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Submarine HMS L 26 (N 26)

20 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
With her repairs completed, HMS L 26 (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN), departed Plymouth for Rothesay. She was escorted by HrMs Z 5 (Lt. J.J. Steensma, RNN). (1)

22 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS L 26 (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) arrived at Rothesay. (1)

25 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS L 26 (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) shifted from Rothesay to Tobermory. She was escorted by HMS Tarantella (T/Lt. the Hon. R.A. Balfour, RNVR). (1)

28 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS L 26 (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory with HMS Polruan (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.S. Landers, RNR) and HMIS Jumna (Cdr. W.R. Shewring, RIN). (1)

29 May 1941
HMS L 26 (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory with HMS Polruan (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.S. Landers, RNR) and HMIS Jumna (Cdr. W.R. Shewring, RIN). (1)

4 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS L 26 (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (2)

5 Jun 1941
HMS L 26 (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (2)

6 Jun 1941
HMS L 26 (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (2)

7 Jun 1941
HMS L 26 (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (2)

9 Jun 1941
HMS L 26 (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (2)

10 Jun 1941
HMS L 26 (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (2)

11 Jun 1941
HMS L 26 (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (2)

12 Jun 1941
HMS L 26 (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (2)

15 Jun 1941
HMS L 26 (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (2)

16 Jun 1941
HMS L 26 (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (2)

17 Jun 1941
HMS L 26 (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (2)

18 Jun 1941
HMS L 26 (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (2)

20 Jun 1941
HMS L 26 (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (2)

21 Jun 1941
HMS L 26 (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (2)

22 Jun 1941
HMS L 26 (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (2)

23 Jun 1941
HMS L 26 (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (2)

25 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS L 26 (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) shifted from Tobermory to Oban. (2)

26 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS L 26 (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) shifted from Oban to Tobermory. (2)

27 Jun 1941
HMS L 26 (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (2)

30 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS L 26 (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) departed Tobermory for Rothesay. (2)

1 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS L 26 (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) arrived at Rothesay.

[No logs are available for the period July 1941 until the start of her refit in September so no more details can be given other then the ones currently listed.]

7 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS L 26 (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) shifted from Rothesay to Ardrossan for repairs. (3)

28 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
With her repairs completed, HMS L 26 (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN), shifted from Ardrossan to Rothesay. (3)

2 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS L 26 (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) shifted from Rothesay to Campbeltown for a period of A/S exercises. (4)

27 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS L 26 (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) shifted from Campbeltown to Rothesay. (4)

12 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS L 26 (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) departed Rothesay for Plymouth. She was escorted by HMS Alecto (Cdr. R.M.G. Gambier, RN). (5)

14 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS L 26 (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) arrived at Plymouth where she was to refit at the Devonport Dockyard. (3)

Submarine HMS Oberon (N 21)

1 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Oberon (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) shifted from Rothesay to Ardrishaig where she participated in A/S exercises with MA/SB's. (6)

2 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Oberon (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Ardrishaig with MA/SB's. (6)

3 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Oberon (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Ardrishaig with MA/SB's. Upon completion of these exercises HMS Oberon proceeded to Rothesay. (6)

6 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Oberon (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) shifted from Rothesay to Campbeltown. (6)

7 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Oberon (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS St. Modwen (Lt.Cdr. F.J. Webster, RNR) and HMS Bretwalda (Skr. J. Windram, RNR). (6)

8 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Oberon (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS St. Modwen (Lt.Cdr. F.J. Webster, RNR) and HMS Bretwalda (Skr. J. Windram, RNR). (6)

9 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Oberon (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Valena (Lt.Cdr. A.F.C. Gray, RNR) and HMS Bretwalda (Skr. J. Windram, RNR). (6)

10 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Oberon (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Bedlington (Skr. J.H.D. Dansie, RNR) and HMS Bretwalda (Skr. J. Windram, RNR). (6)

12 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Oberon (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Shemara (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Buckle, RN). (6)

13 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Oberon (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Spaniel (Skr. C. Coultas, DSC, RNR) and HMS Bedlington (Skr. J.H.D. Dansie, RNR). (6)

14 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Oberon (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Spaniel (Skr. C. Coultas, DSC, RNR) and HMS La Flore. (6)

15 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Oberon (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS La Cordeliere (Lt. A.J.G. Barff, RNR), HMS La Flore, HMS Shemara (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Buckle, RN) and HMS Bedlington (Skr. J.H.D. Dansie, RNR). (6)

16 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Oberon (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Spaniel (Skr. C. Coultas, DSC, RNR) and HMS La Flore. (6)

17 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Oberon (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Bretwalda (Skr. J. Windram, RNR) and HMS Tuscarora (Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) C.E. Lowther, RAN). (6)

19 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Oberon (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS L' Atlantique (Skr. A. McKay, RNR) and HMS Spaniel (Skr. C. Coultas, DSC, RNR). (6)

20 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Oberon (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Bedlington (Skr. J.H.D. Dansie, RNR) and HMS Bretwalda (Skr. J. Windram, RNR). (6)

21 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Oberon (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Shemara (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Buckle, RN) and HMS La Flore. (6)

22 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Oberon (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Boarhound (Skr. S.G. Jinks, RNR), HMS Spaniel (Skr. C. Coultas, DSC, RNR), HMS Valena (Lt.Cdr. A.F.C. Gray, RNR) and HMS Tuscarora (Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) C.E. Lowther, RAN). (6)

23 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Oberon (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Valena (Lt.Cdr. A.F.C. Gray, RNR) and HMS Bretwalda (Skr. J. Windram, RNR). (6)

24 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Oberon (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Valena (Lt.Cdr. A.F.C. Gray, RNR) and HMS Bretwalda (Skr. J. Windram, RNR). Upon completion of these exercises HMS Oberon proceeded to Rothesay. (6)

28 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Oberon (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) with HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN). (6)

29 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Oberon (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) with HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN). (6)

30 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Oberon (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) with HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN). (6)

31 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Oberon (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) with HrMs Z 5 (Lt. J.J. Steensma, RNN). (6)

2 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Oberon (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) with HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN). (7)

3 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Oberon (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) with HrMs Z 5 (Lt. J.J. Steensma, RNN). (7)

Submarine HMS Tuna (N 94)

12 Nov 1941
HMS Tuna (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) departed from Holy Loch for her 10th war patrol. She is to patrol off the Norwegian Coast. Tuna was escorted out by HMS Hibiscus (Lt. H. Roach, RNR) until 0100/14.

