Johannes Frans van Dulm DSO, RNN
| Born | 24 Oct 1907 | Den Helder, Netherlands | |
| Died | 20 Aug 1991 | (83) | Den Haag, Netherlands |
 | Ranks
Retired: 1 Jun 1962 Decorations
|
Warship Commands listed for Johannes Frans van Dulm, RNN
| Ship | Rank | Type | From | To |
| HNMS O 13 (N 13) | luitenant ter zee 2e klasse (Lt.) | Submarine | 1938 | 6 Oct 1939 |
| HNMS O 21 (P 21) | luitenant ter zee 1e klasse (Lt.Cdr.) | Submarine | 10 May 1940 | 28 Mar 1944 |
Career information
We currently have no career / biographical information on this officer.
Events related to this officer
Submarine HNMS O 21 (P 21)
10 May 1940
At 0215 hours O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) and O 22 (Lt.Cdr. A.M. Valkenburg, RNN) are ordered to make ready to departed immediately.
Both submarines, though not completely finished yet, were placed in commission in the afternoon following which they departed Flushing for the Downs around 2015 hours. The submarines are escorted by auxiliary patrol vessel HrMs BV 37 (former tug Schelde) (Lt. A.J. Meijer, RNN(R)). (1)
11 May 1940
Around HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN), HrMs O 22 (Lt.Cdr. A.M. Valkenburg, RNN) and their escort HrMs BV 37 (former tug Schelde) (Lt. A.J. Meijer, RNN(R)) arrived in the Downs from Flushing. The submarines then anchored to await further orders. Later that morning the anchored off Ramsgate. HrMs BV 37 returned to Flushing though. (2)
12 May 1940
Around 0800A/12, the unfinished light cruiser HrMs Jacob van Heemskerck (Lt.Cdr. A. van Foreest, RNN), minesweeper HrMs Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.L.M. van Geen, RNN), submarine HrMs O 13 (Lt.Cdr. E.H. Vorster, RNN) and the unfinished submarines HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) and HrMs O 22 (Lt.Cdr. A.M. Valkenburg, RNN) departed the Downs for Portsmouth where they arrived around 2000A/12. (3)
3 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted trials and exercises in Spithead. (1)
4 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) is wiped at Gosport (Porsmouth). (1)
5 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted D/G trials off Portsmouth followed by trials and exercises in Spithead. (1)
7 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted compass adjustment trials in Spithead. (1)
8 Jun 1940
After completing the outfitting of both brand new submarines at the Royal Navy submarine base at Gosport (Portsmouth), HMS Dolpin, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) and HrMs O 22 (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Ort, RNN) both depart from Portsmouth around 1000A/8 for Portland where they arrived around 1700A/8
At Portland both submarines were to conduct trials and exercises before they would be ready to be deployed operationally. (2)
11 Jun 1940
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) and HrMs O 22 (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Ort, RNN) both conducted exercises off Portland. (2)
12 Jun 1940
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) and HrMs O 22 (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Ort, RNN) both conducted exercises off Portland. (2)
13 Jun 1940
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted exercises off Portland. (2)
14 Jun 1940
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted exercises off Portland. (2)
17 Jun 1940
Around 1100A/17, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) and HrMs O 22 (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Ort, RNN) both departed from Portland for Dundee.
They are escorted by Dutch torpedo boat HrMs Z 5 (Lt.Cdr. W. van Lier, RNN).
Around 1115A/18, they arrived at Milford Haven which they departed around 1215A/19 to continue their passage.
Around 1110A/20, they arrived at Belfast which they departed around 1630A/20 to continue their passage.
Around 1315A/21, they arrived at Stornoway which they departed around 2100A/21 to continue their passage. (2)
22 Jun 1940
Around 2100A/22, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) and HrMs O 22 (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Ort, RNN) and their escort HrMs Z 5 (Lt.Cdr. W. van Lier, RNN) arrived Dundee from Portland. (2)
26 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted exercises off the Tay estuary. (2)
27 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted exercises off the Tay estuary. (2)
29 Jun 1940
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) and HrMs O 22 (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Ort, RNN) proceeded from Dundee to Rosyth. (2)
30 Jun 1940
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) and HrMs O 22 (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Ort, RNN) both conducted noise trials in the lock to the Rosyth Dockyard.
Results were very satisfactory, both submarines gave more or less the same results and they were quieter then the new British T-class submarines. (1)
1 Jul 1940
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) and HrMs O 22 (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Ort, RNN) proceeded from Rosyth to Dundee. (2)
2 Jul 1940
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) and HrMs O 22 (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Ort, RNN) both conducted exercises off Dundee with HMS White Bear (Capt. R. Gill, RNR). (1)
3 Jul 1940
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) and HrMs O 22 (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Ort, RNN) both conducted attack exercises off Dundee during which HMS White Bear (Capt. R. Gill, RNR) and HrMs Z 5 (Lt.Cdr. W. van Lier, RNN) acted as targets. (2)
29 Jul 1940
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) and HrMs O 22 (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Ort, RNN) both conducted exercises off Rosyth.
HrMs Z 8 (Lt.Cdr. P.A. de Boer, RNN) escorted them during their exercises. (2)
30 Jul 1940
Around 1900A/30, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) and HrMs O 22 (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Ort, RNN) both depart from Rosyth for their 1st war patrols.
Both are to patrol in the central North Sea. For both submarines this was a work-up patrol.
Around 0515A/31, they parted company to proceed to their respective patrol areas.
For the daily and attack positions of HrMs O 21 during this patrol see the map below.
(4)
1 Aug 1940 (position 55.34, 2.18)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) fired two torpedoes at the German U-boat U-60 in the North Sea in position 55°34'N, 02°18'E. Both torpedoes missed their target. The attack was not observed on board U-60.
1602A/1 - Sighted conning tower of small German U-boat bearing 190°. Distance 3 to 4 nautical miles. Started attack. Enemy course was estimated as being 350°.
1615A/1 - Fired two torpedoes from 1600 to 1700 yards. Both torpedoes missed their target. No end of run explosions were heard. (5)
9 Aug 1940
In the afternoon, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) and HrMs O 22 (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Ort, RNN) both ended their 1st war patrols at Dundee.
(6)
24 Aug 1940
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted exercises off the Tay estuary. (2)
28 Aug 1940
Around 1830A/28, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) departed from Dundee for her 2nd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the Norwegian coast near Bergen.
For the daily positions of HrMs O 21 during this patrol see the map below.
(4)
9 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2300A/9, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) left patrol to return to Dundee in compliance with the orders in Capt. S 9's signal timed 1831A/8.
At 0248A/10, a signal was sent to Capt. S 9 informing him of O 21 having left patrol. (4)
12 Sep 1940
Around 0900A/12, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) ended her 2nd war patrol, which had been uneventful, at Dundee. (7)
21 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted compass adjustment trials off Dundee. (8)
22 Sep 1940
Around 1730A/22, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) departed from Dundee for her 3rd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the south-west coast of Norway.
For the daily positions of HrMs O 21 during this patrol see the map below.
(4)
30 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2100A/30, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) departed her patrol area to proceed to a new patrol area off Bergen, Norway having been ordered to do so in a signal from Capt. S 9. (4)
6 Oct 1940
At 0930A/6, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) heard HE bearing 235° and subsequently sighted what was thought to be a German type 7 submarine proceeding eastwards. Range was about 4 nautical miles. The weather conditions made it very difficult for periscope observation. Four bow torpedo tubes were brought to the ready and an attack was started.
By 0952A/6, the HE of the enemy ceased and she could no longer be seen so the attack was abandoned.
This German U-boat must have been the type 2 boat U-61. She arrived at Bergen at 1650B/6. The German U boat reported no enemy contact around this time though.
Around 2000A/6, HrMs O 21 left patrol due to fuel shortage. A signal of her early return was sent to Capt. S 9 at 0041A/7. (9)
8 Oct 1940
Around 1030A/8, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) ended her 3rd war patrol at Dundee.
The starboard main motor was defective and had to be removed for repairs. (4)
20 Oct 1940
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) is docked in the east graving dock at Dundee. (8)
27 Oct 1940
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) is undocked. (8)
24 Nov 1940
From 24 to 26 November, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted trials and exercises off the Tay estuary. (8)
28 Nov 1940
Around 1100A/28, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) departed from Dundee for her 4th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the south-west coast of Norway near Stavanger.
For the daily positions of HrMs O 21 during this patrol see the map below.
(4)
10 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2130A/10, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) left patrol to return to Dundee. (7)
12 Dec 1940
Around 1100A/12, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) ended her 4th war patrol, which had been uneventful, at Dundee. (4)
19 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) is wiped (degaussed) at Dundee. (10)
24 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted trials with firing English torpedoes off the Tay eastuary. She was escorted by HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) C.C. Flemming, RN). (10)
26 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted trials with firing English torpedoes off the Tay eastuary. (10)
28 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted compass adjustment trials at Dundee. (10)
29 Dec 1940
Around 1400A/29, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) departed from Dundee for her 5th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the coast of Norway near Bergen.
For the daily positions of HrMs O 21 during this patrol see the map below.
(4)
10 Jan 1941
Around 0830A/10, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) left patrol to return to Dundee. (7)
12 Jan 1941
Around 1030A/12, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) ended her 5th war patrol, which once again had been uneventful, at Dundee. (4)
14 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) is wiped (degaussed) at Dundee. (10)
15 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) is wiped (degaussed) at Dundee. (10)
27 Jan 1941
Around 1700A/27, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) departed from Dundee for her 6th war patrol. She was ordered, once again, to patrol off the coast of Norway near Bergen.
For the daily positions of HrMs O 21 during this patrol see the map below.
(4)
8 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1910A/8, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) left patrol to return to Dundee. (4)
10 Feb 1941
Around 1200A/10, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) ended her 6th war patrol at Dundee. The patrol had once again been unsuccessful. Only fishing vessels had been seen. (4)
23 Feb 1941
Around 1400A/23, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) and HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) both departed Dundee bound for Gibraltar (This is the 7th war patrol for O 21).
The submarines were escorted by the British armed yacht HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) C.C. Flemming, RN) which joined around 1540A/23.
Around 1335A/25, the Free French minesweeper FFS La Moqueuse took over the escort duties.
For the daily positions of HrMs O 21 during this patrol see the map below.
(4)
26 Feb 1941
Around 0820A/26, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN), HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) and their escort, FFS La Moqueuse, arrived at Holyhead. They departed again around 1900A/26. (4)
26 Feb 1941
Convoy OG 54.
This convoy was assembled off Oversay on 26 February 1941.
On assembly the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Alpera (British, 1777 GRT, built 1920), Antonio (British, 5225 GRT, built 1918), Avoceta (British, 3442 GRT, built 1923), Baltara (British, 3099 GRT, built 1918), Baron Kelvin (British, 3081 GRT, built 1924), Baron Lovat (British, 3395 GRT, built 1926), Baron Ramsay (British, 3650 GRT, built 1929), Baron Ruthven (British, 3178 GRT, built 1925), Biela (British, 5298 GRT, built 1918), Bollsta (Norwegian, 1832 GRT, built 1934), British Tenacity (British (tanker), 8439 GRT, built 1939), Bur (Swedish, 1956 GRT, built 1919), Charlbury (British, 4836 GRT, built 1940), Clare Lilley (British, 4969 GRT, built 1917), Cortes (British, 1390 GRT, built 1919, Dimitrios G. Thermiotis (Greek, 4271 GRT, built 1906), Empire Fusilier (British, 5404 GRT, built 1921), Fina (British, 1378 GRT, built 1919), Finland (British, 1375 GRT, built 1939), Hedera (Swedish, 2327 GRT, built 1900), Kellwyn (British, 1464 GRT, built 1920), King Neptune (British, 5224 GRT, built 1924), Lautaro (British, 6225 GRT, built 1915), Leadgate (British, 2125 GRT, built 1925), Llancarvan (British, 4910 GRT, built 1937), Memphis (Egyptian, 2324 GRT, built 1920), Miguel de Larrinaga (British, 5231 GRT, built 1924), Nikoklis (Greek, 3576 GRT, built 1921), Pinzon (British, 1365 GRT, built 1922), Polarsol (Norwegian (tanker), 10022 GRT, built 1939), Prome (British, 7043 GRT, built 1937), Richard de Larrinaga (British, 5358 GRT, built 1929), Rolf Jarl (Norwegian, 1917 GRT, built 1920), Solstad (Swedish, 1379 GRT, built 1924), Spero (Norwegian, 3619 GRT, built 1919), Stornest (British, 4265 GRT, built 1921), Taberg (Swedish, 1392 GRT, built 1920), Tordene (British, 4271 GRT, built 1936), Trentino (British, 3079 GRT, built 1919), Welsh Trader (British, 4974 GRT, built 1938), Wigry (Polish, 1893 GRT, built 1912) and Yorkmoor (British, 4457 GRT, built 1925).
The rescue ship Zamalek (British, 1567 GRT, built 1921) was also part of the convoy.
On assembly the convoy was escorted by the destroyers HMS Lincoln (Cdr. A.M. Sheffield, RN), HMS Keppel (Lt. R.J. Hanson, RN), HMS Venomous (Cdr. H.P. Henderson, RN), HMS Shikari (Lt.Cdr. H.N.A. Richardson, RN), sloop HMS Rochester (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Allen, RN), corvettes HMS Dianella (T/Lt. J.G. Rankin, RNR), HMS Kingcup (Lt. R.A.D. Cambridge, RNR), HMS La Malouine (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) R.W. Keymer, RN), HMS Sunflower (Lt.Cdr. J.T. Jones, RNR) and the armed yacht HMS Philante (Capt.(Retd.) H.S. Bowlby, RN).
The Yorkmoor almost immediately returned to the Clyde, perhaps she did not even join the convoy.
Around 2000A/27, in position 56°30'N, 10°00'W, the Polarsol straggled from the convoy being unable to keep up. She arrived her destination, Aruba, Netherlands West Indies on 16 March 1941.
Around 0945A/27, in position 56°30'N, 09°30'W, the Wigry parted company with the convoy to return to the U.K. as the cargo had shifted.
Around 1330A/27, in position 56°35'N, 10°30'W, the Memphis had to stop and leave the convoy due engine trouble. At 0510A/28, Memphis reported that she was in destress in position 56°24'N, 09°50'W and that she required assistance. At 0528A/28, the C-in-C Western Approaches ordered the corvette HMS Coreopsis (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Davies, RNVR) to go to her assistance. At 1120A/28, Memphis reported that water was entering the engine room and that the level was increasing. The fires of the boilers were out. She also reported that she had picked up part of the crew of the torpedoed merchant vessel Benjamin Franklin and that with these survivors on board there was insufficient lifeboat capacity. At 1941A/28, Memphis made an S.O.S. signal in position 56°08'N, 09°28'W. The engine room was full of water and the stern was nearly under water. This was the last heard of the Memphis. No survivors were found.
On 28 February 1941, HMS Kingcup parted company.
