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Notable events involving Upholder include:

The history of HMS Upholder as compiled on this page is extracted from Upholder's 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 and Mr. Lorenzo Colombo from Italy.

This page was last updated in November 2022.

30 Oct 1940
Around 0930A/30, HMS Upholder (Lt. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) departed her builders yard at Barrow for Holy Loch. (1)

31 Oct 1940
Around 1450A/31, HMS Upholder (Lt. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. She had earlier picked up a trials party at Greenock and conducted some trials in the Clyde area before entering Holy Loch. (1)

2 Nov 1940
HMS Upholder (Lt. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (1)

3 Nov 1940
HMS Upholder (Lt. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. Upon completion of these exercises she proceeded to the torpedo range at Arrochar. (1)

5 Nov 1940
HMS Upholder (Lt. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (1)

6 Nov 1940
HMS Upholder (Lt. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (1)

7 Nov 1940
HMS Upholder (Lt. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (1)

8 Nov 1940
HMS Upholder (Lt. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) proceeded from Arrochar to Holy Loch. (1)

9 Nov 1940
HMS Upholder (Lt. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) conducted gunnery exercises in the Clyde area. Upon completion of these exercises she proceeded to Rothesay. (1)

12 Nov 1940
HMS Upholder (Lt. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (1)

13 Nov 1940
HMS Upholder (Lt. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HrMs Z 8 (Lt.Cdr. P.A. de Boer, RNN).

These were followed by night attack exercises with HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN). (1)

14 Nov 1940
HMS Upholder (Lt. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (1)

15 Nov 1940
HMS Upholder (Lt. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN). HMS Upholder proceeded to Holy Loch on completion. (1)

21 Nov 1940
Around 0850A/21, HMS Upholder (Lt. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) (Lt. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) departed Holy Loch for Portsmouth.

Passage south through the Irish Sea was made together with HMS Taku (Lt. J.F.B. Brown, RN). The submarines were escorted by HMS La Surprise (Capt.(Retd.) E.Stubbs, RN). (2)

24 Nov 1940
Around 1230A/24, HMS Upholder (Lt. M.D. Wanklyn, RN), arrived at Portsmouth (Haslar Creek). (2)

25 Nov 1940
HMS Upholder (Lt. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) was docked in the floating dock at Portsmouth. (2)

26 Nov 1940
HMS Upholder (Lt. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) was undocked, conducted propeller trials which were not satisfactory and she was docked again in the floating dock. (2)

27 Nov 1940
HMS Upholder (Lt. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) was undocked, conducted propeller trials which again were not satisfactory and she was docked yet again in the floating dock. (2)

29 Nov 1940
HMS Upholder (Lt. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) was undocked. (2)

7 Dec 1940
HMS Upholder (Lt. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (2)

10 Dec 1940
Around 1330A/10, HMS Upholder (Lt. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) departed Portsmouth for Gibraltar. On the 14th Upholder was ordered to take up a patrol position of the North coast of Spain near Gijon making this passage her 1st war patrol.

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

(3)

23 Dec 1940
Around 1510A/23, HMS Upholder (Lt. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Gibraltar. (3)

25 Dec 1940
HMS Upholder (Lt. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) was docked at Gibraltar. (3)

28 Dec 1940
HMS Upholder (Lt. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) was undocked. (3)

1 Jan 1941
Around 2215A/1, HMS Upholder (Lt. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) departed from Gibraltar for her 2nd war patrol. She is to take up a patrol position with HMS Triumph (Lt.Cdr. W.J.W. Woods, RN) and HMS Usk (Lt.Cdr. P.R. Ward, RN) to the West of Gibraltar off Cape Spartel. This was most likely to intercept Vichy-French warships that might have departed Casablanca for the Mediterranean. (4)

2 Jan 1941
HMS Upholder (Lt. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) is recalled to Gibraltar where she arrived around 1540A/2. (4)

3 Jan 1941
Around 1830A/3, HMS Upholder (Lt. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) departed from Gibraltar for her 3rd war patrol and subsequent passage to Malta. HMS Upholder and HMS Triumph (Lt.Cdr. W.J.W. Woods, RN) are to provide cover for convoy 'Excess' to Malta. Upholder is ordered to patrol from 38°20'N, 07°50'E (dawn 9/1) to 38°30'N, 09°20'E (dusk 9/1). She actually reaches the area one day ahead of schedule but the patrol is uneventful.

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

(5)

12 Jan 1941
Around 0730A/12, HMS Upholder (Lt. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (5)

24 Jan 1941
Around 1715A/24, HMS Upholder (Lt. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) departed Malta for her 4th war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol between Kerkennah and Tripoli.

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

(6)

26 Jan 1941
HMS Upholder (Lt. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) attacked a convoy with four torpedoes off Kerkennah. No hits were obtained.

A return convoy of troopships was expected, which was made up of the troop transports Esperia (11398 GRT, built 1920), Conte Rosso (17897 GRT, built 1922), Marco Polo (12567 GRT, built 1912) and Victoria (13098 GRT, built 1931) escorted by the destroyers Luco Tarigo, Saetta and Freccia. This convoy had left Tripoli at 1900/25 and arrived at Naples at 1000/27). This was most likely the convoy that was attacked by Upholder but there is no confirmation. It seems likely that in the darkness Lt. Wanklyn did not see the entire convoy.

0030A/26 - Sighted Kerkennah no.4 Buoy (34°51'N, 11°50'E) and adjusted position.

0125A/26 - Heard loud H.E., 160 revs - bearing 090° and assumed this to be the expected convoy.

0130A/26 - H.E. moving left. Altered course to intercept. Sighted one merchant vessel and one destroyer.

0135A/26 - Fired two torpedoes at the merchant vessel, range 2500 yards.

0136A/26 - Turned away to avoid the destroyer. Sighted two more merchant vessels astern of the first merchant vessel.

0147A/26 - Fired two torpedoes at the rear ship, range 3000 yards.

0149A/26 - Dived. (6)

28 Jan 1941
At 0430A/28 HMS Upholder (Lt. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) torpedoed and damaged the German transport Duisburg (7389 GRT, built 1928), south of the Kerkennah Shallows. The damaged ship was towed into Tripoli, 20 nautical miles away.

0413A/28 - Sighted two ships bearing 290°, steering 095°. Started attack.

0427A/28 - Fired two torpedoes at the rear ship from 900 yards. The second torpedo hit the target forward.

0650A/28 - Sighted the target, a merchant vessel of 8000 tons, laying stopped down by the bow with her forecastle under water to within 50 feet from her bridge. It was thought that the ship would sink. Upholder moved to the West. (6)

30 Jan 1941
HMS Upholder (Lt. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) attacks the Italian transport Motia (2336 GRT, built 1918) and the Italian tanker Delfin (5210 GRT, built 1918) escorted by the Italian torpedo boats Orione and Aldebaran west of Tripoli, Libya in position 32°55'N, 12°41'E. All torpedoes fired missed their target and Upholder was depth charged by the torpedo boat Aldebaran.

1604A/30 - Heard HE bearing 295°. Shortly afterwards sighted a convoy of two ships approaching from the Westward (298°) escorted by a single funnel destroyer and another unidentified escort vessel. Started attack. Enemy course was 085°, range was 8000 yards.

1620A/30 - Fired two torpedoes at the largest ship from 4000 yards. Went deep upon firing.

1623A/30 - Heard one loud explosion, the HE of the target ceased.

1624A/30 - The counter attack started and lasted 15 minutes. Upholder went to 220 feet. In all 25 depth charges were dropped.

1730A/30 - The enemy departed the area. (6)

1 Feb 1941
Around 0700A/1, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) ended her 4th war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (6)

3 Feb 1941
HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) was docked at Malta. (7)

5 Feb 1941
HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) was undocked. (7)

12 Feb 1941
Around 1100A/12, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) departed Malta for her 5th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Tripoli.

Upon leaving Malta she carried out a dummy attack on and A/S exercises with HMS Havock (Cdr. R.E. Courage, DSO, DSC, RN).

Upholder also encoutered HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) South of Malta.

1916A/12 - In position 35°26'N, 14°17'E, Upholder sighted an unidentified submarine steering North. Started attack. The target was closed to 2000 yards before the challenge was made three times. No reply was received. Lt. Wanklyn withheld fire as the target looked like a T-class submarine. This was quite correct as the submarine in question was HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN).

1925A/12 - The challenge was made another time, again no reply.

1930A/12 - Broke off the attack. (6)

12 Feb 1941

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

19 Feb 1941
HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) attacked a convoy West of Tripoli, Libya. Two torpedoes were fired but no hits were obtained. The target was the German transport Heraklea (1927 GRT, built 1922). She was in convoy with the German transports Arta (2452 GRT, built 1922), Menes (5609 GRT, built 1926) and Maritza (2910 GRT, built) escorted by the Italian destroyers Freccia and Saetta. Heraklea sighted the two torpedo tracks and turned sharply to starboard to comb the tracks.

2310A/19 - Near position 32°52'N, 12°48'E sighted a convoy of three merchant vessels escorted by three destroyers / torpedo boats disposed ahead and on either beam. Enemy course was 095°. The leading destroyer was seen to be a Spica-class torpedo boat. Started attack on the leading merchant vessel.

2326A/19 - Fired two torpedoes from 1500 yards and dived to 180 feet. No explosions. (6)

23 Feb 1941
Around 1130A/23, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) ended her 5th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (6)

3 Mar 1941
Around 1800B/3, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) departed Malta for her 6th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Tripoli.

