Laid down (33)

1922: Submarine O 11

1923: Submarine O 10 (P 10)

1924: Sloop Soemba (T 199)

1932: Battlecruiser Dunkerque

1934: Large destroyer Volta

1940: Corvette Hyderabad (K 212)

1941: MS Trawler Bern (T 294) - Motor Torpedo Boat MTB 288 (MTB 288) - Destroyer Cony (DD 508) - Submarine chaser SC-637 (SC-637) - Submarine chaser SC-660 (SC-660) - Oiler Tappahannock (AO 43) - Minesweeper YMS-27 (YMS-27)

1942: Minesweeper BYMS 2062 (J 862) - ASW Trawler Grilse (T 368) - Patrol vessel Kilchrenan (Z 04) - Tank landing ship LST 173 (LST 173) - Destroyer Escort Fleming (DE 32) - Tank landing ship LST 172 (LST 172) - Tank landing ship LST 173 (LST 173) - Patrol craft PC-785 (PC-785) - Submarine chaser SC-1323 (SC-1323) - Destroyer Escort Sederstrom (DE 31)

1943: Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-402 (LCI(L)-402) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-543 (LCI(L)-543) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-544 (LCI(L)-544) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-733 (LCI(L)-733) - Landing craft tank LCT 635 (LCT 635) - Landing craft tank LCT 636 (LCT 636) - Landing craft tank LCT 852 (LCT 852) - Medium landing ship LSM 201 (LSM 201) - Tank landing ship LST 547 (LST 547) - Destroyer Zellars (DD 777)

Launched (36)

1906: MS Trawler Rosette (FY 1577)

1917: Submarine P 512 (P 512) - Submarine R-17 (94)

1918: Tug West Creek - Minesweeper Seagull (AM 30)

1919: Oiler Sapelo (AO 11)

1933: Submarine M-18

1941: Minesweeper Memorable (AMc-89)

1942: Submarine chaser Jacuí (CS 57) - Boom defence vessel Barmond (Z 232) - Minesweeper BYMS 2056 (J 856) - ASW Trawler Herring (T 307) - Landing Craft Tank LCT 619 (LCT 619) - Motor minesweeper MMS 1013 (FY 1013) - Corvette Smilax (K 280) - Submarine Cabrilla (288) - Submarine Cisco (290) - Tank landing ship LST 332 (LST 332) - Patrol craft PC-1241 (PC-1241) - Patrol craft PC-781 (PC-781) - Submarine chaser SC-1288 (SC-1288) - Corvette Tact (PG-98) - Minesweeper YMS-251 (YMS-251) - Minesweeper YMS-262 (YMS-262) - Minesweeper YMS-266 (YMS-266)

1943: Landing Craft Tank LCT 1076 (LCT 1076) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-727 (LCI(L)-727) - Landing craft tank LCT 763 (LCT 763) - Landing craft tank LCT 851 (LCT 851) - Landing craft tank LCT 951 (LCT 951) - Tank landing ship LST 295 (LST 295) - Tank landing ship LST 514 (LST 514) - Tank landing ship LST 60 (LST 60) - Minesweeper Mirth (AM 265) - Minesweeper Nimble (AM 266) - Motor torpedo boat PT 508

Commissioned (38)

1919: Submarine R-14 (91)

1939: Auxiliary patrol vessel Lady Craddock

1940: Boom defence vessel Barrington (Z 59)

1941: Anti-aircraft cruiser Atlanta (i) (CL 51)

1942: Motor Torpedo Boat MTB 94 (MTB 94) - MS Trawler Poona (T 260) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-113 (LCI(L)-113) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-249 (LCI(L)-249) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-251 (LCI(L)-251) - Motor Gun Boat MGB 114 (MGB 114) - Oiler Chiwawa (AO 68) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-69 (LCI(L)-69) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-70 (LCI(L)-70) - Submarine chaser SC-1003 (SC-1003) - Submarine chaser SC-697 (SC-697)

1943: MS Trawler Ailsa Craig (T 377) - Patrol vessel Kilmore (Z 15) - Motor Torpedo Boat MTB 455 (MTB 455) - Motor Torpedo Boat MTB 656 (MTB 656) - Frigate Rupert (K 561) - Destroyer Escort Cockrill (DE 398) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-524 (LCI(L)-524) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-725 (LCI(L)-725) - Tank landing ship LST 54 (LST 54)

1944: Harbour Defence Motor Launch HDML 1113 (ML 1113) - Tank landing ship LST 1021 (LST 1021) - Tank landing ship LST 173 (LST 173) - Tank landing ship LST 178 (LST 178) - Tank landing ship LST 3 (LST 3) - Tank landing ship LST 352 (LST 352) - Tank landing ship LST 358 (LST 358) - Tank landing ship LST 394 (LST 394) - Tank landing ship LST 4 (LST 4) - Tank landing ship LST 76 (LST 76) - Tank landing ship LST 77 (LST 77) - Medium landing ship LSM 354 (LSM 354) - Medium landing ship LSM 355 (LSM 355) - Medium landing ship LSM 421 (LSM 421)

1940: MS Trawler Pelton

1941: Corvette Salvia (K 97)

1943: Harbour Defence Motor Launch HDML 1388 (ML 1388) - Destroyer Hurricane (H 06) - Destroyer Leary (i) (DD 158)

1944: Minesweeper Clayoquot (J 174)

More information on Allied Warships losses.

1939

Heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland: HMS Cumberland (Capt W.H.G. Fallowfield, RN) returned to Port Stanley, Falkland Islands from the River Plate focal area. She now resumed her self refit.

Heavy cruiser HMS Norfolk: HMS Norfolk (Capt. A.G.B. Wilson, DSO, RN) departed Belfast for the Northern Patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the Iceland-Faeroer gap.

Heavy cruiser HMS Dorsetshire: HMS Dorsetshire (Capt. B.C.S. Martin, RN) arrived at Port Stanley, Falkland Islands.

Light cruiser HMS Caledon: HMS Caledon (Capt. C.P. Clarke, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from Plymouth.

Light cruiser HMS Calypso: HMS Calypso (Capt. H.A. Rowley, RN) departed Plymouth for Gibraltar.

Light cruiser HMS Despatch: HMS Despatch (Commodore 2nd cl. A. Poland, DSO, RN) anchored off the Quaitecas Islands, Chile.

Light cruiser HMS Dunedin: HMS Dunedin (Capt. C.E. Lambe, CVO, RN) departed Greenock for Scapa Flow.

Light cruiser HMS Manchester: HMS Manchester (Capt. H.H. Bousfield, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow.

Light cruiser HMS Southampton: HMS Southampton (Capt. F.W.H. Jeans, CVO, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral G.F.B. Edward-Collins, CB, KCVO, RN) arrived at Newcastle for refit and repairs.

Light cruiser HNMS Tromp: HrMs Tromp (Capt. J.W. Termijtelen, RNN) arrived at Surabaya, Java.

Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Canton: Around 0900Z/24, HMS Canton (Capt. G.D. Belben, DSC, RN) arrived at Greenock from Portland.

Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Circassia: Around 1600Z/24, HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN) departed Greenock for Portsmouth.

Submarine HMS Oberon: HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. J.A.S. Wise, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Portland with HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN).

Submarine HMS Oswald: HMS Oswald (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Malta.

Submarine HMS Severn: HMS Severn (Lt.Cdr. B.W. Taylor, RN) made a short stop at Ascension Island to see if there was any mail that had to be transported northbound. Severn was passing about 10 miles from the island so Lt.Cdr. Taylor decided to pay a short visit to the Island before proceeding to Freetown.

Submarine HMS Trident: During 24/25 December 1939, HMS Trident (Cdr. J.G. Gould, RN) conducted exercises off the Firth of Forth.

Submarine HMS Taku: Around 0925A/24, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Hall, RN) returned to Birkenhead on completion of her trials.

Submarine HMS Triad: Around 1800A/24, HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, RN) arrived at Rosyth from convoy escort duty.

Destroyer HMAS Vampire: HMAS Vampire (Lt.Cdr. J.A. Walsh, RAN) and HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) arrived at Malta after convoy escort duty. Before entering harbour gunnery exercises were carried out. HMAS Vampire then commenced boiler clearing and she was also docked at the Malta Dockyard [exact date not known to us.]

