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Submarine HMS Taku (N 38)

8 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the morning, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, DSC, RN) conducted noise trials at Holy Loch.

In the afternoon, Lt.Cdr. Van der Byl left the ship and Lt. Lt. Turner, RN assumed command temporarily. (1)

15 Oct 1940
In the morning, HMS Taku (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) conducted noise and compass adjustment trials at Holy Loch. (1)

16 Oct 1940
HMS Taku (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) conducted exercises in Loch Long. (2)

17 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN) conducted exercises in Loch Long. (1)

Submarine HMS Otway (N 51)

18 Jan 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) proceeded from Rothesay to Kames Bay for wiping. HMS Otway returned to Rothesay later the same day. (3)

19 Jan 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) conducted A/S exercises in the Clyde area with ML's. (3)

20 Jan 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) conducted A/S exercises in the Clyde area with ML's. (3)

22 Jan 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) conducted A/S exercises in the Clyde area with ML's. (3)

22 Jan 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) conducted A/S exercises in the Clyde area with ML's. (3)

23 Jan 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) conducted A/S exercises in the Clyde area with ML's. (3)

Submarine HMS H 50 (N 50)

28 Jan 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 50 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) is docked at Rothesay. (4)

29 Jan 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 50 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) is undocked and then departed Rothesay for her 11th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Bay of Biscay.

Passage south through the Irish Sea was made together with HMS H 34 (Lt. R. Gatehouse, DSC, RN). During their passage south, the submarines were escorted by HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN). (5)

29 Jan 1942
For the daily positions of HMS H 50 during this patrol see the map below.

(6)

11 Feb 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 50 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) ended her 11th war patrol at Falmouth. (7)

17 Feb 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 50 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) arrived at Rothesay. (8)

2 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 50 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) shifted from Rothesay to Ardrishaig. (9)

3 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 50 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Ardrishaig. (9)

4 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 50 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Ardrishaig. (9)

5 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 50 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Ardrishaig. (9)

6 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 50 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) shifted from Ardrishaig to Rothesay. (9)

8 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 50 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (9)

10 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 50 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) departed Rothesay for Londonderry. (9)

10 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 50 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) departed Rothesay for Londonderry. (9)

11 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 50 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) arrived off Lough Foyle where she participated in A/S exercises with aircraft. (9)

12 Mar 1942
HMS H 50 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Keppel (Cdr. J.E. Broome, RN) and HrMs Van Galen (Lt.Cdr. F.T. Burghard, RNethN). (9)

13 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 50 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Weston (Cdr. (Retd.) J.G. Sutton, RN). (9)

14 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 50 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Volunteer (Lt. A.S. Pomeroy, RN), HMS Wanderer (Lt.Cdr. D.H.P. Gardiner, DSC, RN), HMS Leamington (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Bowerman, RN), HMS Badsworth (Lt. G.T.S. Gray, DSC, RN) and aircraft. (9)

15 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 50 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMCS St. Francis (Lt. C.A. Rutherford, RCN) and HMCS Cobalt (T/Lt. C.J. Angus, RCNR). (9)

16 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 50 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with USS Niblack and USCGC Ingham. (9)

17 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 50 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with USS Niblack and USCGC Ingham. (9)

18 Mar 1942
HMS H 50 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HrMs Van Galen (Lt.Cdr. F.T. Burghard, RNethN), HMS Ithuriel (Lt.Cdr. D.H. Maitland-Makgill-Crichton, DSC, RN), HMS Convolvulus (T/Lt. R.C. Connell, RNR) and aircraft. (9)

19 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 50 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Convolvulus (T/Lt. R.C. Connell, RNR). (9)

23 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 50 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with USCGC Spencer and USS Gleaves. (9)

24 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 50 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Sandwich (Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) R.C. Gervers, RN) and HMS Scarborough (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Carnduff, RN). (9)

25 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 50 (Lt. M.L.C. Crawford, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Bradford (Lt.Cdr. J.N.K. Knight, RN). (9)

Submarine HMS Unrivalled (P 45)

2 May 1942
P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) and P 222 (Lt. A.J. MacKenzie, RN) departed their builders yard at Barrow for Holy Loch. They were escorted by HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Dobson, RNR). (10)

3 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) arrived at Holy Loch to begin a period of trials and training. (10)

5 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) conducted speed trials and independent exercises in the Clyde area. (10)

6 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) conducted speed trials and deep dive trials in the Clyde area. (10)

7 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) conducted independent exercises in the Clyde area. (10)

8 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Arrochar. (10)

9 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (10)

10 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (10)

11 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) shifted from Arrochar to Holy Loch. (10)

15 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) proceeded to the Ardrossan area for night exercises with special forces. During these exercises she was escorted by HMS La Flore. (10)

16 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) and HMS Utmost (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS La Flore. (10)

17 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS La Flore as target. (10)

18 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) conducted gunnery exercises in the Clyde area. (10)

19 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) conducted noise trials in the Clyde area. (10)

20 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) conducted trials in lower Loch Long. (10)

21 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) is docked at Holy Loch. (10)

21 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) proceeded from Holy Loch to Kames Bay where she was docked for a propeller change. (10)

22 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) is undocked. (10)

22 May 1942
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) was undocked at Kames Bay. She then conducted gunnery exercises in the Clyde area on a target that was towed by HMS Z 5 (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S.T. Wenlock, RNR). These were followed by practice attacks with HrMs Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.L.M. van Geen, RNN) serving as target and finally night exercises with special forces. (10)

23 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS La Flore as target. (10)

26 May 1942
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Dobson, RNR) as target. (10)

27 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Campbeltown. (10)

28 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Spaniel and HMS Bedlington (Skr. J.H.D. Dansie, RNR). (10)

29 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS L'Incomprise (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) F.S. Deveson, RNR) and HMS Carina (Lt. R.A.H. Lord, RNR). Upon completion of these exercises HMS P 45 proceeded to Holy Loch. (10)

31 May 1942
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) departed Holy Loch for Scapa Flow. She was escorted by HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) C.C. Flemming, RN). (10)

2 Jun 1942
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow. That same day she participated in A/S exercises with HMS Icarus (Lt.Cdr. C.D. Maud, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Escapade (Lt.Cdr. E.N.V. Currey, DSC, RN). (11)

3 Jun 1942
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Scapa Flow with HMS Lewes (A/Cdr.(Retd.) L.H. Phillips, RN) and HMS Wheatland (Lt. R.deL. Brooke, DSC, RN). (11)

4 Jun 1942
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Scapa Flow with HMS Speedwell (Lt.Cdr. J.J. Youngs, OBE, RD, RNR) and HMS Castleton (Lt.Cdr. R.H. Bristowe, DSO, RN). (11)

5 Jun 1942
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Scapa Flow. During the morning with HMAS Nepal (Cdr. F.B. Morris, RAN) and HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Kruys, RNethN) and in the afternoon with and in the afternoon with HMS Oakley (Lt.Cdr. T.A. Pack-Beresford, RN) and ORP Slazak (Kmdr ppor. (Lt.Cdr.) R. Nalecz-Tyminski, ORP). (11)

6 Jun 1942
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Scapa Flow with HMS Speedwell (Lt.Cdr. J.J. Youngs, OBE, RD, RNR), HMS Ledbury (Lt.Cdr. R.P. Hill, RN), HMAS Nepal (Cdr. F.B. Morris, RAN) and HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Kruys, RNethN). (11)

8 Jun 1942
The King inspected the naval base and four ratings from P 45 took part in the parade. (11)

9 Jun 1942
In the morning and afternoon, HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Scapa Flow with HMS Nigeria (Capt. J.G.L. Dundas, CBE, RN), HMAS Nepal (Cdr. F.B. Morris, RAN) and HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Kruys, RNethN) and two A/S trawlers. (11)

