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Submarine HMS H 32 (N 32)

5 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. J.R. Drummond, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. Upon returning to Rothesay Lt. Gordon took over command from Lt. Drummond. (1)

6 Oct 1942
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) shifted from Rothesay to Campbeltown. (1)

7 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS La Cordeliere (Lt. A.J.G. Barff, RNR) and HMS L'Incomprise (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) F.S. Deveson, RNR). (1)

8 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS L'Incomprise (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) F.S. Deveson, RNR). (1)

9 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (1)

11 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (1)

12 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (1)

13 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (1)

14 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (1)

15 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (1)

16 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (1)

17 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (1)

18 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) shifted from Campbeltown to Rothesay. (1)

21 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) conducted torpedo firing exercises in the Clyde area. (1)

23 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) departed Rothesay for Scapa Flow. She made the passage north together with HMS Tuna (Lt. R.P. Raikes, RN). Escort was provided by HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Dobson, RNR). (1)

24 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow. (1)

25 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 25/26 October 1942, HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN), conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. These included night exercises. (1)

27 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) participated in exercises at / off Scapa Flow. (1)

28 Oct 1942
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) participated in A/S exercises at / off Scapa Flow, these were most likely with the destroyers HMAS Quickmatch (Lt.Cdr. R. Rhoades, DSC, RAN) and HMS Redoubt (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Ropner, DSO, RN). (2)

29 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) participated in exercises at / off Scapa Flow. (1)

1 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) participated in exercises at / off Scapa Flow. (3)

2 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) participated in exercises at / off Scapa Flow. (3)

3 Nov 1942
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) participated in exercises at / off Scapa Flow. (3)

4 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) participated in exercises at / off Scapa Flow. (3)

5 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) participated in exercises at / off Scapa Flow. (3)

6 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) participated in exercises at / off Scapa Flow. (3)

7 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) participated in exercises at / off Scapa Flow. (3)

10 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) participated in exercises at / off Scapa Flow. (3)

11 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) participated in exercises at / off Scapa Flow. (3)

12 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) participated in exercises at / off Scapa Flow. (3)

13 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) participated in exercises at / off Scapa Flow. (3)

14 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) participated in exercises at / off Scapa Flow. (3)

15 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) participated in exercises at / off Scapa Flow. (3)

16 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) participated in exercises at / off Scapa Flow. (3)

17 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) participated in exercises at / off Scapa Flow. (3)

18 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) participated in exercises at / off Scapa Flow. (3)

19 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) participated in exercises at / off Scapa Flow. (3)

20 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) participated in exercises at / off Scapa Flow. (3)

21 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) participated in exercises at / off Scapa Flow. (3)

24 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) participated in exercises at / off Scapa Flow. (3)

25 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) participated in exercises at / off Scapa Flow. (3)

26 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) participated in exercises at / off Scapa Flow. (3)

27 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) participated in exercises at / off Scapa Flow. (3)

28 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) participated in exercises at / off Scapa Flow. (3)

29 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) participated in exercises at / off Scapa Flow. (3)

30 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) participated in exercises at / off Scapa Flow. (3)

1 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) participated in exercises at / off Scapa Flow. (4)

4 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) participated in exercises at / off Scapa Flow. (4)

5 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) conducted A/S exercises at / off Scapa Flow with HMS Limbourne (Cdr. C.B. Alers-Hankey, DSC, RN) and HMS Racehorse (Cdr. A.F. Burnell-Nugent, DSC, RN). (4)

6 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) participated in exercises at / off Scapa Flow. (4)

7 Dec 1942
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) conducted A/S exercises at / off Scapa Flow with HMS Abdiel (Capt. D. Orr-Ewing, RN) and HMS Goathland (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Pumphrey, RN, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN). (4)

8 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) participated in exercises at / off Scapa Flow. (4)

9 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) participated in exercises at / off Scapa Flow. (4)

10 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) participated in exercises at / off Scapa Flow. (4)

