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Notable events involving Unshaken include:

The history of HMS P 54 / Unshaken 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 August 2016.

20 May 1942
HMS P 54 (Lt. R. Gatehouse, DSC, RN) departed her builders yard at Barrow for Holy Loch. She was escorted by HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Dobson, RNR). (1)

21 May 1942
HMS P 54 (Lt. R. Gatehouse, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch to begin a period of trials and training. (1)

22 Jun 1942
HMS P 54 (Lt. C.E. Oxborrow, DSC, RN) departed Holy Loch for Lerwick. She made the passage together with HMS Sturgeon (Lt.Cdr. M.R.G. Wingfield, RN). They were escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (2)

24 Jun 1942
HMS P 54 (Lt. C.E. Oxborrow, DSC, RN) arrived at Lerwick. (2)

25 Jun 1942
HMS P 54 (Lt. C.E. Oxborrow, DSC, RN) departed Lerwick for her 1st war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off Northern Norway to give cover for convoy operations PQ 17 and QP 13 to and from Northern Russia.

As nog log is available for this period no map can be displayed. (2)

27 Jun 1942

Convoy operations PQ 17 / QP 13

Convoys to and from Northern Russia

On 27 June 1942 Convoy PQ 17 departed Reykjavik Iceland bound for northern Russia. This convoy was made up of the following merchant ships;

American
Alcoa Ranger (5116 GRT, built 1919), Bellingham (5345 GRT, built 1920), Benjamin Harrison (7191 GRT, built 1942), Carlton (5127 GRT, built 1920), Christopher Newport (7191 GRT, built 1942), Daniel Morgan (7177 GRT, built 1942), Exford (4969 GRT, built 1919), Fairfield City (5686 GRT, built 1920), Honomu (6977 GRT, built 1919), Hoosier (5060 GRT, built 1920), Ironclad (5685 GRT, built 1919), John Witherspoon (7191 GRT, built 1942), Olopana (6069 GRT, built 1920), Pan Atlantic (5411 GRT, built 1919), Pan Kraft (5644 GRT, built 1919), Peter Kerr (6476 GRT, built 1920), Richard Bland (7191 GRT, built 1942), Washington (5564 GRT, built 1919), West Gotomska (5728 GRT, built 1919), William Hooper (7177 GRT, built 1942), Winston-Salem (6223 GRT, built 1920),

British
Bolton Castle (5203 GRT, built 1939), Earlston (7195 GRT, built 1941), Empire Byron (6645 GRT, built 1941), Empire Tide (6978 GRT, built 1941), Hartlebury (5082 GRT, built 1934), Navarino (4841 GRT, built 1937), Ocean Freedom (7173 GRT, built 1942), River Afton (5479 GRT, built 1935), Samuel Chase (7191 GRT, built 1942), Silver Sword (4937 GRT, built 1920),

Dutch
Paulus Potter (7168 GRT, built 1942),

Panamanian
El Capitan (5255 GRT, built 1917), Troubadour (6428 GRT, built 1920),

The Russian tankers Azerbaidjan (6114 GRT, built 1932), Donbass (7925 GRT, built 1935),

The British (Royal Fleet Auxiliary) tanker Grey Ranger (3313 GRT, built 1941).

Also with the convoy was a British rescue ship
Zaafaran (1559 GRT, built 1921).

The US merchants Exford and West Gotomska had to return both arrived back damaged at Reykjavik on 30 June. The first one due to ice damage and the second one due to damaged engines.

Escort was provided by the minesweepers HMS Britomart (Lt.Cdr. S.S. Stammwitz, RN), HMS Halcyon (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Corbet-Singleton, DSC, RN), HMS Salamander (Lt. W.R. Muttram, RN), A/S trawlers HMS Ayrshire (T/Lt. L.J.A. Gradwell, RNVR), HMS Lord Austin (T/Lt. O.B. Egjar, RNR), HMS Lord Middleton (T/Lt. R.H. Jameson, RNR) and HMS Northern Gem (Skr.Lt. W.J.V. Mullender, DSC, RD, RNR) and the submarine HMS P 615 (Lt. P.E. Newstead, RN).

The convoy was joined at sea by a close escort force made up of the following warships; destroyers HMS Keppel (Cdr. J.E. Broome, RN / in command of the close escort of the convoy) , HMS Offa (Lt.Cdr. R.A. Ewing, RN), HMS Fury (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Leamington (Lt. B.M.D. L’Anson, RN), escort destroyers HMS Ledbury (Lt.Cdr. R.P. Hill, RN), HMS Wilton (Lt. A.P. Northey, DSC, RN), corvettes HMS Lotus (Lt. H.J. Hall, RNR), HMS Poppy (Lt. N.K. Boyd, RNR), HMS Dianella (T/Lt. J.G. Rankin, RNR), HMS La Malouine (T/Lt. V.D.H. Bidwell, RNR), Auxiliary AA ships HMS Palomares (A/Capt.(rtd.) J.H. Jauncey, RN) and HMS Pozarica (A/Capt.(rtd.) E.D.W. Lawford, RN) and submarine HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN). Also two more British rescue ships sailed with this force to join the convoy at sea; Rathlin (1600 GRT, built 1936) and Zamalek (1567 GRT, built 1921).

The RFA tanker Grey Ranger, which was to fuel the escorts, was now sailing independent from the convoy, she was escorted by the destroyer HMS Douglas (Lt.Cdr. R.B.S. Tennant, RN). Another RFA tanker, the Aldersdale, had now joined the convoy. It had originally been intended that the Aldersdale would take the role the Grey Ranger was now performing but Grey Ranger had been damaged by ice to the north of Iceland so both tankers swapped roles.

Meanwhile on June 26th the Archangel section of the return convoy QP 13 had departed that port. This section was made up of 22 merchant ships;

American
American Press (5131 GRT, built 1920), American Robin (5172 GRT, built 1919), Hegira (7588 GRT, built 1919), Lancaster (7516 GRT, built 1918), Massmar (5828 GRT, built 1920), Mormacrey (5946 GRT, built 1919), Yaka (5432 GRT, built 1920),

British
Chulmleigh (5445 GRT, built 1938), Empire Mavis (5704 GRT, built 1919), Empire Meteor (7457 GRT, built 1940), Empire Stevenson (6209 GRT, built 1941), St. Clears (4312 GRT, built 1936),

Dutch
Pieter de Hoogh (7168 GRT, built 1941),

Panamanian
Capira (5625 GRT, built 1920), Mount Evans (5598 GRT, built 1919),

Russian
Alma Ata (3611 GRT, built 1920), Archangel (2480 GRT, built 1929), Budenni (2482 GRT, built 1923), Komiles (3962 GRT, built 1932), Kuzbass (3109 GRT, built 1914), Petrovski (3771 GRT, built 1921), Rodina (4441 GRT, built 1922), Stary Bolshevik (3794 GRT, built 1933)

They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Intrepid (Cdr. C.A. de W. Kitcat, RN), ORP Garland (Kmdr.por. (Cdr.) H. Eibel), the corvettes HMS Starwort (Lt.Cdr. N.W. Duck, RD, RNR), HMS Honeysuckle (Lt. H.H.D. MacKillican, DSC, RNR), the auxiliary AA ship HMS Alynbank (A/Capt.(rtd.) H.F. Nash, RN) and a local escort of four minesweepers; HMS Bramble (Capt. J.H.F. Crombie, DSO, RN), HMS Seagull (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Pollock, RN), HMS Leda (A/Cdr.(rtd.) A.H. Wynne-Edwards, RN) and HMS Hazard (Lt.Cdr. J.R.A. Seymour, RN).

the next day (27th) the Murmask section of convoy QP 13 also went to sea. This was made up of 12 merchant ships;

American
City of Omaha (6124 GRT, built 1920), Heffron (7611 GRT, built 1919), Hybert (6120 GRT, built 1920), John Randolph (7191 GRT, built 1941), Mauna Kea (6064 GRT, built 1919), Nemaha (6501 GRT, built 1920), Richard Henry Lee (7191 GRT, built 1941),

British
Atlantic (5414 GRT, built 1939), Empire Baffin (6978 GRT, built 1941), Empire Selwyn (7167 GRT, built 1941),

Panamanian
Exterminator (6115 GRT, built 1924), Michigan (6419 GRT, built 1920),

They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Inglefield (Cdr. A.G. West, RN), HMS Achates (Lt.Cdr. A.A. Tait, DSO, RN), HMS Volunteer (Lt. A.S. Pomeroy, RN), the minesweepers HMS Niger (Cdr.ret.) A.J. Cubison, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Hussar (Lt. R.C. Biggs, DSC, RN), the corvettes HMS Hyderabad (Lt. S.C.B. Hickman, RN), FFS Roselys and the A/S trawlers Lady Madeleine (T/Lt. W.G.Ogden, RNVR) and St. Elstan (Lt. R.M. Roberts, RNR). Also three Russian destroyers (Grozniy, Gremyashchiy and Valerian Kyubishev) joined the escort of convoy QP 13 as far as 30 degrees East.

To cover these convoy operations a close cover force departed Seidisfjord, Iceland around midnight during the night of 30 June / 1 July to take up a position to the north of convoy PQ 17. This force was made up of the British heavy cruisers HMS London (Capt. R.M. Servaes, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral L.H.K. Hamilton, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Norfolk (Capt. E.G.H. Bellars, RN), as well as the American heavy cruisers USS Tuscaloosa (Capt. L.P. Johnson, USN) and USS Wichita (Capt. H.W. Hill, USN). They were escorted by the British destroyer HMS Somali (Capt. J.W.M. Eaton, DSO, DSC, RN) and the American destroyers USS Rowan (Lt.Cdr. B.R. Harrison, Jr., USN) and USS Wainwright (Lt.Cdr. R.H. Gibbs, USN).

A distant cover force had meanwhile sailed from Scapa Flow late on the 29th to take up a cover position north-east of Jan Mayen Island. This force was made up of battleships HMS Duke of York (Capt. C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN, with the Commander-in-Chief Home Fleet, Admiral Sir J. Tovey, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN on board), USS Washington (Capt. H.H.J. Benson, USN, with Rear-Admiral R.C. Griffen, USN on board), aircraft carrier HMS Victorious (Capt. H.C. Bovell, CBE, RN, with Vice-Admiral Sir B. Fraser, CB, KBE, RN, second in command Home Fleet on board), heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland (Capt. A.H. Maxwell-Hyslop, AM, RN), light cruiser HMS Nigeria (Capt. S.H. Paton, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN). They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.K. Scott-Moncrieff, RN, Capt. 8th Destroyer Flotilla), HMS Escapade (Lt.Cdr. E.N.V. Currey, DSC, RN), HMS Martin (Cdr. C.R.P. Thomson, RN), HMS Marne (Lt.Cdr. H.N.A. Richardson, DSC, RN), HMS Onslaught (Cdr. W.H. Selby, RN), HMS Middleton (Lt.Cdr. D.C. Kinloch, RN), HMS Blankney (Lt.Cdr. P.F. Powlett, RN) and HMS Wheatland (Lt.Cdr. R.de.L Brooke, RN). The destroyers HMS Onslow (Capt. H.T. Armstong, DSC and Bar, RN, Capt. 17th Destroyer Flotilla), HMS Ashanti (Cdr. R.G. Onslow, RN), USS Mayrant (Cdr. C.C. Hartman, USN) and USS Rhind (Lt.Cdr. H.T. Read, USN) meanwhile arrived at Seidisfiord, Iceland from Scapa Flow to fuel before joining the Battlefleet at sea later.

Earlier on the 29th Force X, which was to act as a decoy convoy to fool the Germans (Operation ES), had departed Scapa Flow. This force was made up of; the auxiliary minelayers HMS Southern Prince (A/Capt. J. Cresswell, RN), HMS Agamemnon (Capt.(rtd.) F. Ratsey, RN) , HMS Port Quebec (A/Capt.(rtd.) V. Hammersley-Heenan, RN) , HMS Menestheus (Capt.(rtd.) R.H.F. de Salis, DSC and Bar, OBE, RN) and four merchant vessels (colliers ?). They were escorted by the light cruisers HMS Sirius (Capt. P.W.B. Brooking, RN), HMS Curacoa (Capt. J.W. Boutwood, RN), minelayer HMS Adventure (Capt. N.V. Grace, RN), destroyers HMS Brighton (Cdr.(rtd). C.W.V.T.S. Lepper, RN), HMS St. Marys (Lt.Cdr. K.H.J.L. Phibbs, RN), HMAS Nepal (Cdr. F.B. Morris, RAN), HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Kruys. RNethN), the escort destroyers Oakley (Lt.Cdr. T.A. Pack-Beresford, RN), Catterick (Lt. A. Tyson, RN), and 4 A/S trawlers.

On 1 July 'Force X' was divided into two parts. One part was made up of the four auxiliary minelayers, HMS Sirius, HMS Adventure, HMS Brighton, HMS St. Marys, HMAS Nepal and HrMs Tjerk Hiddes. The other part was made up of the remaining ships of 'Force X'.

'Force X' sailed eastward twice, on 30 June and 2 July, to about position 61°30’N, 01°30’E but was not spotted by the Germans. On 2 July 1942, HMAS Nepal and HrMs Tjerk Hiddes were detached from 'Force X' to proceed to Portsmouth and Liverpool respectively. There they were to undergo post work up repairs before they would join the Eastern Fleet.

First contact with the enemy occurred on 1 July 1942 when escorts from convoy PQ 17 twice attacked German submarines that were spotted on the surface several miles from the convoy. These were U-456 that was depth charged by HMS Ledbury and sustained light damage and U-657 that was depth charged by HMS Ledbury and HMS Leamington, she sustained no damage. That evening convoy PQ 17 also suffered its first attack from the air. Nine torpedo aircraft approached the convoy at about 1800 hours in position 73°30’N, 04°00’E. Some dropped torpedoes but they exploded wide of the convoy. One aircraft was shot down, most likely by the destroyer USS Rowan which was en-route from the cruiser force to the convoy to fuel from the Aldersdale.

The next night the convoy ran into for which persisted until the forenoon of the 3rd. In the afternoon of 2 July, U-255 made a torpedo attack on one of the escorts, HMS Fury, two torpedoes were fire but both missed. Fury then counter attacked with depth charges but U-255 sustained no damage. At more or less the same time U-376 was also depth charged by two or three escorts, she was not damaged. Shortly afterwards U-334 was also depth charged but she also escaped without damage.

On the 3rd several U-Boats were in contact for short periods but three were driven off by the escorts in the afternoon. When the mist cleared shadowing aircraft soon regained contact on the convoy.

By the early morning of the 4th convoy PQ 17 was about 60 nautical miles north of Bear Island where it sustained its first loss. Just before 0500 hours the new American merchant vessel Christopher Newport was torpedoed by a single aircraft. Damage was serious and the ship was finished off by the British submarine HMS P 614 which was part of the convoys escort while the rescue ship Zamalek took off the crew. The ship however remained afloat and was finally finished off by U-457.

In the evening of the 4th German aircraft made a successful attack on the convoy hitting the British merchant vessel Navarino, the American merchant William Hooper and the Russian tanker Azerbaidjan. The Azerbaidjan was able to proceed at 9 knots and in the end reached port. The other two ships had to be sunk, most of their crews were picked up by the rescue vessels. William Hooper in fact remained afloat and was finally finished off by U-334.

The situation was now as follows. Convoy PQ 17 was now about 130 nautical miles north-east of Bear Island and had just come through the heavy air attack remarkably well. The convoy discipline and shooting had been admirable and a substantial toll had been taken on the enemy. Rear-Admiral Hamilton was still covering the convoy with his cruiser force some ten miles to the north-eastward, with orders by the Admiralty to do so until ordered otherwise. Some 350 miles to the westward the main cover force was cruising in the area south-west of Spitzbergen.

Now turning to the Germans. The approval of the Führer to sail the heavy ships to attack the convoy had still not been obtained. The Tirpitz and Admiral Hipper meanwhile had joined the Admiral Scheer at the Alternfjord but noting further could be done without the Führer’s approval.

