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Notable events involving Truculent include:

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

This page was last updated in December 2018.

29 Dec 1942
HMS P 315 (Lt. R.L. Alexander, RN) departed from her builders yard at Barrow for Holy Loch. She made the passage together with HMS P 53 (Lt. G.E. Hunt, DSC, RN). (1)

30 Dec 1942
HMS P 315 (Lt. R.L. Alexander, RN) arrived at Holy Loch for a period of trials and training.

[No logs are available for the months of December 1942 and January 1943 so no further details can be given other then the ones currently listed.] (1)

1 Feb 1943
HMS P 315 (Lt. R.L. Alexander, RN) conducted gunnery exercises in the Clyde area. These were followed by attack exercises later on the same day during which HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) served as target. (2)

2 Feb 1943
HMS P 315 (Lt. R.L. Alexander, RN) attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Newark (Lt.Cdr. D.F. Townsend, RN) served as target. Upon completion of these exercises HMS Truculent proceeded to Loch Goil. (2)

3 Feb 1943
HMS P 315 (Lt. R.L. Alexander, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil. Upon completion HMS Truculent proceeded to Holy Loch. (2)

4 Feb 1943
HMS P 315 (Lt. R.L. Alexander, RN) attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Newark (Lt.Cdr. D.F. Townsend, RN) served as target. (2)

5 Feb 1943
HMS P 315 (Lt. R.L. Alexander, RN) is docked at Glasgow. (3)

7 Feb 1943
HMS P 315 (Lt. R.L. Alexander, RN) is undocked. (3)

8 Feb 1943
HMS P 315 (Lt. R.L. Alexander, RN) returned to Holy Loch. (2)

12 Feb 1943
HMS P 315 (Lt. R.L. Alexander, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (2)

13 Feb 1943
HMS P 315 (Lt. R.L. Alexander, RN) departed from Holy Loch for Lerwick. She made the passage together with HMS P 223 (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) and HMS P 229 (Lt. R. Gatehouse, DSC, RN). They were escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (3)

15 Feb 1943
HMS Truculent (Lt. R.L. Alexander, RN) arrived at Lerwick. She departed Lerwick again after a few hours for her 1st war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off Northern Norway to provide cover for convoy JW-53.

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

(4)

11 Mar 1943
HMS Truculent (Lt. R.L. Alexander, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Lerwick. (4)

20 Mar 1943
HMS Truculent (Lt. R.L. Alexander, RN) departed from Lerwick for her 2nd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the Northern coast of Norway, just North of the Lofoten.

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

(4)

9 Apr 1943
HMS Truculent (Lt. R.L. Alexander, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Lerwick. (4)

11 Apr 1943
HMS Truculent (Lt. R.L. Alexander, RN) departed from Lerwick for Holy Loch. She made the passage together with HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) and HMS HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN). They were escorted by HMS Alecto (Lt.Cdr. H.A.L. Marsham, RN). (4)

13 Apr 1943
HMS Truculent (Lt. R.L. Alexander, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (4)

28 Apr 1943
HMS Truculent (Lt. R.L. Alexander, RN) is docked at Gare Loch in AFD 7. She left dock later the same day. (5)

30 Apr 1943
HMS Truculent (Lt. R.L. Alexander, RN) departed from Holy Loch for Lerwick. She made the passage together with HrMs O 10 (Lt.Cdr. Baron D.T. Mackay, RNN), HMS Ultimatum (Lt. W.H. Kett, RNR) and HNoMS Ula (Lt. R.M. Sars). They were escorted by HMS Dornoch (Lt. H.E. Jackson, RN). (5)

3 May 1943
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, RN) arrived at Lerwick. She departed Lerwick again after a few hours for her 3rd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol to the North of Iceland.

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

(4)

21 May 1943
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol at Lerwick. (4)

2 Jun 1943
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, RN) departed from Lerwick for her 4th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Norwegian Sea (anti U-boat patrol).

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

(4)

4 Jun 1943
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, RN) torpedoed and sank German U-boat U-308 in the Norwegian sea north-east of the Faeroes, in position 64°28'N, 03°09'W. U-308 had left Kiel on her first war patrol on 29 May 1943. There were no survivors.

