Allied Warships

HMS Stonehenge (P 232)

Submarine of the S class

NavyThe Royal Navy
TypeSubmarine
ClassS 
PennantP 232 
ModThird Group 
Built byCammell Laird Shipyard (Birkenhead, U.K.) 
Ordered3 Aug 1941 
Laid down4 Apr 1942 
Launched23 Mar 1943 
Commissioned15 Jun 1943 
Lost22 Mar 1944 
History

HMS Stonehenge (Lt. David Stuart McNeile Verschoyle-Campbell, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) sailed from Trincomalee, Ceylon on 25 February 1944 for a patrol in the area between northern Sumatra and the Nicobar Islands. She was reported overdue on 20 March 1944 when she failed to return to Trincomalee. The cause of loss is unknown. She was lost with all hands.  

Commands listed for HMS Stonehenge (P 232)

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and that we only list Commanding Officers for the duration of the Second World War.

CommanderFromTo
1Lt. David Stuart McNeile Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC, RN6 Apr 1943Mar 1944

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Notable events involving Stonehenge include:


The history of HMS Stonehenge as compiled on this page is extracted from the logbooks and patrol reports of this submarine.

This page was last updated in February 2020.

12 Jun 1943
Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) departed her builders yard at Birkenhead for Holy Loch. She is escorted during this passage by the British ASW trawler HMS Mazurka (A/Skr.Lt. J. Baxter, RNR). (1)

13 Jun 1943
Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Holy Loch for a period of trials and training. (1)

14 Jun 1943
Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted full speed trials on the Arran measured mile. (1)

15 Jun 1943
Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted trials in Gare Loch following which she was commissioned at Holy Loch. (1)

17 Jun 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (1)

18 Jun 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (1)

19 Jun 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (1)

20 Jun 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil. (1)

22 Jun 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted log calibration, gunnery, S.T.U. (mine detection) and D/F trials in the Clyde area. (1)

23 Jun 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to the torpedo firing range at Arrochar. (1)

24 Jun 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (1)

25 Jun 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (1)

26 Jun 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (1)

27 Jun 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (1)

28 Jun 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (1)

29 Jun 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. On completion of these trials she proceeded to Holy Loch. (1)

1 Jul 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted gunnery exercises in the Clyde area. On completion of these exercises HMS Stonehenge proceeded to Campbeltown. (2)

2 Jul 1943
HMS Untiring (Lt. R. Boyd, DSC, RN) and HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted RDF (radar) exercises and attack off Campbeltown with HMS White Bear (Cdr. J.F. Drake, RNR). These included night exercises. (3)

3 Jul 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted night attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS White Bear (Cdr. J.F. Drake, RNR) served as target. On completion of these exercises HMS Stonehenge proceeded to Holy Loch. (2)

4 Jul 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted RDF (radar) and attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A. E. Johnston, RN) served as target. (2)

6 Jul 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil. (2)

8 Jul 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) is docked in AFD 7 at Holy Loch for bottom scraping. She is undocked later the same day. (2)

11 Jul 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted RDF (radar) and attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS La Flore (Lt. F.W. Hayden, RN) served as target. (2)

12 Jul 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) departed Holy Loch for Kames Bay where she was to take midget submarine X 8 in tow and then proceeded for Port H.H.Z. (at Loch Cairnbawn). En-route Stonehenge performed exercises with X 8. They were escorted by the Motor Launch HMS ML 235 (T/S.Lt. R.R. Kern, RNVR). (2)

13 Jul 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) left X 8 in Loch Dunvegan. She was to proceed to Port H.H.Z. independently.

HMS Stonehenge proceeded to Scapa Flow still escorted by Motor Launch HMS ML 235 (T/S.Lt. R.R. Kern, RNVR). (2)

14 Jul 1943
At 0500 hours, off Eddrachillis Bay, HMS Alecto (Lt.Cdr. H.A.L. Marsham, RN) took over escort of HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) from HMS ML 235 (T/S.Lt. R.R. Kern, RNVR).

