Arthur George Chandler DSC, RNR
| Birth details unknown |
| Ranks
Retired: 17 Nov 1958 Decorations
|
Warship Commands listed for Arthur George Chandler, RNR
| Ship | Rank | Type | From | To |
| HMS H 50 (N 50) | Lt. | Submarine | 26 Apr 1941 | 29 Sep 1941 |
| HMS Osiris (N 67) | Lt. | Submarine | ??? | ??? |
| HMS Stygian (P 249) | Lt. | Submarine | 15 Dec 1943 | 16 Apr 1944 |
| HMS Una (N 87) | Lt. | Submarine | 19 Jun 1944 | 14 Aug 1944 |
| HMS Thorough (P 324) | Lt. | Submarine | 1 Feb 1945 | late 1945 |
Career information
We currently have no career / biographical information on this officer.
Events related to this officer
Submarine HMS Thorough (P 324)
6 Feb 1945
HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, RNR) departs Trincomalee for her 5th war patrol. She is ordered to patrol off the West coast of Siam.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Thorough during this patrol see the map below.
HMS Thorough 5th war patrol click here for bigger map
8 Feb 1945
Early on the day a crewmember of HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, RNR) suffers an accident. The fingers of his left had were crushed. The intend was to proceed and monitor his situation but at 1800 hours his situation worsened so course was reversed towards Trincomalee. A signal for a R/V at sea was sent.
9 Feb 1945
At 1756 hours HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, RNR) transfers her injured crewmember to HMS Eskimo (Lt. Cdr. E.N. Sinclair, DSC, RN) in position 09º23'N, 85º17'E. She then continues on patrol.
13 Feb 1945
HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, RNR) sinks a sailing vessel with a demolition charge of the west coast of Siam.
(All times are zone -6.5)
1705 hours - Sighted a 20 tons Southbound junk.
1708 hours - Surfaced in position 13º23'N, 98º16'E and opened fire on the junk from 1500 yards. Fired 7 rounds before the junk lowered sails. Proceeded alongside and removed the crew of 5 and 3 passengers before destroying the junk with a demolition charge.
1730 hours - Dived and proceeded to seaward.
14 Feb 1945
While on patrol off the West coast of Siam HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, RNR) sinks a sailing vessel. She also damaged another sailing vessel. A torpedo attack on a coaster fails.
(All times are zone -6.5)
0005 hours - Fired starshell to illuminate a target that was seen about 15 minutes earlier.
0016 hours - In position 13º57'N, 98º01'E opened fire on the target, now seen to be a junk of about 80 tons. Fired 15 rounds for 12 hits.
0024 hours - The junk was seen to sink by the bows. Searched for survivors but found none.
0034 hours - Retired at speed to seaward.
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0857 hours - Surfaced in position 14º08'N, 97º58'E and transferred the 8 survivors picked up yesterday to a fishing sampan.
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1028 hours - Sighted a large sailing coaster, schooner rigged with two headsails. She was deeply laden, close inshore. She was also seen to fly the Japanese merchant ensign. Closed.
1043 hours - Surfaced in position 280 degrees, Pagoda Point, 3 nautical miles and opened fire from 3000 yards with the 4" gun and the Oerlikon. 25 Rounds of 4" were fired for 18 hits.
1105 hours - The sailing coaster heeled over to Starboard and was seen to sink.
1107 hours - Shifted target to a smaller sailing vessel (about 12 tons) that meanwhile had been sighted. Range was 2000 yards. After 3 rounds of 4" she lowered her sails.
1120 hours - Boarded this sailing vessel. Found she was not carrying any valuable cargo so released her and ordered her to pick up the the survivors of the sailing coaster that was sunk shortly before.
1150 hours - Dived.
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1600 hours - Surfaced in position 14º53'N, 97º55'E and proceeded North.
1705 hours - Sighted a large junk in position 14º30'N, 97º51'E. Range was 8000 yards. She was heading for the shore. Fired a warning round with the 4" gun. She lowered sails. Closed with the objection to sink her with demolition charges.
1716 hours - The junk rehoisted her sails and endeavoured to run for the shore. Reopened fire with the 4" gun, range was 6000 yards.
1718 hours - 6 Rounds had been fired before the tops of 2 masts were seen above the horizon to the seaward, bearing 230 degrees.
