Laid down (25)

1918: Destroyer Du Pont (DD 152)

1937: Destroyer Fuciliere

1941: ASW Trawler Duncton (T 220) - Minesweeper YMS-38 (YMS-38) - Minesweeper YMS-77 (YMS-77)

1942: Frigate St. Catharines (K 325) - Frigate Waskesiu (K 330) - Destroyer Ursa (R 22) - Patrol craft PC-625 (PC-625) - Motor torpedo boat PT 123 - Submarine chaser SC-1049 (SC-1049) - Submarine chaser SC-1055 (SC-1055) - Submarine chaser SC-702 (SC-702) - Minesweeper YMS-17 (YMS-17)

1943: Destroyer Irwin (DD 794)

1944: Frigate Loch Torridon (K 654) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-624 (LCI(L)-624) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-685 (LCI(L)-685) - Landing craft tank LCT 1082 (LCT 1082) - Landing craft tank LCT 1086 (LCT 1086) - Landing craft tank LCT 877 (LCT 877) - Tank landing ship LST 679 (LST 679) - Motor torpedo boat PT 738 - Net tender Tunxis (AN 90)

1945: Destroyer Rupertus (DD 851)

Launched (61)

1902: Light cruiser Komintern

1916: MS Trawler Valesca (FY 814)

1923: Submarine K X

1927: Patrol vessel Woodbury (WPC 155) - Patrol vessel Yeaton (WPC 156)

1931: Armed Yacht Raccoon - Submarine ShCh-304

1936: Oiler Big Horn (AO 45)

1939: Minesweeper Commandant Dominé

1941: Submarine S-22 - Submarine S-23 - Submarine S-24 - Submarine S-25 - Submarine S-26

1942: Minesweeper Inverell (J 233) - Minesweeper Mulgrave (J 313) - Minesweeper Kumaon (J 164) - Motor Torpedo Boat MTB 275 (MTB 275) - Motor Torpedo Boat MTB 276 (MTB 276) - MS Trawler Peshawar (T 263) - MS Trawler Bern (T 294) - Minesweeper BYMS 2018 (J 818) - Minesweeper Middlesbrough (J 164) - Motor minesweeper MMS 176 (J 676) - Motor minesweeper MMS 181 (J 681) - Motor minesweeper MMS 182 (J 682) - Motor minesweeper MMS 185 (J 685) - Motor minesweeper MMS 187 (J 687) - Motor minesweeper MMS 191 (J 691) - Motor minesweeper MMS 66 (J 566) - Motor minesweeper MMS 86 (J 586) - Motor Torpedo Boat MTB 275 (MTB 275) - Motor Torpedo Boat MTB 276 (MTB 276) - Destroyer Redoubt (H 41) - Escort carrier Barnes (ii) (CVE 20) - Destroyer Pringle (DD 477) - Submarine chaser SC-656 (SC-656) - Submarine chaser SC-672 (SC-672) - Destroyer Stanly (DD 478) - Submarine Sunfish (281) - Minesweeper YMS-127 (YMS-127) - Minesweeper YMS-13 (YMS-13) - Minesweeper YMS-132 (YMS-132)

1943: Patrol vessel Kilbirnie (Z 01) - Destroyer Hopewell (ii) (DD 681) - Net tender Lancewood (AN 48) - Submarine chaser SC-1049 (SC-1049) - Minesweeper Scout (AM 296)

1944: Destroyer Cheviot (R 90) - Destroyer Escort Johnnie Hutchins (DE 360) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-1063 (LCI(L)-1063) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-606 (LCI(L)-606) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-682 (LCI(L)-682) - Landing craft tank LCT 1291 (LCT 1291) - Tank landing ship LST 613 (LST 613) - Tank landing ship LST 995 (LST 995) - Tank landing ship LST 996 (LST 996) - Motor torpedo boat PT 426

1945: Tank landing ship LST 3520 (LST 3520) - Tank landing ship LST 1080 (LST 1080) - Tank landing ship LST 1144 (LST 1144)

Commissioned (32)

1916: Battleship Oklahoma (BB 37)

1919: Minesweeper Dundalk (J 60)

1927: Submarine B-4

1930: Minelayer Nautilus (M 12)

1932: Large destroyer Vautour

1939: Submarine Triumph (i) (N 18)

1940: Destroyer Garland (H 37)

1941: Sloop Lulworth (Y 60)

1942: Minesweeper Granby (J 264) - Corvette Spry (PG-64) - Minesweeper YMS-60 (YMS-60)

1943: Submarine Curie (P 67)

1944: Harbour Defence Motor Launch HDML 1411 (ML 1411) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-602 (LCI(L)-602) - Destroyer Escort Lough (DE 586) - Tank landing ship LST 1013 (LST 1013) - Tank landing ship LST 560 (LST 560) - Tank landing ship LST 662 (LST 662) - Tank landing ship LST 689 (LST 689) - Tank landing ship LST 736 (LST 736) - Destroyer Lyman K. Swenson (DD 729) - Destroyer Escort McCoy Reynolds (DE 440) - Minesweeper Scuffle (AM 298) - Destroyer Escort Walter C. Wann (DE 412)

1945: Repair Ship Flamborough Head (F 88) - Motor minesweeper MMS 1060 (FY 1060) - Medium landing ship (rocket) LSM(R) 405 (LSM(R) 405) - Medium landing ship (rocket) LSM(R) 406 (LSM(R) 406) - Tank landing ship LST 1056 (LST 1056) - Motor torpedo boat PT 643

1946: Frigate Shoalhaven (K 535) - Submarine Affray (P 421)

1940: Destroyer Afridi (F 07)

1941: MS Trawler Alberic - Destroyer Jersey (F 72)

1942: Light cruiser Edinburgh (16) - Submarine Jastrzab (P 551) - River gunboat Mindanao (PR-8)

1943: Motor Torpedo Boat MTB 311 (MTB 311)

1945: MS Trawler Ebor Wyke (FY 1601) - Minesweeper YMS-481 (YMS-481)

More information on Allied Warships losses.

1940

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

Light cruiser HMS Diomede: HMS Diomede (Commodore C.G.B. Coltart, CVO, RN) conducted a trial run of Sechura Bay. It became evident that more repairs were needed and Diomede had to return.

Light cruiser HMAS Hobart: HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.L. Howden, RAN) arrived at Djibouti. She departed for Berbera later the same day.

Light cruiser HMS Manchester: After having taken on board troops, HMS Manchester (Capt. H.A. Packer, RN, flying the flag of Vice Admiral G. Layton, CB, DSO, RN), HMS Birmingham (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN), HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, RN) and HMS Delight (Cdr. M. Fogg-Elliott, RN) set course to return to Scapa Flow where they arrived around 0015/3. HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) was detached to transport the Norwegian General Ruga and his staff to Tromsö, where she arrived at 1100/3. HMS Somali (Capt. R.S.G. Nicholson, DSO, DSC, RN) had gone ahead and arrived at Scapa Flow at 1630/2. HMS Calcutta (Capt. D.M. Lees, DSO, RN) and HMS Mashona (Cdr. W.H. Selby, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow at 0730/3 and finally HMS Auckland (Cdr. J.G. Hewitt, RN) arrived there at 1015/3.

Light cruiser HMS Southampton: HMS Southampton (Capt. F.W.H. Jeans, CVO, RN), HMS Beagle (Lt.Cdr. R.H. Wright, RN), HMS Hereward (Lt.Cdr. C.W. Greening, RN) and HMS Hyperion (Cdr. H.St.L. Nicholson, RN) departed Sullom Voe late in the evening to give support to forces operating off Namsos. [See the event 'Operation Klaxon, the evacuation of troops from Namsos' for 29 April 1940 for more info on the operations off Namsos.

Light cruiser HMAS Adelaide: During 2/3 May 1940, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN), conducted exercises off Fremantle.

Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Andania: HMS Andania (Capt. D.K. Bain, RN) returned to Greenock from patrol. On 8 May 1940 she is taken in hand for repairs by the John Brown, Clydebank and Barclay Curle, Govan shipyards.