Stonehenge arrived at Scapa Flow later on the same day. At Scapa Flow she was to participate in A/S exercises. (2)

15 Jul 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) participated in A/S exercises at Scapa Flow. (2)

16 Jul 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) participated in A/S exercises at Scapa Flow. (2)

17 Jul 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises at Scapa Flow. (2)

19 Jul 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) participated in A/S exercises at Scapa Flow. (2)

20 Jul 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) participated in A/S exercises at Scapa Flow. (2)

21 Jul 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) participated in A/S exercises at Scapa Flow. (2)

22 Jul 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) participated in A/S exercises at Scapa Flow. (2)

23 Jul 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted practice attacks at Scapa Flow. The target was HMS Illustrious (Capt. R.L.B. Cunliffe, RN) that was escorted by HMS Milne (Capt. I.M.R. Campbell, DSO, RN), HMS Mahratta (Lt.Cdr. E.A.F. Drought, DSC, RN), HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN) and HMS Musketeer (Cdr. E.N.V. Currey, DSC, RN). (2)

24 Jul 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) participated in A/S exercises at Scapa Flow. (2)

25 Jul 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Holy Loch. She was escorted by the armed yacht HMS White Bear (Cdr. J.F. Drake, RNR). (2)

26 Jul 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (2)

29 Jul 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) returned to Holy Loch on completion of last night's exercises. (2)

29 Jul 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN) served as target. The included night attacks. (2)

31 Jul 1943
HMS Upstart (Lt. P.C. Chapman, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Sea Rover (Lt. J.P. Angell, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which they served as targets for each other. (4)

3 Aug 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Larne. (5)

4 Aug 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted A/S exerices off Larne with aircraft. (5)

5 Aug 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with FFS Aconit, HMS Narcissus (Lt. W.G.H. Bolton, RNR), HMS Towy (Cdr. M.J Evans, OBE, RN) and HMS Keppel (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J. Byron, DSC, RNR). Also night attack exercises were carried out on a dummy convoy. (5)

6 Aug 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted attack exercises off Larne on a dummy convoy. (5)

9 Aug 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with ML's. (5)

10 Aug 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with ML's and aircraft. (5)

11 Aug 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with aircraft. (5)

14 Aug 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted attack exercises off Larne on a dummy convoy. These included night exercises. (5)

15 Aug 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) shifted from Larne to Holy Loch. (5)

18 Aug 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) was docked in AFD 7 at Holy Loch. (5)

19 Aug 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) was undocked. (5)

26 Aug 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted A/S exercises in the Clyde area with aircraft from HMS Tracker (Capt.(Retd.) D.S. McGrath, RN). Also a practice attack was made on Tracker. These exercises were followed by night gunnery exercises on a target that was being towed by HMS St. Martin. (5)

27 Aug 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) returned to Holy Loch on completion of last night's exercises. (5)

29 Aug 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A. E. Johnston, RN) served as the target. (5)

31 Aug 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted special exercises in the Clyde area. (5)

1 Sep 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted special exercises in the Clyde area. (6)

2 Sep 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted special exercises in the Clyde area. (6)

3 Sep 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. She proceeded to Holy Loch on completion of these exercises. (6)

8 Sep 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) departed Holy Loch for Lerwick. She made the passage together with HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN). They were escorted by the armed yacht HMS White Bear (Cdr. J.F. Drake, RNR). (6)

10 Sep 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Lerwick. After a few hours she departed for her 1st war patrol (work up patrol). She was ordered to patrol in the Norwegian Sea.

For the daily positions of HMS Stonehenge during this patrol see the map below.

(7)

24 Sep 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) ended her 1st war patrol (work up patrol) at Lerwick. (7)

29 Sep 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) departed Lerwick for Holy Loch. From Scapa Flow onwards she made the passage together with HMS Tuna (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, DSO and Bar, RN) and HMS Unswerving (Lt. M.D. Tattersall, RNVR). The submarines were escorted by the British minesweeper HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Dobson, RNR). (6)

2 Oct 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (8)

4 Oct 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) departed Holy Loch for Falmouth. (8)

6 Oct 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Falmouth. (8)

7 Oct 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) shifted from Falmouth to Portland. She was escorted by the British ASW trawler HMS Lord Wakefield (Skr.Lt. H.L. Lang, DSC, RD, RNR). (8)

