Laid down (36)

1916: Light cruiser Caledon (D 53)

1933: Destroyer Fearless (H 67)

1936: Destroyer McCall (DD 400)

1938: Destroyer tender Dixie (AD 14)

1941: Patrol craft PC-489 (PC-489)

1942: Submarine Upstart (P 65) - Submarine Vandal (P 64) - Destroyer Eaton (DD 510) - Destroyer McCord (DD 534) - Patrol craft PC-601 (PC-601) - Motor torpedo boat PT 111 - Submarine chaser SC-680 (SC-680) - Destroyer Trathen (DD 530)

1943: Landing Craft Tank LCT 877 (LCT 877) - Corvette Portchester Castle (K 362) - Submarine Cobia (245) - Patrol craft PCS-1455 (PCS-1455) - Motor torpedo boat PT 300 - Motor torpedo boat PT 347

1944: Minesweeper Wave (J 385) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-1057 (LCI(L)-1057) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-593 (LCI(L)-593) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-594 (LCI(L)-594) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-669 (LCI(L)-669) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-978 (LCI(L)-978) - Landing craft tank LCT 680 (LCT 680) - Landing craft tank LCT 787 (LCT 787) - Landing craft tank LCT 824 (LCT 824) - Tank landing ship LST 566 (LST 566) - Tank landing ship LST 623 (LST 623)

1945: Medium landing ship LSM 497 (LSM 497) - Medium landing ship LSM 498 (LSM 498) - Medium landing ship LSM 499 (LSM 499) - Medium landing ship LSM 500 (LSM 500) - Motor torpedo boat PT 701 - Motor torpedo boat PT 702

Launched (45)

1904: Auxiliary patrol vessel Rukmavati (FY 075)

1916: Mooring vessel Volens

1919: MS Trawler Loch Naver - Destroyer Hatfield (DD 231)

1927: Heavy cruiser Australia (D 84)

1934: Submarine M-20

1937: Torpedo boat Baliste

1938: Light cruiser Belfast (35)

1941: Escort destroyer Badsworth (L 03) - Landing Craft Tank LCT 29 (LCT 29) - Landing Craft Tank LCT 30 (LCT 30) - Escort destroyer Arendal (L 03) - Seaplane tender Humboldt (AVP 21)

1942: Minesweeper BYMS 2001 (J 801) - Minesweeper BYMS 2009 (J 809) - Landing Craft Tank LCT 321 (LCT 321) - MS Trawler Orfasy (T 204) - Escort destroyer Penylan (L 89) - MS Trawler Skye (T 163) - Destroyer Doyle (DD 494) - Destroyer Frazier (DD 607) - Patrol craft PC-560 (PC-560) - Patrol craft PC-563 (PC-563) - Submarine chaser SC-666 (SC-666) - Minesweeper YMS-42 (YMS-42)

1943: Tank landing ship LST 72 (LST 72) - Motor torpedo boat PT 228 - Motor torpedo boat PT 323 - Minesweeper YMS-314 (YMS-314)

1944: Landing Craft Tank LCT 7048 (LCT 7048) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-577 (LCI(L)-577) - Landing craft tank LCT 1001 (LCT 1001) - Landing craft tank LCT 679 (LCT 679) - Landing craft tank LCT 866 (LCT 866) - Minesweeper YMS-469 (YMS-469)

1945: MS Trawler Vacesay (T 432) - Medium landing ship LSM 485 (LSM 485) - Medium landing ship LSM 486 (LSM 486) - Medium landing ship LSM 487 (LSM 487) - Medium landing ship LSM 488 (LSM 488) - Tank landing ship LST 1054 (LST 1054) - Fleet tug Luiseno (ATF 156) - Destroyer Newman K. Perry (DD 883) - Motor torpedo boat PT 695 - Escort carrier Saidor (CVE 117)

Commissioned (38)

1919: Minesweeper Elgin (J 39) - Minesweeper Saltburn (J 58) - Minesweeper Selkirk (J 18) - Destroyer Cowell (i) (DD 167) - Destroyer Laub (i) (DD 263)

1927: Patrol vessel Legare (WPC 144)

1937: Submarine Permit (178)

1941: Corvette Kamloops (K 176) - Corvette Dianthus (K 95) - Motor Launch ML 218 (ML 218)

1942: Motor Launch ML 470 (ML 470) - Motor Launch ML 490 (ML 490) - Motor Torpedo Boat MTB 204 / Valk (MTB 204) - Corvette Fury (PG-69) - Minesweeper Guide (AMc-83)

1943: Motor Torpedo Boat MTB 299 (MTB 299) - Motor Gun Boat MGB 118 (MGB 118) - Tank landing ship LST 16 (LST 16) - Submarine Pompon (267) - Motor torpedo boat PT 316 - Submarine chaser SC-1053 (SC-1053) - Minesweeper YMS-144 (YMS-144) - Submarine M-105

1944: Motor Launch ML 420 (ML 420) - Landing Craft Tank LCT 1082 (LCT 1082) - Minesweeper Augury (AM 149) - Destroyer Escort Gendreau (DE 639) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-573 (LCI(L)-573) - Motor torpedo boat PT 522

1945: Harbour Defence Motor Launch HDML 1449 (ML 1449) - Harbour Defence Motor Launch HDML 1474 (ML 1474) - Harbour Defence Motor Launch HDML 1475 (ML 1475) - Motor Torpedo Boat MTB 5026 (MTB 5026) - Destroyer Bristol (ii) (DD 857) - Submarine Cutlass (478) - Medium landing ship LSM 347 (LSM 347) - Medium landing ship LSM 469 (LSM 469) - Patrol craft PCE-899 (PCE-899)

1941: Armed Yacht Medusa (FY 018)

1942: Rescue Tug Adept (W 107)

1943: Motor torpedo boat PT 119 - Motor torpedo boat PT 67

1944: Motor torpedo boat PT 283

1945: Minesweeper Guysborough (J 52)

More information on Allied Warships losses.

1940

Heavy cruiser HMS Sussex: HMS Sussex (Capt. A.R. Hammick, RN) arrived at Liverpool where she was taken in hand for refit.

Heavy cruiser HMAS Canberra: Around 1900K/17, HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN) departed Sydney for Twofold Bay to observe minesweeping training there. On completion of the minesweeping exercises HMAS Canberra anchored in Twofold Bay. Around 2230K/18, HMAS Canberra weighed anchor to return to the Sydney area for exercises.

Light cruiser HMS Dunedin: After repairs, HMS Dunedin (Capt. C.E. Lambe, CVO, RN), departed Kingston to patrol off Curacao. The following day she reported again to have suffered condenser trouble.

Light cruiser HMAS Perth: HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) arrived at Papeete, French-Polynesia from Balboa, Panama Canal Zone.

Light cruiser HMS Birmingham: HMS Birmingham (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN) arrived in the Clyde.

Light cruiser HMS Sheffield: HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) departed the Tyne to provide cover for convoy ON 20 and subsequently convoys HN 21 and ON 22. [For more info on these convoys see the events ' Convoy ON 20 ' for 15 March 1940, ' Convoy HN 21 ' for 22 March 1940 and ' convoy ON 22 ' for 24 March 1940.]

Light cruiser HMS Edinburgh: HMS Edinburgh (Capt. C.M. Blackman, DSO, RN) arrived in the Tyne from convoy cover duty. At South Shields she was to be taken in hand for repairs and refit by the Middle Docks & Engineering Company Ltd. It had become apparent that the design of the hull had been inadequate and the hull needed stiffening.

Light cruiser HNMS Tromp: HrMs Tromp (Capt. J.W. Termijtelen, RNN) anchored off Musala Island (Pulau Musala).

Aircraft Carrier HMS Ark Royal: HMS Ark Royal (Capt. A.J. Power, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral L.V. Wells, CB, DSO, RN) conducted trials in Spithead.

Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Hector: Around 1300M/17, HMS Hector (Capt.(Retd.) R.W.M. Lloyd, DSO, RN) arrived at Suva, Fiji from Nuku'alofa, Tonga.

Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Queen of Bermuda: HMS Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) departed her patrol area off Rio de Janeiro to proceed to Port Stanley, Falkland Islands.

Submarine HMS Odin: HMS Odin (Lt.Cdr. K.M. Woods, RN) made rendez-vous with the French sloop Rigault de Genouilly (Capitaine De Fregate (Cdr.) L.G.E. Frossard). They then proceeded to patrol together until the 19th.

Submarine HMS Spearfish: HMS Spearfish (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Forbes, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow for a period of training.

Submarine HMS Trident: Around 1425A/17, HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. A.G.L. Seale, RN) ended her 7th war patrol at Rosyth. Shortly before arrival D/G trials were carried out.

Submarine HMS Triad: HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. E.R.J. Oddie, RN) proceeded to a new patrol area to west-north-west of her current patrol position.

Destroyer HMAS Vendetta: HMAS Vendetta (Lt. J. Smallwood, RN) arrived at Marseilles from Malta.

Destroyer HMS Dainty: The British troopship (liner) Aquitania (44786 GRT, built 1914) departed Freetown for Cape Town. She was escorted out by HMS Dainty (Cdr. M.S. Thomas, RN) and HMS Diamond (Lt.Cdr. P.A. Cartwright, RN). Shortly after departed Aquitania grounded and was unable to get off. The destroyers then tried to tow her off but these also attempts also failed. More ships then came to the assistance of Aquitania. She was refloated in the afternoon of the next day after 1790 tons of fuel had been pumped out.

Submarine ORP Orzel: ORP Orzel (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) J. Grudzinski, DSO) ended her 3rd war patrol at Rosyth.

1941

Light cruiser HMS Caradoc: HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) returned to Kingston, Jamaica from patrol.

Light cruiser HMS Durban: HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) arrived at Penang with the ' Penang section ' of convoy BM 4.

Light cruiser HMS Durban: Convoy BM 5. This troop convoy departed Bombay on 17 March 1941 and arrived at Singapore on 27 March 1941. The following transports / troopships were part of this convoy; Devonshire (British, 11275 GRT, built 1939), Jalakrishna (British, 4991 GRT, built 1937), Jalapadma (British, 3935 GRT, built 1929) and Neuralia (British, 9182 GRT, built 1912). On departure from Bombay the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Hector (Capt.(Retd.) F. Howard, DSC, RN). On the 20th, HMS Hector was relieved by the light cruiser HMS Emerald (Capt. F.C. Flynn, RN) in position 06°30'N, 77°35'E. On 22 March 1941 the light cruiser HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) joined the convoy in position 07°10'N, 84°55'E. HMS Enterprise parted company with the convoy the following day. The convoy arrived at Singapore on 25 March 1941.

Light cruiser HMAS Hobart: Around 0830H/17, HMAS Australia (Capt. R.R. Stewart, RN), HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.L. Howden, CBE, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN) and HMAS Sydney (Capt. J.A. Collins, CB, RAN) departed Fremantle. They were escorting the troopships Mauretania (British, 35739 GRT, built 1939) and Nieuw Amsterdam (Dutch, 36287 GRT, built 1938) until 0700H/18 when the cruisers left the troopships in position 36°11'S, 116°25'E. The troopships then proceeded independently, HMAS Australia set course for Albany while HMAS Hobart and HMAS Sydney set course for Melbourne.

Light cruiser HMAS Perth: Around 1120B/17, HMS Orion (Capt. G.R.B. Back, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral H.D. Pridham-Whippell, CB, CVO, RN), HMS Ajax (Capt. E.D.B. McCarthy, RN) and HMAS Perth (Capt. P.W. Bowyer-Smith, RN) departed Alexandria loaded with troops for Piraeus. Their transport run was also known as convoy AG 6.

Light cruiser HMS Liverpool: HMS Liverpool (Cdr. G.W.M. Ambrose, RN) is docked in the floating dock at Alexandria.

Light cruiser HMS Newcastle: HMS Cumberland (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) and HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) made rendezvous north-east of the River Plate with HMS Asturias (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN). HMS Cumberland and HMS Newcastle then transferred some personnel and mail to HMS Asturias. A tactical exercise was then carried out on completion of which HMS Asturias parted company to proceed to Beunos Aires.

Light cruiser HNMS Tromp: HrMs Tromp (Capt. J.W. Termijtelen, RNN) returned to Port Moresby, New Guinea where she was fuelled by naval tanker TAN 4. She departed for Surabaya later the same day.

Submarine HNMS O 24: HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) arrived at Dundee.

Submarine HNMS O 10: HrMs O 10 (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle together with HMS Man o' War (T/Lt. W.W. Creber, RNR) and HMS Northern Dawn (Lt. G.P.S. Lowe, RNVR).

Aircraft Carrier HMS Hermes: The aircraft carrier HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and light cruiser HMS Emerald (Capt. F.C. Flynn, RN) arrived at Colombo.

Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Alaunia: Around 0830Z/17, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Hvalfjord from convoy escort duty.

Submarine HMS Oberon: HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Pizey, DSO, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Shemara (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Buckle, RN).

Submarine HMS Rorqual: HMS Rorqual (Cdr R.H. Dewhurst, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Alexandria.

Submarine HMS Sealion: HMS Sealion (Cdr. B. Bryant, DSC, RN) was docked in No.5 dock at Blyth. She was undocked on 23 March.

Submarine HMS Tigris: For the daily and attack positions of HMS Tigris during her 7th war patrol see the map below.

Submarine HMS Tigris: Around 1930A/17, HMS Tigris (Lt.Cdr. H.F. Bone, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Holy Loch, with HMS Union (Lt. R.M. Galloway, RN) escorted by the Free French minesweeper FFS La Moqueuse, for her 7th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Bay of Biscay. She is also to carry out a special operation. They parted company with the escort around 2100A/19 when off Land's End.

Submarine HMS Tetrarch: HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) is ordered to patrol in the Adriatic (Capt. S 1's signal timed 2205B/16). Course was set accordingly. Later this day further cracks were discovered on the starboard engine. A signal was sent to inform the Captain of the 1st submarine flotilla of the situation.

Submarine HMS Torbay: At 0810A/17, HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, RN), made rendezvous with her escort towards Holy Loch, HMCS Trillium (Lt.Cdr. R.F. Harris, RCNR).

Submarine HMS Union: HMS Union (Lt. R.M. Galloway, RN) departed Holy Loch for Portsmouth. She made the passage through the Irish Sea together with HMS Tigris (Lt.Cdr. H.F. Bone, RN). They were escorted during the passage South by FFS La Moqueuse.

Submarine HMS H 31: HMS H 31 (Lt. R.D. Whiteway-Wilkinson DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Shemara (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Buckle, RN).

Submarine HMS H 32: HMS H 32 (Lt. B.G. Heslop, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Ardrishaig.

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

Submarine HMS H 44: HMS H 44 (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) is at Campbeltown to participate in A/S exercises off that port. [The date she arrived at Campbeltown is currently not known to us but this must have been in the middle of the month].