Submarine HMS Otway: HMS Otway (Lt.Cdr. D.E. Mansfield, RN) conducted exercises off Portsmouth with HMS Warrior II. Upon completion of these exercises HMS Otway proceeded to Yarmouth.

Submarine HMS Olympus: HMS Olympus (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Dymott, RN) departed Port Said for Malta.

Submarine HMS Otus: HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) departed Port Said for Malta.

Submarine HMS Parthian: HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, RN) departed Port Said for Alexandria.

Submarine HMS Phoenix: HMS Phoenix (Lt.Cdr. G.H. Nowell, RN) departed Port Said for Alexandria.

Submarine HMS Proteus: HMS Proteus (Lt.Cdr. R.T. Gordon-Duff, RN) departed Port Said for Alexandria.

Submarine HMS Severn: While on patrol, HMS Severn (Lt.Cdr. B.W. Taylor, RN), is bombed at 2208 hours, by an enemy aircraft. Severn dived to 70 feet and continued her passage on the surface after about half an hour.

Submarine HMS Clyde: HMS Clyde (Lt.Cdr. D.C. Ingram, RN) departed Dundee for her 9th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off Fro Havet, Norway. For the daily and attack position of HMS Clyde turning this patrol see the map below.

Submarine HMS Grampus: HMS Grampus (Lt.Cdr. C.A. Rowe, RN) arrived at Aden.

Submarine HMS Trident: HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) attacked and damaged the German transport Clare Hugo Stinnes 1 (5295 GRT, built 1935) with torpedoes and gunfire off the Bjorna Fjord, Norway. HMS Trident was later hunted and depth charged by what were thought to be German R-boats (motor minesweepers). This were in fact German S-boats (motor torpedo boats from the 1st German S-boat Flotilla. [It is not known to us which boats were exactly involved in the depth charging though.] 0926A/2 - Sighted a German merchant ship. Started attack. Fired two torpedoes from 2500 yards. Both missed, most likely they ran under. Surfaced and fired a practice round and signalled the ship to stop. The ship however did not stop. Range was now 4500 yards and as the ship could not be overtaken before it entered the next fjord she was taken under fire with the deck gun. Seventy rounds were fired and the ship beached itself on Skorpa Island. A torpedo was fired with the intention for a hit amidships but the torpedo exploded on the rocks. Lt.Cdr. Sladen considered the ship to be a total loss and decided to clear the area as soon as possible. Course was set to proceed to the open sea through the Kors Fjord at full speed on the surface. [The ship however was not a total loss and was later salvaged.] 1055A/2, When abeam of the Marstein lighthouse HMS Trident dived for an aircraft seen ahead. 1150A/2, Now five miles out, HE was picked up coming from astern. Two R-boats were seen proceeding up Trident's track. Went down to 300 feet and stopped all possible machinery. Remained at 300 feet until 1715A/2 when no more HE was heard. Between 1225A/2 and 1420A/2, nineteen depth charges were dropped but not very close.

Submarine HMS Taku: Around 1800A/2, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN) departed from Rosyth for her 2nd war patrol. She is to patrol of southern Norway. For the daily positions of HMS Taku during this patrol see the map below.

Submarine HMS H 43: HMS H 43 (Lt. G.R. Colvin, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Plymouth.

Submarine HMS H 50: HMS H 50 (Lt. A.R. Cheyne, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland.

Light cruiser HMS Neptune: HMS Neptune (Capt. J.A.V. Morse, DSO, RN) returned to Malta.

Light cruiser HMS Galatea: Around 2100A/2, the light cruisers HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral G.F.B. Edward-Collins, CB, KCVO, RN) and HMS Arethusa (Capt. Q.D. Graham, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Rosyth where they arrived around 0800A/3.

Battleship HMS Resolution: The battleship HMS Resolution (Capt. O. Bevir, RN) fuelled the following destroyers while anchored in the 'Narvik area'; HMS Campbell (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Aubrey, RN), HMS Witch (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN), HMS Acasta (Cdr. C.E. Glasfurd, RN), HMS Ardent (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Barker, RN), HMS Havant (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Burnell-Nugent, RN) and HMS Havelock (Capt. E.B.K. Stevens, DSC, RN). In the evening HMS Resolution fired some 6" shells against German troop concentrations.

Destroyer HMS Jaguar: HMS Jaguar (Lt.Cdr. J.F.W. Hine, RN) departed Rosyth for Scapa Flow escorting the small store ship Cromarty Firth (British, 538 GRT, built 1937). They arrived at Scapa Flow the following day.

Destroyer HMS Jackal: Around 0115A/2, HMS Glasgow (Capt. F.H. Pegram, RN), HMS Jackal (Cdr. T.M. Napier, RN) and HMS Javelin (Cdr. A.F. Pugsley, RN), departed the Malangen Fjord near Tromso for Greenock. Around 1735A/2, HMS Jackal was detached to Sullom Voe where she was to fuel and make repairs to her ASDIC installation. She rejoined HMS Glasgow and HMS Javelin around 1530A/3. They arrived at Greenock around 1700A/4.

Destroyer ORP Garland: During repairs at La Valetta, Malta, Garland was manned by a Polish crew. Lt.Cdr. Doroszkowski became the first Polish commanding officer of this destroyer.

Destroyer ORP Blyskawica: Blyskawica entered the Rombaken Fjord in the Narvik area. She was ambushed by a German gun battery and machine guns firing at point-blank range. Despite this, ship didn't retreat. Polish gunners returned fire, destroyed three guns and silenced rest of them. Blyskawica was hit four times by gun shells and damaged. Three members of her crew were killed. After this fight, she was sent to Skjel Fjord for repairs which lasted for two days.

1941

Heavy cruiser HMAS Canberra: Around 0040B/2, HMAS Canberra (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) parted company with convoy US 10A, made up of the troop transports Queen Mary (British, 81235 GRT, built 1936) and Queen Elizabeth (British, 83673 GRT, built 1939) to the north of Perim. The troop transports then continued on towards Suez, unescorted. HMAS Canberra set course for Aden where she arrived around 1100B/2.

Light cruiser HMS Sheffield: HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) is undocked.

Light cruiser HMS Gloucester: HMS Gloucester (Capt. H.A. Rowley, RN) and the 5th Destroyer Flotilla; HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, DSO, GCVO, RN), HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN), HMS Kelvin (Cdr. J.H. Allison, DSO, RN), HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St. Clair-Ford, RN), HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) and HMS Jersey (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Burnell-Nugent, DSC, RN) returned to Malta having failed to intercept two Axis convoys to Tripoli. HMS Kelly, HMS Kelvin and HMS Jackal had entered the harbour. HMS Jersey was the next destroyer to enter but hit a mine and sank. HMS Gloucester, HMS Kashmir and HMS Kipling therefore were unable to enter the harbour and had to proceed to Gibraltar instead.

Light cruiser HMS Manchester: HMS Manchester (Capt. H.A. Packer, RN) and HMS Birmingham (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow.

Submarine HNMS O 23: At 1755Z/2, HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) leaves convoy HG 60 to join convoy OG 60.

Submarine HNMS O 14: HrMs O 14 (Lt.Cdr. G. Quint, RNN(R)) conducted A/S exercises at / off Scapa Flow with HMS Farndale (Cdr. S.H. Carlill, RN) and HMS St. Albans (Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) S.G.C. Rawson, RN).

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

Aircraft Carrier HMS Hermes: Around 2345C/2, the the light cruiser HMS Enterprise (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN) parted company with the aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN). HMS Enterprise proceeded towards the Shatt al Arab where she anchored the following morning.

Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Corfu: The damaged armed merchant cruiser HMS Corfu (Capt.(Retd.) J.P. Landon, RN) departed Trincomalee for Calcutta.

Submarine HMS Oberon: HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Pizey, DSO, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) with HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN).

Submarine HMS Rover: HMS Rover (Lt.Cdr. G.H. Greenway, RN) arrived at Alexandria.

Submarine HMS Sturgeon: HMS Sturgeon (Lt.Cdr. D. St. Clair-Ford, RN) was docked at Portsmouth.

