Laid down (33)

1936: Minesweeper Hebe (J 24)

1937: Aircraft Carrier Illustrious (87)

1939: Light cruiser Ceylon (30) - Submarine Thresher (200)

1940: Corvette Nanaimo (K 101)

1942: Landing Craft Tank LCT 358 (LCT 358) - MS Trawler Texada (T 283) - Minesweeper Candid (AM 154) - Motor torpedo boat PT 80 - Submarine chaser SC-1029 (SC-1029) - Submarine chaser SC-634 (SC-634) - Submarine chaser SC-689 (SC-689) - Submarine chaser SC-748 (SC-748)

1943: Minesweeper BYMS 2234 (J 1034) - Destroyer Cheviot (R 90) - Submarine Urtica (P 83) - Destroyer Escort Barber (DE 161) - Oiler Ponaganset (AO 86) - Motor torpedo boat PT 312 - Motor torpedo boat PT 361 - Submarine chaser SC-1349 (SC-1349) - Submarine chaser SC-1350 (SC-1350) - Minesweeper YMS-234 (YMS-234)

1944: Submarine Corporal (346) - Destroyer Escort Heyliger (DE 510) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-1007 (LCI(L)-1007) - Landing craft tank LCT 1080 (LCT 1080) - Landing craft tank LCT 1289 (LCT 1289) - Landing craft tank LCT 695 (LCT 695) - Medium landing ship LSM 214 (LSM 214) - Tank landing ship LST 704 (LST 704)

1945: Motor torpedo boat PT 708 - Motor torpedo boat PT 709

Launched (39)

1918: Destroyer Scout (H 51)

1929: ASW Trawler Kingston Turquoise (4.91)

1935: Submarine ShCh-424

1937: ASW Trawler Lady Elsa (FY 124) - ASW Trawler Lord Nuffield (FY 221)

1939: Submarine S-32

1940: Oiler Sabine (AO 25) - Submarine ShCh-136

1942: Escort destroyer La Combattante - Escort destroyer Haldon (L 19) - Submarine chaser SC-534 (SC-534) - Submarine chaser SC-629 (SC-629)

1943: Corvette North Bay (K 339) - Motor minesweeper MMS 144 (J 644) - Tank landing ship LST 27 (LST 27) - Destroyer Escort Neunzer (DE 150) - Salvage vessel Protector (ARS 14) - Motor torpedo boat PT 296 - Motor torpedo boat PT 297 - Minesweeper YMS-378 (YMS-378)

1944: Motor minesweeper D 345 - Frigate Kirkland Lake (K 337) - Corvette Stellarton (K 457) - Landing Craft Tank LCT 1102 (LCT 1102) - Landing Craft Tank LCT 7059 (LCT 7059) - Motor minesweeper MMS 1054 (FY 1054) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-603 (LCI(L)-603) - Landing craft tank LCT 1081 (LCT 1081) - Landing craft tank LCT 749 (LCT 749) - Landing craft tank LCT 750 (LCT 750) - Tank landing ship LST 667 (LST 667) - Tank landing ship LST 696 (LST 696) - Submarine chaser SC-1499 (SC-1499)

1945: Tank landing ship LST 3032 (LST 3032) - Tank landing ship LST 3043 (LST 3043) - Submarine Teredo (P 338) - Destroyer tender Grand Canyon (AD 28) - Tank landing ship LST 1079 (LST 1079) - Net tender Marietta (AN 82)

Commissioned (40)

1918: Destroyer Vanessa (D 29) - Destroyer Vidette (D 48) - Destroyer Wolfhound (I 56)

1927: Patrol vessel Rush (WPC 151)

1932: Patrol vessel Perseus (WPC 114)

1935: Destroyer Fortune (H 70)

1937: Boom defence vessel Dunnet (Z 14)

1940: Destroyer Walke (i) (DD 416)

1941: Escort destroyer Farndale (L 70) - Motor Launch ML 249 (ML 249)

1942: Motor minesweeper MMS 171 (J 671) - Minesweeper YMS-99 (YMS-99)

1943: Minesweeper Benalla (J 323) - Harbour Defence Motor Launch HDML 1285 (ML 1285) - Motor Launch ML 386 (ML 386) - Motor minesweeper MMS 1037 (FY 1037) - Oiler Chepachet (AO 78) - Tank landing ship LST 167 (LST 167) - Tank landing ship LST 204 (LST 204) - Tank landing ship LST 487 (LST 487) - Motor torpedo boat PT 331 - Submarine Puffer (268)

1944: Motor Torpedo Boat MTB 469 (MTB 469) - Motor Torpedo Boat MTB 723 (MTB 723) - Motor Torpedo Boat MTB 739 (MTB 739) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-599 (LCI(L)-599) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-970 (LCI(L)-970) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-971 (LCI(L)-971) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-972 (LCI(L)-972) - Tank landing ship LST 554 (LST 554) - Tank landing ship LST 688 (LST 688) - Tank landing ship LST 906 (LST 906) - Escort carrier Makassar Strait (CVE 91) - Patrol craft PC-1217 (PC-1217) - Motor torpedo boat PT 530

1945: Frigate Diamantina (K 377) - Medium landing ship LSM 489 (LSM 489) - Tank landing ship LST 1139 (LST 1139) - Net tender Passaconaway (AN 86)

1946: Destroyer Damato (DD 871)

1941: Destroyer Diamond (H 22) - Ocean boarding vessel Patia - Destroyer Wryneck (i) (L 04)

1942: Submarine Urge (N 17)

More information on Allied Warships losses.

1940

Heavy cruiser HMS Kent: HMS Kent (Capt. D. Young-Jamieson, RN) departed Colombo to patrol off the Maldives.

Heavy cruiser HMAS Canberra: Around 1000M/27, HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN) arrived at Wellington from Sydney.

Heavy cruiser HMS Dorsetshire: Early in the morning, HMS Dorsetshire (Capt. B.C.S. Martin, RN), took over the escort of the whale factory ship Tafelberg (13640 GRT, built 1930) from HMS Gloucester (Capt. F.R. Garside, CBE, RN). These ships had departed Capetown on 21 April and HMS Dorsetshire had been ordered to overtake them. HMS Gloucester then returned to South Africa.

Heavy cruiser HMS York: HMS York (Capt. R.H. Portal, DSC, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from operations off Norway.

Light cruiser HMS Sheffield: HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral M.L. Clarke, DSC, RN) departed Scapa Flow for operations off Norway. She joined the group of HMS Ark Royal (Capt. C.S. Holland, RN) the following day.

Submarine HMS Clyde: HMS Clyde (Lt.Cdr. D.C. Ingram, RN) departed Rosyth for her 8th war patrol. She is to carry out operation Knife, supply Norwegian forces in the Sondefjord, North of Bergen with arms and ammunition. No map can be displayed as there is no log available for HMS Clyde for this period.

Submarine HMS Rorqual: HMS Rorqual (Lt.Cdr R.H. Dewhurst, RN) conducted trials of Singapore.

Submarine HMS Cachalot: HMS Cachalot (Lt.Cdr. S.W.F. Bennetts, RN) departed Blyth for the Devonport Dockyard at Plymouth.

Submarine HMS Triton: At 0110A/27, near position 58°45'N, 05°10'E, to the south-west of Stavanger, HMS Triton (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Pizey, RN) which was proceeding northwards, sighted an unidentified ship approaching from ahead. This ship appeared out of a hazy patch of horizon and there was only time to dive to avoid being sighted. The ship passed very close by and was heard on ASDICs as being turbine engined and doing around 18 knots. It was thought to be some sort of escort vessel.

Submarine HMS H 32: HMS H 32 (Lt. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) departed Portland for Sheerness.

Light cruiser HMS Fiji: HMS Fiji (Capt. W.G. Benn, RN) conducted gunnery trials in the Clyde area.

Battleship HMS Resolution: HMS Resolution (Capt. O. Bevir, RN) proceeded from Harstad to Tromso.

Destroyer HMAS Vampire: HMAS Stuart (Cdr. H.M.L. Waller, RAN) and HMAS Vampire (Lt.Cdr. J.A. Walsh, RAN) departed Malta for Gibraltar. They were recalled the following day to return to Malta at best speed. They arrived at Malta on the 29th.

