uboat.net

  Front page - Fighting the U-boats - Allied Warships

Follow us on Twitter
@uboatnet

Notable events involving Taku include:

The history of HMS Taku as compiled on this page is extracted from Taku's patrol reports and logbooks. Corrections and details regarding information from the enemy's side (for instance the composition of convoys attacked) is kindly provided by Mr. Platon Alexiades, a naval researcher from Canada.

This page was created in November 2010.

This page was last updated in July 2024.

18 Dec 1939
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Hall, RN) conducted trials off Liverpool during which she was escorted by HMS King Sol (Cdr.(Retd.) N.R. Peploe, OBE, RN) and HMS Arab (Skr. J.H.D. Dansie, RNR). (1)

21 Dec 1939
Around 0615Z/21, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Hall, RN) departed her builders yard for trials the Clyde area. She was escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) which joined around 0800Z/21 off the Bar lightvessel. (1)

24 Dec 1939
Around 0925A/24, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Hall, RN) returned to Birkenhead on completion of her trials. (1)

5 Jan 1940
Around 0725Z/5, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Hall, RN) departed her builders yard for Portsmouth. She was escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) which joined around 0925Z/5 off the Bar lightvessel. (2)

8 Jan 1940
Around 1100Z/8, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Hall, RN) arrived at Portsmouth / Haslar. (2)

9 Jan 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Hall, RN) and HMS L 27 (Lt. P.J. Cowell, RN) both conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (2)

10 Jan 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Hall, RN) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (2)

11 Jan 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Hall, RN) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (2)

18 Jan 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Hall, RN) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (2)

19 Jan 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Hall, RN) is docked at the Portsmouth Dockyard in No.9 Dry Dock. (2)

22 Jan 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Hall, RN) is undocked from No.9 Dry Dock at the Portsmouth Dockyard. (2)

23 Jan 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Hall, RN) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (2)

25 Jan 1940
Around 0930Z/25, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Hall, RN) departed Portsmouth for Portland where she arrived aroud 1515Z/25. She was escorted by HMS Warrior II (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN). (2)

26 Jan 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Hall, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Portland. (2)

27 Jan 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Hall, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Portland. (2)

1 Feb 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Hall, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Portland. (3)

3 Feb 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Hall, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Portland. (3)

4 Feb 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Hall, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Portland. (3)

5 Feb 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Hall, RN) conducted echo sounding trials off Portland. (3)

6 Feb 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Hall, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Portland. (3)

7 Feb 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Hall, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Portland. (3)

8 Feb 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Hall, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Portland. (3)

13 Feb 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Hall, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Portland. (3)

14 Feb 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Hall, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Portland. (3)

15 Feb 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Hall, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Portland. (3)

16 Feb 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Hall, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Portland. (3)

19 Feb 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Hall, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Portland. (3)

20 Feb 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Hall, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Portland. (3)

21 Feb 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Hall, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Portland. Upon completion of these trials she proceeded to Portsmouth (Haslar) where she arrived around 1730Z/21. (3)

23 Feb 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Hall, RN) is taken in hand for repairs at the Portsmouth Dockyard. (3)

4 Mar 1940
On completion the repairs, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN) proceeded from the Portsmouth Dockyard to Haslar. (4)

5 Mar 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN) conducted special trials off Portsmouth. (4)

7 Mar 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (4)

9 Mar 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. These included practice attacks on HMS Warrior II (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN). (4)

11 Mar 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (4)

12 Mar 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN) is docked at the Portsmouth Dockyard in No.9 Dry Dock. (4)

30 Mar 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN) is undocked. (4)

1 Apr 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN) conducted compass adjustment trials off Portsmouth. (5)

2 Apr 1940
Around 2145A/2, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN) departed Portsmouth for a trial period at Loch Long on the west coast of Scotland. She was escorted by HMS Malcolm (Capt. T.E. Halsey, RN) until 0730A/3 when HMS Foxhound (Lt.Cdr. G.H. Peters, DSC, RN) took over the escort. (5)

5 Apr 1940
Around 1200A/5, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN) arrived at Loch Long. (5)

8 Apr 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials at Loch Long. (5)

9 Apr 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials at Loch Long. (5)

10 Apr 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials at Loch Long. (5)

11 Apr 1940
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Taku during her 1st war patrol see the map below.

(5)

11 Apr 1940
Around 0515A/11, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN) departed Loch Long for her 1st war patrol. She is to patrol off Central Norway. She was escorted until 2145A/12 by HMS Notts County (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.K. Pollock, RN). (6)

17 Apr 1940
While searching for five German destroyers reported to be in her area HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN) fires four torpedoes at the British destroyer HMS Ashanti (Cdr. W.G. Davis, RN). Luckily all torpedoes fired missed their target. HMS Taku sustained some minor damage from depth charges dropped by HMS Ashanti.

Taku had received information that five German destroyers had been sighted off Stavanger at 1900A/16. They were steering northwards at 25 knots. It was estimated that these would pass close to Taku's position between 0330A/17 and 0400A/17.

0335A/17 - Sighted a ship bearing 240° steering 060° at high speed, distance was about 4 miles. Turned towards and commenced a surface attack. The ships silhouette was very similar to that of a German destroyer. In view of the previous report there was no doubt that this was an enemy destroyer.

0342A/17 - Fired four torpedoes from 3000 yards. One torpedo was seen to break surface. Taku dived immediately after firing. It was now rapidly getting lighter and immediately after firing the first salvo the destroyer changed course. Taku manoeuvred into position to fire a second salvo. The destroyer now turned directly towards and while doing so it was observed to have a tripod mast and twin gun mountings and it was identified as friendly. Taku went deep and the order was given to fire a yellow smoke candle and to transmit identity letter on S.S/T. When at 60 feet a pattern of depth charges exploded about 100 yards on the starboard bow. Taku now surfaced and established her identity by lamp. The destroyer was HMS Ashanti. Only minor damage was caused by the depth charges. (6)

18 Apr 1940
At 2130A/18, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN) surfaced after a days submerged patrol. She then set course to proceed to Rosyth. (6)

20 Apr 1940
Around 0820A/20, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Rosyth. (6)

30 Apr 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN) conducted compass adjustment trials off Rosyth. (5)

1 May 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Rosyth. (7)

2 May 1940
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.

(6)

6 May 1940
At 0230A/6, west of Stavanger in approximate position 58°50'N, 04°42'E, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN) picked up HE of a reciprocal engine on the starboard bow bearing 235° (approximately). HMS Taku stopped the engines and turned towards. As HMS Taku was silhouetted against the eastern horizon and visibility was not good to the westward, HMS Taku dived. HE passed down the port side and then stopped. It started again five minutes later and the ship then made off to the southward at a higher speed then before. The ship was never seen through the periscope. HMS Taku remained dived until 2155A/6. (6)

8 May 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN) attacked a German convoy with a full salvo of ten torpedoes and torpedoed and damaged the German torpedo boat Mowe east of Denmark in position 56°45'N, 06°12'E. After the attack HMS Taku was depth charged and hunted for over 6 hours.

The convoy attacked was made up of the German transports Palime (2863 GRT, built 1937) and Pelikan (3264 GRT, built 1935) escorted by torpedo boats Mowe and Kondor. They had departed the Elbe around 0445B/8 for Stavanger.

Mowe was damaged in the stern and towed to Wilhelmshaven by Kondor.

1715A/8 - Sighted two camouflaged merchant ships about 8000 tons each escorted by two torpedo boats and two aircraft. Bearing 175°, range 8000 yards. All ships were zig-zagging independently. Commenced attack. It was intended to fire five torpedoes at each of the merchant ships from outside the screen.

1736A/8 - Fired at the leading transport from 2000 yards. After the last torpedo was fired Taku went to 100 feet. One minute after firing three distinct explosions were heard. These were followed by an avalanche of depth charges. Taku meanwhile lost trim and bottomed at 150 feet. All motors were stopped. Taku was now hunted and depth charged until late in the evening.

2350A/8 - Left bottom after the hunters HE had ceased.

0150A/9 - Surfaced. Nothing in sight except some fishing vessels to the South and East. Proceeded to the north-west while charging. (6)

13 May 1940
At 2157A/13, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN) surfaced and set course to return to Rosyth. (8)

15 May 1940
Around 0830A/15, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Rosyth. (6)

16 May 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN) is docked in AFD 3 at Rosyth. (7)

18 May 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN) is undocked. (7)

22 May 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN) conducted engine trials and exercises off Rosyth. (7)

23 May 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN) is wiped at Rosyth. Also compass adjustment trials were carried out. (7)

27 May 1940
Around 0500A/27, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN) departed from Rosyth for her 3rd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the North Sea.

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

(6)

1 Jun 1940
At 0150A/1, in position 54°40'N, 04°11'E, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN) almost collided with a small black conical buoy with white buff attached. The buoy was only three feet high and was considered to be too small to be a navigational buoy. It was lost from of sight in the bad visibility and not seen again.

Between 0945A/1 and 1015A/1, a large number of distant explosions were heard thought to be probably bombs. These may have come from the northern half of this patrol area where ORP Orzel (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) J. Grudzinski, DSO) had been ordered to patrol. (6)

9 Jun 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN) and HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. E.R.J. Oddie, RN) were ordered into the Heligoland Bight to intercept the German battlecruisers Gneisenau and Scharnhorst in case they returned from operations off northern Norway to Germany.

The German battlecruisers however entered Trondheim. (9)

10 Jun 1940
Around 2045A/10, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN) received a signal to leave patrol and return to Rosyth.

She surfaced at 2300A/10 and set course accordingly. (6)

12 Jun 1940
Around 2115A/12, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol at Rosyth. (6)

18 Jun 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN) conducted compass adjustment trials at Rosyth. (10)

20 Jun 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN) is docked in AFD 3 at Rosyth. (10)

21 Jun 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN) is undocked. (10)

28 Jun 1940
Around 1230A/28 HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, DSC, RN) departed from Rosyth for her 4th war patrol. She is to patrol of central Norway.

In the morning, before departure, compass adjustment trials had been carried out.

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

(6)

29 Jun 1940
At 0913A/29, in rough weather conditions, in approximate position 57°05'N, 00°31'W, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, DSC, RN) sighted a surfaced submarine. HMS Taku subsequently dived and sent a recognition signal on SS/T.

The submarine in question, Rubis (Lt. G.E.J. Cabanier) had also sighted the British submarine and turned away. (6)

5 Jul 1940
At 2244A/5, west-north-west of Namsos, in position 64°48'N, 09°25'E, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, DSC, RN) is bombed by an enemy aircraft. On sighting the aircraft HMS Taku dived and when at 45 feet the bomb exploded overhead abaft the conning tower. Only some minor damage was sustained. (6)

9 Jul 1940
At 1825A/9, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, DSC, RN) surfaced after a day of submerged patrol. She then left patrol to return to Rosyth. (6)

12 Jul 1940
Around 1930A/12, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, DSC, RN) ended her 4th war patrol at Rosyth. (6)

13 Jul 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, DSC, RN) conducted compass adjustment trials at Rosyth. (11)

15 Jul 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, DSC, RN) conducted compass adjustment trials at Rosyth. (11)

25 Jul 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, DSC, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Rosyth. (11)

27 Jul 1940
Around 2000A/27, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, DSC, RN) departed from Rosyth for her 5th war patrol. She is to patrol off Norway.

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

(6)

7 Aug 1940
At 2102A/7, an Hudson from 269 Squadron ((Pilot Officer J.B. Weightman) reported having attacked submarine with three 250-lb A/S bombs (one failed to explode) in position 61°13'N, 00°49'E proceeding on course 150°. The aircraft had attacked the submarine which was U-52 which was returning to Kiel where she arrived on the 13th, after a short stopover at Heligoland from the evening of the 11th to the afternoon of the 12th. The German U-boat was severely shaken but had sustained no damage during the aircraft attack.

Upon receiving this signal at 2316A/7, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, DSC, RN), which was in approximate position 59°45'N, 02°45E, about 100 nautical miles away, altered course to the north-east to try to intercept as it was thought the enemy submarine was proceeding to Bergen.

No enemy submarine was seen though. (12)

8 Aug 1940
At 2305A/8, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, DSC, RN) surfaced after a day of submerged patrol. She then set course to return to Rosyth. (6)

11 Aug 1940
Around 1010A/11, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, DSC, RN) ended her 5th war patrol, which had been uneventful, at Rosyth. (6)

18 Aug 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, DSC, RN) briefly conducted a post repair basin dive trial at Rosyth. (13)

22 Aug 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN) conducted exercises in the Firth of Forth. (13)

28 Aug 1940
Around 1800A/28, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, DSC, RN) and HMS Porpoise (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) departed Rosyth for Rothesay. (13)

30 Aug 1940
Around 0615A/30, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, DSC, RN) and HMS Porpoise (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) arrived at Stornoway.

They departed again to continue their passage to Rothesay around 1415A/30. (13)

31 Aug 1940
Around 1400A/31, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, DSC, RN) and HMS Porpoise (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) arrived at Rothesay. (13)

2 Sep 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, DSC, RN) departed from Rothesay for her 6th war patrol. She is to patrol in the Bay of Biscay off the Gironde estuary.

Passage south through the Irish Sea was made together with HMS Porpoise (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN). They were escorted by HMS Rosemary (Lt.(Retd.) H.V. Wheeler, RN).

The submarines parted company with the escort around 1915A/3 near Bishops Rock.

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

(6)

11 Sep 1940
At 1100A/11, north of the Gironde estuary, in approximate position 45°47'N, 01°32'W, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, DSC, RN) sighted a small southbound coaster. She was well inside the 10 fathom line.

At 1500A/11, in approximate position 45°53'N, 01°37'W, a small vessel was sighted though to be an E-boat (motor torpedo boat) [could also have been an R-boat / motor minesweeper] right astern proceeding on course 140°. She was lost out of sight around 1540A/11 as she was entering the Gironde estuary. (6)

16 Sep 1940
At 2207A/16, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, DSC, RN) surfaced after a day of submerged patrol off the Gironde estuary. She then set course to return to the U.K. (6)

20 Sep 1940
Around 0730A/20, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, DSC, RN) ended her 6th war patrol at Falmouth. She and HMS Porpoise (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) departed around 1930A/20, for Holy Loch escorted by HMS Rosemary (Lt.(Retd.) H.V. Wheeler, RN). (14)

22 Sep 1940
Around 1200A/22, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch from Falmouth. (14)

24 Sep 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, DSC, RN) is wiped (degaussed) at Holy Loch. (14)

25 Sep 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, DSC, RN) conducted compass adjustment trials at Holy Loch. (14)

30 Sep 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, DSC, RN) conducted D/G trials off Helensburg. (14)

1 Oct 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, DSC, RN) conducted compass adjustment trials at Holy Loch. (15)

4 Oct 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in Loch Long. (16)

8 Oct 1940
In the morning, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, DSC, RN) conducted noise trials at Holy Loch.

In the afternoon, Lt.Cdr. Van der Byl left the ship and Lt. Lt. Turner, RN assumed command temporarily. (16)

15 Oct 1940
In the morning, HMS Taku (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) conducted noise and compass adjustment trials at Holy Loch. (16)

16 Oct 1940
HMS Taku (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) conducted exercises in Loch Long. (15)

17 Oct 1940
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) conducted exercises in Loch Long. (16)

18 Oct 1940
Around 1545A/18, HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) departed from Holy Loch for her 7th war patrol. She is to patrol in the Bay of Biscay of Lorient / St. Nazaire.

Passage south through the Irish Sea was made together with HMS Cachalot (Lt.Cdr. J.D. Luce, RN). They were escorted by HMS La Surprise (Capt.(Retd.) E.Stubbs, RN).

The submarines parted company with the escort around 0730A/18 to the west of the Scilly Isles.

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

(6)

2 Nov 1940
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) torpedoed and lightly damaged the German tanker Gedania (8923 GRT, built 1920) in the Bay of Biscay about 35 nautical miles south-west of Belle-Ile island in position 46°54'N, 03°50'W with a dud torpedo.

The tanker came from the Canary Islands and had on board very valuable whale oil. She arrived at Saint Nazaire later the same day.

HMS Taku left patrol at 2000A/2.

0230A/2 - In position 46°54'N, 03°50'W sighted a large tanker bearing 190°. Enemy course was 020°. Started attack.

0238A/2 - Fired eight torpedoes from 800 yards. After 30 seconds there were three heavy explosions. These explosions even caused some damage to Taku. Taku was diving at the moment of the explosion but was still on the surface.

0247A/2 - Surfaced. The tanker could not be seen and there was a pronounced smell of oil fuel present. It was thought the tanker had been sunk.

0300A/2 - Cleared the area to the west on the surface. (6)

4 Nov 1940
In the morning, HMS Clyde (Cdr. D.C. Ingram, DSC, RN), HMS Porpoise (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) and HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) made rendez-vous off Mounts Bay. They then proceeded in company towards Holy Loch escorted by HMS Rosemary (Lt.(Retd.) H.V. Wheeler, RN). (17)

6 Nov 1940
Around 1000A/6, HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) ended her 7th war patrol at Holy Loch. (6)

8 Nov 1940
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) is wiped (degaussed) at Holy Loch. (18)

14 Nov 1940
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) conducted D/G trials off Helensburg. (18)

15 Nov 1940
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Long. (18)

18 Nov 1940
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) conducted W/T trials and attack exercises on Inchmarnock Water during which HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN) acted as target. (18)

21 Nov 1940
Around 0930A/21, HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) departed from Holy Loch for her 8th war patrol. She is to patrol in the Bay of Biscay off the Gironde estuary.

Passage south through the Irish Sea was made together with HMS Upholder (Lt. M.D. Wanklyn, RN). The submarines were escorted by HMS La Surprise (Capt.(Retd.) E.Stubbs, RN).

The submarines parted company with the escort around 0335A/23 when off Wolf Rock.

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

(6)

6 Dec 1940
At 1900A/6, HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) set course to leave patrol and return to Holy Loch. (6)

10 Dec 1940
Around 1000A/10, near Longships Lighthouse, HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) joined her escort, HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). They then set course for Holy Loch. (19)

12 Dec 1940
Around 1030A/12, HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) ended her 8th war patrol at Holy Loch. (20)

22 Dec 1940
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) conducted noise trials at Holy Loch. (20)

26 Dec 1940
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) conducted noise trials at Holy Loch. (20)

27 Dec 1940
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) proceeded from Holy Loch to Troon where she was immediately docked in the graving dock. (20)

3 Jan 1941
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) is undocked. (21)

4 Jan 1941
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) proceeded from Troon to Holy Loch. (21)

7 Jan 1941
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) conducted diving and noise trials in Loch Long. (21)

8 Jan 1941
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) proceeded from Holy Loch to Troon. (21)

9 Jan 1941
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) is docked again at Troon for some more repairs to her torpedo tubes. (21)

11 Jan 1941
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) is undocked. (21)

12 Jan 1941
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) proceeded from Troon to Holy Loch. (21)

13 Jan 1941
Around 0845A/13, HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) departed from Holy Loch for her 9th war patrol. She is to patrol in the Bay of Biscay off Brest and Lorient. During her passage south through the Irish Sea she was escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) until midnight during the night of 14/15 January when they parted company near Wolf Rock. (6)

13 Jan 1941
For the daily positions of HMS Taku during this patrol see the map below.

31 Jan 1941
At 2002A/31, HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) surfaced after a day's of submerged patrol. Course was then set to return to Holy Loch. (22)

1 Feb 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) departed from Plymouth for Holy Loch. She was escorted by HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Dobson, RNR). HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) coming from patrol also joined around 0820A/2 for the passage north through the Irish Sea. (23)

3 Feb 1941
Around 1700A/3, HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) ended her 9th war patrol, which had been entirely uneventful, at Holy Loch. (6)

13 Feb 1941
During 13 and 14 February 1941, HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN), conducted exercises in the Clyde area. These included night and gunnery exercises. (24)

17 Feb 1941
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Long. (24)

19 Feb 1941
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) conducted independent exercises in the Clyde area. (24)

20 Feb 1941
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) conducted night exercises in the Clyde area together with HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Pizey, DSO, RN). (24)

24 Feb 1941
For the daily positions of HMS Taku during the (aborted) passage from Holy Loch to Halifax see the map below.

(6)

24 Feb 1941
Around 1600A/24, HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Norfolk, RN) and HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) departed from Holy Loch for Halifax, Canada.

