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Submarine HMS Swordfish (N 61)

1 Sep 1939
HMS Swordfish (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) departed Dundee to take up a patrol position about 50 nautical miles from the Norwegian coast to the south-west of Stavanger. When the war with Germany started this became her 1st war patrol.

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

(1)

23 Sep 1939
HMS Swordfish (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) departed Dundee for her 2nd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the west coast of Denmark.

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

(1)

24 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Swordfish (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) was informed of HMS Spearfish’s predicament (she had been damaged by mine) and ordered to stay clear of the area where this submarine was to rendezvous with the 6th destroyer flotilla.

3 Oct 1939
HMS Swordfish (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Dundee. (1)

20 Oct 1939
HMS Swordfish (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) commenced refit at Dundee. (2)

29 Oct 1939
HMS Swordfish (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) was docked at Dundee. (3)

10 Jan 1940
HMS Swordfish (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) was undocked. (4)

25 Jan 1940
HMS Swordfish (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) was docked at Dundee. (4)

27 Jan 1940
HMS Swordfish (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) was undocked. (4)

Submarine HMS L 27 (N 27)

12 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS L 27 (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) is docked at Portsmouth. The date of undocking is currently not known to us.

Submarine HMS Oberon (N 21)

22 May 1940
HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. J.A.S. Wise, RN) shifted from Portland to Portsmouth. (5)

29 May 1940
HMS Oberon (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) departed Portsmouth for her 2nd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the English Channel.

No log is available for May 1940 so no map for this patrol can be displayed. (6)

1 Jun 1940
HMS Oberon (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Portsmouth. (6)

17 Jun 1940
HMS Oberon (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) departed Portsmouth for Fowey. (5)

18 Jun 1940
HMS Oberon (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) arrived at Fowey. (5)

28 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Oberon (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) departed Fowey for Portsmouth.

29 Jun 1940
HMS Oberon (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) arrived at Portsmouth. (5)

5 Jul 1940
HMS Oberon (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) departed Portsmouth for her 3rd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the English Channel.

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

(6)

12 Jul 1940
HMS Oberon (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol at Portsmouth. (6)

13 Jul 1940
HMS Oberon (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) departed Portsmouth for Rothesay. (7)

16 Jul 1940
HMS Oberon (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) arrived at Rothesay. She was now assigned to the 7th Submarine Flotilla for training purposes. (7)

17 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Oberon (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) conducted exercises for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) in the Clyde area with HMS White Bear (Capt. R. Gill, RD, RNR). Upon completion of these exercises HMS Oberon proceeded to Campbeltown. (7)

18 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Oberon (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) conducted exercises for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) off Campbeltown with HMS White Bear (Capt. R. Gill, RD, RNR). (7)

19 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Oberon (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) conducted exercises for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) off Campbeltown with HMS Topaze (Lt.Cdr. J.N. Hambly, MBE, RN). (7)

21 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Oberon (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) conducted exercises for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) off Campbeltown with HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A. E. Johnston, RN). (7)

24 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Oberon (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) shifted Campbeltown to Rothesay. (7)

30 Jul 1940
HMS Oberon (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) shifted from Rothesay to Campbeltown where A/S exercises were carried out with HMS Carina (Cdr.(Retd.) T.St.V.F. Tyler, RN).

[No log is available for HMS Oberon for the month of August 1940 so no other details on her operations during this month can be given here other then the ones currently listed.] (7)

19 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Pizey, DSC, RN) conducted independent exercises in the Clyde area. (8)

Submarine HMS Thunderbolt (N 25)

29 Oct 1940
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) departed from Liverpool for Greenock. She was escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (2)

30 Oct 1940
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) arrived at Greenock to begin a period of trials and training in the Clyde area.

She arrived at Holy Loch on 31 October 1940. (2)

1 Nov 1940
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) conducted full power and diving trials in Loch Long and Gare Loch. (9)

4 Nov 1940
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. Also D/G trials were carried out. (9)

5 Nov 1940
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) conducted trials and exercises in the Clyde area. (9)

6 Nov 1940
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) conducted trials and exercises in the Clyde area. (9)

8 Nov 1940
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) proceeded from Holy Loch to Arrochar. (9)

11 Nov 1940
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (9)

12 Nov 1940
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (9)

13 Nov 1940
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (9)

14 Nov 1940
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (9)

15 Nov 1940
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) proceeded from Arrochar to Holy Loch. (9)

16 Nov 1940
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) proceeded from Holy Loch to Arrochar. She then conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (9)

17 Nov 1940
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) conducted exercises in Loch Long. (9)

18 Nov 1940
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) conducted exercises in Loch Long. Upon completion of these exercises HMS Thunderbolt proceeded to Holy Loch. (9)

22 Nov 1940
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HrMs Z 8 (Lt.Cdr. P.A. de Boer, RNN) as target. (9)

23 Nov 1940
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HrMs Z 8 (Lt.Cdr. P.A. de Boer, RNN) as target. Upon completion of these exercises HMS Thunderbolt proceeded to Campbeltown. (9)

24 Nov 1940
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (9)

25 Nov 1940
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) conducted attack exercises off Campbeltown with HMS St. Modwen (Cdr.(Retd.) W.A. Ford, RN) as target. Upon completion of these exercises HMS Thunderbolt proceeded to Rothesay. (9)

26 Nov 1940
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN) as target. (9)

27 Nov 1940
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) conducted noise trials in lower Loch Long. (9)

3 Dec 1940
For the daily positions of HMS Thunderbolt during her 1st war patrol see the map below.

3 Dec 1940
At 1400A/3, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN), departed from Holy Loch for her 1st war patrol. She is to patrol in the Bay of Biscay off the Gironde estuary.

Passage south through the Irish Sea was made together with HMS Cachalot (Lt.Cdr. J.D. Luce, DSO, RN) and HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN). They were escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) until 0630A/6. (10)

14 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0852A/14, when in approximate position 45°34'N, 01°38'W, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) sighed three armed trawlers on patrol in thee Grande Passe de l'Ouest. They were carried out a sweep to the west and returned to the east around 1330A/14. No A/S transmissions were heard.

This were most likely the German auxiliary patrol vessels V 401, V 407 and V 409 which were on patrol off the Gironde estuary on this day. (11)

15 Dec 1940 (position 45.25, -1.22)
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) torpedoed and sank Italian submarine Capitano Raffaele Tarantini south-west of the Gironde Estuary near Bordeaux, France in position 45°25'N, 01°22'W.

HMS Thunderbolt was part of a patrol line with HMS Unique, HMS Upholder and HMS Usk. They were to intercept Italian submarines which were due to arrive in Bordeaux.

At the time the torpedoes hit the Italian submarine she was escorted by the German auxiliary patrol vessels V 401 and V 407.

According to the war diary of the German 4th VP Flotilla, the auxiliary patrol vessels V 401, V 407 and V 409 had to meet an incoming Italian submarine at 'Point 9' at 0930B/15. While en-route to this position the Vichy French merchant vessel Chateau Yquem (2536 GRT, built 1925) was encountered. She had clearance to proceed from Nantes to Algiers but this was not known to the three ships of the 4th VP Flotilla which inspected the vessel and decided that it had to proceed to the Gironde for further inspection escorted by V 401 and V 409.

At 0900B/15, V 407 was ordered to proceed to the rendezvous position with the Italian submarine alone. While en-route to the Gironde with the French merchant vessel, at 0945B/15, V 401 and V 409 sighted an Italian submarine surfacing 15 nautical miles to the south of the rendezvous position. V 409 was ordered to continue with the French merchant vessel to the Gironde while V 401 set off to join the Italian submarine also recalling V 407 to join her.

The Italian submarine remained stopped in the position she had surfaced for around 25 minutes before she was joined by V 401 which was stationed ahead. They got underway at 1010B/15. V 407 joined shortly afterwards and took station astern of the Italian submarine.

At 1017B/15, a detonation occurred at the stern of the Italian submarine. A column of water was seen to rise about 20 meters into the air. The two German patrol vessels immediately closed the sinking Italian submarine and rescue equipment like life vest and rafts were thrown overboard. V 407 was ordered to rescue the survivors while V 401 screened her to prevent the enemy submarine from attacking again with dropping depth charges. V 407 was able to rescue 5 Italian survivors. V 409 meanwhile was also en-route to the area of the attack having escorted the French merchant vessel to the Gironde estuary and then turned to rejoin the other two trawlers to escort the incoming Italian submarine.

0835A/15 - In position 45°25'N, 01°23'W sighted an object that was later made out to be the conning tower of a submarine. Later two trawlers were sighted on the same bearing.

0900A/15 - Now sighted that the contact was a submarine escorted by three trawlers. Started an attack on the submarine.

0920A/15 - Fired six torpedoes. Range was 4000 yards. 4 min. and 9 sec. after firing the first torpedo an explosion was heard. Lt. Crouch was at the periscope and saw a tall column of water rise into the air at the same time. 15 explosions followed the first explosions, some of the would be some of the torpedoes exploding when they hit the bottom at the end of their run and some were most likely depth charges dropped by the trawlers. The trawlers were never in contact and Thunderbolt cleared the area. (11)

17 Dec 1940
At 1309A/17, off the Gironde estuary, in position 45°38'N, 01°28'W, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) sighted a ship to the south-west at a distance of 5 nautical miles. It was thought to be a former French sloop of the Elan-class. It was at first steering 355° but then altered course to 065°.

At 1353A/17, the masts of two ships could be seen.

Later the 'sloop' turned directly towards and at 1424A/17 it passed directly overhead and about 30 seconds later dull noises were heard as well as the scraping of a wire over the hull aft.

Later another ship seemed to join the hunt but by 1600A/17, nothing was heard anymore.

On surfacing that evening some damage was found topside.

The so called 'sloop' encountered was most likely the German minesweeper M 13 which was searching off the Gironde for mines as it was thought that the Italian submarine sunk by Thunderbolt might have been mined. No mines were however encountered and it thus became apparent to the Germans and Italians that the submarine had most likely been torpedoed. The other ship seen may have been the German minesweeper M 2 but the war diary of the 2nd German minesweeper Flotilla hold some conflicting information on whether she was at sea with M 13 or not.

Later this day HMS Thunderbolt left patrol and set course to return to Holy Loch. (12)

20 Dec 1940
Around 0650A/20, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN), made rendezvous with her escort towards Holy Loch, HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (10)

21 Dec 1940
Around 1320A/21, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Holy Loch. (10)

28 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) conducted D/G trials at Holy Loch. (13)

31 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) conducted D/G trials at Holy Loch. (13)

2 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) conducted compass swing trials at Holy Loch. (14)

3 Jan 1941
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which the Dutch torpedo boat HrMs Z 8 (Lt.Cdr. P.A. de Boer, RNN) acted as target. (14)

4 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which the Dutch torpedo boat HrMs Z 8 (Lt.Cdr. P.A. de Boer, RNN) acted as target. (14)

10 Jan 1941
For the daily positions of HMS Thunderbolt during her 2nd war patrol see the map below.

10 Jan 1941
Around 0845A/10, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) departed from Holy Loch for her 2nd war patrol. She is to patrol in the Bay of Biscay.

During the passage south through the Irish Sea she was escorted by the Free French minesweeper FFS La Moqueuse. They parted company around 0111A/11 near Wolf Rock. (10)

26 Jan 1941
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) was ordered to a patrol position off Brest, France to intercept the German heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper that was believed to be due to leave that port. (10)

28 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1922A/28, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) left patrol to return to Holy Loch. (10)

29 Jan 1941
At 0813A/29, east of the Pendeen lighthouse, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) made rendezvous with her escort towards Holy Loch, the Free French minesweeper FFS La Moqueuse. (10)

30 Jan 1941
Around 1700A/30, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Holy Loch. (10)

10 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) conducted D/G trials off Helensburg. (15)

13 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) and FFS Surcouf (Cdr. P.A.P. Ortolí) both conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (15)

14 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (15)

19 Feb 1941
Around 1730A/19, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) and FFS Surcouf (Cdr. P.A.P. Ortolí) departed from Holy Loch bound for Halifax, Canada. From that base they were to protect convoys from being attacked by German surface raiders.

They were escorted by the British corvette HMS Sunflower (Lt.Cdr. J.T. Jones, RNR) until around 2300A/20. (16)

19 Feb 1941

For the daily positions of HMS Thunderbolt during the passage from Holy Loch to Halifax see the map below.