Destroyer HMS Defender: HMS Resource (Capt.(Retd.) D.B. O’Connell, RN), HMS Decoy (Cdr. E.G. McGregor, RN) and HMS Defender (Lt.Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, RN) arrived at Malta.

Destroyer HMS Jackal: HMS Jackal (Cdr. T.M. Napier, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow after whichshe departed to make rendez-vous at sea with the light cruiser HMS Arethusa (Capt. Q.D. Graham, RN) which she joined around 1830 hours. They then both arrived at Scapa Flow the following day.

Destroyer HMS Jupiter: HMS Jupiter (Cdr. D.B. Wyburd, RN) arrived at the Tyne escorting the merchant vessel Manchester City (5600 GRT, built 1937). HMS Jupiter was then taken in hand for refit.

Destroyer HMS Kelly: HMS Kelly (Capt. L.F.A.V.N. Mountbatten, GCVO, RN) departed Sheerness for Scapa Flow where she arrived on the 29th having been delayed by fog.

Minesweeper FR Chamois: Chamois departed Brest in escort of Convoy FS 4, en route Greenock, Scotland. Arrived at Greenock on 29 April.

Minesweeper FR Commandant Delage: Commandant Delage departed Brest in escort of Convoy FS 4, en route Greenock, Scotland. Arrived at Greenock on 29 April.

1941

Heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland: HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) lost one of her Walrus aircraft near Santos, Brazil.

Heavy cruiser HMAS Canberra: Convoy US 10A. This convoy departed Trincomalee on 27 April 1941. It was made up of the troop transports Queen Elizabeth (British, 83673 GRT, built 1939) and Queen Mary (British, 81235 GRT, built 1936). On departure from Trincomalee the convoy was escorted by the heavy cruiser HMAS Canberra (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN). The Queen Mary (British, 81235 GRT, built 1936) was delayed and sailed later to overtake the other ships at sea which she did early on the 28th. The convoy was disbanded around 0040B/2 when north of Perim.

Light cruiser HMS Dauntless: Around 1100/27, the British troopship Aquitania departed Singapore for Colombo. She had on board New Zealand troops for the Middle East (Suez). She was being escorted by the light cruiser HMS Dauntless (Capt. G.D. Moore, RAN) until 1455/28 when HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) took over. HMS Dauntless then proceeded to Penang arriving there around 0800/29. Aquitania and HMS Danae arrived at Colombo in the morning of May 1st.

Light cruiser HMS Dragon: Convoy SL 73. This convoy departed Freetown on 27 April 1941 for the U.K. On departure from Freetown the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Agios Georgios (Greek, 4248 GRT, built 1911), Alcyone (Dutch, 4534 GRT, built 1921), Atland (Swedish, 5203 GRT, built 1910), British Chemist (British (tanker), 6997 GRT, built 1925), Brynymor (British, 4771 GRT, built 1936), Celtic Star (British, 5575 GRT, built 1918), City of Florence (British, 6862 GRT, built 1918), Clan Skene (British, 5214 GRT, built 1919), Daronia (British (tanker), 8139 GRT, built 1939), Defoe (British, 6245 GRT, built 1940), Elg (British, 4014 GRT, built 1930), Empire Gunner (British, 4492 GRT, built 1906), Fana (Norwegian, 1375 GRT, built 1939), Guelma (British, 4402 GRT, built 1928), Hardanger (Norwegian, 4000 GRT, built 1924), Harpalion (British, 5486 GRT, built 1932), Hartington (British, 5496 GRT, built 1932), Hartismere (British, 5498 GRT, built 1933), Hopecrown (British, 5180 GRT, built 1937), Katanga (Belgian, 5183 GRT, built 1917), Laplace (British, 7327 GRT, built 1919), Llancarvan (British, 4910 GRT, built 1937), Lysaker V (British, 1571 GRT, built 1936), Novasli (Norwegian, 3204 GRT, built 1920), Penolver (British, 3721 GRT, built 1912), Robert L. Holt (British, 2918 GRT, built 1926), Rod-el-Farag (Egyptian, 6369 GRT, built 1910), Rupert de Larrinaga (British, 5358 GRT, built 1930), Sabor (British, 5212 GRT, built 1920), Sagaing (British, 7958 GRT, built 1925), Solon II (British, 4561 GRT, built 1925), Starcross (British, 4662 GRT, built 1936), Suva (British, 4873 GRT, built 1938), Svend Foyn (British, 14795 GRT, built 1931), Tanafjord (Norwegian, 5922 GRT, built 1921), Thomas Holt (British, 3585 GRT, built 1929) and Titus (Dutch, 1712 GRT, built 1930). (British, GRT, built ). On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Esperance Bay (Capt.(ret) G.S. Holden, RN) and the corvettes HMS Clematis (Cdr. Y.M. Cleeves, DSC, RD, RNR), HMS Crocus (Lt.Cdr. E. Wheeler, RNR), HMS Cyclamen (Lt. H.N. Lawson, RNR) and HMS Marguerite (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Blundell, RNR). On 29 April 1941 the destroyer HMS Duncan (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Rowell, RN) joined coming from Bathurst. She parted company with the convoy on 1 May 1941 to proceed to Gibraltar. Around 1540N/3, the light cruiser HMS Dragon (Capt. R.J. Shaw, MBE, RN) joined the convoy coming from Freetown. She remained with the convoy until 1820N/4 when she parted company to return to Freetown. On 19 May 1941, the destroyers HMS Boadicea (A/Cdr. E.C.L. Turner, RN), HMCS Columbia (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) S.W. Davis, RN), HMCS St.Francis (Lt.Cdr. H.F. Pullen, RCN) and the armed boarding vessels HMS Hilary (Cdr. T.L. Owen, RD, RNR) and HMS Registan (A/Cdr. E.A. Divers, RNR) joined the convoy. Around this time HMS Esperance Bay most likely parted company with the convoy. On 20 May 1941, the destroyer HMCS St. Clair (Lt.Cdr. D.C. Wallace, RCNR), sloop HMS Egret (A/Capt. E.M. Haes, RN) and the corvettes HMCS Arrowhead (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Skinner, RCNR), HMCS Hepatica (T/Lt. C. Copelin, RCNR), HMCS Snowberry (T/Lt. R.S. Kelley, RCNR) and HMCS Spikenard (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Shadforth, RCNR) joined the convoy. The rescue ship Zamalek (British, 1567 GRT, built 1930) also joined the convoy around the 19/20th. On 21 May 1941, the destroyers St. Francis and St. Clair parted company with the convoy. The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 25 May 1941.

Light cruiser HMAS Hobart: Around 0830M/27, HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.L. Howden, CBE, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN) departed Auckland for Sydney.

Light cruiser HMAS Perth: Convoy GA 14. This convoy was formed at sea, north of Crete from ships which had been participating in Operation Demon, the evacuation of troops from the Greek mainland. The convoy was made up of the transports City of London (British, 8956 GRT, built 1907), Costa Rica (Dutch, 8055 GRT, built 1910), Khedive Ismael (7290 GRT, built 1922) and Salween (7063 GRT, built 1938). The landing ship HMS Glengyle (A/Capt.(Retd.) C.H. Petrie, RN) was also part of the convoy. Close escort was made up of the AA cruisers HMS Coventry (Capt. D. Gilmour, RN), HMS Calcutta (Capt. D.M. Lees, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMAS Stuart (Capt. H.M.L. Waller, DSO, RAN), HMAS Vampire (Cdr. J.A. Walsh, RAN), HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. R. Rhoades, RAN), HMAS Waterhen (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN) and the sloop HMS Flamingo (Cdr. R.J.O. Otway-Ruthven, RN). While the convoy was being formed, the Costa Rica was bombed north of Crete by enemy aircraft. She was taken in tow by the destroyer HMS Defender (Lt.Cdr. G.L. Farnfield, RN) but sank north-west of Suda Bay in position 35°54'N, 23°49'E. The troops and her crew were saved. Cover for this convoy was provided by the light cruisers HMAS Perth (Capt. P.W. Bowyer-Smith, RN), HMS Phoebe (Capt. G. Grantham, RN) and the destroyers HMS Decoy (Cdr. E.G. McGregor, DSO, RN), HMS Defender, HMS Hasty (Lt.Cdr. L.R.K. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), HMS Hereward (Lt. W.J. Munn, RN), HMS Hero (Cdr. H.W. Biggs, DSO, RN) and HMS Nubian (Cdr. R.W. Ravenhill, RN). These ships returned to Suda Bay in the afternoon of the 27th. The convoy arrived at Alexandria on 29 April 1941.

