Hugh Alfred Vernon Haggard DSO, DSC, RN
| Born | 21 Jun 1908 |
| Ranks
Retired: 19 Nov 1953 Decorations
|
Warship Commands listed for Hugh Alfred Vernon Haggard, RN
| Ship | Rank | Type | From | To |
| HMS H 44 (N 44) | Lt. | Submarine | 2 Aug 1939 | 12 Mar 1940 |
| HMS Truant (N 68) | Lt.Cdr. | Submarine | 28 Apr 1940 | 19 Mar 1942 |
| HMS Truant (N 68) | Lt.Cdr. | Submarine | 24 Apr 1942 | 22 Mar 1943 |
Career information
We currently have no career / biographical information on this officer.
Events related to this officer
Submarine HMS H 44 (N 44)
1 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (1)
7 Sep 1939
HMS H 44 (Lt. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) conducted exercises off Portland with HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN). (2)
8 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (1)
10 Sep 1939
HMS H 44 (Lt. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) conducted exercises off Portland with HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN). (2)
11 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During the night of 11/12 September 1939, HMS H 44 (Lt. H.A.V. Haggard, RN), conducted exercises off Portsmouth. These included night exercises. (1)
16 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) shifted from Portland to Portsmouth. She was escorted by HMS Dwarf (Cdr. L.M. Shadwell, RN). (1)
19 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (1)
20 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (1)
21 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (1)
22 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (1)
26 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (1)
27 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (1)
28 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (1)
29 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (1)
2 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (3)
7 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Portland with trawlers. (3)
10 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (3)
11 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) conducted exercises off Portland with HMS Lord Lloyd (Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Jones, RNR). (3)
12 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) conducted exercises off Portland with HMS Leyland (Lt.Cdr. A. Wilkinson, RNR). (3)
13 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (3)
14 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (3)
16 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (3)
20 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Portland with trawlers. (3)
21 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (3)
23 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (3)
27 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (3)
28 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (3)
2 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (4)
3 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (4)
4 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (4)
10 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Portland with trawlers. (4)
11 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (4)
12 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (4)
13 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (4)
17 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (4)
18 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (4)
20 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) conducted exercises off Portland with HMS Puffin (Lt.Cdr. Hon. J.M.G. Waldegrave, RN). (4)
21 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (4)
25 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (4)
28 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (4)
29 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (4)
30 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) conducted exercises off Portland with HMS Puffin (Lt.Cdr. Hon. J.M.G. Waldegrave, RN). (4)
5 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (5)
6 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (5)
7 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (5)
12 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (5)
13 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (5)
14 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (5)
15 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (5)
31 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) conducted exercises off Portland with HMS Londonderry (Cdr. Sir T.L. Beevor, RN). (5)
2 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (6)
3 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (6)
11 Jan 1940
HMS H 44 (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) shifted from Portland to Portsmouth. She was escorted by HMS Warrior II (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN). (6)
14 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) conducted special trials off Portsmouth. (6)
15 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) is docked at Portsmouth. (6)
19 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) is undocked. (6)
23 Jan 1940
HMS H 44 (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) conducted exercises off Portsmouth with HMS Warrior II (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN). (6)
25 Jan 1940
HMS H 44 (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) shifted from Portsmouth to Portland. She was escorted by HMS Warrior II (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN).
[For the month of February 1940 no details of the operations of HMS H 44 can be given as there is no log available.] (6)
3 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (7)
4 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (7)
5 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (7)
11 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (7)
12 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. E.D. Norman, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland. (7)
Submarine HMS Truant (N 68)
14 May 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) conducted independent exercises off the Firth of Forth. (8)
16 May 1940
Around 0920A/16, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed from Rosyth for her 8th war patrol. She is to proceed to Harstad, Norway for further orders. She carries a prize crew (Lt. Storey, RN, six ratings and Norwegian merchant navy officer Li Haug).
Earlier that morning, before departure, compass adjustment trials had been carried out.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.
(9)
18 May 1940
At 2330A/18, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) receives orders to proceed to Tromso instead of Harstad. (9)
20 May 1940
Around 0830A/20, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) arrived at Tromso, Norway for orders. (9)
21 May 1940
Around 1930A/21, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed from Tromsø. She is to patrol off Northern Norway. (9)
23 May 1940 (position 71.03, 24.26)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) fires two torpedoes against the British merchant vessel Alster (8514 GRT, built 1928) off the Breidsundet, Norway in position 71°03'N, 24°26'E. Alster was under escort of the British anti-submarine trawler HMS Ullswater (Lt. O.R. Moore, RN).
The German merchant Alster was captured in the Vestfjord, north of Bodo, Norway on 11 April 1940 by the British destroyer HMS Icarus (Cdr. C.D. Maud, DSC, RN). Lt.Cdr. Haggard was unaware of this but fortunately both torpedoes missed their target.
0910A/23 - In position 71°12'N, 26°50'E sighted smoke to the north and moving west.
0930A/23 - Sighted a merchant vessel, four masts and one funnel were visible. She was steering about 270°. Several puffs of smoke were sometimes seen near the merchant ship. These were most likely from an escort.
1010A/23 - Sent a report of this sighting. Experienced great difficulty in getting this signal through.
1120A/23 - Receipt of signal was acknowledged by Tromso. The ship was thought to be enemy.
1300A/23 - The enemy altered course to port and appeared to be making for the Porsanger Fjord steering an erratic course.
Meanwhile Lt.Cdr. Haggard was informed by one of his officers that he heard in Tromso that the German ship Alster was in British hands and in this vicinity. Various ratings in the crew had also heard this. Lt.Cdr. Haggard decided that he would only fire torpedoes if he was unable to identify the escort as friendly, considering it would be more important to prevent an enemy landing then to spare a British merchant ship.
1350A/23 - Enemy course remained to be erratic. It was therefore impossible to be sure where she was making for. Sighted the escort but was unable to identify her. She was a small ship and appeared to be camouflaged.
1400A/23 - Entered Rolvsoy Sund keeping to the West. The enemy entered on the eastern side. Range was approximately 12000 yards. The escort could still not be identified.
1415A/23 - Dived.
1429A/23 - Saw sharp sloping bows and high bow wave of escort. Lt.Cdr. Haggard decided it was neither British nor Norwegian.
1430A/23 - Fired two torpedoes from 6000 yards.
1439A/23 - Heard two distant explosions.
1500A/23 - Saw the escort bows on, range 1000 yards. She was hunting. Went to 80 feet.
1715A/23 - Sounds of the escort vessel getting faint.
1729A/23 - Surfaced. (9)
26 May 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) arrived at Harstad. (9)
26 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1650A/26, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) arrived off Hammerfest.
At 1900A/26, she departed Hammerfest for Harstadt. HMS Ullswater (Lt. O.R. Moore, RN) was in company until around 1200A/27 when they lost company with each other.
Around 1925A/27, HMS Truant arrived at Harstadt. (9)
28 May 1940
Around 0345A/28, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed from Harstad for Rosyth. She was escorted until 0535A/27, by HMS Ullswater (Lt. O.R. Moore, RN) which then parted company to return to Harstadt.
At 1105A/28, HMS Truant boarded the Norwegian merchant vessel Profit (2613 GRT, built 1918) on passage from Bodo to Tromso which was allowed to proceed upon examination of her papers.
At 1630A/28, the destroyer HMS Arrow (Cdr. H.W. Williams, RN) was passed.
At 2115A/28, HMS Truant stopped the merchant vessel Blairgowie supposedly on passage to Murmansk, she is also allowed to proceed. In fact this is the Q-ship HMS Cape Howe (A/Cdr. E.L. Woodhall, DSO, MVO, RN) and she does not reveal her disguise. (9)
1 Jun 1940
Around 0615A/1, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) ended her 8th war patrol at Rosyth. (9)
2 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) conducted compass adjustment trials at Rosyth. (10)
3 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) conducted compass adjustment trials at Rosyth. (10)
12 Jun 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) and HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) both conducted exercises in the Firth of Forth including practice attacks on each other. Also gunnery exercises were carried out. (11)
16 Jun 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed from Rosyth for exercises in the Firth of Forth together with ORP Wilk. Truant also makes several dummy attacks on HMS Vivien. After the exercises HMS Truant anchored in Largo Bay around 1800A/16 from where she departed around 2100A/16 for her 9th war patrol. She was initially ordered to patrol in the Trondheim area. Later patrol was shifted to the Stavanger area. (9)
16 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
For the daily positions of HMS Truant during her 9th war patrol see the map below.
26 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0030A/26, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) left patrol to return to Rosyth as ordered in Capt. S 2's signal timed 2146A/25. (9)
27 Jun 1940
Around 0640A/27, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) ended her 9th war patrol at Rosyth. (9)
5 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) is wiped (degaussed) and also conducted compass adjustment trials at Rosyth. (12)
6 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) conducted exercises in the Firth of Forth with HMS Londonderry (Cdr. T.L. Beevor, RN).
HMS Truant also carried out D/G trials. (12)
8 Jul 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed from Rosyth for her 10th war patrol. She is to patrol off the Norwegian coast near Bergen.
On departure A/S exercises were carried out with HMS Wallace (Cdr. B.I. Robertshaw, RN) and HMS Wolfhound ( Lt.Cdr. J.W. McCoy, DSC, RN). Also a practice attack was made on HMS Wolfhound. (9)
8 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
For the daily positions of HMS Truant during her 10th war patrol see the map below.
21 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1210A/21, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) left patrol to return to Rosyth as ordered in the Vice Admiral Submarines signal timed 1039A/21. (9)
22 Jul 1940 (position 58.25, 2.40)
At 2355A/22, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) is attacked (in error) in position 58°25'N, 02°40'E with a full bow salvo of six torpedoes by the British submarine HMS Clyde (Cdr. D.C. Ingram, RN). HMS Truant was supposed to have vacated this area earlier that day but was delayed. HMS Clyde rightfully attacked the submarine contact as enemy submarine were expected to operate in this area. (9)
24 Jul 1940
Around 0745A/24, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) ended her 10th war patrol at Rosyth. (9)
2 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) conducted compass adjustment trials at Rosyth. (13)
6 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) conducted exercises in the Firth of Forth during which several practice attacks were made on HMS White Bear (Capt. R. Gill, RD, RNR). Also gunnery exercises were carried out. (13)
8 Aug 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) proceeded from Rosyth to the Methil anchorage. (13)
9 Aug 1940
Around 0600A/9, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed from Methil for Blyth where she is to dock before her deployment to the Mediterranean. She arrived at Blyth around 1610A/9. (13)
10 Aug 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) is docked in No.5 graving dock at Blyth for a short refit. (13)
23 Aug 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) is undocked. (13)
26 Aug 1940
Around 0810A/26, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed from Blyth for Rosyth where she arrived around 2115A/26. (13)
29 Aug 1940
Around 1910A/29, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed from Rosyth for the passage to Gibraltar. HMS Triad
was in company until they left U.K. waters.
The submarines were escorted by HMS White Bear (Capt. R. Gill, RNR) until 1930A/31 when HMS Arab (Lt. R.B. Stannard, RNR) took over escort duties until 0900A/2. (9)
29 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Truant during the passage from Rosyth to Gibraltar see the map below.