The Empire Fusilier arrived at Oban on 1 March 1941 after having straggled from the convoy. Her master apparently having decided to return to the U.K.
During 2 March 1941, in heavy weather the following ships straggled from the convoy; Antonio (arrived at Halifax on 14 March 1941), Clare Lilley (arrived at New York on 18 March 1941), Fina (arrived in the Clyde on 8 March 1941 having returned to the U.K. due to a leak. The destroyer HMS Rockingham (Lt. A.H.T. Johns, RN) had been sent to her assistance but could not find her), Hedera (arrived at Gibraltar on 13 March 1941), Solstad (arrived at Setubal on 10 March 1941) and Stornest (arrived at Buenos Aires on 4 April 1941).
Also on 2 March 1941, HMS Dianella, HMS Sunflower and HMS Philante parted company.
On 3 March 1941, HMS Keppel and HMS Venomous parted company.
On 4 March 1941, HMS Lincoln and HMS Shikari parted company.
On 5 March 1941, in position 51°25'N, 22°27'W, the Baltara stopped with engine defects due to flooding. The ship reported this in a signal at 0539Z/6. She was joined the next day by the A/S trawler HMS St. Elstan (T/Lt. G. Butcher, RNVR) which reported at 1640Z/7 that the Baltara had 14 feet of water in the engine room but that the bulkheads were holding. Position was 50°21'N, 22°12'W. It was requested that a rescue tug be sent. The rescue tug Zwarte Zee was ordered to leave Campbelown and to proceed towards the stricken Baltara. The corvette HMS Heather (Cdr.(Retd.) J.G.C. Gibson, RN) was ordered to escort the rescue tug. However as the Zwarte Zee developed defect the rescue tug Thames was sent instead. Thames and HMS Heather departed Londonderry around 2200A/9. At 1430Z/11, HMS St. Elstan reported that Baltara's condition had not changed and that they were now in position 49°46'N, 23°42'W. The Baltara was successfully salvaged and arrived in Rothesay Bay on 17 March 1941.
Around 1400Z/5, in position 50°13'N, 22°45'W, the following ships were detached to proceed independently to their destinations; Alpera (arrived at St. Thomas on 23 March 1941), British Tenacity (arrived at Aruba on 21 March 1941), Dimitrios G. Thermiotis (arrived at Louisbourg, Nova Scotia, on 13 March 1941), King Neptune (arrived at Demerara, Guyana on 23 March 1941), Lautaro (arrived at Bermuda on 19 March 1941), Richard de Larrinaga (arrived at Halifax on 14 March 1941) and Spero (arrived at Halifax on 18 March 1941).
Around 0800Z/7, in position 44°55'N, 23°00'W, the following ships were detached to proceed independently to their destinations; Biela (arrived at Rio de Janeiro on 29 March 1941), Charlbury (arrived at Montevideo on 29 March 1941), Llancarvan (arrived at Freetown on 22 March 1941), Miguel de Larrinaga (arrived at Buenos Aires on 3 April 1941), Nikoklis (arrived at Buenos Aires on 1 April 1941), Prome (arrived at Freetown on 15 March 1941), Tordene (arrived at Buenos Aires on 3 April 1941) and Welsh Trader (arrived at Capetown on 2 April 1941).
Around 0900Z/7, in approximate position 44°50'N, 22°40'W, the submarine HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm) sighed the convoy which she subsequently joined.
On 8 March 1941, the Zamalek arrived in the Clyde, most likely having detached from the convoy with some of the escort vessels [date of detaching not known to us at the moment.]
Around 2130A/13, in position 35°46'N, 06°23'W, the following ships were detached to proceed independently to their destinations; Baron Kelvin (arrived at Lisbon on 15 March), Bur (arrived at Lisbon on 20 (?) March), Finland (arrived at Lisbon on 15 March), Kellwyn (arrived at Sevilla on 14 March) and Taberg (arrived at Lisbon on 15 March).
The remainder of the convoy arrived at Gibraltar on 14 March 1941 escorted by HMS Rochester, HMS La Malouine and HrMs O 21. (11)
27 Feb 1941 (position 51.37, -5.28)
Late in the afternoon, off Milford Haven, in approximate position 51°37'N, 05°28'W, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) and HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) and their escort FFS La Moqueuse encountered the British merchant vessel Losada (6520 GRT, built 1921). As La Moqueuse was more than a mile behind both submarines the crew of the Losada thought the submarines were German U-boats and opened fire. To prevent being hit both submarines crash dived. The crew of La Moqueuse had not seen both submarines dive and was now also under the impression that a German U-boat was nearby and dropped three depth charges. O 21 was the target of the attack but sustains no damage. Both submarines surfaced shortly afterwards. (4)
28 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0600A/28, having passed Trevose head and hour ago, FFS La Moqueuse parted company with HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) and HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN). (4)
5 Mar 1941
Around 1145A/5, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm) arrived in the agreed rendezvous position where she was to meet HMS La Malouine (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) R.W. Keymer, RN) which was supposed to escort the submarine to the southbound convoy OG 54 which O 21 was to join.
After cruising in the rendezvous area until 2000A/5, HrMs O 21 then proceeded along the expected path of the convoy independently. (4)
7 Mar 1941 (position 44.54, -22.45)
Around 0900Z/7, in approximate position 44°50'N, 22°40'W, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm) finally sighted and subsequently joined convoy OG 54.
[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy OG 54 ' for 26 February 1941.] (4)
14 Mar 1941
Around 0730A/14, HMS Rochester (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Allen, RN), HMS La Malouine (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) R.W. Keymer, RN) and HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) arrived at Gibraltar with convoy OG 54. (4)
27 Mar 1941
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) carried out A/S exercises off Gibraltar with HMS Alouette (Lt. R.F.R. Yarde-Buller, RNVR), HMS Erin (A/Cdr. J.O. Davies, RNR), HMS Lord Hotham (Skr. J.W. Morris, RNR) and HMS Leyland (Skr. H. Crighton, RNR). (12)
28 Mar 1941
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) carried out A/S exercises off Gibraltar with HMS Fortune (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Sinclair, RN), HMS Kingston Chrysolite (Skr. G.T. Lilley, DSC, RNR) and HMS Haarlem (T/Lt. L.B. Merrick, RNR). (12)
3 Apr 1941
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) carries out an A/S exercise off Gibraltar with HMS Fleur de Lys (Lt.Cdr. L.M. Carter, RNR) and HMS Coreopsis (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Davies, RNVR).
Upon completion of this exercise all three ships joined the escort of convoy HG 58 (for O 21 this was to be her 8th war patrol).
[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy HG 58 ' for 3 April 1941.] (4)
3 Apr 1941
For the daily positions of HrMs O 21 during her 8th war patrol see the map below.
3 Apr 1941
Convoy HG 58.
This convoy departed Gibraltar on 3 April 1941.
The convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Aghios Spyridon (Greek, 3338 GRT, built 1905), Avoceta (British, 3442 GRT, built 1923), Baron Kelvin (British, 3081 GRT, built 1924), Baron Lovat (British, 3395 GRT, built 1926), Baron Ramsay (British, 3650 GRT, built 1929), Baron Ruthven (British, 3178 GRT, built 1925), Ciscar (British, 2436 GRT, built 1919), Csikos (Panamanian, 3931 GRT, built 1913), Djambi (Dutch, 6984 GRT, built 1919), Domino (British, 1396 GRT, built 1925), Finland (British, 1375 GRT, built 1939), Garm (Swedish, 1231 GRT, built 1912), Glen Head (British, 2011 GRT, built 1909), Hedera (Swedish, 2327 GRT, built 1900), Kellwyn (British, 1464 GRT, built 1920), Leadgate (British, 2125 GRT, built 1925), Nadin (Greek, 3582 GRT, built 1904), Pinto (British, 1346 GRT, built 1928), Ring (Swedish, 1336 GRT, built 1927), Rolf Jarl (Norwegian, 1917 GRT, built 1920), Shuna (British, 1575 GRT, built 1937), Solstad (Swedish, 1379 GRT, built 1924), Wallsend (British, 3157 GRT, built 1937) and Willodale (British, 1777 GRT, built 1907).
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Bedenham (1192 GRT, built 1938) was also part of the convoy.
On departure from Gibraltar the convoy was escorted by the sloop HMS Egret (A/Capt. E.M. Haes, RN), corvettes HMS Asphodel (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) K.W. Stewart, RN), HMS Azalea (Lt. G.C. Geddes, RNR), HMS Coreopsis (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Davies, RNVR), HMS Fleur de Lys (Lt.Cdr. L.M. Carter, RNR), A/S trawler HMS Arctic Ranger (Cdr.(Retd.) J.H. Young, RN) and the submarine HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN).
At dawn on the 4th a lot of ships had straggled from the convoy during the past night which had been very dark with occasional heavy rain. All ships had rejoined station by 1000A/4 except the Aghios Spyridon which only rejoined around dawn on 5 April but never regained her station and then straggled again.
At 1700A/6, HMS Asphodel parted company to proceed to Freetown.
On 9 April 1941, HMS Coreopsis was detached to return to Gibraltar. When she was 200 miles astern of the convoy she was to sent a signal to the Admiralty that the convoy was 48 hours ahead of schedule to to the favourable weather conditions and that the rendezvous for the local escort on approach to the U.K. had to be amended.
On 10 April 1941, HMS Azalea and HMS Fleur de Lys parted company to make rendezvous with HMS Coreopsis at 0900A/11 and then return to Gibraltar in company with each other.
Around 1600Z/12, in position 43°06'N, 21°35'W, HrMs O 21 was detached to convoy OG 58 proceeding from the U.K.to Gibraltar. HMS Arctic Ranger escorted her to the rendezvous and was then to rejoin convoy HG 58.
During the night of 14/15 April, HMS Arctic Ranger rejoined the convoy.
Around 0900Z/16, in position 52°00'N, 19°30'W, the destroyer HMS Verity (Cdr. R.H. Mills, RN) joined.
Around 1754Z/16, in position 52°00'N, 18°03'W, the destroyer HMS Chelsea (Lt.Cdr. R.D.H.S. Pankhurst, RN) joined.
At 0939Z/18, a large aircraft was seen approaching the convoy from astern which was subsequently identified as a German Focke Wulf aircraft. It dropped four bombs on the Csiskos which sustained damage and had some of her crew wounded one of which died from his wounds. HMS Chelsea closed her and took off two wounded for treatment.
At 1320Z/18, another Focke Wulf was seen approaching the convoy but now from ahead. HMS Egret opened fire with her bow 4" guns and the plane was driven off and was seen to retire to the southward without having dropped any bombs.
Around 1430Z/18, the medical officer of HMS Egret was transferred to HMS Chelsea for surgery on one of the two wounded of the Csiskos. The bullit was extracted but unfortunately the wounded man died.
Around 1800Z/18, the Csiskos reported that she was leaking badly. It was decided that she would leave the convoy and proceed at her best speed direct to Londonderry. A signal was also sent that a salvage tug should be sent to her assistance. An escort for her was also requisted as A/Capt. Haes considered it not wise to sent one of his ships with her. However as no additional escort was available, reluctantly HMS Chelsea was ordered to escort the damaged ship. The Csisko arrived at Lough Foyle on 19 April 1941.
Around 0500A/19, HMS Arctic Ranger was detached to take the five ships of the Oban section with her. These were the Baron Lovat, Baron Ramsay, Djambi, Shuna and Solstad. They arrived at Oban later the same day.
Around 1400A/19, HMS Egret left the convoy to fuel at Moville where she arrived around 1630A/19. There she met HMS Chelsea which was ordered to rejoin the convoy at once. The remainder of the convoy arrived at Liverpool on 20 April 1941 as did HMS Egret, HMS Chelsea and HMS Verity. (13) 8 Apr 1941 This convoy was assembled to the west of the North Channel on 8 April 1941 and was made up of ships from four sections; the Milford Haven, Liverpool, Clyde and Oban sections.
The Milford Haven section (sailed 5 April 1941) was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Adjutant (British, 1931 GRT, built 1922),
Baron Carnegie (British, 3178 GRT, built 1925),
City of Dublin (British, 1095 GRT, built 1882),
Empire Cormorant (British, 5760 GRT, built 1918),
Flynderborg (Norwegian, 2022 GRT, built 1930),
Forest (British, 4998 GRT, built 1937),
Inverness (British, 4897 GRT, built 1940),
Lanahrone (Irish, 1221 GRT, built 1928),
Modavia (British, 4858 GRT, built 1927),
Neva (Swedish, 1456 GRT, buil 1928),
Senta (Swedish, 1497 GRT, built 1905),
Sheaf Mount (British, 5017 GRT, built 1924) and
Vanellus (British, 1886 GRT, built 1921).
The Liverpool section (sailed 6 April 1941) was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Algerian (British, 2315 GRT, built 1924),
Bifrost (Swedish, 1781 GRT, built 1923),
Bruse Jarl (Norwegian, 1890 GRT, built 1923),
Empire Kestrel (British, 2674 GRT, built 1919),
Ilissos (Greek, 4724 GRT, built 1915),
Norita (Swedish, 1516 GRT, built 1924),
South Wales (British, 5619 GRT, built 1929),
Torfinn Jarl (Norwegian, 1480 GRT, built 1922) and
Ulla (British, 1575 GRT, built 1930).
The Clyde section (sailed 7 April 1941) was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Brisk (Norwegian, 1594 GRT, built 1923),
Caverock (British, 1332 GRT, built 1915),
Empire Ridge (British, 2922 GRT, built 1941),
Marga (Norwegian, 1583 GRT, built 1923),
Marita (Norwegian, 1931 GRT, built 1919),
Star (Norwegian, 1531 GRT, built 1922),
Switzerland (British, 1290 GRT, built 1922) and
Vassilios A. Polemis (Greek, 3429 GRT, built 1907). The rescue ship Toward (British, 1571 GRT, built 1923) also sailed from the Clyde.
The Oban section (sailed 7 April 1941) was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Ashbury (British, 3901 GRT, built 1924),
Blairesk (British, 3300 GRT, built 1925),
Cape Corso (British, 3807 GRT, built 1929),
Carperby (British, 4890 GRT, built 1928),
Dover Hill (British, 5815 GRT, built 1918),
Fidra (British, 1574 GRT, built 1936),
Grodno (British, 2458 GRT, built 1919),
Inger Toft (British (former German), 2190 GRT, built 1920),
Melrose Abbey II (British, 2473 GRT, built 1936),
Nesstun (Norwegian, 1271 GRT, built 1917) and
Polyana (Norwegian, 2415 GRT, built 1919).