Light cruiser HMAS Sydney: Around 1130H/27, HMAS Sydney (Capt. J.A. Collins, CB, RAN) arrived at Fremantle from Singapore.

Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Alcantara: Around 1230B/27, HMS Alcantara (Capt. (Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) arrived at Capetown from patrol / St. Helena.

Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Carthage: Around 0800B/27, HMS Carthage (Capt.(Retd.) H.L.I. Kirkpatrick, OBE, RN) arrived at Durban from patrol.

Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Ranchi: Around 1100B/27, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) H.C. Legge, DSC, RN) departed Durban for patrol. She is ordered to patrol off the southern entrance to the Mozambique Channel.

Submarine HMS Ursula: HMS Ursula (Lt. A.J. Mackenzie, RN) departed Malta for her 19th war patrol (6th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Kerkennah. Later she shifted to the Gulf of Hammamet. For the daily and attack positions of HMS Ursula during this patrol see the map below.

Submarine HMS Clyde: HMS Clyde (Cdr. D.C. Ingram, DSC, RN) conducted exercies in the Clyde area with HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. S.A. Jones, RNR). These included night exercises.

Submarine HMS Cachalot: HMS Cachalot (Lt. H.R.B. Newton, DSC, RN) arrived at Plymouth.

Submarine HMS Seawolf: HMS Seawolf (Lt. P.L. Field, RN) participated in A/S exercises at Scapa Flow.

Submarine HMS Torbay: While on submerged patrol off Cape Ferrato HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN) attacks a two-masted single-funnelled merchant ship of about 4000 tons with two torpedoes. These both missed. It was the intention of Lt.Cdr. Miers to surface and attack with the deck gun when an aircraft was sighted. Lt.Cdr. Miers took Torbay deep.

Submarine HMS Upholder: At 1950B/27, HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) surfaced and tried to close the wreck of the Italian destroyer Lampo torpedoed and sunk in shallow waters by British destroyers during the action against the 'Tarigo'-convoy (16 April). At 2040 hours, the submarine ran aground in 15 feet of water some 4000 yards short of her target and the attempt was abandoned.

Submarine HMS Upright: HMS Upright (Lt. R.S. Brookes, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 10th war patrol (8th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol between Kerkennah, Tunisia and Tripoli, Libya. For the daily and attack positions of HMS Upright during this patrol see the map below.

Submarine HMS Utmost: At 2105 hours, in position 35°58'N, 10°37.5'E HMS Utmost (Lt.Cdr. R.D. Cayley, RN) surfaced to carry out the special operation. This was to meet a sailboat manned by Mounier and Verdier and transfer Commandant Breuillac. The submarine cruised in a vain without meeting them, the two men later affirming that they had been at the rendezvous.

Submarine HMS H 28: HMS H 28 (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory.

Submarine HMS H 33: HMS H 33 (Lt. C.H. Rankin, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

Submarine HMS H 34: HMS H 34 (Lt. C.P. Norman, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Ardrishaig.

Light cruiser HMS Ajax: Operation Demon continued, more troops were to be evacuated from Greece during the night of 27/28 April 1941. From the Raphina and Raphtis area; Light cruiser HMS Ajax (Capt. E.D.B. McCarthy, RN) and the destroyers HMS Kimberley (Lt.Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson, DSO, RN), HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Havock (Lt. G.R.G. Watkins, RN) evacuated around 4200 troops.

Light cruiser HMS Galatea: Around 0630A/27, HMS Galatea (Capt. E.W.B. Sim, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN) and HMS Arethusa (Capt. Q.D. Graham, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from patrol.

1942

Light cruiser HMS Colombo: Around 0830B/27, HMS Colombo (Capt. W.P. Carne, RN) arrived at Durban from Kilindini / Mombasa with convoy SU 4. She departed for Simonstown around 1500B/27. HMS Colombo is to return to the U.K. to refit and conversion to Anti-Aircraft cruiser.

Light cruiser HMS Dragon: HMS Dragon (Capt. R.J. Shaw, MBE, RN), HMS Caledon (A/Capt. H.J. Haynes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Kilindini.

Light cruiser HMAS Adelaide: Around 1600M/27, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) arrived at Suva from escort duty.

Destroyer HNMS Isaac Sweers: HMS Resolution (Capt. A.R. Halfhide, CBE, RN , flying the flag of A/Vice-Admiral A.U. Willis, DSO, RN, second in command Eastern Fleet) and a destroyer escort made up of HMS Griffin (Capt. H.St.L. Nicolson, DSO, RN), HMS Arrow (Cdr. A.M. McKillop, RN), HMS Fortune (Lt.Cdr. R.D.H.S. Pankhurst, RN), HMS Hotspur (Lt. T.D. Herrick, DSC, RN) and HrMs Isaac Sweers (Cdr. W. Harmsen, RNN) departed Mombasa for exercises. They proceeded towards Zanzibar. They returned to Mombasa the next day minus HrMs Isaac Sweers which remained at sea until 1 May 1942.

Light cruiser HNMS Tromp: HrMs Tromp (Cdr. J.B. de Meester, RNN) started a period of post repair trials / exercises off Sydney.

Submarine HNMS O 9: HrMs O 9 (Lt. J.F. Drijfhout Van Hooff, RNN) arrived at Londonderry.

Submarine HNMS O 10: HrMs O 10 (Lt. Baron D.T. Mackay, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS La Cordeliere (A/Lt.Cdr. A.J.G. Barff, RNR) and HMS Shemara (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Buckle, RN).

Submarine USS Sculpin: USS Sculpin (Lt.Cdr. L.H. Chappell) ended her 3th war patrol at Fremantle.

Submarine USS Grunion: USS Grunion (Lt.Cdr. M.L. Abele, USN) departed New London, Connecticut and arrived at Newport, Rhode Island for her torpedo trials.

Submarine HMS Otway: HMS Otway (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) with HMS Orion (Capt. G.C.P. Menzies, RN) and HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A. E. Johnston, RN).

Submarine HMS Sturgeon: HMS Sturgeon (Lt. M.R.G. Wingfield, RN) arrived at Seidisfjord.

Submarine HMS Safari: HMS P 211 (Cdr. B. Bryant, DSC, RN) was taken in hand for repairs at the Elderslie shipyard at Scotstoun, Scotland.

Submarine HMS Thunderbolt: HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth.

Submarine HMS Trident: HMS Trident (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch.

