Hugh Christopher Browne DSO, RN
| Born | 16 Sep 1905 |
| Ranks
Retired: 7 Jul 1955 Decorations
|
Warship Commands listed for Hugh Christopher Browne, RN
| Ship | Rank | Type | From | To |
| HMS Regent (N 41) | Lt.Cdr. | Submarine | 9 Apr 1939 | Mar 1941 |
| HMS Regent (N 41) | Lt.Cdr. | Submarine | Apr 1941 | 20 Jul 1941 |
Career information
We currently have no career / biographical information on this officer.
Events related to this officer
Submarine HMS Regent (N 41)
31 Aug 1939
Around 0530GH/31, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) departed Singapore to patrol in the Sunda Strait to observe shipping there. When the war with Germany started this became her 1st war patrol.
For the daily positions of HMS Regent during this patrol see the map below. From 3 September 1939 to 21 September 1939 HMS Regent was patrolling in the Sunda Strait but the ships log does not give the exact positions.
(1)
23 Sep 1939
Around 1900GH/23, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Singapore. (2)
28 Sep 1939
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) was docked at Singapore. (2)
29 Sep 1939
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) was undocked. (2)
3 Oct 1939
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore with HMS Tenedos (Lt.Cdr. J.O'B. Milner-Barry, RN). (3)
10 Oct 1939
Around 1300GH/10, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) departed Singapore for her 2nd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Lombok Strait.
For the daily positions of HMS Regent see the map below. From 14 October 1939 to 20 October 1939, HMS Regent was patrolling in Lombok Strait. The ships log does not give specific positions for these dates.
(3)
24 Oct 1939
Around 0800GH/24, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Singapore. (3)
30 Oct 1939
Around 1100GH/30, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) departed Singapore for Colombo.
For the daily positions of HMS Regent during the passage from Singapore to Colombo see the map below.
(3)
4 Nov 1939
Around 1200EF/4, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) arrived at Colombo from Singapore. (4)
6 Nov 1939
Around 1315EF/6, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) departed Colombo to return Singapore. She had to return due to a leak in her No.1 battery tank.
For the daily positions of HMS Regent during this passage from Colombo to Singapore see the map below.
(4)
11 Nov 1939
Around 1630GH/11, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) arrived at Singapore from Colombo. (4)
17 Nov 1939
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) was docked at Singapore for a short refit. (4)
6 Dec 1939
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) was undocked. (5)
12 Dec 1939
Around 1700GH/12, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) departed Singapore for exercises. (5)
13 Dec 1939
Around 1700GH/13, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) returned to Singapore upon completetion of her exercises. (5)
19 Dec 1939
Around 1630GH/19, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) departed Singapore for her 3rd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off northern Sumatra.
For the daily positions of HMS Regent during this patrol see the map below.
(5)
29 Dec 1939
Around 1200GH/29, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol at Singapore. (5)
30 Dec 1939
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) was docked at Singapore for a short refit. (5)
20 Jan 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) was undocked. (6)
23 Jan 1940
Around 1600GH/23, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) departed Singapore for exercises. (6)
27 Jan 1940
Around 1200GH/27, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) returned to Singapore upon completetion of her exercises. (6)
31 Jan 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) was docked at Singapore. (6)
5 Feb 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) was undocked. (7)
6 Feb 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore. (7)
15 Feb 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Tenedos (Lt.Cdr. J.O'B. Milner-Barry, RN). (7)
16 Feb 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Tenedos (Lt.Cdr. J.O'B. Milner-Barry, RN). (7)
19 Feb 1940
Around 1630GH/19, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) departed Singapore for exercises. (7)
20 Feb 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr. R. Alexander, RN). (7)
21 Feb 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr. R. Alexander, RN). (7)
22 Feb 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr. R. Alexander, RN). (7)
23 Feb 1940
Around 0800GH/23, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) returned to Singapore on completion of her exercise programme. (7)
28 Feb 1940
Around 1700GH/28, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) departed Singapore for exercises. (7)
29 Feb 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) and HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore. (7)
1 Mar 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Tenedos (Lt.Cdr. J.O'B. Milner-Barry, RN). (8)
4 Mar 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr. R. Alexander, RN) and HMS Grampus (Lt.Cdr. C.A. Rowe, RN). (8)
5 Mar 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr. R. Alexander, RN). (8)
6 Mar 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr. R. Alexander, RN). (8)
7 Mar 1940
Around 0800GH/7, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) returned to Singapore. (8)
13 Mar 1940
Around 0700GH/13, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) departed Singapore for Hong Kong where she was to refit.
