Laid down (46)

1917: Destroyer Mansfield (G 76) - Destroyer Mansfield (G 76) - Destroyer Evans (i) (DD 78)

1922: Battleship Nelson (28) - Battleship Rodney (29)

1928: Submarine Antiope

1933: Submarine O 16 - Light cruiser Giuseppe Garibaldi - Light cruiser Luigi di Savoia Duca Degli Abruzzi

1934: Large destroyer Mogador

1935: Submarine S-5 - Submarine S-6

1939: Boom defence vessel Barrhead (Z 40) - Boom defence vessel Barrington (Z 59) - Escort carrier Biter (D 97)

1940: Submarine Grouper (214)

1941: Submarine Templar (P 316)

1942: Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-277 (LCI(L)-277) - MS Trawler Bryher (T 350) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-277 (LCI(L)-277) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-279 (LCI(L)-279) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-281 (LCI(L)-281) - ASW Trawler Pollock (T 347) - Dock landing ship Gunston Hall (LSD 5) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-277 (LCI(L)-277) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-279 (LCI(L)-279) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-281 (LCI(L)-281) - Tank landing ship LST 269 (LST 269) - Escort carrier Mission Bay (CVE 59) - Fleet tug Quapaw (AT 110) - Submarine chaser SC-1273 (SC-1273) - Submarine chaser SC-1294 (SC-1294) - Minesweeper YMS-373 (YMS-373)

1943: Frigate Loch Craggie (K 609) - Frigate Loch Gorm (K 620) - Frigate Loch Killisport (K 628) - Landing craft tank LCT 711 (LCT 711) - Landing craft tank LCT 811 (LCT 811) - Tank landing ship LST 658 (LST 658) - Tank landing ship LST 687 (LST 687) - Patrol craft PC-1258 (PC-1258) - Patrol craft PC-1561 (PC-1561) - Destroyer Shea (DM 30)

1944: Medium landing ship LSM 433 (LSM 433) - Tank landing ship LST 1090 (LST 1090) - Tank landing ship LST 1110 (LST 1110)

Launched (38)

1917: Destroyer Vimy (D 33) - Destroyer Warwick (D 25)

1918: Submarine S-31 (136)

1931: Submarine Amazone

1933: Submarine M-16

1939: Escort destroyer Eglinton (L 87)

1940: Destroyer Mariz e Barros (M 1) - Corvette Galt (K 163) - Corvette Celandine (K 75) - Motor minesweeper MMS 20 (J 520)

1942: Minesweeper BYMS 2053 (J 853) - Landing Craft Tank LCT 615 (LCT 615) - Icebreaker Northwind (i) (WAGB 278) - Submarine chaser SC-1012 (SC-1012) - Destroyer Escort Tomich (DE 242)

1943: Corvette St. Thomas (K 488) - Frigate Awe (K 526) - Rescue Tug Director (W 137) - Landing Craft Tank LCT 1077 (LCT 1077) - Corvette Sandgate Castle (K 488) - Submarine Spark (P 236) - Minesweeper Stormcloud (J 367) - Submarine Vulpine (P 79) - Destroyer Escort Alexander J. Luke (DE 577) - Destroyer Escort Barr (DE 576) - Destroyer Brush (DD 745) - Landing craft tank LCT 704 (LCT 704) - Landing craft tank LCT 952 (LCT 952) - Light cruiser Pasadena (CL 65)

1944: Frigate Cardigan Bay (K 630) - Dock landing ship Cabildo (LSD 16) - Medium landing ship LSM 456 (LSM 456) - Tank landing ship LST 1116 (LST 1116) - Tank landing ship LST 871 (LST 871) - Tank landing ship LST 872 (LST 872) - Light cruiser Providence (CL 82) - Escort carrier Rendova (CVE 114)

1945: Destroyer Carpenter (DD 825)

Commissioned (31)

1918: Rescue Tug St. Issey (W 25)

1920: Destroyer Barry (DD 248)

1921: Oiler Kaweah (AO 15) - Oiler Laramie (AO 16) - Oiler Matolle (AO 17)

1927: River gunboat Wake (PR-3)

1940: Armed Merchant Cruiser Prince David (F 89)

1941: Motor minesweeper MMS 68 (J 568) - Corvette Oxlip (K 123)

1942: Frigate Itchen (K 227) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-252 (LCI(L)-252) - Landing Craft Tank LCT 571 (LCT 571) - Tank landing ship LST 320 (LST 320) - Tank landing ship LST 405 (LST 405) - Motor Torpedo Boat MTB 667 (MTB 667) - Motor Launch RML 553 (RML 553) - Destroyer Carmick (DD 493) - Tank landing ship LST 341 (LST 341) - Tank landing ship LST 397 (LST 397) - Motor torpedo boat PT 170 - Submarine chaser SC-734 (SC-734)

1943: Frigate Stockham (K 562) - Submarine Gabilan (252) - Escort carrier Gambier Bay (CVE 73) - Light cruiser Miami (CL 89) - Destroyer Escort OReilly (DE 330) - Salvage vessel Protector (ARS 14) - Anti-aircraft cruiser Reno (CL 96) - Submarine Tilefish (307)

1944: Medium landing ship LSM 447 (LSM 447)

1945: Submarine Sentinel (P 256)

1942: Rescue Tug St. Issey (W 25)

1943: Submarine Axum

1944: Tank landing ship LST 750 (LST 750)

More information on Allied Warships losses.

1939

Light cruiser HMS Caledon: HMS Caledon (Capt. C.P. Clarke, RN) arrived at Malta from Gibraltar.

Light cruiser HMS Colombo: Around 0815Z/28, HMS Colombo (Commodore R.J.R. Scott, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from patrol.

Light cruiser HMS Calypso: HMS Calypso (Capt. H.A. Rowley, RN) departed Gibraltar for Malta.

Heavy cruiser HMS Hawkins: HMS Hawkins (Capt. E. Rotherham, RN) proceeded from Portsmouth to Portland. En-route gunnery trials were carried out.

Light cruiser HMAS Perth: HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) and HMCS Assiniboine (Cdr. E. Mainguy, RCN) conducted exercises off Kingston. On completion of the exercises HMAS Perth set off to patrol off Aruba, Dutch West Indies.

Light cruiser HMS Newcastle: HMS Newcastle (Capt. J. Figgins, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow.

Light cruiser HMS Sheffield: HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from patrol after having been relieved by HMS Manchester (Capt. H.H. Bousfield, RN) the previous day.

Light cruiser HMS Southampton: HMS Southampton (Capt. F.W.H. Jeans, CVO, RN) is docked at South Shields.

Light cruiser HMAS Adelaide: HMAS Adelaide (Cdr. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted gunnery exercises off Fremantle. On completion of these exercises she anchored off Rottnest Island.

Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Corfu: HMS Corfu (Capt. W.G. Agnew, RN) proceeded from The Solent to Portland.

Submarine HMS Oberon: HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. J.A.S. Wise, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Portland with HMS Le Tiger (Skr. A.R. Lewis, RNR) and HMS Lady Beryl (Skr. R.W. Slater, RNR). [No logs are available for HMS Oberon for the months of January to June 1940 so no other details on her operations can be given here other then the ones currently listed.]

Submarine HMS Otway: HMS Otway (Cdr. H.R. Conway, RN) conducted exercises off Malta together with HMS Beryl and later with HMS Daring (Cdr. S.A. Cooper, RN).

Submarine HMS Perseus (i): HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr. R. Alexander, RN).

Submarine HMS Severn: HMS Severn (Lt.Cdr. B.W. Taylor, RN) ended her 4th war patrol at Freetown.

Submarine HMS Triumph (i): Around 1400Z/28, the damaged HMS Triumph (Lt.Cdr. J.W. McCoy, RN) ended her 5th war patrol at Rosyth.

Submarine HMS Truant: Around 1310Z/28, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) returns to Rosyth from trails in the North Sea and is docked again in the floating dock (AFD 3) at the Rosyth Dockyard.

Submarine HMS H 31: HMS H 31 (Lt. P.R. Ward, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Portland with HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN).

Submarine HMS H 34: HMS H 34 (Lt. E.F. Balston, RN) conducted special trials off Dundee.

Battleship HMS Barham: At 1441 hours (GMT), HMS Barham (Capt. H.T.C. Walker, RN), was damaged by a torpedo out of a salvo of four fired from German U-boat U-30 off the Hebrides in position 58°47'N, 08°05W. The torpedo hit on the port side abreast 'A' turret. Four ratings were killed. Barham was able to proceed under her own power. At Liverpool arrangements were made for her to be able to proceed immediately into dock. She arrived at Liverpool late in the evening of the next day. Barham was out of action for six months (completed on 30 June 1940) while she was being repaired at Birkenhead by the Cammell Laird shipyard.

Battleship HMS Rodney: HMS Rodney (Capt. F.H.G. Dalrymple-Hamilton, RN) is undocked.

Destroyer HMAS Stuart: Around 2000B/28, HMAS Stuart (Cdr. H.M.L. Waller, RAN) departed Haifa escorting the transport Neuralia (British, 9182 GRT, built 1912) to Port Said. They arrived at Port Said around 0930B/29.

Destroyer HMS Isis: HMS Isis (Cdr. J.C. Clouston, RN) picks up 16 survivors from the armed trawler HMS Barbara Robertson that was shelled and sunk by the German U-boat U-30 about 35 miles northwest of Butt of Lewis.