10 Jun 1942
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Scapa Flow with HMS London (Capt. R.M. Servaes, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral L.H.K. Hamilton, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Stoke City (Lt. D.P. Piggford, RNR), HMS Preston North End (Lt. K.A. Vasey, MBE, RNR). (11)

11 Jun 1942
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Scapa Flow with USS Mayrant (Cdr. C.C. Hartman, USN) and USS Rowan (Lt.Cdr. B.R. Harrison, Jr., USN). (11)

12 Jun 1942
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Scapa Flow with HMS Speedwell (Lt.Cdr. J.J. Youngs, OBE, RD, RNR), ORP Slazak (Lt.Cdr. R. Nalecz-Tyminski, ORP), HMS Preston North End (Lt. K.A. Vasey, MBE, RNR) and HMS Davy (Skr. W.J. Salisbury, RNR). (11)

13 Jun 1942
In the morning and early afternoon, HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Scapa Flow with HMAS Nepal (Cdr. F.B. Morris, RAN) and HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Kruys, RNethN). (11)

15 Jun 1942
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Scapa Flow with HMS Preston North End (Lt. K.A. Vasey, MBE, RNR). (11)

16 Jun 1942
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Scapa Flow with HMS Salamander (Lt. W.R. Muttram, RN), HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Kruys, RNethN), HMS Offa (Cdr. R.A. Ewing, DSC, RN) and HMAS Nepal (Cdr. F.B. Morris, RAN). (11)

17 Jun 1942
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Scapa Flow with HMS Somali (Capt. J.W.M. Eaton, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Wilton (Lt. A.P. Northey, DSC, RN) and two A/S craft. (11)

18 Jun 1942
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Scapa Flow with HMS Stella Pegasi (T/Lt. F.S. Howell, RNR) and another trawler. (11)

19 Jun 1942
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Scapa Flow with HMS Catterick (Lt. A. Tyson, RN), HNoMS Glaisdale, HMS Halcyon (T/A/Lt.Cdr. H. Harding, RNR) and HMS Salamander (Lt. W.R. Muttram, RN). (11)

20 Jun 1942
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Scapa Flow with HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.K. Scott-Moncrieff, RN), HMS Britomart (Lt.Cdr. S.S. Stammwitz, RN), HMS Catterick (Lt. A. Tyson, RN) and HNoMS Glaisdale. (11)

24 Jun 1942
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) shifted from Scapa Flow to Lerwick. She was escorted by HMS Preston North End (Lt. K.A. Vasey, MBE, RNR). (11)

25 Jun 1942
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) departed Lerwick for her 1st war patrol. She was ordered to form a patrol line with HMS P 54 (Lt. C.E. Oxborrow, DSC, RN) and HMS P 212 (Lt. J.H. Bromage, DSC, RN) to provide cover during passage of convoy PQ 17.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS P 45 during this patrol see the map below.

(12)

26 Jun 1942 (position 65.03, 3.27)
While on a work-up patrol in the Norwegian Sea in position 65°03'N, 03°27'E, HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) fired a torpedo at what is thought to be a submerged enemy submarine that was proceeding on a course of 290°. Only the periscope was sighted and the torpedo was fired in the direction of the hydrophone effect.

The attack was most likely against a non-sub target (perhaps a whale). There is a remote possibility that the target was U-456.

2154 hours - Sighted a periscope bearing green 90° 1000 yards away. P 45 dived immediately. Hydrophone Effect (H.E.) was heard. As there was doubt about the identity of the submarine attempts were made to make contact by SST. but there was no response.

2247 hours - Fired one torpedo at the contact. The torpedo was heard to explode after running its full range. Contact was lost soon after. (12)

7 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1050 hours HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN), from a distance of 6 miles, sighted a submarine which could have been either the Soviet submarine K-21 or a U-boat. P 45 closed to 4.5 miles before the submarine turned away and contact was lost. (12)

9 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0625 hours HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) sighted an unknown ship bearing 220°, 10 miles. The submarine closed submerged but lost visual touch at 0645 hours as visibility decreased. P 45 made an enemy report. However at 0901 hours, contact was made with HMS Seawolf ((Lt. R.P. Raikes, RN) which proved to be the vessel sighted at 0625 hours. (12)

11 Jul 1942 (position 63.36, 2.20)
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) made two attacks on German U-boats. In the attack of 1018 hours four torpedoes were fired at U-510 but they all missed. The U-boat had observed the British submarine from a distance of 10,000 metres and later sighted one of the torpedo tracks.

In the attack of 1359 hours four rounds of 3" were fired at U-658 which had just been missed by four torpedoes from HMS P 212 (Lt. J.H. Bromage, DSC, RN).

(All times are zone -1)
1005 hours - Sighted submarine bearing 155°, range about 6 nautical miles. altered course to 175° too close.

1010 hours - Made the challenge. Submarine subsequently identified as German U-Boat.

1018 hours - In position 63°36'N, 02°20'E fired four torpedoes from about 5000 yards. Enemy dived and all torpedoes missed.

1020 hours - Dived.

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

1338 hours - Sighted the conning tower of a submarine bearing 190°. Dived and attempted to close on course 220°. Could not see the submarine so at ......

1357 hours - Surfaced.

1359 hours - Sighted U-boat bearing 275°. Full speed ahead. In position 63°25'N, 02°05'E fired 4 rounds of 3" the enemy from a range of 7000 yards. The enemy then dived. 1402 hours - Dived. 1508 hours - Surfaced. Sighted the U-boat at a distance of about 4,5 miles. Altered course to close. The enemy altered course away and increased speed. 1542 - Sighted a second U-Boat bearing 175° She was soon lost to sight steering westwards. (12)

12 Jul 1942
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Lerwick. (12)

21 Jul 1942
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) shifted from Lerwick to Scapa Flow. She was escorted by HMS Stoke City (Lt. D.P. Piggford, RNR). (13)

22 Jul 1942
Early in the morning HMS Douglas (Lt.Cdr. R.B.S. Tennant, RN) collided with HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) causing some damage.

P 45 was then docked later the same day. (13)

25 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) is undocked. She then made a trial dive in Scapa Flow. (13)

28 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) participate in a boom defence exercise at Scapa Flow. (13)

30 Jul 1942
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Holy Loch. She was escorted by HMS Stella Pegasi (T/Lt. F.S. Howell, RNR). (13)

31 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (13)

3 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) conducted noise trials on the Clyde. (14)

4 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) conducted noise trials on the Clyde. (14)

5 Aug 1942
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) conducted folbot exercises and noise trials on the Clyde. (14)

8 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) is docked at Ardrossan. (14)

Submarine HMS H 33 (N 33)

16 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (with, Lt. H.B. Turner, RN, temporary in command) departed Rothesay for Falmouth. She was escorted by HMS Z 5 (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S.T. Wenlock, RNR). (15)

17 Aug 1942
HMS H 33 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) made a short stop at Holyhead before continuing her passage to Falmouth later the same day. (16)

19 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) arrived at Dartmouth (instead of Falmouth). (16)

20 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) shifted from Dartmouth to Yarmouth. She was escorted by HMS Cambridgeshire (T/Lt. H.F.B. Ashby, RNVR). (16)

21 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) shifted from Yarmouth to Portsmouth. (16)

22 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) departed Portsmouth for Sheerness. (16)

23 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) arrived at Sheerness roads. (16)

24 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 33 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) proceeded to the Sheerness Dockyard where she was taken in hand for refit. (16)

Submarine HMS Unrivalled (P 45)

30 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) conducted deep diving trials in the Clyde area. (14)

1 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS La Flore as target. (17)

4 Sep 1942
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) departed Holy Loch with HMS Unique (Lt. R.E. Boddington, RN) for Lerwick. They were escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (17)

6 Sep 1942
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) arrived at Lerwick. (17)

7 Sep 1942
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) departed Lerwick for her 2nd war patrol. She was ordered to provide cover for convoy operations (PQ 18 and QP 14) to and from Northern Russia.

