Anthony Foster Collett DSC, RN

Born  4 Mar 1911Gloucester
Died  Feb 1991(79)


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Ranks

16 Jan 1932 S.Lt.
16 Mar 1934 Lt.
16 Mar 1942 Lt.Cdr.

Retired: 29 Jan 1948


Decorations

21 Nov 1941 DSC
25 Aug 1944 Bar to DSC

Warship Commands listed for Anthony Foster Collett, RN


ShipRankTypeFromTo
HMS H 34 (N 34)Lt.Submarine26 Apr 194017 Sep 1940
HMS Unique (N 95)Lt.Submarine19 Sep 194016 Aug 1941
HMS Unique (N 95)Lt.Submarine24 Aug 194118 Jun 1942
HMS Upright (N 89)Lt.Cdr.Submarine1 Jul 194211 Dec 1942
HMS Tactician (P 314)Lt.Cdr.Submarine12 Dec 19421 Oct 1944

Career information

We currently have no career / biographical information on this officer.

Events related to this officer

Submarine HMS H 34 (N 34)


29 May 1940
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Portland for her 4th war patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the English Channel.

[No log is available for this period so no map for this patrol can be displayed.] (1)

2 Jun 1940
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 4th war patrol at Portsmouth. (1)

3 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN), HMS H 49 (Lt. M.A. Langley, RN) and HMS H 50 (Lt. A.R. Cheyne, RN) departed Portsmouth for Harwich. They were escorted by HMS Warrior II (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN). (2)

5 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) arrived at Harwich. (2)

8 Jun 1940
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Harwich for her 5th war patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the North Sea.

For the daily positions of HMS H 34 during this patrol see the map below.

(1)

15 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 5th war patrol at Harwich. (1)

23 Jun 1940
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Harwich for her 6th war patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the North Sea.

For the daily positions of HMS H 34 during this patrol see the map below.

(1)

1 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 6th war patrol at Harwich. (1)

15 Jul 1940
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Harwich for her 7th war patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the North Sea.

For the daily positions of HMS H 34 during this patrol see the map below.

(1)

23 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 7th war patrol at Lowestoft where she was immediately docked. (3)

31 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was undocked. (3)

1 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) shifted from Lowestoft to Harwich. She was escorted by HMS Ben Bhrackie (T/Skr. H.J. May, RNR). (4)

5 Aug 1940
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Harwich for her 8th war patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the North Sea.

For the daily positions of HMS H 34 during this patrol see the map below.

(1)

11 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 8th war patrol at Harwich. (1)

17 Aug 1940
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Harwich for her 9th war patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the North Sea.

For the daily positions of HMS H 34 during this patrol see the map below.

(1)

26 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 9th war patrol at Harwich. (1)

1 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Harwich for her 10th war patrol. This was an anti-invasion patrol off the East coast. H 34 was recalled later the same day. She then returned to Harwich. (5)

3 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Harwich for Rosyth. Passage was made in convoy FN 71. (5)

5 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) arrived at Rosyth. (5)

6 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Rosyth for Rothesay. H 34 joined convoy OA 210 for the passage. (5)

9 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) arrived at Rothesay. (5)

10 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN). . Upon completion of these exercises HMS H 34 proceeded to Campbeltown. (5)

16 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) conducted A/S exercises of Campbeltown with HMS Terje 1 (Skr. C. Coultas, DSC, RNR) and HMS Terje 2 (Ch.Skr. G.R. Gale, RNR). (5)

17 Sep 1940
HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) conducted A/S exercises of Campbeltown with HMS St. Modwen (Cdr.(Retd.) W.A. Ford, RN) and HMS Topaze (Lt.Cdr. John J.N. Hambly, MBE, RN).

Upon completion of these exercises Lt. Napier took command of HMS H 34 vice Lt. Collett. (5)


Submarine HMS Unique (N 95)


27 Sep 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed her builders yard for Holy Loch. (6)

28 Sep 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) arrived at Holy Loch for a period of trials and training. (6)

2 Oct 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Porpoise (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) and an A/S yacht. (7)

4 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) condcuted degaussing trials in Gare Loch. (7)

6 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Arrochar. (7)

7 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (7)

8 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (7)

9 Oct 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. Upon completion of these trials HMS Unique returned to Holy Loch. (7)

10 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Rothesay. (7)

11 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) conducted noise trials in the Clyde area. Upon completion of these trials she proceeded to Govan. (7)

12 Oct 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was docked at Govan to have her propeller changed. While she was in dock her bottom was also cleaned and painted. (7)

14 Oct 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was undocked at Govan. She then proceeded to Arrochar. (7)

15 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (7)

16 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) shifted from Arrochar to Holy Loch. (7)

18 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) conducted noise trials in the Clyde area. Upon completion of these trials she proceeded to Rothesay. (7)

19 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Jennie Deans (A/Cdr. L.C. Windsor, RN). These included night exercises during the night of 19/20 October 1940. (7)

20 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) returned to Holy Loch upon completion of the night exercises. (7)

23 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Campbeltown. (7)

24 Oct 1940
With her trials and training completed, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN), departed Campbeltown for Portsmouth. She was escorted by HMS Haarlem (T/Lt. L.B. Merrick, RNR). (7)

27 Oct 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) arrived at Portsmouth. (7)

28 Oct 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was docked at Portsmouth. (7)

30 Oct 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was undocked. (7)

31 Oct 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was docked at Portsmouth. She was undocked after a few hours for trails. Upon completion of these trials she was docked again. (7)

2 Nov 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was undocked. After trials she was docked yet again. (8)

5 Nov 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was undocked. (8)

6 Nov 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Portsmouth for her 1st war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the English Channel.

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

(9)

15 Nov 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Portsmouth. (9)

26 Nov 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Portsmouth for Dartmouth. She was escorted by HMS Kingston Ceylonite (Ch.Skr. J.S. Garnham, RNR). (8)

27 Nov 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) arrived at Dartmouth to participate in A/S exercises. (8)

28 Nov 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Dartmouth with HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St. Clair-Ford, RN). (7)

29 Nov 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Dartmouth for Portsmouth. (8)

30 Nov 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) arrived at Portsmouth. (8)

11 Dec 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Portsmouth for Gibraltar. She was to proceed towards Malta to join the Mediterranean Fleet.

On her way she was ordered, with HMS Upholder (Lt. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) and HMS Usk (Lt.Cdr. P.R. Ward, RN) and HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN), to patrol off the Gironde estuary to intercept U-boats expected there on 14-15 December but nothing was sighted.

The passage to Gibraltar therefore became her 2nd war patrol.

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

(10)

23 Dec 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (10)

28 Dec 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Gibraltar for Malta. Initially she was to cover the passage of the Excess convoy but it occurred after her passage.

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

(10)

6 Jan 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) arrived at Malta. (11)

8 Jan 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was docked at Malta. (11)

10 Jan 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was undocked. (11)

16 Jan 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Malta for her 3rd war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol the approaches to Tripoli, Libya.

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

(9)

22 Jan 1941 (position 32.55, 13.00)
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) attacked a merchant vessel with one torpedo about 10 nautical miles West of Tripoli, Libya. The torpedo missed and the target fled back towards Tripoli.