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

30 Nov 1941
At 1030 hours, HMS Tuna (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN), made rendez-vous with her escort towards Holy Loch, HMS White Bear (Cdr. (Retd.) C.C. Flemming, RN). (8)

2 Dec 1941
HMS Tuna (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) ended her 10th war patrol at Holy Loch. (8)

13 Dec 1941
HMS Tuna (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) departed from Holy Loch for Scapa Flow. She was ordered to patrol off the Norwegian Coast. She is part of a special mission. For this she has to proceed to Scapa Flow first before departing for patrol from that base on 23 December. The special mission in question was part of Operation Archery, a commando raid on Vaagso. Tuna was to act as navigational beacon for the surface ships involved in this operation. (8)

15 Dec 1941
HMS Tuna (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow. (8)

23 Dec 1941
HMS Tuna (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) departed Scapa Flow for her 11th war patrol. She was part of Operation Archery, a commando raid on Vågsøy, Norway. Tuna was to act as navigational beacon for the surface ships involved in this operation.

The raid on Vågsøy was carried out by the British Light cruiser HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral Burrough, RN), the British destroyers HMS Onslow (Capt. H.T. Armstrong, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Oribi (Lt.Cdr. J.E.H. McBeath, DSO, RN), HMS Offa (Lt.Cdr. R.A. Ewing, RN), HMS Chiddingfold (Lt. L.W.L. Argles, RN) and the landing ships Prince Charles (A/Cdr. W.R. Fell, DSC, OBE, RN) and Prince Leopold (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Byles, RD, RNR). (8)

27 Dec 1941
HMS Tuna (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) performed her beacon duties for operation Archery. (8)

29 Dec 1941
At 0915 hours, HMS Tuna (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN), made rendes-vous with her escort towards Holy Loch, HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) C.C. Flemming, RN). (8)

30 Dec 1941
HMS Tuna (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) ended her 11th war patrol at Holy Loch. (8)

14 Jan 1942
HMS Tuna (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) departed from Holy Loch for her 12th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Bay of Biscay.

During passage south through the Irish Sea she was escorted by HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) C.C. Flemming, RN) until 2120/16.

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

18 Jan 1942
While on patrol in the Bay of Biscay HMS Tuna (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) intercepts the French fishing vessel Juliette / Lorient 3476. The Skipper is taken on board for interrogation. Some of the papers are copied or confiscated. (8)

21 Jan 1942
HMS Tuna (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) ended her 12th war patrol at Falmouth. Tuna was escorted in by HMS Scarron (T/Lt. R.A.A. Robertson, RNVR).

Tuna departed Falmouth for Holy Loch later that same day. She made the passage together with the Free French submarine FFS Rubis. They were escorted by HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) C.C. Flemming, RN). (8)

23 Jan 1942
HMS Tuna (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (8)

6 Feb 1942
HMS Tuna (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) departed from Holy Loch for her 13th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the Norwegian Coast. She was escorted out until 1200/8 by HMS Cape Warwick (T/Lt. W.E. Goggin, RNR).

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

25 Feb 1942
HMS Tuna (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) ended her 13th war patrol at Lerwick. (8)

27 Feb 1942
HMS Tuna (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) departed Lerwick for Holy Loch. She was escorted by HMS Peterhead (Lt. W.R. Tadman, RNR). (9)

1 Mar 1942
HMS Tuna (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (10)

9 Mar 1942
HMS Tuna (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) departed from Holy Loch bound for Lerwick. She was escorted by HMS Bulldog (Cdr. M. Richmond, OBE, RN). (9)

11 Mar 1942
HMS Tuna (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) arrived at Lerwick. (10)

16 Mar 1942
HMS Tuna (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) departed from Lerwick for her 14th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the Norwegian Coast.

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

3 Apr 1942
HMS Tuna (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) ended her 14th war patrol at Lerwick. She made the passage together with HMS P 43 (Lt. A.C. Halliday, RN). They were escorted by HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) C.C. Flemming, RN). (9)

5 Apr 1942
HMS Tuna (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (10)

7 Apr 1942
HMS Tuna (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) departed from Holy Loch for Blyth. She is to refit at the yard of Swan Hunters at Wallsend. She made the passage together with HMS Sealion (Lt. G.R. Colvin, RN). They were escorted by HNoMS Draug. (9)

9 Apr 1942
HMS Tuna (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) arrived at Blyth. She shifted from Blyth to Wallsend on Tyne on 1 May 1942 and commenced refit the next day. (10)

Submarine HMS Traveller (N 48)

14 May 1942
After a work up period in the Clyde area HMS Traveller (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) departed Holy Loch around 2125B/14, for Gibraltar. She makes the first part of the passage through the Irish sea together with HMS P 211 (Cdr. B. Bryant, DSC, RN) and HMS P 43 (Lt. A.C. Halliday, DSC and Bar, RN). They were escorted until off Bishops Rock by the British minesweeper/escort vessel HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Dobson, RNR). They all parted company around 2115B/16. (11)

24 May 1942
Around 1345B/24, HMS Traveller (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) arrived at Gibraltar (10)

2 Jun 1942
HMS Traveller (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) conducted exercises off Gibraltar together with HMS P 42 (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, RN) and P 43 (Lt. A.C. Halliday, RN). (12)

3 Jun 1942
Around 1900B/3, HMS Traveller (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) departed Gibraltar for her 1st war patrol. This is a work-up patrol in the Alboran Sea.

[As no log is available for this period no map can be displayed.] (13)

4 Jun 1942
At 1210B/4, in position 35°32'N, 30°11'W, HMS Traveller (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) a merchant vessel of around 800 tons. A dummy attack was made on this target which was Spanish. Course of this ship was 273° at 8 knots.

