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Notable events involving Torbay include:

The wartime history of HMS Torbay as compiled on this page is extracted from Torbay's patrol reports and logbooks and was created in August 2010. 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 and Mr. Lorenzo Colombo from Italy.

This page was last updated in July 2024.

15 Jan 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) conducted a basin dive at the Chatham Dockyard. She then proceeded from the Chatham Dockyard to Sheerness. (1)

16 Jan 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) conducted compass adjustment, gunnery, steering and D/G trials off Sheerness. (1)

17 Jan 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) conducted anchor trials off Sheerness on completion of which she proceeded from Sheerness to the Chatham Dockyard. (1)

19 Jan 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) proceeded from the Chatham Dockyard to Sheerness where she started compass adjustment trials. These however had to be broken off due to the unsuitable weather conditions. (1)

20 Jan 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) conducted compass adjustment trials off Sheerness. (1)

21 Jan 1941
Around 1000A/21, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) shifted from the Sheerness to Harwich where she arrived around 1630A/21. She was escorted by HMS Garth (Lt.Cdr. E.H. Dyke, RN). (1)

22 Jan 1941
Around 0845A/22, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) proceeded from Harwich to Rosyth where she arrived around 1735A/23. She was escorted by HMS Garth (Lt.Cdr. E.H. Dyke, RN). (1)

24 Jan 1941
Around 0450A/24, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) departed Rosyth for Holy Loch. She was escorted by HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) C.C. Flemming, RN). (1)

26 Jan 1941
Around 1335A/26, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) arrived at Holy Loch to begin a period of trials and training. (1)

28 Jan 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) conducted full power and steering trials in the Clyde area. (1)

29 Jan 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) conducted speed trials on the measured half mile in Loch Long. Also diving trials were carried out. (1)

3 Feb 1941
At 1737A/3, during working up exercises, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN), collides with the British tanker Vancouver (5729 GRT, built 1928) on surfacing in Loch Long (position 56°01'N, 04°52'10"W). No serious damage was caused. (2)

4 Feb 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) conducted exercises in Loch Long. (2)

5 Feb 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) proceeded from Holy Loch to Arrochar. (2)

6 Feb 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (2)

7 Feb 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (2)

9 Feb 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (2)

9 Feb 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (2)

10 Feb 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (2)

11 Feb 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (2)

12 Feb 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (2)

13 Feb 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (2)

14 Feb 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. Upon completion of these trials she proceeded to Rothesay. (2)

15 Feb 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) C.C. Flemming, RN). (2)

16 Feb 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) C.C. Flemming, RN). (2)

19 Feb 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) conducted minelaying trials (from her torpedo tubes) in the Clyde area. (2)

20 Feb 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) proceeded from Holy Loch to Arrochar where she conducted noise trials. (2)

21 Feb 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) conducted noise trials off Arrochar. (2)

22 Feb 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) conducted noise trials off Arrochar. (2)

23 Feb 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) conducted noise trials off Arrochar. (2)

24 Feb 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) conducted noise trials off Arrochar. (2)

25 Feb 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) conducted noise trials off Arrochar. (2)

26 Feb 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) conducted noise trials off Arrochar. (2)

27 Feb 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) conducted noise trials off Arrochar. (2)

28 Feb 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) shifted from Arrochar to Holy Loch. (2)

3 Mar 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN) acted as target. (3)

4 Mar 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN) acted as target. (3)

6 Mar 1941
With her training completed, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) departed Holy Loch around 1630A/6 bound for Halifax, Canada.

She made part of the passage west together with HMS Talisman (Lt. M. Willmott, RN). They were escorted out by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) until 2034A/7 when they parted company in position 57°57'N, 10°59'W.

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

(3)

11 Mar 1941
While on passage to Halifax, at 1700O/11, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) received F.O.S.'s (Flag Officer Submarines) signal timed 1804A/11, ordering her to return to the U.K. Course was set accordingly. (3)

16 Mar 1941
At 1754A/16, HMS Torbay stoped the neutral Icelandic trawler Geir (Master Gestur Elías Jónsson) homebound from Fleetwood to Iceland. After a brief stop during which the Icelandic ship's papers were inspected the trawler was released to continue its passage. (4)

17 Mar 1941
At 0810A/17, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN), made rendezvous with her escort towards Holy Loch, HMCS Trillium (Lt.Cdr. R.F. Harris, RCNR). (3)

18 Mar 1941
Around 0830A/18, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (3)

21 Mar 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) is wiped at Holy Loch. (3)

22 Mar 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) departed from Holy Loch around for a patrol in the Bay of Biscay. HMS Torbay left for patrol (her first) on very short notice. Half the crew was on leave and was replaced by members of the spare crew of the depot ship. The reason for this was that the German battlecruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau had arrived at Brest. So a patrol had to be established around this French port.

Passage south through the Irish Sea was made together with HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, 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.

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

(3)

10 Apr 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) left from her patrol area to proceed to Gibraltar as ordered in FOS (Flag Officer Submarines) signal timed 1911A/10.

HMS Torbay was to join the Mediterranean Fleet. (5)

13 Apr 1941
Around 2000A/13, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) ended her 1st war patrol, which had been uneventful, at Gibraltar. (5)

14 Apr 1941
Around 1000A/14, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) departed from Gibraltar bound for Malta. Early on the 15th however she was ordered to return to Gibraltar as her crew was to have a rest period as she was to make a patrol in the Tyrrhenian Sea on the the passage to Malta. She returned to Gibraltar around 2200A/15. (5)

23 Apr 1941
Around 0800A/23, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) departed from Gibraltar for her 2nd war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off the east coast of Sardinia and then off the North-West coast of Sicily. Afterwards she is to proceed to Alexandria to join the 1st Submarine Flotilla.

Between 0930A/23 and 1230A/23, A/S exercises were carried out with the corvettes HMS Fleur de Lys (Lt.Cdr. L.M. Carter, RNR) and HMS Spiraea (T/Lt. L.C. Head, RNVR).

On completion of these exercises HMS Torbay left for patrol. (6)

23 Apr 1941
For the daily positions of HMS Torbay during her 2nd war patrol see the map below.

26 Apr 1941
Around 2300A/26, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) entered her patrol area. (6)

27 Apr 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) attacked a two-masted single-funnelled merchant ship of about 4000 tons with two torpedoes near Cape Ferrato, Sardinia. These both missed. It was the intention of Lt.Cdr. Miers to surface and attack with the deck gun but then an aircraft was sighted and the idea was abandoned. Lt.Cdr. Miers took Torbay deep. This was most probably the transport XXI Aprile (Italian, 4787 GRT, built 1919) who sailed at 0600B/27 April from Cagliari unescorted at 8 knots for Civitavecchia.

Earlier a small southbound vessel was sighted but the attack on this ship was not carried through.

Another attack on a bigger ship of about 2000 tons was also broken off when the above mentioned 4000 tons ship came in sight.

0856A/27 - When in position 060° - Cape Ferrato - 9 nautical miles, a small southbound merchant vessel was sighted. Started an attack.

0925A/27 - Broke off the attack owing to the long range and the small size of the target.

1052A/27 - Sighted and commenced an attack on a northbound merchant vessel of about 2000 tons. Range was about 9000 yards.

1113A/27 - A much larger merchant vessel was seen to follow the 2000 tons one about a mile astern. Shifted target to this vessel.

1140A/27 - Fired two torpedoes from about 1000 yards. Both missed. It had been intended to fire four torpedoes but the two from the external torpedo tubes did not leave the tubes due to an error in drill. The enemy made no alteration of course. Decided to surface for gun action but when about to do so an aircraft was seen approaching down the torpedo tracks about a mile distant. Immediately went deep and altered course to seaward. (6)

30 Apr 1941
On surfacing after a day of submerged patrol off Cape Carbonara, Sardinia, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) set course to patrol to the north of Sicily. (6)

2 May 1941
At 1430A/2, when north-north-east of Marettimo Island, in approximate position 38°15'N, 12°10'E, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) sighted two destroyers thought to be of the Maestrale-class about six miles to the northward steering east. No attack was possible. Proceeded towards the position in which they had been sighted hoping for a convoy or bigger warships arriving on the scene but nothing was seen. Distant explosions, possibly depth charges, were head between 1040A/2 and 1800A/2.

These were most probably from the convoy consisting of the German transports Castellon (2068 GRT, built 1935), Wachtfels (8467 GRT, built 1928) and the Italian Giulia (5921 GRT, built 1925) escorted by the Italian destroyers Turbine, Folgore and Strale. They had sailed from Tripoli at 1600B-1645B/30 April and were reported off Marettimo at 1140B/1 May. They arrived at Naples at 0546-0702B/3 May. (6)

4 May 1941
At 1129A/4, when north-north-east of Marettimo Island, in approximate position 38°14'N, 12°08'E, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) sighted a trawler, though to be an A/S version, to the southward. She was steering west at a range of about 5 nautical miles. HMS Torbay turned to investigate but the trawler soon changed course to the southwards and was subsequently lost from sight proceeding in the direction of Marittimo Island. [We have been unable to identify this vessel.]

At 1715A/4, HMS Torbay altered course to leave patrol and proceed to Alexandria as ordered in Capt. S 1's signal timed 1429C/4. (6)

9 May 1941
At 1430C/9, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) received Capt. S 1's signal timed 0945C/8 [the patrol report gives 0945C/8 but this must possibly be 0945C/9 but we have been unable to find the original signal] ordering HMS Torbay to patrol off Navarino until P.M. 10th May. Course was set accordingly. (6)

10 May 1941
At 2130C/10, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) surfaced after a day of submerged patrol off Navarino, during which nothing was seen. Course was then set to proceed to Alexandria. (6)

13 May 1941
Around 0820C/13, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Alexandria. (6)

27 May 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) is wiped (degaussed) at Alexandria following D/G trials were carried out. (7)

28 May 1941
At 1230C/28, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) departed from Alexandria for her 3rd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the northern Aegean Sea. (This is her 2nd Mediterranean War Patrol).

A large portion of the crew of HMS Torbay was not the crew which had worked up with the submarine. HMS Torbay had left the U.K. in March with over half the crew made up of spare crew from the depot ship. Most of these had never sailed in a submarine before and some had even never been to sea ever in their life. The crew was thus rather ' green ' so Torbay was sent to patrol in the northern part of the Aegean where enemy A/S measures were not expected to be very heavy.

On leaving harbour practice attacks were made during which the Greek torpedo boat RHS Aspis acted as target. Also gunnery exercises were carried out as the gun crew had never fired the gun for real. (8)

28 May 1941
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Torbay during this patrol see the map below.

30 May 1941
In the evening, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) passed northwards through the Scarpanto Strait and entered the Aegean. (8)

1 Jun 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) sinks a fully laden Greek (German controlled) caique with gunfire in the Doro Channel, Greece.

The caique was most likely the PI 2104 / Agios Nikolaos which went missing on or around this day while on passage from Piraeus to Chios.

0745C/1 - Sighed a fully laden caique of about 60 tons which was proceeding to the north-east from the Doro Channel.

0936C/1 - It was noticed that the vessel was wearing the German flag so Torbay surfaced and sank the vessel with five rounds of gunfire in position 87° - Cape Doro - 17 nautical miles. The second round of 4" was a hit aft and was followed by a violent explosion which blew the stern off and a cloud of yellow smoke enveloped the target. The caique must have also been carrying explosives. The survivors were in the calm water with lots of wreckage to support them. They did not appear to be soldiers.

0943C/1 - Torbay dived and resumed patrol. (8)

2 Jun 1941
At 0054C/2, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) received Capt. S 1's signal timed 2305C/1 which stated that the transport Tsar Ferdinand (Bulgarian, 1994 GRT, built 1913) had passed Istanbul bound for Thessaloniki. Lt.Cdr. Miers decided to try to intercept so course was set towards Cape Paliuri, Cassandra peninsula. The ship was however not sighted on the following day course was to patrol in the Dardanelles area to intercept possible shipping from there towards Syria giving the situation there. (8)

3 Jun 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) sank a well laden caique with gunfire west of Mitylene, Lesbos, Greece in approximate position 39°21'N, 25°20'E. This was the Greek LE 135 / Menelaos.

1600C/3 - Sighted a well laden caique proceeding towards Mitylene from the north of Strati Island.

1643C/3 - Surfaced and sank the vessel with gunfire in position 305° - Sigri Island - 21.5 nautical miles.

1651C/3 - Submerged and resumed patrol. (8)

5 Jun 1941
At 0100C/5, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) received Capt. S 1's signal timed 2345C/4, informing her that the fully laden Romanian tanker Campina (3032 GRT, built 1913) had passed Istanbul bound for the Aegean.

Lt.Cdr. Miers decided to try to intercept the enemy vessel to the south-west of Lemnos. but the enemy was not seen.

At 2156C/5, HMS Torbay surfaced after a day of submerged patrol and course was then set to proceed to patrol off the Dardanelles via the north of Lemnos. The area direct of the entrance the Dardanelles was now also available as patrol area given the fact that HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) had now left patrol. (8)

6 Jun 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) torpedoed and damaged the Vichy French tanker Alberta (3357 GRT, built 1938) off Cape Hellas.

1242C/6 - Sighted a 3000 tons merchant vessel. Torbay struggled with the strong current to get into an attack position.

1415C/6 - In position 229° - Cape Hellas - 3.5 nautical miles, fired one torpedo that hit the target aft. The ship appeared to be sinking so Torbay left the area to the north-west at first but as the ship did not sink commenced to return later to finish off the damaged ship.

1545C/6 - Fired a second torpedo. The target was again hit aft but as the ship was already flooded in that part not much more damage was done. After firing this torpedo Torbay once again left the area to retire to the north-west.

1558C/6 - Sighted a 1500 tons merchant vessel approaching the Dardanelles from the north, Torbay turned to intercept but the target was later identified as Turkish and thus not attacked. Torbay then turned to the west as battery power was running low.

2115C/6 - Surfaced in position 152° - Avlaka Point (Imbros) - 8 nautical miles and started to charge the depleted battery.

[See 7 June 1941 for the continuation of the events.] (8)

7 Jun 1941
0448C/7 - Torbay submerged and closed the entrance to the Dardanelles once again from the west.

0600C/7 - Alberta was sighted still afloat and at anchor. The ship was just within Turkish territorial waters and not aground.

0751C/7 - Sighted a merchant vessel of about 1500 tons coming from the entrance of the Dardanelles and gave chase. The ship was later identified as Turkish so it was not attacked.

1130C/7 - Torbay was back at the position where Alberta was anchored. The ship appeared deserted. Lt.Cdr. Miers decided not to fire another torpedo but to board the ship after dark to search for valuable documents and to scuttle the ship.

1515C/7 - A small Turkish coaster emerged from the Dardanelles and went alongside Alberta but soon continued on to the south.

1600C/7 - A merchant vessel of about 4000 tons was sighted approaching the Dardanelles from the south. The ship was identified as the Turkish Refah (3805 GRT, built 1901) so it was not attacked.

2145C/7 - Surfaced in position 222° - Cape Hellas - 4.7 nautical miles.

2305C/7 - Torbay secured alongside Alberta. It proved however impossible to scuttle the ship as the engine room was completely flooded.

2344C/7 - Slipped from Alberta and proceeded back out to sea.

2359C/7 - Observed an explosion aboard Alberta but this failed to sink the ship.

[See 8 June 1941 for the continuation of the events.] (8)

8 Jun 1941
0050C/8 - Torbay stopped in position 120° - Avlaka Point (Imbros) - 10.6 nautical miles to charge her battery's.

0450C/8 - Torbay submerged in position 261° - Cape Hellas - 7.8 nautical miles.

0545C/8 - Alberta was observed chattered by fire and aground on the shoal to the North of Rabbit Island. It was decided to leave the ship there in the hope that she would break up in the next gale.

1920C/8 - Torbay sighted a Turkish merchant ship of about 1500 tons entering the Dardanelles. As bad weather was closing in it was decided to retreat to the northward.

[See 9 June 1941 for the continuation of the events.] (8)

9 Jun 1941
0130C/9 - Torbay, in position 6 nautical miles bearing 326° Cape Hellas, sighted a large merchant ship approaching the Dardanelles from the south. Torbay then closed to the limit of the territorial waters to identify the target.

0153C/9 - Identified the target as Turkish.

0157C/9 - Torbay submerged in 322° - Cape Hellas - 4.8 nautical miles.

0900C/9 - Sighted a 3000 tons merchant vessel coming out of the Dardanelles. The ship was identified as the Turkish Tirhan (3085 GRT, built 1938). The ship proceeded towards the Alberta and attempted to tow her off.

1230C/9 - Sighted a 1500 tons merchant vessel coming out of the straits. Once again the ship was identified as the Turkish, this time the Trak (1500 GRT, built 1938).

1700C/9 - It was now observed that the Tirhan had succeeded in towing off the Alberta and was heading towards the strait with the Alberta in tow. Lt.Cdr. Miers decided that Alberta was not allowed to escape and that he had to attack again.

1742C/9 - In position 236° - Cape Hellas - 2.3 nautical miles, Torbay fired a torpedo that missed the target. The Turks slipped the tow and the Tirhan fled at high speed into the straits.

1815C/9 - Torbay sighted a merchant ship resembling the German Salzburg. (Torbay had been warned that the German Salzburg was about the leave the Dardanelles). The ship turned towards the south and did not leave Turkish territorial waters. No positive identification could be made and Torbay did not manage the get into attack position.

1830C/9 - When Lt.Cdr. Miers intended to surface to finish off Alberta with gunfire when an Italian torpedo boat of the Spica class was sighted only 2.5 nautical miles away. This was possibly the Lira which was in the area. Torbay went deep and retreated to the north towards Lemnos.

2237C/9 - Torbay surfaced in position 127° - Avlaka Point (Imbros) - 12.5 nautical miles.

[See 10 June 1941 for the continuation of the events.] (8)

10 Jun 1941
A busy day for HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN)

HMS Torbay finally finishes off the damaged Alberta (see 6 June 1941).

Later Torbay torpedoed the tanker Utilitas (Italian, 5342 GRT, built 1918) but the torpedo failed to explode. The unexploded torpedo was later discovered in the ships side. The Utilitas was in a convoy together with five other merchant ships; Albaro (Italian (tanker), 2309 GRT, built 1911), Campina (Romanian (or Italian ?) (tanker), 3032 GRT, built 1913), Kassa (Hungarian, 1022 GRT, built 1939), Norburg (German, 2392 GRT, built 1922) and Urano (Italian (tanker), 5512 GR, built 1923). They were on passage from Piraeus (departed around 0700B/9) for the Dardanelles. The convoy was escorted by the Italian torpedo boats Lira, Calatafimi and Monzambano.

And finally HMS Torbay torpedoed and sank the Giuseppina Ghirardi (Italian (tanker), 3319 GRT, built 1892). Giuseppina Ghirardi was escorted by the Italian torpedo boat Monzambano which also picked up 21 survivors. The Giuseppina Ghirardi had just left the Dardanelles and was supposed to proceed to Piraeus.

0242C/10 - Torbay fired 40 rounds and Alberta was left ablaze and in a sinking condition 17 nautical miles east of Lemnos.

0450C/10 - Torbay submerged in position 270° - Cape Hellas - 9.7 nautical miles.

0940C/10 - While in position 259° - Cape Hellas - 4.8 nautical miles, a convoy of six ships escorted by two Italian torpedo boats was sighted bearing 280°, distance 5 nautical miles and course 080°. Lt.Cdr. Miers decided to attack and put Torbay into attack position. This was however frustrated by the movements of the enemy.

1043C/10 - Lt.Cdr. Miers finally managed to fire three torpedoes against one of the merchant ships in the convoy. After firing the torpedoes Torbay went deep. Two explosions were heard that were linked with a torpedo hitting the target. At 1049 hours five depth charges were dropped. At 1055 hours a full pattern of depth charges exploded fairly close. Between 1100 and 1125 hours more depth charges were dropped but the were not close.

1140C/10 - Torbay came to periscope depth. At 1150 hours, while Torbay was in position 251° - Cape Hellas - 6.1 nautical miles one of the Italian escorts was sighted patrolling off the entrance to the Dardanelles.

1208C/10 - The Italian tanker Giuseppina Ghirardi (3319 GRT, built 1892) was sighted coming out of the straits. The Italian torpedo boat patrolled a mile ahead (This was the Monzambano. Lt.Cdr. Miers at once turned to attack.

1259C/10 - In position 255° - Cape Hellas - 8.3 nautical miles, Torbay fired three torpedoes at a range of 700 yards at the tanker. Two torpedoes hit the target. Torbay went deep and increased to full speed to evade the counter attack. The torpedo boat only dropped two depth charges.

1335C/10 - Torbay came to periscope depth and at 1345 hours, while in position 250° - Cape Helles - 10.6 nautical miles,, sighted the enemy torpedo boat stopped bout two nautical miles to the eastward in the approximate position where the tanker was sunk. Also two MAS boats were seen approaching at high speed from the westward. Torbay went deep again and proceeded on homeward passage in accordance with her orders to leave her patrol area at midnight during the night of 10/11 June.

2200C/10 - Torbay surfaced in position 356° - Sigri Island (Mytilene) - 21.5 nautical miles and proceeded south. (9)

11 Jun 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) rammed and sank the Greek caique Poseidon about 15 nautical miles south of Mitylene, Lesbos, Greece.

0030C/11 - In position 328° - Sigri Island (Mytilene) - 15.3 nautical miles, sighted a caique making for Mitylene from the west. Lt.Cdr. Miers decided to destroy the vessel by ramming as he did not want to use his gun while he was escaping the area of his previous sinkings.

0104C/11 - Torbay rammed the caique and allowed the Greek crew (4 crew and 1 passenger) to abandon ship before completing the destruction.

0115C/11 - Torbay received Capt. S 1's signal timed 2203C/10 adressed to HMS Tetrarch that the tankers Dora C. (Italian, 5843 GRT, built 1922) and Annarella (Italian, 5999 GRT, built 1913) were expected to leave the Dardanelles shortly. Lt.Cdr. Miers was aware of the fact that HMS Tetrach was delayed in taking up her position in the northern Aegean so he decided to stay for 24 hours in Torbay's current position which was on the route from the Dardanelles to the Doro Channel. The enemy tankers were however not seen. (8)

12 Jun 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) sank the Italian auxiliary schooner V 165 / Gesu E Maria (238 GRT, built 1920) with gunfire off Skyros, Greece in position 39°10'N, 25°20'E.

1115C/12 - Torbay sighted a large schooner about three miles away.

1218C/12 - Torbay surfaced and gave chase.

1239C/12 - Torbay, in position 137° - Strati Island - 19 nautical miles, opened fire and sank the schooner with 25 rounds of gunfire.

1252C/12 - Torbay dived and proceeded to the south so as to leave patrol. (8)

16 Jun 1941
Around 0800C/16, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol at Alexandria. (8)

28 Jun 1941
Around 1600C/28, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) departed from Alexandria with orders to patrol in the Aegean Sea. (This is HMS Torbay's 3rd Mediterranean War Patrol)

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

(8)

29 Jun 1941
In the evening, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) passed the Kaso Strait northbound and entered the Aegean. (8)

30 Jun 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) sank a caique with gunfire off Phalconera Island, Greece. This was the Greek PI 492 / Issodia Theotokou (20 GRT).

1810C/30 - Sighted a laden caique of about 50 tons. The target was chased to overtake and attack.

2054C/30 - Torbay surfaced and sank the caique with gunfire in position 264° - Phalconera Island - 6 nautical miles. (8)

1 Jul 1941
At 1830C/1, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) received Capt. S 1's signal timed 1425C/1, which ordered her to patrol in the Zea Channel between 0400C/2 and dark on that day, to intercept the tanker Torcello (Italian, 3336 GRT, built 1892) which was expected to proceed from the Dardanelles to Piraeus.

This tanker however did not proceed to Piraeus but to Thessaloniki. (10)

2 Jul 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) torpedoed and sank the (troop) transport Città di Tripoli (Italian, 2933 GRT, built 1915) in the Zea Channel, Greece in position 37°41'N, 24°15'E. Città di Tripoli was in convoy with the Città di Savona (Italian, 2500 GRT, built 1930). They were escorted by the torpedo boat Libra and en-route from Samos, where they had landed troops, to Piraeus. A German aircraft was also patrolling over the convoy.

The escorting German aircraft sighted the torpedo tracks and signalled the ships, Citta di Tripoli attempted coming about but was not quick enough and was hit at 0623 hour (Italian official time). Citta di Savona rescued 48 survivors, there were 11 casualties.

The convoy had sailed from Karlovassi (Samos Island) at 1551B/1 July. According to Supermarina, Città di Savona rescued 64 survivors and proceeded to Patras. Libra went to Piraeus where she arrived at 1209B/2 July.

Another convoy, made up of the transports Città di Alessandria (Italian, 2498 GRT, built 1930), Città di Bastia (Italian, 2499 GRT, built 1930) escorted by the torpedo boats Sagittario and the auxiliary Giorgio Orsini had sailed at 0820B/2 from Isthmia to bring elements of the Cuneo Division to Samos when at 0830B/2, when at 0830/B/2, it received news that Città di Tripoli had been torpedoed. The convoy was immediately diverted to Piraeus where it arrived at 1215B/2 and finally sailed at 1930B/2.

0630C/2 - While in position 295° - Pt. St.Nikolo (Zea Island) - 4.9 nautical miles, two merchant vessels escorted by an Italian torpedo boat of the Spica-class was sighted. Overhead of the convoy an aircraft was circling. Torbay took action to get into attack position.

0722C/2 - While in position 304° - St. Nokolo - 4.5 nautical miles, three torpedoes were fired at the leading merchant from 3300 yards.

0724C/2 - Three torpedoes were fired at the rear ship.

0725C/2 - The leading ship was struck by one torpedo.

From 0730C/2 to 0840C/2 - The escorting Italian torpedo boat dropped 18 single depth charges but none were very close.

1245C/2 - On coming to periscope depth sighted three A/S vessels on coming to periscope depth approaching the Zea Channel about three miles away. Torbay went deep to evade rigging for silent running. Two of these vessels were thought to be MAS boats. The other one was much larger rather resembling the torpedo boat Albatros. They made off towards the Doro Channel. [We have been unable to identify these vessels]

1745C/2 - Sighted the same three vessels returning from the Doro Channel. They were on an A/S sweep in line abreast. Shortly afterwards they went overhead. Lt.Cdr. Miers decided to clear the area and set course to patrol in the Mykonos Channel passing through the Doro Channel and then proceeding eastwards of Andros and Tinos towards the Mykonos Channel. (8)

3 Jul 1941
At 0545C/3, in position 320° - Stapodia Island - 9.5 nautical miles, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) sighted an Italian A/S trawler of the 'Gallipoli-type' and commenced an attack. The enemy was proceeding towards the Doro Channel keeping close to the islands. The attack, however soon had to be abandoned.

At 1345C/3, in position 075° - Stapodia Island - 10.5 nautical miles, HMS Torbay sighted two merchant vessels bearing 215° at a range of about 6-7 nautical miles. At this range their course could not be determined but appeared to be west to north-west. No escort could be seen or it must have been the flying boat seen 20 minutes before. [So far, we have been unable to identify these vessels.]

At 2155C/3, HMS Torbay surfaced and set course to patrol in the Doro Channel area. (8)

4 Jul 1941
During the day, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) sank two sailing vessels with gunfire in the Doro Channel.

0615C/4 - Torbay sighted a large caique of about 100 tons on a direct course from the Doro Channel from Lemnos. The caique was well filled with troops and stores.

0659C/4 - Torbay surfaced in position 084° Doro Island 8.5 nautical miles and engaged the caique with gunfire. The caique finally sank at 0943C/4. This was most likely the PI 348 / Evangelistria.

1425C/4 - While Torbay was in position 159° Doro Island 6.4 nautical miles, a schooner flying the Nazi colours and approaching the Doro Channel from the north-east was sighted. The schooner was of about 60 tons and well loaded with troops and stores. Torbay surfaced at 1450 hours and engaged the schooner with gunfire from both Lewis guns.

2155C/4 - Torbay surfaced in position 109° Doro Island 17.6 nautical miles. Course was then set to return to the Mykonos area. (8)

5 Jul 1941
The Italian submarine Jantina was torpedoed and sunk in the Aegean south of Mykonos, Greece in position 37°21'N, 25°20'E by the British submarine HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN). The enemy submarine, which had suffered some damage on her last patrol, was on passage from Leros to Piraeus and then onward to Italy.

[On 14 November 2021, it was announced that an ROV team led by Kostas Thoctarides had located the wreck of the Jantina at a depth of 103 metres.]

1946C/5 - While Torbay was in position 240° -Stapodia Island - 11.5 nautical miles, a submarine was sighted bearing 080° 4 nautical miles away. Torbay at once turned to engage the target. The enemy was steering 255° at 9 knots.

2016C/5 - Fired six torpedoes from 1500 yards. One minute later an explosion was heard followed by a tremendous double explosion 10 seconds later. The explosion shook Torbay violently causing some light damage. When Lt.Cdr. Miers took a look through the periscope an aircraft was seen approaching so he took Torbay deep.

2155C/5 - HMS Torbay surfaced in position 251 - Stapodi Island - 14 nautical miles and set course for the Doro Channel as ordered in Capt. S 1's signal timed 1939C/3 to try to intercept the damaged tanker Strombo (Italian, 5232 GRT, built 1923) which was expected to proceed from the Dardanelles to Italy via the Corinth Canal. (8)

6 Jul 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) patrolled in the Doro Channel area but sighted nothing all day which was not surprising as the damaged tanker Strombo (Italian, 5232 GRT, built 1923) had not yet departed from the Dardanelles.

HMS Torbay had meanwhile been ordered to patrol off Cape Malea. Course was set to proceed there via Mikoni, Syra and Anti-Milos as Lt.Cdr. Miers did not want to proceed on the surface trough the Doro and Zea Channels during the night in the bright moonlight. (8)

8 Jul 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) sank the German sailing vessel (schooner) L XIV with gunfire east off Kythera, Greece.

0928C/8 - HMS Torbay, while in position 059° - Cape Malea - 7 nautical miles, sighted an auxiliary schooner of about 200 tons bearing 317° distance 5 nautical miles course 160°.

1122C/8 - Torbay surfaced in position 164° - Cape Malea - 7 nautical miles. The schooner was seen to be full of troops and stores and was wearing the German flag. After firing some rounds with the Lewis gun but before fire with the 4" gun could be opened an aircraft was spotted so Torbay dived. The schooner now proceeded westward to flee to Kythera Island.

1142C/8 - Torbay surfaced again and resumed the action. The schooner was sunk with 4" gunfire. (8)

9 Jul 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) sank the German sailing vessels L V, L VI and L I, with gunfire and scuttling charges about 10 nautical miles north of Antikythera, Greece.

0220C/9 - While Torbay was in position 100° - Cape Malea - 24 nautical miles a caique was seen on the horizon in very good visibility. Torbay turned to close. While doing so three more caiques were seen about 2 nautical miles apart all steering the same course (the other two were L I and L IX). As Torbay had not much ammo left for the deck gun it was decided that they were to be stopped with one well aimed round of the deck gun, then clear the decks with the Lewis gun and then scuttle them with demolition charges.

0320C/9 - While in position 126° - Cape Malea - 22 nautical miles, fire was opened on the first caique with the Lewis gun and the 4" gun. Such a blazing fire was started in the caique that it was not possible to go alongside. Lewis gunfire was continued with until all the occupants were either killed or forced to abandon ship. The caique of about 100 tons was left to burn (This must have been L VI).

0327C/9 - Torbay set course to engage the 2nd caique. At 0357 hours fire was opened on the second caique. Most of the crew took to the water and those who remained on board made signals as if to surrender shouting 'captain is Greek'. The submarine came alongside and the caique was boarded. A German soldier tried to throw a grenade but he was shot before he could do so. The whole crew turned out to be Germans and they were forced to launch their rubber boat and jump into it. Another German was shot by Torbay's navigating officer when he tried to shoot this officer with a rifle from point blank range. The caique was of about 100 tons, was carrying troop, ammo and petrol. She had L V painted on her side. This caique was fitted with demolition charges. The German soldiers in the rubber boat were shot by the Lewis gun to prevent them from returning to their ship. At 0435 hours the demolition charges exploded and the caique was sunk.

0445C/9 - A third sailing vessel was sighted, a large auxiliary schooner of about 300 tons making for Anti-Kythera. Torbay chased at full speed but as the target was making a good 10 knots it was not until 0530 that Torbay was close to the target. By that time it was daylight and boarding was out of the question.

0530C/9 - While Torbay was in position 068° - Pori Island - 11.5 nautical miles, fire was opened. The schooner was filled with petrol and explosives and was quickly ablaze from stem to stern. Torbay dived soon after. This schooner was seen to sink at 0900 hours. The fourth caique (L IX) escaped due to the arrival of an aircraft.

2245C/9 - Torbay received Capt. S 1's signal timed 2011C/9, ordering her to intercept the damaged tanker Strombo (Italian, 5232 GRT, built 1923). Course was set for the Zea Channel which might just be made before daylight without zig-zagging. (8)

10 Jul 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) torpedoed and damaged the Italian oiler Strombo (5232 GRT, built 1923) in the Zea Channel in position 37°30'N, 24°16'E. Strombo was on passage from the Dardanelles to Piraeus and from there onwards to Italy, at least that was the intention. She was escorted by the Italian torpedo boat Calatafimi.

1355C/10 - While Torbay was in position 325° - Cape Tamelos (Zea Island) - 6.4 nautical miles, an Arado 95 aircraft was sighted. This aircraft appeared to be an escort for the Italian tanker Strombo that was expected to arrive in this position shortly.

1430C/10 - Smoke was sighted in the direction of the aircraft.

1446C/10 - Strombo was sighted and an attack was commenced. The Strombo was escorted by the above aircraft and an Italian torpedo boat of the Curtatone class that was zig-zagging about half a mile ahead of the target.

1552C/10 - While Torbay was in position 269° Pt. St.Nikolo 6.6 nautical miles, four torpedoes were fired from 1200 yards. Two hits were obtained.

From 1555C/10 to 1620C/10 - Torbay was counter attacked by the escort with 13 single depth charges some of which were extremely close.

1630C/10 - Torbay came to periscope depth and saw that the tanker had sunk and that the aircraft and escorting torpedo boat were searching to the northward. Torbay went deep again. (According to Italian official history the tanker did not sink, she was taken in tow to Salamis by the Monzambano, there were two dead among the crew).

1700C/10 - A fairly loud explosion was heard, which might have been a bomb, Torbay went still deeper.