24 Feb 1941 (position 53.55, -26.49)
Around 0724O/24, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) sighted an unidentified ship in position 53°55'N, 26°49'W which later, on sighting the submarine, opens fire despite repeated challenges by Thunderbolt, forcing her to dive.

The ship was the armed merchant cruiser HMS Canton (A/Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN) which mistook her for a U-boat. (16)

5 Mar 1941
Around 0900Q/5, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) arrived at Halifax, Canada. (16)

10 Mar 1941
Around 1515Q/10, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) departed from Halifax for her 3rd war patrol. She is to escort convoy SC 25 and protect it from German surface raiders. (The German battlecruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau were operating in the North Atlantic during this time).

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy SC 25 ' for 10 March 1941.]

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

(10)

10 Mar 1941

Convoy SC 25.

This convoy departed Halifax on 10 March 1941.

On departure from Halifax the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Ashby (British, 4868 GRT, built 1927), Barrdale (British, 5072 GRT, built 1925, with Commodore C.M. Ford, RNR, on board), Bjorkhaug (Norwegian, 2094 GRT, built 1919), Boltonhall (British, 4824 GRT, built 1935), Bonde (Norwegian, 1570 GRT, built 1936), Borgholm (Norwegian, 1557 GRT, built 1922), Caithness (British, 4970 GRT, built 1935), Dartford (British, 4093 GRT, built 1930), Don (Norwegian, 2010 GRT, built 1924), Dunelmia (British, 5207 GRT, built 1929), Empire Caribou (British, 4861 GRT, built 1919), Eskdalegate (British, 4250 GRT, built 1930), Fano (British, 1889 GRT, built 1922), Filleigh (British, 4856 GRT, built 1928), Gezina (Norwegian, 1828 GRT, built 1917), Grelhead (British, 4274 GRT, built 1925), Havtor (Norwegian, 1524 GRT, built 1930), Hindsholm (British, 1512 GRT, built 1922), Iron Baron (British, 3231 GRT, built 1911), Knud (British, 1944 GRT, built 1900), Koranton (British, 6695 GRT, built 1920), Leka (Norwegian, 1599 GRT, built 1922), Marionga D. Thermiotis (Greek, 4784 GRT, built 1904), Mariston (British, 4557 GRT, built 1924), Nicolaos Piangos (Greek, 4499 GRT, built 1912), Nicolas (Greek, 4540 GRT, built 1910), Pagasitikos (Greek, 3942 GRT, built 1914), Parthenon (Greek, 3189 GRT, built 1908), Pegasus (Greek, 5762 GRT, built 1920), Profit (Norwegian, 1608 GRT, built 1918), Ramillies (British, 4553 GRT, built 1927), Stad Maassluis (Dutch, 6541 GRT, built 1918), Veni (Norwegian, 2982 GRT, built 1901) and Zurichmoor (British, 4455 GRT, built 1925).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Laconia (Capt.(Retd.) G.G.P. Hewett, RN) and the submarine HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN).

During the night of 10/11 March 1941, the Gezina and Havtor parted company with the convoy and apparently returned to Halifax.

At 1115P/15, in position 44°32'N, 46°58'W, HMS Thunderbolt parted company with the convoy after having been ordered to do so by the Rear Admiral Submarines.

Around 0730O/22, in position 57°35'N, 33°32'W the merchant vessel Comanchee (British (tanker), 6837 GRT, built 1936) joined the convoy. She had dropped out of convoy HX 114.

Around 1100O/22, in position 57°55'N, 33°25'W the merchant vessel Roxby (British (tanker), 6837 GRT, built 1936) joined the convoy. She had also dropped out of convoy HX 114.

Around 1700P/22, in position 59°00'N, 25°12'W the merchant vessels Inger Lise (Norwegian, 1582 GRT, built 1939) and Velox (Norwegian, 3831 GRT, built 1922) joined the convoy. They had both dropped out of convoy HX 114.

Around 2030P/22, HMS Laconia parted company with the convoy in position 58°55'N, 25°05'W. The convoy was now not escorted. The A/S escort had not yet joined.

During the night of 24/25 March 1941, the convoy encountered a heavy easterly gale and several ships straggled from the convoy.

At 1100 hours on 26 March 1941 (time zone not known but probably Z/GMT) the A/S escort finally joined in position 58°47'N, 20°20'W. It was made up of the destroyers HMCS Ottawa (Cdr. E.R. Mainguy, RCN), ORP Garland (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) K.F. Namiesniowski), HMS Chesterfield (Lt.Cdr. E. Gleave, RNR), sloop HMS Weston (Cdr.(Retd.) J.G. Sutton, RN) and the corvettes HMS Heather (Cdr.(Retd.) J.G.C. Gibson, RN), HMS Picotee (Lt.Cdr. N.C.H. Scallan, RNR) and HMCS Hepatica (T/Lt. C. Copelin, RCNR). ORP Garland was ordered to look after the stragglers.

The convoy arrived in UK waters on 30 March 1941 and was then divided into several section which then proceeded to their respective destinations. (Loch Ewe, Belfast, Barry Roads and Mersey). (17)

15 Mar 1941

At 1115P/15, in position 44°32'N, 46°58'W, HMS Thunderbolt parted company with the convoy after having been ordered to do so by the Rear Admiral Submarines.

She was initially ordered to return to Halifax but later this day she was ordered to search for the German battlecruisers at large in the North Atlantic. (10)

18 Mar 1941
At 1326P, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) receives a message from the Admiralty ordering her to join convoy HX-115. (10)

20 Mar 1941
Around 1227P/20, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) joins convoy HX-115.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy HX 115 ' for 17 March 1941.] (10)

28 Mar 1941
Around 1640O/28, HMS California (Capt. C.J. Pope, RAN) and HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) parted company with convoy HX 115. they were now to proceed to Reykjavik, Iceland for fuel and provisions. (18)

29 Mar 1941
Around 1430N/29, HMS California (Capt. C.J. Pope, RAN) and HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) arrived at Reykjavik. They proceeded to Hvalfjord later the same day. (10)

30 Mar 1941
Around 1630P/30, HMS California (Capt. C.J. Pope, RAN) and HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) departed from Reykjavik to return to Halifax.

They parted company late in the evening. (19)

7 Apr 1941
Around 1200Q/7, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) arrived at Halifax from Iceland. (10)

16 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 16/17 April 1941, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Halifax with, at least, HMCS Alberni (Lt. G.O. Baugh, RCNR) and HMCS Chambly (T/A/Cdr. J.D. Prentice, RCN). (20)

18 Apr 1941
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) conducted D/G trials at Halifax. (20)

19 Apr 1941
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) conducted noise trials at Halifax. (20)

22 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) is wiped at Halifax. (20)

23 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) conducted A/S and attack exercises off Halifax with HMS Buxton (Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) Earl Beattie, RN) and HMCS St Croix (Cdr. H. Kingsley, RCN). (20)

29 Apr 1941
Around 1415Q/29, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) departed from Halifax for her 4th war patrol. She is to escort convoy SC 30.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy SC 30 ' for 29 April 1941.]

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

(10)

29 Apr 1941

Convoy SC 30.

This convoy departed Halifax on 29 April 1941.

On departure from Halifax the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Amberton (British, 5377 GRT, built 1928), Baltrover (British, 4916 GRT, built 1913), Becheville (British, 4228 GRT, built 1924), Bellemina (British, 6517 GRT, built 1919), Brika (British, 4412 GRT, built 1929), Cocle (Panamanian, 5630 GRT, built 1920), Empire Eland (British, 5613 GRT, built 1920), Imperial Monarch (British, 5831 GRT, built 1926), Ingertre (Norwegian, 2462 GRT, built 1921), Jutland (British, 6153 GRT, built 1928), Lifland (British (former Danish), 2254 GRT, built 1921), Loriga (British, 6665 GRT, built 1919), Marika Protopapa (Greek, 4447 GRT, built 1915), Nicolaou Virginia (Greek, 6869 GRT, built 1920), Selbo (Norwegian, 1778 GRT, built 1921), Sevilla (British, 5135 GRT, built 1900), Shaftesbury (British, 4284 GRT, built 1923), Soborg (British (former Danish), 1993 GRT, built 1924), Somersby (British, 5168 GRT, built 1930), Spero (Norwegian, 3619 GRT, built 1919), Stal (British (former Danish), 2242 GRT, built 1921), Theomitor (Greek, 4427 GRT, built 1910), Trolla (Norwegian, 1598 GRT, built 1923), Twickenham (British, 4762 GRT, built 1940), Vigsnes (Norwegian, 1599 GRT, built 1930), West Raritans (British, 5704 GRT, built 1919), Willemsplein (Dutch, 5489 GRT, built 1910) and Yearby (British, 5666 GRT, built 1929).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Salopian (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) and the submarine HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN). The corvettes HMCS Cobalt (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.B. Campbell, RCNR) and HMCS Collingwood (T/Lt. W. Woods, RCNR) were also with the convoy until dusk when they returned to Halifax.

Around 2200N/10, in position 56°20'N, 34°50'W, HMS Thunderbolt parted company with the convoy.

Around 1600N/12, in position 59°02'N, 38°34'W, the destroyer HMS Malcolm (Cdr. C.D. Howard-Johnston, DSC, RN) and the rest of her group [further research required] joined the convoy.

Around 1700N/12, in position 59°06'N, 38°28'W, HMS Salopian parted company with the convoy.

Around noon on the 13th of May the convoys SC 30 and HX 124 joined company continued their passage to the U.K. together as one large convoy. The combined convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 19 May 1941.

The two convoys had already been in close company since 6 May 1941. (17)

10 May 1941
At 2040N/10, while in position 56°28'N, 35°49'W, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) comes under fire from an outward bound independent merchant vessel believed to be of the Ellerman line as she is still escorting convoy SC 30. HMS Thunderbolt turns away.

HMS Thunderbolt later parts company with convoy SC-30. She carries out a search for shadowing enemy submarines behind the convoy. Afterwards she is to proceed to position 43°00'N, 40°00'W. (10)

18 May 1941
Around 1130P/18, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) arrived at Halifax. (10)

25 May 1941
Around 0600P/25, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) departed from Halifax for her 5th war patrol. She is to patrol in a 50 mile radius from position 43'N, 50'W to intercept the German battleship Bismarck and heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen.

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

(10)

28 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1835P/28, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) left patrol to return to Halifax. (10)

31 May 1941
Around 1430P/31, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) returns to Halifax from patrol. (10)

1 Jun 1941
Around 0800P/1, HMS Forth (Capt. G.C.P. Menzies, RN) and HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) departed Halifax for Saint John (New Brunswick) where they arrived around 1000P/2. (21)

2 Jun 1941
HMS Forth (Capt. G.C.P. Menzies, RN) and HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) are docked together in the graving dock at Saint John (New Brunswick). (21)

7 Jun 1941
HMS Forth (Capt. G.C.P. Menzies, RN) and HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) are undocked.

Around 2045P/7, they left Saint John (New Brunswick) for Halifax. (21)

8 Jun 1941
Around 2230P/8, HMS Forth (Capt. G.C.P. Menzies, RN) and HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) arrived at Halifax from Saint John (New Brunswick). (21)

9 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) conducted compass adjustment trials at Halifax. (22)

10 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) conducted D/G trials at Halifax. (22)

11 Jun 1941
Around 1700P/11, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) departed from Halifax for her 6th war patrol. She is to patrol in the North Atlantic to hunt enemy submarines.

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

(10)

15 Jun 1941 (position 41.32, -46.39)
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) makes two torpedo attacks on the German submarine U-557 in the North Atlantic in position 41°32'N, 46°39'W. All torpedoes fired in the two attacks however miss their target. The Germans later trailed their attacked but lost sight of it before they could attack themselves.

1155P/15 - HMS Thunderbolt spots the conning tower of a German U-boat about 3.5 nautical miles away. Due to the sea conditions contact was lost.

1243P/15 - Contact was gained again at 5000 yards.

1250P/15 - A salvo of 6 torpedoes was fired from 4300 yards (2 torpedoes misfired and did not left the torpedo tubes). No explosions were heard after 5 minutes so no hits were obtained.