They were escorted until 1930A/25 by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (25)

27 Feb 1941
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) has to abandon the passage to Halifax as she is damaged in heavy weather. The after hydroplanes are 'locked' in a vertical position rendering the ship un-maneuverable. A signal was made requesting assistance. (6)

3 Mar 1941
At 0045N/1, HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN), is joined by the sloop HMS Enchantress (Lt.Cdr. A.E.T. Christie, RN). At 1130N/1 the corvette HMS Gladiolus (Lt.Cdr. H.M.C. Sanders, DSC, RNR) and the rescue tug HMRT Salvonia also joined. Attempts were now undertaken to take HMS Taku in tow but these failed. A connection between Salvonia and Taku was established only at 0808N/4 the following morning. Taku was now towed to Londonderry. During passage the tow parted once. (6)

10 Mar 1941
Around 1420A/10, HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) arrived at Londonderry under tow. (6)

12 Mar 1941
Around 1520A/12, HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) departed from Londonderry bound for Holy Loch. She is being towed by HMRT Salvonia bound for Holy Loch. (6)

13 Mar 1941
Around 1435A/13, HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) arrived at Holy Loch under tow. (6)

16 Mar 1941
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) was towed from Holy Loch to Ardrossan where she was docked in the graving dock for repairs to her after hydroplanes. (26)

21 Mar 1941
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) was undocked. (26)

22 Mar 1941
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) proceeded from Ardrossan to Holy Loch. After oiling she departed Holy Loch for her 10th war patrol. She is to patrol in the Bay of Biscay. She is to proceed to Gibraltar upon completion of her partol as she was to join the 1st Submarine Flotilla based at Alexandria.

Passage south through the Irish Sea was made together with HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN), HMS Tuna (Lt.Cdr. M.K. Cavenagh-Mainwaring, DSO, RN) and HMS L 26 (Lt. S.L.C. Maydon, RN). They were escorted by the Free French minesweeper FFS La Moqueuse.

They all parted company with the escort near Wolf Rock between 0845A/24 and 0920A/24.

(26)

13 Apr 1941
Around 1945A/13, HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) ended her 10th war patrol at Gibraltar. (27)

14 Apr 1941
Around 1600A/14, HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) departed Gibraltar for Malta.

At 2324A/14, a torpedo track was sighted coming towards. Taku went hard to port and then dived. Nothing further was sighted and the supposed attack was most likely bogus. (27)

15 Apr 1941
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) is ordered by F.O.C.N.A. (Flag Officer Commanding North Atlantic) to return to Gibraltar. Instructions had been received from C-in-C Mediterranean and Capt. S.1 that they intend HMS Taku to make a war patrol in the Tyrrhenean Sea. Before proceeding on this patrol a rest period was needed therefore HMS Taku was recalled. (27)

16 Apr 1941
Around 1430A/16, HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from her aborted passage to Gibraltar. (27)

25 Apr 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) participated in RD/F trials off Gibraltar.

26 Apr 1941
Around 2030A/26, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) departed from Gibraltar for her 11th war patrol. This is her 1st Mediterranean war patrol. She is to patrol in the Tyrrhenian Sea and to proceed to Alexandria afterwards.

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

(6)

3 May 1941
At 2300C/3, while patrolling off Cape Vaticano, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) sighted a searchlight bearing 180°. HMS Taku dived.

At 2326C/3, HMS Taku surfaced but had to submerge again when the searchlight was seen again at 2328C/28 at a range of about 2000 yards. It was thought to have originated from a MAS boat. Evasive action was taken while submerged.

At 0033C/3, HMS Taku surfaced and proceeded to the westward. (28)

4 May 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) attacked the Italian transport Goggiam (1994 GRT, built 1922) ship in position 350° - Cape Vaticano - 6 nautical miles. Two torpedoes were fired but both missed.

Goggiam was on passage from Messina to Naples and initially reported that she had been torpedoed but this was later corrected. She took refuge in Vibo Valentia. The submarine chaser Albatros sailed from Messina to hunt the submarine but made no contact.

1234C/4 - Sighted a small merchant ship of about 1100 tons bearing 166°, range 6900 yards, speed 9 knots. Commenced attack.

1251C/4 - In position 350° Cape Vaticano 6 nautical miles fired two torpedoes from 3000 yards. Both missed. The target altered course away and closed the coast. (6)

5 May 1941
At 1132C/5, while south-east of Stromboli Island, in approximate position 38°45 N, 15°16'E, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) sighted what is thought to be an Azio-class minelayer / Lepant-class sloop followed by an Partenope-class torpedo boat. They were proceeding on course 340°.

At 1400C/5, the Azio-class minelayer was seen returning to the southward on course 140°. She passed at a range of 3000 yards. (28)

6 May 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian transport Cagliari (2322 GRT, built 1907) in the Tyrrhenian Sea off San Lucido, Calabria, Italy in position 39°18'N, 15°59'E.

Of a crew of 52, 34 were saved including 11 wounded. The submarine chaser Albatros sailed from Messina to hunt the submarine but found nothing.

1411C/6, sighted a tug proceeding on course 180° at a range of 2000 yards. Did not attack so as not to give the submarines position to the enemy.

1554C/6 - In position 39°11'N, 15°58'E sighted a coaster in ballast abeam. Enemy course was 340°. Range 3500 yards. Again did not attack.

1929C/6 - In position 39°18'N, 15°59'E sighted a merchant ship bearing 140° (thought to be Belvedere, 7166 GRT, built 1913). Enemy course 348°. Range 7300 yards. Started attack.

1936C/6 - The enemy altered course to 328°. Range now 3600 yards.

1944C/6 - Fired three torpedoes from 700 yards. Enemy course still 328°. All three torpedoes hit and the ship sank within a few minutes.

2331C/6 - Surfaced. Retired to the west to clear the area. (6)

7 May 1941
At 0150C/7, well to the north-east of Stromboli Island, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) sighted a hospital ship bearing 200°. It was proceeding northwards on course 325°. Naturally did not attack.

This was most probably the Italian hospital ship Sicilia (9646 GRT, built 1924) who arrived at Naples at 1150B/7 from Tripoli.

At 0438C/7, when in position 004° - Stromboli Island - 24 nautical miles HMS Taku changed course to 250° to leave the patrol area and proceed to Alexandria as ordered in Capt S.1's signal timed 2221C/6. (6)

10 May 1941
At 0345C/10, when in position 360° - Pantelleria - 4.5 nautical miles, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) sighted several destroyers proceeding westwards at high speed. Recognition signals were exchanged between the leader and Taku. The destroyers in question were HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.F. de Salis, RN), HMS Fearless (Cdr. A.F. Pugsley, RN), HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Tancock, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Fortune (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Sinclair, RN), HMS Fury (Lt.Cdr. T.C. Robinson, RN). The destroyers had departed Malta for a high speed run westwards to rejoin Force H the previous evening. (6)

16 May 1941
At 1100A/16, to the north-north-west of Marsa Matruh, in position 32°08'N, 26°54'E, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) sighted a destroyer bearing 260° proceeding to the east-south-east. It was identified as an Australian V&W-class destroyer. This was HMAS Vampire (Cdr. J.A. Walsh, RAN) operating with the inshore squadron for Tobruk ferry runs. (6)

17 May 1941
Around 0915C/17, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) ended her 11th war patrol at Alexandria. (6)

22 May 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) is docked at Alexandria in the Gabbari graving dock. (29)

26 May 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) is undocked. (29)

30 May 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) is wiped (degaussed) at Alexandria. (29)

1 Jun 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) departed from Alexandria for her 12th war patrol. This is her 2nd Mediterranean war patrol. She is to patrol in Gulf of Sirte.

Before proceeding on patrol exercises were carried out with the Greek torpedo boat RHS Aspis. (30)

1 Jun 1941
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Taku during her 12th war patrol see the map below.

6 Jun 1941
At 2008A/6, when off Benghazi in position 32°08'N, 19°56'E, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) sighted a large transport leaving the harbour. An attack was started but the transport returned to harbour at 2030A/6. An A/S trawler was continually in sight at a range of 3000 yards.

This may possibly have been (just a guess) the transport Sparta (German, 1724 GRT, built 1936) which had arrived at Benghazi on 3 or 4 June. It is possible that she sailed from there on 6 June but was quickly recalled when traffic between Libya and Italy was suspended on that day (until the following day) following information that a British naval force was at sea. (30)

7 Jun 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) attacked a small convoy made up of one schooner, one tug towing a lighter and one A/S trawler with gunfire. The action however had to be broken off soon due to the gun malfunctioning.

The vessels attacked were the Italian schooners Elisa and Nadia escorted by the Italian auxiliary gunboat Mario Bianco.

During the night of 7-8 June 1941 the folbot party was landed on Gharah Island. The island was found to be uninhabited.

0800C/7 - In position 30°59'N, 20°02'E, sighted a schooner and a tug towing lighter escorted by an A/S trawler.

0850C/7 - Surfaced astern of the schooner at a range of 800 yards. Due to a misunderstanding fire was opened on the lighter instead of the schooner which, on the first round being fired, started to abandon ship. A missfire occurred after the first round which had falled short. The next round then went over. Order was then given to change target but the gun continued to misfire and the attack had to be broken off.

0852C/7 - Dived and retired to the westward.

0900C/7 - Depth charging started which lasted for 15 minutes. Six depth charges were counted in all. (30)

8 Jun 1941
During the night of 8/9 June 1941, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) lands a folbot party at Al Burayqah, Libya. The folbot party made a landing and investigated the old ford. It was found to be ruined and deserted. Then another landing was made but the folbot party was detected and had to leave the beach under a hail of bullets. Fortunately no one was hit. The shore battery at Al Burayqah was then bombarded by HMS Taku after the folbot party was recovered. Seven rounds were fired for one hit and one possible hit. (30)

11 Jun 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) torpedoed and sank the German transport Tilly L.M. Russ (1600 GRT, built 1926) at Bengasi, Libya. Several smaller vessels were also sunk or damaged.

When the transport, with ammunition on board, Tilly L.M. Russ blew up there were 15 men missing including all her AA gunners. The auxiliary schooners Giorgina (253 GRT, raised in July 1941) and Nadia (243 GRT) were sunk by the blast and the transport Ninfea (607 GRT, built 1918) and the schooners Rosina (244 GRT), [also reported as damaged by aircraft on 9 June] and Luigi (? GRT) were set afire, the water tanker Elisa (216 GRT) was also damaged.

2140C/11 - In position 1 nautical mile bearing 270° from the Benghazi breakwater light, fired one torpedo at a supply ship in the harbour. The torpedo hit the target and started a large fire. Three minutes later Taku proceeded up the Benghazi swept channel back out to sea. (30)

12 Jun 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) intercepted a convoy and torpedoed and sank the transport Silvio Scaroni (Italian 1367 GRT, built 1921) in the Gulf of Sirte 70 nautical miles bearing 283° off Benghazi, Libya in position 32°27'N, 18°42'E.

The above mentioned Silvio Scaroni was in convoy together with the transport Cadamosto (Italian, 1010 GRT, built 1905) and auxiliary schooner V 87 / Aosta (Italian, 562 GRT, built 1913). They were escorted by the Italian torpedo boat Palade. The convoy had departed Tripoli around 0230B/10 destined for Benghazi.

The Silvio Scaroni was carrying 1350 tons of stores, 250 tons of oil and 200 tons of petrol for the German Afrikakorps. She sank in about 8 minutes. There were 27 survivors and 10 missing. Pallade dropped a single depth charge for intimidation purposes and then proceeded to pick up 26 survivors (27? According to Supermarina war diary).

0435C/12 - In position 32°20'N, 18°49'E, HMS Taku sighted a convoy. The convoy is identified as an Italian Orione class torpedo boat, an Italian MAS boat and three merchant ships of 1500, 2600 and 2500 tons respectively.

0503C/12 - Two torpedoes were fired against the last ship in line. One of these torpedoes was seen to hit just abaft the foremast. The ship sank.

0505C/12 - The torpedo boat was seen heading straight for Taku so Lt.Cdr. Nicolay went deep. (30)

18 Jun 1941
At 1201C/18, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN), which at that moment to the north-west of Tolmeitha, in position 32°45'N, 20°38'E, left patrol to return to Alexandria.

22 Jun 1941
Around 0800C/22, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) ended her 12th war patrol at Alexandria. (30)

28 Jun 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials at Alexandria from the external amidships tubes No.9 and No.10. (31)

29 Jun 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials at Alexandria from the external amidships tube No.10. (31)

1 Jul 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) is docked at Alexandria in the Gabbari graving dock for repairs to her Asdic dome and some other small repairs. (32)

5 Jul 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) is undocked. (32)

6 Jul 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials at Alexandria from the external amidships tubes No.9 and No.10. (33)

8 Jul 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) departed from Alexandria for her 13th war patrol. This is her 3rd Mediterranean war patrol. She is to patrol in the Gulf of Sirte.

Before proceeding on patrol exercises were carried out with the Greek torpedo boat RHS Aspis. (30)

8 Jul 1941
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Taku during her 13th war patrol see the map below.

13 Jul 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) torpedoed and sank the passenger / cargo ship Caldea (Italian, 2703 GRT, built 1928) in position 312° - Benghazi lighthouse - 10 nautical miles.

Caldea had sailed from Brindisi for Benghazi. There were two missing and four wounded (two seriously).

0956C/13 - In position 32°11'N, 19°58'E, Taku sighted the target about 7000 yards away. The target was escorted by three A/S trawlers. Taku closed for a torpedo attack.

1014C/13 - Fired four torpedoes. The first torpedo missed the target but the remaining three all hit. The ship sank and there was no counter-attack on Taku. (30)

15 Jul 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) sank the Italian motor schooner Vincenzo P. (270 GRT, built 1918) and damaged the tug Nettuno (406 GRT, built 1921) in position 30°41'N, 18°19'E.

1430C/15 - An armed tug and a schooner were sighted in position 30°56'N, 17°56'E. Weather conditions were unfavourable for gunnery action. Taku shadowed the ships.

2126C/15 - The ships were at anchor close inshore in position 30°41'N, 18°19'E. Taku surfaced to launch a folbot party. The folbot however broke in a wave and the idea of a folbot attack was abandoned. (A folbot is a folding kayak).

2314C/15 - The armed tug was engaged with gunfire from 300 yards. A lighter was sighted laying astern of the tug. The lighter was slipped and drifted ashore. The tug was hit, the crew slipped the anchor cable and beached itself. Taku now shifted fire to the schooner. 12 rounds were fired from 150 yards. The schooner was then boarded. Charts, books, etc. were captured. The schooner was the Vincenzo P. and was loaded with provisions. The schooner was then sunk by gunfire. (Italian sources give the tug as Italian tug Nettuno. She was badly damaged and beached, The crew was saved and the tug was later salvaged.) (30)

18 Jul 1941
At 1530C/18, in position 32°06'N, 18°46'E, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN), sighted an Orione-class torpedo boat bearing 286° at a range of 3700 yards. Enemy course was 350°.

The torpedo boat then altered course to 095° and proceeded towards Benghazi at 12 knots.

This was probably the torpedo boat Perseo. She had sailed from Tripoli at 1814B/17 to join the transport Bosforo (Italian, 3648 GRT, built 1929) who was coming from Naples and escort her to Benghazi. Perseo reached the entrance of Benghazi at 1940B/18, but Bosforo was late. She finally met her at 0922B/19, and they subsequently reached Benghazi at 1753B/19. (30)

19 Jul 1941
As a result of an ULTRA intercept, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN), patrolled north of Benghazi to intercept the transport Bosforo (Italian, 3647 GRT, 1929).

The Italian vessel had left Naples around midnight during the night of 15/16 July escorted by the torpedo boat Enrico Cosenz and would be at 0630C/19 July in position 33°06'N, 20°16'E where it would be met by the torpedo boat Perseo which was to take over from Enrico Cosenz. The convoy was to arrive at Benghazi at 1200C the same day.

Nothing was sighted except a fishing boat at 0900C/19 in position 32°33'N, 20°05.6'E. Bosforo in fact arrived late in the afternoon of the 19th, a few hours late on her schedule. Captain S.1 was later criticised for having sent a signal which was too explicit and could have compromised the ULTRA secret it had been deciphered by the enemy or fallen in its hands. It was felt, that he ought to have just changed the submarine patrol position.

21 Jul 1941
In the early morning HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) landed a folbot party of two (Corporal R. Halloran, K.R.R. and Marine Miles from Lay Force) off Benghazi. They were to attack a 2500-ton ship in the harbour (this was most probably the transport Bosforo (Italian, 3647 GRT, 1929)). Several explosions were observed in the harbour 40 minutes after launching the folbot party. The folbot party did not show up on the rendezvous point despite several searches during the day and evening. They were obviously captured.

According to German sources three limpet mines exploded but only minor damage had been done.

At 1420C/21, in position 32°01'N, 19°34'E, sighted a destroyer in the distance on bearing 305° proceeding on a westerly course. (30)

28 Jul 1941
Around 1200C/28, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) ended her 13th war patrol at Alexandria. This was the last patrol of Taku. She is now sent back to the U.K. for a refit due to engine problems she had developed and which could not be repaired locally. (30)

13 Aug 1941
Around 1930C/13, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) departed from Alexandria bound for the U.K. where she is to refit. The first leg of the trip is to Malta. Taku had loaded 25000 gallons of kerosene for the RAF at Malta.

For the daily positions of HMS Taku during her passage to the U.K. see the map below.

(6)

21 Aug 1941
Around 0830B/21, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) arrived at Malta. The kerosene is unloaded. (6)

22 Aug 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) is docked in No.2 graving dock at the Malta Dockyard for repairs to her Asdic cage. (34)

23 Aug 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) is undocked. (34)

24 Aug 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) is docked again at the Malta Dockyard but this time in No.1 graving dock. (34)

25 Aug 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) is undocked.

Around 2000B/25, HMS Taku departed Malta bound for Gibraltar. (34)

1 Sep 1941
Around 1330A/1, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. Before mooring she made four runs over the D/G range. (6)

4 Sep 1941
Around 1700A/4, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) departed from Gibraltar bound for the U.K. (6)

12 Sep 1941
At 0533A/12, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN), made rendezvous with HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN) near the Pendeen lighthouse. They then proceeded north through the Irish Sea towards Rothesay. (35)

13 Sep 1941
Around 1940A/13, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) arrived at Rothesay. (6)

23 Sep 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) proceded from Rothesay to Ardishaig. At Ardishaig A/S exercises were carried out with MA/SB's. (35)

24 Sep 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Ardishaig. (35)

25 Sep 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Ardishaig. (35)

26 Sep 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Ardishaig. Upon completion of these exercises she returned to Rothesay. (35)

29 Sep 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) proceeded from Rothesay to Ardishaig. At Ardishaig she participated in A/S exercises. (35)

30 Sep 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Ardishaig. Upon completion of these exercises she returned to Rothesay. (35)

1 Oct 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) departed Rothesay for Oban. She made the passage together with HMS H 32 (Lt. J.W.D. Coombe, RN). They were escorted by HrMs Z 5 (Lt. J.J. Steensma, RNN). (36)

2 Oct 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) arrived at Oban. (36)

3 Oct 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) departed Oban for Blyth. She made the passage in convoy WN 88. (36)

6 Oct 1941
Around 1800A/6, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) arrived at Blyth. (36)

10 Oct 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth. (36)

13 Oct 1941
Around 0705A/13, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) departed Blyth for Sheerness. She was escorted by HMS Cottesmore (Lt.Cdr. J.C.A. Ingram, RN). (36)

14 Oct 1941
Around 1900A/14, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) arrived at Sheerness. (36)

15 Oct 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) proceeded from Sheerness to the Chatham Dockyard. (36)

16 Oct 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) was taken in hand for refit at the Chatham Dockyard. (36)

24 Oct 1941
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) is docked in No.6 graving dock at the Chatham Dockyard.

[We don't know the date she left the dock.] (36)

19 Feb 1942
With her refit completed, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN), proceeded from the Chatham Dockyard to Sheerness. (37)

21 Feb 1942
Around 1430A/21, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) departed Sheerness for Holy Loch via the English Channel. (37)

23 Feb 1942
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) made rendez-vous of Wolf Rock with HMS Petunia (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Rayner, RD, RNR). They then proceeded north through the Irish Sea towards Holy Loch. (37)

25 Feb 1942
Around 1230A/25, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) arrived at Holy Loch from Sheerness. (37)

27 Feb 1942
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted torpedo firing trials at Holy Loch. (37)

2 Mar 1942
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted torpedo firing trials at Holy Loch. (38)

3 Mar 1942
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (38)

4 Mar 1942
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) proceeded from Holy Loch to Arrochar where she was to conduct her torpedo firing trials. (38)

7 Mar 1942
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (38)

8 Mar 1942
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (38)

9 Mar 1942
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar on completion of which she proceeded to Holy Loch. (38)

11 Mar 1942
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted independent exercises in Loch Long. (38)

12 Mar 1942
During 12 and 13 March 1942, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN), conducted exercises in the Clyde area. These included night exercises.

On the 12th a practice attack was made on HMS Adamant (Capt. R.S. Warne, RN) which was escorted by HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A. E. Johnston, RN) and HMS Z 5 (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S.T. Wenlock, RNR) (38)

14 Mar 1942
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) proceeded from Holy Loch to Ardrossan where she was immediately docked in the graving dock. (38)

17 Mar 1942
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) is undocked. She then proceeded from Ardrossan to Holy Loch. (38)

18 Mar 1942
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted speed trials on the measured mile in Loch Long. Also noise trials were carried out in Loch Goil. (38)

20 Mar 1942
After a short work-up and trial period in Scottish waters HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) departed from Holy Loch around 1015A/20 bound for Gibraltar.

