21’N, 18°22’W with the Richelieu within easy visual distance. Relations between the two ships remained cordial. The French ship had not trained her guns when she sighted the Dorsetshire, and she expressed regret that, having no aircraft embarked, she was unable to co-operate in the search for her missing Walrus aircraft but she signalled to Dakar for a French plane to assist. In view of her declared intention to return to Dakar, Capt. Martin took no steps to capture her and at 1700 hours he was ordered by the Admiralty to only shadow the Richelieu. At the same time HMS Hermes left Dakar to search for HMS Dorsetshire’s Walrus. Shortly after 1900/26, the Admiralty ordered Ark Royal, HMS Hood and their four escorting destroyers to return to Gibraltar. At 2015 hours, the Admiralty ordered HMS Dorsetshire to cease shadowing the Richelieu and to search for her missing Walrus. On receipt of these orders she parted company with the Richelieu and Fleuret at 2300/26, being then some 70 nautical miles from Dakar. HMS Dorsetshire then proceeded to the north-north-eastward at 23 knots. At first light on the 27th, HMS Hermes, then some 30 nautical miles to the southward, flew off seven aircraft to assist in the search. It was however HMS Dorsetshire herself which eventually found and recovered her aircraft at 1107/27. Meanwhile the Richelieu had arrived off Dakar at 0900/27 but did not enter the port. Shortly afterwards she made off the the north yet again. HMS Hermes then steered to the northward to be in a position to intercept if needed. Nothing was seen of the Richelieu until she was again located off Dakar at 0500/28. HMS Hermes, by that time about 400 nautical miles north of Dakar, was ordered to proceed southwards and return to Dakar. The Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic, at Dakar 26-29 June 1940. While these movements were going on at sea, the position at Dakar was steadily deteriorating. At about 1830/26, the Commander-in-Chief had reported to the Admiralty that the French Admiral at Dakar had informed him, on Admiral Darlan’s instructions, that the presence of British warships at Dakar was in contrary to the terms of the Franco-German armistice. At 1700/26 (zone -1) however, the Admiralty had signalled to the Commander-in-Chief that, as the French codes were compromised, that French authorities could no longer be sure that orders came from Admiral Darlan but Admiral Plancon refused to question the authenticity of any signal he received. During the night the appointment of the British Liaison Officer at Dakar was terminated. At 0500/27 the Richelieu was seen approaching Dakar, but 25 minutes later she turned to seaward again and the Commander-in-Chief ordered a Walrus aircraft from HMS Albatros to shadow her. That afternoon he informed the Admiralty that the Richelieu had put to sea to escort five French armed merchant cruisers [according to another source these were the armed merchant cruisers (four in number and not five) El D’Jezair, El Kantara, El Mansour, Ville d’Oran and the large destroyers Milan and Epervier which came from Brest] to Dakar. The Admiralty was clearly anxious that the Richelieu should not escape and at 0021/28, they ordered Vice-Admiral Wells with HMS Ark Royal, HMS Hood escorted by four destroyers (HMS Faulknor, HMS Fearless, HMS Foxhound and HMS Vidette (Lt. E.N. Walmsley, RN)) to proceed to the Canaries to intercept her if she continued to steam to the northward. These ships (with HMS Escapade instead of HMS Vidette) had only returned to Gibraltar late the previous evening from their first sortie to intercept the Richelieu. Now they left again around 0600/28 but were quickly ordered to return to Gibraltar and were back in port around noon. Around 0500/28 HMS Dorsetshire, proceeding back towards Dakar after having picked up her lost aircraft encountered the Richelieu about 10 nautical miles north of Dakar. Admiral Wells was then ordered by the Admiralty to return to Gibraltar. The rapid deterioration of the situation in West Africa is clearly shown in a series of signals which passed between the Commander-in-Chief South Atlantic and the Admiralty on 28 June. At 1100 hours, the Commander-in-Chief signalled that the French had refused HMS Dorsetshire permission to enter Dakar and that she was therefore proceeding to Freetown with all dispatch to fuel and return to the Dakar area as soon as possible. HMS Dorsetshire arrived at Freetown at 0545/29. At 1415/28 the Commander-in-Chief informed the Admiralty that the French Admiral at Dakar had issued orders to prevent H.M. ships from communicating with, or receiving stores, from the shore. In reply he had told the French Admiral that HMS Hermes would enter Dakar on the 29th to embark aircraft stores and fuel, and that he himself would sail from there in HMS Albatros after seeing the commanding officer of HMS Hermes. At 1515/28 the Commander-in-Chief informed the Admiralty of the steps he would take in case the Richelieu would proceed to sea again. The Admiralty then issued orders that Dakar was to be watched by an 8” cruiser within sight of the French port by dayand within three miles by night. HMS Hermes was to remain off Dakar until relieved by HMS Dorsetshire after this ship had returned from fueling at Freetown. HMS Hermes arrived at Dakar at 0900/29. During the day she embarked Fleet Air Arm personnel and stores which had been landed there earlier. She then completed with fuel and sailed at 1800/29. She then patrolled off Dakar until she was relieved by HMS Dorsetshire at 1800/30. The Commander-in-Chief had sailed from Dakar in HMS Albatros at 1030/29. He arrived at Freetown at 1800/30 and transferred his flag to the accommodation ship Edinburgh Castle. Deterioration of Franco-British relations, 1 – 3 July 1940. The first few days of July saw a swift deterioration of Franco-British relations everywhere. The paramount importance of keeping the French fleet out of the hands of the enemy forced the British Government to take steps. According to the armistice terms the French fleet had to assemble at ports under German or Italian control and be demilitarized. To the Government it was clear that this would mean that the French ships would be brought into action against us. The Government therefore decided to offer the French naval commanders the following options; - to continue the fight against the Axis, to completely immobilization in certain ports or to demilitarize or sink their ships. Already a powerful squadron, known as ‘Force H’ had been assembled at Gibraltar, in order to fill the strategic naval vacuum in the Western Mediterranean caused by the defection of the French fleet, and on 30 June Vice-Admiral James Sommerville hoisted his flag in HMS Hood. His first task was to present the British alternatives to the Admiral commanding the French ships at Oran, failing the acceptance of one of them, he was to use force. To return to West-Africa, HMS Hermes reached Freetown with the Fleet Air Arm passengers and stores from Dakar on 2 July. Early that afternoon the Commander-in-Chief asked the Consul General at Dakar to obtain, if possible, assurance from the French Admiral there that if British warships were not allowed to use Dakar, enemy men-of-war should also be forbidden to use it. At 1915/2, the ex-British Liaison Officer, who had not yet left Dakar, reported the arrival of a British merchant ship which had not been diverted. He also reported that the French ships Katiola and Potiers might be sailing for Casablanca, escorted by armed merchant cruisers and destroyers. The Admiralty however ordered