Harry Noel Edmonds DSC, RN

Born  25 Dec 1913Georgetown, British Guiana
Died  8 May 1942(28)HMS Olympus


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Ranks

1 Jan 1935 S.Lt.
1 Apr 1936 Lt.

Decorations

9 May 1940 DSC

Warship Commands listed for Harry Noel Edmonds, RN


ShipRankTypeFromTo
HMS L 27 (N 27)Lt.Submarine11 Jan 194112 Aug 1941
HMS P 36 (P 36)Lt.Submarine12 Aug 19411 Apr 1942

Career information

Born 25 Dec 1913 in Georgetown, British Guiana. Son of Dr and Mrs F R Edmonds.Husband of Phyllis Georgina Edmonds of Edinburgh. HMS P36 was bombed and sunk in Malta on 1 April 1942. Lt Edmonds was lost in HMS Olympus 8 May 1942.

Events related to this officer

Submarine HMS L 27 (N 27)


20 Jan 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) is docked at Portsmouth.
[The date she was undocked is currently not known to us.]

26 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) departed Portsmouth for Dartmouth. While en-route she was ordered to patrol off Brest, France (her 9th was patrol). (1)

30 Jan 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) ended her 9th war patrol at Dartmouth. At Dartmouth she was to participate in A/S exercises. (1)

1 Feb 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Dartmouth, first with HMS St. Cathan (T/Lt. F. Twomey, RNR) and HMS Cape Comorin (T/Lt. N.L. Brown, RNVR) and later with ML 157, ML 157, ML 160 and ML 166. (2)

3 Feb 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Dartmouth with HMS Rockingham (Cdr. L.M. Shadwell, RN) and HMS Ramsey (Cdr.(Retd.) P.G. Agnew, RN). (2)

4 Feb 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Dartmouth first with HNoMS Mansfield (Cdr. F. Ulstrup, RNorN) and HMS Roxborough (Lt. V.A. Wight-Boycott, OBE, RN) and later with HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, DSO, RN) and HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St. Clair-Ford, RN). (2)

5 Feb 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Dartmouth. (3)

6 Feb 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Dartmouth with HMS Ramsey (Cdr.(Retd.) P.G. Agnew, RN) and HMS Roxborough (Lt. V.A. Wight-Boycott, OBE, RN). Upon completion of these exercises she departed for Portsmouth. (2)

7 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) arrived at Portsmouth.

10 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (3)

11 Feb 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. DSC, Edmonds, RN) is docked at Portsmouth.
[The date she was undocked is currently not known to us.]

14 Feb 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (3)

17 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) departed Portsmouth for Dartmouth. (3)

18 Feb 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) arrived at Dartmouth. Upon arrival she conducted A/S exercises with HMS Ripley (Lt.Cdr. J.A. Agnew, RN). (4)

19 Feb 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Dartmouth with HMS Ripley (Lt.Cdr. J.A. Agnew, RN). (4)

20 Feb 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Dartmouth with HMS Ruby (T/Lt. N.L. Brown, RNVR) and HMS St. Cathan (T/Lt. F. Twomey, RNR). (4)

23 Feb 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Dartmouth with HMCS Columbia (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) S.W. Davis, RN) and HMCS St. Clair (A/Lt.Cdr. D.C. Wallace, RCNR). (4)

24 Feb 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Dartmouth with HMCS Columbia (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) S.W. Davis, RN) and HMCS St. Clair (Lt.Cdr. D.C. Wallace, RCNR). (4)

25 Feb 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Dartmouth with HMS Burwell (Lt.Cdr. S.R.J. Woods, RNR) and HMCS St.Francis (Lt.Cdr. H.F. Pullen, RCN). (4)

26 Feb 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Dartmouth. (4)

27 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) departed Dartmouh for Portsmouth. (3)

28 Feb 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) arrived at Portsmouth. (3)

10 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) departed Portsmouth for Dartmouth.

11 Mar 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) arrived at Dartmouth where she was to participate in A/S exercises.

[No details can be given as no log for March 1941 of HMS L 27 is available.]

