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Notable events involving Regent include:

The history of HMS Regent as compiled on this page is extracted from the patrol reports and logbooks of this submarine. 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 November 2022.

31 Aug 1939
Around 0530GH/31, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) departed Singapore to patrol in the Sunda Strait to observe shipping there. When the war with Germany started this became her 1st war patrol.

For the daily positions of HMS Regent during this patrol see the map below. From 3 September 1939 to 21 September 1939 HMS Regent was patrolling in the Sunda Strait but the ships log does not give the exact positions.

(1)

23 Sep 1939
Around 1900GH/23, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Singapore. (2)

28 Sep 1939
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) was docked at Singapore. (2)

29 Sep 1939
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) was undocked. (2)

3 Oct 1939
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore with HMS Tenedos (Lt.Cdr. J.O'B. Milner-Barry, RN). (3)

10 Oct 1939
Around 1300GH/10, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) departed Singapore for her 2nd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Lombok Strait.

For the daily positions of HMS Regent see the map below. From 14 October 1939 to 20 October 1939, HMS Regent was patrolling in Lombok Strait. The ships log does not give specific positions for these dates.

(3)

24 Oct 1939
Around 0800GH/24, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Singapore. (3)

30 Oct 1939
Around 1100GH/30, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) departed Singapore for Colombo.

For the daily positions of HMS Regent during the passage from Singapore to Colombo see the map below.

(3)

4 Nov 1939
Around 1200EF/4, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) arrived at Colombo from Singapore. (4)

6 Nov 1939
Around 1315EF/6, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) departed Colombo to return Singapore. She had to return due to a leak in her No.1 battery tank.

For the daily positions of HMS Regent during this passage from Colombo to Singapore see the map below.

(4)

11 Nov 1939
Around 1630GH/11, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) arrived at Singapore from Colombo. (4)

17 Nov 1939
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) was docked at Singapore for a short refit. (4)

6 Dec 1939
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) was undocked. (5)

12 Dec 1939
Around 1700GH/12, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) departed Singapore for exercises. (5)

13 Dec 1939
Around 1700GH/13, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) returned to Singapore upon completetion of her exercises. (5)

19 Dec 1939
Around 1630GH/19, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) departed Singapore for her 3rd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off northern Sumatra.

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

(5)

29 Dec 1939
Around 1200GH/29, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol at Singapore. (5)

30 Dec 1939
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) was docked at Singapore for a short refit. (5)

20 Jan 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) was undocked. (6)

23 Jan 1940
Around 1600GH/23, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) departed Singapore for exercises. (6)

27 Jan 1940
Around 1200GH/27, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) returned to Singapore upon completetion of her exercises. (6)

31 Jan 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) was docked at Singapore. (6)

5 Feb 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) was undocked. (7)

6 Feb 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore. (7)

15 Feb 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Tenedos (Lt.Cdr. J.O'B. Milner-Barry, RN). (7)

16 Feb 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Tenedos (Lt.Cdr. J.O'B. Milner-Barry, RN). (7)

19 Feb 1940
Around 1630GH/19, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) departed Singapore for exercises. (7)

20 Feb 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr. R. Alexander, RN). (7)

21 Feb 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr. R. Alexander, RN). (7)

22 Feb 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr. R. Alexander, RN). (7)

23 Feb 1940
Around 0800GH/23, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) returned to Singapore on completion of her exercise programme. (7)

23 Feb 1940
HMS Grampus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) (Lt.Cdr. G.H. Nowell, RN), HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) and HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) carried out together off Singapore with HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr. R. Alexander, RN). (8)

28 Feb 1940
Around 1700GH/28, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) departed Singapore for exercises. (7)

29 Feb 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) and HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore. (7)

1 Mar 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Tenedos (Lt.Cdr. J.O'B. Milner-Barry, RN). (9)

4 Mar 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr. R. Alexander, RN) and HMS Grampus (Lt.Cdr. C.A. Rowe, RN). (9)

5 Mar 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr. R. Alexander, RN). (9)

6 Mar 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr. R. Alexander, RN). (9)

7 Mar 1940
Around 0800GH/7, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) returned to Singapore. (9)

13 Mar 1940
Around 0700GH/13, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) departed Singapore for Hong Kong where she was to refit.

For the daily positions of HMS Regent during the passage from Singapore to Hong Kong see the map below.

(9)

18 Mar 1940
Around 1330H/18, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) arrived at Hong Kong from Singapore. (9)

5 Apr 1940
During her refit at Hong Kong, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) was docked. (10)

31 May 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) was undocked. (11)

21 Jun 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) completed her refit at Hong Kong. (12)

25 Jun 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) conducted trials off Hong Kong. (12)

26 Jun 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) conducted trials off Hong Kong. (12)

27 Jun 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) conducted trials off Hong Kong. (12)

30 Jun 1940
Around 0900H/30, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) departed Hong Kong for Singapore.

For the daily positions of HMS Regent during the passage from Hong Kong to Singapore see the map below.

(12)

6 Jul 1940
Around 0930GH/6, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) arrived at Singapore from Hong Kong. (13)

10 Jul 1940
HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) and HMS Dauntless (Capt. G.D. Moore, RAN), HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr. R. Alexander, RN), HMS Grasshopper (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Aldworth, RN) and HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) all conducted exercises off Singapore. (14)

11 Jul 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) conducted exercises off Singapore together with HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr. R. Alexander, RN).