1720 hours - Now also sighted the top of a funnel. It was thought to be a large coaster. Broke off the action with the junk, that by now had been damaged.
1725 hours - Proceed to intercept the coaster.
1741 hours - Dived. The target was now confirmed as a coaster of about 800 tons.
1810 hours - Re-estimated the size of the target to 600 tons. Decided to attack with the deck gun instead of torpedoes.
1827 hours - A MTB was now seen to escort the coaster. It was now decided to abandon the gun attack and revert back to torpedoes.
1829 hours - Fired 4 torpedoes from 1200 yards. All torpedoes missed.
1840 hours - Went to 80 feet.
1848 hours - Surfaced in position 14º27'N, 97º24'E. Night gun action stations and gave chase. The enemy however was not sighted again.
15 Feb 1945
HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, RNR) sinks a sailing vessel with demolition charges of the west coast of Siam.
(All times are zone -6.5)
1720 hours - Sighted a medium size schooner 5 nautical miles to the South. Gave chase.
1745 hours - Opened fire with the 4" gun from 3000 yards. The schooner lowered sails after 6 rounds.
1758 hours - Boarded the schooner. Took 3 of the crew on board. The remained had already abandoned ship. Set demolition charges.
1804 hours - The schooner was seen to blow up and foundered in position 14º24'N, 97º56'E.
1810 hours - Proceeded southwards.
16 Feb 1945
HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, RNR) sinks three sailing vessels with gunfire of the west coast of Siam.
(All times are zone -6.5) 1603 hours - Surfaced in position 13º27'N, 98º05'E to engage a junk. Opened fire with the Oerlikon from 3000 yards. 7 Rounds of 4" were also fired causing damage.
1615 hours - Proceeded alongside. Took on board the crew of 4 and 3 passengers. Placed demolition charges.
1628 hours - The junk blew up and foundered in position 13º26'N, 98º12'E.
1740 hours - About 15 sailing vessels were seen coast crawling to the North. Closed.
1812 hours - Opened fire on the largest of these craft (a 30 tons schooner). 14 Rounds were fired for 5 hits.
1820 hours - The schooner was seen to sink, bow first in position 13º41'N, 98º05'E. The crew had already abandoned ship.
1822 hours - Shifted fire to another schooner about half a mile astern. After 8 rounds this schooner beached itself on the rocks in position 13º41'N, 98º06'E. She was considered a total loss. Meanwhile all the other vessels had beached themselves.
1835 hours - Proceeded North.
1954 hours - Sighted a dark shape. On closing this was found to be a 12 tons junk. Transferred all but 2 of the survivors on board to this junk and allowed them to proceed after removing the ships papers.
18 Feb 1945
HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, RNR) sinks five sailing vessels with gunfire and demolition charges of the west coast of Siam.
(All times are zone -6.5) 0557 hours - While proceeding North sighted a schooner of about 30 tons making for the beach. Position was 14º29'N, 97º56'E.
0620 hours - Opened fire on the schooner from 4000 yards. After 10 rounds of 4" for 3 hits she beached herself. The crew was seen to abandon ship. She was considered a total loss.
0642 hours - Sighted a group of 6 schooners and junks to the North. Closed.
0710 hours - Opened fire on a junk of about 20 tons at a range of 2000 yards.
0720 hours - The junk lowered sails after 4 rounds of 4". Proceeded alongside and placed demolition charges.
0740 hours - The junk blew up and foundered in position 14º30'N, 97º53'E. Proceeded to close a schooner of about 25 tons 3 nautical miles to the North-West.
0800 hours - Opened fire from 2000 yards. After 6 rounds of 4" the schooner lowered sails. Proceeded alongside and placed demolition charges.
0813 hours - The schooner blew up and foundered in position 14º32'N, 97º51'E.
0825 hours - Proceeded Northwards to close a schooner of about 30 tons.
0828 hours - In position 14º33'N, 97º51E opened fire with the 4" gun from 4000 yards. Fired 15 rounds for 6 hits.
0840 hours - The schooner sank in position 14º34'N, 97º54'E. The crew was seen to swim towards the shore. This schooner was very deeply laden.
0845 hours - Closed a 20 tons junk about 2.5 nautical miles to the Westward.
