Baron Carel Wessel Theodorus van Boetzelaer, RNN

Born  17 Jun 1906De Bilt, Netherlands
Died  14 May 1987(80)Leusden, Netherlands


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Ranks

21 Aug 1929 luitenant ter zee 3e klasse (S.Lt.)
21 Aug 1931 luitenant ter zee 2e klasse (Lt.)
3 Apr 1941 luitenant ter zee 1e klasse (Lt.Cdr.)
1 Aug 1950 kapitein-luitenant ter zee (Cdr.)
1 Jan 1955 kapitein ter zee (Capt.)

Retired: 19 Dec 1958


Decorations

Warship Commands listed for Carel Wessel Theodorus van Boetzelaer, RNN


ShipRankTypeFromTo
HNMS K VIIIluitenant ter zee 2e klasse (Lt.)Submarine1 Nov 19399 Dec 1939
HNMS K Xluitenant ter zee 2e klasse (Lt.)Submarine9 Dec 193913 Apr 1940
HNMS K XIIIluitenant ter zee 2e klasse (Lt.)Submarine13 Apr 19406 Jul 1940
HNMS K VIIIluitenant ter zee 2e klasse (Lt.)Submarine6 Jul 194014 Oct 1940
HNMS K Xluitenant ter zee 2e klasse (Lt.)Submarine14 Oct 19404 Nov 1940
HNMS K XV (N 24)luitenant ter zee 2e klasse (Lt.)Submarine25 Nov 19409 Mar 1946

Career information

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

Events related to this officer

Submarine HNMS K XV (N 24)


18 Nov 1941
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) departed Surabaya for Tarakan together with HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. P.A. Mulock van der Vlies Bik, RNN) and HrMs K XVI (Lt.Cdr. L.J. Jarman, RNN) (this is the 3rd Dutch submarine division). They arrived in the Tarakan area on 22 November 1941.

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

26 Nov 1941
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) arrived at Balikpapan.

29 Nov 1941
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) departed Balikpapan for Tarakan.

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

1 Dec 1941
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) arrived at Tarakan.

2 Dec 1941
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) departed Tarakan to patrol off that port. When the war with Japan started this became her 1st war patrol.

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

9 Dec 1941
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) ended her 1st war patrol at Tarakan. She departed again later the same day for her 2nd war patrol. Course was set to patrol in the Celebes Sea with the other two boats of the 3rd Dutch submarine division.

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

16 Dec 1941
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Surabaya.

17 Dec 1941
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) departed Surabaya for her 3rd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the South China Sea off the North-West coast of Borneo.

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

24 Dec 1941 (position 1.58, 110.28)
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) was off Kuching. At 1500 hours (zone -7.5) an attack was started on a Japanese destroyer in approximate position 01°58'N, 110°28'E but before torpedoes could be fired the destroyer turned away.

25 Dec 1941
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) was still off Kuching. During the morning she was hunted by Japanese destroyers but these never obtained contact on her and by the time they dropped some depth charges K XV had made her escape from the area and none were close.

30 Dec 1941
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) ended her 3rd war patrol at Tandjong Priok (now Batavia).

1 Jan 1942
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) departed Tandjong Priok for Surabaya.

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

3 Jan 1942
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) arrived at Surabaya.

At Surabaya she underwent a short refit in which a new battery was installed.

31 Jan 1942
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) is docked at Surabaya.

1 Feb 1942
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) is undocked.

14 Feb 1942
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) departed Surabaya for her 4th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Western Java Sea.

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

16 Feb 1942
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) is ordered to patrol off the Anambas Islands.

20 Feb 1942 (position 3.30, 105.40)
Around 1900 hours (zone -7.5) HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) attacked a Japanese merchant vessel (in ballast) with two torpedoes about 25 nautical miles North of the Anambas Islands in approximate position 03°30'N, 105°40'E. No hits were obtained.

23 Feb 1942
In the evening HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) sets course to return to the Western part of the Java Sea.

25 Feb 1942 (position 0.17, 106.45)
At 0937 hours (zone -7.5) HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) is detected and attack by a Japanese aircraft. K XV crash dived. The aircraft dropped three bombs but K XV was not damaged. Approximate position was 00°17'N, 106°45'E.

28 Feb 1942
During the night of 28 February / 1 March, HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN), makes a short call at Tandjong Priok (now Batavia) to take on board fuel. After fuelling course was set towards Bantam Bay to attack the Japanese invasion force.

1 Mar 1942
At 1230 hours (zone -7.5) HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) attacked the Japanese naval tanker Tsurumi (10450 GRT, built 1922, offsite link) with two torpedoes to the North of the Bantam Bay. One hit was obtained and Tsurumi was damaged.