Meanwhile at the Admiralty it was known that German heavy surface units had gone to sea from Trondheim (battleships Tirpitz and heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper) and Narvik (pocket battleships Lützow and Admiral Scheer) but they had not been detected at sea. Fearing an attack on the convoy by these ships was imminent the convoy was ordered to scatter at 2123/4. Shortly before that the close cover force had been ordered to withdraw to the west as it was obviously no match for the German heavy ships.

The Admiralty decision was conveyed to Rear-Admiral Hamilton in the following three signals;
Most immediate. Cruiser force withdraw to the west at high speed. (2111B/4)
Most immediate. Owning to threat of surface ships, convoy is to disperse and to proceed to Russian ports. (2123B/4)
Most immediate. My 2323B/4. Convoy is to scatter. (2136B/4)
To Rear-Admiral Hamilton these signals could only mean that further information the admiralty had been hoping for had indeed come in and was of such a nature as to render imperative the drastic measures now ordered. Actually the reason for use of high speed by the cruisers was due to the massing of enemy submarines between 11°E and 20°E and the order to scatter was intended merely as a technical amendment of the term disperse that was used in the previous signal. This could not be known by the recipients, and the cumulative effect of these three signals – especially as the last one had a more important marking as the middle one – was to imply that pressing danger was actually upon them. As Commander Broome put it he expected to see the cruisers open fire and the enemy’s mast appear on the horizon at any moment. In this belief he decided to take the destroyers of his escort group to reinforce the cruiser force, and ordered the two submarines to stay near the convoy when it scattered and to try to attack the enemy, while the rest of the escorting ships were to proceed independently to Archangel.

At 2215/4 Commander Broome passed the signal to scatter to Commodore Dowding. The convoy was then in position 75°55’N, 27°52’E. Commander Broome then departed with the destroyers of the close screen to join the cruiser force of Rear-Admiral Hamilton.

Rear-Admiral Hamilton received the Admiralty orders at 2200/4. HMS Norfolk had just flown off her aircraft on an ice patrol. He therefore stood to the eastward for half an hour while attemps were made to recall it but these were without success and at 2230 hours the force turned to a westerly course at 25 knots steering to pass to the southward of the convoy so as to be between it and the probable direction of the enemy. An hour later they passed the merchant vessels which were now on widely divergent courses.

Rear-Admiral Hamilton was much concerned at the effect of the apparent desertion of the merchant ships had on morale. Had he been aware that the Admiralty had no further information of the enemy heavy units then he himself possessed he would have remained in a covering position until the convoy was widely dispersed.

As time went on without further developments Rear-Admiral Hamilton became more and more puzzled as to what have led to the sudden scattering of the convoy. But whatever the reason, the orders for his own force were clear, so he remained his westerly course at 25 knots. Thick fog was encountered soon after midnight, which persisted with brief intervals till 0630/5. Commander Broome, equally mystified by the course of events, soon began to feel that his place was with the merchant ships but he thought Rear-Admiral Hamilton was acting on fuller information then himself. As soon as the fog lifted sufficiently for visual signalling he informed the Rear-Admiral of his last hurried instructions to PQ 17 and requested that they should be amplified or amended as nessesary.

Actually Rear-Admiral Hamilton, who was still under the impression that enemy surface forces were in close proximity, argued that once the convoy had been scattered the enemy would leave it to their air forces and submarines to deal with it (and this was exactly what the Germans did). He feared the enemy surface forces would be ordered to deal with his force and reinforced by Commander Broome’s destroyers he felt that he could fight a delaying action, and had a good chance of leading the enemy within reach of the aircraft of HMS Victorious and possibly the heavy ships of the force of the Commander-in-Chief.

At 0700/5, while in position 75°40’N, 16°00’E, Rear-Admiral Hamilton reduced to 20 knots and at 0930 hours set course for Jan Mayen Island. It was not until that forenoon that the situation as regards the enemy heavy ships was made clear to him. Meanwhile he had to decide what to do with Commander Broome’s destroyers. Accordingly he ordered them to fuel from HMS London and HMS Norfolk. By 1630 hours the fueling of HMS Ledbury, HMS Wilton, USS Rowan and HMS Keppel had been completed. At 1740 hours a German Focke Wulf aircraft made contact and correctly reported the force in position 74°30’N, 07°40’E. Having been located, Rear-Admiral Hamilton broke wireless silence and at 1830/5 informed the Commander-in-Chief of his position, course, speed and the composition of his force. This was the first time the Commander-in-Chief was informed of the fact the Commander Broome’s destroyers with with the force of Rear-Admiral Hamilton, a fact which he regretted.

The Commander-in-Chief, having spent 4 July cruising about 150 nautical miles north-west of Bear Island, had turned to the south-westward in the early morning of the 5th, and was then on his way back to Scapa Flow some 120 nautical miles south-west of the force of Rear-Admiral Hamilton. Shortly afterwards there came news at last of the German heavy ships. The Russian submarine K-21 reported at 1700/5 the Tirpitz, Admiral Scheer and eight destroyers in position 71°25’N, 23°40’E, steering course 045°. She claimed to have hit the Tirpitz with two torpedoes. An hour or so later, at 1816 hours, a reconnoitring aircraft reported eleven strange ships in position 71°31’N, 27°10’E steering 065°, speed 10 knots. And finally HMS P 54 (Lt. C.E. Oxborrow, DSC, RN), at 2029/5 reported the Tirpitz and Admiral Hipper escorted by at least six destroyers and eight aircraft in position 71°30’N, 28°40’E steering a course of 060° at a speed of 22 knots.

Actually the cruise of the German ships was of short duration. Hitler’s permission to lauch the operation had only been obtained in the forenoon of the 5th and the executive order was given at 1137 hours. Rear-Admiral Hamilton’s cruisers were then known to be moving to the westward and Admiral Tovey’s covering force was some 450 miles away from the convoy. It seemed there would be no immediate danger for the German heavy ships provided they could approach the merchant ships unseen and engage them for a time as short as possible. But the Allied sighting reports were intercepted and the Naval Staff calculated that Admiral Tovey would be able to close sufficiently to launch an air attack before they would be able to return to port I they continued operations against the merchant ships after 0100/6. Air and U-boat attacks were meanwhile taking a heavy toll on the convoy and it did not seem that it was worth the risk. At 2132/5 orders were given to abandon the operation. At 2152 hours, while in position 71°38’N, 31°05’E the German ships reversed course and returned to Altafjord.

During the night of 5/6 July the Admiralty made three signals to the Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleet suggesting that the Tirpitz might be ‘reluctant to go as far as the convoy’ if the battlefleet was sighted steering to the eastward, and that aircraft from HMS Victorious might be able to attack her if she had ben damaged by the Russian submarines. The latter appeared to Admiral Tovey unlikely, for as it seemed certain that the Tirpitz, especially if damaged, would not be sailed down the Norwegian coast until adequate fighter cover and seaward reconnaissance were available. However, arrangements were made for the fleet to reverse its course if the approach of enemy aircraft was detected and at 0645/6 course was altered back to the north-eastward. An hour later an enemy aircraft passed over the fleet above the clouds but endeavours to attract its attention by gunfire and fighters were unsuccessful. That forenoon Rear-Admiral Hamilton’s force joined the fleet at 1040/6. Weather was unsuitable for air reconnaissance and Admiral Tovey felt that nothing was to be gained by continuing to the north-eastward. Rear-Admiral Hamilton’s cruisers and eight destroyers were detached to Seidisfjord at 1230 hours and the battlefleet turned to the southward again shortly afterwards. All ships reached harbour on the 8th.

The last news of the enemy ships came on 7 July, when a British aircraft working from Vaenga, near Murmansk, reported the Tirpitz, Admiral Scheer and Admiral Hipper and some destroyers followed by an oiler from a neighbouring fjord turning out of Lang Fjord in Arnoy (70°N, 20°30’E). By this time the Allied ships were well on their way home but an attempt to attack the enemy was once again made by submarines. Anticipating their return to Narvik, HMS Sturgeon (Lt. M.R.G. Wingfield, RN) and FFS Minerve (Lt. P.M. Sonneville) had been ordered on 6 July to leave the main patrol line and to patrol to the mouth of the Vest Fjord on the 7th and the 8th, one at a time, in case the Tirpitz should pass on the outside of the Lofoten Islands, owning to her heavy draught due to possible damage. Nothing came of this, however, nor of a further patrol carried out by HMS Sturgeon on the night of 9/10 July close inshore some 70 nautical miles north of Trondheim in case of any German ships going to that port.

Now back to the ships of convoy PQ 17. The sudden order to scatter came to Commodore Dowding as an unpleasant surprise. Like Rear-Admiral Hamilton and Commander Broome he did not doubt that it heralded the immediate appearance of enemy heavy ships, and as the escorting destroyers parted company to join the cruisers, he signalled to HMS Keppel ‘Many thanks, goodbye and good hunting’ to which Commander Broome replied ‘It’s a grim business leaving you here’. It was indeed a grim business and the gravity of the situation was clear to all. Weather attack by surface craft developed in a few minutes or by aircraft and submarines during the next few days, the plight of the individual merchant ships – deprived of mutual support of their escort - was parlous in the extreme.

The convoy scattered as laid down in the instructions, in perfect order, though it must have been apparent to the ships that had to turn to the south-west that they were heading towards where the most trouble might be expected. The merchant ships proceeded mostly alone, or in groups of two or three. The anti-aircraft ships HMS Palomares and HMS Pozarica each took charge of a group, each collecting also two or three minesweepers or corvettes to act as a screen. They joined company the next day and proceeded towards Novaya Zemlya. HMS Salamander accompanied two merchantmen and a rescue ship. HMS Daniella was escorting the submarines, HMS P 614 and HMS P 615. She stood them clear of the convoy, when they separated to patrol in its wake, while the corvette went on by itself. At first the different groups spread on courses ranging from north to east, a few steering afterwards for Archangel, most seeking shelter in Novaya Zemlya. But less than half the merchant ships reached even ‘horrid Zembla’s frozen realms’, for 17 in addition to the oiler Aldersdale and the rescue ship Zaafaran were sunk during the next three days by bombing aircraft and U-boats. The bulk of the losses took place on the 5th while the ships were still far to the north, six being sunk by bombs and six were torpedoed by submarines. One ship was bombed on the 6th. Four were torpedoed by U-boats off the south-west coast of Novaya Zemlya between the evening of the 6th and the early morning of the 8th.

By the 7th of July, most of the escort, the rescue ship Zamalek and five merchant ships, the Ocean Freedom, Hoosier, Benjamin Harrison, El Capitan and Samual Chase, had reached Matochkin Strait. Commodore Dowding, whose ship the River Afton had been sunk by a U-boat on the 5th, arrived in HMS Lotus, which had rescued him and 36 survivors, including the Master after 3.5 hours on rafts and floats. After a conference on board HMS Palomares, these merchantmen were formed into a convoy into a convoy and sailed that evening, escorted by the two AA ships, HMS Halcyon, HMS Salamander, HMS Britomart, HMS Poppy, HMS Lotus and HMS La Malouine and three A/S trawlers. The Benjamin Harrison soon got separated in fog and returned to the Matochkin Strait but the remainder were still in company when the fog temporarily cleared during the forenoon of the 8th, and course was shaped to pass east and south of Kolguyev Island. It was an anxious passage, much fog and ice was encountered and U-boats were known to be about. From time to time boatloads of survivors from other ships already sunk were encountered and picked up. A remainder of the fate that might be in store for any of them. During the night of 9-10 July some 40 bombers carried out high level attacks on this small convoy. The attacks lasted for four hours, the Hoosier and El Capitan were sunk by near misses some 60 nautical miles north of Cape Kanin. Four aircraft are believed to have been shot down. The attacks ended at 0230/10 and half an hour later two Russian flying boats appeared. The surviving ships arrived at Archangel the next day, 11 July. Three ships out of thirty-seven were now in port, not a very successful convoy so far. Things were however not that bad as Commodore Dowding thought at that moment. The rescue ship Rathlin with two merchant ships, the Donbass and the Bellingham had arrived on the 9th, having shot down an aircraft the day before, and before long the news of other ships sheltering in Novaya Zemlya came in.

At his special request, Commodore Dowding, despite all he had been through, left Archangel in HMS Poppy on 16 July, in company with HMS Lotus and HMS La Malouine, to form these merchant ships into a convoy and bring them to Archangel. After a stormy passage they arrived at Byelushya Bay on the 19th. There 12 survivors from the merchant Olopana were found. During the day the coast was searched and in the evening the Winston Salem was found agound and later the Empire Tide was found at anchor. The next morning Motochkin Strait was entered and five merchant ships were found at anchor, the Benjamin Harrison, Silver Sword, Troubadour, Ironclad and the Azerbaidjan. A Russian icebreaker (the Murman) was also there as was a Russian trawler (the Kerov). Also, one of the escorts of convoy PQ 17 was found there, the British A/S trawler Ayrshire.

Commodore Dowding wasted no time. A conference was held that forenoon and in the evening all ships sailed, the Commodore leading in the Russian icebreaker Murman. The Empire Tide, which had a lot of survivors from sunken ships aboard joined the convoy early the next day. The Winston Salem was however still aground with two Russian tugs standing by. Much fog was encountered during the passage which was uneventful except for two U-boat alarms. The escort was reinforced by HMS Pozarica, HMS Bramble, HMS Hazard, HMS Leda, HMS Dianella and two Russian destroyers on the 22th. The convoy arrived safe at Archangel on the 24th.

Four days later (on the 28th) the Winston Salem was finally refloated. She managed reached harbour as the last ship of the ill-fated PQ 17 convoy making a total of 11 survivors out of a total of 35 ships. It was realised afterwards by the Admiralty that the decision to scatter the convoy had been premature.

The disastrous passage of convoy PQ 17 tended to throw into the background the fortunes of the westbound convoy, QP 13. This convoy of 35 ships sailed in two parts from Archangel and Murmansk and joined at sea on 28 June under Commodore N.H. Gale. Thick weather prevailed during most of the passage, but the convoy was reported by enemy aircraft on 30 June while still east of Bear Island and again on 2 July. No attacks developed, the enemy focus was on the eastbound convoy. That afternoon the ill-fated convoy PQ 17 was passed.

After an uneventful passage, convoy QP 13 divided off the north-east coast of Iceland on 4 July. Commodore Gale with 16 merchant ships turned south for Loch Ewe while the remaining 9 merchant ships continued round the north coast of Iceland for Reykjavik. At 1900/5 these ships formed into a five column convoy. They were escorted by HMS Niger (SO), HMS Hussar, FFL Roselys, HMS Lady Madeleine and HMS St. Elstan. They were now approaching the north-west corner of Iceland. The weather was overcast, visibility about one mile, wind north-east, force 8, sea rough. No sights had been obtained since 1800/2 and the convoys position was considerably in doubt. At 1910/5 Commander Cubison (C.O. HMS Niger) suggested that the front of the convoy should be reduced to two columns in order to pass between Straumnes and the minefield off the north-west coast of Iceland. This was the first the convoy Commodore had heard of the existence of this minefield. Soon afterwards, Commander Cubison gave his estimated position at 2000/5 as 66°45’N, 22°22’W and suggested altering course 222° for Straumnes Point at that time. This was done. About two hours later, at 2200 hours, HMS Niger which had gone ahead to try to make landfall leaving HMS Hussar as a visual link with the convoy, sighted what she took to be North Cape bearing 150° at a range of one mile and ordered the course of the convoy to be altered to 270°. Actually what HMS Niger sighted was a large iceberg but this was not realised for some time. At 2240/5 HMS Niger blew up and sank with heavy loss of life, including Commander Cubison. Five minutes later a last signal from her, explaining her mistaken landfall and recommending a return to course 222° was handed to the convoy Commodore. But it was too late, already explosions were occurring amongst the merchant ships. The westerly course had led the convoy straight into the minefield. Considerable confusion prevailed, some thinking that a U-boat attack was in progress, other imagining a surface raider. Four ships were sunk, the Heffron, Hybert, Massmar and the Rodina and two were seriously damaged, the John Randolph and the Exterminator. Good rescue work was carried out by the escorts, especially the FFL Roselys which picked up 179 survivors from various ships. Meanwhile HMS Hussar had obtained a shore fix, led out the remaining merchant ships, which reformed on a southerly course for Reykjavik where they arrived without further misadventure.

