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Notable events involving Trump include:

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

This page was last updated in December 2018.

5 Jul 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) departed from her builders yard at Barrow-in-Furness for Holy Loch. She was escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (1)

6 Jul 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) performs trials at Gare Loch. (1)

7 Jul 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) performs full power trials on the Arran measured mile. These had to be abandoned due to a defect to the starboard engine. (1)

8 Jul 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) performs full power trials on the Arran measured mile. (1)

10 Jul 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (1)

11 Jul 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (1)

12 Jul 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (1)

14 Jul 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted echo sounding and S.T.U. (mine detection) trials in the Clyde area. (1)

16 Jul 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Arrochar where she was to conduct her torpedo discharge trials. (1)

19 Jul 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (1)

20 Jul 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (1)

21 Jul 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (1)

24 Jul 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (1)

25 Jul 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (1)

26 Jul 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (1)

27 Jul 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. Upon completion of these trials HMS Trump returned to Holy Loch. (1)

31 Jul 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (1)

1 Aug 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) departed Holy Loch for Oban. (2)

2 Aug 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) arrived at Oban. (2)

3 Aug 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) shifted from Oban to Tobermory. (2)

4 Aug 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted independent exercises off Tobermory. (2)

7 Aug 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted attack exercises off Tobermory with HMS Lady Sharazad. (2)

11 Aug 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted attack exercises off the Hebrides with HMS Fowey (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Newey, RNR). (2)

12 Aug 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted attack exercises off the Hebrides with HMS Fowey (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Newey, RNR). HMS Trump returned to Tobermory on completion of these exercises. (2)

15 Aug 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) departed Tobermory for Holy Loch. (2)

16 Aug 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (2)

18 Aug 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted D.G. trials at Gare Loch. (2)

19 Aug 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted noise trials at Loch Goil. (2)

22 Aug 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (2)

23 Aug 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (2)

25 Aug 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Shikari (Lt. E.H.U. Cautley, RNVR). (2)

26 Aug 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Sardonyx (A/Lt.Cdr. T.A. Easton, RNVR). These included night exercises. (2)

27 Aug 1944
Having completed last nights exercises, HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN), arrived at Campbeltown. (2)

28 Aug 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) shifted from Campbeltown to Larne. She was escorted by HMS ML 225 (T/Lt. D. Kaye, RNVR). (2)

31 Aug 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Larne with aircraft. (2)

1 Sep 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (3)

3 Sep 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (3)

4 Sep 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (3)

5 Sep 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (3)

6 Sep 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (3)

7 Sep 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (3)

9 Sep 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (3)

10 Sep 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) shifted from Larne to Holy Loch. (3)

14 Sep 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) is docked at Holy Loch in AFD 7. (3)

15 Sep 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) is undocked. (3)

18 Sep 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) departed Rothesay for Lerwick. Passage north though the Minches was made together with HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. M.F.R. Ainslie, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, DSC, RN) and HNoMS Utsira (Lt. S. Valvatne). The submarines were escorted by HMS Shikari (Lt. E.H.U. Cautley, RNVR). (3)

21 Sep 1944
At 0744 hours (time zone -1), HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN), arrived at Lerwick. She departed from Lerwick at 1615 hours for her 1st war patrol (work-up patrol). She is to patrol in the North Sea.

(4)

29 Sep 1944
At 1620 hours (zone -1), HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN), arrived at a rendez-vous near Scapa Flow where HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. M.F.R. Ainslie, DSO, DSC, RN) and their escort HMS Cutty Sark (Lt. H.J. Bartlett, DSC, RN) were already waiting for her. (4)

30 Sep 1944
Around 2015A/30, HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN), HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. M.F.R. Ainslie, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Cutty Sark (Lt. H.J. Bartlett, DSC, RN) arrived at Tobermory. (5)

1 Oct 1944
Around 0500A/1, HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN), HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. M.F.R. Ainslie, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Cutty Sark (Lt. H.J. Bartlett, DSC, RN) departed Tobermory for Holy Loch where they arrived around 1600A/1. (5)