11 Dec 1942
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) conducted A/S exercises at Scapa Flow with the escort destroyer HMS Goathland (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Pumphrey, RN, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN). After these exercises were completed HMS H 32 conducted a practice attack on the battleship HMS Howe (Capt. C.H.L. Woodhouse, CB, RN) which was herself conducting exercises in the Flow. (5)

12 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) participated in exercises at / off Scapa Flow. (4)

15 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Rothesay. she was escorted by HMS Scalby Wyke (Skr. C.A. Grimmer, RNR). (4)

17 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) arrived at Rothesay. (4)

28 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) shifted from Rothesay to Campbeltown. she was escorted by HMS Z 5 (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S.T. Wenlock, RNR). (4)

29 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 32 (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) shifted from Campbeltown to Rothesay. she was escorted by HMS Z 5 (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S.T. Wenlock, RNR). (4)

Submarine HMS Universal (P 57)

20 Feb 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) departed the Tyne for Blyth where she arrived later the same day. (6)

24 Feb 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth. (6)

27 Feb 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with HMS Upright (Lt. P.R.H. Harrison, DSO, DSC, RN). (6)

28 Feb 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth. (6)

2 Mar 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth. (7)

3 Mar 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) departed Blyth for Holy Loch. She was escorted by HMS ML 549 (T/Lt. E.W. Lee, RNVR). (7)

4 Mar 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) arrived at Dundee from Blyth.

She departed later the same day for Holy Loch. She made the passage together with ORP Dzik (Lt.Cdr. B.S. Romanowski). They were escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (7)

7 Mar 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) arrived at Holy Loch to begin a period of trials and training. (7)

8 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) conducted final exeptance trials in Gare Loch. (7)

10 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) conducted exercises in Loch Long. (7)

13 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) conducted exercises in Loch Ranza. (7)

14 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (7)

15 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) conducted exercises in Loch Ranza. (7)

17 Mar 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) proceeded from Holy Loch to Arrochar. She then conducted torpedo firing trials off Arrochar. (8)

18 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) conducted torpedo firing trials off Arrochar. (7)

19 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) conducted torpedo firing trials off Arrochar. (7)

20 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) conducted torpedo firing trials off Arrochar. Upon completion of these exercises HMS Unrivalled proceeded to Holy Loch. (7)

22 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During the night of 22/23 March 1943, HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN), conducted exercises in the Clyde area. Practice attacks were made on HMS Biter (Capt. E.M.C. Abel Smith, RN) which was escorted by HMS Bulldog (Lt.Cdr. E.J. Lee, RN) and HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Dobson, RNR).

These were followed by exercises in which HMS Skate (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) A.W. Preston, RN) served as target for HMS Universal. (7)

25 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (7)

26 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. Practice attacks were made on HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN). (7)

27 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (7)

30 Mar 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Gare Loch where she was immediately docked. (7)

31 Mar 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) was undocked at Gare Loch and then immediately returned to Holy Loch. Later that day she proceeded to Campbeltown. (7)

31 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Campbeltown. (7)

1 Apr 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) departed Campbeltown for Scapa Flow. She made the passage north together with HMS Tuna (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, RN) and HMS Stubborn (Lt. A.A. Duff, RN). They were escorted by HMS Tadoussac (T/Lt. J.P. Davies, RNR). (9)

3 Apr 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow where she was to participate in exercises. (9)

4 Apr 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) conducted practice attacks at Scapa Flow with officers participating in the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course). (9)

7 Apr 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) conducted practice attacks at Scapa Flow with officers participating in the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course). HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. G.I.M. Balfour, RN) served as target. (9)

10 Apr 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (9)

12 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Universal (Lt. S.S. Brooks, DSC, RN) shifted from Campbeltown to Rothesay. (10)

12 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Universal (Lt. S.S. Brooks, DSC, RN) shifted from Campbeltown to Rothesay. (10)

14 Apr 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Lerwick. She was escorted by HMS Macbeth (T/Lt. R.M. Thorne, RNR). (9)

15 Apr 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) arrived at Lerwick. (9)

19 Apr 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) departed Lerwick for her 1st war patrol. She was ordered to perform an anti-uboat patrol in the Norwegian Sea.

