Adolf Hendrik Deketh, RNN

Born  4 Feb 1906Malang, Java, Netherlands East Indies
Died  2 Mar 1965(59)Bennekom, Netherlands


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Ranks

18 Apr 1928 luitenant ter zee 3e klasse (S.Lt.)
18 Aug 1930 luitenant ter zee 2e klasse (Lt.)
4 Jun 1940 luitenant ter zee 1e klasse (Lt.Cdr.)
1 Jan 1950 kapitein-luitenant ter zee (Cdr.)

Retired: 1 Jan 1950


Decorations

Warship Commands listed for Adolf Hendrik Deketh, RNN


ShipRankTypeFromTo
HNMS K IX (N 39)luitenant ter zee 2e klasse (Lt.)Submarine21 Aug 193914 Feb 1940
HNMS K XVIIluitenant ter zee 2e klasse (Lt.)Submarine1 Mar 194014 Feb 1941
HNMS K Xluitenant ter zee 1e klasse (Lt.Cdr.)Submarine14 Feb 194129 Mar 1941
HNMS K XI (N 53)luitenant ter zee 1e klasse (Lt.Cdr.)Submarine29 Mar 19411 Oct 1943

Career information

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

Events related to this officer

Submarine HNMS K XI (N 53)


2 Dec 1941
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) departed Surabaya together with HrMs K IX (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN), HrMs K XII (Lt.Cdr. H.C.J. Coumou, RNN(R)) and HrMs K XIII (Lt.Cdr. M.A.J. Derksema, RNN) (this is the 2nd Dutch submarine division) with the orders to patrol in Strait Karimata and Strait Gaspar.

7 Dec 1941
Before the war with Japan started the submarines of the 2nd submarine division, HrMs K IX (Lt.Cdr. P.G. de Back, RNN), HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) and HrMs K XII (Lt.Cdr. H.C.J. Coumou, RNN(R)) and HrMs K XIII (Lt.Cdr. M.A.J. Derksema, RNN) were ordered to proceed Northwards. K XI was ordered to patrol off the Natuna Islands. The other three submarines were ordered to patrol off the Badas Islands.

K IX however developed engine problems and was forced to return to Surabaya for repairs.

8 Dec 1941
When war with Japan was declared the 2nd submarine division (now comprising HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN), HrMs K XII (Lt.Cdr. H.C.J. Coumou, RNN(R)) and HrMs K XIII (Lt.Cdr. M.A.J. Derksema, RNN) was placed under British command. While waiting for further orders the commander of the 2nd submarine division (the CO of K XIII) ordered all boats to patrol near the Natuna islands.

This patrol then became HrMs K XI's 1st war patrol. (1)

10 Dec 1941
While still en-route to their patrol area HrMs O 16 (Lt.Cdr. A.J. Bussemaker, RNN), HrMs K XVII (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Besançon, RNN), HrMs K XIII (Lt.Cdr. M.A.J. Derksema, RNN), HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) and HrMs K XII (Lt.Cdr. H.C.J. Coumou, RNN(R)) are ordered to proceed towards the East coast of Malaya after they had reached their patrol position.

K XI reached her patrol position in the early morning of 12 December and then proceeded towards the shore of Malaya. She arrived to the North of Kota Bharu at daybreak on 13 December. (1)

13 Dec 1941
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) spent the day to the North of Kota Bharu but sighted nothing. In the late afternoon course was set towards Singapore.