For the daily positions of HMS P 45 during this patrol see the map below.

(12)

23 Sep 1942
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Lerwick. (12)

24 Sep 1942
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) departed Lerwick for Holy Loch. She made the passage together with HMS P 217 (Lt. E.J.D. Turner, DSC, RN), HMS P 221 (Lt. M.F.R. Ainslie, DSC, RN) and HMS Unique (Lt. R.E. Boddington, RN). They were escorted by HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) C.C. Flemming, RN). (17)

26 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (17)

11 Oct 1942
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) departed Holy Loch for passage to Gibraltar. Passage south through the Irish Sea was made together with HMS P 221 (Lt. M.F.R. Ainslie, DSC, RN) and HMS P 511 (Lt. C.R. Pelly, RN). They were escorted by HMS Northern Pride (T/Lt. A.L.F. Bell, RNR).

For the daily positions of HMS P 45 during this passage see the map below.

(12)

22 Oct 1942
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (12)

31 Oct 1942
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) departed Gibraltar for her 3rd war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to perform a special operation (during operation Torch, landing beach marking off Algiers). She carried only six torpedoes to make room for two folbots. She was to proceed to Malta at the end of this patrol to join the 10th Submarine Flotilla based there.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS P 45 during this patrol see the map below.

(12)

4 Nov 1942
During the evening of 4 November 1942, HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN), launched a party with a folbot for a reconnaissance. The party left at 2101 hours and returned at 2325 hours. (12)

7 Nov 1942
During the night of 7/8 November 1942, HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN), assisted in the landing at Algiers Bay. She launched the folbot and her party and also guided the convoy in, acting as beacon. (12)

9 Nov 1942
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) completed her special operation off Algiers. (12)

10 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0020 hours HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN), in the Gulf of Philippeville sighted an unknown submarine on course 240°. This was the Italian Bronzo (T.V. Cesare Buldrini). Both submarines dived and lost contact. (3) (12)

11 Nov 1942
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) was ordered to patrol off Cape San Vito, Sicily. (12)

14 Nov 1942 (position 37.25, 10.11)
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) attacked an escorted merchant vessel with four torpedoes north-east of Bizerta, Tunisia. No hits were obtained. This was the Italian Sivigliano (1270 GRT, built 1921) escorted by the torpedo boat Sirtori on a transport mission from Palermo to Bizerta.

Later on the same day another escorted merchant vessel was attacked with one torpedo north-east of Bizerta. The torpedo missed. This vessel has not yet (July 2016) been identified.

(All times are zone -1)
0725 hours - Sighted smoke bearing 110°. Altered course to get on track. Sighed destroyer and later masts of merchant ship with air escort. Enemy course 240°.

0754 hours - In position 37°25'N, 10°11'E fired four torpedoes from 5500 yards at the merchant vessel thought to be of about 3500 tons. On firing broke surface. The aircraft was seen to come towards. Quickly dived again and took evasive action.

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

At 1424 hours HMS P 45 sighted two Maestrale-class destroyers at a distance of 5 miles in approximately 37°27' N, 10°12' E. The submarine closed to about 3.5 miles before giving up the attack. They were actually four destroyers, Maestrale, Grecale, Vincenzo Gioberti and Alfredo Oriani, carrying troops from Palermo to Bizerta.

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

1828 hours - Sighted a merchant vessel escorted by three destroyers on the port quarter. Enemy course 060°.

1831 hours - In position 37°26'N, 10°12'E fired one torpedo at the merchant vessel from 1000 yards. The torpedo missed. (12)

15 Nov 1942 (position 37.30, 10.25)
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) attacked an escorted merchant vessel with one torpedo north-north-east of Tunis. The torpedo missed. These were probably ships from the convoy Città di Tunisi (5419 GRT, built 1930) and Caterina Costa (8060 GRT, built 1942) escorted by the torpedo boat Uragano and destroyer Folgore. They had sailed from Bizerta for Palermo and Naples.

(All times are zone -1)
1935 hours - Sighted one merchant vessel, one unidentified ship and two destroyers bearing 320°. Enemy course 050°. Altered course to attack.

1939 hours - In position 37°30'N, 10°25'E fired one torpedo at the merchant vessel from about 1200 yards. (12)

18 Nov 1942
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (12)

26 Nov 1942
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) departed Malta for her 4th war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol north of Tunisia.

No log is available for this period so no map can be displayed. (12)

2 Dec 1942 (position 37.12, 10.48)
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) attacked an Italian torpedo boat with one torpedo north of the Gulf of Tunis. The torpedo missed. This was most probably the damaged Italian torpedo boat Procione on her way to Tunis after the Aventino convoy had been decimated by Force Q.

(All times are zone -1)
0312 hours - Sighted ship astern. It was first thought to be a torpedo boat, a destroyer and then a submarine. Finally, visually confirmed as torpedo boat.

0325 hours - In position 37°12'N, 10°48'E fired one torpedo. Dived and altered course to get clear. (12)

3 Dec 1942 (position 37.16, 10.22)
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) attacked but missed an Italian schooner with one torpedo.

Later she attacked the Italian torpedo boat Antonio Mosto in the Gulf of Tunis in position 37°16'N, 10°22'E. The Italian warship had sailed to reinforce the Arlesiana convoy. One torpedo hit the port side and failed to explode but caused a leak in no.4 fuel tank and unhinged the port propeller guard.

Even later P 45 damaged the Italian sailing vessel Cesira Curreri (81 GRT) with gunfire in the Gulf of Tunis in position 37°09'N, 10°29'E.

(All times are zone -1)
0256 hours - Sighted three destroyers, one E-boat and one large schooner to the northward. Turned to close.

0312 hours - In position 37°11'N, 10°33'E fired one torpedo at the schooner from 1800 yards. It missed.

0320 hours - Dived. The ships seem the have altered course and to be moving slowly.

0325 hours - In position 37°09'N, 10°29'E fired another torpedo at the schooner which had turned back to her original course. Range on firing was 1500 yards. The torpedo missed yet again.

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

0830 hours - Surfaced in position 37°09'N, 10°29'E and engaged a small two-masted schooner with gunfire from a range of 1000 yards. A total of 16 rounds were fired for 1 or 2 hits. The crew was seen to jump overboard. Dived. Unable to see the schooner through the periscope. Range was only 1000 yards on diving.

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

1200 hours - Sighted an Odero-class destroyer.

1221 hours - In position 37°14'N, 10°27'E fired one torpedo. The enemy sighted the tracks and no hits were obtained.

1231 hours - Heard 7 depth charges exploding. A second destroyer or torpedo boat arrived and the enemy carried out a hunt.

1430 hours - The enemy made a fairly accurate attack in which 6 depth charges were dropped quite close causing minor damage.

1545 hours - Now clear of the enemy, returned to periscope depth. (12)

5 Dec 1942 (position 37.23, 10.41)
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) attacked an escorted small tanker with two torpedoes north of the Gulf of Tunis. No hits were obtained. This was the German tanker Sudest (ex French, 641 GRT, built 1939) escorted by the Italian destroyer Saetta and the Italian torpedo boat Procione, they were travelling from Tunis to Trapani, a fourth vessel had the French prize Noroit had just been mined and sunk.

