Allied Warships

HMS Supreme (P 252)

Submarine of the S class

NavyThe Royal Navy
TypeSubmarine
ClassS 
PennantP 252 
ModFourth Group 
Built byCammell Laird Shipyard (Birkenhead, U.K.) 
Ordered19 Oct 1942 
Laid down15 Feb 1943 
Launched24 Feb 1944 
Commissioned20 May 1944 
End service 
History

Sold to be broken up for scrap in July 1950. Scrapped at Troon, Scotland.  

Commands listed for HMS Supreme (P 252)

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

CommanderFromTo
1Lt. Thomas Erasmus Barlow, RN15 Mar 19448 Dec 1945

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Notable events involving Supreme include:


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

This page was last updated in October 2013.

18 May 1944
HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) departed her builders yard at Liverpool for Holy Loch. She was escorted by HMS Kingston Turquoise (A/Skr.Lt. G. Murray, RNR). (1)

19 May 1944
HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) arrived at Holy Loch to begin a period of trials and training. (1)

3 Jun 1944
HMS Upshot (Lt. H.W. Wilkinson, RN), HMS Subtle (Lt. B.J.B. Andrew, DSC, RN) and HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with each other.

Following these HMS Upshot also conducted night attack exercises during which HMS Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.D. O'Driscoll, RNR) served as the target. (2)

23 Jun 1944
HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) departed Holy Loch for Scapa Flow. She made the passage together with HMS Subtle (Lt. B.J.B. Andrew, DSC, RN). They were escorted by HMS Sardonyx (A/Lt.Cdr. T.A. Easton, RNVR). (3)

25 Jun 1944
HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow to participate in A/S exercises. (3)

26 Jun 1944
HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) conducted A/S exercises with HMS Nubian (Lt.Cdr. T.A. Pack-Beresford, RN). (3)

28 Jun 1944
HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) conducted A/S exercises with HMS Ophelia (T/Lt. D.J. Duncan, RNVR) and HMS Hazel (T/Lt. J.J. Good, RNR). (3)

29 Jun 1944
HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) conducted independent exercises at Scapa Flow. (3)

30 Jun 1944
HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) conducted A/S exercises with HMS Volage (Cdr. L.G. Durlacher, OBE, RN). (3)

2 Jul 1944
HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) conducted exercises with HMS Trusty (Lt. L.E. Herrick, DSC, RN).

Later the same day she departed Scapa Flow for Holy Loch. She was escorted by HMS Shikari (Lt. E.H.U. Cautley, RNVR). (4)

2 Jul 1944
At / off Scapa Flow, HMS Trusty (Lt. L.E. Herrick, DSO, RN) conducts attack exercises with HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN). (5)

4 Jul 1944
HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (4)

21 Jul 1944
HMS Vulpine (T/Lt. P.S. Thirsk, DSC, RNR) and HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) conducted night attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) served as the target. (6)

22 Jul 1944
HMS Vulpine (T/Lt. P.S. Thirsk, DSC, RNR) and HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) conducted night attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) served as the target.

Upon completion of these exercises HMS Vulpine proceeded to Larne. (6)

2 Aug 1944
HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) departed Holy Loch for her 1st war patrol. This is an anti-uboat patrol in the Northern North Sea.

She made the passage North through the Minches escorted by HMS Sardonyx (A/Lt.Cdr. T.A. Easton, RNVR).

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


HMS Supreme 1st war patrol click here for bigger map (7)

4 Aug 1944
At 1040 hours (zone -2) and in position 59°00N, 01°00'W HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) parted company. Supreme then proceeded to her patrol aera. (7)

19 Aug 1944
Around 1330 hours (zone -2), HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) and HMS Upshot (Lt. H.W. Wilkinson, RN), made rendez-vous with their escort HMS Shikari (Lt. E.H.U. Cautley, RNVR) in position 58°50'N, 01°00'W. They then proceeded to Holy Loch. (8)

21 Aug 1944
HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Holy Loch. (7)

26 Aug 1944
HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) was docked at Holy Loch. (9)

29 Aug 1944
HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) was undocked. (9)

3 Sep 1944
HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) departed Holy Loch for Gibraltar. This was the first leg of the trip to the Far East.

She made the passage to Gibraltar together with HMS Thule (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Spark (Lt. D.G. Kent) in convoy OS 82 / KMS 62 which they joined South of Ireland. During the passage South through the Irish Sea they were escorted by HMS Shikari (Lt. E.H.U. Cautley, RNVR).