3 Oct 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) departed Holy Loch for Barrow-in-Furness. (6)

4 Oct 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) arrived at Barrow-in-Furness for repairs. (6)

5 Oct 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) is docked at Barrow-in-Furness. (6)

6 Oct 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) is undocked. (6)

18 Oct 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) departed Barrow for Portsmouth. She was escorted by HMS Geranium (T/Lt. G. Wallace, RNR). (6)

20 Oct 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) arrived at Portsmouth. (6)

28 Nov 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) is docked at Portsmouth in No. 7 dock. (7)

20 Dec 1944
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) is undocked. (8)

3 Jan 1945
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted radar trials off Portsmouth. (9)

4 Jan 1945
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (9)

9 Jan 1945
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted radar exercises off Portsmouth. (9)

12 Jan 1945
After trials and exercises with the new radar equipment HMS Tiptoe (Lt.Cdr. P.R.H. Harrison, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) departed from Portsmouth bound for Portland where she arrived later this day. Passage was made with HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN). The submarines were escorted by HMS Watchman (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J.R. Clarke, DSC, RNVR). (10)

13 Jan 1945
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) departed from Portland for Gibraltar. Final destination is Trincomalee. Passage was made in convoy OS 104 / KMS 78 together with HMS Tiptoe (Lt.Cdr. P.R.H. Harrison, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Sleuth (Lt. K.H. Martin, RN).

For Trumps daily positions during the passage to Trincomalee see the map below.

(9)

19 Jan 1945
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (9)

23 Jan 1945
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) departed from Gibraltar for Malta. (9)

27 Jan 1945
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) arrived at Malta. (9)

2 Feb 1945
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) departed from Malta for Port Said. (11)

3 Feb 1945
HMS Tiptoe (Lt.Cdr. P.R.H. Harrison, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Malta together with HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN). (12)

4 Feb 1945
HMS Tiptoe (Lt.Cdr. P.R.H. Harrison, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) departed from Malta bound for Port Said. (12)

8 Feb 1945
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) arrived at Port Said. (11)

10 Feb 1945
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) departed from Port Said for Ismalia. (11)

10 Feb 1945
HMS Tiptoe (Lt.Cdr. P.R.H. Harrison, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) transited the first part of the Suez Canal and arrived at Ismailia. (12)

11 Feb 1945
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) departed from Ismalia for Aden. (11)

11 Feb 1945
HMS Tiptoe (Lt.Cdr. P.R.H. Harrison, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) departed from Ismailia bound for Aden. (12)

16 Feb 1945
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) arrived at Aden. (11)

18 Feb 1945
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) departed from Aden for Trincomalee. (11)

18 Feb 1945
HMS Tiptoe (Lt.Cdr. P.R.H. Harrison, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) departed from Aden bound for Trincomalee. (12)

1 Mar 1945
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) arrived at Trincomalee (13)

11 Mar 1945
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted noise trials off Trincomalee. (13)

13 Mar 1945
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) departed from Trincomalee at 1400 hours (time zone -6.5) for her 2nd war patrol (1st in Far Eastern waters). She is to patrol along the western Siamese coast. Afterwards she is to proceed to Fremantle, Australia.

For HMS Trumps daily (1200 hours) positions during this patrol see the map below

(4)

18 Mar 1945
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) arrived in her patrol area off the Mergui Archipelago. (4)

27 Mar 1945
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) leaves her patrol area for air/sea rescue duties. She sets course for Australia on the 29th. (4)

30 Mar 1945
At 1109 hours (time zone -6.5) HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) is attacked with two bombs by a Japanese Jake-aircraft in position 11°30'N, 94°30'E. Trump crash dived. Only some minor damage was caused as well as a few broken lights. (4)

13 Apr 1945
HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol at 1025 hours (time zone -6.5 / 1155 hours zone -8) when she secured alongside HMS Adamant at Fremantle, Australia. The patrol was uneventful. (4)