HMS Dorsetshire, which was maintaining the watch on Dakar, to take no action. At 2310/2 the Commander-in-Chief asked the Consul-General whether there was any chance of the Polish and Belgian bullion which was in the armed merchant cruiser Victor Schoelcher being transferred to either the Katiola or Potiers. He received no reply, and the continued silence of the British Consul led him to believe that the Consul’s signals were either being held up or mutilated. Next forenoon, 3 July, the Commander-in-Chief informed the Admiralty that he intended to divert all British shipping in the South Atlantic from all French ports. Early that morning Vice-Admiral Sommerville’s Force H had arrived off Oran. For the next ten hours strenuous efforts were made to persuade the French Admiral to accept one of the British alternatives, but without success. At 1554 hours (zone -1) Force H sadly opened fire on the ships of their former ally at Mers-el-Kebir, inflicting heavy damage and grievous loss of life. None could predict the result of these measures on the Franco-British relations, but it was sure they would not be improved. During the afternoon of July 3rd the Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic, on Admiralty instructions, directed all British Naval Control Officers and Consular Shipping Advisers to order all Biritsh and Allied ships to leave French ports as soon as possible, if necessary disregarding French instructions. All British warships in French ports were to remain at short notice and to prepared for every eventuality. The only warship in a French port within the limits of the South Atlantic Station at the time was HMS Bulolo, which was at Manoka in the Cameroons. At 2048 hours (B.S.T.) the Admiralty ordered all British warships in French ports to proceed to sea and at 2223 hours the Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic ordered HMS Bulolo to proceed to Lagos, where she was to remain with HMS Dragon (Capt. R.G. Bowes-Lyon, MVO, RN) until further orders. HMS Dorsetshire off Dakar, 3-7 July 1940. Meanwhile HMS Dorsetshire had continued her watch off Dakar. On 3 July 1940 there were sixteen French warships and seven auxiliaries in the harbour. This number included the battleship Richelieu, the large destroyers Fleuret, Milan, Epervier, the armed merchant cruisers El D’Jezair, El Kantara, El Mansour, Ville d’Oran, Ville d’Alger, Victor Schoelcher and Charles Plumier, the colonial sloop Bougainville, the submarines Le Heros and Le Glorieux. At 0917/3 the Admiralty asked the Commander-in-Chief for the Richelieu’s berth at Dakar. HMS Dorsetshire informed him that at 1125/3 she was in position 045°, Cape Manuel lighthouse, 2.6 nautical miles, ships head 230°. Captain Martin seems to have drawn his own conclusions from this question and at 1350 hours he signalled to the the Commander-in-Chief his opinion that the Richelieu’s propellers could be severely damaged by depth charges dropped from a fast motor dinghy, and he asked permission to carry out such an attack about 2300 hours that night. Vice-Admiral Lyon replied that he had no instructions from the Admiralty to take offensive action against the Richelieu. At 1625 hours, however, the Admiralty ordered HMS Dorsetshire to get ready, but to await approval before actually carrying out an attack. This was followed at 1745 hours by a signal that the proposed attack was not approved as it was feared to be ineffective and for the time being the idea was ‘shelved’. [More on this idea later on.] At 1904/3, the Admiralty ordered HMS Hermes to leave Freetown with all despatch to join HMS Dorsetshire off Dakar at 0500/5. At 2112/3 the Admiralty ordered HMS Dorsetshire to shadow the Richelieu if she sailed and proceeded northwards. If the vessel however made for the French West Indies, the Dorsetshire was to make every effort to destroy her by torpedo attack, and, if that failed, by ramming [ !!! ]. Late that evening the French Government decreed that all British ships and aircraft were forbidden, under penalty of being fired upon without warning, to approach within 20 nautical miles of French territory at home or overseas. Just before midnight the Admiralty gave orders that HMAS Australia (Capt. R.S. Stewart, RN), after refueling at Freetown, was to join HMS Dorsetshire off Dakar. At 0926/4, the Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic ordered HMS Hermes and HMAS Australia to rendez-vous with HMS Dorsetshire 21 nautical miles from Dakar instead of the 15 nautical miles previously arranged and at 1037 hours he informed all three ships that as the French Air Force and submarines had orders to attack British ships off Casablanca and Dakar. He therefore issued orders that French aircraft and submarines were to be attacked and destroyed on sight. During that afternoon the Prime Minister announced in the House of Commons that, as an alternative to the German demands, French warships might proceed to the West Indies. At 2041 hours the Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic asked whether, in view of this, the Admiralty intended that the Richelieu should be attacked if she was to proceed to the West Indies. Before this message was received, a signal was sent at 2050 hours cancelling the orders for the Richelieu’s destruction and at about midnight the Admiralty directed that she should be shadowed only. Early on the 5th the Consul-General at Dakar reported that the merchant vessel Argyll with Commander J. Rushbrooke, RN, the ex-British Naval Liaison Officer, Dakar and his staff onboard, had, in accordance with instructions from the French authorities left Dakar the previous day but that she was recalled on reaching the outer boom, an order which had led the Consul-General to make a protest. Soon after midnight 4/5 July orders were received from the Admiralty that the sloop HMS Milford (Capt. R.J. Shaw, MBE, RN) should be sent to join the patrol off Dakar to provide A/S protection. She left Freetown for Dakar at 1000/5. At 0723/5, in view of the French order forbidding the approach of British vessels and aircraft within 20 nautical miles from French territory at home and overseas, the Commander-in-Chief ordered his ships off Dakar not to approach within 20 nautical miles of the shore and replied in the affirmative when HMS Dorsetshire asked whether this rule also applied by night. During the afternoon he informed his command that French warships was orders not to attack the British unless they were within these 20 nautical miles. He later added that also submarines had the same orders. At 1853/5, the Commander-in-Chief ordered HMS Dorsetshire, HMAS Australia, HMS Hermes and HMS Milford not to attack French submarines outside the 20 mile zone unless they were obviously hostile. An Admiralty report then came in the the Richelieu was reported to have put to sea but HMS Dorsetshire quickly contradicted that report. Dispositions off Dakar at 0300 on 7 July 1940. At 0300/7, two of the British warships off Dakar which were under the command of Capt. Martin (being the senior officer) were patrolling of Dakar (HMS Dorsetshire and HMS Hermes). The third ship (HMAS Australia) was patrolling about 35 to 40 nautical miles further to the north. The fourth ship HMS Milford was approaching Dakar from the south. At 0307 hours a signal from the Admiralty was received which gave a completely different complexion to their operations. More on this in the event for 7 July 1940, The attack on the Richelieu.. This event can be found on the pages of the ships involved; HMS Hermes, HMS Dorsetshire, HMAS Australia and HMS Milford.