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


HMS Supreme passage Holy Loch - Trincomalee click here for bigger map (10)

12 Sep 1944
HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (10)

18 Sep 1944
HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) departed Gibraltar for Malta.

She made the passage to Malta together with HMS Thule (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Spark (Lt. D.G. Kent) in convoy UGS 53. (10)

23 Sep 1944
HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) arrived at Malta. (10)

27 Sep 1944
HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) departed Malta for Port Said. (10)

1 Oct 1944
HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) arrived at Port Said. (11)

5 Oct 1944
HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) departed Port Said for Aden. (11)

10 Oct 1944
HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) arrived at Aden. (11)

13 Oct 1944
HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) departed Aden for Trincomalee. Before proceeding she conducted A/S exercises with HMS Plym (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A. Foxall, RNR), HMS Trent (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J.G. Rankin, DSC, RNR) and HMS Falmouth (Lt.Cdr. E.A. Woodhead, RD, RNR). (11)

24 Oct 1944
HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) arrived at Trincomalee. She required some engine repairs before she could be sent on patrol. (11)

10 Nov 1944
During 10 and 11 November 1944 HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. These included night exercises. During these exercises practice attacks were made on HMS Renown (Capt. B.C.B. Brooke, RN, flying the flag of Vice Admiral A.J. Power, KCB, CVO, RN, second in command of the Eastern Fleet). (12)

13 Nov 1944
HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. (12)

15 Nov 1944
HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) departed Trincomalee for her 2nd war patrol (1st in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol off Port Blair and Phuket.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Supreme during this patrol see the map below.


HMS Supreme 2nd war patrol click here for bigger map (7)

19 Nov 1944
HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) tried to attack a small merchant vessel of Port Blair, the attack however had to be broken off.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1345 hours - In position 11°39'N, 92°54'E sighted 2 aircraft to the North-East. Looked like something was about to show up. Started to close Port Blair harbour.

1455 hours - Sighted mast bearing 340°. This turned out to be a submarine chaser.

1505 hours - Sighted mast of a small merchant vessel steering 210°, close inshore. 3 Aircraft were now flying overhead. Two escorts were now seen. Range to the merchant vessel was 9000 yards. Started attack.

1507 hours - The Port escort had altered round to seaward. The 3 aircraft were circling overhead.

1510 hours - The escort came straight towards and Lt. Barlow thought Supreme had been detected. When the range was 2000 yards he went deep with the intention to return to periscope depth after he had passed. However depth control was lost due to an error in drill and it took several minutes before depth control was regained. By now the chance for a torpedo attack was gone and it had to be broken off. (7)

20 Nov 1944
HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) is ordered to patrol in the Phuket / Butang area. (7)

24 Nov 1944
HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) sank a sailing vessel with gunfire in the Phuket area.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1545 hours - In position 07°46'N, 98°47'E sighted the sails of a junk 6 nautical miles to the Northward. She was drifting with the tide. Closed.

1800 hours - The junk was still in sight. The water was too shallow to close submerged so surfaced and closed in the moonlight.

1843 hours - Opened fire with the gun from 3000 yards. The 2nd and 3rd round brought down the mast and after about 7 hits she sank. (7)

26 Nov 1944
HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) was ordered to perform air/sea rescue duties to the West of Phuket. (7)

27 Nov 1944
HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) sank a sailing vessel with gunfire in the Phuket area.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1715 hours - In position 07°44'N, 98°48'E sighted a Northbound junk. Distance was 7 nautical miles. Closed submerged.

1807 hours - Surfaced at a range of 1000 yards and opened fire. She soon catched fire and most likely the cargo was petrol.

1815 hours - The junk was sinking slowly. No survivors were seen. Retired to the South. (7)

29 Nov 1944
HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) sank three sailing vessels with gunfire and demolition charges in the Langkawi area.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1625 hours - In position 06°39'N, 99°28'E sighted a small junk bearing 300°, range was 2.5 nautical miles. Closed submerged.

1639 hours - Surfaced and sank the junk with gunfire. 8 Hits were scored out of 10 rounds. On surfacing another junk was sighted about 5 nautical miles to the North. Set off in pursuit.

1705 hours - Opened fire at this 2nd junk from 4000 yards. The crew immediately abandoned ship. The deck cargo of petrol caught fire but she would not sink so came alongside and placed demolition charges.

1743 hours - The demolition charges left the junk sinking slowly. Set course for a 3rd junk that meanwhile had been sighted.