Destroyer HMAS Waterhen: HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. G.L. Cant, RAN) and HMAS Waterhen (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN) departed Malta for gunnery exercises on completion of which they took over the escort of convoy K 6 to Marseilles. [For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy K 6 ' for 10 December 1939.]

Destroyer HMS Defender: HMS Defender (Lt.Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, RN) arrived at Malta from a patrol off Cape Malea, Greece. At Malta she underwent a short refit. She was to depart for the South Atlantic in early-mid January 1940 but this was delayed due to machinery problems.

Destroyer HMS Delight: HMS Malaya (Capt. I.B.B. Tower, DSC, RN) and her escorts, the destroyers, HMS Delight (Cdr. M. Fogg-Elliott, RN) and HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN), arrived at Gibraltar from Malta. HMS Malaya departed Gibraltar later the same day for Halifax. She was still being escorted by HMS Delight and HMS Diana but also by HMS Watchman (Cdr.(Retd.) V. Hammersley-Heenan, RN). HMS Watchman parted company at 1730/26 and returned to Gibraltar. HMS Delight and HMS Diana parted company at 1100/27 and set course to proceed to the U.K.

Destroyer HMS Juno: HMS Jervis (Capt. P.J. Mack, RN), HMS Janus (Lt.Cdr. J.A.W. Tothill, RN) and HMS Juno (Cdr. W.E. Wilson, RN) departed Rosyth for Immingham.

Destroyer HMS Kashmir: HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN), HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, RN) and HMS Ilex (Lt.Cdr. P.L. Saumarez, DSC, RN) arrived back in the Clyde.

1940

Heavy cruiser HMS Devonshire: HMS Devonshire (Capt. R.D. Oliver, DSC, RN) departed Durban for Simonstown.

Light cruiser HMS Capetown: HMS Capetown (Capt. P.H.G. James, RN) arrived at Colombo from patrol.

Light cruiser HMS Durban: HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) conducted full power trials off Singapore.

Light cruiser HMAS Perth: Around 0615C/24, HMAS Perth (Capt. P.W. Bowyer-Smith, RN) departed Port Said for Alexandria where she arrived around 1720C/24. She now joined the Mediterranean Fleet to relieve HMAS Sydney (Capt. J.A. Collins, CB, RAN).

Light cruiser HMAS Sydney: HMAS Sydney (Capt. J.A. Collins, CB, RAN) is docked in No.4 dock at the Malta Dockyard.

Light cruiser HMS Gloucester: Convoy AS 9 This convoy departed Piraeus on 24 December 1940 for Port Said and Alexandria where all ships arrived on 27 December 1940. The convoy was made up of the following merchants; tanker Adinda (Dutch, 3359 GRT, built 1939), Argo (Greek, 1995 GRT, built 1920), Frinton (Greek, 1419 GRT, built 1903), Hollandia (Greek, 1759 GRT, built 1911), Hydraios (Greek, 4476 GRT, built 1902), Jhelum (4038 GRT, built 1936), Kehrea (Greek, 1968 GRT, built 1912), tanker Petroil (Greek, 4434 GRT, built 1902) and tanker Prodromos (Greek 877 GRT, built 1906). Around noon the destroyers HMS Defender (Lt.Cdr. G.L. Farnfield, RN) and HMS Griffin (Lt.Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, RN) joined near position 37°46’N, 23°46’E to provide close escort. They came from Suda Bay which they had departed earlier in the day. Cover was provided by the light cruiser HMS Gloucester (Capt. H.A. Rowley, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral E. de F. Renouf, CVO, RN), heavy cruiser HMS York (Capt. R.H. Portal, DSC, RN) until the convoy was well clear of the Kaso Strait. These cruisers departed Piraeus around 1400/24 for this purpose. On 25 December 1940, the tanker (RFA) Brambleleaf (5917 GRT, built 1917) joined the convoy in position 35°50’N, 24°50’E around 0800 hours. The convoy was to pass through the Kaso Strait the coming night. After the convoy had passed through the Kaso Strait both covering cruisers arrived at Suda Bay at 0900/26. Ships from the convoy that were to proceed to Alexandria left the convoy at dusk on the 26th. All ships arrived safely at Port Said and Alexandria on the 27th. [We currently do not know which ships proceeded to Alexandria and which ships to Port Said].

Submarine HNMS O 21: HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) conducted trials with firing English torpedoes off the Tay eastuary. She was escorted by HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) C.C. Flemming, RN).

Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Canton: Around 1700N/24, HMS Canton (Capt. G.D. Belben, DSC, RN) arrived at Freetown from convoy escort duty. Before entering harbour gunnery exercises were carried out.

Submarine HMS Oberon: HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Pizey, DSO, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN).

Submarine HMS Otus: HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) encountered the Italian submarine Luigi Settembrini north of Derna, Libya. Settembrini fired one torpedo which missed Otus which was unable to attack the Italian submarine herself. (All times are zone -2) 0530 hours - In position 33°20'N, 22°43'E sighted an Italian submarine, thought to be of the Mameli-class, right ahead stearing a course of 124° at close range. Otus was steering 299 degrees with a heavy head sea and the moon fine on the port quarter. Both submarines dived. Otus altered course to starboard to 055° and went to 55 feet. 0532 hours - Obtained ASDIC contact bearing 135° at a range of 2000 yards. 0545 hours - Heard a loud explosion which seemed some way off. It was thought the enemy might have fired a torpedo. Otus went to periscope depth in the hope the enemy might surface but the enemy was not seen. Otus was indeed attacked by an Italian submarine. This was Luigi Settembrini which had fired one torpedo.

Submarine HMS Tribune: Around 0630A/24, HMS Tribune (Lt. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) ended her 10th war patrol at Holy Loch.

Submarine HMS Upright: HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Eaden, DSC, RN) ended her 4th war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean) at Malta.

Submarine HMS H 31: In the afternoon the engine room of HMS H 31 (Lt. R.D. Whiteway-Wilkinson, DSC, RN) was pumped dry and the submarine was floating again.

Submarine HMS H 33: HMS H 33 (Lt. G.P. Darling, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory.

Submarine HMS H 34: HMS H 34 (Lt. L.W. Napier, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.

Light cruiser HMS Phoebe: Around 0250A/24, HMS Phoebe (Capt. G. Grantham, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Oban where she was to provide anti-aircraft protection against shipping. She arrived at Oban around 1430A/24.

Light cruiser HMS Kenya: HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) is undocked.

Light cruiser HMS Nigeria: HMS Nigeria (Capt. J.G.L. Dundas, RN) conducted rangefinding and inclination exercises off Scapa Flow during which HMS Leamington (Cdr. W.E. Banks, DSC, RN) served as target.

Battleship HMS Queen Elizabeth: HMS Queen Elizabeth (Capt. C.B. Barry, DSO, RN) is docked in No.2 Dock at the Rosyth Dockyard.

Battleship HMS Royal Sovereign: HMS Royal Sovereign (Capt. H.B. Jacomb, RN) made rendezvous with the troopship Leopoldville (Belgian, 11509 GRT, built 1929) to escort it to Halifax.

Battlecruiser HMS Hood: Late in the afternoon the battlecruiser HMS Hood (Capt. I.G. Glennie, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral W.J. Whitworth, CB, DSO, RN), light cruiser HMS Edinburgh (Capt. C.M. Blackman, DSO, RN), destroyers HMS Cossack (Capt. P.L. Vian, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Echo (Cdr. S.H.K. Spurgeon, DSO, RAN), HMS Electra (Lt.Cdr. S.A. Buss, MVO, RN) and HMS Escapade (Cdr. R.E. Hyde-Smith, RN),departed Scapa Flow around 1730 hours to patrol to the east of the Iceland - Faroes passage.

Destroyer HMAS Vendetta: Around 1730B/24, the monitor HMS Terror (Cdr. H.J. Haynes, DSC, RN) departed Sollum for Alexandria. She was escorted by the destroyer HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. R. Rhoades RAN) which had been on A/S patrol in the area during the time HMS Terror had been at Sollum. The orders were cancelled during the night and course was set to return to Sollum where the arrived around 0545B/25. HMAS Vendetta then set course for Alexandria where she arrived around 1530B/25.

