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Notable events involving Stratagem include:

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

This page was last updated in February 2020.

24 Sep 1943
Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) departed her builders yard for Holy Loch. (1)

25 Sep 1943
Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) arrived at Holy Loch to begin a period of trials and training. (1)

26 Sep 1943
Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted full power trials on the Arran measured mile. These trials had to be abandoned due to a defect to the starboard engine. She then proceeded to Holy Loch for repairs. (1)

8 Oct 1943
After repairs to her starboard engine had been completed, Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR), again conducted full power trials on the Arran measured mile. Yet again these trials had to be abandoned due to a defect to the starboard engine. She again returned to Holy Loch for repairs. (2)

9 Oct 1943
Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted full power trials on the Arran measured mile. On completion of these trials she was commissioned at Holy Loch. (2)

10 Oct 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (2)

11 Oct 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. These included night exercises. (2)

12 Oct 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (2)

14 Oct 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted log calibration and S.T.U. (mine detection) trials in the Clyde area. (2)

15 Oct 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted D/G trials off Helensburgh. (2)

16 Oct 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) A.L. Sanders, RN) served as target. (2)

17 Oct 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted RDF (radar) exercises off Campbeltown. On completion of these exercises she proceeded into Campbeltown harbour for evaluation. (2)

18 Oct 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Boarhound (Skr. A. Keable, RNR) and HMS Spaniel. On completion of these exercises she proceeded to Holy Loch escorted by HMS Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.D. O'Driscoll, RNR). (2)

19 Oct 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil. These had to be abandoned due to bad weather. (2)

20 Oct 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil. (2)

21 Oct 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) shifted from Loch Goil to the torpedo firing range at Arrochar. (2)

22 Oct 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (2)

23 Oct 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (2)

24 Oct 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (2)

25 Oct 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (2)

26 Oct 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. On completion of these trials she proceeded to Holy Loch. (2)

28 Oct 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted trials in the Clyde area. (2)

30 Oct 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) and HMS Spiteful (Lt.Cdr. F.H. Sherwood, DSC, RCNVR) served as targets. (2)

30 Oct 1943
HMS Spiteful (Lt.Cdr. F.H. Sherwood, DSC, RCNVR) made a practice attack on HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR).

She then conducted night shadowing exercises together with HMS Storm (T/Lt. E.P. Young, DSC, RNVR) and HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) while HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) served as target. (3)

1 Nov 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted radar exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Kihna (A/Cdr.(Retd.) A.R.W. Sayle, RD, RNR). (4)

3 Nov 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) served as the target. (4)

4 Nov 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) A.L. Sanders, RN) served as the target. These included night exercises.

Also gunnery exercises were carried out on a target that was being towed by HMS Blade (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S.T. Wenlock, RNR). (4)

5 Nov 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (4)

6 Nov 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) A.L. Sanders, RN) served as the target. These included night exercises. (4)

7 Nov 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) returned to Larne on completion of last night's exercises. (4)

10 Nov 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted attack exercises off Larne. The target was a merchant vessel. (4)

11 Nov 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Larne. (4)

14 Nov 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted exercises off Larne. (4)

16 Nov 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted attack exercises off Larne on a dummy convoy that was being escorted by HMS Philante (Capt. A.J. Baker-Cresswell, DSO, RN). (4)

17 Nov 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted exercises off Larne. (4)

18 Nov 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted attack exercises off Larne on a dummy convoy. (4)

19 Nov 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HMS Vanquisher (A/Lt.Cdr. F.M. Osborne, DSC, RANVR). (4)

21 Nov 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Larne. (4)

22 Nov 1943
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) and HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted attack exercises off Larne during which they served as targets for each other. (5)

23 Nov 1943
HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) and HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) both shifted from Larne to Holy Loch. They were escorted by an ML. (5)

25 Nov 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS La Flore (Lt. J. Mayling, RN) and HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN) served as the targets.

