| Navy | The Royal Navy |
| Type | Submarine |
| Class | T |
| Pennant | N 78 |
| Built by | Cammell Laird Shipyard (Birkenhead, U.K.) |
| Ordered | 6 May 1938 |
| Laid down | 27 Sep 1938 |
| Launched | 29 Jan 1940 |
| Commissioned | 29 Jun 1940 |
| Lost | 17 Sep 1942 |
| Loss position | |
| History | HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. Michael Willmott, DSO, RN) left Gibraltar on 10 September 1942 with stores bound for Malta. She reported sighting a U-boat off Philippeville, Algeria on the 15th, but was not heard from again. She is presumed lost on Italian mines in off Sicily on the 17th. She was declared overdue on 18 September 1942. |
Commands listed for HMS Talisman (N 78)
Please note that we're still working on this section.
| Commander | From | To | |
| 1 | Lt.Cdr. Philip Stewart Francis, RN | 1 Mar 1940 | 5 Mar 1941 |
| 2 | Lt. Michael Willmott, RN | 5 Mar 1941 | 18 Sep 1942 |
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Noteable events involving Talisman include:
The page for this submarine is currently (February 2012 and onwards) being updated.
26 Jun 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) departs her builders yard at Birkenhead for Greenock.
27 Jun 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) arrives at Greenock for a period of trials and training.
27 Jul 1940
With her trials and training completed HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) departh Rothesay for her 1st war patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the Bay of Biscay.
14 Aug 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) ends her 1st war patrol at Falmouth. She departed for Rothesay later the same day.
16 Aug 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) arrives at Rothesay.
6 Sep 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) departh Rothesay for her 2nd war patrol. She is ordered to patrol West of the Hebrides.
13 Sep 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) ends her 2nd war patrol at Rothesay.
14 Sep 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) proceeds from Rothesay to Holy Loch.
15 Sep 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) departs Holy Loch for Portsmouth.
17 Sep 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) arrives at Falmouth.
18 Sep 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) departs Falmouth for Portsmouth.
19 Sep 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) arrives at Portsmouth.
20 Sep 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) departs Portsmouth for her 3rd war patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the English Channel off Cherbourg, France.
27 Sep 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) ends her 3rd war patrol at Portsmouth.
2 Oct 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) departs Portsmouth for Holy Loch.
3 Oct 1940
At 0720 hours HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) is machine gunned by a German Dornier 215 aircraft near position 49º55'N, 04º53'W. The Officer of the Watch T/S.Lt. P.S. Thirsk , RNR was wounded by a bullet in his left foot. At 1050 hours he was transferred to an MA/SB to be taken to hospital. (see map)
5 Oct 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) arrives at Holy Loch.
6 Oct 1940
In very bad weather HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) runs aground at Holy Loch. She is refloated after almost six hours. No damage is sustained.
12 Oct 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) departs Holy Loch for her 4th war patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the Bay of Biscay.
22 Oct 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) engages the Italian submarine Enrico Tazzoli with torpedoes and gunfire about 20 nautical miles North-West of the Gironde estuary. All six torpedoes fired missed their target. Four rounds were fired with the deck gun but these missed as well. Tazzoli meanwhile dived to safety.
0630 hours - In position 45º49'N, 01º43'W sighted a black object bearing 240 degrees. Soon after the object was identified as an Italian submarine steering course 123 degrees. Started attack.
0644 hours - Started firing a salvo of six torpedoes from tubes 1,2,3,4,7 and 8. Range was 3000 yards.
About 10 seconds after firing the first torpedo (and 3 seconds after firing the second torpedo) a voilent explosion occured close ahead of Talisman. The remaining torpedoes were fired with a 8 second delay. All torpedoes missed ahead as the speed of the target was over estimated.
0647 hours - Dived. A bad leak was discovered forward. Talisman hit the bottom at 159 feet. Lt.Cdr. Francis decided to surface to reduce the pressure of the incoming water. There was also a possibility that Talisman was unable to submere again so it was intended to get clear to the Westward before daylight.
0656 hours - Surfaced. The enemy submarine was in sight bearing 165 degrees, range 4000 yards. Engaged with the deck gun. Four rounds were fired before the enemy was seen to dive.
Continued to retired to the West. Soon after it was discovered that Talisman was not leaking forward but that a valve of one of the external torpedo tubes was leaking.
(see map)
31 Oct 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) ends her 4th war patrol at Holy Loch.
16 Nov 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) departs Holy Loch for her 5th war patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the Bay of Biscay.
25 Nov 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) attacks a tanker escorted by three A/S trawler with six torpedoes about 10 nautical miles West of Ile de Groix. The results of this attack are unclear.
1415 hours - Sighted smoke to the North-West.