Submarine HMS Parthian: HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, RN) arrived during the night off Tobruk, in time to observe a RAF raid over the harbour.

Submarine HMS Porpoise: At 0029 hours HMS Porpoise (Cdr. P.Q. Roberts, RN) was charging her batteries north of Halten when she was attacked by a seaplane, she had barely the time to dive when a bomb exploded near her stern causing minor damage.

Submarine HMS Truant: HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed from Rosyth for exercises in the Firth of Forth together with ORP Wilk. Truant also makes several dummy attacks on HMS Vivien. After the exercises Truant departed from for her 9th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Trondheim area. Later patrol is shifted to the Stavanger area. For the daily positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.

Submarine HMS Tetrarch: HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Mills, RN) torpedoed and sank the German tanker Samland (5978 GRT, built 1929) south-west of Lista, Norway in position 58°12'N, 06°13'E. (All times are zone -1) 0447 hours - Sighted an enemy transport vessel of about 8000 tons right ahead. Range was about 4 nautical miles. Started attack. Three or four small escorts (E-boats or R-boats) [Sammland was escorted by minesweepers from the 3rd R-Flotilla, R 33, R 34, R 35, R 36, R 37, R 38, R 39, R 40] were sighted to be screening the enemy. 0508 hours - Fired four torpedoes from 1500 yards and went to 60 feet. Two hits were obtained. Tetrarch eventually went to 250 feet. The enemy dropped only 2 depth charges which did no damage. The hunt continued until around 0900 hours. 0930 hours - Returned to periscope depth. Nothing in sight.

Destroyer HMS Nubian: Opertion MD 2 Destroyer A/S sweep off Alexandria. At 1400 hours the following destroyers left Alexandria for A/S sweeps; Force M: HMS Nubian (Cdr. R.W. Ravenhill, RN), HMS Mohawk (Cdr. J.W.M. Eaton, RN), HMS Janus (Cdr. J.A.W. Tothill, RN) and HMS Juno (Cdr. W.E. Wilson, RN). Force H: HMS Hyperion (Cdr. H.St.L. Nicolson, RN), HMS Havock (Lt.Cdr. R.E. Courage, DSO, RN), HMS Hereward (Lt.Cdr. C.W. Greening, RN) and HMS Hasty (Lt.Cdr. L.R.K. Tyrwhitt, RN). Force S: HMS Stuart (Capt. H.M.L. Waller, RAN), HMAS Vampire (Cdr. J.A. Walsh, RAN), HMS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) and HMS Dainty (Cdr. M.S. Thomas, RN). The next day, the 17th, a report was received that four enemy light craft were seen at noon off the Syrian coast steering south. Force M was then ordered to proceed to the Scarpanto Strait and Force H was ordered to proceed to a position 60 nautical miles to the south of Cyprus. Also the light cruiser HMS Gloucester (Capt. F.R. Garside, CBE, RN) sailed from Alexandria to support them. The report appeared to be false and HMS Gloucester and the destroyers of Force M returned to Alexandria on the 19th. The destroyers of Forces H and S had returned there on the 18th.

Submarine HMS L 23: HMS L 23 (Lt. C.G. Walker, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow for A/S training. [As no log is available for this period no details can be given.]

1941

Light cruiser HNMS Tromp: At 1545 hours, HrMs Tromp (Capt. J.W. Termijtelen, RNN), stopped escorting the Tabian. Tromp now set course for Suva while the Tabian continued on her way.