3 Sep 1940 (position 46.30, -11.30)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) intercepted the German merchant vessel Tropic Sea (5781 GRT, built 1920, former Norwegian Tropic Sea (offsite link) captured by the German armed merchant cruiser Orion in the southern Pacific on 18 June 1940). The Tropic Sea was then scuttled by the German prize crew in the Bay of Biscay about 235 nautical miles north-west of Cape Finisterre, Spain in position 46°30'N, 11°30'W.
0650A/3 - Sighted a merchantman to the eastward steering approximately 070°. Funnels and masts only were visible. It appears likely that she was making for Bordeaux. Altered course towards, speed 14 knots.
The ship could not be identified but she appeared very similar to the Norwegian Benjamin Franklin. She was heavily laden. No armament was visible.
W/T Watch was set on commercial wave. No transmissions were heard throughout the upcoming incident.
Signals were sent ordering her to stop, not to transmit and to sent a boat with the Captain and the ships papers.
The signals to stop engines was obeyed almost immediately and Truant remained stopped about 4 cables on the Port quarter. The gun was manned and trained on the bridge.
There appeared to be a large number of men aboard and it soon became evident that the ship was being abandoned. This took quite a long time. In the end all boats were lowered and lay off. As no boat approached Truant she proceeded towards them to find the Captain. The crews gave no assistance and it took some time before the Captain was located in a rubber boat. At this time two explosions were heard aboard the ship. Two large holes were made on the waterline.
Meanwhile the Captain came on board and told that the ship was the Norwegian merchant Tropic Sea that had been captured by a German armed merchant cruiser and was on passage to Bordeaux. He also told that the survivors of the British merchant Haxby had also been on board. The cargo was 8000 tons of wheat. According to the Captain 4 more bombs were to explode on the ship.
The Captain, 22 survivors from the Haxby and the Norwegian Captain and his wife were taken aboard. Meanwhile Tropic Sea made no signs of sinking and the Norwegian Captain was ordered to return to her and get her under way. He said there was only fuel on board for 400 miles, 4 more bombs were set to explode and that he thought she would sink anyhow, but that he was prepared to try to save her. While the matter was being discussed Tropic Sea took a list bow down to port and sank in 2 minutes.
1023A/3 - Proceeded to the westward. (9)
6 Sep 1940
Around 1200A/6, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from Rosyth. (9)
8 Sep 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) is docked in No. 2 dock at Gibraltar. She was undocked after a few hours. (14)
12 Sep 1940
Around 2030A/12, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed from Gibraltar for her 11th war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Northern part of the Tyrrhenian Sea.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.
(15)
20 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0930A/20, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) two small auxiliary naval craft, thought to be minesweepers, were sighted passing through the Bocca Piccola in line ahead steering southwards. They came to within 3000 yards and then remained stopped. Later in the morning they returned the same way they had come.
P.M. two coasters were seen to leave and one to enter Naples Bay through the Bocca Piccola all keeping very close to the coast. (9)
21 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0900A/21, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighted a coaster of about 1000 tons entering Naples Bay through the Bocca Piccola from the eastward. She was keeping close inshore.
1030A/21, two small naval auxiliary vessels with a sweep between them passed close to Galli Island on course 075°.
P.M. a laden coaster passed close inshore going eastwards. (9)
22 Sep 1940 (position 40.38, 13.52)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian merchant vessel Provvidenza (8459 GRT, built 1913) about 4 nautical miles south-east of Ischia Island, Italy.
According to Italian sources Provvidenza was in ballast when hit and five torpedo tracks (not three!) were seen. The entire crew was rescued. There is no mention of an escort when and perhaps the escort sighted just happened to be in the area as well.
0826A/22 - In position 170° Imperatore Point 4.0 nautical miles sighted an escorted merchant approaching from the North-East. Started attack. The escort was about 5 cables fine on the merchants far bow.
0839A/22 - Fired two torpedoes from 900 yards. After 40 seconds a loud explosion was heard followed by another one 12 seconds later. Depth control was lost on firing the torpedoes and when Truant regained periscope depth the merchant was sighted to be stopped and slightly bow down but did not appear to be sinking. The escort was stopped near her. Truant turned to attack the escort but before she could do so the escort got underway and stopped about 4000 yards away.
0924A/22 - Fired another torpedo at the merchant vessel from 2200 yards. The explosion was observed abreast the bridge and the ship was seen to be sinking by the bow in position 40°38'40"N, 13°51'40"E.
1210 to 1220A/22 - Truant was shaken by six distant explosions in groups of three while making off to the South-West at 130 feet. (15)
26 Sep 1940 (position 41.19, 9.55)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) attacked the Italian naval auxiliary Petrarca (3329 GRT, built 1910) with four torpedoes. All torpedoes missed their target.
According to Italian sources two torpedo tracks were sighted. Torpedo boats and MAS boats from La Maddalena were ordered to hunt the enemy submarine but no contact appears to have been made.
0720A/26 - In position 41°19'N, 09°55'E (about 20 nautical miles East-North-East of La Maddalena, Sardinia) sighted what was thought to be a ship of the Panigaglia class about 6000 yards. Started attack.
0820A/26 - Fired four torpedoes but one of the torpedoes broke surface and must have been seen as the enemy altered course to avoid and opened fire with her after gun.
1800A/26 - Sighted a MAS boat at a range of 4000 yards. She appeared to be hunting. She disappeared towards Bonifacio twenty minutes later.
1910A/26 - Truant surfaced to find two desroyers / torpedo boats 1500 yards away apparently laying stopped or proceeding very slowly. Truant immediately dived again and retired to the southward apparently not having been detected. (15)
29 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0030A/29, in position 39°59'N, 14°47'E, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighed a hospital ship proceeding on a course of 190° at a speed of 6 knots. (9)
3 Oct 1940
Around 0745A/3, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) ended her 11th war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (15)
7 Oct 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) is docked in No.1 graving dock at the Malta Dockyard. (16)
10 Oct 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) is undocked. (16)
12 Oct 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed from Malta for her 12th war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean). She is to proceed to Alexandria and en-route make a patrol in the Gulf of Sirte and off Benghazi.
Before departure compass adjustment and D/G trials were carried out.
For the daily positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.
(15)
21 Oct 1940
Around 0730A/21, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) ended her 12th war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean), which had been uneventful, at Alexandria.
(15)
7 Nov 1940
Around 1700B/7, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed from Alexandria for her 13th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean). She is to patrol off Tripoli, Libya.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.
(15)
14 Nov 1940
Around 1230B/14, when north-north-east of Tripoli, in approximate position 33°10'N, 13°17'E, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighted three minesweepers bearing 180°. They were in line abreast and closed to 1000 yards before turning back. (17)
15 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0900B/15, when north-north-east of Tripoli, in approximate position 33°10'N, 13°19'E, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighted three sailing schooners in line ahead proceeding on a course of 175°. They were not attacked so as not to give away the submarines position an wait for bigger pray. (9)
19 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1300B/19, when north-north-east of Tripoli, in approximate position 33°10'N, 13°20'E, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighted three minesweepers approaching from the south. Carried out a dummy attack on them and than followed them up the swept channel. On closing Tripoli no shipping was seen outside and inside the harbour. (9)
20 Nov 1940
Around 0700B/20, when north of Tripoli, in approximate position 33°13'N, 13°07'E, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighted two merchant vessels of about 5000 tons approaching from the westward at a range of about 5 nautical miles. They were in line ahead. It was just getting light.
Truant altered course towards and increased to full speed to close.
By 0710A/20, the enemy course was estimated as being 340°. As it got lighter the mast and funnel of smaller ship, most likely an escort vessel, could be seen ahead of them.
At 0730A/20, HMS Truant dived. Tee range could not be sufficiently closed to start an attack.'
At 1855A/20, a large two-funnelled ship was seen which turned out to be a fully illuminated merchant vessel. She was steering 075° at a speed of 5 to 6 knots. HMS Truant dived when the range was 3000 yards. The hospital ship passed at a range of 1000 yards. (9)
22 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1825B/22, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) surfaced after a day of submerged patrol to the north-north-east of Tripoli. She then set course to proceed to position 35°00'N, 12°00'E as ordered in Capt. S 1's signal timed 1410B/21. (9)
23 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0655B/23, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) dived in position 35°00'N, 12°00'E. Nothing was sighted all day.
At 1615B/23, HMS Truant surfaced and left patrol to proceed to Malta as ordered in the Vice-Admiral Malta's signal timed 1715B/21. (9)
24 Nov 1940
Around 0745B/24, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) ended her 13th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean) at Malta.
(15)
25 Nov 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) is docked in No.2 graving dock at the Malta Dockyard. (18)
1 Dec 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) is undocked. (19)
8 Dec 1940
Around 1715A/8, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed from Malta for her 14th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol of the coast of Calabria, Italy.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.
(9)
11 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 2332A/11, in position 38°43'N, 16°39'E, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighted a ship almost dead ahead. This was soon seen to be a destroyer. Range was 4000 yards. Main engines were stopped. It was intended to attack with four torpedoes but this idea was abandoned when the destroyer turned towards and HMS Truant dived. (20)
12 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0005A/12, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) picked up HE from a destroyer. The enemy remained in the vicinity for about half an hour. (9)
13 Dec 1940 (position 37.58, 16.15)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian merchant vessel Sebastiano Bianchi (1546 GRT, built 1920) south of Calabria, Italy in position 37°58'N, 16°15'E.
The other ship was however not an escort vessel but the According to Italian merchant vessel Pertusola (1504 GRT, built 1882) on passage from Sant'Antioco to Taranto. She picked up the survivors of the Sebastiano Bianchi. No escort appears to have been present. The Italians attributed the sinking to a mine.
2140A/13 - In position 38°05'N, 15°47'E sighted ships on port bow. On approaching them two ships could be distinguished, 1 large and 1 small. The rear ship was a merchant vessel of about 4000 tons and heavily laden. Started attack.
2158A/13 - Fired six torpedoes from 2000 yards. All torpedoes however missed ahead.
2203A/13 - Fired four torpedoes from 1500 yards.
2204A/13 - Dived. Shortly afterwards two loud explosions were heard, followed by sinking noises. No HE was heard afterwards.
2215A/13 - Saw the escort laying stopped. reloaded on torpedo tube. The escort however got underway before the reload was completed. (9)
16 Dec 1940 (position 38.28, 16.44) 2216A/15 - While patrolling of Cape Colonne, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighed what looked like two destroyers laying stopped ahead at a range of 8000 yards. Closed at 8 knots. After half an hour the range had not decreased so apparently the enemy was not laying stopped after all.
2240A/15 - Sighted a passenger liner on the starboard bow. Course 180°, range 10000 yards. Closed to attack. Shortly afterwards the liner made a large alteration of course to starboard leaving Truant almost astern. The liner proceeded south-west down the coast. What looked like a destroyer followed the liner a mile or so on her Port quarter.
2330A/15 - Altered course to follow the liner keeping clear of the supposed destroyer. Increased to full speed and came to full buoyancy. Even if it was not possible to attack the liner it might be possible to find the point where enemy shipping for Africa leaves the Italian coast.
0030A/16 - It was now observed that what was thought to be a destroyer was a large tanker that was heavily laden. Switched target to the tanker.
0126A/16 - Fired three torpedoes from 2000 yards. The first torpedo was seen to break surface. The second torpedo missed ahead and the third torpedo hit the tanker aft.