Submarine HMS Seawolf: HMS Seawolf (Lt. P.L. Field, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Blyth. She was escorted by HMS Preston North End (Lt. K.A. Vasey, RNR).

Submarine HMS Torbay: At 1430A/2, when north-north-east of Marettimo Island, in approximate position 38°15'N, 12°10'E, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) sighted two destroyers thought to be of the Maestrale-class about six miles to the northward steering east. No attack was possible. Proceeded towards the position in which they had been sighted hoping for a convoy or bigger warships arriving on the scene but nothing was seen. Distant explosions, possibly depth charges, were head between 1040A/2 and 1800A/2. These were most probably from the convoy consisting of the German transports Castellon (2068 GRT, built 1935), Wachtfels (8467 GRT, built 1928) and the Italian Giulia (5921 GRT, built 1925) escorted by the Italian destroyers Turbine, Folgore and Strale. They had sailed from Tripoli at 1600B-1645B/30 April and were reported off Marettimo at 1140B/1 May. They arrived at Naples at 0546-0702B/3 May.

Submarine HMS Unique: HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Malta for her 8th war patrol (6th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off the East coast of Sicily. For the daily positions of HMS Unique during this patrol see the map below.

Submarine HMS Upright: HMS Upright (Lt. R.S. Brookes, DSC, RN) tried to attack a convoy about 50 nautical miles South-East of the Kerkennah shallows. Due to an mistake in the setup of the attack it had to be broken off. Later one torpedo was fired from great range but it missed. According to Italian sources this was probably the convoy consisting of Tilly M. Russ (1600 GRT, built 1926), Brook (1225 GRT, built 1927), Bainsizza (7933 GRT, built 1930), San Andre (?) and tug Max Behrendt escorted by the torpedo boats Generale Carlo Montanari, Clio, Centauro and Polluce and the armed merchant cruiser Ramb III, they were on passage Trapani to Tripoli. (All times are zone -2) 1623 hours - In position 33°59'N, 12°01'E sighted smoke bearing 260°. Altered course to investigate. 1638 hours - Sighted a convoy of five merchant ships, three of about 4000 tons and two smaller ones of about 2000 tons. They were escorted by two destroyers and two aircraft. Started attack. 1652 hours - Due to a faulty attack setup by Uprights inexperienced Commanding Officer she ended up 300 yards in front of one of the escorts when she was to fire torpedoes the attack had to be broken off and Upright was taken deep. 1728 hours - Returned to periscope depth. Saw one of the merchant vessels a bit behind the remainder of the convoy. Decided to attack despite the rather great range. 1743 hours - Fired one torpedo from 6000 yards at the last ship of the Port column. It missed.

Submarine HMS P 32: HMS P 32 (Lt. D.A.B. Abdy, RN) departed her builders yard for Holy Loch. She was escorted by HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Dobson, RNR).

Submarine HMS H 28: HMS H 28 (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory.

Submarine HMS H 34: HMS H 34 (Lt. C.P. Norman, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Ardrishaig.

Submarine HMS H 44: HMS H 44 (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

Minelayer HMS Abdiel: Around 1815C/2, HMS Abdiel (Capt. E. Pleydell-Bouverie, MVO, RN) departed Alexandria to load mines at Haifa where she arrived the following day.

Light cruiser HMS Galatea: HMS Galatea (Capt. E.W.B. Sim, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow.

Light cruiser HMS Phoebe: Around 1650C/2, HMS Phoebe (Capt. G. Grantham, RN), HMS Hero (Cdr. H.W. Biggs, DSO, RN), HMS Isis (Cdr. C.S.B. Swinley, DSC, RN) and HMS Kimberley (Lt.Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson, DSO, RN) arrived at Port Said from operations.

Battlecruiser HMS Renown: On 30 April 1941 the trawler HMS Loch Oskaig (Lt.Cdr. S. Darling, RANVR) had intercepted and captured the French merchant vessel Cap Cantin (3317 GRT, built 1933) off Cape Espichel, Portugal (just south of Lisbon). The Cape Cantin was en route from German occupied Bayonne to Marseilles. It was decided that the ship was to be taken to Gibraltar for inspection. The French master of the ship first refused to comply and as the French ship had also sent out an SOS it was feared that Vichy-French would try to re-capture the ship it was decided that ships from ' Force H ' would be sent to prevent this. So at 0430/2, HMS Renown (Capt. R.R. McGrigor, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, DSO, RN) escorted by HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.F. de Salis, RN (Capt. D.8)) , HMS Foresight (Cdr. J.S.C. Salter, RN), HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Tancock, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Fortune (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Sinclair, RN) and HMS Fury (Lt.Cdr. T.C. Robinson, RN) departed Gibraltar and proceeded to the westward at 18 knots. At 0750/2, HMS Loch Oskaig was ordered to report her position, course and speed. At 0900/2 she replied that her position was 36°29'N, 07°54'W , course 090°, speed 8 knots. HMS Renown altered course to close and the trawler and the Vichy-French ship were sighted at noon. HMS Foresight was then detached to take over from the trawler which was then ordered to resume her patrol and HMS Foresight escorted the Frenchman to Gibraltar being covered to the south by HMS Renown and her four remaining escorting destroyers. After reconnaissance had sighted no Vichy-French warships in the area it was decided to recall ' Force H ' to Gibraltar. ' Force H ' returned to harbour at 1950/2. HMS Forester and Cap Cantin entered harbour at 0030/3.

Battleship HMS Prince of Wales: HMS Prince of Wales (Capt. J.C. Leach, MVO, RN) conducted gunnery exercises inside Scapa Flow.

Submarine HMS Undaunted (i): The patrol line was cancelled at 0001B/2 and HMS Undaunted (Lt. J.L. Livesey, RN) was ordered to proceed to position (T) 32°50'N, 12°40'E which was to the west of Tripoli.

Destroyer HNoMS St Albans: At 2345 hours, while exercising in the Pentland Firth, HNoMS St. Albans (Capt. G. Hovdenak, RNorN) rammed and sunk the auxiliary minesweeping trawler HMT Alberic. The trawler sank quickly taking 13 of her crew with her. St. Ablans sustained damage to her bow.

Destroyer HMS Defender: HMS Decoy (Cdr. E.G. McGregor, DSO, RN) and HMS Defender (Lt.Cdr. G.L. Farnfield, RN) departed Port Said for Mersa Matruh. Here they were to embark troops and then take them to Tobruk.

Destroyer HMAS Nestor: HMAS Nestor (Cdr. G.S. Stewart, RAN) arrived at Scapa Flow from Greenock.

Submarine HMS L 27: HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth.

1942

Heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland: HMS Cumberland (Capt. A.H. Maxwell-Hyslop, AM, RN) conducted D/G trials off Sheerness.

Heavy cruiser HMS Kent: HMS Kent (Capt. A.E.M.B. Cunninghame-Graham, RN) proceeded Govan to Greenock.

Light cruiser HMS Caradoc: HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) arrived at Greenock.

Light cruiser HMS Cardiff: During the night of 2/3 May 1942, HMS Cardiff (Capt. G.F. Stevens-Guille, DSO, OBE, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with aircraft.

Light cruiser HMS Danae: Around 1415D/2, HMS Danae (Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) arrived at Bahrein from Dubai. Around 1600D/2, she departed Bahrein for Khor Kuwai. At Bahrein Capt. M.S. Slattery, RN, had joined the ship.

Heavy cruiser HMS Hawkins: Nearing the completion of her refit HMS Hawkins (Capt. G.A. French, RN) is undocked. After basin trials and an inclination test she was docked again later the same day. [We have been unable to find out the date she was initially docked, possibly in March 1942 as there is no log available for this month.]

Light cruiser HMAS Hobart: Around 1545K/2, HMAS Australia (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, CB, RN) and HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.L. Howden, CBE, RAN) arrived at Hervey Bay and immediately commenced fuelling. Around 2100K/2, HMAS Australia, HMAS Hobart and USS Whipple (Lt.Cdr. E.S. Karpe, USN) departed Hervey Bay to make rendezvous with Task Force 11 which was effected around 0805KL/4. USS Whipple did not join Task Force 11 but was released and proceeded to Port Vila, New Hebrides.