On final assembly the convoy was escorted by the destroyers HMS Watchman (Lt.Cdr. E.C.L. Day, RN), HMS Burwell (Lt.Cdr. S.R.J. Woods, RNR), sloops HMS Fleetwood (Cdr. R.W. Moir, RN), HMS Wellington (Lt.Cdr. W.F.R. Segrave, RN), corvettes HMS Amaranthus (Lt. N.B.J. Stapleton, RNR), HMS Arabis (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Stewart, RNR), HMS Heliotrope (Lt.Cdr. J. Jackson, RNR) and A/S trawlers HMS Northern Gem (Skr.Lt. W.J.V. Mullender, DSC, RNR) and HMS Northern Spray (?). The special service vessel HMS Fidelity (Cdr. C.A.M. Péri) and armed boarding vessel HMS Maron (Cdr. (Retd.) J.H. Blair, DSC, RD, RNR) were also with the convoy.
The Ashbury arrived back at Oban on 8 April 1941, after having been involved in a collision with a trawler. She later proceeded to the Clyde to effect repairs.
Around 1130A/9, the destroyer HMS Malcolm (Cdr. C.D. Howard-Johnston, DSC, RN) joined the convoy.
Around 0800Z/12, HMS Malcolm, HMS Watchman, HMS Burwell, HMS Fleetwood, HMS Arabis, HMS Heliotrope, HMS Northern Gem and HMS Northern Pride parted company with the convoy. The Toward also left the convoy with them.
Around 1000Z/12, the corvette HMS Primula (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.H. Fuller, RNR) joined the convoy.
Around 0800Z/13, the ships with destinations in North America and the West Indies parted company with the convoy. These were the following; Baron Carnegie (arrived at Boston on 24 April 1941), Brisk (arrived at Demarara, Guyana on 28 April 1941), Empire Cormorant
(arrived at New York on 28 April 1941), Flynderborg (arrived at St. John's, Newfoundland on 24 April 1941), Grodno (arrived at Barbados on 1 May 1941), Illisos (arrived at Halifax on 22 April 1941), Inger Toft (arrived at Weymouth, Nova Scotia on 23 April 1941), Inverness (arrived at Philadelphia on 25 April 1941), Marga (arrived at Demarara, Guyana on 28 April 1941), Marita (arrived at Halifax on 22 April 1941), Modavia (arrived at Saint John, New Brunswick on 21 April 1941), Nesstun (arrived at Halifax on 22 April 1941) and Star (arrived at Halifax on 22 April 1941).
Around 2028Z/13, in approximate position 47°27'N, 23°16'W [another source gives 47°21'N, 22°49'W] the submarine HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) joined the convoy.
Around 2200Z/14, in position 44°41'N, 22°43'W, the ships with destinations in South America and Africa parted company with the convoy. These were the following; Carperby (arrived at Freetown on 30 April 1941), Forest (arrived at Freetown on 28 April 1941), Norita (arrived at Bathurst on 24 April 1941), Polyana (destination was Freetown but she was torpedoed and sunk by the German U-boat U-103 on 25 April 1941), Sheaf Mount (arrived at Freetown on 29 April 1941), Ulla (arrived at Bathurst on 24 April 1941) and Vassilios A. Polemis (arrived at Freetown on 27 April 1941). HMS Amaranthus also parted company at this time. She arrived at Gibraltar on 18 April 1941.
Around 0700A/21, in position 35°50'N, 06°14'W, ships bound for Portugese and Spanish west coast ports parted company with the convoy. These were the following;
Bifrost (arrived at Villa Real on 21 April 1941), Cape Corso (arrived at Cadiz on 21 April 1941), Empire Ridge (arrived at Lisbon on 22 April 1941), Fidra (arrived at Lisbon on 22 April 1941), Melrose Abbey II (arrived at Lisbon on 22 April 1941), Switzerland (arrived at Lisbon on 22 April 1941) and Torfinn Jarl (arrived at Seville on 22 April 1941).
The remainder of the convoy arrived at Gibraltar on 21 April 1941. (14) 12 Apr 1941 (position 43.05, -21.56) 13 Apr 1941 (position 47.27, -23.16) [For more info in this convoy see the event ' Convoy OG 58 ' for 8 April 1941.] (4) 21 Apr 1941 1 May 1941 6 May 1941 [For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy HG 61 ' for 6 May 1941.]
(4) 6 May 1941 This convoy departed Gibraltar on 6 May 1941.
On departure from Gibraltar the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Aguila (British, 3255 GRT, built 1917),
Alva (British, 1584 GRT, built 1934),
Auk (British, 1338 GRT, built 1921),
Baron Cochrane (British, 3385 GRT, built 1927),
Baron Stranraer (British, 3668 GRT, built 1929),
Baron Yarborough (British, 3388 GRT, 1928),
Bifrost (Swedish, 1781 GRT, built 1923),
Bruse Jarl (Norwegian, 1890 GRT, built 1923),
Cape Corso (British, 3807 GRT, built 1929),
Caverock (British, 1332 GRT, built 1915),
City of Lancaster (British, 3041 GRT, built 1924),
Empire Ridge (British, 2922 GRT, built 1941),
Empire Tern (British, 2479 GRT, built 1919),
Fort Richepanse (British (former French), 3485 GRT, built 1935),
Lanahrone (Irish, 1221 GRT, built 1928),
Marklyn (British, 3090 GRT, built 1918),
Meta (British, 1578 GRT, built 1931),
Milos (Swedish, 3058 GRT, built 1898),
Pinzon (British, 1365 GRT, built 1922),
Sarastone (British, 2473 GRT, built 1929),
South Wales (British, 5619 GRT, built 1929) and
Torfinn Jarl (Norwegian, 1480 GRT, built 1922).
On departure from Gibraltar the convoy was escorted by the sloop HMS Sandwich (Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) R.C. Gervers, RN), corvettes HMS Azalea (Lt. G.C. Geddes, RNR), HMS Geranium (T/Lt. A. Foxall, RNR), HMS Joinquil (Lt.Cdr. R.E.H. Partington, RNR) and submarine HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN).
Around 0700A/7, in position 34°51'N, 08°24'W, and the special service vessel HMS Fidelity (Cdr. C.A.M. Péri) joined the convoy.
Around 2130Z/12, in position 41°54'N, 21°54'W, HMS Azalea, HMS Geranium and HMS Jonquil parted company with the convoy to join convoy OG 61.
Around 0600Z/13, in position 42°51'N, 22°00'W, HrMs O 21 parted company to join convoy OG 61.
Around 0740Z/13, the armed boarding vessel Hilary (Cdr. T.L. Owen, RD, RNR) joined the convoy. With her was the Italian tanker Gianna M. (5703 GRT, built 1913) which HMS Hilary had captured the Gianna M. north of the Azores on 10 May 1941.
Around 1130Z/14, the armed boarding vessels Cavina (Cdr. C.B. Osborne, RD, RNR) and HMS Corinthian (A/Cdr. E.J.R. Pollitt, RNR) joined the convoy.
Around 1700Z/14, in position 47°04'N, 21°42'W, HMS Hilary parted company with the convoy.
Around 1930Z/15, in position 49°53'N, 21°31'W, the destroyer HMS Legion (Cdr. R.F. Jessel, RN) joined the convoy.
Around 1545Z/16, in position 52°23'N, 21°14'W, the destroyers HMS Vanquisher (Cdr. N.V. Dickinson, DSC, RN) and HMS Winchelsea (Lt.Cdr. W.A.F. Hawkins, DSC, RN), sloop HMS Londonderry (Cdr. J.S. Dalison, RN), corvettes HMS Campanula (Lt.Cdr. R.V.E. Case, DSC and Bar, RD, RNR), HMS Freesia (Lt.Cdr. T.P.G. Crick, RN), HMS Gentian (Lt.Cdr. R.O. Yeomans, RD, RNR), HMS Pimpernel (Lt. F.H. Thornton, RNR) and HMS Rhododendron (Lt.Cdr. W.N.M. Faichney, DSO, RNR) joined the convoy. The rescue ship Zaafaran (British, 1559 GRT, built 1921) joined the convoy later that day.
Around 2140Z/17, the destroyer HMS Reading (Lt.Cdr. D.V. Clift, RN) joined the convoy.
At 1030Z/18, an enemy aircraft was seen and three minutes later bombs were dropped close to the Fort Richepanse and the Gianna M.. Both sustained some minor damage. Two more air attacks were carried out on this day but the bombs dropped all exploded well away from the convoy.
At 0324B/19, in position 54°57'N, 11°10'W [British source] 54°47'N, 11°10'W [German source], the Empire Ridge was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-96. HMS Vanquisher picked up the only two survivors which were subsequently transferred to HMS Legion.
Around 2300B/19, the ' Oban ' portion of the convoy was detached. This was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Baron Cochrane,
Baron Yarborough,
Bifrost,
Cape Corso,
Marklyn and
Meta.
Around 0530B/20, in position 55°31'N, 06°33'W, HMS Vanquisher and HMS Winchelsea parted company to proceed to Londonderry to fuel after which they were to proceed to Liverpool.
Around 0635B/20, in position 55°27'N, 06°45'W, the Zaafaran parted company to proceed ahead of the convoy to the Clyde.
Around 0700B/20, in position 55°25'N, 06°27'W, HMS Cavina and HMS Corinthian parted company to proceed ahead of the convoy to the Clyde.
Around 1005B/20, the ' Clyde ' portion of the convoy was detached. This was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Aguilla,
Auk,
Baron Stranraer,
Caverock,
City of Lancaster and
Sarastone.
The remainder of the convoy proceeded onwards.
The following ships arrived at Belfast Lough on 20 May 1941;
Empire Tern,
Fort Richepanse,
Gianna M.,
Lanahrone,
Pinzon and
South Wales.
The Alva arrived at Workington on 21 May 1941.
The following ships arrived at Barrow-in-Furness on 21 May 1941;
Bruse Jarl and
Milos.
The Torfinn Jarl arrived arrived at Liverpool on 21 May 1941.
Of the escort HMS Londonderry arrived at Londonderry on 20 May 1941 and HMS Legion arrived in the Clyde also 20 May 1941.
All remaining escorts arrived at Liverpool on 21 May 1941. (16) 6 May 1941 This convoy was assembled to the west of the North Channel on 6 May 1941 and was made up of ships from four sections; the Milford Haven, Liverpool, Clyde and Oban sections.
The Milford Haven section (sailed 4 May 1941) was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Baron Kelvin (British, 3081 GRT, built 1924),
Berto (Norwegian, 1493 GRT, built 1918),
Helder (Dutch, 3629 GRT, built 1920),
Jobshaven (Dutch, 3528 GRT, built 1916),
Kellwyn (British, 1464 GRT, built 1920),
Leadgate (British, 2125 GRT, built 1925),
Michalios (Greek, 3742 GRT, built 1908),
Peleus (Greek, 4695 GRT, built 1928),
Philipp M. (British, 2085 GRT, built 1924),
Scania (Swedish, 1980 GRT, built 1901),
Taygetos (British, 4295 GRT, built 1918) and
Willodale (British, 1777 GRT, built 1907).
On departure from Milford Haven this section was escorted by the escort destroyer HMS Viceroy (Lt.Cdr. D.P. Trentham, RN) and the A/S trawler HMS Huddersfield Town (Skr. J.H. Consadine, RNR).
The Liverpool section (sailed 5 May 1941) was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Baron Ruthven (British, 3178 GRT, built 1925),
Daleby (British, 4640 GRT, built 1929),
Parthenon (Greek, 3189 GRT, built 1908) and
Runa (British, 1575 GRT, built 1930).
On departure from Liverpool this section was escorted by
the sloop HMS Scarborough (Lt. A.P. Northey, DSC, RN).
The British Coast (British, 889 GRT, built 1934),
Around 0900B/6, the Milford Haven and Liverpool sections joined company after which HMS Viceroy and HMS Huddersfield Town were detached to Belfast Lough.
Around 1500B/6, the Clyde section of the convoy joined. This was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Alberte le Borgne (British, 3921 GRT, built 1914),
Cliona (British (tanker), 8375 GRT, built 1931),
Gard (Norwegian (tanker), 8259 GRT, built 1938),
Garm (Swedish, 1231 GRT, built 1912),
Lapland (British, 1330 GRT, built 1936),
Maaskerk (Dutch, 4343 GRT, built 1929),
Miralda (British (tanker), 8013 GRT, built 1936),
Nicolas (Greek, 4540 GRT, built 1910),
Perth (British, 2259 GRT, built 1915) and
Wallsend (British, 3157 GRT, built 1937).
Around 1800B/6, the Oban section of the convoy joined. This was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Bonde (Norwegian, 1570 GRT, built 1936),
Cervantes (British, 1810 GRT, built 1916),
Empire Steelhead (British, 7744 GRT, built 1920),
Gothland (British, 1286 GRT, built 1932),
Hawkinge (British, 2475 GRT, built 1924),
Hindsholm (British, 1512 GRT, built 1922),
Leka (Norwegian, 1599 GRT, built 1922),
Lewant (Polish, 1942 GRT, built 1930),
Lissa (British, 1511 GRT, built 1927),
Pennington Court (British, 6098 GRT, built 1924),
Rhineland (British, 1381 GRT, built 1922),
Sire (British, 5664 GRT, built 1938),
Umberleigh (British, 4950 GRT, built 1927),
Urbino (British, 5198 GRT, built 1918) and
Vestland (Norwegian, 1934 GRT, built 1916).
Around 2000B/6, the destroyers HMS Keppel (Cdr. A.M. Sheffield, RN), HMS Lincoln (Lt. R.J. Hanson, RN), HMS Sabre (Lt. Sir P.W. Gretton, DSC, RN), sloop HMS Fleetwood (Cdr. R.W. Moir, RN), corvettes HMS Alisma (A/Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rose, RANVR), HMS Dianella (T/Lt. J.G. Rankin, RNR), HMS Kingcup (Lt. R.A.D. Cambridge, RNR) and the A/S trawlers HMS Man o' War (T/Lt. W.W. Creber, RNR) and HMS Wellard (Lt.(Retd.) R.F. Turnbull, RD, RNR) joined.
Between 0700B/9 and 0745B/9, a German Focke Wulf Condor aircraft was seen circling the convoy. HMS Fleetwood and HMS Sabre both opened fire on it.
At 2230B/9, in position 52°24'N, 19°00'W, HMS Fleetwood, HMS Alisma, HMS Dianella, HMS Kingcup, HMS Man o' War and HMS Wellard parted company to make rendezvous with and join convoy SL 72. They also took rescue ship Perth with them.
Around 0900B/10, in position 51°07'N, 19°00'W, HMS Keppel, HMS Lincoln and HMS Sabre parted company. These were also to join convoy SL 72. HMS Scarborough was now the sole escort of the convoy.