Submarine HNMS O 14: HrMs O 14 (Lt.Cdr. G. Quint, RNN(R)) conducted A/S exercises at / off Scapa Flow with ORP Krakowiak (Cdr. T. Gorazdowski, ORP), HMS Jupiter (Lt.Cdr. N.V.J.P. Thew, RN), HMS Bedouin (Cdr. J.A. McCoy, DSO, RN) and HMS Punjabi (Cdr. S.A. Buss, MVO, RN).

Submarine HNMS O 14: HrMs O 14 (Lt.Cdr. G. Quint, RNN(R)) conducted A/S exercises at / off Scapa Flow with ORP Krakowiak (Cdr. T. Gorazdowski, ORP), HMS Jupiter (Lt.Cdr. N.V.J.P. Thew, RN), HMS Bedouin (Cdr. J.A. McCoy, DSO, RN) and HMS Punjabi (Cdr. S.A. Buss, MVO, RN).

Submarine HNMS O 10: HrMs O 10 (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Shemara (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Buckle, RN) and HMS Tuscarora (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) N.T.B. Holt, RN).

Submarine HMS Unbeaten: HMS Unbeaten (Lt. E.A. Woodward, RN) fired four torpedoes at a big Italian troop transport, thought to be either Oceania or Neptunia at the Southern entrance to the Straits of Messina in position in position 37°51'N, 15°26'E. The torpedoes however miss the target. According to Italian sources this convoy was made up of the German ships Spezia (1825 GRT, built 1924), Trapani (1855 GRT, built 1926) and Livorno (1829 GRT, built 1924) escorted by the Italian armed merchant cruiser Città di Genova (5413 GRT, built 1930) proceeding from Bari and Brindisi to Catania. An escorting aircraft, Cant Z.501 no.10 of 184^ Squadriglia, sighted three torpedo tracks and dropped two bombs, claiming to have hit the submarine but this was not the case. The target of this attack must have been the Città di Genova. (All times are zone -2) 0819 hours - Sighted the masts of a convoy. 10 minutes later it was established that the convoy was made up of three merchant vessels of about 2000 tons and a very large liner. Lt.Cdr. Woodward closed at high speed to attack the liner. 0909 hours - Fired four torpedoes from about 7400 yards. Two hits were claimed. 0926 hours - Nine depth charges were dropped. Lt.Cdr. Woodward decided to stay deep and only returned to periscope depth at 1200 hours to find nothing in sight except patrolling aircraft.

Submarine HMS Oberon: HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Pizey, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course).

Submarine HMS Severn: HMS Severn (Lt.Cdr. A.N.G. Campbell, RN) is ordered by signal (V.A.C.N.A. 1910A/16) to take up a patrol position off Palermo.

Submarine HMS Clyde: HMS Clyde (Cdr. D.C. Ingram, DSC, RN) ended her 15th war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean) at Gibraltar.

Submarine HMS Torbay: At 0800 hours (time zone -3) HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) arrived at Alexandria.

Submarine HMS Uproar: HMS P 31 (Lt. J.B.de B. Kershaw, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Scapa Flow.

Submarine HMS H 32: HMS H 32 (Lt. B.G. Heslop, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS St. Modwen (Cdr.(Retd.) W.A. Ford, RN) and HMS Valena (Lt.Cdr. A.F.C. Gray, RNR).

Submarine HMS H 33: HMS H 33 (Lt. N. Marriott, DSC, RN) departed Rothesay for Methill.

Submarine HMS H 34: HMS H 34 (Lt. H. Winter, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Beverley (Lt.Cdr. J. Grant, RN), HNoMS St. Albans (Capt. G. Hovdenak, RNorN) and aircraft.

Submarine HMS H 44: HMS H 44 (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle.

Submarine USS R-2: USS R-2 (Lt. D.T. Hammond, USN) departed New London, Connecticut for Key West, Florida.

Submarine HMS L 26: HMS L 26 (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory.

1942

Destroyer USS Tattnall: USS Tatnall and USS Erie pick up 93 survivors from the American Lebore that was torpedoed and sunk on 14 June 1942 by German U-boat U-172 about 200 miles north of Cristobal, Panama in position 12°53'N, 80°40'W. Among these 93 survivors were 49 survivors from the Dutch merchant Crijnssen.

Destroyer HNMS Isaac Sweers: HMS Carlisle (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO, RN), and HrMs Isaac Sweers (Capt. W. Harmsen, RNN) arrived at Gibraltar. They departed, after fuelling, later the same day for the U.K.

Submarine HNMS O 24: HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducts trials off Dundee.

Submarine HNMS O 10: HrMs O 10 (Lt. Baron D.T. Mackay, RNN) participated in A/S exercises with ML's off Ardishaig. Upon completion of these exercises O 10 proceeded to Campbeltown.

Submarine USS Tambor: USS Tambor (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Murphy, Jr) returns to Pearl Harbor.

Submarine USS Tuna: USS Tuna (Lt.Cdr. J.L. De Tar) ended her 2nd war patrol at Pearl Harbor.

Submarine USS Seadragon: In the evening USS Seadragon (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) made the northbound passage of Lombok Strait on the surface.

Submarine USS Pollack: USS Pollack (Lt.Cdr. Stanley P. Moseley) ended her third war patrol at Pearl Harbor. She went into overhaul at the Pearl Harbor Navy Yard.

Submarine USS Greenling: USS Greenling (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Bruton) ended her 1st war patrol at Pearl Harbor.

Submarine HMS Otway: HMS Otway (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area training a class of new submariners.

Submarine HMS Unrivalled: HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Scapa Flow with HMS Salamander (Lt. W.R. Muttram, RN), HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Kruys, RNethN), HMS Offa (Cdr. R.A. Ewing, DSC, RN) and HMAS Nepal (Cdr. F.B. Morris, RAN).

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

Submarine HMS H 44: HMS H 44 (Lt. R.P. Webb, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle.