Later a signal was received ordering HrMs K XVII, HrMS K XIII, HrMs K XI and HrMs K XII to form a patrol line to the North-West of Mankai Island (Anambas Islands). K XI arrived in her new patrol position around 2130/14. (1)

15 Dec 1941
HrMs K XVII (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Besançon, RNN), HrMs K XIII (Lt.Cdr. M.A.J. Derksema, RNN), HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) and HrMs K XII (Lt.Cdr. H.C.J. Coumou, RNN(R)) are ordered to proceed towards the East coast of Malaya. (1)

16 Dec 1941
In the early morning hours HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) arrived off the Malayan coast near Kuantang. Nothing was sighted but K XI was ordered to remain patrolling in that area. (1)

18 Dec 1941
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) is ordered to patrol off the mouth of the Endau river. (1)

21 Dec 1941
In the early moring hours HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) is ordered to return to Singapore where she arrived late in the afternoon thus ending her 1st war patrol. (1)

27 Dec 1941
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) departed Singapore for her 2nd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol to the East of the Natuna Islands. (1)

3 Jan 1942
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Singapore. The patrol had been uneventful. (1)

10 Jan 1942
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) departed Singapore for her 3rd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Southern end of the Malacca Strait near the Sembilan Islands. (1)

16 Jan 1942
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) is ordered to return to Singapore. (1)

17 Jan 1942
About four nautical miles north-west of the One-Fathom Bank, HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN), tried to sink a drifting barge with gunfire. Seven rounds were fired for three hits but then the gun malfunctioned and the action had to be broken off. (1)

18 Jan 1942
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) ended her 3rd war patrol at Singapore. (1)

23 Jan 1942
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) departed Singapore for Surabaya.

30 Jan 1942
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) arrived at Surabaya.

5 Feb 1942
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) departed Surabaya for her 4th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol to the North of Banka Strait.

10 Feb 1942
In the early morning hours HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) arrived in her patrol area.

16 Feb 1942
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) departed her patrol area for Surabaya. She was in need of repairs.

19 Feb 1942
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) ended her 4th war patrol at Surabaya.

27 Feb 1942
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) is docked at Surabaya. (1)

28 Feb 1942
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) is undocked. (1)

1 Mar 1942
After repairs HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) departed Surabaya. She was ordered to stay outside the harbour and to be ready to evacuate members of the naval staff and other officers to Colombo.

3 Mar 1942
Late in the evening HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) departed Surabaya roads for Colombo. On board were 10 officers that were to be evacuated. Course was set towards Lombok Strait.

For the daily positions of HrMs K XI during this passage see the map below.

(2)

5 Mar 1942
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) passed Lombok Strait Southbound. Course was then set towards Colombo. (2)

8 Mar 1942 (position -11.30, 108.54)
Shortly after noon, in position 11°30'S, 108°54'E HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) picked up 18 survivors from the Australian sloop HMAS Yarra (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Rankin, RAN), the British depot ship HMS Anking (Capt. J.P.L. Reid, RN) and the KPM steamer Parigi. The first two ships had been sunk on the 4th by Japanese warships. Parigi had been sunk on the 1st and 36 survivors had been picked up by HMAS Yarra on the 2nd. One of these was amongst the survivors picked up by HrMs K XI.

One of the survivors died in the early evening and was buried at sea. (2)

17 Mar 1942
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) arrived at Colombo, Celyon. (2)

31 Mar 1942
Due to expected Japanese air attacks on Colombo HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) departed Colombo for the Gulf of Mannar to shelter there.

7 Apr 1942
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) returned to Colombo.

8 Apr 1942
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) departed Colombo for her 5th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol to the East of Ceylon to search for and attack Japanese warships.

For the daily positions of HrMs K XI during this patrol see the map below. No position is known for 11 April.

(1)

9 Apr 1942
At 0852 hours, HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN), while running on the surface, sighted an unknown aircraft. Three minutes later she submerged. The aircraft dropped one bomb about 800 meters astern of K XI. (1)

12 Apr 1942
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) ended her 5th war patrol at Trincomalee. No Japanese warships had been sighted. (1)

13 Apr 1942
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) departed Trincomalee for her 6th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the South-East corner of Ceylon.

For the daily positions of HrMs K XI during this patrol see the map below.