Around 0730B/11, in position 48°20'N, 19°20'W, the following ships parted company with the convoy;
Baron Ruthven (arrived at Sydney, Nova Scotia, on 21 May 1941),
Berto (arrived at Halifax on 21 May 1941),
Bonde (arrived at Montreal on 24 May 1941),
Cliona (arrived at Bermuda on 20 May 1941),
Empire Steelhead (arrived at Baltimore on 27 May 1941),
Gard (arrived at Trinidad on 27 May 1941),
Hindsholm (arrived at Halifax on 19 May 1941),
Jobshaven (arrived at Manzanillo (Cuba) on 27 May 1941),
Maaskerk (arrived at Barbados on 25 May 1941),
Michalios (arrived at Halifax on 21 May 1941),
Miralda (arrived at New York on 22 May 1941),
Nicolas (arrived at Montreal on ?? May 1941),
Peleus (arrived at Montreal on 22 May 1941),
Pennington Court (arrived at Montreal on 23 May 1941),
Taygetos (arrived at Montreal on 24 May 1941),
Umberleigh (arrived New York at on 24 May 1941) and
Vestland (arrived at St. John's, Newfoundland on 17 May 1941).
Around 2130B/12, in position 45°00'N, 21°18'W, the following ships parted company with the convoy;
Albert le Borgne (arrived at Freetown on 30 May 1941),
Daleby (arrived at Lagos on 4 June 1941),
Helder (arrived at Capetown on 10 June 1941),
Lewant (arrived at Freetown on 26 May 1941),
Sire (arrived at Las Palmas on 17 May 1941) and
Urbino (arrived at Capetown on 7 June 1941).
Around 1100B/13, in position 43°36'N, 21°03'W, the submarine HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) joined the convoy.
Around 0800B/14, in position 41°07'N, 20°26'W, the corvettes HMS Azalea (Lt. G.C. Geddes, RNR), HMS Geranium (T/Lt. A. Foxall, RNR) and HMS Joinquil (Lt.Cdr. R.E.H. Partington, RNR) joined the convoy.
Around 0900B/14, in position 41°00'N, 20°25'W, the Parthenon was detached to Takoradi where she arrived on 31 May 1941.
Around 1400B/16, in position 35°08'N, 14°55'W, HMS Geranium and HMS Joinquil parted company to proceed to Gibraltar.
Around 0600B/18, in position 35°16'N, 8°23'W, HMS Azalea parted company to proceed to Gibraltar.
Around 1900B/18, in position 35°51'N, 06°15'W, the following ships parted company with the convoy to proceed to Lisbon where all arrived on 20 May 1941;
Garm,
Gothland,
Lapland,
Rhineland,
Scania and
Willowdale.
At the same time also the following ships were detached to Huelva where all arrived on 19 May 1941.
Hawkinge,
Kellwyn,
Leadgate,
Leka and
Phillip M..
Around 0100B/20, the remainder of the convoy arrived at Gibraltar, these were the following ships;
Baron Kelvin,
British Coast,
Cervantes,
Lissa,
Runa and
Wallsend. On arrival at Gibraltar they were escorted by HMS Scarborough and HrMs O 21. (14) 13 May 1941 [For more info on convoy OG 61 see the event ' Convoy OG 61 ' for 6 May 1941.] (4) 20 May 1941 25 May 1941 1 Jun 1941 4 Jun 1941 For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy HG 64 ' for 4 June 1941.
For the daily positions of HrMs O 21 during this patrol see the map below.
(4) 11 Jun 1941 12 Jun 1941 18 Jun 1941 24 Jun 1941 Upon completion of this exercise all three ships joined the escort of convoy HG 66 (11th war patrol).
For the daily positions of HrMs O 21 during this patrol see the map below.
(18) 1 Jul 1941 A few hours later O 21 was ordered to establish a patrol off Cape Finisterre, Spain and leaves the formation. (18) 3 Jul 1941 6 Jul 1941 8 Jul 1941 16 Jul 1941 For the daily and attack positions of HrMs O 21 during this patrol see the map below.
(19) 17 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) 18 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) 21 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) At 1030A/21, HE was picked up on bearing 349°.
At 1100A/21, smoke was sighed bearing 347°. Position of the contact was 40°08'N, 13°36'E.
At 1130A/21, a convoy made up of four merchant vessels and three destroyers was sighted proceeding on course 250°. At least one aircraft was patrolling overhead.
At 1300A/21, the convoy disappeared from sight on bearing 260°.
This convoy was made up of the transports
Caffaro (Italian, 6476 GRT, built 1924),
Maddalena Odero (Italian, 5545 GRT, built 1921),
Nicolò Odero (Italian, 6003 GRT, built 1925) and
Preussen (German, 8224 GRT, built 1922) escorted by the destroyers Folgore, Euro and Saetta. They had departed Naples for Tripoli around 0515B/21. In the early evening of 22 July 1941 the Preussen was bombed and sunk by RAF Blenheim aircraft near Pantelleria. (20) 28 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) 29 Jul 1941 (position 39.51, 13.46) This convoy attacked had left Tripoli on 27 July and arrived at Naples on 30 July and was made up of the Italian merchant vessels Ernesto (7399 GRT, built 1914), Nita (6803 GRT, built 1913), Nirvo (5270 GRT, built 1919), Aquitania (4971 GRT, built 1924) and the Italian tanker Castelverde (6958 GRT, built 1921). The auxiliary gunboat Palmaiola (1961 GRT, built 1918) was being towed by the Ernesto. But as the Ernesto was going so slow the tow was slipped and the auxiliary gunboat returned to Tripoli (presumably assisted by a tug) when they were just seven miles out.
Escorts were initially the Italian destroyers Folgore, Saetta, Fuceliere and Alpino. The destroyer Fulmine joined at sea having sailed from Pantelleria.
After the cruiser Giuseppe Garibaldi was torpedoed and damaged by HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) the destroyers Fuceliere and Alpino were detached to join the screen of the damaged cruiser.
The Italian torpedo boat Giuseppe Sirtori later sailed from Naples to join the escort but she seem to have joined only after the attack by HrMS O 21.
1215A/29 - Heard HE bearing 184°.
1309A/29 - Sighted smoke bearing 180°.
1401A/29 - Sighted one aircraft bearing 175°.
1451A/29 - Sighted mast. Started attack. The convoy was later seen to be made up of five merchant vessels of 4000 to 5000 tons each and two Lampo class destroyers as escort.
1515A/29 - Heard the HE of what was thought to be a third destroyer.
1553A/29 - Fired four torpedoes from 4500 yards at two of the merchant ships. Seven minutes after firing a double explosion was heard. O 21 went to a depth of 35 meters and retired to the South-West upon firing so the results were not observed.
1609A/29 to 1701A/29 - Twenty-four depth charges were dropped by two of the destroyers. O 21 went to 87 meters.
1715A/29 - Heard the last HE fade out. Returned to 40 meters.
2130A/29 - Surfaced. Nothing in sight. (19) 1 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) 2 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) At 1245A/2, in approximate position 39°01'N, 09°32'E, HrMs O 21 sighted a schooner bearing 090°. The ship was painted black and had two masts with no sails set. Her course was to the north. At 1400A/2, the schooner was seen to set sail and proceeded up the east coast of Sardinia passing to the eastward of Serpentara Island. (4) 3 Aug 1941 (position 38.47, 9.21) The target was the auxiliary schooner V 164 / Maria Teresa (219 GRT, built 1913) on night patrol off Cagliari. There was no resistance as it was only armed with two 8mm machine guns. After making an SOS, the crew of fourteen took to the lifeboats. Marina Cagliari dispatched two auxiliary minesweepers and one found the two lifeboats at dawn, there had been no casualties. The abandoned Maria Teresa was located drifting in position 38°28.5'N, 10°31.5'E (this position appears too far east and is probably a typographical error and should most likely be 09°31.5'E) and the tug Cereo towed her back to Cagliari. She was found undamaged (despite van Dulm’s claims) and immediately resumed service.
Earlier in the day more sailing vessels had already been sighted.
0750A/3, Sighted a brigantine bearing 021° at a range of 3 nautical miles. The enemy was proceeding eastwards.
0940A/3, Sighed a second brigantine (painted white) and a three masted barquentine near Serpentara Island. These were also proceeding eastwards.
1220A/3, Sighted a tree masted barquentine bearing 112°, range 3 nautical miles. She was proceeding to the south. She was last seen at 1425A/3 bearing 175°.
1720A/3, Sighted the white two-masted brigantine (earlier sighted at 1000A/2 and 0940A/3) bearing 028°. She was proceeding on a southerly course.
1830A/3 - Sighted the three-masted barquentine again
(estimated size, 300 tons) bearing 208° proceeding northwards, distance was 9000 yards. Started attack.
1833A/3, Sighted a barquentine proceeding westwards.
1856A/3, Sighted a barquentine proceeding eastwards.
2013A/3 - Fired one torpedo from 1500 yards at the three-masted barquentine. It ran under her stern. 4 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) At 1400A/4, in position 38°16'N, 04°23'E, O 21 passed astern of the Vichy French tanker Langanger (Former Norwegian, 9215 GRT, built 1930) which was proceeding on course 340° at a speed of 9 knots. (4) 6 Aug 1941 27 Aug 1941 For the daily and attack positions of HrMs O 21 during this patrol see the map below.
(19) 29 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) At 1343A/29, the Vichy French merchant vessel Janine (2345 GRT, built 1918) was passed in position 37°58'N, 03°34'E. Course of the French vessel was 196° most likely proceeding to Algiers.
At 1725A/29, smoke was sighted. This was also a Vichy French merchant vessel proceeding on course 165° possibly bound for Bougie. Position was 38°10'N, 04°30'E. (4) 31 Aug 1941 (position 38.53, 10.38) Emo was returning to Italy after operating in the Atlantic, she witnessed a torpedo track passing 1000 meters astern followed by an explosion.
0555A/31 - Sighted an Italian submarine, thought to be of the Marcello-class, bearing 280°. Started attack.
0618A/31 - Fired bow tubes 1 and 3 from 2200 yards. No hits were obtained. It was intended to fire four torpedoes but O 21 lost depth control during the attack.
0625A/31 - Heard one explosion. HE ceased.
0635A/31 - HE was heard again. Started reloading tubes 1 and 3. (19) 1 Sep 1941 (position 39.19, 13.21) 1518A/1 - Sighted three big ships right ahead, distance 7 nautical miles. Started attack. Two of the ships were later seen to have three funnels, the other ship had two funnels.
1618A/1 - Ended attack on convoy as the ships were seen to be Vichy French. The ships are thought to be the following vessels: Note: D'Artagnan was at Saigon at that time so she could not be one of the ships sighted by O 21. (19) 3 Sep 1941 (position 39.45, 13.32) 0643A/3 - Heard HE bearing 150°.
0715A/3 - Sighted smoke bearing 160°. Started attack.
0755A/3 - Sighted three ships.
0815A/3 - Identified the ships as Vichy French. Stopped attack. Convoy appeared to come from the Straits of Messina and steering for Strait Bonifacio. (19) 4 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) 5 Sep 1941 (position 40.12, 13.17) 0025A/5 - Sighted a dark shape and smoke to the south-west. Distance 7 nautical miles. Started attack.
0035A/5 - Submerged and continued attack.
0120A/5 - Fired two torpedoes on merchant vessel from 900 yards. Both torpedoes hit, one beneath the bridge and one near the after hatch.
0124A/5 - Surfaced and picked up twenty-two survivors. (19) 6 Sep 1941 (position 41.05, 10.20) These were most likely the transports Praga (3741 GRT, built 1908) and Città di Trieste (4658 GRT, built 1915). They were escorted by the armed merchant cruiser Caralis (3510 GRT, built 1928). They had left Civitavecchia at 1930B/5 and arrived at Olbia at 0840V/6, [Note that Italian time was one hour ahead of the time kept by O 21].
0405A/6 - Sighted a ship bearing 340°. Later it was seen that it was one of two merchant ships in a convoy that was escorted by an armed merchant cruiser.
0420A/6 - Submerged and started attack.
0428A/6 - Fired two torpedoes from 700 yards. Went to 35 meters. The rear ship went directly overhead. Returned to periscope depth to try to take a stern shot at this ship but this was not possible. No hits were obtained with the two torpedoes fired.
0430A/6 - Dived to 100 feet to avoid a collision with the second merchant ship.
0445A/6 - Sighted a three-masted schooner bearing 340°, range 2000 yards.
0450A/6 - Sighted a merchant vessel of about 3000 tons bearing 335°, range 6000 yards. The enemy was proceeding on courses between 210° and 270°.
1400A/6 - Sighted a motor schooner and a 1000 tons merchant vessel towing another schooner bearing 290° at a range of 6 nautical miles. Started attack.
1445A/6 - The target, the 1000 tons merchant vessel, altered course towards 020° when reaching the 100 fathom line and proceeded along the shipping lane. Stopped the attack as the distance could not be closed enough to fire torpedoed at this relatively small target.
1630A/6 - The target was last seen bearing 030°. (19) 7 Sep 1941 (position 41.09, 9.54) The target was most likely the minelayer Durazzo (610 tons, built 1927) on her way from Naples to La Maddalena where she arrived at 0845B/7 the same morning.
Twenty days later Durazzo would lay the minefield that was fatal to the submarine HMS P 311 during operation Principal (January 1943).
0105A/7 - Sighted a ship bearing 090°.
0118A/7 - Submerged but lost sight of the target.
0140A/7 - Surfaced, but remained trimmed down.
0150A/7 - Sighted the target again bearing 210°. Made an end around to get ahead of the target.
0420A/7 - Submerged. Started attack.
0453A/7 - Fired one torpedo from 500 yards. Missed. The target was now thought to be a minelayer of the Fasana class so the torpedo most likely ran under. Retired to the south-east.
0603A/7, Sighted the Vichy French evacuation convoy (from Syria) D making landfall to the south of Terranova. This convoy altered course to 060° at 0640A/7. (19) 8 Sep 1941 (position 38.54, 9.50) These were most likely the transport Valverde (4463 GRT, built 1910) escorted by the armed merchant cruiser Città di Tunisi (5419 GRT, built 1929) on passage from Naples to Cagliari where they arrived at 1740B/8.
Later O 21 fired her last remaining torpedo at another Italian convoy about 15 nautical miles south-east of Isola dei Cavoli near position 38°54'N, 09°50'E. The torpedo missed.
These were probably the transports Arlesiana (5702 GRT, built 1915), Romagna (1416 GRT, built 1899), Cor Jesu (3993 GRT, built 1908). They were escorted by armed merchant cruiser Foscari (3423 GRT, built 1928). They had sailed from Cagliari at 1500B/8 for Civitavecchia.
1145A/8 - Sighted two ships bearing 023°. An Cant. Z501 aircraft was overhead. Started attack. The ships were thought to be an Asmara-type cargo vessel escorted by an armed merchant cruiser type Città di Napoli.
1307A/8 - Could not close the distance to less than 4000 yards. Concluded that attack had failed and don't fire the last remaining torpedo. Proceeded Southwards. Ships were later seen to enter Cagliari Bay.
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1800A/8 - Sighted ship bearing 265°. Distance 7000 yards. Started attack. Soon more ships were sighted. The convoy was made up of an armed merchant cruiser type Città di Napoli (possibly the same ship sighted earlier today), one small tanker (3000 tons) and two merchant vessels (7000 and 4000 tons).