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

(6)

8 Mar 1941
HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) attacked a convoy North of Tripoli with two torpedoes. No hits were obtained.

The target may have been Tugnin F. (425 GRT, 1919) escorted by Pave and Capodoglio but it is not confirmed.

0750B/8 - In position 33°15'N, 13°10'E sighted three ships approaching from the Northward. Enemy course was 173°, speed 9 knots. They proved to be a small tug, one 1500 tons diesel vessel and an armed trawler. Started attack.

0830B/8 - Fired two torpedoes at the 1500 tons ship. No hits were obtained. (6)

10 Mar 1941
Around 1030B/10, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) ended her 6th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (6)

19 Mar 1941
Around 1800B/19, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) departed Malta for her 7th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to perform a survey off the East coast of Sicily (further details to follow).

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

(6)

25 Mar 1941
Around 0715B/25, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) ended her 7th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (6)

3 Apr 1941
Around 1845B/3, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) departed Malta for her 8th war patrol (6th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off the East coast of Tunisia.

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

(6)

10 Apr 1941
HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) made two torpedo attacks on merchant vessels off Cape Bon, Tunisia. No hits were obtained in either attack.

The target of the first attack was thought to be the Italian transport Andalusia (4454 GRT, built 1907), this is however not possible as the Andalusia had sought refuge in the Canary Islands and remained there until 1944). The target might have been the Honor (5303 GRT, built 1919) which had sailed from Sfax at 0200B/9 carrying phosphate for Pozzuoli.

The target of the second attack was the Italian transport Antonietta Lauro (5428 GRT, built 1928) and the tanker in ballast was the Italian Capacitas (5371 GRT, built 1920). They reported being attacked in position 37°09'N, 11°10'E.

1050B/10 - In position 37°01'N, 11°08'E sighted a single fully laden merchant vessel of about 5000 tons. She was stearing a course of 355° at 9 knots. Closed to attack.

1155B/10 - In position 37°09'N, 11°08'E the target altered course. Range was now 7000 yards.

1204B/10- Fired two torpedoes from 6400 yards. No hits were obtained.

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

1415B/10 - In position 37°10'N, 11°12'E sighted two merchant vessels stearing a course of 230° at a speed of 10.5 knots. Closed at speed to attack.

1448B/10 - Fired three torpedoes at the second ship from 1850 yards, a half laden merchant vessel of about 6000 tons. The other ship was a tanker of about 4000 tons in ballast.

1449B/10 - The target was observed combing the tracks of the torpedoes. No hits were obtained. (6)

11 Apr 1941
HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) made a torpedo attack on an unidentified laden merchant vessel off Cape Bon, Tunisia. No hits were obtained.

This was probably the Italian Agata (2282 GRT, built 1901) loaded with phosphate which had sailed from Sousse at 0500B/11 for Palermo where she arrived at 1800B/12.

2150B/11 - In position 37°22'N, 11°20'E sighted a 4500 ton laden merchant vessel stearing a course of 030° at a speed of 8 knots. Closed to attack.

2205B/11 - Dived to complete the attack.

2231B/11 - Fired three torpedoes from 2000 yards. One of the torpedoes had a gyro failure while another broke surface. This resulted in no hits being obtained.

2250B/11 - Surfaced after the torpedo with the gyro failure had stopped running. It was now too late for gun action. Upholder now had no torpedoes remaining. Lt. Wanklyn decided to remain on patrol to observe convoy movements. (6)

12 Apr 1941
At 1435B12, in position 37°07'N, 11°11'E, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) sighted a convoy of 5 transports escorted by three Italian Navigatori-class destroyers. As Upholder was out of torpedoes she could not attack but she made an enemy report on her mast aerial. She received no reply so at 1528 hours she surfaced to transmit the enemy report on her main aerial dispite that four aircraft were patrolling the area. Unfortunately no reply was received yet again. Upholder then dived again and proceeded to the North-East while the convoy moved to the South-West.
[This convoy was made up of the German transports Ankara (4768 GRT, built 1937), Marburg (7564 GRT, built 1928), Kybfels (7764 GRT, built 1937), Reichenfels (7744 GRT, built 1936) and the Italian transport Calitea (4013 GRT, 1933). They were escorted by the Italian destroyers Ugolino Vivaldi, Antonio da Noli and Lanzerotto Malocello.

At 2345B12, Upholder intercepted enemy reports from aircraft and sighted parachute flares to the South. She increased speed and turned to intercept this convoy. At 0153 hours on the 13th she sighted a convoy three miles to the West of Pantelleria steering North. Upholder tried to pass an enemy report. At 0212B/13, Upholder fired star shell across the convoys bow to make it turn back. She dived when the escorts approached. Three minutes later the convoy was seen to turn South. An enemy report was made again but no reply was received. At 0300 hours an other enemy report was made. Finally a reply was received from HMS Medway.
[This convoy was most likely the one made up of the German transports Castellon (2086 GRT, built 1935), Arcturus (2576 GRT, built 1937), Wachtfels (8467 GRT, built 1928) and Leverkusen (7382 GRT, built 1928) escorted by the Italian torpedo boats Orione, Orsa and Procione.

(6)

14 Apr 1941
Around 0745B/14, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) ended her 8th war patrol (6th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (6)

21 Apr 1941
Around 1900B/21, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) departed Malta for her 9th war patrol (7th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off the East coast of Tunisia.

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

(6)

25 Apr 1941
HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian transport Antonietta Lauro (5428 GRT, built 1928), carrying phosphate, 2.5 nautical miles bearing 125° from Kerkennah Buoy no.3, Tunisia in position 34°57'N, 11°44'E.

1455B/25 - Sighted a large merchant vessel to the South-South-West stearing 070°. Closed to attack.

1505B/25 - The merchant vessel altered course to 320°. Closed at full submerged speed.

1533B/25 - Fired two torpedoes from 700 yards. Half a minute later a heavy explosion occured which broke most of the lamp bulbs forward. It was intended to fire a third torpedo but this was was witheld.

1534B/25 - Retired to the North-East. Observed the target settling.

1700B/25 - Returned to the target to finish her off with a third torpedo if needed. Her after deck was well awash and she was sinking.

1715B/25 - Retired to the North-East again. (6)

26 Apr 1941
At 2144B/25, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) destroys the wreck (with demolition charges) of the grounded German transport Arta (2452 GRT, built 1922) off Kerkennah, Tunisia in position 34°54.5'N, 11°37'E.

Before blowing up the ship the captains safe was blown up and the papers in it were taken. (6)

27 Apr 1941
At 1950B/27, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) surfaced and tried to close the wreck of the Italian destroyer Lampo torpedoed and sunk in shallow waters by British destroyers during the action against the 'Tarigo'-convoy (16 April). At 2040 hours, the submarine ran aground in 15 feet of water some 4000 yards short of her target and the attempt was abandoned. (6)

1 May 1941
HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) torpedoed and sank the German transport Arcturus (2576 GRT, built 1937) and torpedoed and damaged the German transport Leverkusen (7382 GRT, built 1928) off Kerkennah, Tunisia.

Later the same day Upholder again torpedoed the Leverkusen finally sinking her.

The convoy attacked by HMS Upholder was, besides the two above mentioned ship, made up of the German transports Castellon (2086 GRT, built 1935), Wachtfels (8467 GRT, built 1928) and the Italian transport Giulia (5921 GRT, built 1926). They were escorted by the Italian destroyers Turbine, Folgore, Saetta and Strale.

(All times are zone -2)
1108B/1- In position 34°38'N 11°39'E sighted a convoy of five merchant vessels and four destroyers to the Westward. Closed at full submerged speed to attack.

1131B/1 - The convoy was seen to be disposed in two columns. Two Dardo-class destroyers were seen ahead and two Turbine-class destroyers were seen on the Starboard beam and quarter.

1132B/1 - Fired four torpedoes at the leading ship in the near column, whose bow overlapped with the stern of the leading ship in the far column. Range was 2800 yards. Upon firing Upholder retired to the South.

1141B/1 - Three explosions were heard.

1155B/1 - Sighted a 'Fels line' ship of over 6000 tons sink rapidly by the stern. Another large ship was seen to be listing heavily and down by the bow.

1445B/1 - The damaged ship was seen to be still afloat and on an even keel. She was underway slowly with one of the destroyers nearby. She was dropped depth charges at random.

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

1730B/1 - Surfaced and sent out an enemy report. The damaged merchant was in sight in position 34°45'N, 11°42'E.

1755B/1 - Dived at a range of 16000 yards to attack and finish off the damaged ship.

1901B/1 - Fired two torpedoes from 1200 yards. Both appeared to hit the target.

1915B/1 - Depth charging started but it could also be the ships boilers exploding in the case she was not diesel driven.

1940B/1 - Only the ships stern was now out of the water. The destroyer was standing by.

1945B/1 - The ship sank.

2100B/1 - Surfaced. As Upholder was now out of torpedoes course was set to Malta. A report was passed to Alexandria to report the situation. (6)

3 May 1941
Around 0650B/3, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) ended her 9th war patrol (7th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (6)

15 May 1941
Around 1935B/15, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) departed Malta for her 10th war patrol (8th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol South of the Straits of Messina.

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

(8)

20 May 1941
HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) fires four torpedoes at a convoy near Capo dell'Armi in position 37°57'N, 15°40'E. The torpedoes however miss their target.