Destroyer HMAS Waterhen: HMAS Waterhen (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN) arrived at Sollum where the stores were disembarked. She then departed for an A/S patrol in / off the Gulf of Sollum returning to Sollum the following day.

Destroyer HMS Kelly: At 1530 hours a walrus aircraft reported having attacked a surfaced U-boat west of the Shetland Islands in position 60°25'N, 02°34'W. The destroyer HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) and the escort destroyers HMS Blencathra (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, RN) and HMS Tynedale (Lt.Cdr. H.E.F. Tweedie, RN) departed Scapa Flow in the early evening to hunt down the enemy submarine. No submarine could be detected thought, which is not surprising as no German submarine reported the aircraft attack which therefore must have been against a non-sub target.

Destroyer HMS Kashmir: HMS Kashmir (Cdr. H.A. King, RN), HMS Jersey (Lt.Cdr. W. Evershed, RN) and HMS Punjabi (Cdr. J.T. Lean, DSO, RN) returned to Plymouth from patrol at 1050 hours.

Submarine RHS Papanikolis: Papanikolis (Lt.Cdr. Iatridis) torpedoed and sank the Italian merchant Firenze (3952 GRT) in the Adriatic about 12 nautical miles west-north-west of Saseno Island in position 40°34'N, 19°02'E.

1941

Heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland: HMS Cumberland (Capt. A.H. Maxwell-Hyslop, AM, RN) arrived at Seidisfjord from Hvalfjord.

Light cruiser HMS Ceres: HMS Ceres (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) H.W.V. Stephenson, RN) departed Mombasa for Durban.

Light cruiser HMS Diomede: HMS Diomede (Capt. D. Orr-Ewing, RN) arrived at Bermuda. HMS Diomede was in need of repairs to her boilers.

Light cruiser HMAS Hobart: Around 2000EF/24, the light cruiser HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.L. Howden, CBE, RAN) and sloop HMS Falmouth (Cdr. U.H.R. James, RN) departed Colombo to join convoy BM 9A. [For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy BM 9A ' for 21 December 1941.]

Light cruiser HMAS Perth: Around 088K/24, HMAS Canberra (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, CB, RN), HMAS Perth (Capt. H.M.L. Waller, DSO, RAN) and HMNZS Achilles (Capt. H.M. Barnes, RN) arrived at Sydney. Rear-Admiral Crace then struck his flag in HMAS Canberra and hoisted it in HMAS Australia. Also the Commanding Officers of HMAS Australia and HMAS Canberra were swapped.

Light cruiser HMS Birmingham: HMS Birmingham (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) departed Montevideo for patrol.

Destroyer HNMS Isaac Sweers: HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, RN), HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN), HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, DSC, RN) and HrMs Isaac Sweers (Cdr. J. Houtsmuller, RNN) started an A/S sweep in the eastern Mediterreanean. HMS Kingston had departed Alexandria around 0900B/23 to patrol in the area. HMS Napier and HrMs Isaac Sweers around 1545B/23 also to patrol in the area. HMAS Nizam departed around 0850B/24 and joined the other destroyers at sea.

Submarine HNMS K XV: HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) was off Kuching. At 1500 hours (zone -7.5) an attack was started on a Japanese destroyer in approximate position 01°58'N, 110°28'E but before torpedoes could be fired the destroyer turned away.

Submarine HNMS K XVI: HrMs K XVI (Lt.Cdr. L.J. Jarman, RNN) torpedoed and sank the Japanese destroyer Sagiri (offsite link) off Kuching, Borneo. K XVI reported this sinking by signal. She had 8 torpedoes remaining after this attack. Dutch naval command signalled the boat to return to Surabaya but nothing more was heard or seen from K XVI.

Submarine HNMS O 21: Around 1300A/24, HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) ended her 16th war patrol at Milford Haven. It is decided after consulting experts that O 21 is not fit for further patrols due to problems with the electric motors.

Submarine HNMS O 10: HrMs O 10 (Lt. Baron D.T. Mackay, RNN) arrived at Milford Haven for engine repairs.

Submarine USS Grayling: USS Grayling (Lt.Cdr. Eliot Olsen) arrived at Pearl Harbor from the US east coast.

Submarine USS Seadragon: USS Seadragon (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) (most likely) arrived at Surabaya, Netherlands East Indies.

Submarine USS Stingray: USS Stingray (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Lamb) ended her first war patrol at Manila.

Submarine USS Dolphin: USS Dolphin (Lt.Cdr. G.B. Rainer) left Pearl Harbor for her first war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Marshall Islands area.

Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Carthage: Around 1100EF/24, HMS Carthage (Capt.(Retd.) H.L.I. Kirkpatrick, OBE, RN) and the (troop) transport Neuralia (British, 9182 GRT, built 1912, 820 military personnel) arrived at Bombay from Aden.

Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Circassia: Around 0800Q/24, HMS Circassia (A/Capt. E.V. Lees, RN) arrived at Trinidad from patrol.

Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Corfu: Around 1700C/24, HMS Corfu (Capt.(Retd.) J.P. Landon, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from Port Victoria, Seychelles.

Submarine HMS Oberon: HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course).

Submarine HMS Otway: HMS Otway (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol at Falmouth. She and HMS H 28 (Lt. J.C. Ogle, DSC, RN) and HMS H 50 (Lt. E.T. Stanley, RN) were escorted in by the MS trawler HMS Fluellen (T/Lt. D.P. Richardson, RNVR).

Submarine HMS Truant: Around 0830B/24, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) ended her 21st war patrol (11th in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria.

Submarine HMS Tempest: HMS Tempest (Lt.Cdr. W.A.K.N. Cavaye, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar.

Submarine HMS Turbulent: HMS Turbulent (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSC, RN) is undocked.

Submarine HMS H 28: HMS H 28 (Lt. J.C. Ogle, DSC, RN) arrived at Falmouth. She had made rendez-vous around 0920 hours with HMS H 50 (Lt. E.T. Stanley, RN) and HMS Otway (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN). THey were escorted in by the torpedo boat HrMs Z 5 (Lt. J.J. Steensma, RNN) and MS trawler HMS Fluellen (T/Lt. D.P. Richardson, RNVR). After fuelling, provisioning and having effected some repairs H 28 departed Falmouth at 2100 to resume her patrol. She was escorted out until 2320 hours by HMS Night Hawk (T/Lt. B.J.P. Kelly, RNVR).

Submarine HMS H 32: HMS H 32 (Lt. J.S. Stevens, DSC, RN) departed Falmouth for her 5th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Bay of Biscay. For the daily positions of HMS H 32 during this patrol see the map below.

Submarine HMS H 33: HMS H 33 (Lt. J.H. Bromage, DSC, RN) ended her 4th war patrol at Falmouth.

Submarine HMS H 43: HMS H 43 (Lt. R.B. Lakin, DSC, RN) departed Falmouth for her 12th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Bay of Biscay. For the daily positions of HMS H 43 during this patrol see the map below. No daily noon positions were noted in the log for HMS H 43 therefore the map is incomplete.

Submarine HMS H 50: HMS H 50 (Lt. E.T. Stanley, RN) ended her 10th war patrol at Falmouth.

Minelayer HMS Welshman: Around 1023A/24, HMS Welshman (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN) departed Milford Haven for Port ZA (Loch Alsh).

Light cruiser HMS Charybdis: HMS Charybdis (Capt. L.D. Mackintosh, DSC, RN) conducted gunnery exercises in the Clyde area.