1312P/15 - Another two torpedoes were fired but these also missed. Lt. Crouch decided to prepare for gun action but the surprise was gone as the U-boat was seen to follow up the torpedo tracks. Lt. Crouch decided to go deep. (23)

25 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0120P/25, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) left patrol to return to Halifax. (10)

28 Jun 1941
Around 1345P/28, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) returns to Halifax. (10)

30 Jun 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt. M. Willmott, RN) and HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) departed from Halifax for St. John's escorted by HMS Buxton (Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) Earl Beattie, RN). (22)

2 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1600OP/2, HMS Talisman (Lt. M. Willmott, RN), HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) and their escort, HMS Buxton (Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) Earl Beattie, RN), arrived at St. John's from Halifax. (24)

8 Jul 1941
Around 1630OP/8, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) departed from St. John's bound for Gibraltar.

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

(25)

17 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1940Z/17, when in position 31°59'N, 18°24'W, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN), received a signal from from FOCNA (Flag Officer Commanding North Atlantic), timed 2000A/17, ordering HMS Thunderbolt to proceed to position 30°44'N, 17°33'W to pick up survivors from the merchant vessel Guelma (British, 4402 GRT, built 1928). (25)

18 Jul 1941
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) picks up 43 survivors (the entire crew) of the British merchant Guelma (British, 4402 GRT, built 1928) that was torpedoed and sunk the day before in position 30°44'N, 17°33'W by the Italian submarine Alessandro Malaspina. (25)

21 Jul 1941
Around 1815A/21, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. She was escorted in by an ML which had joined near Cape Spartel. (25)

1 Aug 1941
Around 2230B/1, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) departed from Gibraltar bound for Alexandria. She has to call at Malta to unload cargo.

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

(26)

6 Aug 1941
At 0325B/6, when west-south-west of Marettimo Island, in position 37°55'N, 11°55'E, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) sighted a darkened ship bearing 080° at a range of four nautical miles. Also two columns of smoke were sighed bearing 145°.

At 0330B/6, the ships was identified as a destroyer on a southerly course at 25 knots. Thunderbolt dived but did not attack. Only very important targets were allowed to be attacked as per instructions. HE was picked up at 220 revs. It was heard to cross ahead from port to starboard. It was soon lost but later faint HE was heard to cross in the opposite direction.

This was possibly the torpedo boat Giuseppe Dezza who sailed at 0140B/6 from Trapani to provide local escort for the 'Caffaro convoy' (Caffaro, Palmaiola and Motia escorted by the torpedo boats Procione, Orsa and Orione on passage from Tripoli to Naples). Another possibility is the torpedo boat Pallade who sailed at 1500B/5 from Trapani to patrol the area and provided local escort to a convoy (probably also the 'Caffaro convoy') returned to Trapani at 0800B/6.

Unfortunately, We have no report from any of these escorts except the Specchio. Possibly, the subsequent sightings (except the small vessels) were from vessels of this convoy.

At 0908B/6, in position 37°39'N, 12°16'E, a motor vessel was seen hull down and close inshore.

At 0936B/6, in position 37°35'N, 12°22'E, several columns of smoke were sighted as well as an unidentified aircraft bearing 042°, range 5 nautical miles. The aircraft was proceeding on heading 120° at 100 feet.

At 1025B/6, a small vessel of 200 ton was sighed bearing 004°, range 3 to 4 nautical miles. Courses were various but none towards.

At 1040B/6, a destroyer or sloop was sighted bearing 000° at a range of 7 nautical miles. Enemy course was eastwards.

At 1315B/6, sighted a two masted schooner with sails down bearing 090° at a range of 4 to 5 nautical miles. Enemy course was north-west. (26)

8 Aug 1941
Around 0640B/8, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) arrived at Malta. Stores were then disembarked. (26)

10 Aug 1941
Around 2000B/10, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) departed from Malta for Alexandria. En-route she made a short patrol off Ras El Hilal. (26)

18 Aug 1941
Around 1150C/18, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) arrived at Alexandria. (26)

22 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the evening, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Alexandria with launching and recovering a Folbot. (27)

29 Aug 1941
Around 1915C/29, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) departed from Alexandria for her 7th war patrol. This is her 1st war Mediterranean war patrol. She is to patrol in the Gulf of Sirte.

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

(26)

2 Sep 1941
At 0553C/2, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) received Capt. S 1's signal, timed 2350C/1, ordering Thunderbolt to establish patrol in position 33°36'N, 17°50'E by noon on 3 September. An important Italian convoy was to be intercepted.

It was not possible to reach this position by proceeding submerged by day so it was decided to run on the surface.

At 1405C/2, HMS Thunderbolt abandoned her passage on the surface after she had to dive for an aircraft for the second time this day.

At 2323C/2, Capt. S 10's signal, timed 1324B/2, was received amending the patrol position to 35°25'N, 18°20'E and later to 35°25'N, 18°10'E (as per Capt. S 10's signal 2127B/2).

The convoy referred to must have been the convoy made up of the transports Andrea Gritti (Italian, 6338 GRT, built 1939), Francesco Barbaro (Italian, 6343 GRT, built 1940), Rialto (Italian, 6099 GRT, built 1927), Sebastiano Venier (Italian, 6311 GRT, built 1940) and Vettor Pisani (Italian, 6339 GRT, built 1939). They were escorted by the Italian destroyers Nicoloso da Recco, Dardo, Folgore and Strale. The convoy had departed Naples at 2200B/1 bound for Tripoli via the Messina Strait.

This convoy was attacked during the night of 2/3 September 1941 by torpedo aircraft (9 Swordfish) from Malta and the Andrea Gritti was sunk (347 dead, only 2 survivors). The Francesco Barbaro was damaged and was taken under tow by the Dardo to Messina. Later the tug Titano and Porto Recanati took over the tow from the destroyer. The destroyers Ascari and Lanciere were sent to escort the tow.

According to Italian sources the Andrea Gritti was hit by a torpedo at 0046B/3 [report by the destroyer Dardo] and blew up in a tremendous explosion. Dardo turned back to rescue the survivors, at about the same time she received a signal from Francesco Barbaro that she was immobilised with engines breakdown, steering out of order and hold no.6 flooded. Dardo decided to take on board the troops from Barbaro. Eventually, 301 troops and three civilians were transferred. In the meantime, Strale had found two wounded survivors from Gritti and these were also transferred to Dardo. Strale then left to rejoin the convoy while Dardo took in tow Barbaro and proceeded at 6 knots toward Messina. At 1000B/3, the destroyers Ascari and Lanciere arrived to escort them and shortly after, the torpedo boat Albatros. At 1158B/3, the tug Porto Recanati arrived to help with the tow, followed at 1320B/3 by the tug Titano. They reached Messina at 1814B/3. The remainder of the convoy reached Tripoli at 1815B/4.

Note that HMS Otus was also ordered to intercept the same convoy at 1100C/3 in position 35°40'N, 18°16'E, later corrected to 35°40'N, 18°08'E. (28)

3 Sep 1941
At 1458C/3, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) a signal was received from the Naval Officer in Command Malta, timed 1245B/3 which reported an enemy submarine at 0835B/3 in position 36°14'N, 17°30'E on course 145°, speed 12 knots. This signal most likely referred to the Italian submarine Topazio which had left Augusta at 1950B/2 to patrol off Cyprus and the Levant coast and off also off Beirut.

A 2107C/3, a signal was received from Capt. S 1, timed 1750C/3, ordering HMS Thunderbolt to patrol in 'area C' but to remain near position 34°12'N, 19°10'E which was on the reported track of the enemy submarine and through which position it would pass around 2200 hours. The moon was nearly full.

At 2259C/3, Capt. S 10's signal, timed 2105B/3, was received. It stated that a convoy would pass through position 32°40'N, 19°20'E at 0700 hours the following morning and that this convoy was to arrive at Benghazi around 1230 hours on the 4th. HMS Thunderbolt proceeded with all despatch to try to intercept. The convoy referred to was the one made up of the transports Bosforo (3648 GRT, built 1929) and Iseo (2366 GRT, built 1918) escorted by the auxiliary Egitto (3220 GRT, built 1929), which had departed Brindisi around 2115B/1 for Benghazi where it arrived around 1400B/4. The convoy was however not sighted. (29)

5 Sep 1941 (position 32.02, 19.48)
In the early morning hours HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) encounters what is thought to be a surfaced enemy submarine. When about to fire a salvo of torpedoes the contact was seen to be a destroyer coming straight toward. Thunderbolt dived to safety.

This must have been the escort of the convoy made up of the transports Cadamosto (Italian, 1010 GRT, built 1905) and Prospero (Italian, 971 GRT, built 1904) escorted by the torpedo boat Clio on passage from Tripoli to Benghazi where they arrived at 0800B/5. The torpedo boat sighted the submarine at 0350B/5 in position 360° - Benghazi – 10 miles and apparently attacked it.

Late in the afternoon the Italian hospital ship Arno (7785 GRT, built 1912) was sighed. She was not attacked. The hospital ship had arrived at Benghazi around 0730B/5 (without being sighted by HMS Thunderbolt) and departed from there around 1400B/5.

0409C/5 - In position 32°02'N, 19°48'E sighted a darkened ship bearing 330° distant 3 to 4 nautical miles. Altered course towards and closed at 8 knots on the engines.

0415C/5 - Sighted two other smaller vessels some distance astern of the first vessel. Decided to attack the first vessel as this appeared to be the largest.

0430C/5 - Came to the conclusion that the target was a large surfaced submarine. Started an attack.

0434C/5 - When just about to fire a salvo of torpedoes when the target changed course and became end on.

0437C/5 - The target resumed her original course but shortly afterwards was end on again.

0438C/5 - The target was seen to make a terrific bow wave and wash and was heading directly towards Thunderbolt. It was now realised that the target was a destroyer at 1000 yards. Dived and took avoiding action.

0453C/5 - A single depth charge was dropped. 10 minutes later another single depth charge was dropped. Nothing further happened.

0528 hours- - No HE could be heard anymore.

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

1650C/5, in position 32°14'N, 19°54'E sighed a hospital ship bearing 100° at a range of 3 nautical miles. Course 330°. It was not attacked. (30)

6 Sep 1941
At 1047C/6, north of Benghazi, in position 32°14'N, 20°02'E, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) sighed what were thought to be four auxiliary minesweepers (or possibly A/S vessels) bearing 158° at a range of four nautical miles. Enemy course was approximately 020°. They were in line abreast about 5 cables apart. Two more vessels though to be fishing vessels (probably also some auxiliary vessels) were seen near the other four vessels.

At 1057C/6, a small warship and two caiques were seen bearing 170° at a rangee of four nautical miles. Their course was 010°.

At 1104C/6, the four minesweepers sighted earlier were now about a mile away when they turned to course 190°. HMS Thunderbolt then followed in their wake to establish the exact direction of the channel being swept.

At 1155C/6, the two other auxiliary vessels had parted company with the minesweepers and were laying stopped. They were probably on hydrophone watch or were marking the channel. At 1520C/6, they were still seen in roughly the same position.

At 1330C/6, two three-masted schooners and what is thought to be a small escort vessel were sighted bearing 125°, range 6 miles. Their course was approximately 235°. They were close inshore to the north-east of Benghazi.

At 1355C/6, the minesweepers were sighed again but now there were five. A flying boat was patrolling ahead of them. Course was altered to evade them.

At 1520C/6, the minesweepers altered course to 090°. The flying boat had remained with them until this moment.

At 2053C/6, HMS Thunderbolt surfaced and proceeded to position 264° - Benghazi ligthouse - 55 nautical miles to intercept a small convoy reported in Capt. S 1's signal timed 2225C/5. (26)

7 Sep 1941 (position 32.04, 18.55)
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) torpedoed and sank the small transport Sirena (Italian, 974 GRT, built 1883) about 50 miles west of Benghazi, Libya.

Sirena was in convoy with the auxiliary schooners U 4 / Sparviero (498 GRT, built 1915) and V 236 / Imperia (222 GRT, built 1912). They were escorted by the torpedo boat Clio.

The convoy was initially escorted by the torpedo boat Pallade but Clio sailed from Tripoli at 1950B/5 and relieved Pallade at 0555B/5. At the time of the attack, Sirena was only in company with Imperia, as Sparviero had fallen behind due to engine defects and Clio had gone back to check with her and was told that the defects would be remedied in 5-6 hours. Clio took Sparviero in tow at 1923B/7. At 2020B/7, they caught up with Imperia only to be told that Sirena had been torpedoed and sunk. Clio gave up the tow and proceeded to rescue the survivors. She sighted lifeboats and rafts and ordered Imperia to pick them up and then to take Sparviero in tow. Clio dropped a few depth charges for intimidation purposes and then rejoined the two schooners to escort them. At 0320B/8, Sparviero informed Clio that she was unable to repair her defects, fortunately a minesweeper from Benghazi arrived at 0700B/8 to help with the tow and the four vessels entered Benghazi harbour at 1512B/8.