Upon completion of the exercises HMS Regent set course for Colombo. Regent was to proceed to Alexandria to join the Mediterranean Fleet.

For the daily positions of HMS Regent during the passage from Singapore to Alexandria see the map below.

17 Jul 1940
Around 0700EF/17, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) arrived at Colombo. (13)

18 Jul 1940
Around 1800EF/18, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) departed Colombo for Aden. (13)

30 Jul 1940
Around 0700C/30, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) arrived at Aden. On entering harbour she briefly grounded. She was towed off by the boom defence vessel HMS Planet (T/Boom Skr. D. Cowie, RNR) (13)

31 Jul 1940
Around 1000C/31, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) departed Aden for Alexandria. Upon leaving Aden exercises were carried out with the light cruiser HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) which also departed Aden but for the Perim patrol. (15)

7 Aug 1940
Around 0900C/7, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) arrived at Alexandria. (16)

18 Aug 1940
Around 0100C/18, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) departed Alexandria for her 4th war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Ionian Sea.

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

(17)

12 Sep 1940
Around 0800C/12, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) ended her 4th war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (17)

25 Sep 1940
Around 1030C/25, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) departed Alexandria for her 5th war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off the Gulf of Taranto.

On departure exercises were carried out with HMS Jervis (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO, RN), HMS Janus (Cdr. J.A.W. Tothill, RN) and HMS Wryneck (Lt.Cdr. R.H.D. Lane, RN). (17)

25 Sep 1940

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Regent during her 5th war patrol see the map below.

30 Sep 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) attacked an Italian battleship with 5 torpedoes. No hits were obtained. Regent broke surface on firing and was taken to 300 feet immediately afterwards. Fortunately a counter attack followed only after about 30 minutes.

At sea was one of the most potent forces the Regia Marina (Italian Navy) had assembled during the war. It was made up of
Battleships
9th Division
Littorio and Vittorio Veneto,
5th Division
Caio Duilio, Guilio Cesare and Conti di Cavour

Light cruisers
8th Division
Luigi di Savoia Duca Delgi Abruzzi and Giuseppe Garibaldi
7th Division
Muzio Attendolo, Raimondo Montecuccoli.

Escort was provided by the destroyers
13th Squadron
Granatiere, Bersagliere and Alpino
16th Squadron
Nicoloso Da Recco, Antoniotto Usodimare and Emanuele Pessagno
15th Squadron
Alvise Da Mosto and Giovanni Da Verrazzano
10th Squadron
Maestrale, Libecco, Grecale and Scirocco
7th Squadron
Saetta, Dardo and Strale.

At 1243B/30 (Rome time), twin periscopes were suddenly sighted from Vittorio Veneto at 200-300 metres on the port side abeam of 381mm-turret no.3 (This must have been HMS Regent breaking surface as she reported in her patrol report (see below)). They quickly submerged again and quickly after Duilio reported three torpedo tracks missing her ahead, the nearest by about 100 metres.

1324C/30 - In position 38°09'N, 18°17'E sighted a group of Italian warships. These were later seen to be two battleships, three cruisers and numerous destroyers. Started attack. Regent was right ahead and the enemy was proceeding at high speed making it difficult to obained a good firing position.

1339C/30 - Fired 5 torpedoes (a full salvo of 6 was intended but the 6th torpedo misfired) from 900 yards. No hits were obtained. Regent lost depth control on firing and broke surface. She was immediately taken to 300 feet.

1405C/30 - Heard a loud explosion, rather close. This must have been a depth charge. This explosions was followed by more explosions but none were close.

1745C/30 - Returned to periscope depth. Nothing in sight. (17)

3 Oct 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) set course to patrol in the Southern Adriatic. (17)

5 Oct 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) accidentely rammed and sank the Italian sailing vessel Maria Grazia (188 GRT) off Bari, Italy in position 41°05'N, 17°45'E.

0423C/5 - In position 088°, Bari, 45 nautical miles sighted a white light bearing 050°. Altered course towards to investigate.

0443C/5 - Sighted masts of a small sailing vessel on the starboard bow. The white light seemed to be on the stern of this vessel. It wa thought that this sailing vessel had crossed from port to starboard. Regent altered course to port. Too late it was seen that the bow of the vessel had been mistaken for the stern and that the white light had nothing to do with this vessel. Regent now went full astern on both engines.

0446C/5 - The sailing vessel, now seen to be a medium seized caique, rammed Regent causing some damage. Eventually Regent got clear while still going astern. Regent then set off after the caique with the object of sinking it but it could no longer be seen in the dark. As the white light was still visible and thinking it might be a trap Regent set course to clear the area. The sailing vessel was not seen again but it later sank. (17)

9 Oct 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) torpedoed and damaged the Italian merchant Antonietta Costa (5900 GRT, built 1913) about 20 nautical miles west of Durazzo, Albania. The Antonietta Costa was grounded in position 41°17'N, 19°25'E. The ship was beyond salvage.

