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Notable events involving Spirit include:

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

This page was last updated in February 2020.

23 Oct 1943
Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) departed her builders yard at Birkenhead for Holy Loch. She was escorted by HMS Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.D. O'Driscoll, RNR). (1)

24 Oct 1943
Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) arrived at Holy Loch to begin a period of trials and training. (1)

25 Oct 1943
Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted speed trials on the Arran measured mile following which she was commissioned at Holy Loch. (1)

28 Oct 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (1)

29 Oct 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (1)

30 Oct 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (1)

31 Oct 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted echo sounding trials in Loch Long. (1)

2 Nov 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to the torpedo firing range at Arrochar. (2)

3 Nov 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (2)

4 Nov 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (2)

5 Nov 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (2)

6 Nov 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (2)

7 Nov 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (2)

8 Nov 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. On completion of these trials she proceeded to Holy Loch. (2)

9 Nov 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) A.L. Sanders, RN) served as target. (2)

10 Nov 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted S.T.U. (mine detection) and D/F trials off Fairlie. (2)

11 Nov 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted radar exercises off Campbeltown. On completion of these exercises she entered Campbeltown for evaluation. (2)

12 Nov 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Valena (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A. McKinlay, RNR) and HMS La Cordeliere (Lt.Cdr. A.J.G. Barff, RNR). On completion of these exercises HMS Spirit proceeded to Holy Loch. (2)

13 Nov 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted gunnery trials in the Clyde area. These were followed by attack exercises during which HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) A.L. Sanders, RN) served as target. (2)

14 Nov 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. These included a practice attack on HMS Philante (Capt. A.J. Baker-Cresswell, DSO, RN). (3)

15 Nov 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil. (2)

17 Nov 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted D/G trials off Helensburgh. (2)

18 Nov 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted D/G trials off Helensburgh. (2)

19 Nov 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) was docked in AFD 7 at Holy Loch. (2)

21 Nov 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) was undocked. (2)

22 Nov 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Campbeltown. (2)

23 Nov 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS St. Modwen (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Lycett, RD, RNR). (2)

25 Nov 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Shemara (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Buckle, RN). (2)

26 Nov 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Shemara (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Buckle, RN) and HMS St. Modwen (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Lycett, RD, RNR). (2)

27 Nov 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Shemara (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Buckle, RN) and HMS La Cordeliere (Lt.Cdr. A.J.G. Barff, RNR). (2)

28 Nov 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Shemara (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Buckle, RN) and HMS La Cordeliere (Lt.Cdr. A.J.G. Barff, RNR). (2)

29 Nov 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS St. Modwen (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Lycett, RD, RNR) and HMS Spaniel. (2)

30 Nov 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS St. Modwen (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Lycett, RD, RNR) and HMS Radiant (T/Lt. C.S.R. Shapland, RNVR). (2)

1 Dec 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) shifted from Campbeltown to Holy Loch. (3)

4 Dec 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) A.L. Sanders, RN) served as target. These were followed by gunnery exercises on a target that was being towed by HMS Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.D. O'Driscoll, RNR). (3)

5 Dec 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) shifted from the Clyde area to Larne. (3)

7 Dec 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted attack exercises off Larne with HMS Philante (Capt. A.J. Baker-Cresswell, DSO, RN) and a dummy convoy. (3)

8 Dec 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Larne. (3)

10 Dec 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with an Escort Group. These included night exercises. (3)

11 Dec 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. These included a practice attack on HMS Philante (Capt. A.J. Baker-Cresswell, DSO, RN). (3)

12 Dec 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HMS Petunia (Lt. R.M. Roberts, RNR). (3)

13 Dec 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Larne. (3)

15 Dec 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HMS Hesperus (Cdr. D.G.F.W. MacIntyre, DSO and 2 Bars, RN). (3)

16 Dec 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with USS Butler (T/Cdr. M.D. Matthews, USN), USS Doran (T/Cdr. N.E. Smith, USN) and USS Gherardi (T/Cdr. N.R. Curtin, USN). (3)

18 Dec 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HMS Domett (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S. Gordon, RNVR). (3)

