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Submarine HMS Oswald (N 58)

28 Aug 1939
HMS Oswald (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) made a short stop at Gibraltar before she continued her passage to Malta. (1)

1 Sep 1939
HMS Oswald (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) arrived at Malta from the U.K. (2)

2 Sep 1939
HMS Oswald (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) conducted exercises off Malta. (2)

4 Sep 1939
HMS Oswald (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) conducted exercises off Malta. (2)

7 Sep 1939
During 7 and 8 September 1939, HMS Oswald (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN), conducted exercises off Malta. These included night exercises. (2)

13 Sep 1939
HMS Oswald (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) conducted exercises off Malta. (2)

14 Sep 1939
HMS Oswald (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) conducted exercises off Malta together with HMS Ouse. (2)

22 Sep 1939
HMS Oswald (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) conducted exercises off Malta. (2)

26 Sep 1939
HMS Oswald (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) conducted exercises off Malta together with HMS Osiris (Lt.Cdr. R. Sheridan-Patterson, RN). (2)

27 Sep 1939
HMS Oswald (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) conducted exercises off Malta together with HMS Osiris (Lt.Cdr. R. Sheridan-Patterson, RN). (2)

28 Sep 1939
HMS Oswald (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Malta together with HMS Grafton (Cdr. M.S. Thomas, RN). (2)

29 Sep 1939
HMS Oswald (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Malta together with HMS Grafton (Cdr. M.S. Thomas, RN). (2)

5 Oct 1939
HMS Oswald (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) conducted exercises off Malta together with HMS Porpoise (Cdr. G.W.G. Simpson, RN) and HMS Cachalot (Lt.Cdr. S.W.F. Bennetts, RN). (3)

7 Oct 1939
HMS Oswald (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) was docked at Malta for a short refit. (3)

20 Oct 1939
HMS Oswald (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) was undocked. (3)

24 Oct 1939
During 24 and 25 October 1939, HMS Oswald (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN), conducted exercises off Malta. These included night exercises. A practice attack was made on HMS Devonshire (Capt. J.M. Mansfield, DSC, RN) and several more on HMS Ouse. (3)

30 Oct 1939
HMS Oswald (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) conducted exercises off Malta. (3)

2 Nov 1939
HMS Oswald (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Malta together with HMS Decoy (Cdr. E.G. McGregor, RN). (4)

4 Nov 1939
HMS Oswald (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) conducted exercises off Malta. These included a practice attack on HMS Norfolk (Capt. A.G.B. Wilson, DSO, RN) which was conducting gunnery exercises. (5)

7 Nov 1939
HMS Oswald (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) conducted exercises off Malta. (4)

14 Nov 1939
During 14 and 15 November 1939, HMS Oswald (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN), conducted exercises off Malta. These included night exercises. Practice attacks were made on HMS Ouse. (4)

17 Nov 1939
HMS Oswald (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Malta together with HMS Duncan (Capt. G.R.B. Back, RN). (4)

20 Nov 1939
HMS Oswald (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Malta together with HMS Decoy (Cdr. E.G. McGregor, RN) and HMS Defender (Lt.Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, RN).

On completion of these exercises HMS Defender set course for the Otranto Strait where she was to conduct a patrol. (4)

23 Nov 1939
HMS Oswald (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) conducted exercises off Malta. (4)

28 Nov 1939
HMS Oswald (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) conducted exercises off Malta. During these exercises she also made a practice attack on HMS Barham (Capt. H.T.C. Walker, RN). (4)

29 Nov 1939
HMS Oswald (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) conducted exercises off Malta together with HMS Otway (Cdr. H.R. Conway, RN). (4)

6 Dec 1939
During 6 and 7 December 1939, HMS Otway (Cdr. H.R. Conway, RN) and HMS Oswald (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN), conducted A/S exercises off Malta together with HMS Defender (Lt.Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, RN) and HMS Egret (Capt. J.C. Annesley, DSO, RN). These included night exercises. On completion of these exercises HMS Defender proceeded on patrol in the Aegean to the south of Tenedos Island near the Dandarnelles. (6)

9 Dec 1939
HMS Oswald (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) departed Malta for her 1st war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the Gulf of Patras, Greece.

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

(6)

24 Dec 1939
HMS Oswald (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Malta. (6)

31 Dec 1939
HMS Oswald (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Malta together with HMS Dainty (Cdr. F.M. Walton, RN).

On completion of these exercises HMS Oswald returned to Malta while HMS Dainty set course for Gibraltar. She was to proceed to the South Atlantic Station. (6)

7 Jan 1940
HMS Oswald (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) conducted exercises off Malta together with HMS Diamond (Lt.Cdr. P.A. Cartwright, RN). (7)

10 Jan 1940
HMS Oswald (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) conducted exercises off Malta together with HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. G.L. Cant, RAN) and HMAS Waterhen (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN). On completion of the exercises HMAS Vendetta set course to proceed to Alexandria. (8)

16 Jan 1940
During 16 and 17 January 1940, HMS Oswald (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN), conducted exercises off Malta.

On the 17th a practice attack was made on the aircraft carrier HMS Glorious (Capt. G. D'Oyly-Hughes, DSO, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMS Bulldog (Lt.Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson, RN) and HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. G.L. Cant, RAN) which were approaching Malta coming from Alexandria. Also A/S exercises were carried out with the destroyers. (7)

20 Jan 1940
HMS Oswald (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Malta together with HMS Wolsey (Cdr. C.A.N. Chatwin, RN). (7)

22 Jan 1940
HMS Oswald (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) conducted exercises off Malta. (7)

23 Jan 1940
HMS Oswald (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) conducted exercises off Malta together with HMS Lowestoft (Cdr. A.M. Knapp, RN). (7)

24 Jan 1940
HMS Oswald (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) conducted exercises off Malta. (7)

26 Jan 1940
HMS Oswald (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) conducted exercises off Malta together with HMS Defender (Lt.Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, RN). (7)

27 Jan 1940
HMS Oswald (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) conducted exercises off Malta together with HMS Decoy (Cdr. E.G. McGregor, RN) and HMS Defender (Lt.Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, RN). On completion of the exercises both destroyers set course for Gibraltar. (7)

31 Jan 1940
HMS Oswald (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) conducted exercises off Malta together with HMAS Waterhen (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN) and HMAS Vampire (Lt.Cdr. J.A. Walsh, RAN) which were conducting A/S, gunnery and torpedo firing exercises off Malta.

[No logs of HMS Oswald are available for the period February - April 1940 so no detailed history can be given for this period.] (9)

Submarine HMS Trident (N 52)

22 Apr 1940
HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) departed from Rosyth for her 9th war patrol. She is to patrol off the south and later of the south-West coast of Norway.

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

(10)

23 Apr 1940
At 0145A/23, in position 56°32'N, 01°04'W, in very bright moonlight, HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) sighed a submarine just clear of the moons path bearing 195° at a range of 4 nautical miles. This was thought to be HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. E.R.J. Oddie, RN) returning from patrol. The submarine was lost from sight at 0211A/23 and was still proceeding westwards.

[This must indeed have been HMS Triad, which arrived at Rosyth around 0800A/23, though she reported nothing.] (10)

25 Apr 1940 (position 57.30, 6.10)
HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) fires four torpedoes (2x2) against a German transport about 30 nautical miles south-west of Lindesnes, Norway in position 57°30'N, 06°10'E. This was either Palime (2863 GRT, built 1937) or Pelikan (3464 GRT, built 1935) which were both on passage from Stavanger to Wilhelmshafen. All torpedoes fired missed their target.

The German motor torpedo boats (S-boats or E-boats), S 31, S 32 and S 33 were in the area to escort these two ships. Perhaps two of these were sighted and mistaken for destroyers as none of these were in the area.

0545A/25 - Sighted a southbound merchant ship in ballast.

0600A/25 - Fired two torpedoes but these missed. Enemy's speed was estimated as being 16 knots on course 135°. Fired another two torpedoes but these also missed. Enemy's speed had now been changed to being 14 knots. Shortly after firing sighted two destroyers proceeding on course 035°, turned to attack but lost contact soon after sighting the destroyers. (10)

30 Apr 1940
At 0700A/30, HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) entered the Selbjornfjord to the south of Bergen.

At 1000A/30, two ships were sighted proceeding northwards up Languenuen (towards Bergen). These were thought to be torpedo boats. No merchant vessels were with them.

The ships sighted may have been the vessel Express 1 (possibly a requisitioned ferry) and the torpedo boat Skarv (former Norwegian, captured by the Germans at Egersund on 9 April 1940). They arrived at Bergen around 1200B/30 with troops and two crews for merchant vessels from Stavanger.

At 1215A/30, HMS Trident arrived off the Bjorna Fjord and then patrolled across the entrance. (11)

1 May 1940
At 1415A/1, while patrolling in the Bjorna Fjord HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) sighted two northbound vessels which were thought to be R-boats (motor minesweepers).