Shortly afterwards, at 1230B/4, another merchant vessel was sighted on a more or less apposite course. No practice attack was made on this ship which was of around the same size as the first ship sighted. (13)

6 Jun 1942
In position 35°26'N, 03°21'W, HMS Traveller (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) a merchant vessel was sighted. Course of this ship was 220° at 10 knots. No time is given in the patrol report though.

Also about 10 fishing vessels were sighted close inshore during the day.

Shortly afterwards, at 1230B/4, another merchant vessel was sighted on a more or less apposite course. No practice attack was made on this ship which was of around the same size as the first ship sighted. (13)

10 Jun 1942
Around 0300/10, in position 35°21'N, 03°47'W, HMS Traveller (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) made two dummy attacks, including one by the first lieutenant, on a large merchant vessel which was proceeding on course 080° at 8 knots. (13)

11 Jun 1942
HMS Traveller (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Gibraltar. (13)

19 Jun 1942
Around 1830A/19, HMS Traveller (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) departed Gibraltar for Alexandria where she is to join the First Submarine Flotilla. While on passage she was diverted to Haifa. (10)

7 Jul 1942
HMS Traveller (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) arrived at Haifa from Gibraltar.

[We have been unable to find a passage report in the National Archives at Kew, London.] (14)

19 Jul 1942
Around 2000C/19, HMS Traveller (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) departed Haifa for her 2nd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Adriatic. En-route to her patrol area she is to patrol along the North coast of Crete.

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

(15)

28 Jul 1942 (position 40.26, 18.46)
While in transit through the Otranto Straits to her patrol area HMS Traveller (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) is detected on the surface by an enemy patrol vessel or possibly a destroyer. Traveller dived and a few depth charges were dropped but these inflicted no damage. Position was 40°26'N, 18°46'E. This may have been the Italian torpedo boat Antonio Mosto proceeding from Corfu to Brindisi where she arrived at 0746B/28. [The report of the Antonio Mosto is missing in the Italian archives so it can't be conformed she dropped depth charges].

Later on the same day Traveller attacked the Italian merchant vessel Ezilda Croce (1230 GRT, built 1900), on passage from Bari to Valona, in the Otranto Strait. The torpedoes fired however miss their target. [On board the merchant ship, the lookout Santo LaTerra reported a torpedo track missing the ship ahead by 20 meters. An escorting aircraft dropped bombs on the submarine.]

0500C/28 - In position 40°26'N, 18°46'E sighted an enemy patrol vessel, perhaps a destroyer. Dived and started attack.

0510C/28 - The enemy dropped a depth charge followed by 4 more at 4 minute intervals. No damage was done but it appeared the enemy had sighted or heard Traveller. Lt. St. John took avoiding action and when he returned to periscope depth 10 minutes after the last depth charge was dropped there was nothing in sight. As it was getting light he remained down and continued the passage North.

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

1029C/28 - In position 40°35'N, 18°38'E sighted an eastbound merchant ship of 5000 tons. Started attack.

During the attack four torpedoes were fired from 4500 yards. No hits were obtained. Lt. St. John later noticed that the target was smaller than he thought, 1500 to 2000 tons. (15)

30 Jul 1942 (position 43.50, 14.55)
At 0930C/30, in position 43°50'N, 14°55'E, the conning tower of an Italian submarine (probably Archimede class) was sighted steering 170°, bearing 260° at a range of 10,000 yards. HMS Traveller (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) could not close the range sufficiently to attack. This was most probably the Italian submarine Topazio on passage from Fiume to Naples. (15)

31 Jul 1942 (position 44.36, 13.54)
While operating in the Adriatic, HMS Traveller (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN), fires six torpedoes at the Italian gunboat Cattaro (former Yugoslavian cruiser Dalmacija, ex German Niobe) in approximate position 44°36'N, 13°54'E. The torpedoes however missed their target. [Cattaro sighted two torpedo tracks, Italian records do not mention the presence of escort vessels but the Italian submarines Diaspro, Porfido and Delfino were exercising in the same area and were put on the alert. The brand new Italian torpedo boat Tifone was ordered to hunt the submarine.]

0914C/31 - Sighted a cruiser escorted by three destroyers steering a course of 170°. Started attack.

0942C/31 - Fired six torpedoes from outside the destroyer screen, range was 4000 yards. Two hits were claimed. One of the torpedoes had a gyro failure and ran overhead Traveller and then along the Port side. A counter attack followed in which eleven depth charges were dropped but these did no damage.

1025C/31 - Returned to periscope depth and saw the cruiser stopped in roughly the same position as when attacked. A destroyer was nearby. (15)

2 Aug 1942
At 0802C/2, while patrolling off the Yugoslavian coast south of Sebenik and west of Split (off the Drevnik Channel), HMS Traveller (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN), sighted a small merchant vessel escorted by an auxiliary trawler and schooner. A practice attack was made on the merchant vessel. No real attack was made so as not to give away the submarines position in to hope bigger prey would come along.

At 0945C/2, a small merchant vessel was sighted. She was flying the swastika flag so was German and she was in ballast. Again no attack was made for the same reasons as given above. (15)

3 Aug 1942 (position 43.29, 15.52)
HMS Traveller (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) attacked the small German merchant vessel Pluto (1156 GRT, built 1905) with two torpedoes off Mulo Island. No hits were obtained.

The German ship sighted the two torpedo tracks and gave the alarm. The coastal battery at Scoglio Mulo fired three shells at the submarine.

0836C/3 - In position 220° Mulo Island 2.5 nautical miles (approximately 43°29'N, 15°52'E) sighted a 3000 tons merchant vessel steaming to the North-West. Unable to attack as she passed into the inner leads before torpedoes could be fired.

0845C/3 - Sighted a second 3000 tons merchant vessel also steaming to the North-West. Started attack in which two torpedoes were fired from 2600 yards. No hits were obtained. While completing this attack a tug towing a dredger and two lighters were seen. It was intended to surface and then attack with the deck gun but at 0945C/3, aircraft were seen patrolling the area so this idea abandoned. (15)

5 Aug 1942 (position 42.48, 14.31)
HMS Traveller (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) attacked the Italian submarine Porfido in the Adriatic Sea, about 25 nautical miles North-East of Pescara, Italy in position 42°48'N, 14°31'E. Two torpedoes were fired which missed astern. Traveller then surfaced for gun action. 15 rounds were fired before the target dived.