1750C/10 - Torbay returned to periscope depth and saw two 'destroyers' coming towards her. (this was Calatafimi now joined by the Climene). From 1800C/10 to 1920C/10 Torbay was now hunted and a total of 25 Depth charges were dropped but none were very close.

As Torbay was now out of torpedoes and had only 19 rounds for her deck gun left, Lt.Cdr. Miers decided to leave patrol and proceed to Alexandria. (8)

11 Jul 1941
At 0045C/11, in position 272° - Cape Trimeson (Syra) - 10.7 nautical miles, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) sighted a ship, thought to be a destroyer, fine on the starboard bow steering the opposite course at a range of 8 to 10 nautical miles. Torbay broke her battery charge and dived.

At 0130C/11, the enemy passed down the starboard side at a speed of 16 knots.

At 0215C/11, when about to surface, HE was picked up on the starboard bow and this also passed down the starboard side at 15 knots before being lost at 0240C/11. Thanks to the Asdic operator a very nasty situation thus could be avoided.

At 0300C/11, Torbay was able to surface and continue her passage.

At 0315C/11, in position 228° - Cape Trimeson - 10 nautical miles, HMS Torbay sighted a small vessel approaching on the starboard bow. The charge was again broken and the submarine submerged. Lt.Cdr. Miers decided to remain submerged for the remainder of the day.

At 0900C/11, in position 083° - Serfopoula Island - 8 nautical miles, HMS Torbay sighted two large merchant vessels escorted by a Spica-class torpedo boat on an opposite course. They were perfect targets but unfortunately HMS Torbay was out of torpedoes. they were westbound passing to the south of Mykonos apparently bound for the Thermia Channel.

This were most likely the transports Casaregis (Italian, 6485 GRT, built 1924) and Citta di Bastia (Italian, 2499 GRT, built 1930) on passage from Samos to Istmia escorted by the Italian destroyer Francesco Crispi. The minesweeper RD 35 had also been with the convoy on departure from Leros. This convoy had sailed from Leros at 1935B/10 July via Samos (2330B/10-0135B/11) for Isthmia. (8)

12 Jul 1941
At 0100A/12, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) was informed, in Capt. S 1's signal timed 2349C/11, that two Vichy French submarines were expected to pass through the Kaso Strait coming from Syria. These were the Caiman and Marsouin but they were not seen.

Caiman (Capitaine de Corvette (Lt.Cdr.) Jean-Baptiste Abel Golse) and Marsouin (Lieutenant de Vaisseau (Lt.) Étienne Maurice François Alfred Briand) sailed from Beirut respectively at 1755/5 and 2045/17 July for Messina where they arrived at 1800/14 July. They sailed from Messina at 1316-1330/16 July and arrived at Bizerte escorted by the destroyer Tramontaine at 0515-0750/17 July. ? (10)

15 Jul 1941
Around 0800C/15, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) arrived at Alexandria. (8)

28 Jul 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Alexandria. (11)

29 Jul 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Alexandria.

In the afternoon most likely with HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN). (12)

30 Jul 1941
In the morning, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Alexandria. Most likely with HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St.Clair-Ford, RN).

In the afternoon HMS Torbay made some practice attacks. Most likely on destroyers exercising. The two destroyers mentioned above were by that time joined by HMS Jervis (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO, RN), HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN), HMS Jaguar (Lt.Cdr. J.F.W. Hine, RN), HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN), HMS Griffin (Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO, RN) and HMS Havock (Lt. G.R.G. Watkins, RN). (13)

2 Aug 1941
Around 1930C/2, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) departed from Alexandria with orders to patrol in the Gulf of Sirte. (This is HMS Torbay's 4th Mediterranean War Patrol)

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

(8)

5 Aug 1941
At 0130C/5, while HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) was in position 33°20'N, 24°55'E she received Capt. S 1's signals timed 1918C/4 and 1923C/4 ordering her to patrol off Ras-el-Melh (which is in approximately 31°56'N, 25°02'E). It was expected that an enemy petrol carrier was en-route to that place and was expected to arrive from the north-west around dawn on the 6th.

[As far as we could determine no ship arrived at Bardia on or around that date and we thus have so far been unable to identify to which vessel this signal referred.] (14)

7 Aug 1941
An Albacore torpedo-bomber of 826 Squadron took off from Maa'ten Bagush airfield at 2200C/6 and attacked a submarine of the 'Italian Argo' class in position 070° - Tobruk - 40 nautical miles. The aircraft dropped a torpedo but it apparently sank after a run of about 100 yards. This was lucky as the submarine was HMS Torbay which sighted a biplane at 0032C/7 and very prudently dived. Lt.Cdr. Miers does not appear to have been aware that a torpedo had been dropped by the aircraft. 826 Squadron was only informed the following morning of the presence of a British submarine in the area.

On surfacing, HMS Torbay set course to proceed to the Gulf of Sirte as ordered in Capt. S 1's signal timed 2101C/6. (15)

9 Aug 1941
At 1645C/9, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) sighted a one-funnelled merchant vessel of about 3000 tons leaving Benghazi through the searched channel. Enemy speed was about 8 knots.

At 1725C/9, having reached the end of the searched channel the enemy changed course to 330° which was the course to proceed to the Messina Strait. An attack was now commenced.

At 1739C/9, shortly before firing torpedoes, Lt.Cdr. Miers sighted that the enemy was a propertly marked hospital ship. The attack was thus broken off.

The ship in question must have been the hospital ship Arno (Italian, 7785 GRT, built 1912) which had departed Benghazi at 1500B/9 for Naples. (16)

10 Aug 1941
At 0200C/10, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) received Capt. S 1's signal timed 2340C/9, informing her that a large enemy tanker was expected to arrive at Benghazi at A.M. on the 10th and also a large auxiliary schooner was expected. Both were laden with pertroleum.

This probably referred to the small tanker Labor (510 GRT, built 1930), the steamer Prospero (971 GRT, built 1904) and the schooners Esperia (385 GRT, built 1926) and Rita (?) escorted by the Italian torpedo boat Partenope who sailed from Tripoli at 1940B/7 and arrived at Benghazi at 0737B/10.

During the morning and then also in the afternoon five enemy A/S or M/S trawlers were seen operating in the area.

At 2000C/10, an enemy torpedo boat was seen off Ras Tayonnes steering north. It appeared to enter harbour around dusk passing fairly close to HMS Torbay. This was the Partenope who sailed from Benghazi at 1800B/10 to drop anchor at Ras Tayonnes. (15)

12 Aug 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) attacked an Italian convoy in position 286° Benghazi Lighthouse 4.6 nautical miles. The four torpedoes fired against the transports Bosforo (Italian, 3648 GRT, built 1929) and Iseo (Italian, 2366 GRT, built 1918) all missed their targets and Torbay was then hunted following by the escorting Italian torpedo boat Partenope.

This convoy was on passage from Brindisi, which they had departed around 1000B/9 for Benghazi where they arrived around 1300B/12.

According to Italian reports, at 1200B/12, the convoy was near the entrance of the searched channel, proceeding at 5 knots in single file with a pilot vessel leading, followed by the submarine chaser Cotugno, Partenope, Iseo, Bosforo and a minesweeper, when an escorting aircraft was observed to drop a bomb on a presumed submarine. At the same moment, Bosforo signalled a submarine to starboard. The escorting planes then dived repeatedly to the position of the submarine. Partenope ordered the merchant ships to enter harbour while she proceeded at 20 knots to the area where the submarine had been spotted. The submarine wake was visible and Partenope dropped a depth charge. An aircraft machine-gunned the sea to indicate the position of the submarine and the torpedo boat dropped a second 100-kg depth charge and for 5 to 8 seconds part of the submarine was visible. Partenope proceeded for another run and dropped five depth charges. In all, she had dropped seven depth charges (4 x 50-kg, two 100-kg and one 100-kg depth charges), all set to a depth of 25 metres, A large patch of oil was observed an water and the torpedo boat entered Benghazi harbour at 1516B/12, her commanding officer Capitano di Corvetta Bruno de Moratti, was convinced that the submarine had been sunk.

1145C/12 - Sighted smoke bearing 010° at extreme visibility. Altered course to intercept ships heading for Benghazi.

1200C/12 - Identified the enemy as two merchant ships of about 3000 tons escorted by an Italian torpedo boat of the Spica class, a large MAS boat and an Italian aircraft overhead.

1248C/12 - Fired four torpedoed against the rear merchant ship. Torbay went deep upon firing. Five minutes later a very loud explosion was heard that was thought to be a hit. Torbay returned to periscope depth. The periscope was raised just in time to see the last torpedo explode on the rocks North of Benghazi. Also the aircraft was seen to dive towards the submarine. Torbay went deep again. It was also observed that the target was still afloat and was still heading towards the harbour entrance.

1308C/12 - The aircraft dropped a bomb fairly close. Information from Italian archive give that Torbay was attacked by a CANT Z 501 (pilot S.T.V. Ugo De Biaggi) of 196 Squadriglia which dropped two depth-charges set at a depth of 30 and 50 meters respectively and claimed the submarine sunk.

1315C/12 to 1345C/12 - - Hunted by the escort. She was very close at moments, but fortunately she dropped no depth charges at these moments. Torbay managed to escape undamaged. A/S forces, small vessels and aircraft were seen patrolling in the area the entire afternoon.

2107C/12, Torbay surfaced and set course for El Brega. (17)

13 Aug 1941
At 0630C/13, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) sighted two schooners aground in the harbour at El Brega. [We have been unable to identify these vessels.]

At 0647C/17, HMS Torbay dived and then patrolled north-east along the coast all day. Nothing was seen all day. On surfacing at 2047C/17, course was set to return to the Benghazi area. (8)

14 Aug 1941
At 2130C/14, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) surfaced after a day of submerged patrol off Benghazi. She then left the area to proceed to patrol in the Kithera area. (8)

15 Aug 1941
At 1527C/15, in position 34°53'N, 21°09'E, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) sighted and dived for an enemy submarine which was sighted ahead bearing 037°. Range was about 5 nautical miles.

The enemy was steering roughly the opposite course. When Lt.Cdr. looked through the periscope he saw nothing so most likely the enemy must also have dived.

At 1614C/15, HMS Torbay surfaced for half a minute to make sure that no error in identification had been made but nothing was seen.

At 1630C/15, two periscopes were seen bearing 001°. They were not very close. It was thought the enemy might want to surface so remained on this course to close but the periscopes were seen once more shortly afterwards but from then on nothing more was seen.

At 2100C/15, HMS Torbay surfaced and continued her passage to her new patrol area.

The enemy submarine sighted was the Italian Filippo Corridoni which was en-route from Taranto (departed 2340B/12) for Bardia (arrived 1248B/17). The Italians had also sighted the British submarine at a range of 5000 yards and had dived to attack. (8)

16 Aug 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) sank the sailing vessel PI 188 / Evangelista (28 GRT) with scuttling charges in position 106° - Cape Matapan - 1.3 nautical miles.

2025C/16 - In position 149° Cape Matapan 5.3 nautical miles sighted a schooner rounding Cape Matapan heading East.

2047C/16 - Surfaced to catch up with the schooner.

2107C/16 - Fired at the schooner from point blank range. Gunnery was ineffective so ceased fire after 18 rounds.

2140C/16 - Went alongside the schooner to place a TNT charge.

2200C/16 - Proceeded to the South-East. (8)

18 Aug 1941
During the nights of 18-19 and 19-20 August 1941 HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) picked up a total of 130 Allied troops and Greeks from a beach on the coast of Southern Crete.

The escapees were under the command of Lt.Cdr. Francis Grant Pool, RN, who headed the SOE para-naval activities from Alexandria. Initially twelve Greeks had also embarked but when the number of escapees appeared to grow beyond expectations, the Greeks were forcibly removed to make room for the British, all thirteen officers and 118 other ranks were rescued. Later in the year, more escapees would be rescued from the same area by the Hellenic submarine Nereus (Lt. Alexandros Rallis), the caique Hedgehog and the sailing boat Escampador under Lieutenant Michael Bullstrode Cumberlege, RNVR and Lieutenant John Campbell, RNVR. (8)

22 Aug 1941
Around 1100C/22, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) arrived at Alexandria from patrol. (8)

26 Aug 1941
Around 1410C/26, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.S. Brookes, RN) departed Alexandria for Port Said. (18)

27 Aug 1941
Around 1445C/27, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.S. Brookes, RN) arrived at Port Said from Alexandria. (18)

29 Aug 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.S. Brookes, RN) is docked at Port Said in the Suez Canal's Company floating dock. (18)

3 Sep 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.S. Brookes, RN) was undocked. At 1500C/3, she left Port Said to return to Alexandria where she arrived around 1200C/4. (19)

6 Sep 1941
Around 1930C/6, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) departed from Alexandria with orders to patrol in the Aegean Sea. (This is HMS Torbay's 5th Mediterranean War Patrol)

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

(20)

7 Sep 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) encounters the Italian submarine Dagabur. She is however unable to inflict damage on the enemy.

1310C/7 - In position 32°29'N, 29°07'E sighted an Italian submarine. Altered course to attack.

1329C/7 - The attack setup does not go as planned so at 1332C/7 Torbay surfaces for gun action from 1500 yards. Torbay's first round however misfired but luckily the enemy dived and did not engage Torbay.

1337C/7 - Torbay dived but contact was lost soon afterwards. (20)

9 Sep 1941
During the day, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) passed northbound through the Kaso Strait while proceeding submerged and entered the Aegean.

At 0200C/9, received a signal from Capt. S 1, timed 1530C/8, which ordered her to patrol off the Dardanelles and proceed there via the Zea and Doro Channel. Cdr. Miers decided to also patrol near Suda Bay to arrive off the Zea Channel at dawn on the 11th so as to pass throough this important area in daylight. (8)

10 Sep 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) torpedoed and damaged the German transport Norburg (2392 GRT, built 1922) inside Candia (Iraklion) harbour, Crete. The damaged German merchant settles on the bottom of the harbour but is later salvaged. She never saw service again. Earlier in the day, she had been attacked off Cape Drepano by Torbay and missed with three torpedoes. This was lucky as she carried about 200 PoWs (British, Australians and New Zealanders) from Suda to Iraklion and they were landed shortly before the second attack occurred (our thanks to Andrew Holyoake for providing these details).

(All times are zone -2)
0605C/3 - Dived in position 073°, Cape Drepano, 7 nautical miles and closed the entrance to Suda Bay.

0750C/3 - Sighted smoke behind Suda Island and a little later two merchant ships of about 3000 tons each escorted by a torpedo boat. Also a flying boat circled over this convoy. Commenced attack.
(These were the German merchants Santa Fe (4627 GRT, built 1921) and Norburg (2392 GRT, built 1922) escorted by the German auxiliary patrol vessel 12 V 4 (former British minesweeper Widnes).

0842C/3 - After difficulty getting into a favourable firing position three torpedoes were fired in position 048° Cape Drepano 1.2 nautical miles. Range was 1500 yards. The convoy was able to evade the torpedoes.

0850C/3 - Torbay was hunted and depth charged by the escort. The convoy made off to the east with Torbay in pursuit at full submerged speed hoping to catch up on the surface during the night.

1335C/3 - Surfaced and tried to catch up with the convoy, crash diving each time aircraft were sighted.

1635 hours - As the enemy was not in sight it was realised that they must have put into Candia. Decided to close the harbour of Candia.

1717C/3 - Dived in position 050° Candia breakwater 5 nautical miles. Sighted the convoy in the harbour. There were three merchants present. It was noticed that the stern of one of the merchants could be hit with a torpedo through the harbour entrance.

2003C/3 - Fired a torpedo from 3000 yards through the harbour entrance resulting in hit. A large splash was seen followed by smoke and fire. (20)

11 Sep 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) passed through the Thermia Channel (instead of the Zea Channel) and Doro Channel during the day while en-route to the Dardanelles. (8)

12 Sep 1941
In the evening, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN), examined Mudros Bay. (8)

13 Sep 1941
At 1700C/13, while patrolling off the Dardanelles, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN), sighted a caique that appeared to be heading towards Lemnos. Lt.Cdr. Miers set a course to try to intercept.

At 2000C/13, HMS Torbay surfaced in position 226° - Ponente Point - 4.8 nautical miles and continued to chase the caique. The caique passed close round Tenedos Island and remained in Turkish territorial waters. The chase was thus abandoned and HMS Torbay proceeded to patrol to the soouth of Imbros during the night. (8)

14 Sep 1941
At 2043C/14, while in position 296° - Cape Helles - 6.7 nautical miles, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) sighted a merchant vessel approaching the Dardanelles from the inside of Tenedos Island. HMS Torbay closed the entrance to the Dardanelles at full speed.

At 2105C/14, now in position 266° - Cape Helles - 2 nautical miles, HMS Torbay was able to read the ships reply from the shore signal station thereby identifying the ship as the Turkish merchant vessel Izmir (4871 GRT, built 1907). HMS Torbay then turned away and resumed patrol. (8)

15 Sep 1941
At 1010B/15, while in position 284° - Cape Helles - 7.0 nautical miles, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) sighted a small merchant ship coming out of the Dardanelles.

Ten minutes later the ship turned to the north and proceeded up the Turkish coast. HMS Torbay turned to pass up the east coast of Imbros and increased speed to 5 knots.

At 1136B/15, the ship was observed to alter course to the westward to pass to the north of Imbros and as there was no reported anchorage on this coast, HMS Torbay surfaced in position 312° - Cape Helles - 7.2 nautical miles to give chase on the surface at full speed.

At 1220B/15, the ship was sighted at anchor in Kastro Bay with a boat down. Turkish colours were observed flying and painted on the ships side. Torbay then turned round to regain her position of the Dardanelles.

At 1250B/15, Torbay dived in position 320° - Cape Helles - 12.5 nautical miles.

At 1438B/15, while in position 313° - Cape Helles - 8.1 nautical miles the Turkish ship passed half a mile to the eastward on her return journey. It was now seen to a ship of about 1200 tons with two masts and one funnel, all raked, high bridge and poop and a counter stern.

At 1530B/15, while in position 305° - Cape Helles - 6.0 nautical miles, Capt. S 1's signal timed 1252B/15, was received which ordered HMS Torbay to proceed at once to the Gulf of Athens. Course was set to comply. (8)

16 Sep 1941
At 0517B/16, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) dived in position 090° - Doro Island - 6.4 nautical miles and the submarine then proceeded submerged at 3 knots throught the Doro and Zea Channels.

At 1935B/16, HMS Torbay surfaced in position 050° - St. Georgio Island - 16 nautical miles and patrolled in the south-western approaches to the Gulf of Athens throughout the day. (8)

17 Sep 1941
At 0545B/17, at first light (through the periscope), while in position 048° - St. Giorgio Island - 13.5 nautical miles, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) sighted a convoy of three ships, one of which was thought to be an armed merchant cruiser, escorted by a destroyer (or torpedo boat). They were about 4 nautical miles due south steering 330° into the Gulf of Athens. Lt.Cdr. Miers commenced to close at full speed but he soon realised that it was not possible to get in close.

At 0601B/17, the destroyer dropped a depth charge and was seen to be steering towards. This was considered to be a zig and although she dropped a second depth charge two minutes later, it was soon evident that she was not hunting. The high speed of HMS Torbay was probably audible in her hydrophones and the depth charges were therefore most likely dropped as a deterrent.

At 0715B/17, while HMS Torbay was now in position 017° - St. Giorgio Island - 9.5 nautical miles, the attack was abandoned as the torpedo running range was never less then 6000 yards. The enemy ships were thought to be one transport of the 'City-class' of 2500 tons and a 'Brioni-class' of 2000 tons. The other ship was smaller and was thought to be an armed merchant cruiser.

The convoy sighted was most likely the one made up of the transports Città di Agrigento (Italian, 2480 GRT, built 1930) and Vesta (Italian, 3351 GRT, built 1923) which were escorted by the Italian armed merchant cruiser Brioni (1987 GRT, built 1931) and the Italian torpedo boat Lupo. The convoy was en-route from Rhodos to Piraeus. Lupo, had joined from Leros. The convoy arrived in Piraeus at 0855-0915B/17.

At 0845B/17, while in position 354° - St. Giorgio Island - 11.6 nautical miles, HMS Torbay sighted two RD-class minesweepers coming down the swept channel in line abreast and flying two black balls and an Italian flag at their masts. HMS Torbay kept well clear to the westward. The minesweepers passed close round Gaidaro Island and steered east as far as the Mandri Channel before turning round.

By 1100B/17, the minesweepers returned and passed east of Phleva Island.

At 1242B/17, three small vessels resembling tugs or harbour launches came down the swept channel past Gaidaro Island and returned past Phleva at 1400B/17. They appeared to be sweeping.

At 1400B/17, HMS Torbay commenced to return down the swept channel to the open sea so as to arrive there before dark.

At 1934B/17, HMS Torbay surfaced in position 011° - St. Georgio Island - 7.2 nautical miles and then patrolled to the south-east of the island. (21)

18 Sep 1941
A busy day for HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) while patrolling off the Gulf of Athens. A lot of enemy shipping was sighted. One attack on an enemy transport was made during which two torpedoes were fired but both missed the target.

0830B/18 - When HMS Torbay was in position 352° - St. Georgio - 10.0 nautical a transport escorted by two destroyers (or torpedo boats) were sighted emerging from behind Phleva Island. Commenced attack.

0915B/18 - The attack was broken off as the target appeared rather small and was in ballast. Lt.Cdr. Miers decided to wait for 'bigger prey'. The enemy appeared to be making for the Zea Channel. This was possibly the German auxiliary minelayer Bulgaria (1188 GRT, built 1894) escorted by the Italian torpedo boats Monzambano and Calatafimi en-route from Piraeus to Thessaloniki. They had sailed from Piraeus at 0600-0630B/18 for Saloniki where they arrived at 1235-1310B/19.

0943B/18 - Just like the day before two RD-class minesweepers were seen and again they swept as far as the Mandri Channel.

1000B/18 - A very small merchant vessel of only around 300 tons was seen coming down the swept channel and then proceeding up the Mandri Channel. In any other place this would have been a perfect gun target. This was most likely the Silva (Italian, 646 GRT, built 1889) which had sailed from Piraeus at 0710B/18 for Syra and Rhodes.

1245B/18 - In position 018° St. Georgio 6.8 nautical miles sighted a well laden merchant ship of about 2000 tons. Closed to attack.

1304B/18 - In position 017° St. Georgio 7.7 nautical miles fired two torpedoes from 2000 yards but these both missed. Possibly the speed was not estimated correctly. It was thought the vessel was the Italian Marconi (1191 GRT, built 1919) but was most likely the Bucintoro (Italian, 1326 GRT, built 1909) which had left Piraeus at 1020B/18 for Samos. She was escorted by the minesweeper RD 16 as far as Zea.

1335B/18 - Hardly had this abortive attack been completed when another small vessel in ballast, thought to be the Sacro Cuore (Italian, 1084 GRT, built 1899) and escorted by an RD-class minesweeper was seen approaching from the Mandri Channel. This was most probably the Avionia (Italian, 1113 GRT, built 1882) which was on passage from Chalkis to Piraeus where she arrived around 1645B/18.

1350B/18 - While this ship was being observed another enemy force was sighted coming from behind Phleva consiting of a merchant ship of about 1500 tons escorted by two destroyers and an aircraft. An attack was started on this new enemy which was identified as one of the Capo Lena-class of 4800 tons.

1415B/18 - While HMS Torbay was in position 006° St. Georgio 8.4 nautical miles the enemy made an alteration of course of 35° to port which put HMS Torbay very fine on their port bow at a range of 1000 yards. HMS Torbay had to go deep and run across at full speed prior to firing from close range on a broad track. During this, with the enemy almost on top, the fore hydroplanes jammed in the ' hard to rise ' position and 'Q' tank had to be flooded and blown twice to maintain trim. By the time the submarine was sufficiently in control for the attack to be resumed the enemy was no longer in a favourable attack position. The enemy steered for the Thermia Channel. This ship was was the transport Sagitta (Italian, 5153 GRT, built 1919) on passage from Piraeus (departed at 1110-1130B/18) to Rhodos (arrived 1750-1812B/19) escorted by the Italian torpedo boats Lupo and Libra. (20)

19 Sep 1941
While on patrol off the Gulf of Athens HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) attacked a convoy of three tranports escorted by two destroyers and aircraft. Four torpedoes were fired but these all missed. Torbay is depth charged by the escorts but not damaged.

The attack was against the convoy made up of the; Citta di Savona (2500 GRT, built 1930) and Citta di Marsala (2480 GRT, built 1929) escorted by the armed merchant cruiser Barletta (1975 GRT, built 1931) and the destroyers Francesco Crispi and Quintino Sella. Crispi sighted three torpedo tracks at 1515B/19 in position 37°45'N, 23°50'E. The alert was actually given by a German escorting aircraft from Group 126, giving the position as LQ 3846 (37°37.5'N, 23°55'E). The convoy was on passage from Suda Bay to Piraeus where they arrived at 1750B/19.

0517B/19 - HMS Torbay dived in position 354° - St. Georgio - 8.0 nautical miles and then commenced patrolling one mile to the south of the entrance to the swept channel close east of Gaidaro Island to be in a position to attack ships going east to the Zea Channel and to the south-east past St. Giorgo Island.

0715B/19 - Two Spica-class torpedo boats thought to be marked 'AI' and 'EI' were seen coming down the searched channel. They passed within a mile and the proceeded up the Zea Channel in line ahead. [Perhaps Aldebaran 'AL' and Clio 'CL' ???.]

0930B/19, As usual sighted two RD-class minesweepers on their daily run sweeping towards the entry to the Mandri Channel.

1430B/19 - While in position 020° - St. Georgio - 9.3 nautical miles sighted a convoy of three merchant ships (one was thought to be an armed merchant cruiser) escorted by two destroyers and aircraft. Closed at full speed to intercept.

1510B/19 - While in position 003° - St. Georgio - 9.6 nautical miles fired four torpedoes from a range of about 4000 yards. Obtained one possible hit. Torbay was counter-attacked by the escorts with in all 14 depth-charges. Torbay was able to slip away. (20)

21 Sep 1941
Near St. Georgio Island, off the Gulf of Athens, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) attacked the transport Virginia S. (German (former Greek), 3885 GRT, built 1905) which was being escorted by the auxiliary submarine chasers 12 V 1, 12 V 4 and 12 V 5 and the Italian motor torpedo boat MAS 534 as well as aircraft. The convoy was on passage from Piraeus to Chalkis. Two torpedoes were fired but these both missed. Torbay is depth charged by the escorts but was not damaged.

0930B/21 - When in position 358° - St. Georgio - 7.7 nautical miles sighted a merchant ship of about 2000 tons escorted by aircraft and three A/S vessels. Commenced attack.

1030B/21 - In position 015° - St. Georgio - 10.4 nautical miles fired two torpedoes from very close range and went deep. The target was seen to be the Rumanian Virginia wearing the German colours. No hits were obtained as both torpedoes ran under the target. Torbay was now counter attacked by the escorts with depth charges but these caused no damage.

1115B/21 - On return to periscope depth it was seen that the enemy proceeded up the Mandri Channel. (20)

22 Sep 1941
At 1255B/22, when in position 013° - St. Georgio Island - 8.5 nautical miles, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) sighted a ship which was thought to be the Italian naval tanker Tarvisio (5484 GRT, built 1927). She was escorted by two destroyer / torpedo boats and two aircraft.

The enemy were steering 020° to make the searched channel to the west of Gaidaro Island. Unfortunately in the very rough weather the target was seen to late for Torbay to be able to attack. The starboard screening escort was seen to be a torpedo of the Spica-class with 'LU' painted on her side so this must have been the Lupo.

The ships sighted were indeed the Tarvisio escorted by the torpedo boats Lupo and Libra. They had sailed from Leros for Piraeus at 1215-1221B/21. When it was learned that Virginia had been attacked (by HMS Torbay at 1030B on 21 September 1941) near Cape Sunion, they were ordered to pass to the west of Aghios Georgios. They arrived at their destination at 1622-1756B/22. (8)

23 Sep 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) attacked a merchant ship that was towing a lighter escorted by a destroyer and aircraft. Two torpedoes were fired but these both missed. Torbay was then counter attacked by the destroyer but managed to escape. The target was the Italian salvage vessel Cyclops (447 GRT, built 1905) escorted by the Italian destroyer Francesco Crispi.

Cyclops escorted by Crispi sailed from Piraeus for Suda Bay at 1420B/23 September. At 1840B/23, MAS 538 sailed from Piraeus to hunt the submarine. In the Gulf of Petali, only boats suspected to belong to partisans were sighted and she opened fire on them with unknown results and returned to Piraeus at 1320B/24,?

0930B/23 - Sighted the two usual minesweepers sweeping the swept channel towards the Mandri Channel.

1500B/23 - In position 350° - St. Georgio - 10 nautical miles sighted two aircraft patrolling. Soon afterwards sighted smoke. The smoke came from a merchant ship escorted by a destroyer.

1640B/23 - The enemy altered course to pass to the West of St. Georgio on a direct course towards Suda Bay. It was now seen that the target was rather small, 1000 tons but that it was also towing a large lighter. Commenced attack.

1715B/23 - In position 340° - St. Georgio - 11.4 nautical miles fired two torpedoes. These missed. Torbay went deep and was hunted and counter attacked by the destroyer.

1911B/23 - Surfaced in position 322° - St. Georgio - 5.7 nautical miles and gave chase at full speed in the hope of finding the target unescorted during the night.

2005B/23 - In position 197° - St. Georgio - 9.6 nautical miles sighted the target but the destroyer was still present. The attack was broken off and Torbay set a course for the Serpho Channel and onwards to return to Alexandria. (20)

28 Sep 1941
Around 1130B/28 hours, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) arrived at Alexandria from patrol. (20)

7 Oct 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) departed from Alexandria with orders to perform a special mission and afterwards to patrol off the Gulf of Sirte. (This is HMS Torbay's 6th Mediterranean War Patrol)

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

(8)

10 Oct 1941
In the early evening, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) lands Army Captain John Edward Haselden behind enemy lines on the coast of Libya. Capt. Haselden was to reconnoitre for a possible operation in conjunction with local Arabs.

Captain Haselden was to prepare the ground work for Operation FLIPPER, the attack on Rommel's headquarters which was carried out the following month. (8)

15 Oct 1941
At 1830B/15, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) carries out a brief bombardment of Apollonia before withdrawing 8 minutes later due to two shore batteries opening fire. (8)

18 Oct 1941
Around 1100B/18, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) ended her 6th Mediterranean War Patrol at Alexandria. (8)

4 Nov 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) conducted independent exercises off Alexandria. (22)

10 Nov 1941
Around 1600B/10, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) departed from Alexandria with orders to perform a special mission. (This is HMS Torbay's 7th Mediterranean War Patrol)

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 Talisman also participated in this operation called 'Flipper'. For more information on Operation Flipper see this article on Wikipedia.

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

(22)

13 Nov 1941
HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) conducted periscope reconnaissance off all beaches in the proposed landing zone. (22)

14 Nov 1941
During the night of 14/15 November the commandos (3 officers and 25 other ranks) embarked in HMS Torbay for operation Flipper were landed some 250 miles behind enemy lines.

During the following days HMS Torbay remained in the area.

0637B/14 - Torbay dived in position 285° - Ras Aamer - 13.5 nautical miles and commenced to close the land.

1025B/14 - In position 320° - Ras Aamer - 6 nautical miles a Ghibli aircraft was seen patrolling along the coast. Torbay went deep.

1300B/14 - Torbay entered the bay for a final periscope reconnaissance.

1828B/14 - Torbay surfaced in position 284° - Ras Aamer - 3 nautical miles.

1852B/14 - Full buoyancy was now obtained and the fore and aft gun tower hatches were now opened and the landing party, folbots, rubber boats and gear were assembled on the fore casing.

1904B/14 - On completing the above the fore hatch was shut and the submarine trimmed down by the bow and the final approach to the beach was commenced. Meanwhile the boats were being inflated, manned and stored on the casing.

1915B/14 - Signals were observed on the shore.

1930B/14 - These signals were identified as those agreed with Captain Haselden which had been landed by Torbay on 10 October 1941.

1956B/14 - The folbot was launched succesfully.

2005B/14 - A large sea swept overboard the four more aftermost rubberboats.

2034B/14 to 2046B/14 - The first two of the four rubberboats that had been swept overboard were recovered.

2055B/14 to 2104B/14 - The third rubber boat was sighted and retrieved.

2107B/14 to 2116B/14 - The fourth rubber boat was sighted and retrieved. Course was then set to return to the beach which was now some two nautical miles to the westward of Torbay's current position.

2135B/14 - Commenced launching the rubber boats. The folbot arrived from shore to investigate the delay, having waiter for over an hour in vain. The folbot then returned at once to the shore to show a light to indicate the landing beach and the first seven rubber boats got away with only a few spills.

2216B/14 to 2240B/14 - Torbay had now drifted well to the eastward. The operation had to be temporary interrupted to regain position.

2240B/14 to 2300B/14 - The operation was continued but for a time most unsuccessfully. The swell during this period seemed to have increased and perhaps the least well trained soldiers were being launched - at any rate boats capsized again and in several cases their gear was lost overboard.

2315B/14 - It was decided to re-embark the folbot, which had again pulled out to investigate, during the period of re-organisation necessitated by the spills mentioned above. Unfortunately the boat shipped so much water while alongside that, although she was handled extremely efficiently and both crew and gear were successfully disembarked, when the boat itself was lifted out of the water, the water inside the boat ran to one side causing the boat to break its back and become a total loss.

2320B/14 to 2359B/14 - A slight lee was obtained by approaching close to the spit at the west end of the bay and all but one of the remaining boats were launched without very much difficulty.

0000/15 to 0014B/15 - The one remaining boat gave more trouble than all its predecessors, capsizing three times and turning its occupants into the sea. The submarine was trimmed right down in an effort to assist them and actually bottomed in shallow water.

0014B/15 to 0020B/15 - The heavy ground swell made this a risky proceeding so main ballast was blown and the submarine was taken into deeper water.

0020B/15 to 0030B/15 - The last, 13th, boat was finally launched and got away successfully. Full buoyancy was then obtained and all gear was stowed below.

0425B/15 - After having charged the depleted battery with both engines, HMS Torbay, now proceeded northwards at high speed to pass several signals on the completion of the operation.

0731B/15 - Torbay dived and commenced to close the coast submerged at a speed of 5 knots.

1854B/15 - Torbay surfaced and proceeded northwards again to pass further messages.

2300B/15 - Torbay set course to return to the beach.