Following this attack K XV is depth charged. A total of about 60 depth charges was dropped. K XV was damaged, fuel tanks were leaking. The damaged fuel tank was flushed out with seawater the following night after K XV had retired to the North. 2 March was spent off Noordwachter (Pulau Harapan) to make repairs and give the crew some rest. In the evening course was then set to escape to the Indian Ocean through the Sunda Strait.

6 Mar 1942
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) arrived at Veeckens Bay (at Pulau Pagai off the West coast of Sumatra) where fuel was taken on board from Dutch naval tanker TAN 8 that was stationed there together with Dutch sloop HrMs Soemba (Cdr P.J.G. Huijer, RNN).

K XV departed later the same day for Colombo.

13 Mar 1942
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) ended her 4th war patrol at Colombo, Ceylon.

31 Mar 1942
Due to expected Japanese air attacks on Colombo HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) departed Colombo for the Gulf of Mannar to shelter there.

6 Apr 1942
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) departed the Gulf of Manar for Colombo.

7 Apr 1942
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) arrived at Colombo.

25 Apr 1942
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) is docked at Colombo.

30 Apr 1942
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) is undocked.

3 May 1942
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) departed Colombo for her 5th war patrol. She was to carry out a special operation. Lt. Wijnmalen was to be landed to the South of Padang. He was to gather information and was then to be picked up again on 24 May. In the meantime K XV was to patrol off the West coast of Sumatra.

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

12 May 1942
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) landed Lt. Wijnmalen on the West coast of Sumatra to the South of Padang.

During 24 to 26 May attempts were made to contact Lt. Wijnmalen but he did not show up at the rendez-vous. By that time Lt. Wijnmalen had been captured by the Japanese and was killed on the 16th.

4 Jun 1942
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) ended her 5th war patrol at Colombo.

8 Jun 1942
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) departed Colombo for Bombay, India.

By now it had been decided to sent K XV to the USA to undergo a refit. Before she could make the passage to the USA some repairs were to be made at the British Naval Dockyard at Bombay.

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

13 Jun 1942
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) arrived at Bombay.

27 Jun 1942
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) is docked at Bombay.

1 Jul 1942
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) is undocked.

20 Jul 1942
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) departed Bombay for Colombo. She made the passage together with HrMs O 19 (Lt.Cdr. H.F. Bach Kolling, RNN(R)) and HrMs Colombia (Capt. J.L.K. Hoeke, RNN).

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

25 Jul 1942
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) arrived at Colombo.

1 Aug 1942
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) departed Colombo for Diego Suarez. This is the first leg of the trip to the U.S.A.

For the daily positions of HrMs K XV during the passage to the U.S.A. see the map below.

11 Aug 1942
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) arrived at Diego Suarez.

13 Aug 1942
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) departed Diego Suarez for East London.

22 Aug 1942
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) arrived at East London.

29 Aug 1942
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) departed East London for Simonstown.

31 Aug 1942
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) arrived at Simonstown.

17 Sep 1942
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) departed Simonstown for Freetown.

3 Oct 1942
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) arrived at Freetown.

6 Oct 1942
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) departed Freetown for Bermuda.

21 Oct 1942
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) arrived at Bermuda.

24 Oct 1942
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) departed Bermuda for Philadelphia.

28 Oct 1942
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) arrived at the Philadelphia Navy Yard where she is to undergo refit and modernization.

14 May 1943
With her refit completed HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) departed Philadelphia for New London, Connecticut.

16 May 1943
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) arrived at New London for a period of trials and training.

20 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A.

21 May 1943
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A.

24 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) conducted exercises off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A.

25 May 1943
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) conducted exercises off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A.

26 May 1943
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) was to conduct exercises off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. but these had to be cancelled due to thick fog.

28 May 1943
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) conducted exercises off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A.

29 May 1943
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) conducted exercises off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A.

31 May 1943
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) conducted exercises off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A.

1 Jun 1943
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) conducted exercises off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A.

3 Jun 1943
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) conducted exercises off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. These included night exercises.

9 Jun 1943
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) is put on the slipway at New London, Connecticut, USA.

12 Jun 1943
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) is put back in the water.

Later the same day, while preparing HrMs K XV for the passage to the U.K., the 1st lieutenant is crushed by accident by a torpedo that is being loaded on board.

16 Jun 1943
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) departed New London for Dundee.

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

30 Jun 1943
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) made rendez-vous off Barrahead with HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) and escort HMS Scimitar (Lt.Cdr. C.G. Cuthbertson, DSC, RNR). They then proceeded up the Minches.