0128A/16 - Fired two more torpedoes from very close range. Both hit and the tanker sank very quickly.
0140A/16 - Altered course to close the liner. The Italian Caralis was heard making a signal to Taranto. It was considered possible that this liner was an armed merchant cruiser and was the escort of the tanker.
HMS Truant then left patrol to return to Malta. (9) 17 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00) 17 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00) 18 Dec 1940 28 Dec 1940 For the daily and attack positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.
(9) 30 Dec 1940 At 1720A/28, HMS Truant sighted two large two-funnelled passenger liners (most likely troopships) to the south-west at a range of about 6 nautical miles. Their course was estimated to be 280°. HMS Truant closed at full submerged speed on course 210°.
At 1730A/28, a third liner (troopship) was sighted forming up astern of the other two. Their course was now estimated as being 320°. No escort was visible but it was rapidly getting dark. HMS Truant was not in a position to launch torpedoes.
At 1748A/28, HMS Truant surfaced and proceeded at full speed on a parallel course. Ahead of the convoy flashing lights were seen which came from escort vessels.
At 1815A/28, two destroyers were sighted on Truant's port quarter and she had to dive to avoid being sighted. All hopes of attacking the convoy were now gone.
The convoy sighted by HMS Truant had just left Tripoli for Naples where it arrived on 1 January 1941. The convoy was made up of the Italian liners (troopships) Conte Rosso (17897 GRT, built 1922), Esperia (11398 GRT, built 1920) and Marco Polo (12567 GRT, built 1912). They were escorted by the destroyers Ugolino Vivaldi (S.O. of the escort), Antonio Da Noli, Luca Tarigo, Lanzerotto Malocello (parted company later and proceeded to Trapani) and the torpedo boat Sirio. (21) 31 Dec 1940 (position 33.22, 13.12) Later that day HMS Truant is detected and depth charged by, most likely, the Alcione about 30 nautical miles north of Tripoli, Libya.
Italian sources give the following; at 2015B/31, Alcione sighted a submerging submarine at a distance of 800-900 metres and attacked, dropping four 100-kg depth charges set at depths from 50 to 75 metres and a single 50-kg depth charge set at 50 metres.
An Italian seaplane from the 145^ Squadriglia also sighted the submarine and an aerial search was done the next day in a rectangle between 33°02'N and 33°19'N / 12°59'E and 13°29'E but yielded no result.
0925A/31, in position 33°12'N, 13°03'E, Truant sighted a 5000 tons merchant vessel with an escort ahead hull down. They were proceeding on course 280°. Truant closed at speed but when the range was still 5000 yards the enemy altered course to 320° and the attack had to be abandoned.
1917A/31 - In position 33°22'N, 13°12'E sighted a destroyer approaching from fine on the bow. Visibility was poor and it was very dark. Dived. The destroyer was doing 240 revolutions, passed close down the starboard side and dropped 4 depth charges very close that did no damage but shook HMS Truant considerably.
2320A/31 - Nothing in sight, surfaced. (9) 5 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) At 1912A/5, HMS Truant left the area off Tobruk to patrol off Khoms and Misurata.
At 2050A/5, when in position 33°17'N, 13°30'E, HMS Truant sighed a small craft ahead closing on a bearing of approximately 290°. It was believed to be a patrol vessel. HMS Truant dived to 150 feet. HE was picked up from reciprocating engines.
At 2135A/5, HMS Truant surfaced in position 33°18'N, 13°30'E and commenced to chase the enemy vessel. The pursuit was abandoned after an hour as it was not possible to catch up with the enemy. Course was then set to resume the passage eastwards. (9) 9 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) 11 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) 15 Jan 1941 28 Jan 1941 For the daily and attack positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.
(9) 29 Jan 1941 31 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) 1 Feb 1941 HMS Truant then proceeded down the swept channel to conduct a periscope reconnaissance of the harbour which showed the hospital ship and at least five medium seized merchant vessels to be present. Aircraft were patrolling in the area throughout.
At 1715A/1, HMS Truant was in position 311° - Benghazi Lighthouse - 13 miles smoke was sighted bearing 130°.
At 1805A/1, a convoy was sighted made up of a small tanker in ballast and a 4000 tons cargo ship. An escort was seen ahead and probably there was also one astern. They were proceeding to the southwest down the coastal route.
At 1927A/1, HMS Truant surfaced to attempt to intercept the convoy while keeping outside the 100 fathom line but the convoy was not seen again and shortly after midnight HMS Truant turned back towards Benghazi.
The convoy sighted was most likely the one made up of the transports Giovinezza (Italian, 2362 GRT, built 1925), Multedo (Italian, 1143 GRT, built 1884) and the tanker Utilitas (Italian, 5310 GRT, built 1918). They were escorted by the Italian torpedo boats Cigno and Centauro which had departed Bengazi around 1700B/1 for Tripoli. (21) 2 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) 3 Feb 1941 (position 32.18, 19.51) 0730B/3 - Sighted masts and funnel of a liner steering for Benghazi. Course of ship was 131°. This ship turned out to be a hospital ship.
0735B/3 - Sighted masts and funnel of a liner steering 035°. Started attack.
0745B/3 - The enemy altered course to 095°. Two aircraft was seen to patrol in the area. When the range was 2500 yards the enemy alter course again to enter the swept channel. Truant meanwhile slowed down to give way to the hospital ship. The hospital ship then passed between Truant and the target and by doing so fouled the range at the moment torpedoes should have been fired.
When the hospital ship was clear three torpedoes were fired at the liner. Owning to the noise made by the hospital ship it was not possible to tell by Asdic how much the liner had slowed down. All torpedoes are presumed to have missed ahead.
Around 6 and around 8 minutes after firing the first torpedo Truant was shaken by heavy explosions. (9) 4 Feb 1941 1315B/4 - Proceeded up channel to attack shipping leaving the harbour at sunset.
1615B/4 - The ship attacked yesterday [this was the tranport Calino (Italian, 5186 GRT, built 1940)] was seen leaving the harbour with the escort of a destroyer and possibly even two [Giuseppe La Farina apparently escort her very briefly and then joined the convoy]. They were proceeding to the south-west along the coastal route.
1700 hours - A medium seized cargo ship and a small tanker in ballast left the harbour, turning down the coastal route when range was 5000 yards.
1730 hours - Started attack on the medium seized merchant ship.
1752 hours - Range was now 2500 yards.
1800 hours - Fired three torpedoes. All torpedoes were heard to run normal on Asdic. 15 seconds after firing the last torpedo Truant was badly shaken by a heavy explosion causing the fore hydroplanes to remain at 30 degrees of rise till changed to telemotor control. Breaking surface was narrowly avoided. The Asdic was out of action for the remainder of the patrol. Also some 50 lights were smashed. 11 / 12 minutes after firing faint explosions were heard. These were most likely the remaining torpedoes exploding on the bottom at the ended of their run.
Later Capt. S.1 sent a signal (timed 2311B/4) ordering Truant to patrol off Tripoli. (9) 7 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) 9 Feb 1941 (position 33.41, 13.51) This convoy was made up of the troop transports Esperia (11398 GRT, built 1920), Conte Rosso (17897 GRT, built 1922) and Marco Polo (12567 GRT, built 1912). They were escorted by the Italian destroyers Luca Tarigo (Senior Officer of the escort), Freccia, Saetta and the Italian torpedo boat Aldebaran. The attack appears not to have been observed by the Italians.
2220B/9 - In position 33°41'N, 13°51'E sighted enemy ships to the southward steering 350°, range was between 7 and 8 nautical miles.
2230B/9 - Two liners and two escorts could easily be distinguished. There were probably more, possibly another liner and another escort. Dived to attack.
2300B/9 - Fired six torpedoes, three at each liner. All missed, no explosions were heard and the convoy continued on its course.
2325B/9 - Surfaced to find no ships at all in sight. (9) 11 Feb 1941 (position 33.32, 12.56) At 1634B/11 HMS Truant attacked the same ship with three torpedoes about 60 nautical miles north-north-west of Tripoli, Libya in position 33°46'N, 12°57'E. All torpedoes fired missed their target although Lt.Cdr. Haggard claimed to have sunk the ship.
The convoy sighed was made up of the above mentioned transport Bainsizza and the transport Attilio Deffenu (Italian, 3510 GRT, built 1929). They were escorted by the italian armed merchant cruiser Attilio Deffenu (3510 GRT, built 1929).
1310B/11 - Came to periscope depth in position 33°36'N, 12°53'E and sighted a convoy of 2 ships and 1 escort. Range 12000 yards, course 330°. The convoy was made up of a armed merchant cruiser as escort and two merchants one of 4000 tons and one of 1500 tons. Started attack.
1411B/11 - As the range could not be closed further then 4500 yards surfaced for gun action against the 4000 tons merchant. After the 5th round the merchant turned away and the smaller merchant followed her thereby presenting a much better target. Target was therefore shifted to this ship. The 8th and 9th rounds fired were hits. Meanwhile the escort closed and had opened fire.
1416B/11 - After Truant had fired 12 rounds the escort was finding the range so order was given to dive. Started a torpedo attack on the escort but she came no closer.
1426B/11 - Abandoned the attack.
1630B/11 - In position 33°46'N, 12°57'E heard ships propellers on the hydrophones.
1634 hours - Sighted the three ships that were attacked two hours earlier, bearing 300°, course 118°, range 6500 yards. The escort was well clear on the Starboard side and the other two ships were zig-zagging. There was an air escort of two seaplanes. Started attack on the largest merchant.
1709 hours - Fired three torpedoes from 2000 yards. 1 min. and 46 sec. after firing the first torpedo heard an explosion followed by crackling noises and small explosions.
1717B/11 - Sighted the merchant sinking by the stern (This is stated in Truants patrol report but no ship was sunk in this attack according to Italian sources !!!). Saw the escort bows on, range 800 yards.
1720B/11 - The escort passed close dropping 6 depth charges. Some lights were knocked out. Went to 150 feet. No further depth charges were dropped.
2140B/11 - Surfaced and left patrol to proceed to Malta. (9) 13 Feb 1941 In the afternoon, Truant proceeded to the Malta dockyard where she was docked in No.1 dock for repairs. (9) 19 Feb 1941 4 Mar 1941 5 Mar 1941 On departure a practice attack was made on the A/S trawler HMS Coral. (9) 5 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) 8 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) The ship sighted must have been the transport Silvio Scaroni (Italian, 1394 GRT, built 1920). (21) 9 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) 10 Mar 1941 The situation was the same in the evening of the 11th and 12th. (9) 13 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) Truant patrolled off Buerat during the day. It was intended to enter the harbour by moonlight and attack the cargo ship at anchor but by 1830B/13 a sandstorm had reduced visibility to 3 cables and the idea had to be abandoned.
At 1850B/13, HMS Truant surfaced and proceeded to patrol off Khoms. (9) 14 Mar 1941 Lt.Cdr. Haggard at once ordered HMS Truant to return to Buerat.
At 0520B/14, HMS Truant dived off Buerat. Visibility was now good.
At 1000B/14, HE was heard and soon afterwards a destroyer was sighted which left the harbour and was now proceeding making up the coast on a course of 320° while keeping inside the 100 fathom line. [perhaps this was the torpedo boat Castore.]