5 Jul 1942
Early in the evening, HMS P 54 (Lt. C.E. Oxborrow, DSC, RN) spotted the German task force that was operating against convoy PQ 17 in position 71°40'N, 28°19'E. The German task force was made up of the battleship Tirpitz and heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper. They were escorted by a group of seven destroyers and two torpedo boats. P 54 was unable to attack but she made an enemy report on W/T.

At 2247 hours, HMS P 54, was detected by an enemy aircraft that dropped three bombs.. (2)

12 Jul 1942
HMS P 54 (Lt. C.E. Oxborrow, DSC, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Lerwick. (2)

18 Jul 1942
HMS P 54 (Lt. C.E. Oxborrow, DSC, RN) departed Lerwick for Dundee. She was escorted by HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR). (1)

19 Jul 1942
HMS P 54 (Lt. C.E. Oxborrow, DSC, RN) arrived at Dundee. (1)

1 Aug 1942
HMS P 54 (Lt. C.E. Oxborrow, DSC, RN) departed Dundee for Lerwick. She made (part of) the passage together with HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN). They were escorted by HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR). (3)

2 Aug 1942
HMS P 54 (Lt. C.E. Oxborrow, DSC, RN) arrived at Lerwick. (3)

4 Aug 1942
HMS P 54 (Lt. C.E. Oxborrow, DSC, RN) departed Lerwick for her 2nd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off southern Norway near Stavanger.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS P 54 during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

12 Aug 1942
HMS P 54 (Lt. C.E. Oxborrow, DSC, RN) torpedoed and sank the German merchant Georg L.M. Russ (2890 GRT, built 1938) off southern Norway in position 58°37'N, 05°30'E. Wolfgang L.M. Russ (3000 GRT, built 1939) was missed in the same attack.

One was killed, thirty-eight survivors were picked by the escort NS 02. UJ 1710 was sent to hunt the submarine but failed to locate it.

In position 58°37'N, 05°30'E sighted a convoy of three merchant vessels escorted by a trawler bearing 160°, range 4.5 nautical miles. Started attack.

1606 hours - Fired four torpedoes at the second and third merchant ships of 3000 and 5500 tons respectively. Range was about 2500 yards. Three loud explosions were heard after about two minutes.

1624 hours - At periscope depth. Sighted only one ship with the trawler. P 54 was then hunted by the trawler. (3)

15 Aug 1942
HMS P 54 (Lt. C.E. Oxborrow, DSC, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Lerwick. (3)

16 Aug 1942
HMS P 54 (Lt. C.E. Oxborrow, DSC, RN) departed Lerwick for Dundee. She was escorted by HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR). (4)

18 Aug 1942
HMS P 54 (Lt. C.E. Oxborrow, DSC, RN) arrived at Dundee. (4)

23 Aug 1942
During the night of 23/24 August 1942, a suspected act of sabotage occurred on board the submarine which was in the Camperdown dock. We have no further information. (4)

31 Aug 1942
HMS P 54 (Lt. C.E. Oxborrow, DSC, RN) departed Dundee for Lerwick. She made the passage together with HMS Tribune (Lt. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR) and HNoMS Uredd (Lt. R.O. Rören). They were escorted by HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR). (3)

1 Sep 1942
HMS P 54 (Lt. C.E. Oxborrow, DSC, RN) arrived at Lerwick. (3)

2 Sep 1942
HMS P 54 (Lt. C.E. Oxborrow, DSC, RN) departed from Lerwick for her 3rd war patrol. She is to provide cover for convoy operations (PQ 18 and QP 14) to Northern Russia.

For the daily positions of HMS P 54 during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

10 Sep 1942
In the afternoon, HMS P 54 (Lt. C.E. Oxborrow, DSC, RN), sighted the tops and masts of the German task force that was at sea to operate against the Allied convoys. P 54 was too far off to attack. (3)

24 Sep 1942
HMS P 54 (Lt. C.E. Oxborrow, DSC, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol at Lerwick. (3)

25 Sep 1942
HMS P 54 (Lt. C.E. Oxborrow, DSC, RN) departed Dundee for Lerwick. She made the passage together with FFS Rubis (Lt.Cdr. H.L.G. Rousselot) and HNoMS Uredd (Lt. R.O. Rören). They were escorted by HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR). (5)

26 Sep 1942
HMS P 54 (Lt. C.E. Oxborrow, DSC, RN) arrived at Dundee. (5)

28 Sep 1942
HMS P 54 (Lt. C.E. Oxborrow, DSC, RN) was docked at Dundee. (5)

7 Oct 1942
HMS P 54 (Lt. C.E. Oxborrow, DSC, RN) was undocked. (6)

11 Oct 1942
HMS P 54 (Lt. C.E. Oxborrow, DSC, RN) departed Dundee for Holy Loch and onward passage to Gibraltar. Part of the passage was made together with FFS Junon (Cdr. J. Querville, RN) and HNoMS Uredd (Lt. R.O. Rören). They were escorted by HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR).

For the daily positions of HMS P 54 during this passage / patrol see the map below.

(3)

14 Oct 1942
HMS P 54 (Lt. C.E. Oxborrow, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch.

She departed for Gibraltar later the same day. During passage south through the Irish Sea she was escorted by HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Dobson, RNR). At Gibraltar P 54 was to join the 8th Submarine Flottilla temporarily for the upcoming Allied invasion of North Africa. (3)

17 Oct 1942
HMS P 54 (Lt. C.E. Oxborrow, DSC, RN) was ordered to take up a patrol position in the Bay of Biscay as German tankers are thought to try to break out into the Atlantic. The passage to Gibraltar now became her 4th war patrol. (3)

18 Oct 1942
HMS P 54 (Lt. C.E. Oxborrow, DSC, RN) was ordered to continue her passage to Gibraltar. (3)

22 Oct 1942

Convoys KMS 1, KMF 1 for the landings at Algiers and Oran during Operation Torch.

Convoy KMS 1.

This convoy was assembled off Oversay on 23 October 1942.

It was made up of the following transports; Alcinous (Dutch, 6189 GRT, built 1925), Alphard (Dutch, 5483 GRT, built 1937), Ardeola (British, 2609 GRT, built 1912), Benalbanach (British, 7153 GRT, built 1940), Charles H. Cramp (American, 6220 GRT, built 1920), Chattanooga City (American, 5687 GRT, built 1921), City of Worcester (British, 5469 GRT, built 1927), Clan MacTaggart (British, 7622 GRT, built 1920), Delilian (British, 6423 GRT, built 1923), Edward Ruthledge (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Empire Confidence (British, 5023 GRT, built 1925), Empire Mordred (British, 7024 GRT, built 1942), Fort McLoughlin (British, 7129 GRT, built 1942), Glenfinlas (British, 7479 GRT, built 1917), Havildar (British, 5401 GRT, built 1940), Hopecrown (British, 5180 GRT, built 1937), Jean Jadot (Belgian, 5859 GRT, built 1929), Lalande (British, 7453 GRT, built 1920), Lochmonar (British, 9412 GRT, built 1924), Lycaon (British, 7350 GRT, built 1913), Macharda (British, 7998 GRT, built 1938), Manchester Port (British, 7071 GRT, built 1935), Mark Twain (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Maron (British, 6487 GRT, built 1930), Mary Slessor (British, 5027 GRT, built 1930), Ocean Rider (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942), Ocean Viceroy (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942), Ocean Volga (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942), Ocean Wanderer (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942), Pacific Exporter (British, 6734 GRT, built 1928), Recorder (British, 5981 GRT, built 1930), Salacia (British, 5495 GRT, built 1937), Sobo (British, 5353 GRT, built 1937), St. Essylt (British, 5634 GRT, built 1941), Stanhill (British, 5969 GRT, built 1942), Tadorna (British, 1947 GRT, built 1928), Theseus (British, 6527 GRT, built 1908), Tiba (Dutch, 5239 GRT, built 1938), Urlana (British, 6852 GRT, built 1941), Walt Whitman (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), William M. Floyd (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), William Wirt (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942) and Zebulon B. Vance (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942).

Also part of the convoy were the landing ships Derwentdale (8390 GRT, built 1941), Dewdale (8265 GRT, built 1941) and Ennerdale (8280 GRT, built 1941).

On assembly the convoy was escorted by the escort carrier HMS Avenger (Cdr. A.P. Colthurst, RN), AA ship HMS Alynbank (A/Capt.(Retd.) H.F. Nash, RN), destroyer HMS Vansittart (Lt.Cdr. T. Johnston, RN), sloops HMS Deptford (Lt.Cdr. H.R. White, RN), HMS Stork (Cdr. G.N. Brewer, RN), corvettes HMS Convolvulus (A/Lt.Cdr. R.F.R. Yarde-Buller, RNVR), HMS Gardenia (T/Lt. M.M. Firth, RNVR), HMS Marigold (Lt. J.A.S. Halcrow, RD, RNR), HMS Pentstemon (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J. Byron, DSC, RNR), HMS Rhododendron (Lt.Cdr. L.A. Sayers, RNR), HMS Samphire (Lt.Cdr. F.T. Renny, DSC, RNR), HMS Vetch (T/A/Lt.Cdr. H.J. Beverley, DSO, DSC, RNR), HMS Violet (Lt. C.N. Stewart, RNR) and the minesweepers HMS Acute (Lt.Cdr. D. Lampen, DSO, RN), HMS Alarm (T/Lt.Cdr. R. Patterson, SANF(V)), HMS Albacore (Lt.Cdr. J.D.L. Williams, RN) and HMS Cadmus (Lt.Cdr. J.B.G. Temple, DSC, RN).

Around 1000A/4, the convoy was split up into two sections KMS A1 and KMS O1. KMS A1 was destined for Algiers and KMS O1 was destined for Oran. KMS O1 then proceeded to the westwards so as to pass the Straits of Gibraltar later.

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Convoy KMS A 1.

Convoy KMS A 1 was to pass the Strait of Gibraltar around 2345A/5; it was made up of the transports; City of Worcester, Glenfinlas, Jean Jadot, Lalande, Lochmonar, Macharda, Manchester Port, Maron, Ocean Rider, Ocean Viceroy, Ocean Volga, Ocean Wanderer, Sobo, Stanhill, Tiba and Urlana.

The landing ships Dewdale and Ennerdale were also part of the convoy.

The convoy was escorted by the sloop HMS Stork, corvettes HMS Convolvulus, HMS Marigold, HMS Pentstemon, HMS Samphire [this corvette might have already parted company though, see below] and the minesweepers HMS Acute, HMS Alarm, HMS Albacore and HMS Cadmus.

Around 0700A/5, the corvette HMS Samphire arrived at Gibraltar with defects from convoy KMS A1.

Around 0800A/5, the minesweepers HMS Algerine (Lt.Cdr. W.A. Cooke, RN), HMS Hussar (Lt. R.C. Biggs, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Speedwell (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Williams, RNR) departed Gibraltar to join convoy KMS A1.

Around 1830A/5, the M/S trawlers HMS Cava (T/Lt. R.L. Petty-Major, RNVR), HMS Juliet (Lt. L.B. Moffatt, RNR), HMS Othello (T/Lt. S.C. Dickinson, RNVR), HMS Stroma (Skr. J.S. Harper, RNR), HMS Hoy (T/Lt. G.H. McNair, MBE, RNVR), HMS Inchcolm (Skr. A.C. Whitcombe, RNR), HMS Mull (Lt. J. Plomer, RCNVR), HMS Rysa (T/Lt. J.H. Cooper, RNVR) and the motor launches ML 238, ML 273, ML 283, ML 295, ML 307, ML 336, ML 338, ML 444 departed Gibraltar to join convoy KMS A1.

Around 2230A/5, the monitor HMS Roberts (Capt. J.G.Y. Loveband, RN), escort destroyers HMS Bicester (Lt.Cdr. S.W.F. Bennetts, RN), HMS Bramham (Lt. E.F. Baines, DSO, RN), HMS Cowdray (Lt.Cdr. C.W. North, RN), HMS Zetland (Lt. J.V. Wilkinson, RN) and the corvette HMS Samphire (with her repairs completed) departed Gibraltar to join convoy KMS A1.

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Convoy KMS O 1.

Convoy KMS O 1 was to pass the Strait of Gibraltar around 1630A/6; it was made up of the transports; Alcinous, Alphard, Benalbanach, Charles H. Cramp, Chattanooga City, Clan Mactaggart, Delinlian, Edward Rutledge, Empire Confidence, Empire Mordred, Havildar, Lycaon, Mark Twain, Mary Slessor, Pacific Exporter, Recorder, Salacia, St. Essylt, Thesues, Walt Whitman, William Floyd, William Wirt and Zebulon B. Vance.

The landing ship Derwentdale was also part of this convoy.

The convoy was escorted by the AA ship HMS Alynbank, sloop HMS Deptford, corvettes HMS Gardenia, HMS Rhododendron, HMS Vetch and HMS Violet.

Around 1500A/6, the minesweepers HMS Brixham (Lt. G.A. Simmers, RNR), HMS Bude (Lt. F.A.J. Andrew, RN), HMS Clacton (A/Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) L.S. Shaw, RNR) and HMS Felixstowe (T/Lt. C.G. Powney, RNVR) departed Gibraltar to join the convoy KMS O1.

After dark on the 6th, the M/S trawlers HMS Coriolanus (T/Lt. N. Hunt, RNVR), HMS Eday (T/Lt. W.Y. Surtees, RNR), HMS Inchmarnock (T/Lt. C.G.V. Corneby, RNR), HMS Kerrera (Skr. R.W. Slater, RNR) and the motor launches ML 280, ML 458, ML 463, ML 469, ML 471, ML 480, ML 483 and HDML 1127, HDML 1128 and HDML 1139 departed Gibraltar to join convoy KMS O1.

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Operation Crupper.

Two ships from Convoy KMS 1, the Ardeola and Tadorna formed part of Convoy KMS 1A after the convoy had split up. They were to proceed to Malta unescorted. The Admiralty had decided to make use of the expected confusion of the landings in North Africa to run two 'small' merchant ships with important cargo to Malta. These ships were considered expendable. They parted company with convoy KMS 1A on 8 November. They did not reach Malta however. When off Cape Bon on 9 November, they were taken under fire by Vichy French coastal batteries, despite the darkness, and then captured by motor torpedo boats. They were brought into Bizerta where their cargo was unloaded. The ships were later taken over by the Italians.

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Convoy KMF 1.

This convoy was assembled off Oversay on 26 October 1942.

It was made up of the following (troop) transports; Awatea (British, 13482 GRT, built 1936), Batory (Polish, 14287 GRT, built 1936), Cathay (British, 15225 GRT, built 1925), Dempo (Dutch, 17024 GRT, built 1931), Derbyshire (British, 11660 GRT, built 1935), Duchess of Bedford (British, 20123 GRT, built 1928), Durban Castle (British, 17388 GRT, built 1938), Ettrick (British, 11279 GRT, built 1938), Exceller (American, 6597 GRT, built 1941), Leinster (British, 4302 GRT, built 1937) Letitia (British, 13595 GRT, built 1925), Llangibby Castle (British, 11951 GRT, built 1929), Marnix van St. Aldegonde (Dutch, 19355 GRT, built 1930), Monarch of Bermuda (British, 22424 GRT, built 1931), Mooltan (British, 20952 GRT, built 1923), Nieuw Zeeland (Dutch, 11069 GRT, built 1928), Orbita (British, 15495 GRT, built 1915), Otranto (British, 20026 GRT, built 1925), Reina del Pacifico (British, 17702 GRT, built 1931), Sobieski (Polish, 11030 GRT, built 1939), Strathnaver (British, 22283 GRT, built 1931), Tegelberg (Dutch, 14150 GRT, built 1937), Viceroy of India (British, 19627 GRT, built 1929), Warwick Castle (British, 20107 GRT, built 1930) and Winchester Castle (British, 20012 GRT, built 1930).