The convoy attacked was made up of the above mentioned Antonietta Costa as well as Maria (6338 GRT, buit 1926). They were escorted by the Armed Merchant Cruiser RAMB III (3667 GRT, built 1938).

1620C/9 - In approximate position 266°, Durazzo, 24 nautical miles sighted a convoy made up of 2 merchant vessels and what was thought to be an armed yacht or patrol vessel. Started attack.

1739C/9 - Fired one torpedo from 3100 yards at the leading ship. It was intended to fire also a torpedo at the second ship but when about to open fire the periscope dipped and the attack had to be broken off. The single torpedo fired at the leading ship then hit the target. The patrol vessel was then seen to come towards so Regent went deep.

The patrol vessel then started to hunt Regent together with two smaller vessels, probably MAS boats. A depth charge was dropped very near. During the next hour 7 more depth charges were dropped, each one closer then the previous one.

1640C/9 - Regent was now at 300 feet. The enemy was heard hunting until 1900 hours but no further depth charges were dropped. (17)

11 Oct 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) was detected and depth charged by what is thought to be an Italian destroyer / patrol vessel. No damage was done to Regent.

The only A/S attack in this area was made by the motor torpedo boats MAS 535, MAS 536 and 538 but the time does not match unless typo in Regent's report / log (if it should read 0540 instead of 0340 hours). The Italian report states that the MAS boats left Brindisi at 0445 hours for the area where the attack occurred. Note that the Italian time was one hour ahead of the one used by the submarine. Thus the MAS boats would have had two hours to reach an area 40 nautical miles away which was quite possible.

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

Later the same day HMS Regent attacked a small tanker with two torpedoes. No hits were obtained.

This was the Italian water carrier Nautilus (2070 GRT, built 1921) on passage from Valona to Brindisi. She sighted the two torpedo tracks and avoided them. The submarine appears to have been sighted briefly at 1140 by the semaphore at Saseno in 285° - 15 nautical miles. The torpedo boat Francesco Stocco and the auxiliaries Marcomuni and Marcas were sent to hunt the submarine but failed to locate her.

0340C/11 - The officer of the watch sighted a vessel on the starboard bow at a range of about 1500 yards. It was thought to be a small sailing ship. Shortly afterwards it was identified as a small escort vessel / destroyer. Dived. Six explosion followed when Regent was between 18 and 100 feet. It is thought that some of these were gunfire and some were depth charges. Regent was shaken but no damage was sustained. A second vessel was heard to arrive on the scene, both were heard hunting and passed overhead on several occasions but no further depth charges were dropped.

0558C/11 - No more HE could be heard.

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

0930C/11 - In position 084°, Brindisi, 33 nautical miles, sighted a small tanker hull down. Closed and started attack.

1031C/11 - Fired two torpedoes from 1000 yards. Both missed. (17)

15 Oct 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) was ordered to proceed to Malta instead of Alexandria. (17)

18 Oct 1940
Around 0630A/18, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) ended her 5th war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (17)

19 Oct 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) was docked at Malta. (18)

2 Nov 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) was undocked. (19)

6 Nov 1940
Around 1625A/6, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) departed Malta for her 6th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean). She was initially ordered to patrol to the south and east of the Staits of Messina.

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

(17)

12 Nov 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) was ordered to patrol off the Gulf of Taranto. (17)

18 Nov 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) left patrol and set course towards Alexandria. (17)

24 Nov 1940
Around 0700B/24, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) ended her 6th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (17)

6 Dec 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) conducted exercises off Alexandria together with HMS Jervis (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO, RN), HMS Janus (Cdr. J.A.W. Tothill, RN), HMS Nubian (Cdr. R.W. Ravenhill, RN) and HMS Mohawk (Cdr. J.W.M. Eaton, RN).

8 Dec 1940
Around 0900B/8, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) departed Alexandria for her 7th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Gulf of Sirte.

On departure exercises were carried out with HMS Dainty (Cdr. M.S. Thomas, DSO, RN) and HMAS Waterhen (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN). (17)

8 Dec 1940
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Regent during this patrol see the map below.

20 Dec 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) was ordered to patrol off Tripoli, Libya. (17)

22 Dec 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) attacked a small escorted tanker off Khmos, Libya with two torpedoes. No hits were obtained.

1243B/22 - In position 32°40'N, 14°39'E sighted a small tanker escorted by an auxiliary schooner. Started attack in which two torpedoes were fired at the tanker from 2500 yards. No hits were obtained. The target was most likely Rosa (559 GRT, built 1913) that was escorted by the auxiliary Aosta. (17)

23 Dec 1940
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) made two attacks near Misurata, Libya on this day, first on a convoy and later on a single merchant vessel. No hits were obtained in either attack.

0255B/23 - In position 32°42'N, 14°55'E sighted a convoy to the westward. The convoy was made up of four merchant ships (one large, three small) and were escorted by a destroyer or torpedo-boat. Started attack in which two torpedoes were fired from 2000 yards. No hits were obtained.

This convoy was en-route from Bengasi to Tripoli and was made up of the following merchant vessels; Calitea (4013 GRT, built 1933), Mira (3615 GRT, built 1908), Ezilda Groce (1230 GRT, built 1900), Pallade (1131 GRT, built 1899), Promontore (998 GRT, built 1917) and Ninfea (607 GRT, built 1917). The convoy was escorted by the torpedo boat Generale Carlo Montanari.

