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Notable events involving O 24 include:

The history of HrMs O 24 as compiled on this page is extracted from O 24's patrol reports and logbooks. Corrections and details regarding information from the enemy's side (for instance the composition of convoys attacked) is kindly provided by Mr. Platon Alexiades, a naval researcher from Canada.

This page was last updated in October 2022.

10 May 1940
When Germany invaded the Netherlands HrMs O 24 and her sister ship HrMs O 23 were both still at their builders yard at Rotterdam. Both ships were not completed. O-23 had run her trials but O-24 had not, she had even never submerged.

In the early morning hours both submarines departed the builders yard for a place nearby where they were camouflaged and prepared for evacuation to the U.K. (1)

13 May 1940
Around 2100 hours HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) and her sister ship HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G. Koudijs, RNN) departed the Lekhaven in Rotterdam bound for the U.K. Both submarines were were bottomed in the North Sea during daylight hours and both arrived safely at the Downs on the 15th. (1)

15 May 1940
HrMs Willem van der Zaan (Lt. Cdr. H.D. Lindner RNN), HrMs O 9 (Lt. J. Metz, RNN), HrMs O 10 (Lt. G. Quint, RNN(R)), HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G. Koudijs, RNN) and HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN) all departed the Downs for Porstmouth where they arrived the next day. (1)

3 Jun 1940
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) moved from Fort Blockhouse to the Thornycroft shipyard where she will be completed. (1)

6 Jun 1940
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) was docked at the Thornycroft shipyard. (1)

8 Jun 1940
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) was undocked. (1)

26 Jun 1940
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) was docked at the Thornycroft shipyard. (1)

13 Jul 1940
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) was undocked. (1)

14 Aug 1940
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) departed the Thornycroft shipyard for Fort Blockhouse, the British submarine base at Portsmouth (HMS Dolphin). (1)

22 Aug 1940
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) departed Portsmouth for Rothesay on the Scottish West coast. She is escorted by the British corvette HMS La Malouine (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) R.W. Keymer, RN). (2)

25 Aug 1940
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) arrived at Rothesay for a period of training. (2)

26 Aug 1940
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) and HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN). (2)

27 Aug 1940
From 27 August to 29 August HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) conducted torpedo firing exercises / trials off Arrochar in Loch Long. (2)

30 Aug 1940
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) and HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN). (2)

2 Sep 1940
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) conducted exercises on the Clyde with the British armed yacht HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN). (2)

3 Sep 1940
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) conducted exercises on the Clyde with the British armed yacht HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN). (2)

5 Sep 1940
During 5 and 6 September HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) conducted torpedo firing exercises / trials off Arrochar in Loch Long. (2)

9 Sep 1940
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) conducted exercises on the Clyde with the British armed yacht HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN). (2)

10 Sep 1940
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) conducted exercises on the Clyde with the British armed yacht HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN). (2)

11 Sep 1940
After a period of trials and training HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) departed Rothesay for Dundee. She is escorted by the Dutch torpedo boat HrMs Z 6 (Lt.Cdr. A.C. Lunbeck, RNN). (2)

12 Sep 1940
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) and her escort, the the Dutch torpedo boat HrMs Z 6 (Lt.Cdr. A.C. Lunbeck, RNN) arrived at Stornoway. (2)

13 Sep 1940
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) and her escort, the the Dutch torpedo boat HrMs Z 6 (Lt.Cdr. A.C. Lunbeck, RNN) departed Stornoway for Dundee. (2)

14 Sep 1940
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) and her escort, the the Dutch torpedo boat HrMs Z 6 (Lt.Cdr. A.C. Lunbeck, RNN) arrived at Dundee. (2)

20 Sep 1940
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) departed Dundee for her 1st (work-up) war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the North Sea.

For the daily positions of HrMs O 24 during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

2 Oct 1940
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) ended her 1st (work-up) war patrol at Dundee. (3)

18 Oct 1940
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) departed Dundee for her 2nd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the South-West coast of Norway, near Bergen.

For the daily and attack positions of HrMs O 24 during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

29 Oct 1940
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) fired two torpedoes against the German auxiliary (sperrbrecher) Arcturus (1632 GRT, built 1892), off Bergen, Norway in approximate position 60°09'N, 04°30'E. No hits were obtained. Alsterufer was escorted by the patrol vessels V 5104 and V 5108 and en-route from Stavanger to Bergen.

0900 hours - Sighted two merchant vessels coming out of the rain. One was seen to be of about 1200 tons, range about 4000 yards, enemy course 330°. Altered course to attack but the enemy's position and the bad visibility made a well aimed salvo impossible.

0955 hours - Fired two torpedoes. The merchant vessel was seen to turn away to avoid. It was now also seen that there was an escorting trawler. The idea of a pursuit to attack again was now given up.

The convoy was not detected earlier because upon returning from patrol the hydrophones were found to be defective. (3)

1 Nov 1940
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Dundee. (3)

16 Nov 1940
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) departed Dundee for her 3rd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the South-West coast of Norway, near Stavanger.

For the daily positions of HrMs O 24 during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

29 Nov 1940
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) ended her 3rd war patrol at Dundee. (3)

13 Dec 1940
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) shifts from Dundee to Rosyth. (4)

14 Dec 1940
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) is towed from Rosyth to Grangemouth for a refit at the Grangemouth Dockyard. (4)

17 Feb 1941
During her refit at Grangemouth HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) was docked. (4)

20 Feb 1941
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) is undocked. She continued her refit at Grangemouth. (4)

13 Mar 1941
With her refit completed HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) shifts from Grangemouth to Rosyth. (4)

16 Mar 1941
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) departed Rosyth for Dundee. She was escorted by the British armed yacht HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) C.C. Flemming, RN). (4)

17 Mar 1941
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) arrived at Dundee. (4)

19 Mar 1941
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O de Booy, RNN) departed Dundee for Rothesay. She was escorted by HMS Wellington (Lt.Cdr. W.F.R. Segrave, RN). (4)

21 Mar 1941
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) arrived at Rothesay for a period of training and for noise trials. (4)

22 Mar 1941
No training and noise trials for HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O de Booy, RNN) though. She is given notice that she will be sent on patrol in the Bay of Biscay as it is feared the German battlecruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau might breack out from Brest.