(All times are zone -2)
1420 hours - A lookout sighted a U-boat three to four nautical miles away. Lt.Cdr. Alexander dived and proceeded to attack.

1445 hours - 6 torpedoes were fired with 2 hits and the target sank.

1456 hours - Truculent surfaced. A large patch of oil fuel and wreckage was observed. No survivors were seen. (4)

17 Jun 1943
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, RN) ended her 4th war patrol at Lerwick. She departed for Holy Loch later on this day. En-route she makes a short call at Scapa Flow. She made the passage south together with HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN). They were escorted by armed yacht HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN). (6)

20 Jun 1943
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (6)

9 Jul 1943
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (7)

10 Jul 1943
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, RN) departed from Holy Loch for her 5th war patrol. She is to patrol in the North Atlantic, North of the Azores.

HMS Truculent, HMS Tuna (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, DSO, RN) and USS Haddo (Lt.Cdr. J. Corbus, USN) were escorted out by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN).

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

(4)

23 Jul 1943
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, RN) ended her 5th war patrol at Holy Loch.

HMS Truculent and HMS Tuna (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, DSO, RN) were escorted in from 0800 hours by HMS Scimitar. (4)

30 Jul 1943
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, RN) is docked at Holy Loch in AFD 7. It is not know when she was undocked but this seem to be on either 31 July or 1 August. (8)

9 Aug 1943
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (9)

12 Aug 1943
HMS Trespasser (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS White Bear served as target. (9)

13 Aug 1943
HMS Truculet (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) returned to Holy Loch upon completion of her night exercises. (9)

15 Aug 1943
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) departed from Holy Loch for her 6th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Bay of Biscay.

Passage south through the Irish Sea was made together with HMS Tuna (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, DSO and Bar, RN). They were escorted until 0700/17 by HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR).

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

(4)

24 Aug 1943
Around 1200 hours, HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN), made rendes-vous with HMS Tuna (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, DSO and Bar, RN) and their escort north towards Holy Loch, HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (9)

26 Aug 1943
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) ended her 6th war patrol at Holy Loch. (4)

31 Aug 1943
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) departed from Holy Loch for Port H.H.Z. (at Loch Cairnbawn). She made the passage together with HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN), HMS Sceptre (Lt. I.S. McIntosh, DSC, RN) and HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN). The submarines are escorted by the British minesweeper HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Dobson, RNR).. (10)

1 Sep 1943
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) arrived at Port H.H.Z. (11)

2 Sep 1943
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Port H.H.Z. (12)

8 Sep 1943
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Port H.H.Z. These included night exercises. (12)

9 Sep 1943
HMS Truculet (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) returned to Port H.H.Z. upon completion of her night exercises. (13)

11 Sep 1943
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) departed from Port H.H.Z. for her 7th war patrol. She is to tow midget submarine X 6 to the entrance to the Alten Fjord in Northern Norway.

Truculent and X 6 are part of Operation Source. An attack by six midget submarines on the German battleship Tirpitz.

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

(14)

19 Sep 1943
After a successful tow HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN), at 2230 hours (zone -1) takes midget submarine X 6 alongside to put the crew on board her that was to attack Tirpitz. The passage crew was taken off. (14)

20 Sep 1943
At 1830 hours (zone -1) HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) and midget submarine X 6 (Lt. D. Cameron, RNR) both surfaced in position 70°49'N, 21°48'E. The tow and telephone line was disconnected and X 6 slipped and proceeded towards the Soroy Sund. Truculent then departed to the North-East to take up her patrol position.

X 6 was successful in her mission and on 22 September she laid her explosive charges underneath Tirpitz. The battleship was heavily damaged and was not able to leave her anchorage. The crew of x 6 was captured by the Germans. Lt. Cameron was awarded the Victoria Cross for his role in the action. (14)

29 Sep 1943
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) started her return passage to Lerwick. No midget submarine had turned up at the rendez-vouz positions. (14)

5 Oct 1943
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) ended her 7th war patrol at Lerwick. She departed for Holy Loch later on the same day together with HMS Stubborn (Lt. A.A. Duff, RN) and HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN). They were escorted by HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Dobson, RNR). (14)

7 Oct 1943
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (1)

8 Nov 1943
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) is docked at Holy Loch in AFD 7. (15)

14 Nov 1943
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) is undocked. (15)

19 Nov 1943
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) departed from Holy Loch for Gibraltar. She is to proceed to the Far East.