1814 hours - Closed this junk, a large one, and sank her in 2.5 minutes after 13 hits. Cleared the area to the Westward. (7)

1 Dec 1944
HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) sank a sailing vessel with gunfire between Penang and Langkawi.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1320 hours - In position 05°54'N, 100°05'E sighted a junk bearing 300°. Closed submerged.

1325 hours - Surfaced and opened fire.

1356 hours - The junk sank. 33 Rounds were fired for 17 hits. Only 7 rounds were now remaining. (7)

12 Dec 1944
HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol (1st in the Far East) at Trincomalee. (7)

30 Dec 1944
HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) was docked at Trincomalee. (13)

1 Jan 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) was undocked. (14)

3 Jan 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. (14)

4 Jan 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. (14)

5 Jan 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) departed Trincomalee for her 3rd war patrol (2nd in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol off the Nicobar and Andaman Islands.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Supreme during this patrol see the map below.


HMS Supreme 3rd war patrol click here for bigger map (7)

6 Jan 1945
At 0500 hours (zone -6.5) HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) intercepted a signal from HMS Stygian that she was returing with the badly damaged HMS Shakespeare. As the signal was received incomplete it was thought that both submarines were damaged. As their route lay close to Supreme's it was decided to close in case assistance was required. Later a signal was received in which it became clear that only Shakespeare was damaged. As Supreme was almost in the position where the other submarines were it was decided to continue. At 1451 hours, in position 08°50'N, 85°06'E, HMS Stygian and HMS Shakespeare were sighted. Identities were exchanged but no assistance was required and Supreme continued passage to her patrol area. (7)

10 Jan 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) is ordered to conduct air/sea rescue duties in an area to the East of Great Nicobar Island and to the North of Sabang. (7)

11 Jan 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) concluded her air/sea rescue duties and resumed patrol. (7)

19 Jan 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) damaged a coaster with gunfire just South of Port Blair. The coaster was beached.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1004 hours - A coaster was seen coming out of Port Blair harbour and proceeding to the South. Closed submerged to attack with torpedoes.

1154 hours - As the target was gaining surfaced and set off in chase. The target was seen to be a modern coaster of about 500 tons. Range was about 6 nautical miles.

1204 hours - Opened fire. The vessel altered course to return to Port Blair. The coaster returned fire with a gun and machine guns.

1221 hours - The target beached itself after being hit several times.

1246 hours - Shore batteries who had been firing for 20 minutes now began to find the range.

1247 hours - Dived in position 11°34'N, 92°46'E. Aircraft were seen patrolling the area for a while. Decided to wait until nightfall to finish off the beached coaster. It was later found to be too dark to see the coaster and finish her off. It was decided to remain in the area and have another go at her tomorrow. (7)

20 Jan 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) damaged another coaster with gunfire off Port Blair.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0536 hours - Dived in position 11°36'N, 92°36'E and approached the beached coaster intending to surfaced as soon as she was sighted.

0615 hours - In position 11°36'N, 92°46'E sighted an A/S trawler to the seaward clearly guarding the beached ship. The trawler later made off towards Port Blair so closed again.

0725 hours - Another vessel was seen approaching from the South. Decided to attack this target first.

0755 hours - The coaster stopped. An ML was seen coming from Port Blair.

0803 hours - Surfaced and engaged the coaster. After 7 minutes the damaged coaster beached herself. There were now 2 damaged coasters on the beach. The ML meanwhile had retired towards Port Blair.

0824 hours - The gun malfunctioned so the destruction of the beached coasters could not be completed. (7)

22 Jan 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) damaged (or destroyed) a coaster with gunfire at Car Nicobar Island. A torpedo fired earlier had prematured.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0611 hours - Dived in position 09°17'N, 92°43'E and entered Sawi Bay. Found a coaster laying about one mile off shore. Closed. Decided to fire 1 torpedo.

1306 hours - Fired 1 torpedo from 1600 yards. The torpedo exploded after having run only 600 yards. This was most likely caused by the swell in the shallow water. Decided to attack with the gun later.

1836 hours - Surfaced and opened fire with the deck gun which was not easy in the swell. The coaster had been beached after the torpedo explosion. After putting 20 rounds into her broke off the action and retired to seaward. (7)

29 Jan 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol (2nd in the Far East) at Trincomalee. (7)

17 Feb 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. (15)

19 Feb 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) departed Trincomalee for her 4th war patrol (3rd in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol in the Malacca Strait.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Supreme during this patrol see the map below.