The headquarters ships HMS Bulolo (Capt.(Retd.) R.L. Hamer, RN), HMS Largs (Cdr. E.A. Divers, OBE, RNR), the landing ships HMS Glengyle (Capt.(Retd.) D.S. McGrath, RN), HMS Karanja (Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) D.S. Hore-Lacy, RN), HMS Keren (A/Cdr. S.E. Crewe-Read, RN), HMS Princess Beatrix (Cdr.(Retd.) T.B. Brunton, DSC, RN), HMS Queen Emma (Capt.(Retd.) G.L.D. Gibbs, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Royal Scotsman (Lt.Cdr. J.D. Armstrong, DSC, RD, RNR), HMS Royal Ulsterman (A/Lt.Cdr. W.R.K. Clark, DSC, RD RNR) and HMS Ulster Monarch (Lt.Cdr. N.A.F. Kingscote, RNR) and the attack transports USS Almaack (T/Capt. C.L. Nichols, USN), USS Leedstown (Cdr. D. Cook, USNR), USS Samuel Chase (Capt. R.C. Heimer, USCG) and USS Thomas Stone (Capt. O.R. Bennehoff, USN) were also part of the convoy.

On assembly off Oversay on the 27th the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Sheffield (Capt. A.W. Clarke, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN), escort carrier HMS Biter (Capt. E.M.C. Abel Smith, RN), destroyer HMS Clare (Lt.Cdr. L.H. Landman, RN), sloops HMS Aberdeen (Lt.Cdr. H. Day, RN), HMS Enchantress (Lt.Cdr. A.E.T. Christie, OBE, RN), HMS Ibis (Lt.Cdr. H.M. Darell-Brown, RN), cutters HMS Hartland (Lt.Cdr. G.P. Billot, RNR), HMS Walney (Lt.Cdr. P.C. Meyrick, RN), frigates HMS Exe (A/Cdr. M.A.O. Biddulph, DSC, RN), HMS Rother (Lt.Cdr. R.V.E. Case, DSC and Bar, RD, RNR), HMS Spey (Cdr. H.G. Boys-Smith, DSO and Bar, RD, RNR), HMS Swale (Lt.Cdr. J. Jackson, RNR) and HMS Tay (Lt.Cdr. R.E. Sherwood, RNR).

Around 1120A/2, the destroyers HrMs Isaac Sweers (Capt. W. Harmsen, RNN) and HMS Escapade (Cdr. E.N.V. Currey, DSC, RN) joined coming from the Azores.

Around 0200A/3, the AA ships HMS Palomares (A/Capt.(Retd.) J.H. Jauncey, RN), HMS Pozarica (Capt.(Retd.) L.B. Hill, DSO, OBE, RN) and the destroyers HMS Achates (Lt.Cdr. A.H.T. Johns, RN), HMS Antelope (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Sinclair, RN), HMS Amazon (Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) Lord Teynham, RN), HMS Velox (Lt. G.B. Barstow, RN), HMS Verity, (Lt.Cdr. R. Horncastle, RN), HMS Westcott (Cdr. I.H. Bockett-Pugh, DSO, RN) and HMS Wishart (Cdr. H.G. Scott, RN) departed Gibraltar to join the convoy. At 1045A/3, the destroyer HMS Wivern (Cdr. M.D.C. Meyrick, RN) also departed to join the convoy. She had been unable to depart earlier due to defects.

Around 0800A/3, the destroyer HMS Marne (Lt.Cdr. H.N.A. Richardson, DSO, DSC, RN) joined the convoy coming from the Azores.

Around 1300A/3, the light cruiser HMS Jamaica (Capt. J.L. Storey, RN) also departed Gibraltar to join the convoy.

Around 1830Z/3, HMS Sheffield parted company with the convoy to proceed to Gibraltar where she arrived at 0815A/3, she was to fuel and then join ' Force O '.

Around noon on 4 November 1942, the convoy was split up into two sections KMF A1 and KMF O1. KMF A1 was destined for Algiers and KMF O1 was destined for Oran. KMF O1 then proceeded to the westwards so as to pass the Straits of Gibraltar later.

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Convoy KMF A 1.

Convoy KMF A 1 was to pass the Strait of Gibraltar around 0100A/6; it was made up of the (troop) transports; Almaack, Awatea, Cathay, Dempo, Ettrick, Exceller, Leedstown, Marnix van St. Aldegonde, Otranto, Sobieski, Strathnaver, Viceroy of India and Winchester Castle.

The headquarters ship HMS Bulolo and the landing ships HMS Karanja, HMS Keren, HMS Royal Scotsman, HMS Royal Ulsterman and Ulster Monarch and the attack transports USS Samuel Chase and USS Thomas Stone were also part of the convoy.

[exactly which ships of the escort went on with this part of the convoy will have to be researched further.]

In the morning of 5 November, HrMs Isaac Sweers parted company with the convoy to join ' Force H '. HMS Escapade and HMS Marne were apparently detached to Gibraltar on the convoy passing the Strait of Gibraltar.

Also on 5 November, the corvettes HMS Spiraea (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Miller, DSC, RNR) and HMS Jonquil (Lt.Cdr. R.E.H. Partington, RD, RNR) departed Gibraltar to join convoy KMF A1.

Around 0200A/6, the destroyers HMS Broke (Lt.Cdr. A.F.C. Layard, RN), HMS Malcolm (A/Cdr. A.B. Russell, RN), HMS Vanoc ( A/Cdr. C.F.H. Churchill, RN) and HMS Wrestler (Lt. R.W.B. Lacon, DSC, RN) departed Gibraltar to join convoy KMF A1 and relieve HMS Achates, HMS Antelope, HMS Amazon and HMS Wivern. After having been relieved these destroyers arrived at Gibraltar around 0545A/6. Also arriving at Gibraltar were the Leinster, HMS Royal Scotsman, HMS Royal Ulsterman and Ulster Monarch.

Around 1000A/6, HMS Broke, HMS Malcolm, HMS Vanoc and HMS Wrestler joined ' Force O ' while the screen on ' Force O ' joined the convoy, the destroyers / escort destroyers involved were ORP Blyskawica (Lt.Cdr. L. Lichodziejewski, ORP), HMS Lamerton (Lt.Cdr. C.R. Purse, DSC, RN), HMS Wheatland (Lt.Cdr. R. de L. Brooke, DSC, RN) and HMS Wilton (Lt. A.P. Northey, DSC, RN). The AA ship HMS Tynwald (Capt.(Retd.) P.G. Wodehouse, DSO, RN) also joined the convoy from ' Force O ' at the same time.

Around 0535A/7, in position 37°34'N, 00°01'W, the attack transport USS Thomas Stone was torpedoed and damaged by an enemy aircraft. HMS Spey remained with the damaged ship. At 2040A/7, the destroyers HMS Wishart and HMS Velox joined and the ship was taken in tow by HMS Wishart. HMS Spey by that time had departed with the ships 24 landing craft in which the ships troops had embarked. She was to escort them to Algiers but all had to be scuttled and the troops were taken on board HMS Spey. At 0535A/8 the tug St. Day joined which also passed a tow. The damaged ship anchored off Algiers around 1030A/11 being towed there by HMS Wishart and HMS St. Day.

Around 0725Z/7, HMS Clare parted company to join ' Force O ' which she did around 0913Z/7.

Around 1815A/7, the section destined for ' C Sector ' (Charlie Sector) parted company with the convoy. It was made up of the USS Almaack, USS Leedstown, USS Samuel Chase, Exceller and Dempo. With them were also transports from convoy KMS A1. They were escorted by the AA ship HMS Tynwald, escort destroyers HMS Cowdray, HMS Zetland, sloop HMS Enchantress, minesweepers HMS Algerine, HMS Hussar, HMS Speedwell, corvettes HMS Pentstemon, HMS Samphire, MS trawlers HMS Cava, HMS Othello and the motor launches HMS ML 273 and HMS ML 295. At 2135A/7, the beacon submarine HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) made contact with the force and the ships were guided to their positions for the landings. From convoy KMS A1 the transports Macharda and Maron were destined for Charlie sector. They were escorted by the sloop HMS Stork and the corvettes HMS Pentstemon and HMS Samphire.

Around 1900A/7, The remainder of convoy KMF A1 split into two sections, one for ' A Sector ' (Apple Sector) and one for ' B Sector ' (Beer Sector).

The force for ' A Sector ' was made up of HMS Karanja and the Marnix van St. Aldegonde and Viceroy of India. With them were also transports from convoy KMS A1. They were escorted by the AA ship HMS Pozarica, escort destroyers HMS Bicester, HMS Bramham, frigate HMS Rother, minesweeper HMS Cadmus, MS trawlers HMS Juliet, HMS Rysa, HMS Stroma and the motor launches HMS ML 283, HMS ML 336 and HMS ML 338. At 2214A/7, the made contact with their beacon submarine HMS P 221 (Lt. M.F.R. Ainslie, DSC, RN). A few minutes later they stopped and the landings commenced. From convoy KMS A1 the following ships were assigned to ' A Sector '; Dewdale, Lalande, Manchester Port, Ocean Viceroy and Ocean Wanderer. They were escorted by the corvettes HMS Convolvulus and HMS Marigold.

The force for ' B Sector ' was made up of HMS Bulolo, HMS Keren and the Awatea, Cathay, Otranto, Sobieski, Strathnaver and Winchester Castle. With them were also transports from convoy KMS A1. They were escorted by the AA ship HMS Palomeres, destroyer ORP Blyskawica, escort destroyers HMS Lamerton, HMS Wheatland, HMS Wilton, minesweepers HMS Acute, HMS Alarm, HMS Albacore, MS trawlers HMS Hoy, HMS Incholm, HMS Mull and the motor launches HMS ML 238, HMS ML 307 and HMS ML 444. They made contact with their beacon submarine HMS P 48 (Lt. M.E. Faber, RN) around 2220A/7 hours and landing operation commenced shortly afterwards. From convoy KMS A1 the following ships were assigned to ' A Sector '; City of Worcester, Ennerdale, Glenfinlas, Jean Jadot, Lochmonar, Ocean Rider, Ocean Volga, Sobo, Stanhill, Tiba and Urlana. They were escorted by the sloop HMS Stork and the corvettes HMS Pentstemon and HMS Samphire which then went on with the ships for the ' Charlie sector '.

On 9 November the ships involved in the landings anchored in Algiers Bay.

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Convoy KMF O 1.

Convoy KMF O 1 was to pass the Strait of Gibraltar around 2230A/6; it was made up of the (troop) transports; Batory, Duchess of Bedford, Durban Castle, Letitia, Llangibby Castle, Monarch of Bermuda, Mooltan, Nieuw Zeeland, Orbita, Reina del Pacifico, Tegelberg and Warwick Castle.

The headquarters ship HMS Largs and the landing ships HMS Glengyle, HMS Princess Beatrix and HMS Queen Emma were also part of the convoy.

Around 1950A/4, the light cruiser HMS Aurora (Capt. W.G. Agnew, CB, RN) departed Gibraltar to join convoy KMF O1.

For the landings at Oran three main beaches were selected. ' X ', ' Y ' and ' Z ' beach. There was also one subsidiary beach, ' R '.

The fast convoy, KMF O1, would, after passing through the Straits of Gibraltar make rendezvous with the slow convoy, KMS O1 in position 36°26'N, 01°15'W.

The convoys would then be diverted into nine groups, these were;
For ' X ' beach
Group I, 1st Division; Batory, HMS Princess Beatrix, Queen Emma, 2nd Division; Benalbenach, Mark Twain, Mary Slessor and Walt Whitman. They were escorted by the light cruiser HMS Aurora, destroyer HMS Wivern, corvettes HMS Gardenia, HMS Vetch and the motor launch HMS HDML 1139.
Group VIII, LST HMS Bachaquero (A/Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) A.W. McMullan, RNR) escorted by the M/S trawler HMS Horatio (T/Lt. C.A. Lemkey, RNR).

For ' Y ' beach
Group II; HMS Glengyle, Monarch of Bermuda, Llangibby Castle, Clan Mactaggart and Salacia. They were escorted by the destroyers Brilliant, HMS Verity, M/S trawlers HMS Coriolanus, HMS Eday, HMS Inchmarnock, HMS Kerrera and the motor launches HMS ML 458, HMS ML 463, HMS ML 469, HMS ML 471 and HMS HDML 1128.

For ' Z ' beach
Group III, 1st Division; Duchess of Bedford, Durban Castle, Ettrick, Warwick Castle. 2nd Division; Derwentdale, Reina del Pacifico and Tegelberg. They were escorted by the light cruiser HMS Jamaica, escort destroyers HMS Calpe (Lt.Cdr. H. Kirkwood, DSC, RN), HMS Farndale (Cdr. D.P. Trentham, RN), minesweepers HMS Brixham, HMS Bude, HMS Clacton, HMS Felixtowe, HMS Polruan (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.S. Landers, RNR), HMS Rothesay (Cdr. A.A. Martin, DSC, RD, RNR), HMS Rhyl (Cdr. L.J.S. Ede, DSO, RN), HMS Stornoway (T/A/Lt.Cdr. C.R. Fraser, RNR) and the motor launches HMS ML 280, HMS HDML 1127.

Group V; Alcinous, Alphard, Charles H. Cramp, Chatanooga City, Delilian, Recorder and Zebulon B. Vance. They were escorted by the sloop HMS Deptford, cutters HMS Hartland, HMS Walney, corvettes HMS Rhododendron, HMS Violet and the motor launches HMS ML 480 and HMS ML 483.

Group VI, 1st division; Derbyshire, Letitia, Mooltan and Nieuw Zeeland. 2nd division, Empire Confidence, Lycaon and Theseus.

Group VII, 1st division, Empire Mordred, Havildar, Pacific Exporter and St. Essylt. 2nd division; Edward Rutledge, William Floyd and William Wirt. Groups VI and VII were escorted by the light (AA) cruiser HMS Delhi (Capt. A.T.G.C. Peachey, RN), destroyer HMS Vansittart, sloop HMS Aberdeen and the frigates HMS Exe and HMS Swale.

Group IX; LST's HMS Misoa (T/Lt. K.G. Graham, RNR) and HMS Tasajera (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Gelling, DSC, RD, RNR). They were escorted by the M/S trawlers HMS Fluellen (T/Lt. B.J. Hampson, RNR), HMS Ronaldsay (T/Lt. A. Stirling, RNR) and HMS Shiant (T/Lt. A.C. Elton, RNR).

For ' R ' beach
Group IV; HMS Royal Scotsman, HMS Royal Ulsterman and HMS Ulster Monarch. They had the same escort as Group III.

Two submarines were stationed off the beaches as beacons, these were HMS Ursula (Lt. R.B. Lakin, DSC, RN) and HMS P 54 (Lt. C.E. Oxborrow, DSC, RN).

23 Oct 1942
HMS P 54 (Lt. C.E. Oxborrow, DSC, RN) ended her 4th war patrol at Gibraltar. (3)

1 Nov 1942
HMS P 54 (Lt. C.E. Oxborrow, DSC, RN) departed Gibraltar for her 5th war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to perform a special operation [Party Inhuman] (during operation Torch, landing beach marking off Oran). She carried only six torpedoes to make room for two folbots.

For the daily positions of HMS P 54 during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

3 Nov 1942
During the night of 3/4 November 1942, HMS P 54 (Lt. C.E. Oxborrow, DSC, RN), launched a party with a folbot for a reconnaissance. The party left at 2315/3 and returned at 0006/4. (3)

7 Nov 1942
During the night of 7/8 November 1942, HMS P 54 (Lt. C.E. Oxborrow, DSC, RN) assisted in the landing off Oran. She launched the folbot and her party and also guided the convoy in, acting as beacon. (3)

8 Nov 1942
HMS P 54 (Lt. C.E. Oxborrow, DSC, RN) was ordered to patrol off San Antonio, Ibiza. (3)

8 Nov 1942

The landings at Oran as part of Operation Torch

For the landings at Oran the Centre Naval Task Force was deployed.