The destroyer passed with 5000 yards and was scarcely seen as it was very difficult to maintain periscope depth due to the heavy swell in water this shallow. At the same time a schooner was seen entering the harbour. HMS Truant eventually had to retire into deeper water as she kept on grounding.
Subsequent reconnaissance of the anchorage / harbour showed probably one and possibly two destroyers present as well as two schooners and a cargo ship at anchor.
At 1800A/14, HMS Truant and proceeded towards Khoms to patrol there. (21) 16 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) 18 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) 19 Mar 1941 Costanza was an engine-aft ship and looked like a tanker. The other ship present was the transport / refrigeration ship Amba Alagi (talian, 450 GRT, built 1932).
0445B/19 - In position 024° Buerat lighthouse 10 nautical miles. Dived and bottomed.
0715B/19 - Closed the anchorage for reconnaissance. Saw that there were only two small ships present, a small steamer and a small tanker. The tanker was heavily laden and deep in the water. It was considered likely that the tanker was carrying petrol and it was considered that it would be worth entering the anchorage after dark to sink her. Closed the anchorage to wait there till after dark.
1944B/19 - Surfaced to attack the tanker.
2000B/19 - Closed the anchorage further.
2025B/19 - Fired two torpedoes at the tanker. Both ran under. It was soon noticed that the ship was high out of the water and in ballast. She must have unloaded her cargo during the afternoon.
2040B/19 - HMS Truant left patrol and set course to proceed to Alexandria. (9) 23 Mar 1941 10 Apr 1941 13 Apr 1941 On departure A/S exercises were carried out with HMS KOS XIX (Lt. L.H. Davies, RNR). Also a practice attack was made on this A/S whaler. (9) 13 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) 15 Apr 1941 HMS Truant was also informed that a vessel had left Benghazi for Derna in the afternoon. HMS Truant then continued her passage westwards keeping close to the coast to thy to intercept this vessel. (9) 16 Apr 1941 (position 33.00, 22.00) 1624B/16 - Sighted a heavily laden barque approaching from the West.
1640B/16 - Surfaced and opened fire with the 4" gun.
1655B/16 - The target was now well ablaze, broke off the attack.
1700B/16 - The target blew up and sank.
1705B/16 - Dived in position 32°58'N, 21°58'E.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1920B/16 - Heard HE approaching from the eastward. Altered course to the south to close. It was rapidly getting dark and by now periscope visibility was only 4000 yards.
1936B/16 - Surfaced in position 33.04'N, 21.59'E on the quarters of a destroyer thought to be a V&W-class proceeding to the south-west. As the destroyer appeared to turn towards Truant dived again and made the submerged recognition signal. Then surfaced again and made the recognition signal twice with the Aldis lamp. The destroyer proceeded to the west. She was signalling with a lamp too dim to read.
The destroyers HMS Greyhound (Cdr. W.R. Marshall-A'Deane, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. R. Rhoades, RAN) had departed Tobruk at 1430B/16 for an anti-shipping raid along the coast towards Tolmeita. Most likely the destroyer sighted was thus HMAS Vendetta.
2004B/16 - Set course to patrol off Tolmeita.
2230B/16 - Received Capt. S 1's signal 1705B/16 instructing HMS Truant not to operate to the east of Benghazi so as to keep clear of destroyer patrols. It was not possible to comply with this signal as Truant was still too far to the east of Benghazi. (26) 18 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) At 0335A/18, course was altered to the west to comply. Truant remained on the surface during daylight hours but had to dive twice for approaching low flying aircraft. (9) 20 Apr 1941 At 1100B/20, three trawlers approached from the west steering 100°. They were sweeping in line abreast. They were followed by a large barque and about five miles astern of her a small tanker, probably Cerere (Italian, 1267 GRT, built 1915) followed. No escort was seen.
The 'tanker' sighted must have been the transport Costanza (Italian, 548 GRT, built 1902) that had left Tripoli around 0830B/20 for Benghazi. [Costanza was an engine-aft ship and looked like a tanker.]
Reluctantly no attack was made so as to not give the submarines position away.
At 1830B/20, HMS Truant bottomed 4 miles to the north of Ras Tajura. (24) 21 Apr 1941 Later on this day Truant attacks a Italian naval auxiliary with two torpedoes off Tripoli, Libya. Both torpedoes missed their target. The Italian transport Rosa (Italian, 559 GRT, built 1913) reported being attacked by a submarine 10 miles to the east of Tripoli.
0250B/21 - Surfaced to act as a navigational beacon for the Battlefleet.
0345B/21 -The Battlefleet was seen to pass close astern. Truant now proceeded eastwards at speed to clear the area.
0415B/21 - The bombardment of Tripoli started.
0545B/21 - HMS Truant dived and closed the coast.
1330B/21 - In position 033° - Ras Tajura - 3.5 nautical miles sighted an Italian auxiliary to the southward. Closed to attack.
1410 hours - In only 50 feet of water fired two torpedoes from 2000 yards. The torpedoes were sighted by the enemy which altered course to avoid and it looked like she was beaching herself.
1430B/21 - HMS Truant surfaced in position 32°54'N, 13°38'E to retire to the seaward at speed on the surface
1457B/21 - Shore batteries opened fire. They fell around 4000 yards short. 15 minutes later more salvoes followed but these too fell 4000 yards short.
1520B/21 - An aircraft was sighted in the distance flying along the coast. HMS Truant dived in position 33°00'N, 13°38'E. (27) 22 Apr 1941 After 12 minutes when the range was 2500 yards the destroyer altered course 110° away leaving Truant astern. She subsequently proceeded along the coast on course 270°. (24) 26 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) Course was set accordingly. (9) 30 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) 1 May 1941 Around 2015B/1, departed from Malta again for her 19th war patrol (9th in the Mediterranean). She is to proceed to Gibraltar (and then onwards to the United States for a refit). While en-route to Gibraltar she is to patrol off Sardinia for two days.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.
(9) 5 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) During the remainder of the morning three small vessels were sighted proceeding to the south-west close inshore.
Also an armed tug with a diesel fishing vessel in company passed close by proceeding to the north-east. They returned to the south-west about two hours later. (9) 6 May 1941 0520B/6 - Dived and proceeded towards Tavoli.
0700B/6 - Sighted masts and funnel of a ship to the East.
0710B/6 - The enemy altered 90° to Starboard to steer for Cavoli. Closed to attack.
0735B/6 - Fired two torpedoes. Obtained one hit just before the funnel. The enemy sank in a few minutes in position 090° - Cavoli Lighthouse - 1.0 nautical mile [131° - Cavoli Lighthouse - 3.0 nautical miles according to Italian sources].
Set course to clear the coast. (9) 7 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) At 2006B/7, HMS Truant surfaced in position 38°45'N, 08°53'E and left patrol to proceed to Gibraltar. (9) 8 May 1941 1428B/8 - In position 38°50'N, 04°16'E sighted masts and funnel of a ship bearing 310°. The estimated course of this ship was north. Set course to intercept.
1800B/8 - The ship was seen to be the Vichy French Gallium. Ordered her to heave to, not to signal and to sent her master over with the ships papers. She did not stop at first and only after a round of 4" across her bows she did so.
1830 hours - The master arrived with the ships papers. She was carrying sulphate and was en-route from Bone, Algeria (now Annaba) to Sete, France. He was informed that his cargo was contraband and that he was to proceed to Gibraltar for examination. The master was then returned to his ship and both Truant and Gallium now proceeded to Gibraltar at 6 knots. Gallium in the meantime had signalled that she was intercepted despite being ordered not to do so. This resulted in Vichy French warships sailing from Oran to intercept. (9) 11 May 1941 (position 36.50, -0.45) 0150A/11 - In position 36°50'N, 00°45'W, sighted a French destroyer and four submarines in line ahead. (This was the Vichy French torpedo boat La Bayonnaise and the submarines Antiope, Diane, Eurydice and Thetis.)
0158A/11 - Gallium signalled the destroyer that she had been seized by the British submarine.
0200A/11 - The French destroyer ordered Gallium to follow her. Gallium proceeded accordingly.
0220A/11 - Truant signalled a protest to the French destroyer that Gallium had been ordered to proceed to Gibraltar for examination. The destroyer replied that she had been ordered to escort Gallium to France. (9) 12 May 1941 20 May 1941 Following the sinking of the German battleship Bismarck, Truant was ordered patrol an area centred on 41°34'N, 39°37'W then on 30 May, she was patrol on a line from 44°00'N, 41°00'W to 41°00'N, 44°00'W but sighted nothing.
On 1 June, Truant sighted an unidentified ship and gave chase at 14 knots but then gave up when she was informed by the Admiralty that it was unlikely the ship was hostile.
For the daily positions of HMS Truant during this passage see the map below.
(9) 28 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) On 30 May she was patrol on a line from 44°00'N, 41°00'W to 41°00'N, 44°00'W but sighted nothing. (9) 1 Jun 1941 At 1200P/1, HMS Truant was in position 41°47'N, 44°45'W.
By 1400P/1, it was obvious the contact could not be overtaken. The estimated course of the contact was 210°. The chase was broken off and a signal was sent to the Admiralty regarding the possible enemy supply vessel in the area (HMS Truant's signal timed 1626Z/1).
The Admiralty considered it unlikely the ship was enemy. (9) 6 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) 7 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) 8 Jun 1941 Later that day she departed Newport for Portsmouth Navy Yard via the Cape Cod Canal. (9) 9 Jun 1941 17 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) 17 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) 17 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) 28 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) 31 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) 1 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) 5 Sep 1941 For the daily positions of HMS Truant during this passage see the map below.
(31) 9 Sep 1941 11 Sep 1941 12 Sep 1941 14 Sep 1941 Around the same time two corvettes also departed the harbour and were most likely also taking part in the exercises, these were; HMS Dianthus (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) C.E. Bridgman, RNR) and HMCS Collingwood (T/Lt. W. Woods, RCNR).
Later in the day HMS Truant also made a practice attack on a merchant vessel. (32) 16 Sep 1941 In the evening, she also conducted gunnery exercises off St. John's firing on a target that was being towed by HMRT Prudent. (32) 17 Sep 1941 Later HMS Truant also carried out gunnery exerices. (32) 19 Sep 1941 For the daily positions of HMS Truant during this passage see the map below.
(33) 29 Sep 1941 3 Oct 1941 8 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) 10 Oct 1941 For the daily positions of HMS Truant during this passage see the map below.
(33) 12 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) 16 Oct 1941 17 Oct 1941 18 Oct 1941 Later this day, around 1930A/18, she departed from Malta for her 20th war patrol (10th in the Mediterranean). She is to patrol in the Adriatic and to proceed to Alexandria upon completion of this patrol.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.
(33) 19 Oct 1941 22 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) 23 Oct 1941 (position 39.52, 19.00) The convoy attacked was made up, besides of the two ships mentioned above, of the transports Balcic (Rumanian, 3600 GRT, built 1940) and Balkan (Bulgarian, 3823 GRT, built 1914). The convoy was on passage from Patras to Brindisi. The Virginia S. sank in four minutes. 35 survivors were picked up by the Arborea and landed at Bari.
0825A/23 - Sighted a convoy at a range of 12000 yards. The convoy consisted of a medium seized liner, and two cargo ships, both laden and of about 3500 tons. They were escorted by an armed merchant cruiser that proceeded ahead of the convoy.
0835A/23 - Started attack on the escort.
