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Submarine HMS H 44 (N 44)

8 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
With her refit completed, HMS H 44 (Lt. A.R.Hezlet, RN), departed Sheerness for Blyth. She was escorted by HMS Guillemot (Lt.Cdr. H.M. Darell-Brown, RN). (1)

9 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) arrived at Blyth. (1)

15 Jan 1941
HMS H 44 (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) arrived at Rothesay. (1)

19 Jan 1941
HMS H 44 (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN shifted from Rothesay to Campbeltown. (1)

23 Jan 1941
HMS H 44 (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (1)

24 Jan 1941
HMS H 44 (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (1)

25 Jan 1941
HMS H 44 (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (1)

26 Jan 1941
HMS H 44 (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (1)

28 Jan 1941
HMS H 44 (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (1)

29 Jan 1941
HMS H 44 (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (1)

30 Jan 1941
HMS H 44 (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (1)

31 Jan 1941
HMS H 44 (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (1)

1 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) shifted from Campbeltown to Rothesay. (2)

5 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) conducted torpedo (salvo) firing trials / exercises in the Clyde area. (2)

8 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) departed Rothesay for Londonderry. She was escorted by HMS Northern Spray (Lt. H.P. Crail, RNR). (2)

9 Feb 1941
HMS H 44 (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Skate (Lt. F.P. Baker, DSC, RN) and HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. R.B.S. Tennant, RN). (2)

10 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Vanoc (Lt.Cdr. J.G.W. Deneys, DSO, RN). (2)

11 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Verbena (Lt.Cdr. D.A. Rayner, DSC, RNVR) and HMS Dianella (T/Lt. J.G. Rankin, RNR). (2)

12 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Anemone (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Boys-Smith, DSO, RNR) and HMS Northern Wave (T/Lt. W.G. Pardoe-Matthews, RNR). (2)

13 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Wanderer (Cdr. A.F.St G. Orpen, RN), HMS Sabre (Lt. P.W. Gretton, DSC, RN) and HMS Scimitar (Lt. R.D. Franks, OBE, RN). (2)

14 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with aircraft. (2)

15 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Scimitar (Lt. R.D. Franks, OBE, RN) and HMS Leamington (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Bowerman, RN). (2)

19 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Northern Spray (Lt. H.P. Crail, RNR) and HMS Petunia (Lt.Cdr. G.V. Legassick, RNR). (2)

20 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Northern Dawn (Lt. G.P.S. Lowe, RNVR). (2)

21 Feb 1941
HMS H 44 (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Malcolm (Cdr. C.D. Howard-Johnston, DSC, RN). (2)

22 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Havelock (Cdr. E.H. Thomas, DSC, RN). (2)

24 Feb 1941
HMS H 44 (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Chelsea (Lt.Cdr. R.D.H.S. Pankhurst, RN) and HNoMS Mansfield (Cdr. F. Ulstrup, RNorN). (2)

25 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Chelsea (Lt.Cdr. R.D.H.S. Pankhurst, RN) and HNoMS Mansfield (Cdr. F. Ulstrup, RNorN). (2)

27 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 44 (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Chesterfield (Lt.Cdr. E. Gleave, RNR). (2)

28 Feb 1941
HMS H 44 (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Saladin (Lt.Cdr. L.J. Dover, RN) and another vessel [unable to read the name in the log of HMS H 44].

[For the month of March and April 1941 there are no logs available of HMS H 44, therefore no other details of her operations can curently been given other then the 'events' listed here.] (2)

Submarine HMS Upholder (N 99)

6 Jun 1941
Around 1600B/6, HMS Upholder (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) departed Malta for her 11th war patrol (9th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol North-East of Tripoli.

Lt. Hezlet took over from Lt.Cdr. Wanklyn for this patrol so Lt.Cdr. Wanklyn could have a rest.

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

(3)

17 Jun 1941
Around 0715B/17, HMS Upholder (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) ended her 11th war patrol (9th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (3)

Submarine HMS Unique (N 95)

16 Aug 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) departed Malta for her 13th war patrol (11th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Tripoli, Libya. Lt. Hezlet had taken over from Lt. Collett for this patrol in order to give Lt. Collett a rest.

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

(3)

20 Aug 1941 (position 33.03, 13.03)
HMS Unique (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian troop transport Esperia (11398 GRT, built 1920) 11 nautical miles bearing 318° of the Tripoli lighthouse, Libya in position 33°03'N, 13°03'E.

According to Italian sources four were killed and twelve were missing, 1139 survivors (including 53 wounded) were picked up. She had been in convoy with Oceania, Neptunia and Marco Polo escorted by the destroyers Ugolino Vivaldi, Nicoloso da Recco, Vincenzo Gioberti, Alfredo Oriani, Scirocco and the torpedo boats Giuseppe Dezza and Partenope.

(All times are zone -2)
0636 to 0725 hours - Sighted the torpedo boat Partenope, 2 MAS boats and 3 minesweepers. They were passing about a mile inshore of Unique. From their movements the position of the swept channel was fixed and Unique was placed near the entrance to await the convoy of troopships that was reported.

0956 hours - In position 33°03'N, 13°03'E sighted four liners bearing 305°, range about 8 nautical miles. Enemy course was 155°. Started attack.

1010 hours - Range was now 6500 yards. Of the escort a Partenope-class torpedo boat was sighted an also a Navigatori-class destroyer but most likely there were many others.

1019 hours - After getting inside the escort screen fired a salvo of four torpedoes from 650 yards against one of the liners. Upon firing Unique cleared the torpedo tracks and set course to the North at 90 feet. Shortly afterwards three torpedoes were heard to hit the target.

1037 to 1137 hours - 15 Depth charges were dropped but none were close.

1230 hours - Came to periscope depth, only a fling boat and a schooner were seen. Went deep again and reloaded the torpedo tubes.

1815 hours - While at periscope depth in position 33°13'N, 12°56'E sighted a CANT Z-501 flying boat alter towards. Went deep and altered course.

1816 hours - A depth charge exploded on the Port quarter.

1818 hours - Another depth charge exploded very close on the Port beam. Some minor damage was caused. Went to 150 feet.

According to Italian sources the aircraft was a CANT Z.501 of 145^ Squadriglia piloted by Midshipman De Solem who dropped two bombs and claimed to have hit the submarine. (3)

21 Aug 1941
At 1510 hours (zone -2) HMS Unique (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) was running on the surface to reach a new patrol position when it was noticed that the submarine was leaving an oil slick. At 1600 hours Unique dived and proceeded further to the North-East while submerged.

2015 hours - Unique was at periscope depth when an explosion was heard. A thin column of water was sighted about one mile away through the periscope. This was repeated four times. It appeared that Unique was bombed from the air although no aircraft were sighted. Two minutes later, HE was heard and fire was opened on the periscope with a gun. Unique was taken to 90 feet and course was altered. For the next 45 minutes Unique was hunted but no depth charges were dropped. (3)

23 Aug 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) ended her 13th war patrol (11th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (3)

Submarine HMS Ursula (N 59)

10 Sep 1941
HMS Ursula (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) conducted exercises off Malta with the British corvette HMS Gloxinia (Lt.Cdr. A.J.C. Pomeroy, RNVR) and the British minesweeper HMS Abingdon (Lt. G.A. Simmers, RNR).

After the exercises Ursula was docked. (4)

12 Sep 1941
HMS Ursula (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) was undocked. (4)

16 Sep 1941
HMS Ursula (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) departed Malta for her 24th war patrol (11th in the Mediterranean). She was to patrol off Tripoli, Libya.

An important fast Italian troop convoy had departed Taranto for Tripoli that day.

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

(5)

18 Sep 1941 (position 32.55, 13.52)
HMS Ursula (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) attacked the Italian troop transport Vulcania (24469 GRT, built 1928) about 30 nautical miles East of Tripoli, Libya in approximate position 32°55'N, 13°52'E. Four torpedoes were fired but all missed their target although it was thought that one hit was obtained.

(All times are zone -2)
0656 hours - Sighted a large transport with a Navigatori-class destroyer as escort. [This was most likely Antoniotto Usodimare.]

