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Notable events involving Talisman include:

The history of HMS Talisman as compiled on this page is extracted from patrol reports and logbooks of this submarine. 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 February 2012.

This page was last updated in April 2024.

26 Jun 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) conducted trials off Liverpool. Upon completion of these she departed Liverpool Bay for Greenock. During the passage to the Clyde she was escorted by HMS Imogen (Cdr. C.L. Firth, MVO, RN). (1)

27 Jun 1940
Around 1125A/27, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) arrived at Greenock for a period of trials and training in the Clyde area. (1)

28 Jun 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) conducted trials in the Clyde area. These included speed trials on the measured mile. (1)

29 Jun 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) conducted diving trials in the Clyde area during which she was escorted by HMS Imogen (Cdr. C.L. Firth, MVO, RN). (1)

30 Jun 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) proceeded from Greenock to the torpedo firing range at Arrochar. (2)

1 Jul 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) conducted independent exercises in Loch Long. (3)

2 Jul 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) conducted independent exercises in Loch Long. (3)

4 Jul 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) conducted independent exercises in Loch Long. (3)

5 Jul 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (3)

6 Jul 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (3)

7 Jul 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (3)

8 Jul 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (3)

9 Jul 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (3)

10 Jul 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (3)

11 Jul 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) left Arrichar for independent exercises in the Clyde area. Upon completion of these exercises she proceeded to Rothesay. (3)

12 Jul 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) conducted independent exercises in the Clyde area. Upon completion of these exercises she proceeded to Greenock. (3)

15 Jul 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) proceeded from Greenock to Arrochar where she conducted torpedo discharge trials. (3)

16 Jul 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) conducted minelaying trials off Arrochar. The mines were laid from the torpedo tubes. (3)

17 Jul 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) conducted minelaying trials off Arrochar. The mines were laid from the torpedo tubes. (3)

19 Jul 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) proceeded from Arrochar to Greenock. (3)

20 Jul 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) proceeded from Greenock to Rothesay. (3)

21 Jul 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) proceeded from Rothesay to Govan where she was docked in No.3 Dry Dock for examination of and repairs to her bow caps. (3)

22 Jul 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) is undocked. She then proceeded from Govan to Rothesay. (3)

24 Jul 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN) acted as the target. (3)

25 Jul 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Otway (Lt. G.C.I.St.B.S. Watkins, RN) and HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN) acted as the targets. (3)

27 Jul 1940
With her trials and training completed, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN), departed Rothesay around 1945A/27 for her 1st war patrol. During the passage south through the Irish Sea HMS Talisman was escorted by the ASW trawler HMS Lord Hailsham (Skr. F.J.J. Cannon, RNR). She was ordered to patrol in the Bay of Biscay. (4)

27 Jul 1940
For the daily positions of HMS Talisman during her 1st war patrol see the map below.

29 Jul 1940
At 1928A/29, while still under escort and near position 50°06'N, 06°23'W, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) was bombed by three German Junker 88 aircraft west of Land’s End, she dived to 120 feet and escaped damage.

At 2200A/29, the escort, the ASW trawler HMS Lord Hailsham (Skr. F.J.J. Cannon, RNR), parted company. (4)

3 Aug 1940
Between 0045-0145A/3, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) carried out Special Operation A5/SL02, landing two SIS agents by canoe near Hourtin Light (Gironde estuary).

At 1314A/3, while still near the Gironde estuary, a merchant vessel of about 1000 tons was sighted. She was steering a course of 180°.

At 1426A/3, a merchant vessel of about 1200 tons was sighted. She was steering a course of 090°.

Both ships could not be attacked.

[We have been unable to identify these vessels.]. (4)

7 Aug 1940
While patrolling west of Ile d'Oleron, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) sighted several merchant / fishing vessels during the day but none were / could be attacked.

Sightings were as follows;
At 0340A/7, a merchant vessel was sighted bearing 300°. She crossed from port to starboard.

At 0800A/7, a merchant vessel was sighted steering 310° coming out of Pertuis d'Antioche.

At 0950A/7, a small diesel trawler was sighed. She flew a white flag above the French ensign.

At 1230A/7, two small steamers, apparently in company, were sighted off Pertuis d'Antioche. They also flew a white flag above the French ensign. It was thought these were pilot vessels.

[We have been unable to identify these vessels.] (5)

8 Aug 1940
At 1227A/8, while patrolling west of Pertuis d'Antioche, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) sighted three merchant of about 4000 tons. They were in company and proceeding on course 300°. They appeared to be escorted by an aircraft.

At 1400A/8, a small vessel, thought to be a pilot vessel was sighed.

[We have been unable to identify these vessels.] (5)

11 Aug 1940
At 1130A/11, while patrolling west of Ile d'Oleron, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) sighted three merchant vessels of about 5000 tons which were flying the French flag and were proceeding on a course of 330°. They passed at a range of 4000 yards. They appeared to be escorted by an aircraft.

[We have been unable to identify these vessels.] (5)

12 Aug 1940
At 0915A/12, while patrolling west of Gironde estuary, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) sighted a merchant vessel of about 7000 tons which was flying the French flag and was proceeding on a course of 330°. [We have been unable to identify this ship.]

HMS Talisman left patrol later this day. (5)

14 Aug 1940
Around 0845A/14, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Falmouth. She was escorted in by HMS Maid Marion (Capt.(Retd.) J.C.J. Soutter, RN).

Around 2020A/14, HMS Talisman departed Falmouth for Rothesay. During the passage north through the Irish Sea she was escorted by HMS St. Modwen (Cdr.(Retd.) W.A. Ford, RN). (5)

16 Aug 1940
Around 1215A/16, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) arrived at Rothesay from Falmouth. (6)

23 Aug 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) conducted D/G trials at Rothesay. (6)

26 Aug 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) and HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN) acted as target. (6)

30 Aug 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) and HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN) acted as target. (6)

31 Aug 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) conducted D/G trials at Rothesay. (6)

2 Sep 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN). Also gunnery exercises were carried out on a target towed by HMS Alecto (Cdr. R.M.G. Gambier, RN). (7)

5 Sep 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) conducted D/G trials at Rothesay. (7)

6 Sep 1940
At 0530A/6, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) departed Rothesay for her 2nd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol West of the Hebrides on an anti-uboat patrol. On departure from Rothesay she was escorted by HrMs Z 6 (Lt.Cdr. A.C. Lunbeck, RNN).

At 1225A/6, escort was taken over by HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) C.C. Flemming, RN) which escorted the submarine to position 56°42'N, 07°54'E. They parted company at 0800A/7. (8)

6 Sep 1940
For the daily positions of HMS Talisman during her 2nd war patrol see the map below.

13 Sep 1940
At 2345A/13, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Rothesay. The patrol had been uneventful. She was escorted in by HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A. E. Johnston, RN) which had joined her around 0605A/13. (8)

14 Sep 1940
Late in the morning, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) proceeded from Rothesay to Holy Loch. (7)

15 Sep 1940
Around 0600A/15, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) and HMS Tuna (Lt.Cdr. M.K. Cavenagh-Mainwaring, RN) departed from Holy Loch for Portsmouth and patrol respectively. They were escorted southwards through the Irish Sea by HMS Rosemary (Lt.(Retd.) H.V. Wheeler, RN). (7)

17 Sep 1940
Around 1700A/17, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) arrived at Falmouth. (7)

18 Sep 1940
Around 1710A/18, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) departed from Falmouth for Portsmouth. She was escorted by HMS St. Kenan (T/Lt. H.J. Beverley, RNR). (7)

19 Sep 1940
Around 1100A/19, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) arrived at Portsmouth. Before entering harbour she carried out D/G trials. (7)

20 Sep 1940
Around 1700A/20, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) departed from Portsmouth for her 3rd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the English Channel off Cherbourg, France.

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

(4)

23 Sep 1940
At 1910A/23, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) sighted two westbound German Leberecht Maas class destroyers near Cherbourg, France. Range was 8000 yards so they could not be attacked.