For the daily positions of HMS Regent during the passage from Singapore to Hong Kong see the map below.
(8)
18 Mar 1940
Around 1330H/18, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) arrived at Hong Kong from Singapore. (8)
5 Apr 1940
During her refit at Hong Kong, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) was docked. (9)
31 May 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) was undocked. (10)
21 Jun 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) completed her refit at Hong Kong. (11)
25 Jun 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) conducted trials off Hong Kong. (11)
26 Jun 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) conducted trials off Hong Kong. (11)
27 Jun 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) conducted trials off Hong Kong. (11)
30 Jun 1940
Around 0900H/30, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) departed Hong Kong for Singapore.
For the daily positions of HMS Regent during the passage from Hong Kong to Singapore see the map below.
(11)
6 Jul 1940
Around 0930GH/6, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) arrived at Singapore from Hong Kong. (12)
10 Jul 1940
HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) and HMS Dauntless (Capt. G.D. Moore, RAN), HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr. R. Alexander, RN), HMS Grasshopper (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Aldworth, RN) and HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) all conducted exercises off Singapore. (13)
11 Jul 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr. R. Alexander, RN).
Upon completion of the exercises HMS Regent set course for Colombo. Regent was to proceed to Alexandria to join the Mediterranean Fleet.
For the daily positions of HMS Regent during the passage from Singapore to Alexandria see the map below.
17 Jul 1940
Around 0700EF/17, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) arrived at Colombo. (12)
18 Jul 1940
Around 1800EF/18, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) departed Colombo for Aden. (12)
30 Jul 1940
Around 0700C/30, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) arrived at Aden. On entering harbour she briefly grounded. She was towed off by the boom defence vessel HMS Planet (T/Boom Skr. D. Cowie, RNR) (12)
31 Jul 1940
Around 1000C/31, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) departed Aden for Alexandria. Upon leaving Aden exercises were carried out with the light cruiser HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) which also departed Aden but for the Perim patrol. (14)
7 Aug 1940
Around 0900C/7, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) arrived at Alexandria. (15)
18 Aug 1940
Around 0100C/18, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) departed Alexandria for her 4th war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Ionian Sea.
For the daily positions of HMS Regent during this patrol see the map below.
(16)
12 Sep 1940
Around 0800C/12, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) ended her 4th war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (16)
25 Sep 1940
Around 1030C/25, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) departed Alexandria for her 5th war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off the Gulf of Taranto.
On departure exercises were carried out with HMS Jervis (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO, RN), HMS Janus (Cdr. J.A.W. Tothill, RN) and HMS Wryneck (Lt.Cdr. R.H.D. Lane, RN). (16)
25 Sep 1940
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Regent during her 5th war patrol see the map below.
30 Sep 1940 (position 38.09, 18.17)
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) attacked an Italian battleship with 5 torpedoes. No hits were obtained. Regent broke surface on firing and was taken to 300 feet immediately afterwards. Fortunately a counter attack followed only after about 30 minutes.
At sea was one of the most potent forces the Regia Marina (Italian Navy) had assembled during the war. It was made up of Battleships 9th DivisionLittorio and Vittorio Veneto, 5th Division Caio Duilio, Guilio Cesare and Conti di Cavour
Light cruisers 8th Division Luigi di Savoia Duca Delgi Abruzzi and Giuseppe Garibaldi 7th Division Muzio Attendolo, Raimondo Montecuccoli.
Escort was provided by the destroyers 13th Squadron Granatiere, Bersagliere and Alpino 16th Squadron Nicoloso Da Recco, Antoniotto Usodimare and Emanuele Pessagno 15th Squadron Alvise Da Mosto and Giovanni Da Verrazzano 10th Squadron Maestrale, Libecco, Grecale and Scirocco 7th Squadron Saetta, Dardo and Strale.
At 1243B/30 (Rome time), twin periscopes were suddenly sighted from Vittorio Veneto at 200-300 metres on the port side abeam of 381mm-turret no.3 (This must have been HMS Regent breaking surface as she reported in her patrol report (see below)). They quickly submerged again and quickly after Duilio reported three torpedo tracks missing her ahead, the nearest by about 100 metres.