According to Italian sources this was the Italian merchant Dielpi (1520 GRT, built 1912) who was missed astern but she reported turning back to Tripoli because of the bad weather.

(All times are zone -1)
1300 hours - In position 32°55'N, 13°00'E sighted a large transport bearing 260°. Enemy course was 095° at a speed of 14 knots. Range was 13000 yards. A Cant Z501 flying boat was overhead. Started attack.

1342 hours - The attack had to be broken off, a pity as the target appeared to be 7000 to 10000 tons in size. A second ship was now spotted and the attack was shifted to this vessel which was of about 2000 tons. enemy course was 250° at a speed of 9 knots.

1356 hours - Fired one torpedo from 700 yards aimed just forward of the funnel. Upon firing Unique went to 75 feet. The torpedo was not heard to explode.

1417 hours - Returned to periscope depth and saw the target returning towards Tripoli with signals flying.

(9)

27 Jan 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (9)

7 Feb 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Malta for her 4th war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol near the Kerkenah Bank, Tunisia.

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

(9)

11 Feb 1941 (position 34.41, 11.50)
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) attacked a large transport east of Kerkenah (Tunisia). This was the German Arcturus (2576 GRT, built 1937) in company with German Merchants Alicante (2140 GRT, built 1934) and Ankara (4768 GRT, built 1937) escorted by the Italian destroyer Turbine and the Italian torpedo boat Orsa on their way to Tripoli. Arcturus reported three underwater explosions which were probably caused by torpedoes hitting the bottom.

(All times are zone -1)
0110 hours - In position 34°41'N, 11°50'E sighted a large transport and a tanker apparently unescorted, bearing 010°. Enemy course was 160°. Started attack.

0211 hours - Fired four torpedoes from 2500 yards at the transport. No hits were obtained as the speed was most likely higher then was estimated. After 14 minutes three torpedoes were heard exoloding on the bottom at theend of their run. The 4th torpedo had a gyro failure and was heard to pass over the after casing shortly after it was fired.

0330 hours - Surfaced. Nothing in sight. (9)

12 Feb 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) attacked a transport in a convoy east of Kerkenah (Tunisia).

According to Italian sources these were probably the Italian merchants Florida II (3100 GRT, built 1905), Audace (1446 GRT, built 1892) and Pegli (1673 GRT, built 1910) escorted by the Italian torpedo boat Calliope.

(All times are zone -1)
2340 hours (11 Feb 1941) – In position 34°43'N, 11°50'E sighted four vessels bearing 110 degrees in open formation.

2346 hours (11 Feb 1941) - Dived and closed the enemy.

0021 hours - Fired two torpedoes from 3500 yards. No hits were obtained although two hits were claimed.

0105 hours - Surfaced, nothing in sight. (9)

18 Feb 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 4th war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (9)

27 Feb 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Malta for her 5th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol to the West of Tripoli, Libya.

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

(9)

7 Mar 1941
A signal was supposed to be sent by Malta recalling HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN). Due to a mistake this signal was not sent and it was feared Unique had been lost when she failed to arrive at Malta. When she sank an Italian ship on the 10th, this ship sent out an SOS and it became clear Unique was not lost but returning to Malta as originally intended. (9)

10 Mar 1941 (position 34.19, 12.40)
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian passenger/cargo ship Fenicia (2584 GRT, built 1919) about 95 nautical miles north-west of Tripoli, Libya in position 34°19'N, 12°40'E.

According to Italian sources her escort, the armed merchant cruiser Attilio Deffenu (3510 GRT, built 1929), picked up 14 survivors and four corpses. The destroyer Baleno, escorting a nearby convoy, was detached to hunt the submarine and dropped ten depth charges in the area but without result.

(All times are zone -2)
0645 hours - In position 34°25'N, 12°40'E heard HE bearing 360°. Came to periscope depth and sighted an armed merchant cruiser escorting a laden merchant vessel of about 3500 tons. Started attack.

0659 hours - Fired three torpedoes at the merchant vessel from 2000 yards. 2 Minutes 15 seconds after firing the first torpedo an explosion was heard. HE ceased immediately. Unique meanwhile went to 150 feet. During the next hour 12 depth charges were dropped but these were not close. No more HE was heard after 0815 hours. (9)

11 Mar 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 5th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean) at Malta.

Unique returned to Malta with a defective Starboard main engine. This could not be repaired at sea and required a period of repairs at Malta. (9)

28 Mar 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Malta for her 6th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in / off the Gulf of Hammamet, Tunisia.

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

(9)

8 Apr 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 6th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. The only targets observed had been inside Tunisian territorial waters. (9)

9 Apr 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Malta for her 7th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Kerkenah, Tunisia.

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

(9)

11 Apr 1941
At 2110 hours (zone -1), while trying to attack an enemy convoy in position 34°58'N, 11°52'E, Unique was spotted and challenged by one of the escorts. The attack had to be broken off and Unique dived. (9)

15 Apr 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 7th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (9)

18 Apr 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was docked at Malta. (12)

21 Apr 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was undocked. (12)

2 May 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Malta for her 8th war patrol (6th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off the East coast of Sicily.

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

(9)

6 May 1941
While on patrol to the East of Sicily guarding the Southern approach to the Strait of Messina, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was unable to attack an Italian cruiser force and / or a convoy due to the fact she was out of position due to a navigational error.

(All times are zone -1)
0900 hours - Land fixes were taken and it became evident that Unique was more than 25 nautical miles out of position to the South-East. Set course to return to the intended patrol position.

1226 hours - In position 37°34'N, 15°27'E sighted a party of warships bearing 080°. (These were the Italian light cruisers Eugenio di Savoia, Emanuele Filiberto Duca d'Aosta , Muzio Attendolo. These were escorted by the Italian destroyers Antonio Pigafetta, Nicolo Zeno, Nicoloso da Recco, Alvise da Mosto and Giovanni da Verrazzano ). They were proceeding at a speed of 18 knots. Distance was about 9 nautical miles so an attack was out of the question.

1325 hours - In position 37°36'N, 15°28'E sighted 5 large merchant vessels bearing 070°. Distance was about 10 nautical miles. If Unique had been in her intended position shw could have attacked these two enemy forces. (This convoy was made up of the German merchants Marburg (7564 GRT, built 1928), Kybfels (7764 GRT, built 1937), Reichenfels (7744 GRT, built 1936) and the Italian merchants Marco Polo (12567 GRT, built 1912), Rialto (6099 GRT, built 1927). They were escorted by the Italian destroyers Fulmine, Euro and the Italian torpedo boats Procione, Orsa, Centauro, Cigno and Perseo. (9)

14 May 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 8th war patrol (6th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (9)

25 May 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Malta for her 9th war patrol (7th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol between the Kerkenah Bank and Lampedusa Island.

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

(13)

3 Jun 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) torpedoed and damaged (total loss) the Italian cargo ship Arsia (736 GRT, built 1900) inside Lampedusa harbour.