The destroyers were the Z 5 / Paul Jacobi and Z 15 / Erich Steinbrinck which were on passage from Wilhemshaven (departed around 1700B/22) to Brest (arrived around 0920B/24). (9)

24 Sep 1940
At 1340A/24, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) sighted two small merchant vessels of about 600 to 1000 tons close inshore proceeding westwards. [We have been unable to identify these ships.] (8)

25 Sep 1940
At 0930A/25, while still on patrol near Cherbourg, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) sighted three vessels thought to be two motorboats and a lifeboat searching the area presumably for survivors from downed aircraft. [We have been unable to identify these vessels.] (8)

26 Sep 1940
At 1425A/26, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) observed an enemy tanker of about 7000 ton rounding Cape Barfleur. She was escorted by two trawlers and aircraft. The tanker could not be attacked and passed out of range. The ships appeared to enter Cherbourg. This was however not the case.

The tanker was the German Belchen (6367 GRT, built 1932, former Norwegian Sysla) which was en-route to Brest. She was escorted by the auxiliary submarine chaser UJ 124 and at the moment she was sighted there were most likely also auxiliary patrol vessels from the 2nd VP flotilla present, most likely V 211 and V 212. Belchen and UJ 124 arrived at Brest around 1810B/27.

At 1900A/26, a motor torpedo boat was sighted stopped in position 49°52'N, 01°25'W. HMS Talisman went to 80 feet to evade.

At 2030A/26, HMS Talisman surfaced after a days of submerged patrol. She left patrol for Portsmouth around 2230A/26. (10)

27 Sep 1940
Around 1030A/27, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol at Portsmouth. On entering harbour she made three runs on the D/G range.

HMS Talisman was escorted in by the patrol vessel Chasseur 13 (Lt. N.R.H. Rodney, RN) which had joined her around 0700A/27. (4)

2 Oct 1940
Around 1630A/2, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) departed from Portsmouth for Holy Loch. (11)

3 Oct 1940
At 0720A/3, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) is machine gunned by a German Dornier 215 aircraft near position 49°55'N, 04°53'W. The Officer of the Watch T/S.Lt. P.S. Thirsk, RNR was wounded by a bullet in his left foot. At 1050A/3 he was transferred to an MA/SB to be taken to hospital.

At 1140A/3, HMS Talisman made rendes-vous with HMS Jasper (T/Lt. G.T.S. Clampitt, RNR) which escorted her north through the Irish Sea. (11)

5 Oct 1940
Around 1330A/5, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) arrived at Holy Loch from Portsmouth. (11)

6 Oct 1940
At 0640A/6, in very bad weather, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) runs aground at Holy Loch. She is refloated after almost six hours. No damage is sustained. (11)

9 Oct 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) conducted noise trials at Holy Loch followed by D/G trials on the D/G range at Helensburg which in turn were followed by independent exercises in Loch Long. On completion of these exercises she returned to Holy Loch. (11)

12 Oct 1940
Around 1930A/12, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) departed from Holy Loch for her 4th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Bay of Biscay.

During passage south through the Irish Sea she was escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). The escort parted company around 2045A/14 near Bishop Rock, Scilly Islands. (4)

12 Oct 1940
For the daily positions of HMS Talisman during her 4th war patrol see the map below.

18 Oct 1940
At 0116A/18, in position 46°00'N, 02°16'W, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) sighed a group of four armed trawlers patrolling. They were followed until around 0400A/18 but were not attacked. (12)

22 Oct 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) engages the Italian submarine Enrico Tazzoli with torpedoes and gunfire about 20 nautical miles North-West of the Gironde estuary. All six torpedoes fired missed their target. Four rounds were fired with the deck gun but these missed as well. Tazzoli meanwhile dived to safety.

0630A/22 - In position 45°49'N, 01°43'W sighted a black object bearing 240°. Soon after the object was identified as an Italian submarine steering course 123°. Started attack.

0644A/22 - Started firing a salvo of six torpedoes from tubes 1,2,3,4,7 and 8. Range was 3000 yards.

About 10 seconds after firing the first torpedo (and 3 seconds after firing the second torpedo) a violent explosion occurred close ahead of Talisman. The remaining torpedoes were fired with a 8 second delay. All torpedoes missed ahead as the speed of the target was over estimated.

0647A/22 - Dived. A bad leak was discovered forward. Talisman hit the bottom at 159 feet. Lt.Cdr. Francis decided to surface to reduce the pressure of the incoming water. There was also a possibility that Talisman was unable to submerge again so it was intended to get clear to the Westward before daylight.

0656A/22 - Surfaced. The enemy submarine was in sight bearing 165°, range 4000 yards. Engaged with the deck gun. Four rounds were fired before the enemy was seen to dive.

Continued to retire to the West. Soon after it was discovered that Talisman was not leaking forward but that a valve of one of the external torpedo tubes was leaking. (4)

26 Oct 1940
A 1900A/26, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) left patrol to return to Holy Loch. Besides the four armed trawlers seen on 18 October and the Italian submarine attacked on 22 October only fishing vessels had been sighted, almost every day. (4)

29 Oct 1940
At 0725A/29, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN), made rendez-vous with HMS Jackal (Cdr. C.L. Firth, RN). At 1803A/29 escort duties were taken over by HMS Rosemary (Lt.(Retd.) H.V. Wheeler, RN). (11)

30 Oct 1940
Around 2330A/30, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) ended her 4th war patrol at Holy Loch. (4)

16 Nov 1940
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Talisman during her 5th war patrol see the map below.

16 Nov 1940
Around 0830A/16, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) departed from Holy Loch for her 5th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Bay of Biscay. Passage south through the Irish Sea was made together with HMS Clyde (Cdr. D.C. Ingram, DSC, RN) which was to proceed to the Devonport Dockyard at Plymouth to refit. During the passage south through the Irish Sea they were escorted HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN).

They parted company around 0045A/18. (4)

20 Nov 1940
At 0430A/20, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) entered her patrol area. (4)

21 Nov 1940
At 1325A/21, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) sighed three armed trawlers west of Belle Ile, France, in position 47°19'N, 03°24'W. They were in line abreast 1500 yards apart. They were transmitting on Asdic on course 210°. They changed course to 020° at 1535A/21 and were subsequently lost from sight.

This were most likely ships from the 12th UJ-flotilla which were patrolling between Ile de Groix and Belle Ile during this day. Most likely it thus must have been three ships out of the following five; UJ 122, UJ 124, UJ 128, UJ D and UJ E. (13)

25 Nov 1940
At 1015A/25, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) sighed three westbound enemy torpedo boats of the ' Mowe-class ' in position 47°28'N, 03°44'W. Enemy speed was 20 knots. They were not attacked. These were the German torpedo boats Jaguar, Iltis and Wolf enroute to Brest from Quiberon Bay where they had been conducting exercises since 22 November. Before entering Brest they were ordered to proceed to Cherbourg instead where they arrived around 0400B/26.

Later the same day HMS Talisman attacked the German tanker Altengamme (5882 GRT, built 1916, former British Naptha Shipper) which was thought to be escorted by three A/S trawlers with six torpedoes about 10 nautical miles west of Ile de Groix in position 47°37'N, 03°51'W. The tanker was however not escorted by three but by two trawlers, these were the auxiliary patrol vessels V 703 and V 707. V 703 was screening ahead of the tanker and V 707 was behind the tanker. They had departed Brest around 1245B/24 for Lorient where they arrived shortly before 1900B/25.

The two patrol vessels had not noticed the torpedo attack except for some vibrations occurring. The crew of the tanker reported having seen two torpedo tracks passing ahead but they were not believed. V 707 had dropped one depth charge for good measure though. The Germans reported the position of the 'incident' as 47°38'5"N, 03°47'5"W.