She is escorted until 0155A/20, by HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) C.C. Flemming, RN). (38)

20 Mar 1942
For the daily positions of HMS Taku during the passage from Holy Loch to Gibraltar see the map below.

27 Mar 1942
Around 1900A/27, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (38)

31 Mar 1942
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted exercises off Gibraltar.

These included gunnery exercises, A/S exercises and a practice attack on HMS Black Swan (Cdr. T.A.C. Pakenham, RN). (38)

1 Apr 1942
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Gibraltar.

Also a practice attack was made on HMS Vidette (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Walmsley, RN). (39)

2 Apr 1942
Around 1700A/2, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) departed from Gibraltar for her 14th war patrol. This is a work-up patrol to the East of Gibraltar.

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

(39)

3 Apr 1942
At 0935A/3, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) is recalled to Gibraltar as per VACNA's (Vice-Admiral Commanding North Atlantic Station) signal timed 0738A/3.

She arrived at Gibraltar around 0220A/4. (39)

5 Apr 1942
Around 1800A/5, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) departed from Gibraltar to resume her 14th war patrol. (39)

13 Apr 1942
Around 1030A/13, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) ended her 14th war patrol, which had been uneventful, at Gibraltar. (39)

15 Apr 1942
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) is docked at Gibraltar. (39)

16 Apr 1942
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) is undocked. (39)

18 Apr 1942
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted D/G trials at Gibraltar. (39)

22 Apr 1942
Around 1700A/22, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) departed from Gibraltar for passage to Alexandria. (39)

8 May 1942
Around 0800C/8, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) arrived at Alexandria. The passage from Gibraltar had been uneventful. (40)

22 May 1942
Around 1730C/22, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) departed from Alexandria for her 15th war patrol. She is to patrol the approaches to Benghazi. Later she is used to give cover for operation Vigorous with several other submarines.

On departure special trials (Rooster) / exercises were carried out with HMS Sikh (Capt. St.J.A. Micklethwait, DSO and Bar, RN) and Wellington aircraft. (41)

22 May 1942
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Taku during her 15th war patrol see the map below.

25 May 1942
At 1425C/25, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) received a signal from Capt. S.1 timed 1205C/25, ordering her to try to intercept an enemy barque on passage to Derna. The enemy vessel of about 200 tons had been reported at 2141C/24, in position 33°20'N, 22°01'E proceeding on course 160° at 3 knots.

Around that time there was some schooner traffic between Navarino and Derna and given the position of the sighting this most likely was one of the vessels involved. [Unfortunately we don't have information on the ships involved.]

There was also the Italian schooner Annibale Bosco (227 GRT, built 1903) on passage from Benghazi to Derna. She had departed Benghazi at 1930B/24 and arrived at Derna at 0930B/26. It is unlikely that she was the vessel sighted though as she would still have been further to the west and most likely closer inshore.

Due to the bad weather conditions encountered on the 24th, HMS Taku is delayed and therefore unable to comply. (42)

25 May 1942
In a signal timed 1825C/25, Capt. S 1 ordered HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) and HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSC, RN) to patrol in positions 34°12'N, 18°37'E and 33°57'N, 18°43'E respectively by 2200C/27.

This order was cancelled later in a signal timed 0935C/26. (43)

26 May 1942
In a signal timed 1921C/26, Capt. S 1 ordered HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) and HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSC, RN) to patrol in positions 34°02'N, 18°44'E and 33°50'N, 18°48'E respectively by 2301C/28. (43)

27 May 1942
In a signal timed 2335C/27, Capt. S 1 informed HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) and HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSC, RN) that a convoy made up of two transports and two destroyers had been sighted at 1901C/27 in position 38°46'N, 18°20'E proceeding on course 175° and 11 knots.

Later an amplifying report was sent in a signal timed 0241C/28 that at 0045C/28 the convoy had been in position 37°52'N, 18°40'E proceeding on course 160° at 12 knots. They were also informed that aircraft would attack the convoy during the night of 28/29 May.

This signal referred to the convoy made up of the transports Capo Arma (3172 GRT, built 1905) and Anna Maria Gualdi (3289 GRT, built 1908) escorted by the destroyers Antonio Pigafetta (S.O.) and Emanuelle Pessagno.

The Capo Arma escorted by Antonio Pigafetta sailed from Taranto at 0253B/27, Anna Maria Gualdi escorted by Emanuelle Pessagno sailed from Brindisi at 0435B/27. At 1045B/27, the two convoys merged south of Santa Maria di Leuca and proceeded at 10 knots. At 0100B/28, the convoy came under air attack without consequences. At 1612B/28, the convoy was sighted by enemy air reconnaissance and at 1730B/28, Supermarina ordered it to take a new course to avoid enemy air attacks. However, at 0330B/29, the convoy was attacked by a submarine (HMS Turbulent) and Pessagno and Capo Arma, sunk. Pigafetta proceeded to pick up survivors while Gualdi proceeded alone to Benghazi. In the meantime, Marina Benghazi had despatched the torpedo boat Perseo and two submarine chasers to assist them. The two submarine chasers located Gualdi and escorted her to Benghazi where they arrived at noon. Pigafetta arrived at Benghazi at 1330/29 and landed the survivors of the two ships (86 from Pessagno from a crew of 244, and all the crew of Capo Arma except three) while Perseo remained in the area to hunt the submarine. (44)

28 May 1942
In a signal timed 1911C/28, Capt. S 1 informed all submarines on patrol, which were HMS Proteus (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN), HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) and HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSC, RN and most likely also HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN, which was on a storing trip from Alexandria to Malta) that at 1601C/28, three large merchant ships and four destroyers had been sighted in position 33°28'N, 20°00'E proceeding on course 330° and 13 knots.

This signal referred to the convoy made up of the transports / naval auxiliaries Città di Genova (5413 GRT, built 1930), Città di Napoli (5418 GRT, built 1929) and Città di Tunisi (5419 GRT, built 1929) escorted by the destroyers Ugolino Vivaldi (S.O.), Lanzerotto Malocello, Antoniotto Usodimare and Turbine. This convoy which had arrived at Benhazi around 1045B/28 and after having unloaded quickly, departed Benghazi around 1700B/28 for Naples where it arrived around 1400B/30. (44)

30 May 1942
At 1730C/30, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) received Capt. S 1's signal timed 1221C/30, which stated that an enemy convoy had been sighted at 1103C/30 in position 36°33'N, 18°24'E proceeding on course 200° at 15 knots. HMS Taku was in an excellent position to intercept this convoy.

The convoy in question was made up of the transports Rosolino Pilo (Italian, 8326 GRT, built 1942) and Gino Allegri (Italian, 6836 GRT, built 1941) escorted by the destroyers Nicoloso da Recco (S.O.) and Euro.

The Gino Allegri and Nicoloso da Recco had departed Brindisi around 1315B/29 while the other two ships had departed Taranto around 1600B/29.

At 2105B/29, in position 39°35'N, 19°04'E, Da Recco sighted a surfaced submarine at a distance of 6000 to 7000 metres, she ordered Allegri to turn 090° to starboard but despite repeated signals, the transport continued on her route. The submarine was observed to submerge, and the destroyer dropped five 30-kg depth charges set at a depth of 25 metres for intimidation. The destroyer was aware that the German submarine U-652 was transiting through this area and did not press an attack [this was indeed U-652 who sighted the two Italian ships at 2100B/29].

The two sections had joined around 0637B/30 about 100 nautical miles to the south-east of Punta Stilo.

The two sections split up at 2250B/30, with the Rosolino Pilo escorted by the Nicoloso da Recco proceeding to Tripoli where they arrived around 1245B/31. The torpedo boat Generale Carlo Montanari had reinforced the escort.

The Gino Allegri escorted by the Euro were to proceed to Benghazi but at 0542C/31 the Gino Allegri was torpedoed and sunk by HMS Proteus (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN).

Following this first signal further amplifying reports were sent to the submarines on patrol. (45)

31 May 1942
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) attacked a convoy and claims to have hit a merchant ship with a torpedo. Italian sources however makes no mention of this.

It is not known for sure which ships were sighted and attacked by Taku but most likely it was the transport Rosolino Pilo (Italian, 8326 GRT, built 1942) escorted by the destroyer Nicoloso da Recco en route to Tripoli where they arrived around 1245B/31.

At 1600C/31, HMS Taku received a signal from Capt. S 1, timed 1221C/31, ordering her to patrol in position 35°01'N, 20°44'E by 2301C/31. These orders were later cancelled in Capt. S 1's signal timed 1148C/1 but this signal was missed by HMS Taku which therefore lost a day of effective patrol. On receipt of the signal at 2230C/1, she set course to return to the Benghazi area.

0425C/31 - In position 33°34'N, 18°30'E sighted one destroyer and one large merchant ship bearing 230°, distance 5 nautical miles. The destroyer was zig-zagging widely across the bow of the merchant ship about 1 to 2 nautical miles ahead. Closed at full speed to attack.

0440C/31 - Dived and proceeded at full speed.

0443C/31 - Fired three torpedoes (four was intended but there was a problem with the firing valve of Nr. 6 torpedo tube) from 6000 yards (Taku was unable to get closed due to the destroyer).

0451C/31 - One loud explosion was heard. Taku went deep as the destroyer had turned back. Upon coming to periscope depth sighted sparks and a small amount of flame bearing 130, the approximate bearing of the ship when the torpedoes were fired. Nothing further was seen through the periscope but very shortly after seeing these spars there was a terrific explosion that sounded very close. Though nothing had been seen of the destroyer it was felt that this might have been a depth charge. Taku went deep for 15 minutes.

0550C/31 - Came to periscope depth. There was nothing in sight. Kept diving patrol towards Benghazi. (41)

2 Jun 1942
At 1830C/2, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) received Capt. S 1's signal, timed 1611C/2, ordering her to patrol in position 35°01'N, 20°44'E by 0001C/4.

This was to be in position to intercept a convoy made up the transport Reginaldo Giuliani (Italian, 6837 GRT, built 1942) and the destroyer Freccia and the torpedo boats Pegaso and Partenope which were to proceed from Taranto to Benghazi. The passage of the convoy was known due to ULTRA, the interception and description of enemy radio traffic. (46)

3 Jun 1942
At 0200C/3, in position 33°03'N, 19°46'E, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) sighted a northbound Spica-class torpedo boat bearing 270°. Speed of the enemy was 22 knots. HMS Taku dived for 30 minutes. [We have been unable to identify this vessel.]

At 2050C/3, in position 34°27'N, 20°05'E, a ship, hull down, was seen bearing 340° at a range of 14 nautical miles. At 2110C/3, the ship had been identified as a hospital ship on course 120°, speed 16 knots. HMS Taku dived at 2120C/3 for 25 minutes to avoid being sighted.

The hospital ship was most probably the Arno (Italian, 8024 GRT, built 1912) who sailed from Augusta at 2358B/2 and arrived at Derna at 0810B/4. (41)

4 Jun 1942
At 0110C/4, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) arrived in the ordered patrol position.

At 0200C/4, operations in conjunction with aircraft started with the intention of homing the submarines onto the convoy.

At 0240C/4, a Wellington aircraft passed down the port side 600 yard away.

At 0245C/4, a flare was sighted bearing 090° but nothing was heard from the aircraft so altered course to 140° and increased to full speed.

At 0330C/4, a report from the aircraft was received (timed 0315C/4) that the convoy was well to the south and east.

At 0400C/4, Flares and AA fire was sighted bearing 110° to 115°.

At 0405C/4, a destroyer was seen bearing 110° at a range of 4 nautical miles. Enemy course was approximately 150°. This was probably one of the Giuliani escorts (see below), so either Freccia, Partenope or Pegaso.

At 0415C/4, the destroyer was seen to alter course towards HMS Taku and appeared to be closing fast. HMS Taku therefore dived for about 10 minutes as no HE could be picked up. The destroyer was just visible in the moon going away at high speed. HMS Taku therefore proceeded at full speed on course 140°.

At 0445C/4, nothing was in sight and in view of the coming daylight, insufficient speed and now being well out of our patrol area decided to abandon the chase. Course was altered to the westward while charging the battery.

At 0550C/4, HMS Taku dived.

At 1515C/4, Capt. S 1's signal timed 1253C/4 was received. This stated that a damaged ship was reported in position 34°10'N, 21°01'E.

At 1601C/4, Capt. S 1's signal timed 1425C/4 was received giving more info on the damaged ship.

At 1615C/4, HMS Taku surfaced and proceeded at 13 knots to the south-east.

At 1710C/4, HMS Thorn (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Norfolk, DSO, RN) was sighted and spoke.

At 1725C/4, a Ghibli aircraft was sighted so dived and remained dived. proceeded on course 120°.

At 2030C/4, HMS Taku called HMS Thorn on SS/T as nothing had been seen and it was hoped that they may have sighted something of the enemy.

At 2115C/4, HMS Taku surfaced. Two destroyers were sighted bearing 220° at a range of 5 nautical miles. HMS Taku dived again. This were most likely the tug Max Behrendt escorted by the torpedo boat Partenope (see below).

At 2200C/4, HMS Taku surfaced but had to dive immediately as two destroyers were sighted only 300 yards on the port bow laying stopped. thy must have heard the submarine and a ineffectual depth charge attack then took place after which they made off. At 2210C/4 HE of the destroyers faded astern. HMS Taku surfaced again at 0045C/5 and retired to the west and then to the south but nothing was seen of the damaged ship.

Italian records show the following;
The transport Reginaldo Giuliani (Italian, 6837 GRT, built 1942) escorted by the destroyer Freccia (escort leader) and the torpedo boats Partenope and Pegaso sailed from Taranto at 2215-2246B/2. The torpedo boats Climene and Pallade had sailed from Benghazi at 0558-0617B/3 to reinforce the Giuliani convoy. The destroyer Euro was to have sailed with them, but her departure was delayed, as due to the backwash, she broke from her moorings and collided with the auxiliary cruiser Ramb III causing some damage. She finally sailed at 2000B/4.

At 1247B/3, Climene reported two submarines in position 002° - Benghazi - 117-118 miles (approx. 34°04'N, 20°12'E).

At 0135B/4, an aircraft was first sighted by the convoy and, from then on, many flares were dropped. The first torpedo attack occurred at 0245B/4.

At 0453B/4, Giuliani was hit in the stern by a RAF torpedo bomber and immobilised in position 34°07'N, 20°53'E. Freccia attempted unsuccessfully to take her in tow while Partenope and Pegaso were ordered to patrol the area as a submarine attack was feared.

At 0705B/4, Pallade sighted a submarine in 020° - Benghazi – 80 miles (approximate position 33°23'N, 20°41'E).

At 0900B/4, the German tug Max Behrendt sailed from Benghazi to tow Giuliani.

At 1115B/4, Freccia detached Partenope to meet her (she met her at 1530B/4 in position 33°05'N, 20°58'E).

At 1141B/4, Climene and Pallade joined up with the convoy. They were ordered to patrol the area as two enemy submarines were known to be in the vicinity (actually three). At 1205B/4, Climene who had developed defects was detached to Benghazi where she arrived at 2118B/4.

At 2056B/4, the torpedo boat Partenope, escorting Max Behrendt at 10 knots, detected a submarine with her sonar and shortly after observed in poor visibility a submarine submerging at a distance of 600 metres [position 002° - Tolmeita – 74 miles or approximately 33°57'N, 21°00' E]. She dropped six depth charges of German manufacture set from 45 to 90 metres.

At 0105B/5, Max Behrendt and Partenope joined up with the Giuliani convoy. The towing proved to be very difficult, and Giuliani was ordered to be scuttled.

At 0500B/5, she blew up after being hit by gunfire from the torpedo boat Partenope who had picked up 173 crew members and passengers.

In the meantime, Max Behrendt escorted by Freccia, Euro (who had just joined at 0520B/5), Pallade and Pegaso were proceeding to Benghazi.

At 0705B/5, Partenope was ordered to proceed independently to Benghazi.

At 1115B/5, Freccia and Euro increased speed and left Max Behrendt and the two torpedo boats behind them. At 1345B/5, they joined up with Partenope and the trio arrived at Benghazi at 1509B/5. Max Behrendt, Pegaso and Pallade arrived at Benghazi at 1935B/5. (41)

5 Jun 1942
At 2200C/5, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) set course for the Benghazi area. (41)

6 Jun 1942
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) patrolled to the south-west of Benghazi.

At 2130C/6, a signal was received from Capt. S 1, timed 1925C/6, that two ships were at anchor to the west of Sirte. HMS Taku then proceeded to the south-west to attempt to intercept them between Sirte and El-Aguela.

This signal referred to the transport Brook (German, 1225 GRT, built 1927) and the refrigeration ship Amba Aradam (Italian, 405 GRT, built 1936) escorted by the torpedo boat Generale Antonio Cantore. They had sailed from Tripoli at 1445B/5, and they dropped anchor at Buerat El Hsun at 1250B/6. They raised anchor at 0250B/7 and arrived at Benghazi at 1238B/8 without incident except sighting some drifting mines. (41)

7 Jun 1942
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) patrolled near position 31°05'N, 18°13'E but nothing was seen.

On surfacing in the evening course was set to retire to the north as ordered by Capt. S 1. (41)

9 Jun 1942
At 1415C/9, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) received a signal from Capt. S 1 timed 1041C/9. The signal was corrupted and could not be deciphered.

At 2215C/9 a correct version of the above signal was received. It stated that an aircraft on passage had sighted a signalling light in position 34°52'N, 17°33'E. It was now too late to take action. (47)

10 Jun 1942
At 0030C/10, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) received Capt. S 1's signal timed 1851C/9 ordering her to take up her position for the upcoming operation Vigorous.

She subsequently patrolled in position 35°48'N, 20°30'E. (41)

11 Jun 1942
At 0110C/11, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) received Capt. S 1's signal, timed 2137C/10, ordering HMS Taku and HMS Proteus (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) to take up new positions to the southward.

Whilst decoding this signal an aircraft report of two cruisers and nine destroyers was received. They were to the westward and on an east-north-easterly course. Lt.Cdr. Hopkins considered that the signal of Capt. S 1 was a purely routine nature and not operational and so he decided that if no action had been taken by Capt. S 1 by 0215C/11, that he would alter course to try to intercept the enemy units. The aircraft report showed that the enemy unit was making for Navarin.

At 0215C/11, HMS Taku set course for position 36°12'N, 20°25'E with the intention to intercept the enemy around 0500C/11.

At 0445C/11,HMS Taku arrived in position 36°12'N, 20°25'E.

At 0530C/11, HMS Taku dived for a day of submerged patrol.

By 0940C/11, nothing had been sighted and no information from Capt. S 1 had been received. HMS Taku surfaced and proceeded to comply with Capt. S 1's signal from 2137C/10.

At 1530C/11, HMS Taku commenced a diving patrol in position 35°10'N, 20°16'E. She also patrolled in this position on the 12th. (41)

13 Jun 1942
At 0544C/13, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) dived for a submerged patrol in 'Position X' (35°54'N, 20°07'E) which was her ordered position to provide cover during this part of 'Operation Vigorous'. On the 14th she was still patrolling in this position. (41)

14 Jun 1942
At 2300C/14, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) received Vice-Admiral Malta's signal that two enemy battleships and four destroyers had been sighted in position 39°50'N, 18°00'E and four cruiser and four destroyers had been sighted in position 39°36'N, 17°58'E. The enemy had been proceeding to the south-west at full speed at 1845C/14.

HMS Taku had however suffered an engine failure and both engines were out of action. The starboard engine was in action again soon after but she was unable to intercept the enemy due to insufficient speed. (41)

15 Jun 1942
At 0055C/15, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) received Capt. S.1's signal timed 2356C/14, ordering the submarines on the (V-Z) patrol line to postpone taking up their new positions on the (V-Z one) patrol line until the 16th. The submarines were ordered to return to their positions on the original (V-Z) patrol line. HMS Taku complied.

At 0100C/15, HMS Taku dived for an hour as ordered in an earlier signal from Capt. S 1. She surfaced at 0210C/15, with both engines back in operation.

At 0325C/15, HMS Taku received a signal from the Vice-Admiral Malta which reported that an aircraft that at 0200 hours had sighted an enemy battleship, two cruisers and two destroyers in position 37°30'N, 19°35'E. Enemy course was 190° at 20 knot. HMS Taku altered course to the west and went to full speed to try to intercept.

At 0625C/15, an aircraft report was received of the enemy unit changing course to 240°. Obtaining contact was considered unlikely so HMS Taku dived and patrolled to the south-east. Later it became evident from the actual movements of this enemy unit that had HMS Taku continued on she most likely would have made contact with the enemy around 0800C/15.

At 1155C/15, HMS Taku and the other four submarines on the V-Z patrol line were ordered (Capt. S's signal timed 0825C/15) to proceed to their positions as originally ordered in their patrol orders for Operation Vigorous with D 4 as the 15th but with the convoy delayed 6 hours. HMS Taku and set course at speed for the new position.