20 Dec 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) and Pipinos (Lt.Cdr. Rallis) both shifted from Larne to Holy Loch. (3)

22 Dec 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. These included a practice attack on HMS Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.D. O'Driscoll, RNR) and gunnery exercises on a target that was towed by the same vessel. (3)

23 Dec 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) and HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout Van Hooff, RNN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area during which they served as targets for each other. (3)

24 Dec 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Vindex (Capt. H.T.T. Bayliss, RN) served as target. (3)

26 Dec 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted A/S exercises in the Clyde area with aicraft from HMS Vindex (Capt. H.T.T. Bayliss, RN). These also included night exercises. Also a practice attack was made on HMS Vindex. (3)

27 Dec 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) proceeded to Larne on completion of last night's exercises. (3)

29 Dec 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lanre with HNoMS Eglantine, HMS Vervain (T/Lt. R.A. Howell, RNVR), HMS Fame (Cdr. R.A. Currie, RN) and HMS Deveron (Lt.Cdr. R.E.H. Partington, RD, RNR). (3)

30 Dec 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lanre with HMS Vanquisher (A/Lt.Cdr. F.M. Osborne, DSC, RANVR), HMS Vervain (T/Lt. R.A. Howell, RNVR), HMS Deveron (Lt.Cdr. R.E.H. Partington, RD, RNR) and HNoMS Eglantine. (3)

31 Dec 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with an Escort Group. (3)

31 Dec 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with an Escort Group. (3)

3 Jan 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with an Escort Group. (4)

5 Jan 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with ML's. (4)

6 Jan 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) shifted from Larne to Holy Loch. She was escorted by HMS ML 229 (T/Lt. W.C.R. Walsh, RNVR). (4)

17 Jan 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) departed Holy Loch for Lerwick. She was escorted by HMS Sardonyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne DSC, RNVR). (4)

19 Jan 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) arrived at Lerwick. She departed for her 1st war patrol later the same day. This was a work up patrol in the Norwegian Sea.

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

(5)

2 Feb 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Lerwick. She departed for Holy Loch later the same day. During the passage she was escorted by HMS Rhododendron (Lt. O.B. Medley, RNVR). (5)

4 Feb 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (6)

14 Feb 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted D/G trials off Helensburgh. (6)

20 Feb 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil. (6)

21 Feb 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) arrived at Ardrossan for a battery change. (6)

6 Mar 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) shifted from Ardrossan to Holy Loch. (7)

24 Mar 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) was docked in AFD 7 at Holy Loch. (7)

26 Mar 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) was undocked. (7)

27 Mar 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. These were followed by a vacuum test and with night radar tracking exercises. (7)

28 Mar 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) proceeded to Holy Loch on completion of last night's exercises. (7)

29 Mar 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) was docked in AFD 7 at Holy Loch. (7)

30 Mar 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) was undocked. She departed Holy Loch for passage to the Far East later the same day. The first leg of this trip was to Gibraltar.

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

(5)

3 Apr 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) was ordered to take up a patrol position off Vigo, Spain. This made the passage to Gibraltar her 2nd war patrol. (5)

14 Apr 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (5)

18 Apr 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) departed Gibraltar for Malta.

She made the passage together with HMS Sickle (Lt. J.R. Drummond, DSC, RN) and HMS Stratagem (Lt. C.R. Pelly, DSC, RN). The submarines made the passage to Malta in convoy USG 38.

For the daily positions of HMS Spirit during the passage to the Far East see the map below.

(8)

23 Apr 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) arrived at Malta. (8)

26 Apr 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) departed Malta for Port Said. (8)

1 May 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) arrived at Port Said. (9)

6 May 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) transited the Suez Canal. (9)

7 May 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) departed Suez for Aden. (9)

14 May 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) arrived at Aden. (9)

16 May 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) departed Aden for Colombo. (9)

25 May 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) arrived at Colombo. (9)

28 May 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) departed Colombo for Trincomalee. (9)

1 Jun 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) arrived at Trincomalee. (10)

4 Jun 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted A/S exercises with off Trinocomalee together with HMS Lossie (Lt.Cdr. A.F. MacFie, OBE, RNR). (10)

5 Jun 1944
During the night of 5 to 6 June 1944, HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN), conducted exercises off Trincomalee. These included A/S exercises together with HMIS Godavari (A/Cdr. A.B. Goord, RIN) and night exercises. (10)

18 Jun 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) was docked in AFD 26 at Trincomalee. (10)

20 Jun 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) was undocked. (10)

23 Jun 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) departed Trincomalee for her 3rd war patrol (1st in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol North of Sumatra. She was escorted out by the Italian sloop Eritrea. (5)

23 Jun 1944

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Spirit during her 3rd war patrol see the map below.