1015A/25, In position 47°28'N, 03°44'W sighted three enemy torpedo boats of the ' Mowe-class ' bearing 080°. Enemy course was 090° at 20 knots.

1021A/25, The enemy passed at a range of 2000 yards. All three ships were camouflaged.

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1415A/25 - Sighted smoke to the North-West.

1425A/25 - The mast and funnel of a tanker could be seen. The tanker was escorted by three A/S trawlers. Range was 11000 yards, enemy course was 090°. Started attack.

1501A/25 - In position 47°37'N, 03°51'W fired six torpedoes from 6000 yards (tubes 1,2,3,4,7 and 8. Went deep upon firing. Eleven seconds after firing the first torpedo (from No.1 tube) a violent explosion occurred. This was the second time this happened (see the attack on 22 October 1940). Lt.Cdr. Francis considered it likely that there was a problem with No.1 torpedo tube. Some minor damage was inflicted as a result of this explosion. No. 9 and 10. external torpedoes, were damaged in this explosion as the front doors of both tubes were open at the time of the explosion.

1507A/25 - Heard an explosion.

1510A/25 - Heard two more explosions.

1525A/25 - Came to periscope depth. Saw the tanker stopped. Only two A/S trawlers were seen instead of the three present before the attack.

1550A/25 - The tanker was still stopped when last seen. She did not appear to be lower in the water though. (14)

26 Nov 1940
At 1920A/26, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) captured the French fishing vessel Le Clipper (40 GRT) in the Bay of Biscay near Lorient in position 47°08'N, 03°49'W.

Five SOE agents under Lt. Minshull, RN, boarded the vessel which was then used to observe U-boat movements off the Gironde estuary (operation Shamrock) before being brought into Falmouth.

The French crew of four of the Le Clipper were taken on board HMS Talisman. (4)

29 Nov 1940
At 1600A/29, in position 47°37'N, 04°04'W, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) sighed three trawlers proceeding on course 110°. They were in line abreast about 1500 yards apart. Possibly this were just fishing vessels. (15)

30 Nov 1940
At 1315A/30, in position 47°20'N, 03°25'W, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) sighed two trawlers proceeding on course 180°. They were in line abreast about 1500 yards apart. Possibly this were just fishing vessels. (15)

2 Dec 1940
At 1030A/2, in position 47°34'N, 03°51'W, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) sighed three enemy A/S trawlers. They were patrolling in line abreast transmitting on Asdic. Enemy course was 150°. This were most likely UJ 124, UJ 122 and UJ E from the 2nd UJ Flotilla which were patrolling in the approaches to Lorient on this day.

Ten minutes later four more trawlers were sighted. These were also in line abreast and were proceeding on course 250°. These trawlers were not transmitting on Asdic. These were most probably fishing vessels.

At 1300A/2, in position 47°35'N, 03°59'W, a destroyer was sighted hull down proceeding on course 270°. This must have been the German torpedo boat Greif which had departed St. Nazaire at 0955B/2 for Cherbourg where she arrived around 0220B/3.

At 2000A/2, HMS Talisman left patrol to return to Holy Loch. (16)

4 Dec 1940
At 0826A/4, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN), near the Pendeen lighthouse made rendez-vous with her escort, HMS PC 74 (A/Cdr.(Retd.) C.E.H. White, RN). They then proceeded north through the Irish Sea towards Holy Loch. (17)

5 Dec 1940
Around 2200A/5, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) ended her 5th war patrol at Holy Loch. (4)

17 Dec 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) proceeded from Holy Loch to Ardrossan where she was immediately docked to examine the torpedo tubes. (17)

20 Dec 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) is undocked at Ardrossan. She then returned to Holy Loch. (17)

22 Dec 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) conducted torpedo firing trials off Arrochar on completion of which she returned to Holy Loch. (17)

26 Dec 1940
Around 1800A/26, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) departed from Holy Loch for her 6th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Bay of Biscay to intercept U-boats west of the Gironde.

During the passage south through the Irish Sea she was escorted by HMS Surprise (Capt.(Retd.) E.Stubbs, RN).

They parted company near Wolf Rock around 0725A/28.

[No map of this patrol can be displayed as there are no logs available for HMS Talisman for this period.] (4)

6 Jan 1941
At 1100A/6, in position 45°55'N, 01°35'W, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) sighed what is though to be an A/S trawler proceeding on course 360°. This may have been the German auxiliary patrol vessel V 410 which was on (listening) patrol off the Gironde on this day. (18)

11 Jan 1941
At 1600A/11, in position 45°25'N, 01°49'W, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) sighed what is though to be an A/S trawler proceeding on course 090°. This may have been the German auxiliary patrol vessel V 401 which was on (listening) patrol off the Gironde on this day. Also on patrol off the Gironde on this day were the UJ boats UJ E, UJ D and UJ 128 but these would most likely have operated in company with each other. (19)

13 Jan 1941
At 0300A/13, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) left patrol to proceed to Plymouth unescorted. (4)

15 Jan 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) ended her 6th war patrol at Plymouth. No enemy contacts were made during this patrol. (4)

17 Jan 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) is docked at Plymouth.

[It is currently not known to us when she was undocked.] (20)

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. (20)

3 Feb 1941
Around 1700A/3, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) arrived at Holy Loch from Plymouth. (21)

7 Feb 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN), most likely, conduced exercises in the Clyde area. (22)

9 Feb 1941
Around 0900A/9, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) departed from Holy Loch for her 7th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Bay of Biscay west of the Gironde.

During the passage south through the Irish Sea she was escorted by HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Dobson, RNR). They parted company near Bishop Rock around 0200A/11.

[No map of this patrol can be displayed as there are no logs available for HMS Talisman for this period.] (4)

12 Feb 1941
Around 0300A/12, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) entered her patrol area.

At 2300A/12, HMS Talisman received FOS (Flag Officer Submarines) signal timed 1939A/12, ordering her not to proceed within 40 miles from the French coast. (4)

14 Feb 1941
Around 2300A/14, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) left patrol to return to Holy Loch. (4)

16 Feb 1941
At 0800A/16, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN), made rendes-vous with her escort HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Dobson, RNR) near the Pendeen lighthouse. Both vessels then proceeded north through the Irish Sea towards Holy Loch. (4)

17 Feb 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) ended her 7th war patrol at Holy Loch. No enemy contacts had been made during this patrol. (4)

6 Mar 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt. M. Willmott, RN) and HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) departed from Holy Loch for Halifax, Canada. They were escorted out by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) until around 2030A/7 when they parted company in position 57°57'N, 10°59'W.

En-route Talisman was ordered to several patrol positions to hunt the German battlecruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau who are operating against Allied sipping in the North-Atlantic.

No map of this passage can be displayed as there are no logs available for HMS Talisman for this period. (4)

12 Mar 1941
At 1837O/12, in mid-Atlantic, HMS Talisman (Lt. M. Willmott, RN) sighted two warships in position 54°02'N, 34°30'W. As the warships are thought to be the German battlecruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau. Lt. Willmott dived and started an attack but the warships were soon recognised as British. They were in fact HMS Rodney (Capt. F.H.G. Dalrymple-Hamilton, RN) and HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN). Lt. Willmott made a practice attack. At 2022 hours HMS Talisman surfaced and identified herself. (4)

26 Mar 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt. M. Willmott, RN) arrived at Halifax, Canada. In the early morning hours she was to rendez-vouz of the Sambro light vessel with the Canadian armed yacht HMCS Otter (T/Lt. D.S. Mossman, RCNR). HMS Talisman arrived at the rendez-vouz in thick fog, when the fog lifted at 0920Q/26 HMCS Otter was seen to be on fire. Talisman closed and found her abandoned. 4 survivors out of 9 that were on a raft were rescued, the other 5 unfortunately drowned.

HMCS Otter sank at 1115Q/26 in position 44°23'N, 63°23'W.

At 1415Q/26, HMS Talisman arrived at Halifax. (4)

8 Apr 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt. M. Willmott, RN), most likely, conducted exercises off Halifax. (23)

9 Apr 1941

Convoy SC 28.