0705 hours - In approximate position 32°55'N, 13°52'E fired four torpedoes from 3500 yards. It was thought the one hit was obtained but this was not the case. No counter attack developed. (5)

20 Sep 1941
HMS Ursula (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) ended her 24th war patrol (11th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (5)

23 Sep 1941
HMS Ursula (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) departed Malta for her 25th war patrol (12th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol the Southern approaches to the Stait of Messina.

No patrol report is available for this patrol. The log for September list no attacks but for October no log is available. As far as is known to us no attacks were carried out.

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

(4)

6 Oct 1941
HMS Ursula (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) ended her 25th war patrol (12th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (6)

17 Oct 1941
HMS Ursula (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) departed Malta for her 26th war patrol (13th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off the East coast of Tunisia off the Gulf of Hammamet.

No logs are available for this period so no map can be displayed. (7)

18 Oct 1941 (position 35.25, 11.39)
HMS Ursula (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) torpedoed and damaged the Italian merchant Beppe (4859 GRT, built 1912) some 45 nautical miles west of Lampedusa Island in position 35°25'N, 11°39'E. The damaged Beppe is towed to Tripoli, Libya.

(All times are zone -2)
0706 hours - In position 35°27'N, 11°45'E sighted smoke bearing 306°. Started attack.

0802 hours - In position 35°25'N, 11°39'E fired four torpedoes at two merchant vessels of about 6000 tons. Ranges were 6000 and 7000 yards. It was thought that two hits were obtained, one on each target.

0825 to 0900 hours - One of the escorts carried out counter-attacks in which 9 depth charges were dropped. No damage was done to Ursula.

0912 hours - Sighted a merchant vessel stopped in the position of the attack. Altered course towards and started to reload no.3 torpedo tube.

1005 hours - The vessel was seen to be lower in the water.

1100 hours - Nothing in sight. It was thought the vessel had sunk.

[The other ship was the Italian merchant Caterina (4838 GRT, built 1920), and they were escorted by the destroyer Alfredo Oriani. Beppe was towed to Tripoli by the German tug Max Behrendt. while Caterina was later sunk by an aircraft torpedo.] (7)

19 Oct 1941
HMS Ursula (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) arrived at Malta to embark four new torpedoes. After eight hours she departed again to resume her 26th war patrol. New patrol area was the southern approaches to the Strait of Messina. (7)

22 Oct 1941 (position 38.06, 16.14)
HMS Ursula (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) carried out a reconnaissance of the coast North of Cape Spartivento to select a suitable bridge to bombard. At 0900 hours (zone -2) a suitable target was seen near position 38°06'N, 16°14'E.

At 1419 hours Ursula surfaced 1500 yards from the bridge. 77 Rounds were fired and the bridge was damaged by 22 direct hits.

At 1439 hours the action was broken off when the gun jammed and an aircraft that was seen to the seaward.

[Italian sources show that the bridge and telegraph line sustained some damage but seven unexploded shells were found.] (8)

28 Oct 1941
HMS Ursula (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) ended her 26th war patrol (13th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (7)

6 Nov 1941
HMS Ursula (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) departed Malta for her 27th war patrol (14th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Misrata, Libya.

No logs are available for this period so no map can be displayed. (5)

11 Nov 1941 (position 32.07, 15.26)
HMS Ursula (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) attacked a convoy with three torpedoes about 20 nautical miles South-East of Misrata, Libya in position 32°07'N, 15°26'E. No hits were obtained and Ursula was depth charged by the escorts. [This was Pertusola (1502 GRT, built 1882) being towed by Imperia with Ascianghi (610 GRT, built 1921) escorted by the torpedo boats Generale Antonio Cascino and Calliope). Calliope attacked the submarine with two depth charge patterns, recording three explosions and a large oil slick and believed the submarine sunk.]

(All times are zone -2)
1615 hours - Sighted smoke to the South.

1730 hours - Sighted a convoy of two merchant vessels (one of 2000 tons, one of 1000 tons that was towing a sailing vessel). Escort was provided by two torpedo boats, one was seen to be the Generale Antonio Cascino and the other was a more modern one of the Spica class.

1752 hours - In position 32°07'N, 15°26'E fired three torpedoes at the 2000 tons merchant vessel from . Both missed as the tracks were sighted and evaded by the target.

1755 hours - Both torpedo boats altered towards. Ursula went deep and rigged for depth charging.

1800 to 1810 hours - 14 Depth charges were dropped. All rather close but Ursula sustained no damage. (5)

20 Nov 1941
HMS Ursula (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) ended her 27th war patrol (14th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (5)

30 Nov 1941
HMS Ursula (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) departed Malta for Gibraltar. She is to proceed to the U.K. for a refit. (6)

9 Dec 1941
HMS Ursula (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (6)

14 Dec 1941
As her refit in the U.K. can start only around mid-January 1942 HMS Ursula (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) is sent out on a anti-uboat patrol to the East of Gibraltar near Alboran Island. This is her 28th war patrol (15th in the Mediterranean).

No logs are available for this period so no map can be displayed. (6)

15 Dec 1941
HMS Ursula (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) is ordered to return to Gibraltar. She is needed to patrol in the Bay of Biscay as it is feared that the German capital ships currently at Brest were to leave port. (6)

16 Dec 1941
HMS Ursula (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) ended her 28th war patrol (15th in the Mediterranean) at Gibraltar. (6)

17 Dec 1941
HMS Ursula (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) departed Gibraltar for her 29th war patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the Bay of Biscay and end this patrol in the U.K.

No logs are available for this period so no map can be displayed. (8)

30 Dec 1941
HMS Ursula (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) ended her 29th war patrol at Portsmouth. (8)

8 Jan 1942
HMS Ursula (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) departed Portsmouth for Sheerness. (6)

9 Jan 1942
HMS Ursula (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) arrived at Sheerness. (6)

12 Jan 1942
HMS Ursula (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) is taken in hand for a refit at the Chatham Dockyard. (6)

Submarine HMS Trident (N 52)

3 Apr 1942
HMS Trident (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (9)

4 Apr 1942
HMS Trident (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN) served as target. (9)

6 Apr 1942
Around 1800A/6, HMS Trident (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) departed from Holy Loch for her 27th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the Norwegian coast to the north of Trondheim. She was escorted out by HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) C.C. Flemming, RN) until 2100A/8 when they parted company near Muckle Flugga. (10)

6 Apr 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Trident during her 27th war patrol see the map below.

12 Apr 1942
Around 1700A/12, HMS Trident (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) arrived in her patrol area near Kya. (10)

13 Apr 1942
At 1000A/13, in approximate position 64°32'N, 10°25'E, HMS Trident (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) sighted a large hospital ship. She appeared to be damaged and down by the bow.

Three trawlers and a seaplane were escorting her and four other trawlers were sweeping ahead.

This was the German hospital ship Berlin (15236 GRT, built 1925) which had departed Rorvik around 0800B/13. She anchored off Trondheim around 1930B/13. On board were 320 sick / injured servicemen. She arrived at Trondheim escorted by the auxiliary patrol vessel V 5712 / Kärnten which was most likely one of the three trawlers which were in company with Berlin when she was sighted by HMS Trident [we have so far been unable to identify the two other trawlers sighted.]

The four trawlers seen sweeping ahead were most likely four trawlers from the 15th M/S Flotilla (M 1501, M 1505, M 1506 and M 1508) on passage from Bodo to Kristiansund.

From 13 to 17 April 1942, HMS Trident sighted many laden merchant vessel proceeding both northwards and southwards. Often these were not escorted. No attacks could however be made as HMS Trident had instructions only attack enemy vessels from the size of cruisers and above.

From 1800A/17, HMS Trident was allowed to attack all enemy vessels as ordered in Capt. S 9's signal timed 2143A/16. (11)

18 Apr 1942 (position 64.32, 10.33)
HMS Trident (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) fires two torpedoes against 'what is identified as' a laden 3000 ton merchant ship, southbound, in position 64°32'N, 10°33'E. Both torpedoes missed their target. [We have been unable to identify this ship.]

1400 hours - In position 64°32'N, 10°33'E fired two torpedoes against a laden southbound merchant ship of about 3000 tons from 1000 yards. Both torpedoes missed and were heard to explode on the shore. The vessel was then seen to signal to two northbound merchant vessels which subsequently turned and proceeded southwards. (10)

19 Apr 1942
HMS Trident (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) patrolled south-east of Rorvik, near position 64°41'N, 10°45'E.