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

(11)

2 May 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Lerwick. The patrol had been uneventful. (11)

3 May 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) departed Lerwick for Holy Loch. (12)

5 May 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (12)

12 May 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) was docked at Holy Loch. (12)

13 May 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) was undocked. (12)

18 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (12)

18 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (12)

19 May 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) was docked at Holy Loch. (12)

20 May 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) was undocked. (12)

22 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Larne. She was escorted by HMS Carina (Lt. R.A.H. Lord, RNR). (12)

23 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) departed Larne for the Campbeltown area. She was escorted by HMS Philante (Capt. A.J. Baker-Cresswell, DSO, RN). Off Campbeltown both ships conducted exercises during the night of 23/24 May 1943. Upon completion of these exercises HMS Universal then set course for Londonderry. (12)

24 May 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) arrived at Londonderry to participate in A/S exercises. (12)

27 May 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Londonderry with HMS Poppy (T/Lt. D.R.C. Onslow, RNR), HMS Starwort (Lt. A.H. Kent, DSC, RNR), HMS Lotus (Lt.Cdr. H.J. Hall, DSC, RD, RNR), HMS Dianella (T/Lt. J.F. Tognola, RNR) and HMS Enchantress (Cdr. A.E.T. Christie, OBE, DSC, RN). (12)

28 May 1943
During 28 and 29 May 1943 HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) conducted exercises off Londonderry. These included night gunnery actions. (12)

30 May 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Londonderry with HMS Kingcup (Lt.Cdr. R.A.D. Cambridge, DSC, RNR) and HNoMS Potentilla. (12)

1 Jun 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Londonderry with HMS Wear (Cdr. E. Wheeler, RD, RNR) and HMS Spey (Cdr. H.G. Boys-Smith, DSO and Bar, DSC, RD, RNR). (13)

3 Jun 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Londonderry with HMS Wear (Cdr. E. Wheeler, RD, RNR), HMS Spey (Cdr. H.G. Boys-Smith, DSO and Bar, DSC, RD, RNR), HMS Aberdeen (Lt.Cdr. H. Day, RN), HMS Wrestler (Lt. R.W.B. Lacon, DSC, RN) and a trawler. (13)

4 Jun 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Londonderry with HMS Pelican (Cdr. G.N. Brewer, RN), HMS Jed (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Freaker, DSO, RD, RNR), HMS Wrestler (Lt. R.W.B. Lacon, DSC, RN), HMS Spey (Cdr. H.G. Boys-Smith, DSO and Bar, DSC, RD, RNR) and HMS Vanquisher (Lt.Cdr. G.A.G. Ormsby, RN). (13)

5 Jun 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) conducted special trials off Londonderry. Upon completion of these he proceeded to Holy Loch. (13)

7 Jun 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Govan where she was immedialtely docked. (13)

10 Jun 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) was undocked (13)

15 Jun 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) shifted from Govan to Holy Loch. (13)

21 Jun 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) departed Holy Loch for passage to Gibraltar. Passage south through the Irish Sea was made together with HMS Stubborn (Lt. A.A. Duff, RN). They were escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (11)

21 Jun 1943

For the daily positions of HMS Universal during the passage from Holy Loch to Gibraltar see the map below.

6 Jul 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (11)

17 Jul 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) departed Gibraltar for her 2nd war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol of southern France.

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

(11)

4 Aug 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean) at Algiers. (11)

24 Aug 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) was docked at Algiers. (14)

26 Aug 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) was undocked. (14)

28 Aug 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) conducted exercises off Algiers. (14)

29 Aug 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) departed Algiers for her 3rd war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Gulf of Genoa.