This convoy departed Halifax on 9 April for Liverpool where it arrived on 28 April 1941.

Upon departure from Halifax the convoy was made up of the following merchant ships: Aeas (Greek, 4729 GRT, built 1915), Akabahra (Norwegian, 1524 GRT, built 1929), Aldington Court (British, 4891 GRT, built 1929), Almenara (British, 1851 GRT, built 1922), Anna Bulgaris (Greek, 4603 GRT, built 1912), Armathia (British, 4683 GRT, built 1919), Baron Inchcape (British, 7005 GRT, built 1917), Beckenham (British, 4636 GRT, built 1937), Bernhard (Norwegian, 3563 GRT, built 1924), Bosworth (British, 6672 GRT, built 1919), Bristol City (British, 2864 GRT, built 1920), Buccinum (British (tanker), 5237 GRT, built 1910), Despina (Greek, 3016 GRT, built 1907), Embassage (British, 4954 GRT, built 1935), Euthalia (Greek, 3553 GRT, built 1918), Georgios P. (Greek, 4052 GRT, built 1903), Gezina (Norwegian, 1828 GRT, built 1917), Gullpool (British, 4868 GRT, built 1928), Katvaldis (British, 3163 GRT, built 1907), King Stephen (British, 5274 GRT, built 1928), Kisnop (British, 5874 GRT, built 1919), Manatee (British, 5948 GRT, built 1920), Matronna (Greek, 2846 GRT, built 1902), Navarino (British, 4841 GRT, built 1937), Niceto de Larrinaga (British, 5591 GRT, built 1916), Prins Willem van Oranje (Dutch, 1303 GRT, built 1918), Rossum (Dutch, 2118 GRT, built 1928), Runswick (British, 3970 GRT, built 1930), Sildra (Norwegian (tanker), 7313 GRT, built 1927), Trojan Star (British, 9037 GRT, built 1936), Wellfield (British (tanker), 6054 GRT, built 1924) and West Amargosa (British, 5462 GRT, built 1919).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Chitral (Capt.(Retd.) G. Hamilton, RN).

Around 1615Q/11, the submarine HMS Talisman (Lt. M. Willmott, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 0915P/13, the battleship HMS Royal Sovereign (Capt. H.B. Jacomb, RN) arrived in the vicinity of the convoy. The battleship provided cover for both the convoys HX 120 and SC 28.

In the morning of the 13th, the Runswick dropped out of the convoy. HMS Chital doubled back for her but she was not seen again.

In the afternoon of the 18th, the Bernhard dropped out of the convoy due to engine trouble. She did not rejoin the convoy.

In the morning of the 19th, the Kisnop dropped out of the convoy due to engine trouble. She did not rejoin the convoy.

Around 1720P/19, HMS Talisman left the convoy to return to Halifax.

Also on the 19th, convoys HX 120 and SC 28 closed and from then until the 24th they remained in close company of each other.

Around 1900O/20, HMS Royal Sovereign left the vicinity near the convoy to return to Halifax.

Around 1530Z/21, HMS Chital left the convoy to proceed to Reykjavik.

When Chitral left the destroyer HMS Bulldog (Cdr. A.J.B. Cresswell, RN) and several other escort vessels (identity currently not known to us, further research is required) joined convoys HX 120 and SC 28.

On 24 April 1941 the destroyer HMS Scimitar (Lt. R.D. Franks, OBE, RN), corvettes HMS Dianthus (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) C.E. Bridgman, RNR), HMS Mallow (Lt.Cdr. W.B. Piggott, RNR), HMS Marigold (T/Lt. J. Renwick, RNR), HMS Nasturtium (Lt.Cdr. J.F.C. Bartley, DSC, RNR), HMS Periwinkle (Lt.Cdr. P.G. MacIver, RNR), HMS Primrose (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) A. Ayre, RNR) and the minesweepers HMS Bramble (Capt. M.H. Evelegh, RN), HMS Hazard (Lt.Cdr. J.R.A. Seymour, RN) and HMS Speedy (Lt. J.G. Brookes, RN) joined the convoy. The minesweepers departed later the same day. On the 26th, corvette HMS Mallow was detached. The destroyer HMS Wanderer (Cdr. A.F.St.G. Orpen, RN) joined on the 27th.

The convoy arrived at Liverpool on the 28th.

10 Apr 1941
Around 1540Q/10, HMS Talisman (Lt. M. Willmott, RN) departed from Halifax for convoy escort duty in the North Atlantic. She is to escort convoy SC 28 for part of the journey to the U.K.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy SC 28 ' for 9 April 1941.]

[No map of this convoy escort mission can be displayed as there are no logs available for HMS Talisman for this period.] (4)

19 Apr 1941
At 1718P/19, HMS Talisman (Lt. M. Willmott, RN) parted company with convoy SC 28 in position 53°34'N, 38°28'W and set course to return to Halifax. (4)

26 Apr 1941
Around 1415Q/26, HMS Talisman (Lt. M. Willmott, RN) arrived back at Halifax. (4)

13 May 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt. M. Willmott, RN) is docked at Halifax. (24)

15 May 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt. M. Willmott, RN) is undocked. (24)

16 May 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt. M. Willmott, RN), most likely, conducted exercises off Halifax. (24)

19 May 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt. M. Willmott, RN) departed from Halifax for convoy escort duty in the North Atlantic. She is to escort convoy SC 32 for part of the journey to the U.K.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy SC 32 ' for 19 May 1941.]

[No map of this convoy escort mission can be displayed as there are no logs available for HMS Talisman for this period.] (4)

19 May 1941

Convoy SC 32.

This convoy departed Halifax on 19 May 1941.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Antiope (British, 4545 GRT, built 1930), Baron Kinnaird (British, 3355 GRT, built 1927), Brynhild (British, 2195 GRT, built 1907), Chagres (British, 5545 GRT, built 1919), Dalemoor (British, 5835 GRT, built 1922), Empire Meteor (British, 7457 GRT, built 1940), Erica (Norwegian, 1592 GRT, built 1919), Flynderborg (British, 2022 GRT, built 1930), Glaisdale (British, 3777 GRT, built 1929), Inger Elizabeth (Norwegian, 2166 GRT, built 1920), Ingerfire (Norwegian, 3835 GRT, built 1905), Juno (Dutch, 1763 GRT, built 1908), Katwijk (Dutch, 1589 GRT, built 1921), Lars Kruse (British, 1807 GRT, built 1923), Maplewood (British, 4566 GRT, built 1930), Marita (Norwegian, 1931 GRT, built 1919), Michael L. Embiricos (Greek, 5202 GRT, built 1918), North Devon (British, 3658 GRT, built 1924), Nurtureton (British, 6272 GRT, built 1929), Picotee (British, 4307 GRT, built 1913), Rajahstan (British, 6391 GRT, built 1929), Rosenborg (British, 1997 GRT, built 1914), Saltwick (British, 3775 GRT, built 1929), Stalowa Wola (Polish, 3133 GRT, built 1924), Stonepool (British, 4815 GRT, built 1928), Thorsholm (Norwegian (tanker), 9937 GRT, built 1937), Welsh Prince (British, 5148 GRT, built 1940), West Saginaw (British, 6187 GRT, built 1919), Western Ocean (British, 5760 GRT, built 1918) and Zypenberg (British, 4973 GRT, built 1920).

The Picotee and Stonepool both developed engine trouble and returned to Halifax.

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Laconia (Capt.(Retd.) G.G.P. Hewett, RN), the submarine HMS Talisman (Lt. M. Willmott, RN), and the corvettes HMCS Cobalt (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.B. Campbell, RCNR) and HMCS Collingwood (T/Lt. W. Woods, RCNR).

Around 2030P/19, HMCS Cobalt and HMCS Collingwood parted company with the convoy and returned to Halifax.