(All times are zone -1)
1340 hours - Sighted two Maestrale-class destroyers escorting a small tanker in ballast on a northerly course. Closed to attack.

1433 hours - In position 37°23'N, 10°41'E fired two torpedoes at the tanker from 1200 yards. No hits were obtained. (12)

7 Dec 1942
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) ended her 4th war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (12)

22 Dec 1942
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) departed Malta for her 5th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol between Kerkenah and Kuriat.

No log is available for this period so no map can be displayed. (12)

25 Dec 1942 (position 35.28, 11.08)
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) attacked a convoy made up of the Italian sailing vessel Pasquale Costa and the German landing barges F 479, F 546 off Mahdia, Tunisia. Following the attack F 479 dropped 4 depth charges.

(All times are zone -1)
0515 hours - Closed land. Sighted a large schooner and two small craft in line ahead steering 180 degrees in position 35°28'N, 11°08'E. The small craft were thought to be lighters. Engaged the larger of these two lighters with the 3" gun from 1000 yards. The vessel opened fire with tracer and probably Oerlikon. These lighters were probably landing craft. The schooner turned away. After a burst of Vickers gun the enemy ceased fire temporarily but soon re-opened an accurate fire. P 45 turned away and dived. Two light depth charges were dropped close astern. P 45 then drew clear and returned to periscope depth but the enemy could no longer be seen. One of the gun crew of P 45 had been hit by the enemy and was seriously wounded. Course was then set to return to Malta to put him ashore for treatment but he died a few hours later. (12)

26 Dec 1942 (position 35.32, 11.05)
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) sank the Italian auxiliary submarine chaser O 97 / Margherita (69 GRT) with gunfire about 5 nautical miles north of Mehedia, Tunisia in position 35°32'N, 11°05'E. There were no casualties.

(All times are zone -1)
1410 hours - Surfaced and engaged a small southbound schooner with the 3" gun from a range of 2500 yards. The enemy abandoned ship. Closed. Obtained 3 hits.

1415 hours - Dived for aircraft, flying low over the eastern horizon on course 350°. Meanwhile closed the schooner.

1420 hours - Surfaced and resumed the gun action now from a range of 1200 yards closing to 800 yards.

1425 hours - Dived after 12 hits. The schooner was seen to sink in 15 fathoms in approximate position 35°32'N, 11°05'E. (12)

29 Dec 1942 (position 35.44, 11.10)
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) attacked an unescorted merchant vessel with four torpedoes east-south-east of Kuriat. No hits were obtained. Possibly this was Sivigliano (1270 GRT, built 1921) on passage from Bizerta to Tunis.

(All times are zone -1)
0515 hours - Sighted ship bearing 340°.

0521 hours - Dived and turned to attack.

0531 hours - In position 35°44'N, 11°10'E fired four torpedoes at an unescorted merchant vessel of about 3500 tons on a course of 270°. All torpedoes missed. (12)

31 Dec 1942 (position 35.18, 11.23)
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian merchant Maddalena (345 GRT, built 1920) south-east of Mehedia, Tunisia in position 35°18'N, 11°23'E. The Italian vessel was on passage from Sousse to Tripoli.

(All times are zone -1)
0453 hours - Sighted a southbound vessel on the starboard beam. Altered course to close at full speed.

0509 hours - Dived when the range was 1500 yards and closed submerged to 1200 yards.

0517 hours - Fired one torpedo by moonlight at the auxiliary Maddalena. The torpedo hit and the ship blew up with of column of black smoke and debris.

0521 hours - Surfaced and closed the area of the sinking to search for survivors.

0613 hours - Picked up three survivors.

0625 hours - Dived and set course for the north end of our patrol area. (12)

3 Jan 1943
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) ended her 5th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (12)

14 Jan 1943
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) departed Malta for her 6th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol between the Gulf of Hammamet and Kerkenah.

No log is available for this period so no map can be displayed. (12)

17 Jan 1943 (position 36.03, 10.33)
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) damaged the Italian tug R 97 / Genova (96 GRT) with gunfire near Hergla, Tunisia. Two German armoured vehicles (under Sub.Lt. Heine) of Combat Group Hergla opened fire on the submarine with their 75mm cannon, claiming two hits on conning tower and bow, and forced her to dive.

(All times are zone -1)
1345 hours - Sighted a tug northbound between Sousa and Hammamet. Closed to 2000 yards. The tug was lightly armed with only one machine gun forward.

1455 hours - Surfaced in position 36°03'N, 10°33'E and opened fire from 2000 yards. The tug turned away and was beached. Scored 2 hits, possibly 3 out of 18 rounds. Shore batteries had by now opened fire so the action had to be broken off and P 45 dived and withdrew to seaward. (12)

19 Jan 1943
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) attacked and damaged what is thought to be a small auxiliary off Korba, Tunisia. The gun action had to be broken off when a round jammed in the gun. This may have been the Italian schooner Maurizio (62 GRT, built 1897) from Marsala which disappeared at that time in this area.

(All times are zone -1)
0350 hours - Sighted smoke of a small vessel bearing 320°.

0400 hours - Dived and closed to identify. Unable to close submerged. Surfaced and gave chase.

0455 hours - Engaged the enemy with the gun in position 36°32'N, 10°56'E from a range of 1500 yards and closing. The 6th round however jammed in the breach and we were unable to clear the gun so the action had to be broken off. One hit had been obtained. Dived and retired to seaward.

0534 hours - Surfaced and cleared the gun of the projectile. Unable to see the enemy. (12)

20 Jan 1943 (position 35.27, 11.06)
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) intercepts a small Italian naval auxiliary towing a schooner. She sank the naval auxiliary with gunfire, most likely this was the former French auxiliary minesweeper AD 283 / Grondin seized in Bizerta. The schooner apparently beached herself on the Tunisian coast south of Mahdia. This was most probably Maggio (ex French) which was reported beached near Ras Hercle but was later refloated.

(All times are zone -1)
1120 hours - Sighted smoke bearing 215°. Turned to close.

1538 hours - In position 35°27'N, 11°06'E fired two torpedoes at a small northbound auxiliary wearing the Italian Ensign. Range was 1350 yards. She was towing another small vessel. A torpedo boat, not thought to be escorting, was also in the area. Went deep after firing. The torpedo wakes could clearly be seen in the water though. One explosion was heard after the correct interval.

1545 hours - Returned to periscope depth. The torpedo boat was seen to the northward, almost out of sight. There was no sign of the towing vessel. The vessel that had been under tow was seen making smoke and had altered course towards the shore. P 45 followed but after a while the vessel was not seen anymore. It is thought she foundered while attempting to beach this ship. (12)

21 Jan 1943 (position 35.49, 10.56)
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) sank the Italian sailing vessel Margherita (140 GRT, built 1893) towed by the auxiliary minesweeper R 220 / Ardito (120 GRT, built 1937) with gunfire and a demolition charge about 5 nautical miles east-north-east of Kuriat Island, Tunisia. Later, two torpedoes were fired at a northbound minelayer.

(All times are zone -1)
0830 hours - Sighted two 200-ton topsail schooners. One was towing the other. Enemy course was 030°. Closed at full speed.

0916 hours - Surfaced in position 35°49'N, 10°56'E for gun action. Both vessels were soon abandoned by the crews. The towing vessel was sunk by gunfire. The towed vessel was also hit several times but was then boarded. She was then scuttled with a demolition charge.