Light cruiser HMS Galatea: Minelaying operation SN 69. Minelaying operation by the 1st Minelaying Squadron. At 1900A/17, the 1st Minelaying Squadron departed Port Z.A. (Loch Alsh) for minelaying operation SN 69. The 1st Minelaying Squadron was made up of the auxiliary minelayers Southern Prince (Cdr. C.L. Firth, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.L. Burnett, OBE, RN), HMS Agamemnon (Capt.(Retd.) F. Ratsey, RN), HMS Menestheus (Capt. J.S. Crawford, DSO, RN), and HMS Port Quebec (Capt.(Retd.) E.C. Watson, RN). They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Castleton (Cdr. (Retd.) F.H.E. Skyrme, RN), HMS Charlestown (Lt.Cdr. T. Johnston, RN), HMS Lancaster (A/Cdr. N.H. Whatley, RN) and HMS St. Marys (Lt. K.H.J.L. Phibbs, RN). Around 2300A/17, the light cruisers HMS Galatea (Capt. E.W.B. Sim, RN) and HMS Aurora (Capt. W.G. Agnew, RN) departed Scapa Flow to join the 1st Minelaying Squadron for close cover. They made rendezvous with the 1st Minelaying Squadron around 0930A/18. Distant cover for the operation was provided by the battleship HMS Nelson (Capt. G.J.A. Miles, RN, flying the flag of A/Adm. J.C. Tovey, KCB, DSO, RN), light cruiser HMS Nigeria (Capt. J.G.L. Dundas, RN) and the destroyers HMS Cossack (Capt. P.L. Vian, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Maori (Cdr. H.T. Armstrong, RN), HMS Zulu (Cdr. H.R. Graham, DSO, RN), HMS Escapade (Lt.Cdr. E.N.V. Currey, DSC, RN), HMS Boadicea (A/Cdr. E.C.L. Turner, RN) and HMS Active (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, RN) which were already at sea to the south of Iceland. Minefield SN 69, made up of 2050 mines, was laid between 1010A/19 and 1405A/19. It was laid along a line between positions 63°44'0"N, 12°07'5"W and 64°32'6"N, 12°47'6"W. The minelayers laid as follows; HMS Southern Prince 562 mines, HMS Agamemnon 530 mines, HMS Menestheus 410 mines and HMS Port Quebec 548 mines. HMS Galatea and HMS Aurora parted company with the 1st Minelaying Squadron around 2000A/20. They arrived at Scapa Flow around 0345A/21. The 1st Minelaying Squadron and their escorting destroyers returned to Port Z.A. (Loch Alsh) at 0759A/21.

Light cruiser HMS Bonaventure (i): In the morning HMS Bonaventure (Capt. H.G. Egerton, RN) parted company with HMS Gloucester (Capt. H.A. Rowley, RN) and set course to proceed to Alexandria. HMS Gloucester set course to return to Suda Bay but before she arrived there she too was ordered to proceed to Alexandria.

Light cruiser HMS Kenya: HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) departed Plymouth for escort duty with convoy SL 67. [For more information on this convoy see the event ' Convoy SL 67 ' for 1 March 1941.]

Battleship HMS Ramillies: Around 1000Q/17, HMS Ramillies (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) arrived Saint John, New Brunswick from Halifax. She was docked in the graving dock later the same day.

Battleship HMS King George V: Convoy HX 115. This convoy departed Halifax on 17 March 1941. It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Arabian Prince (British, 1960 GRT, built 1936), Athelduchess (British (tanker), 8940 GRT, built 1929), Athelprince (British (tanker), 8782 GRT, built 1926), Boston City (British, 2870 GRT, built 1920), Bridgepool (British, 4845 GRT, built 1924), British Reliance (British (tanker), 7000 GRT, built 1928), British Statesman (British (tanker), 6991 GRT, built 1923), British Valour (British (tanker), 6952 GRT, built 1927), British Viscount (British (tanker), 6895 GRT, built 1921), Buesten (Norwegian, 5187 GRT, built 1927), Cape Verde (British, 6914 GRT, built 1941), City of Johannesburg (British, 5669 GRT, built 1920), Cowrie (British (tanker), 8197 GRT, built 1931), Eulima (British, 6207 GRT, built 1937), Gand (Belgian, 5086 GRT, built 1919), Germanic (British, 5352 GRT, built 1936), Hylton (British, 5197 GRT, built 1937), Iroquois (British (tanker), 8937 GRT, built 1907), Ittersum (Dutch, 5199 GRT, built 1938), Limbourg (Belgium, 2396 GRT, built 1938), Malaya II (British, 8651 GRT, built 1921), Masunda (British, 5250 GRT, built 1929), Moveria (British, 4867 GRT, built 1925), Norman Prince (British, 1913 GRT, built 1940), Norwegian (British, 6366 GRT, built 1921), Oakworth (British, 4968 GRT, built 1925), Peleus (Greek, 4695 GRT, built 1928), Prins Willem III (Dutch, 1524 GRT, built 1939), Ringstad (Norwegian, 6366 GRT, built 1921), San Cirilo (British (tanker), GRT, built 1937), Trefusis (British, 5299 GRT, built 1918), Treverbyn (British, 5281 GRT, built 1920) and Willesden (British, 4653 GRT, built 1925). On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS California (Capt. C.J. Pope, RAN), destroyer HMCS St Croix (Cdr. H. Kingsley, RCN) and the corvette HMCS Orillia (T/Lt.Cdr. W.E.S. Briggs, RCNR). The destroyer and the corvette were detached on the 18th to return to Halifax. Battleship HMS King George V (Capt. W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN) and submarine HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) joined the escort in the morning of the 20th. Around 1450Z/28, in position 60°49'N, 26°00'W, the tanker Cowrie parted company with the convoy to proceed to Reykjavik, Iceland. Around 1840Z/28, in position 60°55'N, 24°57'W, HMS California and HMS Thunderbolt parted company to proceed to Reykjavik. Around 2130Z/28, in position 60°56'N, 24°00'W, HMS King George V parted company with the convoy. Destroyers HMS Venomous (Cdr. H.P. Henderson, RN), HMS Sabre (Lt. P.W. Gretton, DSC, RN), HMS Reading (Lt.Cdr. D.V. Clift, RN), sloop HMS Wellington (Lt.Cdr. W.F.R. Segrave, RN), corvettes HMS Alisma (A/Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rose, RANVR), HMS Dianella (T/Lt. J.G. Rankin, RNR) and HMS Kingcup (Lt. R.A.D. Cambridge, RNR) joined on the 29th in approximate position 61°15'N, 21°31'W. Also on the 29th the destroyers HMAS Nestor (Cdr. G.S. Stewart, RAN) and HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Hodges, RN) joined. They remained with the convoy until 1 April 1941 when they were detached to Scapa Flow arriving there later the same day. Also on the 29th the German submarine U-48 attacked the convoy and managed to torpedo and sink three of the merchant vessels; Hylton, Germaninc and Limbourg. The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 3 April 1941.

Destroyer HMAS Voyager: Around 1535B/17, HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) arrived at Tobruk with the convoy from Alexandria having joined it around 0700B/17. En-route a drifting mine, which had been sighted on the port side of the convoy, had been sunk around 1005B/17. Around 1735B/17, HMAS Voyager departed Tobruk for an A/S patrol near the harbour.

Destroyer HMAS Waterhen: HMAS Waterhen (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN) arrived at Alexandria with the ' Alexandria Section ' of convoy AS 19.

Destroyer HMS Walker: German U-boat U-99 was scuttled at 0343hrs on 17 March 1941 south-east of Iceland, in position 61°00'N, 11°48W', after being badly damaged by depth charges from the British destroyer HMS Walker (Cdr. D.G.F.W. MacIntyre, RN).

Destroyer HMS Walker: German U-boat U-100 was sunk at 0318hrs on 17 March 1941 south-east of Iceland, in position 61°04'N, 11°30'W, after being rammed by the British destroyer HMS Vanoc (Lt.Cdr. J.G.W. Deneys, RN) and depth charges from this destroyer and HMS Walker (Cdr. D.G.F.W. MacIntyre, RN).

Destroyer HMAS Nestor: The destroyer HMAS Nestor (Cdr. G.S. Stewart, RAN) and the escort destroyers HMS Eridge (Lt.Cdr. W.F.N. Gregory-Smith, RN) and HMS Whaddon (Lt.Cdr. P.G. Merriman, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Rosyth.