During the night of 24/25 May 1942, the Marita straggled from the convoy and she did not rejoin.

Around 1900O/29, Convoy SC 32 temporary joined Convoy HX 128. Convoy SC 32 took station astern of convoy HX 128. With convoy HX 128 was the battleship HMS Revenge (Capt. E.R. Archer, RN) which also was to provide protection to Convoy SC 32.

Around 2000N/30, HMS Talisman parted company with the convoy to return to Halifax.

Around 2200Z/31, HMS Revenge and HMS Laconia parted company with the convoys to return to Halifax or to proceed to Reykjavik respectively.

A/S escorts commenced to join the convoy as from 29 May but sources vary on their composition, [this will have to be researched further in the future.]

The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 7 June 1941.

30 May 1941
At 2000N/30, HMS Talisman (Lt. M. Willmott, RN) parted company with convoy SC 32 in position 47°35'N, 32°58'W and set course back towards Halifax. On the way back she was ordered through several positions to search for the German heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen. (4)

9 Jun 1941
Around 0830P/9, HMS Talisman (Lt. M. Willmott, RN) arrived back at Halifax from convoy escort duty. (4)

30 Jun 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt. M. Willmott, RN) and HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) departed from Halifax for St. John's escorted by HMS Buxton (Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) Earl Beattie, RN). (25)

2 Jul 1941
Around 1600OP/2, HMS Talisman (Lt. M. Willmott, RN), HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) and their escort, HMS Buxton (Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) Earl Beattie, RN), arrived at St. John's from Halifax. (26)

4 Jul 1941
Around 1600P/4, HMS Talisman (Lt. M. Willmott, RN) departed from St. John's for Gibraltar. Talisman is to join the 1st submarine flotilla at Alexandria.

[No map of this passage can be displayed as there are no logs available for HMS Talisman for this period.] (27)

7 Jul 1941
At 0042P/7, when in position 39°56'N, 43°41'W, HMS Talisman (Lt. M. Willmott, RN) was informed that the British merchant City of Auckland (British, 8336 GRT, built 1914) was being shelled by a U-boat (this was U-109) and she was ordered to assist her. She reached the position (33°14'N, 31°21'W) on 10 July but did not see anything except a baulk of timber. In fact the merchant vessel had managed to make her escape. (27)

17 Jul 1941
At 1055A/17, HMS Talisman (Lt. M. Willmott, RN) arrived at Gibraltar.

HMS Talisman was escorted in by HMS Haarlem (T/Lt. L.B. Merrick, RNR) which had joined around 0530Z/17.

At Gibraltar HMS Talisman is docked at an (to us) unknown date. It is currently also not known to us when she was undocked. (27)

29 Jul 1941
Around 1300A/29, HMS Talisman (Lt. M. Willmott, RN) departed from Gibraltar for Malta. On departure A/S exercises were carried out with HMS Vimy (Lt.Cdr. H.G.D. de Chair, RN) and HMS Vidette (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Walmsley, RN).

[No map of this passage can be displayed as there are no logs available for HMS Talisman for this period.] (28)

3 Aug 1941
At 0445A/3, when south-west of Marittimo near position 37°55'N, 12°00'E, HMS Talisman (Lt. M. Willmott, RN) sighted four destroyers of the Navigatori class on course 290°, 20 knots. Six tubes were readied but the submarine could not close to less than 6200 yards and the attack was aborted. These were most likely the torpedo-boats Cigno, Centauro, Clio and Calliope. They had sailed a few hours before from Trapani to search for an enemy force. (28)

5 Aug 1941
At 1640A/5, HMS Talisman (Lt. M. Willmott, RN) arrived at Malta from Gibraltar where she discharged 5500 gallons of aviation spirit she had carried as cargo. (28)

8 Aug 1941
Around 1830B/8, HMS Talisman (Lt. M. Willmott, RN) departed from Malta for Alexandria. Before departing exercises were carried out with HMS Jade (Boatswain W.J.H. Fellows, RN) which had escorted her out.

[No map of this passage can be displayed as there are no logs available for HMS Talisman for this period.] (28)

14 Aug 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) attacks a submarine with torpedoes about 140 nautical miles north-west of Alexandria in position 32°41'N, 27°35'E. All torpedoes fired fortunately missed their target as the submarine attacked later turned out to be HMS Otus (Lt. R.M. Favell, RN).

1040B/14 - In position 32°19'N, 27°51'E heard HE. Nothing in sight. Commenced attack on a submerged submarine.

After trailing the contact for a while three torpedoes were fired at 1253B/14. The course and speed of the submerged submarine were by now well known. No explosions occurred so the submarine must have been deep. Talisman continued to shadow the submarine until it surfaced.

1927B/14 - The target surfaced.

1932B/14 - Talisman surfaced and closed with gun crews at the ready.

2030B/14 - Contact was lost.

2046B/14 - The submarine was sighted again. While closing Talisman was sighted by the other submarine and challenged at a range of about 1000 yards by the Allied Private Signal. The reply was made and course was resumed towards Alexandria. The identity of the other submarine was not established until after arrival at Alexandria when it was learnt that it was HMS Otus.

Talisman was not aware that Otus was on passage from Alexandria to Malta. This was known so Otus was routed way to the North of the route of Talisman. An investigation showed that Talisman was way out of position. (28)

15 Aug 1941
Around 1235B/15, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) arrived at Alexandria. (28)

21 Aug 1941
Around 1930C/21, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) departed from Alexandria for her 8th war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Gulf of Sirte and off Benghazi.

[No map of this patrol can be displayed as there are no logs available for HMS Talisman for this period.] (28)

23 Aug 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) attacked the German transport Bellona (German, 1297 GRT, built 1929) with three torpedoes about 80 nautical miles North-North-East of Tobruk, Libya. No hits were obtained. Talisman had to go deep because one of the torpedoes had a gyro failure.

The German ships was on her way from Suda Bay to Bardia. She was unescorted as the Italian torpedo boat Sagittario had turned back to return to Suda Bay a few hours before.

1358C/23 - While proceeding at periscope depth in position 33°35'N, 24°23'E sighted a merchant vessel of about 2500 tons bearing 337°, range 4.5 nautical miles. Enemy course was 157°, speed 12 knots. Started attack. No escort was seen.

1425C/23 - Fired three torpedoes from 1000 yards.

1427C/23 - One of the torpedoes passed Talisman due to a gyro failure. Went deep with all despatch.

1429C/23 - The torpedo went overhead.

1440C/23 - Went to periscope depth. Saw the target zig-zagging on a North-Easterly course. Range was now 3000 yards. (28)

26 Aug 1941
At 0530/26, on board HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) a major defect is discovered on the port engine. This engine was out of action for the remainder of the patrol unless in an emergency. (28)

28 Aug 1941
At 0855C/28, while patrolling off Benghazi, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN), a northbound Spica-class torpedo boat was sighted.

At 0951C/28, most likely the same torpedo boat was seen returning from the northward carrying out an A/S sweep. The enemy passed HMS Talisman at a range of about a mile and then remained in the area for about 40 minutes. The enemy left soon after HMS Talisman went to 80 feet and stopped all motors.

This was the torpedo boat Perseo which was patrolling off Benghazi and returned to harbour at 1018B/28. (28)

30 Aug 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) damaged two motor sailing vessels with gunfire about five nautical miles north of Benghazi, Libya. It was thought possible that one of these had been sunk.

According to Italian sources these were actually the auxiliary minesweepers R 86 / San Michele (48 GRT, built 1939) and DM 3 / Tenacemente (81 GRT). One Italian rating was killed and two were wounded. The two vessels fled to Benghazi.

1129C/30 - Sighted two motor sailing vessels approaching on a course of 040°. Started attack. Position was 32°16'N, 20°06'E.

1154C/30 - Surfaced to engage with the 4" gun and with the Lewis machine gun. Range was 1000 yards.

