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Submarine HNMS K IX (N 39)

24 Nov 1941
HrMs K IX (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) is docked at Surabaya.

30 Nov 1941
HrMs K IX (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) is undocked.

2 Dec 1941
HrMs K IX (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) departed Surabaya together with HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN), HrMs K XII (Lt.Cdr. H.C.J. Coumou, RNN(R)) and HrMs K XIII (Lt.Cdr. M.A.J. Derksema, RNN) (this is the 2nd Dutch submarine division) with the orders to patrol in Strait Karimata and Strait Gaspar.

7 Dec 1941
Before the war with Japan started the submarines of the 2nd submarine division, HrMs K XIII (Lt.Cdr. M.A.J. Derksema, RNN), HrMs K IX (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN), HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) and HrMs K XII (Lt.Cdr. H.C.J. Coumou, RNN(R)) were ordered to proceed Northwards. K XI was ordered to patrol off the Natuna Islands. The other three submarines were ordered to patrol off the Badas Islands.

K IX however developed engine problems and was forced to return to Surabaya for repairs.

Submarine HNMS K X ()

8 Dec 1941
HrMs K X is put into commission from reserve with the crew of HrMs K IX that returned to Surabaya for repairs. Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN is in command. As K X was not in a good state she was initially assigned for the local defence of Surabaya.

Submarine HNMS K IX (N 39)

8 Dec 1941
HrMs K IX (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) arrived at Surabaya for extensive repairs. Her crew left to commission HrMs K X.

Submarine HNMS K X ()

18 Dec 1941
HrMs K X (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) departed Surabaya for a short patrol in the Eastern entrance to Strait Madura.

25 Dec 1941
HrMs K X (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) departed Surabaya to attack Japanese warships in Davao Gulf, Philippines.

30 Dec 1941
HrMs K X (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) is ordered to proceed to Tarakan, Borneo, Netherlands East Indies instead of Davao Gulf. She had to proceed to Ambon first for fuel and distilled water.

31 Dec 1941
HrMs K X (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) arrived at Ambon, Netherlands East Indies.

1 Jan 1942
HrMs K X (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) departed Ambon for Tarakan.

8 Jan 1942
HrMs K X (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) arrived at Tarakan for distilled water for the battery and fresh supplies. Also small repairs were carried out.

9 Jan 1942
When leaving Tarakan to take up a patrol position off that place HrMs K X (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) is forced to return with a defective compressor of her port diesel engine. The compressor had to be landed as it could not be repaired on board.

10 Jan 1942
Due to Japanese air attacks HrMs K X (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) retired about a mile up the Kali river and places herself on the bottom of the river.

In the afternoon the engineer officer was sighted in a small rowing boat. K X surfaced and took him on board. The compressor was still not repaired but he informed Lt.Cdr. de Back that a Japanese landing force had arrived and that the had to try to escape to Surabaya on one engine.

In the late afternoon K X therefore set course to escape through a gap in the minefield. This had to be done in daylight as the gap was small and accurate navigation therefore was essential. While doing so K X was attacked by a Japanese aircraft. A bomb was dropped and K X was strafed by machine gun fire causing minor damage to the ships hull. As soon as clear of the minefield and in deep enough water K X submerged. During the night K X slipped past the Japanese force. Meanwhile several serious defects had occured.

19 Jan 1942
After a very difficult passage on her only 'serviceable' diesel engine HrMs K X (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) arrived at Surabaya. During daylight hours K X submerged to allow the engine room staff to conduct repairs to this engine to keep it going.

24 Feb 1942
HrMs K X (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) departed Surabaya to patrol to the North of Madura. However she returned later the same day with, yet again, a defective compressor.

28 Feb 1942
HrMs K X (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) departed Surabaya to patrol off the North Coast of Java near Lasem.

During the late afternoon and evening K X is twice detected by Japanese destroyers and depth charged and shelled. Some damage was inflicted on the submarine but the material state of K X was very bad and several leaks occured making depth control very difficult.

1 Mar 1942
HrMs K X (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) returned to Surabaya for repairs.

2 Mar 1942
HrMs K X (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) is scuttled at Surabaya. She was in her current state not able to evacuate to Australia.

Submarine HNMS K XI (N 53)

12 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) is undocked. (1)

7 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) is docked at Bombay. (1)

12 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) is undocked. (1)

10 Feb 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted trials of Bombay. (1)

28 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) completed her refit at Bombay. (1)

28 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
From 28 February to 11 March 1944, HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN), participated in A/S exercises off Varsova, near Bombay.