1 Jul 1943
Off Barrahead HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR) took over the escort of HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) and HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN). HNoMS Ula (Lt. R.M. Sars) also joined.

2 Jul 1943
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) arrived at Dundee.

At Dundee British types radar and Asdic were installed. Also the battery was overhauled.

7 Aug 1943
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) is docked at Dundee.

20 Aug 1943
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) is undocked.

15 Sep 1943
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) shifted from Dundee to Rosyth. She was escorted by HMS ML 465 (T/S.Lt. T.C. Hooper, RNVR).

11 Oct 1943
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) shifted from Rosyth to Leith.

12 Oct 1943
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) shifted from Leith to Dundee. She was escorted by HMS ML 465 (T/S.Lt. T.C. Hooper, RNVR).

16 Oct 1943
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) conducted trials off Dundee.

18 Oct 1943
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) departed Dundee for Holy Loch. She made the passage together with HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) and HMS H 43 (Lt. C.A.J. Nicoll, RN). They were escorted by HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR). Off Scapa Flow HMS Uther left and HMS Storm (T/Lt. E.P. Young, DSC, RNVR) joined. Escort was taken over by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN).

21 Oct 1943
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) arrived at Holy Loch to begin a short period of training.

23 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil.

24 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.

25 Oct 1943
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.

27 Oct 1943
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.

28 Oct 1943
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) conducted radar exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). Both ships proceeded to Campbeltown on completion of these exercises.

29 Oct 1943
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) served as target.

30 Oct 1943
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. These included night exercises.

31 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) served as target.

4 Nov 1943

For the daily positions of HrMs K XV during the passage to the Far East see the map below.

4 Nov 1943
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) departed Holy Loch for Gibraltar. This was the first leg of the trip to the Far East. Escort was provided for the passage South through the Irish Sea by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN).

5 Nov 1943
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) made a short call at Holyhead for some small repairs to her radio transmitter.

16 Nov 1943
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) arrived at Gibraltar.

19 Nov 1943
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) departed Gibraltar for Port Said. She made the passage in convoy KMS 32.

30 Nov 1943
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) arrived at Port Said.

6 Dec 1943
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) departed Port Said for Aden.

13 Dec 1943
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) arrived at Aden.

15 Dec 1943
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) departed Aden for Colombo.

25 Dec 1943
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) arrived at Colombo.

6 Jan 1944
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) is docked at Colombo.

17 Jan 1944
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) is undocked.

29 Jan 1944
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) conducted exercises off Colombo.

1 Feb 1944
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) departed Colombo for her 6th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the South-West coast of Sumatra, in the Sunda Strait, to reconnoitre Christmas Island and then to proceed towards Fremantle, Australia.

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

19 Feb 1944
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) reconnoitred Christmas Island.

24 Feb 1944
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) arrived at Exmouth Gulf to fuel. She departed for Fremantle later the same day.

28 Feb 1944
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) ended her 6th war patrol at Fremantle.

9 Mar 1944
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) departed Fremantle for her 7th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off Fremantle (the reason for this patrol is not known to us but a Japanese cruiser force was on a raiding mission in the Indian Ocean and it is possible that this was the reason).

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

12 Mar 1944
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) returned to Fremantle a day early. She was only supposed to return the next day but there was a mistake in the orders she had received. She went out again and resumed her 7th war patrol after only two hours in port.

13 Mar 1944
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) ended her 7th war patrol at Fremantle.

30 Mar 1944
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) departed Fremantle for Darwin. Before proceeding exercises were carried out with HMAS Horsham (T/Lt. W.H. Newby, RANR(S)).

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

9 Apr 1944
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) arrived at Darwin.

10 Apr 1944
During 10 - 12 April 1944 HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) conducted exercises off Darwin.

13 Apr 1944
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) departed Darwin for her 8th war patrol. She was to carry out a special operation. The members of the 'Prawn' party had to be landed on the coast of New Guinea.

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

19 Apr 1944
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) landed a reconnaissance party to the East of Sorong, New Guinea. The were to be picked up again on the 21th but they did not show up.

22 Apr 1944
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) succesfully picked up the reconnaissance party.

23 Apr 1944
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) landed the whole 'Prawn-party' (6 men) to the East of Sorong, New Guinea.

24 Apr 1944 (position -0.30, 130.47)
In the morning HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) sinks a small Japanese patrol vessel with gunfire off Waigeo Island in approximate position 00°30'S, 130°47'E. The crew jumped overboard and the Captain of the vessel was picked up from the water.