Submarine USSR ShCh-311: The Finnish tanker Sigrfid was attacked and damaged with gunfire, but managed to escape

Heavy cruiser HMS Shropshire: Around 0830P/28, HMS Shropshire (Capt. A.W.LaT. Bisset, RN) arrived at Rio de Janeiro from patrol.

1940

Heavy cruiser HMS Devonshire: HMS Devonshire (Capt. R.D. Oliver, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Simonstown.

Heavy cruiser HMS Suffolk: HMS Suffolk (Capt. E.C. Thornton, DSC, RN) is towed from the Fairfield Basin to the Yorkhill Basin.

Heavy cruiser HMAS Canberra: Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN, transferred his flag from HMAS Canberra (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) to the shore establishment HMAS Rushcutter. HMAS Canberra then left Sydney escorting convoy US 8. [For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy US 8 ' for 19 December 1940.]

Heavy cruiser HMS Cornwall: HMS Cornwall (Capt. C.F. Hammill, RN) arrived at Simonstown where she is taken in hand for a refit at the Simonstown Dockyard.

Light cruiser HMS Cardiff: HMS Cardiff (Capt. P.K. Enright, RN) is docked at Wallsend-on-Tyne.

Light cruiser HMS Colombo: Around 1715C/28, HMS Colombo (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa to patrol off Kismayu.

Light cruiser HMS Despatch: HMS Despatch (Commodore 2nd cl. C.E. Douglas-Pennant, DSC, RN) departed Kingston, Jamaica for Nassau, Bahamas.

Light cruiser HMS Dragon: HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN), HMS Dragon (Capt. R.J. Shaw, MBE, RN) and HMS Pretoria Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.J. Shelly, RN) arrived at St. Helena to fuel. They departed to resume patrol the following day.

Light cruiser HMAS Hobart: Around 1030H/28, HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.L. Howden, CBE, RAN) arrived at Fremantle. Around 1800H/28, she departed for Sydney.

Light cruiser HMS Birmingham: HMS Birmingham (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN) conducted D/G trials at Scapa Flow.

Light cruiser HMS Gloucester: Around noon, HMS Gloucester (Capt. H.A. Rowley, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral E. de F. Renouf, CVO, RN) and HMS York (Capt. R.H. Portal, DSC, RN), both departed Piraeus for a short patrol north of Crete after which they were to proceed to Suda Bay.

Light cruiser HMS Southampton: Convoy WS 4B arrived at Suez. It was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Southampton (Capt. B.C.B. Brooke, RN), AA cruiser HMS Carlisle (Capt. G.M.B. Langley, OBE, RN) and the destroyers HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN) and HMS Kimberley (Lt.Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson, RN). [For more info on this convoy, see the event 'Convoy WS 4B' for 18 November 1940.]

Light cruiser HMAS Adelaide: Around 0620M/28, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Suva for Noumea.

Submarine HNMS O 21: HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted compass adjustment trials at Dundee.

Submarine HNMS O 23: At 1900A/28, HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) picked up HE of a ship. O 23 then surfaced and sighted a fully lit liner proceeding southwards at about 17 knots. The ships nationality could not be identified. Lt.Cdr. van Erkel tried to follow to try to investigate further but owing to the sea running O 23 could do no more then 15 knots and fell astern. [We have been unable to indentify this vessel.]

Aircraft Carrier HMS Furious: Around 1430A/28, the aircraft carrier HMS Furious (Capt. A.G. Talbot, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.F. de Salis, RN) and HMS Firedrake (Lt.Cdr. S.H. Norris, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Gibraltar.

Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Carthage: Around 0900D/28, HMS Carthage (Capt.(Retd.) B.O. Bell-Salter, RN) arrived at Port Victoria, Seychelles. After fuelling she departed for Colombo around 1400D/28.

Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Circassia: The armed merchant cruiser HMS Circassia (Capt. (Retd.) B.W.L. Nicholson, DSO, RN) is undocked. Around 1800A/28, she departed Gibraltar for patrol the North Atlantic near Madeira. She was escorted out until 2359A/28 by the destroyer HMS Jaguar (Lt.Cdr. J.F.W. Hine, RN) which then returned to Gibraltar.

Submarine HMS Otus: HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) arrived at Malta.

Submarine HMS Pandora: Around 0730B/28, HMS Pandora (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Linton, RN) arrived at Alexandria.

Submarine HMS Severn: HMS Severn (Lt.Cdr. A.N.G. Campbell, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Glasgow where she was docked at the Barclay Curle shipyard.

Submarine HMS Thunderbolt: HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) conducted D/G trials at Holy Loch.

Submarine HMS Tribune: HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted noise trails at Holy Loch.

Submarine HMS Truant: Around 1715A/28, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed from Malta for her 15th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean). She is to patrol of Tripoli first, then shift patrol to the Gulf of Sirte. She is to end her patrol at Alexandria. For the daily and attack positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.

Submarine HMS Tetrarch: At 1700A/28, HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) departed Malta for her 9th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off the Gulf of Taranto. For the daily positions of HMS Tetrarch during this patrol see the map below.

Submarine HMS Unique: HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Gibraltar for Malta. Initially she was to cover the passage of the Excess convoy but it occurred after her passage. For the daily positions of HMS Unique during this passage see the map below.

Submarine HMS Upholder: HMS Upholder (Lt. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) was undocked.

Submarine HMS H 33: HMS H 33 (Lt. G.P. Darling, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory.

Light cruiser HMS Neptune: Vice-Admiral J.H.D. Cunningham, CB, MVO, RN, the Vice-Admiral commanding ' Force M ' struck his flag in HMS Neptune (Capt. R.C. O'Conor, RN). HMS Neptune then departed Freetown to provide cover for HMS Delhi (Capt. A.S. Russell, RN) which is escorting the troopships Cap des Palmes (French, 3082 GRT, built 1935) and Touareg (French, 5135 GRT, built 1924) from Cameroon to Freetown.

Light cruiser HMS Kenya: Around 1800Z/28, HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) makes rendezvous with the damaged troopship Empire Trooper (British, 14106 GRT, built 1922) and the corvette HMS Cyclamen (Lt. H.N. Lawson, RNR).

Battleship HMS Royal Sovereign: HMS Royal Sovereign (Capt. H.B. Jacomb, RN) arrived at Halifax escorting the troopship Leopoldville (Belgian, 11509 GRT, built 1929).

Battleship HMS Nelson: Around 1415A/28 the battleship HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN, flying the flag of A/Adm. J.C. Tovey, CB, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Bedouin (Cdr. J.A. McCoy, DSO, RN), HMS Sikh (Cdr. G.H. Stokes, RN), HMS Tartar (Cdr. L.P. Skipwith, RN) and HMS Beagle (Lt.Cdr. R.H. Wright, RN) departed Scapa Flow to patrol to the east of the Iceland - Faroes passage. They were to be joined the next day, around 1230A/29, by the light cruiser HMS Edinburgh (Capt. C.M. Blackman, DSO, RN) which was already on patrol.

Destroyer HMAS Waterhen: HMAS Waterhen (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN) escorted the transport Cingalese Prince (British, 8474 GRT, built 1929) from Sollum to Alexandria.

Destroyer HMS Defender: Defender (Lt.Cdr. G.L. Farnfield, RN) arrived at Alexandria.

Destroyer HMS Kashmir: HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN), HMS Jersey (Lt.Cdr. W. Evershed, RN) and HMS Jupiter (Lt.Cdr. N.V.J.T. Thew, RN) departed Plymouth in the afternoon intercept a convoy of German merchant vessels that were sighted near Ushant if these would proceed up Channel. The destroyers were ordered to return to Plymouth at 1030/29.

1941

Light cruiser HMS Cardiff: HMS Cardiff (Capt. P.K. Enright, RN) conducted D/G trials on the D/G range off Helensburg.

Light cruiser HMS Danae: Around 0940GH/28, HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) arrived at Batavia from Singapore.

Light cruiser HMAS Perth: Convoy ZK 5. This convoy departed Sydney on 28 December 1941. It was made up of the (troop) transports; Aquitania (British, 44786 GRT, built 1914), Herstein (Norwegian, 5100 GRT, built 1939) and Sarpedon (British, 11321 GRT, built 1923). They were escorted by the heavy cruisers HMAS Australia (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, CB, RN), HMAS Canberra (Capt. G.D. Moore, RAN) and light cruisers HMAS Perth (Capt. H.M.L. Waller, DSO, RAN) and HMNZS Achilles (Capt. H.M. Barnes, RN). Around 1500K/2, the sloops HMAS Swan (Lt.Cdr. A.J. Travis, RAN) and HMAS Warrego (Cdr. R.V. Wheatley, RAN) joined the escort. The convoy arrived at Port Moresby on 3 January 1942.

Destroyer HNMS Isaac Sweers: HrMs Isaac Sweers (Cdr. J. Houtsmuller, RNN) returned to Alexandria with weather damage. At Alexandria repairs were undertaken by HMS Woolwich.

Submarine HNMS O 14: HrMs O 14 (Lt.Cdr. G. Quint, RNN(R)) departed Dundee for Scapa Flow. She was escorted by HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR).