0637B/16 - Torbay dived in position 280° - Ras Aamer - 16 nautical miles and commenced closing HMS Talisman at 5 knots.

0840B/16 - A signal timed 0445B/16 from Capt. S 1 which ordered HMS Talisman to return to Alexandria.

0900B/16 - SS/T communication was obtained with HMS Talisman which left the area 1.5 hours later.

1821B/16 - Torbay surfaced but had to hove to in a northeasterly gale.

0628B/17 - Torbay dived and remained at 60 feet coming up for W/T routines if required.

1818B/17 - Torbay surfaced and remained hove to.

0646B/18 - Torbay dived and closed the beach.

0755B/18 - A star sight could finally be taken, the first one in 48 hours. This showed that HMS Torbay was considerably out of position.

0941B/18 - An aircraft was sighted so Torbay dived. She continued to close the beach for a periscope reconnaissance. The weather was still unfavourable, wind and sea had dropped but a heavy swell was running from the north from which no lee was obtainable.

1720B/18 - The weather forecast received promised suitable conditions for the following day.

1819B/18 - Torbay surfaced and then patrolled in sight of the Khashm al Kalb beach while charging the battery.

1900B/18 to 2230B/18 - The correct signals were flashed from the beach alternating with requests for a boat to be sent along with life belts. This was disturbing as all soldiers had been landed with two each which were to be hidden with the boats. These was also no indication of the number of men on the beach nor the number of lifebelts required.

2230B/18 - After no further information had been received from the shore, Lt. Cdr. Miers decided to sent in a rubber boat, manned by two men, to clear up the situation on the shore. They also took some lifebelts, food and water with them. They were to inform the persons on shore that the weather conditions were unsuitable for boat work, but that, as the weather was improving rapidly and in order not to delay the re-embarkation if there was a large portion of the force present HMS Torbay then intended to close within 100 yards of the spit of land at the western end of the beach at dawn for them to swim off.

2250B/18 - The rubber boat was launched but great difficulty was experienced in embarking the crew owing to the heavy swell. Finally, when it had broken adrift, Lt.Cdr. Miers decided to let it drift towards the beach. The boat contained 23 life vests, 12 water bottles and a quantity of food.

2315B/18 - Torbay made a signal to shore that the weather was too rough tonight but that a boat was being floated in. Also the question was asked how many commandos there were and where their boats and life vests were.

A signal was returned that there were 22 commandos, the boats and life vests had been lost and that the boat had drifted ashore.

More signals followed and it was decided that Torbay would return the following night.

2355B/18 - Torbay stood out to sea to charge but remained in sight of the beach in case her assistance was required.

0618B/19 - Torbay dived and carried out a successful periscope reconnaissance of all beaches but without seeing anything. The day was spent to get the five remaining rubber boats in a good working order and making paddles to replace the ones lost during the disembarkation. The weather meanwhile had improved to make boatwork possible although there was still a swell into the bay. The weather forecast predicted similar weather for the following night.

1820B/19 - Torbay surfaced and closed the beach. No signals were however seen, although a light was observed in the fort on the beach.

2000B/19 - Lt.Cdr. Miers decided to sent in a folbot to establish contact in case there was no longer a torch available on the beach. The officer in charge was instructed to act with extreme caution and to withdraw if his suspicions were in any way aroused. In the event of making contact he was to obtain full information of the numbers present, including the number of wounded and non-swimmers, known casualties and parties still to come, together with whereabouts of the enemy and a rough report of the operations conducted. He was then to return to tow in the rubber boats and inform the commandos that if it was found impracticable to propel or haul the boats against the swell, the whole party would have to swim off at dawn the following morning.

2025B/19 - The folbot was successfully launched and was seen heading towards the correct beach.

2150B/19 - A signal was received from the folbot indicating its return and five minutes later it was safely embarked but in a damaged state. They had seen people on the beach which appeared to be smoking. Also some shouts were heard but they were indistinguishable. While paddeling along the beach a blue light was seen which was the agreed colour but no signalling followed. Therefore they flashed some 'T's' with the torch but then the folbot capsized in the surf. They lost on paddle but were able to save the remainder of their gear but the folbot itself was holed. It was then decided to return to Torbay as they must have been in full view from the beach while righting and draining the folbot. The folbot was making water fast and was only re-embarked by HMS Torbay just in time to prevent it from sinking.

2212B/19 - Torbay proceeded to investigate 'Number 6 beach' but nothing was seen there. She then spent the night patrolling up and down the beaches without seeing any signals from shore. An aircraft was heard on one occasion but it was not seen.

0626B/20 - Torbay dived and carried out further periscope reconnaissance. During the forenoon all beaches were seen to be in enemy hands and enemy troops were seen to be searching. Aircraft were also seen to be patrolling in the area but they were patrolling the foreshore and not the sea. These activities ceased during the afternoon and the beach was deserted again. It was hoped that after all this was only a routine patrol.

1826B/20 - Torbay surfaced and patrolled up and down the beaches without seeing any signals. At one moment a starshell was fired over Ras Aamer. The situation seemed hopeless and also unpleasant as the weather was now completely calm and ideal for operations of motor torpedo boats.

0619B/21 - Torbay dived and approached the beach. Consideable enemy activity was observed. It also appeared the enemy were installing coast defence guns.

1200B/21 - As a re-embarkation was now clearly out of the question course was set to a beach to the east of Ras Aamer where a Ghibli aircraft on several occasions disappeared flying so low as to suggest a landing ground.

1500B/21 - An apparently undamaged Ghibli aircraft was seen in the middle of a clearing.

1530B/21 to 1630B/21 - Closed submerged for gunnery action but the presence of patrolling aircraft initially prevented this.

1630B/21 - Surfaced and engaged the enemy aircraft in low visibility. The aircraft had just been moved under a cover and was most difficult to see. After a while a direct hit was finally obtained.

1650B/21 - Torbay dived and continued her passage eastwards.

1812B/21 - Torbay surfaced and continued her passage eastwards while remaining close inshore to look for signals.

1900B/21 - Course was set to return to Alexandria. (22)

24 Nov 1941
Around 1100B/24, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) ended her 7th Mediterranean War Patrol at Alexandria. (22)

6 Dec 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Alexandria with HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, RN) and HMS Decoy (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Alliston, RN). (23)

9 Dec 1941
Around 1115B/9, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) departed from Alexandria with orders to patrol of the west coast of Greece, the approaches to Navarin Bay. (This is HMS Torbay's 8th Mediterranean War Patrol)

On departure A/S exercises were carried out HMS Jervis (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO and Bar, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, DSC, RN). (20)

9 Dec 1941
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Torbay during 8th war patrol see the map below.

11 Dec 1941
In a signal from Capt. S 1, timed 0931B/11, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) is ordered to patrol off Navarino. Lt.Cdr. Miers decided that while en-route, Torbay could patrol off Suda Bay the following morning. (24)

12 Dec 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) sank the German sailing vessel P III (Former Greek Agios Nikolaos) with gunfire north-west of Suda Bay, Crete. P III was on passage from Suda Bay to Iraklion with a cargo of petrol.

0622B/12 - Dived in position 090° - Suda Island - 7.5 nautical miles.

0730B/12 - In position 090° - Suda Island - 4.2 nautical miles sighted a 50 tons schooner (marked P 3) leaving Suda Bay on an easterly course. Torbay altered course to the eastward to intercept this schooner should she round Cape Drepano.

0814B/12 - In position 080° - Cape Drepano - 0.8 nautical miles surfaced about 1500 yards on the port quarter of the enemy and set the schooner on fire with gunfire. The schooner was seen to burn furiously.

0823B/12 - In position 126° - Cape Drepano - 1.9 nautical miles dived and set course for the harbour entrance to see what is inside.

1200B/12 - On completion of the reconnaissance, Torbay set course for the Anti-Kythera Channel. (20)

13 Dec 1941
At 0653B/13, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) dived in position 175° - Pylos Light - 15 nautical miles.

At 0830B/13, when in position 182° - Pylos Light - 11.7 nautical miles, sighted a small 1000 tons merchant vessel in ballast escorted by a torpedo boat (possibly Antares) and a trawler. They were seen to enter Navarino from the northwest and were out of range.

This must have been the transport Tripoli (Italian, 1166 GRT, built 1922) and the salvage vessel Arpione (Italian, 320 GRT, built 1924) escorted by the Italian torpedo boat Antares arriving at Navarino. The two merchant vessels came from Patras and were escorted by Antares who joined them from Zante. Antares sailed from Navarino at 1300B/13 for Taranto where she arrived at 0915B/14.

At 0835B/13, a transport was sighted anchored and probably beached in the entrance to the Methoni Channel about 6 nautical miles to the south of Navarino. She was laying in an exposed position. This ship was later recognized as the Andrea Gritti (Italian, 6338 GRT, built 1939). This was however incorrect as the ship was actually the Sebastiano Venier (Italian, 6311 GRT, built 1940).

At 1315B/13, while Torbay was still examining the Andrea Gritti the torpedo boat, which was thought to be Antares, was seen leaving Navarino for the northward. This was indeed Antares leaving for Taranto (see above).

Att 1805B/13, HMS Torbay surfaced in position 182° - Pylos Light - 7.2 nautical miles, and patrolled close west of the Methoni Channel. The possibility of sending a demolition party by Folbot to destroy the damaged transport was investigated but the idea was abandoned as impracticable since it was considered that scuttling charges would not have enough explosive power to make sure that damage inflicted would be fatal. Also the weather was unsuitable. It was considered better to try to destroy the damaged vessel with a torpedo.

At 1925B/13, Capt. S 1's signal timed 1759B/13, was received which reported an enemy convoy made up of two transports and two destroyers leaving Argostoli at 1719B/13. Torbay the set course to the westwards to try to intercept. The convoy reported was made up of the transports Capo Orso (Italian, 3149 GRT, built 1916) and Iseo (Italian, 2366 GRT, built 1918) which were en-route to Benghazi. They were escorted by the destroyers Strale (S.O.) and Turbine.

According to Italian records this convoy sailed from Argostoli for Benghazi at 1530B/13 but at 2250B/13 received the order to turn back but shortly after the two merchantmen collided. They dropped anchor at Argostoli at 0830B/14, but Capo Orso had to be beached as pumps could not check the flooding. Iseo escorted by Turbine sailed for Patras at 1300B/15 December. Capo Orso followed two days later. Strale sailed from Argostoli at 1315B/16 and arrived at Navarino at 2044B /16. (24)

14 Dec 1941
At 0725B/14, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) dived in position 234° - Pylos Light - 71 nautical miles and steered north at slow speed.

At 0950B/14, the Asdic operator reported turbine HE to the northward but nothing could be seen.

At 1010B/14, when Torbay was in position 236° - Pylos Light - 67 nautical miles a one-funneled torpedo boat was sighted thought to be of the Orsa-class. She passed well out of range to the northward steering west.

According to Italian records, the torpedo boat Orsa had arrived from Derna at Navarino at 1000B/12 and sailed from there at 0655B/14 to reinforce the escort of the Ankara convoy, but the convoy was not seen. She was recalled to Navarino where she dropped anchor at 1715B/14. She must have been the torpedo boat sighted.

At 1035B/14, Torbay surfaced in the hope of seeing more ships.

At 1059B/14, Torbay submerged again. Nothing further than the destroyer was seen which eventually had disappeared to the westwards at high speed.

At 1350B/14, while Torbay was in position 236° - Pylos Light - 61 nautical miles a similar destroyer / torpedo boat that had been sighted at 1010 hours passed out of range to the southward steering east at about 15 knots. It may well have been the same destroyer that had been sighted earlier but now on her return trip. This must have Orsa again (see above).

At 1748B/14, Torbay surfaced and commenced to close Navarino. It was Lt.Cdr. Miers intention to finish of the grounded Sebastiano Venier (Italian, 6311 GRT, built 1940) [thought by Lt.Cdr. Miers to be the Andrea Gritti (Italian, 6338 GRT, built 1939)] with a torpedo shortly after dawn the following morning. (20)

15 Dec 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) sank three Greek sailing vessels with gunfire off Cape Methoni. These were the following; KAL 208 / Agios Georgios (25 tons), KAL 185 / Maria (45 tons) and KAL 220 / Kyriakula (15 tons)

Torbay also torpedoed and destroyed the grounded and wrecked transport Sebastiano Venier (Italian 6311 GRT, built 1940) off Cape Methoni.

0635B/15 - Torbay dived in position 182° - Pylos Light - 9.6 nautical miles.

0800B/15 - While in position 280° Cape Methoni 1.4 nautical miles closing the wrecked transport, spotted three sailing vessels approaching through the Methoni Channel. They all seemed well laden.

0839B/15 - The sailing vessels were now well through the channel and in deep water. Surfaced in position 292° Cape Methoni 1.0 nautical miles and sank the three sailing vessels (estimated as two of 30 tons and one of 15 tons) with gunfire (31 rounds used). All three sank very quickly without catching fire.

0851B/15 - Dived and retired to the southwest. An Italian Mas boat was seen coming down the channel. It later picked up the survivors.

0936B/15 - Manoeuvred to get into position to torpedo (and destroy) the grounded wreck of the transport that had been torpedoed by HMS Porpoise on the 9th.

1031B/15 - Fired a torpedo from 1800 yards at the grounded wreck. The torpedo went slightly off course and hit the rocks.

1038B/15 - Fired a second torpedo from 1200 yards. It hit the wreck. The ship now seemed beyond salvage and would most likely break up in the next gale. (20)

16 Dec 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) launches a folbot with 2 men to attack shipping in Navarino Bay. The attempt fails as they were sighted and fired at. They were able to escape and were picked up by Torbay outside the bay.

0630B/16 - Torbay dived in position 292° - Pylos Light - 4.4 nautical miles. The day was then spent carrying out a careful reconnaissance of Navarino harbour. The merchant ship of around 1000 tons that had been seen arriving there on the 13th was still there. The weather was calm and sea conditions were perfect for folbot operation.

1841B/16 - Torbay surfaced in position 070° - Pylos Light - 5.1 nautical miles.

1848B/16 - The Asdic operator reported turbine HE to the northwestward. Nothing could be seen though. Torbay was manoeuvred to keep the HE right ahead.

1912B/16 - A small destroyer / torpedo boat was seen approaching the searched channel from the westward. At the same time HE was picked up from within the direction of the searched channel but nothing was seen.

2010B/16 - The small destroyer / torpedo boat was heard to enter harbour due to it's HE. Nothing could be seen against the dark land background though. Besides the merchant vessel there was now also this ship inside the harbour to be attacked with explosives with the Folbot. Enough explosives were made ready to destroy three ships in case there was another target present no previously seen.

2150B/16 - The Folbot and the explosives were rigged on the casing. To launch the Folbot Torbay trimmed down and the Folbot floated off at 2235B/16 in position 288° - Pylos Light - 1.5 nautical miles.

2248B/16 - Torbay proceeded to seaward to charge the battery.

2343B/16 - The Asdic operator reported pumping noises coming from the direction of Pylos but nothing could be seen. It was subsequently thought that these noises may have originated from the boom operating gear.

2349B/16 - Turbine HE was reported coming from the harbour entrance but nothing could be seen. The battery charge was stopped. Half an hour later the outline of a small vessel was seen which for nearly an hour circled the submarine. Lt.Cdr. Miers did not want to dive and loose grip on the situation so Torbay was continuously kept end on to the enemy at a range of 2 nautical miles.

0050B/17 - The enemy vessel was joined by a second vessel which appeared to be smaller. The enemy vessels then left the area on a steady course of 310°. It was thought the the first vessel may have been the destroyer / torpedo boat and that the small merchant vessel had joined her later.

0112B/17 - Closed the coast in the hope that the Folbot might be quickly re-embarked.

0202B/17 - Torbay stopped in position 230° - Pylos Light - 2.6 nautical miles to await the return of the Folbot.

0248B/17 - The Folbot was sighted and preparations were made to re-embark it.

0255B/17 - With the Folbot and party now re-embarked Torbay proceeded to the westward to complete thee battery charge. The Folbot party had found no targets in the harbour. (20)

17 Dec 1941
At 1130B/17, while in position 222° - Pylos Light - 4.4 nautical miles, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) sighted smoke to the southwest.

At 1150B/17, an attack was commenced on an unescorted 6000 tons transport which was heading towards Navarino.

Soon afterwards the Asdic operator reported HE to the eastward and a MAS boat (type 530) was seen under the land to meet the incoming transport.

At 1200B/17, the transport was seen to be a properly marked hospital ship and the attack was broken off. This was the hospital ship Aquileia (Italian, 9448 GRT, built 1914) she had sailed from Bardia with 500 wounded and was directed to Navarino on the 17th which she reached at 1330 hours before continuing to Bari on the next day.

Later HMS Torbay proceeded westwards as three enemy battleships had been reported. More reports came in the following days but the enemy was not sighted by HMS Torbay which returned to the Navarino area on 20 December. (20)

20 Dec 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) attacked the Italian destroyer Vincenzo Gioberti, that is anchored inside Navarin Bay with one torpedo. The torpedo had a gyro failure and so missed the target. Torbay had to take drastic evasive action to prevent herself from being hit by her own torpedo.

(All times are zone -2)
0713B/20 - Torbay dived in position 277° - Pylos Light - 10 nautical miles.

1035B/20 - HE was picked up and shortly afterwards an Italian destroyer was seen to approach Navarino from the south. The destroyer was later identified as the Vincenzo Gioberti. Torbay then set course for the harbour entrance to try to torpedo this destroyer while she was at anchor.

1650B/20 - Fired a torpedo into the bay (through a gap between Sphacteria Island and the rocks to the south of it) against the Italian destroyer. The torpedo had a gyro failure and was seen to swerve to the right. The periscope was immediately lowered and Torbay was taken deep and away to the firing position at high speed. The torpedo passed overhead and made three complete circles round Torbay but fortunately did not explode. (20)

21 Dec 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) again launches a Folbot to attack shipping in Navarin Bay. The attempt fails as the swell was too heavy and the Folbot could not be manned.

0004B/21 - Closed the harbour entrance on a course of 070° and made preparations for a Folbot operation.

0108B/21 - In position 253° - Pylos Light - 3.2 nautical miles, launched the Folbot in a heavy swell but after 20 minutes of trying it was found impossible to man it. The Folbot was then re-embarked and the operation was abandoned. While the boat and explosives were taken down below HE was picked up. A destroyer was seen leaving Navarino at 18 knots and then proceeding southwards.

0135B/21 - Patrol was resumed near the southern end of the channel into the harbour.

0649B/21 - Torbay dived in position 243° - Pylos Light - 6.7 nautical miles and commenced to close the land.

0755B/21 - While in position 254° - Pylos Light - 8.0 nautical miles the Italian destroyer Vincenzo Gioberti was observed to leave the harbour. An attack was started to head the enemy off at the southern end of the channel to the harbour. Due to the enemy changing course at 0810B/21 an attack was not possible.

1437B/21 - While in position 213° - Pylos Light - 6.4 nautical miles the torpedo boat Castore was seen to approach from the southwest and enter Navarino. Torbay then set course to the northward to be in position to attack this ship using the Folbot during the night. According to Italian records this was however not the torpedo boat Castore, which was at Naples at this time, but the destroyer Strale.

1700B/21 - The Castore was observed to leave the harbour and proceed to the southward while Torbay was well out of range to the north. Preparations for Folbot action were cancelled. Torbay then went deep to replace a periscope wire.

1953B/21 - Torbay surfaced in position 228° - Pylos Light - 6.0 nautical miles and patrolled off the southern approach route to Navarino. (20)

22 Dec 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) sank the Greek caique KAL 185 / Maria (45 GRT) with gunfire off Cape Methoni.

Later that day the folbot was launched again to attack shipping inside Navarin Bay. Once again the attempt fails. After recovering the Folbot party Lt.Cdr. Miers decided to try to torpedo the target from outside the harbour.

0655B/22 - Torbay dived in position 228° - Pylos Light - 6.0 nautical miles and patrolled off the southern approach route to Navarino.

0804B/22 - Three destroyers and a small transport were seen to be in Navarino Bay having most likely arrived during the time Torbay was deep to replace the periscope wire. Torbay changed course to the north to investigate.

1003B/22 - While in position 190° - Pylos Light - 5 5 nautical miles two Italian destroyers were observed leaving Navarino. An attack was started. Torbay proceeded southwards to intercept them at the end of the channel. The destroyers, however, turned west rather earlier than usual and they passed very close astern of Torbay. As Torbay had no stern tubes an attack was not possible. The destroyers were identified as the Strale and Scirocco. According to Italian records this was indeed correct as Strale and Scirocco sailed from Navarino at 0942B/22 and 0948B/22 respectively.

1020B/22 - While trying to attack the two Italian destroyers a schooner was seen to come down the Methoni Channel. Lt.Cdr. Miers now decided to close the schooner to engage it with gunfire but had to wait till the destroyers were out of sight.

1040B/22 - Surfaced in position 176° Pylos Light 5.5 nautical miles and sank the schooner with gunfire.

1044B/22 - Dived and resumed patrol.

2215B/22 - Launched the Folbot again to attack shipping inside Navarin Bay. Due to the very calm weather it proved impossible to approach the target without being spotted. The Folbot was recovered around 0240 hours the next day. (20)

23 Dec 1941
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) attacked of what Lt.Cdr. Miers identified as an Clio-class (Spica-class) torpedo boat that was anchored in Navarino harbour. The target was however the destroyer Granatiere that was not damaged in the attack as the torpedo hit the boom.

Later this day another torpedo was fired into the bay. The target was a merchant ship. The torpedo was heard to explode to soon. It most likely also hit the harbour defences.

According to Italian shipping movement files no merchant vessel should have been at Navarino at this time. It may have been the salvage vessel Arpione (Italian 320 GRT, built 1924) who had arrived to assist the destroyer Granatiere. Another possibility is that she was the ocean tug Max Behrendt (German, 766 GRT, built 1923) who had towed Granatiere to Navarino and was possibly still there. The Italian report of HMS Torbay attack makes only mention of Granatiere. The motor torpedo boat MAS 514 was ordered to hunt the submarine and sailed at 1045B/23. She dropped depth charges in the spot from which the submarine had fired its torpedoes and then made a hydrophone search of the area. It was unfruitful and MAS 514 returned to harbour at 1230 hours.

0645B/23 - Dived in position 220° - Pylos Light - 6 nautical miles.

1022B/23 - In position 247° - Pylos Light - 2.0 nautical miles fired a torpedo. Six minutes later the torpedo hit the target that was later observed with a hole in it's bow. [this was not the case].

1708B/23 - In position 246° - Pylos Light - 2.3 nautical miles fired another torpedo. The torpedo was heard to explode four minutes later and most likely hit the harbour defences.

1900B/23 - Torbay surfaced in position 214° - Pylos Light - 7.3 nautical miles and course was then set to return to Alexandria along the ordered route. (20)

27 Dec 1941
Around 0800B/27, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) ended her 8th Mediterranean War Patrol at Alexandria. (20)

8 Jan 1942
For the daily positions of HMS Torbay during her 10th war patrol patrol see the map below.

8 Jan 1942
Around 1130B/8, HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) departed from Alexandria with orders to perform a special operation on the south coast of Crete. After completing the special mission she was ordered to patrol off the Gulf of Taranto. (This is HMS Torbay's 9th Mediterranean War Patrol)

On departure from Alexandria A/S exercises were carried out with HMS Kelvin (Cdr. J.H. Allison, DSO, RN) and HMS Heythrop (Lt.Cdr R.S. Stafford, RN). (25)

10 Jan 1942
At 0813B/10, HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) dived in position 110° - Cape Lithinon - 42 nautical miles and commenced to approach the landing beach.

In the afternoon periscope reconnaissance was carried out of the landing beach near Tris Ekklisies. Unfortunately a south-westerly wind of gale force ruled out any possibility of carrying out the operation for at least 48 hours as there was no lee to be obtained either her or in Tsoutsouros Bay (the alternative landing location).

The night of 10/11 January 1942, was spent hove to off Tris Ekklisies. (25)

11 Jan 1942
HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) carried out further periscope reconnaissance of Tris Ekklisies. They were looking for the agreed sign which was the waving of a cloth but this was very difficult to discern although at 1000B/11 an object was seen which may have been a white cloth pinned to a stone wall but this could not be confirmed.

At noon, after nothing further had been seen, course was set for Tsoutsouros Bay where also a periscope reconnaissance was carried out. No good beach to correspond with the photographs supplied could be found and it was decided to attempt the landing opposite a large house about half a mile west of the village of Tsoutsouros. A heavy surf was running however and there was considerable swell in the bay which made it plain the nothing could be done until the wind should either moderate or go round to the west.

The night of 11/12 January 1942, was spent hove to off Tris Ekklisies. At 2000B/11 and again at 2200B/11, signals were seen to be made from shore. These were the letters 'W R' but these were not understood. Weather rough was thought to be a possibility. (25)

12 Jan 1942
The wind, which was still fresh, veered slightly (blowing from about west by south) and Tsoutsouros Bay was therefore entered by HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) on the surface shortly before dawn. A long swell was still running but some lee was obtained from the wind and there seemed a fair prospect of carrying out the operation that night if conditions did not deteriorate. As, in any event, this was the last night available, it was decided to attempt it and all preparations were therefore made.

At 1814B/12, HMS Torbay surfaced and then closed the coast to position 060° - Cape Tsoutsouros - 0.5 nautical miles and commenced the operation. Although the high ground to the west protected both the submarine and the Folbots from the wind, the conditions for launching the Folbots and embarking their crews were extremely bad as the bay was still open to the southerly swell. The operation was not made any easier by the fact that both Folbotists were inexperienced and each was to carry an inexperienced passenger.

At 1901B/12, the first Folbot was launched and despatched. It was manned by Lance Corporal Pomford (Folbotist) and Sergeant Delaney (passenger) the latter having been selected on account of his local experience to carry out the beach reconnaissance.

At 1935B/12, the party signalled from shore that the beach was clear but that the Folbot had been damaged. The second Folbot was then launched. It was manned by Sergeant Mayland (Folbotist) and the W/T operator of the party (passenger). But while the latter was embarking the Folbot struck the fore hydroplanes and the Folbot was damaged beyond repair. All gear was salvaged though.

Further attemps to launch rubber boats failed but finally at 2226B/12, a rubber boat departed the submarine. It contained Captain Turrell and Captain Fielding. They landed successfully with their gear and signalled their arrival.

At 2235B/12, HMS Torbay proceeded to seaward to charge the batteries. (25)

13 Jan 1942
The weather had moderated considerably during the night and it was evident by dawn that there was a good chance of completing the operation if the rubber boat and HMS Torbay's own large rubber boat could be kept operational. At 1814B/13, HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) surfaced in good weather, there was a light westerly wind with a slight swell. Conditions in the bay were calm. Torbay then closed to position 056° - Cape Tsoutsouros - 0.5 nautical miles.

At 1901B/13, the rubber boat was launched with Sergeant Mayland (Folbotist) and the W/T operator (with his W/T set) and as many stores as possible.

At 2000B/13, a rowing boat was seen approaching from the direction of the village. Immediately a crew-member with a Tommy gun was sent down to the casing. It was found that this boat contained Captain Turrell with Lance Corporal Pomford, the broken Folbot and an unarmed deserter from the enemy and some Greeks. Captain Turrell gave the following information; The villagers were friendly but mostly frightened. During the day an Italian search party had been reported three hours away approaching the village and the beach. This later proved to be a false alarm. The boat they were in was obtained more or less forcibly owing to the fears of the Greeks. It was unseaworthy and would only hold a small quantity of stores. A bag of sugar, which was unobtainable on land, was given to the Greeks which were very happy with the gift. The two persons the landing party were to contact had not been met yet but the news was that they were on their way. The prisoner had been hiding in the village and on hearing the presence of the British had come forward and gave himself up, stating that he had been condemned to death for being found asleep on his post and he had escaped. He was pleased to be taken on board the submarine. One of the Greeks of the landing party was then put in the rowing boat together with some stores.

At 2046B/13, HMS Torbay dived to float of her large rubber boat which was now loaded with Lieutenant (E) Kidd, Sub-Lieutenant Gage, Leading Seaman Jefferson, Able Seaman Vine, the three remaining Greeks of the landing party and all remaining stores. The rowing boat now towed her towards the beach.

At 2205B/13, the large rubber boat returned with the four crew and the two Folbotists.

At 2218B/13, the boat had been taken below and HMS Torbay left the area to proceed on patrol. (25)

14 Jan 1942
At 0001B/14, HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) received a signal timed 1005B/13 from Capt. S 10 ordering her to establish patrol off the Gulf of Taranto as soon after 0700B/16 as possible. Passage therefore had to be made on the surface for as long as possible.

During the day HMS Torbay had to dive twice for enemy aircraft. (25)

15 Jan 1942
At 2315B/15, when in position 064° - Alice Point - 15.5 nautical miles, HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) was passed at a distance of about 2 nautical miles to the north by a fully illuminated enemy hospital ship of about 6000 tons with one funnel and two masts. Enemy course was about 130°. This ship had first been sighted about an hour previously.

This was the Aquileia (Italian, 9448 GRT, built 1914) who sailed from Taranto at 1635B/15 for Tripoli. (25)

17 Jan 1942
At 1200B/17, when in position 053° - Cape Trionto - 23 nautical miles, HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) sighted an enemy patrol vessel resembling the motorboat Stefano Tur. She passed within a mile steering 150° at a speed of 12 knots.

The vessel sighted may have been either one of the motor torpedo boats MAS 439 or MAS 440 which operated in the area. (25)

18 Jan 1942
At 0909B/18, when in position 049° - Cape Trionto - 32.5 nautical miles, HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) sighted three large one-funnelled destroyers steering 340° at 16 knots in line abreast. The nearest passed overhead but the submarine was not detected.

These were the destroyer Corazziere (damaged in a collision in December with Granatiere) and the torpedo boats Lince and Sagittario. They had sailed from Argostoli at 1435-1502B/17 and arrived at Taranto at 1400-1435B/18. (25)

19 Jan 1942
At 1457B/19, when in position 042° - Cape Trionto - 30 nautical miles, HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) sighted a hospital ship resembling the Sicilia was sighted approaching Taranto. She passed about 2.5 nautical miles to the north.

This was indeed Sicilia (Italian, 9646 GRT, built 1924) who arrived at Taranto at 2035B/19 from Bari (25)

22 Jan 1942
HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) fires six torpedoes from long range (8000 yards) at a force of three Italian cruisers escorted by six destroyers. No hits were obtained.

The force sighted was most likely the one made up of the Italian cruisers Emanuele Filiberto Duca d'Aosta, Muzio Attendolo and Raimondo Montecuccoli escorted by four destroyers; the Alpino, Bersagliere, Carabiniere and Fuciliere.

0258B/22 - While in position 110° - Cape Trionto - 27 nautical miles, in very low visibility, a small ship was sighted on the starboard quarter bearing 050°. The attention was being drawn on that bearing due to a match being struck on the enemy's bridge. Torbay turned towards. No HE was picked up although the range was no more than a mile. While turning the enemy was lost from sight and it was thought it may have been a submarine and that it had dived. It than became clear that the officer of the watch and the lookout had seen a bridge and funnel of the emeny and as now also A/S transmissions were picked up there was no other choice than to dive. For nearly an hour after diving the pinging continued. It was now thought to be a local patrol vessel.

1328B/22, While in position 028° - Alice Point - 18 nautical miles, HE was picked up bearing 355°. An enemy force for cruisers and destroyers was than sighted outward bound from Taranto. There was a haze over the horizon and the periscope was not clearing well so for a few vital minutes it could not be determined on which bow of the enemy the submarine was placed. When this was clear it was too late to obtain a favourable firing position although Torbay closed at full speed.

At 1347B/22, six torpedoes were fired at the rear ship in line from an estimated range of 8000 yards. Enemy course and speed were estimated as being 140° at 20 knots. After nine minutes, which was almost the extreme running range, two explosions were heard. No enemy ship appeared to be hit and the enemy force maintained its course and speed without any retaliatory action being taken, other then a search astern by an escorting aircraft.

At 1453B/22, with the enemy now out of sight, HMS Torbay surfaced to transfer an enemy report. Before the message could be cleared fully, Torbay had to dive three times, between 1455B/22 and 1540B/22 for approaching aircraft.

At 1817B/22, Torbay surfaced in position 059° - Alice Point - 15 nautical miles. Another signal was then sent to Capt. S 1 stating that if required Torbay was able to remain on patrol longer than had been intended. (25)

24 Jan 1942
At 0737B/24, HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) dived in position 047° - Cape Trionto - 29 nautical miles.

At 1130B/24, a sailing vessel was sighted on the horizon towards the western shores of the gulf. Cdr. Miers decided not to investigate.

At 1245B/24, when in position 027° - Cape Trionto - 35 nautical miles, sighted a small merchant vessel of approximately 500 tons about 5 nautical miles to the westward proceeding on a course of 160°. It was at first thought that this a ship were had been warned about and had been ordered not to attack but it was soon evident that it was some sort of auxiliary patrol vessel. From 1420B/24 to 1630B/24 this ship remained just over the horizon. She was transmitting on Asdic the entire time.

At 1635B/24, the patrol vessel stopped pinging, then came into sight heading for home. She passed within two miles from the submarine but no HE of any sort could be heard. Most likely this was the same ship that was encountered at 0258B/22. At 1828B/24, HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) dived in position 042° - Cape Trionto - 28 nautical miles. A battery charge was then commenced.

According to Italian records this may possibly have been either one of the auxiliary submarine chasers Pasman or Gino Nais who operated in the area. They sailed from Taranto at 0744B/24 and 0952B/24 respectively. They both returned to Taranto at 1125B/25. (25)

25 Jan 1942
At 0316B/25, while in position 054° - Cape Trionto - 28 nautical miles, HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) heard the now familiar pinging now bearing 020°. It was estimated the enemy was about 6 nautical miles away. The enemy, of which again no HE could be picked up, moved slowly down the gulf on a course of 160°.

At 0330B/25, while in position 054° - Cape Trionto - 27.5 nautical miles, HMS Torbay picked up HE bearing east. It sounded like that there were several ships. Set course to the eastward to intercept, but the enemy, whose bearing altered fairly rapidly to the northward towards Taranto, never came into sight and it was thought it may have been the enemy fleet returning earlier then expected. Torbay then worked round to the north-west to remain clear of the patrol vessel sending out the A/S impulses.

At 0730B/25, the patrol vessel was sighted on the bearing of the pinging. She looked like the same vessel seen the previous day. Again as day broke the enemy ceased pinging and returned to harbour.