During the forenoon the Norwegian merchant vessel Irma (1299 GRT, built 1905) and a trawler patrolling near Villa were sighted.

At 1530A/19, a convoy of four large laden merchant vessels was sighted approaching from the southward. They were escorted by three trawlers. Instead of proceeding by the usual route and thus passed close by, they proceeded up Folla Fjord for a while thus passing further to the westward out of range.

[We have been unable to identify this convoy of four ships.] (10)

20 Apr 1942 (position 64.38, 10.49)
HMS Trident (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) torpedoed and sank the German transport Hödur (5368 GRT, built 1913) in the Follafjord south-west of Rorvik, in position 64°38'N, 10°49'E.

Hödur had a cargo of 8500 tons of coal and was on passage from Emden to Tromso. Out of a crew of 53 only 8 survivors were rescued.

1145A/20 - An unescorted 6000 tons laden merchant vessel was seen approaching from the south-westward. Started attack.

1200A/20 - Fired three torpedoes from 1700 yards. The first two torpedoes hit the target that capsized and sank in less than five minutes. The third torpedo missed and exploded on the shore.

HMS Trident then left patrol to return to Lerwick proceeding southwards close to the coast in the hope of encountering some more enemy vessels. (12)

25 Apr 1942
Around 1145A/25, HMS Trident (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) ended her 27th war patrol at Lerwick.

She departed for Holy Loch around 1500A/25, escorted by HrMs Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.L.M. van Geen, RNN).

27 Apr 1942
Around 0530A/27, HMS Trident (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (10)

8 May 1942
HMS Trident (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted D/G trials off Helensburg.

These were followed by exercises in the Clyde area. These included gunnery exercises on a target that was towed by HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN).

Upon completion HMS Trident proceeded to Campbeltown. (9)

9 May 1942
HMS Trident (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. These included A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS L'Incomprise (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) F.S. Deveson, RNR). (9)

13 May 1942
Around 1000B/13, HMS Trident (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) departed Holy Loch for Lerwick. She made the passage north together with HMS Seawolf (Lt. R.P. Raikes, RN). They were escorted by HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) C.C. Flemming, RN). (10)

15 May 1942
Around 1045B/15, HMS Trident (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) arrived at Lerwick.

She departed Lerwick for her 28th war patrol around 1230B/15. She was ordered to give cover for convoy PQ 16 to north Russia.

HMS Trident is to proceed to Iceland first.

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

(10)

18 May 1942
Around 0630B/18, HMS Trident (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) arrived at Seydisfjord, Iceland. (10)

22 May 1942
Around 1515B/22, HMS Trident (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) departed from Seydisfjord, Iceland to join convoy PQ 16 at sea.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy operation to and from northern Russia, convoy's PQ 16 and QP 12 ' for 21 May 1942.] (10)

23 May 1942
Around 0400B/23, HMS Trident (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) joins convoy PQ 16 in position 66°52'N, 15°00'W. (10)

27 May 1942 (position 73.43, 19.48)
1340B/27 - HMS Trident (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) picks up nine survivors from the American merchant vessel Alamar (5915 GRT, built 1916). This ship has been abandoned after it was hit by German Ju.88 aircraft. Trident was ordered to sink the disabled ship which she did with two torpedoes (for one hit) at 1419 hours in position 73°43'N, 19°48'E.

1900B/27 - Trident uses her antiaircraft guns to repulse an attack on the convoy by German aircraft.

2020B/27s - Trident comes alongside the British merchant vessel Empire Purcell (British, 7049 GRT, built 1942) which has been abandoned prematurely after minor bomb damage. An attempt to salvage her is abandoned following new air attacks. (10)

29 May 1942
At 0455B/29, HMS Trident (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) uses again her antiaircraft armament in the defence of convoy PQ 16. (10)

30 May 1942
Around 1830B/30, HMS Trident (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) arrived at Polyarnoe, Russia with convoy PQ 12, ending her 28th war patrol. (10)

12 Jun 1942
Around 1200C/12, HMS Trident (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) departed from Polyarnoe, Russia for a short anti-U-boat patrol to the north of Murmansk (This is Trident's 29th war patrol).

On departure A/S exercises were carried out with HMS Leda (Cdr. A.D.H. Jay, DSC, RN). (10)

12 Jun 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
For the daily positions of HMS Trident during her 29th war patrol see the map below.

19 Jun 1942
Around 1315C/19, HMS Trident (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) ended her 29th war patrol at Polyarnoe, Russia.

She was escorted in by HMS Gossamer (Lt.Cdr. T.C. Crease, RN) which had joined around 1100C/19. (10)

27 Jun 1942
Around 1815C/27, HMS Trident (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) departed from Polyarnoe, Russia for her 30th war patrol. She is to give cover for convoy's QP 13 and PQ 17 and return to the U.K. afterwards.

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

(10)

30 Jun 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 2020C/30, east-north-east of Bear Island, in position 74°47'N, 22°37'E, HMS Trident (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) left convoy QP 13 to hunt for a U-boat transmitting homing signals near the convoy.

At 2311C/30, the hunt was abandoned without having encountered the enemy U-boat. Course was then set to patrol in zone K 55 (between latitudes 73°10'N and 72°50'N and longitudes 22°30'E and 24°00'E). (10)

6 Jul 1942 (position 72.07, 31.09)
HMS Trident (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) encounters two German U-boats in position 72°07'N, 31°09'E. They were not attacked (see below for the reasons).
These two U-boats must have been the damaged U-334 that was proceeding to Kirkenes 'escorted by' U-456.

0925B/6 - While submerged in position 72°07'N, 31°09'E the officer of the watch sighted two objects to the northward. The objects were distorted by mirage and could not be identified. As they might well have been tops of the German heavy units thought to be in the area they were closed at full submerged speed for five minutes until it was seen that they were two German U-boats. Their course and speed was 195° and 8 knots. They passed 2300 yards ahead of Trident.

They were not attacked for the following reasons (in order of importance)
1) It was thought they German heavy units were to the eastward about to attack the scattered convoy PQ 17. Trident was well placed to intercept them on their return.
2) The patrol orders stated that a full salvo had to be retained for these German heavy units. Therefore only 4 at max. could be fired as two torpedoes were already expended during the scuttling of the American merchant Alamar on 27 May. If a salvo of 10 torpedoes was to be retained four out of the six C.C.R. (magnetic) pistols would have to be expended.
3) The U-boats were homeward bound and therefore no longer a menace to the convoy.
4) We were instructed by signal not to attack submarines to the west of 30'E. Despite the fact that Trident was to the east of 30'E the order was clearly meant to apply. (10)

12 Jul 1942
Arund 0915B/12, HMS Trident (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) ended her 30th war patrol at Lerwick.

Around 1800B/12, HMS Trident departed Lerwick for Scapa Flow. She made the passage together with FFS Minerve and their escort HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR) which were both en-route to Dundee. (10)

13 Jul 1942
Around 0920B/13, HMS Trident (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow. (13)

16 Jul 1942
Around 2200B/16, HMS Trident (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) departed from Scapa Flow bound for Lerwick. She made the passage together with HNoMS Uredd (Lt. R.O. Rören). They were escorted by HMS Lord Lloyd (T/Lt. M.W. Bond, RNVR). (14)

17 Jul 1942
Around 1230B/17, HMS Trident (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) arrived at Lerwick. (13)

20 Jul 1942
Around 1500B/20, HMS Trident (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) departed from Lerwick bound for Holy Loch. She made the passage together with HMS Sturgeon (Lt.Cdr. M.R.G. Wingfield, RN). They were escorted by HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr.(G.W. Dobson, RNR). (14)

22 Jul 1942
Around 1715B/22, HMS Trident (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (13)

4 Aug 1942
HMS Trident (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) proceeded from Holy Loch to Troon where she is to refit. She was escorted by a trawler [identity not given in the logbook]. (15)

Submarine HMS Thrasher (N 37)

4 May 1943
With her refit completed, HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) proceeded from the Chatham Dockyard to Sheerness. (16)