1916C/7 - In position 32°04'N, 18°55'E sighted smoke bearing 295°.

1944C/7 - Sighted that the smoke came from one steamship of about 1500 tons, one three masted schooner and one four masted schooner escorted by one torpedo boat.

2010C/7 - The four masted schooner was seen to alter course and drop astern of the others. The torpedo boat, that was seen to be of the Calypso-class, went to round it up. The steamship was selected as target. Started an attack.

2058C/7 - Fired one torpedo from 2000 yards. An explosion was heard 1 minute 20 seconds after firing. One hour later breaking up noises were heard.

2204C/7 to 0007C/8 - 14 Depth charges were dropped but none were close and the torpedo boat was never in contact. (26)

9 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0500C/9, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) arrived off Sirte. She then commenced to close the coast until objects ashore could be identified in the bright full moonlight.

0535C/9, Six rounds with the deck gun were fired at Fort Biroli from 3500 yards. This resulted in a dull red flash being seen. HMS Thunderbolt then retired and dived for a day of submerged patrol eastwards at 0632C/9. No coastal traffic was encountered however. (26)

10 Sep 1941
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) sank the Italian auxiliary patrol vessel V 224 / Svam I (388 GRT) with gunfire in the Gulf of Sirte off Marsa el Auegia.

At 1622C/10, HMS Thunderbolt set course to return to the Benghazi area to intercept an enemy convoy she had been made aware off in Capt. S 1's signal, timed 1050C/10. This signal stated that two enemy ships were expected to arrive in position 32°17'N, 20°04'E at 1500C/11 from the Straits of Messina and also one ship from Greece A.M. on the 12th. This last ship was later reported as being delayed.

0325C/10 - Sighted a three masted schooner at anchor. Decided to attack with the gun.

0348C/10 - Opened fire. In all eleven rounds were fired for four hits and two possible hits. The schooner was on fire. After the third round, Thunderbolt was taken under fire by a shore battery. Thunderbolt fired four rounds at this shore battery while withdrawing from the area (the battery was Fort Biroli). (26)

11 Sep 1941 (position 32.20, 19.50)
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) torpedoed and sank the transport Livorno (German, 1829 GRT, built 1924) about 10 nautical miles North-West of Benghazi, Libya in position 32°20'N 19°50'E.

The convoy attacked was en route from Naples (departed around 2330B/7) to Benghazi and was made up of the above mentioned transport Livorno and the transport Spezia (German, 1825 GRT, built 1924). They were escorted by the Italian torpedo boats Polluce and Centauro. 34 Survivors were picked up from the Livorno. 12 Men were missing presumed killed.

1109C/11 - In position 32°19'N, 19°50'E sighted a convoy bearing 277° on course 110°.

1114C/11 - Identified the convoy as consisting of two identical supply ships escorted by three aircraft and two destroyers. The supply ships were dazzle painted in shades of gray. Started attack.

1148C/11 - Fired three torpedoes from 1200 yards. An explosion was heard 1 minute and 10 seconds after firing the first torpedo.

1151C/11 - Depth charging started. 22 depth charges were dropped in as many minutes.

1229C/11 - Came to periscope depth and saw a dense column of very black smoke reaching to a height of at least 1500 feet. One destroyer was seen stopped, thought to be listening, about a mile away. The three aircraft were still patrolling the area.

1325C/11 - No HE was heard after this time.

1830C/11 - The smoke had gone by now. The ship either burnt out or had sunk. (26)

12 Sep 1941
At 1525C/12, while patrolling to the north of Benghazi, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) sighted three minesweepers bearing 308°. They were hull down and probably sweeping in the old (130° - 310°) searched channel.

At 1627C/12, a total of four auxiliary patrol vessels were seen patrolling the area. (26)

13 Sep 1941
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) attacked what is thought to be a 'Crotone-class' minelayer near Benghazi. All torpedoes fired missed their target. In fact it was the Italian minesweeper Zirona (former Yugoslavian Jastreb).

Earlier in the day auxiliary minesweepers and auxiliary patrol vessels had been sighted in the area. These had not been attacked but evaded.

1541C/13 - In position 32°18'N, 19°53'E sighted what is thought to be a Crotone-class minelayer. Started attack.

1610C/13 - Fired three torpedoes from 3200 yards and went deep. An explosion was heard after 2 minutes and 21 seconds.

1625C/13 to 1637C/13 - Four depth charges were dropped but they were not close and did no damage. (26)

14 Sep 1941
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) fires three torpedoes at the transport Tinos (German, 2826 GRT, built 1914) about 30 nautical miles north-west of Benghazi, Libya. All torpedoes fired missed their target though a hit was claimed. The Tinos was coming from Piraeus, Greece which she had departed around 1300B/12.

Tinos was escorted by the Italian torpedo boat Polluce. An escorting CANT Z.501 aircraft from Marina Benghasi piloted by Midshipman Mazzinari attacked Thunderbolt.

0539C/14 - In position 32°21'N, 19°50'E sighed a darkened ship bearing 180°.

0543C/14 - Identified the ship as a destroyer proceeding on course 020°. HMS Thunderbolt dived. Assumed the destroyer to proceed towards a rendezvous with the tanker coming from Greece.

1431C/14 - In position 32°40'N, 19°55'E sighted smoke bearing 023°.

1510C/14 - Sighted a merchant vessel bearing 023° on course 200°. A destroyer was seen zig-zagging ahead. There was an air escort overhead of seven aircraft. Started attack. No sign of the expected tanker though. [Tinos was carrying petrol in barrels though.]

1542C/14 - Fired four torpedoes from about 4000 yards. An explosion was heard three minutes and 22 seconds after firing the first torpedo.

1548C/14 to 1613C/14 - 14 Depth charges were dropped and three bomb explosions were heard.

1620C/14 - Heard a heavy muffled explosion, most likely something blowing up in the torpedoed ship. This was followed shortly after with another explosion.

1709C/14 - Came to periscope depth but found nothing in sight.

2035C/14 - Surfaced and set course to return to Alexandria. (26)

20 Sep 1941
Around 1145C/20, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) ended her 7th war patrol at Alexandria. (26)

5 Oct 1941
Around 1745B/5, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) departed from Alexandria for her 8th war patrol. This is her 2nd Mediterranean war patrol. She was to patrol in the Aegean.

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

(26)

9 Oct 1941
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) lands a party on the coast of Crete (Operation 'Stiletto'). The previous day the operation had been postponed for 24 hours due to unsuitable weather conditions.

This was an SOE operation (Source file HS 5/673 at the TNA. Stiletto: Infiltration of Captain Smith-Hughes party). Four agents were landed: Captain Jack Smith-Hughes (SOE), Sergeant Ralph H. Stockbridge, Royal Signals (ISLD), Cretan chief Kapetan SATANAS (aka SATAD) (Antonio Gregorakes) and guide Evstratica Liparoudakes. They were to facilitate the extraction of British troops still at large in Crete, organise resistance and sabotage, establish W/T contact with Cairo and arrange the landing and dropping of supplies on the island.

1956B/9, HMS Thunderbolt surfaced.

2054B/9, Now slowly closing Sudsero Bay.

2140B/9, Stopped about 400 yards from the shore.

2145B/9, Commenced the operation. The wind was still fresh so it was decided to at first sent only one Folbot with the most experienced Folboteer inshore. One of the English passengers went with him. All went well so the second Folbot was now also sent inshore.

Several more trips were made and the operation was successfully completed at 2257B/9.

(26)

10 Oct 1941 (position 35.31, 26.25)
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) sank the Italian caique Citta di Simi (25 GRT) with gunfire some 12 miles north-east of Cape Sidero, Crete in position 35°31'N, 26°25'E.

1700C/10 - Sighted a two masted and a single masted caique bearing 350° distant 5 to 6 nautical miles. Altered course to close.

1740C/10 - Sunset.

1851C/10 - Surfaced in position 35°31'N, 26°25'E.

1904C/10 - Sank the two masted caique with gunfire. Failed to find the single masted caique due to the darkness.

1923C/10 - Set course for Suda Bay. (26)

11 Oct 1941
At 0522C/11, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) dived and continued to close Suda Bay.

At 0809C/11, HMS Thunderbolt was only 400 yards from the boom. A large tanker (10000 tons) and two patrol vessels were sighted at anchor with their stern swung towards the entrance. A steamship of about 5000 tons inshore of the tanker also appears to be at anchor. The remainder of the ships seen were thought to be wrecks with the exception of three or four small auxiliary vessels near the wreck of HMS York.

At 0849C/11, sighted three caiques bearing 070° at a range of 7 nautical miles. Their approximate course was 150°.

At 0915C/11, a large launch or motor barge, flying the Italian flag, proceeded into Suda Bay south of the fort.

At 0941C/11, a small vessel, probably an armed trawler, was in sighted bearing 080°, 10 miles. Course was approximately 180°.

At 1908C/11, HMS Thunderbolt surfaced and set course towards the Gulf of Nauplia. (26)

12 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0522C/12, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) dived in position 36°56'N, 23°15'E and proceeded towards the entrance of the Gulf of Nauplia.

At 0830C/12, several small sailing vessels were observed close inshore on the western side of the Gulf.

At 0930C/12, a small caique was sighted bearing 140° at a range of 5 nautical miles. Course was 200°.

At 1040C/12, left the area and set course to the eastward.

At 1335C/12, in position 37°08'N, 23°19'E sighed a two-masted caique accompanied by a small unidentified steam vessel bearing 245° distance 7 to 8 nautical miles on course 330°.

At 1905C/12, HMS Thunderbolt surfaced and set course for the Thermia channel to proceed via there to the area for the remaining scheduled special operations. (26)

13 Oct 1941
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) lands two parties on a beach in Marathon Bay (Operation 'Fleshpots').

Four Greek agents were landed: Lt.Cdr. Ioannis Abatzis, RHN (code name ALEXANDER), Ioannis Lekkas, RHN (code name KIP), telegraphist Nikos Karabasas (code name PHILON) and Georgios Ivanov Sainovich (Aka Jerzy Szajnowicz Iwanow). They were to establish communications between the Greek Resistance with Cairo or Malta and organise sabotage and the disruption of the Corinth Canal traffic [sources: email exchanges with the late Major Michael Ward of SOE and book Target Corinth Canal by Platon Alexiades]. Abatzis was to contact the General Drakos organisation while Lekkas was to deliver a verbal message from Prime Minister Emmanouil Tsouderos (of the Greek government in exile) to politician Panagiotis Kanellopoulos (who eventually fled to Egypt to become Minister of Defence in the Tsouderos government).

0520B/13, HMS Thunderbolt dived in position 7.5 nautical miles to the west of Megalonisos Island, Petali Gulf and carried out a reconnaissance to find a suitable landing space for the upcoming special operation.

On surfacing at 2011B/13, it was found that he wind had freshened and was blowing force 3 - 4. It was however decided to attempt the landing.

At 2100B/13, HMS Thunderbolt commenced to close the shore at slow speed. The Folbots were on the casing and the submarine was trimmed down.

At 2120B/13, HMS Thunderbolt stopped 700 yards from the shore. It had been decided to immediately use both Folbots and they left on the first trip at 2128B/13.

At 2226B/13, they left for the second run to the shore. All W/T and personal gear and four passengers were successfully transferred to the shore.

The operation was completed at 2318B/13. Course was then set for the Zea Channel. (26)

14 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0915C/14, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) sighted a caique proceeding northwards throught the Zea Channel. It was not attack so as to wait for bigger prey and not give the submarines position away.

At 2247C/14, in the Gulf of Athens, in position 37°40'N, 23°42'E, HE was heard bearing 339° and course was altered towards.

At 2300C/14, a small craft was sighted end on. HMS Thunderbolt dived for 15 minutes. (26)

15 Oct 1941 (position 37.40, 23.51)
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) attacked a convoy with three torpedoes. No hits were obtained.

The ships in the convoy (Piraeus to Saloniki) were the transport Burgas (German, 697 GRT, built 1912) and the tankers Petrakis Nomikos (German, 7020 GRT, built 1914) and Torcello (Italian, 3336 GRT, built 1892). They were escorted by the Italian destroyer Quintino Sella and Italian torpedo boats Sirio and Alcione.