Porfido was on passage from Susak (near Fiume) to Cagliari. The Italian submarine dived as soon as Traveller opened fire and suffered no damage.

1045C/5 - In position 42°48'N, 14°31'E sighted a submarine (thought to be German). Started attack in which two torpedoes were fired from 2300 yards. Both missed astern.

1059C/5 - Surfaced for gun action. 15 Rounds were fired, with one possible hit, before the target dived.

1103C/5 - Dived (15)

7 Aug 1942 (position 39.52, 18.58)
HMS Traveller (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) attacked an Italian submarine in the Otranto Strait in position 39°52'N, 18°58'E. Three torpedoes were fired but no hits were obtained.

This was most likely Porfido again as she was in the general area but this time the attack was not observed by the Italians.

0637C/7 - In position 39°52'N, 18°58'E sighted an Italian submarine (thought to be a Foca-class mine laying submarine). Started attack in which three torpedoes were fired from around 3000 yards. Only one torpedo was heard to run. No hits were obtained. When first sighted again after Traveller returned to periscope depth the target was seen to have zigged 60° away. A gun action was now out of the question. (15)

14 Aug 1942
Around 0715C/14, HMS Traveller (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Beirut. (15)

29 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Traveller (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) conducted D/G trials at Beirut. (16)

30 Aug 1942
Around 1930C/30, HMS Traveller (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) departed Beirut for her 3rd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the North-African coast in the Tobruk area. Later she was ordered to patrol North of Crete.

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

(15)

3 Sep 1942
At 0955 hours, HMS Traveller (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) was off Tobruk, patrolling at periscope depth when she was bombed by an unseen aircraft. There was no damage. Position was approximately 32°20'N, 24°00'E. (15)

4 Sep 1942
At 0824C/4, in position 32°18'N, 23°32'E, HMS Traveller (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) sighted a ship bearing 010°. Enemy course was 188° at a speed of 8 knots. At this time three enemy aircraft were in sight. Started attack but the attack was broken off at 1005C/4 when it was seen that the target was the Italian hospital ship Virgilio (11718 GRT, built 1928).

During the approach on this target, at 0900C/4, a warship was sighted which was identified as a Spica-class torpedo boat. this was most likely either Calliope, Castore or Lupo which were in the general area. Most likely it was the Calliope though, as she reported having been near the Virgilio. (15)

5 Sep 1942 (position 33.02, 23.13)
HMS Traveller (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian merchant Albachiara (1245 GRT, built 1904) about 30 nautical miles North-East of Derna, Libya in position 33°02'N, 23°13'E.

According to Italian sources, Albachiara was on passage from Benghazi to Tobruk escorted by the torpedo boat Generale Carlo Montanari. She sank in four minutes. The torpedo boat sighted the conning tower breaking surface and rushed to ram but the submarine disappeared quickly. Montanari dropped a smoke float to mark the spot and dropped seven depth charges, the first set at 25 meters, the second at 50 meters and the remainder at 75 meters. The torpedo boat had to wait to daybreak to pick up the 26 survivors, 10 were missing.

Later on the same day two torpedoes were fired against an escorted merchant vessel about 50 nautical miles North-West of Derna, Libya in position 33°17'N, 21°59'E. [The target has not yet been identified.]

0235C/5 - Fired four torpedoes against deeply laden merchant vessel of 5000 to 6000 tons from 1000 yards. Two hits were obtained. An escorting destroyer was also present at the scene and came in rushing towards Traveller which crash dived. Eleven depth charges were dropped in the counter attack but these did no damage. Shortly after diving breaking up noises were heard.

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

2140C/5 - In position 33°17'N, 21°59'E sighted a 3000 tons merchant vessel. She appeared to be in ballast and was escorted by two destroyers, thought to be of the Maestrale-class, one on either bow. Started an attack.

2147C/5 - Fired two torpedoes from 2000 yards and dived upon firing. No hits were obtained although some men in the submarine reported hearing a muffled thud. No counter attack followed. (15)

7 Sep 1942
At 2132C/7, in position 33°03'N, 21°20'E, HMS Traveller (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) sighted a merchant vessel bearing 070° thought to be of about 2000 tons proceeding westwards on course 270° at a speed of 8 knots. She was escorted by what are thought to be three destroyers of the Maestrale-class. HMS Traveller was not in a favourable attack position and also a surface attack was out of the question in the light conditions with such a heavy escort. The enemy was therefore evaded.

The identification of this convoy was most likely not entirely correct as the convoy sighted was most probably the one made up of the transports Pertusola (Italian, 1493 GRT, built 1882) and Sportivo (Italian, 1598 GRT, built 1900) escorted by the Italian torpedo boats Generale Carlo Montanari and Castore on passage from Tobruk to Benghazi where they arrived at 1200B/8.

8 Sep 1942
At 0640C/8, the Asdic of HMS Traveller (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN), which had dived at 0615C/8 for a days submerged patrol, picked up HE on bearing 010°. Five minutes later, in position 32°55'N, 23°18'E, the masts of a merchant vessel and escorting destroyer were sighted at a range of about 12000 yards. Commenced closing but while doing so the range could not be closed further then 3500 yards and then also on a broad track. During the approach it was seen that the merchant vessel was a big one of about 6000 to 8000 tons and that there were four escorts screening thought to be destroyers of the Maestrale-class. One ahead, one astern and the other two on either quarter. Three aircraft were seen patrolling overhead. Enemy course was 144° at 15 knots so as to be proceeding towards Tobruk. After having broken off the approach HMS Traveller proceeded southwards.

The transport sighted was the German Ankara (4768 GRT, built 1937) escorted by an Italian escort made up of the destroyers Lampo, Geniere and the torpedo boats Partenope and Orione proceeding to Tobruk. (15)

10 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1700C/10, HMS Traveller (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) left her patrol area off the Libyan coast for a new patrol area to the north of Crete. (15)

14 Sep 1942
At 2155C/14, HMS Traveller (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN), was forced to dive in position 35°44'N, 25°09'E when ' what is thought to be a destroyer ', suddenly approached her from the south. She passed about 2000 yards under the stern of the submarine without stopping or slowing down and she was not seen again. HMS Traveller surfaced after one hour.