On completion of these exercises Stratagem departed the Clyde area for Londonderry escorted by HMS Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.D. O'Driscoll, RNR). (4)

26 Nov 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) arrived at Londonderry. (4)

27 Nov 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted exercises off Lough Foyle. (4)

29 Nov 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMCS Kamloops (T/Lt. S.D. Taylor, RCNR) and HMCS Sackville (Lt. A.H. Rankin, RCNVR). (4)

30 Nov 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMCS St. Catharines (Lt.Cdr. H.C.R. Davis, RCNR) and aircraft. (4)

2 Dec 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Westcott (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) H. Lambton, RN). (6)

3 Dec 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Towy (Cdr. M.J Evans, OBE, RN), ORP Burza (Cdr. F. Pitulko, ORP), FFS Lobelia and HMS Orchis (T/Lt. B.W. Harris, RNVR). (6)

4 Dec 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with FFS Roselys, FFS Lobelia, HMS Towy (Cdr. M.J Evans, OBE, RN) and ORP Burza (Cdr. F. Pitulko, ORP). (6)

7 Dec 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Hotspur (Cdr. A.M. McKillop, RN) and HMCS Algoma (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J. Harding, RCNR). (6)

8 Dec 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Hotspur (Cdr. A.M. McKillop, RN) and HMS Watchman (Lt.Cdr. G.H.D. Williams, RN). (6)

9 Dec 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle. On completion of these exercises she departed for Holy Loch escorted by HNoMS Acanthus. (6)

10 Dec 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) arrived at Holy Loch. (6)

14 Dec 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil. (6)

19 Dec 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) shifted from Holy Loch to Campbeltown. (6)

20 Dec 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) shifted from Campbeltown to Larne. She was escorted by HMS Domett (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S. Gordon, RNVR). (6)

21 Dec 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HMS Domett (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S. Gordon, RNVR). (6)

22 Dec 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HMS Dianthus (A/Lt.Cdr. B.J. Bowick, RNVR) and HMCS Rosthern (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.J.G. Johnson, RCNVR). These were followed by a night practice attack on a dummy convoy. (6)

23 Dec 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted attack exercises off Larne on a dummy convoy that was being escorted by HMS Philante (Capt. A.J. Baker-Cresswell, DSO, RN). Also a practice attack was made on Philante.

On completion of the exercises HMS Stratagem departed Larne for Holy Loch. (6)

24 Dec 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) arrived at Holy Loch. (6)

27 Dec 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.D. O'Driscoll, RNR) served as the target. These included night exercises. (6)

28 Dec 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) shifted from Brodrick Bay to Holy Loch. (6)

30 Dec 1943
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) and HMS Unswerving (Lt. M.D. Tattersall, RNVR) departed Holy Loch for Lerwick. They were escorted by HMS Arcturus (T/Lt. H.R. Grief, RNR). (6)

1 Jan 1944
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) arrived at Lerwick. (7)

3 Jan 1944
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) departed Lerwick for her 1st war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Norwegian Sea (anti-uboat patrol).

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

(8)

15 Jan 1944
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) ended her 1st war patrol at Lerwick. (8)

16 Jan 1944
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) departed Lerwick for Dundee. (7)

17 Jan 1944
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) arrived at Dundee. (7)

18 Jan 1944
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) shifted from Dundee to Methil. (7)

21 Jan 1944
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) departed Methil for Sheerness. (7)

22 Jan 1944
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) arrived at Harwich.

23 Jan 1944
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) shifted from Harwich to Sheerness where at the Sheerness Royal Dockyard the battery was changed. (7)

27 Jan 1944
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) was docked in No.2 dock at the Sheerness Dockyard. (7)

22 Feb 1944
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) was undocked. (9)

23 Feb 1944
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) departed Sheerness for Portsmouth. (9)

24 Feb 1944
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) arrived at Portsmouth. (9)

25 Feb 1944
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (9)

29 Feb 1944
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (9)

2 Mar 1944
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (10)

3 Mar 1944
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (10)

5 Mar 1944
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) was docked at Portsmouth. (10)

24 Mar 1944
HMS Stratagem (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) was undocked. (10)

29 Mar 1944
HMS Stratagem (Lt. C.R. Pelly, DSC, RN) shifted from Portsmouth to Yarmouth (Isle of Wight). (10)

30 Mar 1944
HMS Stratagem (Lt. C.R. Pelly, DSC, RN) shifted from Yarmouth (Isle of Wight) to Plymouth. (10)

31 Mar 1944
HMS Stratagem (Lt. C.R. Pelly, DSC, RN) departed Plymouth for passage to Gibraltar. En-route she was ordered to take up a patrol position in a 10 nautical mile radius from position 40°50'N, 12°00'W making this passage her 2nd war patrol.