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

0850B/23 - In approximate position 32°54'N, 14°56'E sighted a merchant vessel of about 5000 tons escorted by a destroyer. Started attack in which two torpedoes were fired from 3200 yards. The ship attacked was most likely the Caffaro (6476 GRT, built 1924). She was escorted by the torpedo-boat Fratelli Cairoli. (17)

25 Dec 1940
Around 0700A/25, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) ended her 7th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (17)

5 Jan 1941
Around 1715A/5, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) departed Malta for her 8th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Tripoli and later in the Gulf of Sirte.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Regent during this patrol see the map below.

(17)

12 Jan 1941
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) attacked an escorted merchant vessel to the north of Khoms, Libya with two torpedoes. No hits were obtained. The target was most likely Città di Messina (2472 GRT, built 1929) escorted by the torpedo-boat Centauro that were en-route from Tripoli to Benghazi.

0135B/12 - In approximate position 32°48'N, 14°36'E sighted an enemy convoy made up of a large merchant ship escorted by a destroyer / torpedo-boat. Started attack.

0159B/12 - Dived to complete the attack from periscope depth but failed to see the enemy.

0218B/12 - Surfaced and completed the attack on the surface. In the attack two torpedoes were fired from 3000 yards. No hits were obtained and no action was taken by the escort. (17)

15 Jan 1941
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian merchant Città di Messina (2472 GRT, built 1929) about 45 nautical miles east of Tripoli, Libya in position 32°59'N, 14°11'E. Citta di Messina was on the return trip from Benghazi to Tripoli and was escorted by the torpedo-boat Centauro.

0805B/15 - In position 33°03'N, 14°15'E sighted a merchant vessel of 5000 to 6000 tons escorted by a destroyer / torpedo-boat. Started attack.

0846B/15 - Fired two torpedoes at the merchant vessel from 400 yards. The first torpedo hit the target 18 seconds after firing. Regent had gone deep on firing and took evasive action. The escort dropped a total of 7 depth charges. All seemed very close but caused no damage to Regent.

1000B/15 - HE of the escort faded out.

1030B/15 - Returned to periscope depth. (17)

26 Jan 1941
Around 0730B/26, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) ended her 8th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (17)

10 Feb 1941
Around 0915B/10, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) departed Alexandria for her 9th war patrol (6th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Tripoli, Libya.

Upon departing exercises were carried out with HMSAS Southern Maid and HMSAS Southern Isles.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Regent during this patrol see the map below.

(17)

21 Feb 1941
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) torpedoed and damaged the German merchant Menes (5609 GRT, built 1926) about 55 nautical miles north-north-west of Tripoli, Libya in position 33°41'N, 12°48'E. Following this attack HMS Regent is damaged by depth-charges from the Italian destroyer Freccia.

Menes was in convoy together with the German merchant Heraklea (1927 GRT, built 1922) and the Italian merchant Maritza (2910 GRT, built 1936). They were escorted by the Italian destroyers Freccia, Saetta and Turbine. The damaged Menes was towed back to Tripoli by Saetta.

1255A/21 - In position 33°39'N, 12°51'E sighted a convoy made up of three merchant vessels escorted by three destroyers. Started attack.

1326A/21 - Fired two torpedoes at the leading merchant ship which was the largest. Range was 2500 yards. One hit was obtained. The nearest destroyer immediately counter attacked and dropped a total of 18 depth charges. The first 4 of these were very close and caused damage to Regent which was hunted throughout the whole afternoon. (17)

25 Feb 1941
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) attacked a southbound enemy convoy north-west of Tripoli, Libya. Two torpedoes were fired at one of the merchant vessels but they both missed.

The convoy attacked was made up by the German merchant vessels Ankara (4768 GRT, built 1937), Marburg (7564 GRT, built 1928), Kybfels (7764 GRT, built 1937) and Reichenfels (7744 GRT, built 1936). They were escorted by the Italian destroyers Aviere, Geniere and the torpedo boat Castore.

0630A/21 - In position 33°49'N, 12°31'E sighted a convoy of four laden merchant vessel escorted by three destroyers. Started attack in which two torpedoes were fired at the rear ship of the starboard column from 2500 yards. No hits were obtained. No counter attack followed and the attack was most likely not observed. (17)

1 Mar 1941
Around 0630A/1, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) ended her 9th war patrol (6th in the Mediterranean) at Malta.

As HMS Regent was damaged during this patrol she was most likely docked at Malta for repairs but as no log is available for March 1941 we don't have the dates. (17)

18 Mar 1941
Around 1600A/18, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) departed Malta for her 10th war patrol (7th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Adriatic.

Lt.Cdr. Bartlett was temporary in command of HMS Regent as Lt.Cdr. Browne was sick. Lt.Cdr. Bartlett's own ship, HMS Perseus, was still refitting at Malta.

Before proceeding on patrol exercises were carried out with HMS Abingdon (Lt. G.A. Simmers, RNR).

No log is available for this patrol, therefore no map can be displayed. (17)

5 Apr 1941
Around 0745A/5, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN) ended her 10th war patrol (7th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (17)

17 Apr 1941
Around 2000B/17, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) departed Malta for her 11th war patrol (8th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to proceed to the Kotor area, Yugoslavia to evacuate the British minister from there.