According to Italian sources Arsia was hit astern and cut in two with only the bow part protruding. The crew of 11 suffered no casualties but the nearby Egusa (275 GRT, built 1913) was damaged by the explosion and the motor fishing vessel Giuseppe Padre had two wounded from splinters.

(All times are zone -2)
2 June 1941
1825 hours - Spotted a small Italian convoy. The convoy entered Lampedusa harbour nearly an hour later.

3 June 1941
Unique closed the harbour submerged to investigate and found one of the ships in an exposed position, provided that the boom defences were not effective against torpedoes.

0753 hours - A torpedo was fired that struck the shore just astern of the ship. Indeed the boom defences were not torpedo proof, so another torpedo was fired at 0822 hours. This was a hit amidships. A big column of water and debris was thrown in the air followed by white smoke.

1650 hours - In 35°16.5'N, 12°38'E, Unique sighted a cruiser squadron (probably Duca Degli Abruzzi and Garibaldi escorted by four destroyers) but they were too far to intercept. (13)

5 Jun 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 9th war patrol (7th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (13)

15 Jun 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Malta for her 10th war patrol (8th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol between the Kerkenah Bank and Lampedusa Island.

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

(14)

20 Jun 1941 (position 35.33, 12.21)
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) tries to attack an enemy convoy East of Lampion Island. She is detected by the escort and depth charged so the attack had to be broken off.

This was probably the Caffaro convoy on passage from Tripoli to Naples.

(All times are zone -2)
1230 hours - In position 35°33'N, 12°21'E sighted a Northbound convoy of three merchant vessels in ballast. The convoy was escorted by three destroyers and three aircraft. The convoy was sighted bearing 125°, range 11000 yards, enemy course was 040°. The convoy soon altered oourse to 010°. The speed of the convoy was estimated at 6 to 7 knots. Closed at speed to attack.

1303 hours - The convoy altered course to 055°. Two of the escorting destroyers came towards Unique. As the sea was flat calm it is thought that aircraft had spotted Unique while submerged at periscope depth. Between looks Unique went to 50 feet to speed up but non the less it appeared she was detected.

1317 hours - The attack was broken off and Unique went deep. the convoy meanwhile had altered course to 340°.

1330 hours - The first depth charge was dropped. 12 Were dropped during the next 20 minutes. One pattern of five was fairly close.

1400 hours - HE faded out on bearing 320°. Unique meanwhile retired to the North-East at 90 feet. (14)

22 Jun 1941 (position 35.41, 12.15)
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) again tries to attack an enemy convoy East of Lampion Island. Yet again she is detected by the escort and depth charged so the attack had to be broken off.

The convoy attacked was made up of the Italian merchants Tembien (5584 GRT, built 1914), Col di Lana (5891 GRT, built 1926), Giulia (5921 GRT, built 1926), Ernesto (7399 GRT, built 1914), the German merchants Amsterdam (8673 GRT, built 1921) and Wachtfels (8467 GRT, built 1928). They were escorted by the Italian destroyer Lanzerotto Malocello and the Italian torpedo-boats Procione, Orsa and Pegaso. The convoy was on passage from Tripoli to Naples. The submarine was first located by an aircraft and it was the torpedo-boat Pegaso which was detached to hunt the submarine and carried out the depth-charge attack. She claimed the submarine at least severely damaged but this was not the case.

(All times are zone -2)
1055 hours - While in position 35°41'N, 12°15'E heard distant depth charges being dropped to the Southward. Looks like the reported convoy was approaching.

1120 hours - Sighted smoke and one aircraft bearing 140°.

1125 hours - Sighted one merchant vessel of 6000 tons followed by others that could not yet be identified. Range was about 14000 yards. Three destroyers were seen to be escorting as well as two aircraft.

1203 hours - The convoy was seen to alter course from 320° to 265°. Destroyers were seen to be closing Unique.

1207 hours - An aircraft was seen at 1000 feet 3000 yards away. The attack was broken off and Unique went deep.

1210 hours - Five explosions were heard, most likely the aircraft had dropped bombs or depth charges.

1237 hours - The first of a group of single depth charges was dropped fairly close. The attack was intensified at 1250, 1255 and 1314 hours when up to 17 depth charges were dropped at a time.

1335 hours - The 52th depth charge was dropped, this was the last one that was fairly close.

1351 hours - The last depth charges were dropped. A total of about 80 had been dropped. (14)

28 Jun 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 10th war patrol (8th in the Mediterranean) at Malta.

As Unique had still all her torpedoes on board she was sent out again to intercept vichy-French re-inforcements proceeding towards Syria. This was her 11th war patrol (9th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol near position 37°50'N, 16°02'E but no target came within range.

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

(13)

3 Jul 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 11th war patrol (9th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (14)

19 Jul 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Malta with HMS Encounter (Lt.Cdr. E.V.St.J. Morgan, RN) and and HMS Beryl (Mid. H.W. du Boisson, RNR) (15)

20 Jul 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Malta for her 12th war patrol (10th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol South of the Strait of Messina.

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

(13)

29 Jul 1941
At 0100 hours HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) landed a Folbot-party near position 38°01'N, 15°27'E with the objective to place explosive charges on the train tracks. At 0138 hours the Folbot-party (Corporal R.H. Brown and Lance Corporal J.R.A. Ferguson) returned and Unique retired to seaward. At 0325 hours an explosion was seen on the land as a train must have hit the charges.

According to Italian sources the locomotive and 13 wagons were derailed (some of them carrying German stores) and the engineer was wounded but the line was re-established at noon. (13)

30 Jul 1941
At 0003 hours (zone -2) HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) landed a Folbot-party near position 37°55'N, 15°54'E with the objective to place explosive charges on the train tracks. At 0123 hours the Folbot-party returned and Unique retired to seaward. No explosions were seen however before Unique cleared the area.

Italian sources have not reported any incident in this area.

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

Later the same day Unique attacked an Italian auxiliary patrol vessel (schooner) with one torpedo in position 37°30'N, 15°35'E. The torpedo most likely ran under. With the surprise now gone it was decided not to attack with the gun.

(All times are zone -2)
1801 hours - Fired one torpedo (Mark II) at an armed 4-masted auxiliary patrol schooner in position 37°30'N, 15°35'E from 700 yards. The torpedo ran under. The target hoisted two flags, made a circle and then close Unique's firing position. Another schooner (2-masted) joined her and they appeared to be listening. Both departed the area to the South-West at 1850 hours.
(13)

4 Aug 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 12th war patrol (10th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (13)

8 Aug 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was docked at Malta. (16)

13 Aug 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was undocked. (16)

16 Aug 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) departed Malta for her 13th war patrol (11th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Tripoli, Libya. Lt. Hezlet had taken over from Lt. Collett for this patrol in order to give Lt. Collett a rest.

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

(13)

25 Aug 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was docked at Malta. (16)

1 Sep 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was undocked. (17)

5 Sep 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Malta for her 14th war patrol (12th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Tyrrhenian Sea.

