Martinus Albert Johan Derksema,
| Born | 19 Sep 1905 | Groningen, Netherlands | |
| Died | 27 Jul 1977 | (71) | Den Haag, Netherlands |
| Ranks
Retired: 1 Oct 1956 Decorations |
Warship Commands listed for Martinus Albert Johan Derksema,
| Ship | Rank | Type | From | To |
| HNMS K XII (N 61) | luitenant ter zee 1e klasse (Lt.Cdr.) | Submarine | 29 Jul 1939 | 20 Sep 1941 |
| HNMS K XIII | luitenant ter zee 1e klasse (Lt.Cdr.) | Submarine | 20 Sep 1941 | 6 Jan 1942 |
| HNMS K VIII | luitenant ter zee 1e klasse (Lt.Cdr.) | Submarine | 7 Jan 1942 | 11 Apr 1942 |
Career information
We currently have no career / biographical information on this officer.
Events related to this officer
Submarine HNMS K XIII ()
2 Dec 1941
HrMs K XIII (Lt.Cdr. M.A.J. Derksema, RNN) departed Surabaya together with HrMs K IX (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN), HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) and HrMs K XII (Lt.Cdr. H.C.J. Coumou, RNN(R))
(this is the 2nd Dutch submarine division) with the orders to patrol in Strait Karimata and Strait Gaspar.
7 Dec 1941
Before the war with Japan started the submarines of the 2nd submarine division, HrMs K XIII (Lt.Cdr. M.A.J. Derksema, RNN), HrMs K IX (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN), HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) and HrMs K XII (Lt.Cdr. H.C.J. Coumou, RNN(R)) were ordered to proceed Northwards. K XI was ordered to patrol off the Natuna Islands. The other three submarines were ordered to patrol off the Badas Islands.
K IX however developed engine problems and was forced to return to Surabaya for repairs.
8 Dec 1941
When war with Japan was declared the 2nd submarine division (now comprising HrMs K XIII (Lt.Cdr. M.A.J. Derksema, RNN), HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) and HrMs K XII (Lt.Cdr. H.C.J. Coumou, RNN(R)) was placed under British command. While waiting for further orders the commander of the 2nd submarine division (the CO of K XIII) ordered all boats to patrol near the Natuna islands.
9 Dec 1941
All five Dutch submarines that are now operating under British control (1st submarine division; HrMs O 16 (Lt.Cdr. A.J. Bussemaker, RNN)
and HrMs K XVII (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Besançon, RNN) and the 2nd submarine division; HrMs K XIII (Lt.Cdr. M.A.J. Derksema, RNN), HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) and HrMs K XII (Lt.Cdr. H.C.J. Coumou, RNN(R)) are ordered to form a patrol line 180° from the South point of French Indo-China.
10 Dec 1941
While still en-route to their patrol area HrMs O 16 (Lt.Cdr. A.J. Bussemaker, RNN), HrMs K XVII (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Besançon, RNN), HrMs K XIII (Lt.Cdr. M.A.J. Derksema, RNN), HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) and HrMs K XII (Lt.Cdr. H.C.J. Coumou, RNN(R)) are ordered to proceed towards the East coast of Malaya after they had reached their patrol position.
K XIII reached her patrol position on the morning of 12 December and then proceeded towards the shore of Malaya.
13 Dec 1941
HrMs K XVII, HrMS K XIII, HrMs K XI and HrMs K XII are ordered to form a patrol line to the North-West of Mankai Island (Anambas Islands).
K XIII arrived in her new patrol position around 2300/14.
15 Dec 1941
HrMs K XVII (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Besançon, RNN), HrMs K XIII (Lt.Cdr. M.A.J. Derksema, RNN), HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) and HrMs K XII (Lt.Cdr. H.C.J. Coumou, RNN(R)) are ordered to proceed towards the East coast of Malaya. If nothing is spotted then HrMs K XIII and K XII are ordered to proceed towards Singapore for fuel, provisions and small repairs.
17 Dec 1941
After having sighted nothing off the Malayan East coast HrMs K XIII (Lt.Cdr. M.A.J. Derksema, RNN) arrived at Singapore.
21 Dec 1941
HrMs K XIII (Lt.Cdr. M.A.J. Derksema, RNN) suffers a battery explosion while at Singapore. She is unfit for further operations. Three of her crew were killed and three were wounded in this incident.
27 Dec 1941
The damaged HrMs K XIII (Lt.Cdr. M.A.J. Derksema, RNN) departs Singapore for Surabaya where she will undergo repairs. As K XIII is unable to dive she is escorted until she is south of Banka Strait by the Australian minesweeper HMAS Bendigo (Lt.Cdr. J.A.R. Patrick, RANR(S)). There the Dutch destroyer HrMs Van Nes (Lt.Cdr. C.A. Lagaay, RNN) takes over the escort. Both ships arrive at Surabaya on 30 December 1941.
Submarine HNMS K VIII ()
7 Jan 1942
HrMs K VIII is commissioned from reserve with part of the crew of the damaged HrMs K XIII. She now started a period of trials and exercises off Surabaya in which she also served as A/S target on several occasions.
21 Feb 1942
HrMs K VIII (Lt.Cdr. M.A.J. Derksema, RNN) was ordered to take up a patrol position to the North of Madura together with HrMs K IX (Lt. J.W. Caspers, RNN).
K VIII however had to return to Surabaya several times for repairs. Her machinery was in a bad state and in need of a refit.
26 Feb 1942
HrMs K VIII (Lt.Cdr. M.A.J. Derksema, RNN) is ordered to a patrol position to the South-East of Bawean.
28 Feb 1942
HrMs K VIII (Lt.Cdr. M.A.J. Derksema, RNN) is ordered to patrol to the North-West of Surabaya. Despite several serious defects K VIII remained on patrol.
2 Mar 1942
HrMs K VIII (Lt.Cdr. M.A.J. Derksema, RNN) arrived at Surabaya to take on board fuel for the escape to Colombo. After fuelling K VIII anchored off Surabaya.
3 Mar 1942
HrMs K VIII (Lt.Cdr. M.A.J. Derksema, RNN) departed Surabaya roads for Geraldton, Australia. She had on board 2 naval officers for passage.
6 Mar 1942
HrMs K VIII (Lt.Cdr. M.A.J. Derksema, RNN) passed Strait Atlas Southbound.
7 Mar 1942 (position 12.27, 115.38)
At 1230 hours (zone -7.5), in position 12°27'N, 115°38'E, HrMs K VIII (Lt.Cdr. M.A.J. Derksema, RNN) sighted three Japanese tankers escorted by two Japanese destroyers. They were however not within attacking range.
12 Mar 1942
HrMs K VIII (Lt.Cdr. M.A.J. Derksema, RNN) arrived at Geraldton, Australia.
16 Mar 1942
HrMs K VIII (Lt.Cdr. M.A.J. Derksema, RNN) departed Geraldton for Fremantle.
17 Mar 1942
HrMs K VIII (Lt.Cdr. M.A.J. Derksema, RNN) arrived at Fremantle. The old submarine was not used any further because of the many defects she has.
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