Three German S-boats (motor torpedo boats), S 10, S 19 and S 22, were transporting troops from Stavanger to Bergen on this day. Perhaps these were the vessels sighted. (12)

2 May 1940
HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) attacked and damaged the German transport Clare Hugo Stinnes 1 (5295 GRT, built 1935) with torpedoes and gunfire off the Bjorna Fjord, Norway.

HMS Trident was later hunted and depth charged by what were thought to be German R-boats (motor minesweepers). This were in fact German S-boats (motor torpedo boats from the 1st German S-boat Flotilla. [It is not known to us which boats were exactly involved in the depth charging though.]

0926A/2 - Sighted a German merchant ship. Started attack. Fired two torpedoes from 2500 yards. Both missed, most likely they ran under. Surfaced and fired a practice round and signalled the ship to stop. The ship however did not stop. Range was now 4500 yards and as the ship could not be overtaken before it entered the next fjord she was taken under fire with the deck gun. Seventy rounds were fired and the ship beached itself on Skorpa Island. A torpedo was fired with the intention for a hit amidships but the torpedo exploded on the rocks. Lt.Cdr. Sladen considered the ship to be a total loss and decided to clear the area as soon as possible. Course was set to proceed to the open sea through the Kors Fjord at full speed on the surface. [The ship however was not a total loss and was later salvaged.]

1055A/2, When abeam of the Marstein lighthouse HMS Trident dived for an aircraft seen ahead.

1150A/2, Now five miles out, HE was picked up coming from astern. Two R-boats were seen proceeding up Trident's track. Went down to 300 feet and stopped all possible machinery. Remained at 300 feet until 1715A/2 when no more HE was heard. Between 1225A/2 and 1420A/2, nineteen depth charges were dropped but not very close. (12)

4 May 1940
Around 0730A/4, HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) ended her 9th war patrol at Rosyth. (10)

13 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) conducted exercises in the Firth of Forth. These included A/S exercises with HMS Sabre (Cdr.(Retd.) B. Dean, RN) and HMS Wallace (Cdr. B.I. Robertshaw, RN). (13)

18 May 1940
Around 1940A/18, HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) departed from Rosyth for her 10th war patrol. She is to patrol off the south coast of Norway.

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

(10)

2 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 2300A/2, HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) left patrol to return to Rosyth. (10)

4 Jun 1940
Around 0700A/4, HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) ended her 10th war patrol at Rosyth. The patrol had been uneventful. (14)

6 Jun 1940
HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) is docked in the floating dock (AFD 3) at the Rosyth Dockyard.

[This docking is not noted in the submarines log] (15)

7 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) is undocked. (15)

18 Jun 1940
Around 2010A/18, HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) departed from Rosyth for her 11th war patrol. She is to patrol off the west coast of Norway.

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

(10)

23 Jun 1940
At 1748A/23, while patrolling to the north of Trondheim, HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) sighted the mast of a warship. An attack was started. This contact developed into a patrolling destroyer and the attack was broken off.

At 1830A/23, the destroyer altered course to the south and disappeared from sight shortly afterwards.

At 2147A/23, the destroyer was seen again. Avoiding action was taken.

At 2353A/23, HMS Trident surfaced in position 64°22'N, 09°25'E to charge. Nothing was in sight.

The 'destroyer' sighted was most likely a German minesweeper which were easily and often mistaken for being destroyers. The German minesweepers M 8 (Senior Officer), M 4 and M 7 were conducting an anti-submarine patrol in the area and most likely the ship(s) sighted was one of them. (16)

24 Jun 1940 (position 64.21, 9.12)
HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) fires four torpedoes at the German naval oiler Dithmarschen (10816 GRT, built 1938) north-west of Trondheim, Norway in position 64°21'N, 09°12'E. The torpedoes however missed their target.

The tanker was escorted by the destroyers Z/20 Karl Galster (Senior Officer) and Z/14 Friedrich Ihn.

At 0007A/24 - In position 64°22'N, 09°26'E, a destroyer was sighted. Dived. [This was most likely one of the minsweepers patrolling the area, see also the event for 23 June 1940.]

0105A/24 - Sighed two destroyers. The closest one was only 500 yards away. [Again these were most likely two of the minsweepers patrolling the area.]

0310A/24 - Sighted a seaplane to the westward. This was thought to be a patrol but soon turned out to be an air escort.

0323A/24 - Sighted a large tanker escorted by two destroyers. Started attack.

0332A/24 - Fired four torpedoes at the tanker. Due to an error in communicating the spread all torpedoes missed their target.

0500A/24 - Sighted three destroyers approaching. [This must have been M 8, M 4 and M 7 which had proceeded to the attack area for an A/S hunt on the attacker of the tanker.]

0515A/24 - The destroyers turned away when 3000 yards from Trident.

0915A/24 - The three destroyers were again seen to be approaching.

0930A/24 - The destroyers turned away when two nautical miles short of Tridents position.

1035A/24 - Trident surfaced and retired to the west at speed to charge and get out of the area of the attack. (10)

26 Jun 1940
At 1130A/26, in approximate position 64°22'N, 09°33'E (this was Trident's noon position), HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) sighted what are thought to be two destroyers proceeding northward on course 015°.

The two 'destroyers' sighted were actually the German minesweepers M 8 (Senior Officer) and M 4 which were on an anti-submarine patrol but had been ordered to proceed to Quadrant AF 6472 (centred in 64°45'N, 09°52'30"E) to investigate a suspicious fishing vessel. (16)

29 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1825A/29, in approximate position 64°20'N, 09°00'E, HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) sighted what are thought to be two A/S trawlers patrolling the area.

This must have been the German auxiliary A/S trawlers UJ C and UJ D which were on A/S patrol in the area. (17)

30 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0730A/30, HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) left patrol to return to Rosyth. (10)

3 Jul 1940
Around 1330A/3, HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) ended her 11th war patrol at Rosyth.

16 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) conducted exercises in he Firth of Forth. These included A/S exercises with HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN) and HMS Lady Beryl (Ch.Skr. A. Liston, RNR). Also a practice attack was made on HMS Breda. (18)

17 Jul 1940
Around 1930A/17, HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) departed from Rosyth for her 12th war patrol. She is to patrol off the west coast of Norway, initially near Bergen.

On departure D/G trials were carried out.

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

(10)

20 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1718A/20, off the Kors Fjord, HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) started an attack on a southbound merchant vessel but the attack had to be broken off when the enemy disappeared into a rain squall and most likely proceeded up the Kors Fjord. (10)

21 Jul 1940
At 1203A/21, HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) received the Vice-Admiral Submarines signal timed 1039A/21, ordering Trident to patrol further north, off Stadtlandet. (10)

27 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0457A/27, HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) received the Vice-Admiral Submarines signal timed 0401A/27, ordering Trident to patrol even further north, off Fro-Havet. (10)

30 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 2342A/30, after a day of submerged patrol, HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) surfaced in position 64°22'N, 09°09'E and left patrol to return to Rosyth. (10)

2 Aug 1940
At 0030A/2, HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) altered course to try to intercept an enemy U-boat that had been reported by HrMs O 22 (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Ort, RNN) at 1800A/1, in position 56°06'N, 02°26'E, proceeding on course 340° at 12 knots.

This sighting referred to U-60

Around 2230A/2, HMS Trident ended her 12th war patrol at Rosyth. (19)

25 Aug 1940
For the daily positions of HMS Trident during her 13th war patrol see the map below.

(10)

2 Sep 1940
At 1503A/2, HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) received the Vice-Admiral Submarines signal timed 1429A/2, which stated that at 1115A/2, an aircraft had sighted an enemy submarine north of the Flannan Isles in position 58°33'N, 08°28'W proceeding on course 104° at 8 knots. HMS Trident was ordered to intercept but nothing was sighed.

The enemy submarine in question was U-32 which reported diving for an aircaft at 1115B/2 in grid AM 2646 which is centred in position 58°39'N, 09°48'W. Another enemy submarine was in this area at that time was U-28 which at 1200B/2 was in position 57°58'N, 08°05'W but she reported no aircraft sighting around this time. [Perhaps a mistake was made in the longtitude and that it should have been 09°28'W instead of 08°28'W]. (20)

6 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0515A/6, HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) left patrol to proceed to Rothesay. (10)

9 Sep 1940
HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) proceeded from Rothesay to Holy Loch. (21)

10 Sep 1940
HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) proceeded from Holy Loch to Ardrossan. (21)

11 Sep 1940
HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) is docked at Ardrossan for a short refit. (21)

25 Sep 1940
HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) is undocked. (21)

26 Sep 1940
With her refit completed, HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) proceeded from Ardrossan to Holy Loch. She was escorted by HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) C.C. Flemming, RN) on which also a practice attack was made. (21)

29 Sep 1940
Around 0700A/29, HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) departed from Holy Loch for her 14th war patrol. She is to patrol in the Bay of Biscay off Lorient.