Italian records indicate that the freighter Dielpi (1520 GRT, built 1912) escorted by the armed merchant cruiser Attilio Deffenu (3510 GRT, built 1929) was missed by three torpedoes, the tankers Utilitas (5310 GRT, built 1918) and Urano (5512 GR, built 1923) were also in company. The convoy was proceeding from Messina to Taranto but Dielpi escorted by Deffenu was diverted to Crotone before the armed merchant cruiser rejoined the two tankers and resumed their trip to Taranto.

1835B/20 - Sighted a convoy of one escort vessel, two medium seized tankers and one merchant vessel in position 37°57'N, 15°40'E. Enemy course was 140°, speed 9 knots. Closed to attack the leading tanker, a ship of about 4000 tons.

1844B/20 - Fired three torpedoes from a range of 7000 yards. Four torpedoes were intended but no.3 torpedo cap refused to open.

1850B/20 - Heard an explosion, possibly a torpedo hit but as Upholder dived to 150 feet upon firing the result could not be seen. Upholder meanwhile retired to the South-West.

1855B/20 to 1915B/20 - Six depth charges were dropped about a mile away. (8)

23 May 1941
HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) torpedoed and damaged the French tanker Capitaine Damiani (4818 GRT, built 1921) near Capo dell Armi. The damaged ship was towed to Messina by the other French tanker in the convoy the Alberta (3357 GRT, built 1938).

1159B/20 - In position 37°56'N, 15°36'E sighted two tankers and one escort vessel. Closed to attack.

1220B/20 - The escort was seen to return to Messina. It was noticed that the French colours were painted on the ships sides.

1229B/20 - Fired three torpedoes at the rear tanker, the bigger one.

1231B/20 - One torpedo hit the target.

1250B/20 - Observed the targert settling by the stern. The other tanker took avoiding action and the escort returned at full speed while dropping depth charges. Upholder now went to 150 feet and retired to the South-East. The hunt continued during the whole afternoon. In all 26 depth charges were dropped but none was close. (8)

24 May 1941
HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) attacked a heavily escorted troop convoy, 10 nautical miles east of Siracusa, Sicily, Italy in position 36°41'N, 15°42'E and torpedoed and sank the Italian liner (used as troop transport) Conte Rosso (17879 GRT, built 1922). Upholder was heavily depth charged following this attack.

The convoy Upholder attacked was made up, besides of the above mention liner, of the liners Esperia (11398 GRT, built 1920), Marco Polo (12272 GRT, built 1912) and Victoria (13098 GRT, built 1931). They were escorted by the Italian destroyer Freccia as well as the Italian torpedo boats Orsa, Procione and Pegaso. The number of victims varies slightly according to sources, perhaps the more precise figures are 1291 killed or missing and 1441 survivors picked up.

(All times are zone -2)
2030B/24 - Sighted three very large two-funnel liners in position 36°48'N, 15°42'E. Course was 215°. Closed to attack. It was later seen that there were at least four destroyers but most likely six.

2043B/24 - Fired the last two torpedoes at the centre ship which was the biggest. The nearest destroyer (a Grecale-class) was then only 400 yards ahead. Upholder went to 150 feet upon firing and retired to the East. Two explosions were heard about a minute after firing.

2047B/24 - Depth charging started. In all 37 depth charges were dropped. The last four at 2107 hours were very close. No damage was sustained.

2120B/24 to 2125B/24 - The target was heard to sink.

2250B/24 - Surfaced and passed a report to Malta. There was a strong smell of fuel oil in the breeze upon surfacing. (8)

26 May 1941
Around 0845B/26, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) ended her 10th war patrol (8th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (8)

27 May 1941
HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) was docked in No.2 Dock at Malta. (9)

3 Jun 1941
HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) was undocked. (9)

6 Jun 1941
Around 1600B/6, HMS Upholder (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) departed Malta for her 11th war patrol (9th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol North-East of Tripoli.

Lt. Hezlet took over from Lt.Cdr. Wanklyn for this patrol so Lt.Cdr. Wanklyn could have a rest.

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

(8)

17 Jun 1941
Around 0715B/17, HMS Upholder (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) ended her 11th war patrol (9th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (8)

24 Jun 1941
Around 2200B/24, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) departed Malta for her 12th war patrol (10th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol East of Sicily to intercept an important Italian convoy to Tripoli.

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

(8)

25 Jun 1941
At 2148B/25, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) sighted two large ships, but the submarine could not get into an attacking position. (8)

26 Jun 1941
At 1300B/26, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) is recalled to Malta. (8)

27 Jun 1941
Around 0710B/27, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) ended her 12th war patrol (10th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (8)

28 Jun 1941
Around 2000B/28, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) departed Malta for her 13th war patrol (11th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol South of the Straits of Messina.

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

(8)

1 Jul 1941
HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) attacked but missed an Italian Armed Merchant Cruiser with three torpedoes in position 37°53'N, 15°47'E.

Italian sources this was probably the Italian auxiliary Egitto (3220 GRT, built 1929). She was escorting the German transports Bellona (1297 GRT, built 1929) and Tinos (2827 GRT, built 1914), they had sailed at 2230B/30 from Crotone for Messina.

0600B/1 - Sighted a single funnel liner near position 37°52'N, 15°52'E steering 210°. The vessel soon proved to be an Armed Merchant Cruiser of the 'Citta di Genova' which zigged about 90° every 5 minutes.

0615B/1 - Sighted three merchant vessels close inshore. One was about 3000 tons and two were about 2000 tons.

0634B/1 - In position 37°53'N, 15°47'E fired three torpedoes at the Armed Merchant Cruiser from only 250 yards. It appeared they ran under due to the short range.

0639B/1 - One explosion occured fairly close, followed by two more nearly 15 minutes later. It appeared from the HE that a destroyer dropped these depth charges. Several hours later a Spica-class torpedo boat was seen in the same area. (8)

3 Jul 1941
HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) torpedoed the Italian transport Laura C (6181 GRT, built 1923) off Saline Ioniche, Calabria, in position 37°55'N, 15°44'E.

According to Italian sources she was in convoy with Mameli (2682 GRT, 1889), both from Taranto and Pugliola (2974 GRT, 1917) which had joined from Crotone and escorted by the torpedo-boat Altair and the minesweeper Arborea. They were proceeding to Messina. Laura C. was indeed hit by two torpedoes, the ship was taken in tow to be run ashore but sank in deep water. Of her crew of 38, there were three wounded, three killed and three missing. Altair hunted the submarine, dropping 18 depth charges in four runs, and claimed it probably sunk.

1030B/3 hours - Sighted smoke near Cape Spartivento.

1100B/3 - Made out three merchants, an armed merchant cruiser and a destroyer. Started attack.

1125B/3 - The destroyer dropped a single depth charge. It was noticed that both the destroyer and the armed merchant cruiser were zig-zagging wildly about 3000 yards outside the convoy.

1135B/3 - The destroyer turned straight towards Upholder at 27 knots. Lt.Cdr. Wanklyn dived to 45 feet and altered course.

1139B/3 - Returned to periscope depth as the destroyer was heard to pass to the westward.

1142B/3 - In position 37°54'N, 15°44E, fired three torpedoes against the centre ship in the convoy, a heavily laden, grey painted cargo vessel of about 5500 tons. Two hits were obtained and Upholder went to 150 feet and retired to the eastward.

1147B/3 - Depth charging started. 18 depth charges were fired but none were very close. (8)

8 Jul 1941
Around 0645B/8, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) ended her 13th war patrol (11th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (8)

11 Jul 1941
HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) is docked in No.5 Dock at Malta. (10)

14 Jul 1941
HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) was undocked. (10)

17 Jul 1941
HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) and HMS Urge (Lt.Cdr. E.P. Tomkinson, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Malta with HMS Beryl. (10)

19 Jul 1941
Around 1245B/19, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) departed Malta for her 14th war patrol (12th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol North of Isola di Marettimo.

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

(8)

21 Jul 1941

Operation Substance, convoys to and from Malta

Passage through the Straits of Gibraltar of the eastbound convoy and sailing from Gibraltar of the remaining ships involved in the operation.

Around 0130B/21 convoy WS 9C passed the Straits of Gibraltar. The convoy at that moment consisted of six merchant ships; City of Pretoria (8049 GRT, built 1937), Deucalion (7516 GRT, built 1930), Durham (10893 GRT, built 1934), Melbourne Star (11076 GRT, built 1936), Port Chalmers (8535 GRT, built 1933) and Sydney Star (11095 GRT, built 1936).

At the time they passed through the Straits they were escorted by HMS Nelson (Capt. T.H. Troubridge, RN), HMS Edinburgh (Capt. H.W. Faulkner, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral E.N. Syfret, RN), HMS Manxman (Capt. R.K. Dickson, RN), HMS Lightning (Cdr. R.G. Stewart, RN), HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, RAN), HMS Avon Vale (Lt.Cdr. P.A.R. Withers, RN), HMS Eridge (Lt.Cdr. W.F.N. Gregory-Smith, RN) and HMS Farndale (Cdr. S.H. Carlill, RN).

HMS Manchester (Capt. H. Drew, DSC, RN), HMS Arethusa (Capt. A.C. Chapman, RN), HMS Cossack (Capt. E.L. Berthon, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Maori (Cdr. R.E. Courage, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Sikh (Cdr. G.H. Stokes, RN) departed Gibraltar around 0200B/21 escorting troopship Leinster (4302 GRT, built 1937) which was to join the convoy. However Leinster grounded while leaving Gibraltar and had to left behind. The small fleet tanker RFA Brown Ranger (3417 GRT, built 1941, master D.B.C. Ralph) left Gibraltar around the same time escorted by the destroyer HMS Beverley (Lt.Cdr. J. Grant, RN).