(1)

17 Apr 1942
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) ended her 6th war patrol at Colombo. (1)

9 May 1942
During 9 to 14 May 1942 HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Colombo. (1)

16 May 1942
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) is docked at Colombo. (1)

19 May 1942
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) is undocked. (1)

21 May 1942
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) departed Colombo for Bombay, India. She was escorted by the Australian minesweeper HMAS Bathurst (Lt.Cdr. A.V. Bunyan, RANR(S)). (1)

21 May 1942
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) arrived at Bombay. (1)

1 Jun 1942
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) departed Bombay for Karachi. (1)

4 Jun 1942
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) arrived at Karachi. Based at Karachi, where the sound school of the RIN was based, she was to participate in A/S exercises off that port and in the Gulf of Kutch. (1)

12 Jun 1942
From 12 to 16 June 1942, HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN), participated in A/S exercises off Karachi. (1)

22 Jun 1942
From 22 to 27 June 1942, HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN), participated in A/S exercises in the Gulf of Kutch. (1)

7 Jul 1942
From 7 to 24 July 1942, HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN), participated in A/S exercises in the Gulf of Kutch. (1)

27 Jul 1942
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) is docked at Karachi. (1)

1 Aug 1942
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) is undocked. (1)

17 Aug 1942
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) conducted exercises off Karachi and then departed for the Gulf of Kutch to participate in A/S exercises there. On completion of the exercises in the Gulf of Kutch period K XI is to proceed to Bombay for maintenance. (1)

30 Aug 1942
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) arrived at Bombay. (1)

8 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
From 8 to 11 September 1942, HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN), participated in A/S exercises off Bombay. (1)

14 Sep 1942
From 14 to 18 September 1942, HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN), participated in A/S exercises off Bombay. (1)

21 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
From 21 to 25 September 1942, HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN), participated in A/S exercises off Bombay. (1)

5 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
From 5 to 9 October 1942, HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN), participated in A/S exercises off Bombay. (1)

12 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
From 12 to 16 October 1942, HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN), participated in A/S exercises off Bombay. (1)

19 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
From 19 to 23 October 1942, HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN), participated in A/S exercises off Bombay. (1)

2 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
From 2 to 6 November 1942, HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN), participated in A/S exercises off Bombay. (1)

16 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
From 16 to 20 November 1942, HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN), participated in A/S exercises off Bombay. (1)

23 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
From 23 to 27 November 1942, HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN), participated in A/S exercises off Bombay. (1)

30 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
From 30 to 4 December 1942, HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN), participated in A/S exercises off Bombay. (1)

14 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
From 14 to 18 December 1942, HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN), participated in A/S exercises off Bombay. (1)

21 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
From 21 to 25 December 1942, HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN), participated in A/S exercises off Bombay. (1)

28 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
From 28 to 31 December 1942, HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN), participated in A/S exercises off Bombay. (1)

11 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
From 11 to 15 January 1943, HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN), participated in A/S exercises off Bombay. (1)

18 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
From 18 to 22 January 1943, HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN), participated in A/S exercises off Bombay. (1)

25 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
From 25 to 29 January 1943, HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN), participated in A/S exercises off Bombay. (1)

1 Feb 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
From 1 to 5 February 1943, HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN), participated in A/S exercises off Bombay. (1)

15 Feb 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
From 15 to 19 February 1943, HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN), participated in A/S exercises off Bombay. (1)

22 Feb 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
From 22 to 26 February 1943, HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN), participated in A/S exercises off Bombay. (1)

1 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN), participated in A/S exercises off Bombay. (1)

3 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN), participated in A/S exercises off Bombay. (1)

4 Mar 1943
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) commenced a long uverdue refit at Bombay. K XI had last been refitted from August to December 1940. It is expected that the refit would be completed in July 1943. The refit lasted however until early February 1944 due to low priority and lack of skilled labour and supervision at the Bombay Royal Dockyard.

9 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) was docked at Bombay. (1)

22 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) was undocked. (1)

25 Aug 1943
HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) is docked at Bombay. (1)

Sources

  1. File 2.12.37.200 (Dutch Archives, The Hague, Netherlands)
  2. File 2.12.27.128 (Dutch Archives, The Hague, Netherlands)


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