According to Italian sources, no destroyer or torpedo boat was operating in this area at that time. (15)

15 Sep 1942
At 0700C/15, when north-east of Suda Bay, HMS Traveller (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN), sighted a large merchant vessel, a large tanker and what is thought to be a destroyer bearing 280°. They were proceeding south and entering Canea Bay and were soon lost from sight. HMS Traveller then proceeded to the southwest towards Cape Maleka.

Around 0750C/15, the convoy appeared again, rounded Cape Maleka close inshore and then entered Suda Bay. HMS Traveller was however still out of range so no attack could be made.

The convoy sighted was probably the one made up the transport Citta di Alessandria (Italian, 2498 GRT, built 1930) and the tanker Rondine (Italian, 6468 GRT, built 1924) escorted by destroyers Francesco Crispi and Giovanni da Verazzano proceeding to Crete from Piraeus (actually the Citta di Alessandria escorted by Da Verazzano proceeded to Suda while Rondine escorted by Crispi and later rejoined by Da Verazzano went on to Heraklion). (15)

17 Sep 1942
At 2205 hours, 2.5 miles south of Cape Archangelo (Rhodes), HMS Traveller (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) picked up Lt. David Sutherland and Marine Duggan of the SBS (Special Boat Service, operation ANGLO), ten other members of the party failed to make the rendezvous and were captured. (15)

20 Sep 1942
Around 0625C/20, HMS Traveller (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol at Beirut. (15)

4 Oct 1942
Around 1830C/4, HMS Traveller (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) departed Beirut for her 4th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off Crete.

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

(13)

9 Oct 1942 (position 35.45, 23.13)
HMS Traveller (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) attacks the Italian tanker Proserpina (4870 GRT, former French Beauce, built 1926), that is escorted the Italian torpedo boats Castore and Ciclone, with four torpedoes west of Crete in position 35°45'N, 23°13'E. None of the torpedoes fired hit the target.

According to Italian sources the Castore sighted a torpedo track on the starboard side and dropped three patterns of depth charges. Ciclone (Senior Officer) ordered her to remain in the area until dusk to hunt the attacker.

1450C/9 - Sighted two aircraft bearing 160°. Given their movements it appeared they were escorting a convoy that was about to enter the Anti-Kythira Channel. Traveller went deep and proceeded to the South-East.

1521C/9 - Returned to periscope depth in position 35°45'N, 23°13E and sighted one tanker and two Grecale-class destroyers bearing 195° (Actually these were Spica-class torpedo boats as mentioned above). They were steering 327° towards Kythira. The size of the tanker was estimated at 6000 tons and she was in ballast. Started attack in which four torpedoes were fired from 2000 yards. Traveller went deep upon firing. Two explosions were heard that were thought to be hits (most likely these were bombs dropped by the escorting aircraft).

A counter attack followed in which 29 depth charges were dropped. Only minor damage was done to Traveller by this depth-charging. (13)

11 Oct 1942 (position 35.31, 23.25)
HMS Traveller (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) attacked the German auxiliary minelayer Bulgaria with two torpedoes to the West of Crete in position 35°31'N, 23°25'E. No hits are obtained.

Bulgaria was escorted by the auxiliary submarine chasers UJ 2102 and UJ 2107. Bulgaria turned hard to port and the first torpedo missed her 2-3 metres astern and the second five metres ahead.]

0820C/11 - In position 35°31'N, 23°25'E an armed yacht of about 700 tons appeared out of a heavy rain squall to the South-West. Started attack in which 2 torpedoes were fired from 1300 yards. Both missed as they were evaded by the enemy. Following this attack Traveller was attacked by an escorting aircraft that was not seen before the attack. Four bombs were dropped but these did no damage. The yacht retired towards Pondikonisi Island, Traveller retired at speed to the West. (13)

13 Oct 1942
At 1250C/13, in approximately 35°32'N, 23°28'E, HMS Traveller (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) sighted a small drifter, which made a great deal of smoke. A patrolling aircraft prevented this ship from being attacked with the deck gun. (13)

15 Oct 1942 (position 35.09, 22.56)
HMS Traveller (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) attacks an Italian convoy to the West of Crete in position 35°09'N, 22°56'E.Four torpedoes were fired against the Italian merchant Anna Maria (1205 GRT, 1912). No hits were obtained.

The Anna Maria was escorted by the Italian torpedo boats Libra and Climene, the latter observed the four torpedo tracks. They were on passage from Tobruk to Piraeus.

2045C/15 - In position 35°09'N, 22°56'E encountered a merchant ship, estimated as being around 5000 tons. The ship was in ballast and escorted by two destroyers. The merchant vessel appeared to be of about 5000 tons. Started attack.

The range could not be closed any further so four torpedoes were fired from 3000 yards. No hits were obtained and no counter attack followed. (13)

23 Oct 1942
HMS Traveller (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) departed her patrol area to proceed to Port Said where she was to be docked as this was not possible at Beirut. (13)

26 Oct 1942
HMS Traveller (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) ended her 4th war patrol at Port Said. She is almost immediately put into dry-dock for the fitting of petrol tanks to enable her to transport petrol to Malta. (17)

31 Oct 1942
HMS Traveller (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) left dock. (17)

13 Nov 1942
HMS Traveller (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) departed Port Said with a cargo of much needed aviation spirit for Malta. (10)

23 Nov 1942
HMS Traveller (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) arrived at Malta. (10)

Submarine HMS Parthian (N 75)

10 Dec 1942
HMS Parthian (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) departed Malta for her 16th war patrol (14th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Linosa island.

12 Dec 1942
HMS Parthian (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) ended her 16th war patrol (14th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. This patrol had to be aborted due to serious defects.

20 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Parthian (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) was docked at Malta.

26 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Parthian (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) was undocked.