0850 hours - Opened fire with the 4" gun from 1500 yards. After firing 4 rounds of 4" she lowered sails.
0855 hours - Proceeded alongside. Placed demolition charges.
0903 hours - The junk blew up and foundered in position 14º35'N, 97º51'E. Proceeded to close another junk 1 mile to the North. This junk had already lowered her sails.
0920 hours - Proceeded alongside. Found that the cargo was for local use and not for the Japanese. Took her alongside and proceeded towards a schooner which had lowered sails about 3 nautical miles to the Northward in order to transfer the crews of several of the destroyed vessels to her after sinking this schooner. Meanwhile two aircraft were sighted but these did not sight Thorough. Most likely due to the junk that was alongside.
0935 hours - The junk alongside broke adrift with the boarding party on board. At this time Lt. Chandler became somewhat suspicious of the schooner. It's crew was seen leaving her early on in a well fitted out boat. He instructed the boarding party to sail the junk into deeper water and then opened fire on the schooner with 4" and Oerlikon. Numerous hits were obtained.
0955 hours - Closed the schooner to investigate. She was abandoned so proceeded alongside. Removed the ships papers, they showed she was coming from Penang and under Japanese orders. Demolition charges were placed.
1015 hours - The schooner blew up but did not sink. 4 rounds with the deck gun were fired before she sank at 1018 hours in position 14º40'N, 97º47'E. Set course towards the junk with the boarding party.
1055 hours - The junk secured alongside. The boarding party was replaced with the native crew and they were allowed to proceed. Thorough now sets course for Narcondam Island for air/sea rescue duties.
23 Feb 1945
HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, RNR) sinks a sailing vessel, a coaster and a two landing craft with gunfire and demolition charges of the west coast of Siam.
(All times are zone -6.5) 1050 hours - Sighted an 'island' proceeding North-East. After a few minutes this 'island' was identified as a Japanese landing craft with about 100 Japanese soldiers on board.
1057 hours - Surfaced in position 240 degrees, Kardwe Island, 5,5 nautical miles. Opened fire with the 4" gun and Oerlikon from 1000 yards. The enemy turned hard to Port but the 2nd round of 4" hit him while turning and in a large explosion the stern blew off. The troops were seen to jump overboard.
1105 hours - Attempted to pick up some survivors but they were not willing. The boarding officer (Lt. R.F. Saunders, DSC, RANVR) jumped overboard and took one of the Japanese back with him to Thorough.
1125 hours - Course was set towards deeper water.
1205 hours - A large junk seen previously was seen to head towards the beach. Closed to 6000 yards and opened fire with the 4" gun. After the first round the crew took to their sampan and left the sails set. The junk was slowly steering towards Thorough.
1212 hours - Lt. Chandler dived to stay out of sight of aircraft that might be patrolling in the area while the junk was closing.
1222 hours - A sampan was seen to be closing the junk at speed. Their crew were most likely thinking lets board this junk and claim it as theirs.
1225 hours - Surfaced and proceeded towards the junk.
1239 hours - Proceeded alongside the junk, the sampan haven given in to superior forces. Removed the ships papers and the ships dog. Placed demolition charges. The junk was of 100 tons and under Japanese control.
1250 hours - The junk blew up and foundered in position 12º51'N, 98º28'E. Proceed North.
1345 hours - In position 13º00'N, 98º26'E the Officer of the Watch (Lt. P. Jackson-Synter, RN) reported sighting a peculier looking craft on the South Beach of Kyunlataung Island. Closed to investigate.
1348 hours - A 300 tons steel hulled coaster was observed to be beached as well as another Japanese landing craft.
1353 hours - Opened fire with the 4" gun from 4000 yards. The action that followed left the landing craft foundered and the coaster gutted by fire and a total loss. A cargo lighter was also damaged.
1427 hours - Made off for deeper water.
1500 hours - Dived in position 13º09'N, 98º24'E.
24 Feb 1945
HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, RNR) sinks three sailing vessels with demolition charges and ramming of the west coast of Siam.
(All times are zone -6.5)
1410 hours - Sighted a Southbound schooner of about 20 tons 2 nautical miles to the North. Altered course to close.