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

(17)

22 Apr 1941
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) arrived of the Bay of Kotor. At 0630B/22 she surfaced and entered the bay with her largest ensign flying from the masthead. The crew was at diving stations, the gun crew was on stand-by and all tubes had been brought to the ready.

It was not known to Lt.Cdr. Browne what the situation was on the shore. Near a seaplane station contact was made with a group of Yuguslav officers. Two of them came to HMS Regent in a small boat. When they came on board it was found out from one of them (a Lt.Cdr., the other was not an officer but a pilot) that the Germans had taken over the area and later had turned it over to the Italians. Lt.Cdr. Browne asked to contact the British minister and the Yugoslav Lt.Cdr. went back to the shore to telephone him.

RHMS Regent then moved to another place where the British minister might be embarked. There they were met by another Yugoslav Lt.Cdr. and an Italian army Captain. Lt.Cdr. Browne was invited to go ashore and meat an Italian Admiral at Kotor before he was to be allowed to see the British minister. Lt.Cdr. Browne refused to leave HMS Regent. Lt.Cdr. Browne then offered to sent one of his officers ashore. Lt. D. Lambert, RN then left HMS Regent. An Italian Army officer went on board HMS Regent as 'hostage'.

During the afternoon, while waiting for Lt. Lambert to return, several Italian aircraft were seen flying round HMS Regent. At 1535B/22 two aircraft started dive bombing attacks. HMS Regent then got underway to leave the bay. HMS Regent was near-missed several times and damage was caused to her. It was decided to abandon the attempt to evacuate the British minister. Lt. Lambert must now also be left ashore.

When outside the bay HMS Regent dived and set course for the Straits of Otranto. When clear of the Straits a signal was sent to Capt. S.1 informing him of the situation and the damage done to HMS Regent (the main damage was to her battery). Also three of the crew were injured including Lt.Cdr. Browne and the first lieutenant. Lt.Cdr. Browne decided to proceed to Malta for much needed medical attention for his first lieutenant. (17)

26 Apr 1941
Around 2330B/26, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) ended her 11th war patrol (8th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (17)

12 May 1941
After temporary repairs to her damaged battery HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) departed Malta around 2015B/12, for Gibraltar where a new battery was to be installed.

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

(17)

18 May 1941
Around 1200A/18, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from Malta. (17)

1 Jun 1941
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) was docked in No.2 Dock at Gibraltar. (20)

3 Jun 1941
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) was undocked. (20)

5 Jun 1941
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) conducted exercises off Gibraltar. (20)

6 Jun 1941
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) conducted exercises off Gibraltar. (20)

7 Jun 1941
Around 1815A/7, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) departed Gibraltar for Malta. (17)

13 Jun 1941
HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) attacked an enemy convoy to the south of Pantelleria. Only one torpedo was fired and it missed.

The convoy was most likely the one made up of the Italian merchant Barbarigo (5293 GRT, built 1930). She was escorted by the Italian torpedo boats Calliope and Antonio Mosto.

2320A/12 - In position 36°25'N, 11°53'E sighted a convoy made up of two merchant ships escorted by one or two destroyers. Started attack.

0228A/13 - Fired one torpedo. It was intended to fire two torpedoes but due to an error in drill only one was fired. The torpedo missed. No counter attack followed and the attack was most likely not observed by the enemy. (17)

15 Jun 1941
Around 0815B/15, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) arrived at Malta from Gibraltar. (17)

19 Jun 1941
Around 2030B/19, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) departed Malta for her 12th war patrol (9th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Gulf of Sirte.

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

(17)

5 Jul 1941
Around 0700C/5, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) ended her 12th war patrol (9th in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (17)

20 Jul 1941
Around 1900C/20, HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) departed Alexandria for her 13th war patrol (10th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to perform operation ME 2 together with HMS Persues (Lt.Cdr. P.J.H. Bartlett, RN). The submarine were to carry out a W/T diversion when off the South-West coast of Crete. Upon completion of this operation HMS Regent was to patrol in the Gulf of Sirte.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Regent during this patrol see the map below.

(17)

1 Aug 1941
HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) sank the Italian auxiliary minesweeper B 23 / Igea (160 GRT) with gunfire about 33 nautical miles south of Bengasi in position 31°35'N, 19°56'E.

1215C/1 - Sighted a schooner coasting. Closed her as far as possible while dived. When the range had closed to 5000 yards, surfaced and chased her on the surface. The crew then stopped their diesel engine and abandoned ship hurriedly. Regent then proceeded alongside and sent a boarding party on board.