Passage south through the Irish Sea was made togeter with HMS Tigris (Lt.Cdr. H.F. Bone, RN). They were escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN).

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

(10)

4 Oct 1940
Around 1145A/4, while patrolling to the west of Ile de Groix, HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) sighted seven trawlers coming out from the direction of Lorient. Two turned back when they were about 4000 yards away while the remaining five passed to the northward and then turned to the southward. It was thought these five were minesweeping.

The trawlers sighted turning away at 4000 yards were most likely the German auxiliary patrol vessels V 404 and V 410 which came out to relieve V 407 and V 411 on patrol.

The other five trawlers were most likely the German auxiliary minesweepers M 4001, M 4003, M 4004, M 4006 and M 4009 which had departed Lorient at 1050B/4 for minesweeping operations (22)

5 Oct 1940
At 0025A/5, HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) had to dive in position 47°32'5"N, 03°49'W, for a darkened vessel. No HE could be picked up. It was thought it might just be a tunny fisher with light obscured. HMS Trident surfaced at 0120A/5.

At 0400A/5, having completed charging, HMS Trident dived in position 47°27'5"N, 03°38'W as any fishermen were seen in the area.

At 0700A/5, four trawlers were seen on a northerly course. They passed to the west at a range of about 3000 yards. This may have been the same minesweeping trawlers that had been seen the day before; M 4001, M 4003, M 4004, M 4006 and M 4009. They arrived at Brest from minesweeping operations in the afternoon.

At 1400A/5, when south-west of Ile de Groix, a trawler was seen coming from the direction of Lorient. HMS Trident closed in the hope this would be the escort for a inbound U-boat. An hour later this trawler stopped about 6000 yards away.

At 1520A/5, the trawler turned east and disappeared from sighted. No HE of an enemy submarine head meanwhile been picked up.

At 1730A/5, four trawlers were seen approaching in line abreast on course 190°. [The German auxiliary patrol boats V 404, V 407, V 410 and V 411 were on patrol off Lorient on this day and may have been the four trawlers sighted but more likely it were the auxiliary A/S trawlers UJ 122, UJ 128, UJ D and UJ E which had left Lorient that afternoon for patrol.]

At 1815A/5, the trawlers turned back and later stopped.

At 2034A/5, HMS Tigris surfaced in position 47°32'N, 03°36'W after a day of submerged patrol.

At 2139A/5, HMS Tigris dived in position 47°30'N, 03°40'W for an approaching vessel which was thought to have been an enemy motor torpedo boat.

At 2223A/5, HMS Tigris surfaced in position 47°29'5"N, 03°41'W. (23)

6 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) patrolled between Penmarch Point and Iles de Glenan but only a small fishing trawler was sighted. (10)

7 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Now back near Ile de Groix, at 1600A/7, HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) sighted four trawlers were seen approaching from the direction of Lorient and then proceeded westwards. (10)

8 Oct 1940 (position 47.28, -3.25)
HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) attacks German U-boat U-31 with torpedoes in the Bay of Biscay about 15 nautical miles south of Lorient, France in position 47°28'N, 03°25'W. All torpedoes fired missed their target. U-31 is also taken under fire with the deck gun, one hit was claimed [but this was not the case].

U-31 subsequently arrived at Lorient around 1600B/8 having been escorted in by the auxiliary A/S trawlers UJ 122, UJ 128, UJ D and UJ E.

0504A/8 - Heard HE bearing 155°.

0530A/8 - The port look-out sighted a U-boat. Went to full ahead expecting Trident to be sighted as well. Trident was brought to a firing course.

0531A/8 - Fired five torpedoes from 1500 yards (later it was learnt that no.4 tube misfired, so actually only four torpedoes were fired) but these all missed.

0535A/8 - Fired two torpedoes from 500 yards. Both missed.

0537A/8 - Fired one torpedo but this one also missed. No.4 tube was now also fired but as Trident was turning this torpedo also missed.

0538A/8 - Fire was opened with the deck gun. The second round was seen to hit the target at the base of the conning tower. The target was seen to be diving.

0538A/8 - Dived. Listened for HE but nothing was heard.

0800A/8 - On the scene of the attack echo contact was obtained on what was thought to be the wreck of the submarine. Lt.Cdr. Sladen claimed the submarine as having been sunk. (24)

11 Oct 1940
HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) returned to the area near Ile de Groix on this day as it had been reported that another inbound U-boat was to be expected.

During the forenoon four trawlers were seen patrolling but they did not come to seaward.

At 1500A/11, what are thought to be six motor torpedo boats or motor minesweepers crossed ahead proceeding on course 090°.

At 1606A/11, these boats turned directly towards. Trident then went deep.

At 1620A/11, one of them passed overhead.

At 1625A/11, only distant HE was heard so returned to periscope depth. One was seen laying stopped only 300 yards away. The remainder were further off.

At 1700A/11, all six moved off slowly to the north-westward. [This were six R-boats from the 2nd R-boat flotilla.] (25)

12 Oct 1940
At 1025A/12, when south-west of Ile de Groix, HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) sighted three trawlers in line abreast. They passed to the north-west at a range of 7000 yards.

At 1140A/12, what are thought to be 5 E-boats (motor torpedo boats) were seen approaching. [This were most likely 5 R-boats (motor minesweepers) from the 12th R-boat Flotilla which were operating in the area for U-boat escort duties.]

At 1155A/12, they turned towards but shortly afterwards they turned to the westward.

At 1330A/12, they were seen again and came towards. They remained in the area until 1600A/12. Between 1230A/12 and 1330A/12 the trawlers sighted earlier were also within 3 nautical miles.

Between 1510A/12 and 1600A/12, three other trawlers were sighted. These were other trawlers then had ever been seen before. They passed at a range of only 1000 yards.

By 1630A/12, nothing was in sight. [In the afternoon of the 12th, U-100 left Lorient for patrol but she was not sighted by HMS Trident.] (10)

13 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1100A/13, west of Penmarch Point, HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) sighted five trawlers. They passed very close while proceeding to the north-westward.

At 2030A/13, HMS Trident surfaced in position 47.45'5"N, 04.50'5"W and left patrol to return to Holy Loch. (26)

15 Oct 1940
At 0800A/15, HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN), made rendezvous near the Longships Lighthouse with her escort towards Holy Loch, HMS La Surprise (Capt.(ret) E.Stubbs, RN). (10)

16 Oct 1940
Around 1900A/16, HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) ended her 14th war patrol at Holy Loch. (10)

28 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (27)

3 Nov 1940
Around 0800A/3, HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) departed from Holy Loch for her 15th war patrol. She is to patrol in the Bay of Biscay.

During the passage south through the Irish Sea she was escorted by HMS Surprise (Capt.(Retd.) E. Stubbs, RN) until 0230A/5 when they parted company near Bishops Rock.

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

(10)

20 Nov 1940
Around 0600A/20, HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN), made rendezvous with her escort towards Holy Loch, HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (10)

21 Nov 1940
Around 1740A/21, HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) ended her 14th war patrol at Holy Loch. The patrol had been uneventful. (10)

30 Nov 1940
HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) proceeded from Holy Loch to Ardrossan. She is escorted by HMS Ohm (?). (28)

2 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) is docked at Ardrossan. (29)

4 Dec 1940
HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) is undocked. She then proceeded from Ardrossan to Holy Loch escorted by HMS Norland (T/Skr. G.H. Booth, RNR). (29)

5 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) conducted D/G trials off Helensburg. (29)

10 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Long. (29)

17 Dec 1940
Around 0845A/17, HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) departed from Holy Loch for her 16th war patrol. She is to patrol off Punta Delgada in the Azores as a German invasion of the Azores is feared.

During the passage south through the Irish Sea she was escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) until 0001A/19 near Round Island. (10)

17 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Trident during her 16th war patrol see the map below.

27 Dec 1940
HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) fires, in all, five torpedoes against a darkened ship that entered Punta Delgada, Azores. All five torpedoes missed their target. (The target later proved to be the Panamanian merchant vessel Bonita (4856 GRT, built 1918)

0337A/27 - Sighted a darkened ship approaching from the westward. From sparks coming out of its funnel it appeared to be making its best speed. Prepared to attack as the vessel made for the harbour. When abreast of the harbour entrance the vessel slowed down and continued to the eastward. Returning later to stop in a position 155° Delgada Lighthouse 2 nautical miles.

0748 hours - Closed the vessel to question her. At intervals between 0815 and 0850 hours she was signalled, in plain language, "what ship" and "sent boat with ship's papers". The vessel tried to keep astern of Trident at all times and at 0845 hours made for the harbour entrance. A warning shot was now fired across her bows that stopped her temporarily. A signal was now sent "Abandon ship i will sink you in five minutes. This resulted in the ship getting underway again. A second shot was now fired across her bows but to no effect. After firing this shot the gun malfunctioned as it failed to run out.