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

(11)

4 Sep 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) claimed to have attacked a tanker in an enemy convoy with four torpedoes off Portofino, Italy. No hits were obtained.

The ships in the convoy were not tankers, they were the Italian merchants Tigrai (1302 GRT, built 1918) and Tellaro (2234 GRT, 1920) escorted by the torpedo-boats Impetuoso and Generale Achille Papa. They had already been attacked the day before by HMS Seraph (Lt. N.L.A. Jewell, OBE, RN).

(All times are zone -2)
1540 hours - In position 280°, Portofino light, 16.8 nautical miles, sighted a convoy of 2 tankers escorted by two torpedo-boats, one new type and one Abba-class. Started attack.

1632 hours - Fired four torpedoes from 3500 yards at a tanker of 7000 tons. Two torpedo explosions were heard after nearly 3 minutes. Universal almost broached on firing this salvo. Tanks were flooded rapidly and she then sank to 290 feet.

1637 hours - Depth charging started, 10 depth charges were dropped but no damage was done by these. (11)

6 Sep 1943 (position 43.42, 9.27)
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) sank the Italian auxiliary patrol vessels V 130 / Ugo (114 GRT) and V 134 / Tre Sorelle (178 GRT) with gunfire west of La Spezia, Italy.

(All times are zone -2)
0422 - Dived on sighting a dark object ahead. Closed to investigate.

0503 hours - Surfaced to engage an A/S schooner in position 43°42'N, 09°27'E.

0555 hours - Sighted an E-boat while trying to board the schooner. Fired 5 more rounds from 50 yards and dived. The schooner sank. The E-boat dropped 16 depth charges but these caused no damage to Universal.

0800 hours - Returned to periscope depth. Sighted another schooner bearing 300°. Range 2 nautical miles. Closed to attack this schooner as well.

1038 hours - Surfaced to engage an A/S schooner in position 43°40'N, 09°29'E.

1112 hours - Sighted an E-boat while boarding this schooner. Fired 7 rounds into the waterline of the schooner from 50 yards, then dived. The schooner sank quickly. (11)

9 Sep 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) was ordered to return to Algiers via Toulon, southern France. (11)

11 Sep 1943 (position 42.40, 5.57)
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) picked up four Italian naval ratings from a yacht in which they had escaped from Toulon.

(All times are zone -2)
1800 hours - sighted a white sail beyond the horizon bearing 110°. Closed.

2035 hours - Surfaced in position 42°40'N, 05°57'E and closed up for gun action. The target meanwhile had been identified as a yacht.

2045 hours - Stopped and embarked four Italian naval ratings who had escaped from Toulon in this yacht.

2055 hours - Sank the yacht by ramming. (11)

14 Sep 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean) at Algiers. She required repairs to her periscope hull casting. (11)

24 Sep 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) conducted exercises off Algiers. (15)

16 Oct 1943
While leaving Algiers harbour HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) her steering motor failed and she collided with the US destroyer escort USS Herbert C. Jones (Lt.Cdr. A.W. Gardes, Jr., USN).

HMS Universal's bow was badly bent and she required about two weeks of repair. (16)

17 Oct 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) conducted exercises off Algiers. (16)

26 Oct 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) was docked at Algiers. (16)

5 Nov 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) was undocked. (17)

7 Nov 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) conducted exercises off Algiers. (17)

13 Nov 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) departed Algiers for her 4th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off southern France.

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

(11)

19 Nov 1943 (position 43.26, 7.08)
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) attacked an escorted merchant vessel off Cape Ferrat, France with four torpedoes. No hits were obtained.

This was the liner Cassino (Former French El-Djezair, 5790 GRT, built 1934) escorted by SG 15. Two torpedo tracks were observed by the Germans.

(All times are zone -1)
0957 hours - Sighted smoke rounding Cape Ferrat bearing 067°. The weather was very bad, depth keeping being difficult. Rain, spray and fogging of the periscope made it impossible to get a good look.

