13 Apr 1942
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSC, RN) attacks a 3500 tons merchant ship with two torpedoes about 10 nautical miles South of Pula near position 44°42'N, 13°54'E.

(All times are zone -3)
0928 hours - Sighted a Northbound ship of 3500 tons approaching. Range was 8000 yards. Started attack.

0953 hours - Fired two torpedoes from 800 yards, both missed or more likely ran under. The ship was seen to man its gun, looked like a 4" gun. They did not open fire.

Flying boats were seen patrolling the area after this failed attack. (5)

14 Apr 1942
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSC, RN) sank one of two Italian sailing vessels Franco (73 GRT) from Racisce di Curzola with a crew of three [the other, Addo Mario from Rimini, escaped] with gunfire about 10 nautical miles South of Sebenico, Croatia in position 43°29'N, 16°00'E.

(All times are zone -3)
1930 hours - Sighted two schooners approaching. Commenced to close for gun attack.

2016 hours - Surfaced in position 43°29'N, 16°00'E and attacked one of the schooners from a range of 3000 yards.

2023 hours - Dived as fire was opened by shore guns [the battery at Punta Techetta opened fire at 7000 meters as well as the battery at Sant'Antonio at a slight greater range]. The schooner had been hit 3 times out of 35 rounds fired. (5)

16 Apr 1942
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSC, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian merchant Delia (5406 GRT, built 1917) off Brindisi, Italy in position 40°50'N, 17°37'E.

(All times are zone -3)
1400 hours - Sighted a Southbound ship approaching. The ship was of 6000 tons and heavily laden. Started attack.

1451 hours - Fired two torpedoes from 1000 yards. Both hit the target.

1453 hours - Only 30 feet of the ships stem, floating vertically were now visible.

Delia was en-route from Bari to Taranto. (5)

22 Apr 1942
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSC, RN) ended her 4th war patrol at Alexandria. (5)

1 May 1942
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSC, RN) departed from Alexandria for Port Said. (6)

2 May 1942
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSC, RN) arrived at Port Said. (6)

3 May 1942
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSC, RN) is docked in the floating dock at Port Said. (6)

7 May 1942
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSC, RN) is undocked. (6)

8 May 1942
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSC, RN) departed from Port Said for Alexandria. (6)

9 May 1942
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSC, RN) arrived at Alexandria. (6)

11 May 1942
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSC, RN) departed from Alexandria for her 5th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Gulf of Sirte.

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

(5)

14 May 1942
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSC, RN) sank the Italian sailing vessel V 32 / San Giusto (243 GRT), carrying 161 tons of gasoline, with gunfire off Ras el Hilal, Libya.

(All times are zone -3)
1500 hours - Inspected the Ras el Hilal anchorage. There was nothing there.

1720 hours - Sighted two three-masted schooners approaching from the West. Altered course to close.

1750 hours - The first schooner apparently saw the periscope when about 600 yards away as it altered course away.

1758 hours - The second schooner also altered course away.

1801 hours - Surfaced and opened fire with the 4" gun on the nearest schooner from 2000 yards. A considerable number of hits were obtained and the schooner was abandoned and run aground. [She was a total loss, 1 missing, 11 survivors].

1804 hours - Forced to dive as an aircraft suddenly appeared. Meanwhile the schooner exploded.

(5)

18 May 1942
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSC, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian merchant Bolsena (2384 GRT, built 1918) west of Bengasi, Libya in position 32°26'N, 19°15'E.

(All times are zone -3)
17 May 1942
2320 hours - Arrived in the patrol position ordered to intercept the expected convoy.

2329 hours - Sighted three ships and a minute later heard their HE. These were two merchant ships, of about 4000 tons each, and one escorting destroyer. Started attack.

18 May 1942
0140 hours - After a lot of manoeuvring to get into a favourable attack position, turned in to fire at the rear ship. It turned out that the range was greater then was thought. Turned to a parallel course and started to catch up again.

0200 hours - Turned in again to fire at the rear ship.

0210 hours - Fired three torpedoes from 2000 yards resulting in two hits. Dived. The torpedoed ship was heard to be breaking up shortly afterwards. [48 were killed, 36 survivors were picked up by the German minesweepers R 6 and R 11 which had been sent to their rescue].