0900A/27 - Fired no.5 and 6 tubes from 1000 yards. Both torpedoes missed.

0907A/27 - Fired no.3 and 4 tubes from 900 yards. The torpedoes failed to discharge and no.1 and 2 tubes were fired instead. Both torpedoes again missed the target and were later seen to explode on Delgada Point.

0911A/27 - Fired no. 7 tube from 700 yards. It was seen to explode on the breakwater so this one also missed the target. Shortly after firing this torpedo a torpedo exploded close by on the bottom. This was the torpedo from no.3 tube that broke free.

0932A/27 - Retired to the seaward. (10)

7 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 2000A/7, HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) left patrol to return to Holy Loch. (10)

14 Jan 1941
Around 0820A/14, HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN), made rendezvous with her escort towards Holy Loch, the Free French minesweeper FFS La Moqueuse. (10)

16 Jan 1941
Around 0945A/16, HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) ended her 16th war patrol at Holy Loch. (10)

20 Jan 1941
HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) proceeded from Holy Loch to Troon where she she is immediately docked to commence a refit by the Ailsa Shipyard. (30)

1 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) conducted basin trials at Troon. (31)

2 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) conducted basin trials at Troon. (31)

10 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) is undocked. (31)

13 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) conducted basin trials at Troon. (31)

16 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) conducted a basin dive at Troon. (31)

17 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) conducted basin trials at Troon. (31)

18 Apr 1941
HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) ended her refit at Troon and then left for Holy Loch where she arrived the next day. En-route several trials and exercises were carried out which included full power trials on the Arran measured mile and also special W/T trials with HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. S.A. Jones, RNR). (31)

22 Apr 1941
HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) C.C. Flemming, RN) served as target. (31)

24 Apr 1941
HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. S.A. Jones, RNR) served as target. (31)

25 Apr 1941
HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) conducted D/F and noise trials in the Clyde area. (31)

28 Apr 1941
Around 0930A/28, HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) departed from Holy Loch for her 17th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Bay of Biscay.

During the passage south through the Irish Sea she was escorted by the Free French minesweeper FFS La Moqueuse until 0030A/30 when they parted company near Bishops Rock.

28 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
For the daily positions of HMS Trident during her 17th war patrol see the map below.

18 May 1941
Around 0400B/18, near Trevose Head, HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN), made rendezvous with HMS Tuna (Lt.Cdr. M.K. Cavenagh-Mainwaring, DSO, RN), which was coming from Falmouth with their escort towards Holy Loch, HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Dobson, RNR).

19 May 1941
Around 1600B/19, HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) ended her 17th war patrol, which had been uneventful, at Holy Loch. (10)

27 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) conducted D/G trials off Helensburg (or at Holy Loch ?). (32)

28 May 1941
HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN) served as target.

These also included night exercises during the night of 28/29 May 1941. (32)

30 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) conducted D/G trials off Helensburg. (32)

1 Jun 1941
Around 1230B/1, HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) departed from Holy Loch for her 18th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Bay of Biscay.

She was escorted south through the Irish Sea by HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Dobson, RNR) until 2136/2 when they parted company off Wolf Rock.

[As there is no log available for this period no map could be made.] (10)

19 Jun 1941
Arpund 0245B/19, HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN), met HMS Tuna (Lt.Cdr. M.K. Cavenagh-Mainwaring, DSO, RN) 6 nautical miles to the south of the rendezvous with the escort, HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN).

Both submarines subsequently made rendezvous with HMS Cutty Sark around 0420B/19 and then set course through the Irish Sea to Holy Loch.

HMS Tuna later lost contact in thick fog and only rejoined around 0500B/20. (10)

20 Jun 1941
P.M., HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) ended her 18th war patrol at Holy Loch. Once again the patrol had been uneventful.

[As no logs are available of HMS Trident for the months of June and July 1941, some details for these months will be missing.] (10)

11 Jul 1941
Around 1100B/11, HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) depart from Holy Loch for her 19th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off Brest. It is believed that the German battlecruiser Scharnhorst is ready to depart from that port.

She was escorted south through the Irish Sea by HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Dobson, RNR) until 0001/13.

[As there is no log available for this period no map could be made.] (10)

23 Jul 1941
Around 0400B/23, off Trevose Head, HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN), made rendezvous with her escort towards Holy Loch, HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) C.C. Flemming, RN). (10)

24 Jul 1941
P.M., HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) ended her 19th war patrol at Holy Loch. Once again the patrol had been uneventful, only tuna fishermen had been sighted. (10)

1 Aug 1941
Around 1615B/1, HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) departed from Holy Loch bound for Polyarnoe, Russia. She was escorted by HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) C.C. Flemming, RN) until 1400B/3 when they parted company to the east of the Shetland Islands. (33)

1 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
For the daily positions of HMS Trident during the passage from Holy Loch bound to Polyarnoe see the map below.

10 Aug 1941
Around 0820C/10, HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) arrived at Polyarnoe, Russia. She was escorted in by the Russian destroyer Uritsky which had joined around 0420C/10.

The passage had been uneventful. (33)

16 Aug 1941
Around 2330C/16, HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) departed from Polyarnoe, Russia for her 20th war patrol. She is to patrol off northern Norway.

She was escorted out, in thick fog, by a Russian patrol vessel (identity not known) until 0115C/17.

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

(10)

19 Aug 1941 (position 71.01, 24.24)
HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) damaged the German transport Levante (4769 GRT, built 1939) with gunfire east of Havoysund, Norway in position 71°01'N, 24°24'E.

Six Norwegians were killed and one German was lightly injured. Levante proceeded to Hammerfest.

As a result of this attack the auxiliary A/S vessels, UJ 1707 and UJ 1708 were sent to patrol between Hammerfest and Honningsvag.

1046C/19 - Sighted a merchant vessel coming down Bret Sund from the eastward. Commenced attack.

1103C/19 - In position 71°01'N, 24°24'E fired two torpedoes from 650 yards at a 2500 tons merchant vessel. The attack drill did not went as it should have resulting in the torpedoes to miss the target.

1106C/19 - Surfaced for gun action. The enemy immediately altered course. 21 rounds were fired for at least 5 hits before the enemy went out of sight. The enemy could not be followed as fire was now opened by shore batteries, the ship was making good speed and Trident would have the enter the fjord to deep with the danger of not being able to reach open water if she was counter-attacked. The attack was therefore broken off. (34)

20 Aug 1941
At 0230C/20, HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) dived in estimated position 70°29'N, 21°38'E but it later became apparent that HMS Trident was 8.5 nautical miles further to the north-westwards.

At 0430C/20, an accurate fix could be obtained.

At 0945C/20, a patrol vessel was seen approaching from astern. When it was just before the port beam it altered course towards and it was thought Trident had been detected. It however passed under the stern and then retired to seaward. A merchant vessel was then seen coming up Sondre Berg fjord. This merchant vessel was identified as the Norwegian Bretagne (3285 GRT, built 1937) and was thus not attacked.

Later in the day two small Norwegian coasters were sighed passing Trident northbound. These were also not attacked.

At 1415C/20, HMS Trident retired to seaward.

At 2030C/20, Trident surfaced 12 nautical miles from shore and continued to retire to seaward while charging. (10)

21 Aug 1941 (position 70.12, 21.05)
HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) attacked the German minelayer Bremse in Lopphavett with four torpedoes in position 70°12'N, 21°05'E. No hits were obtained and Bremse arrived at Tromso around 1130B/21.

Later HMS Trident attacked the small Norwegian tanker Tripp (369 GRT, built 1939) with two torpedoes in position 70°09'N, 21°01'E. No hits were obtained.

0900C/21 - Sighted a vessel bearing 050°. This vessel was subsequently identified as the German Bremse. Started attack. The enemy was proceeding on course 203° at 15 knots.

0924C/21 - In position 70°12'N, 21°05'E fired four torpedoes from 1500 yards. All missed their target or ran under.

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

1247C/21 - Started an attacked on the small Norwegian tanker Tripp. shee was proceeding on course 210° at 11.5 knots.

1255C/21 - In position 70°09'N, 21°01'E fired two torpedoes from 1500 yards. Both torpedoes missed (most likely astern)

1325C/21 - Set course to seaward. (35)

22 Aug 1941 (position 70.12, 21.05)
HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) torpedoed and sank the transport Ostpreussen (German 3030 GRT, built 1920) in the Kvaenangenfjord, Norway in position 70°12'N, 21°05'E. Ostpreussen was in convoy with the Barcelona (German, 3101 GRT, built 1921), Barmbeck (German, 2446 GRT, built 1929) and Sivas (German, 3831 GRT, built 1928). They were escorted by the German auxiliary A/S trawlers V 6110 / Franke (former HMS Larwood) and V 6101 / Nordkap.