1324C/30 - In position 38°09'N, 18°17'E sighted a group of Italian warships. These were later seen to be two battleships, three cruisers and numerous destroyers. Started attack. Regent was right ahead and the enemy was proceeding at high speed making it difficult to obained a good firing position.
1339C/30 - Fired 5 torpedoes (a full salvo of 6 was intended but the 6th torpedo misfired) from 900 yards. No hits were obtained. Regent lost depth control on firing and broke surface. She was immediately taken to 300 feet.
1405C/30 - Heard a loud explosion, rather close. This must have been a depth charge. This explosions was followed by more explosions but none were close.
1745C/30 - Returned to periscope depth. Nothing in sight. (16)
3 Oct 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) set course to patrol in the Southern Adriatic. (16)
5 Oct 1940 (position 41.05, 17.45)
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) accidentely rammed and sank the Italian sailing vessel Maria Grazia (188 GRT) off Bari, Italy in position 41°05'N, 17°45'E.
0423C/5 - In position 088°, Bari, 45 nautical miles sighted a white light bearing 050°. Altered course towards to investigate.
0443C/5 - Sighted masts of a small sailing vessel on the starboard bow. The white light seemed to be on the stern of this vessel. It wa thought that this sailing vessel had crossed from port to starboard. Regent altered course to port. Too late it was seen that the bow of the vessel had been mistaken for the stern and that the white light had nothing to do with this vessel. Regent now went full astern on both engines.
0446C/5 - The sailing vessel, now seen to be a medium seized caique, rammed Regent causing some damage. Eventually Regent got clear while still going astern. Regent then set off after the caique with the object of sinking it but it could no longer be seen in the dark. As the white light was still visible and thinking it might be a trap Regent set course to clear the area. The sailing vessel was not seen again but it later sank. (16)
9 Oct 1940 (position 41.17, 19.25)
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) torpedoed and damaged the Italian merchant Antonietta Costa (5900 GRT, built 1913) about 20 nautical miles west of Durazzo, Albania. The Antonietta Costa was grounded in position 41°17'N, 19°25'E. The ship was beyond salvage.
The convoy attacked was made up of the above mentioned Antonietta Costa as well as Maria (6338 GRT, buit 1926). They were escorted by the Armed Merchant Cruiser RAMB III (3667 GRT, built 1938).
1620C/9 - In approximate position 266°, Durazzo, 24 nautical miles sighted a convoy made up of 2 merchant vessels and what was thought to be an armed yacht or patrol vessel. Started attack.
1739C/9 - Fired one torpedo from 3100 yards at the leading ship. It was intended to fire also a torpedo at the second ship but when about to open fire the periscope dipped and the attack had to be broken off. The single torpedo fired at the leading ship then hit the target. The patrol vessel was then seen to come towards so Regent went deep.
The patrol vessel then started to hunt Regent together with two smaller vessels, probably MAS boats. A depth charge was dropped very near. During the next hour 7 more depth charges were dropped, each one closer then the previous one.
1640C/9 - Regent was now at 300 feet. The enemy was heard hunting until 1900 hours but no further depth charges were dropped. (16)
11 Oct 1940 (position 40.37, 18.50)
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) was detected and depth charged by what is thought to be an Italian destroyer / patrol vessel. No damage was done to Regent.
The only A/S attack in this area was made by the motor torpedo boats MAS 535, MAS 536 and 538 but the time does not match unless typo in Regent's report / log (if it should read 0540 instead of 0340 hours). The Italian report states that the MAS boats left Brindisi at 0445 hours for the area where the attack occurred. Note that the Italian time was one hour ahead of the one used by the submarine. Thus the MAS boats would have had two hours to reach an area 40 nautical miles away which was quite possible.
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Later the same day HMS Regent attacked a small tanker with two torpedoes. No hits were obtained.
This was the Italian water carrier Nautilus (2070 GRT, built 1921) on passage from Valona to Brindisi. She sighted the two torpedo tracks and avoided them. The submarine appears to have been sighted briefly at 1140 by the semaphore at Saseno in 285° - 15 nautical miles. The torpedo boat Francesco Stocco and the auxiliaries Marcomuni and Marcas were sent to hunt the submarine but failed to locate her.