About one hour later, around 0300B/21, HMS Renown (Rear-Admiral R.R. McGrigor, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, DSO, RN), HMS Ark Royal (Capt. L.E.H. Maund, RN), HMS Hermione (Capt. G.N. Oliver, RN), HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.F. de Salis, RN), HMS Fearless (Cdr. A.F. Pugsley, RN), HMS Firedrake (Lt.Cdr. S.H. Norris, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Foresight (Cdr. J.S.C. Salter, RN), HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Tancock, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Foxhound (Cdr. G.H. Peters, DSC, RN), HMS Fury (Lt.Cdr. T.C. Robinson, RN) and HMS Duncan (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Rowell, RN) departed Gibraltar to give convoy for the convoy during the passage to Malta.

At sea the forces were redistributed;
Force H, the cover force
HMS Renown, HMS Nelson, HMS Ark Royal, HMS Hermione, HMS Faulknor, HMS Foresight, HMS Forester, HMS Fury, HMS Lightning and HMS Duncan.

Force X, the close escort for the convoy
HMS Edinburgh, HMS Manchester, HMS Arethusa, HMS Manxman, HMS Cossack, HMS Maori, HMS Sikh, HMAS Nestor, HMS Fearless, HMS Firedrake, HMS Foxhound, HMS Avon Vale, HMS Eridge and HMS Farndale.

Plan for the operation

Force H was to cover the convoy until it reached the narrows between Sicily and Tunisia. Force X was to escort the convoy all the way to Malta. Ships of Force X also had troops for Malta on board that had been taken to Gibraltar by troopship Pasteur. On 23 July 1941, the day the eastbound convoy would reach ‘the narrows’ five empty transports and two tankers would depart Malta for Gibraltar (Convoy MG 1) The seven empty transports were;
Group 1 (speed 17 knots)
HMS Breconshire (9776 GRT, built 1939),
Talabot (6798 GRT, built 1936),

Group 2 (speed 14 knots)
Thermopylae (6655 GRT, built 1930),
Amerika (10218 GRT, built 1930),

Group 3 (speed 12 knots)
Settler (6202 GRT, built 1939),
Tanker Svenor (7616 GRT, built 1931) and
Tanker Hoegh Hood (9351 GRT, built 1936)
These were escorted by the destroyer HMS Encounter (Lt.Cdr. E.V.St J. Morgan, RN) which had been repairing and refitting at Malta.

Through intelligence it was known that the Italian Navy had five battleships operational (three of them at Taranto) and about ten cruisers divided between Taranto, Palermo and Messina. The Italian Air Force had about 50 torpedo planes and 150 bombers (30 of which were dive bombers) stationed in Sardinia and Sicily, roughly half of each type on both islands.

The Royal Air Force was able to be of more help than during the previous convoy trip from Gibraltar to Malta last January. Aircraft from Gibraltar conducted A/S patrols for the fleet during the first two days of the passage to the east. Also patrols were flown between Sardinia and the coast of Africa, while aircraft from Malta conducted reconnaissance between Sardinia and Sicily, besides watching the Italian ports. Malta would also provide fighter escort for Force X and the convoy after Force H would part with them and HMS Ark Royal could no longer provide fighter cover for them.

During the operation eight submarines (HMS Olympus (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Dymott, RN), HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN), HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, DSO, RN), HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN), HMS Urge (Lt. E.P. Tomkinson, RN), HMS Utmost (Lt.Cdr. R.D. Cayley, DSO, RN), HMS P 32 (Lt. D.A.B. Abdy, RN) and HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN)) were on patrol to report and attack Italian warships that might be sailed to intercept the convoy.

The passage East, 22 July 1941

On 22 July the destroyers from Force X oiled from the Brown Ranger two at a time. A task that took about 10 hours. Having completed the oiling of the destroyers the Brown Ranger and her escort returned to Gibraltar. An Italian aircraft had reported Force H in the morning but the convoy and Force X, at that moment about 100 nautical miles to the south-westward, appeared not to have been sighed. At 2317B/22 the Italian submarine Diaspro missed HMS Renown with torpedoes. HMAS Nestor sighted the torpedo tracks and was able to warn HMS Renown which was then able to avoid the torpedoes by doing an emergency turn to port.

The passage East and attacks by the Italian Air Force, 23 July 1941

Force H rejoined the convoy around 0800B/23 as the British were now approaching the danger area. Shadowing aircraft had already reported the position of the fleet that morning and heavy air attacks soon followed.

The first came at 0945 hours, a well times combination of nine high level bombers and six or seven torpedo planes approaching from the north-east. HMS Ark Royal had eleven fighters up, which met the bombers about 20 miles from the fleet. They managed to down two of the nine bombers but unfortunately three Fulmars were shot down by the enemy. The other seven bombers came on working round the head of the screen of destroyers to attack the convoy from the starboard beam at a height of 10000 feet. Their bombs fell harmlessly amongst the leading ships as they altered course to avoid the attack. The torpedo planes however were more successful. They came from ahead out of the sun, flying low, and as the destroyers opened fire they divided into groups of two or three and to attack the convoy on both sides. Two aircraft attacked HMS Fearless, stationed ahead in the screen, dropping their torpedoes at ranges of 1500 and 800 yards from a height of 70 feet. The destroyer avoided the first torpedo, but was hit by the second, set on fire, and completely disabled. Other aircraft went to press on their attacks on the convoy itself. One of them, dropping its torpedo between two merchant vessels hit HMS Manchester as she was turning to regain her station after avoiding two torpedoes fired earlier. She reversed helm once more but to no avail. During the attacks three enemy torpedo bombers were shot down by AA fire from the ships.

HMS Manchester was badly damaged and could only use one engine out of four. At first she could steam only 8 knots. She was ordered to make for Gibraltar with HMS Avon Vale as escort. That evening, further to the westward, they were attacked again by three enemy torpedo planes but their AA gunfire kept the enemy at a distance. Both ships successfully reached Gibraltar on the 26th.

At 1010B/23 five more bombers tried to attack the convoy crossing this time from north to south. Fighters from HMS Ark Royal forced them to drop their bombs from great height and mostly outside the screen.

At 1645B/23 five more torpedo planes led by a seaplane came in from the northward. Three Fulmars caught them about 20 miles away. They managed to shoot down two planes and drove the remainder away.

Soon afterwards the fleet arrived off the entrance to the Skerki Channel. There HMS Hermione was transferred to Force X to take the place of HMS Manchester. Six destroyers were assigned to Force H and eight to Force X. At 1713 hours Vice-Admiral Somerville hauled round to the westward. HMS Ark Royal kept her Fulmars up until RAF Beaufighters had arrived from Malta to take over.

The convoy was attacked again around 1900B/23. Four torpedo planes arrived from the eastward, flying low and and working round from ahead to the starboard side of the convoy. They approached in pairs in line abreast. They kept HMS Sikh (on the starboard bow of the screen) between them and their target until nearly the moment for attack, thereby hampering the AA fire from the other ships. They dropped their torpedoes from long range from a height of 50 feet and nearly hit HMS Hermione, sternmost ship in the starboard column. To avoid the attack each column of the convoy turned 90° outwards and all warships opened barrage fire from all guns that would bear. The barrage however fell short but it caused the Italians to drop their torpedoes early. Also one of the enemy was possibly shot down.

This attack scattered the convoy and it took some time to reform. At 1945B/23 about seven bombers appeared from ahead at a height of about 14000 feet to attack the convoy from the port side. The convoy altered 40° to port together and the escort opened up a controlled fire with some hesitation as the Italian aircraft looked a lot like Beaufighters. The bombing was extremely accurate. Several bombs fell near HMS Edinburgh which was leading the port column, and a near miss abreast a boiler room disabled HMS Firedrake which had been sweeping ahead of the convoy. She could no longer steam so Rear-Admiral Syfret ordered her back to Gibraltar in tow of HMS Eridge. They had an anxious passage, being shadowed by aircraft continuously during daylight hours, but were not again attacked. On the 25th HMS Firedrake managed to lit one boiler so the tow was slipped. Both destroyers entered Gibraltar harbour on the 27th.

Soon after leaving the Skerki Channel in the evening of the 23th the convoy hauled up to the north-east towards the coast of Sicily. This was to lessen the danger of mines. The Italians did not shadow the convoy after the attack at 1945 hours and missed this alteration of course which they clearly did not expect. Around 2100 hours, as it was getting dark, enemy aircraft were seen searching along its old line of advance. During the evening the convoy sighted flares several times about 20 miles to the south.

Continued passage to the east and enemy attacks, 24 July 1941

Between 0250 and 0315 hours the convoy was however attacked by the Italian MAS boats MAS 532 and MAS 533. The managed to torpedo and damaged the Sydney Star. HMAS Nestor went alongside and took off almost 500 soldiers. Sydney Star was however able to continue her passage as staggler escorted initially by HMAS Nestor. Admiral Syfret however sent back HMS Hermione. At 1000B/24 eight German dive bombers and two high level bombers attacked. Their bombs fell close the escorting ships. HMS Hermione shot down one dive bomber. The three ships arrived at Malta early in the afternoon.

