Voltelin James Howard Van der Byl DSC, RN
| Birth details unknown |
| Ranks
Retired: 31 Jan 1958 Decorations
|
Warship Commands listed for Voltelin James Howard Van der Byl, RN
| Ship | Rank | Type | From | To |
| HMS Taku (N 38) | Lt.Cdr. | Submarine | 24 Feb 1940 | 8 Oct 1940 |
Career information
We currently have no career / biographical information on this officer.
Events related to this officer
Submarine HMS Taku (N 38)
11 Apr 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN) departs the Clyde area for her 1st war patrol. She is to patrol off Norway.
For HMS Taku's daily positions during this patrol see the map below
HMS Taku 1st war patrolclick here for bigger map
17 Apr 1940
While searching for 5 German destroyers reported to be in her area HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN) fires 4 torpedoes against the British destroyer HMS Ashanti (Cdr. W.G. Davis, RN). Luckily all torpedoes fired missed their target.
(All times are zone 0) Taku had received information that 5 German destroyers had been sighted off Stavanger at 1900 hours the previous day. They were steering Northwards at 25 knots. It was estimated that these would pass close to Taku's position between 0330 - 0400 hours this day.
0335 hours - Sighted a ship bearing 240 degrees steering 060 degrees at high speed, distance was about 4 miles. Turned towards and commenced a surface attack. The ships silhoutte was very similar to that of a German destroyer. In vieuw of the previous report there was no doubt that this was an enemy destroyer.
0342 hours - Fired 4 torpedoes from 3000 yards. One torpedo was seen to break surface. Taku dived immediately after firing. It was now rapidly getting lighter and immediately after firing the first salvo the destroyer changed course. Taku manouvered into position to fire a second salvo. The destroyer now turned directly towards and while doing so it was observed to have a tripod mast and twin gun mountings and it was identified as friendly. Taku went deep and the order was given to fire a yellow smoke candle and to transmit identity letter on S.S/T. When at 60 feet a pattern of depth charges exploded about 100 yards on the starboard bow. Taku now surfaced and established her identity by lamp. The destroyer was HMS Ashanti. Only minor damage was caused by the depth charges.
20 Apr 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN) ends her 1st war patrol at Rosyth.
2 May 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN) departs Rosyth for her 2nd war patrol. She is to patrol of Southern Norway.
For HMS Taku's daily positions during this patrol see the map below.
HMS Taku 2nd war patrolclick here for bigger map
8 May 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN) attacks a German convoy with ten torpedoes and torpedoes and damages the German torpedo boat Möwe (900 tons) east of Denmark in position 56º45'N, 06º12'E. After the attack Taku was depth charged and hunted for over 6 hours.
The convoy attacked was made up of the German transports Palime (2863 GRT, built 1937) and Pelikan (3264 GRT, buit 1935) escorted by torpedo boats Möwe and Kondor.
Möwe was damaged in the stern and towed to Wilhelmshaven by Kondor. Möwe was under repair for almost three years until April 1943.
(All times are zone 0)
1715 hours - Sighted two camouflaged merchant ships about 8000 tons each escorted by two torpedo boats and two aircraft. Bearing 175 degrees, range 8000 yards. All ships were zig-zagging independendly. Commenced attack. It was intended to fire five torpedoes at each of the merchant ships from outside the screen.
1736 hours - Fired at the leading transport from 2000 yards. After the last torpedo was fired Taku went to 100 feet. One minute after firing three distinct explosions were heard. These were followed by an avalanche of depth charges. Taku meanwhile lost trim and bottomed at 150 feet. All motors were stopped. Taku was now hunted and depth charged until late in the evening.
2350 hours - Left bottom after the hunters HE had ceased.
0150 hours (9th) - Surfaced. Nothing in sight except some fishing vessels to the South and East. Proceeded to the North-West while charging.
15 May 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN) ends her 2nd war patrol at Rosyth.
27 May 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN) departs Rosyth for her 3rd war patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the North Sea.
For HMS Taku's daily positions during this patrol see the map below.
HMS Taku 3rd war patrol click here for bigger map
12 Jun 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, RN) ends her 3rd war patrol at Rosyth.
28 Jun 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, DSC, RN) departs Rosyth for her 4th war patrol. She is to patrol of central Norway.
For HMS Taku's daily positions during this patrol see the map below.
HMS Taku 4th war patrolclick here for bigger map
12 Jul 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, DSC, RN) ends her 4th war patrol at Rosyth.
27 Jul 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, DSC, RN) departs Rosyth for her 5th war patrol. She is to patrol off Norway.
For HMS Taku's daily positions during this patrol see the map below.
HMS Taku 5th war patrolclick here for bigger map
10 Aug 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, DSC, RN) ends her 5th war patrol at Rosyth.
2 Sep 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, DSC, RN) departs Rothesay for her 6th war patrol. She is to patrol in the Bay of Biscay off the Gironde estuary.
For HMS Taku's daily positions during this patrol see the map below.
HMS Taku 6th war patrolclick here for bigger map
20 Sep 1940
HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. V.J.H. Van der Byl, DSC, RN) ends her 6th war patrol at Falmouth.