Allied Warships

Events on this day

19 August

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This page is our compilation of data from several different databases. All data shown here is dynamic, but is accurate according to the information we have right now. Although content is still being added daily, more than 75% of the launched and commissioned data is already in place, so this section is almost complete.

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The Shipyard Report


Laid down (37)

1913: Italian Navy Torpedo boat Giuseppe Cesare Abba - Italian Navy Torpedo boat Rosolino Pilo

1917: US Navy Minesweeper Turkey (AM 13)

1918: Royal Navy Destroyer Wivern (D 66) - US Navy Destroyer Chandler (DMS 9)

1919: US Navy Destroyer MacLeish (DD 220)

1929: Royal Navy Destroyer Basilisk (H 11)

1939: Royal Navy MS Trawler Deodar (T 124) - US Navy Motor torpedo boat PT 2

1940: Royal Australian Navy Minesweeper Lithgow (J 206) - Royal Navy Corvette Abelia (K 184) - Royal Navy Corvette Alisma (K 185) - Royal Navy MS Trawler Cava (T 145) - Royal Navy Escort destroyer Oakley (ii) (L 98) - Royal Navy Destroyer Quilliam (G 09)

1941: Royal Navy Frigate Swale (K 217) - South African Navy Frigate Swale (K 217) - US Navy Patrol craft PC-465 (PC-465)

1942: Brazilian Navy Submarine chaser Jundiaí (CS 58) - Royal Navy Motor Gun Boat MGB 178 (MGB 178) - US Navy Minesweeper Competent (AM 316) - US Navy Motor torpedo boat PT 156 - US Navy Motor torpedo boat PT 214 - US Navy Submarine chaser SC-1022 (SC-1022) - US Navy Submarine chaser SC-1045 (SC-1045) - US Navy Submarine chaser SC-1289 (SC-1289) - US Navy Minesweeper YMS-200 (YMS-200)

1943: US Navy Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-470 (LCI(L)-470) - US Navy Tank landing ship LST 506 (LST 506) - US Navy Motor torpedo boat PT 459 - US Navy Minesweeper YMS-296 (YMS-296)

1944: US Navy Landing craft support LCS(L)-14 (LCS(L)-14) - US Navy Landing craft support LCS(L)-34 (LCS(L)-34) - US Navy Landing craft tank LCT 1217 (LCT 1217) - US Navy Landing craft tank LCT 1218 (LCT 1218) - US Navy Tank landing ship LST 831 (LST 831) - US Navy Aircraft carrier Phillipine Sea (CV 47)

Launched (36)

1928: French Navy Submarine Pasteur

1936: Royal Navy ASW Trawler St. Cathan (FY 234)

1940: Royal Navy Corvette Hollyhock (K 64) - Royal Navy Corvette Hyacinth (K 84) - Royal Navy Escort destroyer Liddesdale (L 100) - Royal Navy Minesweeper Rye (J 76) - Royal Navy Corvette Sunflower (K 41) - Royal Navy Submarine Urge (N 17) - Royal Hellenic Navy Corvette Apostolis (K 84)

1941: Royal Navy Motor Launch ML 363 (ML 363) - Soviet Navy Submarine M-121

1942: Royal Navy Minesweeper BYMS 2048 (J 848) - Royal Navy Motor minesweeper MMS 266 (J 766) - US Navy Submarine Harder (257) - US Navy Landing craft tank LCT 128 (LCT 128) - US Navy Motor torpedo boat PT 129

1943: Royal Canadian Navy Minesweeper Rockcliffe (J 355) - Royal Navy Corvette Berkeley Castle (K 387) - Royal Navy Patrol vessel Kilkenzie (Z 08) - Royal Navy Minesweeper Pincher (J 294) - US Navy Net tender Abele (AN 58) - US Navy Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-451 (LCI(L)-451) - US Navy Destroyer Escort Lyman (DE 302) - US Navy Net tender Terebinth (AN 59)

1944: Free French Navy Submarine Morse (P 87) - Royal Canadian Navy Corvette Smiths Falls (K 345) - US Navy Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-798 (LCI(L)-798) - US Navy Landing craft support LCS(L)-10 (LCS(L)-10) - US Navy Landing craft support LCS(L)-28 (LCS(L)-28) - US Navy Landing craft tank LCT 1271 (LCT 1271) - US Navy Landing craft tank LCT 1286 (LCT 1286) - US Navy Tank landing ship LST 788 (LST 788) - US Navy Tank landing ship LST 790 (LST 790) - US Navy Destroyer Massey (DD 778) - US Navy Destroyer Escort Presley (DE 371) - US Navy Light cruiser Topeka (CL 67)

Commissioned (35)

1915: Royal Navy Battleship Barham (04)

1938: US Navy Destroyer Sampson (DD 394)

1939: Royal Navy Tug Guardsman

1940: Soviet Navy Submarine Kalev - Soviet Navy Submarine Lembit

1941: Royal Canadian Navy Corvette Sorel (K 153) - Royal New Zealand Navy MS Trawler Moa (T 233) - Royal Navy Harbour Defence Motor Launch HDML 1044 (ML 1044) - Royal Navy Motor Launch ML 288 (ML 288) - Royal Navy MS Trawler Mull (T 110)

1942: Royal Navy Minesweeper Brixham (J 105) - Royal Navy Motor Gun Boat MGB 616 (MGB 616) - Royal Navy Motor minesweeper MMS 189 (J 689) - Royal Navy Motor minesweeper MMS 73 (J 573) - US Navy Landing craft tank LCT 410 (LCT 410) - US Navy Patrol craft PC-616 (PC-616) - US Navy Submarine chaser SC-631 (SC-631) - US Navy Submarine chaser SC-677 (SC-677)

1943: Royal Navy Submarine Venturer (P 68) - US Navy Destroyer Gatling (DD 671) - US Navy Destroyer Halligan (DD 584) - US Navy Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-446 (LCI(L)-446) - US Navy Tank landing ship LST 219 (LST 219) - US Navy Tank landing ship LST 268 (LST 268) - US Navy Destroyer McCord (DD 534) - US Navy Minesweeper YMS-224 (YMS-224)

1944: Royal Navy Motor Launch ML 859 (ML 859) - US Navy Destroyer Escort Finnegan (DE 307) - US Navy Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-780 (LCI(L)-780) - US Navy Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-794 (LCI(L)-794) - US Navy Destroyer Little (ii) (DD 803) - US Navy Medium landing ship LSM 320 (LSM 320) - US Navy Tank landing ship LST 588 (LST 588) - US Navy Tank landing ship LST 758 (LST 758) - US Navy Frigate Reading (PF-66)

Legend:

Laid down means that the ship's construction was officially started by laying down the keel (often just a single steel beam but could also mean the first of many pre-fabricated sections).

Launched means that the ship was launched from its shipyard, it then began its fitting out period (installation of smaller systems, weapons etc.) - in many yards the ships were launched very complete and needed little work afterwards.

Commissioned is when the navy takes the ship officially over and gives command of it to its new captain.

War Losses on 19 August (10)


1941: Royal Navy Landing Craft Tank LCT 12 (LCT 12) - Royal Navy ASW Whaler Thorbryn - Royal Norwegian Navy Destroyer Bath (I 17)

1942: Royal Navy Escort destroyer Berkeley (L 17) - Royal Navy Landing Craft Tank LCT 121 (LCT 121) - Royal Navy Landing Craft Tank LCT 122 (LCT 122) - Royal Navy Landing Craft Tank LCT 124 (LCT 124) - Royal Navy Landing Craft Tank LCT 126 (LCT 126) - Royal Navy Landing Craft Tank LCT 145 (LCT 145) - Royal Navy Landing Craft Tank LCT 159 (LCT 159)

More information on Allied Warships losses.


General Events on 19 August


1939

Royal Dutch Navy Light cruiser HNMS Tromp: HrMs Tromp (Cdr. J.W. Termijtelen, RNN) departed Den Helder, Netherlands for the Dutch East Indies. First leg of this trip was to Cadiz, Spain. For the daily positions during the complete passage from Den Helder, Netherlands to Surabaya, Dutch East Indies, see the map below.

1940

Royal Navy Heavy cruiser HMS Norfolk: HMS Norfolk (Capt. A.J.L. Phillips, RN) conducted HA gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow.

Royal Navy Heavy cruiser HMS York: HMS York (Capt. R.H. Portal, DSC, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from Rosyth.

Royal Navy Light cruiser HMS Ceres: HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) arrived at Aden from operations off Berbera, Italian Somaliland.

Royal Navy Light cruiser HMS Colombo: Around 1105C/19, HMS Colombo (Capt. C.A.E. Stanfield, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa to patrol off Italian Somaliland.

Royal Navy Light cruiser HMS Danae: Around 0900H/19, HMS Danae (Capt. A.C. Collinson, RN) departed Hong Kong for the Yangtze estuary. She is to provide cover for the transport of troops from northern China.

Royal Navy Light cruiser HMS Despatch: HMS Despatch (Commodore 2nd cl. C.E. Douglas-Pennant, DSC, RN) arrived at Kingston, Jamaica.

Royal Navy Light cruiser HMS Durban: HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) completed her refit at Singapore.