The Barcelona had picked up seven survivors.

1527C/22 - Sighted a convoy of four ships escorted by two trawlers. The convoy appeared to be in 2 lines. The German Ostpreussen was leading ship of the nearer line and had one of the trawlers ahead of her and what is thought to be a Norwegian merchant astern.

1600C/22 - Fired five torpedoes from 600 yards at the Ostpreussen resulting in three hits.

1604C/22 - Saw the trawlers closing. During the next 1,5 hours nine depth charges were dropped but none were close.

1730C/22 - Sound from the trawlers had disappeared so went to periscope depth.

1800C/22 - Proceeded to seaward while still submerged. (36)

24 Aug 1941
At 0154C/24, HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) dived in position 260° - Fruholmen lighthouse - 11 nautical miles (Fruholmen lighthouse is in 71°05'40"N 23°59'E) and proceeded southwards.

At 0730C/24, HMS Trident started to patrol to the west of Rolvsoy Sund. Two or three small vessels passed westwards and while watching these the German minelayer Bremse was also seen proceeding westwards. Until then she had been invisible against the land. She could not be attacked.

Bremse had departed Kirkeness for Tromso at 2115B/23 together with the German refrigerated transport Christian Sinding (3076 GRT, built 1941) and the motor minesweepeers R 152 and R 162. The motor minesweepers were to accompany the convoy until Honningsvag and the were detached near that port around 0820B/24. At 1845B/24 the Christian Sinding was detached near Tromso. Bremse arrived at Tromso around 2005B/24.

At 1500C/24, two vessels, thought to be cable ships rounded Mylingen Point (70°45'N, 23°41'E) and proceeding south-eastwards possibly towards Refneshamm (70°42'N, 24°23'E) which was a telegraphist station.

At 1540C/24, HMS Trident proceeded to seaward to charge. (37)

25 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0154C/24, HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) sighted what is thought to be a small tanker, just like the one attacked on 21 August. She was proceeding eastwards but was or could not be attacked. Quite a number of small fishing boats were a nuisance all day as it was very calm weather. (10)

26 Aug 1941
At 0200C/26, HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) dived in position 250° - Fruholmen lighthouse - 11 nautical miles and commenced to run into the coast.

At 0545C/26, north of Hammerfest, HMS Trident started an attack on what was thought to be a large westbound merchant vessel but was later seen to be a small coaster. Mirage had made the ship initially appear bigger.

At 1600C/26, HMS Trident retired to seaward to charge. It was decided to patrol off / in Soroy Sund (Lopphavet) the following day. (10)

27 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0906C/27, HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) dived in position 250° - Sildmylingen lighthouse - 20 nautical miles and seet course for Soroy Sund.

Around 1500C/27, HMS Trident arrived in the intended patrol position, three nautical miles to the north of Sildmylingen.

At 1745C/27, a trawler was seen at long range coming up Stjern Sund. Also decided to remain on patrol near this position during the night and surface to charge for 1 to 2 hours.

HMS Trident eventually remained patrolling in this area on the 28th, 29th and 30th but nothing of interest was seen on the first two days. (10)

30 Aug 1941 (position 70.35, 21.45)
HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) torpedoed and sank the transports Donau II (German 2931 GRT, built 1939) and Bahia Laura (German 8561 GRT, built 1918) in Lopphavet, Norway in position 70°35'N, 21°45'E.

Besides the two ships sunk this convoy was made up besides of the transports August Bolten (German, 3665 GRT, built 1937) and Cornouaille (German (former French), 3303 GRT, built 1928). They were escorted by the German destroyers Z 10 / Hans Lody and Z 20 / Karl Galster and the German auxiliary A/S trawlers UJ 1708, Gote and V 6110 / Franke (former HMS Larwood). The A/S trawlers UJ 1706 and UJ 1707 were making an AS sweep ahead of the convoy.

The convoy, with troops on board, had departed Tromso around 0915B/30 bound for Kirkeness. On both ships there were sunk were 1667 men of which 1225 were rescued.

0242C/30 - Dived and closed the shipping route.

0430C/30 - Turned westwards towards Silden. It was the intention to leave this area around 1800 hours.

1409C/30 - Sighted two trawlers approaching from the westward on course 090°. No convoy was sighted astern of them so avoiding action was taken. They passed out of sight up Soroy Sund and it was thought they were carrying out an A/S sweep. A small coaster was following them but was considered to be not worth attacking. [The two trawlers sighted must have been UJ 1706 and UJ 1707 on their A/S sweep.]

1628C/30 - Sighted three dazzle painter R-boats (motor minesweepers) in line ahead proceeding westwards down Soroy Sund. They were followed by the tender Elbe or Weser with another R-boat zigzagging directly ahead of her. No attack was made as it was expected an eastbound convoy was approaching. [This was indeed Weser which had departed Kirkeness for Tromso the previous day together with three R-boats, R 153, R 156 and R 157. Two more R-boats, R 154 and R 159 joined off Honningsvag on the 30th.

1730C/30 - A single R-boat was seen proceeding westwards in Soroy Sund.

1740C/30 - Sighted the leading ships of a convoy to the west of Silden heading north. The convoy was soon seen to be made up of four ships in line ahead. They were escorted by two large destroyers and three trawlers and one He 115 aircraft overhead. Quite a strong escort so it was most likely a very valuable convoy. Commenced attack. The second ship was selected as the main target but as Lt.Cdr. Sladen had only two torpedoes left he decided to aim them individually at the second and third ship. During the setup for the attack the targets were shifted to the first and second ships. Also one of the destroyer passed very close by but Trident was not detected.

1814C/30 - Fired the last two torpedoes against the selected ships from 700 yards. Both torpedoes were hits. The first hit after 48 seconds on a 1500 tons ship, the second after 50 seconds on a 3000 tons ships. Immediately after firing course was altered to seaward and speed was increased. During the next 2 hours and 15 minutes 56 depth charges were dropped. The first 45 of these were unpleasantly close.

2030C/30 - Came to periscope depth. The only ships in sight were the full escort of the two destroyers and three trawlers, one merchant that appeared undamaged and one merchant stopped badly listed and with a large column of smoke rising from her. By her appearance this was the second ship fired at. As the aircraft was seen still searching Trident was taken to 70 feet and continued to seaward to return to Polyarnoe, all torpedoes having been expended. (38)

3 Sep 1941 (position 69.59, 35.00)
While returning to base at Polyarnoe, Russia, HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) is fired upon but missed by German U-boat U-566. The U-boat was spotted by Trident at 0248C/3 in position 69°59'N, 35°00'E but could not be attacked with torpedoes as there were none left aboard. It was not observed on board Trident that she was fired upon.

U-566 had fired a torpedo from 800 to 900 meters at 0145B/3 which missed. A second torpedo was then fired from 1600 to 2000 meters at 0153B/3 which also missed.

Around 1130C/3 Trident arrived at Polyarnoe ending her 20th war patrol. She was escorted in by a Russian 'Storm-class' patrol vessel (unidentified) which had joined around 0920C/3. (39)

16 Sep 1941
Around 1830C/16, HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) departed from Polyarnoe, Russia for her 21st war patrol. She is to patrol off northern Norway.

She was escorted out until 2000C/16 (according to the patrol report) / 2200C/16 (according to the log) by two Russian patrol vessels.

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

(40)

20 Sep 1941
At 0448C/20, HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) dived in position 306° - Sildmylingen lighthouse - 6 nautical miles and set course for Brynillen.

At 1216C/20, in position 70°12'N, 20°59'E, sighted two R-boats and one ship at the entrance to the Olden Fjord apparently steering a course of 270°. Visibility towards the land was poor and rain and sea conditions made periscope observations difficult. Later a ship was sighted steering 347° but it was too far off to be attacked. It was escorted by an M-class minesweeper and two R-boats. Intermittent depth charging had been heard since 1045C/20. Three depth chargers were dropped at 1300C/20 when the ships rounded Brynillen.

The German minesweeper M 17 dropped depth charges in this area (Grid AC 7484) around this time and subsequently reported a large oil slick as a result of the depth charging. She had departed Tromso around 0315B/30 for Kirkeness together with M 29 and UJ 1211 and UJ 1214 escorting the transport Theresia L.M. Russ (German, 1694 GRT, built 1927) and the small tanker (Norwegian, 369 GRT, built 1939). More ships / escorts were to join from Hammersfest and the Tanafjord while en-route.

At 1830C/20, HMS Trident proceeded to seaward to charge as weather conditions made it useless to stay close inshore. (41)

21 Sep 1941
At 0448C/21, HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) dived and set course for Brynillen.

At 1308C/21, a trawler and another vessel were sighted hugging the eastern shore of the Kvaenangen Fjord. HMS Trident turned to attack but both vessels turned out to be A/S vessels carrying out a sweep and the attack was broken off.

