Allied Warships

HNMS K VIII

Submarine of the K VIII class

NavyThe Royal Dutch Navy
TypeSubmarine
ClassK VIII 
Pennant 
Built byKoninklijke Maatschappij De Schelde (Vlissingen (Flushing), The Netherlands) 
Ordered27 Jun 1917 
Laid down31 Oct 1917 
Launched28 Mar 1922 
Commissioned15 Sep 1922 
End service18 May 1942 
History

At the outbreak of the Second World War K VIII is kept in reserve at Soerabaya.

Decommissioned on 18 May 1942 at Fremantle, Australia. 

Commands listed for HNMS K VIII

Please note that we're still working on this section
and that we only list Commanding Officers for the duration of the Second World War.

CommanderFromTo
1luitenant ter zee 2e klasse (Lt.) Baron Carel Wessel Theodorus van Boetzelaer, RNN1 Nov 19399 Dec 1939

2luitenant ter zee 2e klasse (Lt.) Baron Carel Wessel Theodorus van Boetzelaer, RNN6 Jul 194014 Oct 1940

3luitenant ter zee 1e klasse (Lt.Cdr.) Martinus Albert Johan Derksema, 7 Jan 194211 Apr 1942
4luitenant ter zee 2e klasse (Lt.) Jacobus Wilhelmus Caspers, RNN11 Apr 194218 May 1942

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Notable events involving K VIII include:


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
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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