This Task Force was made up of the following warships; battleship HMS Rodney (Capt. J.W. Rivett-Carnac, DSC, RN), aircraft carrier HMS Furious (Capt. T.O. Bulteel, RN), escort carriers HMS Biter (Capt. E.M.C. Abel Smith, RN), HMS Dasher (Cdr. C.N. Lentaigne, DSO, RN), light cruisers HMS Jamaica (Capt. J.L. Storey, RN), HMS Aurora (Capt. W.G. Agnew, CB, RN), AA cruiser HMS Delhi (Capt. A.T.G.C. Peachey, RN), AA ship HMS Alynbank (A/Capt.(Retd.) H.F. Nash, RN), destroyers HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN), HMS Brilliant (Lt.Cdr. A.G. Poe, RN), HMS Boadicea (Lt.Cdr. F.C. Brodrick, RN), HMS Bulldog (Cdr. M. Richmond, OBE, DSO, RN), HMS Beagle (Cdr. R.C. Medley, DSO, RN), HMS Amazon (Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) Lord Teynham, RN), HMS Achates (Lt.Cdr. A.H.T. Johns, RN), HMS Antelope (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Sinclair, RN), HMS Wivern (Cdr. M.D.C. Meyrick, RN), HMS Westcott (Cdr. I.H. Bockett-Pugh, DSO, RN), HMS Verity, (Lt.Cdr. R. Horncastle, RN), HMS Vansittart (Lt.Cdr. T. Johnston, RN), escort destroyers HMS Avon Vale (Lt.Cdr. P.A.R. Withers, DSO, RN), HMS Farndale (Cdr. D.P. Trentham, RN), HMS Puckeridge (Lt. J.C. Cartwright, DSC, RN), HMS Calpe (Lt.Cdr. H. Kirkwood, DSC, RN), submarines HMS Ursula (Lt. R.B. Lakin, DSC, RN), HMS P 54 (Lt. C.E. Oxborrow, DSC, RN), minesweepers HMS Rhyl (Cdr. L.J.S. Ede, DSO, RN), HMS Felixstowe (T/Lt. C.G. Powney, RNVR), HMS Clacton (A/Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) L.S. Shaw, RNR), HMS Polruan (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.S. Landers, RNR), HMS Rothesay (Cdr. A.A. Martin, DSC, RD, RNR), HMS Stornoway (T/A/Lt.Cdr. C.R. Fraser, RNR), HMS Bude (Lt. F.A.J. Andrew, RN), HMS Brixham (Lt. G.A. Simmers, RNR), sloops HMS Aberdeen (Lt.Cdr. H. Day, RN), HMS Deptford (Lt.Cdr. H.R. White, RN), cutters HMS Hartland (Lt.Cdr. G.P. Billot, RNR), HMS Walney (Lt.Cdr. P.C. Meyrick, RN), frigates HMS Exe (A/Cdr. M.A.O. Biddulph, DSC, RN), HMS Swale (Lt.Cdr. J. Jackson, RNR), corvettes HMS Gardenia (T/Lt. M.M. Firth, RNVR), HMS Vetch (T/A/Lt.Cdr. H.J. Beverley, DSO, DSC, RNR), HMS Rhododendron (Lt.Cdr. L.A. Sayers, RNR), HMS Violet (Lt. C.N. Stewart, RNR), M/S trawlers HMS Coriolanus (T/Lt. N. Hunt, RNVR), HMS Fluellen (T/Lt. B.J. Hampson, RNR), HMS Horatio (T/Lt. C.A. Lemkey, RNR), HMS Eday (T/Lt. W.Y. Surtees, RNR), HMS Inchmarnock (T/Lt. C.G.V. Corneby, RNR), HMS Kerrera (Skr. R.W. Slater, RNR), HMS Shiant (T/Lt. A.C. Elton, RNR), HMS Ronaldsay (T/Lt. A. Stirling, RNR), motor launches ML 280, ML 458, ML 463, ML 469, ML 471, ML 480, ML 483 and the harbour defence motor launches HDML 1127, HDML 1128 and HDML 1139.

Also parted of the Centre Naval Task Force were the following amphibious ships; headquarters ship HMS Largs (Cdr. E.A. Divers, RNR, flying the flag of Commodore T.H. Troubridge, RN), landing ships infantery HMS Glengyle (Capt.(Retd.) D.S. McGrath, RN), HMS Princess Beatrix (Cdr.(Retd.) T.B. Brunton, DSC, RN), HMS Queen Emma (Capt.(Retd.) G.L.D. Gibbs, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Royal Scotsman (Lt.Cdr. J.D. Armstrong, DSC, RD, RNR), HMS Royal Ulsterman (A/Lt.Cdr. W.R.K. Clark, DSC, RD RNR) and HMS Ulster Monarch (Lt.Cdr. N.A.F. Kingscote, RNR), RFA Derwentdale, landing ships tank HMS Bachaquero (A/Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) A.W. McMullan, RNR), HMS Misoa (T/Lt. K.G. Graham, RNR) and HMS Tasajera (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Gelling, DSC, RD, RNR).

Also parted of the Oran Attack Force were the ships in convoys KMS O1 and KMF O2.

Around 1700Z/6, convoy KMS O1 passed through the Straits of Gibraltar followed by convoy KMF O1 around 1830Z/6. These convoys then merged to the east of the Straits of Gibraltar. These convoys came direct from the U.K. and were made up of the following (troop) transports; Alcinous (Dutch, 6189 GRT, built 1925), Alphard (British, 5483 GRT, built 1937), Batory (Polish, 14287 GRT, built 1936), Benalbanach (British, 7153 GRT, built 1940), Charles H. Cramp (American, 6220 GRT, built 1920), Chattanooga City (American, 5687 GRT, built 1921), Clan Mactaggart (British, 7622 GRT, built 1920), Delinlian (British, 6423 GRT, built 1923), Duchess of Bedford (British, 20123 GRT, built 1928), Durban Castle (British, 17388 GRT, built 1938), Edward Rutledge (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Empire Confidence (British, 5023 GRT, built 1925), Empire Mordred (British, 7024 GRT, built 1942), Havildar (British, 5401 GRT, built 1940), Letitia (British, 13595 GRT, built 1925), Llangibby Castle (British, 11951 GRT, built 1929), Lycaon (British, 7350 GRT, built 1913), Mark Twain (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Mary Slessor (British, 5027 GRT, built 1930), Monarch of Bermuda (British, 22424 GRT, built 1931), Mooltan (British, 20952 GRT, built 1923), Nieuw Zeeland (Dutch, 11069 GRT, built 1928)), Orbita (British, 15495 GRT, built 1915), Pacific Exporter (British, 6734 GRT, built 1928), Recorder (British, 5981 GRT, built 1930), Reina del Pacifico (British, 17702 GRT, built 1931), Salacia (British, 5495 GRT, built 1937), St. Essylt (British, 5634 GRT, built 1941), Tegelberg (Dutch, 14150 GRT, built 1937), Thesues (British, 6527 GRT, built 1908), Walt Whitman (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Warwick Castle (British, 20107 GRT, built 1930), William Floyd (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), William Wirt (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942) and Zebulon B. Vance (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942).

Also part of these convoys was the headquarters ship HMS Largs and the landing ships infantery Glengyle, Queen Emma, Queen Beatrix, Royal Scotsman, Royal Ulsterman, Ulster Monarch and RFA Derwentdale.

From the above warships the following had come direct from the U.K. with convoys KMS 1 and KMF 1; escort carrier HMS Biter, AA ship HMS Alynbank, destroyer HMS Vansittart, sloops HMS Aberdeen, HMS Deptford, cutters HMS Hartland, HMS Walney, frigates HMS Exe, HMS Swale and the corvettes HMS Gardenia, HMS Rhododendron, HMS Vetch and HMS Violet.

On 2 November 1942, the minesweepers HMS Rhyl, HMS Clacton, HMS Polruan, HMS Rothesay and HMS Stornoway departed Gibraltar to join convoy KMS 1.

Around 0300A/3, the light cruiser HMS Jamaica departed Gibraltar to join convoy KMF 1 coming from the U.K.

Around 1950A/4, the light cruiser HMS Aurora departed Gibraltar to join convoy KMF O1.

Around 0430A/6, the battleship HMS Rodney and the destroyers HMS Bulldog, HMS Boreas and HMS Beagle departed Gibraltar as part of Force H.

Around 1500A/6, the destroyer HMS Vansittart, which had arrived at Gibraltar on the 5th, departed Gibraltar to join convoy KMS O1 with her were also the minesweepers HMS Bude, HMS Brixham and HMS Felixtowe.

A few hours later, shortly after dark on the 6th, the landing ships tank HMS Bachaquero, HMS Misoa and HMS Tasajera departed Gibraltar to join convoy KMS O1. They were escorted by the M/S trawlers HMS Fluellen, HMS Horatio, HMS Ronaldsay, HMS Shiant, HMS Coriolanus, HMS Eday, HMS Inchmarnock, HMS Kerrera, the motor launches ML 280, ML 458, ML 463, ML 469, ML 471, ML 480, ML 483 and the harbour defence motor launches HDML 1127, HDML 1128 and HDML 1139.

Around 2200A/6, the escort carrier HMS Dasher and the destroyers HMS Wivern, HMS Amazon, HMS Achates, HMS Antelope, HMS Boadicea and HMS Brilliant departed Gibraltar to join the convoys.

Around 0300A/7, the aircraft carrier HMS Furious, AA cruiser HMS Delhi and the escort destroyers HMS Farndale, HMS Avon Vale, HMS Calpe and HMS Puckeridge departed Gibraltar for the operation.

Around 0300A/7, the destroyers HMS Westcott and HMS Verity departed Gibraltar for the operation.

Landing beaches, Oran

The port of Oran, is situated at the head of a large bight between Cape Falcon, the rocky north-eastern end of the promontory of which Pointe Corales is the north-western extremity, to the west and Cap d'Aguille, to the east. This bight is divided into three bays of nearly equal size by Point Canastel and by Point Mers-el-Kebir which projects in an easterly direction from the foot of Jebel Santon and is surmounted by a powerful fortress. The heights of Jebel Murjajo lie westward of Oran with the conspicuous Fort Santa Cruz at their eastern end. The artificial harbour at Oran consists of six basins. It is protected on its northern side by a stone breakwater extending eastwards about a mile and a quarter from Pointe Mona on which, at the eastern end of the cliffs under Jebel Murjajo, lies Fort Lambourne.

The arrangement of landing beaches at Oran was comparatively simple and consisted of three main beaches; 'X', 'Y' and 'Z' and one subsidiary beach 'R'.

An armoured column from Combat Command 'B' would land at 'X' beach which lay at El Mrairia close to Cape Figalo, with orders to capture La Lourmel airfield, block the main roads north-east and south of La Lourmel, advance south of Debkra, and assist in the capture of the airfields at Tafraoui and Es Senia.

The 26th Regimental Combat Team would land at 'Y' beach near Les Andalouses with orders to take control of the Jebel Murjajo heights and capture Oran from the west.

The 18th Regimental Combat Team would land at 'Z-Green' beach near Arzew with the orders to capture the coastal defence, the port of Arzew and the port of Oran from the east. The 16th Regimental Combat Team would land at 'Z-White' beach to secure a bridgehead for Armoured Combat Command 'B', cover the east flank of the Oran Force and then take part in the capture of Oran.

Combat team 'B' would land at 'Z-Red' beach to capture Tafaraoui, Es Senia and Oggaz airfields and assist in capturing Oran from the south.

A portion of the First Ranger Battalion would made a subsidiary landing at 'R' beach southeast of Cape Carbon to capture the batteries at Fort la Ponte. The remainder of the battalion landed in Arzew harbour.

Meanwhile a parachute battalion was flown from the U.K. and dropped at H-hour near Tafaraoui airfield with orders to neutralise all aircraft on Es Senia airfield and capture Tafaraoui landing ground.

Instructions for Assault, Oran Beaches

The fast assault convoy, KMF O1, after proceeding through the Mediterranean at 11.5 knots under the orders of Commodore Troubridge, would meet the slow convoy, KMS O1, in position 36°26'N, 01°15'W around 1600A on 7 November 1942.

Here the convoys are split into nine groups; For ' X ' beach
Group I, 1st Division; Batory, HMS Princess Beatrix, Queen Emma, 2nd Division; Benalbenach, Mark Twain, Mary Slessor and Walt Whitman. They were escorted by the light cruiser HMS Aurora, destroyer HMS Wivern, corvettes HMS Gardenia, HMS Vetch and the motor launch HMS HDML 1139.
Group VIII, LST HMS Bachaquero escorted by the M/S trawler HMS Horatio.

For ' Y ' beach
Group II; HMS Glengyle, Monarch of Bermuda, Llangibby Castle, Clan Mactaggart and Salacia. They were escorted by the destroyers Brilliant, HMS Verity, M/S trawlers HMS Coriolanus, HMS Eday, HMS Inchmarnock, HMS Kerrera and the motor launches HMS ML 458, HMS ML 463, HMS ML 469, HMS ML 471 and HMS HDML 1128.

For ' Z ' beach
Group III, 1st Division; Duchess of Bedford, Durban Castle, Ettrick, Warwick Castle. 2nd Division; Derwentdale, Reina del Pacifico and Tegelberg. They were escorted by the light cruiser HMS Jamaica, escort destroyers HMS Calpe, HMS Farndale, minesweepers HMS Brixham, HMS Bude, HMS Clacton, HMS Felixtowe, HMS Polruan, HMS Rothesay, HMS Rhyl, HMS Stornoway and the motor launches HMS ML 280, HMS HDML 1127.

Group V; Alcinous, Alphard, Charles H. Cramp, Chatanooga City, Delilian, Recorder and Zebulon B. Vance. They were escorted by the sloop HMS Deptford, cutters HMS Hartland, HMS Walney, corvettes HMS Rhododendron, HMS Violet and the motor launches HMS ML 480 and HMS ML 483.

Group VI, 1st division; Derbyshire, Letitia, Mooltan and Nieuw Zeeland. 2nd division, Empire Confidence, Lycaon and Theseus.

Group VII, 1st division, Empire Mordred, Havildar, Pacific Exporter and St. Essylt. 2nd division; Edward Rutledge, William Floyd and William Wirt. Groups VI and VII were escorted by the AA cruiser HMS Delhi, destroyer HMS Vansittart, sloop HMS Aberdeen and the frigates HMS Exe and HMS Swale.

Group IX; LST's HMS Misoa and HMS Tasajera. They were escorted by the M/S trawlers HMS Fluellen, HMS Ronaldsay and HMS Shiant.

For ' R ' beach
Group IV; HMS Royal Scotsman, HMS Royal Ulsterman and HMS Ulster Monarch. They had the same escort as Group III.

Two submarines were stationed off the beaches as beacons, these were HMS Ursula and HMS P 54.

HMS Aurora would be stationed ahead of Group II, HMS Jamaica ahead of Group III and HMS Delhi ahead of Group IV. On reaching position 35°52'N, 00°10'5"W, in the Gulf of Arzew, HMS Jamaica would proceed independently for fire support duty off 'Z' beach. On reaching position 35°48'N, 00°54'W, HMS Aurora was also detached from her group to patrol to the north of Mers-el-Kebir to engage, if needed reinforced by HMS Jamaica, any escaping vessels from Mers-el-Kebir during the darkness. During daylight HMS Aurora was to remain outside the range of the shore batteries. Meanwhile around 0400A/8, HMS Delhi, would leave her group to meet the aircraft carriers at 0530A/8 in position 36°07'N, 00°45'W so as to provide additional AA protection.

The battleship HMS Rodney, escorted by HMS Bulldog, HMS Boreas and HMS Beagle, detached from Force H, was to protect the anchorage from attack by heavy enemy units. She too was to join the carriers around 0530A/8.

Initial landings were to be made at all beaches simultaneously at H-hour with the follow up forces being landed as soon as possible.

Oran attack opens, 8 November 1942.