Submarine USS Sturgeon: USS Sturgeon (Lt.Cdr. W.L. Wright) leaves Mariveles Bay for her second war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off Tarakan, Borneo, Netherlands East Indies.

Submarine USS Permit: After picking up the members of Admiral Hart's staff, USS Permit (Lt.Cdr. A.M. Hurst) left base for her third war patrol.

Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Corfu: Around 1130C/28, HMS Corfu (Capt.(Retd.) J.P. Landon, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa to make rendezvous with the troopship Dilwara (British, 11080 GRT, built 1936) and her current escort, HMS Cornwall (Capt. P.C.W. Manwaring, RN) (Capt. P.C.W. Manwaring, RN).

Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Queen of Bermuda: HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, RN) conducted AA gunnery and RDF calibration trials off Newport News on compltion of which she departed for Bermuda.

Submarine HMS Osiris: On surfacing after dark, HMS Osiris (Lt. R.S. Brookes, DSC, RN) had an electrical malfuncion which resulted in her navigation lights buring brilliantly. The enemy must have noticed this as A/S forces began a hunt in the area. Osiris therefore shifted her patrol area to Candia.

Submarine HMS Tempest: HMS Tempest (Lt.Cdr. W.A.K.N. Cavaye, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar.

Submarine HMS Thorn: HMS Thorn (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Norfolk, RN) makes a torpedo attack on the Italian tanker Volturno (3424 GRT, built 1914) about 10 nautical miles West-South-West of Cape Dukato, Greece. All torpedoes fired missed so Thorn surfaced and engaged the target with gunfire. This action had to be broken off due to the fact that Thorn was not able to decrease the range. 0759B/28 - In position 38°31'N, 20°22'E sighted the funnel and masts of a merchant vessel bearing 130°, range 8000 yards. The course of the vessel was 250°. 0812B/28 - The contact was seen to be a tanker of about 3000 tons. Started attack. 0820B/28 - Fired three torpedoes from 2000 yards. The first torpedo was seen to break surface and then ran off to the right. The other two torpedoes missed. 0850B/28 - Surfaced and engaged the target with the deck gun from 4000 yards. The enemy replied with gunfire from 2 guns 3" or 4" calibre. After 10 minutes the range had increased to 5000 yards. Two hits were obtained but the range could not be closed. The attack had to be broken off.

Destroyer HMS Jupiter: HMS Encounter (Lt.Cdr. E.V.St J. Morgan, RN), HMS Jupiter (Lt.Cdr. N.V.J.T. Thew, RN) departed Singapore.

Destroyer HMS Kipling: The German U-boat U-75 was sunk in the Mediterranean near Mersa Matruh, in position 31°50'N, 26°40'E, by depth charges from the British destroyer HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St.Clair Ford, RN). She and HMS Legion (Cdr. R.F. Jessel, RN) were able to pick up two officers and twenty-eight ratings. The destroyers arrived at Alexandria later the same day.

Submarine USSR K-1: At 1228 hours K-1 fires two torpedoes at what is identified as a merchant of 4000 GRT off northern Norway in position 70°23'N, 22°26'E. The torpedoes miss their target.

1942

Corvette HMCS Shediac: HMCS Shediac (T/Lt. J.E. Clayton, RCNR) picks up 35 survivors from the British merchant Melmore Head that was torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-225 north of the Azores in position 43°27'N, 27°15'W.

Submarine HNoMS Uredd: HNoMS Uredd (Lt. Røren) departed Dundee for Lerwick. She was escorted by HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR).

Heavy cruiser HMS Kent: HMS Kent (Capt. A.E.M.B. Cunninghame-Graham, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral L.H.K. Hamilton, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted underway refuelling exercises at Scapa Flow with the RFA tanker Blue Ranger (3417 GRT, built 1941).

Light cruiser HMS Ceres: Operation Pentagon. The naval force for this operation sailed from Aden around 0800C/28. This consisted of the Commodore Aden, Commodore 2nd Cl. C.A.A. Larcom, DSO, RN, in the destroyer HMS Hero (Lt.Cdr. W. Scott, DSC, RN) with the light cruiser HMS Ceres (Capt. C.C.A. Allen, RN), destroyer RHS Panther and the minesweepers HMS Romney (Lt. W.E. Halbert, RNR) and HMS Poole (Lt. W.L.G. Dutton, RNR). The force was to be in the vicinity of Djibouti but out of sight of land by P.M. on the 28th. At 1915 hours, General Dupont, the Governor of Djibouti, signed an agreement with the British and Fighting French authorities whereby French Somaliland joined the United Nations as part of Fighting France. The naval force then entered Djibouti on the 29th.

Light cruiser HMS Durban: HMS Durban (Capt. G.F. Stevens-Guille, DSO, OBE, RN) arrived at Cochin to fuel. She departed for Bombay later the same day.

Submarine HNMS K XI: From 28 to 31 December 1942, HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN), participated in A/S exercises off Bombay.

Submarine HNMS O 15: HrMs O 15 (Lt. A.J. Schouwenaar, RNN) conducted A/S exercises at / off Scapa Flow with HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Farrington, RN) and HMS Raider (Lt.Cdr. K.W. Michell, RN).

Submarine USS Triton: USS Triton (Lt.Cdr. C.C. Kirkpatrick) torpedoed and sank the Japanese merchant Omi Maru (3394 GRT) in position 06°24'N, 160°18'E.

Submarine USS Haddock: USS Haddock (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Taylor) departed from Pearl Harbor for her 3rd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol south of Honshu in Japanese home waters.

Submarine USS Kingfish: USS Kingfish (Lt.Cdr. V.L. Lawrence) torpedoed and sank the Japanese merchant cargo ship Choyo Maru (5388 BRT) off the northwest coast of Formosa in position 24°46'N, 120°40'E.

Submarine HMS Ursula: HMS Ursula (Lt. R.B. Lakin, DSC, RN) torpedoed and sank the German merchant Gran (4140 GRT, built 1938, former Norwegian Gran offsite link) about 12 nautical miles north-west of Marettimo Island, Italy in position 38°09'N, 11°54'E. (All times are zone -1) 0530 hours - In position 38°09'N, 11°51'E sighted a large merchant ship escorted by two destroyers. Range 10000 yards. Started attack. 0542 hours - Dived. 0553 hours - In position 38°09'N, 11°54'E fired three torpedoes from 750 yards. Loud explosions were heard after 32, 38 and 45 seconds. These were followed by breaking up noises. Meanwhile Ursula went to 150 feet and retired from the scene. 0606 hours - Depth charging started. No hunt followed. According to Italian sources the escort vessels present were the Italian destroyer Lampo and the Italian torpedo boat Pallade. Gran was en-route from Napels to Bizerte.

Submarine HMS Seawolf: HMS Seawolf (Lt. F.D.G. Challis, DSC, RN) departed New London, Connecticut for Halifax, Canada.

Submarine HMS Seraph: HMS P 219 (Lt. N.L.A. Jewell, RN) ended her 8th war patrol (6th in the Mediterranean) at Algiers.

Submarine HMS Sickle: HMS P 224 (Lt. J.R. Drummond, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course).

Submarine HMS Simoom: P 225 (Lt. C.H. Rankin, RN) arrived at Holy Loch to begin a period of trials and training.

Submarine HMS Sportsman: HMS P 229 (Lt. R. Gatehouse, DSC, RN) conducted trials off Portsmouth.

Submarine HMS Trident: HMS Trident (Lt. P.E. Newstead, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil.

Submarine HMS P 311: HMS P 311 (Cdr. R.D. Cayley, DSO and 2 Bars, RN) departed from Malta for a Chariot attack on La Maddalena. This was her 1st war patrol.

Submarine HMS Taurus: Around 1200A/28, HMS P 339 (Lt.Cdr. M.R.G. Wingfield, DSO, RN) left patrol to return to Lerwick.

Submarine HMS Upright: HMS Upright (Lt. W.W. Dennis, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners.

Submarine HMS Uproar: HMS P 31 (Lt. L.E. Herrick, DSC, RN) conducted trials off Sheerness.

Submarine HMS Unbending: HMS P 37 (Lt. E.T. Stanley, DSC, RN) carried out her special operation. In the evening French agents Walter Borg and Charles Gomand were landed on the Tunisian coast south of Kelibia near the mouth of the Udiane river.  Their folbots capsized in the surf but they reached the shore without difficulty. Two British soldiers (Sergeant Casey and Private Greghan) who were helping them and were to bring the folbots back to the submarine had to be left behind. After waiting for them in vain, the submarine left the scene. The two soldiers were assisted by the Frenchmen and later managed to reach Allied lines. Our thanks go to Guy Debbasch who helped identify the two French agents.

Submarine HMS Unruffled: HMS P 46 (Lt. J.S. Stevens, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 10th war patrol (9th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to perform a special operation (pick up Chariot personnel after the attack on Palermo harbour). For the daily positions of HMS P 46 during this patrol see the map below.