Royal Navy Light cruiser HMS Dragon: HMS Dragon (Capt. R.G. Bowes-Lyon, MVO, RN) arrived at Durban escorting convoy RS 5.

Royal Navy Heavy cruiser HMS Hawkins: HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral Sir H. Harwood, KCB, OBE, RN) embarked provisions and ammunition in San Borombon Bay from the chartered transport Baltavia (British, 2461 GRT, built 1924). The following day HMS Hawkins fuelled from the RFA tanker Arndale (8296 GRT, built 1937) after which HMS Hawkins resumed her patrol.

Royal Navy Light cruiser HMS Emerald: Convoy BHX 67. This convoy departed Bermuda on 19 August 1940. It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Capsa (British (tanker), 8229 GRT, built 1931), Dromus (British (tanker), 8036 GRT, built 1938), Kedoe (Dutch, 3684 GRT, built 1921), Lochkatrine (British, 9419 GRT, built 1922), Mactra (British (tanker), 6193 GRT, built 1936), Mamura (Dutch (tanker), 8245 GRT, built 1932), Merchant Prince (British, 5229 GRT, built 1939), Rimutaka (British, 16576 GRT, built 1923), Solstad (Norwegian (tanker), 5952 GRT, built 1927) and Titus (Dutch, 1712 GRT, built 1930). On departure from Bermuda the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Emerald (Capt. F.C. Flynn, RN). Around 0500P/25, in position 44°40'N, 46°15'W, convoy BHX 67 joined convoy HX 67. HMS Emerald then parted company to return to Bermuda.

Royal Australian Navy Light cruiser HMAS Hobart: Around 1500C/19, HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.L. Howden, RAN) arrived at Aden from Berbera.

Royal Navy Light cruiser HMS Manchester: The ships company of HMS Manchester (Capt. H.A. Packer, RN) returned from leave.

Royal Dutch Navy Light cruiser HNMS Tromp: HrMs Tromp (Capt. J.W. Termijtelen, RNN) arrived at Surabaya.

Royal Dutch Navy Submarine HNMS O 22: Around 2030A/19, HrMs O 22 (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Ort, RNN) departed from Dundee for her 2nd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the Norwegian Coast near Bergen. It is not possible to display a map for O 22. The patrol report holds no daily positions and the ships log is not available.

Royal Dutch Navy Submarine HNMS O 9: HrMs O 9 (Lt. H.A.W. Goossens, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory with HMS Southern Gem (T/Lt. C.E. Denne, RNVR) and HMS Peony (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) M.B. Sherwood, RN).

Royal Navy Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Circassia: At 0145A/19, HMS Circassia (Capt.(Retd.) H.G.L. Oliphant, DSO, RN) sighted a darkened ship proceeding northwards. Circassia altered course towards and went to action stations. The ship was ordered to identify itself but no reply was received. Two warning shots were then fired which resulted in the unknown ship opening fire. At 0203A/19, Circassia opened fire and fired 36 rounds before fire was ceased and the unknown ship was again challenged and ordered to identify herself. The ship now replied and identified herself as the Rowallan Castle (British, 7801 GRT, built 1939). The transport had sustained some damage in the action but was able to continue to the U.K.

Royal Navy Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Queen of Bermuda: Around 1330B/19, Queen of Bermuda (Capt. G.A.B. Hawkins, MVO, DSC, RN) departed Capetown for the Plate Area. En-route she was to visit Tritan da Cunha where stores had to be landed. Also, at Capetown, Commodore F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN, boarded. He was to take command of the South American Division.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Oberon: HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Pizey, DSO, RN) conducted independent exercises in the Clyde area.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Otway: HMS Otway (Lt. E.D. Norman, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Parthian: HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) departed Alexandria for her 6th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Ionian Sea. For the daily and attack positions of HMS Parthian during this patrol see the map below.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Cachalot: HMS Cachalot (Lt.Cdr. J.D. Luce, RN) laid minefield FD 24 (50 mines) south of Penmarch, France. (All times are zone -1) 1111 hours - Laid the first mine. 1228 hours - Laid the last mine. The mines were laid in 5 groups of 10 mines within an area of 1.5 miles radius from position 47°40'3"N, 04°23'W.

Royal Navy Light cruiser HMS Neptune: HMS Neptune (Capt. R.C. O'Conor, RN) arrived at Aden.

Royal Navy Light cruiser HMS Penelope: Around 2000/19, HMS Penelope (Capt. G.D. Yates, RN), departed Greenock for the Tyne. She is being escorted by the escort destroyers HMS Atherstone (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, RN) and HMS Hambledon (Cdr. S.H. Carlill, RN). HMS Penelope arrived at North Shields around 0730/22.

Royal Australian Navy Destroyer HMAS Vampire: Around 1000C/19, the small transport Lateef (Egyptian, 503 GRT, built 1903) and the tanker British Architect (British, 7388 GRT, built 1922) departed Alexandria for Port Said / Haifa. They were escorted by the destroyer HMAS Vampire (Lt.Cdr. J.A. Walsh, RAN). Around 1200C/20, off the entrance to the searched channel to Port Said, the Lateef parted company to proceed to Port Said. The British Architect continued on escorted by HMAS Vampire. They arrived at Haifa around 0700C/21.

Royal Navy Destroyer HMS Warwick: Just before 0200 hours on 19 August 1940 the British merchant ship Ampleforth, a straggler from convoy OA-199, was torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-101 west of the Hebrides in position 56°10'N, 10°40'W. Nine crew members were lost. The master and 28 crew members were picked up by the British destroyer HMS Warwick (Lt.Cdr. M.A.G. Child, RN) and landed at Liverpool.

Royal Navy Destroyer HMS Dainty: HMS Dainty (Cdr. M.S. Thomas, RN), HMS Decoy (Cdr. E.G. McGregor, RN) and HMS Defender (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, RN) arrived at Suez. They transited the Suez Canal and arrived at Port Said later the same day. They departed Port Said for Alexandria even later this day.

Royal Navy Destroyer HMS Kandahar: HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN) arrived at Aden.

1941

Royal Navy Heavy cruiser HMS London: HMS London (Capt. R.M. Servaes, CBE, RN) departed Scapa Flow for boiler cleaning in the Clyde.

Royal Navy Heavy cruiser HMS Suffolk: HMS Suffolk (Capt. R.M. Ellis, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow.

Royal Navy Heavy cruiser HMS Cornwall: Around 2000 hours, HMS Cornwall (Capt. P.C.W. Manwaring, RN), arrived at Aden after escorting convoy CM 15 which was made up of the large troopships Ile de France (British, 43450 GRT, built 1926), Mauretania (British, 35739 GRT, built 1939) and Nieuw Amsterdam (Dutch, 36287 GRT, built 1938). She had parted company with the convoy around 1400 hours that day.

Royal Navy Light cruiser HMS Caradoc: HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) arrived at Castries, St. Lucia.

Royal Navy Light cruiser HMS Despatch: HMS Despatch (Commodore 2nd cl. C.E. Douglas-Pennant, DSC, RN) departed Port of Spain, Trinidad for Kingston, Jamaica.

Royal Navy Light cruiser HMS Newcastle: At 1500O/19, HMS Birmingham (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) and HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) parted company with each other. HMS Birmingham continued her patrol. HMS Newcastle set course to proceed to Freetown.

Royal Navy Light cruiser HMS Sheffield: HMS Sheffield (Capt. A.W. Clarke, RN) conducted gunnery and torpedo firing exercises at Scapa Flow.

Royal Dutch Navy Destroyer HNMS Isaac Sweers: After dark, HrMs Isaac Sweers (Cdr. J. Houtsmuller, RNN), parted company with convoy WS 10X. She then made an A/S sweep to the east-south-east with ORP Piorun (Cdr. S. Hryniewiecki) before setting course to return to Greenock.

Royal Dutch Navy Submarine HNMS O 10: HrMs O 10 (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) was docked at Blyth.

Royal Navy Aircraft Carrier HMS Formidable: Around 0730P/19, in approximate position 06°55'N, 50°00'W, HMS Formidable (Capt. A.W.La T. Bisset, RN) made rendezvous with the RFA tanker Bishopdale (8406 GRT, built 1937). Around 0930P/19, the carrier commenced fuelling which was completed around 1935P/19 after which they parted company. HMS Formidable is now to proceed to Kingston, Jamaica where she is to disembark her remaining aircraft.

