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Notable events involving Trooper include:

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

This page was last updated in October 2024.

29 Aug 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) proceeded from her builders yard at Greenock to Holy Loch. She then commenced a period of trials and training. (1)

31 Aug 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (1)

1 Sep 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (2)

2 Sep 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (2)

3 Sep 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (2)

7 Sep 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Arrochar for her torpedo discharge trials. (2)

8 Sep 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (2)

9 Sep 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (2)

10 Sep 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (2)

11 Sep 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (2)

12 Sep 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (2)

14 Sep 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (2)

15 Sep 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (2)

16 Sep 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (2)

17 Sep 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) completed her torpedo discharge trials and returned to Holy Loch. (2)

18 Sep 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Kames Bay where she was immediately docked in AFD 7. (2)

19 Sep 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) was undocked at Kames Bay and immediately returned to Holy Loch. (2)

20 Sep 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. These included night exercises. (2)

21 Sep 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (2)

23 Sep 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN) serving as the target. (2)

24 Sep 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS La Cordeliere (Lt.Cdr. A.J.G. Barff, RNR) serving as the target. These were followed by gunnery exercises on a target towed by HMS Z 5 (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S.T. Wenlock, RNR). (2)

27 Sep 1942
After trails and training HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) returns to her builder for alterations and additions. This will enable her to carry containers for Chariot human torpedoes. (2)

28 Sep 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) was docked at Greenock. (2)

5 Oct 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) was undocked. (3)

28 Oct 1942
With her modifications completed HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) proceeded from Greenock to Holy Loch. (3)

29 Oct 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises and trials in the Clyde area. (3)

5 Nov 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Holy Loch for the secret base of Port H.H.Z. (at Loch Cairnbawn) where she arrived the next day. Here she will take on board her Chariot human torpedoes.

Passage was made together with HMS P 216 (Lt. A.R. Daniell, DSC, RN) and HMS P 312 (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Favell, RN) that were both en-route to Lerwick. They were escorted by HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Dobson, RNR). (4)

6 Nov 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Port H.H.Z. (5)

12 Nov 1942
Around 1700A/12, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Port H.H.Z. bound for Malta. She was ordered not to stop at Gibraltar so not to alert the German and Italian spies stationed in 'neutral' Spain on the Chariot containers on her deck.

Passage south through the Irish sea was made together with HMS P 311 (Cdr. R.D. Cayley, DSO and 2 Bars, RN). They were escorted by HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Dobson, RNR).

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

(6)

23 Nov 1942
During the night of 23/24 November 1942, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN), crosses the Straits of Gibraltar escorted by HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN). (6)

2 Dec 1942
Around 1345A/2, HMS Rorqual (Lt.Cdr. L.W. Napier, RN) and HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Malta. They had been escorted in by HMS Hebe (Lt.Cdr. G. Mowatt, RD, RNR). (7)

29 Dec 1942
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Malta for her 1st war patrol. She is to launch Chariot human torpedoes to attack shipping in Palermo harbour (Operation Principal). (6)

2 Jan 1943
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) launches three Chariots off Palermo, Sicily, Italy. HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN) carries out a simultaneous attack.

Chariot XVI (Sub.Lt. R.G. Dove, RNVR and Leading Seaman J. Freel) managed to enter the harbour and mine and damage the Italian troop transport Viminale. They were later captured by the Italians.

Chariot IXX (T.Lt. H.F. Cook, RNVR and Able Seaman Worthy). T/Lt Cook drowned when his suit was torn getting through the boom defence nets defending the harbour, but Able Seaman Worthy drove the Chariot ashore and blew it up prior to being captured himself.

Chariot XXIII (Sub.Lt. H.L.H Stevens, RNVR and Leading Seaman Carter) had to abandon the attack due to mechanical failure and her crew was picked up by HMS P 46 (6)

7 Jan 1943
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Malta. Here the Chariot containers are removed before she departed from on her next patrol. (6)

3 Feb 1943
HMS Trooper (Lt. R.P. Webb, RN) departed from Malta for her 2nd war patrol. She is to patrol off the West coast of Greece. She was escorted out by HMS Hebe (Lt.Cdr. G. Mowatt, RNR).

Lt. Webb was temporarily in command of HMS Trooper as Lt. Wraith was sick.