1203C/30 - One of the sailing vessels was seen to be hit forward and aft. It was abandoned and low in the water. The other had increased the range and was proceeding inshore faster than Talisman could steam on one engine and motor trimmed down. She had been hit forward once. This sailing vessel opened fire with a light automatic machine gun. Talisman was hit but no casualties were sustained. Dived and retired seawards. 39 Rounds of 4" were fired in this action. (28)

31 Aug 1941
In a signal timed 0145C/31, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) was informed by Capt. S.1 that she had been sighted at 1847C/30. (29)

1 Sep 1941
At 0122C/1, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) received a signal from Capt. S 10, timed 2310B/31, that an enemy convoy of seven ships and four escorts had been sighted at 2219B/31 in position 33°28'N, 13°22'E proceeding on course 085°.

Shortly afterwards a signal from Capt. S 10, timed 2355B/31, was received with stated the position of the reported enemy convoy as 32°52'N, 13°52'E proceeding on course 095°. The convoy was thought to be en-route to Benghazi.

There was no such convoy en-route from Tripoli to Benghazi on this day. The signal may have referred to the convoy made up of the Italian liners (troopships) Victoria (13098 GRT, built 1931), Oceania (19507 GRT, built 1933) and Neptunia (19475 GRT, built 1932) escorted by the destroyers Aviere, Camicia Nera, Vincenzo Gioberti, Antonio Da Noli, Antoniotto Usodimare and Emanuele Pessagno. This convoy had sailed at 2020B/31 from Tripoli for Taranto.

At 0415C/1, HMS Talisman set course to patrol in position 311°, 15 nautical miles from the Benghazi lighthouse. (30)

2 Sep 1941
At 1400C/2, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) left patrol to return to Alexandria. (28)

7 Sep 1941
Around 1030C/7, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) ended her 8th war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (28)

20 Sep 1941
Around 1500C/20, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) departed from Alexandria for her 9th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Aegean. Before proceeding on patrol exercises were performed with included a practive attack on HMS Havock (Lt. G.R.G. Watkins, DSC, RN).

[No map of this patrol can be displayed as there are no logs available for HMS Talisman for this period.] (28)

22 Sep 1941
At 2040B/22, in position 34°34'N, 27°16'E, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) sighted the Vichy French hospital ship Canada (9684 GRT, built 1912). (28)

23 Sep 1941
During the day, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) made a submerged northbound passage of the Kaso Strait and entered the Aegean. (28)

24 Sep 1941
In the morning, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) entered and reconnoitred the Bay / harbour at Santorin harbour.

At 2150B/24, Capt. S 1's signal, timed 0505B/24, was received. It ordered her to patrol off the Dardanelles. Course was set to proceed there via the Doro Channel. (28)

25 Sep 1941
At 0913B/25, in position 37°19'N, 24°41'E, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) sighted a MAS boat at a range of four miles proceeding towards Syros. (28)

26 Sep 1941
During the early hours of the night, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) passed through the Doro Channel eastbound. No enemy patrols were sighted. Heavy weather was encountered on this day. (28)

27 Sep 1941
At 0127B/27, south-west of Tenedos Island, in position 39°47'N, 25°55'E, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) sighted two destroyers conducting an A/S sweep. They were evaded.

The German auxiliary minelayer Bulgaria and the Italian torpedo boats Sirio, Aldebaran, Alcione, Monzambano and Calatafimi had sailed from Saloniki at 0630B/26 for the Dardanelles for a minelaying mission and from there proceeded to Mudros where they arrived at 0600B/27. The two 'destroyers' must have belonged to the above. (28)

28 Sep 1941
At 0016B/28, south-west of Tenedos Island, in position 39°48'N, 25°54'E, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) sighted three destroyers conducting an A/S sweep. They were evaded.

Again probably belonging to Bulgaria group (see the event for 27 September 1941). They sailed from Mudros at 2000B/27 and arrived at Saloniki at 1500B/28 after minelaying mission had been completed. (28)

29 Sep 1941
At 2130B/29, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) received Capt. S 1's signal, timed 1615B/29, ordering her to patrol in 'Area A' between 37°N and 38°30'N as well as to the west of 25°40'E. She was to concentrate her patrol off the Gulf of Athens. (31)

30 Sep 1941
During the night of 30 September / 1 October 1941, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) passed through the Doro Channel westbound. Due to the bright moon the passage was made submerged. (28)

1 Oct 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) attacks an enemy convoy west of the Zea Channel missing the transports Arkadia (German, 1756 GRT, built 1927) and Lauretta (Italian, 938 GRT, built 1901). Following this attack Talisman was attacked by the escorting Italian torpedo boat Libra with 24 depth-charges. Although severely shaken Talisman was only slightly damaged. The convoy attacked was en-route from Piraeus to Thessaloniki (Lauretta only to Kavalliani) passing to the west of Euboea Island. The German patrol vessel 12 V 1 and a motor torpedo boat were also part of the escort. Later, from the Trikiri Channel onwards the Italian torpedo boat Aldebaran took over the escort of the Arkadia.

According to Italian sources Libra dropped eight 100-kg and sixteen 50-kg depth charges and observed two 150-metre wide oil slicks and four minor ones.

0854B/1 - Near position 37°35'N, 23°57'E sighted masts of a convoy. Brought six torpedo tubes to the ready. Three small one funnel A/S ships with the appearance similar to tugs were disposed a few miles ahead and on either bow. One destroyer or torpedo boat was astern of this A/S screen and zig-zagging violently ahead of the main target, a merchant vessel of about 4000 tons with a grey hull, buff upper works, black masts and funnel. Two floatplanes were also patrolling in the area. Started attack.

1000B/1 - Fired three torpedoes from 2500 yards. Went to 210 feet. A loud explosion was heard after 2 minutes and 30 seconds. A possible hit was claimed.

1004B/1 - Talisman was counter attacked for three quarters of an hour. In all 37 depth charges were dropped. Some were quite close but no damage was caused.

1155B/1 - Came to periscope depth. Nothing in sight. (32)

3 Oct 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) destroys the wreck of the transport Yalova (German, 3751 GRT, built 1920) that was grounded at Agios Giorgios Island.

The Yalova had been torpedoed and damaged by HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. G.H. Greenway, RN) on 28 September 1941. She was run aground to prevent her from sinking.

1500B/2 - Sighted a grounded merchant vessel beached on the west side of St. Giorgio Island near position 37°28.5'N, 23°55'E. One Italian armed caique was patrolling in the area.

1532B/2 - Another caique was seen to secure alongside the beached vessel.

1600B/2 - The caique was seen to cast off and set course towards Piraeus. Frequent air patrol was also observed in the area. Lt.Cdr. Willmott decided to wait till tomorrow to attack and destroy the ship as he hoped salvage vessels would be alongside and that these could also be destroyed in the torpedo explosion.

1045B/3 - Completed reconnaissance of the beached ship. One sailing vessel was patrolling 1 nautical mile to the South-West. Two steam vessels were seen alongside the beached ship. They must have arrived during the night. Lt.Cdr. Willmott decided to fire three torpedoes in the attack.

1207B/3 - Fired the first torpedo. This torpedo had a gyro failure and exploded on the shore. The smallest of the salvage vessels immediately slipped and went full astern.

1211B/3 - Fired the second torpedo. This one was seen to run towards the target before Talisman lost trim. The ship was later seen to have sunk on an even keel with the upper deck nearly awash.

1215B/3 - Counter attacked with bombs and depth charges. Went deep. (28)

4 Oct 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) torpedoed and sank the Vichy-French passenger ship Theophile Gautier (8194 GRT, built 1926) north-east of Kea Island, Greece in position 37°44'N, 24°23'E. Theophile Gautier was in convoy with the Italian tanker Torcello (3336 GRT, built 1892). They were en-route from Thessaloniki to Piraeus. The convoy was escorted by the Italian torpedo boats Monzambano, Calatafimi and Aldebaran.