12 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) departed Dartmouth for her 10th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off Brest, France. (1)

19 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) ended her 10th war patrol at Portsmouth. (1)

22 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) departed Portsmouth for her 11th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Bay of Biscay. (1)

8 Apr 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) ended her 11th war patrol at Portsmouth. (1)

15 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) is docked at Portsmouth. She was undocked later the same day. (5)

17 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (5)

19 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) arrived at Sheerness. (5)

21 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) arrived at Blyth. (5)

21 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) arrived at Blyth. (5)

29 Apr 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth. (5)

30 Apr 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth. (5)

1 May 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth. (6)

2 May 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth. (6)

6 May 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth. (6)

7 May 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth. (6)

8 May 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth. (6)

9 May 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth. (6)

13 May 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth. (6)

14 May 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth. (6)

15 May 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth. (6)

16 May 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth. (6)

20 May 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth. (6)

21 May 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth. (6)

22 May 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth. (6)

23 May 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth. (6)

25 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth. (5)

27 May 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth. (6)

30 May 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth. (6)

3 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth. (7)

5 Jun 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth. (7)

6 Jun 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth. (7)

9 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) departed Blyth for Rothesay. (7)

12 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) arrived at Rothesay. (7)

12 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) arrived at Rothesay. (7)

14 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) shifted from Rothesay to Campbeltown. (7)

15 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (7)

16 Jun 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (7)

17 Jun 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (7)

18 Jun 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (7)

19 Jun 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (7)

20 Jun 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (7)

21 Jun 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (7)

23 Jun 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (7)

25 Jun 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (7)

26 Jun 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (7)

27 Jun 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (7)

29 Jun 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (7)

30 Jun 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (7)

2 Jul 1941
On 2 or 3 July 1941, HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN), shifted from Campbeltown to Rothesay.

Around 10 July, L 27, was docked at Rothesay. It is not known to us when she was undocked as there is no log available for the month of July 1941.

22 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) departed Rothesay for Tobermory.

23 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) arrived at Tobermory from where she was to participate in A/S exercises.

1 Aug 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Tobermory. (8)

2 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises off Tobermory during which HMS Alecto (Cdr. R.M.G. Gambier, RN) served as target. (8)

4 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) departed Tobermory for Oban escorted by HMS Alecto (Cdr. R.M.G. Gambier, RN). However she had to return to Tobermory with Alecto due to her steering gear being defective. (8)

5 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Tobermory. (8)

5 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Tobermory. (8)

6 Aug 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (8)

8 Aug 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. Also attack exercises were carried out. (8)

11 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) shifted from Tobermory to Oban. After fuelling at Oban she returned to Tobermory later the same day. (8)

11 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) shifted from Tobermory to Oban. After fuelling at Oban she returned to Tobermory later the same day. (8)

12 Aug 1941
HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory. (8)


Submarine HMS P 36 (P 36)


23 Sep 1941
HMS P 36 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) departed her builders yard at Barrow for Holy Loch. She was escorted by HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Dobson, RNR). (9)

24 Sep 1941
HMS P 36 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch to begin a training period. (9)

14 Oct 1941
HMS P 36 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) departed Holy Loch for her 1st war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the North Atlantic to the south-west of Ireland on an anti-uboat patrol.

During passage south through the Irish Sea she was escorted by HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) C.C. Flemming, RN).

No log is available for this period so no map can be displayed. (9)

15 Oct 1941
During passage south through the Irish Sea HMS P 36 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) developed engine defects. She was ordered to return to Holy Loch. (9)

16 Oct 1941
HMS P 36 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) ended her 1st (aborted) war patrol at Dundee. (9)

24 Oct 1941
HMS P 36 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) departed Holy Loch for her 2nd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the North Atlantic to the south-west of Ireland on an anti-uboat patrol.

During passage south through the Irish Sea she was escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) until 2000/26.

No log is available for this period so no map can be displayed. (10)

7 Nov 1941
HMS P 36 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Portsmouth. The patrol had been uneventful. (10)

21 Nov 1941
HMS P 36 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) departed Portsmouth to participate in A/S exercises off Dartmouth. (9)

22 Nov 1941
HMS P 36 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) arrived at Dartmouth. (9)

23 Nov 1941
HMS P 36 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) departed Dartmouth for her 3rd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Bay of Biscay and to perform a special operation.

No log is available for this period so no map can be displayed. (10)

26 Nov 1941 (position 47.16, -3.20)
HMS P 36 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) attacked a German U-boat with two torpedoes south-west of Belle-Ile island in position 47°16'N, 03°20'W. All torpedoes missed their target. This was probably U-67 which had sailed from Lorient for an Atlantic patrol. The attack was not noticed by the Germans.