According to Italian records this may possibly have been either one of the auxiliary submarine chasers Pasman or Gino Nais who operated in the area. They sailed from Taranto at 0744B/24 and 0952B/24 respectively. They both returned to Taranto at 1125B/25

At 0732B/25, Torbay dived in position 047° - Cape Trionto - 31 nautical miles.

At 1844B/25, Torbay surfaced in position 073° - Cape Trionto - 30 nautical miles and commenced charging. Nothing had been seen all day.

At 2015B/25, Capt. S 10's signal timed 1843B/25 was received ordering Torbay to leave patrol at 2359B/25. Course was then set towards Taranto to await the patrol vessel that had been encountered the past few days with the intention to give it a 'farewell present'. Unfortunately, as the weather conditions had deteriorated, the enemy patrol vessel did not leave harbour.

At 2359B/25, course was set for Alexandria as ordered. (25)

31 Jan 1942
Around 0800B/31, HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) ended her 9th Mediterranean War Patrol at Alexandria. (25)

12 Feb 1942
Around 1200B/12, HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) departed Alexandria for Port Said where she is to dock. (26)

13 Feb 1942
Around 0730B/13, HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) arrived at Port Said from Alexandria. On arrival she was immediately docked in the floating dock. (26)

17 Feb 1942
Around 1000B/17, HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) is undocked. She then left Port Said for Alexandria around 1400B/17. (26)

18 Feb 1942
Around 0800B/18, HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) arrived at Alexandria from Port Said. (26)

20 Feb 1942
Around 1630B/20, HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) departed from Alexandria with orders to patrol off the west coast of Greece. (This is HMS Torbay's 10th Mediterranean War Patrol).

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

(25)

21 Feb 1942
Around 0445B/21, when HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) was in position 32.03'N, 28.05'E, when she received a signal from Capt. S 1 timed 0305B/21, which stated that an enemy submarine had been reported in the area Torbay was to pass through. An extra sharp lookout was then kept but nothing was seen.

This most likely referred to the German submarine U-83. Although U-81 was also in this area but apparently a little further to the west. (25)

22 Feb 1942
In Capt. S 10's signal timed 1334B/22, HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) is ordereed to patrol the Channel between Levkada and Cephalonia islands off the Greek west coast. (25)

24 Feb 1942
Around 2000B/24, HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) arrived in her patrol area. (25)

27 Feb 1942
HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) attacked but missed the tanker Proserpina (Italian, 4870 GRT, built 1926) escorted by the Italian torpedo boat Antonio Mosto near Cape Dukato. Torbay was counter attacked by the escort with depth charges.

Later this day Torbay heavily damaged the transport Lido (Italian, 1243 GRT, built 1889) with gunfire about 15 nautical miles south of Antipaxe, Korfu, Greece. The Lido was grounded to prevent her from sinking. She was later declared a total loss.

According to Italian records, Lido had already sailed at 0700B/26 from Corfu for Preveza, but the bad weather had prevented her from entering the Preveza Channel and she had returned to Corfu. She sailed again at 0830B/27 but this time in company with the transports Tripoli (Italian, 1166 GRT, built 1922) and Apuania (Italian, 7948 GRT, built 1942). They were unescorted. After the action, Lido was beached near Kastrosikia and had five wounded. The submarine came under fire from the coastal battery at Kanalia. ?

0200B/27 - Sighted the enemy tanker (that was reported earlier so was expected) bearing 275° heading for the channel. Turned towards to attack. Torbay was on the targets port bow.

0207B/27 - Sighted a torpedo boat about a mile on the port bow of the tanker. The torpedo boat was identified as Curtatone-class (this was not a correct identification, the Antonio Mosto had three funnels but the first funnel was very close to the superstructure and Cdr. Miers thought it was probably part of it) and was zig-zagging with a mean line of advance direct towards Torbay.

As the rain had now ceased and the moon, which was high, kept coming it was considered to be suicidal to press on across the escorts bows. It was far too late to cross over to the targets starboard side, where possibly another escort may be, and yet not clear and calm enough to make a submerged periscope attack. Cdr. Miers had to decide to fire from deep by Asdic or to follow the target and attack later on the surface from the quarter. In view of the slow speed of the target Cdr. Miers decided for the latter.

0218B/27 - Dived in position 282° - Cape Dukato - 2.4 nautical miles.

0232B/27 - Surfaced and pursued the enemy through the channel at full speed on both engines keeping to the starboard side of the target to avoid detection by the torpedo boat that was now seen to be the only escort. As the tanker was closed the varying visibility made it very hard to judge the range and in the end both engines had to be stopped as the submarine, despite reducing speed, ran right up the starboard quarter of the target (to close to fire torpedoes).

0308B/27 - In position 144° - Cape Dukato - 2.4 nautical miles, a torpedo was fired from 400 yards. In the heavy swell the bow of Torbay yawed to port at the moment of firing and so the torpedo missed about 5 yards astern of the target. The enemy must have seen the torpedo wake as it started signalling to the escort and kept beam on to Torbay making it impossible to fire another torpedo without gaining bearing.

0312B/27 - The destroyer turned to port and crossed to bow of the tanker. Torbay also turned to port to keep end on but could not turn fast enough and 4 minutes later the escort spotted the submarine and turned towards. Torbay dived at full helm. While diving Cdr. Miers was unable to shut the upper conning tower hatch despite the most vigorous efforts to do so. There was off course no time to sort out the problem so only the lower hatch could be closed. Some circuits shortened out resulting in the klaxon and the alarm to go off so that the fuses had to be withdrawn.

0320B/27 to 0400B/27 - Torbay was counter attacked by the torpedo boat that dropped 11 depth charges in all. Only the first few were close.

0448B/27 - Surfaced in position 232° - Cape Dukato - 4.3 nautical miles. The bridge was reached by the gun platform. It was now found out that the hatch could not be closed due to the fact that is blocked by the pillow that was used by Cdr. Miers to sleep when he was on the bridge. It was brought out to soon and had not been used so it was forgotten during the dive. It was decided to proceed to the North to investigate the Corfu to Levkas route. After the conning tower was drained repairs were made to the fuses.

1340B/27 - In position 39°05'N, 20°30'E sighted a small coaster of about 1200 tons three miles inshore steering 150° (it obviously came out of Corfu). Torbay closed at full speed and it was seen that the ship was followed by a somewhat smaller vessel (800 - 1000 tons) and a small trawler (unarmed). Neither of the ships was worth more than one torpedo.

1437B/27 - Surfaced in position 359° - Cape Dukato - 30 nautical miles and engaged the second ship with the deck gun. All three ships initially turned towards the shore. Later the trawler turned towards Corfu and the first ship steered to the south at high speed. The progress of the second ship towards the shore was arrested by the crew abandoning ship. Despite many direct hits the ship refused to sink. Cdr. Miers decided to fire a torpedo but just as he was about to do so a large fire broke out on the ship. The ship was left blazing, with her steering gear shot away and with about 50 holes in her side.

1500B/27 - Gave chase at full speed after the first ship that was now heading at full speed for Prevenza. Torbay had to abandon the chase when shore batteries opened fire with remarkable accuracy.

1524B/27 - Dived in position 011° - Cape Dukato - 27 nautical miles and abandoned the chase. (25)

28 Feb 1942
At 0640B/28, HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) dived in position 232° - Cape Dukato - 6 nautical miles.0755

At 0755B/28, when in position 240° - Cape Dukato - 5 nautical miles, four small vessels were sighted rounding Ithaka Island. These turned out to be two large armed schooners, one minesweepers of the Vigilante-class (armed with a 3" gun) and an A/S trawler. A few moments later the first aircraft of the day as sighted after which the area was kept under continuous air observation by one or sometimes two Ghibli aircraft until around 1600B/28. Soon after these craft had rounded Cape Dukato and were steering north. At 0840B/28, the A/S trawler turned back and disappeared down the Ithaka Channel.

At 0905B/28, the remaining three vessels turned south and for the next two hours the schooners swept up and down in line abreast while the minesweeper operated independently.

At 1135B/28, one schooner broke off and disappeared down the Ithaka Channel after which the minesweeper and remaining schooner continued to sweep in line abreast until 1830B/28 when both retired through the Ithaka Channel.

At 1913B/28, Torbay surfaced in position 253° - Cape Dukato - 2.5 nautical miles and then patrolled off Levkas Island. During the night bad weather conditions were encountered.

[We have been unable to identify any of the vessels sighted on this day.] (25)

1 Mar 1942
While on patrol near Cape Dukato, HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) is detected and depth charged. No damage is caused.

0139B/1 - In position 279° - Cape Dukato - 3.6 nautical miles a Clio-class (Spica-class) torpedo boat was sighted about a mile away. Torbay was turned end-on but too late to avoid being sighted. The torpedo boat was seen to turn towards at high speed.

0141B/1 - Dived and went deep.

0143B/1 to 0240B/1 - Hunted and attacked by the enemy. Later a second vessel joined the hunt. In all seven depth charges were dropped but only the first few were close. The enemy was eventually shaken off and Torbay vacated the area.

This was the Italian destroyer Turbine which reported an A/S attack at 0140B/1 in position 38°35'30"N, 20°27'30"E. She was later joined by the torpedo boats Generale Montanari and Antonio Mosto. Unfortunately, no report from these vessels appears to have survived.

0300B/1 - Anxious lest this second vessel, which was moving slowly, might be a target, the opportunity was taken to surface when the destroyer was thought to be some distance astern. In position 288° - Cape Dukato - 7.8 nautical miles, it was now seen that there were two destroyers about two miles astern in the entrance to the channel signalling to each other.

These were most likely torpedo boats Generale Montanari and Antonio Mosto which had been ordered to the area after the A/S attack of Turbine. [Unfortunately, no report from these vessels appears to have survived.]

0303B/1 - Torbay dived and retired slowly westwards until dawn, when course was altered back to close the channel. The weather was very rough and to avoid breaking surface with the probability of the presence of air patrols, periscope depth was only kept while actually looking around. In the end only one aircraft was seen around 1130B/1.

1925B/1 - Torbay surfaced in position 294° - Cape Dukato - 5.8 nautical miles and patrolled near Cape Dukato during the night. Weather was fine now with bright moonlight and a visibility of about 10 nautical miles. (25)

2 Mar 1942
HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) tries to attack the Italian torpedo boat San Martino off Cape Dukato, Greece but the submarine is detected and depth charged.

Following the A/S attack by the destroyer Turbine on the previous day, the torpedo boat San Martino, equipped with sonar, had been sent to hunt the submarine reported off Cape Dukato. She was proceeding at 12 knots, when, at 1809B/2, a contact was obtained at a distance of 1950 metres. She rushed to the attack and dropped a first pattern of six 100-kg depth charges set at depths of 50, 75, 100, 75, 100 and 75 metres. After she turned back, contact was obtained at 1150 metres and at 1822 hours, a second pattern followed, this time all six depth charges were set to 100 metres. On a third run, three pairs of depth charges were dropped and a few debris were observed. It was believed the submarine had been destroyed.

0635B/2 - HMS Torbay dived in position 288° - Cape Dukato - 6.6 nautical miles and patrolled in the centre of the channel.

0816B/2 - Sighted a schooner which emerged from the Ithaka Channel and bore away to the eastward past Arkoudi Island and was not considered worth chasing. In any case the presence of air patrols prevented surface action between 0800 and 1600 hours.

1736B/2 - In position 279° - Cape Dukato - 5 nautical miles sighted a Curtatone class torpedo boat 7 nautical miles to the South steering directly towards. Decided to attack with torpedoes as the destroyer was not zig-zagging.

1807B/2 - In position 286° - Cape Dukato - 4.8 nautical miles when Torbay was manoeuvring into a firing position it was seen that the enemy turned towards and headed straight for Torbay. Cdr. Miers took Torbay deep as it was obvious she had been detected.

1815B/2 - The enemy passed overhead and dropped a pattern of 6 depth charges. At 1823 hours another pattern was dropped but this was not so close as the first one.

1823B/2 to 2013B/2 - Torbay crept away to the South-West and later to the West. In all 18 depth charges were dropped by the enemy.

2107B/2 - Contact with the enemy was lost. This depth charging was the most violent one suffered by HMS Torbay so far.

2146B/2 - Surfaced in position 260° - Cape Ducato - 11 nautical miles and proceeded northwards. (25)

3 Mar 1942
At 1913B/3, after a day of submerged patrol south of Corfu, HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN), surfaced in position 346° - Cape Dukato - 32.4 nautical miles. She then proceeded to the west to charge her batteries.

At 2013B/3, when in position 341° - Cape Dukato - 29 nautical miles a destroyer / torpedo boat was sighted three miles the the eastward. She was using Asdics. Torbay turned towards and stopped her engines. This was most likely the Italian torpedo boat San Martino again.

At 2029B/3, the enemy turned towards and was closing on a steady bearing. Torbay then dived in position 341° - Cape Dukato - 23.5 nautical miles.

By 2312B/3, the enemy had withdrawn to the southward. Torbay then surfaced in position 333° - Cape Dukato - 30.5 nautical miles to resume charging the battery. (25)

4 Mar 1942
At 0132B/4, when in position 325° - Cape Dukato - 33 nautical miles, HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) heard A/S transmissions from an easterly direction and later sighted another enemy destroyer / torpedo boat which was approaching the submarines position.

This was probably again San Martino who sailed from Argostoli at 1135B/3 and was cruising the area to provide additional escort to the various convoys. She reinforced the Pozzuoli/Abbazia convoy (see below) at 0850B/4 before joining the escort of the Calino/Re Alessandro convoy at 1400B/4 until Cape Dukato when she left it and reached Samos (Cephalonia) at 1634B/4.

At 0156B/4, HMS Torbay dived and steered west while the enemy patrolled same area as the previous destroyer [see the event for 3 March 1942] before disappearing also to the southward.

At 0400B/4, HMS Torbay surfaced in position 319° - Cape Dukato - 33 nautical miles and resumed charging the battery while closing the area between Anti-Paxos and the mainland.

At 0630B/4, smoke was sighted to the eastward which was later seen to be a convoy of two merchant vessels with an escort of one destroyer and aircraft. The merchant vessels both had one funnel and two masts and were of around 2000 to 3000 tons. HMS Torbay then proceeded to the north-east at full speed to try to intercept them but at 0647B/4, it was getting too light and HMS Torbay had to dive in position 333° - Cape Dukato - 29.5 nautical miles. As the light grew stronger it was seen that the convoy was steering to the westward. Course was then altered to try to head then off if they were bound from Levkas to the Adriatic.

By 0800B/4, it was realised that the convoy, which had been very difficult to see against the land, was proceeding to the south-west and must have got ahead of HMS Torbay during the darkness after the convoy had departed from Corfu.

At 0810B/4, the attack was broken off and HMS Torbay set course to resume patrol off the Corfu Channel. This must have been the convoy made up of the transports Pozzuoli (Italian, 5345 GRT, built 1920) and Abbazia (Italian, 3706 GRT, built 1912) escorted by the Italian torpedo boat Angelo Bassini and the Italian auxiliary Brindisi (1976 GRT, built 1931) on passage from Corfu (departed 2327B/3) to Patras (arrived 1704B/4). The convoy had been briefly reinforced by the torpedo boat San Martino (see above).

At 0925B/4, while in position 330° - Cape Dukato - 27.2 nautical miles sighted a northbound convoy made up of four large troopships escorted by three destroyers and two aircraft. Torbay was not able to get into an attack position as she was not in the selected patrol position due to the pursuit of the convoy that had been sighted and chased earlier that morning. Cdr. Miers was disgusted about this that he decided to make up for, what he thought was an error of his and follow the convoy into Corfu roads. This convoy was made up of the (troop) transports Francesco Crispi (Italian, 7464 GRT, built 1926), Galilea (Italian, 8040 GRT, built 1918), Piemonte (Italian, 15209 GRT, built 1918) and Viminale (Italian, 8657 GRT, built 1925). The were escorted by the Italian destroyer Turbine and the Italian torpedo boats Generale Carlo Montanari and Antonio Mosto and were travelling from Patras to Bari and stopped in Corfu. They were carrying Italian troops being withdrawn from Greece.

At 1330B/4, while in position 116° - Novara Point (Anti-Paxos)- 3.5 nautical miles, Torbay set course to the south channel that leads to Corfu roads.

At 1942B/4, Torbay surfaced in position 234° - Sivota Island - 1.4 nautical miles and proceeded on the main motors past Sivola Light and then proceeded on one engine (and used the other one for charging the batteries)

At 2018B/4, while in position 316° - Sivota Island - 3.8 nautical miles Torbay sighted a small merchant (or large trawler) close to the starboard quarter overhauling the submarine so dived and altered course to avoid. Apparently Torbay was not sighted. The speed of the enemy was 15 knots.

At 2044B/4, after the enemy HE (hydrophone effect) had faded out in the direction of Corfu, HMS Torbay surfaced and resumed passage, still charging with one engine.

At 2158B/4, HMS Torbay reached position 086° - Cape Sidero - 5 nautical miles. The submarine then topped, trimmed right down and charged with both engines keeping the stern on the moon.

[For continuation of these events see 5 March 1942.] (25)

5 Mar 1942
HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) torpedoed and damaged the Italian transport Maddalena G. (5212 GRT, built 1919) inside Corfu roads, Greece. The Italian ship was beached to prevent it from sinking. She was later salvaged and repaired.

According to Italian records the following ships were in the Corfu roads at the moment of the attack:
Maddalena G. (5212 GRT, built 1918), Calino (5186 GRT, built 1940), Re Alessandro (2463 GRT, built 1932), Aprilia (1259 GRT, built 1907), Pontinia (715 GRT, built 1881), Goggiam (1994 GRT, built 1922), Peppino Palomba (2034 GRT, built 1897) and the tug tug Fabbrile (?)

Also present were the destroyer Sebenico, torpedo boat Giuseppe Missori and the auxiliary Città di Napoli (5418 GRT, built 1930), auxiliary submarine chaser Caron (had arrived at Corfu at 1300B/4 from Valona), motorboat Gorian and at least two minesweepers. [Note: it is a bit surprising that Cdr. Miers did not notice the other merchantmen.]

The fast transports (15 knots) Calino and Re Alessandro escorted by the destroyer Sebenico and the auxiliary Città di Napoli sailed from Brindisi at 0224B/4 for Patras. The torpedo boat San Martino sailed from Argostoli at 1135B/3 and joined escort at 1400B/4. At 1440B/4 they were off Cape Dukato where they witnessed several A/S vessels cruising, then were ordered to Corfu instead and they turned back (without San Martino who left them to return to Samos (Cephalonia) at 1634B/4) and entered the Corfu Channel at 2005B/4. It was a very dark night when they dropped anchor in the Corfu roads at 2140B/4. At the request of Capitano di Corvetta Luca Goretti de’ Flamini (C.O. of Sebenico) who felt the area quite exposed, the motorboat Gorian equipped with hydrophones was sent out as well as two minesweepers.

Aprilia and Pontinia escorted by the torpedo boat Giuseppe Missori had sailed at 0930-1000B/4 from Brindisi for Preveza but were diverted to Corfu where they arrived at 0355-0415B/5 and with A/S schooner Caron sailed for Preveza at 1800-1830B/5 (with Peppino Palomba, Goggiam and the destroyer Sebenico who left them at 0030B/6 for Patras).

After Maddalena G. was torpedoed, Sebenico, Giuseppe Missori and Gorian were ordered to hunt the submarine. At 0830B/5, Gorian sighted a periscope and opened fire. Claiming two hits and then dropped all her depth charges followed by a buoy to mark the spot. At 0956B/5, Sebenico dropped three depth charges near the buoy but at noon, Giuseppe Missori reported having expended all her depth charges and was short on fuel. She was ordered to return to harbour. At 1319B/5, it was Gorian’s turn to leave the hunt as she had been instructed to reinforce the convoy leaving for Preveza. Sebenico dropped another two 100-kg depth charges near the buoy and returned to harbour, her captain suggesting having two minesweepers continue the search of the area. In all twenty depth charges had been dropped but none of the vessels involved had sonar and result was doubtful.

[Note: the convoy which tempted Cdr. Miers to enter the anchorage, made up of the Francesco Crispi (Italian, 7464 GRT, built 1926), Galilea (Italian, 8040 GRT, built 1918), Piemonte (Italian, 15209 GRT, built 1918) and Viminale (Italian, 8657 GRT, built 1925) and their escorts, the Italian destroyer Turbine and the Italian torpedo boats Generale Carlo Montanari and Antonio Mosto arrived at Corfu at 1500B/4 but sailed again at 2000-2300B/4 for Bari where they arrived at 1700B/5 and were thus not present at the time of the attack.]

0050B/5, Heard and immediately sighted a patrol vessel approaching from Corfu. Broke charge and dived to periscope depth. The moon was now right overhead and it was feared that the submarine had been seen as the small trawler had been clearly visible and could now be seen through the periscope laying stopped less than a mile away. The Battery was now fairly well up and it was decided to remain submerged for the remainder of the operation. Set course to close the harbour.

0116B/5, The patrol vessel got under way to the south and was lost to both sight and sound by 0135 hours.

0204B/5, The lights at the northern entrance to Corfu harbour were seen to be switched on and a merchant ship could be seen entering the harbour from that direction. In addition to her reciprocating engines the rapid revolutions of a motor launch could be heard.

0217B/5, The motor launch heard earlier approached and lay stopped about a mile to the north.

0235B/5, In position 000° - Cape Sidero - 0.5 nautical miles altered course to port and steered 120°. The rest of the night was a fairly harassing experience endeavouring to remain in position and at the same time being continually on the lookout to avoid being rammed by the trawlers and motor launches which were on patrol.

0346B/5, a reciprocating engine was heard and the lights at the northern entrance were on again so it appeared another merchant had entered the harbour.

0640B/5, The approach at high speed of a patrol vessel forced Cdr. Miers to turn away to avoid being rammed just when Torbay was approaching the harbour on the firing course. This delay meant that the attack now had to be made in broad daylight in a glassy calm sea, probably with an air patrol overhead and certainly surrounded by small craft. It was also now that it was seen, to the intense disappointment to all that the convoy was not in the harbour and had probably gone straight through without spending the night in Corfu. Instead a small destroyer or torpedo boat and two supply vessels (estimated at 8000 and 5000 tons respectively). Both ships were seen to be heading south between Vido Island and Cape Sidero. These were probably the transports Aprilia (1245 GRT, built 1907) and Pontinia (725 GRT, built 1881) and torpedo boat Giuseppe Missori which had reached Corfu at 0415B/5. Also present were the transports Goggiam (1994 GRT, built 1922) and Leonardo Palomba (1110 GRT, 1899) escorted by the destroyer Sebenico (Former Yugoslav Beograd) which had arrived at Corfu since 2140B/4 as well as the motorboats Gorian and Caron. It was hoped that the hour was still too early for aircraft as no watch for them could be kept since the periscope could only be raised for very short moments and the rapid movements of the patrol vessels demanded all attention. Across the northern entrance to the harbour a line of buoys could be seen which were being hauled across by a large auxiliary schooner.

0731B/5, - In position - 051° Cape Sidero - 1.2 nautical miles two torpedoes were fired at the most northerly merchant ship (5000 tons). One of the torpedoes appeared to run on the surface.

0733B/5, - Fired two torpedoes at the second merchant ship (8000 tons).

0734B/5, - Fired two torpedoes at the destroyer / torpedo boat which unfortunately ran under. At this moment one torpedo struck the first ship fired at. Torbay went deep and turned at full speed to 145°. This was the direct course for the south channel. Cdr. Miers thought it was now time to get out and not to overstay their 'welcome'.

0735B/5, - A second explosion was heard which was undoubtedly the other merchant being hit although this was not actually seen.

0740B/5, - Reduced speed to 5 knots.

0800B/5, - Came to periscope depth in position 115° Cape Sidero 2.2 nautical miles to observe the pursuers. Small craft could be seen searching the firing position.

0825B/5, - Came to periscope depth in position 131° Cape Sidero 4.6 nautical miles and fixed the ships position. A destroyer was now seen astern and an aircraft overhead.

0826B/5 to 1003B/5, - About 40 depth charges were dropped but none were close.

0837B/5, - In position 133° - Cape Sidero - 5.8 nautical miles, heard a patrol vessel approaching from the south. Torbay continued at 6 knots to the south. The patrol vessel passed close down the port side on an opposite course.

0930B/5, - In position 012° - Lefkimo Point - 1.4 nautical miles came to periscope depth to check the ships position before entering the narrow entrance.

1020B/5, In position 291° - Sivota Island - 3.4 nautical miles heard a patrol vessel approach from the south-east on an opposite course. Continued at 6 knots and also this enemy passed close down the port side on an opposite course to the north-west.

1030B/5, - In position 279° - Sivota Island - 2.4 nautical miles came to periscope depth for a fix to clear Bianco Shoal. Observed the two patrol vessels on the port quarter heading for Corfu.

1033B/5, - Sighted a large schooner which was trying to pull across the entrance but as there was no wind it was obvious that Torbay would pass him before he could succeed in doing so.

1120B/5, - In position - 170° Sivota Island - 3.2 nautical miles resumed patrol at periscope depth, set course to the southward and reduced speed to 3 knots.

1130B/5, - In position 166° - Sivota Island - 3.9 nautical miles sighted a A/S trawler towing a motor launch towards Corfu. No attack was made as there so few amps remaining that another high speed dash would have placed Torbay in jeopardy with eight hours of daylight still to go before dark.

1250B/5, - In position 184° - Sivota Island - 7.5 nautical miles sighted a schooner of about 40 tons heading for Paxos Island. Altered course to head him off but at the critical moment, just before surfacing, an aircraft saved the fate of this schooner.

1918B/5, - Surfaced in position 322° - Cape Dukato - 31.5 nautical miles and set course to return to Alexandria. Also charged the almost exhausted battery. (25)

6 Mar 1942
At 1909B/6, HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) surfaced in position 269° - Cape Skinari - 45 nautical miles. Course was then set to patrol off Navarino during daylight hours the following day.

At 2245B/6, HMS Torbay was ordered by Capt. S 1, in his signal timed 2130B/6, to proceed at once to the Gulf of Taranto. Course was set to comply with these orders. (25)

9 Mar 1942
In a signal timed 1247B/9, from Capt. S 10, HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) and HMS Thorn (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Norfolk, RN) were informed that an enemy 8" cruiser, two 6" cruiser, five destroyers and four merchant vessel had been sighted at 1100B/9 in position 32°46'N, 16°38'E proceeding on course 050° at 12 knots.

This referred to the light cruisers Eugenio di Savoia, Garibaldi, Montecuccoli and the destroyers Ascari, Aviere, Geniere and Alfredo Oriani. These were providing cover for a convoy made up of the transports / tanker Giulio Giordani (Italian (tanker), 10534 GRT, built 1939), Lerici (Italian, 6070 GRT, built 1941), Ravello (Italian, 6142 GRT, built 1941) and Unione (Italian, 6070 GRT, built 1942) which had departed Tripoli around 2100B/8 boound for Taranto / Brindisi. On departure from Tripoli these four ships had been escorted by the Italian destroyer Strale and the Italian torpedo boats Procione and Clio. Later the destroyers Antonio Pigafetta and Scirocco also joined the convoy and at 1730B/10, the torpedo boat Arethusa also joined the convoy. (27)

9 Mar 1942
In a signal timed 1851B/9, from Capt S. 10, HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) was ordered to proceed to position 37°47'N, 15°45'E and patrol in the vicinity of that position (Cape Spartivento). (27)

10 Mar 1942
At 0656B/10, HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) dived in position 189° - Cape Spartivento - 5 nautical miles. She then continued at 4 knots submerged to cover the last 18 nautical miles to her patrol position.

At 0930B/10, in position 233° - Cape Spartivento - 10.5 nautical miles a hospital ship was sighted which was thought to be the Virgilio (Italian, 11718 GRT, built 1928). According to Italian sources, this was indeed Virgilio proceeding from Tripoli to Naples where she arrived at 0750B/11.

Around 1300B/10, HMS Torbay reached the vicinity of the ordered patrol position. Course was then set to a position 5 nautical miles further to the north-north-west which seemed to be more focal. Patrol craft were twice heard but not seen under the land off Capo dell'Armi. Shortly after dark a large motor torpedo boat was seen a little further to the eastward. No constant air patrol appeared to be kept in this area. Only a few aircraft had been sighted.

At 1943B/10, Torbay surfaced in position 183° - Cape dell'Armi - 8.5 nautical miles. Course was then set to retired 15 nautical miles to the south-east to charge the battery.

At 2200B/10, HMS Torbay was in position 186° - Cape Spartivento - 16 nautical miles. The charge was now completed and course was set to return to position closer to Capo dell'Armi.

According to Italian sources, HMS Torbay had been sighted at 0700B/10 (reported as 200° - Cape Spartivento – 5 miles) and a CANT Z.501 aircraft sighted a patch of oil in the same position at 1345B/10. At 1025B/10, the tanker Panuco (7750 GRT, built 1941) escorted by the torpedo boat Generale Carlo Montanari had sailed from Catania for Naples through the Straits of Messina for Naples but apparently escaped detection from the submarine. MAS 556 and MAS 562 sailed from Messina at 0945B/10 and were perhaps the ones heard or seen by Torbay. The torpedo boat Giuseppe Dezza sailed from Messina at 1640B/10 to escort the transport Erice (2350 GRT, built 1919) coming from Palermo to Catania and hunted the submarine. (25)

11 Mar 1942
At 0308B/11, when HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) was in position 173° - Cape dell'Armi - 10.5 nautical miles, very fast HE was picked up. This was thought to be a patrol vessel approaching from the direction of the Messina Strait and as the moon was now rising behind Torbay and the battery was fully charged it was decided to dive to remain unseen.

For the next hour or more three patrol vessels were now detected to be patrolling in the vicinity.

At 1240B/11, when HMS Torbay was in position 199° - Cape dell'Armi - 6.7 nautical miles, a destroyer or torpedo boat was sighted in the entrance of the Messina Straits but it did not approach. Shortly afterwards a small minesweeper was seen steering westwards close under the land near Cape dell'Armi. This destroyer / torpedo boat sighted was most probably the torpedo boat Giuseppe Dezza who returned to Messina at 1859B/11 after hunting the submarine.

At 1955B/11, HMS Torbay surfaced in position 164° - Cape dell'Armi - 8.3 nautical miles. Shortly afterwards Capt. S 1's signal timed 1405B/11 was received which ordered HMS Torbay to leave patrol and to arrive at Alexandria around 0500B/18. HMS Torbay was to return through positions 37°47'N, 15°35'E, 34°24'N, 20°58'E and 31°56'N, 28°38'E. (25)

18 Mar 1942
Around 0700B/18, HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) ended her 10th Mediterranean War Patrol at Alexandria. (25)

1 Apr 1942
HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) conducted compass adjustment trials at Alexandria. (28)

2 Apr 1942
Around 1900C/2, HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) departed from Alexandria with orders to patrol off the West coast of Greece. (This is HMS Torbay's 11th Mediterranean War Patrol)

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

(25)

5 Apr 1942
At 0005C/5, HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) received Capt. S 1's signal timed 2135C/4, which stated than an enemy Azio-class minelayer had been sighted between Sapientza Island and Cape Gallo and later off the eastern shore of the Gulf of Kalamata. Cdr. Miers decided to patrol off Navarino but remain in deeper water as it was thought possible mines had been laid in this general area.

According to Italian records Azio had sailed from Kalamata at 2108B/43 for a patrol and returned at 0845B/4. She was not on a minelaying mission [and had not been used as such since June 1940]. (25)

6 Apr 1942
At 0145C/6, when in position 270° - Antikithera Lighthouse - 34 nautical miles, HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO, RN) sighted the Italian hospital ship Gradisca (13868 GRT, built 1913) heading towards the Antikithera Channel. She was on passage to Smyrna, Turkey where wounded prisoners were to be exchanged. HMS Torbay had been warned about her presence.

At 0704C/6, HMS Torbay dived in position 157° - Sapientza Island - 10.8 nautical miles and continued to close Navarino to conduct a periscope reconnaissance while remaining in deep water. Nothing of interest was seen.

At 1956C/6, HMS Torbay surfaced in position 303° - Pilos Island - 9.3 nautical miles and set course to proceed towards Argostoli. (25)

7 Apr 1942
Around 0100C/7, HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO and Bar, RN) entered her patrol area in position 332° - Strovathi Island - 12 nautical miles.

At 0628C/7, HMS Torbay dived in position 278° - Skinari Lighthouse - 13 nautical miles and patrolled in flat calm water near Argostoli. Nothing, other then some aircraft was seen.

At 2103C/7, HMS Torbay surfaced in position 288° - Cape Akrotiri - 5.6 nautical miles. Course was then set to patrol off Cape Dukato. (25)

8 Apr 1942
While on patrol near Cape Dukato, HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO and Bar, RN) is bombed and slightly damaged by two CA.311 of 31 Squadriglia which dropped four and two bombs respectively. A Cant Z.501 also bombed her later but was wide of the mark.

The MAS boats sighed during the day were probably MAS 517 and MAS 518 which had sailed from Argostoli at 1100B/8 to escort a convoy, probably the Fanny Brunner/Balkan convoy escorted by the torpedo boat Libra and later reinforced by torpedo boat San Martino, proceeding from Taranto/Brindisi to Patras.

0628C/8, Torbay dived in position 272° - Cape Dukato - 7.4 nautical miles. She then commenced to close the cape submerged.

0815C/8, HE was heard and soon afterwards an armed schooner was sighted which was later seen to be in company with two RD-class minesweepers and an armed trawler. From 0845C/8 to 1300C/8 the minesweepers swept the northern approach route to Cape Dukato. On completion of the sweep the minesweepers proceeded westwards passing between Arkudi and Ithaka Islands. The A/S vessels made off down the Ithaka Channel.

At 1305C/8, when in position 242° - Cape Dukato - 1.5 nautical miles, HMS Torbay sighted two MAS boats (thought to be MAS 530-type) approaching Cape Dukato at high speed from the south-west. They soon made off in the same direction as the two RD-class minesweepers had gone.

During the afternoon aircraft increased.

At 1530C/8, while HMS Torbay was deep HE was picked up coming from the channel entrance.

At 1602C/8, while coming to periscope depth in position 245° - Cape Dukato - 2.8 nautical miles, to inspect the source of the HE, HMS Torbay was bombed from the air. Two bombs fell quite close and cracked the starboard navigation light shade, after which the surface craft which was now seen to be a MAS boat closed rapidly and she then dropped two depth charges in the vicinity. Torbay meanwhile had gone deep and altered course to the north-west to obtain more searoom before sunset. Two further depth charges were heard to explode.