Before proceeding on patrol A/S exercises were carried out with HMS Speedy (Lt. J.G. Brookes, RN) and HMS Hebe. (6)

3 Feb 1943
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Trooper during her 2nd war patrol see the map below.

6 Feb 1943
At 1230A/6, HMS Trooper (Lt. R.P. Webb, RN) sighted a small steam vessel of about 100 tons enter Argostoli. It was not attacked. (6)

7 Feb 1943
At 0755A/7, HMS Trooper (Lt. R.P. Webb, RN) two small sailing vessels were sighted off Cape Dukato. They were not attacked.

At 2037A/7, Capt. S 10's signal timed 1819A/7 was received ordering her to keep south of 39°20'N for the night. (6)

8 Feb 1943
At 0710A/8, HMS Trooper (Lt. R.P. Webb, RN) the same two small sailing vessels as the day before were sighted off Cape Dukato. Again they were not attacked. (6)

9 Feb 1943
At 0835A/9, HMS Trooper (Lt. R.P. Webb, RN) the 'usual' two small sailing vessels were sighted off Cape Dukato. They were seen to be armed with a small gun forward and to be flying the Italian ensign. Again they were not attacked so a not to give the submarines position away.

At 1130A/9, the Italian hospital ship Principessa Giovanna (8389 GRT, built 1923) was sighted which was, off course, not attacked. The hospital ship subsequently rounded Cape Dukato.

After surfacing around 1855A/9, HMS Trooper set course to patrol further to the north. (6)

11 Feb 1943
At 0930A/9, HMS Trooper (Lt. R.P. Webb, RN) set course to return to the Cape Dukato area. (6)

13 Feb 1943
At 0800A/13, HMS Trooper (Lt. R.P. Webb, RN) the 'usual' two small sailing vessels were sighted close inshore near Cape Dukato. Again they were not attacked.

After surfacing at 1853A/13, course was set to patrol further to the north again. (6)

14 Feb 1943
HMS Trooper (Lt. R.P. Webb, RN) makes a torpedo attack on the Italian transport Rosandra (8034 GRT, built 1921) in position 39°06'N, 20°29'E. Six torpedoes were fired but no hits were obtained. The Italians reported evading two torepdoes. The escort was the torpedo boat Rosolino Pilo.

On surfacing at 2008A/14, HMS Trooper proceeded southwards to change patrol position and vacate the area of the attack.

1151A/14 - Heard HE bearing 345° and sighted a 4000 tons merchant vessel escorted by a 3-funnel torpedo boat, probably and Abba-class vessel. Course was 118°, distance about 4 nautical miles. Closed to attack. Two aircraft were also seen patrolling ahead of the convoy.

1210A/14 - Fired 6 torpedoes from 4300 yards.

1214A/14 - Head one loud explosion and another one about a minute later. Possibly a hit.

1216A/14 - Heard the torpedo boat speed up.

1220A/14 - Three depth charges were dropped.

1221 hours - Three torpedoes were heard to explode on the shore.

1222 to 1242A/14 - Thirty depth charges were dropped but none close.

1300A/14 - Heard the HE of the torpedo boat fade away bearing 094°.

1312A/14 - Came to periscope depth, nothing in sight except a large column of black smoke in the direction of Prevenza. (6)

15 Feb 1943
At 1844A/15, HMS Trooper (Lt. R.P. Webb, RN), which had patrolled near Argostoli the entire day, surfaced and left patrol to return to Malta. (6)

18 Feb 1943
Around 1100A/18, HMS Trooper (Lt. R.P. Webb, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Malta.

She was escorted in by HMS Hebe (Lt.Cdr. G. Mowatt, RNR) which had joined her around 0830A/18. (6)

4 Mar 1943
Around 1300A/4, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Malta for her 3rd war patrol. She is to patrol in the Tyrrhenian Sea to the north of Messina and the approaches to Naples.

[No log is available for this period and the patrol report also holds no noon positions, therefore it is not possible to create a map of this patrol.] (6)

6 Mar 1943
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) is warned (in a signal timed 1134A/6, from Capt. S 8) about a convoy to the North-West of her. In the afternoon she is able to sight this convoy about 8 nautical miles away despite the rain (no position given in the patrol report but most likely well to the north-east of Ustica). HMS Trooper tries to get into an attack position but is unable to do so, the range is just to great and the convoy slips by.

The convoy HMS Trooper was ordered to try to intercept was made up of the transports Ines Corrado (8016 GRT, built 1942), Balzac (German (former French and before that British), 1947 GRT, built 1928) and Henri Estier (German (former French), 1984 GRT, built 1930). They had departed Naples during the night for Bizerta / Tunis and were escorted by the Italian torpedo boats Groppo, Ardito, Cigno and Orione. (6)

10 Mar 1943
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian tanker Rosario (5468 GRT, built 1918) 4 nautical miles bearing 040° of Capo Milazzo.