No important papers could be found. The cargo was stores, ammunition and petrol. Took off the boarding party and stand clear. Then sank the schooner with gunfire. Three hours later, when Regent was 20 nautical miles away, she was still blazing furiously. (17)

6 Aug 1941
Around dusk, HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN), surfaced and bombarded the landing pier at Appolonia, Libya. While turning to run out to sea again HMS Regent bumped and grounded on a sandbank. All tanks were then blown but HMS Regent remained on the sandbank. As the tide was tilting Regent higher and higher drastic action had to be taken and Lt. Knox decided to let go the drop keel. This had the desired effect and HMS Regent came off. (17)

10 Aug 1941
Around 1300C/10, HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) ended her 13th war patrol (10th in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (17)

17 Aug 1941
On board HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) the air vessel of one of the reload torpedoes exploded causing some damage to HMS Regent, other reload torpedoes and cargo she had embarked for her upcoming passage to Malta. (21)

20 Aug 1941
HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) was docked in the Gabbari Graving Dock at Alexandria. (21)

23 Aug 1941
HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) was undocked. (21)

27 Aug 1941
Around 1800C/27, HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) departed Alexandria for Malta.

For the daily positions of HMS Regent during the passage Alexandria - Malta see the map below.

(21)

3 Sep 1941
Around 0900B/3, HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) arrived at Malta from Alexandria. (22)

5 Sep 1941
HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) was docked in No.1 Dock at Malta. (22)

30 Sep 1941
HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) was undocked. (22)

4 Oct 1941
Around 1500B/3, HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 14th war patrol (11th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Gulf of Sirte.

No log is available for this period, therefore no map can be displayed. (17)

10 Oct 1941
At 0250B/10, while charing well to the westward of Benghazi, Libya, HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN), was dive bombed by an enemy aircraft. She immediately dived but fortunately sustained no damage.

At 0415B/10, the Italian submarine Onice which was on an anti-submarine patrol in the area, sighted a submarine surfacing. She fired three rounds and a torpedo from 2200 yards. All missed. On board HMS Regent they thought the attacker was a destroyer and they immediately dived again. (17)

17 Oct 1941
In the early moring hours, while still near Benghazi, Libya, HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN), sighted an enemy convoy made up of two small merchant vessels escorted by a destroyer. While trying to attack a flash of lightning lit up the area including Regent which immediately dived. (17)

21 Oct 1941
HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) attacked a group of three Italian destroyers (Antonio da Noli, Emanuelle Pessagno and Nicolo Zeno) with six torpedoes about 15 nautical miles north of Benghazi, Libya. No hits were obtained. Lt. Knox thought he attacked a group of four destroyer but actually only three were present. The Italian destroyers were on a troop transport run from Augusta to Benghazi transporting about 800 soldiers to North Africa.

1420B/21 - Sighted a ship but immediately went deep for an aircraft coming towards. Position was near the swept channel towards Benghazi.

1430B/21 - Returned to periscope depth. Sighted four destroyers at a range of 2000 yards. Started attack in which six torpedoes were fired at the middle pair of destroyers which presented an unbroken target. All missed as the speed was underestimated. Four depth charges were dropped fairly close astern but they caused no damage. (17)

25 Oct 1941
Around 1330B/25, HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) ended her 14th war patrol (11th in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (17)

7 Nov 1941
HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) departed Alexandria for Malta.

Regent was to proceed to the U.S.A. for a much needed refit.

No log is available for this period, therefore no map can be displayed. (17)

13 Nov 1941
Around 0730B/13, HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) arrived at Malta. (17)

30 Nov 1941
Around 1730B/30, HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) departed Malta for Gibraltar.

No log is available for this period, therefore no map can be displayed. (17)

1 Dec 1941
HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) attacked the Italian merchant Erice (2350 GRT, built 1919) with two torpedoes about 10 nautical miles south-east of Marettimo island, Italy in position 37°52'N, 11°52'E. The torpedoes missed and HMS Regent surfaced to engage the target with gunfire. Erice was heavily damaged.

1950B/1 - An object was sighted 10° on the port bow. Closed to investigate but visibility was not good.

The target was finally identified as a medium seized merchant vessel and two old Mk. II torpedoes were fired from 800 yards which both missed.

The target was then engaged with the 4" gun from 1000 yards. The first round already hit. After 13 rounds the vessel had stopped, was on fire and it appeared that the crew was abandoning ship so stopped firing.

About half an hour later the merchant got underway again so Regent closed again and re-opened fire from 2200 yards. This time several fires broke out. When last seen the target was burning and sinking by the stern. (17)

6 Dec 1941
Around 1745A/6, HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from Malta. (17)

10 Dec 1941
Around 0930A/10, HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) departed Gibraltar for Portsmouth. She was escorted until 1900A/10 by HMS Coltsfoot (T/Lt. the Hon. W.K. Rous, RNVR)

No log is available for this period, therefore no map can be displayed. (17)

17 Dec 1941
Around 0930A/17, HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) arrived at Plymouth. (17)

19 Dec 1941
Around 1700A/19, HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) departed Plymouth for Portsmouth. (17)

20 Dec 1941
Around 1800A/20, HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) arrived at Portsmouth. (17)

16 Jan 1942
Around 1445A/16, HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) departed Portsmouth for passage to Philadelphia, U.S.A. She had first conducted D/G trials before departure.

For the daily positions of HMS Regent during the passage from the U.K. to the U.S.A. see the map below.