Upon completion of this patrol O 24 is to proceed to Gibraltar where the noise trials will be undertaken.

At 2030 hours HrMs O 24 and the British submarine HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Pizey, DSC, RN) departed Rothesay for patrol. They are escorted to Wolf Rock by the British armed yacht HMS Shemara (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Buckle, RN).

For the daily positions of HrMs O 24 during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

24 Mar 1941
At 1925 hours, off Wolf Rock, HrMs O 24 and the British submarine HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Pizey, DSC, RN) were released by their escort, the British armed yacht HMS Shemara (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Buckle, RN).

Both submarines now proceeded to their patrol areas in the Bay of Biscay. (3)

2 Apr 1941
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) ended her 4th war patrol at Gibraltar. (3)

10 Apr 1941
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) conducts exercises off Gibraltar with several British escort vessels (their names are not listed in the log of O 24). (4)

15 Apr 1941
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) carried out an A/S exercise off Gibraltar with two British escort vessels. Upon completion of these exercises all three ships joined the escort of convoy HG 59 (5th war patrol for O 24).

For the daily positions of HrMs O 24 during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

23 Apr 1941
At 0800 hours, in position 41°58'N, 23°01'W, HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) left convoy HG 59 escorted by the British corvette HMS Gentian (Lt.Cdr. R.O. Yeomans, RD, RNR). O 24 was to join convoy OG 59. (3)

24 Apr 1941
At 1030 hours, HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) left her escort, the British corvette HMS Gentian (Lt.Cdr. R.O. Yeomans, RD, RNR), in position 46°20'N, 21°44'W. Convoy OG 59 was however still not sighted so O 24 made the passage to Gibraltar independently along the convoy track. (3)

1 May 1941
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) arrived at Gibraltar. (3)

3 May 1941
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) was docked at Gibraltar. (4)

6 May 1941
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) was undocked. (4)

9 May 1941
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) conducted exercises off Gibraltar. (4)

12 May 1941
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) conducted exercises off Gibraltar. (4)

14 May 1941
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) carried out an A/S exercise off Gibraltar with British escort vessels. Upon completion of these exercises all three ships joined the escort of convoy HG 62 (6th war patrol for O 24).

For the daily positions of HrMs O 24 during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

22 May 1941
At 1540 hours, in position 44°04'N, 22°26'W, HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) left convoy HG 62 escorted by the British corvette HMS Aster (Lt.Cdr. E. Hewitt, RD, RNR). O 24 was to join convoy OG 62. (3)

23 May 1941
At 1430 hours, in position 42°44'N, 21°34'W, HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN), and the British corvette HMS Aster (Lt.Cdr. E. Hewitt, RD, RNR) joined convoy OG 62. (3)

30 May 1941
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) arrived at Gibraltar. (3)

7 Jun 1941
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) departed Gibraltar for her 7th war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Gulf of Genoa.

For the daily and attack positions of HrMs O 24 during this patrol see the map below.

12 Jun 1941
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) sank the Italian tanker Fianona (6600 GRT, built 1916) off Vada, Toscana, Italy in position 43°08'N, 10°30'E with torpedoes and gunfire.

O 24 also sank the Italian auxiliary patrol vessel (wooden brigantine) V 121 / Carloforte (143 GRT, built 1923) with gunfire and ramming 36 nautical miles north-west of Gorgona in position 43°45'N 09°20'E.

(All times are zone -1)
0950 hours - Sighted a ship bearing 350°, distance about 6 nautical miles, enemy course was 090°.

1020 hours - The enemy altered course to 160°. Started attack.

1107 hours - Fired three torpedoes from 3000 yards. One of the torpedoes fired was a British Mark IV torpedo and this torpedo surfaced several times. After about one minute before the torpedoes could have reached the ship, she altered course presumably after sighting the torpedo track(s).

1115 hours - Sighted the target right in the poop about 2000 yards away. Fired another Mark IV torpedo. This torpedo also surfaced several times and was also avoided by the target.

1120 hours - Surfaced and prepared for gun action. The target could now definately be identified as a fully laden Italian tanker of about 7000 tons. She was heading South-East now, towards the coast. Fire was now opened from 3000 yards. A fair number of hits were scored.

1149 hours - Fired another Mark IV torpedo from the deck tubes. This torpedo surfaced twice. The tanker meanwhile had altered course just after the torpedo had been fired so it missed.

1150 hours - The tanker now stopped. An increase in draught was now noticed but the Italians did not start to abandon ship.

1155 hours - Fired another Mark IV torpedo from the deck tubes. It surfaced 5 times but did hit the target amidships as the tanker could no longer take avoiding action. A huge explosion and a lot of black smoke followed.

1200 hours - The Italians started to abandon ship. O 24 meanwhile left the area on the surface at 17 knots.

1215 hours - Sighted the tanker capsize and sink.

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

2305 hours - In position 43°45'N 09°20'E encountered a Southbound merchant vessel steaming at slow speed. Fired one torpedo but it most likely passed underneath the target.

The vessel was soon seen to be a motor schooner of about 500 tons. She was warned to stop at once by signal. Then to sink their ship and to abandon it. A burst of machine gun fire followed but the Italians did not start to comply, they started to signal 'green', 'white' and 'red', the colours of the Italian flag. And just because they were Italians more burtst of machine gun fire, now in the schooners waterline, followed. They now started to abandon ship. O 24 now rammed the schooner several times and this put the engine out of order and the schooner sank soon afterwards.

17 Jun 1941
In approximate position 43°24'N 10°12'E (about 5 nautical miles South-West of Livorno) HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) fired three torpedoes at the Italian tanker Caucaso (2082 GRT, built 1921), the torpedoes however missed the target.

(All times are zone -1)
0600 hours - Sighted a merchant vessel stearing 140° about 6 nautical miles away. Started attack.

0630 hours - The target altered course to 090°. O 24 increased speed to close the range.

0650 hours - Fired three torpedoes from 2000 yards. The target was meanwhile seen to be a 7000 tons laden Italian tanker. One of the torpedoes (again a Mark IV) surfaced several times and must have been seen by the target that turned away and increased speed.

According to Italian sources the tanker sighted the three torpedo tracks and reported the attack. Coastal traffic was immediately suspended between La Spezia and Civitavecchia and MAS boats and aircraft joined for a hunt of the submarine but without success.