Submarine HMS Urge: HMS Urge (Lt.Cdr. E.P. Tomkinson, DSO and Bar, RN) left Malta before dawn (her sailing orders give the time as 0445B/27) on 27 April 1942 for Alexandria. Due to the constant bombing of Malta the 10th submarine flotilla shifted her base to Alexandria. Passage was to be made via Malta's North-East Channel (course 071° from St. Elmo Light), then via (a) 36°00'N, 14°53'E (b) 35°51'N, 15°15'E (c) 34°55’N, 20°05’E (d) 34°53'N, 20°28'E (expected to pass this last point at 0700B/30 April) (e) 32°12'N, 29°06'E thence to Alexandria. Her speed of advance was to be 90 miles per day. HMS Urge was to arrive at Alexandria on 6 May 1942 but she failed to do so. It has been claimed that the submarine was sunk by seven Italian CR.42 fighter planes from 153^Squadriglia off Ras El Hilal (Libya) on the morning of 29 April (the time was later given as 0800 hours). The claim originated with a telephone call from Comandante Dadone at Superareo to Tenente di vascello Barich at Supermarina. Dadone just stated that a submarine shelling an Axis convoy at Ras El Hilal was sighted and attacked by CR.52 (sic) fighters. Upon checking for the identity of the convoy Supermarina assumed that it was the Italian schooner San Giusto on her way to Derna as she could have been in the area. However, there was no confirmation from this vessel that she had been attacked and she was not in convoy (her file at the Ufficio Storico makes no mention of such an attack). Ras Hilal was usually visited by Alexandria-based submarines from the First Flotilla on their way to patrol off Benghazi. On 14 May 1942, San Giusto would actually be sunk by one of them (HMS Turbulent) at Ras El Hilal. Information from Captain Manfredi to the German Naval Command in Italy stated that the convoy attacked at Ras El Hilal on 29 April consisted of three German MFPs (MFP 150, 154 and 156) and that it was attacked at 20 hours (which contradicted the earlier report, so even Manfredi appears to have been misinformed). To add to the confusion, although these three F-lighters were indeed in the area, German records do not confirm any attack although they do mention that Manfredi had reported such an attack. Was HMS Urge sunk in this attack? It is quite unlikely, she had sailed in the early hours of 27 April and at a speed of advance of 90 miles per day (according to her orders), her route was straight to Alexandria and she had no compelling reason to be at Ras El Hilal on 29 April. In addition she was supposed to be in 34°53'N, 20°28'E at 0700B/30 April and this would have made her still some 150 miles short from Ras El Hilal had Tomkinson decided to go there. She could not have been at Ras El Hilal on 29 April unless Tomkinson had decided to contravene his orders and go at full speed on the surface night and day (allied submarines were instructed to travel on the surface only during the hours of darkness) and she would have had to beat speed records for “U” class submarines. Why would Tomkinson choose to risk his submarine and go to Ras El Hilal, an anchorage usually frequented by small vessels? Allied submarines had usually strict orders to follow their assigned routes otherwise they could easily be mistaken for enemy and they had more to fear from RAF bombers then from Axis aircraft, the latter having proven to be largely ineffective in fighting submarines. The CR.42 fighters of the Regia Aeronautica, armed with two 50 kg bombs, were unlikely to cause lethal damage to a submarine. The CANT Z.501 of the Regia Marina armed with two 160 kg depth charges were more apt to sink or damage a submarine and although several submarines were damaged by them, none is known to have been sunk. Was there another submarine at Ras El Hilal? Apparently not, and submarines were frequently reported in areas where it is certain that none operated. Axis and Allied records contain many reports of attacks on non-existent submarines so the claim by the CR.42 fighters is not uncommon. In fact, at 1630 hours on 1 May, a CANT seaplane and a CA.311 fighter reported attacking a submarine just off Benghazi but made no claims of sinking. Had Tomkinson decided to disobey his orders, Benghazi would have made more sense than Ras El Hilal and the submarine could have been there at that time but again this is unlikely.

Submarine HMS Urge: On 1 May 2015 it was reported that the wreck of the HMS Urge had been found off Ras al Hilal, Libya. The editor of this website and Mr. Platon Alexiades considered it likely that the wreck detected was actually that of the German submarine U-205 that foundered there while under tow by the British corvette HMS Gloxinia. On 30 October 2019 it was announced (offsite link) that the wreck of HMS Urge has been found off Malta. The claim of her being 'found' off Ras al Hilal, Libya therefore proved to be incorrect. HMS Urge apparently fell victim to a mine laid by the German 3rd Schnellbootflottille on 20 April 1942 (MT 13 minefield). Thirty-two crew members and twelve passengers perished, there were no survivors.

Submarine HMS United: HMS P 44 (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Orion (Capt. G.C.P. Menzies, RN) serving as the target.

Submarine HMS Unruffled: HMS P 46 (Lt. J.S. Stevens, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Orion (Capt. G.C.P. Menzies, RN) serving as target.

Submarine HMS H 33: HMS H 33 (Lt. M.E. Faber, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

Submarine HMS H 43: HMS H 43 (Lt. F.D.G. Challis, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Harvester (Cdr. H.P. Henderson, RN) and HMS Scimitar (Lt.Cdr. R.D. Franks, OBE, RN). Upon completion of these exercises she set course for Rothesay escorted by HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) C.C. Flemming, RN).

Submarine HMS H 44: HMS H 44 (Lt. R.P. Webb, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory.

Submarine HMS H 50: HMS H 50 (Lt. M.L.C. Crawford, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle.

Submarine HMS P 511: HMS P 511 (Lt. D.E.O. Watson, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

Minelayer HMS Manxman: HMS Manxman (Capt. R.K. Dickson, RN) arrived at Freetown from Gibraltar.

Light cruiser HMS Phoebe: Around 1600Q/27, HMS Phoebe (Capt. C.P. Frend, RN) departed Chesapeake Bay for Plymouth.

Light cruiser HMS Nigeria: HMS Nigeria Capt. J.G.L. Dundas, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) arrived at Seidisfjord from Hvalfjord.

Battleship HMS Royal Sovereign: Convoy WS 17. Convoy from South Africa to several destinations in the Far East. On 27 April 1942 the Capetown section departed. It was made up the following transports / troop transports; Almanzora (British, 15551 GRT, built 1914), Cameronia (British, 16297 GRT, built 1920), City of Edinburgh (British, 8036 GRT, built 1938), City of Lincoln (British, 8039 GRT, built 1938), Dunedin Star (British, 11168 GRT, built 1936), Glaucus (British, 7596 GRT, built 1921), Johan van Oldenbarnevelt (Dutch, 19429 GRT, built 1930), Kina II (British, 9823 GRT, built 1939), Nieuw Holland (Dutch, 11066 GRT, built 1927) and Samaria (British, 19597 GRT, built 1921). On departure the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) which first had conducted gunnery exercises in False Bay before joining the convoy. Off Port Elizabeth the convoy was joined by the transports; Brazil (American, 18298 GRT, built 1928), Monterey (American, 18017 GRT, built 1932) and Mormactide (American, 7773 GRT, built 1941). Off Durban the convoy was joined by the transports / troop transports; Elizabethville (Belgian, 8351 GRT, built 1922), Khedive Ismael (British, 7290 GRT, built 1922), Mendoza (British (former French), 8199 GRT, built 1920), Nova Scotia (British, 6796 GRT, built 1926) and Windsor Castle (British, 19141 GRT, built 1922). The submarine depot ship HMS Adamant (Capt. R.S. Warne, RN) also joined the convoy off Durban. The battleship HMS Revenge (Capt. L.V. Morgan, CBE, MVO, DSC, RN) also joined off Durban to escort the convoy. On 8 May 1942 the battleship HMS Royal Sovereign (Capt. R.H. Portal, DSC, RN) and the armed merchant cruiser HMS Corfu (Capt.(Retd.) J.P. Landon, RN) departed Mombasa to take over the escort of the convoy. They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Arrow (Cdr. A.M. McKillop, RN) and HrMs Isaac Sweers (Cdr. W. Harmsen, RNN). They joined the convoy at 1600/8 after which HMS Revenge proceeded to Mombasa escorted by the two destroyers. They arrived at Mombasa around 1300/9. At 1900/8, HMS Dauntless was detached for Mombasa taking Almanzora, Cameronia, Khedive Ismael, Mendoza, Nova Scotia and Samaria with her. They also arrived at Mombasa around 1300/9. HMS Adamant had already arrived at Mombasa on 8 May. She had parted company in the early afternoon of 7 May and proceeded ahead of the convoy. HMS Royal Sovereign and HMS Corfu then proceeded further north with the remainder of the convoy. On 10 May the following vessels departed Mombasa for Bombay (this was known as Convoy WS 17B2); Almanzora, Cameronia, Chantilly (British (former French), 9986 GRT, built 1923), Khedive Ismael, Mendoza, Nova Scotia and Samaria. They were escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN). Aound 0900/11, HMS Corfu parted company with the convoy taking with her the City of Edinburgh, City of Lincoln, Elizabethville and Glaucus. These ships were to proceed to Aden. HMS Royal Sovereign meanwhile continued on to Bombay with the Dunedin Star, Johan van Oldebarnvelt, Kina II, Nieuw Holland and Windsor Castle. HMS Royal Sovereign with her part of the convoy arrived at Bombay on 16 May 1942. HMS Ranchi with her part of the convoy arrived at Bombay on 19 May 1942.