0953 hours - Dived and withdrew towards Kuriat Island. (12)

23 Jan 1943 (position 35.52, 10.43)
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) attacked and damaged the Italian auxiliary minesweeper B 487 / Michelino (37 GRT, built 1927) with gunfire off Sousse, Tunisia.

(All times are zone -1)
1531 hours - Sighted a small merchant vessel with an auxiliary sail set. Enemy course was 260° and she was bound for Sousse.

1550 hours - Surfaced in position 35°52'N, 10°43'E for gun action. The enemy was hit several times but the ships crew did not abandon ship. Shore batteries from Sousse opened up and the action was broken off, also P 45 was out of ammo for the deck gun.

1559 hours - Dived and withdrew to seaward.

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

2239 hours – in position 35°45’N, 11°07’E, fired two torpedoes at northbound enemy minelayer. Missed. (12)

24 Jan 1943 (position 35.23, 11.05)
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) sank the small Tunisian sailing vessel Adjbi with demolition charges off Salakta, Tunisia. Adjbi was damaged earlier by Beaufighters.

(All times are zone -1)
1200 hours - Sighted a small northbound sailing vessel. Prepared for gun action with the Vickers machine gun and starshell for the 3" gun (the only 3" ammunition left). It was hoped that the enemy would abandon ship after fire was opened so we could board.

1230 hours - Four Beaufighter aircraft were seen. These attacked the sailing vessel and the crew abandoned ship. Unrivalled continued to close.

1345 hours - Surfaced in position 35°23'N, 11°05'E. The Tunisian ship had a full cargo off earthenware gourds. Two demolition charges were placed and the vessel was sunk to prevent her from being used by the enemy. (12)

28 Jan 1943
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) ended her 6th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (12)

8 Feb 1943
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) departed Malta for her 7th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol south of straits of Messina.

No log is available for this period so no map can be displayed. (12)

13 Feb 1943
HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) landed a party of three to blow up a Railway tunnel of Cape Bruzzano. The attempt failed due to the heavy swell close inshore.

(All times are zone -1)
0237 hours - Launched folbot in position 38°02'N, 16°09'E with three men to sabotage a railway tunnel off Cape Bruzzano.

0345 to 0415 hours - The folbot was recovered. They had been unable to land in the heavy swell close inshore. (12)

15 Feb 1943 (position 37.37, 15.12)
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) fired a total of three torpedoes at a tug an lighter off Acireale, Sicily. No hits were obtained. Unrivalled then surfaced for gun action but before a round could be fired she had to dive again when shore batteries opened fire on her. The target was the auxiliary minesweeper R 204 / Tea (115 tons, built 1914) towing a barge. Three torpedoes were observed to explode on the shore. Axis documents show that the submarine opened fire but this was a mistake as, from a distance, the firing from Flak Regiment 131 (located about a mile away) which forced Unrivalled to withdraw was mistaken for coming from the submarine.

(All times are zone -1)
1332 hours - Sighted three small schooners, two under sail and one under auxiliary motor and one small cargo vessel. All were southbound. Commenced a dummy attack on the small cargo vessel which was thought not to be worth a torpedo. Now a tug was sighted bound for Messina. She was towing a large heavily laden lighter. The dummy attack on the small cargo vessel was broken off and an attack was started on the tug and lighter.

1418 hours - In position 37°37'N, 15°12'E fired two torpedoes at the tug and lighter from 1000 yards. The torpedoes ran under and exploded on the rocks behind. The tug slipped the tow.

1428 hours - Fired one torpedo at the now almost stationary lighter. Range was 750 yards. This torpedo also passed under. The tug meanwhile took the lighter in tow again.

1432 hours - Surfaced for gun action. The tug turned inshore. Shore batteries now opened fire and Unrivalled had to dive again without having fired a single shell. (12)

16 Feb 1943 (position 38.18, 16.26)
While operating south of Punta Stilo HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian sailing vessel Sparviero (498 GRT) in position 38°18'N, 16°26'E.

Unrivalled also torpedoed and sank the Italian merchant Pasubio (2216 GRT) in position 38°18'N, 16°29E'.

(All times are zone -1)
0837 hours - Sighted a 1000 tons 4-masted motor vessel at anchor close inshore of Rocella Ionica. Closed.

0932 hours - Fired one torpedo from a range of 750 yards. It hit amidships. The ship broke in two and sank in shallow water. Withdrew to seaward.

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

1111 hours - Sighted smoke bearing 020°. This turned out to be two medium sized merchant vessels escorted by two destroyers and two CANT flying boats. The vessels were southbound, zigzagging, with the destroyers screening ahead and on either bow.

1215 hours - Fired four torpedoes at the leading merchant vessel thought to be 6000 tons. The vessel was deep laden.

1217 hours - One torpedo was heard to hit. Unrivalled meanwhile had gone deep.

1223 hours - Five depth charges were dropped.

1228 hours - Six depth charges were dropped.

1230 - 1300 hours - Unrivalled managed to drew clear from the hunt.

1330 hours - Returned to periscope depth. Several aircraft were seen to be patrolling near the position of the attack. No ships in sight.

1414 hours - Went to 70 feet and set course for Malta. (12)

19 Feb 1943
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) ended her 7th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (12)

2 Mar 1943
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) departed Malta for her 8th war patrol (6th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to perform a special operation (beach reconnaissance) for the upcoming operation Husky.

No log is available for this period so no map can be displayed. (18)

7 Mar 1943
At 2123 hours (zone -1), HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN), launched a folbot with a crew of two for a beach reconnaissance. The folbot failed to return. Launch position was approximately 36°40'N, 14°53'E. (18)

8 Mar 1943
At 1953 hours (zone -1), HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN), launched a folbot with a crew of two to search for the crew of the folbot that had been launched the previous evening. This folbot and her crew also failed to return. The four men were captured by Italian coast guards. (18)

13 Mar 1943
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) ended her 8th war patrol (6th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (18)

23 Mar 1943
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) departed Malta for her 9th war patrol (7th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol to the north of Sicily.

No log is available for this period so no map can be displayed. (12)

29 Mar 1943 (position 38.06, 13.26)
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) torpedoed and sank the German auxiliary submarine chasers UJ 2201 (1375 GRT, built 1940, former French Bois Rose) and UJ 2204 (1188 GRT, built 1927, former French Boréal) off Palermo, Sicily near position 38°06'N, 13°26'E. UJ 2201 was hit in the bow and sank in shallow waters, five men were killed. UJ 2204 was then hit and sunk, three men were killed.

(All times are zone -1)
1230 hours - Sighted a 3000 tons and a 6000 tons merchant vessel anchored off Palermo in positions 38°06'1"N, 13°26'5"E and 38°06'2"N, 13°26'1"E. Later several F-lighters were seen to proceed to these ships.

1250 hours - Manoeuvered to get into an attacking position.

1414 hours - Fired one torpedo at the smaller of the merchant vessels from 600 yards. It hit and the ship quickly sank. The second merchant vessel went ahead immediately and altered course to comb possible torpedoes hoping to drag his anchor.

1417 hours - Fired two torpedoes from 800 yards at the larger vessel. The first torpedo hit but the result was not seen. Unrivalled had gone deep and retired to seaward.

1430 - 1510 hours - A fairly heavy counter attack took place in which a total of 51 depth charges were dropped. It is thought the counter attack was carried out mainly by E-boats.

1530 hours - Drew clear to the north-eastward. (12)

1 Apr 1943
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) sank the Italian sailing vessel Triglav (231 GRT, built 1920, former Yugoslav) 4 nautical miles south-east of Cape San Vito, Sicily. Triglav had two killed, eight survivors were picked up. She was in company with the sailing vessel San Matteo which reported missed by a torpedo. The corvette Cicogna was sent to hunt the submarine.