At 1300C/15, HMS Taku received Capt. S 1's signal timed 1138C/15 cancelling the above signal. HMS Taku dived and proceeded to take up her position in the V2 - Z2 line.

At 1715C/15, Capt. S 1's signal timed 1315C/15, was received which ordered a new patrol line to be formed. Course was altered to comply and went to full speed.

At 1825C/15, a signal was received from Capt. S 1' which stated that at 1515C/15, the enemy fleet was in position 34°30'N, 21°33'E and was proceeding on course 330° at speeds between 20 and 25 knots. Both enemy battleships were reported to be damaged. Three enemy cruisers were reported to be 25 nautical miles to the southward of the battleships proceeding on course 320°. HMS Taku set course to try to intercept.

At 1914C/15, HMS Taku sighted a submarine which turned out to be HMS Proteus (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN).

At 2200C/15, HMS Taku arrived in her intended patrol position from which she commenced patrolling to the south-south-east. (48)

16 Jun 1942
In the early hours of the 16th aircraft reports indicated that the enemy were now well to the northward.

At 0400C/16, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) received a signal from Capt. S.1 timed 2321C/16, which gave new patrol positions for all submarines on patrol. HMS Taku was ordered to patrol in position 35°24'N, 21°33'E by damn on the 16th. Course was set to comply at full speed with the intention to remain on the surface until the position was reached.

At 0815C/16, HMS Taku dived 7 nautical miles short of her patrol position. She then patrolled in a south-easterly direction.

At 1830C/16, HMS Taku received Capt S 1's signal timed 1336C/16, ordering her to leave patrol and return to Alexandria. (48)

20 Jun 1942
Around 0930C/20, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) ended her 15th war patrol at Alexandria. (41)

30 Jun 1942
Around 1930C/30, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) departed from Alexandria for her 16th war patrol. She is to patrol along the coast of Cyrenaica, Libya.

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

(41)

2 Jul 1942
At 2140C/2, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) received a signal from the Senior Officer Submarines Alexandria ordering her to patrol in the vicinity of position 33°30'N, 22°30'E remaining south of 34'N, until dawn on the 4th. (49)

3 Jul 1942
At 2210C/3, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) received Senior Officer, Submarines, Alexandria's (S.S.O.X.'s) signal, timed 1753C/3, which reported that an aircraft had sighted three merchant vessels and eight destroyers at 1600C/3, in position 37°25'N, 20°50'E. Enemy course was then 140° and speed 13 knots. HMS Taku was not in a position to intercept.

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

According to Italian sources the transports Nino Bixio (Italian, 7137 GRT, built 1941) and Monviso (Italian, 5322 GRT, built 1941) and Ankara (German, 4768 GRT, built 1937) escorted by the destroyers Euro (escort leader), Turbine and Giovanni Da Verazzano and the torpedo boats Antares and Polluce sailed from Taranto at 1215-1327B/2.

At 1859B/2, the torpedo boats Sagittario and San Martino sailed from Argostoli and joined the convoy at 0550B/3.

At 0432B/3, the torpedo boat Castore sailed from Navarino and joined the convoy at 1331B/3. [the convoy when sighted must have included the eight escorts above, Pegaso had not yet joined].

At 1840B/3, San Martino, short of fuel, was detached to Navarino where she arrived at 2034B/3

Pegaso sailed from Benghazi at 1915B/3 and reinforced the convoy at 0635B/4.

At 2012B/3, the convoy came under air attack from enemy torpedo bombers.

At 0530B/4, Sagittario and Polluce were detached. They arrived at Navarino at 1340-1400B/4.

At 0857B/4, the convoy came under attack from three RAF bombers.

At 1050B/4, Pegaso attacked a submarine contact with six depth charges in position 335 – Tolmeita – 46 miles or 33°30’ N, 20°35’ E and claimed it sunk (this was HMS Turbulent).

The convoy arrived at Benghazi at 1815-2000B/4.

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

At 2215C/3, HMS Taku received Senior Officer, Submarines, Alexandria's (S.S.O.X.'s) signal, timed 1928C/3, which ordered her to patrol off Apollonia starting at dawn the following day. HMS Taku set course to comply but it would be impossible to arrive in the position ordered by dawn though. It was expected she could arrive there early in the afternoon of the 4th. (49)

4 Jul 1942
At 0440C/4, to the east-north-east of Derna, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) sighted a fully illuminated hospital ship bearing 280° at a range of 10 nautical miles. It was proceeding on course 140°.

There were two hospital ships in the general area:
Capri (Italian, 630 GRT, built 1930) sailed from Derna on 4 July (time unknown) and arrived at Ras Hilal at 1015B/4.
Città di Trapani (Italian, 2467 GRT, built 1929) sailed from Derna at 2010B/3 and arrived at Tobruk at 0950B/4.

Nothing seems to quite match the position, course and time. It is possible that the Città di Trapani sailed for Italy and then while at sea was diverted to Tobruk.

The hospital ship Virgilio (Italian, 11718 GRT, built 1928) was in Derna at the time and sailed at 1900B/5 for Naples, arriving there at 0645B/8. She thus could not have been the hospital ship sighted. (41)

5 Jul 1942
At 0030C/5, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) altered course to patrol off Derna.

At 0112C/5, HMS Taku sighted a fully illuminated hospital ship to the south-east. She was steering to the north-west but later altered towards and anchored off Derna.

The hospital ship Virgilio (Italian, 11718 GRT, built 1928) was in Derna at the time and sailed at 1900B/5 for Naples, arriving there at 0645B/8. It is possible that she had sailed earlier for Italy and was then recalled back to Derna. (41)

6 Jul 1942
After having conducted a submerged patrol between Derna and Ras-el-Tin HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) surfaced at 2145C/6 and then set course to patrol her way back eastwards along the coast towards the direction of Alexandria. (41)

11 Jul 1942
Around 2100C/11, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) ended her 16th war patrol at Haifa. (41)

31 Jul 1942
Around 2000C/31, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) departed from Haifa for her 17th war patrol. She is to patrol along the coast of Cyrenaica, Libya.

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

(50)

3 Aug 1942
In a signal timed 1201C/3, HMS Thorn (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Norfolk, DSO, RN) and HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) received orders from the Senior Officer Submarines Alexandria.

HMS Thorn was to patrol on a line between positions 34°48'N, 22°04'E and 33°52'N, 21°52'E. She was to be in the former position at 1801C/4.

HMS Taku was to patrol on a line between positions 32°40'N, 23°15'E and 32°22'N, 23°36'E by dawn on the 5th.

An enemy convoy of large ships had been sighted off Otranto at 1035C/3 and these were probably bound for Benghazi and / or Tobruk.

(1) The transport Sestriere (Italian, 7992 GRT, built 1942) and Nino Bixio (Italian, 7137 GRT, built 1941) escorted by the Italian destroyers Legionario (S.O.), Corsaro, Grecale, Freccia, and the Italian torpedo boats Calliope and Partenope sailed from Brindisi between 0505-0600B/3 for Benghazi.
(2) The transport Ankara (German, 4768 GRT, built 1937) equipped with METOX (installed at Taranto on 2 August) had sailed from Taranto at 0100B/3, escorted by the Italian destroyers Turbine and Folgore.

The two convoys merged between 0935-1015B/3. They split up at 1930B/3 and reunited again at 0700B/4. At 1842B/4, in position 34°31'N, 22°10'E, they came under air attack by about ten Liberators from a height of about 3-4000 metres without result.

Nino Bixio had engine defects, and the convoy reduced speed to 6 knots to allow her to keep station but at 2205B/4 Legionario ordered Freccia, Corsaro and Partenope to remain with Nino Bixio

Sestriere escorted by Legionario and Calliope then proceeded ahead at 12.5 knots.

The Nino Bixio section came again under air attack at 2325B/4 in position 33°39'N, 22°09'E.

At 2212B/4, Ankara, Turbine, Folgore and Grecale were detached to proceed for Tobruk where they arrived between 1200-1232B/5.

At 0655B/5, the torpedo boat Pegaso from Benghazi reached the Sestriere convoy to reinforce the escort and provide sonar protection. The convoy arrived at Benghazi between 1058-1218B/5.

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

Later an amplifying report was sent (Capt. S 10's signal timed 1930B/3) giving the position of this convoy at 1400B/3 as 39°27'N, 19°42'E on course 140° at 11 knots. (51)

4 Aug 1942
In a signal timed 1155C/4, the Senior Officer Submarines Alexandria cancelled his instructions for HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) given in his previous signal timed 1201C/3. HMS Taku was now ordered to patrol on a line between positions 32°25'N, 23°35'E and 32°14'N, 23°44'E by dawn on the 5th.

It also stated that aircraft would be attacking around 0200C/5 and would also drop flares.

This signal was also repeated to HMS Thorn (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Norfolk, DSO, RN).

In a signal timed 2345C/4, the Senior Officer Submarines Alexandria informed both submarines that an enemy convoy of one transport and four destroyers had been reported at 2305C/4 in position 33°36'N, 22°32'E proceeding on course 143° at 12 knots. The submarines were also informed that they were to act independently after 0901C/5. The convoy mentioned in this signal must have been the transport Ankara (German, 4768 GRT, built 1937) and her escorting destroyers Turbine, Grecale and Folgore en route from Taranto to Tobruk [see also the event for 3 August 1942.] (51)

5 Aug 1942
In a signal from the Senior Officer Submarines Alexandria, timed 1931C/5, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) is instructed that in case the enemy A/S activity in her current area is too great that she may proceed to position 33°32'N, 21°44'E remaining south-west until 0001C/7 or to position 32°51'N, 20°20'E remaining until 0601C/7 (51)

5 Aug 1942
In a signal timed 0917C/5, the Senior Officer Submarines Alexandria, informed HMS Thorn (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Norfolk, DSO, RN) and HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) that at 0601C/5 an aircraft had reported a small tanker and eight motor lighters in position 35°20'N, 23°24'E on course 185° at 9 knots.

In a signal timed 1314C/5, it was reported that the position of this convoy at 1210C/5 was now 34°44'N, 23°12'E. Course and speed were unknown.

This must have referred to the convoy made up of the transport Scillin (Italian, 1579 GRT, built 1903), the German self propelled landing barges F 343, F 344, F 353, F 354 and (most probably the following) Italian self propelled landing barges MZ 703, MZ 705, MZ 734, MZ 742, MZ 748, MZ 751, MZ 755 and MZ 762 which had departed Suda Bay around 2015B/4 and arrived at Tobruk around 0900B/6. They were escorted by the Italian torpedo boat Castore. (51)

6 Aug 1942
In a signal from the Senior Officer Submarines Alexandria, timed 0931C/6, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) is instructed to postpone her move, as referred to in the signal timed 1931C/5, for 48 hours.

The signals timed 1931C/5 and 0931C/6 were later cancelled in a signal timed 0940C/8. (51)

7 Aug 1942
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) intended to attack an eastbound schooner with gunfire of Ras-el-Tin. The attack is spoiled at the last possible moment by patrolling aircraft.

This schooner may have been the Pasquale Costa (Italian, 198 GRT, built 1910) who sailed from Benghazi at 1615B/4 and arrived at Tobruk at 1015B/8

Later, what is thought to be, an eastbound MA/SB was sighted.

The motorboat may have been the M/S 13, she sailed from Tobruk for patrol at 1900B/6 and returned at 1345B/7.

In a signal timed 0955C/7, the Senior Officer Submarines Alexandria informed HMS Proteus (Lt. R.L. Alexander, RN), HMS Traveller (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) and HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) that one merchant vessel and two destroyers had been sighted at 0835C/7 in position 33°52'N, 23°25'E proceeding on a course of 350° at 11 knots and that a merchant vessel and one destroyer had been sighted at 0901C/7 in position 33°38'N, 21°36'E proceeding on a course of 050° at 9 knots.

The first sighting referred to a convoy made up of the transport Apuania (Italian, 7948 GRT, built 1942) escorted by the destroyer Folgore and the torpedo boat Castore. They had departed Tobruk around 1911B/6 for Brindisi where they arrived around 1913B/8. The position given by the aircraft was quite off as the destroyer Folgore gave her position at 0850B/7 as 34°50'N, 23°08'E (unless the destroyer’s position was wrong! However, later in the evening Folgore did notice that her position from a fix was found to be 10 miles off her estimated one).

The second sighting was the transport Istria (Italian, 5441 GRT, built 1921) escorted by the torpedo boat Pegaso. They had departed Benghazi at 1645B/6. At 1255B/7, an escorting aircraft machine-gunned the sea about 5000 metres away and Pegaso rushed to the attack and claimed the submarine sunk in 34°25'N, 22°36'E (possibly HMS Thorn). The convoy reached Navarino at 1006B/8 and eventually reached Piraeus at 2220B/10.

0550C/7 - Dived for patrol of Ras-el-Tin.

0920C/7 - In position 32°21'N, 23°16'E sighted a two-masted schooner in ballast close inshore proceeding on course 270°. Decided to close and attack with the gun.

0945C/7 - When just about to surface in a favourable position, sighted two aircraft patrolling along the coast. Reluctantly abandoned the idea of sinking the schooner with gunfire.

1100C/7 - Sighted an MA/SB baring 140° at a range of 3 nautical miles on course 270°. (50)

8 Aug 1942
In a signal timed 1915C/8, Capt. S 1, ordered HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) not to attack submarines unless identified as enemy, in an area enclosed by the north coast of Africa and latitude 35°00'N and longitude 19°00'E and 24°00'E.

Also HMS Taku was not to proceed within 20 miles of Ras el Tin from 0600C/10 until HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) had reported the completion of her minelaying mission. (51)

9 Aug 1942
In a signal timed 1920C/9, the Senior Officer Submarines Malta, informed HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) that aircraft had reported, at 1705C/9, a merchant vessel escorted by a destroyer in position 32°33'N, 20°09'E on a course of 060° at 8 knots. HMS Taku was ordered to intercept, at her discretion in the vicinity of position 33°38'N, 21°58'E.

HMS Taku received this signal at 2220C/9.

This must have referred to the transport Tagliamento (Italian, 5448 GRT, built 1922) which had departed Benghazi around 1240B/9 for Piraeus where she arrived around 0320B/12. She was escorted by the torpedo boat Procione.

By 0800C/10, HMS Taku had seen nothing and course was set to return to the Benghazi area. (51)

10 Aug 1942
In a signal timed 1055C/10, the Senior Officer Submarines Alexandria, informed HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) and HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) that at 1005C/10 an aircraft had sighted an enemy submarine in position 34°02'N, 23°04'E proceeding on course 160° at 10 knots.

This must have referred to the Italian submarine Marcantonio Bragadino which was on passage from Taranto (departed 1017B/7) to Tobruk (arrived 1025B/11). (51)

10 Aug 1942
In a signal timed 1805C/10, the Senior Officer Submarines Alexandria, ordered HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSC, RN), HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) and HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) to establish patrol in the following positions; HMS Turbulent in position 36°42'N, 21°26'E by dawn on the 13th. HMS Taku in position 34°40'N, 21°33'E by 1601C/13. HMS Porpoise, only if she had completed her minelaying mission, in position 34°56'N, 21°42'E by 1601C/13.

An important enemy convoy was expected to proceed from Italy to Benghazi.

This signal was repeated to the submarines concerned in the Senior Officer Submarines Alexandria signal timed 1601C/11.

In a signal timed 1804C/12, the Senior Officer Submarines Alexandria cancelled the instuctions given in his signal from 1805C/10. The sailing of the enemy convoy was delayed. (51)

13 Aug 1942
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) attacked an enemy convoy. The attack fails as Taku is detected and bombed from the air and the torpedoes could be avoided.

The submarine was bombed by Italian seaplanes of 196^ Squadriglia.

This convoy was made up of the transports Sibilla (Italian, 1077 GRT, built 1900) and Albachiara (Italian,1245 GRT, built 1904). They were escorted by the Italian torpedo boat Sagittario and submarine chaser Selve.

1230C/13 - In position 32°30'N, 20°08'E sighted what is thought to be a Crotone-class sloop escorting 2 medium seized motor vessels with three aircraft overhead. Started an attack.

1251C/13 - Fired three torpedoes at the rear ship. Sighted one of the aircraft coming straight toward. About 2 minutes after firing three bombs were dropped that were very close. All three navigation lights were broken. No hits were heard and it seems likely that the torpedoes could be avoided.

1320C/13 - Came to periscope depth, nothing in sight. Resumed dived patrol to the westward. (50)

13 Aug 1942
In a signal timed 1145C/13, Capt. S 1 informed HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) to stay 5 nautical miles in all directions from position 32°42'N, 23°06'E due to British moored mines having been laid in that position by HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN).

HMS Taku was now allowed to enter this general area as the minelay by HMS Porpoise. [See also the signal timed 1915C/8.] (51)

13 Aug 1942
In a signal timed 1240C/13, the Senior Officer Submarines Alexandria, informed HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSC, RN), HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) and HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) that one small transport (less than 2000 tons) had been sighted at 1208C/13 in position 32°52'N, (longitude indecipherable) proceeding on course 120° at 4 knots and also that at 0930C/13, two transports and two destroyers had been sighted in position 33°21'N, 21°12'E on course 045° at 8 knots.

[We have been unable to identify the ships reported.] (51)

14 Aug 1942
In a signal timed 1713C/14, Capt. S 1, ordered HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) to leave patrol P.M./16 through positions 33°01'N, 24°21'E and then direct to Beirut. (51)

14 Aug 1942
In a signal timed 1105C/15, the Senior Officer Submarines Alexandria informed HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSC, RN), HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) and HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) that an enemy convoy made up of one transport and two destroyers had been sighted at 0810C/14 in position 34°20'N, 23°19'E on course 345° at 12 knots.

[We have been unable to identify the ships reported.]

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

In a signal timed 1141C/15, the Senior Officer Submarines Alexandria ordered these submarines to establish patrol in the following positions; HMS Turbulent in position 36°52'N, 21°27'E by 0001C/15. HMS Taku in position 33°23'N, 20°56'E by 01001C/15 and HMS Porpoise in position 34°39'N, 21°36'E by 0001C/15 as a large enemy convoy was expected to proceed from Italy to Benghazi.

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

In a signal timed 1232C/15, the Senior Officer Submarines Alexandria informed these submarines that an enemy convoy of two transports and four destroyers had been sighted at 1145C/14 in position 39°25'N, 18°30'E proceeding on course 120° at 15 knots. Also a convoy made up of one transport and two destroyers had been sighted at 1130C/14 in position 36°14'N, 23°36'E on course 200° at 15 knots.

The convoy reported at 1145C/14 was made up of the transport Ravello (Italian, 6142 GRT, built 1941) escorted by the Italian destroyer Nicoloso da Recco and the torpedo boat Polluce who had left Taranto at 0225-0355B/14 and the transport Lerici (Italian, 6070 GRT, built 1941) escorted by the torpedo boats Calliope and Castore who sailed from Brindisi at 0429B/14. Both convoys merged at 1010-1027B/14. They were bound for Benghazi.

At 1829B/15, Lerici was torpedoed by HMS Porpoise in position 34°50'N, 21°30'E or 34°44'N, 21°35'E (English vs Italian sources). Ravello escorted by Da Recco and Castore proceeded on and arrived at Benghazi at 0830-0940B/16. They left behind Calliope and Polluce to respectively pick up the survivors and hunt the submarine. Polluce dropped 38 depth charges in three runs and claimed the submarine sunk but HMS Porpoise had escaped. The destroyers Mitragliere and Bersagliere sailed from Navarino at 0110B/16 to help tow Lerici and joined at 0825B/16 but the transport was heavily on fire and this proved to be impossible. The derelict Lerici was finished off with 89 rounds of 120mm/50 from the destroyer Mitragliere at 1102B/16.

The convoy reported at 1130C/14 was made up of the transport Foscolo (Italian, 4538 GRT, built 1942) escorted by the Italian destroyer Saetta and the Italian torpedo boats Orione and Sirio. They had sailed from Piraeus at 0215-0300B/14 (except Saetta who joined from Suda (sailed at 0336B/14) at 0825B/14). Sirio was detached at 1500B/14 and reached Heraklion at 0430B/15. The convoy arrived at Benghazi at 1035B/15.

In an amplifying signal timed 1415C/14, the Senior Officer Submarines Alexandria informed these submarines that the destination of the first convoy was Benghazi. Aircraft would attack this convoy between 0200C/15 and 0400C/15 and would also drop flares. The destination of the second convoy most probably also Benghazi but it was also possible it's destination was Tobruk. Aircraft would search for and reports this convoy between 0100C/15 and 0300C/15 and would also drop flares.

In an amplifying signal timed 1910C/14, the Senior Officer Submarines Alexandria informed HMS Taku and HMS Porpoise that the second convoy [the one sighted at 1130C/14] was at 1630C/14 in position 35°14'N, 23°13'E proceeding on course 225° at 15 knots. (51)

15 Aug 1942
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) attacked the transport Menes (German, 5609 GRT, built 1926) with four torpedoes about 90 nautical miles north-east of Benghazi, Libya in position 33°16'N, 21°16'E. All torpedoes however missed their target.