Battleship HMS Nelson: HMS Nelson (Capt. H.B. Jacomb, RN) conducted 4.7" and 6" gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow.

Destroyer HMAS Voyager: HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Robison DSC, RAN) departed Sydney for Melbourne.

Destroyer HMS Eclipse: HMS Eclipse (Lt.Cdr. E. Mack, DSC, RN) is docked at the Devonport Dockyard.

Destroyer HMS Kelvin: The troop transport Princess Marguerite (Canadian, 5875 GRT, built 1925) and her escorts, the destroyers HMS Jervis (Capt. A.L. Poland, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) and HMS Kelvin (Cdr. M.S. Townsend, DSC and Bar, OBE, RN), departed Haifa for Famagusta. They arrived at Famagusta later the same day.

Submarine USS R-2: USS R-2 (Lt. D.T. Hammond, USN) started a short refit at Key West.

Submarine USS R-4: USS R-4 (Lt. P.W. Garnett, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-10: USS R-10 (Lt. B.E. Lewellen, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-14: USS R-14 (Lt. G.W. Kehl, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine HMS L 23: HMS L 23 (Lt. E.J.D. Turner, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises at / off Scapa Flow.

Submarine HMS L 26: HMS L 26 (Lt. H.D. Verschoyle, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with a training class of new submariners.

Submarine HMS Graph: HMS Graph (Lt.Cdr. E.D. Norman, DSC, RN) arrived at Portsmouth.

Submarine HMS P 615: HMS P 615 (Lt. P.E. Newstead, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Arrochar where she was to conduct her torpedo discharge trials.

1943

Light cruiser HMS Dauntless: HMS Dauntless (Capt. N.J.W. William-Powlett, DSC, RN) departed Bandar Abbas for Bahrein.

Light cruiser HNMS Tromp: HrMs Tromp (Capt. J.B. de Meester, RNN) departed Fremantle to make rendes-vous with the US Naval tanker USS Trinity (Cdr. W.W. Angerer, USN) coming from the Persian Gulf and escort her to Fremantle. For the daily positions during the period of 27 April 1943 to 30 April 1943, see the map below.

Submarine HNMS K XII: HrMs K XII (Lt.Cdr. T. Brunsting, RNN) arrived at a rendez-vous near Pulau Sempu off the South coast of Java. Three days were spent in the area but no sailing vessel turned up.

Submarine HNMS O 23: During the night of 27-28 April 1943 HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. A.M. Valkenburg, RNN) conducted night exercises off Colombo.

Submarine HNMS O 9: HrMs O 9 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout Van Hooff, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Boarhound (Skr. A. Keable, RNR) and HMS St. Modwen (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Lycett, RD, RNR).

Submarine USS Nautilus: USS Nautilus (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Brockman) arrived at Dutch Harbour.

Submarine USS Harder: USS Harder (Cdr. S.D. Dealey, USN) departed New London, Connecticut for the Panama Canal Zone.

Submarine USS Scorpion: USS Scorpion (Lt.Cdr. W.N. Wylie) torpedoed and sank the Japanese merchant cargo ship Yuzan Maru (6380 GRT) off the east coast of Honshu, Japan in position 38°08'N, 143°03'E.

Escort Carrier HMS Fencer: HMS Fencer (Capt. E.W. Anstice, RN) proceeded to the Norfolk Naval Base.

Submarine HMS Oberon: HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. J.W. McCoy, DSC, RN) conducted independent exercises in the Clyde area.

Submarine HMS Parthian: HMS Parthian (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) arrived at Port Said.

Submarine HMS Rorqual: HMS Rorqual (Lt.Cdr. L.W. Napier, RN) departed Malta to lay another 50 mines in the Marettimo area.

Submarine HMS Sealion: HMS Sealion (Lt. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) during which HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN), HMS Shikari (Lt.Cdr. D.A. Rayner, DSC, VRD, RNVR) and HMS Saladin (Lt. A.A. Diggens, DSC, RN) served as the targets.

Submarine HMS Saracen: HMS Saracen (Lt. M.G.R. Lumby, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 10th war patrol (8th in the Mediterranean) at Algiers.

Submarine HMS Sea Nymph: HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. D.G. Kent, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Ardrossan for repairs.

Submarine HMS Sickle: HMS Sickle (Lt. J.R. Drummond, DSC, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean) at Algiers.

Submarine HMS Simoom: HMS Simoom (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil.

Submarine HMS Stubborn: HMS Stubborn (Lt. A.A. Duff, RN) arrived at Holy Loch.

Submarine HMS Surf: HMS Surf (Lt. D. Lambert, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises at Scapa Flow.

Submarine HMS Syrtis: HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.

Submarine HMS Templar: HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) conducted convoy attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Philante (Capt. A.J. Baker-Cresswell, DSO, RN) and ships from Escort Group B-3.

Submarine HMS Tally-Ho: HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar.

Submarine HMS Upright: HMS Upright (Lt. P.R.H. Harrison, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners.

Submarine HMS United: HMS United (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) ended her 15th war patrol (also 15th in the Mediterranean) at Malta.

Submarine HMS Untamed: HMS Untamed (Lt. G.M. Noll, RN) arrived at Londonderry (Lough Foyle) to participate in A/S exercises.

Submarine HMS Untamed: HMS Untamed (Lt. G.M. Noll, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.

Submarine HMS Upstart: HMS Upstart (Lt. P.C. Chapman, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted gunnery exercises in the Clyde area on a target that was towed by HMS La Cordeliere (Lt.Cdr. A.J.G. Barff, RNR).

Submarine HMS H 32: HMS H 32 (Lt. T.G. Ridgeway, RN) shifted from Dartmouth to Plymouth. She was escorted by HMS Kingston Turquoise (Ch.Skr. H.E. Dodd, RNR).

Submarine HMS H 34: HMS H 34 (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Altair (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) W.R.T. Clements, RNR) and HMS Bedlington (Skr. J.H.D. Dansie, RNR).

Submarine HMS H 44: HMS H 44 (Lt. R. Bannar-Martin, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Bedlington (Skr. J.H.D. Dansie, RNR) and HMS L' Atlantique (Skr. A. McKay, RNR).

Submarine HMS H 50: HMS H 50 (Lt. J.M. Michell, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Banff (Lt. P. Brett, RNR) and HMS Rockingham (Lt.Cdr. N.W. Duck, DSC, RD, RNR).

Submarine HMS P 512: HMS P 512 (Lt. R.B. Foster, RN) departed New London, Connecticut for Bermuda.

Minelayer HMS Abdiel: HMS Abdiel (Capt. D. Orr-Ewing, RN) departed Haifa for Alexandria.

Light cruiser HMS Charybdis: HMS Charybdis (Capt. G.A.W. Voelcker, RN) arrived at Plymouth from patrol.

Battleship HMS Anson: Around 2000B/27, the battleship HMS Anson (Commodore H.R.G. Kinahan, CBE, RN), aircraft carrier HMS Furious (Capt. G.T. Philip, DSO, DSC, RN), light cruiser HMS Jamaica (Capt. J.L. Storey, DSO, RN), AA cruiser HMS Scylla (Capt. I.A.P. Macintyre, CBE, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Milne (Capt. I.M.R. Campbell, DSO, RN), HMS Troubridge (Capt. C.L. Firth, MVO, RN), HMS Intrepid (Cdr. C.A.de W. Kitcat, RN), HMS Fury (Cdr. C.H. Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Echo (Lt. R.H.C. Wyld, RN) and HMS Active (Lt.Cdr. P.G. Merriman, RN) departed Scapa Flow for exercise XCJ and after which most of the ships were to proceed to Hvalfjord. Around 1020A/28, the battleship HMS Howe (Capt. C.H.L. Woodhouse, CB, RN), light cruiser HMS Glasgow (Capt. E.M. Evans-Lombe, RN) and the escort destroyers HMS Blankney (Lt.Cdr. D.H.R. Bromley, RN), HMS Middleton (Lt. C.S. Battersby, RN) and HMS Brecon (Lt.Cdr. T.D. Herrick, DSC and Bar, RN) departed Hvalfjord for exercise XCJ and then onwards to Scapa Flow. Exercise XCJ was carried out between around 0800B/29 and 1215B/29 when the two groups met. On completion of the exercises HMS Howe, HMS Furious, HMS Glasgow, HMS Scylla, HMS Troubridge, HMS Fury, HMS Active, HMS Blankney, HMS Middleton and HMS Brecon set course for Scapa Flow where they arrived around 0620B/30. HMS Anson, HMS Jamaica, HMS Milne, HMS Intrepid and HMS Echo continued on to Hvalfjord where they arrived around 0945A/30.