Submarine HMS L 26: HMS L 26 (Lt. S.L.C. Maydon, RN) departed Dundee for Rothesay. She was escorted by HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) C.C. Flemming, RN).

1942

Heavy cruiser HMS Devonshire: HMS Devonshire (Capt. R.D. Oliver, DSC, RN) arrived at Charleston, South Carolina from Norfolk, Virginia.

Light cruiser HMS Despatch: HMS Despatch (Capt. C.E. Douglas-Pennant, DSC, RN) departed Freetown for Gibraltar. She was to proceed to the U.K. to refit. Due to engine defects maximum speed was limited to 20 knots.

Light cruiser HMS Diomede: Around 0930P/17, HMS Diomede (Capt. D. Orr-Ewing, RN), departed Montevideo for patrol. She was ordered to patrol the area to the east of a line drawn between positions 30°00'S, 41°30'W and 40°00'S, 50°00'W. She was ordered to return to Montevideo on 24 March.

Heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher: HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) conducted 7.5" gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow.

Light cruiser HMS Manchester: HMS Manchester (Capt. H. Drew, DSC, RN) arrived at Portsmouth. There she was taken in hand for some more outstanding work that could not be undertaken in the U.S.A. which included the fitting of new radar.

Destroyer HNMS Isaac Sweers: HMS Griffin (Capt. H.St.L. Nicolson, DSO, RN) and HrMs Isaac Sweers (Cdr. W. Harmsen, RNN) arrived at Addu Atoll from Colombo

Submarine HNMS K XI: HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN) arrived at Colombo, Celyon.

Submarine HNMS K VIII: HrMs K VIII (Lt.Cdr. M.A.J. Derksema, RNN) arrived at Fremantle. The old submarine was not used any further because of the many defects she has.

Submarine HNMS O 24: During her refit at Dundee HrMs O 24 (Lt. W.J. de Vries, RNN) is docked.

Submarine HNMS O 14: HrMs O 14 (Lt.Cdr. H.A.W. Goossens, RNN) departed Blyth for Dundee.

Submarine HNMS O 9: HrMs O 9 (Lt. J.F. Drijfhout Van Hooff, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory together with HMS Trondra (T/Lt. G.H. Riches, RNVR) and HMS Fetlar (A/Skr.Lt. W.J.P. Soloman, RNR).

Submarine USS Triton: USS Triton (Lt.Cdr. W.A. Lent) ended her 2nd war patrol at Pearl Harbor.

Submarine USS Grayback: USS Grayback (Lt.Cdr. W.A. Saunders) torpedoed and sank the Japanese collier Ishikari Maru (3291 GRT) 6 nautical miles west of Port Lloyd, Chichi Jima, Bonin Islands in position 27°05'N, 142°05'E.

Submarine USS Saury: USS Saury (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Burnside, Jr) ended her 2nd war patrol at Fremantle, Australia.

Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Carthage: Around 1200Z/17, the corvettes HMS Rockrose (Lt.Cdr. J.D. Birch, RNR) and HMS Bergamot (Lt. R.T. Horan, RNR) joined the armed merchant cruiser HMS Carthage (Capt.(Retd.) B.O. Bell-Salter, RN) and the troop transport Dempo (Dutch, 17024 GRT, built 1931) in approximate position 00°34'N, 08°10'W.

Submarine HMS Unbeaten: HMS Unbeaten (Lt.Cdr. E.A. Woodward, DSO, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian submarine Guglielmotti off Cape Dell'Armi, Italy in position 37°42'N, 15°58'E. According to Italian sources she had been on passage from Taranto to Messina. The torpedo boat Francesco Stocco arrived on the scene, dropped 17 depth charges and picked up one body but there were no survivors. (all times are zone -2) 0633 hours - In position 37°42'N, 15°58'E heard H.E. (Hydrophone Effect) bearing 130°. 0635 hours - Sighted a submarine bearing 125°, distant 2200 yards, manoeuvred into attack position. 0640 hours - Fired 4 torpedoes. One minute and 40 seconds after firing an explosion was heard, H.E. stopped and the submarine was heard breaking up. 0720 hours - Surfaced to pick up survivors. There were about 12 in the water but Unbeaten was forced to dive by an approaching aircraft and clear the area. 1005 hours - Aircraft and motor torpedo boats were seen in the area of the sinking. 1010 to 1020 hours - Distant depth charging was heard. 24 Depth charges were dropped by the three motor torpedo boats present. Unbeaten was now out of torpedoes so course was set to Malta to take on board new torpedoes.

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 Albrighton (Lt. R.J. Hanson, RN).

Submarine HMS Otus: HMS Otus (Lt. R.M. Favell, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Alexandria together with HMS MA/SB 2 and HMS HDML 1007.

Submarine HMS Proteus: As the commanding officers health had improved HMS Proteus (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) resumed course towards her patrol area.

Submarine HMS Pandora: Around 1000A/17, HMS Pandora (Lt. R.L. Alexander, RN) ended her 15th war patrol (10th in the Mediterranean) at Gibraltar.

Submarine HMS Thunderbolt: Around 1500A/17, HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) departed Gibraltar for the U.K.

Submarine HMS Trident: Around 1030A/17, HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 26th war patrol at Lerwick. She departed for Holy Loch around 1700A/17, escorted by the Norwegian torpedo boat HNoMS Draug.

Submarine HMS Taku: HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) is undocked. She then proceeded from Ardrossan to Holy Loch.

Submarine HMS Thorn: Around 0850B/17, HMS Thorn (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Norfolk, RN) ended her 5th war patrol at Alexandria.

Submarine HMS Turbulent: At 0700B/17, HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSC, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol at Alexandria.

Submarine HMS Ultimatum: HMS P 34 (Lt. P.R.H. Harrison, DSC, RN) departed Malta to resume her patrol. She was now ordered to patrol to the south of the Straits of Messina. No suitable targets were sighted.

Submarine HMS Unison: HMS P 43 (Lt. A.C. Halliday, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Albrighton (Lt. R.J. Hanson, RN).

Submarine HMS H 32: HMS H 32 (Lt. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

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

Submarine HMS H 34: HMS H 34 (Lt. R. Gatehouse, DSC, RN) arrived at Portsmouth.

Submarine HMS H 44: HMS H 44 (Lt. S.A. Porter, RN) is docked at Glasgow.

Submarine HMS H 50: HMS H 50 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with USS Niblack and USCGC Ingham.

Submarine HMS P 511: HMS P 511 (Lt. M.F.R. Ainslie, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS L' Atlantique (Skr. A. McKay, RNR) and HMS Bretwalda (Skr. J. Windram, RNR).

Light cruiser HMS Hermione: HMS Argus (Capt. G.T. Philip, DSC, RN) and HMS Hermione (Capt. G.N. Oliver, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Gibraltar. They were escorted by (at least) HMS Laforey (Capt. R.M.J. Hutton, RN), HMS Duncan (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Rowell, RN) and HMS Active (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, RN).

Destroyer HMS Kipling: HMS Jervis (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Kelvin (Cdr. J.H. Alliston, DSO, RN), HMS Kingston (Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St.Clair Ford, DSO, RN) arrived at Beirut at daybreak. They had fist operated in the Haifa and later in the Beirut area but no enemy submarines had been detected. They departed again later the same day for Alexandria.

Destroyer HMAS Nizam: HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, DSO, RN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) conducted torpedo firing exercises off Trincomalee.

Destroyer HMAS Napier: HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, RN) and HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN) conducted torpedo firing exercises off Trincomalee.

Destroyer HMAS Nestor: Around 1430F/17, HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, DSO and Bar, RAN) arrived at Colombo from Trincomalee for a docking and maintenance.

Submarine USS R-6: USS R-6 departed Bermuda for New London, Connecticut.

Submarine USS R-9: USS R-9 arrived at Bermuda from New London, Connecticut.