8 Jan 1943
HMS Parthian (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) departed Malta for Beirut.

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

(18)

13 Jan 1943
When diving early in the morning HMS Parthian (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) went rapidly from 80 feet to 150 feet due to a malfunctioning valve. This rapid descend resulted in structural damage to a fuel tank. (18)

14 Jan 1943
HMS Parthian (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) arrived at Beirut.

As Parthian was suffering from many serious defects on top of the damage from yesterday's event it was decided to give Parthian a short refit by the depot ships staff. (18)

16 Feb 1943
HMS Parthian (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) departed Beirut for Port Said. (19)

18 Feb 1943
HMS Parthian (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) arrived at Port Said. (19)

19 Feb 1943
HMS Parthian (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) was docked at Port Said. (19)

3 Mar 1943
HMS Parthian (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) was undocked. She then continued her refit at Port Said. (20)

15 Mar 1943
HMS Parthian (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) departed Port Said for Beirut. (20)

17 Mar 1943
HMS Parthian (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) arrived at Beirut. On the way she had performed a deep dive to 350 feet. (20)

23 Mar 1943
HMS Parthian (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) departed Beirut for her 17th war patrol (15th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Aegean.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Parthian during this patrol see the map below.
The positions had to be taken from the patrol report as there is no log available, therefore not all days have positions.

(18)

28 Mar 1943
HMS Parthian (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) sank three sailing vessels on this day with gunfire, demolition charges and ramming.

(All times are zone -2)
0730 hours - Surfaced to the east of the Doro Channel and engaged a 30 tons caique bound for the Doro Channel. The opening range was 3000 yards. Fourteen rounds were fired with range closing. The crew of seven abandoned ship in their dinghy. Parthian went alongside and placed a boarding party on board. The ships papers were taken as well as some loot. Cargo was olive oil and stored. Demolition charges were placed and she blew up at 0815 hours.

[This was the Greek sailing vessel MY 46 / Angela (25 GRT).]

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

0930 hours - In position 38°17'N, 24°55'E closed an east bound caique and hailed her alongside. The caique was packed with refugees and allowed to proceed. One former Greek Army officer was retained on board.

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

1715 hours - Surfaced in position 39°20'N, 25°30'E and opened fire on a 20 tons westbound caique. Twelve rounds were fired before the caique sank. Opening range was 4000. The last round was fired from 700 yards. She was loaded with kerosene. Three survivors were picked up and placed on upturned wreckage.

Parthian then closed another caique 8 nautical miles to the westward. Three rounds were fired across the bows of this caique and the crew abandoned ship. This caique was estimated at 120 tons. Parthian slightly damaged the caique while going alongside and as a result of this she sank shortly afterwards to our amazement.
[This was the Greek sailing vessel SYR 320 / Archangelos (61 GRT).] (18)

29 Mar 1943 (position 39.59, 25.43)
HMS Parthian (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) attacked an escorted merchant vessel about 20 nautical miles west of the entrance to the Dardanelles. Four torpedoes were fired at this ship but no hits were obtained. In the same attack two torpedoes were fired at one of the escorts thought to be a sloop. These torpedoes also missed.

The target was Alba Julia (5700 GRT, built 1922) escorted by the German minelayer Drache, the Italian torpedo boat Castelfidardo, and the auxiliaries GL 54, Aethos and Seeadler. The alarm was given by an escorting aircraft allowing the convoy to take avoiding action.

(All times are zone -2)
0923 hours - In position 39°59'N, 25°43'E sighted a merchant vessel of 2000 - 3000 tons. She was escorted by a destroyer, a sloop, an armed tug and four motor boats. Also three aircraft were patrolling overhead. Started attack.

In the attack two stern torpedoes were fired at the sloop and four bow torpedoes were fired at the merchant ship. No hits were obtained. Parthian went deep on firing and was hunted but the patrol report makes no mention of depth charges being dropped. (18)

30 Mar 1943
In the morning HMS Parthian (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) bombarded a factory near Cape Paliuri, Greece. Seventy-eight rounds were fired, sixty-eight fell in the target area. Also four caiques were destroyed and the hulls of five more that were on the beach were also destroyed. One of the four caiques is so far not identified the others were Evangelistria, CHI 73 / Maria and Vol 252 / Agios Spiridon. The German Naval High Command confirmed that four caiques had been set afire. (18)

31 Mar 1943
During the morning (the patrol report does not mention a time) HMS Parthian (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) sank the Greek caique Elpis by setting it on fire to the North of Skiathos. The cargo was fuel oil. The crew was evacuated to another small caique. (18)

10 Apr 1943
HMS Parthian (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) ended her 17th war patrol (15th in the Mediterranean) at Beirut. (18)

25 Apr 1943
HMS Parthian (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) departed Beirut for Port Said. (21)

27 Apr 1943
HMS Parthian (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) arrived at Port Said. (21)

29 Apr 1943
HMS Parthian (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) was docked at Port Said to have both propellers changed. She was undocked later the same day. (20)

30 Apr 1943
HMS Parthian (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) departed Port Said for her 18th war patrol (16th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to conduct a special operation and to patrol in the Aegean.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Parthian during this patrol see the map below.
The positions had to be taken from the patrol report as there is no log available, therefore not all days have positions.

(18)

2 May 1943
In the evening HMS Parthian (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) landed a party of three at Makri Yalo Bay (ca. 35°01’N, 26°04’E) on the south coast of Crete. This was operation Ironclad [not to be mistaken with the operation of the same name which resulted in the occupation of Madagascar a year earlier].

[No information is found in files regarding SOE operations which means this operation was most likely an ISLD operation (as MI6 was known in the Middle East).] (18)

4 May 1943 (position 36.36, 26.48)
HMS Parthian (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) sank the sailing vessel Rodi 1606 / Spina Secondo aka Despina II (13 GRT) with gunfire off Kos, Greece.

(All times are zone -3)
0800 hours - In position 36°36'N, 26°48'E sighted a caique coming from the south and steering round Cape Daphni (Kos). Closed to attack with the gun.