(All times are zone -1)
0850 hours - Sighted a small auxiliary sailing cutter with a 300-tons three-masted auxiliary schooner. They were escorted by a flying boat. They were rounding Cape San Vito. Started attack on the schooner.

0920 hours - Fired two torpedoes at the schooner from 1600 yards. One hit was obtained and the ship blew up.

0939 to 1045 hours - E-boats counter attacked with a total of 31 depth charges. Unrivalled managed to draw clear to seaward. (12)

4 Apr 1943
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) ended her 9th war patrol (7th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (12)

16 Apr 1943
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) departed Malta for her 10th war patrol (8th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol north of Sicily.

No log is available for this period so no map can be displayed. (12)

19 Apr 1943 (position 38.15, 12.00)
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) sank the Italian merchant Mostaganem (1942 GRT, built 1921, former French) north of Marettimo Island in position 38°11'N, 11°44'E. The ship had been damaged by aircraft bombs earlier. She was was on passage from Bizerta to Palermo escorted by the Italian torpedo boat Tifone. Twenty-five survivors were picked up by Tifone, two men were missing.

Later on this day Unrivalled sank the Italian tanker Bivona (1646 GRT, built 1930, former French Socombel) west of Sicily in position 38°22'N, 12°36'E. Bivona was escorted by the German auxiliary submarine chasers UJ 2203 and UJ 2208. From a crew and passengers consisting in all of thirty-eight Italians and eighteen German soldiers, only three Italians and five German survivors were picked up by UJ 2208 while UJ 2203 dropped sixty-nine depth charges but without success.

(All times are zone -2)
0025 hours - Heard an underwater explosion. Sighted two ships thought to be destroyers bearing 220°. Received two enemy reports which identified the contact as a merchant vessel escorted by a torpedo boat. Started attack on the merchant vessel.

0120 hours - In position 38°15'N, 12°00'E fired three torpedoes at the almost stationary merchant ship. Range was 1400 yards. One hit was obtained. Unrivalled then took evasive action but the torpedo boat did not start a hunt. Most likely the Italians thought the ship had ben attacked from the air as before.

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

1455 hours - Sighted a flying boat on the starboard bow. Later smoke of a merchant vessel was sighted and finally a convoy came into sight made up of a 5000 tons tanker with two armed merchant vessels on either bow. Three or four flying boats were patrolling overhead. Started attack on the tanker.

1547 hours - In position 38°22'N, 12°36'E fired four torpedoes from 1400 yards. At the correct intervals four explosions were heard. During the next observation through the periscope only a large cloud of smoke and fire on the water were seen. Unrivalled then withdrew to the eastward but was detected and depth charged by the enemy. Some were quite close and caused some minor damage.

1800 hours - The counter attack ceased. A total of 52 depth charges had been dropped. (12)

23 Apr 1943
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) ended her 10th war patrol (8th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (12)

1 May 1943
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) departed Malta for her 11th war patrol (9th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol north of Sicily.

No log is available for this period so no map can be displayed. (12)

6 May 1943
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) attacked the Italian sailing vessel Albina (223 GRT) with two torpedoes off Cape Vaticano, Calabria, Italy. The torpedoes however missed their target.

(All times are zone -2)
1250 hours - Sighted a three-masted topsail schooner. She was northbound.

1336 hours - Fired two torpedoes from 1400 yards. No hits were obtained. The enemy did not notice the attack and continued on her way. Decided not to surface as it seemed very likely that in this location Unrivalled would be taken under fire from shore batteries before a good deal of damage could be done to the schooner.

1520 hours - A second schooner was now sighted. Set course to be in a good position to intercept the schooners further north the following morning. (12)

7 May 1943 (position 39.13, 16.02)
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) destroyed the Italian sailing vessel Albina (223 GRT) south of San Lucido, Italy. Only one man was wounded but the vessel was a constructive total loss.

(All times are zone -2)
1025 hours - Sighted a three-masted topsail schooner. She was northbound. The vessel was identified as the schooner we had attacked yesterday.

1101 hours - In position 39°13'N, 16°02'E from 1000 yards. After about 400 yards a large splash was seen, this was probably caused by a torpedo collision. This was seen by the schooner. The vessel changed course. Two small machine guns were seen on the schooners stern.

1116 hours - Surfaced and engaged with the gun. The crew soon abandoned ship and the vessel was turned towards the shore. 17 rounds of HE (High Explosive) were fired for 7 or 8 hits before the vessel ran on the beach. Dived and drew clear. (12)

9 May 1943 (position 38.25, 15.03)
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) torpedoed and sank the small Italian passenger ship Santa Marina Salina (763 GRT, built 1929) south-east off Lipari, Italy. There were forty-eight victims, eleven sailors, fourteen military and twenty-one civilian passengers were picked up by the motorboats M.3 and M.5 and two German patrol boats. The rescue boats were then missed by two torpedoes.

Later a schooner towing two other vessels was attacked with one torpedo which missed.

(All times are zone -2)
1524 hours - Sighted the same small 800 tons auxiliary we had seen during the forenoon. She was bound for Milazzo. Started attack.

1540 hours - In position 38°25'N, 15°03'E fired three torpedoes. Two hits were obtained and the ship sank. The third torpedo was heard to explode on Vulcano Island.

1618 hours - Sighted a two-masted schooner coming out of Lipari. Closed and commenced attack. The schooner was towing two other vessels. All three were flying the Italian Naval Ensign.

1642 hours - In position 38°25'N, 15°02'E fired one torpedo. The schooner saw the track and altered away to comb it. The torpedo missed. Unrivalled then drew clear to the northward.

(12)

13 May 1943
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) ended her 11th war patrol (9th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (12)

31 May 1943
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) departed Malta for her 12th war patrol (10th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to perform a special operation (beach reconnaissance for Operation Husky). For this purpose, Unrivalled had a chariot and a folbot on board.

No log is available for this period so no map can be displayed. (12)

1 Jun 1943
At 2227 hours (zone -2), HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN), launched a folbot and a chariot in position 36°53'N, 14°23'E. The folbot returned at 0034/2, the chariot at 0132/2. (12)

2 Jun 1943
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) returned to Malta. (12)

3 Jun 1943
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) departed Malta to continue her special operation. (12)

5 Jun 1943
At 2238 hours (zone -2), HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN), launched a folbot in position 36°57'N, 14°20'E. The chariot was launched at 2242 hours but bumped on the casing and was heavily damaged. The operation was abandoned and the folbot and the chariot returned at 2348 hours. (12)

6 Jun 1943
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) returned to Malta. (12)

7 Jun 1943
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) departed Malta to continue her special operation. (12)

9 Jun 1943
During the morning, HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN), conducted periscope reconnaissance of the harbour of Syracuse, Sicily. (12)

10 Jun 1943
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) ended her 12th war patrol (10th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (12)

24 Jun 1943
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) departed Malta for her 13th war patrol (11th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to perform a special operation (beach reconnaissance for Operation Husky). For this purpose, Unrivalled had a chariot and a folbot on board.

No log is available for this period so no map can be displayed. (12)

25 Jun 1943
At 2220 hours (zone -2), HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN), launched a folbot in position 36°40'N, 15°07'E. The folbot returned at 2255 hours. Sea conditions were unsuitable for reconnaissance. (12)

26 Jun 1943
At 2200 hours (zone -2), HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) again launched a folbot. The folbot was re-embarked at 0135/27. (12)

28 Jun 1943
At 2209 hours (zone -2), HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN), again launched a folbot. The folbot was re-embarked at 0135/29. (12)

29 Jun 1943
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) ended her 13th war patrol (11th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (12)

6 Jul 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) departed Malta to act as a beacon for operation Husky.

9 Jul 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 2211 hours, HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) launched two folbots to act as marking positions for operation Husky.