Submarine USS R-2: USS R-2 (Lt. A.K. Tyree, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-4: USS R-4 (Lt.Cdr. P.W. Garnett, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-11: USS R-11 (Lt. W.B. Parham, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-13: USS R-13 (Lt. D.L. Mehlop, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-20: USS R-20 (Lt. E.T. Shepard, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

MS Trawler HMS Ronaldsay: HMS Ronaldsay picks up 15 survivors from the Dutch merchant

Submarine HMS L 26: HMS L 26 (Lt. H.D. Verschoyle, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with a training class of new submariners.

Submarine HMS L 27: HMS L 27 (Lt. R.G.P. Bulkeley, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with a training class of new submariners.

1944

Heavy cruiser HMS Devonshire: HMS Devonshire (Capt. D.K. Bain, DSO, RN) conducted underway refuelling exercises at Scapa Flow with the destroyer HMS Wager (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Watkin, RN). HMS Devonshire also conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow.

Heavy cruiser HMS Sussex: HMS Sussex (A/Capt. M. Everard, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Bombay.

Light cruiser HMS Dauntless: During 27/28 April, HMS Dauntless (Cdr. D.C. Kinloch, DSO, RN) and HMS Diomede (Cdr. R.A. Ewing, DSC, RN), conducted exercises off Methil. These included night exercises. On completion of the exercises they proceeded to Rosyth.

Light cruiser HMAS Adelaide: During 27/28 April 1944, HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) conducted exercises off Fremantle with the submarines USS Gunnel (T/Cdr. J.S. McCain, Jr., USN) and USS Puffer (T/Cdr. F.G. Selby, USN).

Submarine HNMS O 15: HrMs O 15 (Lt. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with aircraft.

Submarine HNMS O 10: HrMs O 10 (Lt.Cdr. A. van Altena, RNN(R)) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Bedlington (Skr. A.W. Peak, RNR) and HMS L' Atlantique (Skr. H. Crighton, RNR).

Submarine USS Seadragon: USS Seadragon (Cdr. J.H. Ashley, Jr., USN) torpedoed and damaged the Japanese transport Hawaii Maru (9467 GRT, built 1915) off Shikoku, Japan in position 33°32'N, 135°59'E. (All times are zone I, -9) 1030 hours - In position 33°32'N, 135°59'E sighted the masts of a ship against the land background. Haze along the beach made the sighting of the masts very difficult. Went ahead full to close the track. Soon saw more masts ahead and realized they had gotten by without being seen. Closed the track on the third (last) ship which looked like a freighter of about 2500 ton. 1057 hours - Broke off the attack as we were only 2 miles from the beach by now. 1105 hours - In position 33°29'N, 135°57'E sighted two medium transports escorted by a Minekaze class destroyer. We were between the convoy and the beach. Started attack. 1212 hours - In position 33°32'N, 135°59'E fired three stern torpedoes from 1000 yards at the leading target. One hit was obtained amidships near his stack. 1215 hours - The destroyer was seen coming towards. 1216 hours - The target was seen to lay stopped and was now almost completely obscured by smoke. 1217 hours - Went deep and rigged for depth charging. 1219 hours - The first depth charge was dropped but it was not close. 1220 to 1455 hours - A total of about 80 depth charges was dropped by the enemy. There were three A/S vessels involved in the hunt for Seadragon. 1459 hours - Returned to periscope depth and sighted a destroyer and a torpedo boat on the horizon.

Submarine USS Blackfish: Off Tual island (Moluccas), position 05°35'S, 133°17'E, Blackfish fires 4 torpedoed on radar bearings at a target identified as a " 3700-ton light cruiser or destroyer", apparently an Akizuki-class large AA destroyer. The sub claims one possible hit and damage. The target and results of the attack are, again, unidentified and unconfirmed.

Submarine USS Halibut: USS Halibut (Lt.Cdr. I.J. Galantin) torpedoed and sank the Japanese minelayer Kamome (450 tons, offsite link) west of the Nansei Shoto chain, about 40 nautical miles north of Okinawa in position 27°28'N, 128°02'E and the Japanese merchant transport Genbu Maru (1872 GRT) in position 27°16'N, 128°21'E.

Submarine USS Trigger: During an attack on A Japanese convoy about 90 nautical miles north of Palau, USS Trigger (Lt.Cdr. F.J. Harlfinger II) torpedoed and sank the Japanese army cargo ship Miike Maru (11738 GRT) in position 08°34'N, 134°53'E, and torpedoed and damaged the frigate Kasado (870 tons, offsite link) and the Japanese army cargo ship Asosan Maru (8811 GRT) in position 08°32'N, 134°42'E.

Submarine USS Bashaw: USS Bashaw (Lt.Cdr. R.E. Nichols) sank a Japanese trawler and damaged three others with gunfire east-north-east of Halmahera in position 03°20'N, 131°35'E.

Submarine USS Bluegill: USS Bluegill (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Barr, Jr.) torpedoed and sank the Japanese light cruiser Yubari (2890 tons) (offsite link) west of the Sonsorol Islands in position 05°38'N, 131°45'E.

Submarine USS Billfish: After repairs to her SD radar (air search radar), USS Billfish (Cdr. V.C. Turner, USN), departed Darwin for her patrol area.

Submarine USS Dragonet: USS Dragonet (T/Cdr. J.H. Lewis, USN) conducted special depth charge trials with USS Chewick (T/Lt. J.O. Cavanaugh, USN).

Submarine USS Seahorse: USS Seahorse (Lt.Cdr. S.D. Cutter) torpedoed and sank the Japanese troop transport Akikawa Maru (5244 GRT) about 150 nautical miles west of Saipan in position 14°46'N, 143°22'E.

Submarine USS Archerfish: USS Archerfish (Cdr. G.W. Kehl, USN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Pearl Harbor.

Submarine USS Pomfret: USS Pomfret conducted exercises off Key West.

Escort Carrier HMS Khedive: HMS Khedive (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Haynes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted flying exercises in the North Channel on completion of which she proceeded to Greenock where she arrived later the same day.

Submarine HMS Ursula: HMS Ursula (Lt. A.G. Davies, RN) departed Dundee for Blyth where she arrived later the same day. At Blyth she is immediately docked to change the propellers.

Submarine HMS Oberon: HMS Oberon (Lt. M.L.C. Crawford, DSC, RN) departed Rothesay for Scapa Flow. She made the passage north together with FFS Rubis. They were escorted by HMS Portchester Castle (Lt. A.G. Scott, RNR).

Submarine HMS Proteus: HMS Proteus (T/Lt. P.S. Parmenter, RNR) conducted night exercises in the Clyde area.

Submarine HMS Sunfish: HMS Sunfish (Lt. H.J. Bartlett, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises at Scapa Flow.

Submarine HMS Safari: HMS Safari (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) conducted night attack exercises for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) in the Clyde area during which HMS Braithwaite (Lt.Cdr. E.M. Mackay, RD, RNR) and HMCS Kootenay (A/Lt.Cdr. W.H. Willson, RCN) served as the targets. Upon completion of these exercises HMS Safari returned to Rothesay.

Submarine HMS Sceptre: HMS Sceptre (Lt. I.S. McIntosh, MBE, DSC, RN) is docked in AFD 7 at Holy Loch.

Submarine HMS Stoic: HMS Stoic (Lt. P.B. Marriott, DSO, RN) completed her special operation (details 'hopefully' to follow).

Submarine HMS Tribune: HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. W.N. Eade, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners.

Submarine HMS Truant: HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Larne.

Submarine HMS Tuna: HMS Tuna (A/Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR) ended her refit at Wallsend and proceeded to Blyth. Tuna is assigned to training duties mostly based at Holy Loch and Port H.H.Z. where Tuna is used for training with Chariot human torpedoes.