5 May 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted post refit trials of Sheerness. (16)

6 May 1943
Around 1815B/6, HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) departed Sheerness for Portsmouth. She made the passage in convoy CW 176. (16)

7 May 1943
Around 1715B/7, HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) arrived at Portsmouth (Fort Blockhouse) from Sheerness. (16)

16 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Solent. (16)

17 May 1943
Around 0630B/17, HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) departed Porstmouth for Dartmouth where she arrived around 1630B/17. En-route exercises were carried out. (16)

18 May 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted independent exercises off Dartmouth. (16)

19 May 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Dartmouth and proceeded to Plymouth upon completion. The exercises included an A/S exercise with HM ML 118 (?). The ML then escorted the submarine to Plymouth. (16)

20 May 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Plymouth. (16)

21 May 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Plymouth with The escort destroyers HMS Melbreak (Lt. G.E.C.G. Baines, RN) and ORP Krakowiak (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) J.A. Tchórznicki) in the morning and with HMS Wensleydale (Lt. W.P. Goodfellow, RNVR) and HMS Tanatside (Lt.Cdr. F.D. Brown, RN) in the afternoon. Upon completion of the A/S exercise in the afternoon Thrasher made a pracice attack on HMS Wensleydale. (16)

23 May 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) departed Plymouth for Holy Loch. She made the passage together with the Russian submarine S-54 (?). They were escorted by HMS Columbine (T/A/Lt.Cdr. W.J. Griffiths, RNR) (16)

25 May 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch for a period of training and exercises. These included exercises with handling (Welman) midget submarines. (16)

29 May 1943
During 29/30 May 1943, HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. These included attack exercises with HMS Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.D. O'Driscoll, RNR). (16)

31 May 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted speed trials in the Clyde area. (16)

1 Jun 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted trials in the Clyde area. (17)

2 Jun 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted trials and exercises in the Clyde area. (17)

3 Jun 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted trials and exercises in the Clyde area. (17)

4 Jun 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN). (17)

5 Jun 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS St. Marys (Lt. D.B.G. Dumas, RN). (17)

6 Jun 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted trials and exercises in the Clyde area. (17)

9 Jun 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted speed trials in the Clyde area. (17)

10 Jun 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) departed Kames Bay with the midget submarine X 7 in tow for exercises in the Clyde area. (17)

12 Jun 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) with midget submarine X 7 in tow arrived at Loch Cairnbawn (Port H.H.Z.). (17)

13 Jun 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) departed Port H.H.Z. (Loch Cairnbawn) for exercises. She had midget submarine X 7 in tow. (17)

14 Jun 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) with the midget submarine X 7 returned to Port H.H.Z. (Loch Cairnbawn) on completion of the exercises. (17)

16 Jun 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) departed Port H.H.Z. (Loch Cairnbawn) for Kames Bay. She had midget submarine X 7 in tow. They were escorted by HMS Alecto (Lt.Cdr. H.A.L. Marsham, RN). (17)

17 Jun 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN), with midget submarine X 7 in tow, arrived at Kames Bay. (17)

19 Jun 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) arrived at Greenock for alterations to her casing to operate with midget submarines. (17)

22 Jun 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) shifted from Greenock to Loch Striven where a Welman midget submarine was embarked. (17)

23 Jun 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted Welman shipping trials in Loch Striven. (17)

24 Jun 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted Welman shipping trials in Loch Striven. Upon completion of these trials she proceeded to Holy Loch. (17)

25 Jun 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) departed Holy Loch for Port H.H.Z. She makes the passage together with HMS Tantalus (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Mackenzie, DSO and Bar, RN). They were escorted by HMS Alecto (Lt.Cdr. H.A.L. Marsham, RN). En-route exercises were carried out with the release of Welman midget submarines. (17)

27 Jun 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) arrived at Port H.H.Z. and after some more trials she departed for Scapa Flow where she arrived later the same day for a period of A/S exercises as well as excercises for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course). (17)

28 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted exercises for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) at Scapa Flow. (17)

29 Jun 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted exercises for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) at Scapa Flow. (17)

30 Jun 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted exercises for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) at Scapa Flow. (17)

1 Jul 1943
In the morning HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted exercises for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) at Scapa Flow. HMS Renown (Capt. W.E. Parry, CB, RN) served as the target.

In the afternoon Thrasher participated in A/S exercises. Possibly with HMIS Narbada (Lt.Cdr. A.W. Beeton, RIN)

In the afternoon HMS Renown then conducted exercises with HMS Kent (Capt. A.E.M.B. Cunninghame-Graham, RN) and HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN).

HMS Renown then returned to harbour while the cruisers continued their exercises during the night of 1 / 2 July and only returned the following morning. (18)

2 Jul 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted exercises for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) at Scapa Flow. (19)

4 Jul 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted speed trials on the measured mile at Scapa Flow. (17)

5 Jul 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted exercises for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) at Scapa Flow. (19)

6 Jul 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted exercises for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) at Scapa Flow. (19)

7 Jul 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted exercises for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) at Scapa Flow. Serving as target during practice attacks was the light cruiser HMS Diomede (Capt. H.T.W. Grant, RCN).

HMS Diomede also conducted gunnery exercises. (19)

8 Jul 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted exercises for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) at Scapa Flow. (19)

10 Jul 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted exercises for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) at Scapa Flow.

These included A/S exercises, first with HMS Saumarez (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Walmsley, DSC, RN) and later with HMS Ulster (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Donald, DSC, RN) and HMS Woodcock (Lt.Cdr. C. Gwinner, DSO, RN). (19)

13 Jul 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted exercises for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) at Scapa Flow. These included A/S exercises, first with HMS Mahratta (Lt.Cdr. E.A.F. Drought, DSC, RN) and HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN), later with HMS Savage (Cdr. R.C. Gordon, DSO, RN) and HMS Icarus (Lt.Cdr. R. Dyer, RN) and finally with HMS Glasgow (Capt. E.M. Evans-Lombe, RN). (19)

14 Jul 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) departed Scapa flow for Holy Loch. She makes the passage together with HMS Tantalus (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Mackenzie, DSO and Bar, RN) and FFS Curie. They were escorted by HMS Alecto (Lt.Cdr. H.A.L. Marsham, RN). (19)

16 Jul 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch from Scapa Flow. (19)

20 Jul 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) departed Holy Loch for exercises in the Clyde area with special forces (C.O.P.P.). (19)

22 Jul 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) returned to Holy Loch upon completion of the exercises in the Clyde area with special forces (C.O.P.P.). (19)

24 Jul 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) was docked in AFD 7 at Holy Loch. (19)

26 Jul 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) was undocked. (19)

30 Jul 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) proceeded from Holy Loch to Kames Bay. (19)

31 Jul 1943
Around 2200B/31, HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) departed Kames Bay for Lerwick. One board was one Welman midget submarine.

Thrasher was escorted by HMS Angle (T/Lt. A.L. Kerr, RNVR). (19)

1 Aug 1943
At 0856B/1, HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) was recalled to Kames Bay to take on board a full completent of Welman midget submarines (F.O.S.'s signal timed 0558B/1). HMS Thrasher arrived back at Kames Bay at 2025B/1. (20)

2 Aug 1943
Around 1640B/2, HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) departed Kames Bay for Port H.H.Z. On board was still one Welman midget submarine but two others had to be embarked from HMS Titania that was moored at Loch Corrie (Port HHX).

Thrasher was escorted by HMS Angle (T/Lt. A.L. Kerr, RNVR). (20)

3 Aug 1943
Around 1045B/3, HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) arrived at Port H.H.Z. (20)

4 Aug 1943
At Port H.H.Z., HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) embarked another Welman craft making the total on board two. She departed for Lerwick around noon.

The reason for taking the two Welman craft on patrol is not clear to us (yet). (20)

5 Aug 1943
Around 2200B/5, HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) arrived at Lerwick. (20)

6 Aug 1943
Around 0001B/6, HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) departed Lerwick for her 14th war patrol (1st patrol of the 2nd commission). This was a work-up patrol to the North-East of the Shetlands on an anti-Uboat patrol. The objective of the patrol was to sink enemy submarines passing through the area.