1004 hours - Surfaced and opened fire on the caique which was flying the Italian flag. Eight rounds were fired before she sank. Opening range was 2500 yards and the last shot was fired from 300 yards. Her cargo was fuel oil in drums, stores and also several sheep were seen. Three survivors were allowed to escape towards Kos in their dinghy. (18)

5 May 1943 (position 38.20, 24.46)
HMS Parthian (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) attacked an Italian escort vessel with gunfire about 7 nautical miles north-east of the Doro Channel in position 38°20'N, 24°46'E. This was actually the German minelayer Drache (also used as A/S vessel) of 1870 tons, escorting again Alba Julia (see 29 March 1943). She was hit by the submarine’s gunfire and had four killed and fourteen wounded (four of them seriously) but replied with all her gun armament, firing six rounds of 8.8cm, 28 rounds of 3.7cm and 286 rounds of 2cm. She then attempted to ram the submarine unsuccessfully and dropped a total of 102 depth charges. Parthian slipped away with a damaged forward periscope. The torpedo boat Castelfidardo and the patrol boat MS 41 were ordered to the area to hunt the submarine.

(All times are zone -3)
1940 hours - Sighted a mast and funnel near the Euboea side of the strait. This turned out to be the same escort vessel that was attacked by Parthian off the Dardanelles on 29 March 1943. Range was closed to 1000 yards and since she appeared lightly armed and as it was growing dark, it was decided to risk a gun action.

Surfaced and opened fire with the 4" gun. The second hit at the base of the funnel causing a vivid flash or orange flame and scattering tracer ammunition in all directions. When she came head on she received four more hits, one on the side of bridge and the remainder forward. Although extensive damage must have been inflicted the enemy now got one of her quick-firing guns into action with far too much accuracy. We therefore dived receiving several hits in the progress, one of which entered the bridge about one foot from the commanding officer. We had hoped that with the hits on the bridge we had rendered the enemy in-operative in the A/S sense.

15 Minutes later however the target commenced an A/S hunt using Asdics. He was joined half an hour later by another ship that was not using Asdics. They they dropped 76 depth charges all most uncomfortably close. The last pattern of depth charges was dropped at 2110 hours.

2200 hours - HE had faded so surfaced and ran at full speed to the north-east. (18)

7 May 1943
HMS Parthian (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) bombarded Platamone with 41 rounds at 2015 hours. Two caiques were claimed sunk with one hit each, one of 70 tons and one of 30 tons. One of these caiques was SAL 92 / Agios Issidoros (22 GRT).

The action was broken off when Parthian received return fire. One of her gun crew was mortally wounded and died later that night. He was buried at sea.

Lt. St. John decided to abandon the patrol as the attack periscope was out of action amongst other minor mechanical problems. (18)

12 May 1943
HMS Parthian (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) ended her 18th war patrol (16th in the Mediterranean) at Beirut. (18)

27 May 1943
HMS Parthian (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) departed Beirut for her 19th war patrol (17th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the western Aegean.

For the daily positions of HMS Parthian during this patrol see the map below.
The positions had to be taken from the patrol report as there is no log available, therefore not all days have positions.

(18)

10 Jun 1943
HMS Parthian (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) ended her 19th war patrol (17th in the Mediterranean) at Beirut. The patrol had been uneventful. Caiques were not molested as the submarine was after bigger game but none materialised. (18)

Submarine HMS Otway (N 51)

25 Apr 1944
With her refit finally completed, HMS Otway (Lt. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN), departed Barrow for Rothesay. (22)

26 Apr 1944
HMS Otway (Lt. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) arrived at Rothesay where she resumed her training duties. (22)

28 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted independent exercises in the Clyde area. (23)

29 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted speed trials in the Clyde area. These were followed by independent exercises. (23)

1 May 1944
HMS Otway (Lt. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Caprice (Lt.Cdr. G.W. McKendrick, RN) and HMS Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.D. O'Driscoll, RNR). These included night exercises. (24)

3 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Cutty Sark (A/Cdr. E.A. Stocker, DSC, RN). (25)

5 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) departed Rothesay for Stornoway. She was escorted by HMS Kihna (A/Cdr.(Retd.) A.R.W. Sayle, RD, RNR). (25)

6 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) arrived at Stornoway. (25)

8 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Stornoway. (25)

12 May 1944
HMS Otway (Lt. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Stornoway with HMS Ocean View (T/Lt. C.W. Mileham, RNR). (25)

15 May 1944
HMS Otway (Lt. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Stornoway with HMS Ocean View (T/Lt. C.W. Mileham, RNR). (25)

16 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Stornoway. (25)

17 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Stornoway with HMS Trondra (T/A/Lt.Cdr. T.H. Howarth, RNVR). (25)

20 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Stornoway with HMS Trondra (T/A/Lt.Cdr. T.H. Howarth, RNVR). (25)

21 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Stornoway with HMS Trondra (T/A/Lt.Cdr. T.H. Howarth, RNVR). (25)

24 May 1944
HMS Otway (Lt. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Stornoway with HMS Ocean View (T/Lt. C.W. Mileham, RNR). (25)

27 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) departed Stornoway for Rothesay. (25)

28 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) arrived at Rothesay. (25)

30 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted special trials in the Clyde area.

[No logs are available for HMS Otway for the months of June and July 1944 so her exploits are not known to us other then that what is currently listed.] (25)

2 Jun 1944
HMS Otway (Lt. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) departed Rothesay for Blyth. She was escorted by HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR). (26)

5 Jun 1944
HMS Otway (Lt. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) arrived at Blyth. (26)

Submarine HMS Totem (P 352)

2 Jan 1945
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) departed from her builders yards, Devonport Dockyard at Plymouth, for Holy Loch. During the passage north she was escorted by HMS Cape Mariato (T/Lt. F. Bloor, RNVR). (27)

4 Jan 1945
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch for a period of trials and training on the Scottish West coast. (27)

6 Jan 1945
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted speed trials on the Arran measured mile. (27)

8 Jan 1945
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted speed trials on the Arran measured mile. (27)

9 Jan 1945
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (27)

10 Jan 1945
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (27)

11 Jan 1945
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (27)

14 Jan 1945
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Arrochar where she was to conduct her torpedo discharge trials. (27)

15 Jan 1945
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (27)

17 Jan 1945
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (27)

19 Jan 1945
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (27)

20 Jan 1945
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (27)

22 Jan 1945
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (27)

23 Jan 1945
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (27)

24 Jan 1945
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (27)

25 Jan 1945
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (27)

27 Jan 1945
Having completed her her torpedo discharge trials, HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSc, RN), shifted from Arrochar to Holy Loch. (27)

30 Jan 1945
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil. (27)

31 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Hastings (A/Cdr. E.A. Stocker, DSC, RN) served as the target. (27)

1 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Hastings (A/Cdr. E.A. Stocker, DSC, RN) served as the target. (28)

2 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Hastings (A/Cdr. E.A. Stocker, DSC, RN) served as the target. (28)

3 Feb 1945
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Arrochar for the testing of some electronic gear. (28)

4 Feb 1945
With the tests completed, HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN), shifted from Arrochar to Holy Loch.