1425 hours - The mast and funnel of a tanker could be seen. The tanker was escorted by three A/S trawlers. Range was 11000 yards, enemy course was 090 degrees. Started attack.
1501 hours - In position 47º37'N, 03º51'W fired six torpedoes from 6000 yards (tubes 1,2,3,4,7 and 8. Went deep upon firing. Eleven seconds after firing the first torpedo (from No.1 tube) a violent explosion occured. This was the second time this happened (see the attack on 22 October 1940). Lt.Cdr. Francis considered it likely that there was a problem with No.1 torpedo tube. Some minor damage was inflicted as a result of this explosion. No. 9 and 10. external torpedoes, were damaged in this explosion as the front doors of both tubes were open at the time of the explosion.
1507 hours - Heard an explosion.
1510 hours - Heard two more explosions.
1525 hours - Came to periscope depth. Saw the tanker stopped. Only two A/S trawlers were seen instead of the three present before the attack.
1550 hours - The tanker was still stopped when last seen. She did not appear to be lower in the water. (see map)
26 Nov 1940
At 1920 hours HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) captures the French fishing vessel Le Clipper (40 GRT) in the Bay of Biscay near Lorient in position 47º08'N, 03º49'W. The French vessel was then used to observe U-boat movements off the Gironde estuary before being brought into Falmouth. (see map)
5 Dec 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) ends her 5th war patrol at Holy Loch.
17 Dec 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) is docked at Ardrossan.
20 Dec 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) is undocked.
26 Dec 1940
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) departs Holy Loch for her 6th war patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the Bay of Biscay.
15 Jan 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) ends her 6th war patrol at Plymouth.
17 Jan 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) is docked at Plymouth. It is not known when she was undocked.
1 Feb 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) departs Plymouth for Holy Loch.
3 Feb 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) arrives at Holy Loch.
9 Feb 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) departs Holy Loch for her 7th war patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the Bay of Biscay.
17 Feb 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) ends her 7th war patrol at Holy Loch.
6 Mar 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt. M. Willmott, RN) departs Holy Loch for Halifax, Canada. En-route she is ordered to several patrol positions to hunt the German battlecruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau who are operating against Allied sipping in the North-Atlantic.
12 Mar 1941
At 1937 hours, in mid-Atlantic, HMS Talisman (Lt. M. Willmott, RN) sights two warships in position 54º02'N, 34º30'W. As the warships are thought to be the German battlecruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau. Lt. Willmott dived and started an attack but the warships were soon recognised as British. They were in fact HMS Rodney Capt. Sir F.H.G. Dalrymple-Hamilton, RN) and HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN). Lt. Willmott made a practice attack. At 2022 hours Talisman surfaced and identified herself. (see map)
26 Mar 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt. M. Willmott, RN) arrives at Halifax, Canada. In the early moring hours she was to rendez-vouz of the Sambro light vessel with the Canadian armed yacht HMCS Otter (T/Lt. D.S. Mossman, RCNR). Talisman arrived at the rendez-vouz in thick fog, when the fog lifted HMCS Otter was seen to be on fire. Talisman closed and found her abandoned. 4 survivors out of 9 that were on a reft were rescued, the other 5 unfortunately drowned.
10 Apr 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt. M. Willmott, RN) departs Halifax for convoy escort duty in the North Atlantic. She is to escort convoy SC-28 for part of the journey to the U.K.
19 Apr 1941
At 1718 hours (time zone +3) HMS Talisman (Lt. M. Willmott, RN) parted company with convoy SC-28 in position 53º34'N, 38º28'W and set course back towards Halifax. (see map)
26 Apr 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt. M. Willmott, RN) arrives back at Halifax.
19 May 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt. M. Willmott, RN) departs Halifax for convoy escort duty in the North Atlantic. She is to escort convoy SC-32 for part of the journey to the U.K.
30 May 1941
At 2000 hours (time zone +1) HMS Talisman (Lt. M. Willmott, RN) parted company with convoy SC-32 in position 47º35'N, 32º58'W and set course back towards Halifax. On the way back she was ordered through several positions to search for the German heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen.
9 Jun 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt. M. Willmott, RN) arrives back at Halifax.
30 Jun 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt. M. Willmott, RN) departs Halifax for St.Johns.
2 Jul 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt. M. Willmott, RN) arrives at St.Johns.
4 Jul 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt. M. Willmott, RN) departs St.Johns for Gibraltar. Talisman is to join the 1st submarine flotilla at Alexandria.
17 Jul 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt. M. Willmott, RN) arrives at Gibraltar. At Gibraltar Talisman is docked.
29 Jul 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt. M. Willmott, RN) departs Gibraltar for Malta. Before departing A/S exercises were carried out with HMS Vimy (Lt.Cdr. H.G.D. de Chair, RN) and HMS Vidette (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Walmsley, RN).