1415 hours - Surfaced and fired a warning burst with the Oerlikon. The schooner lowered sails. Proceeded alongside. Removed the crew of 5 and the ships papers. Set demolition charges.
1435 hours - The schooner blew up and foundered in position 14º00'N, 98º00'E.
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1615 hours - Altered course to close 3 junks about 4 nautical miles off Quoin Island.
1708 hours - Opened fire at a 30 tons junk.
1710 hours - The junk lowered sails. Proceeded alongside. Removed the crew of 10 (including passengers) and the ships papers. Placed demolition charges.
1718 hours - The junk blew up and foundered in position 14º25'N, 97º54'E.
1720 hours - Proceeded alongside a 20 tons schooner who had already lowered sails. Removed the crew of 9 and the ships papers. Rammed and sunk this schooner in position 14º26'N, 97º53'E.
1745 hours - Summoned a small junk of about 12 tons alongside and transferred the afternoons prisoners to her with the exception of one that was retained for interrogation purposes. The next few days were spent off Chance Island for Air/Sea rescue duties.
28 Feb 1945
HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, RNR) sinks two sailing vessels with demolition charges of the west coast of Siam.
(All times are zone -6.5)
1310 hours - In position 10º14'N, 98º24'E sighted a large junk bearing 353 degrees, distance 7 nautical miles. The junk was Southbound. Closed at speed.
1340 hours - Opened fire with the 4" gun. After 3 rounds the sails were lowered and the crew were seen to abandon ship in their sampan. Closed the sampan and removed its mast and one of the crew.
1345 hours - Went alongside the junk. Removed the ships papers and a small puppy and placed demolition charges.
1400 hours - The junk blew up and foundered in position 10º22'N, 98º24'E. This was a 50 tons junk that was operating under Japanese control.
1405 hours - Proceeded North to close another 50 tons junk which had already lowered sails. The crew had abandoned ship in their sampan. Took one member of the crew for interrogation.
1505 hours - Proceeded alongside the junk. Removed the ships papers and placed demolition charges.
1520 hours - The junk blew up and foundered in position 10º51'N, 98º24'E. This junk was also Southbound and under Japanese control.
2 Mar 1945
HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, RNR) is hunted and bombed by Japanese aircraft while passing South of Car Nicobar Island. No damage is sustained.
5 Mar 1945
HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, RNR) ends her 5th war patrol at Trincomalee.
27 Mar 1945
HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, RNR) departs Trincomalee for her 6th war patrol. She is ordered to patrol off the North coast of Sumatra. Upon completion of her patrol she is to proceed to Fremantle, Austalia.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Thorough during this patrol see the map below.
HMS Thorough 6th war patrol click here for bigger map
2 Apr 1945
HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, RNR) sinks a small Japanese gunboat with gunfire off the North coast of Sumatra. Two torpedo attacks on a moored coaster fails.
(All times are zone -6.5)
1307 hours - Surfaced in position 05º37'N, 95º15'E for gun action with a Japanese gunboat. Opened fire with the 4" gun from 6000 yards. The gunboat turned towards and increased speed. A running battle followed.
1319 hours - The damaged enemy turned towards the shore.
1329 hours - The target capsized and sank in position 05º37'N, 95º20'E.
---------------------------------
1710 hours - In position 05º34'N, 95º15'E fired one torpedo against a coaster moored alongside a pier at Ulee Lhoe (Banda Aceh). This torpedo however ran wild and detonated on the beach more then 2 nautical miles west of the target.
1715 hours - Surfaced and engaged another coaster with the 4" gun. Thorough was soon taken under fire by enemy shore gun and had to break off the action.
1720 hours - Dived in position 05º35'N, 95º15'E.
---------------------------------
1800 hours - Ran in again for a second torpedo shot on the coaster alongside the pier.
1834 hours - In position 05º35'N, 95º16'E fired a torpedo. This torpedo ran correct but due to strong currents near the shore she veered slightly of course, missing the target just astern hitting the root of the pier.
Set course for deeper water after this attack.
3 Apr 1945
HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, RNR) either sinks of damages a coaster off Ulee Lhoe (Bandah Aceh) with a torpedo. An attack on another coaster fails as the torpedo fired at this one was cought in a net barrier.
(All times are zone -6.5)
0730 hours - Surfaced in position 323 degrees, Government Pier, 1.5 nautical miles to attack a passenger coaster near Ulee Lhoe (Bandah Aceh).