At 0945B/15, the torpedo Sirio (escort leader) on the port side of the convoy, sighted a torpedo which porpoised several times. At the same time, a German aircraft escorting the convoy dropped three bombs. Sirio rushed to the area and dropped four 100-kg depth charges but one failed to explode. She ordered Sella to proceed with the convoy. At 0949B/15, the torpedo boat Alcione stationed on the starboard side of the convoy, had also sighted a torpedo apparently aimed at Petrakis Nomikos and joined the search. She reached the area believed to be the point of origin (37°50'50"N, 23°48'10"E), at 0955B, dropped three depth charges set at 50, 75 and 100 metres, a minute later she reversed course and dropped another three depth charges, followed by six more at 0958B. At 0959B, Alcione sighted a German aircraft diving on a spot to the east and assumed there was a second submarine and steered toward it. At 1005B, she sighted a torpedo without a head floating in 37°44’ N, 23°53’ E. At 1014B, she observed what appeared to be traces of two torpedo wakes and dropped four depth charges. Three minutes later, Sirio, ordered Alcione to keep on searching for the submarine and left the scene to rejoin the convoy. At 1035B, Alcione released a towing mine and began zigzagging in the area, fifteen minutes later she sighted the destroyer Crispi escorting a convoy (motorship Tabarca and steamer Addis Abeba) but they were not molested. At1150B, Alcione was relieved by two MAS boats and recovered her towing mine. Ten minutes later, she located again the floating torpedo (533mm type with serial number AA 1581) and proceeded to pick it up. This took half an hour, then she proceeded to rejoin the convoy.?

0028B/15 - In position 37°40'N, 23°43'E, sighted what is thought to be a motor torpedo boat beam on bearing 168°. The enemy was proceeding slowly on course 270°.

0240B/15 - The motor torpedo boat was again sighted bearing 320° range one mile. The enemy was on course 080°.

0804B/15 - In position 37°42'N, 23°51'E, two auxiliary minesweepers (motor trawlers) were sighted bearing 330° on course 140°. Course was altered to evade them.

0850B/15 - In position 37°40'N, 23°51'E sighted a convoy. Started attack.

0953B/15 - Fired three torpedoes at a tanker of 6000 tons from 650 yards. All torpedoes missed.

0958B/15 to 1031B/15 - Ten depth charges were dropped, some were close. Some damage was caused, the most serious was to the Asdic dome. Two destroyers remained in the area for the rest of the day. They were last seen at 1847B/15. (26)

18 Oct 1941 (position 37.42, 23.51)
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) attacked an enemy convoy with three torpedoes. No hits were obtained.

This convoy was en-route from the Dardanelles to Piraeus and was made up of the transports Balkan (Bulgarian, 3823 GRT, built 1914) and Balcic (Romanian, 3600 GRT, built 1940) escorted by the Italian torpedo boats Calatafimi and Castelfidardo

The convoy had sailed from the Dardanelles at 1100B/17 for Piraeus. At 1115B/18, the torpedo boat Castelfidardo (escort leader) sighted two torpedo tracks on a 150° course, they missed her stern by 150 and 20 metres. It was estimated that the submarine had fired from a distance of 4000 to 5000 metres as the torpedoes upon reaching the convoy had disappeared suddenly as if at the end of their run. She ordered Calatafimi to hunt the submarine and proceeded with the convoy. After a few minutes, observing the lack of reaction from Calatafimi, she assumed that she had not sighted the torpedo wakes, so she turned back to assist the search and dropped seventeen depth charges set at 75 and 100 metres. She remained in the area until 1200B when she was relieved by two MAS boats.

0730B/18 - Sighted two minesweepers right ahead steering 140°. Altered course to evade them.

0846B/18 - In position 37°42'N, 23°51'E sighted and later passed an armed trawler which was proceeding along the searched channel on course 140°.

0930B/18 - Passed a small tug towing an unladen lighter. Two caiques and a motor lighter were in sight close inshore.

1011B/18 - In position 37°42'N, 23°51'E sighted two merchant ships, hull down, bearing 145. Started attack.

1108B/18 - Fired three torpedoes from 1200 yards. All torpedoes missed.

1144B/18 to 1205B/18 - Eleven depth charges were dropped by the escorting destroyers. The destroyers remained in the area until 1300B/18. Other hunters remained in the area for the rest of the day.

1602B/18 - In position 37°33'N, 23°44'E sighted an motor torpedo boat bearing 028° at a range of 2 nautical miles on course 090°. Later it was seen laying stopped 2 nautical miles away.

1617B/18 - Sighted a motor patrol vessel bearing 030° at a range of 3 to 4 nautical miles. She was coming towards.

1644B/18 - The motor patrol vessel was now fairly close and as the sea was very calm went deep. It was head to pass directly overhead at 1716B/18.

1735B/18 - Returned to periscope depth in position 37°31'N, 23°43'E. Sighted the patrol vessel, a motor torpedo boat and a seaplane patrolling astern. Single depth charges were dropped at 1744B/18 and 1747B/18.

1807B/18 - Again at periscope depth. Nothing in sight now. (26)

19 Oct 1941
0815B/19 - When in position 37°38'N, 24°07'E, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) sighted two minesweepers hull down between Gaidaro Island and the mainland.

0939B/19 - The minesweepers had now rounded Gaidaro Island and were proceeding on course 100°.

1000B/19 - The minesweepers swept as far as position 37°36'42"N, 24°05'40"E and then returned on course 280°.

The Italian minesweeper R.159 had sailed from Piraeus to sweep the approaches and returned at 1410B/19. She may have been one of the vessels sighted. Possibly theyz could also have been German vessels from 'Seeverteidigung Attika' but we don't have the KTB (war diary) for this period.

1615B/19 - Sighted a small patrol vessel. A tug and what is thought to be a gunnery target were at anchor in Pasha Bay. During the day also several caiques had been seen.

1929B/19 - Just after surfacing in position 37°31'N, 24°08'E, a terrific sheet of flame was seen in the distance on estimated bearing 270°. It lit the whole sky for about a second. No explosion was heard. It was thought that a petrol carrier had hit a mine near St. Georgio Island.

The explosion seen was the Italian torpedo boat Altair which hit a mine laid by HMS Rorqual on 8 October 1941.

Altair was mined at 1928B/19 in position 320° - NW extremity of Aghios Georgios Island – 3 miles [a few miles to the west from where HMS Triumph was found in 2023]. She had sailed at 1605B/19 from Piraeus for Crete escorting the convoy made up of the Citta di Marsala, Citta di Agrigento, Tagliamento and the German Salzburg with auxiliary Barletta and the torpedo boats Lupo and Monzambano. Altair finally sank at 0247B/20, 3 miles west of Gaidaro Island, 123 survivors were picked up, 15 were killed. (26)

20 Oct 1941
0650B/14, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) sighted the same ships as had been seen at 1615B/19. They proceeded up the Zea Channel. The sails on the target were spread and the tow line was long. No ships were seen during the day so most likely the shore batteries were to conduct gunnery exercises.

0809B/14, Heard a distant underwater explosion. This was the Italian torpedo boat Aldebaran hitting another one the mines laid by HMS Rorqual.

Aldebaran was sent to pick up the survivors of Altair and was herself mined at 0805B/20, 3 miles WNW of Aghios Georgios Island. She sank at 0900B/20, 140 survivors were picked up, 10 were killed.

0925B/20 - While of the entrance to the Mandri Channel sighted two minesweepers hull down bearing 285°. They were on an approximate course of 320°.

Between 1210B/20 and 1310B/20 - in position 37°31'N, 23°52'E, sighted two small patrol vessels, three motor trawlers one armed steam trawler to the north-west. They were about 4 miles away on course of approximately 150°.

1256B/20 - A yacht of about 100 tons closed Gaidaro Island on course 100°. She then patrolled near Gaidaro Island for a while.

HMS Thunderbolt then proceeded towards the Gulf of Nauplia area. (26)

21 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) left patrol to proceed to Malta where she was to dock. (26)

25 Oct 1941
Around 0645A/25, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) ended her 8th war patrol at Malta. (26)

27 Oct 1941
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) is docked in No.2 graving dock at Malta. (31)

10 Nov 1941
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) is undocked. (31)

13 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) conducted a post repair trial dive off Malta. (32)

15 Nov 1941
Around 1930B/15, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) departed from Malta for her 9th war patrol. This is her 3rd Mediterranean war patrol. She is to proceed to a patrol position in the Ionian Sea. For her subsequent patrol positions see the map below.

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

(26)

16 Nov 1941
At 1600B/16, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) received Capt. S 10's signal, timed 1221B/16, ordering her to patrol to the south of the Straits of Messina, in position 37°58'N, 15°34'E. Course was set accordingly.

Captain S.10's signal timed 221B/16 was based on an ULTRA decrypt [file DEFE 3/834 (TNA) pages 1032, 1025, 1001] which revealed that an important 12-14 knots south-east bound convoy was expected to pass through the Strait of Messina in late afternoon on the 17th. This convoy was composed of the transports Vettor Pisani (Italian, 6339 GRT, built 1939), Napoli (Italian, 6142 GRT, built 1941) and Monginevro (Italian, 5324 GRT, built 1940) and would be screened by the 8th Cruiser Division (Gorizia) and nine destroyers and was believed to leave Naples for Tripoli. There are some doubts as to the exactitude of this signal, the heavy cruiser Gorizia had just been appointed as leader of the 3rd Cruiser Division (replacing Trieste). However, a new decrypt [file DEFE 3/834 (TNA) page 988-989] timed 1251/16 seemed to indicate that the departure had been delayed and the route was changed, passing through positions that could not be deciphered (this convoy finally sailed on 13th December from Taranto for Benghazi). This led to the cancellation of the orders to HMS Thunderbolt by the signal of 1535B/16.

At 2206B/16, Capt. S. 1's signal, timed 1635B/16 was received cancelling the previous orders and ordering HMS Thunderbolt to patrol off Cephalonia to intercept a convoy seen off Brindisi most likely bound for North Africa. It was however not possible the reach the position to intercept the convoy on time despite changing course immediately.

The convoy referred to was most probably the one made up of the transports Tinos (German, 2826 GRT, built 1914) and Bolsena (Italian, 2384 GRT, built 1918) escorted by the Italian torpedo boat Orione. The convoy was en-route from Brindisi (departed 1700B/16) to Benghazi. [known through an ULTRA intercept (file DEFE3/834 (TNA) pages 1029-1030]

The is also remote possiblity it referred to the convoy made up of the transports Ezilda Croce (Italian, 1230 GRT, built 1900) and Polcevera (Italian, 2609 GRT, built 1920) escorted by the auxiliary Zara (1976 GRT, built 1931). They sailed from Brindisi at 0800B/16 for Patras. (33)

17 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 2130B/17, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) arrived in her ordered patrol position 38°08'N, 19°28'E. (26)

19 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0001B/19, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) set course for the Aegean as ordered in Capt. S 1's signal, timed 1641B/18.

At 0330B/19, HMS Thunderbolt set course for position 35°53'N, 18°12'E as ordered in Capt. S 1's signal, timed 2155B/18. (26)

20 Nov 1941
At 0004B/20, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) was ordered to proceed to position 36°21'N, 20°12'E to intercept an enemy convoy which was reported to have left Otranto at 1800B/19. The convoy was expected to be in the position HMS Thunderbolt was ordered to patrol in around 1100B/20.

At 0545B/20, HMS Thunderbolt arrived in the ordered position but no convoy was seen. [We have been unable to find out which convoy was expected. The auxiliary schooners Madonna Del Rosario, Trionfo and Argentario sailed from Otranto at 1715B/19 to patrol in the Straits. No other movements were reported from Otranto. It is a bit odd as no convoys were usually sailed from Otranto.]

At 2000B/20, HMS Thunderbolt set course for 35°53'N, 18°12'E. (34)

21 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0531B/21, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) arrived in the position ordered (35°53'N, 18°12'E).

At 2221B/21, HMS Thunderbolt was ordered to patrol in position 35°58'N, 19°06'E (Capt. S 1's signal timed 1611B/21). (26)

22 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0230B/22, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) arrived in the position ordered (35°58'N, 19°06'E). (26)

23 Nov 1941
At 0125B/23, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) set course for the Aegean (south-west Aegean within 52 nautical miles from the Anti Kithera lighthouse) as ordered in Capt. S 1's signal timed 2021B/22. (26)

24 Nov 1941
At 0025B/24, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) set course for position 36°32'N, 20°50'E as ordered in Capt S 1's signal timed 2027B/23. A convoy of three tankers was expected to pass through that position.