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

(13)

15 Sep 1941 (position 40.27, 14.18)
At 1257 hours, while in position in position 40°27'N, 14°18'E, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) had just come to periscope depth, when an Italian submarine of the 'Adua'- class was sighted bearing 310°, steering 185°, apparently exercising with a 'Generale'-class destroyer / torpedo-boat. This was almost certainly the Italian submarine Corallo exercising at the time with the torpedo-boat Generale Antonio Cascino.

HMS Unique was unable to gain an attacking position and was thwarted by the presence of the destroyer / torpedo-boat. (18)

19 Sep 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 14th war patrol (12th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. It had been a most frustrating patrol with several sightings but no opportunities for attack. (13)

5 Oct 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was docked at Malta. (19)

7 Oct 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was undocked. (19)

9 Oct 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Malta for her 15th war patrol (13th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to a position South-East of Cape Bon, Tunisia to intercept a Southbound convoy. As the convoy passed well to the East, Unique was ordered to her patrol area in the Tyrrhenian Sea.

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

(13)

14 Oct 1941 (position 40.27, 14.21)
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) made a torpedo attack on an Italian armed merchant cruiser South of Naples Bay. A torpedo hit is claimed as the ship appeared to be damaged.

According to Italian sources this was the armed merchant cruiser Adriatico escorting the water tanker Cassala (1771 GRT, built 1902) from Naples to Messina. All four torpedoes missed. One was avoided by Adriatico and two by Cassala. The torpedo boat Giuseppe Missori and the 3rd A/S Group were ordered to hunt the submarine but found nothing.

(All times are zone -1)
1210 hours - In position 40°27'N, 14°21'E sighted smoke bearing 350°.

1236 hours - Sighted two merchant vessels bearing 335°. Range was about 8 nautical miles. They were altering course to pass South through Bocca Piccolo. Unique altered course to attack. The leading ship was identified as a Citta di Genova-class or Birmania-class. The ship was painted white and was most likely an Armed Merchant Cruiser. The second ship was a 'funnel-aft' merchant vessel of about 5000 tons in ballast.

1314 hours - Fired four torpedoes from 3500 yards.

1330 hours - Observed the AMC stopped with a black streak down her starboard side. It appears she was hit. The merchant vessel meanwhile had turned round and was making back to Naples. Unique went deep again and retired to the South-East. Lt. Collett was critisized by Capt. S.10 for this action as he should have reloaded one torpedo tube very quickly to finish off the damaged ship. (13)

21 Oct 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 15th war patrol (13th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (13)

1 Nov 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Malta for her 16th war patrol (14th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Benghasi, Libya.

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

(14)

17 Nov 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 16th war patrol (14th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. During this patrol she suffered from engine defects and again there were several sightings but no attack could develop. (14)

1 Dec 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 17th war patrol (15th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol to the Southward of Messina.

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

(14)

14 Dec 1941
At 0921 hours, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was in position 37°45'N, 15°43'E when a battleship with a destroyer were sighted at a range of 7 miles, on course 127° at 19.5 knots. The submarine tried to close submerged at full speed but to no avail. This was the damaged Vittorio Veneto (torpedoed by HMS Urge (Lt.Cdr. E.P. Tomkinson, DSO, RN)). (14)

15 Dec 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) ended her 17th war patrol (15th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (14)

21 Dec 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) was docked at Malta. (20)

27 Dec 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) was undocked. (20)

29 Dec 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 18th war patrol (16th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Gulf of Taranto.

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

(14)

5 Jan 1942 (position 40.07, 17.07)
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) attacked the Italian battleship Littorio with torpedoes in the Gulf of Taranto in position 40°07'N, 17°07'E. All torpedoes fired missed their target despite the claim for a hit. The Italian battlegroup (including the battleship Giulio Cesare and destroyers Carabiniere, Alpino, Antonio da Noli, Antonio Pigafetta, Ascari and Fuciliere) was returning to Taranto after covering the Monviso convoy.

(All times are zone -1)
1453 hours - Faint HE was heard bearing 140° and 3 minutes later a warships mast was sighted bearing 130°.

1458 hours - In position 40°07'N, 17°'07'E a second look revealed more than one warship.

1500 hours - Unique was now right ahead of what appeared to be a large warship (battleship) escorted by one cruiser and five destroyers. Started attack.

1505 hours - When coming to periscope depth Unique lost trim before a look could be obtained.

1510 hours - HE from an escorting destroyer was heard all round forcing Unique to 50 feet until she had passed.

1524 hours - Returned to periscope depth to find that the battleship had changed course many minutes ago.

1530 hours - Despite not being in a very good attack position now Unique fired four torpedoes.

1540 hours - After approximately 9000 yards of running range a very heavy explosion occured. It was thought that one of the torpedoes had hit the target (but this was not the case). (14)

11 Jan 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) ended her 18th war patrol (16th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (14)

15 Jan 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 19th war patrol (17th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol South of Messina.

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

(21)

21 Jan 1942 (position 36.55, 15.38)
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) attacked an Italian submarine with four torpedoes about 25 nautical miles South-East of August, Sicily, Italy in position 36°55'N, 15°38'E. No hits were obtained.

According to Italian sources this was Ciro Menotti (C.C. Ugo Gelli) returning to Augusta from a transport mission to Tripoli but the attack was unobserved.

(All times are zone -1)
0700 hours - While Unique was in position 36°55'N, 15°38'E HE was heard bearing 110° moving left. Unique was at 70 feet and immediately went to periscope depth but nothing could be seen. HE changed bearing rapidly and it was thought that a destroyer or torpedo boat was nearby. The HE faded out after a few minutes. Later it was thought this might have been a submarine.

0716 hours - HE was reported bearing 160° and it was moving slowly to the right.

0720 hours - A small dark object was seen on this bearing and all tubes were brought to the ready.

0724 hours - It was thought the contact was an enemy submarine. Started attack but a good set up could not be immediately obtained.

0730 hours - Now also the high power (attack) periscope malfunctioned. The low power periscope now had to be used.

0737 hours - Four torpedoes were now finally fired from 2000 yards. They all missed and the submarine was lost from view at 0748 hours. (21)

22 Jan 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) ended her 19th war patrol (17th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (21)

2 Feb 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 20th war patrol (18th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol South of Messina.

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

(21)

9 Feb 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) is ordered to patrol off the Gulf of Taranto. (21)

13 Feb 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) heard heavy depth charging between 0719 and 0956 hours. This was HMS Tempest (Lt.Cdr. W.A.K.N. Cavaye, RN) that was being hunted by the Italians. (21)

18 Feb 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) ended her 20th war patrol (18th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. This was another frustrating patrol patrol with several sightings but no attack carried out.

While approaching Malta HMS Unique was grounded. She was refloated after a few hour. After entering harbour she was docked for inspection of the damage which was moderate. (21)

27 Feb 1942
A court of inquiry was held at Malta to investigate the grounding of HMS Unique of 18 February.

28 Feb 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) was undocked. (22)

4 Mar 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed Malta for Gibraltar. Unique was to proceed to the U.K. to refit. On board was an Italian human torpedo that was to be brought to the U.K. for study.