23 Jun 1941
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) ended her 7th war patrol at Gibraltar. (5)

30 Jun 1941
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) conducts torpedo firing trials in Gibraltar Bay. (5)

3 Jul 1941
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) conducts torpedo firing trials in Gibraltar Bay. (5)

8 Jul 1941
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) departed Gibraltar to join the escort of convoy HG 67 (8th war patrol for O 24).

For the daily positions of HrMs O 24 during this patrol see the map below.

(5)

13 Jul 1941
At 2145 hours, HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN), left convoy HG 67 escorted by the British corvettes HMS Joinquil (Lt.Cdr. R.E.H. Partington, RNR), HMS Spiraea (T/Lt. L.C. Head, RNVR) and HMS Coreopsis (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Davies, RNVR). They joined convoy OG 67 early the next morning. (5)

18 Jul 1941
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) arrived at Gibraltar. (5)

28 Jul 1941
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) departed Gibraltar for her 9th war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Gulf of Genoa and in the Tyrrhenian Sea.

For the daily and attack positions of HrMs O 24 during this patrol see the map below.

(6)

6 Aug 1941
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy) torpedoed and sank the Italian merchant Bombardiere (613 GRT, built 1918) off Cape di Fregene, Italy in position 41°47'N, 12°06'E.

(All times are zone -1)
0605 hours - Sighted a merchant vessel bearing 332°, distance approximately 5 nautical miles. Started attack.

0632 hours - In position 41°47'N, 12°06'E fired three torpedoes from 800 yards. Two hits were obtained and the ship was seen to sink in two minutes. The target was Southbound and thought to be a 5000 tons merchant vessel. (6)

7 Aug 1941
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy) missed an Italian sailing vessel with a torpedo in position 41°27'N, 12°36'E.

Later on this day O 24 sank the Italian sailing vessel Margherita Madre (296 GRT) with gunfire about 8 nautical miles South-West of Anzio, Italy in position 41°23'N, 12°28'E.

(All times are zone -1)
1645 hours - Sighted a 900 tons schooner bearing 320° about 5 nautical miles away. Closed.

1706 hours - In position 41°27'N, 12°36'E (one nautical mile West of Anzio) fired one torpedo from 800 yards. Almost immediately after firing the schooner alter course 30° to Port so the torpedo missed. Gun action was not possible so close inshore.

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

1930 hours - Sighted a sailing vessel bearing 340° about 5 nautical miles away. Closed.

2000 hours - Surfaced and approached this vessel which appeared to be a 900 tons fully laden 3-mast schooner. Stopped her by gunfire after which the abandoned ship in a small boat. After ten hits on the waterline the schooner showed no signs of sinking or even increasing draught. Now the schooner was rammed 4 times but this was abandoned as it was feared that her strong construction would damage the bow of O 24. Another five round were fired one of which hit the schooners fuel tank, which caught fire.

2130 hours - The schooner sank in position 41°23'N, 12°28'E. (6)

12 Aug 1941
About 20 nautical miles South-South-West of Cagliary Bay, Sardinia, Italy HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy) attacked the Italian auxiliary patrol vessel V 111 / Eraldo with gunfire. The action had to be broken off when O 24 ran out of ammunition for the deck gun.

(All times are zone -1)
0720 hours - Near position 38°41'N, 08°57'E sighted a ship bearing 26°. Started attack. The ship was later seen to be a 500 tons schooner.

1020 hours - Surfaced for gun action which was met by a lively machine gun fire from the schooner. As several hits were scored on O 24 range was kept at 1000 yards. The schooner meanwhile set course to the North developing considerable speed on her auxiliary motor.

1030 hours - Finished gun action as there was no more ammunition for the deck gun. The machine gun behind the conning tower could not be used in the pursuit so the action was abandoned.

According to Italian sources the captain of this armed schooner was Pilot First Class Giuseppe Midolo who ordered the dinghy to be ready but not to abandon ship before he gave the order. Nevertheless five men did not wait and abandoned the vessel immediately. Midolo kept his head cool and had the port machine gun keep steady firing at the submarine (340 rounds were fired) and finally forced it to abandon the chase. The real reason was however that O 24 was out of ammunition but off course the Italians could not know this. (6)

15 Aug 1941
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) ended her 9th war patrol at Gibraltar. (6)

28 Aug 1941
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) departed Gibraltar for her 10th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Gulf of Genoa.

For the daily and attack positions of HrMs O 24 during this patrol see the map below.

(6)

6 Sep 1941
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy) sank the Italian auxiliary patrol vessel V 63 / Carla (347 GRT, built 1903) with gunfire in the Gulf of Genoa about 30 nautical miles bearing 293° from Gorgona Island, Italy in position 43°45'N, 09°21'E. O 24 had first fired two torpedoes that both missed.

(All times are zone -1)
0104 hours - Sighted a ship bearing 095° in position 43°45'N, 09°15'E. Started a torpedo attack. It was very dark and the target could not be easily identified and was thought to be a large merchant vessel so it was decided to attack with two torpedoes.

0135 hours - Fired two torpedoes from 2000 yards. The target appeared to be a Southbound three-mast barque, fully laden of about 1200 tons. One torpedo was seen to turn to Starboard and the other appeared to have run under the target. Fire was now opened with the deck gun.

0150 hours - After 25 hits the barque sank in position 43°45'N, 09°21'E. (6)

9 Sep 1941
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy) torpedoed and sank the Italian merchant Italo Balbo (5114 GRT, built 1919) about 10 nautical miles west of Elba Island, Italy in position 42°47'N, 09°57'E.

(All times are zone -1)
1330 hours - In position 42°55'N, 09°58'E sighted smoke bearing 310°.

1450 hours - Sighted a convoy of one escort vessel, presumably a converted yacht, and two merchant vessels of 6000 tons. All were zig-zagging independently on a general course of 210°. The convoys speed was 8 knots. Started attack.

1611 hours - Fired a salvo of four torpedoes at the two merchant vessels from about 4000 yards. Three explosions were heard and after a few minutes one of the merchant vessels was seen to be stopped, heavily listing to Starboard and sinking by the stern. The escort was seen to be approaching O 24 at high speed so Lt.Cdr. de Booy took her deep. O 24 was now depth charged and the first six of these were rather close but caused no damage and she was able to slip away.