At 0135B/24, a white light was seen which subsequently was seen to be a hospital ship.

At 0140B/24, the instructions as in Capt S'1 signal of 2027B/23 were cancelled as per Capt S 1's signal 0009B/24. HMS Thunderbolt was ordered to proceed with all despatch to the Kithera Channel.

At 0325B/24, while in position 35°51'N, 22°11'E, the hospital ship was seen again bearing 090°, range 3 miles. She had two funnels and was thought to be around 8000 tons and on course 100° at 13 knots making for the Anti-Kithera Channel.

At 0631B/24, HMS Thunderbolt dived to await two ships and two destroyers as mentioned in Capt. S 1's signal timed 0021B/24. They were however not seen. The ships referred to in this signal were a convoy made up of the transports Maritza (German, 2910 GRT, built 1936) and Procida (German, 1842 GRT, built 1927) and the Italian torpedo boats Cassiopea and Lupo. The transports were sunk further to the south later this day by ships from 'Force K' operating from Malta. (34)

25 Nov 1941 (position 36.09, 23.09)
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) sank the German schooner L VII (300 GRT) with gunfire off Kythera, Greece in position 36°09'N, 23°09'E. The L VII was the former Greek Aghios Nikolaos and was part of a group of five caiques on their way to Suda Bay from Piraeus but had lagged behind due to engine defects. She was manned by a German crew and had 130 Cretans aboard. Only 3 Germans and 3 Greeks were saved. The ship itself drifted on fire and went aground on the east coast of Kythera.

1150B/25 - In position 36°09'N, 23°09'E sighted a schooner of about 300 tons proceeding on the engine through the Kithera Channel on a course of 200°.

1210B/25 - Surfaced and engaged the schooner with gunfire from 1400 yards. The schooner also opened fire with a small gun mounted forward. Thunderbolt's first round missed but the second hit the schooner aft starting a fire and silenced the schooners gun. More rounds were fired resulting in more hits. When the schooner was well on fire Thunderbolt dived. The schooner must have been carrying oil or petrol as there was plenty of black smoke and very often a burst of flame, as if a barrel had burst.

1347B/25 - There was a terrific sheet of flame and nothing more was seen of the schooner. (26)

28 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0723B/24, in position 35°54'N, 23°33'E HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) sighted an auxiliary engined, single mast, caique on a south easterly course.

At 0800B/24, a steam trawler was sighted also on a south easterly course. Looked like the caique and trawler were bound for Candia or Suda Bay. (26)

29 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0035B/29, in position 35°43'N, 23°43'E, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) sighted a two-funnelled hospital ship bearing 280° at a range of 6 nautical miles on course 080°. The ship was proceeding through the Anti-Kithera Channel and thought to be en-route to Suda Bay.

At 1933B/29, in position 35°50'N, 20°59'E, HMS Thunderbolt sighted a hospital ship with one funnel, thought to be around 5000 tons, bearing 250° at a range of 5 nautical miles. It was proceeding on course 155° at 12 knots. (26)

30 Nov 1941
At 1130B/30, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) sighted a southbound 6000 ton transport in position 36°06'N, 19°19'E but is unable to close within attacking range.

This must have been the Italian passenger/cargo vessel Adriatico (1976 GRT, built 1931) which will be sunk during the night by Force K made up of the light cruisers HMS Aurora, HMS Penelope and HMS Lively.

Adriatico sailed from Argostoli at 2300B/29 for Benghazi, so she was likely the ship sighted. At 0305B/1, she reported four cruisers and three destroyers in position 352° - Benghazi – 56 miles and was then sunk. The destroyer Giovanni Da Verazzano sailed at 0745B/1 to assist her. She recovered 66 survivors and 3 bodies, 27 were missing. The small hospital ship Aquileia (256 GRT, built 1935) was also sent to look for survivors.

The Italian tanker Iridio Mantovani (10540 GRT, built 1939) and the Italian destroyer Alvise da Mosto will also be sunk in the same sortie. (26)

2 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) patrolled off Navarino aftter havng been ordered to do so by Capt S 1 in his signal timed 1121B/1. (26)

3 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1540B/3, in position 36°58'N, 21°32'E, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) sighted a two masted caique proceeding southbound close inshore towards Navarino. (26)

4 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1750B/4, in position 36°58'N, 21°17'E, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) surfaced after a day of submerged patrol. She then left patrol to proceed to Alexandria. (26)

8 Dec 1941
Around 0840A/8, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) ended her 9th war patrol at Alexandria. (26)

22 Dec 1941
Around 1200B/22, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) departed from Alexandria for her 10th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol of the West coast of Greece. This is her 4th Mediterranean war patrol.

Before proceeding on patrol A/S exercises were carried out with HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St.Clair Ford, DSO, RN) and HMS Legion (Cdr. R.F. Jessel, DSC, RN). Also a practice attack was made on HMS Legion. (26)

22 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
For the daily positions of HMS Thunderbolt during this patrol see the map below.

2 Jan 1942
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) damaged the Italian merchant Anna Capano (1216 GRT, built 1897) with gunfire off Argostoli, Keffalonia Island, Greece.

The Anna Capano was beached north of Lardigo Point.

1243B/2 - In position 195° Vardiani Light 2 nautical miles sighted a small steam vessel of about 1500 tons in ballast on course 310°distance 4 nautical miles and bound for Argostoli.

1313B/2 - Surfaced in position 135° Vardiani light 0.8 nautical mile. Gunned the merchant ship from a range of 2000 yards. 30 Rounds were fired before a shore battery found the range and shells began to straddle Thunderbolt. Broke off the action and dived. At least 10 hits were obtained. The merchant ship was last seen heading towards Argostoli in a cloud of steam with a list of 10 degrees to port and down by the stern. (26)

3 Jan 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1040A/3, while on patrol off Argostoli, Cephalonia, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN), sighted an auxiliary minesweeper bearing 033° at a range of 1.5 nautical miles. Enemy course was 255°. Due to the presence of patrolling aircraft she could not be attacked. (26)

4 Jan 1942 (position 38.07, 20.20)
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) sank the Italian auxiliary minesweeper R 195 / Nuovo San Pietro (32 GRT) with gunfire west off Keffalonia Island, Greece in position 38°07'N, 20°20'E.

At 1555B/4, another minesweeper was sighted close inshore proceeding towards Argostoli.

At 1850B/4, HMS Thunderbolt surfaced and left patrol as ordered in Capt S 1's signal timed 1829B/2.

0848B/4 - HE was heard bearing 080° and two minutes later sighted masts of a vessel hull down on a course North-West.

0900B/4 - The vessel was seen to alter course to 257° and was identified as an auxiliary minesweeper (converted fishing vessel).

0927B/4 - Surfaced in position 38°07'N, 20°20'E and gunned the minesweeper from 800 yards. The minesweeper opened fire with a machine gun but this was soon silenced. After several rounds the Italian flag was struck. Fire was then suspended to allow the crew to abandon ship. This was done and five survivors left in a Carley float. The vessel sank after a few more hits had been obtained. Thunderbolt dived when a shore battery opened fire. (26)

9 Jan 1942
Around 0830B/9, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) ended her 10th war patrol at Alexandria. (26)

21 Jan 1942
Around 1730B/21, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) departed from Alexandria for her 11th war patrol. She is to patrol off the West coast of Greece. This is her 5th Mediterranean war patrol.

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

(35)

30 Jan 1942 (position 38.35, 20.25)
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) fires four torpedoes against the transport Thessalia (German, 2875 GRT, built 1922) about 7 nautical miles to the west of Cape Dukato in position 38°35'N, 20°25'E. One of the escorts, the Italian torpedo boat Solferino reports being missed. The other torpedo boat was the Generale Carlo Montanari.

0809B/30 - Sighted a Generali class torpedo boat proceeding to the North-West from Cape Dukato Light.

0905B/30 - Forced deep by a patrolling aircraft. Whilst deep two depth charges were heard exploding.

0918B/30 - Returned to periscope depth. In position 38°35'N, 20°25'E sighted a medium seized merchant ship and two torpedo boats as escorts bearing 343° distance 6500 yards on a course of 160°. The Port wing escort was the one seen previously. The Starboard escort was probably of the Curtatone class.

0939B/30 - Fired three torpedoes from 2500 yards. At the time of firing the third torpedo the torpedo boat was in line with the target and was coming directly towards Thunderbolt at 1000 yards. Lt.Cdr. Crouch went deep and altered course. The torpedo boat dropped two depth charges that shook the submarine. Twenty-seven more depth charges were dropped. All torpedoes must have missed their target. (35)

1 Feb 1942 (position 38.35, 20.27)
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) torpedoed and sank the transport Absirtea (Italian, 4170 GRT, built 1913) about 4.4 nautical miles bearing 291° of Cape Dukato, Greece in position 38°35'N, 20°27'E.

The above mentioned Absirtea was in convoy with the transport Macedonia (German, 2875 GRT, built 1922) They were on passage from Brindisi to Corfu (where the Macedonia and Euro joined) and then on to Patras. They were escorted by the Italian destroyers Turbine and Euro. The latter picked up her survivors.

1030B/1 - In position 291° Cape Dukato Light 4.4 nautical miles sighted, in poor visibility, a convoy of two merchant ships escorted by two destroyers. Range was 4200 yards, enemy course was 130°. Manoeuvred into an attack position inside the screen.

1043B/1 - Fired a salvo of three torpedoes from 1000 yards. Thunderbolt remained at periscope depth to attack the other merchant. One of the torpedoes was seen to hit the target between the stern and the mainmast. The other merchant immediately went hard to starboard making an attack impossible so Lt.Cdr. Crouch took Thunderbolt deep. 21 Depth charges were dropped following the attack. The first few were close causing minor damage.

1335B/1 - Took a look at the ship that was about a mile away. It sank shortly afterwards. (35)

3 Feb 1942
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) damaged the Italian auxiliary submarine chaser AS 80 / Lanciotto Piero (180 GRT) with gunfire off Gheregambe.

The Lanciotto Piero was only slightly damaged.

0820B/3 - In position 230° Vardiani Island Light 4 nautical miles sighted an armed trawler and a minesweeper leave Argostoli and proceed in company down the searched channel on course 265° as far as position 250° Vardiani Island Light 6.7 nautical miles.

1010B/3 - The two ships parted company. The minesweeper went further South to sweep. The trawler remained stopped for 20 minutes.

1105B/3 - Surfaced and engaged the trawler with the gun. In all 40 rounds were fired and when it was thought that the ship was sinking Lt.Cdr. Crouch dived. The trawler however remained afloat. She could not be finished off as two motor torpedo boats were rushing to the scene shortly afterwards.

1216B/3 - An aircraft was seen patrolling the area.

1226B/3 - One of the motor torpedo boats was seen to close at high speed. Went deep.

1247B/3 - A depth charge was dropped quite close. The hunt continued for almost and hour with 9 more depth charges being dropped. These were not as close as the first one. (35)

5 Feb 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0938B/5, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) lft patrol to return to Alexandria. (35)

6 Feb 1942 (position 34.36, 23.22)
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) attacked German submarine U-431 south-west of Crete in position 34°36'N, 23°22'E with a total eight torpedoes. Thunderbolt is also attacked by the German U-boat with one torpedo. None of the torpedoes fired by both submarines hit the other. Besides that is seems likely that both submarines were unaware they were attacked themselves as well, there is no mention in either patrol reports of being fired at.

Capt. S.M. Raw, CBE, RN the Commanding Officer of the 1st submarine flotilla however thought that the submarine had been sunk, taking quite some time to sink.

0811B/6 - Sighted a German U-boat in position 34°36'N, 23°22'E. Bearing 175°, range about 3 nautical miles, course 300°.

0818B/6 - Fired six torpedoes from 3000 yards. One torpedo broke surface but this was apparently not seen by the U-boat for no alteration of course was made. All these torpedoes missed.

0825B/6 - Fired two torpedoes from 3000 yards. Two and a half minute after firing an explosion was heard. This explosion was followed after 13 seconds by another explosion. The explosions sounded like torpedo explosions and Lt.Cdr. Crouch thought he had hit the U-boat so did Thunderbolt's crew as they cheered. When Lt.Cdr. Crouch looked through the periscope he saw the U-boat still on the surface and on the same course.