Light cruiser HMS Liverpool: HMS Liverpool (Capt. W.R. Slayter, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow.

Light cruiser HMS Manchester: HMS Manchester (Capt. H. Drew, DSC, RN) departed Portsmouth for Scapa Flow.

Light cruiser HNMS Tromp: HrMs Tromp (Cdr. J.B. de Meester, RNN) returned to Sydney.

Submarine HNMS O 23: Around 0800C/2, HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. A.M. Valkenburg, RNN) departed Aden for Colombo.

Submarine HNMS O 9: HrMs O 9 (Lt. J.F. Drijfhout Van Hooff, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle together with HMS Lowestoft (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) F.B. Proudfoot, RN), HMS Pelican (Cdr. G.V. Gladstone, RN) and HMS Quadrille (T/Lt. N.T. Chetwood, RNVR).

Submarine USS Trout: USS Trout (Lt.Cdr. F.W. Fenno) torpedoed and sank the Japanese merchant Uzan Maru (5019 GRT) off the southeast coast of Honshu, Japan in position 33°26'N, 135°52'E.

Submarine USS Stingray: USS Stingray (Lt.Cdr. R.J. Moore) ended her third war patrol at Fremantle.

Submarine USS Pollack: USS Pollack (Lt.Cdr. Stanley P. Moseley) left Pearl Harbor for her third war patrol. Once again she was ordered to patrol in Japanese home waters.

Submarine USS Cuttlefish: USS Cuttlefish (Lt.Cdr. M.P. Hottel) left Midway for her 2nd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off Saipan and the northern islands of the Marianas group. Later she was ordered to patrol some 700 nautical miles west of Midway.

Submarine USS Drum: USS Drum (Lt.Cdr. R.H. Rice) torpedoed and sank the seaplane carrier Mizuho (10930 tons) off the south coast of Honshu, Japan in position 34°26'N, 138°14'E.

Submarine USS Flying Fish: USS Flying Fish (Lt.Cdr. G.R. Donaho) arrived at Pearl Harbor.

Aircraft Carrier HMS Indomitable: In the afternoon and early evening first HMS Paladin (Cdr. A.D. Pugsley, RN) and then HMS Panther (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Jocelyn, RN) fuelled while underway from HMS Indomitable (Capt. T.H. Troubridge, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral D.W. Boyd, CBE, DSC, RN).

Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Canton: HMS Canton (A/Capt. G.N. Loriston-Clarke, RN) departed Simonstown for Capetown but due to the discovery of enemy mines near the end of the searched channel she had to remain at sea. She was finally swept into harbour arriving around 1945B/4.

Submarine HMS Proteus: HMS Proteus (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) torpedoed and damaged the German merchant Otto Leonhardt (3682 GRT, built 1911) west of Lefkada, Greece in position 38°41'N, 20°24'E. She was in company with the German Hans Arp (2645 GRT, built 1926) escorted by the destroyer Solferino and motorboat Cariddi. Solferino laid a smoke screen to protect the stricken vessel from further attack and carried out a search towing an antisubmarine mine but it was fruitless. (All times are zone -3) 0740 hours - While in position 38°39'N, 20°22'E sighted smoke bearing 350°. 0822 hours - Masts and funnels of a convoy of two merchant vessels escorted by a destroyer and a trawler were sighted. They were approaching Cape Dukato on a mean course of 150°. Started attack. 0910 hours - Fired five torpedoes at the leading merchant vessel from about 2000 yards. The merchant vessel was heavily laden and of about 2500 yards. Went deep on firing and retired to the northward. Two torpedoes were heard to explode and these are thought to the hits. 0913 hours - Depth charging started. A total of 51 were dropped during the next 40 minutes. The first 3 were very close. 1010 hours - Returned to periscope depth. The destroyer was seen to steam up and down in the area of the attack. Nothing else was in sight. 1230 hours - The destroyer could no longer be seen.

Submarine HMS Porpoise: At 2050C hours HMS Porpoise (Cdr. E.F. Pizey, DSO, RN) sighted a U-boat on course 090°. An attack could not be carried out but an enemy report was made as HMS Urge was expected to be 50 miles behind her. The enemy submarine was the Italian Nereide who had observed the British submarine but mistook it for German.

Submarine HMS Seawolf: HMS Seawolf (Lt. R.P. Raikes, RN) was docked at Kames Bay.

Submarine HMS Turbulent: Around 1150C/2, HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSC, RN) arrived at Port Said.

Submarine HMS Unbroken: HMS P 42 (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol (also 3rd in the Mediterranean) at Gibraltar.

Submarine HMS Unrivalled: P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) and P 222 (Lt. A.J. MacKenzie, RN) departed their builders yard at Barrow for Holy Loch. They were escorted by HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Dobson, RNR).

Submarine HMS Unruffled: HMS P 46 (Lt. J.S. Stevens, DSC, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Campbeltown where she then participated in exercises.

Submarine HMS H 28: HMS H 28 (Lt. R.E. Boddington, RN) is undocked.

Submarine HMS H 32: HMS H 32 (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) shifted from Campbeltown to Rothesay.

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

Submarine HMS H 50: HMS H 50 (Lt. M.L.C. Crawford, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle.

Submarine HMS P 511: HMS P 511 (Lt. D.E.O. Watson, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.

Light cruiser HMS Trinidad: HMS Trinidad (Capt. L.S. Saunders, RN) is undocked at Murmansk.

Destroyer HMS Wrestler: German U-boat U-74 was sunk by depth charges from the British destroyers HMS Wishart (Cdr. H.G. Scott, RN) and HMS Wrestler (Lt. R.W.B. Lacon, DSC, RN) east of Cartagena, Spain, in position 37°16'N, 00°01'E.

Destroyer HNoMS St Albans: During escort of a Murmansk convoy HNoMS St Albans detected and sank a submarine believed to be a German U-boat. The submarine however was the Polish submarine ORP Jastrzab P 551 which had by mistake manoeuvred herself into the convoy. HNoMS St Albans picked up the survivors and transported them to Murmansk.

Destroyer HMS Foresight: The heavily damaged British light cruiser HMS Edinburgh was scuttled by one torpedo from HMS Foresight (Cdr. J.S.C. Salter, OBE, RN) in position 71°51'N, 35°10'E.

Escort destroyer HMS Badsworth: On 2 May 1942 the British merchant Jutland in convoy PQ-15 was torpedoed and damaged by a German torpedo aircraft of I/KG 26 south of Bear Island. One passenger was lost. The master, 53 crew members and eight passengers abandoned ship and were picked up by the British destroyer HMS Badsworth (Lt. G.T.S. Gray, DSC, RN) and landed at Murmansk on 6 May. At 00.14 hours on 3 May 1942, the abandoned Jutland was torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-251 in position 73°02'N, 19°46'E.

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. B.E. Lewellen, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

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

Submarine USSR D-3 / Krasnovgardeyets: Around 2115 hours D-3 attacks the a German convoy off Harbaken, Norway. The torpedoes fired missed the German merchant Iris (3232 GRT).

Submarine USSR K-2: While on patrol of the Tanafjord, K-2 fires 4 torpedoes against what is indentified as a merchant of 6000 GRT. All torpedoes missed their so far unidentified target.

Corvette HMS Polyanthus: HMS Polyanthus (Lt. A. Hague, RNR) picks up 12 survivors from a lifeboat of the British merchant Derryheen that was torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-201 on 22 April about 300 nautical miles west of Bermuda in position 31°20'N, 70°35'W.

Submarine USSR A-3: A-3 fired torpedoes at the German merchants Arkadia (1756 GRT) and Salzburg (1742 GRT) off Odessa. The targets are not hit.

Submarine HMS L 23: HMS L 23 (Lt. E.J.D. Turner, DSC, RN) arrived at Blyth.

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

Submarine HMS P 615: HMS P 615 (Lt. P.E. Newstead, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.

1943

Heavy cruiser HMS Kent: HMS Kent (Capt. A.E.M.B. Cunninghame-Graham, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral L.H.K. Hamilton, CB, DSO and Bar, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Greenock to give leave to the crew, make some minor repairs and have a minor alteration done to her radar outfit.