At 1658C/8, A/S impulses were picked up and these continued until around 2300C/8.

At 1800C/8, a MAS boat was seen to close at high speed. She came to within half a mile from HMS Torbay before making off the northward. Position at this time was 282° - Cape Dukato - 7 nautical miles.

At 2105C/8, HMS Torbay surfaced in position 297° - Cape Dukato - 13 nautical miles and continued to retire to the north-west while charging. A/S transmissions were heard from the seaward coming from the north-westward as well as from the direction of Cape Dukato. Also the weather was ideal for MAS boat operations. It was an uncomfortable night. (25)

9 Apr 1942
HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO and Bar, RN) sinks the Italian auxiliary patrol vessel R 113 / Avanguardista (34 GRT) with gunfire off Anti-Paxos, Greece.

[We have been unable to identify the other vessels sighted.]

0629C/9 - Torbay dived in position 180°- Anti-Paxos Lighthouse - 8.0 nautical miles and then closed the coast. In this location deep water almost nearly approached the coast that all shipping could be intercepted on its way in and out of Corfu.

0958C/9 - In position 112° - Anti-Paxos 8 nautical miles a patrol vessel was seen. It looked like a converted yacht with a large gun mounted aft. It was approaching Corfu from the Levkas Channel.

1120C/9 - In position 094° - Anti-Paxos - 8 nautical miles, sighted two northbound minesweepers carrying out a magnetic sweep of the southern channel to Corfu. The leading sweeper was of the RD-1 class (armed with a machine gun), the rear one was a converted schooner of about 250 tons. As they were bound to approach within one mile of Torbay's position Cdr. Miers decided to attack.

1200C/9 - When about to surface close to the rear minesweeper, three more small craft were observed inshore. One of these was a trawler which might have been armed. The prospect of being engaged by both sweepers and this trawler from different angles made Cdr. Miers hesitate.

1221C/9 - Surfaced in position 080° - Anti-Paxos - 7.8 nautical miles and engaged the rear minesweeper which soon abandoned it's gear, turned away and made for the shore. The leading sweeper turned towards and opened fire with the machine gun. But as soon as her consort began to receive hits she also made for shallow water. The range, about a mile, and the fact that the target turned end on made hitting it difficult so closed the range.

1222C/9 to 1230C/9 - Fired 54 rounds resulting in many hits. The schooner was dismasted and completely wrecked before sinking at 1230 hours in position 087° Anti-Paxos 9 nautical miles. Cdr. Miers took Torbay into deeper water again and dived at 1243 hours in position 064° - Anti-Paxos - 8.5 nautical miles and withdrew to the south-west.

2111C/9 - Torbay surfaced in position 240° - Paxo Lighthouse - 3.0 nautical miles. Course was now set to patrol off the northern entrance to Corfu the following day. (25)

10 Apr 1942
At 0105C/10, while in position 183° - Othonoi Island - 20 nautical miles, HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO and Bar, RN) A/S transmissions were heard from the south-eastward.

At 0108C/10, a destroyer / torpedo boat was sighted on the same bearing at a range of about 2 nautical miles. She was approaching fast. Torbay turned towards and dived. The enemy passed ahead at about 24 knots on a course for the Adriatic.

This was possibly the Italian torpedo boat Libra which was operating in the vicinity of Paxos.

At 0144C/10, HMS Torbay surfaced and resumed her northerly course.

At 0240C/10, A/S transmissions were heard to the northwards.

At 0245C/10, the destroyer / torpedo boat was sighted fine on the starboard bow about 3 nautical miles distant. Torbay dived to 80 feet. The enemy passed on the starboard side at a speed of about 24 knots heading for Paxos Island.

At 0322C/10, HMS Torbay surfaced and once again resumed her passage north.

At 0622C/10, HMS Torbay dived in position 313° - Othonoi Island - 11 nautical miles.

At 2111C/10, HMS Torbay surfaced in position 018° - Othonoi Island - 11.7 nautical miles. Cdr. Miers decided to patrol to the north of Corfu for another day. (25)

11 Apr 1942
HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO and Bar, RN) sinks the Italian sailing vessel Gesu Crocifisso (137 GRT) with gunfire north-west of Corfu. The other schooner was the Natalina (39 GRT) which was beached and became a total loss.

0618C/11 - Torbay dived in position 014° - Othonoi Island - 12 nautical miles.

0810C/11 - In position 030° - Othonoi Island - 13.8 nautical miles an RD 1-class minesweeper was sighted. It looked like the one sighted off Corfu on the 9th. She was proceeding northward along the Albanian coast. An attack was started and speed was increased to close the coast.

0930C/11 - When in position 022° - Othonoi Island - 17.1 nautical miles and just about to surface and engage the enemy minesweeper, an A/S trawler was seen coming round a headland to the northward steering for Corfu. It was nesessary to open out from the coast in order to keep clear of the trawler. It was then seen that there were four small ships astern of her. The whole convoy was hugging the coast and therefore very difficult to distinguish. The five ships appeared to consist of two A/S trawlers, a tug, a crane lighter and an Adige-type minelayer. The size and draught of these ships precluded any chance of a successful torpedo attack and their speed of advance was so slow that, by the time they had passed out of sight, the minesweeper had made off in the Adriatic.

1640C/11 - In position 032° - Othonoi Island - 14.7 nautical miles sighted to the Northward two small sailing vessels which were keeping close inshore in line abreast making for Corfu. Course was set to close and make and attack from close range.

1712C/11 - When just about to surface sighted two larger schooners approaching from the Northward and one smaller sailing vessel approaching from the South. The attack was therefore broken off as the schooners were far more profitable targets.

1750C/11 - Surfaced in position 039° - Othonoi Island - 16.5 nautical miles to engage the nearest schooner that was flying the Italian flag and was fully laden. As it took quite some rounds and time to sink this schooner, she sank at 1807 hours after almost 50 rounds, the other schooner managed to escape.

1820C/11 - Dived in position 036° - Othonoi Island - 16.3 nautical miles and retired to the westward.

2115C/11 - Torbay surfaced in position 018° - Othonoi Island - 10.2 nautical miles and headed out of the Adriatic. Cdr. Miers decided to have another look at the southern approach to Corfo the following day and then return to the Cape Dukato area.

2330C/11 - In position 153° - Othonoi Island - 9.4 nautical miles the Italian hospital ship Gradisca (13868 GRT, built 1913) was seen on her return passage from Smyrna, Turkey to Bari with released wounded prisoners. (25)

12 Apr 1942
At 1430C/12, HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO and Bar, RN) decoded a signal from Capt. S 10, timed 1147B/12, to HMS P 34 (Lt. J.W.D. Coombe, RN) which ordered this submarine to a patrol position to intercept an expected southbound ship coming from the Adriatic.

HMS Torbay would also be in a position to intercept this expected ship.

At 1800C/12, Capt. S. 1's signal timed 1247C/12, was received. This stated that a merchant ship escorted by a light cruiser or destroyer was in position 34°46'N, 20°16'E steering 030° at 10 knots. It was thought these ships might be heading towards Navarino.

This was most likely the transport Capo Arma (Italian, 3172 GRT, built 1905) escorted by the Italian torpedo boat Pessagno which had departed Benghazi around 1910-2220B/11 for Brindisi where they arrived around 0900B/14. At 1100B, in position 34°40' N, 20°00'E, Pessagno informed Supermarina that they had been discovered by an enemy reconnaissance aircraft

Cdr. Miers however decided to go after the expected southbound traffic instead of this northbound ship whose destination was not clear.

At 2028C/12, HMS Torbay surfaced in position 130° - Anti Paxos - 9.6 nautical miles and passed a message (timed 2003B/12) to HMS P 34 that it was Torbay's intention to also go after her expected convoy.

At 2230C/12, HMS Torbay received Capt. S 10's signal timed 2020B/12 which confirmed in the action taken by Cdr. Miers. Torbay was also ordered to patrol in the Gulf of Taranto afterwards. (29)

13 Apr 1942
At 0600C/13, HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived in position 38°41'N, 18°18'E (by dead reckoning). It was decided to remain on the surface to increase the chances of sighting the expected enemy.

At 0753C/13, in position 38°40'N, 18°15'E, the masts and funnel of a merchant vessel were sighted bearing 325° at a range of 15 nautical miles. The submarine appeared to be about 20° on the enemy's starboard bow and in consequence Cdr. Miers dived and proceeded to the eastward at high speed to close. The course of the enemy was estimated to be 125° which was not at all in accordance with expectations. Nothing further was however seen from this merchant vessel.

The ship sighted was most likely the transport Iseo (Italian, 2366 GRT, built 1918) which was en-route from Brindisi (departed at 1830-1900B/12) for Benghazi escorted by the torpedo boat Orsa.

At 0955C/13, HMS Torbay surfaced in position 38°41'N, 18°25'E but there was still no trace of the enemy. Two patches of smoke and an patrolling aircraft were however observed to the westward but, although the submarine submerged and closed for two hours at high speed, nothing further was sighted.

At 1130C/13, in position 38°34'N, 18°17'E, HMS Torbay turned to 330° to patrol in the Gulf of Taranto in accordance with earlier instructions.

At 2123C/13, HMS Torbay surfaced in position 100° - Cape Colonne - 38 nautical miles. HMS Torbay then set a course to patrol close to Taranto. (25)

15 Apr 1942
At 0640C/15, HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO and Bar, RN) dived in position 217° - Cape St. Vito - 16.4 nautical miles to conduct a close submerged patrol off Taranto during the day. Unfortunately visibility was poor the entire day.

At 1500C/15, HMS Torbay received Capt. S 10's signal timed 1221B/15 which stated that HMS Torbay was to remain in position until noon on the 16th.

At 2025C/15, the rain ceased and thus visibility increased. A barrage balloon was then sighted on the water in position 177° - Cape St. Vito - 16 nautical miles. This position was then closed in order to destroy this barrage balloon to prevent it from being salved.

At 2103C/15, HMS Torbay surfaced and sank the barrage balloon with machine gun fire. HMS Torbay then patrolled in the vicinity while charging the battery. (25)

16 Apr 1942
At 0138C/16, in position 193° - Cape San Vito - 20.2 nautical miles, HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO and Bar, RN) heard A/S transmissions approaching from the harbour entrance. The night was particularly dark and nothing could be seen although the A/S transmissions were strong.

At 0205C/16, while in position 190° - Cape San Vito - 20 nautical miles, a white signalling light was seen flashing morse code. It was on the same bearing as where the A/S transmissions came from. The source that was flashing these signals was quite close. It was thought that the source of these signals was the patrol vessel whose HE was very difficult to pick up that had been encountered by in these waters by HMS Torbay on her previous patrol. HMS Torbay then dived at 0211C/16 and kept end on to this patrol vessel.

This was possibly the auxiliary submarine chaser Pasman who had sailed from Taranto at 2110B/15 and was using her sonar in the vicinity.

At 0500C/16, HMS Torbay received Capt. S 1's signal timed 2359C/15 which gave her another day in her current patrol area after which she was to return to Alexandria via the north of Crete.

At 1618C/16, while in position 175° - Cape San Vito - 10 nautical miles, an enemy destroyer was heard leaving Taranto. This destroyer was subsequently sighted proceeding at high speed into the Gulf.

This was the destroyer Strale who sailed from Taranto at 1445B/16 for Brindisi which she reached at 2230B/16.

At 1736C/16, two small merchant vessels escorted by a destroyer or torpedo boat were seen to be approaching Taranto harbour from the south-west. HMS Torbay was unfortunately not an a position to attack.

This must have been the transport Etiopia (Italian, 2153 GRT, built 1918) escorted by the destroyer Turbine had sailed from Catania at 0130B/15 and arrived at Taranto at 1736B/16. The tug Pluto arrived at Taranto at 1715B/16 and was possibly mistaken for a merchant vessel.

At 2113C/16, HMS Torbay surfaced in position 218° - Cape San Vito - 11 nautical miles and patrolled in this vicinity during the night. (25)

17 Apr 1942
Around dusk HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO and Bar, RN) left the Gulf of Taranto as ordered before by Capt. S 1 to commence her return to Alexandria via the north of Crete. (25)

18 Apr 1942
HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO and Bar, RN) torpedoed and sank the transport Bellona (German, 1297 GRT, built 1929) in the Ionian Sea about 50 nautical miles east-south-east of Capo Colonna, Italy in position 38°52'N, 18°15'E.

The German ship was on passage from Brindisi, which it had departed around 1300B/17 to Benghazi. It was escorted by Italian destroyer Strale.

0556C/18 - In position 38°58'N, 18°17'E sighted a darkened ship on a Southerly course about a mile to the North-Eastward. Alarm was sounded and during the next 20 minutes the contacts identity could not be established. The officer of the watch and the yeoman of signals thought it to be a submarine while Cdr. Miers thought, after considerable doubt, it was a small destroyer / torpedo boat. No H.E. could be heard and its speed was dead slow which was very puzzling.

0818C/18 - Dived as it will soon be getting light.

0858C/18 - Sighted the enemy bearing and steering South-East. It was due to the bad visibility still not possible to identify the contact.

0751C/18 - In position 38°58'N, 18°17'E H.E. was heard fine on the port bow (the contact had been to starboard) and a fully laden merchant ship was seen to be crossing the bow from port to starboard on a south-westerly course at a range of about 3000 yards. At the same time the original contact came round to a similar course and could at last be identified as a single-funnelled destroyer. Thus it appeared that Torboy had stumbled upon a rendezvous of a merchant ship from the Adriatic with its escort from Taranto so the slow speed of the latter was accounted for. Torbay followed the enemy.

0825C/18 - In position 38°46N, 18°17E fired two torpedoes at the merchant ship. Both torpedoes hit their target after 3,5 minutes. It was now also sighted that two aircraft were present at the scene. Cdr. Miers took Torbay deep to continue her passage to patrol off Suda Bay, Crete. (25)

18 Apr 1942
At 1800C/18, two escorted merchant ships were reported in position 38°59'N, 18°18'E on course 146° at 10 knots. HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO and Bar, RN) and HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSC, RN) were directed to intercept by Capt. S 1 in a signal timed 2001C/18. The order was however cancelled later in Capt S 1's signal timed 2301C/18. (29)

19 Apr 1942
At 0119C/19, in position 38°15'N, 19°08'E, HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO and Bar, RN) picked up HE of a destroyer to the south. Also A/S transmissions were picked up.

At 0129C/19, a destroyer was seen approaching from 020° on the starboard bow. HMS Torbay turned towards and dived.

At 0136C/19, the asdic operator reported a second vessel. HE of a single screw with a high revving diesel engine was picked up. This was thought to be either a patrol vessel or a merchant ship. A patrol craft was considered not likely in this position so Cdr. Miers decided to surface as soon as the destroyer had crossed the bow. Meanwhile the torpedo tubes were brought to the ready.

At 0147C/19, HMS Torbay surfaced and immediately sighted two large transports of about 8000 tons and 6000 tons each. They were proceeding to the north-east. Shortly afterwards the destroyer was seen to be ahead of these two ships. The range was about 2-3 nautical miles. HMS Torbay turned towards and went to full speed but rapidly lost bearing. HMS Torbay set off in pursuit.

At 0245C/19, the pursuit reluctantly had to be broken off. The speed of the enemy was thought to be around 16 knots and there was no way HMS Torbay could obtain a favourable attack position.

It was considered that this must be ship returning in ballast to the Adriatic from Libya. HMS Torbay then continued her passage towards Suda Bay.

The convoy encountered by HMS Torbay must have been the one made up of the transports Lerici (Italian, 6070 GRT, built 1941) and Monviso (Italian, 5322 GRT, built 1941) escorted by the Italian destroyers Freccia (S.O.), Mitragliere and torpedo boat Pegaso (equipped with sonar) which had departed from Tripoli at 1300-1455B/17. The convoy arrived at Brindisi around 1340B/19 (Lerici and Mitragliere) and Taranto around 1454B/19 (Monviso, Freccia and Pegaso). (25)

21 Apr 1942
HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO and Bar, RN) sinks the German auxiliary submarine chaser 13 V 2 / Delpa II (170 GRT) with gunfire north of Crete in position 36°36'N, 24°15'E.

0655C/21 - Torbay dived in position 000° - Cape Drepano - 15 nautical miles to patrol along the approach route to Suda Bay.

0824C/21 - While in position 007° - Cape Drepano - 14 nautical miles sighted smoke to the southeastward and a Cant Z. 501 aircraft patrolling in that direction. Shortly afterwards A/S transmissions were heard and the masts of a merchant ship, on whose bow HMS Torbay was plainly very broad, were sighted on the same bearing. Torbay increased to full speed and altered course to intercept. If the enemy were eastward bound there was no possibility of reaching an attacking position but there was a chance they might be proceeding to the north-east.

0910C/21 - In position 020° - Cape Drepano - 13.3 nautical miles HMS Torbay broke off the chase. Half the battery power had now been expended in vain. The enemy was now out of sight apparently proceeding eastwards most likely bound for Candia (Iraklion).

The vessel chased by Torbay may have been the German P III (?) [obviously the Germans must have commissioned another P III after the first one had been sunk by Torbay on 12 December 1941] which had departed Suda Bay around 0600B/21 for Iraklion via Rethimnon.

1045C/21 - In position 032° - Cape Drepano - 10 nautical miles sighted to the south-eastward what was thought to be a small tanker steering north-westward. Closed. Later it was seen to be a naval auxiliary.

1236C/21 - Surfaced in position 012° - Cape Drepano - 10 nautical miles on the starboard quarter of the enemy and closed at full speed on the motors. The first round of the deck gun misfired. In the meantime the enemy also opened fire but the shooting on both sides was not accurate, all rounds fired went over. Cdr. Miers fired two torpedoes at the enemy ship but one missed and one was a circler due to a gyro failure. The excellent shooting with the Bren gun prevented the enemy from manning its foremost gun. Later it also took out the crew of one of the enemy's amidships gun before this gun was knocked over the side by a direct hit from Torbay's deck gun. Further hits followed immediately and the ship's cargo of petrol caught fire. The enemy started to abandon ship.

1245C/21 - The enemy was now on fire from end to end and was obviously a total loss. Torbay was now taken under fire from the shore so Cdr. Miers dived in position 012° - Cape Drepano - 9 nautical miles. In all 23 rounds with the deck gun were fired, many of these being hits. Torbay retired to the east but was hunted by two German motor torpedo boats. Course was later set to the north-east to shake them off which was successfully done. (30)

24 Apr 1942
Around 0700C/24, HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO and Bar, RN) ended her 11th Mediterranean War Patrol at Alexandria. This was the last Mediterranean patrol of her first commission. She is now to be sent back to the U.K. for a refit. (25)

12 May 1942
Around 1705C/12, HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO and Bar, RN) departed from Alexandria bound for Gibraltar. She is to proceed to the U.K. for refitting.

She is escorted out until 2020C/12 by HMS Airedale (Lt.Cdr. A.G. Forman, DSC, RN). (6)

12 May 1942
For the daily positions of HMS Torbay during the passage from Alexandria to Portsmouth see the map below.

27 May 1942
Around 1030B/27, HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from Alexandria. The passage had been uneventful. (6)

29 May 1942
Around 1705B/29, HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO and Bar, RN) departed from Gibraltar bound for the U.K. She was escorted until 2330B/30 by the special service vessel HMS Minna (T/Lt.Cdr. T. Mather, RNR). (6)

7 Jun 1942
Around 1000B/7, HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO and Bar, RN) made rendezvous with HMS Unbeaten (Lt.Cdr. E.A. Woodward, DSO, RN) and their escort towards Portsmouth HMS Kingston Jacinth (Skr. A.G. Day, RNR). (6)

8 Jun 1942
Around 0940B/8, HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Portsmouth (Gosport / Fort Blockhouse). (6)

26 Jun 1942
Around 1015B/26, HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO and Bar, RN) departed from Portsmouth bound for the Devonport Dockyard at Plymouth where she is to refit. She arrived at Plymouth around 0840B/26. She was escorted by HMS Lord Essenden (Skr. J.W. Shell, RNR). Most of the passage was made in a coastal convoy. (31)

20 Nov 1942
With her refit completed HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) departed from the Devonport Dockyard.

She first conducted D/G and compass adjustment trials off Plymouth during which she was escorted by HMS Jasper (T/Lt. W.T. Hodson, RNVR).

She then left Plymouth around 1500A/20 for Holy Loch. During the passage to Holy Loch she was escorted by HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A. E. Johnston, RN). HMS Otway (Lt. A.A. Duff, RN) was also in company until 0813A/23 when she was detached to Barrow-in-Furness. (32)

23 Nov 1942
Around 2145A/23, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) arrived at Holy Loch from Plymouth.

At Holy Loch she was to begin a period of post-refit trials and training. (32)

24 Nov 1942
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. Upon completion of these trials she returned to Holy Loch. (32)

27 Nov 1942
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) conducted trials and exercises in the Clyde area. She was escorted, for safety reasons, by HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A. E. Johnston, RN) (32)

29 Nov 1942
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. Shortly before these trials commenced HMS Torbay briefly grounded with her stern. (32)

30 Nov 1942
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (32)

2 Dec 1942
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) conducted mine laying (from the torpedo tubes) exercises in completion of which she proceeded from Loch Long to Holy Loch. (33)

6 Dec 1942
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil. (33)

7 Dec 1942
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil. Upon completion of these trials she proceeded to Holy Loch. (33)

8 Dec 1942
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) conducted STU trials (mine detection) in the Clyde area. On completion of these STU trials attack exercises were carried out during which HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A. E. Johnston, RN) acted as target. (33)

9 Dec 1942
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN). (33)

10 Dec 1942
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) proceeded from Rothesay to Kames Bay where she was docked in AFD 7. (33)

11 Dec 1942
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) is undocked at Kames Bay. She then conducted A/S exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Bulldog (Cdr. M. Richmond, OBE, DSO, RN).

These A/S exercises were then followed by night encounter exercises with HMS Z 5 (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S.T. Wenlock, RNR). (33)

13 Dec 1942
Around 1400A/13, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN), HMS P 339 (Lt.Cdr. M.R.G. Wingfield, DSO, RN) and ORP Sokol (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) J.K.S. Koziolkowski, DSC) departed Holy Loch for Lerwick. They were escorted by HMS Cape Palliser (Lt. B.T. Wortley, RNR). (6)

16 Dec 1942
Around 0930A/16, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) arrived at Lerwick from Holy Loch.

She then departed from Lerwick for her 13th war patrol around 1900A/16. This is the 1st war patrol of her 2nd commission after her refit. She is to patrol off the coast of northern Norway during the passage of convoy JW 51A.

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

(6)

1 Jan 1943
Around 1240A/1, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) ended her 13th war patrol at Lerwick. (6)

2 Jan 1943
Around 1200A/2, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN), HMS P 339 (Lt.Cdr. M.R.G. Wingfield, DSO, RN) and HMS P 223 (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) departed Lerwick for Holy Loch. They were escorted by HMS Ayrshire (T/Lt. R.W.H. Elsden, RNVR). (6)

4 Jan 1943
Around 1030A/4, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) arrived at Holy Loch from Lerwick. (6)

8 Jan 1943
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) proceeded from Holy Loch to Loch Goil. (34)

9 Jan 1943
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil on completion of which she returned to Holy Loch. (34)

12 Jan 1943
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) proceeded from Holy Loch to Kames Bay where she was immediately docked in AFD 7. Both propellers were to be changed. (34)

13 Jan 1943
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) is undocked at Kames Bay. She then proceeded to Helensburg for D/G trials on completion of which she proceeded to Holy Loch. (34)

17 Jan 1943
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) conducted gunnery exercises in the Clyde area. (34)

19 Jan 1943
Around 0015A/19, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) departed from Holy Loch for Gibraltar.

Passage south through the Irish Sea was made together with HMS P 312 (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Favell, RN) and HMS P 339 (Lt.Cdr. M.R.G. Wingfield, DSO, RN). They were escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN).

HMS Cutty Sark parted company with the submarines around 1530A/21.

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

(35)

29 Jan 1943
Around 1000A/29, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from Holy Loch. (35)

31 Jan 1943
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Gibraltar with HMS Fleetwood (Cdr. W.B. Piggott, OBE, RD, RNR) and HMS Hussar (Lt. R.C. Biggs, DSO, DSC, RN). (34)

1 Feb 1943
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) conducted exercises off Gibraltar with motor launches. (36)

2 Feb 1943
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Gibraltar. (36)

5 Feb 1943
Around 1300A/5, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) departed from Gibraltar for her 14th war patrol. This is the first Mediterranean patrol of her 2nd commission. She is to perform a work-up patrol off Valencia. On departure gunnery exercises were carried out.

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

(6)

7 Feb 1943
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) fired two rounds at the Spanish submarine General Sanjuro, one hit the forward hydroplane causing slight damage, the two submarines later collided, Torbay getting a small dent.

1345A/7 - While dived sighted a 1500 ton Spanish ship at 2000 yards coming straight towards. Went to 80 feet until she passed Torbay.

1405A/7 - Returned to periscope depth 38°18'N, 00°06'E. The ship was sighted to the South-West and on the same bearing a submarine was sighted steering 180° at 4000 yards. It was first thought that the submarine was escorted by the merchant vessel. Examination of Janes Fighting ships (1940 edition) showed no Spanish submarine resembling the one sighted, which could be seen to have two guns and large periscope standards and resemble the Italian Archimede class. There was no report of a Spanish submarine in this area just an intelligence report of the General Sanjuro that was on passage from Almeria to presumably Cartagena escorted by Torpedo Boat nr. 7. None of these conditions were fulfilled and when it was seen that the submarines course was diverting from the merchant vessel it was decided (at 1420 hours) to give chase on the surface.

1600A/7 - Torbay now had the range closed to 6000 yards and it was intended to open fire as Lt. Clutterbuck was confident it was an Italian submarine unable to dive. This belief was strengthened by the fact she appeared to be listing to port and was down by the stern. This was afterwards found to be an optical delusion. It was a mystery why she had not opened fire with her after gun and this was thought to be because morale on the Italian submarine to be very low. Lt. Clutterbuck ordered to submarine to stop by Aldis lamp but this had no effect. At 1610 hours the submarine set course to 310° without decreasing speed. Lt. Clutterbuck took this as an effort to place her in the sun and bring both guns to bear. On Torbay the tubes were brought to the ready and at 1615 hours the order open fire was given. The first round fired hit her the hydroplanes but then the gun malfunctioned. The second round was not fired until one and a half minute later and went over. It was then seen that a large number of men were on the bridge of the submarine which enhanced Lt. Clutterbuck's belief that it was an Italian submarine about to surrender so fire was ceased. Torbay closed and prepared to board. It was then seen that Spanish colours were painted on the conning tower so the sub was asked (by Aldis lamp) for her name. No good form of communication could be established so Torbay continued to close end on. The submarines were now very close and the Spanish submarine now drifted towards Torbay hitting Torbay's bow with her after casing but no damage was done other than a small dent. The identity of the submarine was now established.

1615A/7 - Torbay now proceeded to the eastward to clear the area. (6)

11 Feb 1943
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) torpedoed and sank the Danish merchant (in German service) Grete (1563 GRT, built 1931) off Cape Oropesa, Spain.

0815A/11 - While on patrol near Cape Oropesa in position 39°58'N, 00°11'E sighted a very deep laden merchant ship bearing 270° steering 040°, range was 8000 yards. The vessel appeared to be the Danish Grete. National markings were seen on the bow and quarter but these did not appear to be Spanish. As her plotted course and position was outside territorial waters started an attack.

0850A/11 - As the identity of the ship was by now established fired two torpedoes from 3000 yards. One torpedo hit the target that was seen to sink at 0920A/11. Torbay retired to the southward.

1950A/11 - Torbay surfaced in position 090° - Cape Canet - 21.5 nautical miles (approximately 39°40'N, 00°15'E) and left patrol to proceed to Algiers. (6)

13 Feb 1943
Around 0845A/13, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) ended her 14th war patrol at Algiers. She was escorted in by HMML 458 (T/Lt. J.W. Curtis, RNVR) which had joined her at 0715A/13. (6)

22 Feb 1943
Around 1700A/22, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) departed from Algiers for her 15th war patrol (this is the 2nd Mediterranean war patrol of her 2nd commission). She was ordered to patrol in the Gulf of Genoa.

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

(6)

25 Feb 1943
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) damaged the Italian auxiliary minesweeper Monte Argentario (80 GRT) with gunfire off Ajaccio, Corsica, France.

0900A/25 - A wooden motor vessel, about 80 feet long, painted grey and flying the Italian colours came out of Ajaccio and headed seaward. She was towing a small target with red sails. The wooden motor vessel had a small gun forward. Decided to let the target go in the hope of a better target.

1000A/25 - Nothing of interest was visible in Ajaccio harbour.

1150A/25 - The vessel sighted earlier was seen returning and as there was nothing bigger in Ajaccio and Torbay would leave this area the next night, Lt. Clutterbuck decided to attack it after all. Surfaced about 1500 yards away, fired seventeen rounds for only two hits. The ship was driven ashore by it's crew. The action was broken off when Torbay was fired upon by a shore battery. (6)

26 Feb 1943
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) sank the transport Mariaeck (German former French Oasis, 1327 GRT, built 1938) with gunfire about 30 nautical miles south of Cape Mele, Italy in position 43°27'N, 08°08'E.

Torbay also torpedoed and sank the Spanish merchant vessel (under German control) Juan de Astigarraga (3561 GRT, built 1929) in position 180° - Cape Mele - 1.5 nautical miles.

0250A/26 - In position 43°27'N, 08°08'E sighted a darkened ship to the eastward.

0300A/26 - The ship was identified as the French Oasis.

0310A/26 - Three torpedoes were fired from 1000 yards, all missed or ran under.

0314A/26 - Engaged the target with the deck gun.

0320A/26 - Fired a fourth torpedo which also missed. After firing 66 rounds the ship was left well ablaze.

0500A/26 - The blaze, which had been distinctly visible up to this time, was suddenly extinguished, and it was considered that the target sank at this time.

...........................................................................

0640A/26 - Sighted what is thought to be a German S or R boat. Dived in position 150 - Cape Mele - 7 nautical miles. This craft stopped about 1000 yards from Torbay's diving position and carried out a vague hunt. It appeared she was never in contact. [We have been unable to identify this vessel.]

0750A/26 - The enemy vessel was now hull down to the north-west. It was thought the enemy had sighed Torbay before we sighed the enemy.

...........................................................................

1410A/26 - Sighted a deeply laden merchant ship 5000 yards to the westward staring 044°. Spanish markings could be seen on the bow. The vessel is estimated at around 4000 tons. Closed at speed.

1430A/26 - Fired four torpedoes from 1600 yards resulting in two hits. Shortly after firing two explosions were heard nearby resulting in slight damage to Torbay. After coming to periscope depth it was seen that the ship was escorted by two aircraft. The bow of the target was just above the water, the rest was below the waves. Torbay retired to the seaward. Aircraft were seen patrolling the area for the remainder of the afternoon. (6)

27 Feb 1943
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) sank the Italian auxiliary patrol vessel V 276 / Baicin (173 GRT) with demolition charges and Oerlikon fire about 35 nautical miles south-west of La Spezia, Italy in position 43°37'N, 09°25'E.

Off the entrance to Bastia harbour, Torbay also attacked and missed the transport Rossini (Italian, 2424 GRT, built 1928) who was in convoy with the transport Francesco Crispi (Italian, 7464 GRT, built 1926) escorted by the Italian auxiliary Filippo Grimani (3431 GRT, built 1928), the torpedo boat Giuseppe La Masa and the motor torpedo boat MAS 558

0130A/27 - In position 47°37'N, 09°25'E sighted a darkened ship to the eastward. The target was identified as an A/S schooner. The ship was stopped and no sails were set. Crept closer to 100 yards on the motors without stirring up any signs of life on board.

0150A/27 - Opened fire with the Vickers gun and the 4" gun. the 4" gunfire was extremely inaccurate, 10 rounds being fired for only one hit. The crew of the schooner wasted no time in abandoning their ship. The schooner was boarded and a sack of books weighted and ready for dumping overboard was recovered. The vessel was inspected and was found to be a brigantine of about 80 tons had a new looking engine and a sound detector on the forecastle. The machine guns were not in their mountings. A demolition charge was set under the engine and fire was set in several places. Several rounds of Oerlikon fire were also fired in the schooner.

0240A/27 - Torbay proceeded southward. The vessel was later seen to blow up.

...........................................................................

1155A/27 - An aircraft flew over Bastia from coming from seaward. This was thought to be an escort of a convoy whose smoke could now be seen to the Eastward. The smoke was soon seen to come from a 200 ton coaster escorted by what was thought to be an ex-French sloop of the Elan class serving under Italian colours. Lt. Clutterbuck decided to let them pass hoping for bigger prey.

1400A/27 - Manoeuvred in a position to take a look in Bastia harbour.

1519A/27 - While examining the possibility of firing a torpedo into the harbour another convoy was seen approaching Bastia. This consisted of a two-funnelled ship and two merchant ships in ballast escorted by a torpedo boat and a MAS boat. Range was 15000 yards. An aircraft was seen overhead but this soon left.

1545A/27 - The two-funnelled ship, that had been selected as the target, zigged at a range of 5000 yards putting Torbay right ahead. Torbay manoeuvred into an attack position. During the attack four torpedoes were fired (first one, then two and then one) all missed their target.

Torbay was depth charged after the attack but received no damage. Fourteen depth charges in all were dropped. Torbay retired to the east. (6)

28 Feb 1943
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) torpedoed and sank the transport Ischia (Italian, 5101 GRT, built 1907) off Portofino, Italy.

0900A/28 - A very small tug was seen close inshore steaming up and down towing a trawl. This was in indication that there were no mines in this area.

0930A/28 - A three-masted schooner was seen skirt close round Portofino Light into Rapallo Bay. This vessel had passed inshore of HMS Torbay and had not been seen earlier against the land.

1220A/28 - Heard H.E. to the north and sighted a merchant vessel of about 5000 ton approach. The vessel was painted grey and had a gun on the poop. She was steering 290° to pass close to Portofino. Range was 16000 yards. An attack was started.

1255A/28 - Fired two torpedoes at the ship (one other torpedo was fired in error) from 1000 yards. Both torpedoes hit the target that sunk. Torbay retired from the scene. (6)

1 Mar 1943
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) bombards oil storage tanks at the Italian city of Imperia.

1745A/1 - An motor torpedo boat was sighted to leave the harbour and proceeding at high speed in the direction of Cape Mele.