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

(8)

14 Apr 1944
HMS Stratagem (Lt. C.R. Pelly, DSC, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Gibraltar. (8)

18 Apr 1944
HMS Stratagem (Lt. C.R. Pelly, DSC, RN) departed Gibraltar for Malta.

She made the passage together with HMS Sickle (Lt. J.R. Drummond, DSC, RN) and HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN). The submarines made the passage to Malta in convoy USG 38.

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

(11)

2 May 1944
HMS Stratagem (Lt. C.R. Pelly, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Malta together with HMS Exmoor (Lt. D.D. Howson, RN) and HMS Brocklesby (Lt. K.R.S. Leadlay, RN). (12)

5 May 1944
HMS Stratagem (Lt. C.R. Pelly, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Malta together with HMS Albacore (Lt. Lt. K.H. Higson, DSC, RNR) and HMS Tenacious (Lt.Cdr. D.F. Townsend, RN). (12)

11 May 1944
HMS Stratagem (Lt. C.R. Pelly, DSC, RN) departed Malta for Port Said. (12)

16 May 1944
HMS Stratagem (Lt. C.R. Pelly, DSC, RN) arrived at Port Said. (12)

19 May 1944
HMS Stratagem (Lt. C.R. Pelly, DSC, RN) departed Port Said for Aden. (12)

25 May 1944
HMS Stratagem (Lt. C.R. Pelly, DSC, RN) arrived at Aden. (12)

27 May 1944
HMS Stratagem (Lt. C.R. Pelly, DSC, RN) departed Aden for Trincomalee. (12)

10 Jun 1944
HMS Stratagem (Lt. C.R. Pelly, DSC, RN) arrived at Trincomalee. (13)

24 Jun 1944
HMS Stratagem (Lt. C.R. Pelly, DSC, RN) conducted attack and A/S exercises off Trincomalee together with HMS Raider (Lt.Cdr. K.W. Michell, DSC, RN) and HMS Racehorse (Cdr. J.J. Casement, DSC, RN). (13)

25 Jun 1944
HMS Stratagem (Lt. C.R. Pelly, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises off Trincomalee during which the Italian sloop Eritrea served as target. (13)

27 Jun 1944
HMS Stratagem (Lt. C.R. Pelly, DSC, RN) departed Trincomalee for her 3rd war patrol (1st in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol off the Andaman Island. She was escorted out by HMS Maid Marion (T/Lt. F.R. Crawford, RNVR). (8)

27 Jun 1944
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Stratagem during her 3rd war patrol see the map below.

1 Jul 1944
HMS Stratagem (Lt. C.R. Pelly, DSC, RN) attacked an escorted Japanese merchant vessel off Port Blair with 4 torpedoes. No hits were obtained.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1330 hours - In position 11°36'N, 92°50'E sighted the top of a funnel and smoke bearing 043°, range 8 nautical miles. Enemy course was thought to be 270°. Ran in at speed.

1343 hours - Targets course was now seen to be 247°. Range was now 12000 yards. The target was thought to be a merchant vessel of about 1100 tons. Started attack.

1346 hours - Three escorts were seen, 2 were thought to be torpedo boats and the other was an A/S trawler.

1406 hours - Fired four torpedoes from 5100 yards.

1410 hours - An explosion was heard and it was thought to be a possible hit on the target (this was not the case).

1411 hours - A counter attack was commenced by the torpedo boats in which 6 depth charges were dropped. 4 Of these were close but caused no damage.

1426 hours - All HE ceased.