8 Oct 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) shifted from Portland to Portsmouth. She made the passage together with HMS Clyde (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) and the Free French submarine FFS Rubis. The submarines were escorted by the British ASW trawler HMS Lord Wakefield (Skr.Lt. H.L. Lang, DSC, RD, RNR). (8)

10 Oct 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) departed Portsmouth for Sheerness. She made the passage in convoy CE 213. (8)

11 Oct 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Sheerness. At Sheerness Dockyard she was to be fitted with a new battery. (8)

15 Oct 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) was docked at the Sheerness Dockyard. (8)

29 Oct 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) was undocked. (8)

2 Nov 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) departed Sheerness for Portsmouth. She made the passage with convoy CW 221. (9)

3 Nov 1943
In the early hours of this day convoy CW 221, in which HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) is part of was attacked by German E-boats. Three ships of the convoy were sunk.

Stonehenge arrived at Portsmouth later the same day. (9)

4 Nov 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) shifted from Portsmouth to Yarmouth. (9)

5 Nov 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) departed Yarmouth for Gibraltar. She was escorted to Bishops Rock by Chasseur No.5.

Stonehenge was en-route to Beirut to join the 1st Submarine Flotilla.

For the daily positions of HMS Stonehenge during this passage see the map below.

(9)

15 Nov 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (9)

15 Nov 1943

Convoy KMF 26.

This convoy departed the Clyde on 15 November 1943 and arrived at Alexandria / Port Said on 30 November 1943 / 1 December 1943.

This convoy was made up of the following transports; Arundel Castle (British, 19118 GRT, built 1921), Cameronia (British, 16297 GRT, built 1920), Chinese Prince (British, 9485 GRT, built 1943), City of Lincoln (British, 8039 GRT, built 1938), Clan Campbell (British, 9545 GRT, built 1943), Dempo (British, 17024 GRT, built 1931), Duchess of Bedford (British, 20123 GRT, built 1928), Dunnottar Castle (British, 15007 GRT, built 1936), Franconia (British, 20175 GRT, built 1923), Highland Princess (British, 14133 GRT, built 1930), Monarch of Bermuda (British, 22424 GRT, built 1931), Orion (British, 23371 GRT, built 1935), Ranchi (British, 16738 GRT, built 1925), Reina del Pacifico (British, 17702 GRT, built 1931), Samanco (British, 8336 GRT, built 1943), Samaria (British, 19597 GRT, built 1921), Sarmiento (British, 8335 GRT, built 1943) and Scythia (British, 19761 GRT, built 1920).

On departure the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) (actually joined on the 16th), sloops HMS Pelican (Cdr. J.S. Dalison, DSO, RN, S.O. of A/S escort), HMS Woodpecker (Lt.Cdr. H.L. Pryse, RNR) and the frigates HMS Evenlode (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.L. Turner, RNR), HMS Jed (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Freaker, DSO and Bar, RD, RNR), HMS Rother (Lt.Cdr. W.R. Hickey, RNR) and HMS Spey (Lt.Cdr. B.A. Rogers, RD, RNR).

In the afternoon of 19 November, HMS Birmingham fuelled HMS Spey as the frigate had two out of four fuel tanks contaminated with seawater drastically effecting her range. With this underway refuelling she was able to continue on to Algiers.

During the morning of 20 November, the frigate HMS Rother also received some fuel from HMS Birmingham.

On passing the Straits of Gibraltar, HMS Birmingham parted company with the convoy and entered Gibraltar harbour. The AA cruiser HMS Colombo (Capt. D.H. Hall-Thompson, RN) and the destroyers HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Wallace, DSC, RN) and HMS Brilliant (Lt.Cdr. J. Smallwood, RN) joined the convoy coming from Gibraltar. Also the submarine HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) joined the convoy for passage to Alexandria.

On the 25th, HMS Anthony and HMS Spey parted company with the convoy.