The main body of the convoy meanwhile continued on its way unhindered after the attacks of the motor torpedo boats except for an attempt by three torpedo planes around 0700 hours. They dropped their torpedoes at a safe distance when fired on by the destroyers in the screen ahead. According to the orders Rear-Admiral Syfret was to leave the convoy now, if there was no threat from Italian surface forces, and go on to Malta with the cruisers and some of the destroyers. They were to land the passengers and stores, complete with fuel and return to Force H as soon as possible. The remaining destroyers were to accompany the transports to Malta. They too were to join Force H as soon as possible. Rear-Admiral Syfret felt easy about the surface danger as all Italian ships were reported in harbour the day before, but he was anxious about the threat to the convoy from the air. He decided to go ahead with the cruiser but leave all destroyers with the convoy so at 0745B/24, HMS Edinburgh, HMS Arethusa and HMS Manxman left the convoy and pressed ahead at high speed to Malta where they arrived at noon the same day. The transports and the destroyers arrived about four hours later. They had been attacked only once by a torpedo plane since the cruisers separated.

Return passage of the warships of force X to make rendez-vous with Force H.

In the evening HMS Edinburgh, HMS Arethusa, HMS Hermione and HMS Manxman sailed together followed by five destroyers; HMS Cossack, HMS Maori, HMS Sikh, HMAS Nestor, HMS Foxhound, later the same evening. The destroyers overtook the cruisers in the morning of the 25th. The sixth destroyer, HMS Farndale, had to be left at Malta due to defects (condenser problems). All ships made rendez-vous with Force H to the north-west of Galita Island at 0800B/25.

Movements of Force H after it parted from the convoy.

After parting with the convoy in the evening of the 23rd, Vice-Admiral Somerville had taken force H westward at 18 knots until the afternoon of the 24th going as far west as 03°30’E. He then turned back to meet Admiral Syfret, also sending from HMS Ark Royal six Swordfish aircraft which left her in position 37°42’N, 07°17’E at 1000B/25. After their junction Forces H and X made the best of way towards Gibraltar. Fighter patrols of HMS Ark Royal shot down a shadowing aircraft soon after the fleet had shaped course to the westward, losing a Fulmar in doing so. However another aircraft had meanwhile reported the fleet.

High level bombers appeared from the east and torpedo bombers from the north at 1100 hours. HMS Ark Royal at that moment had four fighters in the air and sent up six more. They prevented the bombing attack shooting down three aircraft out of eight at a cost of two Fulmars, while the ships watched the enemy jettison their bombs 15 miles away. The torpedo attack came to nothing too for the enemy gave up the attempt and retired while still several miles from the fleet. Two days later, on the 27th, the fleet reached Gibraltar.

The movements of the seven empty ships coming from Malta.

Six of the transports / tankers left Malta for Gibraltar in the morning of the 23rd, escorted by HMS Encounter. The seventh ship, tanker Svenor grounded while leaving harbour and was held up for some hours. At dusk, when a few miles from Pantelleria, the six ships devided into pairs according to their speed. HMS Encounter initially escorted the middle pair but joined the leading ships in the evening of the 24th when past the Galita Bank.

Italian aircraft, both high level bombers and torpedo planes, attacked all these ships on the 24th to the southward of Sardinia. They made their first attempt on the second pair of transports and HMS Encounter. Four torpedo planes attacked at 1230B/24 and four bombers at 1250B/24. No ships were hit though the bombs fell close. Next came the turn for the leading pair, which were attacked further westwards by two bombers that came singly at 1330B/24 and 1400B/24. The second plane nearly hit HMS Breconshire. Finally when the third pair of ships reached about the same position in the evening they were attacked by torpedo planes and the Hoegh Hood was damaged but she managed to arrive at Gibraltar only a few hours after her consort on the 27th. The last ship, the one that had been delayed at Malta, arrived on the 28th. (11)

24 Jul 1941
HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) torpedoed and damaged the Italian transport Dandolo (4964 GRT, built 1921), 2.5 nautical miles north-west of Barone, eastern Sicily in position 38°08'N, 12°37'E. She was escorted by the torpedo boat Giuseppe Missori which dropped 17 depth charges, the Cant Z.501 2/144 dropped an antisubmarine bomb at 1815 and a second one at 1840. The damaged Italian ship was towed to Trapani by the tugs Nettuno, Liguria and Ciclope and made port and was repaired.

1355B/24 - In position 38°06'N, 12°33'E sighted a Generale-class torpedo boat and one medium seized laden merchant vessel proceeding Eastward along the 'safety route'. Closed at full speed.

1418B/24 - Fired three torpedoes at the merchant vessel from 5000 yards.

1422B/24 - One torpedo hit the target. The torpedo boat replied with 17 depth charges spread over the next two hours. Upholder meanwhile retired to the North-West at 150 feet.

1530B/24 - Returned to periscope depth. Observed the target stopped and settling by the stern with the torpedo boat patrolling to the seaward of her. (8)

28 Jul 1941
HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) fired four torpedoes at an Italian task force, hitting the light cruiser Giuseppe Garibaldi. The cruiser was hit in the bow and took 700 tons of water but did not sink. She managed to reach Palermo and was later repaired in Naples and was out of action for a considerable time.

The task-force sighted by Upholder was made up of the above mentioned cruiser Giuseppe Garibaldi, the cruiser Raimondo Montecuccoli. The destroyers were the Granatiere and Bersagliere. The Bersagliere dropped 11 depth charges at the spot from where the torpedo tracks appear to have initiated and was then drawn to a spot where an escorting aircraft had fired a burst of machine gun and dropped a further pattern of four depth charges.

1940B/28 - Sighted two cruisers and two destroyers to the Southward. Enemy course was 355°, speed was estimated to be 22 knots.

1950B/28 - Asdic gave 230 revs., this exquals a speed of 28 knots. The leading cruiser could now no longer be attacked from this position so selected the second cruiser as the target.

1951B/28 - In position 38°04'N, 11°57'E fired four torpedoes from 4000 yards.

1955B/28 - Heard two heavy explosions thought to be hits. Upholder meanwhile retired to the North-East at 150 feet.

1957B/28 - Depth charges were dropped by one of the destroyers. The other destroyer apparently guarded the cruiser and dropped several single depth charges. In all 38 depth charges were dropped some were quite close but no damage was done.

2200B/28 - Nothing in sight. Surfaced and passed a report to Malta. (8)

29 Jul 1941
HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) attacked a convoy North-East of Cape San Vito, in position 38°28'N, 12°14'E with her last remaining torpedo. The torpedo however did not hit the intended target. This convoy was probably the one consisting of Ernesto (7399 GRT, built 1914), Nita (6803 GRT, built 1913), Castelverde (5270 GRT, built 1919), Aquitania (4971 GRT, built 1924) and Nirvo (5270 GRT, built 1919) escorted by the destroyers Folgore, Saetta and Fulmine, they had sailed from Tripoli for Naples. The attack was unobserved.

0320B/29 - Sighted a convoy of four merchant ships escorted by three or four destroyers to the Southward. Enemy course was 030° at 9 knots. Closed to attack.

0335B/29 - When about to fire torpedoes a destroyer came straight towards so the attack had to be broken off.

0346B/29 - Surfaced.

0352B/29 - In position 38°28'N, 12°14'E fired the last torpedo at a group of two ships and a destroyer. The torpedo appeared to miss ahead. Retired to the Southward on the surface. Made an enemy report. (8)

31 Jul 1941
Around 1815B/31, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) ended her 14th war patrol (12th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (8)

15 Aug 1941
Around 1630B/15, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) departed Malta for her 15th war patrol (13th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Isola di Marettimo.

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

(8)

20 Aug 1941
HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian transport Enotria (852 GRT, built 1907) off Cape San Vito, Italy.

According to Italian sources the vessel was carrying 900 tons of sand on a trip from Palermo to Savona and was escorted by the auxiliary Gronco (F 37). Gronco rescued the survivors and landed them at Trapani, two sailors were missing.

0850B/20 - Sighted a merchant vessel and an escorting trawler in position 38°09'N, 12°39'E proceeding Eastwards. Started attack.

0931B/20 - Fired two torpedoes at the merchant vessel, a cargo vessel of about 2000 tons.

0932B/20 - One torpedo hit the target. Upholder retired to the South-South-West.

1013B/20 - Only the trawler and one aircraft were now in sight. The merchant vessel had sunk. The trawler had dropped four depth charges. (8)

22 Aug 1941
HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian transport Lussin (3988 GRT, built 1912) about 2 nautical miles north-west of Cape San Vito, Sicily, Italy.

Lussin was towing the small tanker Alcione (521 GRT, built 1915) in company with the transport Alberto Fassio (2289 GRT, 1914) and they were escorted by the torpedo boats Cigno and Pegaso. Lussin sank in two minutes, Pegaso depth charged the submarine while Cigno rescued the survivors. The escorting Z.501 seaplane (No.3 of 144^Squadriglia) also dropped two antisubmarine bombs on the torpedo track's point of origin but did not observe results.

1545B/22 - Sighted a convoy of three ships. They were all laden tankers. The leading ship appeared to be the fleet oiler Tarvisio of 10915 GRT [this was not the case]. She was dazzle painted and four enormous drums were secured to her boat deck. These drums were about 20 feet in diameter and about 30 feet long. Started attack.

1629B/22 - Fired a salvo of four torpedoes at the leading ship from 4000 yards.

1632B/22 - Two hits were obtained. Upholder retired at speed to the North-West.

1635B/22 - A counter attack followed. 48 Depth charges were dropped in the next 8 minutes. Some were quite close causing minor damage. 13 More depth charges were dropped during the next 90 minutes but none were quite close. (8)

24 Aug 1941
HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) fires two torpedoes at an Italian light cruiser off the north-west tip of Sicily in position 38°30'N, 12°00'E. Both torpedoes however miss their target.