According to Italian sources the Italo Balbo was carrying 8000 tons of coal and was in convoy with the merchants Lucrino (4372 GRT, built 1917) and Fedora (4907 GRT, built 1910) escorted by the armed merchant cruiser Ipparco Baccich (849 GRT, built 1931). In consequence of this attack, traffic was temporarily suspended between the Upper and Lower Tyrrhenian Sea. (6)

11 Sep 1941
At 2105 hours HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) encounters an Motor Torpedo Boat in position 43°35'N, 08°02'E. Five minutes later two torpedo tracks were seen coming from Starboard which were evaded. O 24 cleared the area at speed. (6)

16 Sep 1941
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) ended her 10th war patrol at Gibraltar. (6)

1 Oct 1941
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) departed Gibraltar for her 11th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Tyrrhenian Sea and to land a railway sabotage party in the Gulf of Genoa.

For the daily and attack positions of HrMs O 24 during this patrol see the map below.

(6)

13 Oct 1941
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) attacked the Italian tanker Saturno (5029 GRT, built 1914) about 5 nautical miles West of Fiumicino, Italy in position 41°48'N, 12°03'E. No hits were obtained and O 24 was briefly depth charged following the attack.

(All times are zone -1)
1650 hours - Sighted a ship escorted by a destroyer bearing 355°. Distance was about 5 nautical miles. The destroyer was zig-zagging in from of the merchant ship. Started attack.

1735 hours - In position 41°48'N, 12°03'E fired four torpedoes from 1500 yards at what was now seen to be a laden tanker of about 5000 tons. The escort was now seen to be a torpedo boat of the Generali-class. No hits were obtained.

1745 hours - Heard three depth charge explosions. The first one was very close the other two were further away. No further depth charges were dropped.

According to Italian sources the Saturno was escorted by the torpedo boat Giuseppe La Masa. They had sailed from Civitavecchia (initially from Leghorn) for Naples. (6)

17 Oct 1941
At 2200 hours (zone -1) HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) lands a party of two to sabotage a railway near Framura, Italy near position 44°12'N, 09°33'E.

The party was to return after a few hours but they were captured by the Italians. (6)

21 Oct 1941
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) ended her 11th war patrol at Gibraltar. (6)

21 Nov 1941
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) was docked at Gibraltar. (5)

25 Nov 1941
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) was undocked. (5)

30 Nov 1941
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) departed Gibraltar for her 12th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Oran for a few days and then to patrol in the Tyrrhenian Sea off Naples but this was later changed by signal to the North of Sicily, Italy.

For the daily and attack positions of HrMs O 24 during this patrol see the map below.

(6)

11 Dec 1941
O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) attacked the German submarine U-652 with three torpedoes about 15 nautical miles West of Ustica Island in position 38°42'N, 12°51'E. No hits were obtained.

(All times are zone -1)
1320 hours - In position 38°42'N, 12°51'E sighted the conning tower of a submarine bearing 230°, distance about 4 nautical miles. Started attack. The submarine was later seen to be a German u-boat.

1339 hours - Intended to fire a salvo of four torpedoes. At the moment the third torpedo was fired the target turned 90° to Port. The fouth torpedo was not fired. The other three torpedoes missed and when they exploded on the bottom the target was seen to crash dive. At then moment Lt.Cdr. de Booy was setting up an attack with the stern tubes but this attack now had to be abandoned. [The Germans reported two torpedo tracks and shortly afterwards they spotted a periscope.] (6)

23 Dec 1941
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) ended her 12th war patrol at Gibraltar. (6)

30 Dec 1941
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) was docked at Gibraltar. (7)

31 Dec 1941
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) was undocked. (7)

4 Jan 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) departed Gibraltar for the U.K. where she was to refit.

For the daily positions of HrMs O 24 during this passage see the map below.

(7)

13 Jan 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) arrived at Falmouth. (7)

14 Jan 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) departed Falmouth for Belfast. (7)

16 Jan 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) arrived at Belfast. (7)

17 Jan 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) departed Belfast for Dundee. (7)

21 Jan 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) arrived at Dundee where she begins a refit. (7)

17 Mar 1942
During her refit at Dundee HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) was docked. (7)

30 Apr 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) was undocked. She continued her refit at Dundee. (7)

29 May 1942
During her refit at Dundee HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) was docked. (7)

3 Jun 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) was undocked. She continued her refit at Dundee. (7)

16 Jun 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducts trials off Dundee. (7)

17 Jun 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducts torpedo firing trials off Dundee. She also runs aground sustaining minor damage to her keel. (7)

18 Jun 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducts torpedo firing trials off Dundee. (7)

19 Jun 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducts gunnery exercises off Dundee. (7)

22 Jun 1942
During 22 and 23 June, HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN), conducts A/S exercises off Methill with the British ASW trawler HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR). (7)

29 Jun 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) and the British submarine HMS P 37 (Lt. H. Winter, RN) both depart Dundee. They are escorted by the British ASW trawler HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR).

O 24 and Loch Monteith were to proceed to Holy Loch. P 37 was to proceed to Gibraltar to join the Mediterranean fleet. (7)

2 Jul 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) arrived at Holy Loch for a period of trials and training. (7)

4 Jul 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted exercises on the Clyde. (7)

5 Jul 1942
During 5 and 6 July 1942 HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted torpedo firing trials off Arrochar in Loch Long. (7)

8 Jul 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted radar trials on the Clyde. (7)

9 Jul 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted radar trials on the Clyde. She also made some practice attacks on the British submarine tender HMS Alecto (Cdr. J.R.S. Brown, RN). (7)

10 Jul 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted radar trials on the Clyde. She also made some practice attacks on the British minesweeper/escort vessel HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Dobson, RNR). (7)

11 Jul 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducts sound trials in Loch Goil. (7)

14 Jul 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted radar trials on the Clyde together with Motor Torpedo Boats, HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Dobson, RNR) and HMS Rorqual (Lt. L.W. Napier, RN). (7)

16 Jul 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted practice attacks on the Clyde on the British submarine tender HMS Alecto (Cdr. J.R.S. Brown, RN) that is escorted by the British armed yacht HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A. E. Johnston, RN), Motor Torpedo Boats and aircraft. (7)

19 Jul 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed Holy Loch for Gibraltar. This is the first leg of the trip to the Far East. She is escorted through the Irish Sea by the British armed yacht HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) C.C. Flemming, RN).