Submarine HMS Unseen: While still operating north of the Gulf of Tunis, HMS P 51 (Lt. M.L.C. Crawford, DSC, RN), was detected and bombed by an enemy aircraft but she sustained no damage. Later the same day and enemy convoy was attacked with three torpedoes but no hits were obtained. The target was most probably Caterina Costa (8060 GRT, built 1942) escorted by the destroyers Bersagliere and Mitragliere, they had sailed from Bizerta for Palermo. The attack was unobserved. According to the Italian naval archives, (Ufficio Storico della Marina Militare) this attack was on the Col di Lana/Viminale convoy but this appears to be an error as they were farther north. (All times are zone -1) 0402 hours - In position 37°30'N, 10°53'E sighted an aircraft approaching. Dived. The aircraft dropped three bombs that exploded moderately close but caused no damage to P 51. --------------------------------------------------------- 1727 hours - In position 37°34'N, 10°39'E sighted a 4000 tons transport ship escorted by two destroyers. Enemy course 070°, estimated speed 11 knots. Commenced attack on the zig-zagging enemy. 1740 hours - Fired three torpedoes from 2000 yards. No hits were obtained and no counter attack followed.

Submarine HMS Unsparing: HMS P 55 (Lt. A.D. Piper, DSC and 2 bars, RNR) departed Holy Loch for Lerwick. She was escorted by She was escorted by HMS Ayrshire (T/Lt. R.W.H. Elsden, RNVR).

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

Submarine HMS H 32: HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) shifted from Rothesay to Campbeltown. she was escorted by HMS Z 5 (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S.T. Wenlock, RNR).

Submarine HMS H 43: HMS H 43 (Lt. R. Boyd, DSC, RN) participated in special RDF trials with a shore RDF station in Moelfre Bay.

Light cruiser HMS Penelope: HMS Penelope (Capt. G.D. Belben, DSC, AM, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow.

Light cruiser HMS Euryalus: Convoy ME 14. This convoy departed Malta on 28 December 1942. It arrived at Port Said on 2 January 1943. The convoy was made up of the following transports; American Packer (American, 6802 GRT, built 1941), Clan MacIndoe (British, 4635 GRT, built 1920), Erinna (Dutch (tanker), 6233 GRT, built 1936) and Ozarda (British, 6985 GRT, built 1940). On departure from Malta the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Euryalus (Capt. E.W. Bush, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) and the escort destroyers HMS Beaufort (Lt.Cdr. S.O’G Roche, DSO, RN), HMS Dulverton (Lt.Cdr. W.N. Petch, DSO, OBE, RN), HMS Tetcott (Lt.Cdr. H.R. Rycroft, RN) and Pindos. At 1546A/30, the convoy was attacked by the German submarine U-617 which had fired four torpedoes. Three of the torpedoes were seen by the convoy at 1550A/28. No ships were hit. HMS Beaufort was detached for a while from the escort to hunt the enemy submarine. At 1643A/30, HMS Euryalus was detached from the convoy to return to Malta at high speed. On 1 January 1943, the transports American Packer and Clan MacIndoe were detached to Alexandria where they arrived later the same day escorted by HMS Beaufort and RHS Pindos. The remainder of the convoy arrived at Port Said on 2 January 1943.

Destroyer HMAS Quiberon: Convoy TM 1. This convoy of tankers departed Trinidad on 28 December 1942. It was made up of the following tankers; Albert L. Ellsworth (Norwegian, 8309 GRT, built 1937), British Dominion (British, 6983 GRT, built 1928), British Vigilance (British, 8093 GRT, built 1942), Cliona (British, 8375 GRT, built 1931), Empire Lytton (British, 9807 GRT, built 1942), Minister Wedel (Norwegian, 6833 GRT, built 1930), Norvik (Panamanian, 9555 GRT, built 1938), Oltenia II (British, 6394 GRT, built 1928) and Vanja (Norwegian, 6198 GRT, built 1929). On departure from Trinidad the convoy was escorted by the destroyer HMS Havelock (Cdr. R.C. Boyle, DSC, RN) and the corvettes HMS Godetia (Lt. A.H. Pierce, OBE, RNR), HMS Pimpernel (Lt.Cdr. F.H. Thornton, RNR) and HMS Saxifrage (Lt. N.L. Knight, RNR). The convoy was sighted on 3 January 1943 by the German submarine U-514. It was quickly recognised as an important convoy from the Carribean to North Africa so the BDU decided to go ' all in ' and a patrol line of u-boats was deployed to intercept and destroy this important convoy. A wolfpack (Delphin) was deployed, made up of the following u-boats; U-134, U-181, U-381, U-436, U-442, U-511, U-522, U-571, U-575 and U-620. On 3 January 1943, U-514, sighted and reported the convoy which she later attacked damaging the the British Vigilance. Following this attack HMS Havelock engaged the u-boat with gunfire which then evaded and started a new attack but the lone torpedo fired missed. Following this attack she lost contact with the convoy. The British Vigilance was abandoned and the floating wreck was only sunk on 24 January 1943 by the U-105. On 5 January 1943, the escorts fuelled from the Cliona. The convoy was again sighted on around 1320A/8 by U-381 which brings on three more boats from the patrol line which were the closest. These were U-571, U-436 and U-575. At 1810A/8, U-571 also made contact with the convoy. At 2037A/8, U-436 also made contact with the convoy. U-436 was the first to attack, at 2137A/8 she managed to torpedo and damage the Albert L. Elsworth and torpedo and sink the Oltenia II. Following the attack HMS Havelock closed to investigate and spotted the attacker which quickly submerged and was subsequently depth charged sustaining damage. The Albert L. Elsworth is finally sunk by gunfire from U-436 at 1943A/9. Shortly after her depth charge attack on U-436, HMS Havelock obtained a radar contact on what was thought to be another enemy submarine. Starshell was fired and when it lit up the sky another surfaced submarine was sighted only about 1000 yards away. The enemy crash dived and was depth charged. This was U-381 which was not damaged. At 2229A/8, U-575 also made contact with the convoy. One minute later U-571, which was about to attack, was spotted by HMS Pimpernel and attack with gunfire. The submarine then dived and was attacked with depth charges sustaining no damage. At 2303A/8, U-575 attacked with five torpedoes claiming three hits but in fact none were obtained. At 0345A/9, U-442 made contact with the convoy. At 0519A/9, having made contact with the convoy U-522 attacked with four torpedoes. The Minister Wedel and Norvik were both damaged in this attack. Around 0530A/9, U-522 was depth charged by HMS Saxifrage and HMS Havelock but she sustained no damage. At 0535A/9, U-575 attacked again with five torpedoes claiming four hits but in fact again none were obtained. At 0606A/9, U-571 regained contact on the convoy. At 0627A/9, U-442 attacked and torpedoed and damaged the Empire Lytton. At 0709A/9, U-571 was attacked with depth charged by HMS Havelock. She sustained some damage. HMS Havelock had been standing by the crippled Minister Wedel and Norvik when she got an RDF contact at a range of 5000 yards. When she closed to investigate the target disappeared and was almost immediately picked up on ASDIC. At 0738A/9, U-381 attack a stationary damaged tanker but obtained no hits. Later on the 9th, the damaged Norvik and Minister Wendel were finished off by the U-522 and the Empire Lytton by the U-442. Two more u-boats had sighted the convoy on this day, U-181 (at 1206A/9) and U-620 (time not known) but were unable to attack. Meanwhile, at 1143A/9, U-134 had also obtained contact on the convoy and later started a submerged daylight attack. At 1430A/9, U-134 attacked the Vanja with torpedoes but the tanker was able to evade. Following this attack HMS Godetia and HMS Pimpernel attacked with depth charges causing considerable damage to the attacker which had to abandon her patrol due to this damage. At 1154A/10, U-620 obtained contact with the convoy. At 1200A/10, U-571 regained contact with the convoy but was unable to attack and lost contact again. At 1830A/10, U-620 attacked with four torpedoes but obtained no hits. She was subsequently depth charged by HMS Saxifrage. At 2112A/10, U-522 attacked with four torpedoes but no hits were obtained. At 2318A/10, U-571 again made contact with the convoy and started an attack. At 2340A/10, U-522 attack with two torpedoes. The British Dominion was damaged. At 2341A/10, U-522 was spotted and fired up by the Vanja. The u-boat submerged and was then depth charged by HMS Havelock but she sustained no damage. At 2345A/10, U-571 fired a torpedo at an escort vessel but no hit was obtained. At 2353A/10, U-571 fired three torpedoes at the Cliona but again no hits were obtained. Following this attack she was depth charged by HMS Havelock but sustained no damage. At 0232A/11, U-620 fired one torpedo at an escort vessel but it missed. Another torpedo was fired at the damaged British Dominion and the tanker sank soon afterwards. At 0450A/11, U-511 had obtained contact on the convoy. At 0630A/11, U-511 attacked with four torpedoes but no hits were obtained. Around 0700A/11, the destroyer HMAS Quiberon (Capt. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN) joined coming from Gibraltar and soon afterwards a Catalina flying boat was also sighted. Around 1200A/11, the destroyers HMS Pathfinder (Cdr. E.A. Gibbs, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Penn (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN) also joined. At 1230A/11, U-511 regained contact with the convoy but was driven off and then lost contact. Around 0930A/14, what was left of convoy TM 1 arrived at Gibraltar.

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

Submarine USS R-11: USS R-11 (Lt.Cdr. I.J. Galantin, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-13: USS R-13 (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Gallaher, 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 USS R-20: USS R-20 (Lt. E.T. Shepard, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Destroyer HNMS Van Galen (ii): HrMs Van Galen (Lt.Cdr. F.T. Burghard, RNethN) conducted A/S exercises off Fremantle with USS Trout (T/Cdr. L.P. Ramage, USN). The destroyer also served as target during attack runs by the submarine.