Heavy cruiser HMS Sussex: HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) arrived at Kilindini from convoy escort duty.

Light cruiser HMS Capetown: HMS Capetown (Capt. C.L. Robertson, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa.

Light cruiser HMS Colombo: HMS Colombo (Capt. D.H. Hall-Thompson, RN) proceeded from Greenock to Lamlash.

Light cruiser HMS Durban: HMS Durban (Capt. G.F. Stevens-Guille, DSO, OBE, RN) arrived at Shatt-al-Arab.

Submarine HNMS O 9: HrMs O 9 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout Van Hooff, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Bretwalda (Skr.Lt. J.R. Coultas, RD, RNR) and HMS Tuscarora (Cdr.(Retd.) K.W. Stewart, RN).

Submarine HNMS Dolfijn: At 1100A/2, near Cape Gallo, Sicily, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) sighted two small schooners sailing eastwards within one mile of the coast. They were not attacked.

Submarine USS Seadragon: USS Seadragon (Cdr. R.L. Rutter, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbour.

Submarine USS Stingray: During here 7th war patrol USS Stingray (Lt.Cdr. O.J. Earle) torpedoed and sank the Japanese transport ship Tamon Maru (8156 GRT) off Wenzhou, China in position 27°18'N, 121°38'E.

Submarine USS Guardfish: USS Guardfish (Lt.Cdr. N.G. Ward) departed from Brisbane for her 5th war patrol. Once again she was ordered to patrol the Bismarck Archipelago and Solomon Islands area.

Submarine USS Jack: USS Jack (Lt.Cdr. T.M. Dykers) arrived at Pearl Harbor from New London.

Submarine USS Pogy: USS Pogy (Lt.Cdr. G.H. Wales) sank a Japanese sampan with gunfire east of Honshu, Japan in position 37°11'N, 143°40'E.

Submarine USS Balao: Having completed her torpedo trials, USS Balao (Cdr. R.H. Crane, USN), arrived at New London, Connecticut from Newport, Rhode Island for further shakedown.

Escort Carrier HMS Fencer: Around 1100Q/2, HMS Fencer (Capt. E.W. Anstice, RN) arrived at New York from Norfolk.

Submarine HMS Oberon: HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. J.W. McCoy, DSC, RN) conducted independent exercises in the Clyde area.

Submarine HMS Parthian: In the evening HMS Parthian (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) landed a party of three at Makri Yalo Bay (ca. 35°01’N, 26°04’E) on the south coast of Crete. This was operation Ironclad [not to be mistaken with the operation of the same name which resulted in the occupation of Madagascar a year earlier]. [No information is found in files regarding SOE operations which means this operation was most likely an ISLD operation (as MI6 was known in the Middle East).]

Submarine HMS Rorqual: HMS Rorqual (Lt.Cdr. L.W. Napier, RN) ended her 25th war patrol (21th in the Mediterranean) at Malta.

Submarine HMS Safari: HMS Safari (Lt. R.B. Lakin, DSO, DSC, RN) sank the Italian auxiliary Sogliola / F 111 (307 GRT, built 1924) with gunfire off Asinara Island, Italy. Sogliola had just delivered to Sardinia assault boats of the Decima Flotiglia Mas to defend the island from an invasion fleet. Of her crew of 35, one was killed and five were missing. 0800A/2 - Sighted a small vessel coast crawling Northward. Closed. 0857A/2 - Surfaced 500 yards on the Port quarter of a 450 tons coaster and opened fire with the 3" gun. 26 Rounds were fired for 25 hits, mostly on the waterline. The crew abandoned ship. 0905A/2 - Dived. 1026A/2 - The coaster was seen to sink in position 41°05'N, 08°15'E.

Submarine HMS Sceptre: HMS Sceptre (Lt. I.S. McIntosh, MBE, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar.

Submarine HMS Surf: HMS Surf (Lt. D. Lambert, DSC, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Lerwick. She was escorted by HMS Hayling (T/Lt. G.B. Christie, RNR).

Submarine HMS Tuna: HMS Tuna (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. HMS Tuna proceeded to Campbeltown on completion of these exercises.

Submarine HMS Tally-Ho: HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil.

Submarine HMS Ultimatum: HMS Ultimatum (Lt. W.H. Kett, RNR) arrived at Scapa Flow to participate in A/S and attack exercises.

Submarine HMS Universal: HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Lerwick. The patrol had been uneventful.

Submarine HMS Upstart: HMS Upstart (Lt. P.C. Chapman, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted A/S exercises in Lough Foyle with HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. A.F.C. Gray, RD, RNR) and HMS Northern Wave (T/Lt. J.P. Kilbee, RNR).

Submarine HNoMS Ula: HNoMS Ula (Lt. R.M. Sars) arrived at Scapa Flow where she was to participate in A/S training.

Submarine HMS H 32: HMS H 32 (Lt. T.G. Ridgeway, RN) participated in special trials / exercises off Dartmouth with aircraft.

Submarine HMS H 34: HMS H 34 (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) shifted from Rothesay to Kames Bay where she was immediately docked.

Submarine HMS H 44: HMS H 44 (Lt. R. Bannar-Martin, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Altair (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) W.R.T. Clements, RNR) and HMS Boarhound (Skr. A. Keable, RNR).

Submarine HMS P 511: HMS P 511 (Lt. J.S. Launders, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Spaniel and HMS Bedlington (Skr. J.H.D. Dansie, RNR).

Submarine HMS P 512: HMS P 512 (Lt. R.B. Foster, RN) arrived at Bermuda where she was to aid in A/S training. She was escorted in by USS SC-679.

Minelayer HMS Abdiel: HMS Abdiel (Capt. D. Orr-Ewing, RN) arrived at Haifa from Alexandria.

Destroyer HMAS Vendetta: Convoy TS 27. This convoy departed Townsville on 2 May 1943. It was made up of the transports; Bontekoe (Dutch, 5033 GRT, built 1922), Cremer (Dutch, 4608 GRT, built 1926) and David Bushnell (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942). On departure from Townsville the convoy was escorted by the destroyer HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. G.L. Cant, RAN) (Lt.(Emgy.) D. Logan, RAN). A.M. on the 5th the transport Stephen B. Elkins (American, 7180 GRT, built 1943) joined the convoy. She had stragged from convoy TS 26. P.M. on the 5th the minesweeper HMAS Goulburn (Lt.Cdr. B. Paul, RANR(S)) joined. She had been searching for the Stephen B. Elkins but had been unable to find her. The convoy arrived at Brisbane on 6 May 1943.

Destroyer HNMS Van Galen (ii): Around 1600K/2, HrMs Van Galen (Lt.Cdr. F.T. Burghard, RNethN) departed Sydney to overtake and join convoy CO 92 as additional escort. [For more info see the event ' Convoy CO 92 ' for 1 May 1943.]

Submarine USS S-17: USS S-17 departed Casco Bay, Maine for New London, Connecticut.

1944

Heavy cruiser HMS Kent: HMS Kent (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, DSC, MVO, RN), HMS Berwick (Capt. N.V. Grace, RN) and HMS Devonshire (Capt. D.K. Bain, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow.

Light cruiser HMS Dauntless: HMS Dauntless (Cdr. D.C. Kinloch, DSO, RN) and HMS Diomede (Cdr. R.A. Ewing, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Methil.

Light cruiser HMS Durban: HMS Durban (A/Cdr. J.A. Agnew, RN), which has been selected for use as 'blockship' in a breakwater during the Normandy landings, departed Portsmouth for Rosyth via the eastcoast.

Light cruiser HMS Sheffield: HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, DSO, RN) conducted trials and exercises in the Clyde area.

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

Submarine HNMS O 23: HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. A.J. Schouwenaar, RNN) is undocked. She then continued her refit at Grangemouth by the Grangemouth Dockyard.

Submarine HNMS O 15: HrMs O 15 (Lt. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Spaniel and HMS Bedlington.

Submarine HNMS O 9: HrMs O 9 (Lt. R.W. van Lynden, RNN) arrived at Rothesay.