29 Jun 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) engaged a group of Japanese landing craft with gunfire off the North Coast of Sumatra in position 05°15'N, 96°32'E. Due to accurate return fire the action had to be broken off.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1725 hours -In position 05°15'N, 96°32'E sighted two landing craft. Enemy course 090°, speed 6 knots.

1800 hours - Observed that both landing craft were towing one other landing craft each.

1823 hours - Surfaced for gun action. Engaged the nearest towing vessel from 3500 yards. After three rounds had been fired the enemy return fire came very near and the action had to be broken off.

1826 hours - Dived. Went deep and retired to the North. (5)

4 Jul 1944
While patrolling of Sabang, HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN), was detected. She was hunted by a submarine chaser and several aircraft. At 1833 hours (zone -6.5) the submarine chaser dropped two depth charges but these did no damage. (5)

9 Jul 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) damaged or sank a small Japanese tanker with gunfire off Ulee Lhoe, Northern Sumatra.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0905 hours - Sighted a small ship coming out of Ulee Lhoe anchorage and coming straight towards. Shortly afterwards it was seen to be a small tanker of about 400 tons. Enemy course was 050°, speed 8 knots.

0942 hours - Surfaced for gun action in position 05°38'N, 95°18'E. Range was 3000 yards. Soon the target was in flames from stem to stern.

0947 hours - Dived for an aircraft.

1044 hours - Sighted the target for the last time. She was still on fire and was listing to starboard. (5)

15 Jul 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol (1st in the Far East) at Trincomalee. She was escorted in by the Italian sloop Eritrea. On arriving in harbour noise trials were carried out. (5)

26 Jul 1944
While at Trincomalee HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) had a small fire in No.1 battery. (11)

28 Jul 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) departed Trincomalee for Colombo. At Colombo repairs will be made to her damaged battery. She was escorted by the Italian sloop Eritrea. (11)

30 Jul 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) arrived at Colombo. (11)

1 Aug 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) was docked in the inner dock at Colombo. (12)

10 Aug 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) was undocked. (12)

26 Aug 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) departed Colombo for Trincomalee. (12)

28 Aug 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) arrived at Trincomalee. She was escorted in by HMS Maid Marion (T/Lt. F.R. Crawford, RNVR). (12)

29 Aug 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. The included a practice attack on HMS Renown (Capt. B.C.B. Brooke, RN). (12)

31 Aug 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee with HMS Maid Marion (T/Lt. L.C. Cockrell, RNR). (12)

2 Sep 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, 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. L.C. Cockrell, RNR). (5)

2 Sep 1944

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Spirit during her 4th war patrol see the map below.

14 Sep 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) sank three junks with gunfire off the west coast of Siam.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1333 hours - Surfaced in position 06°47'N, 99°35'E for gun action. Sank the largest three junks, taking two prisoners.

0417 hours - Dived. (5)

14 Sep 1944

Operation Light.

Carrier raid against the railway repair and maintenance centre at Sigli, Sumatra, Netherlands East Indies by ships of the Eastern Fleet.

Around 1200FG/14, ships from the Eastern Fleet put to sea from Trincomalee, Ceylon. This was ' Force 63 ' which was made up of the following ships; battleship HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN), aircraft carriers HMS Victorious (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, CBE, RN), HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C. Moody, CB, RN), heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland (Capt. P.K. Enright, RN), light cruiser HMS Kenya (Capt. C.L. Robertson, RN) and the destroyers HMS Rotherham (Capt. H.W. Biggs, DSO, RN), HMS Racehorse (Cdr. J.J. Casement, DSC, RN), HMS Raider (Lt.Cdr. K.W. Michell, DSC, RN), HMS Rapid (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Redoubt (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Ropner, DSO, RN), HMS Relentless (Lt.Cdr. R.A. Fell, RN) and HMS Rocket (Lt.Cdr. H.B. Acworth, OBE, RN) departed Trincomalee for operation Light.