The attack opened, after some delay at 0116A/8. The assault on 'X' beach was delayed by around 35 minutes due to the strong current. The appearance of a small Vichy-French convoy of four ships escorted by a trawler had also caused some delay. One of the merchant vessels, the Eridan (9928 GRT, built 1929) had sabotaged her engines. She was boarded by an armed guard. The other three merchant vessels, the Agen (4186 GRT, built 1921), Carthage (2440 GRT, built 1897) and Montaigne (2770 GRT, built 1920) initially escaped to the north-east but then ran into Allied forces. They then beached themselves south of Cape Figalo.

The appearance of the convoy had the effect that the minesweepers were badly delayed and were almost run over by the ships proceeding to 'X' beach. The minesweepers were then ordered to keep clear and no sweep was carried out ahead of the ships proceeding to 'X' beach.

Despite some delays and other difficulties [it would go to far to give a full account of the landings here] that landings were successful.

HMS Walney's assault on Oran harbour.

It had been decided, that the cutters HMS Walney and HMS Hartland were to attack Oran harbour to prevent the French from performing demolition operations to destroy the ports facilities. They were to attack shortly after 0300A/8.

The cutters were to land American troops and anti-sabotage parties with orders to seize the shore batteries covering the harbour, prevent the scuttling of the dock and harbour works and prevent the blockage of the harbour. The motor launches ML 480 and ML 483 were to provide a smoke screen. HMS Aurora was to provide cover fire if needed and also to distract and confuse the shore batteries.

The attack was carried out under the command of A/Capt. (Retd.) F.T. Peters, DSO, DSC, RN, which was embarked on board HMS Walney. The attack commenced at 0245A/8, when HMS Walney and HMS Hartland with ML 480 and ML 483 in company, approached the harbour entrance. Sirens were heard sounding ashore and all lights in the town had been extinguished. For a time the force circled off the entrance while an announcement was made in French by loud hailer from HMS Walney. The reply was hostile. A searchlight was quickly trained on the Walney and she came under a heavy, though inaccurate, machine gun fire. Followed by the Hartland, she at once turned away northwards coming round in a full circle to charge the booms. At the same time ML 480 went on ahead to full speed, laying a smoke screen, but hit the outer boom, coming to rest under heavy fire half way across it. She got off again at 0310A/8, just as HMS Walney, after completing her circle, charged the two booms at 15 knots, through the smoke and entered the harbour. On reaching it, A/Capt. Peters, slipped three canoes, manned with special parties, but at least one of the was sunk almost immediately by gunfire.

HMS Walney herself was steaming up the harbour to westwards at slow speed was hit by pompom fire from the Ravin Blanc battery. Half way up the harbour she narrowly missed ramming a French destroyer proceeding towards the harbour entrance. It raked her with two broadsides from point blank range, wrecking her main engines, and a few minutes later she came under heavy cross fire from the destroyer Epervier laying alongside to the south and from submarines and destroyers moored to the northward. At last, blazing forward and amidships, she drifted out of control bows on to the jetty ahead of the Epervier. An attempt to get heaving lines ashore failed and she drifted once more slowly out into the harbour. Her guns were out of action, their crew virtually wiped out. Sixteen officers and men were lying dead on her bridge where A/Capt. Peters was the sole survivor. Below only five officers and men of the landing parties remained alive amidst scenes of undescridale carnage. Nothing further could be done and the ship was abandoned, her few survivors, including A/Capt. Peters were taken prisoner. The abandoned wreck rolled over shortly afterwards.

HMS Hartland's assault on Oran harbour.

When HMS Walney entered Oran harbour at 0310A/8, Lt.Cdr. Billot waited five minutes, in compliance with his orders, before heading towards the harbour entrance. As she approached the smoke screen laid by ML 480, HMS Walney was picked up by a searchlight, and came under a devastating fire from the Ravin Blanc battery which killed nearly all her guns crews and temporarily blinded Lt.Cdr. Billot with a splinter. Before he recovered his sight the ship struck the breakwater, but eventually she entered the harbour and made for her objective, the Quai de Dunkerque, under gunfire from point blank range from the destroyer Typhon laying alongside it. Shells bursting inside her hull brought her to a standstill turning her mess decks, on which the troops were waiting, into shambles. Then with fires raging fore and aft, she drifted alongside the mole but she almost immediately was blown back into the harbour where she anchored while being under heavy fire from the French but these then ceased fire so that the ship could be abandoned. By 0410A/8, all survivors had left and at 0525A/8 there was an explosion on board but she remained afloat buring furiously. She later blew up and sank after a huge explosion which caused damage to buildings in a large area around the mole.

Oran captured.

While HMS Walney and HMS Hartland were gate-crashing into Oran Harbour, HMS Aurora was patrolling five miles away to the northward. At 0527A/8, she opened fire on the searchlight illuminating HMS Hartland, successfully extinguishing its beam. Then shortly before first light she engaged and disabled a Vichy-French destroyer of the Simoun-class from a range of 6000 yards. This destroyer later sank and appears to have been the Tramontaine.

Around 0600A/8, two more destroyers of the Simoun-class were seen leaving Oran, but seeing that they were standing by their sinking consort, HMS Aurora for a time withheld her fire. These destroyers were however soon in action with HMS Boadicea and HMS Calpe, and when they fired torpedoes at HMS Aurora she too opened fire from 13600 yards. In the ensuing fight HMS Boadicea was hit forward, and one of the French destroyers, being severely damaged and set on fire by a broadside, was driven inshore [this was the Tornade]. The action ended abruptly at 0727A/8, when the other destroyer, on being hit aft, turned and fled to the direction of Oran [this was the Typhon]. Meanwhile the sloop / minelayer La Surprise was sunk by HMS Brilliant around 0630A/8.

Aircraft from HMS Furious, HMS Biter and HMS Dasher had meanwhile attacked airfield destroying enemy aircraft on the ground and also in the air with only small losses to themselves.

Shore batteries managed to hit the Reina del Pacifico and Llangibby Castle. HMS Rodney proceeded closer inshore and opened fire at 1010A/8 on the Jebel Santon battery from a range of over 20000 yards. The battery was engaged several times during the day before HMS Rodney retired to seaward again.

Fighting continued on 9 November 1942. At 1024A/9, HMS Jamaica and HMS Aurora engaged the Epervier and Typhon. The Epervier was driven ashore in flames south of Cape de l'Aiguille while the Typhon retired to Oran where she too was beached.

The Vichy-French at Oran capitulated around noon on the 10th. (7)

9 Nov 1942
HMS P 54 (Lt. C.E. Oxborrow, DSC, RN) was ordered to return to Gibraltar. (3)

12 Nov 1942
HMS P 54 (Lt. C.E. Oxborrow, DSC, RN) ended her 5th war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean) at Gibraltar. (3)

20 Nov 1942
HMS P 54 (Lt. C.E. Oxborrow, DSC, RN) departed Gibraltar for her 6th war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Gulf of Genoa.

For the daily positions of HMS P 54 during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

25 Nov 1942
Late in the afternoon HMS P 54 (Lt. C.E. Oxborrow, DSC, RN) surfaced in the Gulf of Lyons in very heavy weather. P 54 then slid back to a depth of about 30 feet while the Commanding Officer and two lookouts were already on the bridge. They could not get below in time and were washed overboard. A search was made but they were not sighted again.

The 1st Lt., S.Lt. Westmacott, (a substitution for the proper 1st Lt. who remained at Gibraltar due to being sick) then took over command. It was decided to return to Gibraltar. (3)

29 Nov 1942
HMS P 54 (S.Lt. H.P. Westmacott, RN) made rendezvous with the British corvette HMS HMS Samphire (Lt.Cdr. F.T. Renny, DSC, RNR) that had the spare Commanding Officer of the 8th Submarine Flotilla on board. Lt. J. Whitton then took command of HMS P 54 while at sea. She then continued her return passage to Gibraltar. (3)

1 Dec 1942
HMS P 54 (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) ended her 6th war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean) at Gibraltar. (3)

7 Dec 1942
HMS P 54 (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) carried out exercises off Gibraltar. (8)

9 Dec 1942
HMS P 54 (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) departed Gibraltar for her 7th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol between Marseilles and Genoa.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS P 54 during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

14 Dec 1942
HMS P 54 (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) attacked a large escorted merchant vessel with four torpedoes south of Cassis, southern France. No hits were obtained.

The targets were the former French fishing vessels Clairvoyant (943 GRT, built 1922) and Volontaire (916 GRT, built 1922) which had just been taken over by the Germans and were on passage from Marseille to La Ciotat where they were to be transformed as UJ-boats (they became UJ 6075 and UJ 6076 respectively).

(All times are zone -1)
1412 hours - In position 43°08'N, 05°33'E sighted a merchant vessel of 7500 tons escorted by two trawlers. Started attack. Range was about 9 nautical miles.

1524 hours - Fired four torpedoes from 2000 yards. No hits were obtained. The torpedoes were heard to explode about three minutes after firing. (3)

19 Dec 1942
HMS P 54 (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) attacked but missed an escorted merchant vessel with three torpedoes. Position was about 5 nautical miles to the south-east of Loano, Savona, Italy.

This was the German Sinfra (4470 GRT, built 1929, ex French). The 212th coastal battery at Ceriale, near Cape Noli, fired twelve rounds in the presumed direction of the submarine but without result.

(All times are zone -1)
1329 hours - In position 44°05'N, 08°20'E sighted a 3500 ton merchant vessel in ballast escorted by two MA/SB's. Started attack. Range on sighting was about three nautical miles.

1349 hours - Fired three torpedoes from a range of 5200 yards. No hits were obtained. The escorted dropped about ten depth charges but none were close.

1450 hours - Returned to periscope depth. The target was out of sight. (3)

20 Dec 1942
HMS P 54 (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) attacked the French merchant Oasis (1327 GRT, built 1938) with gunfire off Genoa, Italy. No damage was inflicted. She was on passage from Bastia to Marseille.

(All times are zone -1)
0053 hours - In position 43°37'N, 07°58'E sighted a darkened merchant vessel of about 4000 tons bearing 163°, range 6 nautical miles. Enemy course 273 hours, speed 8 knots. Started attack.

0110 hours - Dived to complete the attack from submerged.

0117 hours - Fired the last remaining torpedo from 800 yards. It passed under the target.

0119 hours - Surfaced for gun action. Fired 14 rounds for 5 hits.

0130 hours - HE reported on the port quarter. Submerged.

0150 hours - No more HE was heard. Surfaced and re-engaged the target.

0222 hours - Broke off the action after having fired another 52 rounds for 6 hits. Set course to return to Algiers. (3)

23 Dec 1942
HMS P 54 (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) ended her 7th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean) at Algiers. (3)

3 Jan 1943
HMS P 54 (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) departed Algiers for her 8th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol to the north of the Strait of Messina.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS P 54 during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

12 Jan 1943
HMS P 54 (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) attacks the Italian merchant Campania (5247 GRT, built 1918) north-west of Marettimo Island, Italy. All four torpedoes fired missed their target. She was escorted by the Italian auxiliary Salona and was proceeding from Palermo to Messina.

(All times are zone -1)
1205 hours - In position 38°12'N, 14°59'E sighted a tanker in ballast. She was identified as the Campania. Range was four nautical miles, enemy course 070°, enemy speed 6 knots. Started attack.

1227 hours - Fired four torpedoes from 1500 yards. No hits were obtained. Most likely the speed of the enemy was underestimated. (3)

21 Jan 1943
HMS P 54 (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) ended her 8th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean) at Algiers. (3)

1 Feb 1943
HMS P 54 (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) exercised off Algiers. (9)

3 Feb 1943
HMS P 54 (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) departed Algiers for her 9th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol to the North of Sicily.

For the daily positions of HMS P 54 during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

10 Feb 1943
While patrolling northwest of Palermo, HMS P 54 (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) reported being hunted ineffectively by two A/S craft at 0540 hours. These were probably VAS 213 and VAS 228 on A/S sweep in anticipation of the arrival at Palermo from Leghorn of the Italian transport Alcamo (6987 GRT, built 1916, ex French) escorted by the German destroyer Hermes and the torpedo boat Libra. Two hours later, a destroyer was observed to proceed northward. Most probably this was the torpedo boat Sagittario which had sailed from Palermo to reinforce the escort of Alcamo. The submarine failed to spot the transport and Alcamo arrived at Palermo undisturbed. (3)

19 Feb 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) ended her 9th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean) at Algiers. (3)

24 Feb 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) departed Algiers for Gibraltar. She was to return to the U.K.

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

(9)

28 Feb 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (9)

3 Mar 1943
It was decided that HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) will remain in the Mediterranean for a longer period. (10)

7 Mar 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) departed Gibraltar to return to Algiers.

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

(11)

11 Mar 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) arrived at Algiers. (11)

14 Mar 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) departed Algiers for Malta.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Unshaken during this passage see the map below.

(3)

17 Mar 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) attacked the German submarine U-431 with four torpedoes south of Sardinia in position 38°05'N, 08°27'E. No hits were obtained. The U-boat had sighted the British submarine and reported five explosions heard shortly afterwards.

(All times are zone -1)
0014 hours - In position 38°05'N, 08°27'E sighted a submarine bearing 120°. Range was 6 nautical miles. Enemy course 285° (main course, the submarine was zig-zagging), speed 9,5 knots.

0017 hours - Dived to close.

0047 hours - Surfaced after having lost the target.

0102 hours - Fired 4 torpedoes from long range, 8000 yards. No hits were obtained.

0124 hours - Proceeded on passage. (3)

20 Mar 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) arrived at Malta where she joined the 10th submarine flotilla. (3)

25 Mar 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) was docked at Malta. (11)

29 Mar 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) was undocked. (11)

2 Apr 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) departed Malta for her 10th war patrol (6th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in / off the Gulf of Hammamet.

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

(3)

7 Apr 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) damaged a schooner with gunfire off Nabeul, Tunisia. The vessel has not yet (August 2016) been identified.

(All times are zone -1)
1842 hours - Surfaced and opened fire on a two-masted schooner off Nabeul Jetty. Fired ten rounds from a range of 1100 yards for six hits.

1847 hours - Broke off the action as the target caught fire forward. Dived. The schooner was hauled up on the beach in a serviceable condition. (3)

8 Apr 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian merchant Foggia (1227 GRT, built 1905, former French Mont Saint Clair) about 10 nautical miles to the north-east of Sousse, Tunisia in position 35°54'N, 10°46'E. Ten survivors reached Kuriat in a lifeboat. They had not observed the attack and believe their ship had been mined.

(All times are zone -1)
0424 hours - In position 35°54'N, 10°46'E sighted a darkened ship bearing 320°. Closed to attack.

0438 hours - Fired three torpedoes at a medium sized merchant vessel, three Island type. Range was 2500 yards. One hit in the engine room was obtained 1m 38sec after firing.

0441 hours - Dived. Heard breaking up noises for two minutes.

Foggia was en-route from Sousse to Pantelleria. (3)

10 Apr 1943
At 1819 hours (zone -1), HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN), surfaced and shelled a suspension bridge near Korba, Tunisia. Fire was opened from 3000 yards. Range decreased to 2300 yards during the action. In all fifteen rounds were fired and several hits were obtained. (3)

14 Apr 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) ended her 10th war patrol (6th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (3)

26 Apr 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) departed Malta for her 11th war patrol (7th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol north of Sicily.

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

(3)

28 Apr 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) was attacked, in error, by two British destroyers. Unshaken was fortunately not damaged in the encounter and dived to safety.

Later the same day Unshaken torpedoed and sank the Italian torpedo boat Climene (652 tons, built 1936) about 25 nautical miles south-west of Marettimo Island, Sicily, Italy in position 37°45'N, 11°33'E, fifty-three of the crew of Climene died during the attack. Climene was escorting the German transports KT 5 (834 GRT, built 1943) and KT 14 (834 GRT, built 1943) from Tunis to Trapani. About ninety survivors were picked up by the patrol boats MS 24 and MS 34 which sailed from Marsala.