(17)

19 Jan 1942
On making a trim dive HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) lost depth control due to defects. Another trim dive was made and again depth control was lost. (17)

20 Jan 1942
HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) developed engine defects. (17)

24 Jan 1942
HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) had developed even more defects. Lt. Knox decided to proceed to Ponta Delgada, Azores to effect repairs. (17)

27 Jan 1942
Around 1430N/27, HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) arrived at Ponta Delgada, Azores for repairs. (17)

1 Feb 1942
Around 2115O/1, HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) departed Ponta Delgada for Philadelphia. (17)

2 Feb 1942
At 0351O/2, HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) was attacked by HMS Clyde (Cdr. D.C. Ingram, DSC, RN). HMS Regent failed to identify herself and when she was finally recognised on board HMS Clyde she was warned that two torpedoes were on their way towards her and she was able to evade them. Cdr. Ingram was unaware of the presence of HMS Regent and took her for a Uboat. Lt. Knox was aware that HMS Clyde was in the area and was hold to blame for failing to identify HMS Regent properly to the challenge from HMS Clyde.

At 0630 hours, HMS Clyde re-joined the RFA tanker Dingledale and her two escorting corvettes HMS Geranium (T/Lt. A. Foxall, RNR) and HMS Vetch (T/A/Lt.Cdr. H.J. Beverley, DSC, RNR). (17)

15 Feb 1942
Around 1615Q/15, HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) anchored in Cape Henlopen Bay to await passage towards Philadelphia. (17)

16 Feb 1942
Around 0940Q/16, HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) departed Cape Henlopen Bay for Philadelphia under tow. Passage up river was however soon postponed due to thick fog. (17)

17 Feb 1942
Around 1515Q/17, HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) arrived at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. (17)

5 Aug 1942
HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) conducted trials off Cape May. Upon completion of these trials she returned to Philadelphia. (23)

12 Aug 1942
Around 0600Q/12, HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) departed Philadelphia for New London. (23)

15 Aug 1942
Around 1510Q/15, HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) arrived at New London for a period of trials and training. (23)

17 Aug 1942
HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) conducted trials and exercises off New London. (23)

21 Aug 1942
HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) was put on the marine railway at New London. (24)

28 Aug 1942
HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) was put back in the water at New London. (24)

29 Aug 1942
HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo firing trials off New London. (23)

1 Sep 1942
Around 1330Q/1, HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) departed New London for Philadelphia. She was escorted by USS SC-672 (Lt. J.C. Crocker, USNR). (25)

2 Sep 1942
In the afternoon, HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) arrived at Philadelphia for repairs. (25)

4 Sep 1942
HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) is put on the marine railway at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. (25)

15 Sep 1942
HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) is put back in the water. (25)

20 Sep 1942
Around 1010Q/20, HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) departed Philadelphia for Bermuda.

For the daily positions of HMS Regent during the passage from Philadelphia to Bermuda see the map below.

(25)

24 Sep 1942
Around 0930P/24, HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) arrived at Bermuda from Philadelphia. (25)

25 Sep 1942
HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) is docked in the floating dock at Bermuda because of defects. (25)

8 Oct 1942
HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) was undocked. (26)

12 Oct 1942
HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Bermuda. (26)

17 Oct 1942
HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Bermuda. (26)

23 Oct 1942
HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Bermuda. (26)

31 Oct 1942
Around 1100Q/31, HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) departed Bermuda to return to the Philadelphia Navy Yard for more repairs.

For the daily positions of HMS Regent during the passage Bermuda - Philadelphia see the map below.

(26)

3 Nov 1942
Around 1620Q/3, HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) arrived at Philadelphia. (27)

30 Nov 1942
Around 0830Q/30, HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) departed Philadelphia for Bermuda.

No log is available for this period, therefore no map can be displayed. (27)

3 Dec 1942
HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) arrived at Bermuda for a period of trials and training. No log is available so her exact movements are unknown. (28)

21 Jan 1943
HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) departed Bermuda for Gibraltar.

No log is available for this period, therefore no map can be displayed. (28)

4 Feb 1943
HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (28)

25 Feb 1943
Around 1400A/25, HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) departed Gibraltar for her 15th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off Vigo, Spain.

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

(17)

27 Feb 1943
Early in the morning HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) lost overboard an Able Seaman in heavy weather. A search was started but he could not be found. (17)

8 Mar 1943
Around 1145A/8, HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) ended her 15th war patrol at Gibraltar. (17)

12 Mar 1943
HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) departed Gibraltar for Algiers.

No log is available for this period, therefore no map can be displayed. (29)

15 Mar 1943
HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) arrived at Algiers. (29)

27 Mar 1943
HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) departed Algiers for Malta.

No log is available for this period, therefore no map can be displayed. (30)

31 Mar 1943
HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) arrived at Malta. (30)

9 Apr 1943
HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 16th war patrol (12th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Adriatic. (30)

10 Apr 1943
While en-route to her patrol area in the Adriatic, HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN), developed defects. Course was set to return to Malta to effect repairs. (30)

11 Apr 1943
HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) arrived at Malta for repairs. (30)

12 Apr 1943
After repairs, HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN), departed Malta to resume her 16th war patrol. (30)