Destroyer ORP Piorun: Piorun came to Argentia, Canada.

Submarine ORP Jastrzab: ORP Jastrzab (Lt.Cdr. B. Romanowski) departed Blyth for Holy Loch. From Methil onwards the passage was made in convoy EN 60. This convoy departed Methil on 18 March.

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.

1943

Light cruiser HMS Capetown: HMS Capetown (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) departed Bahrein for Bombay.

Light cruiser HMS Cardiff: HMS Cardiff (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.G. Davidson, RN) conducted gunnery exercises for the gunnery school in the Clyde area.

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

Light cruiser HMS Despatch: HMS Despatch (Capt. W.R.C. Leggatt, RN) departed Bathurst for an anti-blockade breaker patrol in the mid-Atlantic.

Light cruiser HMS Durban: HMS Durban (Capt. G.F. Stevens-Guille, DSO, OBE, RN) conducted D/G trials off Bombay.

Heavy cruiser HMS Hawkins: In the morning, HMS Hawkins (Capt. G.A. French, RN) arrived at Bombay with convoy WS 26B.

Light cruiser HMAS Hobart: Around 1505L/17, the heavy cruiser HMAS Australia (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, MVO, DSO, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN), light cruisers HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and USS Phoenix (Capt. A.G. Noble, USN) departed Challenger Bay, Palm Islands for exercises. Around 1845L/17, the destroyers USS Mugford (T/Cdr. H.G. Corey, USN), USS Bagley (T/Cdr. T.E. Chambers, USN), USS Helm (T/Cdr. W.B. Braun, USN), USS Henley (T/Cdr. E.K. van Swearingen, USN) and USS Patterson (T/Cdr. W.C. Schultz, USN) departed Challenger Bay to join the exercises. Exercises continued until the following day and also included underway refuelling exercises with the tanker USS Victoria (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Olsen, USNR). On completion of the exercises all ships, which was since 15 March 1943 known as Task Force 74, arrived at Dunk Island in the afternoon of 18 March 1943.

Light cruiser HMS Newcastle: HMS Newcastle (Capt. P.B.R.W. William-Powlett, DSO, RN) departed Plymouth for Scapa Flow.

Destroyer USS Rowan: USS Rowan, USS Champlin and the American merchant William Johnson together pick up survivors from the American merchant Molly Pitcher that was torpedoed and damaged by German U-boat U-167 in the North Atlantic about 500 nautical miles west of Lisbon. The Molly Pitcher was abandoned and finally sunk the next day by German U-boat U-521.

Submarine HNMS O 23: HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. A.M. Valkenburg, RNN) conducted exercises off Colombo. Practice attacks were made on the Dutch accomodation / depot ship Plancius by all the officers of O 23.

Submarine HNMS O 9: HrMs O 9 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout Van Hooff, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Shemara (Cdr.(retired) H. Buckle, RN) and HMS Radiant (T/Lt. C.S.R. Shapland, RNVR).

Submarine HNMS O 10: HrMs O 10 (Lt.Cdr. Baron D.T. Mackay, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory together with HMS Kite (Lt.Cdr. W.F.R. Segrave, RN), HMS Lady Madeleine (T/A/Lt.Cdr. N.S. Heriot, DSC, RNVR), ML 166 and ML 574 (T/S.Lt. E.R.S. Gillham, RNVR).

Submarine HNMS Dolfijn: HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) was undocked.

Submarine USS Kingfish: USS Kingfish (Lt.Cdr. V.L. Lawrence) torpedoed and damaged the Japanese transport ship Tenryugawa Maru (3883 GRT) in Formosa Strait in position 24°32'N, 120°15'E.

Aircraft Carrier HMS Furious: HMS Furious (Capt. G.T. Philip, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted flying exercises in the Clyde area.

Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Queen of Bermuda: Around 1800C/17, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.D. Cochrane, DSO, RN) departed Durban for Freetown. Shortly after departure she was joined by the destroyers HMS Quilliam (Capt. S.H. Carlill, DSO, RN) and HMS Foxhound (Cdr. C.J. Wynne-Edwards, DSC and Bar, RN) which remained in company until 1200C/20, when they parted company in position 39°03'S, 21°17'E.

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 Beirut. On the way she had performed a deep dive to 350 feet.

Submarine HMS Severn: HMS Severn (Lt.Cdr. A.N.G. Campbell, RN) is docked at Govan to make good defects.

Submarine HMS Sealion: HMS Sealion (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC, RN) 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) served as the target.

Submarine HMS Shakespeare: HMS Shakespeare (Lt. M.F.R. Ainslie, DSC, RN) is ordered to remain on the surface to increase the chance of sighting the blockade runner. Later she was ordered to proceed with despath 60 nautical miles to the East. In the evening she was ordered to return to her initial patrol position as it had become clear that she was unable to intercept the expected blockade runner.

Submarine HMS Splendid: HMS Splendid (Lt. I.L.M. McGeogh, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian tanker Devoli (3177 GRT, built 1939, former Yugoslavian Perun) six nautical miles bearing 245° of Cape San Vito, Sicily, Italy. She was in company with the tanker Velino (1339 GRT, built 1943) and they were escorted by the corvettes Persefone, Antilope and Cicogna, on passage from Palermo to Trapani. (All times are zone -1) Sighted a convoy rounding Capo San Vito. It consisted of one large and one medium tanker and one ocean going tug. They were escorted by four destroyers and two aircraft. Started attack on the large tanker that had a close escort of three destroyers. She was about a mile ahead of the other, smaller, tanker. 1057 hours - Fired four torpedoes from 600 yards. One hit was seen and two more were heard when Splendid went deep. A heavy counter attack followed but Splendid was not damaged by it. She retired to the North at 300 feet. 1515 hours - Returned to periscope depth. Two destroyers were in sight about three nautical miles astern. Set course towards a quiet area to the South-East of Ustica. Devoli was hit by two torpedoes and sank, eighteen survivors were picked up and fourteen were missing. The three corvettes dropped depth charges but without visible result, finally only Cicogna remained behind to continue the hunt. At 1545 hours she claimed to have been missed by a torpedo but this was not the case, more depth charges followed and the submarine was presumed sunk.

Submarine HMS Surf: Surf (Lt. D. Lambert, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch to begin a period of trials and training.

Submarine HMS Trident: HMS Trident (Lt. P.E. Newstead, RN) departed from Gibraltar for a short work up patrol in the Gulf of Valencia (this is her 32nd war patrol and her 1st in the Mediterranean). She is to proceed to Algiers afterwards. [There is no log of HMS Trident available for this period so no map can be displayed].

Submarine HMS Trooper: HMS Trooper (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN) torpedoed and sank the transport Forli (Italian (former French Sebaa), 1525 GRT, built 1904) about 15 to 20 nautical miles South of Capri, Italy in position 40°16'N, 14°15'E. The convoy attacked was made up of the above mentioned Forli as well as Potenza (Italian (former French Auvergne), 2114 GRT, built 1921), Ferrara (Italian (former French Tourquenois), 2993 GRT, built 1909) and Teramo (German (former French Marie-Therese Le Borgne), 1599 GRT, built 1920). Escort was provided by the Italian torpedo-boats Libra, Sirio and Cigno. The convoy was on passage from Palermo to Naples. Following this attack Sirio dropped five depth charges. 1110A/17 - Sighted three aircraft and smoke to the South-West. Started attack. 1135A/17 - The convoy was seen to consist of four transports and three destroyers. The transports were in two columns with one destroyer ahead and one on each quarter. 1211A/17 - Fired three torpedoes at the leading transport of the starboard column. Swung to port and fired three more torpedoes but now at the second transport of the same column. Range was about 5000 yards. Three explosions were heard. Lt. Wraith thought he had hit both target and possible one of the escorting destroyers. Trooper was counter attacked by one of the escorts. Twenty-two depth charges were dropped over a long period of time. The hunt prevented Lt. Wraith to come to periscope depth to see what damage he had done.