At 1530C/21, while HMS Trident was slowly proceeding northwards, two trawlers were sighted to the southward proceeding on course 270° at a range of about 4000 yards. HMS Trident turned they disappeared from sight.

At 1830C/21, HMS Trident proceed seawards. Nothing further had been sighted.

According to German sources the auxiliary A/S vessels UJ 1211, UJ 1214, UJ 1216 and UJ 1403 were conducting A/S operations in the Loppa area and thus may have been the vessels sighted. (41)

23 Sep 1941 (position 70.20, 21.17)
HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) attacked the refridgerated transport Christian Sinding (German 3076 GRT, built 1941) with three torpedoes in position 70°20'N, 21°17'E. All torpedoes missed their target. Two torpedoes were heard to explode on hitting the shore.

The composition of the convoy attacked was the above mentioned Christian Sinding, which was escorted by the German R-boat tender Weser escorted by the R-boat (motor minesweeper) R 153. They had departed Tromso for Hammerfest at 0948B/23. At 1130B/23, the convoy escort was reinforced by R 154 which had departed Hammerfest around 0500B/23 to do so.

1430C/23 - Sighted a trawler escorting a small merchant ship southbound. The merchant vessel was seen to be zigzagging. Did not attack as a convoy was expected. Twenty minutes later these ships were seem to round Brynnilen and proceeding south-eastward close to the shore. [This were most likely the R-boat tender MRS 3 / Bali escorted by the auxiliary A/S vessel UJ 1203 which had departed Hammerfest around 0600B/23 for Tromso where they arrived around 2045B/23.]

1640C/23 - Sighted what is thought to be a Wolf-class torpedo boat following a merchant vessel sighted earlier. The merchant vessel was of about 1000 tons and heavily camouflaged.

1655C/23 - Fired three torpedoes from 5000 yards. No hits were obtained. Two of the torpedoes were heard to explode on the shore.

Trident proceeded to the seaward after the attack. (42)

25 Sep 1941
At 1430C/25, in Rolvsoy Sund, HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) sighted two heavily camouflaged trawlers proceeding westwards at 10 knots. One had the complete outline of another vessel painted on her side in another colour.

This were most likely the German auxiliary A/S trawlers UJ 1205 and UJ 1206 returning from A/S patrol off Nordkyn to Hammerfest where they arrived around 1545B/25. (43)

26 Sep 1941
At 0324C/26, in Rolvsoy Sund, HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) sighted an unescorted westbound transport. She could not be attacked.

At 1315C/26, three trawlers, in line ahead, were seen proceeding eastwards. These may have been the German auxiliary A/S trawlers UJ 1212 and UJ 1707 which had left Hammerfest at 1115B/25 to conduct an A/S patrol off Nordkyn. Perhaps a third trawler had (temporarily) joined.

At 1840C/26, two German destroyers were seen proceeding westwards. This were Z 20 / Karl Galster and Z 16 / Friedrich Eckhold which had departed Kirkenes at 0800B/26 to make rendezvous with an eastbound convoy near Hammerfest. (43)

27 Sep 1941 (position 70.49, 23.58)
HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) torpedoed and heavily damaged the German auxiliary A/S trawler UJ 1201 (the other vessel was UJ 1211) in position 70°49'N, 23°58'E. This ship was heavily damaged with 20 dead amongst her crew. The bow broke off and the stern was towed to Hammerfest. All machinery was intact and the stern was later towed to Rostock, Germany for repairs that were only completed in April 1944.

0014C/27 - H.E. reported bearing 268°. Closed the shipping route.

0040C/27 - Sighted what are thought to be merchant ships proceeding together.

0046C/27 - Fired 6 torpedoes from 4000 yards.

0049C/27 - The leading ship, thought to be of 1000 tons was hit by a torpedo.

0052C/27 - Closed to gun the target but a ship was seen to turn towards and was now seen to be a trawler. As range was now under 2000 yards Trident dived. The trawler now hunted Trident and 6 depth charges were dropped very close causing minor damage.

0252C/27 - After it was quiet for an hour Trident surfaced. A trawler was seen laying stopped about 5000 yards astern. A boat load of survivors was seen close by. The ship was still afloat but Cdr. Sladen was under the impression that it was sinking. Trident proceeded to the seaward as Cdr. Sladen did not want to dive again until he was in open water because both the gyro and magnetic compass were damaged in the depth charge attack. (43)

28 Sep 1941
At 1114C/28, HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN), which now now patrolling in Lopphavet, a German destroyer was seen proceeding westwards down Soroy Sundet. An attack was started but the enemy was too far off.

This was Z 10 / Hans Lody enroute from Kirkenes to Tromso and then onwards to Germany.

At 1300C/28, a motor boat appeared and dropped two depth charges at random off the north end of Silden. It remained in the vicinity of 40 minutes. From then on there was constant air activity in the area so it was considered likely a convoy might be coming.

At 1600C/28, a merchant vessel was seen turning into Sondre Bergs Fjord.

At 1640C/28, a large convoy was seen comming north inside Loppa. Cdr. Sladen thought, that after all the air activity in that area that it was going to pass to the north of Silden but he then saw the first ship of the convoy turn so as to pass to the south of it. He immediately started to make for Soroy Sund to head them off.

The sight of the convoy was subsequently lost in the bad visibility to the south and they were not seen again. Cdr. Sladen was of the opinion the convoy must have proceeded up Stjern Sund and that if he allowed for a speed of 8 knots he might be able to intercept it the following morning off Brei Sund.

Two eastbound convoys had departed Tromso eastbound around 0815B/28. The larges convoy was made up of the transports Kong Ring (Norwegian (in German service), 2034 GRT, built 1929), Philip Heineken (German, 2042 GRT, built 1939) and Utlandshorn (Danish (in German service), 2642 GRT, built 1928). The first two were bound for Kirkeness and the third was to proceed to Hamnbukt. They were escorted by the minesweepers M 15, M 17, M 29 and the motor minesweeper R 154.
The other convoy was made up of the transport Sivas (German, 3831 GRT, built 1928) which was to proceed to Billefjord. She was escorted by the auxiliary A/S vessels V 6103 / Nordlicht, V 6109 / Nordwind and V 5903 / Polarfront.
Both convoys were probably in close proximity of each other when sighed by HMS Trident.

At 1930C/28, HMS Trident turned northwards.

At 2100C/28, HMS Trident surfaced abeam of Sildmylingen lighthouse and set course for Brei Sund where she arrived at 0430C/29 but the convoy was however not seen. (10)

30 Sep 1941 (position 71.03, 24.34)
HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) fires three torpedoes against the German hospital ship Birka (1000 GRT, built 1937) in the Breidsundet about 4 nautical miles north-west of Havøysund, Norway in position 71°03'N, 24°34'E. All three torpedoes missed their target. R 154 subsequently counter attacked with depth charges. [German record only give R 154 as the escort, no second R boat should have been present.]

0945C/30 - Sighted a merchant vessel of about 4000 tons rounding Gavloden Point westwards. It was escorted by two R-boats.

1001C/30 - Fired three torpedoes from 7000 yards. Enemy cours and speed was 198° at 16 knots. No hits were obtained. One of the R-boats dropped two depth charges a long way off. Trident now retired seawards with all torpedoes expended to return to Polyarnoe. (10)

3 Oct 1941
Around 0945C/3, HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) ended her 21st war patrol at Polyarnoe, Russia.

She was escorted in by a Russian 'Storm-class' patrol vessel (unidentified) which had joined around 0715C/3. (10)

16 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) conducted compass adjustment trials at Polyarnoe. (44)

18 Oct 1941
HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off the Kola Inlet. Also practice attacks were made during which a Russian 'Storm-class' patrol vessel (unidentified) acted as target. (44)

30 Oct 1941
Around 1900C/30, HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) departed from Polyarnoe, Russia for her 22th war patrol. She is to patrol off northern Norway. Trident has only 12 torpedoes (six in the internal bow torpedo tubes and six reloads) on board and her sailing for this patrol had been delayed until the arrival of new torpedoes. No external torpedoes were carried as the torpdoes supplied lacked fittings for them to be fired from the external torpedo tubes.

She was escorted out by a Russian patrol vessel until 2030C/30.

For the attack positions of HMS Trident during this patrol see the map below. No log is available so daily positions are not displayed on the map.

(10)

2 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1140C/2, in the Porsangerfjord, in position 70°56'N, 26°10'E, HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) sighed an unescorted merchant vessel proceeding westbound on course 270°. Range was 5000 yards. HMS Trident was well abaft his beam and an attack was not possible. (10)

3 Nov 1941 (position 70.58, 26.08)
During the second of two attacks on the same convoy, HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) torpedoed and sank the German auxiliary A/S vessel (former whaler) UJ 1213 / Rau IV (354 GRT, built 1937) in the Porsangerfjord in position 70°58'N, 26°08'E. The German transport Altkirch (4713 GRT, built 1928) was missed in the first attack on this convoy.