Before she proceeded exercises were carried out in the Clyde area. During her passage south through the Irish Sea she was escorted by HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) C.M. Norman, RN).

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

(15)

28 Nov 1943
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. During her stay at Gibraltar she conducts exercises. (15)

11 Dec 1943
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) departed from Gibraltar for Beirut. (16)

20 Dec 1943
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) arrived at Beirut. (16)

26 Dec 1943
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) departed from Beirut for Port Said. (16)

27 Dec 1943
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) arrived at Port Said. (16)

28 Dec 1943
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) transits the Suez Canal. (16)

29 Dec 1943
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) departed from Suez for Aden. (16)

4 Jan 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) arrived at Aden. (17)

7 Jan 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) departed from Aden for Colombo. (17)

19 Jan 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) arrived at Colombo. (17)

21 Jan 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) departed from Colombo for Trincomalee. (17)

23 Jan 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) arrived at Trincomalee. (17)

8 Feb 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) departed from Trincomalee for her 8th war patrol (1st in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol off Sabang, Phuket and the Malacca Straits.

Before proceeding on patrol A/S exercises were performed with the destroyers HMS Rotherham (Capt. F.S.W. de Winton, RN) and HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. G.S. Stewart, RAN). (4)

8 Feb 1944

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Truculent during her 8th war patrol see the map below.

14 Feb 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) makes a torpedo attack on a small Japanese merchant vessel escorted by an Otori-class torpedo boat north of Sabang, Sumatra. Four torpedoes were fired but all missed.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1725 hours - Sighted smoke bearing 126°. Started to close. The target was seen to be a rather small ship escorted by an Otori-class torpedo boat.

1806 hours - In position 05°58'N, 95°16'E fired four torpedoes from 7500 yards against the ship as it was now nearing Sabang. All missed. No counter attack followed. (4)

15 Feb 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) makes a torpedo attack on a rather large merchant vessel that was seen leaving Sabang. Four torpedoes were fired resulting in a possible hit.

Later on this day Truculent sank a Japanese coaster with gunfire.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1310 hours - Sighted a merchant ship of 6000 / 7000 tons bearing 188°. The ship was seen to leave the harbour escorted by a torpedo boat and with an aircraft overhead. Started attack. The aircraft twice turned towards when Lt.Cdr. Alexander was about to open fire.

1327 hours - After setting up the attack for the third time, four torpedoes were fired from 5500 yards in position 05°58'N, 95°18'E. One explosion was heard after almost 7 minutes. No HE of the target was ever heard so no conclusions could be formed. No counter attack followed.

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

1735 hours - Sighted smoke bearing 193°. This was seen to be a small steam coaster of about 500 / 600 tons. Decided to engage with the 4" gun.

1822 hours - Surfaced in position 05°53'N, 95°23'E and opened fire from 800 yards. The vessel had the Japanese merchant ensign painted on her side, which made a good aiming mark. 24 rounds were fired for 11 hits before a shore battery opened fire.

1826 hours - Dived. The target was considered to be a total loss and most likely would sink as it was badly holed. (4)

7 Mar 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) ended her 8th war patrol (1st in the Far East) at Trincomalee. (4)

18 Mar 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) departed from Trincomalee for her 9th war patrol (2nd in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol in the Malacca Straits.

Before proceeding on patrol A/S exercises were carried out off Trincomalee with HMS Quilliam (Capt. R.G. Onslow, DSO and 2 Bars, RN) and HMAS Quickmatch (Lt.Cdr. O.H. Becher, DSC, RAN).

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

(4)

28 Mar 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) torpedoed and sank the Japanese army cargo ship Yasushima Maru (1910 GRT, built 1939) in the Straits of Malacca in position 03°43'N, 100°42'E.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0844 hours - Sighted a seaplane carrying out an A/S patrol to the South.