The convoy was made up of the above mentioned tanker as well as the Italian transport Todi (4999 GRT, built 1921, former French Rabelais). Escort was provided by Italian torpedo boat Libra and the German auxiliary submarine chasers UJ 2201, UJ 2202, UJ 2203, UJ 2204 and UJ 2210.
Italian torpedo boat Giuseppe Dezza had also been part of the escort but she had been detached earlier to escort another tanker.
After the attack UJ 2203 and UJ 2210 hunted the attacker.

1520A/10 - Sighted four aircraft circling to the east.

1545A/10 - Heard Asdic impulses bearing 070°.

1550A/10 - Sighted smoke bearing 070°. Commenced attack.

1615A/10 - Visibility improved to the eastward and six ships were sighted coming towards but they could not be made out.

1620A/10 - Heavy rain commenced and nothing could be seen for the next 25 minutes. Asdic impulses and HE however grew louder. The convoy was thought to be on a course of 250° to pass between Cape Milazzo and Isola Vulcano.

1645A/10 - It stopped raining and the convoy was sighted again. The convoy did not appear to be formed up properly.

1654A/10 - Fired four torpedoes against a 3000 ton merchant vessel from 1500 yards. Two explosions were heard at the correct running range. Two minutes later a fairly accurate depth charge attack followed resulting in some minor damage. A hunt by two Asdic fitted ships followed in which 57 depth charges were dropped. Trooper managed to creep away to the North. (6)

11 Mar 1943
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) patrolled off Cape Bonifati during the day but in a signal timed 1208A/11, Capt. S 8 ordered her to patrol off Cape Milazzo or north of Messina. On surfacing after the days patrol course was set to the southwards accordingly. (6)

12 Mar 1943
While patrolling north of Messina during the day HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) found the area to be patrolled by three A/S trawlers. These were evaded. (6)

13 Mar 1943
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) was now patrolling off Cape Milazzo. Around 1500A/13, a destroyer or torpedo boat was seen proceeding eastwards towards Messina at 18 knots. She was zigzagging and was not attacked.

At 1600A/13, a signal was received from Capt. S 8 timed 1230A/13, ordering Trooper to patrol north of 39°30'N and east of 13°30'E. Course was set accordingly at 2030A/13 after having surfaced. (6)

15 Mar 1943
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) fires four torpedoes against the transport Belluno (Italian (former Danish Fort de France), 4279 GRT, built 1935) about 30 nautical miles south of Capri, Italy. All torpedoes fired however missed their target. The Belluno was in a convoy en route from Tunisia (Tunis and Bizerta) to Naples which was made up besides the above mention According to Italian sources this convoy consisted of the above mentioned Belluno, of the transports Fabriano (Italian, 2809 GRT, built 1909), Caterina Costa (Italian, 8060 GRT, built 1942) and Pierre Claude (German (former Danish), 1794 GRT, built 1934) escorted by Italian torpedo-boats Clio, Orione, Pegaso and Sagittario.

2037A/15 - Sighted dark shapes to the Eastward proceeding towards Naples. At least five dark objects were sighted. The second of the shapes was a rather large ship, it was chosen as the target.

2046A/15 - Fired four torpedoes at the largest ship. range was about four nautical miles.

2048A/15 - Dived and turned away. Two explosions were heard thought to be hits on the target. No depth charges were dropped after the attack. (6)

17 Mar 1943
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) torpedoed and sank the transport Forli (Italian (former French Sebaa), 1525 GRT, built 1904) about 15 to 20 nautical miles South of Capri, Italy in position 40°16'N, 14°15'E.

The convoy attacked was made up of the above mentioned Forli as well as Potenza (Italian (former French Auvergne), 2114 GRT, built 1921), Ferrara (Italian (former French Tourquenois), 2993 GRT, built 1909) and Teramo (German (former French Marie-Therese Le Borgne), 1599 GRT, built 1920). Escort was provided by the Italian torpedo-boats Libra, Sirio and Cigno. The convoy was on passage from Palermo to Naples. Following this attack Sirio dropped five depth charges.

1110A/17 - Sighted three aircraft and smoke to the South-West. Started attack.

1135A/17 - The convoy was seen to consist of four transports and three destroyers. The transports were in two columns with one destroyer ahead and one on each quarter.