27 Apr 1945
HMS Trump (Lt. A.A. Catlow, RN) conducted exercises off Fremantle. (14)

28 Apr 1945
HMS Trump (Lt. A.A. Catlow, RN) conducted exercises off Fremantle. (14)

29 Apr 1945
HMS Trump (Lt. A.A. Catlow, RN) conducted exercises off Fremantle. (14)

1 May 1945
HMS Trump (Lt. A.A. Catlow, RN) conducted exercises off Fremantle. (15)

2 May 1945
During 2/3 May 1945, HMS Trump (Lt. A.A. Catlow, RN), conducted exercises off Fremantle, these included night exercises. (15)

4 May 1945
HMS Trump (Lt. A.A. Catlow, RN) departed from Fremantle at 1529 hours (time zone -9) for her 3rd war patrol (2nd in Far Eastern waters). She is to patrol in the eastern part of the Java Sea.

For HMS Trumps daily (1200 hours) positions during this patrol see the map below.

(4)

6 May 1945
At 1800 hours (time zone -9) HMS Trump (Lt. A.A. Catlow, RN) spots southbound Dutch submarine HrMs Zwaardvisch in position 24°29'S, 112°17'E. (4)

8 May 1945
At 1050 hours (time zone -9) HMS Trump (Lt. A.A. Catlow, RN) berthed at Exmouth Gulf to top off with fuel. She departed at 1800 hours. (4)

10 May 1945
At 0910 hours (time zone -9) HMS Trump (Lt. A.A. Catlow, RN) sighted the British submarines HMS Sleuth and HMS Solent southbound in position 15°22'S, 114°34'E.

At 2000 hours HMS Trump sighted USS Hardhead southbound in position 13°18'S, 115°00'E (4)

11 May 1945
HMS Trump (Lt. A.A. Catlow, RN) begins her northbound passage of Lombok Strait.

At 1803 hours (time zone -9) while she was still south of Lombok Strait in position 09°07'S, 115°39'E she was attacked by a twin-engined aircraft that came in very low. Trump crash dived. The aircraft dropped one bomb causing minor damage forward. (4)

12 May 1945
During her passage of Lombok Strait (on the surface) HMS Trump, at 0003 hours (time zone -9) in position 08°20'S, 115°48'E, sighted an object what appeared to be an escort 4000 yards away, Trump turned stern on and slipped away.

At 0055 hours HMS Trump sighted a bow wave about 3000 yards away, dived and rigged for depth charge attack. No depth charges followed.

At 0122 hours Trump surfaced in position 08°11'S, 115°43'E.

At 0650 hours HMS Trump dived for the day in position 07°03'S, 115°43'5"E, sighted several fishing vessels and one aircraft during the day.

2006 hours HMS Trump surfaced in position 07°07'S, 115°03'E, set course to clear the land to charge and towards Sapudi Strait. (4)

13 May 1945
HMS Trump (Lt. A.A. Catlow, RN) sank the Japanese guard boat Shosei Maru No.15 (43 GRT) with gunfire off the Sapudi Strait in position 07°05'S, 114°13'E. Trump also attacked an escort vessel with three torpedoes but these all missed.