14 Apr 1943
HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) was informed by Captain S.10's signal of 1743/14 that an aircraft had reported a 6000-ton tanker and one 2000-ton merchant vessel at 1550B/14, course 180° at 3 knots, 090° - Punta Stilo - 2 miles. These were probably the tanker Tirso (1086 GRT, built 1937) and the freighter Apollo (3177 GRT, built 1905) escorted by the torpedo boat Antonio Mosto. They had sailed from Taranto at 1900 hours on the 13th for Messina. At 2100 hours on the 14th, Apollo ran aground in position 023° - Cape Spartivento (Calabria) - 11.5 miles at 2100/14, the corvette Gabbiano had sailed from Messina at 2209 hours on the 14th to protect her but was recalled a at 0040 hours. There is no indication that HMS Regent attacked this convoy. (31)

15 Apr 1943
At 1614 hours, a submarine was reported shelling the coast by Marina Messina in position 033° - Cape Spartivento (Calabria) – 24 miles (near Siderno). It was about a mile from the coast. An Italian armoured train (probably train 152/3/T from Crotone) replied with two rounds and a burst of machine gun to drive it away. This was probably HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN), it meant that she was probably late on her timetable and that defects may have delayed her. (31)

16 Apr 1943
At 0300 hours, the corvette Gabbiano sailed again from Messina to conduct an antisubmarine sweep. At 1330 hours, a sonar contact was obtained and attacked in position 210° - Punta Stilo -10 miles (about 38°18'N, 16°28'E), also reported as 4 miles east of Roccella Ionica (about 38°19'N, 16°30'E). By evening she had exhausted all her depth charges but at 0205 hours on the 17th, Marina Messina informed her that there was a known wreck in this vicinity and ordered her to stop the attacks. Could this have been HMS Regent? Probably not, it must be assumed that by then she had resumed her passage to the Adriatic. Eight days later, Gabbiano was more fortunate and sank the submarine HMS Sahib. (31)

17 Apr 1943
At 1930 hours, an aircraft of Marina Taranto reported a submarine in 150° - Punta Alice - 8 miles (about 39°17'N, 17°14'E). This report was probably bogus as no Axis or Allied submarine operated in this vicinity at this time. It is unlikely this was HMS Regent (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) as at this time she was hardly from this position to reach the area off Monopoli where she was apparently reported the next afternoon. (31)

18 Apr 1943
At 1315 hours, a convoy consisting of the Roumanian transport Balcic (3600 GRT, built 1940) [erroneously identified as Balzac in some reports] and the Italian Motia (2336 GRT, built 1918) escorted by the auxiliary Morosini (carrying mines) sailed from Bari for Patras. At 1545 hours, the convoy was in position 45° - Monopoli – 5 miles (or approximately 41°01'N, 17°18'E), when it reported missed by torpedoes. At the same time two Italian fishing vessels observed a torpedo, probably fired from the same salvo exploding on the coast near Torre Encina (Monopoli). Parts from a torpedo, including the motor and two propellers, were found the next day. Immediately, Maritime traffic in the area was suspended and the freighter Anna Capano (1345 GRT, built 1938) which had just sailed from Bari at 1600 hours returned to port. The A/S motorboats Salerno (A.S. 72) and Feroldi (A.S. 68) from 9° Gruppo Antisom sailed from Brindisi to hunt the submarine. (31)

1 May 1943
At 1640 hours, a body of a British sailor was found near Brindisi. He was wearing a Davis apparatus and had apparently been in the water for 8 to 10 days. It is believed that HMS Regent was probably mined near Monopoli on 18 or 19 April. Since no other attacks were reported after the Balcic one, it must be assumed that the mining occurred within a day or two and that some of the crew members managed to make an ascent from the wreck but perished either from embolism or from drowning. (31)

15 May 1943
During the morning, a second body also wearing a Davis apparatus was found on a beach near San Adrea Missipezza (Brindisi). (31)

16 May 1943
The body of a man, approximately 38-years old, was located on a beach near Castro Marina (Brindisi). It was estimated to have been in the water for about 25 days. This one was not wearing a Davis apparatus. The same day, a fourth body, apparently an officer or an NCO, washed ashore near Torre Santo Stefano (2 miles north of Otranto). None of the four bodies that had been found could be identified.

In 1999, Ennio Padalino, who owned a small dive shop, reported to have found the wreck of the submarine off Barletta at depth of 36 metres. It appears that the identification was made in error as this was apparently the old Italian submarine Giovanni Bausan (transformed as oil depot G.R.S. 251) and she had been sunk very close by after being used by the RAF as a target in May 1944.

The search for the wreck continues. (31)

28 Jun 2020
The Barletta wreck previously reported to have been HMS Regent has been examined by Italian divers led by Fabio Bisciotti on Sunday 28 June 2020. It has now positively been identified as the Italian submarine Giovanni Bausan which was converted as the oil depot G.R.S.251 and used as a target by the Allied Air Forces in June 1944.

The divers were:
Fabio Bisciotti
Alessandro Aulicino
Michele Favaron
Stefania Bellesso
Ruggero Nanula
Pasquale Bailon
Pietro Amoruso

The wreck of HMS Regent is still to be found but the team is determined to look for it and hopefully they will succeed. (31)

May 2022
In May 2022, a team led by Dr. Fabio Giuseppe Bisciotti and including Michele Favaron, Dr. Stefania Bellesso, Graziana Servello and Giuseppe Iacomino, discovered a wreck off Monopoli which they believed could be that of HMS Regent. It is hoped that a more definitive identification will be made in the near future.