0732 hours - Thorough was taken under fire by shore batteries. Shooting was wild at first. After a few minutes altered course away from the fall of shot.
0737 hours - Fired the first of 2 torpedoes at the passenger coaster sighted previously. The first torpedo ran straight towards the coasters bridge but veered of shortly before hitting. An explosion was heard at the correct interval. It is considered that this torpedo hit the coaters stern or the jetty just astern of her causing damage to both. A few minutes later the coaster was seen listing about 15 degrees to port and down by the stern. The second torpedo missed ahead of the coaster.
0740 hours - Dived as by now the shore guns were finding the range. Withdrew to deeper water to reload. Several aircraft were seen through the day, keeping her down.
1445 hours - Returned to periscope depth, no aircraft seen this time.
1700 hours - Returned to Ulee Lhoe anchorage. Found a passenger coaster of about 250 tons that had shifted berth, most likely to bring her under the protection of the shore guns. Decided to attack her with a torpedo.
1805 hours - While in position 05º35'N, 95º15'E fired one torpedo at this coaster from 3000 yards. It appeared however that the coaster was protected by a torpedo net that had cought it. The ASDIC operater reported hearing the torpedo running but nothing further happened.
1807 hours - Withdrew to seaward.
6 Apr 1945
HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, RNR) sinks 3 Japanese landing craft with gunfire off the North coast of Sumatra.
(All times are zone -6.5) 0511 hours - Dived to periscope depth in position 05º46'N, 95º24'E and proceeded towards Ulee Lhoe.
0815 hours - In position 278 degrees, Buro Lighthouse, 4 nautical miles sighted a type 'A' landing craft 2 nautical miles South of Moduroe Point on a course of 190 degrees.
0829 hours - Surfaced in position 05º42'N, 95º19'E for gun action. Opened fire with the 4" gun from 1000 yards. The enemy turned towards and opened fire with two machine guns mounted on the bow.
0830 hours - The 2nd round of 4" fired by Thorough was a direct hit and the enemy burst into flames. 2 Minutes later, after a further 2 hits, the landing craft disintegrates. It's occupants were seen to abandon ship. It soon sank.
0836 hours - Dived to periscope depth.
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1115 hours - In position 05º37'N, 95º22'E sighted two landing craft, same type as earlier the same moring, coast crawling towards Ulee Lhoe.
1207 hours - Surfaced in position 05º38'N, 95º18'E. Range to the landing crafts was 8000 yards. It was decided to close the distance on the surface at maximum speed. Opened fire with the 4" gun. Both landing craft made for the nearest shore.
1215 hours - The leading landing craft beached itself in position 05º36'N, 95º20'E. The range to the 2nd landing craft was now 4700 yards and fire was shifted to her. She took violent avoiding action. Her speed was soon reduced due to near misses.
1221 hours - A shore gun now opened fire on HMS Thorough. The shots luckily fell short. Meanwhile several hits were scored on the 2nd landing craft.
1223 hours - The 2nd landing craft blew up and foundered in position 05º37'N, 95º21'E. Thorough now closed the beached landing craft and opened fire on her. The shore gun meanwhile fired some more rounds against HMS Thorough. The fall of shot was still short but was getting closer. Set course to increase the distance to the shore gun as to get out of range.
1225 hours - The shore gun ceased fire. It appeared Thorough was out of range so altered course to close the beached landing craft again.
1230 hours - Re-opened fire on the beached landing craft from a range of 3800 yards. It was not possible to get any closer due to the shallow water.
1232 hours - By now 3 hits were obtained on the beached landing craft as well as numerous near misses. Suddenly there was a large explosion in the water abreast no.2 Starboard Main Ballast tank. This was caused by a near miss from the shore battery. Damage was caused by shrapnel leaving several small holes just above the waterline amongst other minor damage. The action with the landing craft was borken off as the vessel was considered a total loss to the enemy.
1240 hours - Dived in position 05º38'N, 95º21'E.
During the next night patches were placed over the small holes caused by the near miss.
10 Apr 1945
HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, RNR) destroyes a beached coaster with gunfire of the west coast of Sumatra, Netherlands East Indies.