1815A/1 - Surfaced to bombard oil storage tanks at the Italian city of Imperia. There were some problems with the deck gun and after firing only 5 rounds Torbay was taken under fire by shore batteries. Torbay submerged after only being on the surface of three minutes. The Italians reported damage to the city of Imperia as well as to the railway station but make no mention of oil storage tanks.

2045A/1 - Surfaced and set course for the Bastia area. (6)

2 Mar 1943
At 1200A/2, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) conduced a periscope reconnaissance of the harbour of Bastia. All ships from the convoy that had entered on 27 February were still there. Torbay commenced to patrol at the end of the swept channel.

At 1300A/2, a large modern armed trawler was seen to pass five nautical miles to the seaward steering 160°. Diesel HE could be picked up at 400 revs and later at 360 revs. She passed out of range. This may have been the German auxiliary patrol vessel UJ 2202 which was a former French trawler and was diesel engined. She was en-route from Marseille to Naples. It is also possible that it was one of the following; UJ 2203, UJ 2204 and UJ 2207 who arrived in Naples at 1327B/3 from an A/S search in the Gulf of Genoa but most likely these would have been in company. (6)

3 Mar 1943
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) attacked a convoy of Bastia, Corsica in position 42°50'N, 09°37'E. One torpedo is fired that missed its target.

This convoy was made up of was the motorship Rossini (Italian, 2425 GRT, built 1928) and the passenger ship Francesco Crispi (Italian, 7625 GRT, built 1926) escorted by the Italian auxiliary Filippo Grimani (3431 GRT, built 1928) and the Italian torpedo boat Giuseppe La Masa (and the motor torpedo boat MAS 558 just in the proximity of Bastia) They had sailed from Bastia at 0642B/3 and arrived at Leghorn at 1530B/3. At 0930B/3, Francesco Crispi opened fire with machine guns and signalled the presence of a submarine. La Masa dropped two depth charges for intimidation and cruised the area but sighted nothing. Believing it to be a false alarm, she rejoined the convoy. MAS 558 searched the area and returned to Bastia at 1220B/3.

0845A/3 - In position 42°50'N, 09°37'E sighted a convoy to the south-west. It had come out of Bastia and was steering 020°. Started an attack. The convoy was made up of two transports, a smaller one of about 1500 tons and a larger one with two funnels. They were escorted by what was thought to be an armed merchant cruiser and a destroyer / torpedo boat.

0930A/3 - Fired the one remaining bow torpedo at the rear ship of the convoy from 5000 yards but it did not found it's target. Now out of bow torpedoes, Lt. Clutterbuck decided to leave patrol.

1130A/3 - What looked like an MASB appeared from the north-east. This boat had either sighted the periscope or knew pretty well where HMS Torbay was. By the time his HE was no longer heard and on return to periscope depth this craft was seen about a mile to the south but it soon made off towards Bastia. (6)

7 Mar 1943
Around 1030A/7, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) ended her 15th war patrol at Algiers. (6)

19 Mar 1943
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) conducted exercises off Algiers. These included gunnery exercises on a towed target and A/S exercises with HMS Juliet (Lt. L.B. Moffatt, RNR) and two ML's. (37)

20 Mar 1943
Around 1830A/20, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) departed from Algiers for her 16th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Tyrrhanian Sea to the North of Sicily.

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

(6)

25 Mar 1943
At 0211A/25, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) received Capt. S 10's signal timed 0140A/25, which stated that aircraft had reported a stationary ship in position 39°35'N, 14°35'E at 2103A/24. Course was set accordingly and HMS Torbay arrived in this position around 0600A/25 but nothing was seen.

The reporteed position appears to be quite off. This must have been the tanker President Herrenschmidt (German, former French, former Norwegian, 9103 GRT, built 1932). She had been torpedoed by HMS Tribune on 22 March 1943. She was taken in tow by the torpedo boat Sirio, then by the tugs Salvatore Primo and Athleta and escorted by UJ 2205 and UJ 2208 who had sailed from Naples to assist. They arrived in Naples at 0325B/25 so the signal arrived too late for HMS Torbay. (38)

26 Mar 1943
At 0516A/26, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) dived 7 nautical miles to the southwest of Cape Palinuro.

At 0700A/26, two small coasters were sighted close inshore. HMS Torbay was not in a position to cut them off without depleting the battery so Lt. Clutterbuck decided not to attempt to attack them. (6)

27 Mar 1943
At 1440A/27, to the north of Cape Bonifati, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) sighted a steam tug of about 200 tons steering north close inshore at very slow speed. It later increased speed to 8 knots. HMS Torbay closed to attack with the gun but it was then seen that the tug was armed with three guns resembling Oerlikons. Also depth charges were seen to be fitted. In the likelihood that if HMS Torbay surfaced, fire would be opened by shore batteries, HMS Torbay would be forced to break off the action and submerge before serious damage was done to the tug which then would bee able to counter attack with the depth charged. It was therefore decided not to surface for gun action. [We have been unable to identify this vessel.] (6)

28 Mar 1943
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) torpedoed and sank the French (in German control) transport Lillois (3680 GRT, built 1910) off Cape Scalea, Italy in position 39°48'N, 15°43'E (230° - Cape Scalea - 3 nautical miles). Lillois was in convoy with the French (in German control) transport Nantaise (1798 GRT, built 1920). They were escorted by the Italian torpedo boat Sirio.

They had sailed from Torre Del Greco (a suburb of Naples) for Trieste. Lillois was sunk by two torpedo hits. Sirio dropped eight depth charges but did not stop to rescue the survivors as the coast was close and a number of local vessels could do the task. There were sixteen survivors and eleven victims. Sirio proceeded in company with Nantaise and reached Bari at 1635B/7 April.

0950A/28 - Sighted a convoy of two 1500 - 2000 tons merchant ships. Distance was 9 nautical miles steering 140° towards Cape Scalea. The escort was a torpedo boat of the Climene(Spica)-class that was zig-zagging between 2000 and 4000 yards on the seaward beam of the merchant ships which were in line ahead one mile apart. They were coast crawling. Started an attack.

1038A/28 - Fired four torpedoes from 2600 yards against the rear merchant ship. Two hits were heard. The torpedo boat carried out an ineffective counter attack. six depth charges were dropped but these were not very close.

1130A/28 - Returned to periscope depth. The target had disappeared and the other ship could be seen going on with the torpedo escorting on her beam.

1915A/28 - Surfaced 17 miles to the west of Cirella Island. Capt. S 8's signal timed 1410A/28 was received which ordered HMS Torbay to patrol between 14° and 15° and south of 40°10'N. Course was set to seaward to comply. (6)

31 Mar 1943
At 2152A/31, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) received Capt. S 8's signal timed 1248A/31, which ordered her to patrol south of 40°10'N and between 12°E and 14°E after 2000A/1. Lt. Clutterbuck decided before proceeding to this new area to spent one more day on the coastal route so course was set to the east. (6)

1 Apr 1943
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) unsuccessfully attacked a transport in position 160° - Licosa Point - 7 nautical miles. [we have been unable to identify this vessel.]

Later this day Torbay sank the Italian fishing vessel Madonna di Porto Salvo (21 GRT) with gunfire in position 170° - Licosa Point - 8 nautical miles (approximately 40°15'N, 14°54'E).

0445A/1 - Closed the coast to the south of Licosa Point. Sighted what was thought to be an E-boat but this was later seen to be a fishing vessel.

0616A/1 - Heard HE to the south-east. Sighted a 1200 ton merchant vessel steering 310°, range 4000 yards, speed 7 knots. Torbay was perfectly placed for an attack. An escorting E-boat was on the targets seaward beam so caused no problem.

0636A/1 - Fired three torpedoes. All torpedoes ran straight but none hit. The E-boat, and another one not previously sighted, counter-attacked. Nine depth charges were dropped but none of these was close.

0800A/1 - Sighted three fishing boats.

1000A/1 - Surfaced and sank a fishing boat with gunfire.

1020A/1 - Set course to the south-west on the surface.

1040A/1 - Dived for three approaching aircraft.

1900A/1 - Surfaced in position 40°03'N, 14°20'E. Steered west for the new patrol area. (6)

3 Apr 1943
At 1905A/3, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) received Capt. S 8's signal timed 1426A/3, ordering her to leave patrol P.M. on the 4th. (6)

4 Apr 1943
At 1900A/4, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) surfaced after a day of submerged patrol in position 39°30'N, 13°00'E. Course was then set to return to Algiers by the route ordered. (6)

7 Apr 1943
At 2250A/7, well to the north-east of Algiers, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) obtained a radar contact at a range of 1500 yards. HMS Torbay then closed the bearing and when the range was 900 yards a U-boat was sighted. There was a heavy swell running and the night was very dark. As a result the gunlayer could not get the target in view until the range was down to 750 yards. The U-boat was not presenting a torpedo target. By now the enemy had also sighted HMS Torbay, and before gun action could commence, had dived in position 38°19'N, 04°20'E.

The enemy submarine was the Italian Wolframio. (6)

8 Apr 1943
Around 1100A/8, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) ended her 16th war patrol at Algiers.

She was escorted in and had met the escort (identity not known) around 0900A/8. (6)

18 Apr 1943
Around 2000A/18, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) is damaged by an enemy air raid on Algiers harbour. A bomb landed 15 feet to the starboard side of the conning tower. Damage was severe; 148 battery cells were cracked, the starboard saddle tanks were bent and leaking, the gyro compass was broken, several electrical defects, several defects to the high pressure air system, defects to the telemotor system and several there were many smaller defects.

21 Apr 1943
After patching up the damage sustained in the air raid on the 18th, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) departed from Algiers for Gibraltar where she will be repaired. She was being towed by Hengist. They joined convoy GUS 6A for passage.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy GUS 6A ' for 21 April 1943.] (39)

21 Apr 1943

Convoy GUS 6A.

This convoy departed Algiers on 21 April 1943.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Fort Ellice (British, 7129 GRT, built 1942), Harry Lane (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), J.E.B. Stuart (American, 7196 GRT, built 1942), John Steele (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), John Walker (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Matthew Maury (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Rufus W. Peckham (American, 7200 GRT, built 1942), William A. Graham (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), William A. Richardson (American, 7258 GRT, built 1942), William C. Endicott (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), William Cullen Bryant (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942) and Zebulon Pike (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942).

The damaged submarine HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) in tow of the tug Hengist was also part of the convoy as was the RFA tanker Dingledale (8145 GRT, built 1941).

On departure from Algiers the convoy was escorted by the escort destroyers HMS Eggesford (Lt.Cdr. D.W. Austin, RN), corvette HMS Pentstemon (T/Lt. D.C. Williams, RNVR) and the minesweepers HMS Bude (Lt. F.A.J. Andrew, RN), HMS Rhyl (Cdr. L.J.S. Ede, DSO, RN) and HMS Fantome (Capt. J.W. Boutwood, RN).

On 22 April 1943, following merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Oran / Mers-el-Kebir; Exchange (American, 6737 GRT, built 1940), Fluor Spar (American, 5562 GRT, built 1919), George Davis (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942) and William M. Stewart (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942).

Also joining was the motor minesweeper HMS MMS 20 (T/Lt. H.A. Ledeboer, RNR) for passage to Gibraltar.

The escort was reinforced by the destroyer HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Liddesdale (Lt.Cdr. A.A. Mackenzie, RNR).

On 23 April 1943, the following merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Gibraltar; Artemis Ward (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Esso Bayonne (American (tanker), 7698 GRT, built 1937), Joel Chandler Harris (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Rhea (French (tanker), 7813 GRT, built 1928) and Tide Water (American (tanker), 8886 GRT, built 1930).

Also joining from Gibraltar were the fleet tanker USS Enoree (T/Cdr. W.S. Campbell, USN) and the destroyers USS Charles Ausburne (T/Cdr. L.K. Reynolds, USN) and USS Spence (T/Cdr. H.J. Armstrong, Jr., USN).

HMS Torbay, still being towed by the Hengist, and MMS 20 then parted company and entered Gibraltar.

On the 24th the Casablanca section of the convoy joined, it was made up of the following merchant vessels; Caleb Strong (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Elorn (French, 5482 GRT, built 1930), Empire Cobbett (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), John M. Schofield (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), Richard H. Alvey (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Robert F. Stockton (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942) and William F. Cody (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942).

They were escorted by the destroyers USS Stevenson (T/Cdr. F.E. Wilson, USN, with COMDESRON 19, T/Capt. J. Connor, USN, on board), USS Stockton ( T/Cdr. R.E. Braddy, Jr., USN), USS Ringgold (T/Cdr. T.F. Conley, Jr., USN), USS Schroeder (T/Cdr. B.L. Austin, USN), USS Foote () and USS Claxton (T/Cdr. H.F. Stout, USN) which then joined the convoy relieving the British escorts which then proceeded to Gibraltar where they arrived on the 25th, except HMS Boreas which arrived at Casablanca on the 24th.

During 1 May 1943, USS Enoree fuelled all eight destroyers.

The convoy arrived in Hampton Roads on 8 May 1943.

23 Apr 1943
Around 2300A/23, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) and Hengist arrived at Gibraltar from Algiers.

HMS Torbay was then taken in hand for repairs at the Gibraltar Dockyard. (39)

28 Apr 1943
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) is docked at the Gibraltar Dockyard in No.2 graving dock. (39)

30 Apr 1943
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) is undocked. (39)

17 May 1943
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) is docked at the Gibraltar Dockyard, again in No.2 graving dock. (40)

18 Jun 1943
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) is undocked. (41)

21 Jun 1943
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) conducted post repair trials off Gibraltar. (41)

22 Jun 1943
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) is wiped at Gibraltar following which D/G trials were carried out. (41)

25 Jun 1943
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) conducted exercises off Gibraltar. (41)

26 Jun 1943
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) conducted compass adjustment trials at Gibraltar.

Around 1700B/26, HMS Torbay departed from Gibraltar for Algiers. On departure exercises were carried out. (41)

1 Jul 1943
Around 0815B/1, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) arrived at Algiers from Gibraltar. She was escorted in by HMS Ensay (T/Lt. R.J.M. Eden, RNVR) which had joined at 0620B/1. (42)

9 Jul 1943
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) conducted exercises off Algiers. During a deep dive the amidships external torpedo tubes No.9 and 10 were found to be leaking. (42)

10 Jul 1943
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) another deep dive off Algiers which now was successful. The amidships external tubes were no longer leaking as they had been doing the previous day. (42)

11 Jul 1943
Around 2000B/11, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) departed from Algiers for her 17th war patrol (this is the 4th Mediterranean war patrol of her 2nd commission). She is to patrol in the Northern part of the Tyrrhenian Sea near Civitavecchia.

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

(6)

17 Jul 1943
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) sank the Italian sailing vessel Pozzalo (127 GRT) bearing 250° - Cape Linaro - 9 nautical miles. (5 nautical miles bearing 270° from Torre Chiaruccia according to Italian sources)

1838B/17 - Surfaced in position 250° - Cape Linaro - 9 nautical miles and sank schooner with gunfire. 44 rounds were required. Torbay was fired upon by shore batteries so she dived. The schooner was seen to sink through the periscope. (43)

18 Jul 1943
Around dawn, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) sighed a large armed trawler near Cape Linaro. This was most likely the German auxiliary A/S trawler UJ 2208 which had departed Civitavecchia for an A/S hunt together with two Italian corvettes, the Gazzella and Euterpe.

HMS Torbay sank the Italian auxiliary patrol vessel V 90/San Girolamo (109 GRT) with gunfire in position 41°34'N, 12°05'E. The whole crew of the San Girolamo (fourteen men) were rescued by the Gazzella.

0513B/17 - Dived in position 250° - Cape Linaro - 14 nautical miles on sighting a vessel which turned out to be a heavily armed trawler which looked like a former French grand bank trawler. Two guns were seen forward and three aft. She was proceeding south at 6 knots. This ship was larger then an ordinary trawler.

0630B/17 - A new type of escort vessel resembling a bit a Hunt-class destroyer [probably one of the new Italian corvettes] was sighted. She passed inshore steering to the north-west. It was seen to stop for a while a few miles to the north-west.

Shortly after having sighted this vessel another one of the same type was seen proceeding to the northwest at 18 knots. She passed 5 nautical miles to the seaward. She then joined the other one and they then both made off to the north-west. Meanwhile also the armed trawler was seen to return and proceeded northward close inshore.

1330B/17 - The two 'Hunts' [corvettes] were sighted again to thee northwest. They were sweeping to the southwest at slow speed but soon disappeared again.

2100B/17 - Sighted a schooner to the southward. She appeared to be patrolling so was most likely an auxiliary A/S vessel.

2120B/17 - Surfaced and set off in pursuit of the schooner that was no longer visible.

2230B/17 - Found the schooner again and sank it with 28 rounds of the 4" gun and 2 pans of Oerlikon. (43)

19 Jul 1943
In approximate position 42°09'N, 11°20'E, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) fires four torpedoes at the French transport (in Axis service) San Pedro (5947 GRT, built 1931) escorted by the Italian torpedo boats Pegaso and Nicola Fabrizi but all torpedoes missed their target. The enemy convoy was on passage from Naples to Livorno.'

0025B/19 - Sighted a ship bearing 230°. Altered course to close.

0032B/19 - Identified the ship as one of the 'Hunt-class' [Italian corvette] A/S vessels of which two had been sighted yesterday. The enemy was approaching fast coming directly towards. Dived. No HE could be picked up so the enemy had possibly stopped waiting for the submarine to surface so decided to stay down. This could have been either Euterpe or Gazzella.

0140B/19 - Surfaced. A small ship was just in sight to the north-west. Decided to circumnavigate it as Lt. Clutterbuck wished to get to the north-west for today's diving billet. It was thought the vessel sighted was the same one that had put Torbay down. The enemy was steering 310° at 6 knots possibly hoping to catch the submarine charging on the surface.

0300B/19 - The enemy was no longer in sight, having been overtaken on the surface on the landward side.

0520B/19 - Dived 18 miles to the west of Civitavecchia and steered northwards.

0827B/19 - Sighted a camouflaged 5000 ton transport at 7000 yards steering 315° at 10 knots. The ship was in ballast. Two torpedo boats were escorting the transport. Closed for attack.

0933B/19 - In position 115° - Giannutri Island lighthouse - 9 nautical miles, fired four torpedoes from 3500 yards. All torpedoes missed but one of the escorting torpedo boats came towards at high speed. However no depth charges were dropped and no hunt materialised.

1010B/19 - Returned to periscope depth. Nothing in sight.

1427B/19 - Again an enemy 'Hunt-class' A/S vessel [corvette] was sighted coming towards from the south-east. She however turned back before she reached the position of HMS Torbay. This was Euterpe as Gazzella was operating farther south.

2147B/19 - Surfaced and proceeded southwards to charge having patrolled all day to the south-south-east of Giannutri. (6)

20 Jul 1943
At 1000B/20, to the south of Giannutri Island, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) sighed a lit hospital ship to the westward proceeding to the north-north-east.

Around 2130B/20, the hospital ship Virgilio (Italian, 11718 GRT, built 1928) arrived at Leghorn (Livorno) with 780 wounded German soldiers so most likely this had been the ship sighted. (44)

22 Jul 1943
At 0850B/22, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) sighed smoke and masts of a vessel steering 130° round the Argentario Promontory. HMS Torbay altered course to intercept. The contact turned out to be a small steam trawler of about 80 tons. It was decided not to attack this small target so as not to give away the submarines position and also to observe where this ship was fishing. She eventually disappeared to the south-east trawling.

At 1245B/22, what is thought to be a German type E-boat flying the Italian flag was seen passing close inshore proceeding to the north-west at 25 knots. [We have been unable to identify this vessel.] (6)

23 Jul 1943
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) torpedoed and sank the transport Aderno (Italian, 2609 BRT, built 1912, former British Ardeola) off Civitavecchia, Italy in position 42°04'N, 11°47'E.

The Aderno was in convoy with transport Colleville (German (former French), 2012 GRT, built 1922) escorted by the German torpedo boat TA-11, the German auxiliary A/S vessels UJ-2203 and UJ-2208 and the Italian torpedo boat Aliseo which was the escort leader. The convoy was en-route from Naples to Portoferraio.

Aderno sank in one minute. The torpedo boats Aliseo (under the command of former submarine ace Capitano di Fregata Carlo Fecia di Cossato), TA 11 and auxiliary patrol vessel UJ 2203 rushed to the presumed spot of the submarine but the sonar revealed no echo. Colleville took refuge in Civitavecchia while Aliseo sent a lifeboat to pick up the survivors who were later transferred to sailing vessels coming from Civitavecchia.

0500B/23 - Dived in position 7 miles to the south-south-west of Cape Linaro.

0730B/23 - Three E-boats passed on course 320° at high speed.

1800B/23 - A schooner was seen proceeding to the north-west close inshore and then to enter Civitavecchia

1820B/23 - Sighted smoke and air escort to the south-east. This was soon identified as a convoy consisting of one passenger/cargo ship of about 8000 tons and one 2000 ton merchant ship. They were escorted by one A/S trawler and two torpedo boats. Two aircraft were seen overhead. The largest ship was selected as target and an attack was started.

1940B/23 - In position 275° - Linaro Point - 2.2 nautical miles fired a salvo of four torpedoes from 1000 yards. Three hits were heard nearly a minute after firing. Torbay went to 250 feet and retired to the southward. No counter attack followed. (6)

25 Jul 1943
At 0515B/25, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) dived 6 nautical miles to the west of Civitavecchia. The masts and funnel of the same fishing trawler that had been sighted on 22 July were seen to the north-west. Decided not to chase and attack this vessel.

At 1400B/25, HMS Torbay closed the harbour of Civitavecchia to investigate. Four medium seized merchant vessels were seen to be in the harbour. All were protected by jetties.

At 1645B/25, an Orsa-class torpedo boat appeared out of the mist which was now forming over the land. She was steering southwards at 20 knots. No HE was picked up. It was not considered justified to fire torpedoes at a fast, shallow draft target at the range she passed.

This was the Italian torpedo boat Aliseo who sailed from Civitavecchia for Gaeta at 2310B/25.

At 2105B/25, HMS Torbay surfaced and set course to the southern part of the patrol area and then onwards to Algiers. (6)

31 Jul 1943
Around 0825B/31, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) ended her 17th war patrol at Algiers.

She had been escorted in by HMS Mousa (Lt. D.J. Hutton, DSC, RNVR) which had joined at 0640B/31. (6)

9 Aug 1943

Combined convoy OS 53 / KMS 23.

This combined convoy was assembled off Oversay on 9 August 1943.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Alresford (British, 2472 GRT, built 1922), Antilochus (British, 9082 GRT, built 1906), Avon Coast (British, 1036 GRT, built 1923), Baron Fairlie (British, 6706 GRT, built 1925), Baron Forbes (British, 3061 GRT, built 1915), Botlea (British, 5119 GRT, built 1917), British Engineer (British (tanker), 6993 GRT, built 1922), Chloris (British, 1171 GRT, built 1910), Elizabeth Massey (British, 4323 GRT, built 1929), Empire Bardolph (British, 7063 GRT, built 1943), Empire Cabot (British, 6715 GRT, built 1941), Empire Capulet (British, 7044 GRT, built 1943), Empire Chamois (British, 5684 GRT, built 1918), Empire Clarion (British, 7031 GRT, built 1942), Empire Deed (British, 6766 GRT, built 1943), Empire Flame (British, 7069 GRT, built 1941), Empire Porpoise (British, 7592 GRT, built 1918), Empire Prince (British, 7030 GRT, built 1942), Empire Prowess (British, 7058 GRT, built 1943), Empire Rain (British, 7290 GRT, built 1941), Empire Shearwater (British, 4970 GRT, built 1920), English Monarch (British, 4557 GRT, built 1924), Euryades (British, 5801 GRT, built 1913), Facto (Norwegian, 1522 GRT, 1921), Fenad Head (British, 5038 GRT, built 1941), Filleigh (British, 4856 GRT, built 1928), Fort Albany (British, 7131 GRT, built 1943), Fort Ash (British, 7131 GRT, built 1943), Fort Assiniboine (British, 7128 GRT, built 1943), Fort Caribou (British, 7132 GRT, built 1943), Fort Carillon (British, 7129 GRT, built 1943), Fort Connolly (British, 7133 GRT, built 1943), Fort Drew (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943), Fort Fraser (British, 7126 GRT, built 1942), Fort Glenlyon (British, 7132 GRT, built 1943), Fort McLeod (British, 7127 GRT, built 1942), Fort St. Paul (British, 7137 GRT, built 1943), Fort Ville Marie (British, 7122 GRT, built 1941), Greathope (British, 2297 GRT, built 1926), Hilversum (Dutch, 3717 GRT, built 1920), Itinda (British, 6619 GRT, built 1938), Lanrick (British, 1276 GRT, built 1920), Leighton (British, 7412 GRT, built 1921), Lowlander (British, 8059 GRT, built 1925), MacGregor Laird (British, 4992 GRT, built 1930), Neleus (British, 6685 GRT, built 1911), New Brooklyn (British, 6546 GRT, built 1920), Norjerv (Norwegian, 5582 GRT, 1919), Northleigh (British, 5450 GRT, built 1937), Ocean Faith (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942), Ocean Valentine (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942), Penshurst (British, 1454 GRT, built 1921), Peterston (British, 4680 GRT, built 1925), Portsea (British, 1583 GRT, 1938), Selvik (Norwegian, 1557 GRT, built 1920), Solarium (British, 6239 GRT, built 1936), St. Rosado (British, 4312 GRT, built 1937), Tigre (Norwegian, 5498 GRT, built 1926), Trojan Star (British, 9037 GRT, built 1936), Tynemouth (British, 3168 GRT, built 1940), Warfield (British, 6070 GRT, built 1917) and Wayfarer (British, 5068 GRT, built 1925).

The rescue vessel Rathlin (British, 1600 GRT, built 1936) was also part of the convoy.

Also part of the convoy were the boom defence vessels HMS Barndale (T/Lt. R.L. Jones, RNR) and HMS Barnehurst (T/Lt. T. Robb, RNR).

On assembly the convoy was escorted by the frigates HMS Blackwood (Lt.Cdr. L.T. Sly, RD, RNR, with Cdr. E.H. Chavasse, DSC, RN on board as Senior Officer of the Escort Group), HMS Bazely (Lt.Cdr. J.V. Brock, RCNVR), HMS Drury (Lt.Cdr. N.J. Parker, RN), HMS Fal (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rose, RANVR), HMS Test (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) F.B. Collinson, RD, RNR), HMS Trent (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J.G. Rankin, DSC, RNR), HrMs Johan Maurits van Nassau (Cdr. A. de Booy, RNethN) and the M/S trawlers (for passage to the Mediterranean) HMS Staffa (T/Lt. R.L. Roat, RNVR) and HMS Unst (T/Lt. F.M. Cornall, RNVR).

Around 1700Z/11, in position 51°38'N, 13°14'W, the sloop HMS Stork (Cdr.(Retd.) G.W.E. Castens, RN) joined coming from Londonderry.

Around 1300Z/12, the sloop HMS Redpole (Lt.Cdr. I.M. Carrs, RN) joined the convoy coming from Milford Haven. She had the tanker Empire Bombardier (British (tanker), 8202 GRT, built 1943) with her.

Around 0715Z/13 the light cruiser HMS Bermuda (Capt. T.H. Back, RN) arrived near the convoy to provide cover against surface attack. About an hour later she positioned herself well to the east of the convoy. She left the vicinity of the convoy the following day after the AA cruiser HMS Scylla (Capt. I.A.P. Macintyre, CBE, DSO, RN) had joined around 0535Z/14 in position 43°42'N, 14°15'W. She was stationed inside the convoy for AA protection. During daylight hours, HMS Stork and HMS Redpole were also stationed inside the convoy to provide AA protection with their 4" gun batteries. During the night there were deployed in the A/S screen.

At 0915Z/15, when the convoy was in position 39°40'N, 13°33'W, it was noticed that en enemy FW 200 aircraft was shadowing the convoy.

At 1015Z/15, two FW 200's commenced high level bombing attacks on the convoy but all bombs fell wide.

Around 1745Z/15, the convoy was attacked by (16 to 18) German FW 200 aircraft from 1./KG.40 in position 38°59'N, 12°58'W. The Warfield was heavily damaged and later sank while the Baron Fairlie and Ocean Faith were both damaged. The Baron Fairlie was making water in the engine room. HMS Bazeley remained behind to assist these ships but she later rejoined the convoy. She sank the wreck of the Warfield which was beyond salvage. HMS Bazeley was near missed and slightly damaged but this was not discovered until the ship was docked for inspection.

Around 1200Z/16, HMS Trent was detached to fuel at Casablanca.

Around 2045Z/16, HMS Scylla parted company with the convoy to proceed to Gibraltar where she arrived around 0830B/17.

Around 0600Z/16, HMS Test was detached to fuel at Casablanca.

Around 0900Z/17, the convoy split into convoy OS 53 and KMS 23.

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Convoy OS 53, towards Freetown, was made up of the following merchant vessels; Antilochus, Botlea, British Engineer, Empire Bardolph, Empire Bombardier, Empire Cabot, Empire Porpoise, Empire Prowess, English Monarch, Hilversum, Leighton, MacGregor Laird, Neleus, New Brooklyn, Norjerv, Peterston, Solarium, St. Rosario, Trojan Star and Tynemouth.

They were joined by the merchant vessels; Dalcross (British, 4557 GRT, built 1930), Dumfries (British, 5149 GRT, built 1935), Fort Alexandria (British, 7127 GRT, built 1942), Fort Chesterfield (British, 7100 GRT, built 1943), Fort Kootenay (British, 7133 GRT, built 1942), Glaucus (British, 7596 GRT, built 1921), Glenpark (British, 5136 GRT, built 1939), Pentridge Hill (British, 7579 GRT, built 1941), Richmond Hill (British, 7579 GRT, built 1940), Stad Maassluis (Dutch, 6541 GRT, built 1918), Trevaylor (British, 5257 GRT, built 1940) and the boom defence vessel HMS Barbette (Skr.Lt. F. Parsons, RNR) and the rescue tug HMRT Antic which came from Gibraltar which they had departed on the 15th escorted by the destroyers HMS Isis (Cdr. B. Jones, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Wallace, DSC, RN) and the trawler HMS St. Nectan (T/A/Lt.Cdr. T.F. Broadhead, RNR).

The convoy was escorted by HMS Blackwood, HMS Bazeley, HMS Drury, HMS Fal and HMS Johan Maurits van Nassau. HMS Trent and HMS Test latr rejoined from Casablanca on the 18th and 19th of August respectively.

On 17 August 1943, the convoy was joined by the following merchant vessels coming from Casablanca which they had departed the previous day; El-Biar (French, 4678 GRT, built 1927), Finistere (French, 1158 GRT, built 1909), Fort Nakasley (British, 7132 GRT, built 1943) and Montaigne (French, 2770 GRT, built 1920). They were escorted by the patrol vessels USS PC-471 (Lt. G. Washburn, USNR), USS PC-473 (Lt. D.F. Welch, USNR) and USS PC-474 (Lt. A.D. Weekes, Jr., USNR). These patrol vessels did not join the convoy but returned to Casablanca arriving there on the 18th. They had taken the merchant vessel Empire Prowess with them.

Around 1000Z/22, the sloops HMS Enchantress (Cdr. A.E.T. Christie, OBE, DSC, RN), HMS Leith (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) A.W. Preston, RN), HMS Sandwich (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.J. Clemence, RNR) and the corvette HMS Anchusa (T/Lt. R.A. Baker, RNVR) joined the convoy. HMS Blackwood, HMS Bazeley, HMS Drury and HMS Johan Maurits van Nassau then parted company to proceed to Dakar to fuel where they arrived the following day.

On 23 August 1943, the El-Biar, Finistere and Montaigne arrived at Dakar after having been detached from the convoy. The merchant vessels Fort Vercheres (British, 7128 GRT, 1942) and Thomas Holt (British, 3585 GRT, built 1929) joined the convoy coming from Dakar.

On 24 August 1943, the British Engineer and Empire Bombardier arrived at Bathurst after having been detached from the convoy. The merchant vessel Lida (Polish, 1387 GRT, built 1938) joined the convoy the following day coming from Bathurst.

The convoy arrived at Freetown on 27 August 1943. Not all merchant ships entered Freetown but continued on to their destination independently.

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Convoy KMS 23, towards the Mediterranean, was made up of the following merchant vessels; Arlesford, Avon Coast, Baron Fairlie, Baron Forbes, Chloris, Elizabeth Massey, Empire Capulet, Empire Chamois, Empire Clarion, Empire Deed, Empire Flame, Empire Prince, Empire Rain, Empire Shearwater, Euryades, Facto, Fenad Head, Filleigh, Fort Albany, Fort Ash, Fort Assiniboine, Fort Caribou, Fort Carillon, Fort Connolly, Fort Drew, Fort Fraser, Fort Glenyon, Fort McLeod, Fort St. Paul, Fort Ville Marie, Greathope, Itinda, Lanrick, Lowlander, North Leigh, Ocean Faith, Ocean Valentine, Penshurst, Portsea, Selvik, Tigre and Wayfarer.

The rescue vessel Rathlin and the boomb defence vessels HMS Barndale and HMS Barnehurst were also with the convoy.

They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Isis, HMS Anthony, sloops HMS Stork, HMS Redpole, A/S trawler HMS St. Nectan and the M/S trawlers HMS Staffa and HMS Unst. Also joining on the split up of the combined convoy was the Mediterranean escort of the convoy. It had departed Gibraltar on 16 August 1943 and was made up of the sloop HMS Shoreham (Cdr. E. Hewitt, RD, RNR) and the minesweepers HMS Hythe (Lt.Cdr. L.B. Miller, RN), HMS Romney (Lt. W.E. Halbert, RNR), HMS Rye (A/Lt.Cdr. J.A. Pearson, DSC and Bar, RNR), HMS Whitehaven (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) G.W.A.T. Irvine, DSC, RNR), HMAS Gawler (Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) W.J. Seymour, RAN), HMAS Ipswich (T/Lt.Cdr. J.S. McBryde, RANR(S)), HMAS Lismore (T/Lt. L.C.G. Lever, RANR(S)) and HMAS Maryborough (T/Lt. J.C.P. Boyle, RANR(S)).

On 18 August 1943, the Arlesford, Baron Forbes, Ocean Faith, Selvik, Rathlin, HMS Barndale and HMS Barnehurst arrived at Gibraltar after having been detached from the convoy. From the escort, HMS Isis, HMS Anthony, HMS Stork, HMS Redpole, HMS St. Nectan, HMS Staffa and HMS Unst also arrived at Gibraltar.