Royal Navy Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Alaunia: With the first part of her refit completed, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) departed Boston around 2030Q/19 for Halifax. HMS Alaunia was to complete her refit in the U.K. which would also include work to make her fit for operations in tropical waters as it was the intention to send her to the East Indies Station on completion of the refit.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Unbeaten: HMS Unbeaten (Lt.Cdr. E.A. Woodward, RN) fires three torpedoes (four were intended) against a convoy of Italian troop transports about 15 nautical miles North of Pantelleria. All torpedoes fired missed their target. (All times are zone -2) 1818 hours - In position 37º02'N, 12º00'E sighted the funnels of large merchant vessel bearing 325º. Range was about 9500 yards. 1822 hours - Sighted 4 liners in formation with three escorting destroyers on their Port wing. Range was now 8000 yards. 1831 hours - Fired a salvo of three torpedoes. Four torpedoes were intended but the third torpedo of the salvo did not leave the torpedo tube. A loud explosion was heard 5 minutes and 25 seconds after firing. This gave a running range of 6500 yards exactly the range that was estimated on firing. The results could not be observed as Unbeaten had been taken deep on firing due to the heavy air escort overhead. 1930 hours - Returned to periscope depth. Nothing in sight. The convoy attacked was made up of the Italian liners Neptunia (19475 GRT, built 1932), Oceania (19507 GRT, built 1933), Marco Polo (12567 GRT, built 1912) and Esperia (11398 GRT, built 1920). They were initially escorted by the Italian destroyers Ugolino Vivaldi, Nicoloso da Recco, Vincenzo Gioberti and Alfredo Oriani. Later the destroyers Grecale, Maestrale and Scirocco joined from Palermo and the torpedo boat Giuseppe Dezza joined from Trapani. An escorting CANT Z.501 from 196^Squadriglia reported the torpedo tracks (which crossed far ahead of the convoy) and dropped two bombs on the submarine.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Oberon: HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Pizey, DSO, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Otway: HMS Otway (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) conducted A/S exercises in the Clyde area with ML's.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Osiris: HMS Osiris (Lt.Cdr. T.T. Euman, RN) is docked at Malta.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Parthian: HMS Parthian (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) arrived at Portsmouth.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Perseus (i): HMS Perseus (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) was docked again at Alexandria.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Severn: HMS Severn (Lt.Cdr. A.N.G. Campbell, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Gibraltar together with HMS Vimy (Lt.Cdr. H.G.D. de Chair, RN) and HMS Vidette (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Walmsley, RN).

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Tribune: HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. W.A.K.N. Cavaye, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Trident: HMS Trident (Cdr. G.M. Sladen, DSC, RN) damaged the German transport Levante (4769 GRT, built 1939) with gunfire east of Havoysund, Norway in position 71°01'N, 24°24'E. Six Norwegians were killed and one German was slightly injured. Levante proceeded to Hammerfest. As a result of this attack the auxiliary A/S vessels, UJ 1707 and UJ 1708 were sent to patrol between Hammerfest and Honningsvag. 1046C/19 - Sighted a merchant vessel coming down Bret Sund from the eastward. Commenced attack. 1103C/19 - In position 71°01'N, 24°24'E fired two torpedoes from 650 yards at a 2500 tons merchant vessel. The attack drill did not went as it should have resulting in the torpedoes to miss the target. 1106C/19 - Surfaced for gun action. The enemy immediately altered course. 21 rounds were fired for at least 5 hits before the enemy went out of sight. The enemy could not be followed as fire was now opened by shore batteries, the ship was making good speed and Trident would have the enter the fjord to deep with the danger of not being able to reach open water if she was counter-attacked. The attack was therefore broken off.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Triumph (i): Around 1700C/19, HMS Triumph (Cdr. W.J.W. Woods, RN) departed from Malta for her 17th war patrol. She was ordered to carry out a special operation which has the object of destroying a railway bridge on the North coast of Sicily near Torrente Furiano about 55 miles East of Palermo. No log is available for August 1941 so map can be displayed.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Tigris: At 0655C/19, HMS Tigris (Cdr. H.F. Bone, DSO. DSC, RN) sighted two destroyers and two A/S trawlers proceeding westwards, apparently on an A/S sweep. [These was a lot of enemy shipping in this area around this time but we have been unable to identify an enemy force of this composition westbound at this time. The destroyer Z 20 / Karl Galster, A/S trawlers UJ 1707 and UJ 1708 and the R-boats R 152 and R 158 were escorting a convoy made up of the transports Levante (German, 4769 GRT, built 1939) and Bretagne (Norwegian (under German control, 3285 GRT, built 1937) eastbound around this time.] At 0930C/19, two A/S trawlers were seen proceeding westwards apparently on an A/S sweep. These were most likely UJ 1707 and UJ 1708 which had parted company with the westbound convoy and were now awaiting an eastbound convoy. At 1130C/19, two A/S trawlers approached from the south-west on a northerly course. They then turned east and came straight towards leaving HMS Tigris no other choice then to go deep. These were most likely UJ 1707 and UJ 1708 again. At 1345C/19, HMS Tigris returned to periscope depth and sighted the German minelayer Bremse, a destroyers, an A/S trawler and at least one merchant vessel to the eastwards proceeding eastwards. Heavy rain made observation difficult. The ships seen were part of a convoy on passage to Kirkenes. It was made up of the transports Barmbeck (German, 2446 GRT, built 1929), Donau II (German, 2931 GRT, built 1939), Rotenfels (German, 7851 GRT, built 1927) and Sivas (German, 3831 GRT, built 1928). They were escorted by the above mentioned Bremse, destroyers Z 7/ Hermann Shoemann, Z 20 / Karl Galster, A/S trawlers UJ 1707, UJ 1708, V 6110 / Franke and the A/S whaler V 6107 / Polarkreis.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Tetrarch: HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. G.H. Greenway, RN) attacks an Italian convoy off Benghasi. The Italian merchant Cadamosto (1010 GRT, built 1905) was missed in this attack. The convoy was made up of the above mentioned Cadamosto and Una (1397 BRT, built 1904). They were escorted by the Italian torpedo boat Calliope which according to Italian sources turned in time to see a torpedo passing only three metres alongside. This convoy had departed Tripoli for Benghazi around 2020B/16. 0715B/19 - In approximate position 32°04'N, 20°00'E sighted a convoy of two merchant ships of about 4000 tons approaching Benghasi. A torpedo boat, a trawler and two aircraft were the escorts. Started attack. As it appeared Tetrarch was spotted during the attack by the torpedo boat, Lt.Cdr. Greenway went deep and fired a three torpedoes at 0809B/19. It appeared one of the torpedoes was a hit (this was not the case). Tetrarch hit bottom at 64 feet. During a counter attack lasting almost three-quarters of an hour 37 depth charges were dropped, but only 6 were close causing some minor damage. Tetrarch was able to creep away during these attacks.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Trusty: HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Urge: HMS Urge (Lt. E.P. Tomkinson, RN) tried to attack a convoy of large liners about 15 nautical miles north-north-west of Pantelleria in position 37°04'N, 11°51'E. She was spotted from the air and depth charged by destroyers. She managed to slip away unharmed. This convoy consisted of the liners Marco Polo (12567 GRT, built 1912), Esperia (11398 GRT, built 1920), Neptunia (19475 GRT, built 1932) and Oceania (19507 GRT, built 1933) escorted by the destroyers Ugolino Vivaldi, Nicoloso Da Recco, Vincenzo Gioberti, Alfredo Oriani, Maestrale, Grecale and Scirocco and the torpedo boat Giuseppe Dezza that had joined from Trapani, managed to squeeze between Urge and Unbeaten with only the latter managing a long range attack. 1815B/19 - In position 37°04'N, 11°51'E sighted an Italian Savoia S.79 aircraft circling bearning 320°. Distance 0.5 nautical miles. Went to 85 feet. 1824B/19 - Returned to periscope depth. 1826B/19 - Sighted a convoy of four large liners bearing 030°. Range was about 7000 to 8000 yards. Enemy course was 180°. Started attack. A large destroyer was sighted coming towards Urge. It was thought the aircraft sighted at 1815 hours had reported a submarine contact. 1832B/19 - Lost trim and before it was regained the destroyer was heard approaching at high speed. 1836B/19 - The destroyer passed overhead and dropped four depth charges. A second destroyer was then heard to join the hunt. More depth charges were dropped while Urge withdrew to the North-West. 1925B/19 - The last depth charges were dropped. HE faded out soon afterwards. 2102B/19 - Surfaced and set course to return to Malta.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Utmost: HMS Utmost (Lt.Cdr. R.D. Cayley, DSO, RN) departed Malta for her 12th war patrol (10th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off South coast of Calabria, Italy. Once again she carried a raiding party to destroy a railway if the opportunity arose. For the daily and attack positions of Utmost during this patrol see the map below.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS H 28: HMS H 28 (Lt. P.S. Skelton, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS H 43: HMS H 43 (Lt. A.C. Halliday, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle.

Royal Navy Light cruiser HMS Galatea: HMS Galatea (Capt. E.W.B. Sim, RN) transited the Suez Canal northbound and arrived at Port Said. After a few hours at Port Said she departed for Alexandria.