The force attacked by HMS Upholder was made up of the Luigi di Savoia Duca Degli Abruzzi,Muzio Attendolo, Raimondo Montecuccoli escorted by the destroyers Folgore, Fulmine, Dardo, Freccia and Strale. The Duca Degli Abruzzi reported two torpedo tracks which passed about 50 meters ahead so she most likely had been the target.

1020B/24 - Sighted tops of three heavy ships and several destroyers bearing 070° steering 215° at 25 knots.

1034B/24 - Fired two torpedoes at the rear ship from 5500 yards. The squadron appeared to comprise a Cavour-class battleship followed by two Montecuccoli-class light cruisers in line ahead escorted by 6 destroyers. Later it was thought that the leading ship was a Garibaldi-class cruiser.

1039B/24 - Heard one explosion thought to be a torpedo hitting the target. Half a minute later depth charges were dropped. Upholder meanwhile retired at speed to the North-North-East. In all 32 depth charges were dropped but none were very close. (8)

27 Aug 1941
Around 0700B/27, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) ended her 15th war patrol (13th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (8)

29 Aug 1941
Around 1900B/29, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) departed Malta for her 16th war patrol (14th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol on the convoy route Messina - Tripoli to intercept an important troop convoy to Tripoli.

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

(8)

31 Aug 1941
HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) fired four torpedoes against the Italian troop transports Oceania (19507 GRT, built 1933) and Neptunia (19475 GRT, built 1932) East of Tripoli, Libya. All four torpedoes fired missed their targets.

The convoy attacked by Upholder was, besides the two aboved mention troop transports made up of the Italian troop transport Victoria (13098 GRT, built 1931). They were escorted by the destroyers Aviere, Camicia Nera, Vincenzo Gioberti, Antonio da Noli, Antoniotto Usodimare and Emanuelle Pessagno.

0510B/31 - Fast HE was heard intermittently to the Southward.

0525B/31 - Sighted one torpedo boat on the Starboard beam and one motor torpedo boat ahead.

0625B/31 - Two motor torpedo boats were still in sight to the South-West.

0630B/31 - Heard HE to the Eastward. Sighted two aircraft and smoke from two ships bearing 078°. Assumed the enemy's mean line of advance to be 270°. Course was altered to the Northward to close.

0643B/31 - Noticed the enemy's course to be 250° and shortly afterwards it became 225°. Closed but it became obvious that the range would be very great unless the convoy would made a zig towards. The convoy consisted of a two-funnel liner, probably Marco Polo and the Neptunia and Oceania in two columns. They were escorted by at least four destroyers.

0710B/31 - In position 32°50'N, 13°55'E fired a salvo of four torpedoes at the Neptunia and Oceania. Estimated range was 6000 to 7000 yards. No hits were obtained.

0716B/31 - Counter attack started. Two destroyers dropped 23 depth charges until 0730 hours. Upholder meanwhile retired to the North. (8)

1 Sep 1941
Around 2100B/1, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) ended her 16th war patrol (14th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (8)

6 Sep 1941
HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, DSO, RN) was docked in No.2 Dock at Malta. (12)

9 Sep 1941
HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, DSO, RN) was undocked. (12)

10 Sep 1941
HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, DSO, RN) conducted practice attacks off Malta on HMS Abingdon (Lt. G.A. Simmers, RNR). (12)

16 Sep 1941
Around 1515B/16, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) departed Malta for her 17th war patrol (15th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol on the convoy route Messina - Tripoli to intercept an important troop convoy to Tripoli.

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

(13)

18 Sep 1941
HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, DSO, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian troop transports Neptunia (19475 GRT, built 1932) and Oceania (19507 GRT, built 1933) some 70 nautical miles east-north-east of Tripoli, Libya in position 33°01'N, 14°49'E.

These troop transports were part of a heavily guarded convoy sailing from Taranto to Tripoli. The sailing and routing had been betrayed by ULTRA and four submarines were positioned on the track, Upholder was in the best position and beat the other ones to the punch.

The convoy attacked by Upholder was made up of the above mentioned troop transports as well as the Vulcania (24469 GRT, built 1928). They were escorted by the destroyers Nicoloso da Recco, Antonio da Noli, Antoniotto Usodimare and Emanuelle Pessagno, Vincenzo Gioberti and Alfredo Oriani. A large scale rescue operation was organised and 5395 survivors were picked up by the six destroyers and the torpedo boat Clio which was sailed from Tripoli, 384 were killed or missing (the numbers may not be exact as not all sources agree).

0350B/18 - Sighted convoy of three liners escorted by four destroyers bearing 045°. Range was about 6 nautical miles. Closed to attack.

0406B/18 - In position 33°01'N, 14°49'E fired four torpedoes from 5000 yards.

0408B/18 - Dived and retired to the South.

0410B/18 to 0411B/18 - Two explosions were heard. Two of the liners had been hit by one torpedo each. No depth charges were dropped following the attack.

0445B/18 - Surfaced and sighted one large vessel stopped in the area of the attack. One destroyer was nearby. A second large vessel was making to the Westward at 5 knots with another destroyer as escort. Set course to the East to reach a favourable attack position to attack again after dawn when the torpedo tubes would have been reloaded.

0530B/18 - Dived and approached while reloading in the meantime.

0630B/18 - Sighted one Oceania-class ship still stropped with one destroyer nearby. Closed to attack.

0756B/18 - When about to open fire a Navigatori-class destroyer was spotted close by. Went deep. The destroyer went overhead when Upholder was at 45 feet but did not drop any depth charges.

0759B/18 - Dived under the target while at 70 feet to obtain a new attack position.

0851B/18 - In position 32°58'N, 14°50'E fired two torpedoes from 2000 yards. Both hit. The liner [Oceania] sank after 8 minutes. Again no counter attack by the destroyers followed. (13)

20 Sep 1941
Around 0700B/20, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, DSO, RN) ended her 17th war patrol (15th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (13)

23 Sep 1941
Around 1700B/23, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, DSO, RN) departed Malta for her 18th war patrol (16th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Isola di Marettimo.

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

(13)

2 Oct 1941
Around 1145B/2, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, DSO, RN) ended her 18th war patrol (16th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (13)

18 Oct 1941
Around 1450A/18, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, DSO, RN) departed Malta for her 19th war patrol (17th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Kerkennah.

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

(13)

27 Oct 1941
Around 1100A/27, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, DSO, RN) ended her 19th war patrol (17th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (13)

7 Nov 1941
Around 1715A/7, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, DSO, RN) departed Malta for her 20th war patrol (8th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Ionian Sea to operate against enemy convoys to Benghazi.

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

(13)

8 Nov 1941
HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, DSO, RN) attacks an Italian submarine with torpedoes some 60 nautical miles south-east of Capo Passero, Sicily, Italy in position 36°19'N, 16°22'E. The target was not hit dispite Upholders claim.

The attack was carried out by the officer of the watch Lt. J.H. Norman, RNVR. The submarine was almost certainly the Luigi Settembrini (Capitano di Corvetta Mario Resio) on patrol off Cape Passero; the attack was unobserved.

0403A/8 - In position 36°19'N, 16°22'E sighted a submarine bearing 030°, range about 4000 yards. Enemy course was 180°, speed approximately 8 knots.

0405A/8 - Altered course towards and dived. Started attack.

0410A/8 - The target appeared to be an Italian submarine of the Perla, Sirena or Argonauta class.

0418A/8 - Fired four torpedoes from 1500 yards.

0419A/8 - Heard a heavy explosion. HE ceased and was replaced by a whistling noise of main ballast being blown.

0423A/8 - The submarine was still in sight but stopped. Started to reload a torpedo tube as soon as possible.

0428A/8 - The submarine disappeared from vieuw. Shortly afterwards Upholders periscope passed through an oil patch.

0437A/8 - One torpedo tube was reloaded (in just 14 minutes !). Surfaced and proceeded back through the attack area. Noting further was seen or heard. (13)

9 Nov 1941
HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, DSO, RN) torpedoed the Italian destroyer Libeccio (1615 tons, built 1934), engaged in the rescue of survivors from the Duisburg convoy, destroyed the previous night by Force "K" out of Malta. The destroyer had the stern blown off and was taken in tow by the Italian destroyer Euro but a few hours later the bulkheads gave way and she sank in position 36°50'N, 18°10'E (according to Italian sources).

Later the same day Upholder attacked two Trento-class heavy cruisers with three torpedoes. No hits were obtained dispite the claim for a hit on one of the escorting destroyers. According to Italian sources this task force was made up of the heavy cruiser Trento and Trieste escorted by destroyers Granatiere, Fuciliere, Bersagliere and Alpino.]

0604A/9 - Started an attack on a group of three destroyers, two 'Soldati'-class and one Turbine-class.

0645A/9 - In position 37°08'N, 18°30'E fired one torpedo at a destroyer of the 'Soldati'-class from 2000 yards.

0646A/9 - The torpedo hit the target in the stern. Five depth charges were dropped following this attack. The Turbine-class destroyer proceeded to circle the damaged ship while the other 'Soldati'-class destrroyer went alongside and took off the damaged destroyers crew. Upholder retired to the North-East at 70 feet.

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

1026A/9 - In position 37°10'N, 18°37'E came to periscope depth to investigate heavy HE and sighted two Trento-class cruisers bearing 120°. The cruisers passed out of range.