Off Oran / Mers-el-Kebir the transports Egra (British, 5108 GRT, built 1911), Karoa (British, 7009 GRT, built 1915) and Rohna (British, 8602 GRT, built 1926) joined the convoy. They were escorted by the destroyer escorts USS Frederick C. Davis (Lt.Cdr. O.W. Goepner, USNR), USS Herbert C. Jones (T/Lt.Cdr. A.W. Gardes, Jr., USN) and the minesweepers USS Pioneer (Lt. L.E. Rogers, Jr., USNR) and USS Portent (Lt. H.C. Plummer, USNR).

Off Algiers transport Monarch of Bermuda and the escorts HMS Brilliant, HMS Pelican, HMS Woodpecker, HMS Evenlode, HMS Jed, HMS Rother parted company with the convoy while the escort destroyers HMS Atherstone (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Wood, DSC, RNVR), HMS Catterick (Lt.Cdr. A. Tyson, RN), HMS Cleveland (Lt.Cdr. J.K. Hamilton, RN), RHS Miaoulis and ORP Slazak (Cdr. R. Nalecz-Tyminski, ORP) joined the convoy.

In the afternoon of 26 November the convoy was attacked by German aircraft and the transport Rohna was sunk by a glider bomb in position 36°56'N, 05°20'E. 1149 crew and passengers (mostly US troops) were killed in this attack.

Off Philipeville the transports Cameronia, Clan Campbell and Duchess of Bedford parted company with the convoy to proceed to that place while the transport Derbyshire joined the convoy coming from there.

On 27 November first HMS Colombo and later USS Frederick C. Davis and USS Herbert C. Jones parted company with the convoy to proceed to Bizerta.

The remainder of the convoy proceeded towards Alexandria / Port Said arriving there on 30 November / 1 December 1943.

24 Nov 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) departed Gibraltar for Beirut. She made part of the passage with convoy KMF 26. (9)

24 Nov 1943
The AA cruiser HMS Colombo (Capt. D.H. Hall-Thompson, RN), destroyers HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Wallace, DSC, RN), HMS Brilliant (Lt.Cdr. J. Smallwood, RN) and the submarine HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) departed Gibraltar and joined eastbound convoy KMF 26.

For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy KMF 26 ' for 15 November 1943.] (10)

2 Dec 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Beirut. (11)

23 Dec 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) departed Beirut for Port Said.

It has been decided to send HMS Stonehenge to the Far East. (11)

24 Dec 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Port Said. (11)

26 Dec 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) was docked at Port Said. (11)

27 Dec 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) was undocked. (11)

28 Dec 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) transited the Suez Canal southbound. (11)

29 Dec 1943
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) departed Suez for Aden. (11)

4 Jan 1944
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Aden. (12)

6 Jan 1944
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Aden with HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) and HMS Redoubt (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Ropner, DSO, RN). (12)

7 Jan 1944
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) departed Aden for Colombo. (12)

16 Jan 1944
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Colombo. (12)

21 Jan 1944
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) departed Colombo for Trincomalee. (12)

23 Jan 1944
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Trincomalee. (12)

1 Feb 1944
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) departed Trincomalee for her 2nd war patrol (1st in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol in the Malacca Strait. She was also to carry out a special operation.

Before proceeding on patrol A/S exercises were carried out with HMS Paladin (Lt. E.A.S. Bailey DSC, MBE, RN) and HMS Pathfinder (Lt.Cdr. T.F. Hallifax, RN). (7)

5 Feb 1944
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) sank the Japanese merchant vessel Koryo Maru No.2 (726 GRT ???) north of Penang, Sumatra. [we were not able to find details of this ship, the name of this ship probably originate from Ultra files and may not be correct].

A second attack on another ship failed.

(all times are zone -6.5)
0610 hours - In position 310° - Pulo Rondo - 15 nautical miles sighted a small object bearing 335°. Turned towards, dived and closed at full speed.

0640 hours - The target was now seen to be a small merchant ship resembling a ferry steamer with one mast and one funnel. She was thought to be of 1500 tons.

0652 hours - In position 310° - Pulo Rondo - 17 nautical miles (approximately 06°14'N, 94°58'E) fired two torpedoes set to six feet at a range of 800 yards.

0654 hours - The torpedoes were seen to run under. It was now seen that the target was much smaller then first thought, 700 - 800 tons. It was decided to surface and attack with gunfire.