Submarine HMS Taurus: The Japanese submarine I-37 is damaged when she hits a mine that was possibly laid by HMS Taurus (Lt.Cdr. M.R.G. Wingfield, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) on 18 April 1944 south of Penang in position 05°03'N, 100°12'E.

Submarine HMS Trespasser: HMS Trespasser (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Favell, RN) departed from Port Said bound for Malta.

Submarine HMS Tally-Ho: With her repairs completed HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) is undocked.

Submarine HMS Thorough: HMS Thorough (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted S.T.U. (mine detection) trials off Fairlie. [No logs are available for HMS Thorough for the months of May and June 1944, so no further details can be provided for these months other then the events curently listed.]

Submarine HMS Trenchant: HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.

Submarine HMS Unbending: HMS Unbending (Lt. J.D. Martin, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners.

Submarine HMS United: HMS United (Lt. N.R. Wood, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory together with HMS Jed (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Miller, DSC, RNR), La Surprise, HMCS Teme (T/Lt.Cdr. D.G. Jeffrey, DSO, RCNR) and HMS Loch Fada (Lt.Cdr. B.A. Rogers, RD, RNR).

Submarine HMS Unrivalled: HMS Unrivalled (Lt. D.S. Brown, RNVR) conducted exercises off Blyth.

Submarine HMS Ultor: HMS Ultor (Lt. G.E. Hunt, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted trials off Malta.

Submarine HMS Unshaken: HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, DSC, RN) arrived at Dundee.

Submarine HMS Untiring: HMS Untiring (Lt. R. Boyd, DSC, RN) torpedoed and sank the German auxiliary submarine chaser UJ 6075 / Clairvoyant (built 1923) off Toulon, southern France in position 43°01'N, 05°58'E. She had been out on an A/S patrol together with UJ 6078. (All times are zone -2) 1705 hours - In position 43°00'N, 06°00'E sghted two UJ boats patrolling. Both were transmitting on ASDICs. Decided to attack. 1901 hours - Fired three torpedoes at the nearest UJ boat, a vessel of 800 to 1000 tons. Range was 1500 yards. 1902 hours - Heard one torpedo explosion giving a running range of 1800 yards. HE and ASDIC impulses ceased from this craft. 1905 hours - Heard breaking up noises. 1915 hours - Endeavoured to returned to periscope depth but was attacked immediately by the other UJ boat. Went deep again. 2113 hours - Depth charging ceased. A total of 82 had been counted. The first pattern had been unpleasantly close causing some minor damage.

Submarine HMS Uther: HMS Uther (Lt. A.A. Catlow, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Ardrishaig with ML's.

Submarine HNoMS Ula: HNoMS Ula (Lt. S. Valvatne) arrived at Dundee.

Submarine HMS Virtue: HMS Virtue (Lt. R.D. Cairns, DSC. RN) participated in exercises off Larne.

Submarine HMS Visigoth: HMS Visigoth (Lt. J.R.H. Haddow, DSC, RN) returned to Holy Loch on completion of last night's exercises.

Submarine HMS Voracious: HMS Voracious (Lt. F.D.G. Challis, DSC, RN) conducted trials in Loch Long.

Submarine HMS H 34: HMS H 34 (Lt. R.L. Jay, RN) is docked at Rothesay.

Submarine HMS H 44: HMS H 44 (Lt. P.N. Joyce, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

Submarine HMS H 50: HMS H 50 (T/Lt. A.F. Wicker, RNVR) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Towy (Cdr. M.J Evans, OBE, RN), HMCS Kitchener (T/Lt. J.E. Moles, RCNVR) and aircraft.

Submarine HMS P 512: HMS P 512 (Lt. J.A. Wingate, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Bermuda.

Light cruiser HMS Kenya: HMS Kenya (Capt. C.L. Robertson, RN) conducted gunnery and HA gunnery exercises off Kilindini.

Light cruiser HMS Nigeria: HMS Nigeria (Capt. S.H. Paton, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.D. Read, CB, RN) departed Trincomalee for Colombo where she is to undergo a short refit.

Battleship HMS Rodney: In the morning, the battleship HMS Rodney (Capt. R.O. Fitzroy, RN), conducted maneuvering exercises in the Clyde area with the minesweepers HMS Grecian (A/Cdr.(Emgy.) C.D.A. Irvine, RN), HMS Gorgon (T/A/Lt.Cdr. F. Mugford, RNR) and HMS Gazelle (Lt. J.D. Sutcliffe, RN). In the afternoon 4.7 AA gunnery exercises were carried out by HMS Rodney.

Destroyer HMAS Vendetta: Around 0645K/27, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) arrived at Madang where the troops and stores were disembarked. Around 0900K/27, HMAS Vendetta departed Madang. On board were 10 wounded soldiers. She arrived at Dreger Harbour / Langemak Bay around 1800K/27.

Destroyer HMAS Nizam: HMAS Nizam (Cdr. C.H. Brooks, RAN) departed Trincomalee for Madras.

Submarine USS R-4: USS R-4 (Lt.Cdr. W.L. Fey, Jr., USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-10: USS R-10 (Lt.Cdr. G.F. Sharp, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-11: USS R-11 (Lt.Cdr. W.B. Parham, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-13: USS R-13 (Lt.Cdr. D.L. Mehlop, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-20: USS R-20 (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Dudley, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Frigate HMS Bentley: HMS Affleck (A/Cdr.(Retd.) C. Gwinner, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Bentley (Lt.Cdr. P.C. Hopkins, RN) together pick up 54 survivors from the Panamanian merchant Colin that was torpedoed and sunk the previous day in the North Atlantic in position 54°16'N, 31°58'W by German U-boat U-859.

1945

Light cruiser HMS Newcastle: HMS Newcastle (Cdr. S.H. Pinchin, DSC, RN) arrived at Fremantle.

Destroyer USS Ralph Talbot: Damaged by Kamikaze, 5 crew died and 9 were wounded

Destroyer USS De Haven (ii): USS De Haven (Cdr. J.B. Dimmick) departed from the Okinawa area bound for Ulithi.

Destroyer USS Haynsworth: USS Haynsworth (Cdr. S. N. Tackney) arrived at Pearl Harbor.

Destroyer USS Hugh W. Hadley: USS Hugh W. Hadley (Cdr. B.J. Mullaney) arrived back in the Okinawa area.

Destroyer USS Mansfield: USS Mansfield departed from the Okinawa area bound for Ulithi.

Destroyer USS Rathburne: On patrol off Hagushi, Okinawa, was hit by a Kamikaze on the port bow just above thhe waterline. The planes engine and bomb traveled through the ship and exited the Starboard bow just below the waterline. Fire and flood control efforts saved the ship, which then made for Kerama Retto for temporary repairs.

Frigate USS Davenport: On this date, the USS Davenport departed New York harbour at 1404 hours to join the USS Brunswick in escorting the 11 vessels comprising the New York Section of Convoy UGS-89. According to the WW II Convoy Routing Code, "UGS" stood for "United States to Mediterranean, Slow" and this convoy's average speed was 10 knots, while the Davenport patrolled around it at an average of 14 knots. On 28 April 1945 the New York Section joined the main body of Convoy UGS-89 at 1400 hours. Davenport and Brunswick joined their sister ship USS Uniontown the destroyer USS Davison and the CTG 60.2 convoy flagship the destroyer USS Selfridge in escorting Convoy UGS-89 to Oran, Algeria. The Davenport arrived in Mers El Kebir, Algeria at 0930 hours on 13 May 1945.

Battleship USS Iowa: USS Iowa (Capt. J.L. Holloway, Jr., USN) Topped off two of the destroyers of the Task Group with fuel.

Light cruiser HNMS Tromp: HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee together with the British heavy cruiser HMS Suffolk (Capt. D. Gilmour, RN). Upon completion of these exercises HrMs Tromp and HMS Suffolk both joined Task Force 63. For the daily positions of HrMs Tromp during the period of 27 April 1945 to 9 May 1945, see the map below.