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

(23)

5 Mar 1942
At 0123 hours, just off Malta, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) was machine-gunned by a German Junker 88 and forced to dive but she suffered no damage. (23)

14 Mar 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (23)

19 Mar 1942
HMS Unique (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed Gibraltar for Portsmouth. (23)

29 Mar 1942
HMS Unique (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) arrived at Portsmouth. (23)

31 Mar 1942
HMS Unique (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed Portsmouth for Sheerness. (23)

1 Apr 1942
HMS Unique (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) arrived at Sheerness. (24)

2 Apr 1942
HMS Unique (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) shifted from Sheerness to the Chatham Dockyard where she was to refit. (24)


Submarine HMS Upright (N 89)


16 Jul 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) ended her refit at Blyth. She was now assigned to training duties. (25)

27 Jul 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed Blyth for Dundee. (25)

28 Jul 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) arrived at Dundee. (25)

1 Aug 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed Dundee for Scapa Flow together with HMS P 54 (Lt. C.E. Oxborrow, DSC, RN). They were escorted by HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR). (26)

2 Aug 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow to participate in A/S exercises. (26)

3 Aug 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) carried out independent exercises at Scapa Flow. (27)

5 Aug 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) carried out exercises off Scapa Flow with HMS Anson (Capt. H.R.G. Kinahan, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral Sir B. Fraser, CB, KBE, RN) and her destroyer screen made up of the destroyers HMS Inglefield (Cdr. A.G. West, RN), HMS Windsor (Lt.Cdr. D.H.F. Hetherington, DSC, RN) and HMS Walpole (Lt. A.S. Pomeroy, RN) which were out exercising. The battleship and her destroyers remained out exercising during the night. (28)

6 Aug 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) carried out exercises off Scapa Flow with HMS Anson (Capt. H.R.G. Kinahan, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral Sir B. Fraser, CB, KBE, RN) and her destroyer screen which was made up of HMS Inglefield (Cdr. A.G. West, RN), HMS Windsor (Lt.Cdr. D.H.F. Hetherington, DSC, RN), HMS Walpole (Lt. A.S. Pomeroy, RN) and HMS Panther (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Jocelyn, RN). This last destroyer had joined HMS Anson and the other three destroyers in the afternoon. (26)

7 Aug 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) carried out exercises with HMS Panther (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Jocelyn, RN), HMS Worcester (Lt.Cdr. W.A. Juniper, RN), HMS Avon Vale (Lt.Cdr. P.A.R. Withers, DSO, RN), USS Emmons (Lt.Cdr. T.C. Ragan, USN) and HMS Sheffield (Capt. A.W. Clarke, RN). (26)

8 Aug 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) carried out experimental A/S exercises. (26)

10 Aug 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) carried out A/S exercises with HMS Gleaner (Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Hewitt, DSC, RN), HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN), HMS Panther (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Jocelyn, RN) and HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Roper, DSC, RN). (26)

11 Aug 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) carried out A/S exercises with HMS Avon Vale (Lt.Cdr. P.A.R. Withers, DSO, RN), HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Roper, DSC, RN), HMS Worcester (Lt.Cdr. W.A. Juniper, RN) and HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN). (26)

13 Aug 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) carried out A/S exercises with HNoMS Eskdale (Lt.Cdr. S. Storheill), RHS Adrias, HMS Gleaner (Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Hewitt, DSC, RN) and HMS Harrier (Cdr. A.D.H. Jay, DSC, RN). (26)

14 Aug 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) carried out A/S exercises with HMS Milne (Capt. I.M.R. Campbell, RN), HNoMS Eskdale (Lt.Cdr. S. Storheill) and RHS Kanaris. (26)

15 Aug 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) carried out independent exercises at Scapa Flow. (26)

17 Aug 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) carried out A/S exercises with HMS Milne (Capt. I.M.R. Campbell, RN) and RHS Kanaris. (26)

18 Aug 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) carried out A/S exercises with HMS Inglefield (Cdr. A.G. West, RN) and HNoMS Eskdale (Lt.Cdr. S. Storheill). (26)

19 Aug 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) carried out A/S exercises with HMS Milne (Capt. I.M.R. Campbell, RN) and HMS Windor (Lt.Cdr. D.H.F. Hetherington, RN). (26)

20 Aug 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) carried out A/S exercises with Motor Launches. (26)

22 Aug 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) carried out independent exercises at Scapa Flow. (26)

23 Aug 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Dundee. She made the passage together with the Free French submarine FFS Rubis. They were escorted by HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR). (26)

24 Aug 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) arrived at Dundee. (26)

25 Aug 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed Dundee for Blyth. She was escorted by HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR). (26)

26 Aug 1942
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) arrived at Blyth. At Blyth she was used for the training of new submarine crews. (26)

27 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (29)

2 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (29)

3 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (29)

4 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (29)

5 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (29)

7 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (29)

8 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (29)

9 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (29)

10 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (29)

11 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (29)

15 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (29)

16 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (29)

17 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (29)

18 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (29)

21 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (29)

22 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (29)

23 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (29)

28 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (29)

29 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (29)

5 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (30)

6 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (30)

7 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (30)

8 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (30)

9 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (30)

13 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (30)

14 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (30)

16 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (30)

19 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (30)

19 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (30)

21 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (30)

22 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (30)

23 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (30)

26 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (30)

27 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (30)

29 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (30)

2 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (31)

3 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (31)

4 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (31)

6 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (31)

10 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (31)

16 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (31)

17 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (31)

18 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (31)

19 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (31)

20 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (31)

23 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (31)

24 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (31)

25 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (31)

26 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (31)

27 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (31)

30 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (31)

1 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (32)

2 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (32)

3 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (32)

7 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (32)

8 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (32)

9 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (32)

10 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners. (32)


Submarine HMS Tactician (P 314)


9 Jan 1943
HMS P 314 (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Holy Loch for Lerwick. She makes the passage with HMS Trident (Lt. P.E. Newstead, RN) and HMS P 224 (Lt. J.R. Drummond, DSC, RN). They are escorted by They were escorted by HMS Qualicum (T/Lt. F.S. Tolliday, RNR). (33)

11 Jan 1943
HMS P 314 (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) arrived at Lerwick. She departed Lerwick later on the same day for her 1st war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off Northern Norway to provide cover for convoy operations to and from Northern Russia.

20 minutes after departing P 314 returned to Lerwick with a major defect to the Starboard main motor. (34)

18 Jan 1943
After repairs to her Starboard main motor HMS P 314 (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Lerwick to resume her 1st war patrol.

For the daily positions of HMS P 314 during this patrol see the map below.

(34)

26 Jan 1943
HMS P 314 (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) was ordered to return to Lerwick. (34)

29 Jan 1943
HMS P 314 (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) was ordered to proceed to a patrol position North of Trondheim, Norway (64°35'N, 09°44'E). (34)

31 Jan 1943
HMS P 314 (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) was ordered to proceed to a patrol position South of Trondheim, Norway (63°14'N, 06°46'E). (34)

6 Feb 1943
HMS P 314 (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) was ordered to return to Lerwick. (34)

8 Feb 1943
HMS P 314 (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Lerwick. (34)

11 Feb 1943
HMS P 314 (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed Lerwick for Holy Loch. She made the passage together with HMS P 216 (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, RN) and HMS P 53 (Lt. G.E. Hunt, RN). They were escorted by HMS Pennyworth (T/Lt. R.A. Mason, RNVR). (33)

14 Feb 1943
HMS P 314 (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (35)

19 Feb 1943
HMS P 314 (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) is docked at Ardrossan. The date she is undocked is currently not known to us. (36)

7 Mar 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Holy Loch for Gibraltar. She is to join the Mediterranean Fleet.