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

(21)

16 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2100B/16, HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) left patrol to return to Lerwick. (21)

17 Aug 1943
Around 1710B/17, HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) ended her 14h war patrol at Lerwick. The patrol had been uneventful. (21)

18 Aug 1943
Around 2000A/18, HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) departed Lerwick for Holy Loch. She made the passage together with HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN). They were escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (20)

20 Aug 1943
Around 1245A/20, HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) arrived at Kames Bay where the Welman craft were disemberked. She proceeded from Kames Bay to Holy Loch later the same day. (20)

31 Aug 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) departs Holy Loch for Loch Loch Cairnbawn (Port H.H.Z.). She made the passage together with HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN), HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) and HMS Sceptre (Lt. I.S. McIntosh, DSC, RN). The submarines are escorted by the British minesweeper HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Dobson, RNR). (20)

1 Sep 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) arrived at Loch Cairnbawn (Port H.H.Z.) from Holy Loch. (22)

3 Sep 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Port H.H.Z. (22)

4 Sep 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Port H.H.Z towing the midget submarine X 5. (22)

7 Sep 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Port H.H.Z. (22)

8 Sep 1943
HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Port H.H.Z. (22)

11 Sep 1943
Around 1900A/11, HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) departed from Port H.H.Z. for her 15th war patrol. She is to tow midget submarine X 5 to the entrance to the Alten Fjord in Northern Norway.

Thrasher and X 5 are part of Operation Source. An attack by six midget submarines on the German battleship Tirpitz.

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

(23)

19 Sep 1943
After a successful tow, HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN), at 1930A/19, takes midget submarine X 5 alongside to put the crew on board her that was to attack Tirpitz. The passage crew was taken off. (23)

20 Sep 1943
At 1919A/20, HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) and midget submarine X 5 (Lt. H. Henty-Creer, RNVR) both surfaced in position 70°38'N, 21°00'E. The tow and telephone line was disconnected and X 5 slipped and proceeded towards the Soroy Sund. Thrasher then departed the area to take up her patrol position.

The wreck of X 5 was later found near the entrance to the fjord where the Tirpitz was. Her exact role in the attack, and if she had been able to enter the Kaa Fjord, is not clear even to this day. (23)

29 Sep 1943
At 0202Z/29, HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) started her return passage to Lerwick. No midget submarine had turned up at the rendez-vouz positions. (23)

3 Oct 1943
Around 0630Z/3, HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) ended her 15th war patrol at Lerwick. She departed for Holy Loch around 1400A/3. She was escorted by the Norwegian trawler HNoMS Horten. (23)

5 Oct 1943
Around 1845A/5, HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. On the 18th she was temporary assigned to the 7th Submarine Flottilla for training duties. These were carried out in the Clyde area and also out of Londonderry in Northern Ireland. (24)

Submarine HMS Trenchant (P 331)

4 Feb 1944
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) departed from Chatham dockyard for Sheerness. After some trails en route she arrived there later the same day. (25)

8 Feb 1944
After a few days of trials out of Sheerness HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) returns to Chatham Dockyard. (25)

13 Feb 1944
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) departed from Chatham Dockyard for Sheerness. (25)

15 Feb 1944
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) departed from Sheerness for Portsmouth. She made the passage in a convoy. (25)

16 Feb 1944
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) arrived at Portsmouth. (25)

18 Feb 1944
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) departed from Portsmouth for Yarmouth. (25)

19 Feb 1944
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) departed from Yarmouth for Plymouth. She made the passage together with the French submarine FFS Rubis (Lt.Cdr. H.L.G. Rousselot). They were escorted by HMS Darthema (T/Lt. C. Brunning, RNVR). (25)

20 Feb 1944
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) departed from Plymouth for Falmouth. (25)

21 Feb 1944
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) departed from Falmouth for Holy Loch. She was escorted by HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (25)

23 Feb 1944
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch for a period of trials and training. (25)

24 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted full speed trials on the Arran measured mile. (25)

27 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (25)

28 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (25)

29 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Arrochar where she was to conduct her torpedo discharge trials. (25)

1 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (26)

2 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (26)

3 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (26)

4 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (26)

5 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (26)

6 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (26)

7 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (26)

8 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (26)

9 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Having completed her torpedo discharge trials, HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN), shifted from Arrochar to Holy Loch. (26)

10 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted gunnery and S.T.U. (mine detection) trials in the Clyde area. (26)

12 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil. (26)

16 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Campbeltown. (26)

18 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) returned to Holy Loch on completion of her exercises. (26)

21 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Sardonyx (A/Lt.Cdr. T.A. Easton, RNVR) served as the target. (26)

22 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Sardonyx (A/Lt.Cdr. T.A. Easton, RNVR), HMS Honeysuckle (T/Lt. J.A. Wright, RNR) and HMS Rhododendron (T/Lt. O.B. Medley, RNVR). These included night exercises. (26)

23 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) returned to Holy Loch on completion of her exercises. (26)

25 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Sardonyx (A/Lt.Cdr. T.A. Easton, RNVR) served as the target. (26)

26 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) shifted from the Campbeltown area to Larne escorted by HMS ML 239 (T/Lt. O.H.W. Richards, RNVR). (26)

27 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HMCS Morden (T/Lt. E.C. Smith, RCNVR) and HMCS Fennel (A/Lt.Cdr. W.P. Moffat, RCNVR). (26)

28 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with Escort Group C 2. (26)

29 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HMS Icarus (Lt.Cdr. R. Dyer, RN) and HMCS Chaudiere (A/Lt.Cdr. C.P. Nixon, RCN). (26)

30 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HMS Flint Castle (T/Lt. N. Harrison, RNVR). (26)

31 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HMS Flint Castle (T/Lt. N. Harrison, RNVR) and F.A.A. aircraft. (26)

1 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with aircraft from HMS Biter (Capt. L.A.K. Boswell, DSO, RN). (27)

5 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted independent exercises off Larne. (27)

6 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with group 201. These included night exercises. (27)

7 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with group 201. (27)

9 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) shifted from Larne to Holy Loch. (27)

11 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) served as the target. (27)

12 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) served as the target. (27)

15 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted radar exercises in the Campbeltown area. Later the same day HMS Trenchant conducted attack exercises off Campbeltown during which HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) served as the target. (27)

16 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) returned to Holy Loch on completion of her exercises. (27)

20 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Arrochar where she was to conduct special torpedo trials. (27)

21 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted special torpedo trials off Arrochar. (27)

22 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted special torpedo trials off Arrochar. (27)

23 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted special torpedo trials off Arrochar. Upon completion of these trials HMS Trenchant proceeded to Holy Loch. (27)

27 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (27)

4 May 1944
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) is docked at Holy Loch in AFD 7. (28)

9 May 1944
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) is undocked. (28)

12 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (28)

14 May 1944
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) departed from Holy Loch for the Far East. The first leg of the trip is to Gibraltar. Passage south through the Irish Sea was made together with the French submarine FFS Junon (Lt. E. Schlumberger). They were escorted by HMS Sardonyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne, RNVR).

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

(28)

27 May 1944
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (28)

28 May 1944
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) departed from Gibraltar bound for Malta. She joins convoy KMS 51 for this passage. (28)

2 Jun 1944
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) arrived at Malta. (29)

9 Jun 1944
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) departed from Malta bound for Port Said. (29)

14 Jun 1944
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) arrived at Port Said. (29)

15 Jun 1944
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) transits the Suez Canal and afterwards departed from for Aden. (29)

20 Jun 1944
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) arrived at Aden. (29)

22 Jun 1944
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) departed from Aden for Trincomalee. Later she was ordered to proceed to Colombo instead. (29)

1 Jul 1944
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) arrived at Colombo. (30)

2 Jul 1944
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) departed from Colombo bound for Trincomalee. (30)

4 Jul 1944
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) arrived at Trincomalee. (30)

24 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. (30)

25 Jul 1944
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) departed from Trincomalee for her 1st war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the West coast of Sumatra. She is also to perform a special operation.

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

(31)

5 Aug 1944 (position -2.19, 100.46)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) makes a torpedo attack on a Japanese convoy. No hits were obtained.