1000 hours - Started attack on a merchant vessel bearing 072°. Enemy course was 224°, speed 12 knots.

1015 hours - Saw the enemy clearly now for the first time. She was a medium seized one funneled passenger liner escorted by an Italian type torpedo-boat stationed about 1000 yards on her port bow. Range was thought to be 5600 yards but ranging was very difficult due to the weather.

1020 hours - In position 43°26'N, 07°08'E fired four torpedoes from 5500 yards. All torpedoes are thought to have missed astern. No counter attack followed. (11)

22 Nov 1943 (position 43.26, 6.59)
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) torpedoes and most likely sank a large barge south of Cannes, France.

According to German sources this was Netztender 44 towing a lighter. No hits were however obtained. According to the Germans one torpedo missed ahead of Netztender 44 and two passed underneath the lighter.

(All times are zone -1)
1405 hours - Sighted smoke bearing 020°. Closed to investigate. The smoke was later seen to come from two steam trawlers towing a barge each.

1510 hours - Started attack on one of the barges, thought to be the largest. Enemy course was 224°, speed 5 knots.

1550 hours - In position 43°26'N, 06°59'E fired three torpedoes from 1000 yards. Thought to have obtained one hit.

1553 hous - Returned to periscope depth. Saw that the barge was listing to port and that the tow was parted. Went deep as it was thought possible the trawler might started dropping depth charges.

1555 hours - Heard a loud explosion thought to be the target blowing up. (11)

25 Nov 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) ended her 4th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (11)

12 Dec 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) departed Malta for her 5th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Gulf of Genoa. Passage through the Tunisian War Channel was made in convoy GUS 24.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Universal during this patrol (though incomplete) see the map below.

(11)

18 Dec 1943 (position 44.15, 9.18)
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian merchant (under German control) La Foce (2497 GRT, built 1921) south of Chiavari, Genoa, Italy in position 44°15'N, 09°18'E.

La Foce had eighteen missing, thirty-one survivors were picked up (eleven crew and twenty flak members). She was in company with Alma (598 GRT, built 1905) and Georgia (797 GRT, built 1920) [German records indicate Giorgio but this is probably an error]. They were escorted by the German auxiliary submarine chasers UJ 2208 and UJ 2211. They were on passage from Piombino to Genoa.

(All times are zone -1)
1000 hours - Sighted smoke bearing 124°. Closed to investigate.

1044 hours - Started attack on a convoy made up of a 5000 tons tanker and a 4000 tons merchant vessel that were escorted by three A/S trawlers, one UJ boat and three AA-barges.

1125 hours - In position 44°13'N, 09°22'E fired four torpedoes at the tanker from 2700 yards. Two explosions were heard about one minute after firing.

1127 hours - Went to 100 feet and took avoiding action.

1130 hours - Depth charging started. In the next 40 minutes a total of 43 depth charges were counted dropped in 5 patterns.

1308 hours - Heard breaking up noises. Universal was hunted for several hours but the enemy never gained contact on her. (11)

27 Dec 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) ended her 5th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean) at La Maddalena. (11)

7 Jan 1944
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) departed La Maddalena for her 6th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean). However the next day she had to return due to defects to one of the propeller shafts.

As no log is available for this period no map for this patrol can be displayed. (11)

12 Jan 1944
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) departed La Maddalena for Malta. She required repairs and docking. (18)

15 Jan 1944
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) arrived at Malta. (18)

21 Feb 1944
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) departed Malta for La Maddalena. Passage through the Tunisian War Channel was made in convoy GUS 31. (18)

23 Feb 1944
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) arrived at La Maddalena. (18)

25 Feb 1944
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) departed La Maddalena for her 7th war patrol (6th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off southern France.