Royal Navy Light cruiser HMS Penelope: Operation Gauntlet. Evacuation of Spitsbergen and destruction of mining facilities. Around 1530A/19, the light cruisers HMS Nigeria (Capt. J.G.L. Dundas, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral P.L. Vian, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Aurora (Capt. W.G. Agnew, RN) and the destroyers HMS Tartar (Cdr. L.P. Skipwith, RN), HMS Icarus (Lt.Cdr. C.D. Maud, DSO, RN) and HMS Eclipse (Lt.Cdr. I.T. Clark, RN) left Scapa Flow to make rendezvous off the Butt of Lewis with the aircraft carrier HMS Argus (Capt. T.O. Bulteel, RN), destroyers HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Hodges, RN), HMS Antelope (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Sinclair, RN) and HMS Intrepid (Cdr. R.C. Gordon, DSO, RN) and the troopship Empress of Canada (21517 GRT, built 1922) which had departed the Clyde around 0200A/19. They made rendezvous around 2100A/19, when HMS Argus with HMS Tartar, HMS Intrepid and HMS Escapade proceeded to Scapa Flow where they arrived at 0230A/20. These ships took no part in the upcoming operation 'Gauntlet'. The Empress of Canada, escorted by HMS Nigeria, HMS Aurora, HMS Anthony, HMS Antelope and HMS Icarus (also known as 'Force A' set course for Hvalfiord, Iceland where they arrived at 0730A/21. After fuelling they sailed for Spitsbergen at 2200A/21. The RFA tanker Oligargh (6897 GRT, built 1918) escorted by the trawlers HMS Elm (T/Lt. E.W.C. Dempster, RNVR), HMS Hazel (T/Lt. R. Thorne, RNVR), HMS Van Oost (Skr. A. Bruce, RNR) and the whaler HMS Sealyham (T/Lt. C.E. Jefferson, RNR) had already departed for the upcoming operation around 2330A/18. They arrived off Barentsburg, Spitsbergen around 0800A/24. On board the Empress of Canada were Canadian troops, engeneers, sappers, etc., etc. These were landed to demolish the mining equipment and to burn stocks of coal already mined. The soviet workforce was embarked on the Empress of Canada as was some of the equipment they want to take with them. The Oligargh and her escorts also arrived on the 24th. Around 1800A/26, HMS Aurora joined the captured Norwegian merchant vessels (colliers, which had been in German service) Ingerto (3089 GRT, 1920), Munin (1285 GRT, built 1899), Nandi (1999 GRT, built 1920) and their escort the whaler HMS Sealyham which were bound for Reykjavik, Iceland. HMS Aurora left the convoy at 0400A/27 and returned to Spitsbergen around 0845A/27. HMS Sealyham and the colliers arrived in Iceland on 1 September 1941. Around 2330A/26, the Empress of Canada departed Barentsburg for Archangelsk escorted by HMS Nigeria, HMS Anthony, HMS Antelope and HMS Icarus. They arrived at Archangelsk around 1200A/29. HMS Aurora remained behind at Spitsbergen. The force departed Archangelsk to return to Spitsbergen around 1100A/30. They arrived in the Isfiord around 2230A/1. The Norwegians from Longyearbyen were then embarked on board the Empress of Canada as were the Canadian soldiers. Empress of Canada, HMS Nigeria, HMS Aurora, HMS Anthony, HMS Antelope and HMS Icarus departed for the UK around 2200A/3. At 0001A/5, HMS Nigeria and HMS Aurora parted company with the Empress of Canada and the destroyers. The cruisers were to conduct an anti-shipping raid of the coast of Northern Norway. But before proceeding on this anti-shipping raid both cruisers fuelled from the Oligarch during the 5th. Between 0128A/7 and 0154A/7 the cruisers were in action against an enemy convoy they had intercepted off the Pordanger / Laksefjorden in approximate position 71°10'N, 26°56'E. During the action, at 0137A/7, HMS Nigeria had damaged her bow when most likely colliding with the wreck of one of the German ships. The cruisers then cleared the area but speed of HMS Nigeria was limited due to the damage sustained but both cruiser managed to clear the area without further contact with the enemy and course was set for Scapa Flow. Around 2030A/9, they were joined by the destroyers HMS Bedouin (Cdr. B.G. Scurfield, OBE, RN) and HMS Eskimo (Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN). HMS Nigeria, HMS Aurora, HMS Bedouin and HMS Eskimo arrived at Scapa Flow around 2000A/10. The Germans got off worse though, they lost the gunnery training ship / minelayer Bremse. Besides Bremse the convoy attacked was made up of the transports Trautenfels (German, 6418 GRT, built 1921), Barcelona (German, 3101 GRT, built 1921), A/S trawler UJ 1701, A/S whaler V 6103 / Nordlicht and the motor minesweeper R 162. The RFA tanker Oligargh and the caputured icebreaker Isbjørn and the seal catchers Agnes, Polaris and Strømsnes Also departed Spitsbergen for Iceland [time of depature not known to us]. They were escorted by the trawlers HMS Elk, HMS Hazel and HMS Van Oost. On 10 September 1941 the Isbjørn, Agnes, Polaris and Strømsnes, escorted by HMS Elk arrived at Akureyi, Iceland. Later they went on to Reykjavik, arriving there on 14 September 1941. On the same day the Oligargh also arrived at Reykjavik escorted by HMS Hazel and HMS Van Oost. Around 0001A/5, HMS Kenya and HMS Aurora parted company to proceed on further operations but not before oiling from the Oligargh late in the morning / early in the afternoon of the same day. Around 0715A/6, the light cruiser HMS Penelope (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, RN) departed Scapa Flow to join the Empress of Canada and her three escorting destroyers. HMS Penelope joined them around 1800A/6. Around 0615A/7, HMS Lightning (Cdr. R.G. Stewart, RN) joined company, having departed Scapa Flow around 2200A/6, and HMS Antelope and HMS Anthony parted company and set course to proceed to Scapa Flow where they arrived around 1000A/7. Around 0630A/7, HMS Penelope also parted company and set course to return to Scapa Flow arriving there around 1030A/7. Empress of Canada now continued on to the Clyde escorted by HMS Icarus and HMS Lightning. They arrived in the Clyde around 2300A/7.

Royal Navy Light cruiser HMS Euryalus: HMS Euryalus (Capt. E.W. Bush, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow.

Royal Navy Battleship HMS Revenge: During 19/20 August 1941, HMS Revenge (Capt. L.V. Morgan, CBE, MVO, DSC, RN), conducted compass swing trials at Bermuda followed by gunnery exercises off Bermuda. These included night exercises.

Royal Navy Battleship HMS Ramillies: Around 0600A/19, the battleship HMS Ramillies (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) departed Hvalfjord for Liverpool. She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Castleton (Cdr. (Retd.) F.H.E. Skyrme, RN), HMS Charlestown (Lt.Cdr. T. Johnston, RN) and HMS Hesperus (Lt.Cdr. A.A. Tait, RN). Around 0130A/19, HMS Hesperus parted company to proceed to the Humber where she was to refit. She arrived in the Humber on 22 August 1941. Around 0835A/22, HMS Castleton and HMS Charlestown parted company to proceed to Port ZA (Loch Alsh) where they arrived on 23 August 1941. HMS Ramillies arrived at Liverpool later that morning. At Liverpool she was to refit at the Cammell Laird shipyard at Birkenhead.

Royal Navy Destroyer HMS Velox: The surviving crew members from the British merchant ship Alva, that was sunk by German U-boat U-559 were picked up by the British corvette HMS Campanula (Lt.Cdr. R.V.E. Case, DSC, RNR) and transferred to the British destroyer HMS Velox (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Roper, DSC, RN) and landed at Gibraltar on 25 August 1941.

Royal Navy Destroyer HMS Havock: Around 1710C/19, HMS Havock (Lt. G.R.G. Watkins, DSC, RN) departed Haifa for Alexandria.

Royal Navy Destroyer HMS Hotspur: Around 1350C/19, HMS Hotspur (Lt. T.D. Herrick, DSC, RN) arrived at Haifa from Alexandria.

Royal Navy Destroyer HMS Jervis: At 0840/19, HMS Jervis (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO, RN), HMS Kimberley (Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson, DSO, RN) and HMS Hasty (Lt.Cdr. L.R.K. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), departed Alexandria for a troop and supply run to Tobruk. They returned to Alexandria at 1410/20 having taken some wounded soldiers out of Tobruk on the way back. [The personal diary of a crewmember of HMS Jervis mentions an attack on them by enemy torpedo bombers which had no result. We have so far not been able to find any mention of this in the offical records.]

Soviet Navy Submarine USSR D-3 / Krasnovgardeyets: Around 2300 hours D-3 attacked a German convoy of the Persfjord without result.

Soviet Navy Submarine USSR L-4: L-4 lays a minefield off Cape Olinka.

Soviet Navy Submarine USSR ShCh-301: ShCh-301 fires two torpedoes against the German merchant Theda Fritzen (2882 BRT) off Landsort, Sweden. The torpedoes missed their target.

Royal Navy Corvette HMS Wallflower: HMS Wallflower (Lt.Cdr. I.J. Tyson, RN) picks 10 survivors from the British passenger ship Aguila that was torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-201 west-south-west of Fastnet Rock in position 49°23'N, 17°56'W.

1942

Royal Navy Sloop HMS Gorleston: HMS Gorleston (Cdr.(Retd.) R.W. Keymer, RN) picks up 49 survivors from the British merchant City of Manila that was torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-406 west of Cape Finisterre in position 43°21'N, 18°20'W.

Royal Navy Light cruiser HMS Capetown: HMS Capetown (Capt. P.H.G. James, RN) arrived at Bahrain from Khasab Bay.

Royal Navy Light cruiser HMS Cardiff: HMS Cardiff (Capt. G.F. Stevens-Guille, DSO, OBE, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with aircraft.

Royal Navy Light cruiser HMS Dauntless: HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) arrived at Mayotte.