Submarine HMS Templar: HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) conducted special (experimental) trials in the Clyde area.

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 Unshaken: HMS Unshaken (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) attacked the German submarine U-431 with four torpedoes south of Sardinia in position 38°05'N, 08°27'E. No hits were obtained. The U-boat had sighted the British submarine and reported five explosions heard shortly afterwards. (All times are zone -1) 0014 hours - In position 38°05'N, 08°27'E sighted a submarine bearing 120°. Range was 6 nautical miles. Enemy course 285° (main course, the submarine was zig-zagging), speed 9,5 knots. 0017 hours - Dived to close. 0047 hours - Surfaced after having lost the target. 0102 hours - Fired 4 torpedoes from long range, 8000 yards. No hits were obtained. 0124 hours - Proceeded on passage.

Submarine HMS Usurper: HMS Usurper (Lt. D.R.O. Mott, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Scapa Flow with HMS Echo (Lt. R.H.C. Wyld, RN), HMS Brecon (Lt.Cdr. T.D. Herrick, DSC and Bar, RN) and two ML's.

Submarine HMS Universal: HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) proceeded from Holy Loch to Arrochar. She then conducted torpedo firing trials off Arrochar.

Submarine HMS H 43: HMS H 43 (Lt. D. Swanston, DSC, RN) shifted from Campbeltown to Rothesay on one engine as the other was defective.

Submarine HMS H 44: HMS H 44 (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Virginia (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J. Dobson, RNR) and HMS Northern Reward (Lt. J.D. Weaver, RNVR).

Submarine HMS P 511: HMS P 511 (Lt. C.R. Pelly, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Spaniel, HMS Bretwalda (Skr.Lt. J.R. Coultas, RD, RNR), HMS Shemara (Cdr.(retired) H. Buckle, RN) and HMS Altair (Lt.Cdr. (retired) W.R.T. Clements, RNR).

Minelayer HMS Abdiel: HMS Abdiel (Capt. D. Orr-Ewing, RN) arrived at Malta from Alexandria. Here she disembarked the full outfit of mines she had on board. She then left for Haifa later the same day.

Light cruiser HMS Charybdis: HMS Charybdis (Capt. G.A.W. Voelcker, RN) conducted torpedo firing exercises at Scapa Flow.

Light cruiser HMS Gambia: Around 1400C/17, HMS Gambia (Capt. M.J. Mansergh, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.G. Tennant, CB, MVO, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from Mauritius. Before entering harbour gunnery exercises were carried out.

Light cruiser HMS Jamaica: Around 0735A/17, HMS Jamaica (Capt. J.L. Storey, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from Rosyth.

Light cruiser HMS Newfoundland: Around 1545/17, HMS Newfoundland (Capt. W.R. Slayter, DSC, RN), HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN) and HMS Musketeer (Cdr. E.N.V. Currey, DSC, RN), departed Plymouth for a patrol off the Bay of Biscay to intercept enemy blockade breakers. They returned to Plymouth around 1350/21.

Battleship HMS Revenge: The battleship HMS Revenge (Capt. G.B. Middleton, CBE, RN) conducted exercises off Kilindini during which she was escorted by the destroyers HMAS Nizam (Cdr. C.H. Brooks, RAN) and HMAS Quickmatch (Lt.Cdr. R. Rhoades, DSC, RAN). On completion of the exercises they proceeded to Manza Bay where they arrived the following morning.

Battleship HMS Howe: Around 1145A/17, the battleship HMS Howe (Capt. C.H.L. Woodhouse, CB, RN) and aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable (Capt. G. Grantham, CB, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral A.L.St.G. Lyster, CB, CVO, DSO, RN) departed the Clyde for Scapa Flow. HMS Indomitable had been underway earlier to fly on her aircraft. On leaving the Clyde around 1830A/17, they were joined the destroyers HMS Offa (Capt. J. A. McCoy, DSO, RN), HMS Onslaught (Cdr. W.H. Selby, RN), HMS Obedient (Cdr. D.C. Kinloch, RN), HMS Opportune (Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO and Bar, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Blankney (Lt.Cdr. D.H.R. Bromley, RN). These destroyers had departed Scapa Flow around 1700A/16.

Destroyer HMAS Vendetta: HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. C.J. Stephenson, RAN) arrived at Townsville from Milne Bay.

Destroyer HMAS Quiberon: Around 0700C/17, HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. G.S. Stewart, RAN) departed Kilindini for Fremantle via Diego Garcia. In the afternoon of 21 March, HMAS Quiberon fuelled at Diego Garcia from the RFA tanker Appleleaf (5891 GRT, built 1917). On completion of fuelling HMAS Quiberon departed Diego Garcia for Fremantle where she arrived around 1200H/29.

Corvette HMS Lavender: HMS Lavender (Lt. L.G. Pilcher, RNR) picks up 34 survivors from the Panamanian merchant Granville that was torpedoed and sunk in the North Atlantic in position 52°50'N, 30°35'W by German U-boat U-338.

Corvette HMS Pennywort: HMS Pennyworth (Lt. O.G. Stuart, RCNVR) picks up 30 men from the American merchant James Oglethorpe that was torpedoed and damaged by German U-boat U-758 in the North Atlantic in position 50°38'N, 34°46'W.The James Oglethorpe (with 30 men still on board) tried to reach St. John's Canada, but was never seen again. HMS Pennywort also picks up 40 survivors from the Norwegian merchant Elin K. that was torpedoed and sunk the previous day in position 50°38'N, 34°46'W by German U-boat U-603.

Corvette HMS Anemone: HMS Anemone (Lt.Cdr. P.G.A. King, RNR) picks up 94 men from the British merchant Nariva that was torpedoed and damaged by German U-boat U-600 in the North Atlantic southeast of Cape Farewell. HMS Anemone tried to scuttle the Nariva with gunfire but failed to do so. The wreck of the Nariva was finally sunk a few hours later by German U-boat U-91 in position 50°34'N, 35°02'W.

Submarine USS R-1: USS R-1 (Lt.Cdr. W.R. Laughon, USN) conducted exercises off Bermuda.

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-10: USS R-10 (Lt.Cdr. E.D`H. Haskins, 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.Cdr. A.R. Gallaher, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USSR K-3: K-3 attacked the German merchant Rotersand (4221 GRT) with torpedoes off Nordkyn, northern Norway. The torpedoes fired however all miss their target.

Destroyer HNMS Van Galen (ii): USS Grayling (T/Cdr. J.E. Lee, USN) conducted exercises off Fremantle during which HrMs Van Galen (Lt.Cdr. F.T. Burghard, RNethN) acted as target.

Corvette HMS Saxifrage: HMS Saxifrage (Lt. N.L. Knight, RNR) picks up 37 survivors from the Dutch merchant Alderamin that was torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-338 southeast of Cape Farewell in position 52°14'N, 32°15'W.

Destroyer HMS Mansfield: HMS Mansfield (Lt.Cdr. L.C. Hill, OBE, RNR) picks up 61 survivors from the Dutch merchant Terkoelei that was torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-631 in the North Atlantic in position 51°45'N, 31°15'W. HMS Mansfield also picks up 16 survivors from the American merchant Ir?n?e Du Pont that was torpedoed and damaged by German U-boat U-600 in the North Atlantic in position 50°36'N, 34°30'W. The abandoned Ir?n?e Du Pont was later sunk by German U-boat U-91 in position 50°38'N, 34°46'W.

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. W.N. Eade, RNR) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with a training class of new submariners.

1944

Heavy cruiser HMS Kent: Vice-Admiral A.F.E. Palliser, CB, DSC, RN, struck his flag in HMS Kent (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, DSC, MVO, RN).

Heavy cruiser HMS London: HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN) and HMS Cumberland (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN) departed Colombo for Trincomalee.