(All times are zone -1)
In position 37°24'N, 11°34'E sighted two destroyers coming straight towards Unshaken at high speed. The destroyers were in line ahead and were seen to be a Tribal-class and P-class. Unshaken altered course to avoid being rammed and dived. The P-class destroyer opened fire on Unshaken with pom-poms and machine guns. The British destroyers HMS Nubian (Cdr. D.E. Holland-Martin, DSC, RN), HMS Paladin (Lt.Cdr. L.St.G. Rich, RN) and HMS Petard (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Egan, RN) were at sea for operations and were most likely the destroyers encountered by Unshaken.

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

0823 hours - In position 37°45'N, 11°33'E sighted a Dardo-class destroyer and two small ferries to the north-east, range six nautical miles. Started attack.

0935 hours - Fired three torpedoes at the destroyer from 1800 yards. One hit was heard 1m 3sec after firing. This was followed by popping and breaking up noises about five minutes later. (3)

29 Apr 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) fires four torpedoes against an escorted merchant vessel off Cape San Vito, Sicily, Italy in position 38°21'N, 12°38'E. All torpedoes fired missed their target. The target has not yet (August 2016) been identified.

(All times are zone -1)
0242 hours - In position 38°21'N, 12°38'E sighted a merchant vessel escorted by a destroyer bearing 050°, distance 2 nautical miles. They were in line ahead. Started attack.

0248 hours - Fired four torpedoes at the merchant vessel. She was of medium size and was loaded. Range on firing was 1300 yards. No hits were obtained. The first torpedo fired ran on the surface and ran 25 degrees to starboard. If this had not been the case this torpedo most likely would have hit the target.

4 May 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) ended her 11th war patrol (7th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (3)

18 May 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) departed Malta for her 12th war patrol (8th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to conduct a periscope reconnaissance of some beaches on Pantellaria to aid in the planning for 'Operation Corkscrew' (the upcoming attack on Pantellaria).

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

(3)

21 May 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) ended her 12th war patrol (8th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (3)

24 May 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) departed Malta for her 13th war patrol (9th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to perform special operation Snapdragon. A commando party of two officers and six other ranks was to be landed on Pantelleria with the object to capture a sentry.

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

(3)

28 May 1943
At 2208 hours (zone -1), HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN), launched the raiding party. They successfully landed and also captured a sentry but he could not be silenced quickly enough and was able to raise the alarm. Four other Italian then came rushing out and they were all killed but not before one of the British was severely wounded. He had to be left behind. The leader of the party now ordered a retreat taking the Italian sentry with them. He however resisted being taken and it proved to be impossible to get him down the steep cliffs and had to be left behind. The British raiding party then returned, empty handed, to Unshaken at 0221/29. (3)

30 May 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) ended her 13th war patrol (9th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (3)

4 Jun 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) departed Malta for her 14th war patrol (10th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to perform a special operation. Again a commando party was to be landed on Pantelleria with the object to capture a sentry.

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

(3)

9 Jun 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) ended her 14th war patrol (10th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. She had not been able to land the commando party due to bad weather and the dropping of aircraft flares leading to Unshaken being illuminated. (3)

16 Jun 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) departed Malta for her 15th war patrol (11th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol to the east of Sicily.

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

(3)

22 Jun 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian schooner Giovanni G. (35 GRT) off Augusta, Sicily, Italy. Four of her crew were missing.

Later the same day Unshaken carried out a torpedo attack with four torpedoes against the Italian merchant Alfieri (4573 GRT, 1943). She was escorted by the torpedo boat Ardito and the corvettes Persefone and Driade. They were proceeding from Taranto to Syracuse. Marconi (1191 GRT, built 1919). No hits were obtained. The two corvettes depth charged the submarine and claimed it damaged. Unshaken sustained some minor damage during the counter attack by the escorts.

(All times are zone -2)
1202 hours - While in position 6.5 nautical miles bearing 302° Cape Murro di Porco a two-masted schooner was sighted about 4 nautical miles away. Closed to attack.

1236 hours - Fired two torpedoes from 2400 yards. One and a half minute later the schooner was seen to disintegrate in a red flash and a large column of black smoke which give the impression that her cargo was of inflammable nature.

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

1631 hours - In position 37°03'N, 15°22'E a merchant ship of about 5000 tons escorted by three torpedo boats was sighted, an attack on the merchant was commenced.

1656 hours - Fired four torpedoes from 3200 yards but none of these hit the target that was zig-zagging wildly. A short counter attack followed that caused some minor damage to Unshaken. (3)

23 Jun 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian merchant Pomo (1425 GRT, built 1906, former Yugoslavian Niko Matkovic) off Syracuse, Sicily, Italy in position 37°09'N, 15°15'E. She was with the merchant Marconi (1191 GRT, built 1919) and they were proceeding from Syracuse to Messina escorted by the torpedo boat Ardito and the corvette Persefone. Marconi while avoiding the torpedoes ran aground but managed to free herself and entered Augusta. She had not suffered any serious damage. The two escorts mounted an ineffective counter attack.

(All times are zone -3)
1416 hours - Started attack on a convoy of two merchants escorted by two destroyers / torpedo boats.

1454 hours - Fired two torpedoes at a merchant of 3000 tons. One hit was obtained. Unshaken went to 120 feet on firing. (3)

25 Jun 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) ended her 15th war patrol (11th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (3)

3 Jul 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) departed Malta for her 16th war patrol (12th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Gulf of Taranto as part of a patrol line of five submarines to provide cover during Operation Husky, the Allied landings on Sicily.

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

(3)

14 Jul 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) sank the Italian auxiliary patrol vessel (schooner) No 265 / Cesena (105 GRT) with gunfire off the southern coast of Calabria, Italy in position 39°16'N, 17°13'E. There were six survivors, two of them wounded, nine were missing.

(All times are zone -2)
1530 hours - In position 39°16'N, 17°13'E sighted two schooners bearing 000°, range 6 nautical miles. Closed. The schooners were soon seen to be auxiliary patrol vessels.

1554 hours - Fired two torpedoes at the largest schooner. Range was 600 yards. One hit was obtained and the schooner disintegrated. (3)

18 Jul 1943
At 1037 hours in 35°45’N, 18°03.5’ E, HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) sighted a submarine at a distance of 7 miles but did not take any offensive action as it was believed to be ORP Dzik. This was in fact U-81 proceeding from Salamis to operate against the invasion force off Syracuse. The U-boat, believing Unshaken to be an Italian submarine, also refrained from attack. At about 1730 hours, the two submarines were again in visual contact and again refrained from attack. (3)

19 Jul 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) ended her 16th war patrol (12th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (3)

3 Aug 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) departed Malta for her 17th war patrol (13th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Adriatic.

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

(3)

10 Aug 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) torpedoed and heavily damaged (she sank the next day) the Italian troop transport Asmara (7192 GRT, built 1915) 3 nautical miles east of Brindisi, Italy in position 40°44'N, 18°03'E. Asmara was escorted by the Italian torpedo boat Francesco Stocco and was en-route from Taranto to Bari. Asmara was beached but she foundered the next day. Of the 157 men on board, only one was killed and one was missing, twelve were wounded.

(All times are zone -2)
1748 hours - In position 40°44'N, 18°03'E sighted a medium sized merchant vessel of about 7000 tons escorted by a Generali-class torpedo boat bearing 176°, range 6.5 nautical miles. Started closing the harbour entrance.

1812 hours - Fired four torpedoes from 6000 yards at a merchant vessel which was correctly thought to be Asmara. One hit was obtained. A counter attack then followed in which 20 depth charges were dropped during the next hour and a quarter but none was close.

1955 hours - Returned to periscope depth. Saw the target stopped, listing and on fire aft. Withdrew to reload.

The target was finally seen to sink at 1429 hours the next day. (3)

13 Aug 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) attacked the German submarine U-453 with four torpedoes in the Strait of Otranto. No hits were obtained. U-453 was returning from patrol and was en-route to Pola. Following this attack, the corvettes Pomona and Scimittara sailed from Brindisi to hunt the submarine but without success.

(All times are zone -2)
0059 hours - In position 40°24'N, 18°53'E sighted a U-boat bearing 200°, range 3000 yards. Enemy course was 040°.

0101 hours - The U-boat zigged to port on a course of 330°.

0105 hours - Fired four torpedoes at the U-boat from 800 yards. The torpedo fired from tube no.4 jumped out of the water and was seen to drift off to starboard. The tracks were sighted by the enemy and they were able to comb the tracks.

0106 hours - Dived. (3)

17 Aug 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) ended her 17th war patrol (13th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (3)

29 Aug 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) departed Malta for her 18th war patrol (14th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Brindisi.

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

(3)

5 Sep 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) torpedoed and damaged the Italian tanker Dora C. (5843 GRT, built 1922) about 10 nautical miles south-east of Brindisi, Italy. Dora C. was escorted by the Italian torpedo boat Giuseppe Cesare Abba and the corvettes Sibilla and Scimitarra and was en-route from Bari to Valona. The damaged Dora C. was towed to Brindisi. Abba made a desultory attack on the submarine and dropped two depth charges, Sibilla dropped another nine depth charges but two failed to explode.

(All times are zone -2)
1400 hours - In position 40°36'N, 18°08'E sighted the funnel and bridge of a ship bearing 320°, range 8 to 9 nautical miles. Enemy course was thought to be 100°.

1402 hours - The target altered course to 145°. She changed course several times more during the attack.

1442 hours - Fired four torpedoes from 2500 yards. One hit was obtained. A counter attack followed that lasted until 1620 hours but no damage was caused to Unshaken. (3)

9 Sep 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) encountered the Italian submarine Ciro Menotti in the Straits of Otranto. A boarding party was placed on board the Italian submarine and they then both proceeded towards Malta.

(All times are zone -2)
1825 hours - In position 39°51'N, 19°04'E sighted a U-boat bearing 180°, range 5 nautical miles. Enemy course 340°. Closed to attack.

1850 hours - The submarine was now seen to be not German but Italian (Unshaken had received a signal to cease hostilities against Italy at 2231/8).

1900 hours - Surfaced and fired one round across submarine's bows to stop her. The Italian submarine answered with a burst of machine gun fire. Unshaken then altered course as to fire torpedoes, the machine gun fire then stopped. Closed the Italian to hailing distance. The Italians then stated they were making for Brindisi for orders. We then told him to turn round and make for Malta but they refused but when we pointed our gun towards him and when Lt. Swanston had explained the details of surrender the Italian Commanding Officer changed his mind. It was then found out that the submarine was the Ciro Menotti.

1900 hours - Sent over a boarding party of four with Lt. Swanston in command and took one Italian officer and three ratings as hostages.

2000 hours - Proceeded on passage to Malta with Menotti in front. (3)

11 Sep 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) ended her 18th war patrol (14th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (3)

26 Sep 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) departed Algiers for her 19th war patrol (15th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol near Elba, Italy.

Passage through the Sicilian war channel was made together with HMS Unruffled (Lt. J.S. Stevens, DSO, DSC, RN). They were escorted by HMS BYMS 2028 (Skr. J.R. Clark, RNR).

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

(3)

1 Oct 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) attacked a German 'F' lighter with one torpedo to the west of Elba. The torpedo missed the target. The target has not yet (August 2016) been identified.

(All times are zone -1)
1050 hours - In position 42°44'N, 10°03'E sighted a German 'F' lighter bearing 266°. Started attack.

1111 hours - Fired one torpedo from 500 yards, it missed close to starboard of the 'F' lighter. (3)

2 Oct 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) attacked the German auxiliary submarine chaser UJ 2210 (former French Marcella, 1161 GRT, built 1933) with two torpedoes north of Elba in position 42°51'N, 10°19'E. No hits were obtained. The submarine chaser dropped ten depth charges but without success.

Late in the evening Unshaken attacked a German 'F' lighter with machine gun fire but the action had to be broken off when fire was returned. This was possibly F 625 which fired one 7.5cm round and 200 2cm rounds at a submarine though the times do not match (perhaps due to a typographical error).

(All times are zone -1)
1338 hours - In position 42°51'N, 10°19'E sighted a small German coaster of about 1000 tons leaving Portoferraio on a course of 035°, speed 9 knots. She was loaded with a large number of personnel on deck.

1346 hours - Fired two torpedoes from 1600 yards. Both torpedoes missed, most likely they were sighted in the fairly calm sea. A short counter attack followed but this caused no damage to Unshaken.

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

2335 hours - In position 42°48'N, 09°54'E sighted an eastbound 'F' lighter. Closed and engaged with MG fire but dived when fire was returned which caused some superficial damage to the conning tower casing. (3)

3 Oct 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) fires a torpedo against the Italian merchant Nina (2212 GRT, built 1919) off Porto Longone, Elba. The torpedo missed but the jetty and ship were damaged by the explosion.

(All times are zone -1)
1245 hours - Observed a motor vessel alongside the jetty at Porto Longone.

1340 hours - Fired a torpedo at the forepart of this 3000 ton ship from 1900 yards. The torpedo missed but the ship and jetty were later seen to be damaged when the torpedo exploded. (3)

7 Oct 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) attacked a German convoy made up of tanker Pallas (5260 GRT, built 1925, former French) and the cargo/passenger vessel Filippo Grimani (3431 GRT, built 1928) escorted by the German R-boats R 162 and R 192. Three torpedoes were fired against Pallas but they all missed. A short counter attack was carried out by R 162 in which she dropped five depth charges.

(All times are zone -1)
0653 hours - In position 44°05'N, 09°30'E sighted two ships close inshore bearing 095°, range 6-7 nautical miles. Started attack.

0737 hours - The targets were identified as a 6000 ton tanker followed by a 3000 ton merchant vessel. They were escorted by two or three E-boats.

0748 hours - Fired the last three remaining torpedoes at the tanker from 2500 yards. No hits were obtained. A short counter attack followed by the E-boat escort but this caused no damage to Unshaken. (3)

11 Oct 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) ended her 19th war patrol (15th in the Mediterranean) at Algiers. (3)

25 Oct 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) departed Algiers for her 20th war patrol (16th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Gulf of Genoa.

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

(3)

11 Nov 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) ended her 20th war patrol (16th in the Mediterranean) at Gibraltar. The patrol was uneventful. Only small craft were sighted. (3)

18 Nov 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Gibraltar together with HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Wallace, DSC, RN), HMS Antelope (Cdr. J.G. Gould, RN) and HMS Wishart (Lt. J.A. Holdsworth, RN). (12)

19 Nov 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Gibraltar together with HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Wallace, DSC, RN) and HMS Brilliant (Lt.Cdr. J. Smallwood, RN). (12)

20 Nov 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Gibraltar together with HMS Brilliant (Lt.Cdr. J. Smallwood, RN) and HMS Malcolm (???). (12)

23 Nov 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) departed Gibraltar for the U.K. where she was to refit.

For the daily positions of HMS Unshaken during this passage see the map below. No positions are known from 1 December 1943 onwards as no log is available for December 1943.

(3)

4 Dec 1943
Around 1330A/4, HMS Trident (Lt. P.E. Newstead, RN) made rendezvous with HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) C.M. Norman, RN) and HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) made rendezvous off Bishops Rock. They arrived at Falmouth around 2300A/4. (13)

6 Dec 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) departed Falmouth for Tobermory. She made te passage together with HMS Trident (Lt. P.E. Newstead, RN)). They were escorted by HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) C.M. Norman, RN). Off the Scillies they were joined by HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN). (3)

9 Dec 1943
Around 0230A/9, HMS Trident (Lt. P.E. Newstead, RN), HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, DSC, RN) and HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) all arrived at Tobermory.

The submarines departed around 1000A/9 for the east coast of the U.K. escorted by HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR). (13)

11 Dec 1943
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) arrived at Dundee where she was to refit. She was taken in hand for refit on 7 January 1944. (10)

26 Jan 1944
The refit of HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) was postponed and she was made fit for service with the 9th Submarine Flotilla as two submarines attached to this flotilla were damaged and needed to be docked for repairs. (10)

4 Feb 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) conducted exercises off Dundee. (14)

9 Feb 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) departed Dundee for Lerwick. She was escorted by HMS Lord Ashfield (T/Lt. J.B. Morpeth, RNR). (3)

10 Feb 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) arrived at Lerwick. (3)

12 Feb 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) departed Lerwick for her 21th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol of Bodø, Norway.