Royal Australian Navy Light cruiser HMAS Hobart: Task Force 44, made up of the heavy cruiser HMAS Australia (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN), light cruiser HMAS Hobart ( Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the destroyers USS Selfridge (T/Cdr. C.D. Reynolds, USN, with Capt. C.W. Flynn, USN, commanding Destroyer Squadron 4 on board), USS Bagley (T/Cdr. G.A. Sinclair, USN) and USS Patterson (Cdr. F.R. Walker, USN) departed Noumea to join the Carrier Fleet (Task Force 61) at sea. Task Force 61 was still operating in the area covering operations in the Guadalcanal area.

Royal Navy Light cruiser HMS Glasgow: HMS Glasgow (Capt. E.M. Evans-Lombe, RN) conducted gunnery exercises in Chesapeake Bay.

Royal Navy Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Alcantara: Around 1150Z/19, HMS Alcantara (A/Capt.(Retd.) J.D. Harvey, RN) departed Ascension with the transport James Parker (10021 GRT, built 1939), which she is to escort to Pointe Noire.

Royal Navy Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Carthage: HMS Carthage (A/Capt.(Retd.) W.V.H. Harris, DSC, MVO, RN) conduced gunnery exercises in the Clyde area on completion of which she proceeded to Lamlash Bay.

Royal Navy Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Corfu: Around 1130B/19, HMS Corfu (Capt.(Retd.) J.P. Landon, RN), arrived at Capetown from Kilindini / Mombasa.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Una: HMS Una (Lt. C.P Norman, RN) ended her 11th war patrol (9th in the Mediterranean) at Malta.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Porpoise: While approaching Tobruk to attack enemy shipping HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) was detected and depth charged by the Italian torpedo-boat Lince which was escorting the transport Iseo (2366 GRT, built 1918) from Tobruk to Benghazi. Lince dropped three patterns of nine depth charges each and claimed – correctly – to have damaged the submarine. (All torpedoes are zone -3) 0520 hours - Sighted a large destroyer dead ahead. Range was about 3500 yards. She was steering a course approximately opposite to that of Porpoise. Dived to 80 feet in position 32°41'N, 23°32'E and altered course to 180°. 0524 hours - The destroyer passed overhead and dropped a depth charge which exploded very close to the submarine. Porpoise was badly shaken, some lights were extinguished and large quantities of corking were dislodged from the deck head, and shortly afterwards fumes and smoke were observed coming from no.1 section of the main battery. No.1 battery was isolated to prevent the spreading of fumes from spreading through the submarine. After the first depth charge attack the destroyer continued in a northerly direction for about three minutes. She then turned back for another run. She then passed astern and dropped four depth charges which were unpleasantly close and damaged no.2 and no.3 sections of the battery. Further attacks then followed in quick succession and on each occasion the enemy the enemy appeared to be in firm contact. The enemy made a total of 12 attack runs but depth charges were only dropped during the best runs. 0552 hours - Altered course to 210 degrees, the enemy was not not able to make contact as easy as before but when she did the attacks were as carefully conducted as before. 0610 hours - Went to 150 feet. 0700 hours - Went to 200 feet. The enemy was now not able to make contact any more. Altogether the enemy dropped 27 depth charges. All were very close. 0715 hours - The enemy was heard to depart the area. ------------------------------------------ 2050 hours - Surfaced in position 32°54'N, 23°16'E and proceeded on main engines. An attempt was made to charge the damaged battery but she began to smoulder so the charge was broken. It was then noticed that the damage was much severe than first thought. At 0402/20 a signal was sent that Porpoise would be abandoning her patrol and requested an escort back as she was unable to proceed submerged.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Seawolf: HMS Seawolf (Lt. F.D.G. Challis, DSC, RN) departed Halifax, Canada for Philadelphia, U.S.A.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Sibyl: HMS P 217 (Lt. E.J.D. Turner, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. These included night exercises.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Seraph: HMS P 219 (Lt. N.L.A. Jewell, RN) is ordered to patrol in the Bay of Biscay to search for a German tanker sighted by aircraft. The passage to Gibraltar now became her 2nd war patrol. Later on the same day P 219 is bombed by an aircraft (thought to be a Hudson) in position 43°44'N, 11°41'W. It was actually Whitley ‘X’ of Bomber Command O.T.U. which dropped four 250 lb A/S depth charges but they missed.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Splendid: HMS P 228 (Lt. I.L.M. McGeogh, RN) arrived at Portsmouth.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Tribune: HMS Tribune (Lt. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR) went to sea off Blyth with a filming party on board for the shooting of the film 'Close Quarters'.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Talisman: HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. M. Willmott, DSO, RN) is docked for repairs at Gibraltar. It is currently not known to us when she was undocked.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS P 311: HMS P 311 (Cdr. R.D. Cayley, DSO and 2 Bars, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Unique: HMS Unique (Lt. R.E. Boddington, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN), HMS Tigris (Lt.Cdr. G.R. Colvin, RN) and later night exercises with HMS P 217 (Lt. E.J.D. Turner, DSC, RN).

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Upright: HMS Upright (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) carried out A/S exercises with HMS Milne (Capt. I.M.R. Campbell, RN) and HMS Windor (Lt.Cdr. D.H.F. Hetherington, RN).

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Unbending: HMS P 37 (Lt. E.T. Stanley, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Gibraltar.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Unison: HMS P 43 (Lt. A.C. Halliday, RN) attacked an escorted merchant vessel with four torpedoes to the north-west of Lefkada Island, Greece. No hits were obtained. This was the German Balkan (3838 GRT, built 1914); three torpedo tracks were observed. She was escorted by an Italian auxiliary (so far unidentified) which dropped a few depth charges. (All times are zone -2) 1850 hours - Sighted smoke to the northward. 1856 hours - Sighted masts of a vessel bearing 007°. Started attack on what soon turned out to be a deep laden southbound merchant vessel of about 5000 tons. She was escorted by what is thought to be an armed yacht and one aircraft. 1950 hours - In position 38°57'N, 20°24'E fired four torpedoes from 2200 yards. P 43 went to 150 feet and took avoiding action. 1952 hours - A loud explosion was heard at the correct running range. HE of the target was not heard afterwards. 1956 hours - A counter attack was started. Six depth charges were dropped but none was very close. 2045 hours - HE of the escort faded out to the east. 2400 hours - Surfaced. Nothing in sight.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS United: HMS P 44 (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) ended her 4th war patrol (also 4th in the Mediterranean) at Malta.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS P 48: HMS P 48 (Lt. M.E. Faber, RN) was ordered to patrol in the Bay of Biscay to search for a German tanker sighted by aircraft. The passage to Gibraltar now became her 2nd war patrol.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS H 28: HMS H 28 (Lt. C.H. Rankin, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS H 32: HMS H 32 (Lt. J.R. Drummond, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Monkshood.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS H 33: HMS H 33 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) arrived at Dartmouth (instead of Falmouth).

Royal Navy Submarine HMS H 43: HMS H 43 (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with USS Niblack, USS Benson, USS Gleaves and USS Mayo.

Royal Navy Light cruiser HMS Kenya: HMS Kenya (Capt. A.S. Russell, RN) is undocked.

Royal Navy Light cruiser HMS Jamaica: Around 2300Z/19, HMS Jamaica (Capt. J.L. Storey, RN) departed Reykjavik, Iceland for Londonderry, Northern Ireland. On board was the First Lord of the Admiralty, the Right Honourable A.V. Alexander, M.P. and his staff. HMS Jamaica arrived at Londonderry around 1600A/21. The passengers were then disembarked. Around 1730A/21, HMS Jamaica departed Londonderry for Scapa Flow where she arrived around 1000A/22.

Royal Navy Battleship HMS Anson: HMS Anson (Capt. H.R.G. Kinahan, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral Sir B. Fraser, CB, KBE, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow.

Royal Navy Destroyer HMS Kelvin: HMS Kelvin (Cdr. M.S. Townsend, OBE, DSC, RN) departed Port Said for Alexandria. [She might have been escorting the tanker South America (Norwegian, 6246 GRT, built 1931) which also departed Port Said for Alexandria on this day.]

Royal Navy Corvette HMS Clarkia: HMS Clarkia (Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Jones, RNR) picks up 40 survivors from the British tanker British Consul that was torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-564 85 nautical miles north-west of Boca Grande, Trinidad in position 11°58'N, 62°38'W.

US Navy Submarine USS R-1: USS R-1 (Lt. W.R. Laughon, USN) was undocked.

US Navy Submarine USS R-2: USS R-2 (Lt. D.T. Hammond, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

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

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

US Navy Submarine USS R-13: USS R-13 (Lt. A.R. Gallaher, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Soviet Navy Submarine USSR K-21: K-21 fires four torpedoes at the German merchant S?vre (5089 GRT, former French) and two small escorts in Lopphavet in position 70°27'N, 21°39'E. All torpedoes however miss their target.

Polish Navy Escort destroyer ORP Slazak: ORP Slazak participated in the Dieppe Raid, bombarding numerous German shore artillery units, repulsing 30 air attacks and shooting down four Luftwaffe airplanes. For the action in Dieppe Raid, the commander of ORP Slazak, Lt.Cmdr. Romuald Tyminski received the Distinguished Service Cross.