(All times are zone -6.5)
0516 hours - Dived in position 04º29'N, 98º21'E.
0525 hours - Sighted a beached coaster (thought to be of 900 tons) in position 04º27'N, 98º14'E. The coaster appeared to be afloat aft, but aground forward. As it appeared she could be of (future) use to the enemy it was decided to destroy her with the deck gun.
0701 hours - Surfaced in position 04º27'N, 98º16'E and opened fire from a range of 4000 yards. She was hit numerous times and was soon on fire.
0716 hours - As the coaster was now considered a total loss ceased fire and withdrew to deeper water.
0725 hours - Dived for an aircraft. Went to 80 feet.
24 Apr 1945
HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, RNR) ends her 6th war patrol at Fremantle, Australia.
9 May 1945
HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, RNR) is put on the slip at Fremantle.
10 May 1945
HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, RNR) is put back in the water.
13 May 1945
HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, RNR) departs Fremantle for her 7th war patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the Java Sea and South China Sea.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Thorough during this patrol see the map below.
HMS Thorough 7th war patrol click here for bigger map
25 May 1945
HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, RNR) claims the sinking of a Japanese merchant vessel of 1700 tons in the Java Sea.
(All times are zone -9)
1330 hours - While in position 06º39'S, 112º53'E heard HE and sighted the upperworks of a patrol craft bearing 315 degrees. Range was approx. 10000 yards. She was steering an erratic course at various speeds.
1345 hours - The patrol vessel proceeded out of sight on a bearing of 235 degrees.
1350 hours - Sighted a black column of smoke over the horizon bearing 260 degrees. Started to close.
1545 hours - In position 06º41S, 112º35'E sighted masts, funnel and upperworks of a steam vessel bearing 264 degrees. Range approx. 11000 yards. Commenced attack.
1550 hours - Noticed that the target was escorted by the patrol vessel seen earlier. She was about 4000 yards astern of the target.
1652 hours - Sighted three Jake aircraft patrolling the area. The target was thought to be of 1700 tons.
1710 hours - Fired five torpedoes from 1700 yards. Went to 80 feet after firing the last torpedo.
1711 hours - Heard a loud torpedo explosion at the correct interval for the 3rd or 4th torpedo. Heard the HE of the escort approaching from the South. Continued to the North at 5 knots while still at 80 feet.
1728 hours - HE of the escort ceased so returned to periscope depth. Found only the escort and one Jake aircraft in sight. Considered the target sunk in position 06º45'S, 112º31'5"E.
No ship is listed as being sunk near this position in Japanese sources.
3 Jun 1945
HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, RNR) sinks two coasters with gunfire off Tenggol Island.
(All times are zone -9)
1615 hours - Thorough sighted two coasters about 5 nautical miles south of Pulo Peloh. One coaster was rather modern about 600 tons, the other one was an older type of about 300 tons.
1627 hours - Surfaced in position 2 nautical miles bearing 155 Tenjong Palor. The two targets were about 8000 yards away. At 5000 yards fire was opened with the 4" gun and both ships turned towards the beach. Fire was returned by the larger coaster with a 6-pounder gun. The enemy fired 12 rounds, all of which fell short, before hitting the beach. After hitting the beach the crew abandoned ship and fled into the jungle. The second ships crew did likewise.
The first vessel was destroyed in position 04º37'5N, 103º25'8E. In all 105 round were spent in destroying the first coaster.
The second vessel was beached and destroyed half a mile south of the first vessel. 30 rounds were used in the destruction of this vessel.
5 Jun 1945
HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, RNR) sinks a sea-truck with gunfire off Tenggol Island.
(All times are zone -9)
1230 hours - A loaded north-bound Japanese sea-truck was spotted coast crawling. 10 minutes later fire was opened with the deck gun from 4000 yards. The crew quickly abandoned ship and started swimming towards Gadong Island. At 1300 hours the sea-truck sank bow first in position 04º43'N, 103º27'5E. In all 40 rounds were fired.
1310 hours - Thorough retreated seawards to investigate a large junk spotted earlier sailing south-wards.
1445 hours - Came alongside the junk. 7 Chinese crewman that had abandoned ship were persuaded to return, which they did. After inspection of the cargo the junk was allowed to proceed.