Submarine USS Tautog: USS Tautog (Lt.Cdr. T.S. Baskett) torpedoed and sank the Japanese troop transport Ryuyo Maru (5973 GRT) off Matsuwa Jima in the Kuril Island in position 48°04'N, 153°16'E.

Submarine USS Bluegill: USS Bluegill (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Barr, Jr.) torpedoed and sank the Japanese army cargo ship Asosan Maru (8811 GRT) east of Mindanao, Philippines in position 07°05'N, 130°00'E.

Submarine USS Peto: USS Peto (Lt.Cdr. Paul Van Leunen, Jr.) refuels at Midway.

Submarine USS Bowfin: USS Bowfin (Cdr. J. Corbus, USN) Topped off with fuel at Darwin before proceeding to her patrol area.

Submarine USS Dragonet: USS Dragonet (T/Cdr. J.H. Lewis, USN) conducted special depth charge trials with USS Chewick (T/Lt. J.O. Cavanaugh, USN).

Escort Carrier HMS Fencer: German U-boat U-674 was sunk in the Norwegian Sea east of Jan Mayen Island, in position 70°32'N, 04°37'E, by rockets from a Swordfish aircraft (842 Sqn FAA/B) of the British escort carrier HMS Fencer.

Escort Carrier HMS Fencer: German U-boat U-959 was sunk south-east of Jan Mayen, in position 69°20'N, 00°20'W, by depth charges from a British Swordfish aircraft of the escort carrier HMS Fencer (Sqdn 842/K).

Submarine HMS Una: HMS Una (Lt. C.A.J. Nicholl, RN) depared Rothesay for Tobermory.

Submarine HMS Sealion: HMS Sealion (Lt. P.E. Newstead, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

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 Proteus (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) served as the target.

Submarine HMS Seraph: HMS Seraph (Lt. T. Russell-Walling, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Plymouth with HMS Lord Stanhope (A/Skr.Lt. S.G. Jinks, RNR) and HMS Kingston Chrysoberyl (A/Skr.Lt. H. Rich, RNR).

Submarine HMS Sirdar: HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) departed Aden for Trincomalee.

Submarine HMS Stratagem: HMS Stratagem (Lt. C.R. Pelly, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Malta together with HMS Exmoor (Lt. D.D. Howson, RN) and HMS Brocklesby (Lt. K.R.S. Leadlay, RN).

Submarine HMS Spark: HMS Spark (Lt. D.G. Kent, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.

Submarine HMS Shalimar: HMS Shalimar (Lt. W.G. Meeke, DSC, MBE, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar.

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

Submarine HMS Taku: Around 2030B/2, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) and HMS Voracious (Lt. F.D.G. Challis, DSC, RN) departed Holy Loch for Blyth and Scapa Flow respectively. They were escorted by HMS Sardonyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne, RNVR). At 1540B/3 Taku parted company with Voracious and Sardonyx and continued her passage to Blyth but now escorted by HMS Godetia (T/Lt. M.A.F. Larose, RNR) while Voracious and Sardonyx proceeded to Scapa Flow.

Submarine HMS Truant: HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Larne.

Submarine HMS Tuna: HMS Tuna (A/Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth.

Submarine HMS Trusty: HMS Trusty (Lt. E.T. Stanley, DSO, DSC, RN) conducts attack exercises at / off Scapa Flow during which HMS Kent (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, DSC, MVO, RN) served as target.

Submarine HMS Trespasser: Around 2140C/2, HMS Trespasser (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Favell, RN) arrived at Malta. At Malta some repairs were to be made by the Dockyard. She was escorted in by HMS Tango (T/Lt. R.F. Giles, RNVR) which had joined around 1620C/2.

Submarine HMS Truculent: HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) departed from Trincomalee for her 10th war patrol (3rd in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol off the West coast of Sumatra and to carry out a special operation (details to follow). Before proceeding on patrol exercises are carried out with HMNZS Gambia (Capt. N.J.W. William-Powlett, DSC, RN). For the daily and attack positions of HMS Truculent during this patrol see the map below.

Submarine HMS Uproar: HMS Uproar (Lt. L.E. Herrick, DSC, RN) arrived at Sheerness.

Submarine HMS Ultimatum: HMS Ultimatum (Lt. W.H. Kett, DSC, RNR) shells the harbour of Koroni, Greece. Two sailing vessels were claimed sunk, five were claimed destroyed on the slips and one was claimed to be damaged. Three shells fell in the village, killing one Greek was killed and wounding two more. (All times are zone -2) 1919 hours - Surfaced 1400 yards from the breakwater to bombard Koroni harbour where several caiques had been sighted as well as three shipyards that were building caiques. 1937 hours - Completed the bombardment. 62 Rounds had been fired. Dived and retired seawards. The next morning the harbour was examined for the results of the bombardment. Two caiques were seen to have sunk, five were destroyed on the slipways and one was seen to be holed and damaged.

Submarine HMS Upstart: At 1858 hours (zone -2) HMS Upstart (Lt. P.C. Chapman, DSC and Bar, RN) fired two torpedoes at the German auxiliary patrol veseel FNi 07 that was moored alongside the breakwater in Nice Harbour. Both missed but one torpedo exploded inside the harbour.

Submarine HMS Vampire: HMS Vampire (Lt. C.W. Taylor, RNR) is undocked.

Submarine HMS Visigoth: HMS Visigoth (Lt. J.R.H. Haddow, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

Submarine HMS Vox: HMS Vox (Lt. J.M. Michell, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Gibraltar.

Submarine HMS H 28: HMS H 28 (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMCS Morden (T/Lt. E.C. Smith, RCNVR), HMS Fennel (A/Lt.Cdr. W.P. Moffat, RCNVR) and HMCS Chilliwack (T/Lt. D.R. Watson, MBE, RCNR).

Submarine HMS H 32: HMS H 32 (Lt. M.D. Hutley, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Stornoway with HMS Lord Nuffield (A/Skr.Lt. C.L. Buchan, RNR) and HMS Copinsay (Skr. J.A. MacTean, RNR).

Submarine HMS H 44: HMS H 44 (Lt. P.N. Joyce, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Ardrishaig.

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

Submarine HMS P 512: HMS P 512 (Lt. J.A. Wingate, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Bermuda.

Light cruiser HMS Phoebe: HMS Phoebe (Capt. C.P. Frend, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Alexandria.

Battleship HMS Queen Elizabeth: During 2/3 May, the battleship HMS Queen Elizabeth (Capt. H.G. Norman, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Eastern Fleet) and light cruiser HMNZS Gambia (Capt. N.J.W. William-Powlett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. The battleship was possibly escorted by the destroyers HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Farrington, RN) and HMAS Napier (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Green, DSC, RAN). On 2 May 1944, HMNZS Gambia also conducted A/S exercises with the submarine HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN).

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) conducted exercises off Key West.

1945

Heavy cruiser HMS Devonshire: In the morning, HMS Devonshire (Capt. G.M.B. Langley, OBE, RN), conducted underway refuelling exercises at Scapa Flow with the destroyer HMS Obdurate (Lt.Cdr. R.D. Franks, DSO, DSC, OBE, RN). In the afternoon HMS Devonshire conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow.

Heavy cruiser HMS Sussex: In the early evening, HMS Sussex (Capt. A.F. de Salis, DSO, RN), is ordered to return to Gibraltar.

Light cruiser HMS Cardiff: HMS Cardiff (A/Capt. A.M. Sheffield, RN) conducted bombardment exercises in the Clyde area.

Light cruiser HMS Dauntless: HMS Dauntless (Cdr. P.F. Powlett, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) departed Rosyth for exercises upon completion of which she proceeded to Leith.

Light cruiser HMAS Hobart: Around 0800I/2, HMAS Hobart (Capt. R.S. Dowling, RAN) and HMAS Warramunga (Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC and Bar, RAN) arrived at Morotai from the Tarakan area. [We have been unable to find out when they left Morotai for Hollandia.]

Battleship USS Iowa: All ships of the Task Group including USS Iowa (Capt. J.L. Holloway, Jr., USN) were fuelled by a group of oilers.