1211A/17 - Fired three torpedoes at the leading transport of the starboard column. Swung to port and fired three more torpedoes but now at the second transport of the same column. Range was about 5000 yards. Three explosions were heard. Lt. Wraith thought he had hit both target and possible one of the escorting destroyers.

Trooper was counter attacked by one of the escorts. Twenty-two depth charges were dropped over a long period of time. The hunt prevented Lt. Wraith to come to periscope depth to see what damage he had done. (6)

18 Mar 1943
At 1920A/18, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) surfaced after a days submerged patrol and then left her patrol area for Algiers as instructed in Capt. S 8's signal timed 1640A/17. (6)

22 Mar 1943
At 0900A/22, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol at Algiers. She was escorted in by HMS Ronaldsay (T/Lt. A. Stirling, RNR) which had joined her at 0645A/22. (6)

5 Apr 1943
Around 1830A/5, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Algiers for her 4th war patrol. She is to patrol off the North coast of Sicily.

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

(6)

12 Apr 1943
At 2344A/12, when in position 340° - Alicudi Island - 26 nautical miles, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) sighted a destroyer slowly approching from the westwards. It is thought she may have detected the submarine by radar. After Trooper dived the enemy carried out an A/S hunt for 1.5 hours after which the destroyer disappeared to the northward. No depth charges were dropped. (8)

14 Apr 1943
At 0830A/14, when in approximate 39°26'N, 13°13'E, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) sighted five destroyers approaching from the north at 18 knots. They were zigzagging and were pinging and were clearly on an A/S hunt. HMS Trooper took avoiding action. By 0910A/14 they were all out of sight.

At 1000A/14, two destroyers were sighted coming from the south. Both were heard to be pinging about four miles apart. HMS Trooper again took avoiding action.

At 1106A/14, the destroyers turned and proceeded southwards. It was thought that HMS Trooper had been sighted from the air and that these two destroyers were ordered to turn back and search for the submarine. They had dropped no depth charges during their hunt. (6)

16 Apr 1943
At 2200A/12, when in approximate position 39°30'N, 13°05'E, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) sighted a southbound destroyer to the westward of her. (6)

19 Apr 1943
At 1700A/19, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) received a signal from Capt. S.8 timed 1532A/19, ordering her to patrol on the Naples - Messina route for a possible interception of the Italian main battlefleet. HMS Trooper was in position by 2350A/19. (6)

20 Apr 1943
At 2045A/20, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) received a signal from Capt. S.8 timed 1116A/20, ordering her to leave patrol and return to Algiers. (6)

25 Apr 1943
At 0815A/25, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 4th war patrol at Algiers. She had met HMS Coriolanus (T/Lt. N. Hunt, RNVR) at 0615A/25 which then escorted her in. (6)

11 May 1943
At 1830A/11, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Algiers for Malta.

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

(9)

17 May 1943
At 1115B/17, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Malta. She had been escorted in by a minesweeper (identity not given) which she had met at 0830B/17. (9)

22 May 1943
At 1700B/22, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Malta for her 5th war patrol. She is to patrol Along the West coast of Greece and in the Adriatic. She is also to perform two special operations.

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

(6)

25 May 1943
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) carries out special operation 'Entertain' off Zakinthos Island. At 2130 hours folbots with commandos were launched. They were to land on Zante as a diversion to operation 'Husky'.(Operation 'Entertain' was part of plan 'Barclay'). (6)

30 May 1943
At 2215 hours HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) carries out special operation 'Tiger' off Vieste, Italy in which Commandos were landed. They were recovered at 0230 hours on 31 May. (6)

1 Jun 1943
While patrolling off Bari, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) sighted what is thought to be a Palestro-class torpedo boat leaving Bari on a course of 040°. She passed well (8 miles) to the north of HMS Trooper.

At 0645A/1, a single transports was sighted to the north. She was steering towards Bari on course 220°. An attack was not possible. (6)

2 Jun 1943
While patrolling off Bari, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) sighted a destroyer proceeding to the north-east at 0450B/2. She passed out of range.

At 0540A/2, a large merchant vessel escorted by a torpedo boat was sighted steering towards Bari from the north. Range was about 7 miles. They could not be attacked.

At 0555A/2, an old liner was seen approaching Bari from the south. It was thought to be a hospital ship but was difficult to make out in the haze. Lt. Wraith then chose a new patrol position from where it would be easier to attack ships leaving or entering Bari. (6)

3 Jun 1943
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) fires four torpedoes against the transport Anna Martini (Italian, 1686 GRT, built 1914) that was seen leaving Bari. All torpedoes missed their target.