0340C/11 - The officer of the watch sighted a vessel on the starboard bow at a range of about 1500 yards. It was thought to be a small sailing ship. Shortly afterwards it was identified as a small escort vessel / destroyer. Dived. Six explosion followed when Regent was between 18 and 100 feet. It is thought that some of these were gunfire and some were depth charges. Regent was shaken but no damage was sustained. A second vessel was heard to arrive on the scene, both were heard hunting and passed overhead on several occasions but no further depth charges were dropped.
0558C/11 - No more HE could be heard.
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0930C/11 - In position 084°, Brindisi, 33 nautical miles, sighted a small tanker hull down. Closed and started attack.
1031C/11 - Fired two torpedoes from 1000 yards. Both missed. (16)
15 Oct 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) was ordered to proceed to Malta instead of Alexandria. (16)
18 Oct 1940
Around 0630A/18, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) ended her 5th war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (16)
19 Oct 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) was docked at Malta. (17)
2 Nov 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) was undocked. (18)
6 Nov 1940
Around 1625A/6, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) departed Malta for her 6th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean). She was initially ordered to patrol to the south and east of the Staits of Messina.
For the daily positions of HMS Regent during this patrol see the map below.
(16)
12 Nov 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) was ordered to patrol off the Gulf of Taranto. (16)
18 Nov 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) left patrol and set course towards Alexandria. (16)
24 Nov 1940
Around 0700B/24, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) ended her 6th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (16)
6 Dec 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) conducted exercises off Alexandria together with HMS Jervis (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO, RN), HMS Janus (Cdr. J.A.W. Tothill, RN), HMS Nubian (Cdr. R.W. Ravenhill, RN) and HMS Mohawk (Cdr. J.W.M. Eaton, RN).
8 Dec 1940
Around 0900B/8, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) departed Alexandria for her 7th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Gulf of Sirte.
On departure exercises were carried out with HMS Dainty (Cdr. M.S. Thomas, DSO, RN) and HMAS Waterhen (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN). (16)
8 Dec 1940
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Regent during this patrol see the map below.
20 Dec 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) was ordered to patrol off Tripoli, Libya. (16)
22 Dec 1940 (position 32.40, 14.39)
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) attacked a small escorted tanker off Khmos, Libya with two torpedoes. No hits were obtained.
1243B/22 - In position 32°40'N, 14°39'E sighted a small tanker escorted by an auxiliary schooner. Started attack in which two torpedoes were fired at the tanker from 2500 yards. No hits were obtained. The target was most likely Rosa (559 GRT, built 1913) that was escorted by the auxiliary Aosta. (16)
23 Dec 1940 (position 32.42, 14.55)
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) made two attacks near Misurata, Libya on this day, first on a convoy and later on a single merchant vessel. No hits were obtained in either attack.
0255B/23 - In position 32°42'N, 14°55'E sighted a convoy to the westward. The convoy was made up of four merchant ships (one large, three small) and were escorted by a destroyer or torpedo-boat. Started attack in which two torpedoes were fired from 2000 yards. No hits were obtained.
This convoy was en-route from Bengasi to Tripoli and was made up of the following merchant vessels; Calitea (4013 GRT, built 1933), Mira (3615 GRT, built 1908), Ezilda Groce (1230 GRT, built 1900), Pallade (1131 GRT, built 1899), Promontore (998 GRT, built 1917) and Ninfea (607 GRT, built 1917). The convoy was escorted by the torpedo boat Generale Carlo Montanari.
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0850B/23 - In approximate position 32°54'N, 14°56'E sighted a merchant vessel of about 5000 tons escorted by a destroyer. Started attack in which two torpedoes were fired from 3200 yards. The ship attacked was most likely the Caffaro (6476 GRT, built 1924). She was escorted by the torpedo-boat Fratelli Cairoli. (16)
25 Dec 1940
Around 0700A/25, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) ended her 7th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (16)
5 Jan 1941
Around 1715A/5, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) departed Malta for her 8th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Tripoli and later in the Gulf of Sirte.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Regent during this patrol see the map below.
(16)
12 Jan 1941
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) attacked an escorted merchant vessel to the north of Khoms, Libya with two torpedoes. No hits were obtained. The target was most likely Città di Messina (2472 GRT, built 1929) escorted by the torpedo-boat Centauro that were en-route from Tripoli to Benghazi.