0900A/23 - Forced to abandon the attack on the escort owning to the very large and frequent alterations of course. Started attack on the leading merchant vessel. It was intended to attack the liner that was further astern afterwards.
0914A/23 - Fired two torpedoes and obtained one hit. The merchant ship was seen to sink in a few minutes. The remaining two ships of the convoy turned away and gave no opportunity to attack. The escort, though out of range and continually under helm, remained in the vicinity.
0942A/23 - Fired one torpedo at the armed merchant cruiser from 2000 yards and obtained one hit but to little effect. The AMC was thought to be slightly down by the stern after the hit. Four or five depth charges were dropped after the attack most likely by the armed merchant cruiser. (33) 24 Oct 1941 (position 41.07, 17.00) Padenna was hit in the stern and had some casualties. She landed her wounded at Mola di Bari and her crew abandoned ship at 1110/24 but the tug Marittimo and water tanker
Meteor (which was sunk a week later by Truant) were sent to her assistance and she
was towed to Bari. The ship is damaged by fire but was salvaged.. The coastal battery from Mola di Bari opened fire forcing the submarine to submerge. MAS boats and aircraft were sent to hunt the enemy submarine.
0655A/24 - Sighted a 3500 tons cargo ship in ballast proceeding to the South East along the coast. Started attack.
0725A/24 - Fired one torpedo but it missed.
0735A/24 - Surfaced in position 41°07'N, 17°00'E and engaged with gunfire until the ship was on fire.
0800A/24 - Sighted an aircraft. Dived.
1200A/24 - Sighted three motor A/S boats approaching the burning ship from the south-east. (33) 27 Oct 1941 Later a transport ship in ballast was seen leaving Ancona but the range could not be closed sufficiently to attack.
0050A/27 - Stopped 2500 yards from the shore 3.5 nautical miles to the south-east of Senigallia.
0100A/27 - The party left the submarine in their Folbot.
A northbound electric train passed soon after the Folbot had left and at 0145A/27 a steam and electric train were seen crossing on the train tracks ahead of the submarine.
0210A/27 - Saw the lights of a southbound electric train at Senigallia about half a mile from where the Folbot had landed. The train was seen to slow down and sounding its whistle. Then two shots were heard and it looked like the train would be able to stop in time.
0230A/27 - A large yellow flash was seen just behind the trains engine followed by the sound of a massive explosion.
0240A/27 - The Folbot came alongside. Truant had meanwhile closed to 1400 yards from the shore. While disembarking the gear the Folbot capsized and some of the gear was lost.
0240A/27 - HMS Truant left the area.
0715A/27 - Sighted a merchant vessel of about 2500 tons and in ballast leaving Ancona. The range could not be closed to less than 3500 yards so no torpedoes were fired. 29 Oct 1941 Between 1050A/29 and 1242A/29 sound transmissions were heard near the Galiola lighthouse. It was thought these were enemy submarines communicating with each other during exercises.
At 2330A/29, Capt. S 1's signal timed 1821B/29 was received recalling HMS Truant from patrol. Course was then set to leave patrol and proceed to Alexandria. (33) 31 Oct 1941 The convoy consisted of the above mentioned Meteor as well as the tankers Luisiano (Italian, 2631 GRT, built 1917) and Italian Devoli (Italian former Yugoslavian, 3177 GRT, built 1939). They were escorted by torpedo-boat Rosolino Pilo. The Pilo was missed but Meteor was hit and sunk. 14 Of the crew were killed and 7 survivors were picked up.
1500A/31 - In position 080° Punta Penna, 4.5 nautical miles sighted a convoy approaching from the South keeping close to the shore. The convoy consisted of two small tankers (1500-2000 tons) leading followed by a medium seized tanker (5000 tons). They were all laden and escorted by a Generali-class torpedo boat. The escort was steaming up and down the convoy to the seaward side of it.
1559A/31 - Fired four torpedoes at the destroyer just when it overlapped with the leading tanker. Both ships were covered with the salvo. After firing Truant made for deeper water. 1 Min, 36 Sec after firing there was a torpedo explosion. A few seconds later the torpedo boat was overhead. Almost as soon as the destroyer had passed overhead Truant hit the bottom, bounced off and went to 26 feet. She could then be held from surfacing and went down again hitting bottom at 42 feet. The torpedo boat continued to steam up and down in the area sometimes coming very close. Luckily no depth charges were dropped.
1630A/31 - Started to make efforts to get to deeper water by going astern. This was however soon abandoned as the torpedo boat came nearer.
1652A/31 - Sunset.
1711A/31 - The torpedo boat passed directly overhead.
1715A/31 - Got underway again, going slowly astern.
1745A/31 - Went ahead, turned, and proceeded to seaward.
1825A/31 - Surfaced. There was a strong smell of oil in the area. (33) 8 Nov 1941 23 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) 24 Nov 1941 She however has to turn back towards Alexandria the following day due to defects.
She arrived back at Alexandria around 0730B/26. (35) 30 Nov 1941 Shortly after noon she participated in A/S exercises, possibly with HMS Jervis (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) and HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St.Clair Ford, RN) which also departed Alexandria shortly after noon. (33) 30 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) 4 Dec 1941 Two small merchant vessels could be seen inside Suda Bay.
At 0900B/4, four small two-masted boats were seen leaving the harbour. They were all flying the Greek ensign. (36) 6 Dec 1941 7 Dec 1941 0826B/7 - While on patrol off Cape Drepano sighted a cargo ship, preceded 3 cables ahead by a Turbine-class destroyer. A seaplane was also seen to be overhead. They were proceeding east, heading out of Suda Bay. Decided to attack the cargo ship.
0847B/7 - In position 084° - Suda Island - 3.8 nautical miles fired three torpedoes from 1500 yards. After 52 seconds there was a loud explosion. Presumed to be a torpedo hitting. Two smaller explosions heard about 5 minutes later were presumed to be the other torpedoes hitting the shore.
0853B/7 - Came to periscope depth. Saw the merchant ship laying stopped, beam on.
0857B/7 - The destroyer started dropping depth charges. All were close but not very close. Some minor damage was caused.
0928B/7 - The twentieth and last depth charge was dropped. (33) 11 Dec 1941 (position 35.29, 24.11) This convoy was made up of the tankers Elli (Italian, former Greek Ismini, 314 GRT, built 1878) and Arca (2222 GRT, built 1885), they were escorted by the Alcione. The torpedoes missed the Arca but the second torpedo hit the Alcione in the stern (20 killed). The Elli attempted to take her in tow but she appeared to be sinking and was beached between Manati Island and Proto Point. Alcione was a total loss and beyond salvage.
1320B/11 - In position 012° - Cape Drepano - 9.0 nautical miles sighted the masts and funnels of a tanker and a destroyer approaching the harbour from seaward. A seaplane was patrolling ahead of this convoy. Started attack on this tanker.
1432B/11 - In position 344° - Cape Drepano - 4.8 nautical miles. Fired four torpedoes from 3500 yards. 2 Min., 30 Sec. after firing there was a double explosion which was very loud.
1450B/11 - Came to periscope depth and observed the tanker beam on and sinking on an even keel. Clouds of smoke were seen rising from the waterline amidships near the bridge. The destroyer was standing by the stricken ship. Two seaplanes were in the air so went to 120 feet and retired to seaward. (33) 13 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) 14 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) 16 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) 16 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) 18 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) 24 Dec 1941 4 Jan 1942 5 Jan 1942 7 Jan 1942 11 Jan 1942 12 Jan 1942 Around 1605B/12, she departed Suez for Aden.
For the daily positions of HMS Truant during this passage see the map below.
(37) 17 Jan 1942 25 Jan 1942 1 Feb 1942 For the daily positions of HMS Truant during this passage see the map below.
(38) 5 Feb 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00) At 1345FG/5, an aircraft was launched to investigate the object and if needed to attack it.
At 1347FG/5, the submarine dived, obviously having sighted the aircraft. USS Boise meanwhile went to battle stations.
At 1407FG/5, USS Boise sent a signal to ComSoWesPac reporting a submarine contact in position 03°00'S, 96°10'E at 1345FG/5.
At 1420FG/5, the submarine surfaced and exchanged recognition signals with the aircraft. The submarine was subsequently identified as being HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) on passage from Colombo to Batavia.
At 1457FG/5, a signal was sent to ComSoWesPac that the submarine was friendly. (39) 8 Feb 1942 9 Feb 1942 11 Feb 1942 18 Feb 1942 For the daily and attack positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.
(9) 20 Feb 1942 At 0432GH/20, HMS Truant surfaced and proceeded.
At 0500FG/20, a destroyer was sighted ahead and HMS Truant again dived. The destroyer passed to the northward and at dawn, half an hour later she could not be seen through the periscope. HMS Truant than proceeded towards Ampenan [now called Mataram] on the west coast of Lombok Island where landings had been reported.
During the forenoon a total of four destroyers were sighted to thee south-west probably guarding the northern entrance to Badung Strait.
At 1200GH/20, an air attack on these destroyers was observed. The bombing appeared to be very accurate with the destroyers being completely hidden by large splashes. Not more then two destroyers were seen at the same time again.
In the afternoon the Ampenan anchorage was examined. No enemy shipping was sighted. A building, probably a storehouse, was seen burning throughout the night.
At 1900GH/20, HMS Truant surfaced and charged close to Ampenan to keep clear of the destroyer patrols.
The following Japanese warships were in the area on this day; light cruiser Nagara (Capt T. Naoi, flagship of Rear-Admiral K. Kubo) and the destroyers Hatsushimo (Lt.Cdr. S. Kohama), Nenohi (Lt.Cdr. T. Chihagi), Wakaba (Lt.Cdr. M. Kuroki), Asashio (Lt.Cdr. G. Yoshii), Oshio (Cdr. K. Kikkawa) Arashio (Cdr. H. Kuboki) and Michishio (Lt.Cdr. M. Ogura) (all offsite links). And the ships seen by HMS Truant mustt thus have been out of the above. (9) 24 Feb 1942 On 23 February 1942 a troop convoy had departed Makassar for Bali. It was made up of the transports Okitsu Maru, Rakuto Maru, Taito Maru, Toyosaka Maru and Hino Maru No.3. The convoy was escorted by the destroyers Harusame (Lt.Cdr. S. Tomita), Murasame (Lt.Cdr. N. Suenaga), Yudachi (Lt.Cdr. H. Ishii) and Samidare (Cdr. T. Matsubara) (all offsite links). Cover for this convoy was provided by the above mentioned Nagara and other warships, most likely other destroyers so these were possibly again the Hatsushimo (Lt.Cdr. S. Kohama), Nenohi (Lt.Cdr. T. Chihagi) and Wakaba (Lt.Cdr. M. Kuroki) (all offsite links).
HMS Truant claimed to have attacked the cruiser out of a group of six ships, three of which were thought to the transports with a cruiser and two destroyers escorting.
2045GH/24 - While on patrol to north of Lombok Strait, in position 354°, Pulau Terawangan, 22 nautical miles sighted smoke of several ships ahead bearing 020°.
2100GH/24 - Distinguished six ships. Three were thought to be transports, the other cruisers or destroyers.
2105GH/24 - Dived to attack. The port wing ship of the convoy was soon identified as a cruiser. It was followed by a destroyer. Decided to attack this cruiser.