0655 hours - Surfaced on the targets Port quarter at a range of 800 yards. The target immediately opened fire but the first round fired by Stonehenge hit the gun and the Oerlikon literraly flattened the marchine-gunners and bridge personnel.

0725 hours - After 60 hours had been fired, for 50 hits, the target turned over and sank stern first. Just before the ships sank the masts of a second ship were sighted bearing 310°, range about 10 nautical miles.

0735 hours - Dived and closed the second target.

0826 hours - The target was seen to be a merchant vessel of about 4000 tons. She was making for Sabang and was in ballast.

0856 hours - In position 318° - Pulo Rondo - 14 nautical miles fired four torpedoes set to six feet from 850 yards. One again the torpedoes were seen to run under. The tracks were seen and the periscope was taken under fire. It was considered not wise to surface for gun action. (7)

7 Feb 1944
During the night of 7 / 8 February 1944 HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) carried out operation 'Slug'. A party was landed at Lem Hua Krung Yai, Siam (about 80 miles North of Phuket). (7)

12 Feb 1944
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) sank the Japanese auxiliary minelayer Choko Maru (889 GRT, built 1940) off the west coast of Malaya in position 05°46'N, 99°52'E.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1230 hours - In position 05°43'N, 100°00'E sighted the masts and funnel of a large ship bearing 310°. Range was about 12 nautical miles. She was escorted by two submarine chasers. Closed.

1300 hours - Another submarine chaser appeared from the South. She joined the other two.

1453 hours - Stonehenge was now in position 05°43'N, 99°56'E. Range was now 12000 yards. Started attack.

1510 hours - The target was seen to be a ship of 7000 tons. It was thought to be an aircraft tender.

1535 hours - The target turned towards and headed towards Penang.

1556 hours - In position 05°45'N, 99°55'E fired 4 torpedoes from 1200 yards. The target sighted the torpedo tracks and was able to evade them.

1602 hours - Stonehenge meanwhile had gone deep. The first pattern of 4 depth charges was dropped. They were close but caused no damage. Due to an error in drill the stern tube was fired. In the next half hour more than 30 depth charges were dropped. None were very close.

1655 hours - In position 05°43'N, 99°54'E returned to periscope depth. The target was seen to be laying stopped in the position of the attack with a submarine chaser circling round her. Two other chasers were hunting to the Northward.

1810 hours - Sighted the target still laying stopped. Stonehenge remained in the area while reloading the torpedo tubes. The submarine chaser that had been circling the target meanwhile had left the area for Penang.

1853 hours - In position 05°45'N, 99°51'E fired one torpedo. 31 Seconds later it was seen to hit amidships.

1905 hours - Surfaced. Nothing in sight so the ship must have sunk. Set course to the Westward at full speed.

1915 hours - In position 05°45'N, 99°50'E a stream of tracer bullits went over the bridge. Dived and went deep.

1920 hours - A pattern of 5 depth charges was dropped. Quite close causing minor damage.

2020 hours - Came to periscope depth in position 05°45'N, 99°47'E. Nothing in sight.

2115 hours - Surfaced in position 05°45'N, 99°45'E. Retired to the West at high speed. An aircraft soon appeared on the scene that dropped several flares. No attack however followed. Meanwhile one of the engines was used to give an emergency charge to the depleted battery in case Stonehenge was forced to dive again. No surface vessels however showed up and after two hours the aircraft left the area.

[It is noticable that the target was much smaller then estimated by Lt. Verschoyle-Campbell] (7)

18 Feb 1944
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol (1st in the Far East) at Trincomalee. (7)

25 Feb 1944
HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) departed Trincomalee for her 3rd war patrol (2nd in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol off the Nicobar Islands and Northern end of the Malacca Strait.

Stonehenge did not return from this patrol and to this day it is not clear what happened to her. (13)

Sources

  1. ADM 173/18114
  2. ADM 173/18115
  3. ADM 173/18436
  4. ADM 173/18375
  5. ADM 173/18116
  6. ADM 173/18117
  7. ADM 199/1869
  8. ADM 173/18118
  9. ADM 173/18119
  10. ADM 199/767
  11. ADM 173/18120
  12. ADM 173/18828
  13. ADM 199/1918

ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.


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