Submarine HMS L 23: HMS L 23 (Lt. A.H.B. Anderson, DSC RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS La Cordeliere (Lt.Cdr. A.J.G. Barff, RNR).

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 614: HMS P 614 (Lt. H.W. Wilkinson, RN) departed Freetown for her 5th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol to the west-north-west of Freetown for a anti-uboat patrol. For the daily positions of HMS P 614 during this patrol see the map below.

Patrol craft USS PC-609: USS PC-609 picks up 9 survivors from the British merchant Treworlas that was torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-124 about 50 miles east of Port of Spain, Trinidad in position 10°52'N, 60°45'W.

1943

Light cruiser HMS Colombo: Around 1615A/28, HMS Colombo (Capt. D.H. Hall-Thompson, RN) departed Bizerta to join convoy MKS 35. [For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy MKS 35 ' for 21 December 1943.]

Light cruiser HMS Danae: Around 0600CD/28, HMS Danae (Capt. J.R.S. Haines, RN) departed Abadan for Bandar Abbas.

Light cruiser HMS Dauntless: HMS Dauntless (Cdr. D.C. Kinloch, DSO, RN) and HMS Diomede (Cdr. R.A. Ewing, DSC, RN) departed Rosyth for exercises upon completion of which they proceeded to Methil.

Light cruiser HMS Enterprise: HMS Enterprise (Capt. H.T.W. Grant, RCN) attempting the interception of the arriving German blockade runner Alsterufer in the Bay of Biscay with HMS Glasgow (Capt. C.P. Clarke, RN), ran into the freighter's covering group, consisting of the German destroyer Z 27 and the German torpedo boats T 22, T 25 and T 26. In a spirited gun action, the heavier British artillery had the better of the Germans and only T 22 was able to return to port.

Light cruiser HMS Glasgow: Action between HMS Glasgow and HMS Enterprise and German destroyers and torpedo boats. Extract from the action report of HMS Glasgow. At 1332A/28, masts of two vessels were sighted bearing 238°. At the same time radar 273 reported contact bearing 238°, range 16 nautical miles. HMS Glasgow (Capt. C.P. Clarke, RN) increased to full speed and closed the enemy on the most favourable bearing, for if they turned away to the south they would be steaming head on to wind and sea (now 170°, force 4 to 5) and we could probably keep up with them, whilst if they turned to the north or east they were in any way bound to fight us. At 1342A/28, 4 destroyers were in sight from the bridge and the first enemy report was transmitted by W/T giving their bearing as 203° and range 11 miles on course 130°. From the gunnery control 8 destroyers were in sight in two divisions of 4. At 1346A/28, with now the 8 destroyers in sight HMS Glasgow opened fire at a range of 18500 yards. Own ships course was 180°, speed 30 knots and bearing of the enemy 234°. HMS Enterprise (Capt. H.T.W. Grant, RCN) acted under the following general instuctions which had been passed when she joined company; A) Keep on a line of bearing approximately at right angles to the enemy. B) Keep within supporting distance of Glasgow. C) Act independently to avoid possible torpedo fire from the enemy. As there were no radar type 284 ranges of the enemy, type 273 radar was used for gunnery purposes in the early stages of the engagement. The gunnery officer was told to engage the nearest target failing any other orders from the Commanding Officer. In the event type 284 started getting range at 14400 yards and until then type 273 had been used entirely for gunnery purposes. When type 284 started ranging, type 273 swept across the enemy line to indicate the nearest target and did occasional all round sweeps to provide surface warning. In the period from 1346 to 1400 hours, 18 salvoes were fired from ranges 18500 down to 14000 yards at three different targets. The first target received 6 broadsides and then turned away. The second target was a large destroyer and received 3 broadsides. The third target was also a large destroyer and received 9 broadsides from the forward turrets and it was during this stage of the engagement that type 284 obtained its first ranges at 14400 yards. HMS Enterprise opened fire, according to her own records at 1348A/28 (This was 1350A/28 on board HMS Glasgow). At 1355A/28, the port 4" guns engaged a FW 200 aircraft and according to some reports this aircraft dropped a rocket bomb, clearly seen from the port director to fall into the sea between HMS Glasgow and HMS Enterprise. The first recorded enemy fire was at 1358A/28. Their first shot falling over by about 200 yards on the port quarter. During this period course changes were made as follows; 1349 hours, altered course to 190°. 1353 hours, altered course to 230°. 1357 hours, altered course to 180°. 1359 hours, altered course to 190°. 1400 hours, altered course to 160°. In the period from 1400 to 1415 hours, 20 salvos were fired at ranges between 14000 and 15500 yards at three targets, one of which was engaged from 1402 to 1413 hours from ranges between 14000 and 15000 yards and is believed to have been hit. At 1402A/28, HMS Glasgow sent an amplifying report by W/T of 10 destroyers bearing 204° to 224° at range of about 8 nautical miles. Enemy course 150°. At 1404 hours, enemy shots fell very near and a hit was reported on the flag deck. At 1407 hours, course was altered to 140° and to 170° at 1410 hours. At 1413 hours, HMS Glasgow was straddled. Target was then shifted to an enemy bearing 180° and course was altered to 115°. An enemy bearing 232° had dropped smoke floats and was retiring behind them. In the period from 1415 to 1430 hours, 28 salvos were fired at ranges between 15500 and 15000 yards at two targets bearing 180° to 200°. At 1416 hours, course was altered to 135°. At 1421 hours, course was altered to 151°. These last two alterations were towards the enemy's fall of shot. At 1425 hours, the enemy turned away and retired under cover of smoke. At 1428 hours, HMS Glasgow altered course to comb torpedo tracks. Approximate course was now 030°. A torpedo passed 30 yards on the starboard quarter. Two more torpedoes passed to port at ranges of 100 and 300 yards. At 1430 hours, course was altered to 170°. In the period from 1430 to 1445 hours, the enemy destroyers which had turned to the south under cover of smoke were lost from sight and in view of torpedo fire from the enemy and separation of the enemy into groups course was altered 180° at 1435 hours to engage four destroyers proceeding northwards. At 1435 hours, course was altered through port to 340° to engage a destroyer bearing 280°. At 1441 hours, the enemy altered course away. At 1443 hours, HMS Glasgow altered course to port to 290° to avoid torpedoes. In the period from 1445 to 1500 hours, 15 salvos were fired between 1446 and 1452 hours at a mean range of 13000 yards. At 1452 hours, fire was shifted to another destroyer which was engaged until 1456 hours at a range of 11000 yards. Hit were definitely obtained and the enemy turned away. Between 1458 and 1503 hours, there was an engagement with a destroyer at a range of 12000 yards. 30 Salvos were fired during the period. Course changes during this period was as follows; 1448 hours, course was altered to 235°. 1450 hours, course was altered to 260°. 1455 hours, course was altered to 190°. 1456 hours, course was altered to 180°. 1459 hours, course was altered to 310°. During the period from 1500 to 1515 hours the main armament was divided from time tot time. At 1503 hours, HMS Glasgow altered course to 340°. At 1504 hours, fire was shifted to a new target bearing red 40° (approximately 270°). This destroyer was laying stopped and had its foremost funnel missing. 15 salvos were fired at mean range of 1000 yards when divided control was ordered. 4" guns also fired on this target. The two forward turrets were then ordered to fire on a target bearing green 30° also at a range of 1000 yards. This destroyer appeared to be on fire and turned away at 1508 hours. HMS Glasgow altered course to 180°. At 1513 hours, the entire main armament continued to engage the destroyer on the starboard side until 1516 hours. During the period from 1515 to 1530 hours there were 4 enemy destroyers in sight, one is damaged and stopped, one has been damaged and is retiring under smoke, one is being engaged by HMS Enterprise and the 4th, which is firing at HMS Glasgow, is now being engaged by her n a southerly course at ranges between 11000 and 9000 yards. At 1515 hours, HMS Glasgow altered course to 260° to close. HMS Enterprise which was bearing 148° was ordered to close. At 1521 hours, course was altered to 170°. Target was bearing 220°. At 1527 hours, course was altered to 205°. At 1530 hours, HMS Enterprise joined on bearing 040°. Meanwhile the enemy kept turning away. In the period from 1530 hours until the end of the action the destroyer HMS Glasgow was engaging stopped. HMS Glasgow then closed to sink her. By 1538A/28, it was reported the 'A' and 'B' turrets had only 15 rounds per gun left. HMS Enterprise reported defective electrical gun circuits and had expended her percussion tubes. The Commanding Officer of Glasgow therefore decided that the time had come to finish off any damaged any that could be found and subsequently retire to the westward. HMS Enterprise was ordered to sink the southernmost destroyer which was in sight while HMS Glasgow proceeded towards the one which had lost its funnel and had been stopped at around 1430 hours. While closing the enemy did not fire so HMS Glasgow closed to 2000 yards and then sank her in 4 minutes. At 1637A/28, the destroyers magazine exploded. All three destroyers / torpedo boats were sunk, one was definately a large destroyer, another was a large torpedo boat. It was thought the third was a large destroyer (this was not the case, it was a large torpedo boat). On completion of the action the cruisers altered course to due west and retired from the area at 25 knots. Sunset was at 1810A/28. At 1845A/28, in position 46°28'N, 13°01'W, five HE 177 aircraft were sighted on the port bow and were immediately engaged by the port 4" battery and the 6" armament. It is possible that one of the aircraft attacked with a glider bomb. From 1845A/28 to 1930A/28, a number of aircraft, which could not be identified in the darkness, approached the ship as if to attack. They were engaged by the 4" and 6" armament with blind fire and then turned away. At 1933A/28, one aircraft dropped a sticks of bombs in a salvo 100 yards short on the port bow. This was later identified as being carried out in error by a friendly aircraft. The cruisers were given fighter cover from 1030A/29. The passage home was uneventful and they arrived at Plymouth around 1930A/29. Extract from the action report of HMS Enterprise. At 1338A/28, the enemy was sighted hull down bearing 238°. Fire was opened at 1348A/28 when the range was about 20000 yards according to radar type 272. Type 284 gunnery radar had failed about 20 minutes before the action commenced. All initial salvoes fired fell short. The enemy then also opened fire, salvoes falling over and ahead. During this phase HMS Enterprise confirmed as much as possible with the movements of HMS Glasgow, in order to be able to exploit mutual air defence if needed. At 1350A/28, course was altered towards the enemy keeping 'A' arcs open, and shots were observed to fall short, but spotting was extremely difficult owing to vibration and very effective use of smoke by the enemy. As the range closed enemy fire became more concentrated and it was necessary to take avoiding action by frequent alterations of course. A speed of 30 knots was maintained with occasional reduction to 25 knots. The action developed on a south-easterly course with HMS Glasgow drawing ahead. About 1427A/28, the enemy appeared to split into two or more groups still making use of smoke and firing with considerable accuracy. At this time what was thought to be an explosion was observed by several of the bridge personnel behind the smoke screen, and a column of smoke was seen to rise to a considerable height. At 1430A/28, HMS Enterprise was attacked by a glider bomb which exploded 400 yards on the port quarter. The aircraft which had released this bomb was identified as a FW 200 aircraft. AA fire from both cruisers disconcerted the plane but HMS Enterprise's close range AA fire directed at the bomb was not observed to hit. Meanwhile. at 1428A/28, the enemy was seen to alter course away to the northward. Course was altered by the cruisers to act on this by proceeding to the north-west to head them off. HMS Enterprise shifted target several times. Enemy return fire was spasmodic. During the run in a hit was observed on an enemy destroyer which was subsequently seen to stop. At 1458A/28, course was altered to the northward and two destroyers were engaged as opportunity occurred through the smoke. At this time the ship came under heavy and accurate enemy fire and was constantly straddled. The main aerial was shot away but otherwise only some minor splinter damage was sustained. At 1506A/28, HMS Enterprise passed with 4000 yards of the destroyer which had previously been stopped. Two torpedoes were fired at this destroyer but they both missed. By this time vibration and shell fire had dislocated control fittings causing serious problems. By 1515A/28, only one destroyer was visibly which was engaged until he turned away at high speed five minutes later. As Enterprise's fire was was quite ineffective order were given to cease fire until director circuits were restored. HMS Enterprise turned to the southwards and reported her condition to HMS Glasgow. By 1600A/28, the main armament was serviceable and HMS Enterprise was then ordered to sink a damaged destroyer which at that time was being engaged by HMS Glasgow. After complying course was set to the northward and a second damaged and stopped destroyer, thought to be the one hit at 1430A/28, was sunk by torpedo. Meanwhile HMS Glasgow was engaging another destroyer which was hit and seen to blow up at 1637A/28. At 1700A/28, HMS Enterprise was ordered to take station astern of HMS Glasgow and course was set to 270° at 24 knots. At 1850A/28, fire was opened on hostile aircraft and at 1940A/28 a bombing attack developed, apparently aimed at HMS Glasgow. Unidentified aircraft were engaged until 2000A/28 when a second attack on HMS Glasgow was carried out. She was missed by a stick of bombs. The cruisers remained in company until arrival at Plymouth around 1945A/29. HMS Enterprise had 15% fuel remaining.