(All times are zone -6.5)
2111 hours - The Officer of the Watch sighted a vessel fine on the port bow bearing 347°. Range was about 4000 yards.

2112 hours - Dived in position 02°19'5"S, 100°46'E.

2118 hours - The asdic operator reported 85 revs. reciprocating engine.

2121 hours - Came to periscope depth. Sighted what appeared to be a small three-island merchant vessel escorted by a torpedo boat or submarine chaser. The escort was on the merchants starboard quarter.

2127 hours - Fired three stern torpedoes. No hits were obtained and no counter attack followed.

The next day the same vessels were sighted again and identified as a coaster escorted by a ML. The torpedoed must have missed due to the small size of the target. Lt.Cdr. Hezlet wanted to attack with the gun upon sighting them again but this was not possible due to the heavy swell. (31)

9 Aug 1944 (position -3.04, 101.16)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) sank a Japanese coaster and it's escort a Motor Launch with gunfire off the south-west coast of Sumatra in position 03°04'S, 101°16'E.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1515 hours - Sighted same small coaster and ML. They were Northbound.

1519 hours - Surfaced and engaged with the 4" gun from 3000 yards. Both ships were sunk. Picked up 14 Japanese survivors. (31)

10 Aug 1944
During 10 and 11 August 1944 HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) performs a special operation. She is part of 'Operation Boomerang'. American B-29 bombers are dropping mines in Japanese occupied territory. Terrapin is to act as beacon for planes proceeding towards Palembang. If needed she is also to carry out air/sea rescue duties. No planes were lost during this raid. (31)

17 Aug 1944
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Trincomalee. (31)

25 Aug 1944
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) is docked at Trincomalee in AFD 26. (32)

28 Aug 1944
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) left dock. (32)

1 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 1/2 September 1944, HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN), conducted exercises off Trincomalee. These included night exercises. (33)

5 Sep 1944
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) departed from Trincomalee for her 2nd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Malacca Straits. She is also to perform a special operation and a mine laying operation.

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

(31)

11 Sep 1944
During the night of 11-12 September 1944 HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) launches a team of commando troops in folbots to sabotage a railway bridge over the river mouth near Peudada, Northern Sumatra (Operation Spratt Baker). Due to the heavy swell the commando troops can't make a landing and the operation had to be abandoned.

(All times are zone -6.5)
11 September 1944
1900 hours - Surfaced in position 05°18'N, 96°35'E and opened the fore hatch to get the folbots on deck.

1930 hours - All folbots now on deck, ran in towards the river mouth.

2023 hours - Launched the folbots from position 358°, Peudada river mouth, 2 nautical miles.

2345 hours - Ran inshore to the recovery position and stopped.

12 September 1944
0325 hours - Picked up the folbots. The effort to blow up the bridge had failed due to the strong currents and due to that, lack of time. No opposition was encountered. Set out to sea. (31)

12 Sep 1944
During the night of 12-13 September 1944 HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) again launches a team of commando troops in folbots to sabotage the railway bridge over the river mouth near Peudada, Northern Sumatra (Operation Spratt Baker). This time they were successful.

(All times are zone -6.5)
12 September 1944
Surfaced in position 05°23'N, 96°32'E and proceeded inshore and got the folbots on deck.

2030 hours - Launched the folbots in position 006° Peudada river mouth 1.6 nautical miles. Withdrew to seaward to charge.

13 September 1944
0030 hours - Ran inshore to recovery position and stopped.

0338 hours - A heavy explosion and flash ashore was observed in the direction of the railway bridge.

0340 hours - Embarked 2 folbots and their crews. No sign of the other 2 folbots.

0430 hours - Retired to seaward as daylight was approaching.

0500 hours - Sighted the other to folbots to seaward. They must have passed Trenchant in the dark.

0514 hours - Dived in position 05°18'N, 96°34'E and set course towards the river mouth for observation.

0730 hours - Made periscope reconnaissance and sighted that the railway bridge was destroyed. Proceeded to seaward. (31)

16 Sep 1944 (position 4.11, 98.24)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) lays mines in the Straits of Malacca, near position 04°11'N, 98°24'E.

(All times are zone -6.5)
2015 - 2018 hours - Laid 1st row of 4 mines.

2018 - 2038 hours - Reloaded.

2040 - 2043 hours - Laid 2nd row of 4 mines.

2043 - 2109 hours - Reloaded.

2112 - 2115 hours - Laid 3rd and last row of 4 mines.

When the minefield was laid several coasters were anchored nearby. It was decided to engage them with the deck gun so at .....

2214 hours - Opened fire on one of the coasters. One hit was obtained but it was extremely difficult to see the target due to the dark night. It was also not possible to get any closer due to the shallow depth so the action was broken off. (31)

19 Sep 1944 (position 3.03, 100.34)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) sank two sailing vessels through ramming east of Sumatra.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1215 hours - Sighted 2 small 20 ton junks in position 03°01'N, 100°34'E.

1425 hours - Surfaced and fired 2 practice rounds through the sail of the first junk to get the crew to abandon ship. No sign of the crew whatever.

1426 hours - Fired a HE shell, which hit amidships. Paused to allow the crew to abandon ship. No crew seen at all. Re-opened fire.

1430 hours - Ceased fire. The junk would neither catch fire nor sink.

1435 hours - Rammed and sank the junk.

1438 hours - Saw the crew of the other junk abandon ship in their sampan.

1451 hours - Rammed and sank this second junk.

1500 hours - Dived in position 03°03'N, 100°34'E. (31)

23 Sep 1944 (position 5.46, 100.04)
German U-boat U-859 is sunk north-west of Penang in the Straits of Malacca, in position 05°46'N, 100°04'E, by torpedoes from the British submarine HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN). Trenchant was positioned to patrol off the Penang North Channel due to ULTRA code breaking information.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1055 hours - Sighted a vessel bearing 296°. This was soon identified as a large German submarine. Started attack.

1105 hours - Fired a stern salvo of 3 torpedoes from 650 yards. One hit amidships near the conning tower was obtained. The U-boat quickly sank on an even keel.

1119 hours - Surfaced to pick up survivors that were seen in the water. 11 were picked up before a Japanese escort vessel was sighted an Trenchant had to dive leaving 6 other survivors in the water. (31)

1 Oct 1944
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Trincomalee. (31)

17 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 17-19 October 1944, HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN), conducted exercises off Trincomalee, these included night exercises. (34)

20 Oct 1944
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) departed from Trincomalee for her 3rd war patrol. She is to launch Chariot human torpedoes for a raid on Phuket Harbour. Afterwards she was ordered to patrol in the Malacca Straits.

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

(31)

27 Oct 1944
Chariots released by HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) destroy the hulks of the former Italian merchants Sumatra (6126 GRT, built 1927) and Volpi (5292 GRT, built 1931). These ships were scuttled by the Italians on 8 December 1941 and were under salvage by the Japanese).

(All times are zone -6.5)
27 October 1944
2200 hours - 6.5 nautical miles from Phuket harbour two Chariots slipped for an attack on two former Italian merchant vessels that were under salvage in Phuket harbour. Chariot Tiny (T/S.Lt. A.W.C. Eldrige, RNVR, T/A/Petty Officer S. Woollcott), her target was the former Sumatra. Chariot Slasher (T/Petty Officer W.S. Smith / Ordinary Seaman A.F. Brown, her target was the former Volpi. Both Chariots successfully placed the charges on their target and proceeded back out of the harbour to return to HMS Trenchant.

28 October 1944
0303 hours - Re-embarked the crews of both Chariots. The Chariots themselves had to be scuttled as a Japanese MTB was heard to be patrolling in the immediate area.

0630 hours - Heard an explosion but as the periscope was down at that moment the effect could not be observed. Shortly afterwards another explosion followed. The Sumatra was seen to settle on the harbour bottom. (31)

9 Nov 1944 (position 2.59, 100.05)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) attacks a Japanese convoy in the Malacca Straits. Five torpedoes were fired but no hits were obtained.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0842 hours - Sighted smoke bearing 301°.

0916 hours - Commenced attack on convoy, which consisted of one merchant vessel of about 3000 tons (in ballast), a 500 tons tanker (laden) and two coasters. They were escorted by two large submarine chasers.