Light cruiser HMS Kenya: Operation Archery. Commando raid against the Norwegian island of Vågsøy. Around 2100A/24, the light cruiser HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN), destroyers HMS Onslow (Capt. H.T. Armstrong, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Offa (Lt.Cdr. R.A. Ewing, RN), HMS Oribi (Lt.Cdr. J.E.H. McBeath, DSO, RN), the escort destroyer HMS Chiddingfold (Lt. L.W.L. Argles, RN), and the landing ships HMS Prince Charles (A/Cdr. W.R. Fell, DSC, OBE, RN) and HMS Prince Leopold (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Byles, RD, RNR) departed Scapa Flow for operation Archery. First they were to proceed to Sullom Voe where they arrived around 1330A/25. and Maaloy Island. The Force arrived at Sullom Voe on the 25th. Heavy weather had been encountered on the passage to Sullom Voe and the operation was postponed 24 hours so that some weather damage to the landing ships could be made good. The raiding force departed Sullom Voe around 1600A/26. The arrived off the Vaagsfiord in perfect weather around 0740A/27. At 0640A/27 they had made rendezvous with the submarine HMS Tuna (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) which acted as beacon. Enemy positions were bombarded and troops were landed. The enemy was caught by surprise but resistance was however stiff as an enemy unit of mountain troops was present at Måløy for a rest. HMS Kenya engaged the enemy shore battery at Rugsundöy. She was also hit in return. HMS Onslow and HMS Oribi sank the German patrol vessel V 5108 / Föhn (207 GRT, built 1911, former Norwegian whaler Hadarøy) in Måløy-Sund. The merchant vessels Reimar Edzard Fritzen (2936 GRT, built 1923), Norma (2258 GRT, built 1911, former Dutch Calypso) and Anita L.M. Russ (1712 GRT, built 1926) and Eismeer (1003 GRT, built 1941, former Dutch Duiveland) were either sunk or driven on the rocks. HMS Offa and HMS Chiddinfold sank the German patrol vessel V 5102 / Donner (223 GRT, built ?) and the merchant vessel Anhalt (4621 GRT, built 1922). The commandoes commenced to retreat back to the landing ships around 1400A/27. The raiding force returned to Scapa Flow around 1600A/28.

Light cruiser HMS Nigeria: HMS Nigeria (Capt. J.G.L. Dundas, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from North Shields.

Battleship HMS Royal Sovereign: Convoy WS 12Z. [Part from Durban to their final destinations.] This convoy departed Durban on 24 December 1941 and was split into three sections near Mombasa on 2 January 1942. On departure from Durban the convoy was made up of the following troopships / transports; Abbekerk (Dutch, 7906 GRT, built 1939), Adrastus (British, 7905 GRT, built 1923), Aorangi (British, 17491 GRT, built 1924), Aronda (British, 8328 GRT, built 1941), Capetown Castle (British, 27002 GRT, built 1938), Deucalion (British, 7516 GRT, built 1930), Duchess of Bedford (British, 20123 GRT, built 1928), Eastern Prince (British, 10926 GRT, built 1929), Empire Star (British, 13479 GRT, built 1935), Empress of Asia (British, 16909 GRT, built 1913), Indrapoera (Dutch, 10825 GRT, built 1925), Narkunda (British, 16632 GRT, built 1920), Nieuw Amsterdam (Dutch, 36287 GRT, built 1938), Orduna (British, 15507 GRT, built 1914) and Sussex (British, 11062 GRT, built 1937). The convoy was escorted by the battleship HMS Royal Sovereign (Capt. R.H. Portal, DSC, RN) until it was split up on 30 / 31 December 1941 into convoy's WS 12ZA, WS 12ZB and DM 1. HMS Royal Sovereign then proceeded to Port Victoria, Seychelles where she arrived on 2 January 1942. ---------------------------------------------------- Convoy WS 12ZA was formed on 31 December 1941 and was made up of troopships / transports; Aronda, Eastern Prince, Nieuw Amsterdam and Orduna. They were escorted by the light cruiser HMS Colombo (Capt. C.C.A. Allen, RN) which had brought out the US troop transport USS Oziraba (6937 GRT, built 1918) from Mombasa. Convoy WS 12ZA was dispersed off Aden on 4 January 1942. ---------------------------------------------------- Convoy WS 12ZB was formed on 31 December 1941 and was made up of troopships / transports; Adrastus, Capetown Castle, Deucalion, Duchess of Bedford, Empire Star, Empress of Asia, Empress of Japan, Indrapoera and USS Oziraba. They were escorted by the heavy cruiser HMS Cornwall (Capt. P.C.W. Manwaring, RN). Convoy WS 12ZA arrived at Bombay on 6 January 1942. ---------------------------------------------------- Convoy DM 1 split off from convoy WS 12Z on 30 January 1942 and was made up of troopships / transports; Abbekerk, Aorangi, USS Mount Vernon, Narkunda and Sussex. They were escorted by the light cruiser HMS Emerald (Capt. F.C. Flynn, RN) which had brought out the US troop transport Mount Vernon (24289 GRT, built 1932) from Mombasa. Convoy DM 1 arrived at Addu Atoll (Port T) on 4 January 1942. It departed from there, with a strengthened escort, for Singapore on 5 January 1942. Convoy DM 1 arrived at Singapore on 13 January 1942.

Battleship HMS Ramillies: At Freetown, Rear-Admiral S.S. Bonham-Carter, CB, CVO, DSO, RN, struck his flag on board HMS Ramillies (Capt. D.N.C. Tufnell, DSC, RN).

Destroyer HMS Jupiter: HMS Jupiter (Lt.Cdr. N.V.J.P. Thew, RN) departed Singapore (presumably for patrol).

Destroyer HMAS Nestor: Around 1300A/24, ' Force I ', made up of the light cruiser HMS Dido (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, RN) and the destroyers HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, DSO, RAN), HMS Gurkha (Cdr. C.N. Lentaigne, RN), HMS Zulu (Cdr. H.R. Graham, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Foxhound (Cdr. G.H. Peters, DSC, RN) and HMS Arrow (Cdr. A.M. McKillop, RN) arrived at Malta from Gibraltar.

Submarine USS S-41: After taking on board fuel and supplies USS S-41 (Lt. G.M. Holley, Jr.) departed from Manila Bay again to continue her patrol in the Lingayen area.

Submarine USSR ShCh-401: At 2003 hours ShCh-401 fires four torpedoes against ' what is identified as ' a merchant of 3000 GRT of the Bosfjord. All torpedoes fired however missed their target.

1942

Light cruiser HMS Cardiff: HMS Cardiff (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.G. Davidson, RN) is undocked.

Light cruiser HMS Despatch: HMS Despatch (Capt. W.R.C. Leggatt, RN) departed Lagos for Freetown.

Light cruiser HMS Durban: HMS Durban (Capt. G.F. Stevens-Guille, DSO, OBE, RN) departed Port Victoria for Cochin.

Light cruiser HMS Glasgow: HMS Glasgow (Capt. E.M. Evans-Lombe, RN) proceeded from Dalmuir to Greenock. She then left Greenock around 1930A/24 for Loch Ewe.

Light cruiser HMS Sheffield: Around 1145C/24, ' Force R ', made up of the light cruisers HMS Sheffield (Capt. A.W. Clarke, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.L. Burnett, CB, DSO, OBE, RN), HMS Jamaica (Capt. J.L. Storey, RN) and the destroyers HMS Matchless (Lt.Cdr. J. Mowlam, DSO, RN) and HMS Opportune (Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived in the Kola Inlet after convoy cover duty.

Submarine HNMS O 24: HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) ended her 14th war patrol at Colombo.

Submarine HNMS O 14: HrMs O 14 (Lt.Cdr. H.A.W. Goossens, RNN) departed Lerwick for her 7th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off Northern Norway. For the daily positions of HrMs O 14 during this patrol see the map below.

Submarine HNMS O 15: HrMs O 15 (Lt. A.J. Schouwenaar, RNN) conducted A/S exercises at / off Scapa Flow with HMS Mackay (Capt. S.V. Jephson, RN) and ORP Piorun (Cdr. T. Gorazdowski).

Submarine HNMS Dolfijn: HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) put into Falmouth to land two sick ratings. One of which was operated on immediately for appendicitis.

Submarine USS Triton: USS Triton (Lt.Cdr. C.C. Kirkpatrick) torpedoed and sank the Japanese water tanker Amakusa Maru No.1 (1913 GRT) south of Wake Island in position 19°16'N, 166°36'E.

Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Asturias: Around 1330Z/24, HMS Asturias (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) and HMS Cyclamen (Lt. A.G. Scott, RNR) arrived at Freetown from patrol. They both conducted D/G trials on arrival.