Royal Dutch Navy Destroyer HNMS Tjerk Hiddes (ii): Around 0730C/19, the light cruiser HMS Orion (Capt. G.C.P. Menzies, RN) and the destroyers HMAS Nepal (Cdr. F.B. Morris, RAN) and HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Kruys, RNethN) departed Durban to join convoy WS 21P at sea. [For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 21P ' for 18 July 1942.]

Royal Navy 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

Royal Navy Heavy cruiser HMS London: HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral L.H.K. Hamilton, CB, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Ceylon (Capt. G.B. Amery-Parkes, RN), HMS Spartan (Capt. P.V. McLaughlin, RN) and HMS Danae (Capt. J.R.S. Haines, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow.

Royal Navy Heavy cruiser HMS Suffolk: HMS Suffolk (Capt. R. Shelley, CBE, RN) arrived at Trincomalee.

Royal Navy Light cruiser HMS Capetown: HMS Capetown (Capt. C.L. Robertson, RN or A/Cdr. C.J. Grenfell, RN) arrived at Aden from Bandar Abbas.

Royal Navy Heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher: Around 1030FG/19, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) arrived at Aden from Bombay.

Royal Navy Light cruiser HMS Belfast: Around 1930A/19, HMS Belfast (Capt. F.R. Parham, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.L. Burnett, CB, DSO, OBE, RN) departed Skaalefjord for Scapa Flow where she arrived around 0715A/20.

Royal Dutch Navy Submarine HNMS K XII: HrMs K XII (Lt.Cdr. T. Brunsting, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Fremantle with USS SC-739.

Royal Dutch Navy Submarine HNMS O 24: HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) attacked the German supply ship Quito (1230 GRT, built 1938) (offsite link) with four torpedoes west of the Sembilan Islands in position 04°01'N, 100°25'E . No hits were obtained as Quito was able to evade the torpedoes. Earlier in the day, two ships, believed to be (A/S) trawlers, had been sighted. They were not attacked. 1432FG/19 - In position 04°05'N, 100°25'E, two ships were sighted bearing 135°. An attack was started and it was later thought the ships were trawlers. Enemy course was 340°. Range came down to 2000 yards. The attack was abandond. 1704FG/19 - In position 04°01'N, 100°25'E sighted a ship bearing 137°, range was only 3000 yards (No HE had been heard as the hydrophones did not work correctly). Enemy course was 340°. O 24 swung hard to starboard to get in a favourable attack position. 1719FG/19 - Fired four torpedoes from 2500 yards. 1721FG/19 - The target was seen to turn hard to starboard and smoked heavily as speed was increased to full power. She managed to evade the torpedoes.

Royal Dutch Navy Submarine HNMS O 15: HrMs O 15 (Lt.Cdr. A.J. Schouwenaar, RNN) departed Dundee for Scapa Flow. She was escorted by the British Motor Launch HMS ML 254 (T/Lt. W.M. Russell, RNVR).

Royal Dutch Navy Submarine HNMS O 9: HrMs O 9 (Lt. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Altair (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) W.R.T. Clements, RNR) and HMS Bretwalda (Skr.Lt. J.R. Coultas, RD, RNR).

Royal Dutch Navy Submarine HNMS O 10: HrMs O 10 (Lt.Cdr. A. van Altena, RNN(R)) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS St. Modwen (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Lycett, RD, RNR) and HMS Radiant (T/Lt. C.S.R. Shapland, RNVR).

Royal Dutch Navy Submarine HNMS Dolfijn: Around 0730B/19, HrMs Dolfijn (Lt.Cdr. H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede, RNN) ended her 10th war patrol (8th in the Mediterranean) at Algiers. She was escorted in [name of the escort not known to us at the moment]. The escort had joined around 0610B/19.

US Navy Submarine USS Sailfish: At 1015H/19, in position 26°45'N, 121°55'E (north of Formosa), USS Sailfish (T/Cdr. W.R. Lefavour, USN) sighted smoke bearing 290°(T). Closed to investigate. The smoke was then seen to come from a trawler of about 300 to 400 tons. She was patrolling on various courses. Decided not to attack and to remain in the vicinity to see if some shipping would be passing through the area but none was sighted. On surfacing after dark at 1931H/19, the trawler was still in sight.

US Navy Submarine USS Finback: USS Finback (Lt.Cdr. J.A. Tyree, Jr.) sank the Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 109 (75 tons, former Dutch patrol vessel Kawi) with gunfire off the east coast of Celebes in position 03°01'S, 125°50'E.

US Navy Submarine USS Billfish: After Topping off with fuel and provisions, USS Billfish (Cdr. F.C. Lucas, Jr., USN), departed Port Darwin for her patrol area.

US Navy Submarine USS Skate: USS Skate (T/Cdr. E.B. McKinney, USN) arrived at the Mare Island Navy Yard from San Diego.

Royal Navy Aircraft Carrier HMS Unicorn: At Gibraltar, Rear-Admiral C. Moody, RN, transferred his flag from HMS Indomitable (Capt. G. Grantham, CB, DSO, RN) to HMS Unicorn (Capt. Q.D. Graham, CBE, DSO, RN).

Royal Navy Escort Carrier HMS Battler: HMS Stalker (Capt. H.S. Murray-Smith, RN), HMS Attacker (Capt. W.W.P. Shirley-Rollison, RN) and HMS Battler (A/Capt. F.M.R. Stephenson, RN) conducted flying exercises off Gibraltar. Rear-Admiral C. Moody, RN, was on board HMS Stalker during these exercises. [No details available on their escort.]

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Una: HMS Una (Lt. W.G. Meeke, DSC, RN) arrived at Fishguard where she was to participate in exercises with aircraft.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Oberon: HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. J.B.de B. Kershaw, DSO, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with a training class of new submariners.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Proteus: HMS Proteus (Lt. H.D. Verschoyle, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with a training class of new submariners. She also acted as target for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course).

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Sealion: HMS Sealion (Lt. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR) was docked in AFD 20 at Kames Bay.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Safari: Around 1145B/19, HMS Safari (Lt. R.B. Lakin, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Gibraltar.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Sea Nymph: At 0700 hours, HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN), made rendez-vous with HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) and their escort HMS White Bear (Cdr.(Retd.) A.L. Sanders, RN).

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Stoic: HMS Stoic (Lt. P.B. Marriott, DSO, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Larne.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Stonehenge: HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) was undocked.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Stubborn: HMS Stubborn (Lt. A.A. Duff, RN) conducted night 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 target.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Syrtis: At 0655B/19, HMS Syrtis (Lt M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN), made rendez-vous with HMS Sea Nymph (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) and their escort HMS White Bear. Course was then set for the Clyde.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Tribune: HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. W.N. Eade, RNR) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with a training class of new submariners.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Trident: HMS Trident (Lt. P.E. Newstead, RN) developed serious engine problems with the starboard diesel engine. It was therefore decided to patrol to the north of Sumatra instead of in the Malacca Strait.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Trespasser: HMS Trespasser (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Favell, RN) conducted D/G trials at Beirut.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Umbra: HMS Umbra (Lt. P.H. May, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Shemara (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Buckle, RN) and HMS La Cordeliere (Lt.Cdr. A.J.G. Barff, RNR).

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Unruly: HMS Unruly (Lt. J.P. Fyfe, RN) ended her 6th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean) at Malta.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Uther: HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.

Royal Norwegian Navy Submarine HNoMS Ula: HNoMS Ula (Lt. R.M. Sars) ended her 2nd war patrol at Lerwick. She departed for Dundee later the same day. She was escorted by HMS Macbeth (T/Lt. A. Parker, RNR).

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Venturer: Venturer (Lt. J.S. Launders, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. She then conducted acceptance trials in the Clyde area following which she returned to Holy Loch where she was commissioned for service.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS H 28: HMS H 28 (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) is undocked.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS H 32: HMS H 32 (Lt. J.A.R. Troup, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMCS Pictou (T/Lt. P.T. Byers, RCNR), HMCS Bittersweet (T/Lt. F.B. Brooks-Hill, RCNVR), HMCS Saskatchewan (Cdr. R.C. Medley, DSO, RN) and HMCS Mayflower (Lt. V. Browne, RCNR).

Royal Navy Submarine HMS H 34: HMS H 34 (Lt. B. Charles, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Spaniel and HMS Boarhound (Skr. A. Keable, RNR).

Royal Navy Minelayer HMS Abdiel: HMS Abdiel (Capt. D. Orr-Ewing, DSO, RN) departed Malta for Alexandria.

Royal Navy Light cruiser HMS Phoebe: Around 1145A/19, the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (Capt. G. Rowe, USN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral O.M. Hustvedt, USN), heavy cruisers USS Augusta (Capt. G. Hutchins, USN), USS Tuscaloosa (Capt. J.B.W. Waller, USN), light cruiser HMS Phoebe (Capt. C.P. Frend, RN) and the destroyers USS Forrest (T/Cdr. K.P. Letts, USN, with COMDESDIV 20, T/Capt. C.M. Jensen, USN), USS Corry (T/Cdr. L.B. Ensey, USN), USS Hobson (T/Lt.Cdr. K. Loveland, USN), USS Isherwood (T/Cdr. R.E. Gadrow, USN) and USS Bell (T/Cdr. L.C. Petross, USN) arrived at Scapa Flow.