The were 31 officers and crew killed when UJ 1213 sank, 10 survivors were picked up.

Besides the two above mentioned ships, this convoy was made up of the following ships; transport Fjeld (Norwegian (in German control), 2960 GRT, built 1916) and small tanker Kloveren (Norwegian (in German control), 428 GRT, built 1938). They were escorted (besides the already mentioned UJ 1213) by the German auxiliary A/S vessels UJ 1403, Rabe, V 6101 / Nordkap and V 6109 / Nordwind.

This convoy had just departed Honingsvag for Kirkenes but following the attack the convoy returned to Honingsvag. UJ 1205 and UJ 1701 were sent for an A/S hunt in the area.

0914C/3 - In position 70°56'N, 26°10'E sighted a widely dispersed eastbound convoy with an escort of four trawlers. One ship, of 2000 tons, was close by, the rest was further away. The actual number of ships was impossible to distinguish as the ships were against the land and the periscope was continually being washed over.

0924C/3 - Fired three torpedoes from 2500 yards at the closest merchant ship.

0929C/3 - One torpedo was heard to hit. When the periscope was put up it was noted that the convoy was in confusion, ships were steering anywhere, but the ship fired at seemed unharmed. Shortly afterwards a few depth charges were dropped at random.

0938C/3 - Further study of the situation was interfered with as one ship (of 2000 tons) was seen to be going to pass close by. At first it was thought to be the initial target but this was later seen to be not the case.

0947C/3 - Fired two torpedoes from 1000 yards. 50 Seconds later an explosion was heard thought to be a torpedo hitting giving a running range of 780 yards. This explosion was quite different from the three other explosions heard shortly afterwards and to previous ones. Through the periscope the vessel appeared to be intact. During one look Cdr. Sladen thought she was settling by the stern but she was seen to be still afloat 10 minutes later. Trident now retired from the area. (45)

4 Nov 1941 (position 71.05, 26.51)
HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) attacks a convoy off the Porsangerfjord in position 71°05'N, 26°51'E. Four torpedoes were fired but no hits were obtained.

The first attack, the one that was spoiled, was against a convoy made up of the transports Bahia (German, 4117 GRT, built 1927), Graziella (Norwegian (in German service), 2149 GRT, built 1917), Schillighorn (Danish (in German service), 2864 GRT, built 1918) and Utlandshorn (Danish (in German service), 2642 GRT, built 1928). They were escorted by the German minesweepers M 15, M 17, M 22, M 29 and M 30. They were en-route from Tromso to Kirkeness and had spent the night anchored in the Latfjord to the south-west of Honingsvag. On entering the Porsangerfjord the transport Erling Lindoe (Norwegian (in German service), 1281 GRT, built 1917), had been detached to proceed independently to Hamnbukt so she was actually no longer with the convoy by the time it was sighted by HMS Trident. It was M 29 which had detected and depth charged HMS Tigris.

The second attack was against the same convoy attacked the previous day and had retured to Honingsvag, which was made up of the transports Altkirch (4713 GRT, built 1928), Fjeld (Norwegian (in German control), 2960 GRT, built 1916) and small tanker Kloveren (Norwegian (in German control), 428 GRT, built 1938). While at hoonningsvag another transport Jans or Jens [we have been unable to indentify this vessel] had also joined. They were now escorted Rabe, V 6101 / Nordkap and V 6109 / Nordwind.

0945C/4 - In position 71°05'N, 26°55'E sighted a convoy of three 3000/4000 tons merchant ships escorted by three M-class minesweepers. Started attack.

0951C/4 - Trident had now penetrated the screen of the convoy.

1000C/4 - One of the minesweepers turned towards and appeared to be in contact. Cdr. Sladen broke off the attack and altered course at full speed. The minesweeper dropped 20 depth charges in the next four minutes that shook Trident considerably. Trident retired from the scene.

1221C/4 - In position 71°05N, 26°51E sighted masts bearing 202°.

1245C/4 - Saw that this was yesterday's convoy, four merchant ships and a number of trawlers. Also noted that it was headed by the ship we thought we had sunk yesterday. We must have hit something else (Cdr. Sladen was correct in this).

1312C/4 - Fired four torpedoes at a 2500 tons ship from 6000 yards. No hits were obtained. Trident altered course to the seaward after the attack. (46)

5 Nov 1941
While patrolling in the Nordkyn / Laksefjord / Porsangerfjord area, HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN), at 1050C/5, sighted two trawlers proceeding westwards in line ahead. Enemy course was 260° and the were proceeding at a speed of 9 knots.

This were probably the German auxiliary A/S trawlers UJ 1205 and UJ 1706 which were on A/S patrol in this general area until they were relieved around 1120B/5 by UJ 1204, UJ 1403 and UJ 1701. (47)

6 Nov 1941
While patrolling in / off the Porsangerfjord, HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN), at 1330C/6, sighted three trawlers sweeping from the westward until north of Svaerholt.

The German auxiliary A/S trawlers UJ 1204, UJ 1403 and UJ 1701 were still on A/S patrol in this general area and were perhaps the trawlers sighted. These trawlers left patrol at 1530B/6 and arrived at Hammerfest at 2145B/6. (47)

7 Nov 1941 (position 71.06, 26.57)
HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) fires three torpedoes against the German minesweeper depot ship MRS 3 / Bali north of the Laksefjorden in position 71°06'N, 26°57'E. The torpedoes missed their target. Bali was escorted by the armed trawlers UJ 1205 and UJ 1706.

0240C/7 - Sighted one merchant ship escorted by two trawlers approaching from the westward.

0321C/7 - Fired three torpedoes from 6500 yards.

0327C/7 - The target was seen to alter course away and shortly afterwards an explosion was heard. Possibly she turned away to beach herself.

0338C/7, - Set course to leave patrol as all torpedoes had now been expended. (10)

9 Nov 1941
Around 1300C/9, HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) ended her 22th war patrol at Polyarnoe, Russia. She had met the escort that was to escort her in around 1000C/9. (10)

15 Nov 1941
Around 1500C/15, HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) departed from Polyarnoe, Russia for her 23th war patrol and subsequent return passage to the U.K. En-route she was ordered to a patrol position north-west of the Lofoten.

[As there is no log available for this period no map could be made.] (10)

25 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1900C/25, HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) left patrol as ordered in Capt. S 9's signal timed 1031A/25. (10)

28 Nov 1941
HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) ended her 23th war patrol at Lerwick

She departed Lerwick around 1500A/28 for Blyth. She made (part) of the passage together with the Free French submarine FFS Minerve. They were escorted by HMS Lord Lloyd (T/Lt. M.W. Bond, RNVR).

Around 1630A/29, HMS Minerve was detached to Dundee.

Around 1000A/30, HMS Trident arrived at Blyth.

30 Nov 1941
HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) was taken in hand at Blyth for a short refit. (10)

9 Jan 1942
HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) conducted post-refit trials off Blyth. (48)

15 Jan 1942
HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth. (48)

20 Jan 1942
Around 2335A/20, HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) departed from Blyth for her 24th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol to the north of Trondheim.

She was escorted by HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Dobson, RNR) until 1520A/22 when they parted company near Muckle Flugga. (10)

20 Jan 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
For the daily positions of HMS Trident during her 24th war patrol see the map below.

5 Feb 1942
Around 1500A/5, HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 24th war patrol at Lerwick.

The patrol had been uneventful.

She was escorted in by HMS Harmattan (T/Lt. J.E. Polmont, RNVR) which had joined around 1345A/5. (10)

12 Feb 1942
Around 1845A/12, HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Lerwick for her 25th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off Trondheim in case the German capital ships that wer proceeding up the English Channel would proceed to that port.

On leaving harbour HMS Trident fouled the boom but she sustained no damage. (49)

14 Feb 1942
Having been recalled at 1416B/13, HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 25th war patrol at Lerwick around 0845A/14. (49)

19 Feb 1942
Around 0530A/19, HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Lerwick for her 26th war patrol. She is to patrol off Norway in the Trondheim area.

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

(10)

23 Feb 1942 (position 63.12, 7.00)
HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSO, DSC, RN) fires three torpedoes (seven torpedoes were intended but only three were fired due to a failure in drill when Trident dived during the firing sequence of the torpedoes) at the German heavy cruisers Admiral Scheer and Prinz Eugen west of Kristiansund, Norway in position 63°12'N, 07°00'E. Prinz Eugen is hit with one torpedo in the stern.