Menes had departed Benghazi around 1830-1840B/14 (they had sailed earlier, at 0434-0534B/14 but had been recalled and returned to Benghazi at 1245B/14) escorted by the Italian torpedo boats Pallade and Sagittario.

At 0710B/15, in position 33°29'N, 21°15'E according to Pallade [also given as 33°56'N, 21°36'E by Sagittario], Menes observed a torpedo track and avoided it by turning hard to starboard, and shortly after three more which missed on the port side. At 0731B/15, Sagittario dropped 28 depth charges. In position 34°40'N, 22°46'E, the convoy came under air attack by three groups of three Liberator bombers at 1830, 1844 and 1845 hours, all bombs missed. The convoy arrived at Suda Bay at 1117-1152B/16.

0729C/15 - Sighted one merchant vessel, about 5000 tons, escorted by two Spica-class torpedo boats (one ahead and one astern of the merchant) and one aircraft overhead bearing 185°, range 7 nautical miles. Went to 70 feet and closed at speed for 15 minutes.

0807C/15 - Fired the first torpedo of a salvo of four. Immediately after firing this first torpedo the target changed course. Hold fire.

0810C/15 - Fired three torpedoes. No hits. Taku went deep.

0833C/15 - Depth charging commenced in patterns of six. All were astern and not close.

0915C/15 - The last pattern of depth charges was dropped.

0930C/15 - No HE was heard, came to periscope depth. Nothing in sight. Resumed dived patrol eastwards. (50)

15 Aug 1942
In a signal timed 1105C/15, the Senior Officer Submarines Alexandria informed HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) and HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) that the convoy reported at 1145C/14 in his signal timed 1232C/14 was in position 36°22'N, 21°39'E at 0905C/15.

Later an amplifying signal was sent timed 1515C/15 which stated that the convoy at 1335C/15 had been in position 35°44'N, 22°14'E proceeding on course 210° at 13 knots. (51)

15 Aug 1942
In a signal timed 1951C/15, the Senior Officer Submarines Alexandria informed HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) that the were no aircraft available to cooperate with her the coming night. HMS Taku was allowed to proceed to position 32°47'N, 20°17'E at her own discretion.

Lt.Cdr. Hopkins decided to remain on patrol in the present area. (52)

16 Aug 1942
At 0215C/16, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) picked up HE bearing 090°. HMS Taku commenced to close at speed.

At 0223C/16, the HE was heard crossing across the bow.

At 0230C/16, a destroyer was seen bearing 120° at a range of approximately 3000 yards. HMS Taku altered course and increased to full speed for three minutes to evade this destroyer.

Subsequently HE of two destroyers was picked up and the Commanding Officer also sighted the second destroyer. No HE of a merchant vessel could be heard though.

HE continued to draw right at speed. Lt.Cdr. Hopkins decided not to attack the destroyers and contact was soon lost. HMS Taku then resumed patrol.

The destroyers were most likely the Nicoloso Da Recco and Castore escorting the transport Ravello (Italian, 6142 GRT, built 1941). It appears that HMS Taku did not see or hear the Ravello. Ravello and her escorts arrived at Benghazi at 0830-0940B/16.

At 2100C/16, HMS Taku left patrol to proceed to Beirut. (50)

21 Aug 1942
Shortly before arriving at Beirut, where she ended her 17th war patrol, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) is depth charged in error by a British Wellington aircraft of 235 Wing. [The report appears to have mysteriously disappeared !.]

HMS Taku arrived at Beirut around 0800C/21.

0510C/21 - In position 33°59'N, 34°48'E sighted a Wellington aircraft. The light by then was good and the aircraft flew close on both sides until 0555C/21 when it approached from the starboard quarter and released two depth charges which dropped 15 feet and 20 yards on the port beam and bow respectively. The first narrowly missed the periscope standards. None the less Taku suffered no damage. (50)

2 Sep 1942
Around 1915C/2, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) departed from Beirut for Port Said. (53)

4 Sep 1942
Around 0740C/4, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) arrived at Port Said from Beirut. (53)

5 Sep 1942
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) is docked in the floating dock at Port Said. (53)

7 Sep 1942
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) is undocked. (53)

9 Sep 1942
Around 1900C/9, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) departed from Port Said for her 18th war patrol. She is to patrol along the coast of Cyrenaica, Libya.

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

(50)

14 Sep 1942
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) tries to land a party of four by folbots off Tobruk for a beach reconnaissance for an upcoming operation [Operation Agreement]. The attempt is aborted due to the unfavourable weather conditions.

0520C/13 - Dived 15 nautical miles north of Tobruk and proceeded inshore to carry out a periscope reconnaissance of Mersa Mreira.

1400C/13 - Established the identity and location of the above inlet. The folbotists were all given the opportunity to view the inlet from the seaward.

1505C/13 - A burst of machine gun fire was seen along the port side from an unknown source. No aircraft was in sight at this time.

1930C/13 - A final fix was taken before HMS Taku ran out to seaward.

2300C/13 - Surfaced 10.5 nautical miles to the north of Tobruk.

0010C/14 - Commenced to run in towards the inlet.

0115C/14 to 0140C/14 - Although the weather conditions appeared favourable all attempts to launch the folbots and subsequently rubber boat were aborted by an occasional cross swell which swept the casing despite the submarine being at nearly full buoyancy. Nine men were swept into the sea including all the landing party. They were recovered in due course but slightly fatigued. The landing attempt had to be aborted.

0145C/14, HMS Taku withdrew to the northwest with despatch. A signal, timed 0134C/15 was sent that the landing had to be aborted. (50)

14 Sep 1942
At 1810C/14, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) is informed by Capt. S 1, in his signal timed 1635C/14, that she now had freedom of action in the Tobruk general area. (50)

15 Sep 1942
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) acted on an aircraft report that at 0035C/15 a large transport and five small craft had been sighted in position 33°40'N, 22°51'E on course 180° at a speed of 8 knots. Lt.Cdr. Hopkins hoped to intercept these ships around 0345C/15.

The ships sighted were part of a convoy made up of the tanker Alberto Fassio (Italian, 2289 GRT, built 1914) and the Italian motorized lighters MZ 721, MZ 729, MZ 730, MZ 763 and MZ 764 [source is the report of the Cassiopea.]. They were escorted by the German destroyer Hermes (former Greek Vasilefs Georgios) and the Italian torpedo boat Cassiopea. The convoy arrived at Tobruk around 1215B/15 except MZ 764 which had proceeded to Derna.

Flares were seen throughout most of the night but the convoy was never seen.

At 0721C/15, north-north-east of Derna, in position 32°51'N, 22°42'E, HMS Taku sighted a transport of about 1500 tons escorted by what is thought to be a Generali-class torpedo boat. Enemy was sighted bearing 090° at a range of about 5 nautical miles. HMS Taku started an attack but it had to be broken off at 0805C/15 as no favourable attack position could be obtained as the enemy was close inshore proceeding on a course of 255°. HMS Taku then resumed her patrol eastwards.

The ships sighted were most likely the small transport Ostia (German, 359 GRT, built 1905, former Spanish Nere-a-Metza) and her escort, the Italian torpedo boat Generale Antonio Cascino.

At 0830C/15, in position 32°48'N, 22°43'E, a landing barge was seen escorted by a motor torpedo boat or motor minesweeper. They were close inshore bound for Derna. The landing barge was most likely the Italian MZ 764. [We have not been able to identify the escort.]

At 1030C/15, in position 32°50'N, 22°42'E HMS Taku sighted a large merchant vessel to the west of Derna. She was not escorted.HMS Taku commenced an attack. At 1110C/15, the ship was on a course to enter Derna and it was thought to be a hospital ship. She was seen to anchor in Derna roads at 1130C/15. HMS Taku closed to investigate and at 1145C/15 the ship was definitely identified as a hospital ship. The ships sighted was most likely the hospital ship Aquileia (Italian, 9322 GRT, built 1914). She had sailed from Naples at 1510B/12 and arrived at Derna at 1010B/15.

HMS Taku now resumed patrol.

At 1830C/15, HMS Taku received Capt. S 1's signal timed 1740C/15, which stated that one southbound transport escorted by two destroyers had been sighted and that flares would be dropped during the night.[No further details available, we have been unable to identify the convoy referred to.]

At 2115C/15, HMS Taku surfaced and set course to the north-west to make contact with the enemy convoy between 0300C/16 and 0400C/16. [We have been unable to identify this convoy.]

During the night HMS Taku sighted flares but no convoy was seen. (50)

16 Sep 1942
At 1515C/16, in position 32°23'N, 20°47'E, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) sighted, what are thought to be an Confienza-class and an Orsa-class torpedo boat, bearing 290° at a range of 5 nautical miles. They were on course 145° obviously bound for Tobruk. Two aircraft were patrolling overhead. It was thought that the rear torpedo boat was towing a long low barge.

The ships sighted were the Italian torpedo boat Castelfidardo and the Italian destroyer Saetta which was towing the fuel barge (former submarine) Domenico Millelire. They had left Navarino at 0520B/15 and arrived at Tobruk at 1000B/17.

At 2200C/16, HMS Taku, which had surfaced at 2115C/16, had to dive for two destroyers proceeding to the north-west at high speed.

These were possibly the German destroyer Hermes and the Italian torpedo boat Cassiopea escorting the transport Ankara (German, 4768 GRT, built 1937) which had sailed from Tobruk at 1600B/16. The Italian torpedo boat Castelfidardo sailed at 1830B/16 and had caught up with them by 2100B/16 but it is probable that Taku sighted Hermes and Cassiopea as Hermes was leading ahead of the transport, Cassiopea was on the port flank and Castelfidardo on the starboard flank (thus farther north). They arrived at Piraeus at 0015-0120B/18. (50)

17 Sep 1942
In a signal timed 2116B/17, Capt. S 10, informed HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) that at 2143C/17, an aircraft had sighted a convoy made up of three transports and two destroyers in position 33°15'N, 23°39'E on course 170° at 6 knots.

[For the composition of this convoy see the event for 18 September 1942.] (54)

18 Sep 1942
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) attacked an enemy convoy in position 32°29'N, 23°34'E. Four torpedoes were fired and a sinking is claimed but this was not the case.

The convoy attacked was made up of the transports Corso Fougier (Italian, 1359 GRT, built 1906), Nerucci (Italian, 1180 GRT, built 1892) and Dora (German, 795 GRT, built 1898). They were escorted by the Italian torpedo boats Sirio and Lupo. They had sailed from Suda Bay around 1400-1430B/16 and arrived at Tobruk around 1035-1041B/18.

The convoy was reported to have been under air attack from RAF torpedo bombers from 2050B to 2350B/17 and 0230B- 0300B/18 (position given at 330° - Tobruk – 80 miles but probably extended to a position not far from the attack by HMS Taku. At 0220B/18, Sirio felt a loud explosion near her, followed by two minor ones astern the convoy. At the time, flares were observed 5 miles astern of the convoy and it appears that the explosions probably were Taku’s torpedoes at the end of their run, but the Italian destroyer did not mention a submarine and probably mistook them for aircraft bombs. At 0245B/18, an aircraft was seen approaching at low altitude making straight for Sirio, while taking avoiding action, Sirio temporarily lost contact with the convoy and rejoined only at 0445B/18. It is possible that she was the destroyer sighted at 0415C/18.

0303C/18 - Sighted a darkened ship bearing 036°, distance 3 nautical miles. Identified as a destroyer.

0308C/18 - Sighted two merchant ships bearing 030°, distance 3 nautical miles. Closed at speed to attack.

0320C/18 - In position 32°29'N, 23°34'E fired four torpedoes at the leading ship. Dived.

0327C/18 - Heard a loud explosion.

0336C/18 - Heard another loud and prolonged explosion.

0345C/18 - Periscope depth, nothing in sight.

0415C/18 - Surfaced. Sighted a dark object in the vicinity of the attacking position and closed on main motors. The object was identified as a destroyer that was thought to be picking up survivors. Thought one ship to be hit and sunk.

0430C/18 - Retired to the North. (50)

19 Sep 1942
In a signal timed 0858C/19, Capt. S 1 ordered HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) to patrol off Benghazi. This signal was received at 1048C/19 and HMS Taku altered course to the north-west to comply. [No further details available on this signal]

In a signal timed 1101B/19, Capt. S 10 informed HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) that an enemy convoy of two transports and seven destroyers had been sighted in position 38°28'N, 20°15'E on course 175°, speed 10 to 12 knots. [For the composition of this convoy see the event for 20 September 1942.]

This signal referred to a convoy made up of (55)

19 Sep 1942
In a signal timed 0858C/19, Capt. S 1 ordered HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) to patrol off Benghazi.This signal was received at 1048C/19 and HMS Taku altered course to the north-west to comply. [No further details available on this signal.]

In a signal timed 1101B/19, Capt. S 10 informed HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) that an enemy convoy of two transports and seven destroyers had been sighted in position 38°28'N, 20°15'E on course 175°, speed 10 to 12 knots. [For the composition of this convoy see the event for 20 September 1942.]

At 1705C/19, Capt. S 1, ordered HMS Taku to proceed to a new patrol position with all despatch. The distance she had to cover was 115 nautical miles but as many aircraft had been sighted throughout the day it was not considered wise to surface during daylight hours. At 1930C/19, HMS Taku surfaced and set course for the position ordered at 13.5 knots. [No further details available on this signal.]

At 2230C/19, HMS Taku received Capt. S 1's signal timed 2055C/19, giving more details of the expected southbound convoy and an interception position. [No further details available on this signal.] (55)

20 Sep 1942
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) attacked an enemy convoy in position 33°30'N, 21°10'E. Three torpedoes were fired without result.

This convoy was made up of the transports Apuania (Italian, 7948 GRT, built 1942) and Monginevro (Italian, 5324 GRT, built 1940) escorted by the Italian destroyers Freccia (S.O.), Antonio Da Noli, Nicolò Zeno and the torpedo boats Calliope, Ciclone, Centaure and Pallade. Apuania reported missed by one torpedo and Monginevro missed by two.

The Monginevro escorted by the Antonio Da Noli, Ciclone, Centaure and Pallade had departed Taranto around 1754-1848B/18. The Apuania escorted by the Freccia, Nicolò Zeno and Calliope had departed Brindinsi around 1910-2000B/18.

The two sections of the convoy merged at 0644B/19. The convoy arrived at Benghazi at 1600-1700B/20.

The convoy was sighted and came under air attack from enemy bombers between 2215B/19-0055B/20, 60 miles south of Cape Gallo (Morea) or from position 35°40'N, 21°50'E to 34°56'N, 21°30'E, with no result. At 0826B/20, Apuania reported being missed by a torpedo and Monginevro reported being missed by two torpedoes. At 0830B/20, the torpedo boat Pallade observed a torpedo wake and turned hard to starboard to avoid it. At the same time the torpedo boat Ciclone hunted the submarine.

0900C/20 - Sighted a convoy made up of two transports and two destroyers with a whole lot of aircraft overhead. It's likely there were more ships but the periscope could only be put up for very brief moments. Commenced attack.

0925C/20 - In position 33°30'N, 21°10'E fired three torpedoes at the port wing ship from 1500 yards. Went deep after firing as one of the destroyers was very close.

0930C/20 - Heard one explosion, most likely a depth charge.

0932C/20 - Heard two explosions, most likely depth charges.

1025C/20 - Came to periscope depth, nothing in sight. (56)

21 Sep 1942
During the day, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted a submerged patrol near position 33°30'N, 21°30'E. She had been given freedom of action in her present patrol area in a signal from Capt. S 1 timed 0205C/21. (50)

22 Sep 1942
During the day, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted a submerged patrol to the north-west of Tolmeita, Libya near position 32°53'N, 20°43'E.

The Vice-Admiral Malta informed HMS Taku in a signal timed 1039B/22 that an enemy convoy made up of one transport and three destroyers had been sighted at 0845C/22 in position 39°44'N, 18°38'E, course 110° at a speed of 8 knots.

The convoy referred to was probably the tanker Proserpina (Italian, former French Beauce, 4869 GRT, built 1926) escorted by the destroyers Lampo and Euro and the torpedo boat Partenope. They had sailed from Taranto at 0030-0146B/22 for Patras. At 1840-1845B/22, in position 39°02'N, 19°59'E (also given as 39°02'N, 20°05'E), they came under attack by twelve torpedo bombers. They managed to avoid all the torpedoes, but were machine-gunned, Lampo had one seriously and a few slightly wounded, Euro had one killed and three seriously wounded. The convoy was reinforced by the destroyer Sebenico who left Patras at 0130B/23 and joined at 0215B/23 to relieve Euro. At 0430B/23, the convoy arrived at Patras, Lampo and Partenope went back to Brindisi, Proserpina and Euro went on to Piraeus via the Corinth Canal, arriving at 1630B/23. Eventually, Proserpina reached Tobruk, via Suda, on 26 September.

Proserpina was subject of a sabotage attempt in June 1941 which caused the collapse of the Mounier network in Tunisia. See also the book Clandestine Operations from Malta and the French Resistance connection in Tunisia (offsite link). (50)

23 Sep 1942
During the day, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted a submerged patrol well to the north of Tolmeita, Libya near position 33°24'N, 20°50'E. (50)

24 Sep 1942
At 0030C/24, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) received an aircraft report of 1423C/23 of a slow southbound convoy. Altered course to intercept it. This reported stated that one transport and two destroyers in position 35°17'N, 23°23'E on course 180° at 5 knots.

This aircraft sighting must have referred to the tanker Rondine (6468 GRT, built 1924) escorted by the destroyer Hermes and the Italian torpedo boat Orsa. The convoy sailed from Piraeus at 0213B/21 at a speed of 14 knots (and for five hours increased at 18 knots) and arrived at Suda at 1354B/21. They tried to sail at 0445B/22 but had to turn back as Rondine had engine defects. They finally sailed from Suda at 0200B/23. At 0810B/23, Rondine signalled the breakdown of her port engine. They proceeded at 4-5 knots. At 1736B/23, the defect was repaired but at 2306B/23, there was another engine breakdown and Orsa closed to voice range and was informed that it could be repaired in an hour. At 2350B/23, the repairs were completed, and march resumed. At 0210B/24, a torpedo bomber (this was a Wellington of 221 Squadron) made an attack on Rondine but missed. At 1315-1335B/24, the convoy anchored in Tobruk.

At 0715C/24, HMS Taku dived in position 33°28'N, 22°37'E. Interception now seems unlikely. The weather, low cloud and sun prevented HMS Taku from running on the surface longer.

At 1005C/24, HMS Taku received Capt. S 1's signal timed 0818C/24, ordering a new patrol position for the 25th. [No further details available on this signal, the new position appeared to be to the north-north-east of her current patrol position.] (57)

25 Sep 1942
At 0030C/25, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) altered course to 345° to proceed toward the ordered patrol position.

At 0650C/25, HMS Taku dived in position 34°12'N, 22°40'E and continued to proceed to the north-west.

At 1710C/25, HMS Taku received Capt. S 1's signal timed 1443C/25, which gave the details of a southbound convoy and subsequent movements. [No further details available on this signal.]

The convoy referred to most probably was the one made up of the transports Anna Maria Gualdi (Italian, 3289 GRT, built 1908) and Menes (German, 5609 GRT, built 1926). They were escorted by the Italian destroyer Nicoloso da Recco and the Italian torpedo boats Castore, Lupo and Sirio. This convoy had departed Piraeus around 2230B-2310B/24. At 1000-1030B/25, the German escorting aircraft bombed and machine-gunned a presumed submarined which proved to be a group of dolphins. At 1045B/25, Sirio had condenser trouble and Lupo was ordered to take her in tow. She finally managed to make 8 knots and Da Recco ordered her to proceeed to Suda Bay while Lupo reintegrated the formation. At 1907B/25, Sirio arrived at Suda. This convoy actually was to be joined around 1500B/25 by the tanker Proserpina (Italian, 4870 GRT, built 1926) and the torpedo boats Libra and Lira which had departed Suda Bay around 0830B/25. The convoy was then expected to arrive at Tobruk around 1600B/26 but in the end they arrived two hours early. The torpedo boat Sirio however had developed condenser (steam tube) trouble around 1045B/25 north-north-east of Anti-Kithera in position 36°08'N, 23°23'E and was detached to Suda Bay to effect repairs. She arrived at Suda Bay around 1900B/25. Meanwhile the Proserpina convoy sailed from Suda at 0828-0830B/25 and joined at 1430B/25, they had been sighted by an aircraft at 1415B/25 so an air attack was to be expected. Subsequently, Supermarina informed them that a radio intercept had revealed that fourteen enemy bombers were on their way to attack them. At midnight, Lira opened fire with her 100 mm guns on an aircraft which proved to be a German escorting aircraft, this caused the convoy to disperse, and they finally regrouped at 0050B/26. At 0119B/26, flares were dropped ahead and shortly after the convoy came under air attack until 0310B/26 from enemy bombers but escaped unscathed. They arrived at Tobruk at 1215-1510B/26.