For the daily positions of HrMs O 24 during this passage see the map below.

(7)

20 Jul 1942
At 2355 hours, off Bishops Rock, HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) left her escort, the British armed yacht HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) C.C. Flemming, RN), and proceeded to Gibraltar. (7)

28 Jul 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) arrived at Gibraltar. She was escorted in by the British corvette HMS Coltsfoot (Lt.Cdr. the Hon. W.K. Rous, RNVR). (7)

3 Aug 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed Gibraltar for Freetown. (8)

9 Aug 1942
At 1745 hours HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) sights a convoy near position 11°00'N, 17°20'W and at 1820 hours O 24 was taken under fire by one of the escorts but she soon establish her identity and fire was ceased. The convoy was most likely WS 21. (8)

10 Aug 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) arrived at Freetown. (8)

12 Aug 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed Freetown for Simonstown. (8)

21 Aug 1942
At 0635 hours, near position 24°40'S, 05°20'E, HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) sighted a merchant vessel bearing 150°. Course of the merchant was 190°. O 24 signalled her identity to the merchant vessel but dispite this she was taken under fire at 0700 hours. O 24 dived at 0705 hours. The merchant vessel was signalling and was found out to be the American Narbo (6085 grt, built 1920). (8)

24 Aug 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) arrived at Simonstown. (8)

6 Sep 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted radar trials off Simonstown. (8)

7 Sep 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed Simonstown for East London. She is escorted by the Free French minesweeper / sloop Commandant Duboc. En-route exercises with aircraft were carried out. (8)

9 Sep 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) arrived at East London. (8)

16 Sep 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed East London for Mauritius. She is escorted by the Free French corvette Commandant Detroyat until 1600 hours the next day. (8)

22 Sep 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) arrived at Mauritius. (8)

25 Sep 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed Port Louis, Mauritius for Colombo. (8)

3 Oct 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) arrived at Colombo. (8)

18 Oct 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) was docked at Colombo. (8)

20 Oct 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) was undocked. (8)

23 Oct 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted gunnery exercises off Colombo. (8)

25 Oct 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed Colombo for her 13th war patrol (1st in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol in the Malacca Stait.

For the daily and attack positions of HrMs O 24 during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

1 Nov 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) attacked a Japanese merchant vessel with two torpedoes about 60 nautical miles West-North-West of Langkawi in position 06°39'N, 98°49'E. Two torpedoes were fired but no hits were obtained.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0335 hours - Sighted a silhoutte, bearing 055°, that was slightly darker in the shade than the island of the Butang group. Turned towards to investigate and brought the tubes to the ready.

0355 hours - The silhoutte was now thought to be a 4000 tons merchant vessel. Started attack.

0402 hours - In position 06°39'N, 98°49'E fired two torpedoes from 2500 yards. The first torpedo broke surface after 200 yards and zigged away. The second torpedo ran correctly but missed. It was believed the target never noticed the attack. (3)

6 Nov 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) attacked a Japanese merchant vessel with two torpedoes about 45 nautical miles West-North-West of Penang in position 05°36'N, 99°45'E. No hits were obtained.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0635 hours - Heard strong HE in the hydrophones bearing 245°. Turned towards.

0650 hours - Sighted mastheads and funnel bearing 258°, range 12000 yards, enemy course 108°. Started attack. The target was a modern passenger-cargo ship of about 7000 tons.

0721 hours - In position 05°36'N, 99°45'E fired two torpedoes from 2000 yards. The first torpedo stayed just under the surface but the second torpedo jumped at least 20 feet clear of the water. The target increased speed and turned away two minutes after the first torpedo was fired. No hits were obtained. (3)

15 Nov 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) ended her 13th war patrol at Colombo. (3)

1 Dec 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted torpedo firing exercises off Colombo. (8)

2 Dec 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted torpedo firing exercises off Colombo. (8)

6 Dec 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed Colombo for her 14th war patrol (2nd in the Far East). She was to land a party of ten off Tremoen (Trumon) on the West coast of Sumatra.

Before proceeding on patrol landing exercises were carried out off Colombo during the night of 6/7 December.

For the daily positions of HrMs O 24 during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

12 Dec 1942
Late in the evening HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) landed a Dutch party of 12 off Tremoen (Trumon) on the West coast of Sumatra.

Stores were landed early on the 13th.

Early on the 14th the whole party was re-embarked. (3)

24 Dec 1942
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) ended her 14th war patrol at Colombo. (3)

2 Jan 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) was docked at Colombo. (9)

6 Jan 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) was undocked. (9)

13 Jan 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted exercises off Colombo. (9)

14 Jan 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed Colombo for her 15th war patrol (3rd in the Far East). She was to land a party of six men on the Andaman Islands.

For the daily positions of HrMs O 24 during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

19 Jan 1943
Late on this day HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) landed a British party of six men on Middle Andaman Island. (3)

24 Jan 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) ended her 15th war patrol at Colombo. (3)

2 Feb 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted exercises off Colombo. (9)

3 Feb 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted exercises off Colombo. (9)

7 Feb 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed Colombo for her 16th war patrol (4th in the Far East). She was to land a party of seven on the North coast of Sumatra and then to patrol in the Malacca Straits.

For the daily and attack positions of HrMs O 24 during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

13 Feb 1943
In the evening HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) tries to land a Dutch party of 7 men off Lhoksemawe on the North coast of Sumatra. As the beach can not be approached with the canoes due to the heavy swell so they all returned to O 24 and the landing was abandoned. (3)

21 Feb 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries) sank the Japanese coaster Bandai Maru (165 GRT) with gunfire west of Phuket Island in position 07°52'N, 98°16'E.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1245 hours - In position 07°38'N, 98°13'E sighted smoke bearing 063°.

1317 hours - Sighted mastheads bearing 043°. Enemy course was approximately 285°, speed 10 knots.

1335 hours - The ships superstructure was now just visible over the horizon.

1353 hours - Surfaced for gun action, closed.

1400 hours - Opened fire with the gun from 7000 yards.

1410 hours - After several hits the ship headed for shore to beach herself. She was now head down and listing heavily to Port.