Submarine HNMS O 21: HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted post repair trials off Colombo. Also A/S exercises were carried out with Poona (T/Lt. Z.N. Mirza, RINR) and HMIS Sonavati (T/Lt. A. Brittain, RINR).

Submarine HNMS O 24: HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) arrived at Aden.

Submarine HNMS O 15: HrMs O 15 (Lt.Cdr. A.J. Schouwenaar, RNN) ended her 6th war patrol at Lerwick.

Submarine HNMS O 10: HrMs O 10 (Lt.Cdr. A. van Altena, RNN(R)) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle together with HMS Snowflake (Lt. E.J. Powell, RNR) and HMS Loosestrife (Lt. H.A. Stonehouse, DSC, RNR).

Submarine USS Bass: USS Bass arrived at the Philadelphia Navy Yard from New London, Connecticut.

Submarine USS Bashaw: USS Bashaw conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS Sand Lance: USS Sand Lance (Lt.Cdr. M.E. Garrison, USN) arrived in the Panama Canal Zone from New London, Connecticut.

Aircraft Carrier HMS Indefatigable: Indefatigable (Capt. Q.D. Graham, CBE, DSO, RN) conducted D/G trials off Helensburg.

Submarine HMS Una: HMS Una (T/L. P.S. Thirsk, RNR) participated in A/S exercises off Stornoway.

Submarine HMS Oberon: HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. J.B.de B. Kershaw, DSO, RN) conducted independent exercises in the Clyde area.

Submarine HMS Rorqual: HMS Rorqual (Lt. G.S.C. Clarabut, DSO, RN) commenced refit at the Portsmouth Dockyard.

Submarine HMS Sealion: HMS Sealion (Lt. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory.

Submarine HMS Sunfish: HMS Sunfish (Lt. H.J. Bartlett, DSC, RN) arrived at Heysham. She conducted A/S exercises with aircraft off Morecambe Bay later the same day.

Submarine HMS Seadog: HMS Seadog (Lt. C.R. Pelly, RN) torpedoed and sank the German transport ship Oldenburg (8537 GRT, built 1923) about 2.5 nautical miles east-north-east of Honningsvåg, Selje, Norway in position 62°15'N, 05°09'E. (All times are zone -1) 1113 hours - Sighted a a convoy made up of 2 merchant vessels (4000 and 2500 tons) escorted by a minesweeper. Started attack on the 4000 tons merchant vessel. During the attack sighted a laden 8000 tons merchant vessel escorted by 2 trawlers. Broke off the attack on the 4000 tons merchant and started an attack on this new, larger, vessel. 1200 hours - Fired a full salvo of 6 torpedoes from 2500 yards. 1202 hours - 3 Hits were obtained on the target. 1206 hours - The escorts commenced a counter attack. 1245 hours - The counter attack ended. 19 Depth charges had been dropped. 1339 hours - Returned to periscope depth. Sighted a trawler stopped in the position where the merchant vessel had been torpedoed. 1345 hours - Set course to clear the area. According to German sources the convoy consisted of the above mentioned Oldenburg as well as Olga Siemers (3347 GRT, built 1923) and Rogn (845 GRT, built 1941). They were escorted by the minesweeper M 433 and the patrol vessels V 5101, UJ 1703 and UJ 1709. Oldenburg was hit 2 or 3 times (reports differ) and M 433 reported being missed by two torpedoes. Oldenburg had a crew of 57 plus 26 gun crew. Of her crew 51 were rescued including two wounded, two were killed and four were missing, while 25 of the gun crew survived, only one was a fatality. Following the attack Seadog was hunted by the patrol vessels UJ 1703, UJ 1709 and V 5311

Submarine HMS Seraph: HMS Seraph (Lt. N.L.A. Jewell, OBE, RN) arrived at the Chatham Dockyard.

Submarine HMS Shakespeare: HMS Shakespeare (Lt. M.F.R. Ainslie, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Gibraltar for Plymouth. For the daily positions of HMS Shakespeare during this passage see the map below.

Submarine HMS Sea Nymph: HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) departed Lerwick for her 8th war patrol. She was ordered to carry out a special operation. Sea Nymph proceeded to Lunna Voe on this day. For the daily positions of HMS Sea Nymph during this patrol see the map below.

Submarine HMS Sea Nymph: After embarking agents and stores HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) departed Lunna Voe.

Submarine HMS Stonehenge: HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) transited the Suez Canal southbound.

Submarine HMS Stratagem: HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) shifted from Brodrick Bay to Holy Loch.

Submarine HMS Strongbow: HMS Strongbow (Lt. J.A.R. Troup, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.

Submarine HMS Statesman: HMS Statesman (Lt. R.G.P. Bulkeley, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil.

Submarine HMS Sturdy (ii): HMS Sturdy (Lt. W.St.G. Anderson, DSC, RNR) arrived at Holy Loch to begin a period of trials and training.

Submarine HMS Taurus: Around 1430FG/28, HMS Taurus (Lt.Cdr. M.R.G. Wingfield, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 9th war patrol (2nd in the Far East) at Trincomalee. She was escorted in and had met the escort [unidentified] at 0630FG/28.