This convoy was made up of the above mentioned Bolsena and the Italian merchant Iseo (2366 GRT, built 1918). They were escorted by the Italian torpedo boat Pegaso. (5)

24 May 1942
At 2130 hours (zone -3) an aircraft attacked HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSC, RN), dropping 8 small bombs, Turbulent crash-dived and had reached a depth of 60 feet when they exploded (position of the attack was 33°28'N, 16°46'E). (5)

29 May 1942
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSC, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian destroyer Emanuelle Pessagno (1917 tons, built 1930) and the Italian merchant Capo Arma (3172 GRT, built 1905) about 70 nautical miles north-west of Bengasi, Libya in position 33°15'N, 19°25'E.

(All times are zone -3)
28 May 1942
2310 hours - In position 33°51'N, 18°54'E sighted a Southbound convoy of two merchant ships (6000 and 5000 tons each) escorted by two destroyers (one Spica class torpedo boat, the other looked bigger) bearing 325°. Speed was thought to be 12 knots. Due to the mist is was very difficult to estimate the convoys course and range. Cdr. Linton decided to get ahead of the convoy.

2345 hours - Turbulent was now on the convoys beam and that the convoys course was 160°. Turbulent went ahead and soon afterwards lost touch.

29 May 1942
0001 hours - Altered course towards and increased speed to find them.

0020 hours - The convoy was sighted apparently steering a course of about 200°. Started to get ahead.

0150 hours - The convoy changed course to 160° and later to 140°.

0230 hours - As there seemed no prospect in any change in the weather and that an attack at dawn (what Cdr. Linton initially intended to do) might be spotted by aircraft it was decided to make a submerged attack by moonlight.

0337 hours - Dived 5 miles ahead of the convoy and 3000 yards off track.

0401 hours - Sighted the convoy a little closer than expected. The escorting destroyer on this side of the convoy could not be seen or heard.

0405 hours - Sighted the destroyer, it was much closer than was anticipated. Turbulent was right ahead.

0407 hours - The destroyer was seen to be on a steady bearing.

0409 hours - Fired four torpedoes at one of the merchant vessels. The destroyer was now very near. Turbulent went deep upon firing. 1min. 13secs after firing the first torpedo an explosion was heard. Shortly afterwards one of the torpedoes passed over the conning tower. Two further explosions were heard 2min. 28secs. and 3min. 10secs. after firing the first torpedo. The torpedo that ran overhead had a gyro failure and with a great deal of luck had hit the destroyer that was so near to Turbulent.

0610 hours - Came to periscope depth and found one destroyer about 3 nautical miles away and moving slowly around the position of the attack. Nothing else was in sight.

The other merchant ship in this convoy was the Italian merchant Anna Maria Gualdi (3289 GRT, built 1908). The other destroyer was the Antonio Pigafetta, she was off the Navigatori-class and a sister ship of the Emanuelle Pessagno. This class of destroyers were the largest Italian destroyers in service. (5)

2 Jun 1942
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSC, RN) twice attacks German U-boat U-81 in position 32°48'N, 25°12'E. All 7 torpedoes fired (5 in the first attack, 2 in the second attack) miss the target.

(All times are zone -3)
1250 hours - In position 32°48'N, 25°12'E sighted a German u-boat. Started attack.

1301 hours - Fired five torpedoes from 1500 yards. All torpedoes missed.

1308 hours - One loud bang was heard.

1309 hours - Fired two torpedoes from 2500 yards. 2min. 0secs and 2 min. 13secs after firing two explosions were heard giving a range of 3000 yards. Turbulent lost trim and it took a few minutes to regain periscope depth. HE was heard before the explosions but not afterwards.

1314 hours - At periscope depth again, nothing in sight. Some wreckage was floating in the water and it was thought the U-boat had been sunk.

The wreckage floating in the water was most likely from German U-boat U-652 that had been damaged by British aircraft earlier that morning. U-652 was scuttled by the Germans and her crew was taken off by U-81 [U-81 observed four torpedo tracks]. (5)

4 Jun 1942
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSC, RN) ended her 5th war patrol at Alexandria. (5)

17 Jun 1942
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSC, RN) departed from Alexandria for her 6th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Gulf of Sirte.

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

(5)

22 Jun 1942
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSC, RN) makes a torpedo attack the German merchant Sturla (1397 GRT, built 1933, former French St. Guillaume, former Danish Estrid) about 70 nautical miles South-West of Benghazi, Libya in position 31°11'N, 19°10'E. No hits were obtained. The escort was the Italian torpedo boat Generale Marcello Prestinari.