On 18 August 1943 the following merchant vessels joined the convoy off Gibraltar; A.C. Bedford (British (tanker), 9485 GRT, built 1918), Balteako (British, 1328 GRT, built 1920), Belnor (Norwegian, 2871 GRT, built 1926), Gulf of Venezuela (American, 6910 GRT, 1919) and Toorak (British (tanker), 8627 GRT, built 1927).

Around 1700B/19, the AA cruiser HMS Carlisle (Capt. H.F. Nalder, RN) joined the convoy coming from Gibraltar which she had departed around 1200B/19. She parted company with the convoy around 0725B/20 to return to Gibraltar where she arrived around 1915B/20.

On 20 August 1943, the Cloris, Elizabeth Massay, Greathope and Gulf of Venezuela arrived at Oran after having been detached from the convoy while the following merchant vessels joined the convoy off Oran; Edward Richardson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Eildon (British, 1447 GRT, built 1936), Grand Quevilly (French, 2844 GRT, built 1914) and Horace Binney (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942).

Also joining from Oran were the LST's USS LST 17 (Lt. H.B. Gallagher, USCGR), USS LST 21 (Lt. C.M. Brookfield, USCGR), USS LST 25 (Lt. J.P. Houlinan, USCGR), USS LST 72 (Lt. H.A Kaye, USNR), USS LST 73 (Lt. W.K. Bradbury, USNR), USS LST 175 (Lt. E.J. Fitzgerald, USNR), USS LST 176 (Lt.(jg) J.A. Salt, USNR), USS LST 208 (Lt. R.W. Emmons, USNR), USS LST 209 (Lt. F.J. Oberg, USNR) and USS LST 261 (Lt. L.I. Reilley, USCG).

On 21 August 1943, the Avon Coast, Baron Fairlie, Empire Chamois, Empire Flame, Empire Prince, Empire Rain, Facto, Filleigh, Fort Fraser, Grand Quevilly, Lanrick and Penshurst arrived at Algiers after having been detached from the convoy while the following merchant vessels joined the convoy off Algiers; Almenara (British, 1851 GRT, built 1922), Benedict (British, 4949 GRT, built 1930), Cape Sable (British, 4398 GRT, built 1936), Empire Cato (British, 7039 GRT, built 1942), Empire Commerce (British, 3722 GRT, built 1943), Empire Salvage (British (tanker) 10746 GRT, built 1940), Jade (British, 930 GRT, built 1938), Kingsborough (British, 3368 GRT, built 1928), Miriam (British, 1903 GRT, built 1912), Ravens Point (British, 1708 GRT, built 1918) and Ville de Djidjelli (French, 1132 GRT, built 1907).

The submarines HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) and HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) also joined the convoy off Algiers for passage to Malta.

On 22 August 1943, the Fort Ash arrived at Bougie after having been detached from the convoy.

On 22 August 1943, the Benedict, Empire Cato, Fort Albany, Northleigh and Ville de Djidjelli arrived at Philippeville after having been detached from the convoy.

On 22 August 1943, the Empire Clarion, Empire Commerce, Empire Deed, Fenad Head, Fort Caribou, Fort Carillon, Fort Ville Marie and Ravens Point arrived at Philippeville after having been detached from the convoy.

Around 1800B/22, the AA cruiser HMS Colombo (Capt. D.H. Hall-Thompson, RN) joined coming from Bizerta which she had departed around 1000B/22.

On 23 August 1943, the A.C. Bedford, Armenara, Balteako, Edward Richardson, Eildon, Empire Salvage, Horace Binney, Kingsborough, Toorak and all the LST's arrived at Bizerta after having been detached from the convoy.

On 23 August 1943, the Cape Sable arrived at Tunis after having been detached from the convoy.

On 24 August 1943, the Belnor, Empire Shearwater, Fort Connolly, Fort Drew, Fort St. Paul, Jade, Miriam and Ocean Valentine arrived at Tunis after having been detached from the convoy while the following merchant vessels joined the convoy off Algiers; Beacon (American (tanker), 10388 GRT, built 1921), British Vigour (British (tanker), 5844 GRT, built 1943), Good Gulf (Panamanian (tanker), 7805 GRT, built 1938), Meroe (British, 3832 GRT, built 1928), Ovula (Dutch (tanker), 6256 GRT, built 1938), Rancher (British, 5882 GRT, built 1927) and Shirrabank (British, 7274 GRT, built 1940).

The two submarines were detached to Malta.

Around 2230C/26, HMS Colombo parted company with the convoy to proceed to Benghazi.

On 27 August 1943 the merchant vessels Egret (British, 1391 GRT, built 1937) and Trajanus (Dutch, 1712 GRT, built 1930) joined the convoy coming from Benghazi.

On 29 August 1943, the British Vigour, Egret, Euryades, Fort Assiniboine, Lowlander, Meroe, Ovula , Shirrabank and Trajanus arrived at Alexandria after having been detached from the convoy. They were escorted by HMS Shoreham, HMS Hythe, HMS Romney, HMS Whitehaven and HMAS Gawler.

HMAS Lismore proceeded to Haifa where she arrived on 30 August 1943.

The remainder of the convoy arrived at Port Said on 30 August 1943.

13 Aug 1943
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) conducted a full power and a dive trial off Algiers. (45)

15 Aug 1943
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) conducted a full power trial off Algiers. (45)

17 Aug 1943
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) conducted exercises off Algiers. Also a full power trial was carried out. (45)

21 Aug 1943
Around 1200B/21, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) departed from Algiers bound for Malta. She makes the passage in convoy KMS 23.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Combined convoy OS 53 / KMS 23 ' for 9 August 1943.] (6)

24 Aug 1943
Around 1920B/24, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) arrived at Malta. (6)

25 Aug 1943
Around 1500B/25, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) departed from Malta for her for her 18th war patrol (this is the 5th Mediterranean war patrol of her 2nd commission). She is to patrol in the Aegean.

She left Malta together with HMS Unsparing (Lt. A.D. Piper, DSC and 2 bars, RNR) which was to proceeed on patrol in the Adriatic. They were escorted out by HMS BYMS 2028 (Skr. J.R. Clark, RNR) until 1700B/25 when they all parted company. (6)

25 Aug 1943
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Torbay during her 18th war patrol see the map below.

31 Aug 1943
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) sank the Italian sailing vessel Columbo (15 GRT) with gunfire 15 nautical miles west of Kos, Greece.

0600C/31 - Dived 5 nautical miles south-west of Krikelo Point, Kos and steered Northward. A 40 ton schooner under Italian colours was soon sighted steering under sail and power towards Stampalia. Course was altered to intercept.

1200C/31 - In position 290° - Krikelo Point - 15 nautical miles surfaced and sank it with 21 rounds of gunfire. (6)

1 Sep 1943
At 0445C/1, to the west of Patmos, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) picked up turbine HE and subsequently sighted a destroyer passing at a range of 3000 yards. The enemy was proceeding on a course of 120° at 15 knots.

This was the Italian destroyer Euro which arrived at Leros around 0515B/1 from Piraeus which she had departed at 1814B/31 . (46)

2 Sep 1943
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) torpedoed and sank the small transport Versilia (Italian, 591 GRT, built 1880) off Patmos Island, Greece in position 240° - Saraki Rock - 2 nautical miles. [German sources give the position as 37°15'N, 26°43'E]

The convoy Versilia was in convoy with the transport Silva (Italian, 646 GRT, built 1889), the Italian auxiliary Pola (451 GRT, built 1941). they were escorted by the German auxiliary submarine chaser UJ 2110. They were en-route from Piraeus via Syros to Leros.

0440C/2 - Radar detected an echo at 2500 yards in position 270° - Cape Yenupa (Patmos) - 6 nautical miles. Soon four small ships were seen. Stopped the engines and sniffed around a bit on the motors. They were at first thought to be E-boats as no HE could be heard and the bearings did not seem to change. After a time they were identified as 4 small steam ships steering 125° at 7 knots. Set a course as to be ahead of them at dawn.

0609C/2 - It was getting rather light and the convoy could no longer be seen against Patmos when Torbay dived 3,5 nautical miles ahead of it for what was thought to be an e-boat but what later turned out to be a small sailing vessel.

0631C/2 - The convoy came into sight again. The ships were at first thought to be too small to be torpedo targets and as the leader looked a torpedo boat it was feared that no attack would be possible. As it grew lighter however the ships turned out to be two 700 tons steamers and one of about 1000 tons. They were all laden. There was an escort ahead. Started an attack.

0656C/2 - In position 240° - Saraki Rock - 2 nautical miles, fired four torpedoes at the 1000 ton ship. A fifth torpedo was fired at one of the other ships. The results were two hits on the 1000 ton ship. Torbay now went deep.

0720C/2 - During the next ten minutes six random depth charges were dropped but these were not close. Torbay retired from the area.

0840C/2 - Two E-boats, thought to be one German-type and one Italian-type and a He 115 aircraft came out from Leros and searched about 2 nautical miles astern of HMS Torbay. Later the escort vessel, or a ship like her, came out and the E-boats and aircraft made off at speed to Port Laki. [German sources give that an E-boat, two MAS boats and an aircraft were sent out to search for the attacker.]

1359C/2 - Torbay surfaced to refresh the air inside the boat. Nine minutes later an aircraft was sighted coming towards which dropped two sticks of four bombs each while HMS Torbay was diving in position 37°09'N, 26°20'E. The first stick of bombs was fairly accurate but no damage was sustained. [German sources reported that the attacking aircraft sighted on oil slick after the attack.] (46)

5 Sep 1943
At 0612C/5, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) dived five nautical miles to the west of Patmos. Set course towards the Lipsi Channel.

At 1020C/5, when HMS Torbay was two nautical miles south-west of Cape Yenupa a small steamer was seen coming out of the Lipso Channel. She was later seen to be a small steam trawler of 200 tons and was thought to be just a fishing vessel. She was not attacked.

At 1800C/5, a vessel similar to the convoy escort sighted on 2 September passed out of range to the north-eastward steering north-west at 12 knots. This ship could not be closed further then 10000 yards. When the enemy was close to Patmos Island she steered 280°. This may have been UJ 2110 which was indeed the same escort as seen on 2 September.

Possibly UJ 2102, GA 41 and GA 42 were also in the area.

At 2032C/5, HMS Torbay surfaced and steered to the north-westward.

At 2225C/5, when in position 255° - Cape Yunepa - 7 nautical miles, radar detected a contact which was soon seen to be a transport 8000 yards to the south-east steering 295° at 10.5 knots. HMS Torbay was on her port bow. As the moon was setting to the west it was decided to attack from the eastwards. Radar also detected four escorts, and two were sighted to port of the transport and one to starboard. The fourth could not be seen. It was too dark for a submerged attack and hard to make out the escorts. Lt. Clutterbuck decided to cross the enemy's bow but at the last minute it was realised that HMS Torbay was on the targets quarter. It was therefore necessary to get on a track at once and fire across her bow. A destroyer however came too close so at ...

2255C/5, HMS Torbay dived under the impression that the submarine must have been sighted but apparently not.

2309C/5, HMS Torbay surfaced to give chase at Torbay's full speed which was 11 knots which soon proved to be not enough to circumnavigate the escort to approach from ahead. By now the moon had set and as it was pretty dark, Lt. Clutterbuck hoped to sneak up between the two after escorts.

0041C/6, When two miles southwest of Cape Papas, Ikaria it was evident that the plan had failed when one of the escorts turned towards at a range of 1200 yards thus Torbay had to dive. She was then attacked by three of the escorts. A total of 43 depth charges were counted but no damage was sustained.

The convoy sighed by HMS Torbay was made up of the transport Sinfra (German (former French), 4470 GRT, built 1929) which was escorted by the Italian destroyers Turbine, Francesco Crispi and the German auxiliary submarine chasers UJ 2104 and UJ 2110 on passage from Leros to Piraeus. It was Turbine which had detected the submarine at 2340B/5.

0208C/6, As the enemy was gone now, Torbay surfaced to charge and return to the Patmos area. Shortly afterwards a small motor minesweeper was sighted apparently sweeping the channel past Patmos. (46)

7 Sep 1943
From 1825C/7 to 1845C/7, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) fires 93 rounds at a bauxite loading station on the south-east coast of Amorgos Island. (6)

8 Sep 1943
At 1500C/8, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) sighted a motor minesweeper which looked like of the same type as had been seen on the 6th. The enemy was seen proceeding from Leros to Port Griko. The enemy was chased at full submerged speed until within half a mile from Cape Elias when the enemy turned to enter Port Griko. The range had never been closer than 3000 yards.

At 2030C/8, HMS Torbay surfaced and set course for the Scarpanto Channel to leave patrol and proceed to Beirut. (6)

9 Sep 1943
At 0850C/9, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN), which was proceeding submerged through the Scarpanto Channel at 250 feet, struck ground in position 35°56'N, 27°29'E. Some damage to the port propeller was sustained. (6)

11 Sep 1943
Around 1630C/11, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) ended her 18th war patrol at Beirut.

In the early morning hours she finds and tries to sink a derelict dismasted schooner. This is most likely the wreck of this schooner attacked 4 days before by German U-boat U-596.

0845C/11 - Found derelict dismasted schooner of the usual Egyptian type No. D.169, completely waterlogged and damaged by fire in position 34°05'N, 34°22'E. Considered it a danger to navigation so fired a 25lb demolition charge in the poop well. This seemed to do little damage beyond scattering debris although it reduced buoyancy aft considerably. The cargo of oil drums held her up. (6)

21 Sep 1943
Around 1000C/21, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) departed from Beirut bound for Port Said to dock. (47)

22 Sep 1943
Around 1130C/22, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) arrived at Port Said where she was almost immediately docked into the Suez Canal's Company floating dock. (47)

2 Oct 1943
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) is undocked. (48)

4 Oct 1943
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) conducted D/G trials off Port Said. (48)

5 Oct 1943
Around 1745C/5, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) departed from Port Said bound for Beirut. (48)

6 Oct 1943
Around 1630C/6, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) arrived at Beirut from Port Said. (48)

10 Oct 1943
Around 0830C/10, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) departed from Beirut for her 19th war patrol (this is the 6th Mediterranean war patrol of her 2nd commission). She is to patrol in the Aegean. On departure some gunnery exercises were carried out.

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

(6)

15 Oct 1943
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) sank the Greek (German controlled) caique Pir 130 / Poseidon with gunfire east of Leros, Greece.

Following this sinking Torbay had an encounter with the German Q-ship GA 45. Torbay's periscope was sighted first by GA 45 which dropped five depth-charges very close. Later Torbay surfaced intending to dispose of GA 45 with her gun but the German vessel was very alert and opened an accurate fire as soon as the submarine surfaced and forced her to break off the action. She did not drop any further depth-charges which led Lt. Clutterbuck of Torbay to conclude that she was out of depth-charges. The submarine was not damaged during this encounter although the Germans claimed to have destroyed the submarine.

1345C/15 - A caique, flying the Nazi flag, of about 50 tons appeared round Asipa Point from the Southward apparently bound for Palaio.

1400C/15 - Surfaced and engaged the target at a range of 2500 yards. After 30 rounds she was on fire from fore to aft and aground. Torbay was now taken under fire so Lt. Clutterbuck dived and withdrew.

A short while later three landing craft were seen approaching from the direction of Kos. A schooner joined them from the South of Kalymnos. Torbay's periscope was sighted by a crewmember of the schooner which quickly turned towards. She dropped 5 depth charges that were very close. This force was later seen to return to Kos. Lt. Clutterbuck decided to engage the schooner with the deck gun but as soon as Torbay surfaced she was taken under a very accurate fire from the schooner by a concealed gun of about 12 pounder size. Now also a shore battery joined in so Torbay dived again and retired to the north-east. (6)

16 Oct 1943
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) torpedoed and sank the transport Kari (German, former French Ste. Colette, former Norwegian Kari, offsite link, 1925 GRT, built 1920) east of Naxos, Greece in position 36°59'N, 26°10'E.

The convoy was made up of the above mentioned Kari and the Trapani (German, 1855 GRT, built 1926). The were escorted by the German auxiliary submarine chasers UJ-2109, UJ-2110 and the motor minesweeper R-211.

1225C/16 - Sighted a convoy consisting of two merchant ships of about 1000 tons each, half loaded and escorted by what looked like an Albatros-class torpedo boat to starboard and an UJ type escort to port, Also two aircraft were seen overhead. The ships were in line abreast steering 105° for the Kinaros channel at 7 knots.

1258C/16 - In position 36°59'N, 26°10'E fired four torpedoes from 1400 yards at one of the merchant ships. Torbay went deep as to dive under the convoy. Two hits were heard. One of the aircraft dropped a bomb at the firing position followed by 17 depth charges from the UJ-boat. The first few were fairly close but no damage was done. (6)

23 Oct 1943
At 1115C/23, when about 5 nautical miles north-east of Merminga Rock, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) started an attack on two vessels with were steering at 12 knots from Syros to the channel between Paros and Naxos. On closing to 2500 yards, they were identified as an UJ boat which was a converted whale catcher and a small diesel engined vessel resembling the Italian minesweeper Vigilante. Weather conditions were difficult to attack these small targets so it was decided not to do so in the hope they might return escorting bigger prey but nothing developed.

The were probably the German auxiliary patrol vessels GA 06 and GA 54 who sailed at 0800B/23 from Syros and were ordered to search for the crew of a Junker 88 which made a forced landing near Kufo. Other vessels in the area at that time were GA 42 (which arrived at Syros at 1630/23) or GA 01 (which was in the Naxos area). UJ 2102 was at Syros. (6)

24 Oct 1943
At 1130C/24, when about 5 nautical miles north of Korakas Point, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) a very small steamer was sighted which was probably a tug. She was coast crawling eastwards towards the Naxos - Paros Channel into which it eventually turned. It could not be attacked as she was too far off. (6)

25 Oct 1943
At 0900C/25, when about 4 nautical miles east of Merminga Rock, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) saw a small vessel coming out of the Paros - Naxos Channel. It appeared to be a diesel lighter of about 100 tons with a small funnel aft and a large bridge with a mast and Nazi ensign. The ship was transmitting on Asdic. Eventually the ship made off on course 310° for Syros.

At 1830C/25, as the sun was setting, the same ship was seen to come back retracing its course. It was too small to be attacked with a torpedo and it was too heavily armed to make it a suitable gun target thus no attack was made.

This was most probably the auxiliary patrol vessel GA 01 which had left Naxos for Syros at 0555B/25 with 17 German soldiers and 12 Italian PoWs.

At 1925C/25, HMS Torbay surfaced and left the area to return to Beirut. (6)

26 Oct 1943
During the day, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) made the southbound passage of the Kaso Strait submerged. (6)

28 Oct 1943
Around 1130C/28, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) ended her 19th war patrol at Beirut. (6)

3 Nov 1943
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) is wiped (degaussed) at Beirut. (49)

15 Nov 1943
Around 1045B/15, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) departed from Beirut for her 20th war patrol (this is the 7th Mediterranean war patrol of her 2nd commission). Once again she is to patrol in the Aegean.

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

(6)

18 Nov 1943
At 1940B/18, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) radar detected two contacts and soon after sighted two small dark ships against the background of Ikaria. They had however also seen the submarine and one of them opened fire with a gun but the shot fell nowhere near. HMS Torbay dived 10 miles west of Cape Papas. The enemy seemed to be a diesel auxiliary A/S craft and an E-boat. A pattern of four depth charges was then dropped but a good way off.

At 2200B/18, HMS Torbay surfaced to continue her passage northwards.

The enemy ships encountered were the German auxiliary submarine chaser UJ 2110 and the motor minesweepers R 210 which were en-route from Ikaria to Syros with 230-240 Italian POW's on board. They arrived at Syros at 2400B/18. (50)

19 Nov 1943
At 0615B/19, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) dived to the west of Skyros.

At 1000B/19, a small cutter rigged caique was seen approaching from the direction of Cape Doro. It later disappeared to the north-east over a shoal. It appeared to be fishing and was not molested with.

At 1300B/19, HMS Torbay surfaced after having received Capt. S 1's signal timed 1043B/19, which ordered her to patrol off Mykonos.

At 2145B/19, course was set to return to the northwards after Capt. S 1's signal timed 1847B/19 was received cancelling the previous orders.

At 2345B/19, another small sailing vessel was sighted but it was not considered worth attacking. (6)

21 Nov 1943
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) sank the Greek caique Chios 87 / Panagia (29 GRT) with gunfire west of Psathoura Island, Greece in position 39°30'N, 24°10'E.

0130B/21 - In position 110° - Piperi Island - 14 nautical miles stopped a 30 tons westbound auxiliary schooner rigged caique with a burst of machine gun fire overhead. Fired one round of 4" which missed. The crew then abandoned ship but saw that six men and two women were crowded into a small dinghy. Boarded and found the cargo to consist of grain and dried peas in bags and a little other foodstuff. As the transportation of food to Greece had been allowed by HM Government decided not to sink the ship. Some paperwork was removed.

0630B/21 - Dived north of Psathoura Island.

1015B/21 - Surfaced and fired fourteen rounds of 4" at a 50 ton auxiliary schooner rigged as a caique. The crew abandoned ship soon after. The caique was boarded in the hope to retrieve charts and other documents but the boarding party was just aboard when the vessel sank like a stone so they had to get back to Torbay in a hurry.

Torbay then made off in the direction of another caique that had been sighted three miles to the north but on closing it was found to be very small. When alongside it proved to carry only four barrels of wine. They were allowed to proceed and were instructed to pick up the survivors from the caique that had just been sunk. (6)

22 Nov 1943
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) torpedoed and sank a German floating dock north of Skiathos Island, Greece in position 39°24'N, 23°24'E.

1230B/22 - Saw smoke in the Skiatos channel and turned towards.

Identified the target a 300-400 foot floating dock towed by three tugs (so far unidentified) with six escorts. (These were GM-74, GM-64, GM-65 and GM-69, MAL-12 and R-139)

1546B/22 - In position 004° - Cape Sepia - 9 nautical miles fired two torpedoes at the three tugs that formed a long continuous target and three torpedoes at the floating dock. This resulted in no hits. Most likely all torpedoes ran under as the range was only 1500 yards. The torpedoes had been set to 8 feet. The attack was not noticed by the enemy.

1633B/22 - Fired another two torpedoes at the floating dock from 1000 yards . These torpedoes were set to 0 feet. This resulted in two hits. No counter attack followed. Most likely they thought the dock was mined. (6)

26 Nov 1943
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) fires three torpedoes at the transport Salomea (German, former Greek Evangelos Nomikos, 751 GRT, built 1897) off Lemnos island, Greece. All three torpedoes missed their target.

0645B/26 - Sighted a 1000 ton merchant ship to the south-west steering course 340°, distance 6 nautical miles. Started an attack.

0700B/26 - Dived and continued to run in at high speed.

0825B/26 - Fired the stern tube from 1100 yards. No hit.

0908B/26 - In position 135° Cape Irene 6 nautical miles fired two bow torpedoes from 800 yards, one again no hits. The attack was now abandoned as the battery was now very low. The target was later seen to enter Mudros.

Following this attack HMS Torbay proceeded southwards to patrol off Samos. (6)

27 Nov 1943
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) torpedoed and sank the transport Palma (German (former Italian Polcevera), 2609 GRT, built 1920) off Karlovassi, Samos, Greece in position 37°47'N, 26°38'E. Palma had been escorted by the German auxiliary submarine chaser UJ-2110 and the motor minesweeper R-210. They had just left Karlovasi.

0700B/27 - Saw an empty 1000 ton merchant ship anchored off the harbour and steered towards.

0717B/27 - The ship was now under way so waited to see which way she would go. She turned on a course of 260 and later 240 and worked up to 8 knots. Ran in at speed on a course of 210°, later fining up to 195°. A small escort vessel, perhaps a corvette, transmitting on 15kcs, took station ahead. There was another diesel powered escort astern but this was never seen.

0800B/27 - In position 270° - Karlovasi - 5 nautical miles fired two torpedoes set to two feet aimed at the two masts from 1000 yards. Both torpedoes were heard to hit after running for 50 seconds.

0805B/27 to 0840B/27 - Counter attacked by 4, 7 and 9 depth charges. The after periscope flooded and some leaks started. Torbay touched bottom at about 240 feet while making off.

1100B/27 - The A/S craft seemed to have lost contact and on returning to periscope depth the 'corvette' was seen 5 nautical miles astern with three Arado seaplanes searching. Made off to the north-west and then to the west. (6)

3 Dec 1943
Around 0800B/3, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) ended her 20th war patrol at Beirut. (6)

17 Dec 1943
Around 1345B/17, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) departed from Beirut for her 21th war patrol (this is the 8th Mediterranean war patrol of her 2nd commission). Once again she is to patrol in the Aegean.

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

(6)

22 Dec 1943
At 1515B/22, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) sighted an UJ-boat and two smaller steamers coming close round Cape Stavros and subsequently entering Candia (Iraklion). An attack was started but the range could not be sufficiently closed so it was broken off.

The ships sighted were the German auxiliary submarine chaser UJ 2105, German auxiliary patrol vessel GA 04 and the tug HP 51 which were on passage from Suda Bay to Iraklion.

At 1800B/22, when about to surface HE was picked up as were Asdic impulses which were thought to be from the UJ boat. She came very close to HMS Torbay and appeared to be in contact for a while. She was shaken off after about half an hour.

This was indeed UJ 2105 leaving Candia. She was however not alone as GA 04 also left Candia. They were escorting the transports Lisa (German (former Italian Livenza), 5828 GRT, built 1922) and Tanais (German (former Greek), 1545 GRT, built 1907) towards Piraeus. Shortly after departure the torpedo boat TA 17 (former Italian San Martino) also joined. On board the Lisa were 655 Italian POW's and 40 German soldiers going on leave. They apparently slipped by HMS Torbay unnoticed. (51)

23 Dec 1943
A 0800B/23, while patrolling of Standia, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) two motor minesweepers were seen sweeping a channel from Candia (Iraklion) in a direction 007° to a point 1 mile of the western point of Standia and then in direction 270° for 6 nautical miles.

They were estimated to be of about 50 tons, camouflaged, with an Oerlikon gun forward and a machine gun and two depth charges aft.

At 1100B/23, the motor minesweepers were seen to return to their position near Standia and then sweep to the western end of their channel for a second time. After this they appeared to return to harbour. [We have been unable to identify these vessels.]

At 1227B/23, an aircraft signal, timed 0825B/23 was received which stated that a northbound enemy convoy had been sighted northwest of Milos. It thus seemed likely now to Lt. Clutterbuck that the enemy convoy had slipped by the previous evening while Torbay had been kept down by the UJ boat.

During the afternoon a few small caiques were seen approaching Candia (Iraklion) from the west. (6)

25 Dec 1943
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) damaged the Greek caique Samos 19 / Ioannis Kutufaris with gunfire off Cape Stavros, Crete, Greece. The caique was hit by two shells but they failed to explode. According to German sources one mast was broken and there was some damage to the cargo but the crew was well, no fatalities or injuries. The harbour at Candia was closed and only reopened on 28 December.

1600C/25 - Surfaced in position bearing 315° - Candia Light - 5 nautical miles and fired 19 rounds at an Eastbound schooner rigged caique. Torbay was taken under fire from about four guns from the shore. This fire was very accurate. The caique also fired with a machine gun. The action was broken off and Torbay dived to avoid being damaged by the enemy gunfire. (52)

1 Jan 1944
At 1142B/1, north of Piscopi Island (now called Tilos Island), in position 36°32'N, 27°23'E, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) sighted what were thought to be a large and a smaller vessel to the east through the rain. Also HE was picked up. Range was about 2000 to 3000 yards. They were coming straight towards. HMS Torbay altered course to the northward to run out at speed while submerged.

At 1145B/1, three ships were heard transmitting on Asdics.

At 1150B/1, two of these appeared to be in contact and came very close keeping HMS Torbay down. They were most likely diesel craft through HE could not be picked up.

At 1202B/1, HMS Torbay returned to periscope depth as the enemy had passed to the westwards. Violent rain had reduced the visibility to a few hundred yards so there was nothing in sight.

At 1210B/1, Lt. Clutterbuck decided to surface and try to get ahead of them in the rain, but an aircraft chose that minute to fly close past and cause a delay.

At 1224B/1, HMS Torbay surfaced and set off to the westward at full speed. An ememy report was passed. Rain squalls were coming and going.

At 1345B/1, HMS Torbay was coming close to Kandelioussa Island. Visibility had cleared to at least five nautical miles in intermittent patches on all bearings. Nothing could however be seen and also the A/S impulses were no longer heard. The search for the enemy was now abandoned and course was set for the eastward.

[We have been unable to identify these vessels.] (6)

3 Jan 1944
At 2000B/3, after having patrolled north of Chalki Island for two days, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) left patrol to return to Beirut. (6)

5 Jan 1944
Around 1500B/5, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) ended her 21th war patrol at Beirut. (6)

14 Jan 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) is wiped (degaussed) at Beirut. (53)

20 Jan 1944
Around 1330B/20, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) departed from Beirut for her 22th war patrol (this is the 9th Mediterranean war patrol of her 2nd commission). Patrol area is once again the Aegean.

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

(6)

26 Jan 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) fired five torpedoes against the transport Leda (German (former Italian Leopardi), 4572 GRT, built 1943) south of Amorgos Island, Greece. All torpedoes fired missed their target. Leda was escorted at that time by the German destroyer TA 14 (former Italian Turbine), German torpedo boat TA 16 (former Italian Castelfidardo) and the German motor minesweepers R 194 and R 211. The convoy was en-route from Piraeus to Leros. On board the Leda were 500 German troops and stores. TA 16 noticed the attack but no action was taken by the escort leader TA 14 which at that time was suffering from a power failure.

0220B/26 - Heard A/S impulses to the north-west.

0230B/26 - Heard HE on the same bearing. Radar soon picked up echoes at 10000 yards.

0240B/26 - Sighted one ship and two destroyers ahead, course about 270°, to pass South of Cape Papas. The ship could be seen to be a medium seized motor vessel with the funnel amidships.

0252B/26 - In position 215° - Cape Papas - 4.5 nautical miles, range 3500 yards fired five torpedoes. Dived. No hits. There was no counter attack.

1110B/26 - Sighted smoke which developed into a Turbine-class destroyer and a Curtatone-class torpedo boat. This were TA 14 and TA 16 returning from Leros to Piraeus. On board TA 14 were 200 Italian POW's and on board TA 16 were 150 Italian POW's. (54)

31 Jan 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) sank a Greek sailing vessel with gunfire south of Lemnos Island, Greece. [This caique has so far not been identified.]

2100B/31 - Saw two 18 foot caiques in position 155° - Cape Irene - 9 nautical miles. One had an engine and was towing the other. The cargo consisted of empty drums and fuel cans. Put the crew in the motor less one and destroyed the other with the motor by fire. It was not considered worth it destroying the other one as the five Greeks would have to be taken aboard. (6)

5 Feb 1944
At 0500B/5, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) left patrol to return to Beirut. (6)

7 Feb 1944
Around 1430B/7, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) ended her 22th war patrol at Beirut. (6)

9 Feb 1944
While loading torpedoes at Beirut on board HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) a torpedo was dropped damaging the rails. (55)

10 Feb 1944
Around 1800B/10, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) departed from Beirut bound for Port Said. (55)

11 Feb 1944
Around 1915B/11, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) arrived at Port Said from Beirut. (55)

12 Feb 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) is docked at Port Said in the Suez Canal's Company floating dock. (55)

16 Feb 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) is undocked. (55)

24 Feb 1944
Around 1500A/24, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) departed from Port Said for her 23th war patrol (this is the 10th Mediterranean war patrol of her 2nd commission). She is to patrol in the western Aegean. The patrol is to end at Malta as following this patrol HMS Torbay is to return to the U.K. to refit.

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

(6)

29 Feb 1944

Convoy MKS 42

This convoy departed Port Said on 29 February 1944.

On departure from Port Said the convoy was made up of the transports / tanker; British Soldier (British (tanker), 5564 GRT, built 1918), Cyrus W. Field (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Dallington Court (British, 6889 GRT, built 1929), Empire Path (British, 6140 GRT, built 1943), Everleigh (British, 5222 GRT, built 1930), Hugh Williamson (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942) and Marwarri (British, 8067 GRT, built 1935).

On departure from Port Said they were escorted by the corvettes HMS Bryony (T/Lt. T. Hand, RNR) and HMS La Malouine (Lt. W.A. Ives, RNR).

On 1 March 1944, the following transports / tanker departed Alexandria and joined the convoy; Bradford City (British, 4953 GRT, built 1936), Clydefield (British (tanker), 7365 GRT, built 1928), Fort Erie (British, 7128 GRT, built 1943), Fort Hudson's Hope (British, 7129 GRT, built 1942), Greystoke Castle (British, 5853 GRT, built 1928), Johilla (British, 4042 GRT, built 1937), Pellicula (British (tanker), 6254 GRT, built 1936), Samphire (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Sofala (British, 1031 GRT, built 1937) and Umgeni (British, 8180 GRT, built 1942).

On departure from Port Said they were escorted by the frigate HMS Barle (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Davies, RNVR) and the corvette HMS Bergamot (A/Lt.Cdr. W. McInnes, RNR).

On 4 March 1944, the Sofala arrived at Benghazi after having been detached from the convoy.

On 5 March 1944, the following ships departed Augusta to join the convoy; Aelbert Cuyp (Dutch, 7086 GRT, built 1942), Benito Juarez (American, 7244 GRT, built 1943), Clark Mills (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Coombe Hill (British, 7268 GRT, built 1942), Cornelius Harnett (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Crosby S. Noyes (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Daniel Huger (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Diplodon (British (tanker), 8149 GRT, built 1941), Dromus (British (tanker), 8036 GRT, built 1938), Edward Rutledge (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Empire Grebe (British, 5736 GRT, built 1918), Empire Guinevere (British, 7072 GRT, built 1942), Fort Cadotte (British, 7128 GRT, built 1943), Frans Hals (Dutch, 6626 GRT, built 1941), Frontenac (British, 7148 GRT, built 1943), Havkong (Norwegian, 9666 GRT, built 1937), Helmwood (British, 2156 GRT, built 1923), John Dickinson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), John P. Poe (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), John Walker (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Kyklades (Greek, 7157 GRT, built 1941), Linge (Dutch, 2114 GRT, built 1928), Morrison R. Waite (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), Richard Montgomery (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Samos (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Thomas Nelson Page (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), William Kent (American, 7187 GRT, built 1942) and William Sturgis (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943).