HMS Trooper left patrol that evening.

1525B/3 - An old merchant of about 3000 tons was seen to leave Bari through the swept channel. Commenced attack.

1619B/3 - Fired four torpedoes from 1400 yards. No hits were obtained despite the short range. The torpedoes were heard to run their range. Possibly they ran under.

The target turned around and returned towards Bari.

According to Italian sources the Anna Martini had observed two torpedo tracks. (6)

12 Jun 1943
At 2300B/12, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) damaged her port shaft when she encounters a large piece of floating wreckage in position 33°52'N, 34°05'E. (6)

13 Jun 1943
At 0730C/13, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 5th war patrol at Beirut. (6)

23 Jun 1943
Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN leaves HMS Trooper sick. Lt. G.S.C. Clarabut, RN temporary assumes command. (10)

26 Jun 1943
At 2015C/26, HMS Trooper (Lt. G.S.C. Clarabut, RN) departed from Beirut bound for Port Said where she is to be docked to repair the damage to her port propeller after the encounter with a large piece of wreckage on 12 June. (10)

28 Jun 1943
Around 0830C/28, HMS Trooper (Lt. G.S.C. Clarabut, RN) arrived at Port Said and is immediately docked in the floating dock. (10)

6 Jul 1943
HMS Trooper (Lt. G.S.C. Clarabut, RN) is undocked. (11)

7 Jul 1943
Around 1930C/7, HMS Trooper (Lt. G.S.C. Clarabut, RN) departed from Port Said for her 6th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Adriatic and off the West coast of Greece.

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

(6)

12 Jul 1943
At 0604C/12, HMS Trooper (Lt. G.S.C. Clarabut, RN) sighted a small tranport of about 800 tons escorted by an Abba-class torpedo boat hugging the coast of Levkas Island. Their course was southward 190°. They could not be attacked due to the range. (6)

14 Jul 1943
HMS Trooper (Lt. G.S.C. Clarabut, RN) attacks the Italian merchant Cherso (1756 GRT, built 1912) with torpedoes and gunfire off Cape Rodoni near Durazzo, Albania. Cherso was unescorted and in ballast. She was proceeding to San Giovanni di Medua (Albania). Cherso replied with gunfire and escaped without damage. The Italian torpedo-boat Giuseppe Missori and aircraft from Aeroalbania were ordered to hunt the submarine but although sighted by Trooper, she managed to elude them.

0800C/14 - When in position 42°22'N, 18°17'E, sighted a 2000 tons transport proceeding north from Durazzo. Started attack.

0831C/14 - Fired three torpedoes from 3400 yards. All torpedoes missed.

0837C/14 - Surfaced for gun action, range 5400 yards. Fired 8 rounds for 1 hit that put the gun of the target out of action.

0839C/14 - Sighted an aircraft so broke off the action and dived. This was most unfortunate as a second transport had just been sighted to the northeast. This transport was southbound. (6)

15 Jul 1943
At 0820C/15, in approximate position 42°30'N, 18°17'E, HMS Trooper (Lt. G.S.C. Clarabut, RN) sighted a small passenger vessel thought to be either the Yugoslavian Bakar (now in Italian service named Buccari, 334 GRT, built 1931) or Rab (now in Italian service named Arbe, 344 GRT, built 1931). The ship was northbound, 330° and was hugging the coast. She was not attacked. The ship sighted was probably the Dubrovnik (Italian (former Yugoslavian), 996 GRT, 1909) who sailed from Kotor at 0600B/15 and arrived at Gravosa at 0930B/15.

At 1230C/15, in approximate position 42°24'N, 18°17'E, a convoy off smaller vessels was sighted proceeding southwards. It was seen to be made up of a tug towing a floating crane. Escort was provided by what was thought to be the former Yuguslav minesweeper D 2 and two other small craft thought to be Italian RD-class minesweepers. Also an air escort was seen overhead. Their speed of advance was 4 knots. They were not attacked as nothing seemed to have sufficient draught to warrant a torpedo.

At 1610C/15, a small transport of about 400 tons was seen proceeding northwards. She was in ballast which made her too shallow draught to be attacked with a torpedo.

According to Italian sources seventeen Italian vessels took part in an operation (against partisans ?) from 10 to 20 July 1943 and the ships sighted in the afternoon perhaps belonged to them.

16 Jul 1943
At 1315C/16, in approximate position 42°27'N, 18°21'E, HMS Trooper (Lt. G.S.C. Clarabut, RN) sighted a small 600 tons transport proceeding northwards. She was in ballast. She had an air escort overhead. She was not attacked.