Area: Sapudi Strait (all times are zone -9)
0600 hours - Dived in position 07°14'S, 114°13'5E
0905 hours - When in position 07°06'S, 114°40'E, sighted smoke
0950 hours - Cause of smoke was identified as an armed trawler towing a sampan
1005 hours - Surfaced in position 07°07'S, 114°13'E, target was 3200 yards away. Opened fire with the deck gun, the third round het the target in the engine room, in the next 12 rounds 3 or 4 more hits were obtained, one knocked the targets deck gun out of action. The enemy was now on fire from stem to stern. Return fire was only by small arms, in all 19 rounds were fired. Just after surfacing another ship was sighted about 8000 yards away, this appeared to be an escort and was not seen previously through the periscope before surfacing
1018 hours - The enemy escort vessel opened fire with what appeared to be a 3" gun
1021 hours - Trump dived
1028 hours - Enemy in contact with Asdic
1030 hours - Enemy dropped 11 depth charges fairly close
1054 hours - Enemy passed overhead and dropped another 8 depth charges, fortunately they were dropped a little late
1107 hours - Enemy dropped another 8 depth charges not very close
1131 hours - Trump hit bottom at 146 feet
1235 hours - After dinner !!!, Trump freed herself from the bottom the escort had lost contact by now
1345 hours - Came to periscope depth, no escort in sight. The armed trawler engaged previously was seen still burning
1510 hours - In position 07°10'S, 114°14'E, sighted another escort vessel, decided to attack with torpedoes
1600 hours - Fired three torpedoes from the stern tubes (9, 10 and 11) set a 4 ft. All torpedoes missed, the target most likely saw the torpedo tracks coming and was able to evade them. Two torpedoes were later heard to explode on the shore
1603 hours - 9 Depth charges were dropped astern
1722 hours - In position 07°13'S, 114°17'E came to periscope depth, target was about 6000 yards astern, Trump went deep again to escape from the escort
1915 hours - Returned to periscope depth, nothing in sight
2100 hours - Surfaced in position 07°22'S, 114°28'E, cleared the area to the south-east at speed

See also this map (offsite link). (4)

25 May 1945
HMS Trump (Lt. A.A. Catlow, RN) sank a Japanese sailing vessel with gunfire off Sabalana in position 06°07'S, 119°22'E.

Area: off Sabalana (all times are zone -9)
0617 hours - Dived in position 06°07'S, 119°22'E
1948 hours - Surfaced in position 07°04'S, 119°15'E
2305 hours - In position 07°32'S, 118°05'E sighted an object ahead about 5000 yards away
2341 hours - The target was identified as a prau with two masts and full sails rigged
2353 hours - Fire was opened with the 4" gun from 2000 yards, 7 rounds were fired with at least 5 hits and the target sank rapidly.

See also this map. (4)

29 May 1945
HMS Trump (Lt. A.A. Catlow, RN) sank a Japanese coaster with gunfire off Alas Strait in position 08°22'S, 116°58'E.

Area: Alas Strait (all times are zone -9)
0335 hours - In position 08°15'S, 116°43'E an object was sighted, 10 minutes later the object was identified as two small native fishing vessels
0619 hours - Dived in position 08°15'S, 116°45'E
1530 hours - In position 08°22'S, 116°58'E sighted a coaster about 6000 yards away that was at anchor
1554 hours - Trump surfaced and commenced firing with the deck gun from about 4000 yards. After 25 minutes Trump had fired 83 rounds, about 1/3th of these were hits, Trump dived at 1620 hours
1953 hours - Surfaced in position 08°16'S, 116°59'E (4)

31 May 1945
HMS Trump (Lt. A.A. Catlow, RN) fires two torpedoes against two coasters at anchor in position 08°09'S, 114°51'6"E. Both torpedoes missed their target.

Area: North coast of Bali (all times are zone -9)
0609 hours - Dived in position 07°58'N, 114°54'E
1209 hours - In position 08°09'S, 114°51'6"E sighted a coaster close inshore on a westerly course, a few minutes later it was observed that she was most likely going to anchor
1240 hours - It was observed that the coaster was manoeuvring stern first up a small creek. A few moments later it was observed that the coaster was going alongside another coaster that was moored to a jetty. Trump continued to close the shore with her echo-sounding device turned on. Lt. Catlow had decided to make a torpedo attack with 2 torpedoes set at a depth of only 2 feet
1320 hours - Trump grounded and during the attempt to get off she broached
1402 hours - No.4 torpedo tube was fired from 1200 yards, one minute later both coasters were obscured by, what Lt. Catlow thought, steam and spray. A few people in the control room thought they heard a dull thud
1404 hours - No3 torpedo tube was fired, this time nothing was heard or seen. It seems likely the torpedoes got stuck in mud. Lt. Catlow decided not to surface for gun action as the element of surprise was now gone and when Trump would surface and would be able to man the gun she would be vulnerable to gunfire from the coasters
1955 hours - surfaced in position 07°58'S, 114°59'E (4)

1 Jun 1945
HMS Trump (Lt. A.A. Catlow, RN) sank a Japanese coaster with gunfire off Buleleng, northern Bali, Netherlands East Indies.