(All times are zone -1)
1529 hours - Heard HE bearing 020°.

1530 hours - Sighted a U-boat on that bearing. Enemy course was 180°, speed 14 knots. Started attack.

1543 hours - Fired two torpedoes from 3000 yards. Only two torpedoes were fired as there was no torpedo in No.1 tube due to routines being carried out and No.3 tube was not flooded in time. Both torpedoes were heard to run but no explosions followed. (10)

27 Nov 1941
HMS P 36 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) conducted a special operation. In the evening four agents were taken off a French fishing vessel and stores were transferred to this fishing vessel. This was Special Operation Fighter (Valise III for SIS). (10)

30 Nov 1941
HMS P 36 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol at Dartmouth. (10)

4 Dec 1941
HMS P 36 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) departed Dartmouth for Portsmouth. (9)

5 Dec 1941
HMS P 36 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) arrived at Portsmouth. (9)

18 Dec 1941
HMS P 36 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) departed Portsmouth for passage to Gibraltar It had originally been intended for her to patrol in the Bay of Biscay and then to proceed to Gibraltar upon completion of the patrol but these orders were cancelled and she was ordered to proceed to Gibraltar directly.

P 36 was to join the 10th submarine flotilla at Malta.

For the daily positions of HMS P 36 during this passage see the map below.

(9)

27 Dec 1941
HMS P 36 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. She was escorted in by HMS Hesperus (Lt.Cdr. A.A. Tait, RN). (9)

1 Jan 1942
HMS P 36 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) departed Gibraltar for her 4th war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Gulf of Lions and to conduct two special operations (2 agents were to be landed). Upon completion of the patrol she was to proceed to Malta.

For the daily positions of HMS P 36 during this patrol see the map below. No position is known for 14 January 1942.

(11)

7 Jan 1942
At 2130 hours HMS P 36 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) abandoned the landing of agent 'A' due to the unfavourable weather condition and the time limit now having expired. (11)

9 Jan 1942
At 1920 hours HMS P 36 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) landed agent 'B' (Peter Churchill) from position 43°08'5"N, 06°56'8"E.

At 2100 hours, agent 'A' was landed from position 43°06'N, 06°54'8"E. Agent 'A' was keen on being landed instead of returning and after consulting with agent 'B' it was decided to land him in this location. (11)

16 Jan 1942
HMS P 36 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) ended her 4th war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (11)

22 Jan 1942
HMS P 36 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 5th war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol to the East of Tripoli.

No log is available for this period so no map can be displayed. (11)

24 Jan 1942 (position 32.50, 14.20)
HMS P 36 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) attacked an enemy convoy north of Khoms, Libya. Four torpedoes were fired but no hits were obtained. The convoy consisted of Monviso (5322 GRT, built 1941), Monginevro (5324 GRT, built 1940) and Vettor Pisani (6339 GRT, built 1939) escorted by the destroyers Ugolino Vivaldi, Lanzerotto Malocello, Antonio Da Noli and Geniere and the torpedo boats Castore and Orsa. The submarine was hunted by Malocello, Geniere, Castore and a CANT Z.501 of 196^Squadriglia.

(All times are zone -2)
0824 hours - In position 32°50'N, 14°20'E sighted the masts of three merchant vessels, later seen to be of 5000 tons each. They were escorted by 5 destroyers and 2 aircraft. Started attack. Closed at high speed to 4500 yards.

Fired four torpedoes at the two leading merchant vessels which were a length apart. It is thought that one hit was obtained. Went to 130 feet on firing and moved away on an opposite course to the convoy. The counter attack was carried out by four destroyers. About 30 depth charges were dropped but none were very close.

1010 hours - Returned to periscope depth. Nothing in sight. (11)

25 Jan 1942
In the evening HMS P 36 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) was ordered to patrol to the west of Tripoli. (11)

2 Feb 1942
HMS P 36 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) ended her 5th war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (11)

11 Feb 1942
HMS P 36 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 6th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol south of the Straits of Messina.

No log is available for this period so no map can be displayed. (11)

15 Feb 1942 (position 37.36, 15.53)
HMS P 36 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) attacked the Italian heavy cruisers Gorizia and Trento, screened by the destroyers Ascari, Aviere and Camicia Nera, south of the Straits of Messina in position 37°36'N, 15°53'E. Four torpedoes were fired but no hits were obtained. The destroyer Ascari reported that a torpedo missed her astern.