1417 hours - Ceased fire after 49 rounds. The ship sank bow first in position 07°52'N, 98°16'E shortly afterwards. (3)

26 Feb 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) ended her 16th war patrol at Colombo. (3)

12 Mar 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted exercises off Colombo. (9)

16 Mar 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed Colombo for her 17th war patrol (5th in the Far East). She was to land a party of eleven men on Middle Andaman Island and to contact the party she had landed on 14 January 1943.

For the daily positions of HrMs O 24 during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

21 Mar 1943
Late on this day HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) landed a British party of eleven men (Bunkum II) on Middle Andaman Island. During the next days stores were landed (more details to follow). (3)

25 Mar 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) completed her special operation. (3)

29 Mar 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) ended her 17th war patrol at Colombo. (3)

4 Apr 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) was docked at Colombo. (9)

8 Apr 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) was undocked. (9)

12 Apr 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed Colombo for her 18th war patrol (6th in the Far East). She was to land two party's, one British of two men and one Dutch of six men on the coast of North-West Sumatra (details of special operations 'Valour' and 'Matriarch' that were carried out between 17 and 20 April, are to follow).

(3)

25 Apr 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) ended her 18th war patrol at Colombo. (3)

8 May 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted exercises off Colombo. (10)

11 May 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed Colombo for her 19th war patrol (7th in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol North of Sumatra and in the Malacca Straits.

For the daily and attack positions of HrMs O 24 during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

19 May 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) attacked a Japanese merchant vessel with four torpedoes off the North coast of Sumatra in position 05°38'N, 96°46'E. All torpedoes fired missed the target.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0240 hours - In position 05°40'N, 96°45'E sighted a ship looming up out of a rain squall bearing 134°. Range was approximately 3.5 nautical miles. Enemy course was 285°. Turned towards.

0243 hours - Dived.

0253 hours - In position 05°38'N, 96°46'E fired four torpedoes from 1500 yards. No hits were obtained on the target that was thought to be a 2000 tons merchant vessel.

0324 hours - Surfaced to gave chase as the attack appeared to have been unobserved.

0514 hours - As no attack position could be gained before daylight and a an A/S trawler was seen to be escorting the merchant vessel the chase was abandoned. (3)

22 May 1943
Late on this day, off the One Fathom Bank, HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) launched the members of party Gustavus I in their canoes to board a junk. As the junk was not suitable the party returned to O 24 early the next day. (3)

24 May 1943
No suitable junk had been found so late on this day HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) launched the members of party Gustavus I on the coast of Malaya in the Dindings area. (3)

31 May 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) ended her 19th war patrol at Colombo. (3)

15 Jun 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) was docked at Colombo. (10)

24 Jun 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) was undocked. (10)

14 Jul 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted some trials and exercises off Colombo. (10)

20 Jul 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted exercises off Colombo. (10)

30 Jul 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed Colombo for her 20th war patrol (8th in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol in the Malacca Straits.

For the daily and attack positions of HrMs O 24 during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

31 Jul 1943
At 1110 hours (zone -6.5) HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) is shelled in error by the Greek merchant Point Clear (4839 GRT, built 1920) South of Ceylon in position 05°46'N, 81°14'E. No damage was sustained. (3)

19 Aug 1943
HrMs O 24 attacked the German supply ship Quito (1230 GRT, built 1938) (offsite link) with four torpedoes West of the Sembilan Islands in position 04°01'N, 100°25'E . No hits were obtained as Quito was able to evade the torpedoes.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1704 hours - In position 04°01'N, 100°25'E sighted a ship bearing 137°, range was only 3000 yards (No HE had been heard as the hydrophones did not work correctly). Enemy course was 340°. O 24 swung hard to Starboard to get in a favourable attack position.

1719 hours - Fired four torpedoes from 2500 yards.

1721 hours - The target was seen to turn hard to Starboard and smoked heavily as speed was increased to full power. She managed to evade the torpedoes. (3)

20 Aug 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries) torpedoed and sank the Japanese auxiliary gunboat Chosa Maru (2538 GRT, built 1921) (offsite link) 8 nautical miles south-west of Penang, Malaya in position 05°09'N, 100°10'E.

The Chosa Maru had left Penang a few hours before when the Japanese heard of the attack on the German Quito the day before.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1500 hours - Sighted a ship bearing 007°. Range was 6 nautical miles, enemy course 180°. Started attack.

1517 hours - The target altered course to 160°. Continued attack.

1552 hours - In position 05°09'N, 100°10'E fired four torpedoes from 4500 yards. One hit was obtained.

1604 hours - The target was seen to sink stern first. (3)

29 Aug 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) ended her 20th war patrol at Colombo. (3)

12 Sep 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed Colombo for her 21th war patrol (9th in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol in the Malacca Straits and to conduct special operation 'Gustavus IV'.

For the daily and attack positions of HrMs O 24 during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

20 Sep 1943
Sortly after sunset O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) contacted the junk of Gustavus Party III off the Sembilan Islands. Stores were put aboard this junk as well as the members of Gustavus party IV.

A few hours before sunset O 24 had spotted a Japanese convoy but she was not allowed to attack in the area of the rendez-vous with the Gustavus III party. (3)

25 Sep 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) encounters a Japanese submarine about 20 nautical miles South-West of Penang in position 05°08'N, 100°02'E. Due to the bad visibility the submarine was sighted at very close range. An attack with torpedoes was not possible. O 24 could not be brought in position to fire torpedoes before contact was lost in the bad visibility.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1920 hours - In position 05°08'N, 100°02'E sighted a phosphorecent patch bearing green 70°, bearing rapidly decreasing aft, range estimated 250 yards. When the bearing drew further aft, a darker blot was spotten in the patch and a sharp bow wave was discovered, suggesting a fair speed. Although the first impression was that of a submarine chaser or torpedo boat but in a lightning flash about half a minute after the first sighting a Japanese submarine was sighted passing within 100 yards astern. enemy course was 180°, speed 16 knots. The submarine was thought to be of the I-61 class.

O 24 turned hard to Starboard to present the stern tubes but contact was lost almost immediately in the very poor visibility.

The submarine in question was most likely the Japanese submarine I-27 (offsite link) that had departed Penang shortly before for Singapore for an overhaul. (3)

3 Oct 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) ended her 21th war patrol at Colombo. (3)

25 Oct 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed Colombo for her 22th war patrol (10th in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol in the Malacca Straits and to conduct special operation 'Gustavus V'.