(All times are zone -3)
0524 hours - In position 31°10'N, 19°20'E sighted one merchant escorted by one torpedo boat steering West. It was too near dawn to attack on the surface so course was altered to keep ahead. The torpedo boat appeared to be stationed astern or on the Port quarter.

0548 hours - Dived to attack. The merchant was not laden and was of about 2000 tons. The torpedo boat was thought to be of the La Masa-class.

0626 hours - In position 31°11'N, 19°10'E fired two torpedoes from 1300 yards. Both missed. After a considerable interval the torpedo boat, which had been astern of the target on firing, dropped five single depth charges followed by a pattern of two. It then rejoined the merchant ship and in doing so passed right overhead but did not drop anything further. (5)

23 Jun 1942
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSC, RN) is detected and depth charged by the Italian torpedo boat Perseo while trying to attack an Eastbound merchant ship in position 31°20'N, 18°30'E.

(All times are zone -3)
2155 hours - Surfaced in position 31°20'N, 18°30'E and immediately sighted two shapes bearing 340°, distance about 5 nautical miles. They were soon seen to be an Eastbound merchant ship escorted by one Spica-class torpedo boat. Started attack.

2220 hours - Dived as Turbulent was detected by the torpedo boat that had turned toward. In the next 60 minutes the torpedo boat dropped 20 single depth charges, one of which was close and broke some light bulbs.

2345 hours - Returned to periscope depth. Nothing in sight. Surfaced after 20 minutes.

This convoy was made up of the Italian merchant Regulus escorted by the above mentioned Perseo. The Italian schooner Maria Gabriella was also part of the convoy. (5)

24 Jun 1942
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSC, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian merchant Regulus (1085 GRT, built 1884) in the Gulf of Sirte about 5 nautical miles west of Ghemines In position 31°43'N, 19°51'E.

(All times are zone -3)
1030 hours - In position 31°43'N, 19°49'E sighted a heavily laden merchant ship of about 2000 tons escorted by one Spica class torpedo boat and 5 aircraft. Also part of the convoy was a two-masted schooner. This was the same ship that was sighted the previous evening.

1153 hours - In position 31°43'N, 19°51'E two torpedoes were fired from 3000 yards which resulted in one hit.

The above mentioned Regulus was escorted by the Italian torpedo boat Perseo. The Italian schooner Maria Gabriella was also part of the convoy.

The Regulus was beached but was later declared a total loss. (5)

4 Jul 1942
While on patrol off Benghazi, Libya HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSC, RN) tries to attack a convoy about 80 nautical miles North of Benghazi, Libya in position 33°30'N, 20°30'E. The attack fails as Turbulent is detected and depth charged by the strong escort before she can fire torpedoes.

(All times are zone -3)
1110 hours - When two nautical miles South of the patrol position ordered, in position 33°30'N, 20°30'E masts were sighted to the Northward. Altered course to obtain a favourable attack position.

1125 hours - The convoy could now be made out as three big merchant ships escorted by a whole lot of destroyers / torpedo boats. At least five but most likely eight were seen. At least three aircraft were sighted.

1141 hours - Turbulent is detected by the convoys escort and has to break off the attack.

1148 hours - In position 33°28'N, 20°28'E depth charging started. The first pattern of six was extremely close causing minor damage. A lot more depth charges were dropped but none were very close.

1240 hours - Returned to periscope depth to find nothing in sight except for one Spica class torpedo boat moving slowly in the position of the initial depth charge attack. After 20 minutes it made off to the South at high speed.

It seems most likely that an aircraft had detected Turbulent at periscope depth.

This convoy was made up of the German merchant Ankara (4768 GRT, built 1937), The Italian merchants Nino Bixio (7137 GRT, built 1941) and Monviso (5322 GRT, built 1941). They had a very strong escort made up of the Italian destroyers Giovanni da Verrazzano, Turbine, Euro and the Italian torpedo boats Antares, Castore, Polluce, Pegaso and San Martino (5)

14 Jul 1942
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSC, RN) encounters the Italian submarine Asteria about 50 nautical miles West of Beirut in position 33°57'N, 34°34'E.

(All times are zone -3)
2347 hours - Sighted submarine, thought to be Italian, on the surface bearing 100°, distance 0.5 nautical miles. The submarine dived.