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

(3)

14 Feb 1944
In the morning, HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN), developed a leak in the battery which resulted in the release of chlorine gas. Course was set to return to Lerwick. (3)

16 Feb 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) ended her 21th war patrol at Lerwick.

She departed for Dundee later the same day. She made the passage together with HMS Satyr (Lt. T.S. Weston, RN). They were escorted by HMS Lord Ashfield (T/Lt. J.B. Morpeth, RNR). (3)

18 Feb 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) arrived at Dundee. (3)

14 Mar 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) was docked at Dundee. (15)

16 Mar 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) was undocked. (15)

28 Mar 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) conducted exercises off Dundee. (15)

29 Mar 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) conducted exercises off Dundee. (15)

30 Mar 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) conducted exercises off Dundee. (15)

1 Apr 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) departed Dundee for Lerwick. She was escorted by HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR). (3)

2 Apr 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) arrived at Lerwick. (3)

3 Apr 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) departed Lerwick for her 22th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol between Skudesnes and Lister, Norway.

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

(3)

7 Apr 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) torpedoed and sank the German merchant Asien (3894 GRT, built 1905) off Lister, Norway in position 58°08'N, 06°32'E. She was in convoy with Feodosia (3075 GRT, 1922), Ibis (1367 GRT, 1918 ex Norw.), Merkur (5952 GRT, 1924), Nordland (1905 GRT, 1924), Sund (517 GRT, 1927) and Vesla (1107 GRT, 1913), escorted by M 456, UJ 1105, UJ 1706, UJ 1712, NK 24, NK 25 and NS 27. All her crew were saved by NK 25.

Later the same day a 3000 ton passenger vessel was attacked with four torpedoes in position 58°19'N, 06°07'E. No hits were obtained. The target has not yet (August 2016) been identified.

(All times are zone -2)
0710 hours - While in position 58°08'N, 06°28'E sighted a lot of ships and smoke bearing 145°, range 6 nautical miles. Started attack. During the attack it was seen that the target was a convoy of six medium-sized merchant vessels escorted by three minesweepers and at least four whalers / trawlers.

0746 hours - Fired four torpedoes at the leading merchant vessels that were overlapping. 2m 10sec after firing a tremendous explosion occurred. Unshaken withdrew from the area. No counter attack followed.

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

1523 hours - In position 58°19'N, 06°07'E sighted a small unescorted passenger vessel of about 3000 tons bearing 325°, range 6500 yards. Started attack.

1538 hours - Fired four torpedoes from 2500 yards. The torpedoes from No.1 and No.4 tube did not run correctly. No hits were obtained. (3)

10 Apr 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) ended her 22th war patrol at Lerwick. (3)

15 Apr 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, DSC, RN) departed Lerwick for her 23th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off Stadlandet.

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

(3)

26 Apr 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, DSC, RN) ended her 23th war patrol at Lerwick. She departed for Dundee later the same day. She made this passage together with HNoMS Ula (Lt. S. Valvatne). They were escorted by HNoMS Nordkapp. (3)

27 Apr 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, DSC, RN) arrived at Dundee. (3)

19 May 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, DSC, RN) departed Dundee for Sheerness. She was escorted by HMS Vervain (T/Lt. R.A. Howell, RNVR). (16)

20 May 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, DSC, RN) arrived at Sheerness where she was taken in hand for refit on 25 May 1944. (10)

1 Sep 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) departed Sheerness for Dundee. She made the passage together with HMS Uproar (Lt. J.N. Devlin, DSC, RN). They were escorted by HMS Greenfly (T/Lt. D.B. Orr, RNVR). (17)

3 Sep 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) arrived at Dundee. (17)

6 Sep 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) departed Dundee for Scapa Flow. She made the passage together with HMS Uproar (Lt. J.N. Devlin, DSC, RN). They were escorted by HMS Loch Monteith (T/A/Lt.Cdr. K.W. Richardson, RNR). (17)

7 Sep 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) arrived at Scapa Flow. (17)

8 Sep 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) departed Scapa Flow for Rothesay. She made the passage together with HMS Shakespeare (Lt. D. Swanston, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Uproar (Lt. J.N. Devlin, DSC, RN) and HMS Varne (Lt. I.G. Raikes, DSC, RN). They were escorted by HMS Cutty Sark. (17)

8 Sep 1944
HMS Uproar (Lt. J.N. Devlin, DSC, RN), HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) and HMS Varne (Lt. I.G. Raikes, DSC, RN) all departed Scapa Flow for Rothesay / Holy Loch. They made the passage together with HMS Shakespeare (Lt. D. Swanston, DSC and Bar, RN) which came from Lerwick. They were escorted by HMS Cutty Sark. (18)

10 Sep 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) arrived at Rothesay. She was now assigned to training duties. (17)

11 Sep 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (17)

12 Sep 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted exercises in the Clyde area together with HMS Safari (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN). (17)

12 Sep 1944
HMS Safari (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) conducted attack exercises for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) in the Clyde area during which HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) served as target. (19)

15 Sep 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) shifted from Rothesay to Campbeltown. (17)

17 Sep 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown together with HMS Altair (T/Lt. J.L. James, RNR) and HMS St. Modwen (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Lycett, DSC, RNR). (17)

19 Sep 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown together with HMS St. Modwen (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Lycett, DSC, RNR) and HMS L' Atlantique (Skr. C.A. Collins, RNR). (17)

20 Sep 1944
During 20/21 September 1944, HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR), conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown together with HMS Camellia (T/Lt. G.W. Charlton, DSC, RNR), HMS Spaniel. Also a practice attack was carried out on HrMs O 15 (Lt. R.W. van Lynden, RNN). These exercises included night exercises. (17)

22 Sep 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown together with HMS Camellia (T/Lt. G.W. Charlton, DSC, RNR) and HMS Bedlington (Skr. A.W. Peak, RNR). (17)

24 Sep 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown together with HMS La Cordeliere (Lt.Cdr. A.J.G. Barff, RNR) and HMS Camellia (T/Lt. G.W. Charlton, DSC, RNR). (17)

25 Sep 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown together with HMS Shemara (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Buckle, RN) and HMS Bretwalda (Ch.Skr. J.B. Henderson, RNR). (17)

26 Sep 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown together with HMS Tuscarora (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) H.T. Pitt, RN) and HMS Spaniel. (17)

28 Sep 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) shifted from Campbeltown to Rothesay. (17)

1 Oct 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) departed Rothesay for Fishguard. Passage south through the Irish Sea was made together with HMS Tiptoe (Lt.Cdr. P.R.H. Harrison, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Ultimatum (Lt. W.H. Kett, DSC RN). They were escorted by HMS Kihna (Cdr.(Retd.) T.J.T.C. Jenks, RN). (20)

2 Oct 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) arrived at Fishguard. (20)

5 Oct 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted exercises off Fishguard. (20)

8 Oct 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Fishguard together with aircraft. (20)

9 Oct 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Fishguard together with aircraft. (20)

10 Oct 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Fishguard together with aircraft. (20)

15 Oct 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Fishguard together with aircraft. (20)

16 Oct 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Fishguard together with aircraft. (20)

22 Oct 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Fishguard together with aircraft. (20)

23 Oct 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Fishguard together with aircraft. (20)

24 Oct 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Fishguard together with aircraft. (20)

25 Oct 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Fishguard together with aircraft. (20)

27 Oct 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Fishguard together with aircraft. (20)

29 Oct 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Fishguard together with aircraft. (20)

30 Oct 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Fishguard together with aircraft. (20)

31 Oct 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Fishguard together with aircraft. (20)

1 Nov 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Fishguard together with aircraft. (21)

2 Nov 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Fishguard together with aircraft. (21)

3 Nov 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Fishguard together with aircraft. (21)

4 Nov 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Fishguard together with aircraft. (21)

6 Nov 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Fishguard together with aircraft. (21)

10 Nov 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Fishguard together with aircraft. (21)

12 Nov 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Fishguard together with aircraft. (21)

13 Nov 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Fishguard together with aircraft. (21)

14 Nov 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Fishguard together with aircraft. (21)

15 Nov 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Fishguard together with aircraft. (21)

20 Nov 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Fishguard together with aircraft. (21)

21 Nov 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Fishguard together with aircraft. (21)

26 Nov 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Fishguard together with aircraft. (21)

28 Nov 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Fishguard together with aircraft. (21)

29 Nov 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Fishguard together with aircraft. (21)

30 Nov 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Fishguard together with aircraft. (21)

4 Dec 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Fishguard together with aircraft. (21)

6 Dec 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) departed Fishguard for Rothesay. (21)

7 Dec 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) arrived at Rothesay. (21)

20 Dec 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) departed Rothesay for Douglas, Isle of Man. (21)

21 Dec 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) arrived at Douglas. (21)

22 Dec 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted exercises off Douglas. (21)

23 Dec 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted exercises off Douglas. (21)

26 Dec 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted exercises off Douglas. (21)

28 Dec 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted exercises off Douglas. (21)

29 Dec 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted exercises off Douglas. (21)

30 Dec 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted exercises off Douglas. (21)

31 Dec 1944
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted exercises off Douglas. (21)

2 Jan 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) shifted from Douglas to Rothesay. (22)

12 Jan 1945
HMS Una (Lt. F.E. Ashmead-Bartlett, RN) and HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted exercises in the Clyde area together with HMS Kihna (Cdr.(Retd.) T.J.T.C. Jenks, RN). (22)

14 Jan 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (22)

15 Jan 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) shifted from Rothesay to Tobermory. She was escorted by HMS Kihna (Cdr.(Retd.) T.J.T.C. Jenks, RN). (22)

17 Jan 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory together with aircraft. (22)

19 Jan 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory together with HMS Ness (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.S. Steel, RNR) and HMS Denbigh Castle (T/A/Lt.Cdr. G. Butcher, DSC, RNVR). (22)

20 Jan 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory together with HMS Ness (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.S. Steel, RNR) and HMS Loch Quoich (Lt.Cdr. G. MacClelland, DSC, RN). (22)

24 Jan 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory together with HMS Loch Quoich (Lt.Cdr. G. MacClelland, DSC, RN) and HMS Vestal (Lt. C.W. Porter, DSC, RN). (22)

25 Jan 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory together with HMS Ness (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.S. Steel, RNR), HMS Vestal (Lt. C.W. Porter, DSC, RN), HMS Loch Quoich (Lt.Cdr. G. MacClelland, DSC, RN) and HMS Denbigh Castle (T/A/Lt.Cdr. G. Butcher, DSC, RNVR). (22)

26 Jan 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory together with HMS Loch Quoich (Lt.Cdr. G. MacClelland, DSC, RN), HMS Denbigh Castle (T/A/Lt.Cdr. G. Butcher, DSC, RNVR), HMS Ness (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.S. Steel, RNR) and HMS Godetia (Lt. R.H. Nossiter, DSC, RANVR). (22)

2 Feb 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory together with HMS Loch Quoich (Lt.Cdr. G. MacClelland, DSC, RN), HMS Jewel (???) and another vessel (unable to read the name in the log of HMS Unshaken). (23)

3 Feb 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory together with HMS Jewel (???) and HMS Godetia (Lt. R.H. Nossiter, DSC, RANVR). (23)

7 Feb 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory together with aircraft. (23)

8 Feb 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory together with HMS Jewel (???) and HMS Dart (Cdr. J.T. Jones, RD, RNR). (23)

9 Feb 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory together with HMS Jewel (???), HMS Dart (Cdr. J.T. Jones, RD, RNR), HMS Evenlode (Cdr. V.F. Smith, DSO, RD, RNR) and HMCS Saskatchewan (A/Lt.Cdr. T.C. Pullen, RCN). (23)

10 Feb 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory together with HMS Evenlode (Cdr. V.F. Smith, DSO, RD, RNR), HMCS Saskatchewan (A/Lt.Cdr. T.C. Pullen, RCN), HMS Dart (Cdr. J.T. Jones, RD, RNR) and HMS Jewel (???). (23)

11 Feb 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) shifted from Tobermory to Oban where she was to fuel. She was escorted by HMS Fairy Knowe (???). (23)

12 Feb 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) returned to Tobermory. (23)

15 Feb 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory together with HMS Dart (Cdr. J.T. Jones, RD, RNR) and HMS Farnham Castle (Lt. W.E. Warwick, RNR). (23)

16 Feb 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory together with HMS Dart (Cdr. J.T. Jones, RD, RNR) and HMS Jewel (???). (23)

17 Feb 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) and HMS Vulpine (T/Lt. P.S. Thirsk, DSC, RNR) departed Tobermory for Rothesay. They were escorted by HMS Peterhead (Lt. D.P. Croom-Johnson, DSC, RNVR). However HMS Peterhead ran aground shortly after leaving Tobermory and both submarines then returned to Tobermory. (24)

20 Feb 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) and HMS Vulpine (T/Lt. P.S. Thirsk, DSC, RNR) departed Tobermory for Rothesay where they arrived later the same day. They were escorted by HMS Peterhead (Lt. D.P. Croom-Johnson, DSC, RNVR). (24)

20 Feb 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) arrived at Rothesay. (23)

25 Feb 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) shifted from Rothesay to Ardrossan where she was immediately docked. (23)

28 Feb 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) was undocked at Ardrossan. She then returned to Rothesay. (23)

4 Mar 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (25)

7 Mar 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) departed Rothesay for Plymouth. She was escorted by HMS Milford (Cdr.(Retd.) G.G. Slade, RN). (25)

9 Mar 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) arrived at Plymouth. (25)

10 Mar 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) shifted from Plymouth to Portland. She was escorted by HMS Ruby (T/Lt. C.F. Unwin, RNVR). (25)

11 Mar 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) shifted from Portland to Portsmouth still escorted by HMS Ruby (T/Lt. C.F. Unwin, RNVR). (25)

26 Mar 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (25)

29 Mar 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (25)

3 Apr 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (26)

4 Apr 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (26)

5 Apr 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (26)

10 Apr 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (26)

11 Apr 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (26)

12 Apr 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (26)

15 Apr 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) shifted from Portsmouth to Newhaven to assist in A/S training for trawlers from that port. She was escorted by HMS HDML 1390 (T/Lt. W.J. Dowding, RNVR). (26)

16 Apr 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) participated in A/S exercises off Newhaven. (27)

17 Apr 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) participated in A/S exercises off Newhaven. (27)

18 Apr 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) participated in A/S exercises off Newhaven. (27)

19 Apr 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) participated in A/S exercises off Newhaven. (27)

20 Apr 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) participated in A/S exercises off Newhaven. (27)

21 Apr 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) participated in A/S exercises off Newhaven. (27)

23 Apr 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) participated in A/S exercises off Newhaven. (27)

24 Apr 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) participated in A/S exercises off Newhaven. (27)

25 Apr 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) participated in A/S exercises off Newhaven. (27)

26 Apr 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) participated in A/S exercises off Newhaven. (27)

1 May 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) participated in A/S exercises off Newhaven. (28)

2 May 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) participated in A/S exercises off Newhaven. (28)

3 May 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) participated in A/S exercises off Newhaven. (28)

4 May 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) participated in A/S exercises off Newhaven. (28)

5 May 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) participated in A/S exercises off Newhaven. (28)

7 May 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) participated in A/S exercises off Newhaven. (28)

8 May 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) participated in A/S exercises off Newhaven. (28)

9 May 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) participated in A/S exercises off Newhaven. (28)

10 May 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) participated in A/S exercises off Newhaven. (28)

16 May 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) participated in A/S exercises off Newhaven. (28)

18 May 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) shifted from Newhaven to Portsmouth. (28)

29 May 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (28)

31 May 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (28)

12 Jun 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (29)

14 Jun 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (29)

19 Jun 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (29)

21 Jun 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (29)

26 Jun 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (29)

28 Jun 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (29)

11 Sep 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. W.G. Woollam, RN) departed Portsmouth for Lisahally. (10)

14 Sep 1945
HMS Unshaken (Lt. W.G. Woollam, RN) arrived at Lisahally where she was to be decomissioned. (10)