Submarine HMS Una: HMS Una (Lt. J.D. Martin, RN) ended her 17th war patrol (15th in the Mediterranean) at Malta.

Submarine HMS Sturgeon: HMS Sturgeon (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) arrived at Algiers.

Submarine HMS Seadog: HMS P 216 (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, RN) arrived at Lerwick. She departed for her 2nd war patrol later the same day. She was to patrol off Alten Fjord, Northern Norway to provide cover for convoys JW 51 / RA 51. For the daily positions of HMS Seadog during this patrol see the map below.

Submarine HMS Seraph: HMS P 219 (Lt. N.L.A. Jewell, RN) again encountered the Italian submarine Mocenigo. Three torpedoes were fired but no hits were obtained. (All times are zone -1) 1953 hours - Sighted a submarine close on the starboard side on an opposite course. Turned towards to attack. 1956 hours - In position 37°26'N, 08°02'E fired three torpedoes. The enemy altered course away on firing the first torpedo. The first torpedo ran straight all the way to the conning tower and never looked like missing. As three torpedo tubes were damaged due to yesterday’s collision, only three torpedoes from the undamaged tubes could be fired. 1958 hours - Went to gun actions but the target meanwhile had dived. 2002 hours - Dived. 2202 hours - Surfaced in position 37°29'N, 08°00'E. 2227 hours - Sighted two bright flashes about 6000 yards bearing 300°. Splashes were seen 200 yards off the port side. 2228 hours - Dived to 120 feet. Heard no H.E. Nothing was further sighted or heard. [The Italian submarine had observed the British submarine which was described as of the Oberon-class and reported that the enemy had fired one round at her (although this is not confirmed in Seraph’s patrol report). Mocenigo turned away just in time and a torpedo was seen missing her by only 2-3 metres on the port side. She then fired back a single torpedo from a stern tube but the smoke of her diesel engines obscured the vision. The Italian submarine dived and could not regain contact.]

Submarine HMS Splendid: HMS P 228 (Lt. I.L.M. McGeogh, RN) ended her 4th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean) at Algiers.

Submarine HMS Sportsman: HMS P 229 (Lt. R. Gatehouse, DSC, RN) conducted trials off Sheerness.

Submarine HMS Thunderbolt: In the evening, under cover of darkness, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN), conducted exercises inside Malta harbour.

Submarine HMS Trident: HMS Trident (Lt. P.E. Newstead, RN) conducted STU trials off Fairlie.

Submarine HMS Trespasser: Around 1600A/24, HMS P 312 (Lt. R.M. Favell, RN) departed from Lerwick for her 2nd war patrol. She is to patrol off Northern Norway, to give cover for convoy JW 51. Later she was ordered to patrol in the Trondheim area to intercept German heavy units. For the daily positions of HMS P 312 during this patrol see the map below.

Submarine HMS Upright: HMS Upright (Lt. W.W. Dennis, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners.

Submarine HMS Uproar: HMS P 31 (Lt. L.E. Herrick, DSC, RN) completed her refit at the Chatham Dockyard.

Submarine HMS United: HMS P 44 (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) ended her 10th war patrol (also 10th in the Mediterranean) at Malta.

Submarine HMS Unseen: HMS P 51 (Lt. M.L.C. Crawford, DSC, RN) attacked a large escorted transport vessel with four torpedoes to the north of the Gulf of Tunis in position 37°32'N, 10°45'E. No hits were obtained. (All times are zone -1) 1028 hours - In position 37°32'N, 10°45'E sighted what is thought to be the German transport Ankara escorted by two, possibly three destroyers bearing 260°, range about 5 nautical miles. Started attack. 1033 hours - Fired four torpedoes from 2500 yards. No hits were obtained. One explosion was heard but this was thought not to be an exploding torpedo. No counter attack followed. The transport attacked was not Ankara but most likely the Italian fast transport Mario Roselli (6835 GRT, built 1942) escorted by the Italian destroyers Bombardiere and Camicia Nera en-route from Bizerta to Palermo. The attack was not observed.

Submarine HMS H 28: HMS H 28 (Lt. T.S. Weston, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

Submarine HMS H 34: HMS H 34 (Lt. G.M. Noll, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Dianthus (T/A/Lt.Cdr. N.F. Israel, RNR) and HMCS Dauphin (T/Lt. R.A.S. MacNeil, RCNR).

Submarine HMS H 43: HMS H 43 (Lt. R. Boyd, DSC, RN) arrived at Holyhead for special RDF trials.

Submarine HMS H 50: HMS H 50 (Lt. R.B. Forster, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS La Cordeliere (Lt.Cdr. A.J.G. Barff, RNR) and HMS Boarhound (Skr. A. Keable, RNR).

Minelayer HMS Abdiel: HMS Abdiel (Capt. D. Orr-Ewing, RN) departed Plymouth for Milford Haven where she arried later the same day.

Light cruiser HMS Penelope: In the afternoon, HMS Penelope (Capt. G.D. Belben, DSC, AM, RN), conducted an oiling at sea exercise at Scapa Flow with the RFA tanker Blue Ranger. This exercise was followed by an A/S exercise with a submarine. [This was most likely HrMs O 15 (Lt. A.J. Schouwenaar, RNN).]

Light cruiser HMS Scylla: Around 0815A/24, HMS Scylla (Capt. I.A.P. Macintyre, CBE, DSO, RN), HMS Queen Emma (Capt.(Retd.) G.L.D. Gibbs, DSO and Bar, RN) and HMS Wishart (Cdr. H.G. Scott, RN) departed Bone for Algiers where they arrived around 0030A/25.

Light cruiser HMS Gambia: Around 0715C/24, HMS Gambia (Capt. M.J. Mansergh, CBE, RN) arrived at Diego Suarez. After fuelling and (dis)embarking passengers she left around 1100C/24, to join convoy MC 2. [For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy MC 2 ' for 17 December 1942]

Battleship HMS Rodney: Around 1515A/24, ' Force H ', made up of the battleships HMS Nelson (Capt. H.B. Jacomb, RN, flying the flag of flying the flag of Vice-Admiral E.N. Syfret, CB, RN), HMS Rodney (Capt. J.W. Rivett-Carnac, DSC, RN), aircraft carrier HMS Formidable (Capt. A.G. Talbot, DSO, RN), destroyers HMS Milne (Capt. I.M.R. Campbell, RN), HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN), HMS Laforey (Capt. R.M.J. Hutton, DSO, RN), HMS Lightning (Cdr. H.G. Walter, DSC, RN), HMS Penn (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN), HMS Panther (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Jocelyn, RN), HMS Pathfinder (Cdr. E.A. Gibbs, DSO and Bar, RN), HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN), ORP Blyskawica (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) L. Lichodziejewski) and the escort destroyer HMS Puckeridge (Lt. J.C. Cartwright, DSC, RN) departed Mers-el-Kebir for a sweep towards Algiers after which they were to proceed to Gibraltar. Around 1700A/24, HMS Milne and Meteor were detached to join convoy MKF 5 and return with this convoy to the U.K. Around 1800A/24, HMS Eskimo (Capt. J.W.M. Eaton, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN) joined. Around 1800A/25, HMS Dido (Capt. J. Terry, RN) joined for passage to Gibraltar. Around 0815A/26, HMS Laforey and HMS Lightning parted company to proceed to Algiers. ' Force H ' arrived at Gibraltar around 2000A/26.

Destroyer HMAS Vendetta: HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. C.J. Stephenson, RAN) conducted A/S and full power trials off Sydney.

Submarine USS R-4: USS R-4 (Lt.Cdr. P.W. Garnett, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-10: USS R-10 (Lt.Cdr. E.D`H. Haskins, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-11: USS R-11 (Lt.Cdr. I.J. Galantin, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-13: USS R-13 (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Gallaher, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-18: USS R-18 arrived at New London, Connecticut from St. Thomas, Virgin Islands for a period of repairs.

Submarine USS R-20: USS R-20 (Lt. E.T. Shepard, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Destroyer HNMS Tjerk Hiddes (ii): Around 1815I/24, HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Kruys, RNethN) arrived at Fremantle from Darwin. She had made a short stop at Geraldton in the morning to take on board some fuel.