Submarine HMS H 50: HMS H 50 (Lt. C.E. Oxborrow, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.

Submarine HMS P 511: HMS P 511 (Lt. D.E.O. Watson, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

Submarine USS R-2: USS R-2 (Lt. D.T. Hammond, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-4: USS R-4 (Lt. P.W. Garnett, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-10: USS R-10 (Lt.Cdr. B.E. Lewellen, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

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

Submarine USSR ShCh-304: ShCh-304 fires a torpedo against the German minesweeper depot ship MRS 12 / N?rnberg (5635 GRT). The torpedo missed its target.

Submarine USSR ShCh-317: ShCh-317 torpedoed and sank the Finnish merchant Argo (2513 GRT) in the Baltic east of Stockholm, Sweden in position 59°21'N, 20°14'E. Later this day ShCh-317 attacked but misses the Swedish merchant Ulla (2436 GRT). Ulla had survivors aboard from the Argo.

Submarine USSR ShCh-320: At 1237 hours, ShCh-320 fires two torpedoes against the German minesweeper depot ship MRS 12 / N?rnberg (5635 GRT) west of Porkkala, Finland. Both torpedoes missed their target.

Destroyer ORP Piorun: Piorun departed from Canada as part of the escort of a convoy to Great Britain.

Submarine HMS L 23: HMS L 23 (Lt. E.J.D. Turner, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class off new submariners.

Submarine HMS L 26: HMS L 26 (Lt. C.A. Pardoe, RNR) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with a training class of new submariners.

Submarine HMS P 614: HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.

Cutter USCGC Escanaba: USCGC Escanaba picks up 39 survivors from the American passenger ship Cherokee that was torpedoed and sunk by the German U-boat U-87 northeast of Cape Cod in position 42°25'N, 69°10'W.

1943

Battleship USS Iowa: USS Iowa (Capt. J.L. McCrea, USN) arrived at Gravesend Bay, New York. She then started disembarking all aircraft and ammunition.

Submarine HNMS K XV: HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) departed New London for Dundee. For the daily positions of HrMs K XV during this passage see the map below.

Submarine USS Albacore: USS Albacore (Lt.Cdr. Oscar Emil Hagberg) departed from Brisbane for her 5th war patrol, and was ordered to patrol in the Bismarck and Solomon Islands area.

Submarine HMS Ursula: HMS Ursula (T/Lt. M.D. Tattersall, RNVR) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

Submarine HMS Otus: HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. W.N. Eade, RNR) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.

Submarine HMS Severn: In the evening HMS Severn (Lt.Cdr. A.N.G. Campbell, RN), landed a sick rating at Gibraltar before continuing her passage to Algiers.

Submarine HMS Sceptre: HMS Sceptre (Lt. I.S. McIntosh, MBE, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. She departed for Plymouth later the same day together with FFS Rubis (Lt.Cdr. H.L.G. Rousselot).

Submarine HMS Sibyl: HMS Sibyl (Lt. E.J.D. Turner, DSC, RN) ended her 10th war patrol (8th in the Mediterranean) at Algiers.

Submarine HMS Truant: HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow.

Submarine HMS Thrasher: HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) departed Port H.H.Z. (Loch Cairnbawn) for Kames Bay. She had midget submarine X-7 in tow. They were escorted by HMS Alecto (Lt.Cdr. H.A.L. Marsham, RN).

Submarine HMS Trusty: HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) departed from Gibraltar for Holy Loch.

Submarine HMS Trespasser: HMS Trespasser (Lt. R.M. Favell, RN) is docked at Oran.

Submarine HMS Tantalus: HMS Tantalus (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Mackenzie, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar.

Submarine HMS Upright: HMS Upright (Lt. P.R.H. Harrison, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) was docked at Blyth.

Submarine HMS Ultimatum: HMS Ultimatum (Lt. W.H. Kett, RNR) arrived at Scapa Flow.

Submarine HMS Unbroken: In the morning HMS Unbroken (Lt. B.J.B. Andrew, DSC, RN) attacked an A/S schooner with one torpedo. It missed. This was the armed schooner Misuraca. In the evening Unbroken attacked what was thought to be a medium seized tanker with four torpedoes off Crotone. No hits were obtained and it was later thought that the target was an A/S vessel instead of a tanker. Possibly this was the naval ammunition transport Vallelunga (1071 tons, built 1924) escorted by the torpedo boat Sagittario, they had sailed from Crotone for Messina. (All times are zone -1) 0715 hours - Sighted an A/S schooner. Closed. 0940 hours - The schooner was seen to be stopped in position 39°19'N, 17°21'E. Fired one torpedo from 850 yards. The torpedo ran under and exploded at the end of its run. The target was not considered worth another torpedo. --------------------------------------- 1943 hours - Sighted smoke to the northwards. 2052 hours - Sighted a torpedo-boat (a modern one) steering south towards Crotone. About 3 nautical miles off the harbour stopped and was joined by what was thought to be a medium seized tanker. The torpedo-boat joined up ahead and both ships moved south towards Unbroken. Started attack. 2114 hours - In position 39°04'N, 17°17'E fired four torpedoes at the tanker from about 2500 yards. It was almost dark and the target was not very clear. No hits were obtained. Unbroken had gone deep and retired from the scene. After the attack it was thought that the target was not a tanker but a much smaller A/S vessel.