On 6 March 1944, the following ships arrived at Augusta after having parted company with the convoy; British Soldier, Clydefield, Dallington Court, Empire Path, Everleigh, Fort Erie, Fort Hudson's Hope, Hugh Williamson and Samphire.

On 6 March 1944, the submarines HMS Torbay and (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) and ORP Sokol (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) J.K.S. Koziolkowski, DSC) departed Malta and joined the convoy.

Also the Kyklades was detached to proceed to Tripoli.

Around 1900A/7, off the Gulf of Tunis the AA cruiser HMS Delhi (Capt. G.R. Waymouth, RN) joined the escort.

On 8 March 1944, the Clark Mills and Cyrus W. Field were detached to Bizerta while the following ships joined the convoy coming from that place; Armilla (Dutch (tanker), 3007 GRT, built 1931), Brighton (British, 5359 GRT, built 1928), Empire Gain (British (tanker), 3738 GRT, built 194), Empire Nerissa (British, 7086 GRT, built 1943), Empire Southey (British, 7041 GRT, built 1942), James McCosh (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and Richmond Mumford Pearson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942).

On 8 March 1944, the Empire Grebe, Empire Guinevere, Fort Cadotte, Helmwood and Linge were detached to Bone while the following ships joined the convoy coming from that place; Empire Gareth (British, 2847 GRT, built 1942), Empire Thackeray (British, 2865 GRT, built 1942) and Fort Norman (British, 7133 GRT, built 1942).

On 8 March 1944, the Brighton was detached to Philippeville while the Ashbury (British, 3901 GRT, built 1924) joined coming from that place.

On 9 March 1944, the Edward Rutledge and Empire Gareth were detached to Bougie.

Around 2030A/9, near Algiers, HMS Delhi was detached to proceed independently to Mers-el-Kebir.

On 10 March 1944, the Coombe Hill, Diplodon, Dromus, Empire Gain, Frans Hals, Fronenac and Havkong were detached to Algiers while the following ships joined from that place; Bosworth (British, 6672 GRT, built 1919), Cuba (British, 11420 GRT, 1923), Empire Simba (British, 5691 GRT, built 1919), Gouverneur General Lepine (French, 3509 GRT, built 1923), Gudrun Maersk (British, 2294 GRT, built 1937) and Spindletop (British, 1155 GRT, built 1943).

On 11 March 1944, the Benito Juarez, Cornelius Harnett, Crosby S. Noyes, Daniel Huger, Empire Southey, James McCosh, John Dickinson, John P. Poe, John Walker, Morrison R. Waite, Richard Montgomery, Richmond Mumford Pearson, Samos, Spindleton, Thomas Nelson Page, William Kent and William Sturgis were detached to Oran while the following ships joined from that place; Capitaine Paul Lemerle (French, 4945 GRT, built 1925) and Kingsborough (British, 3368 GRT, built 1928).

The convoy arrived at Gibraltar on 12 March 1944.

3 Mar 1944
Around 1345A/3, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) ended her 23th war patrol, that was blank, at Malta. (6)

6 Mar 1944
Around 0200A/6, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) departed from Malta bound for Gibraltar. She is to return to the U.K. for a refit. She joined convoy MKS 42 around 1110A/6 for the passage to Gibraltar.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy MKS 42 ' for 29 February 1944.]

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

(6)

12 Mar 1944
Around 0345A/12, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) anchored in Gibraltar Bay. She entered harbour later that morning. (6)

15 Mar 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Gibraltar. (56)

17 Mar 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Gibraltar. (56)

20 Mar 1944
Around 0630A/20, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) and ORP Sokol (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) J.K.S. Koziolkowski, DSC) departed Gibraltar for Plymouth. The submarines were escorted by the armed yacht HMS Evadne (T/Lt. H.N. Taylor, RNR) until 0200A/24. (57)

30 Mar 1944
Around 2030A/30, HMS Torbay and (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) and ORP Sokol (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) J.K.S. Koziolkowski, DSC) arrived at Plymouth. They were escorted in by HMS Ambrose Pare (Ch.Skr. J.W. Morris, RNR). (57)

31 Mar 1944
Around 0600A/31, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) departed from Devonport (Plymouth) for Portsmouth where she arrived around 1800A/31. She was escorted by the French patrol vessel Chasseur 10. (6)

1 Apr 1944
Around 1000A/1, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) departed from Portsmouth bound for Sheerness. She made the passage in convoy CE 256. (6)

2 Apr 1944
Around 1125B/2, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) arrived at Sheerness. (58)

3 Apr 1944
In the morning, HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) proceeded from Sheerness to the Chatham Dockyard where she is to refit. (58)

11 Aug 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) conducted a basin dive at the Chatham Dockyard. (59)

12 Aug 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) is wiped (degaussed) at the Chatham Dockyard. (59)

15 Aug 1944
With her refit completed, HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) proceeded from the Chatham Dockyard to Sheerness where D/G trials were carried out. (59)

16 Aug 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) conducted gunnery and compass adjustment trials off Sheerness. (59)

18 Aug 1944
Around 0650A/18, HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) departed Sheerness for Blyth. She was escorted by HMS Castlenau (Skr. W.K. Mickleburgh, RNR). (59)

19 Aug 1944
Around 1410A/19, HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) arrived at Blyth. (59)

21 Aug 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) conducted independent exercises off Blyth. (59)

22 Aug 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) conducted independent exercises off Blyth. These included also practice attacks on HMS Taku (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) and HMS Otway (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN). (59)

24 Aug 1944
Around 1645A/24, HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) departed Blyth for Dundee. She was escorted by HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR). (59)

25 Aug 1944
Around 0830A/25, HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) arrived at Dundee. (59)

26 Aug 1944
Around 1335A/26, HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) departed Dundee for Scapa Flow. She was escorted by HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR). (59)

27 Aug 1944
Around 0830A/27, HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from Dundee. (59)

29 Aug 1944
Around 0100A/29, HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Holy Loch. She made the passage together with HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN). They were escorted by HMS Shikari (Lt. E.H.U. Cautley, RNVR). (59)

30 Aug 1944
Around 0845A/30, HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) arrived at Holy Loch to begin a period of trials and training to make her ready to be operationally deployed. (59)

5 Sep 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) conducted independent exercises in the Clyde area. (60)

6 Sep 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) conducted independent exercises in the Clyde area. (60)

7 Sep 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) conducted independent exercises in the Clyde area. These included gunnery exercises. (60)

14 Sep 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) proceeded from Holy Loch to Loch Long where she conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. She returned to Holy Loch on completion of these trials. (60)

15 Sep 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) conducted D/G trials off Helensburg. (60)

16 Sep 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil. (60)

19 Sep 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) conducted S.t.U. (mine detection) and D/F calibration trials in the Clyde area. (60)

20 Sep 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) conducted RD/F exercises off Campbeltown with HMS St. Modwen (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Lycett, DSC, RNR). (60)

21 Sep 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) conducted RD/F exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Bedlington (Skr. A.W. Peak, RNR). (60)

23 Sep 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) acted as target. These also included night exercises during the night of 23/24 September. (60)

25 Sep 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) conducted independent exercises in the Clyde area. (60)

26 Sep 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) proceeded from Holy Loch to Campbeltown. (60)

27 Sep 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Shemara (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Buckle, RN) and HMS La Cordeliere (Lt.Cdr. A.J.G. Barff, RNR). (60)

28 Sep 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Shemara (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Buckle, RN) and HMS Camellia (T/Lt. G.W. Charlton, DSC, RNR). (60)

29 Sep 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Sweetbriar (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J.G. Lewis, RNR) and HMS Aubretia (Lt. G.D. Fowler, RNR). (60)

30 Sep 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) and HMS Upshot (Lt. H.W. Wilkinson, RN) both conducted attack exercises off Campbeltown during which the attacked each other. (60)

1 Oct 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) proceeded from Campbeltown to Holy Loch. (61)

5 Oct 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) conducted gunnery exercises in the Clyde area. These were followed by night radar exercises during which HMS Cutty Sark (Lt. H.J. Bartlett, DSC, RN) acted as target during the night of 5/6 October 1944. (61)

7 Oct 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) and HMS Seadog (Lt. E.A. Hobson, DSC, RN) both conducted night radar exercises in the Clyde area during the night of 7/8 October 1944 with HMS Hastings (A/Cdr. E.A. Stocker, DSC, RN). (61)

8 Oct 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) conducted radar aided gunnery trials/exercises in the Clyde area. (61)

9 Oct 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) conducted speed trials on the Arran measured mile. (61)

10 Oct 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) proceeded from the Clyde area to Larne where she conducted A/S exercises off Larne with ships from the 21st Escort Group which was made up of the frigates HMS Byron (Lt.Cdr. K.G.L. Southcombe, RN), HMS Conn (Lt.Cdr. R. Hart, DSC and Bar, RN, Senior Officer of the group), HMS Deane (Lt. V.A. Hickson, DSO, RN), HMS Fitzroy (A/Lt.Cdr. A.J. McCullogh Miller, DSC, RNVR), HMS Redmill (Lt. J.R.A. Denne, RN) and HMS Rupert (Lt. P.C.S. Black, RN).

On completion of the exercises HMS Torbay entered Larne harbour while the frigates arrived at Belfast later the same day. (61)

12 Oct 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with ships from the 14th Escort Group, these were the destroyers HMS Duncan (Lt.Cdr. D.G.D. Hall-Wright, RN), HMS Faulknor (Cdr.(Retd.) C.F.H. Churchill, DSC, RN), HMS Forester (Lt. D.C. Beatty, RN), HMS Hotspur (Lt. C.S. Battersby, RN) and HMS Havelock (Lt.Cdr. H.A. Stuart-Menteth, RN). It is possible that the Senior Officer of the 14th Escort Group, Cdr. R.A. Currie, RN, whose own ship was undergoing repairs at Liverpool, was on board one of the destroyers. (61)

14 Oct 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with aircraft. (61)

15 Oct 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HMS Buttercup (T/Lt. W.A.M.J. Libert, RNR). Also practice attacks were made on HMS Philante (Cdr. M.J. Evans, OBE, RN). (61)

16 Oct 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) conducted independent (bottoming) exercises off Larne. (61)

17 Oct 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with ships from the 26th Escort Group. These were the frigates HMCS Beacon Hill (T/Lt.Cdr. E.T. Simmons, DSO, RCNVR), HMCS Jonquiere (T/Lt.Cdr. J.R. Kidston, RCNVR), HMCS Montreal (T/Lt.Cdr. S.W. Howell, RCNR), HMCS New Glasgow (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.M. Hanbury, RCNVR) and HMCS Ribble (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.B. Taylor, RCNR).

Also a practice attack was made on HMS Philante (Cdr. M.J. Evans, OBE, RN). (61)

20 Oct 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) conducted practice attacks off Larne on HMS Philante (Cdr. M.J. Evans, OBE, RN). (61)

22 Oct 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with ships from the 31st Escort Group. These were the corvettes HMS Berkeley Castle (Cdr. N.W. Duck, DSC and Bar, RD, RNR), HMS Dumbarton Castle (T/A/Lt.Cdr. P.F. Broadhead, RNR), HMS Hadleigh Castle (Lt. C. Sandeman, RN) and HMS Lancaster Castle (T/Lt. W.S. Joliffe, RNR).

Also night convoy attacks were carried out during the night of 22/23 October 1944 which included a practice attack on HMS Philante (Cdr. M.J. Evans, OBE, RN). (61)

24 Oct 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HMS Shemara (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Buckle, RN). (61)

26 Oct 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HMS Philante (Cdr. M.J. Evans, OBE, RN). Also a practice attack was made. (61)

27 Oct 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with aircraft. (61)

28 Oct 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) conducted A/S and convoy attack exercises off Larne. (61)

30 Oct 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) proceeded from Larne to Holy Loch. (61)

1 Nov 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) conducted torpedo firing exercises in the Clyde area. (62)

4 Nov 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) got underway from Holy Loch for exercises in the Clyde area. The exercises were however cancelled due to the unfavourable weather conditions. She returned to Holy Loch later the same day. (62)

7 Nov 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) got underway from Holy Loch for noise trials in Loch Goil. The noise trials were however cancelled due to the unfavourable weather conditions and HMS Torbay subsequently returned to Holy Loch. (62)

8 Nov 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil.

She then returned to Holy Loch where she was docked in AFD 7. (62)

11 Nov 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) is undocked. (62)

14 Nov 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) conducted compass adjustment trials at Holy Loch. (62)

16 Nov 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) departed Holy Loch for Scapa Flow.

Passage north through the Minches was made together with HMS Sceptre (Lt. I.S. McIntosh, MBE, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN). They were escorted by HMS Hastings (A/Cdr. E.A. Stocker, DSC, RN). (6)

19 Nov 1944
Around 1930A/19, HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) and HMS Hastings (A/Cdr. E.A. Stocker, DSC, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow. (62)

21 Nov 1944
Around 0800A/21, HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) departed Scapa Flow for her 24th war patrol (This is the 1st war patrol of her 3rd commission). She is to patrol in the northern part of the North Sea.

She was escorted until HMS Hastings (A/Cdr. E.A. Stocker, DSC, RN) 1300A/21 when they parted company in position 59°02'N, 01°35'W. (6)

21 Nov 1944
For the daily positions of HMS Torbay during her 24th war patrol see the map below.

26 Nov 1944
At 2005A/26, HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) made rendezvous in position 59°05'N, 01°28'W with HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR). Course was then set for Holy Loch.

Around 0120A/27, off Scapa Flow, HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN), joined company. (63)

29 Nov 1944
Around 0600A/29, HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) ended her 24th war patrol at Holy Loch. With her were also HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) and HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR). (6)

2 Dec 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) is docked in AFD 7 at Holy Loch. (64)

7 Dec 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) is undocked. (64)

12 Dec 1944
Around 1530A/12, HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) and HMS Scythian (T/Lt C.P. Thode, RNZNVR) departed from Holy Loch for passage to Ceylon. The first leg of the trip is to Gibraltar. She makes the passage to Gibraltar with convoy OS 98 / KMS 72.

Around 1800A/12 the submarines anchored in Kilchattan Bay where they then spent the night.

Around 0200A/13, the submarines weighed anchor and proceeded to make rendezvous to the south of Ireland with the combined convoy OS 98 / KMS 72. During passage to the rendezvous the submarines were escorted by HMS Hastings (A/Cdr. E.A. Stocker, DSC, RN).

The submarines made rendezvous with the convoy north-east of Belfast Lough in position 54°55'N, 05°27'W around 0800A/13. HMS Hastings then parted company and proceeded to Holy Loch.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Combined convoy OS 98 / KMS 72 ' for 12 December 1944.] (64)

12 Dec 1944

Combined convoy OS 98 / KMS 72.

The first section of the convoy departed the Clyde on 12 December 1944.

This section was made up of the following merchant vessels; City of Agra (British, 6361 GRT, built 1936), Fort Anne (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943), Fort Grouard (British, 7132 GRT, built 1943), Maaskerk (Dutch, 4343 GRT, built 1929), Pandorian (British, 4159 GRT, built 1941), Ragnhild (Norwegian, 2833 GRT, built 1941), Sambrian (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samteviot (British, 7219 GRT, built 1944), San Casto (Belgian, 2588 GRT, built 1938) and Tactician (British, 5996 GRT, built 1928). The convoy was escorted by the corvettes HMS Leeds Castle (T/A/Lt.Cdr. W.T. Hodson, DSC and Bar, RNVR), HMS Pentstemon (T/Lt. D.C. Williams, RNVR) and HMS Rhododendron (T/A/Lt.Cdr. H. Vernon, RNR).

Around 0800A/13, the submarines HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) and HMS Scythian (T/Lt C.P. Thode, RNZNVR) joined the convoy.

Later that morning some merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Belfast, these were the following; Harmattan (British, 4558 GRT, built 1930) and Nela (British, 7220 GRT, built 1916).

Around 1100A/15, to the south of Ireland, in approximate position 50°50'N 7°52'W, the following merchant vessels which made up the Liverpool and Milford Haven sections of the convoy joined the convoy; Amstelkerk (Dutch, 4457 GRT, built 1929), Baron Forbes (British, 3061 GRT, built 1915), Campus (British, 3667 GRT, built 1925), Commandant Dorise (French, 5529 GRT, built 1917), Consuelo (British, 4847 GRT, built 1937), Empire Clive (British, 7069 GRT, built 1941), Empire Mallory (British, 6327 GRT, built 1941), Empire Meteor (British, 7457 GRT, built 1940), Empire Planet (British, 4290 GRT, built 1923), Fort St. James (British, 7128 GRT, built 1942), Hartlepool (British, 5500 GRT, built 1932), Joshua Thomas (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Jurko Topic (Yugoslavian, 5202 GRT, built 1919), Leonidas (Greek, 4573 GRT, built 1929), Lornaston (British, 4934 GRT, built 1925), Monkleigh (British, 5203 GRT, built 1927), New Texas (British, 6568 GRT, built 1919), Newchang (British, 2482 GRT, built 1922), Norefjord (Norwegian, 3082 GRT, built 1920), Peebles (British, 4982 GRT, built 1936), Princes Maria-Pia (Belgian, 2588 GRT, built 1938), Samcrest (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944) and Souliotis (Greek, 4299 GRT, built 1917).

The cable laying vessel HMS St. Margarets (T/A/Cdr. E.W. Witney, RNR) also joined.

The Liverpool and Milford Haven sections had been escorted to the rendezvous position by the A/S trawlers HMS Brimness (A/Skr.Lt. C.W. Burman, RNR) (from Liverpool), HMS Thornwick Bay (T/A/Skr.Lt. G. Clixby, RNR) and HMS Van Dyk (T/A/Skr.Lt. W.G. Euston, RNR) (both from Milford Haven).

The convoy was dispersed A.M. on the 17th on reaching latitude 47°00'N.

The two submarines proceeded to Gibraltar escorted by HMS Leeds Castle.

HMS Pentstemon and HMS Rhododendron proceeded to join northbound convoy MKS 70.

12 Dec 1944
For the daily positions of HMS Torbay during her passage from Holy Loch to Trincomalee see the map below.

20 Dec 1944
Around 1900A/20, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) and HMS Scythian (T/Lt C.P. Thode, RNZNVR) and their escort, HMS Leeds Castle (T/A/Lt.Cdr. W.T. Hodson, DSC and Bar, RNVR), arrived at Gibraltar. (65)

26 Dec 1944
Around 1220A/26, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) departed from Gibraltar bound for Malta. (64)

30 Dec 1944
Around 0830A/30, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) arrived at Malta from Gibraltar. (64)

4 Jan 1945
Around 1810A/4, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) departed from Malta bound for Port Said. (66)

8 Jan 1945
Around 0845B/8, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) arrived at Port Said from Malta. (66)

10 Jan 1945
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) transited the Suez Canal southbound. On leaving the canal course was set for Aden. (66)

15 Jan 1945
Around 1200C/15, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) arrived at Aden from Port Said. (66)

19 Jan 1945
Around 0800C/19, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) departed from Aden bound for Colombo. On departure A/S exercises were carried out with HMS Lulworth (Cdr. R.C.S. Woolley, RD, RNR) and HMS Jasmine (T/Lt. E.C. Leaver, RNR). Also a practice attack was made on HMS Jasmine. (66)

27 Jan 1945
Around 1915FG/27, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) arrived at Colombo from Aden. (66)

29 Jan 1945
Around 1445FG/29, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) departed from Colombo bound for Trincomalee. (66)

31 Jan 1945
Around 1230FG/31, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) arrived at Trincomalee from Colombo. She was then taken in hand to repair an engine defect. (66)

2 Mar 1945
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) conducted engine and noise trials off Trincomalee. (67)

3 Mar 1945
Around 1400FG/3, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) departed from Trincomalee for her 25th war patrol (This is the 2nd war patrol of her 3rd commission and her 1st in Far Eastern waters). She is to perform a special mission in the Phuket area.

The special mission is called 'operation Baboon'. Three canoes with a total of 7 people (two canoes with two and one with three) were to be landed on the coast on March 8th from position 08°07'N, 98°14'E.

On departure from Trincomalee gunnery exercises were carried out.

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

(6)

8 Mar 1945
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) lands the agents as ordered for 'operation Baboon'.

1930FG/8 - Torbay surfaced five nautical miles of the beach and after getting the canoes up on the casing ran in to the release position 2,5 nautical miles from the shore where the canoes were released. Canoe nr.3 with three people on board fell astern of the other two and was not seen again. Nothing further was heard of the people inside it (all three of them are listed on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website as being killed on 9 March 1945, no further details are known to us at this moment).

0230FG/8 - Both the other canoes returned to Torbay. (68)

9 Mar 1945
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) returns to the drop off position of last night. Something must have gone wrong ashore as there was now a total black-out unlike the previous day. Also Asdic impulses were heard. As a result of this the landings for this night were aborted. (68)

10 Mar 1945
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) returns to the drop off position of two nights before. No.1 and No.2 canoes were launched for a beach race. Nothing was seen of canoe No.3. It was found that enemy patrols were more frequent. For the next two nights Torbay returned to the R/V position but nothing was sighted. (68)

15 Mar 1945
Around 1000FG/15, HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. M.F.R. Ainslie, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) made rendezvous in approximate position 08°26'N, 97°42'E (south-east of Goh Huyong, Similan Islands).

Both submarines had members of the parties that had been landed missing but it was decided that nothing further could be done.

One canoe was transferred from HMS Torbay to HMS Thrasher after which the submarines parted company.

16 Mar 1945
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) destroys a Japanese coaster with gunfire of the west coast of Siam. She also damaged a junk with gunfire.

1100FG/16 - In position 08°42'N, 98°10'E sighted smoke to the northward and a junk to the Southward.

1145FG/16 - The smoke was identified as a small passenger steamer of 200 to 300 tons.

1200FG/16 - Surfaced and opened fire with the 4" deck gun. Range was 3500 yards.

1205FG/16 - The ship turned towards the beach.

1215FG/16 - By now 50 rounds had been fired for 4 to 5 hits. The steamer was now aground and burning in position 08°44'N, 98°15'E.

1217FG/16 - Altered course to the Southward to engage the junk.

1220FG/16 - Fired a warning shot but no signs of surrender came from the junk.

1224FG/16 to 1230FG/16 - Fired 20 rounds at the junk from 3000 yards resulting in 4 hits.

1230FG/16 - Sighted a fighter bomber coming in for attack. Dived to 35 feet.

1241FG/16 - One distant bomb explosion.

1258FG/16 - One bomb explosion quite close. Lt.Cdr. Norman set course to seaward and decided to call it a day. (6)

18 Mar 1945
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) returns to the drop off position of March 8th. No.1 and 2. canoes were launched to search for the missing party but nothing was sighted. (6)

23 Mar 1945
Around 1200FG/23, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) ended her 25th war patrol at Trincomalee. Before entering harbour noise trials were carried out. (6)

28 Mar 1945
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) is docked in AFD 26 at Trincomalee. (67)

31 Mar 1945
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) is undocked. (67)

5 Apr 1945
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. These included gunnery exercises. (69)

7 Apr 1945
Around 0745FG/7, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) departed from Trincomalee for her 26th war patrol (This is the 3rd war patrol of her 3rd commission and her 2nd in Far Eastern waters). She is to perform two special missions.

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

(6)

12 Apr 1945
At 0509FG/12, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) dived in position 06°49'N, 99°18'E. She then proceeded to conduct a periscope reconnaissance of the area for 'operation Clearance Baker'.

At 1852FG/12, HMS Torbay surfaced in position 06°45'N, 99°35'E.

At 1945FG/12, HMS Torbay launched the canoes from position 06°46'N, 99°39'E. The canoes were manned as follows; Canoe 1 with Major R. Parry-Ellis, MC, RM and Corporal M.H.W. Mason, RM and Canoe 2 with Col.Sergeant R. Young, DSM, RM and marine J.C. Kemp, RM.

At 1955FG/12, HMS Torbay commenced to retire 5 nautical miles to seaward the charge the batteries.

13 Apr 1945
At 0030FG/13, HMS Torbay began to make her way back to position 06°46'N, 99°39'E where the canoes were to be picked up.

At 0145FG/13, contact was established with the canoes.

By 0235FG/13, both canoes were back on board. The operation had gone as planned. No enemy resistance was encountered except a motor boat, probably patrolling, had been sighted. The canoes had covered 13 nautical miles in 5 hours.

At 0245FG/13, HMS Torbay commenced to proceed to seaward.

At 0450FG/13, HMS Torbay dived in position 06°48'N, 99°23'E and set course for the area where special operation 'Cattle' was to be carried out.

15 Apr 1945
At 0445FG/15, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) dived in position 05°22'N, 96°46'E. She then proceeded to conduct a periscope reconnaissance of the area for 'operation Cattle'.

From 1230FG/15 to 1330FG/15, HMS Torbay conducted a periscope reconnaissance of the landing beach from a range of two nautical miles.

At 1330FG/15, HMS Torbay retired to seaward.

At 1909FG/15, HMS Torbay surfaced in position 05°22'N, 96°37'E. A battery charge was then commenced.

2100FG/15, Moonset. The charge was now broken and HMS Torbay proceeded inshore.

At 2210FG/15, the canoes were launched in position 05°16'N, 96°41'E. They were manned as follows; Canoe 1, Lt. A.L. Croneen, RM and Corporal J.P. Gordon, RM. Canoe 2, Sergeant C.P. Pratt, RM and J. Corporal Calderbank.

HMS Torbay then remained stopped in the launching position.

16 Apr 1945
At 0020FG/16, the Asdic operator on board HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) reported hearing an underwater explosion on a rough bearing of the landing beaches. This was thought to be a hand granade released as the canoes left the beach. This later proved to be a correct assumption.

At 0120FG/16, it was thought the canoes were further westward so course was set to the west.

By 0200FG/16, the run to the west was now discovered to have been a mistake so course was set to the eastward.

At 0318FG/16, the canoes were sighted.

By 0325FG/16, both canoes were on board.

At 0335FG/16, HMS Torbay commenced to withdraw to the seaward. Lt. Croneen reported that the operation had gone to plan.

At 0500FG/16, HMS Torbay dived in position 05°33'N, 96°37'E.

At 1840FG/16, HMS Torbay surfaced in position 05°56'N, 96°18'E.

17 Apr 1945
At 1845FG/17, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) surfaced in position 06°24'N, 94°30'E after having conducted a submerged patrol oon the Sabang - Nancowry route. Course was set to return to Trincomalee. (6)

21 Apr 1945
Around 1230FG/21, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) ended her 26th war patrol at Trincomalee. Before entering harbour D/G and noise trials were carried out. (6)

8 May 1945
Around 1345FG/8, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) departed from Trincomalee for her 27th war patrol (This is the 4th war patrol of her 3rd commission and her 3rd in Far Eastern waters). She is to perform a special operation (No details available as of yet).

On leaving harbour noise trails and gunnery exercises were carried out.

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

(6)

11 May 1945
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) suffers an serious engine failure. The patrol has to be abandoned and course is set to return to Trincomalee. (6)

11 May 1945
At 1611FG/11, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) passed her signal timed 0945Z/11 to Capt. S 2 informing him that the submarine had suffered a defect to her starboard engine and that she was unable to continue to execute the special operation until repairs were completed. (6)

12 May 1945
In the morning HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) encountered Task Force 61 near Great Nicobar Island.

At 1120FG/12, Capt. S 2's signal timed 0323Z/12 was received which ordered HMS Torbay to return to Trincomalee. Course was set accordingly at 1325FG/12. (6)

16 May 1945
Around 0815FG/16, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) ended her 27th war patrol at Trincomalee.

[No logs are available for the months June, July and August 1945, therefore some details for these months might be missing.] (6)

19 Jun 1945
Around 1345FG/19, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) departed from Trincomalee for her 28th war patrol (This is the 5th war patrol of her 3rd commission and her 4th in Far Eastern waters). She is to patrol in the Straits of Malacca and to conduct two special operations.

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

(6)

25 Jun 1945
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) sank a tongkang by demolition charge in position 02°38'N, 100°28'E.

1450GH/25 - Surfaced in position 02°38'N, 100°28'E and sank a 17 ton tongkang by demolition charge. It was loaded with 17 tons of sulphur and 2 tons of tobacco and bound for Klang. The crew of three and one Chinese merchant was embarked in the submarine. They were interrogated, in Malay, by Captain Lodge. This interrogation proved to be of considerable interest.

1506GH/25 - Dived, Several tongkangs were seen during the afternoon but all in to shallow water to be closed. (6)

26 Jun 1945
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) sank a Japanese coaster with gunfire off Sabang, Sumatra, Netherlands East Indies.

0350GH/26 - In position 02°44'N, 100°29'E, transferred the crew and passenger of the tongkang that had been sunk on the 25th to a small fishing sampan.

1100GH/26 - The mast and funnel of a coaster was sighted at 10000 yards. Torbay manoeuvred to get ahead of the target. At 1250 hours range was still 8000 to 9000 yards. At 1300 Torbay surfaced and gave chase on the surface. At 1306 hours the enemy turned towards the nearest shore zig-zagging wildly.

1314GH/26 - Torbay opened fire with the deck gun from 6000 yards. At 1329 hours fire was ceased as the target was now on fire from amidships to aft. In all 58 rounds were fired.

1335GH/26 - Torbay dived in position 02°57'N, 100°04'E. At 1350 hours the target was seen to blow up and sink. (6)

28 Jun 1945
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) sank a Japanese sailing vessel with a demolition charge in the Strait of Malacca.

1915GH.28 - Torbay surfaced in position 03°24'N, 99°42'E. a 10 ton tongkang was boarded. The cargo was made up of solid rubber tyres. The tongkang was sunk by a demolition charge. The crew made off to the shore in the tongkangs sampan. (6)

2 Jul 1945
Between 2 and 6 July 1945, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) conducted two special operations on completion of which course was set to return to Trincomalee.

[No further details available for the moment.] (6)

11 Jul 1945
Around 1300FG/11, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) ended her 28th war patrol at Trincomalee. (6)

7 Aug 1945
Around 1345FG/7, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) departed from Trincomalee for her 29th war patrol (This is the 6th war patrol of her 3rd commission and her 5th in Far Eastern waters). She is to perform a special operation.

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

(6)

14 Aug 1945
At 1930FG/14, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) received Capt. S 2's signal timed 0449Z/14 which ordered her to postpone the special operation 24 hours from the first possible date which was during the night of 15/16 August 1945. (6)

15 Aug 1945
At 1930FG/15, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) received Capt. S 2's signal timed 1145Z/15 which informed her to 'splice the mainbrace' and a signal timed 1157Z/15 which stated that the special operation was to be postponed and also a signal timed 1215Z/15 that the Japanese had surrendered and also gave instructions.

In view of these instructions Lt.Cdr. Norman decided to remain on a defensive patrol in the present position to the south-west of the Aroa Islands. (6)

16 Aug 1945
At 0930FG/16, in position 02°35'N, 100°27'E, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) sighted two small Japanese submarine chasers (ML type), one in tow of the other. They were proceeding on a course of 310° at 10 knots. They were allowed to pass as Lt.Cdr. Norman did not want to disclose the presence of the submarine until the special operation was carried out.

At 1804FG/16, in position 02°31'N, 100°28'E an eastbound tongkang was boarded with a view to find out the situation ashore concerning the Japanese surrender, Lt. Witkamp, Netherlands Army, acting as interpreter. The occupants knew nothing about the surrender and refused to believe it. They were highly delighted that their ship was not going to be destroyed. (6)

17 Aug 1945
At 1840FG/17, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) surfaced in position 02°32'N, 100°27'E.

At 1915FG/17, HMS Torbay received Capt. S 2's signal timed 1150Z/17 which ordered the special operation (operation 'Steel 2') to be carried out but not to land the personnel. Also the signal timed 1159Z/17 was received which stated that on completion of the special operation HMS Torbay was to return to Trincomalee. Course was then set as needed to carry out the special operation. Also preparations were made for disembarkation.

At 2055FG/17, HMS Torbay stopped in position 02°29.8'N, 100°25.5'E in a depth of 9 fathoms.

At 2110FG/17, the canoes were being assembled on the casing and the stores were brought up.

At 2226FG/17, everything was ready. HMS Torbay then commenced to slowly proceed to the dropping off position.

At 2245FG/17, HMS Torbay was in position 02°26.2'N, 100°24.2'E. Depth was 6 fathoms. The canoes were then floated off. By 2300FG/17, the canoes were clear. Depth was now only 4 fathoms.

At 2305FG/17, HMS Torbay touched the bottom. Main ballast was then blown and speed was increased. She came off within a minute and then retired to the north-east. (6)

18 Aug 1945
At 2006FG/18, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) sighted a suspicious vessel, not a junk, to the north-east. The submarine turned away and evaded. No HE could be heard.

At 2230FG/18, course was set towards the pick-up position.

At 2330FG/18, contact was established with the party.

At 0013FG/19, the canoes were sighted.

At 0028FG/19, the canoes were alongside. With them were also a fishing sampan and LCR's. Position was 02°27'N, 100°26'E.

At 0034FG/19, Major Lodge came aboard and reported to Lt.Cdr. Norman that he was badly in need of reinforcements and had retained the Steel 2 party ashore. Lt.Cdr. Norman agreed despite he had orders not to land them but he considered that HQ in Ceylon were not aware of the local circumstances. More supplies were then landed by use of the sampan.

At 0125FG/19, the canoes were taken below and five minutes later HMS Torbay made off to the north-east towards the Aroa Islands and from there onwards to return to Trincomalee.

24 Aug 1945
Around 1015FG/24, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) ended her 29th war patrol at Trincomalee. (6)

2 Sep 1945
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) is docked in AFD 26 at Trincomalee. (70)

6 Sep 1945
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) is undocked. (70)

10 Sep 1945
Around 1530E/10, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) departed from Trincomalee for Port Said. She is to return to the U.K. (70)

25 Sep 1945
Around 2100C/25, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) arrived at Port Said from Trincomalee. (70)

28 Sep 1945
Around 0820C/28, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) departed from Port Said bound for Malta. On departure D/G trials were carried out. (70)

2 Oct 1945
Around 0915A/2, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) arrived at Malta from Port Said. (71)

13 Oct 1945
Around 1055A/13, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) departed from Malta bound for Gibraltar. (71)

17 Oct 1945
Around 0730A/17, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from Malta. (71)

18 Oct 1945
Around 0850A/18, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) departed from Gibraltar bound for Portsmouth. (71)

22 Oct 1945
Around 1700A/22, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) arrived at Portsmouth (Fort Blockhouse) from Gibraltar. (71)

29 Oct 1945
HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) is put into reserve at Portsmouth. (71)

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