1929A/8 - Fired one torpedo (the last) from 1000 yards at the 7000-ton merchant vessel. Missed. Set course to the south-west. (19) 9 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) 10 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) 12 Sep 1941 21 Sep 1941 For the daily and attack positions of HrMs O 21 during this patrol see the map below.
(19) 25 Sep 1941 At 1523A/25, a schooner was sighted bearing 229° at a range of 4 nautical miles. The enemy was proceeding eastwards until 1530A/25 when she changed course to the westward. It was suspected to be an A/S schooner. (4) 28 Sep 1941 At 2130A/28, O 21 left patrol off Cagliari to patrol off La Maddalena. This order was however later cancelled and at 2300A/28 course was reversed to return to patrol off Cagliari. (4) 29 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) 30 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) 1 Oct 1941 At 0530A/1, two cargo ships of 3000 tons and 5000 tons were sighted. They were followed by a torpedo boat and were seen to enter the swept channel on course 270° at a speed of 6 knots. HrMs O 21 tried to close to attack but the distance could not be closed enough to fire torpedoes.
At 1015A/1, a schooner was sighted bearing 295° at a range of 8000 yards. Enemy course was 090°.
At 1500A/1, a three-masted schooner was sighted bearing 315° at a range of 3 nautical miles. Enemy course was 060°. (4) 2 Oct 1941 At 0145A/2, O 21 dived to attack but the vessels could not be seen through the periscope against the black background so an attack was not possible. O 21 could not surface as she would have to do so against the lighter cloudless horizon.
By 0215A/2, the targets had passed. They were though to have been two transports of about 3000 to 4000 tons and one escort, most likely a torpedo boat. Enemy course was 030° at 10 knots.
At 0256A/2, O 21 surfaced and set course to return to patrol off the Gulf of Terranova.
At 0600A/2, a steam trawler of small coaster was sighted bearing 360° at a range of 3 nautical miles. Enemy course was 270°.
At 0900A/2, smoke was sighted inside the Gulf of Terranova but nothing developed.
At 1600A/2, a schooner was sighted bearing 197°. Enemy course was 045°. (4) 3 Oct 1941 (position 40.58, 9.59) 0605A/3 - Sighted a 3000 tons cargo ship bearing 180° at a range of 5 nautical miles. Enemy course was 270°. The range was too great to attack and could not be closed sufficiently.
0715A/3 - Sighted what is thought to be the Vichy French troopship Colombie (13391 GRT, built 1931) leaving the Gulf of Terranova through the swept channel. She eventually (at 0740A/3) passed at a distance of 300 yards but was not attacked as O 21 was aware that this ship was to pass through this area. Her course was 360°.
1000A/3 - Sighted smoke bearing 286°. Started attack.
1100A/3 - Started attack. The ship was seen to be Vichy French but was in the attack on sighting area and O 21 was not aware of this ship being expected in this area.
1232A/3 - Fired two torpedoes from 900 yards. The first torpedo ran on the surface. The second torpedo hit the ships stern. The ship was seen to sink in three minutes, stern first with the bow rising vertically into the air. It was thought this ship was the Capitaine Saint Martin (French, 3441 GRT, built 1938) but this identification was incorrect.
1245A/4 - O 21 left her current patrol area to return to her previous patrol area off Cagliari. (19) 4 Oct 1941 Around 1000A/4, the minesweepers disappeared to the westwards most likely proceeding to Cagliari. (4) 5 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) 8 Oct 1941 22 Oct 1941 27 Oct 1941 6 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) 7 Nov 1941 9 Nov 1941 For the daily and attack positions of HrMs O 21 during this patrol see the map below.
(19) 11 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) 15 Nov 1941 (position 41.47, 12.06) The above mentioned Ninetto G. was in convoy with the merchant vessel Valsavoia (5733 GRT, 1919) proceeding to La Spezia escorted by the torpedo-boat Giacinto Carini.
Carini had just been escorting the southbound tanker Iridio Mantovani (10540 GRT, built 1939) and had met the northbound Ninetto G. and Valsavoia escorted by the torpedo-boat Perseo. The two convoys had just exchanged escort.
1530A/15 - Sighted three ships bearing 140°. The convoy consisted of one empty tanker of about 5000 tons and two merchant vessels of about the same size. They were in single line ahead. 1000 Yards on the beam on the port side there was a Lampo-class destroyer. Course of the convoy was 315°, speed 8 knots.
1535A/15 - Sighted a flying boat type Cant Z 501 that was escorting the convoy. Started attack.
1605A/15 - Sighted, at a distance of 500 yards, a torpedo boat of the Abba-class. It was followed by a laden modern tanker of about 5000 tons. O 21 went deep as the Lampo-class destroyer hoisted a flag signal and turned towards.
1616A/15 - Returned to periscope depth. The destroyer had now joined the torpedo boat in escorting the southbound tanker.
1620A/15 - The torpedo boat turned to the north and joined the northbound convoy.
1626A/15 - In position 41°47'N, 12°06'E O 21 fired two torpedoes at one of the 5000 tons merchant vessels. O 21 broke surface after venting of the first torpedo tube failed. It was intended to fire a third torpedo but this one was not fired. O 21 dived again and went to 60 meters, later coming up to 40 meters.
1636A/15 - The torpedo boat dropped its first depth charges. They were very close.
1656A/15 - The torpedo boat dropped its last depth charge and later made off to the north. (19) 16 Nov 1941 (position 40.15, 9.45) 0727A/16 - In position 40°15'N, 09°45'E heard HE and subsequently sighted a ship bearing 230°. It was a grey dazzle painted merchant vessel of about 3000 tons, enmy course 010° at a speed of 8 knots. Range was 4500 yards. The camouflage of the ship made it very difficult to see it against the background. Started attack.
0741A/16 - Fired two torpedoes from 2000 yards. As the ship was seen to evade the torpedo tracks these must have been sighted.
1000A/16 - Sighted a small schooner proceeding on course 190°
1245A/16 - Picked up weak HE in a northerly direction.
1300A/16 - Sighted a MAS boat, 'type MAS 501' proceeding at high speed on course 205°. HE of a second MAS boat was also picked up.
1630A/16 - Picked up HE coming from close inshore on bearing 264°. It was thought to be coming from a merchant vessel. (19) 17 Nov 1941 At 1430A/17, a 3000 tons merchant vessel was sighted close inshore proceeding southwards. O 21 set course to try to intercept this ship near Cape Linaro but after 15 minutes the ship entered Civitavecchia harbour. Meanwhile a fishing vessel was seen proceeding northwards close inshore.
Also the harbour of Civitavecchia was inspected through the periscope. It was seen to be very crowded. About 10 large to medium sized merchant vessels were seen to be in the harbour.
At 1645A/17, four merchant vessels of about 4000 to 7000 tons and an armed merchant cruiser of about 3000 tons were seen to leave harbour and form a convoy which eventually passed to the north of O 21 on courses between 230° and 250°.
At 1745A/17, HE was picked up bearing 340°. This were presumably two ships proceeding northwards.
At 1900A/17, O 21 surfaced and proceeded to try to intercept the convoy seen at 1645A/17.
At 2130A/17, O 21 dived to listen for HE as nothing had been sighted yet.
At 2219A/17, O 21 surfaced. Nothing had been heard.
At 2300A/17, O 21 dived to listen for HE as still nothing had been sighted.
At 2330A/17, O 21 surfaced. Again nothing had been heard.
At 0100A/18, O 21 dived to listen for HE once more but again nothing was picked up and O 21 surfaced again at 0128A/18.
At 0300A/18, O 21 dived to listen for HE a final time but again nothing was picked up and O 21 surfaced 22 minutes later. The chase for the convoy was abandoned and O 21 proceeded to patrol off the Gulf of Terranonva, Sardinia for the remainder of the day and then to return towards the Civitavecchia area the following night. (4) 20 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) At 0139A/20, O 21 dived as nothing was seen to try to obtain HE. HE was picked up on bearing 217°. It was thought to be one fast and one slow propeller so most likely on merchant vessel and an escort.
At 0154A/20, O 21 surfaced and proceeded on the bearing of the HE.
At 0230A/20, O 21 dived again to listen for HE which was picked up on bearing 241°.
At 0246A/20, O 21 surfaced and proceeded on the bearing of the HE but again nothing was sighted.
At 0530A/20, O 21 dived. HE was now picked up bearing 152°.
At 0550A/20, O 21 surfaced and proceeded at maximum speed to try to obtain a position for a dawn attack.
At 0615A/20, sighted a convoy of two merchant vessels with a destroyer escort. O 21 had to dive five minutes later as light was increasing. The convoy was now bearing 155° and passed outside range when they altered course from 240° to 210°. It was seen that the convoy was made up of two passenger vessels of about 7500 tons. The escort was barely visible and could have been a destroyer or torpedo boat or perhaps even a small armed merchant cruiser.
By 0730A/20, O 21 had lost sight of the convoy. They were last seen on bearing 190°. O 21 set course to proceed to patrol off the Gulf of Terranova, Sardinia. (4) 21 Nov 1941 (position 41.55, 11.27) These were the passenger/cargo ship Città' di Trieste (4658 GRT, built 1915) which was escorted by armed merchant cruiser Piero Foscari (3423 GRT, built 1928) and the naval auxiliary Loredan (1357 GRT, built 1936) on passage from Olbia to Civitavecchia, This attack was observed and Piero Foscari and Loredan hunted the submarine and were later reinforced by a MAS-boat coming from Civitavecchia.
0645A/21 - Heard HE bearing 110°.
0705A/21 - Sighted a medium seized merchant vessel on a course of 300°. Started attack.
0710A/21 - The ship now proved to be a heavily zigzagging armed merchant cruiser belonging to a convoy of two medium seized merchant ships and one liner that was escorted by two AMC's. General course of the convoy was 045°.
0715A/21 - Dived to a greater depth as a Cant Z 501 flying boat passed overhead just after the nearest AMC had hoisted a pendant. Returned to periscope depth shortly afterwards.
0739A/21 - Fired two torpedoes at the liner from 1800 yards. Went deep. No hits were obtained.
0810A/21 - The convoy was now out of sight.
0920A/21 - A motor boat, type 'Stefano Tur', was sighted. She remained in sight until 1110A/21 while patrolling in the area.
O 21 surfaced at 1913A/21 and set course to patrol off the Gulf of Terranova. (19) 22 Nov 1941 (position 41.20, 10.33) 1345A/22 - Sighted smoke bearing 280°, close inshore, it was from a vessel moving south.
1400A/22 - Sighted a schooner and also picked up it's HE bearing 287°. It passed at a range of two nautical miles to the north. It was last seen at 1630A/22 in bearing 040°.
1745A/22 - Picked up weak HE in bearing 245° but nothing was sighted.
2134A/22 - Sighted ship bearing 125°.
This contact was subsequently seen to be a two-masted schooner of about 500 tons.
2145A/22 - Opened fire with the deck gun. The crew abandoned ship with their small boat after the first round.
2210A/22 - The schooner was seen to sink bow first after 47 rounds. (19) 23 Nov 1941 (position 41.56, 10.50) 0028A/23 - Heard HE bearing 053°. Thought to be a convoy.
0205A/23 - In position fired two torpedoes from the deck tubes at the very distinct loud HE. The target was not seen. No hits were obtained.
0245A/23 - Surfaced and set course to patrol off the Gulf of Terranova to try to intercept the convoy at dawn.
0540A/23 - Sighted a silhouette bearing 161°. It was subsequently thought to be a large ship and a small one. O 21 had to dive at 0611A/23 due to the fact that
it was getting light. It was not possible to get into torpedo range while running submerged. The attack was abandoned at 0653A/23. It was seen the convoy was made up of four ships, one passenger vessel, two cargo ships and one ship thought to be an armed merchant cruiser.
0830A/23 - The convoy was lost from sight when in entered the Gulf of Terranova most likely proceeding to Olbia. Also a schooner was now sighted bearing 084°. It was sailing on course 225°.
0900A/23 - The schooner passed O 21 and subsequently entered the Gulf of Terranova.
0950A/23 - Sighted a small steamship bearing 281° proceeding eastwards through the swept channel.
1010A/23 - The ship sighted at 0950A/23 is now thought to be a minesweeper which was now seen to returning to the westwards. (19) 24 Nov 1941 (position 40.56, 10.23) It is often stated that the schooner sunk in this attack was the Unione (216 GRT). This schooner however had foundered in bad weather on 21 November.
0150A/24 - Sighted a weak light bearing 100°.
0200A/24 - Discovered the silhouette of a small ship.
0222A/24 - Attacked a small two-masted schooner of about 250 tons with gunfire. The crew took to their small boat after the first rounds.
0238A/24 - After 21 rounds she was still afloat. One mast was shot away. The ship was then sunk by ramming as there was no more ammunition for the deck gun.
0700A/24 - Sighted a three-masted schooner of about 900 tons proceeding on course 180°. She was proceeding two nautical miles from the coast. She could not be attacked with the deck gun as all rounds had been expended. (19) 25 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) At 1630A/25, another ship was sighted. This was a merchant ship of about 5000 tons proceeding close inshore. She was rounding Cavoli Island and then proceeded on course 270°. Range was 6 nautical miles.
At 1945A/25, O 21 surfaced and left patrol to return to Gibraltar. (4) 28 Nov 1941 (position 36.24, -3.20) HrMs O 21 arrived at Gibraltar later on the same day (0925A/28) ending her 15th war patrol.
0035A/28 - Sighted a suspicious silhouette bearing 085°. Stopped zigzagging and increased speed to 17 knots. It was thought that the dark shape was either a submarine of a motor launch.
0044A/28 - The suspicious ship flashed with a dimmed signal lamp.
0048A/28 - The contact again flashed the challenge. It was recognised as German by the British signalman as being German. Reduced speed to 15 knots.
0050A/28 - Fired both stern tubes in short succession. The first torpedo missed and the enemy turned away just as Lt.Cdr. van Dulm had thought he would do. The first torpedo had no effect as it passed close to the enemy's starboard site. The second one had the desired effect as it hit the U-boat abaft the conning tower and blew the stern off. The U-boat was seen to sink by the stern at an angle of 45°.
0112A/28 - O 21 now proceeded to where the enemy sank to collect evidence of this sinking when survivors were noticed in the water. 12 Survivors were picked up including the Commanding Officer.
The Germans had sighted O 21 first but as the silhouette of the Dutch submarine looked like a German U-boat a challenge was made. The quick reaction of Lt.Cdr. van Dulm had surprised the Germans. (19) 5 Dec 1941 She is escorted until 1445A/6, by HMS Bradford (Lt.Cdr. J.N.K. Knight, RN). (4) 5 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) 11 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) 12 Dec 1941 16 Dec 1941 Passage south trough the Irish Sea was made together with HMS P 39 (Lt. N. Marriott, DSC, RN) and FFS Junon (Cdr. J. Querville). The submarines were escorted by HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Dobson, RNR) until 1825A/18 when the escort parted company off Wolf Rock and the submarines proceeded independently to their patrol areas. (4) 16 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) 21 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00) 23 Dec 1941 HrMs O 10 (Lt. Baron D.T. Mackay, RNN) was also to join but she only arrived at the rendezvous around 1100A/23.