On the 18th the target area was attacked by aircraft from the carrier. Some hits were reported in the target area but the raid did not inflict much damage. One Barracuda aircraft was lost but the crew of three was picked up by the submarine HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN).

' Force 63 ' returned to Trincomalee shortly before noon on the 20th.

18 Sep 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted Air/Sea rescue duties during Allied air strikes on Sigli. They succesfully picked up an aircrew of three from a ditched Barracuda aircraft. (5)

19 Sep 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) sank a junk with gunfire off Car Nicobar Island.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1205 hours - Sighted a large junk at anchor in a small bay just North of Campbell Bay (near position 07°02'N, 93°55'E). Closed to attack.

1250 hours - Surfaced and opened fire from 2000 yards.

1304 hours - The junk sank. Dived and proceeded Southwards. (5)

24 Sep 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) ended her 4th war patrol (2nd in the Far East) at Trincomalee. She was escorted in by HMIS Pansy (Lt. R.G. Main, RINR). (5)

27 Sep 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) was docked in AFD 26 at Trincomalee. (13)

30 Sep 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) was undocked. (13)

12 Oct 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.A. Catlow, RN) was docked in AFD 26 at Trincomalee. (14)

24 Oct 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.A. Catlow, RN) was undocked. (14)

26 Oct 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.A. Catlow, RN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee with HMS Lewes (T/Lt. M.H. Grylls, SANF(V)). Also two practice attacks were made on HMS Suffolk (Capt. D. Gilmour, RN) and HMS Cumberland (Capt. P.K. Enright, RN). (14)

27 Oct 1944
During 27 and 28 October 1944, HMS Spirit (Lt. A.A. Catlow, RN), conducted exercises off Trincomalee with HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C. Moody, CB, RN), HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.T.C. Walker, CB, RN) (27 October only), HMS Cumberland (Capt. P.K. Enright, RN) (27 October only), HMS Lewes (T/Lt. M.H. Grylls, SANF(V)), HMS Whelp (Cdr. G.A.F. Norfolk, RN), HMS Wager (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Watkin, RN), HMS Wakeful (Lt.Cdr. G.D. Pound, DSC, RN), HMS Wessex (Lt.Cdr. R. Horncastle, RN) and HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN). (14)

30 Oct 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.A. Catlow, RN) departed Trincomalee for her 5th war patrol (3rd in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol off the Andaman Islands (Port Blair area).

Lt. Catlow was temporary in command of HMS Spirit as Lt. Langridge was sick.

HMS Spirit was escorted out by HMIS Pansy (A/Lt.Cdr. R.G. Main, RINR). (5)

30 Oct 1944

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

2 Nov 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.A. Catlow, RN) was ordered to participate in Air/Sea rescue duties. These lasted until 9 November. (5)

12 Nov 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.A. Catlow, RN) possibly sinks a small Japanese tanker off Car Nicobar Island.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1100 hours - In position 09°20'N, 92°46'E sighted masts of two ships bearing 130° about 12 nautical miles away. Estimated the course of the enemy as 235°.

0845 hours - Commenced manouvering around the minefield to the North-East of Sawi Bay at high speed.

1145 hours - Sighted that the masts were of a merchant ship and an escort vessel that were laying off anchor of Malacca, Car Nicobar Island. The merchant vessel was later seen to be a coastal tanker.

1243 hours - In position 09°11'5"N, 92°50'5"E fired two torpedoes at the tanker from 1500 yards. As Spirit had been detected by the escort vessel she had to go deep on firing. During the attack the escort vessel came toward at speed. There was just enough time to fire the torpedoes. Two torpedo explosions were heard but the results could not be observed. A counter attack of 15 depth charges followed, 13 of these were very close.