1436 hours - Returned to periscope depth. Only the two 'torpedo boats' were seen roughly in our firing position. Cleared the area to the South-East. (8)

2 Jul 1944
HMS Stratagem (Lt. C.R. Pelly, DSC, RN) attacked an escorted Japanese merchant vessel leaving Port Blair. 6 Torpedoes were fired but no hits were obtained.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1303 hours - In position 11°37'N, 92°54'E sighted a 2000 tons merchant vessel escorted by two submarine chasers emerging from Port Blair's Southern entrance on a course of 120°. Range was 14000 yards. Started attack.

1329 hours - Fired 6 torpedoes at the merchant vessel.

1334 hours - Returned to periscope depth. Saw that the whole convoy had altered course 90 degrees to port and that the submarine chasers began making a lot of smoke to speed up and were soon proceeding in our direction.

1338 hours - Heard 6 torpedoes hit the land.

1400 hours - Observed both submarine chasers hunting astern 3000 to 4000 yards away. The merchant vessel was now escorted by an A/S trawler and was 7000 yards away proceeding on a course of 140°.

1615 hours - Lost sight of the target. Wanted to surface and chase but the submarine chasers were still in sight behind us.

1630 hours - The chasers set off to rejoin the merchant ship and A/S trawler. They passed at a range of 2000 yards.

1728 hours - Surfaced in position 11°29'N, 92°58'E and gave chase.

1750 hours - Sighted smoke bearing 165°.

1805 hours - Sighted the masts and funnel of the merchant vessel.

1853 hours - The port wing escort fired two white rockets. Maybee we were sighted.

1915 hours - One of the submarine chasers parted company and proceeded at speed in a Northerly direction.

2018 hours - It was now completely dark. started to close the enemy's track.

2200 hours - Thought to be 5 nautical miles ahead of the enemy. Turned to make contact again but sighted nothing. Set a course for the most likely track of the enemy with the hope to catch him tomorrow. (8)

4 Jul 1944
HMS Stratagem (Lt. C.R. Pelly, DSC, RN) attacked the same escorted merchant vessel as 2 days ago but now to the South of Car Nicobar Island. The last 2 bow torpedoes were fired and a hit was claimed but could not be observed. The Japanese do not report a loss on this day.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0526 hours - Dived in position 09°22'N, 92°40E and closed Car Nicobar where our merchant vessel we had attacked two days ago most likely was. Closed Sawi Bay, the place where she most likely would be.

0924 hours - By now it had become clear that she was not in Sawi Bay. Set course to the South of Car Nicobar.

1638 hours - Sighted the masts and funnel of our by now well known merchant bearing 115 degrees, range 7 nautical miles. Enemy course was 220°. Position 09°06'N, 92°45'E.

1705 hours - Heavy rain reduced visibility to 2 nautical miles.

1709 hours - Surfaced in position 09°02'N, 92°44'E.

1714 hours - Visibility increased and sighted a submarine chaser ahead of the target, range was 5 nautical miles. Dived.

1744 hours - Sighted the target alter course away to 185°. The starboard wing escort was flying two pendants and altered course towards Stratagem. Remained at periscope depth to watch proceedings.

1822 hours - All escorts were now with the target again who now altered course to 230° and the attack was resumed.

1839 hours - In position 08°59'N, 92°46'E fired the 2 remaining torpedoes.

1846 hours - Heard one torpedo explosion thought to be a hit. The results could not be observed. No counter attack followed. (8)

7 Jul 1944
HMS Stratagem (Lt. C.R. Pelly, DSC, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol (1st in the Far East) at Trincomalee. She was escorted in by HMS Maid Marion (T/Lt. F.R. Crawford, RNVR). (8)

22 Jul 1944
HMS Stratagem (Lt. C.R. Pelly, DSC, RN) was docked in AFD 26 at Trincomalee. (14)

24 Jul 1944
HMS Stratagem (Lt. C.R. Pelly, DSC, RN) was undocked. (14)

25 Jul 1944
HMS Stratagem (Lt. C.R. Pelly, DSC, RN) was docked again in AFD 26 at Trincomalee. (14)

27 Jul 1944
HMS Stratagem (Lt. C.R. Pelly, DSC, RN) was undocked. (14)

27 Jul 1944
During 27/28 July 1944, the destroyers HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN), HMS Pathfinder (Lt.Cdr. T.F. Hallifax, RN) and HMS Redoubt (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Ropner, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee.