Area: off Buleleng roads, Bali (all times are zone -9)
0610 hours - Dived in position 05°59'S, 115°00'5"E
1015 hours - In position 08°05'S, 115°03'2"E sighted a wooden ship of about 100/200 tons with no masts. Trump commenced closing the harbour. As Trump closed it was observed that there were lots of fishing boats at anchor and about a dozen more alongside a wooden pier. On the beach was a large wooden shed with a camouflaged roof and as many as 4 what looked like wooden vessels being built on stocks. Lt Catlow considered the harbour needed ' a little softening up '
1050 hours - surfaced in position 08°05'2"S, 115°15'E and opened fire on the wooden ship that was sighted first. This vessel was sunk after 7 rounds. Target was now shifted to the sheds on the beach, 20 rounds were put into these. One ship on the stocks received a direct hit and completely disintegrated. Target was now shifted to a bridge to the east of the sheds. 15 Rounds were fired with one hit on the foundations on the left side and one on the foundations on the right side. One round was seen to fall short and hit and sink a small wooden fishing vessel
1104 hours - Dived and proceeded north
2004 hours - Surfaced in position 07°09'S, 115°06'E and set course for the Kangean Islands (4)

5 Jun 1945
HMS Trump (Lt. A.A. Catlow, RN) sank a small tanker with gunfire and a torpedo in position 08°10'2"S, 114°47'E.

Area: North-west coast of Bali (all times are zone -9)
0617 hours - Dived in position 08°03'4"S, 114°46'E
0820 hours - In position 08°06'8"S, 114°48'E sighted two masts about 5 nautical miles away
0830 hours - Commenced attack, the target was a nice looking ship of about a 1000 tons or more with a bridge amidships a raised forecastle and poop - probably a diesel tanker
0845 hours - Range was now 2500 yards, Trump manoeuvred in position for a torpedo attack
0849 hours the target altered course away, most likely they had spotted the periscope
0858 hours - Trump surfaced for gun action. The target was hit with the 5th round. After the 6th round the enemy turned towards the beach with the intention to beach herself. After 35 rounds, with 12 hits, Trump was out of ammo for the deck gun. Lt. Catlow decided to finish her off with a torpedo
0916 hours - Trump dived in position 08°08'S, 114°48'E. The enemy was still afloat and was proceeding at 5 knots about 3500 yards away / 0935 hours - Fired three torpedoes (No. 1, 2 and 3 tubes). All torpedoes missed the target
0945 hours - The target had beached herself in position 08°10'2"S, 114°47'E
1010 hours - Fired another three torpedoes (No. 4, 5 and 6 tubes)
1011 one explosion was heard followed by breaking up noises
1030 hours - Trump was back at periscope depth and it was observed that the target had no stern anymore
2007 hours - Surfaced in position 07°34'2"S, 113°15'5"E (4)

11 Jun 1945
HMS Trump (Lt. A.A. Catlow, RN) makes the southbound passage of Lombok Strait submerged.

(all times are zone -9)
0632 hours - Dived in position 08°19'S, 115°51'E
1420 hours - Trump is now clear from Lombok Strait
2005 hours - Surfaced on position 09°17'S, 115°38'E (4)

17 Jun 1945
HMS Trump (Lt. A.A. Catlow, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol at 0821 hours (time zone -8) when she secured on HMS Tudor that was alongside HMS Adamant at Fremantle, Australia. (4)