At 1420C/16, a signal was received from Capt. S.10 (timed 0630B/16) ordering Trooper to leave her patrol area and to proceed to the Gulf of Taranto. Trooper immediately set course to clear the coast as she was to make a run of 230 miles in 30 hours. (6)

18 Jul 1943
At 0151C/18, HMS Trooper (Lt. G.S.C. Clarabut, RN) received Capt. S.10's signal timed 2241B/17, ordering her to be in position 8 miles south of Cape Santa Maria di Leuca between 0200 and 1200B/20. (6)

20 Jul 1943
At 0312C/20, HMS Trooper (Lt. G.S.C. Clarabut, RN) sighted a dark object astern on an approximate course of 320°. Range was about 4000 yards. It was at first thought this was a destroyer.

At 0315C/20, HMS Trooper dived. The dark object zigged to starboard and was then seen to be a large submarine. Two Italian submarines arrived at Taranto that morning, Onice coming from Leros and Pietro Micca returning from a short patrol. Given the position the enemy submarine was sighted it seems likely it was the Onice.

At 0336C/20, HMS Trooper surfaced to give chase but the target was out of sight and was not seen again.

At 0915C/20, HMS Trooper, now on submerged patrol, sighted a small A/S vessel patrolling off Cape Santa Maria di Leuca. Also an aircraft was seen to be patrolling the area. This was perhaps the tug Talamone who had sailed from Otranto for minesweeping duties at 0720B/20 and returned at 1145B/20 or the fishing vessel San Giuseppe who sailed from Otranto at 0600B/20 for Gallipoli.

At 1140C/20, in approximate position 39°42'N, 18°26'E, a vessel was seen coming towards at a range of 500 yards. An aircraft was seen to be patrolling overhead. HMS Trooper dived to 120 feet and turned stern on. She returned to periscope depth half an hour later to find nothing in sight. This was possibly the transport Citta di Alessandria (Italian, 2498 GRT, built 1930) who left Bari at 1900B/19 for Taranto at 7.5 knots and arrived at Taranto at 1930B/20.

At 2020C/20, in approximate position 39°38'N, 18°09'E, a transport escorted by an aircraft was sighted inshore to the northward. Most likely two escorts were also present. Range was about 12 nautical miles so an attack was out of the question. This was possibly the minelayer Barletta and auxiliary Morosini on passage from Corfu (sailed at 1107B/20) to Taranto (arrived at 0041B/2). (6)

22 Jul 1943
At 0257C/22, when in position 215° - Cape Santa Maria di Leuca lighthouse - 30 nautical miles, HMS Trooper (Lt. G.S.C. Clarabut, RN) sighted a dark object down moon. As periscope visibility was good she dived to attack. The object was subsequently identified as a submarine on course 210° and resembled a British T-class boat. The attack was then broken off as HMS Trooper was close to the area where HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) was to operate. It was later established that the submarine sighted was indeed HMS Tactician which had not reported any sighting at this time.

Earlier, at 0115C/22, Capt. S.10's signal timed 1512B/21, was received ordering HMS Trooper to patrol to an area with a radius of 10 miles from position 39°17'N, 17°22'E (south-east of Punta Alica) by 0800B/23. (6)

23 Jul 1943
At 0735C/23, HMS Trooper (Lt. G.S.C. Clarabut, RN) sighted two schooners patrolling near Alice Point. These were most likely auxiliary A/S schooners. A/S schooner patrols would be seen near Alice Point also on the 24th and 25th.

At 1053C/23, a Spica-class torpedo boat was seen doing an A/S sweep. She approached from the north and was proceeding on a southerly course while using her Asdic. She appeared to be in contact briefly and then stopped for about 10 minutes before she restarted and made off on course 190°.

At 2245C/23, Capt. S.10's signal timed 0957B/23, which ordered Trooper to leave patrol PM on the 26th. (6)

26 Jul 1943
At 2206C/26, HMS Trooper (Lt. G.S.C. Clarabut, RN) surfaced in position 110° - Cape Colonne - 10 nautical miles and then set course to leave patrol.

However at 2250C/26, a signal was received from Capt. S.10 timed 2116B/26, ordering Trooper to return to patrol as the two Italian battleships in Taranto may have left. (6)

27 Jul 1943
At 1805C/27, HMS Trooper (Lt. G.S.C. Clarabut, RN) received a signal from Capt. S.10 timed 1155B/27, ordering Trooper to patrol in an area with a radius of 7 miles from position 39°43'N, 18°01'E. Course was set accordingly.