23 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
From 23 March to 7 April 1944, HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN), participated in A/S exercises off Varsova, near Bombay. (1)

17 Apr 1944
From 17 April to 5 May 1944, HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN), participated in A/S exercises off Varsova, near Bombay. (1)

9 May 1944
From 9 May to 11 May 1944, HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN), participated in A/S exercises off Varsova, near Bombay. (1)

22 May 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) is docked at Bombay. (1)

1 Jun 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) is undocked. (1)

8 Jun 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) departed Bombay for Colombo. (1)

12 Jun 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) arrived at Colombo. (1)

17 Jun 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Colombo. (1)

19 Jun 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Colombo. (1)

28 Jun 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) departed Colombo for Madras. She was escorted by the Australian minesweeper HMAS Ipswich (T/Lt. R.H. Creasey, RANR(S)). (1)

2 Jul 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) arrived at Madras. (1)

7 Jul 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Madras. (1)

9 Jul 1944
During 9 to 13 July 1944 HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Madras. (1)

15 Jul 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) departed Madras for Visakhapatnam. She was escorted by the Indian minesweeping trawler HMIS Amritsar (T/Lt. W.R. Kelso, RINR). (1)

16 Jul 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) arrived at Visakhapatnam. (1)

19 Jul 1944
During 19 to 22 July 1944 HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Visakhapatnam. (1)

24 Jul 1944
During 24 to 26 July 1944, HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN), conducted A/S exercises off Visakhapatnam. (1)

3 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 3 to 5 August 1944, HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN), conducted A/S exercises off Visakhapatnam. (1)

7 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 7 to 12 August 1944, HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN), conducted A/S exercises off Visakhapatnam. (1)

14 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 14 to 19 August 1944, HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN), conducted A/S exercises off Visakhapatnam. (1)

23 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Visakhapatnam. (1)

24 Aug 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) departed Visakhapatnam for Madras. She was escorted by the Indian minesweeping trawler HMIS Amritsar (T/Lt. W.R. Kelso, RINR). (1)

26 Aug 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) arrived at Madras. (1)

28 Aug 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) departed Madras for Colombo. She was escorted by the Indian minesweeping trawler HMIS Amritsar (T/Lt. W.R. Kelso, RINR). (1)

1 Sep 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) arrived at Colombo. (1)

4 Sep 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) departed Colombo for Bombay. She is escorted by the Indian minesweeper HMIS Orissa (T/Lt. C.S. Ahmad, RINR). (1)

8 Sep 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) arrived at Bombay for repairs to her battery compartment. (2)

16 Oct 1944
Repairs to the battery compartment have now been completed and HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Varsova today. (2)

18 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Varsova, near Bombay with HMIS Baroda (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.J. Ritchie, RINR). (2)

19 Oct 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Varsova, near Bombay with HMIS Baroda (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.J. Ritchie, RINR). (2)

20 Oct 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Varsova, near Bombay with HMIS Baroda (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.J. Ritchie, RINR) and HMAS Cairns (T/Lt. N.G. Weber, RANR(S)). (2)

24 Oct 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Varsova, near Bombay with HMIS Baroda (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.J. Ritchie, RINR). (2)

25 Oct 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Varsova, near Bombay with HMIS Baroda (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.J. Ritchie, RINR). (2)

26 Oct 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Varsova, near Bombay with HMIS Baroda (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.J. Ritchie, RINR). (2)

27 Oct 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Varsova, near Bombay with HMIS Baroda (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.J. Ritchie, RINR). (2)

30 Oct 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Varsova, near Bombay with HMIS Baroda (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.J. Ritchie, RINR). (2)

31 Oct 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Varsova, near Bombay with HMIS Baroda (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.J. Ritchie, RINR). (2)

1 Nov 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Varsova, near Bombay with HMIS Baroda (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.J. Ritchie, RINR). (2)

2 Nov 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Varsova, near Bombay with HMIS Baroda (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.J. Ritchie, RINR). (2)

3 Nov 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Varsova, near Bombay with HMIS Baroda (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.J. Ritchie, RINR). (2)

6 Nov 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Varsova, near Bombay with HMIS Ramdas (T/Lt. H.D. Baker, RINR). (2)

7 Nov 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Varsova, near Bombay with HMIS Ramdas (T/Lt. H.D. Baker, RINR). (2)