HMS Supreme 4th war patrol click here for bigger map (7)

1 Mar 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) sank a sailing vessel with gunfire of the east coast of Sumatra, Netherlands East Indies.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0715 hours - In position 03°38'N, 99°13'E sighted a Southbound tongkang.

0738 hours - Surfaced and sank the tongkang of 12 tons with demolition charges. The captain was taken prisoner. The remaining crew of 3 took to their small boat. (7)

2 Mar 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) conducted air/sea rescue duties in the Malacca Straits in position 04°01'N, 99°16'E. (7)

4 Mar 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) destroyed a sailing vessel with gunfire of the east coast of Sumatra, Netherlands East Indies.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0905 hours - Surfaced in position 04°00'N, 98°39'E and engaged a motor junk of 30 tons which was proceeding North.

0930 hours - The junk was grounded with the upper deck awash after 10 hits.

0956 hours - Dived in position 04°06'N, 98°37'E. (7)

5 Mar 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) sank a sailing vessel with demolition charges of the east coast of Sumatra, Netherlands East Indies.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0215 hours - In position 03°58'N, 99°06'E sighted a vessel bearing 210°, range 5 nautical miles. It was soon identified as a tongkang. Stopped her and embarked the crew, took a sample of the cargo and sank her with demolition charges.

0330 hours - Proceeded. (7)

6 Mar 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) sank a sailing vessel with gunfire of the east coast of Sumatra, Netherlands East Indies.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0900 hours - In position 03°34'N, 99°17'E surfaced to engage a 35 tons junk.

0925 hours - The junk sank. (7)

10 Mar 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) destroyed a beached coaster with gunfire of the east coast of Sumatra, Netherlands East Indies.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1732 hours - Surfaced in position 04°30'N, 98°16'E and bombarded a beached coaster.

1808 hours - Dived after having obtained about 15 hits and some near misses. (7)

15 Mar 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) ended her 4th war patrol (3rd in the Far East) at Trincomalee. (7)

21 Mar 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) departed Trincomalee for Fremantle, Australia.

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


HMS Supreme passage Trincomalee - Fremantle click here for bigger map (16)

4 Apr 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) arrived at Fremantle. (17)

6 Apr 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) was put on the slipway at Fremantle. (17)

7 Apr 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) was put back in the water. (17)

16 Apr 1945
During 16 and 17 April 1945 HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) conducted exercises off Fremantle. These included night exercises. (17)

21 Apr 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) departed Fremantle for her 5th war patrol (4th in the Far East and 1st in the South-West Pacific area). She was ordered to proceed to Subic Bay, Philippines and to patrol in the Java Sea, South China Sea and Gulf of Siam en-route.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Supreme during this patrol see the map below.


HMS Supreme 5th war patrol click here for bigger map (7)

25 Apr 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) topped off with fuel at Exmouth Gulf. (7)

29 Apr 1945
During the night of 29/30 April 1945 HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) passed Lombok Strait Northbound. (7)

30 Apr 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) attacked an enemy merchant vessel in a convoy to the South of Kangean Island. 5 Torpedoes were fired but no hits were obtained.

(All times are zone -9)
1105 hours - In position 07°34'S, 115°41'E sighted smoke bearing 338°. Closed at speed.

1155 hours - It was now clear that the smoke was a convoy of a 1500 tons merchant vessel with funnel aft, an old fashioned passenger-cargo steamer, 2 trawlers, a destroyer escort and 2 Jake aircraft were circling overhead. Started attack.

1301 hours - In position 07°25'S, 115°45'E fired 5 torpedoes at the 1500 tons merchant vessel. No hits were obtained, most likely the tracks were seen and evaded in the flat calm sea.

1335 hours - The only counter attack was 1 single depth charge. Returned to periscope depth and saw the convoy making for Kangean Island. Decided to trail them but they were not seen again although during the evening Supreme was detected by the destroyer escort and depth charged but no damage was caused. (7)

2 May 1945
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. (7)

7 May 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) sank a coaster and a sailing vessel with gunfire in the Gulf of Siam. A second coaster was heavily damaged if not destroyed.

(All times are zone -9)
0850 hours - In position 06°21'N, 102°08'E sighted a mast bearing 272°. Closed to investigate.

0926 hours - Identified the mast as belonging to a junk. At the same time two heavily camouflaged coasters were seen inshore and only 3 nautical miles away.