The Admiral Scheer and Prinz Eugen were at the time of the attack escorted by only two destroyers. These were Z 7 / Hermann Schoemann and Z 25. The Z 4 / Richard Beitzen, Z 5 / Paul Jacobi and Z 14 / Friedrich Ihn had lost contact with the other ships in bad visibility during a snowstorm at 0123B/23. The damaged Prinz Eugen was able to limp to Trondheim.

0551A/23 - Sighted dim shape bearing 252°.

Soon it was seen that there were two large vessels escorted by three destroyers, one ahead and one on either beam. Before firing torpedoes it was seen that the leading ship was a pocket battleship and the other one was a cruiser. Decided to fire a salvo of seven torpedoes. The six internal bow torpedo tubes and no.8 external.

0602A/23 - In position 63°12'N, 07°00'E fired the first torpedo from 2000 yards and after firing the third gave the order to dive as not to be spotted by the nearest destroyer. As Cdr. Sladen shut the hatch the first explosion was heard. A second explosion was heard half a minute later. On getting below Cdr. Sladen saw that the 'stop fire' light was burning and that the rating who works the order instrument had put on 'stop' on the order 'dive'. This was not noted by any officer as they were all busy with taking the boat below. By the time it was noticed by Cdr. Sladen only three torpedoes of the intended seven were fired and it would have been a waste of four torpedoes to fire the remainder of the salvo. It was thought one hit had been obtained the cruiser and one hit on one of the destroyers.

0607A/23 - The HE of one of the vessels was heard to slow down and then cease.

0609A/23 - HE of one of the destroyers came nearer but soon faded out.

0640A/23 - After nothing was heard for a while Trident surfaced and an enemy report was passed. (50)

6 Mar 1942
At 1630A/6, on patrol in the Fro Havet area, HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSO, DSC, RN) sighed three aircraft circling bearing 180° and drawing north.

At 1640A/6, HE was picked up bearing 160°. Later the masts of two R-boats [none were present so most likely they were from the destroyers or torpedo boats] were seen over the horizon to the eastward and another vessel whose identity could not be determined. From the enemy report subsequently received from HMS Seawolf it was though it must have been the German battleship Tirpitz which had left Trondheim around 1200B/6 to operate against convoys PQ 12 / QP 8, escorted by the destroyers Z 5 / Paul Jacobi, Z 7 / Hermann Schoemann, Z 14 / Friedrich Ihn, Z 25 and the torpedo boats T 5 and T 12. Shortly before 2000B/6, Z 5 / Paul Jacobi (with engine defects), T 5 and T 12 were detached to return to Trondheim.

By 1738A/6, all was quiet. (51)

9 Mar 1942
At 0020A/9, still patrolling in the Fro Havet area, HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSO, DSC, RN) sighted a number of Green lights bearing 220°. These were later seen to be five R-boats which later turned to the westward.

No R-boats were in this position at this moment. Eight boats of the 5th R-boat flotilla arrived at Trondheim around 2300B/9 and were the only ones in the area. More likely this may have been some boats from the harbour defence flotilla of Trondheim which were out on patrol [unable to find any further details].

At 0244A/9, HE was lost bearing 235° up Fro Havet.

At 0845A/9, in approximate position 64°16'N, 09°45'E, two former Norwegian Sleipner-class torpedo boats passed 3000 yards astern proceeding northwards.

More likely this were the German torpedo boats T 5 and T 12 which had departed Trondheim at 0630B/9 with orders to join the Tirpitz returning from the operation against the British convoy.

From 1315 to 1415A/9, three R-boats in the vicinity were being a nuisance. Two passed within 500 yards of HMS Trident.

At 1420A/9, a depth charge exploded possibly dropped at random.

At 1530A/9, R-boats HE was heard again but only one was seen laying stopped presumably to listen.

Between 1530 and 1730A/9, visibility was bad due to snow.

At 1700A/9, R-boats were heard to be patrolling close to the northward. HMS Trident was patrolling east and westwards and so was the enemy.

At 1900A/9, Cdr. Sladen decided to proceed to the north-eastwards to clear this concentration of R-boats before surfacing to charge.

At 2000A/9, just before surfacing, HE was picked up originating from an R-boat. It soon faded out on bearing 300° and nothing more was seen or heard from them.

It had been expected that the Tirpitz would return to Trondheim on this day but nothing was heard or seen from the German battleship, not surprising as she went to the Narvik area.

The R-boats sighted were from the 5th R-boat Flotilla which had departed Trondheim with eight boats (R 54, R 55, R 56, R 57, R 63, R 89, R 90 and R 91) around 0900B/9 for operations in the Fro Havet area.

(52)

13 Mar 1942
At 0549A/13, while still patrolling in the Fro Havet area, HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSO, DSC, RN) HE was picked up and a vessel which could not be identified could be seen moving slowly northwards.

At 0655A/13, what is thought to be a former Norwegian Sleipner-class torpedo boat was seen bearing 200° at 2000 yards. The emeny was steering 220° at slow speed.

At 1200A/13, visibility cleared and what are thought to be two former Norwegian Sleipner-class torpedo boats were seen bearing 160°. They were proceeding on a course of 040°.

At 1549A/13, loud HE was heard bearing 040°. Visibility was only 2000 yards. Nothing could be seen. This must have been Tirpitz and her escorting destroyers (Z 7 / Hermann Schoemann, Z 14 / Friedrich Ihn, Z 25) and torpedo boats (T 5 and T 12) passing through the area during their passage from Narvik to Trondheim.

At 1610A/13, One 'Sleipner-class torpedo boat' passed astern at a range of 800 yards. Six depth charges were dropped when this ship approached. When she was disappearing she dropped another six.

At 1626A/13, HE was lost on bearing 240°.

At 1850A/13, Two 'Sleipner-class torpedo boats' were seen bearing 320°. Range was 1500 yards. They were moving slowly across the bow proceeding on course 220°.

At 1920A/13, they were lost from sight on bearing 210°. Visibility had again improved now.

At 2023A/13, HMS Trident surfaced and set course to leave patrol and return to Lerwick.

The 'Sleipner-class torpedo boats' sighed were most likely three minesweepers from the 4th German M/S Flotilla (M 81, M 151 and M 154) which were patrolling in the area. These were passed by Tirpitz and her escorts around 1700B/13 which coincides with the time the strong HE was heard by HMS Tigris. (53)

17 Mar 1942
Around 1030A/17, HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 26th war patrol at Lerwick.

She departed for Holy Loch around 1700A/17, escorted by the Norwegian torpedo boat HNoMS Draug. (10)

19 Mar 1942
Around 1100A/19, HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (10)

Light cruiser HMS Sheffield (24)

22 Jan 1944
HMS Sheffield (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Liverpool. (54)

23 Jan 1944
HMS Sheffield (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) arrived at Liverpool from Scapa Flow. She is then taken in hand for repairs to her shafts as these had proven to be impossible to repair at Scapa Flow. (54)

26 Jan 1944
HMS Sheffield (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) is docked in No.6 Dock at the Cammell Laird shipyard. (54)

8 Feb 1944
HMS Sheffield (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) is undocked. (55)

9 Feb 1944
With the repairs completed, HMS Sheffield (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN), departed Liverpool for Scapa Flow. (55)

10 Feb 1944
HMS Sheffield (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from Liverpool. (55)

15 Feb 1944
HMS Sheffield (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) conducted AA gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (55)

23 Feb 1944
During 23/24 February 1944, HMS Sheffield (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Diadem (Capt. E.G.A. Clifford, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (56)

29 Feb 1944
HMS Sheffield (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. (55)

4 Mar 1944
Around 1200A/4, HMS Sheffield (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Diadem (Capt. E.G.A. Clifford, RN) departed Scapa Flow for the Clyde where they were to conduct bombardment exercises. (57)

5 Mar 1944
Around 0700A/5, HMS Sheffield (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Diadem (Capt. E.G.A. Clifford, RN) arrived at Greenock from Scapa Flow. (58)

7 Mar 1944
HMS Sheffield (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Diadem (Capt. E.G.A. Clifford, RN) both conducted bombardment exercises in the Clyde area. (58)

8 Mar 1944
HMS Sheffield (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Diadem (Capt. E.G.A. Clifford, RN) conducted bombardment exercises in the Clyde area. (58)

11 Mar 1944
HMS Sheffield (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) departed Greenock for Scapa Flow. (57)

12 Mar 1944
HMS Sheffield (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from Greenock. (57)

28 Mar 1944
During 28/29 March 1944, HMS Sheffield (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN), HMS Jamaica (Capt. J. Hugh-Hallett, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. These included night exercises.

On return to harbour Capt. C.T. Addis, DSO, RN, returned to HMS Sheffield and again took command. (59)

19 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) is undocked at the (South) Boston Navy Yard.

[We have been unable to find out the exact date when she entered the dry dock, several pages of the logbook we have photographed are unfortunately blurred.] (60)

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