At 1715C/25, in position 34°30'N, 22°47'E, HMS Taku sighted a periscope right astern. at 1640C/25, HE of a submarine had already been picked up. This was most likely HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSO, DSC, RN) but she reported nothing around this time. (58)

26 Sep 1942
At 0222C/26, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) sighted very distant flares bearing 137°. HMS Taku increased speed to 14 knots and altered course to 157°.

At 0230C/26, an aircraft report was received that at 0200C/26 the convoy had been 50 nautical miles to the south-east.

At 0900C/26, HMS Taku dived, having remained on the surface to close Tobruk until it was considered unsafe to remain on the surface any longer.

At 1345C/26, in position 33°01'N, 23°26'E a small dark object was seen bearing 250° which disappeared after a few minutes the bearing having altered 30 degrees in four minutes. This was thought to be HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSO, DSC, RN) which may have surfaced briefly to take a sight.

At 2015C/26, HMS Taku surfaced and continued toward Tobruk while charging.

At 2210C/26, HMS Taku received Capt. S 1's signal timed 1709C/26 ordering her to leave patrol P.M. on the 27th. (57)

27 Sep 1942
At 0003C/27, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) sighted flares, AA fire and a smoke screen bearing 215°. HMS Taku altered course toward to close.

At 0017C/27, two heavy explosions were heard ahead.

At 0027C/27, a destroyer was seen close ahead beam on and apparently stopped. Two minutes later the destroyer altered course towards so HMS Taku dived. It appeared this destroyer was making moke. It was thought that a convoy was proceeding northwards but nothing could be seen. It was thought that a ship may have been hit at 0017 by either aircraft or HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSO, DSC, RN). By 0042C/27, the destroyer had been lost from sight so HMS Taku surfaced.

The destroyer (torpedo boat) sighted at 0027C/27 was probably either Lupo, Castore or Libra. They were escorting the transport Corso Fougier (Italian, 1359 GRT, built 1906), Nerucci (Italian, 1180 GRT, built 1892) and Dora (German, 795 GRT, built 1898. They had sailed from Tobruk at 1722-1800B/26 (with the torpedo boat Lira who was recalled at 1858B/26) from Tobruk. At 2246B/26, an enemy aircraft dropped flares in position 32°29'N, 23°44'30"E (or 32°24'N, 23°41'E) and the convoy came under air attack 2300B/26 to 0110B/27, Libra was detached at 0015B/28 and arrived at Suda at 0439B/28. The convoy reached Piraeus at 1830-1834B/28.

At 0045C/27, a small vessel was sighted bearing 350°. HMS Taku immediately dived again as it was thought to be a motor torpedo boat [or motor minesweeper]. Avoiding action was taken and course was altered to the east-south-east. It looked like this vessel suspected the submarines presence as she remained near HMS Taku until 0250C/27.

At 0315C/27, HMS Taku surfaced and withdrew to the east-north-east.

At 0500C/27, HMS Taku altered course to 163° to close Tobruk.

At 0545C/27, in position 32°34'N, 23°30'E, a periscope was seen on the port beam. HMS Taku altered course to ram but nothing further was seen and no HE was picked up. If this was HMS Turbulent then she had ample opportunity to study Taku's silhouette. If it was an enemy submarine she had just missed a ' golden opportunity '. According to her patrol report [unfortunately no log is available] HMS Turbulent, which was in the area was surfaced at this time. [We can however not place any other submarine in the area at this place and time.]

At 0630C/27, HMS Taku dived and closed the coast.

At 1900C/27, HMS Taku was still about 10 nautical miles from the coast. Nothing further had been sighted all day. She now started to proceed to the north.

At 2015C/27, HMS Taku surfaced and continued to proceed to the north.

At 2100C/27, HMS Taku left patrol to proceed to Beirut as ordered in Capt. S 1's signal timed 1709C/26. [No further details available on this signal.] (59)

1 Oct 1942
Around 0630C/1, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) ended her 18th war patrol at Beirut. (50)

12 Oct 1942
Around 1830C/12, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) departed from Beirut for Port Said. (60)

13 Oct 1942
In the second half of the morning and early afternoon, while off Haifa, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN), conducted A/S and attack exercises with HMS Pakenham (Capt. E.B.K. Stevens, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Petard (Lt.Cdr. M. Thornton, DSC, RN). (61)

14 Oct 1942
Around 1330C/14, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) arrived at Port Said where she is immediately docked.

Before entering Port Said A/S exercises were carried out with the destroyers HMS Javelin (Lt.Cdr. W.F.N. Gregory-Smith, DSO, DSC, RN) and Vasilissa Olga. (60)

19 Oct 1942
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) is undocked. (60)

20 Oct 1942
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) conducted exercises off Port Said. These included A/S and attack exercises with, most likely, the destroyers HMS Pakenham (Capt. E.B.K. Stevens, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Javelin (Lt.Cdr. W.F.N. Gregory-Smith, DSO, DSC, RN) and Vasilissa Olga. (60)

21 Oct 1942
Around 1800C/21, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) departed from Port Said for her 19th war patrol. She is to patrol in the Aegean.

On departure exercises were carried out with HMS Exmoor (Lt.Cdr. L.StG. Rich, RN) and aircraft. (50)

21 Oct 1942
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Taku during her 19th war patrol see the map below.

24 Oct 1942
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) damaged a caique with gunfire west of Kos, Greece in position 220° - Kandeliusa Light - 7 nautical miles.

This was the Italian (with a Greek crew) Tutti Santi of 30 tons registered in Calino (Dodecanese, also known as Kalymnos). She was most likely the former Greek sailing vessel Panagia.

0300C/24 - Passed northbound through the Scarpanto Strait.

0640C/24 - Dived in position 36°23'N, 27°00'E.

1046C/24 - Sighted masts of a caique bearing 120°, distance about 4 nautical miles through the periscope. Altered course to investigate.

1129C/24 - Range was now 2500 yards. Saw that the caique was about 50 tons. Decided to attack with the gun.

1137C/24 - Surfaced on the starboard quarter of the caique crossing his stern at 1600 yards. The third shot brought down her foresail. As the smoke from the gun was clouding the caique ceased fire and shifted to her port bow and reopened fire. It was then observed that the crew had not abandoned ship. Ceased fire to allow them to do so but the crew did not do so. They were ordered to abandon ship which they started to do except for 'Granpa'. Meanwhile they held up the mangled remains of one of the crew. Lt. Pitt considered that in name of humanity to let them go.

115C/24 - Dived in position 220° Kandeliusa Light 7 nautical miles. (50)

25 Oct 1942
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) attacked the tanker Arca (Italian (former Norwegian Haugar), 2238 GRT, built 1885) off Chios, Greece. The torpedoes fired however missed their target.

Arca was escorted by the Italian destroyer Quintino Sella and en-route from the Dardanelles (departed around 1000B/25) to Leros.

2304C/25 - In position 38°48'N, 25°46'E sighted tanker and escort bearing 285°, 8 nautical miles. Closed at speed to attack.

2328C/25- Fired four torpedoes from 4000 yards. Dived. No hits were obtained.

2331C/25 - First two of eleven depth charges were dropped. These were not close.

0015C/26 - Came to periscope depth, nothing in sight. Surfaced and set off in pursuit. (62)

26 Oct 1942
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) torpedoed and sank the tanker Arca (former Norwegian Haugar), 2238 GRT, built 1885) south-west of Chios, Greece in position 38°04'N, 25°27'E.

The Arca escorted by the Italian destroyer Quintino Sella sailed from Mudros at 0620B/25. At 2225B/25, 6 miles north of Psara, Sella was 800-1000 metres ahead of Arca when she observed a surfaced submarine about 600-800 metres to port. The tanker was proceeding at 7 knots course 155°, Sella was on steering 120° at 9 knots, both were zigzagging. Sella opened fire with her machine guns and gave the alarm but did not have time to use her 120 mm guns as they could not be depressed in time before the submarine submerged at about 100-150 metres and before she could ram her. Two torpedo wakes were seen. She dropped four depth charges and returned for a second run, dropping another four. She then released single depth charges (in all seventeen were dropped) and then resumed course at 2300B. It was not believed that the submarine had been damaged. The entire crew of the Acra, 3 Germans and 22 Italians, survived and landed in the ship boats on Chios.

0740C/26 - In position 38°04'N, 25°27'E sighted the escort vessel (Quintino Sella) through the periscope.

0750C/26 - Sighted the tanker well inshore of the escort and difficult to distinguish against the land.

0804C/26 - Fired four torpedoes from 4000 yards. Went to 70 feet. 3 minutes and 28 seconds after firing the first torpedo heard one explosion. Followed by two more explosions thought to be depth charges.

0814C/26 - Came to periscope depth and saw that the tanker had been hit forward and that the foremast had fallen. She was down by the bows. Her boats were away and the escort vessel had gone off to the South. Started to get in position to put a 2nd torpedo into the target if needed.

0839C/26 - While at 50 feet heard breaking up noises and on return to periscope depth it was noted that she indeed had sunk.

0846C/26 - An aircraft arrived at the scene so went to 70 feet. Set course to the east to clear the area.

1932C/26 - Surfaced in position 38°07'N, 25°34'E and set course to patrol on the Dardanelles - Thessaloniki route. (50)

27 Oct 1942
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) chases the small Greek merchant ship Sifnos (315 GRT, built 1891) and fires at it with the deck gun, the ship however manages to escape due to bad visibilty. Following this chase Taku sank the Greek caique Lora (121 GRT) with gunfire off the Gulf of Kassandra, Greece. The Lora was on passage from Chalkis to Lemnos. The entire crew was rescued and taken to Porto Koufo.

In a signal timed 1855C/27, Capt. S 1, instructed HMS Taku to amend the southerly limit of her patrol area to 37°50'N. Sh was also instructed that enemy tanker traffic from the Dardanelles to Piraeus was to be the main target. Lt. Pitt decided to patrol off the Doro Channel tomorrow.

1645C/27 - Sighted a small merchant vessel of about 200 tons coming out of the Gulf of Kassandra course 110°. Decided to attack with the gun but had to wait until he rounded Cape Drepano.

1727C/27 - Surfaced when the target rounded the Cape and opened fire from 6000 yards. A chase followed and the small merchant was very well handled. In the end she managed to escape without being hit. About a mile to starboard a caique had lowered it sails and no doubt by staying very still hoped to be forgotten in the general excitement. Attention was now paid to this vessel. The caique was quickly sunk with gunfire.

Dived to 80 feet and cleared the area. (62)

28 Oct 1942
At 1600C/28, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) sighted smoke from a ship hull down to the south of the Doro Channel. Also two caiques were seen of Cape Doro. Also a fishing vessel was sighted. (50)

29 Oct 1942
At 1459C/28, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) sighted an eastbound transport and two escorting destroyers against the background of the land on the far side of the Doro Channel from Taku's position. Many aircraft had been sighted in the afternoon and it was a pity the ship had not been seen earlier.

It appeared they were making for the inside of Psara Island and then most likely up to the Dardanelles. Lt. Pitt estimated that if he surfaced before 1700C/29 he could catch them off Cape Sigri, Mytileni if they were not making more then 12 knots.

At 1530C/29, HMS Taku went to 80 feet to clear the land.

At 1608C/29, HMS Taku surfaced in position 099° - Cape Doro - 11 nautical miles. She then set course on 033° and proceeded at 14 knots towards Cape Sigri.

At 1624C/29, an aircraft was seen approaching on the starboard bow. HMS Taku dived. No bombs were dropped but the submarine must have been seen. The plan to cut the convoy off near Cape Sigri now had to be abandoned and course was set to return to the Doro Channel.

The ships sighted were the tanker Ossag (German, 2793 GRT, built 1922) which was en-route from Piraeus to the Dardanelles escorted by the German destroyer Hermes and the Italian destroyer Euro. HMS Taku was indeed sighted by the aircraft. (62)

30 Oct 1942
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) patrolled off the Doro Channel the entire day. Only two caiques and a small yacht were seen.

HMS Taku surfaced at 1955C/30 and set course to patrol to the south of Euboea Island. (50)

31 Oct 1942
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) fired three torpedoes at the tanker Cerere (Italian, 1267 GRT, built 1915) about 10 nautical miles south of Cape Sounio, Greece in position 37°30'N, 24°03'E. All torpedoes fired missed their target.

Cerere was in convoy with the transports Ardena (German, 1092 GRT, built 1915) and Galiola (Italian, 1357 GRT, built 1917) and Santa Fe (German, 4627 GRT, built 1921). They were escorted by the Italian torpedo boats Lira, Calatafimi and Solferino. They were en-route from Piraeus, which they had departed around 0545-0620B/31, to Suda Bay, where they arrived aroound 0645-0807B/1 except Santa Fe escorted by Calatafimi and Solferino who were detached to Heraklion where they arrived at 1000B/1.

0455C/31 - Received Capt. S 1's signal timed 0313C/31 which stated that a convoy was expected to leave Piraeus. Lt. Pitt decided to proceed to a position to the north of St. Giorgio Island.

0645C/31 - Dived 1.5 nautical miles short of position 37°30'N, 24°03'E.

0700C/31 - Received Capt S 1's signal timed 0529C/31, which stated that the convoy had left Piraeus.

0940C/31 - Sighted smoke bearing 335° and soon after saw two aircraft on the same bearing.

1011C/31 - Masts appearing above the horizon. The convoy we had been warned about turned out to be one 5000 ton MV, one 3500 ton MV and one 1500 ton MV. They were escorted by a destroyer and two other escort vessels. Astern of the convoy was a hospital ship. Manouvered into attack position

1056C/31 - Fired three torpedoes from 6500 yards. It was intended to fire four torpedoes but Taku lost trim and went deep. At 5min13sec after firing the first torpedo a loud explosion was heard which was correct for a running range of 6500 yards. Five depth charges were dropped, all distant but HE was heard fairly close so Lt. Pitt ordered Taku to 150 feet.

1155C/31 - Came to periscope depth and could see no trace of the target.

1205C/31 - Sighted the convoy again mines the largest MV and the hospital ship. They were hull down and Lt. Pitt decided to ran in for 10 minutes at full speed for another shot. During these 10 minutes the crew managed to reload one of the torpedo tubes.

1237C/31 - Fired two torpedoes (three was indented but there was a miscommunication). Four minutes after firing three depth charges were heard followed by five patters of two depth charges. The third pattern was rather close and shook Taku but no damage was done. HE was kept astern as Taku crept away slowly. (50)

1 Nov 1942
At 0550B/1, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) dived in position 36°46'N, 23°59'E so as to patrol to the west of Milos as ordered in Capt. S 1's signal timed 0903C/31.

At 1303B/1, Capt. S 1's signal timed 1009B/1 was received which gave HMS Taku freedom of action in the Aegean.

At 1608B/1, three masts of a ship were seen which were thought to belong to a large caique. An attack was started at 1650C/1 on this ship which was now seen to be of about 2000 tons with one funnel. The attack was however soon broken off when it was seen to be a hospital ship which subsequently entered Port Milos. This was the German hospital ship Graz (former Greek training sailing ship Ares, 2200 tons, built 1927). She had sailed from Piraeus at 0630B/1 for Suda via Milos and eventually for Mersa Matruh.

At 1855B/1, HMS Taku surfaced in position 36°46'N, 24°20'E and then set course to patrol to the south-west of Crete within 35 nautical miles of Elafonissos Island as ordered in Capt. S 1's signal timed 1537B/1. HMS Taku was to remain south of 35°30'N until further orders. (50)

2 Nov 1942
In a signal timed 1140B/2, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) is ordered by Capt. S 1 to be in position 36°02'N, 25°01'E by dawn on the 4th. On entering the Aegean only southbound tankers and transports of over 5000 tons may be attacked. After dawn on the 4th nothing was to be attacked. Further signals would be made.

These order were cancelled in Capt S 1's signal timed 2002B/2. HMS Taku was to patrol in her present area keeping east of 22°30'E. (63)

5 Nov 1942
At 0658B/5, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) which is patrolling off the Elafonisos Channel now, received a signal from Capt. S 1, timed 0433B/5, stating that the Elafonisos Channel might be fruitful during the next 24 hours. This was very suitable as HMS Taku was already there.

At 2115B/5, while in position 36°24'N, 22°50'E, a transport and an escorting destroyer was sighted bearing 100° approaching the Elafonisos Channel. HMS Taku turned stern on.

At 2122B/5, the ships rounded Cape Spathi. They were difficult to make out against the land. The enemy was now proceeding on a course of 200° at 14 knots. Range was 4 nautical miles.

At 2134B/5, the transport and destroyer were seen to turn right round making much smoke as a screen. The transport turned back and disappeared again behind Cape Spathi. It was now thought that a second destroyer was present and they now left the transport and proceeded to the south. A little cat and mouse game with the destroyers now followed but it appears HMS Taku was not sighted. HMS Taku searched during the night for the transport but it was not seen again.

[We have been unable to identify the convoy / ships sighted.] (64)

6 Nov 1942
At 1810B/6, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN), which had been patrolling in the Kythira / Anti-Kythira area during the day, was instructed by Capt. S 1, in his signal timed 1633B/6, to patrol on the Pireaus - Suda Bay convoy route as his current position seem to have been compromised. Course was set accordingly. (63)

7 Nov 1942
At 0456B/7, while to the west of Milos, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) encountered what are thought to be two enemy patrol vessels. They were evaded by going deep.

During the day HMS Taku patrolled to the west of Folegandros Island. (50)

8 Nov 1942
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) attacked what is thought to be an auxliary patrol vessel south of Milos in approximate position 36°40'N, 24°47'E.

The target was probably the Italian auxiliary minelayer Barletta (1975 GRT, built 1931) who sailed from Piraeus at 0215B/8 and arrived at Heraklion at 1650B/8.

In a signal timed 1920B/8, Capt. S 1, ordered HMS Taku to patrol the northernmost approaches to Candia by dawn the following morning.

In a signal timed 2358B/8, Capt. S 1, ordered HMS Taku to patrol 3 nautical miles to the south-west of Christiana Island by noon on the 9th and if she was unable to comply then patrol from Candia to the northward towards Christiana Island

1115B/8 - Sighted a ship rounding the right hand edge of Polino. Started attack. Observation was very difficult as waves were continually washing over the periscope. Range was 3000 yards. The target was thought to be some sort of armed merchant cruiser of about 2000 tons, two aircraft were patrolling overhead.

1132B/8 - Fired one torpedo but due to an error in the attack setup made by Lt. Pitt it missed. Also there was a large splash when the torpedo was fired.

9 Nov 1942
In a signal timed 1452B/9, Capt. S 1, informed HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) that she had freedom of action in the Aegean but that she was to arrive at the end of the Port Said searched channel at 0600B/12. She was allowed to run on the surface on the 11th.

Lt. Pitt therefore decided to close Candia and then patrol eastwards along the northern side of Crete. (63)

12 Nov 1942
Around 0830B/12, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) ended her 19th war patrol at Port Said. (50)

13 Nov 1942
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) is docked in the floating dock at Port Said to have external fuel tanks fitted. (65)

17 Nov 1942
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) is undocked. (65)

24 Nov 1942
Around 1700B/24, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) departed from Port Said for Beirut. (65)

26 Nov 1942
Around 1145B/26, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) arrived at Beirut. Before entering harbour A/S exercises were carried out with two motor launches.

The crew then left the boat and she is shut off for fumigation. The boat is opened up again at 1700B/27 and ventilated. At 1700B/28 the crew was allowed to board her again. (65)

8 Dec 1942
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) conducted engine trials and exercises off Beirut. The exercises included a practice attack on HMS Cordela (T/Skr. J. Enevoldsen, RNR) and A/S exercises with three motor launches. (66)

9 Dec 1942
At 1700B/9, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) departed from Beirut for her 20th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Aegean. She is also to perform a special operation.

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

(6)

14 Dec 1942
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) torpedoed and sank the tanker Delfin (Italian, 5322 GRT, built 1918) in the Aegean Sea about 5 nautical miles north of Macrosini island, Greece in position 37°52'N, 24°06'E.

She was escorted by the German auxiliary submarine chaser UJ-2102. They had departed Piraeus around 0600B/14 for Cavaliani. The German auxiliary submarine chaser UJ-2101 was also sent to the area following the attack to assist in the hunt for the submarine.

Air bubbles and oil came to the surface during the hunt for the enemy submarine and it was though the attacker had been sunk.

The whole crew of the Delfin was picked up. 41 men, including 7 wounded.

1115B/14 - Sighted an aircraft patrolling to the south.

1140B/14 - In position 37°50'N, 24°07'E sighted smoke of two ships to the South. Commenced attack.

The convoy turned out to be a 5000 ton motor vessel that was escorted by steam yacht of about 300 tons. This yacht was about 700 yards ahead of the motor vessel. Two aircraft were escorting the convoy.