1423 hours - Returned to periscope depth. Observed the escort vessel proceeding Northwards and close inshore. The merchant vessel was not sighted. (5)

13 Nov 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.A. Catlow, RN) engaged and damaged a Japanese escort vessel about 15 nautical miles North-North-East of Car Nicobar Island. As the gun jammed the action had to be broken off.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0915 hours - In position 09°30'N, 92°53'E sighted mast and radar aerial of what looked like the same escort vessel as yesterday bearing 180°. Enemy course was 310°. decided to attack to 'get even' (see yesterday).

1012 hours - Surfaced in position 09°30'N, 92°52'E and started to close the target. Range was 9000 yards.

1025 hours - Opened fire from a range of 7500 yards.

1038 hours - The gun jammed. One hit had been obtained and possible three more. The enemy was on fire and his forward gun was out of action.

1039 hours - As the gun could not be cleared dived in position 09°31'N, 92°48'E. The enemy did not counter attacked and was most likely out of depth charges (as Lt. Catlow had thought). (5)

20 Nov 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.A. Catlow, RN) ended her 5th war patrol (3rd in the Far East) at Trincomalee. She was escorted in by HMIS Pansy (A/Lt.Cdr. R.G. Main, RINR). (5)

22 Nov 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) was docked in AFD 26 at Trincomalee. (15)

23 Nov 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) was undocked. (15)

26 Nov 1944

For the daily positions of HMS Spirit during the passage from Trincomalee to Fremantle see the map below.

26 Nov 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) departed Trincomalee for Fremantle, Australia. She was escorted out by HMIS Pansy (A/Lt.Cdr. R.G. Main, RINR). (15)

9 Dec 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) arrived at Fremantle, Australia. (16)

17 Dec 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) was put on the slipway at Fremantle. (16)

18 Dec 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) was put back in the water. (16)

27 Dec 1944
During 27 and 28 December 1944, HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN), conducted exercises off Fremantle with HMAS Dubbo (T/Lt. F.W. Roberts, RANR(S)). These included night exercises. (16)

31 Dec 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) departed Fremantle for her 6th war patrol (4th in the Far East and 1st in the South-West Pacific area). She was ordered to patrol in the Java Sea.

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

(5)

4 Jan 1945
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) topped off with fuel and provisions at Exmouth Gulf. She continued the passage to her patrol area later the same day. (5)

8 Jan 1945
During the evening HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) passed Lombok Strait Northbound. (5)

22 Jan 1945
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) sank the Japanese Ryushin Maru with gunfire in the Java Sea in position 06°20'S, 110°41'E. She also sank another small Japanese vessel.

(All times are zone -8)
0855 hours - In position 06°22'S, 110°43'E sighted masts bearing 034°. Altered course and closed at speed. During the run in it was seen that the vessel was a small grey painted coaster with a suspicious white canvas screen aft. Enemy course was 270°, speed 8 knots.

0952 hours - Surfaced in position 06°20'S, 110°41'E and opened fire from 4000 yards. Hits were soon obtained. The enemy had opened fire with a machine gun but this stopped after the first hit. In 10 minutes the target was a shambles but refused to sink. Proceeded alongside and placed a demolition charge. It was now seen that the canvas screen concealed a Bofors gun. There was a machine gun on the forecastle, two depth charges aft and the ship was fitted with W/T. It appeared this vessel was a 'Q-ship'. The crew were Japanese and refused to be rescued.

1017 hours - Spirit was clear by now when the charge exploded and the vessel sank. A second target had now been sighted and Spirit proceeded towards this new target at full speed.

1039 hours - In position 06°21'S, 110°49'E opened fire from 4000 yards. A hit was obtained with the 3rd round. The target was soon on fire and sank at 1119 hours. (5)

27 Jan 1945
During the evening HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) passed Lombok Strait Southbound. (5)

31 Jan 1945
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) topped off with fuel and provisions. She departed later the same day to continue the passage to Fremantle. (5)

3 Feb 1945
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) ended her 6th war patrol (4th in the Far East and 1st in the South-West Pacific area) at Fremantle. (5)

20 Feb 1945
During 20 and 21 February 1945, HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN), conducted exercises off Fremantle with HMAS Kiama (T/Lt. S.J. Benson, RANR(S)). These included night exercises. (17)

23 Feb 1945
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) departed Fremantle for her 7th war patrol (5th in the Far East and 2nd in the South-West Pacific area). She was ordered to patrol in the Java Sea.