1 May 1944
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) ended her 8th war patrol at Darwin.

2 May 1944
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) departed Darwin for Fremantle.

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

12 May 1944
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) arrived at Fremantle.

Repairs were needed to the submarines battery. As parts had to be manufactured this took quite a long time.

18 Sep 1944
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) is put on the slip at Fremantle.

26 Sep 1944
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) is put back in the water.

15 Oct 1944
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) departed Fremantle for Melboure.

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

24 Oct 1944
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) arrived at Melbourne.

2 Nov 1944
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) is docked at Melbourne.

15 Nov 1944
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) is undocked.

16 Nov 1944
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) departed Melbourne for Fremantle.

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

25 Nov 1944
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) arrived at Fremantle.

23 Dec 1944
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) departed Fremantle for Darwin.

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

2 Jan 1945
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) arrived at Darwin.

5 Jan 1945
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) departed Darwin for her 9th war patrol. She was to carry out a special operation. The members of the 'Apricot' party had to be landed on the North coast of Celebes.

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

11 Jan 1945
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) landed a reconnaissance party on one of the beaches that had been selected. They returned after 1,5 hours. This beach was not suited as there was a high cliff beyond it.

12 Jan 1945
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) again landed the reconnaissance party on one of the other beaches that had been selected. They signalled that all was well this time.

13 Jan 1945
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) picked up the reconnaissance party. They had been spotted by natives and brought these with them. As this might have alarmed the Japanese it was decided not to land here.

In the evening the reconnaissance party was landed on yet another beach. They signalled that all was O.K. after a while. The whole party and their supplies was landed in this spot the next evening.

K XV then set course towards the Soela Islands to capture a sailing vessel. Several were sighted but were so close inshore that it was not possible to capture one. On the 18th course was set to return to Darwin.

22 Jan 1945
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) ended her 9th war patrol at Darwin.

2 Feb 1945
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) departed Darwin for her 10th war patrol. She was to carry out a special operation. The members of the 'Firtree' party had to be landed on Pulau Mangoli. En-route supplies had to be landed on Pulau Nila.

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

4 Feb 1945
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) landed supplies at Pulau Nila.

8 Feb 1945
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) landed a reconnaissance party on another beach that seemed suitable. They were picked up again and stated that some members of the party that was to be landed were to be arrested by the Japanese. The landing on Mangoli was then cancelled.

12 Feb 1945
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) landed a reconnaissance party on Pulau Saparua. They were retrieved the next day as the natives did not want to co-operate due to fear of the Japanese.

14 Feb 1945
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) called at Pulau Nila to have a meeting the leader of the party that operated there.

17 Feb 1945
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) ended her 10th war patrol at Darwin.

24 Feb 1945
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) departed Darwin for the South coast of Java. A party, named 'Poppy', was to be landed.

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

14 Mar 1945
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) ended her 11th war patrol at Fremantle.

The party had not been landed due to the bad weather conditions.

23 Mar 1945
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) is briefly docked at Fremantle. She is undocked again later the same day.

14 May 1945
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) is put on the slip at Fremantle.

18 May 1945
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) is put back in the water.

24 May 1945
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) departed Fremantle for her 12th war patrol. She was to carry out a special operation. A party ('Parsnip') was to be landed on the North coast of Java.

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

28 May 1945
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) arrived at Onslow to fuel and pick up fresh provisions. However the fresh provisions had been landed at the wrong airfield. K XV was ordered to wait while the fresh provisions would be flown in.

29 May 1945
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) is ordered to proceed to Exmouth Gulf to pick up her fresh provisions there. She arrived at Exmouth Gulf later in the same day.

30 May 1945
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) departed Exmouth Gulf for her patrol area. The fresh provisions had still not arrived so fresh provisions were received from USS Coucal.

3 Jun 1945
During the night of 3 / 4 June 1945 HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) passed Lombok Strait Northbound.

6 Jun 1945
During the night of 6 / 7 June 1945 HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) landed the 'Parsnip' party on the North coast of Java near Mandalika light. The party was picked up on the 8th. They had been spotted by the Japanese (and killed two of them).

20 Jun 1945
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) ended her 12th war patrol at Darwin.

4 Jul 1945
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) departed Darwin for her 13th war patrol. She was ordered to perform two special operations. Stores were to be landed on two locations.

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

7 Jul 1945
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) landed stores on Pulau Damar.

11 Jul 1945
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) landed stores on Pulau Satengar. Also Japanese POW's were taken on board as well as several informants.

18 Jul 1945
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) ended her 13th war patrol at Darwin.

25 Jul 1945
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) departed Darwin for Fremantle.

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

2 Aug 1945
HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) arrived at Fremantle.

K XV departed Fremantle for the Dutch East Indies on 20 September 1945.


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