When the Théophile Gautier was torpedoed, Monzambano was 700 metres ahead and turned to port, increasing speed to 22 knots and dropped depth charges set to a depth of 100 metres in the presumed spot from which the submarine had fired the torpedoes and at the same time ordered Calatafimi to help the stricken ship. At 1912 hours, Calatafimi reported that Théophile Gautier had sunk. Monzambano ordered Caltafimi and Aldebaran to rescue the survivors.

At 1926 hours, after the explosion of a 50-kg depth charge , Monzambano observed four succeeding explosions, followed by a large oil slick and a strong smell of oil. At that time, she was 4000 metres distant from Calatafimi and 2500 metres distant from Aldebaran. At 1947 hours, Calatafimi reported having picked up 84 survivors including 12 wounded and Aldebaran another seven survivors including one wounded. Calatafimi was ordered to bring the survivors to Piraeus while Monzambano and Aldebaran proceeded at 21 knots to catch up with Torcello who had proceeded independently after the torpedoing of Théophile Gautier and they arrived At Piraeus at 0225B/5.

1754B/4 - In position 37°48'N, 24°29'E sighted a convoy passing through the Doro Channel towards the Zea Channel. One large two funnel ship and one small tanker or coaster. Escort was provided by three destroyers / torpedo boats. No aircraft were seen. Commenced attack on the two funnel ship of about 9000 tons.

1835B/4 - Fired four torpedoes from 1000 yards. Went deep to 210 feet. One hit was heard. The HE of the target ceased immediately.

1840B/4 - Talisman was counter attacked for 1.5 hours. 29 Depth charges were dropped but these caused no damage. (32)

6 Oct 1941
At 1900B/6, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) left her patrol area to return to Alexandria. She was ordered to patrol along the north coast of Crete on the way back. (28)

7 Oct 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) attacked the German transports Salzburg (1742 GRT, built 1921) and Trapani (1855 GRT, built 1926) with torpedoes about 10 nautical miles north of Suda Bay, Crete, Greece in position 35°39N, 24°14'E. All torpedoes fired missed their targets. Trapani reported being only just missed. One torpedo was seen by the Germans to be running on the surface. The convoy was escorted by the Italian destroyer Quintino Sella and the Italian torpedo boat Castelfidardo. The convoy was en-route from Suda Bay to Piraeus.

[Unfortunately, no report was found in the Sella or Castelfidardo files at the Italian archives except a signal from Sella reporting a submarine. The German B-Dienst deciphered a signal from the Admiralty to the British Naval Attaché in Istanbul which mentioned the attack and identified the submarine as HMS Talisman.]

1035B/7 - Sighted a convoy, distance 9 nautical miles.

1110B/7 - In position 34°45'N, 24°08'E identified the convoy as being two Navigatori class destroyers and two merchant ships of 2500 and 3000 tons. Two floatplanes were patrolling overhead. Started attack.

1158B/7 - Fired one torpedo at the smaller target. Range was 2500 yards.

1159B/7 - Fired two torpedoes at the larger target. Range was 3000 yards. Went deep to 210 feet.

1202B/7 - Heard one explosion.

1209B/7 - Counter attacked for 35 minutes. No damage was caused o the submarine. (32)

12 Oct 1941
Around 1120B/12, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) ended her 9th war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (28)

20 Oct 1941
Around 1700B/20, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) departed from Alexandria for her 10th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean). She is to perform a special operation.

[No map of this patrol can be displayed as there are no logs available for HMS Talisman for this period.] (28)

24 Oct 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) conducts her special operation. A team of four is landed to perform a reconnaissance of a landing beach near Ras-el-Hilal that was intended to be used for a later special operation.

0526B/24 - Dived and closed Ras-el-Hilal for periscope observation.

0824B/24 - Completed reconnaissance.

0830B/24 - Bottomed at 145 feet in position 32°54.5'N. 22°11.5'E.

2028B/24 - Surfaced.

2110B/24 - Increased buoyancy to get out the Folbot canoes.

2115B/24 - Trimmed down.

2210B/24 - The party of four left Talisman in two folbots. The gun crews of Talisman were on deck to cover them in case they had to return. After 35 minutes it was considered that a successful landing had been made.

When Talisman left the area the party was seen to proceed inshore for half a mile. They were not seen afterwards. Between 0300B/25 and 0400B/25 sounds were heard that were thought to be gunshots. (28)

25 Oct 1941
At 0047B/25, in position 32°55.5'N, 22°12.5'E HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) sighted a destroyer / torpedo boat searching about three miles from the coast. The destroyer / torpedo boat was lost from sight at 0124B/25. (28)

26 Oct 1941
At 0240B/26, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) left the rendezvous position off Ras-al-Hilal (32°54.5'N, 22°12'E) after the reconnaissance party she had landed on the 24th had failed to show up. Course was set to return to Alexandria. (28)

29 Oct 1941
Around 1100B/29, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) ended her 10th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (28)

10 Nov 1941
Around 1620B/10, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott) departed from Alexandria with orders to perform a special mission. (This is the 4th Mediterranean War Patrol of HMS Talisman). On board were 3 officers and 25 other ranks from the Scottish Commando as well as 2 officers and 2 other ranks of the Folbot section.

The nature of the special mission was to land party of commando troops was to be landed behind enemy lines to kill the commander of the German Africa corps. HMS Torbay also participated in this operation called 'Flipper'. For more information on Operation Flipper see this article on Wikipedia.

[No map of this patrol can be displayed as there are no logs available for HMS Talisman for this period.]

14 Nov 1941
During the night of 14/15 November, commandos (No.11 Scottish Commando) from HMS Talisman were landed some 250 miles behind enemy lines.

Talisman grounded during the attempt and only one boatload of commandos was able to land. Talisman had to retire from the area. Some of the commandos that were swept into the water by ground waves when Talisman grounded were recovered as the current had swept them out to sea.

20 Nov 1941
Around 1100B/20, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) ended her 11th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria.

27 Nov 1941
Around 1715B/27, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) departed from Alexandria for her 12th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean). She is to patrol off the Western entrance to the Aegean (Kythera area). During her patrol she is also diverted to the West coast of Greece.

[No map of this patrol can be displayed as there are no logs available for HMS Talisman for this period.] (28)

30 Nov 1941
At 0920B/30, in position 35°20'N, 23°12'E, to the west of Crete, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) sighted a 'small' destroyer proceeding on a course of 45° at 12 knots. No attack was made, the weather was unsuitable to fire torpedoes set to 8 feet. (28)

1 Dec 1941
At 1116B/1, when in position 36°01'N, 23°06'E (Kithera Channel), HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) sighted the masts and funnel of a 'small' destroyer. Three torpedo tubes were brought to the ready and an attack was started.

At 1129B/1, this destroyer passed overhead on a mean course of 264° at 24 knots.

At 1920B/1, HMS Talisman was ordered to a position to the south-west of Crete (34°50'N, 22°56'E) to search for survivors of a downed British aircraft. Talisman reached this position at 0217B/2. A signal grenade was fired but no answering flare was seen. The search was abandoned at 0330B/2 when course was set to return to the Kithera Channel. (28)

5 Dec 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) attacked the German U-boat U-371 west of Kythera, Greece. In all seven torpedoes were fired but none hit the target.

0256B/5 - In position 36°15'N, 22°45'E sighted a U-boat to the north. Distance about 1500 yards. Course of the target was 050°. Started attack.

0301B/5 - Fired five torpedoes from 1000 yards. All missed.

0306B/5 - Fired a sixth torpedo, missed again.

0308B/5 - Fired a seventh torpedo, missed yet again.

0310B/5 - An explosion occurred, this must be one of the torpedoes hitting land. The U-boat turned stern on she was lost out of sight shortly afterwards. (28)

6 Dec 1941
At 1826B/6, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN), set course for Argostoli in accordance with the signal from Capt. S 1, timed 1953B/4. (28)

8 Dec 1941
About 10 nautical miles South of Argostoli, Greece, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) fired three torpedoes at the Italian torpedo boat Orione, carrying gasoline from Brindisi to Argostoli, that they thought was an enemy submarine. Talisman also engaged with gunfire before the mistake was realised and she crash dived. Talisman was depth charged but only minor damage was caused.