2148GH/24 - Fired six torpedoes from 1200 yards. Enemy speed was 12 knots. Two hits were obtained (two dull thuds were heard) but both torpedoes failed to explode. Truant was now depth charged. Two were very close and rocked the submarine.
2348GH/24 - Asdic transmissions of the destroyers died away. Came to periscope depth and saw two destroyers leaving the area. (9) 25 Feb 1942 At 0500GH/25, HMS Truant dived at the entrance to Badung Strait and proceeded up the Strait on course 280°. At daylight no shipping was in sight.
At 0735GH/25, Lembongang Island was abeam. Still there was no sign of the enemy transports or other landing vessels but three destroyers now could be sighted approaching from the north-east and a small fast A/S craft from the north.
At 0740FG/25, HMS Truant turned 180° towards the destroyers to retire from the area as the convoy could still not be seen.
At 0754FG/25, three heavy explosions were heard thought to be depth charges from the destroyers which were now seen passing to the northwards. They later disappeared to the west while proceeding in line ahead.
The small A/S craft remained in close proximity moving up and down the port side transmitting on Asdic. She never seemed to be in contact though.
By 1200FG/25 enough progress had been made to reduce speed. The A/S craft was still close and may have heard the motors.
At 1400FG/25, the A/S craft's A/S transmissions, which had ceased for some time, resumed.
At 1500FG/25, the A/S craft was close astern. HMS Truant had now been followed for seven hours so altered course 30° to port, went deep and increased speed.
At 1800FG/25, HMS Truant returned to periscope depth. There was nothing in sight.
At 2000FG/25, Truant surfaced in position 08°30'S, 115°45'E to return to Surabaya as meanwhile had been ordered by the Dutch C.Z.M. [C-in-C]. (9) 26 Feb 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00) 27 Feb 1942 For the daily positions of HMS Truant during this passage see the map below.
(9) 28 Feb 1942 1 Mar 1942 Truant altered course to close the range but an attack would not be possible unless the enemy would turn towards. When the range was about 5 nautical miles the destroyer turned towards while the cruisers maintained their course. HMS Truant dived. It was not expected at first that HMS Truant had been sighted but as the destroyer came to within 1000 yards and then started circling while transmitting on Asdics she may have been.
The destroyer was definitely recognised as Japanese and would have been attacked as she turned short of Truant if the submarine had been able to turn in time but duo to only one shaft being available she could not.
At 0210FG/2, when no more A/S transmissions had been heard for half an hour HMS Truant surfaced.
At 0215FG/2, one of two destroyers in sight on the port side altered course towards so HMS Truant dived again.
At 0218FG/2, there were four loud, clear, metallic, double bangs as though the hull was being hit by a hammer. This must have been depth charges. Both destroyers were heard transmitting on Asdics for a short period but were never in contact.
At 0330FG/2, it was hoped that a little more miles could be made on the surface and preparations were made to do so but than more A/S transmissions were picked up.
At 1200FG/2, when in position 070° - Krakatau - 7 nautical miles a destroyer appeared and she closed HMS Truant and she then remained close. Stopping several times while transmitting on Asdics. She remained in close company until 1600FG/2.
At 1943FG/2, HMS Truant surfaced in position 06°22'S, 105°09'E and proceeded on her one operational engine.
At 2230FG/2, it was found possible to start up the second engine. (9) 8 Mar 1942 4 May 1942 12 May 1942 18 May 1942 19 May 1942 For the daily and attack positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.
(9) 28 May 1942 (position 6.34, 99.00) 1030F/27 - While Truant was 4 nautical miles to the west of Salang Island sighted smoke bearing 295°. Altered course towards.
1130F/27 - Sighted masts of a convoy of several ships. The convoy was in approximate position 07°44'N, 98°05'E and proceeding in a southerly direction.
1150F/27 - Surfaced and proceeded ahead of the convoy to attack. The convoy was seen to consist of four merchant vessels. They were in line ahead. A whaler type escort was leading them. There were two medium seized merchant ships, a small tanker and a liner in this convoy. The liner was selected as target she was thought to be the Taiyo Maru. [Taiyo Maru was sunk earlier the same month so it could not have been her].
1207F/27 - Dived. But the position was found to be unfavourable to attack so surfaced nearly 1.5 hours after diving.
1357F/27 - Dived again as the nearest ship came closer. The convoy was seen to circle for a while.
1615F/27 - The convoy proceeded in a South-Westerly direction. Meanwhile Truants battery power was getting rather low.
1658F/27 - Surfaced and proceeded to get ahead of the convoy.
1755F/27 - Sunset.
1805F/27 - Increased to full speed. There were a few light clouds and the moon being nearly full visibility was good but none the less the enemy was soon lost and were not picked up again until 1920F/27.
2300F/27 - Visibility was now deteriorating. The sky was cloudy and the horizon could not be seen through the mist. The wind had dropped and the sea was glassy calm.
2310F/27 - Passed close to a small steam craft on opposite course.
2315F/27 - Dived in position 06°34'N, 99°00'E, 12000 yards on the bow of the convoy. The convoy could only be seen from time to time and was on various courses.
0005F/28 - The convoy was seen approaching in line ahead. The target was the rear ship. Just before firing torpedoes it was seen that the target was a hospital ship, a red cross was visible on a white background, despite this the ship was painted dark gray and not illuminated.
0036F/28 - Fired three torpedoes at the remainder of the convoy. No hits were obtained. Another torpedo was fired at a one of the other ships that was seen to leave the line. This ship returned to her former position after the torpedo was fired so this one also missed. It appeared the action was not observed by the enemy.
0146F/28 - Surfaced. (9) 6 Jun 1942 22 Jun 1942 23 Jun 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00) On her return to harbour, HMS Truant made four runs over the D/G range. (42) 26 Jun 1942 For the daily and attack positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.
(9) 3 Jul 1942 (position 3.14, 99.48) 1700F/3 - In position 320°, Jemur (Aroa Islands), 20 nautical miles sighted smoke to the southward.
1707F/3 - Surfaced and sighted masts and funnel of a merchant vessel.
1738F/3 - Sunset. Started attack, distance was still over 10 nautical miles.
2145F/3 - Fired two torpedoes from 700 yards. Both missed. The target was then engaged with the deck gun. 18 rounds were fired for at least 5 hits. (9) 5 Jul 1942 (position 3.04, 100.33) 1530F/5 - Sighted the smoke of two ships to the south East. Surfaced and closed to attack at high speed.
1540F/5 - Dived, the ships were not yet in sight.
1650F/5 - Sighted masts and funnels of two small ships. The enemy was later seen to be a small merchant of about 2000 tons escorted by a trawler.
1742F/5 - Fired three torpedoes from 1500 yards, all missed. Both ships continued on their course and it appeared the attack was not observed.
1820F/5 - Surfaced and chased the enemy at high speed to attack them again.
1924F/5 - Sighted the bow wave of a small craft coming up from astern. This vessel was going quite fast.
1926F/5 - A searchlight was put directly on Truant which subsequently dived.
1928F/5 - The first of eleven depth charges was dropped. All were quite close. Soon after the attack HE of the enemy faded out. Truant stayed down until early next day. (9) 15 Jul 1942 She was delayed after having suffered from engine trouble on the return trip from this patrol. This was Truants last patrol before being sent home to refit.
Truant is suffering from various defects that need to be resolved before she can proceed back to the U.K. (9) 27 Jul 1942 8 Aug 1942 12 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00) 24 Aug 1942 29 Aug 1942 31 Aug 1942 1 Sep 1942 For the daily positions of HMS Truant during this passage see the map below.
(9) 8 Sep 1942 HMS Truant departed around 1600D/8 to continue her passage to Kilindini / Mombasa. (9) 12 Sep 1942 18 Sep 1942 19 Sep 1942 23 Sep 1942 26 Sep 1942 27 Sep 1942 28 Sep 1942 After the exercises were completed HMS Truant sets course for East London, South Africa while HMS Gambia, HMS Dauntless and HrMs Tjerk Hiddes remained out for night encounter exercises during the night of 28/29 September. On completion of these exercises HMS Dauntless and HrMs Tjerk Hiddes returned to Diego Suarez. (46) 6 Oct 1942 14 Oct 1942 15 Oct 1942 16 Oct 1942 18 Oct 1942 21 Oct 1942 HMS Truant had now been ordered to patrol off Novo Redondo, Portuguese East Africa (Now Sumbe, Angola). A German U-boat was reported in that area by the lighthouse keeper. Also D/F bearings were picked up on latitude 11°S.
[We can't place an Axis submarine in this location on this day though.] (9) 31 Oct 1942 8 Nov 1942 13 Nov 1942 Early the next morning, around 0140Z/14, HrMs K XIV had to return to Freetown due to technical problems. (9) 28 Nov 1942 29 Nov 1942 4 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00) 5 Dec 1942 Sources ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian tanker Bonzo (8177 GRT, built 1931) east of Punta Stilo in position 38°28'N, 16°44'E.
At 2350A/17, in position 36°22'N, 16°50'E, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighted a hospital ship proceeding on course 155° presumably proceeding to Benghazi. (9)
At 1700A/17, to the east-south-east of Malta, in position 35°34'N, 15°27'E, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighted a destroyer which was subsequently identified as HMS Griffin (Lt.Cdr J. Lee-Barber, DSO, RN) which was on passage from Malta to join the Mediterranean Fleet which was at sea. (9)
Around 0745A/18, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) ended her 14th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (9)
Around 1715A/28, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed from Malta for her 15th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean). She is to patrol of Tripoli first, then shift patrol to the Gulf of Sirte. She is to end her patrol at Alexandria.
At 1710A/28, to the north of Tripoli, in position 33°15'N, 13°10'E, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighed two patrol vessels to the south-west proceeding on course 020°.
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighed an escorted merchant vessel that had just left Tripoli. This must have been the Caffaro (Italian, 6476 GRT, built 1924) that had left Tripoli around 0745B/31 for Palermo. She was escorted by the Italian torpedo boat Alcione. Due to the bad weather conditions Alcione was forced to return to Tripoli around 1620B/31.
At 0900A/5, north of Tripoli, in position 33°10'N, 13°13'E, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighted a destroyer or other type of patrol craft steering a course of 280°.
At 1810A/9, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed her patrol area to proceed to the Benghazi area. (9)
At 1800A/11, after having patrolled off Benghazi for a day, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed the Benghazi area to proceed to Alexandria. (9)
Around 0730B/15, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) ended her 15th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (9)
Around 1345B/28, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed from Alexandria for her 16th war patrol (6th in the Mediterranean). She is to patrol off Benghazi, Libya. Later she is to patrol off Tripoli, Libya. She is to end this patrol at Malta.
At 0715B/29, to the north of Mersa Matruh, in approximate position 32°03'N, 27°05'E, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighted a eastbound merchant vessel and escorting destroyer. This turned out to be HMS Defender (Lt.Cdr. G.L. Farnfield, RN) escorting the transport Cingalese Prince (British, 8474 GRT, built 1929) from Tobruk to Alexandria. (9)
At 0233B/31, to the north of Benghazi, in approximate position 32°44'N, 20°04'E, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighed a hospital ship proceeding to the north-east. (9)
At 0800B/1, off Benghazi, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighted a hospital ship entering the harbour through the swept channel. It was though possible that this was the same hospital ship that had been sighted the day before.