As there is nog log available for this period no map can be displayed. (34)

18 Mar 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (34)

28 Mar 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Gibraltar for her 2nd war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Southern France.

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

(34)

13 Apr 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean) at Algiers. (34)

23 Apr 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Algiers for her 3rd war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol East of Corsica.

As there is nog log available for this period no map can be displayed. (34)

30 Apr 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) fired three torpedoes against the French passenger/cargo vessel Cap Corse (2444 GRT, built 1929) North-East of Bastia, Corsica. No hits were obtained.

(All times are zone -1)
0615 hours - While in position 067°, Cape Sagro, 3.5 nautical miles a French merchant vessel of approximately 2000 tons was sighted steering North at a speed of about 11 knots. Started attack.

0624 hours - Fired three torpedoes. No hits were obtained.

0630 hours - Withdrew to the South.

Cap Corse was on a trip from Bastia to Nice escorted by a seaplane of 146^Squadriglia. She reported being missed by three torpedoes. (34)

5 May 1943 (position 42.34, 10.45)
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) sank the Italian auxiliary patrol vessel V17 / Pia (385 GRT) with gunfire about 10 nautical miles west of Grosseto, Italy in position 42°34'N, 10°45'E.

(All times are zone -1)
1830 hours - In position 42°34'N, 10°45'E sighted a large three-masted schooner. Decided to attack with the 4" gun.

1911 hours - Surfaced at a range of 2500 yards and sank the schooner with gunfire. 29 Rounds were used.

1918 hours - Submerged as the target was now well ablaze from end to end.

1955 hours - The schooner was seen to sink. (34)

11 May 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean) at Algiers. (34)

22 May 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Algiers for Malta.

As there is nog log available for this period no map can be displayed. (37)

28 May 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) arrived at Malta. (35)

3 Jun 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Malta for her 4th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Adriatic.

As there is nog log available for this period no map can be displayed. (34)

12 Jun 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) damaged the Italian motor schooner Bice (1098 GRT, built 1902) with gunfire 5 nautical miles north-east of the Bari lighthouse.

1220 hours (no time zone given in patrol report) - Tactician surfaced and engaged a large schooner with gunfire from 2200 yards. The schooner was escorted by an armed vessel that was approximately 4500 yards away.

The first round was fired only 24 seconds after Tactician passed 10 feet. The fourth and fifth round were a hits on the schooners hull. The crew of the schooner abandoned ship.

About 5 minutes into the action the armed vessel opened fire on Tactician which now shifted target. Several hits were obtained on this vessel with one of the hits knocking out it's gun. The enemy vessel eventually fled towards Bari harbour.

Target was now shifted back to the schooner again that soon started to settle after several more hits.

1234 hours - Tactician was taken under fire by shore batteries forcing Lt.Cdr. Collett to dive and break off the action.

1320 hours - 23 Depth charges were dropped but these caused no damage.

According to Italian sources the above mentioned Bice was on a trip from Durazzo to Bari and was being led in by the pilot vessel Letizia (F.122). The latter opened fire on the submarine with a small gun. Bice was only slightly damaged but he crew had abandoned ship and Letizia had a hit on the balustrade holding the compass causing only minor damage but several shells fell very close to her. By this time coastal batteries had opened fire on the submarine which submerged. Letizia followed up and dropped four depth-charges then the crew boarded back Bice and, towed by the pilot vessel, she reached Bari at 1600 hrs. Marina Bari had immediately ordered the torpedo-boat Giuseppe Missori, the auxiliary minesweeper S.Nicola I (B.296) and the motorboat 23 to hunt the submarine. (34)

14 Jun 1943 (position 40.14, 19.28)
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) torpedoed and damaged the Italian merchant Rosandra (8035 GRT, built 1921) off the coast of Albania in position 40°14'N, 19°28'E. The ship sank the following day.

1610 hours (no time zone given in patrol report) - Tactician was in position 15 nautical miles bearing 155 Cape Linguetta, a northbound merchant vessel of 7600 tons was sighted close inshore.

1641 hours - Four torpedoes were fired when range was closed to 2200 yards. Although no escort was seen during the setup of the attack there was one that closed Tactician and forced her deep shortly after firing the torpedoes.

Before the last torpedo exploded a depth charge was dropped that was very close. Within 10 minutes 16 more depth charges were dropped with three of them even closer then the first one. No real damage was done and the escort lost contact soon after.

According to Italian sources Rosandra was on a trip from Prevesa to Valona escorted by the auxiliary Rovigno. She was hit by two torpedoes and taken in tow by the minesweeper Monfalcone but the ship sank the following day. Six were killed, Rovigno picked up 173 survivors. (34)

18 Jun 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) ended her 4th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (34)

3 Jul 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Malta for her 5th war patrol (4th 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.

As there is nog log available for this period no map can be displayed. (34)

10 Jul 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) was ordered to patrol in the Adriatic. (34)

16 Jul 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) fires six torpedoes against the Italian submarine Luigi Settembrini that was about to enter Brindisi harbour. No hits were obtained.

Later on this day she set course to return to the Gulf of Taranto as ordered by Captain S.10.

(All times are most likely zone -1)
1300 hours - Sighted a trawler leaving Brindisi and proceeding up to swept channel.

1350 hours - The trawler was seen to proceed back towards Brindisi.

1356 hours - It was now seen that a submarine was following the trawler up the swept channel. Started attack.

1403 hours - Fired six torpedoes. No hits were obtained. Tactician now set course to retire from the Adriatic.

According to Italian sources Settembrini was on passage from Pola to Brindisi. The Italian submarine observed two torpedo tracks astern, one at about 200 meters and another just only 15 meters. (34)

22 Jul 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) was ordered to proceed to Beirut. (34)

25 Jul 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) ended her 5th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean) at Beirut. (34)

8 Aug 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Beirut for Port Said.

As there is nog log available for this period no map can be displayed. (35)

10 Aug 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) arrived at Port Said. (35)

12 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) is docked at Port Said. (38)

17 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) is undocked. (38)

18 Aug 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Port Said for her 6th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Aegean and to perform a special operation. (34)

26 Aug 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) carries out special operation ' Bromfield '. At 2330 hours, the submarine landed three Greek agents on the north side of Karalades Bay (Euboa). (34)

5 Sep 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) ended her 6th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean) at Beirut. (34)

19 Sep 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Beirut for Port Said. Tactician is to proceed to Colombo to join the Eastern Fleet to fight against the Japanese. (35)

20 Sep 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) arrived at Port Said. (35)

21 Sep 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) transits the Suez Canal and proceeds towards Aden.

As there is nog log available for this period no map can be displayed. (35)

26 Sep 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) arrived at Aden. (35)

30 Sep 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Aden bound for Colombo.

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

(35)

12 Oct 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) arrived at Colombo. (39)

18 Oct 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Colombo for her 7th war patrol (1st in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol off Penang, Malaya. She is also to carry out a special operation.