2348 hours - Dived in position 33°57'N, 34°34'E.

According to Italian sources the Asteria sighted a submarine, thought to be Italian, bearing 290° at 1000 meters in position 33°52'N, 34°46'E. Asteria however did not dive but turned away (to starboard) at maximum speed to avoid further contact. (5)

15 Jul 1942
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSC, RN) ended her 6th war patrol at Beirut. (5)

5 Aug 1942
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSC, RN) departed from Beirut for her 7th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the West coast of Greece. She is also to carry out two special operations.

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

(7)

8 Aug 1942
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSC, RN) carries out special operation 'Corsair'.

An agent was to be picked up from the South-East coast of Crete.

(All times are zone -3)
2105 hours - Surfaced in position 34°58'N, 26°08'E.

2120 hours - The Folbot left for the shore.

2212 hours - The Folbot returned with two passengers. The second person was the agents Greek guide that had a price on his head. It was decided that the could remain on board Turbulent.

2220 hours - The Folbot was taken below and Turbulent left the area. (7)

12 Aug 1942
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSC, RN) carries out special operation 'Capricorn'.

Two Greek agents were to be landed within 30 nautical miles from Navarino.

(All times are zone -3)
2140 hours - Surfaced in position 37°25'N, 21°39'E.

2200 hours - The two Greek agents departed for the shore. Turbulent departed the area shortly afterwards. (7)

17 Aug 1942
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSC, RN) torpedoed and damaged the Italian transport ship Nino Bixio (7137 GRT, built 1941) 12 nautical miles south-west of Navarino, Greece in position 36°35'N, 21°34'E. This ship is loaded with around 3200 POW's. 336 Pow's perish as a result of this attack (336 killed).

The Italian merchant Sestriere (7992 GRT, built 1942) was missed during the same attack.

(All times are zone -3)
1600 hours - Sighted a ship bearing 160°. Later it was seen that this was a convoy of two large ships escorted by three destroyers and several aircraft. Range was 14000 yards. Started attack.

1633 hours - Fired four torpedoes from 3600 yards. The salvo was spread over the two ships (thought to be modern ships of 7000 to 8000 tons and in ballast) which formed almost a single line. One of the torpedoes had a gyro failure and passed overhead of Turbulent three times. 2 Hits were obtained. Turbulent went deep upon firing but no counter attack followed.

According to Italian sources the convoy was made up of the above mentioned ships. They were escorted by the Italian destroyers Nicoloso da Recco and Saetta and the Italian torpedo boats Castore and Orione. The damaged Nino Bixio was towed to Navarino. (7)

1 Sep 1942
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSC, RN) ended her 7th war patrol at Beirut. (7)

14 Sep 1942
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSC, RN) departed from Beirut for Port Said. (8)

16 Sep 1942
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSC, RN) arrived at Port Said where she is docked. As there is no log available for September it is not known when she left dock. (8)

22 Sep 1942
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Port Said for her 8th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the Libyan coast, near Tobruk and Benghazi.

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

(7)

6 Oct 1942
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSO, DSC, RN) makes a torpedo attack on a convoy about 25 nautical miles North-East of Benghazi, Libya. Three torpedoes were fired against the German merchant Ruhr (5954 GRT, built 1926). All missed. Turbulent was depth charged following this attack.

(All times are zone -3)
1130 hours - Sighted a ship approaching and started an attack, range was 14000 yards. The ship was thought to be of about 3000 tons and was escorted by what were thought to be three Spica class torpedo boats and two aircraft. The attack went well until the target changed course. Turbulent now also changed course to attack with the stern tubes.

1232 hours - Near position 32°39'N, 20°19'E fired three torpedoes from the stern tubes from 1100 yards. All however missed.

1245 hours - A single depth charge was dropped but not close. Soon after another depth charge was dropped but once again not close. A/S impulses were heard coming up from astern.

1325 hours - One of the torpedo boats passed overhead and dropped a pattern of 9 depth charges extremely close causing damage to Turbulent. It then turned round and dropped a pattern of 10 depth charges a bit further off but still close. The torpedo boat hunted for over 2 hours and appeared to be in contact several times but nothing further was dropped.

1540 hours - All quit now, no more HE could be heard.

1610 hours - Came to periscope depth, nothing in sight.