For the daily and attack positions of HrMs O 24 during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

31 Oct 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) attacked a Japanese merchant vessel of 4000-5000 tons off the North-East coast of Sumatra in position 04°36'N, 98°31'E. Four torpedoes were fired but the target was able to evade the torpedoes.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0400 hours - In position 04°36'N, 98°31'E sighted smoke bearing 210°. Turned towards and started attack. The target was identified as a merchant vessel of 4000-5000 tons.

0412 hours - Fired four torpedoes from 3500 yards. The torpedo tracks were clearly visible due to phosphorescence. The target was seen to turn towards and evade the torpedoes. (3)

2 Nov 1943
After dark on this day HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) contacted the junk that was used by the Gustavus party's. Stores were sent over as well as one person of the Gustavus V party. (3)

3 Nov 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) attacks a Japanse light cruiser of the Kuma-class with four torpedoes in the Malacca Straits in position 03°14'N, 100°38'E. No hits were obtained. The cruiser is thought to be either Kitakami or Oi (offsite links). The escorting destroyers might have been Uranami and Shikinami (offsite links).

(All times are zone -6.5)
1345 hours - Heard faint HE bearing 330°. Altered course to close. the HE soon faded away.

1420 hours - Heard HE in bearing 340°. It soon faded away again.

1517 hours - In position 03°14'N, 100°38'E sighted mastheads bearing 303°. Turned towards.

1521 hours - Identified the target as a Japanese light cruiser of the Kuma-class. She was escorted by two destroyers. Range was 8 nautical miles. Enemy course was 125°, speed 15 knots.

1543 hours - Fired four torpedoes from 7000 yards. One torpedo ran close to the surface and showed a considerable wake. Not hits were obtained as the cruiser altered course three minutes after firing the torpedoes. No counter attack followed. (3)

15 Nov 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) ended her 22th war patrol at Colombo. O 24 was unfit for further patrols due to various defects. She would now be sent to the U.S.A. for a refit. (3)

18 Nov 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) was docked at Colombo. (11)

19 Nov 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) was undocked. (11)

3 Dec 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) was docked at Colombo. (11)

9 Dec 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) was undocked. (11)

20 Dec 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed Colombo for Aden. She was to proceed to the U.S.A. for a refit.

For the daily positions of HrMs O 24 during this passage see the map below.

(11)

28 Dec 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) arrived at Aden. (11)

29 Dec 1943
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed Aden for Suez. (11)

2 Jan 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) arrived at Suez. (11)

3 Jan 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) transits the Suez Canal and arrived at Port Said. (11)

8 Jan 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed Port Said for Malta. (11)

13 Jan 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) arrived at Malta. (11)

17 Jan 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed Malta for Gibraltar. (11)

19 Jan 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) made a short stop at Algiers. She departed for Gibraltar after only a few hours in port. (11)

21 Jan 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) arrived at Gibraltar. (11)

29 Jan 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed Gibraltar for Bermuda. (11)

10 Feb 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) arrived at Bermuda. (12)

17 Feb 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed Bermuda for Philadelphia. (12)

20 Feb 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) arrived at Philadelphia to refit at the United States Navy Yard there. (12)

6 May 1944
During her refit at the Philadelphia Navy Yard HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) is put on the slip. (12)

7 Jun 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) is put back in the water. (12)

7 Aug 1944
During 7 and 8 August 1944 HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted trials on the Delaware river. (12)

16 Aug 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) ended her refit at the Philadephia Navy Yard. She departed Philadelphia for the submarine base at New London that day. (12)

17 Aug 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) arrived at the U.S. submarine base at New London for a period of trials and training. (12)

19 Aug 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted exercises off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. (12)

20 Aug 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted exercises off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. (12)

21 Aug 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted speed trials off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. (12)

23 Aug 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. (12)

25 Aug 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted exercises off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. (12)

27 Aug 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted exercises off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. (12)

28 Aug 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted RDF trials off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. (12)

29 Aug 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted exercises off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. (12)

30 Aug 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted exercises off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. (12)

3 Sep 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted exercises off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. (12)

4 Sep 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted exercises off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. (12)

8 Sep 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed New London for St. Johns, Canada. She was escorted by the British minesweeper HMS Coquette (Lt. J.A. Way, RN).

For the daily positions of HrMs O 24 during this passage see the map below.

(12)

12 Sep 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) arrived at St.Johns. (12)

14 Sep 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed St.Johns for the United Kingdom. She was escorted by the British minesweeper HMS Coquette (Lt. J.A. Way, RN). (12)

21 Sep 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) arrived at Holy Loch for a period of trials and training. (12)

29 Sep 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (12)

30 Sep 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (12)

1 Oct 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted sound trials at Loch Goil. (12)

4 Oct 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (12)

5 Oct 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area including night exercises. (12)

6 Oct 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) returned to Holy Loch on completion of last night's exercises. (12)

8 Oct 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) departed Holy Loch for Barrow-in-Furness for a short refit and some repairs. She was escorted by HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (12)

31 Oct 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) departed Barrow-in-Furness for Holy Loch. She is escorted by HMS Brontes (Skr. A.E. Wood, RNR). (12)

1 Nov 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) arrived at Holy Loch for another period of trials and training. (12)

2 Nov 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) was docked in AFD 7 at Holy Loch. (12)

4 Nov 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) was undocked. (12)

5 Nov 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (12)

6 Nov 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) conducted speed trials on the Arran measured mile. Upon completion of these O 24 conducted gunnery exercises in the Clyde area. Upon completion O 24 proceeded to Holy Loch. (12)

8 Nov 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) conducted a trials dive in Inchmarnock water. O 24 returned to Holy Loch on completion. (12)

13 Nov 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) conducted trials and exercises in the Clyde area. (12)

16 Nov 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) conducted D/G trials off Helensburgh. (12)

24 Nov 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) departed Holy Loch for Dundee. (12)

27 Nov 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) arrived at Dundee for some repairs. (12)

26 Dec 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) departed Dundee for Scapa Flow. She was escorted by HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. W.E. Turner, RNVR). (12)