At 2300 hours, from position 36°36.5'N, 14°56'E, HMS Unrivalled acted as beacon for the invasion fleet.

10 Jul 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) returned to Malta.

17 Jul 1943
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 14th war patrol (12th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol north of the Straits of Messina.

No log is available for this period so no map can be displayed. (12)

23 Jul 1943 (position 38.38, 15.39)
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) made two attacks this day off Cape Vaticano. In the first attack three torpedoes were fired against a tug, all missed. Unrivalled then surfaced to attack with the gun but the gun attack had to be broken off twice. This was the tug Boeo which returned fire and managed to escape.

Not much better luck in the second attack. Four torpedoes were fired at what is thought to be a German U-boat. This was actually the Italian submarine Argento (T.V. Leo Masina) which reported three torpedoes missing astern.

(All times are zone -2)
0506 hours - Sighted a tug bearing 210°. Enemy course 040°, speed 11 knots. Started attack.

0521 hours - In position 38°38'N, 15°39'E fired three torpedoes. Due to an error in drill Unrivalled broke surface. She quickly dived again and on the next periscope observation the enemy was seen to have turned towards and combed the torpedo tracks.

0525 hours - Surfaced and engaged the enemy from 2000 yards with the 3" gun.

0535 hours - The enemy returned fire with machine guns. So far the enemy had not been hit by us. Broke off the action and dived.

0540 hours - When the range had opened up to 3000 yards surfaced and engaged the enemy again. A round of 3" jammed in the gun and again the action had to be broken off. Dived.

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

1459 hours - Sighted what is thought to be a German U-boat with an Italian ML as escort. Range was 4000-5000 yards. Started attack.

1506 hours - In position 38°37'N, 15°45'E fired four torpedoes from 4000 yards. No hits were obtained.

1512 hours - The U-boat and escort turned and carried out practice gunnery.

1516 hours - Three end of run explosions were heard. The U-boat resumed it's original course. The escort stopped to listen for the submarine that had attacked them. Unrivalled then retired to the west. (12)

24 Jul 1943 (position 38.59, 15.38)
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) sank the Italian auxiliary minesweeper R 172 / Impero (68 GRT) with gunfire off Amantea, Italy in position 38°59'N, 15°38'E. She was only armed with two 6.5mm machine guns and was unable to resist, four men were taken prisoners and sixteen were left in a lifeboat, two of them were wounded.

(All times are zone -2)
0557 hours - Sighted a two-masted schooner wearing the Italian Naval Ensign approaching from the Stromboli direction.

0620 hours - Surfaced in position 38°59'N, 15°38'E and engaged the target with the 3" and Vickers guns from a range of 1500 yards. After several hits by both guns the enemy started to abandon ship. Ceased fire. Unrivalled now went alongside and the schooner was boarded. Several items and documents were removed. Two demolition charges were then placed. The lifeboat was then approached and the wounded on board it were tended. Four Italians were taken prisoner.

0711 hours - Dived and proceeded clear. (12)

25 Jul 1943 (position 38.36, 15.49)
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) damaged the Italian tug Z 10 / Iseo (80 GRT) and a schooner with gunfire off Cape Vaticano. Both vessels were beached.

(All times are zone -2)
1130 hours - Sighted a small tug towing a two-masted schooner. They were northbound.

1215 hours - Surfaced in position 38°36'N, 15°49'E on the enemy's port quarter and engaged both vessels with the gun at a range of 1800 yards and closing. Both ships were beached after being damaged. Unrivalled was then forced to dive due to gunfire from the shore. Retired to seaward. (12)

28 Jul 1943
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) damaged an Italian sailing vessel with gunfire off Cape Vaticano, Italy. This vessel has not yet (July 2016) been identified.

(All times are zone -2)
1131 hours - Sighted a northbound two-masted schooner.

1330 hours - Surfaced in position 38.39'N, 15.49'E and engaged the schooner with the 3" gun from 2000 yards range and closing. The schooner was hit three times and turned towards the shore. Shore guns opened fire. Unrivalled now dived and retired to seaward. The schooner was last seen to resume her course and was not beached. (12)

30 Jul 1943
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) arrived at Bizerta. (12)

2 Aug 1943
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) departed Bizerta together with HMS Unison (Lt. A.R. Daniell, DSC, RN) to join convoy KMS 21 for onward passage to Malta. Late in the evening, shortly after joining the convoy, both submarines were taken under fire by one of ships of the convoy, the US steam tanker Yankee Arrow which had apparently not been informed about their presence.

Unison was hit on the conning tower and the pressure hull. The officer of the watch, T/Lt. J.P. King, RNR was killed and the commanding officer, Lt. Daniell, DSC, RN was wounded as were the two lookouts, petty officer Day and leading seaman Halliday.

Both submarines then returned to Bizerta escorted by ORP Slazak (Lt.Cdr. R. Nalecz-Tyminski, ORP). (12)

3 Aug 1943
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) arrived back at Bizerta. (12)

4 Aug 1943
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) departed Bizerta for Malta. She made the passage together with HMS Unison (Lt. J.E.E.D. Haward, RN) departed Bizerta for passage to Malta escorted by HMS Clacton (A/Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) L.S. Shaw, RNR). (12)

5 Aug 1943
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) ended her 14th war patrol (12th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (12)

24 Aug 1943
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 15th war patrol (13th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to perform two special operations. The first was operation 'Bottom' in which Chariot human torpedoes were to be launched to attack an Italian battleship inside Taranto harbour.

No log is available for this period so no map can be displayed. (12)

26 Aug 1943
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) received a signal postponing operation 'Bottom'. (12)

27 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0450 hours in 38°03.7'N, 17°58'E, HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) spotted a submarine on her port quarter. She was not in a good position for a gun action and the identity was uncertain so Unrivalled dived but could not regain contact. The submarine was HMS Unsparing (Lt. A.D. Piper, DSC and 2 bars, RNR) on her way for a patrol off Cephalonia. She had observed Unrivalled and dived at the same time. (12)

29 Aug 1943
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) ended her 15th war patrol (13th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (12)

2 Sep 1943
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 16th war patrol (14th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Brindisi.

No log is available for this period so no map can be displayed. (12)

8 Sep 1943 (position 41.12, 16.59)
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) attacked a small merchant vessel off Bari with three torpedoes. No hits were obtained. This ship has not yet (July 2016) been identified.

(All times are zone -2)
1329 hours - In position 41°12'N, 16°59'E fired three torpedoes at a small merchant vessel of 800 - 1000 tons. Range was 1000 yards. No hits were obtained. The first torpedo was seen to pass ahead but the second torpedo is thought to have run under the target. The enemy had seen the torpedo tracks and increased to full speed and made off for Bari. (12)

10 Sep 1943
After the Italian surrender, HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN), entered Bari harbour. The Italians were ordered to form of convoy of all merchant ships in the harbour that were seaworthy. Unrivalled then left the harbour again and waited for the convoy to form up. Around 1800 hours the convoy of 8 ships was outside the harbour and then set course for Malta escorted by Unrivalled. On the 12th she was joined by HMS Unruly (Lt. J.P. Fyfe, RN).

(12)

13 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0811 hours, the convoy still escorted by HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) came under air attack from a lone German bomber. One large bomb was dropped but missed, the submarine had only time to fire off a single 3in round. (12)

14 Sep 1943
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) ended her 16th war patrol (14th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (12)

2 Oct 1943
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 17th war patrol (15th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Aegean.