In the afternoon, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) conducted another periscope reconnaissance of Benghazi harbour. Only the mast of one medium seized merchant vessel were sighted along with the masts of various small vessels. (9)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) attacked the tranport Calino (Italian, 5186 GRT, built 1940) north-west of Benghazi, Libya in position 32°18'N, 19°51'E. Three torpedoes were fired but these all missed ahead. Calino was on passage from Derna to Benghazi.
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) attacked an Italian convoy near Benghazi, Libya with three torpedoes. The transport Silvia Tripcovich (Italian, 2365 BRT, built 1925) and the tanker Utilitas (Italian, 5310 GRT, built 1918) made up this convoy. They were escorted by the torpedo boat Giuseppe La Farina. No torpedo hits were obtained. Truant was damaged by the premature explosion of one of her own torpedoes.
At 2125B/7, in position 33°35'N, 12°51'E [the patrol report gives position 12°51'N, 33°35'E but this is a mistake], HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighted a large liner and a destroyer at a range of 4 nautical miles bearing 070°. Enemy course was 330°. Commenced to chase but the chase was abandoned at 2150B/7 as it was not possible to close in the heavy seas. (9)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) attacked an Italian convoy about 60 nautical miles north-east of Tripoli. Six torpedoes were fired in this attack but none found its target.
At 1415B/11, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN), attacked the transport Bainsizza (Italian, 7933 GRT, built 1930) with gunfire about 45 nautical miles north-north-west of Tripoli, Libya in position 33°32'N, 12°56'E. The target was not hit and Truant was forced to dive by the escort.
Around 0630B/13, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) ended her 16th war patrol (6th in the Mediterranean) at Malta.
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) is undocked. (22)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) conducted compass adjustment trials at Malta. (23)
Around 1840B/5, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed from Malta for her 17th war patrol (7th in the Mediterranean). She is to patrol in the Gulf of Sirte. She is to end her patrol at Alexandria.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Truant during her 17th war patrol see the map below.
In the evening, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) carried out a periscope reconnaissance of the harbour / anchorage at Buerat. A merchant vessel of about 3000 to 4000 tons was sighted at anchor bearing 040° from the lighthouse and about 2500 yards from the shore.
At 1800B/9, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighed a sailing barque approaching the Buerat anchorage from the north-west keeping closer to the coast then the suspected shipping route. She then entered the anchorage / harbour by the main channel. (9)
In the early evening, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) carried out a periscope reconnaissance of the harbour / anchorage at Buerat. The barque seen approaching the previous evening was seen at anchor between the transport that had been sighted on the 8th, and the lighthouse.
At 0230B/13, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighted a coaster of about 400 to 500 tons, thought to be a water boat, approaching the Buerat anchorage / harbour from the north.
At 0100B/14, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) received a signal from Capt. S 1 informing her that at 1645B/13, three small ships had been sighted of Misurata steering to the south-east.
At 0815B/16, while patrolling of Khoms, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighted a barque proceeding eastwards hugging the coast. (9)
At 1945B/18, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) surfaced and then left the Khoms area to patrol off Buerat. (9)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) attacked the transport Costanza (Italian, 548 GRT, built 1902) off Buerat, Libya. All torpedoes fired missed their target.
Around 0745B/23, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) ended her 17th war patrol (7th in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (24)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) is wiped (degaussed) at Alexandria. She then made three trial runs over the D/G range. (25)
Around 0900B/13, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed from Alexandria for her 18th war patrol (8th in the Mediterranean). She is to patrol off the Libyan coast. She is to end this patrol at Malta.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Truant during her 18th war patrol see the map below.
At 0510B/15, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) dived in position 040° - Derna lighthouse - 17 miles and then commenced to close Derna until 3000 yards from the lighthouse for a periscope reconnaissance. The funnel and masts of a small steamer secured to a buoy at the entrance to the harbour were visible. The height of the mole and the nature of the harbour precluded either a gun or torpedo attack. Considerable traffic of lorries was sighted on the road to the west of Derna. They were mainly going east. A line of some 40 lorries and two cars were closely parked by the side of the road and may have been abandoned.
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sank the Italian auxiliary patrol vessel V 62 / Vanna (279 GRT) with gunfire off Apollonia, Libya in position 33°00'N, 22°00'E. She was en-route from Benghazi (departed around 1500B/15) to Derna.
Around 0300A/18, a signal was received which ordered HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) to proceed toward the Tripoli area with despatch as she was to act as a navigational beacon off Ras Tajura (10 miles to the east of Tripoli) for British surface forces.
At 0300B/20, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) dived in position 32°52'N, 13°41'E and proceeded to the north-west.
The submarine HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) acted as beacon for the Mediterranean Fleet during a bombardment of Tripoli. The bombardment was carried out by the battleships HMS Warspite (Capt. D.B. Fisher, CBE, RN), HMS Barham (Capt. G.C. Cooke, RN), and HMS Valiant (Capt. C.E. Morgan, RN), light cruiser HMS Gloucester (Capt. H.A. Rowley, RN), and destroyers HMS Hasty (Lt.Cdr. L.R.K. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), HMS Havock (Lt. G.R.G. Watkins, RN), HMS Hereward (Lt. W.J. Munn, RN), HMS Hero (Cdr. H.W. Biggs, DSO, RN), HMS Hotspur (Lt.Cdr. C.P.F. Brown, RN), HMS Jaguar (Lt.Cdr. J.F.W. Hine, RN), HMS Janus (Cdr. J.A.W. Tothill, RN), HMS Jervis (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO, RN) and HMS Juno (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, RN). The Italian torpedo boat Partenope and six freighters were damaged in the bombardment. According to Italian sources the transports Assiria (2705 GRT, built 1928) and Marocchino (1524 GRT, built 1920) sank in shallow waters, the motorboat Ciconetti sank in deep waters and the transport Sabbia (5787 GRT, built 1926) was damaged. The German transports Duisburg (7389 GRT, built 1928) and Kybfels (7764 GRT, built 1937) were also damaged.
At 1045B/22, north-west of Khoms, in approximate position 32°47'N, 14°12'E, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighted a destroyer, thought to be of the Italian Folgore-class. She was proceeding in the direction of Khoms on a course of 160° at 24 knots. Closed to attack.
At 2140B/26, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) received a signal from the Cdr. (S) Malta timed 1254B/26 ordering her to operate in a patrol line to the east of Kerkenah together with HMS Ursula (Lt. A.J. Mackenzie, RN), HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) and HMS Upright (Lt. R.S. Brookes, DSC, RN).
At 0300B/30, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) left patrol to proceed to Malta. (9)
Around 0800B/1, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) ended her 18th war patrol (8th in the Mediterranean) at Malta.
At 0615B/5, east-south-east of Cavoli Island, in approximate position 39°04'N, 09°37'E, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighed a merchant vessel of about 4000 tons, in ballast, approaching from the north-east keeping close outside Serpentara Island. HMS Truant was too far off to attack.
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) torpedoed sank the passenger/cargo ship Bengasi (Italian, 1716 GRT, built 1912) about 3 nautical miles south-east off the Cavoli lighthouse, Sardinia, Italy.
At 1000B/7, 38°48'N, 08°50'E, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighed a merchant vessel of about 4000 tons proceeding westwards close inshore. An attack was not possible due to HMS Truant being out of range.
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) intercepted the Vichy-French merchant vessel Gallium (1775 GRT, built 1924) south-east of Mallorca, Spain in position 38°50'N, 04°16'E. The Gallium was ordered to proceed to Gibraltar escorted by HMS Truant.
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) and the Vichy-French merchant Gallium (1775 GRT, built 1924) are intercepted by a Vichy French force of one destroyer and four submarines. Gallium contacted the destroyer and then set course to follow the French force.
Around 0800A/12, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) ended her 19th war patrol (9th in the Mediterranean) at Gibraltar. (9)
Around 1945A/20, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed from Gibraltar bound for the U.S.A. where she is to refit.
At 1645O/28, following the sinking of the German battleship Bismarck, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) received a signal from the Admiralty, timed 1702B/28, ordering her to patrol an area centred on 41°34'N, 39°37'W. This was to search for German supply vessel. Also the German heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen was still at large.
At 0600P/1, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighted smoke bearing 270°. HMS Truant altered course towards as it was thought possible enemy supply vessel may be in the area.
At 1710R/6, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) dropped anchor in Gardiners Bay, Long Island. (9)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) conducted noise trials in Gardiner Bay on completion of which she proceeded to New London, Connecticut. (9)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) proceeded from New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. to Newport, Rhode Island where she disembarked her torpedoes.
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) arrived at the Portsmouth Navy Yard where she is to refit. (28)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) is docked at the Portsmouth Navy Yard. (28)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) is undocked. (29)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) conducted basin trials at the Portsmouth Navy Yard. (30)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) conducted post refit trials off Portsmouth, New Hampshire. (30)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) proceeded from Portsmouth, New Hampshire to Newport, Rhode Island via the Cape Cod Canal. (30)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) proceeded Newport, Rhode Island to New London, Connecticut. (31)
Around 0630Q/5, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) departed from New London for St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada.
Around 0750OP/9, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) arrived at St. John's for a short period of training. (31)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off St. John's. These included practice attacks on HMS Churchill (Cdr.(Retd.) G.R. Cousins, RN). (31)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off St. John's. These included practice attacks on two destroyers. Most likely these were HMS Churchill (Cdr.(Retd.) G.R. Cousins, RN) and HMS Burwell (Lt.Cdr. S.R.J. Woods, RNR). (32)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off St. John's. A practice attack was made on a corvette and also A/S exercises were carried out.
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) is wiped.
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off St. John's with HMS Dianthus (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) C.E. Bridgman, RNR) and HMCS Collingwood (T/Lt. W. Woods, RCNR).
Around 1515OP/19, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) departed from St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada for Gibraltar.
Around 1530A/29, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from St. John's, Newfoundland. (33)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Gibraltar. Dummy attack were made on two destroyers. Also gunnery exercises were carried out as well as noise trials. (34)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) conducted D/G trials at Gibraltar. (34)
Around 1930A/10, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) departed from Gibraltar bound for Malta.
At 0944A/12, north of Algiers, in position 37°45'N, 03°10'E, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) had to dive for a merchant vessel approaching from the south which turned out to be the Vichy-French Augustin le Borgne (1115 GRT, built 1918). She was seen to have deck cargo of large wooden barrels. her course was 105°. (33)
Around 0700A/16, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) arrived at Malta from Gibraltar. (33)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) is docked in No.2 graving dock at the Malta Dockyard. (34)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) is undocked.
At 2230A/19, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) received Capt. S 1's signal timed 1731B/19, ordering her join a patrol line in the Ionian Sea which was further made up of HMS Thorn and HMS Trusty. (33)
At 2100A/22, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) received Capt. S 1's signal timed 1643B/22 ordering her to patrol in the Adriatic as originally planned. (33)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) torpedoed sank the transport Virginia S. (German, former Greek, 3885 GRT, built 1905) in the Otranto Strait about 30 nautical miles east of Capo Santa Maria di Leuca, Italy in position 39°52'N, 19°00'E. The Italian armed merchant cruiser, the convoy's escort, Arborea (4959 GRT, built 1929) was missed during the same attack despite the British claim of a hit.
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) damaged the transport Padenna (Italian, 1589 GRT, built 1904 hours) with gunfire off Bari, Italy.