0832B/6 - Surfaced and engaged the U-boat with gunfire. After three rounds the U-boat had dived (or disappeared). (36)

9 Feb 1942
Around 0845B/9, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) ended her 11th war patrol at Alexandria. (35)

27 Feb 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Alexandria. (37)

1 Mar 1942
Around 1645B/1, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) departed from Alexandria bound for the U.K. where she is to refit. First she has to call at Malta to unload stores.

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

(10)

7 Mar 1942
Around 0700B/7, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) arrived at Malta. She unloads 16000 gallons of kerosene, stores, mail and ten Mark VIII torpedoes. She leaves Malta for Gibraltar around 1930B/7. (10)

14 Mar 1942
Around 1635A/14, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from Malta. (10)

17 Mar 1942
Around 1500A/17, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) departed Gibraltar for the U.K. (10)

26 Mar 1942
At 0910A/26, near Trevose Head, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN), made rendezvous with her escort towards Holy Loch, HrMs Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.L.M. van Geen, RNN). (10)

27 Mar 1942
Around 1430A/27, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) arrived at Holy Loch from Gibraltar. (10)

28 Mar 1942
Around 0630A/28, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) departed from Holy Loch for Blyth. She was escorted by HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) C.C. Flemming, RN). (10)

30 Mar 1942
Around 1745A/30, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) arrived at Blyth. (10)

21 Apr 1942
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth. (38)

22 Apr 1942
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth. (38)

23 Apr 1942
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth. (38)

24 Apr 1942
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth. (38)

27 Apr 1942
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth. (38)

30 Apr 1942
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth. (38)

3 May 1942
Shortly after 0800B/3, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN) departed from Blyth for Plymouth where she is to refit at the Devonport Dockyard. She made the passage together with HMS Utmost (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN). They were escorted by HMS Scalby Wyke (Skr. C.A. Grimmer, RNR). Off Dundee they were joined by the Dutch submarine HrMs O 14 (Lt.Cdr. H.A.W. Goossens, RNN) that was on passage to Scapa Flow.

The next day HrMs O 14 and HMS Scalby Wyke proceeded to Scapa Flow while HrMs Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.L.M. van Geen, RNN) took over the escort of HMS Utmost and HMS Thunderbolt. (39)

7 May 1942
Around 1030B/7, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at the Devonport Dockyard at Plymouth. (39)

9 May 1942
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Dartmouth. (39)

10 May 1942
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Dartmouth. (39)

11 May 1942
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Dartmouth. (39)

12 May 1942
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Dartmouth. Upon completion of these exercises she returned to Plymouth. (39)

14 May 1942
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Devonport. (39)

17 May 1942
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Devonport. (39)

18 May 1942
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Devonport. (39)

19 May 1942
During 19 and 20 May 1942, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN), conducted exercises off Devonport. These included night exercises. (39)

23 May 1942
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN) is taken in hand for refit at the Devonport Dockyard. (39)

12 Oct 1942
With her refit completed, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN), departed from Plymouth for Holy Loch. She was escorted by HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Dobson, RNR). (40)

14 Oct 1942
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Holy Loch to begin a period of trials and training.

[no log is available for HMS Thunderbolt for October 1942 so no details for this trial and training period can be given.] (41)

31 Oct 1942
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN) departed from Holy Loch for Port H.H.Z. (at Loch Cairnbawn). She arrived the next day around 1135A/1. Near Port H.H.Z. exercises were carried out in launching Chariot human torpedoes. (41)

1 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted exercises at Port H.H.Z. (42)

2 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted exercises at Port H.H.Z. (42)

3 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted exercises at Port H.H.Z. (42)

4 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted exercises at Port H.H.Z. (42)

10 Nov 1942
For the daily positions of HMS Thunderbolt during the passage from Port H.H.Z. to Malta see the map below.

HMS Thunderbolt passage U.K. - Maltaclick here for bigger map (42)

10 Nov 1942
Around 1050A/10, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN) departed from the secret area of Port H.H.Z. (at Loch Cairnbawn) for Malta. She is equipped with two containers on deck behind the conning tower. The containers houses Chariot 'human torpedoes'. For security reasons she does not stop at Gibraltar as her new silhouette would certainly be noted by Italian spies.

During the passage south through the Irish Sea she was escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN).

They parted company aroound 1800A/12 near Bishops Rock. (42)

20 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1640A/20, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN) surfaced in position 35°59'N, 06°15'W and joined HMS Avon Vale (Lt.Cdr. P.A.R. Withers, DSO, RN) which then escorted her eastwards through the Straits of Gibraltar. They parted company around 0245A/21. (42)

28 Nov 1942
Shortly after 1300A/28, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Malta. She was escorted in by HMS Hythe (Lt.Cdr. L.B. Miller, RN) which had joined around 1000A/28. (42)

18 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the evening, under cover of darkness, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN), conducted exercises inside Malta harbour. (43)

20 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the evening, under cover of darkness, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN), conducted exercises inside Malta harbour. (43)

24 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the evening, under cover of darkness, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN), conducted exercises inside Malta harbour. (43)

26 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the evening, under cover of darkness, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN), conducted exercises inside Malta harbour. (43)

27 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the evening, under cover of darkness, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN), conducted exercises inside Malta harbour. (43)

29 Dec 1942
Around 1720A/29, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN) departed from Malta for her 12th war patrol. She is to launch Chariot human torpedoes to attack shipping in Palermo harbour (Operation Principal). (43)

2 Jan 1943
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN) launches two Chariots. One of these enters the harbour successfully and sank the Italian light cruiser Ulpio Traiano that was under construction at the CNR shipyard.

Chariot XV (T/Petty Officer J.M. Miln and Able Seaman W. Simpson) was lost with due to unknown causes prior to entering harbour. Simpson was lost, but Miln survived.

Chariot XXII (Lt. Greenland and Leading Seaman Ferrier) sank the Ulpio Traiano, her crew was captured by the Italians.

The transport Viminale was also damaged by one the three chariots launched by HMS Trooper. (44)

6 Jan 1943
Shortly before 1500A/6, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN) ended her 12th war patrol at Malta. (44)

12 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the evening, under cover of darkness, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN), conducted exercises inside Malta harbour. (44)

16 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the evening, under cover of darkness, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN), conducted exercises inside Malta harbour. (44)

17 Jan 1943
Around 1410A/17, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN) departed from Malta for her 13th war patrol. She is to launch Chariot human torpedoes to attack shipping in Tripoli harbour (Operation Welcome). This is to prevent the Germans from using the ships at Tripoli to block the harbour during the evacuation.

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

(44)

18 Jan 1943
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN) launches her two Chariots of the harbour of Tripoli.

2100A/18 - Surfaced in position 33°04'N, 12°56'E to carry out operation Welcome.

2159A/18 - Sighted a dark shape bearing red 45°. This was identified as an Italian motor torpedo boat.

2208A/18 - In position 315° Tripoli Light 7 nautical miles launched the two Chariots.

2304A/18 - Retired from the area and proceeded back to Malta.

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Chariot XII (Sub. Lt. G.S.W. Larkin, RNVR, Petty Officer Cook Berey) and Chariot XIII (Sub. Lt. Stevens, C.E.R.A. Buxton) were to sink two block ships. The San Giovanni Batista (5628 GRT, built 1913) and Giulia (5921 GRT, built 1925) before the Italians could use them to block Tripoli harbour. Because of defects, Sub. Lt. Larkin and Petty Officer Cook Berey were forced to abandon their mission, sinking their Chariot near the shore. They were captured by the Germans but managed to escape and rejoin the 8th Army. The other crew entered harbour but their main charge did not detonate. It was believed that Giulia may have been damaged by limpet mines but this is not certain, the two men were captured. (44)

20 Jan 1943
Around 1130A/20, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN) ended her 13th war patrol at Malta. As her next patrol is to be a regular war patrol the Chariot containers are removed. (44)

24 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN) enters No.1 graving dock at the Malta Dockyard. [The log does not mention that the dock was pumped dry though.] (44)

30 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN) left No.1 graving dock at the Malta Dockyard. (44)

5 Feb 1943
Around 0915B/5, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN) departed from Malta for her 14th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Adriatic.

Before proceeding on patrol first exercises were carried out.

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

(10)

6 Feb 1943
At 0735B/6, in position 36°40'N, 16°26'E, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN) sighed smoke 150°. It was though the ship was making about 8 knots and that it was 20 miles away. It looked like it was en-route to Cephalonia. (10)

8 Feb 1943 (position 40.38, 18.17)
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN) damaged the Italian sailing vessel Maria Grazia Siliato with gunfire 12 nautical miles east of Brindisi, Italy in position 40°38'N, 18°17'E.

0624B/8 - In position 40°38'N, 18°17'E sighted a three-masted camouflaged schooner of approximately 300 tons bearing 130°, range 6000 yards, course 270°, speed 3 knots. It was proceeding on the engine, no sails were set. Altered course to close.

0723B/8 - Surfaced for gun action, range 1500 yards. Eight rounds had been fired for five hits when an aircraft was seen approaching. Crash dived. The schooner had developed a slight list to starboard. As the aircraft patrolled the area any further action against the schooner was not taken.

0930B/8, Sighted the masts and funnels of three trawlers / minesweepers from Brindisi. They were proceeding on a course of 100° (10)

9 Feb 1943
At 1540B/9, when in position 42°08'N, 16°10'E, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN) sighted the masts and funnel of a small northbound steamship. As this ship was not seen to round the Promontory it was thought to have entered Vieste harbour. [We have been unable to identify this vessel.] (10)

10 Feb 1943 (position 43.29, 15.58)
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN) attacked the small transport Totonno (Italian, 674 GRT, built 1899) with two torpedoes in position 43°29'N, 15°58'E. Both torpedoes missed their target.

The target was on a trip from Sebenico to Split, she was missed but sank five days later when she hit a mine.

0833B/10 - Sighed a motor launch type vessel on a course of 145° coast crawling. She was camouflaged by dark and light gray vertical stripes.

0920B/10 - Sighted a small merchant vessel of about 1500 tons that was coast crawling round the Southern end of Smokvica Island. Started attack.

0933B/10 - Fired two torpedoes from 2500 yards. The targets speed was not estimated correctly and the torpedoes missed ahead and were seen to explode on hitting the shore.

0950B/10 - The motor launch previously sighted was seen coming towards so went deep and altered course.

Several motor launches / patrol vessels were seen for the remainder of the day. (10)

11 Feb 1943
At 0835B/11, near Mulo Island, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN) was passed at a range of 1500 yards by an Italian torpedo boat thought to be of the Ernesto Giovannini-class .

This was indeed Ernesto Giovannini who had sailed from Sibenik at 1200B/10 and arrived at Rogoznica at 0900B/11.

At 1149B/11, a small fishing vessel was seen coast crawling towards the Drvenik Channel.

At 1301B/11, when HMS Thunderbolt was in position 43°28'N, 16°00'E a torpedo boat was sighted to the east of Mulo Island proceeding on a course of 300°.

At 1435B/11, in position 43°28'N, 15°57'E, HMS Thunderbolt sighted a torpedo boat of the Yugoslav T 1 to T 8-class was seen bearing 320° at a range of 2.5 nautical miles. She was apparently laying stopped and probably using hydrophones.

This was probably again Ernesto Giovannini who had sailed from Rogoznica at 1300B/11 for an A/S patrol near Punta Planca and returned to Rogoznica at 1700B/11. [The the ex-Yugoslav torpedo boats have been checked and none were at sea or in this area at that time. T 5 and T 6 operated from Sibenik and Rogoznica but not on this day]

At 1453B/11, the torpedo boat was seen to increase speed and proceeding on course 120°. However after five minutes it altered course directly towards and then stopped again for a couple of minutes. Shortly afterwards it made off towards the Drvenik Channel at about 12 knots.

At 1550B/11, the torpedo boat was seen again proceeding towards Mulo Island and then steer 280° until 1616A/11 when it reversed course. Its speed was estimated as 14 knots.

At 1638B/11, in position 43°30'N, 15°57'E, two motor launches were sighted bearing 320° at a range of 1200 yards. They were proceeding on course 005° at 5 knots. (10)

12 Feb 1943
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN) attacks an enemy convoy. All torpedoes fired during the attack missed their intended targets.