Royal Navy Light cruiser HMS Mauritius: Around 0945B/19, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN), HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.K. Scott-Moncrieff, DSO, RN) and HMS Intrepid (Cdr. C.A.de W. Kitcat, RN) departed Augusta for Malta where they arrived around 1435B/19.

Royal Navy Light cruiser HMS Ceylon: During 19/20 August 1943, HMS Ceylon (Capt. G.B. Amery-Parkes, RN), HMS Phoebe (Capt. C.P. Frend, RN) and HMS Danae (Capt. J.R.S. Haines, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. These included night exercises.

Royal Navy Light cruiser HMS Jamaica: D Lock at the Portsmouth Dockyard, holding HMS Jamaica (Capt. J.L. Storey, DSO, RN), is flooded.

Royal Navy Battleship HMS Malaya: HMS Malaya (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) participated in exercises at Scapa Flow.

Royal Australian Navy Destroyer HMAS Stuart: HMAS Stuart (Lt.Cdr. N.A. Mackinnon, RAN) proceeded up river to Brisbane. She then commenced boiler cleaning which was completed on 27 August.

Royal Canadian Navy Destroyer HMCS Athabaskan (i): In the morning, HMCS Athabaskan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN) and HMS Grenville (Lt.Cdr. R.P. Hill, DSO, RN) arrived at Falmouth from patrol.

US Navy Submarine USS S-35: USS S-35 (Lt. H.S. Monroe) developed engine trouble and is forces to break off her patrol.

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

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

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

US Navy Submarine USS R-14: USS R-14 (Lt.Cdr. R. Holden, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

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

Royal Navy Submarine HMS L 26: HMS L 26 (Lt. A.G. Prideaux, DSC, RN) arrived at St. John's, Newfoundland.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS L 27: HMS L 27 (Lt. R.G.P. Bulkeley, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Fishguard with aircraft.

Royal New Zealand Navy MS Trawler HMNZS Tui: HMNZS Tui, along with some American OS2U Kingfisher float planes of VS-57, attack and sink the Japanese submarine I-17 40 miles SE of Noumea. The I-17 had been the first Axis warship to shell North America when she shelled the Ellwood Oil Field near Santa Barbara, California.

1944

Royal Dutch Navy Light cruiser HNMS Tromp: Operation Banquet. Carrier raid against Padang, Sumatra, Netherlands East Indies by ships of the Eastern Fleet. Around 1100FG/19, ' Force 64 ' put to sea from Trincomalee. ' Force 64 ' was made up of the following ships; Aircraft carriers HMS Victorious (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, CBE, RN), HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C. Moody, CB, RN), battleship HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN), light cruisers HMS Ceylon (Capt. G.B. Amery-Parkes, RN), HMS Kenya (Capt. C.L. Robertson, RN) and the destroyers HMS Rotherham (Capt. H.W. Biggs, DSO, RN), HMS Raider (Lt.Cdr. K.W. Michell, DSC, RN), HMS Redoubt (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Ropner, DSO, RN), HMS Rapid (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Rocket (Lt.Cdr. H.B. Acworth, OBE, RN). On the 17th ' Force 67 ' made up of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker Easedale (8032 GRT, built 1942) escorted by the light cruiser HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) had already gone to sea to be in a position to refuel ships from ' Force 64 ' on the 22th. The submarine HMS Severn (Lt. R.H. Bull, DSC, RN) was in the area for air/sea rescue duties. On the 24th the carriers launched aircraft to attack Padang. They claimed to have sunk a transport and to have damaged two more transports. Three aircraft were lost. One on take off, one during the action and one one landing. ' Force 64 ' returned to Trincomalee around 1200FG/27.

Royal Dutch Navy Submarine HNMS O 24: HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) conducted exercises off New London, Connecticut, U.S.A.

Royal Dutch Navy Submarine HNMS O 15: HrMs O 15 (Lt. W.C.M. de Jonge van Ellemeet, RNN) was docked at Rothesay.

Royal Dutch Navy Submarine HNMS Zwaardvisch: HrMs Zwaardvisch (Lt.Cdr. H.A.W. Goossens, RNN) sank two sailing vessels with gunfire in the Malacca Strait. (All times are zone -6.5) 0555 hours - At first light sighted 2 sails through the periscope, range about 5 nautical miles. Closed submerges until the ship was recognized as a large sailing barge that was sailing parallel to the coast. 0654 hours - Surfaced for gun action. Fired a shot across the bows but nothing happened. Fire was now directed at the barge. The third round was a very near miss on which the sails were struck and four men jumped overboard. The barge could not be closed as the water was very shallow and was finished off with gunfire from a range of 1000 yards and sank at 0710 hours in position 04°30'N, 98°15'E. 22 rounds of 4" had been expended. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2030 hours - While cruising on the surface a junk was sighted bearing 130°, distance 1.3 nautical miles sailing towards the Sumatra coast. Closed up for gun action. A few warning bursts with the Oerlikon were fire but nothing happened and the junk sailed on. Now a few rounds of 4" were fired but did not have effect either as they appeared to fall short but at 2040 hours the junk capsized in position 04°15'N, 99°14'E. A search for survivors was made but as it was a very dark night none could be found.

US Navy Submarine USS Searaven: USS Searaven (T/Cdr. M.H. Dry, USN) arrived at Midway from Pearl Harbor. She was then taken in hand for voyage repairs and repairs to no.1 engine, which was defective upon arrival, by USS Proteus (T/Capt. R.W. Berry, USN).

US Navy Submarine USS Bluefish: While on her 6th war patrol USS Bluefish (Lt.Cdr. C.M. Henderson) torpedoed and sank the Japanese fleet tanker/seaplane carrier Hayasui (18300 GRT) some 80 nautical miles northwest of Cape Bolinao in position 17°34'N, 119°23'E, and damaged the Japanese hospital ship Awa Maru (11249 GRT) in position 17°36'N, 119°38'E.

US Navy Submarine USS Redfin: USS Redfin (Lt.Cdr. M.H. Austin) lays mines off Sarawak, Borneo.

US Navy Submarine USS Cabrilla: USS Cabrilla (Cdr. W.C. Thompson, Jr., USN) ended her 5th war patrol at Fremantle. At Fremantle she was refitted by Submarine Division 161 and Submarine Repair Unit no.137. Refit, which included a docking, was completed on 1 September 1944.

US Navy Submarine USS Bergall: USS Bergall (Cdr. J.M. Hyde, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbor together with USS Carlson (Lt.Cdr. J.A. Stapleton, USNR) and USS Greiner (Lt.Cdr. L.H. Kiser, USN).

US Navy Submarine USS Sand Lance: USS Sand Lance (Lt.Cdr. M.E. Garrison) ended her 3rd war patrol at Fremantle.

US Navy Submarine USS Atule: USS Atule (Cdr. J.H. Maurer, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

US Navy Submarine USS Spadefish: USS Spadefish (Cdr. G.W. Underwood) torpedoed and sank the Japanese landing craft depot and repair ship Tamatsu Maru (9589 GRT) west of Luzon, Philippines in position 18°48'N, 119°47'E.

Royal Navy Aircraft Carrier HMS Implacable: Implacable (Capt. L.D. Mackintosh, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted speed trials in the Clyde area. These included full speed trials on the measured mile.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Shakespeare: HMS Shakespeare (Lt. D. Swanston, DSC and Bar, RN) put into Scapa Flow for repairs to her W/T equipment.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Sirdar: HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) departed Trincomalee for her 5th war patrol (3rd in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol off the North-West coast of Sumatra and to proceed to Fremantle, Australia upon completion of the patrol. She was escorted out by HMS Maid Marion (T/Lt. F.R. Crawford, RNVR). For the daily and attack positions of HMS Sirdar during this patrol see the map below.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Spiteful: HMS Spiteful (Lt.Cdr. F.H. Sherwood, DSC, RCNVR) is ordered to reconnoitre Christmas Island.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Strongbow: HMS Strongbow (Lt. J.A.R. Troup, DSC, RN) departed Trincomalee for her 2nd war patrol (1st in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol in the Phuket area. Before proceeding on patrol practice attacks were made on HMS Wolfe (A/Capt. J.E. Slaughter, DSO, RN).

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Strongbow: For the daily and attack positions of HMS Strongbow during her 2nd war patrol see the map below. (map is incomplete as positions were taken from the patrol report as there are no logs available for August and September 1944

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Scythian: HMS Scythian (T/Lt C.P. Thode, RNZNVR) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Supreme: Around 1330 hours (zone -2), HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) and HMS Upshot (Lt. H.W. Wilkinson, RN), made rendez-vous with their escort HMS Shikari (Lt. E.H.U. Cautley, RNVR) in position 58°50'N, 01°00'W. They then proceeded to Holy Loch.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Torbay: Around 1410A/19, HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) arrived at Blyth.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Truculent: HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) transits the Suez Canal and arrived at Port Said.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Telemachus: HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) is undocked.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Tiptoe: HMS Tiptoe (Lt.Cdr. P.R.H. Harrison, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) served as the target.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Trump: HMS Trump (Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted noise trials at Loch Goil.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Unruffled: HMS Unruffled (Lt. R.F. Park, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Bermuda.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Untamed: HMS Vitality (Lt. K.S. Renshaw, DSC, RNR) conducted exercises off Tobermory with HMCS Petrolia (T/Lt. P.W. Spragge, RCNVR).