10 Jul 1945
HMS Trump (Lt. A.A. Catlow, RN) is put on the slipway at Fremantle. (16)

12 Jul 1945
HMS Trump (Lt. A.A. Catlow, RN) is put back in the water. She then conducted noise trials off Fremantle. (16)

13 Jul 1945
HMS Trump (Lt. A.A. Catlow, RN) conducted exercises off Fremantle. (16)

13 Jul 1945
HMS Tiptoe (A/Lt.Cdr. R.L. Jay, RN) conducted exercises off Fremantle together with HMS Trump (A/Lt.Cdr. A.A. Catlow, RN). (17)

14 Jul 1945
HMS Trump (Lt. A.A. Catlow, RN) conducted exercises off Fremantle. (16)

16 Jul 1945
HMS Trump (A/Lt.Cdr. A.A. Catlow, RN) departed from Fremantle at 1046 hours (time zone -8) for her 4th war patrol (3rd in Far Eastern waters). She is to patrol with HMS Tiptoe. She is to patrol in/off Sunda Strait. En-route she is to perform a sweep along the south coast of Java. The return trip to Fremantle will take her along the north coast of Java, through Lombok Strait and back to Fremantle.

For HMS Trumps daily (1200 hours) positions during this patrol see the map below

(18)

20 Jul 1945
At 1500 hours (time zone -9) HMS Trump (A/Lt.Cdr. A.A. Catlow, RN) sighted the British submarine HMS Trenchant southbound in position 16°23'S, 114°24'E.

At 2000 hours HMS Trump sighted USS Hardhead southbound in position 14°58'S, 114°40'E (18)

21 Jul 1945
HMS Trump (A/Lt.Cdr. A.A. Catlow, RN) approaches the south coast of Java. She makes a sweep along this coastline to the west towards Sunda Strait. (18)

28 Jul 1945
HMS Trump (A/Lt.Cdr. A.A. Catlow, RN) enters Sunda Strait after her sweep along the south coast of Java. (18)

2 Aug 1945
HMS Tiptoe (A/Lt.Cdr. R.L. Jay, RN) and HMS Trump (A/Lt.Cdr. A.A. Catlow, RN) together destroy 2 Japanese sea trucks with gunfire in position 05°55'5"S, 105°40'E.

Area: Sunda Strait (all times are zone -9)
0725 hours - Dived in position 05°58'S, 105°39'E
1430 hours - While in position 05°55'5"S, 105°40'E sighted two sea trucks escorted by a submarine chaser 3500 yards away
At 1450 hours the submarine chaser was seen to leave the convoy
1540 hours - HMS Tiptoe surfaced for gun action against the sea trucks
1545 hours - HMS Trump surfaced in position 05°55'5"S, 105°40'E and joined HMS Tiptoe, both sea trucks were soon beached and on fire
1600 hours - Aircraft sighted astern so dived in position 05°53'5"S, 105°45'4"E
2054 hours - Surfaced in position 05°55'5"S, 105°46'8"S (18)

3 Aug 1945
HMS Trump (A/Lt.Cdr. A.A. Catlow, RN) makes a torpedo attack on the Japanese merchant Tencho Maru (2608 GRT, built 1919). All five torpedoed however missed their target despite the claim of one hit.

The convoy attacked the Tiptoe and Trump was made up of the merchants Tencho Maru, Fuyo Maru the repair ship Seiha Maru. They were escorted by the Japanese patrol boat PB-109. They had left Batavia the day before bound for Singapore.

Area: north of Sunda Strait (all times are zone -9)
0733 hours - Dived in position 05°13'S, 105°12'5"E
1610 hours - While in position 05°14'5"S, 106°07'5"E sighted 4 ships and 2 escorts in line ahead
1646 hours - Fired five torpedoed at the leading ship
1650 hours - Heard on hit, Trump was counter attacked with in all 12 depth charges that did no damage (The target, the Japanese merchant Tencho Maru (2608 GRT, built 1919) was not hit but was sunk later by HMS Tiptoe)
2030 hours - Surfaced in position 05°19'5"S, 106°18'E (18)

7 Aug 1945
While on patrol to the north of Sunda Strait HMS Trump (A/Lt.Cdr. A.A. Catlow, RN) encounters a submarine in position 05°33'S, 106°04'E, this was most likely HMS Scotsman.