1226B/14 - Fired two torpedoes from 750 yards. 33 seconds after firing a loud torpedo explosion was heard. The HE of the ship continued for about 15sec. but then it stopped and was followed by breaking up noises. A minute and a half after firing a depth charge was dropped.

1242B/14 - Asdic transmissions were heard.

1245B/14 - The escort dropped the first of eleven depth charges in a line with three second intervals. These depth charges were unpleasantly close. Taku was shaken considerably but only light damage was done. Five more depth charges were dropped but these were not as close as the first eleven.

1337B/14 - Another eleven depth charges were dropped. These were as close as the first eleven dropped at 1245 hours. After these only one other depth charge was dropped. This was the last one. Taku now managed to slip away although it took the remainder of the day. (67)

15 Dec 1942
In a signal timed 0037B/15, Capt. S 1, informed HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) that important enemy units were ready to leave Piraeus for Leros.

Lt. Pitt decided to proceed to the west of Leros to try to intercept them there.

This signal referred to the (troop) transports Ardena (German, 1092 GRT, built 1915), Argentina (Italian, 5085 GRT, built 1907) and Donizetti (Italian, 2428 GRT, built 1928) escorted by the Italian destroyer Turbine and the Italian torpedo boats Libra and Castore. They departed Piraeus at 0130-0250B/16/16 for Rhodos (not Leros) where they arrived at 0650-0754B/17. Convoy sailed from Piraeus at 0130-0250B/16 and arrived at Rhodes at 0650-0754B/17. (68)

16 Dec 1942
At 0605B/16, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) dived for a day of submerged patrol to the west of Leros in position 37°08'N, 26°40'E.

At 0915B/16, two columns of smoke were seen bearing 270°. This developed into a motor vessel of about 1500 tons with two masts and one funnel abaft the bridge. She was escorted by a patrol vessel who was stationed about half a mile away on her starboard beam. They were approaching on a course of 090°. The motor vessel was in ballast and very dirty looking. Lt. Pitt decided that this could not be the important ships he was warned about so he did not attack to await the, hopefully, bigger game that may show up. The ships were seen to enter Port Lakki.

At 1600B/16, a small tug was seen proceeding close inshore proceeding southwards.

At 1645B/16, HMS Taku altered course to 270° to withdraw to charge during the night proceeding along the reverse track of the motor vessel and the escort sighted earlier in the day.

At 1835B/16, HMS Taku surfaced in position 37°07'N, 26°41'E. She then patrolled within three nautical miles from position 37°07'N, 26°36'E during the night but nothing was seen. (6)

17 Dec 1942
At 0603B/17, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) dived for another day of submerged patrol to the west of Leros in position 37°07'N, 26°41'E.

At 0725B/17, a small craft was seen approaching on a course of 090°. It was later identified as a MAS boat (motor torpedo boat). It stopped about 2.5 nautical miles away.

At 0730B/17, smoke of a small vessel was seen close inshore south of Port Lakki proceeding northwards.

At 0735B/17, another MAS boat was seen approaching from the south. She was not seen until she was abeam, going very fast and about 1000 yards away. Two torpedoes were seen on her deck and she was identified as being from the MAS 501-507-class. She was flying the Italian ensign at the stern and on a small mast aft a red-white-red vertically striped pennant. Both MAS boats were painted black and one had red numbers painted on the bow. The new arrival joined up with the first and they remained stopped for about 15 minutes after which they made off to the north-west.

At 1145B/17, both MAS boats returned from the same direction and stopped about 3 nautical miles away. They were seen to have lines over the side.

At 1215B/17, both MAS boats were seen to proceed southwards. It was now seen that the fist MAS boats which had been seen in the morning was of the MAS 53-class.

At 1225B/17, both MAS boats stopped about 5 nautical miles away bearing 225°.

At 1235B/17, both MAS boats got underway again and were soon lost from sight.

At 1300B/17, sighted a two-masted, grey camouflaged coaster with a tall funnel, but apparently unarmed, passing close inshore steaming south. She had her bridge in front of the funnel and another bridge-like structure aft of it. She was of about 250 tons. At 1315B/17 she was seen to enter Port Lakki.

At 1430B/17, an ML type vessel, painted grey, was sighted close inshore proceeding north. She then altered round 210° and crossed the bow of HMS Taku about 1500 yards ahead, and proceeded to join up with the two MAS boats which could now just be sighted about 6 nautical miles away.

At 1610B/17, the funnel and two masts of small vessel, hull down close under the land of Kalimno Island were sighted. It was proceeding to the south.

At 1640B/17, the grey motor launch was sighted close inshore proceeding north. Ten minutes later she altered round and closed fast stopping about 1500 yards away.

At 1700B/17, the ML was joined by one of the MAS boats. HMS Taku changed course to increase the range as fast as possible.

At 1720B/17, they both got underway with one proceeding to the starboard side of HMS Taku and the other one to the port side. HMS Taku went to 150 feet. Noises were reduced to a minimum.

At 1729B/17, two depth charges were dropped rather close. HMS Taku was shaken but no damage was sustained.

At 1741B/17, one of the two was coming in again and two more depth charges were dropped but again no damage was sustained.

The enemy could not be shaken off and were apparently maintaining contact with the submarine with the intention to torpedo her on surfacing. Lt. Pitt therefore decided to proceed towards Patmos Island to shake off the enemy there in the coastal water noises.

At 2300B/17, HMS Taku was within a mile from the island. One MAS boat could be seen waiting off the south-west corner of the island. The second vessel could not be seen. HMS Taku now made slowly off to the east passing within a cable of Prasonisi Island.

At 2345B/17, it looked like that the enemy had lost contact so HMS Taku now turned to the south-south-west as had originally been intended early in the evening.

At 0315B/18, HMS Taku surfaced in position 37°09'N, 26°32'E.

Italian records from Leros give the following movements;
The small transport Camogli (Italian, 360 GRT, built 1905) sailed from Leros for exercises at 1415B/17 and returned at 1705B/17.
MAS 540 sailed from Leros at 1138B/17 for hydrophone watch and returned at 0610B/18.
M/S 12 sailed from Leros at 1521B/17 for hydrophone watch and returned at 1321B/18.
MAS 521 sailed from Leros for exercises at 2215B/16 and returned at 1540B/17.
Most probably one of the MAS boats sighted by HMS Taku.
MAS 520, MAS 528 and MAS 545 were also at Leros at the time but do not appear to have sortied on that day.
[It appears that German and Italian times were one hour behind that kept by Taku on this patrol.] (6)

20 Dec 1942
At 2340B/20, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) landed three Greek agents (Operation Saturn) about 200 yards from Nisia Rocks (near position 38°40'N, 23°54'E). Earlier in the day, around dawn, periscope reconnaissance had been carried out of the area.

On completion of the operation HMS Taku set course to patrol to the south of Skiathos.

The Greek agents were captured and revealed the identity of the submarine. [Abwehr files make reference to it]. The Germans had been under the impression that the submarine they had depth charged on the 14th had been sunk but now became aware that it had been HMS Taku and thus had not been sunk. (6)

22 Dec 1942
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) heavily damaged the Greek caique (in German service) Niki (150 GRT) with gunfire in the Potidea Channel in approximate position 40°10'N, 23°10'E.

According to German sources Niki was damaged and abandoned, of the 10 German soldiers on board 2 were killed and the other 8 wounded. The wreck was later found drifting and was towed to Salonica.

1200B/22 - A two-masted caique of about 150 tons was seen leaving the canal. Closed to attack.

1257B/22 - Surfaced 1800 yards on the port quarter and opened direct fire. The second shot hit and the occupants jumped overboard (these included German soldiers). 21 rounds were fired for 15 hits. The caique was now on fire.

1303B/22 - Dived and withdrew to the South-West. (6)

23 Dec 1942
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) bombarded the harbour of Kymi, Greece. Twenty-six rounds were fired. A warehouse and several ships (caiques) were hit.

Italian sources give the following: Volos 150 / Agios Nikolaos was sunk, Piraeus 860 / Evangelistria was heavily damaged, the Syros 552 / Agios Nicolaus was slightly damaged. One Italian soldier was wounded.

HMS Taku then left the northern Aegean to patrol on the Pireaus - Crete route which was also suggested in Capt. S 1's signal timed 1835B/23. (6)

26 Dec 1942
At 0602B/25, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) commenced to carry out a periscope reconnaissance of the Cape Skyli area. This was for Operation 'Locksmith' (an attempt to block the Corinth Canal).

[More information on the attempts to block the Corinth Canal can be found in the book "Target Corinth Canal 1940-1944" by Platon Alexiades which had been published in 2015.] (6)

27 Dec 1942
Now patrolling in the Zea Channel, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) fired a total of five torpedoes at the transport Bucintoro (Italian, 1326 GRT, built 1909) in position 37°32'N, 24°14'E. All torpedoes fired missed their target.

0450B/27 - In position 37°32'N, 24°14'E sighted a small transport. Started attack and closed at speed on the motors.

0512B/27 - Three torpedoes out of a salvo of four were fired. Before firing the fourth torpedo Lt. Pitt realised that the ship was much closer than he thought. Now the fourth torpedo was fired but this one also missed as had the first three.

0515B/27 - Fired the stern torpedo but this one also missed, passing close to the targets port side.

0518B/27 - Proceeded on both engines to pursue the ship and gun her. The ship was seen to be of 1500 tons, 2 masts and one funnel with the bridge in front of it and having two holds.

0530B/27 - The ship opened fire with her stern gun. As there was only half an hour to go before Taku had to submerge for the day and it was impossible to overtake the ship before that the action had to be broken off. (6)

29 Dec 1942
After having patrolled in the Kaso Strait, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) left patrol at 1819B/29 to return to Beirut. (6)

1 Jan 1943
Around 0645B/1, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) ended her 20th war patrol at Beirut. (6)

14 Jan 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) conducted D/G trials at Beirut. (69)

16 Jan 1943
In the morning, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) conducted exercises off Beirut. (69)

17 Jan 1943
Around 1700B/17, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) departed from Beirut for Malta. Taku is to return to the U.K. for refit and repairs to the engines that continued to give problems during the last two war patrols and repairs were beyond the capacity of the repair staff of the Mediterranean Station.

(69)

24 Jan 1943
Around 1130A/24, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) arrived at Malta.

During her stay at Malta she disembarked her torpedo outfit and embarked four Mk. II (destroyer) torpedoes. These were the only torpedoes on board now. (69)

6 Feb 1943
Around 1400A/6, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) departed from Malta for Algiers. (70)

11 Feb 1943
Around 1030A/11, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) arrived at Algiers. (70)

12 Feb 1943
Around 1715A/12, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) departed from Algiers for Gibraltar. (70)

15 Feb 1943
Around 1035A/15, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from Algiers. (70)

17 Feb 1943
Around 1400A/17, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) departed from Gibraltar bound for the U.K. En-route she is to patrol for a few days in the Bay of Biscay making this her 21th war patrol.

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

(6)

2 Mar 1943
Around 1805A/2, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) ended her 21th war patrol at Plymouth.

She was escorted in by HMS Ellesmere (T/Lt. A.C. Munro, RNVR) which had joined her around 1110A/2. (6)

3 Mar 1943
Around 0640A/3, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) departed from Plymouth for Portsmouth. Due to the bad weather the passage is abandoned and HMS Taku and her escort, HMS Unst (T/Lt. J.R. Smith, RNR), put into Dartmouth. (71)

4 Mar 1943
Around 0430A/4, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) departed from Dartmouth to continue her passage to Portsmouth where she arrived around 1615A/4.

She was escorted by HMS Unst (T/Lt. J.R. Smith, RNR). (71)

22 Mar 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) conducted D/G trials and exercises off Portsmouth. (71)

24 Mar 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Portsmouth with a French Chasseur and HMS Kingston Topaz (Skr. A. Flett, RNR). (71)

25 Mar 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Portsmouth with a French Chasseur and HMS Lord Wakefield (Skr.Lt. H.L. Lang, DSC, RD, RNR) (71)

30 Mar 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) conducted D/G trials off Portsmouth. (71)

2 Apr 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Portsmouth with a French Chasseur, HMS Kingston Turquoise (Ch.Skr. H.E. Dodd, RNR), HMS Acacia (T/Lt. J.B. Corke, RNVR) and HMS Deodar (T/Lt. S.A. Jarvis, RNR). (72)

4 Apr 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) proceeded from Portsmouth to Portland. She made the passage together with HMS Ursula (Lt. A.R. Profit, DSC, RN) and HMS Sickle (Lt. J.R. Drummond, RN). They were escorted by HMS Kingston Turquoise (Ch.Skr. H.E. Dodd, RNR). En-route serveral exercises were carried out. (72)

5 Apr 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) departed Portland together with HMS Sickle (Lt. J.R. Drummond, DSC, RN) and HMS Ursula (Lt. A.R. Profit, DSC, RN). They were escorted by HMS Kingston Turquoise (Ch.Skr. H.E. Dodd, RNR).

After a few hours they were ordered to return to Portland due to suspected enemy mining of Lyme Bay. (72)

6 Apr 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) shifted from Portland to Plymouth. She made the passage together with HMS Sickle (Lt. J.R. Drummond, DSC, RN) and HMS Ursula (Lt. A.R. Profit, DSC, RN). They were escorted by HMS Kingston Turquoise (Ch.Skr. H.E. Dodd, RNR). (72)

8 Apr 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Plymouth with HMS Pearl (T/Lt. G.K. Hill, RNVR) and HMS Ulva (Skr. E.R. Harris, RNR) and later with HMS Ambrose Pare (Skr. J.W. Morris, RNR) and HMS Lincolnshire (A/Skr.Lt. S.L. Larner, RNR). Also a practice attack was made on HMS Lincolnshire. (72)

9 Apr 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) conducted exercises off Plymouth with RAF aircraft. HMS Lincolnshire (A/Skr.Lt. S.L. Larner, RNR) remained near her as escort during these exercises. (72)

10 Apr 1943
During 10 April and 11 April 1943, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN), conducted exercises off Plymouth. These included night exercises with RAF aircraft. (72)

12 Apr 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Plymouth with HMS Ambrose Pare (Skr. J.W. Morris, RNR), HMS Cape Comorin (T/Lt. N.L. Brown, RNVR), HMS Limbourne (Cdr. C.B. Alers-Hankey, DSC, RN) and HMS Melbreak (Lt. G.E.C.G. Baines, RN). Also a practice attack was made on HMS Melbreak. (72)

13 Apr 1943
During 13 April and 14 April 1943, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN), conducted exercises off Plymouth. These included night exercises with RAF aircraft. HMS Ambrose Pare (Skr. J.W. Morris, RNR) remained in the area as escort. (72)

16 Apr 1943
During 16 April and 17 April 1943, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN), conducted exercises off Plymouth. These included night exercises with RAF aircraft. HMS Ambrose Pare (Skr. J.W. Morris, RNR) remained in the area as escort. (72)

18 Apr 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Plymouth.

First with HMS Limbourne (Cdr. C.B. Alers-Hankey, DSC, RN) and HMS Wensleydale (Lt. J.A. McClure, DSC, RN). Then with HMS Matchless (Lt.Cdr. J. Mowlam, DSO, RN) and HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN). And finally with ORP Piorun (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) T. Gorazdowski) and ORP Krakowiak (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) J.A. Tchorznicki). (72)

19 Apr 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Plymouth.

First with HMS Limbourne (Cdr. C.B. Alers-Hankey, DSC, RN) and HMS Tanatside (Lt.Cdr. F.D. Brown, RN). Then with HMS Wensleydale (Lt. J.A. McClure, DSC, RN). Later with HMS Gweal (/A/Lt.Cdr. W.T. Hodson, DSC and Bar, RNVR) and HMS Lincolnshire (A/Skr.Lt. S.L. Larner, RNR) and finally with HMS Susannah Jane (T/Lt. H.U. Thompson, RNVR), HMS Black Arrow (T/Lt. A.K. Rothnie, RNVR) and HMS Romaro (T/S.Lt. J.S.C. Dealy, RNVR). (72)

21 Apr 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Plymouth.

First with HMS Cape Comorin (T/Lt. N.L. Brown, RNVR) and then with HMS Limbourne (Cdr. C.B. Alers-Hankey, DSC, RN) and HMS Tanatside (Lt.Cdr. F.D. Brown, RN). (72)

22 Apr 1943
During 22 April and 23 April 1943, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN), conducted exercises off Plymouth. These included night exercises with RAF aircraft. HMS Ambrose Pare (Skr. J.W. Morris, RNR) remained in the area as escort. (72)

25 Apr 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Plymouth.

First with HMS Ulva (Skr. E.R. Harris, RNR) and HMS Cornelian (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S. Gorrell, RNR) and then with ORP Krakowiak (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) J.A. Tchorznicki) and HMS Goathland (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Pumphrey, RN, DSO and 2 Bars, DSC, RN). (72)

13 May 1943
Around 1530B/13, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) departed Plymouth for Holy Loch. She made the passage together with HMS H 32 (Lt. T.G. Ridgeway, RN) that was to proceed to Rothesay. They were escorted by HMS Damsay (T/Lt. A.M. Sullivan, RNVR). (73)

16 May 1943
Around 1945B/16, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (73)

18 May 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) proceeded from Holy Loch to Troon where she was to refit. (73)

1 Oct 1943
With her refit completed, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN), proceeded from Troon to Holy Loch to begin period of trials and training. En-route to Holy Loch full power trials were carried out. (74)

4 Oct 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) conducted independent exercises in the Clyde area. (74)

5 Oct 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) conducted independent exercises in the Clyde area. (74)

6 Oct 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) conducted independent exercises in the Clyde area. These were followed by full power trials and submerged runs over the measured mile. (74)

7 Oct 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) conducted STU trials off the Fairlie dummy minefield. (74)

9 Oct 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) participated in A/S exercises in the Clyde area. (74)

11 Oct 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) conducted torpedo firing trials in Loch Long. (74)

13 Oct 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. These included attack exercises during which HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) A.L. Sanders, RN) acted as target and also gunnery exercises on a target towed by HMS Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.D. O'Driscoll, RNR). (74)

14 Oct 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) conducted radar exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.D. O'Driscoll, RNR). Taku proceeded to Campbeltown upon completion of these exercises. (74)

15 Oct 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) proceeded from Campbeltown to Rothesay. (74)

16 Oct 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) and HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) A.L. Sanders, RN). Also gunnery exercises were carried out on a target towed by HMS Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.D. O'Driscoll, RNR). (74)

18 Oct 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) conducted attack exercises for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) in the Clyde area during which HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN) acted as target. (74)

19 Oct 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) conducted attack exercises for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) in the Clyde area during which HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN) acted as target. (74)

20 Oct 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) conducted attack exercises for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) in the Clyde area with HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN) as target. (74)

21 Oct 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Thrasher (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) and vice versa. (74)

22 Oct 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Thrasher (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN) and vice versa. (74)

25 Oct 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) is docked at Holy Loch in AFD 7. (74)

26 Oct 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) is undocked. (74)

27 Oct 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN), HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) and HMS Unswerving (Lt. M.D. Tattersall, RNVR) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) acted as target. (74)

28 Oct 1943
On completion of yesterday's exercises, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN), proceeded to Larne. (74)

29 Oct 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) and HMS Viking (Lt. R. Bannar-Martin, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises off Larne on HMS Philante (Capt. A.J. Baker-Cresswell, DSO, RN) which was escorted by the destroyer escorts USS Charles Lawrence (Lt. F. Kernan, Jr., USNR, with COMTASKGR 21.6 / COMCORTDIV 6, T/Capt. H.T. Read, USN on board), USS Daniel T. Griffin (Lt. F. Denfeld, USNR), USS Donnell (Lt.Cdr. F.C. Billing, USNR), USS Sims (Lt J.A. Moffett, 2nd, USNR), USS Hopping (Lt. L.F. Loutrel, Jr., USNR) and USS Reeves (Lt.Cdr. M.S. Clark, USNR). (74)

30 Oct 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HMCS Brandon (T/Lt. H.E. McArthur, RCNVR) and HMCS Woodstock (T/Lt. C.E. Wright, RCNVR) and later with HMS Hotspur (Cdr. A.M. McKillop, RN). (74)

31 Oct 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) conducted attack exercises off Larne on a convoy. (74)

3 Nov 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with aircraft. (75)

4 Nov 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HMS Calder (Lt.Cdr. A.D. White, RD, RNR). Also a practice atttack was made on the frigate. (75)

6 Nov 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) and HMS Sceptre (Lt. I.S. McIntosh, MBE, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises on each other off Larne. (75)

9 Nov 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Larne. Later she proceeded from Larne to Holy Loch. She was escorted for most of the way by HMS ML 225 (T/Lt. D. Kaye, RNVR). (75)

11 Nov 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) A.L. Sanders, RN) as target. (75)

12 Nov 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) A.L. Sanders, RN) as target. (75)

13 Nov 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Unswerving (T/Lt. M.D. Tattersall, RNVR). Also gunnery exercises were carried out on a target that was being towed by HMS Shila (T/Skr. F.J. Grimble, RNR). (75)

15 Nov 1943
Around 1700A/15, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) departed Holy Loch for Scapa Flow. She was escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (75)

17 Nov 1943
Around 0930A/17, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow where she was to participate in A/S exercises. (75)

18 Nov 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Scapa Flow together with HMS Celia (T/Lt. L.B. Merrick, RNR) and HMS Switha (T/Lt. V.S. Jeffery, RNVR). (75)

19 Nov 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Scapa Flow together with HMS Kempenfelt (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Marjoribanks, RN) and HMS Halcyon (T/A/Lt.Cdr. L.J. Martin, RNVR). (75)

20 Nov 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Scapa Flow together with HMS Tenacious (Lt.Cdr. D.F. Townsend, RN) and HMS Musketeer (Cdr. R.L. Fisher, OBE, RN). (75)

21 Nov 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) conducted attack exercises off Scapa Flow together with HMS Thrasher (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, RN). (76)

22 Nov 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Scapa Flow together with HMS Tenacious (Lt.Cdr. D.F. Townsend, RN), HMS Termagant (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Scatchard, DSC, RN) and HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. C.H.de B. Newby, RN). (75)

24 Nov 1943
In the morning, HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) conducted A/S exercises at Scapa Flow with HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN).