According to enemy sources the convoy was made up of the above mentioned German merchant Ruhr escorted by the Italian destroyers Freccia and Antonio da Noli and the Italian torpedo-boats Lupo and Centauro. The alert was given by an escorting Cant Z.501 aircraft of 196^ Squadriglia. The two depth charges dropped at 1245 hours originated from Freccia. The patterns dropped at 1325 hours came from da Noli. (7)

8 Oct 1942
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSO, DSC, RN) torpedoed and sank the German Kreta (853 GRT, built 1866) about 10 nautical miles North of Ras al Hilal, Libya.

(All times are zone -3)
0710 hours - Sighted a ship escorted by a destroyer or torpedo boat and one aircraft. Started attack [The escort was the Italian torpedo boat Castore].

0734 hours - Near position 33°03'N, 22°13'E fired two torpedoes from 1000 yards. One hit was obtained and the ship was heard to break up soon afterwards. The destroyer remained in the area for two hours but never gained contact.

0935 hours - Returned to periscope depth. The destroyer was just visible to the Westward leaving the area. (7)

14 Oct 1942
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 8th war patrol at Beirut. (7)

28 Oct 1942
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Beirut for her 9th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Tyrrhenian Sea.

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

(9)

4 Nov 1942
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSO, DSC, RN) makes a short call at Malta to receive orders for her patrol. She is part of a cover force of submarines for Operation Torch. (9)

11 Nov 1942
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSO, DSC, RN) torpedoed and sank the German auxiliary submarine tender Bengasi (1554 GRT, former French Saint Philippe, former Danish Almena, built 1933) about 10 nautical miles north-east of Capo Carbonara, Sardinia, Italy in position 39°10'N, 09°39'E.

(All times are zone -1)
1606 hours - Sighted a ship approaching from the North. Started attack.

1627 hours - In position 39°10'N, 09°39'E fired two torpedoes from 1200 hours. One hit was obtained. It was later seen that a destroyer was astern of this ship (this was the Italian torpedo-boat Giacinto Carini). The destroyer dropped a few depth charges but these were way off. Nine minutes after the torpedo hit breaking up noises were heard. 3 of the crew were killed, 78 survivors (including 5 wounded) were picked up. Bengasi was en-route from La Spezia to Cagliari. (9)

15 Nov 1942
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSO, DSC, RN) makes a torpedo attack on an enemy tanker about 10 nautical miles South-West of Isola di Capri. Four torpedoes were fired but no hits were obtained. [This was probably the Italian tanker Sirio (5222 GRT, built 1921) escorted by Italian destroyer Freccia, bound for Tripoli.

(All times are zone -1)
2015 hours - In position 40°28'N, 14°02'E sighted a tanker and a destroyer on a South-Westerly course. The moon was in the first quarter but it was very overcast and there was not enough light to attack submerged. Cdr. Linton crossed astern of the convoy to get the advantage of the better horizon and then started working up the portside of the convoy. The destroyer was zig-zagging ahead of the tanker.

2355 hours - Fired four torpedoes from 2500 yards. It appeared the torpedo tracks were seen and no hits were obtained. No counter attack followed. (9)

21 Nov 1942
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Malta. (9)

22 Nov 1942
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Malta to resume her 9th war patrol. She is to patrol in the Gulf of Sirte before returning to her base at Beirut. (9)

24 Nov 1942
Shortly before dark on 24 November 1942 HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSO, DSC, RN) bombards parked vehicles at Sirte, Libya. 2 Hits were obtained and several of the lorries were claimed to be destroyed. As shore guns opened fire on Turbulent the action was broken off and Turbulent dived. [Actually the Italian report mentions only six rounds fell on the beach causing no damage.] (9)

2 Dec 1942
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 9th war patrol at Beirut. (9)

18 Dec 1942
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSO, DSC, RN) depart from Beirut for her 10th war patrol. She is to proceed to Malta and from their depart from for a patrol in the Tyrrhenian Sea.

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

(9)

23 Dec 1942
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Malta. (9)

26 Dec 1942
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Malta for her patrol area. (9)

29 Dec 1942
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSO, DSC, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian merchant Marte (5290 BRT, built 1917) east of Cape Ferrato, Sardinia, Italy in position 39°17'N, 09°41'E.

(All times are zone -1)
1600 hours - Sighted a Northbound ship approaching. It was escorted by 'what was thought to be' a minelayer of the Ostia-class. The merchant ship was of about 4500 tons and fully laden. (The escort was in fact the auxiliary vessel Ipparco Baccich.)