As no log is available for this period no map for this patrol can be displayed. (11)

27 Feb 1944
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) torpedoed and damaged the Italian tanker (in German control) Cesteriano (6664 GRT, built 1919) off Cape Camarat, southern France. The damaged tanker is towed to Toulon. The tanker was escorted by SG 15 and UJ 2221. She was taken in tow by SG 15.

(All times are zone -1)
0405 hours - Obtained a radar contact bearing 070°. Range 8600 yards.

0406 hours - Sighted a ship bearing 080°. Started attack. The target was later seen to be an 8000 tons tanker in ballast escorted by one destroyer, one corvette and one UJ-boat.

0419 hours - In position 120°, Cape Camarat, 4.5 nautical miles, fired four torpedoes at the tanker from 2000 yards. Went to 120 feet on firing and took avoiding action.

0421 hours - Heard one torpedo hit.

0429 hours - Depth charging commenced.

0458 hours - Depth charging ceased. A total of 7 depth charges had been dropped but these caused no damage to HMS Universal.

0625 hours - Returned to periscope depth. Nothing in sight.

5 Mar 1944
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) ended her 7th war patrol (6th in the Mediterranean) at La Maddalena. (11)

14 Mar 1944
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) departed La Maddalena for her 8th war patrol (7th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off southern France.

As no log is available for this period no map for this patrol can be displayed. (11)

25 Mar 1944
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) ended her 8th war patrol (7th in the Mediterranean) at La Maddalena. The patrol had been uneventful. (11)

4 Apr 1944
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) departed La Maddalena for her 9th war patrol (8th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off southern France.

As no log is available for this period no map for this patrol can be displayed.

10 Apr 1944
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) ended her 9th war patrol (8th in the Mediterranean) at La Maddalena. The patrol had been uneventful. (11)

15 Apr 1944
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) departed La Maddalena for her 10th war patrol (9th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off southern France.

As no log is available for this period no map for this patrol can be displayed. (11)

19 Apr 1944
In the early moring hours HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) was detected on the surface near Cape Camarat by an enemy A/S vessel. Whe then dived again and was hunted by the enemy. At 0600 hours a pattern of about 14 depth charges was dropped too close for comfort but luckily it did not cause much damage. Fortunately no more depth charges were dropped by the enemy.

28 Apr 1944
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) ended her 10th war patrol (9th in the Mediterranean) at La Maddalena. (11)

9 May 1944
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) departed La Maddalena for her 11th war patrol (10th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off southern France.

As no log is available for this period no map for this patrol can be displayed. (11)

12 May 1944
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) returned to La Maddalena to land an injured rating and for some repairs to the telemotor system. (11)

13 May 1944
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) departed La Maddalana to resume her 11th war patrol (10th in the Mediterranean). (11)

22 May 1944
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) destroyed the former French gunboat Yser (576 tons, built 1917) with one torpedo off Le Ciotat, France. Yser was now being used by the German Navy as a target after being found unsuited for escort duties.

(All times are zone -1)
1148 hours - Started attack on the beached escort vessel sighted the previous days off the breakwater at Le Ciotat.

1247 hours - Fired a torpedo from 1300 yards. The torpedo was seen to hit near the funnel.

1249 hours - Fired a second torpedo, again from 1300 yards. The results were not observed. Withdrew from the coast at speed but no counter attack followed. (11)

25 May 1944
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) ended her 11th war patrol (10th in the Mediterranean) at La Maddalena. (11)

28 May 1944
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) departed La Maddalena for Algiers. (18)

30 May 1944
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) arrived at Algiers. (18)

8 Jun 1944
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) departed Algiers for La Maddalena. (18)

10 Jun 1944
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) arrived at La Maddalena. (18)

13 Jun 1944
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) departed La Maddalena for her 12th war patrol (11th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol southern France.

As no log is available for this period no map for this patrol can be displayed. (11)

21 Jun 1944
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) sank the German Guard boat FMa 06 (121 GRT, former French Guarani) south of Marseille, southern France. The other vessel was the FMa 12.