This convoy was made up of the following ships; transports Diana (Italian, 3476 GRT, built 1923), Eneo (Italian, 545 GRT, built 1907), Spalato (Italian, 896 GRT, built 1909) and Gerda Toft (German, 1960 GRT, built 1930). They were escorted by the Italian (former Yugoslav) torpedo boat T 5.

0848A/12 - In position 225° Mulo Island 2.7 nautical miles sighted 2 medium seized merchant ships and 2 small merchant ships escorted by a former Yugoslav torpedo boat of the T5/8-class leaving the Drevnik Channel on course 254°, distance approx. 6 nautical miles.

0932A/12 - Fired three torpedoes at the largest ship.

0935A/12 - Fired two torpedoes at the second largest ship. Went to 80 feet after firing. The results of the attack therefore were not observed.

0937A/12 - 0946A/12 - The torpedo boat dropped 15 depth charges. These caused only minor damage.

0946A/12 - Thunderbolt hit bottom hard at 200 feet. Both motors were immediately stopped.

1019A/12 - Thunderbolt finally got off the bottom and returned to periscope depth.

1037A/12 - Six small depth charges exploded. A motor launch was seen about a mile away.

1331A/12 - In position 43°31'N, 15°48'E, sighted a torpedo boat bearing 100° at a range of 5 to 6 nautical miles. Enemy course was, at first, 035° and then 100°. (10)

13 Feb 1943 (position 44.12, 14.49)
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN) sank the Italian auxiliary minesweeper No.112 / Mafalda (44 GRT) with gunfire off Isola Molat, Croatia in position 44°12'N, 14°49'E.

0828A/13 - In position 340° Veli Rat Lighthouse 3 nautical miles sighted masts of a vessel coming past Golac Island on course 230°.

0905A/13 - Surfaced and sank the vessel with gunfire, 28 rounds and one pan of Oerlikon being used. The target was a drifter type minesweeper. Thunderbolt was shelled by coastal batteries and forced to withdraw to the North-West.

1527A/13 - Sighted a torpedo boat hull down in the Sibla Channel on course 160°. (10)

15 Feb 1943
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN) fired three torpedoes at the passenger ship Sebenico (Italian, 897 GRT, built 1922). All torpedoes missed their target.

0804A/15 - In position 202° Sunk Rock Lighthouse 3.5 nautical miles sighted a steamship bearing 028° distant 6 nautical miles. Course approx. 070°, speed unknown.

0837A/15 - In position 199° Sunk Rock Lighthouse 2.3 nautical miles sighted a medium seized steamship on course 135°, bearing 345°, distance 4 nautical miles. Started attack and closed at full submerged speed for 9 minutes.

0846A/15 - The target altered course. Thunderbolt was now not an a favourable attack position so the attack was broken off.

0852A/15 - Sighted another vessel bearing 330°, distance 2 nautical miles. This vessel was also thought to make the same alteration of course so it was now taken into account when an attack was started on this target.

0902A/15 - In position 123° Sunk Rock 0.6 nautical miles fired three torpedoes from 2800 yards. All torpedoes missed as the speed was underestimated. It was the intention to surface for gun action but when the torpedoes exploded upon hitting the shore the targets gun was manned and started shooting in the direction of the torpedo tracks. With the element of surprise now gone, Lt.Cdr. Crouch reluctantly decided to abandon the attack.

1200A/15 - In position 44°41'N, 14°02'E, sighted three MAS boats bearing 300°. They were proceeding at speed. When they were 1.5 nautical miles away they stopped. An aircraft was also seen. HMS Thunderbolt went deep.

1300A/15, HMS Thunderbolt returned to periscope depth to find nothing in sight. (10)

16 Feb 1943
At 0745A/16, in position 260° - Sunk Rock - 5.5 nautical miles, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN) sighted what was thought to be the Italian torpedo boat Audace bearing 070° at a range of 5 nautical miles. Enemy course was 320°, speed 5 knots.

This was however not Audace. She was in Pola since 7th February and only sailed on 21st February for Trieste. Most probably this was the torpedo boat Insidioso who arrived at Pola at 0910B/16 from Fiume and sailed again at 1020B/16 to hunt a submarine and returned at 1800B/16 [she had three funnels and Audace only two, but one funnel was close to the forecastle so it is possible that from a distance Lt.Cdr. Crouch only saw two funnels].

At 1016A/16, in position 44°47'N, 13°50'E, sighted two MAS boats passing at a range of 0.5 nautical miles. Enemy course was 155° at 10 knots.

At 1151A/16, in position 44°47'N, 13°48'E, sighted the 'Audace' returning on course 320° at 10 knots.

At 1528A/16, one MAS boat was seen proceeding on course 320° at 10 knots.

MAS 516, MAS 534 and MAS 561 had sailed from Pola at 2010B/15 and returned Pola at 0100B/16. No other info is available but perhaps an error was made in the time or day of arrival.

At 1707A/16, in position 44°48'N, 13°50'E, the 'Audace' passed within half a mile on course 320° at 10 knots. (10)

18 Feb 1943 (position 45.02, 13.35)
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN) attacked the Italian auxiliary minelayer F 95 / San Giorgio (364 GRT, built 1914) with gunfire off Cape Promontore.

According to Italian sources the torpedo did pass under the San Giorgio. According to her action report, she fired three rounds with her gun and dropped two depth-charges then two more during a second run. Thunderbolt surfaced and opened fire. The San Giorgio fired back, a total of 32 rounds. She was not hit by Thunderbolt.

0640A/18 - While near Porer Rock, a two masted schooner was seen coast crawling on course 140°.

0810A/18 - Sighted the masts and superstructures of three motor schooners. All were of the same type and may have been naval auxiliaries. They crossed Pola Bay on course 170° and then turned to proceed to Pola.

1047A/18 - In position 295° - Porer Rock - 2.5 nautical miles an MTB was sighted bearing 180° distant 1 nautical mile. Enemy course was 090° at 12 knots. It returned alng the swept channel on course 320°, 45 minutes later.

1155A/18 - In position 44°47'N, 13°49'E, a vessel of about 600 tons with a 3" or 4" gun forward passed along the swept channel on course 140° altering later to 180°. A dummy attack was carried out on this ship.

1500A/18 - In position 100° - Sunk Rock - 1 nautical mile an MTB passed very close on course 090° at 18 knots.

1557A/18 - In position 150° - Sunk Rock - 3 nautical miles sighted the masts and funnel of a ship bearing 070° on course 180°. Later the course varied considerably as did the speed. An hour later the ship was identified as a patrol vessel. It had a 3" or 4" gun forward and a light AA gun on the superstructure behind the funnel.

1703A/18 - The target stopped for 3 or 4 minutes before getting underway.

1714A/18 - The target stopped again.

1721A/18 - As the target was still stopped one torpedo was fired. from 600 yards. The torpedo failed to hit the target, most likely it ran under.

1722A/18 - The target opened fire at the periscope. Thunderbolt went deep. Four depth charges were dropped close by.

1736A/18 - Returned to periscope depth and saw the target 3000 yards on the starboard quarter going away.

1743A/18 - Surfaced for gun action, range 5500 yards. The target made several alterations of course and fired a few erratic rounds and then decided to clear off as fast as she could towards Cape Promontore.

1759A/18 - Broke off the action at 8000 yards due to the failing light. 66 Rounds had been fired for quite a few hits. A hit aft resulted in quite a certain amount of smoke. (10)

19 Feb 1943
In position 010° Ortona, Italy 3 nautical miles HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN) attacks a tug towing a dredger and two small leighters with gunfire. The tug and dredger take several hits before Thunderbolt is forced to dive by gunfire from a shore battery.

According to Italian sources the targets were the tug Cattaro No.73 (with a crew of 7) and dredger Veglia No.455 (with a crew of 12) on passage to Ancona

Later this day Thunderbolt shells a train crossing the bridge over the Asinella river.

According to Italian sources the train was confirmed hit south of Ancona and had some wagons damaged but there were no casualties

0741A/19 - In position 010° Ortona, Italy 3 nautical miles sighted a tug towing a dredger and two small leighters on course 320°.

0805A/19 - In position 42°25'N, 14°25'E, surfaced at 1800 yards. It was not possible to close any more due to the shallow water. 21 Rounds had been divided between the tug and the dredger for a couple of hits before a few rounds from a shore battery fell within 50 yards. Dived. The tug for a while continued on her original course before steering for the nearest shore slipping her tow. The tug then made off for Ortona.

1135A/19 - Three motor schooners were seen coast crawling in position 42°13.5'N, 14°35'E. They were well within the 5 fathom line.

1330A/19 - Closed the mouth of the Asinella River (42°10.3'N, 14°39'E) to inspect the railway bridge and to watch the trains passing by.

1756A/19 - Surfaced and opened fire on the bridge whilst a train was crossing. (10)

20 Feb 1943
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN) damaged an Albanian schooner with gunfire off Bari.

According to Italian sources the target was the Albanian Villanzen Veli (with 448 tons of stores) proceeding from Bari (she had just left) to Brindisi and Valona. The submarine came under fire by a 120mm coastal battery and from the auxiliary Brindisi which was in Bari harbour. The Villanzen Veli was actually abandoned by her crew who took to a boat but left the engine running. She finally ran aground on the coast and was reached by the customs motor vessel ML 7 and the pilot boat Letizia. The crew later boarded her again and brought her to Bari. She had been slightly damaged by the gunfire and the grounding.

0757A/20 - Whilst carrying out a reconnaissance of the harbour of Bari, sighted a fairly large three-masted topsail schooner making for the harbour entrance.

0838A/20 - Surfaced for gun action, range 800 yards. After firing 19 rounds (that was all that was left) fire was opened by a shore battery or by the armed merchant cruiser that was in the harbour.

0845A/20 - Dived. The schooner was seen to fly the Albanian flag. The crew had abandoned ship. The schooner then drifted towards the shore. One mast was shot away and the rest was in shambles.

1247A/20 - In position 41°07'N, 17°07'E, a Generali-class destroyer passed 2 miles inshore of HMS Thunderbolt on a mean course of 305° (zigging 15° on either side) at 16 knots.

At 1850A/20, HMS Thunderbolt left patrol to proceed to Malta. (10)

22 Feb 1943
At 1716A/22, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN) intends to shell a train with the Oerlikon gun (as no 4" ammunition was left) of Punto Stilo. Unfortunately the first round misfired and when the gun was cleared the train was out of range. (10)

24 Feb 1943
Around 1045A/24, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN) ended her very eventful 14th war patrol at Malta.

She was escorted in by a minesweeper. (10)

9 Mar 1943
HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. Cdr. Celil Bernard Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN) departed from Malta for her 15th war patrol. She is to patrol to the West of Marettimo island and the North coast of Sicily. (45)

12 Mar 1943
It is possible that HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN) was lost during the attack on an Axis convoy on this day.

According to Italian sources (kindly provided by Mr. Platon Alexiades) the following happened that day:
The convoy at the time (2219B/14) of possible attack by HMS Thunderbolt on Esterel (about 6 nautical miles East of Capo San Vito, Sicily, Italy) was composed of the French transports (in German service) Esterel (3100 GRT, built 1938) and Caraibe (4048 GRT, built 1932). They were escorted at that time by the Italian torpedo boats Sirio (escort leader), Orione, Cigno, Libra and the Italian corvettes Persefone and Cicogna. It is not known if Esterel was attacked by a submarine or was torpedoed by an aircraft.

The Italian tanker Sterope (10496 GRT, built 1940), that had also been part of this convoy, had been torpedoed by aircraft about an hour before (2135B/14) and the Italian torpedo boats Pegaso and Generale Antonino Cascino were detached to escort her to Palermo.

The Italian torpedo boat Ardito had abandoned the escort earlier in the day because of engine defects.

The two MTB's (VAS 231 and VAS 232 according to the Italian Official History (the action reports that Mr. Alexiades has seen mention only two ?MAS? boats without identifying them) only joined Esterel a few minutes after she was torpedoed (probably they sighted the torpedo explosion and vectored in).

It is also possible that the corvette Persefone was not in the immediate vicinity as she was picking up three British airmen who had just been shot down (probably a Beaufort from 39th Squadron).

Following the attack the Esterel is towed to Trapani, where she arrived 1420 hours on the next day. She was later declared a total loss.
The Sterope is towed to Palermo and on 9 September 1943 she was scuttled at Genoa.

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