0953 hours - In position 02°59'N, 100°05'E fired 5 torpedoes at the merchant vessel from 2700 yards. No hits were obtained.

1000 to 1015 hours - The submarine chasers counter attacked with 11 depth charges. None were very close so no damage was sustained. (31)

10 Nov 1944 (position 3.06, 100.06)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) sank a sailing vessel with gunfire in the Malacca Straits.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1030 hours - Sighted a junk approaching.

1045 hours - Surfaced in position 03°06'N, 100°06'E to sink the junk with gunfire. Upon surfacing two submarine chasers were seen to the Eastward. Sank the junk with 12 rounds. The submarine chasers closed at high speed.

1055 hours - Dived and proceeded Northwards.

1114 hours - The submarine chasers were seen to pick up the crew of the junk from their sampan. They then proceeded on an A/S sweep westwards after dropping one depth charge. (31)

16 Nov 1944
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol at Trincomalee. (31)

4 Dec 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 4/5 December 1944, HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN), conducted exercises off Trincomalee, these included night exercises. (35)

10 Dec 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 10/11 December 1944, HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN), conducted exercises off Trincomalee, these included night exercises. (35)

11 Dec 1944
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) departed from Trincomalee for her 4th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Malacca Straits together with HMS Terrapin (Lt. R.H.H. Brunner, RN).

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

(31)

20 Dec 1944 (position 3.18, 99.47)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) is fired upon and depth charged by a Japanese ship in the Malacca Straits.

(All times are zone -6.5)
2029 hours - An unseen vessel opened fire from the direction of the land.

2030 hours - Dived in position 03°18'N, 99°47'E. The vessel attacked with 3 depth charges, but did not alter speed or stop to listen. It was also not using Asdic.

2151 hours - Surfaced. (31)

21 Dec 1944 (position 3.23, 99.43)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) sank two Japanese landing craft (probably 46-foot Daihatsu type) with gunfire off the eastern coast of Sumatra.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0951 hours - Sighted two landing craft.

0957 hours - Surfaced in position 03°23'N, 99°43'E and gave chase. A Jake aircraft was sighted in the distance.

1013 hours - Opened fire on the landing craft. The aircraft was seen to turn towards.

1020 hours - Both landing craft were sunk after 37 rounds.

1021 hours - Dived.

1024 hours - The Jake aircraft dropped one bomb fairly close on the Port side. (31)

25 Dec 1944 (position 3.18, 99.42)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) and HMS Terrapin (Lt. R.H.H. Brunner, RN) sink the Japanese auxiliary minesweeper Reisui Maru (219 GRT). They also claim a coaster destroyed and three coasters driven ashore.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1555 hours - In position 03°18'N, 99°42'E sighted 4 coasters escorted by a trawler and one bomber aircraft overhead. Ordered, by SST, HMS Terrapin to close.

1627 hours - The aircraft was seen to disappear to the Northwards. Surfaced and engaged the trawler. Terrapin also surfaced and engaged the trawler. Trenchants fourth round hit the trawler on the bridge, the sixth round hit the forecastle under the gun. When the trawler was badly on fire Trenchant shifted target to the back of the trawler while closing the coasters at full speed. The trawler then blew up and sank. Three of the coasters beached themselves on the shore. The other one stopped. He was set on fire and burned out. Due to the shallow water it was not possible to close the other three to finish them off. (31)

29 Dec 1944 (position 3.47, 100.46)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSO, DSC, RN) sank two Japanese sailing vessels by ramming in the Malacca Strait.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1207 hours - Surfaced in position 03°35'N, 100°46'E for a sweep to the North along the coast.

1329 hours - Rammed and sunk a 20 tons junk in position 03°47'N, 100°46'E.

1350 hours - Rammed and sunk another 20 tons junk one mile further inshore in only 4 fathoms of water.

1553 hours - Dived in position 03°41'N, 100°48'E. (31)

30 Dec 1944 (position 2.48, 100.14)
HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSO, DSC, RN) sank a Japanese sailing vessel through ramming in the Malacca Strait.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0325 hours - Sighted a large 50 tons junk at anchor.

0345 hours - Sank the junk by ramming after firing 4 rounds with the deck gun without effect.

0512 hours - Dived in position 02°48'N, 100°14'E. (31)

31 Dec 1944 (position 2.51, 100.13)
HMS Trenchant (Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSO, DSC, RN) sank three Japanese sailing vessels in the Malacca Strait.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1139 hours - Surfaced in position 02°51'N, 100°13'E to sink two motor junks. A 30 tons junk was sunk after being set on fire with Oerlikon gunfire. A 20 tons junk, that was being towed by the 30 tons hunk, was sunk through ramming.

1215 hours - Rammed and sunk a 15 tons junk.

1250 hours - 02°51'N, 100°13'E. (31)

4 Jan 1945
While operating together HMS Terrapin (Lt. R.H.H. Brunner, RN) and HMS Trenchant (Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSO, DSC, RN) bombard a Japanese lookout post on Pulau Pandang.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1715 hours - Surfaced in position 03°19'N, 99°45'E and set course for Pulau Padang.

1802 hours - Opened fire on Japanese lookout post. In all 16 rounds were fired.

1832 hours - Withdrew. (31)

10 Jan 1945
HMS Trenchant (Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 4th war patrol at Trincomalee. (31)

23 Jan 1945 (position 4.08, 98.15)
The Japanese tanker Hozan Maru nr. 1 (868 GRT, built 1943) and the Japanese merchant Nikkaku Maru (1946 GRT, built 1943) sank on mines in the Malacca Straits in position 04°08'N, 98°15'E. These mines were laid on 16 September 1944 by HMS Trenchant (Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSO, DSC, RN).

28 Jan 1945
HMS Trenchant (Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSO, DSC, RN) is docked at Trincomalee in AFD 26. The date she undocked is currently not known to us (No logs are available for February - April 1945). (36)

18 Feb 1945
HMS Trenchant (Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Trincomalee for her 5th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Malacca Straits together with HMS Terrapin (Lt. R.H.H. Brunner, RN).

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

(31)

24 Feb 1945 (position 3.56, 100.39)
While operating together HMS Terrapin (Lt. R.H.H. Brunner, RN) and HMS Trenchant (Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSO, DSC, RN) sink three junks with gunfire in the Strait of Malacca.

Trenchant herself had also sunk one 80 tons coaster and two 20 ton lighters earlier on the day.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0810 hours - Sighted a 80 tons coaster towing two 20 tons leighters.

0825 hours - Surfaced in position 03°57'N, 100°33'E and sank all three with gunfire. In all 15 rounds were fired. 14 survivors were picked up.

0915 hours - While still picking up survivors sighted three coasters inshore. They were Northbound.

0920 hours - Set course to cut the coasters off from the mouth of the Perak river.

0930 hours - All coasters beached themselves.

0952 hours - Stopped in position 03°56'N, 100°39'E and opened fire on the most Northerly coaster. After 87 rounds, for 17 hits, the coaster was still afloat and had not caught fire. Target was now shifted to the second coaster. This one soon burst into flames. 8 rounds were fired for 3 hits. Target was now shifted to the third coaster. This was burst into flames after 4 hits, out of 7 rounds. HMS Terrapin in the meantime had destroyed the first coaster.

1033 hours - Withdrew to seaward and overtook another junk to transfer survivors.

1051 hours - Transferred 8 of the survivors to this junk. Buried another one at sea, he had died from a splinter wounds to a lung. Sighted two enemy aircraft approaching from the south. One of these, an Oscar was attacking HMS Terrapin as she dived. The other one, a Val, attack Trenchant. It was decided to remain on the surface to transfer the remainder of the survivors and fire was opened with the AA guns. The Val turned away. He made two more approaches but was driven off with AA gunfire. When transfer of the survivors was completed Trenchant withdrew into deeper water at full speed.

1107 hours - Both aircraft were now astern and too far off to attack so dived in position 03°55'N, 100°36'E. (31)

25 Feb 1945 (position 3.08, 99.57)
HMS Trenchant (Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSO, DSC, RN) makes a torpedo attack on a convoy of coasters in the Malacca Strait in position 03°08'N, 99°57'E. No hits were obtained.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0953 hours - Received an SST report from HMS Terrapin about the sighting of a convoy of coasters escorted by an MTB and an aircraft.