Near Senigallia, Italy, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN), lands a party of two in a Folbot to blow up a train. They were successful in doing so and all returned safely to HMS Truant.
At 1000A/29, in approximate position 44°39'N, 14°04'E, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) sighted a medium seized tanker, in ballast, but she was too far off to be attacked. Enemy course was approximately 305°.
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) torpedoed sank the water tanker Meteor (Italian, 1685 GRT, built 1925) two nautical miles south-east of Punta Penna, Ortona, Italy.
Around 1145B/8, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) ended her 20th war patrol (10th in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (33)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) is wiped (degaussed) at Alexandria. (35)
Around 1600B/24, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) departed from Alexandria for her 21th war patrol (11th in the Mediterranean).
Around 1015B/30, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) departed from Alexandria to resume her 21st war patrol (11th in the Mediterranean). She is to patrol in the Aegean. Later patrol area is shift to the West coast of Greece.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Truant during her 21st war patrol see the map below.
At 0730B/4, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) sighted a small coaster leaving Suda Bay hugging the coast of Akrotiri passing well out of range. This was possibly the small Spanish transport (in German service) San Juan II (538 GRT, built 1919) which departed Suda Bay for Piraeus around this time.
At 0930A/6, while patrolling in the Anti-Kithera Channel in approximate position 35°43'N, 23°29'E, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) sighted a small destroyer passing out of range on a course of 045° at 12 knots. (33)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) fires three torpedoes at the transport Bellona (German, 1297 GRT, built 1929) off Suda Bay, Crete, Greece. All torpedoes missed their target despite the claim of one hit. The escorting destroyer was the Italian Turbine.
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) torpedoed and heavy damaged the Italian torpedo boat Alcione north of Crete in position 344° - Cape Drepano - 4.8 nautical miles. The Alcione is beached and declared a total loss.
At 1500B/13, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) sighted a hospital ship laying stopped south of Zakynthos in position 37°12'N, 20°40'E. (33)
At 0700B/14, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) sighed two merchant vessels escorted by a destroyer approaching Argostoli from the west and subsequently entering harbour. Range could not be closed to less than 4000 yards so the attack was broken off. (33)
At 1415B/16, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) sighted a Dardo-class destroyer leaving Argostoli and proceeding on course 250° at speed. She passed out of range and thus could not be attacked. This must have been the Italian destroyer Strale. (33)
At 1415B/16, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) sighted a Dardo-class destroyer leaving Argostoli and proceeding on course 250° at speed. She passed out of range and thus could not be attacked. This must have been the Italian destroyer Strale. (33)
At 1820B/18, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) left patrol to return to Alexandria as ordered in Capt. S 1's signal timed 1531B/17. (33)
Around 0830B/24, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) ended her 21st war patrol (11th in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (33)
Around 1430B/4, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) departed from Alexandria for Port Said. HMS Truant is to proceed to Singapore to fight the Japanese. (37)
Around 1000B/5, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) arrived at Port Said from Alexandria. (37)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) is docked in the Suez Canal Company's floating dock at Port Said. (37)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) left dock and departed from Port Said, partially transited the Suez Canal southbound and arrived at Ismalia. (37)
Around 0630B/12, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) continues her passage through the Suez Canal. She departed from Ismalia and arrived at Suez around 1110B/12.
Around 0905C/17, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) arrived at Aden from Suez. Around 1805C/17 she departed Aden for Colombo. (37)
Around 0800F/25, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) arrived at Colombo from Aden. (37)
Around 1610F/1, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) departed from Colombo bound for Batavia, Java, Netherlands East Indies. Singapore was considered no longer a good base for the submarines sent to the China Station due to the frequent air attacks and the Japanese advance on land in Malaya.
At 1336FG/5, a lookout on board USS Boise (Capt. S.B. Robinson, USN) reported seeing an object bearing 230° at a range of 26000 yards. It was thought to be a surfaced submarine.
Around 1050GH/8, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) arrived at Batavia, Netherlands East Indies from Colombo. (38)
Around 1715GH/9, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) departed from Batavia for Surabaya, Java, Netherlands East Indies. (38)
Around 1425GH/11, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) arrived at Surabaya from Batavia. (38)
Around 1710GH/18, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) departed from Surabaya, Java, Netherlands East Indies for her 22nd war patrol (1st in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol off Bali as a Japanese landing was expected on that Island.
At 0400GH/20, while entering Lombok Strait, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) sighted a destroyer bows on ahead. Truant dived. The destroyer passed to the northward.
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) fires six torpedoes against the Japanese light cruiser Nagara (Capt T. Naoi, flagship of Rear-Admiral K. Kubo) (offsite link) north of Bali, Netherlands East Indies. Two torpedo hits were claimed but they were duds.
At 0100GH/25, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) surfaced and proceeded toward Badung Strait to try to attack the convoy again.
At 2230GH/26, at the eastern entrance to the Madura Strait, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) sighted a small craft at a range of about 6000 yards probably laying stopped. Truant dived to investigate and the craft was identified though the periscope as a submarine. No attack was made as Truant was not aware of the positions of Allied submarines and it was considered very likely that this was an Allied submarine placed on a defensive position. (9)
Around 1030GH/27, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) ended her 22nd war patrol (1st in the Far East) at Surabaya. There she received orders to proceed to Colombo. After embarking her spare gear and several members of the spare submarine crew she departed from Surabaya around 1930GH/27. Due to a defect to the starboard main engine clutch only the port main engine was available during the passage to Colombo.
At 2300GH/27, near the Karimunjawa Islands, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) sighted a destroyer ahead at a range of 8000 yards. The destroyer was transmitting on Asdic. It was thought possible it was a British destroyer, either HMS Electra or HMS Encounter [this was not the case, HMS Electra had already been sunk and HMS Encounter would meet her end the following morning to the south of Borneo.] The destroyer must have been Japanese. (9)
At 2320GH/1, while approaching the northern end of the Sunda Strait, in position 020° - Nicholas Point - 18 nautical miles, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) sighted three ships on the starboard bow at a range of 8 nautical miles on approximately the reciprocal course. They appeared to be two cruisers with a destroyer on their starboard bow.
At 1640F/8, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) arrived at Colombo from Surabaya. (40)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) is docked in the Walker & Sons dry dock at Colombo. (41)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) is undocked. (41)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) carries out A/S exercises with HMIS Jumna (Cdr. J.E.N. Coope, RIN) off Colombo. Also two practice attacks were made by the submarine on the sloop. (41)
Around 0800F/19, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Colombo for her 24th war patrol (3rd in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol in the Malacca Straits. On departure Asdic trials were carried out but the set was not working correctly and could not be repaired. HMS Truant proceeded on patrol nonetheless.
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) fired four torpedoes at a so far unidentified convoy in the northern part of the Malacca Straits near position 06°34'N, 99°00'E. All torpedoes missed.
Around 0600F/6, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 24th war patrol (3rd in the Far East) at Colombo. (9)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) carries out A/S exercises off Colombo with HMS Laforey (Capt. R.M.J. Hutton, DSO, RN) and HMS Lightning (Cdr. H.G. Walters, DSC, RN). (42)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) conduced exercises off Colombo with aircraft from HMS Illustrious (Capt. A.G. Talbot, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral D.W. Boyd, CBE, DSC, RN) and HMS Formidable (Capt. A.W.LaT. Bisset, RN). During these exercises HMS Truant was escorted by HMS Overdale Wyke (?).
Around 1730F/26, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Colombo for her 25th war patrol (4th in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol in the Malacca Straits.
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) damaged the Japanese army cargo ship Tamon Maru No.1 (3019 GRT, built 1917) with gunfire in the Straits of Malacca in position 03°14'N, 99°48'E. Two torpedoes had been fired before the gun action but both had missed.
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) attacked a, so far unidentified, small escorted transport in the Malacca Straits in position 03°04'N, 100°33'E. Three torpedoes were fired but these all missed. Following this attack Truant is depth charged by the escort but sustains no damage.
Around 1600F/15, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 25th war patrol (4th in the Far East) at Colombo.
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) is docked in the Walker & Sons dry dock at Colombo. (43)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) is undocked. (44)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) both conducted special (dehumidifying) trials off Colombo. (45)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted engine trials off Colombo. (42)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) is docked again in the Walker & Sons dry dock at Colombo. (44)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) is undocked. (44)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Colombo for her trip to the U.K. where she is to refit. The first leg of the trip is to Kilindini / Mombasa, Kenya.
Around 0830D/8, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Port Victoria, Seychelles to fuel from the chartered tanker Nyholm (Norwegian, 5843 GRT, built 1927). She was escorted in by HMS Rosalind (Skr. E.G. Littler, DSC, RD, RNR) which had joined at 0700D/8.
Around 1030C/12, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa. (9)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) carries out A/S exercises off Kilindini with HMS Fritillary (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Barker, RD, RNR) and aircraft. (9)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) carries out exercises off Kilindini with HMS Catterick (Lt. A. Tyson, RN). The submarine also made a practice attack on the escort destroyer and also carried out gunnery exercises. (9)
Around 0615C/23, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Kilindini / Mombasa for Diego Suarez, Madagascar. (9)
Around 1025D/26, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Diego Suarez from Kilindini / Mombasa. She was escorted in by HMS Pladda (T/Lt. P.T. Lovelock, DSC, RNVR) which had joined around 0720D/26. (9)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) carries out A/S exercises off Diego Suarez with HMS Pladda (T/Lt. P.T. Lovelock, DSC, RNVR). (9)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) carries out A/S exercises off Diego Suarez with HMS Shapinsay (A/Skr.Lt. W.S. Flowers, RNR) and HMS Hildasay (T/Lt. H.C. Doman, RNVR). Later on the day attack exercises were carried out during which HMS Gambia (Capt. M.J. Mansergh, CBE, RN), HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) and HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Kruys, RNethN) acted as targets.
Around 1345C/6, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at East London. (9)
Around 1300C/14, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from East London for Simonstown. She was escorted by Commandant Duboc. They however soon lost company in the bad weather conditions. (9)
Due to the bad weather encountered while en-route to Simonstown, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN), puts into Port Elizabeth around 0915C/15 and await her escort there. (9)
Around 1230C/16 HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Port Elizabeth for Simonstown. She was escorted by Commandant Duboc. (9)
Around 0945C/18, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) and Commandant Duboc arrived at Simonstown from Port Elizabeth. (9)
Around 1800C/21, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Simonstown for Freetown. She was escorted until 2250C/22 by HMS Thyme (Lt. H. Roach, RNR).
Around 1045B/31, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) makes rendezvous with HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Geijs, RNN) in position 11°00'S, 07°00'E. Both submarines proceeded together towards Freetown. (9)
Around 1030Z/8, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) and HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Geijs, RNN) arrived at Freetown. (9)
Around 1630Z/13, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Freetown for Holy Loch, Scotland. Dutch submarine HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Geijs, RNN), which was to proceed to Bermuda, was in company.
Around 0720Z/28, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN), made rendezvous to thee south of Bishops Rock with her escort towards Holy Loch, HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr. (Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (47)
Around 2200Z/29, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch from Freetown. (9)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) proceeded from Holy Loch to Ardrossan. (48)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) proceeded from Ardrossan to Troon where she is taken in hand for refit (Job Nr. ER 1569). (48)
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