Submarine HNMS Dolfijn: HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted attack exercises off Scapa Flow together with HMS Trusty (Lt. W. St.G. Anderson, DSC, RNR).

Submarine USS Raton: USS Raton (Cdr. M.W. Shea) torpedoed and sank the Japanese merchant cargo ship Toryu Maru (1992 GRT) in the Yellow Sea southeast of the Shantung Peninsula in position 37°24'N, 123°50'E.

Submarine USS Cabrilla: USS Cabrilla (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Lauerman, USN) departed her patrol area for Midway. Before doing so she test fired ten Mk.18 torpedoes in the cold weather conditions to test their performance.

Submarine USS Moray: USS Moray (T/Cdr. F.L. Barrows, USN) and USS Runner (T/Cdr. R.H. Bass) conducted exercises in Panama Bay together with USS MacLeish (Lt. D.S. Cramer, USNR), USS McCormick (Lt. T.J. Moriarty, USNR) and USS Bulmer (Lt. T.C. Farrell, USNR).

Submarine USS Baya: Late in the evening of 2 May 1945, USS Baya (Lt.Cdr. B.C. Jarvis, USN), unsuccessfully attacked the Japanese minelayer Hatsutaka (offsite link) with two torpedoes north of Kelantan, Malaya. The convoy Hatsutaka was escorting is chased until the early morning of 4 May when Baya made another attack that also failed. She was then driven off by Hatsutaka. In the meantime Hatsutaka had managed to sink another US submarine that was attacking the same convoy, USS Lagarto. (All times are zone I, -9) 2 May 1945 1500 hours - Intercepted a contact report from a search plane of a convoy made up of one tanker, one auxiliary and two destroyers stopped in position 05°42'N, 102°58'E. 1525 hours - Set course to intercept at three engine speed around 2200 hours. 2155 hours - SJ radar contact on four ships at a range of 15000 yards, bearning 197°(T). Commenced tracking. Position was 06°12'N, 102°22'E. 2210 hours - Sent a contact report to USS Lagarto. 2245 hours - Lagarto reported she was also in contact with the convoy. The onvoy was identified as a large ship, a smaller ship and two escorts. Started an attack from the starbord bow of the convoy. 2305 hours - In position 06°19'N, 102°15'E fired two torpedoes at one of the escort vessels from 1500 yards. This was shortly afterwards seen to be a minelayer. 2307 hours - The minelayer opened fire on us with 20mm, 40mm and two or three 4.7" guns. Cleared the bridge with the exception of the Officer of the Watch and the Commanding Officer. 2309 hours - Fired three stern torpedoes down the enemy's throat. All missed. 2320 hours - Fired another stern torpedo at the target. Range was now 1700 yards. Again it missed. By now a second escort had illuminated Baya with her searchlight and also opened fire with her guns. 2325 hours - Range to the chasing escort was now 2100 yards. 2329 hours - Heard and felt six tremendous explosions about 10 seconds apart which shook Baya violently. These were possibly depth charges which exploded in shallow water. 2333 hours - The minelayer now turned away. Informed USS Lagarto that we had been driven off by gunfire. 2345 hours - Range was now opening fast. Secured from battle stations. 3 May 1945 0240 hours - Made rendezvous with USS Lagarto and discussed plans for today. Lagarto was to dive on the convoy's track to make contact at 1400 hours and Baya ten to fifteen miles further along the convoy's track. 1436 hours - Sighted a single floatplane at a range of about 15 to 20 miles apparently patrolling near the convoy. 1500 hours - Sent our first of numerous patrol reports to USS Lagarto, received no reply. 1645 hours - A second plane joined the convoy. 1653 hours - The original plane was apparently relieved and now started a sweep down the convoys track. Made a quick dive when the range was down to 9 nautical miles. 1805 hours - Surfaced. Only the plane over the convoy was in sight. 2037 hours - Headed down the convoys track at two engine speed to gain SJ radar contact. 2143 hours - Obtained SJ radar contact at 17250 yards on bearing 257°(T). Commenced tracking. Position was 08°03'N, 103°11'E. 2200 hours - The convoy was identified as the came convoy that we attacked last night. Enemy course was initially 030°(T) but after a few minutes of circling around the convoy proceeded due south. 2215 hours - Proceeded at full speed on an end around for a port flank attack. 2240 hours - Making good progress up the convoys port quarter. The convoy has suddenly changed course to his left to 050°(T). Continued to cross ahead at full speed. The convoy changed course abruptly to 340°(T). These can not be zigs, the convoy is obviously alerted by our radar and is taking evasive actions based apparently on the change of bearing of our 10cm radar. 2300 hours - Continuing down the convoy's starboard flank to gain a favourable attack position. The convoy has now eased around to small zigs on a rough base course of 050°(T). We were now using our SJ radar only for 5 seconds every two minutes. 2347 hours - The convoy was zigging on a base course of 060°(T) at a speed of 9 knots. Having sent USS Lagarto contact reports almost half hourly with no receipt, decided to make the attack alone. Manned battle stations. 2358 hours - Baya was now in a fine position on the convoy's starboard bow expecting a zig away. Commenced surface approach at 14 knots. 4 May 1945 0010 hours - With the target now almost 15 minutes overdue for a zig decided to fire all six torpedoes at the leading and larger target. 0011 hours - In position 08°00'N, 102°10'E commenced firing from 5500 yards. As no.3 left the tube the target was observed to turn away. 0012 hours - Completed firing. 0013 hours - Observd the targets to turn away completely while the nearest escort turned towards. 0015 hours - One explosion was reported from below but nothing was heard or seen on the bridge. 0020 hours - Secured from battle stations. 0030 hours - Pulling awayfrom the escort. Decided to try another starboard flank attack after shaking off the escort. Manned battle stations. 0037 hours - The escort was still chasing Baya on the port quarter. The main target group was now on course 020°(T). 0053 hours - The convoy made a radical course change to the north-west. 0110 hours - Changed course to 020°(T) at full speed to shake off the escort, get ahead of him and then to come in for the second attack. 0118 hours - Moonrise. The convoy had now changed course to 320°(T) to keep us astern. The escort was between us and the main group so Baya was unable to close for another attack. 0134 hours - Lost contact with the convoy. Secured from battle stations. Changed course to get ahead on the possible convoy track at slow speed. However, the convoy was not seen again.

Submarine USS Brill: In the evening, USS Brill (Cdr. H.B. Dodge, USN), passed Lombok Strait northobund while on the surface.

Submarine USS Entemedor: Having completed her torpedo trials, USS Entemedor (Lt.Cdr. W.R. Smith, Jr., USN), arrived at New London, Connecticut from Newport, Rhode Island.

Submarine USS Springer: USS Springer (Cdr. Russell Kefauver) torpedoed and sank the Japanese frigate Ojika (940 tons, offsite link) in the Yellow Sea in position 33°56'N, 122°49'E.

Aircraft Carrier HMS Implacable: Around 0915H/2, HMS Implacable (Capt. C.C. Hughes-Hallett, RN), HMS Terpsichore (Cdr. R.T. White, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Tumult (Lt.Cdr. A.S. Pomeroy DSC, RN) and HMS Ulysses (Lt.Cdr. B.G.B. Bordes, DSC, RN) departed Fremantle for Sydney via Jervis Bay.

Aircraft Carrier HMS Colossus: During 2/3 May 1945, HMS Colossus (Capt. G.H. Stokes,CB, DSC, RN) conducted flying exercises off Alexandria. She was escorted by the Italian destroyer Artigliere.

Aircraft Carrier HMS Venerable: During 2 / 3 May 1945, HMS Venerable (Capt. W.A. Dallmeyer, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.J.H. Harcourt, CB, CBE, RN) conducted flying exercises off Malta.

Escort Carrier HMS Battler: HMS Battler (A/Capt. H. Norman, RN) conducted flying training exercises in the Clyde area.

Escort Carrier HMS Ranee: HMS Ranee (A/Capt. J.A.W. Tothill, DSC, RN) departed San Diego for the Panama Canal Zone.

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 Uproar (Lt. J.N. Devlin, DSC, RN) served as the target.