In the meantime HrMs O 21 had carried out three A/S exercises with HMS Cutty Sark.
On HrMs O 10 joining they set course for Milford Haven. (4) 24 Dec 1941 27 Dec 1941 29 Dec 1941 30 Dec 1941 31 Dec 1941 13 Jan 1942 18 Feb 1942 12 May 1942 10 Jun 1942 17 Jun 1942 1 Jul 1942 2 Jul 1942 3 Jul 1942 6 Jul 1942 7 Jul 1942 9 Jul 1942 10 Jul 1942 16 Jul 1942 Around 0630B/17, they anchored in Widewall Bay, Orkney Islands due to bad weather conditions. They entered Scapa Flow around 1400B/17.
Around 1100B/18, they departed Scapa Flow to continue their passage to the Clyde. (23) 18 Jul 1942 19 Jul 1942 21 Jul 1942 22 Jul 1942 23 Jul 1942 24 Jul 1942 26 Jul 1942 27 Jul 1942 28 Jul 1942 29 Jul 1942 2 Aug 1942 3 Aug 1942 4 Aug 1942 5 Aug 1942 6 Aug 1942 7 Aug 1942 11 Aug 1942 12 Aug 1942 During the passage south through the Irish Sea she was escorted by HrMs Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.L.M. van Geen, RNN). HMS P 219 (Lt. N.L.A. Jewell, RN) and HMS P 48 (Lt. M.E. Faber, RN) were also in company.
Around 2120B/13, near the Scilly Islands, the submarines parted company with their escort. (4) 12 Aug 1942 16 Aug 1942 (position 46.39, -12.05) 1630B/16 - Head HE bearing 250°.
1645B/16 - Sighted u-boat, 500 tons type, on an Easterly course.
1707B/16 - Fired four torpedoes from 3500 yards. Two torpedoes ran on the surface so were easily spotted aboard the U-boat who turned away.
[The Germans had spotted three torpedoes two of which were seen to be running on the surface so the torpedoes could easily be evaded.] (25) 20 Aug 1942 25 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00) 1 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00) 4 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00) 8 Sep 1942 16 Sep 1942 23 Sep 1942 Around 1000A/27, in position 02°45'N, 04°23'W, HMRT Prudent joined company. (23) 2 Oct 1942 3 Oct 1942 12 Oct 1942 The previous day they had been ordered to proceed to Salandha Bay instead of Simonstown due to the threat of German U-boats that were operating in South African waters at that time. (23) 16 Oct 1942 17 Oct 1942 At Simonstown the defective machinery (Vulcan clutch) is removed and replaced by a Vulcan clutch from HrMs O 19 (Lt.Cdr. H.F. Bach Kolling, RNN(R) that is also in Simonstown en-route from the Far East to the U.K. to be refitted. (26) 7 Dec 1942 15 Dec 1942 11 Jan 1943 On the 12th also a deep dive trial was carried out. (26) 15 Jan 1943 16 Jan 1943 18 Jan 1943 24 Jan 1943 At midnight during the night of 26/27 January, to the east of Durban, HMS Sondra parted company in approximate position 30°44'S, 37°50'E. (26) 1 Feb 1943 4 Feb 1943 5 Feb 1943 6 Feb 1943 9 Feb 1943 16 Feb 1943 18 Feb 1943 After these exercises O 21 departed from Addu Atoll around 1830FG/18 for Colombo. (26) 21 Feb 1943 3 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00) 4 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00) 6 Mar 1943 For the daily and attack positions of HrMs O 21 during this patrol see the map below.
(4) 11 Mar 1943 12 Mar 1943 At 0610FG/12, a steamship was sighted entering Port Blair at a range of about 6 nautical miles.
At 0900FG/12, a motor dinghy was sighted after HE had been picked up.
At 1100FG/12, a cargo ship was seen alongside the jetty at Chatham Island.
The ship seen arriving at Port Blair and later alongside at Chatham Island must have been the Kasuga Maru No.2 (3967 GRT, built 1936, offsite link). (4) 13 Mar 1943 (position 11.39, 92.49) 0720FG/13 - The cargo ship that was sighted yesterday was seen moving around the bay as if to leave Port Blair. Prepared to attack.
0730FG/13 - The ship was seen to leave the bay. The size of the ship was estimated at 4000 tons.
0750FG/13 - In position 11°39'N, 92°49'E fired four torpedoes from 1400 yards. Two hits were obtained and the ship sank in five minutes. O 21 retired to the South-East. Two small enemy motor launches left the harbour to hunt the submarine but they were unsuccessful.
With the patrol off Port Blair now compromised, O 21 left the area to patrol off Phuket. (4) 19 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00) 24 Mar 1943 9 Apr 1943 11 Apr 1943 For the daily and attack positions of HrMs O 21 during this patrol see the map below.
(4) 17 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00) 18 Apr 1943 [No further details available.] (4) 20 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00) 22 Apr 1943 (position 3.26, 99.48) A few hours later an attack on another, so far unidentified, Japanese ship in position 03°23'N, 100°07'E failed to produce any hits.
0045FG/22 - In position 03°07'N, 100°40'E sighted the silhouette of a ship bearing 182°.
0047FG/22 - Dived. HE was picked up.
0135FG/22 - HE was still being picked up but became weaker.
0151FG/22 - Surfaced and sighted a ship bearing 251°, distance 7 nautical miles.
0350FG/22 - Sighted an escort vessel ahead of the main target.
0500FG/22 - Dived at dawn.
0511FG/22 - The target was seen to be a large camouflaged merchant ship of about 7000 tons. The escort was thought to be a Chidori-class torpedo boat. Started attack.
0540FG/22 - In position 03°26'N, 99°48'E fired four torpedoes from 2000 yards resulting in two hits. One just in front of the bridge and one in hold number 5. The ship broke in two with the front part capsizing and sinking slowly. The aft part burst into flames and sank quickly.
0601FG/22 - The escort dropped a pattern of four depth charges but these were not close. O 21 retired to the East-North-East.
0830 hours - The escort was now lost out of sight.
-----------------------------------------
1110FG/22 - In position 03°28'N, 100°03'E sighted a ship bearing 090°. Started attack with the deck torpedo tubes but one of the doors could not be opened properly so abandoned this plan and went for an attack with the stern torpedo tubes.
1149FG/22 - In position 03°23'N, 100°07'E fired two stern torpedoes at the target that was thought to be of about 2000 tons. Range 700 yards. The torpedoes missed. It appeared the target saw the tracks and avoided. She altered course and made for the submarine.
1152FG/22 - The ship dropped three depth charges about 300 yards away. O 21 took avoiding action.
1202FG/22 - Two more depth charges were dropped about 1000 yards away. O 21 cleared the area to the North.
1246FG/22 - Two more depth charges were dropped 1800 yards away.
1300FG/22 - Saw an aircraft circling the area. Went to 75 feet and came to periscope depth every 20 minutes.
1315FG/22 - Saw a what is thought to be a torpedo boat of the Chidori-type and most likely the same one as this morning joining the hunt.
1500FG/22 - Nothing in sight now. (4) 24 Apr 1943 At 1530FG/24, a small, engine aft, coaster, was seen approaching from the south. This vessel entered harbour at 1615FG/24.
At 1700FG/24, the harbour was investigated. The boom defence vessel was seen to be working on the boomnets. (4) 25 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00) Around 1930FG/25, HrMs O 21 left patrol to return to Colombo. (4) 29 Apr 1943 7 May 1943 10 May 1943 25 May 1943 28 May 1943 For the daily positions of HrMs O 21 during this patrol see the map below.
(4) 12 Jun 1943 At 0155FG/12, the ship was now 4 points on the starboard bow and was now less then 2 miles away. A second bow wave was now sighted 3 points on the starboard bow. O 21 dived and the HE of two ships and possibly three ships was picked up.
By 0230FG/12, HE faded out on bearing 350°. The ships were thought to have been submarine chasers or other small escort vessels possibly escorting another ship.
At 0254FG/12, O 21 surfaced and set course for the southern approaches to Penang.
At 1440FG/12, when in position 05°03'N, 100°07'E, a small motor launch or possibly a motor fishing craft was seen approaching the southern entrance to Penang.
At 1755FG/12, when in position 05°03'N, 100°06'E, sighed a merchant vessel of about 3000 tons leaving the southern entrance to Penang on a south-west course. Range was 8 nautical miles. Course was altered to 160° and speed was increased to 5 knots to try to intercept after dark.
At 1852FG/12, O 21 surfaced and continued on course 160° at a speed of 15 knots.
At 1922FG/12, O 21 sighted a ship of an unknown type 20° on the starboard bow at a range of 5 nautical miles. Altered course to intercept.
At 1935FG/12, when in position 04°53'N, 100°06'E, another ship was sighted 20° on the port bow now bearing 120° at a range of 7 nautical miles. It was thought this was a torpedo-boat. O 21 altered course to 340°.
By 2000FG/12, it was apparent that interception was not possible and the chase was abandoned. Course was set to patrol off Diamond Head. (4) 14 Jun 1943 18 Jun 1943 8 Jul 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00) 9 Jul 1943 For the daily and attack positions of HrMs O 21 during the passage to Exmouth Gulf see the map below.
(29) 20 Jul 1943 23 Jul 1943 [The positions of O 21 are 'coded' in the ships log. The ships positions were 'decoded' by us with help of a report in Dutch language on this patrol (No report in English has been found in Dutch or British archives.)]
For the daily and attack positions of HrMs O 21 during this patrol see the map below.
(22) 27 Jul 1943 31 Jul 1943 1 Aug 1943 0430H/1 - Sighted the lading area.
0542H/1 - Dived. Remained near the mouth of the bay during the day.
1945H/1 - Surfaced.
2020H/1 - Land party no. 2 (three members of the crew of O 21) to reconnoitre a possible landing area.
2215H/1 - Party no. 2 returned. They had not seen any Japanese.
2245H/1 - Party no. 1 and agent '289' were landed.
0100H/2 - Party no. 1 returned. (22) 2 Aug 1943 0550H/2 - Dived and returned to the Pang Pang Bay. It was not possible to enter the bay due to the bad visibility.
1600H/2 - Entered the bay.
1830H/2 - Bottomed in 14.5 meters of water.
1920H/2 - Surfaced.
2015H/2 - Landed party no. 2 to reconnoitre the landing area. Two small fishing vessels are laying on the beach nearby.
2150H/2 - Party no. 2 returned. Again no Japanese had been sighted by them. (22) 3 Aug 1943 Shortly afterwards party No. 1 departed from O 21 in their rubber boat to pick up the agent landed on 1 August. He does not show up and the landing party also don't return to O 21 at the agreed time.
0550H/3 - Dived and remain North of the Pang Pang bay.
1200H/3 - Entered the bay.
1415H/3 - Bottomed at 13 meters inside the bay. Kept periscope watch for a small sailing vessel that showed the agreed markings. None however was seen during the day.
1915H/3 - Surfaced.
2000H/3 - Landed party no. 2 to check one of the landing areas.
2100H/3 - The party returned and reported that they had sighted nothing.
2130H/3 - Sent landing party no. 1 to the place where the agent was landed two day previously. They were soon lost out of sight in the diminishing visibility.
2145H/3 - Signals were sighted on the shore but these could not be read due to the bad visibility. They were thought to be from the landing party. Later it was thought they must have been made by agent '289'.
2300H/3 - The signals were still seen on the same place. Signals from O 21 were however not answered. Due to the further diminishing visibility contact was lost around midnight.
0115H/4 - As it was thought that the dinghy of party no. 1 was lost it was decided to sent party no. 2 to look for them.
0400H/4 - Party no. 2 returned. They were unable to find party no. 1.
0410H/4 - O 21 departed the bay.
0546H/4 - Dived. (22) 4 Aug 1943 1100H/4 - Set course towards the entrance to the bay.
1330H/4 - Entered the bay. Sighted party no. 1 on a beach. Signalled with the periscope. Signals were answered. It was agreed that they were to be picked up after dark.
1520H/4 - Bottomed in 12 meters of water.
1915H/4 - Surfaced and sent party no. 2 to the shore to pick up party no. 1.
2000H/4 - Both party's returned to the submarine. During the remainder of the evening O 21 tried to establish contact with agent '289', All attempts were however unsuccessful.
2300H/4 - Left the bay. (22) 5 Aug 1943 6 Aug 1943 9 Aug 1943 10 Aug 1943 After dark they were taken off again. They had also shot a deer and brought with them fresh meat for two days. (22) 12 Aug 1943 (position -7.32, 114.18) After dark O 21 is detected and depth charged by a Japanese A/S vessel at the eastern entrance to Strait Madura near position 07°32'S, 114°18'E.
1945H/8 - Sighted ship shape bearing 285°.
1955H/8 - Thought to have seen lights in the same direction.
2015H/8 - The ship is lost out of sight, but picked up again shortly afterwards. They had turned towards and were rapidly closing.
2020H/8 - The ship signalled and then opens fire with a machine gun.
2022H/8 - Dived.
2025H/8 - 2028H/8 - Nine depth charges were dropped.
2040H/8 - Three more depth charges were dropped.
2400H/8 - HE faded out bearing 128°. One hour later O 21 surfaces to find nothing in sight. (22) 13 Aug 1943 (position 7.03, 115.20) 1908H/13 - Surfaced.
1932H/13 - Due to a lightning bolt sighted a ship with two masts and one funnel.
1934H/13 - Dived. No HE was picked up.
1950H/13 - Nothing could be sighted through the periscope.
1955H/13 - Strange noises were picked up on Asdic. Shortly afterwards HE was picked up from a ship crossing shortly ahead from Starboard to Port.
1958H/13 - 4 depth charges explode near the bow causing minor damage.
2030H/13 - No HE heard anymore.
0025H/14 - Nothing in sight so surfaced.
0030H/14 - Sighted Japanese A/S trawler 5 nautical miles away.
0034H/14 - The trawler is seen to increase speed and turn towards. O 21 also increased speed to outrun the trawler on the surface.
0045H/14 - The trawler was no longer in sight. Shortly before 0200H/14 she was sighted again but after a change of course she was lost out of sight not to be seen again. (22) 16 Aug 1943 20 Aug 1943 21 Aug 1943 24 Aug 1943 6 Sep 1943 11 Sep 1943 1 Oct 1943 14 Oct 1943 15 Oct 1943 20 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00) 22 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00) 26 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00) 28 Nov 1943 For the daily and attack positions of HrMs O 21 during the passage to the U.K. see the map below.
(31) 11 Dec 1943 28 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00) 30 Dec 1943 8 Jan 1944 9 Jan 1944 The submarine parted company with the landing ships after they had passed the Bab al-Mandab Strait around 0240C/10. (31) 14 Jan 1944 15 Jan 1944 22 Jan 1944 27 Jan 1944 31 Jan 1944 During the passage from Malta to the rendezvous position with the convoy HrMs O 21 was escorted by HMS Falk (T/Lt. W. Metcalfe, RNVR).