Submarine HMS Unison: HMS Unison (Lt. A.R. Daniell, DSC, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian merchant Terni (2998 GRT, former French Azrou, built 1931) off Catania, Sicily, Italy. Terni was en-route from Naples to Syracuse, escorted by the torpedo boat Orione and the corvettes Driade and Persefone. Ten survivors were picked up by Driade, thirty-nine of her crew perished as well as a number of her passengers. The two corvettes hunted the submarine and Driade claimed it sunk but Antisom rejected the claim, assessing it as ‘slightly damaged’. (All times are zone -2) 1822 hours - In position 37°26'N, 15°15'E sighted a funnel and smoke bearing 349°. Two ships could be seen but their course could not yet be made out. 1840 hours - Returned to periscope depth to have a second look. The enemy was seen to be a single merchant ship escorted by a destroyer ahead and two torpedo boats on either beam. Started attack. 1905 hours - In position 37°29'N, 15°13'E fired four torpedoes from 1000 yards. One torpedo hit was heard. This explosion was followed by a heavier one and then what was judged as another hit. At 1909 hours this was succeeded by a terrific concussion which severely shook the submarine (and her inmates) breaking about thirty lamps and bringing down from the pressure hull a rain of rust and cork-paint. This was the target blowing up. 1914 hours - A counter attack was started in which thirty depth charges were dropped but none were very close. 2328 hours - Surfaced to the north-eastward of the attack position. Nothing in sight.

Submarine HMS United: At 0752 hours (zone -2), HMS United (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) sighted a German U-boat in position 37.52'N, 15.44'E. the U-boat was going very fast and a good attack position could not be obtained. Torpedoes were therefore not fired. Shortly afterwards the U-boat made rendezvous with a small Italian patrol vessel and proceeded north to pass through the Straits of Messina. The U-boat in question was U-593 en-route to her patrol area of the North-African coast. She had departed Pola in the Adriatic on the 13th but a defect had forced her to proceed to Messina for repairs.

Submarine HMS Unshaken: HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) departed Malta for her 15th war patrol (11th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol to the east of Sicily. For the daily and attack positions of HMS Unshaken during this patrol see the map below.

Submarine HMS Unsparing: HMS Unsparing (Lt. A.D. Piper, DSC and 2 bars, RNR) departed Algiers for her 2nd war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off southern France. For the daily and attack positions of HMS Unsparing during this patrol see the map below.

Submarine HMS Untiring: HMS Untiring (Lt. R. Boyd, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar.

Submarine HMS Upstart: HMS Upstart (Lt. P.C. Chapman, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Scapa Flow with HMS Arrow (Lt.Cdr. W.W. Fitzroy, RN), HMS Obedient (Lt.Cdr. H. Unwin, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Skye (T/Lt. W.G. Burt, RNR) and HMS Bootle (Lt. A. Ecclestone, RN).

Submarine HNoMS Ula: HNoMS Ula (Lt. R.M. Sars) departed Scapa Flow for Lerwick.

Submarine HMS H 32: HMS H 32 (Lt. J.A.R. Troup, DSC, RN) arrived at Londonderry (Lough Foyle).

Submarine HMS H 33: HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) shifted from Londonderry to Rothesay. She was escorted by HMS Blade (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S.T. Wenlock, RNR).

Submarine HMS H 34: HMS H 34 (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) arrived at Lough Foyle. There she conducted A/S exercises with HMS Teviot (Lt.Cdr. T. Taylor, DSC, RN), HMS Wellington (Cdr. G.A. Thring, DSO, RN), HMS Violet (Lt. C.N. Stewart, RNR), HMS Coreopsis (T/Lt. B.C. Hamilton, RNR), HMS Leith (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) A.W. Preston, RN) and HMS Anchusa (T/Lt. H.V. Gordon, DSC, RNVR).

Submarine HMS H 44: HMS H 44 (Lt. R. Bannar-Martin, RN) departed Portsmouth for Sheerness. She took passage in a convoy.

Submarine HMS H 50: HMS H 50 (Lt. J.M. Michell, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with (at least) HMS Tuscarora (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) H.T. Pitt, RN).

Submarine HMS P 511: HMS P 511 (Lt. C.W. Taylor, RNR) arrived at Londonderry.

Submarine HMS P 512: HMS P 512 (Lt. R.B. Foster, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Bermuda.

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

Submarine USS R-11: USS R-11 (Lt.Cdr. W.B. Parham, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

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

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.

1944

Battleship USS Iowa: During the morning, the heavy ships including USS Iowa (Capt. J.L. McCrea, USN), Topped off the destroyers of the Task Group with fuel. Iowa herself also received fuel from an oiler.

Light cruiser HNMS Tromp: HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) departed Colombo for Trincomalee.

Submarine HNMS O 9: HrMs O 9 (Lt. R.W. van Lynden, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Bretwalda (Skr. J.B. Henderson, RNR).

Submarine HNMS O 10: HrMs O 10 (Lt.Cdr. A. van Altena, RNN(R)) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS St. Modwen (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Lycett, DSC, RNR) and HMS Spaniel.

Submarine USS Guardfish: With her overhaul completed USS Guardfish (Lt.Cdr. N.G. Ward) departed from Pearl Harbor for her 8th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off Formosa together with USS Thresher and USS Piranha.

Submarine USS Bluefish: While on her 5th war patrol USS Bluefish (Lt.Cdr. C.M. Henderson) torpedoed and sank the Japanese merchant Nanshin Maru (1422 GRT) in the Celebes Sea south-west of Tarakan, Borneo, Netherlands East Indies in position 02°22'N, 118°24'E.

Submarine USS Bream: USS Bream (Lt.Cdr. W.G. Chapple) torpedoed and sank the Japanese army cargo ships Yuki Maru (5704 GRT) and Hinode Maru (1916 GRT) off Halmahera Island in position 02°23'N, 128°43'E.

Submarine USS Tunny: USS Tunny (Lt.Cdr. J.A. Scott) sank a Japanese trawler with gunfire north of Luzon, Philippines in position 20°10'N, 121°18'E.