5 Aug 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt. M. Willmott, RN) arrives at Malta.
8 Aug 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt. M. Willmott, RN) departs Malta for Alexandria. Before departing exercises were carried out with HMS Jade (Boatswain W.J.H. Fellows, RN).
14 Aug 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) attacks a submarine with torpedoes about 140 nautical miles north-west of Alexandria in position 32º41'N, 27º35'E. All torpedoes fired fortunately missed their target as the submarine attacked later turned out to be HMS Otus (Lt. R.M. Favell, RN).
(All times are zone -2) 1040 hours - In position 32º19'N, 27º51'E heard HE. Nothing in sight. Commenced attack on a submerged submarine.
After trailing the contact for a while three torpedoes were fired at 1253 hours. The course and speed of the submerged submarine were by now well known. No explosions occurred so the submarine must have been deep. Talisman continued to shadow the submarine until it surfaced.
1927 hours - The target surfaced.
1932 hours - Talisman surfaced and closed with gun crews at the ready.
2030 hours - Contact was lost.
2046 hours - The submarine was sighted again. While closing Talisman was sighted by the other submarine and challenged at a range of about 1000 yards by the Allied Private Signal. The reply was made and course was resumed towards Alexandria. The identity of the other submarine was not established until after arrival at Alexandria when it was learnt that it was HMS Otus.
Talisman was not aware that Otus was on passage from Alexandria to Malta. This was known so Otus was routed way to the North of the route of Talisman. An investigation showed that Talisman was way out of position. (see map)
15 Aug 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) arrives at Alexandria.
21 Aug 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) departs Alexandria for her 8th war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean). She is ordered to patrol in the Gulf of Sirte and off Benghazi.
23 Aug 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) attacks a merchant vessel with three torpedoes about 80 nautical miles North-North-East of Tobruk, Libya. No hits were obtained. Talisman had to go deep because one of the torpedoes had a gyro failure.
(All times are zone -3)
1358 hours - While proceeding at periscope depth in position 33º35'N, 24º23'E sighted a merchant vessel of about 2500 tons bearing 337 degrees, range 4.5 nautical miles. Enemy course was 157 degrees, speed 12 knots. Started attack. No escort was seen.
1425 hours - Fired three torpedoes from 1000 yards.
1427 hours - One of the torpedoes passed Talisman due to a gyro failure. Went deep with all despatch.
1429 hours - The torpedo went overhead.
1440 hours - Went to periscope depth. Saw the target zig-zagging on a North-Easterly course. Range was now 3000 yards.
(see map)
26 Aug 1941
At 0530 hours (time zone -3) HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) a major defect is discovered on the Port engine. This engine was out of action for the remainder of the patrol unless in an emergency.
30 Aug 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) damages two motor sailing vessels with gunfire about 5 nautical miles north of Benghazi, Libya. (It is possible that one of these was sunk).
(All times are zone -3)
1129 hours - Sighted two motor sailing vessels approaching on a course of 040 degrees. Started attack. Position was 32º16'N, 20º06'E.
1154 hours - Surfaced to engage with the 4" gun and with the Lewis machine gun. Range was 1000 yards.
1203 hours - One of the sailing vessels was seen to be hit forward and aft. It was abandoned and low in the water. The other had increased the range and was proceeding inshore faster then Talisman could steam on one engine and motor trimmed down. She had been hit forward once. This sailing vessel opened fire with a light automatic machine gun. Talisman was hit but no casualties were sustained. Dived and retired seawards. 39 Rounds of 4" were fired in this action. (see map)
7 Sep 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) ends her 8th war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria.
20 Sep 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) departs Alexandria for her 9th war patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the Aegean. Before proceeding on patrol exercises were performed together with HMS Havock (Lt. G.R.G. Watkins, DSC, RN).
1 Oct 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) attacks an Italian convoy with torpedoes West of the Zea Channel missing the Italian merchant Lauretta (938 GRT, built 1901). Talisman was heavily depth charged by the escorting Italian torpedo boat Libra.
3 Oct 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) destroyes the wreck of the German merchant Yalova (3751 GRT) that is grounded at Agios Giorgios Island.
4 Oct 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) torpedoes and sinks the Vichy-French passenger ship Theophile Gautier (8194 GRT) north-east of Kea Island, Greece in position 37º45'N, 24º35'E. (see map)
7 Oct 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) attacks the German merchant Salzburg (1742 GRT) with torpedoes west-north-west of Kasos Island, Greece in position 35º31'N, 26º25'E. All torpedoes fired missed their target. (see map)
12 Oct 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) ends her 9th war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria.
11 Dec 1941
HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, RN) torpedoes and sinks the Italian merchant Calitea (4013 GRT) about 60 nautical miles west-south-west of Schiza island, Greece in position 36º23'N, 20º33'E. (see map)
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