Light cruiser HMS Colombo: The AA cruiser HMS Colombo (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN), frigate HMS Barle (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Davies, RNVR) and the corvettes HMS Bergamot (A/Lt.Cdr. W. McInnes, RNR), HMS Bryony (T/Lt. T. Hand, RNR), HMS La Malouine (Lt. W.A. Ives, RNR) and (the Yugoslavian) Nada, submarine HMS Spiteful (Lt.Cdr. F.H. Sherwood, DSC, RCNVR) and the rescue tug HMRT Vagrant departed Gibraltar to join convoy KMS 44. [For more info on this convoy see the event ' Combined convoy OS 70 / KMS 44 ' for 4 March 1944.]

Light cruiser HMS Dauntless: HMS Dauntless (Cdr. D.C. Kinloch, DSO, RN) and HMS Diomede (Cdr. R.A. Ewing, DSC, RN) arrived at Rosyth.

Heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher: Around 0630C/17, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Aden from Colombo. Around 1800C/17, she departed Aden for Suez.

Heavy cruiser HMS Hawkins: Around 1800B/17, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Alexandria for Gibraltar.

Light cruiser HMS Newcastle: HMS Newcastle (Capt. P.B.R.W. William-Powlett, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.D. Read, CB, RN) and HMS Suffolk (A/Capt. W.F.H.C. Rutherford, RN) departed Mauritius for Colombo.

Escort carrier USS Block Island (ii): German U-boat U-801 was sunk in the mid-Atlantic near the Cape Verde Islands, in position 16°42'N, 30°28'W, by a Fido homing torpedo from 2 Avenger aircraft (VC-9) of the US escort carrier USS Block Island and depth charges and gunfire from the US destroyer USS Corry and the US destroyer escort USS Bronstein.

Battleship USS Iowa: USS Iowa (Capt. J.L. McCrea, USN) departed Majoro Atoll as part of Task Group 50.10 which was to bombard Milli Island. The other ships of the task force were battleship USS New Jersey (Capt. C.F. Holden, USN) and destroyers USS Dewey (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Copeland, USN), USS Hull (Lt.Cdr. C.W. Consolvo, USN), USS MacDonough (Cdr. J.W. Ramey, USN) and USS Phelps (Lt.Cdr. D.L. Martineau, USN). Air cover was provided by fleet carrier USS Lexington (Capt. F.B. Stump, USN) escorted by destroyers USS Bancoft (Cdr. R.M. Pitts, USN), USS Meade (Cdr. J. Munholland, USN) and USS Edwards (Cdr. P.G. Osler, USN). For the daily positions of USS Iowa during this operation see the map below.

Submarine HNMS K XIV: HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout van Hooff, RNN) departed Colombo for her 5th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the westcoast of Sumatra and to proceed to Fremantle afterwards.

Submarine USS Darter: USS Darter (Cdr. W.S. Stovall, Jr.) departed from Brisbane for her 2nd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol north of western New Guinea and south of Davao Gulf, Philippines.

Submarine USS Flounder: USS Flounder (Cdr. C.A. Johnson) departed from Milne Bay for her 1st war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the Palau's.

Submarine USS Billfish: USS Billfish (Cdr. V.C. Turner, USN) made a stop at Darwin, Australia. After unloading all her torpedoes and taking on board fuel she departed for Fremantle later the same day.

Submarine USS Skate: USS Skate (Lt.Cdr. W.P. Gruner, Jr.) ended her 3rd war patrol at Pearl Harbor.

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

Aircraft Carrier HMS Furious: HMS Furious (Capt. G.T. Philip, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted flying exercises off Scapa Flow. [No details available on a possible destroyer escort.]

Escort Carrier HMS Battler: Around 1015D/17, HMS Battler (A/Capt. F.M.R. Stephenson, RN) and HMS Roebuck (Cdr. J.T. Lean, DSO, RN) departed Mauritius for Durban. Around 1600D/17, they were joined by HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Farrington, RN) which apparently had left Mauritius later then the other two ships. Around 2045D/19, HMS Quadrant was detached for other escort duty.

Escort Carrier HMS Fencer: Around 0815A/17, the escort carriers HMS Fencer (A/Capt. W.W.R. Bentinck, OBE, RN), HMS Pursuer (A/Capt. H.R. Graham, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Searcher (Capt. G.O.C. Davies, RN), HMS Emperor (A/Capt. T.J.N. Hilken, DSO, RN) and the light cruiser HMS Royalist (Capt. M.H. Evelegh, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.W.la T. Bisset, RN) departed Greenock for Scapa Flow where they arrived around 1700A/18. The destroyers HMS Savage (Cdr. M.D.C. Meyrick, DSO, RN), HMS Offa (Lt.Cdr. R.F. Leonard, RN) and HMS Obedient (Lt.Cdr. H. Unwin, DSC and Bar, RN) had joined around 0600A/18. They had departed Scapa Flow around 2200A/17.

Escort Carrier HMS Khedive: HMS Khedive (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Haynes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted D/G trials off Rosyth.

Submarine HMS Porpoise: HMS Porpoise (Lt.Cdr. H.A.L. Marsham, OBE, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with aircraft.

Submarine HMS Sealion: HMS Sealion (Lt. P.E. Newstead, DSC, RN) shifted from Londonderry to Rothesay.

Submarine HMS Spiteful: HMS Spiteful (Lt.Cdr. F.H. Sherwood, DSC, RCNVR) departed Gibraltar for Malta. She made the passage in convoy KMS 44.

Submarine HMS Sturdy (ii): HMS Sturdy (Lt. W.St.G. Anderson, DSC, RNR) arrived at Lerwick.

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: Around 2145A/17, HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) arrived at Lerwick to top off with fuel.

Submarine HMS Torbay: HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Gibraltar.

Submarine HMS Tactician: HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) is docked in the outer graving dock at Colombo.

Submarine HMS Tudor: HMS Tudor (Lt. S.A. Porter, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with aircraft.

Submarine HMS Terrapin: HMS Terrapin (Lt.Cdr. D.S.R. Martin, DSO and 2 bars, RN) Toppes off with fuel at Lerwick. After this short stop she proceeds on patrol.

Submarine HMS Thorough: HMS Thorough (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) and HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) both conducted A/S and attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Westcott (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) H. Lambton, RN) and HMS Inconstant (Lt.Cdr J.H. Eaden, DSC and Bar, RN). These included night exercises.

Submarine HMS Unbending: HMS Unbending (Lt. J.D. Martin, DSC, RN) arrived at Lerwick.

Submarine HMS Unbroken: HMS Unbroken (Lt. P.L. Langley-Smith, RN) arrived at Lerwick. Later the same day she departed for her 21th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the Norwegian coast to the north of Bergen. For the daily positions of HMS Unbroken during this patrol see the map below.

Submarine HMS Unison: HMS Unison (T/Lt. P.C.S. Pritchard, RNR) conducted night exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Blade (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S.T. Wenlock, RNR).

Submarine HMS Untiring: HMS Untiring (Lt. R. Boyd, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Malta.

Submarine HMS Varangian: During 17/18 March 1944, HMS Varangian (Lt. S.J. Fovargue, RN), conducted exercises off Fishguard with aircraft. These included night exercises.

Submarine HMS Vampire: HMS Vampire (Lt. C.W. Taylor, RNR) is ordered to patrol in position 41°30'N, 12°00'W. The passage to Gibraltar now became her 2nd war patrol.

Submarine HMS Viking: HMS Viking (Lt. R. Bannar-Martin, DSC, RN) returned to Plymouth.

Submarine HMS Virtue: HMS Virtue (Lt. R.D. Cairns, DSC. RN) shifted from Campbeltown to Holy Loch.