[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy GUS 29 ' for 25 January 1944.] (31) 5 Feb 1944 10 Feb 1944 18 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00) 22 Feb 1944 At Dundee the battery will be removed and a new battery will be installed. It has been decided that O 21 is to refit in the U.S.A. (32) Sources ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.Convoy OG 58.
Around 1600Z/12, in position 43°05'N, 21°56'W [another source gives 43°06'N, 21°35'W], HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) leaves convoy HG 58 to join convoy OG 58. She was escorted to the rendezvous by HMS Arctic Ranger (Cdr.(Retd.) J.H. Young, RN). (4)
Around 2028Z/13, near position 47°27'N, 23°16'W [another source gives 47°21'N, 22°49'W], HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) joins the escort of convoy OG 58. HMS Arctic Ranger (Cdr.(Retd.) J.H. Young, RN) then parted company to rejoin convoy HG 58.
HMS Wellington (Lt.Cdr. W.F.R. Segrave, RN), HMS Primula (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.H. Fuller, RNR) and HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) arrived at Gibraltar with convoy OG 58. (4)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) carries out exercises off Gibraltar with HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.F. de Salis, RN) and HMS Azalea (Lt. G.C. Geddes, RNR). Later exercises are carried out with aircraft from HMS Ark Royal (Capt. L.E.H. Maund, RN). (15)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) departed from Gibraltar and joins the escort of convoy HG 61 (9th war patrol).
Convoy HG 61.
Convoy OG 61.
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) parted company with convoy HG 61 to join the escort of convoy OG 61.
Around 0130B/20, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) arrived at Gibraltar with convoy OG 61. (4)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) is docked in no.2 graving dock at the Gibraltar Dockyard. (17)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) is undocked. (17)
Around 0550B/4, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) departed from Gibraltar and joins the escort of convoy HG 64 (10th war patrol).
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN), HMS Fleur de Lys (Lt.Cdr. L.M. Carter, RNR) and HMS Coreopsis (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Davies, RNVR) depart from convoy HG 64 to join convoy OG 64. (4)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN), HMS Fleur de Lys (Lt.Cdr. L.M. Carter, RNR) and HMS Coreopsis (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Davies, RNVR) join convoy OG 64. (4)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) arrived at Gibraltar with convoy OG 64. (4)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) carries out an A/S exercise off Gibraltar with HMS Folkestone (Lt.Cdr. C.F.H. Churchill, RN) and HMS Stella Carina (Lt. J.V. Lobb, RANVR).
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN), HMS Azalea (Lt. G.C. Geddes, RNR) and HMS Stella Carina (Lt. J.V. Lobb, RANVR) depart from convoy HG 66 to join convoy OG 66.
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) arrived in her patrol position. (18)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) departed from her patrol area for Gibraltar. (18)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) arrived at Gibraltar. (15)
Around 2125A/16, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) departed from Gibraltar for her 12th war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean). She is to patrol in the Tyrrhenian Sea.
At 1617A/17, in position 36°42'N, 00°38'W, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) dived as a ship was sighted bearing 160° at a range of 8 nautical miles. The ship was on course 350° and was subsequently identified as the Vichy-French Schiaffino (3236 GRT, built 1920) most likely coming from Oran. (4)
At 1500A/18, in position 37°54'N, 04°56'E, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) sighted smoke bearing 198°. Course was altered to the south to close. It was subsequently seen that the smoke came from a merchant vessel with four masts and a black funnel that was proceeding to the north-west. HrMs O 21 resumed her original course at 1530A/18. The merchant vessel was most likely Vichy-French. (4)
At 0417A/21, while dived, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) picked up HE and then sighted a convoy made up of a 4000 tons merchant vessel and a 5000 tons tanker. They were escorted by an Italian torpedo boat. Range was 5 nautical miles and the convoy was in position 39°46'N, 13°41'E. The convoy was proceeding on course 210° at a speed of 8 knots. The range could not be closed and the convoy disappeared from sight around 0600A/21 on bearing 174°.
At 1800A/28, in approximate position 40°26'N, 13°58'E, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) sighed a two-masted schooner bearing 325°. The enemy was proceeding to the southwest at slow speed emitting weak HE. One hour later the schooner was last seen on bearing 340°. HE was heard from time to time. This was obviously an enemy A/S schooner. (4)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) attacked an Italian convoy about 60 nautical miles South-West of Naples, Italy in position 39°51'N, 13°46'E.
Four torpedoes were fired. Two hits were claimed but in fact all torpedoes fired missed.
At 1120A/1, in approximate position 39°10'N, 09°41'E, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) sighted smoke bearing 201°. This developed into a small steamer on a westerly course proceeding towards Cavoli Island. She was last seen at 1200A/1, disappearing behind the island. She could not be attacked given the range. (4)
At 1000A/2, in approximate position 39°00'N, 09°36'E, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) sighted a brigantine bearing 256°. She had two masts and no sails set. She was painted white. Enemy course was 056°. At 1040A/2, the brigantine was seen to set sail.
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) attacked and damaged an Italian barquentine with gunfire south-east of Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy near position 38°47'N, 09°21'E. A torpedo was fired first but it ran under so O 21 surfaced and engaged with gunfire.
Surfaced and engaged the target with gunfire. Range 1200 to 1500 yards. 25 Rounds were fired for at least seven hits, five in the engine room and two on the forecastle. Broke off the action at 2045 hours owning to the darkness fearing that MAS boats were also in the area and could attack O 21 unobserved. Set course to return to Gibraltar. (19)
At 1303A/4, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) sighted smoke bearing 200°. Closed to investigate.
Around 0730A/6, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) ended her 12th war patrol at Gibraltar. (19)
Around 2100A/27, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) departed from Gibraltar for her 13th war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean). She is to patrol in the Tyrrhenian Sea.
At 1305A/29, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) sighted smoke. Course was altered to investigate.
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) attacked the Italian submarine Emo with two torpedoes about 70 nautical miles east-south-east of Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy in position 38°53'N, 10°38'E. Both torpedoes missed their target.
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) sighted a convoy of three merchant ships about 40 nautical miles north of Isola di Ustica, Italy in position 39°19'N, 13°21'E. As the ships turned out to be Vichy French they were not attacked.
D'Artagnan (passenger / cargo ship, 15105 GRT, built 1925)
Champollion (passenger ship, 12263 GRT, built 1925)
Massilia (passenger / cargo (reefer) ship, 15147 GRT, built 1920).
They appeared to be heading towards the Straits of Messina.
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) sighted a convoy of three merchant ships about 60 nautical miles North-North-East of Isola di Ustica, Italy near position 39°45'N, 13°32'E. As the ships turned out to be Vichy French they were not attacked.
While patrolling to the south of Naples Bay, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) sighted several auxiliary A/S schooners patrolling in the area during the day. (4)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) torpedoed and sank the Italian merchant vessel Isarco (5738 GRT, built 1924) about 30 nautical miles south-west of Isola d'Ischia, Italy in position 40°12'N, 13°17'E.
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) attacked an Italian convoy with two torpedoes about 50 nautical miles east of La Maddalena near position 41°05'N, 10°20'E. No hits were obtained.
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) attacked but missed what is thought to be an Italian minelayer of the Fasana-class about 20 nautical miles East of La Maddalena near position 41°09'N, 09°54'E.
While on patrol near Cagliari Bay, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) tries to attack an Italian convoy but fails to do so about 5 nautical miles East of Isola Serpentara near position 39°09'N, 09°43'E.
Around 1900A/9, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) left patrol to return to Gibraltar. (4)
At 1215A/10, in approximate position 40°10'N, 02°47'E, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) sighted the Vichy French merchant vessel Lamoriciere (4713 GRT, built 1921) proceeding on course 020°. (4)
Around 0800A/12, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) ended her 13th war patrol at Gibraltar. (19)
Around 2000A/21, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) departed from Gibraltar for her 14th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean). She is to patrol in the Tyrrhenian Sea, off the East Coast of Sardinia.
At 1035A/25, near Cagliari, Sardinia, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) sighed two auxiliary minesweepers of about 50 to 100 tons each. Both were sweeping on a course of 070° from Cavoli Island towards Serpentara Island. They were seen to leave the area to the westwards at 1230A/25 presumably proceeding to Cagliari.
At 1600A/28, near Cagliari, Sardinia, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) sighed an Italian destroyer, thought to be of the Maestrale-class, proceeding on course 295° at a speed of 27 knots. The enemy passed south of Cavoli Island and was last seen entering Cagliari Bay.
At 1949A/29, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) surfaced after a day of submerged patrol. She then left patrol off Cagliari to patrol to the east of northern Sardinia. (4)
At 1503A/30, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) sighed a schooner bearing 315° at a range of 4 nautical miles. Enemy course was 045°. Also three motor launch type vessels were sighted bearing 200° at ranges between 5 and 7 nautical miles. O 21 was then in approximate position 41°06'N, 10°04'E. (4)
At 0500A/1, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) picked up HE bearing 045° proceeding northwards. Later also HE was picked up going southwards and fast propellers passed at a rather close range. Nothing could be seen though but according to the HE that was picked up several vessels must be nearby.
At 0125A/2, in approximate position 41°24'N, 10°18'E, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) sighted three ships bearing 195°.
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) torpedoed and sank the Vichy-French merchant vessel Oued Yquem (1369 GRT, built 1920) east of Cape Figari, Sardinia, Italy in position 40°58'N, 09°59'E. More ships had already been sighted earlier in the day.
At 0710A/4, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) sighted to RD-class minesweepers sweeping to the south and east of Cavoli Island.
At 1903A/5, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) surfaced after a day of submerged patrol and then left patrol to return to Gibraltar. (4)
Around 0720A/8, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) ended her 14th war patrol at Gibraltar. (19)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) is docked in no.3 graving dock at the Gibraltar Dockyard. (21)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) is undocked. (21)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) is wiped at Gibraltar. (22)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted exercises off Gibraltar with HMS Wishart (Cdr. H.G. Scott, RN) and aircraft from HMS Ark Royal (Capt. L.E.H. Maund, CBE, RN) and HMS Malaya (Capt. C. Coppinger, DSC, RN). (21)
Around 1830A/9, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) departed from Gibraltar for her 15th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean). She is to patrol in the Tyrrhenian Sea.
At 1030A/11, in approximate position 38°27'N, 04°25'E, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) passed a Vichy French merchant vessel of about 4000 tons. The French ship's course was 170°, possibly bound for Bougie. (4)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) attacked the Italian merchant vessel Ninetto G. (5355 GRT, built 1913) off Fiumicino, Italy in position 41°47'N, 12°06'E. All torpedoes fired missed their target.
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm) attacked the Italian merchant vessel Itu (1578 GRT, built 1895) off the east coast of Sardinia about 7 nautical miles east of Cala Gonone in position 40°15'N, 09°45'E. All torpedoes fired missed their target.
At 1415A/17, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) picked up HE bearing 320°. Sighted 4 small fishing craft on an easterly course towards Civitavecchia.
At 0103A/20, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) sighed two silhouettes and smoke bearing 215°. They were last seen at 0108A/20 bearing 235°.
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) attacked a liner in a convoy about 15 nautical miles south-west of Civitavecchia, Italy in position 41°55'N, 11°27'E. Two torpedoes were fired but no hits were obtained.
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) sank the Italian schooner San Salvatore (92 GRT) with gunfire in the central Tyrrhenian Sea in position 41°20'N, 10°33'E.
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) about 25 nautical miles south of Isola del Giglio, in position 41°56'N, 10°50'E, fired two torpedoes against a contact obtained by HE (Hydrophone Effect) alone. No ship was seen. Both torpedoes failed to hit their unknown target.
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) sank an Italian schooner with gunfire off the east coast of Sardinia, Italy about 30 nautical miles south-east of La Maddalena in position 40°56'N, 10°23'E. This was most likely the Nuovo Sant'Antonio (52 GRT) that disappeared without a trace at this time during a trip from Civitavecchia to Arbatax.
At 1300A/25, off Cagliari Bay, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) sighted a steamship, thought to be a patrol vessel, bearing 255°. Range was 6 nautical miles. The ship was last seen around 1400A/25 bearing 267° at a range of 5 nautical miles. The enemy had been steering variable courses.
The German submarine U-95 was torpedoed and sunk in the western Mediterranean, about 100 nautical miles east of Gibraltar in position 36°24'N, 03°20'W by the Dutch submarine HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN).
Around 1030A/5, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) departed from Gibraltar bound for the U.K. where she is to refit.
For the daily positions of HrMs O 21 during the passage from Gibraltar to the U.K. see the map below.
Around 0815A/11, off Trevose Head, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) is joined by HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) C.C. Flemming, RN) which then escorted the submarine northwards through the Irish Sea. (4)
Around 1420A/12, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) arrived at Holy Loch from Gibraltar. (4)
Around 1700A/16, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) departed from Holy Loch for her 16th war patrol. Her refit is postponed as every submarine available is to be used to patrol off Brest, France. The British are under the impression that the German heavy ships there are about to sortie into the Atlantic Ocean.
For the daily positions of HrMs O 21 during this patrol see the map below.
Around 1900A/21, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) left patrol to return to the U.K. (4)
Around 0810A/23, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) made rendezvous near Bishops Rock with HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN).
Around 1300A/24, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) ended her 16th war patrol at Milford Haven. It is decided after consulting experts that O 21 is not fit for further patrols due to problems with the electric motors. (4)
Around 0850A/27, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) departed from Milford Haven for Dundee. At sea she joined her escort, HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (23)
Around 1315A/29, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) arrived at Dundee. (23)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) departed from Dundee for Rosyth. (23)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) arrive at Rosyth to remove her battery. (23)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) is towed from Rosyth to Grangemouth where she is to refit. (23)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) was docked at Grangemouth where she is undergoing a refit. (23)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) leaves the dock at the Grangemouth dockyards where she is undergoing refit. (23)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) was docked again at Grangemouth for some modifications to the torpedo tubes. (23)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) was undocked. (23)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) ended her refit at Grangemouth. She proceeded from Grangemouth to Rosyth on this day. (23)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) is wiped at Dundee and then proceeded from Rosyth to Leith. (23)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conduced D/G trials off Leith on completion of which she proceeded from Leith to Dundee. During the passage she was escorted by HMS Fortrose (T/Skr. A. Smith, RNR). (23)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted torpedo firing exercises / trials off Dundee. (23)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted torpedo firing exercises / trials off Dundee. (23)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted exercises off Dundee with HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR). (23)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted exercises off Dundee with HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR). (23)
Around 1400B/16, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) departed from Dundee for Holy Loch. She is escorted by HrMs Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.L.M. van Geen, RNN).