1040A/9 - Closed the damaged destroyer that was torpedoed a few hours earlier. She was in tow of the Turbine-class destroyer. It was hoped that the cruisers might come in again.

1055A/9 - Sighted the cruisers approaching, bearing 250°. Started attack.

1108A/9 - Fired the last three torpedoes at the rear cruiser from 2500 yards. One of these had a gyro failure and was heard to pass twice overhead as Upholder had gone deep on firing.

1111A/9 - Two torpedo explosions were heard 25 seconds apart.

1119A/9 - Heard the noise of a ship breaking up in deep water.

1130A/9 - Sighted both cruisers still afloat and undamaged but with only one destroyer in company (two had seen before). It was thought that the other destroyer had been hit and that the breaking up noises heard were that of the destroyer sinking. [This was however not the case, these last three torpedoes fired all missed, the breaking up noises heard were indeed from a destroyer sinking but this was the damaged destroyer from the earlier attack]. (13)

11 Nov 1941
Around 0830A/11, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, DSO, RN) ended her 20th war patrol (18th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (13)

24 Nov 1941
HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, DSO, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Malta with the corvette HMS Gloxinia (Lt.Cdr. A.J.C. Pomeroy, RNVR). (14)

25 Nov 1941
Around 1815B/25, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, DSO, RN) departed Malta for her 21th war patrol (19th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol South of the Straits of Messina.

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

(13)

27 Nov 1941
HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, DSO, RN) attacked a large tanker with four torpedoes near Capo dell'Armi in position 37°47'N, 15°44'E. All torpedoes missed the target. This was probably the tanker Iridio Mantovani (10540 GRT, built 1939).

0730B/27 - In position 37°47'N, 15°44'E sighted a large tanker escorted by two destroyers steering a course of 270°. Closed to attack.

0740B/27 - The enemy altered course to 335°. The escort was now seen to be one Partenope-class torpedo boat stationed ahead and one Generale-class torpedo boat astern. The tanker was seen to be 7000 to 8000 tons and appeared to be a new ship.

0745B/27 - Fired four torpedoes from 2800 yards. All torpedoes missed as the speed was underestimated.

0805B/27 - Heard one explosion, most likely a depth charge. (13)

1 Dec 1941
HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, DSO, RN) attacked an Italian light cruiser off the Gulf of Taranto. Four torpedoes were fired but no hits were obtained.

The enemy force sighted by HMS Upholder was made up of the light cruisers Raimondo Montecuccoli, Emanuelle Filiberto Duca d’Aosta and Muzio Attendolo escorted by the destroyers Aviere, Bersagliere, Fuciliere, Geniere and Granatiere.

0437B/1 - In position 39°08'N, 17°31'E sighted three cruisers and about five destroyers. Enemy course was 030°. Closed to attack.

0445B/1 - Enemy zigged straight towards.

0447B/1 - Dived to complete the attack through the periscope.

0501B/1 - Fired four torpedoes at the rear cruiser from about 1000 yards. No hits were obtained.

0510B/1 - Heard one explosion, most likely a depth charge.

0545B/1 - Surfaced to pass an enemy report to Malta tbut failed to establish communication. (13)

3 Dec 1941
Around 1315B/3, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, DSO, RN) ended her 21th war patrol (19th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (13)

12 Dec 1941
Around 1400B/12, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, DSO, RN) departed Malta for her 22th war patrol (20th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Ionion Sea to intercept an expected enemy convoy from Taranto to Tripoli.

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

(13)

14 Dec 1941
HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, DSO, RN) is ordered to a new patrol position South of the toe of Italy (South-East of the Straits of Messina). (13)

21 Dec 1941
Around 0840B/21, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, VC, DSO, RN) ended her 22th war patrol (20th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. She was alsmost immediately put into No.1 Dock. (15)

27 Dec 1941
HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, VC, DSO, RN) was undocked. (15)

29 Dec 1941
HMS Upholder, with Lt. C.P. Norman, RN temporary in command (to give Lt.Cdr. Wanklyn a rest during her next patrol) and HMS Urge (Lt.Cdr. E.P. Tomkinson, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Malta with HMS Beryl.

When returning from the exercises around 1630B/29, they were attacked by German Me 109 fighter aircraft of 6 JG/53. HMS Urge dived in time but on HMS Upholder the crew on the bridge were reading a signal from a shore signal station and did not notice the approaching aircraft (the message was to warn Upholder about the approaching aircraft). Lt. Norman was hit by gunfire from one of the German fighters and was wounded. Despite his wounds he managed to shut the top hatch as Upholder crash dived. When Upholder arrived back at Malta he was taken to hospital and Lt.Cdr. Wanklyn assumed command again, his rest during Upholders next patrol being cancelled.

(15)

31 Dec 1941
Around 1845B/31, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, VC, DSO, RN) departed Malta for her 23th war patrol (21th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol North of Sicily.

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

(13)

3 Jan 1942
HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, VC, DSO, RN) fired three torpedoes at a merchant vessel of about 4000 tons near Cape Gallo, Sicily, Italy. No hits were obtained. The target has so far not been positively identified.

Possible targets are; Numidia (4391 GRT, built 1913) escorted by the torpedo-boat Nicola Fabrizi sailed from Palermo for Cagliari at 1100/2 (but unless an error in the given time, it has to be rejected). Another option is the tanker Panuco (7750 GRT, built 1941) escorted by the torpedo-boat Generale Achille Papa sailed from Palermo at 1700B/3 but for Naples and these ships should be clear of the area by this time as well. For the moment (March 2018) no further information is available to us. The information is based on Maricotraf files which give the movements of ships.

2315B/3 - In position 38°14'N, 13°22'E sighted two ships rounding Cape Gallo. Enemy course was 300°. Started attack. The two ships were soon seen to be a merchant vessel of about 4000 tons with an escort vessel.

2355B/3 - In position 38°18'N, 13°18'E fired three torpedoes from about 2400 yards. All torpedoes missed. (13)

4 Jan 1942
HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, VC, DSO, RN) torpedoed the Italian transport Sirio (5223 BRT, built 1921) carrying 8,000 tons of coal from Messina to Palermo for the railway system, 4 nautical miles north-west of Cefalu, Sicily, Italy in position 38°07'N, 13°52'E. Sirio was skilfully handled, opened fire on the submarine and managed to frustrate further attempts to finish her off. The ship remained afloat and manage to limp to Palermo at 5.5 knots.

0535B/4 - In position 38°07'N, 14°00'E sighted a 'tanker' (this was incorrect, possibly Sirio looked like a tanker). Enemy course was 280°.

0537B/4 - Dived to attack (due to the bright moonlight).

0540B/4 - No.1 torpedo tube was being blown up (to other 3 tubes already were). However the torpedo in the tube ran hot causing a complete loss of trim.

0544B/4 - Fired no.3 and no.1 torpedo tube. One of the torpedoes sank to the bottom and exploded underneath Upholder. Fortunately the depth of the water was about 500 fathoms and little damage was done.

0545B/4 - Continued the attack and crossed the bow of the 'tanker' to attack from the other side.

0612B/4 - In position 38°07'N, 13°52'E fired no.2 and no.3 tube from a range of 1000 yards. One of the torpedoes hit the 'tanker' amidships but the 'tanker' did not stop. She yawed heavily several times and at 0620 hours stopped to lower two boats. She then proceeded towards the coast.

0640B/4 - The 'tanker' turned Westwards again.

0647B/4 - Surfaced for gun action but Upholder was sighted at once and taken under fire.

0651B/4 - Dived again while the damaged target managed to escape. (13)

5 Jan 1942
HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, VC, DSO, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian submarine Ammiraglio Saint Bon (Capitano di Corvetta Gustavo Miniero) (1461 tons) North-East of Milazzo, Sicily, 38°22'N, 15°22'E.

0530B/1 - In position 38°21'N, 15°22'E. sighted a vessel what was thought to be an A/S trawler approaching rapidly from the Southward. Dived immediately.

0534B/1 - Identified the target as a two gun submarine which was zigging constantly between 260° and 360°. The targets speed was estimated to be 15 knots. Started attack.

0538B/1 - The speed of the target was now thought to be 12 knots.

0539B/1 - In position 38°22'N, 15°22'E fired the last torpedo aimed at the targets conning tower. The torpedo hit the target just before the forward gun. She sank very quickly.

0546B/1 - Surfaced in the attack position and picked up three survivors. (59 were killed or missing).

0601B/1 - Dived and set course to pass to the South of Vulcano Island. (13)

8 Jan 1942
Around 0900B/8, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, VC, DSO, RN) ended her 23th war patrol (21th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (13)

14 Jan 1942
Around 1830B/14, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, VC, DSO, RN) departed Malta for her 24th war patrol (22th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off the Gulf of Taranto.

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

(16)

23 Jan 1942
Around 0830B/23, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, VC, DSO, RN) ended her 24th war patrol (22th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (16)

1 Feb 1942
Around 1910B/1, HMS Upholder (Lt. C.P. Norman, RN) departed Malta for her 25th war patrol (23th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol North of Sicily.

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

(16)

4 Feb 1942
HMS Upholder (Lt. C.P. Norman, RN) attacked a destroyer West of Cape San Vito, Sicily, Italy with three torpedoes. No hits were obtained and HMS Upholder was depth charged following the attack. The target was the Italian destroyer Premuda which had sailed from Palermo to join the escort of the German transport Trapani.