0936 hours - Sighted masts bearing 142°. Commenced attack on convoy of three merchant ships escorted by a submarine chaser and aircraft.

1036 hours - In position 03°43'N, 100°42'E fired four torpedoes against a merchant vessel of 3000 tons from 1600 yards.

1038 hours - Two hits were heard.

1044 hours - A counter attack was carried out by the submarine chaser. 11 Depth charges were dropped between 1044 and 1132 hours. The first 5 were close causing minor damage.

1155 hours - Came to periscope depth. Nothing in sight. (4)

31 Mar 1944
While patrolling off the Dindings, HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN), appears to be detected. The area is heavily patrolled by aircraft and later a submarine chaser was also sighted. A second submarine chaser joined soon afterwards. Lt.Cdr. Alexander decided to leave the area to seaward. Later a torpedo boat was also sighted in the area.

At 2015 hours (zone -6.5) Truculent surfaced in position 03°40'N, 100°32'E. A darkened shape was sighted astern shortly afterwards but was soon lost out of sight.

At 2100 hours a ship was seen bearing 040°. Five minutes later this ship opened fire. Turbulent crash dived and was hunted. 14 Depth charges were dropped in 3 minutes. Truculent managed to escape. (4)

1 Apr 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) sank the small Japanese vessel Mantai with demolition charges in the Strait of Malacca.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1625 hours - Sighted smoke bearing 205°. Closed.

1700 hours - Masts and funnel sighted.

1715 hours - The vessel was very hard to make out in the mirage to the Westward. It was later seen to look like a small river steamer.

1835 hours - Surfaced in position 03°30'N, 99°57'E and closed.

1914 hours - Engaged the vessel with gunfire in position 03°36'N, 100°10'E. The ship was sunk and three survivors (2 Chinese, 1 Malay) were picked up. (4)

9 Apr 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) ended her 9th war patrol (2nd in the Far East) at Trincomalee. (4)

25 Apr 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) is docked at Trincomalee. (18)

28 Apr 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) left dock. (18)

2 May 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) departed from Trincomalee for her 10th war patrol (3rd in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol off the West coast of Sumatra and to carry out a special operation (details to follow). Before proceeding on patrol exercises are carried out with HMNZS Gambia (Capt. N.J.W. William-Powlett, DSC, RN).

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

(4)

23 May 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) ended her 10th war patrol (3rd in the Far East) at Trincomalee. (4)

3 Jun 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) is docked at Trincomalee in AFD 26. (19)

4 Jun 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) left dock. (19)

9 Jun 1944
During 9/10 June 1944, HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN), conducted exercises off Trincomalee, these included night exercises. (19)

11 Jun 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) departed from Trincomalee for her 11th war patrol (4th in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol in the Malacca Straits. She is also to lay a minefield and carry out a special operation. While carrying out exercises before proceeding on patrol a defect develops. Truculent returns to Trincomalee.

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

(4)

12 Jun 1944
After repairs HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) departed from Trincomalee to resume her 10th war patrol. (4)

17 Jun 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) sank a junk with gunfire and ramming in the Malacca Strait in position 04°37'N, 99°24'E.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1015 hours - Surfaced in position 04°37'N, 99°24'E and chased a junk that was sighted over 2 hours ago. The junk was boarded, seizing the master and the ships papers. The cargo consisted of 102 large bags of coffee, 30 chests of tea and some other items. The ships name was P 2101 / Tongkang Penang. According to the ships papers the tonnage was 20.93 tons. The junk was sunk by gunfire and ramming after a demolition charge had failed. (4)

22 Jun 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) carries out special operation 'Retaliate I'. A party is landed to capture a Malay Sumatran and two Chinese Sumatrans.

(All times are zone -6.5)
2030 hours - Surfaced in position 03°25'N, 99°19'E.

2225 hours - The landing party left in their boat.

0225 hours (23th) - The party was back. They had captured one Malay. The nearest Chinese were 5 kilometres up the river. It was not considered wise by the leader of the landing party to go that far inland.