(All times are zone -1)
2121 hours - Sighted an A/S yacht and a chasseur on an A/S hunt between Riou Island and the mainland. Started attack.

2224 hours - Fired one torpedo from 470 yards against the A/S yacht of about 250 tons that was laying stopped to listen with the hydrophone. The target was hit and disintegrated. Universal withdrew to the south-east. (11)

22 Jun 1944
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) torpedoed and sank the German merchants President Dal Piaz (4929 GRT, built 1929) and Canosa (3823 GRT, former French Sampiero Corsa, built 1936) off Cassis, southern France.

(All times are zone -1)
1445 hours - Sighted a 6000 tons passenger liner in Cassis Bay. 10 minutes later another passenger liner of about 12000 tons was sighted close to the other one. This last vessel was very well camouflaged.

1550 hours - Universal closed in to attack.

1559 hours - Fired four torpedoes from 3500 yards, two against each ship. All torpedoes were seen to hit their targets. The larger liner was seen to roll over and sank on her side on the bottom with a fire breaking out amidships. The smaller one sank stern first until it hit the bottom, her back appeared to be broken. Also when the torpedoes hit this ship an enormous column of steam bellowed out from the funnel indicating that she had steam up. (11)

26 Jun 1944
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) ended her 12th war patrol (11th in the Mediterranean) at La Maddalena. (11)

9 Jul 1944
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) departed La Maddalena for her 13th war patrol (12th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol southern France.

As no log is available for this period no map for this patrol can be displayed.

14 Jul 1944
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) sank the Spanish sailing vessel El Sevillano (124 GRT, built 1944) off Port Vendres, southern France.

(All times are zone -1)
1600 hours - Sighted a schooner of about 350 tons about 5 nautical miles away. The schooner was in the 'sink at sight' zone so it was attacked despite being Spanish.

After closing the target Lt. Gordon fired three torpedoes but these all missed or ran under.

1631 hours - Surfaced and engaged the schooner with gunfire but after two minutes she was forced to submerge due to accurate fire by shore batteries. Six rounds had been fired by then by Universal, four of them were hits. The crew by now had abandoned ship.

The schooner, with her sails set, continued at three knots. After reloading a torpedo tubes Lt. Gordon fired two torpedoes at 1650 hours. One torpedo hit the target that was seen to disappear beneath the waves.

22 Jul 1944
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) ended her 13th war patrol (12th in the Mediterranean) at La Maddalena. (11)

2 Aug 1944
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) departed La Maddalena for her 14th war patrol (13th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off southern France.

As no log is available for this period no map for this patrol can be displayed. (11)

9 Aug 1944
While on patrol off Cape Cavalaire, southern France, HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) fires a torpedo against an enemy patrol vessel, it missed.

(All times are zone -1)
0345 hours - Sighted two Chasseurs in position 220°, Cape Lardier, 3.7 nautical miles. Started attack.

0447 hours - In position 165°, Cape Cavalaire, 2.5 nautical miles, fired one torpedo from 500 yards at one of the Chasseurs. It missed.

0455 hours - Heard a loud explosion, this was most likely the torpedo exploding on hitting Levant Island. (11)

11 Aug 1944
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) ended her 14th war patrol (13th in the Mediterranean) at La Maddalena. (11)

4 Sep 1944
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) departed La Maddalena for Algiers. (19)

6 Sep 1944
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) arrived at Algiers. (19)

15 Sep 1944
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) departed Algiers for Gibraltar. She made the passage in convoy MKS 61. (19)

17 Sep 1944
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (19)

18 Sep 1944
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) departed Gibraltar for Holy Loch. She made the passage in convoy SL 170 / MKS 61. (19)

26 Sep 1944
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (19)

10 Oct 1944
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) departed Holy Loch for Blyth. She was escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (Lt. H.J. Bartlett, DSC, RN). (20)

14 Oct 1944
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) arrived at Blyth where she was to refit. (20)

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