Submarine HMS Templar: Around 1630FG/28, HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) departed from Trincomalee for her 6th war patrol (3rd in the Far East). She is to patrol off the west coast of Siam and the approaches to the Malacca Straits. She is also to perform a special operation (Operation Shade II) She departed Trincomalee together with HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN). The submarines were escorted out by HMS Lord Grey (T/Lt. J.J. Challis, RNVR) until around 2200FG/28.

Submarine HMS Templar: For the daily positions of HMS Templar during her 6th war patrol see the map below.

Submarine HMS Truculent: HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) transits the Suez Canal.

Submarine HMS Tudor: HMS Tudor (Lt. S.A. Porter, DSC, RN) conducted trials off Plymouth.

Submarine HMS Tally-Ho: Around 1630FG/28, HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Trincomalee for her 6th war patrol (3rd in the far east). She was ordered to perform two special operations ('Emergency Gustavus VI' and 'Mud'), followed by a patrol in the Malacca Straits and later of the Nicobar Islands. She departed Trincomalee together with HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN). The submarines were escorted out by HMS Lord Grey (T/Lt. J.J. Challis, RNVR) until around 2200FG/28.

Submarine HMS Tally-Ho: For the daily and attack positions of HMS Tally-Ho during her 6th patrol see the map below.

Submarine HMS Upright: HMS Upright (Lt. P.R.H. Harrison, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners.

Submarine HMS Uproar: HMS Uproar (Lt. L.E. Herrick, DSC, RN) fires four torpedoes against the Italian merchant (in German control) Chisone (6168 GRT, built 1922) about 8 nautical miles East of the Gulf of Saint Tropez, France in position 43°16'N, 06°51'E. All four torpedoes fired missed their target. She was on passage from Genoa to Marseille, escorted by UJ 2220, SG 15 and R 215. (All times are zone -1) 0840 hours - Heard HE and A/S transmissions. Closed to investigate. 0904 hours - Started attack on a 3000 tons motor vessel escorted by a 'destroyer' and an UJ boat. Range was 6500 yards. 0925 hours - In position 43°16'N, 06°51'E fired four torpedoes from 3000 to 4000 yards. All torpedoes missed. Uproar took avoiding action on firing and went deep. 0947 hours - The first of 25 very distant depth charges was dropped. A/S transmissions were no longer heard and HE was fading. 1000 hours - Returned to periscope depth. Nothing in sight.

Submarine HMS Unbending: During the night of 28/29 December 1943, HMS Unbending (Lt. J.D. Martin, DSC, RN), conducted A/S exercises off Fishguard with aircraft.

Submarine HMS Unswerving: HMS Unswerving (T/Lt. M.D. Tattersall, RNVR) conducted noise trials at Loch Goil.

Submarine HNoMS Ula: HNoMS Ula (Lt. R.M. Sars) attacked an unescorted merchant vessel with two torpedoes off Skudesnes, Norway. No hits were obtained. Lt. Sars identified the target as the Norwegian merchant Pan (1309 GRT, built 1922). (All times are zone -1) 1333 hours - Heard HE bearing 350°. Had a look on that bearing and sighted a single merchant vessel at a range of about 5000 yards. 1335 hours - Commenced attack. 1356 hours - In position 59°08'N, 05°24'E fired two torpedoes from 1400 yards but no hits were obtained.

Submarine HMS Vox: HMS Vox (Lt. J.M. Michell, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials at the torpedo range at Arrochar.

Submarine HMS H 28: HMS H 28 (Lt. J.W. Kelly, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory.

Submarine HMS H 32: HMS H 32 (Lt. K.S. Renshaw, DSC, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Chelmer (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.A. Cherry, RNR) and HMS Pink (Lt. W.K. Tadman, RNR).

Submarine HMS H 33: HMS H 33 (Lt. D.G. Kent, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Valena (Lt.Cdr. A.F.C. Gray, RNR) and HMS Bretwalda (Skr. J.B. Henderson, RNR).

Submarine HMS H 34: HMS H 34 (Lt. R.L. Jay, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Carina (Lt. R.A.H. Lord, RNR) and HMS Bedlington (Skr. A.W. Peak, RNR).

Submarine HMS H 44: HMS H 44 (Lt. P.N. Joyce, RN) is undocked and then immediately proceeded to Rothesay.

Submarine HMS P 512: HMS P 512 participated in A/S exercises off Bermuda.

Minesweeper HMIS Rajputana: HMIS Rajputana (Lt. W.G. Coltham, RIN) picks up 166 survivors from the American merchant José Navarro that was torpedoed and sunk the previous day by German U-boat U-178 about 175 nautical miles south-west of Cochin, India in position 08°20'N, 73°55'E.

Light cruiser HMS Bellona: HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. These included an RIX (rangefinding and inclination) exercises during which HMS Amethyst (Lt.Cdr. S.C. Tuke, DSO, RN) served as target.

Light cruiser HMS Spartan: HMS Spartan (Capt. P.V. McLaughlin, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from Bizerta and escort duty with convoy MKF 27. On her arrival at Gibraltar Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN, hoisted his flag on board HMS Spartan.

Light cruiser HMS Mauritius: At 0915A/28, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) departed Gibraltar to patrol in the North Atlantic on an anti-blockade breaker patrol. [For more info see the event ' Attempted interception, as part of Operation Stonewall, of the German blockade breaker Osorno, interception of the German blockade breaker Alsterufer and subsequent action on 28 December 1943, between HMS Glasgow and HMS Enterprise and German destroyers and torpedo boats ' for 23 December 1943.]

Battleship HMS Rodney: HMS Rodney (Capt. R.O. Fitzroy, RN) conducted first AA gunnery and then 16" and 6" gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow.

Battleship HMS Duke of York: Around 1600B/28, the battleship HMS Duke of York (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, CBE, RN, flying the flag of A/Admiral B.A. Fraser, KCB, KBE, RN), light cruiser HMS Jamaica (Capt. J. Hugh-Hallett, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Musketeer (Cdr. R.L. Fisher, OBE, RN), HMS Matchless (Lt. W.D. Shaw, RN), HMS Opportune (Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Savage (Cdr. R.C. Gordon, DSO, RN), HMS Scorpion (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Clouston, RN), HNoMS Stord (Lt.Cdr. S.V. Storheill) and HMS Virago (Lt.Cdr. A.J.R. White, RN) departed the Kola Inlet for Scapa Flow.

Destroyer HMAS Stuart: Around 1400L/28, HMAS Stuart (Lt.Cdr. N.A. Mackinnon, RAN) made rendezvous with USS Orion (T/Capt. C.S. Isgrig, USN) off Caloundra. They parted company around 2100L/29 to the North-East of Sydney.

Destroyer HMAS Quiberon: Convoy MB 59A. This convoy departed Colombo on 28 December 1943. It was made up of the following LST's; HMS LST 215 (Cdr.(Retd.) G.H.F. Owles, RN), USS LST 17 (Lt. H.B. Gallagher, USCGR), USS LST 21 (Cdr. T.W. Greene, USN), USS LST 25 (Lt. E.F. Macellus, USNR), USS LST 72 (Lt. J.A. Lombard, USNR), USS LST 73 (Lt. H.M. Crossan, USNR), USS LST 175 (Lt. E.J. Fitzgerald, USNR), USS LST 176 (Lt.(jg) J.A. Salt, USNR), USS LST 208 (Lt. A. Strickland, USNR) and USS LST 209 (lt. F.T. Ratchford, USNR). The repair ship (former LST) USS Achelous (Lt. W. Ringies, USNR) was also part of the convoy. On departure from Colombo the convoy was escorted by the destroyer HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. G.S. Stewart, RAN) and the minesweeper HMIS Khyber (T/Lt. H.C.H. Berry, RINR). During the night of 30/31 December 1943, HMIS Khyber parted company. In the morning of 4 January 1944, the corvette HMS Rockrose (T/Lt. H.J. Makepeace, RNR) joined. The convoy arrived at Aden on 5 January 1944.

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

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

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

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

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

Submarine USSR L-22: The German coastal minesweeper R 64 (125 tons) hits a mine and is sunk off Honningsvaag. The mine was laid on 25 August 1943 by the Soviet submarine L-22.

Destroyer HMAS Norman: Around 1300C/28, the battleship HMS Ramillies (Capt. G.B. Middleton, CBE, RN) departed Kilindini for Aden. She was escorted by the destroyers HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN), HMS Racehorse (Cdr. J.J. Casement, DSC, RN) and HMS Redoubt (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Ropner, DSO, RN).

Submarine HMS L 23: HMS L 23 (Lt. H.R. Murray, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Digby. The exercises were however soon cancelled after they had commenced.

1944

Heavy cruiser HMS Norfolk: HMS Norfolk (Capt. J.G.Y. Loveband, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.R. McGrigor, CB, DSO, RN) conducted torpedo firing exercises and compass swing trials at Scapa Flow. She then left Scapa Flow for gunnery exercises in the Pentland Firth and returned to Scapa Flow on completion of these exercises.

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

Light cruiser HMS Newcastle: Rear-Admiral A.D. Read, CB, RN, transferred his flag from HMS Nigeria (Capt. H.A. King, DSO, RN) to HMS Newcastle (Capt. J.G. Roper, OBE, RN).

Destroyer USS Ault: USS Ault (Cdr. J.C. Wylie, Jr.) arrived at Ulithi.

Destroyer USS Charles S. Sperry: USS Charles S. Sperry arrived at Ulithi.