HMS Pathfinder returned to harbour during the night of 27/28 August. She rejoined the other two destroyers in the morning of the 28th.

During the afternoon of the 28th, A/S exercises were carried out with HMS Stratagem (Lt. C.R. Pelly, DSC, RN). (15)

28 Jul 1944
During 28 and 29 July 1944, HMS Stratagem (Lt. C.R. Pelly, DSC, RN) and HMS Thorough (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN), both conducted exercises off Trincomalee during which they made practice attacks on each other. Also practice attacks were made during which HMIS Pansy (Lt. R.G. Main, RINR) served as the target. These included night exercises. (14)

31 Jul 1944
HMS Stratagem (Lt. C.R. Pelly, DSC, RN) departed Trincomalee for her 4th war patrol (2nd in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol off the West coast of Siam. She was escorted out by HMS Maid Marion (T/Lt. F.R. Crawford, RNVR). (8)

31 Jul 1944
For the daily positions of HMS Stratagem during her 4th war patrol see the map below.

22 Aug 1944
HMS Stratagem (Lt. C.R. Pelly, DSC, RN) ended her 4th war patrol (2nd in the Far East) at Trincomalee. She was escorted in by HMS Maid Marion (T/Lt. F.R. Crawford, RNVR). (8)

12 Sep 1944
HMS Stratagem (Lt. A.R. Profit, DSC, RN) conducted trials and exercises off Trincomalee. (16)

13 Sep 1944
During 13 and 14 September 1944, HMS Stratagem (Lt. A.R. Profit, DSC, RN), conducted exercises off Trincomalee. Gunnery exercises were carried out on a target that was being towed by HMIS Pansy (Lt. R.G. Main, RINR). Then A/S exercises were carried out with HMIS Pansy, HMS Quilliam (Capt. R.G. Onslow, DSO and 2 Bars, RN) and HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN). These included night exercises. Early on the 14th an A/S exercise was carried out with HMIS Pansy, HMAS Nizam (Cdr. C.H. Brooks, RAN) and HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. N.W. Sluijter, RNethN). (16)

16 Sep 1944
For the daily positions of HMS Stratagem during her 5th war patrol see the map below.

16 Sep 1944
HMS Stratagem (Lt. A.R. Profit, DSC, RN) departed Trincomalee for her 5th war patrol (3rd in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol off the Andaman Islands. She was escorted out by HMS Maid Marion (T/Lt. F.R. Crawford, RNVR).

Lt. Profit was temporary in command of HMS Stratagem as Lt. Pelly was on leave. (8)

30 Sep 1944
HMS Stratagem (Lt. A.R. Profit, DSC, RN) bombarded buildings and warehouses on Great Coco Island.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1729 hours - Surfaced off Ford Bay, Great Coco Island and bombarded targets on the shore.

1735 hours - Dived and retired to seawards. (8)

5 Oct 1944
HMS Stratagem (Lt. A.R. Profit, DSC, RN) ended her 5th war patrol (3rd in the Far East) at Trincomalee. She was escorted in by HMS Maid Marion (T/Lt. F.R. Crawford, RNVR). (8)

10 Nov 1944
HMS Stratagem (Lt. C.R. Pelly, DSC, RN) departed Trincomalee for her 6th war patrol (4th in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol in the Malacca Strait. (8)

19 Nov 1944
HMS Stratagem (Lt. C.R. Pelly, DSC, RN) torpedoed and sank the Japanese tanker Nichinan Maru (1945 GRT, built 1943) in the Malacca Strait in position 01°36'N, 102°53'E.

This ship was in a convoy from Singapore to Pangkalan Susu, Sumatra with Shonan Maru (1029 GRT, built 1942), Ritsuei Maru (2901 GRT, built 1944), Shoei Maru (2854 GRT, built 1944) and Ayayuki Maru (2854 GRT, built 1944). Escort was provided by the minesweeper W-34.