No log is available for this period so no map can be displayed. (12)

8 Oct 1943
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) attacked the German auxiliary minelayer Bulgaria (1188 GRT, built 1894) with three torpedoes. All missed. Bulgaria was transporting troops from Piraeus to Kos together with German minelayer Drache.

(All times are zone -2)
0832 hours - Sighted two small merchant vessels on the port beam. They were escorted by three CANT aircraft. Commenced attack on the larger vessel. The patrol report does not give a position for this attack and there is no log available for this month.

0905 hours - Fired three torpedoes at the target from 2000 yards. All torpedoes missed, most likely astern. The enemy saw the tracks and turned towards, transmitting on Asdics but he soon re-joined his consort. Unrivalled meanwhile remained at periscope depth as the aircraft were not near. (12)

18 Oct 1943
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) ended her 17th war patrol (14th in the Mediterranean) at Beirut. (12)

29 Oct 1943
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) departed Beirut for her 18th war patrol (16th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Aegean. (12)

6 Nov 1943 (position 36.40, 25.47)
At 1803 hours (time zone -2), HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN), picked up two RAF pilots of a Beaufighter of 603 Squadron and their rubber dinghy near position 36°40'N, 25°47'E. (12)

10 Nov 1943
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) ended her 18th war patrol (15th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (12)

17 Nov 1943
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) departed Malta for Gibraltar. HMS Unrivalled was to proceed to the U.K. to refit. Passage to Gibraltar was made in convoy MKS 31.

No log is available for this period so no map can be displayed. (12)

23 Nov 1943
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (12)

24 Nov 1943
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) departed Gibraltar for Blyth. (12)

6 Dec 1943
At 1825 hours, HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN), made rendez-vous with HMS Trident (Lt. P.E. Newstead, RN), HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) and HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) C.M. Norman, RN) which came from Falmouth. They then proceeded north up the Irish Sea. (12)

11 Dec 1943
Off Dundee HMS ML 229 (T/Lt. W.C.R. Walsh, RNVR) took over the escort. HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN), HMS Trident (Lt. P.E. Newstead, RN) and ML 229 then continued on to Blyth.

12 Dec 1943
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) arrived at Blyth where she was to refit. (12)

23 Dec 1943
HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) is taken in hand for refit at Blyth. (19)

Submarine HMS Otway (N 51)

1 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (20)

2 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (20)

3 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. These included night exercises during the night of 3/4 August. (20)

8 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (20)

9 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (20)

10 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (20)

11 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (20)

15 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (20)

16 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (20)

17 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (20)

18 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (20)

22 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (20)

23 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (20)

24 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. These included night exercises during the night of 24/25 August. (20)

25 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (20)

31 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (20)

1 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (21)

5 Sep 1944
HMS Otway (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (21)

7 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Otway (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (21)

8 Sep 1944
HMS Otway (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (21)

Submarine HMS Porpoise (N 14)

21 Nov 1944
HMS Porpoise (Lt.Cdr. H.A.L. Marsham, OBE, RN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. Upon completion of the exercises A/Lt.Cdr. Turner took over command. (22)

22 Nov 1944
HMS Porpoise (A/Lt.Cdr. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. (22)

23 Nov 1944
HMS Porpoise (A/Lt.Cdr. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) conducted a mine laying exercise off Trincomalee. (22)

28 Nov 1944
HMS Porpoise (A/Lt.Cdr. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) was docked in AFD 26 at Trincomalee. (22)

29 Nov 1944
HMS Porpoise (A/Lt.Cdr. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) was undocked. (22)

30 Nov 1944
HMS Porpoise (A/Lt.Cdr. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. (22)

2 Dec 1944
HMS Porpoise (A/Lt.Cdr. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) departed Trincomalee for her 22th war patrol (3rd in the Far East). She was ordered to lay a minefield off Penang and to make a short patrol off the Nicobar Islands afterwards.

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

(23)

9 Dec 1944 (position 5.16, 100.05)
Shortly after noon, HMS Porpoise (A/Lt.Cdr. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN), laid minefield ML 019 with 46 mines in two rows off Penang near position 05°16'N, 100°05'E. The minefield does not appear to have yielded results. (23)

10 Dec 1944 (position 6.21, 99.18)
HMS Porpoise (A/Lt.Cdr. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) sank a small sailing vessel in the Strait of Malacca.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0155 hours - In position 06°21'N, 99°18'E sighted and closed a small junk. Proceeded alongside. The cargo was found out to be empty tins. Removed the crew and demolished the junk. (23)

14 Dec 1944
HMS Porpoise (A/Lt.Cdr. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) set course to return to Trincomalee. (23)

18 Dec 1944
HMS Porpoise (A/Lt.Cdr. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) ended her 22th war patrol (3rd in the Far East) at Trincomalee. (23)

24 Dec 1944
HMS Porpoise (A/Lt.Cdr. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. (24)

3 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Porpoise (A/Lt.Cdr. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) departed Trincomalee for her 23th war patrol (4th in the Far East). She was ordered to lay a minefield off Penang.

9 Jan 1945
HMS Porpoise (A/Lt.Cdr. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) reported by signal that she had successfully laid her mines off Penang [this signal has not been located by us and some sources have reported that no signals were received from her].

13 Jan 1945
At 0101 hours, HMS Stygian (Lt. G.S.C. Clarabut, DSO, RN), received Captain S.4’s signal (dated 1751Z/12) informing her that HMS Porpoise was in trouble 17 miles northwest of Pulo Perak). This information came not from Porpoise but from an Ultra decrypt [to be found at the National Archives in London in document HW27/22]. It indicated that at 1000 hours on 11 January, in position 05°30’N, 98°39’E, a Tenzan (Nakajima B6N2) bomber of 331 Air Group [based at Penang] had attacked a submarine, dropping two 60kg bombs. One missed the port bow by two metres and the other was a direct hit. A second attack was carried out at 1145 hours by a Tenzan in position 300° - Perak Island - 17 miles also dropping two 60kg bombs on a submerged submarine leaking oil. At 2057 hours, a third attack was made in the same area with six 60kg bombs and the attack was continued at 1000 hours the following morning.

Stygian was in the vicinity and immediately carried out a surface search of the area and tried to contact by radio her consort but nothing was seen or heard and no traces of wreckage found.

We know that these were not the only anti-submarine attacks by the Japanese on 11 January. Another was carried out at 0206 hours in position 04°15’N, 100°14’E by the submarine chaser Ch-8 (offsite link) which dropped fifteen depth charges on a contact. This attack must be considered as bogus as HMS Porpoise had no order to go this far south.

The attacks by the Tenzan aircraft appear more convincing. The positions were more consistent with Porpoise retiring after her minelaying operation. We know from her previous patrol which was very similar that Porpoise travelled surfaced by day and night until she reached the vicinity of Pulo Perak when she proceeded submerged by day for the final approach to her minelaying operation. However it appears a bit far-fetched to believe that a submarine as large as HMS Porpoise might have been sunk by such a small bomb and without leaving any trace. If the second attack is genuine, then the first attack was certainly not lethal as the submarine appeared to have moved north at over ten knots unless the positions recorded are inaccurate.

Divers have looked for the wreck but, so far, without success.

15 Jan 1945 (position 5.18, 100.20)
The Japanese auxiliary minesweeper Kyo Maru No. 1 (340 GRT) hit a mine off Penang, Malaya in position 05°18'N, 100°20'E laid by the British submarine HMS Porpoise (A/Lt.Cdr. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) on 9 January.

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