Destroyer USS English: USS English arrived at Ulithi.

Destroyer USS English: USS English departed from Ulithi with TF 38.

Destroyer USS Hank: USS Hank arrived at Ulithi.

Destroyer USS Haynsworth: USS Haynsworth (Cdr. R. Brodie, Jr.) arrived at Ulithi.

Destroyer USS Waldron: USS Waldron arrived at Ulithi.

Light Cruiser HMCS Uganda: HMCS Uganda (Capt. E.R. Mainguy, OBE, RCN) conducted torpedo firing exercises at Scapa Flow. She also ran over the D/G range and conducted speed trials on the measured mile.

Submarine HNMS O 21: HrMs O 21 (Lt. F.J. Kroesen, RNN) departed New London for speed trials but she later returned due to unsuitable weather conditions and an engine defect.

Submarine HNMS Dolfijn: HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted exercises off Dundee together with HMS ML 229 (T/Lt. W.C.R. Walsh, RNVR).

Submarine USS Trigger: USS Trigger (Lt.Cdr. F.J. Harlfinger II) departed from Guam for her 11th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the Bungo Strait.

Submarine USS Dace: USS Dace (Lt.Cdr. O.R. Cole, Jr.) torpedoed and sank the Japanese supply vessel Nozaki (640 tons, offsite link) and damaged the Japanese army cargo ship Chefoo Maru (1934 GRT) off Cape Varella, French Indochina in position 12°36'N, 109°38'E.

Submarine USS Gunnel: USS Gunnel (Lt.Cdr. G.E. O'Neil, Jr.) ended her 7th war patrol at Pearl Harbor. she is now ordered to the Hunters Point Navy Yard for a major overhaul.

Submarine USS Devilfish: USS Devilfish (T/Cdr. E.C. Stephan, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbour.

Submarine USS Hackleback: USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS Apogon: USS Apogon (Cdr. A.C. House Jr., USN) departed her patrol area for Midway.

Aircraft Carrier HMS Indomitable: The aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral P.L. Vian, KCB, KBE, DSO and 2 Bars, RN) conducted underway refuelling, gunnery and flying exercises off Trincomalee. She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Kempenfelt (Capt. E.G. McGregor, DSO, RN) and Wrangler (Lt.Cdr. D.W. Austin, RN). Later the destroyer HMS Rocket (Lt.Cdr. H.B. Acworth, OBE, RN) also joined as escort.

Aircraft Carrier HMS Colossus: HMS Colossus (Capt. G.H. Stokes,CB, DSC, RN) conducted speed trials on the Arran measured mile.

Submarine HMS Otway: HMS Otway (Lt. R. Gatehouse, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. [No log is available for HMS Oxley for the month of January 1945, therefore no details of her activities can be given.]

Submarine HMS Rorqual: HMS Rorqual (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) departed Trincomalee for her 30th war patrol (1st in the Far East). She was ordered to lay two minefields off Phuket, Siam. For the daily and attack positions of HMS Rorqual during this patrol see the map below.

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 Hoste (Lt. P.J.H. Hoare, RN) and HMS Milford (Cdr.(Retd.) G.G. Slade, RN) served as targets. These also included night attack exercises with HMS Hoste.

Submarine HMS Seadog: HMS Seadog (Lt. E.A. Hobson, DSC, RN) transited the Suez Canal Southbound.

Submarine HMS Sibyl: HMS Sibyl (Lt. H.R. Murray, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Larne.

Submarine HMS Stubborn: HMS Stubborn (Lt. A.G. Davies, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Havelock (Cdr. J.P.de W. Kitcat, RN) and HMS Icarus (Lt.Cdr. D.D. Bone, RN).

Submarine HMS Taku: HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners.

Submarine HMS Tuna: HMS Tuna (Lt.Cdr. E.D. Norman, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.

Submarine HMS Thule: HMS Thule (A/Lt.Cdr. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) attacks the Japanese submarine RO-113 (offsite link) about 20 nautical miles North-North-West of Penang in position 05°50'N, 100°04'E . Lt.Cdr. Mars claims a kill but the torpedoes have exploded prematurely so the submarine escapes unharmed. (All times are zone -6.5) 0825 hours - Sighted a seaplane circling on a bearing of 310° and approaching gradually. Altered course to investigate. 0851 hours - Although nothing could be seen or heard it was clear that this floatplane was escorting something. Prepared to attack. 0909 hours - Heard HE on the Starboard beam drawing aft. Changed course to attack. 0912 hours - Sighted a Japanese RO-100 class submarine on a course of 135°, distance 1000 yards. Had to fire a stern shot. 0913 hours - In position 05°50'N, 100°04'E fired three stern torpedoes. 0914 hours - A torpedo was seen to explode and the target was enveloped in the explosion and a cloud of spray. The HE ceased and was not heard again. Meanwhile the aircraft was seen closing so Thule went to 60 feet and altered course. No counter attack followed.

Submarine HMS Taciturn: HMS Taciturn (Lt.Cdr. E.T. Stanley, DSO, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Larne.

Submarine HMS Tapir: HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from her builders yard at Barrow for Holy Loch. She was escorted by HMS Shikari (Lt. E.H.U. Cautley, RNVR).

Submarine HMS Upright: HMS Upright (Lt. J.A.L. Wilkinson, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Bermuda with HMCS Penetang (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hicks, RCNVR) and HMS Weston (Cdr. E. Gleave, RNR).

Submarine HMS Uproar: HMS Uproar (Lt. J.N. Devlin, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.

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

Submarine HMS Unrivalled: HMS Unrivalled (Lt. D.S. Brown, RNVR) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Inconstant (A/Lt.Cdr. H.D. Verschoyle, DSC, RN).

Submarine HMS Unshaken: HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted exercises off Douglas.

Submarine HMS Untamed: HMS Vitality (Lt. K.S. Renshaw, DSC, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory with HMS St. Helena (T/A/Lt.Cdr. W.G. Pardoe-Matthews, RNR), HMS Seabear (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.R. Patton, RNVR), HMS Snowdrop (Lt. J.B. Hogg, RNR) and HMS Eday (T/Lt. G.G. Chisholm, RNVR).

Submarine HMS Untiring: HMS Untiring (Lt. R. Boyd, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

Submarine HMS Varangian: HMS Varangian (Lt. A.J. Sumption, DSC, RNVR) participated in A/S exercises off Larne.

Submarine HMS Unswerving: HMS Unswerving (T/Lt. M.D. Tattersall, RNVR) conducted A/S exercises off Alexandria with HMS Crane (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Jenkins, DSC, RN). [No logs are available for HMS Unswerving after December 1944, so no further details can be provided other then the ones currently listed.]

Submarine HMS Urtica: HMS Urtica (Lt. R.M. Seaburne-May, DSC, RN) shifted from Rothesay to Holy Loch where she was immediately docked in AFD 7.

Submarine HMS Vampire: HMS Vampire (Lt. C.W. Taylor, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Gibraltar with HMS Tyler (A/Lt.Cdr. C.H. Ranking, RN) and HMS Grindall (T/A/Lt.Cdr. D. Turquand-Young, RNVR).

Submarine HMS Varne: HMS Varne (Lt. I.G. Raikes, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Fishguard with HMCS Algoma (T/Lt. J.N. Finlayson, RCNVR).

Submarine HMS Venturer: HMS Venturer (Lt. J.S. Launders, DSC and Bar, RN) ended her 9th war patrol at Lerwick.

Submarine HMS Viking: During the night of 28/29 December 1944, HMS Viking (Lt. R. Bannar-Martin, DSC, RN), conducted night exercises off Fishguard.

Submarine HMS Virtue: HMS Virtue (Lt. R.D. Cairns, DSC, RN), conducted A/S exercises off Bombay with HMS Meadowsweet (T/Lt. W.E. Saunders, RNVR) and HMIS Dipavati (T/Lt. A.J.C. Moore, RINR).

Submarine HMS Voracious: HMS Voracious (Lt. F.D.G. Challis, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Colombo with HMIS Rajputana (A/Lt.Cdr. A. Chakraverti, RIN), HMIS Oudh (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J. Shackleton, RINVR), HMIS Kathiawar (Lt. A.K. Chatterji, RIN) and HMIS Konkan (T/Lt. W. Little, RINVR).

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

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

Light cruiser HMS Mauritius: HMS Mauritius (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) conducted refuelling at sea exercises off Scapa Flow.

Light cruiser HMS Ceylon: During 28/29 December 1944, HMS Suffolk (Capt. D. Gilmour, RN, ) and HMS Ceylon (Capt. G.B. Amery-Parkes, RN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. These included night exercises.

Light cruiser HMS Swiftsure: HMS Swiftsure (Capt. R.D. Oliver, CBE, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral E.J.P. Brind, CBE, CB, RN) arrived at Sydney from Hobart.

Destroyer HMS Vega: HMS Vega (Lt.Cdr. C.G. Forsberg, RN) is docked in the floating dock (AFD 3) at the Rosyth Dockyard.

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

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

Submarine USS R-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) is put back in the water.

Submarine FR Antiope: Antiope departed Key West, Florida, USA for the Philadelphia Navy Yard for a refit.

Submarine HMS Vengeful: HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S and attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Peacock (Lt.Cdr. R.B. Stannard, VC, DSO, RD, RNR).