Submarine HMS L 26: HMS L 26 (Lt. H.D. Verschoyle, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with a training class of new submariners.

Submarine HMS Graph: HMS Graph (Lt. P.B. Marriott, RN) departed from Lerwick for her 3rd war patrol. She is to patrol off Northern Norway to provide cover for convoy JW-51 to Northern Russia. For the daily and attack positions of HMS Graph during this patrol see the map below.

Submarine HMS P 614: HMS P 614 (Lt. H.W. Wilkinson, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Freetown together with HMS Holcombe (Lt.Cdr. S.H. Pinchin, DSC, RN), HMS Hydrangea (A/Lt.Cdr. J.E. Woolfenden, RD, RNR) and HMS ML 289 (T/Lt. S.E. Slater, RNVR).

1943

Heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland: HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from Rosyth.

Heavy cruiser HMS London: HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) arrived at Rosyth where she is taken in hand for a short refit before leaving home waters as she is assigned to the Eastern Fleet.

Light cruiser HMS Caledon: No.5 Dock at the Chatham Dockyard, with HMS Caledon (Capt. R.F. Nichols, RN) in it is flooded. She only left the dock on 28 December 1943.

Light cruiser HMS Danae: HMS Danae (Capt. J.R.S. Haines, RN) proceedeed from the Shatt al Arab anchorage to Abadan.

Heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher: Around 1100C/24, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Durban from Diego Suarez. At Durban she is then taken in hand for a short refit.

Light cruiser HMS Glasgow: Around 0815O/24, HMS Glasgow (Capt. C.P. Clarke, RN) departed Horta, Azores to patrol in the area between the Azores and the Bay of Biscay.

Destroyer USS Leary (i): On 24 Dec 1943 she was part of the escort for USS Card, when she was hit by 3 torpedoes, fired by U-275. 97 of her crew of 149 were lost.

Destroyer USS Schenck: German U-boat U-645 was sunk in the North Atlantic north-east of the Azores, in position 45°20'N, 21°40'W, by depth charges from the US destroyer USS Schenck.

Battleship USS Iowa: USS Iowa (Capt. J.L. McCrea, USN) is docked at the Norfolk Navy Yard.

Light cruiser HNMS Tromp: HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) returned to Fremantle.

Submarine HNMS K XII: HrMs K XII (Lt.Cdr. T. Brunsting, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Fremantle with aircraft.

Submarine HNMS O 9: HrMs O 9 (Lt. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS St. Modwen (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Lycett, RD, RNR) and HMS Valena (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A. McKinlay, RNR).

Submarine HNMS O 10: HrMs O 10 (Lt.Cdr. A. van Altena, RNN(R)) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle together with HMS Nene (Cdr. J.D. Birch, RD, RNR) and HMCS Snowberry (T/Lt. J.A. Dunn, RCNVR).

Submarine HNMS Dolfijn: HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) departed Beirut for her 14th war patrol (12th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Aegean. No daily positions are known for this patrol so no map can be displayed.

Submarine USS Blackfish: USS Blackfish (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Davidson) departed from Milne Bay for her 7th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the Bismarck Archipelago.

Submarine USS Bashaw: USS Bashaw conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS Gurnard: USS Gurnard (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Andrews) torpedoed and sank the Japanese troop transport Seizan Maru No.2 (1898 GRT) about 27 nautical miles east of Miki Cape in position 33°57'N, 136°19'E, the Japanese army cargo ship Tofuku Maru (5857 GRT) in position 34°02'N, 136°19'E and the Japanese auxiliary minesweeper Naruo Maru (215 GRT) in position 34°17'N, 136°55'E.

Submarine USS Raton: USS Raton (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Davis) torpedoed and sank the Japanese troop transport Heiwa Maru (5578 GRT) in Kaoe Bay, Halmahera in position 02°57'N, 127°32'E.

Submarine USS Apogon: While refitting at Midway after her 1st was patrol USS Apogon (Cdr. W.P. Schoeni, USN) is damaged when another vessel came alongside in rough weather. She had to be docked to repair damage to her port propeller, therefore she had to proceed to Pearl Harbour.

Submarine USS Pampanito: With her torpedo trials completed, USS Pampanito (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Jackson, Jr., USN) arrived at New London, Connecticut from Newport, Rhode Island.

Aircraft Carrier HMS Indefatigable: Indefatigable (Capt. Q.D. Graham, CBE, DSO, RN) proceeded from her builders yard at Glasgow (Clydebank) to Greenock.

Aircraft Carrier HMS Unicorn: HMS Unicorn (Capt. H.L.St.J. Fancourt, DSO, RN) proceeded from Govan to Greenock.

Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Corfu: Around 1030Z/24, HMS Corfu (Capt.(Retd.) C.C. Bell, DSO, RN) arrived at Freetown from Capetown.

Submarine HMS Una: HMS Una (T/L. P.S. Thirsk, RNR) participated in A/S exercises off Stornoway.

Submarine HMS Proteus: HMS Proteus (Lt. H.D. Verschoyle, DSC, RN) returned to Rothesay.

Submarine HMS Sealion: HMS Sealion (Lt. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR) shifted from Tobermory to Oban where she was to fuel. After doing so she returned to Tobermory the same day.

Submarine HMS Sunfish: HMS Sunfish (Lt. H.J. Bartlett, DSC, RN) shifted from Campbeltown to Rothesay.

Submarine HMS Sceptre: HMS Sceptre (Lt. I.S. McIntosh, MBE, DSC, RN) arrived at Lerwick. She departed later the same day for her 4th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off Norway, Trondheim area and later on a position in the Norwegian Sea on an A/S patrol. For the daily and attack positions of HMS Sceptre during this patrol see the map below.

Submarine HMS Seadog: HMS Seadog (Lt. C.R. Pelly, RN) arrived at Lerwick. She departed later the same day for her 10th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off Stadlandlet, Norway. For the daily positions of HMS Seadog during this patrol see the map below.

Submarine HMS Sibyl: HMS Sibyl (Lt. E.J.D. Turner, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Beirut for her 15th war patrol (13th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Aegean and to perform a special operation. For the daily and attack positions of HMS Sibyl during this patrol see the map below.

Submarine HMS Sea Nymph: HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) arrived at Lerwick.

Submarine HMS Stonehenge: HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Port Said.

Submarine HMS Stratagem: HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) arrived at Holy Loch.

Submarine HMS Stubborn: HMS Stubborn (Lt. A.A. Duff, DSC, RN) ended her 6th war patrol at Lerwick.

Submarine HMS Spirit: HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Vindex (Capt. H.T.T. Bayliss, RN) served as target.

Submarine HMS Statesman: Having completed her torpedo discharge trials, HMS Statesman (Lt. R.G.P. Bulkeley, RN), shifted from Arrochar to Holy Loch.

Submarine HMS Tribune: HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. W.N. Eade, RNR) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with a training class of new submariners.

Submarine HMS Tudor: HMS Tudor (Lt. S.A. Porter, DSC, RN) conducted trials off Plymouth.

Submarine HMS Uproar: HMS Uproar (Lt. L.E. Herrick, DSC, RN) departed La Maddalena for her 24th war patrol (19th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Gulf of Genoa and later off Southern France. For the daily and attack positions of HMS Uproar during this patrol see the map below.

Submarine HMS Unruly: HMS Unruly (Lt. J.P. Fyfe, RN) arrived at Beirut.

Submarine HMS Unsparing: HMS Unsparing (Lt. A.D. Piper, DSC and 2 bars, RNR) was undocked.

Submarine HNoMS Ula: HNoMS Ula (Lt. R.M. Sars) arrived at Lerwick.

Submarine HMS Vampire: HMS Vampire (Lt. C.W. Taylor, RNR) conducted A/S exercises at/off Scapa Flow with HMCS Chaudiere (A/Lt.Cdr. C.P. Nixon, RCN).

Submarine HMS Viking: HMS Viking (Lt. R. Bannar-Martin, DSC, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow.

Submarine HMS Vox: HMS Vox (Lt. J.M. Michell, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.