1013 hours - Sighted masts bearing 287°.

1111 hours - In position 03°08'N, 99°57'E fired four torpedoes against a group of three overlapping coasters. One explosion was heard shortly afterwards but this was not thought to be a hit.

1113 hours - Grounded forward in 6.5 fathoms of water. Turned to seaward and withdrew. No counter attack followed by either the MTB nor aircraft. (31)

4 Mar 1945 (position 4.04, 100.35)
While operating together HMS Terrapin (Lt. R.H.H. Brunner, RN) and HMS Trenchant (Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, RN) sink the Japanese submarine chaser Ch-8 (offsite link) with gunfire in the Strait of Malacca some 85 miles south of Penang in position 04°04'N, 100°35'E.

Trenchant by herself later also sank a sailing vessel.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1445 hours - Sighted mast and smoke bearing 260°.

1450 hours - Received enemy report on SST from HMS Terrapin. She had sighted a submarine chaser approaching.

1500 hours - Surfaced in position 04°09'N, 100°37'E and closed at full speed. Opened fire at 6000 yards.

1525 hours - The submarine chaser sank. Trenchant had fired 98 rounds.

1630 hours - Dived in position 04°08'N, 100°37'E.

1758 hours - Surfaced in position 04°10N, 100°36'E and sank 30 tons motor junk with 6 rounds.

1808 hours - Dived. (31)

9 Mar 1945 (position 3.15, 99.49)
HMS Trenchant (Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSO, DSC, RN) sank a Japanese tug and a barge with gunfire in the Strait of Malacca.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1255 hours - Sighted 20 tons steam tug towing a 40 tons leighter.

1309 hours - Surfaced in position 03°15'N, 99°49'E and sank both with gunfire. 50 rounds in all were used.

1337 hours - Sighted a Betty bomber to the seaward.

1339 hours - Dived in position 03°15'N, 99°48'E. (31)

16 Mar 1945
HMS Trenchant (Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 5th war patrol at Colombo. (31)

21 Apr 1945
HMS Trenchant (Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Colombo bound for Fremantle. It is likely Trenchant was docked at Colombo before departure. No log of this period is available. Therefore no map of this passage can be displayed. (37)

5 May 1945
HMS Trenchant (Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Fremantle, Australia. (37)

11 May 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 11/12 May 1945, HMS Trenchant (Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSO, DSC, RN), conducted exercises off Fremantle, these included night exercises. (38)

13 May 1945
HMS Trenchant (Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Fremantle for her 6th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Java Sea. Later she shifts to the South China Sea.

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

(31)

25 May 1945 (position -6.23, 110.55)
HMS Trenchant (Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSO, DSC, RN) sank the Japanese auxiliary minesweeper Wa 105 (175 tons, former Dutch Grissee) east of Mandalika Island in position 06°23'S, 110°55'E.

(All times are zone -9)
1205 hours - In position 010°, Mandalika lighthouse, 3.3 nautical miles, sighted an eastbound coaster of about 550 tons and one escort vessel bearing 221°, distance 3 nautical miles.

1245 hours - Surfaced in position 031°, Mandalika lighthouse, 3.6 nautical miles to engaged the escort vessel with gunfire from 4000 yards. The escort immediately increased speed and turned towards opening fire with automatic weapons. When range had decreased to 2500 yards a number of hits were scored on the escort resulting in it to decrease speed and turn away. The 4" gun then refused to eject and empty cartridge so Trenchant turned away to clear the gun. Firing with the Oerlikon nonetheless continued. After a few minutes the gun was cleared. The escort was now out of control and on fire abaft the bridge. Fire with the 4" gun was re-opened. Shortly afterwards the enemy was seen to abandon ship.

1302 hours - The escort was now stopped , range was 400 yards. Fired a torpedo from nr.4 tube. The torpedo was set to 4 feet but did not reach this depth due to the short range.

1306 hours - The escort was seen to sink. About 15 survivors were left in the water. In all 115 rounds of 4" were fired. The coaster meanwhile had beached herself. She was taken under fire from 6000 yards but after 12 rounds fire was checked as she proved very difficult to hit at that range and it was considered wise to withdraw to deeper water before aircraft arrived at the scene.

1352 hours - Dived in position 024°, Mandalika lighthouse, 4.4 nautical miles.

1445 hours - Sighted the first aircraft arrive on the scene of the sinking.

The coaster must have been have been the Japanese naval auxiliary Kamisihima Maru (556 GRT, built 1941) (31)

8 Jun 1945 (position -1.59, 104.56)
HMS Trenchant (Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSO, DSC, RN) torpedoed and sank the Japanese heavy cruiser Ashigara (13000 tons, offsite link) in the northern entrance of Bangka Straits in position 01°59'1S, 104°57'E.

(All times are zone -9)
0400 hours - A contact report from USS Blueback was received. The report stated that the Japanese heavy cruiser Ashigara and destroyer Kamikaze were sighted northbound from Batavia.

0423 hours - A destroyer (Kamikaze) was spotted approaching. At 0436 hours Trenchant was taken under fire by Kamikaze. One minute later Trenchant fired a stern torpedo against the enemy destroyer. Kamikaze turned away and the torpedo missed.

0616 hours - Cdr. Hezlet positions Trenchant off the minefield at the northern entrance to Banka Strait. At 0702 hours Trenchant dives.

0955 hours - Kamikaze was seen again northbound along the ten fathom on the Sumatra side of Banka Strait. At 1030 Kamikaze was out of sight.

1148 hours - Masts and upper works of a Haguro class heavy cruiser were seen bearing 177, distance 12000 yards, course 330. Position 01°59'3S, 104°58'7E.

1209 hours - A full bow salvo of eight torpedoes was fired. Three minutes later no less than five torpedoes were seen to hit. Trenchants exposed periscope (Cdr. Hezlet's allowed a great number of his crew to have a look through the periscope) was briefly taken under fire by Ashigara's AA guns.

1224 hours - Cdr. Hezlet fires his remaining two stern torpedoes against Ashigara. But as the cruisers manages to get underway briefly on one engine the torpedoed miss. At 1226 hours Kamikaze was seen to close the scene at full speed.

1239 hours - Ashigara was seen to capsize to starboard and sink in position 01°59'1S, 104°57'E.

1241 hours - Kamikaze dropped three patterns of depth charges at least three miles away. (31)

20 Jun 1945
HMS Trenchant (Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 6th war patrol at Subic Bay, Philippines. (31)

26 Jun 1945
HMS Trenchant (Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Subic Bay for her 7th war patrol. She is to patrol in the Java Sea.

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

(31)

13 Jul 1945 (position -2.50, 120.33)
HMS Trenchant (Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) sank a schooner with gunfire in the Northern part of the Gulf of Boni, Netherlands East Indies in position 02°50'S, 120°33'E.

(All times are zone -9)
1209 hours - A small schooner of about 15 tons was stopped. The native crew abandoned ship as the submarine approached. A boarding party was sent aboard the ship. In the hold they discovered four Japanese soldiers and one officer. When they were ordered out there was no response. The boarding party then tried to smoke them out but now the Japanese opened fire through the hatches and the deck planking. The boarding party was withdrawn and the schooner (with the Japanese still on board) was sunk by gunfire. (31)

18 Jul 1945 (position -8.22, 116.02)
HMS Trenchant (Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) sank a small submarine chaser, a tug and a barge with gunfire north-east of Lombok Strait in position 08°22'S, 116°02'E. She also bombards a lookout post.

(All times are zone -9)
1153 hours - Surfaced in position 08°24'S, 116°03'E to engage a small submarine chaser with gunfire.

1158 hours - The chaser sank. Opened fire on a tug that had already beached itself.

1229 hours - Ceased fire on the tug that was by now completely wrecked.

1247 hours - Opened fire on a barge.

1303 hours - By now the landing barge was considered destroyed so ceased fire.

1310 hours - Bombarded an observation post on the top of a hill.

1323 hours - Dived for an aircraft in position 08°24'S, 116°02E.

1334 hours - The aircraft dropped a bomb fairly close but no damage was sustained. (31)

25 Jul 1945
HMS Trenchant (Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) ended her 7th war patrol at Fremantle. (31)

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