Light cruiser HNMS Tromp: Operation Bishop. Carrier raid and surface bombardment of Car Nicobar and Port Blair and to provide cover for Operation Dracula which are amphibious landings off Rangoon, Burma. On 27 April 1945 ships from the Eastern Fleet put to sea from Trincomalee, Ceylon for operation Bishop. These ships formed Task ' Force 63 '. This task force was, at that moment, made up of the following ships: battleships HMS Queen Elizabeth (Capt. R.M. Ellis, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Vice Admiral H.C.T. Walker, CB, RN), Richelieu (Capt. G.M.J. Merveilleux du Vignaux), escort carriers

Submarine HNMS O 19: HrMs O 19 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout van Hooff, RNN) made the southbound passage of Lombok Strait.

Submarine HNMS Dolfijn: HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Scapa Flow together with HMS Cleopatra (Capt. B.I. Robertshaw, CBE, RN) and HMS Carysfort (Lt.Cdr. L. St.G. Rich, DSO and Bar, RN).

Submarine USS Lionfish: At 0953I/27, in the northern part of the Yellow Sea, in position 38°13'N, 124°26'E, USS Lionfish (T/Lt.Cdr. E.D. Spruance, USN) sighted what is thought to be two enemy patrol vessel proceeding to the northwest at 6 knots. They were evaded and passed at a range of 4000 yards.

Submarine USS Moray: USS Moray (T/Cdr. F.L. Barrows, USN) conducted exercises in Panama Bay together with USS MacLeish (Lt. D.S. Cramer, USNR).

Submarine USS Brill: USS Brill (Cdr. H.B. Dodge, USN) departed from Fremantle for her 2nd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Gulf of Siam / East coast of Malaya. For daily positions (though incomplete) of USS Brill during this patrol see the map below.

Submarine USS Sea Cat: USS Sea Cat (Lt.Cdr. R.H. Bowers) departed from Midway for her 3rd war patrol, and was ordered to patrol in the Yellow Sea.

Aircraft Carrier HMS Pioneer: HMS Pioneer (Capt. H.S. Murray-Smith, RN) conducted D/G trials off Trincomalee on completion of which course was set for Colombo where she arrived the following day.

Aircraft Carrier HMS Venerable: HMS Venerable (Capt. W.A. Dallmeyer, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.J.H. Harcourt, CB, CBE, RN) conducted flying exercises off Malta.

Aircraft Carrier HMS Vengeance: HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted flying exercises off Malta.

Submarine HMS Otway: HMS Otway (Lt. W.H. Kett, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners.

Submarine HMS Safari: HMS Safari (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) conducted night exercises for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) in the Clyde area. Upon completion of these HMS Safari returned to Rothesay.

Submarine HMS Seraph: HMS Seraph (Lt. T. Russell-Walling, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Loch Alsh with the 26th Escort Group.

Submarine HMS Surf: With her refit completed HMS Surf (Lt. H.W. Wilkinson, RN) shifted from the Chatham Dockyard to Sheerness.

Submarine HMS Sturdy (ii): HMS Sturdy (T/Lt. F.A. Wicker, RNVR) made the Northbound passage through Lombok Strait on the surface during the early hours of the night.

Submarine HMS Sea Scout: HMS Sea Scout (Lt. J.W. Kelly, RN) passes Lombok Strait southbound. She makes most of the passage submerged during daytime.

Submarine HMS Solent: HMS Solent (Lt.Cdr. J.D. Martin, DSC, RN) sank a landing barge of Kalambau Island. (All times are zone -9) Continuation of the events of 27 April 1945 0121 hours - Sleuth reported that she had obtained 4 hits on the target. Decided to re-engage and both submarines turned round. Searched the North coast of the island and the sea about 5 nautical miles beyond but no sign of her was found. Decided to patrol off the Island during the night to prevent the landing barge from leaving. 0647 hours - Both submarines dived and closed the island to search for the landing barge. 0721 hours - Sighted the landing barge close inshore. Surfaced and closed to 300 yards. Sank the landing barge with 7 rounds of 4" and a pan of Oerlikon. Whilst withdrawing and about 400 yards from the shore sighted a Japanese swimming in the water hanging on to wreckage. Closed and he gratefully scrambled on board. He was a survivor of the escort sunk the day before and he had been in the water for about 10 hours.

Submarine HMS Taku: HMS Taku conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners.

Submarine HMS Tuna: HMS Tuna (Lt.Cdr. E.D. Norman, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.

Submarine HMS Tactician: HMS Tactician (Lt. B.L.D. Rowe, DSC, RN) departed Loch Alsh for Holy Loch.

Submarine HMS Trespasser: HMS Trespasser (Lt. L.E. Herrick, DSC, RN) departed from Loch Alsh for Holy Loch.

Submarine HMS Tantalus: HMS Tantalus (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Mackenzie, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Aden.

Submarine HMS Trump: HMS Trump (Lt. A.A. Catlow, RN) conducted exercises off Fremantle.

Submarine HMS Ultimatum: HMS Ultimatum (Lt. P.D.C. Bennett, RN) shifted from Tilbury to Sheerness.

Submarine HMS Unrivalled: HMS Unrivalled (Lt. R.P. Fitzgerald, DSC, RN) returned to Plymouth.

Submarine HMS Unruly: HMS Unruly (T/Lt. D.J. Palmer, RNVR) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS St. Modwen (T/A/Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Rice, RNR) and HMS Spaniel (T/Skr. J. Bruce, RNR).

Submarine HMS Ultor: HMS Ultor (Lt. J.P. Harvey, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory.

Submarine HMS Unsparing: HMS Unsparing (Lt. J.M.C. Fenton, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

Submarine HMS Untamed: HMS Vitality (Lt. K.S. Renshaw, DSC, RNR) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Hastings (A/Cdr. E.A. Stocker, DSC, RN).

Submarine HMS Unswerving: HMS Unswerving (T/Lt. M.D. Tattersall, RNVR) arrived at Portsmouth.

Submarine HMS Urtica: HMS Urtica (Lt. R.C. Bucknall, RN) conducted exercises off Moelfre Bay.

Submarine HMS Vagabond: HMS Vagabond (Lt. I.M. Stoop, DSC, RN) conducted special torpedo trials off Arrochar.

Submarine HMS Varne: HMS Varne (Lt. I.G. Raikes, DSC, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Lerwick.

Submarine HMS Volatile: HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory with HMS Rother (T/A/Lt.Cdr. B.H.C. Rodgers, RNVR) and HMCS Matane (T/A/Lt.Cdr. F.J. Jones, RCNVR).

Submarine HMS Vox: HMS Vox (Lt. J.M. Michell, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Sydney with HMAS Kybra (T/Lt. R.V.A. Corbett, RANR(S)).

Submarine HMS Vulpine: HMS Vulpine (Lt. W.D.S. Scott, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Altair (T/Lt. J.L. James, RNR) and HMS Tuscarora (T/Lt. J. Smith, RNVR).

Submarine HMS Amphion: HMS Amphion (Cdr. R.H. Dewhurst, DSO and 2 Bars, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Holy Loch. She was escorted by HMS Shikari (Lt. E.A. Tyrer, DSC, RN).

Submarine HMS H 50: HMS H 50 (T/Lt. G.P. Christie, DSC, RNR) conducted special trials in the Clyde area.

Light cruiser HMS Kenya: HMS Kenya (Capt. C.L. Robertson, RN) departed Capetown for Freetown.

Battleship HMS Nelson: HMS Nelson (Capt. C. Caslon, CBE, RN) conducted compass adjustment trials off Portsmouth.

Submarine USS R-4: USS R-4 (Lt. D.C. Peto, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-10: USS R-10 (Lt. R.D. McWenthy, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-20: USS R-20 (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Dudley, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS Argonaut (ii): USS Argonaut (ii) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS S-12: USS S-12 departed New London, Connecticut for the Philadelphia Navy Yard.

Submarine USS S-14: USS S-14 departed New London, Connecticut for the Philadelphia Navy Yard.

Submarine HMS L 23: HMS L 23 (Lt. R.T. Sallis, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Digby.

Submarine HNoMS Utsira: HNoMS Utsira (Lt.Cdr. S. Valvatne) departed Lerwick for Dundee.