Submarine HMS H 28: HMS H 28 (Lt. J.W. Kelly, RN) proceeded for Tobermory to Oban (to fuel) and back.

Submarine HMS H 33: HMS H 33 (Lt. D.G. Kent, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Shemara (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Buckle, RN).

Submarine HMS H 43: HMS H 43 (Lt. I.G. Raikes, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle.

Light cruiser HMS Penelope: Around 2100/24, HMS Penelope (Capt. G.D. Belben, DSC, AM, RN, now flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN), departed Malta for Gibraltar where she arrived around 1200/26. Rear-Admiral Harcourt then struck his flag and left the ship.

Light cruiser HMS Phoebe: Around 0655B/24, HMS Phoebe (Capt. C.P. Frend, RN) arrived at Alexandria from Haifa.

Light cruiser HMS Spartan: HMS Spartan (Capt. P.V. McLaughlin, RN) departed Taranto for Bizerta.

Light cruiser HMS Mauritius: At 1400A/24, at Malta, Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN, struck his flag in HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN). HMS Mauritius then left Malta for Gibraltar around 1715A/24.

Light cruiser HMS Ceylon: HMS Newcastle (Capt. P.B.R.W. William-Powlett, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.D. Read, CB, RN), HMS Kenya (Capt. C.L. Robertson, RN), HMS Ceylon (Capt. G.B. Amery-Parkes, RN) arrived at Trincomalee upon completion of the exercises.

Battleship HMS Queen Elizabeth: HMS Queen Elizabeth (Capt. H.G. Norman, CBE, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. She was escorted by HMS Swift (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Gower, RN).

Destroyer HMAS Vendetta: Around 1900L/24, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) departed Sydney to make rendezvous with the troop transport Fred C. Ainsworth (American, 12097 GRT, built 1943) and then escort her towards the vicinity of Lady Elliot Island. Rendezvous was effected around 1230L/27. They parted company around 2115L/27 and HMAS Vendetta set course for Brisbane where she arrived around 1100L/28. HMAS Vendetta arrived with a defect in No.1 boiler room. She could be used operationally until repairs were made at a maximum speed of 20 knots.

Destroyer HMAS Nizam: HMAS Napier (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Green, DSC, RAN) and HMAS Nizam (Cdr. C.H. Brooks, RAN) departed Kilindini to join convoy CM 48. [For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy CM 48 ' for 18 December 1943.]

Submarine USS R-1: USS R-1 (Lt.Cdr. N.D. Gage, USN) conducted exercises off Bermuda.

Submarine USS R-2: USS R-2 (Lt. A.K. Tyree, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-4: USS R-4 (Lt.Cdr. W.L. Fey, Jr., USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-7: USS R-7 arrived at New London, Connecticut from Bermuda.

Submarine USS R-10: USS R-10 (Lt. G.F. Sharp, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-14: USS R-14 (Lt.Cdr. R. Holden, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine ORP Sokol: ORP Sokol (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) J.K.S. Koziolkowski, DSC) ended her 25th war patrol (17th in the Mediterranean) at Beirut.

Large destroyer FR Le Fantasque: The German merchant Nicoline Maersk (4194 GRT) was intercepted by Le Fantasque in the Western Mediterranean and was run aground by her crew near Tortosa, Spain.

Submarine FR Amazone: Amazone conducted exercises off Bermuda.

MS Trawler HMS Arran: HMS Arran (T/Lt. W.G.N. Aplin, RNR) and HMS Southern Pride pick up 130 survivors from the British seaplane tender Dumana that was torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-515 about 70 miles west-southwest of Sassandra, Ivory Coast, in position 04°27'N, 06°58'W.

Submarine chaser USS SC-1314: SC-1314 was stationed at the Port of Spain, Trinidad, British West Indies. They patrolled the waters of the South Atlantic for German Submarines and were escorts for merchant ships.

ASW Whaler HMS Southern Pride: HMS Southern Pride (T/Lt. G.B. Angus, DSC, RNVR) and HMS Arran pick up 130 survivors from the British seaplane tender Dumana that was torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-515 about 70 miles west-southwest of Sassandra, Ivory Coast, in position 04°27'N, 06°58'W.

1944

Heavy cruiser HMS London: Around 1600G/24, HMS London (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) parted company with the US troop transport USS General John Pope (17832 GRT, built 1943) and set course for Fremantle.

Heavy cruiser HMS Norfolk: R.Adm. R.R. McGrigor, CB, DSO, RN, transferred his flag from HMS Devonshire (Capt. D.K. Bain, DSO, RN) to HMS Norfolk (Capt. J.G.Y. Loveband, RN).

Destroyer USS Ault: USS Ault (Cdr. J.C. Wylie, Jr.) arrived at Eniwetok for a fuelling stop. She departed from again the same day.

Destroyer USS John W. Weeks: USS John W. Weeks (Cdr. R.A. Theobald. Jr.) arrived at Eniwetok.

Destroyer USS Lyman K. Swenson: USS Lyman K. Swenson returns to Ulithi.

Destroyer USS Taussig: USS Taussig returns to Ulithi.

Battleship USS Iowa: USS Iowa (Capt. J.L. Holloway, Jr., USN) arrived at Ulithi where her no.3 shaft was inpected by divers. It was decided that it was required to dock Iowa for repairs. Later the same day Iowa departed Ulithi for Seeadler Harbour. She was escorted by the destroyers USS Tingey (Cdr. J.O. Miner, USN) and USS The Sullivans (Cdr. R.J. Baum, USN). For the daily positions of USS Iowa during this passage see the map below.

Submarine USS Sailfish: USS Sailfish (T/Lt.Cdr. L. Marcy, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbour.

Submarine USS Finback: USS Finback (Lt.Cdr. R.R. Williams, Jr.) ended her 11th war patrol at Midway.

Submarine USS Jack: USS Jack (Lt.Cdr. A.S. Fuhrman) ended her 7th war patrol at Pearl Harbor. She is now sent to San Francisco for a major overhaul.

Submarine USS Bowfin: USS Bowfin (Cdr. A.K. Tyree, USN) arrived at Pearl Harbour from the Mare Island Navy Yard.

Submarine USS Devilfish: USS Devilfish (T/Cdr. E.C. Stephan, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbour.

Submarine USS Hackleback: USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) arrived at Key West, Florida from New London, Connecticut.

Submarine USS Barbero: USS Barbero (Cdr. I.S. Hartman, USN) torpedoed and sank the Japanese submarine chaser Ch-30 (built 1942) in the South China Sea in position 02°45'N, 110°53'E, and torpedoed and claimed to have damaged another ship. (All times are zone -8) 23 December 1944 1722 hours - In position 02°50'N, 111°10'E sighted smoke bearing 126°(T). 2030 hours - Made contact with a convoy on SJ radar and commenced tracking from the convoy's starboard flank. The convoy was later seen to be made up of four ships plus three or more escorts. Base course was 325°(T), speed 10 knots. 2210 hours - Lost contact with the convoy by radar. 2303 hours - Re-established radar contact. The convoy had reversed course and was heading towards Cape Sirik. 24 December 1944 0007 hours - Base course was now 210°(T), speed 10 knots. 0100 hours - The convoy zigged to the right. 0113 hours - In position 02°45'N, 110°53'E fired six bow torpedoes on two ships. Range was 3700 yards. The leading target disintegrated in a mass of flame and the target disappeared from the radar screen. The second ship was also hit and gave off billows of smoke but there was no fire. 37 minutes later a violent explosion occured and the pip then disappeared from the screen. 0247 hours - Set course for Fremantle, Australia.

Submarine USS Besugo: USS Besugo (Cdr. T.L. Wogan, USN) departed from Fremantle for her 3rd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the South China Sea and the Gulf of Siam. Before proceeding on patrol night exercises were carried out with USS Isabel (Lt. E.G. Zacher, USNR), USS Coucal (Lt. W.P. Baron, USN) and USS Hardhead (Cdr. F.A. Greenup, USN). For daily and attack positions (though incomplete) for USS Besugo during this patrol see the map below.

Submarine USS Blackfin: USS Blackfin (Lt.Cdr. W.L. Kitch, USN) conducted exercises off Fremantle.