At 2210C/27, a signal from Capt. S.10 timed 1155B/27 was received which ordered HMS Trooper to leave patrol at 0600B/29. (6)

29 Jul 1943
The Italian submarine Pietro Micca was torpedoed and sunk at the entrance to Adriatic, south of the Strait of Otranto in position 39°45'N, 18°17'E by the British submarine HMS Trooper (Lt. G.S.C. Clarabut, RN). [The wreck of the submarine was found in 1995].

0638C/20 - Sighted two objects bearing 095°. Visibility was very poor.

0645C/20 - Identified the target as a large submarine of the Italian Marcello-class. Enemy's course was 300°, range 4800 yards. Commenced attack.

0649C/20 - The target altered course towards.

0654C/20 - Fired six torpedoes from 4600 yards. 3,5 Minutes after firing the first torpedo an explosion was heard but the result of the attack could not be observed as Trooper had gone deep as one of the torpedoes was a circle runner and kept the attacker down until the end of its run. Upon returning to periscope depth the submarine was no longer in sight. A small ship was sighted lowering a boat to pick up survivors. It is thought that the enemy submarine must have sunk. (6)

2 Aug 1943
At 0745C/2, HMS Trooper (Lt. G.S.C. Clarabut, RN) ended her 6th war patrol at Beirut. (6)

20 Aug 1943
Around 1945C/20, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Beirut for her 7th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Aegean. (6)

22 Aug 1943
At 2359C/22, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) received Capt. S.1's signal timed 1914C/22, ordering her to patrol on the Piraeus - Rhodes route. (6)

25 Aug 1943
At 2330C/25, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) received Capt. S.1's signal timed 2117C/25, ordering her to proceed with despatch to patrol off the Doro Channel. (6)

26 Aug 1943
At 0715C/26, when to the south of Icaria Island, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) sighted a destroyer 8 miles to the east of her position.

Five minutes later masts of a trawler and the upperworks and masts of a 4000-5000 tons transport were seen. Range was 8 miles and the submarine was abaft the beam of the convoy so an attack was not possible. The enemy had come south through Icaria passage and was proceeding southwards most likely towards Rhodes.

By 0745C/26, the convoy was out of sight. HMS Trooper continued her passage towards the Doro Channel.

The ships sighted were most likely part of a convoy en-route from Piraeus to Leros which was made up of the transports Ardena (German, 1092 GRT, built 1915), Eolo (Italian, 704 GRT, built 1936) and Sinfra (German (former French), 4470 GRT, built 1929). They were escorted by the Italian destroyers Francesco Crispi, Turbine, Italian torpedo boat Castelfidardo and the German auxiliary submarine chaser UJ-2104. They had sailed from Piraeus at 1430/25 and arrived at Leros at 0944/26. (6)

28 Aug 1943
At 1150C/28, while off the Doro Channel, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) sighted two torpedo boats of the Curtatone-class proceeding to the north-east at a speed of 15 knots. They passed at a distance of 5 nautical miles. These must have been the Calatafimi and Solferino coming from Piraeus and en-route to join the convoy made up of the tanker Celeno (Italian, 3741 GRT, built 1899) and the German auxiliary submarine chasers UJ 2109 and UJ 2102 coming from the Dardanelles.

[Identifiction of the torpedo boats from German documents as the Italian documents are missing for these two vessels during this period.] (12)

29 Aug 1943
At 0925C/29, while off the Doro Channel, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) sighed what was thought to be a water carrier of about 600 tons escorted by two small armed motor boats coming north through the Doro Channel. They kept close to the north-west coast and proceeded nothwards for about 10 miles and then turned back. It was thought this might have been a 'submarine trap' and they were not attacked. (6)

30 Aug 1943
At 2105C/30, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) surfaced after a days submerged patrol off the Doro Channel. She then set course to patrol off Samos. (6)

31 Aug 1943
At 1746C/31, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) bombards a large tannery off Karlovassi, Greece. A total of 17 rounds were fired for 14 hits from a range of about 3000 from the shore. After 4 minutes she was forced to dive as she was taken under fire by a shore battery. It had been intended to also bombard a number of caiques that were being refitted near the breakwater but this did not materialise due to the return fire from the shore.