0932 hours - Surfaced and engaged the leading coaster from 3000 yards, she immediately turned inshore.

0939 hours - The coaster, estimated to be of 300 tons, was satisfactory damaged so turned our attention to the junk, which looked new and of 50 tons. The second coaster meanwhile was still 3 nautical miles away. She was laying stopped and was firing at Supreme with a gun (thought to be a 12pdr). The crew of the junk abandoned ship while she was taken under fire.

0946 hours - The junk sank in position 06°18'N, 102°05'E and fire was shifted to the first coaster again.

0957 hours - After 30 rounds, for about 20 hits, the coaster was sinking in position 06°16'N, 102°05'E. Fire was then shifted to the other coaster, which was also of 300 tons and whose fire was now getting more accurate. Also Oerlikon and Vickers guns were used. She turned towards the shore and was hit many times and was on fire. She could not be closed any further as the water was now very shallow.

1008 hours - Turned away to seaward to make for deeper water. (7)

8 May 1945
While trying to attack an enemy convoy HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) was detected by its escort and depth charged. Damage was caused but she remained on patrol.

(All times are zone -9)
0930 hours - In position 06°51'N, 101°38'E sighted smoke bearing 341° and one Jake aircraft circling. Closed to investigate. This contact was later seen to be a merchant vessel of 1000 tons with 3 escorts, a PT boat or small submarine chaser, a large submarine chaser and a trawler.

1126 hours - Detected by the large submarine chaser, forced deep and attacked with depth charges. Supreme hit bottom at 55 feet and the escort passed right overhead. The first pattern of depth charges fell very close and caused considerable damage. Course was set to make for deeper water. A second pattern of depth charges soon followed and was also quite close causing more damage. More depth charges followed but these were not close. The Port screw became very noisy and from now on only the Starbord one was used.

1300 hours - All was quiet now.

1400 hours - Returned to periscope depth. Nothing in sight. The low power periscope was out of action and the high power periscope was also slightly damaged. Decided to remain on patrol. (7)

27 May 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) ended her 5th war patrol (4th in the Far East and 1st in the South-West Pacific area) at Subic Bay, Philippines. She returned to base with only 1266 gallons of fuel remaining. (7)

16 Jun 1945
During 16 and 17 June 1945 HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) conducted exercises off Subic Bay. These included night exercises. (18)

17 Jun 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) was docked at Subic Bay in floating dock USS ARD-12. (18)

19 Jun 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) was undocked. (18)

22 Jun 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) departed Subic Bay for her 6th war patrol (5th in the Far East and 2nd in the South-West Pacific area). She was ordered to patrol in the Gulf of Siam in a wolf pack with HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) and HMS Sea Scout (Lt. J.W. Kelly, RN) as well as the US submarine USS Charr (Cdr. F.D. Boyle, USN).

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Supreme during this patrol see the map below.


HMS Supreme 6th war patrol click here for bigger map (7)

30 Jun 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) attacked two small merchant vessels in convoy in the Gulf of Siam. No hits were obtained.

(All times are zone -9)
1055 hours - In position 11°07'N, 101°40'E sighted the expected convoy of two small merchant vessels of 800 tons and two submarine chasers. Started attack.

1143 hours - Fired 6 torpedoes from 800 yards at both merchant vessels. No hits were obtained and the torpedoes must have ran under as it was seen too late that they were in ballast.

1230 hours - Saw the convoy returing. Decided not to fire torpedoes again as these would also have ran under and to chase them.

1527 hours - Surfaced in position 11°20'N, 101°57'E and chased after the convoy. (7)

1 Jul 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) attacked with gunfire the same Japanese convoy as was attacked yesterday. Several hits were obtained on a submarine chaser before the action had to be broken off and Supreme dived to safety. She was depth charged but no damage was caused by the counter attack.

(All times are zone -9)
1130 hours - After searching all moring sighted 'our convoý' at anchor in Salad Bay (11°42'N, 102°32'E) on the West coast of Koh Kut. They were anchored in 4 fathoms of water and were laying with their bows to the shore. Supreme was able to close to 1600 yards but could not fire torpedoes from that position. Decided to attack with gunfire. One chaser was anchored to seaward and this was selected as the first target.

1416 hours - Surfaced in position 11°44'N, 102°32'E and opened fire on the submarine chaser. Range was 1600 yards. We met a very prompt return fire from the chaser and the merchant vessels and a 3" gun on the shore. This was a little to much for us so at ...