Around 1800B/18, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) and her escort, HrMs Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.L.M. van Geen, RNN), made rendezvous with HMS P 212 (Lt. J.H. Bromage, DSC, RN) and her current escort HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Dobson, RNR) coming from Lerwick. HMS P 212 then joined while HMS La Capricieuse parted company to return to Lerwick. (24)
Around 1930B/19, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) arrived at Holy Loch from Dundee. At Holy Loch she is to undergo a period of trials and exercises. (23)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted exercises in Loch Long. (23)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted exercises in Bute Sound. (23)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted exercises in Inchmarnock Water. These also included a practice attack on HMS Narcissus (Lt. W.G.H. Bolton, RNR). (23)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil. (23)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted a minelaying exercise in Loch Long. Three dummy mines were laid from the torpedo tubes. (23)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) departed Holy Loch to conduct exercises and trials in the Clyde area. She had to return shortly after departure due to a defect to the gyro compass. (23)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted speed trials on the Arran measured mile. (23)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted speed trials on the Arran measured mile. Also D/G trials were carried out on the D/G range off Helensburgh. (23)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) is docked in AFD 7 at Kames Bay, Cumbrae Island. (23)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) is undocked and returned to Holy Loch. (23)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted attack and RDF exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN) serving as the target. Also a deep dive trial was carried out and also gunnery exercises on a target that was being towed by HMS Z 5 (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S.T. Wenlock, RNR). (23)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted speed trials on the Arran measured mile. She then proceeded to Rothesay where exercise torpedoes were embarked after which O 21 proceeded to Holy Loch. (23)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted RDF trials in the Clyde area during which she was escorted by HrMs Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.L.M. van Geen, RNN). (23)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HrMs Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.L.M. van Geen, RNN) serving as the target. Also a deep dive trial was carried out. (23)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted an RDF trial in Loch Long after which she proceeded to Kames Bay where she was immediately docked in AFD 7. She was undocked later the same day and then proceeded to Holy Loch. (23)
Around 0300B/12, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) departed from Holy Loch for Gibraltar. This is the first leg of the trip to the Far East where she is to join the Eastern Fleet.
For the daily and attack positions of HrMs O 21 during her passage from the U.K. to the Far East see the map below.
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) fired four torpedoes against German U-boat U-254 about 200 nautical miles north-west of Cape Finisterre in approximate position 46°39'N, 12°05'W.
Around 2100B/20, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) arrived at Gibraltar. Some repairs were needed before O 21 would continue her passage. (4)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) is wiped at Gibraltar. (22)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted D/G trials at Gibraltar. (22)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted exercises to the east of Gibraltar. (22)
Around 1700B/8, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) departed from Gibraltar bound for Freetown. (23)
Around 1700Z/16, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) arrived at Freetown. During the passage, on 13 September, the Vulcan clutch of the starboard main engine had seized. Repairs were not possible at Freetown. (23)
Around 1530Z/23, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) departed from Freetown for Pointe Noire. She was escorted by Commandant d'Estienne d'Orves.
Around 1630B/2, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN), Commandant d'Estienne d'Orves and HMRT Prudent arrived at Pointe Noire. (23)
Around 1730B/3, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) and HMRT Prudent departed from Pointe Noire, Congo for Simonstown, South Africa. (23)
Around 1500B/12, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) and HMRT Prudent arrived at Salandha Bay, South Africa.
Around 0915B/16,HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) and HMRT Prudent departed from Salandha Bay for Simonstown. (26)
Around 1930B/17, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) arrived at Simonstown from Salandha Bay.
HMS Fortune (Lt.Cdr. R.D.H.S. Pankhurst, RN) and HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) are both docked in the Selborne graving dock at the Simonstown Dockyard. (26)
HMS Fortune (Lt.Cdr. R.D.H.S. Pankhurst, RN) and HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) are undocked. (26)
During 11 and 12 January 1943 HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted post repair trials of Simonstown during which she was escorted by HMS Genista (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Pattinson, DSC, RNR).
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducts A/S exercises off Simonstown with HMS Rockrose (Lt. E.J. Binfield, DSC, RNR), HMSAS Vereeniging and HMSAS Sonnebloem. (26)
Around 1200B/16, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) departed from Simonstown for East London. She is escorted by HMS Rockrose (Lt. E.J. Binfield, DSC, RNR). (26)
Around 1100B/18, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) and HMS Rockrose (Lt. E.J. Binfield, DSC, RNR) arrive at East London. En-route A/S exercises were carried out with Rockrose and aircraft. (26)
Around 1500B/24, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) departed from East London for Diego Suarez. Upon leaving East London A/S exercises were carried out with HMS Sondra (T/Lt. W.P. Hart, RNR) which was to escort her part of the way.
Around 1300D/1, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) arrived at Diego Suarez. (26)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted A/S exercises of Diego Suarez with HMIS Khyber (Lt. B.S. Soma, RIN), HMS Lurched (T/Lt. J. Muir, RNVR) and HMS Mastiff (T/Lt. C.M. Motherwell, RNVR). (26)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted A/S exercises of Diego Suarez with HMS Lurched (T/Lt. J. Muir, RNVR) and HMS Mastiff ((T/Lt. C.M. Motherwell, RNVR). (26)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted A/S exercises of Diego Suarez with HMS Lurched (T/Lt. J. Muir, RNVR) and HMS Mastiff ((T/Lt. C.M. Motherwell, RNVR). (26)
Around 0900D/9, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) departed from Diego Suarez for Addu Atoll. (26)
Around 1100FG/16, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) arrived at Addu Atoll from Diego Suarez. (26)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducts A/S exercises off Addu Atoll with HMS Balta (T/Lt. J.A.H. Punting, RNR).
Around 1230FG/21, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) arrived at Colombo from Addu Atoll. (26)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) is wiped at Colombo. (22)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted D/G trials off Colombo. Also a trial dive is made. (22)
Around 1000FG/6, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) departed from Colombo for her 17th war patrol (1st in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol in the Andaman Sea to guard the approach to Port Blair.
At 0820FG/11, when in approximate position 11°39'N, 92°53'E, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) sighed a small steamship of about 1000 tons bearing 325° proceeding on course 080° stearing clear to the south of Sir Hugo Rose Island. O 21 altered course to 300° to close but the ship passed to the north at a range of about 5 nautical miles and thus could not be attacked. (4)
An diving at dawn at 0521FG/12, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) picked up HE on Asdic and the hydrophones of a ship proceeding towards Port Blair.
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) torpedoed and sank the Japanese merchant cargo ship Kasuga Maru No.2 (3967 GRT, built 1936, offsite link) off Port Blair, Andaman Islands in position 11°39'N, 92°49'E.
Around 1915FG/19, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) left patrol to return to Ceylon. During the second half of her patrol, off Phuket, only some small vessels, mostly junks, have been sighted. (4)
Around 1720FG/24, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) ended her 17th war patrol (1st in the Far East) at Colombo. Around 1530FG/24, she was joined by the auxiliary patrol trawler HMS Okapi. (4)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Colombo with HMAS Tamworth (T/Lt. W.H. Deans, RANR(S)). (27)
Around 2100FG/11, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) departed from Colombo for her 18th war patrol (2nd in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol in the Malacca Straits. A special operation is also to be carried out.
At 1920FG/17, while to the north-east of Belawan, Sumatra in approximate position 04°02'N, 99°08'E, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) sighted a small motor launch proceeding to the north-east. (4)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted special operation ' May '. Two groups of four men each were landed on the Malayan coast to the south of the Sembilan Islands.
At 2110FG/20, in approximate position, 04°28'N, 100°16'E, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) sighed two small ships bearing 180° at a range of about 6 nautical miles. They were proceeding on course of 340° at 6 knots. They were at first thought to be fishing vessels, then minesweepers but were eventually seen to be small motor coasters of about 250 tons each. They were about 500 yards apart. They passed at a distance of about 2 nautical miles. Lt.Cdr. van Dulm decided to patrol off the Sembilan Islands as it was expected more similar vessels would be proceeding through these waters. (4)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm) torpedoed and sank the Japanese army cargo ship Yamazato Maru (6925 GRT, built 1937) in the Malacca Strait in position 03°26'N, 99°48'E. Yamazato Maru was escorted by the Japanese minelayer Hatsutaka (offsite link).
Around 1420FG/24, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm) sighted a ship approaching Sabang from the south. This ship entered harbour around 1500FG/24. The vessel was thought to be the Sabangbaai which was a tug of 181 GRT built in 1903. It was known that this tug was taken as a prize by the Japanese at Sabang.
Around 0930FG/25, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm) sighed a vessel, again (see yesterday) thought to be the former tug Sabangbaai (181 GRT, built 1903). The enemy vessel was southbound between Pulau Weh and Achin Head.
Around 1550FG/29, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) ended her 18th war patrol (2nd in the Far East) at Colombo. Around 1410FG/29, she was joined by the auxiliary patrol trawler HMS Okapi which escorted her in. (4)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) and HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. A.M. Valkenburg, RNN) were both docked in the outer graving dock at Colombo. (28)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) and HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. A.M. Valkenburg, RNN) were both undocked. (28)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted independent exercises off Colombo. (27)
Around 1730FG/28, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) departed from Colombo for her 19th war patrol (3rd in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol in the northern end of the Malacca Straits.
At 0150FG/12, when to the south-west of Penang in position 04°38'N, 99°46'E, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) sighted the silhouette of a small ship with a big bow wave proceeding northwards. The enemy speed was at least 12 knots but most likely more.
At 1925FG/14, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) surfaced to the north-west of Pulau Weh and left patrol to return to Colombo. The last two days, while patrolling off northern Sumatra, only a few small vessels, mostly junks, had been sighted. (4)
Around 1700FG/18, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) ended her 19th war patrol (3rd in the Far East) at Colombo. (4)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted independent exercises off Colombo. (29)
Around 1730FG/9, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) departed from Colombo for Exmouth Gulf, Australia.
Around 1015H/20, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) arrived at Exmouth Gulf, Australia. After fuelling she went alongside USS Chanticleer (Lt.Cdr. R.E. Hawes, USN) for some voyage repairs before she would be able to proceed on patrol. (29)
Around 0400H/23, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) departed from Exmouth Gulf for her 20th war patrol. She is to conduct several special operations (under the control of the Dutch NEFIS organisation) off the South coast of Java and Bali and also to the North of Bali and in the Kangean Archipaligo.
During the period of 27 July to 29 July, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) is to make rendezvous off Pulau Sempoe (now Sumbermanjing) with a small sailing vessel carrying an agent. However no sailing vessel displaying the secret markings that were agreed shows up. (22)
During the afternoon, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) performs a periscope reconnaissance of the airfield near Kuta, Bali. (22)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) landed an agent near Pang Pang Bay on the south-east tip of Java (in Strait Bali). Also a reconnaissance party made up of crewmembers of O 21 was briefly sent out.
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) landed a party (party no. 2 made up of crewmembers of O 21) to reconnoitre a possible landing place in the Pang Pang Bay. They are back on board after nearly 2 hours.
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) landd a party (party No. 2) to reconnoitre a possible landing place near the Pang Pang Bay. They are back on board after about one hour.
During the afternoon the lost party no. 1 is spotted on a beach in the Pang Pang Bay. Contact was established and after dark they were able to return to HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN). The agent they were to pick up was however not seen again.
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) transited Lombok Strait northwards. (22)
In the period 6 August to 8 August, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) is to make rendez-vouz off Goa Goa (now Goa-Daja) with a small sailing vessel carrying an agent. However no sailing vessel displaying the secret markings that were agreed shows up. A small sailing vessel that was thought to show one of the secret markings was stopped on the 7th but as this proved to be a native fishing vessel it was released. (22)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) performs a periscope reconnaissance of the north-west coast of Bali. (22)
In the early morning hours, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) lands party no. 2 on Hertenbeest (Deer) Island, that lays off the north-west coast of Bali. They are to spot aircraft movements during the day.
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) arrived at a rendez-vouz off Tandjung Djankar, Java (now Jangkar). No small sailing vessel with the agreed markings shows up.
During the evening, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) is detected and depth charged by a Japanese A/S trawler South of Kangean Island near position 07°03'S, 115°20'E. Minor damage is sustained but O 21 manages to escape on the surface after dark.
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) transited Lombok Strait southwards. (22)
Around 1140H/20, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) ended her 20th war patrol (4th in the Far East) at Exmouth Gulf. (22)
Around 0800H/21, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) departed from Exmouth Gulf for Fremantle. (29)
Around 0820H/24, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) arrived at Fremantle. Besides the normal repairs after a patrol, O 21 has some problems with her diesel engines for which she was to be taken in hand by USS Pelias (T/Capt. W. Wakefield, USN). (29)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) is put on the slip at Fremantle. (29)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) is put back in the water. (29)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNethN) and HrMs K XII (Lt.Cdr. T. Brunsting, RNethN) conducted attack and A/S exercises off Fremantle with HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Kruys, RNethN) (30)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducts A/S and attack exercises near Fremantle with the armed yacht USS Isabel (T/Lt.Cdr. F.D. Buckley, USN). (31)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducts A/S and attack exercises near Fremantle with HMAS Dubbo (T/Lt. N.G. Weber, RANR(S)). (31)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted exercises off Fremantle. (22)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted gunnery exercises off Fremantle. (22)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted post repair trials off Fremantle. (22)
Around 0900H/28, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) departed from Fremantle for Colombo. It is decided that she is to return to the U.K. for a refit.
Around 1740FG/11, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) arrived at Colombo from Fremantle. (31)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted post repair trials off Colombo. Also A/S exercises were carried out with Poona (T/Lt. Z.N. Mirza, RINR) and HMIS Sonavati (T/Lt. A. Brittain, RINR). (22)
Around 1745FG/30, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) departed from Colombo for Aden. (31)
Around 1400C/8, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) arrived at Aden from Colombo. (31)
Around 1700C/9, the submarine HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) and the landing ships Boxer (Lt.Cdr. G.B Herbert-Jones, RNR), HMS Bruiser (Lt.Cdr. J. Stretch, RD, RNR) and HMS Thruster (A/Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) A.W. McMullan, DSC, RNR) departed from Aden for Port Said.
Around 0815B/14, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) arrived at Suez from Aden. (31)
HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) transited the Suez Canal northbound and arrived at Port Said. (31)
Around 1600B/22, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) departed from Port Said for Malta. (31)
Around 1830A/27, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) arrived at Malta. (31)
Around 0515A/31, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) departed from Malta, she then joined convoy GUS 29 around 1045A/31 for the passage to Gibraltar.
Around 1900A/5, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) arrived at Gibraltar. (32)
Around 0700A/10, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) departed from Gibraltar for the U.K. She was escorted out by HMS Kilbirnie (T/Lt. E.R.H. Seddon, RNVR) until 1830A/11. (32)
Around 0915A/18, off the Scilly Islands, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) was joined by HMS Wallflower (Lt. G.R. Greaves, RNR) which then escorted her northwards through the Irish Sea. (4)
Around 0900A/22, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) arrived at Dundee.
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