17 Jun 1945
HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, RNR) sinks a Japanese trawler and a schooner with gunfire off Surabaya, Java, Netherlands East Indies.
(All times are zone -9)
1644 hours - Thorough sighted the masts of an armed patrol trawler. At roughly the same time HMS Taciturn also reported a contact and that she intended to attack it. Lt. Chandler observed the trawlers movements for nearly 50 minutes when at 1733 hours HMS Taciturn transmitted her surfacing signal.
One minute later Thorough surfaced for a gun action against the armed trawler. The trawler was only 800 yards away steaming towards Thorough at full speed while being pursued by and under fire from HMS Taciturn that was about 4000 yards away. When Thorough surfaced and opened fire on the trawler, Taciturn hold her fire as her fall of shot was rather close to Thorough. Thorough fired 18 shells (with 17 !!! hits), that reduced the trawler to a wreck. At 1745 hours both submarines dived and left the trawler sinking in position 06º39'S, 112º45'5E.
1800 hours - Closed and circled the wreckage in an attempt to pick up a Japanese survivor as prisoner of war but Lt. Chandler was unable to surface as a Jake patrol plane was overhead. By 1840 hours five Jake's were seen patrolling overhead so Lt. Chandler was forced to go to 80ft.
1900 hours - Returned to periscope depth and found out that another trawler had arrived at the scene and was picking up survivors covered by the five aircraft. At 1910 hours Thorough closed for an attack on this 2nd trawler but was forced down by the aircraft of which there were now six in the vicinity. At 1920 hours Lt. Chandler was manouvering Thorough into position for a torpedo attack on the 2nd trawler when the trawler hastily left the area.
1930 hours - Retired to seaward.
2037 hours - Surfaced in position 06º47'S, 112º48'E and proceeded with Taciturn to a position suitable to transfer 50 rounds of 4" ammunition to Taciturn.
2135 hours - While in position 06º25'S, 112º47'E a fishing sampam was sighted and it was intended to utilize this in the transfer of the ammunition when at 2150 hours two darkened vessels were sighted at 6000 yards.
2200 hours - Thorough and Taciturn worked to get ahead of the two vessels, that were now identified as two southbound topsail schooners, it was decided that each submarine would investigate one of the schooners.
2230 hours - Thorough opened fire with the 4" gun at the rigging of her schooner. After 5 rounds from 1000 yards the schooner hove to and lowered her sails. 5 minutes later Thorough closed to investigate. At 2247 hours Thorough was alongside the schooner and a boarding party commenced a search. The schooner of 113 tons had 18 crew on board all from Makassar. The schooner was carrying a load of coal for the Japanese so the papers were confiscated, the crew removed and it was decided to scuttle the schooner with a demolition charge.
2310 hours - The schooner blew up in position 06º25'S, 112º48'E. Tactician in the meantime also demolished 'her' schooner and 5 minutes later the two submarines closed to transfer the ammunition by rubber dinghy. Transfer was completed at 0045 hours the following day. Thorough now left the patrol area to return to Australia through Lombok Strait. At 0715 hours on the next day, while in position 06º40'S, 113º45'E, Thorough transferred to crew of the sunken schooner to a fishing sampan with the exception of the master and one other that went with the submarine to Australia for interrogation.
22 Jun 1945
HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, RNR) arrives at Onslow, Australia for fuel and provisions.
23 Jun 1945
HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, RNR) departs Onslow for Fremantle.
26 Jun 1945
HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, RNR) ends her 7th war patrol at Fremantle.
25 Jul 1945
HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, RNR) departs Fremantle for her 8th war patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the Java Sea together with HMS Taciturn.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Thorough during this patrol see the map below.
HMS Thorough 8th war patrol click here for bigger map
1 Aug 1945
HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, DSC, RNR) and HMS Taciturn (Lt.Cdr. E.T. Stanley, DSO, DSC, RN) attack Japanese shipping and shore targets off northern Bali.
Taciturn engages a shore gun, while Thorough attacked the shipping and warehouses. One lugger and one landing barge were sunk. Also one landing barge was either damaged or sunk. Besides these 4 warehouses on the shore were destroyed.
Later on this day HMS Thorough also sinks a schooner with gunfire.
(All times are zone -9)
1200 hours - Started closing Beluleng anchorage together with HMS Taciturn, which was to the West.