(All times are zone -2)
0055 hours - Heard HE bearing 295°. Stopped the generators.

0102 hours - HE was reported to be drawing from right to left. Closed the range, keeping the HE 10° - 15° on the starboard bow, varying speed between 9 and 3 knots.

0115 hours - Sighted two cruisers and one destroyer bearing 265°. The destroyer being on the engaged bow of the cruisers. Started attack.

0121 hours - Fired four torpedoes from 7000 yards at the leading cruiser. No hits were obtained.

0122 hours - Dived as the torpedo tracks were fairy conspicuous owing to the phosphorescence.

0220 hours - Surfaced to pass enemy report. (11)

16 Feb 1942 (position 37.42, 15.35)
HMS P 36 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) torpedoed and damaged the Italian destroyer Carabiniere south of the Straits of Messina. Part of the bow was blown off.

The destroyer was screening the heavy cruisers Trento and Gorizia with her consorts Alpino, Fuciliere and Bersagliere. Twenty men were killed or missing and forty wounded (three seriously). She was taken in tow by the tug Instancabile and, escorted by the torpedo boat Generale Marcello Prestinari, was brought to Messina. The torpedo boat Pallade was sailed to take over the hunt of the submarine and dropped forty-five depth charges.

(All times are zone -2)
1240 hours - Heard destroyer HE bearing 110°.

1301 hours - At periscope depth. Sighted the Italian heavy cruisers Trento and Gorizia. They were escorted by about 8 destroyers and several aircraft. Started attack on the leading cruiser.

1307 hours - Shifted target to the second cruiser, Gorizia.

1315 hours - In position 37°42'N, 15°35'E fired four torpedoes from 1000 yards. It is thought two hits were obtained. P 36 went deep and took evasive action.

1318 hours - A counter attack started. This was carried out by 6 destroyers. During the first 45 minutes 105 depth charges were counted. None were uncomfortably close.

1534 hours - Returned to periscope depth. 3 Destroyers and 2 aircraft were sighted near the area of the attack about 3 nautical miles away. Nothing was seen of the cruiser. (11)

18 Feb 1942
HMS P 36 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) ended her 6th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (11)

21 Feb 1942
HMS P 36 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 7th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol to the East of Tripoli to form a patrol line with HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, VC, DSO, RN) and HMS Unbeaten (Lt.Cdr. E.A. Woodward, DSO, RN) to intercept an important enemy convoy. No convoy was sighted.

No log is available for this period so no map can be displayed. (11)

23 Feb 1942
In the evening HMS P 36 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) set course, as ordered, for a new patrol area to the West of Tripoli. (11)

1 Mar 1942
HMS P 36 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) ended her 7th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (11)

6 Mar 1942
HMS P 36 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) was reported to have sustained damage to both her periscopes during an air raid at Malta. (12)

14 Mar 1942
HMS P 36 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 8th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Gulf of Taranto to provide cover for a convoy to Malta. Only destroyers and an E-boat were seen and they were not attacked.

No log is available for this period so no map can be displayed. (11)

26 Mar 1942 (position 37.29, 16.32)
At 0120 hours (Rome time), the Italian submarine Onice sighted a submarine at a distance of 800-1000 metres. Shortly after, Onice fired two torpedoes from her bow tubes at a range of 500 metres. She then opened fire as she steered straight for the enemy. After the third round, fired at only 150 metres, the submarine crash-dived as Onice passed over her. The target was HMS P 36 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN). Position of the attack was 37°29'N, 16°32'E. (13)

29 Mar 1942
HMS P 36 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) ended her 8th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (11)

1 Apr 1942
HMS P 36 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) was bombed and sunk during an Axis air raid on Malta, there were no casualties.

Sources

  1. ADM 199/1830
  2. ADM 173/16805 + ADM 199/658
  3. ADM 173/16805
  4. ADM 173/16805 + ADM 199/655
  5. ADM 173/16806
  6. ADM 173/16807
  7. ADM 173/16808
  8. ADM 173/16809
  9. ADM 199/400
  10. ADM 199/1833
  11. ADM 199/1224
  12. ADM 199/2561
  13. Platon Alexiades

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


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