12 Dec, 1944
HMS Subtle (Lt. B.J.B. Andrew, DSC, RN) sinks three Japanese sailing vessels with gunfire in the Strait of Malacca.

7 Feb, 1945
HMS Subtle (Lt. B.J.B. Andrew, DSC, RN) sinks a Japanese coaster east of the Nicobar Islands in position 07º28'N, 94º56'E. (see map)

14 Mar, 1945
HMS Subtle (Lt. B.J.B. Andrew, DSC, RN) sinks two Japanese sailing vessels with gunfire in the Strait of Malacca.

21 Mar, 1945
HMS Subtle (Lt. B.J.B. Andrew, DSC, RN) sinks a Japanese sailing vessel with gunfire in the Strait of Malacca.

9 May, 1945
A. Brady was a W/T operator on HMS Subtle, and kept an unofficial diary of events for the patrols he was aboard. Below is his account of the attack on the Japanese heavy cruiser (see event for 15 May 1945)

9th May 1945 – Usual dive at 5.15. Surfaced at 6.30. All the fresh meat had to be ditched tonight along with some of the potatoes – both had gone bad. The position looks grim for we aren’t supposed to be getting back until 22nd. Phew! What news – the Japanese are carrying out an anti-submarine sweep with 4 A/S vessels and 4 sub-chasers. We have been ordered to get through them somehow, and reach the fleet behind. This is where we keep our fingers crossed. Fresh water is rationed now because one of our tanks has become contaminated.

10th May 1945 – Everybody on their toes due to yesterdays signal. 4pm approx. 2 sub-chasers sighted and several aircraft. 4.45 one cruiser sighted escorted by one destroyer and two sub-chasers – diving stations – shut off from depth charging. Attack at 900 yards abreast of Cruiser – was just about to fire torpedoes when we hit a sand bank. They started dropping charges so we went to the bottom – 40 feet only – and laid doggo. Still observing enemy thro’ periscope, they are avoiding us and laying a smoke screen. After scraping along the bottom for about half an hour we surfaced and made an enemy report by W/T. The lads are wild at missing such a target (10,000 ton ‘Nachi’ class Cruiser) but it would have been suicide. If we had fired our fish they would have exploded just in front of us, then good night nurse, lights out!

11th May 1945 – Normal day dived, keeping a good look out for enemy Cruiser – two crash dives during the dark hours, one for plane and one for junk.

12th May 1945 – Dived at 5.15 and at 6.10 sighted our Cruiser on it’s way back escorted by three destroyers – Attacked and fired six fish – down to 120 feet, shut off from depth charging. Two minutes later they started dropping ‘em – It was hellish, for four hours we were attacked. After ends flooded, all lighting gone, leaks everywhere. When they left us alone we surfaced and tried to repair our damage – could not transmit because W/T is out of action. Two doubtful hits on Cruiser.

13th May 1945 – Everybody badly shaken by yesterdays hammering. Have received orders to stay out longer because another Cruiser is expected.

14th May 1945 – Nothing eventful except for a lot of aircraft sighted and A/S vessels are looking for us. We managed to keep out of their way though.

15th May 1945 – Cruiser sighted coming our way and we are steering towards. Personally I hope we do not see it or we will not live to tell the tale. One more depth charge and it will blow in a faulty valve we have back aft and flood us properly. Have just received a signal to say that the cruiser has been sunk by a force of our destroyers – thank God!

16 May, 1945
On 9 May 1945 the Japanese heavy cruiser Haguro and the Japanese destroyer Kamikaze (both offsite links) left Singapore for a transport run to the Andaman Islands. They were sighted the next day in Malakka Strait by the British submarines HMS Statesman (Lt. R.G.P. Bulkeley, RN) and HMS Subtle (Lt. B.J.B. Andrew, DSC, RN). To intercept the Japanese ships a task force made up of 2 battleships, 1 heavy cruiser, 2 light cruisers, 4 escort carriers and 8 destroyers left Trincomalee. Aircraft from the escort carriers attacked the Nicobar Islands on the 11th, forcing Haguro and Kamikaze to head back to Singapore.

On the 14th the Japanese ships again depart Singapore for the Andaman Islands. They were spotted the next day north-east of Sabang by aircraft the British escort carrier HMS Shah (Capt. W.J. Yendell, RN). A few hours later they were attacked by aircraft from the British escort carrier HMS Emperor (Capt. Sir C. Madden, RN) causing light damaged to Haguro. In the meantime Japanese aircraft have sighted Allied destroyers closing in on Haguro and once again the Japanese ships reverse course.

In anticipation on the Japanese reversal of course the commander of the British 26th DF, Capt. M.L. Power, CBE, DSO with Bar, RN on board HMS Saumarez and the other British destroyers HMS Venus (Cdr. H.G.D. De Chair, DSC with Bar, RN), HMS Verulam (Lt.Cdr. D.H.R. Bromley, DSC, RN), HMS Vigilant (Lt.Cdr. L.W.L. Argles, DSC, RN) and HMS Virago (Lt.Cdr. A.J.R. White, DSC, RN) plotted a course to intercept the Japanese ships which they did shortly before midnight on the 15th. After careful manouvering the destroyers began attacking the Japanese ships from all sides shortly after one o'clock on the 16th. The Haguro was hit by torpedoes and gunfire and sinks around 0230hours in position 04º49'N, 99º42'E but not before she hit the Saumarez with gunfire. The escorting Japanese destroyer Kamikaze escapes with only minor damage.