1654 hours - In position 39°17'N, 09°41'E fired two torpedoes from 1350 yards. One torpedo hit the target. A very indifferent counter attack followed after a considerable interval. (9)

11 Jan 1943
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSO, DSC, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian merchant Vittoria Beraldo (547 GRT, built 1909) near Cetraro, Calabria, Italy.

Later the same day Turbulent bombards a goods train near the town of San Lucido.

(All times are zone -1)
0748 hours - While off Cape Bonifati sighted a Southbound merchant ship of about 2500 tons approaching. It was very close to the land.

0820 hours - In position 39°31'N, 15°54'E fired two torpedoes from 3000 yards. Both missed, most likely the tracks were seen as the ship altered course right away.

0822 hours - Surfaced and engaged with the deck gun. Obtained one hit.

0827 hours - Dived as fire from shore batteries was getting close and it was thought the ship was aground.

0849 hours - By now it had become clear that the ship was not aground so one more torpedo was fired. Again the track was seen and the torpedo missed. The ship now made off.

0852 hours - Surfaced and opened fire again. No hits were obtained but the ship was put aground near the railway station at Cetraro.

0856 hours - Dived again as the shore battery opened fire again.

0918 hours - Fired one torpedo that hit the ship amidships. The ship was seen to break in two.

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

1615 hours - Turbulent fired 22 rounds at the San Lucido railway station. Italian sources confirm that one steam engine was damaged, the electric and high tension lines were cut and a cottage was hit. The coastal battery from Paola fired 14 rounds at the submarine, forcing her to submerge. (9)

14 Jan 1943
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 10th war patrol at Malta. (9)

25 Jan 1943
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Malta for her 11th war patrol. She is to patrol North of Sicily.

(No log is available so no map can be displayed.) (9)

27 Jan 1943
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSO, DSC, RN) makes a torpedo attack on an enemy convoy in position 37°46'N, 11°14'E. A hit is claimed but this was not the case.

(All times are zone -1)
0822 hours - Sighted a large merchant ship of about 10000 tons escorted by three Spica-class torpedo boats and at least twelve aircraft (most of them fighters). Shortly afterwards another merchant of 6000 tons was also seen to be part of this convoy. Started attack.

0855 hours - In position 37°46'N, 11°14'E fired 4 torpedoes from 3000 yards at the merchant vessels that were overlapping each other. Turbulent went deep upon firing. Nearly 3 minutes after firing an explosion was heard thought to be a torpedo hit. Shortly afterwards some depth charges were dropped but none was close. 0948 hours - Returned to periscope depth to find two of the torpedo boats in sight as well as a number of aircraft. They disappeared after 15 minutes. The results of this attack are not clear.

According to Italian sources the composition of this convoy was the Italian merchants Spoleto (7960 GRT, built 1940, former French Calédonien) and Noto (3168 GRT, built 1938, former French Djebel Nador) escorted by destroyers Lampo, Saetta and torpedo-boat Ciclone. The torpedoes were sighted by an escorting aircraft which gave the alarm and the whole convoy made an emergency turn to starboard to avoid them. Ciclone reported that a torpedo missed her 200 meters astern. (9)

1 Feb 1943
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSO, DSC, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian merchant Pozzuoli (5345 GRT, built 1920) off Cape San Vito, Sicily, Italy in position 38°13'N, 12°50'E. The Italian armed merchant cruiser Narenta (1362 GRT, built 1934) was missed during an attack nearly an hour later which was picking up the survivors of the Pozzuoli. [Identification of the Narenta with thanks to Lorenzo Colombo.]

(All times are zone -1)
1104 hours - Sighted a merchant ship of about 5000 tons coming up the swept channel near Cape San Vito. The ship was not escorted despite it being laden. It set course for Palermo.

1211 hours - In position 38°13'N, 12°50'E fired two torpedoes from 950 yards. Both were seen to hit. The ship was seen to sink within a minute.

1310 hours - Sighted another ship coming up the swept channel. This one also set course to Palermo. Shortly afterwards it turned North most likely upon seeing the survivors of previous attack but after a short time it turned to the East again and started dropping depth charges. It was seen to be a Armed Merchant Cruiser of the Ramb-class.