0300 hours (23th) - Proceeded to seaward. (4)

24 Jun 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) lays mines in the Strait of Malacca.

Field one;
At 1508 hours (time zone -6.5) HMS Truculent laid the first mine in position 02°51'5"N, 101°14'95"E and continued the lay in direction 90° 550 feet apart. After laying the third mine Truculent grounded. After breaking free from the mud the fourth mine was laid in position 02°51'25"N, 101°15'2"E.

Field two;
At 1707 hours the first mine was laid in position 02°51'35"N, 101°14.6'E and continued the lay in direction 110° 600 feet apart. No problems were encountered during the lay of these four mines.

Field three;
At 1838 hours the first mine was laid in position 02°51'05"N, 101°15'28"E and continues the lay in direction 130° 700 feet apart. No problems were encountered during the lay of these final four mines. (4)

25 Jun 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) sank a junk with gunfire, scuttling charges and ramming in the Malacca Strait.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0430 hours - A junk was sighted fairly close in position 03°36'N, 100°36'E. Truculent closed and the junk was boarded. The ships papers showed her size to be 18.3 tons and as the ship was carrying a valuable cargo of coffee it was decided to sink her with demolition charges. The crew of the junk set of in their boat.

0600 hours - Truculent finally sank the junk by ramming after demolition charges and gunfire failed to do the job. (4)

26 Jun 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) torpedoed and sank the Japanese merchant cargo ship Harukiku Maru (3040 GRT, former Dutch Van Waerwijck, built 1910) about 60 nautical miles south-east of Medan, Sumatra in position 03°15'N, 99°46'E.

(All times are zone -6.5) 0958 hours - In position 03°19'17"N, 99°47'E, Truculent sighted smoke bearing 266°. Two minutes later it was noticed that an aircraft was circling in the same direction. Truculent closed for an attack. Later it became clear that Truculent was closing a Japanese convoy made up of one merchant of about 4000 tons, three merchants of about 1500 tons escorted by two submarine chasers and a motor launch. Overhead a twin-engined aircraft was circling.

1112 hours - Four torpedoes were fired against the 4000 tons merchant vessel from 3500 yards. Two hits were obtained. Truculent went deep but hit the bottom at 58 feet.

1116 hours - The first depth charges were dropped, a pattern of six, but these were not close. At 1124 hours two more depth charges were dropped, this time much closer.

1159 hours - More depth charges (at least three) were dropped, also close aboard. After these no more depth charges were dropped and Truculent was able to slip away.

The Harukiku Maru was transporting timber and rubber from Belawan to Singaporte and also had around 720 POW's on board of which 178 lost their lives. (Another source give the number of POW's as almost 1200 of which 198 lost their lives. (4)

27 Jun 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) sank a junk with demolition charges in the Malacca Strait.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1024 hours - Surfaced in position 03°48'N, 100°07'E to board a junk sighted previously.

1030 hours - Truculent was alongside the junk that was found out to be of 22 tons. The master and her paper were seized and the tree remaining crewmembers were allowed to leave in their boat. The junk was then sunk with demolition charges. (4)

28 Jun 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) sank a junk with demolition charges in the Malacca Strait.

(All times are zone -6.5)

1700 hours - A junk was sighted bearing 000. Truculent turned to intercept.

1826 hours - Truculent surfaced in position 04°12'N, 99°18'E. The junk, that was well laden and carrying a cargo of rice, was boarded. The crew was taken aboard. The junk was then sunk with demolition charges. (4)

29 Jun 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) sank a junk with demolition charges in the Malacca Strait.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0300 hours - A light was sighted that turned out to be a junk. The junk was boarded and sank at 0500 hours in position 04°45'5"N, 99°44'E after the crew was sent away in their sampan. (4)

5 Jul 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) ended her 11th war patrol (4th in the Far East) at Trincomalee. (4)

21 Jul 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) is docked at Trincomalee in AFD 26. (20)

22 Jul 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) left dock. (20)

26 Jul 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) is docked again in AFD 26 at Trincomalee. (20)

27 Jul 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) left dock. (20)

29 Jul 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) departed from Trincomalee for the U.K. where she is to refit.

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

(20)

3 Aug 1944
The Japanese minelayer Hatsutaka (1608 tons, offsite link) is damaged when she hits a mine laid by the British submarine HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) on 24 June 1944 in Klang Strait in position 02°51'N, 101°15'E.