Submarine HMS Satyr: HMS Satyr (Lt. T.S. Weston, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted D/G trials off Helensburgh.

Submarine HMS Sceptre: HMS Sceptre (Lt. R.F. Park, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Loch Alsh.

Submarine HMS Seraph: HMS Seraph (Lt. T. Russell-Walling, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Loch Alsh.

Submarine HMS Sea Nymph: HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. M.I. Usher, RN) transited the Suez Canal and arrived at Port Said.

Submarine HMS Surf: HMS Surf (Lt. H.W. Wilkinson, RN) departed Dundee for Scapa Flow. She was escorted by HMS Castlenau (T/Skr. G. Wood, RNR).

Submarine HMS Scotsman: HMS Scotsman (Lt. A.H.B. Anderson, DSC, RNR) was docked at Greenock.

Submarine HMS Sea Devil: Sea Devil (Lt. D.W. Mills, DSC, RN) conducted trials in the Clyde area. On completion of these trials Sea Devil returned to her builders yard at Greenock.

Submarine HMS Supreme: At 1315 hours (zone -9) HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) was detected and bombed by a Japanese Jake aircraft in the central Java Sea in position 04°48'S, 111°03'E. Two bombs were dropped while Supreme crash dived. The bombs exploded close abeam but caused no damage.

Submarine HMS Sleuth: HMS Sleuth (Lt. K.H. Martin, RN) sank an enemy seatruck with gunfire. She was assisted by HMS Solent (Lt.Cdr. J.D. Martin, DSC, RN) which also obtained one hit on the target. Position was 04°33'S, 115°31'E (All times are zone -9) 0706 hours - Sighted ship bearing 070°. The ship was a large 300 tons seatruck. No escort was seen. Warned Solent of gun action. 0810 hours - Surfaced and opened fire from 2600 yards. The first round hit. Solent joined in later after having closed the range first. 0820 hours - The target was on fire and sinking. The crew was abandoning ship in a small boat. 0831 hours - Dived and cleared the area.

Submarine HMS Solent: HMS Sleuth (Lt. K.H. Martin, RN) sank an enemy seatruck with gunfire. She was assisted by HMS Solent (Lt.Cdr. J.D. Martin, DSC, RN) which also obtained one hit on the target. Position was 04°33'S, 115°31'E. (All times are zone -9) 0740 hours - Sleuth reported enemy in sight bearing 020°. 0745 hours - The enemy was sighted by Solent, it was a deeply laden coaster of about 300 tons. Both submarines closed at speed. As Sleuth was closer she was ordered to assume tactical command. 0809 hours - Surfaced but as Solent was still 7000 yards from the target did not open fire. Sleuth was much closed and after having fired 4 rounds she hit the target forward starting a small fire which started spreading as other rounds hit. Solent then opened fire from 5500 yards. 3 Rounds were fired for 1 hit but by this time the target was fully on fire. The vessel was seen to burn until 1600 hours when she sank.

Submarine HMS Tribune: HMS Tribune (Lt. J.P. Fyfe, DSC, 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 Trusty: HMS Trusty (Lt. W. St.G. Anderson, DSC, RNR) and HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) both conducted exercises off Scapa Flow.

Submarine HMS Taurus: Around 0330B/2, HMS Taurus (A/Lt.Cdr. P.E. Newstead, DSC, RN) departed from Holy Loch for Gibraltar. She is to proceed to the Far East for another deployment in the Far East / Pacific area. In the afternoon she joined convoy OS 126 / KMS 101 for the passage to Gibraltar. [For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy OS 126 / KMS 101 ' for 2 May 1945.] For the daily positions of HMS Taurus during this passage see the map below.

Submarine HMS Taurus: Combined convoy OS 126 / KMS 101 This convoy left the U.K. on 2 / 3 May 1945 with ships coming from Irish Sea ports and Channel ports. The convoy finally assembled in full to the south of Ireland on 4 May 1945. On final assembly the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Adrastus (British, 7905 GRT, built 1923)), Blairdevon (British, 3282 GRT, built 1925), Bridgepool (British, 4845 GRT, built 1924), Brika (British, 4412 GRT, built 1929), City of Hereford (British, 5101 GRT, built 1927), Cordillera (British, 6865 GRT, built 192), Despina (Greek, 3016 GRT, built 1907), Empire Jessica (British, 2890 GRT, built 1943), Empire Malta (British, 3539 GRT, built 1944), Empire Miranda (British, 7054 GRT, built 1943), Empire Noble (British, 7125 GRT, built 1944), Fort Gaspereau (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943), Fort Souris (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942), Frederick Banting (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Keilehaven (Dutch, 2968 GRT, built 1919), Llangollen (British, 5056 GRT, built 1928), Mimosa (Greek, 3071 GRT, built 1905), New York City (British, 2710 GRT, built 1917), Samloyal (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944), Samwinged (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944), Sobo (British, 5353 GRT, built 1937) and Ville de Majunga (British (former French), 6174 GRT, built 1931). The submarine HMS Taurus (A/Lt.Cdr. P.E. Newstead, DSC, RN), landing ships HMS Rocksand (Cdr.(Retd.) H.W. D'Arcy-Evans, RN), HMS LST 157 (T/A/Lt.Cdr. T.A. Ashdown, DSO, RNR), HMS LST 380 (T/A/Lt.Cdr. K.W. Richardson, RNR), boom carrier HMS Fernmoor (T/A/Cdr. E.R. Crone, RNR) and also took passage in the convoy. Also part of the convoy was the rescue ship Empire Shelter (British, 1333 GRT, built 1945), [Further research is required regarding the escort of this convoy.] The convoy was dispersed P.M. on the 8th to the west of Portugal in position 40°50'N, 11°51'W.

Submarine HMS Trump: During 2/3 May 1945, HMS Trump (Lt. A.A. Catlow, RN), conducted exercises off Fremantle, these included night exercises.

Submarine HMS Tapir: HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) is undocked.

Submarine HMS Uproar: HMS Uproar (Lt. J.N. Devlin, DSC, RN) served as target in the Clyde area for HMS Safari (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN).

Submarine HMS Unshaken: HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) participated in A/S exercises off Newhaven.

Submarine HMS Unsparing: HMS Unsparing (Lt. J.M.C. Fenton, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

Submarine HMS Universal: HMS Universal (Lt. S.S. Brooks, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Loch Alsh with ships from E.G. (Escort Group) 22.

Submarine HMS Untamed: HMS Vitality (Lt. W.T.J. Fox, RN) participated in exercises off Campbeltown.

Submarine HMS Urtica: HMS Urtica (Lt. R.C. Bucknall, RN) conducted exercises off Moelfre Bay.

Submarine HMS Virtue: HMS Virtue (Lt. R.D. Cairns, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Sydney.

Submarine HMS Visigoth: HMS Visigoth (Lt. C.H. Hammer, RN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee.

Submarine HMS Volatile: HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory with aircraft.

Submarine HMS Amphion: HMS Amphion (Cdr. R.H. Dewhurst, DSO, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials at the torpedo firing range off Arrochar.

Submarine HMS H 50: HMS H 50 (T/Lt. G.P. Christie, DSC, RNR) conducted special trials in the Clyde area.

Battleship HMS Nelson: Around 2145B/2, HMS Nelson (Capt. C. Caslon, CBE, RN) departed Gibraltar for Malta.

Submarine USS R-1: USS R-1 (Lt. W.A. Schoenfeld, USN) conducted A/S exercises off Casco Bay, Maine together with USS Brough (Lt. M.A. Stein, USNR) and USS Blair (Lt. W. Gadsby, Jr., USNR).

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

Submarine USS R-18: USS R-18 conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS Argonaut (ii): USS Argonaut (ii) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine HMS L 23: HMS L 23 (Lt. R.T. Sallis, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Digby.

1982

Light cruiser USS Phoenix: The General Belgrano (former USS Phoenix CL 46) was sunk by the British Navy during the Falklands conflict. 321 men perished when she sank in 45 minutes after being hit twice by torpedoed from the British nuclear attack submarine HMS Conqueror (S-48).