Submarine USS Aspro: USS Aspro (Cdr. W.A. Stevenson, USN) ended her 3rd war patrol at Fremantle, Australia. She was escorted in by USS SC-739. Refit was commenced by submarine division 122 relief crew and was completed on 30 June 1944.

Submarine USS Barbero: USS Barbero (Cdr. I.S. Hartman, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS Becuna: USS Becuna (Cdr. H.D. Sturr, USN) conducted deep diving trials in the New London area.

Submarine HMS Sea Rover: HMS Sea Rover (Lt. J.P. Angell, RN) departed Trincomalee for her 5th war patrol (4th in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol in the Malacca Straits off Penang. For the daily and attack positions of HMS Sea Rover during this patrol see the map below. View HMS Sea Rover 5th war patrol in a larger map

Submarine HMS Tribune: HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. W.N. Eade, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners.

Submarine HMS Tuna: HMS Tuna (A/Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR) departed Rothesay for Blyth. She made part of the passage together with HMS Viking (Lt. R. Bannar-Martin, DSC, RN) which joined for passage to Scapa Flow. They were escorted by HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR).

Submarine HMS Trusty: HMS Trusty (Lt. L.E. Herrick, DSO, RN) departed from Dundee for Edinburgh where she is to participate in D/F experiments. She is escorted by HMS ML 229 (T/Lt. W.C.R. Walsh, RNVR).

Submarine HMS Templar: HMS Templar (Lt. T.G. Ridgeway, RN) ended her 10th war patrol (7th in the Far East) at Trincomalee.

Submarine HMS Tiptoe: HMS Tiptoe (Lt.Cdr. P.R.H. Harrison, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.

Submarine HMS Upright: HMS Upright (Lt. J.A.L. Wilkinson, RN) shifted from Tobermory to Oban.

Submarine HMS Ultimatum: HMS Ultimatum (Lt. W.H. Kett, DSC, RNR) arrived at Bone.

Submarine HMS United: During the night of 16/17 June 1944, HMS United (Lt. N.R. Wood, RN), conducted A/S exercises off Fishguard together with aircraft.

Submarine HMS Unrivalled: HMS Unrivalled (Lt. D.S. Brown, RNVR) conducted exercises off Stornoway with HNoMS Farsund.

Submarine HMS Ultor: HMS Ultor (Lt. G.E. Hunt, DSC and Bar, RN) departed La Maddalena for her 17th war patrol (15th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off southern France. For the daily and attack positions of HMS Ultor see the map below.

Submarine HMS Unsparing: HMS Unsparing (Lt. A.D. Piper, DSC and 2 bars, RNR) departed Malta for her 12th war patrol (11th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the southern Aegean. For the daily and attack positions of HMS Unsparing during this patrol see the map below.

Submarine HMS Varangian: HMS Varangian (Lt. G.J. Glennie, RANVR) departed Rothesay for Oban.

Submarine HMS Vigorous: HMS Vigorous (Lt. J.C. Ogle, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Malta.

Submarine HMS Vulpine: HMS Vulpine (T/Lt. P.S. Thirsk, DSC, RNR) conducted noise trials at Loch Goil.

Submarine HMS H 32: HMS H 32 (Lt. M.D. Hutley, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Shemara (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Buckle, RN) and HMS La Cordeliere (Lt.Cdr. A.J.G. Barff, RNR).

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.Cdr. G.F. Sharp, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-11: USS R-11 (Lt.Cdr. W.B. Parham, 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) is put on the slipway at Key West.

Submarine USSR M-201: M-201 fires two torpedoes against the wreck of the German merchant Natal (3172 GRT, built 1922) off Makkaur.

Submarine HMS L 23: HMS L 23 (Lt. H.R. Murray, RN) shifted from Digby to St. John, New Brunswick.

1945

Destroyer USS Compton: USS Compton departed from Leyte, Philippines to rejoin the fleet.

Submarine USS Guardfish: USS Guardfish (Lt.Cdr. D.T. Hammond) sank a Japanese fishing vessel with gunfire east of Honshu in position 38°23'N, 145°00'E.

Submarine USS Ray: USS Ray (Cdr. W.T. Kinsella) ended her 7th war patrol at Midway.

Submarine USS Baya: USS Baya (Lt.Cdr. B.C. Jarvis, USN) suffered a fire in the maneuvering room. She reversed course to return to Fremantle for repairs.

Submarine USS Chivo: USS Chivo (Lt.Cdr. W.R. Crutcher, USNR) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS Chopper: Having completed her torpedo trials, USS Chopper (Lt.Cdr. S. Filipone, USN), returned to New London, Connecticut.

Submarine USS Sea Robin: USS Sea Robin (Cdr. P.C. Stimson) departed from Guam for her 3rd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the East China and Yellow Seas.

Submarine USS Torsk: USS Torsk (Cdr. B.E. Lewellen) ended her 1st war patrol at Pearl Harbor.

Submarine HMS Turpin: HMS Turpin (A/Lt.Cdr. J.S. Stevens, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) arrived at Gibraltar.

Submarine HMS Seadog: HMS Seadog (Lt. E.A. Hobson, DSC, RN) ended her 15th war patrol (3rd in the East Indies) at Trincomalee.

Submarine HMS Scotsman: HMS Scotsman (Lt. A.H.B. Anderson, DSC, RNR) arrived at Gibraltar.

Submarine HMS Sturdy (ii): HMS Sturdy (T/Lt. F.A. Wicker, RNVR) arrived at Gibraltar.

Submarine HMS Supreme: During 16 and 17 June 1945 HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) conducted exercises off Subic Bay. These included night exercises.