5 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Ravager (A/Capt. G.V.B. Faulkner, RN) served as the target. (28)

6 Feb 1945
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted trials in the Clyde area. (28)

7 Feb 1945
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR) served as target. (28)

8 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) proceeded to Loch Alsh upon completion of her exercises. (28)

10 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) arrived at Loch Alsh. (28)

13 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Loch Alsh. (28)

17 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Hart (Lt.Cdr. A.D. White, RD, RNR) and HMS Amethyst (Lt.Cdr. N. Scott-Elliot, DSC, RN). (28)

17 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Hart (Lt.Cdr. A.D. White, RD, RNR) and HMS Amethyst (Lt.Cdr. N. Scott-Elliot, DSC, RN). (28)

19 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) departed Loch Alsh for Holy Loch. (28)

20 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (28)

22 Feb 1945
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area during with HMS Searcher (Capt. J.W. Grant, DSO, RN). (28)

23 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.D. O'Driscoll, RNR) served as the target. These included night exercises. (28)

24 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) returned to Holy Loch upon completion of her exercises. (28)

25 Feb 1945
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR) served as target. (28)

26 Feb 1945
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR) served as target. (28)

27 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) proceeded to Loch Goil upon completion of her exercises. (28)

28 Feb 1945
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) and HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR) served as targets. (28)

2 Mar 1945
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN), HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR) and HMS Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.D. O'Driscoll, RNR) served as the targets. (29)

5 Mar 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) arrived at Loch Alsh. (29)

6 Mar 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Loch Alsh. (29)

9 Mar 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Loch Alsh. These included night exercises. (29)

9 Mar 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Loch Alsh. These included night exercises. (29)

10 Mar 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) returned to Loch Alsh upon completion of her exercises. (29)

14 Mar 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Loch Alsh. (29)

18 Mar 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN), HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR) and HMS Shikari (Lt. E.A. Tyrer, DSC, RN) served as the targets. (29)

20 Mar 1945
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (29)

21 Mar 1945
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (29)

22 Mar 1945
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) is docked at Holy Loch in AFD 7. (29)

25 Mar 1945
HMS Totem (A/Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) left dock. (29)

1 Apr 1945
HMS Totem (Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) departed from Holy Loch for Lerwick. Passage to Lerwick was made together with HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Varne (Lt. I.G. Raikes, DSC, RN). For part of the way HMS Scotsman (Lt. A.H.B. Anderson, DSC, RNR) was also present. They were escorted by HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (30)

4 Apr 1945
HMS Totem (Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) arrived at Lerwick. (30)

8 Apr 1945
HMS Totem (Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) departed from Lerwick for her 1st war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the Norwegian coast, off the Kors Fjord near Bergen.

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

(31)

19 Apr 1945
HMS Totem (Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Lerwick. (31)

22 Apr 1945
HMS Totem (Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) departed from Lerwick for Holy Loch. (30)

24 Apr 1945
HMS Totem (Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (30)

28 Apr 1945
HMS Totem (Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) is docked at Holy Loch in AFD 7. (30)

30 Apr 1945
HMS Totem (Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC,RN) left dock. (30)

1 May 1945
HMS Totem (Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil. (32)

6 May 1945
HMS Totem (Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) departed from Holy Loch for Gibraltar. This is the first leg of the trip to the Far East.

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

(32)

15 May 1945
HMS Totem (Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) makes a short call at Gibraltar. She departed for Malta after a few hours. (32)

19 May 1945
HMS Totem (Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) arrived at Malta. (32)

28 May 1945
HMS Totem (Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) is docked at Malta in No.2 dock. (32)

1 Jun 1945
HMS Totem (Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) left dock. (33)

8 Jun 1945
HMS Totem (Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) is docked again at Malta but this time in No.4 dock. (33)

13 Jun 1945
HMS Totem (Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) left dock. (33)

15 Jun 1945
HMS Totem (Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) departed from Malta for Port Said. (33)

19 Jun 1945
HMS Totem (Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) arrived at Port Said. (33)

21 Jun 1945
HMS Totem (Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) departed from Port Said, transits the Suez Canal, and sets course towards Aden. (33)

26 Jun 1945
HMS Totem (Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) arrived at Aden. After a few hours she departed from for Trincomalee. (33)

5 Jul 1945
HMS Totem (Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) arrived at Trincomalee. (34)

13 Jul 1945
HMS Totem (Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) departed from Trincomalee for Fremantle. (34)

26 Jul 1945
HMS Totem (Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) arrived at Fremantle. (34)

1 Aug 1945
HMS Totem (Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) is put on the slip at Fremantle. (35)

3 Aug 1945
HMS Totem (Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) is put back in the water. (35)

13 Aug 1945
HMS Totem (Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) departed from Fremantle for her 2nd war patrol (1st in the Far East). She is to patrol in the Java Sea.

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

(35)

15 Aug 1945
HMS Totem (Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) was ordered to return to Fremantle. (Signal was received at 2330 hours). (35)

18 Aug 1945
HMS Totem (Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) returns to Fremantle. (35)

7 Sep 1945
HMS Totem (Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) departed from Fremantle to visit ports in Southern Australia. The ship will be open to visitors during this goodwill tour. (36)

13 Sep 1945
HMS Totem (Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) arrived at Geelong. (36)

17 Sep 1945
HMS Totem (Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) moves from Geelong to Melbourne. (36)

24 Sep 1945
HMS Totem (Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) departed from Melbourne to return to Fremantle. (36)

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