8 Nov 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Varsova, near Bombay with HMIS Ramdas (T/Lt. H.D. Baker, RINR). (2)

9 Nov 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Varsova, near Bombay with HMIS Ramdas (T/Lt. H.D. Baker, RINR). (2)

10 Nov 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Varsova, near Bombay with HMIS Ramdas (T/Lt. H.D. Baker, RINR). (2)

20 Nov 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Varsova, near Bombay with HMIS Ramdas (T/Lt. H.D. Baker, RINR). (2)

30 Nov 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) is docked at Bombay. (1)

1 Dec 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) is undocked. (1)

5 Dec 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Varsova, near Bombay with HMIS Ramdas (T/Lt. H.D. Baker, RINR). (2)

6 Dec 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Varsova, near Bombay with HMIS Ramdas (T/Lt. H.D. Baker, RINR). (2)

7 Dec 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Varsova, near Bombay with HMIS Ramdas (T/Lt. H.D. Baker, RINR). (2)

8 Dec 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Varsova, near Bombay with HMIS Ramdas (T/Lt. H.D. Baker, RINR). (2)

11 Dec 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Varsova, near Bombay with HMIS Ramdas (T/Lt. H.D. Baker, RINR). (2)

12 Dec 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Varsova, near Bombay with HMIS Ramdas (T/Lt. H.D. Baker, RINR). (2)

13 Dec 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Varsova, near Bombay with HMIS Ramdas (T/Lt. H.D. Baker, RINR). (2)

14 Dec 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Varsova, near Bombay with HMIS Ramdas (T/Lt. H.D. Baker, RINR). (2)

15 Dec 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Varsova, near Bombay with HMIS Ramdas (T/Lt. H.D. Baker, RINR). (2)

18 Dec 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Varsova, near Bombay with HMIS Ramdas (T/Lt. H.D. Baker, RINR). (2)

19 Dec 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Varsova, near Bombay with HMIS Ramdas (T/Lt. H.D. Baker, RINR). (2)

20 Dec 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Varsova, near Bombay with HMIS Ramdas (T/Lt. H.D. Baker, RINR). (2)

21 Dec 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Varsova, near Bombay with HMIS Ramdas (T/Lt. H.D. Baker, RINR). (2)

22 Dec 1944
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Varsova, near Bombay with HMIS Ramdas (T/Lt. H.D. Baker, RINR). (2)

2 Jan 1945
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Varsova, near Bombay with HMIS Ramdas (T/Lt. H.D. Baker, RINR). (2)

3 Jan 1945
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Varsova, near Bombay with HMIS Ramdas (T/Lt. H.D. Baker, RINR). (2)

4 Jan 1945
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Varsova, near Bombay with HMIS Ramdas (T/Lt. H.D. Baker, RINR). (2)

5 Jan 1945
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Varsova, near Bombay with HMIS Ramdas (T/Lt. H.D. Baker, RINR). (2)

8 Jan 1945
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Varsova, near Bombay with HMIS Ramdas (T/Lt. H.D. Baker, RINR). (2)

9 Jan 1945
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Varsova, near Bombay with HMIS Ramdas (T/Lt. H.D. Baker, RINR). (2)

10 Jan 1945
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Varsova, near Bombay with HMIS Ramdas (T/Lt. H.D. Baker, RINR). (2)

11 Jan 1945
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Varsova, near Bombay with HMIS Ramdas (T/Lt. H.D. Baker, RINR). (2)

12 Jan 1945
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Varsova, near Bombay with HMIS Ramdas (T/Lt. H.D. Baker, RINR). (2)

20 Feb 1945
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) departed Bombay for Colombo. K XI is to proceed to Australia to be decomissioned there. (2)

24 Feb 1945
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) arrived at Colombo. (2)

1 Mar 1945
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) departed Colombo for Trincomalee. (2)

3 Mar 1945
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) arrived at Trincomalee. (2)

4 Mar 1945
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) departed Trincomalee for her 7th and final war patrol. She was to patrol off the West coast of Sumatra and then to proceed to Fremantle, Australia to be decomissioned there.

It is remarkable that this old boat that was deemed unfit for offensive operations in 1942 and was now even deemed unfit for A/S exercises was allowed to make a short war patrol en-route to Fremantle.

For the daily positions of HrMs K XI during this patrol see the map below.

(2)

22 Mar 1945
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN) ended her 7th war patrol at Fremantle. Nothing of interest had been sighted during her short patrol off the West coast of Sumatra. (2)

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