Submarine HMS Sea Scout: HMS Sea Scout (Lt. J.W. Kelly, RN) departed Subic Bay for her 5th war patrol (4th in the Far East and 2nd in the South-West Pacific area). She was ordered to patrol in the Gulf of Siam in a wolf-pack consisting of herself and her sister ships HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) and HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) as well as the U.S. submarines USS Charr (Cdr. F.D. Boyle, USN) and USS Lamprey (Lt.Cdr. L.B. McDonald, USN). The Commanding Officers of the USS Charr was the senior officer of the wolf-pack. For the daily and attack positions of HMS Sea Scout during this patrol see the map below. View HMS Sea Scout 5th war patrol in a larger map

Submarine HMS Spur: HMS Spur (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) arrived at Gibraltar.

Submarine HMS Trident: HMS Trident (Lt. A.R. Profit, DSC, RN) sank a Japanese landing craft with gunfire off the west coast of Sumatra. (All times are zone -6.5) 1150 hours - Trident spotted a camouflaged landing craft. At 1201 hours Trident surfaced and engaged the landing craft with 4" gunfire. The landing craft was left beached in position 00°14'6"S, 98°32'5"E and abandoned after 27 rounds were fired.

Submarine HMS Truncheon: HMS Truncheon (A/Lt.Cdr. R.J. Clutterbuck, DSO, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Arrochar for more torpedo discharge trials which were conducted in the afternoon.

Submarine HMS Taciturn: HMS Taciturn (Lt.Cdr. E.T. Stanley, DSO, DSC, RN) sank a Japanese air warning picket hulk (this was the hulk of the salvaged former Dutch submarine K-XVIII) and the Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 105 (130 tons) with gunfire in the Madoera Strait to the north of Surabaya, Java, Netherlands East Indies. Also an accommodation hulk was sunk in shallower water with a torpedo. (All times are zone -9) 1740 hours - Sighted a 150 tons ' sugar dog ' to the Southward proceeding on a North-Easterly course. Closed. 1750 hours - Sighted further vessels to the Southard. These could not yet be identified due to the mirage. 1800 hours - Surfaced and engaged the sugar dog with 4" gunfire. The other vessels could now be identified. There was a K-16 class Dutch submarine covered with yellow lead and rust, she was very high in the water. About 2 nautical miles to the South there was a hulk of what might have once been a large river steamer about 350 feet in length, she was roofed over and several promenade decks were visible. There was also a submarine chaser that appeared to be towing the hulk. The sugar dog opened fire on Taciturn with a machine gun (probably 13mm). The remainder of the ships were stopped in the water and these fired periodically with various light weapons. Fire was then shifted to the hulk and the chaser (that appeared to be alongside). Several hits were obtained and the hulk was seen listing shortly afterwards. Meanwhile the Oerlikon had taken over from the 4" gun with engaging the sugar dog. Range was 2000 yards but the sugar dog opened up the range and fled from the scene and made off to the Westward. It was reluctantly decided to let her go as the 4" gun had to engage the submarine chaser that was now seen to come towards. She abandoned her efforts after a few hits so target was now shifted to the rusty submarine hulk whose machine gun fire became annoying as the range closed. A considerable number of 4" rounds were fired against her before she was seen to be sinking in position 06°52'S, 112°48'E. One of the hits was a direct hit on her gun. Range was then closed with the submarine chaser. She took a great many hits but refused to catch fire. A machine gun crew of her kept on firing until just before she was seen to sink in position 06°53'S, 112°48'E. Now the large hulk became the target again but as she was seen to be close inshore she could not be closed enough to finish her off with gunfire. Therefore a torpedo was fired at her but this ran to the right and missed astern. Another torpedo was fired that hit and the vessel sank in position 06°54'S, 112°48'E on the mud with only the upper works still showing. In all 205 rounds of 4" were fired in this action.

Submarine HMS Uproar: HMS Uproar (Lt. J.N. Devlin, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Llandudno. Upon completion of these exercises she proceeded to Moelfre Bay.

Submarine HMS Untiring: HMS Untiring (Lt. G.E.L.F. Edsell, RN) was undocked.

Submarine HMS Vampire: HMS Vampire (Lt. C.W. Taylor, RNR) arrived at Portsmouth.

Submarine HMS Varne: HMS Varne (Lt. I.G. Raikes, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory.

Submarine USS R-11: USS R-11 (Lt.Cdr. M. Abrahams, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

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.

Submarine USS Medregal: USS Medregal (Cdr. W.H. Wright, USN) departed New London, Connecticut for the Panama Canal Zone.

Submarine USS Pipefish: USS Pipefish (Cdr. W.N. Deragon) ended her 5th war patrol at Midway.

Submarine USS Piranha: USS Piranha (Cdr. D.G. Irvine) torpedoed and sank the Japanese merchant cargo ship Eiso Maru (6890 GRT) off the northern coast of Honshu, Japan in position 41°57'N, 140°56'E.

2005

Submarine HMS Sidon: On the 16th June 1955 the Submarine HMS Sidon suffered a torpedo explosion whilst alongside HMS Maidstone at Portland Harbour. The torpedo was an experimental one using High Test Peroxide the same type of fuel used in the torpedo, which is believed to have caused the more recent tragedy aboard the Russian Submarine Kursk In the Sidon accident 13 men lost their lives, they are buried at the Royal Naval Cemetery at Portland, but apart from their headstones there is no other memorial. There will be a memorial service held on the 50th Anniversary in 2005 at which time it is hoped that a Memorial stone will be unveiled. Dorset Branch of the Submariners Association would welcome contact from any members of the crew of the Sidon at the time of the accident, their families, or anyone involved in the salvage and rescue operation. Please contact Brian Hodder at brihod@btinternet.com or at 15 Rectory Road Broadmayne Dorset DT2 8EG Obviously things are at an early stage of planning at the present time, but closer to the commemoration date details of time and location will be sent out to those who have been in contact. Please feel free to contact me with any queries.