Area: North of Sunda Strait (all times are zone -9)
0726 hours - Dived in position 05°44'S, 106°17'E
2046 hours - Surfaced in position 05°43'S, 106°11'E
2220 hours - In position 05°33'S, 106°04'E a radar contact bearing 320 range 7500 yards was obtained, contacts course was 035 speed 10 knots. A contact report to Tiptoe was made while the contact was tracked
2305 hours - the contact was identified as a submarine most likely HMS Scotsman (18)

8 Aug 1945
While on patrol to the north of Sunda Strait HMS Trump (A/Lt.Cdr. A.A. Catlow, RN) intends to sink a sailing vessel with gunfire in position 05°17'S, 106°10'E. As Trump surfaced it was considered that the sailing vessel was too small to be worth the ammo.

Area: North of Sunda Strait (all times are zone -9)
0736 hours - Dived in position 05°17'S, 106°12'E
0846 hours - Sighted a sailing vessel
0939 hours - Surfaced in position 05°17'S, 106°10'E for gun action but the sailing vessel was considered to be to small Trump dived again
2050 hours - Surfaced in position 05°15'S, 106°08'E (18)

9 Aug 1945
HMS Trump (A/Lt.Cdr. A.A. Catlow) spots a ship but it disappeared behind an island before Trump was in a position for an attack. Eventually the chase had to be abandoned as Trump encountered a minefield between her position and the position of the target.

Also on this day HMS Tiptoe (A/Lt.Cdr. R.L. Jay, RN) and HMS Trump together sink a Japanese sea truck with gunfire north of the Sunda Strait in position 05°46'S, 106°27'E.

Area: north of Sunda Strait (all times are zone -9)
0730 hours - Dived in position 05°42'S, 106°21'E
1440 hours - While in position 05°48'S, 106°24'E sighted a funnel and a mast. Enemy report sent to HMS Tiptoe. Trump commenced closing the target
1530 hours - The ship disappeared behind Hoorn Island. Trump had to abandon the chase due to a minefield between her and the target
1715 hours - While in position 05°48'S, 106°24'E received a message from HMS Tiptoe that she had spotted a sea truck
1735 hours - Trump now also spotted the sea truck
1805 hours - Surfaced in position 05°46'S, 106°26'E for gun action. Trump scored 10 hits
1825hours - Left the sea truck burning and dived in position 05°46'S, 106°27'E
2046 hours - Surfaced in position 05°40'S, 106°23'E. (18)

10 Aug 1945
HMS Trump (A/Lt.Cdr. A.A. Catlow, RN) sights a ship in position 05°44'S, 106°41'E and turned to intercept. However the ship disappeared behind islands before Trump was in attack position. The chase had to be abandoned.

Area: North of Sunda Strait (all times are zone -9)
0721 hours - Dived in position 05°40'S, 106°41'E
1338 hours - While in position 05°44'S, 106°41'E sighted a funnel and 2 masts
1350 hours - The funnel and masts disappeared behind islands, leaving Trump unable to follow the target
2050 hours - Surfaced in position 05°45'S, 106°42'E (18)

16 Aug 1945
HMS Trump (A/Lt.Cdr. A.A. Catlow, RN) transits Lombok Strait southbound. (18)

21 Aug 1945
HMS Trump (A/Lt.Cdr. A.A. Catlow, RN) ended her 4th war patrol at 1130 hours (time zone -9) when she secured on HMS Tiptoe that was alongside HMS Adamant at Fremantle, Australia. (18)

7 Sep 1945
HMS Trump (A/Lt.Cdr. A.A. Catlow, RN) is put on the slipway at Fremantle. (19)

10 Sep 1945
HMS Trump (A/Lt.Cdr. A.A. Catlow, RN) is put back in the water. (19)

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