1408 hours - While the target was stopped (most likely to pick up survivors) No. 11 (stern) tube was fired at it. But after 1.5 minute it went ahead again and the torpedo missed astern. (9)

5 Feb 1943
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSO, DSC, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian tanker Utilitas (5342 GRT, built 1918) about 15 nautical miles East of Palermo, Sicily, Italy in position 38°10'N, 13°43'E. She was carrying 5000 tons of fuel for the Italian Navy from Taranto to Palermo escorted by destroyer Augusto Riboty and the torpedo-boats Sagittario, Giuseppe Dezza.

(All times are zone -1)
0445 hours - While on patrol off Cape Cefalu sighted a tanker approaching. It was escorted by at least two destroyers / torpedo boats. Cdr. Linton decided to get ahead and attack dived.

0614 hours - Dived. The tanker was thought to be of 6000 tons. Three torpedo boats were now seen, a Spica-class ahead, a Cosenz-class astern and a Confienza-class on the starboard beam.

0649 hours - In position 38°10'N, 13°43'E fired four torpedoes from 4500 yards. Two explosions were heard thought to be hits. HE of the target ceased and later breaking up noises were heard.

0727 hours - Started to return to periscope depth from 80 feet as the escort appeared to be well clear.

0729 hours - A pattern of 10 depth charges was dropped. Turbulent was not at periscope depth yet but retired to 80 feet again. In the next 10 minutes two more patterns were dropped, one of 7 and one of 12 depth charges. None were very close but they appeared to be heavier than usual. According to Italian sources Sagittario attacked the submarine and was joined later by the torpedo-boat Animoso.

0830 hours - Returned to periscope depth. Two of the escorts could still be seen but only just, they were going towards Palermo. Also some aircraft were patrolling in that direction. (9)

7 Feb 1943
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSO, DSC, RN) bombards a train at Sant' Ambrogio station.

Later this day Turbulent was detected and depth charged by two Motor Torpedo Boats. Some minor damage was caused.

(All times are zone -1)
1253 hours - Surfaced to bombard a train at Sant' Ambrogio station. Range was 2100 yards. 6 hits were obtained including one on the engine. According to Italian sources the locomotive was hit as well as six wagons, one person was killed and two were seriously wounded but the railway line itself was undamaged.

1301 hours - Dived as an aircraft was seen to approach. Later this was seen to be a transport plane. (9)

8 Feb 1943
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSO, DSC, RN) makes a torpedo attack on a merchant vessel near Cape Gallo, Sicily, Italy. Two torpedoes were fired but both missed their target.

(All times are zone -1)
1040 hours - Sighted an unescorted merchant ship, thought to be of 1500 tons, approaching from the West. Started attack.

1114 hours - Fired two torpedoes from 1200 yards. Both missed most likely the speed was underestimated.

According to Italian sources the water tanker Istria reported being missed by torpedoes on that day but the time does not match and the position is unknown (so far). (9)

12 Feb 1943
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 11th war patrol at Algiers. (9)

24 Feb 1943
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Algiers for her 12th war patrol. She is to patrol in the Tyrrhenian Sea. This was her last Mediterranean war patrol before returning to the U.K. for a refit. (10)

1 Mar 1943
HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSO, DSC, RN) missed with torpedoes but then sank with gunfire the Italian merchant San Vincenzo (865 GRT, built 1905) off Paola, Italy. This attack is believed to have been from Turbulent as it was well within her patrol area. The torpedo-boat Giuseppe Dezza was sent to hunt the submarine but without success. The German merchant Tell (1349 GRT, built 1938) proceeding from Cagliari to Civitavecchia was ordered to alter course to avoid the submarine.

3 Mar 1943
It was most likely HMS Turbulent that sank the Italian sailing vessels Gesu Guiseppe E Maria (64 GRT) and Pier Delle Vigne (65 GRT) with gunfire off Milazzo, Sicily, Italy.

According to Italian sources the corvette Gabbiano recovered four survivors from the Pier Delle Vigne.

25 May 1943
Commander John Wallace Linton, DSO, DSC, RN was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.

Citation:
Commander Linton has been in command of submarines throughout the War. He has been responsible for the destruction of 1 cruiser, 1 destroyer, 20 merchant vessels, 6 schooners and 2 trains. A total of 81,000 tons of enemy shipping sunk. From 1st January 1942 to 1st January 1943 he spent 254 days at sea, including 2,970 hours diving. During this period he was hunted 13 times and had 250 depth charges dropped on him. His career has been one of conspicuous gallantry and extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy.

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