Submarine USS Boarfish: USS Boarfish (Cdr. R.L. Gross, USN) departed from Pearl Harbor for her 1st war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the South China Sea. For daily and attack positions (though incomplete) of USS Boarfish during this patrol see the map below.

Submarine USS Hardhead: USS Hardhead (Cdr. F.A. Greenup) departed from Fremantle for her 3rd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the South China Sea.

Submarine USS Kete: With the repairs completed USS Kete (Cdr. R.L. Rutter) departed from Saipan to resume her 1st war patrol.

Aircraft Carrier HMS Indefatigable: Around 0730FG/24, HMS Indefatigable (Capt. Q.D. Graham, CBE, DSO, RN), HMS Grenville (Capt. H.P. Henderson, RN), HMS Undine (Cdr. T.C. Robinson, RN) and HMS Urania (Lt.Cdr. D.H.P. Gardiner, DSC, RN) departed Colombo for Trincomalee where they arrived around 0930FG/25.

Submarine HMS Turpin: HMS Turpin (A/Lt.Cdr. J.S. Stevens, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar.

Submarine HMS Porpoise: HMS Porpoise (A/Lt.Cdr. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee.

Submarine HMS Safari: HMS Safari (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) conducted attack exercises for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) in the Clyde area during which HMS Unruly (T/Lt. D.J. Palmer, RNVR) served as target.

Submarine HMS Sibyl: HMS Sibyl (Lt. H.R. Murray, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.

Submarine HMS Stubborn: HMS Stubborn (Lt. A.G. Davies, RN) conducted night attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) served as the target. On completion of these exercises HMS Stubborn proceeded to Holy Loch.

Submarine HMS Subtle: HMS Subtle (Lt. B.J.B. Andrew, DSC, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol (2nd in the Far East) at Trincomalee.

Submarine HMS Sea Scout: HMS Sea Scout (Lt. J.W. Kelly, RN) departed Trincomalee for her 2nd war patrol (1st in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol in the Andaman Sea and off Northern Sumatra. For the daily and attack positions of HMS Sea Scout during this patrol see the map below. View HMS Sea Scout 2nd war patrol in a larger map

Submarine HMS Selene: HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) arrived at Aden.

Submarine HMS Templar: HMS Templar (with T/Lt. C.J. Hardy, RNVR temporary in command) conducted torpedo firing trials off Arrochar.

Submarine HMS Thule: HMS Thule (A/Lt.Cdr. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) sank 5 sampans through ramming around position 04°30'N, 100°12'E. (All times are zone -6.5) 0530 hours - Dived in position 04°45N, 99°51E and closed the coast to the South-East for another run against the coastal traffic between Dindings and Penang. 1330 hours - Surfaced in position 04°37'N, 100°05'E and chased 2 junks. These however turned out to be large seagoing sampans. 1412 hours - Sank sampan through ramming, rescued the crew. 1426 hours - Sank sampan through ramming, rescued the crew. 1510 hours - Dived in position 04°30N, 100°12E for an aircraft approaching from the North-East. 1527 hours - Surfaced and continued the hunt. 1733 hours - Sank sampan through ramming, rescued the crew. 1800 hours - Sank sampan through ramming, rescued the crew. 1812 hours - Nothing in sight. Retired to the seaward to find a suitable craft to transfer 14 of the survivors. 2015 hours - Closed two large sampans and sank one by ramming. Ditched a ton of rice from the second and took her in tow to increase her distance from the harbour. 2315 hours - The tow parted. Transferred 18 survivors to the sampan with a supply of water. Cut her rigging to delay her arrival in harbour giving Thule time to operate in the same area tomorrow. In the end nothing would come of this as the area was heavily patrolled by aircraft the next day.

Submarine HMS Tudor: HMS Tudor (Lt. S.A. Porter, DSC, RN) sank two sailing vessels with gunfire of the west coast of Burma in position 13°44'N, 98°04'E. (All times are zone -6,5) 0800 hours - Sighted a 70 tons schooner rigged tongkang Northbound and a small two masted junk of 25 tons deep laden and also Northbound. Closed the schooner while dived for gun action. 0849 hours - Surfaced in position 13°43'N, 98°04'E and sank the schooner with 5 rounds of 4", all were hits. There was a pause in the shooting to allow the crew to abandon ship which they did not do. The shooting continued and the vessel soon exploded, she was most likely carrying ammunition. Closed the junk which had now anchored of the shore. The crew was now on the beach having left their ship in a sampan. 18 rounds of 4" were fired before this ship also exploded in position 13°45'N, 98°04'E. 0901 hours - Dived.

Submarine HMS Tradewind: HMS Tradewind (Lt.Cdr. S.L.C. Maydon, DSO and Bar, RN) ended her 6th war patrol (5th in the far east) at Fremantle, Australia. On this patrol very heavy weather was encountered.

Submarine HMS Taciturn: HMS Taciturn (Lt.Cdr. E.T. Stanley, DSO, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Larne.

Submarine HMS Upright: HMS Upright (Lt. J.A.L. Wilkinson, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Bermuda with HMCS Trail (T/Lt. D.J. Lawson, RCNVR) and HMCS Camrose (T/Lt. J.B. Lamb, RCNVR).

Submarine HMS Unrivalled: HMS Unrivalled (Lt. D.S. Brown, RNVR) conducted exercises off Campbeltown.

Submarine HMS Unruffled: HMS Unruffled (T/Lt. A.H. MacCoy, DSC, SANF(V)) participated in A/S exercises off Bermuda.

Submarine HMS Unruly: HMS Unruly (T/Lt. D.J. Palmer, RNVR) and HMS Safari (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with each other.

Submarine HMS Untiring: HMS Untiring (Lt. R. Boyd, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

Submarine HMS Upshot: HMS Upshot (Lt. A.J. Boyall, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory with HMS Hare (Lt. C.H. Hilliard, RNZNVR), HMS Wave (Lt.Cdr. T.R. Fowke, RN), HMS Seabear (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.R. Patton, RNVR) and HMS Imperialist (T/Lt. L.G.H. Mole, RNVR).

Submarine HMS Urtica: HMS Urtica (Lt. R.M. Seaburne-May, DSC, RN) arrived at Rothesay.

Submarine HMS Varne: HMS Varne (Lt. I.G. Raikes, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Fishguard with aircraft.

Submarine HMS Vulpine: HMS Vulpine (T/Lt. P.S. Thirsk, DSC, RNR) arrived at Rothesay.

Submarine HMS H 34: HMS H 34 (Lt. A.M.B. Buxton, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

Submarine HMS H 44: HMS H 44 (Lt. R.C. Bucknall, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

Submarine HMS H 50: HMS H 50 (Lt. W.T.J. Fox, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Shemara (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Buckle, RN).

Light cruiser HMS Swiftsure: HMS Swiftsure (Capt. R.D. Oliver, CBE, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral E.J.P. Brind, CBE, CB, RN) and HMNZS Achilles (Capt. F.J. Butler, CBE, RN) arrived at Hobart from Fremantle.

Destroyer HNMS Tjerk Hiddes (ii): Convoy MKF 36A. This convoy departed Gibraltar on 24 December 1944. It was made up of the troop transport Johan de Witt (Dutch, 10474 GRT, built 1920) and the dock landing ship Eastway (T/A/Lt.Cdr. W.A. Fletcher, RNR). On departure from Gibraltar the convoy was escorted by the sloop HMS Stork (Lt.Cdr. D.E. Mansfield, RN) and the frigates HMS Dart (Cdr. J.T. Jones, RD, RNR) and HMS Evenlode (Cdr. V.F. Smith, DSO, RD, RNR). Around 0310A/28, the destroyer HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. N.W. Sluijter, RNethN) joined coming from Plymouth. HrMs Tjerk Hiddes parted company around 2305A/28 when the convoy was to the south of the Isle of Wight. The convoy arrived at Portsmouth early on the 29th.

Submarine USS S-14: USS S-14 arrived at New London, Connecticut from Casco Bay, Maine.

Submarine HMS Vengeful: HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) shifted from Larne to Holy Loch.