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Unswerving: HMS Unswerving (T/Lt. M.D. Tattersall, RNVR) was undocked.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Urtica: HMS Urtica (Lt. K.H. Martin, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) and HMS Sardonyx (A/Lt.Cdr. T.A. Easton, RNVR) served as the targets.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Varne: HMS Varne (Lt. I.G. Raikes, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. Upon completion of these she returned to Holy Loch.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Vigorous: HMS Vigorous (Lt. J.C. Ogle, DSC, RN) is undocked.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Virtue: HMS Virtue (Lt. R.D. Cairns, DSC. RN) sank the Greek sailing vessel VOL 233 / Agii Apostoli with gunfire south of Milos, Greece. (All times are zone -2) 1700 hours - Sighted a medium seized caique leaving Milos. Set course to intercept. 1920 hours - Surfaced in position 36°42'N, 24°18'E and sank the caique with 9 rounds of 3". Starting range was 3500 yards. The caique was estimated to be of about 40 tons and was heavily laden with oil drums. 1940 hours - Set course for the Suda Bay area.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS H 50: HMS H 50 (Lt. W.T.J. Fox, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with aircraft.

Royal Navy Light cruiser HMS Diadem: Around 0001B/19, ' Force 28 ', made up of the light cruiser HMS Diadem (Capt. E.G.A. Clifford, RN) and the destroyers HMS Onslow (Capt. J.A. McCoy, DSO, RN) and ORP Piorun (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) T. Gorazdowski) departed Plymouth to patrol between Ile d'Yeu and the Gironde reaching the latter by 2300B/19. At 0930B/20, ' Force 28 ' reported having seen nothing of the enemy so far. During daylight on the 20th they remaining in the vicinity of Ile d'Yeu. Enemy shore radar was active on the island but no enemy battery opened fire. ' Force 28 ' also approached St. Gilles Croix de Vie and at 1139B/20, a 3 gun battery on Pointe Gautier Ile d'Yeu opened an ineffective fire, all rounds falling short. Fire was returned by HMS Diadem and many hits were seen in the target area after which the fire from the battery ceased. Meanwhile two fishing vessels from Les Sables d'Olonne were interrogated by ORP Piorun. The only information obtained was a number of field batteries along the shore, but very few German troops. ORP Piorun was also unsuccesfully engaged by a battery in position 46°42'6"N, 01°53'6"W. During the night of 20/21 August 1944, ' Force 28 ' again encountered no enemy shipping. At 0936B/21, they reported also encountering no shipping in the Saint-Jean-de-Luz area. Three enemy shore batteries then opened fire on ' Force 28 '. Their fire was accurate but ' Force 28 ' was able to retire without damage. HMS Diadem returned the fire but the result could not be observed. On completion of this sweep ' Force 28 ' set course to return to Plymouth where they arrived around 1430B/22.

Royal Navy Battleship HMS Queen Elizabeth: Around 1800FG/19, HMS Queen Elizabeth (Capt. H.G. Norman, CBE, RN), HMS Wolfe (A/Capt. J.E. Slaughter, DSO, RN), HMS Queenborough (Cdr. E.P. Hinton, DSO and Bar, MVO, RN), HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN), HMS Penn (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, DSO, DSC, RN), HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN) and HrMs Van Galen (Cdr. F.T. Burghard, RNethN) arrived at Trincomalee from Colombo.

Royal Australian Navy Destroyer HMAS Vendetta: Around 1600K/19, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) departed Milne Bay for Brisbane. She is to return to Australia for a short refit.

US Navy Submarine USS R-1: USS R-1 (Lt. W.A. Schoenfeld, USN) conducted exercises off Bermuda.

US Navy Submarine USS R-2: USS R-2 (Lt.Cdr. L.G. Bernard, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

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

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

US Navy Submarine USS R-14: USS R-14 (Lt.Cdr. R. Holden, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

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

Soviet Navy Submarine USSR M-201: M-201 torpedoed and sank the German auxiliary patrol vessel V 6112 / Friesse (452 GRT, built 1937, former British Bradman) off the Persfjord 7 nautical miles north-west of Vard?, Norway in position 70°47'N, 30°95'E.

Royal Dutch Navy Destroyer HNMS Tjerk Hiddes (ii): Around 1700FG/19, HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. N.W. Sluijter, RNethN) departed Bombay for Trincomalee.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS L 23: HMS L 23 (Lt. H.R. Murray, RN) shifted from St. John, New Brunswick to Digby.

1945

Royal Navy Light cruiser HMS Dauntless: HMS Dauntless (Cdr. P.F. Powlett, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) and HMS Diomede (Cdr. J.M. Hodges, DSO, RN) proceeded from Loch Bay to Bangor Bay.

Royal Navy Light cruiser HMS Birmingham: HMS Birmingham (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) anchored off Golspie.

US Navy Destroyer USS Allen M. Sumner: USS Allen M. Sumner (Cdr. N.J. Sampson) arrived at Eniwetok.

US Navy Destroyer USS John R. Pierce: With the raid against Wake Island cancelled due to the Japanese surrender USS John Reeves Pierce (Cdr Clayton R. Simmers) was diverted to Eniwetok arriving later same day.

US Navy Destroyer USS Lindsey: USS Lindsey arrived at Norfolk for full repairs.

US Navy Battleship USS Iowa: USS Iowa (Capt. C. Wellborn, Jr., USN) received ammunition from the ammunition ship USS Mazama (Capt. P.V.R. Harris, USNR).

US Navy Submarine USS Searaven: USS Searaven (T/Lt.Cdr. R.C. Smallwood, Jr., USN) departed Pearl Harbor for Balboa, Panama Canal Zone.

US Navy Submarine USS Bowfin: USS Bowfin (Cdr. A.K. Tyree, USN) returned to Pearl Harbor.

US Navy Submarine USS Dragonet: At 1614K/19, USS Dragonet (T/Lt.Cdr G.G. Hinman, USN) is ordered to proceed to Pearl Harbor instead of Midway.

US Navy Submarine USS Caiman: USS Caiman (Lt.Cdr. W.L. Fey, Jr., USN) ended her 4th war patrol at Subic Bay.

US Navy Submarine USS Carbonero: USS Carbonero (Cdr. C. L. Murphy, USN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Subic Bay.

Royal Navy Aircraft Carrier HMS Implacable: Around 1400K/19, the aircraft carriers HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral P.L. Vian, KCB, KBE, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Victorious (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, CBE, RN) and HMS Implacable (Capt. C.C. Hughes-Hallett, RN) departed Manus for Sydney. They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Grenville (Capt. R.G. Onslow, DSO, RN, Capt. D 25), HMS Undine (Cdr. T.C. Robinson, RN), HMS Urania (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Alliston, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Urchin (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Harkness, DSC, OBE, RD, RNR).

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Spark: HMS Spark (Lt. D.G. Kent, RN) arrived at Subic Bay.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Talent (iii): HMS Talent (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Favell, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Varangian: HMS Varangian (Lt. J.H.N. Pope, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil. Upon completion of these trials HMS Varangian proceeded to Rothesay.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Volatile: HMS Volatile (Lt. P.T. Miles, RN) arrived at Rothesay.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Vox: HMS Vox (Lt. W.E.I. Littlejohn, DSC, RANVR) departed Wellington for Sydney. For the daily positions of HMS Vox during this passage see the map below.

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Vulpine: HMS Vulpine (Lt. W.D.S. Scott, RN) shifted from Rothesay to Tobermory.

Royal Navy Light cruiser HMS Euryalus: The aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CB, CBE, RN), light carrier HMS Venerable (Capt. W.A. Dallmeyer, DSO, RN), light cruisers HMS Swiftsure (Capt. P.V. McLaughlin, RN), HMS Euryalus (Capt. R. Oliver-Bellesis, RN) and the destroyers HMS Kempenfelt (Capt. E.G. McGregor, DSO, RN), HMS Whirlwind (Cdr. W.A.F. Hawkins, DSO, DSC, OBE, RN), HMS Ursa (Cdr. D.B. Wyburd, DSC, RN) and HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. P.C. Hopkins, RN) departed Manus for Leyte where they arrived on 22 August. These ships were to form part of Task Unit 111.2 and were to participate in the liberation of Hong Kong to which place they proceeded later routed via Subic Bay.

Royal Canadian Navy Light cruiser HMCS Ontario: Around 0700FG/19, HMCS Ontario (Capt. H.T.W. Grant, DSO, RCN) arrived at Colombo from Aden.

French Navy Submarine FR Argo: Argo arrived at Casablanca, French Morocco from Bermuda.

French Navy Submarine FR Amazone: Amazone arrived at Casablanca, French Morocco from Bermuda.

Italian Navy Submarine IT Marea: Marea departed Port Everglades, Florida, USA for Key West, Florida, USA.

2009

United States Coast Guard Cutter USCGC Alexander Hamilton: The Icelandic Coast guard has located a shipwreck in Faxafloi that is believed to be Alexander Hamilton. The finding is yet to be confirmed by underwater filming.

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