0135B/12 - In approximate position 32°48'N, 14°36'E sighted an enemy convoy made up of a large merchant ship escorted by a destroyer / torpedo-boat. Started attack.
0159B/12 - Dived to complete the attack from periscope depth but failed to see the enemy.
0218B/12 - Surfaced and completed the attack on the surface. In the attack two torpedoes were fired from 3000 yards. No hits were obtained and no action was taken by the escort. (16)
15 Jan 1941 (position 32.59, 14.11)
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian merchant Città di Messina (2472 GRT, built 1929) about 45 nautical miles east of Tripoli, Libya in position 32°59'N, 14°11'E. Citta di Messina was on the return trip from Benghazi to Tripoli and was escorted by the torpedo-boat Centauro.
0805B/15 - In position 33°03'N, 14°15'E sighted a merchant vessel of 5000 to 6000 tons escorted by a destroyer / torpedo-boat. Started attack.
0846B/15 - Fired two torpedoes at the merchant vessel from 400 yards. The first torpedo hit the target 18 seconds after firing. Regent had gone deep on firing and took evasive action. The escort dropped a total of 7 depth charges. All seemed very close but caused no damage to Regent.
1000B/15 - HE of the escort faded out.
1030B/15 - Returned to periscope depth. (16)
26 Jan 1941
Around 0730B/26, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) ended her 8th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (16)
10 Feb 1941
Around 0915B/10, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) departed Alexandria for her 9th war patrol (6th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Tripoli, Libya.
Upon departing exercises were carried out with HMSAS Southern Maid and HMSAS Southern Isles.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Regent during this patrol see the map below.
(16)
21 Feb 1941 (position 33.41, 12.48)
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) torpedoed and damaged the German merchant Menes (5609 GRT, built 1926) about 55 nautical miles north-north-west of Tripoli, Libya in position 33°41'N, 12°48'E. Following this attack HMS Regent is damaged by depth-charges from the Italian destroyer Freccia.
Menes was in convoy together with the German merchant Heraklea (1927 GRT, built 1922) and the Italian merchant Maritza (2910 GRT, built 1936). They were escorted by the Italian destroyers Freccia, Saetta and Turbine. The damaged Menes was towed back to Tripoli by Saetta.
1255A/21 - In position 33°39'N, 12°51'E sighted a convoy made up of three merchant vessels escorted by three destroyers. Started attack.
1326A/21 - Fired two torpedoes at the leading merchant ship which was the largest. Range was 2500 yards. One hit was obtained. The nearest destroyer immediately counter attacked and dropped a total of 18 depth charges. The first 4 of these were very close and caused damage to Regent which was hunted throughout the whole afternoon. (16)
25 Feb 1941 (position 33.49, 12.31)
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) attacked a southbound enemy convoy north-west of Tripoli, Libya. Two torpedoes were fired at one of the merchant vessels but they both missed.
The convoy attacked was made up by the German merchant vessels Ankara (4768 GRT, built 1937), Marburg (7564 GRT, built 1928), Kybfels (7764 GRT, built 1937) and Reichenfels (7744 GRT, built 1936). They were escorted by the Italian destroyers Aviere, Geniere and the torpedo boat Castore.
0630A/21 - In position 33°49'N, 12°31'E sighted a convoy of four laden merchant vessel escorted by three destroyers. Started attack in which two torpedoes were fired at the rear ship of the starboard column from 2500 yards. No hits were obtained. No counter attack followed and the attack was most likely not observed. (16)
1 Mar 1941
Around 0630A/1, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) ended her 9th war patrol (6th in the Mediterranean) at Malta.
As HMS Regent was damaged during this patrol she was most likely docked at Malta for repairs but as no log is available for March 1941 we don't have the dates. (16)
17 Apr 1941
Around 2000B/17, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) departed Malta for her 11th war patrol (8th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to proceed to the Kotor area, Yugoslavia to evacuate the British minister from there.
For the daily positions of HMS Regent during this patrol see the map below.
(16)
22 Apr 1941
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) arrived of the Bay of Kotor. At 0630B/22 she surfaced and entered the bay with her largest ensign flying from the masthead. The crew was at diving stations, the gun crew was on stand-by and all tubes had been brought to the ready.