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

(34)

26 Oct 1943
From 26 to 28 October 1943 HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) carries out special operation MISSIVE I.

[so far no details about the operation, the first appears to have been a reconnaissance of the NW coast of Pulo Langkawi, the second may have been a contact with a sampan but it is just a guess]. (34)

7 Nov 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) ended her 7th war patrol (1st in the Far East) at Colombo. (34)

13 Nov 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) is docked at Colombo. (40)

15 Nov 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) left dock. (40)

27 Nov 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Colombo for her 8th war patrol (2nd in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol off the West coast of Siam. She is also to carry out two special operations.

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

(34)

4 Dec 1943
From 4 to 7 December HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) tries to carry out the first (Operation ' Missive II ') of the two special operation she was to carry out during this patrol. The special operation was not a success and had to be abandoned.

During 5 and 7 December Tactician waited for a junk with several secret agents to show up off Langkawi. The junk however did not show up at the rendezvous.

On 6 December a junk was boarded off Pulau Rebak. After taking off the papers the junk was released. (34)

9 Dec 1943
From 9 to 16 December HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) tries to carry out the second of the two special operatives she was to carry out during this patrol. Like the first special operation this one was also not a success and had to be abandoned late on 16 December (details to follow).

Attempted to make contact with agent Luang Pradit without success about 30 nautical miles North of Phuket, Siam (Operation ' Pritchard '. Nothing of the agent was however sighted. at 2200 hours on the 12th a group of two were landed to make a shore reconnaissance. They also sighted nothing and were back on board Tactician after four hours. (34)

20 Dec 1943
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) ended her 8th war patrol (2nd in the Far East) at Trincomalee. (34)

5 Jan 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Trincomalee for her 9th war patrol (3rd in the Far East) after carrying out exercices with the Italian sloop Eritrea. She was ordered to patrol off the North coast of Sumatra. She is also to carry out a special operation.

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

(34)

9 Jan 1944 (position 6.21, 93.22)
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) encounters a submarine about 40 nautical miles South-East of Great Nicobar Island in position 06°21'N, 93°22'E. It was not possible to identify the submarine. As it might have been a British submarine returning to Trincomalee it was not attacked.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0030 hours - In position 06°21'N, 93°22'E the Officer of the Watch dived for a submarine 3000 yards ahead. The submarine was easily picked up in the high power periscope. All bow tubes were brought to the ready. It was however not possible to positively identify the submarine as enemy. It appeared she had a large conning tower or tower and gun combined and a rising bow, just like the 'T-class'. The submarine was therefore not attacked.

No British submarine was in this area at the given time. The Japanese submarine

I-165 (offsite link) had departed Penang on 7 January 1944 and it is quite likely that she was the submarine Tactician encountered. (34)

12 Jan 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) conducts special operation VERSATILE. At 2210 hours Tactician landed three agents in two 'Recce' boats North-West of the Bedagei River (near position 03°36.4'N, 99°18.6'E). (34)

17 Jan 1944 (position 5.29, 96.30)
At 0530 hours, in position 05°29'N, 96°30'E, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) first detected with her hydrophones and later sighted an unescorted seaplane tender of the Kagu Maru class but she passed out of range. (34)

26 Jan 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) ended her 9th war patrol (3rd in the Far East) at Trincomalee. (34)

10 Feb 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Trincomalee for her 10th war patrol (4th in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol in the Malacca Straits. She is also to carry out a special operation.

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

(34)

16 Feb 1944
During the afternoon HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) carries out periscope reconnaissance of the West and North coasts of Pulau Butang and Pulau Rawi. A suitable landing spot was sighted. (34)

17 Feb 1944
During 17 and 18 February 1944 HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) tried to intercept a suitable junk that could be used for special operation 'Mullet'. She however failed to intercept one. (34)

20 Feb 1944 (position 5.53, 96.46)
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) attacks a Japanese submarine South of Langkawi in position 05°53'5N, 99°46'2E. Five torpedoes were fired but these missed.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0725 hours - Tactician spotted a Japanese submarine on the surface steering course 125.

0729 hours - Five torpedoes were fired from 5000-6000 yards. All five torpedoes missed the target. It was intended to fire eight torpedoes but when the 5th torpedo was fired it was realised that the targets speed was underestimated.

This was possibly the Japanese submarine RO-111 (offsite link) that returned to Penang from patrol in the Indian Ocean on 23 February 1944. (34)

20 Feb 1944
At 0130 hours HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) boards a junk near Langkawi. The junk however proved to be useless for the special operation. The crew was so frightened of the Japanese that they refused to co-operate with the British. The junk was released. The next day Tactician was ordered to patrol elsewhere. (41)

23 Feb 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) lands the 'Mullet' party. The party were sighted by local fishermen and decided to return to Tactician. As it was becoming light they had to wait till after dark before they could return.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0330 hours - The 'Mullet' party left Tactician in two folbots to land on Langkawi. They were equipped with stores for six days. As they landed they ran into a group of local fishermen. They endeavoured to return to Tactician but there was insufficient time before daylight so they landed after all. They hoisted a signal that they were returning after dusk so Tactician remained in the area.

Shortly after dark the party departed the beach for Tactician but in the dark they missed the submarine. Only after Tactician sounded her siren they realised they were to the seaward of the submarine. They finally returned at 2230 hours.

Tactician was later ordered by signal to abandon the operation. (41)

29 Feb 1944 (position 3.03, 100.18)
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) sank a small merchant vessel with gunfire and a torpedo in the Malacca Straits in position 03°03'N, 100°18'E.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1315 hours (28th) - In position 02°49'N, 100°22'E sighted a small merchant vessel steaming North.

1430 hours (28th) - Tactician surfaced astern of the target and opened fire from 1200 yards. A gun on the stern of the enemy was immediately put out of action. A large number of men, thought to be passengers, were seen to jump overboard. Fire was checked to give them the chance to abandon ship but the enemy sent over a hail of machine gun fire so fire was reopened. The engines were put out of action and the enemy ship stopped. Tactician then altered course to get to the front of the enemy to hole her forward. This unfortunately opened up the arcs of the enemy's forward gun. A further 15 rounds were fired nearly all scoring hits. The enemy's fire was now becoming more accurate. Tactician now went under the enemy's stern again. After firing more rounds resulting in more hits the enemy still did not appear to be sinking so it was decided to dive to open the range and finish the ship off from out of range from her gun.

1502 hours (28th) - Sighted smoke approaching from the North-East, which soon proved to be a Northbound tanker of about 800 tons. Course was immediately altered to intercept. Meanwhile the original target had settled aft, it's engine room was obviously completely flooded and it was hoped she would sink without further persuasion.

1800 hours (28th) - The tanker was now out of sight.

1830 hours (28th) - Surfaced to intercept. Proceeded northwards. The tanker was however not seen again. Proceeded back to the area of the original action.