Also in the morning, HMS Enterprise (Capt. H.T.W. Grant, RCN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow.

In the afternoon these cruisers conducted tracking exercises off Scapa Flow. (77)

26 Nov 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Scapa Flow together with HMS Virago (Lt.Cdr. A.J.R. White, RN). (75)

27 Nov 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Scapa Flow together with HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. C.H.de B. Newby, RN) and HMS Virago (Lt.Cdr. A.J.R. White, RN). (75)

29 Nov 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Scapa Flow together with HMS Milne (Capt. I.M.R. Campbell, DSO, RN), HMIS Cauvery (A/Cdr. A.W. Beeton, RIN) and later with HMS Kempenfelt (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Marjoribanks, RN) and HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. C.H.de B. Newby, RN). (75)

30 Nov 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Scapa Flow together with HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN), HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN), HMIS Cauvery (A/Cdr. A.W. Beeton, RIN) and HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. C.H.de B. Newby, RN). (75)

1 Dec 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Holy Loch. She was escorted by HMS Sardonyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne, RNVR).

[No logs of HMS Taku are available for the months of December 1943 and January 1944 therefore some details for these months will be missing.] (78)

2 Dec 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (78)

18 Dec 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) departed Holy Loch for Lerwick. She was escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (78)

21 Dec 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) arrived at Lerwick. Almost the whole crew, including the Commanding Officer had the flu so her departure for patrol was cancelled. (78)

2 Jan 1944
Around 0900A/2, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) departed from Lerwick for her 22th war patrol. She is to make a anti-U-boat patrol in the Norwegian Sea.

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

(6)

13 Jan 1944
At 1830A/13, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) surfaced in position 64°20'N, 00°06'W after a day of submerged patrol. She then left patrol to return to Lerwick as ordered in Capt. S 9's signal timed 1505A/10. (6)

15 Jan 1944
Around 1100A/15, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) ended her 22th war patrol at Lerwick. (6)

16 Jan 1944
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) departed Lerwick for passage to Holy Loch. She made the passage together with HMS Unswerving (T/Lt. M.D. Tattersall, RNVR). Around 0930/17 they made rendez-vous off Scapa Flow with HrMs Zwaardvisch (Lt.Cdr. H.A.W. Goossens, RNN) escorted by HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) C.M. Norman, RN). (78)

18 Jan 1944
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (78)

29 Jan 1944
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN), HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) and HMS Tradewind (Lt.Cdr. S.L.C. Maydon, DSO and Bar, RN) departed from Holy Loch for Lerwick. They are escorted by the armed yacht HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (78)

31 Jan 1944
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) arrived at Lerwick. (78)

2 Feb 1944
Around 0900A/2, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) departed from Lerwick for her 23th war patrol. She is to patrol off Norway near Stavanger.

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

(6)

4 Feb 1944
At 1600A/4, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) sighted a southbound convoy leaving the Karmsund. It was thought to be made up of three transports, one of 2500 tons, one of 1000 tons and one of 400 tons. They were escorted by two trawlers. Their speed was about 7 knots. These were most probably the convoy made up of the transports Petropolis (German, 4849 GRT, built 1911), Hubert Schroder (German, 1378 GRT, built 1918) and Ulv (Norwegian, 938 GRT, built 1921) escorted by the auxiliary patrol vessels V 5106 and V 5110 on passage from Bergen (departed 0430B/4) to Stavanger

Lt. Pitt did not attack as larger, northbound ships had been reported to him in the Flag Officers Submarines signal timed 1344A/4 which had just been received.

At 1700A/4, a 500 tons motor vessel was seen proceeding from the Boknafjord to Stavanger. (79)

5 Feb 1944
While patrolling off the Boknafjord, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) sighted a lot of local traffic, mostly smaller ships proceeding to and from the direction of Stavanger during the entire day.

At 0900A/5, an armed trawler was seen to proceed from Stavanger to the Karm Sund. This was most likely the auxiliary patrol vessel V 5106 which had departed Stavanger around 0730B/5 for Haugesund.

At 1100A/5, another armed trawler was seen to proceed from Stavanger to the Karm Sund. [We have been unable to identify this vessel.]

At 1200A/5, two armed trawlers were seen to be patrolling to the seawards of Taku. [We have been unable to identify these vessels.]

At 2005A/5, HMS Taku grounded but she got off without apparent damage 15 minutes later. (6)

6 Feb 1944
While patrolling off the Boknafjord, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) again sighed a lot of local traffic, mostly smaller ships proceeding to and from the direction of Stavanger during the entire day. At 0930A/6, an armed trawler was seen patrolling to the south. (6)

7 Feb 1944
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) torpedoed and sank the transport Rheinhausen (German, 6298 GRT, built 1912) in position 59°07'N, 05°27'E.

The Rheinhausen was carrying 9000 tons of coal, the other vessels in convoy were the transports Isle Fritzen (German, 5099 GRT, built 1922), Maurita (Norwegian, 1569 GRT, built 1925), Roald Jarl (Norwegian, 1404 GRT, built 1913), Vega (Swedish, 1073 GRT, built 1913) and Wachtel (German, 992 GRT, built 1924). They were escorted by the auxiliary patrol vessels NS-22, NS-09, NS-24 and V-5110. The whole crew of the Rheinhausen (including two wounded) was saved by NS-22. The convoy was on passage from Stavanger (left around 0900B/7) to Bergen.

1010A/7 - Sighted a northbound convoy. Went to full submerged speed for 8 minutes to get into a firing position.

1024A/7 - Fired four torpedoes from 3500 yards and went to 80 feet. 40 Seconds after firing the first torpedo an explosion was heard, most likely a premature. 2 Minutes and 24 seconds after firing the first torpedo another explosion was heard. 15 Depth charges were dropped by the escort but these were not close and Taku was never detected.

1124A/7 - Came to periscope depth. Two trawlers and one aircraft were seen about two mile away. The target was seen to be stopped and on fire and with her boats away. Ten minutes later it was seen that the bow rose high out of the water. Five minutes later she had sunk and breaking up noises were heard. It was now seen that the convoy was made up of a 6000 ton ship (that was sunk), a 4000 ton ship, four 3000 tonners. Two escorts were seen but there were probably more. Taku reloaded and withdraw to the seaward where she also remained on the 8th February. (80)

11 Feb 1944
At 1100A/11, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN), which is now patrolling further to the north, sighted a convoy of two transports of about 1000 tons and a smaller 300 tons vessel northbound proceeding from Haugesund towards the Bomlafjorden. An attack was started but it had to be broken off around 1130A/11.

The two biggest ships seen were probably the transports Pinguin (German, 1212 GRT, built 1907) and Triton (German, 1620 GRT, built 1921) which arrived at Bergen around 1745B/11. (79)

12 Feb 1944
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) torpedoed and heavily damaged the transport Harm Fritzen (German, 4818 GRT, built 1915) off the Bomlafjord in position 59°34'N, 05°14'E. The ship was run aground to prevent it from sinking. The ship was later salvaged.

Harm Fritzen was escorted by the German auxiliary patrol vessel NS 09.

1125A/12 - Sighted a merchant of about 3000 tons and one escort. They were northbound proceeding on a course of 030° at 6 knots. The escort was astern of the transport.

1154A/12 - Fired four torpedoes from 1200 yards and went to 80 feet. 1 minute and 2 seconds after firing the first torpedo heard and explosion followed very shortly by loud and pronounced breaking up noises. Three depth charges were dropped but these were not close and Taku was not detected.

Following this successful attack HMS Taku left the area and returned to the area off Stavanger. (79)

13 Feb 1944
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) torpedoed and sank the transport Hans Bornhofen (German, 2130 GRT, built 1905) in the Boknafjorden, 8 nautical miles south of Skudeneshavn, Norway in position 59°08'N, 05°24'E.

Besides the Hans Bornhofen this convoy was made up of the transports Uhlenhorst (German, 3741 GRT, built 1909) and Godfred Hansen (Danish, 394 GRT, built 1931). They were escorted by NS-21 and V-5108. The convoy had left Bergen around 0440A/13.

1624A/13 - Sighted a southbound convoy of two 3000 ton merchants, two 1500 ton merchants and four escorts coming down Karm Sund towards Stavanger. Started attack.

1703A/13 - Fired four torpedoes at the leading 3000 ton merchant ship from 1500 yards and went to 80 feet. About 70-75 seconds after firing the first torpedo three explosions were heard. Taku meanwhile retired to the seaward.

1737A/13 - Came to periscope depth. Three trawlers and one aircraft were seen close by. Went deep again. (6)

16 Feb 1944
At 1945A/16, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) surfaced in approximate position 60°01'N, 04°12'E. She then left patrol in accordance with Capt. S 9's signal timed 1747A/13. (81)

18 Feb 1944
Around 1100A/18, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) ended her 23th war patrol at Lerwick. (6)

19 Feb 1944
Around 0700A/19, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) departed Lerwick for Holy Loch together with HMS Tradewind (Lt.Cdr. S.L.C. Maydon, DSO and Bar, RN). They are escorted by the armed yacht HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (82)

21 Feb 1944
Around 1230A/21, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (82)

23 Feb 1944
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) is docked at Holy Loch in AFD 7. (82)

24 Feb 1944
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) is undocked. (82)

28 Feb 1944
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) proceeded from Holy Loch to Ardrossan where she was docked. (82)

8 Mar 1944
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) is undocked. (83)

9 Mar 1944
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) proceeded from Ardrossan to Holy Loch. (83)

11 Mar 1944
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) is docked at Holy Loch in AFD 7. She was undocked later the same day. (83)

13 Mar 1944
Around 1445A/13, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) departed Holy Loch for Lerwick. She was escorted by HMS Milford (Lt.Cdr. G.G. Slade, RN). (83)

15 Mar 1944
Around 1030A/15, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) arrived at Lerwick. (83)

16 Mar 1944
Around 0230A/16, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) departed from Lerwick for her 24th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off Norway in the Trondheim area. She is to intercept the German battleship Tirpitz that is possibly going to leave Norway for repairs in Germany. Taku was part of 'Operstion Foremost'in which a whole lot of Allied submarines were placed along the coast of Norway to intercept the Tirpitz if she came south. She was not allowed to attack enemy merchant shipping.

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

(6)

21 Mar 1944
At 0010A/21, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) received the Flag Officer Submarine's signal timed 2300A/20, ordering all submarines on patrol off Norway to also start attacking enemy shipping.

HMS Taku was ordered to patrol in the Kya area, between latitudes 64°10'N and 65°00'N. (6)

24 Mar 1944
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) fires five torpedoes at the tanker Hydra (German (former Danish), 10128 GRT, built 1942) in a German convoy about 25 nautical miles west of Namsos, Norway in position 64°33'N 10°37'E. The German transport Moshill (German (former Norwegian), 2959 GRT, built 1940) was also in this convoy. Four torpedo tracks had been observed to pass between the two ships. The air cover had also sighted the torpedo tracks and attacked the submarine with depth charges. Five explosions were heard by the Germans when the torpedoes hit the shore.

This convoy had departed Trondheim around 0115B/24 for Bodo where it arrived around 0100B/25. The convoy was escorted by the minesweeper M 132. At 0815B/24, near the Buholmrasa Lighthouse the minesweeper M 36 joined the convoy which was around the time of the attack. Some auxiliary patrol vessels (trawlers) were also in the area but were not part of the actual escort.

0630A/24 - Sighted 2 aircraft circling bearing 190° and very distant. Obviously escorting a convoy. Started attack.

0826A/24 - Finally saw the target, a large tanker of about 10000 tons.

0833A/24 - Fired the first of six torpedoes from 3500 yards and went to 80 feet.

0836A/24 - One torpedo hit was heard. Also a depth charge exploded very close by causing minor damage through which Taku ended up at 280 feet. This depth charge was most likely dropped by one of the escorting aircraft. No more depth charges were dropped after this single one.

1000A/24 - No HE was heard so came to periscope depth. Nothing in sight except a few fishing vessel. Withdrew to the Westward and reloaded the torpedo tubes. (84)

28 Mar 1944
At 0349A/28, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) left patrol to return to Lerwick as ordered in Capt. S 9's signal timed 0939A/27. (6)

30 Mar 1944
Around 1115A/30, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) ended her 24th war patrol at Lerwick. (6)

8 Apr 1944
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) conducted exercises off Lerwick during which practice attacks were made on HNoMS Nordkapp. (85)

10 Apr 1944
Around 0800B/10, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) departed from Lerwick for her 25th war patrol. She is to patrol in the Skagerrak.

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

(6)

13 Apr 1944
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) is damaged when a mine explodes overhead. The patrol has to be abandoned.

0248B/13 - Dived in position 57°30'N, 07°20'E to pass under the Skagerrak mine barrier at 220 feet.

0754B/13 - In position 57°34'N, 07°42'E a very loud explosion occurred overhead. Quite some damage was done and Lt. Pitt eventually decided to abandon patrol and proceed back to Lerwick. (6)

16 Apr 1944
Around 1040B/16, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) ended her 25th war patrol prematurely at Lerwick. (6)

20 Apr 1944
Around 0700B/20, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) departed Lerwick for Holy Loch. She was escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (A/Cdr. E.A. Stocker, DSC, RN). The next day, off Scapa Flow, they were joined by the Dutch submarine HrMs O 15 (Lt. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) and the British submarine HMS Visigoth (Lt. J.R.H. Haddow, DSC, RN). (85)

23 Apr 1944
Around 1230B/23, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (85)

26 Apr 1944
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) is docked at Holy Loch in AFD 7 to inspect the damage. She was undocked later the same day. (85)

2 May 1944
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. (86)

5 May 1944
Around 0815B/5, HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) arrived at Blyth. (86)

12 May 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) proceeded from Blyth to the Swan Hunter shipyard at Wallsend-on-Tyne where repairs were to be made. (86)

5 Jul 1944
With her repairs completed HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) proceeded from South Shields to Blyth. At Blyth she was assigned to training new submarine crews. (87)

10 Jul 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth. (87)

11 Jul 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth. (87)

12 Jul 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth. (87)

14 Jul 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth. (87)

18 Jul 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (87)

19 Jul 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (87)

20 Jul 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (87)

21 Jul 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. These exercises also included night exercises during the night of 21/22 July 1944. (87)

25 Jul 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (87)

26 Jul 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (87)

27 Jul 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (87)

28 Jul 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (87)

10 Aug 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted W/T trials off Blyth. (88)

11 Aug 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted W/T trials off Blyth. (88)

15 Aug 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (88)

16 Aug 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (88)

17 Aug 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (88)

18 Aug 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (88)

22 Aug 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (88)

23 Aug 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (88)

25 Aug 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (88)

29 Aug 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (88)

30 Aug 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (88)

31 Aug 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) is docked at Blyth in No.3 Dry Dock. (88)

4 Sep 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) is undocked. (89)

6 Sep 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (89)

8 Sep 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (89)

14 Sep 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (89)

15 Sep 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (89)

19 Sep 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (89)

21 Sep 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (89)

22 Sep 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (89)

25 Sep 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (89)

27 Sep 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (89)

29 Sep 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (89)

3 Oct 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (90)

4 Oct 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (90)

5 Oct 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (90)

6 Oct 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (90)

9 Oct 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (90)

10 Oct 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (90)

12 Oct 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (90)

13 Oct 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (90)

16 Oct 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (90)

19 Oct 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) departed from Blyth to pick up a pilot from a crashed aircraft who has parachuted in the sea. This airman was successfully recovered at 1010 hours in position 55°02.6'N, 01°20.4'E. (90)

21 Oct 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (90)

24 Oct 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (90)

26 Oct 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (90)

27 Oct 1944
HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (90)

1 Nov 1944
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (91)

2 Nov 1944
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (91)

3 Nov 1944
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (91)

9 Nov 1944
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (91)

10 Nov 1944
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (91)

23 Nov 1944
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (91)

24 Nov 1944
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (91)

28 Nov 1944
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (91)

29 Nov 1944
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (91)

30 Nov 1944
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (91)

5 Dec 1944
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (92)

6 Dec 1944
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (92)

7 Dec 1944
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (92)

18 Dec 1944
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (92)

21 Dec 1944
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (92)

22 Dec 1944
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (92)

28 Dec 1944
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (92)

2 Jan 1945
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (93)

3 Jan 1945
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (93)

4 Jan 1945
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (93)

5 Jan 1945
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (93)

10 Jan 1945
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (93)

16 Jan 1945
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (93)

17 Jan 1945
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (93)

29 Jan 1945
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (93)

31 Jan 1945
During 31 January / 1 February 1945, HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. These included night exercises. (94)

5 Feb 1945
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (95)

6 Feb 1945
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (95)

7 Feb 1945
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (95)

8 Feb 1945
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (95)

9 Feb 1945
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (95)

13 Feb 1945
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (95)

14 Feb 1945
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (95)

15 Feb 1945
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (95)

19 Feb 1945
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (95)

20 Feb 1945
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (95)

21 Feb 1945
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (95)

22 Feb 1945
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (95)

23 Feb 1945
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (95)

1 Mar 1945
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (96)

2 Mar 1945
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (96)

6 Mar 1945
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (96)

7 Mar 1945
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (96)

8 Mar 1945
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (96)

9 Mar 1945
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (96)

13 Mar 1945
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (96)

14 Mar 1945
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (96)

16 Mar 1945
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (96)

19 Mar 1945
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (96)

20 Mar 1945
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (96)

21 Mar 1945
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (96)

29 Mar 1945
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (96)

4 Apr 1945
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN or Lt. J.P. Angell, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (97)

5 Apr 1945
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN or Lt. J.P. Angell, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (97)

6 Apr 1945
HMS Taku (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Hunt, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN or Lt. J.P. Angell, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (97)

11 Apr 1945
HMS Taku (Lt. J.P. Angell, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (97)

13 Apr 1945
HMS Taku (Lt. J.P. Angell, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (97)

17 Apr 1945
HMS Taku (Lt. J.P. Angell, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (97)

18 Apr 1945
HMS Taku (Lt. J.P. Angell, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (97)

24 Apr 1945
HMS Taku (Lt. J.P. Angell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (97)

25 Apr 1945
HMS Taku (Lt. J.P. Angell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (97)

27 Apr 1945
HMS Taku (Lt. J.P. Angell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (97)

30 Apr 1945
HMS Taku (Lt. J.P. Angell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners.

[There is no logbook available of HMS Taku for the month of May 1945, therefore no details for this month are known to us. She was at Blyth during the entire month.] (98)

5 Jun 1945
HMS Taku (Lt. W.H. Kett, DSC, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (99)

6 Jun 1945
HMS Taku (Lt. W.H. Kett, DSC, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (99)

7 Jun 1945
HMS Taku (Lt. W.H. Kett, DSC, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (99)

8 Jun 1945
HMS Taku (Lt. W.H. Kett, DSC, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (99)

13 Jun 1945
HMS Taku (Lt. W.H. Kett, DSC, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (99)

14 Jun 1945
HMS Taku (Lt. W.H. Kett, DSC, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners. (99)

18 Jun 1945
The crew of HMS Taku went over to HMS Tactician. Taku was now prepared to be reduced to reserve. (99)

20 Sep 1945
HMS Taku (Lt. J. Nash, RN) was commissioned from reserve at Blyth for passage to Falmouth where she was to be berthed on the mud to await scrapping. (100)

25 Sep 1945
HMS Taku (Lt. J. Nash, RN) departed Blyth for the Chatham Dockyard where she was to stripped of all usable parts. (100)

26 Sep 1945
HMS Taku (Lt. J. Nash, RN) arrived at the Chatham Dockyard. (100)

6 Nov 1945
HMS Taku departed the Chatham Dockyard for Falmouth in tow of HMS Enforcer. (40)

8 Nov 1945
HMS Taku arrived at Falmouth where she was berthed on the mud. (40)

As an Amazon Associate uboat.net earns a commission from qualifying purchases.