It was not known to Lt.Cdr. Browne what the situation was on the shore. Near a seaplane station contact was made with a group of Yuguslav officers. Two of them came to HMS Regent in a small boat. When they came on board it was found out from one of them (a Lt.Cdr., the other was not an officer but a pilot) that the Germans had taken over the area and later had turned it over to the Italians. Lt.Cdr. Browne asked to contact the British minister and the Yugoslav Lt.Cdr. went back to the shore to telephone him.
RHMS Regent then moved to another place where the British minister might be embarked. There they were met by another Yugoslav Lt.Cdr. and an Italian army Captain. Lt.Cdr. Browne was invited to go ashore and meat an Italian Admiral at Kotor before he was to be allowed to see the British minister. Lt.Cdr. Browne refused to leave HMS Regent. Lt.Cdr. Browne then offered to sent one of his officers ashore. Lt. D. Lambert, RN then left HMS Regent. An Italian Army officer went on board HMS Regent as 'hostage'.
During the afternoon, while waiting for Lt. Lambert to return, several Italian aircraft were seen flying round HMS Regent. At 1535B/22 two aircraft started dive bombing attacks. HMS Regent then got underway to leave the bay. HMS Regent was near-missed several times and damage was caused to her. It was decided to abandon the attempt to evacuate the British minister. Lt. Lambert must now also be left ashore.
When outside the bay HMS Regent dived and set course for the Straits of Otranto. When clear of the Straits a signal was sent to Capt. S.1 informing him of the situation and the damage done to HMS Regent (the main damage was to her battery). Also three of the crew were injured including Lt.Cdr. Browne and the first lieutenant. Lt.Cdr. Browne decided to proceed to Malta for much needed medical attention for his first lieutenant. (16)
26 Apr 1941
Around 2330B/26, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) ended her 11th war patrol (8th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (16)
12 May 1941
After temporary repairs to her damaged battery HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) departed Malta around 2015B/12, for Gibraltar where a new battery was to be installed.
For the daily positions of HMS Regent during this passage see the map below.
(16)
18 May 1941
Around 1200A/18, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from Malta. (16)
1 Jun 1941
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) was docked in No.2 Dock at Gibraltar. (19)
3 Jun 1941
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) was undocked. (19)
5 Jun 1941
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) conducted exercises off Gibraltar. (19)
6 Jun 1941
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) conducted exercises off Gibraltar. (19)
7 Jun 1941
Around 1815A/7, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) departed Gibraltar for Malta. (16)
13 Jun 1941 (position 36.25, 11.53)
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) attacked an enemy convoy to the south of Pantelleria. Only one torpedo was fired and it missed.
The convoy was most likely the one made up of the Italian merchant Barbarigo (5293 GRT, built 1930). She was escorted by the Italian torpedo boats Calliope and Antonio Mosto.
2320A/12 - In position 36°25'N, 11°53'E sighted a convoy made up of two merchant ships escorted by one or two destroyers. Started attack.
0228A/13 - Fired one torpedo. It was intended to fire two torpedoes but due to an error in drill only one was fired. The torpedo missed. No counter attack followed and the attack was most likely not observed by the enemy. (16)
15 Jun 1941
Around 0815B/15, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) arrived at Malta from Gibraltar. (16)
19 Jun 1941
Around 2030B/19, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) departed Malta for her 12th war patrol (9th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Gulf of Sirte.
For the daily positions of HMS Regent during this patrol see the map below.
(16)
5 Jul 1941
Around 0700C/5, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) ended her 12th war patrol (9th in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (16)
20 Jul 1941
Around 1900C/20, HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) departed Alexandria for her 13th war patrol (10th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to perform operation ME 2 together with HMS Persues (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN). The submarine were to carry out a W/T diversion when off the South-West coast of Crete.
Upon completion of this operation HMS Regent was to patrol in the Gulf of Sirte.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Regent during this patrol see the map below.
(16)
Sources
- ADM 173/15972
- ADM 173/15973
- ADM 173/15974
- ADM 173/15975
- ADM 173/15976
- ADM 173/16460
- ADM 173/16461
- ADM 173/16462
- ADM 173/16463
- ADM 173/16464
- ADM 173/16465
- ADM 173/16466
- ADM 53/111926 + ADM 53/11193 + ADM 173/16466
- ADM 53/111772 + ADM 173/16466
- ADM 173/16467
- ADM 199/1833
- ADM 173/16469
- ADM 173/16470
- ADM 173/16929
ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.
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