Before dawn the next day (29th) the scene of the action was approached with caution. The target was seen to be still afloat and stopped. Dived at 0509 hours (29th) and commenced a submerged approach. As the periscope was seen and being fired upon it was decided to attack with a torpedo from 700 yards at 0730 hours (29th). It however ran under. A second torpedo was therefore fired that hit the target just forward of the bridge and the ship sank immediately in position 03°03'N, 100°18'E. (34)

7 Mar 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) ended her 10th war patrol (4th in the Far East) at Trincomalee. (34)

13 Mar 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Trincomalee for Colombo. (42)

15 Mar 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) arrived at Colombo. (42)

17 Mar 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) is docked at Colombo. (42)

25 Mar 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) left dock. (42)

27 Mar 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Colombo for Trincomalee. (42)

29 Mar 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) arrived at Trincomalee. (42)

31 Mar 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Trincomalee for her 11th war patrol (5th in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol near Phuket on the West coast of Siam. She is also to carry out a special operation.

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

(34)

5 Apr 1944
From 5 to 9 April 1944 HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) carries out her special operation Corton II. (34)

6 Apr 1944
At 0100 hours off Elphinstone Island, contact was made with the Corton I party (Captain Green) who came on board HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN). At 0230 hours the Corton II party (Captain Maitland) and Green left the submarine in four folbots.

At 2200 hours the submarine returned to pick up Captain Green who made a report and the remaining stores were landed. (34)

8 Apr 1944
Captain Green reported all the stores safely ashore and at 0001 hours 9 April, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) resumed her patrol. (34)

16 Apr 1944
While en-route from the Phuket area to the Sabang area for air/sea rescue duties during 'Operation Cockpit', as ordered by signal, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) encounters HMS Taurus in position 06°37'N, 96°18'E. (34)

19 Apr 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) picks up an Allied fighter pilot that was shot down off Sabang. Tactician was providing air/sea rescue duties during 'Operation Cockpit'.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0530 hours - Tactician was in position 06°00'N, 95°10'E and remained, as ordered, patrolling on the surface.

0645 hours - Several formations of aircraft were seen approaching Sabang. The next 20 minutes all hell broke loose in Sabang. Large fires were seen.

0705 hours - An aircraft was seen to crash bearing 100 about 5 nautical miles away. Tactician immediately closed the position at full speed.

0725 hours - A Japanese Chidori class torpedo boat was seen to leave Sabang harbour and proceed along the coast to the North-East for the next 20 minutes.

The torpedo boat steadily got closer until he was only 11000 yards away. It appeared that he was going to beat us in the race towards the crash position. Shortly afterwards the torpedo boat was attacked by Allied aircraft and changed course to the South-East.

0740 hours - Tactician arrived at the crash position to look for the pilot.

0822 hours - The pilot was spotted and picked up from the water. Meanwhile Tactician had been taken under fire by a shore battery. The shells landed very close and Tactician was hit by shrapnel.

0824 hours - Dived and proceeded to the North-West. (34)

23 Apr 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) ended her 11th war patrol (5th in the Far East) at Trincomalee. (34)

10 May 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Trincomalee for her 12th war patrol (6th in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol in the Northern entrance to the Malacca Straits and to lay a minefield.

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

(34)

16 May 1944 (position 6.29, 99.53)
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) lays 12 mines to the North-East off Langkawi near position 06°29'N, 99°52'E.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1341 hours - Commenced laying the first row of four mines.
Position of 1st mine:
06°29'08"N, 99°53'10"E.
Position of 4th mine:
06°28'50"N, 99°52'47"E.

1445 hours - Commenced laying the second row of four mines.
Position of 1st mine:
06°29'55"N, 99°53'05"E.
Position of 4th mine:
06°30'16"N, 99°53'23"E.

1540 hours - Commenced laying the third and last row of four mines.
Position of 1st mine:
06°29'52"N, 99°51'57"E.
Position of 4th mine:
06°29'32"N, 99°52'10"E.
(34)

28 May 1944 (position 6.43, 99.29)
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) sank two sailing vessels with gunfire of the west coast of Siam, to the North-West of Langkawi.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1815 hours - Surfaced and closed two junks sighted shortly before. Boarded both junks and took eight prisoners (Chinese). The junks were sunk with scuttling charges near position 06°43'N, 99°29'E.
(34)

3 Jun 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) ended her 12th war patrol (6th in the Far East) at Trincomalee. (34)

20 Jun 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Trincomalee for the U.K. where she is to refit. The first leg of the trip is to Aden. (35)

2 Jul 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Aden. (35)

5 Jul 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Aden for Port Said. (35)

10 Jul 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Port Said. (35)

13 Jul 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Port Said for Malta. (35)

17 Jul 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Malta. (35)

24 Jul 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Malta for Gibraltar. She makes the passage in convoy MKS-56. (35)

29 Jul 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. She departed later the same day for passage to Holy Loch. She makes the passage in the same convoy she joined at Malta. (Convoy MKS-56 joined with convoy SL-165 off Gibraltar). (34)

9 Aug 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (34)

11 Aug 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Holy Loch for Scapa Flow. She made the passage together with HMS Selene (Lt.Cdr. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) and HMS Trusty (Lt. L.E. Herrick, DSO, RN). They were escorted by HMS Shikari (Lt. E.H.U. Cautley, RNVR). (43)

13 Aug 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow. She departed for Dundee later the same day together with HMS Tuna (Lt. L.F.L. Hill, RNR). They were escorted by HMS Graemsay (A/Skr.Lt. A.R. Lewis, RNR). (35)

14 Aug 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Dundee. (35)

15 Aug 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed from Dundee for Sheerness. (35)

16 Aug 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC and Bar, RN) arrived at Sheerness. (35)

25 Aug 1944
HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC and Bar, RN) starts her refit at Chatham Dockyard. (35)

Sources

  1. ADM 199/1828
  2. ADM 173/16303
  3. ADM 173/16304
  4. ADM 173/16305
  5. ADM 173/16306
  6. ADM 199/2573
  7. ADM 173/16680
  8. ADM 173/16681
  9. ADM 199/1817
  10. ADM 173/16682
  11. ADM 173/17118
  12. ADM 173/17121
  13. ADM 199/1154
  14. ADM 199/1116
  15. ADM 173/17124
  16. ADM 173/17125
  17. ADM 173/17126
  18. Platon Alexiades
  19. ADM 173/17127
  20. ADM 173/17129
  21. ADM 199/1224
  22. ADM 173/17701
  23. ADM 173/17702
  24. ADM 173/17703
  25. ADM 173/17713
  26. ADM 173/17714
  27. ADM 173/17705
  28. ADM 53/115323 + ADM 173/17714
  29. ADM 173/17715
  30. ADM 173/17717
  31. ADM 173/17718
  32. ADM 173/17719
  33. ADM 199/627
  34. ADM 199/1865
  35. ADM 199/2572
  36. ADM 199/1909
  37. ADM 199/1919
  38. ADM 199/1916
  39. ADM 173/18167
  40. ADM 173/18168
  41. ADM 199/1885
  42. ADM 173/18913
  43. ADM 199/1385

ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.


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