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

(5)

27 Feb 1945
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) topped off with fuel and provisions at Exmouth Gulf. She continued the passage to her patrol area later the same day. (5)

3 Mar 1945
During the afternoon HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) passed Lombok Strait Northbound. (5)

14 Mar 1945
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) sank a coaster with gunfire off Massalambo Island in the Java Sea. Later she attacked a small merchant vessel and a sea truck with torpedoes but no torpedo hits were obtained.

(All times are zone -8)
0702 hours - Sighted masts off the Eastern edge of Massalambo Island. Closed to investigate.

0725 hours - Dived in position 05°40'S, 114°22'E.

0736 hours - Surfaced under the cover of a rain squall to close.

0743 hours - Had to dive again. The masts were now identified as belonging to a number of schooners and one fairly large coaster. Closed the coaster which proved to be at anchor off the North-East point of the Island.

1049 hours - In position 05°35'S, 114°28'E fired one torpedo from 1500 yards. The torpedo was observed to run underneath the target. No explosion was heard.

1052 hours - Surfaced for gun action. Range was 1000 yards. The first hit was obtained by the 2nd round.

1104 hours - The target was now ablaze. About 40 Japanese were seen swimming in the water. Most declined to be rescued but 2 were taken on board.

1237 hours - Dived for an aircraft in position 05°36'S, 114°28'E. Maintained a diving patrol South of the Island.

1552 hours - In position 05°39'S, 114°24'E sighted a small merchant vessel of about 1200 tons bearing 235°, range 10000 yards. She was escorted by a 'Jake' aircraft. Started attack. As the attack developed it was found that the range could not be closed.

1625 hours - The target was seen to have stopped off the Eastern edge of the Island. Closed at speed.

1700 hours - The target was still in sight, apparently stopped. On bearing 235° a large sea truck escorted by a trawler hove into view coming straight towards.

1740 hours - The sea truck and escort stopped off the Island. The 1200 tons merchant vessel now had gone close inshore. Closed to attack. The sea truck shortly afterwards anchored close astern of the merchant vessel

1857 hours - From position 05°35'S, 114°27'E fired 5 torpedoes from 700 to 1800 yards at the merchant vessel and the sea truck. One torpedo ran to the right, one to the left, two ran under and one could not be observed.

1902 hours - Altered course to clear the land.

1915 hours - Surfaced in position 05°35'S, 114°29'E. Shortly afterwards Spirit was detected by the escort vessel and taken under fire.

1924 hours - Dived.

1926 hours - Two depth charges were dropped which were fairly close and caused minor damage. No further depth charges were dropped. The escort remained in the area for just over half an hour. (5)

27 Mar 1945
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) ended her 7th war patrol (5th in the Far East and 2nd in the South-West Pacific area) at Fremantle. (5)

3 Apr 1945
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) was put on the slipway at Fremantle. (18)

4 Apr 1945
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) was put back in the water. (18)

15 Apr 1945
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) departed Fremantle for Trincomalee. This was the first leg of the trip back to the U.K. where she was to refit.

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

(18)

26 Apr 1945
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) arrived at Trincomalee. (18)

29 Apr 1945
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) departed Trincomalee for Aden. (18)

8 May 1945
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) arrived at Aden. (19)

10 May 1945
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) departed Aden for Ismalia. (19)

15 May 1945
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) arrived at Ismalia. (19)

16 May 1945
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) transited the Suez Canal and arrived at Port Said. (19)

19 May 1945
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) departed Port Said for Malta. (19)

23 May 1945
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) arrived at Malta. (19)

24 May 1945
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) departed Malta for Gibraltar. (19)

28 May 1945
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (19)

30 May 1945
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) departed Gibraltar for Portsmouth. (19)

3 Jun 1945
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) arrived at Portsmouth. (20)

4 Jul 1945
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) departed Portsmouth for Blyth where she was to refit. (21)

6 Jul 1945
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) arrived at Blyth. (21)

14 Jul 1945
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) started her refit at Blyth. (21)