10 Aug 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) arrived at Aden. (21)

13 Aug 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) departed from Aden for Port Said. (21)

18 Aug 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) arrived at Suez. (21)

19 Aug 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) transits the Suez Canal and arrived at Port Said. (21)

21 Aug 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) departed from Port Said for Malta. (21)

25 Aug 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) arrived at Malta. (21)

28 Aug 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) departed from Malta. She joins convoy GUS-50 for the passage to Gibraltar. (21)

2 Sep 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (22)

9 Sep 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) departed from Gibraltar for Holy Loch. She makes the passage in convoy MKS-60. (22)

18 Sep 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (22)

19 Sep 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Holy Loch for Dundee. (22)

20 Sep 1944
HMS Venturer (Lt. J.S. Launders, DSC and Bar, RN) departed Lerwick for Dundee. She was escorted by HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR). Off Scapa Flow rendez-vous was made with HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Trusty (Lt. L.E. Herrick, DSO, RN). (23)

22 Sep 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Dundee. (22)

29 Nov 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) departed from Dundee for the United States. She is to refit at the Philadelphia Navy Yard.

Passage northwards along the east coast towards Scapa Flow was made together with HMS Viking (Lt. R. Bannar-Martin, DSC, RN). They were escorted by HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. W.E. Turner, RNVR).

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

(24)

30 Nov 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow. (24)

1 Dec 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) departed from Scapa Flow with her escort HMS Northern Spray (T/Lt. G.J.Y. Thorpe, RNVR).

After a few hours Northern Spray reports that her Asdic is out of commission and both ships returned to Scapa Flow. (25)

2 Dec 1944
After repairs to the Asdic set of HMS Northern Spray (T/Lt. G.J.Y. Thorpe, RNVR), HMS Truculent (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) departed from Scapa Flow again to begin her trip to the U.S.A. (25)

12 Dec 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) and her escort HMS Northern Spray (T/Lt. G.J.Y. Thorpe, RNVR) arrive at St. John's, Canada. En-route damage was done to both ships in very heavy weather. (25)

16 Dec 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) and her escort HMCS Collingwood (T/Lt. H.R. Knight, RCNR) depart from St. John's bound for Philadelphia, U.S.A. (25)

22 Dec 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) arrived in Delaware Bay, she now proceeds up river towards Philadelphia. (25)

23 Dec 1944
HMS Truculent (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) arrived at the Philadelphia Navy Yard for a much needed refit. (25)

25 Jun 1945
With her refit completed, HMS Truculent (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN), departed from the U.S. Navy yard at Philadelphia for New London, Connecticut. She proceeded to Delaware Bay and then anchors. (26)

27 Jun 1945
HMS Truculent (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) departed from Delaware Bay for New London. (26)

28 Jun 1945
HMS Truculent (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) arrived at New London, Connecticut for a short period of training before proceeding back to the U.K. (26)

29 Jun 1945
HMS Truculent (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off New London, U.S.A. (27)

30 Jun 1945
HMS Truculent (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off New London, U.S.A. (27)

2 Jul 1945
HMS Truculent (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off New London, U.S.A. (28)

3 Jul 1945
HMS Truculent (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off New London, U.S.A. (28)

5 Jul 1945
HMS Truculent (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off New London, U.S.A. (28)

12 Jul 1945
HMS Truculent (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) departed from New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. for Holy Loch.

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

(29)

24 Jul 1945
HMS Truculent (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch to begin a period of training. (29)

22 Aug 1945
HMS Truculent (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (30)

23 Aug 1945
HMS Truculent (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (30)

24 Aug 1945
HMS Truculent (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (30)

27 Aug 1945
HMS Truculent (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Hastings (A/Cdr. E.A. Stocker, DSC, RN) served as the target. (30)

27 Aug 1945
HMS Truculent (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Hastings (A/Cdr. E.A. Stocker, DSC, RN) served as the target. (30)

31 Aug 1945
HMS Truculent (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar.

[With the war now over, HMS Truculent, continued her training programme. At the end of 1945 she was still based in home waters.] (30)

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