2154B/8 - In position 38°00'N, 20°28'E sighted a darkened ship thought to be a submarine.

2157B/8 - Fired three torpedoes from 400 yards. A fourth torpedo was intended but the enemy was full astern at once so fire was withheld, the torpedoes fired missed ahead and / or ran under. Engaged with the 4", Bren and Lewis guns from point blank range.

2200B/8 - The darkened ship endeavoured to ram, on missing Talismans stern by 50 yards it was seen to be a destroyer or torpedo boat. Crash dived.

2205B/8 to 2315B/8 - Counter attacked with 44 depth charges. Some lights were broken but no further damage was inflicted.

2351B/8 - Came to periscope depth, nothing in sight so surfaced. (28)

9 Dec 1941
At 0720B/9, in position 37°46'N, 20°21'E, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) sighted an illuminated hospital ship which subsequently seen to be the Italian Sicilia (9646 GRT, built 1924). The ship was allowed to pass. (28)

11 Dec 1941
At 0500B/11, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) left area P to return to Alexandria in accordance with Capt. S 1's signal timed 1941B/9.

Later the same day HMS Talisman torpedoed and sank the transport Calitea (Italian, 4013 GRT, built 1933) about 60 nautical miles west-south-west of Schiza island, Greece in position 36°23'N, 20°33'E. She was escorted by the Italian destroyer Freccia.

Calitea was on passage from Brindisi via Argostoli to Benghazi, carrying four anti-aircraft guns and 533 military personnel. She was hit by two torpedoes and sank in a few minutes. Freccia could not locate the submarine and haphazardly dropped seven depth charges. She then proceeded to rescue the survivors which proved very difficult due to the rough seas as most lifeboats had capsized. She picked up 240 survivors (115 Italian Army personnel, 77 German Army personnel, 12 naval crew members and 36 civilian crew members) and landed them at Navarino.

1615B/11 - In position 36°33'N, 20°34'E heard HE, sighted destroyer and merchant vessel bearing Green 40 distance about 6600 yards. Enemy course 090°.

1622B/11 - Fired four torpedoes at the merchant vessel of 15000 tons. The silhouette was similar to Vulcania. Range on firing was 2300 yards. A fifth torpedo was fired in a misunderstanding.

1624B/11 - Obtained four hits. Talisman was briefly hunted after this attack. The escort dropped 15 depth charges before she started picking up the survivors. (28)

14 Dec 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) attacked the Italian submarine Dagabur with gunfire south of Crete. A sinking was claimed but the Italian submarine received only minor damage.

1952B/14 - In position 34°05'N, 25°39'E sighted a dark object thought to be a submarine bearing 205°. Distance 800 yards.

1955B/14 - Two torpedoes were heard passing Talisman by ratings in the fore ended (The enemy had indeed fired two torpedoes mistaking Talisman for a cruiser).

1956B/14 - Talisman opened fire with the 4" gun. The second round hit the conning tower of the enemy about three feet above the casing as the enemy was seen to be diving at a range of about 100 yards.

1957B/14 - As Talisman was passing the diving enemy it was seen that her hatches were open, she was thought to be diving towards her doom and a sinking was claimed. (28)

17 Dec 1941
Around 1030B/17, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) ended her 12th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria.

It was, reluctantly, decided that HMS Talisman was to return to the U.K. to refit as there was a crack in the cylinder block of the port main engine which was beyond repairs that could be made locally. (28)

29 Dec 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) departed from Alexandria for Malta carrying passengers and kerosene.

[No map of this passage can be displayed as there are no logs available for HMS Talisman for this period.] (33)

5 Jan 1942
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) arrived at Malta. (33)

7 Jan 1942
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) departed from Malta for Gibraltar. (33)

18 Jan 1942
Around 1220A/18, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (34)

21 Jan 1942
Around 1200A/21, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) departed from Gibraltar for the U.K. (4)

30 Jan 1942
At 0825A/30, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN), made rendes-vous with her escort, HMS Man o' War (T/Lt. G.L. Coles, RNVR). They then proceeded north through the Irish Sea to Holy Loch. (4)

1 Feb 1942
Around 1000A/1, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (4)

11 Feb 1942
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) proceeded from Holy Loch to Troon where she was taken in hand for refit the following day. (35)

5 Jul 1942
With her refit completed, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, DSO, RN) proceeded from Troon to Holy Loch. (36)

6 Jul 1942
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, DSO, RN) conducted post repair trials in the Clyde area. During these trials the after hydroplanes failed to function properly and she returned to Troon to make good the defect. (36)

10 Jul 1942
With the defect to her after hydroplanes repaired, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, DSO, RN), arrived at Holy Loch at 1915B/10, to continue her trial and exercise programme.

[As no logs of HMS Talisman are available no further details can be given regarding the exercise programme.] (37)

3 Aug 1942
With her refit and work-up period completed, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, DSO, RN), departed from Holy Loch for Gibraltar. She is to proceed to Beirut to re-join the 1st submarine Flotilla.

Passage south through the Irish Sea was made together with HMS P 212 (Lt. J.H. Bromage, DSC, RN). They were escorted by they were escorted by HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) C.C. Flemming, RN).

These ships parted company around 2357B/4 in position 49°54.2'N, 06°54'W (near Bishops Rock).

[No map of this passage can be displayed as there are no logs available for HMS Talisman for this period.] (4)

9 Aug 1942
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, DSO, RN) is mistakenly bombed by RAAF Sunderland aircraft E/461 (T9114) (P/O C.W. Steley) in the Bay of Biscay in position 44°20'N, 12°11'W. Four depth charges exploded very close causing considerable damage.

1354B/9 - Surfaced in position 44°16'N, 12°11'W to intercept a U-boat in position 45°24'N, 10°56'W, enemy course 265°, speed 10 knots. This U-boat had been sighted by aircraft. A signal was sent to Talisman by radio (Flag Officer Submarines signal timed 1219A/19. This must have referred to U-653.

1411B/9 - Sighted, and dived for, a Sunderland aircraft flying on a Southerly course, distance about 6 nautical miles.

1413B/9 - Talisman broke surface and the Sunderland was observed to be attacking.

1414B/9 - Straddled by a pattern of four depth charges. Talisman was at 47 feet at the moment the depth charges exploded. Severe damage was caused. The attempt to intercept the U-boat was abandoned and Talisman resumed course towards Gibraltar.

Talisman was in an area where she was 'protected' by bombing restrictions for submerged submarines. By surfacing to intercept the reported U-boat Lt.Cdr. Willmott took some risk that if he was sighted by aircraft he could be bombed, and that was just what happened. (4)

13 Aug 1942
Around 1700A/13, the damaged HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, DSO, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. She had been escorted in by HMS Leyland (T/Lt. A.K. Nears, RNR). (38)

19 Aug 1942
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, DSO, RN) is docked for repairs at Gibraltar.

It is currently not known to us when she was undocked. (33)

5 Sep 1942
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Gibraltar. (39)

7 Sep 1942
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Gibraltar. (39)

8 Sep 1942
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Gibraltar. (39)

10 Sep 1942
Around 1700A/10, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, DSO, RN) departed from Gibraltar for Malta. (33)

14 Sep 1942
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, DSO, RN) reported sighting a U-boat in position 37°48'N, 06°00'E. Enemy course 250°, speed 14 knots. This was the last signal received from HMS Talisman. She failed to arrive at Malta on the 18th and was probably mined in the Sicilian Channel.

The submarine sighted by HMS Talisman was most likely the Italian Alabastro. On the basis of this signal a Gibraltar-based Sunderland of 202 squadron was sent and caught the Italian submarine on the surface and sank her, there were no survivors. (40)

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