Submarine HMS H 28: HMS H 28 (Lt. J.W. Kelly, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

Submarine HMS H 32: HMS H 32 (Lt. K.S. Renshaw, DSC, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Shemara (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Buckle, RN) and HMS Spaniel. Upon completion of these exercises Lt. Hutley took over command of HMS H 32 from Lt. Renshaw.

Submarine HMS H 44: HMS H 44 (Lt. P.N. Joyce, RN) is undocked.

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

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

Light cruiser HMS Diadem: HMS Diadem (Capt. E.G.A. Clifford, RN) conducted torpedo firing exercises and D/G trials at Scapa Flow.

Light cruiser HMS Jamaica: Around 1420A/17, HMS Jamaica (Capt. J. Hugh-Hallett, DSO, RN) departed Rosyth for Scapa Flow where she arrived around 0700A/18.

Battleship HMS Ramillies: HMS Ramillies (Capt. G.B. Middleton, CBE, RN) is docked in No.2 graving dock at the Rosyth Dockyard.

Submarine USS R-2: USS R-2 (Lt. A.K. Tyree, 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-14: USS R-14 (Lt.Cdr. R. Holden, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

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

Submarine USSR M-105: M-105 fires two torpedoes at ' what is identified as ' a merchant of 4000 tons off the Syltefjord. Both torpedoes missed their target.

Submarine ORP Dzik: ORP Dzik (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) B.S. Romanowski) arrived at Gibraltar.

1945

Light cruiser HMS Newcastle: HMS Newcastle (Capt. J.G. Roper, OBE, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN) departed Colombo for Trincomalee.

Destroyer USS Gwin (ii): USS Gwin departed from Eniwetok to participate in the operations of Okinawa.

Destroyer USS Purdy: USS Purdy arrived at Leyte, Philippines.

Destroyer USS Putnam: USS Putnam (Cdr. F.V.H. Hilles) arrived at Leyte.

Submarine HNMS O 23: HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. A.J. Schouwenaar, RNN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Shikari (Lt. E.A. Tyrer, DSC, RN) and HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) served as targets.

Submarine HNMS Dolfijn: HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) departed Lerwick for her 20th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the Norwegian coast, Feje area (north of Bergen). Only small vessels were sighted. No daily positions are known for this patrol so no map can be displayed.

Submarine USS Searaven: USS Searaven (T/Lt.Cdr. T.M. Ustick, USN) conducted / participated in excercises off Pearl Harbour.

Submarine USS Tinosa: USS Tinosa (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Latham) departed from Saipan for her 9th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the East China Sea.

Submarine USS Batfish: Lt.Cdr. Walter Lowry Small, USN takes over command from Cdr. John Kerr Fyfe, USN.

Submarine USS Sealion (ii): USS Sealion (ii) (Lt.Cdr. C.F. Putnam) torpedoed and sank the Thai oiler Samui (1458 GRT) off the Trengganu coast in position 05°18'N, 103°23'E.

Submarine USS Boarfish: During the night of 17/18 March 1945, USS Boarfish (Cdr. R.L. Gross, USN), made the northbound passage of Lombok Strait.

Submarine USS Capitaine: USS Capitaine (Lt.Cdr. E.S. Friedrick, USN) arrived at Coco Solo, Panama Canal Zone.

Submarine USS Loggerhead: USS Loggerhead (Cdr. R.N. Metcalf, USN) arrived in the Panama Canal Zone.

Submarine USS Spot: USS Spot (Cdr. W.S. Post, Jr.) torpedoed and sank the Japanese army cargo ship Nanking Maru (3005 GRT) off Yushiyama Island in position 25°28'N, 120°10'E, and torpedoed and damaged the Japanese merchant cargo ship Ikomasan Maru (3173 GRT) which is beached off Matsu Island in position 26°07'N, 119°57'E. The Ikomasan Maru is finally destroyed by USAAF bombers on 26 March 1945.

Aircraft Carrier HMS Pioneer: HMS Pioneer (Capt. H.S. Murray-Smith, RN) conducted trials at Scapa Flow.

Escort Carrier HMS Khedive: HMS Khedive (A/Capt. D.H. Magnay, RN) conducted flying exercises off Colombo.

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) was docked in AFD 7 at Holy Loch.

Submarine HMS Storm: HMS Storm (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E.P. Young, DSO, DSC, RNVR) was docked at Alexandria.

Submarine HMS Scotsman: HMS Scotsman (Lt. A.H.B. Anderson, DSC, RNR) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow.

Submarine HMS Sea Scout: HMS Sea Scout (Lt. J.W. Kelly, RN) arrived at Colombo.

Submarine HMS Solent: HMS Solent (Lt. J.D. Martin, DSC, RN) arrived at Fremantle.

Submarine HMS Trusty: HMS Trusty (Lt. H.S. May, RN) departed from Scapa Flow for Rothesay. She makes the passage together with HMS Universal (Lt. S.S. Brooks, DSC, RN). They are escorted by HMS Hastings (A/Cdr. E.A. Stocker, DSC, RN).

Submarine HMS Tactician: HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. L.N.A. Jewell, DSC, MBE, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil.

Submarine HMS Trespasser: During exercises in the Inchmarnock area, HMS Trespasser (Lt. L.E. Herrick, DSC, RN) performed dummy attacks on HMS Bridgewater and HMS Shikari.

Submarine HMS Taciturn: HMS Taciturn (Lt.Cdr. E.T. Stanley, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Port Said.

Submarine HMS Tapir: HMS Tapir (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxbourgh, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted log calibrating trials in Loch Long.

Submarine HMS Unruffled: HMS Unruffled (T/Lt. A.H. MacCoy, DSC, SANF(V)) participated in A/S exercises off Bermuda.

Submarine HMS Unruly: HMS Unruly (T/Lt. D.J. Palmer, RNVR) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory with HMS Liberty (T/Cdr. J.S. Roe, DSC, RNVR) and HMS Mounsey.

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

Submarine HMS Universal: HMS Universal (Lt. S.S. Brooks, DSC, RN) made a short stop at Scapa Flow.

Submarine HMS Upshot: HMS Upshot (Lt. A.J. Boyall, RN) conducted snorkel trials off Beaumaris Bay.

Submarine HMS Vagabond: HMS Vagabond (Lt. I.M. Stoop, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.

Submarine HMS Virtue: HMS Virtue (Lt. R.D. Cairns, DSC, RN) is put back in the water.

Submarine HMS Volatile: HMS Volatile (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) shifted from Campbeltown to Holy Loch.

Submarine HMS Votary: HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Arrochar.

Submarine USS R-11: USS R-11 (Lt.Cdr. M. Abrahams, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-14: USS R-14 (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Cunningham, Jr., USNR) conducted exercises off Key West.

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

Submarine USSR K-53: K-53 torpedoed and sank the German merchant Margarethe Cords (1912 GRT) off the Stolpebank in position 54°30'N, 15°28'E.

Destroyer HNMS Tjerk Hiddes (ii): HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. N.W. Sluijter, RNethN) proceeded from Greenock to Lamlash.

ASW Trawler HMS Lady Madeleine: German U-boat U-246 was sunk south of the Isle of Man, in position 53°40'N, 04°53,5'N, by depth charges from the British ASW trawler HMS Lady Madeleine (T/Lt. J.D.W. Lewis, RNVR).

Submarine HMS P 614: HMS P 614 (Lt. J.F. Michell, RN) shifted from Port HHX to Kames Bay. She made the passage towing X-craft X 20. They were escorted by HMS Alecto (Cdr. (Retd.) E.S. Felton, RN).

Submarine IT Goffredo Mameli: Goffredo Mameli departed the Portsmouth Navy Yard for Casco Bay, Maine, USA.

Submarine IT Enrico Dandolo: Enrico Dandolo departed New London, Connecticut, USA for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. She was escorted by USS Eager.

2016

Submarine HMS Tarpon: Wreck was discovered by commercial diving company near the harbour of Thyborøn News paper article in Danish: click here