27 Dec 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) arrived at Scapa Flow. (12)

30 Dec 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN), HMS Venturer (Lt. J.S. Launders, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Sidon (Lt. H.C. Gowan, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Holy Loch. The submarines were escorted by HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (12)

31 Dec 1944
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) arrived at Holy Loch for yet another period of trials and training. (12)

2 Jan 1945
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR) served as the target. (12)

3 Jan 1945
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR) served as the target. (12)

4 Jan 1945
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (12)

5 Jan 1945
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Hastings (A/Cdr. E.A. Stocker, DSC, RN) served as the target. (12)

7 Jan 1945
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Hastings (A/Cdr. E.A. Stocker, DSC, RN) served as the target. These included night exercises. (12)

8 Jan 1945
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Hastings (A/Cdr. E.A. Stocker, DSC, RN) served as the target. Upon completion of these O 24 proceeded to Holy Loch. (12)

9 Jan 1945
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. These included night exercises. (12)

10 Jan 1945
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Hastings (A/Cdr. E.A. Stocker, DSC, RN) served as the target. Upon completion of these O 24 proceeded to Larne. (12)

11 Jan 1945
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HMS Conn (Lt.Cdr. R. Hart, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Deane (T/Lt.Cdr. F. Brock, RCNVR) and later with HMS Garlies (T/A/Lt.Cdr. L.M.M. Stamp, RNVR), HMS Bentley (Lt.Cdr. E.G. May, DSC, RN) and HMS Gore (Lt. J.V. Reeves-Brown, DSC, RN). (12)

15 Jan 1945
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HMS Clematis (T/Lt. R.H. Farrands, DSC, RNR). (12)

19 Jan 1945
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) shifted from Larne to Holy Loch. She was escorted by HMS Philante (Cdr. M.J. Evans, OBE, RN). (12)

21 Jan 1945
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Hastings (A/Cdr. E.A. Stocker, DSC, RN) and HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR) served as the targets. (12)

23 Jan 1945
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Hastings (A/Cdr. E.A. Stocker, DSC, RN) served as the target. (12)

24 Jan 1945
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) conducted speed trials on the Arran measured mile. (12)

25 Jan 1945
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (12)

27 Jan 1945
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Hastings (A/Cdr. E.A. Stocker, DSC, RN) served as the target. (12)

6 Feb 1945
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) departed Holy Loch for Gibraltar. She makes the passage in convoy OS 109 / KMS 83.

For the daily positions of HrMs O 24 during this passage see the map below.

(12)

16 Feb 1945
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) arrived at Gibraltar. (12)

20 Feb 1945
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) departed Gibraltar for Malta. (12)

23 Feb 1945
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) arrived at Malta. (12)

28 Feb 1945
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) departed Malta for Port Said. (12)

4 Mar 1945
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) arrived at Port Said. (12)

6 Mar 1945
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) departed Port Said for Aden. (12)

11 Mar 1945
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) arrived at Aden. (13)

15 Mar 1945
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) departed Aden for Colombo. (13)

25 Mar 1945
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) arrived at Colombo. (13)

4 Apr 1945
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) departed Colombo for Trincomalee. (13)

6 Apr 1945
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) arrived at Trincomalee. (13)

7 Apr 1945
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) departed Trincomalee for her 23th war patrol (11th in the Far East and 1st for this deployment). This was a work-up patrol. She was ordered to patrol along the West coast of Sumatra and then to proceed to Fremantle, Australia.

For the daily and attack positions of HrMs O 24 during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

13 Apr 1945
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) damaged the small sailing vessel Goenoeng Talang II with gunfire. The vessel was beached in position 02°10'S, 100°48'E and abandoned.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1640 hours - Sighted sails. Steered towards. It was seen to be a two mast native sailing vessel of about 40 tons.

1740 hours - Surfaced for gun action. Fired 55 rounds leaving the vessel disabled and beached.

1803 hours - Dived. (3)

14 Apr 1945
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) sinks the small sailing vessel Goenoeng Talang II by setting fire to it in position 02°20'S, 100°49'E.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0530 hours - Sighted masts, steered towards. It was the same vessel that was damaged yesterday. It was sailing with a half hoisted jib at a speed of 2 knots. She must have come off at high tide and blown away by the land wind.

0710 hours - Surfaced and boarded the vessel. it was found that it the cargo was kapok. There were several shell holes on the waterline. It was set on fire with flares in position 02°20'S, 100°49'E. (3)

24 Apr 1945
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) makes a short call at Exmouth Gulf for additional fuel before proceeding to Fremantle. (3)

28 Apr 1945
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) ended her 23th war patrol (11th in the Far East and 1st for this deployment) at Fremantle. (3)

19 May 1945
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) was put on the slipway at Fremantle. (13)

22 May 1945
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) was put pack in the water. (13)

29 May 1945
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) departed Fremantle for her 24th war patrol (12th in the Far East and 2nd for this deployment). She was to patrol in the Flores Sea.

For the daily and attack positions of HrMs O 24 during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

2 Jun 1945
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) made a short call at Onslow to topp off with fuel. (3)

5 Jun 1945
During the night of 5 to 6 June 1945 HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) passed Lombok Strait Northbound. (3)

13 Jun 1945
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) attacked the Japanese torpedo boat Kiji (offsite link) about 70 nautical miles West-South-West of Makassar in position 05°29'S, 118°21'E. Four torpedoes were fired but all missed. O 24 was depth charged following this failed attack.

(All times are zone -9)
1418 hours - Sighted a Japanese torpedo boat of the Chidori-class in position 05°29'S, 118°21'E. Started attack.

1428 hours - Fired four torpedoes from approximately 3000 yards. No hits were obtained. 25 Depth charges were dropped following ths attack but no damage to O 24 was done and she managed to slip away. (14)

15 Jun 1945
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) departed her patrol area to proceed to Darwin for fuel on provisions. (3)

18 Jun 1945
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) arrived at Darwin. (3)

21 Jun 1945
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) departed Darwin to resume her patrol. (3)

24 Jun 1945
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) arrived back in her patrol area. (3)

12 Jul 1945
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) departed her patrol area to return to Fremantle. (3)

13 Jul 1945
During the night of 13 to 14 July 1945 HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) passed Lombok Strait Southwards. (3)

20 Jul 1945
HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) ended her 24th war patrol (12th in the Far East and 2nd for this deployment) at Fremantle. (3)