1420 hours - Dived. 5 Hits had been obtained on the submarine chaser. This vessel and the Merchants were sprayed with Oerlikon and Vickers gunfire. She second submarine chaser was soon underway, came towards and dropped 23 depth charges but these were not very close. Supreme meanwhile retired to the South at 60 feet.

1720 hours - Returned to the anchorage but the convoy had left. (7)

12 Jul 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) destroyed a sailing vessel with gunfire in the Gulf of Siam.

(All times are zone -9)
1920 hours - In position 11°12'N, 99°36'E sighted a 60 tons lugger bearing 240°, range 4 nautical miles. Closed submerged.

1930 hours - Surfaced and engaged the lugger. She beached herself. We left her on the rocks badly holed after 15 hits. (7)

14 Jul 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) sank a tug and a lighter with gunfire in the Gulf of Siam.

(All times are zone -9)
1430 hours - In position 10°42'N, 99°29'E sighted a small vessel to the South, range was about 4 nautical miles. Closed submerged.

1440 hours - Surfaced and engaged the target which turned out to be a 50 tons tug towing a lighter. Range was 6000 yards.

1455 hours - Both targets sank leaving a lot of oil drums floating. (7)

15 Jul 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) sank three coasters with gunfire in the Gulf of Siam.

(All times are zone -9)
1014 hours - In position 10°14'N, 99°17'E sighted the mast of a coaster bearing 280 degrees. Range 5 nautical miles. The enemy was steering North.

1031 hours - When the coaster temporarily disappeared behind an Island, surfaced and closed at speed.

1043 hours - Opened fire with the gun from 3600 yards.

1052 hours - The coaster, 300 tons in size, was on fire and sinking in position 10°18'N, 99°14'E. 35 Hits had been obtained.

1110 hours - Dived.

--------------------------------------

1203 hours - In position 10°16'N, 99°18'E sighted 2 more coasters coming South. Range was 9 nautical miles.

1245 hours - When the leading coaster was 2400 yards away, surfaced and opened fire. 8 Rounds were enough to stop this coaster of 300 tons. Target was now shifted to the second coaster (estimated to be 500 tons) that was 2 nautical miles away and making for the nearest island. When she was hit for the first time she reached land. After 20 hits she was on fire.

1255 hours - Returned to the first coaster and closed her to 800 yards. 17 Hits were obtained before she was well on fire.

1328 hours - Dived. (7)

25 Jul 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) ended her 6th war patrol (5th in the Far East and 2nd in the South-West Pacific area) at Subic Bay. (7)

1 Aug 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) was docked at Subic Bay. (19)

2 Aug 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) was undocked. (19)

27 Aug 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) departed Subic Bay for Hong Kong. (19)

30 Aug 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) arrived at Hong Kong. (19)

12 Sep 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) departed Hong Kong for Trincomalee. (7)

25 Sep 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) arrived at Trincomalee. (7)

27 Sep 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) was docked at Trincomalee for repairs. (20)

28 Sep 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) was undocked. (20)

1 Oct 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) departed Trincomalee for Aden. (7)

10 Oct 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) arrived at Aden. She departed for Port Said later the same day. (7)

15 Oct 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) arrived at Suez. (7)

16 Oct 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) transited the Suez Canal Northbound and arrived at Port Said. (7)

19 Oct 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) departed Port Said for Alexandria. (7)

20 Oct 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) arrived at Alexandria. (7)

27 Oct 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) departed Alexandria for Malta. (7)

30 Oct 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) arrived at Malta. (7)

2 Nov 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) departed Malta for Gibraltar. (7)

5 Nov 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (7)

8 Nov 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) departed Gibraltar for Portsmouth. (7)

13 Nov 1945
HMS Supreme (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Barlow, RN) arrived at Portsmouth. She was paid off into reserve on 8 December 1945. (7)

Sources

  1. ADM 173/18890
  2. ADM 173/19296
  3. ADM 173/18891
  4. ADM 173/18892
  5. ADM 173/19127
  6. ADM 173/19456
  7. ADM 199/1873A
  8. ADM 199/1873A + ADM 199/1821
  9. ADM 173/18893
  10. ADM 173/18894
  11. ADM 173/18895
  12. ADM 173/18896
  13. ADM 173/18897
  14. ADM 173/19776
  15. ADM 173/19777
  16. ADM 173/19778
  17. ADM 173/19779
  18. ADM 173/19781
  19. ADM 173/19783
  20. ADM 173/19784

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


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