1220 hours - Received SST report from Taciturn that she had sighted shipping and the gun position that was reported earlier by HMS Stubborn. It was decided that Taciturn would deal with the shore gun while Thorough would attack the shipping.
1610 hours - Surfaced and opened fire on an armed lugger off the North-East pier, range 1000 yards. Taciturn meanwile had also surfaced 4000 yards away and opened fire on the shore gun.
1611 hours - Hit the lugger with the 3rd round of 4". It blew up in a tremendous explosion. It must have been loaded with explosives. Shifted target to a large landing barge. After 10 rounds of 4" it cought fire and sank. As the remaining landing craft were very difficult to see against the background a 'general bombardment' of the area was carried out. A landing craft was hit and 4 warehouses on the shore were destroyed.
1615 hours - Taciturn signalled that the shore guns were finding the range and that she was going to dive to safety.
1617 hours - Thorough commenced withdrawing to deeper water. Shore guns to the South-West of the town now shifted fire to Thorough.
1618 hours - Dived and withdrew to the Westward.
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2335 hours - Sighted a schooner in position 07º56'S, 115º17'E.
2340 hours - The schooner was stopped with 2 warning rounds of 4". After the crew abandoned ship she was sunk with a further 12 rounds of 4".
2 Aug 1945
HMS Thorough sinks a sailing vessel with gunfire off Bali.
(All times are zone -9)
1547 hours - Surfaced in position 08º18'S, 115º39'E and fired 2 warning shots to stop a schooner. The schooner was Northbound and about 120 tons. Range was 4000 yards. A few members of the crew were seen to abandon ship. The vessel refused to heave to and turned towards Thorough. She continued to close Thorough under perfect control. The helmsman and other members of the crew were seen at their stations. Fire was now re-opened. After 10 rounds the schooner was sunk in position 08º19'S, 115º42'E.
1558 hours - Closed the wreckage to search for survivors but had to abandon this attempt because a Japanese aircraft appeared on the scene and Through had to dive.
4 Aug 1945
HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, DSC, RNR) sinks a schooner with demolition charges off Bali.
(All times are zone -9)
0250 hours - Closed a schooner in position 08º03'S, 114º57'E. Boarded this schooner, which was 80 tons in size. She was loaded with a full cargo of wool in bulk and bound from Macassar to Surabaya. Removed the crew and ships papers and sank her with demolition charges.
12 Aug 1945
HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, DSC, RNR) sinks the schooner Palange (120 GRT) with demolition charges off the North coast of Java.
(All times are zone -9)
0715 hours - Sighted a large schooner in position 06º26'S, 110º33'E. Closed to investigate.
0728 hours - Proceeded alongside the schooner. She was named Palange and was registered at Macassar. Size was 120 tons. Shewas carrying a full cargo of coal. Let the crew abandon ship in 2 sampans and sunk the schooner with demolition charges
21 Aug 1945
HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, DSC, RNR) ends her 8th war patrol at Fremantle.
10 Sep 1945
HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, DSC, RNR) departs Fremantle for a tour to several ports in Western Australia.
11 Sep 1945
HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, DSC, RNR) arrives at Bunbury, Australia.
15 Sep 1945
HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, DSC, RNR) departs Bunbury for Albany.
16 Sep 1945
HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, DSC, RNR) arrives at Albany, Australia.
24 Sep 1945
HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, DSC, RNR) departs Albany for Busselton.
25 Sep 1945
HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, DSC, RNR) arrives at Busselton, Australia.
28 Sep 1945
HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, DSC, RNR) departs Busselton for Fremantle. She arrives at Fremantle later this day.
3 Oct 1945
HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, DSC, RNR) departs Fremantle for the U.K. She is to proceed home for refit.
20 Oct 1945
HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, DSC, RNR) arrives at Aden.
21 Oct 1945
HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, DSC, RNR) departs Aden for Port Said.
1 Nov 1945
HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, DSC, RNR) departs Port Said for Gibraltar.
8 Nov 1945
HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, DSC, RNR) arrives at Gibraltar.
9 Nov 1945
HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, DSC, RNR) departs Gibraltar for Holy Loch.
15 Nov 1945
HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, DSC, RNR) arrives at Holy Loch.