At 2300C/31, HMS Trooper received Capt. S.1's signal timed 1753C/31 advising a visit to the Gulf of Thessalonica. As this was 180 nautical miles away it was not possible to arrive there until late afternoon after a surface passage. Lt. Wraith therefore decided to patrol west of Skyros and then proceed to the Gulf of Thessalonica the next night. (6)

3 Sep 1943
At 2222C/3, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) received Capt. S.1's signal timed 1016C/3, ordering her to return to Beirut. Course was set accordingly. (6)

4 Sep 1943
At 1400C/4, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) received Capt. S.1's signal timed 1104C/4, ordering her to return to her previous patrol area to the north of Skiathos. Course was set accordingly. (6)

5 Sep 1943
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) sank the Greek caique Maria M. (250 GRT) and Greek tug Nikolaos M. / Pi 2117 (35 GRT) with gunfire 2 nautical miles North of Skiathos, Greece.

1816C/5- Surfaced and engaged a large caique that was being towed by a tug that had come north through the Skopelos Channel. 52 Rounds were fired. The caique was sunk and the tug was abandoned and set on fire (it later sank). Two survivors from the tug were picked up. These two survivors provided valuable information on the harbour at Piraeus where they had spent almost the entire war on board the tug. (6)

10 Sep 1943
Around 0830C/10, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 7th war patrol at Beirut. (6)

26 Sep 1943
HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Beirut for her 8th war patrol. She is to carry out a special mission for SOE (Special Operations Executive) and then patrol in the Aegean Sea off the Dodecanese islands, including the Leros area.

30 Sep 1943
Around 2130C/30, HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN), lands Colonel Diamantopoulos of the Royal Hellenic Artillery (code name 'Toby') of SOE (Operation ERUPTIION) with 2nd Lt. Vey and wireless operator 'Thomas' of ISLD (Operation CANTON) with their stores in Kalamos Bay (Euboa).

On complettion of this special operation HMS Trooper was to patrol in the central Aegean.

3 Oct 1943
In a signal, timed 0917C/3, Capt. S 1 ordered HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) to cover the west and north-west approaches to Kos. (13)

4 Oct 1943
At 0805B/4, a German reconnaissance aircraft reported a surfaced enemy submarine to the north-east of Amorgos in position 37°02'N, 26°07'E. If this sighing is genuine this must have been HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN). (14)

5 Oct 1943
In a signal, timed 1312C/5, Capt. S 1 ordered HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) to patrol between Naxos and Ikaria. he was also informed that Allied cruisers and destroyers might be operating to the east of 26°20'E. (13)

8 Oct 1943
In a signal, timed 2248C/8, Capt. S 1 ordered HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) to patrol to the northward of Amorgos and Kinaros at your own discretion but keeping west of 26°20'E. (13)

9 Oct 1943
In a signal, timed 1406C/9, Capt. S 1 ordered HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) to arrive off the coast of Leros by dawn on the 10th. To go there she was to pass to the north of Patmos.

In a follow up signal timed 1809C/9, Trooper was informed of the following; Your object is to attack possible seaborne invasion of Leros from the east or south-east. Unless forced to do otherwise retire passing north of Patmos p.m./12th. Thereafter proceeding west of Kinaros and Stampalia to pass Kaso Straits by day on the l4th. Further route would be signalled later. (13)

11 Oct 1943
In a signal, timed 1406C/11, Capt. S 1 informed HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) that the current situation in the Aegean demanded her to remain in her current position until relieved by HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) p.m. on the 13th. Trooper was also infomed that all dates mentioned in the signal timed 1809C/9 were to be delayed by a day.

Also Trooper was informed that after passing Kaso Strait on the 15th she was to proceed on 15th proceeding on the surface passing through position 34°11'N, 27°12'E at 0125C/l6 to arrive at Beirut at 1300C/17.

In a signal timed 2105C/11, HMS Trooper was informed that most likely the enemy invasion of Leros would commence tonight as enemy ships had been sighted of Kalymnos. (15)

14 Oct 1943
At dawn, HMS Trooper, was thought to have been sighted in / off Alinda Bay (Leros) by the schooner LS 8 (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Seligman, RNR) of the Levant Flotilla and they exchange signals. The Germans had laid several minefields about 10 miles east of Alinda Bay and it was postwar thought most lukel that HMS Trooper was mined there not long afterwards.

New research (2023/2024) however showed that the submarine encountered by the LS 8 was HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN).

6 Oct 2024
On this day it was announced that the wreck of HMS Trooper has been found in the Aegean to the north of Donoussa in 253 meters of water by a Greek search team lead by Kostas Thoctarides.

See this website for more info.

Video footage can be seen here.

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