1357B/4 - In position 38°10'N, 12°36'E sighted a Navigatori-class destroyer proceeding Eastwards. Started attack.

1406B/4 - Fired three torpedoes at this destroyer from 2300 yards. All torpedoes missed.

1411B/4 to 1515B/4 - A counter attack followed. 10 Depth charges were dropped but no damage was sustained. (16)

5 Feb 1942
At 0110B/5 a submarine was sighted and HMS Upholder (Lt. C.P. Norman, RN) closed to attack when Lt. Ruble, USN, who was an observer on board pointed out that it was a rock and the attack was aborted! (this was Medico Rock near Ustica).

Later the same day HMS Upholder (Lt. C.P. Norman, RN) tried to attack an enemy convoy off Castellammare Gulf but was detected by an escorting aircraft. One of the escorts turned back and dropped eight depth charges. No damage was done to HMS Upholder.

This convoy consisted of the tanker Rondine (6468 GRT, built 1924)and the steamers Mazara (984 GRT, built 1934) and Istria (5441 GRT, built 1921) escorted by the torpedo boats Aretusa and Polluce. It was Aretusa who drove off the submarine with a depth charge attack.

1227B/5 - Near position 38°17'N, 13°05'E sighted masts and funnels of several small vessels proceeding westwards close inshore. Started attack.

1250B/5 - The convoy appeared to be two small marchant vessels (one possibly a tanker), one destroyer ahead and one submarine astern. Decided to attack the submarine as the remainder were out of range and in a bad position.

1258B/5 - The submarine turned out to be an Orsa-class torpedo boat. Range was now 4000 yards.

1300B/5 - An aircraft passed very low and close. Broke off the attack and went deep.

1345B/5 - 1355B/5 - Eight depth charges by one of the escorts that had turned back, probably due to aircraft sighting report. Upholder withdrew to the Northward. (16)

8 Feb 1942
While on patrol off Cape San Vito, Sicily, Italy (in approximate position 38°18'N, 12°51'E), HMS Upholder (Lt. C.P. Norman, RN) attacked but missed (despite the claim for a hit and sinking) the Italian transport Bosforo (3567 GRT, built 1929). The escorting torpedo boat Calliope dropped eight depth charges fairly close but HMS Upholder managed to escape without damage. [The claim that this attack sank the Italian transport Salpi is incorrect.]

1720B/8 - Sighted one Orsa-class torpedo boat and one small diesel merchant vessel (of about 2500 tons) in ballast proceeding East. Started attack.

1739B/8 - Fired three torpedoes at the merchant vessel from 1300 yards. One torpedo hit was claimed 57 seconds after firing and the HE of the target ceased. Upholder meanwhile retired to the West.

1752B/8 to 1757B/8 - Eight depth charges were dropped fairly close by the torpedo boat. Several more depth charges were dropped at intervals until 1830 hours when the torpedo boat retired to the East at high speed. (16)

13 Feb 1942
Around 0740B/13, HMS Upholder (Lt. C.P. Norman, RN) ended her 25th war patrol (23th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (16)

21 Feb 1942
Around 2120B/21, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, VC, DSO, RN) departed Malta for her 26th war patrol (24th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol near Tripoli, Libya.

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

(16)

27 Feb 1942
HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, VC, DSO, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian transport Tembien (5584 GRT, built 1914) about 25 nautical miles West of Tripoli, Libya in position 32°55'N, 12°42'E. She carried 468 POW's and was escorted by the Italian destroyer Strale. The destroyer hunted the submarine dropping nine depth charges before starting to rescue the survivors. She was later joined in her efforts by the auxiliary Laurana and the torpedo boats Clio and Cantore. In all 390 POW's, 68 Italians and 10 Germans were drowned.

1845B/27 - Heard faint HE bearing 060° and sighted a large merchant vessel and one destroyer / torpedo boat in the haze. Started attack.

1905B/27 - In position 32.55'N, 12.42'E fired three torpedoes at the merchant vessel that was of about 5500 tons, half passenger type and she was dazzle painted.

1907B/27 - Two torpedo hits were obtained. The escort shortly increased speed and started depth charging but stopped after dropping eight depth charges to pick up survivors.

1925B/27 - Heard the ship breaking up.

1950B/27 - The escort moved off towards Tripoli. (16)

5 Mar 1942
Around 0650B/5, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, VC, DSO, RN) ended her 26th war patrol (24th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (16)

14 Mar 1942
Around 1930B/14, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, VC, DSO, RN) departed Malta for her 27th war patrol (25th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off the Gulf of Taranto.

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

(16)

16 Mar 1942
As the convoy HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, VC, DSO, RN) was ordered to operate against was delayed she was ordered to patrol off Brindisi for one day (on the 18th). (16)

18 Mar 1942
HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, VC, DSO, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian submarine Tricheco east of Brindisi in the southern Adriatic in position 40°42'N, 17°57'E.

1536B/18 - In position 40°41'N, 17°57'E sighted a Perla class submarine steering for Brindisi and attempted to attack but could not close to less than 5000 yards. This submarine was Ondina (T.V. Gabriele Andolfi) returning to Brindisi after morning exercises.

1708B/18 - In position 40°45'N, 17°57'E sighted another submarine steering 185° at 12 knots. Started attack.

1726B/18 - Fired four torpedoes from 550 yards. Two hits were obtained and the submarine quickly sank.

1830B/18 - Several small vessels were seen searching the attack area.

According to Italian sources the submarine was under Capitano di Corvetta Giovanni Cunsolo and had sailed from Augusta for Brindisi. Four officers (including Cunsolo) and seven ratings were picked up by the trnasport Nazario Sauro and the sailing vessel S. Spiridione. One officer and 37 ratings were lost. (16)

19 Mar 1942
HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, VC, DSO, RN) sank the Italian auxiliary minesweeper B.14/Maria (22 GRT) with gunfire, about 10 nautical miles North of Otranto, Italy.

0737B/19 - In position 40°18'N, 18°28'E sighted four small craft which turned out to be a diesel trawler and three fishing smacks. Closed for gun action.

0843B/19 - Surfaced 100 yards from the trawler and gestured the crew to abandon ship. 7 Rounds were fired from 50 yards for 6 hits. The vessel caught fire and settled having 3 large holes on the waterline.

0858B/19 - Dived and retired to the East. (16)

23 Mar 1942
HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, VC, DSO, RN) fired four torpedoes against the Italian battleship Littorio in the Gulf of Taranto in position 40°11'N, 17°00'E. No hits were obtained. According to Italian sources Littorio was escorted by the destroyers Antonio Pigafetta, Bersagliere and Ascari and proceeding to Taranto. A torpedo track was observed crossing 200 meters ahead of the battleship.

1720B/23 - Heard heavy HE bearing 180° moving West fast. Closed at full speed. Visibility was very poor in the heavy rain and high sea.

1736B/23 - In position 40°11'N, 17°00'E sighted a battleship [Littorio] steering 360° at 20 knots.

1738B/23 - Fired four torpedoes from 4000 yards but the battleship zigged away after firing so all torpedoes missed. (16)

26 Mar 1942
Around 1645B/26, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, VC, DSO, RN) ended her 27th war patrol (25th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (16)

6 Apr 1942
In the evening, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, VC, DSO, RN) departed Malta for her 28th war patrol (26h in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to carry out a special operation (details to follow) and then to patrol off Tripoli, Libya.

This was to be her last patrol before returning to the U.K. to refit.

Most likely HMS Upholder was lost on a mine as her route to intercept the Monreale/Unione convoy on 13 April (following an ULTRA intercept) would have brought her close to an Italian minefield laid by the destroyers Alvise Da Mosto and Giovanni da Verrazzano on 1st May 1941 (section d AN of the "T" minefield).

Another possibility has been suggested by Mr. Francesco Mattesini, naval historian accredited to the Italian Navy Historical Office. On 14 April 1942 a submarine was detected by the air escorts while approaching a convoy south-east of Malta. The planes were 2 Messerschmitt Bf.110 of 8/ZG.26 and 2 Do.17 of 10/ZG.26. They attacked the submerged boat and within a very short time sighted a dark patch surfacing, indicative of leaking oil. The planes dropped smoke floats on the position, 34°47'N, 16°55'E. No further sound or echo was obtained after this time. We consider it however highly unlikely that Upholder was near this position as she was ordered to operate much farther to the south-west.

Note: the attack of Italian torpedo boat Pegaso was made against a dolphin(!). The mammal was positively identified by a plane overhead but the observer's report has only been recently discovered in the Italian Naval archives by Mr. Mattesini.

10 Apr 1942
10 Apr 1942 In the evening, Captain 'Tug' Wilson, RM and Lance Corporal Charles Parker of the Beds and Herts Regiment and two SIS agents were landed. The two SIS agents (Arabs) were to enter Libya through Tunisia for Intelligence activities but both were arrested by the Vichy police. The two Britons returned to the submarine and Captain Wilson was transferred to HMS Unbeaten (Lt.Cdr. E.A. Woodward, DSO, RN) at 0340 hours on 11 April in position 35°34'N, 12°17'E as this submarine was proceeding to Gibraltar. Wilson was the last man to see the crew of HMS Upholder. Upholder was then sent to patrol east of Djerba Island and then received an order to form a patrol line with HMS Thrasher (Lt. H.S. Mackenzie, RN) and HMS Urge (Lt.Cdr. E.P. Tomkinson, DSO and Bar, RN) to intercept an important convoy approaching Tripoli from the east (the Aprilia convoy). Upholder was not heard from again.

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